Op-Ed by FBI Director Christopher Wray: The Cops Who Didn't Come Home

Especially troubling is that a record number of officers killednearly halfhad no engagement with their assailant before the attack. Each story is heartbreaking: A 30-year Florida deputy murdered one shift shy of retirement; an officer ambushed on his first day on the job, leaving behind a wife and 6-month-old son; a combat veteran and his police dog killed while serving together.



At the Federal Bureau of Investigation, we experienced loss in 2021, too. Special Agents Laura Schwartzenberger and Daniel Alfin were murdered while doing the difficult job investigating crimes against children. FBI Task Force Officer Greg Ferency of the Terre Haute, Ind., Police Department was ambushed and killed outside an FBI office.

When I started as FBI director, I made it my practice to call the chief or sheriff of every officer intentionally killed in the line of duty. I have now made more than 200 such calls. Each conversation reminds me that behind the uniform, the badge, and, yes, sometimes the flashing lights in your rearview mirror, there are real people. With each call, I think about the families and friends who lost someone they loved, the children who will grow up without a parent, and the communities deprived of a public servant.

We owe it to them to redouble our efforts to take the most violent offenders off the streets and to make sure officers have the resources, equipment and training they need to do their jobs safely. Even more, we need to ensure the brave men and women know that the communities they serve have their backs.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-18. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Smart app to be launched for Vietnamese students

A smart app named Vietnamese students is expected to be launched in the near future, contributing to the management of Vietnam Students Association members around the country.

A smart app named Vietnamese students is expected to be launched in the near future. (Photo: NDO)



The information was released at a conference held by the Secretariat of the Vietnam Students Association in Hanoi, on January 18.



The app will be implemented in three stages. Particularly, during the first two stages, from February to August, the app will be piloted throughout several universities, academies and then Students Associations at the provincial level and finally at universities in centrally-run cities.



Based on comments and assessments, the app will be launched in the third stage at the Students Associations, at all levels.



The Vietnam Students Association will provide training courses on the use of the app for officials and cadres of the associations from provincial to grassroots levels, as well as a built in video clip guiding the operation of the app.



At the conference, the Secretariat of the Vietnam Students Association, was informed of the outstanding achievements of the students movements during the first semester of the academic year 2021-2022.


General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)





BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday stressed rigorous and unswerving efforts in further promoting full and strict Party governance.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, vowed to maintain a zero-tolerance stance on corruption while addressing the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting.

Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, presided over the meeting.



General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 18, 2022. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting. Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)





Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has improved Party conduct, upheld integrity and combated corruption with unprecedented courage and resolve, Xi said.

"Certain unhealthy tendencies that hadn't been curbed for a long time have been reined in, many problems that had long plagued us have been remedied, and serious potential dangers in the Party, the country and the military have been rooted out," Xi said.

The problem of lax and weak governance over Party organizations has been addressed at the fundamental level, and a successful path to breaking the historical cycle of rise and fall has been blazed through the Party's self-reform, Xi added.
State health regulators investigators are on site at a short-staffed Thomasville long-term care facility where two residents died over the weekend and two more are in the hospital in critical condition.

The N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation is reviewing Pine Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Centers compliance with applicable staffing requirements.

According to Tuesdays Thomasville Police Department report, responding officers determined there was inadequate staffing to accommodate the 98 patients of the facility at 706 Pineywood Road.

One licensed practical nurse and two certified nursing assistants were available at the time of the investigation.

Neither federal nor state law prescribe a minimum staffing ratio for nursing homes, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.

Officials with Principle LTC, the Kinston-based operator of Pine Ridge, have not returned requests for comment on the deaths and police investigation. Thomasville police has not commented beyond its report.

DHHS said federal and state regulations require nursing homes to have sufficient staff (particularly nurses) with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to provide nursing and related services to assure resident safety and well-being.

Staffing levels also are dictated by resident assessments and individual plans of care (that) consider the number, acuity and diagnoses of the facilitys resident population.

All nursing homes in North Carolina that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs must also comply with the federal regulations.

COVID-19 clusters

Separately, DHHS reported Wednesday that Pine Ridge has a current outbreak of 13 staff members and seven residents. That was up from eight staff members and two residents as of the Jan. 11 update. There had been no reported COVID-19 related deaths as of Tuesday.

A cluster is defined as at least five cases over a 28-day period. The state does not report when the cases were diagnosed.

A facility must be at least 28 days removed from its last new case to be taken off the list of clusters.

DHHS said there were previous outbreaks at Pine Ridge that began on July 18, 2020, and ended on Feb. 26, 2021, and began on Oct. 13, 2021, and ended on Nov. 10, 2021.

The July 2020 cluster have at its peak 99 infected residents involving nine deaths and 57 staff with no deaths. The October 2021 cluster had three staff and one resident with no deaths.

Staffing protocols

Pine Ridge has been subject of at least 16 complaints to state health regulators since January 2017.

Of those complaints, there were deficiencies cited in six  all of which were corrected following in-person inspections by DHHS-led inspections.

For example, a February 2018 recertification said long-term care facilities must have an emergency preparedness plan  utilizing an all-hazards approach  that complies with applicable local, state and federal requirements.

The DHHS report found that the requirement is not met as evidenced in that the facility failed to have an emergency preparedness plan.

The plan did not include facility- and community-based risk assessments, which included missing residents, the facilities resident population and a process that included collaboration with local, regional, state and federal officials.

The plan did not have any policy or procedures regarding the emergency plan, the provision of needs for staff and residents, evacuation, sheltering of residents and staff that remain in the facility and the transportation of medical records. ... The plan failed to have a training program.

Background

The two unidentified deceased Pine Ridge residents were found during a welfare check conducted Sunday night by Thomasville police and other local first responders and medical personnel.

The police report said the families had been notified of their deaths by staff before the police investigation began. Their bodies were sent to the autopsy center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

One resident was taken to High Point Medical Center, while the other was transported to Thomasville Medical Center.

The report said the welfare check was requested by residents, who claimed staff members had not been seen by some residents and could not be reached by phone.

Officers contacted Thomasville Fire Department and Davidson County Emergency Medical Services for assistance in conducting a door-to-door assessment of every resident that lasted until 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Obviously, the weather and road conditions contributed to the inadequate staffing issues with this facility, Capt. Brad Saintsing said in the report.

First and foremost, we want to ensure each and every resident of the facility is getting the quality of care they deserve. With these types of facilities, there is a protocol, and we want to ensure it was followed as it relates to the weather and/or emergency situations.

Gov. Roy Cooper said in response to the deaths of the Pine Ridge residents that these reports are deeply troubling and need to be investigated thoroughly.

The health and safety of patients, particularly those in long-term care facilities, are critical.

The investigation has been expanded to include the State Bureau of Investigation, Davidson County District Attorneys Office, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, and Davidson County Social Services.

According to the Principle website, it operates 56 centers involving about 7,200 beds overall in North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky, offering services ranging from short-term transitional care to Alzheimers and dementia care.

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NEW YORK  Andre Leon Talley, a towering and highly visible figure of the fashion world who made history as a rare Black editor in an overwhelmingly white industry, has died. He was 73.

The death Tuesday of Talley, the influential former creative director and editor at large of Vogue magazine, was confirmed on his Instagram page early Wednesday. No details were given as to his cause of death, but he was known to have had health struggles in recent years. Vogue said in its obituary that he died of a heart attack.

Dressed in his signature sweeping capes or colorful caftans, Talley was a regular in the front row of fashion shows in New York and Europe for decades, or atop the famous steps at the Met Gala. At 6-feet-6 inches tall, he cut an imposing and unforgettable figure; a Vogue staffer called him the pharoah of fabulosity, the magazine wrote.

But he was celebrated even more by fashion insiders for his deep knowledge, amassed over decades of devotion to the craft that began in his youth in the Jim Crow-era South, when he would walk to the campus of Duke University, where his grandmother cleaned dorms, to read Vogue.

In a 2013 Vanity Fair spread titled The Eyeful Tower, Talley was described as perhaps the industrys most important link to the past. Designer Tom Ford told the magazine Talley was one of the last great fashion editors who has an incredible sense of fashion history.  He can see through everything you do to the original reference, predict what was on your inspiration board.

Talley was also a familiar figure to TV audiences, serving as a judge on Americas Next Top Model and appearing in cameos in the Sex and the City movie and on Empire.

Among the many celebrities offering condolences on Wednesday was TV personality Whoopi Goldberg, who said on Twitter that his death came just in time for the front line at fashion week in Heaven.

Designer Diane von Furstenberg paid tribute on Instagram: No one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did  no one was grander and more soulful than you were. Bette Midler tweeted: He was such a force, & believed in the magic of Fashion & its illusions with all his being. His life was a saga of great highs, great lows, the dramatic, the ridiculous, and the endless pursuit of beauty. Marc Jacobs was one of many who credited Talley with championing his career. You and your passions were larger than life, the designer wrote on Instagram.

And Edward Enninful of British Vogue, the first Black editor in chief of any edition of Vogue, wrote simply: Without you, there would be no me. Thank you for paving the way.

In his 2003 memoir, A.L.T.: A Memoir, Talley focused on two of the most important women in his life: his maternal grandmother, Bennie Frances Davis and the late, legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland.

Bennie Frances Davis may have looked like a typical, African American domestic worker to many of the people who saw her on an ordinary day, but I, who could see her soul, could also see her secret: that even while she wore a hair net and work clothes to scrub toilets and floors, she wore an invisible diadem, he wrote.

Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Durham, Talley worked various jobs before arriving in New York in the 1970s, soon meeting Vreeland and striking up a friendship that lasted until her death in 1989. After stints including Interview magazine and Womens Wear Daily, he was hired at Vogue in 1983 by Editor in Chief Anna Wintour and was appointed creative director in 1988.

Late in life he had a public falling out with Wintour, after he released another memoir in 2020, The Chiffon Trenches, that included behind-the-scenes tales about Wintour and other fashion figures like the late designer Karl Lagerfeld.

The loss of Andre is felt by so many of us today, Wintour said in Vogues obituary. The designers he enthusiastically cheered on every season, and who loved him for it; the generations he inspired to work in the industry, seeing a figure who broke boundaries while never forgetting where he started from; those who knew fashion, and Vogue, simply because of him...

Yet its the loss of Andre as my colleague and friend that I think of now, Wintour said, calling it immeasurable.

Talley told The Associated Press in a 2003 interview about having worked in the late 60s as a park ranger in Washington and in Maryland, where he told visitors about slaves who built Fort Washington and dressed up like a Civil War soldier.

In that interview, he opined that of all types of apparel, he considered shoes the most important.

You can tell everything about a person by what he puts on his feet, Talley told the AP. If its a man and you can see the reflection of his face on the top of his black shoes, it means theyve been polished to perfection.  If its a woman and shes wearing shoes that hurt  well, shoes that hurt are very fashionable!

But, asked what he considered the ultimate luxury item, it was not shoes, but rather a clean, fabulous bed with white Egyptian cotton sheets.

His was honest about longtime struggles with his weight. Asked whether fashion and food went together, he noted that Food is not important in the fashion world, where you are supposed to look like an asparagus.

In my world, its about butter pound cake, and fried chicken, and potato salad and hot biscuits.  Its hard to break away from that for a lettuce sandwich.
New rules requiring truckers to show proof of vaccination when crossing the Canada-U.S. border are cutting into shipping capacity and boosting the cost of hauling everything from broccoli to tomatoes.

The cost of transporting produce out of California and Arizona to Canada jumped 25% last week as fewer trucks are available to cross the border, according to George Pitsikoulis, president and chief executive officer of Montreal-based distributor Canadawide Fruits.

The lower the supply, the higher the price. Ultimately its the consumer that pays for this, Pitsikoulis said Monday by phone.

Canada implemented new rules on Jan. 15 that require border agents to turn away unvaccinated U.S. truckers, a move industry executives warned could slow down supply chains that are already under stress. Canadian truckers who cant show proof of vaccination will be required to quarantine when they re-enter the country from the U.S.

Shipping is expected to get disrupted in both directions, with the U.S. set to impose its own vaccine mandate on foreign travelers on Jan. 22. Only 50% to 60% of U.S. truckers are vaccinated, according to an estimate from the American Trucking Associations.

Bison Transport Inc., one Canadas largest trucking firms, is poised to lose 10% of its freight capacity as a result, prompting the company to boost wages for cross-border drivers and offer signing bonuses of C$2,500 (about $2,000). Those costs have to be passed on to customers, Chief Executive Officer Rob Penner said.

We understood that this would be a challenge for us, Penner said in a Monday interview on BNN Bloomberg Television. We have lost close to 10% of our overall capacity, with many drivers choosing to opt out prior to the deadline.

Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Bison, which is owned by conglomerate James Richardson & Sons Ltd., has about 3,700 employees and contractors operating a fleet of 2,100 tractors and 6,000 trailers, according to its website.

There are already concerns large companies will have be forced pay up to secure vaccinated drivers, pushing up freight costs, said Ron Lemaire, president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association.

I have heard anecdotally that truckers are looking to stop hauling perishable products as there are too many risks if they are delayed in their delivery, Lemaire said by email, noting the association will be closely watching the impact on the supply chain.

Canadian importers rely on trucks to transport fruit that arrives from South America to ports in the northeastern U.S. A shortage of global containers and truck drivers is already causing shipping delays of as long as two weeks and having fewer available truckers will likely make things worse, said Larry Davidson, president of North American Produce Buyers Ltd. in Toronto.

The weekend before the vaccine mandate took effect, the company had only one truck available to pick up 75,000 boxes of grapes in Philadelphia, he said.

Thirty-six of 37 loads that were ready for pickup had to wait four or five days, said Davidson, whose company ships produce across Canada. Were seeing the domino effect just continue.

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Many industries are experiencing worker shortages, and the trucking industry is no exception. Truck drivers play a vital role in keeping businesses afloat, completing construction projects on time and delivering goods to people across the country. When the industry is faced with driver shortages, it creates a ripple effect that is felt by many. The good news is that for those looking to make a career change, these shortages mean that truck driving jobs abound, and getting started down that path can be as easy as taking an eight-week certification course.

Courses to obtain a Class A commercial drivers license

One such course is offered by Southeast Community College at its Milford, Nebraska, campus. This truck driver training program prepares students to become truck drivers through a mix of lecture-style and hands-on coursework. By the end of the program, students will have obtained their Class A Commercial Drivers License, allowing them to legally operate a tractor trailer semi truck.

Program director Kevin Uhler notes that nearly every student who completes this course comes out of it with a job offer. We work with industry partners and have a job fair every eight weeks so that we have industry people who come out and try to hire our students. Typically there are more jobs at that hiring fair than there are students, he explains.

Customized learning to suit students needs, goals

SCC gives students the opportunity to customize their learning experience to suit their needs and goals. Administrators collaborated with course instructors to create a program that not only prepares students for a successful career, but also works with nontraditional schedules, opening the door for anybody to become a licensed truck driver.

For the staff at SCC, it was important that the program could empower students to participate in the way that works best for them, while still fulfilling the requirements it takes to become a qualified driver.

Online and weekend classes are available

The staff at SCC know that not every student can attend in-person weekday classes, so the program offers online and weekend courses.

We wanted to make access available to people who are looking at job retraining, Uhler says, and one of the things that weve tried to do with the truck driver program is open up opportunities to do some Friday afternoon and Saturday classes so that they can work full-time and provide for their needs and their families needs and do this on site.

Students can customize their experience by choosing whether they would like to become certified on a truck with a manual or automatic transmission. With the colleges variety of trucks available to learn on, students may choose to test on a manual truck, earning them a Class A license without restrictions, which opens their career growth opportunities even further.

More efficient and accessible program to be available in fall 2022

The program will see a few updates starting in August 2022. At the start of the fall semester, the course will be restructured into a four-week lecture segment and a four-week driving lab, for a combined eight-week program.

While this is intended to make the course more efficient, Uhler notes that the change will also make the course more accessible to students who reside outside of Milford, as they will only need to be there in person for four weeks to complete the behind-the-wheel training, rather than eight, as previously required, and can complete the lecture portion online or in person.

New year, new career

For those who are interested in becoming truck drivers, Uhler suggests looking into joining Southeast Community Colleges Professional Truck Driver Training program, as it gives students the skills and certifications they need to start a career with the opportunity to make a good salary while customizing the work to fit their individual lifestyles.

We work with many industry partners to help produce skilled workers that are prepared for many industries. This adds value to our students and to their employers. So with this program specifically, many of our students are nontraditional. Theyre changing careers or may be attending college for the first time and this is an opportunity that helps provide access that many of them may not have previously thought was possible.

If you are interested in joining this program or any of SCC's other technical programs, visit southeast.edu to learn more about it and sign up for a campus visit or virtual tour.

This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact sales@brandavestudios.com.

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COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Lancaster County thanks to the omicron variant, and county officials are again urging people to take measures to protect themselves and the community, such as wearing masks, avoiding large gatherings, and getting vaccinated if they haven't yet.

The county recorded 4,456 cases last week, which is by far the most ever recorded in one week. Over the past three weeks, case numbers have risen by more than 350% as the highly contagious omicron variant has taken hold locally. And those numbers do not include nearly 1,900 cases the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recorded in the past two weeks as part of its required re-entry testing for students and staff.

"Extreme risk. Those two words continue to describe our local situation," said Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Director Pat Lopez, as positive tests for this week neared the 2,000-case mark.

The good news is that, as has been noted elsewhere, most cases of the disease are relatively mild, especially in people who have been vaccinated and gotten their booster shot. Consequently, local hospitalizations have risen less than 20% over the same period that case numbers have skyrocketed.

But the sheer number of cases is leading to more hospitalizations and more deaths.

Already this month, there have been 23 COVID-19 deaths in Lancaster County, including four deaths reported Wednesday of a man in his 40s and woman in her 50s, both unvaccinated, and men in their 60s and 70s, both vaccinated.

Russ Gronewold, president and CEO of Bryan Health, said 20 of its patients have died of COVID-19 this month, including six who were under the age of 55.

"This is certainly more than a cold," Gronewold said, noting that omicron cases are not mild for every patient.

Despite running at capacity daily, with nearly 100 COVID-19 patients, and dealing with nearly 300 staff absences due to the disease, Bryan's two hospital campuses have still been able to provide all necessary services, he said.

In fact, Gronewold said the hospital is making arrangements to take in more pediatric COVID-19 patients because Children's Hospital in Omaha is full. Bryan had three pediatric COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday. Omaha's KMTV reported that Children's was caring for 15 of the 18 pediatric COVID-19 patients in the Omaha area and has had to regularly divert patients to other hospitals in Omaha and Lincoln.

Derek Vance, president of CHI St. Elizabeth and Nebraska Heart, said those two hospitals are "stretched thin," and the system is operating its contingency care plan, which means it is constantly assessing and adjusting to patient numbers, staffing and bed availability.

Vance encouraged people to follow the mask mandate and also to get vaccinated, noting that 91% of COVID-19 patients on ventilators at CHI Health hospitals are unvaccinated.

Data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services showed that in December, vaccinated people were 11 times less likely than unvaccinated people to be hospitalized because of COVID-19 and people who have had a booster shot were 46 times less likely to wind up in the hospital.

In Lancaster County, more than 110,000 people, or 59% of the eligible population, have gotten a booster shot.

Also on Wednesday, Lopez announced enhancements to Lancaster County's COVID-19 dashboard. Among them are a new summary page that has a seven-day case average, a new section on hospitalizations, and a listing of the number of people who have gotten vaccine booster doses.

She said her department continues to explore options to increase testing capacity in the county and has had discussions with Nomi Health about potentially finding a location that provides more shelter from the elements. Nomi, which has a drive-thru site at Gateway Mall, has closed several times this month because of the weather, including Wednesday and Thursday.

In another testing development, UNL announced Monday that all students living on campus, either in residence halls or in Greek houses, will be required to test for COVID-19 next week, even if they tested negative during the university's two-week reentry period before the second semester started.

UNL said in a news release that the reentry testing showed a slightly higher positivity rate among students living in congregate housing compared with the general student population.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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State and county Republican Party officials filed an objection to state Sen. Adam Morfelds candidacy for Lancaster County attorney, saying he doesnt meet the statutory requirements because he hasnt actively practiced law for two years.

Morfeld called the challenge a desperate attempt by the Republican Party to keep me off the ballot because I'm a viable candidate.

The objection was filed Wednesday with the Lancaster County Election Commissioner and the letter, signed by Nebraska Republican Party Chairman Dan Welch, Lancaster County Republican Party Chairman Eric Underwood and their legal counsel, asked that the commissioner act promptly.

The letter said Election Commissioner Dave Shivelys decision could be the subject of litigation, which must be completed by March 16 to comply with state law.

County attorneys are at the heart of the justice system that protects our communities, and its critical that any candidate meet those requirements, Welch said in a news release about the challenge.

As stated in the the challenge, state law requires that county attorney candidates be admitted to practice law in the state for at least two years before taking office and that he or she have practiced law actively in this state during that two-year period.

The letter points to attorney practice and bar admission rules enacted by the Nebraska Supreme Court, which lists various ways attorneys are substantially engaged in the practice of law, which the letter claims Morfeld has not done.

Those include working in a private law practice; as an attorney offering legal counsel to a corporation, partnership, trust, individual or other entity; as an attorney for government departments; as a judge, magistrate, hearing examiner, administrative law judge or law clerk; or as a law school teacher.

Morfeld said hes been actively engaged in law for the past 10 years, is licensed to practice, is in good standing and makes legal decisions on day-to-day issues and manages the fulltime attorney employed by Civic Nebraska, the nonprofit he founded.

He said he's been actively engaged in protecting Nebraskans' right to vote and managed his nonprofit legal team's challenge of the governor's ability to appoint election commissioners. He's also co-chair of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana and a part of the legal team making decisions about litigation regarding efforts to get the question on the ballot.

I was put on the (Legislatures) Judiciary Committee eight years ago because I was an attorney from Lincoln, he said, and thats the committee that determines the states criminal and civil laws.

This will not deter me from running a strong campaign, and were prepared to fight any challenge to my candidacy.

Morfeld is challenging incumbent Pat Condon, a Republican and longtime deputy county attorney appointed to replace Joe Kelly when he became U.S. Attorney for Nebraska. Condon ran unopposed in the November 2018 election.

Shively declined comment on the complaint until he conferred with legal counsel.

Such objections are unusual.

Based on an objection filed in 2009, Shively determined adult novelty store owner John Haltom  also known as Dr. John  wasnt eligible to run for City Council because of a felony conviction in Utah.

Several other elected offices in the county require some experience including public defender; the assessor, who must be certified; and the engineer, who must be licensed.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist

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General Li Zuocheng (L), member of Chinas Central Military Commission (CMC) and chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department, holds talks with Andrew Bridgman (R), secretary of defense and chief executive of the Ministry of Defence of New Zealand via video link on January 19, 2022. (Photo by Li Xiaowei)

BEIJING, Jan. 19  General Li Zuocheng, member of Chinas Central Military Commission (CMC) and chief of the Joint Staff Department under the CMC, had talks via video link with Andrew Bridgman, secretary of defense and chief executive of the Ministry of Defence of New Zealand on January 19. They had frank and in-depth exchange of views on regional security situation, bilateral state and military relations, as well as other issues of common concern.

General Li mentioned that, Chinese President Xi Jinping and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had a telephone communication last November, making a strategic planning for developing relations between the two countries. The China-New Zealand military exchanges have existing foundation, broad prospects and shared-goals, and in the future, the two militaries should maintain high-level communication, enhance strategic mutual-trust, explore new areas of cooperation, Li said.

Li hoped that the two militaries would, taking the 50th anniversary of the China-New Zealand diplomatic relations as a new starting point, push forward their ties, make contributions to protecting regional peace and prosperity and building the Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

Bridgman said that, the 50th anniversary of China-New Zealand diplomatic relations is an important milestone in the bilateral relations, since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have witnessed remarkable progress of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

New Zealand attaches importance to developing military ties with China, and is willing to maintain dialogue and communication with the Chinese side, deepen strategic mutual trust, strengthen pragmatic cooperation and enhance communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, Bridgman said.



General Li Zuocheng, member of Chinas Central Military Commission (CMC) and chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department, holds talks with Andrew Bridgman, secretary of defense and chief executive of the Ministry of Defence of New Zealand via video link on January 19, 2022. (Photo by Li Xiaowei)
A few hundred sacks of contaminated solid waste will remain at AltEn for the time being after state regulators intervened in the former ethanol plants plan to sell biochar to a Kansas landowner.

The biofuel plant, where seed coated with pesticides was turned into ethanol along with highly contaminated solid and liquid byproducts, told the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy it found a buyer for the charred distillers grains in December.

But the Topeka-area landscape company owner who initially agreed to remove the biochar from AltEn told the Journal Star he wasnt aware of the ethanol plants operations and history of running afoul of state environmental regulations until this month.

AltEn is the site of a massive environmental cleanup after it was ordered to shut down last year following years of warnings issued by the state. The cleanup is being led by six agricultural industry giants that previously disposed of their unplanted seed at the facility south of Mead.

Once I learned it was under investigation, it was just a no, said Brady Yingling, owner of B. Cole Agriculture, which was identified by AltEn as the buyer in records kept by the state.

Yingling said he has long been interested in biochar as a substitute for chemical fertilizers, using the natural product  most often, biochar is wood turned into charcoal  in place of anhydrous ammonia, nitrogen or petroleum-based products.

His plan, he said in a phone interview, was to apply biochar to the fields surrounding his home north of the Kansas capital, measure the results and promote the method to farmers as a cheaper organic option for improving soil health.

In the market for the product, he said he reached an agreement with AltEn to purchase the biochar in November.

Tanner Shaw, AltEns president, told the state in a Dec. 27 letter the biochar would be land applied to corn and soybean acres. He disputed an analysis of the product that found it heavily contaminated with neonicotinoids, pesticides commonly used in seed treatments.

The March 2021 sample showed levels of clothianidin, which can be found in high levels in solid and liquid byproducts at AltEn, reaching 8,790 parts per billion.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established a benchmark of 630 ppb as safe in drinking water, while the Minnesota Department of Health has set that level at 200 ppb.

Shaw suggested in his letter the finding reported by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy was an outlier.

NDEE received a positive test on its lab analyses and has advised that the biochar must be handled and disposed of as solid waste, Shaw wrote in his letter. This positive result is likely due to unreacted material, as the biochar process, based upon our testing to date, successfully changes the contaminants to non-detectable.

The next day, Dec. 28, Tom Buell, the head of monitoring and remediation at the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, phoned his counterpart at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Kansas officials quickly called Yingling to tell him they concurred with Nebraska's environmental regulators in considering the biochar solid waste unless B. Cole Agriculture planned to apply the product to farm ground using the recommendations on the seed bag labels.

Yingling told both states he had reconsidered.

"It was not disclosed in any manner of the risks associated with this project," he wrote to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Jan. 6. "We have made a decision to NOT take delivery of any of the products."

Yingling told the Journal Star the ethanol company did not provide any information about the biochar he was interested in purchasing.

"I was not given a label or a complete analysis of what I was going to buy," he said.

According to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, about 600 sacks of biochar are being stored in one of two hoop buildings at AltEn.

The ethanol plant, which initially planned to sell its wet cake as a soil amendment to farmers in Saunders County, began running the byproduct through a biochar system it brought to its campus in February 2018.

Owned by Green Disposal Mead LLC, a subsidiary of the same Kansas-based company that owns AltEn, the biochar system was intended to heat organic matter to a few thousand degrees, creating a charcoal-like substance.

AltEn would deliver a few dozen tons  a truckload or two  of wet cake to the biochar kiln per day to begin, state records indicate, before ramping up that process to more than a hundred tons daily.

But the system was prone to breaking down, according to state records.

After the Nebraska Department of Agriculture stripped AltEn of its soil conditioner license, leaving the company with limited options for disposing of its pesticide-contaminated wet cake, it indicated that it planned to turn the byproduct into charcoal.

Environmental regulators questioned how effective the biochar process would be in removing or reducing the level of pesticides in the wet cake, indicating their concern that incineration would release the chemicals into the air.

Testing done by the state ultimately found trace amounts of pesticides in air emissions coming from the biochar system, while a sample of the biochar itself showed concentrations well above the recommended rate set by the chemicals' manufacturers.

"Therefore, NDEE continues to consider the biochar to be a solid waste," the agency told AltEn in a March 26, 2021, letter. "Due to the nature of the pesticides contained in the waste, NDEE is prohibiting land application."

Green Disposal Mead later told the department in October 2021 it was decommissioning the biochar unit, leading to questions from the state on what was happening to the machine, as well as the sacks of charred wet cake remaining at AltEn.

AltEn's response, in turn, brought Yingling to the state's attention.

"The last thing I want is to bring a product to this community that would harm anyone," he said. "I'm glad I didn't get in the middle of it."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS

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As flags go, it's a pretty simple one -- 16 straight lines (we counted carefully), most of a circle and one star. The gold line set apart fields of teal and navy blue.

And if the City Council approves it after a hearing Jan. 24, Lincoln will have a new flag, replacing one adopted 90 years ago.

Based on social media response and the occasional letter to the editor, not everyone is enamored of the new design, one much less literal than the 1932-adopted banner, with the Capitol, ears of corn, a sheaf of wheat and, to make it crystal clear, lettering that says "City of Lincoln."

The new flag, designed by Ed Mejia, a local creative director, art director and graphic designer, is the product of a contest by the American Marketing Association and Lincoln Young Professionals, who raised almost $20,000 to conduct the contest, offer prize money and purchase new flags for the city when the winner was chosen.

The contest was a clever way to involve the public to accomplish a task without taxpayer expense. Almost 200 designs were submitted, from which four finalists were chosen.

All four followed the guidance of the North American Vexillogical Association's design recommendations -- keep it simple, use meaningful symbols, employ only two or three colors and steer clear of lettering or seals (circular emblems, not the animal). Those suggestions virtually guaranteed a flag much different from our current one.

Mejia's winning design -- titled "All Roads Lead to Lincoln" -- crams a lot of meaning into its minimalist, art-deco design. All that meaning may be lost on a first-time viewer, but as the image gains use -- assuming the council approves it -- it will carry a deeper meaning for many in Lincoln.

At first glance, the design conveys a sunrise and the state Capitol. Less recognized would be the star, which sits at an aerial representation of 13th and O streets, considered the center of town.

Less concretely, additional lines represent the convergence of technology, agriculture and commerce, Mejia said, and what becomes a beacon in the center of the flag represents hope, optimism and the safe harbor for those coming here. Teal green and navy blue highlight land and water resources.

Our new flag may take some getting use to for some, but what couldn't use a little tune-up every 90 or so years? And besides, maybe the purpose of this new flag isn't so much to tell the rest of the world what we are. Maybe its purpose is to remind Lincoln what we want to be.

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I find it ironic that Sen. Tom Brewer, a decorated Army veteran and global sharpshooting champion, continues to propose that Nebraskans be allowed to carry and use guns with no training or permit requirements whatsoever.

The U.S. has provided Senator Brewer with years and years of training and experience in the handling of the most sophisticated firearms. And he has suffered years and years of painful injury and recuperation. I am very grateful to him for his commitment and service, and all he has suffered, on behalf of my fellow Americans and me.

So, as one so personally experienced in the damage that guns can inflict on human beings, it seems unbelievable that he would offer LB773. This, his priority bill, would allow anyone purchasing a gun in the state to carry it with zero training for using it. His hollow justification is that some folks want to have a gun and cant afford the cost of a permit or learning how to use it.

It seems that Senator Brewers skill and comfort with firearms has made him oblivious to the fact that not all those who would like to own a gun know or even care about its safe use.

I sincerely hope we will not allow Senator Brewers illogic to become law in Nebraska.

Mel Luetchens, Murdock

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RACINE  The Racine Common Council is set to vote tonight (Tuesday, Jan. 18) on a proposal to make all Ryde transit system employees city employees.

Racine Mayor Cory Mason is urging the City Council to vote in favor of the proposal.

Formerly, the city contracted with a private company to manage the system and the employees. However, the private companys contract is set to expire at the end of the month.

When put out to request for proposals, no other companies bid on the contract. To ensure no disruption to bus service, the best solution is to hire the more than 90 Ryde employees and create a new City Department of Transportation, stated a news release from the city.

The city is also recognizing an additional labor union, General Teamsters Local Union 200, as well as its three-year contract, which had previously been negotiated with the outgoing private company and ratified by members of Local 200.

At a time when many are employers are fighting against unionization in the workplace, I am proud to honor the contract that the Teamsters negotiated in good faith and to recognize the transit workers desire to be represented by the Union," stated Mason in a release.

When he served in the legislature, Mason unsuccessfully tried to protect labor unions during the Act 10 battle. Transit workers are some of the few workers that retain legal authority to collectively bargain, Mason's release noted.

"Many of our transit employees are city residents, who know this city and our residents like the backs of their hands, and Im glad and grateful to be able to bring these unionized workers into the citys workforce," Mason added. "Our residents who rely on the Ryde system for transportation wont notice anything different in terms of their bus service, but this is an important and exciting transition for us internally."

If approved, the Ryde employees would join police officers and firefighters with having unions as City of Racine employees.

Tom Bennett, the Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 200 which represents the Ryde employees, said Racine has set a "proactive" and "strategic" course to manage the Ryde public transit system.

"With the approval by the city alders, the foresight by the city shall create opportunities for not only those that utilize the public transit system, but to secure a sound environment for the current and future bus operators and employees of Ryde," stated Bennett. "Our organization and its members are excited to be part of this new path the City of Racine is undertaking.

The Common Council will vote at its regular meeting starting at 7 p.m. The meeting is to be held virtually via Zoom but can also be viewed live on the citys Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfRacineWI.

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MADISON  The number of unemployment benefit checks jobless people in the state would receive could be reduced under a package of bills proposed Tuesday by legislative Republicans that lawmakers say is aimed to address ongoing workforce shortage challenges in the state.

The package of seven bills, which have been released for cosponsors and appear likely to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, would tie the number of weekly unemployment benefits an individual could receive to the states overall unemployment rate. At the current rate, unemployed individuals would only be eligible for 14 weeks of benefits.

Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, said that the bills fall flat in their goal of fixing Wisconsins workforce challenges.

Other bills in the package would prohibit individuals who turn down job offers from receiving Medicaid coverage and require the state Department of Health Services to enforce a federal work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents in order to take part in the states FoodShare program, which helps people with limited resources buy food.

Another bill would expand the reasons an individual would be ineligible for unemployment benefits to include those who violate their employers social media policy.

Senate President Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said during a press conference Tuesday the bills, which lawmakers have been working on for about a year, aim to address workforce shortage challenges across the state, which were present long before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the U.S. almost two years ago.

If theres an opportunity for you to work or increase your employment and you refuse that, were going to make sure we have the enforcement mechanism actually take place, Kapenga said. Weve never seen anybody step out of poverty on a welfare check.

Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback did not say if Evers would strike down the proposed bills, but pointed to the governors allocation of $130 million in federal COVID funds toward innovative, community-based solutions to confront our states workforce challenges head-on.

The governor has focused on efforts to help connect unemployed people with work opportunities, including almost $60 million to 12 regional projects, which includes funding to Madison Area Technical College to support individuals seeking work in conservation and construction, as well as child care providers to help parents enter the workforce.

Its great to hear Republicans now recognize the importance of these efforts, Cudaback said. Under Gov. Evers, Wisconsin has among the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 3%  tied for the lowest in state history  while continuing to be a national leader in our workforce participation rate.

Neubauer argued that trimming benefits wont get more people into the workforce, since the percentage of people receiving benefits is at a record low.

Wisconsins unemployment rate is at a historic low, but instead of working to grow our workforce, Legislative Republicans are doubling down on efforts to undermine Wisconsins unemployment system and jeopardize the critical assistance that keeps individuals and families afloat, Neubauer said in a statement Tuesday. Rather than focusing on programs that would actually help Wisconsinites, like Gov. Evers Workforce Solutions Initiative, or increasing access to quality, affordable child care, Republicans are wasting time on politically-driven legislation.

Lessening benefits

Currently, an individual can receive up to $370 in weekly state unemployment benefits for 26 weeks. Under one of the proposed bills, the maximum number of weeks a claimant could receive benefits would be based on the states unemployment rate. Claimants would only receive 26 weeks of benefits if the state unemployment rate were greater than 9%.

The duration an individual could collect unemployment benefits would adjust based on the states jobless rate to as few as 14 weeks if the rate were at 3.5% or lower.

Wisconsins unemployment rate spiked in the early months of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 14.8% in April 2020. However, the rate quickly dropped until it reached 3% last November, according to preliminary numbers from the state Department of Workforce Development.

Despite the positive trend, state officials have said Wisconsin is still about 100,000 jobs below where it was before the pandemic. The states aging population has caused the workforce to flatten out over time and it threatens to shift downward by as early as 2035, according to DWD officials.

The state last reported a 3% unemployment rate back in November 2018, while preliminary estimates have trended as low as 2.8% before revisions. DWD will update the states official unemployment rate for November later this week. The states labor force participation rate was 66.4% in November.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Wisconsins unemployment rate has only surpassed 9% one other time over the last two decades, when it climbed above that threshold for about a year starting in early 2009 amid the Great Recession.

Another bill in the package would require employers to inform the state workforce department of any ineligibility questions when notified of a claim for unemployment insurance. The bill would require DWD to consider reports of an individual declining a job offer or failing to attend a scheduled interview when determining a claimants eligibility for benefits.

One of the purposes of unemployment benefits is to give job seekers a little room to find the right job that utilizes their skill set, instead of rushing into a job that isnt a good fit for them, Tamarine Cornelius, director of the liberal Wisconsin Budget Project, said in an email. Ensuring a good match between employee and employer benefits everyone. This package would make that more difficult.

Cornelius said the Legislature should be bringing down barriers between unemployed individuals and jobs, rather than creating new ones between those same people and unemployment benefits.

Instead of creating additional red tape, legislators should expand access to child care, make sure child care assistance fits workers schedules, and stop suspending driver licenses for things not related to driving, Cornelius said. All those steps would help people get and keep jobs.

State Rep. Tyler August, a Lake Geneva Republican whose district includes Bohner Lake area in the southwestern corner of Racine County and northwestern corner of Kenosha County, said the full Assembly plans to vote on the bills before the end of next month, when the chamber is expected to adjourn for the remainder of the year.

Adam Rogan of The Journal Times contributed to this report.

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RACINE  The Plymouth Congregational Church has made another donation in the same amount, but to a different charity.

Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, 1624 Yout St., received a grant of $37,500 from the church, VOW announced in a news release issued Monday.

This donation follows an announcement from Cops n Kids Reading Center Inc., 800 Villa St., stating that it also received a grant from the church to be put towards development of childrens literacy.

Plymouth wanted to give its remaining assets to Racine organizations. Plymouth asked for proposals and VOW responded with a list of needs.

With the help of the grant, VOW:

Purchased a bus that will be used to transport residents to other Department of Veterans Affairs centers and events, and other general purposes

Updated its mental health room, and added a new program that will service residents and the entire veterans community

Attached a plaque to a park bench on VOW property acknowledging the support and generosity of Plymouth

Although the 173-year-old Plymouth Congregation in Racine no longer exists, its council is confident that the donation to VOW will continue to have a positive impact in the Racine community, a previous news release stated.

And, as its pioneering Tiny House initiative expands around the country, VOWs outreach will continue to experience outstanding success, the VOW release said.

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Its a workers market. And many workers are choosing not to be bus drivers.

As many busing companies and school districts are desperate for drivers, the State of Wisconsin is stepping in and loosening rules to allow new drivers get hired quicker.

First Student, the company that provides busing for Racine Unified, Kenosha Unified and other area schools, is offering $18 an hour as a starting wage, plus a $5,000 signing bonus regardless of experience, an increase from bonuses of $2,500 and $3,000 offered since last year. First Student also offers to pay for newcomers weekslong CDL training.

The problems causing the shortages are compounding.

I would say since COVID started, the shortage has been increased. And last year with not all of the schools going back into session, more drivers left for other jobs, said Cherie Hime, executive director of the Wisconsin School Bus Association. Many of those drivers who took other jobs in 2020 did not return to bus driving when schools reopened in full.

Its an employee market right now. Best bidder wins, Hime said.

The shortages are being blamed for causing longer ride times for students, including them being dropped off at home often later than expected.

In September, Milwaukee Public Schools was reported to have needed another 100 drivers to fully staff its 700-bus fleet. Some parents in that district said buses sometimes never showed up to take their kids to school.

In an email Wednesday, First Student spokesperson Jay Brock said Our team is fully-focused on operations right now and are not able to provide a phone interview. The extreme rise in Omicron cases is affecting all industries, including school bus transportation. First Student has all routes currently covered with drivers, in partnership, with Racine Unified School District. We are always looking for drivers that want to make a difference in their community.

RUSD encourages parents to download FirstView bus tracker on their smartphones, which can be used to track expected pick-up and drop-off times, although the app is known for being unreliable.

Nothing new, just worse

Bus driver shortages are not uncommon. But they have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a survey published in August, more than half of the countrys agencies that employ school bus drivers described their shortage as either severe or desperate.

Only 1% of respondents indicated that bus driver shortage is not a problem for them, stated the report, which was conducted in a collaboration between the National Association for Pupil Transportation, National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services and the National School Transportation Association.

In reaction to the ongoing shortage, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is temporarily waiving certain requirements to make it easier for some to become bus drivers. The part where test-takers have to identify engine components will be waived until March 31, the Department of Motor Vehicles said. Other areas of the test, such as the written and driving portions, are still required.

Wisconsins CDL examiners will focus on the testing requirements that are critical to safety in order to help school districts and communities struggling to recruit qualified school bus drivers, Kristina Boardman, administrator of the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles, said in a statement.

The DOT also said Tuesday that it sent letters to more than 900 former bus drivers whose licenses had lapsed, encouraging interested drivers to renew their endorsement and check out employment opportunities in their community.

With the critical shortage of school bus drivers in Wisconsin, Boardman said, we hope these steps will support new and returning drivers to get behind the wheel and ensure all students have convenient, safe transportation to their local schools.

Wisconsins rule-loosening follows a similar loosening the federal education and transportation departments put in place Jan. 4 to address the nationwide bus driver shortage.

How to become a bus driver Visit bit.ly/3GIKem9 to find out Wisconsin Department of Transportation's requirements needed before someone can be a bus driver. Racine Unified School District and Kenosha Unified School District both work with First Student for their busing services. Go to workatfirst.com to learn more. Union Grove's schools, as well as Kansasville Grade School, Raymond School and Yorkville School, utilize Dousman Transport Co., Inc.: dtcbus.net The Burlington Area School District works with Thomas Bus Service, Inc., basd.k12.wi.us/district/transportation.cfm

Many factors

Being unable to fill open positions is, of course, a problem not isolated to bus companies. The factors causing the labor shortage are multifaceted. For one, unemployment is at 3% in Wisconsin, an all-time low for the state, indicating that very few people are actively looking for work.

Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature have moved to shorten the amount of time Wisconsinites can receive unemployment benefits, to which Democrats have responded by saying that likely wont lead to that many more people entering the workforce, due to the record-low numbers of people receiving unemployment benefits right now.

Since the pandemic started, there also was a spike in retirements, as many chose to stop working altogether rather than re-enter the workforce later. As of the third quarter of 2021, 50.3% of U.S. adults 55 and older said they were out of the labor force due to retirement, the Pew Research Center reported in an analysis of official labor force data. In the third quarter of 2019, before the onset of the pandemic, 48.1% of those adults were retired. In regard to specific age groups, in the third quarter of 2021, 66.9% of 65- to 74-year-olds were retired, compared with 64.0% in the same quarter of 2019.

The average age of bus drivers in the U.S. is higher than the average U.S. worker, 52.3 years old vs. 42.0 years old, according to federal data. That could also be a factor in older drivers choosing not to drive school buses, where they would be unable to avoid contact with dozens of children daily who could spread the novel coronavirus.

'A good man:' Burlington school bus driver donates $3,000 to school district Burlington school bus driver Bill "Tiny" Milatz feels such warmth and affection for students, he is opening his wallet and making cash donations to the school district to make sure the kids can enjoy their school years.

Also, former school bus drivers may have landed jobs using their CDL in a full-time job, where there are better pay and benefits, unlike with school bus drivers where the job is often part-time without benefits. Many of the shortages seen at stores nationwide amid the pandemic have been caused by a long-standing shortage of CDL drivers, which has led to employers in the supply chain raising offered wages and benefits.

Job satisfaction

Hime said the job is rewarding since it is so necessary. Getting kiddos to school, they wouldnt be able to get an education without them (bus drivers).

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Chandler Halderson allegedly hid the gun used to kill his father in his familys home weeks before prosecutors say he killed and dismembered his parents, a friend of Haldersons testified in court on Tuesday.

Chandlers friends and former girlfriend appeared in court to testify about the alleged murder weapon and lies he told about scuba diving for the Madison Police Department following a weeklong delay in the trial after the 23-year-old Windsor man tested positive for COVID-19.

Andrew Smith, a Kansan and former member of the U.S. Army who met Chandler playing online video games, testified that he gave Chandler the gun, an SKS rifle, and nearly 500 rounds of ammunition as a gift while visiting the Halderson home last June. Smith documented the weapon exchange by taking a photo of Chandlers ID alongside the rifles serial number before Chandler reportedly hid the gun inside a desk in the family basement.

His parents understood why firearms exist in this world, not that they necessarily support having them, Smith said. I understood they might not be happy about having this firearm.

The gun was later found by investigators at a town of Cottage Grove property where Bart Haldersons torso had been dumped. Later in the afternoon, a firearms examiner with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab said a bullet fragment found in the Halderson homes basement had been fired from the rifle.

Smith said he stayed at the Halderson home for two days mere weeks before the deaths of Chandlers parents, Bart and Krista. Prior to Chandlers arrest, Smith said he received a not hysterical but upsetting call from Halderson about how his parents had gone missing. Smith reached out to authorities once he heard Chandler had been arrested.

Smiths testimony grew slightly tense when Haldersons attorney, Catherine Dorl, asked him how many guns he had sold, to which he replied thats none of your business, frankly.

Following Smiths testimony, jurors heard from a former roommate, Alex Gravatt, and former girlfriend, Dakotah Brown, who said Chandler had told them he was doing search-and-rescue scuba diving missions for the Madison Police Department. No such unit exists with Madison police.

Prosecutors have pointed to his parents uncovering lies like these as a possible motive for why Halderson murdered Bart, 50, and Krista, 53, at the Windsor home they shared on July 1. Other lies Chandler told the world included attending Madison Area Technical College and scoring an upcoming position with SpaceX in Florida. In reality, prosecutors say Halderson was unemployed and had dropped out of school.

After allegedly killing his parents, prosecutors say Chandler attempted to burn their bodies in a family fireplace before scattering them around southern Wisconsin. Chandler faces felony charges for murder, mutilating and hiding corpses and lying to investigators.

Later testimony by staff with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab revealed that Chandlers fingerprints matched prints on duct tape attached to a tarp found on the town of Cottage Grove property where investigators recovered his fathers torso.

A matching tool

In morning testimony, a forensic anthropologist with the Dane County Medical Examiners Office said two saws found by investigators were consistent with the cuts to Bart Haldersons dismembered torso and his wife Kristas dismembered legs.

Cristina Figueroa Soto said the alloy saw and hacksaw found on a property tied to Chandlers former girlfriend were consistent with the cuts to Bart and Kristas bones. An examination of false starts while cutting into bone can reveal the number of teeth on a particular blade, Soto testified. She could not say definitely that the saws and cuts were a perfect match.

Im not going to be able to say, Yes, this is the tool that was used, she said. But all the characteristics of this part of the individual were consistent again with the characteristics of those two tools that were found at the scene.

The alloy saw and hacksaw analyzed by Soto were found inside an old oil tank on the town of Cottage Grove family property of Cresent LSai, the partner of the mother of a different former girlfriend of Chandlers. Bart Haldersons torso was also found on the property, along with the bloodied tarp and the rifle.

Toward the end of Sotos morning testimony, she described how bone fragments were found in the Halderson homes vacuum cleaner and the family fireplace. Over 200 fragments of bone, including cranial bone and teeth, were recovered from the fireplace and its grate, which aligns with prosecutors argument that Chandler burned his parents heads in the fireplace. Chop marks consistent with a machete or ax were also found on part of a wrist bone in the Halderson fireplace.

Prior to Sotos testimony, jurors were shown photos of Krista Haldersons dismembered legs, which were found in a Sauk County field by investigators in July.

Violence suspected

Dane County Medical Examiner Dr. Agnieszka Rogalska said that Krista Haldersons recovered legs were consistent with being sawed apart, although they were in varying stages of decomposition.

There appeared to be kind of steps in the bone, Rogalska said. This is consistent with a sharp force injury that can be sawing, can be cutting, but again we have movement. ... Its not just cut clean through.

Since no hemorrhaging was found in Kristas legs, Rogalska determined that Krista was dead at the time she was dismembered. A precise cause of death is unknown, though it has been ruled a homicide.

I dont actually know which injury caused the death of Krista Halderson, but I believe she died as a result of some violence, the medical examiner said.

Haldersons trial was suspended last Tuesday after he was one of 81 Dane County Jail inmates to test positive for COVID-19 after the National Guard tested the entire jail population. The jail, where Halderson has been held since July, has seen a record number of cases of the virus in recent weeks.

Circuit Judge John Hyland, who is presiding over the case, had to dismiss a juror on Tuesday over a positive COVID-19 test.

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Environmental advocates are challenging a pair of decisions by utility regulators they say are bad for consumers and the climate.

In a lawsuit filed in Dane County Circuit Court, the Sierra Club and Vote Solar are asking the court to review the Public Service Commissions recent approval of Madison Gas and Electric rates.

The groups say fixed charges  the minimum monthly fee every customer pays to have an account  included in the two-year rates authorized in November, are illegal and discriminatory.

In an agreement negotiated with consumer and environmental advocates, MGE agreed to shave $2 off its $17 fixed electricity charge, which was among the highest in the state.

But the Sierra Club argues the fee  along with a $21.88 monthly fee for gas service  discourage conservation and customer-owned solar panels, in violation of state law that prioritizes energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The complaint alleges the approved charges are roughly double the basic costs they are intended to cover, such as metering, billing and the cost of the wires and pipes that connect each customer to the system.

It argues the commission expanded the scope of fixed charges through a series of ad hoc orders between 2012 and 2014 rather than following the prescribed rulemaking process for such policy decisions.

The groups say the harm is not theoretical: high fixed charges create a greater burden for those who use the least energy, customers who are lower-income, non-white, and older, on average, already face many social and economic inequities.

By setting a relatively high fixed charge and lower consumption-based rates, the complaint says the commissions decision reduces the ability of customers to control their bills, lowers incentives to undertake conservation and efficiency, lowers incentives to self-generating energy with rooftop solar panels, and imposes higher relative bills for low use customers.

A PSC spokesperson said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

Agreement defended

The commission ordered MGE to submit an analysis of how it allocates basic customer costs, which could result in future reductions, but the Sierra Club argues customers will continue paying higher rates for the next two years.

The settlement will bring MGEs fixed electricity charges in line with the states other largest for-profit utilities, though still higher than the $13 national average, according to an analysis of OpenEIs utility rate database.

In a statement, MGE noted the PSC-approved rates were negotiated with consumer advocates and environmental groups including the Sierra Club, though the club objected to the final agreement.

We are sensitive to any rate impacts on customers, which is why we continue to work hard to contain costs, spokesperson Kaya Freiman said. We appreciate the PSCWs work to carefully review and approve the terms of the agreement consistent with the law.

The Citizens Utility Board, which has long fought for lower fixed charges, called the settlement a big step forward.

We see the reduced fixed charge as a clear win in the settlement, said executive director Tom Content. The settlement is a significant milestone that CUB members have been concerned about for almost a decade.

The Sierra Club and Vote Solar filed a similar lawsuit last year challenging a one-year rate freeze on the grounds that it perpetuated the fixed charge. Judge Jacob Frost put that case on hold in September pending the PSCs decision on the current rate settlement.

David Bender, an attorney representing the Sierra Club, said the groups will seek to have the two cases consolidated.

Gas storage

The Sierra Club has also asked the Commission to reconsider its approval of a $370 million natural gas storage project in southeastern Wisconsin designed to provide fuel when demand peaks.

The group faulted the commissions agreement with WEC Energy Groups load forecast and assessment that it wont be able to meet customer demands without the storage facilities in Jefferson and Walworth counties.

According to the Sierra Club, WECs growth projections are inconsistent with the 17% reduction in gas use that would be required to meet Gov. Tony Evers commitments to emissions targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement and the United States Climate Alliance.

To the extent the Commission concludes that Wisconsin is unlikely to meet the Governors commitments, it should say so explicitly and provide the evidentiary basis for that conclusion, the petition states.

The petition says WECs forecast double counted growth from commercial and industrial customers and inflated projections associated with Foxconns ever-changing plans for a manufacturing campus in southeast Wisconsin.

It also argues the commissions decision contained other legal errors, including putting the burden of proof on opponents to show the feasibility of alternatives.

Intervenors do not have the burden of proof in cases seeking certificates of authority, the petition states. The applicants do.

WEC filed a response Wednesday calling the petition legally and factually deficient and alleging the Sierra Clubs fundamental opposition to gas led it to ignore evidence supporting the project.

Sierra Club may be warmed by its strongly held beliefs, but (WEC) customers need a reliable supply of natural gas to stay warm when the temperature dips, the utility wrote.

A PSC spokesperson declined to comment on the petition.

The project consists of two storage facilities in Ixonia and Bluff Creek that could each hold up to a billion cubic feet of chilled natural gas for times of high demand, when it would be heated and vaporized.

The utilities say the facility will eliminate the need to contract additional pipeline capacity that would only be needed a few days a year or to pay a premium when demand is high, as it was during a cold snap last winter that caused spot prices to soar.

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Editor's Note

This is the heart of the problem. If housing vulnerable people is an asset class  not a social good, or a human right  then generating returns for investors will always be in a zero-sum relationship with providing safe housing for those people. Landlords will always be in the middle; and when theyre taking sides, as they must in housing for profit, investors will always win. - Annia Ciezadlo

New this year in AfricaFocus. See AfricaFocus Plus below for an update on new features (beyond this periodic Bulletin) that I am experimenting with.

The article by Annia Ciezadlo, writing in The Guardian about the Bronx fire that killed 19 people earlier this month, continues like this:

When housing is a commodity, and making repairs is a cost  and like any cost, it needs to be minimized so that profit can be maximized  no law changes that basic fact, says Henriquez [director of litigation at Legal Services of New York]. Providing safe and decent habitable conditions for your tenants falls on the cost side of your balance sheet. And so that already creates an incentive to do as little as possible. To keep that cost as low as possible.

Touray Tower in the Bronx, as the apartment building that burned was known in the neighborhood, and Trump Tower in Manhattan are in different asset classes of real estate. Yet another class, but only a walk away from Trump Tower, is the residence of Rick Gropper, the real estate developer who is the principal owner of the Camber Group that manages Touray Tower and sits on an advisory board for Mayor Eric Adams.

Mid-Manhattan is a preferred location for foreign investment in real estate often used for money laundering, while the real estate market in the Bronx and northern Manhattan focuses on affordable housing for working families in New York, where immigrant communities are often concentrated.

This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains a summary article on the Bronx fire from the Quartz Africa Weekly Brief, a publication I highly recommend.

But the best detailed coverage has been in the New York Times:

https://tinyurl.com/BronxFire-Gambia for a search and for a compilation of PDFs shared on Google drive for AfricaFocus subscribers, click here.

Other sources I found helpful for this AfricaFocus Bulletin include:

For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on issues related to migration, visit http://www.africafocus.org/migrexp.php.

For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on the USA and Africa, visit http://www.africafocus.org/country/usa-africa.php

For ongoing coverage of USA/Africa relations, visit https://allafrica.com/usafrica/ and

https://todaynewsafrica.com/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

AfricaFocus Plus

As mentioned in a message to readers in October (https://mailchi.mp/igc/new-directions), and as you will have noticed, I am publishing the Bulletin less frequently on the web and by Mailchimp email. But I am exploring new ways to reach out through other online media to continue sharing my reading and reflections with wider audiences.

If you use Facebook or Twitter or read books, I invite you to visit these sites:

AfricaFocus now has over 10,000 followers. How many people it reaches is unpredictable (only Facebook knows really). As we all know, Facebook is not anybody's friend and its goal is profit, although it has made some still largely token efforts to respond to recent critiques and whistlebrower leaks. But it does have the widest audience of any social media around the world, with almost 2.9 billion users. See https://www.smartinsights.com/social-media-marketing/social-media-strategy/new-global-social-media-research/. The latest AfricaFocus post also automatically appears on the home page of http://www.africafocus.org.

Twitter's 400 million users worldwide are much fewer than Facebook's, almost at the bottom of the comparative list in the link above. but its users are heavily concentrated among journalists, policy analysts, and policy makers themselves. So it is more useful than Facebook in reaching decision-makers or influencers. However, its culture can be every more toxic to the user, and the pace is unbearable if you use twitter's own interface. However, it can be managed if you only follow a few others who have content you are interested in. And you can visit the link even if you are yourself not signed up for Twitter.

The only way I can tolerate using it myself in by not going to http://twitter.com directly and seeing the torrent of irrelevant clutter they send you, but by using another twitter product (https://tweetdeck.twitter.com/) which enables you to curate exactly what you see, including priority accounts you choose to follow closely as well as specialized lists on a particular topic as well as sites that retweet your tweets. I have created a custom list that I follow on tax justice,and another on the Sudan.

By turning off notifications to your screen or your email, you can choose when to check tweetdeck and make better use of your time. I've been doing this more lately for AfricaFocus, and AfricaFocus now has almost 700 twitter followers.

This is of far more interest to me personally than twitter, and I spend hours each day reading books while I probably spend less than 15 to 20 minutes total in a day on twitter (email and the web are probably 5 to 6 hours a day)..

Bookshop.org is a not-for-profit B-Corporation which is dedicated to supporting independent bookshops around the United States. It's not yet international, although they have set up stores in the UK and Spain. In addition to raising almost $18.7 million for independent bookstores in their first two years, they pay 10% of the list price of each book they sell to affiliates that create their own shops on the site. Anyone can be an affiliate, from book stores to publishers to NGOs to individuals who simply like to recommend books to their friends.

One of my recent lists was featured on the home page of Bookshop.org on January 18.

I haven't earned much money from it yet (about $140), but the main point in any case is publicizing books that I think people might be interested in and/or should read. I obviously haven't read all the books I list, but I have read a fair number, and if so I have noted my opinion in an annotation (otherwise just quoting a review or the publisher's description.

Another list I recently created noted ten of the best books that I read in 2021.

Original articles in other publications

In 2020 and 2021 I have also given particular attention to writing articles for other publications, often co-authored with others. These include responsiblestatecraft.org, fpif.org, and https://africasacountry.com. I have also written or edited on a number of the web pages and posts at https://www.us-africabridgebuilding.org.

++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++
The states system for diverting those with drug and alcohol addiction away from the prison system would be extended to some with mental illness  a group that makes up more than four in 10 of the states prisoners  under a bipartisan bill brought Tuesday before the Assembly Corrections Committee.

Unlike much of the contentious legislation advancing through the Republican-controlled Legislature, the bill has a chance of being signed into law by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has sought pathways to reduce Wisconsins prison population.

Under the bill, counties and tribes would be eligible to apply for treatment alternatives and diversion grants to create mental health courts, similar to drug courts and veterans treatment courts but addressing only people with mental illnesses.

Those mental health courts, which already exist in several Wisconsin counties, would be critical for alleged nonviolent offenders accused or convicted of low-level crimes who have mental health issues, bill co-author Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, said Tuesday.

We have not provided enough support to the Department of Corrections to best care for individuals with mental health conditions in custody, while at the same time the number of inmates with a mental health diagnosis is growing, Goyke said.

Money is already set aside for treatment alternatives and diversion programs  the bill would add mental health courts to the list of grant-eligible programs.

The bill has the backing of psychologists and criminal justice experts who said Tuesday that incarceration is typically more detrimental than restorative for people with mental illnesses.

Our ability to meet their treatment needs in prisons and jails is highly limited, Cecelia Klingele, a University of Wisconsin Law School professor who studies criminal justice policy, said in an interview Tuesday, adding that the restrictive and punitive nature of prisons sometimes exacerbates symptoms of some mental health conditions.

Prisons are disproportionately made up of people with mental health issues ranging from moderate to severe.

The largest mental health treatment facilities in our state are not in our mental health institutions, psychologist Dr. Bruce Erdmann said Tuesday. Its in our prisons.

The statistics say as much: Department of Corrections documents show 41% of people housed in state correctional facilities have mental illnesses. Experts say that number is probably low.

Although most people who struggle with mental health-related conditions arent involved in the criminal system, there are a disproportionate number of people in the system who do struggle with various mental health conditions, Klingele said.

And for those who do struggle with mental health, Klingele said, mental health courts would provide a promising and ethical solution.

Finding a way to hold people accountable for criminal behavior and help them receive treatment when its available is an important way to deal humanely with people who are struggling, she said.

Goyke co-authored the bill with Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, and Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc, whose written testimonies addressed the number of people who would be left out of the criminal justice system under the new bill.

Besides keeping peoples records clean, Wisconsin Department of Justice statistics show treatment alternatives and diversion programs could keep more money in the state coffers. National fiscal conservatives, including Grover Norquist, have advocated in recent years for reducing prison populations as a way to save taxpayer dollars.

Based on an analysis of treatment and diversion participants from 2014 to 2018, the state Department of Justice found Wisconsin saves more than $4 for every dollar invested in treatment courts and close to $9 for every dollar invested in diversion programs.

The governors office did not respond to a request for comment on the bill.

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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

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.
The First Assyrian Workers From Turkey in Germany

Alexander Maksiye and his wife Janet Maksiye in Wurzburg (2011). Wurzburg, Germany (AINA) -- The 60th anniversary of the German-Turkish recruitment agreement (German: Anwerbeabkommen) was officially celebrated in many cities across the country end of October 2021. In his speech at the state commemoration event in Berlin, Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, addressed the invited guests, stating that

"You helped building up Germany -- You have enriched our country, economically, but above all humanly! Your hard work, your passion and your humanity have made our country what it is today. For this I am deeply grateful to you, who are with us today as representatives of the first generation..."

With the recruitment agreement, which was signed with Turkey on October 30, 1961, not only Turks but also members of the minorities arrived in Germany. Thus, in the course of the opening of job opportunities abroad, the first groups of Assyrians, mainly from the city of Midyat, arrived in Germany.

Assyrians of different Christian denominations lived mainly in southeast, Turkey, especially in the districts of Tur Abdin, Mardin, Sirnak and Hakkari, in a region that was a restricted area for foreigners to enter until the early 1960s. Life was marked by insecurity and discrimination due to the unfavorable legal status as a non-Turkish and non-Muslim minority. Added to this was the difficult economic and social situation in the region.

Until the 1960s, Midyat was the only city in Turkey with a majorly Christian population. Midyat had a strong tradition of craftsmanship and trade. It provided the entire region with important services; at a young age, most young people began to learn a craft profession. Not all craftsmen were able to establish an own business of find permanent employment opportunity in Midyat to support their families. The younger generation dreamed of a better life and often did not want to continue their family's traditional agricultural work. Some moved to Istanbul or other Turkish cities in the west of the country to find work. My father, for example, gave up tailor workshop and worked since the late 1950s for US companies in Turkey who owned government licenses for drilling for oil, gas and water.

Germany had a special appeal to Assyrians, not only because of its reputation for quality products, but also because it was considered a Christian country. When Germany and several European countries began to recruit guest workers from Turkey, including Austria (from 1964), Holland (1964) and France (1965), many Assyrians saw this as an opportunity to come to Europe. This process of migration, triggered by domestic and foreign policy circumstances (such as the Cyprus crisis or the Kurdish conflict), continued in several waves and over several decades until the end of the 1990s.

Assyrian Work Migrant Pioneers

The very first Assyrian who came to Germany in the course of the recruitment agreement in 1961 from Midyat was Alexander Maksiye. The 84-year-old lives with his family in the city of Wurzburg. He is officially one of the very first 45 people recruited from Turkey to Germany in 1961 in context of the agreement. He was specially honored for this 2011 in the city of Wurzburg during the commemoration of anniversary of the agreement. His life story was even presented in a short stage play at the Wurzburg's City Theater.

With his support, his three brothers Habib, Johann and Sait followed him to Germany in 1962 and 1963. Johann, meanwhile 78 years old and grandfather, lives in his retirement in Wurzburg too. In our conversation about the early times in Germany, he told me that "Alexander, as a young man in Istanbul in 1961, worked for his cousin as a tailor; there he learned about the recruitment agreement between Germany and Turkey from the newspaper."

In Istanbul and other cities in Turkey, there were large advertising campaigns for the agreement with Germany. Posters and advertisements in newspapers announced that Germany was looking for skilled workers. Interested people had to apply to the local employment agency (Isci Bulma Kurumu), undergo an aptitude test if they did not have the necessary qualifications, and pass a health examination. The latter was performed by a German doctor accompanied by an interpreter in Istanbul.

Johann also tells me that Alexander "immediately went to the employment agency in Istanbul and filled an application to come to Germany and work as a tailor. At the employment office, however, he was told that they were looking for carpenters in Germany."

As it happens, Alexander Maksiye had a small carpenter's workshop in Midyat, knew the profession and thus had the qualification. He applied as a carpenter and, after completing his papers, passport and health examination, travelled to Stimpfach, a small town of 2500 south of Crailsheim in southern Germany.

After a year Alexander moved to Aalen in Baden-Wurttemberg, south of Crailsheim, about thirty minutes from Stimpfach, to work as a tailor in his dream job. There was the main factory of the Greiff-Werke. It was one of the well-known German manufacturers of men's and industrial clothing at the time, founded after the Second World War.

In 1962, Alexander initiated an invitation (work assurance) from the German company to his then 17-year-old brother Johann, who was still learning the tailor profession in Midyat. Johann made his way to Istanbul to take care of the necessary papers to leave for Germany.

Johann Maksiye in Germany, 1963. According to Johann:

When I arrived in Istanbul, my cousin, who had been living and working in Istanbul for some time, helped me with the formalities. At the passport office I was told that as a minor I could not get a passport without my parents' permission. I wrote a letter to my father in Midyat to send me an officially certified permission. This took several months; during that time, I worked as a tailor to earn my living expenses. I had the invitation from the Greiff-Werke in Aalen, which confirmed that I could work for them as an apprentice. Therefore, I did not have to go through the procedure of the Turkish Employment Agency, nor did I have to go for a health check. Finally, in February, I was able to complete my documents and board the train to Germany at the Istanbul's Sirkeci Train Station. The journey to Germany on the Orient Express, at that time the locomotive was coal driven, took two days. The route led via Bulgaria, former Yugoslavia, and Austria to Munich. Arriving in Munich on a Sunday, February 28th, I changed the train to Ulm in order to travel from there to Aalen/Wurttemberg, my final destination.

People who arrived via the Isci Bulma Kurumu were received by a German team in Munich and got guidance and support to get to their destinations.

"When I arrived in Aalen, I was surprised that my brother was not waiting for me at the train station, because I had sent him a letter about my arrival before my trip." It turned out that Johann's letter had not yet arrived from Istanbul.

Other Assyrians joining from Midyat

The group of Assyrian men from Midyat in Aalen grew over the next few years. In addition, my own father, Ibrahim, came to Aalen in the middle of the 1960s with other friends, most of whom also worked as tailors at the Greiff-Werke. According to Johann, the Assyrian group made up about a quarter of the 40 or so workers from Turkey who were employed at Greiff-Werke, most of whom were women.

During the holiday season in the summer months, many traveled back to Midyat to visit their families; others used the opportunity to get married. Through marriage and family reunification, the first small diaspora community of people originating from Midyat came into being in Aalen. In the course of family reunification in 1967, my own family settled in Aalen too. My younger sister and myself were the only Assyrian children in Aalen at that time. We were immediately registered by my father to schools nearby in Aalen. It was no coincidence that the group in Aalen came from the same quarter of Midyat and were most of them related to each other.

A few years later Alexander and his brothers, Ishak Mourike and Iskender Turker, moved to Wurzburg, a city in northern Bavaria, as did my family in 1969. Most members of the Aalen group continued to work for a subsidiary of the Greiff-Werke in the region and used to live with their families until early the 1970s in the same apartment complex.

According to Johann Maksiye, in the mid-1960s there were in total about 35 Assyrians from Midyat working in different countries in Europe, among them Austria, Holland and Switzerland; Johann knew most of their names. One can speak of them as the pioneers of migrant workers to Germany.

The residence permit for guest workers coming from Turkey was initially limited to two years. Accordingly, the employment contracts had to be also limited. In the sense of a rotation principle, the foreign workers were supposed to return home and be replaced by new workers. In contrast to Germany's other recruitment agreements with Italy or Spain, there was no provision for family reunification for the workers recruited from Turkey initially.

Assyrian worker group from Midyat in Aalen/Wurtt. mid 1960s. Standing from left to right: Ibrahim Abraham (author's father), Iskender Turker, Hanna Aydin, Konstantin Aydin and Johann Maksiye. Sitting from left to right: Alexander Maksiye and Ishak Mourike.

However, the principle of rotation could not be maintained in the long run. German companies particularly spoke out against letting semi-skilled workers leave after two years. A new version of the Agreement with Turkey, dated May 19, 1964, repealed the principle of rotation; the ban on family reunification was also lifted.

Shortly after the start of the oil crisis in 1973, the then German Social Democrats-led government under Willi Brandt decided to stop further recruitment, which affected all recruitment countries. Until then, according to official statistics, nearly 800,000 (680,002 men and 150,000 women) people from Turkey were living in Germany.

In 1973 the Assyrian community living in and around the city of Wurzburg and originating from Midyat and villages of Tur Abdin grew to nearly 50 Assyrian families.
KEARNEY  John Paul will spend four days in jail around the one-year anniversary of Veronica Powells death.

He also will spend four days around her wedding anniversary and her birthday in jail as well.

Paul, 44, was sentenced Wednesday in Buffalo County Court to a total of 90 days in jail and placed on two years probation for causing Powells March 27 death. Phelps County Judge Tim Hoeft sentenced Paul for one count of misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide.

The four days in jail will give Paul time to reflect on the decision he made to drive distracted, Hoeft said. In all, Paul will serve 22 days in jail on dates coinciding with Powells life. Combined with good time behavior, Hoeft could suspend the remaining jail time when he reviews Pauls case in January 2024.

Paul also was ordered to complete 20 hours of community service, and at the recommendation of Powells widow, Paul, Hoeft suggested John Paul consider using that time to speak to young drivers about the consequences of distractive driving.

When it comes from someone whose lived it, its more of an impact, Paul Hoeft said.

Under the standard conditions of his probation John Paul must complete a class in victim impact and defensive driving, and write a letter of apology to Powells family.

John Paul was convicted in January.

Powell died around 10:41 a.m. March 27 after John Paul lost control of the 2015 GMC Sierra K2500 pickup he was driving in the 900 block of East 44th Street near Kearney Cemetery. John Pauls truck struck Powell as she walked with her daughter Eleanor Powell, then 19, also of Kearney.

According to Hoeft, the investigation didnt show any indication that John Paul was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

Before sentencing, Deputy Buffalo County Attorney Kari Fisk argued for the maximum one-year jail sentence for John Paul, although she said it wasnt nearly enough. According to Fisk, John Paul told Keanrey Police he was driving by the cemetery when he looked down to grab something off the floor when he hit the women.

Paul thought he hit a dumpster, Fisk said, and didnt stop.

An accident reconstructionist determined John Paul went up on the sidewalk where the women were walking and hit them. Fisk said the impact of the crash was so great there was blood on John Pauls pickup, and his side mirror breakaway mirror was pushed inward.

Residents living in the area also heard the crash, Fisk said.

A witness also told KPD after John Paul left the crash scene that twice he looked back toward the scene out his drivers side window. A short time later John Paul returned to the scene.

This didnt have to happen, Fisk said. This never shouldve happened.

There has to be a consequence and some value to killing someone, she added.

John Pauls attorney Tom Stewart of Kearney argued for probation for his client saying John Paul was remorseful for Powells death, that he wasnt a danger to the community, and incarceration wouldnt fix the grief of everyone involved. His (Pauls) grief is overwhelming. Its way more than Im sorry. He feels horrible, as anyone can.

Hoeft will reevaluate John Pauls case in January 2024, to determine if he needs to complete his remaining jail time.

No one alleges you set out to kill someone, Hoeft told John Paul. But just one distraction changed the lives for a lot of people.

@HubChic
QUESTION: We saw a farrier heat horseshoes at Old World Wisconsin, and it turned a red color. Why is that?

ANSWER: It was one of the great mysteries in science. Indeed, why should the iron glow reddish or any other color. The answer to that question led to the birth of quantum mechanics or quantum physics.

When we heat a piece of metal, we are adding thermal energy to the atoms within the metal. This causes them to start vibrating and they begin to emit electromagnetic radiation.

The old-time blacksmiths would heat up those horseshoes and other iron works. When the iron was sufficiently hot, about 1,470 degrees Fahrenheit, it would radiate a dull red. As the iron got hotter, it turned orange-yellow, then bluish, and perhaps a bluish white. Continue to add heat, and the iron becomes molten. The color or frequency is proportional to temperature. The higher the temperature, the higher the frequency.

Light is made of waves, just like water waves, except we cant see the individual waves like we can with water waves. Visible light consists of seven colors, easily remembered by using the memory aid ROYGBIV, which is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Red is the lowest frequency (rate of vibration) wave we can see, and blue, indigo, violet is the highest. The waves of violet light have almost twice the frequency of red light waves. When the iron is white hot, it is radiating waves of all the colors put together, which is white light. The temperature of any incandescent body, whether they be stars or blast furnaces, can be determined by measuring the frequency (color) of the light they emit.

It is interesting to think about objects, such as iron, below the temperature at which they emit visible light. They give off invisible rays of infra-red radiation, which are similar in nature to light. But they do not contain quite enough energy to stimulate the optic nerve to be seen by the human eye. There are cameras that can see the infrared, many employed as trail cams, home security systems and by the military.

In the now old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs, a filament is heated to a temperature at which a fraction of the radiation falls in the visible spectrum. The majority of the radiation is emitted in the infrared part of the spectrum, rendering the incandescent light bulb relatively inefficient as a light source. More efficient light sources, such as fluorescent lamps and LEDs, do not function by incandescence.

We see that relationship between color and temperature by looking up to the heavens.

Observe the constellation of Orion, the Hunter. The hot young supergiant below the belt of Orion is Rigel, with a surface temperature of 19,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Its a beautiful bluish color. The red old supergiant star above the belt is Betelgeuse, with a surface temperature of 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Classical physics predicted that hot objects would instantly radiate away all their heat into electromagnetic waves. The ultraviolet catastrophe was the name given to this conflict between theory and observation. It contradicted the principle of conservation of energy and showed a new model was needed to explain the behavior. This happened in the 1890s. It was one of the things that led to the invention of quantum mechanics. German physicist Max Planck (1858-1947) solved the problem by proposing that electromagnetic energy was emitted in quanta with the equation, E=hf. The quantum theory accurately predicted the energy of the radiation that is observed.

Max Planck led a long and useful life, filled with scientific triumphs and personal tragedies. His first wife died young. He was a Lutheran churchwarden from 1920 until his death and believed in an almighty, all-knowing, beneficent God. Max Planck expressed the view that God is everywhere present.

During World War II, the Allied bombing of Berlin forced Planck and his wife to leave the city and live in the countryside. In February 1944, their home in Berlin was completely destroyed. In late 1944, Plancks son, Erwin, was arrested by the Gestapo following the attempted assassination of Hitler in the July 20, 1944, plot. He was tried and sentenced to death in October 1944 and hanged in January 1945. The death of his son destroyed Plancks will to live. He died on October 4, 1947, and his grave is in the city cemetery in Goottingen. Max Plancks name is on everyones list as one of historys greatest scientists.

Larry Scheckel is a retired Tomah High School physics teacher.

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A Protest! exhibit is currently being installed at the museum, briefly covering a number of protest movements that have occurred in Vernon County over the past 150 years. The exhibit is organized around two main protests, one from the late 19th century and one from the late 20th century. It also touches on other protest movements, but to a lesser extent.

The main 19th-century protest is the temperance movement, a subject weve looked at here in this column before. The word temperance means moderation, and in this context it means moderation in drinking alcohol, or, more usually, total abstinence.

Vernon County was home to chapters of several temperance societies, including the Independent Order of Good Templars and the Womens Christian Temperance Union. Temperance organizations were established in Vernon County communities with large populations of Yankee and Norwegian settlers, such as De Soto, Esofea, Readstown, Viola, Viroqua and Westby. The nation-wide temperance movement was successful in passing the 18th Amendment, which instituted Prohibition, but the amendment was repealed after 14 years.

The main 20th-century protest movement featured in the exhibit is the protest against low-level military flights, another subject that has been explored here before. In the winter of 1995, a regional organization called Citizens United Against Low-Level Flights was formed in Viroqua to combat a new plan by the Air National Guard.

The plan was to establish two new military training flight corridors over southwestern Wisconsin, which would involve thousands of flights per year at altitudes as low as 300 feet passing over parts of Vernon and Crawford Counties. Citizens United mounted a successful campaign to halt the plan.

One element that I find especially interesting about these two protest movements is that they used the arts extensively in their campaigns. The Protest! exhibit includes music from the temperance campaign, in the form of hymnals and songbooks including The Temperance Songster and New Anti-Saloon Songs: A Collection of Temperance and Moral Reform Songs. A recording of temperance music plays in the background while visitors stand near the display, featuring such gems as A Sober Spouse For Me and Close Up the Booze Shop.

The low-level military flights protest also involved art, and the museum is fortunate to have several pieces in its collection. Richland County artist Ken Stark created two cartoons about the campaign, which are on display. And Westby artist Amos Miller created a painting and woodcut prints depicting local people protesting at the Wisconsin state Capitol. He also made a wonderful papier-mache model of a fighter jet and mounted it on a hard hat  all of these pieces of art are also in the exhibit.

You can view any of our exhibits during the museums regular winter hours of Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 4 p.m., or by appointment. To make an appointment, call us at 608-637-7396.

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Indonesia has named its new capital Nusantara, as lawmakers approve the shift from Jakarta to Kalimantan -- a jungle-covered area on the east of Borneo island.

The new name translates to "archipelago" in the Indonesian language.

Concerns over the sustainability of the congested and rapidly sinking political center of Jakarta prompted the need for a new capital, and the nation's House of Representatives officially passed a bill on Tuesday regarding the relocation.

"The relocation of the capital city to Kalimantan is based on several considerations, regional advantages, and welfare. With the vision of the birth of a new economic center of gravity in the middle of the archipelago," said Suharso Monoarfa, the country's Minister of National Development Planning, according to Indonesia Parliament TV.

President Joko Widodo first announced the capital would be relocated in 2019, citing concerns over Jakarta's environmental and economic sustainability.

Jakarta sits on swampy ground near the sea -- making it especially prone to flooding -- and is one of the fastest-sinking cities on Earth, according to the World Economic Forum. The former capital has been dropping into the Java Sea at an alarming rate due to over-extraction of groundwater.

It is also one of the world's most overpopulated urban regions. It is home to more than 10 million people, with an estimated 30 million in the greater metropolitan area, according to the United Nations.

On Tuesday, the bill to relocate the capital was passed by approvals from eight fractions and only one fraction rejecting it, according to the chairman of Indonesia's House of Representative Puan Maharani. Indonesia's Parliament comprises nine groups of political parties known as fractions.

Legislators have stressed the importance of careful consideration of the new development's environmental impact. According to data from the National Planning and Development Agency, the total land area for the new capital city will be around 256,143 hectares (around 2,561 square kilometers) -- almost all of it converted from forest area.

Indonesia owns the majority of Borneo, the world's third-largest island, with Malaysia and Brunei each holding parts of its northern region.

Sri Mulyani, Indonesia's Minister of Finance, said in a press conference on Tuesday there will be five stages of development in the new capital city.

The first stage is expected to begin in 2022 and run through 2024, with development expected to last until 2045, Monoarfa said.

Previous estimates have said the ambitious project would likely cost around 466 trillion rupiah ($32 billion), CNN Indonesia reported.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

CNN's Rob Picheta contributed reporting.

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Bald eagles normally don't travel by train, but a young bird that hopped a train Jan. 11 and took an unplanned 80-mile trip somehow survived the journey.

The Coulee Region Humane Society reported that a juvenile eagle is doing well after getting hit by a southbound train on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River near Stockholm. The eagle, believed to be less than a year old, was recovered at the 1600 block of Oak Street in La Crosse.

CRHS personnel are optimistic about the eagle's prospects.

"We are certainly hopeful that this eagle will be returned and be able to live out its life in the wild," said Kathy KasaKaitas, animal control protection and rescue supervisor.

Animal control personnel from the Humane Society found the eagle entangled in the front rail of the freight train's engine car. After the eagle was detached, it was transported to Van Loon Animal Hospital in Holmen for further diagnosis and care. X-rays revealed no fracture or internal damage.

The train was estimated to have reached speeds of 80 mph while the eagle was trapped.

"Eagles getting hit by a train is not anything new," KasaKaitas said. "However, one that was hit and stuck in the front guard rail and driven for over 80 miles and still alive and doing remarkably well is amazing."

Van Loon veterinarian Dr. Mark Hein said the injured bird is a "pretty lucky eagle," but added that eagles are very resilient.

"An eagle is a pretty tough bird," he said. "They're built to take a lot of shock because of the way they hunt."

Hein said it's not unusual for an eagle to continue to successfully hunt with a broken leg. He said a broken wing is another matter.

"If they break a wing, they can't hunt," he said.

Hein said the Humane Society regularly uses the Van Loon facility to treat injured birds of prey. He said the Humane Society has treated everything from peregrine falcons to whooping cranes at Van Loon.

"We provide the real estate, and they provide the knowledge," he said. "It's a beautiful relationship."

KasaKaitas said the Raptor Education Group has been contacted to coordinate further analysis, blood work, rehabilitation and release. The eagle is expected to remain at Van Loon for another day or two.

"We try to help every wild animal that we get calls on, and knowing that our national symbol and such a majestic bird needed help was all we needed to hear," she said.

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A 22-year-old La Crosse man was charged Tuesday in La Crosse County Circuit Court after allegedly stabbing a person in a La Crosse parking garage.

Robert P. Gardner was faces felony charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and bail jumping.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called Jan. 13 to the sixth level of the Riverside parking ramp, where officers encountered a man seated on the ground next to a blood-smeared wall. The complaint says the man sustained a laceration in the shoulder about one inch long and a half-inch wide.

The man told police that he and Gardner got into a fight after Gardner accused him of stealing a bike. The man told police he threw the first punch in self-defense and believed Gardner had given up prior to the stabbing. The man was transported to a local hospital, where the wound was closed with stitches.

The complaint says the man identified Gardner in a photo lineup. Gardner reportedly told police he doesnt own any knives and denied stabbing the man.

Assistant La Crosse County District Attorney Eric Sanford asked for a $5,000 cash bond. He said Gardner has four open cases and committed the stabbing one day after being released on a signature bond.

Judge Ramona Gonzalez ordered cash bail of $1,000 and set a preliminary hearing for Jan. 27.

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In honor of what would have been beloved actress and animal lover Betty Whites 100th birthday, donations are pouring in to animal shelters nationwide, with local facilities experiencing the generosity.

The Betty White Challenge recognizes the universally beloved Whites well known affection for animals domestic and wild, and called for individuals to give $5 or more to the animal shelter of their choosing on Monday, Jan. 17. White passed just weeks prior to her landmark birthday.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated to shelters across the country, with funds continuing to pour in. The Coulee Region Humane Society in Onalaska has already received more than $12,000 from over 350 donors.

All we can say is...WOW! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support from our community to honor the life and work of Betty White, CRHS said in a Facebook post. Betty Whites love for animals has touched so many lives. Her influence is truly inspiring.

Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter in Tomah has been bestowed with over $9,000 in donations, and expressed in post, What an incredible lady as her legacy lives on for the love of animals. We are so very grateful to all of you. Our heartfelt thanks as the animals will benefit so greatly!

If you are interested in joining the #Betty White Challenge, a list of animal shelters and rescues in Wisconsin can be found at https://www.dogloversdigest.com/wisconsin-rescue-shelters-and-organizations/.

Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.

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A wide financial gulf separates both incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and GOP candidate Rebecca Kleefisch from the remaining candidates running for governor this fall, new campaign finance reports show.

Evers, who is seeking a second term, and former Lt. Gov. Kleefisch both announced their 2021 fundraising totals last week, with Evers holding more than $10 million at the close of last year, while Kleefisch raised more than $3.3 million in the first four months of her campaign, which she launched in September. Both fundraising totals have been touted as record-breaking by their respective campaigns and underscore what is expected to be an expensive gubernatorial race this year.

Whats more, both Evers and Kleefisch each received donations of $20,000, the maximum individual amount allowed for statewide candidates in Wisconsin, from about 60 individual donors, according to campaign finance reports filed this week with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Those large donations last year accounted for about one-third of the total funds raised by Kleefisch and about one-eighth of what Evers raised. Evers campaign reported receiving more than 32,000 individual donations last year, while Kleefischs campaign reported receiving donations from more than 7,000 individuals.

With the midterm election less than 10 months away, Matthew Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracks campaign finances, said Wisconsins gubernatorial race  in which Democrats are looking to stave off a Republican push to regain GOP control of the state by unseating the incumbent governor, who has blocked several bills passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature  could prove to be historically expensive.

I certainly wouldnt be surprised if this governors race breaks all of the old records, Rothschild said. To have this level of money pouring into Wisconsin already is a clear indication that the sky is the limit when it comes to this November election.

As was the case leading up to the 2020 presidential election, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has dramatically outraised the Republican Party of Wisconsin, with Democrats bringing in more than $2.25 million in the final five months of 2021, compared with about $322,000 raised by Republicans.

The Democratic Party raised more than $6.6 million last year, compared to less than $1.3 million raised by the Republican Party.

Other contests

In addition to the gubernatorial race, both state parties are gearing up for heated battles over the attorney generals seat, where Democrat Josh Kaul is seeking reelection, and the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who confirmed earlier this month he is running for a third term.

This November, were reelecting Gov. Evers and Attorney General Kaul and defeating Ron Johnson  and well have the resources to do it, Democratic Party of Wisconsin interim executive director Devin Remiker said in a statement.

The state Democratic Party donated more than $1.2 million in monetary and in-kind contributions to Evers campaign in the second half of 2021. Kleefisch raised more than $60,000 from committees, including a $50,000 donation from Huck PAC, a conservative political action committee created by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

In addition to Kleefischs campaign finance report, Middleton-based Freedom Wisconsin PAC, a political action committee created to help Kleefisch, reported raising $277,000. Of that, $200,000 came from billionaire and Republican donor Elizabeth Uihlein. Other donations to the political action committee last year included $75,000 from Virginia-based Right Direction America and $2,000 from Middleton real estate developer Terrence Wall.

Uihlein also donated $20,000 to Kleefischs campaign in September.

GOP primary

While Kleefisch has built a campaign directly targeting Evers, she first will need to go through her fellow GOP candidates in the Aug. 9 primary.

Kevin Nicholson, a former U.S. Marine who lost in the 2018 U.S. Senate Republican primary, plans to announce soon if he will launch his own gubernatorial bid. Nicholson previously said that he would run for governor if Johnson sought a third Senate term.

Madison businessman Eric Hovde said earlier this month he also is weighing a potential bid for the Republican nomination. Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, who will depart from his role as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System in March, also indicated he may be considering a gubernatorial run.

Kleefischs sizable fundraising effort should help ward off potential challengers, Rothschild said.

Of the other Republicans already in the race, business owner Jonathan Wichmann reported raising just over $42,000 in the second half of last year. Former police officer and businessman Adam Fischer raised a little over $28,000 in the last six months of 2021.

Independent candidate Joan Beglinger reported raising about $24,000 in the second half of last year, compared to about $850 raised by fellow Independent Jess Hisel.

Lt. governor

While Wisconsins lieutenant governor race hasnt drawn the level of spending as the gubernatorial ticket, Republican candidate Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, reported raising more than $200,000 in all of last year, including $20,000 from his Senate campaign.

Fellow Republican Ben Voelkel, a former senior aide to Johnson, reported raising more than $116,000. Republican Will Martin, who served under both Tommy Thompson and Scott Walker, raised about $42,000 last month, according to records.

Other Republicans running for the lieutenant governor seat include Lancaster Mayor David Varnam, who raised more than $26,000, David King, of Milwaukee, who raised about $4,000, and Army veteran Cindy Werner, who raised about $1,000.

The field of Democratic candidates vying for the lieutenant governor seat has also grown following current Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by Johnson.

State Reps. Sara Rodriguez, D-Brookfield, raised about $35,000 and David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, raised about $14,000. Peng Her, CEO of the Hmong Institute in Madison, reported raising almost $8,700 since declaring candidacy last month. Eau Claire resident Kyle Yudes raised more than $5,000 since October.

Secretary of state

State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, who is running for secretary of state this fall, reported raising more than $70,000 in the final six months of last year.

Democrat Doug La Follette, who has held the position since 1983, told The Associated Press last week he is preparing to run for another term this fall.

La Follette, 81, said he was motivated to seek another term in the largely powerless office following Loudenbecks interest in empowering the office to serve as a check on the states bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission, which administers elections.

Republican secretary of state candidates Daniel Schmidtka and Jay Schroeder both reported raising less than $1,000 in the second half of last year.

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The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on how the states next legislative and congressional district maps should be drawn  a decision before the court that could have major implications for state elections over the next decade.

The court took arguments for more than six hours from attorneys representing the GOP-led Legislature, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, members of the Republican congressional delegation, Senate Democrats and several other groups that submitted map proposals. Republicans have said maintaining the core of existing boundaries disenfranchises the fewest number of voters, but Democrats and proponents of nonpartisan legislative boundaries have criticized the proposal as an attempt by Republicans to lock in GOP-friendly districts in the states next 10-year maps.

The states high court, which has already ruled it will follow a least change approach when drawing the states next maps, is expected to issue a final decision in the coming weeks. One of the key factors brought up by several justices focused on whether submitted maps adhere to federal requirements in the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

Part of that question focuses on whether Milwaukee should have seven legislative districts with a majority of Black and Hispanic voters, as proposed by the group Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, or the six districts proposed by others including the GOP-led Legislature. Another question raised by conservative and crucial swing Justice Brian Hagedorn, who has sometime sided with liberal justices in the past, is what percentage of voters meets the legal definition of a majority.

How are we supposed to figure out at what stage weve crossed a line? I feel like were trying to hug a water balloon here, Hagedorn said.

A pending federal lawsuit filed by Democrats also could be taken up following the state Supreme Courts decision, specifically if the chosen maps meet those federal requirements.

Mel Barnes, staff counsel with the liberal firm Law Forward, which is representing Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, described the Voting Rights Act as being the heart and soul of this case. Barnes also pointed to comments made during Wednesdays hearing by judges including conservative Justice Patience Roggensack, who questioned the significance of the federal requirement in light of Black officials winning elections in the past over white candidates.

You cant throw out this law just because its been working, Barnes said at a press event after Wednesdays hearing. These protections continue to be important and the VRA continues to be the law of the land.

The court received proposed boundaries from Evers, the GOP-controlled Legislature, members of the Republican congressional delegation, state Senate Democrats, a group of Democratic voters and groups including Citizen Mathematicians and Scientists, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and immigrant rights organization Voces de la Frontera.

Least change approach

In a 4-3 decision last year, the court sided with Republicans request that the next maps deviate as little as possible from the current GOP-drawn maps and any changes should be related to population shifts as a result of the census. The decision likely means any of the maps ultimately accepted by the court will provide an advantage to Republicans, who hold strong majorities in both chambers due in part to maps they drew 10 years ago.

The state Supreme Courts conservative majority also said last year it will not consider partisan balance when drawing legislative maps, and instead ruled that, like the U.S. Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has no standard to judge whether maps present an unfair partisan advantage.

The courts least change ruling dealt a major blow to Evers plan to submit boundaries drawn by the Peoples Maps Commission, which he created in 2020 to provide a citizen-led alternative to the Republican maps. Those maps deviated considerably from the existing maps, which Republicans drew in secret in 2011. Evers ultimately submitted new maps to the court.

Anthony Russomanno, an attorney with the Wisconsin Department of Justice who is representing Evers, said the governors maps are the best example of boundaries that follow the courts guidelines and the federal Voting Rights Act.

Taylor Meehan, the Legislatures attorney, said Evers legislative map should be deemed unconstitutional for moving around voters to create more districts with Black and Hispanic majorities.

Just because you can draw seven districts doesnt mean that its required, said Meehan.

However, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley questioned whether the Legislatures maps, which were vetoed by Evers last year, pass constitutional muster. Evers veto put the matter before the court.

Youre bringing to us maps it seems that didnt survive the constitutional process for passing legislation, Bradley said to Meehan.

Party in power

The Legislature must redraw political lines every decade based on the latest population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. The mapmaking process can allow a party in power, even without statewide majority support, to create or increase a legislative majority based on how district lines are drawn.

In 2011, Republicans controlled the Legislature and governors office during a decennial redistricting process for the first time in decades and drew the maps in secret conditions that excluded Democrats. By packing Democratic voters in cities into lopsided districts and spreading out rural and suburban Republicans into districts with solid, but narrower, majorities, the maps allowed the GOP to hold more than 60% of legislative seats, even when Democrats won all statewide elections in 2018.

Republicans hold a 61-38 majority in the Assembly and 21-12 majority in the Senate as well as five of the states eight congressional seats.

The U.S. Supreme Court has also issued a stay in the Democratic-backed case pending further action by the state Supreme Court. Whether the federal court takes up the case hinges on whether the maps drawn by the state Supreme Court comply with requirements in federal law, such as the Voting Rights Act.

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Three adults have now been confirmed dead after a fire erupted late Monday night in a Saxony Manor apartment complex building, 1870 22nd Ave., city fire officials confirmed Tuesday.

Additionally, Kenosha Police Officer Javier Vega, 38, was transported to an area hospital for smoke inhalation. Vega, a veteran of the department for over five years, was treated and later released.

On Monday, Kenosha police confirmed that two people died and five were injured, two critically, after an entire building at the Saxony Manor complex, located at 22nd Avenue and 18th Street on the city's north side, filled with toxic smoke and the west side of the building was consumed with flames.

Two adults were found deceased at the scene, one as a result of the fire and another apparently from a medical event unrelated to the fire. A third adult died later at the hospital, city fire officials confirmed Tuesday in a press release.

Firefighters were dispatched at about 9:30 p.m. Monday to a report of a fire at the Saxony Manor complex. The Kenosha Police Department assisted with the evacuation of several residents before the Kenosha Fire Department arrived on scene, according to Tuesday's release.

Two residents who were trapped in upper-level units were successfully rescued by KFD personnel using a ladder truck. Fire officials said Monday night that 10 other residents were able to get out of the building safely and are currently displaced. Two people remained unaccounted for as of Tuesday afternoon, but city fire officials said they do not believe those people were in the affected structure.

"Had it not been for the rapid response and evacuation efforts by the Kenosha Police Department, there would likely have been more injury or death," the release stated.

According to the release, the fire was controlled within approximately 30 minutes, and crews remained on scene for several hours conducting secondary searches of the structure.

Residents call 911

Several residents from neighboring apartment buildings called 911 and said they witnessed smoke coming from at least two ends of the affected building Monday night.

KFD Battalion Chief Ken Schroeder said Monday the cause and origin of the fire had yet to be determined.

According to KPD Capt. Patrick Patton, the police officer who was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation and later released was "trying to evacuate as many as he could" from the building.

"The fire did not spread through the whole building, but the smoke sure did," Patton said Monday. "That's what's the bigger problem."

Police worked into the early-morning hours Tuesday with Saxony Manor management to account for tenants residing in the apartments, Patton said.

According to its website, Saxony Manor offers apartments for income-eligible people age 62 and older at several buildings on an 18-acre site at 1850 22nd Ave. The complex is run by the non-profit Mercy Housing.

Flames rise high

Omar Owens, who lives in an apartment building to the south and west of the building at 1870 22nd Ave., said he could see smoke billowing upward while flames shot out of the building. He said he saw the flames in a first-floor apartment travel up to the roof, where they shot up as high as 30 to 40 feet.

"I heard a frantic woman yelling. I couldn't tell what they were saying ... and I heard a dog barking," said Owens, who looked out his window and saw the downstairs unit on fire. "The upstairs caught on fire from (the fire) downstairs."

Owens, who has lived at Saxony Manor for four years, said he knocked on the door of his sister's apartment inside his building and told her there was a fire and she needed to get out. His sister had been resting and did not realize a fire was in progress.

One resident of the building that caught on fire said she heard smoke alarms going off and stepped out into the hall to see what appeared to be a "mist" at the end of the hall. She said a male resident went down to check on the people inside the apartment.

"I don't know whether he managed to kick the door open or break the door," the woman said. "Some billowing smoke ... thick, black smoke came out when he went to see what was going on. I just heard him holler, 'Oh my, God.' ... Then, the whole hallway just got black.'"

Coleen Mitchell, who resides in another apartment building nearby, said she had just come back from visiting her daughter when she pulled up and saw the building enveloped in smoke. Mitchell said she parked and could see a woman shouting "fire" and made her way inside to try to warn others to get out.

Mitchell said she pounded on the first-floor windows, and she used her hat to cover her mouth as she entered the building.

"I got five feet in. I yelled, and I told her to get out. I went in to help, and I couldn't even see, it burned your eyes so bad," Mitchell said, adding that the woman she warned did get out. "Nobody else answered, but that one woman."

Mitchell said she attempted to go in again but immediately turned around as an officer helped her through the blinding smoke.

"I wasn't going to keep on going, because if I did, I would've been dead," she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

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TITLE: Unsung Heroes: A History of American Immigrants

AUTHOR: Ann Mae Johnson

This is the true story of Ann Maes grandparents, parents and her Uncle Dick as the unsung heroes in her life. Through their caring and supportive relationships, these pioneers from Europe survived many hardships, were productive, and enjoyed life amid difficult times. Why were so many people coming to America? How long was the journey? What did they find when they arrived in this strange, unknown land?

Briefly I will share the travels of her three generations with you: Her grandparents, Geerd and Franka came from Germany at the ages of 22 and 33. Their first born son was buried at sea with another baby. A traveler gave up his wooden trunk so caskets were made for each of the babies. Living conditions were bad on the ship with drinking water stored in barrels and rationed. There was no place to bathe and clothes were washed in salt water of the oceans. They had rooms in the lower part of the ship because that is all they could afford. It was dark, dingy and cold and sleeping on a mattress of seaweed was far from ideal. Their three meals a day consisted of soup, rice, herring, biscuits and potatoes. Needless to say travelers were overjoyed when they reached Stanton Island. What jobs did Geerd and Franka find in America? Would they ever return to their homeland to visit? Why did they move from New York to Illinois, Iowa, and finally to Minnesota?

Anns maternal grandmother Lena came to America from Sweden at the age of 23, thanks to her brother who had sent money for a family member to join him in America. Since none of the men wanted to travel, Lena was determined to go alone. Did she make the right decision? She traveled on a steamship that was faster and easier than a sailing ship. A Swedish family took her in as one of their own because traveling alone was not recommended for young women. How did she handle the sea sickness she experienced? She traveled from New York to New Jersey to Chicago and from there she traveled by train to Omaha, Nebraska, to live with her brother, Nels and his family. For how long? What work would she do? What brought Lena to Minnesota? She met and married Hassel and they were blessed with a son. After 10 years of marriage she becomes a widow. What happened to Hassel? What lay ahead for this young widow?

Uncle Dicks journal entries were shared but told only of every day chores, visits, events and holidays. Dick and Anna had eight children who were each called Baby until they were baptized at the age of 3-4 months. Was there a reason for that? What was Dicks occupation to support his large brood?

The last portion of the book is Anns personal story and memories growing up during the Great Depression. Her parents were Bert, who had to quit school as a third-grader to help on the farm, and her mother Agnes was fortunate to complete the eighth grade. Factories were closing, jobs were disappearing and bad weather added to their misery and hardships. What was happening to the American Dream? Was America the Land of Opportunity? They worked hard and sacrificed for their children. Ann shared a lot of childhood games, events, and chores she and her siblings shared. A few included free movies on Saturday night, baths in a galvanized tub, visits from Santa and clothes made from colorful feed sacks. I personally can relate to all of that. Strolling down Main Street as an adult rekindle the memories as she visited with the elderly people. Reliving memories can teach us new things and remind us of the simple life once lived by our own ancestors. A large part of who we are today is owed to these hard working, ordinary unsung heroes. Who are your unsung heroes?

Becky Stakston is an avid reader from Westby.

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On a chilly morning in mid-December, Dorothy Merritts stood near the edge of a small cliff in rural Manor Township  a near-vertical wall of silty dirt towering more than 10 feet tall.

Gesturing with her right arm, she pointed beyond the edge, drawing attention to a shallow stretch of the West Branch of the Little Conestoga Creek that flowed below.

The ground beneath her feet wasnt a natural cliff at all, explained Merritts, a geosciences professor at Franklin & Marshall College. It was a streambank created over three centuries by sediment that washed into the area, covering what once were gentle wetland slopes.

After the dam was removed, the creek began eating away at that sediment, carrying it downstream and leaving the severe, vertical banks that now exist  a telltale sign of an impaired waterway.

Its this and similar Lancaster County waterways that a trio of professors at Franklin & Marshall are targeting with a new initiative to locate and aid in the restoration of the regions most severely eroded streambanks.

Funded by a $1.25-million grant, the colleges Chesapeake Watershed Initiative is set up to help address the widespread problem of streambank erosion in the county, a major contributing threat to water quality, both locally and downstream.

And as is the case with the site at the West Branch of Little Conestoga Creek, that erosion is often the result of European settlement of the region three centuries ago, when farmers and craftsmen built dams that trapped thousands of tons of sediment.

Centuries later, after many of those dams failed or were removed, the sediment still washes away during storms and flooding, contributing to the pollution problem in local tributaries, the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay.

One of our goals is to increase public awareness in the legacy sediment story, said Robert Walter, an F&M geosciences professor who is spearheading the initiative alongside Merritts and Patrick Fleming, an assistant professor of economics and public policy.

According to Fleming, the grant from the Pittsburgh-based Richard King Mellon Foundation will be used to fund research, public and student education and scientific work to identify and map high-erosion areas throughout the county. Thats in addition to landowner outreach and decisionmaker engagement, which hopefully will lead to restoration projects, the professors said.

Little erosion with modern farming

To find those high-erosion sites, the professors used publicly available flyover imaging, recorded over several years in the past decades, Walter said. Aircraft equipped with laser imaging technology, known as lidar, took detailed, visual recordings of streambanks.

Comparing newer images to older ones, researchers are able to pinpoint the most problematic erosion sites, Walter said.

Often, those areas are associated with colonial-era mill dams, which were plentiful in Lancaster County streams. Walter said there were more than 400 of the dams in county waterways.

Last month, Merritts illustrated the problem left behind by long-gone dams while standing on the vertical banks of the West Branch of the Little Conestoga Creek. There, a 20-foot dam previously powered a gristmill, she said. Behind that dam, a deep pond formed.

You could have canoed on it, Merritt said, giving some perspective.

As nearby settlers cleared forests and tilled land for agriculture and development, tons of sediment  often carried by stormwater  was trapped behind the dam, burying the natural, sloping wetland and stream banks that bordered the waterway.

When the dam failed in the 20th century, that sediment remained, Merritts said, pointing to the tall, silty banks that now tower over the shallow stream.

That silty soil is much more likely to erode than the natural, pre-colonial wetland soils. Often, during heavy storms, water will carry large chunks of silt downstream. Eventually, it becomes pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, blocking out light and carrying nutrients  like those found in fertilizer  that contribute to oxygen-poor dead zones.

Its the equivalent of thousands and thousands of acres of farmland eroding today, Merritts said, noting that farmers have been actively working to reduce soil erosion for decades. Under modern farming practices, there is so little erosion in many places.

Economically sensible

More than half of the countys 1,400 miles of streams are considered impaired, and local governments and private conservation groups have been working to meet a federal mandate to eliminate pollution sources.

They hope to reduce pollution from sediment and related nutrients by millions of pounds annually.

Lancaster County is the highest contributor in the state of those types of pollutants to the Chesapeake Bay, according to officials with Lancaster Clean Water Partners, a coalition of organizations working to address the problem.

By identifying problem sites, the F&M professors hope to facilitate legacy sediment removal and clean-up projects that would restore impaired streams and their surroundings to natural wetlands.

Lancaster County leads state in most miles of impaired streams: draft report [photos, video] More miles of impaired streams exist in Lancaster County than any other county in Pennsylvania, according to a draft report by state environme

Already, they have something of a template, Walter said, pointing to his and Merritts' research at a site on Big Spring Run in West Lampeter Township. There, more than 20,000 tons of sediment was removed to restore about 3,000 linear feet of stream channel. Citing stream-monitoring records from before and after the project, Walter said the restoration reduced annual sediment pollution loads from that stretch by about 600 tons per year.

Thats well beyond reductions that can be achieved by many other common pollution reduction methods  including the planting of plants and trees alongside waterways, the professors said.

Legacy sediment removal and stream restoration is expensive, but Fleming said the large-scale, post-project pollution reduction makes them more cost effective.

The amount of pollution reduction you get per dollar spent is really high, he said.

Fleming said he hopes to share that message with landowners of high-erosion sites and policymakers during the public outreach component of the grant.

Its not a matter of blaming anyone, but its a matter of taking care of a problem from the past, Fleming said.

None of the Richard King Mellon Foundation grant funding will be used for project implementation.

Last month, the new initiative was celebrated by Joe Sweeney, an original member of Lancaster Clean Water Partners Steering Committee.

He specifically lauded the educational and research components, which he hopes will inspire new generations of conservationists while also creating data that will help inform restoration projects.

Streambank erosion caused by dams, infrastructure and poor land use practices is a big challenge, Sweeney said.
A Lancaster city man was charged Tuesday after assaulting an underage girl, according to city police.

Michael Antonio Vargas, 33, fondled the 11-year-old girl at a residence in the first block of West Liberty Street sometime between August and September, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The girl spoke with police in early December, telling them Vargas had touched her inappropriately. Vargas later admitted to touching the girl when he was interviewed by investigators earlier this month.

Vargas was charged with unlawful contact with a minor  a felony offense  as well as indecent assault and corruption of minors, both misdemeanors. He had not been arrested as of Tuesday evening, court records show.

An attorney was not listed for Vargas in court documents.

A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled.
School District of Lancaster Superintendent Damaris Rau announced her resignation near the end of Tuesday nights school board meeting.

It has been my privilege to lead a highly effective cabinet, administrative team and dedicated faculty and staff, she read from a letter that was emailed to families in the district shortly after the meeting.

Her resignation is effective July 5.

Hired in 2015, Rau has steered the 10,200-student district through hard times including drops in enrollment, COVID-19 school closures, virus mitigation and cyber instruction. She also recently testified in Pennsylvanias major school funding trial.

Providing an equal education for all students, however, has been Raus main goal.

Equitable opportunities for the SDoL students will continue to be my North Star, said Rau.

In an interview with LNP | LancasterOnline soon after beginning her role as superintendent, she said she grew up in poverty.

I grew up in foster care actually, which is probably the most at-risk for a student not passing and graduating high school, she said in the 2015 interview.

I will continue to provide leadership, and complete a number of district projects, including the equity policy and scorecard, she said at Tuesday nights school board meeting.

During the meeting, Rau highlighted some of her accomplishments:

Helping reduce suspensions by 50% since 2015.

Introducing technology initiatives including online learning and a hybrid in-class and cyber pilot program called Full Circle Learning.

Starting the ARC reading game program for first graders and a positive behavioral program to support student social-emotional development.

Renovating Lincoln and Reynolds middle schools, including a play deck at Lincoln. She also oversaw construction of the new Smith-Wade-El Elementary School.

Creating the principal residency program that takes teacher leaders from the classroom and provides instruction and mentoring so they can become district administrators. The program is about to graduate its second pair of administrators.

Rau, who has more than 35 years of educational experience, started as a classroom teacher in Bronx, New York, according to the School District of Lancaster website. She became an assistant principal there and also completed administrative stints in Greenwich and New Haven, Connecticut, before taking the helm of the Lancaster city school district.

She replaced Pedro Rivera when she was appointed to lead the district in 2015. Rivera left to become Pennsylvanias education secretary under Gov. Tom Wolf.

Rau said she has no immediate plans after her retirement, except to spend much more time with my family and friends.
An early morning argument in a Lancaster city neighborhood Saturday turned violent when one person pulled out a gun and fired multiple times, according to city police.

The shooting took place after an argument between two people devolved into fight in front of a home in the 400 block of Hillside Avenue just before 12:30 a.m. Saturday, said Lt. Glenn Stoltzfus, a city police spokesperson. The shooting was not a random act of violence, as the two people knew each other.

One of the people involved in the fight pulled out what police believe was a handgun and fired multiple times during the scuffle.

Police found several spent shell casings in the area, but were unable to confirm if anyone was struck by gunfire. A vehicle nearby appeared to have been hit by a bullet.

It was not known how the shooter left the area. Stoltzfus did not immediately respond to an email asking if a suspect had been arrested as of Tuesday afternoon.

City police are now investigating the shooting.
THE ISSUE

Lancaster County schools have endured a challenging start to the new year, as the omicron variant of COVID-19 has driven up the countys case numbers and hospitalizations. The high infection rate has left schools facing staff shortages. (The School District of Lancaster began the year with a one-day closure because of staffing issues.) As LNP | LancasterOnline reported, most Lancaster County school districts continued to see surging numbers of COVID-19 cases in the second week of school following the holiday break. Cocalico saw the biggest jump, going from nine to 76 cases. Manheim Township Middle School and Manheim Township High School had to switch to virtual learning Friday and Tuesday because more than 5% of each buildings population tested positive for COVID-19.

K-12 parents, students and teachers: Hang in there. Were only a couple of weeks away from the 100th day of the academic year, a milestone that will signify youve made it over the hump.

We know its been a slog. And dealing with first the delta variant and now omicron has been a major headache  in many cases, literally.

Your path might have been eased had many school boards not pounced on their first opportunity to make face masks optional for teachers and students, after the state mandate was ended by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in December.

It made no sense to us that so many schools abandoned this simple, effective virus mitigation measure as winter got underway.

What concerns us now that our winter of discontent is in full swing is that parents practically need to be doctors to figure out what to do when their kids are exposed to COVID-19.

The diagrams, flowcharts and sample timelines on some county school district websites are helpful, but not all the districts spell out the protocols clearly, and you have to scour websites to find them.

Moreover, the protocols dont seem to be consistent across the county.

Which is a shame, because a small group of pediatric and family medicine physicians in the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health system devised a COVID-19 action plan, updated this month, that has been delivered to Lancaster County school districts.

Its straightforward. Its clear. And we wish it were on the front pages of every county school district website, where it could be easily accessed by parents.

If like us, you need information to be clearly spelled out, this action plan would help. Which is why we think all county schools should implement it. And why were printing it today.

According to a report released Tuesday by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Childrens Hospital Association, nearly 1 million cases of COVID-19 in children were reported last week  four times the rate of the peak of last winters surge.

Pediatricians offices have been dealing with a deluge of COVID-19 cases. Although this week so far appears to be better than last, pediatricians continue to be swamped. While theyre generally happy to answer a frazzled parents questions, some of those questions could be answered by this COVID-19 action plan, which is based on the best and most up-to-date guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Not on the politics of school board members.

Consider the unhelpful COVID-19 protocols implemented by the Elizabethtown Area School District board last week.

Some of the protocols seem to be in keeping with CDC guidelines: Students may return to school five days after testing positive, if their symptoms are resolving (theyve been without a fever for 24 hours, for instance) or theyre asymptomatic. They must wear a mask at school for five additional days; if they dont, they must quarantine for all 10 days.

But the protocols also state that if an asymptomatic student has close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, quarantining will be at the discretion of the parent/guardian (theres no mention of vaccination status).

We believe most parents and guardians will do the right thing and err on the side of caution.

But some will send their kids back to school because they lack child care and they need to go to work. And some will send their kids back to school because they are cavalier about the very real risks of COVID-19.

So there are likely to be asymptomatic but still infectious students walking around the schools, endangering students with weakened immune systems as well as unvaccinated younger children. This is deeply unfair to those vulnerable students and to their parents.

The Elizabethtown district protocols also state that asymptomatic individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 are strongly encouraged  but not required  to wear a mask. It is irresponsible that this isnt a strict requirement.

This is one more instance in which we wish Lancaster County had a public health department to help parents and school officials navigate thorny health issues.

Were grateful to the Lancaster General Health physicians who stepped up to meet this need; their clear and valuable messaging should be amplified.

We wish teachers, parents and students luck as they go about trying to get through the rest of this winter.

One bit of news that might help all of us: Four free COVID-19 tests per residential address now may be ordered from the federal government (special.usps.com/testkits). They are to be shipped starting later this month.

You may not be required by your school district to test your child before he or she returns to school after a COVID-19 exposure, but testing will offer you some peace of mind.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Disbarment has been imposed by the Minnesota Supreme Court

Lenningtons alleged professional misconduct included misappropriation of client funds in two matters, as well as a pattern of neglect and abandonment of five client matters. The Director also alleged that Lennington committed professional misconduct by holding himself out to practice law while suspended, failing to comply with the terms of the suspension order, and failing to cooperate in four disciplinary investigations. Lennington did not file answers to the petitions. We granted the Directors motion for summary relief, deemed the allegations admitted, and allowed the parties to submit written proposals regarding the discipline to be imposed. Lennington did not file a memorandum or appear at oral argument. The Director asks us to disbar Lennington. We agree that the appropriate discipline is disbarment.

The attorney was admitted in 1991 and was the subject of a prior six month suspension.

Reprimand and probation was imposed in an unrelated matter involving reciprocal discipline from Arizona

Respondent was disciplined in Arizona for, in his capacity as a prosecutor in 2019, negligently failing to disclose portable breath test (PBT)/horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test results of a testifying witness during a criminal trial. See Rule 42, Ariz. R. Sup. Ct., and in particular Ethical Rules (ERs) 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 3.8(d) (special responsibilities of a prosecutor), and 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). As a result of respondents misconduct, which the defense discovered after defendant was convicted, the criminal matter was dismissed with prejudice as a sanction.

(Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2022/01/disbarment-has-been-imposed-by-the-minnesota-supreme-court-lenningtons-alleged-professional-misconduct-included-misapprop.html


People use the saying out of this world, to praise something as exceptional. But, at auction house Sothebys Dubai, officials are using the term literally.

The company announced this week that it will sell a black diamond that they say is believed to have fallen to Earth from outer space. That would make it a literal out of this world jewel.

Sothebys calls the large black diamond, The Enigma. It weighs 555.55 carats. A carat is a term of measurement for valuable stones often used in jewelry. One carat equals 200 milligrams.

The rare stone was shown to reporters at Sothebys on Monday. In February, it will be put up for sale at Sothebys in London.

Sothebys expects the purchase price will reach at least $6.8 million.

Experts at the National Space Foundation in the United States call black diamonds carbonado diamonds.

On its website, the science organization writes that carbonado diamonds form during supernova explosions. Black diamonds, the website says, were once the size of asteroids a kilometer or more across when they first began to hit Earth.

Carbonado diamonds are extremely rare and are found naturally only in Brazil and Central Africa. Experts say study of the stones chemical structure leads them to believe they come from space.

Sophie Stevens, a jewelry specialist at Sothebys Dubai, told The Associated Press that the number five has a great importance to The Enigma. Along with its carat weight, the diamond also has 55 facets. Facets are the flat surfaces of a cut gem.

Stevens explained that the shape of this black diamond is based on the Khamsa, an important symbol in the Middle East and northern Africa. It stands for strength and it stands for protection.

Im Anna Matteo.

The Associated Press reported this story. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English.

______________________________________________________

Words in This Story

auction  n. a public sale at which things are sold to the people who offer to pay the most : auction house  n. a business that runs auctions

literally  adv. in a way that uses the ordinary and usual meaning of a word

supernova  n. the explosion of a star that causes the star to become extremely bright

asteroid  n. any of the small rocky celestial bodies found especially between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

gem  n. a valuable stone that has been cut and polished for use in jewelry

symbol  n. an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality


Handing power tools over to young students could result in some disastrous situations. But if those tools are combined with effective supervision and teaching, the students can learn valuable new skills and might even find a new career path.

One such program, in Washington, D.C., aims to teach woodworking and finished carpentry skills to teens and young adults. It includes a woodshop, completely housed inside a truck, that acts as a kind of classroom on wheels.

The Mobile Woodshop program was started by the nonprofit Zenith Community Arts Foundation. It is currently based at Ballou STAY Opportunity Academy in Washington, D.C. Ballou STAY is an alternative education program that offers students job training and has a high school graduation program for adults over age 23.

Margery Goldberg, Zeniths director, said the goal of the woodshop is to get people jobs. Goldberg is an artist, wood sculptor and longtime member of the D.C. art community. She had long dreamed of creating a mobile woodshop to assist students. That dream finally came true in 2020, when the city gave her a large grant for the program.

The program at Ballou is called a Pre-Apprenticeship Carpentry Training Program. The subjects and skills taught in the class are similar to those offered by a local carpenters union that also supports the program. Students at Ballou can learn the same skills as a beginning carpenter would. These include cutting, marking, measuring, nailing and how to use different tools.

The class textbook provides step-by-step instructions on how to make things like simple wooden birdhouses, to more complex wooden containers and objects. The truck is equipped with all the instructional materials and tools necessary to operate as a complete mobile classroom. Mobile workstations are also available so students can work on projects outside the truck.

If students pass the class, they can seek to enter the union apprenticeship program. Instead of a usual four-year apprenticeship, graduates of the mobile woodshop can finish in less time.

Joe Largess is a teacher at the woodshop. He said much of the class centers on teaching students soft skills. These are skills that are desirable in all jobs, such as teamwork, having a strong work ethic, being able to follow instructions and arriving to work on time. Students also learn basic skills like math and how to read a ruler.

The union wants people who are employment ready, said Austin Travis, the woodshops other teacher. And thats a lot more soft skills than just being able to put all that stuff together, he added.

Ryan is a student at the mobile woodshop. Before entering the class, he had some experience working with wood and tools. He had even helped a family member build a fence around a house.

Thats why I started in the class, because I like working with my hands and I already knew how to work with electrical tools, Ryan said. I wanted to give myself a chance to get better at it.

Ryan said he sees another benefit to learning woodworking: You can sell some of this stuff and make money for it.

Building-related jobs are currently in high demand across the United States. One study from the Home Builders Institute found that 2.2 million jobs will be needed by 2024 to keep up with building demand. And, the U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics estimates that more than 89,000 openings for carpenters will be created each year in the U.S. over the next 10 years.

Goldberg believes woodshop programs can help prepare the next generation of woodworkers. She said other schools in Washington have expressed interest in the mobile woodshop and the program might be expanded in the coming years.

Largess said the class at Ballou seeks to help some people who wouldnt have the chance to even get into the apprenticeship program, and give them a leg up. That, he added, can hopefully help them with a better future.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak reported this story for VOA Learning English.

Quiz - Classroom on Wheels Teaches Woodworking Skills to Young People Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_______________________________________

Words in This Story

carpenter  n. a person whose job is to make or fix wooden objects or wooden parts of buildings

alternative  adj. not usual or traditional

sculptor  n. a person who makes sculptures, a piece of art that is made by carving or molding clay, stone, metal, etc.

grant  n. an amount of money that is given to someone by a government, a company, etc., to be used for a particular purpose 

nail  n. a long, thin piece of metal that is sharp at one end and flat at the other end and that is used chiefly to attach things to wood

apprentice  n. a person who learns a job or skill by working for a fixed period of time for someone who is very good at that job or skill

ethic  n. rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad

benefit  n. a good or helpful result or effect

leg up  adj. to give someone an advantage over others




The two largest wireless companies in the United States said Tuesday they would delay the start of high-speed 5G mobile service near some airports.

The move came after several major airlines in the country warned that deploying 5G service near the airports could be catastrophic.

In a letter to federal officials on Monday, the heads of 10 airlines including American, Delta, United, and Southwest said 5G will be more disruptive than they originally thought. They wrote that more than 1,100 flights and 100,000 passengers could be affected daily with cancellations and delays. They said, the nations commerce will grind to a halt.

The airlines asked that 5G could be deployed everywhere in the country except within 3.2 km of airport runways" at some important airports.

On Tuesday, AT&T, one of the largest wireless providers in the U.S., said it would temporarily delay turning on 5G transmitters at some airports. The company said it would work with the federal government to settle the dispute.

The nations largest wireless company, Verizon, said it will launch its 5G service. But the company added, we have voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports.

Two weeks ago, the wireless companies had also agreed to reduce the power of 5G transmitters near 50 airports in the U.S. for six months.

AT&T and Verizon were planning to start their 5G service Wednesday. The start of the high-speed service has been delayed two times since early December.



Airliners say the C band is too close

The new 5G network promises faster internet speeds and larger network capacity. 5G, which stands for fifth-generation, is about 10 times faster than the existing 4G network.

The 5G network runs on a radio spectrum known as the C band which airline companies say could interfere with the operation of some altimeters. An altimeter sends radio waves from an airplane to the ground to measure how far above the ground an airplane is traveling. Pilots use it to help with landing planes and identifying dangerous changes in wind speed and direction known as wind shear.

Wireless companies say 5G is safe

Verizon and AT&T have argued that 5G has been deployed in about 40 other countries without interference issues.

CTIA is a U.S. wireless trade group. It said in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, "Wireless carriers in nearly 40 countries throughout Europe and Asia now use the C band for 5G, with no reported effects on radio altimeters that operate in the same internationally designated 4.2-4.4 GHz band."

The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, oversees airline safety in the U.S. The agency said on Sunday it had cleared an estimated 45 percent of the U.S. commercial airplanes to perform low-visibility landings at many airports where 5G will be deployed. The airlines, however, noted on Monday that the list did not include many large airports.

The FAA expects to issue more approvals before Wednesday. And the agency added it continues to work with the aviation industry and wireless companies to try to limit 5G-related flight delays and cancellations."



Why is 5G not an issue in other countries?

In Europe, 5G network operates in a 3.4 to 3.8 GHz range. That spectrum is slightly lower than the range set to be deployed in the U.S.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said on Dec. 17 the issue was specific to U.S. airspace. The agency added, "At this stage, no risk of unsafe interference has been identified in Europe.

In South Korea, the 5G mobile communication range is from 3.42 to 3.7 GHz. There has been no report of interference with radio waves since the start of the high-speed network in 2019.

I'm Jill Robbins.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting from Reuters and The Associated Press.

____________________________________________________

Words in this Story

catastrophic  adj. related to a terrible disaster

disruptive  adj. interrupting normal activity

grind to a halt - phrase, to stop working or moving forward

capacity  n. the amount of something that can be managed

spectrum  n. an entire range of radio waves

designate  v. to officially choose something

low-visibility  adj. condition with limited ability to see clearly

aviation  n. the business of flying

specific  adj. relating to a particular situation
Hong Kong ordered a mass killing of hamsters on Tuesday after discovering some of the animals were infected with COVID-19.

The order came after a worker at a pet store that was selling hamsters also tested positive.

Hong Kongs government planned to kill about 2,000 small animals, including hamsters, in an effort to prevent virus spread. Officials said the killings would be carried out in a humane way. The city also banned the sale of hamsters and the import of small animals.

The pet shop employee tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID-19 on Monday, The Associated Press reported. Several hamsters that were being sold at the store also tested positive. The animals had been imported from the Netherlands.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that animals do not appear to play a major part in spreading COVID-19. But Hong Kong officials say they are not ruling out the possibility that COVID-19 might have spread from animals.

We cannot exclude the possibility that the shopkeeper was in fact actually infected from the hamsters, said Edwin Tsui. He is a controller at Hong Kongs Center for Health Protection.

Hong Kong has also tested rabbits and chinchillas, but so far only hamsters have tested positive.

Officials advised citizens who own hamsters to keep them at home and to wash their hands after touching the animals. The officials also warned animal owners not to kiss their pets.

People who bought hamsters from the store after January 7 will be contacted by the government. They will be asked to hand over their hamsters and may also have to go into quarantine themselves.

Hong Kong's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it was shocked and concerned by the decision to kill the animals. It urged the government not to take any drastic action before examining other possible choices.

After three months without any local virus spread, Hong Kong has started seeing new COVID-19 cases in humans over the past few weeks. As a result, thousands of people have been sent to government-run quarantine centers. Most of the new infections have been the fast-spreading Omicron version of the virus. The cases linked to the pet shop worker, however, were linked to the Delta variant.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports 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

pet  n. an animal that someone keeps in their home

positive  adj. in a medical test, positive means the person being tested has a disease or condition

variant  n. something that takes a slightly different form from the usual one

exclude  v. to not permit someone or something to take part in an activity or enter a place

quarantine  n. the period of time during which a person or animal that has a disease or that might have a disease is kept away from others to prevent the disease from spreading

drastic  adj. sudden or extreme


For only the second time, researchers have found what appears to be a moon orbiting a planet in another solar system. Just like the first time, this one has qualities that suggest such moons may differ greatly from those in our solar system.

Data captured by NASA's Kepler space telescope before it was retired in 2018 suggested the presence of a moon 2.6 times the diameter of Earth. This possible moon was orbiting a Jupiter-sized gas planet about 5,700 light-years away from our solar system, scientists said recently.

A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 9.5 trillion kilometers.

This moon's diameter would make it larger than any of the roughly 220 ones known to be orbiting planets in our solar system. It is also more than nine times the diameter of Earth's moon.

David Kipping of Columbia University was the lead writer of the research that appeared in the publication Nature Astronomy

Kipping said much remained unknown about the object. It could be a rocky core with a light fluffy envelope or a thick atmosphere all the way down to some high-density core," he said.

Our solar system's moons are all rocky or icy objects.

Close to 5,000 exoplanets, or planets beyond our solar system, have been identified. But only two exomoons, or moons beyond our solar system, have been found. That is not because moons are thought to be any rarer in other solar systems, but because planets are generally larger and easier to find, the researchers said.

The first exomoon candidate, described in 2018 by the same lead researchers and still awaiting confirmation, is even larger. It is about the size of our solar system's planet Neptune. This possible exomoon is located about 8,000 light-years from Earth. It appears to be made of gases unlike any of our solar system's moons.

"Exomoons are terra incognita," Kipping said, using a Latin term meaning unknown land.

"The researchers employed the "transit method" often used to find exoplanets. They observed a change in the brightness of the sun-like star around which the moon's planet orbits when the planet and then the exomoon passed in front of it. The Kepler telescope obtained data on two such transits.

Study co-writer Alex Teachey of the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy & Astrophysics (ASIAA) in Taiwan, said this was another exciting exomoon finding, "suggesting again that large moons may be present in other planetary systems and that we can potentially detect them."

The researchers studied 70 cold, giant, gas exoplanets on wide orbits around their host stars, knowing that two such planets in our own solar system - Jupiter and Saturn - are orbited by numerous moons. They found evidence for the one new exomoon, whose size, they said, would earn it the description of being a "mini-Neptune."

"We will want to see follow-up observations to confirm its presence," Teachey said. "Even so, the present study goes a long way towards ruling out alternative explanations for the observed signals. He added that some doubt among the (astronomy) community is  important, but I think the paper lays out a convincing, thorough case."

Im John Russell.

Will Dunham reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for Learning English.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

solar -- adj. of or relating to a star and the planets orbiting around it

diameter  n. the distance through the center of something from one side to the other

core -- n. the central part of something

fluffy  adj. light and soft or airy

host - n. science the star around which objects revolve

alternative -- n. always used before a noun : offering or expressing a choice

convincing  adj. : causing someone to believe that something is true or certain
Naomi Judd died Saturday at age 76. Here are some of the entertainers, leaders, athletes and other notable people we've lost so far this year.
A controversial conservative conference called the Reawaken America Tour scheduled for the beginning of April in Redmond has been canceled and moved to Salem.

The event features high-profile conservatives known for spreading false claims that President Joe Biden did not win the 2020 presidential election, as well as misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines and safeguards.

Clay Clark, the organizer of the event and host of the conservative podcast ThriveTime show, confirmed on Tuesday that the conference is being moved to The River Church in Salem. It was originally scheduled to be held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo center.

Tickets to the Redmond event, which were $250, will not be refunded, which is the event's usual policy, Clark said.

Clark said that statements about Deschutes County intending to enforce the states mask mandate did not play a part in the decision to move it.

"I try to have all of (the Reawaken America Tour events) at churches, Clark said.

The decision comes days after the tour made headlines after emails showed Troy Smith, a planner of the event, claimed two Deschutes County commissioners assured the event organizers that the states mask mandate wouldnt be enforced.

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Deschutes County officials and Commissioner Tony DeBone denied making any kind of assurance, and Commissioner Patti Adair in a text assured that the mask mandate would be enforced, but did not elaborate on her communication with event organizers.

Clark said he had no knowledge of any conversations between event staff and the venue.

Many of previous Reawaken America Tour events held around the country have been held in churches because they are considered revivals rather than a traditional event, Clark said. He said The River Church reached out to him and offered to host it there.

The pastor of the Salem church, Lew Wooten, has vocally opposed vaccines, according to reporting from The Salem Reporter.

The event includes numerous high profile supporters of former President Donald Trump.

The Redmond event headliner was Gen. Michael Flynn, who was pardoned by then-President Donald Trump after his conviction for lying about connections to a Russian diplomat.

Roger Stone, who was convicted of obstructing a congressional investigation and later pardoned by Trump, is also associated with the tour. A high-profile political operative with a tattoo of former President Richard Nixon on his back, Stone was the subject of a the documentary "Get Me Roger Stone" on his "black hat" political operations against candidates.

Stone was the featured speaker at a 2018 Oregon Republican Party meeting in Salem, where members of the far-right group, the Proud Boys, acted as Stone's bodyguards.

In a photograph widely circulated on the web, Stone and the Proud Boys are pictured drinking beers in the bar of the Salem Grand Hotel, flashing a sign that civil rights advocates say means "white power."

The Redmond event drew attention when The Bend Bulletin published emails from the public record of the event booking from tour planner Troy Smith.

In the emails, Smith told Reawaken tour organizers that he personally talked at length with 2 of the 3 county commissioners, both of whom sit as Republicans and was assured that the states mask mandate would not be enforced.

Adair and DeBone are the two Republicans on the three-member county commission. Phil Chang is a Democrat.

Smith claimed the event would receive special treatment from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

"I also asked the commissioners about the Deschutes County sheriffs office on two points and confirmed (1) They will be at our call in the unlikely situation of ANY trouble developing to disrupt the event (2) They have made it known they will NOT enforce the governors mask mandate, Smith wrote.

Smith also said in the email he received assurances that the commissioners and facility manager of the fairgrounds were comfortable with the event managing their own decisions on masking.

They are not going to police this, Smith wrote in an email from October of last year.

DeBone denied any deal had been made with the Reawakening tour.

Those are pretty bold statements  its nothing I would say directly, DeBone said. Like, Oh yeah dont worry about the rules well go around it. This was not stated by myself.

DeBone said he received a call from someone from the event, though he could not remember who, who asked him whether as a commissioner he would be in a position to cancel or block the event from happening at a county facility.

DeBone said he said no, as he saw it like any other facility rental at the fairgrounds.

The expectation is that theyre just like anybody, DeBone said, with regards to following COVID-19 regulations.

Hinds said the fairgrounds expects and requires all events to comply with all COVID-19 related rules, and suggested Smiths statements could be a misunderstanding about Oregons mask laws. For example, people are allowed to take off a mask indoors when eating and drinking.

Hinds said the fairgrounds works with every event to adhere to a safety plan, which can mean working together to provide face masks, sanitizer and signs outlining rules.

No event is an exception to be different or above the law, Hinds said.

In a statement on behalf of Nelson issued last week, Deschutes County Sheriffs spokesman Sgt. Jayson Janes said the sheriff has not spoken with anyone from the Reawaken America Tour.

Janes said Sheriff L. Shane Nelson's focus is on "education" about masking rather than "enforcement" when it came to the state pandemic mask rules.

In a text message on Friday, Adair said, Of course the mask mandate will be enforced. Our fairgrounds follow OHA rules. Hopefully by April 1 our county and country will be in a better position regarding COVID-19.

Smith, the planner, did not respond to a request for comment.

Gary A. Warner of the Oregon Capital Bureau contributed to this story.

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The Oregon Supreme Court has held again that only active voters, excluding people who remain on county registration rolls but are considered i
LEXINGTON  Dawson Area Development (DAD) has announced that Andrea McClintic has resigned as the organizations executive director to pursue another opportunity.

Thanks to McClintics efforts, DAD is in a strong position to continue its focus on workforce development issues and building upon its relationships with area businesses, schools, students and job seekers.

Under McClintics leadership and stellar collaborations with area schools and businesses the last four years, DAD has facilitated just over 7,300 unique touchpoints with students and local businesses or DAD staff. DAD provides presentations on resume, cover letter and scholarship writing; interviewing; how to search for a job as well as other career exploration and application topics. The organization also hosts career fairs, panel discussions featuring area employers and onsite business tours. McClintics goal was to prepare students for the next stage after high school whether that is going directly into the workforce or on to college. McClintic says, It is important that students know what careers are available in our area. Graduates dont have to go somewhere else to have certain careers Part of our job has been to showcase what exists beyond the front windows of every local business. You can be an accountant, engineer, do marketing or international sales right here in the Dawson County area.

McClintic joined DAD in 2017. Under her leadership and grant writing services, almost $600,000 in grant funds have been awarded to DAD or local businesses and communities to create just under $1,000,000 total investment in DADs service area.

McClintic created the Dawson Area Youth Leadership program for area high school juniors. Each year, along with 12 adults, up to 12 juniors are selected from Cozad, Elwood, Eustis-Farnam, Gothenburg, Lexington, Overton and SEM schools. They spend one day a month for 9 months learning about different industries in the area as well as new leadership skills. Each program year includes approximately 35 business tours, 75 presentations from local leaders and 96 hours of leadership and community assets training.

McClintic is also responsible for creating The Central Nebraska Training, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) Center inside the Dawson County Opportunities Center. The TIE Center includes a coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers and small businesses or nonprofits to office at an affordable level. Workspace is provided along with office amenities like fiber internet, a large copier/printer, kitchenette and large meeting room fully setup with AV capabilities. The meeting room which holds approximately 16 people is also available for community organizations to use for free. The TIE Center includes a makerspace. During most of the school year the equipment such as 3D printers, laser printer, robotic arm, vinyl cutter, etc. is part of a mobile STEM trailer that travels to seven area schools to get students interested in STEM and trade careers. During the rest of the year it is placed into The TIE Center for members to use. To learn more or become a member of The TIE Center visit https://tiecenter.app.proximity.space/.

McClintic said leaving DAD was a difficult decision for her. She is immensely proud of all the accomplishments under her leadership these past four years. I know Ive made a positive impact on our communities, and I know we have great teams here that will continue to work towards the common good for our communities.

The Dawson Area Development board of directors appreciate the time, talent and results McClintic provided the organization during her four years as Executive Director. They wish her well in her next endeavor.
LEXINGTON  Gubernatorial candidate, State Senator Brett Lindstrom, hosted meet-and-greets in Dawson County on Friday, Jan. 14 to meet with local residents and hear their views on the issues.

Lindstrom, a 40-year-old who represents northwest Omaha in the State Legislature, declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Nebraskas Governor back in July 2021.

Lindstrom called himself a pragmatic conservative, and said he differs from the other two declared GOP candidates at the time because he has more political experience, and more political accomplishments, as a two-term state legislator, when interviewed by the Omaha World-Herald.

Lindstrom and his wife, Leigh, have three children. He graduated from Millard West High School and earned a bachelors degree in history at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In 2012, he unsuccessfully challenged then-U.S. Rep. Lee Terry for the Republican nomination for Congress, placing second in a five-way primary race. He was elected to the State Legislature in 2014, and re-elected in 2018. Lindstrom is barred from running for re-election due to term limits.

On Friday, Lindstrom made stops in Gothenburg and in Lexington he made an appearance at the Dawson Area Development TIE Center.

Lindstrom, having seen things from the legislative side of things, says tax policy is front and center in his mind and making sure Nebraska is competitive.

He added economic development is another important area, this includes workforce housing, workforce development, recruiting talent for the state.

Speaking to the states infrastructure, Lindstrom said rural broadband access is a key issue to him, its vitally important to keeping the younger generation in the state.

Education is an important area to Lindstrom, who said you cant discuss it without discussing property taxes. He said he is currently working to provide equalization aid to all of the school districts.

I want to make sure we are bridging the gap between urban and rural areas, Lindstrom said, if we have a level playing field with how we fund education at the state level, by doing this the right way, we can also have property tax relief.

When asked what his message was to voters he visited with, Lindstrom noted he brings, next generation leadership, to the table. He noted in giving opportunities to all of the younger generations in the state.

He also noted his political experience he has had being a state senator for eight years, I know how to get things done.

Lindstrom says he plans on being aggressive if elected governor, especially in the areas of trade, recruiting and retaining talent and all those things that helps grow Nebraska.


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The states marketplace for health insurance has extended open enrollment through February to allow more people affected by the coronavirus pandemic to sign up.

The insurance, known as Obamacare, was created largely for people who do not get coverage from their employers. It has grown in popularity, especially since the public health crisis began.

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The health exchange already has enrolled a record number seeking coverage for 2022, according to a news release from the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan. There are 181,603 people signed up, including people who retained coverage. That a 9% increase from last year.

More people signed up directly with one of three insurance companies offering plans in the state to individuals. The total number of Marylanders who purchase their own health insurance rose 5% to 245,538 this month, officials said.

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As we battle this COVID-19 surge, this extended enrollment period will help get more Marylanders covered at a critical time, Hogan said in a statement. One of the many lessons of the pandemic is how important it is to have access to affordable and reliable health coverage, and we are fortunate to have a health exchange that is a national model.

Enrollment began Nov. 1 and was scheduled to end Jan. 15, but will now run until Feb. 28.

Hogan had repeatedly reopened and extended enrollment last year to allow people to get insurance. Insurers had agreed to cover various COVID-19 testing, vaccinating and treatment for a time at no cost to beneficiaries, but mostly have restarted some cost sharing since vaccines have become widely available.

The increases were seen in every county and were also evident among various groups that traditionally had not signed up in great numbers.

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There was a 10% bump in Black enrollees and a 13% increase in Hispanic enrollees this year.

And there was a 6% increase in enrollment by young adults ages 18 to 34. That could be due to a $20 million subsidy fund set up in Maryland and larger federal subsidies. More people also qualified for federal subsidies under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Maryland had brought down the skyrocketing cost of plans through a reinsurance program beginning in 2018 that offset insurers expenditures on the costliest beneficiaries. That replaced a program cut by Republicans in Congress.

Im pleased that the marketing and outreach efforts we targeted to those groups helped get the message out about the need for health insurance, especially now, said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, in a statement. Getting high-quality, affordable coverage to as many uninsured people as possible and responding to chronic health inequities are essential to our mission.

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Marylanders can enroll through the MarylandHealthConnection.gov. They also can get information sent to them under another state program called the Easy Enrollment Program that is triggered when taxpayers check a box on their state tax forms. Another program launching later this year will do the same for those filing for unemployment insurance.

Advocates who had pushed for the various new enrollment programs say they are pleased to see the numbers of people enrolled on the rise.

We are thrilled about the success of this past health care open enrollment and that the Governor has extended it to February 28, said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Maryland Citizens Health Initiative. We are particularly pleased that thousands of previously uninsured young people have enrolled and we believe the new youth subsidies enacted by the General Assembly helped to make that happen.
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An Annapolis police corporal resigned from the department after an Anne Arundel County judge dismissed criminal charges the department brought against him for failure to investigate four sexual assault cases in which he acted as a criminal investigator over a three-year period.

Cpl. Gwynne Tavel, a six-year veteran of the department, resigned in December, Chief Ed Jackson confirmed Jan. 10. Judge Mark Crooks in October dismissed four counts of misconduct in office filed against Tavel. Crooks ruled that the departments criminal and internal investigators had violated Tavels constitutional rights.

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After Crooks tossed out Tavels case, Tia Lewis, a spokesperson for the Anne Arundel County States Attorneys Office, said the state can file charges again or appeal the judges ruling. When asked whether the state planned to charge Tavel again, Lewis declined to comment on an open matter.

Tavel, 35, resigned while he was the subject of an internal investigation that will continue despite his departure from the department, Jackson said. Mike Wilson, a spokesperson for the Annapolis police union, declined to comment on Tavels resignation. Tavel left for active duty in the National Guard two months before charges were filed against him in February and he was suspended from the police department without pay.

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Annapolis police charged Tavel with four counts of misconduct in office for failing to investigate four sexual assault cases, and for using his authority as a supervisor to close the cases in the departments electronic records system. The criminal charges were filed after Sgt. Hil OHerlihy launched an internal investigation into Tavels unsolved cases. OHerlihy determined Tavel made no arrests and conducted little or no investigation into the sexual assault cases.

In an interview that was part of the administrative investigation, Tavel admitted to OHerlihy that he was having computer problems and accidentally closed one active case, OHerlihy testified during an October motion hearing.

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A police officers admission during an administrative investigation is immune from criminal prosecution, meaning those statements cannot be used against the officer in a criminal proceeding, according to the Annapolis Police Departments general orders. OHerlihy advised Tavel before his interview that his statements could be used against him for administrative discipline, but not in a criminal case. But Tavels protected statement was used against him in criminal charges, Crooks ruled.

OHerlihy, the internal investigator, transferred to the departments criminal investigation section seven months after he started looking into Tavels unsolved cases. OHerlihy charged Tavel with several counts of misconduct in office, a misdemeanor, within weeks of his transfer. The charges are based, in part, on Tavels interview with OHerlihy, which was immune from prosecution and violated Tavels constitutional right against self-incrimination, Crooks ruled.

It is the obligation that the state demonstrate the independent nature of evidence through an investigative chain that is untainted, Crooks said during an Oct. 5 hearing. There is a fundamental lack of understanding on the government and police departments part on what is required with compelled testimony.

As part of the criminal investigation, detectives searched Tavels external hard drive without consent to look for additional cases closed without supplemental documents, two Annapolis investigators testified in a two-day October hearing. Crooks said during the hearing the only way to restore Tavels Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections was to dismiss the charges.

Tavel joined the Annapolis Police Department in August 2015 after working for the Baltimore Police Department. He was assigned to the criminal investigations unit in July 2017 and became a supervisor when promoted to corporal in September 2019. The criminal investigation section was staffed with a lieutenant, a sergeant, a corporal and between six and nine detectives during Tavels tenure. Detectives are instructed not to close or deactivate investigations unless supplemental documents are completed and signed by a supervisor. Four sexual assault cases assigned to Tavel were changed from open to closed, inactive or unfounded by his user ID, police said in charging documents.

OHerlihy found, as part of the internal investigation, that Tavel was assigned to 12 cases that were closed without documented interviews or evidence showing that an investigation occurred beyond a preliminary police report. The cases include five sex offenses, two of which involved juvenile victims and suspects, two motor vehicle thefts, two burglaries, a robbery, an assault and a shooting.
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The American Red Cross of Wisconsin and the Shalom Center began to mobilize efforts Tuesday to assist residents displaced or affected by the deadly fire that occurred late Monday night in a 16-unit building at the Saxony Manor apartment complex on Kenosha's north side.

The Red Cross opened emergency cases for five tenants from five units in the building, located at 1870 22nd Ave. Justin Kern, the American Red Cross of Wisconsin's communications director, said Tuesday afternoon that it's possible others will need assistance.

"Information about the number of people who need assistance is still coming in," Kern said at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The affected building was filled with toxic smoke and the west side of the building was consumed with flames, according to Kenosha Fire Department officials.

Three adults from the building were confirmed dead by KFD officials as of Tuesday, one as a result of the fire and one apparently due to a medical event unrelated to the fire. A third adult died later at the hospital, according to city fire officials.

According to its website, Saxony Manor offers apartments for income-eligible people age 62 and older at several buildings on an 18-acre site at 1850 22nd Ave. The complex is run by the non-profit Mercy Housing.

"We're devastated that residents lost their lives due to the fire at Saxony Manor and are praying for the safe recovery of the residents who were injured," Kate Peterson, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Mercy Housing, said in a statement Tuesday. "We are working closely with authorities as they investigate the cause, and we are taking steps to assist all of the residents who were displaced or otherwise impacted by the fire."

Assisting displaced residents

Kern said disaster volunteers from the Red Cross were on scene and would have an update Tuesday evening, after the Kenosha News' press time. Each of the five seniors for whom cases have been opened has received a voucher for several days of emergency accommodations at an area hotel and meals.

"We'll also work with these and any affected residents to line up additional emergency needs, such as replacement medications," Kern said, adding one tenant did require diabetes medication.

No information on pets

Tenants at Saxony Manor are allowed to keep small pets. However, Kern said that initial reports that came in regarding the displaced tenants who needed assistance did not mention the need to accommodate pets. Area veterinary clinics and Kenosha's Safe Harbor Humane Society reported they did not receive any pets for treatment or shelter after the fire.

"We are working with the property owner and our partners in the city to identify the full number of those affected and in need of our resources after the fire," Kern said. "We also want to share that our hearts go out to family and friends who are grieving and who have people they love presently at the hospital after this horrible fire."

Tamarra Coleman, executive director of the Shalom Center, said the organization has reached out to Kenosha Fire Department Chief Christopher Bigley to determine how many tenants will need assistance.

"We want to provide food boxes and goods to the families involved, as well as basic necessities," said Coleman, who added the Shalom Center had put together 15 boxes of food and other necessities for the fire victims Tuesday.
Three adults have now been confirmed dead after a fire erupted late Monday night in a Saxony Manor apartment complex building, 1870 22nd Ave., city fire officials confirmed Tuesday.

Additionally, Kenosha Police Officer Javier Vega, 38, was transported to an area hospital for smoke inhalation. Vega, a veteran of the department for over five years, was treated and later released.

On Monday, Kenosha police confirmed that two people died and five were injured, two critically, after an entire building at the Saxony Manor complex, located at 22nd Avenue and 18th Street on the city's north side, filled with toxic smoke and the west side of the building was consumed with flames.

Two adults were found deceased at the scene, one as a result of the fire and another apparently from a medical event unrelated to the fire. A third adult died later at the hospital, city fire officials confirmed Tuesday in a press release.

Firefighters were dispatched at about 9:30 p.m. Monday to a report of a fire at the Saxony Manor complex. The Kenosha Police Department assisted with the evacuation of several residents before the Kenosha Fire Department arrived on scene, according to Tuesday's release.

Two residents who were trapped in upper-level units were successfully rescued by KFD personnel using a ladder truck. Fire officials said Monday night that 10 other residents were able to get out of the building safely and are currently displaced. Two people remained unaccounted for as of Tuesday afternoon, but city fire officials said they do not believe those people were in the affected structure.

"Had it not been for the rapid response and evacuation efforts by the Kenosha Police Department, there would likely have been more injury or death," the release stated.

According to the release, the fire was controlled within approximately 30 minutes, and crews remained on scene for several hours conducting secondary searches of the structure.

Residents call 911

Several residents from neighboring apartment buildings called 911 and said they witnessed smoke coming from at least two ends of the affected building Monday night.

KFD Battalion Chief Ken Schroeder said Monday the cause and origin of the fire had yet to be determined.

According to KPD Capt. Patrick Patton, the police officer who was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation and later released was "trying to evacuate as many as he could" from the building.

"The fire did not spread through the whole building, but the smoke sure did," Patton said Monday. "That's what's the bigger problem."

Police worked into the early-morning hours Tuesday with Saxony Manor management to account for tenants residing in the apartments, Patton said.

According to its website, Saxony Manor offers apartments for income-eligible people age 62 and older at several buildings on an 18-acre site at 1850 22nd Ave. The complex is run by the non-profit Mercy Housing.

Flames rise high

Omar Owens, who lives in an apartment building to the south and west of the building at 1870 22nd Ave., said he could see smoke billowing upward while flames shot out of the building. He said he saw the flames in a first-floor apartment travel up to the roof, where they shot up as high as 30 to 40 feet.

"I heard a frantic woman yelling. I couldn't tell what they were saying ... and I heard a dog barking," said Owens, who looked out his window and saw the downstairs unit on fire. "The upstairs caught on fire from (the fire) downstairs."

Owens, who has lived at Saxony Manor for four years, said he knocked on the door of his sister's apartment inside his building and told her there was a fire and she needed to get out. His sister had been resting and did not realize a fire was in progress.

One resident of the building that caught on fire said she heard smoke alarms going off and stepped out into the hall to see what appeared to be a "mist" at the end of the hall. She said a male resident went down to check on the people inside the apartment.

"I don't know whether he managed to kick the door open or break the door," the woman said. "Some billowing smoke ... thick, black smoke came out when he went to see what was going on. I just heard him holler, 'Oh my, God.' ... Then, the whole hallway just got black.'"

Coleen Mitchell, who resides in another apartment building nearby, said she had just come back from visiting her daughter when she pulled up and saw the building enveloped in smoke. Mitchell said she parked and could see a woman shouting "fire" and made her way inside to try to warn others to get out.

Mitchell said she pounded on the first-floor windows, and she used her hat to cover her mouth as she entered the building.

"I got five feet in. I yelled, and I told her to get out. I went in to help, and I couldn't even see, it burned your eyes so bad," Mitchell said, adding that the woman she warned did get out. "Nobody else answered, but that one woman."

Mitchell said she attempted to go in again but immediately turned around as an officer helped her through the blinding smoke.

"I wasn't going to keep on going, because if I did, I would've been dead," she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
WATERLOO, Iowa  A man suspected in the shooting death of his girlfriend and shooting and injuring his teenage daughter in Wisconsin was taken into custody after a standoff at a home in Waterloo, Iowa, on Wednesday.

Simone S. Hughes, 47, of Milwaukee, was ushered out of a garage at 136 East Parker St., a brown and white one-story home near the intersection with East Fourth Street.

Hughes was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for observation initially as he had made threats to harm himself, according to Waterloo Police.

Police say the standoff started at a home in the 100 block of E. Parker at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday in sub-zero temperatures, trying to get Hughes  apparently the lone occupant of the house  to surrender. Police said Hughes said he was armed.

According to Waterloo Police, during the standoff, Hughes ran from officers and hid in a vehicle in a nearby garage. Hughes was finally walked into a waiting ambulance just after 9:20 a.m.

Hughes was charged by Milwaukee Police last week of first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting death of Quinette N. Walters, 41, who was Hughes' girlfriend, on Jan. 6. He was also charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for shooting his 14-year-old daughter, who survived.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Hughes' daughter told detectives she heard her parents arguing and her mother telling Hughes she no longer wanted to be with him. Hughes allegedly hit Walters, and when she ran out of their Milwaukee house to flee, he shot her. A neighbor reported seeing Hughes standing over Walters and shooting her twice at point-blank range.

Hughes' daughter ran back into the house and locked Hughes out, and he fired a shot through the door. She ran upstairs when he unlocked the door, and she jumped out of a window. Hughes then began shooting at her from the window before leaving the residence.

Waterloo Police and tactical teams got a tip he was at the East Parker Street home. It was unclear what connection Hughes had to the area.
Two armed burglars entered an unlocked home on Sun Prairies west side about 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Sun Prairie police reported.

Lt. Ryan Cox said in a statement that it appears the suspects were checking residences for unlocked doors, and when they found one, they entered the home.

The burglars did not interact with residents of the home before they left in a vehicle, Cox said.

No information was provided on what, if anything, was stolen.

The case is an active investigation and investigators are following up on several leads, Cox said.

The Sun Prairie Police Department urged everyone to remember to check all doors and windows before leaving a residence or going to sleep for the night. A good plan is to verify your garage door is closed, any vehicles are locked, and all doors including the garage service door are locked.

Sun Prairie police ask anyone with information to contact them at 608-837-7336, or anonymously at 608-837-6300.

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The Kelly Clarkson Show recently featured a local face when Lynne Kahn, founder and executive director of the Baltimore Hunger Project, was honored as a Good Neighbor on the Jan. 6 episode of the daytime talk show on NBC.

Kahn had the chance to tell the story of the Baltimore Hunger Project and her passion behind eliminating weekend childhood hunger by providing weekend food packages in a compassionate and dignified manner.

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The Kelly Clarkson Show recently featured a local face when Lynne Kahn, founder and Executive Director of the Baltimore Hunger Project, was honored as a Good Neighbor on the January 6th episode. (Courtesy of the Baltimore Hunger Project)

According to The Baltimore Hunger Project, [I]ts an easy mission: you see a hungry kid, you feed a hungry kid, and they have put that into action by providing more than 41,000 weekend food bags to students around Baltimore.

During the segment, Clarkson and the Conagra Brands Foundation awarded Kahn and the Baltimore Hunger Project a $10,000 grant in recognition of her Good Neighbor Award.

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Based in Timonium, the Baltimore Hunger Project provides 1,600 students with weekend food bags that are discretely slipped into backpacks that students take home each weekend. Unfortunately, there are over 2,000 students on a waiting list to join the program. With more than 114,000 students receiving free and reduced-price lunches in Baltimore County, Lynne acknowledges that they are just scratching the surface of the kids that need our assistance. It is their hope to someday be out of business, but until that happens, over 100 volunteers meet weekly to assemble and distribute the food bags.

The Baltimore Hunger Project is always very conscious of the dignity of the children being supported and focuses on not just strengthening bodies but also empowering the minds of the children and families in need. This struck a cord with fellow guest, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who was a recipient of food support as a child.

This He observed, this stops that level of anxiety and more importantly gives them the kind of nutrition and nourishment they need, Ramsay said. No kid should be suffering like that.

Kahn cited a study that found that children who dont eat over the weekend need until Wednesday until they can focus on their studies, which makes bridging the hunger gap from Friday afternoon until Monday morning even more important.

Over 100 volunteers meet weekly to assemble and distribute the food bags. Based in Timonium, the Baltimore Hunger Project provides 1,600 students with weekend food bags that are discretely slipped into backpacks that students take home each weekend. (courtesy of the Baltimore Hunger Project)

The Baltimore Hunger Project has also been highlighted nationally l and was recently featured in a Papa Johns commercial for their Pizza with a Purpose pizza fundraiser, in which $1 from each Shaq-a-roni pizza sold would benefit the Papa Johns foundation which, in turn, supports community organizations like the Baltimore Hunger Project.

Whole Foods, MedStar Health, Amazon as well as a host of local companies are all supporters of the Baltimore Hunger Project, but anyone can get involved. Baltimore Hunger Project hosts packing sessions that attract volunteers from school clubs, organizations, churches and businesses. They also offer opportunities to help from home and are currently looking for folks to create handwritten notes of encouragement or make snack bags. Specific instructions and more information about volunteering or donating to the Baltimore Hunger Project is available at baltimorehungerproject.org.
Chandler Halderson allegedly hid the gun used to kill his father in his familys home weeks before prosecutors say he killed and dismembered his parents, a friend of Haldersons testified in court on Tuesday.

Chandlers friends and former girlfriend appeared in court to testify about the alleged murder weapon and lies he told about scuba diving for the Madison Police Department following a weeklong delay in the trial after the 23-year-old Windsor man tested positive for COVID-19.

Andrew Smith, a Kansan and former member of the U.S. Army who met Chandler playing online video games, testified that he gave Chandler the gun, an SKS rifle, and nearly 500 rounds of ammunition as a gift while visiting the Halderson home last June. Smith documented the weapon exchange by taking a photo of Chandlers ID alongside the rifles serial number before Chandler reportedly hid the gun inside a desk in the family basement.

His parents understood why firearms exist in this world, not that they necessarily support having them, Smith said. I understood they might not be happy about having this firearm.

The gun was later found by investigators at a town of Cottage Grove property where Bart Haldersons torso had been dumped. Later in the afternoon, a firearms examiner with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab said a bullet fragment found in the Halderson homes basement had been fired from the rifle.

Smith said he stayed at the Halderson home for two days mere weeks before the deaths of Chandlers parents, Bart and Krista. Prior to Chandlers arrest, Smith said he received a not hysterical but upsetting call from Halderson about how his parents had gone missing. Smith reached out to authorities once he heard Chandler had been arrested.

Smiths testimony grew slightly tense when Haldersons attorney, Catherine Dorl, asked him how many guns he had sold, to which he replied thats none of your business, frankly.

Following Smiths testimony, jurors heard from a former roommate, Alex Gravatt, and former girlfriend, Dakotah Brown, who said Chandler had told them he was doing search-and-rescue scuba diving missions for the Madison Police Department. No such unit exists with Madison police.

Prosecutors have pointed to his parents uncovering lies like these as a possible motive for why Halderson murdered Bart, 50, and Krista, 53, at the Windsor home they shared on July 1. Other lies Chandler told the world included attending Madison Area Technical College and scoring an upcoming position with SpaceX in Florida. In reality, prosecutors say Halderson was unemployed and had dropped out of school.

After allegedly killing his parents, prosecutors say Chandler attempted to burn their bodies in a family fireplace before scattering them around southern Wisconsin. Chandler faces felony charges for murder, mutilating and hiding corpses and lying to investigators.

Later testimony by staff with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab revealed that Chandlers fingerprints matched prints on duct tape attached to a tarp found on the town of Cottage Grove property where investigators recovered his fathers torso.

A matching tool

In morning testimony, a forensic anthropologist with the Dane County Medical Examiners Office said two saws found by investigators were consistent with the cuts to Bart Haldersons dismembered torso and his wife Kristas dismembered legs.

Cristina Figueroa Soto said the alloy saw and hacksaw found on a property tied to Chandlers former girlfriend were consistent with the cuts to Bart and Kristas bones. An examination of false starts while cutting into bone can reveal the number of teeth on a particular blade, Soto testified. She could not say definitely that the saws and cuts were a perfect match.

Im not going to be able to say, Yes, this is the tool that was used, she said. But all the characteristics of this part of the individual were consistent again with the characteristics of those two tools that were found at the scene.

The alloy saw and hacksaw analyzed by Soto were found inside an old oil tank on the town of Cottage Grove family property of Cresent LSai, the partner of the mother of a different former girlfriend of Chandlers. Bart Haldersons torso was also found on the property, along with the bloodied tarp and the rifle.

Toward the end of Sotos morning testimony, she described how bone fragments were found in the Halderson homes vacuum cleaner and the family fireplace. Over 200 fragments of bone, including cranial bone and teeth, were recovered from the fireplace and its grate, which aligns with prosecutors argument that Chandler burned his parents heads in the fireplace. Chop marks consistent with a machete or ax were also found on part of a wrist bone in the Halderson fireplace.

Prior to Sotos testimony, jurors were shown photos of Krista Haldersons dismembered legs, which were found in a Sauk County field by investigators in July.

Violence suspected

Dane County Medical Examiner Dr. Agnieszka Rogalska said that Krista Haldersons recovered legs were consistent with being sawed apart, although they were in varying stages of decomposition.

There appeared to be kind of steps in the bone, Rogalska said. This is consistent with a sharp force injury that can be sawing, can be cutting, but again we have movement. ... Its not just cut clean through.

Since no hemorrhaging was found in Kristas legs, Rogalska determined that Krista was dead at the time she was dismembered. A precise cause of death is unknown, though it has been ruled a homicide.

I dont actually know which injury caused the death of Krista Halderson, but I believe she died as a result of some violence, the medical examiner said.

Haldersons trial was suspended last Tuesday after he was one of 81 Dane County Jail inmates to test positive for COVID-19 after the National Guard tested the entire jail population. The jail, where Halderson has been held since July, has seen a record number of cases of the virus in recent weeks.

Circuit Judge John Hyland, who is presiding over the case, had to dismiss a juror on Tuesday over a positive COVID-19 test.

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A former Dane County Jail inmate is suing four sheriffs deputies, the county and contracted medical personnel at the jail alleging that the deputies used excessive force during a 2020 incident in the jail, then ignored a serious hip injury that may leave the man with permanent joint damage.

Jimmie Joshua, 30, who is currently at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Madison that alleges violation of his constitutional rights by the deputies along with Wellpath Mental and Medical Healthcare and one of its nurses.

The lawsuit alleges Deputy Isaac Wachholz used excessive force in dragging Joshua out of his cell and repeatedly punching him, and that Deputies Sean Shotliff and Travis McPherson were deliberately indifferent by recklessly disregarding that Mr. Joshua was suffering from substantial harm. The fourth deputy in the lawsuit is listed as B. Poquette.

Joshua originally filed a lawsuit on his own, without a lawyer, in March against then-Sheriff Dave Mahoney but withdrew it. In the new lawsuit, he is represented by Paul Kinne of Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs, a Madison law firm.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Attorney Remzy Bitar, who is representing Dane County and the sheriffs deputies in the case, said he has not seen the lawsuit and cannot comment on it.

The lawsuit states the Dec. 23, 2020, incident left Joshua with a dislocated hip, a fractured hip socket and nerve damage that required reconstructive surgery, which was found once he was examined at UW Hospital more than 16 hours later, according to the lawsuit.

He was very upset with the events surrounding his injury, Joshuas orthopedic surgeon wrote in his chart, according to the lawsuit. I can understand why.

Joshuas hip was repaired on Dec. 24, 2020, with a metal plate and eight screws in his right hip. He was sent back to the jail on Dec. 31, 2020.

The lawsuit states Joshua will eventually need a full hip and knee replacement. He alleges he was denied physical therapy by the jail.

Mr. Joshua has gone through a traumatic experience in having his hip broken while suffering from COVID-19 due to the officers use of excessive force as well as the failure to provide medical assistance in a timely manner, the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, because Joshua had COVID-19, he was only given an hour out of his cell each day. On that day, he was ordered back to his cell early by Wachholz, the lawsuit states.

After Joshua told the deputy he wasnt going into lockdown, he argued with Wachholz but backed toward his cell as ordered. But before he could get into his cell, the lawsuit states, Wachholz grabbed Joshua and threw him to the floor inside his cell.

Wachholz called for other deputies, the lawsuit states, and they converged inside Joshuas cell. Joshua believes one of the deputies grabbed and lifted Joshuas leg. Three of them then threw Joshua to the floor and two got on top of him.

Mr. Joshua knew as soon as he was thrown onto the ground by the deputies, he was seriously injured, the lawsuit states. Mr. Joshua states when he was slammed into the ground on his right side, he felt his hip was broken because he could feel it popping out of his skin.

Joshua said he was in extreme pain as he told the deputies to get off him but was only told to stop resisting. A nurse checked Joshuas vital signs, but did not check his hip and concluded he wasnt seriously hurt, the suit alleges.

Joshua was placed in a restraint chair and moved to a cell on another floor, the lawsuit states, and once in the cell he was in so much pain he couldnt move, even to get cups of water that were placed through the door.

When Joshuas fiancee, Allison Davidson, called the next day, Joshua told deputies he couldnt get up to get to the door. Davidson was told by jail personnel Joshua was probably lying, the suit alleges.

After Davidson called, another deputy and a nurse went to Joshuas cell and determined he needed medical help, and he was taken to UW Hospital.

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A man has been arrested in connection with multiple burglaries of Madison businesses, police said Tuesday.

Fontaine Dillard was taken into custody outside of a home in the 1000 block of Gammon Lane around 3:40 p.m. on Jan. 6. The Madison Police Department released information on Dillard's arrest Tuesday, even though it happened nearly two weeks ago.

Officers showed up at the home after identifying Dillard as a suspect in a string of burglaries, police said. He ran away from officer before they arrested him.

Dillard was being held in jail Tuesday on a probation violation, but police said he was wanted for breaking into several businesses on Applegate Court and Applegate Road.

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A 14-year-old La Follette High School student died in a Saturday evening car crash on the Southwest Side and one of the drivers was arrested but no charges have been filed yet, authorities reported.

Interim La Follette Principal Mathew Thompson wrote in an email to parents Monday evening that freshman Jeremiah Broomfield had been killed in the crash, and described him as an outgoing student with a dynamic personality who will be dearly missed.

Jeremiah had an incredible presence, he was connected to many of our students, Thompson wrote. The loss of a student, peer and friend is jarring and shocking.

Thompson said the school received news of the event Sunday morning.

The Dane County Medical Examiners Office on Tuesday identified Broomfield, of Madison, as the person killed in a crash reported around 8 p.m. Saturday on the 6200 block of Schroeder Road. Broomfield was pronounced dead at a local hospital that evening and preliminary results of a forensic examination confirmed he died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Madison police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer on Tuesday said the 14-year-old who died was a passenger in the two-vehicle crash. Two others involved in the crash were taken to the hospital, a 12-year-old male passenger who suffered serious injuries that included broken bones and an unidentified adult driver who suffered minor injuries.

Witnesses reported seeing someone run from the other vehicle involved in the crash, Fryer said. The driver has been arrested on a probation hold, with no charges yet filed related to the crash. Investigators are working to determine if speed or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Chief Shon Barnes in a Tuesday blog post identified the driver as a 41-year-old male.

Police ask that anyone with information on the incident contact them at 608-255-2345. Tipsters may remain anonymous by contacting Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com. Individuals contacting Crime Stoppers can receive a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest.

La Follettes student services team is making plans to help students who may be grieving, including providing access to specific school spaces and offering support in each of Broomfields classes, Thompson said. He encouraged parents to check in with their children and reach out to their assigned assistant principal if they need additional support.

We are better together, Thompson wrote. We will pull each other through this difficult time together. We take care of this community.

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Kelly Meyerhofer | Wisconsin State Journal Kelly Meyerhofer covers higher education for the Wisconsin State Journal. She can be reached at 608-252-6106 or kmeyerhofer@madison.com. Follow Kelly Meyerhofer | Wisconsin State Journal 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
Environmental advocates are challenging a pair of decisions by utility regulators they say are bad for consumers and the climate.

In a lawsuit filed in Dane County Circuit Court, the Sierra Club and Vote Solar are asking the court to review the Public Service Commissions recent approval of Madison Gas and Electric rates.

The groups say fixed charges  the minimum monthly fee every customer pays to have an account  included in the two-year rates authorized in November, are illegal and discriminatory.

In an agreement negotiated with consumer and environmental advocates, MGE agreed to shave $2 off its $17 fixed electricity charge, which was among the highest in the state.

But the Sierra Club argues the fee  along with a $21.88 monthly fee for gas service  discourage conservation and customer-owned solar panels, in violation of state law that prioritizes energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The complaint alleges the approved charges are roughly double the basic costs they are intended to cover, such as metering, billing and the cost of the wires and pipes that connect each customer to the system.

It argues the commission expanded the scope of fixed charges through a series of ad hoc orders between 2012 and 2014 rather than following the prescribed rulemaking process for such policy decisions.

Cardinal-Hickory Creek: Judge blocks Mississippi River crossing for $492M power line 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.

The groups say the harm is not theoretical: high fixed charges create a greater burden for those who use the least energy, customers who are lower-income, non-white, and older, on average, already face many social and economic inequities.

By setting a relatively high fixed charge and lower consumption-based rates, the complaint says the commissions decision reduces the ability of customers to control their bills, lowers incentives to undertake conservation and efficiency, lowers incentives to self-generating energy with rooftop solar panels, and imposes higher relative bills for low use customers.

A PSC spokesperson said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

Agreement defended

The commission ordered MGE to submit an analysis of how it allocates basic customer costs, which could result in future reductions, but the Sierra Club argues customers will continue paying higher rates for the next two years.

The settlement will bring MGEs fixed electricity charges in line with the states other largest for-profit utilities, though still higher than the $13 national average, according to an analysis of OpenEIs utility rate database.

In a statement, MGE noted the PSC-approved rates were negotiated with consumer advocates and environmental groups including the Sierra Club, though the club objected to the final agreement.

We are sensitive to any rate impacts on customers, which is why we continue to work hard to contain costs, spokesperson Kaya Freiman said. We appreciate the PSCWs work to carefully review and approve the terms of the agreement consistent with the law.

The Citizens Utility Board, which has long fought for lower fixed charges, called the settlement a big step forward.

We see the reduced fixed charge as a clear win in the settlement, said executive director Tom Content. The settlement is a significant milestone that CUB members have been concerned about for almost a decade.

The Sierra Club and Vote Solar filed a similar lawsuit last year challenging a one-year rate freeze on the grounds that it perpetuated the fixed charge. Judge Jacob Frost put that case on hold in September pending the PSCs decision on the current rate settlement.

David Bender, an attorney representing the Sierra Club, said the groups will seek to have the two cases consolidated.

DNR to hold public hearing on Enbridge Line 5 pipeline project A draft environmental review released last month has drawn criticism from individuals, tribal governments and environmental advocates who have delivered more than 1,300 signatures opposing the pipeline.

Gas storage

The Sierra Club has also asked the Commission to reconsider its approval of a $370 million natural gas storage project in southeastern Wisconsin designed to provide fuel when demand peaks.

The group faulted the commissions agreement with WEC Energy Groups load forecast and assessment that it wont be able to meet customer demands without the storage facilities in Jefferson and Walworth counties.

According to the Sierra Club, WECs growth projections are inconsistent with the 17% reduction in gas use that would be required to meet Gov. Tony Evers commitments to emissions targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement and the United States Climate Alliance.

To the extent the Commission concludes that Wisconsin is unlikely to meet the Governors commitments, it should say so explicitly and provide the evidentiary basis for that conclusion, the petition states.

The petition says WECs forecast double counted growth from commercial and industrial customers and inflated projections associated with Foxconns ever-changing plans for a manufacturing campus in southeast Wisconsin.

It also argues the commissions decision contained other legal errors, including putting the burden of proof on opponents to show the feasibility of alternatives.

Intervenors do not have the burden of proof in cases seeking certificates of authority, the petition states. The applicants do.

WEC filed a response Wednesday calling the petition legally and factually deficient and alleging the Sierra Clubs fundamental opposition to gas led it to ignore evidence supporting the project.

Sierra Club may be warmed by its strongly held beliefs, but (WEC) customers need a reliable supply of natural gas to stay warm when the temperature dips, the utility wrote.

A PSC spokesperson declined to comment on the petition.

The project consists of two storage facilities in Ixonia and Bluff Creek that could each hold up to a billion cubic feet of chilled natural gas for times of high demand, when it would be heated and vaporized.

The utilities say the facility will eliminate the need to contract additional pipeline capacity that would only be needed a few days a year or to pay a premium when demand is high, as it was during a cold snap last winter that caused spot prices to soar.

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A wide financial gulf separates both incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and GOP candidate Rebecca Kleefisch from the remaining candidates running for governor this fall, new campaign finance reports show.

Evers, who is seeking a second term, and former Lt. Gov. Kleefisch both announced their 2021 fundraising totals last week, with Evers holding more than $10 million at the close of last year, while Kleefisch raised more than $3.3 million in the first four months of her campaign, which she launched in September. Both fundraising totals have been touted as record-breaking by their respective campaigns and underscore what is expected to be an expensive gubernatorial race this year.

Whats more, both Evers and Kleefisch each received donations of $20,000, the maximum individual amount allowed for statewide candidates in Wisconsin, from about 60 individual donors, according to campaign finance reports filed this week with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Those large donations last year accounted for about one-third of the total funds raised by Kleefisch and about one-eighth of what Evers raised. Evers campaign reported receiving more than 32,000 individual donations last year, while Kleefischs campaign reported receiving donations from more than 7,000 individuals.

With the midterm election less than 10 months away, Matthew Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracks campaign finances, said Wisconsins gubernatorial race  in which Democrats are looking to stave off a Republican push to regain GOP control of the state by unseating the incumbent governor, who has blocked several bills passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature  could prove to be historically expensive.

I certainly wouldnt be surprised if this governors race breaks all of the old records, Rothschild said. To have this level of money pouring into Wisconsin already is a clear indication that the sky is the limit when it comes to this November election.

As was the case leading up to the 2020 presidential election, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has dramatically outraised the Republican Party of Wisconsin, with Democrats bringing in more than $2.25 million in the final five months of 2021, compared with about $322,000 raised by Republicans.

The Democratic Party raised more than $6.6 million last year, compared to less than $1.3 million raised by the Republican Party.

Other contests

In addition to the gubernatorial race, both state parties are gearing up for heated battles over the attorney generals seat, where Democrat Josh Kaul is seeking reelection, and the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who confirmed earlier this month he is running for a third term.

This November, were reelecting Gov. Evers and Attorney General Kaul and defeating Ron Johnson  and well have the resources to do it, Democratic Party of Wisconsin interim executive director Devin Remiker said in a statement.

The state Democratic Party donated more than $1.2 million in monetary and in-kind contributions to Evers campaign in the second half of 2021. Kleefisch raised more than $60,000 from committees, including a $50,000 donation from Huck PAC, a conservative political action committee created by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

In addition to Kleefischs campaign finance report, Middleton-based Freedom Wisconsin PAC, a political action committee created to help Kleefisch, reported raising $277,000. Of that, $200,000 came from billionaire and Republican donor Elizabeth Uihlein. Other donations to the political action committee last year included $75,000 from Virginia-based Right Direction America and $2,000 from Middleton real estate developer Terrence Wall.

Uihlein also donated $20,000 to Kleefischs campaign in September.

GOP primary

While Kleefisch has built a campaign directly targeting Evers, she first will need to go through her fellow GOP candidates in the Aug. 9 primary.

Kevin Nicholson, a former U.S. Marine who lost in the 2018 U.S. Senate Republican primary, plans to announce soon if he will launch his own gubernatorial bid. Nicholson previously said that he would run for governor if Johnson sought a third Senate term.

Madison businessman Eric Hovde said earlier this month he also is weighing a potential bid for the Republican nomination. Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, who will depart from his role as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System in March, also indicated he may be considering a gubernatorial run.

Kleefischs sizable fundraising effort should help ward off potential challengers, Rothschild said.

Of the other Republicans already in the race, business owner Jonathan Wichmann reported raising just over $42,000 in the second half of last year. Former police officer and businessman Adam Fischer raised a little over $28,000 in the last six months of 2021.

Independent candidate Joan Beglinger reported raising about $24,000 in the second half of last year, compared to about $850 raised by fellow Independent Jess Hisel.

Lt. governor

While Wisconsins lieutenant governor race hasnt drawn the level of spending as the gubernatorial ticket, Republican candidate Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, reported raising more than $200,000 in all of last year, including $20,000 from his Senate campaign.

Fellow Republican Ben Voelkel, a former senior aide to Johnson, reported raising more than $116,000. Republican Will Martin, who served under both Tommy Thompson and Scott Walker, raised about $42,000 last month, according to records.

Other Republicans running for the lieutenant governor seat include Lancaster Mayor David Varnam, who raised more than $26,000, David King, of Milwaukee, who raised about $4,000, and Army veteran Cindy Werner, who raised about $1,000.

The field of Democratic candidates vying for the lieutenant governor seat has also grown following current Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by Johnson.

State Reps. Sara Rodriguez, D-Brookfield, raised about $35,000 and David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, raised about $14,000. Peng Her, CEO of the Hmong Institute in Madison, reported raising almost $8,700 since declaring candidacy last month. Eau Claire resident Kyle Yudes raised more than $5,000 since October.

Secretary of state

State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, who is running for secretary of state this fall, reported raising more than $70,000 in the final six months of last year.

Democrat Doug La Follette, who has held the position since 1983, told The Associated Press last week he is preparing to run for another term this fall.

La Follette, 81, said he was motivated to seek another term in the largely powerless office following Loudenbecks interest in empowering the office to serve as a check on the states bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission, which administers elections.

Republican secretary of state candidates Daniel Schmidtka and Jay Schroeder both reported raising less than $1,000 in the second half of last year.

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Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, a Republican legislative leader who would at times criticize the Trump wing of his own party, announced Tuesday he will not seek another term this fall as he plans to return to the private sector.

Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said in a statement that after more than a decade in the Assembly he believes the time has come to pass the torch and allow for others in our community to step forward and serve their neighbors.

Steineke was first elected to the Assembly in 2010, just months before he helped former Gov. Scott Walker pass Act 10, which drastically limited collective bargaining for the majority of public employees and decimated the number of unions through annual recertification votes and other obstacles.

Steineke didnt support Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican primary and avoided the Republican National Convention that year.

Steineke admonished Trump when the president attacked Harley-Davidson for deciding to manufacture more motorcycles overseas for its European market, when he told four congresswomen to go back to the crime-infested countries they came from, when he criticized the Justice Department for indicting two Republicans on corruption charges before an election and when he pressured a foreign leader to interfere in U.S. politics.

I fear that we have reached a point in our countrys history where party loyalty trumps loyalty to the oaths we take as elected officials, Steineke tweeted in 2019. This is not a one-party problem. Faith in our leaders is at an all-time low, and who can blame our citizens?

Before joining the Legislature, Steineke was a Town of Vandenbroek supervisor and member of the Outagamie County Board. In 2012, he was selected by Assembly Republicans to serve as assistant majority leader. He became majority leader in 2014, a role he has held for four consecutive terms.

As I refocus my efforts on returning to the private sector in the weeks and months ahead, I remain committed to doing everything in my power to advance conservative policies and serve as a check against the governor and his administration to prevent extreme ideologies from being enacted, he said.

Steinekes 5th Assembly District covers parts of Outagamie and Brown counties, including Kaukauna and the Town of Hobart. It also covers almost all of the Oneida reservation.

Steineke joins a growing list of state lawmakers not seeking reelection this fall, including Republican Reps. Amy Loudenbeck, of Clinton, who is running for secretary of state this fall; Gary Tauchen, of Bonduel; and Jeremy Thiesfeldt, of Fond du Lac.

Reps. David Bowen, D-Milwaukee; Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton; Beth Meyers, D-Bayfield; and Sara Rodriguez, D-Brookfield, also are not running this fall. Bowen and Rodriguez are running for lieutenant governor.

In the Senate, Sens. Jon Erpenbach, D-West Point, and Kathy Bernier, R-Chippewa Falls, also are not seeking another term. Hesselbein is running for the state Senate seat currently held by Erpenbach.

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The number of unemployment benefit checks jobless people in the state would receive could be reduced under a package of bills proposed Tuesday by legislative Republicans that lawmakers say is aimed to address ongoing workforce shortage challenges in the state.

The package of seven bills, which has been released for co-sponsors and appears likely to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, would tie the number of weekly unemployment benefits an individual could receive to the states overall unemployment rate. At the current rate, unemployed individuals would only be eligible for 14 weeks of benefits.

Other bills in the package would prohibit individuals who turn down job offers from receiving Medicaid coverage and require the state Department of Health Services to enforce a federal work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents in order to take part in the states FoodShare program, which helps people with limited money buy food.

Yet another bill would expand the reasons an individual would be ineligible for unemployment benefits to include those who violate their employers social media policy.

Senate President Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said during a press conference Tuesday the bills, which lawmakers have been working on for about a year, aim to address workforce shortage challenges across the state, which were present long before the COVID-19 pandemic began almost two years ago.

If theres an opportunity for you to work or increase your employment and you refuse that, were going to make sure we have the enforcement mechanism actually take place, Kapenga said. Weve never seen anybody step out of poverty on a welfare check.

Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback did not say if Evers would strike down the proposed bills, but pointed to the governors allocation of $130 million in federal COVID funds toward innovative, community-based solutions to confront our states workforce challenges head-on.

The governor has focused on efforts to help connect unemployed people with work opportunities, including almost $60 million to 12 regional projects, which includes funding to Madison Area Technical College to support individuals seeking work in conservation and construction, as well as child care providers to help parents enter the workforce.

Its great to hear Republicans now recognize the importance of these efforts, Cudaback said. Under Gov. Evers, Wisconsin has among the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 3%  tied for the lowest in state history  while continuing to be a national leader in our workforce participation rate.

Currently, an individual can receive up to $370 in weekly state unemployment benefits for 26 weeks. Under one of the proposed bills, the maximum number of weeks a claimant could receive benefits would be based on the states unemployment rate. Claimants would only receive 26 weeks of benefits if the state unemployment rate were greater than 9%.

The duration an individual could collect unemployment benefits would adjust based on the states jobless rate to as few as 14 weeks if the rate were at 3.5% or lower.

State numbers

Wisconsins unemployment rate spiked in the early months of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 14.8% in April 2020. However, the rate quickly dropped until it reached 3% last November, according to preliminary numbers from the state Department of Workforce Development.

Despite the positive trend, state officials have said Wisconsin is still about 100,000 jobs below where it was before the pandemic. The states aging population has caused the workforce to flatten out over time and it threatens to shift downward by as early as 2035, according to DWD officials.

The state last reported a 3% unemployment rate back in November 2018, while preliminary estimates have trended as low as 2.8% before revisions. DWD will update the states official unemployment rate for November later this week. The states labor force participation rate was 66.4% in November.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Wisconsins unemployment rate has only surpassed 9% one other time over the last two decades, when it climbed above that threshold for about a year starting in early 2009 due to the Great Recession.

Eligibility questions

Another bill in the package would require employers to inform the state workforce department of any ineligibility questions when notified of a claim for unemployment insurance. The bill would require DWD to consider reports of an individual declining a job offer or failing to attend a scheduled interview when determining a claimants eligibility for benefits.

One of the purposes of unemployment benefits is to give job seekers a little room to find the right job that utilizes their skill set, instead of rushing into a job that isnt a good fit for them, Tamarine Cornelius, director of the liberal Wisconsin Budget Project, said in an email. Ensuring a good match between employee and employer benefits everyone. This package would make that more difficult.

Cornelius said the Legislature should be bringing down barriers between unemployed individuals and jobs, rather than creating new ones between those same people and unemployment benefits.

Instead of creating additional red tape, legislators should expand access to child care, make sure child care assistance fits workers schedules, and stop suspending driver licenses for things not related to driving, Cornelius said. All those steps would help people get and keep jobs.

Rep. Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, said the full Assembly plans to vote on the bills before the end of next month, when the chamber is expected to adjourn for the remainder of the year.

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Emotions have been everywhere over what happened in Colleyville, Texas, on Saturday night  relief, gratitude, anger, fear, frustration, exhaustion.

The attack on Congregation Beth Israel ended without the bloodshed of the innocent, an answer to many prayers being sent up from every faith community in this region. We are all thankful for that.

The relief is almost overwhelming that what could have been a massacre of our neighbors in their own place of worship ended not in their deaths but with the brave actions of our law enforcement officers and the safe return home of those who were held captive.

Moments like this give all of us so much to think about as the emotions settle, as we catch our breath and consider what was and what could have been, and as we think about why these sorts of terrible things ever happen.

There is an important contrast that it draws out. We are so quick today to make enemies of those with whom we differ politically. We see everywhere around us the belittlement and dehumanization of people who think differently, act differently, love differently, worship differently.

We should stop. We should take a moment like this to calculate the difference between something with which we strongly disagree and that which is truly horrible and terrible and deserves the name evil because it would steal innocent lives for its own ends.

The fact that a Jewish synagogue was targeted is a reminder of how an entire people have been scapegoated and demonized throughout history. It can happen again, and we must not let it.

Even as we think about these things, there is also an opportunity to reflect on what is good.

Inside that synagogue, where Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three others were held for 11 hours, great courage and the deepest human decency were on display.

According to reports from the livestream of what were to be services, but that turned into terror, the hostage-taker was welcomed with kindness.

They let me in. I said Is this a night shelter? and they let me in and they gave me a cup of tea so I do feel bad, he said, according to The Times of Israel. He went on: I like the rabbi, hes a good guy, I bonded with him, I really like him.  Ive only been here for a couple hours but I can see hes a good guy.

This is at the heart of human goodness, opening the door to the stranger, sheltering him, feeding him. One of the great ancient offenses is to take advantage of those who would open their doors to us. ...

There is more virtue to appreciate. Throughout North Texas, so much important work has gone into interfaith understanding to create bonds that link people beyond their political and philosophical differences, as serious as those might be.

Imam Omar Suleiman, long a leader in interfaith dialogue that has brought him great personal risk, was among those to speak up for his Jewish neighbors and Cytron-Walker, a friend he knows as Rabbi Charlie.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations also quickly condemned the attack.

It matters that we speak up for one another and for those most at risk. American Jews are a tiny fraction of our population, but they are the targets of a disproportionate number of hate crimes, primarily from domestic extremists, according to federal authorities.

They are singled out and othered here and throughout the world.

We know that we are becoming an increasingly intolerant people  intolerant of one anothers differences and perspectives. Jewish people understand that comes at a terrible price when it turns from disagreement to prejudice to violence.

We should use this moment  thankfully without the spilling of innocent blood  to reflect on all of these things.

There were two kinds of people at Congregation Beth Israel. One was angry, ranting and threatening violence. The others had opened their arms and their hearts and called the stranger in from the cold.
Local businesses are partnering with Twin Falls Parks and Recreation to help residents get out and about during Cabin Fever Day.

Cabin Fever Day has been around a very long time for the city of Twin Falls, Twin Falls Recreation Supervisor Stacy McClintock said. It is a day where the community opens their doors  either free of charge or for very little charge  for people to get out of the house during the winter.

The nationwide phenomenon was created to help get local residents out of the homes in which many have retreated to avoid the chill in the air and the snow on the ground. The event borrowed its name from the colloquial term cabin fever, which refers to the irritability or restlessness a person experiences when they are stuck in an isolated location for an extended period of time.

Last years Cabin Fever Day was canceled as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to sweep across the United States and overwhelm local health care providers. After its unexpected hiatus, the event is returning to south-central Idaho with some familiar faces.

Its a very well-attended event, and I think people are ready to get out of the house, McClintock said.

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases, especially the rise of omicron, has kept some business from participating, however.

We didnt have it last year, so I think people are more excited, McClintock said. We did have less people, less businesses doing it, but for the most part people have been trying to get back to normal.

This years event is scheduled to begin Saturday morning and includes:

n Bowladrome is offering discounted games and shoe rentals from 11 a.m to 5 p.m.  bowling will be $3.25 per game and shoe rentals at $2.

n Skateland is offering free skating and $2 skates rental from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

n The Boys & Girls Club of Magic Valley is hosting an event from 9 a.m. to noon with kabobs, Just Dance, yoga and more.

n The Magic Valley Bowhunters are offering free archery with targets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

n Success Martial Arts is hosting an hour-long introductory course for all ages and skill levels at no cost beginning at 10 a.m.

n The Gemstone Climbing Center is offering buy-one-get-one-free climbing access from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Other locations have a full days worth of activities.

The City Pool is offering free swim from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., a wiggle disc obstacle course from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., a tower obstacle course from noon to 5 p.m., inner tube water polo from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and 20-minute scuba diving experiences from noon to 4 p.m. All activities are free.

The Herrett Center for the Arts & Sciences on the College of Southern Idaho campus will begin its day of activities at 11 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the centers observatory will be open to the public for solar sessions. Additionally, live sky tours and videos of the universe will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the Planetarium Presentations. Residents can also meet reptiles from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These events are also free of charge.

McClintock said events like this are beneficial not only for members of the community but also businesses in the area.

I think the businesses see a little bit of an uptick because people are out doing things, she said. The other businesses, especially restaurants and those in the fast food industry, might benefit a little bit more from this because people are out and seeing whats in the area.

Class sizes may be limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.

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Xi stresses full, strict Party governance, vows zero tolerance on corruption

Xinhua) 08:22, January 19, 2022

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

-- Xi notes several daunting tasks in the battle against corruption.

-- Serious potential dangers in the Party, the country and the military have been rooted out: Xi

-- Xi calls for CPC members' concrete actions to implement the principle of being loyal to the Party and the people.

-- "We should be aware that the fight against corruption is still raging," Xi warns.

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday stressed rigorous and unswerving efforts in further promoting full and strict Party governance.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, vowed to maintain a zero-tolerance stance on corruption while addressing the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting.

Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, presided over the meeting.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has improved Party conduct, upheld integrity and combated corruption with unprecedented courage and resolve, Xi said.

"Certain unhealthy tendencies that hadn't been curbed for a long time have been reined in, many problems that had long plagued us have been remedied, and serious potential dangers in the Party, the country and the military have been rooted out," Xi said.

The problem of lax and weak governance over Party organizations has been addressed at the fundamental level, and a successful path to breaking the historical cycle of rise and fall has been blazed through the Party's self-reform, Xi added.

Stressing staying true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission more firmly and consciously, Xi called for CPC members' concrete actions to implement the principle of being loyal to the Party and the people.

The whole Party should act consistently with the CPC Central Committee at every turn and implement the Party Central Committee's decisions and policies with solid efforts, Xi said.

Xi urged continuous efforts to achieve the strategic goal that officials do not dare, are not able, and have no desire to be corrupt.

"We should be aware that the fight against corruption is still raging," Xi stressed.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

He noted several daunting tasks in the battle, including guarding against the unwarranted influence of all sorts of interests groups, preventing officials from falling prey to erosion behaviors, identifying and dealing with furtive forms of corruption that employ upgraded methods, eliminating the breeding grounds for corruption, being free of systemic corruption, and defusing risks and hidden dangers.

The practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism are the arch enemies of the cause of the Party and the country, Xi stressed.

He asked officials to make more solid efforts to work for the people's well-being and guard against massively launching flashy programs for appearance's sake.

Education, management and supervision of young officials must be strengthened to ensure they are loyal and reliable to the Party and the people, Xi said.

Xi also demanded that Party committees at all levels strengthen the oversight over the "key few," particularly those in command and the leading bodies, he said.

Presiding over the meeting, Zhao Leji said Xi's speech has made the strategic plans clear to deepen strict Party governance in all aspects and prepare for the opening of the Party's 20th national congress.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Marylands secretary of the environment pledged to raise staffing levels in parts of his department Tuesday following reports that documented issues with its inspections of drinking water systems and poultry farms.

The updates came during a wide-ranging hearing Tuesday in the Maryland Senate, during which Secretary Ben Grumbles was questioned about a laundry list of environmental issues in the state: from a recent sewage spill in Southern Maryland that sickened two dozen consumers of contaminated oysters to long-standing pollution woes at an Eastern Shore chicken rendering plant.

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Regarding understaffing issues at the drinking water office, highlighter in an Environmental Protection Agency report that came to light in December, Grumbles said 68 staffers are on board and that theres a goal to hit 100 staff members as soon as possible.

Thats a considerable jump from 2020, when the EPA reported there were 34 full-time staffers inspecting the states public water systems, down significantly from a few years earlier. At that time, each inspector had to handle roughly 240 water systems, as opposed to the national average of 67, potentially endangering the departments ability to prevent a water crisis comparable to that of Flint, Michigan, the EPA found.

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You can call it the silver tsunami, or whatever. In that program in particular weve seen some retirements, Grumbles said. So this is an area of continuous vigilance.

Grumbles also pledged a 50% increase in inspections of chicken farms during 2022, following a damning report in October from the Environmental Integrity Project. That report found that inspections at poultry operations had fallen 40% since 2013 and that while about half of the farms inspected between 2017 and 2020 improperly handled animal waste, fines against them were rare.

This is good news for the Chesapeake Bay, said Eric Schaeffer, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project. However, more needs to be done  including more routine penalties for chronic violations of pollution control laws to protect waterways and public health.

To meet its goals, MDE also may make greater use of video inspections, wherein inspectors ask facilities to show them particular things on camera rather than in person, Grumbles said.

We need to have more inspectors, and were committed to that and also to relying on these off-site, video-enhanced inspections as well, to help ensure that the regulated community knows that we are overseeing their compliance and that we will continue to step in, Grumbles said.

Staffing issues in the departments Hogan era were perhaps the biggest flashpoint at Tuesdays hearing, as legislators expressed worries that pollution and contamination problems could be going undetected.

Its like the department is barreling down the highway at full speed when you know you have four flat tires, said Sen. Clarence Lam, a Democrat representing parts of Baltimore and Howard counties.

Staffing declines have impacted other Department of the Environment offices, including the pollution inspectors for rivers, streams and other bodies of water. That group saw a 14% decline from 2015 to 2020.

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The number of in-person inspections has dipped slightly as well. Department officials visited 32,000 sites in fiscal year 2020, down from 55,000 in fiscal 2019 and 68,000 in fiscal 2018. Officials have attributed 2020s numbers to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent months, nonprofit groups have sometimes flagged water pollution problems in the state, including an illegal discharge from a vinegar factory in Baltimore, discovered by Blue Water Baltimore. Drone footage obtained by Eastern Shore-based ShoreRivers captured discharge coming from Valley Proteins, a Dorchester County factory that turns chicken carcasses into dog food.

We have enough humility to recognize that we are not the only eyes and ears in the field, and thats why we embrace  whether its Blue Water Baltimore or ShoreRivers or another NGO, Grumbles said. We gather information and sometimes that can be information we already have and its corroborating.

But that implies we might have to rely on NGOs, nongovernmental entities, to protect the public, rather than the department, countered Sen. Paul Pinsky, a Prince Georges County Democrat and chair of the Senate committee  Education, Health and Environmental Affairs.

The Valley Proteins plant is considered a poster child for the issue of zombie permits, a reference to the fact that it had been operating under a water pollution permit that technically expired in 2006. As many as hundreds of other industrial sites across the state could be in a similar position, operating under old pollution controls thanks to administratively continued permits.

Pinsky cited concerns that staffing issues could be slowing the permitting process, endangering the public. He asked whether Grumbles has directly requested additional inspectors from Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican. Grumbles demurred, saying he would need to check with department staffers, but stated that MDE is prioritizing updating the permits of highly polluting facilities.

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Our strategy has been to identify those administratively continued permits that present the greatest risk, Grumbles said. We are continuing to do that and focused particularly on those where theres significant noncompliance.






Nomination from counselor

Pravina Khadka is an exceptional student that has excelled in everything that she has done.

Pravina is a diligent student who not only strives for her academic success but also for her peers as she continuously assists students who are unable to understand the core materials. She participates in extracurricular activities that are most vital for her in growing her skills and helping the community. As a co-captain for her debate class, member of the School of Finance, and editor for The Bruin News, Pravina proves to be involved in her school organizations while working her part-time job at a local restaurant during her after school hours. Pravina Khadka is ideal for this award because she showcases the crucial elements of being a student and a hardworking woman who aspires to achieve her goals without hesitation.

Pravina plans to attend a four-year university after graduation with a focus on journalism because she has a passion for the art of writing that focuses on implementing change in society and advocating for justice.

More about Pravina

Pravina Khadka is truly a gifted and intelligent student, said teacher Jerry Foester. Last year as Pravinas English 11 AP Language and Composition teacher, I witnessed her writing and critical thinking develop and grow exponentially. Without a doubt, this was due in large part to her innate intelligence and curiosity; however, Pravina also has another trait which propels her learning to uncommon levels of achievement: leadership. Pravina is not a passive thinker and learner. She has the ability to think critically, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully.

Though Pravinas learning is initiated by her own curiosity, she also recognizes how much more her learning is enhanced by working with others on group projects and class participation. In many cases, I have observed her take a leadership role on group projects, just to make sure the job was done well. More times than not, she was able to maintain confidence without being overbearing, a balance difficult for anyone.

Not only is Pravina deserving of the CapEd Credit Union Scholar of the Week, she is an outstanding example of what it means to be a student at Twin Falls High School!

Pravina was enrolled in my Accounting I class her sophomore year and is currently in my Personal Finance class, said teacher Lorraine Rapp. In addition to having Pravina as a student, she is a member of the School of Finance of which I am the co-director. The School of Finance is a group of students who have chosen to be a part of a small learning community where students must maintain high academic standards, participate in community service endeavors, and enroll in college prep/dual credit courses.

I am the advisor of student organization called Business Professionals of America and I know first-hand how much time and effort students must devote in preparing for competitions. Likewise, Pravina has had to do the same immense preparation for competition for her Speech/Debate Club. She is a young woman who perseveres and is determined to complete a task once she is committed. Her peers look up to her and respect her dependability. She goes beyond what is expected on every level in her community and in the classroom.

She truly is a mentor and leader among her peers. I have seen firsthand Pravina spend countless hours tutoring students with math and/or science homework. She gives of her time without conditions. My experience with Pravina encompasses the past two years. She is an amazing young woman and years ahead of her peers in regards to emotional and academic maturity. Pravina challenged herself through her membership in the School of Finance and plans on graduating with honors from this Twin Falls High School program. Pravina is enthusiastic, trustworthy, honest, dependable, and looks for opportunities to be involved in her school and community.

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BOISE  A panel of lawmakers has introduced a resolution that would have flags flown at half staff one day a year in recognition of abortions that have been performed since the medical procedure became legal nearly 50 years ago.

The bill from Rep. Barbara Ehardt, a Republican from Idaho Falls, would designate Jan. 22 as the Day of Tears. The concept comes from a Virginia-based anti-abortion organization of the same name, which seeks to get similar legislation passed in every state.

Ehardt told the House State Affairs Committee on Tuesday that said Day of Tears resolutions are also expected to be introduced this year in Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Mississippi and South Carolina. This resolution seeks to honor and help us remember those that have passed on, Ehardt said. It is another way to remind us of a wrong that we have an opportunity coming up hopefully in the next six months to make right.

The U.S. Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority and has signaled that it may overturn its landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade in a lawsuit out of Mississippi. That decision is expected later this year.

The Idaho House committee agreed on a voice vote to introduce the resolution. Ehardt said the resolution was also introduced in a Senate committee on Monday.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Monday, when I read the abundance of articles on Martin Luther King, I ran across an anecdote. During the Watts riots, King and others went to talk to the young men who participated. They talked to a man who said, We won. King asked the meaning of his statement. The reply was, We won because we made them pay attention to us.

King certainly disagreed with the methods used to get attention. He was a disciple of Gandhi, the Indian who gained independence from British rule for India and Pakistan. He felt that only non-violent protest held the moral high ground when seeking justice. Along with loving mercy and walking humbly with God, his mission went along with the urging in Micah 6:8 to do what the Lord requires.

Not everyone seeking civil rights agreed with King, but he was correct. Non-violent action is effective because it harms no one and does not damage property. But it does get people to pay attention. It troubles me that many individuals still react as law enforcement did when civil rights protestors marched. The images of water cannons, armed troops and dogs still haunt me.

King maintained control of his movement, but other groups, such as the Black Panthers, used violent protest. Anti-war protestors such as the Weathermen were even more damaging. Currently, it is difficult to discern which side the bad actors are on. Counter protestors often act like vigilantes with their actions. Professional rioters criminally incite anger, start fires, and confront law enforcement while stirring up the intended peaceful protest.

Justice and mercy are both required of those of us who see ourselves as Christs disciples. The disharmony evident across the country is caused by misinterpreting justice to mean retribution and vengeance. Mercy is rarely approved. I encounter people weekly who feel unjustly treated. They are victims of justice denied or justice delayed. The circumstances are vastly different, but when discussed with family and friends, the reassurance of a society held together by just laws disappears.

We must confront this situation to restore civility to our nation. When people fear the law, anger follows. Equal application of fairness and compensation for damage to self or property is necessary to a peaceful society. Media has spread our sense of grievance, sometimes maliciously, but to ignore justice delayed and justice denied is dangerous.

Our democracy promises that everyone will receive equal justice within our laws. The citizens of an autocratic government usually feel discouraged that true justice will never prevail. They are not satisfied, but they dont expect to be. It is difficult for reformers to overcome the apathy of the discouraged, and the sad fact is that our inattention to swift and fair justice has produced civic apathy.

While there is a problem of too many laws, there is also the tendency of individuals to ask forgiveness instead of asking for permission. Their anger comes when they violate a law they didnt bother to investigate. It is our governments duty to review and refine the statutes it passes.

The Idaho Supreme Court requested a new district judge and two magistrate judges, a court reporter, and seven trial court administrators in their budget for the next fiscal year. The legislature should fund it.

The cost of litigation is another problem for people seeking justice. Many companies employ their attorneys, and the salary is just the cost of doing business. An individual or small business suffers a direct loss of income to oppose them. Lower-cost alternatives such as binding mediation need to be publicized and adequately staffed by the court system. Small claims currently as a reasonable cost of $35, but the maximum damage amount could be raised to $10,000, which is the threshold for magistrate claims.

Our other obligation to each other is mercy. There is great debate on prison reform, and we must pursue it. Restorative justice is the new topic bringing together mercy for offenders and victims.

King only started his march toward what he termed the beloved community with voting rights and a larger view of civil rights. His intent was for our country to eventually live up to its founding promises. We have made further strides in the years following his death. We can continue, and we should.

Linda Brugger, retired from the Air Force Reserve, leaning Democrat and community activist can be reached at IdahoAuthor@outlook.com.

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Raul Labrador recently told columnist Chuck Malloy he would have joined a Texas lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court that challenged the presidential vote in a number of other states. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden wisely declined to join the suit, which was doomed from the start. Worse yet, the suit asked for a decision that would have opened up every state to legal attack by other states on a wide variety of issues.

Ever since the founding of the United States, elections have primarily been the business of the individual states. It is a fundamental part of our federal system. The system may not be perfect but it has served us well. Idahoans should strongly resist the idea that other states can challenge our election laws or, for that matter, any of our other laws.

The ill-fated Texas lawsuit asked the Supreme Court to overturn the election laws of several other statesa severe violation of our federalist system. The Republican-leaning Supreme Court unceremoniously tossed the suit in just four days. Had it ruled like Texas wanted, Idaho could have been opened up to lawsuits by other states on any number of grounds.

Several times last year, the Washington Governor complained that Idahos lax pandemic response had resulted in a flood of Idaho patients into Washington hospitals. Labradors position would have allowed Washington to attack Idahos pandemic response in federal court. Or, say some blue states claimed Idahos loose gun laws impacted their states in some fashion, we might be defending those laws in a federal court in a blue state.

If Texas were allowed to attack Pennsylvanias election laws, other states could challenge Idahos laws on predator control, water management, educational content, vaccination policy, you name it.

Idahos level-headed Attorney General, Lawrence Wasden, understood the ultimate danger the Texas suit posed to federalism. He distinguished himself by refusing to join the stampede, observing that the legally correct decision may not be the politically convenient decision. He continued: As Attorney General, I have significant concerns about supporting a legal argument that could result in other states litigating against legal decisions made by Idahos legislature and governor. Idaho is a sovereign state and should be free to govern itself without interference from any other state. Likewise, Idaho should respect the sovereignty of other states. Much like the kid who pointed out that the emperor was unclothed, Wasden stated the unvarnished truth about the Texas Attorney Generals publicity stunt, even though it was not the politically popular thing to do.

Idahos Senators, Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, went a step further, both voting on January 6 to uphold Bidens election victory. Crapo said that voting against certification of the election would set a dangerous precedent I cannot support. Noting that hed taken an oath to support the Constitution, he continued: To undercut this system would inevitably lead to federalizing our election process.That is why I will not join efforts to have Congress reject validly certified Electoral College votes. Like the Senators, our Attorney General swore an oath to stand up for the rule of law, even if it is not politically convenient or popular.

Labrador told Malloy he would be an activist attorney general who would help our ideologically-driven legislators achieve their goals. When extremist legislators work to dismantle Idahos public education system, they should not have the Attorney Generals help. The Attorney General is required to stand up for the Idaho Constitution, not to serve as lackey for trouble-making legislators. Our Attorney General is honor bound to fulfill the check and balance role envisioned in the Idaho Constitution.

Some voters may not understand that the Attorney General is obligated to give governmental officials honest, straight-forward legal advice, just like they expect from their family lawyer. They might not always like the advice, but it is necessary to give honest advice when the client is headed for trouble. As a matter of fact, Lawrence Wasden has been a tremendous source of assistance to lawmakers who will listen to his advice. You cant help those who refuse to listen.

The Legislature could have saved millions of dollars in court-ordered attorney fees over the years by heeding Wasdens sound advice. A case in point is the third of a million dollars the State dished out to private attorneys to defend the lawsuit that successfully challenged the bill to deprive citizens of their constitutional initiative and referendum rights. Honesty is the best policy.

Jim Jones served as Idaho Attorney General from 1983 to 1991. Dave Leroy was Attorney General from 1979 to 1983. Tony Park was Attorney General from 1971 to 1975.

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Ancestors of a local Native American tribe hope Congress will help them achieve federal recognition.

Our native ancestors were the first people here, Patawomeck Chief Charles Bootsie Bullock said. Its time to be recognized, just as the other ones are today.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs lists 574 federally recognized Native American tribes scattered across the U.S. Seven of them are located in Virginia, including two Chickahominy tribes, along with the Monacan, Nansemond, Pamunkey, Rappahannock and Upper Mattaponi tribes.

The Patawomeck tribe, which first settled in Stafford County near present-day Marlborough Point in the early 1300s, has more than 2,600 descendants and is one of 11 state-recognized tribes. Local tribal members say 70 percent of them reside in southern Staffords White Oak area.

Bullock said federal status could open up opportunities for tribal members to receive education, housing and medical benefits, while Chief Emeritus John Lightner said the Patawomeck tribe would finally achieve its sovereignty.

It gives the tribe the right to self-government without interference from the state [government], Lightner said. [It] was actually guaranteed to the tribe by the English in treaties.

Minnie Lightner, the Patawomeck tribes administrative assistant, said although it took the Pamunkey tribe 33 years to gain federal status by a combination of legislative and administrative efforts through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, it took about half the time for the other Virginia tribes to gain the same federal status working through Congress.

My feeling is, those other six tribes have already gone the congressional route. It should be easier and quicker for us because theyve already gone through the process, Lightner said.

Fredericksburg-area Rep. Rob Wittman, who is assisting the Patawomeck along the long legislative path, said although going through the BIA is tedious, time-consuming and demanding, the route through Congress isnt a cakewalk, either.

Its tremendously difficult to do this legislatively because the bill has to, from the very beginning, make it through committee and it has to have support from folks on both sides of the aisle, Wittman said. Thats the challenge to be able to do this.

Wittman said that, like the Patawomeck, the now federally recognized Pamunkey tribe also attempted the congressional route, but ultimately filed its application through the BIA channel.

All six tribes went through that process that took that number of years, but there was not an active application by the Pamunkey tribe before the BIA for that full 33 years, Wittman said. Some of that 33 years was taken up waiting for legislation to get passed.

Bullock said the Patawomeck may eventually consider applying for federal status through the BIA, which requires tribes to prove they have had no breaks in tribal existence.

Perhaps that option may come, Bullock said. The last six tribes that went in, four of them could not go through the BIA, but weve got documentation showing that yes, we existed back in the 1600s or even further.

Another roadblock that hinders Virginia tribes from gaining federal recognition is the Racial Integrity Act of 1924, which served to classify all Virginia residents into either white or colored categories. The act not only classified all Native Americans as colored, but vital tribal records were seized by the government and destroyed. Bullock said those records are essential to satisfy the BIAs tribal continuity requirement.

The act, which was ultimately invalidated in 1967 by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case involving the interracial marriage between Caroline County couple Richard and Mildred Loving, was drafted by physician and public health advocate Walter Plecker, who served as the first registrar of Virginias Bureau of Vital Statistics from 1912 to 1946.

Other than the two native tribes that had reservationsthe Pamunkey and the Mattaponi[Plecker] singlehandedly just about eradicated Native Americans in the state of Virginia, said Bullock. It was tough, and its tough now.

Bullock said Plecker visited Stafford County during his tenure in office after receiving a tip about a large Indian community concentrated near White Oak. Bullock said fortunately that night, White Oak residents were warned in advance of Pleckers approach.

The White Oak area has always been a Native American community, Bullock said. Plecker had made that gap virtually impossible for us to maintain at a consistent basis.

In August 2019, Stafford County officials turned over the 17-acre Little Falls Farm at 638 Kings Highway to the Patawomeck tribe under a 10-year, $1-per-year lease agreement for use as the tribes museum and cultural center. The farm was originally donated to Stafford by Fredericksburg businessman Duff McDuff Green Jr., along with the adjacent park that bears his name.

As a federal tribe, the Patawomeck would be able to gain access to artifacts from a five-year archaeological exploration that took place at the tribes original town site at Marlborough Point from 1935 to 1940.

That dig, conducted by Judge William J. Graham and T. Dale Stewart of what is now the Smithsonian Institute, netted tens of thousands of Patawomeck artifacts, including skeletal remains, pottery, jewelry, tools and hunting weapons. Many of those items still under the care of the Smithsonian could one day be released to the tribe for display at its Little Falls Farm cultural center.

James Scott Baron: 540/374-5438 jbaron@freelancestar.com
HCA Healthcare recently donated $5,000 to the Foothills Food Hub, on behalf of Mission Hospital McDowell. The donation is the result of a nationwide food and nutrition drive led by HCA Healthcare.

The Mission Health system, including Mission Hospital McDowell, participated in the food and nutrition drive by collecting more than 5,377 pounds of food for local food banks across western North Carolina. Of that total, Mission Hospital McDowell collected 3,135 pounds, which included food collected in partnership with the Foothills Community School. The food collected by Mission Hospital McDowell and Foothills Community School went directly to the Foothills Food Hub in Marion, according to a news release.

HCA Healthcare facilities, including Mission Hospital McDowell, are heavily engaged in the health and well-being of the communities we serve, said Carol Wolfenbarger, chief executive officer for Mission Hospital McDowell. We are extremely proud of the response of our community and our staff to donate to the Foothills Food Hub.

As a result of Mission Hospital McDowell collecting the most food during the drive, HCA Healthcare donated $5,000 to the Foothills Food Hub. Mission Hospital McDowell colleagues recently presented the $5,000 check to the staff of the Foothills Food Hub.

The Foothills Food Hub and McDowell Local Food Advisory Council are so grateful to Mission Hospital McDowell for this generous donation, said Heather Edwards, Foothills Food Hub project developer. We are currently serving, on average, 600 households per week and this money will go a long way to supporting that effort.

Mission Health, located in Asheville, serves as the regional tertiary and quaternary care center in western North Carolina and the adjoining region. Mission Hospital is licensed for 815 beds and is the regions only Level II trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and includes the only childrens hospital in western North Carolina. Mission Hospital is also a Magnet designated hospital for nursing excellence. For more information, visit missionhealth.org or @MissionHealthNC.

Mission Hospital McDowell, a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare, is a community hospital serving McDowell, Burke and Rutherford counties. Located in Marion, Mission Hospital McDowell operates 30 beds, including five labor and delivery suites. Medical specialties offered include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, and walk-in, non-emergency care at Mission My Care Now McDowell. Five of Mission Hospital McDowells primary care practices have been recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as Rural Health Clinics. For more information, visit missionhealth.org/mcdowell.
A jury in Marion County, Tennessee, ordered Cracker Barrel to pay a man $9.4 million after it found the company at fault for serving him a glass filled with a chemical instead of water.

The size of the award may be capped due to a Tennessee law on civil damages.

"The jury returned a verdict for compensatory damages of $4.3 million in just 30 minutes -- one of the fastest verdicts we have ever seen -- and awarded punitive damages of $5 million after only 10 minutes of additional deliberation," Plaintiff William Cronnon's attorney Thomas Greer said in an interview with CNN.

Keep scrolling to see the 50 most popular chain restaurants in America

"The speed of the verdict, combined with an amount in excess of what we asked, speaks to just how dangerous the Cracker Barrel policy was," Greer said.

Cracker Barrel said it was "disappointed" with the award.

"While we have great respect for the legal process, we are obviously disappointed by and strongly disagree with the jury's award in this case, which involved an unfortunate and isolated incident that occurred at one of our stores eight years ago," Cracker Barrel Media Relations said in a statement emailed to CNN.

"Although we are considering our options with respect to this verdict, we are glad this matter is behind us so we can better focus on caring for our guests and employees around the country," the statement said.

Cronnon was having lunch at a Cracker Barrel in Marion County in April 2014 when he took a sip of what he believed to be water, "only to immediately realize that it was not ice water but was some chemical that caused a burning sensation in his mouth and esophagus," according to court documents obtained by CNN,

It was later discovered Cronnon had been served the chemical Eco-San, which was being used as a cleaner in the kitchen area, according to court documents.

Eco-San, described as a corrosive chemical in the lawsuit, caused permanent and serious internal physical injury to Cronnon, the complaint said.

Cronnon is still suffering from symptoms, including injuries to his mouth and esophagus, Greer said, which have incurred and will continue to incur medical expenses.

"Cracker Barrel's negligence didn't just cause Mr. Smith physical harm; it took away part of his identity," he said.

Cronnon did not wish to comment, Greer said.

***

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An Afghan woman holds her children as she waits for a consultation outside a makeshift clinic at a sprawling settlement of mud brick huts housing those displaced by war and drought near Herat, Afghanistan, Dec. 16, 2021. The aid-dependent countrys economy was already teetering when the Taliban seized power in mid-August amid a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops. The consequences have been devastating for a country battered by four decades of war, a punishing drought and the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Mstyslav Chernov) (Mstyslav Chernov/AP)

Letter writer Rosalind Heid observes that Something doesnt feel comfortable about pledging $308 million to Afghanistan (U.S. should not send aid to Afghanistan, Jan. 17). Perhaps she doesnt understand the depth of the crisis. People in relief organizations who are in Afghanistan are predicting that as many as 1 million children will die because of drought and international economic sanctions.

The Taliban government is not to our liking. They discriminate against women in ways that most of us here in the U.S. find repugnant. However, a mother who dies, or watches her children die, will not be helped by Ms. Heids self-righteousness.

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Charlie Cooper, Baltimore

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The UN Secretary Generals Advisor on Libya, Stephanie Williams has revealed to the Associated Press (AP) that she is pushing for Libya to hold elections by June after the country missed out on the December 24 vote, Libya Observer reports.

It is still very reasonable and possible for the countrys 2.8 million voters to cast their ballots by June, in line with the UN-brokered 2020 roadmap, the UN official reportedly told AP.

I dont see any other exit for Libya other than a peaceful political process. I urge lawmakers, who convened Monday in the eastern city of Tobruk, to agree on a clear, time-bound process with a clear horizon and to not create an open-ended process. They have to shoulder a great responsibility right now to respect the will of the Libyans who registered to vote. Libyans want an end to this long period of transition that the country has experienced since the events of 2011, she added.

The oil-rich country missed the Dec. 24 elections over a number of issues including fraud and electoral code and lack of a constitution.

Williams also reiterated the need for foreign mercenaries to leave Libya as a prerequisite for the elections.

There have been mercenaries in Libya since the 1970s. I dont believe that that is a card that is necessary to play at this time, she added.
Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced Tuesday that they have arrested suspected perpetrators of the attack in which Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio was killed on February 22, 2021, in the eastern part of that country.

Mr. Governor, I present to you three groups of criminals who have brought grief to the city of Goma. Among them, the group that attacked the convoy of the Italian ambassador, said the police commander of North Kivu province, General Aba Van Ang, during a ceremony in Goma, its capital, filmed by some journalists.

According to him, the man suspected of shooting the ambassador, who goes by the name of Aspirant, is on the run. But here is Bahati and the second in the group is Balume, he added to the governor, Lieutenant General Constant Ndima Kongba, in front of six young men sitting on the ground, flanked by armed police.

We know where Aspirant is, we hope to find him, the police chief added. When Aspirant shot the ambassador, they regretted a lot, because the criminals intended to kidnap the diplomat and ask for a million dollars for his release, he said.

He said the group to which the men belonged  arrested under circumstances he did not specify  was also responsible for other recent kidnappings in the region, including of members of humanitarian organizations. The other two groups presented to the governor are accused by the police of committing various murders and criminal attacks.

The Italian ambassador to the DRC, Luca Attanasio, 43, died on February 22, 2021, after being shot and wounded when the World Food Programme (WFP) convoy in which he was traveling was ambushed north of Goma, on the outskirts of Virunga National Park.

His Italian bodyguard, Carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci, and a Congolese WFP driver, Mustapha Milambo, were also killed.
At least four people were killed and more than 10 injured after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest in a tea shop outside an army training center in Mogadishus Wadajir district, police said.

According to police, the bomber entered the teahouse, posed as a customer and sat down to have tea. Moments later, the bomber blew himself up.

Police spokesman Major Abdifatah Aden said the bomber deliberately targeted the tea shops customers. Fourteen people were injured in the blast, and four of them succumbed to their injuries after being evacuated from the scene, Aden said. The militant group al-Shabab immediately claimed responsibility for Tuesdays attack.

The explosion heavily damaged the tea shop, which was made of corrugated iron.

A second explosion occurred about two hours after the first, in the same area, according to police. This one was caused by a device attached to a vehicle belonging to a private company, and no casualties were reported, police said.

On Sunday, Somali government spokesman and former journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu was seriously injured when a suicide bomber rushed to his car and detonated an explosive vest.

Moalimuus hand and leg were injured by shrapnel from the device. He has since been flown to Turkey for medical treatment.
Senegalese customs announced that they had boarded a Guyana-flagged cargo ship with three containers filled with war ammunition worth an estimated 4.5 million euros, in a statement.

Senegalese customs announced that they had boarded a Guyana-flagged cargo ship with three containers filled with war ammunition worth an estimated 4.5 million euros, in a statement.

No information was provided by Customs on the possible origin and destination of these munitions.

The ship, described by specialized websites as a cargo ship of 80 m in length, was calling at Dakar to, it said, refuel, said Customs in their statement.

Alerted by the absence of reliable navigation and maritime transport documents, but especially by the inconsistencies of the declarations of the captain of the ship, Customs decided to proceed with the search and control of the cargo, they said, without specifying the date of the operation.

The operation led to the discovery of three containers filled with various types of ammunition, they said, estimating their value on the local market at over three billion CFA francs.

The crew members are being questioned, they said.

The statement did not specify their nationality. The local press described them as Ukrainians, information that Customs neither confirmed nor denied.
An illustration of antlbodies surrounding a virus. Antibodies are proteins shaped, roughly speaking, like two-branched trees. Theyre produced by immune cells and secreted in response to things the body perceives as foreign, such as microbial pathogens. Credit: Siarhei

Blood drawn from patients shortly after they were infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may indicate who is most likely to land in the hospital, a study led by Stanford Medicine investigators has found.

"We've identified an early biomarker of risk for progression to severe symptoms," said Taia Wang, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases and of microbiology and immunology. "And we found that antibodies elicited by an mRNA vaccinein this case, Pfizer'sdiffer in important, beneficial ways from those in people infected with SARS-CoV-2 who later progress to severe symptoms." The upshot could eventually be a test that, given soon after a positive COVID-19 result, would help clinicians focus attention on those likely to need it most.

A paper describing the study's findings was published Jan. 18 in Science Translational Medicine. Wang shares senior authorship with Gene Tan, Ph.D., assistant professor at the J. Craig Venter Institute in La Jolla, California. Lead co-authors of the study are Stanford postdoctoral scholar Saborni Chakraborty, Ph.D., and graduate student Joseph Gonzalez.

"Severe COVID-19 is largely a hyperinflammatory disease, particularly in the lungs," Wang said. "We wondered why a minority of people develop this excessive inflammatory response, when most people don't."

To find out, Wang and her colleagues collected blood samples from 178 adults who had tested positive for COVID-19 upon visiting a Stanford Health Care hospital or clinic. At the time of testing, these individuals' symptoms were universally mild. As time passed, 15 participants developed symptoms bad enough to land them in the emergency department.

Antibodies show distinctions

Analyzing the antibodies in blood samples taken from study participants on the day of their coronavirus test and 28 days later, the researchers ferreted out some notable differences between those who developed severe symptoms and those who didn't.

Antibodies are proteins shaped, roughly speaking, like two-branched trees. They're produced by immune cells and secreted in response to things the body perceives as foreign, such as microbial pathogens. An amazing feature of antibodies is that their branches can assume a multitude of shapes. The resulting spatial and electrochemical diversity of the areas defined by antibodies' branches and their intersection is so great that, in the aggregate, antibodies take on all comers.

When an antibody's shape and electrochemistry is complementary to a feature of a pathogen, it gloms on tightly. Sometimes the adherence isn't in the right spot to prevent the pathogen from doing its nefarious business. Antibodies that bind pathogens in just the right places, preventing infection, are called neutralizing antibodies.

In either case, the resulting adhesion generates what's called an immune complex, drawing immune cells to the site.

The researchers found that while many participants whose symptoms remained mild had healthy levels of neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from the get-go, participants who wound up hospitalized had initially minimal or undetectable levels of neutralizing antibodies, although their immune cells started pumping them out later in the infection's course.

A second finding involved an often-neglected structural aspect of antibodies' "trunks": They are decorated with chains of various kinds of sugar molecules linked together. The makeup of these sugar chains has an effect on how inflammatory an immune complex will be.

Many types of immune cells have receptors for this sugar-coated antibody trunk. These receptors distinguish among antibodies' sugar molecules, helping to determine how fiercely the immune cells respond. A key finding of the new study was that in participants who progressed to severe COVID-19, sugar chains on certain antibodies targeting SARS-CoV2 were deficient in a variety of sugar called fucose. This deficiency was evident on the day these "progressors" first tested positive. So, it wasn't a result of severe infection but preceded it.

Furthermore, immune cells in these patients featured inordinately high levels of receptors for these fucose-lacking types of antibodies. Such receptors, called CD16a, are known to boost immune cells' inflammatory activity.

"Some inflammation is absolutely necessary to an effective immune response," Wang said. "But too much can cause trouble, as in the massive inflammation we see in the lungs of people whose immune systems have failed to block SARS-CoV-2 quickly upon getting infected"for example, because their early immune response didn't generate enough neutralizing antibodies to the virus.

A look at vaccine response

The scientists also studied the antibodies elicited in 29 adults after they received the first and second doses of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. They compared these antibodies with those of adults who didn't progress to severe disease about a month after either being vaccinated or infected; they also compared them with antibodies from individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Two vaccine doses led to overall high neutralizing-antibody levels. In addition, antibody fucose content was high in the vaccinated and mildly symptomatic groups but low in the hospitalized individuals.

Wang and her associates tested their findings in mice that had been bioengineered so their immune cells featured human receptors for antibodies on their surfaces. They applied immune complexesextracted, variously, from patients with high levels of fucose-deficient antibodies, patients with normal levels or vaccinated adultsto the mice's windpipes. The investigators observed four hours later that the fucose-deficient immune-complex extracts generated a massive inflammatory reaction in the mice's lungs. Neither normal-fucose extracts nor extracts from vaccinated individuals had this effect.

When the experiment was repeated in similar mice that had been bioengineered to lack CD16a, there was no such hyperinflammatory response in their lungs.

Wang said the immunological factors the researchers have identifieda sluggish neutralizing-antibody response, deficient fucose levels on antibody-attached sugar chains, and hyperabundant receptors for fucose-deficient antibodieswere each, on their own, modestly predictive of COVID-19 severity. But taken together, they allowed the scientists to guess the disease's course with an accuracy of about 80%.

Wang speculates that the abundance of CD16a on immune cells and the relative absence of fucose on antibodies' sugar chains may not be entirely unrelated phenomena in some people, and that while neither alone is enough to consistently induce severe inflammatory symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the combination leads to a devastating inflammatory overdrive.

Explore further Common cold coronaviruses hinder antibody immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

More information: Saborni Chakraborty et al, Early non-neutralizing, afucosylated antibody responses are associated with COVID-19 severity, Science Translational Medicine (2022). Journal information: Science Translational Medicine Saborni Chakraborty et al, Early non-neutralizing, afucosylated antibody responses are associated with COVID-19 severity,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm7853
Registered nurse Jessalynn Dest pulls on a new N95 mask as indentations remain from another she had just removed after leaving a COVID-19 patient room in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, in Seattle. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is deploying 100 members of the state National Guard to hospitals across the state amid staff shortages due to an omicron-fueled spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Inslee announced Thursday that teams will be deployed to assist four overcrowded emergency departments at hospitals in Everett, Yakima, Wenatchee and Spokane, and that testing teams will be based at hospitals in Olympia, Richland, Seattle and Tacoma. Credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to U.S. residents starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings.

The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government's Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand. The masks will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country. They will begin shipping this week for distribution starting late next week, the White House said.

This will be the largest distribution of free masks by the federal government to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In early 2020, then-President Donald Trump's administration considered and then shelved plans to send masks to people at their homes. President Joe Biden embraced the initiative after facing mounting criticism this month over the inaccessibilityboth in supply and costof N95 masks as the highly transmissible omicron variant swept across the country.

After facing similar criticism over a winter shortage of COVID-19 at-home test kits, Biden this week launched a website for Americans to order four rapid tests to be shipped to their homes for free, with the first tests to ship later this month.

Linsey Jones, a medical assistant working at a drive-up COVID-19 testing clinic, wears an N95 mask, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, in Puyallup, Wash., south of Seattle. People using the facility, which is being run by the Pierce County Dept. of Emergency Management, faced waits of several hours Tuesday for testing. Credit: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

The White House said the masks will be made available at pharmacies and community health centers that have partnered with the federal government's COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated its guidance on face coverings to more clearly state that properly fitted N95 and KN95 masks offer the most protection against COVID-19. Still, it didn't formally recommend N95s over cloth masks.

The best mask "is the one that you will wear and the one you can keep on all day long, that you can tolerate in public indoor settings," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said last week.

Details were not immediately available on the specifics of the program, including the sort of masks to be provided, whether kid-size ones will be available and whether the masks could be reworn.

Registered nurse Scott McGieson wears an N95 mask as he walks out of a patient's room in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, in Seattle. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is deploying 100 members of the state National Guard to hospitals across the state amid staff shortages due to an omicron-fueled spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Inslee announced Thursday that teams will be deployed to assist four overcrowded emergency departments at hospitals in Everett, Yakima, Wenatchee and Spokane, and that testing teams will be based at hospitals in Olympia, Richland, Seattle and Tacoma. Credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

The White House said that "to ensure broad access for all Americans, there will be three masks available per person."

N95 or KN95 masks are more widely available now than at any other time during the pandemic, though they are often more costly than less-protective surgical masks or cloth masks.

Explore further CDC encourages more Americans to consider N95 masks

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Loss of function mutations in the cochaperone protein BAG5 can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy and ultimately heart failure through an impaired quality control of junctional membrane complex (JMC) proteins. E-C coupling: Excitation-Contraction coupling. Credit: 2022 Hakui H et al., Science Translational Medicine

Researchers from Osaka University found a previously unknown gene mutation that can cause an incurable heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. This gene, BAC5, is important for the movement of calcium ions in the heart muscle and calcium ions are what drives the pumping of the heart. The good news is that the investigators also found a way to fix the mutation through a novel gene therapy approach, demonstrating a potential treatment for this devastating disease.

The heart is a tireless organ, beating an average of 100,000 times a day. However, conditions that stop the heart from pumping blood efficiently can cause serious problems and ultimately require a heart transplantation.

In a study published this month in the journal Science Translational Medicine, researchers from Osaka University have shown that a previously unknown mutation can lead to a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, which is one of the main causes of heart failure.

Heart failure is an incurable condition where the heart is no longer able to meet the body's demands in terms of blood supply. It is one of the most common causes of death and it affects almost 40 million people worldwide, representing a huge public health problem. One of the main factors leading to heart failure is a disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (or DCM). DCM is characterized by dilation of the heart's chambers and a pumping disfunction. Previous research has shown that DCM is often inherited and has a genetic basis. However, for up to 80% of the familial DCM cases, we still don't know the genetic mutation causing the disease.

The research team identified a gene called BAG5 as a novel causative gene for DCM. First, they studied patients from different families, highlighting a correlation between loss of function mutations in the BAG5 gene and DCM. The researchers found that this mutation has a complete penetrance, meaning that 100% of the individuals presenting it will develop the disease. They then found in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy that mice without BAG5 exhibited the same symptoms of human DCM, such as dilatation of the heart's chambers and irregular heart rhythm. This indicates that mutations that erase the function of BAG5 can cause cardiomyopathy.

"Here we showed that loss of BAG5 perturbs calcium handling in mouse cardiomyocytes," says Dr. Hideyuki Hakui, lead author of the study. BAG5 is important for calcium handling in the heart muscle cells, and calcium is essential for a regular rhythm and overall health of the cardiac muscle, explaining why a loss of BAG5 leads to cardiomyopathy.

"After demonstrating that BAG5 mutations led to loss of functional BAG5 protein," continues Dr. Yoshihiro Asano, senior author of the study, "we also showed that administration of an AAV9-BAG5 vector in a murine model could restore cardiac function. This finding suggests that gene therapy with adeno-associated viruses (AAV) should be further investigated as a possible treatment alternative to heart transplantation for patients who are BAG5 deficient." AAV gene therapy is an innovative form of therapy aimed at fixing mutated genes in diseases that have a genetic cause like DCM. Therefore, these findings pave the way for a potential precision medicine treatment based on gene therapy.

Explore further Cardiac genetic mutation may not always predict heart disease

More information: "Loss-of-function mutations in the co-chaperone protein BAG5 cause dilated cardiomyopathy requiring heart transplantation," Science Translational Medicine (2022). Journal information: Science Translational Medicine "Loss-of-function mutations in the co-chaperone protein BAG5 cause dilated cardiomyopathy requiring heart transplantation,"(2022). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf3274
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It's a tough time to be a parent. And it has been for nearly two years. Schools are threatening to close again (or already have) due to high COVID-19 volume. And pediatric case rates and hospitalizations are soaringparticularly among children under 5, who are too young to be vaccinated.

But there has been some good news about COVID-19 and kidsparticularly when it comes to vaccination. Recently, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are highly protective against MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children), a rare but often serious condition that can cause organ inflammation in kids weeks after a COVID-19 infection.

Plus, two additional studies released by the CDC late last year offered reassurances about vaccine safety and efficacy in young children. One report demonstrated that serious problems in children five to 11 who received the Pfizer vaccine were extremely rare. The other examined hundreds of pediatric hospitalizations in six cities last summer, finding that nearly all of the seriously ill children were not fully vaccinated.

Even so, vaccination rates remain low in young children, which medical experts say is part of the reason for the recent, steep uptick in pediatric cases. As of January 13, nationally only about 18 percent of children ages five to 11 and 54 percent of kids ages 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated, according to data from the CDC.

"Thus, the rise in cases and hospitalizations is not surprising," says Marietta Vazquez, MD, a Yale Medicine pediatric infectious diseases specialist.

"If you consider that part of this pediatric population wasn't eligible for vaccination until recently and that immunization rates in young children remain lowand you factor in variants that are much more communicablethis increase makes sense," Dr. Vazquez says.

While COVID-19 continues to generally be less severe in children compared to the elderly, that doesn't mean kids don't get sick, she adds. "We still don't fully understand COVID in the setting of co-infections. There are a lot of children with respiratory infections and asthma and other conditions that can land them in the hospital," she says. "What I am seeing at Yale is similar to what is happening around the country. It's very worrisome to me as a pediatrician, as an infectious disease physician, but particularly as a mother."

Below, Dr. Vazquez and fellow Yale Medicine pediatric infectious diseases specialist Thomas Murray, MD, Ph.D., discuss the importance of vaccination in children.

How many kids with COVID-19 are hospitalized?

There were more than 580,000 new COVID-19 cases among children during the week ending Jan. 6, 2022a 78 percent increase compared to the previous week, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

For the week ending Jan. 2, an average of 672 children were admitted to hospitals every day, which is the highest such number at any point during the pandemic, the CDC reports.

A similar trajectory is occurring at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, says Dr. Murray.

"We've seen a significant increase in hospitalizations since December. Although we don't know for sure if Omicron accounts for all cases, it's highly likely to be the majority of them," Dr. Murray says. "To put things in perspective, prior to December, the highest number we've had of kids hospitalized with COVID in one month was 22. This December, we had 46 kids."

As of Jan. 12, Yale was already up to more than 60 pediatric COVID admissions for the month, Dr. Murray says.

"It's definitely a trend of kids younger than 11 being hospitalized, and the majority are not vaccinated," he says.

Sometimes patients are admitted for a different medical problem and COVID-19 is an incidental finding, but Dr. Murray says that roughly 65 percent of the COVID-19 patients at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital were admitted because of something related to their infection.

Upper respiratory tract COVID symptoms in kids

Dr. Murray says many of the pediatric COVID-19 patients, especially the youngest ones, are exhibiting significant upper respiratory symptoms. This falls in line with Omicron, which appears to affect the upper airways (nose, throat, windpipe) more than the lungs, compared to previous variants.

While lung infections can cause breathing troubles, upper respiratory infections can be problematic in young children because their airways are narrower and it doesn't take as much inflammation to clog them.

"Younger children are coming in with barky, croup-like coughs," Dr. Murray says. "Babies and young children breathe through their noseso if it's clogged up, it's a problem for them."

Fortunately, most children do well with supportive care, Dr. Murray says. "Sometimes they need supplemental oxygen. And for children over 12, we have new COVID-19 therapies becoming available," he says.

Meanwhile, other respiratory infections are occurring in kids, including flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms in children.

"We saw a large increase in RSV last spring, whereas we typically see it in the winter. Cases have started to decline, but we are still treating kids with it, and we are definitely seeing a return of influenza," Dr. Murray says.

Dr. Vazquez says she is concerned about children becoming infected with multiple viruses. In fact, the term "flurona" has been much discussed lately.

"If someone is infected with influenza or another respiratory infection, they are at risk for more severe disease if they get another infection on top of the one they already had," Dr. Vazquez says. "And this happens to be a season of high rates of RSV and COVID-19. There's isn't a vaccine for RSV yet, but we do have vaccines for influenza and COVID-19."

MIS-C concerns remain

One of the most worryingand least understoodelements of coronavirus in kids has been MIS-C, a condition that remains rare yet can be lethal. MIS-C typically occurs weeks after a COVID-19 infection and can affect children who had mild or asymptomatic cases.

Researchers still can't pinpoint what causes MIS-C but know that it makes the immune system overreact to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). MIS-C can lead to inflammation of organs, including the brain, lungs, heart, and kidneys.

So, it may have been encouraging for parents and medical professionals to see a recent CDC study showing that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine were estimated to be 91 percent effective in preventing MIS-C in 12- to 18-year-olds.

At Yale, MIS-C cases have been fairly steady, with one to five cases a month, Dr. Murray says. For the most part, children with the condition recover, but it's yet another reason to consider vaccination, Dr. Vazquez says.

"When I approach the topic of vaccination safety, I think it's important to compare risk from the disease with risk of vaccination," she says. "Millions and millions of COVID vaccines have been administered to individuals of all ages around the worldmany with autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other issuesand we have simply not seen severe complications."

Keep perspective when considering vaccination

With Pfizer boosters recently approved for 12- to 15-year-olds, some parents who vaccinated their 5- to 11-year-olds recently might worry that their children aren't protected enough, especially against Omicron.

Dr. Murray says that while it is true that two doses might not necessarily fully protect someone against infection, it does reduce the risk of infection, and offers significant protection from severe disease and hospitalization.

"The vaccines have a very strong safety profile from a risk-benefit analysis. Given how contagious this new variant is, it's important that people who are eligible for vaccination and/or boosters get them," he says.

Dr. Vazquez agrees. "In a worst-case scenario, even if your vaccinated child gets infected, all of the data shows that it will most likely be a mild illness," she says.

And the fact remains that plenty of children are now being hospitalized, Dr. Murray says. "We therefore need to do everything we can to prevent that, and vaccination is our number one weapon," he says. "Another thing to remember is that when we have kids hospitalized with COVID, that takes away from our care of other children in the hospital. Our hospital is prepared and has the ability to handle it, but it has produced a strain on the health care system at large. It affects everybody."

Vaccination can protect our youngest ones from COVID-19

Pfizer and Moderna are both conducting studies of their vaccines in children ages six months to four years, with Pfizer saying it plans to apply for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for this age group in the first half of this year.

In the meantime, the best way to protect those who can't yet be vaccinated is by doing what Dr. Vazquez calls "cocooning."

"This is where we protect our most susceptible individuals who cannot be vaccinated because of an illness, or in this case, because we don't have yet have a vaccine license for this age, by having everyone around themsiblings, mothers, and fathersget vaccinated," she says. "For younger children, we know a lot about social distancing, handwashing, and masking. We also now know that cloth masks are not as protective. If you can get a child to do it, it's a good idea to have them wear two surgical masks."

Dr. Murray agrees that the best way to protect children who are too young for vaccination, as well as to keep high-risk adults safe, is for everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and/or boosted.

"No vaccine is perfect, but the COVID-19 vaccines are very good at preventing hospitalization," he says. "The majority of our hospitalized kids are there because they weren't eligible for the vaccine or they didn't get it."

Explore further Boosters recommended for kids 12 and older
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Long lines in front of liquor and pot outlets, tele-commuting workers worrying about their mental health, young parents trying to cope with home schoolingfor two years now, the news has been full of people struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

But have social isolation, financial difficulties and psychological distress really resulted in an increase in the use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, cannabis, cigarettes and e-cigarettes, as news reports suggest?

In general, no, except among the less-educated and socially isolated, according to a Canadian-led study published in The Lancet Regional HealthAmericas.

In it, Marie-Pierre Sylvestre and Jennifer O'Loughlin, researchers at the CHUM Research Centre affiliated with Universite de Montreal, look at differences in the frequency of use of psychoactive substances by young adults, a group most prone to anxiety and psychological distress.

Until now, no study had collected such data, let alone on the Canadian population.

"In general, weekly and daily substance use was fairly stable in our sample of young Canadian adults," said Sylvestre, the study's first author and a professor in UdeM's Department of Social and Preventive Medicine. "Far from the alarmist rhetoric of some media, our results do not show that alcohol, nicotine or cannabis use increased dramatically during the pandemic."

A cohort of close to 1,300

Sylvestre based her research on the NDIT (The Nicotine Dependence in Teens) cohort set up between 1999 and 2000 by O'Loughlin, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Early Determinants of Chronic Disease from 2004 to 2021.

In total, they looked at 1,294 young Canadians who were recruited in 1999 and 2000 at ages 12 and 13 from 10 Montreal-area high schools. Pre-pandemic data on their use of cannabis, alcohol, cigarettes and e-cigarettes, as well as binge drinking, were collected when the participants were ages 20, 24 and 30. During the pandemic, data were collected from December 2020 to June 2021, when they were 33 years old.

"In our study, we were able to observe that people with lower levels of educationSecondary 5 and underas well as adults living alone, were more likely to start or increase their use of psychoactive substances during COVID-19," Sylvestre said. "We can reasonably assume that these more vulnerable groups may need more targeted attention and interventions to address the effects of the pandemic."

She and O'Loughlin are urging their scientific colleagues to expand the follow-up of their current cohorts to collect data representative of a broader range of age groups and vulnerable subgroups. Among other things, this would allow them to determine whether changes in substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic translate into changes in health-service use and mortality, they said.

Explore further Psychological distress in adolescents and young adults with cancer during the COVID19 pandemic

More information: Marie-Pierre Sylvestre et al, A longitudinal study of change in substance use from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults, The Lancet Regional Health - Americas (2022). Marie-Pierre Sylvestre et al, A longitudinal study of change in substance use from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2021.100168
Dr. Esteban Ballestar at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute. Credit: Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute

In autoimmunity, the mechanisms that guarantee that our defense system does not attack our own bodytolerance to oneselfdoes not work properly. Multiple sclerosis, which affects one in every 1,000 people in Spain, is a serious autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of some types of neurons, causing progressive neurological disability.

Dr. Esteban Ballestar, leader of the Epigenetics and immune diseases group at the Josep Carrreras Leukaemia Research Institute, and Dr. Eva Martinez-Caceres, leader of the Immunopathology group at the IGTP-Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, have recently published in the journal Cell Reports the mechanism by which vitamin D activates the tolerance program of dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells are a type of immune cells present in the blood and tissues, capable of detecting potential threats and displaying them to lymphocytes in the lymph nodes. Once there, they decide whether the system is going to tolerate that threat or attack it.

It is known that when dendritic cells are treated with vitamin D, they develop tolerogenic characteristics, so treatment with tolerant dendritic cells in multiple sclerosis patients could slow the progression of the disease. A growing number of experiments in animal models support this hypothesis and, as a matter of fact, the Neuroimmunology group of the Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol is carrying out an international clinical trial to check it in patients with multiple sclerosis. This trial is part of the European-funded project ReSToRe (www.h2020restore.eu/).

However, the fact that the mechanism underlying the appearance of this tolerance profile was unknown prevented further insight on this therapeutic approach. The article published in Cell Reports, by main authors Dr. Francesc Catala-Moll, Anna Ferrete Bonastre and Gerard Godoy-Tena, concludes that the binding of the vitamin D receptor with the STAT3 protein results in the activation of TET2, a DNA demethylating agenta type of epigenetic markthat, in dendritic cells, promotes the activation of tolerance genes.

Thus, the researchers manage to demonstrate, for the first time, that the relationship between vitamin D and the generation of the tolerance profile of dendritic cells is due to the modification of epigenetic marks by TET2, through the IL-6- JAK-STAT3, very well-known clinical target.

With this new information, a door opens to the use of existing drugs that interfere with the STAT3 pathway and optimize the production of tolerogenic dendritic cells, capable of stopping the progression of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. This would be a new example of a promising cellular therapy, such as the CAR-T developed against cancer.

Explore further Immune study sheds light on vitamin D effects

More information: Francesc Catala-Moll et al, Vitamin D receptor, STAT3, and TET2 cooperate to establish tolerogenesis, Cell Reports (2022). Journal information: Cell Reports Francesc Catala-Moll et al, Vitamin D receptor, STAT3, and TET2 cooperate to establish tolerogenesis,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110244
Chris Bohmer of Eldersburg hands a treat to Brahms, a 21-month old yellow lab she is raising to be a future guide dog for Guiding Eyes for the Blind at the Eldersburg Library Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2021. (Dylan Slagle/Carroll County Times). (Dylan Slagle)

Thank you for the recent photograph by Dylan Slagle (Carroll County puppy trainers guide Labs, shepherds to become capable companions for those in need, Jan. 16). The photo shows local puppy raiser Chris Bohmer and her current pup-in-training, a yellow Labrador retriever named Brahms.

However, in The Suns regional print edition, the caption on a stand-alone photo neglected to identify the name of the outstanding organization that runs the guide dog program overseeing this duos training. The dog belongs to Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, New York. The dog is in Baltimore temporarily because Guiding Eyes has a Baltimore area chapter of local volunteers who do a variety of jobs including puppy raising. After learning house manners as well as beginning skills for guide dog work, these dogs return to the guide school in New York for specialized training. Indeed, there are many guide and service dog organizations doing excellent work, but I believe that you were remiss in not giving Guiding Eyes for the Blind its proper due.

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I have been volunteering approximately 20 years for GEB. I just love their dogs and this organization. Chris Bohmer remains one of our outstanding puppy raisers. Shes raised 12 dogs so far. Shes one of many great people who help GEB. Puppy raising is a volunteer job. As GEB says, it is an act of generosity that will have a profound impact on someones life. It is a considerable commitment, but a very rewarding one. Many of our raisers get involved because it is a project that individuals or families can do while meeting people who also love dogs and want to help others. Learning life lessons, giving to others and learning about dogs are among the reasons people are drawn to raising a potential guide dog puppy.

Inspired by your photo, I hope more people will be interested in getting involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blinds Baltimore chapter. As they say, Raise a puppy, change a life.

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Elizabeth Levy Malis, Cockeysville

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Waiting more than 5 hours in emergency care before admission to hospital is linked to a heightened risk of death from any cause within the next 30 days, reveals a study of more than 5 million patients in England and published online in the Emergency Medicine Journal.

This can be measured and represented as a 'number needed to harm metric', of 1 extra death for every 82 patients delayed after 6-8 hours, conclude the researchers.

The 4-hour waiting time target before hospital discharge, admission, or transfer was introduced in 2004 in England, and shortly afterwards in the other devolved nations of the UK, in a bid to tackle emergency department overcrowding.

Several other countries, including Canada and Australia, followed suit with similar measures. But in recent years, performance against this target has steadily declined amid rising patient demand.

Delays to timely admission from emergency departments have been linked to patient harm, and the researchers wanted to quantify the increased risk of death resulting from these delays.

They drew on Hospital Episode Statistics and Office of National Statistics data for England, covering every patient admitted to hospital from each major (type 1) emergency department in England between April 2016 and March 2018.

They compared recorded deaths from any cause within 30 days of admission with those that would be expected, allowing for a wide range of potentially influential factors.

These included sex, age, deprivation level, concurrent conditions, time of the day and month, previous attendances/emergency admissions, and crowding in the emergency department at the time.

Between April 2016 and March 2018, 26,738,514 people attended an emergency department in England: 5,249,891 of them were admitted to hospital.

In all, 433,962 people died within 30 days during the study period. The overall unadjusted 30-day death rate was just under 9%.

The average age of patients admitted was 55; the number of concurrent conditions rose in tandem with increasing age. Nearly twice as many patients came from areas of greatest deprivation as came from areas of least deprivation.

The most frequent time of arrival was between 12:00 and 17:59 hours, with the first 3 months of the year accounting for the biggest proportion of patients. The average wait in the emergency department was just under 5 hours; the breach rate of the 4-hour waiting time target averaged around 38%.

A statistically significant linear increase in the death rate emerged for waits longer than 5 hours in the emergency department.

After accounting for potentially influential risk factors, the death rate was 8% higher than expected among those patients waiting between 6-8 hours before admission to hospital, and 10% higher than expected for those waiting 8-12 hours, compared with patients moving on within 6 hours.

This can be measured and represented as a 'number needed to harm metric', of 1 extra death for every 82 patients delayed for 6-8 hours, say the researchers.

"The results from this study show that there is a 'dose-dependent' association between time in excess of 5 hours in the [emergency department] for admitted patients and their all-cause 30-day mortality," they write.

"Moreover, 30-day mortality is a relatively crude metric that does not account for either increases in patient morbidity or for the inevitably worse patient experiences," they add.

This is an observational study, and as such, can't establish cause and effect. But, say the researchers: "Despite limited supporting evidence, there are a number of clinically plausible reasons to accept that there is a temporal association between delayed admission to a hospital inpatient bed and poorer patient outcomes."

Long stays in the emergency department are associated with exit block and crowding, which can delay access to vital treatments. And they are associated with an increase in subsequent hospital length of stay, especially for older patients, note the researchers.

This, in turn, increases the risk of hospital-acquired infection and physiological and psychological deconditioning, they say.

Exit block is usually also related to bed occupancy levels, which are highest in the late afternoon and usually lower around midnight. A disproportionate number of delayed patients are therefore likely to be moved to a ward during the night when staffing levels are lowest, they add.

And they conclude: "This study confirms that healthcare policy makers should continue to mandate timely admission from the [emergency department] in order to protect patients from hospital-associated harm."

In a linked editorial, Derek Prentice, lay member for the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, insists: "Let nobody be in doubt any longer, the NHS 4-hour operational target is, as many of us have always known, of key importance to patient safety."

With sufficient funding for NHS beds and staff and social care provision, and prioritization from NHS leaders, hospitals should be able to meet this target, he says. But these have been in short supply in recent years, he suggests.

"Could there be better measures? Possibly, but until there are, and crucially, ones that have the support and trust of patients, the 4-hour target or one very close to this, must remain the gold standard. Those in doubt need look no further than the evidence provided by this excellent paper," he asserts.

More information: Association between delays to patient admission from the emergency department and all-cause 30- day mortality, Emergency Medicine Journal (2022). Association between delays to patient admission from the emergency department and all-cause 30- day mortality,(2022). emj.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/emermed-2021-211572 Commentary: emj.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/emermed-2021-212106 Journal information: Emergency Medicine Journal
Novel mechanism of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma development through transdifferentiation of hepatocytes through dysregulation of TRAF3/NIK signaling. Credit: Osaka University

In a recent article published in Hepatology, a group led by researchers at Osaka University investigated the molecular mechanisms that drive development of Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC)a cancer which develops in bile ducts in the liver and has a poor prognosis and high mortality rateand identified specific genes that could serve as therapeutic targets for novel ICC treatment.

ICC is usually diagnosed in the late stage because there is no screening program for this cancer nor any noticeable risk factors associated with it. Because the ICC incidence is nearly ten times higher than it was 30 years ago, there is an urgent need to uncover specific abnormalities in this cancer that may be utilized as targets for therapeutic drugs. In cancer biology, these targets are often genes/proteins that give the tumor its ability to grow out of control. The Osaka University group therefore aimed to identify candidate cancer genes (CCGs) linked to the development and progression of ICC tumors.

"In a previous study, our group used a technique called insertional mutagenesis in various cancer types to randomly introduce mutagenic transposons into different locations within the genome of lab mice," says lead author of the study Yuto Shiode. "This helped us determine if disrupting a certain gene or other portion of DNA could lead to the development of cancer."

Using this technique, the researchers focused on ICC that arose in these mice with deletion of PTEN, a known tumor suppressor of ICC. Sequencing of the nearly 400,000 unique genomic locations which were disrupted indicated that a gene called TRAF3 was pivotal in ICC development. The researchers then generated a strain of lab mice that had both TRAF3 and PTEN knocked out in their liver cells.

Specific deletion of PTEN and TRAF3 genes in hepatocytes, but not in cholangiocytes, results in cholangiocyte overgrowth and development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Credit: Yuto Shiode et al

"The double knockout mice showed an overgrowth of a cell type called cholangiocytes, which are cells in the bile duct, and developed ICC," explains senior author Takahiro Kodama. "Unexpectedly, deleting these two genes directly in cholangiocytes did not result in tumor formation, but deleting them in hepatocytesanother type of liver celldid."

Further investigation demonstrated that the cancer was derived from hepatocytes in which loss of TRAF3 and PTEN increased expression of a protein named NF-kB inducing kinase (NIK) causing them to transdifferentiate into cholangiocytes. Importantly, experimentally inhibiting NIK activity lessened cholangiocyte overgrowth.

Treatment with an NIK inhibitor significantly reduces the (A) cell proliferation of an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) cell line and (B) tumor growth of ICC xenografts. Credit: Yuto Shiode et al.

"We inhibited NIK through several different methods, all of which suppressed growth of human ICC cells in culture and ICC tumors in a mouse model," describes Shiode.

These intriguing findings helped determine that inactivation of TRAF3 in hepatocytes results in upregulation of NIK, leading to transdifferentiation of hepatocytes into proliferative cholangiocytes and the development of ICC. These data also provide strong evidence that blocking NIK activity may have clinical relevance and be the therapeutic intervention method that those suffering from ICC have needed for so long.

Explore further Scientists have found a new mechanism for the liver cell regeneration

More information: Yuto Shiode et al, Traf3 inactivation promotes the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma via NIKmediated hepatocyte transdifferentiation, Hepatology (2022). Journal information: Hepatology Yuto Shiode et al, Traf3 inactivation promotes the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma via NIKmediated hepatocyte transdifferentiation,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/hep.32317
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A new study by University of Liverpool researchers finds that mice infected with Omicron lose less weight, have lower viral loads and experience less severe pneumonia than those infected with other COVID variants.

The Liverpool team's findings, published in the preprint server bioRxiv, are part of a growing body of evidence suggesting that the Omicron is more likely to infect the throat than the lungs, which could explain why it appears to be more infectious but less deadly than other versions of the virus.

Omicron is highly transmissible and partially or fully evades a spectrum of neutralizing antibodies due to a high number of substitutions in the spike glycoprotein.

A major question is the relative severity of disease caused by the Omicron variant compared with previous and currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.

To address this, a mouse model was used to assess and compare the relative severity of infection comparing an ancestral isolate with the Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2.

In contrast to mice infected with ancestral and Delta variant viruses, those infected with the Omicron variant had less severe clinical signs (weight loss), showed recovery and had a lower virus load in both the lower and upper respiratory tract. This was also reflected by less extensive inflammatory processes in the lungs.

Professor James Stewart from the University's Molecular Virology Research Group, who led the study, said: "These animal model data suggest the clinical consequences of infection with the Omicron variant may be less severe which ties in with emerging clinical data. However, the higher transmissibility of Omicron could still place huge burden upon healthcare systems even if a lower proportion of infected patients are hospitalized."

More information: Eleanor G. Bentley et al, SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529 Variant leads to less severe disease than Pango B and Delta variants strains in a mouse model of severe COVID-19, (2021). Eleanor G. Bentley et al, SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529 Variant leads to less severe disease than Pango B and Delta variants strains in a mouse model of severe COVID-19,(2021). DOI: 10.1101/2021.12.26.474085
France reported 464,769 cases within 24 hours on Tuesday, a record number.

The World Health Organization has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, as France, Germany and Brazil posted new records of infections in the past 24 hours.

The highly transmissible Omicron strain has spread unabated around the world, pushing some governments to impose fresh measures while speeding up the rollout of vaccine booster shots.

"This pandemic is nowhere near over," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Tuesday from the agency's headquarters in Geneva.

Europe is at the epicentre of alarming new outbreaks, with Germany's cases soaring past 100,000 and France reporting nearly half a million cases on Tuesday.

The UN health chief warned against dismissing Omicron as mild, as the dominant COVID strain continues to flare new outbreaks from Latin America to East Asia after it was first detected in southern Africa in November.

"Omicron may be less severe, on average, but the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading," he said.

European surge

Five millions cases were reported in Europe last week and the WHO has predicted Omicron could infect half of all Europeans by March, filling hospitals across the continent.

Germany on Tuesday recorded 112,323 coronavirus cases and 239 deaths, officials said, with Omicron found in more than 70 percent of the infections.

Germany's cases have soared past 100,000, a new record for the country.

The surge has pushed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to seek compulsory vaccinations to ramp up the immunity of the population in Europe's biggest economy.

Other European countries are also battling soaring Omicron rates, with neighbouring France recently averaging around 300,000 cases daily.

The latest data issued by Public Health France showed that there were 464,769 new cases in the last 24-hour period, a record number.

The record cases come days after the two-year anniversary of the announcement of the first person dying of a virus in China only later identified as COVID.

Since January 11, 2020, known fatalities in the pandemic have soared to more than 5.5 million.

Hopes for Europe's tourism recovery remain bleak with the World Tourism Organization saying Tuesday that foreign arrivals will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 at the earliest, despite a rise of 19 percent last year compared to 2020.

'Quasi-emergency'

Elsewhere in the world, Brazil registered a new record number of daily cases of more than 137,000 on Tuesday.

Graphic highlighting twenty countries with the largest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the past week.

The country suffered a devastating second wave last year with deaths topping 4,000 a day, pushing its death toll to the second highest in the world behind the United States.

President Jair Bolsonaro, an avowed vaccine sceptic who has downplayed Omicron, is increasingly under fire for his handling of the pandemic, and he is on course to lose the country's October presidential election, according to polls.

In Asia, Japan was set to tighten restrictions across the country, including Tokyo, as it battles record infections fuelled by Omicron while China partially relaxed transport restrictions in the megacity of Xi'an where millions have been confined to their homes for weeks.

Japanese experts on Wednesday backed placing 13 regions "under quasi-emergency measures from January 21 to February 13" Daishiro Yamagiwa, minister in charge of coronavirus affairs, told reporters.

China's resumption of some inter-city train routes in Xi'an from Tuesday comes just before the Lunar New Year holiday later this month, traditionally a period of mass travel.

It also comes as Beijing battles multiple clusters that are testing its enforcement of a strict "zero-COVID" approach ahead of next month's Winter Olympics.

Hamsters and big cats

Focus is increasingly turning to animals and how the virus interacts with them, after at least two countries reported COVID-19 cases in creatures big and small potentially passed between them and humans.

Hong Kong's government is facing outrage over its decision to cull 2,000 small animals in pet shops.

A study published Tuesday in South Africa said big cats caged in zoos are at risk from catching COVID from their keepers.

Researchers found clues pointing to the infection of three lions and two pumas by their handlers at a zoo in Johannesburg, some of whom were asymptomatic.

In Hong Kong, hamsters were bearing the brunt of the semi-autonomous Chinese city's similarly strict approach to COVID, with officials appearing to blame them for two human cases.

The financial hub's government faced growing outrage Wednesday over its decision to cull 2,000 small animals in pet shops after several hamsters in a store allegedly tested positive for COVID-19.

"Internationally, there is no evidence yet to show pets can transmit the coronavirus to humans," Health Secretary Sophia Chan told a press conference.

"But... we will take precautionary measures against any vector of transmission."

 2022 AFP
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Telemedicine appears to be a key to reducing racial inequities in follow-up care after hospitalization, according to numbers collected amid the pandemic by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. As 2020 progressed and telemedicine became one of the main modes for primary care visits, attendance or "show" rates at follow-up appointments after hospitalization climbed among Black patients from 52 to 70 percent. This was comparable to white patients, whose visit completion rates at primary care follow-up appointments were 67 percent by the middle of 2020. The research was published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

"While there remain important open questions about the relative quality of different kinds of telemedicine appointments, our findings show reduced time to follow-up and improved appointment show rates, which is certainly encouraging," said the study's lead author, Eric Bressman, MD, a fellow in the National Clinician Scholars Program and an internist at Penn. "But the sharp narrowing of racial disparities in visit completion rates was a surprise, in part because there is so much mixed information on telemedicine's impact on disparities in access to care."

The sudden onset of COVID-19 resulted in a telemedicine boom as health care offices sought to slow the virus by limiting in-person visits. Amid this, Bressman and his fellow researchersincluding the study's senior author, Srinath Adusumalli, MD, an assistant professor of Clinical Medicine in Cardiology and assistant chief medical information officer of Connected Health Strategy and Applications looked at whether telemedicine improved access in the critical recovery period following a hospitalization.

Data from five Penn Medicine hospitals on post-hospitalization primary care follow-up appointments from 2019 through 2021 was pulled for the study.

Overall, post-discharge primary care visit completion rates climbed from 62 to 72 percent from January to June 2020. They remained significantly high for the rest of the year. But the greatest boost appeared to come from Black patients increasing their visit completion rate from 52 to 70 percent. For white patients, by contrast, there was little change, from 68 percent in January 2020 to 67 percent in June 2020.

The boost the researchers documented effectively eliminated the historical racial gap in show rates to follow-up appointments. Bressman expressed that more research would be needed to show exactly why the gains occurred, but he has some potential ideas.

"We do have data from here in Philadelphia that there are racial inequities in geographic access to primary care providers," Bressman said. "That is one factor among many that may influence whether a patient is able make it to a scheduled appointment. It is also one of the ways in which telemedicine might level the playing field in terms of accessing primary care services."

Regardless of race, some overall benefits were seen after June 2020. The time between discharge and the first primary care appointment follow-up fell by a day-and-a-half when the appointment was held via telemedicine. Completion rates of the follow-up appointments were 22 percent higher via telemedicine, and the rate of follow-up within a week of hospitalization was 8 percent higher, too.

Bressman and his fellow researchers believe that such stark findings warrant further exploration and availability of telemedicine. While it came about amid a crisis, incorporating it into regular, day-to-day operations appears to have significant value.

"While there are evolving issues around quality, payment, and regulatory policy, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that telemedicine was and can continue to be a vital access point for many people," Bressman said. "If it can promote access and even ameliorate disparities, then it is worth continuing to invest in."

Explore further Disparities in older adults' access to primary care during the pandemic

More information: Eric Bressman et al, Association of Telemedicine with Primary Care Appointment Access After Hospital Discharge, Journal of General Internal Medicine (2022). Journal information: Journal of General Internal Medicine Eric Bressman et al, Association of Telemedicine with Primary Care Appointment Access After Hospital Discharge,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07321-3
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Remdesivir, an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, increased the likelihood of clinical improvement in COVID-19 patients on low-flow oxygen or no oxygen, according to a new study authored by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, HCA Healthcare, and Genospace.

The study appears in the Dec. 15, 2021, issue of the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The researchers analyzed data from over 43,000 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and treated by HCA Healthcare. Patients who received remdesivir were matched to the most similar patients in a control group whose members were eligible for but did not receive remdesivir treatment. Overall, 74% of remdesivir-receiving patients saw improvement within 28 days (with a median time of seven days) versus 68.3% of control patients (with a median time of nine days).

In particular, remdesivir patients receiving low-flow oxygen treatment or no treatment with oxygen saw significantly greater clinical improvement than their control patient counterparts. Treatment with remdesivir also significantly reduced mortality in patients on low-flow oxygen, even when accounting for the effects of anti-inflammatory medications, such as dexamethasone. Of these patients on low-flow oxygen, the 28-day mortality rate of remdesivir recipients was 4.1% lower than that of the control patients.

"Our findings support the routine use of remdesivir in patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19," says study lead author Brian Garibaldi, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "We observed that remdesivir is best used as early as possible, before the patient progresses to requiring high levels of oxygen or intubation and mechanical ventilation. Most patients who need that kind of advanced respiratory support are likely past the point where antiviral therapies like remdesivir would be effective."

There have been several previous studies on remdesivir's effectiveness in treating COVID-19 infection, and the results have often conflicted. However, the authors of this study have great confidence in their conclusions due to the diversity of the patients evaluated and the fact that this is one of the largest retrospective studies of remdesivir to date.

"This is an important, real-world study that shows remdesivir does work in many cases," says Garibaldi. "Our findings are particularly important as we battle a surge of delta and omicron cases. By using remdesivir to shorten the length of the illness, we can free up hospital beds for COVID and non-COVID patients, and alleviate capacity issues across the country."

Explore further Three days of remdesivir cuts risk for severe COVID-19 in outpatients

More information: Brian T Garibaldi et al, Real-World Effectiveness Of Remdesivir In Adults Hospitalized With Covid-19: A Retrospective, Multicenter Comparative Effectiveness Study, Clinical Infectious Diseases (2021). Journal information: Clinical Infectious Diseases Brian T Garibaldi et al, Real-World Effectiveness Of Remdesivir In Adults Hospitalized With Covid-19: A Retrospective, Multicenter Comparative Effectiveness Study,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab1035
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The Red Cross is managing the worst blood shortage in more than a decade. There are a variety of reasons, but the question remains: what can be done to get more people to give? Bernard Appiah, assistant professor of public health in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, has studied possible solutions, including the use of social media, to increase blood donations.

How have other countries managed at a time like this? Are these shortages worldwide?

The Red Cross' declaration of a U.S. blood crisis for the first time because of last year's 34% decline in new blood donors is not surprising. There is no doubt that COVID-19 is negatively impacting blood supply worldwide.

For example, of 35 African countries whose national blood donation data for 2019 and 2020 data have been analyzed, 17 countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, had a COVID-19-induced donation decrease of at least 20%, with Zimbabwe and Kenya having decreases of 35.1% and 44.2%, respectively.

The decrease could partly be attributed to people fearing contracting COVID-19 during blood donation, and some lockdown measures, such as closure of schools resulting from the pandemic, which limited the number of blood drives.

Are there effective, proven solutions? You mention the use of social media in outreach.

The decrease in blood donations has led to some countries implementing some donor recruitment strategies. For example, the National Blood Service Ghana created communication interventions to allay fears about contracting COVID-19 during blood donation among the public, and to educate them about the continuing need for blood donation, with messages from key personalities such as Ghana's first lady and female traditional leaders calling on people to donate blood to save lives.

In Pakistan, a social media campaign via WhatsApp led to 56% of people donating blood as a result of WhatsApp messages they received from a blood bank.

In Brazil, a regional blood reference center implemented several strategies, including intensified social media and mass media campaigns, and increased blood collection from army units, and found them to be successful in addressing the shortfall.

Could this translate to the United States (success in social media outreach) as well?

Thus far, the recruitment strategies being implemented globally have been helping to address crises in blood supply but more studies are needed to test the effectiveness of the strategies. Also, socio-cultural factors could impact the success of such interventions, and thus countries would need to be creative in using aspects of the culture to entice people new and current blood donors to donate blood donation more.

Given the widespread use of social media in the United States, blood banks could implement innovative social media campaigns to attract the youth to donate blood. The strategies may need to be different for existing blood donors, and those who have not donated blood before. We need more new blood donors given that existing blood donors already know the importance of blood donation.

What are the consequences if we continue down this path of critically low blood supplies?

If the U.S. blood crisis is not urgently addressed, it would be a huge problem for people who may urgently need blood for transfusion, including people with sickle cell disease anemia, which traditionally affects Blacks.

Blood supply organizations would need to be much more creative in designing culturally appropriate interventions, particularly those that focus on social media and mass media, to help recruit new blood donors and retain existing blood donors to help increase blood supply.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

New research suggests manufacturers of newly developed antidepressant drugs have become more forthcoming about clinical trials that don't pan out.

A new review and meta-analysis, published today in the journal PLOS Medicine, indicates that drug companies conducting clinical trials on new antidepressants have increased disclosure of clinical trials with negative outcomes, that is, trials that fail to show the drug is more effective than a placebo.

"Positive trials have always been reliably published, but negative trials, while common, have long been swept under the rug," said lead author Erick Turner, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry in the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine.

This was shown compellingly in a landmark 2008 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The new studyan update of the 2008 study conducted by researchers from OHSU and around the worldshows a trend toward reporting negative trials more transparently.

The research shows things have changed since 2008, said co-author Andrea Cipriani, M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at the University of Oxford.

"Nowadays there is greater awareness of reporting bias in the scientific literaturenot only in psychiatry but across all medicineand there has been a cultural change: What was once standard practice is no longer considered acceptable," Cipriani said. "Numerous policy changes have been implemented, which have played a major role in bringing about the increase in transparency.

"However, we do not have full transparency yet. Researchers, patients and clinicians should not naively accept published research findings at face value."

The study identified 30 clinical trials on four antidepressants approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration between 2008 and 2013. According to FDA records, half of these trials (15) were negative. Among these, eight were either unpublished or misrepresented in the scientific literature as positive. The remaining seven47% of the negative trialswere transparently reported as negative. While far from 100%, this is an improvement over the 11% figure for older antidepressants, as found in the 2008 study.

Recognizing that not all drug trial outcomes are simply positive or negative, the researchers also used meta-analysis to assess the relative effectiveness of drugs over placebo and found that newer drugs were more accurately reported than older drugs in the scientific literature.

The study focused on antidepressants, but Turner noted the findings could apply more broadly to other drug classes and that other recent studies have suggested a trend toward increased transparency as well.

While the new findings are encouraging, they still hint at a fundamental shortcoming in medicine: A reliance of studies selectively reported in scientific literature, as opposed to the unvarnished results of clinical trials reported to the FDA.

"Doctors prescribe based upon what the drug companies choose to publish, which can be a cherry-picked version of the full story," Turner said. "By hiding negative trial results and selectively publishing only positive results, drugs will look more effective than they actually are. Doctors need to be made aware of all trial resultspositive and negativeso they can be fully informed when they prescribe drugs for their patients.

"Fortunately, we are seeing progress," he said. "Negative studies, once a dirty little secret, are now being acknowledged more often. The dark era of opacity appears to be in the rear-view mirror, but much work lies ahead if we are going to see full transparency."

Explore further Publication bias and 'spin' raise questions about drugs for anxiety disorders

More information: Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy: Updated comparisons and meta-analyses of newer versus older trials, PLOS Medicine (2022). Journal information: PLoS Medicine Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy: Updated comparisons and meta-analyses of newer versus older trials,(2022). journals.plos.org/plosmedicine  journal.pmed.1003886
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson greets staff, during a visit to Finchley Memorial Hospital, in North London, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Credit: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

Face masks will no longer be mandatory in public places and COVID-19 passports will be dropped for large events as infections level off in most parts of the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday.

Johnson told lawmakers that the restrictions were being eased because government scientists think it is likely that the surge of infections prompted by the highly contagious omicron variant "has now peaked nationally."

While hospitals in northern England still are getting pressed by high caseloads and infections were still rising in schools, Johnson said hospital admissions and patients in intensive care units elsewhere in England were stabilizing or falling.

The government is no longer advising people to work from home, and compulsory face masks will be scrapped in secondary school classrooms starting Thursday.

Mandatory COVID-19 passes will not be needed to gain entry to large-scale events beginning Jan. 27. Face masks will no longer be legally required anywhere in England as of that day.

"We will trust the judgment of the British people and no longer criminalize anyone who chooses not to wear one," Johnson said.

The restrictions were introduced in December to slow the rapid spread of the omicron variant and buy time for the population to get their booster vaccine shot.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, gestures, during a visit to Finchley Memorial Hospital, in North London, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Credit: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

Johnson said Wednesday that more than 90% of those over age 60 in the U.K. have had booster shots.

Official figures showed that COVID-19 infections have dropped in most parts of the U.K. for the first time since early December. The government reported 108,069 new cases on Wednesday, about half the daily number recorded over the holidays.

The requirement for those infected to self-isolate for five full days remains, but Johnson said that measure will also end in the coming weeks. He said while the self-isolation rule expires on March 24, he will seek to scrap it earlier if the virus data continues to improve.

Johnson and Health Secretary Sajid Javid both suggested that the government is planning for a post-pandemic period when it can treat COVID-19 more like the flu.

"There will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether, just as we don't place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu," Johnson said.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures, during a visit to Finchley Memorial Hospital, in North London, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Credit: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, gestures during a visit to Finchley Memorial Hospital, in North London, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Credit: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures, during a visit to Finchley Memorial Hospital, in North London, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Credit: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a visit to Finchley Memorial Hospital, in North London, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Credit: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, gestures, during a visit to Finchley Memorial Hospital, in North London, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Credit: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a visit to Finchley Memorial Hospital, in North London, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Credit: Ian Vogler, Pool Photo via AP

Nonetheless, Johnson urged people to remain cautious in the last weeks of winter and stressed that the pandemic was "not over."

The news was welcomed by businesses, especially those relying on workers re-populating city centers, as well as hospitality and tourism. But some said officials need to give more details about their plans to cope with the coronavirus in the longer term. Johnson's spokesman said the government would publish such a plan "shortly."

"There's a vital need now for greater consistency in how we live with the virus in the longer term. Swinging back and forth between restrictions and normality has been damaging," said Matthew Fell, chief policy director of the Confederation of British Industry.

Scotland and Wales, which set their own public health rules, have also announced similar easing of restrictions.

Britain has the second-worst pandemic death toll in Europe after Russia, with over 153,000 confirmed virus-related deaths.

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
(HealthDay)The 2021 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria for lung cancer screening increase eligibility compared with earlier screening criteria, with reduced racial disparity, according to a study published online Jan. 13 in JAMA Oncology.

Chan Yeu Pu, M.D., from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, and colleagues enrolled 912 patients with lung cancer and 1,457 controls to assess whether participants would have qualified for lung cancer screening using the 2013 USPSTF, 2021 USPSTF, and 2012 modification of the model from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCOm2012) screening criteria.

The researchers found that of the patients with lung cancer, 65, 68, and 49 percent were eligible for screening with the 2021 USPSTF criteria, the PLCOm2012 criteria, and the 2013 USPSTF criteria, respectively. Significantly more White than African American patients with lung cancer would be eligible for screening with use of the 2013 USPSTF criteria (52 versus 42 percent). With use of the 2021 USPSTF criteria and the PLCOm2012 criteria, this racial disparity was absent. Overall, 65, 58, and 49 percent of control participants were excluded using the 2013 USPSTF criteria, the PLCOm2012 criteria, and the 2021 USPSTF criteria, respectively. Fewer White than African American control participants were excluded with the 2013 USPSTF criteria (61 versus 70 percent); this racial disparity was not seen with the 2021 USPSTF criteria and PLCOm2012 guidelines.

"Overall, this study provides us with actionable information, affirming that adjustments to lung cancer screening criteria have the potential to mitigate disparity in screening and perhaps lung cancer outcomes," write the authors of an accompanying editorial.

One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

Explore further 2021 USPSTF guidance expands eligibility for lung cancer screening

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
At the anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection, it is time we recognized the true heroes of the Republican Party. They are not the dopey louts who rampaged through our nations capital and the moral cowards who still cover for them. They are not the ranting demagogues exploiting the emotions of the resentful. They were the unsung people not seeking attention, but doing their jobs: from poll workers to police officers (One year later, wounds of the Jan. 6 insurrection have not healed, Jan. 5).

They were Republican state legislators and governors who did not bend to pressure to overturn the elections in their state. They were Republican judges who did not allow mere allegations unsupported by credible evidence to deny votes that happened. They were a vice president who stayed loyal to the Constitution and the rule of law above any man. They were Republican members of Congress who did not fear to try and hold their own president accountable and dared to stand on their conscience instead of follow the majority in their party. They did not win. But they showed more bravery than the majority in their party who did.

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It is Republicans like those who could save the soul of the party from being lost to a band of fascists, if they find the nerve to do so. My father was a lifelong Republican who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the sacrifices that generation made to defeat fascism, Im glad he was not alive to see his party dishonored by Americas Benito Mussolini.

James Tweed, Ocean City, New Jersey

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The Supreme Court is shown, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Washington. Lawmakers in West Virginia have introduced a bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks, a proposal nearly identical to the Mississippi law currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File

West Virginia lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban abortion after 15 weeksa proposal nearly identical to the Mississippi law currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

As the nation waits for the court to make a decision later this year in the abortion case that could overturn its landmark Roe v. Wade decision, at least two statesWest Virginia and Floridahave introduced bills mirroring Mississippi's.

Both the Florida and West Virginia bills would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks except in a medical emergency or in the case of a severe fetal abnormality. Neither would provide exceptions for victims of rape or incest.

Republican Del. Ruth Rowan, lead sponsor of the West Virginia bill, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that West Virginia has an obligation to protect the unborn as "a Christian state where people care about their families and their children."

Rowan carries two wallet-sized photos around with her in the Capitol: One is of her 17-year-old grandson, a junior at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind; the other shows him in a hospital incubator when he was born earlyat 28 weeks.

When Rowan's daughter was pregnant, she said, doctors told her daughter the pregnancy would be risky and gave her some options. Among them, they said, she could end her pregnancy. Rowan said the choice was clear. Years later, the family is grateful she decided to keep him.

"He's our miracle. He's why I'm so committed to what I'm doing right now," Rowan said, speaking through tears during an interview on the House floor. "Life is precious, and we need to respect that."

Rowan said adoption is always an option for women who don't want to be parents, saying "God has a reason for all of our children."

Like Mississippi, there is only one facility in West Virginia's state capital that performs abortions. That's down from 2014, when there were five abortion-providing facilities in West Virginia, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Katie Quinonez, executive director of Women's Health Center of West Virginiathe state's sole facility currently performing abortionssaid the legislation would make abortion harder to access in a state where such access is already severely limited.

Current law in West Virginia prohibits abortions after 20 weeks and requires women to undergo state-directed counseling and wait 24 hours before the procedure is provided. Parents must be notified before a minor receives an abortion.

As it is, women have difficulty making the trek to Charleston to have an abortion before 20 weeks because West Virginia is a rural state without access to robust public transportation, according to Quinonez. Further restrictions would mean hundreds of people would have to travel out of state for abortion care, she said.

"Abortion bans, by default, are racist, are sexist, are rooted in white supremacy, particularly the exploitation of Black women and controlling women's bodies and decisions," she said.

Quinonez said abortions restrictions fall hardest on people who "are already marginalized by our healthcare systems." She cited people of color, young persons, low-income earners and people who live in rural areas.

"Our legislators should be working to expand access to healthcare for those marginalized folks, not take their healthcare away," she said.

Quinonez said she had two abortions in West Virginiaone when she was in high school at age 17 and the other at age 22.

During her first pregnancy, she was dating an older man who was emotionally abusive. She wasn't able to get her abortion until after 15 weeks. She said she had to try to save money from her part-time pizzeria job to pay for the procedure.

"That's why this 15-week ban is particularly upsetting because I just remember myself as a teenager and how daunting that would have been to have been told, 'Well, you have to travel somewhere out of state to get the care that you need,' " she said. "I knew that I did not want to be a parent."

West Virginia's abortion bill has cleared the House health committee and will go to the judiciary committee. If it passes the judiciary, it will go to the full House.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, at least 26 states are expected to have abortion restrictions quickly go into effect or pass new ones, said Kristin Ford, the vice-president of communications and research for NARAL Pro-Choice America.

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Factor XaPAR2 signaling promotes atherogenesis by accelerating inflammasome activities through the suppression of macrophage autophagy. Credit: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, TMDU

New research by a team led by researchers from the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU); and the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Tokyo Kyosai Hospital has opened up interesting pathway towards the attenuation of atherosclerosis, potentially giving a brighter future to many millions of sufferers of this often fatal disease.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease and is one of the major causes of death worldwide. The current situation as regards treatment for this disease is mainly based on drug therapy, however, the maximum efficacy of these therapies for inhibiting the progression of the disease remains at only 30%40%.

For some time now there has been increasing evidence that a direct oral factor Xa inhibitor plays a large role in the attenuation of atherosclerosis by the suppression of protease-activated receptor 2, which we shall call PAR2. The problem to this point however, has been in coming to an understanding of the precise mechanism by which the promotion of this atherogenesis occurs.

New research by the team now shows that the administration of Rivaroxaban (RIV) in a sufficient dosage can enable the suppression of activity by the factor Xa, and effectively attenuates the atherosclerotic areas in mice. RIV is widely used as a potent anticoagulant agent for preventing cerebral embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation and pulmonary thromboembolism. Studies have demonstrated that it can be greatly effective in reducing the risk of death from coronary artery diseases and that it can also play a significant role in suppressing the progression of atherosclerosis.

In the present study, the focus was on exploring the detailed mechanism whereby RIV attenuates atherosclerosis progression and thus aids in the stability of advanced atherosclerotic lesions in mice.

Several previous preclinical studies had clearly demonstrated that RIV alleviated the progression of atherosclerotic lesions and promoted plaque stability in mice, however, details with regard to the mechanism by which RIV negatively regulates the progression of atherosclerotic lesions and plaque instability still remain unknown.

Observations made in these previous studies led the team to hypothesize that factor Xa-mediated PAR2 activation and thus played a critical role in the progression of atherosclerosis, partially through the downregulation of the autophagy machinery. The new research shows clearly that RIV actually attenuates atherogenesis by inhibiting the factor XaPAR2-mediated suppression of macrophage autophagy, and thus abrogates inflammasome activity.

The Xa Factor: Pushing Back on Atherosclerosis. Credit: Associate Professor Yasuhiro Maejima, TMDU

Though previous studies supported the anti-atherosclerotic effects of RIV, there were a lot of divergence in results. It was therefore postulated that the possibly small dosage of RIV administered was not sufficient. To solve this problem, the optimal dosage of RIV to effectively suppress Factor Xa activities in mice was determined.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved RIV for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with chronic coronary or peripheral artery diseases. However, it is important to determine the mechanism by which RIV suppresses atherosclerosis to establish RIV as a novel anti-atherosclerotic drug worldwide. Current findings may provide strong evidence for the clinical use of RIV through a better understanding of how it actually works. This increased clarity may help us turn the corner in treating one of the worlds most notorious diseases and alleviating the danger it presents to patients throughout the world.

The research was published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science.

Explore further New discovery on how omega-3 fatty acids can reduce atherosclerosis

More information: Yusuke Ito et al, Rivaroxaban, a Direct Oral Factor Xa Inhibitor, Attenuates Atherosclerosis by Alleviating Factor XaPAR2-Mediated Autophagy Suppression, JACC: Basic to Translational Science (2021). Yusuke Ito et al, Rivaroxaban, a Direct Oral Factor Xa Inhibitor, Attenuates Atherosclerosis by Alleviating Factor XaPAR2-Mediated Autophagy Suppression,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2021.09.010

Provided by Tokyo Medical and Dental University
ZAMBOANGA CITY  Eight villages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu are now free from the influence of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf...
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Did you watch your waistline expand during lockdown? You're not alone.

Nearly half of U.S. adults piled on excess pounds during the first year of the pandemic, making a national obesity crisis even worse, a new study shows.

"Obesity was an epidemic before the pandemic, and little was known on body weight changes in the past year for adult Americans," said lead researcher Jagdish Khubchandani, a public health professor at New Mexico State University. "We wanted to estimate weight changes in the U.S. population and its determinants after the first year of the pandemic."

To do that, Khubchandani and his colleagues surveyed more than 3,400 adults and found that 48% said they gained weight during the first 12 months of the pandemic  March 2020 to April 2021.

Those who reported weight gain were more likely to be male, white or Hispanic, married, aged 45 or older, have a full-time job, have less than a college education, and to live in southern and western states or rural areas.

The researchers also found that people were more likely to have gained weight if they were overweight before the pandemic (just over two times more likely), had children at home (1.39 times), had depression or anxiety (1.25 times), or checked body weight within the last six months (1.32 times).

The study was published in the January issue of the journal Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews.

The finding that weight gain was more likely among certain groups already vulnerable to poorer health outcomes is concerning, Khubchandani said.

The pandemic may widen existing health disparities and increase the chronic disease burden for some groups, he explained.

"It's a perfect health storm," Khubchandani said in a university news release. "The U.S. consists of an adult population where the majority suffer from a chronic disease, are either overweight or obese, do not meet the physical activity guidelines, or have unhealthy eating patterns with lower consumption of fruits and vegetables."

A previous New Mexico State University study found that the pandemic fueled stress-related unhealthy eating habits in Americans.

"Our study relates to a lot of national trends indicating high stress in some groups such as parents, essential workers, and those with limited incomes and lower education," Khubchandani said. "Even before the pandemic, stress was a major determinant of unhealthy lifestyles in adult Americans, and the problem continues to worsen for certain groups."

More information

The American Psychological Association has more on the COVID-19 pandemic and weight gain.

SOURCE: New Mexico State University, news release, Jan. 14, 2022

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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- No magic bullet exists for ending the U.S. opioid crisis, but there's hopeful news for one high-risk population: Providing addiction medication in jails reduces the odds of addicts being re-arrested after their release, new research shows.

"Studies like this provide much-needed evidence and momentum for jails and prisons to better enable the treatment, education and support systems that individuals with an opioid use disorder need to help them recover and prevent reincarceration," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

"Not offering treatment to people with opioid use disorder in jails and prisons can have devastating consequences, including a return to use and heightened risk of overdose and death after release," she noted in an institute news release.

People with opioid addiction are hooked on illicit drugs like heroin, powerful painkillers such as oxycodone (OxyContin) or synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

The study included 469 adults jailed in two rural Massachusetts jails, one in Franklin County (197 prisoners) and the other in Hampshire County (272 prisoners). Most were male, white and aged 34 to 35. All had opioid addiction, which is an epidemic in the United States, and left the jails between Jan. 1, 2015 and April 30, 2019.

During that time, the Franklin County jail began offering the opioid addiction medication buprenorphine to prisoners, while the Hampshire County facility did not.

An analysis of the jails' electronic booking systems showed that less than half of the participants from the Franklin County jail re-offended, compared with 63% of those from the Hampshire County jail.

New criminal charges were laid against 36% of participants from the Franklin County jail, compared to 47% of those from the Hampshire County jail. While about four out of 10 of those in the Hampshire County group ended up back in jail, the rate was just over 20% in the Franklin County group.

Overall, the Franklin County group had a 32% reduction in probation violations, re-incarcerations or court charges when they offered the buprenorphine treatment compared with when they did not offer the medication, the findings showed.

A large part of that difference was due to a decrease in property crimes, according to the NIDA-funded study. The results were published Jan. 18 in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

"A lot of data already show that offering medications for opioid use disorder to people in jail can prevent overdoses, withdrawal and other adverse health outcomes after the individual is released," said study co-author Dr. Peter Friedmann, of Baystate Health, in Springfield, Mass.

"Though this study was done with a small sample, the results show convincingly that on top of these positive health effects, providing these medications in jail can break the repressive cycle of arrest, reconviction and reincarceration that occurs in the absence of adequate help and resources," he said. "That's huge."

More information

There's more on opioid addiction medications at the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

SOURCE: U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, news release, Jan. 18, 2022

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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Even in a setting where white and Black people have equal access to medical care, Black Americans fare worse than whites in terms of prostate cancer, new research shows.

A review of nearly 8 million men seen at America's Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals found that Black veterans had nearly twice the incidence of localized and advanced prostate cancer as white men.

But there was a glimmer of good news: When they had the same treatment, Black and white men had similar outcomes.

"Importantly, African American men who received definitive primary treatment experienced a lower risk of [cancer spreading]," said study co-author Dr. Isla Garraway, an associate professor in the urology department at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles.

But because they weren't diagnosed early, more Black men had metastatic cancer, or cancer that had spread, the researchers found.

"The significant disparities observed in prostate cancer incidence resulted in a persistent disparity in prostate cancer metastasis in African American veterans, compared with white veterans despite their nearly equal response to treatment," Garraway said.

As many have recognized, equal access to care has the potential to reduce disparities in important outcomes among racial groups, Garraway said. It is well-documented that Black people in the United States often have reduced access to health care and may receive poorer quality of care compared with white Americans. Because the VA system provides equal access to care, the researchers assumed Black men would benefit from a level playing field.

"Being treated within the VA system reduces some of the disparities in outcomes that have been reported in non-VA populations," Garraway said. "However, the increased overall incidence of prostate cancer remains a critical barrier for eliminating racial disparities."

Black men have a higher risk for prostate cancer than white men, and Black men often do less well and are diagnosed later with more advanced cancer, the researchers noted.

Yet their analysis showed that even in the VA system, which is open to all veterans, disparities between Black and whites men persisted.

Garraway isn't sure why these disparities continue in a system with equal access and treatment.

"Many factors influence the development of prostate cancer and response to treatment, including tumor biology, access to care and quality of care," she said, adding "systematic evaluation of these factors is needed" in order to eliminate these racial disparities in the future.

The researchers found that when Black and white men were screened for prostate cancer, Black men had a 29% greater risk of having cancer. They were also younger at the time of diagnosis.

But zeroing in on more than 92,000 males, the investigators saw that Black men who were diagnosed early and treated definitively had the same outcomes as white men.

The report was published online Jan. 18 in the journal JAMA Network Open.

"Something is causing Black men versus white men to get less aggressive treatment," said cancer expert Dr. Anthony D'Amico, a professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School.

If they have other chronic diseases that make undergoing aggressive cancer treatment a problem, that could account for some of the disparity the researchers found, he said.

Some patients may also opt not to get treatment given some of its side effects, said D'Amico, who was not part of the study.

Race may also play a role, he noted. "I hope not," he said, adding some doctors may shy away from treating Black men aggressively.

D'Amico said any man, regardless of race, who is diagnosed with prostate cancer should talk with his doctor about the best treatment. "They have to say, 'Doctor, what is the best possible treatment for this cancer so I can have the highest possible cure rate, and then tell me the side effects,'" he said.

He also recommends that men get PSA screening to catch cancer early when it's most curable. The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test measures a protein produced by the prostate gland.

"Screening saves lives, there's no question about it," D'Amico said. "I think PSA screening is a must for every man, particularly high-risk populations, especially African-American and Hispanic men.

"I tell people in the high-risk populations, as well as anybody who has a father or brother with the disease, that they should get a baseline PSA at 35 and then every year starting at 40," D'Amico said.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on prostate cancer treatment.

SOURCES: Isla Garraway, MD, PhD, associate professor, Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles; Anthony D'Amico, MD, PhD, professor, radiation oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston; JAMA Network Open, Jan. 18, 2022, online

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Missoulians will soon be able to receive at-home COVID tests for free.

This week, the federal government launched a program to supply half a billion free COVID tests to Americans' homes to be distributed by the United States Postal Service. Each household is able to order four tests, regardless of the number of people at a residence.

On Jan. 7, the Biden administration announced that the Department of Defense had secured a $51 million contract with Goldbelt Security LLC, an Alaskan company, for the delivery of over-the-counter COVID tests. The U.S. is purchasing existing test kits the company has, CNN reported earlier this month.

Montana is expected to get 650,000 at-home tests, a Missoula City-County Health Department release said. It also released guidance on what to do if a person tests positive for COVID at home.

People who do should isolate themselves, inform close contacts and fill out a form with the health department.

The health departments COVID-19 website provides a roadmap for positive individuals and close contacts, COVID incident Commander Cindy Farr said in a news release. We want residents to make use of this valuable resource.

Isolation instructions can be found on the health department's website. The health department does not collect data on negative results, the release said.

If someone does have COVID symptoms, but tests negative at home, they are encouraged to book a PCR testing appointment. COVID tests and vaccinations are available at 3665 W. Broadway, the health department's new location for both services.

Missoula added 226 new COVID cases on Wednesday and has 2,310 considered active. The county also added one COVID death overnight, pushing the toll to 193 over the course of the pandemic.

There are 53 people hospitalized due to COVID, 32 of whom are Missoula County residents. There have been 20,926 cumulative cases in the county.

To order free COVID tests through the federal program, go to covidtests.gov.

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

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Hundreds of local families who cant afford to pay for a gym membership or emergency childcare depend on the Missoula Family YMCA to provide those services for free or for reduced cost. And the nonprofit organization is only able to provide that community service thanks to the generosity of donors.

The YMCA launches its annual support campaign on Wednesday, Jan. 19, and hopes to raise over $300,000 in seven weeks.

Last year our goal was $315,000 and we brought in that and this year we hope to bring in $325,000, said recently hired director of fund development Kate Rodriguez.

More than 700 people made tax-deductible donations last year, she noted, and about 70 volunteers go out into the community to advocate for the campaign.

Annually, the Y gives out over $600,000 in financial assistance and program subsidies, Rodriguez said.

Thats not just for memberships, she continued. Thats for any program. So that could be for like youth sports, swim lessons or drop-in childcare.

For example, on federal holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day or on snow days, parents need a childcare facility if they still have to work. Some parents also need childcare in times of crisis or simply because they are trying to exercise and get healthy, and the YMCA is able to address that need.

The organization also offers senior fitness classes and adaptive programming for adults with disabilities.

When I came on to the Y I felt like I had a pretty good idea of the work the Y does in this community, but the scope and the span of the services that the Missoula YMCA offers is truly incredible, Rodriguez said. We have so many different programs that really reach so many different people in our community.

Rodriguez and her team like to tell community members who havent donated to the YMCA before about how much the organization means to Missoula, she said.

We are serving the community of Missoula trying to build a healthier, stronger Missoula, she said. So we really rely on the support of community members to make donations through the campaign to allow us to do that work. So I always like to say that a donation is really an investment.

Kat Franchino, the director of marketing for the nonprofit, said they have 7,100 members. In 2020, the organization gave out $118,713 in direct assistance and $499,086 in direct subsidies.

Programs that we subsidize with donor support include our free food program for childcare, low-cost swim lessons for 3rd graders and free after school programs for 6th graders, Franchino said in an email to the Missoulian.

For more information visit ymcamissoula.org.

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Gov. Larry Hogan speaks with U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen during President Joe Biden's visit to the Port of Baltimore on Nov. 10, 2021. The two could potentially square off in the race for Mr. Van Hollen's Senate this coming November. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh). (Susan Walsh/AP)

It is amazing how clairvoyant the crystal ball practitioners are in their hindsight on Maryland politics. The editorial boards bold prediction of a doomed U.S. Senate campaign for Gov. Larry Hogan is one Im sure they thought long and hard about (Could Maryland elect a Republican senator? Not under the partys current standards, Jan. 10).

As one of the members of the sad little club of Republican nominees who got pulverized by a Democratic incumbent where Democrats outnumber Republicans by 2 to 1, there are four reasons why a Hogan candidacy can be successful in 2022.

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First, his name recognition is important. One of the names The Suns editorial board failed to mention was former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele who ran in 2006. While Ben Cardin won the election, it was far from a landslide victory with a Nov. 2, 2006, Baltimore Sun poll giving Mr. Cardin a four-point edge. Governor Hogans name recognition and his successful two terms as governor will have this race in the margin of error throughout.

Second, 2022 is not 2018. Republicans got crushed in the Donald Trump mid-term of 2018. Some incumbent Republicans in Maryland, including two county executives, got dumped in the blue anti-Trump wave. Context matters in campaigns and in 2018, national politics impacted races down ballot to the county level. A Hogan Senate race will not face those obstacles. As Virginia proved, Governor Hogans candidacy may benefit from an anti-Joe Biden red wave.

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Third, Governor Hogan outperformed in 2018. Compared to other Republicans in 2018, he outperformed his 2014 numbers. In 2014, Mr. Hogan won with 51% against Anthony Brown. In 2018, he won with over 55% of the vote in the worst Republican electoral year in three decades.

Fourth, Mr. Hogan will have plenty of money and D.C. institutional support. Unlike some of the members of the sad little club, Governor Hogan will be amply supported by the D.C. power brokers who can raise millions of dollars. This support, plus Mr. Hogans own fundraising and communications staff, will make this a race to watch for this cycle.

While I cannot speak for my fellow former Republican Senate nominees, I am proud of the work our team did in our campaign. I remain honored to have received almost 700,000 votes from fellow citizens across the state. We tried, we failed, but we participated in the democratic process  which is more than most editorial board writers will ever do.

Tony Campbell, Towson

The writer was Marylands Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

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A wanted suspect led Montana law enforcement on a chase around the Whitefish area Tuesday evening.

Around 9 p.m., Flathead County Sheriff's deputies attempted to stop Christopher Lakey during a traffic stop on Half Moon Road, a news release from the Whitefish Police Department said.

Lakey was wanted for a violation of a federal hold on a burglary charge, Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino said.

Lakey fled and a pursuit ensued. It eventually reached Edgewood Place in Whitefish city limits. Whitefish police responded and were able to deploy spike strips.

The suspect's car was able to keep traveling for a short while after, but eventually came to a stop on Wisconsin Avenue. Lakey then fled on foot.

Police, deputies, Montana Highway Patrol, the Northwest Regional SWAT team and Two Bear Air searched the residential area around Wisconsin Avenue.

Lakey was located and arrested Wednesday morning after officials received a suspicious person report. He was transported to the Flathead County Detention Center with charges pending.

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The University of Montana recently was gifted a significant art collection that reveals how artists understood, imagined and redefined the West across the 20th century.

UMs Montana Museum of Art and Culture acquired the collection in 2021 from Stan and Donna Goodbar of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The donation of more than 125 works deepens the museums holdings in Western art during the last century.

The exhibition features artists who made a living primarily as illustrators, both shaping and reinforcing quintessential myths about the Wests important archetypes, its settlers, cowboys and Indigenous inhabitants, said Rafael Chacon, MMAC director and a professor of art history and criticism.

The works will be displayed in an exhibit titled Imagining the West: Selections from the Stan and Donna Goodbar Collection of Western Art from Feb. 4 to March 26 in the Meloy Gallery of UMs Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center. Exhibit programming with include:

 A free, socially distanced opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4.

 A joint lecture with MMAC Curator Anna Strankman and artist Dagny Walton on the state of Western art in America at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, in the Masquer Theatre of UMs PAR/TV Center. The event will include a mini-concert with selections of American music by Professor Adam Collins student cellists from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

The new collection highlights artists who followed Charles M. Russell and Frederick Remingtons footsteps in the illustrative traditions of Western art and includes celebrated Montana artists such as John Clarke, Jo De Yong, Elizabeth Lochrie, Ace Powell and O.C. Seltzer. The collection also contains the works of California artists Edward Borein, Will James and Olaf Wieghorst and modernists Frances Senska and Peter Voulkos.

These artists diffused notions of the West by way of popular prints, cartoons and graphic illustrations  especially for pulp fiction and magazines  and small-scale bronze sculptures, Chacon said.

Stan Goodbar was born in Great Falls in 1929 and raised in Chester, Montana. He briefly attended college in Great Falls before serving in the U.S. Navy for four years. Returning from Korea in 1952, Goodbar married Donna Jeppesen, who attended UM and received her teaching certification from Eastern Montana College in Billings. Their marriage lasted close to 70 years, until Donna passed away early in 2021.

After completing his military service, Stan also attended UM, earning a business degree in 1956. The Goodbars lived in Chester, Missoula, Helena, Denver, Billings and finally Cheyenne. They were active in civic organizations in all three states.

The Goodbars began collecting Western art and artifacts while Stan worked as district manager for the telephone company in Billings. Gallery owner and philanthropist Dale Hawkins introduced them to all genres of Western art. While living in Helena, the Goodbars also befriended Bob Morgan, an artist and director/curator at the Montana Historical Society, who connected them to other artists. The Goodbars formed lifelong friendships with beloved artists like Nick Eggenhofer.

Not long after Donnas passing, Stan generously gifted their collection to the MMAC and UM, Chacon said.

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A federal judge in Missoula on Tuesday struck down the states Clean Campaign Act, finding that the 2007 campaign practices law violated a political committees free speech and due process rights under the U.S. Constitution.

The case, filed last September in U.S. District Court in Missoula, was filed by Montana Citizens for Right to Work after the states Commissioner of Political Practices found that it failed to follow the laws Fair Notice provision by giving candidates a heads-up on negative mailers sent out shortly before Election Day in 2020.

The law required any candidate or political committee that distributes or broadcasts negative campaign materials within 10 days of an election to notify the targeted candidates in order to give them a chance to respond.

Montana Citizens had distributed more than 15,000 campaign mailers in 20 legislative districts in the last week before the 2020 general election. The mailers indicated whether candidates in those districts would support so-called right to work legislation, which would exempt non-union employees from union dues in workplaces covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

In his order declaring the law unconstitutional, Judge Donald W. Molloy wrote, Many would agree that while Montanas desire to promote discourse in response to negative campaign advertisements is laudable, the First Amendment cannot be so easily overcome.

Molloy noted that while political speech enjoys broad constitutional protections under the First Amendment, disclosure laws, such as the Clean Campaign Act, have been given more leeway in other federal cases. But the judge wrote that the law was content-based because it differentiated between negative ads and other political communications, such as endorsements.

Because of that distinction, he wrote, he applied the law to strict scrutiny, under which the state must show that a statute is narrowly tailored to further a compelling government interest.

Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan had argued that the law did just that, by deterring corruption or the appearance of corruption, providing more information to voters and protecting candidates right to respond to attack ads.

However, Molloy found that the defendants hadnt demonstrated that the law combats corruption or its appearance, and that the disclosure requirement only required more information to flow to the targeted candidate. He added that the law could end up chilling political speech in the run-up to an election.

Regarding the right to respond, the judge wrote, In a perfect political place that notion makes sense. But last-minute negativity is a reality.

Molloy also dismissed the idea that the law was narrowly tailored toward those interests, noting that it didnt apply to verbal communications and arguably didnt cover internet-based speech.

The judge also rejected Mangans argument that the law could still stand if the distinction that it only applies to negative ads were stripped out.

Beyond the First Amendment issues, Molloy also found that the laws distinction of negative ads violated the political committees equal protection rights under the 14th Amendment.

In the absence of any argument or evidence as to how a compelling state interest is served in treating political action committees espousing different messages incongruously, the law violates the Equal Protection Clause, he wrote.

Matthew Monforton, an attorney representing the Montana Citizens group, on Monday said that another section of the labyrinth of Montanas absurd campaign finance laws has been dismantled, for which all Montanans should be grateful.

Its unclear whether the state will appeal the ruling. John Morrison, a private attorney who argued the case on Mangans behalf, referred inquiries to Mangan, who did not immediately return a phone message Tuesday.

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Jan. 1Hawaiian Airlines canceled 27 flights22 neighbor island and five trans-Pacific flightstoday due to ongoing staffing shortages as more employees test positive for.

The airline, has been affected by shortages as the highly contagious omicron variant drives. The 27 cancellations today represent about 13 % of the airline's 210 flights systemwide per day.

Hawaiian Airlines said 175 employees have tested positive, and 272 are self-isolating and monitoring for symptoms.

These numbers reflect currently active cases, not a daily count, with employees considered positive until they are medically cleared to return to work, according to spokeswoman Marissa Villegas.

"Ninety percent of our employees live in Hawaii and we are not immune to the local spread of the disease, " she said in an email. "The vast majority of our employees are vaccinated and understand the importance of keeping our community safe."

On Thursday, the airline also canceled 24 flights, including 23 neighbor island flights and one trans-Pacific flight. On Wednesday, 10 flights were canceled.

"We are asking all employees who are sick or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to stay home, monitor their symptoms, and get tested before returning to work, " said Villegas. "We have also implemented strict health and safety measures at all of our work locations and have made ample testing and educational resources available to our employees to ensure they are supported throughout the pandemic."
TUESDAY, Jan. 18, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Before getting their first dose of a COVID vaccine, many Americans were nervous about how they would react to the shot, but new research shows that fears of side effects may actually make side effects more likely.

To investigate this so-called "nocebo" effect in people receiving COVID-19 vaccines, researchers analyzed data from 12 clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines and compared rates of side effects in more than 22,000 participants who received the vaccines and more than 22,000 who received a placebo shot.

After the first shot, systemic side effects -- symptoms that affect the entire body, such as fever, headache and fatigue -- were reported by about 46% of vaccine recipients.

But more than 35% of people who got the placebo shot also experienced similar side effects, a team of Boston investigators found.

At least one local side effect -- such as pain at the injection site, redness or swelling -- was reported by 16% of placebo recipients and two-thirds of vaccine recipients.

The nocebo effect accounted for many of the side effects in the group that got the dummy shot and for 76% of all side effects in the vaccine group after the first shot, the researchers calculated.

After the second shot, systemic side effects were reported by 32% of those in the placebo group and 61% of those in the vaccine group, and local side effects were reported by 12% of those in the placebo group and 73% of those in the vaccine group.

The nocebo effect accounted for nearly 52% of the side effects reported after the second dose, according to the authors of the study published Jan. 18 in the journal JAMA Network Open.

"Adverse events after placebo treatment are common in randomized, controlled trials," noted study author Julia Haas, an investigator in the Program in Placebo Studies at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

"Collecting systematic evidence regarding these nocebo responses in vaccine trials is important for COVID-19 vaccination worldwide, especially because concern about side effects is reported to be a reason for vaccine hesitancy," Haas said in a medical center news release.

"Nonspecific symptoms like headache and fatigue -- which we have shown to be particularly nocebo-sensitive -- are listed among the most common adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination in many information leaflets," said study senior author Ted Kaptchuk, director of the Program in Placebo Studies and the Therapeutic Encounter.

But giving people that kind of information might backfire, he added, causing them "to misattribute common daily background sensations as arising from the vaccine or cause anxiety and worry that make people hyper alert to bodily feelings about adverse events."

"Medicine is based on trust," Kaptchuk said. Letting the public know that the nocebo effect might play a role in any vaccine side effect "could help reduce worries about COVID-19 vaccination, which might decrease vaccination hesitancy," he believes.

More information

For more on COVID-19 vaccine side effects, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCE: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, news release, Jan. 18, 2022

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Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
Butte police reports

Car, condoms and pot

Officers arrived at a residence in the 1800 block of Gaylord at around 3 a.m. Tuesday. The resident told officers that someone had stolen his 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, which had a box of condoms and marijuana inside.

The car was located shortly after at the Rocky Mountain Car Wash, 3410 Harrison Ave. Behind the wheel was Heather Marie Taylor, 33, of Butte.

She was arrested for felony offenses that included motor vehicle theft, probation violation, violation of a protective order and buying or possessing stolen property, and the misdemeanor offenses of theft from a motor vehicle and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, which included syringes and a glass pipe.

Officers were also able to recover the condoms and the marijuana.

Citizen involvement

Just before noon Sunday, an employee at Pork Chop Johns, 2400 Harrison Ave., suspected that a customer in the drive-thru was intoxicated and called the police.

Brandis Marie Frank, 34, of Butte left the sandwich shop and headed north. Someone followed the vehicle until police were able to stop her near Shields Avenue.

Frank reportedly appeared sluggish and was slurring her words. She also had a 1-year-old boy in the backseat.

She failed sobriety tests and agreed to a blood draw. Meanwhile, Child Protective Services were called.

Frank was jailed for felony driving under the influence (child endangerment), and the misdemeanor offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, careless driving and driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license.

Felony assault

Late Sunday night, police arrested Johnathon William Treese, 20, of Butte for felony partner or family member assault (third offense) and the misdemeanor offenses of obstructing a peace officer and tampering with a communication advice.

A call came in before 10 p.m. about a disturbance in the 900 block of Silver Bow Homes. When officers arrived, they found the 17-year-old woman naked, covered in blood and bleeding from her nose and mouth.

According to the police report, Treese allegedly punched through the bathroom door and then unlocked it. He then reportedly grabbed the victim by the throat, punched her and kicked her several times. She tried to call 911 and he took her cell phone.

Before being taken to jail, Treese was asked to give his name and he reportedly replied, None of your (expletive) business.

Felony DUI

Just after midnight on Sunday, Joseph Craig Doyle, 34, of Butte was reportedly traveling 50 miles per hour southbound on Continental Drive.

When he was pulled over by an officer, he appeared to be intoxicated and smelled of alcohol. He then failed field sobriety maneuvers.

He refused a Breathalyzer but because he had four prior DUI convictions out of Idaho, a warrant was obtained to have a blood draw done at St. James Healthcare.

Doyle was jailed for felony driving under the influence (refusal) and misdemeanor speeding.

Wish granted

Two women were fighting at around 8 Saturday night near the intersection of 1st and Utah.

One of the women, Ashlyn Nicole Lewis, 23, of Butte, was reportedly very upset and told the officer she wanted to be arrested.

Turns out, Lewis had two $1,000 warrants for her arrest out of Butte City Court for shoplifting and criminal contempt, so the officer granted her wish and took her to jail.

Causing a disturbance

Brian James Birgbauer, 42, of Butte was arrested Friday morning for causing a disturbance in the 3000 block of Mammoth Drive.

Turns out, Birgbauer already had warrants out for his arrest from the Department of Corrections and for the felony offenses of theft and parole violation.

Aggravated DUI

William Gregory Alston, 31, of Butte admitted he had been drinking when he was stopped near the intersection of Gladstone and Gregson early Friday night.

Alston failed onsite sobriety tests and once at the jail, blew over twice the legal limit.

He was jailed for misdemeanor aggravated driving under the influence and reckless driving.

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Jakob Allen Washburn died in Whitehall in mid-August. He was 24 years old. Trinity M. Klein, the young woman described as his girlfriend at the time, was charged in Jefferson County District Court in December with vehicular homicide while under the influence.

The crime reportedly occurred during a domestic dispute between the two.

Court records show that around 8 p.m. on Aug. 15 deputies and ambulance personnel were dispatched to reports of a motor vehicle crash. When deputies arrived they observed an injured man, later identified as Washburn, lying on his back under a flatbed gooseneck trailer.

A woman at the scene, later identified as Klein, was crying and screaming, court records show.

Klein told deputies that she and Washburn had argued and she alleged that he had tried to choke her before she attempted to flee in her vehicle. She said Washburn jumped on the hood of the car, screaming and yelling at her as she drove off, records show.

Klein said she collided with the flatbed trailer when swerving to avoid a dog. Several witnesses observed Washburn on the hood as Klein drove at a high rate of speed, according to charging documents.

Kleins statement to deputies acknowledged she should have pulled over but didnt, adding that Washburn didnt deserve that, records show.

Toxicology results revealed months later that Klein was over the legal limit that night for driving while under the influence of marijuana.

Wendy Goyette, Washburns mother, said Tuesday that she wonders why Klein isnt in jail. She said she believes that if the circumstances were switched and it was her son who was charged with Kleins death hed be sitting in a jail cell.

"This has been a traumatic impact on me and my family," she said.

Tom Goyette of Butte was Washburn's grandfather. He said he believes his grandson was intentionally struck by Klein's vehicle and that's how he first ended up on the hood of her vehicle. He said he believes Klein should be charged with deliberate homicide, which could carry a greater penalty.

A person convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence faces imprisonment of up to 30 years or a fine of up to $50,000, or both.

Washburn was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, and spent most of his childhood there. He later moved to Ketchikan, Alaska, and graduated from high school in Ketchikan before returning to Idaho. Wendy Goyette said her son met Klein in Bonners Ferry and then moved with her to Whitehall.

Steve Haddon, county attorney for Jefferson County, declined to comment about the case.

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Marylands state senators and delegates are moving forward with a new map for their own districts for the next election, picking a map favored by Democratic leaders and rejecting a proposal backed by Gov. Larry Hogan.

A key Senate committee on Tuesday endorsed the map along party lines  11 Democrats in favor and four Republicans opposed  sending it to the full Senate for approval, which is likely by the end of the week.

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Its a good, solid plan, said Karl Aro, a retired top adviser to state lawmakers who led a commission that drew the new map.

The map takes into account demographic shifts in the states population as recorded in the last census. While the state grew overall, to nearly 6.2 million residents, some areas saw larger gains while others lost residents, requiring adjustments to the districts for the 47 state senators and 141 delegates. Each district has one senator and three delegates, with some delegates elected at-large and others elected in single-member or two-member subdistricts.

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Baltimore City, for example, would lose a Senate district under the proposal and another city district was adjusted so that it would now cross from North Baltimore over the city line into Towson.

Other changes to the district boundaries were intended to better group communities of interest together, said Aro, who previously was head of the state Department of Legislative Services.

In Baltimore County, a new single-delegate subdistrict in Owings Mills  District 11  was drawn with the goal of electing a person of color to the legislature. Also in western Baltimore County, District 44, which currently includes part of the city, was tweaked so it would pull in more county neighborhoods to maintain its size and its status as a majority nonwhite district.

Aro said the work was challenging, given Marylands unique geographic shape and state constitutional requirements that districts be compact and contiguous.

The map going forward has been criticized by Republicans as well as Fair Maps Maryland, a group aligned with Hogan.

The Republican governor submitted written testimony urging lawmakers to support the map drawn by the commission he appointed, and not the one drawn by their panel.

The governor opted not to appear before lawmakers during a two-hour public hearing on the maps over video Tuesday, continuing his practice of not testifying in the legislature.

Hogan did not comment on the content of the legislatures plan, writing that the map-drawing commission failed to operate in a transparent manner and created their own secretly-drawn legislative maps.

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Hogan warned in his testimony that if the legislatures map is adopted, it faces likely legal challenges. Already, a map with new boundaries for congressional districts that was adopted by the General Assembly last month is the subject of two lawsuits.

What do you expect when a bunch of politicians go behind closed doors and pick their own voters and draw their own districts? said Doug Mayer, a Hogan adviser and spokesman for Fair Maps Maryland. This map is just as bad as the congressional map, if not worse, and if they pass this into law, well see them in court.

[ Maryland lawmakers return to work with coronavirus on their minds ]

No vote was taken on the map from the governors commission, effectively defeating it as the other map moved forward.

Aro said some allegations that the map is gerrymandered  meaning its designed to benefit one political party at the expense of another  are unfounded.

Often when people dislike some of the boundary lines, he said, the first word that comes out of their mouth is gerrymandering. I dont think this plan is gerrymandered.

Local elections officials, while not backing either map, raised concerns that they face an intense amount of work in a short period of time to adjust polling locations, line up staff and equipment, and notify voters of their new districts and where they should vote.

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The work is detailed and labor-intensive, said Ruie Lavoie, director of elections in Baltimore County.

Maryland Policy & Politics Weekdays Keep up to date with Maryland politics, elections and important decisions made by federal, state and local government officials. >

It isnt just like we can push a button. We have to manually look at each address and, for my county, that is more than 600,000 addresses, she said.

David Garreis, deputy elections director in Anne Arundel County, told lawmakers that decisions need to be made quickly with deadlines approaching, including the Feb. 22 deadline for candidates to file to run. The longer the process plays out, including legal challenges, the more deadlines and tasks are affected.

After this, he said, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.

Sen. Chris West raised concerns that all the boundary changes would cause elections officials to have to create additional voting precincts in his Baltimore County district. The Republican senator cautioned that if there are problems, people may blame the lawmakers.

This is going to cause serious logistical problems, no matter which bill is passed, he said. Im fearful the primary election this year is going to be fraught with problems.

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With the Senate expected to consider the map this week, it could move to the House of Delegates for consideration next week.

Under the Maryland Constitution, the General Assembly has until the 45th day of the 90-day session that began last week to adopt a map, otherwise the governors proposal would go into effect. The governor cannot veto a map once its approved.
By Shawn Touney | Jan 19, 2022

The legislative citation of appreciation was presented on the House floor by State Representative Richard Heath (right), who represents Kentucky's 2nd House District which includes Graves County and parts of McCracken County, to Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson (left), and recognized the University for various outreach and support.

The legislative citation of appreciation was presented on the House floor by State Representative Richard Heath (right), who represents Kentucky's 2nd House District which includes Graves County and parts of McCracken County, to Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson (left), and recognized the University for various outreach and support.

MURRAY, Ky.  Murray State University was recognized by the Kentucky House of Representatives in Frankfort on January 19 for its efforts in assisting the region following the tragic storms of December 10, 2021.

Immediately following the storms and in the midst of a large-scale power outage, the University activated its Emergency Operations Center to begin coordinating, communicating and assisting those who were deeply impacted in neighboring communities. The legislative citation of appreciation was presented on the House floor by State Representative Richard Heath, who represents Kentucky's 2nd House District which includes Graves County and parts of McCracken County, to Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson, and recognized the University for various outreach and support. This included the utilization of five campus buildings to house and feed more than 700 National Guard members, FEMA responders and first responders, as well as others displaced by the disaster.

The Universitys CFSB Center was also used as a warming shelter, providing both accommodations and food for any and all displaced individuals in the west Kentucky region.

Murray States Racers Give student scholarship fund was transitioned to specifically assist students deeply impacted by the storms with need-based financial support, through the generosity of the campus community, alumni, friends and supporters of the institution.

Murray State University has an important duty to this region, particularly in the most unimaginable of circumstances, Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson said. We are very appreciative of State Representative Richard Heath and the Kentucky House of Representatives for presenting Murray State University with this citation of appreciation. Many individuals and communities are continuing to find their way forward. We will continue to assist them, as well as our region and state in every manner possible.

"I am very appreciative of Murray State University for immediately offering support and providing crucial assistance to our community during the tornado disaster last month," Representative Richard Heath said. "We live in a wonderful region of the state that comes together and supports one another quickly in times of need and Murray State, like so many others did just that."
WAPELLO  The Louisa County Board of Supervisors received a return visit from around 25 members of the Escucha Mi Voz (Hear My Voice) advocacy group of Columbus Junction during its regular meeting on Tuesday. The group renewed its demand the supervisors place the countys $2.4 million allocation of American Rescue Plan (ARP) money into a fund for excluded and essential workers.

The group met with the supervisors during its Dec. 10 meeting with a similar request, but during the latest meeting, it presented a petition with more specific demands.

We demand Louisa County invest its ARP dollars in an Excluded and Essential Workers Fund, to distribute $1,400 in direct assistance to 1,700 essential and excluded immigrant workers in the county, the petitioners wrote.

As they did at the December meeting, several in the group on Tuesday explained why they felt the county should earmark most of its ARP allocation to the workers.

Sylvia Juarez, an 18-year resident of Columbus Junction who said she had worked the same number of years at Tyson Foods, said the workers deserved the money because we have continued to go to work and be exposed every day.

Another Columbus Junction resident, former construction worker Ricardo Rios said other workers had decided their former jobs were no longer worth the risk.

Rios said he contracted COVID-19 while on the job and experienced many of its debilitating symptoms, including extreme headaches, body aches and other conditions. The illness also spread to other family members; and between his illness and the others, he was still not working.

Because of those commitments and facing a return to construction work, where no masking, social distancing or disinfecting practices are being followed, Rios said he, along with many others who face similar situations, has been forced to stay home.

It makes you think going back to work isnt worth it, he said.

Monica Aulu said she was concerned the county was not adequately explaining how the ARP money would be spent.

I feel it is being manipulated, she said, adding she felt the supervisors should present a summary on how the money was being allocated. Aulu also suggested racism could be playing some role in that distribution, although she made a point of not directly accusing anyone.

Her comments though were the only ones to generate any significant comments from the supervisors.

Theres no racism here, supervisor Brad Quigley replied during a break in Aulus comments.

Supervisor Randy Griffin agreed and emphasized the supervisors were still discussing possible uses for the ARP funds.

We are still listening. We havent spent it yet (and) we will be able to account, he said.

Supervisor Chris Ball said part of the problem identifying how the money would be used had been a lack of program guidelines.

We just got clarity last month on what we can use it for, he said.

After nearly one hour of discussion, the group left with assurances their voices had been heard, although the supervisors did not provide any funding commitment.

In other action, the supervisors received monthly department updates on the conservation board, mental health and disabilities and general assistance; and the weekly secondary roads department report.

In final action, the board also discussed the revenue and expenditures outlook for the fiscal year 2023 budget. County auditor Sandi Elliott distributed information on county valuations and comparisons with fiscal year '22 figures.

Budget workshops are expected to begin next week.

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WEST LIBERTY  Postmasters are known for accepting and then delivering the mail, but West Liberty's postmaster saved the day by not sending a piece of mail.

On Jan. 5, the West Liberty Post Office held a special ceremony where Postmaster Xann Rodgers-Mather was presented with the Postmaster General Hero Award. Rodgers-Mather has been part of the USPS for nearly 30 years, but her most recent deed is what earned her this award.

In May 2021, an elderly West Liberty resident arrived at the post office with the intent of sending $30,000 from her savings to a group that had contacted her.

Rodgers-Mather, however, recognized the signs.

(The customers) mailing habits were different, and she didnt seem like herself, she said. She really trusted and truly believed what that person was telling them, and really thought the person that had called them would follow through and do what had been promised.

She then explained to the woman the group who had contacted her was part of a potentially dangerous scam. Across the country, similar scams are conducted where the victims are convinced to send large sums of money, with elderly residents the usual targets.

After some explanation and talking with the woman, Rodgers-Mather convinced her not to send the money. Later on, the womans daughter contacted Postmaster Deb Droz in Davenport to pass along her appreciation for Rodgers-Mathers efforts. Along with her award, Rodgers-Mathers photo will be displayed on the Wall of Heroes at the USPS Headquarters in Washington D.C.

It was nice to have received this award, but really not necessary," Rodgers-Mather said. "I was only doing my job, and I have a great clerk team here, and we all try to look out for our customers.

To the people who nominated her for the award, she thanked them, adding I am very happy the bad guys didnt win this time.

This wasnt the only time a member of the West Liberty Post Office encountered this scam. According to Rodgers-Mather, her post office has had two separate people targeted in the past six months.

In light of these incidents, the USPS encourages all residents to be cautious whenever someone over the phone asks them to give them personal information or mail them large amounts of money.

As for Rodgers-Mather, while others may be fortunate for her and her staff, she said she is very fortunate to be a postmaster in the community she lives in.

Being a postmaster is a very rewarding job, but every job in the post office is rewarding, she said. I have worked for the post office for close to 30 years as a city carrier, clerk, postmaster  and every one of those jobs is rewarding in their own way. I feel being a postal employee is very patriotic and I am proud to work for the postal service.

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Kelly Cunningham Haan, an assistant county attorney in Muscatine, announced Tuesday she plans to run for Scott County Attorney in the 2022 election cycle.

Haan said she had worked as a prosecutor for 31 years, 23 of which she spent in Scott County.

"Quite honestly, one of my goals has always been to seek the office of the Scott County Attorney. ... The climate here in Scott County is one of those climates where people are close. There's a strong sense of family in this professional setting, but there has always been a respect for the work that law enforcement has performed for this community," Haan said.

Haan said she had always supported law enforcement, and she wanted to continue providing that support as an elected official. She has worked previously with specialized units, she said, and she's been impressed by the community protection they provide.

"One of my areas of expertise was narcotics. I did gang prosecutions back in the day before we were able to shut down that issue, so I've had the benefit of working with officers who work in those specialized capacities ... I feel that within the last year and a half or so, the dialogue that's going on currently here in the United States relative to law enforcement, discussions about defunding the police, or the lack of regard for our officers who go out and put their lives on the line every day," Haan said. "There is not a recognition or understanding of the issues that they face. As a community, if we want to have a community where we are safe and free from crime taking over, we need to have those officers there who are protecting us, and I think that they need a strong voice to back them."

Another thing Haan said would make her strong presence as the Scott County Attorney is her dedication to giving a voice to victims of violent crimes. Haan said victims often struggled with fear, and she believes part of the job of a prosecutor is to help them overcome that fear, in order to speak up and get justice.

Mike Walton, the current Scott County Attorney, announced in January 2020 that he would retire when his term ends at the end of 2022.

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DES MOINES  Mental health care workers and patients would be in line for assistance under a package of bills introduced by state lawmakers.

Iowa House Republicans have introduced four bills that would aim to add more mental health beds at state-run mental health facilities, establish more psychiatric residencies in the state, and create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers.

Iowa Rep. Ann Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge and chairwoman of the House committee through which the bills will run, spoke to reporters about the proposals Tuesday at the Iowa Capitol.

Its just such a crisis, Meyer said. Its a crisis that needs to be addressed in a big way.

 House Study Bill 532 would fund 12 new psychiatric residencies through the University of Iowa at the states mental health care facilities in Cherokee and Independence and the medical and classification center at Oakdale. We know that we can fill those spots. We need to do something to get psychiatrists into the state of Iowa, Meyer said. The program would cost $1.2 million in its first year and double the number of residencies to 24 and the cost to $2.4 million the following year.

 House Study Bill 537 would create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers. Participants would be required to commit to working in Iowa for five years.

 House Study Bill 531 would increase by 50% the number of beds at Independence and Cherokee. Meyer said this proposal faces the unique challenge of also requiring sufficient workers to staff any new beds. We need to have places for our highest-crisis patients to be treated, Meyer said.

 House Study Bill 530 would establish a higher state reimbursement rate to providers for patients with complex psychiatric needs.

Peggy Huppert, executive director of the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said the group supports the four bills.

"We really do need to turn our attention to workforce, and beds remain a critical issue, Huppert said.

Iowa Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, a Democrat from Waterloo and member of the committee through which the bills would advance, said she supports the proposals and believes mental health care policy can and should be bipartisan efforts.

Im excited to see mental health bills come in, said Brown-Powers, who works in health care for MercyOne. Ive been here for eight years, and weve done very little to actually help those families and those folks with mental health. So its time. Its over time to do that.

Brown-Powers said she hopes the legislation has teeth and strong funding behind it.

I just hope that as we move forward we take a sincere look at mental health, she said. These bills are a start, but they surely arent everything that Iowans need right now.

Meyer said she has made mental health care one of her priorities since her first campaign in 2018, when she said she heard from many constituents about the need for expanded mental health care services. She recalled talking to a young woman whose brother was an Iraq War veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, turned to substance abuse and became homeless.

And theres so many stories like that, Meyer said.

One of the four bills was scheduled for a subcommittee hearing  the first step in the legislative process  Tuesday afternoon, and a second will have its first hearing on Wednesday. Meyer said the others likely will have their first hearings next week.

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Airlines across the world are adjusting their schedules and aircraft deployments for flights to the U.S. over fears that a 5G rollout by AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. near American airports could interfere with key safety systems.

Dubais Emirates Airline said it will suspend flights to several U.S. cities, including Chicago, Newark and San Francisco, while Japan Airlines Co. and ANA Holdings Inc. said Tuesday they will drop some routes and wont fly their 777 jets to and from the U.S. mainland after a warning from Boeing Co.

Korean Air Lines Co. said its 777 and 747-8 aircraft are affected by the 5G service, and is rearranging its fleet. Air India Ltd. also warned flights to the U.S. will be curtailed or revised from Jan. 19.

The concerns stem from potential interference with sensitive navigation equipment used during landings in poor weather, which a trade association representing major U.S. airlines said could lead to catastrophic disruptions.

Frequencies within the so-called C-band being used for the 5G services are near airwaves used by aircraft radar altimeters, which track altitude and allow landings in bad weather.

They also feed multiple critical safety systems.

Who said what ANA Holdings Wont fly 777s to the U.S., will cancel some U.S. routes Japan Airlines Wont fly 777s to the U.S., will cancel some U.S. routes Delta Air Lines Preparing for possible weather-related cancellations as soon as Wednesday Emirates Suspending flights to Boston, Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Seattle Air India Operations to U.S.stand curtailed/revised from Wednesday Korean Air Rearranged fleet on certain routes avoid cancellations

AT&T and Verizon agreed late Tuesday to delay switching on hundreds of 5G cell towers near U.S. airports following last-minute talks with government officials over safety concerns.

The companies, which spent billions of dollars in a government auction last year for the rights, didnt provide details on how long the suspension might last or the size or the zone around airports.

President Joe Biden said Tuesday the agreement will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations and a recovery in the economy.

Delta Air Lines Inc. still said it was preparing for possible weather-related cancellations starting as early as Wednesday if 5G signals cause limited interference with altitude instruments under certain conditions.

American Airlines Group Inc. didnt immediately comment on the status of 777 flights scheduled Wednesday.
Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday that the White House plan to distribute 500 million COVID-19 testing kits has held up Marylands own efforts to get kits to its residents.

Speaking to reporters during a Wednesday news conference, Hogan could not say how many tests destined for Maryland were put on hold. But he said he mentioned his concern to White House officials pretty forcefully during a call with governors the day before.

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All of our vendors called us late Friday to say that the White Houses announcement on Friday had frozen all the orders and that they were taking all of the tests that were going to go to us and the other states, the Republican governor said.

Asked about Hogans complaints, the White House disputed that its plan undercut states own supplies, and said it was reaching out to Hogans staff to try resolve any lingering issues.

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President Bidens plan is specifically not allowed by contract to take away tests from state governments or U.S. commercial operations, Tom Inglesby, senior adviser to the White House COVID-19 Response Team, said during a news briefing. It is written into the contracts with the manufacturers. We know its a big country and there can be confusion at times.

The Bidens administration launched a plan to mail out four free, rapid, at-home coronavirus tests to any household that requests them.

The website to request tests went live on Tuesday and had about 48 million page visits by Wednesday afternoon, according to federal analytics. It wasnt immediately clear how many tests had been ordered through the national program.

[ Heres how at-home COVID-19 tests could be impacting Marylands data ]

They didnt produce any new tests. They just took all the tests off the shelf that we were supposed to get on trucks to come here, Hogan said.

Maryland Policy & Politics Weekdays Keep up to date with Maryland politics, elections and important decisions made by federal, state and local government officials. >

Inglesby said the administration had told governors that their own supplies shouldnt be affected by Bidens plan.

And we have followed up with Gov. Hogans team to try to understand exactly what theyre hearing, and to help work out anything that theyre seeing on the ground, Inglesby said. He said the administration would clarify with any manufacturer that they have an obligation to fulfill their orders to states.

But Hogan spokesman Michael Ricci said Wednesday afternoon that the issue was not resolved.

On Friday afternoon, our health procurement officer advised us that pending rapid test orders would be affected by the federal announcement. We relayed those details to the White House yesterday, Ricci said.

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Mr. Inglesby responded and said he would look into it and get back to us, and we are still waiting to hear back from him, Ricci continued. We have developed plans for distributing these tests to the community immediately, and instead they have been diverted. We hope and expect the White House will take steps to resolve the issue.

Hogan said the state still has a sufficient supply of rapid tests and the more sensitive polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests. We do have tests fairly widely available, he said.

The state has spent the last several weeks opening up additional testing locations adjacent to hospitals, in hopes of making it easier for people to get tested and to cut down on emergency room visits. Rapid tests and high-quality masks are being handed out at state-run testing and vaccination locations.
Janet JJ Johnson is passing her beauty salon  Napas Hair Odyssey  down to her coworker, the same way the business was passed down to her by the previous owners.

Karina Gaspar officially took over the Lincoln Avenue salon on Jan. 1.

Its a matter of paying it forward, Johnson said.

A native of a small Minnesota town, Johnson had been a dance instructor and worked in the sheriffs departments criminal records division before landing on cosmetology as her career, she said.

I wanted to make a move to be more independent on my own, she said. I was considering options for careers.

Johnson said that though she used to play with her own hair and enjoyed working on the hair of neighbors and friends, her mother would force her to give her sisters permanent waves  something neither party enjoyed.

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My mom would make me give my sisters perms and they would cry and it never occurred to me it might be a career choice, she said. I didnt like it back then, and it wasnt on my radar until I needed to make a change. So, I thought if I went to school for it and learned to do it properly, Id like it better.

But, while her future career didnt occur to Johnson, it evidently did occur to someone on her high school yearbook staff, she said.

What really upset me in my senior yearbook, someone on the committee took it upon themselves to put under my picture cosmetology as my future plans. I dont know who it was, but they saw something I didnt, she said. I had no direction at that point.

Heres how it all happened, Johnson said.

Hair Odyssey was opened by four ladies in 1980, and one of them is a sister to my brother-in-law, she said. So, one by one, they were retiring, and when the last couple were getting ready to retire, they called me to see if Id be willing to take it over and take care of their clients.

However, Johnson said she had tried salon ownership before, and the experience was less than positive.

So, I agonized over the decision, but it turned out to be the best decision, she said. They didnt sell it to me. I took over the business and the lease. And thats what Im doing now with Karina. Paying it forward to a very deserving, capable, and lovely person.

Gaspar, a 28-year-old Napa Valley native, came to Hair Odyssey straight out of cosmetology school, both women said.

Ive been with the salon for eight years, but Ive been into hair since I was a little girl, she said. But, never in my life did I imagine myself in this career.

While still in high school, her talent styling her own hair prompted many of the senior girls to ask her to do theirs, but, shortly after graduating high school, Gaspar became a mother, and was attending Napa Valley College, with an eye to becoming a teacher, she said.

I wasnt happy, so, I looked up beauty schools and found Le Melange Hair Academy in Napa and called them, got a tour, and next thing you know, I applied and I got in, Gaspar said.

One day I was sitting in my room with my daughter and something told me to search up beauty schools and something said I had to do this, which I did with the support with my now-husband and my mom and mother-in-law.

Gaspar said being handed the salon is literally the realization of a dream.

Ever since I started doing hair I dreamed of owning my own salon, and I never imagined that this day would come, she said.

It nearly didnt, Gaspar said.

In high school, they offered an ROP (Regional Occupational Program) for things like cosmetology and nursing, and they would send you to the Vintage Hair Academy, but I thought to do it as a senior, but by that time, that program was no longer an option.

She had to pay her own way through when the opportunity arose.

Johnson said this transition feels like it was meant to be.

When I first took over this salon, I brought my own customers and (those of) the former owners, and I was overwhelmed, and I was telling one of the previous owners how overwhelmed I was, at 10 p.m. and still at work, and she said, Why not call Karina, that girl in beauty school who came to watch us cut hair that time, and I did. She was like an angel. She took the pressure off. I could not have asked for a better assistant. She was amazing.

Things tend to work out for the best, Johnson said.

Here we are and I couldnt be happier about this whole transition, she said. It feels great. Shes really like a daughter to me and Id do anything to help her out. Were very close. She started with me right after beauty school and staying so long in one salon is rare in the industry. Im happy to turn this over to her and give her the opportunity to have a business.

Though Johnson plans to stay on part-time for at least a year, as an advisor and to do hair, she said shell miss the ownership pride, but Im so happy with the direction this is going to go. Im still going to do hair, so I wont be missing my customers. I have the best of both worlds.

She wont miss the responsibilities of ownership; of being on my own dealing with issues.

Im encouraging (Gaspar) to make this nearly 40-year-old place hers; to give the salon a new life with her young vibe, Johnson said.

Gaspar said she plans to do exactly that, though there are no specifics, yet.

Im not exactly sure what the changes will be but I do want to bring in some of my own personal touches, she said.

But, mostly, shes pleased to be able to continue making clients feel good about their appearance, she said, adding that that is the best part of her job.

Making people feel more beautiful, bringing their beauty out, seeing their face after the service and seeing how beautiful they feel, she said.

Not that there isnt a downside.

The long hours on your feet is challenging, Gaspar said. Sometimes you dont get to eat till the end of the day, and not everyone understands that all the time. And sacrificing being with your family. Thats why Im so emotional. I used to have to give up family events when (my children) were small. But its all paying off.

Both women say they like the idea of paying it forward with the salon and hope it can continue into the next generation.

Im so happy and thankful that I came into JJs life at the right time. She was my mentor, and everything at that right moment, Gaspar said. Im so proud. Of myself, the long hours worked. So happy and so proud that I finally did it, with the love and support of my family friends, clients. And of course JJ, my mentor. My daughter, whos 9, whenever they ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she says a hairstylist like my mom. If she still wants to do that when she grows up, the salon can be passed on to her like it was passed on to JJ and then to me.

Hair Odyssey is located at 1111 Lincoln Ave., Napa, 707 224-5452.

You can reach reporter Jennifer Huffman at 256-2218 or jhuffman@napanews.com
My mailbag is light this week. This shouldnt take more than a few minutes.

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More news from the Napa Valley Museum Yountville, which recently extended its Dangerous Games exhibit through April 10. A new exhibit featuring paintings by Chris Miller will be displayed in the History Gallery Friday, Jan. 21, through Sunday, March 20. According to the museum, Chris Miller: Confluence features abstract paintings that are vibrant, explorational and deeply personal. Chris lives in Soda Canyon and has deep family ties to the arts, his grandfather being one Walt Disney.

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Pacific Union College graduate Cheryl Van Ornam will perform on the PUC Church's recently restored organ at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. Admission is free, or you can livestream the concert at https://livestream.com/pucchurch/events/10093781.

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The St. Helena Historical Societys Heritage Center will be closed this Saturday, Jan. 22, because of COVID-19. It should reopen Saturday, Jan. 29  hopefully 

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Wine Country Animal Lovers has received a grant to provide free spaying and neutering for Upvalley cats and dogs, in partnership with Napa Humane. Call 255-8118 to make an appointment, mention WCALs Up Valley Alter Project, and WCAL will cover the bill.

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The Caymus Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will meet via Zoom at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26. Sara de Luis will talk about her career as a Spanish dancer, choreographer and teacher. To participate, call Dianne Fraser at 963-7329.

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Do you know someone who had a paper route or worked for the Star? The Napa County Historical Society is looking for photos that show people working for any Napa County newspaper for an upcoming exhibit called News: The Story of Our Lives. Paperboys, press operators, reporters, office staff  any photos would be appreciated. Contact Sheli Smith or Kelly OConnor at info@napahistory.org.

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Attention, Sunshine shoppers. Proprietor Jay Smith posted the following message on Facebook: All of our suppliers are experiencing labor shortages, illnesses and supply chain disruptions. Our deliveries have been delayed, sometimes cancelled, many products ordered are not arriving. Fortunately we have approximately 3,500 suppliers and are able to source more product from alternate sources. As a result we are receiving plenty of product to meet your needs. We feel fortunate that we have enough labor resources and product to remain open normal days and hours. We will be here for you through all the turmoil and difficulties. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
The Napa Valley Museum Yountville announces the opening of a new exhibition of recent works by Napa Valley painter Chris Miller: Confluence. The exhibit will be on display in the History Gallery from Jan. 21 through March 20.

Consisting of abstract paintings of both large and small scale representing his most recent works, Miller explores the dialog between form, color, and texture to reveal the essential in our own experience. The result is a collection of works that is vibrant, explorational, and deeply personal.

A native Californian, Chris was born in Carmel and grew up in southern California. The San Fernando Valley was in its late transition from agriculture to suburb, and pockets of abandoned orchards were interspersed with emergent residential subdivisions. Those orchards and the nearby Santa Monica Mountains afforded access to the natural world, an expansive back yard and, as with many children, he was frequently absorbed in expressing experiences in crayon and colored pencil drawings, giving physical form to his imagination. He would also find inspiration and encouragement from his grandfather: animator and fantasist Walt Disney.

Pursuit of the arts accompanied Chris through high school and college (Fort Lewis College, CU Boulder, UC Santa Cruz), continued through adventures in the film and bicycle industries, and gained momentum over the past decade. After raising their two daughters in Telluride, Colorado, Chris and his wife Catherine McNamee moved back to California, this time to Napa Valleys Soda Canyon where they have lived since 2012. Chris is the son of the late Ron and Diane Miller, founders of Silverado Vineyards and dedicated champions of the arts.

This work, produced in 2021, results from the practice of observation and interpretation of the everyday, macro and micro, both summarizing and enhancing in turns encounters with the natural world," Miller said. "Steeped in moods, fragments of dreams, curiosity/obsession with a shape, breaking that apart or honoring it, sorting compositional elements to allow a flux in the order, intrigued by ambiguity, a sampling of a visual journal that drifts past conclusions, tending to inquire rather than answer.
You might find Natalie Webb out in a vineyard, snapping one of her award-winning photos  that is, when shes not working on her multiplication tables.

Natalie's only 9 years old, but her bright, colorful photos have won second place two years in a row in the Budding Artist category of the agricultural photo contest held by the California Farm Bureaus magazine, California Bountiful.

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I thought the lighting was nice, and the cobwebs and dew made the grapes prettier, the St. Helena Elementary School student told the magazine about her latest award-winning photo, taken with her moms phone and published when she was 8.

At age 7 she shot a close-up photo of grapes ripening on a leafy vine. When she found out it won second place in a statewide contest with competitors as old as 13, my whole mouth came open and I couldnt talk.

I usually take pictures of my little brother and my cat, said Natalie, who attends St. Helena Elementary School.

Do they like being photographed?

I do not know about my cat because he tries to run away, but Nicholas usually smiles, Natalie said.

She said she doesnt have any photo shoots lined up right now, but she definitely wants to be a photographer when she grows up.

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

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The following is from a National Geographic article. I inserted the parenthesized words:

"The term 'plantation' arose (is becoming applicable) as the southern settlements (Napa Valley), originally linked with colonial expansion (a variety of crops and livestock), came to revolve around the production of agriculture (grapes). Though wealthy aristocrats ruled the plantations, the laborers powered the system. The climate of the South was ideally suited to the cultivation of cash crops, and King James (our local government) had every intention of profiting from the plantations. Tobacco and cotton (grapes and hotels) proved to be exceptionally profitable. Because these crops required large areas of land, the plantations grew in size, and in turn, more slaves (marginalized workers) were required to work on the plantations. This sharpened class divisions, as a small number of people owned larger and larger plantations. Thus, the wealthy landowners got wealthier, and the use of slave labor increased."

Of course St. Helena cannot really be compared to a plantation. For one thing, our agricultural and service workers are here voluntarily, unlike the horrifically exploited and brutalized African slaves of the south. And, unlike those cruel southern slave-masters, our masters dont provide workforce housing.

The City of St. Helena is now working on the Housing Element which will inform future housing development. The following information is derived from the current site inventory:

Every site on the east side of town is designated low income-high density.

Every site on the west side is designated above moderate income-medium density, with the exception of one mixed income-high density.

All our public schools are on the west side of town. Our softball fields are on the west side of town. Our one good-sized park with bocce courts, a skate park, and scheduled activities for children is on the west side of town. The Family Center is on the west side of town. Shouldnt we be making it possible for more families to live on the west side of town?

Meanwhile, a small fraction of St. Helena voters were recently offered a nearly useless survey for which the city paid $30,000 to tell them they dont have a decidedly 2/3rds base of support for a general bond, and a mere 12% (46) respondents strongly approve of the job they (city council and departments) are doing.

Our local elected leaders are very sophisticated when it comes to placating the general public but their ongoing manipulations spell oligarchy, not democracy.

The upcoming Housing Element meeting is not listed on the City meeting schedule. View the following for meeting info and housing site map:

Nancy Dervin

St. Helena
Mozart in Napa Valley

Napa Valley Music Associates will celebrate their 31 years in the Napa Valley, as well as Wolfgang Mozart's 266th birthday on Sunday, Jan. 30. The 27th annual "Mozart in Napa Valley" begins at 1:30 p.m. at Churchill Manor B&B, 485 Brown St., Napa.

Performing artists include mezzo-soprano Taraneh Seta, pianist Mark Osten, violinist Jassen Todorov and pianist Elena Akopova.

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Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.

Napa Valley Music Associates provides professional music training in addition to concerts and programs for the community.

AAUW Authors Forum 2022

Alka Joshi is the featured author for the 2022 Authors Forum, an online event to be held on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. hosted by the Napa County American Association of University Women.

Alka is the author of "The Henna Artist" and "The Secret Keeper of Jaipur." She will be interviewed by Shobha Rao, author of "Girls Burn Brighter," who was a guest speaker for the 2020 Authors Forum.

Tickets are $40. All proceeds will fund scholarships for local women and girls offered by the Napa County AAUW Scholarship Foundation. Buy tickets through Eventbrite at bit.ly/AuthorsForum2022 or by going to Eventbrite.com and searching for Napa Authors Forum 2022.

Tickets can also be purchased by sending a check to Toby Mitchell at 26 Lighthouse Ct., Napa, CA 94559. Indicate your email address on the memo line of your check so you can receive the Zoom invitation. Recordings will be available if you are not able to watch live.

Zoom invitations will be sent to all attendees. Books are available for purchase from Napa Bookmine. Please mention the AAUW Author Forum as a portion of the sales will be donated to the Scholarship Foundation.

News from Jarvis

The Jarvis Conservatory has decided to cancel the February performance of "A Grand Night for Singing," due to the Omicron surge in Napa. After a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular monthly series returned in January. The organizers said they are planning to present their next "Grand Night" in March.

Meanwhile, they will show "I'm Your Man," on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 3 and 7 p.m. as part of the Letitia Jarvis Art Flim Series. Germany's Official Selection for the Best International Feature Film category of the 94th Academy Awards in 2022, "I'm Your Man," is a playful romance about relationships, love, and what it means to be human in the modern age.

In order to obtain funds for her research, Alma (Maren Eggert) is persuaded to participate in an unusual study. For three weeks, she will live with Tom (Dan Stevens), a humanoid robot designed to be her perfect life partner.

Tickets are $15. The Jarvis Conservatory is at 1711 Main St., Napa. For more information, visit jarvisconservatory.com.
EU: Poland fines in rule of law dispute now top $170 million

Putin and Lukashenko discuss ongoing situation

Greece and Bulgaria say new LNG terminal will help reduce dependence on Russia

German vice chancellor calls for rapid construction of LNG terminals

Rally of Resistance Movement takes place in France Square

Robert Kocharyan takes part in opposition march

Mario Draghi calls on EU to abandon requirement of unanimity in making foreign policy decisions

Finland and Sweden not yet decided whether to join NATO

Croatian president uses veto power to block Finland and Sweden from joining NATO

Slovakia will seek exemption from the EU embargo on Russian oil imports

NEWS.am digest: Blinken meets Mirzoyan in US, people detained during protests in Yerevan

Turkish Foreign Ministry on meeting of special envoys in Vienna

Opposition rally in central Yerevan starts with Sirusho's performance

Italy to face serious issues in winter if Russian gas supplies are cut off now

Johnson announces new military aid to Ukraine in amount of 300 million euros

Resistance Movement rally on France Square in Yerevan

EU hopes to adopt sixth round of sanctions against Russia at next EU Council meeting

Peaceful rallies of disobedience held in Spitak

Spain extends OVID-19 entry restrictions

Vayk joins demand for Nikol Pashinyan's resignation

Putin and Macron discuss Ukraine

Citizens demanding Pashinyan's resignation block road from Vayots Dzor to Yerevan

Peaceful rallies of disobedience held in Vanadzor demanding PM's resignation

Citizens demanding Pashinyan's resignation block Gyumri-Yerevan highway

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

Armenian member of Turkey legislature says he was thrown at table of wolves

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

Armenia ex-president joins discussion in France Square

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

Armenia FM meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Armenia FM meets with Director of USAID Samantha Power

Ann Linde says Finland will almost certainly apply for NATO membership

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

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

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

Diplomat kidnapped in Haiti

Hungarian president asks Orban to form new government

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

Resistance Movement participants march in central Yerevan

Half of Japanese oppose change of peaceful constitution

Resistance movement rally on France Square in Yerevan

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

Another earthquake registered on Armenian-Georgian border

FLYONE ARMENIA launches regular direct flights between Yerevan and Tbilisi

Georgia abolishes requirement to wear masks in closed spaces

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

Georgia PM receives Justice Minister of Armenia

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

Cavusoglu claims there is agreement to clarify Armenia-Turkey border

Azerbaijan president receives Brice Roquefeuil

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

Police: 244 people apprehended in Yerevan as of 2pm

Incident involving disobedience march participants occurs at Armenian State Pedagogical University

Yerevan Police apprehend opposition MP

Police: 199 people apprehended in Yerevan as of noon
SOCIETY Hoa Binh city exerts every effort to control COVID-19

(HBO) - The COVID-19 pandemic is developing unpredictably in Hoa Binh city when infection cases are detected in the community every day. From November 23, 2021 to 4pm on January 12, the city had recorded over 440 new cases in all 19 wards and communes, mainly in Dong Tien, Phuong Lam, Quynh Lam, Tan Thinh wards, and Mong Hoa commune. Notably, many schools have students and teachers infected with COVID-19 such as Dong Tien Secondary School, Dong Tien Primary School, Ly Tu Trong Primary School, Ethnic Minority Boarding High School, and Hoang Van Thu High School for the Gifted.

To prevent the COVID-19 pandemic, Thong Nhat High School (Hoa Binh city) requires students to wear masks during their time at school.

The city's Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control assessed that the number of new cases in the community will continue to increase rapidly if the detection and tracing of infections are not conducted well. Therefore, both the city's political system and medical units have kept a close watch on the situation and actively implemented pandemic prevention and control measures in accordance with the set plans.

Bui Quang Diep, Chairman of Hoa Binh city People's Committee, said that amidst the complicated pandemic situation, the city's Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has directed to urgently zone off and trace those with close contact with patients, and timely test and apply appropriate quarantine measures. The city is a place where many people come to work and trade, so the risk of infection is very high. Therefore, the locality always promotes dissemination to encourage locals to strictly implement the "5K message of khau trang (face masks), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distancing), khong tu tap (no gatherings), and khai bao y te (health declarations), and activates field hospitals and mobile medical stations to treat patients.

The city has promoted the task assignment and decentralisation to clearly define role and responsibilities of each person, especially the heads of agencies, units and localities in pandemic prevention and control work, brought into full play the role of self-management groups and community-based COVID-19 groups, and promptly detected people going from/to the locality. The city currently has 766 community-based COVID-19 groups in 214 residential areas and villages. In addition, the city's Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control regularly directs the People's Committees of wards and communes to strengthen communications and encourage people to get vaccinated to ensure the coverage rate of the 2nd and 3rd doses as soon as possible.

With the joint efforts of the whole political system and people, to date, the pandemic in the city has been under control, thus contributing to stabilizing political security and social order and safety./.




No one can guarantee the complete absence of the possibility of a new war, but now such a possibility is very small, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Foreign Minister David Babayan told a press conference Wednesday.

He stressed that a large-scale attack on Armenia would mean an attack on the CSTO, and this simply could not go unnoticed.

"We saw the recent events in Kazakhstan, and the reaction of the CSTO. And in case of an attack on Armenia, there will be a reaction at least from the Russian side, especially if Turkey joins [this attack]. As for the possibility of an attack on Karabakh, peace and stability [there] are maintained by the Russian peacekeepers. An attack on Artsakh will automatically mean an attack on the Russian peacekeepers and Russia. It will be a different kind of war. It will not be a war between Azerbaijan and Artsakh and Armenia. I do not think that Azerbaijan does not understand that. If the terrorists, pan-Turkists in Kazakhstan managed to achieve their goal, the probability of war would have been 100 percent. Now the probability is small," the Artsakh FM added.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have not visited the region truly for a long time. The last visit took place at the end of 2019; then it was hindered by the pandemic, the war, and again the pandemic. But these are technical obstacles. It is more important that Azerbaijan attempts to prevent it, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Foreign Minister David Babayan told a press conference Wednesday.

"Apparently, Azerbaijan is trying to hinder the visit of the co-chairs to the region, or to complicate the visit. The meeting of the Artsakh President and the new Russian co-chair took place in Yerevan. We laud the meeting," the Artsakh FM said.

At the same time, Babayan expressed hope that the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs will take place, especially since they themselves want it.

"Azerbaijan creates the obstacles. Recently we saw [Azerbaijani president] Aliyev's demarche on the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group. But I do not believe the co-chairs will be blackmailed," Babayan said, adding that Artsakh has an opportunity to convey its position to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

The Artsakh FM reminded that in 2007 also Azerbaijan tried to get the co-chairs to stop visiting Artsakh; but it failed, and the visits continued.

According to David Babayan, although there are obvious disagreements between the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countriesRussia, US, and France, these disagreements do not exist between the co-chairs themselves, and they show solidarity in the Artsakh issue.
It is absolutely unacceptable to bracket the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) together, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Foreign Minister David Babayan told a press conference Wednesday.

He emphasized that Artsakh has a rich history of statehood, it was part of all Armenian kingdoms, and even when Armenia lost its statehood, Artsakh preserved it in one way or another.

"NKAO is one of the important pages of our history. However, bracketing it together [with the NKR] is inadmissible. The statehood developed, the NKAO ceased to exist, becoming one of the foundations of the NKRtogether with the Shahumyan and Getashen regions. The NKAO is already historywith all its borders. To bracket [the NKAO and the NKR] together means to question the legitimacy of the NKR," Babayan said.

The FM announced that at this phase Artsakh has no borders, but rather a line of contact.

"But this does not mean that we must give up our legal and historical heritage. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe," David Babayan emphasized.
The return of refugeesthe return of Armenians to Azerbaijan and the return of Azerbaijanis to Artsakhcan only be like a mirror, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Foreign Minister David Babayan told a press conference Wednesday.

Babayanwho himself has participated in the Karabakh peace process ever since 1998 in various capacities, from an employee of the Artsakh foreign ministry to the foreign ministersaid that, in fact, there are two matters on the table: the status of Artsakh and its borders, plus some humanitarian issues, and the return of refugees.

"Stepanakert's approach [on these matters] has hardly changed. At first, we were saying that the subordination of Artsakh to Azerbaijan is ruled out, regardless of what status," the FM said, reminding that Azerbaijan itself had rejected the proposed concept of a "common state" where Artsakh would be equal to Azerbaijan in status.

"The red line for us is to be part of Azerbaijan. It will not happen. Otherwise, Artsakh will not exist. The issue must be settled in a package form: All matters are resolved at once.

Azerbaijan was proposing the phased one. But their phased [settlement] was different even from some elements of our phased settlement. They were talking about the regions as a first step, whereas we were saying: let's start with the recognition of our independence.

As for the issue of refugees, the perception has not changed here either. We have never refused to discuss this issue. But there is no word about that without solving political issues. The issues of [Artsakhs] status and borders must be settled first.

If the refugees return, do they [i.e., Azerbaijan] recognize the Artsakh Republic? And the return can only be like a mirror. Armenians return to [Azerbaijans] Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad [i.e., todays Ganja]. Otherwise, we cannot discuss [it] unilaterally.

But Azerbaijan does not want the Armenian refugees to return [to Azerbaijan]. And the Azerbaijani authorities want the return of Azerbaijani refugees not because they care about people's feelings, but so that they attempt to absorb Artsakh demographically," said David Babayan.
The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has announced the start date for flights between Yerevan and Istanbul. It is reported by Anadolu.

According to the agency, the first flights are scheduled for Wednesday, February 2, 2022.

The Turkish Ministry of Transport drew attention to the ongoing negotiations on the normalization of relations with Armenia.

Flights will be operated three times a week by the Turkish airline Pegasus from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. The Armenian airline Fly One Armenia has also been granted permission to operate three flights between Istanbul and Yerevan.

The Fly One Armenia flight will land at Istanbul Airport on February 2 at 19:50 local time, and the Pegasus flight will fly from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Yerevan on the same day (at 23:35), the source said.
After the war of 2020, the preservation of subjectivity has become even more important for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the latters foreign minister David Babayan told a press conference Wednesday.

According to him, 2021 was a special year for Artsakh and each of its inhabitants.

"After the disaster of the third war, it is time to start rebuilding. Artsakh is in a critical situation. It is wounded. But we can record that we are slowly moving from the 'resuscitation unit' to the 'intensive therapy unit.' First of all, the severe psychological situation needs to be overcome," Babayan said.

The FM reminded that the Artsakh Foreign Ministry, as well as the foreign ministries of other countries, pursues the policy decided by the head of state.

"The goals are the same. Other goals have been added to them. In 2021, we were trying to do everything to protect our interests at international organizations and not to be left out of geopolitical processes," Babayan said. In this context, the Artsakh FM added that it is very important to present one's own position.

According to him, the goals and tasks of Artsakh remain the same in 2022: In parallel with the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, the development of bilateral relations with friendly countries, and the strengthening of ties with Armenia and the Armenian diaspora.

"The most important goal is to preserve the subjectivity, so that the world sees that Artsakh exists and is developing, we are the masters of our destiny," David Babayan emphasized. "The most important direction continues to be the international recognition of Artsakh. After the war of 2020, the preservation of subjectivity has become even more important."

Speaking about the effectiveness of the Artsakh-related documents being disseminated internationally, the FM noted that this effectiveness can be judged from Azerbaijan's behavior and uneasiness in this regard. According to him, these documents refer to many issues: the humanitarian sphere, the return of Armenian captives from Azerbaijan, and the Armenian cultural genocide being committed in the Artsakh territories now occupied by Azerbaijan.

"There is a result, and we will continue to work in this direction," the Artsakh FM added.
The operation in Kazakhstan is fully completed, the commander of the CSTO peacekeeping operation in Kazakhstan, Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov noted, Interfax reports.

The peacekeeping operation, carried out in accordance with the decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, has been completed, Serdyukov explained.

According to him, the operation went without incident.

Not a single provocation has been allowed against the peacekeepers, Serdyukov added.
SOCIETY Presenting milk to 1,045 children affected by Covid-19 pandemics

(HBO) - From 11th-13rd November, the Center for Social Affairs and the Provincial Fund of Children's Protection handed over the milk to the Division of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of the districts and the city to transfer to the children who were F1, F0 affected by Covid-19 epidemics. The source of milk is received from donors through Vietnam Fund for Children's Protection.





The Division of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Da Bac district are receiving the milk for the children who are F0 and F1 affected by Covid-19 pandemics.

Covid-19 pandemics has severely affected children, causing many children to become infected with Covid-19. The results reviewed and updated from November 29th to December 21st, 2021, in 10 out of the 10 districts and the city there were 1,045 cases of F0, F1, most of which were in Da Bac (384 children) in Mai Chau districts (232 children), in Yen Thuy (107 children), in Luong Son (120 children). With the norm of milk support for each child is 14 Vinamilk boxes of 180 ml, the program donated 14,630 boxes of milk,with a total budget of about 110 million dongs. Thereby, it has been contributing to the province to join hands to support children with the special circumstances, the children facing difficulties during the pandemics, ensuring the social security during Tet.




Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2005-2021) rejected UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' offer to become a high-level advisor in the organization's structure, DPA news agency reported, citing the office of the former head of government.

Merkel had a telephone conversation with the secretary-general on the subject and thanked him, but said she would not accept the offer.

Earlier, the German media had reported on the proposal by Guterres.

Merkel served as chancellor for 16 years. In 2018, she said she would not run for a fifth term. In December 2021, she was succeeded by Social Democrat Olaf Scholz as head of the German government.

The former chancellor has repeatedly said that she does not intend to take up political office after her resignation.
When the negotiations will be at the phase of talking about the opening of the borders, those analyzes will definitely be made, the relevant bodies may have those analyzes of what the opening of the border will give. State Revenue Committee chairman Rustam Badasyan stated this at a briefing with reporters in the National Assembly of Armenia Wednesdayand reflecting on the prospects for the reopening of the countrys border with Turkey.

"We can speak with axiomatic truths. Naturally, the border being open is better than being closed; that is indisputable. Economic activity, the trading of goods that happens in the case of open borders can never be expected in the case of a closed border," Badasyan said.

But to the remark that Turkish goods will take over the Armenian market, especially the Armenian agriculture will suffer if the border reopens, the Armenian official responded: "If we see it as a risk, what do we propose? Should we [i.e., Armenia] stay closed? Should we live with closed borders? Should we never try to talk about opening the borders [with Turkey]? Naturally, the representation of countries with a large economy is noticeable in countries with a smaller economy. What? Shall we live in fear?
The court hearing of the criminal case against former Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Artak Davtyan, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Stepan Galstyan, arms supplier Davit Galstyan, and several others started Wednesday in Yerevan.

The investigation of the criminal case investigated by the National Security Service had found out that several high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense of Armenia had abused their respective power in 2018 and unlawfully purchased a total of 4,232 obsolete weapons that were stored at the Ministry of Defense.

It was also found out that the abovementioned persons had matched up the technical features of this ammunition with the given type of product stored in the Ministry of Defense, and noted false data in them.

At the same time, the said weapons were purchased at a price almost twice as much as the previous purchase of ammunition of the same batch, thus committing embezzlement of 4,655,200 US dollars.

The aforementioned high-ranking former and current officials do not accept this charge and consider it a fake criminal case.
Through the Russian side, Armenia passed to Azerbaijan a package of proposals for de-escalation of the situation in the border zone, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.

His remarks came during the meeting with MPs at the National Assembly on January 19.

According to Mirzoyan, the Armenian side has prepared a package of measures to de-escalate the situation, as well as increase stability and security in the border zone.

The package was handed over both to Russia and through Moscow to Azerbaijan. Details were not disclosed. Armenian FM only said that they are based on the issues constantly raised by the Armenian Prime Minister on the withdrawal of troops and the creation of additional security mechanisms.

He also added that this package was presented at the meeting of the Council of Ministers.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that he communicated with his Armenian counterpart. In particular, they discussed the creation of a delimitation commission.
In an interview with Azerbaijani media, the Azerbaijani leader expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the Russian peacekeeping force is creating obstacles for the outflow of Armenians from the territory of Artsakh, and is using various means to keep the Armenians in Artsakh. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Gegham Stepanyan noted this in a statement on Facebook. He added as follows:

The efforts made by the peacekeepers to restore peaceful life in Artsakh cause dissatisfaction for the Azerbaijani authorities.

This is nothing but a confession of the Azerbaijani policy of ethnic cleansing of Armenians in the territory of Artsakh, deporting the Armenian population, and depriving them of their homeland.

The policy of closing the issue by appropriating Artsakh by changing the demographics in favor of the Azerbaijanis is not new in Azerbaijan; it gained more momentum during the rule of Ilham Aliyev's father, Heydar Aliyev, particularly in the 1970s.

Back in 2002, in an interview with the Azerbaijani media, Heydar Aliyev stated in a direct text: At the same time, I tried to change the demographics there. Nagorno-Karabakh raised the issue of opening a university there. Here [in Azerbaijan] all objected. I thought and decided to open. But with the condition that there are three sectors - Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian. Opened. We sent Azerbaijanis from the adjacent regions not to Baku, but there [Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast]. We opened a big shoe factory there [Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast]. There was no labor force in Stepanakert itself. We sent Azerbaijanis there [NKAO] from the places surrounding the region. By these and other measures, I tried to have more Azerbaijanis in Nagorno-Karabakh, and reduce the number of Armenians.

https://web.archive.org///archive/2002_07/383/facts.shtml

In this way, the systematic policy of the Azerbaijani authorities to disrupt the peaceful life in Artsakh by all means, to violate basic human rights, to create an atmosphere of fear and despair is aimed at closing the Artsakh issue. That is what Ilham Aliev's completely false and manipulative data on the number of Armenians living in Artsakh are aimed at. In various statements and interviews, he deliberately presents data that have nothing to do with the real population of Artsakh. Which, by the way, have been refuted several times by the data provided by the Russian side.

I draw the attention of the representatives of the official political circles of different countries, the human rights community, international organizations, I urge not to give in to the Azerbaijani manipulations, to visit Artsakh, or to use objective sources in order to have clear and impartial information about Artsakh.
This is not the first time Azerbaijan's top political leadership makes nonconstructive statements and comments, which hinder the discussion of existing problems and the search for solutions, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.

His remarks came at the January 19 meeting with MPs in the National Assembly, commenting on the latest statement of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev about the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

The Minister also stressed that public statements do not always fully or partially coincide with the approaches discussed behind closed doors.

Armenian FM said that despite Azerbaijan's stance on the final solution of the Karabakh issue and "non-existence of Nagorno-Karabakh" as such, the international community believes otherwise. They do not agree with such formulations. The next proof of that is the position of a number of countries at the OSCE Annual Ministerial Meeting in Stockholm last December. He added that they think that the Karabakh conflict exists and that it should be resolved within the OSCE Minsk Group format.
Historian Daniel LaChance has spent much of his spare time in the last decade scouring digital records for news coverage and fictional accounts of American executions. His examination of the media coverage, and how it changed in the nine decades following Reconstruction in the late 1870s, may help explain why many Americans have come to think of executions as private dramas rather than political events.

His research will take a big leap forward next academic year. LaChance, the Winship Distinguished Research Professor in History, recently was named the third recipient of the Chronos Faculty Fellowship in Emory College of Arts and Sciences. The award provides a full year of leave and additional support for research and writing.

LaChance will apply the award to completing his next book (tentatively titled Empathy for the Devil: Executions in the American Imagination) and to creating humanities-research positions for undergraduate students.

I have published some research about how journalists and fiction writers have portrayed the condemned and the government agents who put them to death in certain moments in time, LaChance says. Now Ill have the chance to finish collecting the data and get the full birds-eye-view on 90 years of history.

This fellowship is such a gift because Ill now have uninterrupted time to take all of these threads of a project Ive been working on for years and really figure out how to braid them together, adds LaChance, who joined Emory College faculty in 2013 as an expert on the laws relationship to violence.

Funded by a grant from the Abraham J. & Phyllis Katz Foundation, the Chronos Fellowship aims to support ambitious scholarship in the post-tenure period, when time for immersive research, deep thinking and writing can be difficult to secure.

It includes a year of leave and $10,000 in research/travel funds. Instead of travel, LaChance plans to hire undergraduates to help with his archival research and analysis, which will give students invaluable experience in humanities-based research.

The Chronos committee was extremely impressed by Professor LaChances proposal on multiple levels, says Deboleena Roy, the senior associate dean for faculty in Emory College. This humanities-based research project focuses on a timely topic and contributes to the mission of Emory College by extending scholarly generosity and supporting the intellectual curiosity of our undergraduates.

Advancing research on complex death penalty issues

LaChance wove together pop culture and legal history in his first book, Executing Freedom: The Cultural Life of Capital Punishment in the United States, to explain why many Americans in the late 20th century strongly distrusted government yet approved of the government taking fellow citizens lives.

His Chronos project delves into the 19th-century roots of those attitudes, starting with the gradual move to make executions invisible to the public. Meant to keep people from forming their own impressions and judgments about executions, private executions instead gave journalists and authors enormous power to shape the publics perceptions of the death penalty.

In his preliminary research, focused mostly on southern states in the late 1800s, LaChance found a martyrdom narrative. Although African Americans were much more likely to be executed, journalists lavished their attention on white male criminals. They portrayed those criminals as facing pending death with bravery. The accounts similarly humanized wardens and jailers as those providing the condemned or their families some measure of dignity.

The book project expands such research to nine states around the country and Washington, D.C. to see if there are similar trends in every region of the U.S.

Coverage that minimizes the brutality of executions, while also distorting the reality that a disproportionate number of Black and poor Americans are put to death, may be a key factor in Americans enduring support for capital punishment.

My speculation is that the death penalty raises anxiety-inducing questions of how the state uses power, LaChance says. So when we humanize the condemned, it masks the racist ways capital punishment has been used and comforts us against the broader worry that government is anonymous and indifferent to the needs and the souls of ordinary people.

Its complicated, so Im grateful to have the Chronos Fellowship to take the time and really figure out how it all comes together, he says.
Russian, German FMs discuss security guarantees, Ukraine's situation

Xinhua) 08:38, January 19, 2022

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock attend a joint press conference following their talks in Moscow on Jan. 18, 2022. (Russian Foreign Ministry)

Moscow is currently waiting for a response to its proposal for security guarantees, Lavrov said.

MOSCOW, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock met here Tuesday to discuss Moscow's proposal for security guarantees between Russia and the West, and the situation in Ukraine.

"We expressed concern over the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s course aimed at containing Russia," Lavrov said during a press conference following the talks.

Moscow is currently waiting for a response to its proposal in order to continue the negotiations, the first round of which ended last week without any breakthrough, Lavrov said.

At the press conference, Baerbock noted that Germany is ready to conduct serious negotiations to reach agreements that would strengthen the European security.

Lavrov told Baerbock that relations between the European Union (EU) and Russia have become hostage to anti-Russian policies pursued by Brussels and some EU member countries.

As for the Ukrainian crisis, Lavrov and Baerbock shared the view that there is no alternative to the 2015 Minsk accords.

Lavrov underlined that it is unacceptable to shift the responsibility for the lack of progress in the implementation of the agreements to Russia.

Lavrov said that Moscow would not accept any kind of Western narratives or demands concerning the presence of Russian troops on its own territory.

In general, the Russian top diplomat called their meeting useful despite a divergence in views, and expressed Moscow's readiness for "comprehensive cooperation" with Germany's new government.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Achievement Award

Dr. Ali Rajput, an internationally recognized leader in Parkinsons disease research from the University of Saskatchewan (USask), was honoured with an Achievement Award from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation. The award was one of seven awards recognizing research impact and excellence from within Saskatchewans health research community.

For over five decades, Dr. Rajput has contributed to research and clinical innovation while showing foresight and leadership through his observation, curiosity and focus on providing the best care for his patients.

In response to the discovery and early implementation of the medication levodopa for Parkinsons disease, Rajput established the Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program in 1968. This not only provided Saskatchewan patients with access to the medication but became the basis for his significant research productivity and continued improvements in patient care.

His leadership resulted in the creation of a brain biobank that will continue to shape the research landscape for years to come and his mentorship and collaborations from across disciplines has inspired many others down a combined path of clinical practice and research.

Though his expertise has been sought after at the national and international level, his continued dedication to Saskatchewan patients and the community led to him becoming a founding member of the Saskatchewan Parkinsons Foundation. His quest for answers and commitment to his patients will become his legacy and is at the core of why he was presented with this years Achievement Award that recognizes exemplary career achievements and inspiring drive, leadership and ingenuity.
Recipients

Andrew Sharpe, Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at USask ($764,130 in total, plus SCA co-funding): In the first project, awarded $392,391 by ADF, Sharpe and co-principal investigator Sampath Perumal of GIFS propose to develop new genomic resources to better understand salt and drought tolerance mechanisms in alfalfa, an important legume forage crop.

Alfalfa cultivation is not only economically important in North America, it also offers the potential to use marginal lands affected by salinity, and improve the quality soil by fixing nitrogen, said Sharpe.

Researchers will use new sequencing technologies to develop high-quality genome assemblies currently unavailable in Saskatchewan-adapted germplasm. These new reference assemblies will be used as a foundation for genomic analysis of alfalfa and for application in plant scientist Bill Biligetus alfalfa breeding program at USasks Crop Development Centre.

The second project, awarded $371,739 by ADF, has Sharpe, co-principal investigator Biligetu and their team developing new foundational genomic resources for hybrid wheatgrass, a palatable, perennial grass forage crop.

We will use state-of-the-art applied genomics to create the first extensive molecular breeding resources for hybrid wheatgrass and its parental ancestors, said Sharpe. This project will generate genome assemblies, identify markers to assist breeding, develop accurate predictive models for the breeding process, and explore the wealth of genetic diversity available in gene banks to introduce new gene variants that combat abiotic and biotic stresses.

Suresh Tikoo, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) has been awarded $140,000 by ADF to develop a continuous porcine cell line to grow African swine fever virus, a devastating viral disease that causes nearly 100 per cent mortality in pigs.

Currently there is no effective vaccine or treatment for ASF.

The lack of porcine cell lines is a barrier to the development and commercialization of ASF vaccines, said Tikoo. This cell line could be used to evaluate virus-host cell interactions and support the commercial production of ASF vaccines to help protect the world swine population.

ASF is endemic in Africa and spreading through parts of Asia and Europe. It also has recently been found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, causing heavy economic losses to the pig industry.

Although ASF has not been detected in Canada, it is a significant threat to Canadas pork industryfor both pig health and for the devastating impact a positive case could have on international market access.

VIDO is the first non-government organization in Canada with permission from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to work with ASF virus in its containment Level 3 facility.
Moeed Yusuf was scheduled to arrive in Kabul on Tuesday at the head of a high-level delegation for talks on humanitarian aid for the Afghans and other issues of bilateral importance.

However, the NSA had to cancel his two-day visit as a massive protest against Pakistan was planned at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, the report said.

A well-placed diplomatic source confided to Pajhwok Afghan News, Yusuf decided against visiting Afghanistan capital to escape embarrassment.

Hundreds of Afghans carrying anti-Pakistan banners marched near the airport to protest what they called Pakistan's two-faced policy, the source said.

He claimed tensions were rising between the neighbours over fencing of the British-era Durand Line, which Kabul does not recognise as a formal international border.

Meanwhile, a Kabul-based social media user wrote that the Taliban had detained human rights activist Azim Azimi for organising the anti-Pakistan demonstration.

On the other hand, Pakistan officials say the NSA's visit had been postponed due to bad weather. They dismissed the impression that there are differences between the Taliban and Islamabad.

"We have been in contact with Kabul both on Durand Line fencing and the presence of Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan," one official said, denying rifts between the two sides.

--IANS san/skp/

( 246 Words)

2022-01-19-17:16:04 (IANS)
The suggestion was part of the Budget recommendations put forth by the jewellery body.

The Budget for FY23 will be tabled in the Parliament on February 1.

It also urged the Centre to cut import duty on cut and polished diamonds from 7.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, besides permitting sale of rough diamonds in the 'Special Notified Zone' in Mumbai.

Currently, only viewing of rough diamonds is permitted in the SNZ and no sale is allowed.

Further, the jewellery council asked the Centre to allow exporters to import 10 per cent of the total cut and polished diamonds at nil duty.

"We now target to achieve $100 billion exports when India observes the centenary of its Independence," said Colin Shah, Chairman of Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.

"To kickstart the same, we appeal to the government to announce a special package for the gem and jewellery sector in the forthcoming Budget. Such favourable export and domestic policies would help elevate the gems and jewellery exports sector and lay a foundation for quantum growth. The only way to further scale up this sector is through policy reforms, which will make us more competitive in the global market," Shah added.

--IANS ad-rv/arm

( 251 Words)

2022-01-19-00:18:03 (IANS)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 19 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Recently expanding its footprint in India, #1 Hair removal cream, wax, depilatory in the US; the NAIR brand has signed on Bollywood actor Mrunal Thakur as its first brand ambassador. Introduced in the 1940s, the brand boasts of a rich legacy with a presence in over 50 countries. The NAIR brand stands for confidence and self-love, qualities that are effortlessly embodied by the self-made Mrunal Thakur. Named from a hybrid phrase for 'no-hair,' the NAIR brand offers a wide range of depilatory and at-home wax solutions. The NAIR brand's global product portfolio offers products like in-shower creams, body creams, sprays, lotions, cold wax strips and wax roll-ons. Developed by skincare specialists, beauty experts and industry veterans, these products are safe to use on the body, to support their need for self-expression. Conceptualized by Scarecrow M&C Saatchi, the launch campaign encourages women to live life the way they want to. 'Live on your terms' is more than just a statement, it's an attitude. It's about having the freedom to do things without any rules or shackles. It's about freedom to be right, wrong and I-don't-really-care. Because life isn't just about living, it's about living freely. One can watch the campaign, by clicking here, https://youtu.be/PMKoLIAgQRQ Talking about the association, Mrunal Thakur said "I am excited about the NAIR brand bringing accessible, safe and innovative hair removal solutions like never-before to India. I couldn't be happier to be a part of the NAIR brand, a brand that encourages self-love and self-expression over conforming to external standards. 'Live on your terms' is a way of life. It's about embracing your true self. It's about being who you are. I look forward to encouraging the new generation and helping them feel confident in their own skin." "Mrunal has carved out a niche for herself in a competitive industry. She exudes confidence, authenticity and positivity - all attributes that resonate with the NAIR brand. Her individualistic personality makes her relatable across age groups, especially the younger audience, making her the perfect choice for the NAIR brand," says Aditya Pittie - MD, Pittie Group. With this partnership, both NAIR and Mrunal Thakur hope to create a long-lasting impact, just like NAIR products that are built for long-lasting hair removal. The NAIR brand plans to expand its blade-free, multi-benefit hair removal solution portfolio in India, introducing wax strips, hair removal sprays and charcoal wax in addition to their hair removal creams. With products that guarantee premium quality at-home convenience and an ambassador armed with oodles of aplomb, the hope is to arm India with confidence-inducing smooth and radiant skin on their own terms anytime, anywhere. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 19 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Wefivesoft is proud to announce its new Business Development Head - School Partnerships (India), Jitu Thomas. This leadership will empower Wefivesoft to focus on new growth strategies. Jitu will be leading the sales team with a new forward-thinking strategy that strengthens the approach and empowers the sales professionals to excel. This key hiring reflects Wefivesoft's vision to grow as an emerging market leader in the Ed-Tech industry as well as its expansion across the business segment. Jitu brings overall 17+ years of leadership experience where he spent most of the time with the Ed-Tech Industry. He has also worked in Banking, Insurance, and IT sectors. In his previous organization, he was working as the Associate Vice President for Business Development, specializing in identifying, developing new accounts, and partnership building. The expansion of the sales team has happened as Wefivesoft has launched a robust version of MarkersPro - an Integrated Learning Platform (ILP) for the K-12 Indian market which is NEP 2020 compliant. Wefivesoft proudly believes that the technology/future-ready product and solution will add more value to the Ed-Tech industry. Wefivesoft already has a good market share in the United States of America (USA). With MarkersPro ILP, Wefivesoft intends to reach Indian schools by Jan 2022. To learn more about Wefivesoft's management team, please visit the company's website at https://wefivesoft.com/about This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 19 (ANI/BusinessWire India): L&T Technology Services Limited (BSE: 540115, NSE: LTTS), India's leading pure-play engineering services company, announced its results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021. Highlights for Q3FY22 include: Revenue at Rs 16,875 million; growth of 20% YoY USD Revenue at $225.1 million; growth of 18% YoY EBIT margin at 18.6%; up 340 bps YoY Net profit at Rs 2,488 million; growth of 34% YoY Interim Dividend of Rs 10 per share; Record date January 27, 2022 During the quarter, LTTS won a USD45 million deal and a total of 3 deals with TCV of USD10 million plus. Revenues from digital and leading-edge technologies stood at 56% during the quarter. "We sustained our performance trajectory with sequential growth of 4.2% in constant currency led by strong demand across segments. The deal conversations and pipeline in our six big bets - Electric Autonomous & Connected Vehicle (EACV), 5G, Med-tech, AI & Digital Products, Digital Manufacturing and Sustainability - continues to see healthy improvement as our customers make steady progress on their long-term transformative journeys. We are expanding our EACV global presence with the addition of an engineering R&D center in Krakow, Poland that will strengthen our strategic partnership with European and Global clients. In line with our long-term growth prospects and strategy, we invested in hiring and onboarding a record 1,900 plus trainees leveraging our Global Engineering Academy that is focused on continuous training and upskilling. Despite the robust employee addition, we further improved our Operating margin to 18.6%, reflecting gains from investments in talent and innovation," said Amit Chadha, CEO & Managing Director, L&T Technology Services Limited. Industry Recognitions: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) awarded LTTS with the prestigious Top 25 Innovative Company Award at the 2021 Industrial Innovation Award Zinnov rated LTTS as a 'global ER&D Leader' and Leader across its core verticals Automotive, Aerospace, Medical Devices, Industrial, Semicon and Telecom Zinnov Zones ER&D Services Report rated LTTS as a 'Leader' in Digital Engineering, AI Engineering, Telematics, ADAS, Digital Thread, TeleHealth and OTT LTTS has been recognized as a 'Leader' in Digital Engineering in ISG's Manufacturing Industry Services 2021 Study in the Transportation, Hi-Tech and Industrial segments ISG's Life Science Digital Services Study has recognized LTTS as a 'Leader' in Europe & USA in the MedTech and Digital Transformation Services areas LTTS' Chest-rAITM solution recognized in Innovation in Overall Customer Experience category by ASSOCHAM 2nd Innovators' Excellence Awards 2021 Business Leadership Awards 2021 honored LTTS in the Innovation Excellence and Connected Car Platform of the Year categories Patents At the end of Q3FY22, the patents portfolio of L&T Technology Services stood at 816, out of which 578 are co-authored with its customers and the rest are filed by LTTS. Human Resources At the end of Q3FY22, LTTS' employee strength stood at 20,118. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India]/ Shenzhen [China], January 19 (ANI/PRNewswire): Excelra, a leading global Data & Analytics organization, today announced the partnership for its Global Online Structure Activity Relationship Database (GOSTAR) with XtalPi Inc., an AI-based pharmaceutical biotechnology company reinventing the industry's approach to drug research and development with its Intelligent Digital Drug Discovery and Development platform. Excelra will provide ADMET datasets in the GOSTAR database to XtalPi Inc. as part of the partnership. GOSTAR's ADMET data will power XtalPi's predictive models. The data helps XtalPi with high precision and predictability to confidently tackle clinical failures of new chemical entities. The well-annotated, high-quality ADMET datasets of GOSTAR are built with a proprietary QMS-ISO certified curation process powered by NLP and human intelligence. GOSTAR provides comprehensive information encompassing over 8 million compounds, manually curated from a variety of sources including patents and journal articles. The database contains over 29 million SAR associated data points. The well-structured relational database can be utilized for diverse applications across various stages of drug discovery and development lifecycle and aids in target validation, hit identification, early lead identification, and optimization. Min Xu, Senior Scientist, Research Manager, XtalPi Inc., said, "In XtalPi Inc., we develop advanced AI-based algorithms to tackle the challenges in the drug design process. The size and quality of datasets are always a big concern for us to build high-accuracy predictive models. That is why we consider GOSTAR as a unique and precious resource. It has millions of data points covering different compounds' ADMET properties and is also trustful, structured, and updated. We highly recommend GOSTAR to whoever is involved in the innovation of drug design methodologies." Norman Azoulay, Product Leader, Excelra, said, "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is bringing a paradigm shift to drug discovery and development. This partnership will help train XtalPi's models to accurately predict efficacy and safety parameters and to ultimately increase the success rate of drug design." XtalPi is a pharmaceutical technology company that is reinventing the industry's approach to drug research and development with its Intelligent Digital Drug Discovery and Development platform. With tightly interwoven quantum physics, artificial intelligence, and high-performance cloud computing algorithms, XtalPi's platform provides accurate predictions on the physiochemical and pharmaceutical properties of small-molecule candidates for drug design, solid-form selection, and other critical aspects of drug development. XtalPi is dedicated to improving the efficiency, accuracy, and success rate of drug research and development, and contributing to a healthier society worldwide. To know more, visit http://www.xtalpi.com. Excelra's data and analytics solutions empower innovation in life sciences from molecule to market. The Excelra Edge comes from harmonizing heterogeneous data sets, applying innovative bioinformatics know-how and technologies to accelerate your drug discovery & development with reliable and result-oriented insights. Excelra's GOSTAR is available as an application for users to seek, find, and discover compounds. In addition, it is offered via APIs and as a downloadable dataset to power in-house libraries and machine learning models. For more information about GOSTAR, visit www.gostardb.com CONTACT: Jigesh Shah - Director Marketing, Tel: +91 9820444994, Email: jigesh.shah@excelra.com This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI/PRNewswire): PayU, India's leading online payments solutions provider, has introduced a full-stack, versatile product suite to provide simplified access to credit for PayU's 3.5 lakh merchants. PayU has launched three products - Marketplace Early settlement, Priority Settlement, and Merchant Lending. These solutions provide access to working capital, enhance cash flow management & increase liquidity, boosting SMB growth. PayU's solutions provide customized offerings with credit amounts starting from a nominal Rs 25,000 for SMBs to several crores, and repayment cycles ranging from 1 week to 1 year. The World Bank estimates that Indian SMBs face a $380bn credit gap, making it difficult for them to meet short-term expenses and manage everyday operations. PayU's solutions are designed to resolve their credit-related pain points, offering fast and simplified access to credit in less than 30 minutes, directly from the PayU dashboard, based on a merchant's transaction history. Commenting on the launch, Hemang Dattani, Head, Growth Businesses at PayU, said, "SMBs are growth drivers for the country, accounting for a third of India's GDP. However, access to credit continues to be a major infrastructural hurdle for them. Drawing on our payments expertise & deep understanding of Indian SMBs, we offer diverse credit products for merchants of differing sizes, categories & business life cycles, supporting digital financial inclusion. This segment will be an important focus area for us in 2022." Abhishek Jain, Director at RasoiShop, an omnichannel kitchenware retailer, said, "With PayU's Priority Settlement solution, we could access funds within an hour, solving our operational problems of paying advance to logistics partners, suppliers and giving our business increased liquidity. Solutions like these are the need of the hour for exponentially growing businesses like ours in the current dynamic and constantly evolving business ecosystem in India. With minimum hassle & paperwork, our team was able to apply for & check settlement status in real-time from our dashboard. The process was fast, seamless and the right fit for our business." PayU's Priority Settlement feature provides maximum flexibility, allowing merchants to choose between receiving funds in scheduled settlement cycles every 15 minutes, hourly or in three daily batches. It allows merchants to access funds in less than 30 minutes from the time a transaction is made. It helps businesses such as travel and cab aggregators, financial services, and inventory-led merchants to provide funds and payments to vendors and customers on the same day, without delay. PayU, in partnership with other lenders, will also bring different credit solutions to meet the varied needs of SMB merchants. These include flexibility on tenor and repayment schedules, best-in-class loan life cycle experience, and revenue-based credit assessment. PayU, India's leading online payment solutions provider, is regulated under the Reserve Bank of India and has advanced solutions to meet the digital payment needs of the Indian market. PayU India aims to create a full-stack digital financial services platform to serve all (tapped and untapped) financial needs of customers (merchants, banks and consumers) through technology. PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology. In India, PayU serves more than 350,000 merchants with 100+ local payment methods and is the preferred payments partner for nearly 60% of the e-commerce merchants, including all leading e-commerce companies and a majority of airline businesses. PayU also developed LazyPay in 2017, an alternate lending platform to offer credit solutions such as Small Ticket Credit (Buy Now Pay Later), App-based loans (Instant personal loans) and Point of Sale Credit (Merchant EMI). LazyPay Buy Now Pay Later is currently live on 100+ merchants such as Byju's, Swiggy, Flipkart, Makemytrip, Dunzo, Vodafone, Zomato, Bookmyshow, Oyo, Tata Sky and many more. Contact: Ambika Gondane, Phone number: + (91) 9711764188, Email address: ambika.gondane@payu.in This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
The Government of Mauritius already operates HAL built ALH and Do-228 aircraft. "With this contract, HAL and Government of Mauritius have further strengthened the long standing business relations spanning over three decades," HAL said in a statement.

The agreement is in line with the Government of India's vision to boost defence exports to friendly foreign countries.

The contract was signed by BK Tripathy, General Manager, Helicopter Division-HAL and OK Dabidin, Secretary of Home Affairs, Prime Minister's Office, Government of Mauritius recently at HAL's Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The ALH Mk III is a multi-role, multi-mission versatile helicopter in 5.5 tonne category. It has proven its mettle in various utility role including numerous lifesaving missions during natural calamities in India and abroad.

More than 335 ALHs have been produced till date logging around 340,000 cumulative flying hours. HAL also ensures technical assistance and product support to the customer to ensure healthy serviceability of the helicopter, the statement said. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI/ATK): Square Root Co. launches premium Agarbatti in its wellness range of products. The company already has a variety of products like incense cones, dhoop sticks, essential oils, scented candles etc. Square Root Company is an all-organic brand with an extensive range of skincare, body care, healthcare and wellness products. All the products are made with 100 per cent natural ingredients. All the beauty products are ISO and GMP certified, freshly handmade with organic ingredients without sulphate, paraben, cruelty, GMO, and palm oil. Face mask, ubtan, organic soap, lip balm, body butter, honey is some of the other products that the company sells. The blend of natural ingredients to make essential oils, incense cones, incense sticks to experience the real magic of aromatherapy is all what the brand promises. When asked about introducing the new range of products, Shubhangini Sachdeva, Head - Marketing and PR, said, "We are overwhelmed with the response of our products especially in the wellness segment. We would like to thank our amazing customers for giving us this wonderful opportunity to serve them. Like our any other products, we are pretty sure that our customers will also like our premium range of Agarbatti. Many mesmerizing fragrances like jasmine, kesarchandan, yagya etc. have been introduced in our premium range of Agarbatti. We are excited to see the response of our loving customers." The company has introduced many different fragrances all together such as Jasmine, Rajnigandha, Phool Malika, Nargis, Kesar Chandan and yagya. Being organic and natural is not just the company claims but also believes in. Hence before selecting any product and presenting it to the end customers in any segment like beauty, health and wellness, the company has gone through many rigorous testing. All the products like incense sticks, incense cones and dhoop sticks are prepared with 100 per cent natural recipes with the blend flowers sourced across the world. Square Root Company is an all-organic brand with an extensive range of skincare, body care, healthcare and wellness products. All the products are made with 100 per cent natural ingredients. All the beauty products are ISO and GMP certified, freshly handmade with organic ingredients without sulphate, paraben, cruelty, GMO, and palm oil. In the healthcare range, the Gourmet Honey is all homemade with hand and love. The honey is freshly made and delivered at your doorstep. The blend of natural ingredients to make essential oils, incense cones, incense sticks to experience the real magic of aromatherapy is all what the brand promises. This story is provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ATK)
New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI/Target Media): The medical profession is among the noblest professions of the world and the courageous manner in which the medical professionals have served the society in times of the COVID-19 pandemic without even caring about their lives, it won't be wrong to say that we will always remain indebted to them. We have lost many doctors to this lethal virus and with the emergence of the new variant Omicron, it is quite obvious that the workload of doctors is going to increase further. The Indian medical sector is going through tough times due to the shortage of health workers and this can result in some serious problems if the COVID-19 pandemic situation worsens. As per an estimate, nearly 16 lakh students appear in 2021 the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) every year, and almost half of them clear the exam but there are only 1 lakh seats because of which many worthy students are deprived of fulfilling their professional aspirations. For such students, pursuing MBBS from abroad is the best option for fulfilling their dream of becoming a doctor. Though we have few world-class medical institutions in India, the international colleges still have an edge over them and the students who graduate from the foreign institutes get the option of applying for jobs in any corner of the world. If a student is thinking of pursuing MBBS from abroad, it is highly advisable that they get in touch with an MBBS Abroad consultant who has a great track record and is trustworthy because there are many consultants in the market that take a huge amount of money from the student and his family and make him join a college which has no or low ranking and accreditations. RMC Educational Service Centre is one of the leading MBBS Abroad consultants of India and in the last 21 years, it has helped numerous students in getting admission to the college of their choice. RMC Education Service Centre provides comprehensive details regarding the best overseas colleges, universities, courses, etc. to students from where they can pursue MBBS/MD/MS/BDS/MDS and fulfill their professional aspirations. Though RMC Educational Service Centre is best known for MBBS Abroad, it is equally capable of guiding students in relation to other medical courses as well. The team of the MBBS Abroad consultants at RMC Education Service Centre is highly qualified and well-equipped with the knowledge of all the technicalities and legalities that have to be fulfilled. This makes the whole process quite comfortable and hassle-free for students as well as their parents and the best part is that they also provide students with help in getting adjusted and accommodated in a new environment and culture. Students are also provided with proper counseling and assistance if they suffer from confidence issues as it is not easy for everyone to settle in a foreign land. The huge experience possessed by the MBBS Abroad experts of RMC Education Service Centre has helped it in creating a solid image of being the best in the industry and the strong relationships that it has developed overseas have also played a major part in acquiring accurate information and details regarding the foreign universities. The MBBS Abroad consultants at RMC Educational Centre are very much dedicated and devoted towards their work. Moreover, they are always ready to hear the feedback, whether it is positive or negative because, for them, any suggestion which can help them in improving is always welcomed. Mohammad Imteyaz (Noorani), the CEO & MD of RMC Education feels that RMC Education Service Centre is changing the dynamics of the Indian healthcare sector by helping students in getting admission in good colleges so that they can become doctors and serve society. On the other hand, it is also managing the chain of super-specialty hospitals, Cribs Hospital which has one branch in Madhubani, Bihar, and two in New Delhi. The hospital which started its operations in 2014 has state-of-the-art infrastructure and provides world-class medical treatment to patients using the latest technologies at really affordable prices. This story is provided by Target Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Target Media)
According to the death certificate obtained by E! News, the legendary actor died from a combination of heart failure, Alzheimer's dementia and prostate cancer.

While he had suffered from dementia and cancer for years, as per the document, he experienced heart failure in the hours before his passing.

The death certificate stated that Poitier passed away at his Beverly Hills home and was cremated. It also mentioned Poitier's history as an actor of 76 years.

During his prolific career spanning decades, Poitier starred in films such as 'Porgy and Bess', 'A Raisin in the Sun', 'To Sir, With Love' and 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'.

In 1964, he made Oscar history when he became the first Black man to win an Academy Award in the Best Actor category for his role of Homer Smith in 'Lilies of the Field'.

More than three decades later, he received an honorary Oscar "in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being," as per the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' database.

Poitier's list of awards also included three Golden Globes, a Grammy and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In addition, he had received an AFI Life Achievement Award, a Kennedy Center Honor and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Since his demise, many celebrities and notable figures have paid tribute to the Hollywood icon, including Whoopi Goldberg, Tyler Perry, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kelly Rowland and Loni Love. (ANI)
A source close to the Universal Pictures production confirmed to People magazine that filming "has been temporarily suspended" due to the virus, "and will recommence at a later date."

According to Variety, the pause in production is due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Australian state of Queensland, where the movie was being shot.

Roberts and Clooney have reportedly flown back to the United States for the time being, sources told the outlet.

In 'Ticket to Paradise', Roberts and Clooney play a divorced couple who travel to Bali to prevent their daughter from getting married. The two Oscar winners have previously worked together on 'Ocean's Eleven' and 'Money Monster'.

'Ticket to Paradise' also stars Kaitlyn Dever and Billie Lourd, who recently opened up on Instagram about working in Australia while mourning the five-year anniversary of mom Carrie Fisher's death.

The film is being directed by Ol Parker of 'Mamma Mia' fame.

The upcoming romantic-comedy is the latest film to get the yellow light as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, joining productions that previously paused due to COVID-19 like 'Jurassic World: Dominion', 'The Batman' and 'Mission: Impossible 7'. Universal had initially scheduled 'Ticket to Paradise' to release in theatres on September 30, 2022, but the studio has since moved it to October 21, 2022. (ANI)
Deadline confirmed that the DGA's highest honour will be presented to Lee at the 74th annual DGA Awards on Saturday, March 12.

This award holds utmost importance as Lee is the first Black director to get the award, which recognizes extraordinary efforts in the art of cinema. He joins a roster of just 35 helmers so honoured, including Frank Capra, Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Billy Wilder, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Milos Forman and, most recently, Ridley Scott.

Lee's production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983. He made his directorial debut with 2017 comedy series 'She's Gotta Have It'. Apart from directing, Lee had also played the lead role in this drama.

Other master pieces directed by him include 'School Daze', 'Do the Right Thing', 'Mo' Better Blues', 'Jungle Fever', 'Malcolm X', 'Crooklyn', 'Clockers', 'Girl 6', 'Get on the Bus', and 'He Got Game' among others

His 2018 'BlacKkKlansman' earned him DGA Award and Oscar nominations.

In 2002, the Guild awarded Lee with a DGA Honour for his distinguished contributions to nation's culture in support of filmmaking. (ANI)
The demise of actor Gaspard Ulliel on Wednesday in ski accident has left everyone shocked. He was 37. French Prime Minister Jean Castex paid tribute to the late actor on Twitter. He penned a message in French, which translates to: "Gaspard Ulliel grew up with cinema and cinema grew with him. They loved each other madly. It is with a heavy heart that we will no longer see his most beautiful interpretations. We have lost a French actor." As per Variety, Gaspard began acting while still at school. At the age of 12 he appeared in the French TV movie 'Une Femme En Blanc' in an uncredited role. In 2007 he took on his first major English-speaking role in "'Hannibal Rising', playing Hannibal, and in 2014 played fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in the critically acclaimed film 'Saint Laurent'. He will make one of his final on-screen appearances in Marvel's upcoming Disney Plus series 'Moon Knight', in which Ulliel played Midnight Man opposite Oscar Isaac. (ANI)
After a massive spike in Covid infections, Delhi has started seeing a declining trajectory of cases with a downward trend reported for the fifth day in a row on Tuesday. However, the hospitalisation rate in the city has not declined in proportion with the falling daily cases. The national capital had, on January 13, reported a massive spike in daily Covid cases at 28,867, the highest single-day rise since the start of the pandemic, with a 29.21 per cent positivity rate. However, the daily tally has fallen by over 50 per cent in these five days since then to 11,684 cases on January 18. The death rate has also fallen in these days. Meanwhile, the positivity rate fluctuates more or less on the same curved path as the city recorded a 29.21 per cent positivity rate when the single-day Covid rise was highest and the positivity remains 22.47 per cent even as the cases have halved. However, despite the significant fall in daily Covid caseload, the hospital admission rate has not declined and remains the same or stable for the last four to five days. Experts attribute this to the high positivity rate. The Delhi government-run first Omicron-dedicated Lok Nayak Jai Prakash hospital has seen two more admissions in the intensive care unit on Tuesday. LNJP had 41 occupied and 459 vacant beds in the ICU on January 16 which has now risen to 43 occupied in the ICU. Out of the total Covid beds, the hospital had 150 occupied on Monday, but 9 patients have been discharged and only 141 are occupied by Tuesday evening. CMO Dr Ritu Saxena said that the cases have come down in the city but the hospital admission rate remain more or less the same in the last one week. She added the reason can be attributed that most patients are getting treatment in home isolation. Meanwhile, the daily testing in the city has gone down to over 50 per cent from 1,05,102 Covid tests on January 12 to only 52,002 tests in the last 24 hours on Tuesday. On being asked about fewer Covid tests in the city, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday told media that the ICMR guidelines on Covid testing are being followed in Delhi. --IANS avr/vd ( 396 Words) 2022-01-18-22:30:07 (IANS)
Hinting at easing curbs imposed due to surge in Covid-19 cases, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta on Tuesday said that the expert committee is of the opinion that Covid-19 restrictions would suffice for another week. "The opinion was given by the experts in the high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday. Until then, the restrictions would continue. About 23,000 Covid cases are coming to light in Bengaluru. The numbers are very high in the city," he said. During the wave, 20,000 to 22,000 cases are being reported every day But, this time there is no severity, and hospitalisation requirements are not found among patients. "The situation is monitored closely in ICU wards, ventilated beds in private as well as government hospitals. There are no issues among hospitalisations. There are 1,600 admissions and 600 patients are referred to private hospitals," he said. The preventive measures with regards to Covid-19 are being discussed in consecutive meetings.There is no shortage of medicines and there is no extreme situation existing in the state. One lakh tests have been done freely and those who are with symptoms of fever and cough should get tested, Gupta said. People should know that antibiotic tablets are mandatory for Covid patients, and should be taken in consultation with doctors. Ivermectin has been taken off from the treatment of Covid. Home isolation is decreased from 10 days to 7 days. There is no requirement for testing again, he said. --IANS mka/vd ( 265 Words) 2022-01-18-23:30:06 (IANS)
There is no evidence of recently infected mothers transmitting infectious SARS-CoV-2 through breastmilk to their baby, according to a new study. The study was published in the journal 'Pediatric Research'. The authors found that whilst a low proportion of breastmilk contained COVID-19 genetic material, this did not translate into the presence of infectious replicating viral particles or lead to evidence of clinical infection with SARS-CoV-2 in breastfeeding infants. Authors from the University of California (California, USA) analysed breastmilk samples from 110 lactating women who donated to the Mommy's Milk Human Milk Biorepository at the University of California, San Diego between March and September 2020. Of the 110 women included, 65 had a positive COVID-19 test, while 9 had symptoms but tested negative, and 36 were symptomatic but were not tested. Paul Krogstad and colleagues found SARS-CoV-2 genetic material (RNA) in the breastmilk of 7 women (6 per cent) with either confirmed infection or who reported being symptomatic. A second breastmilk sample taken from these 7 women between one and 97 days later did not contain any SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The authors did not find any infectious SARS-CoV-2 genetic material known as SgRNA, which is an indicator of virus replication, in the 7 breastmilk samples and when culturing other samples. There was no clinical evidence of infection in the infants who were breastfed by the 7 mothers with SARS-CoV-2 RNA in their milk. The authors cautioned that the sample size was low in this study and may not have captured all the potential factors that would predict the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in breastmilk. However, it was the largest study at this time to analyse breastmilk and provided evidence that breastfeeding from women proven or suspected to have had SARS-CoV-2 infection did not lead to COVID-19 infection in their infants. Paul Krogstad, lead author, said: "Breastmilk is an invaluable source of nutrition to infants. In our study, we found no evidence that breastmilk from mothers infected with COVID-19 contained infectious genetic material and no clinical evidence was found to suggest the infants got infected, which suggests breastfeeding is not likely to be a hazard." The authors concluded that their study added to the evidence that women who were infected with COVID-19 and were breastfeeding their child had no risk of transmitting the virus through their breastmilk. (ANI)
A new study has found that waiting for more than five hours in emergency care before admission to the hospital is associated with a heightened risk of death from any cause within the next 30 days. The study has been published in the 'Emergency Medicine Journal'. This can be measured and represented as a 'number needed to harm metric', of 1 extra death for every 82 patients delayed after 6-8 hours, concluded the researchers. The 4-hour waiting time target before hospital discharge, admission, or transfer was introduced in 2004 in England, and shortly afterward in the other devolved nations of the UK, in a bid to tackle emergency department overcrowding. Several other countries, including Canada and Australia, followed suit with similar measures. But in recent years, performance against this target has steadily declined amid rising patient demand. Delays to timely admission from emergency departments have been linked to patient harm, and the researchers wanted to quantify the increased risk of death resulting from these delays. They drew on Hospital Episode Statistics and Office of National Statistics data for England, covering every patient admitted to hospital from each major (type 1) emergency department in England between April 2016 and March 2018. They compared recorded deaths from any cause within 30 days of admission with those that would be expected, allowing for a wide range of potentially influential factors. These included sex, age, deprivation level, concurrent conditions, time of the day and month, previous attendances/emergency admissions, and crowding in the emergency department at the time. Between April 2016 and March 2018, 26,738,514 people attended an emergency department in England: 5,249,891 of them were admitted to the hospital. In all, 433,962 people died within 30 days during the study period. The overall unadjusted 30-day death rate was just under 9 per cent. The average age of patients admitted was 55; the number of concurrent conditions rose in tandem with increasing age. Nearly twice as many patients came from areas of greatest deprivation as came from areas of least deprivation. The most frequent time of arrival was between 12:00 and 17:59 hours, with the first 3 months of the year accounting for the biggest proportion of patients. The average wait in the emergency department was just under 5 hours; the breach rate of the 4-hour waiting time target averaged around 38 per cent. A statistically significant linear increase in the death rate emerged for waits longer than 5 hours in the emergency department. After accounting for potentially influential risk factors, the death rate was 8 per cent higher than expected among those patients waiting between 6-8 hours before admission to hospital, and 10 per cent higher than expected for those waiting 8-12 hours, compared with patients moving on within 6 hours. This can be measured and represented as a 'number needed to harm metric', of 1 extra death for every 82 patients delayed for 6-8 hours, said the researchers. "The results from this study show that there is a 'dose-dependent' association between time in excess of 5 hours in the [emergency department] for admitted patients and their all-cause 30-day mortality," they wrote. "Moreover, 30-day mortality is a relatively crude metric that does not account for either increase in patient morbidity or for the inevitably worse patient experiences," they added. This is an observational study, and as such, can't establish cause and effect. But, said the researchers, "Despite limited supporting evidence, there are a number of clinically plausible reasons to accept that there is a temporal association between delayed admission to a hospital inpatient bed and poorer patient outcomes." Long stays in the emergency department are associated with exit block and crowding, which can delay access to vital treatments. And they are associated with an increase in subsequent hospital length of stay, especially for older patients, noted the researchers. This, in turn, increases the risk of hospital-acquired infection and physiological and psychological deconditioning, they said. Exit block is usually also related to bed occupancy levels, which are highest in the late afternoon and usually lower around midnight. A disproportionate number of delayed patients are therefore likely to be moved to a ward during the night when staffing levels are lowest, they added. And they concluded, "This study confirms that healthcare policymakers should continue to mandate timely admission from the [emergency department] in order to protect patients from hospital-associated harm." In a linked editorial, Derek Prentice, lay member for the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, insisted, "Let nobody be in doubt any longer, the NHS 4-hour operational target is, as many of us have always known, of key importance to patient safety." With sufficient funding for NHS beds and staff and social care provision, and prioritisation from NHS leaders, hospitals should be able to meet this target, he said. But these have been in short supply in recent years, he suggested. "Could there be better measures? Possibly, but until there are, and crucially, ones that have the support and trust of patients, the 4-hour target or one very close to this, must remain the gold standard. Those in doubt need look no further than the evidence provided by this excellent paper," he asserted. (ANI)
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A new research has found that COVID-19 vaccination offers long-lasting protection from the worst outcomes of COVID-19. The research has been published in the 'New England Journal of Medicine'. The emergence of the delta and omicron variants had raised questions about whether breakthrough infections are caused by waning immunity or by the more transmissible variants. Results of the study suggested that declining immunity is responsible for breakthrough infections, but vaccines maintained protection from hospitalization and severe disease nine months after getting the first shot. "The primary takeaway message from our study is that unvaccinated people should get vaccinated right away," said lead study author Danyu Lin, PhD, Dennis Gillings Distinguished Professor of Biostatistics at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. "The results of our study also underscore the importance of booster shots, especially for older adults," Lin added. The study, which is a collaboration between the UNC-Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, examined data on COVID-19 vaccination history and health outcomes for 10.6 million North Carolina residents between December 2020 and September 2021. The study results were used by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to support the use of booster shots. "This is an excellent example of the wonderful research partnership between the Gillings School and NCDHHS, who are working together to generate the evidence base needed to keep our communities safe," said Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, Carla Smith Chamblee Distinguished Professor of Global Nutrition and associate dean for research at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health This data included outcomes from COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant. However, data from this study were collected before the discovery of the omicron variant. "By applying a novel methodology to the rich surveillance data, we were able to provide a precise and comprehensive characterization of the effectiveness over a nine-month period for the three vaccines employed in the U.S.," Lin said. "Unlike previous studies, we estimated the vaccine effectiveness in reducing the current risks of COVID-19, hospitalization, and death as a function of time elapsed since the first dose," Lin continued. "This information is critically important in determining the need for and the optimal timing of booster vaccination," Lin added. The study found that the effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines in reducing the risk of COVID-19 reached a peak of about 95 per cent two months after the first dose and then gradually declined. At seven months, the Pfizer vaccine dropped to 67 per cent effectiveness, compared to the Moderna vaccine, which maintained 80 per cent effectiveness. Among early recipients of the two mRNA vaccines, effectiveness dropped dramatically from mid-June to mid-July, when the delta variant was surging. Effectiveness for the Johnson & Johnson adenovirus vaccine was 75 per cent at one month after injection and fell to 60 per cent after five months. All three vaccines were effective at keeping people out of the hospital due to severe COVID-19. Effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine reached a peak of 96 per cent at two months and remained around 90 per cent at seven months; effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine reached a peak of 97 per cent at two months and remained at 94 per cent at seven months. The effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine reached a peak of 86 per cent at two months and was higher than 80 per cent through six months. For all three vaccines, effectiveness against death was higher than that of hospitalization. "Because the majority of the vaccines in the U.S. were administered more than seven months ago and only a small percentage of the population has received boosters, waning immunity is likely contributing to the breakthrough infections with the omicron variant," Lin said. Everyone age 5 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Those ages 18 and up should get a booster shot. The research was led by Lin with major contributions from Yu Gu, a doctoral student in biostatistics, and Donglin Zeng, PhD, professor of biostatistics. NCDHHS epidemiologists Bradford Wheeler, Hayley Young, Shadia Khan Sunny, and Zack Moore participated in the research. Shannon Holloway from the North Carolina State Department of Statistics also contributed. (ANI)
The administration of Indonesia's capital has called upon all residents in the city to be more cautious in the coming weeks amid predictions of a third wave of Covid-19 in the country. The total number of confirmed Omicron cases in Jakarta on Monday rose to 825, the city's Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said, adding that as many as 582 of these reported cases were imported, while 243 were locally transmitted. Nationwide, the total number of Omicron cases on Monday rose to 840. Jakarta has seen the number of Covid daily cases surpassing 250 since January 5, with the highest of 720 new cases recorded on Saturday, Xinhua new agency reported. Patria said that Jakarta, home to more than 10 million people, is at a greater risk of being exposed to the variant since the city is the site of transits for foreigners entering the country and for Indonesians returning from overseas. However, he expressed his confidence that Jakarta was "ready to face the battle against the new Omicron variant," and that the city administration would keep working together with the central government institutions in the fight against the virus. The deputy governor also insisted that the public remain disciplined in following health protocols, underscoring the role of the masses in ensuring a success in suppressing the transmission of Covid. In June 2021, Jakarta's healthcare system was on the brink of collapse, with more than 90 per cent of available Covid hospital beds occupied, due to the second wave of infections fueled by the highly-transmissible Delta variant. Jakarta is still the biggest-affected region in Indonesia with more than 8,70,000 confirmed cases, according to official figures. The virus has killed more than 13,000 people in the city since the outbreak. --IANS int/sks/skp ( 304 Words) 2022-01-19-11:02:02 (IANS)
Rishikumar Swamiji of Kaali Mutt has made a video in front of the mosque in Srirangapatna, and made a public appeal that the mosque should be demolished as it is built over a temple.

He had also claimed in the video that the pillars, walls and kalyani (water body) inside the premises of mosque symbolise Hindu architecture.

He said that Hindus should demolish it immediately.

The video was put out on his social media account and it drew sharp reactions.

Srirangapatna police have gone to the mutt located in Chikkamagalur district and took Rishikumar Swamiji into their custody and presented him before the local court.

The counsel for Swamiji argued that the statements made by his client are not controversial.

"He had put out his pain after seeing the traces of temples in the mosque," the advocate stated.

However, the counsel for the government argued that his bail petition should not be considered in view of his release leading to communal disharmony and destruction of evidences.

The court has reserved the judgment for Wednesday.

--IANS mka/pgh

( 216 Words)

2022-01-18-21:08:04 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over the "disturbing tendency" of trial courts deciding cases involving rape and murder charges in haste as it commuted the death sentence of a man, convicted for raping and killing a 11-year-old girl, to 30 years imprisonment. A bench, headed by Justice L. Nageswara Rao and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and B.V. Nagarathna, said: "It is travesty of justice as the appellant was not given a fair opportunity to defend himself. This is a classic case indicating the disturbing tendency of trial courts adjudicating criminal cases involving rape and murder in haste. It is trite law that an accused is entitled for a fair trial which is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution." Noting that the trial court passed the order of conviction and sentence on the same day, Justice Rao, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said: "The object and purpose of Section 235 (2) CrPC is that the accused must be given an opportunity to make a representation against the sentence to be imposed on him. A bifurcated hearing for convicting and sentencing is necessary to provide an effective opportunity to the accused." The bench added that adequate opportunity to produce relevant material on the question of death sentence should be provided to the accused by the trial court. The judgment came on an appeal filed by Bhagwani, whose appeal challenging the death sentence awarded by the trial court was dismissed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The top court noted that the accused was 25 years old on the date of commission of the offence and belongs to a Scheduled Tribes community, eking his livelihood by doing manual labour. It added that no evidence has been placed by the prosecution on record to show that there is no probability of rehabilitation and reformation of the accused and the question of an alternative option to death sentence is foreclosed. "The appellant had no criminal antecedents before the commission of crime for which he has been convicted. There is nothing adverse that has been reported against his conduct in jail. Therefore, the death sentence requires to be commuted to life imprisonment," noted the bench, sentencing him to 30 years imprisonment for committing rape and murder of a hapless girl. The incident occurred in April 2017 and the other accused Satish died during the pendency of his appeal. --IANS ss/vd ( 416 Words) 2022-01-18-21:28:02 (IANS)
To further strengthen the vocational and technical training framework, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU), on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the partnership aims to link vocational education and training with higher education, making India's youth employable by creating avenues for them to access better work opportunities. The trainees attached to National Skill Training Institutes (NSTI), Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK) and Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS) will benefit from the programme, aimed at creating upward mobility of these students to be able to attain higher education for better livelihood opportunities, said the ministry. Under the partnership, 32 NSTIs, more than 3,000 Government ITIs, 500 PMKKs and nearly 300 JSS will be associated with IGNOU as Registration Centres, Examination Centres and Work Centres for hands-on training, stated the ministry. As per the ministry, through the collaboration, students will now get an opportunity to join the three-year degree programme of IGNOU. There shall be a Project Steering Committee with representatives from both MSDE and IGNOU to monitor and review the progress of the programme. The MoU is initially for a period of 10 years subject to renewal on mutual agreement. This MoU is in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal 4.4 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for increasing Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education including vocational education to 50 per cent by 2035, said the ministry. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship lauded the initiative and expressed that India's young demographic dividend is the engine of its economic progress and needs access to meaningful pathways to receive quality education as well as skill, and vocational training. The initiative is aimed in this direction as it provides higher social and economic mobility to our youth, with requisite qualifications, he added. He further said that our Prime Minister's vision is to fulfil the aspirations of India's youth and prepare them for the future world of work and this initiative is aligned with it. Aggarwal stressed that IGNOU as an establishment has continuously striven to build an inclusive knowledge environment and he hoped that this collaboration will provide an opportunity to India's youth population to build their capacities and shape their future. In its initial stage, the joint initiative shall be implemented at the earliest with 32 NSTIs declared as IGNOU centres including courses on foreign language training, skill-based healthcare education, fashion designing and more, he added. As per the ministry, the MoU was signed by Dr B.K. Ray, Director (CBC), MSDE and Dr V.B. Negi, Registrar, IGNOU. Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU stated that IGNOU shall provide all necessary support through its 21 Schools of Studies and 56 Regional Centres for successful implementation of this scheme. IGNOU will develop standards for quality assurance, develop counselling and trainer training programmes to facilitate students' enrolments, train the staff of the identified centres to handle the enrolments and counselling, and mentor the management of NSTIs, ITIs, PMKKs and JSSs, stated the ministry. It will also provide self-learning material (SLM) in digital form, undertake the comprehensive evaluation and conduct term-end examinations for its own components, and issue certificates to successful learners, it added. (ANI)
Delhi Police have strengthened the security arrangements in the national capital after they received intelligence inputs of a possible terror attack in the city ahead of the Republic Day. Top Delhi Police sources told IANS that strict security arrangements have been put in place across the national capital. "On such occasions [Republic Day], Delhi Police always raise the alert. We increase our visibility, presence and checking to counter any threat," a senior police officer said. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said in an order that as per reports, certain criminal or anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations. In view of this, Asthana also put a ban on the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), micro-light aircraft, remotely-piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-size powered aircraft, quadcopters or even para-jumping from aircraft etc. "The safety of the people is our topmost priority. The police personnel have been deployed on roads to intensify patrolling and checking at pickets for area dominance," the officer said. Moreover, recovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on January 14 from the Ghazipur flower market area has already raised the concerns of the Delhi Police. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi district), Deepak Yadav, told IANS that adequate arrangements have been made in and around the Rajpath ahead of the Republic Day. "Around 300 cameras with face-recognition facility have been installed around the Rajpath to thwart any threat beforehand," Yadav said. The hotels in New Delhi district area are also being checked by the cops. In view of the existing threat, Yadav said that specially-trained commandos of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces would be deployed to counter any threat. "Apart from the police commandos, assault teams of SWAT, Special Cell and hit squads of NSG would also be deployed," Yadav said. As the usage of drones to carry out terror attacks has risen in the recent past, the DCP said any flying object that breaches the security cordons in and around the area of Rajpath will be taken care of. "An anti-drone team will be deployed to take care of that," he said. Meanwhile, around 1,000 drones, 75 military aircraft and tableaux of 12 states and Union Territories and nine ministries will be part of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath. The government has introduced two important changes -- Republic Day celebration week will be held from January 23 to January 30, and the main function will begin 30 minutes later on January 26. It will begin at 10.30 a.m. in place of 10 a.m. to let visibility improve by the time the flypast takes place. The celebrations will begin from January 23 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It will end on January 30 to commemorate Martyrs' Day. Further, the number of visitors at the Republic Day parade has been curtailed significantly owing to the prevailing Covid situation. Last year, around 25,000 visitors were allowed. This year, the number has been significantly curtailed between 5,000 and 8,000. (Ujwal Jalali can be reached at ujwal.j@ians.in) --IANS uj/arm ( 550 Words) 2022-01-18-22:42:06 (IANS)
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) lawmakers and workers are backing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's liquor ban decision, but a former party MLA on Tuesday announced "Piyakkar Sammelan" (Drunkards convention) in the state's Siwan soon. Liquor is currently banned in Bihar and Nitish Kumar is facing the huge criticism on this issue due to its implementation on the ground, and major loss of life due to people drinking spurious liquor The organiser, former JD-U lawmaker Shyam Bahadur Singh, is said to be very close to Nitish Kumar, and had won several assembly elections from Siwan but he lost in 2020. "We have decided to organise a drunkards' convention in the Gandhi Maidan of Siwan where we will invite every person of the state. We will serve drinks (liquor) according to their choice. We will arrange every brand of liquor from beer to country made and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) which is popularly known as 'Laal Pani' or 'English' in Bihar," Singh said. Not giving the exact date, he said that the event will be held after the winter. "The idea is to find the number of people who are in favour of liquor to be allowed in the state and those who are in favour of the liquor ban," Singh said. He pleaded that there should be relaxation in the liquor ban. "Liquor is available everywhere in the state. Liquor is not banned here. Nitish Kumar should allow beer and English (IMFL) to be available easily. For poor people, the state government should also allow country-made liquor. Poor people cannot afford English (IMFL) liquor," he said. When reporters noted that the Chief Minister was firm on his decision to continue the liquor ban, Singh said that Nitish Kumar is not above the judiciary. "All judges use to drink liquor. If Nitish Kumar does not listen to our suggestion, we will settle the matter in the next election," Singh said. A popular face of JD-U in Siwan district, Singh appears in several videos showing him dancing to stage to orchestras. Elected for the first time from Siwan's Barharia assembly constituency in 2005, he was re-elected in 2010, defeating RJD candidate Mohamad Mobin, and in 2015, by defeating LJP candidate Baccha Pandey. Singh,however, lost the 2020 Assembly election to Pandey, now the RJD candidate, by a narrow margin of 3,559 votes. --IANS ajk/vd ( 403 Words) 2022-01-18-23:00:01 (IANS)
The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that due to "comprehensive policies and steps" taken by both Central and state governments, there have been no starvation deaths in recent times, even during the Covid pandemic, but the court remained unconvinced. The apex court pressed Attorney General K.K. Venugopal to be crystal clear, if he is making a statement that there are no starvation deaths in the country now, and also sought data to establish this claim. In an affidavit, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution said: "Indeed, thanks to the progress made by the nation since independence and the comprehensive policies and steps taken by both state and Central governments, there have been no starvation deaths in the country in recent times, even during adverse situations like the pandemic." During the hearing, a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, after the AG submitted that that no state has reported starvation deaths, queried: "Are you making a statement that there are no starvation deaths in the country now?" The bench, also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hima Kohli, further pressed: "Can we afford to say that there are no starvation deaths?" At this, Venugopal reiterated states have not reported starvation deaths, and the states have to respond on this and added the fact about malnutrition cannot be denied. The bench then said: "Government of India should give us data on starvation deaths, latest information. Ask your officer to give us information." Asking the Centre to develop a model to implement the community kitchen scheme across the country, the court also emphasised that Centre should provide additional food grains to states to run it, and said the issue of "hunger has to be taken care of". "Hunger has to be taken care of to be satisfied and the poor people who are on the street and who are suffering because of that." The top court was hearing a PIL, filed by social activists Anun Dhawan, Ishann Dhawan, and Kunjana Singh, seeking direction to the Centre for creating a national food grid, for people who do not fall under the public distribution scheme. The petitioners had argued that it is high time states takes steps to set up community kitchens. During the hearing, the bench said logistics will not be an issue for state governments, as community kitchens is a popular scheme. It added that "popularity-wise", every government will want to run this. The Chief Justice said: "I don't want to comment because this is election time... the governments are giving so many other welfare schemes." He added that the governments can give something to the deprived to survive. The bench, citing state governments' response, said some of them have already established community kitchens and now they seek funds, and some are ready to start but they need funds. Citing the Centre's affidavit, the bench said it does not indicate anywhere that government is considering framing a scheme. "It does not say what fund you have collected and what you are doing etc. We wanted a uniform model from the Centre," it said. Concluding the hearing, the top court asked the Centre to file its response on providing additional food grains to states and scheduled the matter for further hearing after three weeks. The top court also gave liberty to states to file affidavits on issues of malnutrition and starvation deaths. --IANS ss/vd ( 584 Words) 2022-01-18-23:10:05 (IANS)
Karnataka Minister for Higher Education, C.N. Ashwath Narayan, said on Tuesday that the protest plan of former minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna demanding permission to start a post-graduate course for Holenarasipura is not justified. The government is committed to providing quality education in all its first-grade colleges across the state, Narayan said. Revanna had announced that he would stage a dharna in front of the CM's office, alleging that the Higher Education Minister had denied permission to commence M.Sc. course in psychology and food and nutrition at the Government Home Science College for Women in Holenarsipura, which is his home town and constituency. Responding to a media query on Revanna's plan to protest, Narayan said, "There are 430 government first-grade colleges across the state and there is not even a single college in 8-10 Assembly constituencies. A sum of Rs 3,000 crore is required to facilitate infrastructure and quality labs. "Along with this, the existing PG centres need to be improved at the earliest. Taking all this into consideration, permission is not being given to start new PG courses in the first-grade colleges for the next two years. Having served as a minister for several terms, is Revanna unaware of this? "There are eight first-grade colleges, six PG, one engineering, five ITI and three polytechnic colleges in Holenarasipura constituency alone, and Rs 65.40 crore has been allocated for the first-grade colleges in the constituency. In addition to this, Rs 93.26 lakh has been given to procure equipment and tools. When such is the case, how can Revanna allege discrimination," Narayan asked. He added that PG courses should exist at the university level only. Various studies have shown that academic progress suffers whenever there are same teachers both at degree and PG levels, he said. --IANS mka/arm ( 313 Words) 2022-01-18-23:12:04 (IANS)
The Indian Youth Congress on Tuesday submitted a representation to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal, accusing the Delhi government of reducing the number of Covid tests in the national capital. The President of the Youth Congress, B.V. Srinivas, urged the Lieutenant Governor to ensure that a minimum of 1 lakh tests are conducted daily for the next 15 days, and ensure that adequate number of oxygen beds are made available in proportion to the number of positive cases. "The test positivity rate in the national capital has remained around 30 per cent, but the number of tests has gone down from around 1 lakh on January 12 to about 40,000 on January 17," the delegation said. The Youth Congress also accused the Delhi government of trying to cover up' its failure' in handling the ongoing third wave of the pandemic by reducing the number of tests and thus suppressing the actual number of Covid cases. "The course adopted by the Delhi government is contrary to the statements made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself, as he had talked about focusing on 5 Ts' -- testing, tracing, treatment, teamwork and tracking -- and monitoring the virus for preventing its spread," the Youth Congress said. The Delhi government led by Kejriwal has not learnt its lessons from the deadly second wave, which is clear from the fact that the Chief Minister is busy campaigning for the upcoming Assembly elections in other states while the people of Delhi have been left to fend for their lives, it added. --IANS miz/arm ( 271 Words) 2022-01-19-00:30:05 (IANS)
Member of All India Congress Committee (AICC) from Mumbai, Vishwabandhu Rai on Tuesday wrote a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and said that 12 ministers of Congress, who are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, are not working in "true interest of the party and no major steps have been taken to fulfil the promises made in the manifestos". In the letter, Rai said, "There are 12 ministers from Congress quota in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. But, these 12 ministers have not done anything to strengthen the party's base in the state. They all are working for their vested interest." He further said, "In 2019, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had promised to provide houses up to 500 sq ft to Mumbai residents under SRA scheme. The Congress ministers have not initiated any steps in fulfilling this promise. Whereas, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is taking all credit for waiving off taxes on houses up to 500 sq ft in Mumbai. The Congress party's manifesto is being completely ignored." He alleged that NCP, which is an alliance partner in the MVA government, has poached 18 Congress councillors and made them their NCP. "Moreover, several officials of Congress party are involved in party hopping and joining NCP and Shiv Sena, which is also the alliance partner in the government." Rai also said that the Maharashtra government did not give permission for Rahul Gandhi's rally in the state. "Mumbai Congress unit president is hoping to have an alliance with Shiv Sena for the forthcoming Mumbai municipal corporation election. There is no preparedness to fight the election alone. It seems like the Mumbai Congress president has some partnership with Shiv Sena," said Rai. He alleged that the Congress party had promised to waive off the electricity bill in Maharashtra. "Even after the ministry of power is with Congress, no substantial move has been initiated towards waiving off electricity bill in the state," he added. (ANI)
Amid rising COVID-19 cases and several government restrictions in place to contain its spread, Karnataka Minister Umesh Katti, who was seen without wearing a mask at a public event, refused to do so claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said "it is individual's responsibility". "The Prime Minister has said that no restriction will be imposed and that it (wearing face mask) is an individual's responsibility. Whoever wishes to wear a mask can do so. I am not interested in wearing it so I haven't. It is my individual decision," the Karnataka Minister told media persons on Tuesday. Umesh Katti, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, is the current Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Forest in the state. His statement comes at a time when COVID-19 cases in Karnataka and across the country witnessed a rampant surge. Karnataka on Tuesday reported as many as 41,457 new COVID-19 cases. The positivity rate stands at 22.30 per cent. Recently, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, after participating in party's padyatra, had reportedly refused to get tested for COVID-19 accusing the state government of trying to "infect" him with COVID-19 by exposing him to an official who tested positive for the virus. "Additional District Commissioner who came to test me last night has tested COVID-19 positive. He was sent to make sure that I get infected and test positive. The Government wants to make me a primary contact of the COVID positive person and that is why the official had been sent," Shivakumar had alleged. "This may not be the idea of Chief Minister. But the Health Minister (K. Sudhakar) is capable of doing it," he added. (ANI)
As per highly placed sources, the CCEA meeting will be held at 10 am and the Union Cabinet meeting is scheduled at 10.05 am.

The Union Cabinet, last week, had approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Nepal for the construction of a bridge over Mahakali River at Dharchula (India)- Dharchula (Nepal).

It had also approved the signing of the MoU between India and Turkmenistan on Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management.

Besides, the Union Cabinet had also approved the signing of the Agreement between India and Spain on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters.

Meanwhile, the CCEA had approved a scheme on Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II for Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) last week, which will help in achieving the target of 450 GW installed renewal energy capacity by 2030. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded youngsters in the 15-18 age group for showing enthusiasm in getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and called for continuing the momentum. While reacting to Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya's tweet the Prime Minister said "Young and youthful India showing the way! This is encouraging news. Let us keep the momentum. It is important to vaccinate and observe all COVID-19 related protocols. Together, we will fight this pandemic." Earlier on Tuesday, Mandaviya informed that over 50 per cent of children between the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far in the country, since January 3 when vaccination drive for the age group commenced."Big day for India's fight against COVID-19! Over 50 per cent of our youngesters between 15-18 age group have received their 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Well done, my Young Friends! Your enthusiasm for vaccination is inspiring people all over India. Sabko Vaccine Muft Vaccine," Mandaviya tweeted. "Amazing enthusiasm among young India for COVID-19 vaccination over 3.5 crore children between the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, since January 3. Congratulations to all my young friends who have got vaccinated," the health minister tweeted. India has inoculated over 3.5 crore first doses of the Covaxin vaccine to children in the age group of 15-18 years, it is expected that the first phase of the vaccination drive for this age group will be completed by the end of this month. The country began vaccinating children between the age of 15-18 years from January 3, 2022, onwards, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement on December 25 last year. (ANI)
After several international airlines curtailed their operations to the United States due to deployment of 5G communications in the US, Air India on Wednesday also suspended four of its flights scheduled to the US. Air India announced the suspension of flight operations between Delhi Airport and San Francisco, Chicago and John F Kennedy. It will also suspend a Mumbai to Newark flight. It will continue to fly into Washington DC's Dulles International Airport. Air India in a tweet said, "Due to deployment of 5G communications in the USA, our operations to the USA from India stand curtailed/revised with change in aircraft type from 19th January 2022. Update in this regard will be informed shortly." In another tweet, Air India informed, "Due to deployment of the 5G communications in the USA, we will not be able to operate the following flights of 19th Jan'22: AI101/102 DEL/JFK/DEL, AI173/174 DEL/SFO/DEL, AI127/126 DEL/ORD/DEL and AI191/144 BOM/EWR/BOM." After getting queries from passengers of the above-mentioned flights, Air India informs that booking with scheduled flights are confirmed as of now, if any changes are made in the schedule by the airline then you will be get notified of the same. Please standby for further updates. International airlines like Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and seven others demanded immediate intervention of US authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest for smooth flight operations. The airlines said that interference between the new 5G cell phone service and critical airplane technologies, could pose threat to passenger safety. According to reports, after being protest registered by international airlines, the US telecommunication giants have now decided to temporarily limit 5G services around some airports. The Federal Aviation Administration has been worried that 5G cellular antennas near some airports as it results into the malfunction of certain systems in the plane like radar altimeters that are used throughout a flight and are considered critical equipment. In a statement issued by FAA on their website over the issue. "We recognize the economic importance of expanding 5G, and we appreciate the wireless companies working with us to protect the flying public and the country's supply chain. The complex U.S. airspace leads the world in safety because of our high standards for aviation, and we will maintain this commitment as wireless companies deploy 5G," said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. (ANI)
In a first of its kind initiative, Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana has invited "willing and eligible" personnel working under Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to join on a deputation basis and fill 700 vacancies in his force. The initial offer for posting in Delhi Police is for a period of three years in the first instance, which may be extended up to five years. In this regard, Asthana wrote a letter earlier this month to the Director Generals of five forces CAPFs -- Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). In the letter, there is a mention about a fill-up of a total of 700 posts from Constable to Inspector level ranks. Among the various posts which the letter mentions about are ASI (finger print tech.) 26; Constable (Armourers) 24; Constable (Dog Handlers) 32; Constable (Bandsmen) 21; Constables (Buglers) 9; Constable (Mounted) 28; Constable (Drill Instructor) 50; Constable (UAC trained personnel) 50; Inspector (Exe.) 5; Sun-Inspector (Exe) 20; Head Constable (Exe.) 60; and Constable (Exe.) 375. "I am directed to state that the applications are invited from willing and eligible police personnel working under the CAPFs that is BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB for filling up the following posts in Delhi Police on deputation basis, initially for a period of three years in the first instance, which may be extendable up to 5 years," a communication sent by the commissioner's office reads. The letter mentions that the eligibility criteria (educational and desirable qualification, experience, etc.) is available at the Delhi Police website www.delhipolice.nic.in. It further mentioned that the "police personnel who apply for the aforesaid posts will not be allowed to withdraw their candidature subsequently and that the maximum age limit for appointment on deputation shall not be exceeding 56 years as on the closing date of the receipt of applications". "It is requested that the above advertisement may kindly be circulated among all departments/Institutions/Offices under your charge and also hosted on their websites," the letter mentions. As per the letter, the nominations of suitable and eligible police personnel along with the following documents needed to be reached at Delhi Police Headquarters at Jai Singh Road through the proper channel within 45 days from the date of issue of the letter. Vigilance Clearance and Integrity Certificate issued by the concerned authority, the details of major or minor penalties imposed on the official during the last 10 years to be furnished by the cadre authority, the Delhi Police said. A few CAPF departments confirmed ANI that they have received the letter sent from the Delhi Police Commissioner's office while the DGs of a few paramilitary forces were not aware of such a letter. ITBP Director General told ANI that "I have not seen the letter if any as yet". As the move is not for ground duty posts or the posting in a combat role but it seems to be welcomed by CAPF personnel who face transfer posting in their cadre. "All the 700 posts the Delhi Police want to fill up with CAPF personnel are not cutting age posts as they are not for ground duty or any combat operation. However, it will be welcomed as it will give relief to the CAPF personnel who faces transfers from Naxal hit regions to Jammu and Kashmir," a CAPF official said. The Delhi Police with its current strength of nearly 85,000 personnel is considered as one of the largest metropolitan police in the world. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to Enforcement Directorate (ED) on bail Plea of Pinky Irani, an alleged aide of multimillionaire conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, arrested on December 9, 2021, by ED in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case. On January 11, 2022, the trial court had rejected Irani's bail petition in the matter. The bench of Justice Mukta Gupta on Wednesday issued notice to the probe agency and sought a response of it and listed the matter for February 14, 2022, for further hearing. The bench also noted the submission of Advocate Yoginder Handoo, appearing for Pinki Irani that, since November 25 the petitioner was under the 24x7 guard and watch of the Enforcement officials, in Claridges Hotel and Park Hotel and officially arrested on December 9, 2021. The plea submits that the allegations of violation of provisions of PMLA against the applicant are misconceived on facts and untenable in law, which the trial court has failed to appreciate and do not make out any case on facts and law against the applicant under the provisions of PMLA. The petition further submits that the grounds of arrest and the accusations against her were never communicated to the applicant and otherwise could not be comprehended without a copy of the complaint already filed by the Enforcement Directorate. The allegations against the applicant are on the face of it vague and rollover even though the applicant continues to be in custody. Last month, the Enforcement Directorate confronted Mumbai-based Pinki Irani with Sukesh Chandrasekar inside Tihar Jail. According to the ED, Pinki Irani introduced Chandrasekhar to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez. After taking requisite permission of the court, the ED carried out the joint questioning of the two. The two were asked the same set of questions. How the two knew each other and whether Pinki helped in illegal money laundering operations. Before her arrest, Pinki Irani was also confronted with Jacqueline Fernandez. Sukesh Chandrasekar recently has purportedly issued a press statement which has been released by his lawyer Anant Malik in which he had denied charges of extortion and has asked why was Shivinder Singh's wife Aditi Singh not probed if she paid Rs 200 crores as extortion. Sukesh Chandrashekhar says a lot about it is being said and dictated about me in a case involving me. He says it's wrong to say that he's a "conman" or "Thug" as he has not been convicted yet. The ED has earlier questioned Fernandez in Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to Chandrasekhar. Another actress Nora Fatehi was also questioned by the ED here in connection with the same case. ED is looking into various people who are directly or indirectly connected to this case. Reports suggest that the ED is looking into the possibility that money was invested abroad and it was led by Chandrasekhar, who is accused in 21 cases. This ED case is based on an FIR filed by Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against Sukesh Chandrasekhar who is accused of cheating and extorting Aditi Singh, wife of the former promoter of Religare Enterprises Shivinder Mohan Singh, who was arrested in October 2019 in a case related to alleged misappropriation of funds at Religare Finvest Ltd. Chandrasekhar and his associates reportedly took money from Aditi after posing as government officials and promising to get bail for her husband. Chandrasekhar reportedly persuaded Aditi to transfer money by impersonating a central government official over a spoof call while he was lodged in Rohini jail and promised to manage bail for her husband. Both Chandrasekhar and his actor wife Leena Maria Paul were arrested by the Delhi Police in September for their alleged role in the duping case. The Delhi Police has so far arrested 13 people in connection with the case. The ED suspects that Chandrasekhar had extorted money from several people while he was in jail. At the time of the incident, Chandrashekhar was lodged in Delhi's Rohini jail and was running an extortion racket from behind the bars. In September, the ED had arrested two aides of jailed conman against whom the Delhi Police recently invoked stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). Chandrasekhar was allegedly running the cheating and extortion racket in connivance with jail officials and some associates outside. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday summoned Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar for non-payment of ex-gratia compensation to the kin of the victims of COVID-19 despite the earlier orders of the court. A Bench of Justices MR Shah and Justice Sanjiv Khanna asked them to remain present before it through a virtual hearing at 2:00 pm today. It said Cheif Secretaries should show-cause why contempt action should not be taken against them for non-compliance. The apex court also took into note that in Kerala as against 49,000 COVID-19 deaths, only 27,000 claims have been received. "Every state has received more applications, why not yours?" asked the Bench from the counsel appearing for Kerala. Kerala's counsel said that for those deaths registered with the state, payment will be made in a week. The Bench also said that it will pass an order that wherever applications received are less than State registered COVID-19 deaths, in that case, State Legal Services Authority through District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) will share data of all such registered deaths with the Centre and DLSA can act as ombudsman. The apex court was hearing a petition filed by lawyer-cum-petitioner, Gaurav Kumar Bansal, seeking an ex-gratia compensation for those family members, who died due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, the top court had approved the Centre's disaster management guidelines on payment of Rs 50,000 ex-gratia compensation to the next kin of those who died of Covid-19 and said the money is to be disbursed within 30 days of applying. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday took a swipe at former state chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav saying that though he claimed credit for several developmental works in the state he does not have the courage to fight the forthcoming assembly elections from these constituencies. "He (Akhilesh) used to claim that his government had started several developmental works. But now he does not have the courage to fight elections from any of these constituencies. I am surprised," Maurya said while addressing a press conference in Delhi after Aparna Yadav, Akhilesh's sister-in-law, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Aparna is the daughter-in-law of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. In 2011, she married Pratik Yadav, younger son of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Slamming Akhilesh, Maurya further said, "The former CM and SP president Akhilesh Yadav is not successful in his own family. He has also been unsuccessful in being the CM of the state. He is unsuccessful as a member of parliament too." Taking to Twitter, Maurya said, "Akhilesh Yadav is afraid of contesting the assembly elections. He has taken so much time to find a safe place. He is afraid to fight on the land of development. Akhilesh ji, first tell where was the most development done from 2012 to 2017? You cannot compete with the BJP's development work." In a bid to return to power, ruling BJP in UP has fielded state chief minister Yogi Adityanath in the assembly elections from Gorakhpur. As per sources in SP, Akhilesh will also contest the assembly elections. However, the party has not yet disclosed on which seat he will be contesting the polls. However, the SP has received a major setback with Aparna joining the BJP. This comes days after the Yogi Adityanath government saw a series of big exits with three UP ministers and several MLAs joining forces with Akhilesh Yadav. The three former state ministers welcomed by Akhilesh Yadav in his party include Swami Prasad Maurya, Dharam Singh Saini and Dara Singh Chauhan. Meanwhile, the MLAs who exited from the BJP include Vinay Shakya, Roshan Lal Verma, Mukesh Verma and Bhagwati Sagar. Elections to the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress will meet on Thursday at 5 pm for the Uttarakhand assembly polls, said sources on Wednesday. The polling for Uttarakhand Assembly Election will take place in a single phase on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. In the last Assembly election, BJP secured a win on 57 seats out of 70 Assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand. It's been two days since Harak Singh Rawat was dismissed from the Uttarakhand Cabinet and expelled from the BJP after he openly expressed his desire to join Congress. But suspense remains in Congress regarding his induction. Harak Singh Rawat was one of the ten MLAs who deserted the Congress in 2016 and joined BJP.Now, ahead of assembly polls, he wants to go back to the Congress but the biggest hurdle that is preventing him from re-joining the party is the former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Campaign Committee Chairman of the state Congress unit, Harish Rawat who had openly said on Monday that "I don't want to make any statement on this (Harak Singh Rawat's comeback into the party). "Expelled Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh has not joined the Congress party yet. Party will take a decision after considering several angles. If he (Harak Singh Rawat) will accept his mistake of leaving the Congress party, then we're ready to welcome him," Harish Rawat had said on Monday. According to party sources, Harish Rawat is uncomfortable with Harak Singh Rawat's re-entry into the Congress and has apprised the party leadership about the same and has suggested that Harak Singh Rawat should not be entertained since he is coming with a set of conditions and demands. Although Harak Singh Rawat on Tuesday said that he wants to "apologize 100 times to Harish Rawat" and told ANI that he had a word with Harish Rawat over the phone but the story remains inconclusive as there are several other issues that remain under discussion. Among the issues, include Harak Singh Rawat's demands for a ticket for him and his daughter-in-law, other MLAs who are with Harak Singh Rawat and are in talks with Congress to join along with him. A Senior Leader on anonymity told ANI that one of the BJP MLAs who Joined BJP in 2016, leaving Congress, had met party leader Rahul Gandhi along with Yashpal Arya who has recently re-joined Congress a few months back after resigning from the BJP.Therefore, things are under discussion and will be finalized after a detailed discussion, which means Harak Singh Rawat's re-entry into Congress might take time. The developments come days ahead of the Uttarakhand Assembly polls which are scheduled to be held on February 14. (ANI)
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With this, the tally of positive police personnel rose to 1,273 in the city.

A total of 127 personnel have died so far from the infection, said the Mumbai police.

A total of 10,666 policemen have been found positive in Mumbai so far.

Also, 21 police personnel tested COVID-19 positive on Tuesday in Pune city. With this, the number of infected police personnel in the city rose to 504, said Pune police.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra reported 39,207 new COVID-19 cases and 53 deaths in the state on Tuesday. The total tally stands at 72,82,128. (ANI)

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In a bizarre incident, an inmate of Delhi's Tihar jail swallowed a mobile phone to hide it from authorities. It was later removed after successul surgery. Doctors performed an endoscopy to bring out the mobile, 7 cm long and 3 cm wide, through the mouth with the help of snare, an equipment which goes into the endoscope. Dr Siddharth, Department of Gastroenterology from GB Pant Hospital, Delhi told ANI that the patient, who had an ingestion of a foriegn body, was brought to the hospital on January 15. "An X-ray of of his abdomen was done which revealed that it could be a mobile phone. Endoscopy was done through the mouth and the mobile was caught using a snare. The mobile was taken out through the mouth," Dr Siddharth said. The whole procedure was perfomed by the team of GB Pant Hospital led by Dr Siddharth and Dr Manish Tomar of the Gastroenterology Department. According to Dr Siddharth, it is hard to swallow a mobile phone and only those used to doing it, can do so. "Usually jail inmates do it to hide it from authorities. It can be swallowed only by people who are habituated to doing this. It is a technically demanding procedure and requires skill to take the big bag out," Dr Siddharth. Dr Siddharth further said that he has handled ten similar cases in the hospital so far. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its order on a plea of 12 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs from Maharashtra challenging their one-year suspension from the state Legislative Assembly for allegedly misbehaving with the presiding officer. A Bench headed by Justices AM Khanwilkar reserved the order on the plea after hearing arguments from all the parties and asked them to file written submissions. On Tuesday, the apex court said suspension from Legislative Assembly for one year should be linked with some purpose and there has to be an "overpowering" reason that the member should not be allowed to even attend the next session. Earlier, the Bench had observed that the resolution passed by the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly suspending 12 BJP MLAs, is prima facie "unconstitutional" as such a suspension cannot operate beyond six months owing to a constitutional bar. It had said explicit outer limit as per the Constitution for an MLA to be absent from his seat is 60 days, after which the seat is deemed to be vacated. "How long can seat remain vacant? At the most six months, the outer limit can be there. Here we are talking about a constituency being represented in a parliamentary form of democracy? Is this not hitting the basic structure of the constitution when the 12 constituencies are unrepresented?" the Bench had asked. "We can say that the decision to suspension can only operate till 6 months and later than that it will be hit by the constitutional bar," it had added. The Bench had also taken exception to the arguments of senior advocate Aryama Sundaram Maharashtra Assembly that the House has absolute powers to frame its own rules including on period of suspension of its members. To this, the Bench then said that even if the Assembly rules are read in consonance with the Constitution, the maximum bar could be for six months only. It further opined that the decision of suspension is even worse than expelling them since no one can then represent the constituents of the suspended representatives in the Assembly. 12 BJP MLAs were suspended on July 5, 2021, from the Assembly for one year after the State government had accused them of "misbehaving" with presiding officer Bhaskar Jadhav in the Speaker's chamber. The motion to suspend these MLAs was moved by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anil Parab and passed by a voice vote. On July 22 last year they had filed the plea in the top court challenging the resolution passed by the Assembly to suspend them for one year. The 12 suspended members are- Sanjay Kute, Ashish Shelar, Abhimanyu Pawar, Girish Mahajan, Atul Bhatkhalkar, Parag Alavani, Harish Pimpale, Yogesh Sagar, Jay Kumar Rawat, Narayan Kuche, Ram Satpute and Bunty Bhangdia. (ANI)
The programme will unveil year-long initiatives dedicated to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by the Brahma Kumaris, which include more than 30 campaigns and over 15,000 programmes and events, read the official release issued by the PMO.

During the event, Prime Minister will flag off seven initiatives of Brahma Kumaris. These include My India Healthy India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Self Reliant Farmers, Women: Flag Bearers of India, Power of Peace Bus Campaign, Andekha Bharat Cycle Rally, United India Motor Bike Campaign and green initiatives under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

In the 'My India Healthy India' initiative, multiple events and programmes will be held in medical colleges and hospitals with a focus on spirituality, well-being and nutrition.

These include the organization of medical camps, cancer screening, conferences for doctors and other health care workers, among others, the release read.

As per the release, under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Self Reliant Farmers', 75 Farmer Empowerment Campaigns, 75 Farmer Conferences, 75 Sustainable Yogic Farming Training Programmes and several other such initiatives for the welfare of farmers will be held.

The initiative ' Women: Flag Bearers of India' will focus on social transformation through women empowerment and empowerment of girl child.

The 'Power of Peace Bus Campaign' will cover 75 cities and tehsils and will carry an exhibition on the positive transformation of today's youth.

The 'Andekha Bharat Cycle Rally' will be held to different heritage sites, drawing a connection between heritage and the environment.

The 'United India Motor Bike Campaign' will be held from Mount Abu to Delhi and will cover multiple cities. The initiatives under 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' will include monthly cleanliness drives, community cleaning programmes and awareness campaigns, the statement said.

Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual movement dedicated to personal transformation and world renewal. Founded in India in 1937, Brahma Kumaris has spread to over 130 countries.

The event is being held on the occasion of the 53rd ascension anniversary of Pitashree Prajapita Brahma, founding father of Brahma Kumaris. (ANI)
Calling for abolishing the law on sedition, former Supreme Court judge Rohinton Nariman has expressed concern on booking of people who criticized the government for sedition. "Now, unfortunately, of late, we have had in this country, young persons, students, stand-up comedians, all being booked for freely criticizing the government of the day under sedition law which is colonial in nature and have no place in our Constitution," he said. "On the other hand, you have hate speeches like 'fighting birds' calling for genocide for the entire community. We found great reluctance of authorities to book these people. It was heartening that, Vice President in his recent speech said that hate speech is unconstitutional and happens to be a criminal act. It is criminalised in 153A and 505C of the criminal act," he said. This comment comes after Haridwar court on Sunday sent religious leader Yeti Narsinganand to 14-day judicial custody after he was arrested by Haridwar police for allegedly making inflammatory remarks at a Dharma Sansad in the city in a hate speech case. The Nagar Kotwali police arrested Mahamandaleshwar Yeti Narsimhanand Maharaj of Juna Akhara from Sarvanand Ghat in Haridwar where he was reportedly fasting at Sarbananda Ghat demanding the release of Wasim Rizvi, former chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Central Shia Waqf board who was earlier arrested in this same case. Altogether there are three cases registered against Swami Yeti Narsimhanand in Haridwar Kotwali. He has also been sued for making indecent remarks on women. On Thursday, Wasim Rizvi alias Jitendra Narayan Tyagi was also arrested and sent to jail. Yeti Narsinganand was reportedly fasting at Sarbananda Ghat demanding the release of Wasim Rizvi. A protest meeting was also called by the seers at the Ghat on Friday. Religious leader Yeti Narsinganand apparently called for the genocide and use of arms against Muslims while speaking at an event in Haridwar from December 17 to 19, 2021. An FIR was also registered against him along with many others in the case. The Supreme Court earlier issued notice to Uttarakhand and Delhi Police on a petition seeking an independent enquiry into the Haridwar Dharam Sansad speeches allegedly inciting violence against minorities. (ANI)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format on January 27. The virtual event will see the participation of Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This will be the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders. "The first India-Central Asia Summit is a reflection of India's growing engagement with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of India's "Extended Neighbourhood". "Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic visit to all Central Asian countries in 2015. Subsequently, there have been exchanges at high-levels at bilateral and multilateral forums," MEA statement reads. The inception of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the Foreign Ministers' level, the 3rd meeting of which was held in New Delhi from 18-20 December 2021, has provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations. The participation of the Secretaries of National Security Councils of Central Asian countries in the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi on November 10, 2021, outlined a common regional approach on Afghanistan. "During the first India-Central Asia Summit, the Leaders are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation," MEA added. The Summit is symbolic of the importance attached by the Leaders of India and the Central Asian countries to a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership. There will be no Republic Day chief guest this year. (ANI)
High school students who have trouble paying attention in class are more likely to admit to cheating, a new study revealed. Researchers found that inattention led to hyperactivity in the students, and both together contributed to higher levels of cheating. The study was conducted by Eric Anderman, professor of educational psychology at The Ohio State University with Richard Gilman of Terrace Metrics and Xingfeiyue Liu, a doctoral student, and Seung Yon Ha, a postdoctoral scholar, both in education at Ohio State. Their results were published in the journal 'Psychology in the Schools'. The issue is important because many students with attention problems don't get an official diagnosis, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, said Anderman who is also the lead author of the study. "Students diagnosed with ADHD get a lot of support and help in school, but many other kids with attention problems fall through the cracks," said Anderman. "They don't get the help they need that could help them do better in school and avoid cheating." The researchers studied 855 adolescents from three midwestern public schools, two suburban and one rural. Data was collected twice from the students, about one year apart. The students completed a standardized measure of inattention that asked them to rate how much they felt they had trouble paying attention to their teacher, how forgetful they were, whether they had a short attention span, and similar questions. Students' hyperactivity was rated by their responses to questions like whether they had trouble sitting still and whether they talked over other people. To evaluate cheating, students rated how true it would be to say they used cheat sheets when they took tests, copied answers from other students, and similar statements. The results showed that students with higher levels of inattention reported higher levels of hyperactivity, and students who were more hyperactive reported a higher rate of cheating. Hyperactivity by itself was not linked to more cheating. "Inattention is the driver here, the issue that leads to problems in the classroom," Anderman said. "The student is not paying attention, so he gets out of his seat and goofs around, and when you put both together, that is a perfect setup for more cheating." The study took into account a wide variety of other factors that have been linked to cheating, including depression, learning disabilities, gender, ethnicity, grade point average and whether students qualified for special education services -- and inattention still was related to cheating. In addition, the researchers also examined how disruptive students were in class, based on reports from their peers. That didn't influence cheating. "Once you account for inattentiveness and hyperactivity, we found that disruptiveness wasn't related to cheating. That is not what is driving cheating behaviors," Anderman said. Generally accepted rates of ADHD are between 7-9 per cent of students aged 17 and younger. Studies suggested, however, that up to three times as many students had problems with attention or hyperactivity, but either didn't meet the criteria for the ADHD diagnosis or had never been evaluated. That doesn't mean they don't need help, Anderman said. "There are so many evidence-based programs that can help these students who have problems with attention learn to self-regulate, to learn how to be a learner," Anderman said. "If they had access to these programs, they could learn in class and they wouldn't have to cheat. And these students are not learning partially because of attention issues they can't help," he said. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Wednesday condemned the remarks made by Congress leader Tauqeer Raza Khan on the Batla House incident in 2008. "His comments are highly deplorable. Khan called terrorists as martyrs. Tauqeer and Congress' politics is the same. They need to explain why they continue to do politics of hampering interests of the nation," said Patra while speaking to media persons. Day after joining the party, Congress leader Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan on Wednesday said that those killed in the Batla House encounter in the national capital in 2008 should be declared as "martyrs". "People who died in Batla House were not terrorists, they should be given martyr status," Khan told ANI. He further said that earlier the Congress government at the Centre had said that an investigation will be conducted into Batla House encounter. Those killed in the Batla House encounter were not terrorists, they should get martyr status. But Congress did not get the inquiry done." "I will always oppose Congress if they go wrong. But, as of now, it seems that only Congress is needed for Uttar Pradesh and for the whole country. Congressmen are true secularists," he added. The Batla House Encounter took place when terrorists of the Indian terror outfit Indian Mujahideen were reported to be hiding in a flat in the area of Jamia Nagar, Okhla, on September 19, 2008. Delhi Police carried out an operation to nab the culprits and protect the civilians. The encounter resulted in the deaths of two terrorists and one police officer, Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, with the remaining terrorists arrested. On March 15, 2021, one of the arrested Ariz Khan alias Junaid, was sentenced to death for the murder of Inspector Sharma. Meanwhile, politician and Islamic cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who was earlier booked for derogatory comments against PM Narendra Modi and reportedly issuing threats against the Hindu community, joined Congress ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls on Tuesday. (ANI)
Talks with Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party for an alliance with Congress for the upcoming Goa assembly elections failed due to their unreasonable demands, Congress sources said on Wednesday. "Maha Vikas Aghadi (the trio of NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra) cannot be formed in Goa and NCP and Shiv Sena both hold Congress responsible for the failed talks," sources said today. However, Congress party sources said that both NCP and Shiv Sena made unreasonable demands following which the talks failed. "Both NCP and Shiv Sena were demanding a certain seat share which the party cannot afford," sources said. Congress is currently only in alliance with Goa Forward Party. An important functionary of Goa Congress told ANI on the condition of anonymity, "NCP feels that it has lost its hold in the state as NCP's lone Goa MLA Churchill Alemao went to TMC. NCP tried to negotiate with us. Shiv Sena has a hold in North Goa but the seat sharing formula couldn't be formed with them." "Alliances differ from state to state. We are in an alliance in Maharashtra but not in Goa due to differences in strategy. NCP and Shiv Sena want to support Utpal Parrikar, son of the late BJP leader and former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar. Reports suggest that he is likely to contest as an independent candidate from Panaji. But, Congress may fight election on the seat," sources said. Earlier, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) also claimed that they offered an alliance with but Congress rejected it. Congress has announced candidates on 25 seats out of 40 seats for the assembly elections. The polls will be held on February 14 and counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
According to the police, it is a case of bag lifting and nothing suspicious had been found on the spot, she added.

"A PCR call was received regarding two unidentified bags. Our teams reached the spot and found that nothing suspicious is there. It's a case of bag lifting. We have identified the person and will hand over the belongings," Kashyap told ANI. (ANI)
Marie-Elena studied creative writing, art, and photography at University of Nebraska at Omaha, graduating with a BA in Studio Art -Visual Media. She moved to California from Nebraska in 2019 and is happy to call Calaveras County her home.

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With its successful operations both in terror-hit Jammu and Kashmir and Naxal-affected states, the CRPF has now set up its Quick Action Team (QAT) with nearly 50 commandoes to deal with any terror-like situation in the national capital. Officials privy to the steps taken by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) told ANI that the new QAT team has been specially set up to respond to terror situations or attacks on VIPs and installations under the protection of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) that performs on the direction of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). These 50-member commandos are highly-trained and have experience in counter-terror operations in both Kashmir Valley and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas. The official said that these Delhi QAT team members are awarded President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) for displaying exemplary bravery during anti-terror operations. "The QAT commandos picked for its Delhi unit have worked in almost all theatres where CRPF is deployed and have the experience to deal with hardcore terrorists affiliated with Pakistan-based terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Al-Qaida among others. They also have experienced in Guerrilla warfare adopted by Maoists," said the official The official said that the QAT team is also trained in operations in urban areas and has expertise in managing crowded places and emergency situations in high-rise buildings. The QAT team is learnt to be equipped with MP-5 submachine guns, sniper rifles, light machine guns, AK-47s, corner shot (a weapon accessory), under-barrel grenade launchers, night vision goggles, radars, in-wall scanners, and robots equipped with weapons. The Delhi QAT may either be requisitioned to assist the local police in the event of a terror or fidayeen attack or can move on its own to where there is an attack on an individual or installation being secured by the CRPF. They are trained in all aspects of counter-terrorism including handling hostage situations and in case of explosions of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), said the official. Assembled recently, the Delhi QAT team, sources said, will be first time deployed in different groups at strategic locations during Republic Day celebrations as the Intelligence Bureau has already issued a CRPF's QAT team now ready to deal with terror situation in in Delhi ahead of the annual event organised on January 26. The Delhi's QAT unit will be moved as per directions received from MHA and took part in anti-terrorist operations in Delhi along with forces like the National Security Guard (NSG) or alone, the source added. CRPF's Kashmir QAT unit gives additional support to the security setup which mainly comprises the Indian Army, J&K police, and the CRPF. Similarly, QAT teams are used in operations against Naxals. (ANI)
The Karnataka Health department censured the doctors who were allegedly speaking to the media and giving out 'inaccurate', 'inadequate' and 'unsubstantiated' information about COVID-19. The notification read, "It has come to the notice of Government, that few Medical Practitioners while communicating to Public on various media platforms, are fiving incomplete, inaccurate and unsubstantiated information about COVID-19." According to the government, such 'misinformation' leads to confusion in the public regarding the COVID situation in the state and encourages them to violate COVID-19 guidelines laid down by the state. The notification also asked that Medical Practitioners maintain 'utmost care and caution' while communicating with the common people. The doctors were also asked to abide by the state government notification while they speak to the media or any social media platforms. In a threat to the doctors, the state through the notification said that any 'misinformation' or 'non-factual data' on COVID-19 shared on media or social media would be deemed as an 'offence' and the government would further take action against them as per section 54 of Disaster Management ACT, 2005 and section 4(K) of the Karnataka Epidemic Disease Act, 2020. Meanwhile, in view of the increasing COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai held a meeting with the District Collectors on Wednesday. Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai while speaking to media persons at his residence in Bengaluru said, "Decision about the COVID-19 situation in the state will be taken after discussing with experts." "Hospital admissions are low in the third wave. So we feel that working daily and following the COVID-19 protocols is important", he added. According to the CM, experts are reviewing the COVID situation and they would report to the CM about it by Friday. "We will get a clear view of the COVID-19 scenario at this Friday meeting. Once the state's COVID condition is clarified, our decision on relaxation or restrictions will follow", informed Bommai. Speaking about his meeting with District Collectors, Bommai said, "A video conference was held yesterday with district officials where we have decided to pay extra attention to that in districts with low vaccination rates, and to the 15 to 18-year-olds." "The number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise but the hospitalisation rate is declining. About 94 per cent of COVID-19 infected people are in home isolation, the Health Department is constantly in contact with them, delivering tele-counselling and drug kits. We are also thinking about booster doses", added the CM. "It has also been suggested to focus on strengthening the OPDs', he added. According to CM Bommai, COVID-19 Peak in Karnataka can be expected in February. "Experts who have reviewed the trend in different other states, have predicted that a delayed wave in our state; to be at the end of January or the first week of February", he informed. Bommai said that the Chief Secretary has already issued orders to prosecute COVID-19 rules violators. He clarified that it will be implemented without any discrimination. Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai on speaking about recovering from COVID-19 said, "The quarantine period of 11-12 days has passed and the test reports have come negative. I will join the office from today." The Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday said that schools located within Shivamogga city limits will be closed for three days in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases among students. Speaking to reporters he said, "The infection rate in Shivamogga has crossed 11 per cent. A total of 208 students and staff from 45 institutions in the city have tested COVID positive. Students of Class 1 to Class 9 are exempted from attending classes from Wednesday till Saturday." The annual Shivamogga Marikamba Jatra has been rescheduled due to COVID third wave. Earlier the committee had decided to celebrate in mid-February. After conducting a meeting with concerned authorities and members of the Jatra Committee, Minister KS Eshwarappa said. "The Jatra will be held on March 22 and 23. It will be a simple celebration. The district administration will conduct another meeting in the first week of March." (ANI)
The Delhi High Court said it is the constitutional duty of the Court to ensure that there is no arbitrary deprivation of personal liberty in the face of excess of State power while granting bail to six persons in a murder case in connection with the violence in northeast Delhi in February 2020. The bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad on Tuesday granted bail to Mohammad Tahir, Shahrukh, Mohammad Faizal, Mohammad Shoaib, Rashid and Parvez in connection with the murder case of a man in Gokulpuri, whose body was found in mutilated condition in a sweet shop during the violence. Justice Prasad in the order copy also said that bail is the rule and jail is the exception, and Courts must exercise their jurisdiction to uphold the tenets of personal liberty, subject to rightful regulation of the same by validly enacted legislation. The court further stated that the Petitioner herein has been in custody for 22 months and was formally added by way of the charge sheet dated June 4, 2020. A perusal of the material on record has revealed to the Court that the sole evidence that is available at this juncture against the Petitioner is his presence in the CCTV footage, the statement of Himanshu, and the CDR which places the Petitioner at the scene of the crime. However, the authenticity of all of these materials is to be tested during the course of trial and cannot form the basis for the prolonged incarceration of the Petitioner. The court while deciding the bail petitions also noted that the charge sheet and the supplementary charge sheet have already been filed. The charge sheet indicated that there are currently 72 witnesses who need to be examined and, therefore, trial in the matter is likely to take a long time. The Court is of the opinion that it would not be prudent to keep the Petitioner behind bars for an undefined period of time at this stage. The Petitioner has roots in society, and, therefore, there is no danger of him absconding and fleeing, said order According to the Delhi Police, the accused were booked in a case relating to vandalism, setting fire to a sweet shop which caused the death of a 22-year-old man, who died due to burn injuries. The deceased has been identified as Dilbar Negi (22), whose body was allegedly burnt by a mob of rioters after cutting off his hands and feet. At least 53 people died while around 200 people sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for three days in northeast Delhi. (ANI)
Soon after Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that her joining the party is an example of women of Uttar Pradesh feeling safe in the BJP. Earlier today, in a major setback to the Samajwadi Party ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Aparna Yadav joined the BJP. Speaking to the reporters here, Thakur said, "In the past few days, many sitting MLCs, MLAs have left Samajwadi Party and joined the BJP. We welcome them. It would strengthen the BJP. Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav too joined the BJP today. This indicates how the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given protection to women." Citing Aparna's joining as an example of women's safety in Uttar Pradesh, Thakur said that be it the daughter of former BJP Minister Swami Prasad Maurya who left the party recently and joined the Samajwadi Party, or the daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh, both of them feel safe in the BJP. "Women can go out even at night today. They feel safe. Be it the daughter of Swami Prasad Maurya or the daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh Yadav, it is an example that both of them feel safe in the BJP because the women of Uttar Pradesh feel safe under the leadership of Yogi and Prime Minister Modi," he said. Asked about SP not declaring the seat from where Akhilesh Yadav will be contesting the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP leader said that the party had to face opposition from the people including the workers in his party after it declared the first list of candidates, therefore he is not announcing the tickets openly. "When the first list of candidates was released by the Samajwadi Party, it came to the attention of all whom they gave the tickets to fight the election. They had to face opposition within their own party, their allies and also the people on the ground. This is the reason why he is not able to announce the tickets openly," he said. Earlier today, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that he will contest elections after taking permission from Azamgarh residents from where he is a current MP. Elections for the 403 Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
"NDA allies are contesting together just like we did in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. BJP, Apna Dal and Nishad Party will jointly contest polls on 403 seats in upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls. We have had a detailed discussion with both of the parties in the past few days," BJP national president JP Nadda said while addressing a press conference here today after the NDA Uttar Pradesh unit meeting.

The announcement comes on the day that Aparna Yadav, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and daughter-in-law of former state chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav joined the BJP.

Earlier last week, BJP had released its first list of 107 candidates for the first and second phase of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls that are scheduled to be held on February 10 and 14.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will contest from the Gorakhpur Assembly constituency.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya will contest from Sirathu in the Prayagraj district.

The 403-member assembly of Uttar Pradesh will vote in all seven phases will polling to be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda on Wednesday hailed the five-year tenure of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh saying that "Soch imaandar hai, kaam asardaar hai (Intentions are pure, work is effective). Addressing a press conference after the NDA Uttar Pradesh unit meeting to decide the seat-sharing in the upcoming Assembly polls in the state, Nadda said, "Soch imaandar hai, kaam asardaar hai. What we had said, we have done." Nadda enumerated the developmental work done by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and said that the work could be seen. Be it connectivity or investment, the state has improved. "If we talk about development, it is seen even as optics. Be it road connectivity, metro connectivity or state highways, work has been done at a tremendous pace on the ground in the last five years. Uttar Pradesh has improved in the education field as well, especially in medical education," he said. "If we talk about investment, today Uttar Pradesh has become a destination for investment. There was a time when the investors were withdrawing their investments. Today they are investing there. It is because of the political environment that has been established in the state," Nadda added. Stressing on the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP national president said that the common man can live life peacefully now unlike earlier when "there was a nexus between the mafia and the government." "Law and order has been a big issue in Uttar Pradesh. I always remind people to remember the scenario before five years in the state. There was migration, kidnapping, the mafia of all kinds were active. There was a nexus of mafia and the government. All such things have stopped in the last five years. There is the rule of law. The common man can live peacefully today and work, such is the law and order situation that has been developed in the state in the last five years. What we had said, we have done," he said. Earlier today, citing Aparna's joining as an example of women's safety in Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister Anurag Thakur also said that be it the daughter of former BJP Minister Swami Prasad Maurya who left the party recently and joined the Samajwadi Party, or the daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh, both of them feel safe in the BJP. The BJP has announced that it will contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls with its NDA allies including Apna Dal and Nishad Party on all 403 Assembly seats. The 403-member assembly of Uttar Pradesh will vote in all seven phases will polling to be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held a meeting with the NDA allies of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Assembly polls and said that the coalition will form the government in the state with a thumping majority. Shah took to Twitter to post a picture comprising Apna Dal chief Anupriya Patel, Sanjay Nishad from Nishad Party, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP chief JP Nadda and others. "Had a meeting today with @JPNadda, @myogiadityanath and UP's allies @AnupriyaSPatel and Sanjay Nishad . The blessings of the people of Uttar Pradesh are with the NDA and under the leadership of PM @narendramodi, the NDA coalition is going to form the government with a thumping majority," tweeted Shah in Hindi. Meanwhile, the BJP on Wednesday announced that it will contest the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh scheduled next month with the NDA allies including Apna Dal and Nishad Party on all 403 Assembly seats. "NDA allies are contesting together just like we did in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. BJP, Apna Dal and Nishad Party will jointly contest polls on 403 seats in upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls. We have had a detailed discussion with both of the parties in the past few days," BJP national president JP Nadda said while addressing a press conference here today after the NDA Uttar Pradesh unit meeting. The 403-member assembly of Uttar Pradesh will vote in all seven phases will polling to be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
A youth who allegedly had links with terrorists was arrested in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Tuesday. The accused was identified as Anjum Mehmood. He was arrested on specific information during a joint operation by police and security forces from his Baila village of Mandi tehsil Monday night, said a police spokesperson. (ANI)
The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi on Tuesday said that new features have been added to ensure the safety and security of children in the 'Desh Ke Mentor' programme introduced by the Delhi government. A complaint was received in the Commission regarding the Desh Ke Mentor programme alleging that as per the scheme children and unknown people are brought together for the purpose of education and career guidance which may expose children to probable safety and security risks, as per an official statement issued by the government. Taking cognizance of the matter, NCPCR wrote to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government seeking information on safety measures that are followed. The explanation was not found satisfactory by the Commission when the DoE submitted the selection process of mentor and with comments on the concern raised by it. After examining the response, NCPCR as per its mandate under sections 13 and 15 of the CPCR Act, recommended the Secretary (Education) to immediately suspend the concerned initiative till the time when all the loopholes pertaining to the safetyof children are overhauled, the statement read. The newly added features in the programme by DoE include necessary police verification of the Mentor to be conducted by the concerned Police Station, all the conversations of the mentors and mentees will be recorded and kept by the Department, the mentor is not allowed to meet with mentees offline and contact details of the children and mentees will be masked. The DoE also stated that all the parents of the students have been advised to ensurethe presence of any adult member of the family during the conversation between the mentor and the mentees done from time to time through the app under the Desh Ke Mentor program. (ANI)
He added that Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax and other agencies are being used by the Central government in order to implicate him.

"I have come to know that ED said, 'Don't forget PM Modi's Ferozepur visit.' This raid reflects 'revenge'. In order to implicate me, my nephew was interrogated for 24 hours ... The agency didn't get any proof against me," said Channi while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh.

"ED, income tax and other agencies are being used by Central government...Be it West Bengal or Punjab, the revolution started in these states. Delhi is trying to suppress (us) but Punjab will hit back...," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at nearly a dozen places in Punjab in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining case.

The federal agency searched the residence and office premises of the suspects including premises linked to sand mafia Bhupinder Singh Honey.

According to ED officials, Honey is reportedly a relative of Channi and had allegedly floated a firm named Punjab Realtors to get sand mining contracts. (ANI)
Congress is mulling over the inclusion of the "Chhattisgarh model" in the party's election manifesto for the poll-bound states. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who is also the AICC senior observer for Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday met the Congress High command including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in New Delhi. According to the sources, the Congress high command discussed the inclusion of people-friendly schemes implemented in Chhattisgarh in the party's manifesto for the upcoming five states. A glimpse of the 'Chhattisgarh model' may be seen in the party's election manifesto for the poll-bound states. Schemes related to affordable cheap generic medicines, relief to farmers, Godhan Nyay Yojana have been highly appreciated at the national level. The party is looking forward to presenting the "Chhattisgarh" model to the country, sources added. Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is on a political visit to Uttar Pradesh for three days for the campaign. He held door-to-door campaigning in Noida. Sources said the high command discussed briefly the flagship schemes of Chhattisgarh and also asked Baghel about his three-day campaigning in Uttar Pradesh and the response of the people in detail. "The state government strengthened the rural economy through schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana and Godhan Nyay Yojana and fulfilled Rahul Gandhi ji's promise of putting money into the pockets of farmers. Cash transfer in the account of the beneficiaries under schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana and Godhan Nyay Yojana gave a boost to the economy," said sources. Notably, an FIR was also being lodged against the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister for flouting COVID norms during his recent visit. Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. Elections in Goa and Uttarakhand will be held on February 14 and in Manipur from February 27 to March 3. Elections in Punjab will be held on February 20. The counting of votes will be done on March 10. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and national president of Apna Dal party Anupriya Patel on Wednesday refuted reports that the party has demanded 36 assembly seats from the BJP in the forthcoming polls. "I do not know where this figure is coming from. I have made no demand of 36 seats from BJP. We have not quoted anything regarding the number of seats in front of the media. Our talks are going in a good direction," Patel told ANI on the speculation of demand of 36 seats by the Apna Dal. "Winnability is the only criteria that we have to demand the seats. We have to work and ensure a better Uttar Pradesh and I'm sure we will get another term. The seat-sharing formula is working in a good and positive manner," she said when asked about their party's criteria for asking for seats. "Apna dal for a very long time is a part of NDA alliance. UP needs both social justice and development and our alliance has proved to be a good cocktail of social justice and development," she said while addressing a press conference here today after the NDA Uttar Pradesh unit meeting. She reiterated that her party will contest the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh scheduled next month with the NDA including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nishad Party on all 403 Assembly seats. "We have decided to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election again together. In a state like Uttar Pradesh, where the population of backward caste people is 50 per cent, we have taken important steps to strengthen social justice here. We have to do so much more. We will contest the election with NDA including BJP and Nishad dal on 403 assembly seats," Patel added during the press conference. "Whether it is the issue of providing OBC commission with a constitutional status or whether the question is to provide reservation in the entry to the backward classes in central or Sainik schools, whether it is the subject of providing 27 per cent reservation to the OBC in NEET-PG, Apna Dal has always raised such issues in Parliament and has always taken measures to recognize the backward classes," she stated. The announcement comes on the day that Aparna Yadav, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and daughter-in-law of former state chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav joined the BJP. Earlier last week, BJP had released its first list of 107 candidates for the first and second phase of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls that are scheduled to be held on February 10 and 14. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will contest from the Gorakhpur Assembly constituency.Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya will contest from Sirathu in the Prayagraj district. The 403-member assembly of Uttar Pradesh will vote in all seven phases will polling to be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Facing disruptions for the last two days, international trade through Integrated Check Post (ICP) Petrapole at the India-Bangladesh border resumed on Wednesday. The outcome followed an end to the strike of truck drivers which was going on for the last two days after the Border Security Force (BSF) seized 82 fake driving licences and implemented a complete ban on such drivers carrying fake driving licence to ply trucks to Bangladesh through ICP Petrapole. The international trade through ICP Petrapole began with the Bangaon Goods Transporters Association calling off its strike at around 9 am after the assurance from the BSF, the India-Bangladesh border guarding force under the Ministry of Home Affairs which is also responsible to curb illegal activities. As a result, import trucks parked inside the cargo complex have started unloading empty Indian trucks. The imports started at around 9.30 am and the exports were also started an hour later at around 10.37 am. The Land Port Authority of India verbally assured BSF that they would issue identity cards to the transporters in the next four days. ICP Petrapole is located along the international border between India and Bangladesh is the largest land port in South Asia. It is situated at a distance of about 80 km from the city of Kolkata, West Bengal Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh) is an important land border crossing for India Bangladesh both in terms of trade and passenger movement. Nearly 30 per cent of land-based trade between India and Bangladesh takes place through ICP Petrapole. Since its operationalization in February 2016, the ICP has been witnessing an increasing number of passenger movements with an average of 22 lakh people crossing the border post on either side each year. The trade through ICP Petrapole was disrupted on January 17 as the truck drivers called on a strike after the BSF seized 82 fake driving licences of truck drivers taking cognizance of spate in the smuggling activities at the ICP Petrapole in its operation conducted on January 16 and January 17. On January 18 -19 also, the BSF seized a total of eight fake driving licences of truck drivers. A total of 90 fake driving licenses have been caught by BSF so far since January 16. On behalf of BSF, an FIR is being registered in the police regarding a fake driving licence. The BSF on Tuesday had said that its step to ban drivers with a fake driving licence was among many moves adopted by the force to upgrade its surveillance and vigilance measures. The BSF had said, there were inputs that few drivers were involved in carrying out trans-border crimes such as smuggling of gold, silver, phensedyl syrup and drugs while engaged in the export and import of goods between India and Bangladesh. Consequently, on January 16, the BSF said its personnel carried out the surprise checking of the authenticity of the driving licences of the drivers who were engaged in the export and import by road through ICP Petrapole. BSF found fake driving licenses in the possession of the drivers and therefore, seized 52 such driving licenses on January 16. On January 17, again 30 more trucks drivers were found in the possession of fake driving licenses. Accordingly, BSF handed over total of 82 fake driving licences to the Customs. As the trade has resumed, the BSF said the concerned authorities of Customs and Land Port Authority of India have been conveyed that it cannot allow those trucks to go to Bangladesh whose drivers are found in the possession of fake driving licenses. The BSF has also stated that "no driver with fake driving licence can be allowed to ply the trucks to Bangladesh at any cost because such drivers obtain fake Car Passes from the Customs Department on the basis of driving licenses upon which BSF allow the trucks to go inside Bangladesh". In order to ensure the smooth running of the trade between India and Bangladesh, BSF has informed Bangaon Transport Association to follow the Standing Operating Procedure so that the security and interests of the Nations are not compromised. Explaining about reasons on which BSF has beefed up the security at the ICP, the force said its personnel on January seized smuggled gold worth around Rs 1,44,22,356 from a transporter while he was trying to escape on a bike from the security cover at ICP Petrapole. "It was subsequently revealed that this gold was smuggled from Bangladesh by concealing inside an import bound truck from Bangladesh," the BSF said. A similar seizure was made on July 19 last year when gold worth Rs 1,71,80,420 was seized here by BSF from an Indian driver incoming from Bangladesh, the BSF said. In yet another incident on August 21 last year, the BSF said, foreign currency (Saudi Riyal) worth Rs 1,68,38,500 was also seized from an empty Indian truck returning from Bangladesh after unloading export goods. Acting on intelligence, 50 Kg of Marijuana was seized by troops of BSF from an Indian truck on January 9 this year at this ICP. Besides, the BSF also said, numerous seizures of illegal items including narcotics are made by its troops deployed at ICP Petrapole. In all these illegal activities, role of Indian transporters, labourers, drivers, helpers and different agents and sub agents have been established, the BSF said. "It is also worth mentioning here that sometimes, drivers with fake driving licenses tend to meet road accidents. Even BSF lost life of one of its Jawan when he was overrun by a truck driver in the month of October 2021. Therefore, it is necessary that BSF might check the validity of the driving license," the BSF added. (ANI)
"In a historic move, Cabinet has decided to relax the upper age limit for candidates applying for government services by five years," the CM said in a tweet.

He further informed that this will not be applicable for certain departments like police which require physical fitness as a criterion.

"This will however not be applicable for certain Departments like police which require physical fitness as a criterion. @PMOIndia," he tweeted.

Through this decision, the age limit has been increased from 27 to 32 years and for Scheduled Tribes (STs) another five years will be added thereby relaxing the upper age limit to 37 years, he added. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday clarified that the notice issued by it on January 17 asking lawyers to use laptops or desktops and avoid mobile phones for virtual court hearings was only an advisory in nature. Secretary-General of the Supreme Court Virender Kumar Bansal in a letter to the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), said that asking lawyers to use desktops and laptops was only an advisory in nature and there is no bar on the use of mobile phones. Bansal said that any lawyer who does not have a laptop or desktop can join court proceedings using mobile phones, ensuring that such advocate is properly visible and audible to the Court. Secretary General's communication said, "Contrary to the concern expressed by you, a careful reading of the notice dated January 17, 2022 reveals that it is merely advisory in nature and nowhere in the said advisory it is stated that the usage of mobile phones is barred." On January 17, the top court asked lawyers to avoid mobile phones for court hearings through video conferencing to avoid any disruption in the court proceedings and inconvenience to the Judges. The top court notified 'best practices for virtual court proceedings' and asked all advocates to avoid joining hearings through their mobile phones. "All advocates and party in persons have been requested to join the Cisco Webex application for joining the court hearings through desktops or laptops with a stable internet connectivity, preferably wired, to avoid any disruption in the court proceedings and inconvenience to the Judges," the circular of January 17 issued by the apex court stated. The circular has said the advocates and party-in-person must join the video conferencing hearing preferably using a headset-enabled microphone and audio system. It has also asked them to join hearing through a single device and have also been asked to close all background applications running on their devices for the best VC experience. During that day, the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana expressed displeasure over lawyers attending virtual hearings through their mobile phones as the devices make it difficult for judges to hear or see advocates during the hearings. CJI Ramana asked advocates to use laptops or desktops while appearing in matters through video conferencing before the court and avoid using mobile phones. The CJI Bench has said it has been facing difficulty in hearing or seeing the advocates when they appear through mobile phones. In view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the apex court on January 2 decided to shift to the virtual system of hearings from January 3 for two weeks. Suspending the physical and hybrid option of the hearing, the apex court decided to shift to complete virtual hearing for two weeks. By another circular, the top court judges decided to work from their residential offices. (ANI)
Taking to Twitter, the Chief Minister said, "Cabinet approved recommendations of all 3 Regional Committees to resolve the Meghalaya-Assam border issue."

He said that the recommendations of both the states will be submitted to Home Ministry.

"Recommendations of both states will be submitted to Home Ministry. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and I will meet HM Amit Shah for further action," he further tweeted. (ANI)
Border Security Force troops on Tuesday detected a drone at a distance of approximately 200 metres from the international border and 50 metres from BS Fence in the AOR of 71 Bn BSF, Amritsar Sector. The recovered drone is Quadcopter, according to a statement by BSF, Punjab Frontier. "On 18th Jan, BSF troops detected a drone at a distance of approx 200 metres from IB and 50 metres from BS Fence in the AOR of 71 Bn BSF, Amritsar Sector. The recovered drone is Quadcopter," said the statement by BSF, Punjab Frontier. (ANI)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a nine-member joint Committee headed by Justice BC Patel, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and comprising various representatives of Centre and Gujarat state Government in connection with an incident where at least six people died and 20 fell ill after a gas leak at an industrial area in Surat. In an order passed on January 18, Bench of NGT Chief Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel stated that "the Committee may ascertain the sequence of events, causes of failure and persons and authorities responsible, therefore, extent of damage to life, human and non-human and environment - including, water, soil, air; steps to be taken for compensation of victims and restitution of the environment, and the cost involved; remedial measures to prevent recurrence; any other incidental or allied issues found relevant, including particularly already acidic effluents flowing in the drain in question." Tribunal further stated that the committee will be free to interact with authorities in other States if a violator is found to be from another State. In view of repeated failures, a monitoring mechanism for monitoring in a time-bound manner may be ensured by the transporters and generators of hazardous waste including, the issue of installing GPS on vehicles transporting hazardous waste. "Based on the report, the State PCB and the District Magistrate may ensure recovery and payment of compensation to the victims and restoration of the environment", said NGT. The Chief Secretary, Gujarat may review the status and compliance of Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016 and take steps for bridging the gap in coordination with the concerned authorities. An action taken report may be filed by the CPCB, GPCB, District Magistrate and the Chief Secretary, Gujarat within four months with NGT." On January 6, 2022, Six people died and 20 others were admitted to the civil hospital after gas leakage at a company in the Sachin GIDC area of Surat early morning. According to Gujarat, the pollution control board's reports casualties have occurred due to the release of toxic gas resulting from the illegal discharge of hazardous waste/chemicals from a tanker into a natural drain. (ANI)
Expressing shock at the rejection of Kerala's tableau for Republic Day, Communist Party of India (CPI) Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the rejection, calling it an insult to the legacy of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru that reeks of political partisanship. "The rejection of the Kerala State Tableau for the Republic Day parade that celebrated the greatness of Sree Narayana Guru is extremely shocking and highly condemnable. The decision is not only an insult to legacy of Sree Narayana Guru but also reeks of political partisanship," says the MP's letter to PM. "Sree Narayana Guru is one of the greatest social reformers India has ever seen. Having dedicated his entire life to rid society of the evils of caste system and working towards the uplift of all people, Sree Narayana Guru's teachings continue to hold great value and relevance in today's society. For the Government to reject a tribute to Sree Narayana Guru and instead suggest that another personality be depicted, showcases the hypocrisy and hollow appreciation of the ruling establishment towards this great social reformer," added the letter. Viswam alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) only invokes the social reformer for electoral gains and makes excuses when time comes to honour him at the national stage. "The official response by the Government that a selection committee of "prominent persons" makes these decisions and the Government plays no role in the same is an unsatisfactory as the selection clearly shows a bias in favour of States lead by BJP Governments as 8 out of 12 State tableaus selected are from BJP-ruled States," he added in his letter. Viswam asked the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and reconsider the Kerala Government's proposal to honour Sree Narayana Guru via the State tableaux in the ensuing Republic Day Parade. (ANI)
In the coming weeks, millions of Americans will receive a set of at-home COVID-19 tests by mail, after a federal government order form launched Tuesday. The tests, while extremely useful, are part of the reason why coronavirus case tallies only represent a fraction of the viruss true toll, experts say.

As in many states, at-home rapid test results arent included in Marylands daily coronavirus data dumps. But that doesnt mean Marylanders should stop using them.

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Testing by itself isnt going to solve the pandemic, but testing can help people make better decisions, and having people have that diagnosis  to be able to make those decisions is seen as more valuable than the loss of data, said Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

[ How are Maryland COVID cases, vaccinations and other metrics trending? Here are the latest numbers. [GRAPHICS] ]

Only PCR test results are included in the Maryland Department of Healths reporting due to their greater sensitivity, said Andy Owen, spokesman for the department. So, even if at-home test takers dutifully reported their results through manufacturers websites with perfect consistency, the data wouldnt appear on Marylands official COVID-19 site.

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Experts say the dearth of at-home testing data, while vexing, may be yet another indication that an intense focus on coronavirus case counts is misguided. Other metrics, such as hospitalizations and deaths, may be far better at telling the story of COVID-19, especially as many vaccinated people contract the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus, but dont suffer severe symptoms because of the antibodies they have on board.

Now, we might need to abandon those case counts, Gronvall said. We know that were undercounting to such a degree that we need to get better information from elsewhere.

Perhaps that means beginning to rely on sentinel surveillance studies typically used for the flu, wherein specific health centers and physicians report data thats used to track the incidence rate of particular diseases, Gronvall said.

Throughout the pandemic, health experts have assumed coronavirus case counts to be undercounts, partially because of inadequate testing. With at-home tests growing more popular, additional cases could be slipping through the cracks  if sick individuals choose not to seek PCR results that will be recorded as part of the states official tally.

[ Hunt for scarce COVID tests leaves Maryland residents scrambling amid surge ]

Even with the increasing focus on un-reportable at-home tests, Marylands case counts have repeatedly set all-time records this winter  evidence of the omicron variants rapid spread.

Hospitalizations have also shattered records. About 3,000 Marylanders are hospitalized with COVID-19  far more than last winters peak, when no more than 2,000 people were hospitalized with the disease at any one time. But its a decline from last week, when as many as 3,462 Marylanders were hospitalized with COVID-19 at once, indicating that omicron infections could be slowing.

Of the 1 million at-home tests Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced the state would distribute in November, about 495,000 had been sent out as of last week. On Jan. 6, the governor announced that Maryland was on track to receive another 500,000 at-home rapid tests in the coming days.

Last week, President Joe Biden announced that private insurance companies would be required to reimburse Americans for eight at-home COVID tests each month.

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Prior to the holidays, at-home tests where in particularly high demand, as residents sought peace of mind before family gatherings. In Baltimore, Enoch Pratt Free Libraries began offering the tests, and on the very first day, lengthy queues formed outside branches before they even opened. The vast majority of the tests were gone within a half-hour.

For Bel Air resident Chuck White, 55, taking an at-home COVID-19 test meant he could notify his co-workers about his positive result more quickly.

After he started to feel ill in early January, White visited the UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center testing site near his home and took a PCR test. Because officials said getting his result could take about 48 hours, White decided to stop by a Walgreens store close by and look for rapid at-home tests. Hed heard they could be difficult to find, but he had a different experience.

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They were right there in the door when I walked in, he said.

He grabbed two kits, each with two tests inside, for about $25 each. The first kit was for him to use. The second may be saved for later.

Both my son and my wife work at a grocery store, so theyre out there in that field every day. So having this little kit at home gives a little peace of mind, he said.

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After he tested positive, White did not report his result to the manufacturer, but he did try and report his result through Marylands COVID Alert app  and begin to call his close contacts  as he isolated in his homes spare bedroom.

Maryland health care professionals are hopeful that an increasing supply of at-home tests, and a recent uptick in testing sites, will help relieve some of the pressure on hospitals, which have seen sizable numbers of patients heading to emergency departments seeking testing without severe symptoms.

With at-home tests still in short supply, and with most of the National Guard supported testing sites just launching this week, its too soon to say hospitals are seeing less testing traffic in emergency departments, said Bob Atlas, president and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association, in a statement. However, we are hopeful that expansion of testing resources will help ensure that medical teams at the hospitals can focus on those in need of lifesaving care.

Even with more tests available of late, the omicron variant of the coronavirus is so highly contagious that the sheer volume of demand will outpace supply for some time to come, Atlas wrote.
After the rollout of 5G wireless networks in the United States, India has cancelled eight Air India flights to and from the US. "Due to deployment of the 5G communications in the USA, we will not be able to operate the following flights of January 19, 2022," Air India said. India's aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is monitoring the situation very closely. DGCA chief Arun Kumar told ANI, "Indian aviation regulator is working in close coordination with our carriers to deal with the current (5G) situation." Airlines from worldwide raised the concern over safety. Emirates, Japan Airlines, Air India and All Nippon Airways have cancelled most flights to the United States amid concerns over the deployment of new 5G wireless networks. Singapore Airlines has already changed the type of aircraft for the US on Wednesday. "From January 19, flights SQ12 and SQ11 between Singapore and Los Angeles via Tokyo (Narita) will be operated by the Airbus A350-900, instead of the Boeing 777-300ER," Singapore Airlines spokesperson told ANI. US-based Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also raised safety concerns while operating aircraft in between 5G high-speed Internet communications in the country. "With safety as its core mission, the FAA will continue to ensure that the travelling public is safe as wireless companies deploy 5G. The FAA continues to work with the aviation industry and wireless companies to try to limit 5G-related flight delays and cancellations," reads the FAA statement on January 17. Recently, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), with a strength of 6,000 pilots, has expressed concern over possible interference of 5G wireless signals with sensitive aircraft equipment such as radio altitude meters, threatening aviation safety. "It is important to fully understand and reduce potential 5G signal interference with radio altimeters that are integral to aircraft security systems. We understand that the activation of these services is a part of India's select Coming soon in cities," reads the January 4 FIP letter. Further FIP mentioned in the letter that if 5G deploys pilots may face safety issues while operating flights. "5G signals could interfere with the Radio Altimeters that airliners, bizjets and general aviation aircraft rely on low altitude flight that it issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) on the 'Risk of Potential Adverse Effects on Radio Altimeters' of 5G deployment. In response, the largest network carriers in the US, including Verizon and AT&T agreed to temporarily pause the advent of 5G service to allow the FAA more time to address concerns about interference," the FIP letter reads. Possibly Indian carriers are waiting for assurance before the operation from US-based federal aviation administration and aircraft manufacturer Boeing. However, Boeing declined to comment on the 5G issues. (ANI)
Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Wednesday warned the police officials against involvement in criminal activities and said that action will be taken against the personnel involved in such activities. The Minister was referring to the incident that took place last week in which the two constables deployed at the Chief Minister's residence security were found indulged with drug peddlers. Speaking to ANI, Jnanendra said, "It is the responsibility of the police to protect the peace and order in the society and to protect the lives and property of the public." "There are over one lakh police personnel in the state and the mere fact of the misconduct done by a mere handful of staff, creates negative feelings about the entire department and the public," he added. Notably, near the residence of the chief minister, it was revealed that two policemen deployed for security are involved in the sale of marijuana. "I congratulate the authorities who have detected such an act and directed them to declare the appropriate reward." the Home Minister said. (ANI)
The development follows the discovery just days before of IED explosive in an unattended bag at Ghazipur flower market in the city.

After receiving information about the bags Delhi Police and Delhi Fire Service rushed to the metro station with a bomb disposal squad.

DCP East Priyanka Kashyap told ANI that after a scan no suspicious items were found inside the bags and it looked like a case of bag lifting. The DCP also confirmed that the owner of the bag had been traced as one Somesh Gupta, aged 23 years old, a resident of Pitampura.

An employee of a consulting company in Gurgaon, Gupta claimed his bag was stolen allegedly a 'thak thak' gang from the back seat of his vehicle at Barahpulla while he and his brother was on their way to shop at South Extension.

The incident reportedly took place around 11.45 am to 12.00 pm. Following that, they also reported the theft at Nizamuddin Police station. (ANI)
Hours after Aparna Yadav, daughter-in-law of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that he is happy that his party's ideology is expanding. "Firstly, I will congratulate her and I am happy that Samajwadi Party's ideology is expanding. I am sure our ideology will reach there and spread democracy. I hope she works for protecting democracy and the Constitution of India in BJP as well," Yadav quipped while addressing a press conference in Lucknow. He said that his father the Samajwadi patriarch had tried to talk Aparna Yadav out of the decision."Netaji counselled her a lot," Akhilesh Yadav said. On being asked whether SP had denied a ticket to Aparna Yadav for contesting in upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls, he said, "Tickets have not been distributed yet. Who will get the tickets? or who will not? will depend on the region, people and internal survey report." Aparna Yadav contested the 2017 assembly elections from Lucknow Cantt seat and finished second. She was defeated by BJP's candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi and secured about 63,000 votes. Aparna is the wife of Prateek Yadav, son of Mulayam Singh's second wife Sadhna Gupta. She has in the past lauded some initiatives of the BJP government and also donated Rs 11 lakh to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Meanwhile, on being asked about contesting the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from Azamgarh, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Without getting the approval of people of Azamgarh, I am not going to fight election from Azamgarh." The 403-member assembly of Uttar Pradesh will vote in all seven phases will polling to be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Delhi reported 13,785 new COVID cases and 35 deaths in the last 24 hours. According to the health bulletin of the Delhi government, the active number of COVID patients in the city reached 75,282. Out of these, 58,501 patients are in home isolation and 2,624 are admitted to hospitals. Meanwhile, 16,580 people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours. Among the total hospitalized COVID patients, 855 are in ICU and 147 on the ventilator. A total of 908 hospitalized COVID patients are on oxygen support (including patients on the ventilator). The cumulative number of reported COVID cases in Delhi has gone up to 17,47,966 of which 16,47,224 people have recovered so far, said the official data. The new fatalities pushed the COVID death toll in the national capital to 25,460. With 57,776 tests conducted in 24 hours, the positivity rate of COVID cases in Delhi remained 23.86 per cent on Wednesday. Currently, there are 39,489 containment zones in the city. Notably, there has been a rise in cases as Delhi registered 11,684 new COVID cases on Tuesday with a test positivity rate of 22.47 per cent. During the last 24 hours, 1,25,611 doses of COVID vaccines were administered, out of which 70,314 beneficiaries got their first dose while 39,784 people received their second dose of the vaccine. As many as 15,513 beneficiaries were vaccinated with precaution dose in the last 24 hours, taking the total beneficiaries of such dose in the national capital to 1,62,770. During the last 24 hours, 38,704 beneficiaries aged 15-18 years got their first dose of the vaccine, taking the total count of beneficiaries in the aforementioned age bracket who have received their first dose to 6,52,696. (ANI)
An Uttar Pradesh BJP functionary said that in elections, winning everything including the perception battle is also important.

"Recently, a perception was built that everyone is deserting the BJP after a few leaders including some ministers in Uttar Pradesh government resigned and joined the Samajwadi Party. But Aparna Yadav's joining will help us in building a perception that 'all is not well' in the Samajwadi Party including Yadav's family affairs," he said.

Another BJP leader said that earlier, Akhilesh Yadav had an edge on perception battle but now, the saffron party has gained the lost ground after Aparna Yadav joining the party.

Aparna Yadav joined the BJP on Wednesday in presence of Uttar Pradesh state unit president Swatantra Dev Singh, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, and media department national head Anil Baluni at party headquarters here.

Everyone, while introducing Aparna Yadav, mentioned her as "Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter in law.

Singh said: "Neta ji's (as Mulayam Singh Yadav is popularly addressed) 'bahu' (daughter-in-law) is joining BJP."

Maurya also referred to her as the 'putrvadhu' (daughter-in-law) of Mulayam Singh Yadav and called Akhilesh Yadav a failed family man and failed chief minister.

"Neither is she a mass leader nor crowd puller, but Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law joining BJP is itself a victory ahead of election even before the first phase of polling. Her joining doesn't benefit electorally but hugely helps in the perception building in our favour," another BJP leader said.

Aparna Yadav, the wife of Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Pratik Yadav, had unsuccessfully contested the 2017 polls against BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Lucknow Cantt.

After joining the BJP, she said whatever the party decides, she will abide by it.

The Uttar Pradesh assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10. The counting of votes will be held on March 10.

--IANS ssb/pgh

( 359 Words)

2022-01-19-19:30:04 (IANS)
A local court in Tripura on Wednesday awarded life imprisonment to seven convicts in a 14-year-old culpable homicide case. An 80-year-old lady was lynched to death in the year 2008 and after a prolonged trial, the Court pronounced its order on Wednesday. Speaking on the issue, government advocate Pulak Kar Debnath said that additional district Judge West Tripura Govinda Das sentenced seven convicts to life imprisonment in connection with the murder case of an 80-years old Niru Bala Sarkar. "A total of seven persons had been awarded life imprisonment in connection with a murder case that took place on November 11 of 2008 at Kalyanpur para of Barjala, located at the outskirts of Agartala city," he said. Explaining the chain of events, Debnath said, a hot altercation broke out between one Lal Mohan Sarkar and his neighbour Sujit Malakar surrounding cattle fodder. Sarkar who was cutting grass from the field, Malakar objected which later snowballed into a quarrel, he added. "On the same evening at around 7 to 7.30 PM, Sujit Malakar along with 8 to 10 people attacked Lalmohan Sarkar's residence. During the attack, his wife Nirubala Sarkar and his son were also present at home. They attacked them with lathi, rod and with other sharp weapons. When Lalmohan's wife Nirubal Sarka tried to stop them, the assailants -- Sujit Malakar, Uttam Sarkar, Ujjal Deb, Pankaj Sutradhar, Litan Nag, Amit Deb, Rajen deb, Ajit Sarkar and Gopal Pal attacked her brutally. She received grievous injuries on her head and she was admitted at GB Pant hospital where she succumbed to injuries," said the advocate. During the attack, Lalmohan Sarkar and one of his neighbours Manoranjan Sarkar also sustained minor injuries. Later, Lalmohan's son Ajit Sarkar lodged a case with Ramnagar outpost. "During that time the police investigated the case and filed the charge sheet the following year. After recording statements of 16 witnesses, seven convicts consisting of Uttam Sarkar, Ujjal Deb, Pankaj Sutradhar, Litan Nag, Amit Deb, Rajen deb, Ajit Sarkar were awarded life imprisonment. However, main accused persons Sujit Malakar and Gopal Pal are still absconding," he added. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on petitions challenging the one-year suspension of 12 BJP MLAs from the Maharashtra Assembly for their alleged misconduct and misbehaviour in the House. After hearing arguments in the matter, a bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari, and C.T. Ravikumar, reserved the judgment. A battery of senior advocates -- Mahesh Jethmalani, Mukul Rohatgi, Neeraj Kishan Kaul, and Siddharth Bhatnagar -- argued for the suspended legislators. The senior advocates were assisted by advocates Siddharth Dharmadhikari and Abhikalp Pratap Singh. The counsel argued that suspension with the intent to discipline cannot go beyond the session of the House. Senior advocate C.A. Sundaram, representing the Maharashtra government, argued the act of suspending a member from the Assembly for one year is not barred by the Constitution. On the other hand, the petitioners' counsel contended that merely exercising inherent power can the House act contrary to the Constitution, and no preliminary power can go beyond the Constitution or fundamental rights. They argued that there is no justification of suspension, which affects the right of the constituency. Rohatgi emphasised that the decision of 1 year suspension is grossly irrational, as there is non-compliance with natural justice. During the hearing on the matter on Tuesday, Justice Khanwilkar told Sundaram that the suspension of the MLAs should not be greater than the session of the House, and anything other than this would be irrational. "Your decision of 1 year is irrational because of the deprivation of the constituency being unrepresented for more than 6 months..", noted the bench. Justice Ravikumar said: "Another is danger to democracy.... Suppose there is a slender lead of the ruling party (in the Assembly), and 15 or 20 people are suspended, what will be the fate of democracy?" The bench queried Sundaram: "Suspension up to what period and for what purpose?" Justice Maheshwari said the House meets in sessions and the rationale is, when a new session begins, new business begins. He further queried "A particular session, he may be suspended but beyond that time the rationality question comes." On January 11, the court observed that suspension of 12 BJP MLAs in July, for a year, for misbehaving with the presiding officer in chair, both inside and outside the Assembly, was "worse than expulsion". --IANS ss/vd ( 396 Words) 2022-01-19-20:14:04 (IANS)
Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday said that the Government is aware of the fact that without ensuring safety, security and welfare of the working class, the fruition of the concept of Atma-Nirbhar Bharat which is the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cannot be imagined. His remarks came while addressing a first of its kind unique initiative where the Union Minister interacted with national level office-bearers of Unorganized Workers' Unions and Associations on the problems and issues of unorganized workers over video conference. During the interaction, Yadav stated that the Government has been working relentlessly and sincerely for the welfare and upliftment of unorganised workers in particular and for the working class in general. The Minister particularly thanked all the Trade Union leaders for their wholehearted cooperation for motivating and mobilising the workers to register in the E-shram portal and said that it has already turned into a public movement with full jan-bhagidari. The Minister informed that in just over 200 days nearly 23croreunorganised workers have already registered themselves. Acknowledging the problems faced by workers employed in the brick kiln, forestry, plantations etc. in getting themselves registered on the E-shram portal, the Minister said that special camps will be organized for them. The Government has undertaken several social security schemes for the unorganized workers. Besides, the all India survey of Domestic and Migrant workers is also undertaken with full earnestness and soon the Government will take meaningful and constructive action on the report, keeping in view the aspect of social security and welfare of the working class.", further stated Shri Yadav. The Union Minister also highlighted that more than 400 occupations and sub occupations comprise the unorganized sector. He also stated that it is the endeavour of the Government to implement the proviso of ESIC all over the country. After a survey of migrant and domestic workers, the data shall be linked to E-shram portal. The NCS portal shall also be linked to eShram. The Minister informed that In view of the resurgence of COVID-19 and subsequent imposition of certain restrictions by State Governments, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has reactivated the 21 Monitoring Centres from 5th January 2022 in order "to mitigate the problems of migrant workers through coordination with various state governments" under the Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) across the country. Yadav further stated that once the pandemic situation is eased, he and his colleague, Rameshwar Teli, Minister of State would travel extensively, interact with the working class and the labour union members and take their views on the implementation of various welfare and social security measures. The representatives of construction workers, domestic workers, textile workers, municipal workers, transport workers, street vendors, brick-kiln workers and railway malgodam workers participated in the meeting. The Unorganised Workers' representatives appreciated the Ministry's initiative of eShram Portal and stated that not only this has given identity but also dignity to the workers and will help in alleviating the sufferings of the unorganized workers. The Trade Union leaders put forth their problems and issues very candidly. (ANI)
The ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies trumped the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by unitedly bagging a majority of the 1,649 seats in the crucial Nagar Panchayat held in 32 of the state's 36 districts, officials said here on Wednesday. The BJP emerged as the single largest party bagging 384 seats against the MVA tally of 944 comprising Nationalist Congress Party's 344, Congress' 316 and Shiv Sena's 284 seats. The counting for 163 seats in 9 Nagar Panchayats of Gadchiroli district, which went to the polls, shall be conducted on Thursday. Besides the four major parties, the CPI-M bagged 11 seats, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Bahujan Samaj Party got 4 each, other parties secured 85 seats and a chunk of 206 seats were won by independents. The election results evoked sharp reactions from both the MVA and the BJP as they could have ramifications in the upcoming local bodies and major civic corporations. The NCP termed the outcome as the BJP's "rejection" by the people of the state, Congress expressed immense "satisfaction" while the Sena also made "inroads" into newer territories. NCP National Spokesperson and Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said that the "people of the state have rejected the BJP" and the MVA allies who fought separately, jointly or unitedly in different areas have been accepted by the masses. Congress state President Nana Patole said the party was extremely satisfied especially as it has bounced back massively in the Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra. Shiv Sena Transport Minister Anil Parab said the results prove that the party has made inroads all over the state and has performed well even in its traditional bastions like coastal Konkan region. Farmers' leader Kishore Tiwari -- accorded an MoS status, said the polls results are an obvious indicator that the three parties unitedly can overthrow the BJP at any level. "The framework has been prepared by the Nagar Panchayat election result. It will have serious repercussions for the Opposition parties in the other future local elections and the upcoming dozen-odd major civic corporations. Given the current trends, the BJP is all set to be decimated," Tiwari said. State NCP President and Minister Jayant Patil expressed gratitude to the voters in the semi-urban centres for supporting the party with 344 seats. BJP state president Chandrakant Patil said the party will analyse the Nagar Panchayat results carefully and review its strategy for the upcoming elections. Slamming the Shiv Sena, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said that though the party has its own Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, it was relegated to the fourth position. Some MVA leaders countered this by saying the BJP's tally has confirmed that in the past it had taken advantage of the Shiv Sena's partnership to build itself, but now that benefit is lacking. Invigorated by the results, the MVA leaders indicate that they will make efforts to contest all future elections as a powerful alliance to bag the maximum number of seats compared with the Opposition. --IANS qn/pgh ( 509 Words) 2022-01-19-21:20:02 (IANS)
Recent discussion about the increasing quality of Virginia wines piqued our curiosity. The state leads the Mid-Atlantic region in the number of wineries  sixth behind Texas and New York  yet not everyone has had the chance to taste these wines because they struggle to create a brand identity beyond their region.

It doesnt help that wine growers here battle variable weather patterns with sometimes brutal winters, scorching summers and perhaps the biggest scourge of all  stifling humidity. High humidity creates favorable conditions for the endemic mildews that constantly threaten the vines and can destroy an entire vintage in days.

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We recently had the opportunity to taste three recent vintages from Early Mountain Winery, located among the rolling hills of Virginia. Two grapes  petit manseng and cabernet franc  are increasingly recognized as important grape varieties in Virginia and were an important element in the wines we tasted. Both have the potential to become iconic representative grapes in Virginias future.

Petite manseng is an unlikely white grape to star among other more popular and well- known Virginia grapes, such as chardonnay and Viognier. Primarily grown in the Jurancon region in southwest France, petit manseng is a minor player among other indigenous white grape varieties grown there. However, Virginia winemakers increasingly are recognizing petite mansengs potential perhaps encouraged by a Horton Vineyards Governors Cup award with their 2016 Horton Petit Manseng. Petit manseng is known for its thick skins, which help the variety resist disease in Virginias high humidity environment.

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The Early Mountain Five Forks Virginia 2020 ($26) is a delightful white blend made up primarily of 61% petit manseng and 32% sauvignon blanc and a dollop of chardonnay and pinot gris. The blend features a bright lemony nose with pear, apple and lemon notes in the mouth. Bright but balanced acidity make this wine a surefire winner with fish and poultry dishes.

The Early Mountain Chardonnay Quaker Run Vineyard Virginia 2019 ($42) is one of the better examples of this varietal that we have tasted from Virginia. Floral and tropical pineapple notes dominate with a lovely medium-body, smooth texture and finish.

Cabernet franc is the current darling of progressive Virginia winemakers, and the blend from Early Mountain seems to justify the interest. Early ripening adds a competitive edge in the relatively short Virginia growing season. Starring primarily in the Loire region of France, cabernet franc makes up the reds of Chinon and Samur Champigny. Cabernet franc also plays a supporting role on the Left Bank and often partners with merlot on the Right Bank where it creates lush, fruity St. Emilions and Pomerols.

The Early Mountain Foothills Virginia 2020 ($27) is a grab-bag of traditional Bordeaux varietals with cabernet franc leading at 43%. Merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petit Verdot follow in almost equal parts with a soupcon of petit manseng. This exuberant youthful red wine features a bright berry scented nose with an almost beaujolais-like experience with abundant cherry herb notes.

Marsala

Many consumers associate Marsala with a chicken or veal entree. Veal or chicken Marsala, a standard on many Italian restaurant menus, describes a sauteed cutlet served with a rich, slightly sweet sauce made with Marsala. While other wines, such as burgundy and sherry, are enjoyed equally on their own or added to sauces, Marsala is rarely drunk as a beverage.

Marsala, a fortified wine produced near the town of Marsala on the island of Sicily, is most often made from indigenous white grapes, such as grillo, inzolia and catarratto. It is vinified in three levels of sweetness: dry, semi-dry and sweet. Aging and the types of grapes used also create varying colors ranging from golden to dark amber, as well as an uncommon red version made from red grapes.

We recently were offered an opportunity to taste three Marsalas specifically vinified for enjoying as a beverage, although they could also be used in many recipes.

Florio is a well-known and respected producer of well-priced ($10-12) Marsala that is widely used in home kitchens and restaurants for enhancing classic entrees and zabaglione.

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The Florio reserve Marsalas were kissing cousins in style, color and flavor to the sherries of Spain and Madeira. We found they competed favorably in price and quality to other European fortified wines.

The wines were impressive as stand-alone cocktails or a dessert beverage. They marry well with colder-temperature cuisine.

The dry Terre Arse Marsala DOC Riserva Vergine Secco ($20, 500ml) revealed a rich, very dry fino sherry character with notes of nuts and oranges, most appropriate for a predinner cocktail or as an accompaniment to light, small plates such as nuts and cheese.

The Targa Marsala DOC Superiore Riserva Semisecco ($20) was softer in the mouth with notes of almonds, dried fruit and orange. A tad sweeter than the Terre Arse, it was also darker in color. Overall, we felt this Marsala would accompany and enhance a wide variety of winter meat entrees, ranging from chicken and turkey to roasted beef as well as a wide variety of cheeses. The Oltre Cento Marsala DOC Superiore Dolce ($20) is a dessert lovers delight. It is noticeably sweet or similar to port in style. Dried fruits with an accent on dark and light raisins and a very smooth delivery make this the ideal accompaniment to desserts, including flans, creme caramel and fruit pies. It also is a great partner with rich cheeses such as Stilton and Gorgonzola.

Wine picks

Diora La Splendeur Du Soleil Chardonnay Monterey 2019 ($20). Winemaker James Ewart has ignored the more nuanced trend of restrained chardonnay and is unabashedly presenting a full throttle ode to hedonism in a wine bursting with tropical fruit notes, lusty toasty oak and 14.5% alcohol. So, if you are a fan of old style, in-your-face chardonnay, find this beauty and enjoy.

DuMol Pinot Noir Sonoma County Russian River Valley Wester Reach 2019 ($78). DuMol produces bold pinot noirs that also manage to maintain balance. Elements of ripe raspberry, cherry and a hint of root beer dominate this rich luxurious pinot noir.

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Qupe Santa Barbara Y Block Chardonnay 2019 ($22). A very good deal in chardonnay, this expressive wine is barrel fermented and aged to give it a lot of texture. Blended with a bit of marsanne and Viognier, it has good citrus and pear notes with a dash of mineral and spice.

Tom Marquardt and Patrick Darr have been writing a weekly, syndicated wine column since 1985. See their blog at moreaboutwine.com. They can be reached at marq1948@gmail.com.
The meeting was chaired by the Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

As per the ministry, the Annual Report and Annual Accounts of NWDA for 2020-21 were approved by the Governing Body during the meeting.

Programme and progress of works of NWDA for the year 2021-22, the status and review of the progress of works and studies of various interlinking of river projects, the constitution of National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA), organisation of 7th India Water Week and Organisation of BRICS Water Forum and first BRICS Mater Ministers Meet etc. were deliberated during the meeting.

The Principal Secretary/Engineer-in-Chief of various State Governments, representatives from Niti Aayog, Chairman, CWC, Member (WP&P), CWC, Member (D&R), CWC, Joint Secretary and FA, Ministry of Jal Shakti, representatives from Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (Deptt. of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare), CGWB, CEA, IMD, Joint Secretary (A), Joint Secretary, (RD&PP), Ministry of Jal Shakti etc. are members of Governing Body of NWDA and participated in the meeting, added the ministry. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) which recently lodged a case of unlawful activities prevention act against Germany-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) member Jaswinder Singh Multani, has now declared a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on him. Releasing two pictures of Jaswinder Singh, the NIA has urged the public to help them in the terror case against him. NIA sources have indicated that they are also probing his involvement in use of drones for smuggling activities across the border. An NIA official on Wednesday said that for quite a long time, drones are being used for the purpose of smuggling of arms, ammunition, explosives and drugs. "Pakistan-based terrorists backed by ISI are involved in this. Jaswinder Singh Multani is in touch with them. He also has an Indian contact who receives smuggled arms, explosive and drugs. By this, he is pumping drugs and arms into the Indian territory. We are probing this and are collecting evidence in this respect," said a source. Around 70 drone sightings cases were reported last year along the border in Punjab and Jammu. These drones were used by Pakistan-based elements to supply arms and narcotics in India. Few drones were shot down by Border Security Forces. Another drone was sighted by the BSF, and even as the personnel tried to shoot it down and it flew back to Pakistan after dropping six packets containing narcotics, these were seized by the agencies. Multani was booked by NIA for hatching conspiracy against India along with his associates. "The case was registered on December 30, under sections 120B, 121A of IPC and sections 10, 13, 17, 18 & 18B of UA (P) Act, against Multani and his other associates. Multani was detained by German authorities in Berlin following the inputs of Indian agencies, he was later set free after he gave an affidavit to the German government saying he would assist in the probe," said an NIA official. The official said that Multani along with several other pro-Khalistani elements located abroad are radicalising, motivating and recruiting youths in Punjab on ground and online through social media platforms to propagate their ideology with the aim to "secede Punjab from the Union of India". "They have been involved in raising funds to procure arms, ammunition and explosives by using smuggling networks in Punjab to revive terrorism in Punjab. Jaswinder Singh Multani has also been in contact with ISI operatives to carry out terror attack in Mumbai and other parts of India," the NIA official said. The NIA official said that a team of elite officials was formed to look into the matter, adding the probe agency wants to bring back Multani to India to prosecute him for his offence. --IANS atk/pgh ( 464 Words) 2022-01-19-21:52:02 (IANS)
A new study has found that women who have COVID-19 towards the end of their pregnancy are vulnerable to birth-related complications. The study has been published in the 'Nature Medicine Journal'. The women are more likely to have complications than those who get COVID-19 in the earlier stages of pregnancy or who haven't had COVID-19 at all. The findings showed that preterm births, stillbirths, and newborn deaths are more common among women who had the virus 28 days, or less, before their delivery date. The majority of complications, which also included Covid-related critical care admissions, occurred in unvaccinated women, according to one of the first national studies of pregnancy and COVID-19. Researchers said that more should be done to increase vaccine uptake in pregnant women, whose vaccination rates are much lower than those of women in the general population. The team analysed data relating to all pregnant women in Scotland. It included more than 87,000 women who were pregnant between the start of vaccination uptake in December 2020 and October 2021. Vaccination uptake during the study period was lower in pregnant women, compared with women aged 18 to 44 in the general population. Some 32 per cent of pregnant women who gave birth in October 2021 were fully vaccinated -- meaning more than 14 days had elapsed since a second vaccine, this was compared with 77 per cent of the general female population aged 18 to 44. Since the start of Scotland's vaccination programme, a total of 4,950 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed during pregnancy, with 77 per cent of these cases in unvaccinated women. Some 12 per cent of COVID-19 cases were in partially vaccinated pregnant women -- those who had only received one vaccine dose or were diagnosed less than 14 days since their second dose. This compares with 11 per cent of cases in fully vaccinated women. The team analysed data on extended perinatal deaths, which is defined as the death of a baby in the womb after 24 weeks of pregnancy, or in the first 28 days after birth. They found that the extended perinatal death rate among babies born within 28 days of their mother developing Covid-19 was 23 per 1,000 births. All baby deaths occurred to women who were unvaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of infection. Some 17 per cent of babies born within 28 days of their mother developing COVID-19 were delivered prematurely -- more than three weeks before their due date. These data were then compared to the background rates of extended perinatal deaths and preterm births, which are the rates for all babies born in Scotland regardless of whether their mother had previously had COVID-19 or been vaccinated. The background perinatal mortality rate during the pandemic in Scotland was six per 1,000 and preterm birth rate was 8 per cent. Experts stressed that it is not possible to say if COVID-19 contributed directly to the deaths or preterm births as they did not have access to detailed clinical records for individual women. Admission to hospital and critical care were also significantly more common in pregnant women with COVID-19 who were unvaccinated at the time of diagnosis than in vaccinated pregnant women -- 98 per cent of women with COVID-19 during pregnancy who were admitted to critical care were unvaccinated. The team also monitored complication rates in women who received a COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. The perinatal mortality and preterm birth rates in women within 28 days of receiving a vaccine were very similar to the background rates at four per 1,000 and eight per cent, respectively, providing further reassurance on the safety of vaccination during pregnancy. These findings are part of the COPS study, which provided population-based information for the whole of Scotland on the incidence and outcomes of COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. COPS is an offshoot of the EAVE II project, which uses anonymised linked patient data in Scotland to track the pandemic and the vaccine rollout in real-time. The research team included scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Strathclyde, and St Andrew's; Public Health Scotland; and Victoria University of Wellington. COPS co-lead Dr Sarah Stock, of the University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute -- who is also a consultant obstetrician - said, "Our data add to the evidence that vaccination in pregnancy does not increase the risk of complications in pregnancy, but COVID-19 does. COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy is crucial to protect women and babies from preventable, life-threatening complications of COVID-19." EAVE II study lead Professor Aziz Sheikh, Director of the Usher Institute, said, "Our national data show that being vaccinated during pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of serious outcomes for both mother and baby." "Vaccine uptake has been much lower in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women of a similar age in Scotland. As cases of Omicron continue to rise, I strongly encourage all pregnant women to take up the offer of vaccination or booster as these will help protect them and their unborn child," he added. COPS co-lead Dr Rachael Wood, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with Public Health Scotland, said: "Our data provide valuable information on both Covid-19 infections and vaccinations among pregnant women. It is clear that vaccination is the safest and most effective way for pregnant women to protect themselves and their babies from severe Covid-19 disease." "Vaccination can be given at any stage of pregnancy, so I strongly encourage women who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant, to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible," she added. (ANI)
The iSIM, which complies with GSMA specifications, embeds the SIM functionality into the device's main processor, allowing for greater system integration, higher performance, and increased memory capacity, the company claims.

"Some of the areas that will benefit most from iSIM technology include smartphones, mobile PCs, VR/XR headsets, and industrial IoT. By engineering the iSIM technology into the SoC, we are able to create additional support for OEMs in our Snapdragon platform," Enrico Salvatori, Senior Vice President and President, Europe/MEA, Qualcomm Europe, said in a statement.

This technology is the latest evolution of SIM technology in which 'eSIMs' are embedded into devices. However, eSIM requires a separate chip: with iSIM, this is no longer necessary and removes the need for dedicated space assigned to SIM services.

"The iSIM, combined with our remote management platform, is a major step in this direction, allowing devices to be connected without a physical SIM or dedicated chip, making connectivity to many objects - the promise of the connected IoT world - a reality," Alex Froment-Curtil, Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone added.

iSIM technology is a significant evolution on existing eSIM solutions and delivers wholesale benefits to both consumers and telecommunications operators, further paving the way for mobile services to be integrated into devices beyond the mobile phone, taking the mobile experience to laptops, tablets virtual reality platforms, IoT devices, wearables, and more.

--IANS wh/vd

( 257 Words)

2022-01-19-16:56:01 (IANS)
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) wants Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet to act against the ex-naval chief Admiral (retd) Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in the case of unauthorized construction of Navy Sailing Club. The court directed the Additional Attorney General (AAG) that its order for the demolition of the Club and the initiation of criminal proceedings against former naval chief Admiral (retd) Zafar Mahmood Abbasi should be placed before the prime minister and the federal cabinet. As per the court, the former naval chief violated his oath by inaugurating an illegal building. "Who bought the land for the naval farms, what was the purpose, and in whose name did the deed take place?" asked Justice Farooq, reported DAWN. He further said that everything belongs to the Pakistani government's Ministry of Defence and not to the Navy citing an example of the Ministry of Law that is responsible for court buildings. The appeal stated that the former naval chief had been an officer in Pakistan Navy for 45 years, commanding it from 2017 to 2020. The court said that if the order to put the verdict before the cabinet is not complied with, then the cabinet secretary must appear in person the next day. Earlier, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, while hearing the petition against the construction of the Pakistan Navy Sailing Club on the shores of Rawal Lake remarked that the job of the navy is to defend maritime frontiers rather than to construct a club. "Did the Cabinet Division give any approval to build the club? You have no record of this. What if neither you nor the CDA has a record of approval?" Justice Minallah said. The hearing of the case was adjourned till January 19, reported the newspaper. (ANI)
Top media organisations of Pakistan have slammed Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry's claim that media revenues had increased by 600 per cent between 2018 and 2021, according to Express Tribune.

In a joint statement issued late Monday, media associations including All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) took serious notice of Fawad Chaudhry's tweet and termed it "baseless and incorrect".

The original source has also already clarified that the figures were printed erroneously due to a technical error.

Further, the statement labelled the minister's tweet as a "classic example of fake news".

The statement further added that spreading deliberate disinformation is a classic example of fake news which the minister himself has displayed.

The media bodies also demanded the minister to withdraw his tweet at the earliest, according to Express Tribune. (ANI)
After a string of incidents of unruly behaviour and sporadic firing on the local populace, the Taliban on Tuesday urged all security officials to behave well with the people and address their problems. Acting Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani in a meeting with officials of the Kabul police districts also ordered to avoid launching unauthorized operations and to not detain suspects or search people's houses without consulting the ministry, reported Tolo News. "You are only allowed to take steps in emergencies," said Sirajuddin Haqqani. He also ordered the release of people who are imprisoned in Kabul police districts who have not committed crimes, reported Tolo News. "Check the documents of people who are in prison, if they are innocent according to the laws, release them," said Haqqani. Haqqani called on the Islamic Emirate forces to respect the general amnesty announced by the leadership, saying that the staff of the former government can live in the country freely. The move comes after the Taliban affiliates opened fire on a car at their checkpoint in the Kazemi region of the western Herat province on Monday, killing a driver and a local doctor. In another incident last week, a 25-year-old girl, Zainab, in the western Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi, was shot dead at a check post manned by Taliban, when she, along with her family members, was on the way home back from a wedding function. The father is asking for justice over the killing of her daughter and said that the culprits should be arrested, reported the news agency. Since the Taliban took power on August 15 last year, the affiliates have shot civilians in Kabul and Laghman province. The Taliban shot two ladies and a boy two days earlier, killing the boy and wounding the two women. Furthermore, a girl and a kid were shot and killed by the Taliban in Kabul. (ANI)
New York [US], January 19 (ANI/Xinhua): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for an end to violence in Sudan to allow mediation efforts. "First and foremost, we want to see an end to the violence. We condemn very clearly the use of live ammunition and lethal force against demonstrators yesterday," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, when asked for the UN chief's comment on the unrest in Sudan. "We continue to call on the authorities to allow people to express themselves peacefully. And demonstrators have to act in a peaceful manner. But security forces should be there to protect people's rights to demonstrate peacefully," he said. The United Nations also wants a positive and conducive atmosphere for the mediation efforts of Volker Perthes, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Sudan, said Dujarric. In addition to Perthes' work, the world body is working closely with the League of the Arab States, the African Union, and a number of countries that have a particular interest in Sudan, he said. Seven protesters were killed in clashes with security forces during Monday's demonstrations in the capital city of Khartoum. Fifty police officers and 22 citizens were wounded, the police said Tuesday. Mass protests took place on Monday in Khartoum and other cities to demand civilian rule in the country. Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on October 25, 2021, and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government. (ANI/Xinhua)
The Taliban on Tuesday denied reports of interfering with media and said that it believed in media freedom after the Free Speech Hub expressed concerns over restrictions on the media. The Free Speech Hub, a media-supporting organization in Afghanistan, expressed concerns over media freedom and said that the media in Afghanistan has not been completely free since the fall of the republican government, and journalists face systematic censorship, reported Tolo News. The Free Speech Hub statement said that the media faced restrictions besides the economic problems that have greatly increased since the collapse of the former government, and forces affiliated with the Islamic Emirate's intelligence body are putting pressure on the media and journalists. "Afghanistan media and journalists are under pressure by the intelligence forces of the Islamic Emirate and they are trying to compel media and journalists to censor themselves," the Free Media Hub said, reported Tolo News. The deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Inamullah Samangani, has overruled the statement and any interference into media affairs. "We are making efforts to create good coordination with the media and (give) good opportunities for them to survive and continue their activities. The presence of a free media is necessary for a good and accountable society," said Samangani. At the same time, officials at media-supporting organizations urged the Islamic Emirate to respect media freedom, reported Tolo News. "Any kind of interference with media activities and affairs is a step toward violating media's independence and freedom, and this is a source of concern for the Afghanistan National Journalists Union," said Masror Lotfi, head of Afghanistan's National Journalists' Union (ANJU). "As the free Speech Hub reported--and expressed concerns--these problems truly exist and there are some efforts to impose restrictions on media and journalists by some organizations," said Hujatullah Mujadid, head of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA). Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in mid-August, media and journalists have lost their independence in the crisis-torn country. (ANI)
Mallya held a mortgage obtained from UBS on the multi-million-pound property, located along Cornwall Terrace in one of the most sought after areas of the British capital, minutes from Regent's Park and attractions such as Madame Tussaud's wax museum.

It's believed that Mallya has lived in the property along with his son Siddharth and his 95-year-old mother Lalitha.

A judge sitting in the chancery division of the High Court on Tuesday refused a request by Mallya's lawyers for a stay on repaying the UBS loan after Mallya had failed to meet a previous repayment deadline in April 2020.

UBS however, were unable to evict the Mallyas due to COVID regulations. Today's ruling paves the way for UBS to repossess the property.

It's believed that Mallya and his family own numerous other properties in the UK and elsewhere, including a sprawling country home in Hertfordshire, north of London.

Mallya has been living in London since fleeing to the UK after being accused of a Rs 9,000 crore fraud relating to the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines.

He has consistently denied the charges.

He was ordered to be extradited by the UK High Court after hearings lasting three years. He remains on bail while the UK government considers what's thought to be an asylum application. (ANI)
C. Edward Hartman II sailed from Annapolis to Florida and back more than 50 times throughout his life. (By Matthew Cole, Staff, Capital Gazette)

C. Edward Hartman II, an Annapolis attorney and businessman who shaped the citys modern-day maritime industry, died of cardio amyloidosis Jan. 15 at his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home. He was 95 and lived on Back Creek.

Born in Baltimore and named for his grandfather, he was raised on Park Heights Avenue. He was was the son of Sada Marie Linthicum and her husband, Stanley Edward Hartman, an attorney who served as an assistant U.S. Attorney.

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He was a 1944 McDonogh School graduate and earned a degree in electrical engineering from the Virginia Military Institute.

He then earned a degree from the Harvard University School of Law. He practiced in Baltimore at his fathers firm, Fell and Hartman, and in 1965 began practicing in Annapolis as Hartman & Crain.

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He wanted to be closer to the water, his home and his lifelong love of sailing.

Mr. Hartman and his legal partner, Bennett Crain, were the attorneys for the Annapolis Boat Shows owners, Peter Carroll and Jerry Wood. Mr. Hartman also owned Watermark Cruises and he built and operated the Annapolis Landing Marina.

C. Edward Hartman II co-founded the Annapolis Boat Shows in 1970. (XX)

He helped cement Annapolis as the sailing capital of the world, said his son, C. Edward Ed Hartman III.

His son said his father was driven by a love for the water. This passion was sparked by childhood visits to the Bay Ridge community, where he learned to sail using a small Moth boat.

He could still be found sailing the intracoastal waterway in his 90s, traveling between Annapolis, North Carolina and Florida. He sailed from Annapolis to Florida and back more than 50 times throughout his life and saw technology shift from people warning look out for sandbars to todays digital nautical charts.

On land, his daughters said, he enjoyed engaging in legal battles.

He was a fighter; he wouldnt give up if he believed in something, or someone, said a daughter, Debbie Gosselin.

Debbie Gosselin of Annapolis and father C. Edward Hartman II, of Annapolis, inside of the Harbor Queen. Photo by Mark M. Odell 5-28-97 (XX)

On the ocean he was happy, calm, quiet and capable.

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When he was on the sea, he belonged to the ocean, said another daughter, Carolyn Sutch.

He had a respect for the sea and was a careful sailor who kept the safety of his crew at the forefront, she said.

Mr. Hartman had a talented legal mind, which he used to help protect Historic Annapolis from large developments that would block access to the water, his children said.

He was involved in ensuring the scale of downtown was maintained over the years, Mrs. Gosselin said.

Mr. Hartman founded Chesapeake Marine Tours, known today as Watermark Cruises. Mrs. Gosselin purchased the tour business in 1999 and operates passenger vessels from the Baltimore and Annapolis harbors.

Mr. Hartman co-founded the Annapolis Boat Shows in 1970 and was instrumental in their operation. He was sole owner of the shows when he sold them in 2013. By that point, they were attracting thousands of people from around the world to Annapolis in the spring and fall.

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It was important for dad to keep Annapolis in the maritime industry, his son said.

Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said the establishment of the boat shows has been a huge part of the citys identity, something that has drawn sailors from around the world  including him.

They fall in love and stay, he said. I cant say enough about what the boat show has done for the city.

C. Edward Hartman II navigates his sailboat out of the Annapolis Landing Marina in Back Creek to the mouth of the Severn River. (By Matthew Cole, Staff, Capital Gazette)

Mr. Hartman also opened Annapolis Landing Marina on Back Creek, which was launched in the mid-1980s. He continued to operate it into his 90s.

His son said he believes his father was most proud of his family, which continues to help keep the maritime industry alive.

As the family patriarch, Mr. Hartman gathered 20 to 30 people for family events.

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At a large gathering he loved his desserts  apple strudel was one of his favorites, Mrs. Gosselin said. He liked it with ice cream.

Mr. Hartman was a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club for more than 70 years.

We all sail together. Were together all the time. That was his proudest legacy, his son said.

Mr. Hartman named many of his sailboats Mamselle, after Miz Mamselle Hepzibah, the fairest skunk in the swamp in the world of Pogo comics created by cartoonist Walt Kelly, according to the younger Mr. Hartman. His father would adhere to some maritime superstitions, including that boat names should be seven letters long.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Deborah Henwood, who assisted him in his businesses; two daughters, Debbie Gosselin and Carolyn Sutch, both of Annapolis; a son, Charles Edward Ed Hartman of Crownsville; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A daughter, Catherine Marie Hartman, died in 1993. His marriages to Anne Schwabe and Patricia Mae McHenry ended in divorce.

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Baltimore Sun reporter Jacques Kelly contributed to this article.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday asked his people to reduce mobility, avoid crowds and work from home whenever possible as the country is struggling with a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic triggered by the Omicron variant. "If you don't have any urgent needs, you should reduce activities in crowded places, and for those who can work from home, do work from home," Xinhua news agency quoted Widodo as saying. The president also asked people not to go abroad if it was not urgent, follow health protocols and immediately reach out for Covid-19 vaccination. Various studies, including those from the World Health Organisation, showed that the Omicron variant is more contagious with milder symptoms, but people should still be wary of it, Widodo said. As of Tuesday, the country recorded 840 cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, including 174 local transmissions. The majority of the Omicron cases were imported cases brought by international travellers returning from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the US, Malaysia, and the UAE. On Tuesday, Indonesia confirmed a total of 1,362 new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day rise since October last year, amid the spread of the Omicron variant in the archipelago. With the increase, the country's tally of infections rose to 4,273,783, the Health Ministry said. In the past 24 hours, the death toll from Covid-19 in the country rose by nine to 144,183, while 564 more people recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries to 4,120,036. As the Indonesian government is accelerating its national vaccination programs, more than 177.25 million people have received their first doses of vaccines, while over 120.62 million have taken the second doses. Indonesia started mass Covid-19 vaccinations in January last year. Aiming to fully vaccinate 208.2 million people in the country, the Indonesian government has administered over 299.22 million doses, including the third booster jabs. --IANS int/shs ( 326 Words) 2022-01-19-01:16:03 (IANS)
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett wrote on Twitter that he "strongly condemn" the drone attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis near Abu Dhabi's airport, which killed at least three people and injured six, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Israel stands with the UAE. I stand with (Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Zayed. The world should stand against terrorists," Bennett tweeted.

In a letter addressed to bin Zayed, which Bennett posted on Twitter, he said that Israel is "committed to working closely" with the UAE against "extremist forces in the region," and promised to offer "security and intelligence support" to help prevent possible future attacks.

"I have ordered the Israeli security establishment to provide their counterparts in the UAE with any assistance, should you be interested," Bennett said.

--IANS int/shs

( 164 Words)

2022-01-19-02:30:04 (IANS)
Washington [US], January 19 (ANI/Sputnik): The United States should reaffirm its interest in the diplomatic resolution of tensions around Ukraine by refusing to supply weapons to Kiev, the Russian Embassy in Washington said in a statement. "If the United States is truly committed to diplomatic efforts to resolve the intra-Ukrainian conflict, it should abandon plans to supply new batches of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the embassy said on Facebook. According to the statement, Washington should instead use its influence on the Ukrainian authorities to persuade them to stop sabotaging the Minsk agreements. The embassy also recalled that Russia does not plan to invade Ukraine. "On January 18, The White House, US Department of State and #Pentagon high-ranking officials spoke with one voice about the absence of de-escalation steps on the Russian-Ukrainian border. Moreover, they argued that our country could invade the neighboring state at any moment, including from the territory of Belarus," it said. "We stress once again: Russia is not going to attack anyone. The practice of moving troops on our own soil is a sovereign right. We call to end the hysteria and not to pile on tension around the Donbas problem. And most importantly - not to push 'hotheads' in Kiev towards new provocations," the embassy said. (ANI/Sputnik)
Police officials said two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a security checkpoint near one of the city's busy markets late on Monday. They say the ensuing shootout killed both the assailants, Voice of America (VOA) reported.

"The gunfire by terrorists killed a police officer while two others were wounded," said a police statement.

Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed condemned the gun attack as an act of terrorism, VOA reported.

The Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) has increased attacks in Pakistan, particularly since early December when a 30-day ceasefire between the outfit and the government expired.

Afghanistan's ruling Taliban had brokered the truce to try to pave the way for substantive peace talks between the two adversaries. But the Pakistani Taliban refused to extend the ceasefire deal, citing a lack of progress in the talks, VOA reported.

It further reported that over the years, the TTP has claimed responsibility for carrying out hundreds of suicide bombings and other attacks in Pakistan that killed thousands of Pakistani civilians and security forces.

"Pakistan says TTP leaders and fighters have taken refuge in neighboring Afghanistan from where they are organizing cross-border terrorist attacks," VOA reported.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Tuesday said the gun attack on police in Islamabad the previous night was not a robbery or dacoity gone awry but an act of terrorism, Dawn reported. (ANI)
South Korean President Moon Jae-in held talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday and agreed to work together in areas related to the hydrogen economy. After holding the talks at the Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh, the two nations signed preliminary deals to jointly develop green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind, and jointly build a hydrogen ecosystem, Yonhap news agency reported, citing a statement by Moon's office. Under the deals, South Korea can secure a supply of carbon-neutral hydrogen and ammonia from Saudi Arabia. In return, Seoul can help Riyadh operate hydrogen-powered cars and hydrogen fueling stations, according to the statement. During the talks, Moon took note of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" policy of reducing the Arab nation's dependence on oil and developing its public service sector. Moon also affirmed that the two nations have expanded cooperation beyond construction, infrastructure and energy into fields such as hydrogen, defense, intellectual property and medicine. Saudi Arabia is South Korea's largest trading partner in the Middle East. The kingdom is also the biggest supplier of crude oil to South Korea. Prince Mohammed bin Salman voiced support for Moon's efforts to bring peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to the statement. Moon was in Dubai on Monday, when an attack claimed by Houthi rebels triggered a blast at a construction site in Abu Dhabi that killed three people. Yemen's Houthi rebels also recently seized a UAE-flagged vessel in the Red Sea. During the talks, Moon said that he "strongly condemns" the seizure and any activity that "threatens peace and stability in the Middle East," according to Moon's spokesperson Park Kyung-mee. Moon told the crown prince that he hopes the ship and her crew will be freed and return home safely. Moon and the crown prince also discussed potential deals on defense and weapons systems as well as Korea's nuclear fusion reactors, Park said. South Korea has been in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to sell advanced weapons to Riyadh. Moon told the crown prince that he expects positive results from the negotiations, Park told reporters. Moon also expressed his confidence that South Korea will become an "optimal partner" for Saudi Arabia's plans to build nuclear power plants, Park said. After the talks, Moon delivered a keynote speech at a business forum. "Saudi Arabia, which has the potential to produce clean hydrogen such as green and blue hydrogen, and South Korea, which has strengths in hydrogen utilization based on hydrogen-powered cars and fuel cell technology, must closely cooperate to lead the global hydrogen economy," Moon told the forum. Moon urged Saudi Arabian business leaders to expand business cooperation with South Korea into sectors related to public health and digital technology as a way to cope with a post-pandemic era. Moon also met with Yasir al-Rumayyan, chairman of Aramco, the kingdom's state oil giant. The Aramco chairman also heads Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, known as the Public Investment Fund. Moon told the Aramco chairman that cooperating with South Korea's hydrogen-related companies would present investment opportunities for Saudi Arabia. The trip to Saudi Arabia followed a four-day visit to Dubai that included the signing of a preliminary deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to sell midrange surface-to-air missiles in the latest sign of deepening defense cooperation between the two nations. --IANS int/shs ( 571 Words) 2022-01-19-04:54:05 (IANS)
China views the United States as a "competitor" and treats itself also as the "lone competitor", "capable of combining its economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to mount a sustained challenge to a stable and open international system", said a Canada-based think tank. Citing the detailed report, titled "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2021," the International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) reported that "China's military strategy remains based on the concept of "active defense." The report, however, also speculates if "China could be concerned that the US reemphasis on low-yield nuclear weapons in recent years indicates a lower threshold for nuclear use and could want to "de-escalate a nuclear conflict on its own terms by responding symmetrically or proportionately to limited US nuclear employment". The People's Liberation Army's evolving capabilities and concepts continue to strengthen the China's ability to "fight and win wars" against a "strong enemy" (a likely euphemism for the United States), coerce Taiwan and rival claimants in territorial disputes, counter an intervention by a third party in a conflict along the PRC's periphery, and project power globally", the report said. The report further stated that "China might worry that Washington could conduct a limited nuclear attack on China, while threatening a more massive nuclear attack should Beijing dare to retaliate with nuclear weapons. Given the US nuclear superiority, Chinese leaders might not be able to respond in kind." That is a huge jump in analysis, particularly when the report, while basing its analysis on current data, laments the unavailability of concrete signals from the Chinese leadership about the real objective behind its strategic nuclear expansion, the report noted. According to the report said that international analysts believe the Chinese "paramount leader seeks to achieve national unification with Taiwan by 2049" for which "the People's Liberation Army has been building up conventional forces to deter and defeat any conventional US military intervention of Chinese efforts to take over Taiwan". Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, despite the fact that the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades. The American Department of Defense (DoD) report admits China views the US as a "competitor" and treats itself also as the lone competitor "capable of combining its economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to mount a sustained challenge to a stable and open international system", IFFRAS reported. (ANI)
Moscow [Russia], January 19 (ANI/Sputnik): Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks in Moscow with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi, the leaders plan to discuss joint projects in the economy and the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program, as well as international issues. "On January 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi will hold talks in Moscow. They plan to discuss the entire range of issues of bilateral cooperation, including implementation of joint projects in the trade and economic sphere, as well as current international and regional topics," the Kremlin said in a statement. Attention will also be paid to the implementation of the JCPOA, it said. (ANI/Sputnik)
"The United States is fulfilling our commitment to provide this additional 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Afghanistan by delivering 840,000 more doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This donation via #COVAX saves lives and reflects U.S. support of the Afghan people," Blinken tweeted on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the United States earlier announced USD 308 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan.

"The United States is announcing a new contribution of more than USD 308 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan. This brings the total U.S. humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region to nearly USD 782 million since October 2021, and we remain the single largest donor of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan," National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement last week.

The Taliban took over control of Kabul on August 15 and following this the country has been battered by deepening economic, humanitarian and security crisis.

A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban, have plunged a country already suffering from high poverty levels into a full-blown economic crisis.

The international community, from governments to non-governmental organizations, has been providing various assistance to the Afghan people. (ANI)
According to the Vietnamese VnExpress news outlet, three COVID-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City were confirmed on Tuesday to be infected with the Omicron variant.

Local authorities are currently testing people who have had close contacts with those infected, the media said.

According to VnExpress, a total of 73 cases of the Omicron strain were reported in the country, 70 of those infected people arrived from abroad.

The first case of the Omicron infection was detected in Vietnam in late December last year.

The Omicron strain was first detected in South Africa in late November. The strain contains more mutations in the spike protein -- 32 -- than all previous variants, meaning that it could hamper the body's immune response and spread more easily. (ANI/Sputnik)
Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung has been released from prison on Lantau Island, after spending four years at a top security facility for taking part in violent demonstrations in February 2016, according to reports on Wednesday. According to Wall Street Journal, now the 30-year-old Leung left prison before dawn today. On his Facebook page early today, Leung wrote that he has been released and that he would leave the limelight, stop using social media and decline all media interviews. He added that he was subject to a supervision order, a rule for inmates released early, The Wall Street Journal reported. "Separated for four years, I want to cherish this valuable time to be reunited with my family and return to a normal life with them," he wrote before deleting his Facebook account. "Heartfelt thanks to everyone's care and love." Edward Leung was serving his sentence for the last six years for his part in violent demonstrations in February 2016, after China-imposed national security law, enacted in 2020, which criminalizes acts and calls for secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers. China has strengthened control over Hong Kong through varieties of laws including the draconian National Security Law. The people of the semi-autonomous city are facing increasing policing and the crackdown. According to a media report, most of Hong Kong's opposition lawmakers, activists are either in jail or have fled overseas since the national security law crackdown began. (ANI)
European Parliament elects Maltese Roberta Metsola as new president

Xinhua) 08:40, January 19, 2022

Newly-elected president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola delivers a speech during the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Metsola, who studied European law, has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013 and has been first vice president since November 2020.

BRUSSELS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Maltese lawmaker Roberta Metsola was on Tuesday elected as president of the European Parliament (EP), the third woman elected to the post.

The 43-year-old lawyer by profession won in a landslide vote. She received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote.

She beat the Greens' candidate, Alice Bah Kuhnke, who got 101 votes and The Left's candidate, Sira Rego, who got 57 votes.

Metsola, who studied European law, has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013 and has been first vice president since November 2020.

She succeeds David Sassoli, who died last week at the age of 65, but who had already said he was not interested in another term of office.

Roberta Metsola attends the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, Jan. 18, 2022.(Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

In her first speech after the election, Metsola vowed to always stand up for Europe and its common values of democracy, dignity, justice, solidarity, equality, rule of law and fundamental rights.

"I will honor David Sassoli as president by always standing up for Europe," she said. "I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, juster and more equal."

Metsola said she will strive to bring Europe closer to the people. "We must burst through the Strasbourg and Brussels bubble to bring Europe, its ideals and decisions, to people in different towns and villages across Europe."

Turning to the challenges facing Europe and the world, Metsola said climate change was "ravaging our continent and our world," and it was no longer a problem for another generation to deal with.

"The European Green Deal and the pledge to be the first carbon-free continent is the right answer," she said.

On the economy, she said businesses need less bureaucracy and more chances to take the risks that will see Europe regain its competitive edge.

Roberta Metsola makes a presentation before the first round of voting for the position of President of the European Parliament during the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Eight Carroll County residents died this past week from the coronavirus, according to data from the Carroll County Health Department.

On Tuesday, Carroll Hospital had 177 total patients, 48 of whom tested positive for COVID-19. In the Critical Care Unit, 15 patients were being cared for, 10 of whom are COVID positive. All but one critical care patient were using ventilators.

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About 44% of COVID-positive patients at the hospital had been vaccinated against the virus, with only 14% of that population having received a booster.

While our overall numbers remain stubbornly high, they are steady, said Dr. Mark Olszyk, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Carroll Hospital. What challenges us now is the rising percentage of patients who are critical  the sickest of the sick. This is the latest strain on our people and resources.

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This week, Marylands positivity rate was reported at 19.77%, with 3,060 people hospitalized due to the virus.

Carroll Countys positivity rate was 22% as of Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, classifying the county transmission as high.

Our team continues to be stressed by the high census in COVID patients, but we remain vigilant in providing the highest quality of care, said Garrett Hoover, president of Carroll Hospital. Our caregivers are challenged with the high number of high acuity critical care patients that we are caring for, which is why my message remains the same: Get vaccinated, get your booster, wear a mask in public places and use good judgement in social gatherings.

The communitys health depends on it.

As of Tuesday, Carroll County had 595 active positive COVID-19 cases reported. The countys overall case count to date is 18,803.

The Carroll County Health Department offers a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at the Agriculture Center in Westminster, where they are able to offer about 280 tests each day. Tests at the Ag Center are by appointment only, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays. For updated information, visit cchd.maryland.gov/covidtesting or call 410-876-4848.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

In partnership with the health department, the Carroll County Public Library system has been distributing free COVID-19 home test kits at branches and its headquarters. None are available this week, but test kits may be requested through the federal government online at covidtests.gov. One set of four tests is available per mailing address.

If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 with an at-home test kit, the Maryland Department of Health is asking for results to be submitted to covidlink.maryland.gov/selfreport.

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The health department is also hosting vaccination clinics at Carroll Community College for residents 18 years of age and older. Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations are available. Registration is at https://cchd.maryland.gov/registration-links/.

Clinics at the college will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Last week, during a COVID-19 update at the Board of County Commissioners meeting, Maggie Kunz, a health planner for the county, said 75.3% of Carrolls population had received at least one dose of the vaccine, 69.9% had received two doses and 32.7% had been boosted.

Booster shots are now recommended for everyone, Kunz said.

Data is really showing boosters can help improve protection against omicron and other variants and prevent serious illness and death, she said. So we encourage people to get their booster if they havent already.
The overall tally of the COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,338,993 across the country, Xinhua reported citing the NCOC.

An alarming rate of COVID-19 positivity rate in the city of Karachi has sent ripples through the medical fraternity in the country.

Witnessing this record spike, the PMA urged the Pakistani government to act quickly after Karachi's COVID-19 positivity rate reached 40 percent. This number only showed registered coronavirus cases, however, the number of unregistered cases is much higher, it added.

This latest surge in virus cases is said to have been caused by the fifth wave of COVID-19, which would touch peak in the middle of March, according to the Dawn newspaper.

A total of 29,037 people died of COVID-19 in Pakistan, including eight patients who lost their lives to the pandemic over the last 24 hours, the NCOC said.

According o Xinhua, over the last 24 hours, 628 patients have recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,265,239, said the NCOC.

Pakistan's southern Sindh province has been the worst hit, with a total of 509,308 cases, followed by eastern Punjab province where the virus was detected in 455,499 people, Xinhua reported. (ANI)
In yet another incident of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) residents reaching out to India for help, a Muzaffarabad man has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support and intervention after he, his wife, and children were booted out from their house by PoK administration, forcing them to spend days and nights under the open sky in the bone-numbing cold. In a video that has gone viral, Malik Wasim is seen asking for India's intervention to rescue him and his family from the high-handedness of authorities in Muzaffarabad. "Police and authorities have sealed our house. I announce that whatever happened to us (my family) Commissioner of Muzaffarabad, Tehsildar of Muzaffarabad will be responsible," says Waseem in the video with his wife and children in the background sitting on a cot in the street. Sources in Muzaffarabad said the man has been evicted from his house by the local administration of Muzaffarabad and his land has been taken over by an influential person in collusion with the police. The man says the land belongs to India and that its ownership lies with non-Muslims and Sikhs. "Police have sealed the houses of thousands of citizens and forced their families and children to live on the streets in this severe weather," he added. There have been several incidents of people being evicted from their houses forcefully by the influential people in PoK. "I urge PM Modi to come and teach them (Pakistan) a "lesson". This is your property.... these (properties) belong to non-Muslims and Sikhs. Come and rescue the people from these atrocities," Waseem says in the video. Identifying the police officer as Sabar Naqvi, SHO Thana City Sadar police, Wasim added: "Today they have taken us away in this chilly cold. Under which laws do they have evicted us? The residents have time and again protested against the authorities over human rights violations in the region and atrocities against religious minorities. PoK is part of Jammu and Kashmir, which was invaded by Pakistan in 1947. The region has reeled under discrimination and atrocities since then. "I appeal to the Commissioner if my house isn't returned to me within two hours, I will die by suicide and he will be responsible for that," says Waseem. The locality, the video suggests, is near the Police Training School area in Muzaffarabad. (ANI)
The self-styled president of Khalistan, Sewa Singh Lalli has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to observe December 26 as "Veer Bal Diwas". In his post on social media Lalli said, "this government has encouraged and initiated some virtuous deeds towards Sikhism. Let's encourage it even more. Hints are enough for the wise." In his post in Punjabi on social media, Sewa Singh Lalli wrote, "The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomes the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, as Veer Bal Diwas in India". "The history of Sahibzada's unique sacrifice can now be read in government institutions and schools, colleges, educational institutions all over India. It is the duty of the responsible Sikh leaders in particular to respect this decision and to further encourage the historic decision taken in favour of Sikhism", he added. On this day in 1705, the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji's six-year and nine-year old sons Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji were bricked alive on December 26, 1705 by Wazir Khan on the orders of Aurangzeb as they refused to convert to Islam. Lalli's post further said, "It would not be wise to question the sentiments of the government for no reason. Such a historic decision in favour of the Sikh community could not have been taken without goodwill. One must have the courage to say what is wrong and what is right, and one must have the courage to deal with time". "Political issues are different in their own right. Centuries later, this government has encouraged and initiated some virtuous deeds towards Sikhism. Let's encourage it even more. Hints are enough for the wise," Lalli added. On the occasion of Guru Parv on January 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the celebration of Veer Bal Diwas on Twitter. In his Tweet, he has said, "Today, on the auspicious occasion of the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, I am honoured to share that starting this year, 26th December shall be marked as 'Veer Bal Diwas.' This is a fitting tribute to the courage of the Sahibzades and their quest for justice." Guru Gobind Singh ji had four sons - Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. All four of his sons were initiated into the Khalsa and all were executed by Mughal forces before the age of 19. Sikhism honours the illustrious martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji in the prayer of ardas for their valour and sacrifice as 'Char Sahibzade', that is the four princes of the Khalsa warrior order. Guru Gobind Singh was also killed by a Mughal assassin in 1708, a year after the death of Aurangzeb. (ANI)
Pakistan has decided to compensate the 36 Chinese nationals who were killed or injured in a terrorist attack last year thereby removing a major irritant in bilateral relations with Beijing. The government has worked out four different compensation amounts ranging from USD 4.6 million (Rs810 million) to USD 20.3 million (Rs3.6 billion), according to the Express Tribune A total of 10 Chinese nationals lost their lives and another 26 were hurt in a suicide attack on a bus that was carrying them to the worksite of the Dasu Hydropower Project in July last year. Four Pakistani nationals had also died in the attack. Also, the Chinese delegation joined the investigation last year into the Dasu bus explosion On the other hand, the Dasu Hydropower Project is funded by the World Bank and does not fall in the scope of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as mentioned in the Express Tribune. After the Pakistan government tried to downplay the terrorist attack as an accident caused by gas leakage, China immediately retaliated and cancelled a scheduled meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the CPEC. Further, the Chinese contractor had also stopped the work on the project and demanded a compensation of USD 37 million. The compensation that the contractor had claimed was over 500% more than what a Chinese national's heirs would have received if killed in a similar attack in their own country, as reported by Express Tribune. The 4,320MW Dasu Hydropower Project is being constructed by China Gezhouba with funding from the World Bank. Earlier, it is the second time that Pakistan has decided to compensate Chinese nationals, who had died in a terrorist attack. In 2004, one Chinese national lost his life and another was injured in a terrorist attack while working on the Gomal Zam Dam Project. Pakistan had then paid USD 100,000 to the family of the deceased and USD 50,000 to the injured worker, as reported by Express Tribune. (ANI)
The case of the British-Pakistani man Muhammad Gohir Khan, charged for conspiring to kill Netherlands-based blogger and activist, Ahmad Waqass Goraya, entered its fourth day of the trial on Tuesday when the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) produced further evidence about Khan's communication with a Pakistan-based middleman. Mohammed Khan entered into an agreement with unknown persons or handlers described in court papers as Muzamil/Mudz/Pappa/Mush, to travel to Netherland in order to kill Goraya. Later the middleman was identified by Khan as Muzamil. CPS said that Mohammed Asif and Raza Syed Hassan assisted Khan in receiving 5,000 from Muzamil on May 21, 2021, reported DAWN. In May last year, Khan contacted Asif and asked him if he could do him a favour. He said he had money in Pakistan that he needed in the UK, and that he would transfer 5,000 into Asif's bank account if Asif would give him the amount in cash. Asif asked for the money to be transferred in Pakistani rupees into his bank account in Pakistan. They agreed on the currency exchange rate of Rs220 to the pound which amounted to Rs 1.1 million. Asif later asked his brother-in-law Syed to give the envelope to Khan and that is why Khan then met Syed the next day at the latter's house in Cricklewood. The Crown Prosecution Service told the jury that a certain amount of payment for the job was agreed upon by the middleman. Another revelation in the trial was that at the time of the arrest, Muhammad Gohir Khan lived at his home address with his parents, wife and six children. The prosecution also mentioned that it appears that the middleman holds a British passport. Both Khan and Mudz had disputes over the payments and that is when Mudz told khan that he has a "B passport and does not need a visa to enter the UK", reported DAWN. The jury was informed by the prosecution that Mudz said he travelled to Europe on personal trips and thus the amount cannot be as high as Khan was demanding from him Notably, Khan was in Rotterdam on an alleged reconnaissance mission linked to the Goraya murder plot and was demanding more money for expenses, but Mudz said the receipts he had provided showed the expenses were far less. The police listed items as having been provided by Khan at the time of arrest-Samsung Galaxy Note 10, a Nokia black phone, an SFR SIM card and a Lycamobile SIM card. When the Whatsapp conversations were scrutinized for evidence it appeared that the chats between Khan and Mudz/Zed were suspected to be related to organising and agreeing to commit Goraya's murder for a price of 100,000. The hearing will resume at the Kingston-upon-Thames crown court on Wednesday. (ANI)
Furthermore, the woman said that her son took his bike to a mechanic to have it repaired when the incident took place, reported The News International.

She also said that the Counter-Terrorism Department also arrested the mechanic and that her son has been kept held even when the officials assured her that he will be released soon after the investigation is completed.

Gul Shad Bibi appealed to corps commander Peshawar to help release her son as he was innocent. (ANI)
James Heappey, UK Minister for Armed Forces, said that London supplied several thousands of light anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, according to Sputnik.

Emphasizing that Ukraine is a proud sovereign nation, said Heappey, adding that Ukrainians are ready to fight for every inch of their country.

On Tuesday, the UK had said that its military airlifted a batch of light anti-tank weapons to Ukraine for self-defense.

Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Washington has said that the US should reaffirm its interest in the diplomatic resolution of tensions around Ukraine by refusing to supply weapons to Kiev.

"If the United States is truly committed to diplomatic efforts to resolve the intra-Ukrainian conflict, it should abandon plans to supply new batches of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the embassy said on Facebook.

Washington should instead use its influence on the Ukrainian authorities to persuade them to stop sabotaging the Minsk agreements, according to the statement.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, the CNN state department pool reported.

Blinken is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba as part of his visit. (ANI)
Earlier this week, Tokayev fired Samat Abish, the nephew of former Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev, from the post of the First Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council, yet another dismissal in a series of reshuffles of the country's political elites, which were formed during Nazarbayev's rule.

A wave of protests against a hike in gas prices across Kazakhstan led to nationwide uproar earlier in January, resulting in clashes with the police, casualties and looting.

The president declared a nationwide state of emergency, effective until January 19, and invited the peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization to help bring the situation under control. (ANI/Sputnik)
Afghan aircraft stationed outside the country are not expected to be returned to Kabul, according to the US Department of Defence. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby on Tuesday at a press briefing, in response to a question on the fate of the aircraft, said "it is safe to assume" that the aircraft will not be sent back to Afghanistan, according to Tolo News. Pentagon said that no final decision has been made about the Afghan aircraft parked in the Central Asian Republics of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, but it is likely that these aircraft will not be returned to Afghanistan. Also, the Taliban have repeatedly called for the return of the aircraft that were flown out of the country when the government fell. Further, Kirby mentioned that the aircraft will not be sent back to Afghanistan. "I don't have any update on it for you or any decision about how they will be handled. But it is safe to assume that they will not be sent into Afghanistan to be used by the Taliban," he said. "The US is still working toward a decision about the aircraft," he added. Kirby's remarks follow remarks by acting Afghanistan Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob who on January 11 at a ceremony in Kabul called on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to return Afghan aircraft. "Our aircraft that are in Tajikistan or Uzbekistan should be returned. We will not allow these aircraft to remain abroad or to be used by those countries," he said. According to reports, before the fall of the former Afghanistan government, Kabul had over 164 active military aircraft and now only 81 are in the country. The rest were taken out of Afghanistan and brought to different countries, according to Tolo News. (ANI)
The meeting was co-chaired by S. K. Varshney, Adviser & Head, International Cooperation, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, and Dr Stine Jorgensen, Deputy Director of the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, Govt. of Denmark.

Pooja Kapur, Ambassador of India in Denmark, and Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark in New Delhi, also addressed the Joint Committee, as per the press statement from the Ministry of Science & Technology on Wednesday.

On the Indian side, representatives from the Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research participated in the deliberations.

The Joint Committee discussed national strategic priorities and developments in Science, Technology, and Innovation of both countries with a special focus on green solutions of the future - strategy for investments in green research, technology, and innovation at the virtual meeting.

Furthermore, the committee emphasised on development of bilateral collaboration on mission-driven research, innovation, and technology development, including climate and green transition, energy, water, waste, food, and so on as agreed by the two Prime Ministers while adopting the Green Strategic Partnership - Action Plan 2020-2025.

Both the countries also agreed to organise 3-4 webinars for partnership development and stressed on promoting green fuels, including green hydrogen.

It reviewed the progress of the ongoing projects of the last two joint calls being implemented in the areas of energy research; water; cyber-physical systems, bioresources and secondary agriculture. (ANI)
Carroll County Superintendent Steve Lockard has proposed awarding bonus pay to all system employees for going above and beyond the normal call of duty while dealing with challenges of COVID-19 this school year.

Carroll County Board of Education members unanimously agreed with the superintendents idea. On Wednesday, Jonathan D. ONeal, chief operating officer at Carroll County Public Schools, said school system staff has begun the process of working out the details on the bonuses, which would likely be handled via a memorandum of understanding with each of the five collective bargaining units that represent CCPS staff.

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ONeal said CCPS is in some stage of discussion on the bonuses with representatives of three of the units so far.

I am optimistic that those discussions will go well and we will be able to finalize agreements in the next few weeks, ONeal said.

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Lockard said the cost of the bonuses would amount to several million dollars, which could be taken from the school systems fund balance.

I believe the boards fund balance is healthy enough to support this effort and still leave us in a comfortable position, Lockard said during comments to the school board at its Jan. 12 meeting. I can think of no better purpose for a portion of these funds than to recognize and reward our dedicated employees.

Carroll County school system staff have given us their fullest commitment throughout this entire pandemic, Lockard said. So many people in so many roles have worked hard and gone above and beyond the normal call of duty in various ways  over the last two years.

In May, the school board approved a $1 million contribution from the Carroll Board of County Commissioners, agreeing to match those funds and provide one-time bonuses to CCPS staff for the 2020-21 school year.

Lockard said school system staff worked with designated employee groups to provide the one-time bonuses to staff in recognition of service to our system, our students and our community. Last week, Lockard advocated for another round of bonuses.

While there may never be a sufficient amount to reflect the level of commitment that we see every day, I do think, overall, the recognition bonuses were well received and certainly well deserved, Lockard said.   We need to once again this year work with our employee groups to provide another recognition bonus to our employees.

Lockard said this years bonuses might be similar to what school board did in November when $1,000 bonuses were awarded to contracted school bus drivers and $500 to bus assistants.

Though specific details still need to be arranged, Lockard said he wanted to let all school system employees know and understand we are aware of their extraordinary efforts again this school year.

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At the Jan. 12 meeting, school board members unanimously agreed to Lockards plan to provide the bonuses.

Board member Patricia S. Dorsey was the first to concur, stating that the school system must invest in our human resources. We are only able to keep this school system afloat by the efforts of people stepping up to the plate.

Board members Marsha B. Herbert and Donna M. Sivigny also agreed with Lockard that staff has gone above and beyond this school year, and deserve monetary recognition.

Tara A. Battaglia, vice president of the board, said that the pandemic has been a very trying time for everybody, and said challenges would continue for years and years to come regarding COVID, with our kids, the economy  But we do need to give back to our staff as best we can. Its the best thing we can do.

Student representative Devanshi Mistry also spoke up to thank school system staff. She said we, as students, see that staff are literally hanging on by a thread, and added that bonuses could go a long way to showing appreciation for their efforts.

Board President Kenneth A. Kiler emphasized that all staff members were deserving, pointing particularly to food service and maintenance employees as well as bus drivers and assistants.

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We are stretched thin everyplace, Kiler said, adding that he appreciated Lockard is bold enough to say lets do it across the board.
Pakistani politics has never managed to break out of the vicious cycle of back-room deals. The rhetoric one hears from political leaders is extremely deceptive. With the general elections approaching, the political atmosphere has become more pernicious in Pakistan, according to Dawn. While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is driven by internal discord, the opposition parties are too much in a state of disarray to present any serious threat to the current dispensation. But nothing is certain given the ever-shifting sands of Pakistani politics, as per the analysis of Dawn. However, Pakistan's security establishment remains the final arbiter of power tussle among various political parties. Interestingly, the entire political discourse revolves around whose side the establishment is on. The rumours about the military establishment stepping back from its support to the Imran Khan government seem to have given the opposition significant political impetus. Further, some opposition leaders have become excited over the perceived neutrality of the military. Some of them have even indicated that a deal with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is already in the offing, as reported by Dawn. Matters have become more vitriolic in recent days following the statements of some federal ministers that the PML-N is desperately trying to mend fences with the military leadership. The information minister revealed that certain senior PML-N leaders recently met a 'top person', a euphemism often used for the Army Chief, and offered themselves as a replacement for the Sharif family, according to Dawn. However, PML-N leaders have obviously rejected the information minister's statement. The military spokesman too has dismissed the report about a deal with the opposition. But that will not make speculation go away. While Pakistan politics continues to pivot around the security establishment, a political development could determine the future course and shape of our politics in the coming months. A recent opinion poll provides insight into the current political trend in the country, according to Dawn. (ANI)
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president, a cancer survivor, who had last tested positive for COVID-19 in June 2020, is now isolated at home and resting as per his doctor's advice, The News International quoted party spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb as saying in a statement on Wednesday.

Marriyum also said that Shahbaz has asked the masses and PML-N workers to pray for his health.

It came as the COVID-19 cases are rising in Pakistan. Active coronavirus cases in Pakistan shot up from 39,881 to 44,717 in the last 24 hours, the highest since October 6, according to official figures released Wednesday morning, according to The News International.

Pakistan President Arif Alvi and the country's Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood recently had tested positive for coronavirus again. The president has now recovered from the virus six days after testing positive. (ANI)
Anyone who seeks revenge spoils the current system which is not acceptable, said Haqqani while speaking at a capacity-building conference of Kabul police districts commanders, The Khaama Press News Agency reported.

He further said that he met the previous leaders and officials who have assured him that no one will harm them unless they commit a crime.

"I direct you to investigate cases of prisoners, release them if they were imprisoned for no crime and felony. Incarcerate those who have put innocent people at jails." Haqqani said.

Black listed by the US, Haqqani, asked the head of the PDs to only serve people, The Khaama Press News Agency reported.

According to him, support from common people has made the Taliban government successful. Therefore, they should be taken care of.

Haqqani is not the only high-ranking official of Afghanistan reiterating the general amnesty to be obeyed, as per reports of The Khaama Press.

--IANS int/sks/

( 210 Words)

2022-01-19-13:16:06 (IANS)
Experts from India and Israel deliberated on widening the scope of India-Israel Industrial Research and Development (R&D) and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) at its 8th Governing Body meeting. They approved 3 joint R&D projects worth USD 5.5 million and suggested measures to create a broader India-Israel collaborative ecosystem as per the Ministry of Science and Technology press release today. The discussions took place in virtual mode on 18th January 2022 in the presence of officials from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), GITA and various Industries partners. Dr Amiram Appelbaum, Co-Chair, Israel and Chairman of the Board, IIA, said that despite the difficult times of the pandemic, it is critical to continue the efforts of collaboration. "I4F is one of the examples of collaborations which we want to carry forward. We look forward to go through interesting applications of projects submitted in this programme," he said. Further, the governing body ratified the minutes of the seventh governing board meeting, which was followed by approval to 3 joint Indo-Israel R&D projects with an overall budget of USD 5.4 million. The projects were 'Centrally Monitored IoT Nanosensors for Molecular Diagnostics in Healthcare and Screening Applications', 'NoMoreMos- a mosquito control biological solution' and 'IoT enabled satellite communication for real-time collection of agriculture and environment data across India'. Vishvajit Sahay Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser DST, S Gopalakrishnan Chairman, Axilor Ventures & Co-Founder, Infosys R. Ramanan Former Mission Director & Additional Secretary, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India, Dror Bin, CEO, Israel Innovation Authority, Israel, S K Varshney Adviser & Head, International Cooperation (Bilateral) Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST) were among the members present in the meeting, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology press release. India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) fund is a cooperation between the DST, Government of India, and the Israel Innovation Authority, Government of Israel to promote, facilitate and support joint industrial R&D projects between companies from India and Israel to address the challenges in the agreed 'Focus Sectors'. (ANI)
Pakistan is primarily responsible for the mess in Afghanistan and until and unless Afghanistan is freed from the malign influence and interference of Pakistan, even the best-intentioned aid and relief program will fail, reported Times of Israel. Ever since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the country is collapsing into hunger, widespread unemployment, a complete fallout of the judicial system, an exodus of all qualified and educated people and total administrative chaos and all this is to be blamed on Pakistan. The Pakistanis since around 2004 were actively involved in fuelling the Islamist insurgency in Afghanistan especially with the help of the internationally forbidden Haqqani Network, said Fabien Baussart, President of Center of Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA). Notably, the Haqqanis were closely linked not just with Al Qaeda and also with other international Islamist terror groups from China to Chechnya. These terror groups never really bothered the Pakistanis as they believe they can control these groups easily. The Pakistanis ensured that the Haqqani Network was inserted into the top Taliban hierarchy and so they can literally treat Afghanistan as a fifth province. To strengthen the foothold in Afghanistan, Pakistanis are eager to route aid, funds, project finance through Islamabad, said Baussart. Not only the global community but also the Organization of the Islamic Corporation (OIC) countries do not have much faith in Pakistan and thus it is not ready to trust Pakistan and has decided to route its assistance through the Islamic Development Bank. The international community would be willing to extend a helping hand to Afghans and work with the Taliban regime however, first it needs to ensure that the links between Taliban and Pakistan are cut else the radical approach of Pakistan will end up making a worse situation in Afghanistan. (ANI)
The funding is being channeled through United Nations agencies working in Afghanistan to benefit the Afghan population directly, Ariana News quoted UN as saying in a statement.

"I am pleased that we are addressing basic human needs and supporting livelihoods under the clear parameters set out by the Foreign Affairs Council," said EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen.

She also said that the projects focus on health, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, and education, in particular for women and girls.

The EU is also assisting income-generating activities, food security and local markets, said the Commissioner.

Emphasising that the bloc has reacted quickly to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan population, Urpilainen said that efforts are underway to preserve a future for the Afghan people, especially women and youth.

Seven EU projects, amounting to a total of euro 186 million back health, education and livelihoods for Afghans.

The EU projects will be implemented through United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), according to Ariana News. (ANI)
New Zealand's Foreign Ministry has affirmed that Tonga's communication systems remain severely limited after damage to a key undersea cable cut international and inter-island calls following the volcanic eruption. Repairs are not expected to begin until February 1, and it may take a further two weeks after that to restore the cable, according to a company assisting with the work, according to CNN. Further, the New Zealand Foreign Ministry stated that an international mobile network provider has set up an interim system on Tongatapu using a satellite dish, which could restore 2G connections. However, the above arrangement "will be limited and patchy," as per New Zealand Foreign Minister. Further, many Tongans living outside the country now face a daunting wait to reconnect with loved ones at home, as rescue workers try to salvage the underwater cable. On the other hand, New Zealand's Foreign Ministery on Tuesday warned of further volcano eruptions and tsunami risk in Pacific following Tonga disaster. New Zealand foreign ministry further said that most likely scenario is for ongoing eruptions in the next several days to weeks, with ongoing tsunami risk to Tonga and New Zealand, according to CNN. The tsunami risk estimation was based on modeling by GNS Science, a New Zealand geological research institute. Meanwhile, in its first official update since Saturday's eruption of the underwater Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano, Tonga's government on Tuesday confirmed the deaths of three people and several other injuries, and outlined the scale of destruction to communities. Tongan Prime Minster Siaosi Sovaleni said all houses on the island of Mango, where 36 people live, were destroyed. "Only two houses remain on Fonoifua island, and extensive damage was reported on Nomuka island, home to 239 people," he said. Further, United Nations spokesperson said an initial assessment by Tongan authorities found 100 houses were damaged and 50 destroyed on Tongatapu, the country's main island, home to the majority of the population. No evacuation centers are open on the main island, and people who were displaced are mostly staying with extended families. The first details of the devastation emerged on Tuesday after Tonga's Pacific neighbors, Australia and New Zealand, made reconnaissance flights to the archipelago -- a three- to five-hour journey, as mentioned by CNN. Photos show entire island communities that were once lush and green, now blanketed by thick, gray ash. Many homes appear damaged or completely destroyed. (ANI)
Contrary to President Xi Jinping's declaration of making China carbon neutral by 2060 and his plans to curb carbon emissions, the country produced a record of 4.07 billion metric tons of coal last year, 4.7 per cent up from 2020, according to data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics earlier this week, reported CNN. China is ramping up its coal production and imports of coal, which rose last year, to their highest level since 2013, as it struggles to meet the demand for electricity. The power crisis may be solved however the coal prices are soaring and China's ambitions of taking drastic measures against carbon emissions have gone for a toss. To address the power crisis, China ordered mines to boost coal production. By December, production had jumped more than 7 per cent from a year earlier to an all-time monthly high of 385 million metric tons, recent statistics show. That was also the third straight month of increases. Meanwhile, prices in China for thermal coal -- which is mainly used to generate electricity and provide heating -- have shot higher in recent days. Thermal coal futures surged nearly 7 per cent on Wednesday to about 775 yuan ($122) per metric ton, according to the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange. The contract has soared 13 per cent so far this year, reported the news channel. According to the statistics by the Chinese government, Coal Consumption in 2021 strongly increased 10.3 per cent from 2020. Furthermore, Li Yunqing, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, at a press conference on Tuesday in Beijing said that China expects its power consumption "to continue its rapid growth in 2022". Even though China's ruling Communist Party last month said that they will prioritize infrastructure what is noteworthy is that the infrastructure is also majority dependant on fossil fuels which contributes to climate change. (ANI)
Nong Rong, China's Ambassador to Pakistan, called on the country's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday and discussed regional security matters, reported local media. The regional security situation, matters of mutual interest, and measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation were discussed during the meeting, reported Geo News citing Inter-Service Public Relation (ISPR) as saying in a statement on Wednesday. Islamabad remains committed to cooperating with its international partners for peace in the region, said Bajwa during his meeting with Rong. The Chinese envoy also appreciated Islamabad for special measures taken to protect the China Pakistan Economic Corridor in Pakistan, according to ISPR. Wang also reaffirmed the need for timely completion of the remaining projects. The meeting took place as experts have raised concerns that CPEC the ambitious project of Beijing and Islamabad, has been trapped in Pakistan's worsening security situation, the rise of terror attacks in the country, and internal protests in Gwadar leading to slow progress of the project which has been disappointing Beijing. The CPEC's northern end, where China has heavily invested in infrastructure that is already operational, the return of the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan has raised prospects of threats from terror groups. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) are getting active not far from the route. While the Afghan Taliban are fighting the IS-K, the Imran Khan government is desperately seeking to reach a peace deal with the TTP, said a report by Geopolitica. (ANI)
Brussels [Belgium], January 19 (ANI/Sputnik): NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that in a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky he expressed NATO's support for Ukraine and urged Russia to "de-escalate immediately," adding that the alliance will not retreat from its core principles. "Spoke to President @Zelensky to express #NATO's strong support to #Ukraine in face of #Russia threat. Allies call on Russia to de-escalate immediately. We're ready to engage in further dialogue w/Russia but won't compromise on key principles," Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter. Earlier in the day, Zelensky tweeted that during the phone call with Stoltenberg, the officials discussed diplomatic efforts required for stability in Europe, and Ukraine's possible participation in a summit of the alliance planned for June. Also on Wednesday, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that at a meeting, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Ukrainian president talked about American and international security assistance to Kiev and stressed the necessity of "Ukrainian unity in the face of the Russian threat." Western countries and Ukraine have accused Russia of massing troops and military equipment on its territory near the Ukrainian border, which Kiev perceives as preparations for invasion. However, Moscow dismisses the allegation, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov reiterated on Wednesday that the country does not intend to invade Ukraine and is not taking any actions to undermine its security. Russia argued that it has the right to move troops within its territory. (ANI/Sputnik)
Harford Community College recently received a National Science Foundation award for an expansion of its biotechnology program.

The $493,912 grant was given for the colleges Expanding Pathways from High School into the Biotechnology Workforce program. The goal of the program is to provide a diverse, school-to-workforce pipeline of local students entering the growing biotech industry.

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The program will target high schools with majority-minority enrollment and/or rural status, with the intent of enrolling students from groups traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and college-level biotechnology programs.

These programs are distinct from the other life sciences programs at HCC in their focus on the hands-on laboratory skills needed for immediate employment in the rapidly expanding biotechnology industry in Maryland, said Jaclyn A. Madden, associate professor of biology and biotechnology. The grant has provided HCC with modern equipment and industry connections.

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The program creates pathways for students from Harford County Public Schools to pursue an associate of applied science degree in biotechnology in a newly created biotechnology degree program at HCC. Graduates of the program can go directly to a biotechnology career or transfer to a four-year institution for continued study.

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Enrollment for the degree and certificate programs is open now. Additional classes will be added in the fall. Harford Community College currently offers a biotechnology certificate program, which will be enhanced under the grant.

The college plans to collaborate with local industry partners for summer internships to help students gain professional, field-specific experience and career readiness skills.

As part of the program, the school will hold workshops for high school students and their families which will feature hands-on biotechnology activities, academic and career information.

There will also be a free camp Aug. 1-5 on the Harford campus for interested high school students. Attendees in the BIOTECH Pathways Summer Institute will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities in campus labs. Registration will open soon through the HCC Summer Camp catalog, Madden said.

Additionally, the program will hold a BIOTECH Pathways Teaching Academy in June 2023 for high school teachers.

This project is funded by the National Science Foundations Advanced Technological Education program which focuses on workforce education for advanced technology fields that drive the nations economy.

For more information, contact Madden at stem@harford.edu.
"I would anticipate that the nomination will be forthcoming very shortly," Blinken said during his visit to Kiev.

Blinken also said that the United States will update Ukraine on the outcomes of his upcoming meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva and discuss next steps.

The two top diplomats will meet on Friday.

"We will brief our Ukrainian partners shortly after the meeting in Geneva as well and discuss next steps," Blinken said. (ANI/Sputnik)
Chinese President Xi Jinping has continued to call for the common prosperity of the country's entire population amid the massive crackdown on big tech giants in China. "China has made it clear that we strive for more visible and substantive progress in the well-rounded development of individuals and the common prosperity of the entire population," said Xi during his virtual address at the World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda on Monday. Emphasising that China is working hard on all fronts to deliver this goal, Xi said that the common prosperity "we desire is not egalitarianism". "To use an analogy, we will first make the pie bigger, and then divide it properly through reasonable institutional arrangements. As a rising tide lifts all boats, everyone will get a fair share from development, and development gains will benefit all our people in a more substantial and equitable way," he added. The Chinese President also said that Beijing will stay committed to reform and opening-up. "For China, reform and opening-up is always a work in process. Whatever change in the international landscape, China will always hold high the banner of reform and opening-up. China will continue to let the market play a decisive role in resource allocation, and see to it that the government better plays its role." It comes as China has been targetting major companies in the country by using certain regulations. China's live-streamers harnessed e-commerce, social media and personal star power, to fuel the rise of a multibillion-dollar industry in recent years but the influencers are now targets in Chinese President Xi Jinping's "common prosperity" campaign, a wide-ranging crackdown that is bringing celebrities and Internet companies to heel in the name of addressing inequality, Washington Post had said earlier. "Common Prosperity" is a wide-ranging crackdown that is bringing celebrities and Internet companies to heel in the name of addressing inequality. Further, it is also an effort to inject ideological rigor into the new economy after years of explosive growth and exert more control over which industries prosper as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's economic vision. But the focus on getting people to buy as much as possible is at odds with Xi's campaign, which calls for redistributing wealth and promoting sustainability, according to The Washington Post. (ANI)
Paris [France], January 19 (ANI/Sputnik): Europe should work out a new plan of cooperation with African nations to resolve pressing issues of mutual concern, such as migration, including migration, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday. "Europe should offer a new alliance to the African continent. The destinies of the two sides of the Mediterranean are linked, and we cannot properly discuss the subject of migration without understanding its root causes and reminding about the common fate with the African continent," Macron said during his opening speech at a European Parliament plenary session, outlining priorities of France's six-month presidency of the EU, which began on January 1. The upcoming EU-Africa summit, scheduled to be held in Brussels from February 17-18, will focus on the restoration of the partnership, according to the president. The EU and the African countries started out bilateral summits in 2000. The fifth summit in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire in 2017 was focused on building "mutually beneficial" partnerships. (ANI/Sputnik)
Britain and US are forced to pay price for hosting militant youth from Pakistan and failing to curb their radicalization, according to an article published in Policy Research Group (PRG). Earlier, 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram's act of taking four people hostage at a Texas synagogue was called an "act of terror" by US President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Akram was demanding the release of the Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan. Also, from Omar Sheikh, the most notorious Briton in 1994 to Usman Khan in 2019, the migrants from Pakistan, including those living and educated there and although enjoying freedom in the West, have taken to terrorism, as per the PRG analysis. Meanwhile, in UK Khurram Shahzad Butt, a 27-year-old British national born in Pakistan, died in police firing on 3 June 2017 after he along with two others drove into pedestrians on London Bridge and also stabbed people in and around the Borough Market area, killing eight and injuring 48 people in the attack. Reasons for their acts include lack of education, jobs, disorienting from family, romanticism and being heavily influenced by propaganda, available in English and several European languages, from proponents of Al Qaida and the Islamic State (IS). Some of them have gone to Pakistan-Afghanistan to be trained and indoctrinated by outfits based in Pakistan. All these Pakistan-origin youths living in the West have embraced violence. The British have traced 70 per cent of such youths to Pakistan. The US has outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and threatened "dire consequences" to Islamabad, the PRG said. The West as a whole must pay a price for hosting them in good faith and intention, but failing to curb or prevent their radicalization, it added. (ANI)
"The two dignitaries will also launch the Civil Service College and 8MW Solar PV Farm projects in Mauritius that are being undertaken under India's development support," the MEA statement read.

Furthermore, an agreement on extending a USD 190 million Line of Credit (LoC) from India to Mauritius for the Metro Express Project and other infrastructure projects and MoU on the implementation of Small Development Projects will also be exchanged. (ANI)
During a meeting held in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday, Abbas gained the full confidence of the Fatah central committee to take the helm of the state of Palestine, Xinhua reported citing the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.

Abbas, 86, is the chairman of the PLO executive committee, chairman of the Fatah central committee, and the president of the state of Palestine. He was elected in January 2005 as the chairman of the Palestinian Authority.

The decision will be presented for voting before the PLO Central Council, which is scheduled to be held in Ramallah during the first week of February.

Meanwhile, an official statement said that the Fatah central committee nominated Rawhi Fattouh, a member of the committee, to be the speaker of the Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the PLO.

Fattouh will succeed Salim Za'noon, 88, the current speaker

--IANS int/sks

( 185 Words)

2022-01-19-16:54:03 (IANS)
Abdul Salaam Hanafi said during the first-ever Economic Conference conveyed by Taliban that Kabul wants to have an economy dependent on foreign aid and will strive to arrange annual budgets from their domestic resources, according to Khaama Press News.

Meanwhile, Taliban's acting Minister of Finance, Hidayatullah Badri said that the current annual budget is less but added that they are trying to increase the amount of money from domestic resources and they also have developments in this regard.

Earlier, Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund asked the Islamic countries to prove their independence and take the lead in recognizing the interim government of Afghanistan.

The conference was named "Economy of Afghanistan", was held in the office of the Prime Minister (ARG), and was telecast live on the state-run RTA channel on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, according to Khaama Press News. (ANI)
Beijing battles with epidemic ahead of the scheduled next month's Winter Olympics as four COVID-19 infections, with both the Delta and Omicron variants, were detected recently. Beijing tightened anti-epidemic measures and urged all departments to fend off COVID-19 flare-ups in the city with all-around measures ahead of the Winter Olympics, according to Global Times. The four COVID-19 positive cases made Beijing the third region after Central China's Henan Province and South China's Guangdong Province that is battling both Delta and Omicron at the same time in the Chinese mainland. Among the four cases, two are in the same chain of transmission with the first case, which was infected with the Omicron variant, that is suspected of tracking back to an international package from Canada. However, the source of the origin for the patient from Chaoyang district, who was infected with Delta, has not yet been confirmed, and the epidemiological investigation is still underway, the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday. Experts said that epidemic risks in the capital city of Beijing mainly come from the case in Chaoyang district because the final epidemiological study and source of origin of the positive case in the district has yet to be confirmed as reported by Global Times. But the anti-epidemic group in Beijing has already acted swiftly in a bid to cut off further viral transmission within the city, and given the country's experience in handling Omicron and Delta, the capital city's domestic flare-up should be controllable very soon and would cause a limited impact on the Olympics, as reported by the Global Times. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi and said that he was concerned about the situation in Afghanistan, and he wanted to discuss this topic and find out Tehran's position, reported Sputnik. "Now, of course, both you and us are concerned about the situation that is developing in Afghanistan. I would like to discuss all these issues with you, to know your position on this problem," Sputnik quoted Putin as saying at the Russian-Iranian talks on Wednesday. The Iranian side has handed over to Moscow a draft agreement on strategic cooperation for a 20-year period, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Wednesday following talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, according to TASS news agency. "We handed over to our Russian colleagues a document on strategic cooperation between our countries," said Raisi, stressing that it can determine prospects for at least 20 years. He also said that the current level of trade between Tehran and Moscow is not satisfactory and suggested scaling up the economic cooperation. Raisi arrived in Moscow on his official visit on Wednesday. The meeting with Putin was the first since the Iranian politician took office. Raisi on Thursday is expected to speak at Russia's State Duma and at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, according to TASS. (ANI)
The first case of the Omicron variant in China was traced back to an international document received from Canada, according to the Beijing health authorities that suggested people to reduce purchasing of overseas commodities. The document was found to have similar strains from those in North America and Singapore and the traces of the Omicron Variant was detected on the outer package, internal surface and papers of the mail. Furthermore, the patient who was found with Omicron on Saturday had received an international mail on January 11 which was sent from Canada on January 7, transferred via the US and China's Hong Kong region to Beijing, reported Global Times. Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing centre for disease control and prevention, in a press conference said, combined with the epidemiological studies, the testing results of suspicious samples and the gene sequencing result of the case, the possibility that the Beijing case was infected by the virus through the international mail cannot be ruled out. He further added that the COVID-19 virus can survive for a long time in low temperature, thus the risk of goods causing the viral transmission increases in winter. Notably, Beijing battles with epidemic ahead of the scheduled next month's Winter Olympics as four COVID-19 infections, with both the Delta and Omicron variants, were detected recently. It tightened anti-epidemic measures and urged all departments to fend off COVID-19 flare-ups in the city with all-around measures ahead of the Winter Olympics. (ANI)
A Havre de Grace woman was surprised with a trip to Hawaii on Today With Hoda & Jenna for her nonprofit work in the community.

Pamela J. Craig, who goes by PJ, believed she was on the NBC daytime talk show Jan. 10 to play a trivia game. Instead, hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager announced that Craig, CEO of the Harford Community Action Agency in Edgewood, was being honored in their Winter Wonderful segment, which spotlights people who go above and beyond in their communities, Kotb said.

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Appearing virtually, a stunned looking Craig was joined by her daughter, Tatum Overbay, who nominated her for the honor.

My mom is my absolute hero, inspiration and best friend, Overbay said in a video tribute. Through her courage and kindness, and through her selflessness and compassion, I see the love she has  not only for the community but for me.

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In the video, Craig was portrayed as a person who supports both her community and colleagues.

She is one of the most compassionate individuals I know, said Kim Neely, senior director of the Harford Community Action Agency, which advocates for and works with residents suffering financial hardships. She advocates for our community members who are our most vulnerable population.

The teary-eyed co-hosts had another surprise for Craig  a trip for her and her daughter to Maui, Hawaii.

When Kotb asked her why she chose a career in service, Craig said shes carrying on a legacy of philanthropy started by her grandmother and father.

Its been a difficult two years, but I wouldnt trade it for anything, Craig said.
China's global hunt for "fugitives" hit a new milestone just around Christmas last year, as, since its launch in 2014 as part of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, nearly 10,000 are claimed to have been successfully returned from over 120 countries around the globe under Sky Net (and junior partner Fox Hunt) operations, according to a report by Safeguard Defenders. Beijing brought them by threatening to their families in China, targeting victims in foreign countries and kidnappings abroad, the report said. The new report goes beyond the few individual cases reported on occasionally in the past, delving deep into their foreign operations and blowing the lid on the use of so-called "voluntary" returns... by any means necessary. "Any means" is to be taken literally. Legally sanctioned methods under the PRC's National Supervision Law range from detaining family members back in China, to sending police overseas on secret missions to intimidate targets into returning, to outright kidnappings abroad," according to the report released by Safeguard Defenders on Tuesday. As the research shows, formal legal procedures such as extraditions play an almost non-existent role in the claimed success rate of the Sky Net campaign. Instead, these involuntary returns (IR) account for the vast majority of Sky Net's track record: in 2018, IR stood for some 64 per cent of the claimed successful returns, while extradition - the appropriate judicial channel for such returns - represented but 1 per cent. The rapidly expanding global practice poses a severe threat to national sovereignty and individual rights everywhere. National awareness and investigations, as well as targeted actions to counter these operations and protect those most at risk are key to upholding the international rules-based order. Safeguard Defenders' latest report exposes an existing legal interpretation from the party-twin to the body in command of Sky Net: China's new feared super-ministry, the National Supervision Commission (NSC). On the basis of article 52 of the National Supervision Law (2018), it provides the practical terms for how the NSC and Police shall achieve the return of claimed fugitives. This legal interpretation serves as a guide on the numerous categories of methods that can be employed. In its fifth and final category, it states outright: The research behind the report includes a deep dive into 62 cases of both failed and successful attempts at these "voluntary" returns. Based on these, Safeguard Defenders mapped three types of IR (involuntary returns) methods employed. Broadly these are: Threats to family in China, targeting victims in foreign countries and kidnappings abroad. Chinese human rights defender Dong Guangping had already served three years in prison in China on charges of inciting subversion of state power in the early 2000s and had been disappeared for another eight months in incommunicado detention in 2014. To escape further persecution, he managed to make it to Thailand in 2015, where he was granted official refugee status by the UNHCR. As he awaited resettlement to Canada in a Bangkok immigration detention centre, Chinese police walked in, handcuffed him in front of Thai officers and led him out. Dong later resurfaced in detention in China (there is no official record of his having left Thailand) where he was sentenced to three years in prison. He was freed in 2019 after serving his sentence. Individuals are not necessarily targeted through one method only. Cases have been recorded were, if one method fails, another is employed. Sky Net is set up to ensure their return at any cost, by any means necessary. The 10,000+ successful returns may represent but part of an iceberg as this number is based on the limited data touted by the CCP which include only successful returns in their publications. As Safeguard Defender's deep dive into 62 individual cases shows, only half of them were successful, according to Safeguard Defenders. (ANI)
A majority of American voters oppose providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, as they fear the money will end up in the pockets of the Taliban (under UN sanctions for terrorism), according to a Morning Consult/Politico poll out on Wednesday. Earlier in January, the United Nations and its partners launched the largest single-country funding appeal for Afghanistan in 2022, worth over USD 5 billion, to overcome the humanitarian crisis that emerged after the Taliban came to power as reported by Sputnik news agency. "60 per cent of American voters, including 47 per cent of Democrats and 3 in 4 Republicans, oppose sending financial aid to mitigate Afghanistan's multiple humanitarian crises because the money could end up with the Taliban," the poll said. As the Taliban entered Kabul in August, President Ashraf Ghani resigned and left the country. The United States withdrew from Afghanistan in the same month, ending its 20 year-long presence, as mentioned by Sputnik news agency. In December, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a US resolution allowing humanitarian aid payments to Afghanistan despite current sanctions. The US has since allowed certain transactions and activities involving the Taliban or Haqqani Network (both under UN and US sanctions) for governmental and non-governmental organizations doing humanitarian work in Afghanistan. Since October 2021, the US has allocated nearly USD 782 million in humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people, the White House reported in January, according to Sputnik news agency. (ANI)
Afghanistan convened their first-ever Economic Conference on Wednesday attended by its high ranking officials and representatives of 80 countries both online and in-person where the country's acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund in his video speech, asked for humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and pleaded for the release of $10 billion frozen in the western banks. Furthermore, Hasan Akhund also accused the West of violating human rights by imposing economic sanctions on Afghanistan, reported The Khaama Press. Notably, the Taliban led a major offensive in Afghanistan during the withdrawal of US troops from the country and took over power in August September of 2021, establishing an interim government. Since then, the country has been battered by deepening economic, humanitarian and security crises. A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban have plunged a country, already suffering from high poverty levels, into a full-blown economic crisis. The conference was named "Economy of Afghanistan", was held in the office of the Prime Minister (ARG), and was telecast live on the state-run RTA channel today, reported The Khaama Press. (ANI)
Both diplomats exchanged views on wide-ranging topics, including upcoming bilateral engagements and the COVID pandemic.

"FS @harshvshringla had a wide-ranging telecon today with US @DeputySecState Wendy Sherman. Inter alia reviewed upcoming bilateral engagements and the COVID pandemic, including supply of vaccines, and exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, Middle East, UNSC, India's neighbourhood, etc," tweeted Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs.

They also held discussions on Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders.

"They discussed a broad range of issues including Russia's concerning military build-up on Ukraine's borders and regional issues," read State Department Spokesman Ned Price's statement.

"Deputy Secretary Sherman and Foreign Secretary Shringla agreed to remain closely coordinated on shared goals and priorities and reiterated the importance of a strong US-India partnership to mitigate the COVID-19 Omicron variant's rapid advance," added the statement. (ANI)
Tapir Gao, Member of Parliament from East Arunachal Pradesh, claimed that the youth was 'abducted' on Tuesday from Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district.

He claimed that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has abducted the youth where the Tsangpo River enters India in Arunachal Pradesh.

He tweeted, "Chinese PLA has abducted Sh Miram Taron, 17 years of Zido vill. yesterday 18th Jan 2022 from inside Indian territory, Lungta Jor area (China-built 3-4 km road inside India in 2018) under Siyungla area (Bushing village) of Upper Siang dist., Arunachal Pradesh."

"His friend escaped from PLA and reported to the authorities," said Gao.

"All the agencies of the Government of India are requested to step up for his early release," he tweeted.

In his tweet, Gao has tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Indian Army.

The MP claimed that he has informed the Home Ministry regarding the incident and requested their intervention. (ANI)
Five police officers and nine other victims suffered from smoke inhalation

A possible gas leak could be the cause for an explosion at a Bronx home that killed a 77-year-old woman and injured at least nine other people.

The massive fire at the three-story home occurred Tuesday just before 11 a.m. on Fox Street near Intervale Avenue, and investigators are trying to figure out what happened, the New York Post reports.

Suspected Gas Explosion Destroys Bronx Home, 1 Dead, 7 Injured (Credit: YouTube screenshot)

The dead womans 82-year-old sister was also injured in the fire and she is said to be in critical condition, as is a 68-year-old woman, authorities said. Five police officers and nine other victims suffered from smoke inhalation and were treated at the local hospital.

Clearly the action of FDNY and NYPD and residents, their quick response really allowed many who were part of this crisis not to in some way be seriously injured or to die, so I want to thank them, said Mayor Eric Adams, who noted that someone reported the smell of gas.

ConEd reportedly shut off the gas on the block amid the NYPDs investigation with the fire marshal to determine the cause of the blast.

There were two sisters from the fire building that were inside the building when it exploded, and our units saw them laying on the ground outside, and, working in conjunction with our EMS units, we took those people and we got them to a hospital quickly, FDNY Chief of Operations John Hodgens said. Unfortunately, one of them has succumbed to their injuries and has passed away.

Hodgens noted that the buildings directly adjacent to where the explosion was are completely destroyed, he said.

Theyll have to be demolished, said Hodgens.

It was just a mess. It was ugly, very ugly. Lot of fire, smoke, said neighbor Cesar Garcia, per New York Post.

I was watching TV, my cat was looking out the window, and I heard a boom. My cat jumped down and I started smelling smoke, said neighbor George Tyson. It could have been any one of these buildings blowing up.

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We as a borough are absolutely devastated. Yet another fire that were facing here in the South Bronx, in Longwood, said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, referring to the nine adults and eight children who were killed in a fire at a Bronx high-rise just over a week ago.

The Associated Press reported that an electric space heater set up in one of the bedrooms of a duplex on the third floor of the building had been on for a prolonged period when an unspecified malfunction set off the fire around 11 a.m.

The youngest victim of the citys deadliest blaze in three decades was 2 years old, according to NBC News.

The fire left 63 people injured and 32 hospitalized.

FDNY members continue to operate at a 2-alarm fire at 869 Fox Street in the Bronx. pic.twitter.com/LDjt7faEJs  FDNY (@FDNY) January 18, 2022

The marshals have determined through physical evidence, through firsthand accounts from the residents, that this fire started in a bedroom in a portable electric heater, said New York City Fire Department Commissioner Dan Nigro at a news conference attended by Mayor Adams, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York Senator Chuck Schumer, according to NBC News.

The space heater was reportedly used to supplement the warmth provided in the Bronx building  heat that was functioning at the time. However, the functionality of the buildings fire alarms remains part of the investigation, theGrio reported.

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The post 1 dead, multiple injured in Bronx house fire appeared first on TheGrio.
11 Apple AirPods accessories that you never knew you needed

 Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

Anyone whos ever had a fresh set of Apple AirPods rolling around in their bag or burning a hole in their pocket knows the simultaneous joy and fear involved with the purchase. You spent hundreds of dollars on your brand new AirPodsespecially if youre getting the latest AirPods Proand theyre so easy to lose.

Thats why so many of the best AirPod accessories available today are designed to help keep your white earbuds safe and protected. People want their AirPods on their keychain, on a strap while theyre jogging or in a case that makes them hard to forget (or break.) Here are all of the AirPods Pro accessories that will help you get the most out of your new buds, including an AirPods cover, AirPod holder and convenient carrying strap.

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1. Apple AirTag Holder

Apple AirTag Holder.

Wish you knew how to find your AirPod case? Introduced just last year, Apples AirTag is a must have for anyone who would lose their head if it wasnt attached to their neck. Pop one of the trackers into a stick-able holderlike these fruit-hued ones from Amazonpress it on the back of your AirPod case and boom! With a quick look at your phone, youll be able to find your AirPods if theyre ever lost, or even ask the sensor to emit a sound letting you know where they are.

2. Magnetic Anti-Lost Straps for AirPods

Magnetic Anti-Lost Straps for AirPods.

Love your AirPods but hate the way they occasionally tumble from your ears during an especially strenuous workout? Theres a strap for that. Amazon users love this silicone strap, which uses magnets to lock the earbuds in place on a leash that wraps around your neck. If one pops out of your ear, you wont have to stop and search the ground. Instead, just grab the end of the strap and pop it right back in. Amazon buyers say the four-pack is well worth the money, and that they work great.

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Get the Magnetic Anti-Lost Straps for AirPods (4-Pack) from Amazon for $7.99

3. Mobosi Vanguard Armor Series AirPods Case Cover

Mobosi Vanguard Armor Series AirPods Case Cover

For a more rugged vibe for your AirPods, consider this Vanguard Armor series case, which is made with military designed materials and is compatible with regular AirPods. It's anti-shock, anti-slip and anti-fingerprint. More than 18,000 Amazon shopper agree, saying its sturdy and stylish and rewarding it an average 4.8 stars.

Get the Mobosi Vanguard Armor Series AirPods Case Cover from Amazon for $13.99

4. Silicone AirPods Case Cover

Silicone AirPods Case Cover.

With more than 90,000 reviews, this silicone AirPods case has an impressive average 4.6-star rating. It looks stylish, supports wireless charging and comes in a whopping 48 colors, from Milk Tea to Bling Red. Its even got a loop on the side so it can be easily added to a keychain for extra convenience. And worry notif youre an AirPods Pro user, there's a case for you, too.

Get the R-Fun Silicone AirPods Case Cover from Amazon for $9.99

5. Proof Labs AirPods Pro Ear Hooks

Proof Labs AirPods Pro Ear Hooks

Try as they might, Apple hasnt yet made a set of AirPods that fits absolutely every person in a perfectly comfortable fashion. Some people just struggle with their earbuds slipping, no matter what. Proof Labs ear hooks intend to solve that issue, by fitting any set of AirPods Pro into a durable silicone housing that helps them stay in place in your ears. They have more than 12,000 reviews, and shoppers say they enhance the AirPods noise-cancelling capabilities and that they can help keep AirPods in even when you're sleeping.

Get the Proof Labs AirPods Pro Ear Hooks (3-Pack) from Amazon for $12.95

6. AirSquares Earbud Cleaning Putty

AirSquares Earbud Cleaning Putty.

AirPods can get pretty gross. Its understandable: They sit in your ears all day, can never really be around water or soap, and somehow manage to pick up every little bit of dust nearby. Thats why AirPods owners should pick up a pack of AirSquares cleaning putty, which forms around an individual AirPod and pulls away all the dirt, ear wax, gunk and whatever else lingers. AirSquares says the putty should make your AirPods look cleaner, as well as help them pair easier with other devices and instantly restore sound quality.

Get AirSquares Earbud Cleaning Putty (12-Pack) from Amazon for $11.99

7. Wireless AirPods Charger

Wireless AirPods Pro Charger

Most of the newer AirPods models can be charged wirelessly, which is incredible. Take stylish advantage of that capability with the Future Charger, which can safely charge both traditional AirPods and AirPods Pro while also providing a place for the Pods to land. After all, if this is at your bedside or on your entryway table, putting the case in for a charge could become second nature fairly easily. It comes in four colors, including a pretty seafoam green.

Get the Wireless AirPods Pro Charger from Amazon for $16.99

8. Vaseline AirPods Cover

Vaseline AirPods Case Cover

Heres one for everyone whos into cute tech accessories or whos looking for a way to keep potential thieves from knowing your keychain is toting more than just keys. This sneaky AirPods Pro case looks just like a tiny tub of Vaseline, complete with the traditional blue label. Its made of silicone, comes with a keychain hook, and opens just under the Vaselines lid. Anyone not in the know could think the owner of this case is just incredibly vigilant about chapped lips and hands.

Get the Vaseline AirPods Pro Case Cover from Amazon for $10.59

9. Simr Skin with Dinosaur Keychain

Simr Skin with Dinosaur Keychain

Half AirPods case, half goofy dinosaur keychain, this quirky item comes in five fun colors. It makes a great gift for friends, moms, kids or anyone who loves dinos, and it has a lifetime warranty, so if theres ever any issue, we will send you a new one right away without any cost or money back. The case is made of silicone to protect your AirPods and reviewers say it's surprisingly durable.

Get the Simr Skin with Dinosaur Keychain from Amazon starting at $8.98

10. Cat AirPods Holder

Cat AirPods Holder

One of the weirder AirPods accessories on Amazon is also one of the most beloved. Available in black or white, this little cat figurine holds a set of AirPodsloose, with no casein its magnetic paws, making for an absolutely adorable desk tchotchke. One of the most useless things Ive ever bought and I have zero regrets!" one reviewer writes. "This serves no purpose other than to bring joy and happiness to all.

Get the Cat AirPods Holder from Amazon starting at $7.85

11. Smythson Envelope AirPods Case

Smythson Envelope AirPods Case

Anyone with a taste for the finer things, this ones for you. Smythson makes a beautiful calf leather AirPod Pro case, complete with a press snap closure and removable loop strap. Its available in a few lovely colorswere partial to Nile Blueand can even be personalized for a small additional charge. It's not cheap, but neither were your AirPods.

Get the Envelope AirPods Case from Smythson for $195

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 11 Apple AirPod accessories for 2022: Cases, covers, straps, cleaner and more
The Daily Beast

Claudio Peri/Pool/ReutersROMESince the beginning of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis has floated the idea that he wants to take a trip to Kyiv to try to broker a ceasefire. But now he says he would prefer to go to Moscow to try to talk some sense into Vladimir Putin, who he has not outwardly condemned in the now nearly three-month-old war and only did so lightly in a lengthy interview with an Italian newspaper.I feel that before going to Kyiv, I must go to Moscow, he told Corriere D
Alan Fischer is seen at the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. US District Court for the District of Columbia

Three Florida men were arrested last week in connection with the Capitol riot.

Prosecutors say one man threw chairs at police officers, while another man deployed pepper spray.

The third man was carrying a sledgehammer throughout the day, according to charging documents.

Three Florida men were arrested last week in connection to the Capitol riot, including a former underwear model accused of throwing chairs and a traffic cone at police officers, as well as two men accused of carrying pepper spray.

The men  Alan "AJ" Fischer III, 28, of Tampa; Zachary Johnson, 33, of St. Petersburg, and Dion Rajewski, 61, of Largo  face a slate of charges related to the siege, including civil disorder, disorderly conduct, and engaging in physical violence. Fischer and Johnson are also charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon.

All three men were arrested Thursday, though Johnson and Rajewski are charged together in a federal indictment separate from Fischer.

Prosecutors say Fischer joined members of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, to march to the Capitol on January 6. Security footage from the scene shows Fischer pushing against law enforcement officers on the West side of the Capitol with a mob of other rioters, according to charging documents. Fischer was also caught on camera displaying a hand gesture associated with the Proud Boys, prosecutors said.

Later in the afternoon, investigators said security footage shots Fischer picked up an orange traffic cone and a chair and walked toward an area outside the Capitol where law enforcement officers were stationed. Moments later, he threw the traffic cone and the chair toward officers, prosecutors said.

Less than two minutes later, security footage shows Fischer walking back towards the area with a pole in his hand, which he then threw at the line of authorities. According to charging documents, Fischer returned once again, this time with another chair, which he also threw toward officers standing nearby.

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Online sleuths previously identified Fischer, in part, by matching photos of him at the riot with a past picture of him modeling underwear on a catwalk.

An attorney for Fischer told Insider that he would pleading not guilty to all charges.

Johnson and Rajewski are both accused of possessing pepper spray during the riot, which prosecutors said Johnson used against police officers. Investigators also said Johnson was armed with a sledgehammer throughout the day. A judge on Friday released both men on a $50,000 signature bond each, and ordered Johnson placed on home detention, according to The Tampa Bay Times. Both men will also be required to forfeit any firearms they own and cannot travel without permission, the outlet reported.

Neither Rajewski, nor Johnson immediately responded to Insider's request for comment.

More than 750 people have been arrested in connection to the Capitol riot and more than 175 have pleaded guilty.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A stock image of the football field in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, where an altercation led to the death of Fanta Bility, and eight-year-old girl. Google Maps

Three police officers are facing charges related to a shooting outside of a high school football team that killed an 8-year-old.

Two teenagers who are accused of shooting at each other also face charges.

The hearing for the officers is scheduled for January 27.

Three police officers with the Sharon Hill Police Department were charged with manslaughter in connection to the death of 8-year-old Fanta Bility and the injury of several others in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, according to a press release from the district attorney in Delaware County.

Officers Devon Smith, Sean Dolan, and Brian Devaney were charged with 12 counts each, according to the press release. According to The Associated Press, those charges include 10 counts of reckless endangerment, one count of voluntary manslaughter, and another count of involuntary manslaughter.

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced the charges Tuesday following a grand jury indictment, which recommended that the officers' be charged with voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless endangerment.

Stollsteimer's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Two teens, Angelo "AJ" Ford, 16, and Hasein Strand, 18, are accused of shooting at each other outside of a football game on August 27, 2021, Insider previously reported.

Nearby officers responded with gunfire, which struck a vehicle.

Stollsteimer said in September that there was a "high probability" that it was the "responsive" police gunfire that killed Fanta Bility and injured three others. However, in November, Stollsteimer decided to charge Ford and Strand with felony murder related to the shooting.

Guyora Binder, a professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law, previously told Insider's Charles Davis that the "felony murder" charge against the teens would be hard to prove.

Per the grand jury's recommendation, the charges of felony murder against the teens were dropped, though they face additional charges. Ford faces charges related to attempting to kill Strand and Strand pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm respectively.

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"While I believe these defendants should be held accountable for starting the series of events that ultimately led to Fanta Bility's death, developments during the grand jury investigation render it appropriate to withdraw these charges at this time," Stollsteimer said in a Tuesday news release.

The officers' attorneys  Raymond Driscoll, Steven Patton, and Charles Gibbs  told The New York Times that the officers "ran to the sound of gunshots and risked their own lives to protect that community." The attorneys did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The attorneys also said that Smith, Dolan, and Devaney "are innocent and remain heartbroken because of this senseless violence."

The three officers have a hearing scheduled for January 27.

Bruce Castor, attorney for Fanta Bility's family told The New York Times that convicting the officers would be "tough" but "winnable."

"They are very, very pleased," Castor said of Bility's family, according to local outlet WPVI. "The police, clearly by everybody's account, thought they had the right to shoot the car. They were wrong and they were dramatically wrong."

"This is a sad day for our officers, who face criminal charges for trying to do their jobs and keeping the community safe," Joseph Fitzgerald, president of Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27 said in a statement to The Associated Press. "The FOP continues to support these fine officers and will provide a vigorous defense against these allegations."

The Sharon Hill Police Department and Bruce Castor, attorney for Bility's family, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and county schools Superintendent Michael Martirano have announced an agreement for the county government and school system to jointly provide $16.1 million in bonus money to public school employees.

The announcement Tuesday came one month after Ball offered $8 million in American Rescue Plan funding for educator bonuses and requested that the school board match the countys commitment.

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The school system responded to the countys request by providing $8.1 million of its own federal funding, from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund III grant, to support bonuses for county educators.

When combined, the funding will be used this year to provide a total of $1,800 each to nearly 8,400 full-time school system educators. Bonuses will be prorated for part-time employees, according to a news release from Ball.

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This bonus ... demonstrates our appreciation for the hard work of our school employees during this consistently evolving and challenging time, Ball said.

On Jan. 13, the Howard County school system implemented a 25% increase to the daily rate for substitute teachers, as approved by the Board of Education. That pay increase puts the school system among the highest paying districts in the state for substitute teachers.

Our employees have had to pivot multiple times during this pandemic while tending to their families, yet their commitment to nurturing and educating our students has never wavered, Martirano said. As we contend with staff shortages, increased demands on workload and a changing pandemic, these bonuses are just a small token of our appreciation.

Martirano said bonuses would be paid in two installments, on Feb. 4 and June 24.

Colleen Morris, president of the Howard County Education Association, the professional association that represents county teachers and support professionals in collective bargaining with the school system, said she is thrilled with the commitment to provide bonuses to school employees.

This bonus is welcome news to the over 8,000 educators and staff in our county and it couldnt have come at a better time, she said. We have a long way to go to address the recruiting and retention crisis facing our schools, but [Tuesdays] announcement of a bonus means that Howard County is committed to doing what it takes to ensure that our staff feel valued and appreciated.
USS Kitty Hawk towed out of Naval Base Kitsap on last voyage to scrapyard (US Navy)

The USS Kitty Hawk embarked on its final voyage to be broken down for scrap metal while veteran sailors wait for pieces of their beloved "Battle Cat" to begin showing up on EBay.

The conventionally powered aircraft carrier, the last of its kind, set off from Naval Base Kitsap in Washington after the US Navy sold it to a scrap dealer for 1 cent.

Chief Petty Officer Jason Chudy, one of the last 17 crew to serve on the warship under its final commander, Captain Todd Z Zecchin, watched alone from Seattles Discovery Park as the veteran warship was towed to a shipbreaking yard in the Gulf of Mexico.

"It was an extremely foggy day and at one point the ship just kind of materialized out of the fog, with the tugs, and it came by," Mr Chudy told The Independent. "It was really a sad day for a lot of people," he added.

(US Navy)

The Kitty Hawk, along with the USS John F Kennedy, was sold to International Shipbreaking Limited in Texas for 1 cent. Both were launched in the 1960s before being decommissioned in 2009 and 2017 respectively, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command.

The deal was made after the Navy rejected a bid from the USS Kitty Hawk Veterans Association to convert the ship into a museum to be stationed at Long Beach, California, next to the retired ocean liner Queen Mary.

While the association raised $5m in donation pledges for the project, it was estimated to be about half the amount needed for decontamination, development and maintenance of the ship as a museum.

Navy Office of Information spokesman Lt Seth Clarke told The Kitsap Sun that only vessels pending decommission determined to be "historically significant" are considered for donation.

But Mr Chudy and the 1200 members of the Kitty Hawks veterans association were blindsided by the Navys sale for 1 cent while they were pushing for a museum.

"We understand, the ship had been around for a long time. It was built in the time of things like asbestos. The amount of chemicals and fuel thats still probably there on the ship, it is hazardous so we do understand that the Navy probably did get the good end of the deal on that," Mr Chudy said.

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(US Navy)

Usually, the Navy pays the scrap metal dealer to haul away the giant ships, but International Shipbreaking Limited senior manager Chris Green told the Brownsville Herald it was financially viable to take the two aircraft carriers with essentially no payment.

The Navy previously paid ISL to have the company tow and dismantle the decommissioned vessels, including the USS Constellation and USS Independence. The USS Ranger was dismantled for essentially nothing, Mr Green added.

The 1 cent contract reflects the sale of scrap steel, iron and non-ferrous metal ores, while more sentimental pieces could end up on EBay.

Parts of previous ships scrapped by International Shipbreaking have been sold on eBay, including a USS Independence Brass Switch for $151.55, a USS Halsey Plate for $163.50, and a USS Ranger Armor Plate for $81.

"I believe the shipbreaking company will be offering pieces of the ship for sale on their eBay site, so there still is the opportunity for people to get their last piece of the ship before its gone," Mr Chundy said.

(US Navy)

Kitty Hawk veterans will travel to Texas for one final look at the aircraft carrier as it pulls into the Port of Brownsville, before discussing its fate at their annual reunion in San Diego in June.

"Its kind of mixed emotions, you kind of think, that was my home for three years. But, its also at that point its just a giant lump of steel," Mr Chundy said.

"They had taken the big number 63 off of the ships island. So a lot of the things that made Kitty Hawk the Kitty Hawk are gone."
ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algeria has decided to close its schools for ten days after it registered a rise in Omicron cases, an official statement said on Wednesday.

Algeria encouraged citizens to get vaccinated to counter the pandemic.

(Reporting by Lamine Chikhi; Editing by Chris Reese)
Amazon is being sued by the family of delivery driver Austin McEwan who died in the Edwardsville, Illinois warehouse struck by a tornado last month, CNET has reported. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon was negligent, citing the fact that it told people to keep working through extreme weather warnings. It also makes claims of negligence against contractors who helped build the warehouse.

McEwan was one of six people killed when the warehouse roof was hit by a tornado and collapsed. The family of victim Deandre Morrow has also retained a lawyer. "Sadly, it appears that Amazon placed profits first during this holiday season instead of the safety of our son and the other five," said McEwan's mother, Alice McKewan in a press conference.

"Severe weather watches are common in this part of the country and, while precautions are taken, are not cause for most businesses to close down," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told CNET in a statement. "We believe our team did the right thing as soon as a warning was issued." The company said that the warehouse was built four years ago in accordance with building code requirements.

Edwardsville is in a region known as Wind Zone IV, a part of the US most at risk from tornadoes. The National Weather Service warned of a tornado threat 36 hours before they struck, and the morning before the storms, it cautioned of the "likely threat" of "damaging winds in excess of 60 mph."

During the same incident, an Amazon dispatcher pressured a driver to deliver packages amid tornado alarms, threatening her with termination. Amazon said that the dispatcher "didn't follow the standard safety practice" and should have directed the driver to seek shelter. Meanwhile, Democrats have pressed Amazon for details on the warehouse deaths, saying in a letter that the incident "fit a larger pattern" of Amazon putting safety at risk "in everyday situations and emergencies alike."
Chances of a second winter storm with significant impacts in Greenville County and the Upstate this weekend are less likely, according to Thursday's forecast from the National Weather Service.

A cold front will cross the Upstate and usher in colder air Thursday while Friday evening will see the best chance for snow accumulation with a 30% chance of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the weather service, ice accumulations should remain minimal north and west of the I-85 corridor, with areas south and east of I-85 having a small chance for small accumulations of ice.

On Thursday, rain showers are expected before 8 a.m. Afterward, patchy fog will develop before noon with a high of 48 degrees. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch are possible, according to the forecast.

On Thursday night, there is a 20% chance of rain before 11 p.m. Then on Friday, the area has a 30% chance of snow, mainly after noon and before 8 p.m. New snow accumulation is expected to be less than a half inch, according to the weather service.

More: More snowfall could be on the way as Upstate SC thaws out from winter storm

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Weather forecast calls for chance of light snow Friday




Longtime political journalist April Ryan said that President Biden owes Black voters in America an explanation for his failure to get federal voting rights legislation passed through Congress.

"His disapproval is because many promises have not come through," Ryan told Politico this week. "The White House says people are 'Covid weary,' but it's a little bit more than that. ... I'm looking for issues that pertain to Black America, particularly as Black America happened to be the catalyst for Joe Biden."

Biden is scheduled to take questions from reporters during a rare and highly anticipated press conference at the White House on Wednesday.

The briefing comes as Biden's approval rating has sunk to record low levels amid a stalled domestic spending agenda and headaches related to beating back the coronavirus pandemic and its latest waves.

Last week, Biden traveled to Capitol Hill to huddle with Democratic Party leaders on the best path forward as they look to pass sweeping federal voting rights legislation, something Biden promised he would see to if elected president.

"The honest-to-God answer is I don't know whether we can get this done," Biden said after emerging from the meeting last week with Senate Democrats. "I hope we can get this done but I'm not sure. ... Like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we can come back and try the second time."

The president has also voiced support for changing Senate rules to allow Democrats to pass voting rights legislation without Republican support. Two moderate Senators in his party however, Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), have said they would not support any effort to abolish the filibuster rule.

During a fiery speech in Atlanta last week, Biden argued that the time has come for Democrats to do what is necessary to fight back against an effort by Republicans in recent months that he said suppresses voting, particularly among minorities.

"This is one of those defining moments in American history," Biden said. "Each one of the members of the Senate is going to be judged by history on where they stood before the vote and where they stood after the vote. There's no escape."

An endorsement from Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) during the Democratic presidential primary and the resulting support Biden had from Black voters in South Carolina and across the country was key to him winning the party's nomination in 2020.
Jordan Scheffer performs with Kinobe on Jan. 21, 2022, at Isis Music Hall.

After Jordan Scheffer completed her initial vocal recordings for her debut release, Until We Try, she wasnt completely happy with the takes.

She had recorded in Winston-Salem and New Orleans, but decided to stay local to perfect the songs.

Scheffer ended up at Ashevilles Echo Mountain Studio to finish off the tracks. The album was released last year, and now Scheffer will celebrate its release with an 8:30 p.m. show Jan. 21 at Isis Music Hall.

The recording process for me was very interesting and exciting. Since Ive never recorded an album before, especially in a professional studio, it was a new and sometimes confusing, but overall, it was fun, Scheffer said in an email interview. The confusion comes from not being able to see and not to be able to fully understand what was happening on the computers and the sound boards.

Scheffer, who is visually impaired and attended the prestigious Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, is currently a student at UNC Asheville. So far, the challenge to be a student and performer hasnt been too daunting.

I think that its been easy, however since my career hasnt really taken off in a big way yet, it could become more challenging, she said.

Scheffer has earned high accolades in recent years. She won the Blind Idol talent competition in Raleigh with contestants of all ages from around the country and in 2018, she was invited to sing at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem. She then was asked back to compete at the Amateur Night at the Apollo Competition, where she placed second.

Scheffers music combines American roots, West African and Afro-Caribbean-Funk rhythms and instruments into a unique vocal and musical style.

For her show at Isis Music Hall, she will perform with Ugandan musician, educator and philanthropist Kinobe, who has performed throughout his career with traditional African instruments.

I met Kinobe in the spring of 2021, after he performed an amazing show at the bi-annual LEAF festival, Scheffer said. We instantly had a connection, and we both are very much about preserving African traditions and cultures as they have been centuries ago.

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I think his music will enhance the show by providing the setlist with something different, something cultural and a kind of sound that not many people really have heard before. The introduction of African rhythms and instruments into the music I preform is so magical and the beat, well its impossible to just sit still in your seats. You want to move, and you get drawn into the music. I truly believe there is a magical quality that transforms all of us from such beautiful, primal rhythms. Of course, we bring a blended contemporary experience to it all. Its so much fun.

Jazz-swing band plays downtown

Caravan Palace, a French electro-swing band, recently opened its North American tour and will play Asheville on the tours third date.

The group, which will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Orange Peel, is known for catchy hooks and has more than a billion streams across all platforms.

The groups most streamed song on Spotify is 2015s Lone Digger, which has more than 132 million streams.

These accomplished musicians mesh traditional jazz with modern club music to form its danceable tracks.

Local artists celebrate album release

Its been only about two years since Jeremy Boger and the Golden Eagles began to play together, and the group has already dropped an album.

Boger and his bandmates released The Race To Mars last November and will celebrate its release at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at The Grey Eagle.

The group is made up of Boger (who sings and plays a multitude of instruments), Kevin Rumley (vocals, drums, percussion), Billy Sheeran (vocals, piano, electric piano, harpsichord, organ, orchestral arrangements) and Joshua Carpenter (vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar).

On the groups Bandcamp page, it states that proceeds from album sales this month will be donated to the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court, which is directed by Rumley.

Big Something set for 2 nights

One night just isnt enough for Big Something to play locally.

The Burlington-based group is set to start its six-week Escape From The Living Room tour with two nights in Asheville. The group, which released its sixth studio album in 2020, will play at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 and 22 at Salvage Station. Little Stranger will open the show.

The group recently released a nine-song collection of live recordings, which shares a title with the current tours name.

The six-piece Big Something mixes alternative rock and jam elements to its music and are known for a high-energy live experience.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville live music: Local funk rhythms, 'Big' jam, swing, more
This Zoes Kitchen restaurant on Augusta Street is becoming a CAVA restaurant.

Question: We frequented the Zoes Kitchen on Augusta road fairly frequently, especially when driving from the northern part of the state. Recently, we stopped for Zoes takeout and within a couple of days, stopped again but the store was closed with a sign that "CAVA" was coming soon. Now, I see that CAVA is buying up Zoes properties to reach "more suburban" areas, but a) that doesn't seem so suburban to me and b) why that particular one and now, say, the one on Woodruff Road? Was it performing poorly? Are all Zoes performing poorly?

Answer: Zoes Kitchen, Inc., based in Plano, Texas, opened its first Greenville restaurant at 2123 August St., near Starbucks, in 2011. That store was later followed by the opening of anther one at 1130 Woodruff Rd. Ste. C.

The Zoes Kitchen on Augusta Street is being converted to CAVA, a Washington, D.C. -based Mediterranean culinary brand. The Woodruff Road restaurant will remain a Zoes Kitchen.

Zoes was acquired by the privately-held CAVA Group, Inc., in 2018, and the two became a combined company, according to a 2018 CAVA press release.

CNBC reported that the deal with CAVA took Zoes private after years of it being publicly traded  "and more than a few quarters of disappointing results for investors."

CNBC's report also said Zoes' "declining sales after a rapid expansion made the acquisition possible for CAVA."

In March 2021, CNBC published a report with the headline: "Cava looks to convert Zoes restaurants as it sets its sights on growth in suburbia."

According to the report, "The (CAVA) group said its new real estate portfolio of 288 stores allows it to expand into new suburban markets more quickly, as it can convert a Zoes into a CAVA location in half the time it takes to open a brand new restaurant  and at a lower cost."

A June 2021 article by Sarah Blaskovich in The Dallas Morning News, said "CAVA CEO Brett Schulman does not expect every Zoes Kitchen across the U.S. to make the transition, but most will."

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I reached out to Zoes and CAVA for comment.

CAVA responded to my queries via email with the following statement:

"At CAVA, our focus has always been to serve both our suburban and urban customers. In 2018, CAVA acquired Zoes Kitchen to double-down on our suburban strategy, which has proven wildly successful in a number of locations around the country, even through pandemic challenges.

"With the existing Zoes Kitchen footprint in South Carolina, there is a clear opportunity for CAVA to expand into the market. Since day one, our mission at CAVA has been to bring heart, health and humanity to food, and we look forward to welcoming the Greenville community to experience our bold, fresh Mediterranean flavors."

CAVA not only has "chef casual" restaurants across the country, it has a line of chef-crafted dips and spreads sold in Whole Foods locations and specialty grocery stores also around the country, its press release said.

CAVA is slated to open in Greenville on February 25.

Do you have a question you want answered? Send it to me at davisal@gannett.com or via mail to Angelia Davis, 32 E. Broad St., Greenville, SC 29601.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why is a Greenville Zoes Kitchen becoming a CAVA location?
Lisa Young of Columbia scours the trees and sky above during a class on birding, part of the new senior naturalist program at the Robinson Nature Center, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (Brian Krista/Baltimore Sun Media)

After a brief lesson on identifying birds using size, shape, color and sounds, 10 participants in the Senior Naturalist program at Robinson Nature Center headed outside with instructor Sammy Baker to put the lesson into practice.

A quick lesson was needed outside the Columbia nature center as well before they could hit the trails  how to use binoculars.

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Its like being at the eye doctor, someone quipped as Baker held photos of birds for them to identify at a distance.

The birding lesson was the first class of a new monthly series designed for seniors at Robinson Nature Center. Covering topics such as identifying trees and winter astronomy, the Senior Naturalist program is loosely based on the University of Maryland Extension offices Master Naturalist Volunteer Training program, which engages individuals as stewards of Marylands natural ecosystems according to the extension offices website.

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Unlike the extension program, which is also offered at the nature center, the Senior Naturalist program does not require participants to complete 60 hours of training or volunteer 40 hours per year.

We had a lot of interest from folks who wanted the content and knowledge but didnt have the time, said Meagan Downey, program coordinator at Robinson. This a more flexible program.

Participants can register for as many of the sessions as they want. Classes go through the winter, pause in the summer due to the centers heavy camp schedule, then resume in the fall, Downey said.

Ive signed up for all the programs, said Marianne Beauchamp, of Columbia, who was attending with her friend, Ellicott City resident Liz Loryman.

I love birds, and this is a whole new variety of birds for me, said Loryman, a native of Great Britain, as she walked along the centers trail with a pair of binoculars in hand. What a great way to learn.

Sessions are designed to take place outside, which is an added attraction for many during the ongoing pandemic, Downey said.

With this population, right now most are more comfortable outdoors, Downey said.

Loryman plans to sign up, as Beauchamp did, for the other upcoming senior programs. She did have one complaint, though.

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I dont like being called senior, Loryman said, chuckling. A senior in the U.K. is probably 70, not in their 50s. It was a real shock.

An avid birder, Carla Brezinski, of Ellicott City was visiting the nature center for the first time to participate in the class. Quick to spot and identify birds, Brezinski was thrilled to see a hermit thrush.

That was pretty nice, Brezinski said of the sighting. Sometimes it helps not to rely on yourself to find something different. Its nice to see what is here and what it has to offer.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

Last year, the center had a great response to its new Junior Naturalist programs held on Saturday mornings, Downey said.

A lot of parents were looking for ways to get kids outdoors and socially active, Downey said. The programs were all nature based with topics like Wake Up Wildlife, about hibernation. They always received a little badge at the end.

Lisa Young, a volunteer assisting Baker during the program, has enjoyed helping with the youth programs, too.

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It is really rewarding to see kids progress through the programs, Young said. It speaks a lot to the staff and their dedication.

As she led the bird hike, Baker answered questions and pointed out various birds and nests. At one point, she even stopped and mimicked the call of the white-throated sparrow, one of her favorite winter birds.

It was a great group, Baker said as the last participants exited. It is good to get out and see what we can. Birding is a very peaceful hobby.

The next Senior Naturalist Program will be held 2:30-4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. The cost is $12. The topic will be Naked Tree ID. 410-313-0400.
President Joe Biden touted his administrations efforts to keep schools open during the pandemic on Wednesday as some schools are returning to remote instruction because of the Omicron variant.

Biden said that while some school buildings have temporarily shut down, the vast majority have continued to conduct in-person instruction. He credited billions in funding passed as part of last years American Rescue Plan, as well as his administrations vaccination initiatives, for helping students and educators stay in school and minimize learning disruption.

Very few schools are closing, Biden said to reporters during a press conference marking his first year in office.

The issue was highlighted during a standoff between Chicago's teachers union and Mayor Lori Lightfoot earlier this month that led to days of canceled classes before an uneasy truce was struck.

Biden quibbled with the medias framing of the issue, saying it gives the public an inaccurate sense of how many schools are closed.

It's always going to get [on the] front page, Biden said of local school closures. Its always going to be the top of the news."

But he also said that schools should have the tools necessary to operate safely, and predicted that closures will begin to dissipate. Biden, who closely aligned himself with educators during his presidential campaign, conceded that some schools may not have prudently used the resources available to them

All that money is there, he said. There's billions of dollars made available that's there.

The administration has repeatedly said that schools can operate safely, even as the virus rips through communities and leaves many districts with staffing shortages and students isolating at home.

Nevertheless, Republicans have sought to pin the recent spate of closures in Chicago and elsewhere on Biden and Democrats for not doing enough to push back on groups advocating for temporary closures.
President Biden. Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock

President Biden will hold an oh-so-rare press conference on Wednesday afternoon. (Hopefully he doesn't accidentally create an international incident this time.) Given his ultra-low approval numbers at the one-year mark of his presidency, a lot of the questions will be of the "how did it go so wrong?" variety.

Politico has rounded up some of the likely queries ahead of time. One reporter wants to ask Biden about why so many Americans think the country is on the "wrong track." Another wants him to explain to Black voters why both voting rights and police reform efforts have so far failed. And there might be a question about how working families will fare now that child tax credit payments have dried up, with little near-term hope of their revival.

"His disapproval [rating] is because many promises have not come through," said April Ryan, who reports for The Grio.

For Biden  and for the Democratic Party  it doesn't look to be a fun afternoon.

Ryan might not be entirely correct that Biden's troubled presidency is the result of a failure to keep promises. Sometimes he has been the victim of circumstances: A year ago, it was possible to hope that the pandemic would be more or less over in America by now. It's not. And Biden has been judged for his failures of execution: His poll numbers started dropping right around the time of the messy, deadly withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The president has low numbers right now partly because he hasn't always done his job well.

But it's true that that much of Biden's agenda is currently dead in the water  and that's not entirely his fault. The president wants to see action on police reform. It's Congress that can't work out a deal. He clearly wants to see a voting rights bill passed; senators from his own party won't take the necessary actions to get the job done. The same goes for the child tax credit. You can argue that Biden should've used his bully pulpit to push harder or louder or faster for any of these items. But in the case of these major legislative proposals, the buck doesn't really stop with him. It's up to the legislative branch to get the job done, and it hasn't.

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Years ago, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had the insight that Republicans in Congress could inflict damage on Democratic presidents through a strategy of obstruction. During the current administration, McConnell hasn't had to do that much work lately  his opponents have spent much of the last year bickering with each other. Democrats McConnelled themselves. Biden, who will stand alone in front of the cameras on Wednesday afternoon, is paying the price.

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The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot issued a wave of fresh subpoenas on Tuesday to Big Lie proponents Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and Boris Epshteyn, it said in a statement.

The committee has also obtained the phone records of Donald Trumps son, Eric Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr.s fiancee, according to CNN. The move is believed to be the first subpoena related to a Trump family member.

Giulini, Powell, and Ellis were some of the most vocal proponents of overturning the 2020 election result, leading to widely ridiculed press conferences at the Republican National Committee headquarters in D.C., and the prestigious Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Holmesburg, Pennsylvania.

Epshteyn, meanwhile, had been in contact with President Donald Trump the day of the Capitol riot.

The End of the Line for Trumpland Is a Poorly Rated Sex Shop in North Philly

The four individuals weve subpoenaed today advanced unsupported theories about election fraud, pushed efforts to overturn the election results, or were in direct contact with the former President about attempts to stop the counting of electoral votes, said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the committees chairman.

We expect these individuals to join the nearly 400 witnesses who have spoken with the Select Committee as the committee works to get answers for the American people about the violent attack on our democracy.

Epshteyn, who did not immediately reply to a request for comment from The Daily Beast, Tweeted a statement Tuesday evening decrying what he called a Stalinist witch hunt against President Trump and his supporters.

In a statement provided to The Daily Beast, Powells attorney Howard Kleinhendler said his client looks forward to testifying before the committee and will comply to the full extent required by law and legal ethics.

Kleinhendler said Powell plans to provide the congressional inquiry with significant evidence in support of the election fraud statements and claims she presented on behalf of the electors and clients she represented.

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Giuliani and Ellis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The troupe of Republican lawyers had launched multiple lawsuits in the aftermath of the 2020 election seeking to overturn the results, with arguments ranging from dead voters to voting technology created at the direction of the long-dead Hugo Chavez.

Epshteyn had also been part of a command center at Washingtons Willard Hotel that had sought to deny the congressional certification of Bidens win. He has since stated that he still believed Vice President Mike Pence had the ability to send the election results back to the states.

Nearly every challenge had been defeated in court, with the three lawyers each facing separate repercussions for their involvement.

Giuliani had his law licenses suspended in New York and Washington, D.C. last summer, with a New York Supreme Court grievance committee blasting his demonstrably false and misleading statements regarding the 2020 election.

A federal judge in Michigan also issued sanctions against Powell and her longtime legal partner L. Lin Wood in August for even presenting their baseless claim.

This lawsuit represents a historic and profound abuse of the judicial process, U.S. District Judge Linda Parker wrote in an opinion. It is one thing to take on the charge of vindicating rights associated with an allegedly fraudulent election. It is another to take on the charge of deceiving a federal court and the American people into believing that rights were infringed, without regard to whether any laws or rights were in fact violated. This is what happened here.

Ellis has since quit the Republican Party, arguing it was not conservative enough because it didnt support Trumps lies.

Giuliani and Powell were both also named in $1.3 billion defamation lawsuits by Dominion Voting Systems, which argued the twoalong with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindellfalsely claimed the company rigged the election for Joe Biden. The two have repeatedly tried to have the lawsuits dismissed.

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Antony Blinken and Volodymyr Zelenskiy EFREM LUKATSKY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv Wednesday and warned that Russia could invade "on very short notice," Reuters reports.

In the meantime, Blinken said, the U.S. will continue encouraging Russia to remain on "the path of diplomacy and dialogue" rather than the "path of  confrontation and consequences."

During a panel discussion Wednesday, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said there "is no risk of a larger scale war to start to unfold in Europe or elsewhere."

"We do not want and will not take any action of aggressive character. We will not attack, strike, invade  Ukraine. It has been said dozens of times in recent weeks, and I just reconfirmed this," Ryabkov said.

His reassurances come only days after the U.S. reportedly received intelligence that Russia was planning a "false flag" operation to justify an invasion.

According to NPR, the Biden administration said Wednesday it would provide $200 million in military aid to Ukraine if Russia invades.

More extreme measures are on the table as well.

The New York Times reported Friday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had made a phone call to his Russian counterpart in which he threatened U.S. support for an anti-Russian insurgency within Ukraine.

"[I]f 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," retired four-star U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis told the Times.

Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are set to meet Friday in Geneva to discuss whether "there is a possible diplomatic off-ramp to this crisis," a State Department official said.

Previous talks between the U.S. and Russia have failed to reach a solution as each side refused to give in to the other's demands.

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The case of a California man charged with kidnapping a Nampa girl is headed for mediation.

Brian Sangjoon Lee, 20, of Granada Hills, California, was charged with first-degree kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl in August.

Lee traveled to Idaho from the Los Angeles area after making an agreement with the girl through an online gaming program, according to a news release from the Canyon County Sheriffs Office. After searching the girls cellphone, the sheriffs office determined she had been in contact with a California phone number. She was later located at a Nampa hotel, accompanied by Lee, according to law enforcement. The 20-year-old was detained for questioning, and later arrested.

At a hearing in Canyon County District Court on Wednesday, an attorney for Lee, Michael Jacques, requested the case be sent to mediation.

We were not able to successfully reach a resolution, Jacques told Third Judicial District Judge Thomas Whitney.

Lee and the state have already attempted to negotiate a plea, Whitney said. In a note on the states court records website, Wednesdays hearing was marked as a potential change of plea hearing.

I dont have any objection to mediation, said Shari Dodge, a Deputy Canyon County Prosecutor. But, she added, Im not sure that its going to be fruitful. I mean, Ive given the offer that Im going to give, so Im willing to do mediation. But Im not hopeful it will (come to) a resolution.

Mediation is a voluntary legal process agreed to by both sides in which a neutral authority helps parties come to an agreement on some or all of a cases issues. Mediators are senior or sitting judges, and do not preside over other aspects of the case, according to the Idaho Supreme Courts website. Mediation proceedings are confidential.

At Wednesdays hearing, Judge Whitney ordered the case to mediation.

If the case does not reach a resolution beforehand, a jury trial for Lee is currently scheduled to begin March 14.

Lee is being held at the Canyon County Detention Center.
An Anne Arundel Circuit Court judge declined Wednesday to issue a temporary restraining order blocking the countywide mask mandate issued Jan. 7 by the county health officer. This ruling keeps in place the requirement that face coverings be worn in indoor county public areas and crowded outdoor public settings through Jan. 31.

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The temporary restraining order would have stopped the county from enforcing the mask mandate for 10 days. But Judge Donna Schaeffer said the plaintiffs will not suffer immediate, substantial and irreparable harm between now and Tuesday, when a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled to take place.

The two plaintiffs listed in the lawsuit are business owners Pasquale Carannante, who owns Bella Napoli Italian Restaurant in Pasadena, and James Zimmerer, the owner of a fitness business in Annapolis.

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Carannante said in the lawsuit that his business has suffered because some customers have chosen not to eat in a restaurant when they are required to wear a mask, creating a loss of revenue. The public safety order states that individuals do not have to wear a mask while eating or drinking at restaurants or bars, but should be worn when moving throughout those establishments. He said he and his staff also have trouble hearing customers orders when they are unable to see the customers lips, sometimes resulting in incorrect orders.

Zimmerer said some of his customers have stayed away from the business, have frozen their accounts or have canceled their accounts, all costing considerable revenue. He said the wearing of masks indoors while exercising is both unhealthy and difficult. According to the public safety order, people do not have to wear a mask if they are swimming or engaging in other physical activities where the use of a face covering is likely to pose a bona fide safety risk.

Charles Muskin, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, said the courts decision does not address the key arguments of the lawsuit.

The trial on Tuesday will provide the plaintiffs with the opportunity to demonstrate that the unilateral, unlawful and undemocratic action of the health officer continues to cause economic hardship to restaurants and bars in this county, and must be enjoined, Muskin said in a statement.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, meanwhile, thanked the court for its ruling.

Thirty-nine of our residents lost their lives to COVID last week. Keeping this requirement in place for a little longer will help reduce the strains on our hospitals and health care workers, and save the lives of our friends, our neighbors, and our family members, Pittman said in a statement.

Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman said Tuesday he doesnt anticipate extending the mask mandate beyond Jan. 31.

Kalyanaraman said the countys COVID-19 case rate is going down, which was the stated goal of reinstituting the mandate after cases spiked and hospitals became increasingly overwhelmed after the holidays.

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As of Wednesday, the county had a daily positivity rate of 95.7 cases per 100,000 people, and that number includes only PCR tests and those who report their positive tests to the county. That compares with a rate of 167.5 per 100,000 on Jan. 7 when the public safety order was issued. The countys overall positivity rate stands at 20.64%, a notable decrease from the beginning of the month when it was 30.23%, according to the Anne Arundel County Health Department.

Kalyanaraman said Wednesday he is pleased the mask mandate will stay in place for the protection of county residents in the face of the COVID-19 surge.

Our hospitals are still under a heavy burden and operating under crisis standards of care. We have a duty to decrease the burden on the hospitals so they can properly care for everyone who needs them, he said.

After the Anne Arundel County Council voted Jan. 7 against allowing Pittman to extend his seven-day mask mandate and state of emergency, Kalyanaraman issued a public safety order under state law extending the mandate to the end of January.

Last week, Republican County Council member Nathan Volke and Republican county executive candidate Herb McMillan reached out to a lawyer about challenging the legality of the health departments mask mandate order. The lawsuit was filed Friday.

Daily Top Stories Daily Get the day's top news, sports, opinion, features and local events. >

Though disappointing, [Wednesdays] decision does not resolve the underlying issue at stake here: Does the health officer (and, by extension, the Pittman administration) have the legal authority to enter a mask mandate in this circumstance? I look forward to the courts consideration of that question in the upcoming proceedings, Volke wrote in a statement.

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McMillan said the decision Wednesday was only the first step in the case and that he is ready for it to play out in court.

Next Tuesday, the plaintiffs have to show some financial damage and they will be able to show that, but if we dont get a preliminary injunction, a trial for the merits of the case will still be held, he said. These decisions by the judge wont impact our case on the merits, and it is our intention to take this to trial whether the administration extends the mandate or not.

McMillan said the real issue isnt whether a mask stops the spread of COVID-19 or if wearing a mask is good or bad, but respect for the democratic process and rule of law.

The state attorneys general office is defending Kalyanaraman in the case, according to Pittman.

County Attorney Gregory Swain said Kalyanaraman had the authority to issue the mandate under state statute 18-208 subsection B of the general health article of the Maryland Code, which reads, in part: When a health officer is notified of an infectious or contagious disease within the county, the health officer shall act immediately to prevent the spread of the disease.

Swain also cited the Maryland Code of Regulations 10.06.01.06, which reads, in part: The secretary or a health officer shall: Take any action or measure necessary to prevent the spread of communicable disease or to control a reportable disease and condition; and issue, when necessary, special instructions for control of a disease or condition.
"We urge all people, friends and Muslims from around the world to help our nation," Akhund told a news conference in his first major public broadcast appearance since he assumed the role in September.

Foreign powers have been reluctant to recognize the Taliban administration which took over Afghanistan in August.

Western nations led by the United States have frozen billions of dollars worth of Afghan banking assets and cut off development funding that once formed the backbone of Afghanistan's economy.

Akhund and other Taliban administration officials made an appeal at the news conference, also attended by United Nations officials, for a loosening of restrictions on money into the country, blaming its growing economic crisis on the freezing of funds.

The international community has ramped up humanitarian aid, designed to address urgent needs and largely bypass official channels. But as the country faces a cash crunch and a deteriorating economy over the harsh winter, millions of people have plunged into poverty.

The U.N. Secretary General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, also spoke at the event, saying Afghanistan's economic crisis was a serious problem that needed to be addressed by all countries.
Carwyn Roberts attempted to control his partner by telling her a string of lies. (North Wales Police)

A controlling boyfriend who posed as a doctor to convince his girlfriend that she was pregnant has avoided jail.

Carwyn Roberts, 29, attempted to control his partner by telling her a string of lies, including faking bogus ultrasound scans and pretending to be a string of different people.

Roberts also posed as a solicitor to say he was buying the victim a dream house with a 300,000 inheritance  and quizzed her about her sexual past.

Mold Crown Court heard the woman was being "brainwashed" by Roberts string of bogus identities as he tried to control her on a daily basis.

Roberts attempted to convince his girlfriend her ex had set up secret cameras in her home in Bangor, North Wales, and were recording her being unfaithful.

Prosecutor Jade Tufail said emails between the victim and Roberts  posing as a solicitor  were sent "morning, noon and night" while she was "being slowly over time brainwashed.

In one email, the victim said: "I'm suffering with all of this. I need it to stop. I can't cope anymore."

The court heard Roberts also convinced his partner to leave her job as a learning assistant at a high school, and claimed to have got her a position at the leisure centre where he worked before coming home with an ID badge for her.

Roberts also set up a bogus email account under the name Amanda Davies to tell her the new start date.

The court heard the alarm was raised when the victim announced her fake pregnancy and family members became concerned.

Carwyn Roberts was handed a two year suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. (Getty/stock pic)

The court heard she was asked why she believed she was pregnant, and she replied: "Because my solicitor told me I am."

Tufail said: "She told police she felt like she was going mental. Like somebody had played a cruel joke on her."

In a victim impact statement, she said: "I have been completely humiliated by the whole thing. Carwyn was aware of my insecurities and he exploited every one of them."

Roberts, of Bangor, North Wales, pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship between August 2018 and April 2019.

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Judge Niclas Parry said: "Your conduct was as cruel as it was manipulative and despicable."

Roberts was handed a two year suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay 3,230 costs and was given an indefinite restraining order.

After the sentencing, Rhian Jones of the CPS said: The level of manipulation that Carwyn Roberts exerted on his partner is quite staggering, and the effect on her mental health must have been awful.

The CPS were able to build a strong case showing the number of fake accounts and emails could be traced back to him, demonstrating he had told lie after lie.

The victim can take comfort in knowing that Roberts is now paying for the horrendous ordeal he put her through, and we hope this helps her move forward with her life.

Watch: How can I improve my mental health?
Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien and Albert Rutecki play roommates in As We See It (Amazon)

Sue Ann Pien spent her teenage years acting her way through life. I grew up thinking I was weird, hiding things about myself that I thought were hideous, says the 42-year-old. She wasnt weird or hideous at all  she was autistic. I thought something was wrong with me. That was the message over and over, repeatedly, given to me. Especially because Im Asian, so in that community there can be a lot of pressure to conform. Im still not sure I do it very well. I have to take on a persona: How would this person be going to visit their family members? I act my way through social events.

Now, Pien is doing a different kind of acting altogether  and making a living from it. She stars as Violet in the joyous comedy-drama As We See It. Based on the Israeli series On the Spectrum, the Amazon show follows three twenty-something roommates with autism as they try to live independently, keep a job, make friends and fall in love. It was created by Friday Night Lights writer Jason Katims, who has a son with Aspergers, and describes the project as deeply personal to him.

All three of the series leads  Albert Rutecki (Harrison), Sue Ann Pien (Violet) and Rick Glassman (Jack)  are on the autism spectrum. Mare of Easttowns Sosie Bacon plays their support worker, Mandy, who in the opening scene attempts to encourage Harrison to walk one block to the local cafe. As Harrison steps out of his building, he is engulfed in the noisy buzz of the outside world  the scrape of a skateboarders wheels, a babys piercing cry, the roar of a rubbish truck. These sounds cause him discomfort, but he soldiers on. Youve got this, OK? says Mandy. No big deal. You can totally do it.

Rutecki empathised with his character in that moment. Processing sensory information can be difficult for autistic people, with many having sensitivities to sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch. I do have some sensory issues myself, says the 28-year-old, who had never acted before this show. There have been a few episodes where its really affected me. One of the worst was at a play. During the intermission, suddenly hearing 300 people talking at once, all the discordant sound, everything was just too overwhelming. I had to find a quiet place to hide.

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When we first meet Glassmans character Jack, the tech whizz is telling his boss he has inferior intelligence. Hes promptly fired. I have a bit more awareness than Jack, but Ive always had a difficult time lying, says the 37-year-old, whos made a career as a stand-up comedian. Its not necessarily a moral thing  it just doesnt make sense to me. Its hard to keep track and I cant always tell when other people are lying, intuitively.

Piens character Violet has her first scene in the fast-food restaurant where she works. Violet flirts outrageously with a customer, telling him she wants to screw him. The customers wife flips. This b**** just told my husband she wants to f*** him. Are you retarded? she shrieks. Thank you for your patronage, says Violet.

That was hilarious to film, says 42-year-old Pien. From a young age Ive had people telling me I cant say certain things. Like, Thats really inappropriate. But theres so much hypocrisy in the world. Everyones going around stealing everyones girlfriends or boyfriends, but they lie about it. For me, because Im on the spectrum, I was like, Oh, I thought this was what everybody did.

Chris Pang as protective brother Van to Sue Ann Piens Violet (Ali Goldstein/Amazon Prime Video)

Pien has been acting for 17 years, but this is her first big role. Theres so much of me, innately, that understood Violet, she says. I know what she feels in that moment, why shes saying that, why shes doing that. This hidden side of me was finally getting a chance to be revealed.

Desperate to blend in, Violet sets out to find a normal boyfriend. She goes on a date with a guy she meets on Bumble, an app her protective brother Van (Chris Pang) has forbidden. Violets date ditches her within just a few minutes of meeting, and Van is furious when he comes to collect her, dragging her out of the restaurant. When I read the script I cried, says Pien. My heart and soul is shared with Violet.

Glassman, who was only diagnosed with autism five years ago, also found himself looking inward. As a kid, I went to special classes and a special school, but I really didnt know. Playing Jack helped him see his own childhood with a new understanding. I didnt realise I didnt have friends when I was young because I wasnt bullied, he says. People would make excuses not to play with me and I would believe them. Now I know how they were looking at me. Im seeing it properly for the first time.

Father and son bonding: Joe Mantegna as Lou and Rick Glassman as Jack (Ali Goldstein/Amazon Prime Video)

One particularly affecting conversation between Jack and his father Lou (played by Joe Mantegna, who has an autistic daughter) offers a brief insight into being the parent of an autistic child. Do you want your dad to support you forever? asks Lou, who has cancer and doesnt know how much longer hell be around. You need to have a job and remember to pay your rent, and talk to people when they look at you, and when a girl smiles to smile back. I need to know youre going to be OK, Jack. Do you hear me? As Glassman reflects on the scene, he begins to cry. It felt very real, he says. There were definitely moments where I was trying to relate to my dad in real life, who Im very, very close with.

Glassman hopes As We See It will help people realise they havent got autism all figured out. People think they know what autism is, and they dont, he says. Thats what Ive learned through my diagnosis, and big time through the show. Theres this saying, When youve met one person with autism, youve met one person with autism.

Albert Rutecki as Harrison (Ali Goldstein/ Amazon Prime Video)

Rutecki agrees. I hope people understand that theres a broad range of people on the autism spectrum and were not just collapsible, one-dimensional tragedies  were people.

Pien wants As We See It to help create a kinder world. I hope people will be more patient and understanding when they encounter somebody with differences, she says. There are a lot of young people on the spectrum who are struggling to find an identity. People deserve to find places where theyre loved and cherished.

As We See It premieres on Amazon Prime Video on 21 January
Connecticut's "Chrismark Castle" was built in 2010 by the great-grandson of a Chicago steel tycoon.

The 9-bedroom home once doubled as a personal zoo. Now it's the star of "princess TikTok."

Listed at $35 million, it's complete with a moat, dungeon, and drawbridge  see inside.

This custom-built gothic castle may look like it belongs in medieval Europe  but it was really built in a Connecticut suburb in 2010.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Known as the Chrismark Castle, the 9-bedroom mansion belongs to Christopher Mark, the great-grandson of Chicago steel tycoon.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

He has been trying to sell the unique property since 2014, and recently lowered his asking price from $45 million to $35 million, according to Zillow.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Complete with a moat, dungeon, and knights in shining armor, the only thing more intriguing than the castle itself is the headlines it's made over the years.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

This includes reports of an "international modeling agency" operating out of the castle that was reported to town officials in 2008, per the real estate website Curbed.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Source: Curbed

On top of the $125 per hour photoshoots, the castle was once home to a personal zoo with "ponies, emus, camels, llamas, a donkey," the New York Post reported.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Source: The New York Post

The Chrismark Castle's TikTok page has over 300 thousand followers and six million likes. One video with over 50 thousand views shows "red flags in the castle," including the dungeon, a cage, and a mini tank on the property.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Source: @chrismarkcastle1

The TikToks also show the castle's glamorous side, including parties with circus performers and pole dancers as well as a giant indoor hot tub.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Source: @chrismarkcastle1

Chrismark Castle's halls have seen a fair amount of drama. Mark reportedly lived there with his now ex-wife and their two children until she filed for divorce in 2010.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Source: Insider

He later moved his then-pregnant girlfriend into the castle with her older daughter, but that relationship also ended and she took Mark to court over child support, per The New York Post.

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John F Pizzi/Zillow

Source: The New York Post

Pulitzer & National Book Award finalist Rebecca Makkai documented the castle owner's various escapades in a Twitter thread that went viral this week with over 45,000 likes.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Source: Rebecca Makkai

The construction of the Woodstock, CT home cost $4.1 million and took seven years to build. The property also includes 75 acres of land.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

The interior of Chrismark Castle is just as impressive as the stone exterior. Many rooms have custom-built doors and large windows revealing sweeping views of Potter Pond.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Overall, the castle has 18,777 square feet of space, 7 full bathrooms and 3 half-baths, according to the real estate listing.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

The master bedroom has a full dressing room, fireplace, walk-in closet, and sitting area. There are 12 total fireplaces throughout the house.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

There is also a massage room and a pool.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

The one-of-a-kind property is "built to amaze and capture the imagination of the individual who relishes outstanding craftsmanship and superior design" and is "indeed fit for a King," the listing says.

John F Pizzi/Zillow

Additional reporting by Megan Willett.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Cervical cancer survivors Tamika Felder, left, and Tracy Jimenez share their stories to encourage women to get screened. (Photo of Felder: D. Finney Photography; photo of Jimenez courtesy of Tracy Jimenez)

As Tamika Felder puts it, "Theres never a good time to get cervical cancer." But it happened at what felt like the worst time: She was 25 years old and had landed her dream job, working as a television producer in Washington, D.C., her whole life and all of its possibilities stretched out before her.

Before her diagnosis, Felder remembers her mom telling her to get screened for cervical cancer before she aged out of her mothers health insurance plan. But, Felder tells Yahoo Life, "at 25, I honestly didnt care. Youre thinking, 'I'm 25, whats going to happen to me?' My view now is totally different."

But that wasnt the only reason Felder put off heading to her physician for a checkup. Felder shares that she was body-shamed by her physician while in her early 20s. "Im not a small woman, and I was all for body positivity before body positivity was a thing," she shares. But during the exam, her doctor started "poking and pushing on my abdomen and said, 'You know if you were pregnant you wouldnt know,'" she recalls. "I felt so defeated and ashamed. You can tell me that I need to take care of myself and lose weight  this is not the way to do it."

Felder adds: "It was traumatizing." She quickly changed back into her clothes and left her doctors office. "I was out the door and that was the last time I had my feet up in stirrups," she says.

A trip to the emergency room for a boil under her arm changed that. While filling out health forms, Felder struggled to recall when her last physical and Pap test were. An ER doctor suggested that Felder get up-to-date on her screenings and recommended a health care practitioner. "He encouraged me to schedule it immediately, especially since I had started a new job with health insurance," she says.

That long overdue routine Pap smear revealed that Felder had cervical cancer. "It was April 2001," recalls Felder, who is now 46 years old. "Im in this office and [the doctor] starts going over this and that, and I remember my mind trailing off. And then I heard that word. I heard her say a word that grabbed my attention. Its like the Charlie Brown cartoon with the teacher you never see, that whamp whamp. She was saying 'carcinoma this' and you have to see a specialist.

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When Felder realized she had cancer, "I would tell you, the bottom dropped out," she says. "The bottom completely dropped."

At that moment, Felder thought, "'I'm going to die,'" she shares. "And I haven't truly been in love. I haven't had my heart broken. I havent traveled the world. I havent had pasta in Italy. I havent been to Africa on safari. I was a scared 25-year-old girl who was just starting her life and the bottom fell out because of cervical cancer."

Felder says that "when you're diagnosed with cancer, you're thrust into this world" of medical care. She immediately started getting second opinions from other doctors. "I got so many second opinions because I wanted one doctor to tell me its all been a mistake," she says. But they all said in order to survive I needed to have a radical hysterectomy immediately."

Cervical cancer survivor Tamika Felder founded Cervivor, a nonprofit to help other survivors. (Photo: D. Finney Photography)

Like Felder, Tracy Jimenez had put off getting screened for cervical cancer but for a different reason: She didnt have health insurance. However, "I did keep going to the emergency room because of really bad back pain I was having," Jimenez, who was 46 years old at the time, tells Yahoo Life. "They told me I had sciatica in my back  They didn't check me to see if I had anything below so I had no idea what was going on."

After putting up with back pain for about three years, Jimenez started experiencing pain in the back of her legs, along with fatigue, hair loss, vaginal bleeding and pain during sex. "One night I went to the bathroom and something fleshy came out and it was not a blood clot," she recalls. "I was so scared I didn't know what to do."

Jimenez went to the emergency room where a CAT scan revealed a mass. The next day, she saw a doctor who performed a gynecological exam. "Her first words out of her mouth were, 'I'm sorry Miss Jimenez, but you have cervical cancer," Jimenez recalls. "I did not know what she was talking about, and I didn't know what cervical cancer was."

Like Felder, Jimenez says the first thought in her mind was, "'I didn't want to die.'"

Jimenez, who is now 51, says she felt scared and devastated after her cancer diagnosis. "I left her office in tears," she says. "I sat in my car and cried."

However, when Jimenez was diagnosed, she didnt know what HPV was. "I had never heard of HPV my whole life, and I knew very little about what cervical cancer was," she says. "I was one of those people who thought that it could never happen to me. So I never really looked into what cervical cancer was because I never thought I would get cervical cancer or cancer in general."

Tracy Jimenez says she knew very little about HPV and cervical cancer before being diagnosed with the disease. (Photo courtesy of Tracy Jimenez)

What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), which is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Some people have called it the common cold of the genital tract," Dr. Debbie Saslow, managing director of HPV & GYN Cancer at the American Cancer Society, tells Yahoo Life.

Saslow adds: "Just about everybody who has ever had sex has had HPV. Its unfortunate in this country there is stigma often attached to sex and how many partners you have had, particularly for women. [But] most cervical cancer cases caused by HPV are in women who have had only one partner. Yes, the risk does increase with more partners, but many have had only one partner."

There are more than 100 types of HPV and at least 14 of them are cancer-causing, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, two HPV types (16 and 18) in particular are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers and pre-cancerous cervical lesions, according to WHO.

In the majority of cases, HPV goes away on its own. But when it doesnt, the virus can cause health issues, including cancer and genital warts, depending on the HPV type. Even if you are infected with HPV, you likely wouldnt know it. According to the CDC: "Most people with HPV do not know they have the infection. They never develop symptoms or health problems from it."

The telltale signs of cervical cancer  such as pain during intercourse and abnormal bleeding  are more common in advanced cancer cases and "in people who just havent been screened or havent been screened in a really long time or had an abnormal result and didn't follow up," says Saslow.

However, if detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable cancers, according to ACS.

How to prevent cervical cancer

First and foremost, get screened. Updated guidelines from both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) now recommend that, starting at age 25 and through age 65, women (as well as transgender individuals with a cervix) should get the HPV test every 5 years.

The HPV test, which differs from the Pap smear, checks for the virus itself to see if cells in the cervix are infected with the high-risk types of HPV. The Pap smear, on the other hand, looks for abnormal changes to cervical cells caused by HPV "that may  if left untreated  turn into cervical cancer," according to the NCI. It can also detect cervical cancer cells. The HPV/Pap co-test combines both screening methods.

The preferred screening method by both organizations is the HPV test every 5 years, while "acceptable" tests include the HPV/Pap co-test every 5 years or the Pap test alone every 3 years.

"Evidence shows the HPV test is more accurate than the Pap test and can be done less often; one HPV test every five years is more effective than a Pap test every three years," according to ACS.

Along with screenings, Saslow encourages parents to get both their daughters and sons the HPV vaccine, which significantly lowers the risk of HPV-related cancers  including, notes the CDC, not only cervical cancer but also cancers of the mouth/throat and penis. In fact, the vaccine reduces the risk of cervical cancer by nearly 90 percent, according to Saslow.

"The best time to get the vaccine is between ages 9 and 12," says Saslow. "If you have a kid thats older than 12 and they didnt have it yet, they should still get it until age 26." However, some adults ages 27 through 45 can, after discussing it with their doctor, get the HPV vaccine if they weren't adequately vaccinated when they were younger, according to the CDC. The HPV vaccine requires two doses spaced six to 12 months apart for those 14 and under, or three doses for those 15 and older.

What cervical cancer survivors want people to know

Both Felder, who had a radical hysterectomy and radiation, and Jimenez, who went through multiple rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, hope that sharing their stories will motivate women to get screened for cervical cancer and to not put off those doctor appointments. They also encourage parents to get the HPV vaccine for their children, regardless of their gender.

"I want to raise awareness because it is very necessary and not enough people know about cervical cancer or any cancer that can happen from HPV," says Jimenez.

Felder also urges women not to ignore the signs  even subtle ones  that something might be affecting their health. "Now that I know more about the disease, there were times I had bleeding during or after sex," shares Felder, who also experienced lower leg pain. "Nothing that made me feel too alarmed. You think, 'Oh, I have bad menstrual cramps.' Now my message is, 'Your body whispers.' You have to listen and even when it doesnt whisper you have to be proactive with your health."

Above all, Felder says: "I want people to know that you can die of cervical cancer. And if youre lucky enough to survive, it breaks you; it bends you. Its with you forever. It doesn't leave you."

She adds: "I want people to put their feet up in stirrups. I want doctors not to shame people in general because it hinders them from getting screened. I want people to vaccinate their children I believe we could have a world without cervical cancer. And you cant say that about any other cancer."

Felder, who founded the nonprofit organization Cervivor, which supports cervical cancer survivors, says her life is more fulfilling now  adding that her legacy "will be the lives I've saved." But she doesnt sugarcoat what shes been through  "cancer has truly taken so much from me," Felder says  and stops short of calling cancer "a gift."

"I have a beautiful, wonderful life," Felder says. "But theres a part of me that always wonders, without cancer, what would it look like? Were supposed to be grateful  and I am  but I wonder, what would that life look like? I know Im lucky because I think about Laura who died in her 20s. I think about Erica who did in her 30s. I think about Lisa who died before she was 30. They ran out of time. They all ran out of time. And it could have easily been me."

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Jan. 19Chad Tackett has seen firsthand what it takes to be an Ashland football coach.

The former Fairview head man has spent 15 seasons on the Tomcats' sideline and the last seven campaigns as defensive coordinator under Tony Love.

Tackett will be the next person to be handed the reins of the historic program and the rich Ashland tradition after he was named the new head coach on Tuesday.

Tackett said he embraces the challenge. He did not want the players' environment to change over the offseason. He made it his first priority.

"I knew what I was getting into when I applied for the job," Tackett said. "I've had a front-row seat to what those expectations are working under Leon (Hart) and Tony. I'm in this for the kids. My greatest concern is not an individual honor. I wanted the kids to have a stable environment and easy transition. I want them to be successful."

Tackett played at Fairview and led the Eagles from 2003-2006. He won 29 games in his four seasons as head coach in Westwood. Fairview achieved its first season with double-digit wins in 2003 and won the program's first district championship under Tackett's leadership.

Tackett joined Hart's staff in 2007 and spoke about the knowledge he gained during his tenure at Ashland. The Tomcats' defense allowed a paltry 5.3 points a game during their 2020 run to a state championship, the first title in 30 years.

Tackett felt the timing was right to take the next step.

"I needed something different," Tackett said. "I wanted to learn and grow my football IQ. I was on some really great staffs at Ashland. I learned a lot from the guys that were on those staffs and coaches I worked for with coach Hart and coach Love. I learned about the game and observed how things were handled on and off the field.

"It's always been a goal of mine when I got into teaching and coaching to be the head coach at Ashland," he added. "I felt like I was prepared for the job. I am familiar with the kids, the community and the program."

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Tackett wants to put his own imprint on the program, but the preparation, the work ethic and the mindset will not change.

"I still believe in the same principles with what we've done over the past several years," Tackett said, "from an X's and O's standpoint. I think we have found a recipe for success with the way we work our kids. I will put my own spin on things."

Ashland athletic director Jim Conway feels that Tackett is the right man to continue the program's winning tradition.

"We feel that his previous experience has prepared him to lead the program to new heights," Conway said in a press release, "and are delighted for him to begin his leadership of the Tomcats program."

The Tomcats finished with a 7-5 record last year and advanced to the district championship game. Ashland loses several seniors, but still has a roster full of talent, according to Tackett.

"We have a lot of skill players coming back," Tackett said. "I am excited about it. We have some young talent. Aris Pittman, Terell Jordan and Braxton Jennings are guys that are going to be exceptional players. We have guys to replace on the offensive line. We have several guys back on defense that have started or received quite a bit of playing time."

Ashland started its offseason workout program on Jan. 3.

Tackett is the student counselor at Oakview Elementary School.

(606) 326-2654  msparks@dailyindependent.com
Jan. 18Vaccine mandates will not be required for city of McAlester employees.

McAlester City Manager Pete Stasiak spoke of the matter in the wake of the Jan. 13 U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down an order from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration that all employers of at least 100 individuals or more must require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or else undergo weekly testing.

Stasiak had previously spoke of the possibility of the vaccine and testing requirements for all city employees, saying the city would be forced to adopt the OSHA requirements if the courts did not rule differently.

"Because we have more than 100 employees and receive federal funds, we would have had no choice," Stasiak said.

Now that the high court has spoken, Stasiak said there will be no vaccine or testing requirements of city employees. After the Supreme Court struck down the OSHA mandate, President Joe Biden's administration urged those employing 100 or more to issue vaccine mandates or testing requirements of their own.

Stasiak said there are no plans for the city to issue its own vaccination or testing mandate for city workers.

"They will not be required," said Stasiak.

He said the ruling from the Supreme Court has mixed results.

"I would like to see everybody vaccinated," Stasiak said, adding that he understands it's a personal choice.

The city of McAlester is budgeted for 226 employees, Stasiak said, with the number fluctuating on a given day. Stasiak said there are 97 city employees who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19.

A mandatory mask mandate requiring that anyone visiting city properties  whether vaccinated or not  wear a face mask or other protective covering remains in place. The mandate also requires city employees to wear face masks if they are outside of their immediate work station or interacting with others.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalester.com.
The Cleveland Clinic has set a deadline of Jan. 27 for its employees to comply with a federal mandate to have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center and University Hospitals also said they would be in compliance by the updated deadlines.

The U.S. Supreme Court last week ruled the COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) is allowed to move forward for U.S. health care workers. Health care systems face hefty fines for any unvaccinated employees once the mandate is in place.

A separate federal mandate to require employers of more than 100 people to require COVID vaccinations or weekly tested was struck down by the Supreme Court.

COVID-19: Supreme Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine-or-testing mandate for workplaces but lets medical rule stand

The Cleveland Clinic, which operates Akron General, Mercy Hospital in Canton and Medina Hospital, had been strongly encouraging its employees to get vaccinated but did not issue a mandate while the federal mandate was in the court system.

Several other area hospitals, including Summa Health and Akron Children's Hospital, instituted vaccine mandates before the federal mandate.

COVID-19 in Ohio: Summa fires 7 workers who refuse COVID-19 vaccine. CEO says mandate 'right thing to do'

COVID-19: Akron Children's places employees who didn't get COVID-19 vaccine on unpaid leave

In a statement, the Cleveland Clinic said it is requiring all employees to receive their first dose of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccines or their one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine by Jan. 27 and the second dose by Feb. 28.

"Those who do not receive their vaccinations and who do not have an approved exemption will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence," the Cleveland Clinic said in its statement.

The Cleveland Clinic had said last week that about 85% of its employees were vaccinated against the virus.

"We are proud that the majority of our caregivers are already vaccinated, and we are encouraging those who are not yet vaccinated to receive their vaccine as quickly as possible," the health system said.

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Ohio is among 24 states in which hospitals must have their employees receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Feb. 14 and the second dose by March 15, said John Palmer, spokesman for the Ohio Hospital Association. Several other states are part of a separate legal action that was not struck down by the Supreme Court and have until Jan. 27 and Feb. 28 to meet the original deadlines. (Editor's note: an earlier version of this story had the incorrect dates. A reporter was provided with incorrect information).

In August, the Ohio Hospital Association board of trustees adopted a policy encouraging all Ohio hospitals to independently adopt COVID-19 vaccine policies.

"OHA will be supporting our members who will be working in good faith to meet this new policy, as with any other policy issues by CMS," Palmer said Monday.

Other hospital policies

A University Hospital spokesman said the hospital is reviewing its policy.

"We believe, consistent with the scientific consensus, that COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are the most effective way to protect our caregivers, patients and community from severe illness resulting in hospitalization and death," UH said in a statement. "Since the vaccine became available in late 2020, University Hospitals has encouraged our caregivers to get vaccinated, educated them on the benefits of vaccination and made vaccines readily available to them. The overwhelming majority of our caregivers are vaccinated and we are grateful to them all for their service during this challenging time. We are reviewing the most recent ruling to ensure compliance with federal requirements."

The Cleveland-based health system with operations in Summit and Portage counties has not said how many of its employees are vaccinated.

Bath-based Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center, with operations throughout Summit County, on Monday said it "will abide by all CMS mandates."

The orthopedic hospital has 87% of the employees in compliance, Chief Nursing and Operations Officer Holly Cholley said.

A spokesman for Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls on Monday said there was no update to the hospital's policy, which encourages its caregivers to get the vaccine. The hospital has said 91.4% of its employees are vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Summa Health was the only Akron-area hospital last fall to require its employees and contractors be fully vaccinated or face termination. The deadline was Oct. 31 and Summa allowed its employees to continue working while going through the disciplinary process.

Seven Summa employees were fired in late November or early December for refusing the vaccine, Summa CEO Dr. Cliff Deveny said at the time.

Last week, Akron Children's Hospital placed an unknown number of its employees who had not gotten the vaccine on a 30-day unpaid leave. The hospital had set a Jan. 11 deadline for its employees to get the first vaccination or face termination.

A hospital spokeswoman on Monday said there were no further updates about the process.

Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ To see her most recent stories and columns, go to www.tinyurl.com/bettylinfisher

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: COVID-19 vaccine mandates for Ohio healthcare workers
John Black is seen on the job.

John and Ellie Black were enjoying their life in retirement when the unthinkable happened. John had been complaining of pain in his stomach for two months and decided to see a doctor when he could no longer eat.

The day before Thanksgiving last year, while in the emergency room, a doctor gave him the worst news of his life.

They told him he had cancer, said Ellie.

Ellie says life has not been the same since. Her husband worked as a firefighter for nearly 30 years.

He helped put out the fire, the one that happened in May of 1979, said Ellie. We had two small children and that was a devastating fire. Weve been in Shelby all our life.

He took a 10-year hiatus, but he could not resist the urge to go back to the career that allowed him to help so many people.

Now, he needs help from the community. The Boiling Springs Fire Department is putting on a takeout chicken dinner fundraiser to benefit the Black family as they have been traveling back and forth to Atlanta, Georgia, for his treatments.

'We won't let it define us': Husband, wife lose everything in camper fire

John said he has been overwhelmed by the number of people who have rallied behind him.

I tell you its unbelievable, said John. They have raised money, and churches everywhere around here have been praying for me.

To his knowledge, cancer does not run in his family and said the news came as a shock.

It was devastating, said John.

After struggling to get treatment nearby, the Black family turned to Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

They have been awesome, said Ellie. The people have been wonderful.

Ellie describes herself as a fireball and her sharp wit keeps her from breaking down as she watches her husbands body reject the treatments he has received.

Hes not doing good at all with it, said Ellie. He has no appetite. I know he is tired of me complaining to him because I keep telling him to eat and drink. They gave him some fluids to help him. Friday he was looking lethargic. He was dehydrated.

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Bobby Jones, who worked with John for 20 years, spoke highly of his work-ethic and their friendship.

He is the most awesome person youll ever find, said Jones. Hell give you the shirt off his back. We went to high school together at Crest. Then we both worked together at the Shelby Fire Department. He used to own a service station, and I used to work for him there.

From November: Cleveland County farmer in limbo after hen house fire

Jones was in Johns shoes 11 years ago. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and said the disease has impacted so many people he is close with.

Its devastating, said Jones. Ive had so many friends die from cancer. Our cancers are different from each other, but you still go through chemo and radiation. I tried to prepare him for what he is going to go through.

The couple just celebrated their 48th anniversary last year. Ellie mentioned a pair of friends who have been married 50 years. She tells herself she and John will make it to 50 too.

Its hard, said Ellie. But I am going to be here. Weve been married since I was 18-years-old. I am not going anywhere.

Want to go?

Chicken dinners will be sold for $10 starting at 11 a.m. Jan. 23 at the Boiling Springs Fire and Rescue station on 149 N. Main St. The dinners will be sold until they sell out.

Latrice Williams can be reached at 704-669-3339 and lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Boiling Springs Fire Department fund raise for firefighter with cancer
A federal judge has refused to throw out a lawsuits claims that police on Marylands Eastern Shore used excessive force on a 19-year-old Black man who died in 2018 during a struggle with officers who handcuffed him and shackled his legs.

Relatives of Anton Black sued the officers who chased him and tried to restrain him outside his familys home in rural Greensboro, Maryland.

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In a 27-page ruling Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake said body camera video of the deadly encounter doesnt conclusively contradict the familys claims that police used excessive force on Black. The judge concluded that a reasonable jury could reach more than one conclusion about whether officers used a reasonable degree of force against Black.

Blacks relatives sued the three officers who tried to restrain him: former Greensboro police Officer Thomas Webster IV, former Ridgley police Chief Gary Manos and Centreville police Officer Dennis Lannon. Mano and Lannon were off duty when they tried to help Webster arrest Black.

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Blacks death fueled calls for an independent investigation. Last year, state lawmakers passed a bill named after Black that expanded public access to records about police disciplinary cases.

An autopsy report on Blacks death was released in 2019 two days after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, expressed frustration at the pace of the investigation. The state medical examiners autopsy report lists Blacks death as an accident and said Blacks congenital heart condition, mental illness and stress from the struggle likely contributed to his death.

But an expert for the lawsuits plaintiffs, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins University, concluded that asphyxiation was the cause of Blacks death.

Body camera video captured parts of the altercation on Sept. 15, 2018. Police released the video in January 2019 after a county prosecutor announced that he wasnt asking a grand jury to consider criminal charges in Blacks death.

The video shows Webster confronting Black in response to a 911 call that a man was roughly dragging a child down the road in a headlock. The boy, a friend of Blacks family, told the officer that Black was schizophrenic and had been acting strangely.

When Webster ordered Black to place his hands behind his back and told him he was under arrest, Black said, I love you, and then turned and jogged in the opposite direction.

After Black jogged back to his familys home and got into a car, Webster used a baton to smash a car window and then used a stun gun on Black. Later, during a struggle on the porch of his familys home, Black lost consciousness as Manos, Lannon and Webster tried to restrain him.

Plaintiffs experts have said the officers decision to apply pressure to Black while he was restrained, face down with his legs in the air, wasnt reasonable because of the risk of asphyxiation. Blake said Webster acted objectively reasonably when he tried to arrest and chased after Black, suspecting he was assaulting the boy.

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But the judge concluded there is a genuine dispute of material fact whether it was reasonable for Webster to use his baton to break the car window without warning or to use the stun gun on Black. Blake reached the same conclusion about the officers attempts to restrain Black on the porch.

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It is impossible to tell how much weight and what body parts, if any, Webster placed on Black throughout the nearly six minutes of footage. Nor can a viewer discern if or for how long Webster placed his knees on Blacks neck, shoulders, or upper torso, the judge wrote.

During the struggle, Webster told Blacks mother, Jennell Black, that her son had tried to abduct a 12-year-old child and then ran from police. Blacks mother stood nearby, yelling his name and begging for him to respond. Black later was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Black had been diagnosed with a severe form of bipolar disorder. He was hospitalized less than two weeks before his death after his father called police, concerned that his son had been acting strangely at home.

Blake said a persons mental health must be factored into the use of force by police. The Greensboro Police Departments handbook suggests that Webster didnt try de-escalate or avoid overreacting to somebody in the grips of a mental health crisis when he smashed the car window and used the stun gun on Black, the judge concluded.

As with the baton and taser, the factual dispute as to whether Black was secured and did not pose a threat to the officers throughout the time they were subduing him on the porch must be viewed in the light most favorable to the plaintiffs at this stage in litigation, she wrote.

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Blake said the officers can renew their requests for her to dismiss the lawsuits excessive force claims after they finish sharing evidence with plaintiffs.

Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland are among the attorneys representing Blacks family.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  With many nonprofit agencies in Connecticut struggling to both attract and retain workers, the top Senate Democrat on the General Assemblys budget-writing committee said Tuesday she plans to pursue legislation this session that would mandate regular increases in state funding so the entities can pay higher salaries.

State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, co-chair of the Appropriations Committee, said she supports having 4% to 6% annual increases in funding over the next five years codified in the state budget. While she acknowledged future legislatures cannot be forced to provide regular funding increases, Osten said lawmakers this year can certainly put it in statute to make it clear a larger financial commitment is needed.

State Senator Cathy Osten talks about her military service during a 2021 Veterans Day ceremony in Taftville.

More: Series of deadly winter fires hits Eastern CT, including blaze that killed Plainfield man

We are dealing with a professional group of workers in the nonprofit world who actually deserve to make enough money to live each and every day, she said.

On average, about 18% of positions at nonprofit agencies across Connecticut are currently open, according to a survey released Tuesday by The Alliance, which represents organizations that provide many state services, everything from mental health services to day programs for people with disabilities. Meanwhile, 59% of the agencies said they have waiting lists for their programs.

More: Path 2 Self Wellness wants to bring a holistic lifestyle to Norwich

Last year, a 4% funding increase was included in the state budget for private nonprofit agencies. However, Gian-Carl Casa, president and CEO of The Alliance, said while that funding was helpful, it was eaten up by a 6% rate of inflation.

That means that nonprofits are in crisis, Casa said. Their staff, exhausted from nearly two years of frontline work during a global pandemic, have been leaving for better paying jobs with less stress. And providers, who are already underfunded, have been struggling to pay rising prices for everything that they rent or purchase.

The General Assembly is scheduled to convene Feb. 9.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: CT Sen. Cathy Osten supports annual funding increases for nonprofits
Candidates in the Cook County assessors race are sparring over the endorsement the challenger announced from a Northwest Side alderman who has faced criticism for offensive comments he made in texts.

Kari Steeles campaign Instagram account until Tuesday morning included an announcement that she was proudly endorsed by: 45th Ward Committeeperson Jim Gardiner.

Assessor Fritz Kaegi used the announcement to question Steeles judgment, even as the Steele campaign disavowed Gardiner and said the endorsement announcement was made inadvertently ahead of Democratic Party slating in December.

Gardiner, who also serves as 45th Ward alderman, has been a lightning rod since early autumn.

Thats when a Northwest Side group, The Peoples Fabric, published texts showing him referring to one City Council colleague as a bitch and the top aide of another council member as his bitch, and also using the term to describe a political communications consultant.

The alderman was stripped in October of his Cook County Democratic Party committee seats and formally rebuked by the party for abhorrent and despicable behavior, including the misogynistic, homophobic, and obscene language in those texts.

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The Tribune also reported last fall that federal investigators had launched an inquiry into the first-term aldermans conduct in office, including whether he retaliated against constituents for political purposes.

Gardiner read a statement during Septembers City Council meeting, apologizing for his offensive words and saying he never acted on any of those rants in which he appeared to call for ward services to be withheld from political opponents.

When the endorsement announcement began making the rounds Tuesday among Democratic insiders, the Steele campaign removed it from the Instagram page.

Steele spokeswoman Isabelle Dienstag sought to distance the candidate from Gardiner, saying the campaign posted the fact he decided to back Steele in the Cook County Democrats endorsement process, along with support from other Democratic committeemen as she tried unsuccessfully in December to get the partys backing in the primary.

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Kari has not sought Ald. Gardiners endorsement, and would not accept his endorsement if it was offered. His actions towards women are deplorable, and frankly he should not be a voting member of the Cook County Democratic Party, Dienstag said in a statement. His name was inadvertently included in a list of Karis supporters ahead of the Partys slating sessions.

The real issue in the race is Kaegis mismanagement of the assessors office, Dienstag said.

But the Kaegi campaign pounced on the Gardiner announcement, calling Steeles proud touting of the endorsement troubling.

Taxpayers should be able to have faith that their assessor will run a fair, transparent and ethical operation, the Kaegi statement said. This decision should raise grave concerns about her judgment and capacity to do so.

Gardiner could not be reached for comment.

jebyrne@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @_johnbyrne
CAMDEN  Attorneys representing Cumberland County Jail inmates are free to craft a new method for searching staff computers and phones for data about a May 11, 2021 cell block shakedown, one allegedly ordered as retaliation for an ongoing civil rights lawsuit.

U.S. District Court Judge Noel Hillman, at a hearing here on Tuesday afternoon, directed plaintiffs attorney Jeffrey Pollock to draft a search protocol. His proposal is expected to be ready by Friday.

Attorneys for inmates suspect that a keyword-based forensic analysis, done over several months on county and staff personal equipment last year, did not discover everything that might be useful to their case. They want a more refined analysis, while the county is arguing nothing relevant, or at least admissible, is left to find.

More: Cumberland jail COVID reappearance, but judge told there are no hospital cases

More: Federal court 'suggests' Cumberland find place to isolate inmates with COVID

In 2021, the county hired forensics expert, attorney, and private investigator Jeff Brenner for that work. Brenner and his team also did manual searches of data threads, according to testimony.

What might remain undisclosed is suspected to include unflattering references to inmate attorneys as well as the judge, according to Pollock. That kind of information would be used at trial to undermine the credibility of county officials, he told the court.

Pollock has been seeking to obtain draft reports Brenner submitted, but the county has contested the request. Pollock told the court that, because of that, he has given up that pursuit to switch his focus to getting "raw" data.

Hillman was cautious about allowing an overly broad investigation. He is giving the county a chance to review the search protocol and make objections before it is implemented.

The judge retains the final say on whether to exclude data as irrelevant or protected by attorney-client, medical privacy, or other reasons.

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Hes wanting unfettered access to the computers of the county, to the cellphones of the county, without any filter of any kind, county attorney Gregg Zeff said. And your honor has hit it right on the head. There are many, many irrelevant things in there.

Hillman, however, also gave Pollock the liberty to hire his own expert this time and to develop a strategy to conduct a search.

I want you to tell Mr. Zeff the search protocol, so that he can have an opportunity to object to it, Hillman said. But I want you to be able to design that search on your own, with someone whose technical abilities you trust and with whom you have rapport. I want the product of that to be turned over to Mr. Zeff, prior to you seeing it. You want to send a copy to me.

Hillman said any objections the county then makes to releasing data will have to be surgical, filed reasonably quickly, and done document by document.

And you can argue at that time  any waiver or any other issue that would eliminate the privilege, Hillman told Pollock. But I think thats the only fair way to do this.

Pollock agreed but under strong protest. He argued he was entitled to as much access as the county has now, that the county had missed its window to register objections, and the county still could conceal information.

So, now, I follow your advice and I hire an expert and I pull together material, Pollock said. But I cant see it. And Mr. Zeff raises all the same arguments we have right now. Right? And I still dont know what it is.  I dont know what it is that is so important. All I know is Mr. Zeff is jumping up and down objecting, saying, Pollock cant have it.

Hillman, however, stressed that the court also would be part of the review process.

"Ill see it," Hillman said. "And Ill hear the waiver argument. And the search would have been done based on your overseeing that search, not Mr. Zeff."

Hillman also offered court funding for the search, if needed. He noted Pollock and his legal team are representing inmates for free and should not face too much of a cost burden.

The district court now is more than a year into handling the lawsuit, which first was brought over concerns about COVID-19 health and safety issues.

The parties, under court supervision, have reached compromises on some points. However, reaching a final form of a consent order that can be integrated in jail operations is proving difficult.

On Jan. 5, both sides told Hillman they thought they were close to an agreement on most points and quickly could submit a partially updated agreement.

However, Pollock said on Tuesday, there is some dispute about whether Zeff submitted to the court the correct proposal. His team believes what Zeff turned in was a draft document.

Zeff said he believed he had submitted the correct paperwork. The hearing ended without the matter resolved.

The jail shakedown has opened a branch dispute in the case that may linger on after the original COVID-19 issues are settled. The next hearing on the shakedown discovery issues is on Jan. 21.

A related issue Hillman has to decide is whether current and former jail staff can claim a 5th Amendment protection to not submit their equipment for forensic exam.

Former Warden Charles Warren has refused to provide his personal phone, which was not examined in last year's investigation.

Corrections Capt. Loren Joynes did allow his phone do be searched in 2021, but he now is asserting a 5th Amendment right to bar further examination. He also is refusing permission to examine his laptop.

Hillman heard arguments on Jan. 5 on the 5th Amendment claims. The judge asked attorneys to file short briefs before he issues a decision, stating he wanted to quickly issue a ruling. Those briefs were filed last week.

After the Jan. 5 hearing, Pollock told The Daily Journal he separately was issuing subpoenas to Verizon and AT&T for access to Warrens personal phone.

Pollock said the providers may or may not have retained useful information. But I really dont need it, he said.

Pollock said his case is significantly bolstered by senior jail staff claiming 5th Amendment privileges. Their refusals alone can be used to attack the credibility of the county, he said.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Help support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: New data search of Cumberland jail staff computers, phones planned
A baby died after being left at Near North Station in Chicago in freezing conditions (Google Maps)

A newborn boy died after being wrapped in a duffel bag and left in snow on the steps of a fire station in Chicago.

Police are investigating who placed the baby outside Near North Side fire station in New Orleans St in freezing conditions on Saturday.

Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford told the Chicago Sun-Times fire crews discovered the infants lifeless body at around 5am when they went outside to shovel snow.

They were in and out so much that morning that no one heard the doorbell, Mr Langford said.

Under Illinois state law, a child under 30 days old can be left at a safe haven site as long as they are handed off in person.

The fire house where the boy was left is designated as a safe haven, but it is not manned 24 hours a day.

Mr Langford said they were trying to educate the public that infants must be physically handed to another person at safe havens.

Ringing a bell is not making contact. You have to physically see someone and hand the child over, Mr Langford told the Sun-Times.

Autopsy results were inconclusive about the childs cause of death, and its unclear whether he was still alive when he was left at the fire station.

Since 1999, all 50 states have enacted safe haven laws which allow parents to drop their babies at designated locations such as police stations and hospitals with no questions asked.

Figures from the Save Abandoned Baby Foundation show 4,505 babies have been handed over since the state laws were established

Safe haven laws generally allow the parent, or an agent of the parent, to remain anonymous and to be shielded from criminal liability and prosecution for child endangerment, abandonment, or neglect in exchange for surrendering the baby to a safe haven, according to the federal governments Child Welfare Information Gateway site.
Downtown at Dacar's Manager Brittany Magnuson works behind the bar. The downtown bar reopened in November after an extensive renovation by owner Mark Magnuson.

BEDFORD  The best way to sum up the feel of the new Downtown at DaCar's is a blast from the past intermingled with an eye to the future.

Right away upon entering, you're struck by the black and white panoramic vintage photograph of downtown Bedford back in its heyday with old cars and throngs of people lining the streets. On another wall is a bold and modern mural done in red and black of images that evoke Lawrence County's history of astronauts, playing a guitar no less, and limestone as well as unique landmarks like the Tunnelton Tunnel, stack rock and Williams Covered Bridge.

And if that's not enough, there's the bar, a colossal wooden structure that now measures 45 feet after it was disassembled, removed and taken to Greene County where it was refurbished and lengthened.

More on Downtown at DaCar's: Venerable Bedford tavern coming back

Walking through the establishment, it's hard to say what new owner Mark Magnuson is most proud of as he points to the new stage, sound system, beer selection, usage of reclaimed wood and new lighting, but the bar, made from five different species of wood, is pretty close to the top for Magnuson.

He knows every inch of the massive bar. His hand slides across the bar top as he points to the original reed and barrel molding and the painstaking efforts to replicate the pattern on the new portion.

He shares its origins as it's been told to him by others, that it was made in England and was in another Bedford bar before it was moved into its current location when the bar was owned by Puffy Lemmons.

For all the renovations in the bar, there was no touching the famed bullet hole in the mirror behind the bar. The hole and the cracks that spread across the mirror like veins remains.

A mural depicting items iconic to Lawrence County graces the wall adjacent to the stage at Downtown at DaCar's, 1005 16th St., in Bedford. The renovated bar is open after an extensive renovation and now features regular live entertainment. It was painted by Mitchell Austin of MetaByte Creative.

The venerable bar has been a fixture in downtown Bedford for decades, with names like Puffy's, Rusty's and Olde Downtown. It re-opened in November as Downtown at DaCar's. Magnuson purchased the bar and spent a year and seven months on the renovation.

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"It was a total gut," he said.

The work started in the basement, where double and triple beams were added to reinforce the structure. On the main floor, paneling was ripped off to expose the original brick. The stage has been shifted from the back to the front and a new house sound system was installed that a DJ or band can use.

Pandemic update: Lawrence County's COVID cases up 60.8%; Indiana cases surge 16.8%.

Out back is a tiki bar with ample seating on the patio that overlooks Harp Commons. In keeping with preserving the bar's history, Magnuson salvaged as much of the old wood in the building as he could in other areas.

Food service began this week from the fully equipped kitchen. The main and rear entrances now have ramps and are fully accessible to wheelchairs.

It's Magnuson's first time owning a bar, but he has long wanted to own one.

"Everything we've put in here are things I've always wanted in a bar," he said.

He was friends with members of a band in his younger days and got familiar with the bar scene as a launching pad of local music.

"I love music, all kinds, and I want to bring that here," he said.

Since opening in November, the bar has had a steady lineup of music covering multiple genres. It's also added karaoke and trivia nights.

The bar is stocked with 30 different taps and Indiana craft beers including Switchyard, Tax Man and Upland Brewing.

Local news: Mistrial issued in Bedford rape case following inadequacy of defense, judge rules.

Coming up Jan. 22, there will be a bourbon night with West Fork Whiskey, an Indianapolis-based distillery founded by a trio of former Lawrence County residents.

Magnuson has a day job and leaves the daily management of Downtown at DaCar's to his daughter Brittany.

As with any new venture, the Magnusons and staff are finding their rhythm as customers re-discover the venerable tavern.

"Sometimes it doesn't feel real because of all the work that went into it," said Brittany. "I'm really looking forward to summer time when the patio will be open."

Magnuson said he has received positive feedback on the renovation.

"The community is behind us," he said. "We got great help from the city of Bedford, contractors, electricians and the Bedford Fire Department."

Rusty Abel, who owned the bar from 1990-2000, has been among those giving it his blessing.

"It's beautiful, they've done a helluva job," Abel said.

About that bar

The history behind the bar with its marble columns and carvings can be found by talking with one of its former owners.

Abel said the bar was purchased at a sale in Atlanta, Georgia, in the late 1950s by the owner of Torphy's Tavern, which was located at 16th and K where StoneCutter's Place is today.

Mitchell development: Lawrence County Redevelopment Commission exploring economic development in town.

Around 1978-79, Puffy Lemmons, who owned Puffy's on 16th Street, bought the bar from the Torphys.

"I'm not sure, but I think he bought it for $750," Abel said. "They brought it up the stairs, out the front door and rolled it down the middle of 16th Street and put it in Puffy's."

The bar replaced the existing one in Puffy's and, except for its removal during restoration, has been there ever since.

Stories, myths and legends have only grown since then. One of those, Abel recalled, is that Jeanie Lemmons was offered $50,000 for the wood and marble bar by someone who wanted to use it in television.

How a bullet became lodged in the mirror one day when the tavern was Puffy's is another tale in the tavern's history. The famed bullet hole was already there when Abel became owner.

Abel elaborated, as it was told to him years ago: "Kenny Knight was in there. Toots Bowden was bartender and he had a pistol he was trying to sell to Kenny. Kenny said let me see it. There was a potato chip rack at the end of the bar and Kenny pointed it at it and shot it."

Rusty Abel, who owned Rusty's Tavern from 1990 to 2000, stands at the bar with its intricate carvings and marble columns that remains a feature of the establishment today.

The chance to tell the story elicits a laugh from Abel.

"Of all the people that worked there, everyone told a different story. A lot of stories have been told about it. I admit to telling a windy story or two ... it's a good conversation piece," Abel confessed.

Abel renamed the tavern Rusty's after he bought the business from Jeanie Lemmons.

A look at the labor market: Shance Sizemore looks ahead to growth, investment in 2022.

It was smaller than it is today. Abel expanded the business when he purchased the adjoining building to the west.

Abel, who got into the bar business in 1973 when he purchased the North Side Cafe on Lincoln Avenue, said the Bedford square had an abundance of watering holes decades ago.

"At one time, there were 11 bars on the square or one block off the square," said Abel, who can rattle their names off one by one.

In 2000, he sold it to Scott Smith.

"I enjoyed owning it," he said. "I wish the new owners the best."

Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Bedford's Downtown at DaCar's bar aims to please
Diana Medina displays a mangonada at Dulce Vida Ice Cream Factory, 2400 Home Acre Drive in Northland. The Mexican ice cream shop is moving into a building just to the north, at 6144 Cleveland Ave., where it will roughly double in size.

Dulce Vida Ice Cream Factory has found a sweet new spot in Northland.

The Mexican ice cream parlor is expanding into a larger storefront directly to the north, at 6144 Cleveland Ave., and nearly doubling in size.

We definitely needed more room, general manager Diana Medina said of the new Columbus spot, which should be open in about a month.

That means inventory also is expanding. Dulce Vida will introduce up to 10 more ice cream flavors, bringing the total to more than 40, plus offering savory Mexican dishes, such as tamales and tortas, as well as burgers, hot dogs and other casual fare, Medina said.

Comfort foods, I would say, she said.

Dulce Vida has been open for five years at 2400 Home Acre Drive in the Atrium Center.

Medina said the current location will close down when the new one opens, so no disruptions of service is expected.

In addition to ice cream, it has Mexican-style popsicles, sorbet, flavored beverages, milkshakes and light, savory snacks among its colorful inventory.

It is also home of the mangonada, the house signature dish with layers of fresh chopped mango, mango ice cream, tamarind, spicy chimay sauce and citrusy Tajin seasonings.

We definitely see an increase in summertime for it, but we have it all year-round, whether its raining or snowing, Medina said.

Ducle Vida has three other locations  1127 N. High St. in Columbus' Short North, 7370 Sawmill Road in northwest Columbus and 4201 W. Broad St. in west Columbus, where the ice cream is made.

Jenny Leal, cofounder and board member of Elevate Northland, said shes pleased to hear Dulce Vida is on a successful streak.

They have a good market here, Leal said. Thats great. Ive been there. I love it. I love the ice cream.

gseman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekGary

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Dulce Vida Ice Cream Factory plans move, expansion in Columbus' Northland
AMSTERDAM (AP)  Amsterdam's Concertgebouw orchestra played second fiddle Wednesday to a pair of hairdressers. Vincent van Gogh's self-portraits were briefly upstaged by a nail salon and barber as civil disobedience to protest the Dutch coronavirus lockdown spread Wednesday to the cultural sector.

The Netherlands has been in a tough lockdown since mid-December. Under an easing of restrictions announced Friday businesses like hairdressers and gyms and nonessential stores were allowed to reopen, but museums, theaters and cinemas, along with bars and restaurants, have to remain closed.

The tough Dutch lockdown is running into increasing anger from businesses hit by the restrictions. Last week and over the weekend hundreds of Dutch bars and restaurants also opened their doors as a protest against the lockdown they say is crippling their businesses.

On Wednesday it was the turn of the cultural sector, who turned themselves into businesses such as hairdressers or nail salons to press home their demand to reopen.

We do not understand and there is no reasoning for it because we have shown over the last two years that its very, very safe to go to a concert or to go to a museum, said Simon Reinink, director of Amsterdams Concertgebouw concert hall.

Actually, its our profession  crowd management. We know how to deal with large crowds. And weve done it in a very, very safe way, Reinink added.

The resident orchestra, conducted by Susanna Malkki, played American composer Charles Ives' Symphony Number 2, while two hairdressers cut hair in the historic venue. Across the street at the Van Gogh Museum, a barber cut the hair of 10 visitors and 10 more people got a nail treatment.

Its definitely a first for us at the Van Gogh Museum," the museum's director, Emilie Gordenker, told The Associated Press.

I understand that the government has opened gyms but ... you need a mental gym, too, and a museum is a place where people are increasingly coming to find a little depth or reason for their life," she added. "And the theme of mental health is particularly relevant to our museum, obviously, because of Vincent van Goghs own mental situation.

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The government has said it will look at possible further easing Jan. 25. While omicron has sent infection rates soaring to levels never earlier seen during the pandemic, hospital admissions continue to decline.

Culture Minister Gunay Uslu said in a tweet: I understand the cry for help and that artists want to show all the beautiful things they have to offer us. But the opening of society must go step by step. Culture is high on the agenda.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
Arthur Linton A.L. Freeland

Al was loved, said Pastor James Cheyne of Little Horse Creek Baptist Church of his deacon. Hes been driving one of our older members, hes been picking her up and bringing her to prayer meetings and stuff on his way to church. He was just always the helping hand.

That love and kindness that Arthur Linton A.L. Freeland gave off resonated throughout his community, and even more so when news broke of his death on Saturday, Jan. 8, at the age of 74.

Freeland was originally born and raised in Dublin, Georgia, but his educational career took him all over the state, according to his obituary. Some of his jobs included being a history teacher at Claxton High School (where he was named STAR Teacher twice), a principal over Effingham County High School and Jasper County High School, and a teacher at South Georgia College and Saint Leo University.

After moving back to the area in 1985, he became principal at Central Middle School and oversaw its transition to Screven County Middle School. After retiring in 2003, he became a member of the Screven County Retired Educators, Georgia Retired Educators and remained a lifetime member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. He was later honored with the establishment of the A.L. Freeland Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at SCMS.

Superintendent Jim Thompson first met Freeland during Thompsons first job in the district as a seventh grade teacher at the middle school.

He was certainly an advocate of teachers, Thompson said. A very wise man, and he just had a presence, but it was a gentle and calming presence.

With his very tall stature and serene demeanor, Freeland was known by some as a gentle giant. Screven County Middle teacher Lesia English had similar memories.

I remember when I was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2005, English wrote on Facebook. I spoke at the Lions Club luncheon. Afterwards he hugged me in his bear-like fashion and spoke of what a fine teacher I was.

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As English described, Freeland continued to be an educator even after his retirement. He served as a mentor when needed and was an avid historian for both his church and within the Screven County History Buffs. Member Lisa Johnson-Guidos recalled how he helped build her a chicken coop, was involved with the Battle of Brier Creek event, and as a principal, was even more hands-on.

Dr. Freeland was a wonderful, interesting man, Guidos wrote via Messenger. When he was the principal at the middle school, he wrote a personal message to every student after every six-week report card. It may have just been a couple of sentences like Great work in math. Or Try a little harder in English, you almost got it. But it meant a lot to those kids. They knew that someone cared.

Freeland is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jewelle; a son and daughter-in-law, John C. and Kelly S. Freeland; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann F. and John P. Trapp of Evans; and grandchildren Alex Freeland as well as Katherine F. and Bryce Youmans.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: School leader Arthur "Al" Freeland dies at 74 on Saturday, Jan. 8
With proxy voting season just ahead, ETF fund managers will be casting their votes on a number of shareholder proposals. Given the magnitude of assets controlled by each, issuers like BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street will have an outsized hand in deciding the outcome of these proposals.

As ETFs grow in popularity, with the three largest asset managers taking in the bulk of the assets yet again in 2021, it has further concentrated voting power into the hands of these three companies. Data from Bloomberg estimates that 22% of the shares of the typical S&P 500 company is held by one of those companies, up from 13.5% in 2008.

Despite this growing power, most investors in these popular ETFs likely do not give much thought to this process or the outcome of these proposals. And these votes are generally reported with a significant lag, meaning that even if investors are interested in the outcome, they might not know how these proxy votes were cast.

What Is Proxy Season?

Between April and June, many companies hold their annual meetings. This is an event where, among other matters, shareholders can vote on issues that have been outlined in the proxy statement.

For those who choose to buy ETFs instead of individual stocks, it is the fund manager that holds the voting rights of the underlying securities. The more assets that are controlled by a single manager, the more power this manager has in determining the outcome of a specific proposal.



According to data from ShareAction, a charity that aims to improve corporate behavior on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, 18 additional resolutions would have passed in 2021 had one or more of the Big Three voted in favor.

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Source: ShareAction

(For a larger view, click on the image above)

Yet despite each of these managers offering socially responsible ETFs, with BlackRocks iShares having the three largest ESG-branded ETFs out there, ShareAction found that these companies tend to be less likely to vote in favor of these shareholder resolutions.

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Making An Impact

As the pandemic and social unrest have brought ESG issues into the spotlight, there has been growing skepticism and accusations of greenwashing. This term refers to deceptive marketing practices that paint ETFs as being more sustainable or ESG-friendly than they are.

Much of this discussion has been focused on the holdings within these ETFs, like the iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) holding nearly as much exposure to the energy sector as the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY).

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Source: FactSet

(For a larger view, click on the image above)

Portfolio holdings are an easy data point to be critical of since this information is usually offered daily. However, as mentioned earlier, proxy voting information is not as easily accessible even though this information is arguably more impactful in the long run.

This is the rationale underpinning the Engine No. 1 Transform 500 ETF (VOTE), an ETF that launched last June. The fund owns a cap-weighted index of large cap U.S. stocks, with no exclusionary screens that are typical of other large cap ESG ETFs.

Instead, the fund encourages transformational change in the public companies it holds by applying proxy voting guidelines and engaging in dialogue with management.

The launch of the ETF happened just weeks after Engine No. 1 won multiple seats on ExxonMobils board, giving credence to the fund that has gone on to gather $287 million in assets.

Increasing Transparency

Now, Engine No. 1 has launched a proxy voting dashboard that discloses how it votes on each proposal at every company held within VOTEs portfolio. The dashboard shows past and upcoming annual meetings, the various proposals voted on, as well as managements recommendation andif the meeting has occurredEngine No. 1s vote.

Though the availability of this info further helps to differentiate Engine No. 1 from competitors, it also serves to educate investors on this issue. Michael O Leary, managing director at Engine No. 1, thinks that bringing attention to how the largest fund managers vote is of particular importance.

Ultimately, its through the passive or active acquiescence of the big index managers that anything actually changes in the capital markets. Our goal is to bring more attention to this issue so the end investor realizes they actually have a seat at the table, he explained.

They have power to fashion companies in ways that better align with their decades long time horizons and their pro-social, pro-environmental interests, OLeary added.

End Investor Has Control

If proxy voting information becomes more readily accessible, ESG due diligence could shift from looking at sectors and specific holdings to a deeper focus on how fund managers are voting.



With substitutes easily available within the ETF marketplace for many of the largest passive funds, it gives power to the end investor to vote with their assets by moving their money to the issuer whose votes align most closely with their values.

Most end investors dont know that annual meetings happen every year, dont know there are things getting voted on like racial equity, gender pay disparities, and climate reporting issues they really care about, OLeary explained.

They dont know their shares are often being cast in ways that directly conflict with their values and long-term interests. Hopefully this drive toward transparency will help bring attention to it, he noted.



Contact Jessica Ferringer at jessica.ferringer@etf.com or follow her on Twitter

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Former Detroit City Council Member Andre L. Spivey walks out of federal court after being sentenced for two years after pleading guilty in his corruption and bribery case in Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.

A federal judge sentenced former Detroit City Councilman Andre Spivey on Wednesday to two years in prison for bribery, capping the first case charged as part of an ongoing corruption investigation in Detroit.

Spivey, 47, asked for probation before his sentencing, backed by more than 200 supporters who had written letters and called U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts sharing their version of the family man, longtime councilman and former pastor they believed deserved leniency.

On the other end were prosecutors who called Spivey's actions another sad example of why Detroiters have lost trust in their elected officials, asking he serve 40 months in prison.

Roberts ultimately would go below that recommendation, saying she was struck by the extent of Spivey's support and that many messages came from people she considers friends. But his admitted actions were a pattern of behavior, not a one-time slip-up, she said. A prison sentence was appropriate to deter other elected officials from participating in a pay-to-play political system, the judge added.

"This wasnt a mild case of corruption," Roberts said. "The court believes there is no public official who would respect the law that says it is illegal to take bribes if Mr. Spivey walked out of this courtroom with no jail time."

Roberts said Spivey could delay reporting to prison until July 1 after his daughter graduates from high school.

Former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, who oversaw the public corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, said deterrence is an important part of sentencing in such cases.

"The public needs to see that officials who breach the public trust will be held accountable by going to prison," McQuade said in an email. "In this case, a sentence of probation would have been seen as a slap on the wrist that was worth the risk. A prison term will make others think twice."

In asking for probation, Spivey and his supporters compared his the case to that of Gabe Leland, another former Detroit City Council member who resigned last year after pleading guilty to a felony corruption charge for accepting a $7,500 campaign contribution in cash from local businessman Robert Carmack.

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Leland was sentenced to 2 years of probation. Prosecutors said Carmack was their primary witness and his bizarre behavior weakened their case against Leland.

Roberts stressed that Lelands case is different from Spivey's. Leland was convicted of misconduct in office, not bribery, and he was sentenced in state court.

Spiveys case is more in line with other former Detroit public officials who received prison sentences for bribery, including ex-Councilwoman Monica Conyers, who received 37 months; political consultant Sam Riddle, who also got 37 months; and ex-Councilman Lonnie Bates, who received 33 months, Roberts said.

Spivey's attorney Elliott Hall argued those officials actually took actions in exchange for bribes. Hall said that Spivey never actually voted in the interests of the confidential FBI source who paid the councilman bribes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gardey said whether Spivey cast a City Council vote in return for the money isn't important because the bribery conviction only requires that Spivey agreed to influence city business in the confidential sources interests.

In delivering her sentence, Roberts sided with prosecutors on that point, saying: Bribery of a public official is serious.  It was complete when the defendant agreed to sell his soul, to sell his vote.

Wednesday's sentencing is part of a broader federal corruption investigation that has focused on Detroit City Council, the Detroit Police Department and the city's towing operations. In August, FBI agents raided the homes and offices of Councilman Scott Benson and former Councilwoman Janee Ayers, who lost her reelection bid last year. Benson and Ayers have not been accused of any wrongdoing. Four current or former Detroit police officers, however, have been charged in the investigation, known as Operation Northern Hook.

Spivey pleaded guilty in September to felony bribery conspiracy and admitted to accepting $35,900 in exchange for his political influence on a vehicle towing ordinance before the City Council. Spivey resigned before the council would vote on that measure in October 2021.

The bribes included about $14,000 for a birthday fundraiser and $2,000 for a trip to Las Vegas. He accepted the money over the course of eight meetings in 2018-20 from an individual in the local towing industry who also is a confidential FBI source. An undercover agent attended two of the meetings.

Spivey apologized to his family, friends and supporters before his sentencing Wednesday.

"I broke the law and I was wrong," Spivey said. I still believe in reclamation and second chances and when I look in the mirror, I still believe in myself. I ask this court to believe in me, too.

He exited the courtroom with supporters by his side, avoiding reporters but cheerfully greeting and hugging his fraternity brothers and others. He went straight to a vehicle in the parking lot across the street from the downtown courthouse.

Hall addressed reporters outside of the courthouse after the hearing and said Spivey is remorseful and apologetic that he got into a financial situation."

Hall said Spivey overall is relieved by the sentence, despite the fact that it may hinder the former councilmans chance at practicing law. Spivey is pursuing a law degree at Wayne State University, and, according to Hall, he will run into issues becoming a lawyer with his felony conviction.

While Spivey's conviction covers bribes he took over a two-year span, prosecutors told the judge Wednesday that they allege his corrupt behavior actually covered five years, with Spivey taking money from the confidential source before the person began working with the FBI.

Former Detroit City Council Member Andre L. Spivey walks out of federal court after being sentenced for two years after pleading guilty in his corruption and bribery case in Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.

Before he was charged, Spivey also admitted to taking what he considered to be a loan of $500 from a second, unnamed businessman with matters before the Detroit City Council, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gardey said.

But prosecutors believe Spivey lied about his dealings with the second businessman, Gardey said, adding that other sources involved in the investigation said Spivey took multiple payments from the second businessman.

Gardey also raised the possibility of a criminal prosecution against an unnamed staffer in Spivey's office who was involved in the bribery conspiracy. Spivey could have mentored his staff member, but instead brought the person into the conspiracy, destroying the staffer's career in public service, Gardey said.

Spivey's choices have gutted Detroiters' faith in elected officials, dampening the city's post-bankruptcy revitalization that followed the infamous Kilpatrick era, Gardey said.

"Mr. Spivey can again act as a role model for other elected politicians," he said before the sentence was handed down. "If you take a bribe, you go to prison.

More: Ex-Detroit Councilman Spivey says he cooperated with FBI, bought 4 sports jackets for wire

More: Prosecutors fire back at Ex-Detroit Councilman Andre Spivey: He didn't cooperate, he lied

Spivey and federal prosecutors gave the court competing versions of Spivey's bribery case in the days before his sentencing. Prosecutors said Spivey was driven by greed and lied to investigators, while the former councilman contended he deserved probation because he cooperated with the FBI and took money from only close friends to help with mounting bills.

Spivey was born and raised in Detroit and was pastor at St. Paul AME Church in Detroit for 14 years until he resigned in 2018 to attend law school.

Mayor Mike Duggan said in a written statement that it's "a sad day for Detroit and a sad day for Andre Spivey and his family."

"The case is now closed and the city will recover and move forward."

On Wednesday, dozens of supporters crowded overflow rooms near the courtroom during the sentencing, including Dr. Hawa Hoff, 47, a Cass Technical High School classmate of Spiveys.

Hoff said she felt the sentence was fair and commended Roberts for allowing Spivey to attend his daughters high school graduation.

I'm glad that it wasn't an extenuating term and sentence. I know it's going to be very hard for him and his family, as his daughter is in high school, Hoff said. But as the judge mentioned, there is a message that was brought forth. Of course, we wished it could have been a lesser sentence.

Contact Joe Guillen: jguillen@freepress.com or 313-222-6678. You can follow him on Twitter @joeguillen.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com or 313-635-3491. Follow her on Twitter: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Andre Spivey, ex-Detroit councilman, sentenced in bribery case
A former school board member in Utah was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to downloading child pornography and sexually abusing a minor, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Joel-Lehi Organista, 29, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on a charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and another 15 years on a charge of enticing a minor over internet or text, KSL News reported.

Both sentences will run concurrently.

Organista also faces a federal sentencing hearing on May 17, Fox13 reported.

Organista resigned from the Salt Lake City school board in 2021 after his arrest, the Tribune reported. In addition to the two state-level felony charges, he has pleaded guilty to federal felony charges of production and distribution of child porn, the outlet reported.

He could also be required to register as a sex offender and undergo a lifetime of supervised release after his prison sentences are over, the Tribune reported.

In 2021. between January and June  and when he was a school board member  Organista is accused of befriending a boy under 14 years old on Snapchat and talking him into performing sexual acts on video and sending him the video. He admitted to doing so in a statement in support of his guilty pleas, KSL reported.

Police also said that a search of Organistas phone revealed he had been communicating with multiple children between 12 and 17 years old over Snapchat, the Tribune reported.

Law enforcement officers received tips about Organistas behavior in January 2021 and searched his home with a warrant in June. He was arrested at that time and has been in police custody since, the Gephardt Daily reported.

Police noted in an affidavit that, because of Organistas position on the school board, he had access to young children. However, board members at the time of his arrest said they did not believe any children in the Salt Lake City school district had been hurt, KSL reported.

Organista was first elected to the school board in fall 2020, the Tribune reported.

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The Utah Attorney Generals Office did not respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

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The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education has launched an ad campaign to call attention to Emerson Colleges suspension of a conservative student group for alleged bigotry against China.

The school suspended its chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative activist group, last year for distributing stickers with the phrase China kinda sus  sus meaning suspicious  alongside a hammer and sickle image.

In an email to students on September 30, the universitys interim president, William Gilligan, condemned anti-Asian bigotry and said that the Emerson chapter of TPUSA would be investigated after its members distributed the stickers a day earlier. In a later letter to the groups leadership, the schools director of community standards served notice that the group had been suspended from its usual activities due to the Bias Related Behavior under investigation, according to FIRE, which has advocated for the students.

However, Emerson TPUSA vice president Kjersten Lynum said in a video posted to Instagram that the stickers were to draw attention to the Chinese governments well-documented human-rights atrocities, including the Uyghur genocide. It has nothing to do with Asians or Asian culture. I am Chinese-Singaporean myself, and Im offended by people who suggest I have hatred toward my own race, she said.

I was born in Singapore, said KJ Lynum, vice president of the group. So to be called anti-Asian was very strange.

FIRE reached out to Emerson College on October 5 to remind school officials that freedom of expression entails the right to criticize not only our own governments, but those of foreign nations, even when that criticism is offensive.

While Emerson ultimately found that the conservative group did not intend to target anyone other than Chinas government, it accused TPUSA of creating a hostile, intimidating or offensive working, living or learning environment.

The college decided to place a formal warning on TPUSAs record and denied the groups subsequent appeal.

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Now, FIRE has launched Emerson Kinda Sus ads that will appear on the Boston transit system and on mobile billboards that will cross the city to call out Emersons attempts to censor and squelch free expression on campus, according to a news release.

The ads direct viewers to EmersonKindaSus.com, a website FIRE created to spread awareness of the situation.

FIRE says it aims to bring attention to Emersons failure to tolerate free expression and to live up to its policies, which emphasize the high importance of the First Amendment. The nonpartisan, nonprofit group notes that the colleges motto is Expression Necessary to Evolution.

The mobile billboard can be found circling Emersons campus on January 19 and 20, while the subway ads at Boylston and Tufts Medical will be in place until at least February 14.

More from National Review
Airlines for weeks have warned of looming travel trouble due to Wednesday's 5G network rollout, predicting flight chaos in the US and the stranding of Americans overseas as planes were grounded over safety concerns.

The industry got a reprieve on Tuesday when AT&T and Verizon agreed to delay the rollout of 5G within two miles of airports. But that doesn't mean travelers are off the hook.

Several international airlines said they still plan to suspend some flights to the U.S. beginning Wednesday due to 5G deployment. The industry's concern: The frequency could interfere with airplane systems that measure altitude.

Air India announced on Twitter that it would cease flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Chicagos O'Hare International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

Why your 5G phone concerns the airline industry: What we know about the impact on travel, flights and more

Opinion: The FAA says 5G could interfere with planes. Is the concern warranted?

Emirates is suspending flights to nine U.S. destinations due to operational concerns with the planned 5G deployment: Boston, Chicago, Dallas Fort-Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Seattle. Its flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., will continue to operate as scheduled.

The airline said in a statement that it is working closely with airplane manufacturers and aviation authorities on the issue and hopes to resume the flights "as soon as possible.''

#FlyAI: Due to deployment of the 5G communications in USA,we will not be able to operate the following flights of 19th Jan'22:



AI101/102 DEL/JFK/DEL

AI173/174 DEL/SFO/DEL

AI127/126 DEL/ORD/DEL

AI191/144 BOM/EWR/BOM



Please standby for further updates.https://t.co/Cue4oHChwx  Air India (@airindiain) January 18, 2022

Two Japanese airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, also announced that they would cancel some of their flights.

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Boeing has notified us that 5G signals for U.S. mobile phones, which will begin operating in the U.S. on January 19, 2022, may interfere with the radio wave altimeter installed on the Boeing 777, Japan Airlines said in a Tuesday statement. We have decided not to use this aircraft-type on the U.S. mainland routes until safety is confirmed.

All Nippon Airways canceled eight U.S. flights between Tuesday and Wednesday but plans to return to normal operations starting Thursday, according to an emailed statement.

FAA directive: Airlines with certain Boeing jets need to take 5G precautions

Overall, there were 978 canceled Wednesday flights to, from and within the U.S. canceled as of 2:50 p.m.ET, according to FlightAware.

Are US airlines canceling flights due to the 5G rollout?

Delta Air Lines warned late Tuesday that weather-related flight cancellations are a possibility as the 5G network rolls out.

That's because the airport reprieve granted by Verizon and AT&T only applies to certain U.S. airports.

Flights in and out of other airports, the airline said in a statement, could still be impacted by FAA rules that restrict flight activity under various weather conditions once 5G is switched on because of "limited interference with altitude instruments.''

"As such, Delta is taking the necessary steps to ensure safety remains the priority in compliance with FAA guidelines,'' Delta's statement said.

American Airlines has seen "minor operational impact," including some delays and four cancellations to its mainline fleet, according to a memo Chief Operating Officer David Seymour sent employees Wednesday.

But with the FAA rolling out updated operating requirements for various aircraft, Seymour said American should be able to operate its planes as normal "at the majority of airports" once the requirements are implemented. He expects more aircraft to receive updates from the FAA "very soon."

The FAA on Wednesday approved roughly 62% of the U.S. commercial fleet to perform low visibility landings at airports where 5G has been deployed but warned that flights at "some airports" may still be affected.

The potential 5G flight fallout is on some travelers' minds.

In response to a Southwest Airlines tweet about a spring fare sale, someone posted this reply: "What about the whole 5G Wednesday thingy?''

The airline offered a generic reply: Check your flight status.

InsureMyTrip, a shopping site for travel insurance, said its customer service center has fielded calls from travelers wondering about coverage for 5G flight cancellations or delays.

What about the whole 5G Wednesday thingy? https://t.co/ujthiMTUTL   (@GoSavageGIRLs) January 18, 2022

What happens if my flight is canceled due to 5G issues?

Travelers with upcoming flights need to keep an eye on their flight status, especially when flying internationally as the impact so far mainly impacts widebody jets.

Airlines are required to provide refunds, not just travel credits, if they cancel a flight.

Delta said it will issue travel waivers in advance of any 5G-related cancellations that will allow travelers to make flight changes without paying a fare difference. The airline and other major airlines already eliminated ticket change fees on most tickets during the pandemic.

The airline said it will also automatically rebook travelers whose flights are canceled on the next available flight. Passengers should check their email or Delta's mobile app for cancellation alerts.

Airline cancel your flight? Here's what you're owed

Contributing: Eve Chen

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flight cancellations: Airlines make cuts as Verizon, AT&T roll out 5G
Former Arizona prisons Director Charles Ryan is facing possible felony charges after an armed standoff with police at his residence.

Tempe police said in a statement on Wednesday they had submitted several charges to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. "After a comprehensive review of police reports, body worn camera footage, and witness interviews, the Tempe Police Department has submitted the following charges against Charles Ryan; Two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, and one count of unlawful discharge of a firearm."

A spokesperson for the county attorney said they were still reviewing the submission, but said potential sentences for the felonies could range anywhere from probation to more than 10 years in prison.

Ryan was arrested after an hourslong armed standoff with police at his Tempe residence earlier this month. In a statement, Tempe police said they responded to "reports of a subject with possible self-inflicted gunshot wound."

Tempe police responded to the area near East Warner Road and South Rural Road around 9:30 p.m. According to the release, Ryan was armed inside his home.

Ryan's wife and adult daughter exited the residence after the police arrived, police said.

According to the release, after trying to communicate with Ryan, he "opened the door leading from the house into the garage and pointed what officers determined to be a gun at officers standing behind the rear of an armored vehicle."

Have a news tip on Arizona prisons? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or at 812-243-5582. Follow him on Twitter @JimmyJenkins.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Arizona prisons Director Charles Ryan faces felony charges
A 22-year-old Fort Myers motorcyclist was killed Tuesday night in a crash on Alico Road at Phlox Drive.

A 22-year-old Fort Myers man was killed Tuesday night in a motorcycle and van crash on Alico Road at Phlox Drive.

The crash shortly before 8 p.m. shut down a portion of eastbound Alico for an extended time for a Florida Highway Patrol investigation.

At the scene Tuesday night Matthew Malave identified the victim as Devin Cubow.

Malave said Cubow was his co-worker at a local automotive repair and alterations shop, had just left work and was riding his motorcycle east on Alico to meet with friends when the crash happened.

"He was going out to Twin Peaks," Malave said. "And he never made it."

By the way: Florida Highway Patrol: A Lehigh Acres man dies in ATV crash Sunday

And: Lehigh Acres man causes 3-car crash after fatal medical episode; becomes second road fatality of 2022 in Lee

Lee 2021 traffic deaths: Lee County's 2021 started, ended with child traffic deaths; road fatalities in triple-digits

The white work van involved in the crash was parked outside the left turn lane from Alico onto Phlox with major damage to its front.

A report Wednesday morning from the FHP said the motorcyclist was traveling east on Alico approaching Phlox at a high rate of speed.

The van, driven by a 62-year-old from Fort Myers, was westbound on Alico and in the left turn lane to Phlox.

The van made to turn left onto Phlox in front of the motorcycle and the bike collided with the van.

Cubow died at the scene. The driver of the van was not injured.

The FHP said the crash remains under investigation.

The fatality was the sixth on Lee County's roads for 2022.

Connect with breaking news reporter Michael Braun: MichaelBraunNP (Facebook), @MichaelBraunNP (Twitter) or mbraun@news-press.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers man killed in crash on Alico Road at Phlox Drive on Tuesday




The French Senate on Tuesday voted to ban headscarves during sport competitions.

In a 160-143 vote, the Senate passed an amendment saying "the wearing of the veil in sports competitions" is prohibited, The Associated Press reported.

"Today, there is legal uncertainty about the wearing of religious symbols, and it is necessary for the state to clearly define the rules," the amendment says. "If the wearing of the veil is not explicitly forbidden, we could see the emergence of community sports clubs promoting certain religious signs."

The amendment states people should be freely allowed to practice their religion but shouldn't outwardly show their differences.

The amendment could still be removed, as the lower House and Senate need to rectify the differences in the texts between the two before it can be published, according to the AP.

The move follows other rules banning religious symbols in France, including in schools.

French President Emmanuel Macron has made it a point to combat Islamic extremism after recent terror attacks, but many say the country has gone too far.

It is unclear if the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris would be affected by this amendment. The French soccer federation already banned veils during games, according to the AP.
Georgetown Speedway has been purchased by an investment group including Brett Deyo, the tracks manager and promoter for the past five years.

The agreement solidifies the future of the Sussex County property for auto racing, Deyo said in a news release Tuesday night.

Until now, Deyo, of BD Motorsports Media, had been operating the track under a lease agreement with owner Seacoast Investors. That limited the improvements he could make at the track, he said.

The purchase will allow us to seriously evaluate the needs of the facility and make upgrades for the future, Deyo said.

He will continue to manage the track.

Brett Deyo has been managing and promoting the historic Georgetown Speedway for five years. Now, he's also a co-owner.

The four-parcel property north of Georgetown, surrounded on three sides by Route 113, Speedway Road and Bethesda Road, changed hands Dec. 30, 2021, according to Sussex County records. Seacoast Investments sold the land to Parkada Investments for $1.55 million.

Parkada Investments registered agent is James Parker of Millsboro, owner of Jim Parker Builders. When approached, Ken Adams, owner of several Georgetown businesses including Stockley Materials and Melvin L. Joseph Construction Company, also confirmed his involvement in the speedway purchase.

Adams is the grandson of Melvin Joseph, who first opened the track in 1950. Neither he nor Parker immediately returned calls for comment.

RELATED: Delaware dirt tracks draw in new racing fans. Now they're making moves to keep them

Dover Downs converting to Bally's Dover Casino Resort as parent company continues to grow

Seacoast Investments doesnt have an individual registered agent. Deyo said previously the group is comprised of six people that live out of state. They planned to develop the race track property, Deyo said, but that never came to fruition.

Georgetown Speedways 2022 season will begin March 10 with Melvin L. Joseph Memorial Weekend. The headlining race will offer the largest purse in Delaware dirt-track history, according to Deyo. Winnings range from $25,000 for first place to $1,000 for 16th.

Story continues

View the season schedule here.

MORE: Millsboro man becomes fourth Delawarean charged in Jan. 6 storming of U.S. Capitol

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Georgetown Speedway sold to local investment group
BERLIN (Reuters) - Former German chancellor Angela Merkel has turned down the offer of a job at the United Nations, her office said on Wednesday, a month after she stepped down as Europe's most powerful politician after 16 years at the helm.

Merkel, 67, called U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week to thank him for the job he had offered her in a letter and to tell him she would not accept it, the office said, without elaborating.

German media reported that Guterres had offered Merkel the chair of a high-level U.N. advisory body on global public goods, one of his flagship reform projects. It will focus on issues including the ozone layer, vaccines and outer space debris.

Merkel, a conservative, has stayed out of the political spotlight since handing over Germany's chancellorship to Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat.

She is working on a political memoir with her long-time aide, according to an interview in Der Spiegel, but little more is known about Merkel's life in retirement.

(Reporting by Miranda Murray and Andreas Rinke; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Washington's dilemma in dealing with COVID-19

08:43, January 19, 2022 By Sun Yi ( Xinhua

A person is swabbed at a COVID-19 testing site on Times Square in New York, the United States, Jan. 9, 2022. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

"The United States today is, once again, headed for civil war, and, once again, it cannot bear to face it. The political problems are both structural and immediate, the crisis both longstanding and accelerating. The American political system has become so overwhelmed by anger that even the most basic tasks of government are increasingly impossible," said Stephen Marche, author of the book "The Next Civil War."

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has recorded over 65 million confirmed cases and 850,000 related deaths, both ranking the first in the world, according to statistics released by Johns Hopkins University on Monday.

In a country considered the most developed in the world with a leading health care system, the government's botched COVID-19 response is yet another testament to the dysfunction of U.S. democracy.

DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM IN TROUBLE AGAIN

In an article published on Jan. 4 on the website of The Guardian newspaper, Stephen Marche, author of the book "The Next Civil War," warned that the next U.S. civil war is already here -- "we just refuse to see it."

"The United States today is, once again, headed for civil war, and, once again, it cannot bear to face it. The political problems are both structural and immediate, the crisis both longstanding and accelerating. The American political system has become so overwhelmed by anger that even the most basic tasks of government are increasingly impossible," said Marche.

Photo taken on March 11, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

"The legal system grows less legitimate by the day. Trust in government at all levels is in freefall, or, like Congress, with approval ratings hovering around 20 percent, cannot fall any lower," he added.

"Right now, elected sheriffs openly promote resistance to federal authority. Right now, militias train and arm themselves in preparation for the fall of the Republic. Right now, doctrines of a radical, unachievable, messianic freedom spread across the internet, on talk radio, on cable television, in the malls," he added.

"Under such conditions, party politics have become mostly a distraction. The parties and the people in the parties no longer matter much, one way or the other. Blaming one side or the other offers a perverse species of hope," he noted.

Last year, after the Delta variant caused a new wave of outbreaks in the southern states, home to low vaccination rates, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a vaccine injunction, originally scheduled to be implemented from Jan. 4 this year. However, a number of Republican-run state governments took the issue to court and halted the mandate.

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about the U.S. political system. A December poll last year by Schoen Cooperman Research found that a majority of Americans now believe democracy in the United State is in danger of disappearing, with those aged 18 to 29 expressing the most concern.

"ENTROPY OF CONSTRAINT" INCREASES IN U.S.

"Entropy" is originally a physical concept, which represents the disorder or randomness of a system. The higher the entropy, the more chaotic it is. How to bolster the "Entropy Reduction Mechanism" for all parties to better coordinate and eliminate buck-passing is a major issue facing many governments. Clearly, the U.S. government must reduce its entropy.

A medical worker takes a nasal swab sample from a man for COVID-19 testing in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

"The pandemic has proved to be a nearly two-year stress test that the United States flunked, with an already distrustful populace exposed to a level of institutional failure that added fuel to the angry battles over how to respond," said Zeynep Tufekci, an opinion columnist, in an article in The New York Times.

The United States is "bankrupt" in trust as its people have lost confidence during the pandemic, the columnist said, citing Martin Cetron, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention veteran of battles against Ebola in Africa.

"America's pandemic playbook assumed the U.S. could take collective action. The country proved that wrong," correspondent German Lopez wrote in a story posted on news website Vox.

"Whenever collective action is called for, Americans don't do it -- or, at the very least, don't do it sufficiently. America is too politicized, fractured, and, above all, individualistic for a collective move to save it," said Lopez.

"America's federalist structure also makes collective action, handed down from the federal level, extremely difficult. That's the context in which one very loud politician or a handful of contrarian states have managed to throw the collective project into chaos over the last year and a half," he said.

With the absence of a national strategy at the federal level, states and cities were largely left on their own in battling the pandemic in a disjointed, piecemeal fashion, which proved to be woefully inadequate.

As of Saturday, nearly 40 percent of the population in the United States is still not fully vaccinated.

Carlos del Rio, executive associate dean of the Emory School of Medicine and Grady Health System in Georgia, told Xinhua last month that the main reasons for the recent surge were increasing transmissibility of new variants, seasonality of the pandemic which sees the number of cases increasing in colder weather, and the number of unvaccinated.

"Mandates are important to get more people vaccinated," del Rio told Xinhua. "Getting more people vaccinated through mandates and requirements, providing boosting and making rapid testing readily available are the priorities," he said.

"A more united front (to fight the pandemic) would be very nice. Unfortunately the politicization of the pandemic has been an issue from the start and will continue to be so," del Rio noted.

INTENSIFIED SOCIAL FRAGMENTATION

When a pandemic raging, should the government save the people or save the market first? Which is more important, pandemic prevention and control or economic recovery? These are two must-answer questions in the global fight against COVID-19.

A woman walks past the Wall Street Charging Bull in New York, the United States, Dec. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

For the United States, protecting the economy is more important than saving lives and saving the stock market is more important than ending the epidemic, clearly exposing the selfish nature of capitalism.

Neoliberalism advocates laissez-faire market economy. In the past decades, American economic governance has been deeply influenced by neoliberalism, and the decline of people's livelihoods in the "Rust Belt" region and the prosperity of Wall Street have become the epitome of social imbalance.

In this regard, American economist Heather Boushey said that to completely transform the American economy, policymakers should understand that the market cannot play the role of government.

Most medical institutions and medical insurance companies in the United States are privately owned, and the cost of medical care is high. About 25 million people belonging to vulnerable groups cannot afford insurance. Many infected people become sources of infection themselves because of the difficulty of securing timely treatment, thus accelerating the spread of the virus.

According to the CDC, Hispanics have twice the risk of contracting COVID-19 and 2.3 times the risk of dying from the virus compared to Whites. Native Americans and African Americans are also at higher risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19 than Whites.

While low-income groups are under the pressure of unemployment, poverty and high infection risk, from March 2020 to January 2021 the total wealth of more than 600 American billionaires increased from about 2.947 trillion U.S. dollars to 4.085 trillion, an increase of 38.6 percent, all thanks to the generous financial rescue aid of the U.S. government.

In addition, some politicians have taken advantage of anti-intellectual and populist sentiments in the United States to spread anti-science rhetoric in an attempt to deflect blame for the government's failure to contain the virus.

"The fact that the United States fared so poorly ... is a profound sign of how decayed our institutions and capacity have become," said opinion writer Tufekci.

(Web editor: Peng yukai, Liang Jun)
Less than two months after reaching a deal to sell its longtime Northbrook campus, insurance giant Allstate has acquired an office building in Chicagos Loop, which may serve as its new headquarters.

Allstate purchased the 10-story building at 29 N. Wacker Drive for an undisclosed price, the company announced Tuesday.

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We are in discussions with the City of Chicago about potential uses for the building, which could become an investment property, a space to consolidate our existing downtown offices or our new headquarters, Allstate said in an emailed statement.

This April 7, 2020, file photo shows an Allstate sign in Northbrook, Ill. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

Built in 1961, the nearly 134,000-square-foot jewel box office building in the West Loop was marketed by JLL and is 63% leased, according to its online listing. A JLL spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sale.

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Allstate currently leases Chicago office space in River Point, at 444 W. Lake St., and the Merchandise Mart.

In November, Allstate reached an agreement to sell its Northbrook headquarters for $232 million to an industrial developer that plans to turn the corporate campus into a massive logistics facility. The company announced the sale as the majority of its employees continue to work remotely during the pandemic.

The sale to Nevada-based Dermody Properties, which specializes in e-commerce and logistics sites, encompasses the majority of the sprawling campus along I-294 in an unincorporated area of the northern suburb. The transaction is expected to close this year.

Dermody plans to invest more than $500 million, including land acquisition, to redevelop the Allstate campus as a logistics and fulfillment operation, expediting delivery of products to consumers and businesses in the Chicago area, the company told the Tribune.

Allstate has been a Northbrook corporate fixture since 1967, when it moved its offices from Skokie to a six-building complex on a 122-acre campus. Northbrook remains Allstates corporate headquarters for now, as the insurance company continues to move out of the complex over a period of months, the company said.

Founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Allstate remains one of the nations largest publicly held personal insurers. Allstate has 7,892 employees in Illinois and more than 44,000 across the U.S., according to its website.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
The New York Giants announced on Wednesday that a second interview with Kansas City Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles has been concluded.

Like Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen before him, Poles met with the Giants in person this time around. Previously, he was among nine who interviewed for the vacant GM job virtually.

As part of his second interview, Poles met face-to-face with team co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, vice president of player evaluation Chris Mara, who has no authority, and several other members of the organization.

Poles is currently in his 12th season with the Chiefs and first as executive director of player personnel.

Prior to 2021, Poles served as a scouting assistant (2009-2012), college scouting coordinator (2010-2016), director of college scouting (2016-2018) and assistant director of player personnel (2018-2020).

A native New Yorker who was born in Canandaigua, Poles graduated from Boston College in 2007 with a degree in communications.

San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters will meet with the Giants in East Rutherford on Thursday.

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Alphabets Google has hired former PayPal executive Arnold Goldberg to run its payments division, Google confirmed to CoinDesk on Wednesday. The search giant had previously retreated from a push into banking, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the news of the hire.

Goldbergs hire is part of a broader strategy for the company to incorporate a wider range of financial services, including cryptocurrencies, Googles president of commerce, Bill Ready, told Bloomberg. Google has historically avoided offering crypto as part of its financial services.

Crypto is something we pay a lot of attention to, Ready told Bloomberg. As user demand and merchant demand evolves, well evolve with it." Google declined to provide additional detail to CoinDesk about its crypto plans.

Arnold previously served as the chief product architect and general manager at PayPal, where he led the companys core checkout and merchant services businesses.

Late last year crypto platform Bakkt said its virtual Visa debit card would be available for use on Google Pay online and in stores. Bakkts Google Pay support follows in the footsteps of Coinbase, which rolled out support for Apple Pay and Google Pay for its Coinbase Cards earlier this year. Google is also working with Bitpay and Gemini to support their crypto cards, meaning that people who use these cards can add them to Google Pay, but the transaction is in fiat currencies, according to a Google spokesperson.

Ready told Bloomberg that Google is looking to do more of these types of partnerships with crypto companies, though Google still isnt accepting crypto for transactions.

CORRECTION (Jan. 19, 18:46 UTC): A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Google's partnership with Coinbase and BitPay allowed users to store crypto assets on Google's digital cards.

UPDATE (Jan. 19, 18:46 UTC): Added confirmation of hiring from Google, more info about Arnold's background and comments from the company.
A Hartford school where a student suffered a deadly overdose last week reopened Wednesday after a two-hour delay.

The delay allowed school staff to prepare for students return to the Sport and Medical Science Academy, where a seventh grader ingested what police say was fentanyl Thursday and later died. Two other seventh-graders were exposed to the potent drug and were treated at Connecticut Childrens and released.

Police said they found close to 40 bags of the synthetic opioid in different locations in the magnet school at 280 Huyshope Ave. The school was closed for extensive decontamination since students were dismissed Thursday afternoon.

Based on the results of a second sampling and test, analyzed by a state certified lab, health officials have determined that the building can now be reoccupied, said Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, superintendent of schools, Tuesday. As a reminder from last evenings family meeting, the school has been completely and thoroughly decontaminated and cleaned. It is now safe for all students and staff to return.

Midterms were postponed, and students were scheduled to have an extended advisory period to give them a chance to celebrate and honor our student who passed away, she said.

In addition, 14 extra support staff planned to be on site, including social workers and school counselors, and therapy dogs were ready to be at the school throughout the day, Torres-Rodriguez said.

New safety measures also were in place. An additional school safety officer was scheduled to be at the building, and Hartford police are providing a patrol car during arrival and dismissal the rest of the week, the superintendent said.

Random safety screenings also were scheduled, she said. These were to include bag searches and the use of wand-style metal detectors.

The overdose happened about 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The boy collapsed in gym class and was unresponsive, officials said.

A school nurse initiated CPR until fire department personnel arrived and took over. Firefighters were relieved by medics, and the boy was rushed to the hospital. He died days later.

Story continues

When staff learned that the boy had ingested drugs, they sought out and found the other two boys who had been with him earlier, officials said.

The other two students, who never lost consciousness, were together in a classroom in a different part of the school at the time the boy collapsed, officials said.

Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
A homeless man has been charged with the murder of a nurse who he allegedly punched in an unprovoked attack at a Los Angeles bus stop causing her to fall and hit her head on the sidewalk.

Kerry Bell, 48, was arrested a short time after the attack on 70-year-old Sandra Shells, who died three days later at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where she worked for 38-years.

Police say a homeless man killed Sandra Shells, 70, who had worked at an LA hospital for 38 years (KABC)

Mr Bell was expected to be arraigned in downtown Los Angeles later on Tuesday, according to the District Attorneys Office.

He is accused of attacking Ms Shells, who friends said was soon to retire, without reason at a bus stop near the citys Union Station as she waited to catch a bus to work.

In a statement following her death on Sunday, hospital officials said she would forever be remembered for her compassionate care and unmatched dedication to her patients and her community.

Sandra worked tirelessly and selflessly to keep her patients safe and healthy and will always be remembered as a kind, compassionate and giving nurse with a helpful and thoughtful nature who was a favorite amongst colleagues and patients, said hospital officials.

There will never be enough words to express our gratitude for her tremendous work and dedication.

Sandra Shells unselfishly dedicated her life to caring for others in their time of need, District Attorney Gascon said in a statement following the charging of the suspect.

To lose such a valuable member of our community is tragic and my office will hold accountable the person responsible for her death.

Authorities say that the suspect has a criminal record with multiple violent crimes.

Meanwhile, A manhunt is underway for a suspect accused of stabbing 24-year-old Brianna Kupfer to death at the furniture store where she worked in Los Angeles.

Ms Kupfer, a graduate student at the University of California - Los Angeles, was alone on a shift at the Croft House showroom on 13 January when a masked man walked in and attacked her, police said.

Story continues

She was found bleeding out on the floor by a customer 20 minutes later and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nearly a week later, the assailant, believed to be a homeless man, is still at large after surveillance video captured him leaving the shop through a back door and walking calmly down an alley.

In addition to a $50,000 reward from the city council, private donations for information relating to the capture of the suspect have now taken the total to in excess of $250,00.
A high-speed chase that had Idaho State Police officers racing close to 120 mph led to the arrest of a California fugitive, according to a news release from the department.

The 44-year-old man was charged with two felonies, including possession of a controlled substance and eluding an officer, the release said. The suspect was found to be a fugitive from California on an outstanding warrant for drug-related charges, according to online court records.

The suspect was also charged with a misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. A further investigation by state police found he was in possession of methamphetamine, according to the release. He was booked into Ada County Jail and his bail was set at $100,000 Tuesday.

The Ada Countys Prosecutors Office also dismissed a felony fugitive charge Tuesday, after the suspect waived his right to an extradition hearing.

High-speed chase on I-84 leads to arrest

At approximately 7:15 p.m. Monday, an ISP trooper attempted to stop the suspects vehicle for an expired registration on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 84, according to the news release. The suspect failed to stop  at points going up to 120 mph  and continued east into Elmore County, according to police.

The man told officers that he thought he was driving 150 mph because he thought officers would not pursue him if he was driving faster than 130 mph, according to the Ada County Prosecutors Office. The posted speed limit along that portion of I-84 varies from 65 mph to 80 mph.

The Elmore County Sheriffs Office and Mountain Home Police assisted in the arrest, with Elmore County placing spike strips to stop the Mercedes sedan.

In July 2021, vehicle pursuits prompted scrutiny as a pair of police shootings each followed a brief chase. The Boise Police Department states officers should not begin a vehicle pursuit for any minor traffic infractions, suspected misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies, according to a 2019 policy and procedures manual.

ISP spokesperson Lynn Hightower told the Idaho Statesman by phone that any non-moving violation  like an expired registration  is grounds for a traffic stop. A pursuit involves a lot of factors, including the suspects own actions, Hightower said.
(Reuters) - The Indian drug regulator's subject expert committee on Wednesday recommended full approval for Covishield and Covaxin, the two COVID-19 vaccines that have dominated the country's inoculation drive.

Covishield, developed by the University of Oxford and Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc, is produced in India by the Serum Institute of India. Covaxin, India's first home-grown coronavirus shot, was developed by privately owned Bharat Biotech.

The committee advised that the Drugs Controller General of India upgrade the status of the two shots from restricted use in emergencies for adults, the regulator said on Twitter.

Covaxin and Covishield received emergency use authorisation in India in January 2021, with more than a combined 1.5 billion doses having been administered so far, according to government data.

The Serum Institute has nearly quadrupled its monthly capacity of AstraZeneca's shots to as many as 240 million doses and is prepared to export "large volumes" from January, its CEO told Reuters in October.

(Reporting by Leroy Leo; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)
Bosho ("hello" in Potawatomi) and migwetch ("thank you") for reading the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter.

Indigenous people face a range of health disparities, but this week, were looking at what some Indigenous people in Wisconsin are doing to address that, as highlighted in some of our recent stories.

Experts say representation in health care matters, especially in understanding some cultural nuances.

American Indians and Alaska Natives make up about 1.7% of the U.S. population, but only make up about 0.4% of the physician workforce.

Dr. Amy DeLong, of the Ho-Chunk Nation, defied the odds by rising from poverty to become one of the 3,400 Indigenous physicians in the U.S.

She overcame self-doubt, embraced her Indigenous roots and now is working to reduce and eliminate health inequities in Wisconsin as a member of the governors Health Equity Council.

Also from the Ho-Chunk Nation, Capt. James D. Warner was recently commended by the Department of Homeland Security for leading a Coast Guard rescue mission and medical team that saved the lives of hundreds of people during a hurricane in the Bahamas. He plans to eventually return to Wisconsin to serve as a doctor for the Ho-Chunk people.

Heart disease and cancer are among the leading causes of death for Indigenous people and they're more than three times more likely to die from diabetes than white people.

But Potawatomi officials believe they have a plan to address that. It starts with an Indigenous, organic farm on tribal land in Forest County.

The Potawatomi farm provides healthy, Indigenous foods to tribal citizens in an area considered a food desert in northern Wisconsin.

In Milwaukee, my colleague, Sarah Volpenhein, wrote about Lyle Ignace, who is following in his footsteps and helping to grow the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center in the city into an all-encompassing resource for Native people.

If you like this newsletter, please invite a friend to subscribe to it. As an incentive for readers to turn toward our publications for coverage on Indigenous Wisconsin, Id like to point out a subscription sale  $1 buys a six-month digital subscription.

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And if you have tips or suggestions for this newsletter, please email me at fvaisvilas@gannett.com.

About me

I'm Frank Vaisvilas, a Report For America corps member based at the Green Bay Press-Gazette covering Native American issues in Wisconsin. You can reach me at 920-228-0437 or fvaisvilas@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin Native American healthcare workers target health disparities
Iran joins a host of countries seeking to launch a central bank digital currency (CBDC) due to severe financial strain caused by economic sanctions imposed by the United States.

A report published by the Iranian Labour News Agency said Mehran Moharamian, the CBI vice Governor for IT Affairs, believes cryptocurrencies are a solution for decentralising resources, and adoption globally would see many countries benefit from it.

Iran was among the first countries to legalise Bitcoin mining as a way to alleviate the financial burdens the country faced but were forced to shut down operations numerous times due to constant power outages.

The nation issued 1,000 cryptocurrency mining licenses in 2020 following news that Chinese miners fled Iran due to tension with the US over the assassination of a top Iranian official as well as an Iranian attack on an American military base.

Who is introducing CBDCs?

CBDCs have no doubt caught the attention of many countries around the world with nearly 100 nations working on a sovereign digital currency with a few set to launch its pilot program this year.

China is ahead of the pack with plans to release a e-CNY digital currency by February and having already released a digital yuan wallet, which reached 16 million downloads in just its first week of availability.

Kazakhstan and Russia will both look to release a pilot testing of their respective CBDCs in early 2022 with the former to decide whether to fully launch its CBDC by the end of 2022.
The Chicago Public Media board voted Tuesday evening to move forward with its acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times, combining the long-struggling daily newspaper with resurgent public radio station WBEZ-FM 91.5 as one nonprofit multimedia newsroom.

The transaction is expected to close by Jan. 31, creating a potentially groundbreaking model for the future of local journalism.

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This is an important step to grow and strengthen local journalism in Chicago, Matt Moog, CEO of Chicago Public Media, parent company of WBEZ, said in a news release.

Chicago Sun-Times signs at Answers Media offices in Chicago in 2017. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

The proposed merger was first announced in September, when Chicago Public Media and the Sun-Times signed a nonbinding letter of intent. The radio and newspaper would operate separately under the Chicago Public Media banner, while sharing content and resources across multiple platforms.

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Both WBEZ and the Sun-Times will launch a nationwide search for executive editors to lead their respective newsrooms, Chicago Public Media said.

Moog, a Chicago tech entrepreneur who was elevated from interim to permanent CEO of Chicago Public Radio in September, will continue in that role. Nykia Wright will remain CEO of the Sun-Times, reporting to Moog. Chicago Public Media will establish a separate nonprofit board for the Sun-Times.

WBEZ, Chicagos NPR station, has beefed up its local news staff in recent years and bolstered its ratings. The station is tied for 3rd in Chicago with a 5.1 share in December, according to Nielsen.

The combined entities will have nearly 300 employees, with no plans for staff reductions post-merger, Betsy Berger, a Chicago Public Media spokeswoman, said Tuesday.

Chicago Public Media has sought significant philanthropic support for the partnership. Michael Sacks, chairman and CEO of Chicago-based asset management firm GCM Grosvenor and a Sun-Times investor, helped secure the agreement to transfer the newspapers assets and committed significant future financial support, according to Chicago Public Media.

Other financial supporters include the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Pritzker Traubert Foundation. Chicago Public Media declined to disclose the funding raised to date for the project.

The pending merger comes as traditional news media struggle to navigate the digital age, and the Chicago market is roiled by ownership changes, downsizing and declining revenue. Moving the Sun-Times to a nonprofit model follows the path of the Salt Lake Tribune, the first major daily newspaper to make the transition in 2019.

The Sun-Times has a long and colorful history, most of it written in red ink during the new millennium.

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Founded in 1948 by Marshall Field III, the Sun-Times has had a succession of owners, including media baron Rupert Murdoch, who bought it in 1984. Murdoch was forced to sell the Sun-Times in 1986 after acquiring WFLD-Ch. 32 because of Federal Communications Commission cross-ownership restrictions.

In 2009, a group led by former Mesirow CEO Jim Tyree rescued the Sun-Times from bankruptcy, paying $5 million in cash and taking on $20 million in liabilities.

Wrapports, a local investor group headed by tech entrepreneur Michael Ferro, stepped up after Tyrees death to buy the Sun-Times and 38 suburban newspapers for about $20 million in December 2011.

The suburban papers were sold to the Chicago Tribune for $23.5 million in 2014. Ferro sold his interests in Wrapports and became chairman and the largest Tribune Publishing shareholder in 2016.

In 2017, an investor group that included the Chicago Federation of Labor bought the money-losing Sun-Times and other assets from Wrapports for $1, after Tribune Publishing was thwarted in its own bid to buy the newspaper by Justice Department antitrust concerns.

We should all be grateful to the papers current investors for finding the best path forward from the perspective of all of the constituents of the Sun-Times, Jorge Ramirez, current Sun-Times board chairman, said in the news release.

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rchannick@chicagotribune.com
The Israeli flag





A Cabinet minister in Israel denied that police used spyware on protesters following reports published in an Israeli newspaper earlier this week.

In a Wednesday interview with Army Radio, Omer Barlev, who is in charge of the police in Israel, said that most of the claims "are simply erroneous," according to The Associated Press.

"There was no surveillance, no hacking of any phone of any protester in any protest," Barlev said. "It's against the law."

His remarks come after Israeli newspaper Calcalist reported on Tuesday that Israeli police allegedly used Pegasus spyware on its citizens.

Specifically, the newspaper said that the spyware was used to monitor anti-government protest leaders and others. It added that the police did not always obtain the proper legal authorization for their actions.

The police denied the accusations in the report and said their operations were lawful. Meanwhile, the NSO Group, which developed the Pegasus spyware, said it does not identify its clients, the AP reported.

Barlev also said the attorney general on Tuesday requested that police formally respond to the report's claims.

Gideon Sa'ar, the country's justice minister, said an "unbridgeable gap" existed between the newspaper's report and the police's claims, noting that the attorney general was also investigating the newspaper's findings, the wire service added.

He also said the Justice Ministry was unaware of any instances of surveillance that lacked court authorization but added that the accusations were under an independent investigation by Israel's State Comptroller, the AP reported.

NSO technology is blacklisted in the United States, and it has sparked global controversy given its use to spy on journalists and human rights activists.
By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) -A jailed French tourist in Iran, Benjamin Briere, will appear before a Revolutionary Court on Thursday on spying charges, his lawyer said on Wednesday, over a year after his arrest while operating a remote-controlled mini helicopter in a desert area.

"Benjamin will attend the court to be tried for spying and acting against national security charges," one of his lawyers Saeid Dehghan told Reuters.

Briere has been held since May 2020, when he was arrested after flying a helicam - a remote-controlled mini helicopter used to obtain aerial or motion images - in the desert near the Turkmenistan-Iran border. He was charged with espionage and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic".

His trial comes as the United States and parties to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal including France are trying to restore the pact, which was abandoned in 2018 by then-U.S. president Donald Trump.

Irans elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners in recent years, mostly on espionage charges.

Rights activists have accused Iran of arresting dual citizens and foreigners to try to win concessions from other countries. Tehran denies holding people for political reasons.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Hugh Lawson, William Maclean)
Although the FBI initially said the man who held four people hostage at a Texas synagogue was focused on an issue not specifically related to the Jewish community, the captor voiced beliefs that Jews controlled the world and had the power to arrange the release of a prisoner, survivors said after their escape.

The gunmans words were all too familiar to Jewish leaders and terror experts, who saw the attack on Congregation Beth Israel as yet another in the rising number of antisemitic hate crimes, a sign of the continued need of vigilance and interfaith solidarity.

The hostage-taker  identified by authorities as Malik Faisal Akram  "thought he could come into a synagogue, and we could get on the phone with the Chief Rabbi of America and he would get what he needed, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker told the Forward, a Jewish news site.

The hourslong standoff ended after the last hostage ran out of the Colleyville synagogue and an FBI SWAT team rushed in. Akram was killed, though authorities have declined to say who shot him.

The attack recalled recent deadly assaults on synagogues, including Pittsburgh's Tree of Life in 2018 and California's Chabad of Poway in 2019. Unlike those attacks, when assailants linked to white nationalist motives went on shooting rampages soon after entering, Akram took hostages to have them to use their influence to obtain the release of Aafia Siddiqui.

Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is suspected of having ties to al-Qaida and was convicted of trying to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan, is serving a lengthy sentence in a prison in nearby Fort Worth.

Jeffrey Cohen, another of the synagogue hostages, said Akram did not come there to kill Jews but tried to use them in the belief they could get Siddiqui released.

Akram "had bought into the extremely dangerous, antisemitic trope that Jews control everything, that we could call President (Joe) Biden and have him release her, Cohen told the Times of Israel.

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Lorenzo Vidino, director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, said that while only Akram himself knew his motives, his words reflect a misguided and conspiratorial mindset.

The idea that Jews are overwhelmingly, disproportionately powerful and control America is completely mainstream in some politically Islamist factions, similar to tropes among white nationalists, he said.

And he said Siddiquis case is a cause celebre in those factions. Siddiqui herself voiced chilling words at her court proceedings, blaming her conviction on Israel and asking for genetic tests on jurors for possible Jewish connections, he said.

On Saturday, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Dallas field office said the hostage-taker was focused on an issue not specifically related to the Jewish community. But on Sunday, the FBI called the ordeal a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted.

Akram was looking for a Jewish target, said Nachman Shai, Israels Cabinet minister for diaspora affairs. If its not about Jews, why didnt he walk into a church, a mosque or a supermarket there?"

The attack resonated in Jewish communities across the country, including those that had been attacked before.

Its upsetting to me whenever Jews are under attack, whenever human beings are under attack, said Beth Kissileff, a Pittsburgh author and member of New Light Congregation. The congregation was one of three meeting in the Tree of Life building that lost members in the Oct. 27, 2018, attack that claimed 11 lives.

She hopes survivors of the Pittsburgh attack  who were consoled in 2018 by Muslim survivors of a deadly mosque attack in Quebec  can offer similar support to those in Colleyville. "People reached out to us, and we want to reach out," she said.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, the denomination Beth Israel is affiliated with, noted that Muslim, Christian and other faith leaders quickly gathered to support the congregants.

While the uptick of antisemitism is clear, weve never lived in a community where theres more solidarity, he said.

Anna Eisen, the founding president of Beth Israel, experienced that first-hand, citing support from neighbors, strangers, churches, the governor and others.

I feel safer, she said. I know now Im a part of this community and this country."

Some advocacy groups and lawmakers have cited the Texas hostage situation in calling on the Senate to take up Bidens nomination of Deborah Lipstadt to serve as a special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism.

The Emory University professor's nomination languished last year, forcing Biden to resubmit her name two weeks ago. The Anti-Defamation League called on the Senate to act now to show the urgency of confronting antisemitism.

We need to treat antisemitism not as an aberration but an everyday reality," said Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive officer of the ADL.

Rabbi Noah Farkas, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, said he has been speaking with rabbinic colleagues in the wake of the Texas incident and many have trepidations about leading services.

To be a Jew in America today, to wear Jewish ritual garb like the yarmulke or a Star of David, is an act of courage, and I would say defiance as well, Farkas said.

The attack underscores how the Jewish community is an affected and targeted group, said Bradley Orsini, senior national security adviser for Secure Community Network, which consults with major Jewish organizations on security.

He took part in a weekend webinar that drew about 1,600 Jewish community leaders to update them on the Colleyville situation. We really need to keep preparedness in front of us, he said.

___

Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem; Kevin Freking, Mike Balsamo and Colleen Long in Washington; Holly Meyer in Nashville, Tennessee; Mariam Fam in Cairo; and Luis Andres Henao in Princeton, New Jersey, contributed to this report.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Arguably the most notable development of Tuesday nights Ohio State game against IUPUI took place about two hours prior to tip.

Inside an empty Value City Arena, before almost all of his fellow Buckeyes took the court for pregame warmups, Justice Sueing emerged wearing scarlet shorts and a gray, long-sleeved Ohio State shirt. For about 20 minutes, the fifth-year forward went through a battery of shooting drills in what passes for standard pregame fare.

For Sueing, though, it was the first time hed been spotted getting up gameday shots since being shut down two games into the season with what has been described as an abdominal injury. And while he would watch the entirety of an 83-37 win against the Jaguars from the Ohio State bench, it provided the first glimmer of optimism that the player pegged to a primary playmaker during the preseason might be inching closer to a return.

I think hes taking it one step at a time and evaluating how he feels, coach Chris Holtmann said. Hes getting closer to returning to practice, which is obviously close to returning to games.

No concrete timetable had been established since Sueing was shut down following the second game of the season. The 6-7, 215-pound Sueing averaged 10.7 points and 5.5 rebounds during the 2020-21 season while starting all 31 games for the Buckeyes but was hobbled late with an undisclosed groin injury. Sueing said during the preseason that he wasnt fully healed, and after he scored 12 points in 30 minutes as Ohio State beat Akron and Niagara it was clear something was off.

The decision was made to sit Sueing, and thats where hes remained. Hes had company on the extended injury list by fellow veteran Seth Towns, a forward who underwent back surgery in September and has not played yet this season.

Buckeyes basketball: Justice is more than just a name for Ohio State senior forward Sueing

Towns had been hoping to return as soon as mid-December, but that proved not to be the case. A bout with COVID-19 didnt help the situation, either.

Story continues

I think Justice is probably a little further along than Seth in his recovery, Holtmann said. I see his return to play a little bit sooner than Seths.

Ohio State basketball history: 'Cold' Jared Sullinger recalls emotional Ohio State win in last IUPUI meeting

Because the NCAA extended an extra year of eligibility for all players who played last season, both Towns and Sueing could return for another year if they would so choose. Those are not conversations Holtmann said he has had yet with either player.

Theyll have to decide if its best, he said. Seths a little older than Justice. Theyll have to decide if its best for them to return.

Holtmann said seeing Sueing have to sit out after going through the summer and preseason has been tough.

Its probably been the most Ive been disappointed for a kid in maybe 20 years of coaching, he said. Such a good player. I think he has not reached his ceiling as a player. So important for our team. Im optimistic (hell be back).

Second-year guard Meechie Johnson Jr. also missed his third straight game with a facial injury suffered during a Jan. 11 practice. He is expected to miss at least two weeks with the injury.

Buckeyes host historically poorly ranked IUPUI team

Holtmann opened his postgame press conference by thanking everyone who helped make this game come together, from the ushers and parking attendants who otherwise wouldve had Tuesday off to the Jaguars for also being willing to step outside of their league play and play the Buckeyes.

At 1-14 overall, the Jaguars entered the game ranked No. 356 out of 358 Division I teams according to KenPom.com. That made them the lowest-rated team to play the Buckeyes in the KenPom era, which dates back to the 2001-02 season.

It means that looking at the box score doesnt really reflect what Ohio State got out of the game. The primary focus was getting the Buckeyes game reps, Holtmann said, and building confident and momentum during a week that will see them play three games in seven days.

This team in particular played a unique matchup zone that we had not seen all year, Holtmann said. We had to run parts of our offense that we had not run all year. Thats one takeaway looking at different combinations, getting guys that had not game repetition, getting them game repetition. All those things.

Jimmy Sotos was one of those guys. The graduate guard had played 80 minutes all season, 20 of which came in a loss to Florida on Nov. 24, and scored 17 points while dishing out 11 assists.

Ohio State basketball: Jimmy Sotos relishes chance to shine for Ohio State against Seton Hall

Against IUPUI, Sotos played for 19:40 off the bench and finished with 7 points and nine assists, both of which are season-high totals.

Great teams take care of business, especially at home so regardless of who comes into our building were trying to take care of business, Sotos said. We got to experience some different lineups. We got to hang our hat on defense in the second half. Definitely not taking them lightly at all. It was good to get out there and play games.

Ohio State is now 9-0 at home this season.

Gene Brown replaces Justin Ahrens to open second half

High on the list of players the Buckeyes hoped to get going in this game was senior captain Justin Ahrens. Since the COVID pause, Ahrens had shot 5-for-24 (20.8%) from 3-point range, but at the half against IUPUI Ahrens had missed both of his 3-point attempts.

On the final possession of the half for the Buckeyes, Ahrens stepped out of bounds with 3.7 seconds to play to negate what wouldve been a 3-point attempt. When Ohio State returned for the second half, second-year guard Gene Brown III had replaced Ahrens in the starting lineup and he would not enter the game until the 13:40 mark.

Hes just got to cut loose and play, Holtmann said. I think hes got to pay with a little more juice, a little more confidence to him. Hes probably overthinking it a little bit.

After missing a third 3-point attempt, Ahrens got the ball on the left wing with 6:23 to go and no defender anywhere near his vicinity. He paused, took one dribble and let another one fly. This time, it found only net, and as the fans who seemingly helped to will it in cheered, Ahrens let out a visible sigh and headed back up the court. Two minutes later, he came out of the game for good.

All it takes is one, Sotos said. Just gotta hit one.

Holtmann said Ahrens is shooting well in practice and again expressed his confidence that the career 39.8% 3-point shooter will start knocking them down again in games.

Hes a tremendous shooter, Holtmann said. I really dont worry about it at all. I think hes going to hit his stride. Its the least of my concerns. The least of my concerns is Justin Ahrens shooting.

At the other end of the spectrum, Cedric Russell went 4-for-5 from 3-point range and hit his first four attempts, the last of which hit the back of the rim and fell straight through.

I mean, it was cool, man, Russell said. He actually kind of tipped the ball so I didnt think it had a chance. It ended up going in. I mean, it counts. I aint got no problem with that.

Russells four 3-pointers are a season high. The Buckeyes went 11 for 23 (47.8%) after going 6 for 31 (19.45) during their previous two games.

Hes got to continue to be really committed defensively to how we play, Holtmann said of Russell. Hes got to really commit himself on that end and hes got to be ready when his numbers called. He had good aggressiveness tonight, good pop to him. Hes played well in stretches, in important games.

What other sub-300 teams has Ohio State played?

This was the 26th time Ohio State has hosted a team nationally ranked No. 300 or worse according to KenPom.com. The previously worst-ranked team to play the Buckeyes was No. 347 Alcorn State, which took a 100-60 loss at Value City Arena on Nov. 9, 2009, in the season opener.

Ohio States biggest win against a sub-300 team came Nov. 28, 2009, when the Buckeyes (No. 17 in the AP poll) beat No. 314 St. Francis (Pa.) 110-47, a 63-point win. The closest among those games was a 71-58 win against No. 319 Dartmouth on Dec. 28, 2003.

Heres the complete list:

No. 347 Alcorn State (Nov. 9, 2009; 100-60)

No. 345 Grambling State (Nov. 17, 2015; 82-55)

No. 340 Southeast Missouri State (Dec. 17, 2019; 80-48)

No. 337 South Carolina State (Nov. 18, 2018; 89-61)

No. 337 North Carolina A&T (Dec. 17, 2014; 97-55)

No. 332 Jackson State (Nov. 18, 2011; 85-41)

No. 329 Jackson State (Nov. 23, 2016; 78-47)

No. 329 Presbyterian (Dec. 16, 2009; 78-48)

No. 326 Tennessee State (Dec. 28, 2002; 94-73)

No. 322 Morgan State (Nov. 29, 2019; 90-57)

No. 322 Western Carolina (Nov. 21, 2016; 66-38)

No. 319 Dartmouth (Dec. 28, 2003; 71-58)

No. 319 Houston Baptist (Jan. 9, 2009; 89-65)

No. 318 UMKC (Nov. 23, 2012; 91-45)

No. 316 Delaware State (Nov. 20, 2008; 79-42)

No. 315 The Citadel (Dec. 19, 2017; 94-65)

No. 314 Albany (Nov. 20, 2001; 87-62)

No. 314 St. Francis (Pa.) (Nov. 28, 2009; 110-47)

No. 313 Radford (Dec. 23, 2002; 96-80)

No. 312 Texas Pan American (Dec. 3, 2011; 64-35)

No. 309 VMI (Dec. 5, 2015; 89-62)

No. 305 Central Connecticut (Dec. 7, 2013; 74-56)

No. 303 UMass Lowell (Nov. 14, 2014; 92-55)

No. 301 Campbell (Nov. 26, 2014; 91-64)

No. 301 Coppin State (Dec. 30, 2006; 91-54)

Ohio State did not play a sub-300 team in 2010-11, 2007-08, 2005-06 or 2004-05.

Its not like every year were going to play five teams that are in complete rebuilding mode but I think this one was important for those (game-repetition) reasons, Holtmann said.

By the numbers

*E.J. Liddell had 13 points and 10 rebounds and now sits at 988 career points.

*Holtmann has now won 99 games at Ohio State.

*Four Buckeyes had season-high scoring totals: Brown (14), Russell (12), Sotos (7) and Harrison Hookfin (2).

*Ohio State turned 21 IUPUI turnovers into 31 points and committed a season-low eight turnovers.

*In a 46-point win, Ohio State did not score a single point via the fast break. IUPUI had two.

Quotable

I thought his play was good and something he can continue to build upon. Hes got to embrace the idea of being a guy that can guard multiple positions and be really good and detailed on that end and play with great effort and rebound the ball and then make open shots. He doesnt need to hunt shots on this team because we have enough offensive weapons. Hes got to be a great cutter offensively and embrace what were asking defensively.  Holtmann on Brown, who had a career-high 14 points

Iron sharpens iron. We go at it. A lot of times practice is harder than games. We hang our hat on that. We push each other every day. Guys are always not trying to take each others spot, just more so its pride. You do what you can, get that guy better through the process.  Sotos, on the battle for playing time

Staying consistent with the same approach, whether its that team or a Big Ten team. Not trying to play down to the level of competition. Approaching every game with the same mindset.  Russell

ajardy@dispatch.com

@AdamJardy

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Justice Sueing takes some shots before Ohio State beats IUPUI
MOSCOW (AP)  The Russian Defense Ministry says all the troops deployed to Kazakhstan by a Russia-led security alliance this month to help quell violent unrest have left the former Soviet nation, with the last four military planes landing outside Moscow on Wednesday.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization, an alliance of six ex-Soviet states, deployed over 2,000 troops to Kazakhstan two weeks ago at the request of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Tokayev asked the alliance for assistance after protests over fuel prices spread across the vast, oil- and gas-rich country of 19 million people, growing into a general protest against the authoritarian government and turning into violent riots that killed over 220.

A week after the forces arrived, Tokayev declared their mission accomplished on Jan. 13 and announced a gradual withdrawal that was reported as completed on Wednesday.

Tokayev dismissed Defense Minister Murat Bektanov on Wednesday, criticizing him for an alleged lack of leadership qualities.

Having an army at our disposal that showed good results during command post and military exercises, we were unable to use its potential in a critical situation and were forced to resort to outside help, the president said.

Also on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's parliament backed Tokayev's decision to replace his influential predecessor, Nurstultan Nazarbayev, as head of the National Security Council.

Tokayev announced the former longtime leader's ouster from the council on Jan. 5, shortly after the protests turned violent. The move was seen by many as one of several concessions aimed at mollifying the angry crowds and, at the same time, an attempt to end Nazarbayev's patronage.

Nazarbayev, 81, ran Kazakhstan for 29 years after it gained independence and kept the influential post at the helm of the National Security Council after stepping down as president in 2019.

He hand-picked Tokayev as his successor, and some observers speculated that a rift between the two could have played a role in exacerbating this month's unrest.

After keeping mum for over two weeks, Nazarbayev released a video address on Tuesday in which he denied tensions among Kazakhastan's ruling elites and backed Tokayev's decision to replace him as leader of the National Security Council.

He called himself a retiree, currently enjoying retirement in the capital of Kazakhstan.
MADISON  Low-performing schools in Wisconsin would be forced to close under a plan to overhaul K-12 education put forward by Kevin Nicholson, a Republican who is expected to announce this week he is running for governor.

Nicholson, who was defeated in a Republican U.S. Senate primary in 2018 by former state Sen. Leah Vukmir of Brookfield, is proposing massive changes to the state's education landscape but did not answer questions about how he would accomplish his goals if elected.

In a GOP primary, Nicholson would face Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch who has broad support among elected Republican officials  including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester.

Vos said in an event Wednesday hosted by Wispolitics.com that Nicholson should not run.

Subscribe to our On Wisconsin Politics newsletter for the week's political news explained.

The consulting business owner and former U.S. Marine in the runup to his campaign announcement released some details of his plans for schools if elected, which includes "universal school choice," closing "failing schools" and making the state superintendent an appointed position rather than elected one.

The state superintendent, which oversees the state Department of Public Instruction, is a constitutional officer. Transforming the position into an appointed member of a Wisconsin governor's cabinet would require voters to approve an amendment to the state constitution after the proposal passed in two consecutive state legislative sessions.

Democratic incumbent Gov. Tony Evers worked as state superintendent for nearly a decade before being elected governor.

Nicholson said in a Monday interview with conservative talk radio show host Vicki McKenna on WIBA that he wants DPI to put all curriculum plans used in the state's 422 school districts online "so that we can actually find out where we have violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

Nicholson's comments referred to critical race theory, the academic philosophy that contends racism is systemic. Opposition to the theory has become a focus for Republicans across the country in recent months.

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"We need to sue school districts that are continuing to do this and it is more complicated in Wisconsin to take these steps because our political class  Republicans included  have allowed this DPI monstrosity to continue all these years, so they just treated it like it's normal," Nicholson said.

In December, Evers vetoed a bill that would require school officials to post online information about a host of materials and educational activities used in every classroom. Under the bill, the information must be updated twice a school year. If school officials do not comply, the bill allows district residents to sue the school district.

Nicholson's wife, Jessie Nicholson, testified in favor of the bill at a public hearing in the state Capitol.

Evers said he was vetoing the bill because it did not include additional funding to accomplish the significant workload. He said at the time that under any new proposal with funding attached, schools "can better empower and facilitate parent engagement, which is essential for our kids' success."

Nicholson also suggested Monday he would seek to change the state's formula to fund schools and provide taxpayer-funded vouchers or savings accounts for all Wisconsin students. He said his proposals would ultimately lead to school closures, many in Milwaukee.

He said funding would follow students to the schools they choose, leading to school closures over time.

"Well-performing schools get more funding with more students, and ultimately that (market) really should work," Nicholson said. "Frankly, it's the only way we're ultimately going to deal with the failing schools that we see around our state, many of which are congregated in Milwaukee Public Schools."

Republican lawmakers over the last eight years have pursued plans that would require low-performing schools to close, be converted into charter schools, or move under new leadership. But those efforts to change the state's accountability system for schools failed  underscoring hurdles Nicholson faces in the state Legislature in pursuing his ideas.

In 2014 and 2015, the GOP-controlled Legislature pursued changes to the state's system to measure schools' effectiveness but the two houses could not agree on a strategy and ultimately abandoned the effort.

Also in 2015, lawmakers created a turnaround district within MPS for low-performing shcools but its leader resigned before it got off the ground citing an adversarial climate over the plan.

"It is now clear to me that as implementation of the law moves forward, the environment is not conducive to collaborative partnerships  something essential for positive things to happen in Milwaukee," turnaround district leader Demond Means, who now is superintendent of Wauwatosa School District, said at the time.

Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kevin Nicholson wants to close 'failing' schools
WASHINGTON  For the first time, people across the U.S. can log on to a government website and order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. But the White House push may do little to ease the omicron surge, and experts say Washington will have to do a lot more to fix the countrys long-troubled testing system.

The website, COVIDTests.gov, allows people to order four at-home tests per household, regardless of citizenship status, and have them delivered by mail. But the tests wont arrive for seven to 12 days, after omicron cases are expected to peak in many parts of the country.

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A United States government website is displayed on a computer, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Walpole, Mass., that features a page where people can order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. (Steven Senne/AP)

The White House also announced Wednesday that it will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free at pharmacies and community health centers. Both initiatives represent the kind of mass government investments long seen in parts of Europe and Asia, but delayed in the U.S.

Should we have done more testing earlier? Yes, but were doing more now, President Joe Biden said Wednesday, recapping his first year in office.

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Experts say the plan to distribute 1 billion tests is a good first step, but it must become a regular part of the pandemic response. In the same way that it has made vaccines free and plentiful, the government must use its purchasing power to assure a steady test supply, they say.

The playbook for rapid tests should look exactly like the playbook for vaccines, said Zoe McLaren, a health economist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Theyre both things that help keep cases down and help keep COVID under control.

A home test two-pack commonly sells for more than $20 at the store  if you can find one, amid the omicron-triggered rush to get tested. Since last week, insurance companies have been required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home rapid tests bought at drugstores or online retailers.

The four tests per home made available through the government website may not go very far in some households.

Kristen Keymont, 30, is a voice and piano teacher who teaches online and shares a house in Ipswich, Massachusetts, with her partner and two other people. When one of her housemates tested positive just before Christmas, she and her partner spent $275 buying more than a dozen tests.

One test each is nice, I guess, she said. Im glad we have them, but were still going to need to buy more if one of us gets exposed.

It would be better, she said, if requests were linked to each person rather than each residential address.

Also, some people who live in buildings with multiple units had their requests for tests rejected, with the website saying tests had already been ordered for that address. As those complaints surfaced on social media, people began sharing advice on how to enter apartment or unit numbers in a way that the website would accept them.

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There have been nearly 50 million visits to the test-ordering website since it went online Tuesday, according to a federal analytics site.

The U.S. bungled its initial rollout of government-made COVID-19 tests in the early days of the outbreak and has never really gotten back on track. While private companies are now producing more than 250 million at-home tests per month, that is still not enough to allow most Americans to frequently test themselves.

The Biden administration focused most of its early COVID-19 efforts on rolling out vaccines. As infections fell last spring, demand for testing plummeted and many manufacturers began shutting down plants. Only in September  after the delta surge was in full swing  did the Biden administration announce its first federal contracts designed to jump-start home test production.

Countries like Britain and Germany purchased and distributed billions of the tests soon after they became available last year.

If you leave the manufacturers to their own devices, theyre just going to respond to whats happening right now, said Dr. Amy Karger, a testing specialist at the University of Minnesota Medical School. And then theres not a lot of bandwidth if something surprising happens, as it did with omicron.

Even with government intervention, the U.S. faces a massive testing load because of its population, which is five times larger than Britains.

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The U.S. would need 2.3 billion tests per month for all teens and adults to test themselves twice per week. Thats more than double the number of at-home tests the administration plans to distribute over several months.

Dr. David Michaels, a former member of Bidens COVID-19 advisory board, said the administration will probably need to request more federal money to fund testing for years to come.

Congress was willing to put trillions of dollars into infrastructure primarily to improve transportation. This is infrastructure, said Michaels, a public health professor at George Washington University. We need billions more in testing to save lives and maintain the economy.

For now, testing will probably continue to be strained. And even the most bullish proponents say the U.S. will have to carefully weigh where home tests can have the greatest benefit  for instance, by dispensing them to those most vulnerable to the virus.

The fact is we just dont have that kind of mass testing capacity in the U.S. said Dr. Michael Mina, chief science officer for home testing service eMed, who once called for using billions of tests per month to crush the pandemic. We should now be thinking about how to use these tests in a strategic way. We dont want to just dilute them out across the population.

Mina was until recently a professor at Harvard and has informally advised federal officials on testing.

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Mina and others acknowledge widespread use of rapid tests is not without its downsides. Results from at-home tests are seldom reported to health authorities, giving an imperfect picture of the spread and size of the pandemic.

More than 2 million test results a day are being reported to U.S. health officials, but nearly all of them come from laboratory-processed tests. Some researchers estimate the real number of daily tests is roughly 5 million, when accounting for at-home ones.

___

Brumback reported from Atlanta.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is now protecting just over 14 acres of land in Manatee County near the Braden River.

Environmental conservation of land near the Braden River in Manatee County took a step forward this month, and advocates are eyeing more property nearby for future protection.

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast announced this week that it has permanently protected a 14.38-acre tract of land located between the Braden River Park and the Honi Hanta Girl Scout Camp.

Protection of the 14-acre tract is the first step in a larger initiative to permanently conserve an additional 58 acres owned by the Garst family and is part of the foundation's effort to protect the remaining natural and agricultural lands along Gap Creek and the Braden River.

ICYMI: Lake Flores development to bring up to 6,500 homes to west Manatee

More: New regulations on vacation rentals in Bradenton march forward

The land was donated by the property's owner, Bunny Garst, in honor of her late husband, Judge Claflin Garst. It is being protected under a conservation easement and has been sold to neighbors James and Mary Parks so they can continue to use it for limited agricultural uses like grazing cattle.

Judge Garst was the son of early Manatee County settlers and grew up on the land, Conservation Foundation President Christine Johnson said in a press release. We are grateful to Bunny Garst for choosing to donate this easement and pleased we can help honor Judge Garsts legacy by forever protecting the rural character of this land.

The conservation effort is meant to protect the Manatee River and Tampa Bay watershed from the detrimental effects of rain and surface water runoff and can prevent flooding in the area. The habitat is also suitable for grassland birds, which are in steep decline nationwide, according to the press release.

Property owners interested in permanently protecting their land with a conservation easement in a similar way as the Garst family can contact the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. The land trust protects property and water in Southwest Florida by purchasing natural areas, holding voluntary land protection agreements, and educating for responsible land and water stewardship in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 14.38 acres of land near Braden River Park in Manatee is protected
To provide our community with important public safety information, The Register-Guard is making this daily update related to the coronavirus free to read. To support important local journalism like this, please consider becoming a digital subscriber.

Lane County reported 604 confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, raising the countywide case count to 42,160. The death toll remained at 363 for a sixth consecutive day.

There were 3,113 county residents considered infectious, down 5% from Tuesday's 3,294.

There were 53 county residents hospitalized Wednesday, unchanged from Tuesday, with 10 in intensive care, up four from Tuesday, and two on a ventilator, up one from Tuesday.

Of the 53 county residents hospitalized Wednesday, 69.8%, or 37, were unvaccinated, Lane County Public Health reported.

As of Tuesday, 270,630 people in Lane County, 70.96% of the total population, had received first or second vaccine doses with 625,489 first and second doses administered in Lane County, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

 The Register-Guard

Starbucks nixes vaccine mandate after Supreme Court ruling

Starbucks is no longer requiring its U.S. workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, reversing a policy it announced earlier this month.

In a memo sent Tuesday to employees, the Seattle coffee giant said it was responding to last weeks ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 6-3 vote, the court rejected the Biden administrations plan to require vaccines or regular COVID testing at companies with more than 100 workers.

We respect the courts ruling and will comply, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer John Culver wrote in the memo.

Starbucks' reversal is among the most high-profile corporate actions in response to the Supreme Court ruling. Many other big companies, including Target, have been mum on their plans.

On Jan. 3, Starbucks said it would require all employees to be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or face a weekly COVID test requirement. At the time, Culver said it was the responsibility of Starbucks' leadership to do whatever we can to help keep you safe and create the safest work environment possible.

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In Tuesday's memo, Culver said the company continues to strongly encourage vaccinations and booster shots. The company also told workers on Tuesday that they shouldn't wear cloth masks to work, and should instead use medical-grade surgical masks.

Starbucks required workers to reveal their vaccination status by Jan. 10. The company said Wednesday that 90% have reported and the vast majority are fully vaccinated. Starbucks wouldnt say what percent of workers are not fully vaccinated.

Starbucks employs 228,000 people in the U.S.

 The Associated Press

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This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Lane County COVID-19 update, Jan. 19: 604 cases, infectious count declines
Cindy Balistreri, a longtime Sarasota County music educator, was received the Hall of Fame Award from the Florida Music Educators Association.

Cindy Balistreri, who worked for Sarasota County schools for 38 years before retiring in 2009 as Fine Arts Program Specialist, received the Florida Music Education Hall of Fame Award during the annual conference of the Florida Music Educators Association in Tampa.

Balistreri taught elementary music education at Booker Elementary, Phillippi Shores Elementary and Brookside Middle School before being named Fine Arts Program Specialist in 1992. She served on committees developing curriculum standards and assessments for public school programs, and served as president of FMEA and the Florida Music Supervision Association.

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In 2008, she received the Arts Leadership Award for Arts Education from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. After her retirement, the Community/Schools Partnership, which is affiliated with the Alliance, established the Cindy Balistreri Arts Leadership Award to honor Sarasota teachers for achievements in arts education.

From 2010 to 2017, she became the arts education manager for the Alliance, working with schools, teaching artists and community organizations. She also worked with the Alliance and Patterson Foundation to create materials and training on the themes of patriotism, service and freedom.

She was co-initiative manager for EdExploreSRQ.com, an online platform for arts and cultural opportunities in Sarasota County, including field trips, classroom experiences, speakers and virtual activities for K-12 students.

A classical pianist and clarinetist, Balistreri earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University in 1970 and a Master of Science in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of South Florida in 1985.

Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida Music Educators induct Sarasota teacher into Hall of Fame
Metro Louisville has agreed to pay $1 million to a former Health Department employee who said she was retaliated against for filing a racial discrimination complaint.

A jury in 2018 awarded MarySusan Ward $880,000, but the city appealed, and the Kentucky Court of Appeals ordered a new trial.

Wards attorney, Robyn Smith, said she believes the settlement is the largest ever in a retaliation case and noted the settlement exceeds the verdict, which she said is uncommon.

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This is a big day for Louisville Metro citizens of color, Smith said in an interview. It means we are coming a long way.

She added: "They havent apologized to her and never will, but I consider this a reparation.

In a statement, Ward, who was a $30,000-a-year administrative assistant, said: I have seen racism in this community my whole life. It took a lot to stand up to the city government and my employer when I believed they were discriminating against me. At that point, it was about fair pay. But when they retaliated against me and attacked my character  it stopped being about the money.

This settlement is about holding Louisville Metro Government accountable with hopes of preventing this type of behavior from happening to people of color in the future.

Under the terms of the accord, which was disclosed last week, Metro will pay $575,000 to Ward and the balance to her lawyers.

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By a 9-3 vote, the jury found Ward wasnt the victim of discrimination, but in a unanimous verdict, it said she was retaliated against for filing her complaint.

Smith said the department retaliated against her by firing her and refusing to let pursue a grievance.

The settlement says the city denies wrongdoing and will not have to reinstate her.

The Court of Appeals affirmed Judge Olu Stevens ruling denying the city a directed verdict at trial. But it said he imposed the wrong remedy when he found the citys lawyers dismissed a Black juror on account of race.

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The appeals court agreed with Stevens the juror was improperly removed because of race but said the judge overstepped when he ordered the juror could not be struck as an alternate at the end of the trial, when the jury is pared to 12 people, Smith said.

The plaintiff, who is Black, had complained to Metro Human Resources that a white employee in the department who was still on probation had received a 20 percent raise, while Ward's most recent raise two years earlier was a nominal 70 cents per hour.

Kentucky COVID: Omicron surge takes Kentucky to staggering new threshold for COVID-19 cases

Ward, who started in 2007, said there was proof white employees regularly received annual raises of 20% to 40% while Black employees collected only cost-of-living raises.

"In a case about race discrimination, 'Compassion City' time and time again played to tired stereotypes and defended bias instead of acknowledging it," Soha Saiyed said in August 2018.

She accused the city of also targeting two of the three Black members in the jury pool, which the Jefferson County Attorneys office denied.

Josh Abner, a spokesman for the county attorneys office, said jurors weren't stuck for reasons of race.

JCPS policy: As COVID-19 surges, JCPS board votes down relaxed quarantine policies

The jury awarded Ward $30,000 for lost wages and $850,000 for emotional distress caused by the retaliation.

In her statement, which Smith issued on Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday, Ward quoted King, who once said, The time is always right to do what is right.

Andrew Wolfson: 502-582-7189; awolfson@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @adwolfson.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville pays $1M for retaliating against worker in race-bias case
Lynx Air is a new ultra low-cost carrier based out of Calgary, Alta.

Canada's newest airline will head to the skies in April, flying between five destinations before expanding to additional locations in the summer.

Calgary-based Lynx Air announced on Wednesday that it will start flying on April 7, with an inaugural flight taking place between Calgary and Vancouver. The airline will ramp up its schedule from there, flying various routes between Calgary, Toronto, Winnipeg, Kelowna and Vancouver.

Lynx Air chief executive Merren McArthur said in an interview with Yahoo Finance Canada that the airline selected routes based on analysis of opportunities in the Canadian market.

"Our mission is to make travel accessible and affordable for all Canadians, and so what we are focusing on is markets where we believe the fares have historically been too high and that has prevented lots of people travelling as much as they would like," McArthur, who previously worked as chief executive Tigerair Australia, said.

"By entering these markets that don't have ultra-affordable fares, we are aiming to inspire more people to travel, grab our cheap fares and hopefully travel more often as well."

Lynx is the latest ultra-low cost carrier (ULCC) to launch in Canada, offering low base fares while charging for extras such as seat selection and carry-on baggage. Base fares start at $39 for a one-way ticket between Kelowna and Vancouver. One-way fares between Calgary and Vancouver start at $49, while one-way tickets between Calgary and Toronto start at $69.

The airline will initial fly between Calgary and Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Kelowna; Vancouver and Kelowna and Winnipeg; and Toronto and Vancouver. McArthur said the airline plans to expand the route schedule, adding more frequency and destination as the airline receives more aircraft.

"We're starting off with three aircraft and then growing our fleet over the next few months so by summer we'll be flying to a lot more destinations," she said.

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Below is the Lynx Air route schedule that will begin in April:

Route Service Starts Weekly Roundtrip

Frequency Calgary, AB  Vancouver, BC April 7, 2022 7x

14x (from May 20) Calgary, AB  Toronto, ON April 11, 2022 4x

7x (from April 18) Vancouver, BC  Kelowna, BC April 15, 2022 2x Calgary, AB  Kelowna, BC April 15, 2022 2x Calgary, AB  Winnipeg, MB April 19, 2022 2x

4x (from May 5) Vancouver, BC  Winnipeg, MB April 19, 2022 2x Toronto, ON  Vancouver, BC April 28, 2022 7x

Lynx Air is launching in Canada at a time of increased competition in the aviation space. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity for smaller airlines to make gains in the Canadian market, with ULCC's such as Flair and WestJet-owned Swoop expanding capacity significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels. That's according to a report last October by National Bank analyst Cameron Doerksen, in which he notes Flair Airlines has increased domestic flights and seats by 131 per cent compared to 2019, while Swoop expanded by nearly 11 per cent compared to 2019. At the same time, established carriers such as Air Canada, WestJet and Transat saw capacity decreases compared to 2019 of 43 per cent, 32 per cent and 66 per cent, respectively.

McArthur says Lynx sees opportunity in the Canadian market when it comes to demand from travellers who have been sitting on the sidelines because of high prices.

"We're not really focused on grabbing market share from competitors and more focused on trying to stimulate more travel," she said.

"There's a perception from Canadians that ultra-low cost means poor service, poor experience  cheap and nasty, basically. We want to redefine what people expect from us. It doesn't cost extra to provide great service... and make sure we leverage technology to provide a great flying experience."

McArthur would not disclose the investors behind Lynx, which is privately owned, but said that the airline has "strong financial backing from experienced and expert investors with a combination of skills, including aviation expertise."

Alicja Siekierska is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow her on Twitter @alicjawithaj.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Breaking news Mississippi

A man has been charged in connection to the shooting of an off-duty Memphis Police officer outside of his home in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

The DeSoto County Sherriff's Department is handling the investigation. It announced Tuesday night that Anthony Carpenter, 42, was arrested following tips from neighbors.

According to Tish Clark, a spokesperson for the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department, the officer was hit in the shoulder and is expected to recover. She described the shooting as an "ambush" and said it occurred around 6 a.m. Monday morning as the lieutenant was heading to work. The name of the lieutenant has not been released.

More: MPD lieutenant shot in 'ambush' outside Olive Branch home, officials say

Carpenter is currently in custody in Memphis and will be extradited back to Desoto County. He has been charged with attempted murder. The motive for the shooting has not been determined.

Gina Butkovich covers DeSoto County, storytelling and general news. She can be reached at 901-232-6714.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Arrest made after Memphis Police officer shot outside Mississippi home
Two New Hanover Regional Medical Center team members were injured Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 during an incident in the hospital's emergency room.

Two team members at New Hanover Regional Medical Center were injured Tuesday during an incident inside the hospital's emergency department.

In a statement Wednesday, a Novant Health spokesperson confirmed the incident took place, but did not disclose the extent of the team members' injuries.

"At this time, we can confirm that two team members were injured Tuesday afternoon by an individual inside of NHRMCs emergency department. I cannot tell you the extent of the injuries at this time. Our first concern is for the employees and their families," the statement said.

According to the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, one man was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the hospital and charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of assault by strangulation.

Rothwell Jacob Simmons, 24, appeared in court Wednesday and is being held on a $7.5 million secured bond.

According to Novant Health, the hospital's police are investigating the incident.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Attack at New Hanover Regional Medical Center leaves two injured
L.A. Metro officials said they will memorialize nurse Sandra Shells with blue lights on Union Station and a maintenance facility across the street. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A man was charged Tuesday with murder in the death of a 70-year-old nurse who was attacked while waiting for a bus at downtown Los Angeles Union Station last week, prosecutors said.

Kerry Bell, 48, was taken into custody shortly after Sandra Shells was punched in an unprovoked attack Thursday morning, causing her to fall and strike her head at East Cesar Chavez Avenue and North Vignes Street, police said. She died of her injuries days after the attack.

At 5:15 a.m., Shells was waiting for a bus to L.A. County-USC Medical Center, where she worked for 38 years. Investigators said Bell, who is homeless, was apprehended 90 minutes later while sleeping near the scene of the attack.

In September 2020, Bell was arrested in L.A. on suspicion of battery upon a transportation official. He was charged with the misdemeanor last year. LAPD detectives said Bell had numerous arrests in other states.

Police Chief Michel Moore called Shells' death "a tragic and senseless murder."

"We can and must do better," Moore said Tuesday. "This victim lived her life for others. We are falling short."

In a statement Sunday announcing Shells' death, officials at County-USC hospital said she would "forever be remembered for her compassionate care and unmatched dedication to her patients and her community."

Sandra worked tirelessly and selflessly to keep her patients safe and healthy. There will never be enough words to express our gratitude for her tremendous work and dedication, the statement said.

L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis tweeted Sunday that Shells helped save countless lives throughout the pandemic," calling it "a heartbreaking loss to lose a hero.

As chair of L.A. Metros board of directors, Solis added, she would continue to push for an enhanced safety plan for riders and staff so we can prevent tragic incidents like this from happening again.

In a statement, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said Metro is appalled upon hearing of this incident. Metros highest concern is the safety of our customers, and along with our law enforcement partners, we have zero tolerance for crimes committed against our customers.

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From Tuesday night through Sunday, Metro will honor Shells with blue lights on Union Station and the facade of Metro's Division 13 maintenance facility, across the street from where Shells was attacked.

Times staff writer Christian Martinez contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The federal government has sent more than two dozen medical workers to UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital to help take some of the pressure off of the south suburban hospital.

The workers, who arrived at the hospital Monday, include doctors, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics and other specialists, who are part of a National Disaster Medical System team from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The team will help the Harvey hospital for two weeks, at the states request.

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The hospital had, in late December, temporarily stopped offering urgent care services at its Flossmoor Urgent Aid location because of strain from this latest COVID-19 surge. It restarted those services Tuesday because it was seeing a slight decrease in the number of patients with COVID-19 and was receiving additional staffing support, according to an email sent from Ingalls leaders to staff Friday.

The record number of COVID-19 cases and breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated health care workers has been especially difficult on health systems across the country, including ours, said Tom Jackiewicz, University of Chicago Medicine chief operating officer, in a statement.

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The system has redeployed staff members and hired more workers to deal with this latest surge, but were incredibly grateful to get this much-needed assistance from state and federal teams.

The help comes as many hospitals across the state are struggling to keep up with influxes of patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses amid staffing shortages.

We are still very much in a period of immense strain for our health care systems, said Gov. J.B. Pritzker at a news conference Wednesday. So we must do all that we can to keep our health care workers and institutions operating and available to all who may need medical assistance.

He urged Illinois residents to do their part by getting vaccinated and boosted, given that most hospitalizations are among those who have not gotten COVID-19 vaccines.

Earlier this month, the federal government agreed to send 22 medical workers to Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside in Rockford.

Any hospital can request additional staff through the federal government, but hospitals generally need to show severe need and that theyve already tried on their own to cope, such as by suspending non-emergency surgeries and carrying out contingency plans, said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike at a news conference Wednesday.

And then after theyve, basically pulled on all these levers and say, We really need help, then theres still an assessment thats done by the feds and then they can decide yea or nay, in terms of if they will provide that support, Ezike said.

A state program has already sent or planning to send roughly 2,000 medical workers to many hospitals across the state.

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Jeremy Gorner contributed.

lschencker@chicagotribune.com
Chad Kirkland/Bravo/Getty

After much speculation that Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member Mary Cosby had either quit or been terminated from the show after skipping this seasons reunion taping last week, the reality star and pastor has spoken out about her absence, as well as the controversy surrounding her this season.

Most viewers expected Jen Shahs legal troublesshe currently faces a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering chargesand the question of who tipped off the FBI? to be the extent of season twos chaos. But allegations about Cosby running her church like a cult, as well as racist remarks shes made toward Vietnamese-American castmate Jennie Nguyen, have consumed Housewives discourse over the past three weeks, with many viewers and Bravo fan accounts demanding she be fired.

Likewise, viewers read her absence at the reunion as confirmation that Bravo had cut ties with Cosby, as the network has been more eager to give (some of) its controversial stars the ax following the racial reckoning spurred by George Floyds death in 2020. Neither the network nor executive producer Andy Cohen have formally announced her termination. But the Watch What Happens Live host confirmed on his Sirius XM show that Cosby was invited to the reunion, where she could have [her] say.

The Real Housewives Chose Chaos in 2021. Can It Survive?

Of course, in our current times, celebrities embroiled in scandals dont have to go on national television and sit down for a formal interview to have their say. Instead, they can go on virtually any social media platformincluding, as of late, audio apps like Clubhouse and Twitter Spaceswhere theyre met with the protection of fans and little to no pushback from objective sources. Hence, Cosby made a three-hour appearance on Twitter Spaces hosted by fans earlier this week, with Shah also in attendance, where she claimed she hasnt quit the show and insisted the negative portrayal of her this season was due to editing.

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The only thing I have to say about the reunion is, I didnt go because it was one-sided, Cosby said during the Twitter Spaces chat on Monday night. Everyone heard one side of what they felt. They told lies. I was not going to get on the reunion for a four-part reunion and talk about this guy that has passed.

The man shes referring to is community leader Cameron Williams, who passed away last June and was brought on the show by cast member Lisa Barlow this season. Williams claimed he suffered extreme religious trauma as a member of Cosbys Faith Temple Pentecostal Church, where he gave the pastor $300,000 and was encouraged to mortgage his home. In one episode, he called her church a cult and claimed that she called herself God.

According to participants on Twitter, Cosbys Spaces session also touched on her relationship with her castmates, going to therapy, and her marriage to her husband, whos also her step-grandfather, Robert Cosby Sr.

A large number of Salt Lake City viewers are still defending Cosby on social media. Many of them claim shes being unfairly targeted by white viewers and the shows producers, despite the cult allegations from Black church members and a slew of racist remarks she made this season, including comparing Shah to Mexican thugs, commenting on Nguyens slanted eyes, and mimicking her accent. Several Twitter users even claimed that Cosby slipped into the accent again when she discussed Nguyen in the Twitter Space before stopping herself.

Kathy Hilton Won Real Housewives, Threw Paris a Wedding, and Finally Healed

In an attempt to counter accusations of racism against Cosby, fans have also begun circulating Nguyens anti-Black Facebook posts from 2020, including a meme she shared that reads, If you follow officers orders, you wont get shot. The freshman housewifes Facebook page has since been deleted, and fan accounts are now demanding for her to be fired.

As for Cosby, flaking on the most important date of a Real Housewives seasonunless youre in rehabhas proven to be grounds for termination for certain cast members. And Cohen seemed to imply that she was not returning on his radio show, referring to her absence as a last gesture.

Despite the growing success and recent expansion of the Real Housewives universe with added franchises and a spin-off, Bravo has seemingly never had more inflammatory personalities and back-to-back controversies to juggle. Salt Lake City was originally praised for its immediate explosiveness when it premiered in the early days of the pandemic, but it seems like the shows transgressive flare has come back to bite the network in the ass in the short span of just two seasons.

On the flipside, these women might have made their producers jobs easier by being so unequivocally terrible.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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PROVIDENCE  In his first State of the State address, Gov. Dan McKee on Tuesday laid out his vision for Rhode Island's recovery from the pandemic, vowing to put more than $250 million into housing, forgive student loans for health-care workers and "create a statewide network of electric car charging stations."

From his quirky call for a "Calamari comeback" to his vow to spend more than $430 million on school construction, from "kindergarten through higher education," Governor  and anticipated candidate  McKee laid out an ambitious agenda for his first and potentially last full year in office.

McKee, a Democrat, faces a crowd of declared and expected competitors in a September primary, his first election since he ascended from lieutenant governor to the state's top job last March, when then-Gov. Gina Raimondo quit to become U.S. commerce secretary.

Help for small businesses: Gov. McKee wants to make drinks-to-go here to stay to

College attainment problem: McKee proposes a new program to help adults earn higher education credentials. Here's how.

Gov. Dan McKee checks his positioning at the lectern before his State of the State address Tuesday night.

Against that backdrop, he used the annual agenda-setting address to talk about his Rhode Island roots, recall points of pride in his first 10 months in the state's top office and preview the 2022-23 state budget he will propose to lawmakers on Thursday.

As if this was launch day for his 2022 campaign, he told his audience in the House chamber: "I'm a lifelong Rhode Islander. I was born here and met my wife Susan here.

"Rhode Island is where we raised our son and daughter and where I owned and operated small businesses in the Blackstone Valley. It is where I coached youth basketball and served as president of my hometowns Boys and Girls Club."

"Ive seen where Little Rhody has been, and I know where it can go," he said in his speech as prepared for delivery to the pared-back audience allowed in the House chamber.

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Republican response: GOP's Blake Filippi says RI is 'stagnant' under Gov. McKee

Toll of COVID on Rhode Island

He acknowledged the 3,000-plus Rhode Island lives lost to COVID-19, and the toll the pandemic continues to take on the state.

"The pandemic continues to challenge our health-care systems, our schools, our small businesses, and it has created significant staffing challenges across many industries,'' he said.

While the COVID-restrictions limited the number of municipal leaders who could come, McKee  in a very McKee-style moment  announced: "We have a flag from every city and town here in the chamber representing the people of our 39 cities and towns."

He also acknowledged the "dedication and service" of the state's health director, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, who last week gave two weeks' notice without explanation.

For those looking for budget clues, he signaled some of the ways he would like to spend more than $1 billion in federal windfall dollars "to strengthen Rhode Islands economic recovery ... [and] increase per-capita income for individuals and families across our state."

'Heartbreaking milestone': RI COVID deaths hitas Gov. Dan McKee tries to combat COVID surge

RI hospitals: How many RI COVID patients were hospitalized for some other reason?

He teased an announcement planned for Wednesday about the potential launch of "over 100'' state and federally financed projects "valued at $2.1 billion that we are able to speed up because of .... federal infrastructure funds.

"This initiative will create safer roads, bridges and bike paths and will put many more tradesmen and women to work," he said. Details to come.

On the business-relief front, he told his audience, he also wants to permanently legalize takeout cocktails and cut the state's corporate minimum tax as part of a wide-ranging plan to help small businesses.

Embedded content: http://ritv.devosvideo.com/show?video=bf4512c246dd&apg=c7e3a6c7

Housing

In sync with the Democratic leaders of Rhode Island's legislature, McKee put housing near the top of his spending and policy agenda.

"For Rhode Island to be an attractive place to live, work and raise a family, we must address the availability and quality of housing  that means everything from providing supports to those experiencing homelessness, to increasing affordable housing, to ensuring we build more workforce housing for our middle-class families," he said.

He called on the state's lawmakers to allocate $250 million "to make a once-in-a-generation investment in our states housing stock .... [to] create and preserve thousands of units of housing ... transform blighted properties, strengthen communities and create good-paying construction jobs in the process."

"Did you know that homeownership is one of the most important ways to build generational wealth, yet Rhode Island has one of the lowest homeownership rates in the country largely because families and individuals cannot afford the down payment?" he asked rhetorically.

He suggested another $50 million be used to "provide down payment assistance to Rhode Island households who need it most." Again: details to come.

Housing crisis: RI just launched a $50-million homeowner assistance fund. Here's who qualifies

Wind power and calamari

Under the heading "Blue Economy," McKee promised to invest in a "partnership with the University of Rhode Island that will make our state a world-leading center for researching, developing and testing ocean technology."

"Lets also increase our port capacity to support the offshore wind supply chain by making critical investments into the Port of Davisville at Quonset and East Providences South Quay ... [and] invest in aquaculture, including seafood processing, so we no longer need to ship so much of our calamari out of state to prepare it for sale.

"As Rep. [Joseph] McNamara would say, that really is a 'Calamari Comeback.' 

He also mentioned an effort by his administration "to create a statewide network of electric-car charging stations and converting our public-transportation vehicles to electric."

Offshore wind: RI buys $7.5M in land to begin expansion of Port of Providence

The South Quay: After 45 years, wind energy might finally give this East Providence site a purpose

Medicaid

In an arena that already touches the lives of one in three in Rhode Island, McKee promised to seek legislative approval to expand the pool of eligible Rhode Islanders.

He wants to extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days after birth to 12 months, to all kids  including presumably the children in undocumented families  and also raise the eligibility threshold for families to qualify for child-care subsidies.

"And lets continue our investments in early-education retention bonuses,'' he said without elaboration.

State of the COVID battle

For the record: Rhode Island is still in the grips of the pandemic.

While the number of new cases declined last week, the number of new hospitalizations has continued to increase.

There were 520 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, up from 484 reported Monday, with 40 in intensive care.

COVID-19 surges: As , Rhode Island Hospital welcomes help from military medical team

The Rhode Island Department of Health on Tuesday also reported 12 more coronavirus-related deaths and 3,644 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 12,551 negative tests, for a 22.5% positive rate.

Rhode Island has reported an average of 4,634 new COVID cases a day over the last seven days, down 14% from a week ago.

McKee recently pledged an effort to determine how many hospitalized patients are being treated primarily for COVID-19 and how many have tested positive after being admitted for other reasons.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: McKee outlines plan for RI economic recovery in first state of state address
MEXICO CITY (AP) 

The Mexican Football Federation says any fan caught screaming a homophobic chant at its matches will face a five-year ban from national team games.

Federation President Yon de Luisa said fans buying tickets will have to register their personal information and present a QR Code and identification at stadium entrances. The security presence at national team matches will be increased in an attempt to ensure anyone heard making the offensive chant will be expelled and face a ban.

The measures are the latest move in the Mexican federation's efforts to eliminate the chant, which has been directed at opposing goalkeepers and led to sanctions by FIFA, soccers governing body.

We cant tolerate discriminatory acts. We cant play in empty stadiums. We invite our fans to adopt these measures, De Luisa said Monday during a news conference. It is not a measure designed to avoid the re-sale, but without a doubt will have an effect on that because now fans, even though they have a ticket, must have registered to be able to enter.

FIFA's disciplinary committee announced a two-match ban on fans and a 60,000 Swiss francs ($65,000) fine in June following anti-gay chants heard during Olympic qualifying matches in March against the Dominican Republic and the U.S. at Guadalajara. The penalty was reduced to one-game in August following an appeal, and El Tri opened World Cup qualifying at an empty Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with a 2-1 win over Jamaica on Sept. 2.

FIFA's disciplinary committee on Nov. 1 ordered Mexicos team to play its next two home World Cup qualifiers without fans and fined the federation 100,000 Swiss francs ($110,000) as punishment for homophobic chants during October qualifiers against Honduras and Canada in Mexico City.

Mexico hosts Costa Rica on Jan. 30 and Panama on Feb. 2 at Azteca. The federation says it plans to invite about 2,000 people to the games, a group of team relatives and federation employees.

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The federation hopes to have the new measures in place for its March 24 home qualifier against the United States.

The chant emerged in 2003 during a pre-Olympic tournament in Guadalajara. It spread during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and since then has cost the Mexican federation more than a dozen sanctions, despite campaigns urging fans to stop.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Make us pay more tax.

That was the message a group of billionaires and millionaires had for leaders convening virtually for the World Economic Forum.

The group calls itself the "Patriotic Millionaires" and is made up of more than a hundred ultra-wealthy individuals, including Disney heiress Abigail Disney.

They say they should be forced to help pay for the pandemic response and tackle the gulf between rich and poor.

In an open letter published on Wednesday, the group said:

"While the world has gone through an immense amount of suffering in the last two years, we have actually seen our wealth rise...yet few if any of us can honestly say that we pay our fair share in taxes".

That sentiment was echoed by Oxfam which on Monday published a report detailing how the superrich have thrived during the health crisis.

The charity details how the world's 10 wealthiest people more than doubled their fortunes to $1.5 trillion during the pandemic.

Oxfam Preisdent and CEO Abby Maxman:

"We've really had during the pandemic an inequality explosion. It's been a period that has been an unprecedented boom for billionaires...""

"Ninety-nine percent of humanity is being left behind so, as we watched, billionaire growth doubled at the rate of 15,000 dollars per second, that's 80 dollars less per second than a minimum wage worker makes in a year."

The "Patriotic Millionaires" group is calling for an annual "wealth tax" on those with fortunes of more than $5 million.

They say that could raise more than $2.5 trillion and pull more than two billion people out of poverty.

Last year, the World Bank urged countries to consider a wealth tax to help reduce inequality, replenish state coffers depleted by COVID-19 relief programmes and regain social trust.

However, outside Argentina and Colombia, no new wealth tax schemes have been initiated since the start of the pandemic.
Modesto-raised actor Timothy Olyphant is dusting off his Stetson to return to one of his signature roles.

The star is reprising to his role as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens in the revival series Justified: City Primeval coming to FX. The limited series is based on the FX series Justified, which starred Olyphant as a cowboy hat-wearing federal lawman who returns to the crime-infested Kentucky Appalachian mountains where he was born.

The series ran for six seasons on the cable channel, before ending in 2015. Along the way, it earned eight Emmy nominations, including a nod for Olyphant in 2011 for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.

After filming the final season of Justified, Olyphant spoke with The Modesto Bee about what he liked about playing Raylan Givens.

He is much cooler than I am, but I imagine hes much cooler than most. Its fun that for six years, not a day went by where I didnt show up to work and do something cool. On the contrary, in my life, I feel like not a day goes by where I dont show up and do something stupid, he said in a phone interview in 2015.

Modesto-raised Timothy Olyphant is returning to his role on Justified in a new revival.

In the new revival, based on the Elmore Leonard novel by the same name, Givens has returned to his work with the U.S. Marshals Service from Kentucky to Miami eight years ago. But a new threat sends him to Detroit.

An FX network summary of the storyline reads: (Raylan Givens), a walking anachronism balancing his life as a U.S. Marshal and part-time father of a 14-year-old girl. His hair is grayer, his hat is dirtier, and the road in front of him is suddenly a lot shorter than the road behind.

A chance encounter on a desolate Florida highway sends him to Detroit. There he crosses paths with Clement Mansell, aka The Oklahoma Wildman, a violent, sociopathic desperado whos already slipped through the fingers of Detroits finest once and aims to do so again.

Mansells lawyer, formidable Motor City native Carolyn Wilder, has every intention of representing her client, even as she finds herself caught in between cop and criminal, with her own game afoot as well. These three characters set out on a collision course in classic Elmore Leonard fashion, to see who makes it out of the City Primeval alive.

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Modesto-raised actor Timothy Olyphant reprises his role as Seth Bullock in the movie Deadwood, which will air May 31, 2019 on HBO.

This will be the Beyer High School graduates second return to an acclaimed series after it has finished its initial run. In 2019, the Deadwood movie was released, which saw the actor reprise the role of real-life lawman Seth Bullock. Olyphant had played the character in the gritty Western HBO seasons for three seasons from 2004 to 2006 before reprising the role for a final film more than a decade later.

Joel (Timothy Olyphant), right, and Sheila (Drew Barrymore) are husband and wife Realtors living in the L.A. suburbs in the new Netlfix comedy Santa Clarita Diet, premiering Friday, Feb. 3., 2017.

Since Justified ended, the actor also has kept busy on a number of other high-profile projects. He was co-lead in the darkly comedic Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet alongside Drew Barrymore for three seasons from 2017 to 2019, and then joined the FX anthology series Fargo in 2020.

Olyphant also appeared in the second season of the hit Disney+ space Western The Mandalorian, based on the universe created by fellow Modestan George Lucas.
Erika Clark Jones, CEO of the Alcohol, Drug And Mental Health Board of Franklin County

A total of $44.5 million has been raised toward a $50-million goal to build the planned Franklin County Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Center in south Franklinton, which is scheduled to open in 2024.

The center is an initiative of Franklin County, the ADAMH Board and the Central Ohio Hospital Council. The planned new facility will have an observation unit, a short-term inpatient unit, and a walk-in clinic. There also will be an on-site pharmacy.

The center will be built on a three-acre site that ADAMH owns on Harmon Avenue east of South Souder Avenue, across from the Franklin County Children's Services building south of Interstate 70 near Franklinton.

That's close to the county's new $360 million jail, being built on Fisher Road west of Downtown. In October, Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce said people who end up in jail are often in crisis themselves, and a mental health facility nearby will help.

The area outlined in gray is where Franklin County Alcohol Drug And Mental Health plans to build a new $50 million in south Franklinton.

The planned facility has received $4 million in recent donations, including:

 $2.5 million from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations.

 $1 million from the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation.

 $500,000 from the Columbus Foundation.

A summer groundbreaking is planned for the project, being led by the Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH).

Erika Clark Jones, ADAMH chief executive, told The Dispatch she is optimistic that $50-million goal will be met.

"Were mainly targeting corporate foundations," she said.

ADAMH is contributing $8 million, and officials have asked for $500,000 from the federal government, she said.

Earlier funders include the state of Ohio, Franklin County, the city of Columbus, and the adult hospital systems in Franklin County: Mount Carmel, OhioHealth and the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Doug Kridler, the president and CEO of the Columbus Foundation, said discussions began a decade ago about the need for such a center. He said hospitals better serve the population when they can direct patients in crisis to a facility with expertise in behavioral health and addiction.

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"Patients get better and more focused care," Kridler said.

"In some ways, this is a tremendous result of a tremendous collaboration among many parties and organizations in the community," he said.

"It vividly displays and shows what the community can do."

Terri Donlin Huesman, president and CEO of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations, said her board approved the contribution in December.

"Behavioral helath is a priority," she said. We realized the potential this had."

"Were encouraged by the authentic community collaborative to address this need," she said.

mferench@dispatch.com

@MarkFerenchik

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: ADAMH closing in on $50-million goal to build mental health center
A levee system that protects about 200,000 residents in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes from Gulf of Mexico storms reached a milestone today with an agreement that kicks off federal-led construction on the project.

Federal, state and local officials executed the agreement on the Morganza-to-the- Gulf hurricane-protection system Dec. 28 and gathered today to make it official.

This day has been many years in the making and we are thankful to all those before us who worked to make it possible," Col. Stephen Murphy of the Army Corps of Engineers' New Orleans District said in a news release. "Signing this project partnership agreement is an important step toward furthering one of our nations most important risk-reduction systems."

'The levees held': Hurricane-protection systems kept most water out during Ida

One of the corps' first projects will be construction of the Humble Canal Floodgate near Montegut, officials said. It will use the first $12.5 million in federal money for Morganza, approved in January 2021, for that work.

It is the latest in a series of major actions on Morganza over the past year.

In November, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, said he and other Louisiana lawmakers included $500 million for the project in a measure attached to a spending bill Congress approved Sept. 30 that averted a federal government shutdown.

The Bubba Dove Floodgate, in the Houma Navigation Canal near Dulac, is part of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane-protection system.

During a speech in Houma, he said a formal announcement on that money was forthcoming.

Todays Project Partnership Agreement was 30 years in the making  a milestone thats significance cannot be overstated," said Chip Kline, chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. "This agreement opens the doors for major federal investment for this vital hurricane-protection system, which has been entirely financed through state and local funds until now. Were grateful to be taking this crucial next step alongside the federal government in providing the people of this region with the protection they deserve.

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Earlier: Gov. John Bel Edwards helps mark two local storm-protection milestones

Local and state officials have lobbied for federal money since planning for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane-protection system began in 1992.

Louisiana officials helped break the logjam in January 2021 in winning so-called "new start' designation from the Office of Management and Budget. The long-awaited action cleared the way for the federal government to spend money on the system's construction.

Since then, Louisiana lawmakers have steered $31.5 million to the Army Corps of Engineers for construction work on Morganza.

But the $500 million on its way is by far the largest federal allocation, nearly matching the roughly $600 million in state and local tax money spent to build the levee system so far.

Floods: Dirt will turn this summer on major flood-protection lock in Terrebonne Parish, officials say

Federal money and help from the corps are essential to completing the work, officials have said. It will involve raising most of the system's 12-foot levees to about 20 feet and building two massive floodgates in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, one in Houma and another in Larose.

Frustrated with federal delays, the Terrebonne Levee Board forged ahead with an interim Morganza system in 2007 in hopes the corps will eventually get the money, now estimated at $3.2 billion, to upgrade it to protect against a 100-year storm. It's defined as the kind of hurricane that has a 1% chance of occurring any given year.

As it stands, officials say there are no guarantees the interim system will hold against a direct hit from any hurricane, though it has already prevented flooding from several, including Ida.

Parish presidents Gordy Dove of Terrebonne and Archie Chaisson of Lafourche, along with Terrebonne Levee Director Reggie Dupre, said they welcome the Army Corps' involvement with construction.

The newly completed Grand Bayou Floodgate closes a gap in the Morganza levee system in southern Lafourche Parish near the Terrebonne Parish border.

The taxpayers of Terrebonne Parish, with assistance from the state of Louisiana, have shouldered the burden of paying for this crucial hurricane protection and flood-risk-reduction system," Parish President Gordy Dove said. "This Project Partnership Agreement now ensures the eventual completion of Morganza.

Graves and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, whose districts both include Terrebonne and Lafourche, also praised the agreement.

While this may just look like a few signatures on a page, the bottom line is that today represents a new era on the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane-protection project and safer communities in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, Graves said. "After decades with the federal government largely on the sidelines, todays action brings the Corps of Engineers and their checkbook to the table. Weve broken the federal logjam on this project, brought federal funds to the table and will have more great news in the very near future."

 Courier and Daily Comet Executive Editor Keith Magill can be reached at 857-2201 or keith.magill@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @CourierEditor.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Terrebonne levee system is now a federal construction project
New mother describes having to return to work while newborn is still in NICU (TikTok / @edensmomma10_12)

A new mother has detailed the heartbreaking realities of parenthood in the US after revealing that she had to return to work 12 days after giving birth to her premature baby so that she could save up her maternity leave.

Rebecca Shumard, who goes by the username @edensmomma10_12 on the app, described the difficult situation she was facing over the small amount of family leave for new parents in the country in a video posted last month.

In the clip, Shumard, a medical assistant/exercise physiologist, can be seen crying while dressed in scrubs at work, with the new mother revealing that she had to return to work 12 days after having a premature baby at 27 weeks so that she would be able to spend her maternity leave with her newborn daughter Eden when she is eventually discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

POV: You have to return to work 12 days after having a premature baby at 27 weeks, so that when she is eventually discharged from the NICU you can spend what little maternity leave you have with her, Shumard wrote.

The 26 year old also revealed that she was trying to pump breastmilk at work every three hours, but was struggling because of how understaffed her employer was.

Your milk supply is diminishing at eight weeks postpartum, she continued. Will you even have milk available when she gets home?

Shumard then asked other parents of premature babies for advice, with the new mother questioning what do other NICU parents do? How can anyone afford to stay home during a NICU stay?

Shumard also acknowledged the guilt she, and other parents must feel, over having to work rather than be with their newborns, writing: How can anyone handle the guilt when you have to work and cant be with your baby?

This. Is. America, the new mother concluded.

In the US, women are allowed up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually if they work for a company with 50 or more employees, as outlined under aaThe Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. However, unlike most countries, family leave is not federally mandated, and usually allows for just six to eight weeks.

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In a follow-up video, Shumard acknowledged that the time allowed for new mothers, which she said is not enough, also depends on whether they had a vaginal birth or a C-section, and that the time off is usually unpaid.

According to Shumard, she used two weeks of her maternity leave when her daughter was born, but wanted to save the rest for when Eden was released from the hospital.

In response to her initial video, which has been viewed more than 2.8m times, numerous viewers shared their own experiences struggling with the small amount of family leave in the US.

I feel for you. I went through the same thing 18 years ago, nothing has changed. I went back to work 10 days after a C-section. Its not fair! one person wrote, while another said: I had to go back to work 14 days after having my daughter at 28 weeks. She was in the NICU for 59 days. Itll pass but I know this pain. Stay strong.

Others expressed their horror over the situation, with someone else writing: Im so sorry. Healthcare, and maternity leave in the USA are vile and inhuman. Im so sorry.

In addition to the messages of support, the viral video also prompted many to send money to help Shumard, which she expressed her gratitude for in her follow-up video.

In another follow-up video, Shumard revealed that all of the help she received had allowed her to take the time off work to spend with her daughter in the hospital without worrying about bills.

TikTok, because of you, I will not be forced to choose between being with my daughter in NICU or paying bills, she captioned a video of herself rocking the newborn. I am eternally grateful.

According to Shumard, who has continued to update her followers on her daughters progress, after 72 days in the hospital, Eden was finally allowed to come home.

While speaking with Yahoo, the new mother revealed that her experience was vastly different from what her expectations of maternity leave had been, as she explained that she had thought: This is the time to spend with your baby, and its going to be obviously a learning curve. You spend those short six weeks with them, if thats what it is that you get, and during that time you are creating a schedule that works for the baby that changes daily, hourly.

The Independent has contacted Shumard for comment.
Nearly 90% of Illinois school districts statewide are struggling with an alarming teacher shortage that has reached a crisis level during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials with an organization of regional superintendents said Tuesday.

The escalating statewide teacher shortage, which officials said is expected to worsen in the coming years, was reflected in the results of a fall survey of more than 660 Illinois school districts by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools.

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With the organizations study of the teacher shortage now in its fifth year, the most recent survey data illuminate how during the pandemic, Illinois schools are increasingly struggling to recruit qualified teachers, while also witnessing veteran educators retiring earlier than anticipated because of tremendous stress, said Mark Klaisner, IARSS president and executive director of a regional office known as West40, which serves school districts in West Cook County.

At first teachers thought the pandemic was going to last six months, then a year, and now were knocking on the door of 24 months, so I cant blame them, Klaisner said.

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But I almost weep when I talk to some of the most phenomenal teachers we have, who still love the job, but who tell me they cant afford to take the risk anymore.  Its understandable, but its making this situation 10 times worse, he said.

Parents and students arrive at Budlong Elementary School in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2022. Chicago Public Schools students returned to class after the resolution of another dispute between the district and the Chicago Teachers Union that prompted four canceled school days. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

A critical shortage of school employees, including teachers, was evident earlier this month when dozens of suburban school buildings were temporarily shuttered following winter break in the wake of surging COVID-19-related absences.

Illinois school districts in rural, urban and suburban communities alike report the teacher shortage problem has become a crisis, with 88% of school districts confirming they have a teacher shortage, 77% saying the shortage is getting worse, and 93% saying they expect the shortage will accelerate in the coming years, according to the survey.

School districts also report more than 2,000 positions are either not filled or are assigned to someone who is not qualified  more than double the amount of unqualified workers school districts reported during the last school year, Klaisner said.

A substitute teacher shortage was reported at 96% of school districts  a hardship that forced the cancellation of more than 400 classes and required that instruction be moved online because schools simply had no one to teach (students) in person, according to the survey.

The survey found shortages of district administrators are less severe, but they are expected to climb due to retirements and the challenges of finding qualified candidates.

Last fall, officials at Elgin-based School District Unit 46  one of the largest districts in the state  struggled to fill hundreds of open positions at its 57 school buildings, including dozens of teachers, 24 food service workers, 17 health services positions and 79 paraprofessionals who assist students in the classroom, Superintendent Tony Sanders said.

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At Laurel Hill Elementary School in Hanover Park, music teacher Lynne Schefke, who normally works at Huff Elementary School in Elgin, dismisses her students after substitute teaching in a dual language kindergarten classroom on Jan. 4, 2022. A surge of COVID-19 cases forced Elgin-based Unit School District 46 to close five of its 57 schools due to staffing shortages, including Huff Elementary. (Chicago Tribune)

But while the pandemic has exacerbated hiring needs, the studys findings revealed the effects of COVID-19 on day-to-day school instruction goes much deeper.

District administrators reported their teachers and staff are burned out, their substitute teacher pools are decimated as more educators choose to retire or not return to the classroom, and very public battles over mask and other education mandates are taking a heavy toll.

The survey, which ensured the confidentiality of the participating educators, included a response from one elementary school administrator from northwest Illinois who commented: Anyone on the fence about becoming or staying an educator is likely not going to be around.

And while the teacher shortage is evident statewide  and across the U.S.  the states rural school districts reported the most significant problems and the worst outlook ahead, according to the survey, with the most severe shortages found in West Central and East Central Illinois, each of which has more than 90% of schools reporting shortages.

Illinois State Board of Education spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said Tuesday that officials had not yet reviewed the IARSS survey, but look forward to continuing to work with IARSS to make policy recommendations to strengthen the teacher pipeline and supports for current teachers.

The number of licensed educators employed in Illinois has grown year-over-year since 2018, Matthews said, and Illinois has added more than 5,000 teachers to the profession.

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The states historic investments in school funding have provided school districts with the resources they have needed to create more teaching positions, Matthew said, adding that ISBE has also focused intently on eliminating barriers to licensure, such as the basic skills test; expanding pathways to licensure for career changes and industry professionals; recruiting and retaining teachers of color; and strengthening the pipeline for current high school students to get a head start on becoming teachers.

We still have work to do, and we look forward to continuing to engage stakeholders and lawmakers in uplifting this incredible profession, she said.

ISBE officials delivered a more optimistic snapshot of the states education workforce in October when they released the states report card for the 2020-21 school year, citing progress made hiring educators of color and improving average teacher salaries across the state.

Illinois school districts added 1,251 more Hispanic teachers and 184 more Black teachers to their ranks, increasing their representation from 5.6% and 5.8%, respectively, of the teacher workforce in the 2016-17 school year to 7.9% and 6% of the teacher workforce last school year, the state reported.

According to ISBE, teacher pay and teacher retention also increased, with teachers earning $70,705 on average in 2021  3.9% more than in 2020  and remaining in the profession at a rate of 87.1%  a 1.4 % increase over 2020.

State Superintendent Carmen Ayala said at the time that school districts can use portions of the $7 billion in federal pandemic relief funding allocated to the states schools to pay parent mentors and tutors, hire additional staff and offer current teachers stipends and retention bonuses.

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State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen Ayala speaks on March 31, 2021, at South Elgin High School during a news conference announcing Illinois K-12 school districts will receive $7 billion in federal funding to support students as they return to the classroom after distance and hybrid learning due to COVID-19. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Officials with the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools said the survey on teacher shortages is an important tool to help education leaders and policymakers identify cracks throughout the educator pipeline and develop a series of short-term and long-term solutions.

They reccomend legislative proposals making it easier for retired teachers to return to the classroom, more scholarships for students hoping to teach in subject areas with the largest teacher shortages, enhanced mentoring programs and licensure processes, and increased benefits, officials said.

Its a high-stress job that does not offer a whole lot of pay, and then you put a pandemic on top of it, said Klaisner, with the state superintendents organization, adding: We have to be focused on whats best for our students, because they are getting close to two and a half years of these struggles.

kcullotta@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kcullotta
Nohemi Medina Martinez and Yulizsa Ramirez (Facebook)

The bodies of two women from Texas were found tortured, shot, dismembered and dumped by the side of a road during a trip to visit family in Mexico, according to reports.

The two 28-year-old Mexican citizens, Nohemi Medina Martinez and Yulizsa Ramirez, had been living in El Paso but were visiting family in Ciudad Juarez before killing, Spanish-language newspaper El Diario reported.

Facebook profiles for the two said both were originally from Ciudad Juarez, while Ms Ramirez was living in El Paso.

Chihuahua Committee for Sexual Diversity director Karen Arvizo told The Daily Mail that three children were left orphaned by the brutal killings of the couple, who were said to have been married in July 2021.

Chihuahua State Office of the Attorney General identified two bodies, which were found on Sunday morning about 17 miles apart on Juares-El Porvenir Road in the neighbourhoods of San Agustin and Jesus Carranza.

An investigation has been opened into the killings but authorities have not yet identified a suspect or motive.

The March for Affective-Sexual Diversities in Ciudad Juarez demanded justice for the terrible and brutal crime of two lesbian women.

It is a femicide and, surely, a hate crime due to lesbophobia, since it cannot be otherwise given the cruelty and viciousness with which they were murdered," the group said in a statement to El Diario.

"We demand a stop to the messages of hate towards people of sexual diversity, gender identity and expression by power entities and the media that give rise to all kinds of aggressions that can validate taking the life of one person."
NY attorney general Tish James is making legal moves to compel former President Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump, to answer subpoenas and produce documents. This is part of a probe by James into whether or not the Trumps artificially inflated or deflated the value of their properties for financial gain. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

New York attorney general Letitia James filed a motion asking for subpoenas against the Trump family be enforced.

James requested a court order to compel former President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump to testify under oath.

James is probing whether the Trump Organization falsely valued its assets for financial gain.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken legal action to enforce the subpoenas issued to Donald Trump and his eldest children, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump.

Late Tuesday, James announced in a press release that she is taking legal action to compel the trio to appear for sworn testimony as part of her office's probe into the Trump Organization's financial dealings.

According to the press release, the motion to compel the three to answer the subpoena was filed on Tuesday. The motion also seeks a court order to force the Trumps to produce documents related to the investigation held by the former president.

"For more than two years, the Trump Organization has used delay tactics and litigation in an attempt to thwart a legitimate investigation into its financial dealings," said James in the press release.

She added that the investigation has uncovered "significant evidence" suggesting former President Trump and the Trump Organization "falsely and fraudulently" valued their assets and misrepresented them to obtain economic benefits like loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions.

"No one in this country can pick and choose if and how the law applies to them," James tweeted on Tuesday night.

"Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., and Ivanka Trump have all been closely involved in the transactions in question, so we won't tolerate their attempts to evade testifying in this investigation," James wrote. "We will not be deterred in our efforts to continue this investigation, uncover the facts, and pursue justice, no matter how many roadblocks Mr. Trump and his family throw in our way. No one is above the law."

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James is currently investigating the Trump real estate company for fraud, specifically on the issue of whether the Trump organization artificially inflated or deflated the value of their properties for loan and tax purposes.

And while Trump claimed at his rally in Arizona on Saturday that he didn't know "who the hell (James) is," he filed a lawsuit against her last month accusing James of trying to "harass" him with investigations.

Subpoenas were issued on December 1 to Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump.

In response to the subpoenas and the case, Eric Trump, one of the president's sons and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, baselessly claimed that the investigation is "unconstitutional" in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Read the original article on Business Insider
People line up in their cars and wait for a drive-thru COVID-19 test, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the Gravity Diagnostics COVID-19 testing site in Covington, Ky. The latest wave of the pandemic, fueled by the omicron variant, continues to push hospital and testing capacity.

Last week The Enquirer asked Greater Cincinnati residents to tell us how they're handling the latest record-setting wave of COVID-19 cases.

Boy, did you tell us. Nearly 500 people took our nonscientific poll. Scores took the time to offer additional thoughts.

The result? We're divided  fairly evenly.

The rise in coronavirus cases caused by the omicron variant has yet to show any signs of leveling off in Greater Cincinnati. Hamilton County reported 17,112 cases and 15 deaths in the week ending Sunday, an increase of 33.5% in new cases. A week earlier, the county had reported 12,815 cases and two deaths. Cases were also up in neighboring counties for the virus that causes COVID-19.

At the same time, unlike in the early days of the pandemic, most businesses remain open and masks are not mandated by most governments. The majority of Ohioans and Kentuckians are now vaccinated.

Here's how you responded to the questions

The latest COVID-19 wave has prompted me to ...

Go out, but cautiously  masked and staying physically distant: 37%

Do nothing to limit myself. I'm going about my normal life: 34%

Stay in as much as I can and limit in-person interactions: 29%

I am comfortable dining inside a restaurant

Yes: 55%

No: 45%

I'll be watching the Bengals game this Saturday...

Alone at home to be safe: 56%

With friends or family at someone's house: 31%

At a bar or restaurant: 13%

What else would you like to tell us about how you're handling this latest COVID-19 wave?

I'm angry with the unvaccinated, and FURIOUS with our GOP legislators that passed laws discouraging vaccination and even banning masking!

Ignore the media. Go live your life.

If I do need to leave the house, I am wearing a KN-95 mask.

For the most part the latest version of the virus is more like a mild flu or a common cold. LIVE YOUR LIFE!

Over it

going outside to exercise as much as possible. staying away from elderly mom for a while. got new k95 masks for family for when I go grocery shopping.

Just had it AGAIN, after three shots. Like a mild cold for a few days. Contrary to what some politician from Washington tells us, this is not only about the unvaccinated. Gotta just move on and learn to live with this. But it does appear that vaccinations really do help. If you choose not to get vaccinated, tough. PS - Ill be AT the Bengals game with 68,000 maskless fans learning to live with it.

For me, the inconsistency, our rush to reopen, has caused this on/off uncertainty. Its very disruptive for everyone, especially kids and parents. Kids need consistency. They can deal with that better than what weve been doing. Better to err on the side of caution.

Trying not to live like a moron. Masking up, social distancing, staying away from unvaccinated people, not eating out, no vacationing or nonessential travel and respecting other people.

I havent missed a beat since this debacle started.

I'm exhausted and miserable and if that's how bad I feel, I can't imagine how those with children feel.

Only leaving the house once a week for groceries.

This is a mild strain. Governments are over-reacting. I've been doing my best to get on with my life since we "flattened the curve" in April of 2020. It's time to stop mandates, masking, school closures, and get on with our lives. C19 is endemic  it's here to stay. Move on!

No differently as the others after I received the vaccination and booster.

I only go inside an establishment for an emergency because most people and workers don't wear masks or maintain social distance.

I'm in good health with no pre-existing conditions, but I am over 75. Consequently, I'm being very cautious. We are not even dining with our unvaccinated kids and grandkids as long as this wave is with us.

I know at least a dozen friends who currently have covid with varying symptoms. None require any hospitalization. 2 with a sore throat, 1 with a bad headache and others with cough and sinus infection. All symptoms we have all had in our lifetime.

I realized how deeply this pandemic is ingrained in my everyday living when I was as excited to be in CVS when they had just gotten in testing kits as if I'd just won the lottery! It's a challenge for me not to let frustrations ruin my daily life, knowing kids could be back to vital in school learning, hospitals wouldn't be over burdened, and we wouldn't have to live in constant fear, if so many people didn't have invalid or uneducated reasons for not getting vaccinated. I've been living with a serious health issue for years and this pandemic has peeled back a layer of selfishness in society that I never thought to would see in the U.S. So how am I doing? Not sleeping well, but getting vaccinated, boosted and praying often!

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: COVID-19: How Cincinnati is handling omicron variant virus surge
Orlando Pride head coach Amanda Cromwell said she spoke with Mia Fishel before the forward decided to pursue her professional playing career in Mexico.

Fishel, who was selected as Orlandos fifth overall pick out of UCLA in last months NWSL draft, opted to forgo the NWSL and signed last Friday with Liga MX Femenil club Tigres instead.

According to Cromwell, the offer in Mexico for Fishel was more appealing.

We texted, she was conversing a lot with her agent, who can speak on that, Cromwell told the Orlando Sentinel earlier this week. I reached out to her as her former coach and not her current coach, and I gave her my two cents on it all. Again, its a contract with more money than she could make in Orlando is going to speak volumes and it did.

Fishel, 20, played three seasons at UCLA  all under Cromwell  before getting selected by Orlando and was most recently named to the United States U-23 national team camp scheduled for later this month.

The Pride hold Fishels playing rights, but its unclear for how long should Fishel decide to return to the U.S. and play in the NWSL.

As our first pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, we envisioned Mia as an important and impactful player for the future of the Orlando Pride. However, we were unable to come to terms with Mia and we understand her desire to pursue this alternative career opportunity, the Orlando Pride said through a statement. While we are very disappointed Mia will not be suiting up in purple this year, we wish her good luck in Mexico and we look forward to having the opportunity to welcome her as a member of the Pride in the future.

Roster update

The Pride announced on Tuesday that they traded the playing rights of forward Taylor Kornieck and midfielder Emily van Egmond to expansion club San Diego Wave FC in exchange for $125,000 in allocation money and a 2024 NWSL second-round pick.

We would like to thank Taylor and Emily for their invaluable time with the club and wish them luck as they embark on a new opportunity that aligns with their personal goals and circumstances, Pride general manager Ian Fleming said. Our recruitment processes for 2022 and beyond continue, and the assets weve acquired will allow us additional flexibility in building a squad capable of sustained success in our league.

Story continues

According to the clubs press release, the Pride could earn additional allocation money should certain conditions be met.

Egmond re-signed with Orlando towards the end of last season but was transferred to Australian club Newcastle Jets FC last month before her contract with Orlando expired. The Pride retained the midfielders playing rights until Tuesdays announcement.

Pride roster

Goalkeeper (2): Kaylie Collins, Erin McLeod.

Defenders (7): Carrie Lawrence (SR), Courtney Petersen, Toni Pressley, Ali Riley, Kylie Strom, Amy Turney (INTL), Celia Jimenez Delgado.

Midfielders (9): Meggie Dougherty Howard, Gunny Jonsdottir, Jade Moore (INTL), Parker Roberts, Erika Tymrak, Marisa Viggiano, Viviana Villacorta, Chelsee Washington (SR), Angharad James (INTL).

Forwards (5): Marta, Sydney Leroux, Abi Kim, Leah Pruitt, Darian Jenkins.




Welcome to Tuesday's Overnight Energy & Environment, your source for the latest news focused on energy, the environment and beyond. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.

Today we're looking at new federal action on wildfires, a poll finding popular support for the Build Back Better bill's climate agenda, even as the bill itself has stalled and new findings showing vulnerable populations disproportionately hit by natural disasters.

For The Hill, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk. Write to us with tips: rfrazin@thehill.com and zbudryk@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @RachelFrazin and @BudrykZack.

Let's jump in.

Officials unveil plans for addressing wildfires

The Biden administration on Tuesday announced that it was undertaking a 10-year strategy aimed at reducing harm caused by wildfires, using some funds from the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Through the initiative, the administration said it will use intentional "prescribed" fires to help maintain forest health and invest in helping communities adapt to fires. It will also include investments in addressing post-fire risks, recovery and reforestation.

The Forest Service, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture, hopes to treat up to an additional 20 million acres of national forests and grasslands and support treatment of 30 million more acres of lands owned by other federal, state, tribal and private entities.

The Associated Press reported that the plan would be $50 billion, while a press release noted that it the project will involve the use of $3 billion provided by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

"The negative impacts of today's largest wildfires far outpace the scale of efforts to protect homes, communities and natural resources," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

Read more about the plan here.

Poll finds BBB measures still popular

Climate action and specifically some of Democrats' Build Back Better proposals are enjoying public support, even if their current prospects remain uncertain, according to a new poll.

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A majority of likely voters are supportive of congressional climate action - including several climate policies Democrats are proposing in their Build Back Better legislation, the survey, which was first shared with The Hill has found.

The poll, conducted by progressive pollster Data for Progress for advocacy group Climate Power, found that 70 percent of likely voters, including 92 percent of Democrats and 46 percent of Republicans say that congressional action on climate change is at least somewhat important.

And it found that when explained, majorities expressed support for policies including a fee on methane emissions and electric vehicle tax credits.

Specifically, the poll found that 67 percent of respondents support "making oil and gas companies pay a fee for excess methane pollution and holding them accountable for cleaning up methane leaks."

Just 24 percent opposed the idea.

The poll also found support for both a $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit, with 60 percent supporting and 33 opposing, while a $12,500 credit for vehicles made in an American factory by union workers saw even greater support.

The union proposal, which is opposed by swing vote Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), whose state is home to a non-union Toyota plant, garnered support from 66 percent while just 25 percent opposed it in the poll.

A total of 67 percent supported Build Back Better overall, when it was described as a plan that would "expand Medicare benefits, lower healthcare costs and prescription drug prices....expand access to affordable caretaking services for children and the elderly.... take action to address climate change and extreme weather, create clean energy jobs, and reduce pollution"

Twenty-eight percent opposed it, delivering similar results from October, when the group found that 64 percent supported the plan while 28 percent opposed it.

But, the legislation's future remains uncertain amid opposition from Manchin. Over the weekend, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) described the latest version of the package as "dead" but said that he believes "core" provisions will pass.

The new poll surveyed 1,369 likely voters between Jan. 5-7. Its margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

DISASTERS HITTING VULNERNABLE SCHOOL AREAS

Natural disasters are associated with an increase in racial and income-based academic disparities in affected school districts, according to a report released Tuesday by the Government Accountability (GAO).

Let's get some stats...Specifically, the report determined that 57 percent of school districts receiving key disaster grants from 2017 to 2019 served a higher-than-average share of students in two or more socially vulnerable groups.

Just 38 percent of all school districts nationwide have a higher-than-average share of students in two or more of these groups, which include children who are low income, minorities, English learners, or living with disabilities.

Such data can provide a glimpse into the overall inequality of who is affected by these events.

GAO officials spoke to officials with five vulnerable school districts on challenges associated with the aftermaths of national disasters from 2017-2019.

In a district in a large urban center, officials told GAO staff that mental health providers were stretched too thin already, and that in that same district, funding issues left more than 100 schools without counselors.

"As one subject matter expert explained, there are frequently disconnects between the long-term mental health needs of disaster survivors and the short-term nature support offered to the community," the report states.

The aftermath of natural disasters can be particularly harmful on an academic level, according to the report. One county official told the GAO that in the aftermath of natural disasters in their district, recent progress in closing the academic gap between Hispanic and white students was largely erased. Disabled students, students still learning English and low-income students, who are already at an academic disadvantage, face compounded obstacles in the wake of natural disasters. Statistically, higher-income districts do not see the same academic declines as lower-income districts in the wake of disasters.

Read more about the report here.

WHAT WE'RE READING

Chemical pollution has passed safe limit for humanity, say scientists (The Guardian)

EPA tackles coal-to-crypto industry trend (E&E News)

Momentum builds in fight against 'forever chemicals' in water, environment (Ohio Capital Journal)

Ecuador indigenous demand rights to consent on extractive projects (Reuters)

ICYMI

Exxon sets 'net zero' emissions goal from operations by 2050

Erdogan: US pulling support for EastMed gas pipeline due to high costs

DiCaprio on climate change: 'Vote for people that are sane'

And finally, something off-beat but possibly helpful: here's how to get free COVID-19 tests.

That's it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hill's energy & environment page for the latest news and coverage. We'll see you tomorrow.
Jan. 19MINNEAPOLIS  The Owatonna man who pleaded guilty to possessing a sawed-off shotgun after he told undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents about it was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2022, to less than three years in federal prison.

Dayton Charles Sauke, 23, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis by Judge Nancy E. Brasel to 31 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Sauke pleaded guilty in August 2021 to possession of an unregistered firearm. Federal law requires shotguns with reduced barrels and overall lengths, also known as sawed-off shotguns, be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The shotgun was not registered to Sauke.

Sauke had been in custody since his arrest on Jan. 15, 2021, after a judge ruled there was no set of restrictions to impose that would reasonably ensure public safety if Sauke were released.

The investigation into Sauke was started by the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, which received information that he was selling narcotics and privately made firearms, which he described as "untraceable" and "throwaway murder pieces," according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Minnesota.

On Jan. 15, 2021, Sauke sold undercover ATF agents a privately made firearm. During the sale, ATF agents saw the sawed-off shotgun in Sauke's vehicle and when asked about it, he showed it to the agents, according to the plea agreement.

Court records indicate that Sauke said he had the sawed-off shotgun for "bragging rights" and referred to the firearm as "his baby."

Prosecutors asked for a 33-month sentence, arguing, in part, that if the contraband being sold had been controlled substances, there would be no question that the possession of a sawed-off shotgun was in connection to the offense. The enhancement was not adopted by the court.

"Practically speaking, if the transaction were to have gone awry in any way, the defendant had the sawed-off shotgun easily accessible to him in order to make sure the transaction went smoothly," the government's sentencing memorandum reads.

Sauke was on probation at the time of his arrest for carrying a firearm in public.
Eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai off Tonga. Tonga Geological Services/via REUTERS

An underwater volcano erupted on January 15, covering Tongan islands with ash and causing a major tsunami, NPR reported.

Scientists say the eruption may be the loudest since Krakatau, which killed thousands in 1883.

The volcano blast had an explosive yield of around 10 megatons, scientists said.

An underwater volcano forcefully erupted near the Pacific island nation of Tonga on Saturday with a powerful blast that was heard thousands of miles away in Alaska. Scientists said that it was likely one of the loudest events on the planet in the past 100 years, NPR reported.

"This might be the loudest eruption since [the eruption of the Indonesian volcano] Krakatau in 1883," US Geological Survey geophysicist Michael Poland told NPR.

The eruption was so powerful it destroyed an island and triggered a tsunami. To measure its force, scientists used a scale also used to assess the blast yield of nuclear weapons.

James Garvin, the chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, told NPR that they came up "with a number that's around 10 megatons of TNT equivalent."

With an estimated explosive yield of 10 megatons of TNT equivalent, the volcano blast was equivalent to the force of roughly 667 "Little Boy" atomic bombs.

"Little Boy" was the nickname assigned to the first of only two nuclear weapons ever used in combat. The bomb was a highly-enriched uranium bomb that was dropped from a B-29 Superfortress bomber, exploded in the air with an estimated force of 15,000 tons of TNT, and leveled Hiroshima, Japan.

Throughout the Cold War, the US, alongside the Soviet Union, tested far more powerful nuclear weapons. The most powerful nuclear weapon the US ever tested was Castle Bravo, which detonated with a force of 15 megatons on March 1, 1954.

In the wake of the blast, Tonga's 170 islands were covered in ash, including the airport at the capital city, Nuku'alofa, which is preventing relief flights from landing, NPR reported.

Story continues

Communication with the islands reportedly remain problematic due to underwater cable damage negatively impacting both international and inter-island calls.

A satellite image shows the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano before its main eruption. Satellite Image 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS

The Tongan government has confirmed that along with many injuries, at least three people were killed in this event, specifically a British national, a 65-year-old woman from Mango island, and a 49-year-old man from Nomuka island.

Tsunami waves up to 15 meters ravaged Togatapu, the nation's main island, as well as the 'Eua and Ha'apai islands. All homes were destroyed on Mango island, the government report continued, also noting extensive damage on Fonoifua and Nomuka islands.

A view through the window of a New Zealand Defence Force P-3K2 Orion surveillance flight shows heavy ash fall over Nomuka in Tonga. New Zealand Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS

Despite its massive force and destruction, the eruption was relatively small, USGS scientist Poland told NPR. Other explosions can expel ash for hours  like the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo  but this eruption spewed ash for less than 60 minutes, NPR reported.

"It had an outsized impact, well beyond the area that you would have expected if this had been completely above water," he told the outlet. "That's the thing that's just a head scratcher."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dia Dipasupil

Paul Walter Hauser had an epic online meltdown Monday night, threatening to break peoples arms as he went on an unhinged rant about cancel culture before deleting his Twitter account entirely.

The Cobra Kai actors spiral was sparked by a recent New York Times spread in which the publication's film critics Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott listed who they believe should be nominated for this years Academy Awards.

Their predictions included several international titles and female-directed films, including Drive My Car by Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Rebecca Halls Passing, and The Souvenir Part II by British filmmaker Joanna Hogg.

But the 35-year-old actor wasnt impressed, whining about the critics picks in a series of since-deleted tweets and reportedly going so far as to call the list psychotic.

People are losing their damn minds over lists that are meant to reflect nothing other than two critics' personal opinions and it's deeply weird. pic.twitter.com/Jd4qRRosdo  Matthew Lucas (@matthew_lucas) January 17, 2022

Hausers chief complaint seemed to be that the predictions included too many international films and women directors, while leaving out more mainstream films such as King Richard and Licorice Pizza.

When fans began challenging Hauser for his bad takewhich came off as misogynistic and xenophobiche doubled down, accusing people of trying to cancel him and threatening to break their arms.

Twitter needs to go shut the fuck up or come say it to my face in public and see how fun it is to wipe their ass with a broken arm, he wrote, adding that he believes his valid criticism didnt make him problematic towards women or foreigners.

Although some tried to talk Hauser off the ledge, attempting to reason with the Cruella actor and saying he was better than this, Hauser was having none of it, replying, No, no Im not.

Story continues

And so youre aware, actors like me get canceled over this kind of silly & unproven dogshit because the Twitter gang has nothing else to do, he added. They misconstrue 5 words & turn it into a story. Ill continue to put people in their place and save my hide.

Losing my career, which affects me/ my family/ my friends/ my charities/ my sons life vs. the arm of someone who needlessly cause my downfall, he wrote in another tweet. Dude, you have NO idea what the fuck youre talking about.

Then, in one last huff, Hauser deleted his Twitter account.

The Daily Beast has reached out to Hauser for comment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Alfonzo Fleming, center, husband of Tamiko Talbert-Fleming, a hairstylist who was shot and killed last Friday, hugs friends and family after a news conference in Chicago on Jan. 19, 2022. Loved ones gathered with city and county officials at West 71st Street and South Artesian Avenue to demand justice for Talbert-Fleming, who was fatally shot as she drove through that intersection on her way to work. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Alfonzo Fleming gulped for air as his family hugged him tightly Wednesday morning on the Marquette Park street where his wife was killed five days earlier.

Loved ones of Tamiko Talbert-Fleming gathered with city and county officials at West 71st Street and South Artesian Avenue to demand justice for the 49-year-old hairstylist, who was fatally shot in the head early last Friday as she drove through that intersection on her way to work.

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Her death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiners office. Police, who said the shots were fired from the back seat of another vehicle, have no suspects in the case.

I know somebodys seen something, Fleming said to reporters. Please help.  Say something.

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Tijuanna Talbert said her younger sister was passionate about her job as a hairstylist, and that it doesnt make sense that someone gunned her down as she was on her way to another hair appointment.

She arrived here to do what she loved to do, Talbert said. You cant make us believe this was supposed to happen.

Family and friends of Tamiko Talbert-Fleming, a hairstylist who was shot and killed while on her way to work last Friday, place flyers on vehicles Jan. 19, 2022, as they canvas the area in Chicago near where Talbert-Fleming was killed. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Talbert-Fleming worked long hours and provided her clients with not only hairdressing services but also life advice and friendship.

She brought so many women together, said lifelong friend Kashanda Johnson. We became salon sisters. We became family.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Ald. David Moore, 17th, joined the news conference to speak out about the recent spike in gun violence in Cook County and Chicago.

Preckwinkle touted the countys use of $36 million from the American Rescue Plan Act for violence prevention.

The daily shootings and homicides cannot be the new normal, Preckwinkle said. This has to stop. We all know the rise of gun violence has been fueled by hardships caused by the pandemic. But the root causes of the crime and violence in our communities are connected to historic disinvestment and marginalization.

Fleming, the slain womans husband, said for the past decade, he would ask her for a kiss and to say I love you every time they separated, even if only for a few minutes. Nothing is promised to nobody, Fleming would say to explain the ritual.

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Alfonzo Fleming, the husband of Tamiko Talbert-Fleming, speaks about his wife during a news conference on Jan. 19, 2022. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Before Talbert-Flemings work shift last Friday morning, the two kissed each other goodbye and said in unison, Baby, I love you. Fleming felt an urge to go with her, but he knew shed laugh and tell him to go back to sleep, he said.

Less than 15 minutes later, Talbert-Flemings hair salon client called Fleming and said his wife had been shot. Fleming said he almost crashed three times while racing to the scene in his car.

Now, Fleming said he has trouble sleeping. He sometimes piles up items next to him in bed so that he can imagine his wife is still next to him.

Im killing myself right now, Fleming said. I should have followed her to work. Maybe Ill be right here with her, but thats how I feel. I would have died with her.

After the news conference, the family fanned out to knock on doors and slide flyers under the windshield wipers of parked cars.

ayin@chicagotribune.com
Photo taken on Sept. 18, 2021 shows a damaged vehicle at a site of U.S. drone strike in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. The U.S. military admitted in September that a U.S. drone strike in late August in Kabul killed as many as 10 civilians, including 7 children. Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua via Getty Images

The New York Times obtained videos from the US military of a drone strike in Afghanistan that killed civilians.

The August 29 strike killed 10 civilians, including 7 children, and has been called a "tragic mistake."

The US military initially called it a "righteous strike," believing it had eliminated a terrorist threat.

The US military released newly-declassified videos of a drone strike that mistakenly killed 10 civilians in the final days of the war in Afghanistan to The New York Times.

On August 29, 2021, just days after a terrorist attack at the airport in Kabul killed nearly 200 people, including 13 US service members, the US military carried out a drone strike against a vehicle that intelligence indicated was part of a planned follow-on attack.

In the aftermath, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said it was a "righteous strike" on what was thought to be a terrorist target.

But in September, The New York Times reported that the vehicle the drone struck belonged to an aid worker, not an ISIS fighter, and that the strike had killed nearly a dozen civilians  including 7 children.

The videos of the strike, which The Times obtained from US Central Command through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit and published Wednesday, show surveillance of white Toyota Corolla by two MQ-9 Reaper drones.

Before a Hellfire missile destroyed the vehicle, the US military had been monitoring and tracking the car for hours. The military thought it was carrying explosives and being operated by a member of ISIS-K, an Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan.

The car was actually being driven by Zemari Ahmadi, a member of the California-based aid organization Nutrition and Education International.

After the Times report in September, the US military publicly acknowledged that an investigation into the drone strike had confirmed the report, and Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, said that he was "convinced that as many as 10 civilians, including up to 7 children, were tragically killed."

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The general said that although there was reasonable certainty at the time of the strike that the car was an imminent threat, an investigation later demonstrated that the strike was what McKenzie called a "tragic mistake."

Lt. Gen. Sami Said, the Air Force inspector general who had been tasked with conducting an independent investigation, said in November that while the mistaken strike was based on misguided assumptions and confirmation bias, the review did not find any evidence of misconduct or "violations of law or the law of war."

In December, The New York Times reported that no one involved in the drone strike will receive any form of punishment.

"What we saw here was a breakdown in process, and execution in procedural events, not the result of negligence, not the result of misconduct, not the result of poor leadership," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters at the time, adding that he did not "anticipate there being issues of personal accountability to be had."

In a statement to The New York Times, US Central Command reiterated past Pentagon apologies, stating that "we deeply regret the loss of life that resulted from this strike."

McKenzie in September told the House Armed Services Committee that the US military was aware within four to five hours that the August 29 strike "hit civilians." Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the same hearing confirmed that the military knew civilians were killed "several hours" after the strike.

But it took weeks for the Pentagon to fully acknowledge that civilians were killed in the botched strike.

CENTCOM's initial statement on the strike said, "We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time."

In a statement that followed, CENTCOM added, "We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today. We are still assessing the results of this strike ... We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life."

After reporting from the Times and Washington Post began to undermine the Pentagon's initial narrative on the strike, the military on September 17 offered a full admission that civilians had been killed.

"This strike was taken in the earnest belief that it would prevent an imminent threat to our forces and the evacuees at the airport, but it was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology," McKenzie said at that time.

The Pentagon does not have a strong track record when it comes to transparency surrounding drone strikes, which has led to frequent criticism from human rights groups.

"In the past, the US has often refused to admit that the victims were civilians, even when confronted with detailed evidence from groups like Amnesty International and others demonstrating the victims' civilian status," Daphne Eviatar, Amnesty International USA's director of Security With Human Rights, told Insider in September.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Refiles to edit headline)

By Marco Aquino

LIMA (Reuters) - An oil spill at a refinery in Peru during high waves caused by the explosion last weekend of a volcano in Tonga is an "ecological disaster," the Peruvian government said on Wednesday.

The foreign ministry said that the oil spill had harmed animal and plant life in protected zones over a combined area of some 18,000 square kilometers (6,950 square miles) around islands and fishing regions.

The spill from a tanker that was unloading crude at Spanish oil company Repsol's La Pampilla refinery was blamed on unusually large waves after the massive undersea volcano explosion in Tonga some 10,000 km (6,213 miles) away triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean.

The ministry called on Repsol to pay for the incident.

"This is the worst ecological disaster that has occurred around Lima in recent times and has seriously damaged hundreds of fishermen's families. Repsol must immediately compensate for the damage," the ministry said on Twitter.

Peruvian prosecutors opened an investigation into a unit of Repsol due to the incident.

Environment Minister Ruben Ramirez met with Repsol's officials and said that around 6,000 barrels of oil were spilled, according to the company.

Peru's Supervisory Agency for Investment in Energy and Mining (Osinergmin) said in a statement it has ordered one of the refinery's four terminals to be shut down until the causes of the spill are determined.

La Pampilla is Peru's largest refinery and supplies more than half of the local fuel market.

(This story was refiled to edit headline)

(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Sandra Maler)
A 15-year-old student who was shot in a school van just before dismissal Wednesday has died, Pittsburgh Public Safety tweeted. Police are still searching for two suspects in the shooting.

Commander Richard Ford said the shooter walked up to the van, which was parked outside of Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy, and shot into it around 1:30 p.m. The only two people in the van were the student and the driver, Ford said at a news conference.

Police respond to a Pittsburgh high school after a 15-year-old student was shot in a school van just before school dismissal on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. / Credit: KDKA

The victim was believed to have been shot twice in the chest area, Ford said. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he later died. The driver was not injured, police said.

Pittsburgh Public Schools interim superintendent Wayne N. Walters said Wednesday evening that the boy had been a student at the school since third grade. Staff told Walters that the student loved school.

"His smile was contagious and lit up a room. His sense of humor was infectious. And the staff member said the staff are inconsolable at this time because they loved him so much," Walters said.

All students were brought inside and the school was placed on lockdown while police searched the area for the suspects, who are considered armed and dangerous. Ford said the suspects left the area, and police believe they know the direction in which they fled.

The school reopened and police were clearing the scene just after 3 p.m., Pittsburgh Public Safety tweeted.

Police search a van outside of Oliver Citywide Academy in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. A student was shot inside of a school van just before school dismissal. / Credit: KDKA

Ford described the suspects as being two young males dressed in dark clothing and masks. Police believe the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun.

At this time it is not clear if the victim and the suspects had any sort of relationship, or if the victim was targeted. Ford said they are speaking to witnesses and reviewing video from nearby buildings.

Aerial view of Oliver Citywide Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One student was shot in a school van just outside of the school on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, placing the school on lockdown. / Credit: KDKA

Senator Bob Casey tweeted that he is "following this horrible situation closely and my team has reached out to local officials to offer support."

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Zero. Thats how many Pittsburgh students were arrested at school during the 2017-18 academic year, according to the most recent federal education data. Certainly thatd be something for the 20,000-student district to celebrate, but theres just one problem.

It isnt true.

In fact, county juvenile court data tell a completely different story  one in which police actually carried out nearly 500 arrests in Pittsburgh schools that year, disproportionately against Black students and children with disabilities, often for minor offenses. Thats a key revelation in a study released Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which found that school districts in Allegheny County had dramatically underreported interactions between kids and cops to the U.S. Department of Education. Student arrest rates in the county exceeded the state average, the ACLU analysis found, and among the countys 43 districts, Pittsburgh Public Schools played an outsized role in shuffling children from campuses into the criminal justice system.

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The underreporting combined with the high student arrest rates, the report argues, raise serious questions about whether Black students and those with disabilities, who are disproportionately subjected to school-based arrests in Pennsylvania and nationally, receive the protections from discrimination guaranteed by law.

School leaders have to realize that connecting young people to the justice system is harmful and understand that how educators choose to deal with students is a responsibility that they have, said report co-author Harold Jordan, the nationwide education equity coordinator at the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

The conversation is really about the harms to Black children Jordan said, and while the Pittsburgh district does not want to be seen as anti-Black or insensitive to the concerns of Black parents, leaders have failed to adopt sufficient student interventions that dont involve the criminal justice system, he said.

Story continues

ACLU of Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh district attributed the underreporting of its data to the federal government to an error. After taking heat for racial disparities in arrests, school leaders hired a consulting group in 2020 to study arrest data and created a task force focused on improving school safety.

The U.S. Department of Education did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Outside southwest Pennsylvania, federal education data suggest the issue of underreporting student arrests is widespread nationally. The Education Departments Civil Rights Data Collection is key to enforcing federal civil rights laws, but advocacy groups say inconsistencies and underreporting by local districts could weaken its utility.

School policing has become increasingly fraught in recent years, and dozens of districts cut ties with local law enforcement after a Minneapolis cop murdered George Floyd in 2020. Yet in the wake of destabilizing pandemic-induced campus closures, schools across the country have reported an alarming uptick in student misbehavior, including fights and weapons possession, and some districts have beefed up campus police to combat the mayhem.

By underreporting campus arrests, however, districts could give parents an inaccurate picture of campus safety and the effects of school-based police on the young people who interact with them.

Related: New Research: School-Based Cops Reduce Campus Violence  But at a Steep Cost, Especially for Black Students

The harms of having police in schools are much more widespread than districts report, said Jordan, who called Allegheny County a hot spot nationally for youth arrests. During the 2018-19 school year, Pittsburgh students were arrested at nearly eight times the state rate, the ACLU found.

ACLU of Pennsylvania

Black and disabled youth face the brunt of arrests

Attorney Kara Dempsey, who represents children in education and juvenile delinquency matters, knows firsthand the long-lasting effects of school-based police on Allegheny County youth  especially Black girls.

In one instance, a middle school girl who said she took her teachers credit card as a joke ended up getting arrested, Dempsey said. Due to probation violations, she wound up in a secure detention facility. Youth often struggle to comply with probation guidelines, Dempsey said, and school-based arrests can then grow into a yearslong cycle of juvenile justice involvement.

Because she has trauma, she runs from these facilities, said Dempsey, a supervising attorney at the Duquesne University Youth Advocacy Clinic. That just continues this cycle. Its just really insane.

Related: Police-Free Schools Movement Faces First Major Test As Students Return to Classrooms After a Traumatic Year Away

Local activists have been sounding the alarm for several years. In a 2020 report, the local Black Girls Equity Alliance found Pittsburgh school district police were the single largest source of juvenile justice referrals for Black girls, accounting for a third of all referrals countywide. Black girls in Allegheny County were referred to the juvenile justice system at a rate 10 times higher than white girls, researchers found.

In response, Pittsburgh Public Schools hired a consultant group, RMC Research Corporation, to study the drivers of school-based arrests. Black students accounted for about 80 percent of district arrests, RMC found in its report, but just 53 percent of the student population.

Part of the problem can be explained by the adultification of Black girls in which adults view them as more culpable, less innocent and less in need of help and support than their white classmates, said Sara Goodkind, an associate professor of social work at the University of Pittsburgh who helps lead the equity alliances juvenile justice work.

These really high rates of referrals of Black youth are not because theres a problem with young people. Its that theres a problem with the adults who are responding to them and with the systems we have in place, she said.

The number of police officers stationed inside public schools has grown exponentially in the last few decades, and research suggests their presence precedes an increase in student arrests. More than two-thirds of public middle and high schools had at least one school-based officer during the 2017-18 school year, according to the most recent federal data, and while suspensions and expulsions have declined in recent years, arrests have grown.

Police presence has long been bolstered by high-profile yet statistically rare mass school shootings, yet research is mixed on their ability to improve campus safety and civil rights groups have often warned their presence could do more harm than good.

To better understand student arrests in Pittsburgh, ACLU researchers analyzed data reported to the federal and state government, as well as internal district figures obtained through public records requests and those produced by the RMC Research Corporation. The results were perplexing, Jordan said, because each source produced different numbers.

During the 2017-18 school year, the Pittsburgh district reported 86 arrests and 395 law enforcement referrals to the state education department. That same school year, the district reported zero arrests to the U.S. Department of Education while the county juvenile court tallied 499 school-related arrests.

For a district in which the arrest rates have been high for a very long time, why should they be so inaccurate, Jordan asked. I cant speak to intentionality, but they are in the position to know that what they have put out to the public is inaccurate. They are well aware of that.

During the 2017-18 school year, Black children made up 15 percent of the countrys students but 31.6 percent of those reportedly arrested at school, according to the most recent federal data. Black students with disabilities accounted for just 2.3 percent of the total student population but 9.1 percent of those subjected to arrests.

In Allegheny County, the racial disparities were far starker: During the 2018-19 school year, Black students were arrested nearly nine times more often than their white classmates, according to juvenile court records. That year, 1 in 51 Black boys and 1 in 69 Black girls were arrested at school compared to 1 in 316 white boys and 1 in 894 white girls. Black girls were the only demographic group where more than half of juvenile arrests stemmed from school incidents.

The numbers speak from themselves, Dempsey said. Theres obviously bias in decision-making from people in power who have the ability to decide whether to either charge these individuals or not.

Racial disparities were most severe in the 1,500-student South Allegheny School District, where a quarter of Black middle and high school students were arrested during the 2017-18 school year.

ACLU researchers found about half of arrests countywide were for simple assault or for drug charges, primarily involving small amounts of marijuana.

ACLU of Pennsylvania

The drivers of racial disparities in student arrests and other forms of discipline, including suspensions and expulsions, have long been the subject of research and passionate debate. One study, published in 2020 in the academic journal Social Forces, attributed nearly half of the discipline gap between Black and white students to actions by teachers, suggesting that the differences in punishment may be due to racial bias. Just 9 percent of the disparities could be explained by differences in behaviors between Black and white children, researchers found.

Ted Dwyer, the Pittsburgh districts chief accountability officer, said in a statement the arrest data it reported to the Education Department was inaccurate due to an employee illness that hindered fact-checking but didnt learn about the problem until it was too late to submit a correction. He said the district has worked to improve data reporting processes, including those related to student arrests.

Dwyer said school police have demonstrated their commitment to working with the school staff to curtail arresting students, and noted that arrest rates have dropped in the last several years. However, he said arrest rates have decreased more quickly for white students than their Black classmates, therefore making the disparities even larger.

The district has convened a task force to conduct deep listening sessions, review of the School Safety Manual and evaluate the effectiveness of current school safety and well-being, he said in the statement. The group continues its work.

Questionable zeros reported nationally

By matching education data to juvenile court records, Jordan and his co-author Ghadah Makoshi, a community advocate at the civil rights group, took an unconventional and labor-intensive approach to expose the extent of school-based arrests across Allegheny County. School districts dont generally compare their data against the figures collected by juvenile courts, Jordan said.

On a few occasions, journalists have done similar investigations. In a 2016 analysis of court records, The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky, found that the local school district failed to report hundreds of arrests to the state. In 2020, Illinois Public Media reporters found that districts across the state had underreported student arrests to the U.S. Department of Education for years.

The issue plagues districts across the country. More than 60 percent of large school districts reported zero school-related arrests during the 2015-16 year, according to a report released in 2020 by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, a figure that suggested a widespread failure by districts to report data on school policing despite the requirements of federal law.

Related: Police-Free Schools? This Suburban Minneapolis District Expelled Its Cops Years Ago

Three of the countrys 10 largest school districts  including those in New York City and Chicago, reported zero student arrests during the 2017-18 school year, according to a recent analysis by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit news outlet. Yet in New York City, for example, police department records surfaced some 1,200 campus arrests that year.

For years, the federal Civil Rights Data Collection has faced scrutiny for offering incomplete data on highly sensitive topics other than school-based police, including on instances of sexual misconduct and educators use of physical restraints. In a 2020 report, the Government Accountability Office found that 70 percent of school districts reported zero seclusion and restraint incidents during the 2015-16 school year but the U.S. Department of Education lacked tools to fact-check the datas accuracy. The departments quality control processes, the government watchdog found, were largely ineffective or do not exist.

Advocates combating sex-based discrimiation have long accused districts of underreporting campus misconduct. In an analysis of federal civil rights data from the 2015-16 school year, the nonprofit American Association of University Women found that 79 percent of public schools serving students in grades 7 to 12 reported zero incidents of sex-based harassment or bullying.

Given the datas role in enforcing civil rights laws, Jordan said the U.S. Department of Education should be more aggressive in ensuring the numbers are reliable. With better data, he said, researchers can better understand the impact of police in schools.

The data doesnt answer the whole question, he said, but it gives you the opportunity to drill down, to see what can be changed to improve the overall school environment without involving police and the criminal justice system.

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A Phoenix police vehicle on Dec. 7, 2021.

A suspect is outstanding after officers found a man fatally shot at a north Phoenix motel on Wednesday morning.

The Phoenix Police Department responded to a report that a man had been shot at a motel near 23rd Avenue and Bell Road at around 4:30 a.m., police spokesman Sgt. Philip Krynsky said.

They found a man with a gunshot wound whom the Phoenix Fire Department later pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives on Wednesday morning were searching for witnesses and evidence of what led up to the shooting, Krynsky said.

The suspect had not been identified or arrested as of 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

No further details were immediately available. An investigation is ongoing.

Reach the reporter at bfrank@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8529. Follow her on Twitter @brieannafrank.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man found fatally shot at north Phoenix motel, suspect outstanding
Lawrence Wong and Cya Liu in Reunion Dinner. (Photo: Golden Village Pictures)

Length: 91 minutes

Director: Ong Kuo Sin

Cast: Lawrence Wong, Mark Lee, Xiang Yun, Cya Liu, Mimi Choo, Guo Liang, Dasa Dharamahsena

In cinemas from 20 January 2022 (Singapore)

3.5 out of 5 stars

Reunion Dinner is the first film of four Singapore-China co-productions that are being made under a collaboration between Clover Films and iQiyi.

These four movies are helmed by Singapore directors and will be released in cinemas outside China, but available to stream on iQiyi in China.

Although Reunion Dinner was co-produced by iQiyi, the movie will screen only in theatres in Singapore and will stream on iQiyi within China only from 27 Jan.

It's an interesting collaboration as iQiyi, which has been called the Netflix of China, has been trying to expand its audience in Asia.

Reunion Dinner, which is part of the movie line-up during this year's Chinese New Year period, was directed by Ong Kuo Sin (Number 1, Mr Unbelievable).

The movie's lead star, Lawrence Wong, whose career now straddles productions in China as well as Singapore, is iQiyi's official international ambassador. He was recently seen in The Ferryman, iQiyi's first Southeast Asian Original series, which was set in Singapore but filmed in Malaysia.

'Rent-a-family'

Chaoyang, played by Wong, is an advertising executive who is ready to marry his girlfriend, Zi Hong (Cya Liu).

Zi Hong's father, a no-nonsense war veteran from Shanghai (Guo Liang), visits Singapore in order to get to know his daughter's boyfriend aka appraise his potential son-in-law.

Xiang Yun in Reunion Dinner. (Photo: Golden Village Pictures)

As Chinese New Year approaches, Chaoyang's client demands that he livestream his own family's reunion dinner in order to promote his abalone brand.

All this is complicated by the fact that Chaoyang resents his mother, Yan Ling (Xiang Yun) and hasn't spoken to her in years.

In order to stage the reunion dinner for his client, as well as impress his girlfriend's father, Chaoyang desperately seeks the help of his mother's ex-boyfriend, Wei, a calefare actor (Mark Lee), to find someone to pretend to be his mother.

Story continues

Lawrence Wong, Cya Liu, Mark Lee, Mimi Choo, Guo Liang and Das Dharamahsena in Reunion Dinner. (Photo: Golden Village Pictures)

However, Chaoyang's real mother Yan Ling unwittingly gets pulled into the fake family act as his aunt.

Needless to say, hijinks ensue as both fake and real relatives attempt to stage the reunion dinner and help Chaoyang win the favour of his future father-in-law.

There are blatant, cringe-worthy product placements, that trademark of local CNY movies that was invented by Jack Neo. Thankfully the storyline is nowhere near as bad as in Jack Neo's films.

Mother-son drama

The "rental family", played by comedic stars Mark Lee, Mimi Choo, and Dasa Dharamahsena, pulls plenty of laughs, but there's also a family drama storyline between Chaoyang and his mother.

The actors scramble and bumble about their job of pretending to be a normal and happy family  Choo as Chaoyang's mother, Lee as his uncle, and Das as his cousin.

Reunion Dinner is the first acting gig for Das Dharamahsena, or Das, who's known for his multi-lingual viral video mimicking Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs address to the nation about COVID-19 measures.

Guo Liang, Mimi Choo and Das Dharamahsena in Reunion Dinner. (Photo: Golden Village Pictures)

The mother-son storyline is quite predictable  the misunderstanding that causes them to become estranged feels manufactured, and they're obviously going to resolve their conflict for a happy ending  but Wong and Xiang Yun make up for that with very affecting performances that pulled at my heartstrings.

Xiang Yun, as an ex-convict mamasan, is a loving but long-suffering mother who is misunderstood and rejected by her son. She didn't really have comedic bits but get ready your tissues because Chaoyang and Yan Ling's story is designed to bring on the waterworks.

Although it's a comedy, Reunion Dinner harks back to the purpose of the titular Chinese New Year custom to remind us to value familial bonds even when we drift apart from our loved ones.

Get more TV and movie news from Yahoo Life on our Entertainment page.
By Alexandra Alper, Steve Holland and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON/KYIV (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden predicted on Wednesday that Russia will make a move on Ukraine, saying Russia would pay dearly for a full-scale invasion but suggesting there could be a lower cost for a "minor incursion."

Biden's comments at a White House news conference injected uncertainty into how the West would respond should Russian President Vladimir Putin order an invasion of Ukraine, prompting the White House later to seek to clarify what Biden meant.

"My guess is he will move in," Biden said of Putin at a news conference. "He has to do something."

"Russia will be held accountable if it invades - and it depends on what it does. It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and what to not do, et cetera," Biden said. "But if they actually do what they're capable of doing ... it is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine."

Russian officials have repeatedly denied planning to invade, but the Kremlin has massed some 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, a buildup the West says is preparation for a war to prevent Ukraine from ever joining the NATO Western security alliance.

Shortly after the nearly two-hour news conference ended, the White House stressed any Russian military move into Ukraine would elicit a tough response.

"If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that's a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our allies," said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

But cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics by Russia "will be met with "a decisive, reciprocal, and united response," she said.

Republicans expressed concern about Biden's remarks.

"Any incursion by the Russian military into Ukraine should be viewed as a major incursion because it will destabilize Ukraine and freedom-loving countries in Eastern Europe," said Republican Senator Rob Portman.

Story continues

SUMMIT 'A POSSIBILITY'

Biden said a third summit with Putin "is still a possibility" after the two leaders met twice last year. He said he was concerned that a Ukraine conflict could have broader implications and "could get out of hand."

Speaking to reporters at length about the crisis threatening to engulf his presidency, Biden said he believed Putin would test Western leaders. The response to any Russian invasion, he said, would depend on the scale of Moscow's actions and whether U.S. allies squabbled over how to react.

Biden and his team have prepared a broad set of sanctions and other economic penalties to impose on Russia in the event of an invasion and the U.S. president said Russian companies could lose the ability to use the U.S. dollar.

Pressed on what he meant by a "minor incursion," Biden said NATO allies are not united on how to respond depending on what exactly Putin does, saying "there are differences" among them and that he was trying to make sure that "everybody's on the same page."

"Big nations can't bluff, number one. Number two, the idea that we would do anything to split NATO ... would be a big mistake. So the question is, if it's something significantly short of a significant invasion or ... just major military forces coming across. For example, it's one thing to determine if they continue to use cyber efforts; well, we can respond the same way," Biden said.

Biden said Putin had asked him for guarantees on two issues: that Ukraine would never join NATO and that "strategic" or nuclear weapons never be stationed on Ukrainian soil.

U.S. officials see limiting NATO expansion as a non-starter, but Biden noted there was little chance of Ukraine joining the alliance soon and he suggested there could be a deal under which the West might not station nuclear forces in Ukraine.

"We can work out something on the second piece," depending on Russia's own posture, Biden said.

Visiting Kyiv in a show of support, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia could launch a new attack on Ukraine at "very short notice" but Washington would pursue diplomacy as long as it could, even though it was unsure what Moscow really wanted.

The Kremlin said tension around Ukraine was increasing and it still awaited a written U.S. response to its sweeping demands for security guarantees from the West, including a halt to further NATO expansion and a withdrawal of alliance forces from central and eastern European nations that joined it after 1997.

The pessimistic statements highlighted the U.S.-Russian gulf ahead of talks between Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday that one Russian foreign policy analyst called "probably the last stop before the train wreck."

Russia has also moved troops to Belarus for what it calls joint military exercises, giving it the option of attacking neighboring Ukraine from the north, east and south.

Eight years ago it seized Crimea and backed separatist forces who took control of large parts of eastern Ukraine, but it has consistently denied any intention of invading now.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, military maneuvers and NATO aircraft flights were to blame for rising tensions around Ukraine.

(Reporting by Alexandra Alper and Steve Holland in Washington and Simon Lewis in Kyiv; Additional reporting by Matthias Williams, Pavel Polityuk and Natalia Zinets in Kyiv, Tom Balmforth and Dmitry Antonov in Moscow, Benoit van Overstraeten, Myriam Rivet and Tangi Salaun in Paris, Susan Heavey, Daphne Psaledakis, Tim Ahmann, Trevor Hunnicutt, Andrea Shalal and Heather Timmons in Washington; Writing by Mark Trevelyan and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Howard Goller)
Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Three Illinois men were arrested Wednesday on federal charges alleging they illegally entered the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot more than a year ago.

Anthony Carollo, 23, his brother, Jeremiah Carollo, 45, and their cousin, Cody Vollan, 31, were all charged with misdemeanor counts of unlawfully entering a restricted government building and disorderly conduct on U.S. Capitol grounds.

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Anthony Carollo and Vollan were arrested in the Lockport area and appeared before a magistrate judge in U.S. District Court in Chicago on Wednesday afternoon, where they were ordered released on their own recognizance.

Jeremiah Carollo, who lives in downstate Glen Carbon, had an initial court appearance in the Southern District of Illinois, records show. Details of that hearing had not yet been docketed Wednesday afternoon.

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Surveillance footage allegedly captured Anthony Carollo, 23, his brother Jeremiah Carollo, 45, and their cousin, Cody Vollan, 31, walking through the historic U.S. Capitol rotunda during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Attorney's Office/Chicago Tribune)

Lawyers for the three were not immediately available.

A criminal complaint filed Wednesday included photos of the three men allegedly standing amid the mob outside the Capitol and later entering through a door, filing past a man in a gas mask and bicycle helmet. Another photo shows the defendants walking single-file through the Capitol rotunda.

No other details of their actions that day were alleged in the charges.

The arrests brought the number of Illinoisans charged so far in the Capitol breach to 23. The ongoing investigation has been described by prosecutors as the largest criminal investigation in the countrys history.

Last month, James Robert Elliott, 24, of Aurora, was charged with felony counts alleging he used a flagpole to assault officers while illegally on the Capitol grounds.

The three men arrested Wednesday are not accused of any violence.

According to a criminal complaint, the FBI tentatively identified them through Google records showing devices linked to their email addresses were in or around the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. Investigators later linked the addresses to photos of the men posted on social media and contained in drivers license records, according to the complaint.

In October, agents interviewed a relative of the Carollo brothers who confirmed the identities of all three men and that they were at the Capitol on the day of the attack, according to the complaint.

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All three men later admitted that they traveled together to Washington and entered the Capitol with the crowd, the complaint alleged.

Nationwide, more than 725 people have been arrested in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on charges stemming from the Capitol breach, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Alexey Nikolsky/Getty Images

Countries like the US and UK have sent military aid to Ukraine amid fears of a Russian invasion.

Russia's deputy foreign minister described such military help as a threat to his country.

The US and Ukraine have repeatedly warned that Russia appeared to be preparing to invade.

Russia called on the US and other Western governments to stop helping Ukraine's military, describing the arms supplies as a threat to Russia.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said on Wednesday: "We emphasize the need to stop fueling the militant Ukrainian regime with the supply of weapons, instructor assistance, the development of plans and their implementation for the construction of military bases, training events and much more, which poses a direct and immediate threat to us," Interfax and Tass reported.

The UK said on Monday that it had sent anti-tank weapons to Ukraine to help with self-defense in case of an invasion. The US has also given Ukraine military assistance, including arms and training.

The US, Ukraine, and other allies have repeatedly warned that Russia appears to be preparing to invade Ukraine.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday: "We believe we're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack on Ukraine. I would say that's more stark than we have been."

And Ukraine warned that Russia was almost done gathering enough troops along its border for a possible offensive.

Russia denies preparing to invade Ukraine, and has blamed western governments and NATO for inflaming regional tensions by working with Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian tech giant Yandex on Wednesday said it had reached a settlement agreement in a competition law dispute over its search engine results with Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) and a consortium of IT companies.

The FAS told Yandex last February that it had created unequal market conditions for general online search services, that it was preferentially promoting its own products and asked it to stop. Yandex at the time said it was ready to defend its position.

Nasdaq-listed Yandex said the settlement confirmed that it had complied with all requirements of the warning, terminated the case without any fines, and set forth certain additional obligations for Yandex to support competition, including sharing information with the FAS.

In addition, Yandex said it would establish a joint programme to support Russian technology companies in promoting their products and services, contributing 1.5 billion roubles ($19.6 million) to the Russian Fund for the Development of Information Technologies.

The FAS said in a statement the agreement was approved by Moscow's Arbitration Court after all parties had signed.

Around 20 Russian internet companies signed an open letter last year supporting the FAS' efforts. In it, they accused Yandex of abusing its dominant market position and urged it to establish a level playing field for fair competition in online searches.

The FAS later brought an antitrust case against Yandex, saying it would investigate possible anti-competitive practices and assess their consequences.

The dispute centred around enriched search, which gives users more detailed results on searches for things like events and recipes.

Yandex has said it uses the global practice of enriched search results to enhance the user experience and that over 30,000 companies use its enriched search technology for free.

($1 = 76.3908 roubles)

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow; additional reporting by Marina Bobrova, Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
WASHINGTON (AP)  Sen. Bernie Sanders suggested Tuesday that he'd support primary challengers against Democratic colleagues Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, further intensifying a political battle pitting members of President Joe Biden's party against one another.

Sanders told reporters that he thinks "there is a very good chance that Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, and Sinema, a Democrat from Arizona, could face challenges in their states' Democratic primaries. He said home-state voters would be disappointed that the pair have refused to support changing Senate rules to overcome a Republican filibuster against major voting legislation while also balking at a massive, Biden-backed spending and social plan known as Build Back Better.

Asked if he'd consider supporting such primary challengers, Sanders responded, Well, yeah."

Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Senate Democrats, didn't elaborate on his comment, but it's unusual for senators to suggest they'd be willing to campaign against colleagues from their own party. The move recalls more of the bare-knuckled politics of former President Donald Trump, who has gleefully targeted fellow Republicans in Congress he sees as disloyal.

Sanders' sentiments also lay bare progressives' growing frustrations with the more moderate Manchin and Sinema, whom the left has blamed for stalling many of Bidens top legislative priorities.

Manchin countered that he wouldn't be bothered by a primary challenger.

Ive been primaried my entire life. That would not be anything new for me, he said Tuesday, when asked about fellow Democrats urging voters not to back him in a primary. Ive never run an election I wasnt primaried. This is West Virginia, its rough and tumble. Were used to that. So bring it on.

Sanders remains one of the nation's leading progressive voices after strong Democratic presidential primary bids in 2016 and 2020  and is still popular enough nationally to potentially affect Senate primaries around the country.

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Manchin and Sinema aren't up for reelection until 2024, but both could face serious primary challengers then. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who has sharply criticized Sinema for not supporting the voting rights legislation, hasn't ruled out launching a challenge against her.

Earlier Tuesday, Emily's List, a group that works to elect women nationwide and has deep ties to Democrats, said it would no longer endorse Sinema if she failed to support changing Senate rules to advance the voting legislation. NARAL Pro-Choice America, which supports abortion rights and is also influential in top Democratic circles, released its own statement suggesting it would no longer support or endorse Manchin or Sinema because of their stances on the legislation.

The legislation in question is The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which civil rights activists say is vital to safeguarding American democracy as Republican-led states pass new restrictive voting laws. It would make Election Day a national holiday while ensuring access to early voting and mail-in ballots  both of which have become especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. The package also seeks to let the Justice Department intervene in states with a history of voter interference, among other changes.

Manchin and Sinema say they support the legislation but are unwilling to change Senate rules to muscle the legislation through the chamber over Republican objections. With a 50-50 split, Democrats lack the 60 votes needed to overcome the GOP filibuster.
By Riham Alkousaa and Patricia Uhlig

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -A Syrian doctor suspected of crimes against humanity, including torturing prisoners at military hospitals in Syria, went on trial in Germany on Wednesday in the second such case over alleged state-backed torture in Syria's conflict.

After a landmark German court ruling last week https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-court-rule-landmark-syria-torture-trial-2022-01-13 sentencing a Syrian former intelligence officer to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity, the trial of the 36-year-old doctor started at the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt am Main.

The defendant, identified as Alaa M. under German privacy laws, is accused of torturing opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while working as a doctor at a military prison and hospitals in Homs and Damascus in 2011 and 2012.

Ulrich Endres, one of three defence lawyers, rejected the charges. "You will see that what was presented as evidence will not withstand a German court's evaluation," Endres told reporters after the first day's proceedings were adjourned.

The Assad government denies accusations of having tortured prisoners.

Alaa M. arrived in Germany in 2015 to work as a doctor until he was arrested in June 2020 and placed in pre-trial detention.

Addressing the court, Alaa M. - dressed in a dark suit and white shirt - spoke calmly in fluent German about his life in Syria until he applied for a visa at the German Embassy in Lebanon in early 2015 to come as a migrant. He became one of some 5,000 Syrian doctors in Germany who have helped ease acute staff shortages in the health sector.

The father of two children, who has worked in several German hospitals, did not address the charges in his initial remarks but acknowledged he had worked at a military hospital in Syria.

UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION

German prosecutors have used universal jurisdiction laws that allow them to seek trials for suspects in crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.

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Prosecutors have charged Alaa M. with 18 cases of torture and say he killed one of the prisoners. In one of the cases, the defendant is accused of carrying out a bone fracture correction surgery without sufficient anaesthesia.

He is also accused of attempting to deprive prisoners of their reproductive capacity in two cases.

Other torture methods that prosecutors say he used against detained civilians include dousing the genitals of a teenage boy with alcohol at Homs military hospital and igniting them with a lighter.

"The prisoners were civilians who were against the Assad regime, and the accusation is that he specifically targeted these people to repress them," court spokesperson Gundula Fehns-Boeer said.

She said the court would first listen to Alaa M.'s testimony including comment on the charges when the trial resumes on Jan. 25 before summoning witnesses.

The doctor also worked at the Mezzeh 601 military hospital in Damascus, whose morgues and courtyard, according to Human Rights Watch, were seen in a cache of photographs which depicted the scale of state-sponsored torture against civilians and were smuggled abroad by a government photographer known as Caesar.

Antonia Klein, a legal adviser at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), which is supporting a plaintiff in the case, said sexual violence as a crime against humanity would play an important role in the trial.

Syrian lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, who heads a human rights group in Berlin that helped build the case against Alaa M., said the trial would yield more evidence that the Syrian government abetted torture to overcome an uprising against Assad.

He told Reuters that one of the prosecution's nine planned witnesses was being threatened with the killing of a family member in Syria if he made a statement in court.

Al-Bunni accused the Syrian Embassy in Berlin of having provided Alaa M. with forged documents to deny that he worked in military facilities and tried to help him escape Germany.

The Syrian Embassy did not reply to a request for comment.

(Additional reporting by Petra WischgollEditing by Joseph Nasr and Mark Heinrich)
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown speaking to the media last week. On the prospect of voting rights legislation, Schumer said, "Senate Democrats are under no illusion that we face difficult odds." (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

The Senate began debate on voting rights legislation Tuesday for the first time this Congress, inching toward putting every member of the chamber on the record about where they stand on the issue.

But the legislation is almost certain to die, perhaps as early as Wednesday.

The bills Democrats want to pass  the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act  will fall short of receiving the 60-vote threshold needed to end debate, and Democrats lack the unanimous support required in their caucus to change the rules to lower that supermajority requirement.

Senate Democrats are under no illusion that we face difficult odds, especially when virtually every Senate Republican  virtually every Senate Republican  is staunchly against legislation protecting the right to vote, Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor.

But I want to be clear: When this chamber confronts a question this important  one so vital to our country, so vital to our ideals, so vital to the future of our democracy  you dont slide it off the table and say never mind," he said. Win, lose or draw, members of this chamber were elected to debate and to vote, especially on an issue as vital to the beating heart of our democracy as voting rights.

After Senate Democrats met privately Tuesday afternoon, Schumer announced that the rule change they intend to pursue is a so-called talking filibuster, which would require opponents of a bill to continually speak on the floor to block it.

We feel very simply on something as important as voting rights, if Senate Republicans are going to oppose it, they should not be allowed to sit in their office, Schumer said. Theyve got to come down on the floor and defend their opposition to voting rights, the wellspring of our democracy.

Schumer earlier this month committed to taking up voting rights and rules changes by Mondays Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, though he ultimately pushed that timeframe back due to concerns of a winter storm over the weekend.

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And though the effort appears all but doomed, voting rights activists said they agree with Schumers approach to hold a vote, highlighting the importance of the American people seeing for themselves where each member stands.

Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona have made clear they oppose abandoning the filibuster rule to pass voting rights legislation, even though they support the legislation's goals.

Now other moderate Democrats who may privately agree with Manchin and Sinema will have to determine which side they'll align with when they vote.

Much has been made about Sen. Manchin and Sen. Sinema, said the Rev. Leah Daughtry, former chief executive of the Democratic National Committee and campaign manager of the Fighting for Our Vote coalition. Are they the only two that are opposing? We need to know. So this is the time for Democratic senators and Republican senators to go to the floor and make their positions known. The American people deserve to know.

Absent federal legislative action, new laws that have been enacted in states with Republican-led legislatures will remain in place during the midterm elections in November, potentially erecting new barriers to voting that werent in place in 2020.

Activists worry that mere confusion or uncertainty about the changing laws, in addition to new regulations that limit early voting, restrict drop boxes and absentee ballots and require voter identification, could depress turnout, particularly among a diverse coalition of voters who traditionally turn out for Democrats.

We just cant underestimate how detrimental the policies that have passed at the state level over the last year will be to voters being able to cast their ballot in the fall, and thats what scares me the most, said Carolyn DeWitt, president of Rock the Vote, a nonprofit organization focused on building the political power of young people.

Activists have lamented that the framing of the debate has been around whether Democrats will succeed or fail when only two senators, Manchin and Sinema, are holding up the partys agenda. They also argue that voting rights should be a bipartisan issue and that failure would be a reflection of Congress as a whole.

I wish that we could assure voters, especially young voters, that elected leaders will do the right thing and protect our democracy at the highest levels of government, and the fact is we are sadly not there, DeWitt said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) suggested Democrats are hypocrites because they used the filibuster late last week to block passage of a Russian pipeline called Nord Stream 2. The measure had majority support in the chamber but fell short of the 60-vote threshold.

Many of these same colleagues have spent weeks thundering that the Senates 60-vote threshold is an offensive tool of obstruction, a Jim Crow relic, declaring that simple majorities should always get their way, McConnell said in floor remarks Tuesday. "But last week they literally wielded the 60-vote threshold themselves. A useful reminder of just how fake the hysteria has been.

Activists said they hope that the unsuccessful voting rights effort will demonstrate to Americans the need for larger Democratic majorities in Congress.

Democrats have to establish a clear majority so that one or two senators are not holding the rest of us hostage, Daughtry said. Its going to be hard  theres no doubt about it.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Jan. 19SANTA FE  The bang of the gavel usually opens a day of ceremony and introductions at the Capitol.

But tension erupted almost immediately Tuesday in the state Senate  where members clashed over requiring masks in the chamber and then whether to remove Sen. Jacob Candelaria from the powerful Senate Finance Committee.

Neither dispute was settled.

At one point, Candelaria stopped by the desk of Sen. Michael Padilla  his proposed replacement on Senate Finance  for an exchange that was not picked up by the microphone.

Padilla put up his hands and appeared to tell Candelaria to "get away from me."

Candelaria walked out of the chamber. He said afterward he had simply wanted to ask Padilla a question.

The conflict played out in the first two hours of the first day of the session, and comes after an especially contentious special session last month on redistricting. It was a jarring contrast to what's often an easy-going afternoon dedicated to introducing family members and guests, while preparing for the governor's annual State of the State speech.

But Tuesday's mood was tense.

A proposal to keep the Senate's mask mandate in place triggered the first conflict.

The proposed rule failed to get the two-thirds vote necessary to become effective immediately and instead is expected to be brought back through a committee recommendation, a process that will require just a majority vote.

The Senate voted 26-15 in favor of the measure Tuesday, but it was two votes short of the required two-thirds.

The dissenting votes came from Republicans, though all but a handful of them had masks on, anyway. Some GOP members said the mask rule should be vetted in committee rather than automatically extended.

Republican Sen. Gregg Schmedes, a Tijeras doctor who works as an airway surgical specialist, was among those not wearing a mask as he sat at his desk on the chamber floor.

He told the chamber that he would respect social distancing protocols, but that he doesn't believe masks are effective "the way we're using them."

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends masks for indoor public spaces in areas of high transmission, such as New Mexico, which has had record-breaking daily case counts in recent weeks.

The absence of universal masking was noted on Twitter by Democratic Sen. Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces, among others, drawing a GOP retort on the floor.

"I guess this legislative session is starting like the last one  with a lack of respect," Republican Sen. Mark Moores of Albuquerque said. "If we want to work together, stop being a teenage girl on Twitter."

In an interview, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said she hopes the opening rancor doesn't interfere with the chamber's work.

"I'm hoping we can all calm down and just work on the legislation we need to work on," she said late Tuesday. "We'll have to see."

'No yelling'

Stewart was in the middle of some of Tuesday's conflict.

She proposed new committee assignments that would remove Candelaria  who has repeatedly criticized her leadership  from the Senate Finance Committee.

Amid the fallout, Candelaria last month changed his political affiliation from the Democratic Party to "decline to state," or independent.

On Tuesday, he passionately urged senators to reject the motion to remove him from the committee, describing the Senate as a deliberative body that respects the independence of its members.

"That's the point of a Senate  to be able to fiercely disagree and debate without childish, petulant retaliatory actions being taken," Candelaria said.

Stewart said she had plenty of reasons to propose the committee assignments, but wasn't going to discuss them in an interview. Candelaria, she said, had said in an email last year he wouldn't object to the change.

"I don't find it helpful to engage with him at all," Stewart said.

The Senate postponed a vote on the issue.

Candelaria later stopped by Stewart's desk  adjacent to his own  and then Padilla's as he walked out of the chamber.

Contradictory accounts emerged of what was said.

Stewart said Candelaria yelled, which he disputed. "That's absolutely false. There was no yelling," Candelaria said.

The committee dispute, in any case, may end with a whimper.

Candelaria said late Tuesday that he is voluntarily giving up his objection to the new assignments and is ready to move on for the good of the Senate.

Candelaria, a civil rights lawyer from Albuquerque, added that he intends to resign from the Senate later this year and that he will pursue discrimination litigation against Stewart.

The mask mandate is expected to resurface Wednesday.

An emergency health order already requires indoor masking for public spaces in New Mexico, but legislative officials say it does not apply to the Legislature, which is empowered by the state Constitution to set its own rules and procedures.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, urged lawmakers to respect each other's wishes until a rule is in place.

Schmedes, for his part, did not wear a mask when seated at his desk, but put one on when visiting legislative staff to sign paperwork. While seated, senators are about 6 feet from each other, though the layout in the chamber varies.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's foreign and defence ministers, Liz Truss and Ben Wallace, will travel to Australia this week for talks on defence and security ties, the British foreign office said on Wednesday.

"With malign forces threatening global peace and stability it is vital that close allies like the UK and Australia show robust vigilance in defence of freedom and democracy," Truss said in a statement.

The visit comes after Britain, alongside the United States, signed a landmark agreement in September to provide Australia with the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.

The two ministers will meet their Australian counterparts foreign minister Marise Payne and defence minister Peter Dutton in Sydney.

Truss who begins her visit on Wednesday, will also sign an agreement on infrastructure cooperation during a later visit to Adelaide as she seeks to align Britain's economic objectives more closely with its diplomatic agenda.

(Reporting by William James, Editing by Paul Sandle)
BOSTON  Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, a progressive lawyer known for taking on former President Donald Trump and Purdue Pharma, will launch her campaign for governor on Thursday, according to two people familiar with her planning.

Healeys entrance could maximize Democrats chances of retaking the office the party has so rarely held in recent decades.

Its also likely to keep another potential contender, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, out of the open-seat race. Walsh has been weighing whether to return home and run, but people close to the former Boston mayor have repeatedly said he was unlikely to enter the fray if Healey did, despite the more than $5 million that remains in his campaign war chest.

Healey, whos been seriously considering running for governor for the better part of a year, has long been viewed as Democrats best shot at reclaiming the governors office. Republicans have held the position for most of the past 30 years, a streak broken only by former governor and presidential hopeful Deval Patrick.

Her path became much clearer after GOP Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito both bowed out of the 2022 contest in early December, tipping the race toward the Democrats.

Healey now enters as the automatic frontrunner not just in her partys primary, but in the entire gubernatorial contest. She had $3.67 million in the bank at the start of the month, multitudes more than her rivals, and eclipsed them in December fundraising without officially being in the race. Veteran Democratic strategist Mindy Myers is helping guide her campaign as a general consultant.

Even before Healey got in, one Democrat, former state Sen. Ben Downing, dropped out late last year, citing fundraising woes. The remaining Democratic hopefuls  state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and Havard political theorist and nonprofit leader Danielle Allen  do not have the statewide network and name recognition Healeys built over two successful campaigns for attorney general.

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Republican candidate Geoff Diehl, a former state representative whos backed by former President Donald Trump, got trounced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren in his last statewide campaign in 2018.

Still, to win, Healey will have to overcome Massachusetts so-called attorney-general curse. Six attorneys general have tried for the governors office since Paul Dever last won it in the 1950s, and all have failed. A progressive Democrat, Healey will have to win over not just Republicans and independents who make up the majority of the states registered voters, but activists within her own party who are to her left.

A former Middlesex County prosecutor who worked her way up the ranks of the state attorney generals office, Healey became the first openly gay attorney general in the country when she was elected as the states top law enforcement official in 2014. She would also be the state's first woman and first openly gay person elected governor.

Healey made headlines for filing dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration over immigration policies, contraception and more; challenging Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family over their roles in the opioid epidemic; suing Juul for creating a youth vaping epidemic and taking on student-loan servicer Navient. Shes been a vocal critic of Texas new abortion law and an advocate for canceling student loan debt.

But Healey faced a setback late last year when a judge tossed charges of criminal neglect Healey had brought against two former leaders at the Holyoke Soldiers Home, a long-term care facility where at least 76 veterans died in a Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.

And, like other Democrats, she lost one of her main foils when Trump left office, though she would face a similar foe in Diehl.

Healey is the latest high-profile state attorney general to entertain running for governor this cycle, following in the footsteps of Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania, where Gov. Tom Wolf is term-limited. New York Attorney General Tish James dropped out of the states gubernatorial contest barely six weeks after she entered it, amid poor early polling.

Healeys entrance into the Massachusetts governors race will also have a ripple effect on down-ballot races in the state, starting with her own attorney general seat. Quentin Palfrey, the 2018 Democratic lieutenant governor nominee, and prominent labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan were already building campaigns for attorney general should Healey seek another office. And a county district attorney said to be eyeing the race could create another open seat in a state where they remain rare.
Jan. 13  To the Editor:

Im struggling to understand what kind of sick and twisted ideology would compel four Executive Council members to withhold vital health care from thousands of low-income and marginalized New Hampshire women. Even Republican Governor Sununu supports funding for the Lovering Health Center, Planned Parenthood, and the Equality Health Center, yet those four Republican councilors have thumbed their noses at him and to the thousands of women who depend on those providers for their health care.

The councilors' unconscionable decision will result in unintended pregnancies, more abortions, preventable illness, and early death for women all across our state. What kind of cruel and demented person would want that? Apparently, four Republican Executive Councilors, thats who.

More: Republicans again reject New Hampshire family planning clinic contracts

I wish it were in my power to deny those four councilors their health care, to see how they like it. Unfortunately, it is not in my power, nor should it be in their power to cause so much pain and suffering for so many, based on a depraved ideology.

Jim Mastro

Dover

The way anti-abortion lawmakers treat women is a disgrace

Jan. 13 -- To the Editor:

There they go again! Rejecting a womans control over her body, pushing back against a law of the land, Roe v Wade! The elected men who are making these decisions should be shown the door. What a disgrace. Planned Parenthood and other womens clinics want to take care of women. Imagine that!

Georgia Bennett

York, Maine

Janet Stevens, Republican councilors vote to harm women's health  again

Jan. 12  To the Editor:

Republican Executive Council member Janet Stevens and her fellow Republican forced-birth enthusiasts once again  for the third time  rejected contracts for health services due the Republicans' apparently unsatisfied need to make women in need of medical care suffer.

The Death Cult Four claimed they needed more information from the health care providers in order to deem them worthy, even though the Governor and the rest of state government has given their blessings to the contracts. The Republican Attorney General says the proposed contracts comply with state law. The cultists say they need more information. But when asked what information they need, they remained silent.

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As the story points out, public health officials have said patients likely will end up forgoing treatment or seeking it at hospitals that are already overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic (another medical issue the cultists seem to care very little about). The silence of Counselor Stevens and her fellow travelers speaks volumes. They. Just. Dont. Care.

Eric Kane

Exeter

Vote in your home of record. Period

Jan. 15 -- To the Editor:

In the Foster's article, "Bill aims to extend in-state tuition," Representative Timothy Horrigan, a Durham Democrat, argues that college students in the state should be able to vote without incurring residency requirements. Why is that Mr. Horrigan? It is equivalent to claiming out of state residents should be able to vote in our local elections.

More: NH GOP wants in-state college tuition for out-of-staters who register to vote. UNH says impact would be severe.

The word, "domiciled," needs to be removed from our political vocabulary. Either one is a resident of the state of New Hampshire or one is not a resident of the state of New Hampshire. Vote in your home of record. Period.

Randal Heller

Barrington

I guess six days of a paper is better than none; I'll miss Saturday print

Jan. 15  To the Editor:

As a 43 year subscriber to the Portsmouth Herald I was very disappointed to read that a Saturday paper will soon no longer be delivered (beginning March 5). I do not have access to reading it online and even if I did, I probably would not as I like to hold it my hand and read it with my first cup of coffee. I disagree with Andrew Chernoff trying to put a positive spin on eliminating the Saturday paper stating it will be a more connected experience for the advertisers and readers.

More: Digital-only Saturday papers coming to Portsmouth Herald, Foster's Daily Democrat March 5

Near the end of the article the Executive Editor Howard Altschiller stated this is needed to have a sustainable future for local news. Given this, I guess 6 days of a paper is better than none, but I will miss it.

Susan Emery

Kittery Point, Maine

Some suggestions to move McIntyre building redevelopment forward

Jan. 15  To the Editor:

What's next for McIntyre? The previous city council took three steps forward, resulting in approval for its design by the National Park Service. The present council must not take four steps backward.

The speediest approach is to pay off Redgate-Kane to walk away so that Portsmouth can hire a contractor willing to execute this National Park Service.-approved plan, since Michael Kane has adamantly stated that he will not build the People's Plan.

More: New mayor meets with Redgate/Kane. Will Portsmouth's new council reach a deal on McIntyre?

To defray the costs of a pay-out, we could create something akin to a legal defense fund. When we wanted lighting for the Memorial Bridge, instead of burdening the taxpayer, Rep. Peter Somssich administered a fund consisting of voluntary donations to finance the lighting. We could use this as a model. If we stay with Redgate-Kane, we risk losing the opportunity to acquire the McIntyre building, since the NPS may not approve a bait-and-switch if we withdraw our approved plan to allow Michael Kane to submit something else.

An alternative course of action could be, if legally possible, to renew our relationship with Redgate-Kane, conditioned on them agreeing to build the approved People's Plan.

If they refuse and the NPS allows us to submit a new design, we could stipulate that if Redgate-Kane's new plan is rejected by the NPS, we would terminate our relationship with the developer. We cannot remain with Redgate-Kane indefinitely if it means continuing to pay to maintain an empty building. If we do stick with Redgate-Kane, we could still use a voluntary fund to help finance architectural enhancements to minimize costs to the taxpayers.

Christina Lusky

Portsmouth

Which side are you on when it comes to voting rights?

Jan. 16 -- To the Editor:

Its really disappointing and frustrating that we have two Democratic and 50 Republican Senators who refuse to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Many of these legislators define themselves as moderates. Basically people who dont want to buck the system or their Party or upset their financial donors. I know many of you have read MLKs statement written 60 years ago that the white moderates were the great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom.

History has a way of repeating itselfand we live in such a moment. I grew up in the South and I was a child when the civil rights marches were occurring. You wonder when you live in a moment in time when something monumental is occurring in the history of your country what side you will be on. This is that time. People who care about voting rights for all need to make their voices heard.

Donna Pare

Stratham

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 'Sick and twisted' GOP councilors deny healthcare to NH women: Letters
Candidates in the Cook County assessors race are sparring over the endorsement the challenger announced from a Northwest Side alderman who has faced criticism for offensive comments he made in texts.

Kari Steeles campaign Instagram account until Tuesday morning included an announcement that she was proudly endorsed by: 45th Ward Committeeperson Jim Gardiner.

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Assessor Fritz Kaegi used the announcement to question Steeles judgment, even as the Steele campaign disavowed Gardiner and said the endorsement announcement was made inadvertently ahead of Democratic Party slating in December.

Gardiner, who also serves as 45th Ward alderman, has been a lightning rod since early autumn.

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Ald. Jim Gardiner, 45th, attends a City Council meeting in Chicago in 2019. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Thats when a Northwest Side group, The Peoples Fabric, published texts showing him referring to one City Council colleague as a bitch and the top aide of another council member as his bitch, and also using the term to describe a political communications consultant.

The alderman was stripped in October of his Cook County Democratic Party committee seats and formally rebuked by the party for abhorrent and despicable behavior, including the misogynistic, homophobic, and obscene language in those texts.

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The Tribune also reported last fall that federal investigators had launched an inquiry into the first-term aldermans conduct in office, including whether he retaliated against constituents for political purposes.

Gardiner read a statement during Septembers City Council meeting, apologizing for his offensive words and saying he never acted on any of those rants in which he appeared to call for ward services to be withheld from political opponents.

When the endorsement announcement began making the rounds Tuesday among Democratic insiders, the Steele campaign removed it from the Instagram page.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation Commissioner and Cook County Assessor candidate Kari Steele speaks to media last May. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Steele spokeswoman Isabelle Dienstag sought to distance the candidate from Gardiner, saying the campaign posted the fact he decided to back Steele in the Cook County Democrats endorsement process, along with support from other Democratic committeemen as she tried unsuccessfully in December to get the partys backing in the primary.

Kari has not sought Ald. Gardiners endorsement, and would not accept his endorsement if it was offered. His actions towards women are deplorable, and frankly he should not be a voting member of the Cook County Democratic Party, Dienstag said in a statement. His name was inadvertently included in a list of Karis supporters ahead of the Partys slating sessions.

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The real issue in the race is Kaegis mismanagement of the assessors office, Dienstag said.

But the Kaegi campaign pounced on the Gardiner announcement, calling Steeles proud touting of the endorsement troubling.

Taxpayers should be able to have faith that their assessor will run a fair, transparent and ethical operation, the Kaegi statement said. This decision should raise grave concerns about her judgment and capacity to do so.

Gardiner could not be reached for comment.

jebyrne@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @_johnbyrne
Mario Zubia, 37, Cristy Gutierres, 44, and Jesse Gutierres, 10, died in a head-on collision caused by a drunk driver on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. Gutierres' 6-year-old daughter suffered serious injuries and was the only survivor of the crash.

A Hampton man received some forgiveness but also three decades in prison from a Hardin County courtroom Tuesday  the day that would have been the 12th birthday of one of the three people he killed while driving drunk one night in August 2020.

Spencer Bultman, 27, had pleaded guilty and was sentenced by district court Judge John Flynn on Tuesday to 30 years in prison for the deaths of Cristy Gutierres, 44, Mario Zubia, 37  Gutierres' boyfriend of five years  and 10-year-old Jesse "Alex" Gutierres, her son.

On the evening of Aug. 23, 2020, Bultman was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 20 near Alden when he struck the vehicle the victims were riding in.

Bultman's 30-year sentence includes five years for seriously injuring Gutierres' 6-year-old daughter, who suffered life-threatening injuries and had to be airlifted to Des Moines after the crash.

Jesse Gutierres III, who was formerly married to Cristy and whose son died in the crash, told Bultman in court Tuesday that it's his daughter's survival that gets him through.

"I forgive you because I have to," Gutierres told Bultman. "My Lord told me to. It's hard.

"God bless you. I hope you get better," he added.

More: Driver in crash that killed beloved Ames waitress, her son and boyfriend pleads guilty

Bultman had previously pleaded guilty in 2015 to charges that included driving while under the influence and in 2017 to public intoxication. He described himself as an alcoholic, has been participating in an extended outpatient treatment program and has been without report of alcohol use since wearing an alcohol-monitoring bracelet since August 2021, according to a sentencing document.

Another victim impact statement was read in court on behalf of Josefina Zubia  Mario's sister. With the void created by her brother's death, Zubia said in her statement, "I am not the person I used to be."

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Jerry Spencer, a police officer and pastor who was also formerly married to Cristy and also has a daughter by her, told Bultman in court that he doesn't hate the man and that, like Gutierres, he's forgiven him.

"I pray for you, Mr. Bultman. I really do," Spencer said, while adding that Bultman needed to be held accountable for his actions.

Flynn also sentenced Bultman to pay restitution of $450,000  $150,000 for each of the three people he killed. The amount was lower than the $800,000 prosecutors requested.

Flynn said he'd never seen a higher amount than the minimum of $150,000 per victim issued in such a case. Bultman's case was his first such as a judge, though not as an attorney, he added.

Flynn told Bultman that if he was asked to forgive his actions, "I wouldn't be real quick to give it to you," adding that going along with the plea agreement had been difficult for him.

Bultman told the court that "With all my heart and soul, I am sorry," calling his actions "selfish and stupid."

Flynn said "we all make mistakes in life," but that by ignoring or recklessly disregarding his previous problems with alcohol, Bultman had no one but himself to blame  a lesson learned at the cost of three peoples' lives and the physical injuries of another.

Bultman's sentence also includes that he participate in further rehabilitation, as well as a substance abuse education program, where possible.

Phillip Sitter covers education for the Ames Tribune, including Iowa State University and PreK-12 schools in Ames and elsewhere in Story County. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Iowa man sentenced to 30 years after 3 died in drunk driving crash
At Madre, Ivan Vasquez pours Cuish mezcal into a glass. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Mezcal is certainly having its moment. The U.S. became the worlds largest market for the spirit in 2019  surpassing even Mexico  and production increased by almost 10% in 2020. What's more, Drizly, the liquor delivery service, reported that its mezcal sales jumped 600% in the same year.

Its popularity has risen astronomically, in part due to its increased incorporation into cocktails, which is often the way American imbibers first encounter the spirit; it's used frequently as a substitute for other spirits in drinks like a smoky margarita or a mezcal mule. But even if were drinking more of it, some of us dont know that much about mezcal, so here are a few facts you should savor while youre sipping.

More than 40 varietals of agave may be used in the creation of mezcal (a word derived from the Nahuatl word for oven-cooked agave). Though its often thought to have arrived in Mexico with the Spaniards, theres evidence the spirits roots go back to pre-Hispanic times (its certainly the oldest distilled spirit in the Americas).

Traditionally, the agave pinas, or hearts, are baked in a pit for several days as they absorb flavors from the wood smoke and earth. Afterward, they ferment aerobically as they lie above ground before theyre crushed by hand or under a donkey-pulled stone. Then a mash is created by incorporating water or even pulque (a pre-Hispanic drink made from the fermented sap of agave) for funkier mezcals. Mezcal is frequently double distilled in copper; in rarer cases, it might be distilled in clay or even tree trunks.

Ivan Vasquez, the Indigenous owner of Los Angeles Oaxacan restaurant Madre  which has locations in Torrance, Palms and the Fairfax District (and plans for a new Madre in Santa Clarita)  has an almost puritanical commitment to high-quality, sustainable mezcal and destilados de agave (agave spirits made outside the 10 certified states comprising the mezcal denomination of origin), as well as the independent producers behind them. In mezcal, you taste the terroir even more than in wine, he says.

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Ivan Vasquez inside Madre. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

He believes that Los Angeles is the best place to taste these spirits, which might seem a bold declaration. But its one that Vasquez is confident making, in no small part due to his own outsize collection, which is considered to be unmatched by many enthusiasts and industry veterans. (Times restaurant critic Bill Addison says Vasquez is one of the foremost mezcal evangelists in America.)

Direct relationships with independent producers enable Vasquez to stock his shelves with rare, small-batch bottles; they also supply him with bottles to sell to his customers. Other restaurants with collections he recommends? Gracias Madre in West Hollywood, Maestro in Pasadena and Neat on Pico Boulevard.

The urgency with which Vasquez is promoting traditional producers is apparent. A majority of the mezcaleros (someone who distills mezcal) who are stewards of techniques used in distilling small batches of mezcal and destilados in Mexico are in their 80s, and the time-honored techniques are at risk of dying out, especially if the demand goes the way of mass production, he says.

Mezcal and destilados made with traditional methods will result in a spirit with an alcohol by volume that is 44% or above. And even though the minimum for mezcal certification is only 35% ABV, there is no mezcal bottle at Madre that has an ABV under 44%. Most mezcaleros and palenques [distilleries], Vasquez says, aim for 44% ABV and above. But the minimum has gone down to 40% because its convenient for mass production.

Though 90% of all agave distillate is made in the state of Oaxaca, Vasquez also has been importing agave spirits made in the other states of Mexico. There are uncertified destilados that are often just as good or better than some mezcal, Vasquez says.

An array of mezcal at Madre. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Hes turned many customers into mezcal enthusiasts after taking them through a tasting flight, showing them how high-quality mezcal exhibits a wide range of aromas, differences in mouthfeel and beginning and finishing notes on the palate.

When I first started drinking mezcal, it was in cocktails, and I loved it," says Bruce Endsley, one of Madres regulars. "Then I tasted it neat and thought it was too strong and too hot. But then I went to Madre in Torrance to taste Ivans extraordinary collection, and then I knew [mezcal] was great. ... Theres so many different flavors, and you have the history and culture Ivan tells you about.

Noah Dickinson, a hospitality industry veteran, was already a mezcal enthusiast when he was hunting down a particular bottle of Real Minero ensemble mezcal (a bottle of mezcal blending distillates made from different varietals of agave). After Dickinson reached out via Instagram, one of the mezcaleros of Real Minero referred him to Vasquez. [The mezcalero] kept calling it the magic bottle, and said Ivan might have one or two bottles available, Dickinson recalls. He had one left, and it was pretty unheard of in the U.S. where somebody could sell you a bottle at the restaurant. But he appreciated my enthusiasm and was willing to sell it to me. It didnt come cheap, but collectors like me can be obsessive. And thats how we met.

Portrait of owner Ivan Vasquez. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Vasquez says 75% of Madres mezcal sales are of the sipping variety, and only 25% are used in mixed cocktails. We sell several flights that make up a lot of the share that we sell for sipping. Plus, bartenders always recommend their favorite mezcal to customers, which also helps, he adds.

Here is an overview of what theyre learning about mezcal and destilados de agave at Madre, enabling them to take their knowledge and appreciation to the next level.

Good mezcal and destilados do not taste smoky

Smoky is the most oft-used description for mezcal, and many drinkers have come to expect overwhelmingly charred notes, often driving bartenders to use it as a cocktail base. But if smoke is the main note you're tasting in the spirit, its somewhat flawed, Vasquez says.

Thoughtfully produced mezcal and destilados de agave exhibit much diversity and nuance on the palate. Look for notes that run the gamut: herbal, oily, peppery, citrusy, vanilla, woodsy, mineral and floral, as well as some specific fruits like melon.

Glass-aged mezcal is great for beginners

Aging a mezcal or destilados in glass is different from aging whiskey in barrels. (Though youll find some mezcal aged in barrels, its a practice that Vasquez has described as a corruption of the industry by Western practices.) The spirit becomes smoother, more subtle and mellower  but it still retains its ABV if aged in glass, he says. Its a technique that has passed down from generation to generation  an evolution from using clay.

From left, Mezonte, Real Minero, Mal Bien, Rey Campero and Lamata mezcals. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Vessels used for distillation and materials used for fermentation are varied and a mark of tradition

Mezcal and destilados de agave can be distilled or fermented in rawhide, clay, tree trunk, copper and even plastic. Taste for gamey, mineral or woodsy notes as you learn about how the mezcal in your glass was distilled. Look for the kind of still that was used, which is often printed on the bottle label if it is an artisanal mezcal.

Agave varietals have different names in different states

Agave angustifolia is most commonly known as espadin because thats what is most used in mezcal (it has a shorter harvest time) and also what its called in Oaxaca. However, in Puebla, the same varietal is called espadilla; it's lineno in Jalisco and zacatoro in Guerrero. Agave marmorata is referred to as tepeztate in Oaxaca but pichomel in Puebla. The list goes on and on, but paying attention to the genus and species of the agave serves as an equalizer across pre-Hispanic languages, states and regions.

Destilados de agave from the north have their own names

Raicillas and Bacanoras also are distilled from agave. Raicillas hail from two distinct regions in Jalisco (coastal or mountains) or Nayarit. Bacanoras are solely from Sonora. Theyre more herbal and dont have as many mineral notes as mezcal from Oaxaca, Vasquez says. Theres more citrus. Its more about the soil or terroir, and you can definitely taste the vehicle they use for maturation  often copper or wood."

Dont miss out on destilados made from capon agaves

Capon refers to agaves whose quiote, or reproductive stalks, are cut off a few months before harvesting. This sends the energy that would have been expended sending the flowering stalks up into the sky back into the pina, or heart of the agave, instead. Vasquez says, What you get is an explosion of stronger flavors, as well as sugar content. But its also controversial. This is because the method prevents the agave from reproducing.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Deltona officials along with St. Johns Water Management District officials break ground on the Florida Straw Project, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2022.

DELTONA  How much water can a $10.6 million straw pull?

Eventually, 12 million gallons.

The city and the St. Johns River Water Management District last week broke ground on the Florida Straw Project that will, at build-out, withdraw up to 12 million gallons of surface water per day to supplement the city's reclaimed water system.

Officials say the withdrawal shouldn't be noticeable to the naked eye as Lake Monroe spans 8,771 acres.

The project also will help recharge the Blue Spring aquifer to improve the spring's minimum flows and levels.

"As we know, water is a precious resource," Mayor Heidi Herzberg said. "It's something that we really have to continually work on, and reuse is the way to go right now."

The city's state revolving fund loan accounts for $5,722,494 of the work, and the St. Johns River Water Management District grant of $4,879,000 accounts for the rest, according to city records.

The work is taking place near the old community center on Lakeshore Drive across from the boat ramp, which is closed during construction and expected to reopen in June 2023. Boaters in the meantime may use the ramp at Mariners Cove Park, 1199 Enterprise Osteen Road.

The water will be pumped to the Alexander Rapid Infiltration Basin site where it will be treated and filtered.

"The desire is we never have to augment reclaimed water with valuable groundwater," John Peters III, acting city manager, said.

Reclaimed water is primarily used in irrigation as it's not filtered or disinfected to the levels required for drinking water.

Groundwater, which is pulled from Florida's underground aquifer, is the main source of drinking water for most of northeast and central Florida.

Some groundwater contaminants occur naturally, but most are a result of human activity, according to the nonprofit Groundwater Foundation.

The Alexander site currently has the capacity to treat up to 4 million gallons, Steve Danskine, the city's acting public works director, said. Additional filtration tanks will be added as the straw project comes together over the next 18 months.

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More: For Florida manatees, it will be another long winter, though Blue Spring remains a haven

In addition to supplementing the city's reclaimed water system, excess supply may be shared in the region through interconnected systems.

Mike Ulrich, director of Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities, said developing alternative water supplies for non-drinking water purposes is an important strategy on which municipalities throughout the state are working.

"Were trying to reduce our impact as more and more people move to the area," Ulrich said.

Flow state

The straw project is a part of the Volusia Prevention and Recovery Strategy, "a comprehensive strategy to protect Blue Spring and six Volusia County lakes from current and potential impacts of groundwater withdrawals, as part of the districts minimum flows and levels program," Ashley Evitt, a spokesperson with the water management district, said in a news release.

"The strategy calls for groundwater withdrawals in the region to be maintained at or below sustainable limits, or for impacts from the withdrawals to be offset through reuse of reclaimed water, aquifer recharge and water supply projects, as well as through conservation and regulatory measures to protect water resources," Evitt said.

The St. Johns River Water Management District set a minimum flow regime for Blue Spring just over 15 years ago with the intent of protecting the spring "from a reduction in flows that could threaten its water resource values and functions, including its use as a reliable winter warm-water refuge by manatees," according to the district's website.

Blue Spring's flow varies throughout the year as it's largely affected by climatic conditions.

Impact on neighbors

Duke Energy in December cleared trees and brush to prepare for the construction work, which wasn't necessarily to the liking of some residents in the Edgewater and Lakeside condominiums.

"They're a little upset that the vegetative buffer on that property is gone," Danskine said.

However, the city is working on relandscaping the area to bring some of the natural screening back, Danskine said.

Aside from the landscaping loss and intermittent construction work, the project shouldn't have a major impact on area residents, especially once completed.

"The pumps are very quiet, and there should be no odor associated with it when it's in operation," Danskine said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Straw project to augment Deltona's reclaimed water supply breaks ground
Portrait of Marni Yang in the library at Logan Correctional Center on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 in Lincoln, Illinois. Yang is serving a double life sentence for the murder of Rhoni Reuter and her unborn child. Yang's case is currently being appealed by defense attorney Jed Stone. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

The identity of a newly disclosed witness in the Marni Yang case should be disclosed, a Lake County judge said Wednesday in a ruling Yangs attorney described as a minor setback.

The witness, Yang attorney Jed Stone said in court filings, would testify that former Chicago Bear Shaun Gayle made incriminating statements about the death of his girlfriend, Rhoni Reuter, several hours after Reuter was fatally shot in her Deerfield condo in 2007.

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Marni Yang was convicted of murdering Reuter and her unborn child, in what authorities said was a crime motivated by Yangs jealousy of Reuters relationship with Gayle. Yang is seeking a hearing as part of her attempt to get a new trial.

Stone disclosed in December that a new witness had been discovered who would testify that an agitated Gayle appeared at a North Chicago barbershop hours after the pregnant Reuter was shot, and told the owner, I did it. Shes gone.

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Authorities said in the weeks after the shooting that Gayle had been ruled out as a suspect.

The new witness has completed an affidavit that Stone has shared with Lake County prosecutors. However, the attorney had asked that the court either file the affidavit under seal or, alternately redact the witnesss name for privacy reasons and the witness protection.

But Judge Christopher Stride ruled against the motion Wednesday. Case law, the judge said, carried a presumption that court records remain public whenever possible. Stones motion, the judge said, did not provide a compelling enough legal reason to seal the affidavit.

Stone said he would file a motion to reconsider, and said he was discussing an option with prosecutors to make the affidavit public, but redact the name.

At an online news conference later Wednesday, Stone called the ruling a minor setback, and said it will not slow momentum in his attempt to secure an evidentiary hearing for Yang.

When we get there, we think the judge will find that Marni Yang has proven her actual innocence and is entitled to a new trial, Stone said.

At the online news conference, Stone and his team said they will soon make public a video shot with Yang at the Logan Correctional Facility, where she discusses the incriminating audio recording a friend made of Yang while they were eating at a restaurant.

At her trial, prosecutors said it proved Yangs guilt. But her defense team said she made up the things on the tape to draw police attention away from her then teenage son as a potential suspect.
HCA Healthcare, largest hospital company in the United States, will once again require its medical professionals and hospital workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling upholding vaccine mandates for most health care workers.

The court last week struck down a Biden Administration mandate that applied to large employers but left in place narrower requirement for health care workers at hospitals and facilities receiving funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Colleagues take a group photo after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on the HCA TriStar Health campus Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.

For much of last year, HCA required vaccines for its health care workers in accordance with this mandate. But after the mandate was temporarily suspended by a federal judge in early December, HCA was one of several large hospital chains that dropped its requirement while awaiting a final decision from the Supreme Court, according to reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Harlow Sumerford, an HCA spokesperson, confirmed Tuesday the requirement is back.

Given the recent Supreme Court ruling, we will implement, in accordance with the CMS mandate rules, the requirement to vaccinate our healthcare workers who are covered by this policy, unless they qualify for an exemption, Sumerford said in an email statement. If we do not comply with the CMS mandate, we could compromise our ability to serve our communities and provide care to patients under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

INFECTION RISK: COVID-19 infections increase tenfold among Tennessee nursing home residents

HCAs suspension of its vaccine mandate took effect as the omicron variant was taking hold in the United States, spreading coronavirus faster than ever before. Many hospitals, including those in Tennessee, are struggling with severe staffing shortages due to virus-related absences.

Emergency physician Debbie Holp receives the COVID-19 vaccine from Asya Miller on the HCA TriStar Health campus Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.

HCA is headquartered in Nashville and owns the TriStar hospitals throughout Middle Tennessee. The company owns 186 hospitals in 20 states and employees about 47,000 doctors and more than 93,000 nurses, according to the companys website.

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Approximately 90% of the companys employees have been fully vaccinated or are approved for a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination mandate, Sumerford said.

Brett Kelman is the health care reporter for The Tennessean. He can be reached at 615-259-8287 or at brett.kelman@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter at @brettkelman.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: HCA once again requires COVID vaccines for health care workers
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden set a new daily record for COVID-19 cases, registering 37,886 cases on Jan. 18, health agency data showed on Wednesday as a fourth wave of the virus mounted across the country.

The daily infection figures are typically revised somewhat as any delayed records of additional cases are added to the national total for a given day.

The previous record of 26,566 cases was set on Jan. 12.

The record came despite limited national test capacity.

Kronoberg, one of Sweden's 25 healthcare regions, said on Wednesday it would pause all testing except for hospital and elderly care patients and staff.

Sweden, with 10.4 million inhabitants, recorded 67 new deaths since Tuesday.

Sweden's government announced new restrictions this month as the more contagious omicron variant has spread rapidly and putting strain on the country's healthcare.

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Simon Johnson)
A teenager was hospitalized after he was shot in Pasadena on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Firefighters were working at 3:03 p.m. in the 1600 block of North Los Robles Avenue when a driver flagged them down and said the teen, who was a passenger in the car, had been shot, said Lt. Bill Grisafe, a Pasadena Police Department spokesman.

Paramedics started first aid and contacted police, Grisafe said.

At 3:06 p.m., police got a report of shots fired near North Los Robles and Eldora Road, the lieutenant said. Officers found evidence of a shooting in the area and are working to determine whether that is where the teen was shot.

The teenager, identified only as male, was hospitalized in critical condition, Grisafe said. The driver wasn't injured.

Further information about the shooting wasn't available Tuesday evening.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In December, the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth released the 2021 State of the Child report.

While many of the statistics in the report indicate a need for further support for Tennessee families, one statistic has gotten shockingly little attention.

The report found that girls face outrageously high rates of violence  more than 1 in 6 high school girls in Tennessee experienced physical abuse from a dating partner in the past year.

This number is twice the national rate and significantly higher than other states, and current measures are not working.

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

Sex education can help students unpack inappropriate experiences

Tennessee does not allow comprehensive sex education in public school classrooms, so we are left without a way to address the root causes of these incidents with student survivors and perpetrators alike.

Two public schoolteachers, Mrs. Sharon Anthony of Glencliff High, center left, and Mrs. Woody Coleman of a Memphis high school, center right, plead with members of the Tennessee Senate, Sen. Halbert Harvill, D-Clarksville, left, and Sen. Fred Berry, R-Knoxville, to kill a bill prohibiting the teaching of sex education during a break at the state Capitol on April 30, 1969. The Senate went on to pass the bill to outlaw sex education in public schools, but only after adopting an amendment some House members said gutted the measure.

Girls face unique challenges in accessing support in violent relationships. Current legislation in Tennessee does not allow teachers to recognize that some students might have had sexual experiences or even coerced sexual experiences. Tennessee's state law requires providing shame-based messaging around sexual experiences before marriage.

This makes it difficult for any teen to trust their teachers not to judge them. There is a lack of mental and medical health resources for all Tennesseans  especially lower-income people and children.

Hear from Tennessee's Black Voices: Get the weekly newsletter for powerful and critical thinking columns.

As is often the case with response to interpersonal violence, we anticipate concerned government actors will raise alarms about increased criminalization and punishment for those abusing young people in dating relationships.

We have tried this and it simply doesn't work. What else can we do? Teach children to take "no" as an answer, to set their own values-based boundaries, to respect the boundaries others set, and to communicate effectively and responsibly with their friends, family and romantic partners.

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We can allow teachers to become "talkable," "askable" adults. If a student notices warning signs of unhealthy relationship behaviors, they should feel comfortable approaching a teacher who has taught about relationships. But using shame and fear in the classroom makes this unlikely and leaves students more vulnerable to abuse.

Tennesseans need responsible, inclusive, fact-based reproductive health and relationship education. This type of education reduces violence, unintended pregnancy and STI contractionall of which Tennessee sees at alarmingly high rates.

We urge our state leaders to take this violence against children seriously and pass comprehensive evidence-based sex education as soon as possible.

Nina Gurak is policy manager for Healthy and Free Tennessee; Cindi Huss is the managing director for RISE: Healthy for Life, which is an organization that offers responsible, inclusive sexuality education in Northeast Tennessee. Olliette Murry-Drobot is the CEO & president of O2 Strategic Partners, a management consultancy in Memphis. Kelli Nowers is the executive director of Advocates for Women and Kids Equality (AWAKE) in Nashville. Erika Burnett is the executive director of the Womens Fund of Greater Chattanooga.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sex education in Tennessee schools can reduce sexual, physical assault
By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) - Texas election officials have rejected hundreds of mail-in ballot applications, abiding by a new Republican-backed law just weeks before a March 1 primary kicks off this year's U.S. election cycle.

"My friends, this is what voter suppression looks like," Democrat Dana DeBeauvoir, the Travis County clerk, told reporters on Tuesday.

The county, home to the state capital Austin, invalidated approximately 300 applications because people failed to meet the law's stricter identification requirements, said DeBeauvoir, who retires at month's end.

Lawmakers in Texas approved a raft of voting restrictions last year, one of many efforts in Republican-controlled states to pass new limits after former President Donald Trump falsely claimed he lost the 2020 election because of widespread fraud.

Democrats in Congress this week renewed their push to pass sweeping voting rights legislation https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-democrats-start-voting-rights-showdown-with-no-clear-path-victory-2022-01-18 that would overturn limits such as the Texas law, but the effort appears doomed in the face of united Republican opposition.

The Texas bill prompted some Democratic legislators to flee the state for weeks to prevent the state House of Representatives from having the quorum necessary to pass it, though they eventually relented.

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who signed the bill in September and is seeking re-election this year, has said the law, known as Senate Bill 1, will increase public trust in elections.

The U.S. Justice Department has sued Texas over the legislation, saying it disenfranchises voters. Democrats say such restrictions discriminate against Black voters and other minorities who traditionally support Democratic candidates.

Among other provisions, the law requires voters applying for a mail ballot to provide either a driver's license or Social Security number, which must match the number they gave when first registering to vote.

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That leaves some voters playing a "guessing game," DeBeauvoir said, because many people cannot recall which number they provided originally and there is no easy way for voters to check.

Harris County, which includes Houston, had rejected 409 out of 1,373 applications as of last Friday for ID problems, including 309 missing ID numbers and 173 with numbers that did not match those on file, according to Leah Shah, a spokesperson for the county elections office.

In Bexar County, home to San Antonio, officials had processed more than 300 rejections through last week out of some 1,200 applications, elections administrator Jacquelyn Callanen said in a phone interview. Around 80% of those were due to the new ID requirements.

Other provisions in the law are also creating obstacles, she said. The office previously added a sticker with voters' addresses to applications that were mailed out to save them a step, but that is no longer permitted, Callanen said.

The law also prohibits residents from obtaining applications for other people, including relatives. Callanen said her office regularly receives messages from senior citizens asking for ballots for themselves and their spouses; under the law, spouses must make their own separate requests.

"It's sort of thwarting us at every turn," she said.

Mail ballots in Texas are already sharply limited to a handful of categories, including residents 65 years and older, disabled residents or voters who will be absent from their county during early voting and Election Day.

DeBeauvoir said Secretary of State John Scott's office had failed to give local officials enough guidance on how to help voters cure any defects.

In response, Sam Taylor, a spokesperson for Scott's office, said state officials reached out to Travis County last week to advise staff on the proper process and noted that the county's own estimated rejection rate went down from 50% to 27% following that guidance.

He said clerks have been instructed to accept applications in which voters have included both their license and Social Security number, as long as one of them matches what is on file.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Howard Goller)
For visitors, the Palace Museum in Beijing, China's former imperial palace also known as the Forbidden City, is a perfect place to glimpse the country's rich history and cultural splendor.



Nevertheless, this compound, which witnessed the rise and fall of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and many historic events, may also be stereotyped for its solemn atmosphere. How to attract and better inform younger visitors has been a question museum operators have been trying to solve.

Many ideas have been suggested and implemented: Tailored websites for teenagers, various entertaining apps for mobile devices, animation books. Now, yet another plan has been drafted in the museum.

The Palace Museum announced last week it was going to produce its first original musical specifically for children, and the performance will tour nationwide after a Beijing premiere.

The upcoming musical, Luduan, will feature an auspicious animal in traditional Chinese mythology with that name.

Luduan, also a unicorn, is said in myths to be able to travel 9,000 kilometers within a day and speak many languages. Consequently, it is often honored as a guarding deity for wise rulers during the time of imperial China.

A pair of Luduan statues in front of the throne in the Taihe Dian (the Hall of Supreme Harmony), the highest-level architecture in the Forbidden City, are chosen as protagonists in the show, but their images are also seen elsewhere across this former imperial palace.

"It stands for not only knowledge, and wisdom, but also hope for favorable weather and prosperity," Yan Hongbin, deputy director of the Palace Museum and chief producer of the musical, says. "Like the Chinese dragon and phoenix, Luduan is a remarkable symbol co-created by mythology and history. It demonstrates Chinese people's ethos to respect nature, pursue beauty and their eagerness to keep moving."

Although the detailed story of the musical has not been released, Yan reveals some other representative cultural elements in the Forbidden City will also be part of the musical.

They include Hangshi, a deity to keep off thunderstorms appearing as a roof decoration on Taihe Dian, the "gold chalice of eternal stability", a key artifact in Qing Dynasty emperor Qianlong's study, and even the cats wandering around today's Palace Museum, widely favored by tourists.

According to Yan, knowledge of cultural relic conservation and historic events concerning the Palace Museum are also mixed into the story to improve children's consciousness of heritage protection. For example, the musical will also tell of the 1930s' painstaking effort to move some collections southward when the front line of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) approached Beijing.
Two people were detained Wednesday after high schools in Denton were placed on lockdown when authorities received anonymous threats about the campuses, police said.

Denton police said in an update shortly after noon Wednesday that lockdowns have been lifted on all campuses. After a thorough investigation and numerous searches, no credible threat or weapons were found, police said in a Facebook post. Investigators believe the threats were a hoax, and interviews with the detained individuals are ongoing.

One person was detained at Denton High School and another person was taken into custody at Denton Ryan High School, police said on social media.

Police did not provide the ages of those detained or comment on whether they were students at the schools.

More arrests could be made or others could be detained because the investigation is ongoing, Denton police said.

A lockdown at Guyer High, as well as lockouts at Calhoun Middle and Newton Rayzor Elementary, were lifted earlier, police said.

Denton police said Wednesday that the threats were called into Dentons dispatch center Wednesday morning. The threats were against Denton and Ryan high schools. Police have not released details of what the caller said when making the threats.

Those two high schools and Denton Guyer High were placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution as authorities investigated, police said. The lockdown started shortly before 10 a.m.

There was a heavy police presence at all three high schools, and a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter circled overhead.

We are investigating unsubstantiated threats at Denton High School and Ryan High School. The campuses are on lockdown and there are large police presences at both schools out of an abundance of caution. Please avoid the area to allow officers to work. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/wnfFj4p8vS  Denton Police Department (@DENTONPD) January 19, 2022

The Denton Record-Chronicle reported that Calhoun Middle School and Newton Rayzor Elementary School also went on lockout because of their proximity to Denton High.

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Denton ISD sent an email to parents saying the police department received an anonymous call with a threat toward Denton and Ryan high schools, the Record-Chronicle reported.

Students and staff are currently safe in class, the email stated. We are asking parents to refrain from coming to campus at this time.

Denton police also asked residents to stay away from the schools.
TikTokers are sharing the story of Lauren Smith-Fields, who died in December. TikTok

Lauren Smith-Fields was found unresponsive in her apartment after a Bumble date in December.

Her family said they have been left with many unanswered questions, including the cause of death.

TikTokers are criticizing the lack of coverage, using the hashtag #justiceforlaurensmithfields.

Lauren Smith-Fields was reported as unresponsive in her apartment in Bridgeport, Connecticut after a date on December 12, 2021.

The 23-year-old was found dead by an unidentified man, her family told Winchester News 12, describing the man as an "older white man" whom Smith-Fields met on the dating app Bumble. Smith-Fields' family told the outlet they had been left with several unanswered questions about her death.

Now, TikTokers are criticizing the lack of media coverage and public attention on Smith-Fields, a Black woman, and comparing it to the attention Gabby Petito, a white woman, received when she went missing in September. Many creators have referenced a phenomenon sociologists call "missing white woman syndrome," where cases of missing white women and girls are far more likely to make the news than women of color.

Those concerns are compounded by Smith-Fields' relatives saying that they haven't been receiving enough information from police.

Smith-Fields' father told Winchester News 12 that he had paid for a second autopsy himself, because he was "uncomfortable" with the way the case was being handled.

A month later, on January 13, Smith-Fields' mother, Shantell Fields, told Yahoo News that the police department told them to stop calling.

"We haven't had any answers since the day that we found out that she passed away," she said.

The Bridgeport Police Department said in a statement at the end of December that it "takes these concerns very seriously," according to Winchester News 12. There appear to be no public statements about Smith-Fields on the department's Facebook or Twitter pages posted since. The police chief did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

Story continues

TikTokers are trying to spread the word to counteract 'missing white woman syndrome'

TikToks under the hashtag #justiceforlaurensmithfields have received 4.2 million views.

True crime and travel TikToker Haley Toumaian, who has 751,000 followers, said Smith-Fields deserves for her name to be "everywhere."

"She died under mysterious circumstances," she said in a video posted at the beginning of January, which received 1 million views.

TikToker Fiona Meehan said in a video at the end of December, which was viewed 12 million times, that the lack of coverage was "enraging."

Kate Dawson Winkler, host of the podcast "Tenfold More Wicked" and a senior lecturer in broadcast journalism at UT-Austin who specializes in true crime, told Insider there is just "not that same kind of attention" for people of color, indigenous people, and transgender people when they go missing.

"Where is the social media outcry and the overwhelming amount of information when it is somebody that falls into that category?" Winkler said. "You just don't see it."

Criminologist Zach Sommers wrote in an analysis of news reports published in Northwestern University School of Law's Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology in 2016, that missing white woman syndrome is likely "a real, empirical phenomenon."

"The race and gender disparities are evident across multiple sources and using multiple methods of analysis," he wrote. "The disparities are also quite large and, for the most part, consistent with the differences predicted by MWWS."

Creators hope that their videos will make a difference

Meehan told Insider that she decided to share Smith-Fields' story on her TikTok because the family's interview had upset her so much.

"I feel like if people are loud about it, maybe something will happen," Meehan said. "Especially right now, while it's fresh  put pressure on the police, because they aren't saying anything about it and it's very upsetting."

The silence surrounding Smith-Fields in comparison to the reaction over the Petito case is triggering, Meehan told Insider.

"We aren't seen as, as fragile or as precious," she said. "This just is another example of how Black people are treated differently in this country than white people."

Anthony Hyland, a speaker and independent journalist who has 1.5 million followers on TikTok told Insider he posted about Smith-Fields because of his passion for the "Protect Black Women" movement. It started on Twitter and Instagram started in March of 2020 after Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by Louisville police, and called for more protection of Black women and awareness of the violence they face. It is unclear who started the hashtag, but tweets from Halle Berry and Megan Thee Stallion raised further awareness, and people continue to share the stories of missing and killed Black women and girls.

"It's a literal mantra that should be taken with the utmost seriousness," Hyland told Insider.

Meehan said she believes people are beginning to understand how people of color are treated differently thanks to social media campaigning, and the platform is an effective way of spreading awareness. So she feels things are heading in the right direction.

"But we've still got a long way to go in fixing the problem," she said. "When we say 'Black lives matter,' this is what we mean."

There is currently a GoFundMe set up by Smith-Fields' family, which is raising money to help "bring the answers we are looking for to light." It has raised about $25,000 so far.

Read the original article on Insider
Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a press conference following his meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, on January 19, 2022. Alex Brandon/Getty Images

Secretary of State Blinken visited Kyiv on Wednesday, warning that Russia could invade Ukraine "on very short notice."

The top US diplomat urged Putin to pursue a "diplomatic and peaceful path" instead.

Blinken is traveling across Europe this week as the US vies to thwart a broader conflict.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday warned that Russia could attack Ukraine "on very short notice," as he urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue diplomacy instead.

Russia has gathered tens of thousands of troops along Ukraine's border, and Blinken said the already sizeable force could soon grow "even more."

"We know that there are plans in place to increase that force even more on very short notice," Blinken said in comments to employees at the US Embassy in the Ukrainian capital. "That gives President Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine."

Blinken also said he "strongly" hopes Putin makes the decision to pursue a "diplomatic and peaceful path."

U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) January 19, 2022

Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Kyiv, as the US vies to show support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. While in Kyiv, Blinken called on Ukrainians to prepare for "difficult days."

The top US diplomat is also set to visit Berlin for further diplomatic discussions this week, followed by a trip to Geneva to meet with his Russian counterpart.

Diplomatic efforts to thwart a broader confrontation have not yielded any major breakthroughs thus far, as Russia continues to make demands for binding security guarantees that the US and NATO have dismissed as non-starters.

Story continues

Russia claims it has no plans to invade Ukraine, but also refuses to withdraw troops from the former Soviet republic's border. In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Since that year, the Kremlin has also supported rebels in a war against Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbass region.

The White House on Tuesday warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent.

Blinken in his remarks at the US embassy on Wednesday said that Russia was threatening to undermine international order and that the situation was "bigger than Ukraine."

"If we allow those principles to be violated with impunity, then we will open a very large Pandora's box," Blinken said. "The entire world is watching what is happening here."

The Biden administration on Wednesday announced it was providing an additional $200 million in military aid to Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rep. Josh Harder speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for a VA Clinic on Manthey Road in French Camp.

U.S. Rep. Josh Harder announced Tuesday that he plans to run this year to represent Stockton in Congress in the new District 9.

Since 2019 has represented District 10, which includes Stanislaus County and part of south San Joaquin County. The Democrat is aiming to represent a newly-formed district that includes Stockton, Lodi, Manteca and part of Tracy.

"I am running for this district because it's an area that I love a lot. My family first settled in Manteca ...170 years ago," Harder said.

"We have done a lot of work in South San Joaquin over the past few years."

Harder announced his run shortly after U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, who has represented Stockton since 2007, said on Tuesday that he will not seek reelection. Harder won his seat in 2018 in a narrow victory over Republican incumbent Jeff Denham. In 2020, he defeated challenger Ted Howze by a significant margin.

Harder has successfully pushed Congress to appropriate $14 million to fund Central Valley and Northern California water projects. Congress also passed an amendment Harder introduced requiring the Government Accountability Office to analyze junk health care plans.

Harder is entering a field of competitors that includes Tom Patti, a Republican who represents Lathrop, Manteca and Stockton on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.

Also running is Democrat Harpreet Chima, a clinical lab researcher at University of California, Davis.

"We're certainly going to fight just as hard as we've done in the past," Harder said.

Harder said one of his priorities is attracting more high-paying jobs to the Central Valley.

This would help alleviate the San Joaquin County-Bay Area commute, in which thousands of people traverse the Altamont Pass each day for work, he said.

"The best fix for the long commute is bringing more high-paying jobs directly into the valley."

One approach Harder supports is improving career education for local students in order to attract high-quality jobs. Attracting employers who offer pathways for career advancement is also key, he said.

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Homelessness is another of Harder's priorities. Not enough has been done to address the mental health and substance abuse issues that often contribute to the loss of housing, he said.

Harder pointed to the Youth Navigation Center of Stanislaus County as a potential model for homelessness measures he would pursue in District 9.

"If you can help somebody get back on their feet, back into transitional housing within hours or days after they first become homeless, you can help make sure that that person addresses the challenges that led them to be in that situation in the first place."

Harder, 35, who was born and resides in Turlock, said he plans to move to District 9.

He acknowledged that the shifting boundaries that accompany redistricting  a process California completed in December  can seem confusing for voters.

"Change is tough, especially when you've been represented effectively for a long period of time by somebody who has done a good job."

The Modesto-centric District 10 Harder represents has been split down the middle, with the two new districts extending south roughly to Coalinga and Shaver Lake.

But the makeup of the new District 9 makes sense, Harder said.

"I think it is a community that shares a lot of values, (and) that shares a lot of challenges."

Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers business, housing, and land use. She can be reached at aleathley@recordnet.com or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Josh Harder seeks to be Stockton's new congressman
(Reuters) - A United Nations special envoy has urged Southeast Asian countries to support international efforts to engage all sides in the crisis in army-ruled Myanmar, days after a top regional leader travelled there to meet its junta chief.

Noeleen Heyzer, the secretary-general's special envoy on Myanmar, held virtual talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the new chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and sought a collaborative effort in humanitarian aid and seeking progress in a stalled five-point peace plan, the U.N. said in a statement on Thursday.

Hun Sen visited junta boss Min Aung Hlaing last week, a move rights groups said risked legitimising the military's coup last year and its crackdown on thousands of democracy activists and supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi's ousted government.

Myanmar has been in chaos for nearly a year, with the military suppressing protests and fighting on different fronts with ethnic minority armies and newly formed militias it calls "terrorists".

At least 1,400 civilians have been killed, according to activists cited by the U.N.

"The special envoy advocated for confidence-building measures involving all stakeholders, in addition to ethnic armed organisations," the statement said of Heyzer's discussion with Hun Sen.

The conflict has caused discord within ASEAN about how to deal with Myanmar, which saw the unprecedented sidelining https://reut.rs/3n0roOZ last year of its top general from ASEAN meetings over a failure to honour peace commitments.

An envoy from the previous chair, Brunei, made meeting all stakeholders a precondition for visiting, which the junta rejected. Cambodia's incoming Myanmar envoy Prak Sokhonn said that approach was not productive.

Heyzer urged Prak Sakhonn work with her and the international community on "a coordinated strategy towards creating an enabling environment for inclusive dialogue."

"She emphasised solutions needed to derive from engaging directly with and listening carefully to all those affected," it said.

(Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Ed Davies)
Chinese envoy calls for efforts to protect women in conflict, promote women's role in peace processes

Xinhua) 08:54, January 19, 2022

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to protect women in conflict and to promote women's role in peace processes.

Protecting women in armed conflict and promoting their participation in political and peace processes is an important part of the Security Council's women, peace and security agenda. To achieve these goals, the council should stick to the right direction and stay on the right course, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

Women affected by armed conflict are all entitled to security and protection, regardless of whether they are part of the peace process or not. They should be treated equally without exception, he told a Security Council open debate on women, peace and security.

"To protect them requires a comprehensive approach and collective efforts. Parties to conflict should fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law and renounce all violence against women, including sexual violence," he said.

China supports relevant UN organizations in actively carrying out their work in accordance with their respective mandates in this regard. The international community should intensify relief efforts in line with the UN guiding principles for humanitarian assistance and meet the basic living needs of women affected by conflict. Countries with historical responsibilities for hot-spot issues are duty-bound to provide more financial and in-kind support, said Zhang.

He stressed the importance of addressing both the symptoms and root causes of violence and conflict.

In conflict situations, the risks of violence, displacement, poverty and famine often rise exponentially among women. There is a need to be tough on violence against women. Yet nothing can provide more basic protection for women than a holistic approach to conflict prevention and resolution, he said.

Peace and stability can only be restored through dialogue and consultation between parties concerned. Civil society can play a constructive role by advocating a culture of peace. As an important force for peace, women should be given equal opportunities to participate in peace negotiations. All parties should remove undue hindrances and practice gender equality in political processes, he said.

The Security Council bears the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. It must work harder to eliminate the root causes of conflict, pursue political solutions to hot-spot issues, and unremittingly seek the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue, mediation and consultation, so that all women and girls can enjoy peace and live in tranquility, said Zhang.

He also stressed the need to unswervingly support women's empowerment and development.

Security Council Resolution 1325, as a milestone on women, peace and security, redefines the nexus between women and peace. Supporting women's empowerment and development and amplifying women's initiative, participation and power to change in the field of peace and security can help ensure the steady and far-reaching impact of the women, peace and security agenda, he said.

"We should strive to fill the development gap faced by women in conflict areas, prioritize development in UN's work, and seek early harvest in women-related goals of the 2030 Agenda," said Zhang. "We should effectively protect women's economic and social rights, and guarantee their right to education, because knowledge can change life. We should help more women get employed, emerge from poverty, achieve economic autonomy, thereby creating conditions conducive to their effective participation in peace processes."

As the host country of the Fourth World Conference on Women, China always advocates gender equality and women's empowerment, promotes women's development globally, and follows the women, peace and security agenda with concrete actions, said Zhang.

Over the past three decades, more than 1,000 Chinese women have served in UN peacekeeping operations, making important contributions toward peace. In recent years, China has actively worked with other countries, especially developing ones. China helped developing countries implement 100 maternal and child health projects and train 130,000 female professionals, lending strong support to women's empowerment in these countries. China also partnered with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in setting up a prize for girls' and women's education to galvanize action for this worthy cause, he said.

The Global Development Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and global development, which will lend strong impetus to equal rights for women and the global cause of women's development, he said.

"As is often said in China, women hold up half the sky. We are ready to work with the international community to promote women's empowerment and development, support women's role of holding up half the sky in international peace and security, and build a peaceful and beautiful future together," said Zhang.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
You are here: Business

A new cargo train, loaded with 445 tonnes of goods, departed from Quanzhou, east China's Fujian Province and headed for Moscow Tuesday morning.

This is the first China-Europe freight train route from Quanzhou, which is an important starting point on the Maritime Silk Road.

The train is scheduled to reach Moscow, Russia, via the border station of Manzhouli in about 20 days, saving 25 days compared with maritime shipping.

"The new train service will significantly lower our transport costs," said Chen Hanhe, chairman of Mega Soft (China) Co., Ltd, a hygienic product manufacturer.

As an export-oriented city, Quanzhou's export volume exceeded 200 billion yuan (about 31.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021, according to Zhang Xiaohong, director of Quanzhou's bureau of commerce.

Quanzhou's trade volume with countries and regions along the Maritime Silk Road surpassed 100 billion yuan last year, said Zhang, adding that the new cargo train service will add new momentum to the city's export.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Andrew Harnik/AFP via Getty Images

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet Friday in Geneva, capping off a week of diplomacy as the United States aims to fend off a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Over the last year, Russia has been shifting its troops, and it's estimated that about 100,000 are stationed near the border with eastern Ukraine. Russia recently deployed more troops to its ally Belarus for military exercises, a move that one U.S. official told The Guardian NATO didn't know about in advance. These troops, the official added, are in "numbers beyond what we'd expect in regard to a normal exercise."

The Biden administration has warned that Russia could be planning a false-flag attack, sending operatives into Ukraine to launch an assault that would give pretext to an invasion. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at this stage, "Russia could at any point launch an attack on Ukraine."

During their meeting, Blinken and Lavrov will discuss "if there is a possible diplomatic off-ramp to this crisis," a State Department official told reporters on Tuesday. The United States is "prepared to continue to engage with Russia on security issues in a meaningful, reciprocal dialogue," the official added. "We will see this Friday if Russia is prepared to do the same." Before the summit, Blinken will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, as well as his French, German, and British counterparts in Berlin.

Russia says that its troops, heavy weaponry, and tanks along the border do not indicate that an invasion is imminent. Citing security concerns, Moscow is insisting that the West not let Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, a demand the Biden administration has said it will not entertain.

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Flowers outside the Croft House furniture store for Brianna Kupfer. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Brianna Kupfer was found stabbed to death at a furniture store in Los Angeles last week.

Minutes before, she had texted a friend about getting a bad vibe from a customer, police said.

The 24-year-old was working alone at the store when she was killed, police said.

A 24-year-old University of California, Los Angeles, graduate student was found stabbed to death inside the luxury-furniture store where she worked minutes after texting a friend about getting a bad vibe from a customer, police said Tuesday.

Brianna Kupfer was working alone at Croft House on North La Brea Avenue on January 13 when the suspect entered, Lt. John Radtke of the Los Angeles Police Department said.

"She sent a text to a friend saying there was someone inside the location that gave her a bad vibe. Regrettably, that person did not see the text immediately," Radtke added.

The suspect was inside Croft House for several minutes before leaving through the back door, Radtke said.

Another customer found Kupfer in a pool of blood 15 minutes later, Radtke said.

A motive is not known. LAPD Chief Michel Moore called the attack "a random act of violence."

The LAPD identified the suspect as Shawn Laval Smith, 31, and released a video of him at a nearby 7-Eleven 30 minutes after the attack.

Moore said Smith was still at large and considered armed and dangerous. He added that there was a $250,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Kupfer's father, Todd, told CBS Los Angeles: "I would love to tell you that there's going to be a point we're going to be better, but I feel like it's going to be a big missing piece."

Kupfer was studying architectural design at UCLA and worked at the store as a design consultant, CBS Los Angeles reported.

Read the original article on Insider




British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will not resign from office following growing criticism over the news that his office held a series of rule-breaking parties during COVID-19 restrictions last year.

When asked by an opposition lawmaker on Wednesday if he would resign, Johnson responded with a "No," Reuters reported.

Johnson, who a little over two years ago led the Tory party to its biggest election victory in almost 40 years, has been embroiled in the party scandal for weeks that has seen his approval ratings drop significantly.

He said he thought the "bring your own booze" party on May 20, 2020, was a work event and added on Tuesday that nobody had told him the gathering was against COVID-19 rules, the newswire added.

The report added that Conservative lawmaker David Davis quoted an exchange from 1940 between lawmaker Leo Amery and then-Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain over his handling of war, in which he said, "You have sat there too long for the good you have done. In the name of God, go."

Opposition leader Keir Starmer described the prime minister as a "pathetic spectacle of a man who has run out of road" and "without shame" and called on him to resign as well, The Independent added.

However, lawmakers are now contemplating whether to trigger a leadership challenge to Johnson, where 54 of the 360 Conservative members in Parliament must write letters of no confidence to the chairman of the party's 1922 Committee, Reuters added.

Instead, Johnson announced an easing of COVID-19 restrictions dubbed as "plan B" - including compulsory mask-wearing on public transport, in shops and more - starting next Thursday, The Guardian reported.

The reversal of rules has been seen as an attempt by Johnson to placate members of his party who are furious with reports of the Downing Street parties, the newspaper added.

"In the country at large we will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces, particularly when you come into contact with people you don't normally meet, but we will trust the judgment of the British people and no longer criminalize anyone who chooses not to wear one," Johnson told the U.K.'s House of Commons.
The University of Michigan has reached a $490 million settlement with former athletes and other U-M students who sued the school saying they had been sexually assaulted by the late Dr. Robert Anderson, a former football team doctor, attorneys for the survivors and the university announced.

There are 1,050 former athletes and other U-M students suing the university in federal court. Many of the suits, including the first filed, were filed anonymously. The suits claim the university failed to act when it knew Anderson was sexually assaulting students.

Jon Vaughn, a former Michigan football player who played for Bo Schembechler and in the NFL, talks to the media during a news conference near Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Vaughn was one of three of the alleged victims of sexual abuse by Dr. Robert Anderson in the 1980s.

"The University of Michigan has accepted responsibility financially and otherwise for harm that was caused by Anderson to so many young people that could have been avoided," attorney Jamie White said in a statement. "The university should be commended and not condemned. Most of our clients had a strong love for the university and did not want to see permanent damage, but wanted accountability. I believe we accomplished those goals yesterday," he said, referring to reaching the agreement late Tuesday.

"It is time for the Michigan legislators to look at why two of the largest scandals in the history of the country  Larry Nassar and Robert Anderson  happened at Michigan's two largest universities. Other states have addressed this issue. It is time for Michigan leadership to do the same."

Anderson worked at U-M from 1968-2003 and died in 2008.

Of the $490 million total settlement, $460 million will be available to the approximately 1,050 claimants, and $30 million would be reserved for future claimants who choose to participate in the settlement before July 31, 2023, U-M said. The claimants and their attorneys will determine how the money is split. A U-M statement said U-M will have no role in that.

We hope this settlement will begin the healing process for survivors, said Jordan Acker, chairman of the university's Board of Regents. At the same time, the work that began two years ago, when the first brave survivors came forward, will continue.

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U-M will pay the $490 million settlement with Anderson victims from university reserves and insurance proceeds, university spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said.

"Over the years, the university has built up reserves from a variety of funding sources. The university will use these funds  excluding tuition and student fee receipt, gift receipts and state appropriation receipts  to supplement insurance proceeds to cover the costs of this settlement."

The settlement can help the survivors heal, their attorneys said.

Its often difficult to fully comprehend how this type of abuse  by both the abuser and enablers  affects people," said Stephen Drew, who served as co-lead counsel. "The effects are long-lasting, and recovery can truly take a lifetime. Settlements like these can provide resources to allow survivors the means to access therapy and counseling that aid the healing process. These brave men and women stood strong and they stood together: athletes, students, pilots, military, and community members. Their efforts will help make health care, sports, and our community as a whole a safer place."

The settlement is about $10 million less than the settlement reached between Michigan State University and the hundreds of survivors of Larry Nassar's sexual assaults.

Anderson's sexual assaults were so well known among Michigan athletes, accusers have said, that he earned nicknames  "Dr. Drop Your Drawers" and "Dr. Glove." Anderson was known to give unnecessary rectal and testicular exams to students. He also allegedly traded sexual favors for letters to send to Vietnam-era draft boards establishing men as homosexual and thus making them eligible for a draft deferment.

"This historic settlement was achieved because over a thousand brave survivors refused to be silenced and demanded accountability from their abuser and the institution which enabled him," said attorney Parker Stinar who represents hundreds of victims.

More: U-M doctor helped men avoid Vietnam War in exchange for sexual favors, ex-students say

More: Report: U-M could have stopped Anderson sexual assaults on athletes

Many have said Anderson's assaults were well known to university officials.

A former U-M wrestler named Tad Deluca said he raised concerns about Anderson in 1975. Deluca went to Anderson for a shoulder that was giving him problems and received unnecessary rectal and testicular exams.

Deluca wrote a nine-page letter to then-Athletic Director Don Canham and then-wrestling coach Bill Johannesen outlining the abuse. In response, the two threw Deluca off the wrestling team, Deluca said in a news conference in February 2020.

In 2018, inspired by women coming forward about being sexually assaulted by Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar, Deluca wrote to current U-M Athletic Director Warde Manuel. That led to a criminal investigation. The Washtenaw County prosecutor declined to pursue charges, largely because Anderson was dead.

Several people, including the adopted son of the late famed football coach Bo Schembechler, have said in recent months they told Schembechler about the ongoing abuse. Anderson was the football team doctor under Schembechler. Records reviewed by the Free Press in the university's archives show Anderson regularly traveled with the team and consulted with Schembechler on such issues as setting up annual physicals for players, for years, starting in the late 1960s.

The statue of Bo Schembechler on the University of Michigan's campus was vandalized with paint and a message of support for survivors of Robert Anderson's abuse in front of the football building on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021.

The university commissioned an independent investigation of Anderson and the firm conducting the investigation released a report in May that was critical of the university.

"A senior university administrator was told about Dr. Andersons misconduct several times between 1978 or 1979 and 1981 but did not take appropriate action," the law firm WilmerHale wrote. "Concerning information was also shared with other university personnel. Although the information these individuals received varied in directness and specificity, Dr. Andersons misconduct may have been detected earlier and brought to an end if they had considered, understood, investigated or elevated what they heard."

"The trauma that Dr. Andersons misconduct caused persists to this day," the firm's report continued. "The experiences that many of Dr. Andersons patients relayed to us were widely consistent, containing similar details and key elements. We have no doubt, based on the evidence available to us including the first-hand accounts of his patients, that Dr. Anderson engaged in a pervasive, decades-long, destructive pattern of sexual misconduct."

David Jesse was a 2020-21 Spencer Education Reporting Fellow at Columbia University and the 2018 Education Writer Association's best education reporter. Contact David Jesse: 313-222-8851 or djesse@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @reporterdavidj. Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: U-M reaches settlement with Anderson sex assault survivors
(Reuters) -French biotech firm Valneva said on Wednesday that preliminary studies showed that three doses of its inactivated COVID-19 vaccine candidate neutralised the Omicron variant of the disease.

All of the serum samples tested presented neutralizing antibodies against the ancestral virus and Delta variant, it said, while 87% of samples did so against the Omicron variant.

"We are extremely pleased with these results," said Chief Medical Officer Juan Carlos Jaramillo in a statement, noting that these added to an earlier Phase III trial that showed improved immune response with two doses of the VLA2001 candidate.

Valneva expects to receive potential approvals for its vaccine within the first three months of 2022, and is providing data to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as well as regulators in the UK and Bahrain.

Should the shot be approved in Europe, it expects to start delivering doses there in April.

Valneva's stock has slumped since the start of this year as investors worried over EMA comments on awaiting further data.

(Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Kirsten Donovan)
Jan. 18TOLEDO  A 71-year-old Van Wert man arrested last summer by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.

John Charles Coy appeared in U.S. District Court in Toledo before Judge James Knepp II on Jan. 6 and entered a plea of guilty to the receipt and/or distribution of child pornography.

A pre-sentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date of May 2 was set by the court.

A federal search warrant was executed by the Toledo FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force on Aug. 2 at a residence in Ohio City where Coy was known to be residing with his son.

His arrest culminated an investigation initiated by the Marion Police Department into allegations that Coy was taking and receiving sexual photos of juvenile females and engaging in sexual conduct with a juvenile female.

Over the course of the eight-month investigation, according to the complaint, numerous state search warrants and subpoenas were issued on social media, cell phone service providers and digital storage providers identified as being Coy's accounts. Multiple images of young females in various stages of nudity were recovered from those accounts.

Coy is known to have coached juvenile female softball teams over the past years in Marion and Van Wert counties. He is also known to have traveled as a truck driver in the region. He had also traveled on several occasions to the Philippines and had sought and obtained nude photos of young Filipino girls, according to the indictment.
Lina Moiseienko / iStock.com

As if U.S. businesses and consumers didnt have enough supply chain issues to contend with as crowded ports cant move goods fast enough, a new 5G service could wreak further havoc, Reuters reported. The new C-Band 5G service developed by Verizon and AT&T could interfere with altimeters and other sensitive airplane instruments, the Federal Aviation Administration warned.

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However, late Tuesday, both telecommunications providers agreed to voluntarily delay deployment of the service near airports, after chief executives of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest and others outlined their concerns in a letter to the FAA, which was first reported by Reuters.

Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded, the letter stated.

Cargo carriers like UPS Airlines and FedEx Express also signed the letter, which bluntly stated, The nations commerce will grind to a halt.

United Airlines, in a separate warning also reported by Reuters, noted that C-band 5G coverage, if implemented, could affect more than 15,000 UA flights annually, including 1.25 million passengers and tons of cargo. Cities affected could include Houston, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.

Related: 12 Cheap Worldwide Travel Destinations To Consider for 2022

On Monday, airlines had already begun to consider canceling international flights scheduled to land in the U.S. Wednesday, Reuters said.

The airlines requested that 5G coverage not be deployed within 2 miles of runways at key airports. Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies, the letter said.

The FAA had previously said it cleared an estimated 45% of the U.S. commercial airplane fleet to perform low visibility landings at many airports where 5G C-band is set to be deployed. However, many large airports were missing from the list. Airlines are also concerned that Boeing 777s and some Boeing cargo planes would not be able to land in areas with 5G service.

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Both AT&T and Verizon issued statements late Tuesday that they would voluntarily agree to temporarily defer the deployment or limit the use of 5G near airports.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our nations airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries, Verizon said in a statement reported by CNBC.

See: Top 9 Ways To Save Money When You Travel  No Matter Where Youre Going

Find: Peak Season vs. Off-Season Travel: What Are the Differences in Costs?

The FAA told Reuters that the agency continues to work with the aviation industry and wireless companies to try to limit 5G-related flight delays and cancellations.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Verizon and AT&T 5G Service Delayed After Airlines Warn Supply Chain Would Grind to a Halt
Jason and Evangeline Cleereman. Jason was killed during a traffic encounter in Milwaukee in September 2020. The defendant is arguing self-defense.

A judge had to scrap the initial attempt to pick a jury Tuesday for the trial of a man raising self-defense in the fatal shooting of lawyer after a traffic encounter in Milwaukee.

Theodore Edgecomb, 32, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the Sept. 22, 2020 shooting of Jason Cleereman, 54, an immigration attorney and advocate. Moments earlier, Edgecomb, who was riding a bicycle, and Cleereman, a passenger in a car driven by his wife, had exchanged words. Edgecomb at one point punched Cleereman through the open car window.

Edgecomb struck Cleereman, while stopped on Brady Street, before Edgecomb rode onto Holton Street. It was there that the Cleeremans followed and pulled over before Cleereman got out and confronted Edgecomb, who shot Cleereman once.

Edgecomb claims Cleereman had uttered a racial slur, prompting the punch, then used it again and threatened to kill him when he ran at Edgecomb on the bridge.

Edgecomb's first trial date, Jan. 3, was postponed when the judge tested positive for COVID-19.

On Tuesday, Circuit Judge David Borowski called up a pool of 50 potential jurors, 20 more than usual, given the media attention Edgecomb's case has received in recent weeks. It took until about noon for the first couple dozen people to give basic information about where in the county they lived, their occupations, their hobbies and any ties to law enforcement.

Before the lunch break, defense lawyers told Borowski they were concerned the panel of potential jurors included only three or four people of color, and was not a fair cross section of the community. The judge told both sides to research the issue over lunch.

After the break, Borowski, citing a 2019 appeals court decision on the same issue, said he didn't think the defense could make an initial case the Clerk of Court intentionally summoned people for jury duty, or assembled panels for Edgecomb's trial, in a discriminatory, unlawful way. The cited decision found the fact any one random panel may not mirror a county's racial makeup did not in itself prove systematic exclusion of minorities.

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Theodore Edgecomb, left, with one of his children

More: Self-defense cleared Kyle Rittenhouse; will it work for a Black man who shot a white lawyer?

Defense attorney Aneeq Ahmad pointed out more than a dozen of the potential jurors were briefly seen on the court's livestream, as they moved to seats in one area of the room. Apparently someone had taken screenshots of them, which would be a violation of Borowski's order that no one photograph the potential jurors.

Borowski around 2:30 p.m. agreed to strike the entire panel, and start over with a new set of 50 possible jurors he said could be assembled later Tuesday. By 3:30, the new group had assembled. Borowski had told the original panel the trial was expected to last through Friday, and possibly into Monday,

The jury selection took place in Room 500 of the Courthouse, while CourtTV was setting up cameras and microphones in a Safety Building courtroom where the trial was to be held.

Because of COVID-19 precautions, there was not enough space in Room 500 for the panel and spectators or reporters. The jury selection process was instead livestreamed over the court's system. One of the four cameras in the room did show some of the jury panel walking to their seats. The potential jurors were only identified by numbers, not their names.

People hold makeshift signs at a picket in solidarity with Theodore Edgecomb, at the intersection of Brady and Holton, held by The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression Dec. 17, 2021 in Milwaukee

Borowski expressed some frustration over the livestreaming arrangements, calling Tuesday "a prime example" of how it doesn't always work as well as the state Supreme Court thinks it does. He said the only reason someone would take a screen shot of the jurors would be to "potentially intimidate" them later, which he called "despicable behavior."

Defendant left Wisconsin after fatal shooting

Edgecomb left the area after the shooting and was arrested about six months later in Kentucky. He has been jailed on $250,000 bail awaiting trial.

At the last pretrial hearing on Jan. 10, prosecutors amended the charges to first-degree intentional homicide, from first-degree reckless homicide.

The defense also wanted the trial to focus only the homicide charge, and have two counts of bail jumping tried separately. Those charges are for having a gun in violation of the conditions in two open cases at the time  one for first-offense drunken driving with injuries, another for felony domestic battery.

Ahmad said he feared the information might lead jurors to think because his client shouldn't have had a gun, he's not entitled to the privilege of self-defense.

Borowski denied Ahmad's motion to sever the bail jumping charges. On Tuesday morning, Edgecomb instead pleaded guilty to those counts, one a felony and one a misdemeanor. If he testifies as expected, he will have to say he has those convictions, but will limit evidence coming in about the details.

Since a hearing on Dec. 21, there have been a flurry of additional pretrial motions. The state obtained a material witness arrest warrant for a man who saw both encounters between Edgecomb and Cleereman. Rodtrell Cameron initially told police Edgecomb's actions were "cold blooded."

But in recent weeks, according to prosecutor Grant Huebner's affidavit, Cameron repeatedly avoided service of his witness subpoenas and failed to show for meetings he agreed to over the phone. He also told one staffer with the DA's office that testifying was "the last thing on his totem pole."

Cameron was arrested Jan. 12 and remained in the Milwaukee County Jail on Tuesday.

Contact Bruce Vielmetti at (414) 224-2187 or bvielmetti@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ProofHearsay.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Violation forces two jury attempts at Milwaukee homicide trial
China has unveiled a plan outlining major targets for transportation network development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

High-speed railways will stretch to a total length of 50,000 kilometers in 2025, up from 38,000 kilometers in 2020, and 250-km ones are expected to cover 95 percent of cities with populations above 500,000, per the document released by the State Council.

The country will have 165,000 kilometers of railways in 2025, up from 146,000 kilometers five years earlier; more than 270 civil airports, up from 241; 10,000 kilometers of subway lines in cities, up from 6,600 kilometers; 190,000 kilometers of expressways, up from 161,000 kilometers; and 18,500 kilometers of high-level inland waterways, up from 16,100 kilometers.

The transportation system will also be greener. Cities will see 72 percent of buses running on new energy, an improvement from 66.2 percent, and the carbon dioxide emission intensity of the transportation sector will be decreased by 5 percent.

The main goal is to achieve integrated development in 2025, with tangible breakthroughs in the intelligent and green transformation of the transportation system, according to the plan.

Looking to 2035, the plan aims to build "1-2-3 circles" for passenger trips and the transportation of goods.

That means travel time within cities and city clusters, and among metropolises will be cut to one hour, two hours and three hours, respectively. It will be possible for mail sent by express services to be delivered in as short a time as one day within China, two days when sent to neighboring countries, and three days when sent to major cities globally.

In 2025, grain, energy and ore transportation safety in major channels will have a stronger guarantee, and international logistics supply chains will be better protected, according to the plan.

International connectivity will also be improved, the plan said, specifying efforts to enhance transportation infrastructure with neighboring countries, push for the high-quality development of China-Europe freight train routes, and build an "Air Silk Road," among others.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin's first full week in office has been highlighted by controversy surrounding one of the 11 executive orders he signed immediately after being sworn in Jan. 15.

Executive Order 2, or EO2 as it is being referred to, essentially states that as of Jan. 24, the emergency order issued by Youngkin's predecessor Ralph Northam about mask-wearing in public will be rescinded. More specifically, it eliminates language in the emergency order that reads, "All students, teachers, staff, and visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on school property."

Youngkin said his order was "reaffirming the rights of parents in the upbringing, education, and care of their children." He chided the Northam order, saying the requirement was "ineffective and impractical.

Youngkin

"Permitting parents to make decisions on where and when to wear masks permits the Commonwealths parents to make the best decision for the circumstances confronting each child," Youngkin wrote in the order. "Parents can assess the risks and benefits facing their child, consult their medical providers, and make the best decision for their children based on the most up to date health information available. While parents of some students with conditions that increase the risks of COVID-19 infection might require their children to remained masked during the duration of the school day, other parents may require masks for a more limited duration, if at all."

There are five other actions outlined in the order. Let's take a look at each of them to see what they mean:

The parents of any child enrolled in a elementary or secondary school or a school-based early childcare and educational program may elect for their children not to be subject to any mask mandate in effect at the childs school or educational program. This is an "opt-out" for parents who do not want their children to wear masks during any portion of in-school education, and includes lunch and any class recess periods. No parent electing that a mask mandate should not apply to his or her child shall be required to provide a reason or make any certification concerning their childs health or education. In a nutshell, the parent is not required to give any reason  medical, religious or otherwise  why they do not want their child masked in school. A child whose parent has elected that he or she is not subject to a mask mandate should not be required to wear a mask under any policy implemented by a teacher, school, school district, the Department of Education, or any other state authority. Teachers, administrators and other school staff will not be allowed to tell a student they must wear a mask or they will not be permitted to be on the property. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall rescind the Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Virginia PreK-12 Schools, issued January 14, 2021, and updated October 14, 2021, and issue new guidance for COVID-19 Prevention consistent with this Order. The old saying, "a new broom sweeps clean," applies here. This guidance was issued by state school superintendent Dr. James Lane, who resigned last month. Youngkin's appointee is former Wyoming state school superintendent Dr. Jillian Balow, and it is highly unlikely Balow would do anything to cross her new boss. School districts should marshal any resources available to improve inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement and upgrades of equipment to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and non-mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification, fans, control systems and window and door repair. Building maintenance has been an ongoing issue, especially among the lesser-funded school systems, but the COVID-19 pandemic expedited several improvement projects.

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Youngkin's authority to lift the mask mandates in schools was immediately challenged by several school systems across Virginia, including Richmond, Henrico, northern Virginia and Staunton, all of whom say they will keep the mandates in place beyond Jan. 24. Published reports also state that 13 parents in Chesapeake are suing the governor to block EO2.

Locally, school systems in Petersburg, Hopewell and Prince George have made any public references to the mask mandate. All said they will look at the nuances of EO2 and will respond accordingly.

"At this point, masks are still required in all Hopewell City Public Schools and we will notify you when there is updated guidance or any changes," Hopewell schools said in a message on its website.

"We remain committed to doing everything possible to protect the health of our entire school community," Prince George said on its school website, adding it will provide an update on its decision Jan. 23, the day before the Youngkin order goes into effect.

Related: COVID-19 at-home tests free from government: Order online, no charge for USPS delivery

Related: Petersburg's COVID cases up 22.7%; Virginia cases surge 27.2%

Related: Senate panel kills bill to prohibit 'discrimination' against non-mask wearing Virginians

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: Here is a rundown of Youngkin's executive order on school mask mandate
New coronavirus cases leaped in Oklahoma in the week ending Sunday, rising 157.5% as 73,796 cases were reported. The previous week had 28,655 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Washington County reported 282 cases in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 180 cases. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 9,503 cases.

Osage County reported 376 cases in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 419 cases. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 8,351 cases.

At-home COVID test website launches early. How to order free testing kits from the government

Oklahoma does not directly publish county-level death data.

Within Oklahoma, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Marshall County with 2,156 cases per 100,000 per week; Cleveland County with 1,972; and Major County with 1,861. The Centers for Disease Control says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week.

Adding the most new cases overall were Oklahoma County, with 13,395 cases; Tulsa County, with 7,572 cases; and Cleveland County, with 5,602. Weekly case counts rose in 65 counties from the previous week. The worst increases from the prior week's pace were in Oklahoma, Tulsa and Cleveland counties.

>> See how your community has fared with recent coronavirus cases

Oklahoma ranked 30th among states in share of people receiving at least one shot, with 67.2% of its residents at least partially vaccinated. The national rate is 74.6%, a USA TODAY analysis of CDC data shows. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are the most used in the United States, require two doses administered a few weeks apart.

In the week ending Wednesday, Oklahoma reported administering another 80,048 vaccine doses, including 28,830 first doses. In the previous week, the state administered 71,478 vaccine doses, including 24,728 first doses. In all, Oklahoma reported it has administered 5,443,727 total doses.

Across Oklahoma, cases fell in 11 counties, with the best declines in Wagoner County, with 829 cases from 1,553 a week earlier; in Osage County, with 376 cases from 419; and in Rogers County, with 747 cases from 780.

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COVID in schools: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt authorizes state employees to substitute in schools as COVID cases surge

In Oklahoma, 183 people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, 173 people were reported dead.

Oklahoma ranked 13th among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the latest week coronavirus cases in the United States increased 5.8% from the week before, with 5,438,242 cases reported. With 1.19% of the country's population, Oklahoma had 1.36% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 39 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before.

Many counties did not report during data during the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, disrupting the latest week's statistics. That data is being compared to a week with backlogged cases and deaths from the New Year's holiday weekend. Week-to-week comparisons are skewed and these numbers will be unreliable even as they're accurate to what states reported.

A total of 811,389 people in Oklahoma have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 12,775 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 65,699,947 people have tested positive and 850,605 people have died.

>> Track coronavirus cases across the United States

Oklahoma's COVID-19 hospital admissions rising

USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, Jan. 16.

Likely COVID patients admitted in the state:

Last week: 3,243

The week before that: 2,254

Four weeks ago: 1,520

Likely COVID patients admitted in the nation:

Last week: 203,221

The week before that: 185,954

Four weeks ago: 90,739

Hospitals in 41 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 35 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 43 states admitted more COVID-19 patients in the latest week than a week prior, the USA TODAY analysis of U.S. Health and Human Services data shows.

The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control. If you have questions about the data or the story, contact Mike Stucka at mstucka@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Washington County COVID cases increased by 282 this week
Jan. 19A former Wasilla doctor was sentenced Tuesday to serve nearly three years in federal prison for illegally distributing narcotics to his patients.

David Chisholm, 64, prescribed highly addictive prescription drugs  including oxycodone, methadone, morphine and fentanyl  "outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose" to his patients at Camelot Family Health, according to charging documents filed in the case.

His prescribing practices contributed to the overdose deaths of at least five of his patients, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Schroeder. Chisholm's clinic was a "pill mill" where anyone could go to get opioids, he said.

Federal prosecutors said in a statement that Chisholm wrote more than 20,500 prescriptions to about 350 patients from 2014 to 2019. He frequently wrote multiple prescriptions for patients under different variations of their names, which allowed them to refill the prescriptions without raising flags from their insurance companies, the statement said.

"At one point Chisholm's practices became so egregious that Walmart refused to continue filling prescriptions he had written," the statement said. "In response, he instructed his staff to tell patients to go to other pharmacies."

Chisholm often prescribed medications in combinations that increased the likelihood of drug abuse and overdose among his patients, according to the statement.

"Nothing can excuse (Chisholm's) opioid prescribing practices in light of what is today universally understood about the risks of opioid use disorder and opioid overdose," wrote U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr. of the District of Alaska in the statement.

Chisholm surrendered his license in November of 2020 because of the investigation into his prescribing practices. The federal charges against him were filed in April.

During Tuesday's sentencing hearing, Chisholm told Judge Sharon Gleason that he was remorseful for any harm he may have caused.

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Chisholm practiced medicine for more than 30 years and served Southcentral Alaska patients for 22 years, he said. He is not board certified in pain management, but began treating patients who were experiencing chronic pain because he wanted to help them and enjoyed the challenge, he said.

Chisholm said he took on too much responsibility in pain management practices when he should have referred patients to specialized clinics. His family medicine clinic became known as a pain management clinic, he said, even though he was not qualified to treat chronic pain.

In the months prior to his arrest, Chisholm said he had been taking actions to reduce the number of opioids he was prescribing and wanted to encourage his patients to take a more holistic approach to chronic pain.

Chisholm was not prescribing the drugs just so he could make money, said his attorney Nick Oberheiden.

Chisholm pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful dispensing and distribution of a controlled substance in June. On Tuesday, Gleason sentenced him to serve 34 months at a federal prison. He will be on supervised release for three years following.
Photo from the Columbia University Media Center for Art History of the Governor Bent House and Museum in Taos, the site of his assassination.

175 years ago: In the early morning hours of January 19, an armed mob of Mexicans and Taos Pueblo Indians brutally killed six individuals who were either American or thought to be closely associated with the Americans. These were Charles Bent, Pablo Jaramillo (Bents brother-in-law), Narciso Beaubien (son of Charles Beaubien, land grant partner of the Bents and St. Vrain), James White Leal (a former Missouri volunteer serving as district attorney), Stephen Luis Lee (Taos sheriff), and Cornelio Vigil (Taos prefect, a partner in land grants with Bent and St. Vrain, and an uncle of Bents cohabitant Maria Ignacia Jaramillo).

Led by Pablo Montoya, who called himself the Santa Anna of the north, and Tomasito, a Taos Indian, the insurrectionists pounded on the doors of Bents home and tore at its roof. Bent went to the portico and confronted the mob.

According to Bents daughter, Teresina, who vividly recalled the details of that bloody morning, the insurrectionists told the governor, We want your head gringo, we do not want for any of you gringos to govern us, as we have come to kill you. Father told them what wrong have I done to you, when you come to me for help I alway[s] helped you and your families. I have cured you people and never charged you anything. But the mob would have nothing to do with Bents attempts at reason, and they commenced firing their guns and arrows at their fellow townsman and governor.

Bent retreated inside and crawled into an adjoining room through a hole carved out of the adobe wall by Mrs. Kit Carson, Mrs. Tom Boggs, and an Indian servant (Guadalupe Bent?). The insurgents followed the governor, killing the Indian woman as she shielded Maria Igancia Jaramillo (Bents common law wife).

Father went with all of us to a little room, Teresina remembered, and he sat and took his memorando book suppose he wanted to write something, but by that time the whole crowd of Mesicans and Indians got to the room where we were so they commence to shoot at him and scalp him and strip him of his clothes and when they killed him, some of the crowd wanted to kill all the family but some of the Mesicans said, no, women folks and children we must not kill....(Gardner, Mark L. Bent's Fort on the Arkansas. Pgs. 290, 291)

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That same night, American stores in Taos were looted and burned. The Revolt came about because of the American takeover, however, many of the causes had been simmering for decades, since the first American businessmen arrived in New Mexico and began to get involved in the local community, using money and influence to control huge tracts of land years before the military invasion. In a time of extreme turmoil both public and private differences were brutally settled.

Governor Bents assassination was merely the first step in the larger revolt. Many more on both sides would die before it was over.

This article originally appeared on LA Junta Tribune: This week in history: Bents Old Fort National Historic Site
Hundreds of companies, including major emitters like United Airlines, BP and Shell, have pledged to reduce their impact on climate change and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These plans sound ambitious, but what does it actually take to reach net-zero and, more importantly, will it be enough to slow climate change?

As environmental policy and economics researchers, we study how companies make these net-zero pledges. Though the pledges make great press releases, net-zero is more complicated and potentially problematic than it may seem.

What is net-zero emissions?

The gold standard for reaching net-zero emissions looks like this: A company identifies and reports all emissions it is responsible for creating, it reduces them as much as possible, and then  if it still has emissions it cannot reduce  it invests in projects that either prevent emissions elsewhere or pull carbon out of the air to reach a net-zero balance on paper.

The process is complex and still largely unregulated and ill-defined. As a result, companies have a lot of discretion over how they report their emissions. For example, a multinational mining company might count emissions from extracting and processing ore but not the emissions produced by transporting it.

Companies also have discretion over how much they rely on what are known as offsets  the projects they can fund to reduce emissions. The oil giant Shell, for example, projects that it will both achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and continue to produce high levels of fossil fuel through that year and beyond. How? It proposes to offset the bulk of its fossil-fuel-related emissions through massive nature-based projects that capture and store carbon, such as forest and ocean restoration. In fact, Shell alone plans to deploy more of these offsets by 2030 than were available globally in 2019.

Environmentalists may welcome Shells newfound conservationist agenda, but what if other oil companies, the airline industries, the shipping sectors and the U.S. government all propose a similar solution? Is there enough land and ocean realistically available for offsets, and is simply restoring environments without fundamentally changing the business-as-usual paradigm really a solution to climate change?

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Concerns about voluntary carbon markets

Outside of compliance emissions markets, which primarily focus on government regulation in the energy sector, voluntary markets create most of the offsets that are used to reach net-zero.

Voluntary markets are organized and operated by a diverse range of groups where anyone can participate. Have you ever seen the option to offset your flight? That offset probably happens through a voluntary carbon market. The activities that produce the offsets include projects like forestry and ocean management, waste management, agricultural practices, fuel switching and renewable energy. As the name implies, they are voluntary and therefore largely unregulated.

Because of the wave of net-zero pledges and subsequent demand for offsets, voluntary carbon markets are under pressure to expand quickly. A task force launched by United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Action Mark Carney and involving several major companies released a sweeping blueprint at Davos 2021 that predicts voluntary carbon markets need to grow fifteenfold over the next decade. It suggests that the net-zero surge represents one of the largest commercial opportunities of our time  prompting keen interest from investors and big business. It also identifies and proposes solutions to some persistent challenges and critiques of voluntary carbon offset markets.

Some critics of the blueprint argue that it overlooks deeper problems rooted in the overall reliance on and effectiveness of voluntary carbon markets as a solution.

Though there is historical evidence of misuse and plenty of criticism, voluntary carbon markets are not inherently bad or useless in the pursuit of climate targets. In fact, quite the opposite. Some voluntary carbon market projects, in addition to mitigating climate change, provide other benefits, such as improvements to biodiversity habitats, water quality, soil health and socioeconomic opportunities.

However, there are real concerns about the ability of voluntary markets to legitimately deliver what they promise. Common concerns include questions about the permanence of the projects for storing carbon long term, verifying that offsets actually reduce emissions beyond a business-as-usual scenario and confirming that credits are not being used more than once. These and other challenges expose voluntary carbon markets to potential manipulation, greenwashing, unintended consequences and, regrettably, failure to achieve their purpose.

Its getting better, but over-reliance on this method for counterbalancing emissions does risk some entities using offsets as a right to pollute.

Can global ecology meet the demand?

Voluntary carbon markets can improve landscapes and help make up for unavoidable emissions. However, they cannot accommodate all of the developed worlds net-zero targets.

Most of these initiatives have not yet started, yet emitters from developed countries are already seeking offsets outside their borders. This is raising concerns that wealthier companies may be placing the burden of their emissions onto poorer countries that can produce offsets cheaply, begging the notion of a newfound climate colonialism. Local communities may benefit from some environmental improvements or socioeconomic opportunities, but should economically developed polluters be forcing that decision?

Beyond ethics, in statistical terms, there is simply not enough ecological capacity to offset the worlds emissions.

Take the interest in using forests as offset solutions. There are around 3 trillion trees on Earth today with room for about 1 to 2.5 trillion more. The Trillion Tree Initiative, 1T program, Trillion Trees, and the CEO of Reddit, among others, aim to plant a trillion trees each. From just a few examples, there is already a paradoxical impasse.

Offsets can realistically do only so much for reaching climate targets. That is why the focus must turn toward reducing rather than offsetting global emissions. Voluntary carbon markets serve a critical role as innovation sandboxes for creative offset solutions, and they are mobilizing the private sector to act; however, they must be limited.

While some prominent organizations are pursuing net-zero, most businesses and governments have not yet pledged, let alone developed, clear and plausible road maps to meet targets in line with a 2050 net-zero global economy.

The needed goal: A negative net

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggests that the world can keep global warming in check if emissions are cut in half by 2030, compared to 2010 levels, and reach net-zero by midcentury. However, it also states a need for greenhouse gas removal beyond net-zero emissions targets.

The real act of climate cleanup begins at net-negative emissions for all greenhouse gases. Only then will their atmospheric concentrations finally begin shrinking. That feat will require more renewable energy, widespread infrastructure and transportation developments, improved land management and investments in carbon capturing activities and technologies.

While net-zero is a critical step toward addressing climate change, it must be achieved smartly. And, importantly, it cant be the end goal.

[Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Oliver Miltenberger, The University of Melbourne and Matthew D. Potts, University of California, Berkeley.

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Matthew Potts is also a scientific advisor for Carbon Direct.

Oliver Miltenberger 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.
Wichita police have arrested a high school para educator in connection with an investigation of unlawful sexual relations with a 17-year-old student in 2020, police spokesperson Trevor Macy said over email.

Daniel Alonzo-Hernandez, 32, of Wichita, was arrested on Tuesday, Macy said. The Wichita Public Schools online directory shows he is a para educator at Wichita South High School.

Macy says an 18-year-old woman reported on Tuesday being involved in a consensual sexual relationship with Alonzo-Hernandez when she was 17. She was a student at a Wichita high school at the time.

Alonzo-Hernandez was booked on suspicion of unlawful sexual relations.

He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, said Susan Arensman, Wichita schools news and media relations manager.

The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be presented to the District Attorneys Office for review.
The State Senate's Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges passed seven bills Tuesday.

A Senate committee passed seven bills Wednesday related to the state colleges, including two that would expand eligibility for in-state tuition and three that are aimed at preventing foreign influence in higher education.

The only bill to pass the Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges with unanimous support was Senate Bill 557, which expands the ability of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and the UW System to invest certain revenues.

Under current law, the system and board can only invest money generated from private gifts and grants, according to an Oct. 19 position memo from UW System and UW-Madison officials. The bill, if passed, would allow the UW System to invest more of its working capital, including auxiliary and tuition income.

"By expanding the types of UW revenue that can be invested, we could generate revenue streams to fund top priorities such as deferred maintenance and financial aid," wrote Rob Cramer, interim vice chancellor for finance and administration at UW-Madison.

The committee also passed bills that would expand in-state tuition eligibility to more students who are service members.

Senate Bill 313 would require that students who attend state technical colleges under the G.I. Bill be eligible for full tuition and fee remission for certain student activities and incidental fees set by the colleges' local boards. Currently, the law only requires remission of tuition and fees that are set by the Technical College System board. The bill passed 8-1 with Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, voting in opposition.

Senate Bill 605 would require UW schools and technical colleges to consider active duty members of the armed forces who have been relocated from Wisconsin to active duty in another state as in-state students for tuition purposes. The same would apply to the service members' spouses and dependents. The bill passed the committee 8-1 with Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, in opposition.

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Also moving forward for a potential floor vote is a bill that would require the state building commission to allocate $1 million from the state building trust for additional planning and design work on the university's new engineering building at UW-Madison.

The bill passed the committee 8-1 with Nass in opposition.

According to Dec. 15 testimony in support of the bill by Ian Robertson, Dean of the College of Engineering, the ultimate plan is to fund the $300 million project with $150 million in private funds raised the the university and $150 million in general fund supported borrowing that UW-Madison would request in the 2023-25 state budget, pending the UW board's approval.

The final three bills passed are part of a package introduced by committee chair Roger Roth, R-Appleton, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, aimed at preventing foreign influence in higher education.

Senate Bill 742 would prohibit UW System schools from admitting or employing members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army: the country's land, sea and air forces.

Senate Bill 744 would prohibit foreign missions of China at UW schools, block the UW System from being part of Communist Chinese recruitment of propaganda programs and require the system to report any funding it received from foreign missions of China.

Senator Roger Roth (R - Appleton), chairs the Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges and proposed a package of bills to prevent foreign influence in higher education.

Senate Bill 745 would create new disclosure requirements for UW institutions and employees around research, contracts and gifts involving foreign governments, companies, and individuals.

The bills passed the committee 5-4 along party lines, with Democrats Chris Larson of Milwaukee, Jon Erpenbach of West Point, Kelda Roys of Madison and Brad Pfaff of Onalaska in opposition.

Staff for Roth, Erpenbach, Roys and Pfaff did not respond to interview requests Tuesday. Larson was not available Tuesday due to a personal conflict.

In a December position memo, Jeff Buhrandt, UW System Interim Vice President of University Relations, wrote that the UW System "takes its role in curbing foreign influences on our campuses very seriously."

He wrote that the System had been taking steps to improve tracking of foreign gifts and contracts making other changes based on internal audits. In addition, UW-Platteville closed its Confucius Institute in May 2021 after Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021, which stated that some federal funding would be restricted to campuses that host those institutes.

The system ultimately opposed the bill package, arguing any additional regulations should come from the federal level.

While I agree that we should be worried about authoritarianism and Chinas human rights violations, these are federal issues," said Roys. "The federal government should take the lead  and is doing so. State legislators who are concerned about anti-democratic activities should work to ensure that our elections are safe from partisan interference in our own backyard from their own extremist party.

Contact Devi Shastri at 414-224-2193 or DAShastri@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DeviShastri.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin senators pass bills expanding help to veterans, armed forces
For days, Rachel Avery could barely eat or sleep, staying by the door each night in case someone returned her French bulldog, recently snatched from her porch in West Hollywood.

Then, on Friday, she got a call: Law enforcement told her they had the number of a man suspected of taking the brown dog named Jag.

Avery, 44, contacted the man  who confirmed he had the young dog  and arranged to meet him that night in Philadelphia, where he lives.

When Avery saw Jag in the airport, she dropped to her knees. A video of their reunion shows her hugging the pup at baggage claim as he grunts and squirms with joy.

"I missed you so much! I love you so much!" she exclaims.

"I just couldn't believe the miracle that took place," Avery said Tuesday, after returning to Los Angeles with Jag.

Jag slipped out of his collar around 5:18 p.m. on Jan. 9 while Avery's friend was watching him and bolted toward home via Sunset Boulevard and Harper Avenue, she said.

As the dog ran, Avery said, three men in a black luxury SUV spotted him and began yelling that he was their dog, asking for help to chase him down.

Bystanders pointed out where the dog was  on Avery's porch on De Longpre Avenue  and the men snatched him, said Avery, who was running around the neighborhood looking for Jag after her friend told her he'd gotten loose.

Because the men were in a rental car, authorities were able to get the renter's contact information, said Det. Juan Bonilla of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Bonilla texted the number, assuring the recipient that charges would be dropped if the dog was returned  a condition Avery had included on a reward flier.

A man called Bonilla and said he did not steal the dog but picked him up out of concern because he was running in the street with no owner in sight.

Bonilla gave the man's number to Avery, who was adamant about flying across the country to get her dog back, he said.

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"I did tell her  it was going to be on her own will," Bonilla said, "and also to make sure that she met with the gentleman at the airport  where there's law enforcement and other people around."

Avery flew to Philadelphia with the friend who had been walking Jag when he got loose, and they alerted security when they arrived.

Fearing retribution, Avery declined to name the man but said he appeared to be in his 20s. She believes the men with him when Jag was taken were his relatives, based on what he told her.

She said he looked "very remorseful" when he saw how happy the dog was to see her.

When they reunited, Jag had been off his medication for five days. He was itchy and had diarrhea and a runny nose. Now he's sleeping a lot and "super glued to me," said Avery, a clinical psychology student.

Avery will not pursue charges but wouldn't comment on whether she paid the $5,000 reward she had offered.

She said her efforts to retrieve Jag cost about $7,500 and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to recoup the money.

Jag is one of several French bulldogs taken from their owners in recent months in the Los Angeles area. Past incidents have involved violent robberies targeting the dogs, which can fetch a high price on the black market.

A pair of Lady Gagas French bulldogs were abducted in February in Hollywood after her dog walker was shot in the chest. Her assistant recovered from his injuries, the dogs were returned, and five people were arrested in connection with the crimes.

About three weeks ago, West Hollywood interior designer Robert Marinelli was dragged roughly 200 yards by a car driving away with his 8-year-old French bulldog, Luca. Marinelli was left bloody and shaken, his phone smashed.

Earlier in December, a woman was robbed at gunpoint of her French bulldog not far from where Gagas dog walker was attacked, authorities said.

Thieves often sell the dogs quickly, in plain view, on Hollywood Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, the Venice Beach boardwalk and at other locations, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Tim Talman.

Marek Utikao, 43, said he was walking his dog with a friend Jan. 9 on De Longpre when he saw the black SUV turn onto the street after Jag, who was running.

A delivery driver asked one of the men in the SUV if he was looking for a dog, Utikao said, and the man said he was. Thinking the man was Jag's owner, both the driver and Utikao pointed him in the dog's direction, Utikao said.

Two men chased after the dog, then grabbed him from a porch area and quickly brought him back to the SUV, Utikao said.

As the men were returning to the car, Utikao's friend turned to him and said, "You know that was a French bulldog, right?" a nod to the recent thefts.

"Don't say that," he told his friend. "I didn't think about that."

Less than a minute later, they spotted another man running down a nearby street, shouting that he had lost his dog.

The incident has rattled Utikao and his friend, who did not want to be identified. He said he's scared to go out alone with his dog, a poodle and bichon frise mix known as a poochon.

Avery was taking precautions prior to the theft  walking Jag only in the dog park and around other people. She carried mace.

Now she's going further. Because of the attention drawn by the case, she has arranged for Jag to stay outside the L.A. area for at least six months. He'll be outfitted with a GPS device and will stroll only with his "big sister"  a 120-pound Rottweiler.

Avery said she was happy to be reunited with Jag, who she called "the sweetest, kindest, funniest boy."

"He's just like a snuggle buddy," she said. "He's also super stubborn, which is why he got away. Because as soon as he got outside, he didn't want to be with that guy"  her friend who was watching him  "he wanted to be with his mom."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The $350 billion in coronavirus relief aid for state and local governments has allowed U.S. cities to respond faster and stronger to an ever changing COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday.

Yellen told a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors that the response by state and local governments is helping to blunt the impact of the highly-contagious Omicron coronavirus variant.

"Omicron has presented a challenge and will likely impact some of the data in the coming months, but I am confident it will not derail what has been one of the strongest periods of economic growth in a century," Yellen said.

She said that the $350 billion State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, which enabled cities to be flexible in how they aided their populations, had led them to be "much readier to respond."

"Rather than one burst of money that could only be spent in certain ways, it called for sustained funding, and our Treasury team has worked hard so you can use the money as flexibly as possible," Yellen added.

She cited several examples of local uses of the funds, from $1,000 signing bonuses for new teachers at child-care centers in Columbus, Ohio, to Hawaii's move to reverse its decision to furlough 10,000 state employees.

Minnesota has authorized more than $80 million in funds from the program for health needs, ranging from rapid COVID-19 tests to emergency surge staffing in hospitals, while St. Louis used $58 million from its allocation to spare residents from evictions and homelessness, supplementing rental assistance funds, she said.

Yellen added that funding from the Biden administration's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan stimulus package allowed cities to move from fighting fires to "start building a better post-COVID world."

The Treasury chief struck an optimistic tone on the White House's sweeping Build Back Better social and climate spending bill, despite contentious congressional negotiations clouding its future.

"While we dont know the final form this will take, it will revolutionize how we care for children in this country, invest in climate change, and overhaul the international tax system to ensure corporations pay their fair share," Yellen said.

(Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Kim Coghill and Paul Simao)
Reuters

New York Attorney General Letitia James asked a court late Tuesday night to compel Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump to testify under oath, saying that her offices investigation into the Trump Organization had uncovered significant evidence of fraud.

James said in a tweet, We have uncovered significant evidence indicating that the Trump Organization used fraudulent and misleading asset valuations on multiple properties to obtain economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions for years.

Donald J. Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump Jr assert that they may have ignored lawfully issued subpoenas for sworn testimony because of what they contend is an unprecedented and unconstitutional maneuver by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) the motion states. But subpoenas to current and former top company officialssuch as those at issue hereare routine in complex financial investigations and are amply warranted here.

The court documents notes that for over a yearand since Eric Trump testified in August 2020the AGs office has found significant evidence indicating that the Trump Organization used intentionally wrong property valuations to obtain a host of economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions.

Eric Trump invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly to avoid testifying as to the valuations of multiple Trump Organization properties, according to the memo.

Prosecutors note that while their office has not reached a final decision as to whether this evidence warrants any legal action, their grounds for conducting the investigation are beyond reproach.

Trump Family Starts Airing Dirty Laundry to Fight Off Subpoenas

This game must end, the AGs office says in its court filing, which asks that a judge force Trump and his two adult children to testify, as well as compel the company to turn over key missing documents.

In a Wednesday statement, the Trump Organization denied the allegations, accusing James of misleading the public with her probe into the former presidents businesses.

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She defrauded New Yorkers by basing her entire candidacy on a promise to get Trump at all costs without having seen a shred of evidence and in violation of every conceivable ethical rule. Three years later she is now faced with the stark reality that she has no case, the statement said. So, in response to Trump suing her and filing multiple ethical complaints, and on the heels of her failed governor's race, she has no choice but to mislead the public yet again by misrepresenting the facts and ignoring her own inflammatory comments. Her allegations are baseless and will be vigorously defended.

The filing states that the investigation into the Trump Organization began in March 2019, when Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen testified before Congress. During his testimony, Cohen said Trumps annual financial states inflated the values of the former presidents assets in order to obtain favorable loans and insurance coveragewhile also deflating the value of some of his other assets to lower real estate taxes owed.

OAG has methodically investigated those allegations; indeed, the Trump Organization has already provided substantial documentary and testimonial discovery in response to subpoenas issued by OAG in connection with its civil investigation, without ever challenging OAGs good faith, the motion states.

For more than two years, the Trump Organization was aware of the attorney generals investigation into the alleged misconduct and insisted its executives were cooperating, according to the filing. In reality, the motion states, the organization dragged its heels and only recently began to hand over many of the documents that were ordered via subpoena in December 2019.

The memo details numerous schemes to allegedly inflate the value of Trumps assets, including one in which the former president valued his own apartment in Trump Tower at $327 million, based on the apartment having 30,000 square feet of space multiplied by a certain price per square foot. But in 2017, the apartment shrank for the first time to its actual size of just over 10,000 square feet and its valuation shrank commensurately to $116.8 million.

Asked about this, Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg conceded that this amounted to a $200 million overstatement, give or take.

The court filing offers details on the Trump Organizations allegedly misleading and false statements about the value of at least six properties, including the Trump golf clubs in Scotland and Westchester, and several of the companys iconic buildings, including Trump Park Avenue and 40 Wall Street.

The AGs office argues that the Trump Organization misrepresented the value of all these properties to the IRS, lenders, and other insurers with financial statements that were inflated as part of a pattern to suggest that Mr. Trumps net worth was higher than it otherwise would have appeared.

In addition to the former presidents alleged misdeeds, the filing also paints a better picture into the previously opaque roles his two adult children play in the company. For example, Ivanka Trump was renting an apartment at Trump Park Avenue as if it were valued at $8.5 million, the memo notes. In Trumps financial statements, however, the apartment was worth $25 million.

Ivanka was a key player in many of the companys transactions and was able to ask for an access to financial summaries and projections covering properties or businesses in the Trump Organization portfolio, according to the memo, and also was a point person in its relationship with Deutsche Bank.

Trumps Tax Leak Hints at Potential Fraud Investigations

Donald Trump Jr., who joined the family firm in 2001, was likewise crucial to the organizations financial makeup.

Moreover, evidence obtained by OAG confirms that Donald Trump, Jr. was involved with certain Trump Organization properties that are valued on Mr. Trumps Statement of Financial Condition, including 40 Wall Street, and was consulted in connection with the matters on the Statements of Financial Condition, the memo states.

The attorney generals office claims it has received more than 5 million pages of evidence from the company that show Trump lied about the most banal things: the amount of cash available for a deal, the use of so-called outside professionals to evaluate the value of assets, and even the actual size of the Trump Tower penthouse. In some instances, investigators say, they found that the Trump Organization inflated the value of a property simply because it had his name on iteven though the financial documents explicitly indicated that wasnt allowed.

But when investigators tried to get a hold of Trumps handwritten documentslike Post-it Notesthat would show his involvement in the allegedly shady valuations, the AGs office alleges that the company simply wouldnt turn them over.

The filing says that the Trump Organizations top lawyer, Alan Garten, maintained that the boss just was not involved that closelyeven though company controller Jeffrey McConney told investigators in a sworn deposition that Trump would normally sit down to review asset values with chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg.

In the past, a source with direct knowledge of the companys inner workings has told The Daily Beast that the Trump Organization had an annual ritual in which Trump and Weisselberg would review company finances in private and fill in the blanks as they saw fit. (Weisselberg and the company were indicted last summer on tax fraud charges in the parallel criminal investigation thats being run by the Manhattan district attorney with the AGs help.)

In a footnote within the court filing, the AGs office also revealed that the Trump Organizations reluctance to cooperate was so severe that the company was forced to hire an outside firm to oversee the search for electronic records. Back in September, a New York state judge had warned the company that it would have to turn over documents and top lieutenants would have to testify.

The filing asks a judge to compel Donald Trump and the Trump Organization to turn over all documents within 14 days, and to have Donald, Donald Jr. and Ivanka summoned to testify within 21 days.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The York County District Attorneys Office on Tuesday asked permission for a second time from the Pennsylvania Superior Court to appeal a judges decision denying its request to drop the criminal case against a former Southwestern Regional police officer who shot a man in handcuffs.

In November, York County President Judge Maria Musti Cook again denied the DAs motion to dismiss the case against Stu Harrison, who was a more than 15-year veteran of the Southwestern Regional Police Department.

Prosecutors asserted that there was insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt because an independent, third-party witness, Harry Harrington, died in 2019. But Cook described the DAs legal reasoning as lame and noted that a high percentage of cases that go to trial do not have such witnesses.

In a petition for permission to appeal, First Assistant District Attorney Tim Barker and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Steph Lombardo argued that Cook erred when she denied the request to drop the case and later modify her order.

"If this appeal is granted and Commonwealth is successful," Barker and Lombardo wrote in a footnote, "then the case will be terminated."

Related: York County DA cannot drop case against ex-cop who shot handcuffed man, judge again rules

In this file photo from July 15, 2003, former Southwestern Regional Police Officer Stu Harrison is pictured standing in front of a police vehicle.

York County District Attorney Dave Sunday first tried to drop the case in 2020, writing in a seven-page memo that continuing to pursue a conviction would constitute punishment for punishments sake.

Cook rejected that request. The Pennsylvania Superior Court denied the DA's request to appeal her ruling.

Harrison is charged with simple assault in the shooting of Ryan Smith, 36, of Jackson Township, which happened outside the Santander Bank on West Hanover Street in Spring Grove on May 30, 2018.

Smith demanded to withdraw $500,000 but did not have an account at the bank or a photo ID. He had been released from a psychiatric unit the previous day, his mother has said, and was confused.

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The Pennsylvania State Police reported that Harrison told investigators that he meant to grab his TASER X26. But he instead pulled out his Glock 17 and shot Smith in the leg.

Smith later pleaded guilty to defiant trespass and disorderly conduct for a sentence of one year of probation. He and his mother, Christine, who witnessed the shooting, have opposed the efforts to end the prosecution.

Christine Smith said she does not feel like her family is getting justice, adding that it's been almost four years since the shooting.

"I'm not surprised with what the DA is doing," she said. "I'm disappointed, but not surprised."

Read: York County DA to again ask to drop case against ex-police officer who shot handcuffed man

Kyle King, a spokesperson for the York County District Attorney's Office, said it does not discuss pending litigation.

Harrison's attorneys, Ed Paskey and Chris Ferro, could not immediately be reached.

They also asked the Pennsylvania Superior Court for permission to appeal the ruling.

Also of interest: What happens to evidence, investigations and officers when a police department closes in York County?

The Southwestern Regional Police Department disbanded at the end of 2019. The Smiths filed an excessive force lawsuit in 2020 in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.

Harrison, 59, of Bluffton, South Carolina, remains free on his own recognizance.

Dylan Segelbaum is the courthouse reporter at the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Contact him at dsegelbaum@ydr.com, by phone at 717-916-3981 or on Twitter @dylan_segelbaum.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Southwestern Regional Police Officer Stu Harrison: DA appeals again
McCOOK  A 37-year-old Cambridge man remained in critical condition Wednesday after being shot by a Red Willow County sheriffs deputy whom he struck with his vehicle late Monday, authorities said.

Scott Kutnink was airlifted from Community Hospital in McCook to CHI Good Samaritan in Kearney with life-threatening injuries, according to a news release by Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood.

The deputy sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was released from Community Hospital.

Law enforcement had been called to the Walmart parking lot in McCook after receiving a call of an individual threatening to harm himself.

Deputies made contact with Kutnink, who was standing outside his vehicle. According to Wood, the man then got into his car and hit the deputy, who fired his weapon once, striking him.

Kutninks vehicle continued east through the parking lot and over an embankment before stopping.

It was determined later that Kutnink was not the individual who had threatened to harm himself.

The Nebraska State Patrol was asked to conduct the investigation.
DES MOINES  Mental health care workers and patients would be in line for assistance under a package of bills introduced by state lawmakers.

Iowa House Republicans have introduced four bills that would aim to add more mental health beds at state-run mental health facilities, establish more psychiatric residencies in the state, and create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers.

Iowa Rep. Ann Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge and chairwoman of the House committee through which the bills will run, spoke to reporters about the proposals Tuesday at the Iowa Capitol.

Its just such a crisis, Meyer said. Its a crisis that needs to be addressed in a big way.

House Study Bill 532 would fund 12 new psychiatric residencies through the University of Iowa at the states mental health care facilities in Cherokee and Independence and the medical and classification center at Oakdale. We know that we can fill those spots. We need to do something to get psychiatrists into the state of Iowa, Meyer said. The program would cost $1.2 million in its first year and double the number of residencies to 24 and the cost to $2.4 million the following year.

House Study Bill 537 would create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers. Participants would be required to commit to working in Iowa for five years.

House Study Bill 531 would increase by 50 percent the number of beds at Independence and Cherokee. Meyer said this proposal faces the unique challenge of also requiring sufficient workers to staff any new beds. We need to have places for our highest-crisis patients to be treated, Meyer said.

House Study Bill 530 would establish a higher state reimbursement rate to providers for patients with complex psychiatric needs.

Peggy Huppert, executive director of the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said the group supports the four bills.

We really do need to turn our attention to workforce, and beds remain a critical issue, Huppert said.

Iowa Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, a Democrat from Waterloo and member of the committee through which the bills would advance, said she supports the proposals and believes mental health care policy can and should be bipartisan efforts.

Im excited to see mental health bills come in, said Brown-Powers, who works in health care for MercyOne. Ive been here for eight years, and weve done very little to actually help those families and those folks with mental health. So its time. Its over time to do that.

Brown-Powers said she hopes the legislation has teeth and strong funding behind it.

I just hope that as we move forward we take a sincere look at mental health, she said. These bills are a start, but they surely arent everything that Iowans need right now.

Meyer said she has made mental health care one of her priorities since her first campaign in 2018, when she said she heard from many constituents about the need for expanded mental health care services. She recalled talking to a young woman whose brother was an Iraq War veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, turned to substance abuse and became homeless.

And theres so many stories like that, Meyer said.

One of the four bills was scheduled for a subcommittee hearing  the first step in the legislative process  Tuesday afternoon, and a second will have its first hearing on Wednesday. Meyer said the others likely will have their first hearings next week.
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A man was shot and killed early Tuesday morning in Oakland, U.S. state of California, according to the Oakland Police Department (OPD).

Officers responded to a report of a shooting and found the man suffered from gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene, the police said.

OPD Homicide Investigators were called to the scene of the shooting and began a follow-up investigation. The victim's identity was withheld pending notification to his family.

There were 129 people killed in Oakland last year, according to the police report.
Morocco has approved a package of 2 billion dirhams ($220 million) to help the tourism sector manage the fallout of the pandemic, the tourism ministry said.

The emergency aid was approved in a meeting attended by the head of the government, tourism minister, and finance minister.

The package aims to mitigate the impact of a two-year-long crisis on the sector and help businesses keep jobs and prepare for recovery, the tourism ministry said in a statement.

Five main measures are included in this emergency aid including 1 billion dirhams dedicated to help hotels improve attractiveness and infrastructure.

Workers registered with the social fund will continue to receive 2000 dirhams monthly until March, while tourism enterprises will benefit from delaying loan payments and a government tax amnesty.

The tourism sector employs directly some 500,000 people and the number of indirect jobs offered by that sector is estimated at 2 million prior to the pandemic.

The sector generated $8 billion in revenue in 2019, when Morocco attracted 13 million people.

However, the Central bank said tourist receipts would not exceed $3 billion this year after the government shut borders to fight the new variants of the coronavirus.
Morocco has earmarked 320 million dollars (3 bln dirhams) to address water shortage in drought-hit areas of Souss, Moulouya, Oum Errabia and Tensift, Water and Equipment Minister Nizar Baraka said.

Speaking to MPs, the minister said Morocco has 148 large dams and 135 small ones that are not enough so far to cover the increasing needs of the country, noting the uneven distribution of water resources.

Some 57% of water reserves of the country are located in 7% of its territories, he said, hence the need for 120 more small dams to be built by 2023.

Morocco also plans to start building a desalination plant in Casablanca in 2022 with a 300 cubic meter capacity.

This project adds to an already operational desalination plant near Agadir. Morocco also plans similar plants in Dakhla, Safi, Nador, and Sidi Ifni.
Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has described Morocco as a strategic partner with which we must walk together, without announcing tangible actions to help repair the trust his socialist government broke with Rabat.

The Moroccan-Spanish relations are still reeling from the fallout of the diplomatic spat sparked last May by Madrids decision to host secretly, in connivance with Algeria, Polisario leader Brahim Ghali, a war criminal wanted by Spanish justice.

Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya, who was responsible for breaking trust between the two neighbors, was dismissed from Pedros left-leaning cabinet in a bid to deflate Rabats anger. But few months later, she was decorated with the most prestigious civil distinction. The move has raised eyebrows and suspicion over Madrids double game and hidden agenda.

This has left many perplexed, casting doubts on Madrids genuine intention to open a new page with Rabat as the two countries relations share a common history and economic interests.

Madrid has changed its Foreign Minister but not its policy. Spain wants Morocco to continue its economic partnership and its key role in the fight against illegal immigration and terrorism, without following the footstep of the United States which has recognized the Kingdoms sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory.

Moroccos ambassador to Madrid Karima Benyaich, which had been recalled last May by Rabat for consultation amid unprecedented diplomatic spat, has not so far returned to Madrid, suggesting that trust between the two countries is still low as key political issues remain unresolved.

During his joint press conference held Monday in Madrid with German chancellor Olaf Scholz, Spanish PM said that Morocco and the Sahara were not among the topics discussed.

Yet, he reproduced the remarks made by King Felipe VI while receiving the diplomatic corps accredited to Madrid, stressing the importance of redefining the relationship with Morocco on stronger and more solid pillars and reaching solutions to the problems that concern both countries.

Unlike Madrid, Berlin has reached out to Rabat to end its diplomatic brawl with the North African Kingdom, making concrete steps. Berlin issued positive and constructive statements which were welcomed by Moroccan authorities.

The German Foreign Ministry has described Morocco as an important bridge between the North and the South and a key partner of the European Union and Germany in North Africa.

Morocco plays an important role in the stability and sustainable development of the region, underlined the German statement, praising Moroccos autonomy plan as an important contribution for the settlement of the Sahara regional conflict.

Just one day after his talks with German Chancellor, the Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares headed to Washington where he met on Tuesday with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Although there is no reference to the Moroccan-Spanish relations or the Sahara issue, many analysts believe that Madrid is seeking the support of Berlin and Washington to help it restore relations with Morocco which says it expects bolder and clearer stances from its partners regarding its territorial integrity.

In his speech made on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the Green March, King Mohammed VI said: I wish to tell those with ambiguous or ambivalent attitudes, that Morocco will not have any economic or commercial transaction with them in which the Moroccan Sahara is not included.
COLUMBUS  Nebraska Public Power District asks area residents who plan to participate in ice-related activities at Lake Maloney or Sutherland Reservoir, to exercise extra caution as water levels begin to lower.

Crews are performing maintenance work which requires shutting off flow in the canal that supplies water to Sutherland Reservoir and Lake Maloney, NPPD said in a press release. While this work is being completed, the North Platte Hydro is not running, but water levels in the lake and reservoir will slowly lower over time due to natural seepage of water into the ground.

We ask that anyone planning to participate in winter-related activities on the ice, such as ice fishing, skating or snowmobiling, to be extra cautious, as the lowering water level could create less stable ice conditions, said NPPDs Water and Renewable Energy Manager Kirk Evert.

During normal winter season operations, water levels in the canal system can raise and lower, and NPPD wants area residents who enjoy utilizing the water resources during the winter months to be aware of the current conditions, so they can do so in a safe manner, the release said.

If you plan to enjoy a day of ice fishing on either of these reservoirs, wear a life jacket, said Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Be sure to have with you and use that trusty spud bar to test the ice, and wear a pair of ice picks around your neck in case the worst happens and you need something to grip the ice to pull yourself out of the water.

Most importantly, if in doubt, do not venture out onto the ice.

Some additional general safety tips regarding ice covered bodies of water include:

 Create an emergency safety plan. Tell people where you are going and do not go on the ice alone.

 Recognize that determining the safety of ice is dependent on a combination of factors, not on one factor alone.

 Observe the ice. Look for any cracks, breaks, weak spots or abnormal surfaces and look to identify the color(s) of the ice. Do not rely on eyesight alone. This is just an initial look to help you to decide if it is even worth proceeding to the next step of testing the ice.

 Recognize that ice will never be completely safe. Conditions and unknown factors can make seemingly safe ice suddenly dangerous. Take care and precautions to avoid mishaps and to put rescue plans into immediate action should something go wrong.
On Monday, we celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and, more broadly, the civil rights movement in the middle of the last century in this country. A movement he led at the expense of his life. A movement largely responsible for federal legislation that outlawed segregation and removed obstacles to the exercise of voting rights.

Likely we all saw multiple references to Kings inspirational words relating his dream for our nation that his children would be judged by the content of their characters, not the color of their skin  one day. Much more than just describing an aspiration for the country, that section of Kings Aug. 28, 1963, I Have a Dream speech is a plea to each and every one of us to sincerely examine our consciences on issues of race and to do better, each and every one of us.

That self-inspection and individual effort to improve is an essential part of the long and never-ending path to achieving the promise of this nation founded on the self-evident declaration that all men are created equal. Any honest consideration of the 2020 murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer  or the 2020 murder of Ahmaud Arbery by three men in Glynn County, Georgia  leads to the inescapable conclusion that we are short of that promise no matter how much progress has been made.

It is not enough for any of us to say that we played no role in Floyd or Arberys murders. The murders of Floyd and Arbery are just among the most prominent examples of racisms continued impact. For each such example, there are thousands of daily, less tragic instances of skin color producing disparate treatment and prejudice. But what can one individual do to promote progress?

When an acquaintance or friend at a social event uses a racial epithet, do you silently ignore it, or perhaps even join in the chuckling at the expense of the target of the words? Or do you speak up, noting that such language has no place in our country?

Critical race theory is a 40-plus-year-old concept studied in collegiate and post-graduate settings that most of us had no knowledge of until the last few months. In the 1980s, I managed to graduate from high school, college and law school, and recently served eight years on the North Platte school board, without ever hearing anything even remotely touching on CRT. Yet some hysterically assert that critical race theory now threatens the nation. Why are politicians raising the straw man of critical race theory, attempting to convince you that this obscure academic theory is something to be feared and rooted out? Do you make note of the demagoguery and take it into account when casting your vote? If the topic arises when visiting with friends, do you point out the disingenuousness of those seeking to arouse passions based on this little-known racial theory?

When former President Donald Trump asserted that there were some very fine people among the white supremacists demonstrating in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the summer of 2017, what did you think? What did it mean that the president of the United States of America insisted that there were some very fine people among white nationalists and neo-Nazis rallying with chants of Jews will not replace us? What did you say? For whom did you cast your vote in the presidential race of 2020?

There is much each of us can do, must do, if we believe that all men are created equal and genuinely desire that our nation move closer to being true to that foundational principle. We can refuse to vote for politicians using racial divisions to achieve political power. We can reject all efforts to divide we the people into groups of us and them along racial lines.

Dr. King also said, In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Racism lingers and settles into the shadows of our thoughts and actions when friends of racial equality remain silent while racially derogatory language is used, or racially disparaging actions are taken, in their presence. We cannot achieve Kings dream or meet his plea if we quietly tolerate racism. That is not good enough. Speak up.
First orally administered therapy for the treatment of the two main types of ANCA-associated vasculitis approved in Europe

First launches expected in H1 2022

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland, January 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (VFMCRP) today announced that the European Commission has approved Tavneos in combination with a rituximab or cyclophosphamide regimen for the treatment of adult patients with severe, active granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the two main forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis. The approval is consistent with expectations and overall follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Tavneos in October 2021 for the same indication. Tavneos will receive marketing authorization in all member states of the European Union, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

"The European Commissions approval of Tavneos is a milestone for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis in Europe and for patients living with this debilitating disease," said Dr. Klaus Henning Jensen, Chief Medical Officer of Vifor Pharma. "We are confident that Tavneos can become part of the new standard of care supporting better outcomes for patients, a better quality of life, and reduce the challenging side-effects of current treatment options. We look forward to working with EU member states to provide access to this important medicine, with first launches expected in the first half of 2022."

"This is a significant step forward for patients in Europe living with this systemic condition," said Prof. David Jayne, Professor of Clinical Autoimmunity, University of Cambridge. "They will now have available a new class of medication that meets major unmet medical needs in the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis."

EU approval is based on a comprehensive development program, culminating in the results from the pivotal phase-III trial ADVOCATE in 331 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in 20 countries, comparing treatment regimens including Tavneos to current standard of care treatment regimens with high dose glucocorticoid use. The study met its primary endpoints of disease remission at week 26 and sustained remission at week 52, as assessed by the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). Tavneos demonstrated superiority over standard of care at week 52.

Story continues

About Vifor Pharma Group

Vifor Pharma Group is a global pharmaceuticals company. It aims to become the global leader in iron deficiency, nephrology and cardio-renal therapies. The company is a partner of choice for pharmaceuticals and innovative patient-focused solutions. Vifor Pharma Group strives to help patients around the world with severe and chronic diseases lead better, healthier lives. The company develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products for precision patient care. Vifor Pharma Group holds a leading position in all its core business activities and consists of the following companies: Vifor Pharma and Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (a joint company with Fresenius Medical Care). Vifor Pharma Group is headquartered in Switzerland, and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX Swiss Exchange, VIFN, ISIN: CH0364749348).

For more information, please visit viforpharma.com.

About ANCA-associated vasculitis

ANCA-associated vasculitis is a systemic disease in which over-activation of the complement pathway further activates neutrophils, leading to inflammation and destruction of small blood vessels. This results in organ damage and failure, with the kidney as the major target, and is fatal if not treated. Currently, treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis consists of courses of non-specific immuno-suppressants, in combination with glucocorticoids (steroids) for prolonged periods of time, which can be associated with significant clinical risk including death from infection.

About Tavneos (avacopan)

Tavneos (avacopan) is an orally administered small molecule that is a selective inhibitor of the complement C5a receptor C5aR1. By blocking the receptor (the C5aR) for the pro-inflammatory complement system fragment, C5a on inflammatory cells such as blood neutrophils, Tavneos arrests the ability of those cells to do damage in response to C5a activation, which is known to be the driver of inflammation. Moreover, Tavneos selective inhibition of only the C5aR1 leaves the beneficial C5a l pathway through the C5L2 receptor functioning normally.

Tavneos was developed by ChemoCentryx Ltd. who is also developing Tavneos for the treatment of patients with C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Tavneos orphan-drug designation for ANCA-associated vasculitis, C3G and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. The European Commission has granted orphan medicinal product designation for Tavneos for the treatment of two forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis: MPA and GPA (formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis), as well as for C3G.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005536/en/

Contacts

Media Relations

Nathalie Ponnier

Global Head Corporate Communications

+41 79 957 96 73

media@viforpharma.com



Investor Relations

Laurent de Weck

Investor Relations & Treasury Senior Manager

+41 58 851 66 90

investors@viforpharma.com
After setting a pandemic record of 98 COVID-19 hospitalizations on Sunday, East Alabama Medical Center set another record and hit triple digits for the first time, with 100 COVID patients on Tuesday morning.

It goes without saying that this is a milestone that we never wanted, or expected, to reach, said Laura Grill, East Alabama Health president and CEO, in a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.

According to an email from John Atkinson, East Alabama Healths public relations director, 80 of those 100 patients are above the age of 50, and 60 of the 100 are unvaccinated.

Atkinson also reported that the moving 7-day positivity rate for Lee County is 44.7%.

For COVID-19 patients in Lee County, monoclonal antibody infusions have served as an important treatment, including for unvaccinated patients.

EAMC has administered more than 3,000 of these infusions, which were especially effective in early 2021 and again during late summer. However, the drugs used in these infusions are not effective against the Omicron variant.

The new drug, sotrovimab, used to combat the current Omicron variant, is in short supply. According to Atkinson, East Alabama Health has received and administered 34 doses over the past month and hopes to receive a small shipment later this week, but has only received six doses at a time in past shipments.

While East Alabama Health continued to face challenges with record COVID hospitalizations, an overcrowded emergency department and staffing shortages, Grill praised her team of health care providers and support personnel, saying they have been amazing to watch.

She estimates that theyve cared for over 2,500 COVID patients since the beginning of the pandemic, and she puts the COVID death total at 349 patients.

I hope our community will continue to provide constant prayer and support to these healthcare heroes, Grill said. They need it just as much now as they did when this started 22 months ago.

Pediatric rate

The positivity rate for children in the area is similar to the nearly 45% positivity rate for Lee County. Atkinson said in a press release Tuesday that the three physician offices in Lee County that specialize in pediatric care all recorded positivity rates above 40%.

For example, the Pediatric Clinic in Opelika tested 2,117 children and 850 were positive, for a positivity rate of just over 40%. Meanwhile, Pediatric Associates had a positivity rate for 41%, and Auburn Pediatric and Adult Medicine office, had a 52% rate among children.

Opelika and Lee County city schools have reinstated mask-wearing for all students, faculty and staff as COVID-19 cases have spiked in the new year.

Drive-thru testing

East Alabama Health plans to continue COVID-19 testing for at least two more weeks for people who are symptomatic. Testing takes place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and includes assistance from Lee County EMA and the Auburn University and Southern Union schools of nursing. Appointment scheduling begins one day in advance of each testing day. Appointments may be made by calling East Alabama Healths Call Center at 334-528-4YOU (4968).
 Flash

The earliest human remains ever discovered are at least 233,000 years old, according to an analysis that sheds new light on the dawn of Homo sapiens, pushing back previous estimates by around 38,000 years.

An international team of scientists led by the University of Cambridge reassessed the age of a collection of fossils, including skull fragments, called Omo I, which were discovered in Ethiopia in the late 1960s.

The fossils are the oldest confirmed Homo sapiens remains, and earlier attempts to date them estimated they were around 195,000 years old.

By assessing the chemicals in volcanic sediments above and below the area in which the fossils were found, the Cambridge team was able to ascertain the remains were much older than previously thought.

Study co-author Aurelien Mounier, from the Musee de l'Homme in Paris, said the new study means the fossils are definitively the "oldest unchallenged" evidence of Homo sapiens in Africa.

Separate fossils found at the Jebel Irhoud archeological site in Morocco in 2017 have been dated at 300,000 years old, though archeologists dispute whether the bones belonged to Homo sapiens or a close relative.

The Omo remains, which include Omo I and an additional find known as Omo II, were discovered by a team directed by renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey, who died early this month.

Leakey and his associates made a series of notable fossil finds between the 1960s and 1980s, including evidence of early Homo sapiens and older hominin relatives in various locations in East Africa.

Classified as anatomically modern humans, the Omo remains were among the most monumental discoveries, though their true age has been disputed.

The fossils were found below a thick layer of volcanic ash that nobody had managed to date with radiometric techniques because the ash is too fine-grained, said Cambridge volcanologist and lead author Celine Vidal.

To get around this issue, the team dated pumice samples from the Shala volcano 400 kilometers away. Chemical analysis confirmed the pumice samples came from the same volcanic eruption that dumped sediment on the Omo site, meaning both sediments were the same age.

"Each eruption has its own fingerprint-its own evolutionary story below the surface," said Vidal. "Once you've crushed the rock, you free the minerals within, and then you can date them, and identify the chemical signature of the volcanic glass that holds the minerals together."

The researchers say that while the study shows a new minimum age for humans in eastern Africa, it is possible new finds may extend the age of our species even further back in time.

"We can only date humanity based on the fossils that we have, so it's impossible to say that this is the definitive age of our species," said Vidal.
Washington, PA (15301)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 58F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 58F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
U.S. Department of Labor Cites Manufacturer for 48 Safety, Health Violations Following Employee's Death

PM Engineered Solutions of Watertown, Connecticut faces $236K in penalties.

An employee of a Watertown, Connecticut metal fabrication company was electrocuted on July 14, 2021, while repairing a portable water heater. An OSHA inspection found that his employer, PM Engineered Solutions Inc., lacked safeguards to protect employees against electrocution, as well as mechanical, chemical, fall and other electrical hazards. OSHA cited the company for 40 serious and eight other-than-serious violations of workplace safety and health standards found during its inspection of the facility. The company faces a total of $236,201 in proposed penalties.

OSHA inspectors determined that the company failed to develop procedures to lockout the water heater's power source during maintenance or provide lockout training to the deceased employee. They also found the company failed to check energy control procedures periodically. The purpose of lockout/tagout is to prevent the unexpected startup or release of stored electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other energy sources in machines and equipment that can result in serious injury or death to workers.

"This employee lost his life due to the employer's failure to implement required energy control procedures," said OSHA Area Director Dale Varney in Hartford. "Of equal concern is the broad cross-section of hazards throughout the facility. Left uncorrected, they expose employees to being crushed, caught in moving machine parts, burned, chemical exposures, falling and being unable to exit the workplace promptly in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or explosion."

According to a press release, OSHA identified additional hazards during its inspection of the plant, including:

62 instances of inadequately guarded machinery, including mechanical power presses, forges, hydraulic presses and grinding machinery

Numerous electrical safety violations, including exposed live electrical parts, uncovered electrical boxes, flexible cords used in lieu of permanent wiring and material stored in front of electrical panels.

Open or unlabeled tanks and containers of hazardous chemicals.

Improperly located or designed collection systems for combustible dust.

Lack of PPE for employees.

Unsecured or improperly stored compressed gas cylinders.

Lack of a permit-required confined space program for employees who regularly entered a machine pit.

Uninspected damaged and unmarked chain slings.

Uninspected, inadequate and improperly altered powered fork trucks.

Failure to periodically evaluate fork truck operators' performance.

Missing or inadequate exit signage.

View the citations here and here. PM Engineered Solutions Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent OSHC.
Interestingly, Iraq dropped its U.S.-bound prices, suggesting that it is looking to cover more of the U.S. market going forward

Expectation is the root of all heartache, a proverb that resonates particularly well with Asian refiners at the moment after yet another set of monthly OSPs failed to provide them with the outcome they expected. For many years, the Dubai cash-futures spread could be used as a relatively fireproof gauge of what the forthcoming months Middle Eastern OSPs would bring about. Over December, the Dubai M1-M3 backwardation eased substantially, with the monthly average lower by $1.65 per barrel, so it was natural that Asian buyers anticipated higher cuts that would roll back Asian OSPs from the multi-year highs seen for cargoes loading in January 2022. Whilst the month-on-month cuts did happen, the average change (around $1 per barrel) reflected the fall in the Dubai structure only partially, potentially providing refiners in Asia with another reason to expand their spot buying, as a recent S&P Platts refiners survey seems to insinuate.

Chart 1. Saudi Aramcos Official Selling Prices for Asian Cargoes (vs Oman/Dubai average).

Source: Saudi Aramco.

Several days after OPEC+ once again confirmed its commitment to the 400,000 b/d monthly additions, Saudi Aramco issued its February 2022 official selling prices, setting the stage for other producers. The background against which Aramco did its pricing was relatively favorable  the impact of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 turned out to be lesser than with previous variants, despite sporadic lockdowns and travel restrictions. Asian demand, in particular, showed no signs of slowing down from the momentum garnered in November-December, and with product inventories at multi-year highs in Singapore and elsewhere, Aramco essentially knew that buying would remain strong. In cutting prices, Saudi Aramco dropped Arab Extra Light the most (-$1.30 per barrel month-on-month, to a $3.20 per barrel premium vs Oman/Dubai) whilst Arab Medium and Super Light saw the smallest cuts, $1 per barrel each, indicating that there was no overarching quality split in the pricing changes.

Chart 1. Saudi Aramcos Official Selling Prices for NWE Cargoes (vs ICE Bwave).

Source: Saudi Aramco.

The IFAD-set prices for all grades marketed by Emirati national oil company ADNOC also decreased from January 2022, although at a smaller rate. Murbans February OSP was calculated at $74.36 per barrel, almost $8 per barrel lower than January 2022. Whilst usually benchmark grades would follow supply-demand dynamics, the actual volume of Murban on the market seems to be having an almost invisible impact on actual pricing. The thing is that Murban exports have been decreasing for the straight months already, with December outflows only at 830,000 b/d, and will most probably continue doing so this month, too. On the other hand, the heavier Das and Upper Zakum have been expanding in volume  the latter even became the UAEs main export stream in December, at 850,000 b/d. This being said, Upper Zakum arguably remains one of the most attractively priced medium sour grades as ADNOC maintains a wide spread between Zakum and the benchmark Murban. Despite having lowered its differential by 10 cents, Upper Zakum is still $1.55 per barrel cheaper than light sweet Murban.

Chart 3. ADNOC Official Selling Prices for February 2022 (set outright, here vs Oman/Dubai average).

Source: ADNOC.

Whilst ADNOC was the first to set its February 2022 OSPs, closely followed by Saudi Aramco, the Iraqi state oil marketer SOMO once again took almost 10 days to publish its official selling prices. In the end, the changes compared to Saudi Aramco were almost non-existent  SOMO decreased Asian prices by $0.9-1 per barrel, whilst Aramco slashed them by $1-1.10 per barrel, though this might be attributed to SOMO already seeing a better refining environment overall. Data on oil product inventories at the UAEs port of Fujairah, Asias second-largest bunkering hub, came out a day before SOMO issued its prices, indicating that middle distillates stocks dropped to their lowest since December 2017. Though SOMO no longer markets the lightest Iraqi grade Basrah Light, which was nevertheless heavy even by Middle Eastern standards, the solid refining margins in Asia insinuated that SOMO could avail itself of the positive pricing environment without triggering the ire of term buyers.

Chart 4. Iraqi Official Selling Prices for Asian cargoes (vs Oman/Dubai average).

Source: SOMO.

Iraq has been increasingly pivoting towards Asian demand, with November-December 2021 exports hitting the highest level since April 2020. India has been increasingly becoming an Iraqi export hotspot  48% of all December 2021 outflows ended up in the South Asian country (at 1.25 million b/d, Thomson Reuters), consolidating its edge over China, the second-largest buyer. Peculiarly, it is not the usual Basrah Light/Basrah Medium crude that Indian refiners are buying, rather the heavy sour Basrah Heavy, arguably one of the worst quality Middle Eastern grades. As a result of India ramping up its purchases in October-December, Indian refiners now buy 60% of total Iraqi Basrah Heavy exports. Understanding this, SOMO hiked the European Basrah Heavy price by $0.2 per barrel and dropped Asian prices by $1 per barrel, signaling that it would prefer to keep the current split of export directions.

Chart 5. Iraqi Official Selling Prices for European cargoes (vs ICE Brent).

Source: NIOC.

Interestingly, Iraq dropped US-bound prices by 30-35 cents per barrel, even though Saudi Arabia simply rolled over its prices (both SOMO and Saudi Aramco price their American barrels against the ASCI index). With Iraqi exports to the US averaging around 200,000 b/d in the past months, it seems that the intention is to cover more of the American market and reinstate US-bound flows at least partially, now being at a mere one-fifth compared to 2017-2018 levels.

Chart 6. Iranian Official Selling Prices for Mediterranean cargoes (vs ICE Bwave).

Source: NIOC.

Whilst the last weeks of 2021 have seen hopes pick up over the fate of the still-under-negotiation Iranian nuclear deal, with JCPOA members essentially agreeing on the wording of the end document but failing to concur on who does the first conciliatory step, the recent Houthi attack on oil storage facilities in the United Arab Emirates has cooled expectations down. When it comes to February 2022 pricing, Irans national company NIOC followed in the footsteps of Saudi Aramco and dropped Iran Light and Heavy by $1.00 and $1.10 per barrel m-o-m to premiums vs Oman/Dubai of $2.00 and $1.00 per barrel, respectively. Iranian crude exports have been picking up steadily over Q4, with vessel-tracking data indicating outflows of some 650,000 b/d. Only half of those cargoes would be going directly to China, the remaining bits would sail somewhere along the Malaysian coast, only to be subsequently trans-shipped to other China-bound ships.

Chart 7. Kuwaiti Official Selling Prices for Asian cargoes (vs Oman/Dubai average).

Source: KPC.

Kuwait, a major exporter that has nevertheless kept all its crude exports in Asia over the course of 2021, has seen its fair share of difficulties lately. For the second time already in less than six months, the countrys main 350,000 b/d capacity Mina al-Ahmadi refinery caught fire, debilitating one of its gas liquefaction plans. It seems that exports will continue unrestricted as this weeks loading schedule is very much in line with previous ones. In terms of pricing, Kuwait remained firmly committed to the Saudi Aramco-mandated market trend, cutting its February 2022 OSPs lower than the changes in the Dubai differential. Mirroring the February move of Saudi peer grade Arab Medium, KEB was decreased by $1 per barrel to a $1.80 per barrel premium vs the Oman/Dubai average.

By Gerald Jansen for Oilprice.com

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As Europe remains in the grips of an energy crisis caused by sky-high demand for liquefied natural gas, a tight global energy supply, and Putin keeping the pipelines at low capacity as gas-rich Russia gains political ground, another sleeping giant has emerged to become a huge and surprising hindrance to the continents energy security: crypto-mining. As miners producing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Etherium suck up massive amounts of energy to perform the complex proof-of-work computing necessary to create new crypto-assets, some European countries are starting to clamp down on and even ban the practice altogether.

The energy footprint of Bitcoin alone is now hovering at 137.4 Terawatt hours per year, ranking between the annual consumption rates of Ukraine and Egypt  countries of over 40 and 100 million people, respectively. Mining cryptocurrencies requires more and more energy all the time, in order to keep the system secure through the use of the blockchain, which requires complex computations, and in order to keep the rate of production (and thereby, hopefully, the value of the currency) stable. In order to achieve this, the problems that miners solve become more and more complex as more people start to mine, meaning that producing one Bitcoin requires more and more energy every time.

For these reasons, the proliferation of crypto-mining operations in some of Europes poorest countries is putting a huge strain on entire nations energy grids and economies as energy prices skyrocket. In Kazakhstan, where energy prices are kept artificially low by the government in order to keep power affordable for its citizens, crypto-miners from other countries, most notably China, were pouring over the border and taking advantage of the cheap power source and sucking the grids dry, hugely exacerbating the nations already serious energy crisis and implausibly turning the country into the worlds second-largest Bitcoin mining hub. Now, however, the crypto-sector in the former soviet republic is starting to dry up as political unrest has led to sweeping internet shutdowns in recent weeks, caus[ing] bitcoin's global computing power to drop around 13% as data centres used to produce the cryptocurrency were knocked offline, according to recent reporting from Reuters.

Related: Permian Oil Output Hits Record

Crypto-mining operations are now receiving another blow from the republic of Kosovo, one of the poorest nations in Europe. At the end of 2020, the government declared an immediate temporary ban on all crypto-mining activity within Kosovan borders as part of emergency measures to mitigate the ongoing energy crunch. Similar to Kazakhstan, Kosovo offers its residents sharply subsidized energy rates and cheap energy produced by burning plentiful domestic low-grade coal. And then there are some other little local quirks, shall we call them, that make this country a crypto goldmine. The largest-scale crypto mining is thought to be taking place in the north of the country, where the Serb-majority population refuse to recognise Kosovo as an independent state and have consequently not paid for electricity for more than two decades, the Guardian reported this week.

Now, with the new temporary ban in effect, Kosovan crypto-miners are trying to sell off their equipment in a hurry. Theres a lot of panic and theyre selling it or trying to move it to neighbouring countries, cryptoKapo, a crypto investor and online crypto community administrator, was quoted by the Guardian. These kinds of groups (like Albanian Crypto Amateurs on Facebook and Crypto Eagles on Telegram) have exploded in popularity in recent years, suggesting a huge spike in crypto mining in Kosovo  although the exact numbers are hard to pin down.

The struggles in Kosovo and Kazakhstan highlight some of the biggest challenges presented by and faced by cryptocurrencies. While the number of people engaged in mining and trading are still relatively small, the energy footprint of these currencies already rivals mid-sized countries, and regulation is all but impossible as the entire point of these ventures is anonymity and decentralization. This is particularly true for cash-strapped countries such as these that have extremely low capacities to combat the crypto-miners sapping their grids dry. While a temporary ban like Kosovos may have an equally temporary effect, any real fix is yet to be discovered.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that the window of opportunity for a deal is closing

These strikes will likely complicate the talks between the United States and Iran over a renewal of the nuclear deal and the lifting of sanctions

The deadly Houthi drone strikes on targets in the United Arab Emirates on Monday sent both geopolitical tensions and oil prices soaring

The latest Houthi attack in the Middle East - deadly drone strikes on targets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday - has shifted the attention of oil market participants from Omicron concerns to the geopolitical risk premium in prices coming from yet another flare-up of tensions in the most important oil-producing and exporting region in the world.

The Monday attack on UAE, claimed by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, could also further complicate what look like already very difficult negotiations in the Vienna talks about the United States and Iran returning to the so-called nuclear deal, which could ultimately lead to the removal of sanctions on Irans oil exports.

Iran has denied it is supporting the Houthi rebels in Yemen either financially or militarily, but the rest of the world considers the movement a proxy of Irans policies in the region.

The Islamic Republic, in a carefully worded statement, referred to the attacks as recent Yemen-linked developments and said attacks were not a solution to the crisis in the region.

The attacks would not impact the nuclear talks in Vienna. These are two separate issues, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on condition of anonymity on Tuesday. What happened yesterday was the result of ongoing crisis in Yemen, the official added.

However, analysts doubt a Houthi strike on an Arab Gulf country that is an ally of the United States and Saudi Arabia would have come without Irans knowledge or consent.

I think the issue weve got to determine, first of all, was it the Houthis directly, Angus Blair, professor of practice at the University of Cairo in Egypt, told CNBC on Tuesday. Nothing would have happened without Tehrans consent or direct engagement.

The attack with drones on Monday, for which the Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility, killed three people and blew up fuel tanker trucks near storage facilities owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

The Houthis claim there will be further attacks, while the Saudi-led coalition fighting the movement launched airstrikes on Yemens capital in retaliation of the attack on the UAE.

Apart from the numerous signs of tightness in the physical crude market, oil futures have reflected this week the growing risk premium after the attack on the UAE in the most important oil-producing and exporting region in the world, home to the most vital oil shipping chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz.

Risk premium aside, the renewed Iran-vs-Arab Gulf tension could complicate the already complex Iran nuclear talks, which resumed in the autumn after a new hardline Iranian president took office. Since the resumption of the talks, little progress has been made on the major issues, and both sides have sounded pessimistic about reaching an agreement.

Oil market analysts have already deferred projections for a legitimate return of Irans crude to 2023, and the latest flare-up in the Middle East could complicate the talks even more.

In the latest news reports out of Vienna, Iran is reportedly demanding a legal guarantee from the United States that it would not ditch the agreement again and restore sanctions on Iranian oil, diplomats involved in the talks told The Wall Street Journal earlier this week.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken warned that the window of opportunity for a deal is closing.

We have, I think, a few weeks left to see if we can get back to mutual compliance, Secretary Blinken told NPR in an interview last Thursday.

The attack on the UAE could further complicate reaching an agreement, but it will surely return the oil markets focus to its most important - and most restive - region, the Middle East.

The attack will concern oil-market watchers, who are also keeping a close eye on the trajectory of ongoing nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran, Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal MENA analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, told Bloomberg this week.

With negotiators running out of time, the risk of a deterioration in the regions security climate is rising, Soltvedt added, noting that the attack highlighted the continued threat to energy infrastructure in the Middle East, whose risk premium in oil is now coming a lot more sharply.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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There is a very real threat that China will be to lithium what OPEC was to petroleum.

As a result of massive investments over the past decade, China has emerged as the de facto leader in the lithium-ion battery race.

In the early days of the oil industry, the U.S. quickly established dominance as the worlds most important producer and consumer of petroleum. But over time, depletion in the U.S. and discoveries abroad caused U.S. dominance of the petroleum industry to fade. Although the U.S. remained the worlds largest consumer of petroleum, it became increasingly dependent on foreign oil.

It became clear many years ago that U.S. dependence on other countries for petroleum was a national security issue. The issue came to a head in 1973, when various members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) initiated an oil embargo against the United States and certain U.S. allies.

As a result of the embargo, a supply/demand imbalance ensued. Oil prices quadrupled in a very short period of time, contributing to a deep global recession. Our continued dependence on foreign oil has influenced American foreign policy for decades, and it has contributed to multiple military conflicts in the Middle East.

The U.S. received a rare second chance to regain energy independence as a result of the shale oil boom. But the lessons we have learned over the evolution of the oil industry have direct implications as the world transitions to new sources of energy.

Petroleum was the raw material that enabled the growth of the global transportation industry over the past century. But increasingly in the next century, it is lithium that will be the critical commodity. U.S. automakers aspire to have 40% to 50% of new vehicle sales by 2030 be electric vehicles (EVs). This will result in a tremendous increase in lithium consumption.

According to a newly-published white paper by California-based lithium-ion battery supplier OneCharge:

It is estimated that the U.S. alone will need 500,000 metric tons per year of unrefined lithium by 2034 just to power EVs. The U.S. produces just a fraction of that today. The current global production of lithium in 2020 was about 440,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE, contains about 18% of pure lithium), and not all of that is in pure enough form for batteries, according to Chris Doornbos, president, and CEO of E3 Metals Corp, a lithium extraction firm located in Calgary, Canada, which plans to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide.

But just as the U.S. eventually ceded its petroleum security to foreign countries, it is in the process of doing the same with lithium. According to the 2021 BP Statistical Review, China has 7.9% of the worlds lithium reserves. The U.S. has 4.0%. (The majority of global lithium reserves are in South America and Australia). Nevertheless, China has become the 3rd largest lithium producer in the world, outproducing the U.S. in 2020 by more than a factor of 15.

This dominance didnt happen by accident. Over the past decade, China has spent over $60 billion to build its lithium industry. U.S. investments have lagged significantly behind, which has enabled China to build a robust lithium supply chain.

It goes well beyond access to lithium supplies. China has invested heavily in lithium-ion battery production. Thus, if lithium is analogous to petroleum, then lithium-ion battery production is analogous to the refineries and chemical plants that turn that petroleum into finished products. There, the U.S. is falling behind. (Also see my 2019 article Why China Is Dominating Lithium-Ion Battery Production).

China controls the lions share of the global lithium-ion battery supply chain, and its market share has grown by another 12% in the past two years. There is a very real threat that China will be to lithium what OPEC was to petroleum  except at least with petroleum the U.S. was a major producer in our own right. We cant say that about lithium.

However, all is not lost. In the next article, I will discuss the steps experts believe we can take to change the current trajectory of Chinas dominance over the lithium supply chain.

By Robert Rapier

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With both the physical and futures markets rallying, and increased geopolitical premium, market observers are looking towards the $100 mark for oil prices.

Demand has proven to be more resilient to the effects of Omicron than many analysts had originally thought.

Prices of physical crude cargoes have rallied this year, signaling resilient global oil demand even in the face of record-high COVID cases in the Omicron wave. Crude grades from the United States, Africa, the North Sea, the Middle East, and Russia have seen a significant increase in their prices in recent weeks, suggesting that the physical demand for oil is tight across the world.

The tightness in the physical crude prices is reflected in the oil futures market where the backwardationthe state of the market signaling tight supplyhas increased for both major benchmarks, Brent and WTI.

The tight physical supply of oil points to further gains in the futures market, where Brent Crude prices hit a fresh seven-year high at over $87.80 a barrel early on Tuesdaythe highest price for Brent since October 2014.

Part of the rally in recent days was the result of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the Russia-West standoff over Ukraine. But the other major driver was the tight supply on the market, with physical cargo prices rallying, outages in major producing countries, and demand resilient to the Omicron wave. Traders and refiners seem to believe that the feared threat to demand from the new variant was overblown, and are now back to the market buying cargoes much more than they did at the end of November and early December when the impact of Omicron was still a very large looming threat.

Strong Physical Oil Demand

Since the start of the year, prices of crude cargoes that will end up in two or three months in the worlds largest importing region, Asia, have rallied strongly, as refiners are back on the market following some hesitancy at the end of 2021 amid the unknown effects of Omicron on demand. Consumption is resilient, disproving fears of a new dip, and holding up stronger than many analysts and forecasters, including the International Energy Agency, had predicted.

Global oil demand has proven to be more resilient to the effects of the Omicron variants spread than the IEA expected, Executive Director Fatih Birol said last week.

Demand dynamics are stronger than many of the market observers had thought, mainly due to the milder Omicron expectations, Birol said, as quoted by Bloomberg.

As a result of this resilient demand, refiners are buying cargoes, which raises the prices of physical crude from every part of the world.

These are crazy numbers. There clearly is physical tightness, an oil trader in the North Sea region told Reuters this weekend.

The premiums for the Forties and Ekofisk grades from the North Sea are at their highest in two years. The prices of crude grades from West Africa have also jumped amid low Libyan supply in recent weeks. The Bakken crude from North Dakota is also trading at its highest level compared to benchmarks in nearly two years, according to Bloombergs estimates.

Price differentials of grades from Russia and the Middle East have also increased to the highest benchmarks in several months.

(Buyers) are snapping up everything no matter what grade, an oil trader from the U.S. tells Reuters.

The physical crude market is way over the forward or futures contracts. It implies genuine prompt tightness, PVM Oil Associates analyst Tamas Varga told Bloomberg last week.

Physical Tightness Reflected In Oil Futures Market

This week, PVM Oil Associates said in a note on Monday that Positive developments were in focus and there is a genuine belief that physical demand will keep exceeding supply and in return this perceived bullish backdrop will further encourage investors to remain faithful to our market.

The tight physical market suggests the futures market has further room to rally, traders and analysts say.

The prompt spreads in WTI and Brent remain elevated at 63 and 74 cents per barrel, thereby signaling rising tightness, Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, said on Monday.

Related: $80 Oil Is Too Enticing For U.S. Drillers To Ignore

Speculators, a little late to the recent rally, boosted bullish oil bets in WTI and Brent bets by the most in 14 months last week, Hansen added, noting that the combined net longthe difference between bullish and bearish betsin Brent and WTI jumped last week by the most since November 2020 to reach 538,000 lots or 538 million barrels. This is still well below the most recent peak at 737,000 lots from last June, he said.

$100 Oil?

With both the physical and futures markets rallying, and increased geopolitical premium, market observers are again posing the question: how far can this rally go?

According to the worlds largest independent oil trader, Vitol, oil pricesat a seven-year-high early on Tuesdayare justified and have further to go.

Triple-digit oil is in the works for the second quarter, Francisco Blanch, head of global commodities at Bank of America, told Bloomberg last week.

Demand is recovering meaningfully, while OPEC+ supply will start leveling off within the next two months, Blanch said, noting that Russian supply will level off and it will be only Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that can produce incremental barrels to add to the market.

Of course, risks to the downside havent gone away. The biggest unknown and the largest potential headwind to near-term global demand is China, and whether it would continue to apply its zero-COVID policy, BofAs Blanch said. Large lockdowns in the worlds top oil importer could reduce consumption and potentially, Chinese oil imports.

Refinery maintenance in the spring could also slow down the physical oil market, analysts say.

Yet, the oil rally may not be over just yet, especially if demand continues to reflect just a mild Omicron effect.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Texas is now ready for the winter, the state's Electric Reliability Council, ERCOT, reported to the Public Utilities Commission.

Per a report by the Houston Chronicle, ERCOT has inspected all power generation and transmission facilities in the state, and all but three power plants passed the test, which makes 321 out of 324.

The inspections come after last year's sweeping cold wavedubbed the Texas Freezecaused power plant outages that left millions without electricity, in some cases for several days. The Freeze also caused the biggest oil production decline in U.S. history as well, temporarily taking 40 percent of national production offline.

Natural gas production also collapsed, by 45 percent, primarily due to freeze-offs, as the infrastructure in Texas is more susceptible to extreme cold snaps, unlike the relatively winterized natural gas production infrastructure in the northern parts of the United States.

The combination of a spike in consumption for heating purposes and the drop in supply because of outages contributed to what became a perfect storm for the nation's biggest oil and wind power producers.

The crisis prompted a string of winterization efforts by ERCOT, which bore the brunt of criticism about how Texas handled the unusual cold snap. Among the effects of the Freeze was the fact that some 51.173 GW of Texas' 82.513 GW power generation capacity was taken offline along with oil and gas wells.

"The Texas electric grid is more prepared for winter operations than ever before," said the interim chief executive of ERCOT, Brad Jones, as quoted by the Houston Chronicle.

"We are confident these 321 inspected facilities either meet or go beyond the new requirements from the commission and we will continue to work with the other 3 facilities to ensure they correct remaining deficiencies," said Woody Rickerson, ERXOT vice president of system planning weatherization, as quoted by the Chronicle.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Gas prices have slumped despite seemingly favorable geopolitical trends such as increased tensions between Russia and Ukraine, delays in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and eastward flows on the key Yamal-Europe pipeline for the 30th consecutive day with no further exports to Europe planned from Gazprom in February.

Nevertheless, UK natural gas prices are down nearly five percent, with futures trading for March and April reporting near six percent drops.

Meanwhile, Dutch futures on the TTF benchmark are also down nearly five per cent, with similar drops for futures this spring.

Saxo Banks head of commodity strategy Ole Hansen attributed the drop in prices to three developments: fading supply disruptions in Norway, milder weather forecasts reducing demand, and the highest arrivals of LNG since November 2019.

This has bolstered formerly flagging supplies, heightened by problems at the pumps in Russia.

He also pointed to speculation from Asian markets which has caused sentiment to diminish.

Speaking to City A.M., Hansen explained: A story going around that China is currently well stocked with gas, and as a result has been offering cargoes to the highest bidder, most of which are currently located in Europe. This recent tweet tells a clear story about the current craziness unfolding in the market.

Oil and gas and head of Investec Searchlight, Nathan Piper, said: Gas prices are down due to the arrival of additional LNG supplies but mainly the effect of mild weather conditions.

This is not the first time LNG supplies have bailed out Europes supply crisis following worries of potential blackouts.

While power shortages have been reported in Moldova and Kosovo, larger economies avoided an energy crunch at Christmas after a flotilla of tankers arrived from the US  dropping prices 20 per cent from record levels.

There is also the possibility of demand destruction in the near future, where buyers shift away from the market due to high costs and pivot to different fuel sources, dropping consumption levels and consequently prices.

By CityAM

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The European Union should consider banning the more energy-intensive method of cryptocurrency mining, as using a lot of energy undermines the blocs climate goals, the vice-chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), Erik Thedeen, told the Financial Times.

Crypto mining has become a lucrative business, but its mining method proof of work consumes a lot of energy, which ultimately has officials and analysts question the social benefit of cryptocurrencies.

We need to have a discussion about shifting the industry to a more efficient technology, Thedeen, a Swedish national and director general of the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, told FT.

Thedeen, however, underlined that he was not proposing a discussion about totally banning crypto mining.

The solution is to ban proof of work, the vice-chair of ESMA told FT, adding that Proof of stake has a significantly lower energy profile.

The rise in the energy-intensive mining of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies comes at a time of record-high energy and power prices in Europe, which has been struggling for months with low natural gas stocks, low supply of gas from Russia, and, at times, low wind speeds, necessitating more fossil fuels to generate electricity.

Two months ago, Swedens authorities, including the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, called for an EU-wide ban on the proof of work method of crypto mining, arguing that the surge in energy consumption threatens Swedens chances of meeting its goals and obligations under the Paris Agreement.

Swedens neighbor Norway, which is not an EU member, could back the Swedish proposal for a ban on the energy-intensive method of crypto mining. Bjrn Arild Gram, Norways Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, told Euronews in November.

Although crypto mining and its underlying technology might represent some possible benefits in the long run, it is difficult to justify the extensive use of renewable energy today, Gram said.

Sweden, Norway, and Iceland are popular with crypto miners, especially after the Chinese crackdown on cryptocurrencies.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A stream of Nebraska school districts are shortening their school weeks following an ongoing staffing shortage made worse by the omicron surge.

Schools in Beatrice, Grand Island, Wahoo, Plymouth and Hastings on Tuesday were the latest districts to announce closures to prevent classrooms from not having a teacher.

Beatrice Public Schools called off school for Thursday and Friday because of increasing COVID-19 cases in the area, according to the Beatrice Daily Sun. Superintendent Jason Alexander said about a dozen teachers were out sick on Tuesday.

Tri County Elementary, in Plymouth, which is about 14 miles west of Beatrice, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday because of inadequate staffing. Six out of its 19 teachers were out sick alongside a significant portion of the elementary students.

Grand Island Public Schools will be moving to a temporary four-day school week, according to the Grand Island Independent. Students will have the next five Fridays off as the district faces a significant teacher shortage.

Superintendent Tawana Grover said the temporary closures are necessary because of absences caused by COVID and other seasonal illnesses.

Hastings Public Schools also announced Tuesday that students and staff will have Monday off to give students and staff time to recover from illnesses they are fighting, according to the Hastings Tribune.

Wahoo Public Schools posted on its Twitter account that the districts elementary school will be closed the rest of the week due to an inability to sufficiently staff the building. The middle and high schools will remain open.

The new closures come just one day after the Millard Public Schools made a similar move.

Millard announced Monday night that the district will transition from in-person classes to remote learning on Friday, Jan. 28; Monday, Jan. 31; and Friday, Feb. 11.

Officials said in a letter to parents that the district had more than 180 staff members absent Thursday.

The absenteeism has made it difficult to cover classrooms because there arent an adequate number of substitute teachers available.

Lincoln Public Schools announced last week that it will cancel classes for the next three Fridays in order to give teachers planning days.

The district reported a record 823 students testing positive for COVID-19 last week and 2,604 in quarantine.

Other Omaha-area school districts have not announced plans for similar closures.

The Omaha Public Schools doesnt have any changes planned right now, Bridget Blevins, spokeswoman for OPS, said Tuesday. The district did add six nonstudent days for teachers this school year back in September.

The Ralston Public Schools has been discussing the recent closures, but no formal decision is on the table, said Jim Frederick, district spokesman.

When you hear of what others are doing, it tends to spark conversations, he said.

Annette Eyman, spokeswoman for the Papillion La Vista Community Schools, said while the district wont be making any calendar adjustments, officials are monitoring staff and student absences.

World-Herald Staff Writer Nancy Gaarder contributed to this report.

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AT&T and Verizon will delay launching new wireless service near key airports after the nations largest airlines said the service would interfere with aircraft technology and cause massive flight disruptions.

The decision from the telecommunication companies arrived Tuesday as the Biden administration tried to broker a settlement between the companies and airlines over a rollout of new 5G service, scheduled for Wednesday.

The new high-speed wireless service uses a segment of the radio spectrum, C-Band, that is close to that used by altimeters, which are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground. Altimeters are used to help pilots land when visibility is poor, and they link to other systems on planes.

Airlines want the new service to be banned within 2 miles of airport runways.

AT&T and Verizon say their equipment will not interfere with aircraft electronics, and that the technology is being safely used in many other countries.

Nonetheless, AT&T said it would delay turning on new cell towers around runways at some airports  it did not say how many or for how long  and work with federal regulators to settle the dispute.

A short time later, Verizon said it will launch its 5G network but added, We have voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports. It blamed airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration, saying they have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports although it is working in more than 40 countries.

However, the CEOs of 10 passenger and cargo airlines including American, Delta, United and Southwest say that 5G will be more disruptive than earlier thought. That is because dozens of large airports were subject to flight restrictions announced last week by the Federal Aviation Administration if 5G service was deployed nearby. The CEOs added that those restrictions wouldn't be limited to times when visibility is poor.

Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded. This means that on a day like yesterday, more than 1,100 flights and 100,000 passengers would be subjected to cancellations, diversions or delays, the CEOs said.

On Tuesday, an Omaha Airport Authority spokesman said that the 5G rollout would not affect the airports instrument approach procedures. Instrument approach procedures are a series of maneuvers in place to ensure the safe landing of flights.

In response to questions, an FAA spokesperson pointed to a statement from U.S. Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

"We recognize the economic importance of expanding 5G, and we appreciate the wireless companies working with us to protect the flying public and the countrys supply chain, Buttigieg said, adding the federal government will maintain this commitment as wireless companies deploy 5G."

The most recent holdup is the third in a series of delays for the telecommunication giants C-Band spectrum, which they had planned to activate in early December after spending tens of billions of dollars to acquire the spectrum in a government auction and then build the network.

The first delay pushed the activation into early January as a response to airlines initial concerns. The second delay to Wednesday came after Buttigieg and the FAA administrator asked the two companies for another delay, warning of unacceptable disruption to air service.

AT&T CEO John Stankey and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg initially rejected the governments request in a letter. But they had second thoughts after intervention that reached the White House. The CEOs agreed to the second, shorter delay but implied then that there would be no more compromises.

In that deal, the telecoms agreed to reduce the power of their networks near 50 airports for six months, similar to wireless restrictions in France. In exchange, the FAA and the Transportation Department promised not to further oppose the rollout of 5G C-Band.

Eppley is not one of the airports included in the power reductions.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

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The Nebraska Legislature will weigh a bill this session that would limit how public schools and higher education institutions and other government entities can train staff and students on ideas related to sex and race  an effort that critics argue would amount to censorship.

Legislative Bill 1077, introduced by Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair and nine cosponsors, would allow the state to withhold funding from schools that knowingly violate the new limitations and would put government agencies that do so at risk for lawsuits, at the attorney generals discretion.

The bill seems primarily aimed at mandatory training for staff and students. Those trainings cant teach, advocate, encourage, promote, or act upon race or sex scapegoating, race stereotyping, specific defined concepts, or prejudice toward others on the basis of any protected characteristics. Hansen said its intended to apply to teaching in the classroom for higher education and public schools, as well.

The bill defines prohibited topics. For example, race or sex scapegoating is blaming a race or sex because of their race or sex. Race or sex scapegoating also applies to claims that members of a race or sex are inherently racist or sexist and inclined to oppress others.

Other banned concepts include that one sex or race is inherently superior to another, that the U.S. or Nebraska are fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist, and several others, including a catch-all: any other form of race or sex scapegoating or any other form of race stereotyping.

Public schools and teachers would be banned from requiring student work for or student affiliation with any organization that lobbies for legislation at the local, state or federal level or in social or public policy advocacy.

Its OK to help, I think, especially as a Legislature talking about a government entity, to define or identify what we think is appropriate and what we dont, Hansen said. He said the hearing process is an opportunity for a good, open discussion about the topic.

Rose Godinez, legal director for ACLU of Nebraska, called Hansens bill big government censorship at its worst and warned its certain to have an impact on teachers and professionals in their manner of teaching on racism and sexism in the United States.

The list of prohibited topics is long.

Reading this already causes confusion about whats permitted and whats not, she said. And thats what is going to impact both our classrooms and our government agencies, because it is simply unclear, overly broad, and, at the end of the day, it violates our First Amendment rights.

The bill also specifies what it isnt intended to do, including that it shouldnt violate First Amendment rights or undermine schools duty to protect intellectual freedom and free expression.

Godinez challenged that.

Just because they had those alleged exceptions  or just because they put this bill does not violate the First Amendment  doesnt make it true, she said. The truth is, it does violate the First Amendment and has a chilling impact on teaching.

Godinez pointed to the pushback against a resolution University of Nebraska Regent and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen introduced last year seeking to ban any imposition of critical race theory at NU. Regents rejected that resolution. And, she pointed to an ACLU-backed lawsuit challenging a similar law in Oklahoma. Litigation is on the table here, too, if LB 1077 passes, she said.

Melissa Lee, spokesperson for the University of Nebraska system, said in a statement that NU has strong nondiscrimination policies in place that apply to all classroom, employment and campus activities.

As President Carter and the chancellors have said before, academic freedom is a cherished ideal in higher education, and we are proud that our campuses are places where all viewpoints are considered and all may express their opinions freely, Lee said. We are confident in our existing policies and practices, and in the processes available for students, faculty and staff to report concerns. We will closely review this proposed legislation and its potential impact on academic freedom and university operations.

Bills that limit how teachers can talk about racism and sexism have become common amid the political fervor centered on critical race theory, and Hansen said his bill is modeled after other states efforts.

Critical race theory is an academic framework that is decades old and views racism as systemic, embedded in systems and policies, rather than as an individual issue. Its generally taught at the graduate level, but opponents use the term to cover a broad range of anti-racism and diversity curriculum and initiatives.

According to an analysis by Education Week, a news organization focused on K-12 education, 33 states have introduced bills or taken other steps that would restrict teaching critical race theory or limit how teachers can discuss racism and sexism since January 2021, and 14 have enacted the bans or restrictions.

Hansen on Tuesday also introduced LB 1078, which would ban public school students from having or using personal electronic devices, such as smartphones, in the classroom except in emergencies, when they have permission or when they have a note from a health care provider.

Among other bills introduced Tuesday:

Organization discrimination. Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk introduced LB 1050, which would ban public colleges and universities from discriminating against political, religious or ideological student organizations because of an organizations viewpoint or expression of that viewpoint, or because of requirements for leaders and members to adhere to particular beliefs and standards of conduct or commit to furthering the groups mission. Students and organizations could bring civil litigation against the school under the bill.

Last year, a Christian student organization filed a lawsuit in federal court against the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and alleged the university discriminated against the groups views. Earlier this month, UNL and the other defendants requested the case be dismissed. A ruling hasnt been made on that request.

A new department. Sen. Justin Wayne and three co-sponsors proposed, in LB 1073, creating a Department of Housing and Urban Development, to consolidate housing programs under one agency thats focused on addressing housing shortages and homelessness and coordinating efforts to address related issues.

More ARPA asks. Ideas keep flowing for how the state should spend $1.04 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Hansen introduced LB 1079, which would use half the federal funding on prepaid debit cards sent directly to all residents for use at Nebraska businesses.

Sen. John Stinner of Gering, chair of the Appropriations Committee, introduced a few ARPA bills related to workforce challenges in the behavioral health field and expanding access to those services.

Among other proposals, Omaha Sen. Mike McDonnell introduced LB 1055 that would put $50 million toward premium-pay bonuses to front-line nurses, and Gothenburg Sen. Matt Williams proposed using $20 million to award grants for infrastructure related to rural workforce housing (LB 1070).

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LINCOLN  Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson expressed frustration Tuesday over the length of time before a court can hear his challenge of Omahas mask mandate.

He filed a lawsuit Thursday in Douglas County District Court. The case initially was to be heard Tuesday, but Douglas County District Judge Shelly Stratman set the matter for a hearing at 10 a.m. Monday.

At a press conference Tuesday, Peterson said he understood the challenges of setting a court calendar. But he said the process can be frustrating because the mandate remains in effect until the judge rules otherwise or until Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse deems it no longer necessary.

In my mind, each day that that mandate is in effect, its in effect upon the citizens of Omaha without authority to do so, he said.

The lawsuit against Huse and other county and city officials alleges that she ordered the indoor mask mandate for Omaha in violation of state law. It asks the judge to enjoin the mandate temporarily and ultimately permanently and to bar Huse from ordering any other public health measures in violation of state law.

Other plaintiffs in the suit are the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Director of Public Health Dr. Gary Anthone.

Peterson said state law requires Huse, as county health director, to get state approval for public health measures such as a mask mandate. HHS officials, who are part of Gov. Pete Ricketts administration, have denied all requests for mask mandates. Ricketts opposes such mandates.

As an alternative, Peterson said, the Omaha City Council can vote to impose a mask mandate, which the council did in August 2020. That mandate was allowed to expire on May 25 last year.

This is not a legal battle on mask mandates, are they good or are they bad, he said. As attorney general, thats not my role. I have to make sure they dont abuse their authority, or misuse their authority.

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The Nebraska Infectious Disease Society, a newly formed multidisciplinary group of physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants specifically trained in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, strongly supports the emergency mask mandate enacted for Omaha by Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse.

This mandate requires masks be worn by everyone over the age of 5 in schools or businesses open to the public. It will remain in place until the number of infections average less than 200 per 100,000 over a seven-day average and when hospital capacity improves.

The omicron variant has shattered prior records of COVID-19 infections  more than 12,700 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 over the past two weeks alone in Douglas County. At this time, area hospitals are functioning at close to maximum capacity (ICUs are routinely over 90% full) and the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 is expected to rise significantly over the next several weeks. With a rise in children diagnosed with COVID-19, masking in schools is especially important. It is a measure against both the rare, severe COVID-19 infections in children, and the more common milder infections that may have long-term COVID effects. Masks reduce time missed from school and the transmission rates in the community at large.

As local health care providers, we remain dedicated to providing Nebraskans with accurate and evidence-based recommendations regarding COVID-19. Masking remains a simple but crucial way to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Much of the public discourse on masks has focused on protection for the wearer, but the even more critical role of masks is that of source control. If worn by a sick or asymptomatic infected individual, a surgical mask provides a physical barrier that limits virus particles entering shared airspace. This approach has been an integral part of infection prevention strategies in health care for decades. The usefulness of masks to reduce spread of COVID-19 has been demonstrated in several studies. These studies are referenced on our website, idnebraska.org.

The most recent recommendations are for surgical or procedure face masks. Wearing a cloth mask over a surgical facemask may improve fit. KN95s,KF94s or N95s provide protection against airborne transmission. Lists of such respirator masks can be obtained from the CDC or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and also linked on our website.

The mandate enacted by Huse is an absolutely necessary measure; however, it is important to emphasize that masks are only one part of the solution. Multiple interventions such as distancing, limiting the size of gatherings and improved ventilation can decrease transmission. Vaccination remains the most important prevention against COVID-19 infection and specifically against severe COVID-19 and death.

Right now, masking will provide an important stopgap measure to decrease transmission in our communities and preserving health care workforce, reducing rates among students and teachers and other essential workers such as the police, fire personnel and EMTs, as new vaccinations will take some time to provide adequate protection.

We unequivocally stand behind the Omaha mask mandate, which will reduce transmission in our community and protect health care resources in the metro area. We also urge other cities in Nebraska to consider similar mask mandates and will support those as well, if proposed.
It is seems highly improbable, given the nations extreme polarization and the supermajority of states required to approve a constitutional amendment, that the United States will amend our Constitution any time in the foreseeable future, if ever.

We may find a need to fill some gap in the document that guides the nations legal and electoral system, such as the 25th Amendment, which created a way to fill a vice presidential vacancy. But the issues that animate modern American politics lie far outside the bounds of consensus required.

In that context, we are disappointed that the Nebraska Legislature has given first-round approval to a resolution calling for an unpredictable convention of the states to propose amendments to the Constitution.

In a short legislative session, whose agenda includes allocating huge sums of COVID relief money in addition to perennial, complex issues, this is the definition of a waste of time.

Its also a bad idea whose most likely outcome is to further sour our politics for years to come without resulting in change.

Adding an amendment to the Constitution requires approval from three-quarters of the states  38.

With the exception of the 27th Amendment, originally proposed in 1789 and finally ratified in 1992 and barring members of Congress from giving themselves pay raises within the same session, the Constitution has not been amended for 50 years.

While 38 states have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, only 35 states OKd the ERA before deadlines set by Congress. Some, including Nebraska, revoked approval, an unlitigated but now moot issue. (The Constitution itself is mute on the question of rescinding approval and sets no deadline for ratification, which is why the 27th Amendment became part of the official document after more than 200 years.)

The point is that, as a country, we cannot agree to this: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Setting aside how you may feel about that proposition, if we cant agree on that, what can we agree on?

The lesson of the ERA, whose language is straightforward on its face, is that any proposal beyond clearly needed housekeeping would be quickly subsumed by our generations-old culture war.

It is in this environment that groups on the right and left  mostly the right  are pushing for a convention of the states.

The Constitution establishes two means to amend the document: Proposals passed by Congress and submitted to the states for ratification or a call for a convention from two-thirds of the states, which rounds up to 34.

Fifteen states have approved the call. Nebraskas resolution, which requires two more rounds of approval, parrots model language from the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative powerhouse that drafts model legislation thats then submitted in legislatures around the country.

While supporters in Nebraska and elsewhere say the convention of states would be limited to fiscal matters and term limits, the resolution is broader and the Constitution itself offers no limits on what can be proposed.

The resolution says amendments would be limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

Clearly, limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government opens the entire document and our entire system of governance to radical change. For example, what prevents amendments barring the federal courts from overturning state laws or ending the Electoral College? Under the umbrella of limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, what would stop a full rewrite of the Constitution? The only other constitutional convention in our history was called to rewrite the Articles of Confederation, but resulted in a wholly new document.

We do not live in times when people in political power show self-restraint, Georgetown University constitutional law scholar David Super notes.

The bright side, such as it is, is that any amendment emerging from what certainly would be an angry, rowdy clustermess of the states would need approval from 38 states to be ratified. Extremely unlikely.

But that doesnt mean the process and resulting proposals would be harmless. The certain outcome would be to amplify for years to come some of the most contentious issues we face, with no likely resolution.

Calling such a convention would only deepen our division. The only winners would be politicians who benefit from an agitated base.
LB 825

LB 825 goes a long way in rectifying last session's attempt to give tax relief to seniors in Nebraska by cutting the time element from 2030 to 2025 in eliminating state income taxes of social security funds returned to the workers that earned them. Thirty-eight states have no income tax on social security and most of them are curtailing the effect and amount subject to tax. Last legislative session started in the right direction to eliminate this egregious tax but fell short. The excuse was the revenue shortfall it would create. In light of the $400 million surplus, thats not a valid reason. Hopefully, our representatives will represent the people and not special interest pork projects with this surplus.

Michael Garman, Papillion

Act of kindness

My wife and I were ready to check out at the Walmart store on 72nd Street in Omaha, when a lady came up and asked if she could pay for our items. It was one of those random acts of kindness that I have read about but was surprised when it happened to me.

She did not give her name, but I thanked her and vowed to myself to show my appreciation by passing this kindness forward. It is something each of us can do, not necessarily with a monetary gift, but by any unexpected way of helping a total stranger.

Fred E. Newbern, Bellevue

Renovation not relocation

Appearances matter. Centrally located, main libraries matter. Except Omahas mayor and city council appear to disagree. They appear to prioritize the appearance of business buildings to public buildings. Businesses apparently provide appealing Welcome to Omaha facades. Public, city-owned buildings that provide services and resources to citizens do not. An example: the publicly owned Welcome to Omaha facade presented by the W. Dale Clark main library is apparently shameful. Tear it down. Relocate and replace it. Why? Because the library building needs expensive renovations and upgrading.

On the one hand, the mayor and city leadership celebrate the extensive renovation, building and upgrading, at great expense, of the public Gene Leahy Mall. On the other hand, the mayor and city leadership apparently object to the cost of renovating and upgrading the W. Dale Clark Main public library building. Why?

The current W. Dale Clark Main Library building is not an outdated shameful eye sore! Fix it and keep it.

Keith T. Nelson, Omaha

Secure democracy

Make no mistake, the big lie rhetoric of Donald Trump that the 2020 election was stolen was just that, but it was not stolen from Trump, it was almost stolen from the American voters. Trump and company worked hard to overthrow election results in several states on false charges. Not one of the states that was directed to recount their ballots to support Trumps lie was proven to have done anything wrong. And yet, many state Republican governors have asked their legislatures to pass all kinds of voter suppression laws, including gerrymandering state districts in order to make it harder for any Democrat or Independent to win an election.

The insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, directed by then President Trump, Sens. Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley, and Congressmen Jim Jordan, Mo Brooks, Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar, as well as other right wing radicals, was an attempt to ditch the Constitution. So what did they want? Democracy is not invincible. We, as citizens, are charged with being the watchful eye on those we elect and the rules and laws they pass. It is only through an informed citizenry that voters will secure democracy now and for our future!

Barb Wagner, Omaha

Rights and responsibility

I have to disagree with my fellow Fremont resident who compared COVID mask mandates with heart disease. He is correct that weight control, exercise, limited alcohol and tobacco use does save lives, but the person who doesn't follow the guidelines endangers only himself. The unvaccinated, maskless COVID carrier endangers not only himself, but also his family, neighbors, friends, and the stranger in the grocery store. It's a matter of rights and responsibility. We all have the right to take chances with our own lives, but we have the responsibility to avoid endangering others. When we don't act responsibly, government does have the right to require it. As Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes put it, "Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins."

Sylvia Hermone, Fremont

Science not politics

When it comes to a mask mandate and vaccinations, people have two clear choices ... Will you choose to believe and follow doctors and scientists who are promoting science? Or will you choose to believe and follow a few Republican politicians who are promoting a political philosophy? Science will help to slow and defeat the pandemic! Republican political philosophy will do nothing to slow or defeat the pandemic! I am asking my Republican friends to forget about politics for a while and follow science. You can play politics all you want after the pandemic, but you are prolonging the crisis! Masks and vaccinations will not bring about an immediate end to the pandemic but they will slow it and get us back to normal sooner than any political philosophy will! Thank you (Douglas County Health Director Lindsay) Huse for exhibiting the leadership that is so lacking among some Republican politicians!Jim Kubik, Omaha
BLOOMINGTON  The Afghan Welcome Home Project will soon welcome three Afghan evacuees to the Bloomington-Normal community.

A facilitator and volunteer informational meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Islamic Center of McLean County, 421 Olympia Drive, Bloomington. The Islamic Center is a multi-purpose building that serves as a gym, a social gathering place and a place of worship.

The multipurpose hall has gym flooring, on which people may wear shoes if they wish. Members of the mosque may not be wearing shoes, as that is their custom to remove shoes upon entering. The prayer area of the multi-purpose hall is clearly identified, as it has prayer rugs on the floor. Shoes are strictly prohibited in the prayer area.

The informational meeting will discuss both small and big ways to get involved in the project and help facilitate the resettlement of these Afghans in Central Illinois.

The Salat al-Isha (evening prayer) will take place from 7 to 7:15 p.m. Guests are asked to not enter the building during prayer time.

Contact afghanwhp@gmail.com or 404-234-6513 for more information.

Contact Olivia Jacobs at (309)-820-3352. Reach out with questions.

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The university announced last week it had procured a batch of the masks that it would distribute to the campus community for free. The masks are believed to provide better protection against the omicron variant than cloth masks.

Distribution started Tuesday, with more information for students expected throughout the week, said spokesperson Eric Jome. The masks come in packages of two per person, so students and employees are still encouraged to get their own if they can.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on Jan. 14 to say that N95 and KN95 masks, which are technically considered respirators, are appropriate for day-to-day wear. It had earlier discouraged their widespread use to reserve supplies for medical workers.

ISU started the semester with two weeks of remote learning due to the surge in COVID cases across the country and in Bloomington-Normal. Students are also required to test negative before returning to campus.

Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood

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Its been six weeks since President Joe Bidens videoconference with Russian leader Vladimir Putin over the crisis in Ukraine. Since then, Putins saber-rattling has only gotten louder.

The Kremlin has been moving troops and military equipment into Belarus, a faithful Moscow ally that borders Ukraine on the north. Moscow also has been reportedly emptying out its embassy in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv  a move perhaps meant to intimidate, perhaps meant to ready for a full-scale invasion. Ukrainian authorities fear Russian hackers have planted destructive malware in the countrys computer networks, and are waiting for the go-ahead to activate.

And ominously, Russian officials have hinted about shifting nuclear weapons to locations not far from the U.S. coastline  a prospect unnervingly reminiscent of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. I dont want to confirm anything or rule anything out, Sergei Ryabkov, a Russian deputy foreign minister, answered when asked in Geneva whether the Kremlin was thinking about deploying military infrastructure in Cuba or Venezuela.

Putin is a master at signal-sending to accumulate leverage, so at this stage its impossible to discern whether Moscows latest provocations are chess moves or actual foundation stones for an eventual invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, Putins mission hasnt wavered. He wants Biden to acquiesce to the Kremlins demands that Ukraine never be allowed to join NATO, and that the alliance end all security cooperation with Kyiv. The Russian leader also wants all American nuclear weapons removed from Europe, and an assurance that Western troops will no longer be deployed in NATO countries that once were Warsaw Pact states.

The Kremlins hand-wringing about NATO is hardly new. For years, Putin has railed against NATOs presence in Eastern Europe. Especially galling to him were the so-called color revolutions in Georgia in 2003 and Ukraine in 2004 that elevated West-allied leaders who saw eventual NATO membership as key to their countries trajectories.

Since then, those countries have made little headway in bringing their NATO aspirations to fruition. And in the years that followed the popular uprisings in Tbilisi and Kyiv, NATO was far more preoccupied with the all-consuming battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan than it was with Kremlin chicanery.

NATO, however, has come full circle. It came into existence after World War II as a firewall against Soviet aggression. The threat from Americas Cold War superpower rival was real. Its real again, though if Putin is looking for reasons why Russians should view NATO as their principal enemy, he should look in the mirror.

In 2008 he sent Russian troops into West-allied Georgia, effectively commandeering two Georgian provinces that, to this day, are Russian satellite regions. During the civil war in Syria, Putin took advantage of President Barack Obamas waffling over how to deal with Bashar al-Assad and injected Russia into the campaign as the primary enabler of the barbaric Syrian dictator. Then in 2014, Russian troops forcibly annexed Ukraines Crimea peninsula and engineered a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine that has led to more than 13,000 deaths and a war that endures to this day. In 2016 he took direct aim at America with a meticulously crafted campaign to interfere in the presidential election.

Putins actions over the years have forced NATO to once again regard Russia as an existential threat. Its why the U.S. and its Western allies must show far more resolve against Putin than they did when he stole Crimea from Ukraine. What form that resolve takes remains to be seen, though harsh sanctions such as cutting off Russia from the global financial system, along with fully arming the Ukrainian insurgency that would follow any invasion, should be part of the arsenal.

Biden should also reconsider his reluctance to impose sanctions on Russias coveted Nord Stream 2 pipeline to bring natural gas to Germany. For the Kremlin, the project isnt just an economic boon  it represents another key energy tool that it can use as political leverage against Europe. Germany sees Nord Stream as vital to its economy, but top German leaders now say shutting down Nord Stream should be on the table if Russia invades Ukraine.

Biden and Democrats in Congress were able to help defeat Republican legislation in the Senate that would have slapped sanctions on Nord Stream 2. Germanys warming to the idea of Nord Stream sanctions, and the Biden administration should follow suit.

Biden, NATO and the rest of the West cannot afford to give Putin any quarter.

Chicago Tribune

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100 years ago

Jan. 19, 1922: Bloomington has hosted 1,198 visitors in the city hall tramp room this season, in spite of the mild winter. The lodgings are not comfortable, but its a roof overhead for one night only. These guys are not all bums. Some are drifters going from town to town in search of work.

75 years ago

Jan. 19, 1947: Clinton Mayor B. M. Pugh resigned Friday night amid allegations of non-feasance in office. He entered a guilty plea Saturday and paid a $1,000 fine. Charges against three other men were dropped. This was a case of suspected gambling in DeWitt County.

50 years ago

Jan. 19, 1972: Bloomington Township firemen are puzzled over the cause of a fire at the Eugene Phelps home just outside town. They have ruled out all the obvious causes including arson. Mrs. Phelps and their six children got out safely. A damage estimate is not available.

25 years ago

Jan. 19, 1997: Clyde Tombaugh, 90, formerly of Streator, has died. Tombaugh discovered the planet Pluto before he even had a college degree. He did so by comparing photos of the heavens in search of movement of Planet X. He was born in Kansas but never forgot Streator.

Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com.
Absa Banks Managing Director, Abena Osei-Poku, has started 2022 just like she ended 2021 - relentlessly finding new ways to better serve clients and customers.



With 2022 already halfway through its first month, Mrs. Osei-Poku has engaged a diversity of the banks clientele base on how their year has started and how to better map out the most effective strategies to closely engage and support them throughout the year.



Every client or customer wants quality, value, convenience, reliability and efficient support. These are among a plethora of expectations that most individuals, businesses, and corporations want from their banks. In a world, where the pace of growth and transformation are being orchestrated by digital technology, banks are under pressure to rise above the occasion and deliver value consistently. The global pandemic has also added to this constraint by increasingly putting pressures on several sectors to fast-track their digital adoption strategies ahead of schedule.



Absa Bank is one of the leading banks in Ghana that firmly grasped the need for total transformation early on, even before the pandemic. The Bank's array of technological products and services were instrumental in giving comfort to many customers and clients during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards.



As has become her regular custom, Mrs. Osei-Poku, a week ago, visited some of the bank's customers in the heart of Kantamanto market in Accra, to interact and spend some time with them as they went about their business. These clients trade in a range of different products and services, including building materials, health and safety equipment, childcare products and electrical appliances.



The conversations were interesting and thought-provoking. They drifted towards familiar areas of access to manageable financing, a convenient operating environment and progressive business growth. Abena was grateful for their consistency and loyalty in pushing Absa Bank to go beyond the limit in meeting their needs. She assured them that the bank will continue to adopt effective measures to take feedback and serve them even better.





Commenting on the engagement, Abena Osei-Poku said:



"At Absa Bank, we are obsessed with going the extra mile to understand our clients and customers, their challenges and how to empower them to operate sustainably. Today I have had a great time with some of them. I have listened to their concerns, gauged the nature of the business environment and the opportunities available, in order to support them in bringing their possibilities to life. We recognize our role as an enabler in Ghana's overall growth and it is a mandate we fully embrace."



There are lots of things to be excited about if you are an Absa Bank client or customer this year. Two things stand out: first, the bank will be celebrating its second-year anniversary as a fully-fledged subsidiary of Absa Group in Ghana in February. Already possessing a strong heritage in Ghana, spanning over a hundred years as a bank, Absas second anniversary is a further demonstration of the organizations commitment and influence in the country. Another subject of interest this year is the commencement of construction works on the banks new Head Office, which has begun in earnest. The new Head Office is seen as a demonstration of Absa Bank long-term commitment to the economic sustainability and development of Ghana.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The World Health Organization has said the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, despite plummeting cases in Europe. Director General of the UN health body, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Tuesday, January 18, that people shouldn't go with the narrative that the the Omicron variant is risk-free.



Omicron is much more contagious than previous strains but seems to cause less serious disease in patients. That has triggered a debate on the virus passing from being a pandemic to becoming endemic - with the implication that the danger will have passed. But the WHO boss says the huge numbers of people infected means many vulnerable people will still fall ill and dye.



'This pandemic is nowhere near over,' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters from WHO's headquarters in Geneva. 'Omicron may be less severe, on average, but the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading,' Tedros said. "Make no mistake, Omicron is causing hospitalisations and deaths, and even the less severe cases are inundating health facilities.'



He said there were indications that the Omicron-fuelled surge of Covid cases may have peaked in some countries. This, he said, 'gives hope that the worst of this latest wave is done with, but no country is out of the woods yet.' 'Now is not the time to give up and wave the white flag,' he said. 'We can still significantly reduce the impact of the current wave by sharing and using health tools effectively, and implementing public health and social measures that we know work.'



'Vaccines may be less effective at preventing infection and transmission of Omicron than they were for previous variants, but they still are exceptionally good at preventing serious disease and death,' he said.



'With the incredible growth of Omicron globally, new variants are likely to emerge,' Tedros cautioned.









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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has scheduled February 2-6 to start a nationwide intensive campaign and vaccination against the COVID-19.



Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health, who announced this at a media briefing in Accra on Wednesday, said the five-day national vaccination would ensure a mass inoculation of Ghanaians.



The decision, he said, formed part of the Government's revised policy and strategy on the pandemic to improve the mass vaccination drive, access to vaccines, as well as achieve herd immunity.



Mr Agyeman-Manu said about 34.8 per cent of the 20 million target population had at least received a single dose of the vaccine with about 16.1 per cent having taken the full dose.



The Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said more than 25 million doses of vaccines had been received with COVAX contributing about 68.2 per cent.



The African Union and other multilateral organisations supplied 21.3 per cent and 10.5 per cent, respectively.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the country had administered 9,499,019 doses of vaccines including AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Pfizer and Moderna.



So far about 155,242 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been recorded out of 2.2 million people tested, with more than 149,693 recoveries.



A total of 1,364 deaths had been recorded with the current active cases standing at 4,185, out of which 40 were severe and 11 critical, he said.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye said even though the country was experiencing the fourth wave of the pandemic, the proportion of critical and severe cases were relatively low.



Similarly, there had been a significant reduction in the active cases over the last few weeks with a downward trend in international arrivals.



The GHS Boss said as part of the revised vaccine policy, the Government had approved for booster doses to be administered to all frontline health workers, security personnel, persons with underlying health conditions, persons 60 years and above and members of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.



Also, the Service had recommended the Pfizer and Modena vaccines to be administered to pregnant women and children between ages 15 and 17 years.





Source: GNA









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The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, the World Health Organization's chief said Tuesday, cautioning against a narrative that the Omicron variant is risk-free.



'This pandemic is nowhere near over,' chief of the UN health body Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters from WHO's headquarters in Geneva.



Tedros warned against dismissing the coronavirus Omicron variant - which has spread like wildfire around the globe since it was first detected in southern Africa in November - as mild.



Omicron is much more contagious than previous strains but seems to cause less serious disease in patients.



That has triggered a debate on the virus passing from being a pandemic to becoming endemic - with the implication that the danger will have passed.



But the WHO has warned that the sheer numbers of people infected will mean many vulnerable people are still falling seriously ill and dying.



Experts have also warned that allowing Covid-19 to spread out of control dramatically increases the chance of new variants emerging.



'Omicron may be less severe, on average, but the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading,' Tedros said. 'Make no mistake: Omicron is causing hospitalizations and deaths, and even the less severe cases are inundating health facilities.'



He said there were indications that the Omicron-fuelled surge of Covid cases may have peaked in some countries.



This, he said, 'gives hope that the worst of this latest wave is done with, but no country is out of the woods yet.'



Tedros said there was an urgent need to remove the pressure building on health systems, especially in countries that still have low vaccination coverage.



'Now is not the time to give up and wave the white flag,' he said. 'We can still significantly reduce the impact of the current wave by sharing and using health tools effectively, and implementing public health and social measures that we know work.'



Data indicate that existing Covid vaccines are less effective in protecting against Omicron transmission than against previous strains.



But Tedros stressed it remained vital to ensure broader, more equitable access to the jabs.



'Vaccines may be less effective at preventing infection and transmission of Omicron than they were for previous variants, but they still are exceptionally good at preventing serious disease and death,' he said.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk









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Deputy Education Minister Hon. Rev. Ntim Fordjour has blown the cover of the various teacher unions about their involvement and participation in the new academic calendar change.



According to him, the ministerial Committee on Schools Calendar engaged representatives of the Unions and School Heads, and even some parents.



In a bid to ease pressure on teachers, decongest the various schools, and help align academic calendars, the GES, last week announced the introduction of a semester-based academic calendar for public Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior High Schools.



But four major teacher unions - Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Assocaition of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Coalition of Concenerd teachers, Ghana (CCT-GH) and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) - in a joint statement raised reservations about the announcement of the new academic calendar by the GES.



They accused the Service of failing to engage widely before making the announcement for such a major decision, and called on the GES to immediately suspend the Semester System it is seeking to introduce.



The attention of the Unions in Education has been drawn to a document in the public domain purported to have changed from a trimester to a semester academic calendar by the GES".



Such a major policy change should have attracted a wide consultation and therefore find both the pronouncement and the document offensive and takes exception to them, portions of the press release by the GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU, and CCT-GH on Monday, January 17 read.



However, speaking On Okay Fm's "Ade Akye Abia" programme, Hon Ntim Fordjour was emphatic that all the various teacher unions, except representatives of GNAT who were at a congress but asked their colleague professional unions to represent them, participated in the meeting.



"...as chairman of the committee, i remember very well that all these groups were present...So i find it very callous to hear them say that they were never consulted on the the new academic calendar change.



"We will however meet with the Unions and other stakeholders if they have noted additional concerns since the release of the calendar," he added



The GES has however fixed another meeting with these Education Unions for Thursday, January 20, 2022, to aid further discussion on the new calendar.





Watch Video Below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









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The member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu who doubles as Deputy Leader for the Majority group in Ghana's Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin has hinted at the need to reward inhabitants who have served their communities diligently.



"We must not lose sight of the fact that we are Africans, Ghana to be precise, and that we have our unique way and doctrines of rewarding selfless and dedicated service".



The vociferous Lawyer and MP disclosed this during the commissioning and handing over of an ultra-modern ICT laboratory, library and fashion training center to the National Vocational Training Institute, NVTI in Winneba on Tuesday, January 18th, 2020.



The state-of-the-art edifice named after late Nii Commey Abbey, erstwhile Municipal Chief Executive for Effutu was financed and equipped solely by Hon Alex Afenyo-Markin in honor of the former MCE for his dedicated and honest leadership offered to the Effutu people during his regime.



He further bemoaned that, unlike the past where society failed to acknowledge people who served Effutu in the arena of Academia, clergy, Agriculture, political leadership, medical, hospitality, Security etc, I promise to change the status quo and this I have done with all the projects since I became your MP. Hon Markin admonished subsequent MP's who will come after him to pursue and promote the good initiate he has commenced, this he believes was the surest way to rejuvenate the waning sense of patriotism in some section of the citizenry, he added.



The Effutu MP urged the gathering to support and believe passionately in the Effutu dream So long as I remain your humble, honest, competent, selfless representative in Parliament; our pursuit to build a modernized, progressive and a robust security for the Effutu constituency we all desire".



He continued, as future leaders of Effutu We can, together, build a new civilization "the Effutu dream", where there is a fair opportunity for all in education, where hard work, enterprise and creativity are rewarded immensely, where there is an abundance of dignified working condition for all, where it is honest amongst all the citizens.



For his part, Ekow Young Martin, who is the Manager of the Winneba NVTI commended the MP for the kind gestures and said they were timely considering the technological advancement in the academic field. In summary, the edifice has three components, namely ICT laboratory stocked with forty computers, a fashion training center equipped with overlock, knitting and embroidery machines numbering twenty and two new pavilions with a set of furniture.



According to the Manager of the school, it was the first time since the school's establishment in 1992 that such an Infrastructural intervention has been received, adding that the gestures by Hon Afenyo-Markin was highly timely and worth commending, in addition to this, the MP has also sponsored 250 students in the school, provision of laptops to all teachers in the school as well.



He again mentioned that the lack of an official vehicle to monitor the students on their industrial attachment and studies was a hindrance and called on the MP to also help them in that regard. The Manager of the school indicated that the acquisition of the new edifice and its ultra-modern gadgets, automatically places the Winneba National Vocational Technical Training Institute ahead in the Central Region, he noted.



The Chief of the Effutu traditional area, Neenyi Ghartey VII Osabarima in his address urged all participants not to relent on accepting anything but quality especially in the area of education. He advised participants to be part of positive decision-making and be very circumspect and constructive in their criticism of their leaders devoid of insults and propaganda.



He commended the MP for Effutu for his outstanding quality leadership skills, adding that he was God chosen for the people of Effutu, he admonished the students to be serious with their studies and also urged the teaching staff and management to take good care of the facilities.



In attendance at the ceremony also were Nana Kwame Appiah, Central Regional Director of Ghana Library Authority, Captain Eyi Acquah, Presiding Member for Effutu Municipal Assembly, Mrs Mabel Judith Micah, Director of Education for Effutu Municipality, Madam Gifty Sey, Effutu Municipal Director for Ghana Library Authority, Aaron Moses Eduah, Parish Priest of Anglican Church in Winneba, Neenyi Mbiri III, Chief Fisherman for Effutu, Mahalia Abbey, daughter of late Nii Commey Abbey, Mr. Lord Dartey, cousin of late Nii Commey Abbey.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Emerging reports from Secondi indicate that sex workers who ply their trade around the Secondi Rail Way Station have now resorted to selling clients condoms to some people ostensible for ritual purposes.



According to reports, a dead train station that is located at Secondi Railway has been turned into a sex hub for female sex workers and their male customers which have angered residents.



One of the aggrieved inhabitants of the place spoke to Skyy Power FM saying the prostitutes have dominated the portion of the Sekondi community with their nefarious activities. The man said a lot of drinking bars have been established in the area where these sex workers operate; play loud music till morning thereby disturbing the peace of the community.



According to the resident, these sex workers sell the sperms of their male customers for 110 and above in a used condom.



Some of these sex workers keep the sperms of their male customers and later sell them off to people who specifically come to purchase for unknown purposes but we believe its for spiritual purposes, he added.







Source: www.ghbase.com









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A delegation from UN Agencies in Ghana paid a courtesy call on the Executive Director and Management of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Tuesday 18th January, 2022.



The Delegation was led by Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana. He affirmed the preparedness of the UN resident and non-resident agencies to support EOCO under the leadership of COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs.) to achieve its mandate.



COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs.) welcomed the members of the delegation and assured them of EOCOs readiness to partner them in creating a strong institution that will effectively deliver on its mandate.



The Executive Director acknowledged support that has been received in the past especially from the UNODC, and called for bespoke training for the staff of the office, going forward.



Anne-Claire Dufay, UNICEF Representative in Ghana in her remarks stated that the priority of the UN is to strengthen systems and institutions and the resilience of young people. She added that the UN would support a strong framework to combat money laundering, cybercrime and human trafficking and other issues within EOCOs mandate.



The delegation commended the Office for all its efforts in the fight against economic and financial crimes in concert with sister agencies.









Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has locked up the main abattoir in the Municipality after butchers declined to relocate to a newly constructed modern one at Yorogo, a suburb of Bolgatanga.



The newly constructed abattoir, valued at Gh1.2 million, started in July 2017 with funding from the World Bank, and was commissioned for use in 2018.



It has modern slaughtering and animal processing facilities, lavatories, offices and a pavilion.



The Ghana News Agency (GNA) observed that the abattoir, which had been locked for two days, had affected the operations of food vendors, restaurants and chops bars among other stakeholders who now resort to chicken and fish to complement their protein needs.



When the Agency visited the old abattoir in Bolgatanga, the butchers were seated in groups around the locked facility chatting with one another.



The action, the public fear, would affect the quality of meat as it may not be properly examined by Veterinary officers to ensure safety.



Mr Tindaazok Koldo, the Chief Butcher at the old Abattoir, who expressed displeasure at the situation, explained that prior to the construction of the new abattoir at Yorogo, the leadership of the Bolgatanga Butchers Association was not consulted.



He said for the past three years there had not been any discussion on the matter and so after completion, he and his colleagues declined to relocate.



Also, the new facility could not accommodate the about 400 butchers, saying: A lot of our members depend on the Abattoir to earn a living, and so if we move there, a good number will be laid off for lack of space. This will add up to the unemployment among the youth in the Region.



Mr Koldo said there was no livestock market near the new abattoir, which would affect their business.



If the Assembly can move the livestock market to Yorogo, we will relocate. But as it stands, we cannot move there without the livestock market, he said.



Mr Rex Asanga, the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, in an interview with the GNA, confirmed that the Assembly locked up the abattoir after several negotiations to have the butchers relocate.



He said upon completion of the facility, the Assembly held series of meetings with their leadership and they raised concerns about the need for a meat van to transport the meat to town for sale, and also requested for a platform outside the abattoir where they could slaughter some animals as they all could not slaughter in the Abattoir.



The MCE said following the butchers' requests, the Assembly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with them to address those concerns, adding that The Assembly at its own cost, constructed a platform so that some of the animals could be slaughtered on it.



These were the main things they asked for, and the Assembly has met its side of the bargain, but the butchers refused to relocate. Healthwise, the old abattoir is not in the best of conditions, he said.



The MCE said after the December 15, 2021, deadline to relocate, the Assembly further engaged their leadership and extended the date to the first week of January, 2022.







Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Chief Executive Officer of State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea has replied the Minority on the withdrawal of Military bodyguards for the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.



Over the weekend, news on the withdrawal of military protection for the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban S.K. Bagbin went viral.



Hitherto, the Speaker had four military personnel attached to his protection outfit.



The officers, WO1 Jafaru Bunwura, WOII Apugiba Awine David, S/Sgt Agbley Prosper and Sgt. Bonney Prince had been serving the Bagbins office since he became Speaker in January 2021.



A letter dated 11th January, 2022, cited by Peacefmonline and signed by Major General Nicholas Peter Andoh, the Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters of GAF, ordered the four soldiers to return to base by January 14, 2022; saying they were "attached to the Office of the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament without the proper procedure."



It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularise their attachment, the letter further said.



Alban Bagbin Voices His Sentiments



But the Rt. Hon Bagbin described the action as "untenable".



A statement issued by his Office questioned the withdrawal saying the action "hints at the possibility of a plot to place the safety and security of the Speaker in harm's way."



To him, this is a "bad precedent" and "detracts from the political gains that Ghana has made", and further warned that "if it is an attempt to gag the Speaker, this move will serve to only widen the gap between the legislature and the other arms of government".



Minority's argument



A couple of days later, the NDC Members of Parliament (MPs) led by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddirisu joined the fray saying the decision to withdraw these soldiers is "politically motivated".



The Minority, in a statement, said they are ''saddened and strongly denounce the withdrawal by President Akufo-Addos government of the military detail attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin with effect from the 14th January, 2022. It is pertinent to note that the only reason given for the shameful withdrawal of Mr Speakers security detail is that the attachment was done without following the proper procedure''.



''Curiously, the government fails and/ or omits to spell out the procedure for the attachment of military personnel to high profile personalities such as the speaker of Parliament.



If the action of the military high command is in good faith, the irregularity in relation to the attachment could be rectified without necessarily having to withdraw the personnel...the minority is certain that the action of the military high command relative to the withdrawal of Mr Speakers security detail is politically motivated and calculated to diminish his confidence in his bid to impartially and independently steer the affairs of the legislative arm of government'', they added.



Akomea Fires NDC Minority



Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Tuesday morning, Nana Akomea held that the Minority's defence for the Speaker is an insult on the latter's reputation.



He was bewildered by the opposition's statement that the action is politically motivated.



''If you remove these 4 Military officers from the Speaker's security detail, can't the Speaker speak or think again? I can't fathom where this politics is coming from. It's even an insult to Bagbin to say, because of the removal of the soldiers, he will be afraid of doing dutifully his work. It's even an insult to Bagbin'', he told Nana Yaw Kesseh.



He further wondered how the withdrawal of the Military protection will pump fear into the Speaker or affect his security in any way.



''...That we have withdrawn four Military officers and he still has 12 Police officers, how is that going to reduce Alban Bagbin's confidence?'' he questioned.













Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt has expressed resentments over the ongoing debate regarding the withdrawal of the Military protection for Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.



He has also slammed government for bending over backwards to accommodate the Speakers request for military personnel in the first place, when the said appeal was improper and not backed by law.



Four soldiers guarding the Speaker, according to a letter signed by Chief of Staff, Major General Nicholas Peter Andoh, have been recalled to base.



The letter read they were "attached to the Office of the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament without the proper procedure."



It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularise their attachment, it further said.



This has raised eyebrows as the Majority and Minority argue to either justify or condemn the action.



With the Minority, the government's action is politically motivated but the Majority share varied opinion.



Minority argument



''The Minority in Parliament is saddened and strongly denounce the withdrawal by President Akufo-Addos government of the military detail attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Bagbin with effect from the 14th January, 2022....



If the action of the military high command is in good faith, the irregularity in relation to the attachment could be rectified without necessarily having to withdraw the personnel...the minority is certain that the action of the military high command relative to the withdrawal of Mr Speakers security detail is politically motivated and calculated to diminish his confidence in his bid to impartially and independently steer the affairs of the legislative arm of government.''



Majority Statement



The statement from the Speaker's office emphasises that the withdrawal of the military personnel is an attempt to gag Mr. Bagbin. It is difficult to comprehend the meaning of this. Speakers are supposed to be neutral umpires or referees in Parliament. They are supposed to listen to Members in silence and not participate in debates.



They make rulings when called upon to do so by Members. The rulings must conform to the Rules of Procedure of the House otherwise referred to as Standing Orders. In that regard the Speakers lose their persona whilst presiding. Therefore, what voice does the Speaker have that is being muted or gagged?



Pratt's Take



Sharing his thoughts, the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper who felt the issue is of trivial essence and would prefer it doesn't dominate discussions, decried the tendency by government to acquiescence to certain individuals privileges just to curry favour with them.



He also cautioned that giving premium to the withdrawal of the soldiers is ''like we are insulting the Police''.



''What at all can a soldier bodyguard do that the Police cannot do? Is it the notion that Police don't play number (to wit don't perform professionally)? Is that the reason for going in for the soldiers?'', he questioned, stressing ''this is not good. What's happening isn't good. We have to repose confidence in the Police that they can work effectively and so equip them with the requisite resources to work''.



He called for absolute respect to be given to the Police as the removal of the soldiers doesn't mean the Speaker is exposed to danger because he already has Police protection.



''Let's respect the Police!'', he shouted.



He made these comments on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' with Nana Yaw Kesseh as the host of the programme.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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An Ashanti regional chairman hopeful, and former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ejisu Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Mr Kwabena Aduomi, has disclosed that the government has no money to pay road contractors.



According to him, the governments highly touted plans to improve road infrastructure may not be achievable.



In an interview in Kumasi, he explained that government needs more money to enable them to implement the year of roads promise.



The reality is that government do not have money to pay contractors, which they have admitted. Thats another reason for the introduction of E-levy; to enable them to offset these debts.



The major challenge in the Ashanti region is our roads. Take Kwabre roads for example. The truth is road projects have been awarded in the region. If I tell you the number of contracts youd be amazed. Was recently preparing a script for Kyei Mensah and only 8 percent of our roads are in good condition.



Our roads are bad to say the least. We need huge money to fix it. The government owes contractors filling just potholes, thats how bad the situation is, he yelled.



The government in its quest to address the poor road networks in major parts of the country declared 2020, as the year of roads.



Delivering the 2020 Budget, the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta said the government will largely focus and prioritize road projects to improve infrastructure in that sector and bring an end to the cries of Ghanaians for better roads.



Same was said of 2021 and this year, 2022 has also been declared the third year of roads.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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An illustration of the jet of liquid solvent, the sample particles, and the beam of the accelerator capturing diffraction data in a process that takes just a few femtoseconds  that is quadrillionths of a second, or, one millionth of one billionth of a second. Credit: Ella Maru Studio

Francis Crick, who famously co-discovered the shape of DNA, once said: "If you want to understand function, study structure." Many decades later, this remains a tenet of biology, chemistry, and materials science.

A key breakthrough in the quest for DNA's structure came from X-ray crystallography, a technique that maps the density of electrons in a molecule based on how beams of X-ray radiation diffract through the spaces between atoms in the sample. The diffraction patterns generated by crystallography can then be used to deduce the overall molecular structure. Thanks to a steady stream of advances over the decades, X-ray crystallography is now exponentially more powerful than it was in Crick's time, and can even reveal the placement of individual atoms.

Yet the process is not easy. As the name implies, it requires crystalsspecifically, purified samples of the molecule of interest, coaxed into a crystal form. And not all molecules form picture-ready crystals.

"X-ray crystallography is most straightforward when the material can be grown into a large single crystal," said Nicholas Sauter, a computer senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), in the Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging (MBIB) division. "However, most substances instead form powders composed of small granules, whose X-ray diffraction patterns are harder to disentangle."

Sauter is co-leading a team working to provide a better way for scientists to study the structures of the many materials that don't form tidy single crystals, such as solar absorbers and metal-organic frameworks: two diverse material groups with huge potential for combatting climate change and producing renewable energy.

Their new technique, called small-molecule serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography, or smSFX, supercharges traditional crystallography with the addition of custom-built image processing algorithms and an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL). The XFEL, built from a fusion of particle accelerator and laser-based physics, can point X-ray beams that are much more powerful, focused, and speedy than other X-ray sources for crystallography. The entire process, from X-ray pulse to diffraction image, is completed in a few quadrillionths of a second.

Part of the XFEL where the sample is injected into the path of the X-ray beam. This XFEL facility, called the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) is in Japan. The team traveled there and performed their experiments in 2019. Credit: Nate Hohman/University of Connecticut

"It's diffraction before destruction," said Daniel Paley, an MBIB project scientist and author on the team's new paper, published today in Nature[link]. "The idea is that the crystal is going to explode instantly when it's hit by this beam of photons, but with a femtosecond pulse, you collect all the diffraction data before the damage occurs. It's really cool."

Paley and co-leader Aaron Brewster, a research scientist in MBIB, developed the algorithms needed to convert XFEL data into high-quality diffraction patterns that can be analyzed to reveal the unit cellthe basic unit of a crystal that is repeated over and over in three dimensionsof each tiny crystalline grain within the sample.

When you have a true powder, Paley explained, it's like having a million crystals that are all jumbled together, full of imperfections, and scrambled in every possible orientation. Rather than diffracting the whole jumble together and getting a muddied readout of electron densities, like existing powder diffraction techniques, smSFX is so precise that it can diffract individual granules, one at a time. "This gives it a special sharpening effect," he said. "So that is actually the kind of secret sauce of this whole method. Normally you shoot all million at once, but now you shoot 10,000 all in sequence."

The cherry on top is that smSFX is performed without freezing the sample or exposing it to a vacuumanother benefit for the delicate materials studied by materials scientists. "No fancy vacuum chamber required," said Sauter.

Artist's rendition of X-ray beam illuminating a solution of powdered crystalline chalcogenates. Credit: Ella Maru Studios

In the new study, the team demonstrated proof-of-principle for smSFX, then went one step further. They reported the previously unknown structures of two metal-organic materials known as chacogenolates. Nathan Hohman, a chemist physicist at University of Connecticut and the project's third co-leader, studies chacogenolates for their semiconducting and light-interaction properties, which could make them ideal for next-generation transistors, photovoltaics (solar cells and panels), energy storage devices, and sensors.

"Every single one of these is a special snowflakegrowing them is really difficult," said Hohman. With smSFX, he and graduate student Elyse Schriber were able to successfully diffract powder chacogenolates and examine the structures to learn why some of the silver-based materials glow bright blue under UV light, a phenomenon that the scientists affectionately compare to Frodo's sword in The Lord of the Rings.

"There is a huge array of fascinating physical and even chemical dynamics that occur at ultrafast timescales, and our experiment could help to connect the dots between a material's structure and its function," said Schriber, a Berkeley Lab affiliate and researcher in Hohman's lab. "After further improvements are made to streamline the smSFX process, we can imagine programs to offer this technique to other researchers. These types of programs are integral for increasing access to light source facilities, especially for smaller universities and colleges."

Explore further X-ray laser sight reveals drug targets

More information: Elyse Schriber, Chemical crystallography by serial femtosecond X-ray diffraction, Nature (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04218-3 Journal information: Nature Elyse Schriber, Chemical crystallography by serial femtosecond X-ray diffraction,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04218-3
"We're in the middle of a biodiversity crisis, with a million species at risk of extinction," says Paul Leadley, a professor at Paris-Saclay University.

Expanding nature preserves will not be enough to stem a rising tide of extinctions, a panel of experts warned Wednesday, taking aim at a draft treaty tasked with rescuing Earth's animal and plant life.

Setting aside at least 30 percent of both land and oceans as protected zones is the cornerstone target of the so-called global biodiversity framework to be finalised in May at UN negotiations in Kunming, China.

But a report by more than 50 top experts said the draft plan still falls far short of what is needed.

"We're in the middle of a biodiversity crisis, with a million species at risk of extinction," lead author Paul Leadley, a professor at Paris-Saclay University, told AFP.

"There's good evidence that we will fail again to meet ambitious international biodiversity objectives if there's too much focus on protected areas at the expense of other urgent actions."

The plan, under negotiation by nearly 200 nations, sets a score of targets for 2030and aims by 2050 to reverse biodiversity loss and be "living in harmony with nature."

The world failed almost entirely to reach a similar set of 10-year objectives set a decade ago at UN talks in Aichi, Japan.

"We keep trying to treat a critically ill patient with plastersthat has to stop," said Leadley.

Echoing a similar warning issued by the UN's science advisory panel for climate change, Leadley and his colleagues said reversing the damage done to nature will require "transformative change" in society, starting with the way we produce and consume food.

Biodiversity loss is caused by multiple direct drivers in nearly all cases.

Multiple drivers

Policymakers must also realise that all the drivers of extinctionhabitat loss and fragmentation, over-hunting for food and profit, pollution, the spread of invasive speciesmust be tackled at once.

"Biodiversity loss is caused by multiple direct drivers in nearly all cases, meaning that actions on only one or a few will be insufficient to halt continued loss," the report said.

Climate change is also rapidly emerging as a major threat to many animal and plant species on land and in the oceans, outpacing their ability to adapt.

Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels"essential" for protecting natureis not adequately reflected in the draft targets, the authors say.

Earth's surface has already warmed 1.1C, enough to unleash a crescendo of climate-enhanced storms, heatwaves, droughts and flooding.

And it works both ways, the report warns: "Protecting and restoring biodiversity are key to achieving the climate mitigation and adaptation goals of the Paris Agreement."

Nature-based solutions

As with climate, there's no time to lose.

"The sooner we act the better," said co-author Maria Cecilia Londono Murcia, a researcher at Humboldt Institute in Colombia.

Lesser-known endangered species include the Titicaca water frog and the black-crested Macaque.

"Time lags between action and positive outcomes for biodiversity can take decades."

The report also takes the draft treaty to task for not spelling out how goals will be achieved and enforced.

Targets are all well and good, it suggests, "but it is how these targets are implemented ... that will determine success."

Other targets set for 2030 include:

- reducing by 50 percent the rate at which alien species are spreading across the globe;

- reducing nutrients such as fertiliser leaching into the environment by at least half, and pesticides by at least two-thirds;

- eliminating the discharge of plastic waste;

- using nature-based solutions to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10 billion tons of CO2 or its equivalent;

- reducing subsidies that harm biodiversity by at least $500 billion (440 billion euros) per year.

"For every euro we spend globally to help biodiversity, we spend at least five on things that destroy it," said co-author Aleksandar Rankovic, a researcher at the Paris Institute of Political Studies.

Nations will gather in Geneva in March for technical meetings ahead of the crunch talks in April and May.

 2022 AFP
We currently know of and have cataloged several hundred thousand asteroidsand there may be more than 10 million individual asteroids, says Danilo Marchesini. Credit: NASA

Asteroids fly through our solar system all the time, but it's rare for us to take notice of them. But that's changed this week, as an asteroid passes within 1,231,184 miles of Earth on January 18. The asteroid, dubbed 7482 (1994 PC1), was first seen in 1994 and is about two-thirds of a mile wide.

One likely reason Americans are paying more attention is because many millions have watched the Netflix film Don't Look Up, about a comet that's headed for Earth with disastrous consequences. But this asteroid is no Hollywood plot device; it's just a tiny part of what makes up our solar system.

The good news is that scientists in the real world are on the case. NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies is tasked with identifying all objects that come near Earth, like asteroids, to track any that might potentially collide with Earth.

To learn more about asteroids, where they come from, and where they are going, we reached out to Danilo Marchesini, professor of physics and astronomy in the School of Arts and Sciences. Marchesini specializes in understanding how galaxies form and evolve.

Tufts Now: What exactly are asteroids?

Danilo Marchesini: Asteroids are rocky remnants from the solar system's formation. They orbit around the sun near the ecliptic planethe same plane within which the planets orbit the Sun. Most asteroids are located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, in what is called the asteroid belt.

How many asteroids are there in our solar system?

We currently know of and have cataloged several hundred thousand asteroidsand there may be more than 10 million individual asteroids. The larger asteroids have a diameter of roughly 1,000 kilometers (about 621 miles). Despite being so numerous, the total mass of all asteroids together is small, estimated lower than 0.05% of the mass of Earth.

How do astronomers find them and track them?

The first asteroid, Ceres, was discovered in 1801 by Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi. Although the discovery is referred to as accidental, astronomers were looking for objects theorized to be orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

In general, asteroids are discovered by observing the sky night after night and identifying objects that are quickly moving across the "fixed" background of distant stars. There is a whole sub-field of astronomy devoted to systematically searching for them with medium/small sized telescopes scanning the night sky. The smaller the asteroid, the fainter it is, and the harder it is to find.

Are there different types of asteroids?

Some are on the same orbit as Jupiter, both trailing and leading Jupiterthese are called Trojans. Others are located between the orbits of Mars and Earth, the Amor asteroids. The ones that cross Earth's orbit when they are closest to the sun are called Apollo asteroids, while those that cross Earth's orbit when they are farthest from the sun are Aten asteroids.

The asteroid whose orbit is coming closest to Earth this month7482 (1994 PC1)is one of the Apollo asteroids.

What happens when asteroids collide?

Every once in a while, there may be collisions in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Marsor even gravitational interactions among asteroids or gravitational perturbations with Jupiter itself, which result in asteroids being ejected from the asteroid belt. The Aten and Apollo asteroids are thought to be the results of these interactions.

What happens over the long term to asteroids?

Astronomers theorize that some of the smallest moons orbiting some of the planets in the solar system may have been asteroids caught in a planet's gravitational field as they wandered by. Asteroids can collide with one another, and small fragments called meteoroids get ejected from the Asteroid Belt. These can produce meteors or meteorites when entering the Earth's atmosphere.

Given the huge number of asteroids, astronomers theorize that most of them have had interactions and collisions with other asteroids during the past 4.6 billion years of history of the solar system. But in general, the largest majority of asteroids will continue to orbit the sun.

Explore further How the Sun affects asteroids in our neighborhood
Credit: Weiwei Chen

Working for a bossless company, i.e. a company where instead of managers telling employees which projects they should work on, employees themselves initiate new or join the existing projects, can sound like a dream to most of us. Too often, though, it has become a nightmare for employees of bossless companies that, after an initial bout of success, have been forced to lay off workers (as in the case of Valve, a videogame publisher and distributor) or to reverse to a traditional, hierarchical structure (as at GitHub, a provider of Internet hosting for software development).

A model developed by Bocconi Assistant Professor of Management Harsh Ketkar with Maciej Workiewicz (ESSEC Business School) and published in Strategic Management Journal highlights the contexts where a bossless organization works better than a hierarchy and where it does not.

The point, the authors note, is the balance between available opportunities and available human resources. Decentralization has the upper hand when resource-limited companies work in environments rich with opportunities, while hierarchies are more efficient when the opportunities shrink and the resources are not a constraint.

"A bossless company is good when the organization has to aggressively search in all directions not to miss the next big thing," Professor Ketkar said.

Opportunities for a company can dry up and resources can become more abundant for many reasons, and in these cases hierarchies should kick in.

When a company size, grows, for instance, available human resources increase relative to opportunities, and it may no longer be feasible to maintain self-selection. Even in case of a steady size, the industry can evolve. After the initial burst of opportunities, when new applications and market segments are being discovered, the market's growth slows, and readily available opportunities for growth diminish. The effect on the organization is the same: hierarchies end up having the upper hand.

The mechanism that leads the bossless company to a crisis is not the increasing span of control and communication difficulties, as commonly asserted, but the compounding of evaluators' errors. Employees overcrowd certain projects, with no proof of their superior profitability.

"Our results don't mean we must dismiss the bossless company," Prof. Ketkar said. "We highlight pathologies of both self-selection and hierarchies and conclude that self-selection performs better when a company is understaffed with respect to the projects it can pursue. Centralized allocation, on the other hand, allows organizations to avoid overcrowding on opportunities when opportunities are few."

Furthermore, the authors analyze the workings of five policy levers used by companies to mitigate the weaknesses of self-selection, namely:

allowing employees to change the project on which they are working, imposing a condition on the minimum number of employees required to initiate a project, instituting a profit threshold for selecting projects, introducing a mid-level manager who approves or rejects projects selected by workers, offering strong incentives to the manager so that she can review more projects in a more accurate way.

The analysis reveals that all the above levers are effective up to a point, but their efficacy also depends on the ratio between resources and opportunities.

Explore further Should companies let employees choose their tasks?

More information: Harsh Ketkar et al, Power to the people: The benefits and limits of employee selfselection in organizations, Strategic Management Journal (2021). Harsh Ketkar et al, Power to the people: The benefits and limits of employee selfselection in organizations,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/smj.3349

Provided by Bocconi University
Cannabis indica. Credit: Wikipedia

Legalization of marijuana in California has helped some financial institutions in the state increase their assets at the same time many banks, feeling stifled by federal regulations, deny services to licensed growers, manufacturers and retailers, a new study shows.

Combining data on bank holdings and interviews with growers and bankers, the research paints an initial picture of how the marijuana and financial industries coexist in California now, and suggests that regulatory changes could create new opportunities for both.

The data analysis did make one thing clear: Legalization of the estimated $16 billion marijuana industry in California has been a boon to financial institutions. But restricted access to banking, from checking accounts to loans, perpetuates inequities for those participating in the legal production of cannabiswhile unlicensed, illegal growing and exporting continues as an enormous cash-based sector of the industry.

"We need a better understanding of the economics of this industry and all of the questions and implications related to it so the impacts of policy choices are intentional," said lead study author Zoe Plakias, assistant professor of agricultural, environmental and development economics at The Ohio State University.

"If we want to have a more equitable society and allow communities to keep more of the value of this crop, how do we do that? We first need to characterize what happens in communities when you legalize cannabis."

Plakias and Margaret Jodlowski, assistant professor of agricultural, environmental and development economics at Ohio State, conducted the study with researchers Parisa Kavousi, Taylor Giamo and Keith Taylor at the University of California, Davis.

"Licensed cannabis businesses need to bank their cash and take out loans to build their businesses, but many banks worry that by doing business with the cannabis industry, they'll be flouting federal laws," said Taylor, University of California Cooperative Extension community development specialist. "Banks that won't accept legal cannabis cash deposits and don't provide loans aren't monetizing their deposits. Marginalized cannabis communities are missing out on capital."

The research is published online in the journal Agricultural Finance Review.

Marijuana is listed as a Schedule 1 drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Even in states that have legalized recreational and medicinal use of cannabis, it is still a federal crime to possess, buy or sell marijuana. California legalized recreational cannabis for adults in 2016, and the industry is overseen by the Department of Cannabis Control.

Data used by the researchers for this study included bank and credit union call data for the years 2015-2020. The analysis showed that assets held by financial institutions in counties that legalized marijuana had increased in that period by almost $750 million, and loan activity rose by about $500 million.

These benefits are presumed to be spillover effects of better overall economic health that followed cannabis legalization in specific counties, Jodlowski said, because the interviews with financial institutions indicated there has been little appetite among banks to associate with the marijuana industry.

"It's important to remember when talking about loans that it's not possible to identify whether they were for cannabis operations, and they're probably not based on what we heard from stakeholders," she said. "It's more of a general relationship. The bank is doing better, and they're able to lend out more in general and earn more interest from loans."

When they narrowed the analysis to banks that operate only in California, the researchers found that for each single new manufacturing or retail license, bank assets and loan capacity grew by tens of thousands of dollars. Cannabis cultivation licenses, on the other hand, had no impact on California banks' holdings.

"This suggests that a lot of the economic benefits of legalization come from other stages of the supply chainand it's not a foregone conclusion that farmers benefit from legalization," Plakias said. "There's a need to think about how farmers who are producing cannabis in the legal market, often operating in rural environments with a weaker economic base to start with, can be supported in the context of economic development."

The team also interviewed marijuana farmers and representatives from banks and credit unions in Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino countiesthe "Emerald Triangle" region known historically in California and nationally for the quantity and quality of marijuana produced there.

Of the banks and credit unions contacted by the researchers, most were not knowingly involved in the cannabis industry. Bankers reported being hamstrung by ambiguous federal guidelines that pose a real risk to financing cannabis, largely because banks are required to report suspicious transactions to the federal government. They might be seen as players in a criminal enterprise even by providing banking services to employees who work for licensed members of the cannabis industry, or they could lose big on lending if cannabis-related assets backing a loan were seized by federal agents.

"What's consistent across all financial institutions is that it's very costly, and does involve taking on some risk, to be in compliance with all of the guidelinesthe risk being that even if you follow all guidelines to the letter, there's no assurance that you can't still get in trouble," Plakias said.

Cannabis growers they interviewed reported paying fees ranging from $200 to $3,000 per month for bank accounts, which they found to be cost prohibitive. These limitations leave most licensed marijuana producers and retailers in the lurch, forcing them to rely on nontraditional financing arrangementsmaybe investing in friends' endeavorsor risk running cash operations.

"There is a lot of evidence that cash can be better for a local economy because cash tends to stay localbut we are now a credit-based economy," Jodlowski said. "In this day and age it's incredibly harmful for local economic development to have an entire sector that's denied access to credit, because so much of developing as a household, or individual, or industry requires credit and requires demonstration of credit-worthiness.

"That's a fundamental harm of these sorts of restrictions."

This research is part of a larger project on cannabis and community economic development in California supported by a grant from the UC Davis Cannabis and Hemp Research Center. As part of this project, the California authors on this paper recently published a review of the opportunities and challenges marijuana legalization poses for localities in which the crop is cultivated and sold.

"It's clear we need policies making cannabis banking and finance more equitable," Taylor said. "It's also clear that 'Ma and Pa' enterprises need to associate together in formal organizations so they can achieve economies of scale and harness their political power to endure the transition to legal."

Despite the stigma attached to marijuana, even when legal, its status as California's most valuable cropestimated to be worth more than almonds and dairy combinedattracts outsiders who are better-equipped to come up with funding to get their operations started and compete with legacy growers who have lived and worked in California for generations.

This trend necessitates development of evidence-based policies that take all participants into consideration, the Ohio State researchers say.

"Our findings speak to confusion around existing policies and the need for streamlining, clarifying and having a more unified approach to regulating this industry," Jodlowski said.

Explore further Can medical marijuana effectively treat childhood epilepsy?

More information: Zoe Plakias et al, On the money: characterizing banking and lending in the California cannabis industry, Agricultural Finance Review (2021). Zoe Plakias et al, On the money: characterizing banking and lending in the California cannabis industry,(2021). DOI: 10.1108/AFR-06-2021-0075
Donald Trump perpetuated the birther movement for years. Credit: Shutterstock

Conspiracy theories have mutated into conspiracism, a transformation marked by people rejecting proof and evidence in favor of frivolous speculation. That's what political scientists Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum suggest in their book "A Lot of People are Saying."

In short, conspiracism is conspiracy without the theory.

Muirhead and Rosenblum use the "birther" conspiracy to illustrate conspiracism. "Birtherism" is the belief that Barack Obama was not born in the United States, therefore ineligible for the presidency.

It is an example of conspiracism because it causes the relentless denial of simple facts, a characteristic that makes it appealing to far right figures like Donald Trump. Conspiracism is opposed to logic and reason, and it helped sprout the racist attacks against Obama and others.

At the heart of Rosenblum and Muirhead's crusade against conspiracism is a concern for standard epistemological methods (or logical reasoning), a hallmark of classic conspiracy theories. But their concern motivates me to ask if conspiracists actually deny evidence and standard methods of logical reasoning?

To suggest that conspiracy theorists deny standard methods of logical reasoning implies that we definitively know what evidence and standard methods of logical reasoning look like.

Conspiracy theorists actually use evidence and standard logical reasoning to put forward their often-racist beliefs. In fact, they use evidence to connect dots and identify patterns that fall out of the scope of Rosenblum and Muirhead's analysis.

But evidence is political, and some forms of evidence are seen by some while not seen by others. For example, you might recall Republican Sen. James Inhofe bringing a snowball onto the senate floor as evidence that the globe is not warming. His act demonstrates the way that evidence can be used to put forward a political message before a necessarily factual one. To him, the snowball was evidence.

Evidence of a conspiracy?

On May 18, 2012, Donald Trump tweeted, "Let's take a closer look at that birth certificate. @BarackObama was described in 2003 as being 'born in Kenya.'" Referring to a literary promotional booklet that identified Obama as being "born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia and Hawaii," Trump took this as confirmation of his birtherism, intensifying his animosity for America's first Black president.

For Rosenblum and Muirhead, Trump's use of this piece of evidence would not meet their standard for legitimate evidence because it can be easily refuted. However, when Trump and other birther conspiracists cite such examples as evidence of a conspiracy, they are drawing connections between more than events and unexplained phenomena; they are using Obama's race as evidence of his being non-American.

Trump's insistence on the point that Obama was born in Kenya dovetails with a broader evidential claim that Obama's Blackness attributes him an African heritage and place of birthignoring of course the long lineages of Black folks in places all over the world.

In addition to connecting the dots between Obama's race and his foreignness, Trump introduced the consequences of his findings on Obama's policies as well. Tweeting on Oct. 31, 2013: "'If you like your healthcare plan you can keep it." = "I was born in Hawaii.'"

For Trump, Obama's skin color is a dot that is connected to his foreignness that is connected to an African heritage that is connected to his "anti-American" health care policies. Trump used evidence and his own standard methods of logical reasoning to come to this conclusion its just not one recognized by Rosenblum and Muirhead as valid.

What evidence can teach us

In America, where anti-Black racism functions as the bedrock of many institutions, skin color can be used as evidence of someone's opposition to America's values.

By denying the way that Trump connects the dots between these pieces of evidence, Rosenblum and Muirhead contribute to the hidden structures that guide American political and social life that repeatedly disenfranchise people of color by denying them decision-making positions across many American institutions.

After all, the birther conspiracists were silent about Ted Cruz not being born in the United States even though he admitted it. Cruz, however, is white-passing.

Conspiracy theories demand that we interrogate how evidence might be used to do more than support a conspiracy; it might work to maintain a certain status quo.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Shutterstock

The omicron wave is likely to exacerbate Australia's existing teacher shortages and demanding workloads. As school starts at the end of January and beginning of February across the country, many teachers will be at risk of contracting COVID. They will need to stay away from work, while others may choose to leave the profession altogether.

To address parental concerns about teacher absences, the Prime Minister recently announced teachers will no longer be required to isolate at home for seven days if they are close contacts, and if they don't have symptoms and return a negative rapid antigen test. But unions have slammed this relaxation of rules saying it will only add to safety concerns for teachers and children.

States and territories are putting together a plan to open schools safely, which is set to be released on Thursday. But for schools to operate effectively, and avoid remote learning, Australia must also have a long-term plan for recruiting and retaining teachers. This means lifting their professional status, improving work conditions and increasing pay.

What's happening overseas?

Other countries are seeing omicron-fuelled teacher shortages. In England teachers have been told to combine classes due to staff shortages.

In Canada some provinces had to delay opening schools. In Ontario families who were previously notified when a teacher or child in their class tested positive will now only be notified when more than 30% of staff and students are absent.

In France teachers have gone on strike over what are described as "chaotic conditions".

Schools in the United States, like in Australia, suffered from pre-pandemic teacher shortages and have struggled to stay open during the pandemic. Some states have recruited parents as stop-gap substitute teachers, others returned to remote learning.

Research in the US has made it clear the pandemic has changed teachers' committment to remaining in the classroom and led to high staff turnover. Australians may find themselves in the same position.

Australia's teacher shortage

Australia's teachers suffer from poor professional status. A lack of respect, problems with recruitment, poor pay (relative to other professions), high workload, conflicting demands and now the pandemic, have conspired to create a perfect storm.

A range of data and reports suggest the scale of the emerging teacher shortage will be serious. Low completion rates of teacher degrees (fewer than 60% of those who started the degree) alongside rising child and youth demographic trends mean many schools, particularly those in rural areas, will find things even more difficult over the next few years.

Reports from the New South Wales education department, accessed by the NSW Teachers Federation, show more than 1,100 full time secondary and special education teaching positions were unfilled in 2021. That's a lot of classrooms without a teacher.

The documents also reportedly say the state's public schools will "run out of teachers in the next five years." Meanwhile, states struggled to find casual and relief teachers to fill the pandemic exacerbated shortages in the past two years.

Projections based on 2020 student enrolments, student to teacher ratio and school population growth suggest between 11,000 and 13,000 new teachers will be needed in NSW by 2031.

Nationally we have seen a chronic shortage in maths and science teachers. With the Australian Teacher Workforce Data Project still in development phase after ten years there has been no systemic national tracking of generic or specialist shortages. The Australian Mathematics and Science Institute calculates there is a 76% chance every student will have at least one unqualified maths teacher in years 7 to 10.

Long-term toleration of the teacher shortages in maths and science is particularly surprising as these learning areas are critical to our economy. There are also well documented declines in senior students taking these subjects, suggesting we are already paying the price for this neglect.

There has been no government reporting on the number of schools unable to meet their staff needs in 2021. But a number of social media reports have shown industrial action in individual schools where the remaining teachers were unable to maintain classes.

We need a national plan

A large volume of research documents the high and increasing workload of Australian teachers. In NSW, before the pandemic, teachers reported working an average of 55 hours per week and principals an average of 62. With the pandemic increasing teacher workload, short staffing in schools will ratchet that up another notch.

Unlike many countries, including England, Australia doesn't have a strategic plan to recruit and retain teachers.

The NSW Teachers Federation commissioned an independent inquiry in 2020 into the work of teachers and principals, and how it's changed since 2004. After reviewing international evidence and local data, the final report made a range of recommendations to "recognize the increase in skills and responsibilities, help overcome shortages and recruit the additional teachers needed to cope with enrolment growth."

The key recommendations included:

increase teacher salaries by 10 to 15% to bring them on par with other similarly educated professions

increase lesson preparation time

improve promotions and career structure

increase number of school counselors

reduce curriculum and administration workload.

Australia urgently needs a coordinated, long-term, politically bipartisan plan to strengthen teacher recruitment, placement and retention. With such a plan in hand we will be better positioned to tackle the ongoing pandemic and whatever other crises we face in the future.

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This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The featherwing beetle Paratuposa placentis (left) shown at the same scale as the unicellular protist Amoeba proteus (right). Credit: Modified from Farisenkov et al. (2022)

An international team of researchers describes in detail the mechanisms of the extraordinarily fast flight of the smallest free-living insects, beetles of the featherwing family (Ptiliidae). The team includes members and a student of Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia) and members of Skoltech (Russia), the University of Rostock (Germany), Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan), and Chiba University (Japan). The effort is spearheaded by Alexey Polilov, head of the Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University. The results of the study were published in Nature.

The smallest flying insects have peculiar bristled wings, a condition known as ptiloptery, evolved independently during miniaturization in several insect lineages. Smaller flying animals generally fly at lower speeds than larger ones, but the recent measurements by members of the same team have shown that beetles of the family Ptiliidae, which includes the smallest free-living (nonparasitic) insects, fly as fast as their relatives that are three times as large. The Nature paper describes the peculiar ptiliid flight style in detail and shows how these bristled wings, the mass of which is much smaller than that of membranous wings of the same size, work efficiently in such minute insects, for which, as a consequence of their size, the forces of viscous friction are of the same order of magnitude as inertial forces. This makes the flapping flight of the studied insects somewhat similar to the rowing type of swimming found in some of the smaller aquatic crustaceans, such as Cladocera or Anostraca.

The team behind the study investigates the flight of microinsects and has recently shown that it is not only more peculiar but also more efficient than previously thought. The purpose of this work is to shed more light on miniaturization (the evolutionary trend towards extreme diminution), which independently took place in several groups of insects. As a result of miniaturization, among beetles, wasps and some other insects there are species in which the adult is less than 0.5 mm long, i.e., even smaller than some unicellular protists, such as Amoeba proteus. Despite their extremely small size, these tiny insects are multicellular animals capable of advanced behavior and complex movements, including those that allow most of them to fly.

The setup designed and constructed by Sergey Farisenkov for high-speed recording of the free flight of microinsects under infrared LED and laser illumination using four synchronized cameras. Credit: Photo from the archive of the Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University

The effects of miniaturization on the structure and functions of body systems remain poorly understood. Investigating this issue, the team recently found that miniature featherwing beetles (representatives of the family Ptiliidae) fly as fast as much larger representatives of related beetle families. Their maximum accelerations are also surprisingly high, and in terms of the number of body sizes covered in flight per second they surpass all animals for which this parameter has been measured to date. But the mechanism of their flight remained unknown.

The study combines modern morphological methods, three-dimensional reconstructions of the movement of body parts in flight, and new approaches in computational aerodynamics. All these methodologies together revealed the mechanism of flight that helps the smallest beetles to excel at flight. This mechanism was studied using the example of one of the smallest beetles, Paratuposa placentis, whose adult body length is less than 0.4 mm. It is shown that the surprisingly efficient flight of these beetles is facilitated by the following adaptations. First, their wings are extremely light, because, unlike the wings of large beetles, these have a very narrow wing blade with a fan of long peripheral bristles (a condition known as ptiloptery, which means featherlike wing).

Moreover, in the smallest beetles these bristles are covered with outgrowths (making the bristles brush-like), which render the wing even lighter without making it much more permeable to the air. Second, these beetles have a flight style previously unknown and described for the first time in this paper. As in other flying beetles, Paratuposa placentis uses for flight its hindwings, which at rest are folded under the rigid elytra (the modified forewings). The bristled hindwings move along an unusual trajectory, shaped like a broad figure eight, and make rowing movements alternating with claps both above and below the body of the beetle.

The studied beetles were captured in Vietnam. They were placed in a transparent chamber, where their flight was filmed on two high-speed video cameras. From the video recordings, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the movements of the wings, elytra, and body was produced, which made it possible to perform accurate aerodynamic calculations using special software. The structure of the wings was studied using scanning electron and confocal laser microscopes. Such a comprehensive study enabled the first detailed description and analysis of the mechanism of flight for a microinsect.

Three-dimensional visualization of the rotational velocity of the air flows during the flapping of the wings in the beetle Paratuposa placentis. Credit: Modified from Farisenkov et al. (2022)

For insects as small as featherwing beetles, the forces of viscous friction are quite high relative to the inertial forces and weight of the body and of particular body parts of these insects. As a result, during flight air sticks to the peripheral bristles of their wings due to high viscous friction and closes the gaps between them, barely passing through between the bristles. Being much lighter (and thus subject to much smaller inertial forces) than a membranous wing of the same size, the bristled wing rows almost as well, without letting much air through, like the feather of a bird. At the same time, under such conditions, the lift generated by the wing is insufficient to support the body weight. This is why a considerable part of the aerodynamic forces created by the tiny beetle in flight is due to the drag of its wings moving at high angles of attack. This flight style is in many ways similar to the rowing type of swimming found in some crustaceans, such as Cladocera or Anostraca (which swim using their branched antennae and branched legs, respectively): The wings make rowing movements, and then collapse and return to their original position for the next stroke. The elytra of ptiliid beetles move much more vigorously, with a greater angular amplitude, than in most larger beetles. It is shown in the paper that moving this way the elytra serve as inertial brakes, preventing the body from too much oscillation that would otherwise result from moving the wings in the peculiar fashion described above.

Snapshots of the beetle Paratuposa placentis in flight (top row), three-dimensional computer reconstruction of its wing movements (middle row), and visualization of the air currents (bottom row). Credit: Modified from Farisenkov et al. (2022)

The team now plans to study the flight of other miniature insects in as much detail. This work has already started with some such insects, using the same set of methods. The wing apparatus of many other tiny insects is arranged somewhat differently, because their miniaturization took place independently. Therefore, further research is expected to reveal more secrets of the flight of such insects. Studying the aerodynamics of miniature bristled wings is an important objective, because similar flow conditions are typical for many miniature things, both natural and artificial. New knowledge about the flight of microinsects helps to better understand their biology, dispersal potential, and roles in ecosystems. Furthermore, the principles of the flapping flight of insects are already being used by engineers in the design of experimental unmanned aerial microvehicles. Miniaturization is a widespread trend not only in the evolution of certain groups of animals, but also in the development of technology, and in distant future, knowledge about the flight of microinsects may help engineers create flying devices as small as the smallest flying insectsor at least as small as some of the larger microinsects.

Trajectories of the tips of the wings (upstroke red, downstroke green) and elytra (blue) in the featherwing beetle Paratuposa placentis in lateral view. Credit: Modified from Farisenkov et al. (2022)

"To study miniature insect aerodynamics, we relied on specialized computational techniques. Traditionally, there are two distinct computational approaches to this. The first one is used to model large flying and aquatic animals and the second one applies to flagellates. The air motion close to an individual bristle of a featherlike wing is extremely viscous, much like the liquid motion close to a flagellum. Yet on the scale of the insect body, the air motion is largely determined by the forces of inertia. The difficulty lies in the fact that bristle diameter is hundreds of times smaller than the body length. To address this, we developed an adaptive algorithm capable of describing motion on such different scales in detail and with arbitrary precision. We think it may prove useful for tackling a wide range of problems that call for multiscale modeling," study co-author, Skoltech Assistant Professor Dmitry Kolomenskiy added.

Explore further Copying beetle wings to design MAVs that can recover from midair collisions

More information: Alexey Polilov, Novel flight style and light wings boost flight performance of tiny beetles, Nature (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04303-7 Journal information: Nature Alexey Polilov, Novel flight style and light wings boost flight performance of tiny beetles,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04303-7
Researchers made the discovery in the inner region of a spiral galaxy (called galaxy NGC 4424), similar to our own  the Milky Way. Credit: Swinburne University of Technology

An international team of astronomers has taken a step forward in understanding the evolution of galaxies, and in so doing, told a story written in the heavens.

It has long been a mystery how some spiral galaxies obtained their central black hole. By combining visible and X-ray observations, astronomers have now discovered traces of what was probably once a small sphere-shaped galaxy, seen falling into a spiral galaxy and delivering what is thought to be the right-sized black hole.

The facts make for a cosmic romance, a similarity not lost on lead author of this new research, Professor Alister Graham, from Swinburne's Center for Astrophysics and Supercomputing and teaching into Swinburne Astronomy Online.

Galaxies can have mutual (gravitational) attraction for each other. The body of a smaller galaxy may fade over time, but its heart remains intact as it falls into and partners with a larger galaxy.

In this case, the heart is a million-strong cluster of stars, seen with the Hubble Space Telescope near the center of the spiral galaxy NGC 4424.

NGC 4424 was already known to display signs of activity from a past merger event. Professor Graham says, "The galaxy's bar-like structure is excited and buckled. There was also a star-forming event less than 500 million years ago. One can think of this as a star party of sorts, associated with the announcement of the upcoming galaxy wedding."

However, he is quick to add that, "This appears to be an important discovery for understanding the coevolution of black holes and galaxies."

Zoomed-in images of galaxy NGC 4424 gave them a better view of the star cluster. . Credit: NASA/ESA, Or Graur (University of Portsmouth), Adam Riess (Johns Hopkins University), Lisa Frattare (Space Telescope Science Institute)

A massive discovery

This is the first infalling galaxy found to have a massive black hole. The discovery contributes to our understanding of how black holes come to be inside spiral galaxies.

The astronomers have informally named the star cluster "Nikhuli." They turned to the Sumi tribe in the Indian State of Nagaland for the word, used for a festive period where the descendants of head-hunters celebrate and wish for a rich harvest and gathering. It seemed appropriate to the astronomers, who refer to space as 'the field' and whose discovery focuses on how a larger galaxy has harvested a smaller galaxy.

What the X-ray images show us

Professor Roberto Soria, a co-author at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, obtained a Chandra X-ray Observatory image showing a high-energy X-ray source emanating from the stretched-out star cluster seen in the Hubble image.

"We are likely seeing activity from around a black hole within what was the centrally-located star cluster of the infalling galaxy," says Soria.

Although 50 million light-years away, each square meter of Earth is bathed in an X-ray from this active black hole roughly every 80 seconds. The X-ray hotspot is just 1300 light-years from the center of NGC 4424, a galaxy some sixty thousand light-years across.

The main body of the smaller galaxywhich once housed the resilient star clusteris now contributing to an inner `bulge' of stars above and below the spiral galaxy's disc, which contains the bar and spiral pattern.

Astronomers have circled the star cluster informally named Nikhuli. Credit: NASA/ESA, Bogdan Ciambur (Paris Observatory), Alister Graham (Swinburne University of Technology)

Expanding our knowledge of the universe

The team's best estimate for the mass of the black hole is seventy thousand times the mass of our Sun. This mass makes it a candidate for the largely missing population of "intermediate-mass" black holes with masses greater than stars and smaller than the supermassive black holes known to reside at the centers of giant galaxies, like M87which is often remembered as the famous first-ever image of a black hole, taken by the Event Horizon Telescope.

"This in itself is exciting," says Graham. "Moreover, this mass is on par with that expected at the center of NGC 4424."

"We may be witnessing a supply mechanism for black holes into spiral galaxies," says Dr. Ben Davis, a co-author at the New York University's campus in Abu Dhabi.

"Furthermore, potential collisions with other black holes make this an ideal setting for the emission of long-wavelength gravitational waves rippling across space," says Davis.

The next step

Professor Graham, Professor Soria and Dr. Davis are determined to find more infalling galaxies containing black holes in their drive to answer how black holes come to be within spiral galaxies.

Professor Graham and Dr. Ben Davis are also members of the LISA Consortium, whose Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, aka LISA, and the Chinese TianQin () space missions are working towards discovering events involving the collision of big black holes.

Perhaps their future discoveries can be the romantic sequel, akin to something Sheldon from "The Big Bang Theory" might have penned.

More information: Alister W. Graham et al, Potential Black Hole Seeding of the Spiral Galaxy NGC 4424 via an Infalling Star Cluster, The Astrophysical Journal (2021). Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Alister W. Graham et al, Potential Black Hole Seeding of the Spiral Galaxy NGC 4424 via an Infalling Star Cluster,(2021). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ac235b
Rice University researchers have discovered that sound can be used to analyze the properties of laser-induced graphene in real time. The technique could be useful for material characterization in a wide range of engineering and manufacturing processes. Credit: Brandon Martin/Rice University

It may be true that seeing is believing, but sometimes hearing can be better.

Case in point: Two brothers in a Rice University laboratory heard something unusual while making graphene. Ultimately, they determined the sound itself could give them valuable data about the product.

The brothers, John Li, a Rice alumnus now studying at Stanford University, and Victor Li, then a high school student in New York and now a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are co-lead authors of a paper that describes the real-time analysis of laser-induced graphene (LIG) production through sound.

The brothers were working in the lab of Rice chemist James Tour when they came up with their hypothesis and presented it at a group meeting.

"Professor Tour said, "It is interesting," and told us to pursue it as a potential project," John Li recalled.

The results, which appear in Advanced Functional Materials, describe a simple acoustic signal processing scheme that analyzes LIG in real time to determine its form and quality.

LIG, introduced by the Tour lab in 2014, makes layers of interconnected graphene sheets by heating the top of a thin polymer sheet to 2,500 degrees Celsius (4,532 degrees Fahrenheit), leaving only carbon atoms behind. The technique has since been applied to making graphene from other feedstock, even food.

Alex Lathem, an applied physics graduate student at Rice University, prepares a sample for lasing. The lab is using sound to analyze the synthesis of laser-induced graphene in real time. Credit: Brandon Martin/Rice University

"Under different conditions, we hear different sounds because different processes are occurring," John said. "So if we hear variations during the synthesis, we'd be able to detect different materials being formed."

He said audio analysis allows for "far greater quality control capabilities that are orders of magnitude faster than characterization of laser-induced graphene by microscopy techniques.

"In materials analysis, there are often tradeoffs between cost, speed, scalability, accuracy and precision, especially in terms of how much material you can systematically process," John said. "What we have here allows us to efficiently scale the throughput of our analytical capabilities to the entire amount of material we're trying to synthesize in a robust manner."

John invited his younger brother to Houston, knowing his expertise would be a plus in the lab. "We have complementary skill sets almost by design, where I avoid specializing in the things that he knows very well, and likewise, he avoids areas that I know very well," he said. "So we form a very solid team.

"Basically, I made the connection that the right sounds correspond to the right product, and he made the connection that the different sounds corresponded to different products," he said. "Also, he is much stronger than I am at certain computational techniques, whereas I'm primarily an experimentalist."

A small, $31 microphone from Amazon taped to the laser head and attached to a cellphone inside the laser cabinet picks up the audio for analysis.

"The brothers converted the sound pattern through a mathematical technique called a Fast Fourier transform, so they could get numerical data from the sound data," Tour said. "Through some mathematical computations, that data can be a near-instant analytical tool to assess the product type and purity."

John Li said the sounds emitted "provide information on the relaxation of the energy input when the laser hits the sample and gets absorbed, transmitted, scattered, reflected or just in general converted into different types of energy. That allows us to get local information on properties of the graphene's microstructure, morphology and nanoscale characteristics."

Tour remains impressed by their ingenuity.

"What these brothers came up with is amazing," he said. "They are hearing the sounds of synthesis as it is performed, and from that they can determine product type and quality near-instantaneously. This could be an important approach during synthesis to guide manufacturing parameters."

He said sound analysis could contribute to a number of manufacturing processes, including his own lab's flash Joule heating, a method to make graphene and other materials from waste products, as well as sintering, phase engineering, strain engineering, chemical vapor deposition, combustion, annealing, laser-cutting, gas evolution, distillation and more.

"Between John's experimental expertise and Victor's mathematical talent, the family team is formidable," Tour said. "My greatest joy is to provide an atmosphere where young minds can create and flourish, and in this case, they demonstrated expertise way beyond their years, John being only 19 and Victor 17 at the time of their discovery."

Co-authors of the paper are Rice graduate students Jacob Beckham and Weiyin Chen, postdoctoral researcher Bing Deng, alumnus Duy Luong and research scientist Carter Kittrell. Tour is the T.T. and W.F. Chao Chair in Chemistry as well as a professor of computer science and of materials science and nanoengineering.

More information: Victor D. Li et al, Sounds of Synthesis: Acoustic RealTime Analysis of LaserInduced Graphene, Advanced Functional Materials (2022). Journal information: Advanced Functional Materials Victor D. Li et al, Sounds of Synthesis: Acoustic RealTime Analysis of LaserInduced Graphene,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202110198
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba discover a new species of marine worm in the group Acoela that swims when disturbed and has a novel dorsal appendage that appears to assist with capturing prey in a funnel formed by the worm's body. Credit: University of Tsukuba

If organisms could advertise for new species status, what would the ads look like? For the species just named by a group of Japanese researchers, the ad would probably say, "Have sensory appendage, will travel".

In a study published this month in Zoological Science, researchers from the University of Tsukuba have discovered a new species of marine worm with some characteristics that set it apart from others in its group.

The worms, from the group Acoela (whose name means "without a body cavity"), are small, simple, and aquatic. The acoels likely form an early branch of the Bilateria (bilaterally symmetrical animalsorganisms whose halves are mirror images of each other when divided along a midline), and therefore are key to the debate on the origin of this group. However, despite the acoels' importance, numerous undiscovered species are estimated to exist globally.

"Certain aspects of acoel anatomy can vary widely, making it difficult to clarify the relationships within this group," explains senior author of the study, Hiroaki Nakano. "This problem that can only be addressed via systematic sampling and comprehensive analyses."

The researchers sampled along Japan's Pacific coast, discovering a new species called Amphiscolops oni, which differed notably from other species in the Xenacoelomorphathe larger group that contains the acoels. The new worms had an appendage with sensory ciliatiny hair-like structureson their backs. Behavioral observations indicated that this is a sensory organ: in the presence of prey such as brine shrimp, the worms would move this appendage just before capturing the shrimp, whether or not the shrimp were touching the worms.

Furthermore, when the worms were attached to a substrate, the front part of the body was lifted, forming a funnel. Although this structure has been reported in related species, its shape and use were different in A. oni. Instead of pressing the funnel to the substrate after prey had entered through the front of it, A. oni quickly swung the funnel toward the prey, capturing it inside the funnel itself.

"We also found that when the worms were physically disturbed, they would flatten their bodies and flap their sides like a butterfly, allowing them to swim," says Nakano.

This study has demonstrated that some acoels display distinctive and remarkable behaviors, and that behavior could aid in taxonomic studies of this group. It has also revealed a dorsal appendage that represents an evolutionarily novel feature acquired by A. oni. These findings not only further the understanding of this group, but also the evolution of bilaterally symmetrical animals, which encompass all vertebrates, including us.

Explore further Discovery of new marine worm species

More information: Masashi Asai et al, A New Species of Acoela Possessing a Middorsal Appendage with a Possible Sensory Function, Zoological Science (2022). Masashi Asai et al, A New Species of Acoela Possessing a Middorsal Appendage with a Possible Sensory Function,(2022). DOI: 10.2108/zs210058
This map of Puget Sound shows the location of the methane plumes (yellow and white circles) detected along the ship's path (purple). Black lines show the South Whidbey Island Fault Zone, the Seattle Fault Zone and the Tacoma Fault Zone. Black squares are urban sewer outfalls, which don't match the bubble plumes' locations. Credit: Johnson et al./University of Washington

The release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for almost a quarter of global warming, is being studied around the world, from Arctic wetlands to livestock feedlots. A University of Washington team has discovered a source much closer to home: 349 plumes of methane gas bubbling up from the seafloor in Puget Sound, which holds more water than any other U.S. estuary.

The columns of bubbles are especially pronounced off Alki Point in West Seattle and near the ferry terminal in Kingston, Washington, according to a study in the January issue of Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems.

"There's methane plumes all over Puget Sound," said lead author Paul Johnson, a UW professor of oceanography. "Single plumes are all over the place, but the big clusters of plumes are at Kingston and at Alki Point."

Previous UW research had found methane bubbling up from the outer coasts of Washington and Oregon. The bubbles in Puget Sound were first discovered by surprise in 2011, when the UW's global research vessel, the RV Thomas G. Thompson, had kept its sonar beams turned on as it returned to its home port on the UW campus. The underwater images created by the soundwaves showed a distinct, persistent bubble plumes as the vessel rounded the Kingston ferry terminal.

Since then, the team analyzed sonar data collected during 18 cruises on the UW's smaller research vessel, the RV Rachel Carson. Methane plumes were seen from Hood Canal to offshore of Everett to south of the Tacoma Narrows. At Alki, the bubbles rise 200 meters, about the height of the Space Needle, to reach the ocean's surface.

This research video shows bubbles emerging from the seafloor about 200 meters (650 feet) deep. It was recorded Oct. 25, 2020, about 1 mile offshore from Seattle's Alki Point. Credit: Paul Johnson/University of Washington

"Off Alki, every 3 feet or so there's a crisp, sharp hole in the seafloor that's 3-5 inches in diameter," Johnson said. "There are holes all over the place, but there aren't bubbles or fluid coming out of all of them. There's occasionally a burst of bubbles, and then another one 50 feet away that has a new burst of bubbles."

The study is an early step toward exploring the release of methane from estuaries, or places where saltwater and freshwater meet, a subject more widely studied in Europe. Though only a small amount of natural methane is released compared to human sources, understanding how the greenhouse gas cycles through ecosystems becomes increasingly important with climate change.

"In order to understand methane in the atmosphere and control the human sources, we have to know the natural sources," Johnson said.

The two persistent fields of bubble plumes occur above geologic faults: for the Alki bubbles, located above a branch of the Seattle Fault, and for the Kingston bubbles, above the South Whidbey Fault. It's likely that the bubbles are connected to the underlying geology, Johnson said.

Questions remain about the bubbles' origins. One initial hypothesis, that the bubbles might be coming from the Cascadia Subduction Zone, was not supported by preliminary data. The gas bubbles don't show the same distinctive chemistry as nearby hot springs and deep wells that connect to this geologic feature deep underground.

Marine technician Sonia Brugger (right) and marine engineer Tor Bjorklund aboard the RV Rachel Carson in December 2020 collecting data near the Alki Point vent field. Alki Point is seen in the distance. Credit: University of Washington

Humans also don't seem responsible. Puget Sound has in the past been a dumping ground for waste or sediment, but vigorous tides sweep that material out into the open ocean, Johnson said. Sewer outflows, gas lines and freshwater storm drains also don't match the plumes' locations.

Instead, a biological source of methane beneath the seafloor seems likely, Johnson said. The source may be in the dense clay sediment deposited after the last Ice Age, when glaciers first carved out the Puget Sound basin. The methane seems to be biological in origin, and the bubbles also support methane-eating bacterial mats in the surrounding water.

Jerry (Junzhe) Liu, a senior in oceanography, helped to analyze the data and participated in a 2019 cruise that contributed data.

"I'm interested in two seemingly parallel fields: fault zones and air-sea interactions for climate," Liu said. "This project covers all the way from below the seafloor to above the ocean's surface."

In follow-up work, scientists used underwater microphones this fall to eavesdrop on the bubbles. Shima Abadi, an associate professor at the University of Washington Bothell, is analyzing the sound that bubbles make when they are emitted. The team also hopes to go back to Alki Point with a remotely operated vehicle that could place instruments inside a vent hole to fully analyze the emerging fluid and gas.

More information: H. Paul Johnson et al, Methane Plume Emissions Associated With Puget Sound Faults in the Cascadia Forearc, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems (2021). H. Paul Johnson et al, Methane Plume Emissions Associated With Puget Sound Faults in the Cascadia Forearc,(2021). DOI: 10.1029/2021GC010211
Section photograph showing boundary (red line) of Xiagou and Zhonggou formations in Hanxiagou section. Credit: NIGPAS

The Cretaceous paleo-ocean has experienced multiple phases of Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs), characterized by organic carbon enrichment, geochemical indicator anomalies and fossil assemblage changes. It includes three events, namely OAE 1, OAE 2 and OAE 3.

Previous studies of OAE 1b events have been mainly based on marine sediments in western Tethys. Few researches have been conducted on Eurasia, which limits our insight into the response of terrestrial ecosystems to OAE 1b.

Recently, Zhao Xiangdong, a graduate student supervised by Prof. Zheng Dajin and Zhang Haichun from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS), and his collaborators have found the first record of OAE 1b events in the Xiagou Formation and Zhonggou Formation of the Hanxiagou Section in Jiuquan Basin, northwestern China. The results provide direct evidence to link the OAE 1b and terrestrial ecosystem in Eurasia.

The research results were published in Geological Society, London, Special Publications.

In this work, the researchers used organic carbon isotope and total organic carbon (TOC) content data analyzed from a terrestrial succession in the Xiagou and Zhonggou Formations (upper Aptian-lower Albian) in order to characterize the OAE1b in the Eurasia continental sediments. They also analyzed Hg concentrations to investigate changes in the flux of volcanic materials to terrestrial environments during the OAE 1b.

On the basis of zircon U-Pb age of 112.4  0.3 Ma for a basalt layer from the lowermost Zhonggou Formation, the three negative 13C org excursions well corresponded with the three subevents (Kilian, Paquier, and Leenhardt) of the OAE1b in the Poggio le Guaine (central Italy), Vocontian Basin (SE France) and Santa Rosa Canyon (NE Mexico) Sections. This supported the record of the terrestrial OAE 1b in the Jiuquan Basin.

"Five mercury enrichment intervals in Hg/TOC ratios were recognized in the Hanxiagou Section, showing a high agreement with the previous study in the Poggio le Guaine section," said Zhao. This consistency indicates that mercury in both sections were probably from the same source.

The volcanic eruptions of the Southern Kerguelen Plateau (119.0109.2 Ma) provided the Hg source and probably triggered the OAE1b (~114.5110.5 Ma). The multiple long-term spikes observed in the Hg/TOC profile could further reflect a multiple phase emplacement of the volcanism.

The Hg/TOC spikes and Carbon Isotope Excursions are not strictly at the same positions in both sections, which means a potential decoupling relationship between the global shifts in 13C and the volcanic activity (suggested by Hg/TOC). This decoupling relationship may result from another unstable and unknown carbon reservoir (not directly linked to Hg emissions) activated after the volcanism.

Explore further Direct linkage between intensified volcanism and immediate weathering

More information: Xiangdong Zhao et al, Carbon cycle perturbation and mercury anomalies in terrestrial Oceanic Anoxic Event 1b from Jiuquan Basin, NW China, Geological Society, London, Special Publications (2022). Xiangdong Zhao et al, Carbon cycle perturbation and mercury anomalies in terrestrial Oceanic Anoxic Event 1b from Jiuquan Basin, NW China,(2022). DOI: 10.1144/SP521-2021-149
Credit: Antiquity (2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.22

Archaeologists have identified the oldest surviving drinking straws. The long silver and gold tubes are over 5,000 years old and were likely used to drink beer from a communal vessel.

These were initially found in 1897 in the Maikop Kurgan in the Caucuses. This large burial mound is one of the most famous Bronze Age elite graves from the region, containing three individuals and hundreds of precious objects.

This included the eight tubes, each over a meter long, some with bull figurines on the stem. Earlier research identified them as scepters or perhaps poles for a canopy. They are now on display in the Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, but their purpose remained unknown.

As such, new research by a team in Russia, published in Antiquity, re-investigated them.

"A turning point was the discovery of the barley starch granules in the residue from the inner surface of one of the straws. This provided direct material evidence of the tubes from the Maikop kurgan being used for drinking," said the lead author Dr. Viktor Trifonov from the Institute for the History of Material Culture, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg.

Specifically, this suggests these straws were used for drinking beer, although the researchers could not confirm that the barley had been fermented.

Credit: Antiquity (2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.22

Drinking beer through long straws became common practice in the early Mesopotamian civilisation of Sumeria from the third millennium BC onward. Art depicts multiple long straws placed in a communal vessel, allowing people standing or sitting nearby to drink together.

During their research, Dr. Trifonov and the team identified several key similarities with such Sumerian straws. Notably, most of them feature metal strainers to filter out the impurities common in ancient beer, something that is also seen in the Maikop straws.

Such similarities with Sumerian finds led the researchers to conclude the Maikop tubes are also drinking straws. "If the interpretation is correct, these fancy devices would be the earliest surviving drinking straws to date," said Dr. Trifonov, as they are over 5,000 years old.

However, this is not the oldest evidence of straws known. Seals from Iran and Iraq dating to the fifth to fourth millennium BC depict people drinking with them from a communal vessel.

Credit: Antiquity (2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.22

Given this consistent use of straws with this design for drinking beer from a communal vessel, the researchers concluded that the newly found straws were also likely used in the same way.

Consistent with this, a large vessel was also found in the Maikop Kurgan that could hold enough beer for each of the eight drinkers to have seven pints.

Despite these similarities, these new straws are found hundreds of kilometers away from the other early evidence of drinking straw use in Mesopotamia and the surrounding region.

Credit: Antiquity (2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.22

"The finds contribute to a better understanding of the ritual banquets' early beginnings and drinking culture in hierarchical societies," said Dr. Trifonov. Such practices must have been important and popular enough to spread between the two regions.

It also sheds light on the culture of Maikop, showing it had deep ties with its neighbors to the south and perhaps a taste for the luxury and spectacle of their drinking ceremonies.

Credit: Antiquity (2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.22

Notably, such ceremonies in ancient Sumeria were often part of 'royal' funerals. The inclusion of these straws in the Maikop burial mound and their prized position close to the deceased hints that these lavish burials may have also taken place in the Caucuses.

"Before having done this study, I would never have believed that in the most famous elite burial of the Early Bronze Age Caucasus, the main item would be neither weapons nor jewelry, but a set of precious beer-drinking straws," said Dr. Trifonov.

More information: Viktor Trifonov et al, Party like a Sumerian: reinterpreting the 'sceptres' from the Maikop kurgan, Antiquity (2022). Journal information: Antiquity Viktor Trifonov et al, Party like a Sumerian: reinterpreting the 'sceptres' from the Maikop kurgan,(2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.22
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Party polarization tends to come before voter polarization, according to new research co-led by faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York.

Robin Best, associate professor of political science at Binghamton University, along with Binghamton alumnus Mert Moral from Sabanci University in Istanbul, study political polarization, which refers to how far apart people or parties are on political issues.

"There are reasons to think that citizens respond to party polarization by adopting more polarized political positions of their own, and also reasons to expect political parties to change their positions in response to the preferences of their citizens," said Best.

The researchers wanted to examine both sides of this relationshipwhether parties follow citizens and vice versa, particularly in countries outside of the U.S.

"Polarization has become quite noticeable here in the United States, where the two major parties now stand apart on almost all issues, but less is known about how polarization works in other democracies," said Best. "We were interested in exploring how party polarization and citizen polarization moved together over time, particularly in established democracies other than the U.S."

Moral compiled a dataset consisting of 174 election surveys which allowed the researchers to look at party and citizen polarization across 19 democracies from 1971 to 2019, which they believe to be the most comprehensive look at polarization across time and space."

They found that it is mostly citizens who follow parties. In particular, more politically engaged and informed citizens are the ones most likely and immediately to polarize after parties polarize.

"We typically think of democracies as systems where political elites represent and respond to the interests of citizens, but we found less support for this idea than you might expect," said Best. "I was surprised that we didn't find more support for the expectation that parties polarize in response to citizen preferences, and that it really seemed to be parties that were leading the process.

Best added: "Citizens often take their cues from political parties on how to think about political issues. We are seeing this a lot in the U.S. lately regarding the pandemic, but it applies to lots of other issues as well. People often rely on political parties as a source of information, so it makes sense to expect them to follow the lead of parties and other political elites."

The researchers are currently writing a paper that investigates how political polarization affects how well the policy preferences of citizens match those of their governments.

The paper was published in Party Politics.

Explore further Study: Political divisions have deepened globally

More information: Robin Best et al, On the relationship between party polarization and citizen polarization, Party Politics (2022). Robin Best et al, On the relationship between party polarization and citizen polarization,(2022). DOI: 10.1177/13540688211069544
The silicon nanoelectronic device used to hold the quantum processor was built using methods compatible with industry standards for existing computer chips. (The authors demonstrated universal quantum logic operations using a pair of ion-implanted 31P nuclei in a silicon nanoelectronic device. The device is manufactured using methods compatible with the industry-standard processes used for all existing computer chips.). Credit: Tony Melov / UNSW

UNSW Sydney-led research paves the way for large silicon-based quantum processors for real-world manufacturing and application.

Australian researchers have proven that near error-free quantum computing is possible, paving the way to build silicon-based quantum devices compatible with current semiconductor manufacturing technology.

"Today's publication in Nature shows our operations were 99 percent error-free," says Professor Andrea Morello of UNSW, who led the work.

"When the errors are so rare, it becomes possible to detect them and correct them when they occur. This shows that it is possible to build quantum computers that have enough scale, and enough power, to handle meaningful computation."

This piece of research is an important milestone on the journey that will get us there," Prof. Morello says.

Quantum computing in silicon hits the 99% threshold

Morello's paper is one of three published today in Nature that independently confirm that robust, reliable quantum computing in silicon is now a reality. This breakthrough features on the front cover of the journal.

Morello et al achieved 1-qubit operation fidelities up to 99.95 percent, and 2-qubit fidelity of 99.37 percent with a three-qubit system comprising an electron and two phosphorous atoms, introduced in silicon via ion implantation.

A Delft team in the Netherlands led by Lieven Vandersypen achieved 99.87 percent 1-qubit and 99.65 percent 2-qubit fidelities using electron spins in quantum dots formed in a stack of silicon and silicon-germanium alloy (Si/SiGe).

A RIKEN team in Japan led by Seigo Tarucha similarly achieved 99.84 percent 1-qubit and 99.51 percent 2-qubit fidelities in a two-electron system using Si/SiGe quantum dots.

A visualisation of UNSWs three-qubit system, which can perform quantum logic operations with over 99% accuracy. (Quantum operation fidelities above 99% were obtained in a three-qubit silicon quantum processor. The first two qubits (Q1, Q2) are the nuclear spins of individually-implanted phosphorus atoms (red spheres). The third qubit (Q3) is the spin of an electron that wraps around both nuclei (shiny ellipse).). Credit: Tony Melov / UNSW

The UNSW and Delft teams certified the performance of their quantum processors using a sophisticated method called gate set tomography, developed at Sandia National Laboratories in the U.S. and made openly available to the research community.

Morello had previously demonstrated that he could preserve quantum information in silicon for 35 seconds, due to the extreme isolation of nuclear spins from their environment.

L-R Asaad, Morello, Madzik (composite image): Serwan Asaad, Andrea Morello and Mateusz Madzik are lead authors of the UNSW paper which demonstrated 99 per cent error-free quantum operations. Credit: Kearon de Clouet / UNSW

"In the quantum world, 35 seconds is an eternity," says Prof. Morello. "To give a comparison, in the famous Google and IBM superconducting quantum computers the lifetime is about a hundred microsecondsnearly a million times shorter."

But the trade-off was that isolating the qubits made it seemingly impossible for them to interact with each other, as necessary to perform actual computations.

The three qubits can be prepared in a quantum entangled state, which unlocks the exponential power of quantum computers. (Nuclear spins are exceptionally good qubits, because of their exceptional isolation from the environment. This same feature, however, makes it difficult for them to interact and perform quantum logic operations. The teams breakthrough consists in using a common electron to mediate the interaction, leading to high-fidelity universal quantum logic operations. Furthermore, the electron itself is a high-quality qubit, and can be placed in a fully quantum-entangled state with the two nuclei.). Credit: Tony Melov / UNSW

Nuclear spins learn to interact accurately

Today's paper describes how his team overcame this problem by using an electron encompassing two nuclei of phosphorus atoms.

"If you have two nuclei that are connected to the same electron, you can make them do a quantum operation," says Dr. Mateusz Madzik, one of the lead experimental authors.

"While you don't operate the electron, those nuclei safely store their quantum information. But now you have the option of making them talk to each other via the electron, to realize universal quantum operations that can be adapted to any computational problem."

"This really is an unlocking technology," says Dr. Serwan Asaad, another lead experimental author. "The nuclear spins are the core quantum processor. If you entangle them with the electron, then the electron can then be moved to another place and entangled with other qubit nuclei further afield, opening the way to making large arrays of qubits capable of robust and useful computations."

The three-qubit system paves the way to scaling up the quantum processor in the future, because the electron can be easily entangled with other electrons or moved across the chip. (The three-qubit entangled state of nuclei and electron paves the way to scaling up the quantum processor in the future. The electron can be easily entangled with other electrons, or physically moved across the chip. In this way, the UNSW team will be able to manufacture and operate large arrays of qubits capable of robust and useful computations.). Credit: Tony Melov / UNSW

Mateusz Madzik, one of the lead authors. Credit: UNSW

David Jamieson, research leader at the University of Melbourne, adds: "The phosphorous atoms were introduced in the silicon chip using ion implantation, the same method used in all existing silicon computer chips. This ensures that our quantum breakthrough is compatible with the broader semiconductor industry."

All existing computers deploy some form of error correction and data redundancy, but the laws of quantum physics pose severe restrictions on how the correction takes place in quantum computer. Prof. Morello explains: "You typically need error rates below 1 percent, to apply quantum error correction protocols. Having now achieved this goal, we can start designing silicon quantum processors that scale up and operate reliably for useful calculations."

Explore further Gate set tomography: How physicists are revealing the inner workings of quantum computers

More information: Andrea Morello, Precision tomography of a three-qubit donor quantum processor in silicon, Nature (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04292-7 Andrea Morello, Precision tomography of a three-qubit donor quantum processor in silicon,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04292-7 Lieven Vandersypen, Quantum logic with spin qubits crossing the surface code threshold, Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04273-w. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04273-w Akito Noiri, Fast universal quantum gate above the fault-tolerance threshold in silicon, Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04182-y. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04182-y Journal information: Nature
Tarantula visibly infected with jeffdanielsi. Credit: Adler Dillman/UCR

Scientists have named a newly discovered species of worm that kills tarantulas after American actor, musician and producer Jeff Daniels, a distinction no other entertainer can claim.

There are more than 25,000 described species of these worms, called nematodes, and they are one of the most abundant animals on Earth. However, this is only the second time one has ever been found to infect tarantulas.

They named it Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi, because Daniels' character in the 1990 film Arachnophobia saves a town from a deadly infestation of spiders.

"His character in the film is a spider killer, which is exactly what these nematodes are," said UC Riverside parasitologist Adler Dillman, who led a team that discovered the nematode.

"When I first heard a new species of nematode had been named after me, I thought, 'Why? Is there a resemblance?' joked Daniels, in remarks to UCR. "Honestly, I was honored by their homage to me and Arachnophobia. Made me smile. And of course, in Hollywood, you haven't really made it until you've been recognized by those in the field of parasitology."

The team's work describing jeffdanielsi has recently been published in the Journal of Parasitology.

In September 2019, a wholesale tarantula breeder contacted Dillman for help identifying a mysterious infection in some of their tarantulas. Specimens sent for inspection had an odd white mass around the mouth area. Dillman, who teaches the only parasitology class at UCR, recognized the white areas immediately as nematodes.

Previously, scientists in Europe identified the first nematodes found on tarantulas. However, that research examined only the worms themselves; not the worms as found on the spiders.

Once infected, tarantulas begin to exhibit strange behaviors like walking around on tiptoe and not eating. The appendages that control the tarantula's fangs also stop working.

Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi, a tarantula parasite named for American actor Jeff Daniels, who played a famous spider-killing character. Credit: Adler Dillman/UCR

"It may take months because tarantulas don't have to eat particularly often. However, if they get this infection, they will die of starvation," Dillman said.

In addition to confirming that jeffdanielsi infection is lethal, Dillman's team learned how the worms reproduce, and where on the spiders they reside.

Jeffdanielsi are mostly self-fertilizing hermaphrodites that produce their own sperm and eggs. On average, Dillman said a single hermaphrodite can produce 160 babies in its lifespan. In the laboratory, that lifespan is 11 days. It isn't clear how long they can live on a tarantula.

The research team also found that the nematodes only inhabited the mouth areanone were in the stomach, nor did they appear to cause damage to the exterior of the tarantulas.

"It isn't clear that the nematodes feed on the spider itself. It's possible that they feed on bacteria that live on the tarantulas," Dillman said. When the researchers grew the worms in the laboratory, they ate e. coli, making a stronger case that they are generally bacteria eaters.

One mystery that remains to be solved is how the nematodes are able to change the tarantulas' behavior and paralyze their pedipalps, the organs that control their fangs.

Dillman is planning additional studies to understand this, as well as how breeders can treat or even prevent jeffdanielsi infections.

Though identifying a tarantula parasite is rare, Dillman believes this says more about the number of people that study tarantulas rather than the likely uniqueness of nematodes infecting them.

"Nematodes have been around for hundreds of millions of years. They've evolved to infect every kind of host on the planet including humans," he said. "Any animal you know of on planet Earth, there's a nematode that can infect it."

Explore further First tarantula to live in bamboo stalks found in Thailand

More information: TARANTOBELUS JEFFDANIELSI N. SP. (PANAGROLAIMOMORPHA; PANAGROLAIMIDAE), A NEMATODE PARASITE OF TARANTULAS, Journal of Parasitology (2022) TARANTOBELUS JEFFDANIELSI N. SP. (PANAGROLAIMOMORPHA; PANAGROLAIMIDAE), A NEMATODE PARASITE OF TARANTULAS,(2022) doi.org/10.1645/21-42
Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Following an underwater volcano eruption on Saturday, Tonga has suffered significant damage and is blanketed in ash that closed runways and threatens water supplies.

Cornell University scientists leading NASA-funded research into volcanic ash impacts warn that in addition to the direct damage to infrastructure from the ash layer and tsunami, the thick ash blanket presents extraordinary health and environmental hazardsamplified by seawater's interaction with the ash particles.

The researchers warn drinking water may be contaminated and medium-term impacts to small-scale agriculture may cause acute and chronic threats to health and livelihood on Tonga.

Adrian Hornby, a postdoctoral research associate on the NASA project, says the presence of seawater in a volcanic eruption can create toxic elements in ash.

Hornby says: "The involvement of seawater in the eruption releases enormous amounts of volatile species, for example, chlorine, into the ash plume. Together with gases released from the magma, this creates a cocktail that readily forms salts and acidic brines on the ash particles.

"Previous studies at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai have shown that the ash carries some of the highest burdens of salts ever recorded, which may contain highly toxic species such as sulfer, chlorine and fluorine. These salts get deposited with the ash and can be easily leached by rainfall, causing an immediate hazard to water quality, agriculture and the natural environment."

Matthew Pritchard, professor of remote sensing and a co-principal investigator on the NASA project, says water and magma also produce very fine ash particles that can spread over a broad region. "There are preliminary reports that hydrogen chloride concentrations have been detected by satellite at higher than usual levels in the atmosphere over Tonga. Since water-magma interaction produces very fine volcanic ash and the ash plume appears to have reached at least 20 km altitude, I expect the ash will disperse over a much broader region than previous eruptions."

Natalie Mahowald, professor of engineering and principle investigator on the NASA project, says previous eruptions have produced iron-rich ash and the release of iron and other elements into terrestrial and marine environments can cause dramatic ecological impacts. "Volcanic ash can contain both pollutants and nutrients, which can shift the ecosystems in dramatic ways."

Esteban Gazel, professor of geochemistry and a co-principal investigator on the NASA project, says that when volcanoes erupt underwaterknown as a Surtseyan eruptionit usually creates small ash clouds, but this is "something very different." He says, "We expect Surtseyan eruptions to produce relatively small ash clouds since the eruptions are generated by single violent explosions when seawater vaporizes on contact with magma, but we are seeing something very different from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai eruption. Satellite data and images from across Tonga show that a lot of ash that was propelled 20-30 km height in the atmosphere and has left a thick blanket across Tonga.

"We are studying the composition and chemistry of dozens of ash samples and linking these to their environmental effects. Examining ash from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai offers the opportunity to rapidly assess the hazards and impact of this extraordinary eruption.

"Volcanic eruptions are a major force of creation and destruction and their impact on society crosses political boundaries. To avoid surprises in the future, there needs to be an effort to instrument every volcano on the planet. This will provide the data needed to asset the risk, monitor activity, and forecast eruptions in the future."
Artists view of the Kasei Valles - Mars with glacier return flow from high altitude to the northern ocean. Credit: Image created using data from NASA / USGS / ESA / DLR / FU Berlin (G. Neukum).

A team of researchers from several institutions in France, the U.S. and Sweden has used models of possible conditions on Mars to show that the red planet may have sported a northern ocean 3 billion years ago and that the climate was likely wet and cold. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes theories to explain conditions on the surface of Mars today, and a model that simulated a wet and cold planet.

Scientists studying Mars have been baffled by feature on the planet's surfacethere exists contradictory evidence for an ocean, for example, despite ample evidence of rivers, lakes and streams. Yet, other scientists have also found evidence of tsunamis, which very strongly suggests the presence of an ocean. The researchers in this new effort suggest that part of the problem in understanding Mars' climate history lies in the thinking that for an ocean to exist, the planet must have been warm and wet, or in other scenarios, assuming that if there was no ocean, the planet was likely cold and dry. They suggest a third optiona cold and wet planet.

They suggest it was possible for an ocean to exist despite cold temperatures if there was enough hydrogen in the atmosphere. They note that if just 10 percent of the atmosphere was hydrogen (from volcanoes, perhaps, or cosmic impacts) and the rest was carbon dioxide, it would be enough to create a small greenhouse effect. Under the scenario, they note that the ocean could have been close to the freezing point, yet could still exist if circulation carried heat and if there were some amount of rainfall. They further suggest that such an ocean would likely have existed in the northern part of the planet because of the massive lowland basin there. In this case, they suggest that large portions of the southern parts of the planet would be covered with ice, with glaciers cutting out portions of the land leading to the ocean. In putting this information into their models, they found that their scenario could explain what Mars may have looked like approximately 3 billion years ago.

Explore further Researchers suggest Lomonosov crater could be more evidence of mega-tsunami on Mars

More information: Frederic Schmidt et al, Circumpolar ocean stability on Mars 3 Gy ago, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Frederic Schmidt et al, Circumpolar ocean stability on Mars 3 Gy ago,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112930118

 2022 Science X Network
Dr. Mahnaz Azimzadeh Sani and Dr. Julia Linnemann (from right) are part of the team that found unexpectedly high electrochemical capacities on individual gold and platinum nanoparticles. Credit: RUB, Kramer

Although interfaces between metals and water are the local areas where crucial processes of energy technologies such as water splitting occur, comparably little is known about their structure and changes during such processes. For more than 100 years, the scientific description of such interfaces has been based on the model of the so-called electrochemical double layer. It states that charge carriers in an aqueous solution are increasingly arranged in the boundary region to the metal, to compensate for excess electrical charges on the metal side. In the process, the opposing charges are separated by water molecules. Similar to a standard plate capacitor, this nanoscopic charge separation in the interface allows energy to be stored and released later. Processes in which the molecular structure of the electrochemical double layer changes are relevant to many green technologies, such as supercapacitors and fuel cells.

Thousands of times smaller than the diameter of a human hair

Nanoparticles, which are thousands of times smaller than the diameter of a human hair, are investigated for such technical applications. Due to their advantageous ratio of process-relevant surface area to volume, they offer particularly good conditions for this. "In order to track down the capacitance and the rearrangement processes in the electrochemical double layer on platinum and gold nanoparticles, it was crucial to develop a method with which precise discharge currents can be measured on individual nanoparticles in solution," reports Kristina Tschulik. Otherwise, it would not be possible to distinguish effects related to the electrochemical double layer from effects caused by the interaction of neighboring nanoparticles, since billions of them are present on a conventional electrode.

The Iranian scientist Dr. Mahnaz Azimzadeh Sani, who was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), used so-called colloidal nanoparticle dispersions. There, nanoparticles are separated from each other and finely dispersed in aqueous solution, randomly striking a biased microelectrode every now and then. With the help of computer-aided molecular dynamics simulations, on which researchers from the RUB and the Universite Paris-Saclay and Sorbonne Universite in Paris worked, it was possible to interpret similarities and differences in voltage-dependent measured capacitive currents of different types of nanoparticle dispersions. The measured unexpectedly high capacitances, are attributed to the increased accumulate of dissolved ions in regions between a compact water layer bound to platinum (and less trongl to gold) and an adjacent water layer of a different arrangement. "Furthermore, water molecules are detached from the metal surface when more negative voltage is applied," explains Dr. Julia Linnemann, team leader at Tschulik's chair. In the future, the RUB scientists want to find out whether and why the double layer structure is different on large electrodes consisting of many nanoparticles, in order to make the findings usable for commercial applications.

The research was published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Explore further How positively and negatively charged ions behave at interfaces

More information: Mahnaz Azimzadeh Sani et al, Unexpectedly High Capacitance of the Metal Nanoparticle/Water Interface: MolecularLevel Insights into the Electrical Double Layer, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2021). Journal information: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Mahnaz Azimzadeh Sani et al, Unexpectedly High Capacitance of the Metal Nanoparticle/Water Interface: MolecularLevel Insights into the Electrical Double Layer,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202112679
Lead author James Andrew Leong near a highly alkaline spring in Oman. The modern spring lies along massive deposits of calcium carbonate that formed from thousands of years of spring discharge. In the background are mountains composed of ultramafic rocks. Credit: Everett Shock/ASU

About 2.4 billion years ago, Earth's atmosphere underwent what is called the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). Prior to the GOE, early Earth had far less molecular oxygen than we have today. After the GOE, molecular oxygen began to increase in abundance, eventually making life like ours possible.

For decades, researchers have tried to understand why and how the GOE occurred.

A team of scientists, led by James Andrew Leong with Tucker Ely, both of whom earned their doctoral degrees from Arizona State University (ASU)'s School of Earth and Space Exploration in 2020, and ASU Professor Everett Shock, has determined that weathering rocks might have contributed to the GOE. Their results were recently published in Nature Communications.

Molecular oxygen is produced by plants and photosynthetic microbes, but molecular oxygen is also consumed by organisms and by the oxidation of iron, sulfur, carbon and other elements in rocks. Molecular oxygen can also be consumed through reaction with reduced gases like hydrogen, which can form during rock weathering.

Scientists studying the early Earth hypothesize that the consumption of oxygen was perhaps more rapid than the production of oxygen by photosynthesis, so oxygen was not able to accumulate in the atmosphere.

"It's like when your bills exceed your income, money can't accumulate in a savings account. This appears to have been the situation on the early Earth," said co-author Shock, of ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration and the School of Molecular Sciences.

For the GOE to occur under this hypothesis, the consumption of oxygen had to slow with time, so that oxygen could build up in the atmosphere.

Given that, Leong and his team set out to determine what processes could be slowing down the consumption of oxygen on the early Earth to produce an increase in oxygen.

Chemical reactions between ultramafic rocks and groundwater led to the formation of highly alkaline water, which can discharge back into the surface. At the surface, these fluids react with carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to form calcium carbonate, which are the white minerals seen here from a field study the authors conducted in Oman. Credit: Leong/Shock/ASU

"We know it's probably not biological consumption, which does a decent job of keeping up with oxygen production by photosynthesis," Shock said. "So we thought maybe the rate that oxygen was consumed by the weathering of rocks was creating this change."

To test their hypothesis, Leong and his team focused on the weathering of a type of rock known as "ultramafic," an igneous rock, rich in magnesium and iron, with low silica content.

Ultramafic rocks comprise most of the Earth's upper mantle, where they were formed at high temperatures. When these rocks are brought to the surface and come into contact with water, the waterless minerals that make up these rocks transform into minerals containing water. This process is called serpentinization, after the main replacing mineral, serpentine. The process also transforms the reacting groundwater into a highly alkaline water with elevated gas content; in particular, hydrogen.

They were inspired to do this by research they had conducted previously on hyperalkaline and gas-rich fluids found in the ultramafic mountains of present-day Oman that was published in the AGU's Journal of Geophysical Research in 2021.

"Our previous field research in Oman led us to wonder what the early Earth surface and atmosphere would have looked like when high pH and hydrogen-rich fluids were as common as today's near-neutral pH groundwater and rivers," Leong said. "Ultramafic rocks like those found in Oman are rare in the Earth's surface at the present-day, but were abundant during the hotter early Earth."

For their analysis, they conducted computer simulations, based on a computer code that co-author Ely developed, to predict the hydrogen generation potentials of thousands of rock compositions that were common during the early Earth. From there, they could then draw connections between rock compositions and their potentials to generate hydrogen and consume oxygen.

With those simulations, the team then was able to reconstruct the global hydrogen production and oxygen consumption rates via serpentinization during early Earth and determine that the weathering of ultramafic rocks could have helped facilitate the GOE.

"We were able to model the alteration of thousands of rock compositions that are likely to be present on the early Earth," Leong said. "Our calculations show that many of these rocks, especially those that are really ultramafic in composition or rich in magnesium, like those found in Oman today, have very high potentials to generate hydrogen gas and help prevent accumulation of oxygen. The decline in the abundance of ultramafic rocks in the Earth's surface towards the end of the Archean eon could have helped facilitate the Great Oxidation Event."

More information: James Andrew M. Leong et al, Decreasing extents of Archean serpentinization contributed to the rise of an oxidized atmosphere, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications , Journal of Geophysical Research James Andrew M. Leong et al, Decreasing extents of Archean serpentinization contributed to the rise of an oxidized atmosphere,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27589-7
Chinas foreign trade hits $6 trln for first time

08:56, January 19, 2022 By Du Haitao, Luo Shanshan ( People's Daily

Chinas foreign trade in goods hit a record of $6.05 trillion the last year, crossing the $5 trillion and $6 trillion marks in the same year after the country reported total imports and exports of over $4 trillion for the first time eight years ago.

Containers are piled by cranes at a container yard of the Yantai Port, east Chinas Shandong province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/ Tang Ke)

Total goods trade went up by $1.4 trillion from a year ago. In yuan terms, the countrys total trade in goods reached 39.1 trillion yuan, expanding 21.4 percent year on year.

We exported more than 30,000 vehicles the last year, 92 percent more than those in the previous year and hitting a new historical high, said an executive from Chinese carmaker Jiangling Motors Company based in Nanchang, east Chinas Jiangxi province.

According to the executive, Belt and Road countries have grown into an important market for the group. In Chile, the group witnessed a 69-percent year-on-year rise in its market share and a tripling sales volume, the executive said.

China posted steady trade growth with all its major trading partners over the last year, especially Belt and Road countries.

In 2021, the country's imports and exports with its top five trading partners  ASEAN, the European Union (EU), the U.S., Japan and South Korea stood at 5.67 trillion yuan, 5.35 trillion yuan, 4.88 trillion yuan, 2.4 trillion yuan and 2.34 trillion yuan, respectively, growing 19.7 percent, 19.1 percent, 20.2 percent, 9.4 percent and 18.4 percent year on year.

The trade volume with economies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative reported an increase of 23.6 percent, 2.2 percentage points higher than average trade growth.

The year 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of Chinas accession to the WTO. Over the past two decades, Chinas trade in goods experienced exponential development. The countrys total foreign trade surged to 39.1 trillion yuan the last year from 4.22 trillion yuan in 2001, with an average annual growth of 12.2 percent.

The quality of Chinas foreign trade is also improving steadily, apart from its growing size.

The country further optimized the forms of trade, with general imports and exports accounting for over 60 percent of its total trade volume. Last year, Chinas general trade grew 24.7 percent to 24.08 trillion yuan, and the countrys processing trade reached 8.5 trillion yuan, up 11.1 percent.

Both exports and imports of machinery and electronic products maintained sound momentum for growth. Last year, Chinas exports of this type of products expanded 20.4 percent to 12.83 trillion yuan, accounting for 59 percent of the countrys total exports. Meanwhile, it imported 7.37 trillion yuan of these products during the same period, up 12.2 percent, which made up 42.4 percent of Chinas total imports. The imports of integrated circuits went up by 15.4 percent.

Parts of cranes to be exported to Belt and Road countries are manufactured at a facility owned by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. in Nantong, east Chinas Jiangsu province, Jan. 8, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/ Xu Congjun)

Li Kuiwen, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs (GAC), attributed the growth of Chinas foreign trade in the last year to the countrys leading position in economic development and pandemic response in the global sphere.

He said the Chinese economy maintained a sound momentum of recovery, with a rapid rise in major economic indicators.

The Chinese economy has a strong resilience, and its fundamentals for long-term growth will never change, he noted, adding that domestic production and consumption offered strong support for the stable growth of foreign trade. Last year, the imports and exports of Chinese intermediate products grew 24.9 percent and 28.6 percent, respectively. There was also a 9.9-percent growth in the imports of consumer goods.

Global recovery was another reason for Chinas foreign trade growth, the spokesperson said. Both the World Bank and International Monetary Fund set 2021 global growth forecast at over five percent, and the WTO also revised up its forecast for global goods trade growth in 2021 to 10.8 percent.

For this reason, China reported growth rates of over 20 percent in its exports to the EU and Africa the last year, and also witnessed an over-forty-percent surge in its exports to Latin America.

Workers manufacture medical masks ordered by foreign clients at a workshop of a medical equipment company in Binzhou, east Chinas Shandong province, Jan. 15, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/ Chen Bin)

Besides, Chinas foreign trade growth also came from the sustained results of Chinas policies to stabilize economic growth, Lu said.

The exports of our nameko products jumped over 50 percent from a year ago and received high reputation in overseas markets thanks to the facilitation measures adopted for the custom clearance of featured agricultural products, said Cui Guomin, general manager of a food company in northeast Chinas Liaoning province.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Chinese players in the cross-border e-commerce sector, taking advantage of online marketing, online transaction and contactless delivery, have proactively nurtured their new competitiveness in international cooperation and competition, and expanded the size of their imports and exports, Li said.

Last year, imports and exports in Chinas cross-border e-commerce sector reached 1.98 trillion yuan, up 15 percent, and exports through market procurement trade surged 32.1 percent.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
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Police said Anthony C. Lebrecht. Jr, 34, subjected the girl to sexual contact. The incident took place in Malta on Nov. 14.

Lebrecht was arrested on Jan. 13 and charged with felony first-degree sexual abuse. He was sent back to the Schenectady County Jail, where he is being held on similar charges. Lebrecht is scheduled to appear in Malta Town Court at a later date.
Local legislators reacted to Gov. Kathy Hochuls budget address on Tuesday, expressing concern about the price tag and its impact on taxes.

The governor, along with Budget Division Director Robert F. Mujica Jr., presented a $216 billion Fiscal Year 2023 Executive Budget, which is focused on overcoming the financial strain of the COVID pandemic and delegating over $32 billion dollars for infrastructure projects. The budget must be passed and signed into law by April 1.

Hochuls agenda includes $10 billion towards the states healthcare workforce, $31 billion for educators and the school system, a five-year plan with $32.8 billion for Department of Transportation infrastructure projects, $900 million in childcare grants, and $1 billion for small business effected by COVID.

We have the means to immediately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as embrace this once-in-a-generation opportunity for the future with a historic level of funding that is both socially responsible and fiscally prudent, Hochul said.

The governor also outlined increased tax cuts for the middle-class and a five-year $25 billion comprehensive housing plan to create 100,000 affordable homes in the state.

As I said in my State of the State speech: Its time for a better, fairer, and more inclusive version of the American Dream. Im calling it the New York Dream. We will make that New York Dream real  and ensure that it can be realized by every single New Yorker, Hochul said.

State Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, released a statement on Tuesday, questioning whether the total cost of the proposed budget would be the best for New Yorkers.

Simpson said he worried the governors plan would result in another mass exodus of 300,000 people similar to what we saw in 2021.

Today, the governor presented her 2022-23 Executive Budget proposal, declaring the massive $216.3 billion price tag would be balanced with no increase of taxes. I look forward to seeing if this statement will hold up in upcoming legislative budget hearings. The final budget that we pass must provide immediate relief to our constituents, Simpson said in a news release.

In what is a record price tag, I will continue to advocate for fiscal responsibility as we hash out this budget in legislative hearings. New Yorkers deserve razor sharp focus on how we spend money in Albany this year. I urge my colleagues in the Majority to join me in this focus, Simpson continued.

State Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, shared a similar view, also citing the 300,000 residents who left the state in 2021.

A large part of that exodus is the tax-and-spend culture and increased cost of living in this state. If we cant rein in our states spending and make it more manageable long-term, it will be a challenge to bring those people back or keep others from leaving, Stec said in a news release.

Jasmine Gripper, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, also criticized the governors proposed budget.

Kathy Hochul positioned herself as a strong champion of child care, but now that she is governor and has the power to make universal child care a reality for New York, she is backpedaling on her commitment to support children and families. Based on todays budget presentation, New York State is flush with cash, yet too few dollars are being allocated to increase access and quality child care. New Yorks child care infrastructure is in crisis. Families and providers cannot continue to wait for relief, Gripper said in a news release.

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Warren Countys active COVID-19 caseload continues to decline.

Warren County Health Services on Tuesday reported 79 new cases and 326 recoveries, for a total of 716 active COVID cases.

That is a decrease from the 963 active cases on Monday.

According to Tuesdays report, 16 residents are now hospitalized, one more than yesterday. Eleven of them are vaccinated and three with the booster. One patient is still in critical condition.

Glens Falls Hospital spokesman Ray Agnew said the hospital had 33 COVID patients as of Tuesday, with one in the ICU.

According to New York state data, 51,000 residents have received one dose of the vaccine and 47,444 have been fully vaccinated.

According to the county report, 1,614 Warren County children ages five to 11 have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.

Warren County Health Services added a map to the COVID data news release that displays the number of active cases by zip code.

The town of Queensbury currently has the most cases with 289, according to the map. The city of Glens Falls has 159; Lake George has 98; and Warrensburg, 57.

Lake Luzerne and Chestertown have fewer than 50 cases. Silver Bay, Brant Lake, Bolton Landing, Diamond Point, Pottersville, North Creek, Bakers Mills, Stony Creek, Johnsburg, Hague and Athol have fewer than 10 cases.

The seven-day rolling positivity rate was 16.5%.

The Warren County Health Services vaccine clinic on Friday, Jan. 21 at Johnsburg Central School has been opened to the public as well as students and staff.

Warren County Health Services has scheduled the following clinics for students at Warren County schools:

Lake George Central School on Thursday;

Johnsburg Central School on Friday;

Warrensburg Central School on Thursday, Jan. 27.

Parents should check with school administrators for information related to appointments.

In addition, the New York state mass vaccination site at Aviation Mall in Queensbury is available as a vaccine/COVID-19 testing site.

This site offers testing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Find full details here: https://bit.ly/3xDoUuI.

Washington County

The Washington County Department of Public Health has not updated COVID data since Jan. 15.

According to state data, on Monday Washington County had 53 new cases.

State data also indicated that 40,705 residents have received one dose of the vaccine and 38,164 have been fully vaccinated.

The seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 16% on Monday.

Saratoga County

According to state data, Saratoga County had 258 new positive cases on Monday.

The seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 18.3%.

State data also indicated that 182,042 residents have received one dose of the vaccine and 168,583 have been fully vaccinated.

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Events

Wednesday, Jan. 19

BINGO: 1 to 2 p.m.; virtual event presented by The Lynn Kramer Village by the Shore at Jewish Family Service. 609-287-8872 or JFSVillageByTheShore.org.

WEEKLY WEDNESDAY OPEN GAMING: 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays; open gaming; masks required; Public Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave., Longport. 609-487-7403 or LongportPublicLibrary.org.

Thursday, Jan. 20

COFFEE KLATCH: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; virtual event; share your thoughts on politics, technology, world events, the arts and more; presented by The Lynn Kramer Village by the Shore at Jewish Family Service. 609-287-8872 or JFSVillageByTheShore.org.

Saturday, Jan. 22

WEEKLY SATURDAY OPEN GAMING: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays; join friends to play mah-jongg, scrabble, canasta or pinochle; masks required; Longport Public Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave., Longport. 609-487-7403 or LongportPublicLibrary.org.

Monday, Jan. 24

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ATLANTIC CITY SPEAKER SERIES KICKOFF: 5 to 7 p.m., featuring Chris Singleton, former professional baseball outfielder, a sportscaster and inspirational speaker; free livestream; for all ages; details visit acbgc.org or the organizations Eventbrite and Facebook pages.

Tuesday, Jan. 25

TRIVIA: 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Longport Public Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave., Longport. 609-487-7403 or LongportPublicLibrary.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 26

CUMBERLAND COUNTY LIBRARY ONLINE MOVIE CLUB: 6:30 to 8 p.m. fourth Wednesdays; hosted by Cumberland County Library; for ages 18 and older; watch movies for free with Hoopla, then meet up on Zoom for discussion; registration required. 856-453-2210, ext. 26103 or CCLNJ.org.

ONLINE MOVIE CLUB: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. fourth Wednesdays; hosted by Cumberland County Library; for ages 18 and older; meeting on Zoom. 856-453-2210, ext. 26103 or CCLNJ.org.

Thursday, Feb. 3

TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON GREEN TEAM MEETING: 7 to 8:30 p.m. first Thursdays; join the Township of Hamilton Green Team to see how you can make a difference; Municipal Building, 6101 13th St., Mays Landing. TownshipOfHamilton.com.

Monday, Feb. 7

GALLERY OF YOU  ARTISTIC JOURNALING: 11 a.m. first and third Mondays; group meets online to explore the rewards of artistic journaling, share insights and express creativity; each participant can receive a journal and art supplies through the mail at no cost; program is offered by The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; registration required. 609-652-3800, ext. 318 or MHAAC.info.

Friday, Feb. 11

SECOND FRIDAY RECEPTION: 6 to 8 p.m. second Fridays; celebrate the opening of newest galleries; The Noyes Arts Garage Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City. 609-626-3805 or ArtsGarageAC.com.

For kids

Wednesday, Jan. 19

STORIES AND SONGS: 10 to 10:15 a.m.; join Miss Linda for stories, songs, and rhymes for ages 2 and younger; Public Library, 235 32nd St., Avalon. AvalonFreeLibrary.org.

STORY TIME: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19, 26; for kids ages 5 and younger with their caregiver; Vineland Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Ave., Vineland. 856-794-4244 or VinelandLbrary.org.

VIRTUAL STORY TIME: 10 to 10:30 a.m.; virtual Story Time presented by Vineland Public Library for ages 5 and younger and their caretakers. 856-794-4244 or VinelandLibrary.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 25

BOOK DISCUSSION: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; for kids ages 9 and older; participate in a discussion of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney; Vineland Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Ave., Vineland. 856-794-4244 or VinelandLibrary.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 26

TEEN BOOK DISCUSSION: 4 to 5 p.m.; for ages 13 to 18; discussion of A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin; Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Ave., Vineland. 856-794-4244 or VinelandLibrary.org.

Groups

Wednesday, Jan. 19

MONTHLY VIRTUAL ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: 2 to 3 p.m. third Wednesdays; hosted by Alzheimers Association; for caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimers and others dealing with the disease; facilitated by trained individuals. 800-272-3900.

ROMANCE BOOK CLUB: 6 to 7:30 p.m., 235 32nd St., 235 32nd St., Avalon. AvalonFreeLibrary.org.

TOO MUCH STUFF? GROUP: 1 to 2 p.m. first and third Wednesdays; the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County offers an online support group for individuals with clutter challenges and collecting behaviors that impede their day-to-day living; group meets virtually via Zoom. 609-652-3800, ext. 303 or MHAAC.info.

TOO MUCH STUFF? MEETINGS: 1 to 2 p.m. first and third Wednesdays; hosted by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; online or call-in support for those with clutter challenges, collecting behaviors, or hoarding tendency. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

Thursday, Jan. 20

IFSS FAMILY MEETING: 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Thursdays; call in or join on Zoom; monthly evening meeting for family members of individuals who live with a mental health concern. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: 1 to 3 p.m. third Thursdays; lunch meeting of South Jersey Shore Chapter 1664 of NARFE; current, retired and spouses of Federal Employees are welcome; Shore Diner, 6710 Tilton Road, Egg Harbor Township. 609-822-2018 or NARFE.net.

ONLINE MENS WELLNESS GROUP: 6 to 7 p.m. first and third Thursdays; offered by The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; via Zoom or by call-in; topics vary, but may include family/relationships, substance use and coping strategies during COVID; to receive a link, email jangelini@mhanj.org. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

RISING MINDS ONLINE MEETING: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; offered by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; peer-led meeting for individuals age 18 to 30; participants discuss mental health, share experiences, develop tools for self-care and connect to others. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

Friday, Jan. 21

NICOTINE ANONYMOUS: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays; fellowship of men and women helping each other to live free of nicotine; 351 Cincinnati Ave., Egg Harbor City; free. 609-602-5701, 609-965-4847 or 609-226-4193.

Sunday, Jan. 23

MEDITATION  ONLINE GROUP: 7:15 to 8 p.m. Sundays; offered by The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; staff offer a guided calming meditation or breathing exercise; to receive a link by email and join the group online, email btrendler@mhanj.org. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

Monday, Jan. 24

GOT STRESS? ONLINE GROUP: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays; online group meets to discuss daily wellness, coping strategies and tools to relieve stress and reduce anxiety; offered by The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; free. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

LONGPORT NEEDLERS: 10 a.m. to noon Mondays; bring your needle/crochet craft project and join us for a time of crafting and socializing; Longport Public Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave., Longport. 609-487-7403 or LongportPublicLibrary.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 26

LIFE IN WAVES  ONLINE WORKING WOMENS GROUP: 7 to 8 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays; support and discussion group for women in the workplace; hosted by Mental Health Association in Atlantic County. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

Thursday, Jan. 27

FAMILY MEETING SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m. to noon second and fourth Thursdays; support group for family members of individuals who live with a mental health concern. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF SOUTH JERSEY RESUMES MEETINGS: 6 to 8:30 p.m. fourth Thursdays through June 2022; creates an awareness and appreciation of Italian culture; St. Frances Cabrini Church, Room C, 114 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City; $4 donation non-members. 609-602-9017.

Tuesday, Feb. 1

ARCHERY CLUB: 7 to 8 p.m. first Tuesdays; meeting in Egg Harbor Township; all types of bows and expertise welcome. 609-601-2663.

Thursday, Feb. 3

TWP. OF HAMILTON GREEN TEAM MEETING: 7 to 8:30 p.m. first Thursdays; join the Township of Hamilton Green Team; Municipal Building, 6101 13th St., Mays Landing. lmccardell@townshipofhamilton.com.

Monday, Feb. 7

NAMI ATLANTIC CAPE MAY CONNECTION MEETING: 7 to 8:30 p.m. first Mondays; NAMI Connection is a recovery support group for adults living with mental health issues; peer run group offers attendees a safe, confidential place to share and understand their experiences living with mental health issues; held via Zoom; free. 609-741-5125 or NAMIACM.org.

Wednesday, Feb. 9

SIBLING MEETING: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. second Wednesdays; meeting for siblings of adults with serious and persistent mental health concerns; support, education, coping strategies, resources and more; hosted by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. 973-571-4100. or MHAAC.info.

Saturday, Feb. 12

SOUTHERN NJ AFRICAN VIOLET CLUB: 10 a.m. to noon second Saturdays; Elwood Volunteer Fire Dept., 414 Elwood Road, Mullica Township; discuss plant care tips and needs; open to all; no membership fees; masks required and COVID-19 social distancing rules in effect. snjavc.org or email snjavc.violet@gmail.com or Facebook@southernnewjerseyafricanvioletclub.

Monday, Feb. 14

NAMI ATLANTIC/CAPE MAY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: 7 to 8:30 p.m. second Mondays; virtual meeting for family members of individuals struggling with mental health illness and co-occurring addiction disorders; free, registration required. 609-741-5125 or NAMIACM.org.

Monday, Feb. 21

SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE ONLINE GROUP : 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. third Mondays; offered by The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; for those who lost someone to suicide; via Zoom or by dial-in teleconference; both a therapist and a peer co-facilitate this meeting. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

Health, fitness

Wednesday, Jan. 19

BOOMERS CONNECTION & WELLNESS HOUR: 7 to 8 p.m. first and third Wednesdays; boomers meet virtually or by call-in for a social connection and wellness group; hosted by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

MIND AND BODY VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays; workshop is provided to individuals who live with a disability; participants discuss topics such as adapting, goal setting, refocusing and more; offered by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County. 609-652-3800, ext. 308 or MHAAC.info.

Thursday, Jan. 20

RISING MINDS ONLINE MEETING: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; offered by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; peer-led meeting for individuals age 18 to 30; participants discuss mental health, share experiences, develop tools for self-care and connect to others. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

Tuesday, Feb. 1

BODY IMAGE & BALANCE MEETINGS: 7 to 8 p.m. first and third Tuesdays; hosted by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; call-in and online group for those living with or recovering from disordered eating. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.

Music

Thursday, Jan. 20

VIRTUAL JAM SERIES: 7 p.m. Thursdays; hosted by Absecon Cultural Arts Alliance streaming live via Facebook; features local musicians. AbseconArts.com.
The regularly scheduled Pleasantville school board meeting Tuesday focused primarily, again, on the status of Superintendent Natakie Chestnut-Lee, whom the board put on leave in October over allegations she had not been honest about why she left a past job. The crowd of about three dozen people was mostly dominated by supporters of the superintendent, who maintained she had served the district well and ought to be reinstated.

A smaller group of residents at the meeting opposed Chestnut-Lee and supported the actions the board had taken to suspend her.

Priscilla Noel, a parent in the district, questioned whether the board was dedicating enough resources to the children, particularly as it pertained to the technology needed for remote learning.

Pleasantville schools have been holding class virtually since Jan. 7, with COVID-19 outbreaks and attendant isolation and quarantine guidelines having resulted in crippling staff absences. The district is tentatively scheduled to return to in-person learning Monday.

Noel further criticized the board for its actions Jan. 5, which she considered an unfair silencing of the people. That meeting saw board President Jerome Page motion to adjourn before the scheduled public comment section began, with the meeting ultimately ending due to several board members having left prematurely and creating a lack of quorum.

Pleasantville church tackles segregation at MLK ceremony PLEASANTVILLE  Americans across the country spent Monday reflecting on the legacy of the Re

People want to be heard, and their concerns are valid, Noel said.

Noel is also a supporter of Chestnut-Lee. She brought to the meeting several signs advocating for the board to reinstate the superintendent, arguing it would be for the benefit of the district. She told The Press of Atlantic City during the meetings executive session intermission that Chestnut-Lee was exceptionally responsive to her concerns.

Ive emailed prior superintendents and never got responses or action, where with Dr. Natakie Chestnut-Lee, Ive gotten responses and action, immediate action, not ignored, and that made me feel valued, Noel said. If I see change that is helping the kids and its immediate, Im going to support that.

James Pressley Sr., a former board president, was among those at the meeting opposing Chestnut-Lee. Pressley submitted a complaint to the New Jersey Department of Education in September that he said demonstrates how Chestnut-Lee was dishonest about why she had left her past job  allegations Chestnut-Lee has denied.

Pressley added he believed Chestnut-Lee was trying to pressure the district into excusing what he described as her dishonesty.

Shes now bullying the Pleasantville school district the same way she bullied her last school district, Pressley said, alluding to litigation between Chestnut-Lee and her previous employer, Principle Academy Charter School in Egg Harbor Township.

Pleasantville BOE holds special meeting for public comments after contentious reorganization PLEASANTVILLE  Nine days after its meeting began, the school board finally moved into the p

There are plans for an independent investigation into the allegation to be conducted by a special counsel the board selected Friday. In a statement sent to The Press of Atlantic City Wednesday via email, Chestnut-Lee said she welcomed the investigation.

I look forward to answering any questions that arise from the investigation because I am ready to put this behind me as it is a distraction from the great work that I have done in my tenure as Superintendent of Pleasantville Public Schools, Chestnut-Lee said, pairing her statement with a quote about the importance of honesty and integrity from former first lady Michelle Obama.

Resident Loreal Chrisp argued the district should reinstate Chestnut-Lee and that the board failed to prioritize the well-being of the districts children.

My children, who are honor-roll students in this district, are suffering, every one of these parents whose children are in this district are suffering, because we cant seem to get our minds out of agendas that are not school based, children based, children first, Chrisp said.

The Pleasantville school board has been in disarray since an Oct. 12 meeting during which it voted to put Chestnut-Lee on leave. Since that time, the board has been bitterly divided between a bloc of members that has generally supported the superintendent and a bloc of members, including Page, that has generally opposed her. The balance of power shifted after the November board election. The elections results ultimately saw Page take over the presidency from Julio Sanchez, who has been a supporter of Chestnut-Lee, during the Jan. 5 board reorganization meeting.

The district had been under the supervision of a state fiscal monitor from 2007 until October 2021. The state monitors term ended just days before the controversy over Chestnut-Lee began.

City Councilwoman Joanne Famularo, who attended Tuesdays meeting, said the discord of the board left it unable to grapple with what she described as its students struggles in school. Famularo said that despite having a budget of over $100 million buoyed by state aid, the district still had abysmal student-proficiency rates. Math and reading proficiency rates among students were 5% and 15%, respectively. She also said the district ranked 616 out of 652 districts in the state.

You guys better start talking about educating and educate yourselves as to whats going on in the district, Famularo said. Instead of being concerned with personnel and making it personal, start worrying about educational (matters).

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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PLEASANTVILLE  Americans across the country spent Monday reflecting on the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. For parishioners and activists at Mount Zion Baptist Church who met virtually, the holiday was a time to discuss how to carry on Kings legacy and advance democracy in New Jersey and beyond.

The theme of the ceremony hosted by the church was The Unfinished Work; Ending Segregation, Expanding Democracy.

The Rev. Willie Francois III, the senior pastor at the church who moderated the event, said he wanted to gather leaders in civil rights activism to explore how to combat ongoing segregation and disenfranchisement in New Jersey and nationwide that limit opportunities for Black Americans.

Thank you for turning aside these moments, this two hours, to share and think deeply, not just about the legacy of Doctor King, but also about how we continue to embody the legacy of so many freedom fighters who have made America a true, multiracial democracy, Francois said at the beginning of Mondays ceremony. Well also think strategically about what it will take to realize a new New Jersey.

The Rev. Charles Boyer, a pastor at Greater Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Trenton, spoke about what he described as the need for radical change. He likened the oppression of Black Americans to the suffering of the biblical Job, stressing the perils of becoming disillusioned with what he described as reactionary opposition to the mission of racial justice.

As much as we cry out and seemingly at times make progress, theres always opposition that pushes that progress back, Boyer said. Jobs cry is eerily relevant for those of us asking the question What do we do when all of our resources and political power have been systemically stripped from us?

Ocean City honors Kings legacy, pledges to carry it forward OCEAN CITY  A repeated theme, as officials and community members gathered in the Ocean City

Boyer urged people to continue to push for change and keep the faith.

The event opened with a rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing. Francois said several local and state politicians attended the event, including Board of Education President Jerome Page and Mayor Judy Ward. Brief, prerecorded remarks from Ward were played during the event, as well as excerpts of a prerecorded speech from Superintendent Natakie Chestnut-Lee. Francois said Atlantic County Commissioner Andrew Parker and state Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, were also in attendance.

Leaders at Mount Zion Baptist have been active in fighting what they have condemned as efforts to further segregation in New Jersey and Atlantic County. Francois and the church, along with the coalition Building One America, spearheaded a campaign last year to oppose a petition filed by Absecon to stop sending its students to Pleasantville High School.

The Building One America coalition, for which Francois is a co-chair, is currently placing pressure on Gov. Phil Murphy, circulating a petition to send to donors to Murphys campaign. Francois and other panelists were critical of the governor Monday, arguing he has not taken aggressive enough action to desegregate New Jersey schools.

Myron Orfield, director of the Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity at the law school of the University of Minnesota, said Murphy has failed to act to combat discrimination against Black Americans in New Jersey, which he said was extraordinary with respect to both education and housing.

Orfield cited the Murphy administrations reluctance to address the concerns raised in the ongoing lawsuit of the Latino Action Network v. New Jersey as an example of his inaction.

Local artist commemorates MLK Jr. at Tanger Outlets ATLANTIC CITY  The blacked-out windows of an empty storefront at Tanger Outlets at The Walk

Latino Action Network v. New Jersey was filed May 17, 2018, the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, and alleges the state school system offers unequal opportunities to the detriment of minority students. The suit includes as defendants Murphy, the state and the states Board of Education.

(Murphy) says hes a governor for civil rights, but his responses in court are humiliating, Orfield said. This is a recipe for disaster in civil rights, its a recipe for disaster in our country.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration held Monday was just one of the activist events the church will host in the coming weeks. Mount Zion Baptist will hold a leadership and organizing seminar Jan. 27 to 30. The church also will host weekly symposiums at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in February for Black History Month.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  Stockton students are tapping into a little known resource for South Jersey.

The Stockton University Maple Project began tapping red maple trees for syrup at the campus sugar bush Tuesday. Members of the project expect to tap more than 400 trees on campus this year and are collaborating with private property owners interested in having their maples tapped.

Research assistant Ryan Hegarty, 24, has been managing production.

He said he and the rest of the Maple Project staff have spent countless hours preparing trees for a relatively short harvesting season. By tapping into trees around campus and across South Jersey, he is hoping the project can raise awareness of the valuable resources around them.

A lot of work, a lot of hours spent in the forest, just with ticks and bugs and putting this tubing up, getting everything set for the year, kind of all for a few short weeks of maple syrup season, Hegarty said. Not a lot of people are aware that there are red maples in South Jersey that are tappable.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is helping fund the universitys Maple Project with a grant totaling almost $500,000. The purpose of the grant and the project is to help pioneer maple sugaring in South Jersey. Money will be earmarked for production hubs in and around South Jersey and Philadelphia, which will receive guidance and tools to set up their own sugaring operations. To receive aid, hubs must agree to tap trees and receive syrup from the local community.

It is the second federal grant the Stockton Maple Project has received in recent years. The USDA also awarded the university a grant in 2020 to promote maple-sugaring and outreach.

A two-mile web of blue tubing connects the hundreds of red maples on campus into a network that vacuums the sap into central collection tanks  a process Hegarty said is more efficient than letting the sap collect in buckets. The sap is then boiled and distilled into new maple syrup. According to a December news release Stockton issued about the project, this method had the potential to harvest 4,000 gallons of sap, which in turn can be boiled into 60 to 80 gallons of syrup.

Stockton mathematics professor Judith Vogel is one of the principal investigators for the grant. She praised the multidisciplinary nature of the Maple Project and credited the university for giving faculty the opportunity to contribute to research outside their discipline.

Im very lucky to be at an institution that values other interests besides what you were hired for, Vogel said. I ran from a calculus class to be out here today.

Abigail Murphy, a Stockton junior studying forestry management, said she was excited to see tapping finally get underway. She said it offered an opportunity for students and people throughout South Jersey to explore an incipient syrup industry.

Its definitely exciting to be out here and be a part of something thats new to the community, Murphy said.

The lead project investigator for the grant and Maple Project is Stockton environmental science professor Aaron Stoler. He said the USDA was investigating innovative ways to expand syrup production by making use of red maple trees other than sugar maples.

Most people have just been using sugar maple, and as a result, this industry has been limited to Vermont, New York, Canada, because thats where all the sugar maples are, Stoler said. But other places around this country have plenty other maple species that we can use.

Max Murphy, no relation to Abigail, is a Maple Project staffer and a Stockton junior majoring in environmental science and minoring in political science. He said the project catalyzes community growth and is a celebration of history.

This is my favorite type of science in a way, the kind that blends into the real world, Max Murphy said.

Frank Vogel, who is Judiths husband and also works with the university for the project, also praised the community orientation of the grant. He said the sugaring hubs created by the USDA grant create and fortify ties between the university and communities throughout South Jersey.

The community partnerships that are being built are really in the final analysis our strength, Vogel said.

Stoler said the project was a positive way to stoke regional investment in the environment. He expressed hope that an incipient South Jersey syrup industry would end up sticking around.

Were not trying to compete with Vermont or Canada, were not, Stoler said. What we are trying to do is a very regional, local thing that can give people a taste of the region.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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WAUKEGAN  A federal board has renamed a Lake County creek to remove its longtime name considered offensive to Native Americans.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names approved the change in December that officially renamed Squaw Creek to Manitou Creek, although it will take time to replace the creek's signage and official designation, the Daily Herald reported.

The three-member Manitou Creek Drainage District, whose name was also changed, had solicited support and navigated the federal bureaucracy to have the name of the 15-mile creek changed.

The change will be made in the federal Geographic Names Information System, the nation's official geographic names repository. County officials also will be asked to formally change the name where it is referenced.

The creek's old name is used in records dating to 1840, said Patrick Duby, the drainage board president. He said the name change generated strong support.

"More local residents have come to understand that the word 'squaw' is an ethnic and sexual slur against Native American women," Duby said.

Manitou refers to the spirit of the stream and the lifeblood of the region's Indigenous people, according to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Duby said drainage district board member Jim Denomie, who is a citizen of the Bad River Band Chippewa Tribe, was instrumental in educating the board and community about the need for the name change.

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When they met in 2018, Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar found Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin to be a bright guy who was personable and ultimately left a favorable impression.

Irvin, who had just been elected to lead Illinois second-largest city the previous year, was participating in the Edgar Fellows program, a five-day executive training designed by the former governor to influence attitudes and foster mutual understanding among emerging Illinois leaders across partisan, ethnic and regional lines.

Irvin so impressed Edgar that he was invited back to speak on a panel of mayors to a future Edgar Fellows class.

But one impression that was not immediately clear to the former Republican governor was that Irvin, who holds a nonpartisan office, was himself a Republican.

I was impressed with him, but I guess I thought he was a Democrat, Edgar told me in an interview Tuesday. And I think that's going to be probably the major challenge for him is to convince Republicans that he's a Republican. Time will tell whether thats going to happen or not.

Irvin announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor on Monday. He is running as part of a slate of candidates recruited by ex-staffers of former Gov. Bruce Rauner and former Sen. Mark Kirk and expected to be funded by billionaire Ken Griffin and other large donors.

The goal is to beat incumbent Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire himself, with Griffin pledging to go all in on the effort. Griffin and other major Republican donors had been searching for a Republican candidate to back against Pritzker, believing the existing field of GOP candidates not viable in a general election.

They believe they found their man in Irvin, an Army veteran and former prosecutor who would be the states first African American governor, if elected.

A day after his announcement, Irvin released a list of 60 endorsements from various establishment GOP figures in Illinois, including House Minority Leader Jim Durkin and former U.S. Rep. John Shimkus.

However, the take on Irvin and the GOP slate that I wanted to hear most was from Edgar, who knows a thing or two about winning elections as a Republican in a blue state.

After all, he was the last Republican to be reelected to a second term as governor of Illinois. He also left office extremely popular  so much so that the national party twice attempted to recruit him to run for U.S. Senate.

Edgars successor, Republican Gov. George Ryan, on the other hand, opted not to run for reelection and left office under the cloud of scandal, which eventually led to federal corruption charges and a stint in prison.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner was defeated by Pritzker in 2018 after four years marred by fights with legislative Democrats and a more than two-year budget impasse.

The party is now shut out of all statewide offices and is toiling away in the superminority in the General Assembly.

So, I called Edgar on Tuesday to ask for his thoughts on Irvin and the slate, which includes state Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, for lieutenant governor; state Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, for treasurer; lawyer Steve Kim for attorney general; former U.S. Attorney John Milhiser for secretary of state; and McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi for comptroller.

It'll be interesting to see how the party receives that, Edgar told me. But, the candidates seem like they're legitimate candidates. I mean, I think they bring something to the table and if Griffin's coming through with the money, money is really important in a primary.

If he's going to fund these campaigns, that will definitely give them a leg up, Edgar said. Now the drawback, though, is people are going to say, 'well, they're all going to be his puppet,' and they're going to have to handle that charge, particularly in the governor's race.

Irvins announcement featured a tough-on-crime message that played up his background as a prosecutor and his record on the issue as mayor of Aurora.

Ive seen it up close. Defund the police is dumb, dangerous and it costs lives. And I believe that all lives matter. Every family should be safe, Irvin said. My city is now safe, stronger and full of opportunity. I want that for Illinois.

However, Irvin has pulled Democratic primary ballots in several recent elections and is on tape praising Pritzkers pandemic response just within the past year. Its led some to question his conservative bonafides.

In a sense, Irivin is somewhat of a blank slate regardless as running a city is not inherently the most partisan endeavor. Theres no such thing as Republican potholes or Democratic streetlights.

However, this may play to his advantage in a general election, Edgar said, noting the importance of Republicans winning back moderates in the Chicago suburbs.

I do think that he would make a viable candidate  if he can get past the primary  in the fall, Edgar said. The fact that he seems somewhat moderate; he's well funded; he's African American, so perhaps he can pull over some African American votes, which are really the key to the Democrats in Illinois.

But the Republicans, I think, have to realize that they've got to win a lot of independents and moderate Republicans back  and maybe what I call 'thoughtful Democrats.' And you can't go too far to the right to do that, Edgar continued. That's why Irvin would have a good shot because I think he will undoubtedly be perceived more in the middle than he will be to the far right.

But even if Irvin emerges from the GOP primary, it will be an uphill climb in the general election, Edgar said.

Well, I think an incumbent governor has the advantage going into an election  should have the advantage  unless they've been a terrible governor, Edgar said. And I don't think Pritzker has been a terrible governor. I mean, he's had some tough things to deal with, particularly the virus.

Though Pritzkers poll numbers could be better, particularly among independents, Edgar thinks he is the favorite going into this race as the incumbent and with his unlimited financial resources. But, Irvin would give Republicans a fighting chance that other candidates would not, he said.

Again, I still think Pritzker would be the favorite, but I think it would be a race," Edgar said. "Whereas some of these other primary candidates, I'm not sure that it would be viewed as a strong race at that point.

The other Republican candidates for governor are state Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia; businessman Gary Rabine; former state Sen. Paul Schmipf, R-Waterloo; and venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan.

Edgar acknowledged that it's tougher than it used to be to win as a Republican in Illinois, but it's possible, he said, if the party can win back voters in the suburbs and exurbs of Chicago who may have been turned off by Rauner and former President Donald Trump.

If Biden's numbers don't get better, even though he's not on the ballot, it still has an impact on how people vote to some extent, Edgar said. In the suburbs, particularly. The suburbs swing more than any other part of the state.

And, even if Irvin does not win, having a moderate candidate at the top of the ballot may help suburban House and Senate candidates down ballot. And, it could allow other members of the slate an opportunity to win.

Milhiser or state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, who are running for secretary of state, would perhaps be in the best position as they are running for an open position.

Edgar, a former secretary of state himself, said an incumbent has a huge advantage in that office. So not having an incumbent does make it a more level playing field.

That, I think, could be a very interesting race, it could be a close race, Edgar said. And this is the chance for the Republicans to get that office. Historically that's been a good office to have  It's been a good stepping stone.

Undoubtedly, the Republican Party has changed since Edgar, a pro-choice moderate, held office.

Still, hes the most successful living former Republican statewide official. At the very least, his two cents is worth listening to as Republicans decide who they may support in the June primary, which is only 160 days away.

This article has been updated to include the name of state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, whose candidacy for secretary of state was omitted in an earlier version.

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SPRINGFIELD  Aiming to increase diversity in wind and solar jobs, a proposed measure in the Illinois General Assembly would require more transparent reporting on the level of participation of minority-owned businesses in clean energy jobs.

Rep. William Davis, D-Hazel Crest, advanced House Bill 4217 through the House Energy and Environment Committee on Tuesday. The measure aims to increase diverse participation in projects that could include African-Americans, Latinx, and women-owned firms.

In the bill, energy suppliers who generate more than 500 kilowatt hours of electricity with at least 100,000 customers and companies that develop, install, or maintain a renewable energy project with annual revenues over $15 million would be required to submit annual reports on procurement goals and spending on contracts with female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned companies and small businesses.

Annual reports would need to outline a buying plan for specific goods and services the company plans to procure in the next six to 18 months, include any procurement codes used by the company. Its an effort to assist entrepreneurs and diverse companies in understanding upcoming opportunities with the company submitting the buying plan, according to the bill.

Part of our effort, as we have done in many other sectors, is to start by trying to ask those individuals that are doing it, to supply reports, to fill out reports and show us what they are doing relative to diversity, and not only what their numbers look like but also, in some cases, the plan to increase that diversity over time, Davis said.

Businesses that make less than $15 million a year would possibly be exempt from filling out diversity reports but would still have the opportunity to do so if they desired.

Dan Johnson, a lobbyist representing the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, said the idea of these reports is to act as a bridge between large buying institutions and minority-owned, female-owned and veteran-owned businesses.

Reports would be found on the Illinois Commerce Commissions website under supplier diversity, which makes it easier for utility companies to look up and get in touch with the desired businesses.

Since renewable energy focuses more on the maintenance of wind and solar farms, Johnson noted that the law had yet to contemplate the reality of renewable energy businesses and suppliers when building these farms. Language in HB 4217 would align standards with the Clean Energy Jobs Act, he said.

In a way, were sort of trying to catch up to the workforce diversity that was in the (CEJA package) to say lets catch up on the supplier diversity piece of it as well, Johnson said.

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Cook County Judge William Raines has been taken off the bench of his felony courtroom after he was caught on a YouTube livestream last week mocking an attorney who had argued before him earlier that day.

According to an order signed Tuesday by Chief Judge Timothy Evans, Raines has been reassigned to restricted duties or duties other than judicial duties, which generally focus on paperwork. He also must undergo sensitivity training and gender bias counseling, and the matter will be referred to the Judicial Inquiry Board.

Raines appeared with an attorney before the Circuit Courts executive committee on Tuesday and expressed contrition, according to the order.

The subject of the ridicule, attorney Jennifer Bonjean, said last week she would make a complaint against Raines to the Judicial Inquiry Board, which investigates allegations of wrongdoing by Illinois judges and can file formal charges against those judges with the Illinois Courts Commission.

Bonjean had participated in animated arguments Jan. 11 regarding the case of Roosevelt Myles, who is trying to get his decades-old murder conviction dismissed.

Later that day, at the end of Raines live-streamed court call, the judge mentioned Bonjean to two Cook County prosecutors and an assistant public defender who remained on the videoconference. The attorneys who participated in the conversation were not involved in the Myles case.

Can you imagine waking up next to her every day? Oh, my God, Raines said.

There would be a number of things wrong with my life if I was waking up next to her, Assistant States Attorney Susie Bucaro said.

I couldnt have a visual on that if you paid me, Raines said.

Raines also went on to call Bonjeans colleague a man-child, and ridiculed her demeanor earlier that day.

Did you see her going nuts? Glasses off, fingers through her hair, the phones going all over the place, its insane, he said.

Raines cut the feed after he noticed the video was still being publicly live-streamed to YouTube. The video was available for public viewing on YouTube until Thursday before being marked as private.

Raines recused himself from the Myles case the day after the conversation. On Thursday, Bonjean successfully asked Criminal Division Acting Presiding Judge Erica Reddick to preserve the video, in part so she could bring a complaint to the Judicial Inquiry Board.

Raines has been a Cook County judge since 2014. Before taking the bench, he spent much of his legal career in private practice as a criminal defense attorney. For six years in the 1980s, he was a police officer in Oakland, Calif.; he retired after being shot while on duty.

Bonjean is a high-profile New York-based attorney who has made her name, in part, doing work to overturn alleged wrongful convictions.

She also represented actor Bill Cosby in a successful appeal that overturned his conviction for a sex-crimes case. Recently, she signed on to represent R&B singer R. Kelly, who was convicted last year on federal racketeering and sex abuse charges.

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A cold case team that combed through evidence for five years in a bid to unravel one of World War II's enduring mysteries has reached what it calls the "most likely scenario" of who betrayed Jewish teenage diarist Anne Frank and her family.

Their answer, outlined in a new book called "The Betrayal of Anne Frank A Cold Case Investigation," by Canadian academic and author Rosemary Sullivan, is that it could have been a prominent Jewish notary called Arnold van den Bergh, who disclosed the secret annex hiding place of the Frank family to German occupiers to save his own family from deportation and murder in Nazi concentration camps.

"We have investigated over 30 suspects in 20 different scenarios, leaving one scenario we like to refer to as the most likely scenario," said film maker Thijs Bayens, who had the idea to put together the cold case team, that was led by retired FBI agent Vincent Pankoke, to forensically examine the evidence.

Bayens was quick to add that, "we don't have 100% certainty."

"There is no smoking gun because betrayal is circumstantial," Bayens told The Associated Press on Monday.

The Franks and four other Jews hid in the annex, reached by a secret staircase hidden behind a bookcase, from July 1942 until they were discovered in August 1944 and deported to concentration camps.

Only Anne's father, Otto Frank, survived the war. Anne and her sister died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Anne was 15.

The diary Anne wrote while in hiding was published after the war and became a symbol of hope and resilience that has been translated into dozens of languages and read by millions.

But the identity of the person who gave away the location of their hiding place has always remained a mystery, despite previous investigations.

The team's findings suggest that Otto Frank was one of the first to hear about the possible involvement of Van den Bergh, a prominent member of the Jewish community in Amsterdam.

A brief note, a typed copy of an anonymous tip delivered to Otto Frank after the war, names Van den Bergh, who died in 1950, as the person who informed German authorities in Amsterdam where to find the Frank family, the researchers say.

The note was an overlooked part of a decades-old Amsterdam police investigation that was reviewed by the team, which used artificial intelligence to analyze and draw links between archives around the world.

The Anne Frank House museum in the canal-side Amsterdam building that includes the secret annex welcomed the new research, but said it also leaves questions unanswered. The museum gave the researchers access to its archives for the cold case project.

"No, I don't think we can say that a mystery has been solved now. I think it's an interesting theory that the team came up with," said museum director Ronald Leopold. "I think they come up with a lot of interesting information, but I also think there are still many missing pieces of the puzzle. And those pieces need to be further investigated in order to see how we can value this new theory."

Bayens said the hunt for the betrayer was also a way of looking for an explanation of how the horror of the Nazi occupation forced some members of a once close-knit Amsterdam community to turn on one another.

How did facism bring people "to the desperate point of betraying each other, which is an awful, really awful situation?" he said.

"We went looking for a perpetrator and we found a victim," Bayens said.

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A Davenport man wanted for violating his probation on burglary, eluding and drug convictions is facing new charges, including kidnapping, after Davenport police said he held a woman in his car against her will, all the while threatening to drive the vehicle into the Mississippi River early Monday.

Demico Bronte Hill Sr., 31, is charged with one count each of third-degree kidnapping and eluding while under the influence of drugs or participating in a felony. Each of the charges is a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years.

Hill also is charged with possession of a controlled substance  third offense, in this case methamphetamine. The charge is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police Officers Robert Bytnar and Dustin Mooty, at 7:48 a.m. Davenport Police were alerted that a woman was being held against her will in a vehicle, a silver 2016 Chevrolet Impala.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Hill, threatened to drive the car to the Centennial Bridge and drive the vehicle into the Mississippi River. The man had taken the womans cell phone, but she was able to activate OnStar who directed police.

When police located the vehicle and tried to stop it, Hill sped away from police. He continued to elude police at speeds ranging from 75 to 90 mph.

The woman could be heard at least 10 times asking Hill to stop the car.

The vehicle slowed enough at one point to allow the victim to jump out of the car.

Hill was taken into custody a short time later.

Officers received a search warrant to obtain a blood draw from Hill as he was under the influence of some type of substance. When searched, it was found that Hill had in his pants pocket numerous pills totaling 11 grams and tested positive for methamphetamine.

Additional charges could be filed once lab tests on the blood and pills are completed.

Hill was wanted in Scott County for violating his probation for the second time.

During a hearing in Scott County District Court on Dec. 31, 2019, Hill pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony. The charge was reduced from Class B felony first-degree burglary. He also pleaded guilty to eluding and possession of a controlled substance-third offense, both Class D felonies. He also pleaded guilty to a serious misdemeanor assault charge.

On Feb. 13, 2020, Scott County District Judge Jeffrey Bert sentenced Hill to serve three years on probation.

On June 21, 2021, a petition to revoke Hills probation was filed by Assistant Scott County Attorney J. Gilbert Carnegie. Hill was arrested July 5, 2021. On Oct. 28, Hills attorney filed in District Court a stipulation that Hill admitted to violating the terms of his probation. District Court Judge Mark Fowler sentenced Hill to 90 days in jail with credit for time served, and Hill was returned to probation.

On Nov. 8, Assistant Scott County Attorney Nathan Repp filed a petition to revoke Hills probation and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Hill also is serving a term on probation for a conviction of assault causing bodily injury. Repp also filed a petition to revoke that probation.

Hill is being held in the Scott County Jail on cash-only bonds totaling $11,000 for the probation violations, and a $21,600 bond, cash or surety, for the new charges.

Hill made his first appearance on all of the charges Tuesday in Scott County District Court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 28.

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Charges will not be filed against an employee of a Rock Island tobacco and vape shop who shot two robbers, killing one, Tuesday night, Rock Island County Attorney Dora Villarreal said Wednesday night.

Rock Island Police were sent to Blackhawks Tobacco & Vape, 2733 18th Ave., at 10:54 p.m. in response to a report of an armed robbery and a shooting.

According to a news release issued Wednesday by Rock Island Interim Police Chief Richard Landi, three people wearing masks entered the store and started threatening employees and demanding merchandise. One of the suspects had a gun.

An employee of the store pulled out a handgun and fired several shots at the suspects, the release states. The suspects ran from the store.

A short time later, Police received a report of a person with a gunshot wound in the 1700 block of Lincoln Court. When officers arrived they learned the wounded person had already left to go to a hospital in Davenport.

Davenport police were called to a Taco Bell in the 1400 block of Locust Street, where they found the gunshot victim, later identified as one of the suspects from the robbery. The gunshot victim was then taken to Genesis Medical Center-East Campus, where he was declared dead.

A second wounded person was found in the 2100 block of 16th Avenue. This person was taken via ambulance to UnityPoint Trinity Hospital. This person, who was also identified as one of the robbery suspects, was listed as being in serious but stable condition, according to the release.

The third robbery suspect is still being sought by the police. The identities of the suspects have not been released.

In her statement issued Wednesday night, Villarreal said that, "after a preliminary review of the surveillance video and witness interviews, it appears the use of force by the employee was justified as self-defense and for the defense of others inside the story during the robbery.

"At this time, no charges will be filed against any employees of the store and the State is preparing to file aggravated robbery counts against the remaining two suspects."

Additional charges are being considered against the would-be robbers.

Police ask anyone with information to contact the Rock Island Police Department at 309-732-2677 or Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500 or using the "P3 Tips" app.

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NANJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- East China's economic powerhouse Jiangsu Province saw its foreign trade surge to a record-high 5.21 trillion yuan (about 821 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021, up 17.1 percent year on year, customs data showed Wednesday.

The number accounted for 13.3 percent of China's total imports and exports value during the period.

Jiangsu's exports increased 18.6 percent year on year to 3.25 trillion yuan in 2021, while imports grew to 1.96 trillion yuan, up 14.8 percent from a year ago.

The European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan were Jiangsu's major trading partners in 2021 and the province's trade value with countries and regions along the Belt and Road reached 1.32 trillion yuan, an increase of 22 percent from the previous year. 
Former Davenport City Council member and St. Ambrose professor Bill Lynn died on Monday following three years of undergoing treatments for pancreatic cancer. He was 75.

Lynn represented the 5th ward of the city of Davenport for eight years between 2004 and 2012. He taught at St. Ambrose University in Davenport for more than 20 years specializing in economics and entrepreneurship before retiring in 2017.

He also worked for the Environmental Protection Agency as a consultant and senior fellow, as well as consulted for the Veteran Administration.

His wife, Arletta, described Lynn as a man who loved to work. She said he always juggled several projects as a professor and an alderman. Up until three weeks ago even, she said, he worked four hours a week at Sams Club doing inventory.

The couple have lived in Davenport for 33 years, moving for Lynns starting job at Marycrest College. They both grew up in a small farm town in central Illinois, and lived in Kansas City, Florida, and then moved back to the Midwest so Lynn could get a PhD in economics.

He loved to teach, he loved education, and he loved to learn as well, Arletta said.

"And he always felt that that he had such a good work ethic, caring for people and such, because of growing in that small farm community, Arletta added.

She said his favorite movie was "Field of Dreams," thats how much he liked Iowa.

They have one son, Kyle. Arletta said he was a wonderful, wonderful husband and a wonderful, wonderful father in addition to a dedicated teacher and alderman.

He really did enjoy teaching," Arletta said. "But he also really dedicated himself to being an alderman  his constituents really appreciated his hard work as an alderman with his website and his newsletter to keep them informed."

Former Davenport mayor Bill Gluba, who was in office from 2008-2016, remembered Lynn as a strong economist who was an advocate for attracting businesses to downtown Davenport.

Certainly, he was very strong as an economist. He knew the importance of economic development and of expanding the city tax base because without growth revenue, you can't pay the bills when it comes to city government so I always very much appreciated his input and advice on all kinds of issues, Gluba said.

Gluba said although he and Lynn often sat in different ideological camps, they came together on city policy.

Philosophically, he was kind of an arch conservative and I was considered a progressive liberal, Gluba said. But for some reason when it came to the city stuff, we got along fine.

Specifically, Gluba said he remembered when he first took office and the world plunged into a global recession. He said the city avoided raising property taxes and didnt have to lay any off any employees. To do it, though, the city didnt raise wages for that year, Gluba said.

I know Bill was instrumental in supporting that effort, Gluba said.

Paul Koch, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs said in a prepared statement Lynn will always be well-remembered with our campus community.

We at St. Ambrose University were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Bill Lynn. Bill was a valued member of our Economics Department for more than 20 years, and will always be well-remembered with our campus community, Koch said. Bill retired from St. Ambrose in 2017 as a full professor with specialty teaching in the areas of entrepreneurship, economics, and integrated business projects.

His passions for assisting small businesses and protecting the environment, coupled with his time on the city council, added to the sense of service to the community we hope our students and alumni will emulate. Our thoughts are with Bills family at this difficult time.

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CHICAGO - A group of Chicago civil rights attorneys signed a letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot Wednesday asking her to withdraw an ordinance introduced in September which aims to allow the fining of gang members and gives police the authority to seize their property.

The proposal, called the Victims Justice Ordinance, was introduced as Lightfoot is under pressure to crack down on Chicagos gun violence and high homicide rate. The mayor has repeatedly acknowledged that many Chicagoans dont feel safe, a dynamic that threatens public safety, residents mental health and the citys economy. The ordinance was expected to prompt legal challenges from civil rights attorneys and social justice organizations, who believe the measure could wrongly accuse Black and Latino residents of being involved in gang activity.

The letter says that the proposed law will cause the city costly litigation and perpetuate racial disparities in law enforcement practices and it will not reduce harm and violence.

We regularly represent Chicagoans who bear the brunt of CPDs unlawful, racist policing, the letter says. Our clients dont just want to be free from state violence  they want to live in safe, healthy, thriving communities. But for the reasons described further below, the Victims Justice Ordinance will only further the inequities that plague our city.

Lightfoot and her office have also faced criticism from former high-ranking staff. Susan Lee, a top adviser to Lightfoot and former deputy mayor for public safety, resigned in August while raising concerns about the citys ability to keep moving the ball forward on its violence prevention efforts and the police departments consent-decree implementation.

A month after Lee resigned, she co-wrote an article with Southwest Side Ald. Matt OShea in which they declared Chicago a city in crisis.

The ordinance, if approved, could allow judges or court officers to impose fines as high as $10,000 for each offense and seize any property that is directly or indirectly used or intended for use in any manner to facilitate street gang-related activity.

It also calls for the seizure of any property that gangs obtained through illegal means such as drug-dealing or other crimes.

To be very blunt and clear, we are going after their blood money, Lightfoot said when she announced the proposal.

Asked about criticism of the plan, Lightfoot on Tuesday said her administration needs to do more to educate the public about the ordinance.

Theres a huge profit motive that these gangs have to wreak havoc and commit violence across the city and we want to take that profit motive away, Lightfoot said. I think thats absolutely a tool that we need to be using.

The mayor said her administration will use money recovered under the act, if it passes, to support victims and witnesses.

Sheila Bedi, one of the civil rights attorneys who signed the letter, said the letter is signed on by attorneys who have often filed lawsuits against the police department and have been responsible for the city spending over half a billion dollars in legal fees and judgements related to police misconduct.

This is a proposal that will do nothing to stop the harm that our communities are experiencing, Bedi said. To the contrary, well add in a whole other layer of harm in it will give the state another tool to use to target our Chicagos poor black and brown community. ... If the mayor wants to avoid the kind of legal liability that the Chicago Police Department has exposed taxpayers to over the years, it will listen to the attorneys that have signed on to this letter.

The letter from the civil rights bar said that Chicago has a long history of focusing its policing efforts on street gangs, but these practices have led to significant legal challenges, and this new ordinance will likely suffer the same fate due to its broad language.

The ordinance also gives the city broad discretion to seize any property that it claims is used to facilitate gang-related activity, the letter says, which could cause relatives of police-suspected gang members to have their property taken.

In addition, the ordinance relies on CPDs gang designations and intelligence, which the letter calls notoriously inaccurate and racially disparate.

The letter also cites a study from the Lucy Parson Lab Chicago, which looked at all asset forfeiture by CPD from 2009 and 2015. It found that the department focused on asset forfeiture on the South and West sides of Chicago, targeting Black and poor residents. In addition, the letter also says that there is little oversight over how CPD uses the money collected from asset forfeiture, so the ordinance could create incentives for officers to label people as gang members and take their property because the department would benefit from the forfeitures.

We urge you to abandon this Ordinance and the failed approach to public safety it represents, the letter says. Instead, we hope you will adopt public safety initiatives that invest in and build on the strengths of our communities.

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Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor Monday, stressing his background as a former county prosecutor to focus on a tough-on-crime message the GOP is hoping will play well against Democrats this year.

In a three-minute announcement video, Irvin says that after serving in the military, he went to law school and then to become a hands-on prosecutor going on police raids, taking back one corner or apartment complex at a time. Putting gangbangers, drug dealers and wife beaters in prison.

Ive seen it up close. Defund the police is dumb, dangerous and it costs lives. And I believe that all lives matter. Every family should be safe, he says. My city is now safe, stronger and full of opportunity. I want that for Illinois.

Irvin, 51, the first Black mayor of the states second largest city, chose Martin Luther King Jr. Day to launch a campaign he and Republicans believe can appeal to Black voters who traditionally vote overwhelmingly Democratic.

At the same time, Republicans see the recent outbreak in violent crime in the city and suburbs as an opportunity to portray Democrats as soft on crime for enacting criminal justice changes such as an end to cash bail, even though many of those changes have yet to go into effect.

The announcement by Irvin and his running mate, state Rep. Avery Bourne, 29, from downstate Morrisonville, completes a slate of statewide candidates assembled to gain the financial support of the states wealthiest resident, Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin.

Griffin, worth $26.3 billion according to Forbes, had pledged to go all in against first-term Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune who is worth $3.6 billion, according to Forbes.

In a statement Monday, Griffin again had harsh words for Pritzker while expressing enthusiasm about Irvins entrance into the race.

He criticized Pritzker as being born into wealth and demonstrating little urgency or progress in improving the state in contrast to Irvin, who embodies the American dream and a real commitment to making communities stronger.

I am excited that (Irvin) has decided to join the race, and look forward to the opportunity to meet him and learn more about his ideas in the weeks ahead, Griffin said.

On Friday night, in a show of financial strength, Pritzker put $90 million of his own money into his campaign fund. That brought the total he has given his reelection campaign to $132 million. Pritzker spent more than $171 million to win election in 2018 against one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Previously announced members of the Republican slate seeking to challenge Democrats, who hold every statewide office, include former U.S. Attorney John Milhiser for secretary of state, state Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon for state treasurer, attorney Steve Kim for attorney general and McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi for comptroller.

The GOP slate now headed by Irvin was put together by political operatives who were behind Republican Mark Kirks successful 2010 U.S. Senate bid and Rauners 2014 election, and who used Griffins money to help defeat Pritzkers 2020 ballot initiative to switch the state to a graduated-rate income tax system.

Sources said Griffin has not been satisfied with the prospects of four previously announced contenders for the GOP nomination  businessmen Gary Rabine of Bull Valley and Jesse Sullivan of Petersburg, state Sen. Darren Bailey of Xenia and former state Sen. Paul Schimpf of Waterloo.

Irvin grew up in Aurora public housing and was raised by a single mother. He joined the U.S. Army after graduating from East Aurora High School and served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

After returning home, he graduated from Robert Morris University and got a law degree from Northern Illinois University before becoming an assistant prosecutor in the Cook County and Kane County states attorneys offices. In 2007, Irvin became the first Black male elected to the Aurora City Council as an at-large member, and held that post until his election as mayor in 2017.

Running our second largest city, crime has come down because the police budget has gone up. I hired more cops each year. Weve recruited new companies, turned old properties into economic engines and weve controlled spending, balanced budgets, so residents got property tax relief, Irvin says. I promise you, we can overcome the challenges. Its what Im good at.

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Irvins opponents immediately questioned the newest entrants Republican credentials, noting he voted in Democratic primaries in 2014, 2016 and 2020.

On Twitter, Bailey wrote he was not surprised to see the establishment already cuddling up with a career Democrat like Irvin. Some people are willing to throw away principles for a few bucks. While I welcome everyone to our party, we need a nominee who is actually a Republican and supports our platform.

And in a statement, Rabine said that after years of pulling Democratic primary ballots in years when Pat Quinn, Hillary and Joe Biden were top of the ticket, I am interested to hear what changed your mind on party affiliation.

Sullivan used Irvins announcement to portray himself as a true conservative outsider positioned against career politicians.

The Democratic Governors Association also released a video of recent public statements Irvin made about Pritzker, particularly in dealing with the pandemic. The Republican field has been deeply critical of Pritzkers mitigation efforts.

In the video, the second-term Aurora mayor is shown giving a speech in July in which he refers to Pritzker as a great friend and a great leader who has guided our state with professionalism and compassion throughout this entire pandemic.

Rather than explaining why Irvin pulled Democratic ballots in the past, his campaign team noted he was backed by Republicans and opposed by Democrats in an unsuccessful 2005 race for mayor, and that he later became a local GOP precinct committeeman. His campaign also said Irvin was opposed by the states leading Democrats, including U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, in his 2017 mayoral bid.

Irvins campaign also questioned the partisan purity of two rivals, noting Sullivan founded OneWorld magazine while attending Saint Louis University that supported then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, and his proposed global poverty act. They also said that in 2008 Bailey pulled a Democratic primary ballot.

Baileys campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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A day after Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced his Republican candidacy for governor, his campaign rolled out dozens of endorsements led by Illinois House GOP leader Jim Durkin, making Irvin the establishment candidate for the nomination.

Irvin, the first Black mayor of Illinois second largest city, was the fifth candidate to announce a bid for the GOP governor nomination in the June 28 primary, with the winner gaining the right to take on first-term Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the Nov. 8 general election.

On Tuesday, as it filed his statement of candidacy, Irvins campaign issued a list of 60 endorsements from a wide spectrum of Republicans including Durkin and former Downstate GOP Rep. John Shimkus of Collinsville, Illinois Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter, former state GOP Chair Tim Schneider, former U.S. Ambassador and GOP financier Ron Gidwitz, as well as several individual members of the legislature and the Republican State Central Committee.

Irvin heads a slate assembled to attract backing from Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of investment firm Citadel and the states wealthiest person. Griffin has pledged to go all in against Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, and said in a statement on Monday that he was excited about Irvins entry into the race.

A link to Griffin is important to Durkin, who heads the 45-member GOP minority against the 73-member Democratic majority in the Illinois House and is looking for Griffins financial help to win down-ballot House seats against Democrats expected to get cash from Pritzker.

State Rep. Avery Bourne of Morrisonville, a member of Durkins leadership team, is Irvins candidate for lieutenant governor.

In a statement Durkin touted Irvins credentials as a former assistant states attorney in Cook and Kane counties, echoing on the candidates own law-and-order focus in his announcement.

Richard Irvin was a prosecutor who knows what it takes to make Illinois safe. As Mayor, Richard hired more cops and stood proudly with law enforcement when Illinois Democrats repeatedly turned their backs. Thats the kind of leadership we need today in Illinois, Durkin said.

In his announcement, Irvin touted efforts to increase police funding in Aurora, adding, Defund the police is dumb, dangerous and it costs lives. And I believe that all lives matter. Every family should be safe.

All lives matter has become a phrase associated with conservatives supporting police and attacking the Black Lives Matter movement that grew out of incidents of police violence. In Irvins announcement video, the phrase appears as a graphic, as does Back the Blue.

But in a candidate questionnaire for his reelection campaign as mayor in March of last year, Irvin gave an unqualified endorsement of the Black Lives Matter movement.

I support Black Lives Matter strongly and passionately. I am supportive and proud of the peaceful demonstration throughout this past summer in response to the murder of George Floyd, Jacob Blake, Breonna Taylor and many others, Irvin was quoted as saying.

Politics, especially racial politics, are rarely easy but I believe this past summer was a wake-up call to America and we continue you that momentum going to create substantive change, he said.

Almost a year earlier, Irvin had announced a four-part plan to increase police accountability and require more citizen oversight over law enforcement.

Asked to explain Irvins evolution in thinking on the issue, his campaign had no immediate comment.

Irvins attempt to become the first major party Black nominee for Illinois governor is aimed at drawing to the GOP disaffected Black voters who traditionally vote overwhelmingly Democratic. But his announcement, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, drew criticism from the Democratic leaders of the Legislative Black Caucus.

In a statement, the caucus leaders accused Irvin of co-opting a day of great significance.

On a day dedicated to service, equality and protection of those on the margins of society, the Republican Party has shown their shallow opportunism takes no days off. We have no interest in reverting, retreating or going backward. In Illinois, Black Lives Matter today, tomorrow and every day, the statement said.

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A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest from Tuesday:

COVID-19 CASES: Five cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Iowa Legislature since Friday, the House Democrats caucus staff said.

Those are only the confirmed cases. There is no requirement in the Iowa Legislature that people report a positive COVID case.

Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, confirmed Sunday that he tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantining. Wahls said he has received a COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, also confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

ATVS ON HIGHWAYS: All-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, would be allowed to drive on all county highways and some stretches of highways under legislation that advanced out of a legislative subcommittee.

House File 800 would permit ATVs on non-interstate primary highways between trails and other roads on which ATVs are permitted.

Organizations representing counties and county supervisors have registered in opposition to the proposal.

VACCINE ADMINISTRATION: Nurses would be allowed, under the order of a pharmacist, to assist in administering vaccines and immunizations under Senate Study Bill 3006, which advanced out of a subcommittee.

AVIAN FLU: A division of the federal agriculture department confirmed highly pathogenic avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in a wild bird in South Carolina, prompting Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig to issue a statement encouraging livestock farmers to strengthen biosecurity and closely monitor animals health.

If an animal appears to be ill, farmers should immediately contact a veterinarian or state or federal animal health officials, he said.

HPAI and other foreign animal diseases pose a significant risk to Iowa agriculture, Naig said in a news release.

Our team at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will continue working with USDA, livestock producers and other stakeholders to develop, test and strengthen our foreign animal disease preparedness and response plans.

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At the start of this new semester, we face a sobering reality. As law and political science professors, were in new territory: instructing our students about the foundations of constitutional law when neither they nor we have faith that the current Supreme Court will respect precedent and approach the law as the institution once had.

It is now clear that the court, with six conservatives  three appointed by Donald Trump  has a different attitude toward interpreting the Constitution and preserving fundamental rights.

Students see a court about to overrule or gut Roe v. Wade, a half-century-old precedent, for no reason other than that the conservatives have the votes to do so. They see a majority of the justices eager to advance Republican ideology in blocking vaccine or testing requirements for large businesses. They see the conservative majority mandating government aid to religious schools and greatly expanding gun rights, even when it means departing from decades of prior decisions. They see a court where major rulings are issued without briefing and oral arguments on a shadow docket, including 5-4 decisions limiting the power of governors to impose restrictions on religious gatherings to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Todays students arent alone in losing faith in the Supreme Court. A recent Gallup Poll showed the institution at its lowest level of public confidence in decades: Only 40% of Americans approve of the job it is doing and 53% disapprove. There is every reason to think that this is going to get worse and soon. Although two-thirds of the public believe Roe should not be overturned, the court seems poised to do just that this year, further damaging its credibility with a large segment of the public, though it will please the Republican Partys base.

So what should we tell our students? Many are dispirited and cynical because, as far into the future as they can see, this court appears likely to do more harm than good to democracy.

First, we shouldnt hide the reality that judicial decisions often depend on who is on the bench. That has never been more true because the entrenched partisan Senate confirmation process now guarantees that a Supreme Court nominee will be chosen to carry out political and ideological aims. For the first time in American history, the ideology of the justices precisely corresponds to the political party of the president who appointed them. All six conservatives were appointed by Republican presidents and all three liberals were appointed by Democratic presidents.

Until recently, there were moderate liberals, such as John Paul Stevens and David H. Souter, appointed by Republicans, and there were moderate conservatives, such as Byron White and Felix Frankfurter, who had been appointed by Democrats. Trump picked three of the most ideologically conservative judges on the federal bench.

If students are to one day become effective litigators on constitutional rights, they will need to understand the ideologies of the justices interpreting the law. In the past, we certainly discussed the ideology of the justices with our students, but we must focus on it far more now as the ideological differences between the Republican-appointed justices and judges and those appointed by Democratic presidents are greater than they have ever been.

Second, we must remind students that there have been other bleak times in constitutional law when rights were contracted. From the 1890s until 1936, a conservative Supreme Court struck down over 200 progressive federal, state and local laws protecting workers and consumers. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the court refused to stand up to the hysteria of McCarthyism. The current court will not last forever, though it may feel like that to them.

Third, we should direct focus on other avenues for change. Students need to look more to state courts and legislatures, at least in some parts of the country, as a way to advance liberty and equality. For instance, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a law known as the Roe Act, protecting a womans right to abortion under state law, no matter what the Supreme Court decides. We need to teach our students how to use the power of local governments to protect fair housing, public education and public health.

Fourth, we must encourage them to look at the sweep of history. In the early 1960s, almost half the states had Jim Crow segregation laws, there were few women going to law school, and every state had a law criminally prohibiting same-sex sexual activity. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was right when he said that the arc of the moral universe is long and it bends toward justice  if we work for it.

There really are just two choices: Give up or fight harder, even if there will be a lot of losses along the way. If we can instill in students a desire to defend justice, even if victory is distant, it will be a good semester, no matter what the Supreme Court decides.

Erwin Chemerinsky is dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law and a contributing writer to Opinion. Jeffrey Abramson is professor of law and government at the University of Texas at Austin. 2022 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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We are here in Pierre as we finished up our first week of the legislative session where Democrats are looking forward to working together to get things done for the people of South Dakota.

COVID is unfortunately still a concern. We are working to ensure a safe environment for all by following CDC guidelines and encouraging others within the Capitol to help us keep everyone safe by masking up, getting vaccinated and boostered. Our caucus members have not been immune to the most recent Omicron variant, as Senate Minority Whip Reynold Nesiba has tested positive for COVID. We wish him a safe and quick recovery and look forward to having him back.

This week included the State of the State Address by Governor Noem, the State of the Judiciary from Chief Justice Steven Jensen, and the State of the Tribes from Chairman Delbert Hopkins Jr. from Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. These annual addresses allow us to hear from our Governor and state leaders; to see their goals and their needs for the future of South Dakota.

We come with a sense of obligation and duty to the state. The voters sent us here to come together and solve South Dakota problems. If the State of the State is the tone of this year, we are in for quite a ride. You can trust Democrats will be working hard to support all South Dakotans. We will be standing up for those who feel marginalized, who feel their voices are being squashed.

We are going to have to play defense this session to protect peoples liberties and lifestyles. At every opportunity, we will be working towards stopping the mean-spirited and misguided bills that we are seeing pop up already.

Democrats are here to work for South Dakotans and help our communities through an ongoing pandemic. This year, American Rescue Plan funding has been granted to our state to mitigate the effects of last year's struggles. These federal funds are specifically designed to support impacted communities. We understand our most important asset is our people. Our teachers, support staff, community support providers, and state employees deserve more than an equal cost of living adjustment. If we are flush with cash as indicated, those that often take the backseat should benefit. There are areas we know we can work together: workforce housing, safe and affordable childcare, and assisting healthcare staff that are burned out. This is how we grow South Dakota.

At every step, we need to remember that there is a pandemic going on and there are still ongoing difficulties due to COVID that we cannot ignore. Our healthcare workers have worked tirelessly to keep South Dakotans safe. The need for Medicaid expansion is evident now more than ever.

District 26 Sen. Troy Heinert is the Minority Leader in the South Dakota State Senate. He represents portions of Brule, Buffalo, Jones, Lyman, Mellette, and Todd counties. Jamie Smith is the House Minority Leader.

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PIERRE | South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Wednesday slammed how fellow Republicans are handling an impeachment probe of the state's attorney general for his role in a fatal car crash, alleging members of a House investigative committee are attacking law enforcement rather than focusing on the officials conduct.

The committee spent hours late Tuesday during its first substantial public meeting drilling into the investigation of how Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg struck and killed a man walking near a rural highway on Sept. 12, 2020.

After watching the committee question the crash investigators, including her secretary of public safety, the Republican governor told The Associated Press early Wednesday, It grieves me that because of a political agenda, some legislators on the committee are attacking the integrity of our law enforcement officers," adding that it was an inappropriate and tragic turn of the committee's attention.

The governor's rebuke was the latest clash with a right wing of House Republicans in an episode that could affect the election-year prospects of several of the state's top officials.

Noem, who is seeking reelection this year, invoked support for law enforcement officers and the grief of a dead man's family as she pushed for some justice in the situation.

Ravnsborg, a Republican elected to his first term alongside Noem in 2018, pleaded no contest last year to a pair of misdemeanors in the crash. He first reported it as a collision with an animal and has insisted that he did not realize he had killed 55-year-old Joseph Boever until he returned to the scene the next day and discovered his body.

Noem has made it clear she believes the misdemeanor charges were not enough, and she wants him removed from office. In addition to calling for his resignation and supporting the impeachment inquiry, she has used the public release of video of Ravnsborg being interviewed by investigators to pressure him to step down.

The attorney general has refused, and several political allies on the House investigative committee posed questions about the governor's handling of the crash investigation.

House Speaker Spencer Gosch, a Republican, questioned why North Dakotas Highway Patrol had not taken over the investigation given the political nature of the situation between the governor and attorney general. Other Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Steve Haugaard, who is challenging Noem in the GOP primary, delved into what role the governor played in the decision to release an initial crash investigation diagram and the videos of Ravnsborg's interview before his trial played out.

Gosch defended the focus of Tuesday's committee meeting as an effort to be thorough in its probe. The committee was set to continue its questioning of crash investigators Wednesday.

Noem suggested they should focus on Ravnsborg's conduct.

This process is just to determine if the attorney general should still be the attorney general. Thats the only question in front of them, Noem said. She said lawmakers should examine whether Ravnsborg still has the support of law enforcement officers.

Three of the state's largest law enforcement groups last year called for Ravnsborg to resign.

Although Ravnsborg has stayed mostly silent on the crash investigation and impeachment inquiry, he is positioning for a reelection bid despite a primary challenge from former Attorney General Marty Jackley. After his trial last year, Ravnsborg accused partisan opportunists of exploiting the situation.

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PIERRE | South Dakota lawmakers weighing impeachment charges for the state's attorney general on Tuesday drilled into the investigation of his fatal car crash in 2020, spending hours questioning the law enforcement officers and a specialist who analyzed the crash.

Nearly all of the House investigative committee's work has so far happened behind closed doors, but the committee of seven Republicans and two Democrats met in public Tuesday to question the law enforcement officers who investigated Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg after he struck and killed a man walking along a rural stretch of highway in September of 2020. The committee has pledged to release much of the crash investigation files, but it was not clear when they would.

The committee has been tasked with sifting through the crash investigation and recommending whether Ravnsborg, the states top law enforcement officer, should face impeachment charges in the House. Ravnsborg, a Republican elected to his first term in 2018, first reported the crash as a collision with an animal and has insisted that he did not realize he had killed the man, 55-year-old Joseph Boever, until he returned to the scene the next day and discovered his body.

Lawmakers focused their attention on questioning the Highway Patrols investigation, raising doubts about the crash report that determined Ravnsborgs car had crossed onto the shoulder of the highway. At times, the law enforcement officers who oversaw the crash investigation faced aggressive, rapid-fire questions from the committee.

We're just trying to be thorough in our investigation, House Speaker Spencer Gosch, who is overseeing the committee, said when asked by reporters about the committee's focus on questioning the investigation.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Kinney, who investigated the crash, acknowledged the investigation was complicated by the fact that it did not start until the day after the crash and that the blood of an animal was also found at the scene. But he defended his determination that the crash happened on the highway shoulder, saying he was confident that all four wheels of Ravnsborgs car crossed onto the shoulder.

Where we indicated the area of impact to be is accurate, Kinney told the lawmakers. I know that Mr. Boevers face went through the windshield of the attorney generals vehicle and he deposited his glasses off of his face, part of them... on the floor and then the other part in the backseat.

John Daily, a crash investigator the state hired to analyze the crash scene, backed up the Highway Patrols findings to lawmakers, saying that he had 95% confidence that all of the wheels were on the shoulder of the road.

He added it was clear that Ravnsborg was distracted when he struck Boever.

Several Republican lawmakers also drilled into how Secretary of Public Safety Craig Price oversaw the investigation amid the political fallout between Gov. Kristi Noem and Ravnsborg. The Republican governor had the Highway Patrol conduct the investigation, but had the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation conduct parts of the probe, in part because Ravnsborg oversaw the South Dakota agency that would have handled the case.

Gosch questioned why the North Dakota Highway Patrol had not conducted the entire investigation, given the political nature of the situation. 

Price repeatedly defended how he oversaw the investigation, from the crash investigation findings to the decision to publicly release parts of the investigation and his eventual public dissatisfaction with the misdemeanor charges prosecutors brought. But he also declined to discuss conversations he had with the governor.

He said the decision to release an initial crash investigation diagram and video of Ravnsborg being interviewed by investigators was based on a pledge of transparency from the governor, even as lawmakers questioned whether that decision hurt the attorney generals right to a fair trial.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of misdemeanors  making an illegal lane change and using a phone while driving. Investigators found that Ravnsborg was not on his phone at the time of the crash, but had used it in the minutes before.

I think some of those committee members are out to exonerate the attorney general, said Nick Nemec, Boever's cousin who has been outspoken in his calls for the attorney general to be impeached. And they were grilling law enforcement trying to come up with excuses that law enforcement didn't do their job right.

The state constitution stipulates that officials such as the attorney general can be impeached for corrupt conduct, malfeasance or misdemeanor in office. The Legislature has never before impeached a state official.

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ANKARA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish state pipeline operator on Wednesday resumed crude oil flow through Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline after a fire caused by an explosion of the pipeline on Tuesday night in the southeastern city of Kahramanmaras.

Turkey's Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) said the fire that broke out as a result of the explosion at the 511th km of the Iraq-Turkey crude oil pipeline in the Narli neighborhood of the Pazarcik district was completely extinguished.

"All necessary precautions have been taken by BOTAS teams and the oil flow has been resumed," said the written statement, giving no information for the cause of the blast.

The 970-km pipeline carries crude from the oil hub of Kirkuk in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region to Turkey's port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean Sea for export to international markets.

The pipeline normally pumps 450,000 to 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

The Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline was targeted several times by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkish territory and by the Islamic State (IS) inside Iraq in previous years.

The shutdown may have further risked current supply disruptions in international energy markets, as crude prices hit multi-year highs in recent weeks. 
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. | Emergency management officials on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota have a new building, but they have been operating out of an old jail that's set to be torn down.

That's because the new building near a small airport doesn't have water and sewer connected, said Lislie Mesteth, who runs the Oglala Sioux Tribe's solid waste program. A new round of grant funding that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Tuesday will make those connections and help emergency responders into their new digs.

They never had enough money to get it built entirely, so we've been doing little grants here and there, Mesteth said.

The $3.4 million grant to the Oglala Sioux Tribe is part a third round of imminent threat funding from HUD, using money from the American Rescue Plan Act. The latest infusion  $83 million  will benefit 74 tribes across the country and boost the total amount awarded so far to $209 million spread among 191 tribes.

This is thankfully, historic levels of funding in this particular program, and I know were grateful for it, and I know the tribal communities are as well, said Adrianne Todman, deputy secretary of HUD. This is a fair amount of money.

At least one more round of funding is coming with the remaining $71 million, she said.

Tribes have been eagerly awaiting the money to cover cost overruns for existing projects and to start new ones. Tribal officials had expected more grant funding to be released last last year and have been texting, emailing and calling each other routinely for updates.

The Native Village of St. Michael in Alaska faces a housing shortage and wanted to ensure it could start building 26 tiny homes during its short construction season. The tribe got word Tuesday it will get more than $1 million for the project.

This is once-in-a-lifetime funding for tribes, said Hattie Keller, a housing consultant for the tribe.

The tribe already built gravel pads for the homes using $1 million in federal virus relief funding. The village still needs to secure additional grant funding for water, sewer and electric poles, Keller said.

Tribes in Arizona and New Mexico have been awarded grants in all three rounds for housing, sanitation services, internet access and health care facilities, and to help families struggling to pay housing and utility bills during the pandemic.

Elsewhere, the Northern Arapaho Tribal Housing Authority in Wyoming will use its $1 million grant to buy a couple of mobile medical units to aid its COVID-19 response. The Round Valley Indian Housing Authority in California will use $1.7 million to renovate homes and develop a food bank. And the Nansemond Indian Nation in Virginia will expand and renovate a community center with its nearly $1 million grant.

Todman acknowledge the grants won't be enough to fulfill all the needs in Indian Country. She said budget proposals have included increased funding.

HUD typically awards about $70 million annually through its Indian Community Development Block Grant program for competitive grants and $4 million for imminent threat grants. About 200 tribes apply each year, but only about 80 are funded, HUD spokesman Michael Burns said.

All of the American Rescue Plan Act money for the grants was designated as imminent threat, making it available on a first-come, first-served basis. HUD switched up its approach from awarding grants under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act from releasing it in one batch to doling it out in rounds to give some tribes more time to apply.

HUD also raised the maximum amount that could be awarded through American Rescue Plan Act funding by 15% because it was a bigger pot of money and construction costs have soared, Burns said. The agency first considered requests that weren't funded under the CARES Act before taking new applications.

Tribes are required to report back to HUD on how the money is being spent.

Emergency management officials on the Pine Ridge reservation were using the grounds outside their new building Tuesday to make COVID kits. Much of their supplies are stored in shipping containers at the old jail that the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs plans to tear down once they move out, tribal officials said.

The Oglala Sioux's emergency manager, Steve Wilson, said tribal officials have been working out of the concrete jail for several years, even though its been condemned. He said the electrical system is outdated and the building is inefficient.

The tribe applied for a HUD grant for the water and sewer in the new building in 2020 but didn't get it and was placed on a priority list for funding under the American Rescue Plan Act, he said. Construction of the new building started in 2019 but was delayed by a flood and the response to COVID, Wilson said.

Some finishing work still needs to be done, along with work on the computer network.

I'm hoping summertime, we can get everything moved over to that place, Wilson said.

Mesteth also turned to HUD to request funding to restore a pump for a well in the village of Pine Ridge, connect 30 homes to the water system, repair broken water pipes in residents' homes, and remove dilapidated mobile homes that are a health risk, she said. HUD fully funded the requests.

This is really significant, she said. This imminent threat one will be good, really good.

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South Dakota added 6,482 new COVID-19 infections, according to the Department of Health's daily report from data from Friday at noon through Tuesday at noon.

Those new infections pushed active cases to a new record level of 32,761  an increase of 3,948 since Tuesday's report. Of the 6,483 new cases, 1,432 of them were in children under 19.

As students return from a four-day weekend, the outbreak in the Rapid City Area Schools continued to expand to record levels as more than 300 students had an active COVID-19 infection, according to Tuesday evening's RCAS update. There are 329 students out with COVID-19 and 78 staff members.

In addition to the active infections, there are 415 students and 18 staff members required to quarantine.

The biggest outbreak is still at Rapid City Central where there are 59 active cases. Thirteen other schools have at least 10 active infections  Southwest Middle (45), Stevens High (37), Corral Drive Elementary (28), Meadowbrook Elementary (26), South Middle (23), North Middle (21), East Middle (21), Rapid Valley Elementary (20), Canyon Lake Elementary (17), General Beadle Elementary (17), Pinedale Elementary (14), Rapid City High (14), and West Middle (12).

The state also reported 13 additional deaths, bringing January's death toll to 87 and the overall total to 2,573. The deaths included five women and eight men with one of those in their 30s, three in their 50s, one in their 60s, and eight over 70. Pennington and Minnehaha counties each reported three deaths and one each was reported in Butte, Fall River, Bon Homme, Clay, Davison, Day and Lincoln counties.

Of the 524 deaths reported since vaccinations became widely available, 73.3% were unvaccinated. More than 85% of the new infections since the vaccines became available have been in unvaccinated individuals.

Minnehaha County has 9,581 active COVID-19 infections after reporting 1,720 new cases Wednesday. Pennington County added 1,191 positive tests and active infections rose to 4,774  more than double the previous high mark for active cases.

Meade County added 224 new infections and there were 143 in Lawrence County. Butte County recorded 68 positive tests and there were 48 in Oglala-Lakota County. There were 45 new infections in Fall River County and 41 in Custer County.

Lincoln County added 460 new cases and there were 297 in Brown County. Brookings County reported 251 new infections and there were 164 in Yankton County. Davison County recorded 145 new cases and there were 126 in Codington County. Union County reported 100 new infections and there were 78 in Charles Mix County. Beadle County reported 74 new infections and there were 69 in Todd County. Lake County reported 60 positive tests and there were 58 in Hughes County and 56 in Roberts County.

The number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 illnesses increased to 392  an increase of 44 from Tuesday's report. Twenty-three of those in the hospital are under 19. Seventy-six people are in intensive care units. Black Hills hospitals are treating 78 patients  an increase of nine since Tuesday.
Over the last week Montana has averaged 1,343 new COVID cases per day, the highest daily average since the pandemic began.

Yellowstone Countys steep increase in COVID cases isnt fully reflected on the state dashboard. There are about 1,100 cases that havent been entered into the state data system as of midday Tuesday, according to RiverStone Communications Coordinator Pat Zellar.

With three data entry employees and other public health staff helping out, the number of COVID cases are piling on faster than the team is able to report.

Two indicators on the Yellowstone County COVID dashboard have been switched to red, indicating that active COVID cases in the region and the positivity rate are of critical concern.

Gallatin County has the most active cases at 2,672. Yellowstone and Missoula counties follow with 2,492 and 2,125 respectively, according to the state data.

There have been at least 174 cases of omicron detected by the state. Not all COVID tests are sequenced, but DPHHS has determined that omicron is the primary variant circulating.

There are 82 additional hospitalizations, bringing the total to 236 throughout the state.

On Tuesday, Billings hospitals had 63 COVID-19 inpatients, including 44 who werent vaccinated and 19 who were vaccinated. Among the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 13 were in the ICU and nine were on ventilators, according to a RiverStone Health press release.

So far, fewer COVID patients at Billings Clinic are requiring ICU-level care. Those who are hospitalized still need oxygen, but their stays have been shorter, according to Nancy Iversen, Billings Clinic director of patient safety and infection control.

But Iversen is wary of claims that omicron causes less severe illness.

I think its a myth to say its a milder strain, Iversen said. Its still going to be a problem for the unvaccinated.

What is clear is the need for a booster to minimize breakthrough infections, hospitalizations and death, but booster doses have started to lag.

(Boosters) are continuing, but are lower than expected, Iversen said.

According to the most recent state data published on Jan. 7, 238,351 third doses have been administered.

First doses are also lagging with only about 2,000 first doses recorded during the last week of December.

Over the last week, 15,042 more doses have been administered, but current state data does not reflect the breakdown of first, second or third doses.

For the third week, the state reported 53% of the eligible population as fully vaccinated.

Over the last eight days, 36 more Montanans have died, bringing the total to 2,957 COVID related deaths in the state.

Two more Yellowstone County residents died of COVID-related illness on Monday and Tuesday. One man in his 70s who was vaccinated and a man in his 90s who was not vaccinated died, bringing the county total to 490 deaths.

Since Mon. Jan. 10, 66,612 COVID tests were reported to the state. Iversen expects positive cases are underreported.

On Tuesday, RiverStone Health distributed about 1,800 free COVID home test kits. Everyone who stopped received one kit, which contains two tests, for each member of their household.

A new federal website launched Tuesday where Americans can order free COVID home tests. Each household in the U.S. can order up to four free at-home tests. If a home test comes back positive, the user must report it to the state.

A significant respiratory season is also contributing to reporting delays and hospitalizations.

There have been 1,823 cases of influenza in Montana since Oct. 1, 2021. Of those, 660 were reported in Yellowstone County, including 176 positive cases that were reported to the state last week.

There have been 48 influenza hospitalizations since October.

A significant season for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has also caused hospitalizations among adults.

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The Custer Gallatin National Forests rights to access historic trails in the Crazy Mountains died because landowners successfully blocked access denying the public for five years, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Smith argued in a Billings federal court on Tuesday.

Under Montana law, a prescriptive easement  in this case public access across private land  requires open, exclusive, notorious, hostile, adverse, continuous and uninterrupted use for a five-year period.

The Forest Service clearly believed prior to the 2006 [travel plan] it had an easement interest, agreed? questioned U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan.

True, Smith responded, but those claims degraded by the time the Forest Service decided in 2018 to reroute the Porcupine Lowline and Ibex trails on the west side of the mountain range.

Although the Forest Service may have eventually lapsed in defending public access to the historic trails prior to rerouting them, members of the public continued to use the paths in defiance of no trespassing signs and brush blockades, plaintiffs attorney Matthew Bishop argued.

My clients care very deeply about this area, he said, adding that the importance of the trails cannot be overstated.

Access dispute

The exchanges between Cavan, Bishop and Smith were part of a case being closely watched by access advocates nationwide, a lawsuit arguing the Custer Gallatin National Forest ignored federal environmental laws and public involvement in an agency decision when it decided to re-route two trails.

It also challenges Forest Service management of two east side trails in the Crazies.

The suit was filed in 2019 by Friends of the Crazy Mountains, the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Enhancing Montanas Wildlife and Habitat and the Skyline Sportsmens Association.

The groups sued after the Forest Service decided in 2018 to reroute the Porcupine Lowline and Ibex trails onto adjacent federal lands and off portions of the adjacent M Hanging Lazy 3 Ranch, negotiating an easement across shorter portions of private land. The conservation groups request for an injunction to halt the trail work was denied, and the finished trail was quietly dedicated this summer.

The groups nonetheless argue that the Forest Service failed to carefully evaluate the environmental effects and possible alternatives in a public process, Bishop argued.

Thats really what this case is about, he said.

Planning

Instead, the agency relied on a scoping document and referenced its 2006 travel plan and 2009 forest plan in making its decision.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Tanner said the groups claim overlooks the nearly two decades of hard work that led up to scoping, including studies looking at vegetation and wildlife completed for the forest and travel plans. The planning work also offered the public ample opportunity to comment, he added.

When Cavan questioned whether the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires the agency to consider the environmental impacts of its work, lives or dies in the forest plan, Tanner said he preferred a more holistic view that also looked at the other planning work in totality rather than isolating one over the other.

Theres no clear error of judgment on the part of the Forest Service, Tanner said.

East side

On the east side of the range, the trail users told Judge Cavan that Forest Service officials made a decision around 2017 to stop defending the agencys historic easement on two other paths once used by forest rangers to patrol the region.

The Crazy Mountains are known for checkerboard land ownership, interspersing public and privately owned properties. More than 8,000 acres of forest land in the Crazy Mountains is only accessible by crossing at the corners where the parcels meet, the legality of which has yet to be tested in court.

The private inholdings are remnants of the 50,000 acres in the Crazies given to the Northern Pacific Railroad by the U.S. government in the 1860s as payment for building the transcontinental rail line. In the 1890s the railroad began selling the land to individuals.

The old trails circling the mountains are connected to Forest Service cabins that still exist. These trails were created in an era without consideration to land ownership, often navigating the lower portion of the mountains where they crossed private property.

Access rights

The Forest Service had long defended its unperfected prescriptive rights to access the routes, claiming continuous use. In 2017 a shift seemed to occur after the Livingston District Ranger, who had advocated for public access along the old trails and conducted work to improve the routes, was reprimanded and temporarily reassigned, the trail users argued.

Tanner said the plaintiffs argued the Forest Service hasnt done enough to defend its interest in the trails, but he said there has to be some specific duty that the agency failed to take. Otherwise, such activity is discretionary.

Bishop disagreed, saying before the agency could relinquish an easement interest there should be a public process.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Smith said the federal government only litigates easements on a case-by-case basis based on the prosecutors discretion. Only the Forest Service is best positioned to determine if its a good policy move, he argued.

The Forest Service has to be mindful of these interactions with its neighbors, Smith continued. When there is a bona fide historic use we will go to the mat.

The agency did that in successfully defending its access across the Wonder Ranch in the Madison Mountains in 2018, Smith said, but a fight over the Crazy Mountain trails is not a winnable case.

John Sullivan III, chairman of the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, said the group is asking the court to compel the Forest Service to follow its own process and allow the public to participate.

"We are happy to have had our day in court to be heard on these issues," he said in an email. "Judge Cavan asked great and pointed questions about our argument and we came prepared with answers. Were very happy with how it went, and we look forward to Judge Cavans ruling.

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A federal judge in Missoula on Tuesday struck down the states Clean Campaign Act, finding that the 2007 campaign practices law violated a political committees free speech and due process rights under the U.S. Constitution.

The case, filed last September in U.S. District Court in Missoula, was filed by Montana Citizens for Right to Work after the states Commissioner of Political Practices found that it failed to follow the laws Fair Notice provision by giving candidates a heads-up on negative mailers sent out shortly before Election Day in 2020.

The law required any candidate or political committee that distributes or broadcasts negative campaign materials within 10 days of an election to notify the targeted candidates in order to give them a chance to respond.

Montana Citizens had distributed more than 15,000 campaign mailers in 20 legislative districts in the last week before the 2020 general election. The mailers indicated whether candidates in those districts would support so-called right to work legislation, which would exempt non-union employees from union dues in workplaces covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

In his order declaring the law unconstitutional, Judge Donald W. Molloy wrote, Many would agree that while Montanas desire to promote discourse in response to negative campaign advertisements is laudable, the First Amendment cannot be so easily overcome.

Molloy noted that while political speech enjoys broad constitutional protections under the First Amendment, disclosure laws, such as the Clean Campaign Act, have been given more leeway in other federal cases. But the judge wrote that the law was content-based because it differentiated between negative ads and other political communications, such as endorsements.

Because of that distinction, he wrote, he applied the law to strict scrutiny, under which the state must show that a statute is narrowly tailored to further a compelling government interest.

Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan had argued that the law did just that, by deterring corruption or the appearance of corruption, providing more information to voters and protecting candidates right to respond to attack ads.

However, Molloy found that the defendants hadnt demonstrated that the law combats corruption or its appearance, and that the disclosure requirement only required more information to flow to the targeted candidate. He added that the law could end up chilling political speech in the run-up to an election.

Regarding the right to respond, the judge wrote, In a perfect political place that notion makes sense. But last-minute negativity is a reality.

Molloy also dismissed the idea that the law was narrowly tailored toward those interests, noting that it didnt apply to verbal communications and arguably didnt cover internet-based speech.

The judge also rejected Mangans argument that the law could still stand if the distinction that it only applies to negative ads were stripped out.

Beyond the First Amendment issues, Molloy also found that the laws distinction of negative ads violated the political committees equal protection rights under the 14th Amendment.

In the absence of any argument or evidence as to how a compelling state interest is served in treating political action committees espousing different messages incongruously, the law violates the Equal Protection Clause, he wrote.

Matthew Monforton, an attorney representing the Montana Citizens group, on Monday said that another section of the labyrinth of Montanas absurd campaign finance laws has been dismantled, for which all Montanans should be grateful.

Its unclear whether the state will appeal the ruling. John Morrison, a private attorney who argued the case on Mangans behalf, referred inquiries to Mangan, who did not immediately return a phone message Tuesday.

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Bailey Johnsons first job out of college was  and is  a clinical cancer researcher at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. And thats just her jumping off point. This amazing young graduate of the University of Mary Washington is set to launch an international career of her own design.

A fluent Mandarin speaker, Johnson won a prestigious scholarship to a masters program called Schwarzman Scholars. Beginning in June, she will study global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing. There she plans to fuse her research acumen with cross-cultural expertise.

My future work will include shaping a research agenda between China and the United States, stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge, she said. That might happen before or after someday going to medical school, she adds.

You could say that Johnson is the kind of student who embodies what a liberal arts education is all about  times ten. The Columbus, Ohio, native graduated early from the University of Mary Washington in December 2020 with two seemingly unrelated degrees  biology and Chinese cultural studies. Her lifes goal is to blend the two.

How exactly did UMW prepare a 22-year-old to articulate and execute this kind of detailed vision for her life and career? Quite simply, it made good on its mission of providing hands-on learning experiences, real-world research opportunities, community engagement and faculty encouragement of students to follow their passions.

I feel like I had more opportunities at UMW, especially because of the small class size, Johnson said. (UMW has a 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.) Just being able to form those relationships with my professors made a big difference. I made a point freshman year to talk to every professor. At UMW there are a lot of opportunities to build connections, and they are still serving me to this day.

Johnson said her professors stoked her interest in the sciences and encouraged her to pursue research opportunities. Those relationships  plus excellent coursework  positioned her to land a summer internship at the NIH. She worked for the same doctor who eventually hired her after graduation to study how cancer metastasizes to secondary organs.

After my internship at NIH, I became more research driven, she said. I just loved it so much.

During college, Johnson joined the Student Government Association, the African Student Union and the Asian Student Association. She was a resident assistant for four years, competed in track and field as a first-year student and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. She also founded a STEM mentoring program for children in underserved communities.

When it came time for Johnsons senior research project, she did three. One was on the effects of melatonin on the reproductive outcomes of zebrafish (widely used in science for their genetic similarity to humans). Another was on the political implications of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure plan that will connect East Asia to Europe. The third studied a chemical called hyperforin, often used as an antidepressant in traditional Chinese medicine.

When Johnson leaves for China this summer, it will not be her first visit. She did a study abroad program in Xian during college, where she studied Chinese medicine.

It was my dream to return to China and advance my education, she said. I want to have a global impact in communities around the world, not just my own.
Richmond plans to remove at least nine pedestals across the city that once held Confederate-related statues, and when disassembly begins, workers may find at least three more time capsules beneath the plinths.

According to news accounts and other historical documents, builders put time capsules beneath the Thomas Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis and Matthew Fontaine Maury statues, said Dale Brumfield, a local author and historian.

The city has awarded a $1.5 million contract to Newport News-based contractor Team Henry to remove the remaining pedestals. Team Henry is the same contractor that oversaw the removal of the Confederate statues and the Robert E. Lee pedestal.

Its unclear when the work will begin, though its possible dismantling will start in the days to come. Devon Henry, the companys owner, did not respond to a request for comment.

The Lee pedestal became national news again in late December when two time capsules were found, one inside the pedestal and one beneath it. The time capsules represented something of a curveball to historians, who were only aware of one of them.

The Department of Historic Resources on Tuesday released a catalogued list of the contents of the 1887 time capsule. That revealed another surprise  there were more items in the copper box than they expected.

What lies beneath the other three statues is more of the same, Brumfield said  newspaper clippings, coins, documents related to the city and Freemasonry and mementos from the Civil War. None of the items are believed to be exceptionally rare or valuable.

In June 1915, workers laid the cornerstone for the Jackson statue in a large masonic ceremony. In the June 4 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch that year, a headline stated interesting relics had been deposited in the monuments foundation.

A few days earlier, The Times-Dispatch listed the contents of the time capsule, saying they were articles suggestive of the historic occasion, redolent of the glorious past of the South and reflective of the current life of the former capital of the Confederacy. The list includes a badge of the 25th annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans, a package of Confederate money, a magazine from April 1915, a book of the grand lodge of Virginia, a masonic textbook, a steel engraving of George Washington, a photograph of Jackson and a scrapbook of clippings related to Jackson and his wife.

The time capsule beneath Jefferson Davis already has been opened once, Brumfield said. Originally, the city planned to build an elaborate monument to Davis in the center of Monroe Park. A cornerstone was laid and a time capsule was placed in 1896, according to The Times-Dispatch.

But the money to build the structure couldnt be found, so the plan was scrapped, and a new statue on Monument Avenue was envisioned, Brumfield said. During construction, the builders opened the time capsule, found the contents in good condition and reburied it under the current monument, which was unveiled in 1907.

They placed the time capsule beneath the stone column that once held Davis. Unlike Lee and Jackson, this statue wasnt built with masonic influence.

Frederick William Sievers, the sculptor who designed the Maury statue, never intended to honor Maurys time in the Confederacy. Instead, it was built to recognize Maurys significant contributions toward sea navigation and oceanography. His nickname, pathfinder of the seas, is inscribed in the stone column.

But the United Daughters of the Confederacy helped raise the money for the monument, so they placed a time capsule containing Confederate flags beneath it before its dedication in 1929, Brumfield said.

Theres no indication builders placed time capsules beneath J.E.B Stuart or A.P. Hill, though Hill himself is buried beneath his statue. But that doesnt mean time capsules dont exist  one of the boxes beneath Lee was previously undocumented.

The Soldiers and Sailors monument in Libby Hill has a cornerstone, but its unclear if anything is beneath it, Brumfield said. The city also plans to remove three pedestals in Monroe Park that held statues to Fitzhugh Lee, Joseph Bryan and Williams Carter Wickham. Its unclear if they have time capsules.

Should the workers find the time capsules, theyll be sent to the Department of Historic Resources for opening, cataloguing, photographing and preservation. Then the city will give them to the Black History Museum, which also will receive the statues and pedestals, a spokesperson for Mayor Levar Stoney said.

What will happen to the statues under the Black History Museums control is to be determined. The museum, along with the Valentine Museum and other community groups, will make a final decision.

State officials havent determined a final destination for the Lee time capsule and its contents. The state cannot simply hand them over to a museum, said Julie Langan, director of the DHR. Procurement law requires the state to advertise the artifacts first. Instead, the state could loan them to a museum on a long-term basis while still maintaining ownership.

While DHR has finished cataloguing the contents of the Lee time capsules, it hasnt come to a conclusion on what the artifacts say about the statues builders or Richmond in 1887, Langan said.
NORFOLK  Sallie Grahams mournful cries gripped a Norfolk courtroom Tuesday as a jury heard a recording of the moment she found out that her son, Graham McCormick, had been found dead floating in a Lancaster County creek.

I heard her scream, testified Gordon McCormick, Grahams younger brother. A sound Ill never forget.

The lament was captured by a Ring doorbell camera at the Irvington home where Graham McCormick had been staying. He had been visiting a close friend from college, John Randolph Rand Hooper, who is on trial in connection with McCormicks 2017 drowning. McCormicks mother, father and brother had driven from the Richmond area to the Irvington home after hearing Graham McCormick was missing, and it was there that they learned he was dead.

The 16-member jury heard from three members of Graham McCormicks family and two of the last people to see him alive on Tuesday, the first of what is expected to be a four-day trial.

Hooper, 35, pleaded not guilty to the charges of felony homicide, aggravated manslaughter while operating a boat under the influence and failure to render aid after an accident resulting in McCormicks death.

The case is being tried in Norfolk because of the media attention the long-running case has received in Lancaster County and Richmond. Hooper and McCormick are from Richmond, though McCormick had moved to Atlanta shortly before his death for a job in banking. Both mens parents still live in the Richmond area.

Attorneys selected a panel of 16 jurors, four more than needed, in order to account for any illness such as COVID or other unexpected reasons that a juror cant fulfill their duties.

On Aug. 11, 2017, Sallie Graham dropped everything when she got a text from Hooper asking if shed heard from McCormick and that he was missing. McCormick, who had flown in from Atlanta the day before, had been visiting Hooper at Hoopers parents Irvington home.

She knew something had to be wrong  as did Burke McCormick, Graham McCormicks father, and Gordon, who also testified Tuesday. Grahampa was the 31-year-olds fraternity nickname, his brother told the jury, because of how responsible he was.

It was so unlike Graham, Sallie Graham testified. He stays within the lines. I was scared. I knew they were around the water and it scared me.

Shed asked Hooper if theyd searched the water or checked with the neighbors, she said. She asked if theyd checked in town, anywhere she could think.

The answers were all no, Sallie Graham said.

She checked by the dock, using an oar Hooper had given her to poke and prod at the calm, shallow water around the dock behind the home. Hooper just watched, she said.

If Graham had fallen off, perhaps he was under the dock, she testified. I was scared I would find him, scared I wouldnt.

After finding nothing, Sallie Graham started knocking on neighbors doors. A few minutes later, a neighbor she had talked to earlier rushed to Hoopers home and told Sallie Graham a body had been found. She knew then: It was Graham, and he was dead. Sallie Graham said she told Hooper: They found him.

He stopped dead in his tracks. Eyes like grapefruit, Sallie Graham told the jury. He didnt ask questions, she said. No, where? What happened? Or, thank God.

McCormicks body was found floating in Carter Creek off the Rappahannock River around 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2017. The state medical examiner concluded that McCormick died from drowning and that blunt-force trauma was a contributing factor in his death.

After an evening of heavy drinking, the two men went for a late-night joy ride in Hoopers 1999 Boston Whaler, according to King William County Commonwealths Attorney Matthew R. Kite, who is trying the case, along with his deputy Tiffany Webb.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries reconstructed the crash and concluded that the vessel struck a bulkhead that jutted out of the water near where McCormick was found. It is believed McCormick was ejected from the boat when it crashed.

Hooper left his friend to drown, returning home and feigning ignorance when McCormick was missing the next morning, according to the prosecutors.

Were here this week to hold this man, Mr. Hooper, accountable for his actions  or inactions, Kite told the jury in his opening statements.

Hooper initially denied taking the boat out again the night before, according to Mary Winston Blair. She was also staying with Hooper along with her sister, who was dating Hooper at the time, and Blairs significant other, Ralph Daniel Jr., who also testified Tuesday. They had all gone out on the boat earlier in the evening, then gone to dinner by car, Blair said. After the group returned to Hoopers home, they played a card game. The women retired early, followed by Daniel. Blair and Daniel testified that they all had been drinking throughout the night.

In a later interview with detectives, Hooper admitted he and McCormick had taken the boat back out and that he remembered the crash but didnt remember who was driving. Veteran attorney Craig Cooley, who is leading Hoopers three-person defense team, told the jury that who was driving the boat will be a pivotal question in the case and that the prosecutors will not be able to prove definitively who it was.

Blair said she finally called the police, after Hooper first told her not to. She said she was the first to identify McCormicks body for the police, saying in court on Tuesday it appeared that it had been slammed against the rocks, over and over again.

Two months later, Hooper was charged with a misdemeanor for failing to report the crash. Former Lancaster County prosecutor Jan Smith, who lost re-election in 2019 and has since had his law license suspended for a year for his handling of this case, withdrew the charge, saying others would be filed. It took nearly a year for Smith to seek new charges. In the meantime, McCormicks family filed a civil lawsuit and received a $4 million settlement.

In 2019, Smith and Hoopers attorneys negotiated a controversial plea agreement in which Hooper would serve only one year of a 15-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter and failure to render aid. McCormicks family said that was too lenient.

Before it could be entered in court, Circuit Judge R. Michael McKenney recused himself after receiving a letter from a witness in the case. In the letter, Benjamin M. Chip Woodson, who owns the land just off of which McCormicks body was found, said Smith alleged that McKenney had already made up his mind about the case, which the judge denied.

He appointed Circuit Judge Herbert M. Hewitt, who typically presides in King George County. Five months later, Hewitt rejected the plea deal, saying the sentence was inappropriate and that Hoopers actions came from a cold and malignant heart.

The case passed through a few other hands until it landed on the desk of retired Judge Charles Poston. A special prosecutor, Kite, was appointed after Smiths successor, Tony Spencer, was removed after Hoopers attorneys alleged his election was supported by McCormicks family.

In October 2020, Kite dropped all charges against Hooper; then, in December 2020, Hooper was indicted on the more serious charges he now faces.

Under Virginia law, felony murder is an accidental killing and is considered second-degree murder, punishable by five to 40 years in prison. Aggravated involuntary manslaughter carries a sentence between one and 20 years in prison; and failure to render aid carries up to five years in prison.

Both sides have agreed not to mention to the jury that Hooper had previously pleaded guilty or any details of the rejected agreement.

Testimony resumes at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
A well-known local housing rights activist with the Legal Aid Justice Center received a 60-day suspended jail term Tuesday for his actions during a July 2020 anti-eviction protest at the John Marshall Courthouse, which led to violence after the defendant and another protestor forced their way inside, sat on the floor and refused to leave.

I didnt know what was going to happen, testified Richmond Sheriffs Deputy Marilyn Randall, who was assaulted during the melee, in Richmond Circuit Court. I knew I had to help defend [the courthouse] and keep out these people. There was fear, but I still had to do a job and my job was to make sure everybody else was safe.

After a nearly three-hour sentencing hearing, retired Circuit Court Judge David Pugh from Newport News said Omari Al-Qadaffi, 41, needs to be held accountable but was impressed with the defendants extensive community service through his role with Legal Aid Justice Center. The judge cited 19 letters of support including several that he said were quite impressive.

Accordingly, the judge sentenced Al-Qadaffi to two 30-day jail terms, both suspended for six months, on his convictions of obstructing justice with force and trespassing. As part of a plea agreement, Al-Qadaffi pleaded guilty to both counts in October in exchange for prosecutors withdrawing two felony counts of assault and battery of a law enforcement officer.

The agreement called for Al-Qadaffi to be sentenced to no more than 60 days, which is what he received as an active sentence after being found guilty of the charges in Richmond General District Court in October 2020. He appealed both convictions to Circuit Court.

Assistant Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Katherine Groover argued that Al-Qadaffi, who has three prior convictions including two misdemeanor counts of assaulting a police officer in 2002, deserves an active jail sentence for leading an organized mob in an attack on the Richmond Courthouse on July 1, 2020. He put lives at risk, the prosecutor told the court.

More than 75 people who were taking part in a protest against the resumption of evictions in Richmond during the pandemic converged outside the building and turned violent. As deputies declared the building closed and attempted to shut the front doors, protestors began cursing and grabbing at the doors to get inside, banging on the windows and throwing bottles and an unidentified liquid inside.

In comments from the bench before pronouncing sentence, the judge said he didnt view Al-Qadaffis actions as inciting others to violence. There will be people in the crowd acting on their own, the judge said.

The judge heard testimony from two defense witnesses who spoke highly of the defendant and his work in the community.

In my capacity as an educator and a community activist, my experience in working with Omari through the years, is that I see someone who is committed to his community, dedicated to helping this community, works in this community  even without getting paid, said Dr. Ram Bhagat, an educator who serves as manager for school culture and climate strategy at Richmond Public Schools. In fact, an anonymous donor ... made a sizeable contribution to Omari because hes always giving of himself, even if its his own resources.

Brenda Castaneda, legal director for the Legal Aid Justice Centers economic justice program, described Al-Qadaffi as a trusted colleague who has been real central to making sure that people have affordable housing in the Richmond area.

Hes played a key role in making connections with community members, she testified.

But the deputies who tusseled with Al-Qadaffi and stopped protestors from breaching the building provided a different view.

Randall, the sheriffs deputy, who was kicked in the leg by Al-Qadaffi and injured her knees in the chaotic moments when she and other deputies tried to take Al-Qadaffi and Irena Schunn into custody, gave this account in live video testimony while in COVID quarantine:

Randall was on the second floor when she was called about 1 p.m. to assist with a disturbance on the first-floor. I could see over 75 people banging on the windows and the deputies at the entrance trying to hold the people back. We couldnt get the doors closed because of the people trying to get in.

Al-Qadaffi, Shunn and another woman made it inside. The women were holding signs; Al-Qadaffi was carrying a bullhorn.

Neither defendant said anything, Randall said. They interlocked arms, they took a step back and I told them again they needed to leave. They slid down the wall and thats where they sat, refusing to leave.

As protestors outside were banging on windows, yelling and throwing objects, Randall said she suddenly heard a deafening sound. She first thought it was the buildings fire alarm but soon realized the noise was coming from Al-Qadaffs bullhorn; he hit the siren button.

I grabbed for the bullhorn and Mr. Al-Qadaffi pulled back, and I said, You need to let it go,  Randall testified. He pulled back and he starts to struggle, and I was still trying to get the bullhorn away.

We couldnt hear, Randall added. I didnt know if that was a signal for other things to happen, with the crowd out there.

Other deputies quickly intervened and wrestled the device away from Al-Qadaffi.

Randall said she was injured when she tried to get one of the women who had locked arms with Al-Qadaffi free from him.

I was thrown across her ... and another deputy came over my back.

The injury to her knees, combined with a pre-existing arthritis condition, caused her to miss more than a week of work and undergo physical therapy.

Former Deputy Donald Morrison, who eventually took Al-Qadaffi into custody, recalled that he refused to comply with any demands.

When he was resisting, he kept making noises that he was being hurt in some manner, in what I felt like was him trying to provoke the crowd.

After Al-Qadaffi was removed from crowds sight, his demeanor completely changed from defiance to yes sir, no sir,  Morrison said. He was totally compliant.

Morrison said the courthouse attack affected me and he decided to leave the sheriffs office as a result.

Defense attorney Sara Gaborik described her clients behavior as a trauma response to law enforcement, noting it occurred about about a month after George Floyd was killed in an encounter with Minneapolis police.

We dont see someone who is outwardly attacking, Gaborik said of Al-Qadaffi. Hes responding to what is happening. The incident takes place in a matter of seconds.

When given the opportunity to speak, Al-Qadaffi said he didnt know any of the people protesting outside or the two women who entered the courthouse with him.

I dont even remember a lot of what happened, he said. I never intended to be aggressive at all at any point that day. I dont feel that I was. And Im not saying that the deputies are lying.

I was respectful to the deputies when we walked off, he added. I never intended to hurt anyone or be disrespectful. I remember coming into the building. The [prosecutor] said it was a matter of minutes, but it really seemed like a matter of seconds. Everything just went chaotic.
As the Chesterfield County School Board prepares to decide Thursday whether to continue requiring students to wear masks in schools, the district has been reporting record levels of COVID-19 cases among students and staff.

As of Wednesday, the Chesterfield County Public School COVID dashboard reported 1,160 cases among students and staff for the past seven days. Of the 1,160 cases, 991 were students and 169 were staff members. On Tuesday alone of this week, the district recorded 335 cases, 299 of which were infected students. On Jan. 11, the district recorded 388 cases, the highest for the month so far.

The board faces competing pressures: Should they side with the newly elected governors order to allow parents to make decisions on masks? Or with the teachers union that says masks are an essential part of keeping workers and children safe during a period when case counts and staffing levels threaten schools ability to open?

As omicron continues to infect at rapid rates, school districts nationwide have found themselves understaffed and unable to balance learning and safety. Broward County Public Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Sweetwater Union High School District in Chula Vista, Calif., have had students warehoused in gyms and auditoriums due to a lack of teachers and substitutes. In recent weeks students in Boston, Chicago and New York City have held separate walkouts urging school officials to strengthen COVID-19 school safety measures.

Shannon Macaulay, a ninth- and 12th-grade English teacher at Meadowbrook High School, said the student and staff quarantines are disrupting learning. Macaulay uploads assignments and class materials online, but students cannot do the work on time if they are ill. Macaulay said she struggles to get all of her work from students, with a lot of assignments coming in late.

On Tuesday, 2,839 students were in quarantine, according to the district COVID dashboard.

Teachers being out sick also creates a bump in the learning process, Macaulay said, as other teachers who do not teach the subject are filling in. Having an English teacher be a pinch hitter for a Spanish teacher or math teacher results in the absent teacher leaving classroom work that doesnt require instruction.

I think a lot of us are anxious about not having enough staff to cover the classrooms as we do want to provide a top-notch education, Macaulay said, who teaches an additional class for a stipend.

I dont think anything feels like 2019, but I think things are better than virtual learning. You can [now] make personal connections with students. I would like to keep it that way as much as possible but I want to keep it that way safely, Macaulay said.

Coming back to school after winter break, Lucy, an 11-year-old Chesterfield fifth-grader, now has to keep her mask on during outdoor recess, while a piece of plexiglass cuts through all lunch tables, making it even harder to chat during lunch as all other conversations bounce off the cafeteria walls.

Lucy sits at the same rectangular table in her classroom all day instead of switching for classes. Her teacher also teaches all subjects, sometimes teaching from lesson plans made by the teacher who Lucy should be learning from.

The classroom setup has students sitting across from each other, with two students per table. Lucy, whose last name is being withheld at her parents request, wonders why individual desks arent being used to separate students, or why school divisions arent considering a temporary return to virtual learning.

Lucy said her teacher does have to remind her fellow classmates to keep their masks over their noses. Only a few students, including Lucy, wear KN95 masks to school. Most of her classmates wear either cloth or medical masks. Health experts have repeatedly recommended N95 and KN95 masks to minimize the spread of omicron.

Barbara Pierson Schaedel, who retired from the district in 2018, is working as a long-term substitute at a Chesterfield elementary school. She began in October and finishes up at the end of the month.

Her elementary school is not requiring masks for outdoor recess; however, students stay with their class and rotate around the playground. Students also sit with the same group for homeroom, lunch and resource classes. Her students switch classrooms for math class, where they sit with the same group of students each day.

Since the omicron variant has hit the schools, Schaedel said student attendance will just drive you absolutely crazy.

Normally, a few students are out during flu season, but in recent weeks there has been a rotating door of kids out for a week or more at a time. A positive test still means a 10-day quarantine in Chesterfield, though other districts have cut that time to five days in line with CDC recommendations. Schaedel has noticed her students are anxious about being exposed and having to miss so much schoolwork.

Like Macaulay, Schaedel said class coverage is organized piecemeal amid teacher and substitute shortages. Some classes, mostly in the younger grades, have to eat lunch in their classrooms on occasion because there arent enough staff members available to be in the cafeteria during lunch. Schaedel said her school administration has lent a hand with coverage.

In a statement, the Chesterfield Education Association expressed concern in the ability of teachers to orchestrate in-person learning under current COVID conditions.

While the teachers union is in agreement with school administration that in-person is the best possible environment for students, this statement only remains true if we have sufficient staff and support to provide an in-person environment that is conducive to learning. We cannot avoid the reality that we are approaching a staffing situation that makes in-person learning unrealistic in every building every day.

The union recommended the school system develop a learning plan for the remainder of the school year and provide KN95 masks and at-home testing kits to staff, students and families. At last weeks School Board meeting, district officials said there are currently not enough masks to hand out to every staff member and that 7,000 test kits, to be split among 62,000 students and nearly 8,000 staff members, has been requested from the Virginia Department of Health.

In an updated statement last week, the union said each Chesterfield school received one box of masks, allowing for each employee to have a single mask.

Thank you, the union wrote on Jan. 13. We look forward to the next delivery soon.
BAGHDAD, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Wednesday resumed pumping crude oil for export via Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan after a fire caused by a pipeline explosion inside Turkey was extinguished.

The pumping of crude oil through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline was resumed this morning, with a capacity of 75,000 barrels per day, after hours of interruption caused by the pipeline explosion inside Turkish territory, said a statement by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil.

An oil pipeline in Turkey's southeastern city of Kahramanmaras blew up on Tuesday evening, causing a fire that hampered transportation on highways, according to the semi-official Anadolu Agency.

Iraq's economy relies heavily on crude oil export, which accounts for more than 90 percent of the country's revenues. 
At least four Virginia colleges have rescinded their vaccine mandates for employees, obeying a directive from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, even as some K-12 school districts have defied his orders to remove COVID-related mandates.

Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison, Virginia Tech and the College of William & Mary announced in the past two days they would no longer require their employees to be vaccinated.

Student vaccine requirements and masking mandates will continue at all four colleges.

The schools announcements came the same day Virginia reached a new all-time high for COVID-19 hospitalizations, with an average of 3,871 per day. Cases in the state, which peaked Thursday, have declined in the past five days.

Effective immediately, there is no longer a requirement for employees to receive vaccination, report their vaccination status or undergo weekly screening testing, JMU administrators wrote Monday.

Employees of VCU Health System, which is a separate entity from VCU, must continue to be vaccinated.

The University of Virginia and Virginia State University did not make announcements Tuesday evening, and spokespeople for the colleges did not respond to requests for comment.

Private schools are not affected by the governors order. The University of Richmond, Virginia Union University and Randolph-Macon College require vaccines among employees.

On Saturday, as part of nine executive orders and two executive directives, Youngkin announced state employees will no longer be required to be vaccinated or disclose their status as a condition of employment. The directive took effect immediately.

On Monday, JMU announced it had disbanded its employee mandate, and by Tuesday, at least three more colleges followed.

The universities set employee mandates in the fall, following a directive from then-Gov. Ralph Northam. They allowed for exemptions based on religious beliefs and medical conditions. Ninety percent or more of employees at the four schools are already vaccinated.

We are fortunate that our university community has already achieved a level of immunity that positions us as well as possible to fully maintain operations through the semester, Virginia Tech president Tim Sands wrote Tuesday.

Youngkins directive applies only to state employees, not students. And his order ending mask mandates in schools applies to K-12 education only  not higher education.

VCU, Virginia Tech and William & Mary require boosters among students. JMU does not.

Some of the universities are strengthening their masking capabilities.

William & Mary has ordered 40,000 KN95 masks for students and employees, and VCU will provide KN95 and three-layer cotton masks for free through vending machines on campus. VCU requires masks indoors and at outdoor events attended by more than 500 people.

Although 40,000 is a large number, given the size of our campus community, I also encourage you to take stock of your personal mask collection, said Amy Sebring, chief operating officer at William & Mary.

Colleges in Virginia are starting their spring semester on time  classes began at VCU on Tuesday. But not all are meeting in person.

VSU announced it would allow students to stay remote the first two weeks of the year, and John Tyler Community College will keep classes on Zoom until Jan. 29.

The decisions made by these four colleges contrast the moves of several K-12 school districts that opted to defy the governor. The districts, which include Richmond, Henrico and Fairfax, announced they would hold to their mask mandates, even though Youngkins order intends to dissolve them. Parents from Chesapeake sued Youngkin on Tuesday in the Supreme Court of Virginia, saying his order violates a Virginia law that instructs schools to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends students wear masks.

State colleges however, appear less likely to court such friction with state government. In the coming weeks, they will find out how much funding they will receive from the state for the next two years.

Some faculty expressed their dismay. Alan Levinovitz, a religion professor at JMU, said he was absolutely furious on Twitter and called the decision absurd.

Levinovitz said hed like to see JMU administration express an opinion on the decision.

I would like to see JMU acknowledge that what they are being forced to do  if that is the case  is not something that they would wish to do, he told JMUs student newspaper, The Breeze.

Asked for comment, JMU spokesperson Mary-Hope Vass said the university would continue to do its part in working with elected officials as the transition to Youngkins administration continues.

Senior leaders at James Madison University are still encouraging faculty and staff to get vaccinated, Vass said.
School boards, classroom teachers and everyone in between are frantically grappling with how to deal with Gov. Glenn Youngkins executive order that takes effect Monday, giving parents a choice on mask usage for their children while in schools.

Specifically, the order allows parents to elect not to have their children wear masks while in school, and does not require parents to provide a reason for their decision.

Further, the order says that a child who has permission from their parent not to wear a mask should not be required to wear a mask under any policy implemented by a teacher, school, school district, the Department of Education, or any state authority.

The order does not apply to buses, for which there is a federal order that masks must be worn.

A group of Chesapeake parents filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Youngkin, asking the Supreme Court of Virginia to agree with them that his executive order violates a 2021 state law, which requires schools to adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Controls COVID-19 guidelines to the maximum extent practicable.

Locally, not all school divisions are on board with Youngkins order, while some school divisions are still on the fence about what theyll do.

In defiance of the order, Richmond City Public Schools voted Tuesday night to uphold its mask mandate.

Additionally, Henrico County has stated publicly that it wants to uphold the mask mandate that its School Board approved in August. A note last weekend to Henricos school community said that the School Board and administration respect that parents make decisions for their families; however, division leaders must make decisions for the collective safety of nearly 49,000 students and 10,000 employees and fulfill our responsibility to provide in-person instruction.

Chesterfield Countys School Board plans to have a special meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday to discuss its plans, according to a note sent to the school community Wednesday. The meeting will be open to the public, though space is limited. The School Board meeting notice encourages anyone who attends to wear a face mask but stops short of requiring it. It will also be livestreamed. Those who wish to send comments to the board electronically can do so by noon on Thursday. That link is https://tinyurl.com/CCPS0120Comments.

Ahead of Thursdays meeting notice, the Chesterfield Education Association announced for all employees and students to wear black to school on Monday. The union is asking for employees to walk in together at the start of contract hours on Monday to show solidarity for their concern for the health and safety for Chesterfield teachers, staff and students.

Likewise, Hanover County announced Wednesday afternoon that its School Board will hold a public meeting Monday at 6 p.m. Monday happens to be the second of four flex days for Hanover students and staff. That means students are not at school but are working on assignments at home. Theyll return to school Tuesday.

Hanovers board will have a one-hour public comment period, followed by board discussion. Those wishing to speak at the meeting must register with the board clerk no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21. Those wishing to submit comments for board consideration may do so no later than 9 a.m. on Monday. To register or send comments, use sbpubliccomment@hcps.us.

Some say theyre at a breaking point.

We feel like were in the crosshairs, said Clover Hill High chemistry teacher Davide DUrbino, whos also a Chesterfield Education Association building representative. He said all hell broke loose after winter break, and daily counts of student and teachers out on quarantine often reach double digits and continue to rise.

Its just nonstop  the vast majority of us just dont feel safe, he said, adding that while hes established a culture of safety and respect in his classroom  in his science lab, hes used to establishing safety guidelines  other colleagues havent been as fortunate. He knows that some of his fellow teachers have stopped correcting students mask usage, for example, because its just one more battle.

Were dropping like flies, even with masks, DUrbino said. Allowing students to go without masks is like taking your umbrella off in the middle of a rainstorm.

hprestidge@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6945 Staff writer Jess Nocera contributed to this report.
Hanover County School Superintendent Michael Gill presented his proposed FY2023 budget Tuesday night, a robust $277.5 million plan that starts with 5% salary increases for all employees and throws in up to 2% longevity enhancements; provides additional money for specific job categories; funds critical positions for mental health, substitutes, career and technical education; and provides for the construction and renovation of several elementary schools.

If approved by the School Board next month and the Board of Supervisors later this spring, the budget would take effect July 1.

The proposed plan underscores what the school division values most  its people  particularly as theyve faced the absolutely surreal circumstances over the past 22 months, Gill said.

Our people are the bedrock, the foundation of our motto  a tradition of excellence, Gill said about the school divisions roughly 3,500 full- and part-time employees. They show up each and every day and serve the students and serve our community to the very best of their ability, no matter the circumstances.

All employees will see a 5% increase. To further underscore his commitment, Gill said, hes offering longevity increases to reward employees for their years of service, while addressing the compression issues that arise when veteran employees and those with fewer years of service have similar salaries.

The longevity money is awarded in five-year intervals for service in Hanover schools. Anyone with five to nine years, for example, gets an additional 1%, then every five years after that means an additional .25% increase. In total, anyone with 25 years of service will get 2% more, for a total salary increase of 7%.

Separately, internal salary scales are being created for specific jobs  nurses, administrative assistants, principals and directors, food service employees and custodians  to address compression in those areas but also to bring them in line with salaries in neighboring school divisions. Gill also said food service jobs will start at $12 per hour, and custodial jobs will start at $13 per hour.

In a push to address the teacher and substitute shortages plaguing schools both nationally and locally, Gill said his plan includes four assigned substitutes at each high school, three at middle schools and one in each elementary school, except for the two largest elementary schools  Cool Spring and Kersey Creek, which will have two.

Additionally, teachers who pick up classes when substitutes arent available will continue to earn $28.37 per hour, as was announced earlier this school year. Gill said $500,000 has been earmarked specifically for those payments.

In a continued nod toward mental and behavioral health and counseling, Gill is proposing eight positions to support those areas. Hes also offering two additional positions to address work-based learning and career and technical education, as well as two advanced studies coordinators to work within the four high schools to help with dual enrollment, AP and the countys Advanced College Academy. Hes proposed two additional positions for English language learners, as well as an additional part-time safety specialist.

Another perk for employees: Gill is proposing to rescind tuition for employees who live outside Hanover, but want their children to attend Hanover schools. Currently, school and county employees pay $1,500 for their children to be enrolled in Hanover schools.

The $175 million, five-year capital improvements plan  of which $51.4 million is included in this proposed budget  includes the new school that will consolidate and replace John M. Gandy and Henry Clay Elementary schools in Ashland, but also replacement schools for Battlefield Park and Washington-Henry elementary schools and renovations at Beaverdam Elementary.

The School Board will have a public hearing on the budget next Tuesday , Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. and is scheduled to vote on the budget at its Feb. 8 board meeting. The school budget then heads to the Board of Supervisors for review as part of the countys budget process. Adoption of a county budget is likely scheduled for April 13.
The University of Virginia and Virginia State University will no longer require their employees be vaccinated, following other state universities that have suspended the requirement in light of a directive from Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The two colleges announced Wednesday they will no longer require employees to report their vaccination status or undergo testing as part of their employment agreement. Their student vaccination and mask requirements will continue.

At least four universities  VCU, Virginia Tech, William & Mary and James Madison  announced earlier this week they had suspended their employee vaccine mandates. The decisions came after an executive directive issued by Youngkin on Saturday decreed that state employees would not longer be required to get the shots.

However, the VSU administration strongly requests, encourages and appeals to all employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots as part of our campus efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and maintain a safe and healthy campus environment, VSU spokesperson Gwen Williams Dandridge said.

UVA previously gave employees until Jan. 14  a day before Youngkin took office  to report their booster shot. Eighty-five percent have done so, and 99% received their primary vaccination series, a group of administrators said in a statement.

We expect the number of boosted employees to continue to grow as more become eligible to receive their booster, the administrators said.

Employees of UVA Health are still required to be vaccinated under a mandate by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Richmond City Council officials will hold public meetings this week to gather public input before drafting new district maps following the 2020 U.S. Census.

The virtual meetings will be held Thursday evening and Friday afternoon, followed by a planned live map drafting meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.

Redistricting is legally required every 10 years after the latest census data is released to ensure a locality is divided into similarly sized pieces so a vote in any district carries similar weight. The citys population over the past decade increased by 11%, from 204,000 to 226,600, according to last years census data.

Each district needs about 25,000 residents to make them equal. City officials say that the 2nd and 6th districts are over that number by more than 5%, while the 3rd District falls short by 12%, meaning that all three need to be adjusted to fall within an acceptable deviation from the ideal head count.

The city missed the Dec. 31 deadline for redistricting in 2021, citing delays in release of the census data and adoption of state and congressional district boundaries. The council has set out to complete its redistricting process by March 28.

City officials say more public meetings will be held in the coming weeks.

More information about the Richmond redistricting can be found online at rva.gov/richmond-city-council/redistricting or by emailing redistricting@rva.gov.
The Tonga volcanic eruption is not likely to cause global climate change, while the volcanic ash and acid rain may damage crops and water supply, a leading New Zealand volcanologist said Monday.

Professor Shane Cronin of the University of Auckland, who visited the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano in November 2015, has explained the uniqueness of the volcanic event and its impacts.

According to the professor, the most significant impact so far has been the tsunami generated at the beginning of the eruption.

The professor said the impact from acid rains for the affected areas such as Tonga and parts of eastern Fiji could be real. Should there be many more eruptions to come, and the acid rain continues, it could be more damaging for crops and water supply.

The longer-term effects of the volcanic eruption on marine life could be significant, he said.

According to the professor, a series of more minor eruptions happened in the submarine volcano in 1998, 2009, 2014, 2015 and perhaps even earlier than that. Saturday's eruption was so severe because a lot of the magma in the volcano had been building up for at least 10 years, or maybe longer.

He also warned of future tsunami events.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Richmond Public Schools teachers would get a 5% raise under the superintendents proposed budget even as the division expects to lose millions in state funding.

Superintendent Jason Kamras budget calls for $19 million for the raises, more custodians, 10 new bus drivers, and two more staffers in the districts new school construction office.

With that, RPS says it plans to ask the city for $22 million extra in funding, up from $185 million last year. Thats to meet a $26 million increase in the budget to prioritize new investments and cover the state funding shortfall.

The raise would bring the average teacher salary in Richmond to about $64,000.

To help offset the cost, Kamras plans to cut $4 million from the central office.

Some of the 16 central office positions on the chopping block, according to a budget that was presented to the Richmond School Board on Tuesday night, include the director of the Future Center, a manager of alternative education, and an associate director of curriculum and instruction. Another $1.9 million will be one-time central office expenses.

Kamras could not immediately be reached for comment. The School Board had recently signaled that it planned to look for cuts among central office staff.

The Central Office plays a vital role supporting schools. This has recently become quite evident to the public, as central staff have covered classrooms to help keep our doors open, the presentation states. It pains the Administration, therefore, to make cuts to the Central Office. But we believe we must prioritize holding schools harmless.

This wont be the first time RPS has made cuts to the central office during Kamras tenure. In 2019, the district cut one-fifth of its central office staff, or 49 positions. At the time, the positions werent made public, which Kamras then said was about treating people whose jobs were on the chopping block with dignity and respect.

Liz Doerr, the first district school board representative, said the district is up for a tough budget cycle.

When Fairfax County receives more per pupil funding than Richmond thats a problem  Fairfax County being one of the wealthiest counties in the state, Doerr said in an interview. And its incredibly disheartening this year to see that the LCI went up, which means that Richmond looks wealthier on paper than it actually is. So its going to be an extremely challenging budget year.

The Local Composite Index, or the LCI, is the states official measure on a citys ability to pay into the school systems budget. Because of a $4.2 billion hike in property value in the city, Richmonds state funding level will drop by an estimated $7 million.

Kamras has said the LCI is out of whack. Hes also noted that it doesnt take Richmonds concentrated poverty into account  Kamras runs a school system where more than half of the students are considered economically disadvantaged. Many on the city School Board agree, calling it a misrepresentation of the citys ability to pay.
John Castorani is withdrawing from the battle for the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, bowing to the personal priority of fatherhood and the political reality of a newly drawn congressional district anchored in the Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg suburbs.

Castorani, an Orange County resident who just turned 30 years old, said Wednesday that the new district, part of a congressional map the Virginia Supreme Court approved late last month, would make it impossible for him to beat Spanberger  but not for the right Republican.

We need to coalesce around someone who can actually get it done, he told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Castorani said hes also getting out of the race to spend more time with his 7-month-old son, Slade, a priority that became stronger over Christmas. Watching him open presents was just an eye-opener, he said. I just dont want to miss that.

The GOP field remains crowded, but Castorani is leaning toward endorsing either Derrick Anderson, a Spotsylvania County native and former Special Forces combat veteran, or Yesli Vega, a Prince William County supervisor who is backed by the campaign team that helped Republican Glenn Youngkin become governor.

Both of them have a very good pedigree and resume to beat Abigail Spanberger, he said.

The potential Republican field also includes state Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania; Prince William educator Gina Ciarcia; Stafford County resident Gary Adkins; and, at least for now, Del. John McGuire, R-Goochland.

Castorani, a former defense and civilian intelligence operative who supported Special Forces in combat zones, said he lacks the political base that Vega has in Prince William, with more than 35% of voters in the new district, and Anderson has in Spotsylvania, with almost 18% of the new districts voters.

A resident of Orange, he grew up in neighboring Louisa County, which is part of the current 7th District, but not the new one.

Its Yesli and Derrick, he said, adding that he expects to make an endorsement soon.

Meanwhile, the Republican field of candidates just grew in the neighboring 10th Congressional District for the nomination contest to challenge Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th.

Caleb Max, grandson of former 10th District Rep. Frank Wolf, announced Wednesday that he will run for the nomination in the new district, with more than half of its voters living in his native Loudoun County.

My campaign will be focused on country, community and common sense, Max said in his campaign announcement.

The Republican field already includes four candidates, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Prince William Supervisor Jeanine Lawson, representing the Brentsville District, leads the field in fundraising, with almost $331,000 raised through the end of September. The other candidates are John Beatty, Mike Clancy and Theresa Coates Ellis.

Wolf, a Republican, held the 10th District seat from 1981  after defeating Democratic Rep. Joe Fisher in the 1980 elections that brought President Ronald Reagan into the White House  until his retirement in 2015.

Max is a businessman who started a landscaping company, Calebs Country Services Inc., as a teenager and expanded it to serve a five-county area. He also owns a delicatessen in Reston and a beef cattle farm in Round Hill in western Loudoun, where he lives.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, and Col. Steve Pike wished a happy 94th birthday Wednesday to Capitol Police employee Joe Vass, a veteran in more ways than one.

Vass, who is nearing 80 years of public service, has been inventory and supply officer for Capitol Police since 2011. He is the person officers ask for help with uniforms and equipment.

His life in public service began at age 15 with his first military foray, for the Virginia Protective Force during World War II.

Vass enlisted in the Navy at 16 and served on three destroyers. After World War II he left the Navy and joined the Marines, serving from 1947-55, mainly in Korea. He was wounded by a grenade and hospitalized for three months. He later wore Air Force, Army and Coast Guard uniforms in varying defense roles.

He joined the Henrico County Police Department in 1955 and later served as police chief for the towns of Poquoson and Boykins. He also served stints as the security chief for the University of Richmond and Richmond Airport.

Vass and his wife, Barbara Bobbie Vass, were married for 71 years. She died in late 2021.

Pike, chief of the Capitol Police, confirmed for Gilbert that Vass drives a souped-up 2020 Mustang.

Earle-Sears, the lieutenant governor, asked Vass what time he wakes up in the morning.
A Senate panel wants to accelerate the deadline for Richmond to solve a $1.3 billion sewage problem, without any clear way to pay for it.

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted 11-4 on Tuesday to endorse legislation that would give Richmond until 2030 to finally resolve the centuries-old problem of sewage and storm water flowing into the James River during heavy rainfall.

Senate Bill 354, proposed by Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, would force Richmond to eliminate combined-sewer overflows five years sooner than under a compromise that the senator and city reached just two years ago. It now goes to the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee for consideration because of its potential cost to the state budget.

If we dont pressure [the city], it will delay, and if we delay, more sewage goes into the James River, Stuart said.

The push for quicker action comes after Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican who took office on Saturday, made ending the overflows a priority. The heavily Democratic city says its utility customers, many of whom are poor, cannot afford the cost without state and federal help.

Richmond Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Bob Steidel said the city would have to ask the state for $1 billion over two years to complete the final plan for ending the overflows, requiring construction of five tunnels beneath the James and storage of polluted water in a quarry until it could been treated.

Thats the only way, Steidel said.

Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Andrew Wheeler, whose nomination has come under heavy fire from Democrats, said he would look to the federal government for help, having served as EPA administrator under former President Donald Trump.

I would work with the city to try to find additional resources across the board, Wheeler said.

But there is no money for the project in the newly adopted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Virginias four Republican congressmen opposed.

Former Gov. Ralph Northam, with the General Assemblys approval, provided $50 million in federal aid for the project last year from the American Rescue Plan Act, which Congress adopted last spring without any Republican votes.

Northam included an additional $100 million from the federal emergency funding package in the two-year budget he proposed last month, pending approval by the General Assembly and Youngkin.

Richmond is raising the money to match the states contributions, but says it doesnt have the capacity to borrow more. The city already has among the highest wastewater rates in Virginia, but warns those rates would rise by 232% to more than $2,500 a year to pay for the plans estimated cost, which has risen from about $900 million to $1.3 billion.

Democrats on the committee were divided over the proposal to speed up the deadline set in 2020, although they agreed that action is necessary to stop the overflow of almost 2 billion gallons of sewage and stormwater into the James each year.

The bottom line is this is probably the number one environmental issue in the state right now, said Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, chairman of the committee, who voted for the bill. If we dont make it a priority, were going to have a hard time getting our federal partners to focus on it.

Richmond got no help from one of its own, Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, who said Alexandria had responded quickly to similar pressure from Stuart and the legislature to intensify its efforts to end polluted overflows into the Potomac River.

Morrissey also questioned why the city hasnt used its share of local aid under the American Rescue Plan to address the problem.

Steidel responded that Richmond has used the aid initially to replace lead drinking water pipes and prevent flooding. He rejected the comparison with Alexandria, a smaller city with a fraction of the combined sewer outfalls that overflow in heavy rains.

The scale of the projects is not even comparable, he said.

The oldest part of Richmond, including the Capitol and Executive Mansion, is served by a 19th-century wastewater system that collects human waste and stormwater in the same pipes, which drain 19 square miles of the city and a portion of Henrico County.

The average age of the pipes is 114 years old and the largest 27 feet in diameter in Shockoe Bottom.

Richmond has debated over how to solve the problem and pay for it for more than 50 years. The city said it has spent $350 million to get polluted overflows out of recreational areas and treat the wastewater before discharging it back into the river. The city said it screens human waste from flowing into the river, but not the bacteria that comes with it.

The city has doubled its wastewater treatment capacity, cut the number of overflow outfalls by almost half and reduced the polluted overflows by 62%, from 5 billion gallons to 1.9 billion gallons each year, capturing about 91% of the wastewater before it enters the James.

In a statement to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Steidel said, We expect significant reductions in overflows going forward as a result of treatment plant upgrades and in line storage technology that will come online this year, based on a normal year of rain intensity and frequency.

If those improvements had been in place during the previous year, the amount of untreated discharge could have been roughly cut in half, he said.

But Stuart and other legislators said the pollution of the James with nearly 2 billion gallons of sewage contaminated wastewater each year is unacceptable.

In my mind, thats a public health emergency, he said.

Under the legislative compromise adopted in 2020, Richmond submitted an interim plan last July that would cost $33.1 million and capture more than 182 million gallons of wastewater a day by the time it is completed in mid-2027.

The compromise also required the city to submit a final plan in mid-2024 to complete the work by 2035. The plan would more than double the citys wastewater treatment capacity  to 300 million gallons a day  but require construction of five tunnels to transport the sewage across the river to the wastewater treatment plant in South Richmond.

It also would require massive storage of waste water until it could be treated. The city is considering either purchasing an abandoned quarry or digging one of its own, Steidel told the committee.

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, who represents part of Richmond, said she supports Stuarts goal but believes the city should be given until the 2035 deadline to achieve it.

The city is working hard to address the issue, Hashmi said.
Ancestors of a local Native American tribe hope Congress will help them achieve federal recognition.

Our native ancestors were the first people here, Patawomeck Chief Charles Bootsie Bullock said. Its time to be recognized, just as the other ones are today.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs lists 574 federally recognized Native American tribes scattered across the U.S. Seven of them are located in Virginia, including two Chickahominy tribes, along with the Monacan, Nansemond, Pamunkey, Rappahannock and Upper Mattaponi tribes.

The Patawomeck tribe, which first settled in Stafford County near present-day Marlborough Point in the early 1300s, has more than 2,600 descendants and is one of 11 state-recognized tribes. Local tribal members say 70 percent of them reside in southern Staffords White Oak area.

Bullock said federal status could open up opportunities for tribal members to receive education, housing and medical benefits, while Chief Emeritus John Lightner said the Patawomeck tribe would finally achieve its sovereignty.

It gives the tribe the right to self-government without interference from the state [government], Lightner said. [It] was actually guaranteed to the tribe by the English in treaties.

Minnie Lightner, the Patawomeck tribes administrative assistant, said although it took the Pamunkey tribe 33 years to gain federal status by a combination of legislative and administrative efforts through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, it took about half the time for the other Virginia tribes to gain the same federal status working through Congress.

My feeling is, those other six tribes have already gone the congressional route. It should be easier and quicker for us because theyve already gone through the process, Lightner said.

Fredericksburg-area Rep. Rob Wittman, who is assisting the Patawomeck along the long legislative path, said although going through the BIA is tedious, time-consuming and demanding, the route through Congress isnt a cakewalk, either.

Its tremendously difficult to do this legislatively because the bill has to, from the very beginning, make it through committee and it has to have support from folks on both sides of the aisle, Wittman said. Thats the challenge to be able to do this.

Wittman said that, like the Patawomeck, the now federally recognized Pamunkey tribe also attempted the congressional route, but ultimately filed its application through the BIA channel.

All six tribes went through that process that took that number of years, but there was not an active application by the Pamunkey tribe before the BIA for that full 33 years, Wittman said. Some of that 33 years was taken up waiting for legislation to get passed.

Bullock said the Patawomeck may eventually consider applying for federal status through the BIA, which requires tribes to prove they have had no breaks in tribal existence.

Perhaps that option may come, Bullock said. The last six tribes that went in, four of them could not go through the BIA, but weve got documentation showing that yes, we existed back in the 1600s or even further.

Another roadblock that hinders Virginia tribes from gaining federal recognition is the Racial Integrity Act of 1924, which served to classify all Virginia residents into either white or colored categories. The act not only classified all Native Americans as colored, but vital tribal records were seized by the government and destroyed. Bullock said those records are essential to satisfy the BIAs tribal continuity requirement.

The act, which was ultimately invalidated in 1967 by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case involving the interracial marriage between Caroline County couple Richard and Mildred Loving, was drafted by physician and public health advocate Walter Plecker, who served as the first registrar of Virginias Bureau of Vital Statistics from 1912 to 1946.

Other than the two native tribes that had reservationsthe Pamunkey and the Mattaponi[Plecker] singlehandedly just about eradicated Native Americans in the state of Virginia, said Bullock. It was tough, and its tough now.

Bullock said Plecker visited Stafford County during his tenure in office after receiving a tip about a large Indian community concentrated near White Oak. Bullock said fortunately that night, White Oak residents were warned in advance of Pleckers approach.

The White Oak area has always been a Native American community, Bullock said. Plecker had made that gap virtually impossible for us to maintain at a consistent basis.

In August 2019, Stafford County officials turned over the 17-acre Little Falls Farm at 638 Kings Highway to the Patawomeck tribe under a 10-year, $1-per-year lease agreement for use as the tribes museum and cultural center. The farm was originally donated to Stafford by Fredericksburg businessman Duff McDuff Green Jr., along with the adjacent park that bears his name.

As a federal tribe, the Patawomeck would be able to gain access to artifacts from a five-year archaeological exploration that took place at the tribes original town site at Marlborough Point from 1935 to 1940.

That dig, conducted by Judge William J. Graham and T. Dale Stewart of what is now the Smithsonian Institute, netted tens of thousands of Patawomeck artifacts, including skeletal remains, pottery, jewelry, tools and hunting weapons. Many of those items still under the care of the Smithsonian could one day be released to the tribe for display at its Little Falls Farm cultural center.
Childrens books traffic in nonstop peril, yet dont prepare us for the very real dangers we face as adults  genuine spine tinglers like your marriage failing, the stock market collapsing or receiving some dreaded diagnosis. Instead, were warned about shipwreck and wizards, exotic threats that in the full light of age appear as flimsy as a Scooby-Doo ghost.

It would be easy to lump Edgar Allan Poes work in with that childish pile. After all, most American children are force-fed at least a few of his tales in school. To read Poe as an adult, however, is to realize that he knew everything about real adult fear and to discover how his insights into the human condition are as bracing as they are terrifying. This January, take a moment to revisit his works and see if the experience doesnt leave you the tiniest bit happier and wiser, quicker to smile at human folly and even, against all odds, feeling more alive. Yes, reading some 19th-century torture fiction could improve your mental health.

Modern science has repeatedly shown how beneficial reading is for our mental health, and works of horror remain popular because they offer us a safe outlet in which to explore our fears and find catharsis. Poes vision cuts still deeper. At his darkest and most goth, hes also at his most satirical, but you have to be a grown-up to get the jokes. Take The Tell-Tale Heart, one of his best-known stories, in which the unnamed narrator murders his roommate because he cant stand the roommates walleye  and then, just as hes about to get away with it, hysterically confesses his guilt anyway.

It doesnt matter how smart you are, Poe hints  you cant escape your conscience. We all know this, yet the dark temptations still arrive as regularly as Amazon packages. What a ridiculous situation! How essentially absurd is the human condition, the way you and I are, at once, good people striving to be good and bad people itching to be bad? Reading Poe as an adult returns you to such fundamental questions, and where a movie might take two hours to develop these themes, he gets you there in 10 minutes.

Poe obviously had a dark thought or three himself. He knows your thought crimes, too. In 1845s The Imp of the Perverse, half essay, half story, he described how humans do things precisely because they know they shouldnt  revealing his own self-sabotaging tendencies and yours  100 years before scientists formalized the theory of psychological reactance, or the way we resent even benign restrictions on our behavior. That awful urge you feel to peer off a roof, spill a secret, steal a Danish pastry, key a car? Its universal. Folk wisdom long has anticipated science, but Poes perception is so dead-on, its spooky. This is a major reason his work has endured for nearly two centuries, fascinating readers around the globe, so that while the guy never dreamed of such a platform, he now boasts 4 million Facebook fans.

Poes catalogue hits all the modern yet timeless fears, from addiction and doing something awful because you cant help yourself (The Black Cat), to rivalry gone too far (The Cask of Amontillado). Its chilling to recognize how challenging our moral situation is and to witness how frail we are in the face of it. But you feel seen, too  less alone, less stranded in our current awful moment.

Poes own life was a series of grotesque challenges. He lost his mother and father before he turned 3, then later, his beloved wife died of the same disease (tuberculosis) that had killed his parents. His professional life proved just as unsatisfying. He worked low-wage editorial jobs, never earning an annual income exceeding $30,000 in todays money, and his great ambition to launch his own magazine failed because he couldnt raise the venture capital. The grief and disappointment encouraged him to act out in predictable if not always admirable ways, like getting stinky drunk over and over, and picking stupid, unwinnable fights.

So its no wonder that, across the body of work, you see Poe piling up the absurd and yet mortal scenarios, his characters landing in one ridiculous but high-stakes dilemma after another, with our tendency to self-sabotage inevitably presented as the kicker  the punchline to the whole dark joke. Poe is portraying our larger dilemma on a grand scale: The nightmare is the world we live in, but its also the self, so even more inescapable.

Correspondingly, Poe was the opposite of a Utopian. He expressed profound skepticism about what progress can achieve. In Some Words with a Mummy, another hit from 1845, scientists revive the titular Egyptian only to hear that their own glittering age of technology and enlightenment in fact represents a fall, an awful regression. Its a funny although manifestly angry send-up of the entire idea of progress, suggesting mankind moves backward, not forward.

I have no faith in human perfectibility, Poe told a friend. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active  not more happy  nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago. Voltaire needed 400 pages to reach the same conclusion in his epic Essay on Universal History, declaring that because the human heart is so twisted, so conflicted and set against itself, all history turns out to be a continuous succession of crimes and disasters.

Even this is edifying to contemplate, imparting a sense of limit, functioning as a check on our hubris. Maybe we are no better than anyone else in history, no more enlightened, no more accomplished. Perhaps we cant make this world perfect, at least not in the ways we hope to, because theres no such thing as solving our problems, only coping somehow. It could be that all we can control is our own selves, barely, and the most we can do is leave a legacy for those who come after us. Poe himself, for all his understandable gloom, dedicated his life to appreciating and creating beauty. What should we do with these dark thoughts we cant escape, in this absurd dilemma we find ourselves in? Following his example, we should make art  and jokes.

And so this very night, you should shut your chamber door and read some Poe, or simply go on YouTube and listen to James Earl Jones reciting The Raven. Doing so will make you feel like a kid again, just a little bit. Itll give you strength, too, to face the real, adult challenges youre facing  whatever they are. This being 2022, I take it for granted youve got a few.
When many Americans hear tech industry, they think of Silicon Valley. But in Virginia, we should be reminded of something much closer to home. Thats because all of us, as Virginians, are fortunate to live in a real center of 21st-century technology  the single greatest concentration of data centers on Earth, built as part of a cloud computing industry launched in our own backyard. Want proof of impact? Every day, 70% of global internet traffic moves through the commonwealth.

As we move into a new year  with a new administration in Richmond  its worth remembering that Virginia didnt become this cloud capital of the world by accident. It was the result of deliberate policy, economic development and educational choices made by our leaders. If we want to continue to enjoy the benefits of being a center of innovation and investment, well need policymakers to make smart choices in the months and years ahead.

Now, about those deliberate choices: The modern cloud computing industry is built on data centers, and Virginia was an early leader in establishing a thoughtful incentive program that helped fuel the data center boom in the commonwealth. It has led to significant industry spending in Virginia, including at Amazon Web Services, where were proud to have invested tens of billions of dollars in the commonwealth over the past decade. Now, other states (and their localities) have taken notice and recognized the great economic opportunity data centers present, which has led to them strengthening their own incentive programs.

But incentives alone arent the end of the story. A big part of Virginias success has been investing in higher education and workforce development programs, which have helped build a tech talent pipeline. The commonwealth also has worked to build a clean, reliable energy grid, which is essential for any forward-looking tech corridor. At Amazon, we already have committed to building enough solar farms in Virginia to support more than 6,000 full-time construction jobs  projects that will generate enough power for more than 225,000 homes by 2023.

This is all an important foundation because globally, the cloud market segment is growing at an astounding 19.1% compound annual growth rate, according to prognosticators at ResearchandMarkets.com. Over the next five years, it will surpass $1.2 trillion in annual value.

So how can Virginia stay on top in a growing and competitive landscape?

First, it starts with focusing on the power of public-private partnerships. Government agencies are among the fastest-growing adopters of the cloud. To better serve constituents and achieve their missions, they are leveraging technologies used by the private sector to improve customer experiences and business operations. This has been especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when surging demand for government services like unemployment benefits and Medicare drove an unprecedented upswing in government cloud adoption across the country.

Second, we all must recognize that a key ingredient in Virginias competitiveness is a workforce with the right technology skills to build on our progress. Virginias highly rated college and university system must continue to produce highly skilled technical talent, and businesses like ours should be encouraged to do their part. Thats why we have partnered with institutions in education at every level, ranging from public primary and secondary schools to upskill programs created to help veterans and military spouses develop in-demand cloud skills. In 2018, for example, we launched a partnership with Northern Virginia Community College to establish an associate degree in cloud computing. But we all must continue to do more.

Third, a clean, reliable grid will be essential for data center growth in Virginia. Its important that the tax, regulatory and permitting processes across the commonwealth are aligned in a way that helps accelerate the transition to clean energy. But the transition doesnt end there  maintaining an edge and attracting future data center construction will require Virginia to continue to modernize all of its infrastructure, including expansion of fiber-optic networks.

Virginias status as the cloud capital of the world is not the result of good luck. It happened because government and industry worked together to create growth opportunities. Sustaining that growth means recommitting to that collaborative spirit and making the most of every opportunity  for our good, and for those future Virginians who will look back proudly on this chapter in our history and the technology revolution that lifted Virginia into the cloud.
As he settles into office, Gov. Glenn Youngkin looks an awful lot like one of those inherently divisive concepts he seeks to ban from the classroom.

Its one thing to campaign to a soundtrack of dog whistles and yet another to pitch your governance that way.

Youngkins first executive order  note the priority  is part of the Republican Partys orchestrated obsession with critical race theory, a term they use to refer to schoolhouse lessons on systemic racism. The governor seeks to purge K-12 education in Virginia of inherently divisive concepts  a term so utterly vague and subjective as to be meaningless and unenforceable.

Over the years, when someone accuses me of being divisive, its invariably an attempt to shut down conversation on race. Exasperated, they argue that racism would disappear if only people like me would stop writing about it. Ultimately, Im told that Im the real racist.

When conservative politicians dip into this toolkit, its to proclaim that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is on their side. Invariably theyll use the same shopworn quote.

Youngkins text paraphrases a passage of Kings 1963 I Have a Dream speech in asserting that schools should teach children to think for themselves and be provided the facts and context necessary to understand important events  assertions at odds with the intent of the order. Only then will we realize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s dream that our children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, he says.

On behalf of facts and context, Ill note here that King explicitly expressed that dream for my four little children.

His children. Black children.

Youngkins order is about protecting the feelings of white children, even at the expense of their education. In what it seeks to omit, its right-wing political indoctrination and the epitome of systemic racism.

Frankly, many of Kings own words might be deemed too divisive for Youngkins edict.

The most relevant quote for this situation is not from the Dream speech, but Kings 1967 book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a similar mass effort to reeducate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the white people of America believe they have so little to learn, King wrote.

He added: Loose and easy language about equality, resonant resolutions about brotherhood fall pleasantly on the ear, but for the Negro there is a credibility gap he cannot overlook. He remembers that with each modest advance the white population promptly raises the argument that the Negro has come far enough. Each step forward accents an ever-present tendency to backlash.

Youngkins executive order is the latest expression of that backlash in Virginia, even as those on the American Right seek to sanitize King and enlist him in their cause. And his daughter, Bernice King, is not amused.

Fear mongering regarding #CRT is intended to usher in the banning of any teaching of substance on the history of slavery and racism and on current devastation of racism, King, CEO of The King Center, tweeted in October.

I oppose these efforts. And I oppose quoting my father to facilitate that fear and accomplish that banning.

Youngkin, in his order, gives an obligatory nod toward teaching about the horrors of American slavery and segregation, and our countrys treatment of Native Americans. But then, he absurdly opines that critical race theory and related concepts are teaching our children to engage in the very behavior the Constitution prohibits.

This all-consuming concern over inherently divisive concepts and the Constitution is rich coming from a member of a political party in thrall to a former president so divisive that he inspired an insurrection that the vast majority of GOP lawmakers are loath to acknowledge or investigate.

Were a nation rife with division over such crucial issues as climate change, reproductive rights and public health policy during a pandemic, just to name a few.

Youngkins legally dubious attempt to micromanage classroom instruction is antithetical to education and democratic discourse. How can you teach students how to think for themselves if government declares subjects off-limits?

Not content to misappropriate Kings message, Youngkin  as part of a service event on the MLK holiday  tossed mulch around the Reconciliation statue in Shockoe Bottom. But demonizing antiracism in public policy is hardly in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and repair.

If Youngkin and other politicians want to stifle the interrogation of systemic racism, they should quote George Wallace, Donald Trump or Tucker Carlson. Keep Kings words out of your mouth.
Dozens of citizens came out to speak to the Roanoke County School Board Tuesday night regarding the future of mask mandates in the countys schools, with the majority in support of continuing the directive.

The board voted during a Jan. 4 work session to make the school system mask optional and return to pre-COVID medical policies leaving medical decisions such as testing, quarantining and contact tracing between the doctor, the student patient, and the students parent/guardians, following the reversal of a state mask mandate in K-12 schools by Gov. Glenn Youngkin after he was sworn in Jan. 15.

The move caused a public backlash when it decided to prematurely vote on the matter, and the board backtracked on its decision just days later at a Jan. 6 special meeting.

A Facebook group called Roanoke County Parents for A Common Sense School Board was formed following that meeting by concerned parents Brian and Sidney Handy, who believe the school board is playing politics as opposed to following the advice of health and science experts.

The private group already has more than 1,200 members in less than two weeks, which Handy said he and his wife were not expecting. He said the group is strictly nonpartisan and is for parents who want to have honest and respectful dialogue that is fact-based.

We have a few people in the group that are against the mandate, but everyone has been respectful, he said. We just want what is best for our children and the school system.

Some of those members showed up before the meeting to demonstrate outside the building with signs asking the board to keep the mandate in place.

The school board said at Tuesdays meeting that it will wait for more guidance from the state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow before voting on ending the mask mandate for its schools.

Roanoke City Public Schools sent out a message on social media Tuesday evening saying that it will continue to require face coverings inside and on buses further guidance from the state or are directed otherwise by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Youngkins executive order to end mask mandates in K-12 schools goes into effect on Monday. The order also instructed the superintendent of public instruction to rescind the existing guidelines for COVID-19 prevention with new ones, which is expected later this week, according to school officials.

Though many legal experts believe the executive order will be challenged in court, as opponents of Youngkins executive order say it conflicts with a state law passed last year that essentially states that each school board must take every precaution it can to apply mitigation strategies in its schools that are recommended by the CDC until Aug. 1, 2022.

Like any contentious issue in American politics, this will end up in a courtroom, Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, told The Washington Post in a recent article. You really have to go back to the days of massive resistance and desegregation to find education as prominent in the actions of a governor as you have seen in Day One of the Youngkin administration.

The new orders also come on the heels of a nationwide surge in cases that hasnt skipped the countys school system.

The school system reported 400 positive cases on its COVID dashboard for staff and students from Jan. 9 to Jan. 15, the highest one-week total of the school year. For comparison, the entire county saw 1,545 cases during that same period.

Assistant Superintendent Rhonda Stegall said the school system has already seen 622 positive cases for students in January. The second highest total was 336 in September, according to figures during her COVID-19 update to the board.

During the public comment portion of Tuesdays meeting, which was not available at the two aforementioned meetings, more than 30 citizens shared thoughts on the school boards plan to remove the mandate against the advice of the vast majority of medical professionals, including the Virginia Department of Health and the CDC.

Jessica Crumpacker, a special education teacher at Oak Grove Elementary, asked the board to consider keeping the mask mandate and to use common sense wisdom and love and compassion when making its decision.

Does it make sense to eliminate one of our COVID-19 [mitigation] strategies during a time of high transmission, she asked the board rhetorically. No it doesnt.

She said she wants what everyone wants, which is for children to stay in school, and that online distance learning is the likely outcome of making masks optional in schools.

I dont think masks will be forever but right now we need them, she said.

Of the 32 people that spoke on the matter, only a handful said theyd prefer the school board remove the masks.

The most common arguments of those against masks was that it was now the law, and the reason many of those board members and the governor were elected in November.

Others said they didnt think masks worked, or that they have caused mental harm to students, but didnt cite any specific scientific research to back up those claims.

Vickie Henderson, who said shes a grandmother of multiple students in the Glenvar strand of schools, echoed some of those sentiments, but also had more divine reasons for why masks should no longer be a requirement.

Sometimes we need to use our God-given common sense  When Jesus was healing the sick, he did not stop and put on a mask of any kind. Today for healing, we still go to him in prayer  God already knows when hes coming to bring us all home, she said.

Joe Carnes, an art teacher at multiple elementary schools in the district, and a parent of kids who are in the countys schools, asked the board to use fact-based science.

I would challenge you to base your decision on science, real science, not politics, he said.

He also noted that he teaches over 600 students each week and that student complaints about masks are minimal, also noting that making masks optional would cause entire classrooms to be potentially contaminated.

Without masks, we are opening up an entire room to what we are breathing out, he said. Its like having a no urinating section of a public pool, its getting everywhere.

Following the public comment portion of the meeting that lasted nearly two hours, board members thanked those who spoke for coming to the meeting and offered some comments of their own.

Vinton representative Tim Greenway said he would not vote based solely on politics.

I wont vote [based on] party. Ill vote my heart, my conviction and what I believe is best, he said.

Board Chair and Hollins District representative, David Linden, said he is open to compromise, as did Greenwood, but neither specified what that might entail.

Our 74th governor, who I am a fan of, had 74 days to come up with that executive order. Unfortunately, he gave us nine days to implement that, which does not seem real fair, he said.

Linden said that masks will come off eventually, but hes worried about how that may affect students having to quarantine for five day and missing in-person instruction, which has already happened approximately 8,000 times this school year.

Some people may be disappointed we didnt make a decision tonight on which route we are going to go, he said. But we feel we need a little more information before we do that and not rush to judgment.

Linden continued, My fear is that if we take the masks off, the number of quarantines are going to go up again and then we will be back to virtual learning and nobody wants that.

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RICHMOND  A group of Chesapeake parents filed a lawsuit against Gov. Glenn Youngkin Tuesday, arguing that an executive order that scrapped the statewide school mask mandate, and gave parents an opt-out from local mandates, thwarts state law.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends that students and staff wear masks at school, and a 2021 state law requires schools to adhere to the agencys COVID-19 guidelines to the maximum extent practicable. The Chesapeake parents say Youngkins order is in direct conflict with that law, and are asking the Supreme Court of Virginia to declare the governors executive order void.

Youngkins order, slated to take effect Monday, has rankled Democrats in the General Assembly, who say the new governor is overstepping his power and threatening the ability of schools to protect students and staff. Comments from Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to Fox News on Monday fanned the flames: The Republican said Youngkin could withhold funding from districts that dont comply.

Nearly a day later, a spokesperson for Youngkin said Earle-Sears comments were mischaracterized, but added that the governor would consider the tools available to him to enforce the order.

Some of the states largest school districts  including Richmond, Norfolk and the counties of Henrico, Arlington and Fairfax  say they will continue to require masks, citing the 2021 state law.

Locally, one large district that currently requires masks is waffling on its approach: Chesterfield County Public Schools will wait to make a decision until the day before the order takes effect.

The legal complaint against Youngkin argues that his executive order purports to sweep aside masking mandates and other protections with little or no consideration of or respect for CDC guidance, actions taken by the Virginia General Assembly, or the powers vested in school boards.

The suit was filed against Youngkin, State Health Commissioner Colin Greene, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, and the Chesapeake School Board and superintendent. Virginia Beach attorney Kevin Martingayle, a past president of the Virginia State Bar, represents the plaintiffs.

Legislative tension

Democratic lawmakers from the House and the Senate said in a news conference Tuesday that Youngkin does not have the authority to withdraw public funding from school districts over their masking policies. They strongly criticized the executive order and Earle-Sears funding threat.

Earle-Sears said Monday in a Fox News interview that there are certain combinations of monies that we send to the ... local school boards, and [Youngkin] could withhold some of that. And he could possibly, if the law allows, even give the parents the ability to decide what schools their children should attend. So were going to look at all of that.

Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said Tuesday that Democrats in the legislature would support school divisions in keeping the mask mandates in place.

The science is clear: Masks and social distancing limit the risk of children and adults catching COVID. We now have a new, more contagious variant. Another surge that is putting even more stress on our school system, McClellan said. We will not let the governor overstep his authority and bully our school systems.

Macaulay Porter, the Youngkin spokesperson, said Democrats willfully mischaracterized the comments from Earle-Sears, and played politics in an effort to delegitimize the rights of parents.

The executive order allows parents to opt out of mask mandates so that they can make the best decisions for their children and anyone who wants to wear a mask is free to do so, Porter said. Consistent with the governors past remarks, we will consider the tools available to make sure that parents rights are protected.

McClellan was joined by Del. Jeff Bourne of Richmond, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi of Chesterfield, and Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg of Henrico.

Hashmi said that many parents reaching out to her are worried about COVID-19 safety measures going away. McClellan, VanValkenburg and Bourne  all parents of school-age children  said they worry about their kids contracting COVID-19 at school.

Im not sure exactly which parents [Youngkins] been talking to because Ive been receiving emails and phone calls and have had personal conversations with parents who are my constituents, who are actually quite worried now about their childrens health and safety, Hashmi said, adding that it is of special concern to children and siblings who are too young to be vaccinated.

Democrats argue that the law passed last year calling on school districts to hold in-person classes also requires the districts to follow CDC guidance. The CDC, which cannot issue binding policy, recommends universal mask-wearing in schools.

VanValkenburg, who helped craft the final language with then-Gov. Ralph Northams administration, said the bill was designed to keep schools open through mitigation strategies that would prevent the spread of COVID-19 in school buildings. The Northam administration at one point last year relied on the new law to call on districts to require masks; it later issued its own statewide mask mandate through the state health commissioner.

VanValkenburg pointed to the school district in Colonial Heights, which had to close for virtual learning last week because of staffing shortages fueled by COVID-19 infections.

Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, co-sponsor of the state law that Democrats and school districts are citing, reasserted on Monday that the measure she and Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, brought forward was not meant to prompt a mask mandate.

SB1303 has been used against our children and against its intent this school year to advance an agenda. SB1303 does not mandate the use of masks in school because the CDC does not mandate masks, Dunnavant said in a statement.

Democrats on Tuesday also criticized Youngkins actions as igniting a culture war that could risk health and critical school resources.

I would also remind everyone that the last time the state tried to step in and override local school boards on decisions that were made was Massive Resistance, McClellan said, referring to the states policy, beginning in 1956, to prevent racial integration in public schools.

Localities respond

At a news conference Tuesday, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said he was grateful that Jason Kamras, superintendent of the city school district, had quickly announced that Richmond schools would continue to require masking.

Kamras, who appeared alongside the mayor, said masks are effective at mitigating the spread of the virus.

As the mayor noted, our ability to keep our doors open, which is essential to our kids physical and mental health and their learning, is tied to the extent to which we prevent transmission, Kamras said. Masks not only keep them healthy, they will also keep our doors open.

Richmond School Board members reaffirmed the districts mask mandate in defiance of the executive order in an 8-1 vote. School Board member Jonathan Young proposed an amendment that would have allowed parents to exempt their children from wearing a mask. The motion failed.

I would say were squarely within our rights legally to uphold our own mask mandate, School Board member Liz Doerr said, citing Virginias constitution.

In December, Chesterfield School Board member Ryan Harter, who was chair at the time, wrote in an email that masks would be gone once Youngkin took office.

I have spoken with a few members of the Governors transition team in regards to masking. We stand ready to change when the Governor takes office and action, Harter wrote.

In August when the School Board unanimously voted for students to return for the 2021-2022 academic year in masks, Harter expressed disappointment with the decision.

Theres nothing I hate more than going back on my word. For this I apologize. It was never my intention to change course, but here we are, Harter said.

Not all Chesterfield School Board members are ready to lift a mask mandate. Vice Chair Dot Heffron said in a Facebook post on Sunday: My understanding is that we should not anticipate a change in our mask procedures, as CDC recommendations for mitigation strategies have not changed.

She wants to uphold the superintendents mask recommendation that the board approved in August.

In Richmond Public Schools, the threat voiced by Earle-Sears raised alarm as the city is already poised to lose upward of $7 million in state funding due to changes in the citys local composite index, a formula the state uses to calculate how much it contributes to individual school districts.

Threats of defunding schools dont sound like the pro-schools message he echoed yesterday and Saturday in [Youngkins] inaugural address, Stoney said Tuesday.

What we want from the governor is to get right with the laws that are already on the books.
TRIPOLI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan National Center for Disease Control on Tuesday announced that a total of 4,166 people have received a third booster shot for COVID-19.

A total of 1,974,537 people in Libya have received one vaccine dose, while over 945,000 others have taken two doses, the center said.

This week, more than 31,000 tests were carried out, of which 4,072 tested positive, the center said, adding that 57 patients have died.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Libya since the start of the pandemic has reached 398,940, with 385,693 recoveries and 5,863 deaths, according to the center. 
Partisan debate unfolded Tuesday in the state Senate over Attorney General Jason Miyares' firing of 30 staffers in the office after a Democratic senator said the short notice was unprofessional and caused confusion.

Republicans weren't having it. "Cry me a river. Mark Herring lost, OK? Get over it," said Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham.

Miyares, a Republican, defeated Democrat Herring in the November election and was sworn in on Saturday.

The day before, Miyares let go of 30 staffers, including 17 lawyers. They included the lawyer investigating dangerous conditions at a South Richmond apartment complex in Richmonds largest Latino neighborhood, where residents faced mold, rat and roach infestations and say management ignored requests to address problems.

Staffers in the attorney general's office serve at the pleasure of the attorney general.

Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, gave a speech saying he was concerned about how Miyares, a former state delegate from Virginia Beach, handled the terminations.

Most people received only about 26 hours notice, he said, and some got less.

Im not sure a lot of the terminations really reflect an understanding of the legal responsibilities of the attorney generals office," said Surovell, a lawyer.

Lawyers terminated from the AG's Office of Civil Rights were working on cases that the state was required to file, including housing discrimination cases, Surovell said. One case has a trial set in February and another in March, he said.

He also said he was concerned that lawyers in the office's conviction integrity unit who were working on wrongful conviction cases were terminated.

Attorneys working on a lawsuit can't just walk away, he said. They have to file a motion to withdraw, notify a judge and give a reason.

Miyares "can make lots of policy choices, he can change the way he runs that office," Surovell said. "But you cant fire 30 people in 24 hours that are involved in legal matters. That ain't how it works.

"And it gives me serious concern about how seriously that office takes its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to represent the people of Virginia on the matters that we have tasked them as this legislature as things they have to focus on.

Obenshain, who narrowly lost the race for attorney general to Herring in 2013, said in a speech Tuesday that eight years ago, when Democrat Herring became attorney general, succeeding Republican Ken Cuccinelli, Herring let go of 38 people in the attorney general's office.

(Michael Kelly, who was the chief of staff to Herring, disputed that number and said he had no idea where it came from. Obenshain later said the number is 43 and said Miyares' office has information. Miyares spokeswoman Victoria LaCivita said the number was compiled from conversations with the administration of Republican Cuccinelli, who preceded Herring in the office.)

That number is simply made up. A total fabrication. That wouldve been like 10% of the office at the time," Kelly said.

"Im pretty sure if we had fired 10% of the office I would remember, and reporters and others would have heard about it. On the contrary we kept and even promoted many, many people hired by Cuccinelli, McDonnell, Kilgore and others because they were good lawyers and dedicated public servants."

Republican Jerry Kilgore was attorney general from 2002 to 2005 and Republican Bob McDonnell from 2006 to 2009.

Obenshain said in his speech that the cases the fired lawyers were handling are still being handled by the attorney general. The person occupying the office changes, and that person is still responsible for handling cases, he said.

"The attorney general of Virginia has not withdrawn from those cases," he said. "Should he choose to do so, he will have to go to those courts and withdraw. This is quite frankly exactly what happens every four years or in this instance, eight years."

"It's about darn time that the attorney general's office was re-focused on doing the job of the people of the commonwealth of Virginia," he said.

Said Sen. Tommy Norment, R-James City: "A majority of Virginians have cast their votes and have decided that the previous attorney general who politicized that attorney general's office for the last eight years was rejected by a majority of the citizens of Virginia."
Todd Gilbert, the just-installed Republican speaker of the House of Delegates, got a makeover: new suits, trimmer and less funereal than those he usually wears; shirt-and-tie combinations at once understated and natty; and sleek oxfords ideal for creeping through the corridors of power but useless for mucking about his vest-pocket-sized farm in Shenandoah County.

If the stylish togs somehow make Gilbert  known by his mountainous countenance, The Rock-like bald pate and occasional churlish snarl  appear less menacing, then appearances are deceiving. Witness his real-time scolding on Twitter of Ralph Northam during the Democratic governors farewell address to the General Assembly on Wednesday night.

Gilbert  in private, witty, attentive, often brimming with questions and curious about the complexities of Virginia history that contributed to Northams post-blackface racial reckoning  was fully in character online: sneering and sarcastic, all but labeling Northam the poster boy for white guilt. Democrats, including Gilberts predecessor, Eileen Filler-Corn of Fairfax, replied with rhetorical spitballs.

It was among the more noticeable tense moments of a freshly convened legislative session that promises to be defined by more of them over the next two months.

There will be tension between the new Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, and election-chastened Democrats; between the Republicans who rule the House and the Democrats who run the Virginia Senate; and among legislators in both parties who have been doubled- and tripled-up in districts drawn by the Virginia Supreme Court because the politicians sabotaged the voter-approved commission that was supposed to depoliticize redistricting.

In a General Assembly in which, at one point, roughly half of its members  incumbents and just-elected  were dumped into districts with other incumbents, legislators will spend more time looking over their shoulders, assessing colleagues as possible primary opponents or general election challengers. Some of this will ease, with incumbents moving to new open seats. Several have already announced they will move, satisfying residency requirements.

However, such complications could accelerate, particularly for House members, if a federal court orders a special election for this November by siding with a former state Democratic chairman who argues last falls balloting was unconstitutional, having been held in outdated districts. They remained in place because of delays in receiving census data from Washington. State law requires elections held the year districts are reset.

With a special contest, House candidates would have to run in three consecutive elections  2021, 2022 and 2023, the first and third, regularly scheduled. This hasnt happened since the early 1980s, when federal courts and a Republican U.S. Justice Department found that House Democrats had advanced redistricting plans that illegally diluted Black voting strength.

That wave of elections, coming as Democrats were bouncing back statewide, hastened the Republican Partys growth in the General Assembly, lifting to the ranks a future star: George Allen. He would serve as governor and U.S. senator before flaming out in a racial calamity in 2006.

And then theres the coronavirus pandemic.

Masks and, to some degree, vaccinations are statements of party affiliation. Democrats wear masks; Republicans dont. The Youngkin inaugural throw-down; floor sessions in the House, where sneeze screens were removed; and committee hearings that attract herds of lobbyists and onlookers  were and are potential super-spreader events, transforming the seat of state government into a giant Petri dish.

There are few habitues of the state Capitol who arent expecting a spike in infections there. Earlier strains of the virus have sickened politicians, including Northam, and killed one, a Republican state senator from deep-red Southwest Virginia.

That Youngkin, whose position on jabs is Trumpy (get em if you got em), has named a mandate-skeptical Johns Hopkins doc cum Fox News talking head as his COVID-19 guru, speaks to Youngkins high-wire act on this continuing public health emergency. He wants to acknowledge the hostility of the right to perceived nanny-ism while affirming for the center, and even the left, that government has a role in protecting people from themselves.

Because of this balancing act, which helped Youngkin to a slender victory over Terry McAuliffe, Youngkin is viewed in national Republican circles as perhaps the kind of presidential or vice presidential candidate who could simultaneously appeal to the disaffected working-class voters who gravitate to Trump and middle-class suburbanites revolted by him. This is often a consequence of the disproportionate national attention Virginias off-year gubernatorial election receives.

Across the bureaucracy, Democrat-appointed agency heads  some of whom quit rather than be replaced  were told in the run-up to the Youngkin inaugural (either in person, by correspondence or, in some cases, news release) that the new regime no longer required their services. This qualified many for separation pay under a program Democrats fashioned in response to an expensive house-cleaning by Allen after his election for governor in 1993.

Other agency directors received letters asking them to remain on the job for at least four months, giving Youngkin time to gauge their performance, test their loyalty or find replacements.

The fate of these appointees is largely overshadowed, for now, by huffing and puffing over Youngkins choice of a Trumpster for Virginia natural resources secretary. Senate Democrats are spoiling to block confirmation of Andrew Wheeler, a coal lobbyist who ran the Environmental Protection Agency. Youngkin is defiant, declaring hes fighting for Wheeler.

Could appearances be deceiving?

Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814 or jschapiro@timesdispatch.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter, @RTDSchapiro. Listen to his analysis 7:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Friday on Radio IQ, 89.7 FM in Richmond and 89.1 FM in Roanoke, and in Norfolk on WHRV, 89.5 FM.
Sometimes, it almost seems as if our elected officials want to keep us in the dark.

First, there were the latest shenanigans involving the Spotsylvania County School Board on Jan. 10, in which the board fired schools Superintendent Scott Baker in a closed session that seemingly violated Virginias open meeting requirements.

The good news: No books were burned.

Then the General Assembly came to Richmond. This can be an uneasy time for anyone who doesnt believe our legislators always have our best interests at heart. This year is proving to be no exception.

Among the early bills getting notice is one that seems aimed at hobbling the Freedom of Information Act.

Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, is pushing a bill that would require that all FOIA requests for public records be submitted by certified mail.

The way it works now, requests for such information can be made by email, letter, over the phone or in person. Under Krizeks bill, requesting FOIA material would require making a trip to the post office and either using certified mail or a first-class tracking system. Sending something via certified mail costs $3.75.

Obviously, this bill, should it pass, would be a deterrent for many ordinary citizens trying to get information to which they are legally entitled. It would also make things tougher for state agencies who handle FOIA requests the way most things are handled in the 21st century  digitally.

(Full disclosure: It would be a nuisance for news media operations as well.)

Del. Krizek says hes open to amending the bill. He should be. He says he filed it after a FOIA request sent to his office went into spam, and he doesnt check his spam every day, so he couldnt respond in the five days public officials are given to respond.

There is a solution to this. After consulting the most learned computer experts, it has been ascertained that the delegate could fix this problem by checking his spam every day. If hes too busy, maybe an aide could handle this burdensome task.

Missing a FOIA request because it went into spam is hardly reason enough to propose something so draconian that it would no doubt prove to discourage many who are legally entitled to know what their government officials are doing.

A cynic might think that some of the folks weve elected dont really want to deal with the pesky public.

Make us less cynical and amend this bill  with a shredder.
As conflict, unrest and an evolving regulatory environment continue to disrupt crypto-mining operations, the miner migration continues, with the second-youngest country in the world the latest to see an exodus.

The government of Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, announced it is banning crypto mining indefinitely to deal with an energy crisis, high prices and blackouts.

Last month, the Southeast European state shut down its largest thermal power plant over a technical issue, and since then it has been importing electricity. It also announced a 60-day state of emergency to deal with the energy disruption.

Until recently, Kosovo boasted one of Europe's cheapest electricity rates, but now it is importing 40% of its consumed energy at high prices.

Even though bitcoin miners didnt cause the recent energy crunch, they are the first to pay the price.

Amid a spike in demand for natural gas as European economies recover from the pandemic and fresh tensions with Russia (Europes main gas supplier), energy prices have soared across the continent.

In the case of Kosovo, which is dominated by ethnic Albanians, additional geopolitics are involved. Most of the bitcoin miners there are ethnic Serbs who are refusing to accept Kosovo as an independent state and still see it as an integral part of Serbia. As part of the revolt, the Serbian minority has not paid for electricity since 1999.

According to the Kosovo authorities and international media, police have carried out a series of raids in recent days, confiscating hundreds of high-tech devices used in cryptocurrency mining. Media also reported that miners are selling their equipment on the internet.

Still, Kosovos decision to ban mining will probably not drag down Bitcoins price and hashrate as was seen in the case of Kazakhstan and China.

According to the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, Kosovos average monthly hash rate share was only 0.01% in August 2021.

Concerned about the environmental impact of the practice and recent blackouts, other countries have cracked down on crypto mining.

Over the last year, China has waged a crackdown on bitcoin mining, culminating in a full ban in September that forced nearly 100,000-strong crypto mining workforce to either give it up or move elsewhere.

Before the ban, at least 65% of global miners working on the bitcoin blockchain were based in China.

In July, when China imposed new rules on crypto currencies with the Peoples Bank of China, local media reported that Chinese crypto miners had already started packing their bags, some selling their equipment or just transporting their machines to neighboring countries or even as far as to the United States.

Just until recently seen as a safe haven for miners fleeing China, Kazakhstans protests and internet blackouts earlier this month may prompt potential miners to pick more stable destinations insteadbut cheap energy is a key attraction.

Following the China ban, more than one-quarter of all the crypto mining was being done in Kazakhstan and Iran alone.

Kazakhstans share was 18.1%, last year compared to the 1.4% before China's ban, second-largest center for bitcoin mining after the United States with 35.4% market share.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has also recently issued bans on crypto mining within its borders. Earlier this month, Iran placed a three-month ban on crypto mining in a bid to avoid winter electricity blackouts.

Even though 56% of the total energy consumed for Bitcoin mining last year came from sustainable power, up from 36% in 2020, the total electricity used for Bitcoin mining worldwide is 135.11 terawatt-hour of electricity per year right now.

That is more than the annual energy consumption of countries like Finland or Argentina.
FLORENCE, S.C.  FMUs Wildsumaco Biological Station in Ecuador is expanding its facilities to further enhance the experience for faculty and student researchers.

Located in the foothills of the Andean Mountains, the station is an international hub for biological research. The facility currently consists of two buildings, a residence hall and a multipurpose room, but will soon include a new laboratory. FMUs continued investment in the Wildsumaco Biological Station has created significantly more opportunities for scientific research and instruction since its inception ten years ago.

We have funding now that we have already committed to the next phase of expansion at the station, said Travis Knowles, FMU biology professor and director of Wildsumaco Biological Station. We want to apply to the National Science Foundation and other grant agencies for funding to equip the lab, so we have a good plan in place.

FMU partnered with UNC-Wilmington, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador, and the Wildsumaco Wildlife Sanctuary in 2012 to create a research and lodging facility where biologists and related faculty can study and monitor rare and diverse species unique to the region.

A decade ago, FMU and UNC-Wilmington joined with a group of Ecuadorian partners to develop an exciting new biological station in the foothills of the Andean Mountains. said Dr. Fred Carter, president of Francis Marion University. Much of the collaborative effort was accomplished by Travis Knowles, one of our most innovative and resourceful biologists. The station and the quality of work that it has produced has substantially exceeded the expectations of all of the institutions involved. Were excited about expanding the facility so that even more students and faculty can undertake meaningful research in this unique international setting.

Wildsumaco Biological Station can house up to 18 faculty or student researchers. Currently, the facility has a multipurpose building that functions as a dining hall and lecture space for visiting groups. Quite beyond the mission of serving as an educational resource for students and researchers, Wildsumaco Biological Station instills the importance of protecting biodiversity.

It opens a window to a new world for students, Knowles said. One of the biggest environmental issues globally is the loss of biodiversity because of the extinction of species around the world. Theres no better way to make students aware of that problem than to immerse them into a real center of biodiversity and expose them to the wonders of a system theyve never imagined. Its both a cultural and scientific experience. Its eye-opening and world-expanding for anyone who goes there. Thats how we keep interest in this problem going and generate solutions for the future.

Students interested in applying for FMUs international program at Wildsumaco Biological Station may visit https://www.fmarion.edu/internationalprograms/wildsumaco/ or contact program liaison Professor Travis Knowles at tknowles@fmarion.edu.
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January 19, 2022

Guest posts on big Seventh Circuit Wilks decision on Bail Reform Acts "presumption of detention"

I hope readers recall the series of guest posts from a few years ago authored by Alison Siegler, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the University of Chicago Law School's Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, concerning the extraordinary litigation her clinic has done in response to so-called "stash house stings." Not too long ago, Alison wrote to me to highlight a big new Seventh Circuit ruling on the Bail Reform Act that related to another focus of her work. I suggested that she do another guest post series on the ruling because this was a legal space I know little about. She has prepared two long posts on the topic, and here is the first:

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GUEST BLOG POSTS RE WILKS AND THE PRESUMPTION OF DETENTION by ALISON SIEGLER

PART I

This is the first of two guest posts discussing a groundbreaking opinion that addresses the Bail Reform Acts presumption of detention.

The BRAs presumption of detention applies to nearly half of all federal criminal cases and to 93 percent of all drug cases. Alison Siegler & Erica Zunkel, Rethinking Federal Bail Advocacy to Change the Culture of Detention, THE CHAMPION 46, 50 (July 2020); 18 U.S.C.  3142(e)(2)(3). The most common types of cases in which the presumption applies are drug cases,  924(c) gun cases, and minor victim cases. A study from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts finds that the presumption of detention . . . is driving high federal detention rates, and that in practice, the presumption has become an almost de facto detention order. Amaryllis Austin, The Presumption for Detention Statutes Relationship to Release Rates, 81 FED. PROBATION 52, 56, 61 (2017). The same study found that the presumption increases the detention rate without advancing community safety. Rather than jailing only the worst of the worst, the presumption over-incarcerates the lowest-risk offenders in the system. Siegler & Zunkel, supra, at 50 (citing Austin, supra, at 57). Now, with the presumption as a driving force, federal pretrial detention rates have skyrocketed, with three in four people jailed before trial  a 75 percent detention rate that falls disproportionately on people of color. This is mass incarceration in action. Alison Siegler & Kate Harris, How Did the Worst of the Worst Become 3 Out of 4?, N.Y. TIMES (Feb. 24, 2021). Courts often assume that the presumption ties their hands, and defense attorneys sometimes waive the right to seek release in presumption cases because challenging pretrial detention feels futile.

An important recent Seventh Circuit opinion reminds us that is not how the presumption is supposed to operate as a matter of law. United States v. Wilks, 15 F.4th 842, 844 (7th Cir. 2021) (reversing a district courts revocation of pretrial release because the judge did not hew to the statutory framework in making the revocation decision). Wilks illuminates the operation of the presumption in a way that enables lawyers to push back on the presumptions worst manifestations.

Wilks clarifies numerous key aspects of the limits of the  3142(e) presumption of detention.

First, even when a presumption of detention is triggered, the burden of persuasion always rests with the government. Wilks, 15 F.4th at 84647.

Even in a presumption case, the defense never bears the ultimate burden of persuasion or proof. That is, the defense never has to persuade the judge that there exist conditions of release that will reasonably assure his or her appearance and the safety of the community. See 50 GEO. L.J. ANN. REV. CRIM. PROC. 404 (2021) (The presumptions of detention shift the burden of production to the defendant, but the government retains the burden of persuasion.).

Rather, the burden of persuading the judge that no conditions of release exist that will reasonably assure the accuseds appearance and the safety of the community continues to rest at all times with the government, despite the presence of the presumption. See Wilks, 15 F.4th at 84647; see also Dominguez, 783 F.2d at 707 ([T]he burden of persuasion remains with the government at all times and never shifts to the defense); Jessup, 757 F.2d at 381 ([T]he burden of persuasion does not shift.); Alatishe, 768 F.2d at 254 ([I]t [i]s not the responsibility of the [defendant] to carry the Governments burden of proof or persuasion.).

Second, the presumption is intended to be easy to rebut. See 18 U.S.C.  3142(e)(3) (Subject to rebuttal by the person . . .); see also Wilks, 15 F.4th at 846 (A defendant charged with a serious drug crime . . . is subject to a rebuttable presumption.).

Rebuttal, in theory, should be exceedingly easy, as the presumption places a light burden of production on the defendant to rebut the presumption. Wilks, 15 F.4th at 846 (emphasis added); see also United States v. Dominguez, 783 F.2d 702, 707 (7th Cir. 1986) (The burden of production is not a heavy one to meet.); United States v. Jessup, 757 F.2d 378, 38084 (1st Cir. 1985) (holding that to meet the burden of production required for rebuttal, the defendant need only produce some evidence under  3142(g)); United States v. Chimurenga, 760 F.2d 400, 405 (2d Cir. 1985) (same); United States v. Alatishe, 768 F.2d 364, 371 (D.C. Cir. 1985) (same); 50 GEO. L.J. ANN. REV. CRIM. PROC., supra, at 404 (Once defendants [come] forward with some evidence that [they] will not flee or endanger the community if released, the presumption of flight risk and dangerousness is rebutted. (quoting Dominguez, 983 F.3d at 707) (bracketed alteration in original)).

The defense rebuts the presumption and meets its burden of production by presenting some evidence related to the  3142(g) factors, including any evidence of economic and social stability. Dominguez, 783 F.2d at 707; see also Siegler & Zunkel, supra, at 52 & n.110 (collecting cases). Once this burden of production is met, the presumption is rebutted. Dominguez, 783 F.2d at 707.

Any evidence under  3142(g) rebuts the presumption! If a judge finds otherwise, that violates the statute and caselaw. Examples in Dominguez of the kind of evidence that rebuts the presumption include evidence of their marital, family and employment status, ties to and role in the community, clean criminal record and other types of evidence encompassed in  3142(g)(3). Dominguez, 783 F.2d at 707; see also Jessup, 757 F.2d at 384.

If a judge finds otherwise, that violates the statute and caselaw. The defense does not have to rebut the governments showing of probable cause to believe that [the accused] is guilty of the crimes charged, nor do they have to demonstrate that [the type of crime charged] is not dangerous to the community. Dominguez, 783 F.2d at 706. For example, someone charged in a drug case or a  924(c) gun case does not have to prove that distributing drugs or possessing a firearm is not dangerous.



Third, an unrebutted presumption is not, by itself, an adequate reason to order detention. Rather, the presumption is considered together with the factors listed in  3142(g). Wilks, 15 F.4th at 847 (citation omitted).

This is a hugely important statement of the law . Very few judges and practitioners understand this. Even if the defense does not carry its light burden of production by not coming forward with some evidence under  3142(g) that rebuts the presumption, that lack of rebuttal does not, standing alone, authorize detention in a presumption case . The government continues to bear the burden to justify detention by establishing that there are no conditions of release that will reasonably assure the accuseds appearance and the safety of the community. Id. And the judge must still analyze all of the factors listed in  3142(g) in determining whether the government has met that burden.

. Very few judges and practitioners understand this. Even if the defense does not carry its light burden of production by not coming forward with some evidence under  3142(g) that rebuts the presumption, . The government continues to bear the burden to justify detention by establishing that there are no conditions of release that will reasonably assure the accuseds appearance and the safety of the community. Id. And the judge must still analyze all of the factors listed in  3142(g) in determining whether the government has met that burden. Whether or not the defense rebuts the presumption , the ultimate burden of persuasion and proof always rests with the government to justify detention and to establish that there are no conditions short of detention that will reasonably assure the accuseds appearance in court and the safety of the community. See GEO L.J., supra, at 404 (Even when a presumption of detention applies, the government continues to bear the ultimate burden of proving that no conditions of release will reasonably assure the defendants appearance and the safety of the community.). If the government does not carry that burden, the law requires the judge to release the accused on bond. Even if the presumption is unrebutted, [i]f the government does not carry its burden to justify detention, the judge must order the defendants release pending trial subject to the least restrictive combination of conditions that will reasonably assure his appearance and the safety of the community. 18 U.S.C.  3142(c)(1)(B). Id. See also Chimurenga, 760 F.2d at 405, 403 (holding that even in a presumption case, the government continue[s] to have the burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence that [the defendant is] dangerous and that there are no conditions that will reasonably assure their appearance and the safety of the community despite all of the evidence of social stability the defendant presents); United States v. Munchel, 991 F.3d 1273, 1289 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (Katsas, J., concurring in part) (clear and convincing evidence is a heightened standard of proof under which the fact finder must give the benefit of the doubt to the defendant. (citation omitted)).

, the ultimate burden of persuasion and proof always rests with the government to justify detention and to establish that there are no conditions short of detention that will reasonably assure the accuseds appearance in court and the safety of the community. See GEO L.J., supra, at 404 (Even when a presumption of detention applies, the government continues to bear the ultimate burden of proving that no conditions of release will reasonably assure the defendants appearance and the safety of the community.). If the government does not carry that burden, the law requires the judge to release the accused on bond. In fact, if the judge shifts the burden of persuasion to the accused, that arguably violates due process because the constitutionality of the presumption depends in part on the fact that the defense does not bear the burden of proving that the accused is not a danger or a flight risk. See, e.g., Jessup, 757 F.2d at 386 (Given [inter alia] . . . the fact that the presumption does not shift the burden of persuasion, . . . the presumptions restrictions on the defendants liberty are constitutionally permissible.). The canon of constitutional avoidance thus strongly militates in favor of the Wilks courts interpretation of this meaning of the presumption.

Fourth, once the presumption is rebutted, it carries a lot less weight.

The rebutted presumption remains in consideration but is just one factor among many. While the rebutted presumption does not disappear, a judge must weigh it against all of the mitigating evidence that the defense presents, and assign it no more weight than any other  3142 factor. Siegler & Zunkel, supra, at 52 (citing Jessup, 757 F.2d at 384).

When the defense rebuts the presumption, it has demonstrated that the general purpose animating the presumption is inapplicable in that particular case. So even if drug offenses in general raise a presumption of dangerousness, someone who has rebutted the presumption has introduced evidence that his or her own personal risk of continuing to sell drugs is lower.

January 19, 2022 at 10:43 AM | Permalink

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Wonderfully insightful and helpful, as always! I am a defense lawyer and clinical professor at Chicago Kent

Posted by: Richard kling | Feb 3, 2022 4:42:19 PM

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 Guest posts on big Seventh Circuit Wilks decision on Bail Reform Acts "presumption of detention" | Main | Frustrating (but still fascinating) SCOTUS argument on crack offense resentencing under FIRST STEP Act 

This new AP article, headlined "Pope on prisons: No inmate should ever be deprived of hope," reports on some of the latest comments from Pope Francis about prisons and prisoners. Here are the highlights along with some Italian backstory that may account for the pope's latest remarks:

Pope Francis issued a plea on behalf of prison inmates Wednesday, saying they should never be deprived of hope and always be given the opportunity to redeem themselves.

In remarks at his weekly public audience at the Vatican, Francis told the faithful that we risk being imprisoned in a justice that doesnt allow one to easily get back up again and confuses redemption with punishment.

For this, I want to recall today in a particular way our brothers and our sisters who are in prison, the pontiff said. Its right that those who have made a mistake pay for their mistake, but its even more right that those who have done wrong should be able to redeem oneself from their mistake. There cant be sentences without windows of hope.

Francis didnt cite the prison policies or justice systems of any particular countries as problematic. Catholic teaching holds that the death penalty has no justification in modern society. During his papacy, Francis has made attention to the needs of communities on societys margins, including prison populations, a priority.

Lets think of our incarcerated brothers and sisters, and lets think about the tenderness of God for them and pray for them so that they may find in that window of hope a way out toward a better life, Francis said in concluding his remarks Wednesday.

Italys justice minister, while briefing lawmakers in Parliament on criminal justice reform Wednesday, decried overcrowding in the countrys prisons, describing it as the most serious of all the problems plaguing the penal system. Justice Minister Marta Cartabia said Italys prisons were 14% overcrowded. Its a condition that aggravates the relationships among inmates and which makes the work of prison personnel, often victims of aggression, even more difficult, she said. Overcrowding means greater difficulty in guaranteeing security and greater difficulty in proposing activities that facilitate paths to rehabilitation.

Cartabia said reforms were under way to allow for sentences that provide alternatives to prison. But she noted that 69,000 persons are already serving their sentences outside prison walls, compared to some 54,000 inmates in Italys criminal justice system.
Lady Victoria Hervey (Getty Images)

A former girlfriend of Prince Andrew has hit the headlines after she claimed Ghislaine Maxwell used her as bait to find underage girls for paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to abuse.

Lady Victoria Hervey is a socialite and aristocrat who dated the beleaguered Duke of York briefly in 1999.

Her claims about Maxwell feature in a new ITV documentary about the royal on Tuesday night.

But she also stuck up for Maxwell, saying the convicted sex offender has been a scapegoat in the Epstein scandal.

She has previously defended the Duke of York, too, saying she believes he is innocent.

Lady V, as shes known, was dubbed an It Girl while working as a model in the 1990s. She was a staple in glossy magazines and the celebrity press.

In the early 2000s, she would socialise with Maxwell, Epstein and Prince Andrew.

Now 45, shes a regular on TV, speaking about the three.

Appearing the new documentary, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew And The Paedophile, she suggests she was used by Maxwell to find however many girls were needed to entertain Epstein and his friends.

But, in a separate interview on Lorraine on Tuesday, she described Maxwell as a victim who became the accomplice.

She said Maxwell is a scapegoat right now because there is no-one else to blame.

The two were once friends. Hervey says she met Maxwell and Epstein 20 years ago, and was invited to stay at Epsteins apartment in New York when she was really young and naive.

Born in 1976, Lady Victoria Frederica Isabella Hervey is the eldest child of the 6th Marquess of Bristol and his third wife Yvonne, Marchioness of Bristol (nee Sutton). The Hervey family have an ancestral coat of arms.

She spent the first two years of her life at Ickworth House, the familys sprawling Sussex seat.

Lady Victoria went to Benenden School, a private boarding school in Kent, and reportedly enraged her mother by turning down a place to read French and History of Art at Bristol University.

She spent a gap year in Florence before working at advertising agencies in London.

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The young Lady Victoria became a receptionist for film-maker Michael Winner, and went on to become a model.

She opened a short-lived fashion boutique called Akademi in Knightsbridge in 2000, which was reportedly visited by the likes of Victoria Beckham and Meg Mathews. But the business failed, and closed in 2001.

She made controversial comments on homelessness in 2003, saying: Its so bad being homeless in winter. They should go somewhere warm like the Caribbean where they can eat fresh fish all day.

And she came under fire again in 2017 when she accused one of Harvey Weinsteins alleged victims of being desperate for attention.

Hervey has starred on several reality TV programmes, including ITVs Love Island in 2006.

She now lives in Los Angeles.

She has claimed that unless he was innocent, Prince Andrew would not have agreed to appear in the car crash2019 BBC interview where he responded to allegations he had had sex with a then 17-year-old girl, Virginia Roberts.

The duke is facing a civil sexual assault lawsuit from Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was trafficked to have sex with him by Epstein when she was a minor.

The duke, who denies the allegation, was last week stripped of his honorary military roles and royal patronages after losing a legal bid to have the case thrown out.

Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend and a friend of the Duke of York, was convicted on December 29 of procuring teenage girls for Epstein to abuse and will be sentenced this summer.

Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide.
RIYADH, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) announced on Wednesday that they will resume negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after a hiatus that lasted more than 10 years.

The decision was made during a meeting held on the sidelines of ROK President Moon Jae-in's visit to Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The agreement would open up greater commercial and industrial cooperation between GCC states and the ROK, Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf, secretary-general of the GCC consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, was quoted as saying.

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, which was attended by Al-Hajraf and ROK Trade, Industry, and Energy Minister Moon Sungwook, both sides will strive to reach a final agreement within six months of the first round of negotiations.

It is also stated that the FTA will be ambitious and comprehensive, and that it will lead to increased economic growth and job creation by boosting trade in goods and services, as well as other areas that will benefit both parties.

The meeting reviewed the need for GCC states to reduce reliance on oil earnings and increase non-oil revenues, and to focus on renewable and clean energy, among other areas that would help improve economic and commercial cooperation between the GCC and ROK.

Al-Hajraf emphasized the necessity of investing in promising sectors to develop high-quality commercial and industrial cooperation that benefits both parties.

After more than a decade of suspension, ROK stated in September 2021 its intention to resume FTA negotiations with the GCC. The talks began in 2007 and ended in 2009. 
PHOTO: Getty Images

SINGAPORE  A pest control technician suffering from a cough refused to take a swab test or medical leave as he wanted to qualify for a $100 bonus for not taking medical leave.

A Rahim M Taha, 60, who was a team supervisor with Verminator, even told a doctor that he did not mind being reported to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

He left the clinic without taking the test and continued working the next day.

On Tuesday (18 January), Rahim was jailed five weeks. He had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of exposing others to the risk of COVID-19.

As a team supervisor, Rahim would drive his colleagues using the companys van to each location. He was paid a basic salary of $1,500 a month and worked from Monday to Saturday. He was given an additional $100 allowance if he fulfilled several conditions, including not taking medical leave during the month.

Cough for three weeks

On 5 October 2020, Rahim visited Yishun Polyclinic for a cough that he had been suffering for three weeks. He told the doctor that the cough worsened at night. During his consultation, Rahim had a temperature of 37.4 degrees.

The doctor told Rahim that he had to go for an X-ray as well as a swab test to test for COVID-19. Rahim initially agreed.

A nurse then told Rahim that he would be given medical leave, during which he had to stay at home pending the test result. Upon hearing this, Rahim told the nurse he did not want to take the swab test as he wanted to work.

Rahims doctor explained to Rahim that his cough was a symptom of upper respiratory tract infection. He added that given the current government regulations, Rahim would be given three days medical leave, during which he was to be confined to his house until he received a negative swab test result.

Rahim then repeated that he did not want to undergo the test, prompting the doctor to say that Rahim would have to be on medical leave for five days instead. Rahim refused both the swab test and the medical leave.

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He told (the doctor) that he would not qualify for the additional $100 allowance so long as he is placed on medical leave regardless of whether it is for three or five days. In addition, the accused asked (the doctor) who would compensate him the $100 if he accepted the medical leave, noted Deputy Public Prosecutor Zhou Yang.

The doctor then warned that Rahim's actions were against the law and that the matter would be escalated to MOH. In response, Rahim said he did not mind.

After speaking to an MOH staff member on the phone, the doctor tried persuading Rahim again, but to no avail. Rahim left Yishun Polyclinic after collecting his medication.

Went to work, met two colleagues

On 6 October 2020, Rahim went to work, meeting two colleagues. The team went to inspect a potential rodent infestation at Tai Keng Terrace and at Bartley Road. They then went to the Think 1 Building at Ubi Road, followed by MacPherson Neighbourhood Police Post, to spray insecticide.

The team ate lunch in the van and travelled to Geylang Road for work. A colleague noticed Rahim coughing very badly and asked him to go home for fear of infecting the rest of the team with COVID-19. Rahim headed home.

That same morning, a manager of the Surveillance and Enforcement Branch in MOH called Rahim and told him that he should not leave his house during his medical leave. Rahim replied that he would be penalised by his company if he took medical leave. Rahim then continued working.

The officer later asked a colleague to follow up with Rahim, who lied that he was already at home but was in fact working.

It is uncertain whether Rahim had COVID-19 at the material time. Rahim told the court that when he finally had a swab test done, it was negative.

Rahim sought a lighter sentence due to various illnesses involving his heart and liver. He said he was supporting two children.

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HDB flats in Singapore. (Photo: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  An agitated neighbour who wanted to take revenge on a Muslim woman placed a piece of pork belly between her wooden door and gate.

Koh Siang Hong, 67, had been disturbed by the noise coming from the Muslim womans unit.

She pleaded guilty on Wednesday (19 January) to one count of deliberately wounding the religious feelings of the Muslim victim on 2 February last year.

Another count of a similar nature will be considered for her sentencing. This involves Koh throwing a piece of pork into the victims living room via the common corridor window, a day after she had placed the meat at the door. This offence was in full sight of the victim.

Koh has been assessed by a government psychiatrist to have been suffering from major depressive disorder at the time of the offences. The condition would have contributed to her impulsively placing the meat at her neighbours door, the prosecution told the court on Wednesday.

District Judge May Mesenas called for a mandatory treatment order (MTO) suitability report to assess if Koh could be given psychiatric treatment in lieu of a jail term, and prosecution did not object to it.

Angry at neighbour's family for being too noisy

The victim and her four children, aged four to 23, had been Kohs neighbour at a flat in Boon Lay for six months prior to the offence. Koh had been angry with the family as she felt they were too noisy.

On the morning of 2 February last year, Koh felt agitated about disturbances from the victims unit, and decided to take revenge on the victim.

Knowing that the victim was a Muslim, Koh then took a piece of pork belly from her house and placed it between the gate and wooden door of the victims unit.

The victim, who was in the unit, saw Koh lurking outside her house. A while later, as she opened the wooden door to leave her flat, she discovered the piece of pork. The victim took a photograph of the meat and threw it away without confronting Koh. She made a police report later that day as she felt harassed.

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On anti-depressant medication

Before calling for an MTO report, DJ Mesenas asked Kohs lawyer, Nicholas Chang, if his client was currently undergoing treatment.

Chang replied that Koh was on anti-depressant medication and had a follow-up appointment at the Institute of Mental Health on 28 February.

Koh will return for her sentencing on 16 February. Deliberately wounding the religious or racial feelings of a person carries a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both.

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BEIRUT, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- A snowstorm hit parts of Lebanon early Wednesday, hampering economic activity and forcing school closures across the country, the state-owned National News Agency reported.

Accompanied by strong winds and rain, the snowstorm, dubbed "Hiba," shut down roads in parts of Lebanon in the early morning hours, prompting the government to use bulldozers to remove snow from the main roads.

The severe storm also forced the closure of Tyre's commercial and fisherman's ports, as traffic was hampered and fishermen worked to remove their boats and nets from the port for fear of damage by the severe storm. It also disrupted commercial activity in the Bekaa valley.

People living in the mountains were warned by authorities not to leave their homes if not absolutely essential, and to equip their cars with metal chains. 
SERGEANT BLUFF -- Authorities have released the identity of a man who was fatally shot by a Woodbury County Sheriff's deputy last week.

Michael Scott Meredith, 35, of Sergeant Bluff, died Wednesday at MercyOne Siouxland hospital after he was shot earlier in the evening at the Woodford Mobile Home Park, 501 B St.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said the names of the deputies involved in the shooting and other details are not being released at this time. The shooting remains under investigation.

Two sheriff's deputies and a Sergeant Bluff police officer responded to a call at 5:45 p.m. from someone reporting a male suspect trying to force his way into a mobile home.

Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan has said that when officers arrived, the suspect immediately advanced on them with a tire iron.

One of the deputies fired his Taser, striking the suspect but not stopping him. The second deputy shot Meredith after being struck in the arm with the tire iron.

The injured deputy was treated and released from UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's.

Both deputies have been placed on administrative leave while the DCI investigates the incident. Sheehan has not said how many shots were fired.

Sheehan said his office also will review the deputies' actions and their adherence to department policies. All officers at the scene were wearing body cameras, and the incident was captured on video.

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HULL, Iowa -- A Hull man has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor female several times dating back to 2020.

The Sioux County Sheriff's Office began an investigation in October after receiving a report of a sexual assault at a rural Hull residence. On Monday, deputies arrested Treyton Huyser, 21, on three counts of third-degree sexual abuse.

Huyser posted $10,000 bond Wednesday and was released from the Sioux County Jail.

According to complaints filed in Sioux County District Court, the assaults began in March 2020 and involved a girl under age 16 with whom Huyser had sexual contact. Court documents show that the last incident occurred June 30.

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He is charged with driving a motor home that crashed at about 9:30 p.m. Nov. 26, 2020, near the intersection of County Road L-12 and Quest Avenue near Remsen. The vehicle was traveling north when the driver failed to negotiate a curve, left the road and rolled several times. Law enforcement officers at the scene found open alcoholic beverage containers inside the vehicle. Other passengers told authorities Vlotho was the driver, and a blood sample obtained from Vlotho showed his blood-alcohol concentration was .224 percent, nearly three times the legal limit, according to court documents.
SIOUX CITY -- Political views some may consider extreme didn't make any difference in sentencing Darrell Sorey to prison for making and possessing homemade bombs, a judge said Wednesday.

The only thing that mattered was that Sorey had broken the law, Chief U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand said.

"He's free to have his sovereign citizen views, but he's not free to break the law," Strand said before sentencing Sorey to five years in prison.

Sorey's attorney had referenced his client's political views possibly making him someone law enforcement officers kept an eye on and contributing to his long list of run-ins with the law.

"He's a different human being who's not out there to incite harm," Sorey's attorney, Nathan Lab, of Omaha, said.

Lab didn't use the term sovereign citizen in reference to Sorey, but Strand mentioned the term's appearance in a presentence report detailing Sorey's criminal history and personal background. Among other things, sovereign citizens believe they, rather than law enforcement or elected officials, can decide which laws to obey. Strand said he was concerned with Sorey's actions, not his beliefs, that landed him before him.

Sorey, 37, of Milford, Iowa, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Sioux City in September to one count of possession of an unregistered explosive device.

He was charged with making a pipe bomb, two CO2 (carbon dioxide) cartridge bombs and a CO2 cartridge bomb attached to an arrow. Authorities who executed search warrants at three addresses in Milford and neighboring Arnolds Park on Jan. 15, 2020, found the explosives and nine firearms in addition to a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The searches took place after authorities had found explosives at the site of a truck crash near Knoxville, Iowa, in which Sorey's father, Del Sorey, was killed.

Del Sorey, 62, of Arnolds Park, died Jan. 12, 2020, when the truck he was driving rolled into the ditch and caught fire. Ammunition and consumer-grade fireworks were consumed in the fire, and authorities found three homemade explosive devices, which had been ejected from the truck during the crash.

Del and Darrell Sorey had been traveling together, but Darrell Sorey parted from his father prior to the crash. Authorities have declined to say if the explosives found at the crash site had been made by Darrell Sorey and they also did not know what the explosives were to be used for.

Darrell Sorey also had faced charges of possession of a firearm by a drug user and making an unregistered explosive device. Those charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City woman accused of faking a child welfare investigation in order to get a mother to turn over custody of her kids and pay her nearly $12,000 has pleaded not guilty of extortion and other charges.

Anna Perez-Joaquin, 39, entered her written plea Wednesday in Woodbury County District court to charges of extortion, commission of a specified unlawful activity and first-degree theft.

According to court documents, Perez-Joaquin had fake social workers visit the home and send fake emails to convince the mother that if she did not relinquish custody of her two children or pay money, she would face criminal charges.

The scheme began on Aug. 26, when, court documents said, Perez-Joaquin convinced the woman she and her children were the subject of an Iowa Department of Human Services investigation and tricked the mother into granting temporary custody of the kids to her. Perez-Joaquin then used a fake lawyer profile to get the mother to pay her $400 a month in child support and give Perez-Joaquin her child tax credit check and other monthly benefits the children received.

During the four-month period, Perez-Joaquin accepted at least 16 cash payments and bank transfers totaling approximately $11,874 from the mother.

Perez-Joaquin had plans to take the children to Mexico, court documents said.

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SIOUX CITY -- A woman was arrested Tuesday in connection with an assault in which shots were fired outside a Sioux City home.

Lacoyata Fourkiller, 25, of Sioux City, was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on charges of simple assault and carrying a dangerous weapon.

She is one of five suspects sought after gunshots were fired at a group of people at about 2:28 a.m. Tuesday at a house in the 1500 block of McDonald Street.

According to a Sioux City Police news release, a male victim reported he was walking back to the house when a car pulled up and people inside began asking him for money. When he refused, four males and one woman got out of the car and assaulted him. The victim's family members came out of the house to help him and were also assaulted. The fight ended when one of the subjects fired several shots in the family's direction.

No one was struck by gunfire, but a parked car was damaged.

Fourkiller was arrested a short time later after officers stopped her and found a handgun under her car seat. Police continue to seek the four males, who have been identified.

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SIOUX CITY  Sioux City public schools superintendent Paul Gausman would have the authority to order a temporary mask requirement for district buildings, under a proposal set for debate at Monday's school board meeting.

Gausman will ask the seven-member board to add the authority to the district's AR907 policy, which governs operations during a public emergency. The board approved AR907 at the start of the 2020 school year.

With new COVID-19 cases spiking in Woodbury County, the district needs to make decisions more quickly to respond to changing conditions with the virus, board president Dan Greenwell said Wednesday.

"The focus of the school board is to ensure that we keep the schools open and keep students in person learning, as the best possible way of educating students,"

Greenwell said in an interview. "Nearly a third of the people in Woodbury County are testing positive. What we want to have is a policy is place that makes sure the school district can respond quickly if we need to."

His comments came on the same day Siouxland District Health reported Woodbury County added nearly 2,200 new cases of COVID-19 last week, as the highly-contagious omicron variant continued to surge. The case rate was roughly a 31% increase from the week before, and the positivity rate hit 33.1%.

The revised AR907 policy would authorize Gausman or one of his designees to implement a mask requirement for students, teachers, staff and the public on a time-limited basis district-wide or for specific buildings, according to an advisory released to the media Wednesday.

Gausman is scheduled to discuss the proposal with reporters on Thursday morning.

Four months ago, the school board declined to act on a measure that would have required facial coverings for all students, teachers, staff and visitors in all district buildings. Then-board vice chair Monique Scarlett pushed for the mandate days after a federal judge blocked a new state law that had prohibited local districts from adopting such measures.

The new law, passed on the final day of the legislative session, was soon challenged in both state and federal court. A state court upheld the law, but on Sept. 13, a federal judge ordered the temporary halt of enforcement while the courts consider legal challenges to the law signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The federal suit, initiated by the Biden administration, argues the law discriminates against students with disabilities and serious health conditions, because their health is endangered by schools with unvaccinated students who are not wearing face masks.

As it has been in much of the rest of the country, the issue has been controversial locally. Two dozen 23 citizens weighed in during the Sept. 15 emergency school board meeting. The environment in the packed board room was heated, with people in the crowd interrupting speakers and board members with shouts, claps and verbalized frustrations.

Scarlett's motion to adopt the mandate died due to a lack of a second.

Other board members said said they saw no reason to vote on the issue, citing a flood of calls, texts and emails they received from students, parents, teachers and other community members opposed to the proposed requirement.

Scarlett and other advocates argued masks have been scientifically proven to be the second best way to reduce the spread of the virus, after vaccinations.

The proposed mask policy change will be on the agenda for the board's regularly scheduled meeting Monday, which starts at 6 p.m.

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SIOUX CITY -- Matthew O'Kane said his heart was racing and it felt like butterflies were flying around in his stomach, as he waited for a mid-October forum hosted by the League of Women Voters to begin.

The first-time Sioux City Council candidate turned to Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore, who was seated beside him at a desk in the Council Chambers, and asked, "How do you do this? How do you look so cool on the surface?"

Moore, who, at the time, was seeking his third four-year term on the council, relayed that an acting instructor once told him, "As soon as you lose the butterflies, you lose your drive."

"That was all it took. It was just Dan telling me that one thing. Instantly, everything settled into place," O'Kane recalled just days after he had been sworn into office.

The 35-year-old Sioux City native grabbed the third open seat on the council, narrowly beating Ike Rayford, another political newcomer, by just 66 votes in the Nov. 2 election. O'Kane replaced Pete Groetken, a retired Sioux City police captain who decided not to seek a third term on the five-member council.

Immediately after he was elected, the Sioux City Community School District K-12 virtual art teacher began making requests to sit down with city department heads. O'Kane not only participated in almost daily meetings until he took the oath of office on Jan. 3, he also visited a number of city-managed facilities, including the wastewater treatment plant, which he remembered touring as a child.

"It was really fun seeing that side of the city," he said. "Seeing how (the plant) has changed and how many more buildings there are was really neat."

Early influences

O'Kane was introduced to public service at a young age. His father, James D. O'Kane, a Sioux City Democrat, once served on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors and in the Iowa Legislature.

As a preschooler and, then, a kindergartener, O'Kane fondly remembers sitting at a large table during the supervisors' meetings and doodling with pens and pencils on an endless supply of paper.

"My dad would pick me up from school and I would go and just draw," said O'Kane, who went on to study art at both Western Iowa Tech Community College and Briar Cliff University, after graduating from West High School in 2005.

O'Kane gravitated toward encaustic, an ancient painting technique which combines beeswax, pigment and hardener. He was familiar with wax from skateboarding and candle making, a hobby his father taught him. O'Kane said he enjoyed carving into the side of wax as a child and rediscovered that love as a student at Briar Cliff.

O'Kane, who hasn't produced any encaustic works for a while due to the lack of a safe studio space, said some of the oldest surviving encaustic pieces are tomb portraits from Egypt.

"It is kind of finicky. You have to make sure that you have good ventilation. You gotta try really hard not to burn yourself," he said with a chuckle. "What I appreciate about encaustics is the work you make today is not what you're going to have 50 years down the road. What my instructor Nan Wilson from Briar Cliff taught me is every day you should rub your encaustic painting with your hand and, slowly, over time, it's going to be burnished clear wax."

It was also at Briar Cliff that O'Kane decided he wanted to deliver a choice-based art curriculum to students, which he said allows them to "kind of drive the learning." O'Kane taught elementary education in the South Sioux City Community School District before coming to the Sioux City Community School District to teach in its Virtual Institute for Brighter Education (VIBE) Academy, a fully virtual learning academy.

"If I have a student that comes up to me and says, 'I'm really interested in learning to work with makeup, then I'll teach a mini-lesson on makeup. If I have a student that says, 'I'm really interested in learning to sculpt with wire,' then I'll have a mini-lesson on different techniques that apply to sculpting with wire," O'Kane explained. "That way the kids are able to gravitate toward what they do. In a virtual setting, that's extremely valuable, because not every learner is going to have access to the same materials at home."

Family support

O'Kane said a teacher at West High School told him, "If you want to change your community, get involved in politics at the local level." He said that comment stuck with him.

In the years proceeding his city council run, O'Kane said his family members slowly ramped up their community involvement.

"They are incredibly supportive," he said. "It was something that we decided as a family a number of years ago that we wanted to be able to pay it forward."

He said his wife Leticia is "an incredible public servant" who volunteers with the Junior League of Sioux City, the Food Bank of Siouxland and the Siouxland Soup Kitchen.

"She's involved in a lot of organizations and she has instilled that attitude of public service on my children, which I am incredibly grateful for," he said. "She takes my oldest son Sampson to most of the volunteer events."

Sampson, 14, participates in the Mayor's Youth Commission and recently volunteered at Neighborhood Network Family Fun Night at Long Lines Family Rec Center. O'Kane said 6-year-old daughter Lunah is a "precocious young girl," while 4-year-old son Sheamus is a "ninja" who is likely laying the foundation for his own future council bid. Sheamus, who likes to don a light-blue clip-on tie printed with squares, campaigned on his father's behalf at Stella Sanford Child Development Center.

"He would go in and talk to his teachers and say, 'Hey, My dad's running for City Council,' and engage with the voters," O'Kane said.

O'Kane described being sworn in as "an emotional experience." Ten of his family members were there watching. After raising his right hand and reciting the oath, O'Kane embraced his mother, Linda O'Kane.

"It's not like accepting any other job offer. There's an implication that you were voted into that position and you've been accepted into that position," he said. "There's a lot of pressure on that moment. I think there's always when you're in the public eye."

O'Kane said he has "really big shoes to fill," since Groetken has "contributed so much to the community." He noted that he put a lot of pressure on himself for his first council meeting and read the council's rule book four times prior to it.

"I felt like I was very prepared. I had plenty of notes written down, questions that I wanted to ask and things like that," he said. "I felt like it went pretty smooth."

During the meeting, O'Kane and the other three council members in attendance cast votes to approve code changes for a cat cafe to open downtown and also advanced a local businessman's request to rezone property just west of North High School.

About Matthew O'Kane Age: 35 Hometown: Sioux City Education: Associate of arts degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College, bachelor's degree from Briar Cliff University in art and K-12 education Occupation: K-12 virtual art teacher for the Sioux City Community School District, previously taught elementary education in the South Sioux City Community School District Family: Wife Leticia, daughter Lunah, 6, and sons Sampson, 14, and Sheamus, 4 Hobbies: O'Kane grows a variety of vegetables in his family's expanding garden, such as beets, potatoes, lettuce, soybeans, squash and cucumbers. He also isolates his own seeds, crosses different varieties of peppers, makes his own hot sauce, sauerkraut and miso, and maintains a compost pile. Books: O'Kane is currently reading "Robert's Rules of Order," Michael Lewis' "The Premonition: A Pandemic Story," and Peter Tasker's "Dragon Dance," which he has read before. He's also a big fan of author Stieg Larsson.

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LAGOS, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 220 people, including civilians and security personnel, lost their lives in the first 17 days of this year in armed attacks in central Nigeria's Niger state, the state's governor has said.

Gunmen attacked 300 communities in the state between Jan. 1 and Jan. 17, and at least 50 of those attacks led to casualties, with at least 220 people killed and 200 others abducted, governor Abubakar Sani Bello told a briefing late Tuesday in Abuja, following a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

"We lost some security personnel. Their number is 25. Unfortunately, we also lost about 165 civilians and 30 local vigilantes," the governor said.

"So, it's a very dire situation that we have been battling in the last few weeks since the beginning of this year," Bello said, adding that the gunmen were using forests as hideouts and moving between states to escape the hunt of security forces.

He called for simultaneous operations by security forces in different states and the recruitment of more security personnel to sustain the fight against the gunmen.

Armed banditry has been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months. 
Beijing reports two local COVID-19 cases, one person testing positive

Xinhua) 09:30, January 19, 2022

Medical workers deliver medicine for the elderly in quarantine at a community under close-off management where a locally transmitted COVID-19 case was found in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 18, 2022. Beijing reported two confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and one other person testing positive for COVID-19 from Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to local authorities. The two confirmed cases were found in the Haidian District, while the person testing positive for COVID-19 was detected in Chaoyang District, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention. The community where the newly-comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. Many frontline workers and volunteers have been devoted to ensuring sufficient food and medicine supplies for residents in the community. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Beijing reported two confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and one other person testing positive for COVID-19 from Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to local authorities.

The two confirmed cases were found in the Haidian District, while the person testing positive for COVID-19 was detected in Chaoyang District, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention.

The new confirmed cases are close contacts of a previous case reported on Jan. 15.

The person testing positive was found Tuesday morning and the result was verified by the municipal center for disease prevention and control in the afternoon. The sample collected showed evidence of the Delta variant.

Beijing has conducted epidemiological investigations and traced close contacts of the cases.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
CAIRO, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's biopharmaceutical company Sinovac has signed a cooperation agreement with Egypt's Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) to establish a cold storage facility for vaccine storage and preservation in Egypt, said the Chinese Embassy in Egypt on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed between the two companies via both a video conference and an offline ceremony attended by Egyptian Acting Health Minister and Higher Education Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang at the Egyptian Health Ministry's headquarters in Cairo.

"China-Egypt anti-epidemic cooperation has continued to deepen and vaccine cooperation has seen many bright spots. China is willing to continue to work with Egypt to strengthen mutual confidence and overcome difficulties together," said the Chinese ambassador.

"China will donate another 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Egypt to help Egypt achieve its goal of vaccinating 70 percent of its population by the middle of this year," Liao added.

The fully-automated cold storage facility is agreed to be built in VACSERA's new factory complex in Giza's 6th of October City west of the capital Cairo.

For his part, Abdel-Ghaffar expressed appreciation of China's "strong assistance" to Egypt with the anticipated cooling unit and the millions of doses of vaccines.

"China's pragmatic measures to provide Egypt with a new batch of 10 million doses of vaccine fully demonstrate the firm determination of China and Egypt to fight the epidemic together," said the Egyptian minister during the signing ceremony.

Egypt is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation with China in localized vaccine production, technology transfer and drug research and development, so as to make greater contributions to the fight against the pandemic in Africa, Abdel-Ghaffar added.

The cold storage facility to be built by Sinovac will have a storage capacity of 150 million doses of vaccine and is expected to be the largest vaccine storage center in Africa.

Sinovac and VACSERA already have a cooperation agreement for joint vaccine production signed in April last year, according to which the Sinovac vaccines are locally manufactured in VACSERA's factory in Egypt, with the final product carrying the VACSERA-Sinovac label.

Through the joint production, Egypt seeks to become a hub for vaccine export in Africa. 
Two residents of a short-staffed long-term care center were found dead Sunday night in Thomasville when police, first responders and medical personnel conducted a welfare check.

An investigation into the center continues.

According to a police statement released Tuesday, the families of the unidentified deceased residents of Pine Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center had been notified of their deaths by staff before the police investigation began.

Their bodies were sent to the autopsy center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Another two patients were found to be in critical condition. One was taken to High Point Medical Center, while the other was transported to Thomasville Medical Center.

Officials with Principle LTC, the Kinston-based operator of Pine Ridge, could not be immediately reached for comment on the deaths and police investigation.

Investigators said the welfare check was requested by residents, who told authorities staff members had not been seen by some residents and could not be reached by phone.

Police arrived at the center at 706 Pineywood Road at 7:56 p.m. Sunday.

According to the report, officers determined there was inadequate staffing to accommodate the 98 patients of the facility. The facility had one licensed practical nurse and two certified nursing assistants available at the time of the investigation.

Officers contacted Thomasville Fire Department and Davidson County Emergency Medical Services for assistance with a door-to-door assessment of every resident. That took until 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Obviously, the weather and road conditions contributed to the inadequate staffing issues with this facility, Capt. Brad Saintsing of the Thomasville Police Department said in the report.

"First and foremost, we want to ensure each and every resident of the facility is getting the quality of care they deserve. With these types of facilities, there is a protocol, and we want to ensure it was followed as it relates to the weather and/or emergency situations."

Among the investigating agencies are the State Bureau of Investigation, Davidson County District Attorneys Office, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and Davidson County Social Services.

DHHS is currently at the center overseeing operations.

According to the Principle website, it operates 56 centers involving about 7,200 beds in North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky, offering services ranging from short-term transitional care to Alzheimers and dementia care.

In its latest report, the state said Pine Ridge had a cluster of eight staff members and two residents who had tested positive for COVID-19. There had been no related deaths as of Jan. 11.

A cluster is defined as at least five cases over a 28-day period. The state does not report when the cases were diagnosed.

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DES MOINES  Mental health care workers and patients would be in line for assistance under a package of bills introduced by state lawmakers.

Iowa House Republicans have introduced four bills that would aim to add more mental health beds at state-run mental health facilities, establish more psychiatric residencies in the state, and create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers.

Iowa Rep. Ann Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge and chairwoman of the House committee through which the bills will run, spoke to reporters about the proposals Tuesday at the Iowa Capitol.

Its just such a crisis, Meyer said. Its a crisis that needs to be addressed in a big way.

 House Study Bill 532 would fund 12 new psychiatric residencies through the University of Iowa at the states mental health care facilities in Cherokee and Independence and the medical and classification center at Oakdale. We know that we can fill those spots. We need to do something to get psychiatrists into the state of Iowa, Meyer said. The program would cost $1.2 million in its first year and double the number of residencies to 24 and the cost to $2.4 million the following year.

 House Study Bill 537 would create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers. Participants would be required to commit to working in Iowa for five years.

 House Study Bill 531 would increase by 50 percent the number of beds at Independence and Cherokee. Meyer said this proposal faces the unique challenge of also requiring sufficient workers to staff any new beds. We need to have places for our highest-crisis patients to be treated, Meyer said.

 House Study Bill 530 would establish a higher state reimbursement rate to providers for patients with complex psychiatric needs.

Peggy Huppert, executive director of the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said the group supports the four bills.

"We really do need to turn our attention to workforce, and beds remain a critical issue, Huppert said.

Iowa Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, a Democrat from Waterloo and member of the committee through which the bills would advance, said she supports the proposals and believes mental health care policy can and should be bipartisan efforts.

Im excited to see mental health bills come in, said Brown-Powers, who works in health care for MercyOne. Ive been here for eight years, and weve done very little to actually help those families and those folks with mental health. So its time. Its over time to do that.

Brown-Powers said she hopes the legislation has teeth and strong funding behind it.

I just hope that as we move forward we take a sincere look at mental health, she said. These bills are a start, but they surely arent everything that Iowans need right now.

Meyer said she has made mental health care one of her priorities since her first campaign in 2018, when she said she heard from many constituents about the need for expanded mental health care services. She recalled talking to a young woman whose brother was an Iraq War veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, turned to substance abuse and became homeless.

And theres so many stories like that, Meyer said.

One of the four bills was scheduled for a subcommittee hearing  the first step in the legislative process  Tuesday afternoon, and a second will have its first hearing on Wednesday. Meyer said the others likely will have their first hearings next week.

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Every week, Dear Prudence answers additional questions from readers, just for Slate Plus members.

Q. Im dreaming of a single bed: My husbands sleeping habits are getting worse and worse and I dont know what else to do.

We are both in our mid-30s and have been together for six years. He has always snored, but over the last two years it has become so much worse. It doesnt even just include snoring anymorehe tosses and turns all night long, steals the blankets, and gets restless legs and kicks me hard, multiple times per night.

Now at this point, I would like to say that I am a person who has some sensory issues, particularly related to sound and noise, but that has never really impacted my sleep until now. As long as it is reasonably quiet, I sleep really well. In fact, I used to sleep so heavily that when my husband and I first got together, his snoring wasnt that bothersome. Then about two years ago, I started waking up in the middle of the night suddenly, as though someone had screamed in my ear, and then wasnt able to get back to sleep due to his snoring. I brought it up with my doctor, who put me on anti-anxiety medication. It helped a bit, but not enough, so I tried all kinds of earplugs, but they all hurt my ears. I also tried a white noise machine and a fan  turns out I hate white noise! The problem has persisted and worsened, with me often moving to the couch or kicking him to the couch so I can get some decent sleep at least a few nights a week.

I have asked him to talk to his doctor about this, since the symptoms are painfully consistent and getting worse, and all this paired with pandemic weight gain  I am worried about his health. And honestly, my own. He knows that I am sleeping more poorly now than I ever have, and how thats affecting me overall. Again, I say this as someone who was previously a great sleeper! Im now taking a sleep aid in addition to the anxiety meds, and have all but given up caffeine. All this to still spend two to three nights a week on the couch in my own home, four to five nights a week sleeping apart from my husband, and still waking up with bruises on my legs.

He has steadfastly refused to bring it up with his doctor, saying that she will diagnose him with sleep apnea and he doesnt want a sleep apnea machine. Well, frankly, if he needs one, he needs one! And besides, that isnt the only therapy that a doctor could suggest for this.

In my worst moments, at 3 a.m. when Im wide awake and staring at his handsome face in rage, I fantasize about leaving him. I dream about my own tranquil apartment where I sleep peacefully night after night. The other part of me remembers my vows, in sickness and in health, and thinks, This is where the rubber hits the road and this is supposed to be hard, but its part of marriage and the commitment we made. But I cant go on like this. What should I do?

A: You say your husband knows how this is affecting you, but does he really, really know? I think you need a super serious, clear, sit-down talk about how you are suffering physically and mentally and beginning to question whether you can stay in the relationship under these circumstances. I mean, hes giving you bruises!

If he doesnt care about that, he doesnt care about you. If he refuses to get help, he should at the very least volunteer to stay on the couch every night, starting not after he has already destroyed your sleep, but at bedtime.

Classic Prudie

For the past six months, my husband has been distant, secretive, and impatient with me while also being in frequent contact with his cousins wife. I assumed there was an affair, but it turns out that he was helping her to leave a domestic abuse situation, and she had sworn him to secrecy. They both swear that nothing happened, and I believe them.

The problem is that it doesnt help. For the past two months, in my head, Ive been emotionally on my way out the door. Ive talked to lawyers, investigated my options for rentals closer to work, and been unhappy but ready to leave. Now that Ive discovered I was wrong about my husband, I still feel ready to go. My mother and sister think Im being ridiculous and that hes a hero.
Jenee Desmond-Harris is online weekly to chat live with readers. Heres an edited transcript of this weeks chat.

Q. Fed up with body comments: Second-time, sleep-deprived new mom here. About a month ago, I burned part of my body on a too-hot water bottle in bed that caused a painful 2-inch blister and now scab. Recently, embarrassingly, I picked at the scab (bad habit dating back to childhood) and needed to re-bandage it.

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My mother-in-law, a former nurse, saw the bandage and asked what happened. I said, Oh, that happened a while ago, and changed the subject. Today, she saw the uncovered injury and again asked what happened. I said, Oh, nothing, I burned it. And she started talking triumphantly about how she KNEW it was a burn because of her years as a wound care nurse. I grumpily said, I dont want to talk about it. I was embarrassed that I had re-injured it and also that I hadnt covered it with clothing (after the previous comment) but she had shown up at our door that morning unannounced.

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After she left, my husband was angry with me for speaking to her so gruffly. He didnt agree with me that she had no business commenting on my body. What the hell? I lost my temper and yelled that just because you were once a nurse doesnt give you the right to make observations about other peoples bodies. This after a few days of my father-in-law joking that our baby girl was gaining too much weight and getting too heavy with every ounce of formula we fed her.

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Am I right to think they should both lay off commenting on female bodies?! (Anybody!) I wish I had calmly said to her, Id appreciate it if you didnt comment on my body. I also wish I had calmly shared my feelings with my husband rather than yell. I dont really want to talk to her about itIm hoping she got the hint even though I didnt handle it ideally. But what can I do about this fight with my husband? For what its worth, he is also sleep-deprived and definitely pulls his weight with the kids and the household, so thats not an issue.

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A: I see these two kinds of body comments as very different and think your anger at your mother-in-law was misdirected, and that your father-in-law is weird, gross, and inappropriate for joking about your infant daughter gaining too much weight (and I think that would be the case regardless of her gender). But its not generally considered to be out of bounds to check on a loved one who is visibly wounded and bandaged. If you dont want anyone to say anything about your bodyif no questions or concerns are welcome even if you show up with crutches or a neck braceyou need to make that clear in advance, because its a bit unusual. So do that, whenever you feel up to it.

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In the meantime, tell your husband you wish youd shared your feelings rather than yelling. And just as important, tell him that this is a hard time and you need more supportand possibly even a check-in with your doctor about postpartum depression, just to be on the safe side. I hear you when you say he pulls his weight, but if you are injuring yourself, feeling shame about it, re-injuring yourself, and breaking down over relatively harmless comments, it could be a sign that sleep deprivation and hormonal changes are taking a bigger toll on you than you realize. And whether your mood is hormone-related or not, I cant imagine you enjoy feeling undone over a stray mother-in-law remark. Thats no way to live, and having some tactics to navigate conflicts like this could make your life happier.

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How to Get Advice From Prudie:

 Send questions for publication here. (Questions may be edited.)

 Join the live chat Mondays at noon. Submit your questions and comments here before or during the discussion.

Q. Cut off: My two sons, aged 40 and 45, had a terrible falling-out over a business they were in together. As a result, the younger son has pulled away from the entire family; he has three children and he wont let me see them or answer any of my calls or texts. It has been almost two years and it is driving me into a deep depression. I have tried to reach out but neither my son nor his wife will answer my calls.

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We were a very close family and this is devastating. My son did tell me he is working on himself and he has to do it alone. Im not sure what that means. I feel I should be able to fix this but I am not able to. This is just the tip of the iceberg; they are also in a huge court battle. I have talked to a few counselors but no one seems to have any real advice, just to give him space and time. The problem Im having is not seeing my beautiful grandchildren. I took care of them since they were born and now I am just completely cut off.

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A: This is really devastating, and I cant imagine how hard it is to lose contact with your grandchildren. But it sounds like youve done everything you can and need to move past trying to change minds to focus on acceptance. I hope the situation isnt permanent, but at this moment, it probably feels a lot like death. So, when you talk to counselors about it, be open to getting help with the grieving process and managing your feelings of loss rather than seeking real advice to change the situation. Unfortunately I dont think that exists. I know it wont be the same, but maybe you could seek out opportunities to spend time with other childrenmaybe volunteering or tutoringto try to fill the gap in your life until things get better.

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Q. My not-so-chemical romance: Can you develop chemistry? Ive been dating a guy for several months now. At first, it was just periodically because we were so busy, but its gotten more serious. We also went out in a lot of groups or did a lot of activities.

Ive realized theres just no chemistry. Conversations are a big deal to me, I dont think they are to him, and ours seem pretty forced and a bit boring. Out of all the relationships Ive ever had, romantic or not, I feel like Ive never had anywhere near this little chemistry.

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The thing is, I feel comfortable with him and he treats me really well. I feel like I can let go and not worry too much about being too weird with him. Im starting to really wonder what chemistry is. I felt attracted to him and happy to be around him when we first started dating, but now I just feel comfortable. Is that normal?

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A: I think the question should not be whether this is normal (a lot of unpleasant things, including stuff you wouldnt want for yourself, like a long but fairly miserable marriage, are normal), but whether its what you want. And this is one of those situations in which the fact that you decided to write to an advice columnist about it says a lot. Its probably not.

Now, if you wrote to me saying you were worried that your sister or friend was in a relationship with a guy whom she found kind of boring, I would tell you to mind your own business because shes made a choice to prioritize comfort and being treated well and it works for her, and plenty of people have low-chemistry relationships that make them happy. But this is about you, and its obviously nagging at you and keeping you from enjoying the relationship as much as you could. Maybe youre a person who needs more passion and excitement to be happy in a serious relationship. Or maybe you just dont feel like being in a relationship thats past the high-chemistry stage and more settled and comfortable right now, even though you might in the future. But the reality is relationships are supposed to make you happier and it seems like the forced, boring nature of this one is keeping that from happening. Its not a fit right now and thats OK. When its right, youll know and you wont have to ask whats normal.

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Q. Yes, we really are mad at you and not telling you: My husbands mom recently and unilaterally divorced his dad, and its not amicable. Dad-in-Law has talked things through with us and told us his story while trying to badmouth his ex as little as possible, and he was very worried about his son. Mom-in-Law, though, has been railing against her ex as much as she can, alienating my husband and me, who dont want to listen to her ranting and crowing about how happy she is now that her ex is gone. My husband has decided not to talk to her except on holidays and such, and he just ignores it all. Im more angry than he is; I had considered his family better than the one I grew up with and gotten very close to them, and Im quietly burned that his mom threw it all in the trash. That said, her marital life isnt my business, and Ive kept quiet.

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Recently, she asked me why her son doesnt call her more, and if its because of the divorce, and if hes mad at her. I dont feel right telling her that yes, this is why we dont talk to her more, but her son sure isnt going to say anything, and I feel guilty leaving her in the dark and not telling her how she could fix this if she tried to. I was very close to her, so its not like shes overreaching by calling me on the phone. What do I tell her?

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A: Ask your husband if hes willing to do you the favor of having an honest conversation with his mom so that youre not in an awkward position and so that you might have a chance of repairing a relationship that meant a lot to you. If he really doesnt want to, its his mom and you have to respect that. But if he agrees, you can say: You asked about why [Husband] doesnt call you anymore and whether its because of the divorce. I dont feel comfortable answering that question for him, but I do think you should ask him about it because I would love to see your relationship improve so we can have you in our lives more. Why dont you write him an email or give him a call?

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Q. Not a gift grab: I may be overthinking this, but recent debates over how destination weddings are perceived have caused me to question our christening plans. My husband and I are expecting a second child in very early February. We plan to have the christening ceremony and reception in early April, as his parents will be here from Australia and that is honestly the best time to have both sets of grandparents available to attend. For our first child, we were living in San Francisco and invited our families and close friends who lived in the area. We still keep in touch with those close friends but now we live in Los Angeles.

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Is it OK to still invite them to the second christening, knowing if they attend that they would have to travel? I do not want it to seem like a gift grab. Family across the country and abroad will still be invited even though we do not expect them to attend (as I believe it would seem more rude to exclude them and not give them the option; plus, our extended families have always invited relatives to milestone-type events like weddings, other christenings, etc., even though we are all spread out). I am worried doing a birth announcement instead would come across as not valuing our friends if they were to learn we had a christening and had not invited them. Also per paranoia/reality, we do not plan to send invites until after her birth obviously, so it will be a short-notice invite for everyone, but again that is the only time we can have both sets of grandparents together.

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A: You know the traditions and expectations of your social circle best, but I personally cant imagine anyone feeling snubbed by not receiving an invitation to an out-of-town christening for a friends child. In fact, I cant think of a time Ive heard of someone traveling for a christening for a baby that is not their close relative or godchild. But again, you know your people and whats normal in your community. So if your gut and your experience are telling you that invitations are expected, send them with a simple please, no gifts on the invitation to ease your mind.

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Q. Re: Cut off: Letter writer, you are going to counselors asking how you fix your sons and get to see your grandchildren again. You need to stop doing that. You need to go to a counselor and ask for help for YOU to let them make their own choices and be their own people, and for YOU to process that you have been cut off (likely for a reason). FIX YOU.

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A: I want to give the letter writer the benefit of the doubt, so I dont assume that shes been cut off for a reason. But your advice still works. She has to focus on herself and how to copeand give up on the thankless work of trying to change othersif shes going to get through this.

Jenee Desmond-Harris: Thanks, everyone. Thats all for today! Talk to you on Monday.

If you missed Part 1 of this weeks chatMy Mom Helped Us Buy Our Home but We Cant Stand Living With Herclick here to read it.

Discuss this column on our Facebook page!

From How to Do It

I am a gay man in my late 20s. I am in a relationship with a guy that I love very much, and weve been officially dating for about a year. I am a chubby guy, and I am comfortable in my body, for the most part. I know that my weight was a key factor in my boyfriend being attracted to me at the start of our relationship. Recently, Ive started to think about getting healthier. I am going to be 30 soon, and if I dont do it now, I feel like I never will. My worry is that if I lose the weight, the man I love may no longer be attracted to me. I have brought it up with him, and he says that it wouldnt happen, but I still cant shake this feeling. I know I need to take care of my physical health, but I dont want to lose the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Should I just take care of me and worry about the consequences of my weight loss if it happens?
CAIRO, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) approved on Wednesday financing of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars to fund developmental projects in Egypt, the country's Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a statement.

Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ITFC Hany Sonbol discussed the corporation's work plan in Egypt during 2022 in the areas of trade support and women empowerment programs.

Gamea said that "the ITFC is one of the most important development partners of Egypt, as its projects contribute to supporting the sectors of trade and industry, small and medium enterprises, and women's empowerment projects, in addition to supporting the commercial cooperation between Arab and African countries."

The minister indicated that the meeting tackled special arrangements to establish the first exporters' academy in Egypt, pointing out that the academy will provide training programs to support the Egyptian exporters and enhance their ability to access more global markets.

For his part, Sonbol stressed the ITFC's keenness to implement more development programs in Egypt, pointing to the importance of achieving integration among all development partners in Egypt with the aim of achieving the best results to support the Egyptian economy.

Sonbol added that the annual meeting of the Arab-African Trade Bridges Program will be held in Egypt on March 14, with the participation of a large number of ministers and representatives of global development institutions. 
On a recent episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick spoke with Andy Slavitt, former senior adviser to Bidens White House pandemic response team, about the omicron surge and the two major vaccine mandate decisions handed down by the Supreme Court last week. Slavitt also served as acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2015 to 2017, and hosts the In the Bubble podcast. Their conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: I wanted to have you here this week to help us understand the reality in terms of omicron, in terms of mitigation efforts and what is happening on the ground, all around us, as experts try to deal with this pandemic in real time. You told NPR less than a month ago we will have to focus in on how full the ICUs are. My question is: Is that still what matters to you, and are we there or about there now?

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Andy Slavitt: Well, those numbers are just mind-boggling, arent they? Theyre almost hard to imagine. Sadly, theyre only going to get worse before they get better. Were talking about anywhere from 2 percent to 3 percent of the country getting sick every day with this virus. It is indeed a virus that is mildor it doesnt like to attack our lungs; it likes to stay in the upper airways, which makes it more spreadable. That means it does less damage to us and that, combined with the fact that weve got a country that is, for all of the arguing to and fro, largely vaccinated, at least among adults, means its less severe.

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But the reason the ICUs are indeed the place for us to be watching and concerned about is because with large, large numbers of people getting the virus, thats enougheven mild casesto push people into the hospital.

Now, two types of people tend to be going into the hospital from all the data weve seen. People who are unvaccinated are going to the hospital in much greater numbers, and that includes kids 0 to 5. So lets not forget that there are people that cant be vaccinated. People with preexisting medical conditions are also a large percentage of the people. Even if theyve been vaccinated, there are complications. And lest we get coldhearted, these were the same people that many of us fought for during the Affordable Care Act. These are human beings.

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The stories Im hearing are about folks who cant get necessary surgeries, folks who are standing in lines for ERs, for a bed, supply chain disruptions. This is tangibly, materially affecting health care for everyone, not just people who have COVID. Were there, right?

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This is a crisis in fast motion. And what that means is you can look at the community, and on a Friday of one week, the danger level could be quite moderate. And on the Monday of the following week, you could be at crisis levels of spread. Thats what exponential spread means. Its not a concept that our brains naturally understand because when you look outside, things look exactly the same. This is an invisible virus, and you cant see things, but if you did go inside these hospitals, what youd see, in many communities, are staff that just simply cant take care of people.

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Before we move on to the decisions on Thursday, I just want to flag that you are trying to make this point about the reality around uswhat we perceive and what we can accurately assess and where we are wrong. You tweeted, In todays Supreme Court case, lawyers who have COVID and arent allowed in the Supreme Court building are arguing that other people should have to go to work with unvaccinated/untested people. And I think your tweet captured the reality. We had two oral advocates from two of the states who are resisting the vaccine-or-test mandate who couldnt come in because they tested positive. We had the justices, with the exception of Justice Gorsuch, wearing masks. The reality of what the justices themselves were actually experiencing in their workplace didnt map onto how they were talking about other workplaces.

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It reminded me a little bit of some of the language in Heller, the gun case, where Justice Scalia was really scrupulous to say, but no matter what happens, it would be insane to let people bring guns into federal buildings. That would be nuts because Im sitting in one. And I wondered if you could help us think through how this reality that was happening in the court was so dissociated from the reality that you are describing out in the world.

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Let me put it in this context: We could be critical of President Biden for anything we want to; he wants to be held accountable. He cares, in my conversations with him, about one thing only, and thats the lives of Americans. And if anything, he runs toward these challenges. So he didnt predict omicron. But, in the last few days, hes announced a billion new tests coming. Hes announced 20,000 new testing sites. And occasionally, it would be useful for the media to contrast that with, say, Ron DeSantis, who made the decision that hes going to pay people a cash bonus who decide not to get vaccinated and lose their jobs, with states that have outlawed any amount of public health support, including mask mandates, with people whove taken power away from the public health officials and given it to school districts to decide whether kids should wear masks. These are people that are elongating the virus.

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We have to remember that the first year of this crisis response was very different. We had a president who denied any accountability for the response, and those people are still out there. And theyre bringing cases to the Supreme Court to try to prevent public health actions, trying to keep our workplaces from being kept safe. And I just wonder if they were spending all this creative energy fighting the virus, instead of fighting the people who are fighting the virus, maybe wed be in a lot better place.

One of the things that was so weird to me in that first case, which was the OSHA case, NFIB v. Department of Labor, which involves an emergency temporary standard, trying to respond to a crisis that is morphing by the week. The emergency rule that OSHA put out required employers with 100 or more workers to give their staff a choice between getting the vaccine or a weekly mask-and-testing regime in the workplace. Eighty-four million people wouldve been affected, and OSHA roots its own statutory authority to do this in a federal law that allows OSHA to protect employees from a grave danger, resulting from physically harmful agents, or a new hazardsounds kind of like were in that bucket.

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And we have a group of red states, as you say, who file suit and then the argument unfolds, and it is literally like my great-uncles sitting around the dinner table, bickering about risk, a thing they dont understand. And so then you get into fights about, Oh, Sonia Sotomayor got the number of kids wrong, and Oh, Neil Gorsuch may or may not have misstated how many people die as a result of seasonal flu. I guess Im asking whats it like to watch the theater of what should be a legal, statutory, constitutional conversation playing out with weird sound bites about whether this is more or less like the flu.

Im a great respecter of the Constitution. And the idea that these are things that are running roughshod over the Constitution is just wrong. These are authorities that Congress gave to our agencies to act in emergencies. And we have a very conservative court and these cases are formed, as much as justices dont like to admit it, by public perception, by their own perceptions. And I dont know who advised them. Im sure that their clerks did some research for them to come out with these statements. But these are not the people who should be making public health proclamations. They should be looking at the constitutionality of what was done.

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And look, Im willing to accept the fact that sometimes the right thing that should happen cant happen because our laws dont allow it. Thats unfortunate. But it wasnt the case here. Here, it was pretty obvious that were sending people into a very hazardous situation. Dont picture your own workplace. Picture a meatpacking plant, picture a clerk at a store thats got to deal with hundreds and hundreds of people every day. Picture people who are enclosed in basements at an Amazon warehouse sorting packages with people next to them. Would you be comfortable there? And does the agency that in 1970 was given exactly the authorities that you describeddoes that agency have the power to at least say, Look, the person next to you, they dont have to get vaccinated. But if they dont get vaccinated, they should be wearing a mask, or they should be getting tested. And so they were wrong. They were wrong in that part of the case.

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It seems to me that the nut of the unsigned 6-to-3 opinion seemed to be the court saying that OSHA exceeded its statutory authority because it only has jurisdiction over the workplace, but the pandemic exists both inside and outside the workplace. And it is not therefore the kind of grave danger envisioned by the statute, and it falls outside of OSHAs sphere of expertise. And the court found, that 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. And OSHA, of course, put in heaps and heaps of evidence suggesting that COVID-19 poses special risks in most workplaces. Can you talk a little bit about this inside the workplace versus outside the workplace distinction that the court hinged pretty much this entire decision upon?

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Well, it doesnt pass our commonsense test because in every place else I go, I can control my setting. I can decide whether I want to go into a particular store or not. I can decide whether or not I want to go into a movie theater or a concert or go to a gym to work out. I dont have a lot of choice into whether or not I have to go to my job. For most Americans, thats simply not an option. Its a place theyre required to be.

And its because theyre required to be there that we have this agency, OSHA, thats designed to ensure that those places are safe. And if it wasnt for OSHA, there wouldnt be nearly the precautions that wed see around sharp equipment and machinery, of children in the workplaceits just a lot of things that I think we all know need to be regulated and why this isnt one of them, because of this fine distinction that theyre trying to draw, which says, Well, this isnt a workplace hazard. This is a hazard hazard. It is a place for someone with an answer, already in mind, to go find an argument, as opposed to a person looking to answer what happens when you evaluate an honest argument.

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Lets turn for a minute to the second decision, which is Biden v. Louisiana, and that is the mandate from HHS that the staff at health care facilities that get Medicaid and Medicare funds have to be vaccinated, but includes medical and religious exemptions. Do you have a theory of why the court splits differently? In that case, the court says that the mandate, Fits neatly within the language of the statute. Is this just as simple as Justice Kagans comment and argument that, people who get Medicaid and Medicare money and work with patients just shouldnt be allowed to kill people. Is it just that simple?

Well, Ive signed onto an amicus brief on this topic, and I also ran the agency that runs Medicare. And its as simple as the power of the purse. Its as simple as if you go to the store and you see a defective product, you dont have to spend your money on it. And if youre charged with spending taxpayer money, then you have a right to say, Hey, I expect a certain level of standards for this money. I expect them to keep Medicare and Medicaid patients safe, or why would I spend the money here?

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Think about people who spend federal money. What if the Department of Defense ordered a fighter jet from Lockheed Martin, and the fighter jet showed up, and it didnt have any of the equipment in the dash and it was unsafe to fly. Would we expect the Department of Defense to have to pay for that fighter jet? Of course not. So to me, this is very simply: Its the job of the federal agencies who are spending this money to make sure theyre spending it only on care that is safe for people. And its hard to argue that people are safe going into facilities where theres a lot of unvaccinated staff.

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And before we say goodbye, just let me know what the practical effect is of the OSHA mandate being set aside. What does that mean in the coming days?

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United Airlines, and its CEO Scott Kirby, was the first company to decide to implement a vaccine mandate. And before he implemented that mandate, he had one employee per week die. Since hes implemented it, hes had no deaths and dramatically reduced cases. And so arguably, every employer who cares about their employees has the ability to implement this vaccine requirement. And so does every state. And so does every local government.

And so like everything else, like happened with Medicaid expansion a few years back, were going to have the haves and the have nots. If you live and work in states or for employers that care about public health and safety, youll be able to go to a workplace thats much safer. And if you dont, you wont. Look, this case has been decided. Its, in my view, not the correct decision. But each of us has to take accountability for making this country as safe as possible. And if you operate a workplace and you are willing to let people come into that workplace and potentially be the site of a superspreader event, shame on you.

To hear the entire discussion, listen below, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.
When the NotPetya malware hit the pharmaceutical company Merck in 2017, it did massive amounts of damage. The malware affected 40,000 of the companys computers, costing it more than $1.4 billion in losses. Because of the disruptions, the Merck production facilities couldnt meet demand for the HPV vaccine Gardasil 9. To meet consumer need, the company completely wiped out the U.S. emergency supply of the vaccine by borrowing 1.8 million doses from the Pediatric National Stockpile. (The stockpile has since been replenished, though Merck had to borrow from it again in 2019.)

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No surprise, then, that Merck, like many companies, turned to its insurance coverage to recoup some of the enormous losses NotPetya caused. Merck, in particular, had $1.75 billion in property insurance that it hoped would cover the computer damages and business interruption losses it suffered as a result of NotPetya. But the companys claim was denied on the grounds that NotPetya was an act of cyberwarbecause the malware had been designed and released by the Russian government as part of an ongoing conflict with Ukraineand therefore was not covered by the standard property insurance policy. So Merck, like other companies that had been denied coverage for NotPetya-related damages on similar grounds, sued its insurers.

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There havent been many clues of how courts would view these lawsuits until December, when, in a significant victory for the companies seeking coverage, a New Jersey Superior Court Judge ruled that Mercks insurers couldnt apply the exception in its policy for warlike acts to NotPetya. In a decision that has far-reaching implications for all insurers and policyholders considering how their policies may or may not apply to future state-backed cyberattacks, Judge Thomas J. Walsh wrote that the hostile or warlike acts exclusion in Mercks property policy is not applicable to NotPetya.

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To understand why this dispute has been so complicated and so fraughtstretching out now for several yearsits helpful to understand what the actual exclusion in Mercks policies says. The policies all have virtually identical language, Walsh notes, that excludes coverage for any: loss or damage caused by hostile or warlike action in time of peace or war, including action in hindering, combating, or defending against an actual impending, or expected attack:

a) By any government or sovereign power (de jure or de facto) or by any authority maintain or using military, naval or air forces;

b) Or by military, naval or air forces;

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c) Or by an agent of such government, power, authority or forces.

Because NotPetya has been so repeatedly and exhaustively attributed to the Russian government, including by the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, among others, its pretty clear that it was an action by a government. Its not even really disputed that the primary purpose of the NotPetya malware was to target Ukrainian infrastructure as part of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Whats less clear is whether an act of cyber sabotage like NotPetya meets the criteria for being a hostile or warlike actionparticularly when it hits targets like Merck that are completely irrelevant and peripheral to the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

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There have been earlier insurance disputes about plane hijackings or terrorist attacks and whether they qualify for coverage or fall under similar exclusionsindeed, Walsh cites some of those decisions in his ruling. But most of those decisions hinged on the fact that the terrorist groups involved were not recognized governments. For instance, Walsh cites a 2019 dispute between Universal Cable Productions and its insurer over whether its insurance policy would cover the costs of moving production of its television show Dig to a new location from its initial shoot in Jerusalem due to attacks by Hamas. In that case, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the war exclusion did not apply to the Hamas attacks because Hamas was not a de jure or de facto sovereign. Russia and Ukraine are both pretty clearly sovereign governments, so that logic is less helpful to Merck in this caseand may even be one of the reasons that the insurers believed they could win this suit in court.

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But Walsh was not swayed by that logic. He points out in his ruling that no court has applied a war (or hostile acts) exclusion to anything remotely close to NotPetya before and that the insurers have not bothered to update the language in their war exclusions for years despite knowing that nations often initiate cyberattacks. Both parties to this contract are aware that cyber attacks of various forms, sometimes from private sources and sometimes from nation-states have become more common, Walsh wrote. Despite this, Insurers did nothing to change the language of the exemption to reasonably put this insured on notice that it intended to exclude cyber attacks.

Walsh was also sympathetic to Mercks argument that it understood the exclusion to apply to situations that involved the use of armed forcesa bad sign for insurers hoping it can apply to cyberattacks in general. And he pointed out that earlier case law suggests that losses somewhat removed from the Russia-Ukraine conflictlike those suffered by a multinational company headquartered in New Jerseyare even less likely to be considered the direct result of a hostile or warlike act that was occurring on an entirely different continent. These are all promising signs for other companies, including multinational food company Mondelez, that are challenging their insurers in court over being denied coverage for NotPetya. But while this ruling may be good news for companies that are trying to claim coverage for other cyberattacks perpetrated by nation-states, its also a very clear signal of where the cyberinsurance market is heading.

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Walshs contention that Mercks insurers failed to update the language in their exclusions to apply to cyberattacks is nearly a guarantee that the insurers will now move to do exactly that. Already, since NotPetya, insurers have taken steps to try to clarify some of the language around what is included and excluded from their cyber coverage, though in some cases this has only generated more confusion. For instance, efforts to include coverage for cyber terrorism but exclude coverage for war have led to a tremendous amount of uncertainty about what the difference between cyberwar and cyber terrorism actually is. All of this is the result of insurers trying to reassure their customers that they do cover most types of serious security incidents (like cyber terrorism) while still maintaining their ability to deny coverage for the really damaging incidents (like NotPetya).

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With luck, the Merck ruling will force insurers to be a little clearer in their policies about what they do and do not cover. That may be easier said than done, though. After all, it is always a little bit difficult to anticipate exactly what the next big cyberattack will look like and find the right language to be confident that you have definitely includedor excludedit in your insurance policy. But Walshs ruling is a good reminder to insurers that the challenges of describing cyberattacks precisely are not a reason to rely on years-old language that long pre-dates them, and that its time for insurers to at least try to nail down the specifics of which types of incidents they will and wont pay for.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
ARCHIVED - Jet2 bookings for Spain more than double in first two weeks of January



Since the UK relaxed travel restrictions at the beginning of the year, Jet2 has seen flight reservations to Spain jump by 150%

Following an announcement by the UK government that fully vaccinated travellers no longer need a pre-departure test to return to England and that day-2 PCR tests can be replaced by a lateral flow test, British low-cost airline Jet2 has seen bookings for Spain leap by some 150%.

By putting on special offers to coincide with the new travel rules, Jet2 bookings more than doubled in the first two weeks of the New Year, with flight reservations actually going back up to pre-pandemic levels.

CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, Steve Heapy, said, The relaxation of travel restrictions is welcome news for both the travel industry and holidaymakers and comes during what is traditionally a very busy period for holiday bookings. We were already heading into the New Year with a strong feeling of positivity and confidence, and the removal of these restrictions really gets 2022 off to a great start.

See more news about Travel & Tourism in Spain

Image: Archive
He is the first-ever Slovak to hold such a position.

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Slovak MEP Michal Simecka was elected one of 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament. The liberal faction Renew Europe proposed him as a candidate.

Simecka gained 494 votes and became the first Slovak in history to hold the position of European Parliament vice-president.

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I really appreciate the trust of MEPs from all of Europe who elected me today, Simecka said after he was elected. I am especially happy that it is a success for Slovakia. For the first time ever, we have gained such a high position in the European Parliament and I am glad that Slovakia's voice in European politics will be stronger again thanks to my job, he said, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

Simecka emphasised that he will still be active in domestic politics in Slovakia.

In the campaign before the European elections in 2019, I promised I would not only be the voice of Slovakia in Brussels but would also address European topics in Slovakia and fight at home for the interests of our citizens, he stated.

On Tuesday, MEPs voted in the new president of the European Parliament Robert Metsola together with 14 vice-presidents. Simecka was elected in the second round. His term in the office is two and half years.

As one of the vice-presidents of the European Parliament, he will be in charge of chairing EP meetings and representing the EP externally. Simecka will have special roles in the legislative process and in relation to national parliaments.
Omicron wave seems to set off. Slovak MEP reaches high EP post. Slovakia commemorates military airplane tragedy.

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Good evening. Read the Wednesday, January 19, 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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Omicron might already become dominant

Slovakia already has 127 confirmed Omicron cases. (Source: SME)

Slovakia started applying new anti-pandemic rules on Wednesday, which introduced a new regime, which The grants more freedoms to people vaccinated with the booster. Moreover, new rules allow unvaccinated people enter a greater number of essential shops compared to the recent lockdown.

On the same day, the country reported the highest number of new infections identified through PCR tests: nearly 6,200, out of more than 18,000 tests performed. At the same time, officially confirmed Omicron cases rose by 73, meaning that 127 people are now infected with this variant.

Together with the increased number of positive PCR cases, this indicates the onset of the Omicron wave, said Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee).

The actual number of Omicron cases may be even higher, given the period between taking a sample and sequencing it. We can even assume that Omicron is already dominant in Slovakia, said Matej Misik, head of the Institute for Health Analyses, which runs under the Health Ministry.

While back in December 2021 Omicron represented only 0.6 percent of all sequenced samples, in the first days of January it was present in 13 percent of samples and a week later, the share increased to 30 percent.

The cabinet meanwhile continued debating about the potential shortening of home isolation of people who tested positive for Covid. Economy Minister Richard Sulik (SaS) would welcome the shortening from the current 10 days to five days.

Lengvarsky said that home isolation will be shortened once the large groups of employees will be unable to work. Yet, he does not expect home isolation will be shortened this week.

More on coronavirus and vaccination

Illustrative stock photo (Source: TASR)

6,183 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 18,024 PCR tests performed on January 18. The number of people in hospitals is 1,643 ; and 61 more deaths were reported on Tuesday. The vaccination rate is at 50.57 percent , 2,781,361 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here.

out of 18,024 PCR tests performed on January 18. The number of ; and were reported on Tuesday. The vaccination rate is at , 2,781,361 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. Altogether 1,584 people died of Covid in December 2021 . 773 were women (the youngest aged 20 and the oldest aged 100) and 811 men (the youngest aged six and the oldest aged 100). The age average of those deceased was 72 years, the Health Care Surveillance Authority data showed.

. 773 were women (the youngest aged 20 and the oldest aged 100) and 811 men (the youngest aged six and the oldest aged 100). The age average of those deceased was 72 years, the Health Care Surveillance Authority data showed. Most medical experts in Slovakia do not consider a fourth dose of the vaccine against Covid to be necessary . There might be a new vaccine in the autumn available, with which vaccination against Covid will be conducted the same as vaccination against seasonal influenza, once a year and voluntarily .

. There might be a new vaccine in the autumn available, with which vaccination against Covid will be conducted the same as vaccination against seasonal influenza, . The antiviral medication Paxlovid should arrive in Slovakia in March at the latest, said Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee). He added that the Nuvaxovid vaccine , developed by the Novavax company, should be delivered in May or July .

at the latest, said Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee). He added that the , developed by the Novavax company, should be delivered . The cabinet approved the continuation of the First Aid assistance scheme for businesses in January and February. The amount will remain the same as in December  from 450 to 810, based on the drop in their revenues.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you.

Slovak MEP elected EP vice-president

Michal Simecka (Source: Archive of Sme)

Slovak MEP Michal Simecka was elected one of 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament. The liberal faction Renew Europe put him forth as a candidate.

Simecka gained 494 votes and became the first Slovak in history to hold the position of European Parliament vice-president.

I really appreciate the trust of the MEPs from all of Europe who elected me today, Simecka said after he was elected. I'm especially happy that it is a success for Slovakia. For the first time ever, we have gained such a high position in the European Parliament and I'm glad that Slovakia's voice in European politics will be stronger again thanks to my job.

Simecka still wants to be active in domestic politics.

Picture of the day

Slovakia remembers the 16th anniversary of a military plane crash near the Hungarian village of Hejce, considered the biggest tragedy in the history of the Slovak Armed forces. Of the 43 people on board, there was only one survivor. The crash took place only some five kilometres from the Slovak border.

Feature story for today

Pushed out of their comfort zone by the pandemic, language schools have sought new forms of operation and interaction with their students. A solely online education, once considered unimaginable, has brought many advantages. For one, language schools saw their market broaden beyond previous location-based limits. They are also no longer limited by the number of classrooms. At the same time, online teaching has placed more pressure on schools to lower their prices for language courses, even though they have yet to catch up with their pre-pandemic revenues.

The new norm for most language schools The Slovak Spectator spoke to is a mixture of online and in-person teaching.

Pandemic brings down barriers but also prices in language teaching Read more

In other news

President Zuzana Caputova met Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) and Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS) on Tuesday to discuss the Defence Cooperation Agreement with the USA . She has not commented on the talks or further steps in connection with the deal.

met Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) and Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS) on Tuesday to . She has not commented on the talks or further steps in connection with the deal. The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe published today a compliance report , which assesses Slovakias progress in the implementation of the 21 recommendations issued to the country in an 2019 evaluation report on the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity in central governments  including top executive functions  and law enforcement agencies.

of the Council of Europe published today , which assesses Slovakias progress in the implementation of the 21 recommendations issued to the country in an 2019 evaluation report on the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity in central governments  including top executive functions  and law enforcement agencies. The Supreme Court has cancelled a session scheduled for January 20 at which it was to decide on a complaint against releasing from custody the Nitra-based businessman Norbert Bodor, who faces charges in several cases. The reason is that Bodor complained about two judges being biased. Meanwhile, the businessman said he is ready to face the courts and prove his innocence.

at which it was to decide on a complaint against releasing from custody the Nitra-based businessman Norbert Bodor, who faces charges in several cases. The reason is that Bodor complained about two judges being biased. Meanwhile, the businessman said he is ready to face the courts and prove his innocence. The information indicating that a 23-year-old Irish teacher was murdered by a Slovak man is currently unconfirmed , said the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ministry added that no charges have been pressed in connection to a Slovak citizen and no representation office has asked them for help. The ministry is monitoring the case.

, said the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ministry added that no charges have been pressed in connection to a Slovak citizen and no representation office has asked them for help. The ministry is monitoring the case. There will be a new nature reserve in the Small Carpathians mountains from February  Vydrica, measuring 483 hectares, as the cabinet decided on Wednesday. The reserve will be under Level 4 and Level 5 protection.

More on Spectator.sk today:

Tatra attraction contributes to light pollution, environmentalists say Read more

Smolenice, one of the prettiest places in the Small Carpathians Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/a-question-of-when-not-whether-tory-mps-reportedly-plotting-bojos-demise-in-pork-pie-putsch-1092358764.html

A Question of When, Not Whether: Tory MPs Reportedly Plotting BoJos Demise in Pork Pie Putsch

A Question of When, Not Whether: Tory MPs Reportedly Plotting BoJos Demise in Pork Pie Putsch

Conservative MPs are plotting Boris Johnsons demise, openly discussing how to oust the party leader and who his successor should be, reported the Guardian.

2022-01-19T06:25+0000

2022-01-19T06:25+0000

2022-01-19T06:55+0000

boris johnson

liz truss

uk

dominic cummings

covid-19

rishi sunak

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Conservative MPs are plotting Boris Johnsons demise, openly discussing how to oust the party leader and who his successor should be, reported the Guardian.Tories from a broad spectrum of party ranks and wings believe that once senior civil servant Sue Gray completes her investigation into more than 15 allegedly lockdown-breaching parties at Downing Street and other government departments during the 2020 pandemic restrictions, enough letters will have been sent to the head of the backbench 1992 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, to trigger a leadership contest. Some reports on Tuesday night appeared to indicate this might happen before the publication of the report, anticipated no sooner than next week. Approximately a dozen or so MPs from the 2019 parliamentary elections intake had reportedly met in the office of Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton constituencies, to brainstorm over what has been dubbed the pork pie putsch, after the famed Melton Mowbray pork pie. About 20 letters of no confidence in the PM, some sent, some in draft, were cited by one MP who spoke after the meeting. 54 letters need to be submitted to the committee to trigger a confidence ballot against the Prime Minister. It is also reported that over 100 Tory MPs gathered for a dinner at the Carlton Club, the Conservative Party stomping ground, to talk about Johnsons odds of surviving. In Real Trouble No confidence letters are being penned across the broad spectrum of Tories, according to sources cited by The Guardian, ranging from Brexiters to Remainers, as people realize that theres not a policy issue; this is a mindset, a modus operandi and culture that needs changing. "We're certainly nearly there," another Tory MP elected in 2019 was quoted by Sky News as saying. A senior Conservative MP added: Tory MPs have been describing a torrent of anger and indignation coming from their constituencies. According to one MP, demotivated activists were refusing to deliver leaflets for the forthcoming local elections. Another Tory added that the situation for Boris Johnson was terminal, saying:This comes as Christian Wakeford, Tory MP for Bury South and one of the Red Wall parliamentarians brought in by Boris Johnsons 2019 general election triumph, became the seventh Tory to reveal he had already submitted a no confidence letter. Earlier, calls for the PMs resignation were openly made by senior Tory and Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen, and Sir Roger Gale. Wakeford was cited as saying there are other MPs who have written the letters but havent sent them in yet. Some rebels purportedly urged their colleagues not to submit no confidence letters to the 1922 Committee before Sue Grays report, arguing that Boris Johnson could win a vote held too early. However, another Tory MP was quoted as claiming that Johnson will not win a vote of no confidence as there is no incentive to support him. He added:Potential Leadership Challenge Meanwhile, parliament is said to be reverberating with discussions of who could spearhead a Tory leadership challenge, with potential frontrunners believed to be Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi and Minister of State at the Department for International Trade Penny Mordaunt. Other possible candidates are believed to be Mark Harper, Steve Baker and Esther McVey. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson, who had been following guidance to self-isolate for seven days after a close contact tested positive for COVID-19 made an effort to fend off the barrage of fresh claims made by his one-time aid, Dominic Cummings.The ex-No 10 guru accused Johnson earlier of lying to parliament about the bring your own booze party organised by his principal private secretary (PPS), Martin Reynolds, on 20 May 2020 on Downing Street during the first lockdown.The PM had insisted in the Commons that he had believed implicitly that the gathering was a work event.However, Cummings wrote in his blog on his Substack page that, "PM was told about the invite, he knew it was a drinks party. The former adviser claimed two officials warned the PM against holding the get-together.During his interview for Sky News, Boris Johnson doubled down on those assertions. He insisted no one warned him that that the 20 May 2020 party he attended alongside 30-40 staff was against the rules. He also confirmed he had given his account of events to Sue Gray.In his interview, Johnson refused several times to rule out resigning and some Tory MPs believe he could agree to step down rather than go through a confidence ballot of the parliamentary party.It is believed that Dominic Cummings will also be questioned as part of the ongoing inquiry.Boris Johnson is gearing up to face MPs in the Commons by announcing plans to ditch Plan B COVID-19 restrictions, seen as one of the PM's "Operation Red Meat" measures to win back Tory support. Johnson will be chairing a meeting of his cabinet to review the latest coronavirus data before making a Commons statement after PMQs. "Decisions on the next steps remain finely balanced," a government spokesperson ahead of the Cabinet meeting.

https://sputniknews.com/20220117/save-big-dog-will-bojo-keep-his-job-or-leave-no-10-1092321650.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220118/rebel-tories-reportedly-launch-operation-rinka-to-oust-bojo-amid-partygate-scandal-1092337737.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220118/dominic-cummings-ready-to-swear-under-oath-bojo-lied-about-no-10-lockdown-busting-boozy-party-1092332789.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220117/bojo-reportedly-grilled-in-partygate-probe-amid-save-big-dogred-meat-premiership-rescue-plans-1092309078.html

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Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

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boris johnson, liz truss, uk, dominic cummings, covid-19, rishi sunak
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/aid-planes-depart-for-tonga-after-main-runway-cleared-of-volcanic-ash-as-food-water-shortages-mount-1092378612.html

Aid Planes Depart for Tonga After Main Runway Cleared of Volcanic Ash as Food, Water Shortages Mount

Aid Planes Depart for Tonga After Main Runway Cleared of Volcanic Ash as Food, Water Shortages Mount

The massive volcanic eruption and corresponding tsunami on Sunday have imperiled the Pacific island nation of Tonga after wiping out the countrys crops and... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T21:39+0000

2022-01-19T21:39+0000

2022-01-19T21:40+0000

tonga

volcano eruption

cholera

disaster relief

ash

covid-19

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The International Federation of the Red Cross reported on Tuesday that its teams had made contact with authorities on several of Tongas islands, including Mango, Fonoifua and Namuka, where homes were completely wiped out by the blast.Water supplies across Tonga have been severely impacted by ashfall and saltwater from the tsunami. Its vital to restore access to safe drinking water as there is a mounting risk of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, the IFRC said in a news release.Farmers spend a lot of money and capital and time in preparing their crops and its also one of the major exports of Tonga, he added. Agricultural products constitute the majority of Tongas exports, with top products including cassava, squash, coconuts, bananas, palm oil and vanilla beans. The United States buys 37.7% of Tongas exports by itself.The Saturday evening eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai volcano, about 450 miles southeast of Fiji, sent a 49-foot-high tsunami washing over many of the nations islands, with smaller waves impacting as far away as Japan, California, and Alaska. The US space agency NASA estimated its explosive power at "no larger than 5-6 megatons of TNT equivalent," or equivalent to one of the more powerful thermonuclear bombs built by the US and USSR during the Cold War.The ash that coated Tongas fields has also buried the runway at Fua'amotu International Airport on the main island of Tongatapu in about 20 millimeters of volcanic dust, which workers have labored for days to remove so that aid aircraft can land. A World Health Organization official on the island told AFP on Wednesday that the airstrip had finally been cleared, and Lord Fakafanua indicated that air force flights from Australia and New Zealand scheduled for Thursday and Friday could go ahead.A New Zealand Defense Force C-130 Hercules loaded with water, hygiene kits, and other goods has been kept on standby to depart the moment Tongas airstrip is clear, and several Australian transport aircraft are ready to go, as well. Both nations are also sending several warships loaded with relief supplies, including the helicopter carrier HMAS Adelaide. The HMNZS Aotearoa also carries a desalination plant capable of turning 70,000 liters of salty seawater into drinking water each day.However, with all the aid ships and planes en route, Tongans have yet another fear: the island nation is one of the few to have successfully avoided a COVID-19 outbreak, with its first case being recorded last November, and aid workers could bring the virus with them. However, according to health data, 61% of the countrys 105,000 people have been fully vaccinated.

tonga

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Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg

Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg

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tonga, volcano eruption, cholera, disaster relief, ash, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/contagious-blood-cancers-among-clams-trigger-ecological-threat-concerns--1092360899.html

Contagious Blood Cancers Among Clams Trigger Ecological Threat Concerns

Contagious Blood Cancers Among Clams Trigger Ecological Threat Concerns

Potential ecological threat concerns have been raised as researchers have confirmed in a new study that contagious blood cancers can spread between different species of clams.

2022-01-19T07:25+0000

2022-01-19T07:25+0000

2022-01-19T07:52+0000

cancer

cancer

shellfish

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Potential ecological threat concerns have been raised as researchers have confirmed in a new study that contagious blood cancers can spread between different species of clams.Peer-reviewed findings published in eLife reveal that cancer had jumped from one species of clam to another, spreading among mollusks living in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.While contagious cancers have been identified in dogs, Tasmanian devils, and bivalves like clams and mussels, typically, the tumors spread among individuals of the same species. The findings of the study, co-first authored by Alicia Bruzos and Seila Diaz at University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), add to earlier accumulated evidence that cancers may spread among different species of bivalve shellfish. At least two such cases have been documented in earlier studies. Furthermore, it has been suggested that human activities, albeit inadvertently, could be contributing to the spread to ever new locations and species. The researchers involved in the study, Mitochondrial genome sequencing of marine leukaemias reveals cancer contagion between clam species in the Seas of Southern Europe, funded mainly by Scuba Cancers, an ERC starting grant project, collected 345 warty venus clams from the coastal areas of Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland and Croatia. A type of blood cancer called hemic neoplasia was discovered in warty venus clams collected from two different coastal regions of Spain: along the countrys Atlantic coast, and then over1,000 nautical miles away in the Mediterranean Sea. Resorting to whole-genome sequencing, the team of researchers discovered that the cancer contained genetic sequences from both the warty venus clam and another species of clam - Chamelea gallina, or the striped venus clam. Accordingly, the tumor had originated in a single clam, subsequently spreading among warty venus clams. After they carried out DNA testing on the cell mitochondria and nucleus in both clam species, the team were able to confirm that the cancer had jumped from the striped venus clam to the warty venus clams. Senior author Jose Tubio, Researcher in Genomes and Disease at USC, underscored that as the study confirmed that contagious cancers can jump between marine clam species, this could pose a potential threat to marine ecology. He added that further studies were required, involving monitoring pathogens including cancers, to help protect these species.

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Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

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Svetlana Ekimenko

cancer, cancer, shellfish
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/danish-frigate-to-join-nato-force-in-baltic-sea-amid-russia-west-standoff-1092357826.html

Danish Frigate to Join NATO Force in Baltic Sea Amid Russia-West Standoff

Danish Frigate to Join NATO Force in Baltic Sea Amid Russia-West Standoff

The mission of the HDMS Peter Willemoes, with a crew of 160, has been described as monitoring and deterring Russian activity in the Baltic Sea, which a... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T06:09+0000

2022-01-19T06:09+0000

2022-01-19T06:09+0000

denmark

news

military & intelligence

europe

russia

ukraine

baltic sea

scandinavia

nato

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/101913/77/1019137756_0:0:5616:3160_1920x0_80_0_0_3786734f6060038e86fafcc30ca13972.jpg

The Danish frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes will join the NATO fleet in the Baltic Sea as part of the country's contribution to the alliance.The frigate, with 160 sailors on board, will be provided along with four F-16 aircraft and 70 soldiers in support of NATO's preparedness mission in the Baltic Sea area. This measure was decided upon after NATO had specifically demanded the increased contribution, Defence Minister Trine Bramsen said in a statement.The mission will have a special focus on the Baltic countries and, according to the Danish Navy, the task for the Danish frigate will primarily consist of showing its presence, proximity and solidarity with the entire NATO alliance.However, as the deployment occurs amid tensions between Russia and the West, the ship will keep an eye on Russian activity in the Baltic Sea and deter Russia from escalating the conflict with Ukraine, Danish Radio reported, citing military experts.According to Anders Puck Nielsen, naval captain and military analyst at the Defence Academy, NATO's increased naval presence in the Baltic Sea must be seen in the light of two things.While emphasising that such live operations until recently only happened in faraway waters, Nielsen claimed that the mission of the HDMS Peter Willemoes is not aggressive and that Denmark is sailing in its own backyard.Its captain Henrik Kim Schjoldager admitted to underlying political tensions, but described the mission as a business-as-usual one.The deployment of the Danish frigate as part of a NATO mission comes in the wake of growing tensions between Russia and the alliance following the Ukraine crisis in 2014, when Western-backed forces overthrew the elected government in Kiev. The coup prompted Crimea to break off and re-join Russia after a referendum; it also sparked a civil conflict in eastern Ukraine.Throughout 2021, Western officials and media accused Russia of a military build-up near Ukraine's borders in preparations for a possible invasion. Moscow has dismissed all claims, instead accusing the West of artificially pumping up tensions.Last week, Russian diplomats met with their US and NATO counterparts to discuss a series of security proposals spelled out by Moscow in an effort to substantially ease the current tensions, yet Russia is still waiting for a written answer. Among others, both sides were called to refrain from deploying troops, missile systems, aircraft and warships in areas within striking distance of the other side. Washington and NATO were also asked to abandon plans of NATO's eastward expansion, particularly plans to incorporate Ukraine or any other former Soviet republic into the alliance.

https://sputniknews.com/20211221/danish-intelligence-report-lists-russia-among-greatest-threats-1091687057.html

denmark

ukraine

baltic sea

scandinavia

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Igor Kuznetsov

Igor Kuznetsov

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Igor Kuznetsov

denmark, news, military & intelligence, europe, russia, ukraine, baltic sea, scandinavia, nato
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/drunk-priest-slaughters-man-instead-of-sheep-during-animal-festival-in-india-1092370870.html

Drunk Priest Slaughters Man Instead of Sheep During Animal Festival in India

Drunk Priest Slaughters Man Instead of Sheep During Animal Festival in India

Goats and sheep are often sacrificed at the beginning of festivals in India to please Hindu deities. South Indian states celebrate cattle festivals known as... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T15:33+0000

2022-01-19T15:33+0000

2022-01-19T15:33+0000

andhra pradesh

murder

animal

police

human sacrifice

india

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In a horrific murder, a drunk priest in India's Andhra Pradesh slaughtered a man by tricking him into holding a sheep still, claiming that he intended to sacrifice it during a cattle festival, before trying to lop off his head off instead. Unaware of the priest's bloody intentions, the victim, identified as 35-year-old Suresh, held the animal willingly. The accused, identified as Chalapati, then pulled out a knife and cut him. The priest was arrested by the police on Tuesday after an investigation. Officers were told that the priest killed the man because of a dispute they has over a temple offering. Soon after the incident, locals took Suresh, who was bleeding profusely, to a nearby hospital in Madanapalle. However, he later succumbed to his injuries.

andhra pradesh

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andhra pradesh, murder, animal, police, human sacrifice, india
CAIRO, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's non-petroleum exports have reached 32.128 billion U.S. dollars, up from 25.427 billion dollars in 2020, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Egypt's exports to the EU countries during 2021 reached 9.153 billion dollars, compared to 5.881 billion dollars in the previous year," the statement said.

Egyptian exports to Africa, excluding Arab states, rose by 28 percent, it said, adding that the United States was the biggest importer of Egyptian commodities in 2021 at 2.446 billion dollars, followed by Saudi Arabia, Italy and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Some 13 sectors have achieved increasing rates, including leather products, paper and books, engineering and electronic commodities, fertilizers and petrochemicals.

"The unprecedented positive indications in 2021 are attributed to the increasing international high demand on the Egyptian products and the government's efforts for boosting the exportation and productive sectors amid the spread of the COVID-19," the statement said. 
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/eco-moves-panellist-dances-during-live-tv-debate-after-not-getting-chance-to-speak-1092360276.html

Eco-Moves: Panellist Dances During Live TV Debate After Not Getting Chance to Speak

Eco-Moves: Panellist Dances During Live TV Debate After Not Getting Chance to Speak

Often, TV panellists verbally spar with each other, storm off the stage, or even fist-fight to attract viewers. But this environmentalist found a fun... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T10:28+0000

2022-01-19T10:28+0000

2022-01-19T10:28+0000

india

india

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An environmentalist on a local Indian news channel found an interesting way to attract viewers' attention during a live news channel debate.In a 12-second video posted on Twitter, the panellists can be seen indulging in altercations, and shouting after being disrupted many times by other panellists. But one of them, Roshni Ali, an environmentalist, suddenly breaks into dancing. Although it could not be immediately confirmed which news channel the video belongs to, the panellists can be heard arguing in Bangla and English.Netizens mostly seemed impressed with her move, calling her "innovative"; others called it funny and quite daring of her.

india

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Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg

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india, india
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/estonia-lithuania-latvia-waiting-for-us-approval-to-send-weapons-to-ukraine---reports-1092379221.html

Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia Waiting for US Approval to Send Weapons to Ukraine - Reports

Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia Waiting for US Approval to Send Weapons to Ukraine - Reports

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are waiting for US approval to send American-made lethal weapons to Ukraine in order to deter an alleged... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T22:08+0000

2022-01-19T22:08+0000

2022-01-19T22:08+0000

us

ukraine

weapons

nato

estonia

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The three Baltic countries are prepared to transfer weapons such as anti-armor and ground-to-air missiles to Ukraine, the report said citing officials from the countries and people familiar with the matter.US export license regulations require the Baltic countries to first seek approval from the State Department before transferring the weapons to Ukraine.The three Baltic nations are members of NATO and have been in support of bolstering the alliance's presence in their countries.The State Department declined to comment on the matter, and the White House did not respond to a request for comment, the report said.Western countries and Kiev have recently expressed concerns about the alleged "aggressive actions" of Russia near the border with Ukraine. Kiev accuses Moscow of military build-up and preparations for an invasion of the neighboring country. However, Russia denies the allegations and reiterates that it has no intention of attacking any country. Moreover, Moscow views the accusations as a pretext for deploying more NATO military equipment close to Russian borders.

https://sputniknews.com/20220119/uk-supplies-ukraine-with-thousands-of-light-anti-tank-missiles-1092364570.html

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us, ukraine, weapons, nato, estonia
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/even-xi-hasnt-left-china-pakistan-fm-expresses-inability-to-help-students-return-to-china-1092365273.html

'Even Xi Hasn't Left China': Pakistan FM Expresses Inability to Help Students Return to China

'Even Xi Hasn't Left China': Pakistan FM Expresses Inability to Help Students Return to China

Before the pandemic, in 2018, China hosted 492,000 foreign students (ranking third in the world) from 196 nations, who were enrolled in degree and non-degree... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T12:48+0000

2022-01-19T12:48+0000

2022-01-19T12:48+0000

xi jinping

china

india

students

pakistan

shah mahmood qureshi

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Pakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has expressed his inability to help out local youngsters who are enrolled at Chinese universities to return to China and continue their studies, as per a video which has emerged on social media.The video features a group of Pakistani students asking Qureshi whether he could facilitate their return to China so that they could physically attend their courses. China banned the entry of foreigners into the country as well as implemented strict lockdown measures in March 2020 after the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, in a bid to realise its Zero-COVID Strategy.In subsequent weeks, foreigners who found themselves stuck in China, including the international students, were repatriated to their native countries aboard special flights after permission from Beijing. Almost two years after returning from China, many international students, including those in Pakistan and India, have been now making desperate pleas to their governments to facilitate their return to China so that they dont miss out on their education. Many of these students, both in Pakistan and India, often complain that the online education hasnt been a match for attending university in person.Since March 2020, the Chinese government has only allowed South Korean students as well as students enrolled in joint foreign university degrees to return to the country, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP).One of the students tells the minister Sir, but we are vaccinated with both the doses, but Qureshi replies: You dont have to explain that to me. Dont you think that I understand that?"They [the Chinese officials] have told us to get tested ahead of any scheduled meeting with President Xi. And there are many other formalities that one has to go through as well, Qureshi adds.The Chinese President has neither travelled out of China nor hosted any foreign leader since March 2020. His last overseas visit was to Myanmar back in January 2020.Sir, but we are like your own children, the adamant student persists. To this, Qureshi replies: Look, we are not the ones who unleashed the pandemic. The situation is not in our hands. We have been making efforts [to facilitate the return of Pakistani students] and will continue to do so."Before walking away from the agitated students, Qureshi further tells them to be prepared for even further delays in their return to ChinaWhile Beijing has yet to announce a plan for return of its international student population, there are already concerns that the ban on foreigners entry could reportedly stretch till the second half of 2022.According to the Wall Street Journal, Chinas State Council decided at a meeting last year that it would continue to have the foreigner travel ban in place till the completion of the Winter Olympics (set to begin next month) and the Communist Partys Peoples Congress.However, the surfacing of the Omicron variant has led to Beijing implementing even harsher measures. According to reports, nearly 1.5 percent of Chinas population, or around 20 million people, are currently under lockdown, with many of them living in the city of Xian in Shaanxi Province, and Henan Province.The Chinese Foreign Ministry has on several occasions justified the governments strict policy, arguing that Beijing applies quarantine measures equally to all inbound travellers, including its own citizens."At the same time, we stand ready to work actively toward the healthy, safe and orderly cross-border flow of people on the basis of sound anti-epidemic protocols, Wang added.

https://sputniknews.com/20220111/china-tests-125-million-in-zhengzhou-for-covid-in-six-hours-gears-up-for-same-in-shenzhen-tianjin-1092167035.html

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xi jinping, china, india, students, pakistan, shah mahmood qureshi
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/horror-stories-minsk-rejects-us-claims-that-russia-could-invade-ukraine-from-belarus-1092372675.html

'Horror Stories': Minsk Rejects US Claims That Russia Could Invade Ukraine From Belarus

'Horror Stories': Minsk Rejects US Claims That Russia Could Invade Ukraine From Belarus

MINSK (Sputnik) Recent statements from the US State Department regarding Russia's alleged invasion of Ukraine from Belarus and deployment of nuclear arms in... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T15:58+0000

2022-01-19T15:58+0000

2022-01-19T15:59+0000

belarus

russia

ukraine

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A senior US State Department official said on Tuesday that proposed changes to the Belarusian constitution indicate Minsk's plans to allow both Russian conventional and nuclear forces to be stationed on its territory. They also claimed that Russia could deploy its troops to Belarus under the pretext of military drill to potentially attack Ukraine from the northern direction.The official stated that Minsk is not obligated to report to Washington but "if something causes concern, we are always ready to discuss it in a civilized manner."In December, Russia presented draft proposals on security guarantees in Europe to the United States and NATO. On 10 January, Russia and the US held a round of the strategic stability dialogue in Geneva, followed by the first NATO-Russia Council since 2019 in Brussels on 12 January and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe talks in Vienna the next day. Russia-Ukraine relations were high on the agenda during talks.

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belarus, russia, ukraine
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/orthodox-epiphany-why-do-russians-bathe-in-bone-chilling-water-during-a-christian-feast-1092355410.html

Orthodox Epiphany: Why Do Russians Bathe in Bone-Chilling Water During the Christian Feast?

Orthodox Epiphany: Why Do Russians Bathe in Bone-Chilling Water During the Christian Feast?

On January 19, Russia, along with other Eastern Orthodox Christian nations, celebrates the Epiphany. The Orthodox believe that on Epiphany Eve, the water in... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T03:10+0000

2022-01-19T03:10+0000

2022-01-19T04:28+0000

orthodox church

epiphany

epiphany bathing

russia

orthodox epiphany

viral

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Bathing in freezing weather in unheated open waters on Epiphany is one of the most popular religious rites among Russians, with more than 2.1 million people participating annually, according to reports. According to long-standing beliefs supported by scientific observations, the day of Epiphany is one of the coldest days of the year in most of Russia, where the temperature in parts of the country can sometimes reach negative 30 degrees Celsius (-22 Fahrenheit).And even the pandemic has not stopped believers from swimming in extremely cold weather in unheated open water bodies, such as lakes, ponds and rivers. The vast majority of Russians who plunge into frozen water, where the temperature is typically no higher than 4 degrees Celsius, submerge themselves at least three times.Even children and senior citizens take part in the Epiphany ritual.Swimming in ice water can be a serious shock for an unprepared body, so local authorities usually prepare and designate places where one can bathe. Also, during the ceremony, emergency services are on duty nearby, in case someone needs help. Foreigners have also been known to participate in the ritual, wishing to test themselves or take part in the Russian tradition. According to social media, this year a German blogger visited the village of Oymyakon, located in Yakutia beyond the Arctic Circle and considered one of the harshest permanently settled places on Earth. The temperature there on Epiphany was minus 42 degrees Celsius.Last year, Angolan cadets at a military academy in the Russian Far East took part in the ritual, even though the temperature that day did not exceed minus 25 degrees Celsius. As the cadets explained to Russian journalists, at first it was scary, and then they got used to the water, even saying, "It's normal, it's warm".Traditionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin also takes part in the bathing ritual, although he has yet to announce whether he did it this year. Although the feast is traditionally held on 6 January, some countries in Eastern Europe whose churches still use the Julian calendar celebrate the feast on 19 January.The ritual, which began in Russia presumably in the Middle Ages, is intended to mark the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. To commemorate this, holes in the ice of rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water are cut usually in the shape of a cross.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220119/pfizer-patients-in-san-francisco-area-received-wrong-amount-of-vaccine-dosage---report-1092355213.html

Pfizer Patients in San Francisco Area Received Wrong Amount of Vaccine Dosage - Report

Pfizer Patients in San Francisco Area Received Wrong Amount of Vaccine Dosage - Report

The patients are offered a new shot of the correct dose, if desired. But according to the Health Maintenance Organization, experts from the Centers for Disease... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T01:06+0000

2022-01-19T01:06+0000

2022-01-19T01:06+0000

us

san francisco

vaccine

pfizer

cdc

covid-19

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Healthcare company Kaiser Permanente has notified 3,900 people that they have received the wrong dose amount for their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, CBS local reported.Those who were vaccinated between October 25 and December 10 at the Walnut Creek Medical Center are believed to be given between 0.01 and 0.04 ml less than the recommended (.30 ml) dose.This is not the first incident of patients receiving the wrong dosage amount for their COVID-19 vaccines. Another incident reported in the Bay Area saw kids ages 5 to 11 receive twice the proper dose amount of their Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in November. There was also another incident last March when patients in Oakland, California were reportedly given only 0.2 ml of their Pfizer vaccine as opposed to the recommended 0.3 ml dosage. The incident was quickly resolved, but not before 4,300 people were improperly vaccinated.Once we became aware of this issue, we immediately consulted with experts in infectious diseases and vaccine science and reviewed guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control. All experts agreed the difference between the recommended dose and the dose an individual may have received was not significant and not likely to reduce their protection against COVID-19, Kaiser said in the statement cited by the media.Notifying patients of any dosage errors, consulting state officials, as well as filing a report to the CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System is required by CDC.

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us, san francisco, vaccine, pfizer, cdc, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/russian-missiles-in-cuba--venezuela-whats-behind-moscows-hardball-rhetoric-1092373342.html

'Russian Missiles in Cuba & Venezuela': What's Behind Moscow's Hardball Rhetoric?

'Russian Missiles in Cuba & Venezuela': What's Behind Moscow's Hardball Rhetoric?

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not rule out the deployment of Russian military assets in Cuba and Venezuela.

2022-01-19T18:40+0000

2022-01-19T18:40+0000

2022-01-19T18:53+0000

venezuela

world

us

russia

latin america

cuba

nato

nato expansion

security guarantees

cuban missile crisis of 1962

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Russia is exploring options to ensure its security, said Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday, not ruling out deployments of Russian missiles in Cuba and Venezuela if the US and NATO neglect Moscow's concerns and go on with a military build-up on Russia's doorstep.Last week, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led the Russian delegation in 10 January talks with the US in Geneva, told RTVI TV that he would "neither confirm nor exclude" the possibility that Russia could send military assets to the two Latin American nations in case negotiations with the US and NATO fail and the alliance's expansion continues. Commenting on Ryabkov's remark, the White House denounced it as "bluster," adding that if Russia started moving in that direction, the US would deal with it "decisively."Cuban Missile Crisis 2.0?The Kremlin has long exercised self-restraint and responded diplomatically to the West's provocations, but "has realised that there are hostile intentions behind the growing ring of military bases around Russia and that this has to be stopped if Russia is to be an independent country," says Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, ex-assistant secretary of the treasury under Ronald Reagan and former member of the Cold War Committee on the Present Danger.On 9 September 1962, Soviet ballistic missiles were delivered to Cuba within the framework of the USSR's secret Operation Anadyr. The US had been unaware for a whole month that Soviet rockets had already been deployed in the Caribbean nation.Operation Anadyr came in response to the US botched invasion of Cuba and the deployment of intermediate-range "Jupiter" nuclear missiles in Italy and Turkey, beginning in 1961, by the John Kennedy administration."From there, the [US] missiles could reach all of the western USSR, including Moscow and Leningrad (and that doesnt count the nuclear-armed 'Thor' missiles that the US already had aimed at the Soviet Union from bases in Britain)," wrote American journalist Benjamin Schwarz in his 2013 op-ed "The Real Cuban Missile Crisis" for The Atlantic.The Cuban Missile Crisis lasted from 16 October 1962 to 28 October 1962 and was resolved after then-President Kennedy agreed to dismantle all of the Jupiter MRBMs, deployed in Turkey against the USSR, in exchange for the removal of Soviet nuclear missiles from the Caribbean nation.Dr. Roberts notes that at this point the Kremlin is "trying to convey to Washington that in the absence of a security guarantee, the situation will worsen into a confrontational crisis."Are 'Spheres of Influence' Really a Thing of the Past?Meanwhile, the White House's warning of "decisive" actions in case Russia deploys its assets in Cuba and Venezuela seems to be in contradiction with Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remark that "spheres of influence" is an idea "that should have been retired after World War II."Furthermore, in 2013 then-Secretary of State John Kerry declared the end of the Monroe Doctrine in a speech to the Organisation of American States (OAS). Under the Monroe Doctrine, a US policy initiated by President James Monroe in 1823, Washington regarded Western Hemisphere as its own backyard.He highlights that the entire problem "can be avoided simply by giving Russia the security guarantee." In mid-December 2021, Moscow sent its draft security agreements to Washington. Russia's proposals include legally binding guarantees of NATO's non-expansion eastward, Ukraine's non-admission to the Western military bloc and pull-out of the bloc's forces from member states that have joined it since 1997, among other measures.American and European observers have previously noted that Ukraine's NATO membership is "big if" given that Germany and France have repeatedly opposed it. Meanwhile, NATO troops currently deployed in post-Soviet republics and former Warsaw states serve as an irritant rather than actual "deterrence" to Russia, according to them.Although Russia's talks with the US, NATO and OSCE have not brought immediate solutions, mutual consultations will continue. US Secretary of State Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are due to meet in Geneva on 21 January, according to the US State Department. Earlier, Blinken would hold meetings with Ukrainian and German officials on 19 January and 20 January, respectively.

https://sputniknews.com/20211211/did-us-learn-cuban-missile-crisis-lesson-right--could-moscow-and-washington-avert-its-repetition-1091425391.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211210/moscow-offering-us-nato-alternative-to-new-cuban-missile-crisis-scenario-foreign-ministry-says-1091417821.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220109/ex-pentagon-officer-biden-should-accept-russias-draft-security-agreements-as-basis-for-yalta-20-1092128161.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220118/russia-us-security-talks-is-ukraine-vital-for-nato-1092339352.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220119/sigar-warned-pentagon-afghan-air-forces-wouldnt-survive-us-withdrawal-declassified-report-reveals-1092377138.html

SIGAR Warned Pentagon Afghan Air Forces Wouldn't Survive US Withdrawal, Declassified Report Reveals

SIGAR Warned Pentagon Afghan Air Forces Wouldn't Survive US Withdrawal, Declassified Report Reveals

The declassification on Tuesday of a report dating to January 2021 revealed that the Pentagons watchdog on the Afghan war had attempted to warn military... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T19:45+0000

2022-01-19T19:45+0000

2022-01-19T19:46+0000

afghanistan

afghan air forces

us special inspector general for afghanistan reconstruction (sigar)

us withdrawal

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The office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko published on Tuesday a declassified version of a report originally submitted in January 2021. According to the report, SIGAR had attempted to warn the Pentagon that the US hadnt properly prepared the Afghan Air Forces to operate on their own without extensive support from the US military.According to the report, despite pumping $8.5 billion into the Afghan Air Force and Special Mission Wing since 2010, the military wing remained heavily dependent on contractors to fill key personnel roles, including pilots, maintenance crews, human resources, and financial management, having failed to develop a robust recruitment program.The report further notes that in the fiscal year 2020, the Pentagon spent $700 million on CLS for the AAF, which continued to perform the majority of aircraft maintenance. The AAF and SMW also relied on US-funded initial pilot training conducted outside Afghanistan. Pilot training was one of the better-funded programs, too: according to Sopkos report, just 14% of non-pilot AAF staff had been prioritized for training, including for essential roles like maintenance.Its unclear whether the report was submitted in the final days of the Trump administration or whether US President Joe Biden had taken office by then. Regardless, Biden decided to go ahead with the withdrawal, although he pushed the timeline back by several months from May 1 to August 31 in an attempt to sort out the huge logistical problems created by the pullout.The US 20-year occupation war in Afghanistan was ostensibly a reconstruction effort following the October 2001 overthrow of the Taliban* by the US invasion. A month earlier, al-Qaeda* had carried out terrorist attacks against the United States that it coordinated and planned from its bases in Afghanistan, and the George W. Bush administration declared its new mission to be a Global War on Terror to root out terrorist groups like al-Qaeda.After being thrown out of power, the Taliban regrouped itself and launched an insurgency from the Afghan countryside, steadily gaining ground against the US-backed Afghan government in Kabul until the US signed a ceasefire agreement with the Islamist group in February 2020, allowing US troops to withdraw. However, no similar deal was made with the Afghan government, which crumbled before a new Taliban offensive launched in the spring of 2021. By August 14, the Taliban had recaptured Kabul, which surrendered without a fight, and the last US troops left two weeks later, taking with them tens of thousands of collaborators and refugees.The US spent at least $145 billion on rebuilding Afghanistan, including its military, and nearly $1 trillion overall on the war effort. In addition, 2,442 US servicemembers and 3,846 contractors were killed in the war. On the Afghan side, some 241,000 people were killed in the war, 71,300 of whom have been identified as civilians, and another 360,000 are believed to have died due to indirect causes from the war, such as shortages of medicine, stresses caused by the conflict or being a refugee, or illnesses caused by food and water shortages or spoilage.In the final years of the war, the Trump administration even attempted to curb the amount of embarrassing information getting out about the war, including reports on how many districts were controlled by the Taliban - a number that steadily expanded almost every year. By the eve of the US peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020, Sopko bluntly told Congress we dont know many of the basic facts about the reconstruction effort, including how many Afghan police there were, whose salaries the US was ostensibly paying.*Terrorist groups sanctioned by the UN or banned in many countries

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afghanistan, afghan air forces, us special inspector general for afghanistan reconstruction (sigar), us withdrawal
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/trump-team-believes-desantis-fracas-in-media-handcrafted-by-mitch-mcconnell---report-1092353784.html

Trump Team Believes DeSantis Fracas in Media Handcrafted by Mitch McConnell - Report

Trump Team Believes DeSantis Fracas in Media Handcrafted by Mitch McConnell - Report

US edia have been speculating about an alleged rivalry between the two heavyweights of Republican politics - the former president and the Florida governor ... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T01:19+0000

2022-01-19T01:19+0000

2022-01-19T01:19+0000

donald trump

mitch mcconnell

us

republicans

election

republican party

ron desantis

us midterm elections

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Despite both former President Donald Trump and Sunshine State Gov. Ron DeSantis denying any friction between them and blaming "the media" for making a fuss, Trump advisers believe there is a hidden hand at work, NBC News reported Tuesday.According to the report, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, who is locked in a battle with Trump over the Republican Party's future in congressional races across the country, could be responsible for the recent media frenzy.Last week, when DeSantis appeared on the popular political podcast "Ruthless," he apparently slammed the COVID-19 lockdowns that Trump pushed during the coronavirus outbreak in early 2020. And prior to that, Trump had appeared to take a shot at DeSantis just days before, labeling lawmakers who refuse to declare their vaccination status "gutless."NBC sources cited DeSantis' remarks on the Ruthless podcast, which is co-hosted by McConnell's longtime adviser Josh Holmes, as evidence for their theory. Shortly after the podcast was released on Friday, reports appeared that DeSantis had slammed Trump by claiming one of his biggest regrets was not being "louder" about the risks of the virus-slowing lockdowns.According to the source, the governor's team might have hoped "for more out of Ron," due to him not really criticizing Trump in his remarks, "but they knew the media would instantly jump on it and wish-cast it into existence."The source figured that McConnell sees DeSantis as the lesser of two evils and a means to irritate Trump. Podcast host Holmes reportedly denied any malice toward Trump or coordination with McConnell, saying he did not want to get into a debate over the interview. Then, an undisclosed Republican official dismissed the idea that McConnell, who has stated openly that if Trump were to win the Republican nominee in 2024, he would "absolutely" back him, is trying to undermine the former president's chances.Moreover, John McLaughlin, Trump's pollster, reportedly said that McConnell's own ratings are not as "strong" as those of Trump to cause any real harm to the former president.DeSantis is currently seeking re-election to his second and final term in Florida this year, not for the Senate, so McLaughlin believes that the governor is "focused on re-election," while he noted that "Trump would crush the field if anyone wanted to run against him in the 2024 Republican primary. And most say they wont."However, rumors about DeSantis' probable ambitions for 2024 still somehow put him at odds with Trump, and may have landed him in the middle of a fight between Trump and McConnell, according to the sources. DeSantis has developed as a national figure in GOP politics for being one of the most vociferous and high-profile governors opposing the pandemic lockdowns and mandates, and is polling as the Republican primary front-runner for president in 2024 if Trump decides not to run himself.Insiders reportedly claimed that Trump has been irritated for months by Republican affection for DeSantis and the coverage he has received in conservative media, as well as DeSantis' refusal to openly pledge he would not run for president against him. Trump reportedly likes to say that he "created" DeSantis in 2018 by endorsing him when he was a relatively unknown member of Congress, but in fact, the former president is said not to be worried about the Florida governor as a potential rival.After all, a former top aide for Trump told NBC that the former president is overly concerned about DeSantis for a simple reason.Trump and McConnell have reportedly never spoken to each other since a crowd of Trump supporters rioted in the US Capitol on January 6 last year to prevent the electoral votes from being counted, confirming President Joe Biden's victory against Trump. Trump has regularly labeled McConnell an "old crow" and a "fake Republican" while asking GOP senators to remove him as leader, while McConnell has chastised Trump for lying about his loss.This year, Trump is endorsing a slate of Republican Senate candidates around the country. In Alaska, Trump-backed candidate Kelly Tshibaka, who is opposing McConnell supporter Sen. Lisa Murkowski, has stated that she will not vote for McConnell for Senate Majority Leader if the party regains the majority. Trump is reportedly urging other candidates to do the same. McConnell is retaliating in Arizona by attempting to entice Gov. Doug Ducey, a Trump adversary, to run for Senate. Trump has stated that he will never support Ducey after he reportedly declined to assist him in overturning the state's 2020 presidential election results.

https://sputniknews.com/20220113/trump-lashes-out-at-gutless-ron-desantis-others-for-refusing-to-disclose-covid-booster-status-1092222702.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220117/no-charisma-dull-personality-trump-says-desantis-could-never-beat-him-in-2024---report-1092327799.html

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donald trump, mitch mcconnell, us, republicans, election, republican party, ron desantis, us midterm elections
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/ukrainian-government-websites-hacked-with-whispergate-malware-1092365448.html

Ukrainian Government Websites Hacked With WhisperGate Malware

Ukrainian Government Websites Hacked With WhisperGate Malware

KIEV (Sputnik) - WhisperGate wiper malware was used to hack the websites of several Ukrainian institutions during a recent massive cyberattack, the State... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T10:52+0000

2022-01-19T10:52+0000

2022-01-19T10:50+0000

ukraine

cyber attack

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The service said that they were cooperating with Microsoft following the cyberattack on government websites, considering a possible combination of three attack vectors."At the moment, the use of the WhisperGate wiper program, according to Microsoft's classification for data destruction, has been detected in several institutions affected by the attack. Thus, with a high degree of probability we can affirm that the defacement (change of the visual appearance of a web page) of the attacked state agencies' websites and the destruction of data using a wiper are elements of one cyberattack aimed at a major damage to the infrastructure of the state electronic resources," the statement said.On Friday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said its website, as well as websites of some other government bodies, were unavailable over a cyberattack. The authorities said that no leak of personal data took place.

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ukraine, cyber attack
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday inaugurated a 1.2 million-U.S. dollar tourist port in the seaside city of Kep, aiming at attracting more foreign tourists to the southwestern Kep province in the post-COVID-19 era, said a transport ministry's news release.

Speaking at the event, Cambodian Transport Minister Sun Chanthol said the port, built on a total area of 3,470 square meters, can accommodate three cruise ships with a capacity of 150 passengers each and some small tourist boats.

"This is a new milestone in the tourism sector after our country has reopened its borders for fully vaccinated tourists," he said. "We hope that the port will help attract more tourists to this coastal province in the post-pandemic period."

The port, which is shaped like a crab and services the Rabbit Island, extends roughly 306 meters from the mainland into the sea and is 68 meters wide, according to its master plan.

Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting the southeast Asian nation's economy. The country received up to 6.61 million international tourists in 2019, generating gross revenue of 4.92 billion U.S. dollars, according to the tourism ministry.

But due to the pandemic, the sector attracted only 163,366 foreign visitors during the January-November period in 2021, down 87 percent from 1.28 million over the same period in 2020, the ministry said.

Cambodia has a pristine coastline stretching 450 km in four southwestern provinces of Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep. 
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/un-special-adviser-on-libya-discourse-of-war-has-been-replaced-by-discourse-of-politics-1092366294.html

UN Special Adviser on Libya: 'Discourse of War Has Been Replaced by Discourse of Politics'

UN Special Adviser on Libya: 'Discourse of War Has Been Replaced by Discourse of Politics'

Last month, US diplomat Stephanie Williams, who headed the Libya reconciliation talks that led to the October 2020 ceasefire, was appointed as the new special... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T15:22+0000

2022-01-19T15:22+0000

2022-01-19T15:21+0000

interviews

middle east

libya

elections

war

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In an interview with Sputnik, Williams reflects on what Libya has already achieved with the help of the international community on its path to post-war reconstruction, and the role of the UN in helping Libyans to determine their country's future. Sputnik: What is your visit to Moscow trying to achieve?Stephanie Williams: My visit to Moscow comes in the context of visits to several other countries. I was in Ankara and Cairo as well, and then I had the invitation to visit Moscow. The purpose of the visit, really, is to exchange views on the latest developments in Libya, and to express support for the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned peace process, and to support the momentum for elections in Libya. We also discussed the importance of the international community's support for Libyan outcome and how the international community has been able to do that in the context of the UN Security Council and the Berlin process.Sputnik: Do you think the elections will be postponed again?Stephanie Williams: Of course, that's going to be a Libyan decision. There are the Libyan institutions that are concerned with implementing the elections: you have the high national elections commission, you have the various ministries within the government, but of course, you have the parliament and then the advisory chamber 'the high council of states'. Those are Libyan institutions. What I have noted is that there is a road map that was approved by the Libyan political dialogue forum and endorsed by the UN Security Council, that's a road map that goes out until June this year.Sputnik: Regarding the roadmap that expires in June, will a new one be developed? What steps are being planned?Stephanie Williams: Well, what we know is there is a committee that has been selected within the parliament. They have their road map committee now, and that was established after the high national elections commission declared 'force majeure' and therefore could not go ahead with the presidential elections as had been designated and determined. This road map committee is scheduled to deliver a report and recommendations on 25 January. So, well have to wait for it to see what the committee suggests.Sputnik: The head of Libya's Presidency Council, Mr. Menfi, said that a UN-backed initiative will soon be announced. Are you acquainted with this initiative and did you approve it? Did any other parties propose initiatives?Stephanie Williams: When did he say that? Today?Sputnik: On 29 December. He said there is a new initiative backed by the UN that will be announced soon.Stephanie Williams: Im not specifically aware of the context of his remarks. What I can say, of course, the UN, we are in Libya, and I have been designated as the special advisor to the secretary-general to support the Libyan-Libyan dialogue under the 3 tracks of the Berlin process: that is the political, economic and military tracks that are the inter-Libyan dialogue tracks.Of course, the presidency council does have a specific role to play: that is in activating the track of national reconciliation which really needs to accompany the electoral process. So, Ive been encouraging the presidency council to get moving on this process because mainly Libyans are calling for it...Well, there are a lot of positive things that have happened in the last 15 months I would say since the cease-fire agreement was announced. One of them is that Libyans are now talking to each other and that needs to continue. The discourse of war has been replaced by the discourse of politics. A peaceful resolution of the dispute and energising national reconciliation can help sustain and maintain the calm that we now see on the ground.Sputnik: Were there new initiatives presented by other parties to the UN?Stephanie Williams: Many Libyans have come to me with proposals, but as I said, its the institutions that are concerned with elections that we need to hear from. And those are the parliament, the high national elections commission, the ministries: the ministry of interior for instance; of course, the presidency council itself, does have its own role to play given that its three members who represent the three historic regions of Libya.Sputnik: What is your position on the call of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Saleh, to form a new committee to draft the constitution and change the current government?Stephanie Williams: Yes, this came up in the context of the session of yesterday. Im aware of several initiatives or proposals on committees to address the constitutional issue. You know, there are those in Libya, certainly with my consultations with Libyans, and Ive spent an intense 12 day period travelling the country and talking to many different constituencies. You have different options that I think are on the table, certainly, Im sure that the lawmakers and legislators are hearing from their own constituencies on this.You have the constitutional track: there are two parts of the constitutional track. One is devising or agreeing upon a constitutional basis for elections and then deferring the issue of the full treatment of the constitution to a stage where you would have an elected government and an elected president, a stronger executive and a more durable security arrangement. There are others who say  no you need a full referendum on a draft constitution before you move to elections. There are those who say  what is needed is an amendment of the current electoral laws that you could move to elections.There are many different views in Libya. This is one of the intricacies of the process. There are those who say  what you need is a judicial review of the challenges or the judicial disputes regarding the candidacies of certain individuals. And then you have those who say  no you should have parliamentary elections first, then you allow the parliament to deal with the issue of the constitution and then you do presidential elections. So, you see... And this is where, bringing the Libyans together so they can come up with a consensual view on the way forward is very important.Sputnik: What does the UN see as the most suitable plan for Libya?Stephanie Williams: I believe that the role of the UN is to help the Libyans to come together in a fully inclusive process, and that's a process, like the process that we ran that resulted in the approval of the road map that designated December 24th as the elections' day. And the selection of the interim government was a process that certainly included the two legislative chambers, but also brought in many more components of the Libyan society, in particular the supporters of the former regime, of Mr. Gaddafi's government; In any UN process up to that point, they were not invited to participate, and I believe that we had that measure of success because we ran a fully inclusive process, and that is very important for Libyans to succeed. It's not to have a process that aims to marginalise or exclude any particular important constituency in the country.So that's what we certainly encourage, and we are more than happy to accompany the Libyans in their own process and to assist them to come to this. Really what's necessary is a fully consensual way forward.Sputnik: Am I right in thinking that the position of the UN is that Libyans should decide on their constitution and their government on their own, and that you will support them in any outcome?Stephanie Williams: We will accompany the Libyans. I think it's also important that this fully inclusive process helps to increase the acceptance of electoral results, and I have encouraged, and while it is fully the decision of the parliament whether or not to take up the issue of changing the government, I have modestly suggested that parliament would be better placed focusing on the electoral process; rather than creating another interim, transitional government, that what the Libyan people need or be able to do is to go to the polls and elect a fully representative, democratically elected government that has full sovereignty and helps in this process of unifying institutions and bringing the country together.Sputnik: If the elections are postponed again (those of June), what course of action will the UN take, and will the legitimacy of the national unity government expire?Stephanie Williams: I think that what the United Nations has done and continues to do, is to support the 2.5 million Libyans, who have collected their voter registration cards and want to go to the polls and to lift their voices and to really maintain the momentum for elections. Certainly, the Security Council has endorsed the elections and has endorsed the road map that goes out until June of this year, and it is the purview of the Security Council to determine further steps for the Libyan political process. And in terms of the legitimacy of the current government, that again is also the purview of the Libyan parliament. But there are also internationally recognized agreements that Libyans themselves have signed, that set out what is the necessary quorum for the parliament to have in order to change the government. So I think it's very important for the parliament to follow its own rules.Sputnik: Have you registered any violations of the arms embargo in Libya?Stephanie Williams: It's not the role of the political mission to take account of that. That is under the purview of the UN panel of experts, and they regularly issue reports where they register what they have recorded as violations of the arms embargo.Sputnik: How likely is it that armed hostilities in Libya will return?Stephanie Williams: When I came back to Libya after an absence of ten months, I was very pleased to discover that there was this discourse of resolving differences through peaceful means, and a true desire of Libyans, including armed groups, those who have carried arms against each other, to not return to war, and I think it's very important for the international community to encourage Libyans to preserve this calm. We've even had last month in Benghazi, a meeting of very important figures who had been on the opposing sides of the conflict. General Haftar met with the former minister of the interior Fathi Bashagha. So if those who directly bore arms against each other can sit and discuss peacefully the future of the country, then I think certainly the politicians can resolve their differences as well.

https://sputniknews.com/20211221/libya-is-readying-itself-for-elections-but-are-they-even-possible-1091688454.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211122/libya-not-ready-to-normalise-ties-with-israel-as-other-acute-issues-take-the-lead-says-journalist-1090918307.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211021/ten-years-since-libyas-gaddafi-was-murdered-by-nato-backed-rebels-1090087300.html

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interviews, middle east, libya, elections, war
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/us-federal-judge-releases-puerto-rico-from-bankruptcy-slashes-municipal-debt-by-80-1092354807.html

US Federal Judge Releases Puerto Rico From Bankruptcy, Slashes Municipal Debt by 80%

US Federal Judge Releases Puerto Rico From Bankruptcy, Slashes Municipal Debt by 80%

A US federal judge resolved a five-year battle over Puerto Ricos bankruptcy on Tuesday, slashing the US territorys debt by 80% as part of a restructuring... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T00:52+0000

2022-01-19T00:52+0000

2022-01-19T00:52+0000

puerto rico

us

junta

public debt

debt restructuring

hurricane maria

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Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York approved a plan pitched by the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico to cut the islands public debt by 80%, from $33 billion to just over $7.4 billion. According to a news release by the board, the deal will save the government more than $50 billion in debt service payments.According to the board, the deal gives San Juan the ability to pay off its debt by 2034, provided it accepts more cuts to public services and price hikes.The following year, the Puerto Rican government declared bankruptcy, beginning the process that led to Tuesdays settlement. The PROMESA board used austerity measures to put a tight rein on the territorys finances and ensure it could pay its creditors on Wall Street, which included an attempt to slash the pension fund that had been chronically mismanaged for years.That same year, 2017, Puerto Rico suffered its worst natural disaster in recorded history: a direct strike by Hurricane Maria, a powerful Category 5 storm that annihilated the countrys electrical infrastructure and killed 3,000 Boricuans. The public utility company, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), was sold to private buyers in January 2018, who formed the corporation LUMA Energy. However, it still holds PREPAs substantial debt, which was not included in the deal approved on Tuesday.Puerto Rico was seized from Spain by the US in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, and was subsequently turned into a US territory. Nationalists and critics have accused the US of colonialism, and multiple uprisings in the 20th century sought to shake off US rule over the island. A parallel social movement has sought Puerto Ricos admittance as a US state.

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puerto rico, us, junta, public debt, debt restructuring, hurricane maria
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/we-shall-fight-them-on-the-benches-johnson-responds-on-whether-hell-resign-over-partygate-1092372778.html

We Shall Fight Them on the Benches: Johnson Responds on Whether Hell Resign Over Partygate

We Shall Fight Them on the Benches: Johnson Responds on Whether Hell Resign Over Partygate

Britains prime minister has faced growing calls for his resignation amid revelations that he or members of his staff attended drinks-filled parties in 2020... 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T15:54+0000

2022-01-19T15:54+0000

2022-01-19T15:54+0000

boris johnson

house of commons

resignation

party

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rejected calls for his resignation amid swirling Partygate allegations, telling parliament that he will not budge from his seat.Last year, we were told by the prime minister there were no Downing Street parties. Then it turned out there were parties, but we were assured that no rules were broken. Last week, we heard the rules may have been broken but that he thought it was a work event. And now yesterday from the man who wrote the rules, it was well nobody told me what those rules were, Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain said during Wednesdays Question Time grilling of the prime minister.Will the prime minister agree its now time for him to resign? she asked.No, Mr. Speaker. But what I could tell her, as I said to the House last week, I apologize sincerely for any misjudgments that were made, but she must contain her impatience Mr. Speaker and wait for the inquiry next week before she draws any of the conclusions that shes just asserted, Johnson answered.The prime minister went on to face attack by Keir Starmer, accusing him of wasting time after the Labour leader asked if a prime misleads parliament, should they resign?Mr. Speaker, lets be absolutely clear, the Right Honourable Gentleman is continuing to ask a series of questions which he knows will be fully addressed by the inquiry. He is wasting this Houses time, he is wasting the peoples time Mr. Speaker, Johnson said.Conservative Party grandee MP David Davis, who served as chief Brexit negotiator under Prime Minister Theresa May, also demanded Johnsons resignation in a passionate appeal recalling wartime MP Leo Amerys appeal to Neville Chamberlain - the British prime minister accused of appeasing Hitler, during World War II.Finally, Johnson was battered by Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson. Mr. Speaker, when a prime minister is spending his time trying to convince the great British public that hes actually stupid rather than dishonest, isnt it time that he goes now? she asked.Mr. Speaker I think that was a question for you rather than me, but Im not, Ive look, Ive made my point. I think the British public has responded to what this government has had to say in the most eloquent way possible, Johnson said amid chuckles from lawmakers.Partygate HangoverJohnson has spent over a week dismissing calls to resign following revelations that he breached his own Covid rules in May 2020 to attend a drinks party. After initially denying attending, he said he believed that the gathering was a work event in line with the rules. Former aide Dominic Cummings accused Johnson of lying and said he knew it was a drinks party.An inquiry into the affair has been set up. Chaired by senior civil servant Sue Gray, the inquiry may deliver its conclusions as soon as later this week.At least one Tory MP defected to Labour on Wednesday, with at 11 reportedly submitting letters of no confidence in the prime minister amid the crisis. Separately, the Guardian has reported on an alleged Tory plot to oust Johnson.In a bid to placate his base Wednesday, Johnson announced that the governments Plan B Covid guidelines, set up in December to fight Omicron, would be dropped next week, eliminating mandatory masks in public places, Covid passports, and work from home restrictions. Starmer and Labour said they would support the relaxation of Plan B as long as the science says that it is safe, and asked Johnson to share his scientific evidence.The prime minister said he would be happy to share the scientific advice on which weve taken this decision, of course. He promised passing the 100 million Covid vaccinations mark by June, and praised the sale of 2.5 billion AstraZeneca vaccines around the world.A recent YouGov poll taken amid Partygate has shown Johnsons Conservatives sinking against opposition Labour. According to the poll, if an election were held tomorrow, 38 percent of Britons would vote Labour, 28 percent Conservative, 13 percent Liberal Democrat, and 7 percent Green.

https://sputniknews.com/20220119/at-least-11-tory-mps-reportedly-submit-no-confidence-in-bojo-letters-to-1922-committee-this-morning-1092362592.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220119/a-question-of-when-not-whether-tory-mps-reportedly-plotting-bojos-demise-in-pork-pie-putsch-1092358764.html

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Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

boris johnson, house of commons, resignation, party
https://sputniknews.com/20220119/were-heartbroken-fans-mourn-death-of-french-actor-gaspard-ulliel-1092373146.html

We're Heartbroken: Fans Mourn Death of French Actor Gaspard Ulliel

We're Heartbroken: Fans Mourn Death of French Actor Gaspard Ulliel

One of the stars of Marvels upcoming Moon Knight series, Gaspard Ulliel has passed away at the age of 37 following a ski accident. 19.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-19T17:35+0000

2022-01-19T17:35+0000

2022-01-19T17:35+0000

france

celebrity

death

mourning

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Social networks are being flooded with messages of condolence in the wake of tragic news: Hannibal Rising star Gaspard Ulliel has died as a result of a serious ski accident on 18 January in the Alps. Fans are also sending messages of support to the actor's six-year-old son Orso and his girlfriend Gaelle Petri. Known for his prominent roles in Saint Laurent and Hannibal Rising, the French actor was hospitalised on Tuesday after suffering a fatal head injury.The heartbreaking news comes just ahead of the release of the long-awaited Moon Knight comic book series adaptation, in which Gaspard portrayed the Midnight Man. The TV series will be aired on 30 March on Disney+. Gaspard also rose to prominence for featuring in a big ad campaign for Bleu de Chanel.He started appearing in made-for-television films during the late 1990s and early 2000s before making it big after his first English-language film Hannibal Rising.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220119/witness-is-bravely-willing-to-testify-she-saw-prince-andrew-with-young-girl-at-uk-club-1092361964.html

Witness is 'Bravely' Willing to Testify She Saw Prince Andrew With 'Young Girl' at UK Club

Witness is 'Bravely' Willing to Testify She Saw Prince Andrew With 'Young Girl' at UK Club

A witness who claims she saw Prince Andrew in the company of his sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre at a London nightclub 20 years ago is willing to provide testimony in the civil lawsuit against the royal.

2022-01-19T08:56+0000

2022-01-19T08:56+0000

2022-01-30T08:10+0000

us

ghislaine maxwell

prince andrew

jeffrey epstein

virginia roberts giuffre

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A witness who claims she saw Prince Andrew in the company of his sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre at a London nightclub 20 years ago is "willing" to provide testimony in the civil lawsuit against the royal."She is willing to do the deposition Virginia Giuffre's team is seeking", added Bloom. This comes after a petition submitted by Giuffre's lawyers on 14 January asked Manhattan federal court judge Lewis Kaplan to officially request assistance from UK authorities in obtaining testimony from Walker. Giuffre's lawyers noted the importance of the woman's testimony, stating: According to Giuffre's legal team, Walker claimed she saw the Duke of York "with a young girl around the time that plaintiff contends Prince Andrew abused her in London after visiting Tramp Nightclub".Bloom was earlier cited by the outlet as saying: "My client says she was there and she remembers the night clearly because she never saw a royal before or since. She says Prince Andrew was happy, smiling and dancing, and Virginia did not look happy. My client was a trafficking victim herself and wants everyone to know that sex trafficking is real, ongoing, and devastating". Lisa Bloom revealed that she had provided the FBI with "all the details of my client's story for further investigation". Lawyers representing the royal's accuser also want to interview the Duke of York's former assistant, Robert Olney, stating in cited court filings that he has "relevant information about Prince Andrew's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein" and his "travel to or from any of Jeffrey Epstein's homes". It was added that Olney's name "appears in publicly available copies of Epstein's phone book". Sex Abuse Civil Suit In August 2021, Virginia Giuffre (nee Roberts), 38, filed a civil case in New York under the state's Child Victims Act alleging that she was trafficked out by the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his "madam" Ghislaine Maxwell to engage in sexual relations with Prince Andrew when she was 17, and a minor by US law, on three occasions. The abuse ostensibly happened in London, New York, and the US Virgin Islands. Epstein, a convicted sex offender and financier, was arrested in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking girls as young as 14. He died while awaiting trial in a Manhattan jail a month later, his death ruled a suicide. In December 2021, Maxwell was found guilty of conspiring with Epstein to groom and sexually abuse underage girls in a separate case. Prince Andrew has emphatically denied all allegations of misconduct, saying in a 2019 BBC interview that he had "no recollection" of meeting the accuser. Lawyers for Prince Andrew have also filed their initial requests for witnesses in the civil lawsuit.Recently released documents show that the prince's legal team is seeking witness accounts from Giuffre's husband, Robert Giuffre, and her psychologist, Judith Lightfoot, claiming she may "suffer from false memories". Earlier, the prince's legal team tried to convince US District Judge Lewis Kaplan to throw out Giuffre's lawsuit, arguing that the royal could be shielded by a Giuffre-Epstein 2009 settlement. The settlement, which was unsealed and released on 3 January, awarded her $500,000. However, the judge rejected the Duke of York's motion and ruled that the case could proceed. Judge Lewis Kaplan asked for witnesses' evidence to be taken by lawyers by 14 July, with a trial possibly taking place in court later this year.

https://sputniknews.com/20220116/prince-andrews-accuser-vows-to-destroy-him-and-leave-him-broke-because-of-his-arrogance-media-says-1092292157.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220114/prince-andrew-accuser-giuffre-vows-shell-continue-to-expose-truth-as-her-case-proceeds-1092249549.html

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Svetlana Ekimenko

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us, ghislaine maxwell, prince andrew, jeffrey epstein, virginia roberts giuffre
In local health news following state and nationwide trends, the Free Clinic of Culpeper in the past year experienced an uptick in clients of more than 15 percent.

In recent weeks and months, many patients have been sick with COVID and seeking tests. This is during another nationwide shortage of coronavirus testing supplies as well as the staffing crisis that the local clinic, with its few employees and volunteers, has been able to work around so far.

Some help is hopefully on the way. The nonprofit clinic was recently approved in its budget to hire a medical assistant and is desperately seeking someone with needed qualifications for the job who is also bilingualSpanish and English-speaking.

At the Culpeper clinic, 75 percent of clients speak Spanish as their first language, according to Director Tammy LaGraffe. This is up from 60 percent Hispanic clients in 2020.

A lot of our patients are vulnerable, may live in conditions where they are in groups, have never seen a doctor before in their whole life, so they are coming to us with diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterolsevere, chronic issues that need constant management, LaGraffe said in a phone call earlier this month.

We are seeing a lot of those patientsa big piece of the puzzle is not only helping them, but helping keep them out of the ER. Especially now during COVIDit has never been more important than it is now.

Across America, as organizations and communities work to increase access to healthcare for these vulnerable populations, new survey data from the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics showed that 50 of their clinics, including in Culpeper, reported navigating some level of staffing challenges with patient demand.

The local clinic, located steps from the ER on Laurel Street in town, accepts low income uninsured and under-insured patients. About a third of clinic funding comes from the state and the rest is from grants and contributions.

At the start of COVID nearly two years ago, the clinics primary population was hit hard with COVID cases, LaGraffe said in the recent call. Cases have eased with introduction of the vaccine about a year ago, but then jumped again in recent weeks as omicron continues its wide spread.

These past two to three weeks we have been hit with a lot of COVID testing requests and the cases we are hearing about, LaGraffe said. Were doing a lot of teachingabout staying at home, wash hands, wear a mask, distanceand it really helps when you can have someone who speaks Spanish.

The Free Clinic of Culpeper has been working closely with the Health Department to get COVID tests, which the director said she worries at night about having enough.

They are even running out, LaGraffe said. We have to use what we have carefullyit continues to be a big problem for the whole community and us, too.

A bilingual community health worker visits the clinic once a week to teach clients, help with Medicaid applications and to encourage getting the vaccine. An administrative assistant also speaks Spanish.

The hope now, LaGraffe said, is finding a medical assistant who can communicate with patients in the exam room.

Once they get in the back it is really hard, she said, noting the clinic uses a translation service provided by the hospital.

But the service is often so busy it can take 10 minutes to get an available translator, LaGraffe said. It would be much better if we had someone in person as well.

The medical assistant position is part-time, up to 28 hours per week, with no benefits.

The no-benefits part could be a sticking point, the clinic director said, adding they need to come up with some way to entice people to the job. LaGraffe said theyve had very few inquiries about the position, stating that is fairly typical across Virginia.

We suspect it is COVID because so many people got burned out in the healthcare field, she said.

But the new staffer will be essential to continuing expedient operations at the free clinic that went from 515 patients in 2020 to 591 in 2021. The clinic sees, on average, two dozen new patients monthly.

Dedicated clinic employees and the volunteers who remain are working more hours and using the end of the day to catch up, LaGraffe said.

Our staff is minimalone full time and one part time nurse and three part-time nurse practitioners, she said.

Some of our staff has been hit by COVID, that has brought us a little less staffing, but we are going to keep plugging along.

Many clinic volunteers didnt come back after COVID, especially professional volunteers like nurses, physicians and pharmacists, LaGraffe said.

Those are much lower and those are the people we could really use, she said.

The clinic nonetheless has a good core group of volunteers who help with administrative duties, as well as two pharmacy volunteers, one who is retired and one who works full-time.

LaGraffe started in her role as executive director at the Free Clinic of Culpeper nearly two years ago, right as the pandemic was starting. She attributed the facilitys continued service to the community to its amazing staff.

They are so resilient, flexible, they really care about our patients getting the care they need, LaGraffe said. It doesnt ever seem like they are struggling but I have to watch them, dont want them to overdo it. They care so much.

Support from UVA Culpeper Medical Center, the local community, churches and businesses has been amazing, she added.

The recent Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics survey found 76 percent of 50 responding free clinics reported an uptick in patient demand in 2021 compared to 2020.

Clinics reported rising needs in all service areas including dental, medical, behavioral health and pharmaceutical. COVID-19-related testing and vaccinations are becoming the most requested services, according to the state survey.

Forty percent of clinics reported paid staffing and volunteer shortages even as COVID-19 cases in Virginia grew nearly 80 percent in early January, the highest figure since mid-October, the association stated.

During these challenging times when the need for accessible healthcare has never been more apparent, free and charitable clinics are caring for vulnerable Virginians, said Rufus Phillips, VAFCC CEO, in a statement. Clinics have never slowed down since the start of the pandemic and they remain committed to providing quality and innovative care, regardless of a persons ability to pay.

We expect the demand for care at clinics to only increase in the coming months. The additional burdens are straining the limited resources of clinics.

Volunteers are needed across Virginia. Sign up at freeclinicscare.org to add your name to the directory. See freeclinicofculpeper.org/ to see how to help out here or to donate.

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A veteran law enforcement officer who served with the Culpeper County Sheriffs Office has been named Virginia Secretary of Public Safety & Homeland Security.

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Jan. 11 appointed Fauquier County Sheriff Bob Mosier to the post previously filled by Brian Moran under the Democratic Northam administration.

Lt. Col. Jeremy Falls, the highest-ranking sheriffs deputy in Fauquier, was sworn in Tuesday as sheriff pending a special election.

The Secretary of Public Safety & Homeland Security is responsible for enhancing the quality of Virginia citizens, visitors and businesses through public awareness, education, training, emergency response, disaster preparedness, prevention, policy development, enforcement, response, recovery and reentry, according to education.virginia.gov.

Bob shares my vision for innovating how our law enforcement officers build trust and engage in their communities they serve by building bridges with local leaders to reduce crime and keep Virginians safe, Youngkin said in a statement.

Mosier, with more than 30 years of experience, will play an important role in keeping communities safe, the governor stated.

We will get to work on this key priority by fully funding and raising pay for our law enforcement officers. Together, we will protect qualified immunity, and on Day One fire the Parole Board, Youngkin stated.

Mosier is a native Virginian who got his start in law enforcement at the age of 19 working as a dispatcher and then an officer with the City of Manassas PD.

He worked as a deputy sheriff in Culpeper for his longest stint-from 1998-2015, according to his resume at Mosiers campaign web page.

Mosier did patrol operations with Fauquier County Sheriffs Office for eight years and also has international experience serving with the U.S. Dept. of State in Bosnia.

He further worked with International Justice Mission human rights group as director of investigations in Asia, Middle and Near East, Africa and Latin America. Mosier additionally worked for the state department in Iraq as a policy advisor on narcotics and law enforcement

Fauquier County citizens elected him sheriff in 2015. Gov. Northam appointed him to the Criminal Justice Services Board in 2021 and the Substance Abuse Services Council in 2020.

Huge congratulations to Sheriff Bob Mosier! posted Del. Michael Webert, R-Marshall, in a post Jan. 10. Bob has been great to work with in his role as sheriff and we are so excited to work with him in his new role as the head Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Webert attended the swearing in Jan. 14 in Richmond.

Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins also sent his well wishes on social media.

Congratulations, Bob! Looking forward to law enforcement getting real support from Richmond and to a positive relationship with your office. Best wishes for you and our new Governor, Jenkins posted.

Warrenton Town Councilman Sean Polster added his congratulations.

I look forward to working on issues such as firefighter cancer laws, the opioid crisis and supporting our first responders that need it now more than ever, Polster posted Jan. 10 on Facebook.

Mosier has been married to his wife Cindy for more than 30 years. The couple lives in Warrenton and has three grown children as well as grandchildren.

Fauquier County Clerk of Circuit Court Gail Barb administered the oath for Falls to become the next sheriff there in front of members of the Board of Supervisors, Constitutional Officers, Sheriffs Office personnel and his family members.

Sheriff Falls is looking forward to serving the residents of Fauquier County and leading the men and women of the Sheriffs Office, according to a statement.

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It is time to gather your team and start preparing for the 11th annual Panhandle Polar Plunge.

This years Panhandle Polar Plunge is set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 26. The event features various teams competing to raise the most money for the Special Olympics of Nebraska before they all wade into the rivers frigid waters.

Special Olympics is something thats near and dear for law enforcement, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman, who belongs to the committee responsible for planning the plunge, said.

While local officers participate in other activities to benefit the organization, the Polar Plunge is what Overman called our signature event. However, he made sure to point out that the plunge isnt just a law enforcement event, and that the whole community is free to participate.

This years event will take place when it traditionally does, on the last Saturday in February. Last year, the plunge happened in April due to stricter coronavirus-related guidelines from the Special Olympics. There were only 53 people then, though Overman has said the best-attended plunge featured more than 150 waders. Teams were also limited to five people apiece. Overman said hes suspecting this years event will likely feature similar limitations.

Still, he encouraged people to be as silly and creative as they could at the event. Teams usually have their own themes and dress up in costume.

Weve seen movie themes and Star Wars themes and Disney themes. Lots of silly, silly stuff, Overman said.

The plunge takes place at the Riverside Park, with a section of the river specially prepared for the event. Despite the cold water, Overman said the event is very safe. Though there are dive teams and ambulances on standby, they are almost never needed.

Some of the fundraising happens through registration fees, but much of it comes from donations that each team competes to receive, usually from their families and friends. Teams can be comprised of friend groups or student groups, and companies often have their own teams participate as well. Even with reduced capacity last year, participants still raised more than $10,000. In 2015, the Scottsbluff event raised a record of $35,000, more than the city of Lincoln raised at their event with a population nine times as large. Some individual teams have collected thousands of dollars.

People around here are extremely generous when it comes to donating money for things like this, Overman said. ... When you look at the money we raise and compare it per capita, were the leaders every year.

Different prizes and apparel will be awarded to the winners. Afterwards, there may be a celebratory lunch where teams can get together and warm up, though Overman said he was unsure if this would take place.

Registration for this years Polar Plunge has not yet started, but Overman said the plan is to have it ready to go by Jan. 26 at the latest. A special registration page will be available for teams to sign up on at the Scotts Bluff County website.

Watch for updates in the paper and online.

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GERING - Gering High School was awarded a $500,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant to expand the new Aviation Career Pathway. The FAA Aviation Workforce Development grant is an opportunity created under Section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The goal of the grant program is to educate the next generation of aviation professionals across the United States in rural, suburban, and urban areas, according to the grant website.

Gering High Schools aviation pathway began in the 2021-22 school year under the instruction of Navy TOPGUN graduate and Gering teacher Lance Wiese, along with science teacher and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow sponsor Brett Moser.

The grant will infuse the aviation pathway with curriculum and advanced simulation technology for both aircraft and drone operation. Additionally, it will provide students an opportunity to train and work toward completing their private pilots license requirements.

We are honored to be able to expand the possibilities to motivate and inspire Gering students, Wiese said. Weve already developed great partnerships within the aviation community, and we look forward to growing those connections.

Of the 16 Aviation Workforce Development Aircraft Pilots Grants awarded, only four were designated to public school districts. Gering High School Interim Principal Mario Chavez said that it is a testament to the innovation and strength of STEM education at Gering Public Schools.

The FAA grant isnt just a win for Gering High School students; it also creates outreach and education at the elementary level and exploration opportunities for junior high students.

Being awarded this grant provides a boost to promote the industry and program, getting more students excited and involved, Moser said. Were thankful for this awesome opportunity.

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JAKARTA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a law on the relocation of the nation's capital to the island of Kalimantan, which the country shares borders with Malaysia and Brunei, from the most populated island of Java.

The move is a step forward in one of the most ambitious projects initiated by the country's President Joko Widodo.

Some former presidents have floated ideas of relocating the capital city in the past. The president, widely known as Jokowi, three years ago vowed to relocate the capital city to the province of East Kalimantan due to a number of issues, including high population density and land subsidence in Jakarta, home to more than 10 million people.

Nusantara, which the new capital is called, will be built in two districts in East Kalimantan -- Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kartanegara. It is set to occupy about 256,000 hectares of land.

The name of Nusantara, which can be translated as an archipelago in English, was chosen by President Jokowi, Minister for National Development Planning Suharso Monoarfa has said.

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, is home to some 270 million people, consisting of about 17,000 islands.

"The national capital has a central function and serves as a symbol of a country to show the identity of the nation and state," Minister Monoarfa explained during a meeting with lawmakers at the House of Representatives building on Tuesday.

The ground-breaking of the construction project that is slated to cost 32 billion U.S. dollars was initially expected to be conducted in August 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the government to put it on hold.

Some of the projects on the construction of the new capital will be carried out by public-private partnerships, and the early stage of the relocation will begin this year and is expected to end in 2024.

At this stage, the government will build a presidential palace, parliament buildings, and a housing complex in the primary zone. The move of civil servants at the early stage must be completed before Aug. 16, 2024.

Nusantara will serve as the center of government, while Jakarta would remain the business and economic center of Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

A day before the lawmakers passed the bill, President Jokowi stressed that that new capital is not only about physically relocating the offices of government institutions, but also "building a new smart city."

It is reported that Nusantara will be headed by an authority chief appointed by the president and its level of position is equal to a minister.

Several former government officials which will likely become the chief include Jakarta's former governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and former minister for research and technology Bambang Brodjonegoro. 
Larry Bolinger, an Alliance man who previously ran for Congress, is aiming to become Nebraskas next Attorney General.

His primary goal, he said, is to work on policies concerning victimless crimes, such as marijuana use and truancy. With political science and criminology degrees from the University of Nebraska, I know a lot of the updated programs have worked, he said. And they do work, but our legislature hasnt realized that yet.

His platform revolves around changing laws regarding bank contracting, meat inspection, police reform and other issues. He said in a press release that he had presented many of these issues before the state legislature, but to no avail.

Bolinger is running with the support of the Legal Marijuana Now Party, which became an officially registered political party in Nebraska last October.

Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the Nebraska Legislature, technically classifying it as a drug. Bolinger said thats an issue because the substance has medical uses. He said he supported legalizing the use of marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes.

Bolinger said one additional campaign goal is to ensure the states prisons are not overcrowded with victimless offenders.

Were looking at spending more than $400 million on a correctional facility when we should be looking at law reform ... weve got to address the actual problems, the rehab systems, bad courts.

The current state attorney general, Doug Peterson, and Gov. Pete Ricketts are not focused on such issues, Bolinger said. A higher priority on rehabilitation, mediation and community service would help alleviate the number of prisoners incarcerated, he said. His press release said such changes would help reduce recidivism, or the tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend.

Bolinger began his political career as a planning commissioner for the City of Alliance and afterwards has ran in various years for city council, state legislature and the United States Congress. In his press release, he said he is currently working on more than 20 policies on law reform and complied many of them into a book, and that he is writing a sequel geared towards the policies he would focus on if elected attorney general.

Bolinger said he would like to host several town hall meetings on the campaign trail, including in the Scottsbluff area, and aims to visit Lincoln sometime next month.

Unlike other political positions in Nebraska, the attorney general post has no term limits. However, current AG Doug Peterson will not seek a third term. Another candidate who announced an attorney general campaign is Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers.

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Southport, NC (28461)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Two residents of a short-staffed long-term care center were found dead Sunday night in Thomasville when police, first responders and medical personnel conducted a welfare check.

An investigation into the center continues.

According to a police statement released Tuesday, the families of the unidentified deceased residents of Pine Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center had been notified of their deaths by staff before the police investigation began.

Their bodies were sent to the autopsy center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Another two patients were found to be in critical condition. One was taken to High Point Medical Center, while the other was transported to Thomasville Medical Center.

Officials with Principle LTC, the Kinston-based operator of Pine Ridge, could not be immediately reached for comment on the deaths and police investigation.

Investigators said the welfare check was requested by residents, who told authorities staff members had not been seen by some residents and could not be reached by phone.

Police arrived at the center at 706 Pineywood Road at 7:56 p.m. Sunday.

According to the report, officers determined there was inadequate staffing to accommodate the 98 patients of the facility. The facility had one licensed practical nurse and two certified nursing assistants available at the time of the investigation.

Officers contacted Thomasville Fire Department and Davidson County Emergency Medical Services for assistance with a door-to-door assessment of every resident. That took until 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Obviously, the weather and road conditions contributed to the inadequate staffing issues with this facility, Capt. Brad Saintsing of the Thomasville Police Department said in the report.

"First and foremost, we want to ensure each and every resident of the facility is getting the quality of care they deserve. With these types of facilities, there is a protocol, and we want to ensure it was followed as it relates to the weather and/or emergency situations."

Among the investigating agencies are the State Bureau of Investigation, Davidson County District Attorneys Office, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and Davidson County Social Services.

DHHS is currently at the center overseeing operations.

According to the Principle website, it operates 56 centers involving about 7,200 beds in North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky, offering services ranging from short-term transitional care to Alzheimers and dementia care.

In its latest report, the state said Pine Ridge had a cluster of eight staff members and two residents who had tested positive for COVID-19. There had been no related deaths as of Jan. 11.

A cluster is defined as at least five cases over a 28-day period. The state does not report when the cases were diagnosed.
Russian and NATO discussions over Russian demands that NATO sign an agreement to never let Ukraine join NATO, or to station NATO forces in Ukraine, ended in a deadlock. This is a loss for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who revived the Cold War in 2014 to distract Russians from his failure to deal with corruption and improve the economy.

Putin also declared the collapse of the Soviet Union a historical tragedy and sought to rebuild the empire the tsars created over several centuries and the communists lost. Putin began by seizing portions of the Ukraine that many Russians believed should never have been part of Ukraine. There were some other problems with this. Russian troops in Ukraine or an invasion is a blatant violation of a 1994 agreement in which Ukraine allowed the ICBMs and other nuclear weapons based in its territory to be removed and destroyed. Ukraine inherited the nukes when the Soviet Union dissolved, with all the new nations gaining ownership of Soviet weapons on their territory. Russia saw that as preferable to a civil war with the half of the Soviet Union population that was leaving. Most Russians were fed up with the communists and wanted to be sure they were gone. Leaving nukes in Ukraine would help with that. But the communists, or at least the Soviets were not gone.

The KGB, the elite intel and internal security force of the Soviet Union was still around in the form of many former KGB officers who were dubious about this peace and democracy approach and by 2000 the KGB regained power when one of their own became the Russian leader. Putin kept that job Russia still being a democracy with term-limits on how long the president could serve. Bending and breaking constitutions and treaties with foreigners was a KGB specialty. President Putin used that to explain his tendency to ignore past agreements. His argument was that this was sure to make Russia stronger and wealthier. That did not work and became obvious after Russia seized Crimea in 2014 but failed in an attempt to seize the Donbas, a portion of eastern Ukraine that had a majority of ethnic Russians, some of them fans of Donbas again being part of Russia. Those Ukrainian Russians have changed their minds but their Russian occupiers have not.

Russia says it will not enter Ukraine unless provoked and pronounced the increased NATO presence in the Black Sea and threats of more sanctions against Belarus as provocative. Ukraine fears Russia may grab a small bit of Ukrainian territory, like all of Donbas, and then declare a ceasefire that would be accepted because Russia has nukes and threatened to use them in self-defense if provoked. In East Europe this is seen as more political theater than a realistic threat. Yet Russia blundered into World War I and II poorly prepared and ineptly led for similar reasons and suffered enormous losses. The current Russian government has ordered that the history of those two wars be revised to portray Russia as the heroic victim of deceptions and provocations by the West. Put another way, Russia has a history of bad judgment, ignoring the lessons of their own history and self-destructive military decisions. Thats why all those East European nations joined NATO once the Soviet Union was gone. Ukraine also expressed interest in joining, which Russia declared provocative and a threat. This was one of the justifications for seizing Crimea and portions of eastern Ukraine in 2014.

The Russian military, three decades after the Soviet Union collapsed, still has less than 20 percent of the manpower the Soviets maintained and a population willing to tolerate some foreign military adventures as long as few, if any, Russian soldiers are killed. Putin came up with a solution for this in 2014 when he had the Wagner Group military contractors formed. He put a trusted former spetsnaz (Russian commandos) officer in charge and personally approved each overseas contract. Far more Wagner men, usually veterans, have died in places like Syria and Africa than Russian soldiers. The successful 2014 operations in Ukraine were planned and supervised by spetsnaz. That led to the creation of Putins personal spetsnaz in the form of the Wagner Group. While the Russian people accept high losses among the highly paid Wagner contractors overseas, there are not enough spetsnaz or Wagner Group contractors to carry out another operation in Ukraine, especially one that would involve the use of more than half the effective combat forces in the Russian army. Most of those troops are conscripts, as are a lot of the spetsnaz.

Up until 2014 Ukraine trusted Russia and the 1994 treaty. That is all gone and NATO nations, especially the new East European NATO members, will support Ukrainians against any Russian invasion, including support of Ukrainian resistance fighters in newly occupied areas. Putin could make a case for seizing Crimea but not so much Donbas and none at all for the rest of Ukraine. Were another Russian operation in Ukraine fail, Putin would lose much credibility inside Russia. He has already lost a lot of that because after 2014 Western economic sanctions pushed more and more Russians into poverty and convinced many Russians with exportable skills to move to the West.

East European NATO members, especially the three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Poland, Denmark and Germany have another reason to stand firm against Russia. They want to keep Russia from disrupting commerce in the Baltic, something the Soviets long threatened to do. Neutral Sweden leans towards doing all it can to curb the current threats of Russian aggression, something the Swedes have dealt with for centuries. It began over a thousand years ago when Swedish Vikings traded and raided into what is now Russia via major rivers like the Neva and Vistula, both of which allowed Viking longboats to travel deep into Russia. The earliest of these Nordic raiders were known back then as the Rus (old Norse for rowers), who eventually became Russia because in the 800s they captured Kiev and used it as the center of a Rus kingdom that came to include Kiev, portions of modern Belarus and Russia. This was the first Russian state and by the 1200s the locals were back in charge although they maintained some Nordic words and customs for centuries after that.

By the 1700s the Russians were strong enough to fight a series of wars for control of territories bordering the Baltic up until Sweden went neutral in 1815 and made it stick. The Swedes are not so sure the current Russian government is willing to respect Swedish neutrality and are preparing for the worst. While Sweden does not believe Russia is actively planning on invading Sweden, they believe Russians are serious about trying to take back the Baltic States, Belarus, Ukraine and Polish territory on the east bank of the Vistula River. That part of Poland currently borders the isolated Russian Kaliningrad territory, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. Such an operation against NATO members would bring NATO into a major war and Sweden knows, and openly admits, which side it is on.

January 18, 2022: Russian combat troops arrived in Belarus for scheduled joint training with Belarussian forces. Those joint exercises dont begin until February 10th.

January 15, 2022: In northwest Syria (Idlib province) Russia carried out numerous airstrikes on Islamic terrorist targets over the last two days. This was in support of Turkey, which is trying to deal with Islamic terror groups in Idlib that have been firing rockets are Turkish bases.

January 14, 2022: Russia began a Cyber War campaign against Ukraine. The initial actions were more like a warning of how vulnerable Ukraine is. Russia also announced the arrest of 14 Russians associated with the hacker group REvil.

Back in July 2021 REvil carried out the largest ransom attack ever when they claimed to have crippled the VSA network management software developed by a U.S. firm Kaseya and used by thousands of businesses worldwide. One of those businesses was Colonial Pipeline, which managed key fuel pipelines in the eastern United States. The U.S. considers Colonial key infrastructure and the Russians had been warned a month earlier that an attack like this was considered an act of war and would result in the U.S. making similar attacks on Russia. After it became known that Colonial Pipeline was a key infrastructure target, Russia quietly informed the U.S. that the REvil hack was not aimed at infrastructure targets but because the main victim, Kasea, had so many clients REvil did not realize one of them was key infrastructure. Russia said such attacks would not happen again. This assurance was prompted by the Americans carrying out some retaliation, but not against Russian infrastructure but against REvil, which led to much of the ransoms, paid in bitcoin, seized or rendered unusable to REvil. This led to Russia keeping its promise to halt any further infrastructure groups. But most of the Russian hackers involved were allowed to remain in business, until today, when Russia sent a message by arresting many key REvil members. This implied Russia could do more to help the Americans with cybersecurity if the U.S. did not help Ukraine deal with the Russian infrastructure hacks it now faced.

It was already known that in mid-2020 the U.S. president secretly gave the CIA permission to take more aggressive action against hacker groups responsible for attacks on the United States. This seems to explain a number of unexplained incidents where hacker groups had identities of members revealed or their operations sabotaged or disrupted. The CIA, NSA and Department of Defense had long been asking for this authority. Granting it to the CIA allowed the CIA to bring in NSA and Department of Defense experts for joint operations. Russian hackers have been responsible for a lot of the successful hacking operations inside the United States. Chinese, North Korean and Iranian hackers have also been active and they are also on the CIA target list.

Russia believes the new American president is weak compared to his predecessor and while that may be true, a weak president is often heavily influenced by advisors with more realistic assessments and decisiveness in telling their boss what to do. Germany also has a new leader who is less cooperative with Russia and is threatening to cancel work on a second natural gas pipeline from Russia and switch to other suppliers, even if that is more expensive. The Russian threat also has a lot of Germans rethinking their plan to abandon all use of nuclear energy. Neighbors, like France, could provide some emergency supplies, mainly because most French electricity comes from nuclear power plants.

The Russian leader was gambling that American and NATO countries would not take a stand to support Ukraine. There are still many in the West who are willing to abandon Ukraine to keep the peace but that group is also on the defensive. The Americans and NATO nations have been quietly flying modern weapons into Ukraine. American Special Forces are training Ukrainian counter-terrorism forces and implying (or quietly telling) Ukrainians that the U.S. plans continued support if Russians do move into Ukraine. Ukrainians have been joining local army reserve units whose main function is to get an armed resistance to Russian occupiers going. Eastern Europe NATO nations have been sending Ukraine the same message. The Russian threats appear to make it more likely that Ukraine will join NATO. Keeping Ukraine out of NATO is the main objective of the current Russian confrontation.

January 4, 2022: In eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province) the U.S. led coalition carried out several airstrikes against suspected rocket launching sites near the American Green Village base. This base east of the Euphrates River keeps Russian and Syrian forces away from the Omar Oilfield, which is controlled by the Kurd-led SDF forces. Pro-Iran militias are a threat as well because Iran is still seeking revenge for a growing list of setbacks blamed on the Americans, Israel or both. Israelis are even harder to reach but there are plenty of Americans around.

January 2, 2022: In northwest Syria (Idlib province) Russia increased its airstrikes on Islamic terrorist targets in or near Idlib city, the provincial capital. Several bombs damaged water supply facilities and Russia and Syria pointed out that they use air strikes and artillery to attack rebel forces wherever they are. The rebels often hide in residential areas or near hospitals and key water, sewage and power supply facilities.

In eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province) ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) rockets hit a military bus, leaving five Syrian soldiers dead and twenty wounded. Russian air power is periodically unleashed on ISIL targets in eastern Syria, but it takes weeks or months of aerial reconnaissance and collecting tips from locals to compile a list of targets. These airstrikes are expensive but the Russians justify it because it gives Russian pilots valuable combat experience in a combat zone where aircraft losses from enemy air defense forces is negligible.

The ISIL attacks in eastern Syria are not a major threat and have occurred about twice a week for the last few months. In some weeks there are three or four attacks. Going after ISIL forces in eastern Syria is one activity that everyone participates in. There are dozens of American, Russian and Syrian airstrikes against ISIL targets each month and a lesser number of ground operations by American, Kurd, Russian and Syrian forces. ISIL remains a threat to traffic on the main roads as well as villages in remote areas, which ISIL raids for supplies and to persuade civilians to not

January 1, 2022: Eastern neighbor Kazakhstan experienced major protests over economic issues, especially the doubling of the price for diesel and gasoline. Kazakhstan is a major producer of oil and natural gas but most of what the government makes from that is stolen by the corrupt politicians who have run the country since 1991. The first such Kazakhstan dictator was Nursultan Nazarbayev. He was a former Soviet era official who maintained the Soviet era political controls. That included keeping Kazaks from enjoying much benefit from the booming post 1991 economy. After more than a decade poor economic performance and growing privation for most Kazaks, public protests became a common occurrence, increasing in size and frequency each year. Between 2018 and 2021 the number of protest demonstrations went from less than fifty a year to over a thousand in 2021.

In 2019 Nazarbayev resigned, and was replaced by a trusted associate (Kassym-Jomart Tokayev) who was actually a reformer and sought to change the laws and operation of the government to increase living standards for most Kazaks. This plan was disrupted by the arrival of covid19 at the end of 2019. Without covid19, and the global economic recession it produced, the Tokayev reforms might have worked. Instead, the number of protests kept increasing and by 2021 threatened to bring down the government. Nazarbayev saw this possibility early on and sought to avoid a successful popular uprising by having Kazakhstan join several economic and security agreements with Russia, and a few with China. Tokayev invoked the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) agreement. CSTO was formed in 2002 with Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia agreeing to support each other in security emergencies. Within a week a CSTO peacekeeping force of 2,500 troops began arriving in Kazakhstan. Most of the CTTO forces were Russian and all of them were used to replace Kazak troops who were protecting economic and military installations.

The Kazak forces were sent to help suppress the increasingly violent protests. That appeared to work and a week after arriving the CATO forces began to leave with all of them to be gone by the 19th. Meanwhile, more Kazak security forces confronting the demonstrators were ordered to open fire if necessary to suppress the most violent demonstrators. That apparently worked, as did Tokayev removing some Nazarbayev loyalists from senior government positions and taking control of organizations that Nazarbayev controlled via men he controlled. Nazarbayev was now completely replaced and vulnerable to being prosecuted for all the economic and political crimes committed between 1991 and 2019. One of the protestor demands was that Nazarbayev be punished. Tokayev still has to deal with the fact that over 200 protestors were killed. Nearly 3,000 are in jail and most of the protests have ceased as Kazaks wait to see what Tokayev does next.

The five new nations of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) are generally run by Soviet era officials who are happy to see Russia returning to its traditional police state ways. Nazarbayev played both Russia and the United States off each other for various types of support. All three countries have one thing in common and that is opposition to Islamic terrorism. Thus in 2011 Kazakhstan sent some counter-terrorism troops to Afghanistan. So far, Kazakhstan has kept Islamic radical groups under control (as in chased them out of Kazakhstan), and wants to keep it that way. Nazarbayev, like the other Central Asian dictators, expected to eventually face rebellion fueled, not by Islamic conservatism, but anger at corruption and a lack of jobs. Russia stands by to help out, in return for loyalty. Tokayev now owns that debt.

The five stans of Central Asia have another option; China. The stans have been very receptive to Chinese diplomatic and economic cooperation. This bothers Russia, but not to the extent that threats are being made, as was the case with the former imperial provinces to the west. The stans also have a problem with never having been democracies. When the Russians conquered them in the 19th century, the local governments were monarchies or tribes. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, locals who were former Soviet officials held elections and manipulated the vote to get themselves elected "president for life." But many people in the stans want clean government and democracy, as well as continued independence from Russia. China is no help with that because the Chinese prefer dictators.

December 28, 2021: In coastal Syria an Israeli airstrike hit a target very close to Russian forces. The target was a storage area in the port of Latakia. Israeli airstrikes in this area used to be rare because Russia uses the port for bringing in cargo. This is the second Israeli airstrike here in December and Israel said that it would attack Iranian weapons shipments wherever they were found. Two Syrian soldiers were killed and there was a fire and secondary explosions in a cargo container storage area. It was later revealed that Israel had alerted Russia shortly before the attack to confirm that no Russians were in the target area. Russian air defenses did not act against the Israeli strike, which annoyed the Syrians and Iranians for different reasons. Iran was angry because the target was ballistic missiles for Hezbollah. Syria was annoyed because Syrian port storage facilities were damaged. Russia reminded the Syrians that the Israelis were going after any Iranian target seen as a threat to Israel. This was the 27th Israeli airstrike against targets in Syria in the last year.

December 24, 2021: In Libya 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 20, 2021: The EU (European Union) temporarily suspended its training mission for the Central African Republics (CAR) military forces. The EU objects to the degree of "control exercised by mercenaries from the (Russian) Wagner Group over the CAR Armed Forces. The EU is also concerned that Wagner mercenaries working with the CAR military may try to hire CAR soldiers. The EUs training director recently claimed that Wagner mercenaries do not respect international humanitarian law. Russia claims that it has only 1,135 unarmed trainers and instructors in the CAR. France, the UN and the EU, however, claim that a substantial number of those instructors are armed Wagner mercenaries.
Last Tuesday, a farmer whose land is adjacent to property where a private grass airstrip could be built asked officials for additional time to study the matter before they made a final decision on the needed permit.

Veda Odle and her attorney, David Scyphers, asked the countys board of supervisors to table their decision on a special use permit that would allow Robert de Camara to develop the 60 foot by 2,400 foot airstrip on property at 592 South Fork Road in Marion. The land is zoned Agricultural/Rural.

Odle, who said shes farmed the land for 26 years, reiterated her opposition to the airstrip as she had at a joint public hearing of the supervisors and the county planning commission on Dec. 30.

Tuesday, she argued that Virginia is committed to the preservation of family farming and that her neighbors plans would interfere with her beef farm. Such activity, she said, would threaten what makes this area so unique.

Odle also noted that a county letter notifying her of the permit request was misaddressed and she wasnt formally notified until two days before the Dec. 30 hearing.

She acknowledged that the county had advertised the hearing in the News & Messenger as is required by law.

Scyphers, whose office is in Abingdon, said the decision is one that shouldnt be rushed. He reiterated that he had not had time to fully vet the matter.

De Camara told the officials that the land he now owns and proposes to use for the airstrip had been up for sale for about two years. He said Odle could have bought it if she wanted to control its use. De Camara said he paid $260,000 for the property and believes he should be able to exercise his private property rights.

At the Dec. 30 hearing, de Camara told the officials that he anticipates that the private airfield will be used for about one flight a week for his personal use. He did note that it could on occasion be used by a medical rescue flight or an aircraft in distress if needed.

He also advised officials that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the runway.

De Camara estimated that the airstrip will take about three acres in the middle of a 50-acre hayfield.

He also said that he hopes to use the runway, in part, to introduce people to Smyth Countys beauty and natural resources, including its trout fishing.

He also noted plans to minimize the airstrips impact on neighbors, including adding privacy foliage and taking off toward an open field.

Also at the Dec. 30 hearing, Odle pointed out that de Camara lives about 15 minutes from the public airport in Grosceclose. She argued that he would be enjoying his hobby at her expense. My farm is not a hobby; its a livelihood, she said.

When de Camara first inquired about building a private airstrip, officials had to consider whether to revise the countys zoning ordinance to allow airports. The ordinance didnt address them or related matters such as airstrips.

Late in 2021, the supervisors approved a revision that would allow public or private airstrips in all zones except conservation/recreation. Anyone who wants to develop an airport has to apply for a Special Use Permit, which requires a public hearing. The ordinance defines airports as any area of land or water used or intended for landing or takeoff of aircraft, including appurtenant area used or intended for airport buildings, facilities as well as right of way together with buildings and facilities.

Only after the zoning change was made could de Camara apply for the permit.

After the Dec. 30 hearing, the planning commission recommended that the board of supervisors approve a special use permit for de Camara under the conditions that it remain a grass airstrip and be limited to Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which would restrict its use to daylight landings and takeoffs.

Supervisors Vice Chair Lori Deel noted that the property in question rests in the Rye Valley District, which she represents. Her preference, she said, would be for Odle and de Camara to work out the situation between themselves. She noted her hesitancy to delay projects.

Supervisor Kris Ratliff asked County Attorney Scot Farthing if it would be prudent to delay the decision.

Farthing replied that theres nothing wrong with caution. The attorney did add that he doesnt believe notice is a legal issue.

Deel ultimately made a motion that the supervisors give the parties until Friday, Jan. 21, to review the matter and make any reports to the board with the supervisors to act on the permit request at their Thursday, Jan. 27, meeting.

In discussions, the presence of a private airstrip in the county known as Catron Field, off of Old Airport Road in Chilhowie, has been noted. According to Curtis Pennington, who operates that field, it was first established in 1937 and continued in operation until the 1960s. Then, he opened it again in 1985, prior to the countys implementation of zoning, which grandfathers its use. Now, Pennington said, six to seven planes are based there with an airstrip of 1,800 feet.

Catron Field is closer to 10 times as many homes as de Camaras proposed strip and hundreds of heads of cattle, Pennington said, and no problems have been reported.
LEBANON, Va.  When four Lebanon High School students were recently summoned to the principals office during second period, they werent sure what was going on.

It was good news, said 18-year-old Isabella Ashby, who was asked by Principal Joseph Long to read an email message aloud to her three engineering classmates and their teacher, Jani Purtee.

The message was from Congressman Morgan Griffith who announced that the team of students won the 2021 Congressional App Challenge in Virginias 9th District, an annual contest that challenges youth to create computer applications or apps.

The winning foursome is Christian Musick, Theodore Boyd, Isabella Ashby and Ava Deckard, all seniors at the high school in Russell County. The students won the challenge for the creation of their app cleverly named Codeducation, an app that provides users with a quick and efficient way to search for information on coding without being overwhelmed by a multitude of results found by popular search engines.

The students are among contestants from 10 congressional districts in Virginia who participated in the 2021 challenge.

Congratulations to these young men and women on their accomplishment. I am proud of the ingenuity and talent displayed by the young people of the Ninth District in this years challenge, wrote Griffith in the December email.

The nationwide challenge, locally sponsored by CGIs Southwest Virginia Onshore Delivery Center in Lebanon, works to promote STEM academic disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math) and showcases the technical and creative talents of students.

The local students received rave reviews from a mentor at CGI who helped them come up with the winning app.

Taylor Robinson, senior consultant at CGI in Lebanon, served as a mentor. She described the students as having extraordinary skills.

They exhibited skills I would expect to see out of college graduates. They had excellent time-management skills and were very communicative, creative and resourceful, said Robinson. They took a great idea and made into a functional application.

The Congressional App Challenge is the most prestigious national prize for students in computer science.

Each year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives host districtwide Congressional App Challenges for middle and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and to inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science.

Winners of the challenge will be invited to attend a #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C. According to the Congressional App Challenge website, the winning apps also are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building and featured on the House of Representatives website, House.gov.

A demonstration of the app created by the Lebanon High School students can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjtRFGF_Wzs.

Codeducation

The creation of the winning app began in an engineering class, taught by Purtee at the school, where the four students learned to write codes in different program languages.

Its very difficult to learn proper syntax for all these languages because theyre all unique, said Deckard in a student-produced video describing the collaborative assignment that began six weeks  and 40 hours  ago.

Even one little semicolon out of place can mess up the whole program, added Boyd.

The students said their Codeducation app is similar to Google except its used for searching information on coding.

Were not sure theres anything else like it out there, said Christian Musick.

Students Boyd and Musick got interested in computer programming when they were as young as elementary-age students.

I think its more like a hobby for them, said their teacher.

I primarily use videos that I can follow. I take concepts I learn and mess around until I understand them, said Boyd.

Ashby and Deckard both said they had not experimented as much with programming before the challenge, but they value the experience they received from the opportunity.

Giving back to the community

Teri Musick, director consulting expert at CGI in Lebanon, explained that the companys STEM@CGI program has been working with local educational organizations in Lebanon and other communities since 2018 to help students build information technology skills.

Part of CGIs mission is to help bridge the education gap between rural and urban communities. As an alumna of Lebanon High School, she said the educational support not only gives schools a boost but also impacts the local economy.

Exposing students to technology, coding and application development not only has a positive impact on our local students, but also increases the talent pipeline for our Southwest Virginia center, she said.

To learn more about the Congressional App Challenge, visit www.congressionalappchallenge.us.

Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at citydesk@bristolnews.com.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Relief efforts following the Tonga volcano eruption face the challenge of severed communications, falling ash closing the major airport and strict anti-COVID measures, UN officials said on Tuesday.

They said the casualty toll remained at three dead and an unknown number of people injured.

"Needs assessments by the Tongan authorities are ongoing and should provide a better estimate of what is required of the international community," said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "We are on standby with teams and emergency supplies, and stocks in Tonga are being readied for distribution once humanitarian needs are identified."

"Our staff there are working to assist coordination and response efforts in-country," he told a regular press briefing. There are 23 UN workers in Tonga -- 22 local hires and one international staffer.

In a video conference, Jonathan Veitch, the UN acting resident and humanitarian coordinator for Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, spelled out challenges following Saturday's eruption.

Communications within the 36 inhabited of the nation's 169 islands were limited to satellite phones, as was the capital Nuku'alofa and between Tonga and the outside world.

The major submarine communications cable was severed, cutting voice, video and internet services. Still, Veitch said, "I'm able to send basic messages by SMS (Small Message Service --text) to our colleagues through satellite systems, and we hope that soon phones will be back up and running."

While the natural choice for humanitarians is to fly in relief, Veitch said the Nuku'alofa airport remained closed because workers were unable to finish clearing ashfall. He said ships sailing from Australia and New Zealand would take six to eight days to arrive in a Tonga port.

He also said there is a question of just how the authorities would handle people coming to Tonga when it has extremely strict protocols against COVID-19. No cases have been reported in the nation. Authorities are keen to keep the country COVID-free, especially in light of past Pacific island populations wiped out by rampant disease.

While there are no casualties among the 23 UN workers, there are an unknown number of injuries on outlying islands, Veitch said.

He said damage reports from those islands are coming in slowly. The coordinator said it is possible that damage on the outlying islands may not be as severe since they are further from the volcano. The eruption occurred only 65 km from the main island of Tongatapu, home of the capital.

"We are concerned about the water situation," Veitch said. "I haven't heard that people have run out of water which would be obviously an emergency situation. Of course we have heard that shops are running out of food and also there has been quite a lot of ... mass purchasing as always happens in these circumstances, including of water and of food supplies too."

Technicians are examining a desalination plant on the main island to see if it is ready to go back online. The expected ships carry water, food, emergency supplies and even desalination plants.

The sooner, the better to get the supplies, the coordinator said. "It is urgent." 
Rainier playwrights play fully staged

Rainier playwright Leslie Slapes play The Harder Courage will be fully staged and produced for the first time in March at Stageworks Northwest Theatre.

It also will be one of 51 plays by women and female-identifying playwrights to be read online in 2022 as part of the States of Play project.

The historical tragedy is based on true events in Cowlitz County in 1891-92. The play was a 2018 finalist in the Ashland New Plays Festival and was workshopped in 2019 at Theatre33 in Salem.

The Stageworks Northwest cast is Scott Clark as Sheriff Ben Holmes, Michael Cheney as prisoner Robert Day, Scarlett Clark as Susan Holmes, Jennifer Cheney as Lizzie Day, Adam Wolfer as Judge Nathaniel Bloomfield, and Jonah Faamuli as the bailiff. The play will run Fridays through Sundays, March 11-27.

States of Play run every Wednesday beginning Jan. 5. Each of the plays is set in a different U.S. state, plus the District of Columbia. The Harder Courage, representing Washington state, has tentatively been scheduled for July 27. Each play will be performed virtually, and shows will be cast from among the members of the Facebook States of Play group.

The purpose, according to States of Play founder Rachel Ladutke, is to share our work on the breath amongst our colleagues, to hear whats out there and foster an immediate, theater-like community (as much as possible via a media platform). Oh, for the day when we may meet again in person to do this!

Rainier resident attends Biola U

William Fugere of Rainier was welcomed at the beginning of the fall 2021 semester to Biola University based in La Mirada, California.

The fall class represents an accomplished, diverse group of people who hail from 41 states and U.S. territories and from 44 countries around the world, according to information submitted to The Daily News.

The university, founded in 1908, is a nationally ranked Christian university recently recognized as one of Americas best colleges, earning a spot in the top tier of the best national universities category of U.S. News and World Reports Best Colleges 2021 rankings, states the release.

CHHH receives $20K grant

Community Home Health & Hospice recently received a $20,000 matching grant from the Health Care Foundation and longtime CHHH supporter Don Heimbigner gifted $20,000 in matching funds.

The combined $40,000 will go toward the organizations Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program which sponsors Nursing Assistant-Registered (NAR) or Home Care Aid certified (HCAC) employees at CHHH through schooling to become CNAs, according to a press release from CHHH.

Two CNAs who took advantage of the program to achieve CNA certification are Sammy Schumacher and Starlie Vaillencourt.

Within Community, I am surrounded with such an amazing team that nurtures and provides support as I grow, Schumacher is quoted in the press release. The CNA scholarship program gave me the opportunity to gain experience working as a NAR while studying for my clinicals and testing, she said. I not only gained a position as a valued health-care professional, I also gained a career that I continue to grow within and can make a difference by being a part of it.

Vaillencourt carried the same notion, states the release.

Taking the CNA classes and getting my license was by far the best decision I have made with my career, she is quoted in the release. Being a CNA is rewarding in so many ways. Not only do you get to provide one-on-one care, but you get to be there for the patients when they need someone the most, she said.

Squibb named to deans list

Cheleena Squibb of Winlock was named to the fall 2021 deans list at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

To qualify for the list a student must take 12 or more hours per semester and hold a 3.5 or higher grade-point average.

Sue Beavers chosen Volunteer of Month

Sue Beavers was chosen the January Volunteer of the Month at the Rainier Senior Center.

She covers the front desk and helps serve holiday meals, according to the senior centers newsletter. She also donates her time and items to sell at the centers bazaars.

Kelso Senior Center elects new officers

At the Dec. 9 Kelso Senior Council board meeting, officers for terms starting in 2022 were elected. They include President Vic Roberts; Vice President Gloria Nichols; Secretary Rich Carle; Treasurer Dick Sims; and At-Large Members Melody Kessler, Jerry Lappe, Alice McKnight, Odette Moronez, Marie Muller, Sharon Nordmark, John Poole, Sandy Ramsey, Sandy Sims, Guy Tow, Joy Walker and Mara Walton.

Two named to deans list





Woodland students Brooklyn Davis and Alexis Davis have been named to the deans list for the fall 2021 semester at Harding University based in Searcy, Arkansas.

Brooklyn Davis is a junior studying nutrition and food management. Alexis Davis is a freshman studying communication sciences and disorders.

Harding University, a private Christian, liberal arts university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is the largest private university in Arkansas, states a press release from the university. More than 100 undergraduate majors, more than 15 preprofessional programs, more than 40 graduate and professional programs are offered at the university; as well as numerous study abroad opportunities in places like Australia, Peru, England, Greece, Italy and Zambia.

For details, visit harding.edu.

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RAINIER  At Cornerstone Cafe near the banks of the Columbia River, staff dont just know the customers by name, they name menu items after them.

Breakfast goers can grab Bobs Choice, a biscuit and gravy dish named after a regular who ordered the meal with eggs, hash browns and a choice of meat before he passed away. There also is Kens Special, a waffle dish, which comes with eggs and bacon, named after another longtime customer.

To cafe owner Viki Overbay, one of the eaterys signature dishes is a lunch or dinner item named after former employee Noah Newman, who she said unexpectedly passed away in 2019 from a heart attack. Newman worked about five days a week as a cook, dishwasher and maintenance technician until then, she added. His photo, with his namesake burger, still hangs above the bar today.

He was a friend to us all, she said.

Darn good burger

Overbay said she purchased the long-standing cafe about 13 years ago, and Newman came with the building. Newman worked for the eatery for two previous owners, Overbay added, and he often helped the new business owner learn the ins and outs of the almost 100-year-old building.

Newmans signature dish is called the Noah-Nator Burger  a two-patty burger stacked with bacon, ham, grilled onions, Swiss and cheddar cheeses, and a fried egg. The item is popular, Overbay said, thanks to its hefty serving and ground chuck patties.

Its just a darn good burger, she said.

All of the cafes burgers are made with ground chuck patties that are a third of a pound, and come with mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles and a choice of fries, potato salad or coleslaw. Diners can substitute waffle fries, onion rings or a cup of soup or side salad for an upcharge.

Regulars

At Cornerstone Cafe, Overbay said, regulars come in for breakfast when the eatery opens at 7 a.m., then often return for lunch in the afternoon and dinner before the restaurant closes. The restaurant typically is open until 9 p.m. every day, but currently closes at 2 p.m. Mondays due to short staffing, she added.

One of the most popular breakfast items is a chicken fried angus steak, she said, topped with home fries, scrambled eggs, gravy and cheese.

Overbay said she joined her father and brother in Rainier from Sherwood, Oregon, after she saw the eatery listed for sale and made an offer. The longtime restaurant worker said she started in the industry busing tables when she was 16 years old, and is originally from Grand Ronde, Oregon.

It totally worked out for the best, she said about purchasing the cafe.

Overbay and her husband, Mark, made their mark on the cafe over the years, she added, by expanding the hours through the evenings, adding menu items  including a prime rib special on Friday and Saturday nights  and installing a gambling room with slot machines and offering keno and Powerball tickets at the bar. Their son Dustin Mattox is also the chef, she added.

Overbay chalked up the restaurants success to the food and staff consistency. She said the cafe strives to make every dish the same, despite who is cooking. She also said 70% of the staff have been at the restaurant for at least a decade. When servers are out of town, customers ask about them by name.

Cornerstone Cafe Signature Fare: "Noah"-Nator Burger, made with two beef patties, a fried egg, bacon, ham, grilled onions and Swiss and cheddar cheeses. Cost: $15.99. Address: 102 E. A St., Rainier. Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays. Info: 503-556-8772 or cornerstonecaferainier.com.

Working at the cafe doesnt always seem like work, she added.

We just like each other, she said. And they like being here.

Signature Fare is a series featuring local restaurants signature menu items and prints every other Wednesday. Contact Daily News reporter Hayley Day at 360-577-2541 or hday@tdn.com for possible inclusion in the series.

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Four young men were arrested Sunday after allegedly shooting into two occupied homes and an occupied vehicle early Sunday morning in the Longview-Kelso area, then fleeing in a sedan. Officials report no one was injured.

The men, ages 18 to 20, were booked Sunday into the Columbia County Jail in Oregon. Kelso Police Department Capt. Rich Fletcher said officers still are investigating the incident and could not disclose whether the alleged suspects and alleged targets knew each other.

Police received reports of a light-colored, four-door sedan leaving the sites of two alleged drive-by home shootings early Sunday. A third shooting allegedly hit another driving vehicle, Fletcher said.

The reports occurred Sunday

at 1:13 a.m. in the 900 block of Cedar Street in South Kelso,

at 1:53 a.m. near Long Avenue and West Cowlitz Way, in Kelso and

at 2:13 a.m. in the 4100 block of Ocean Beach Highway, outside Longview in Cowlitz County.

Fletcher said officers later learned the first incident occurred a few blocks from the reported location, in the 700 block of South Ninth Avenue, in Kelso.

Cowlitz County deputies used their vehicles to force the fleeing car to stop, just after the car allegedly sped over the Lewis and Clark Bridge into Oregon and attempted to enter U.S. Highway 30 the wrong way, Fletcher said. Longview Police Department officers also assisted in the pursuit and arrest.

All of the suspects are in the Columbia County Jail, according to jail records. Mateo Emery Chavez, 18, Andres Gabriel Gonzalez, 18, Peterson P. Kasa, 18, and Riki Aron Vasquez Bracken, 20, each were booked for suspicion of attempted first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley said.

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All residents can now order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government to be delivered to their door.

Every household can order one pack of four rapid antigen tests, regardless of the number of residents in the house, at www.covidtests.gov.

People enter their name and residential address to place an order. No ID, health insurance or credit card information is required. Residents can enter their email to get shipping updates. The orders will usually ship in seven to 12 days and will be delivered through the U.S. Postal Service, according to the website.

The CDC recommends people take an at home test when they begin to have COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell; at least five days after close contact with someone with COVID-19; or when going to gather with a group of people, especially those at risk of severe disease or who are not fully vaccinated.

The Biden Administration launched the program to help ensure people have tests on hand if they need them, according to a White House statement.

Starting Saturday, private health insurers are required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month. People will either be able to purchase home tests for free under their insurance plan or submit receipts for reimbursement. The tests must be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Major international airlines canceled flights heading to the U.S. or changed the planes they're using Wednesday, the latest complication in a dispute over concerns that 5G mobile phone service could interfere with aircraft technology. Some airlines said they were warned that the Boeing 777, a plane used by carriers worldwide, was particularly affected by the new high-speed wireless service. The aircraft is the workhorse for Dubai-based Emirates, a key carrier for East-West travel, and its flight schedule took one of the biggest hits.

It was not clear how disruptive the cancellations would be. Several airlines said they would try to merely use different planes to maintain their service.

Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here. Also read:

The cancellations and changes came a day after mobile phone carriers AT&T and Verizon said they would postpone new wireless service near some U.S. airports planned for this week. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has cleared a number of aircraft to fly into airports with 5G signals, but the Boeing 777 is not on the list.

Similar mobile networks have been deployed in dozens of other countries  sometimes with concessions like reducing the power of the networks near airports, as France has done. But in the U.S., the issue has pitted the FAA and the airlines against the Federal Communications Commission and the telecoms companies.

The 5G service uses a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to that used by radio altimeters, which are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground and help pilots land in low visibility. The FCC, which set a buffer between the 5G band and the spectrum that planes use, determined that it could be used safely in the vicinity of air traffic. AT&T and Verizon have said their equipment will not interfere with aircraft electronics.

But FAA officials saw a potential problem, and the telecom companies agreed to a pause while it is addressed.

On Wednesday, Emirates announced it would halt flights to several American cities due to operational concerns associated with the planned deployment of 5G mobile network services in the U.S. at certain airports. It said it would continue flights to Los Angeles, New York and Washington.

We are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and the relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns, and we hope to resume our U.S. services as soon as possible, the state-owned airline said.

Of particular concern appears to be the Boeing 777. Emirates only flies that model and the Airbus A380 jumbo jet.

Japans All Nippon Airways said that the FAA has indicated that radio waves from the 5G wireless service may interfere with aircraft altimeters.

Boeing has announced flight restrictions on all airlines operating the Boeing 777 aircraft, and we have canceled or changed the aircraft for some flights to/from the U.S. based on the announcement by Boeing, ANA said. It canceled 20 flights over the issue to cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

Japan Airlines similarly said that it had been informed that 5G signals may interfere with the radio altimeter installed on the Boeing 777.

It said it will stop using the model in the continental U.S. for now. Eight of its flights were affected Wednesday  three passenger trips and five for cargo. Taiwans EVA Air also said the FAA specifically said 777s may be affected, but it did not spell out how it would adjust its schedule.

But Air France said it planned to continue flying its Boeing 777s into American airports. It did not explain why it didnt change its aircraft as many other carriers have.

Chicago-based Boeing Co. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Air India also announced on Twitter it would cancel flights to Chicago, Newark, New York and San Francisco because of the 5G issue.

But it also said it would try to use other aircraft on U.S. routes  a course several other airlines took.

Korean Air, Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific and Austrian Airlines said they substituted different planes for flights that were scheduled to use 777s. Korean Air spokeswoman Jill Chung said the airline was also avoiding operating some kinds of 747s at affected airports. Germanys Lufthansa also swapped out one kind of 747 for another on some U.S.-bound flights.

British Airways canceled several planned U.S.-bound Boeing 777 flights and changed aircraft on others.

The FAA has said it will allow planes with accurate, reliable altimeters to operate around high-power 5G. But planes with older altimeters will not be allowed to make landings under low-visibility conditions.

Part of the problem, according to the FAA, are the signal strength of the 5G towers and the orientation of their antennae.

Base stations in rural areas of the United States are permitted to emit at higher levels in comparison to other countries which may affect radio altimeter equipment accuracy and reliability, the FAA said in December.

The FCC's chairwoman said in a statement that the 5G deployment can safely co-exist with aviation technologies in the United States, just as it does in other countries around the world. However, Jessica Rosenworcel urged the FAA to conduct its safety checks with "both care and speed.

AT&T and Verizon spent tens of billions of dollars for the 5G spectrum known as C-Band in a government auction last year.

Choi Jong-yun, a spokeswoman of Asiana Airlines, said the company hasnt been affected so far because it uses Airbus planes for passenger flights to the U.S.

However, Choi raised a new wrinkle, saying airlines have also been instructed by the FAA to avoid automatic landings at affected U.S. airports during bad weather conditions, regardless of plane type. Asiana will redirect its planes to nearby airports during those conditions, she said.
After canceling flights the day prior, Japan Airlines said it planned to resume service to the United States on January 20, 2022 following assurances from US airline regulators.

Telecom giants AT&T and Verizon began 5G service in the United States Wednesday without major disruptions to flights after the launch of the new wireless technology was scaled back.

The firms spent tens of billions of dollars to obtain 5G licenses last year, but aviation industry groups have raised concerns about possible interference with airplanes' radio altimeters, which can operate at the same frequencies and are vital for landing at night or in bad weather.

Both AT&T and Verizon this week agreed to scale back the launch of 5G near airports following an outcry from US airlines, who had warned the roll-out would cause mass disruptions.

Despite the scaling back, a handful of international carriers cut flights to the United States from their schedules Wednesday, but there were no mass cancelations and some companies planned to resume service the following day.

By early morning local time Thursday, 473 flights through US airports had been cancelled, according to tracking website FlightAware, down from last week when there were no major dispruptions.

Airlines that cut Wednesday flights included Air India, ANA and Japan Airlines, though all three said they would restore routes the following day.

"Our Delhi to JFK flight left this morning at 7 AM (0130 GMT)," Air India's spokesman said, adding it would also be operating flights to San Franscisco and Chicago.

ANA and Japan Airlines also said they were restoring service on Thursday after assurances from regulators at Washington's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"As the launch of the 5G service in the US has now been partially postponed, operation of ANA flights from January 20 will follow the normal schedule," ANA President Yuji Hirako said in a statement.

The FAA said Wednesday that it has now approved 62 percent of the US commercial fleet to perform low-visibility landings at airports with 5Gup from the 45 percent on Sunday.

"Even with these approvals, flights at some airports may still be affected," the agency said.

"The FAA also continues to work with manufacturers to understand how radar altimeter data is used in other flight control systems. Passengers should check with their airlines for latest flight schedules."

AT&T said Wednesday its high-speed service was available in "limited parts" of eight major metropolitan areas across the United States, while Verizon said it now provides 5G coverage to 90 million Americans.

Explore further EXPLAINER: Why airlines fear 5G will upend travel this week

 2022 AFP
An Emirates jetliner comes in for landing at the Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 11, 2019. Airlines across the world, including the long-haul carrier Emirates, rushed Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, to cancel or change flights heading into the U.S. over an ongoing dispute about the rollout of 5G mobile phone technology near American airports. Credit: AP Photo/Jon Gambrell, File

Some flights to and from the U.S. were canceled on Wednesday even after AT&T and Verizon scaled back the rollout of high-speed wireless service that could interfere with aircraft technology that measures altitude.

International carriers that rely heavily on the wide-body Boeing 777, and other Boeing aircraft, canceled early flights or switched to different planes following warnings from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Chicago-based plane maker.

Airlines that fly only or mostly Airbus jets, including Air France and Ireland's Aer Lingus, seemed less affected by the new 5G service.

Airlines had canceled more than 320 flights by Wednesday evening, or a little over 2% of the U.S. total, according to FlightAware. That was far less disruptive than during the Christmas and New Year's travel season, when a peak of 3,200, or 13%, of flights were canceled on Jan. 3 due to winter storms and workers out sick with COVID-19.

A trade group for the industry, Airlines for America, said cancellations weren't as bad as feared because AT&T and Verizon agreed to temporarily reduce the rollout of 5G near dozens of airports while industry and the government work out a longer-term solution.

At O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Sudeep Bhabad said his father-in-law's flight to India was cancelled.

"They have to resolve this problem," Bhabad said. "It would have been a lot better if they had resolved it way before and we knew this in advance, instead of, like, finding out when we are here at the airport."

Similar mobile networks have been deployed in more than three dozen countries, but there are key differences in how the U.S. networks are designed that raised concern of potential problems for airlines.

The Verizon and AT&T networks use a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to the one used by radio altimeters, devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground to help pilots land in low visibility. The Federal Communications Commission, which set a buffer between the frequencies used by 5G and altimeters, said the wireless service posed no risk to aviation.

But FAA officials saw a potential problem, and the telecom companies agreed to delay their rollout near more than 80 airports while the agency assesses which aircraft are safe to fly near 5G and which will need new altimeters.

The FAA gave approval Wednesday for more types of planes to land in low visibility near 5G signals, including the Boeing 777. By evening, however, nearly 40% of the U.S. airline fleet was still waiting to be cleared. That percentage was expected to shrink as the FAA continued to review other planes and altimeters.

"I assume whatever process they are using could be used to clear the rest," said Randall Berry, a professor of electrical engineering at Northwestern University.

The FAA says there are several reasons why the 5G rollout has been more of a challenge for airlines in the U.S. than in other countries: Cellular towers use a more powerful signal strength than those elsewhere; the 5G network operates on a frequency closer to the one many altimeters use, and cell tower antennae point up at a higher angle. A telecom industry group, CTIA, disputes the FAA's claims.

Some experts say poor coordination and cooperation among federal agencies is as much to blame as any technical issues.

"The fights around this from federal agencies have just gotten more and more intense," said Harold Feld, an expert on telecom policy at the advocacy group Public Knowledge.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said it wasn't aware of any problems on the continent caused by 5G interference. To mitigate airline interference, French telecom providers reduce the strength of their high-speed networks near airports.

Boeing Co. said in a statement it would work with airlines, the FAA and others to ensure that all planes can fly safely as 5G is rolled out.

In the meantime, airlines scrambled to adjust to the new reality.

Emirates, which relies heavily on the 777, halted flights to several American cities on Wednesday, but maintained service to Los Angeles, New York and Washington.

"We hope to resume our U.S. services as soon as possible," the state-owned airline said.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates, told CNN it was "one of the most delinquent, utterly irresponsible" situations he'd ever seen as it involved a failure by government, science and industry.

Japan's All Nippon Airways canceled 20 flights to cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, while Japan Airlines said eight of its flights were affected Wednesday.

Air India said on Twitter it would cancel flights to Chicago, Newark, New York and San Francisco because of the 5G issue. But it also said it would try to use other aircraft on U.S. routesa course several other airlines took.

Korean Air, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and Austrian Airlines said they substituted different planes for flights that were scheduled to use 777s. Germany's Lufthansa swapped out one kind of 747 for another on some U.S.-bound flights.

American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour said in a memo to staff that the carrier canceled four flights while it awaited FAA approval of equipment on its Airbus aircraft.

Choi Jong-yun, a spokeswoman of Asiana Airlines, which uses Airbus planes for flights to the U.S., said it hadn't been affected so far.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement that the 5G "deployment can safely co-exist with aviation technologies in the United States, just as it does in other countries around the world." However, she urged the FAA to conduct its safety checks with "both care and speed."

Explore further FAA sets rules for some Boeing 787 landings near 5G service

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

Authorities say Apple AirTags, marketed as a way to keep track of easily-lost belongings, are increasingly connected to cases of stalking and car theft.

"The basic utility of them is to track objects or persons, and so it makes sense that someone would use it for nefarious purposes to that end," said Tom Holt, cybersecurity expert and professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University.

More and more cases are popping up around the country. In New York, a model was stalked after someone slipped an AirTag into her coat pocket. In Michigan, a Novi man found one of the trackers on his Dodge Charger in December, Fox 2 reported.

The Dearborn Police Department has seen an uptick in AirTag-related crimes and posted a public safety video on Nextdoor.

"In a traditional stalking case, typically you have people who are making contact or unwanted contact with a victim, repeatedly," Sgt. James Isaacs told Fox 2. "They're following them where they work, where they go to school, where they are going to eat. Using the AirTag is just another way for them to do that in a more surreptitious way."

Rudy Harper, the Detroit Police Department 2nd deputy chief of media relations, said he isn't aware of any cases involving the tracker.

Others are posting on social media about their experiences finding an AirTag on their vehicle.

What are Apple AirTags?

Sold for just $29, AirTags are just over an inch in diameter and can be slipped into backpacks or on key rings. Then, users can track an AirTag's location on the "Find My" app often used for friends and family to share locations with each other.

It works by sending out a Bluetooth signal, but the process is anonymous and encrypted to protect users' privacy, the Apple website says.

Not even they know the location of the AirTag or the identity of the device that helps find it, the company says.

"So on the one hand, Apple claims that it is a very secure product, that Apple even isn't aware of the location of the specific AirTag, and that it's all kind of dependent to the user," Holt said. "And so if that's the case, then that is a relatively good thing. But the negative is in terms of the ease of use, the very small size means that someone, whether you're intimately connected with them or not, can very easily put them into a purse or bag or car, anything that they're interested in following."

What to watch out for

Dearborn police said they've found the quarter-sized devices behind license plates, between car seats and in purses, among other places.

Dodge Chargers are frequently targeted, they noted.

Holt noted that those who have expensive cars and belongings are more at risk of theft, especially if the belongings are noticeable to passersby.

"The high-end luxury car or something that is an overt symbol or an item that somebody would want, then that may increase the potential for someone to put one of those devices on your object for the sake of theft," he said.

In terms of stalking, survivors of domestic violence are most at-risk, Holt said.

"If you're in a relationship with someone, and you feel as though that person is veering into stalking or obsessive behaviors with you, or they're abusive, then those are also potential signals that a person may be inclined to use one of these tracking tools."

Protection measures

If someone else places an AirTag in your belonging, your iPhone will send you an alert, Apple said, and the AirTag will play a sound to make it easier to find.

If you do find one in your belongings or get a ping from your phone, you should alert your local police.

Privacy implications

Holt said it can be tough to balance the benefits of the Apple AirTag with the potential threats of stalking and theft, as well as the broader implications for privacy.

He said he would consider using one to help make sure his young kids are safe on their walk to school, for example, but he wasn't surprised when he heard that they're being used for criminal activity.

"It's a difficult thing to grapple with the utility of things like AirTags, or even Amazon Alexa as we allow these objects into our homes, and just make them part of our daily routine without really thinking about the broader implications for privacy or what they may be used for," he said.

AirTags are not the first technology device to enter our daily lives, but Holt said it is worth considering possible short and long-term consequences.

"It's almost like, well, everything's out there already, so what's the point?" Holt said. "But there are some things like this where there are glaring risks that aren't present with other things; stalking and theft are the most immediate ones. ... You used to be able to buy those tiny pen-sized spy cameras or digital voice recorders from SkyMall. So these things have always existed, they're just now easier to use, mass-marketed effectively, and connected to a device much more efficiently than before."

2022 freep.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A team of researchers led by Penn State has developed a coupled waterpowereconomy model to capture how the impacts of climate-related water stress and temperature changes can cascade through energy systems. Credit: Max Pixel

Around the world, energy systems are increasingly impacted by the effects of a changing climate. Energy systems, especially the electric-power system, are vulnerable to natural stressors such as wildfires, severe storms, extreme temperatures and long-term disruptions of the hydrological cycle.

"As we have experienced in recent years, there have been more and more natural stressors on our systems, like the cold snap in Texas last year and the wildfires and droughts in the West," said Mort Webster, professor of energy engineering. "Increasingly, these stressors are causing major regional power disruptions and there is good reason to think these may increase in the future with more climate change."

Impacts of climate-related water stress and temperature changes can cascade through energy systems, although models have yet to capture this compounding of effects. A team of researchers led by Penn State has developed a coupled waterpowereconomy model to capture these important interactions in a study of the exceedance of water temperature thresholds for power generation.

"Models are typically operated independently of one another," said Karen Fisher-Vanden, professor of environmental and resource economics and public policy, director of the Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science (SAFES), and principal investigator of the Program on Coupled Human and Earth Systems (PCHES), a U.S. Department of Energy supported project that funded this work. "Under different scenarios of changing weather patterns and extremes, the impacts on the human and natural systems can vary and the interactions between systems can be critical. This research integrates multiple existing models to capture the interactions and feedbacks."

The team conducted a case study for the western United States based on the Western Electricity Coordinating Council reliability system, which corresponds to the 12 states of the United States that are west of the Rocky Mountains as well as portions of British Columbia, Alberta and northern Mexico, to explore how vulnerable the system is and when and where it is vulnerable. Their findings are published in the journal Nature Energy.

"Our team developed a framework to investigate what we need to do for our systems to be ready for the next 50 to 100 years of shocks and how to make them more resilient," said Webster, lead author on the study. "For example, chronic water shortages in the western United States have gone unabated, and an increased frequency and severity of droughts and heat waves could result in insufficient cooling water for thermal generators, restricting power supply."

Multisector dynamical systems, such as the coupled waterpowereconomy system in this study, are composed of overlapping and intersecting networks. The intersecting framework in this study looked at the regional network of watersheds and basins, the electric-power grid, and the regional economy.

"Our study is the first to look at how water stress, in a detailed representation, ripples through the power system all the way to economic losses," Webster said. "Our coupled model framework captures interactions across water, power and economic systems while retaining spatial, temporal and sectoral detail."

The team's analysis of the impacts of a range of climate forcing patterns on the coupled waterpowereconomic system demonstrated that higher water temperatures can lead to a causal chain of events, from electric-power generators being offline because of the cooling-water intake-temperature limits, to higher electricity costs and unmet electricity demand, to economic adjustment and productivity reductions in electricity-using sectors.

The team found that many climate patterns that result in generator outages from higher water temperatures do not result in any significant impacts. For any given external shock, the interconnected networks in the waterpowereconomic system mitigate the impact by providing redundancy and transferring the impact spatially.

"An important implication of this result is that a reduction in available generation capacity on a given day does not necessarily indicate any significant cost," Webster said. "Our system is pretty resilient since we have built a lot of redundancy into it. It takes a big shock to actually disrupt things so that energy does not get to the consumer."

According to the researchers, most of the economic impacts result from a demand for electricity that cannot be met at specific times and locations.

"We found that intermittent interruptions in electricity supply at critical times of the day, week and year account for much of the economic impacts," Webster said. "Net consumption loss can be as much as 0.3% annually across the broader regional economy, with up to a 3% increase in the average cost of electricity and more than a 1% loss of production from regional manufacturing."

They also found that impacts may be in different locations from the original water stress.

"As interdependent systems become more stressed from many stressors occurring all at the same time, all it takes is one more push to create a problem and that problem may show up somewhere else because the system is a single interconnected network," Webster said. "So as more wildfires, droughts, floods and cold snaps stress the system, we may see more frequent impacts. Although over the last 50 years, we have not had very many catastrophic outages, we do need to prepare for what may be coming and build even more redundancy than we have now into the system."

The results underscore the importance of accounting for feedbacks between overlapping and interacting system networks. Importantly, this type of coupled model approach allows investigators to retain the spatial, temporal and sectoral richness represented in each of these individual models that would be unachievable in one comprehensive model where detail is usually sacrificed for computational tractability.

Explore further Climate change could lead to blackouts, higher power costs on West Coast

More information: Mort Webster et al, Integrated hydrological, power system and economic modelling of climate impacts on electricity demand and cost, Nature Energy (2022). Journal information: Nature Energy Mort Webster et al, Integrated hydrological, power system and economic modelling of climate impacts on electricity demand and cost,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00958-8
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has approved new financing to help Cambodia improve equitable access to basic education, according to its press release on Wednesday.

The World Bank will provide a 60 million U.S. dollar credit through its International Development Association to Cambodia, the release said.

The funding will support the five-year General Education Improvement Project, which seeks to establish and develop human resources to develop a knowledge-based society in the Southeast Asian country.

"Cambodia has certainly made great achievements in expanding access to education, but equitable access to education for certain groups of children, such as those living in remote areas, coming from poor families or ethnic minority communities, and those living with disabilities, remains an issue," said World Bank country manager for Cambodia Maryam Salim.

"Further, student learning outcomes have been greatly affected by the prolonged school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We strongly hope that the project will address these challenges and build back better," she said.

The project's key activities will include implementing a school-based management program, providing capacity development to teachers, school leaders, teacher trainers, and educational staff, and improving learning environments, the press release said.

The project calls for construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, science laboratories, teacher training institutions, dormitories for teachers, and special education schools, purchase of education technology equipment, as well as support for students with disabilities, it added. 
Ireland is surrounded by some of Europes best wind resources. (Map shows mean wind power density. Purple = strong and consistent winds). Credit: Global Wind Atlas / DTU, CC BY-SA

The Irish government signed up to the recent Glasgow Climate Pact and used the summit to announce a raft of ambitious goals, including the development of 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy up to 2030. That would more than double the country's current onshore and offshore wind power capacity.

Compared to some of its more outlandish ambitions, such as having nearly a million electric vehicles on Ireland's roads by 2030, the offshore wind target actually seems achievable. After all, the Republic of Ireland's maritime area extends far into the Atlantic Ocean and is roughly ten times the size of its land area. The total offshore wind resource is enough to comfortably power the country's electricity needs. Given more than 30 projects with a total capacity of around 29 GW are in various stages of planning, then it does indeed seem the 5 GW target can be reached by 2030.

However, the Irish government has a rather bad track record when it comes to delivering on climate plans and Ireland is currently one of the worst performers in the EU. Rewind back to COP21 in Paris, 2015. The then taoiseach (prime minister) Enda Kenny announced that "We have committed, with our EU partners, to a collective target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030". With the same breath he then claimed it was okay if the national cattle herd would grow.

Six years on from Paris, optimistic projections show Ireland will only achieve a 24% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, even though a new target of 51% has been agreed. On the other hand, the national cattle herd has indeed grown, with agriculture now accounting for one third of the country's total emissions.

Ireland stands to gain from offshore wind

The Irish offshore wind industry is still in its infancy, with the 24 megawatt Arklow Bank the only operating wind farm in Irish waters. But the country has a lot to gain. A growing offshore wind sector will help it achieve emissions reduction targets, and will also make Ireland less dependent on the import of energy and shield it against spikes in energy prices on the international markets.

Another benefit is that it will bring new jobs to coastal communities, which will help ease the energy transition. For example, as part of a large floating wind farm project off the coast of County Clare the Moneypoint coal power station is to be transformed into a green energy hub and manufacturing site for floating offshore wind turbines.

Coal-fired Moneypoint is Irelands largest power station, but may be converted to a hub for offshore wind. Credit: mightymightymatze / flickr, CC BY-NC-SA

Gap between policy and action

But dark clouds are hanging over the Moneypoint project in particular, and the Irish offshore wind industry in general. In November 2021 Equinor, a Norwegian oil and gas giant, announced it was quitting its partnership in Irish offshore wind projects with ESB, an Irish electric utility company. One may question the motives of oil and gas companies for investing in offshore wind, but they are certainly capable of delivering badly needed investments. Part of Equinor's reason was reportedly "dissatisfaction with Ireland's regulatory and planning regime".

The Irish government seems undeterred, saying that it was only one company abandoning the offshore wind market while many others are lined up to take Equinor's place. The government intends to hold renewable energy auctions in 2022 and expects to see construction on offshore wind projects starting in 2025. However, both industry advocates and the government's climate advisers warned this isn't fast enough and that new legislation was needed to reform the planning and regulatory framework.

A Maritime Area Planning Bill passed into law in December 2021, which would suggest there is some movement on the legislative front. However, the Irish government admits there is still some work ahead to establish an Office of Marine Development Enforcement, develop necessary regulations, and get different state entities to agree on how to engage with the system.

In contrast, the UK government recently announced the development of an additional 12 GW of offshore wind energy. The Netherlands meanwhile, with a maritime area about 15 times smaller than that of Ireland, has announced the development of an additional offshore wind capacity of 11 GW by 2030, doubling its target, while construction of 2 GW is already ongoing.

Clearly Ireland is lagging behind other countries with offshore wind development. Ultimately, it is likely that many of the planned 30 projects will not be built, even with all the required legislation in place. However, at the current pace of legislation it is uncertain if even the 5 GW target will be achieved by 2030.

The coming year will reveal if the Irish government is indeed serious about offshore wind energy by delivering the necessary legislation, and hopefully avoiding another debacle like the Equinor departure.

Explore further US to hold largest-ever offshore wind farm auction next month

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A study shows a wealth tax on the world's richest people could raise $2.52 trillion per year.

More than 100 millionaires made an unusual plea on Wednesday: "Tax us now".

Their appeal came as a study backed by wealthy individuals and nonprofits found that a wealth tax on the world's richest people could raise $2.52 trillion per yearenough to pay for Covid vaccines for everyone and pull 2.3 billion people out of poverty.

In an open letter to the World Economic Forum's online Davos meeting, 102 millionaires, including Disney heiress Abigail Disney, said the current tax system is unfair and "deliberately designed to make the rich richer".

"The worldevery country in itmust demand the rich pay their fair share," the letter says. "Tax us, the rich, and tax us now."

Their plea follows a report by global charity Oxfam this week which said that the world's 10 wealthiest men doubled their fortunes to $1.5 trillion during the first two years of the pandemic while inequality and poverty soared.

"As millionaires, we know that the current tax system is not fair," says the letter circulated by groups including Patriotic Millionaires, Millionaires for Humanity, Tax me Now, and Oxfam.

"Most of us can say that, while the world has gone through an immense amount of suffering in the last two years, we have actually seen our wealth rise during the pandemicyet few if any of us can honestly say that we pay our fair share in taxes."

The signatories include wealthy men and women from the United States, Canada, Germany, Britain, Denmark, Norway, Austria, the Netherlands and Iran.

The Patriotic Millionaires took part in a the wealth tax study with a network of non-profits and social movements, including Fight for Inequality Alliance, Oxfam and the US-based Institute for Policy Studies think tank.

In addition to funding vaccines worldwide and alleviating poverty, the tax would be enough to provide universal health care and social protection to 3.6 billion people in low- and middle-income countries, the group said.

The tax would be set at two percent for those worth over $5 million, three percent for over $50 million and five percent for over $1 billion.

'Realistic' tax

The group said a steeper progressive tax, which includes a 10 percent levy on billionaires, would raise $3.62 trillion a year. The actual levels of taxation would be country specific.

Jenny Ricks, global convenor of the Fight Inequality Alliance, told AFP the group chose a lower progressive tax that was on the "realistic side".

A plan to tax the wealth of some 700 American billionaires was floated by Democrats in the US Congress last year, but it was cut from President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion social spending and climate change programme.

Wednesday's tax proposal was made as global government and business leaders take part in the virtual Davos meeting this week. The in-person gathering was postponed due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

"There is no defending a system that endlessly inflates the wealth of the world's richest people while condemning billions to easily preventable poverty," Patriotic Millionaires chairman Morris Pearl, a former BlackRock investment firm managing director, said in a statement.

"We need deep, systemic change, and that starts with taxing rich people like me," Morris said.

 2022 AFP
Former Sen. David Perdue and his wife Bonnie didnt have to wait long in line Monday to cast their ballots for the May 24 primary, which will determine who will receive the Republican nomination for the race to serve as Georgias next governor.
On July 2, 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. stood behind President Lyndon Baines Johnson as the Texan signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although not the first civil rights bill passed by Congress, it was the most comprehensive.

King called the laws passage a great moment  something like the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln. Johnson recognized Kings contributions to the law by gifting him a pen used to sign the historic legislation.

A year later, as Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, King again joined the president for the occasion.

But by the start of 1967, the two most famous men in America were no longer on speaking terms. In fact, they would not meet again before King fell to an assassins bullet on April 4, 1968.

King was foremost a minister who pastored to a local church throughout his career, even while he was doing national civil rights work. And he became concerned that his political ally Johnson was making a grave moral mistake in Vietnam. Johnson quickly escalated American troop presence in Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000 in 1965. And by 1968, more than a half a million troops were stationed in the Southeast Asian nation.

As I write in my 2021 book Nonviolence Before King, the Baptist preacher had been on a pilgrimage to nonviolence for years. And by 1967, he was a radical apostle of Christian nonviolence.

King called on the United States to be born again and undergo a radical revolution of values. King believed that Jim Crow segregation and the war in Vietnam were rooted in the same unjust ethic of race-based domination, and he called on the nation to change its ways.

Speaking against the Vietnam War

King preached nonviolent direct action for years, and his team organized massive protest movements in the cities of Albany, New York, and Selma and Birmingham in Alabama. But by 1967, Kings religious vision for nonviolence went beyond nonviolent street protest to include abolishing what he called the triple evils crippling American society. King defined the triple evils as racism, poverty and militarism, and he believed these forces were contrary to Gods will for all people.

He came to believe, as he said in 1967, that racism, economic exploitation and war were crippling Americas ability to create a beloved community defined by love and nonviolence. And on April 4, 1967, he publicly rebuked the presidents war policy in Vietnam at Riverside Presbyterian Church in New York City in a speech titled Beyond Vietnam.

I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam, he told those gathered in the majestic cathedral. I speak for the poor of America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home, and death and corruption in Vietnam.

King was initially optimistic that Johnsons Great Society program, which aimed to make historic investments in job growth, job training and economic development, would tackle domestic poverty. But by 1967 the Great Society appeared to be a casualty of the mounting costs of the war in Vietnam. I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such, King said in his speech.

King saw the grinding poverty facing Black people at home as inseparable from the war overseas. As he noted, If our nation can spend 35 billion dollars a year to fight an unjust, evil war in Vietnam, and 20 billion dollars to put a man on the moon, it can spend billions of dollars to put Gods children on their own two feet right here on earth.

King could no longer ignore that military force ran contrary to the nonviolence he espoused. As urban revolts in Watts and Newark in the late 1960s rocked the nation, he pleaded with people to remain nonviolent.

But they ask  and rightly so  what about Vietnam? King said in the same 1967 speech. They ask if our own nation wasnt using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted. Their questions hit home, and I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today  my own government.

Kings vision

By 1967, Kings vision of justice was one of flourishing for all people, not only civil rights for African Americans. King was criticized for expanding his vision beyond civil rights for Black Americans. Some worried that aligning with the peace movement would weaken the civil rights movement. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People even issued a statement clearly opposing what it saw as a merging of the civil rights and peace movements.

But in his 1967 Beyond Vietnam speech, King called for a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond ones tribe, race, class, and nation  an all-embracing and unconditional love for all mankind. Such unconditional love is the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality, and he noted that this unifying principle was present in Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism.

King was always first a religious leader. He never sought nor gained elected office, because he wanted to maintain a moral voice and be free to challenge policies he believed to be unjust.

But the cost for Kings speaking out was high: By the time of his assassination, Kings national approval rating was at an all-time low.

He was not a morally perfect man. Declassified files show how the FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover tried to target King over his extramarital affairs. Hoover used a wiretap to tape King having sex with other women and sent those to his wife, Coretta Scott King, with a letter indicating King should kill himself because of his moral transgressions.

Honoring King

For those seeking to honor Kings legacy today, his religious nonviolence is demanding. It asks that people go beyond acts of service and charity  as important as those are  to both speak and act against violence and racism as well as to organize to end those pernicious forces.

It is a radical concept of love that demands we embrace those we know and those we dont, to acknowledge, as King said, that all life is interrelated, that somehow were caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the challenge may be to decipher the meaning of this idea in action for our own lives. The future of what King called the beloved community depends on it  a world at peace because justice is present.

[3 media outlets, 1 religion newsletter. Get stories from The Conversation, AP and RNS.]

Anthony Siracusa 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.
ANKARA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish transport and infrastructure ministry announced on Wednesday that Turkey and Armenia will launch mutual charter flights between Istanbul and Yerevan on Feb. 2, as part of the normalization efforts between the two neighbors.

Turkish General Directorate of Civil Aviation has authorized Turkey's private carrier Pegasus to launch flights to Yerevan three times a week, while FlyOne Armenia airline will run reciprocal flights to Istanbul, the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the mutual flights between Turkey's southeastern city of Gaziantep and Iraq's Erbil, to be executed by Turkey's AnadoluJet two times per week, will resume on Jan. 24, the ministry added.

Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Gaziantep-Erbil flights were stopped because of precautions.

Last week, the Turkish and Armenian envoys met in Moscow, aiming to end decades-old hostilities.

"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 on Jan. 14.

The two parties agreed to continue negotiations "without preconditions aiming at full normalization," it said, adding the date and venue of their second meeting will be decided in due time through diplomatic channels.

Turkey appointed Serdar Kilic, a former ambassador to the United States, as the special representative, while Armenia dispatched Vice President of the National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan for talks.

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 amid mounting pressure from Azerbaijan.

In last year's war, Armenia lost control of the territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, providing a new impetus to restore ties between Ankara and Yerevan. 
SSCP Management, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, recently acquired a group of Applebees restaurants across Virginia including the ones on Commonwealth Boulevard in Martinsville, Old Mount Cross Road in Danville and Old Franklin Turnpike in Rocky Mount.

The company also purchased Applebees in Wytheville, Salem, Norton, Roanoke, Radford, Lynchburg, Lexington, South Boston and Galax, putting its total number of owned and operated Applebees locations at 80, a press release stated.

SSCP also owns 46 Sonic Drive-Ins, The Roys Hawaiian Fusion brand and the Cicis Pizza brand. With this recent acquisition, the company now has approximately 400 units across 25 states, the release said.

We are excited to continue to grow the Applebees brand and our collective business, said Chris Dharod, SSCP president, in the release. Applebees continues to be the leader in casual dining. Our business is vibrant and we are continuing to outperform established peers.

SSCP is a family-owned and operated business which was started in Dallas by Sunil Dharod, and now is run by his son, Chris, and daughter, Puja, the release stated.
The coordinated cyberattacks targeting Ukrainian government websites and the deployment of a data-wiper malware called WhisperGate on select government systems are part of a broader wave of malicious activities aimed at sabotaging critical infrastructure in the country.

The Secret Service of Ukraine on Monday confirmed that the two incidents are related, adding the breaches also exploited the recently disclosed Log4j vulnerabilities to gain access to some of the compromised systems.

"The attack used vulnerabilities in the site's content management systems (October CMS) and Log4j, as well as compromised accounts of employees of the development company," the SSU said, corroborating prior disclosure from the Ukraine CERT team.

The disclosure comes days after Microsoft warned of a malware operation aimed at government, non-profit, and information technology entities in Ukraine, attributing the attacks to a threat cluster codenamed "DEV-0586."

"The attackers corrupted MBR records (the service information on the media required to access the data) on individual servers and user computers. Moreover, this applies to both operating systems running Windows and Linux."

The Ukrainian Cyber Police, for its part, noted that it's investigating a combination of three intrusion vectors that were likely used to pull off the attacks  supply chain attack targeting an IT firm which manages websites for the Ukrainian government, exploitation of the flaw in October CMS, and Log4j vulnerabilities.

What's more, the IT firm referenced by Microsoft, Kitsoft, confirmed on Facebook it had been hit with the WhisperGate malware. "The current situation is not just about hacking websites, it is an attack aimed at sowing panic and fear, destabilizing the country from within," the company said.

While neither the Cyber Police nor the SSU attributed the defacements and the destructive malware attacks to any threat group or state-sponsored actor, the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation pointed fingers at Russia, accusing the country of trying to "wage a hybrid war."
A 19-year-old Texas man was arrested by Grand Island Police following a burglary and an attempted burglary early Saturday morning.

At about 2:25 a.m., officers responded to an alarm at Pumpers, 1904 N. Diers.

The Grand Island Police Department found that an individual had forcibly entered the store without permission by breaking a window and then stole multiple items.

A male identified as Aaron Faz, 19, of Texas was located in close proximity to Pumpers and matched the suspect shown on security footage. Faz, who lives in Plainview, Texas, was arrested for burglary.

Faz also was arrested in connection with an attempted burglary earlier Saturday morning at Mirror Images, 2151 N. Diers. At 1:38 a.m., an officer responded to an overnight burglary attempt. The officer was told that someone broke out windows at the business, although it was unknown if anything was missing.

Faz was linked to the burglary attempt through surveillance video.

Orlando Ramirez Jr., 27, of Grand Island was arrested for burglary following another incident to a residence in the 2300 block of Bellwood Drive. The victim told GIPD Saturday that a TV, a Blu-ray player and a propane heater had been taken from her residence.

The investigation revealed Ramirez allegedly entered the residence and knowingly removed property that belonged to her to hold as collateral for unpaid debts, according to the GIPD media report on Tuesday.
YORK  Each year, the York Chamber of Commerce honors a business for its longevity and impact in the community with the Business Legends Award.

This years recipient is Kroy Industries, which has a long history of manufacturing in York.

The award was given during the annual Chamber banquet, held Tuesday night.

Kroy Industries was originally established as Kroy Metal Products by Paul Geis in 1957.

The company began as an irrigation business specializing in manufacturing aluminum tubes and fittings. Since its beginning, the company expanded the original 4-inch aluminum tub mill to include 11 mills ranging from 2-inch to 12-inch diameters.

As explained during the award presentation, in 1976, Kroy added a PVC line south of the aluminum production facility in the old Champion Home Builders facility. This line expanded in 1987 with a plant in Ulysses, Kansas.

Midwest Irrigation, an aluminum and steel fitting manufacturer in Henderson, was acquired in 1999 and consolidated with the York location 2016.

Phil Seevers was named CEO in 2019, after being with Kroy since 1999.

Kroy Industries employs just under a total of 100 employees, 35 of which are at the York location.

Kroy Industries has continued to increase its aluminum tube and PVC pipe offerings to industries outside of irrigation and to customers around the world, said York Chamber of Commerce Director Madonna Mogul. Kroy Industries is committed to continuing its mission of manufacturing and supplying its global customers with the highest quality products and unmatched customer service.
Case Study

Advice for Overwhelmed School IT Staff from a Cybersecurity Pro: Progress, Not Perfection

Really good cybersecurity management at school districts has very little to do with technology and everything to do with human behavior and leadership, said Rod Russeau, director of technology and information services for Community High School District 99 in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove, Ill.

A frequent instructor at cybersecurity and IT workshops around the country, Russeau also serves as chairperson for the Consortium for School Networkings Cybersecurity Educator Advisory Panel, working with CoSN member schools technology personnel and district leaders to improve their network protections and reduce exposure to cyber threats.

During his 45-year career, hes seen a lot of changes; in his first role, he managed mainframe computers. Then for about 20 years, Russeau worked in software development, managing support, training, and implementations for student information systems and financial information systems for schools.

He joined CSD99 25 years ago, when email and the internet barely existed, Russeau said. Weve come a long way.

Nowadays, it seems like the IT cybersecurity landscape is constantly expanding, and school IT departments are overwhelmed, he told THEjournal recently.

The significance of growth in bad actors  the increase in the attacks and the frequency of the attacks  against schools is alarming, he said.

Also overwhelming: The feeding frenzy of remote-learning solutions marketed to schools at the start of the pandemic, and more recently the cybersecurity solutions being offered, Russeau said.

An Everybody Guide to School Cybersecurity The rise in cyberattacks targeting K12 schools is outpacing cybersecurity readiness, but it doesn't have to be that way  even for smaller districts with few IT resources. Learn how to best tackle cybersecurity and risk management without reinventing the wheel, where to get free help, and why cybersafety is an "everybody issue." Read the Full Report.

Since the pandemic began, vendors have been ramping up their offerings and solutions far more than ever before, he said. Theyre pitching us this or that whiz-bang software or product, like install this and youll be secure. Its hard to know which ones are really efficient.

Nevertheless, Russeau maintains that the biggest hurdle to an effective K12 cybersecurity strategy isnt technical know-how; its getting district leaders and decision-makers on board and ensuring communication about cybersecurity goals and best practices permeates every level and every group within the district.

During my career Id never emphasized getting certifications but just learned what I needed to do my job, he said. Then a few years ago I took a cybersecurity class with CoSN andearned my certification as a Certified Information Security Manager; next I pursued a (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification to learn a little more.

Russeau was astounded during the certification coursework by how much emphasis was placed on human behavior and district leadership, he recalled.

For the CISM certification, I figured that would be the case, but the CISSP is far more technical  and yet it still very much emphasized the critical importance of the district leadership and organizational buy-in, he said.

After those certifications were completed, Russeau said, he began focusing more within his own district on working with leadership to develop good policies, procedures, and plans for various scenarios, such as an Incident Response Plan, detailing steps for detecting and responding to a cyberattack; a Disaster Response Plan, with steps for resuming normal operations after any kind of incident affecting the network, hardware, or backups; and a Learning Impact Analysis, the education sectors version of a Business Impact Analysis, wherein leadership decides how long a particular app or IT service can be down before it has a disastrous impact on the districts operations.

The first thing cybersecurity efforts should focus on is identifying your risks and determining how youre going to manage those risks, he said. One of the ways we involve senior leadership  and the last thing we need is another committee  is that I formed a committee for this, with senior leaders in our district office participating.

Bottom line: The more involved district leaders are in deciding the cybersecurity policies, the more they share the accountability for cybersecurity, Russeau said.

Sure, the technology staff deploys the security controls and solutions  but we do that according to what the district has outlined as heres level of risk were willing to accept, he explained. Its the organizational leadership that I like to say has accountability for security; theyre not responsible for whether a firewall works, but they set the policies.

Anyone who touches technology has to own responsibility for a schools cybersecurity, but its up to us to educate senior leadership on our critical systems and our critical resources, and its up to them to tell us the level of risk theyre willing to take. Then we must come up with a solution and a cost to fulfill their policies, Russeau said.

Advice for the Overwhelmed School IT Staff

For school IT staff who havent yet spent much time or resources upgrading their cybersecurity protocols, Russeau has a list of tips:

Perform a risk assessment and establish a roadmap, and remember to go after the low-hanging fruit.

Aim for progress, not perfect; the IT to-do list can be overwhelming, and complexity is the enemy of security, he said.

Remember the primary goal is managing risk.

Ensure your leaders understand they, too, are accountable; involve leaders in policy-making and include them in security decisions.

Identify your critical assets.

Understand and assess your risks, and evaluate all your resources. Many of the software solutions that schools have in place frequently introduce new features and functions, and many schools have solutions they dont even know about already accessible to them, Russeau said.

Work with district leadership to finalize updated policies and plans related to risk management and cybersecurity.

Educate employees in every department through awareness campaigns and phishing drills, and involve personnel in vetting potential new apps.

Make sure all data is backed up in multiple locations, including an air-gap copy and a backup that is stored on a separate server with separate credentials and that is off-site.

Enact top-tier controls, including log management and visibility, multi-factor authentication, hardened configurations, and endpoint detection and response.

Secure outside expertise such as from a virtual Chief Information Security Officer, or from IT security experts at nonprofits like CoSN, K12SIX, and Center for Internet Security.
Internet Security Report

Endpoint Malware and Ransomware in First Three Quarters of 2021 Topped All of 2020, WatchGuard Reports

WatchGuard Technologies, a global network security and intelligence provider, said in a new Internet Security Report released today that endpoint malware and ransomware attacks during the first three quarters of 2021 totaled more than in all of 2020.

The report, highlighting malware trends and network security threats for Q3 2021, is based on analyses by WatchGuard Threat Lab researchers. While total perimeter malware detection volume decreased from the highs reached in the previous quarter, endpoint malware detections have already surpassed the total volume seen in 2020 (with Q4 2021 data yet to be reported), WatchGuard said in a news release, also noting that a significant percentage of malware continues to arrive over encrypted connections, a trend noted in previous quarters.

While the total volume of network attacks shrank slightly in Q3, malware per device was up for the first time since the pandemic began, said Corey Nachreiner, chief security officer at WatchGuard. Looking at the year so far as a whole, the security environment continues to be challenging. Its important that organizations go beyond the short-term ups and downs and seasonality of specific metrics, and focus on persistent and concerning trends factoring into their security posture.

Notable findings from the report include:

Nearly Half of Zero-Day Malware Delivered Via Encrypted Connections: The percentage of malware that arrived via Transport Layer Security jumped from 31.6% to 47%. A lower percentage of encrypted zero-days are considered advanced, but it is still concerning given that WatchGuards data shows that many organizations are not decrypting these connections and therefore have poor visibility into the amount of malware hitting their networks, the report states.

As Users Update Microsoft Windows and Office, Attackers Are Focusing on Newer Vulnerabilities: In Q3, CVE-2018-0802  which exploits a vulnerability in the Equation Editor in Microsoft Office  cracked WatchGuards Top 10 gateway antivirus malware by volume list, hitting number 6, after showing up in the most-widespread malware list in the previous quarter, the report states. In addition, two Windows code injectors (Win32/Heim.D and Win32/Heri) came in at Numbers 1 and 6 on the most-detected list, respectively.

Attackers Disproportionately Targeted the Americas: Network attacks targeting the Americas accounted for 64.5% of Q3 threats; Europe came in at 15.5% and APAC, 20%.

The Top 10 Network Attack Signatures Are Behind a Majority of Threats Detected: Of the 4,095,320 hits detected in Q3, 81% were attributed to the top 10 signatures. In fact, there was just one new signature in the top 10 in Q3, WEB Remote File Inclusion /etc/passwd (1054837), which targets older, but still widely used Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) web servers, the report states. One signature (1059160), a SQL injection, has continued to maintain the position it has held atop the list since early 2019.

Scripting Attacks On Endpoints Continue At Record Pace: By the end of Q3, WatchGuards AD360 threat intelligence and Endpoint Detection and Response had recorded 10% more attack scripts than in all of the previous year. As hybrid workforces start to look like the rule rather than the exception, a strong perimeter is no longer enough to stop threats.

Even Trusted Domains Can Be Compromised: A protocol flaw in Microsofts Exchange Server Autodiscover system allowed attackers to collect domain credentials and compromise several normally trustworthy domains. Overall, in Q3, WatchGuard Fireboxes blocked 5.6 million malicious domains, including several new malware domains that attempt to install software for cryptomining, key loggers and remote access trojans, as well as phishing domains masquerading as SharePoint sites to harvest Office365 login credentials, the report states. This highlights the critical need for organizations to focus on keeping servers, databases, websites, and systems updated with the latest patches to limit vulnerabilities for attackers to exploit.

Ransomware Continuing To Increase: After a decline in 2020, ransomware attacks reached 105% of 2020 totals by the end of September 2021 and were on pace to reach 150% once all of the 2021 data is analyzed. Ransomware-as-a-service operations continue to lower the bar for criminals with little or no coding skills, providing the infrastructure and the malware payloads to carry out attacks globally in return for a percentage of the ransom, the report says.

WatchGuards quarterly research reports are based on anonymized data from active WatchGuard Fireboxes whose owners have opted to share data in direct support of the Threat Labs research efforts. In Q3, WatchGuard blocked a total of more than 16.6 million malware variants (454 per device) and more than 4 million network threats. Visit WatchGuards website to view the full report, which includes details on malware and network trends, a deep-dive into threats detected at the endpoint, security recommendations and critical defense tips for businesses of all sizes and in any sector, and more.
Active COVID-19 cases in Illinois prisons have skyrocketed. Now, cases have increased three-fold in less than two weeks with a total of 4,189 cases within the system.

Of those, 3,001 are among inmates and 1,188 are among staff.

This compares to 200 cases reported on Dec. 6; 703 reported the week of Dec. 31; and 1,623 the week of Jan. 7.

Because of the increase in cases, the Illinois Department of Corrections recently announced it will temporarily stop the transfer of inmates from county jails to prisons.

Alan Mills, executive director of the Uptown Peoples Law Center, told The Southern in past interviews he believes the rise in case numbers can be attributed to low vaccination rates among staff.

Lindsey Hess, a spokesperson for IDOC, said 66% of staff and 75% of inmates were vaccinated as of Dec. 28.

On Aug. 26, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order requiring the vaccine for all IDOC employees. These workers were required to have the vaccine no later than October 4, 2021, subject to bargaining.

AFSCME, the main union supporting guards working for the Department of Corrections, opposed any mandate for a vaccine and entered into arbitration regarding the order.

The arbitrator on the dispute ruled that the mandate will stand, now staff has until Jan. 31 to get vaccinated.

The recent surge of cases brought on by the omicron variant has brought a serious threat to our state, and Im glad that this ruling will protect nearly 10,000 state workers and all of the people at these facilities,Pritzker said in a statement. Protecting the health and safety of workers and residents across the state remains a top priority for my administration and I look forward to continued discussions with our labor partners as we move forward with the task of keeping our employees and residents of our congregate facilities safe.

Since July 1, correctional facilities have accounted for 18.6% of COVID-19 cases statewide, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data. The facilities were one of the highest sources of outbreaks next to daycares, factories and group homes.

IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys said the increase in cases can be attributed to the nature of congregate living. He said he understands the challenges county jails are facing now that transfers have been paused, but aggressive action is necessary.

Congregate living facilities present unique infection control challenges due to the lack of quarantine and isolation space, Jefferys said. 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.

Hess said the cases are reflective of the situation of the rest of the state.

To help combat the challenge of infection control within our congregate living facilities, all staff and individuals in custody are temperature checked, masked, symptom screened and routinely tested, Hess said. In addition, 75% of the incarcerated population and 66% of staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Facilities with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are placed on medical quarantine with restricted movement depending on the scope and place of the outbreak, Hess said.

IDOCs statewide command center and 24 correctional facility command center are activated. Using FEMAs incident command system, staff working in command centers are responding to outbreaks by overseeing masking, temperature and symptom screening, testing, quarantines, vaccinations, and boosters, Hess said. Protecting the health and safety of staff, individuals in custody, and the community remains the Departments top priority. We are working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health, infectious disease consultants, and correctional agencies across the nation to ensure best practices and keep individuals in custody healthy and safe.

Case counts are updated daily Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. on IDOCs website.

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HERRIN  Most people in Southern Illinois simply know Charlie Groves as Santa. Groves is one of Santas best helpers and stands-in, working events across the region during the holiday season.

Groves now faces a bigger challenge as he was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

On Jan. 14, a post appeared on his Facebook page that gave his diagnosis and said he was not up to having visitors. By Jan. 15, he went home from the hospital on hospice care.

Groves was honored with a drive-by parade on Tuesday afternoon, organized by Christie Goodman.

More than 100 cars lined up in the former Maytag parking lot, not far from Groves home in Herrin.

Goodman said Groves is like family to her, and she just wanted to show him some love. He grew up with her mom and aunt.

He has been Santa from Murphysboro to Marion, and even played Santa in Kentucky. Hes just well-known everywhere, Goodman said. He doesnt know a stranger and means so much to everybody.

She put the idea of a parade together late last week and said it sort of exploded over the weekend.

Hes such a selfless person. He gives everything to everyone else. I dont know if he realizes the impact he has had, Goodman said.

Groves told The Southern in December he has played Santa for more than 43 years. That job includes playing the man in red at events, photo sessions, parties and much more. He makes home visits on Christmas Eve.

He has multiple Santa suits, complete with white gloves and boots. He is often called Santa Charlie.

Groves home has a glassed enclosed porch, and his family wanted him to sit on the porch and wave at those in the parade.

However, that was not what happened. In true Santa fashion, Groves sat at the end of the sidewalk waving and talking as everyone passed by.

The first vehicle in the parade was a police vehicle that held Herrin Mayor Steve Frattini. Frattini presented a mayors award to Groves. Both men got a little choked up as Frattini read the award.

It read: On behalf of the many children and their families in Herrin and Southern Illinois, a heart-felt thank you. Throughout the years the love and compassion that you have shared with so many has brought smiles of excitement and joy to countless children and their families. The twinkle in your eyes and the genuineness of your heart has always been a part of your many visits from the North Pole and a direct reflection of the special person you are.

One of the vehicles in the parade was driven by Janice Shahadey of Chucks Barbecue. Her passenger was Alderman Sheila Ahlgren.

We love Charlie, Shahadey said, who played an elf for Santa Charlie during Herrins Hometown Christmas.

Hes been Herrins Santa for as long as I can remember. He relates so well to children, Ahlgren said.

Both were glad to be part of the parade to express their affection for Groves.

As the parade came down Ninth Street and turned at Groves home, he waved as talked to the people in the parade. Good to see you, love you and thank you very much were said frequently. To children, he said, Santa loves you.

He got some replies, too. Youre forever our Santa, one person said. Another person said Groves was their Santa when he was 29 years old.

Toward the end of the parade, Groves called some people to come and give him a hug, telling them the other cars would wait.

Groves said he was not expecting all of the cars.

Three cars would have been fine. All the support people have shown is great! he said.

He said this lifted his spirits and made him feel better.

Groves said he got out and did whatever he could. He started as Santa with some of the people as parents with their children, then their grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.

He had some advice to share.

Do what you want to do in life and dont back down. Make the most of each day, Groves said.

At the end of the parade, Groves, who was wrapped in blankets and wearing his Santa hat, was happy.

Its been a good day. Send all my love to everybody, he said.

His sister, Ruth Adams, said a benefit gospel sing is planned for April.

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LONDON, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The volcano in Tonga might go quiet after eruption, but the possibility of further explosions can't be excluded, a British expert on volcanoes said Tuesday.

As rescue teams continued to head to the collection of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Professor Mike Burton from the University of Manchester told Xinhua in an interview that "Because the volcano is basically submarine, we don't know what's going on."

"Almost anything could happen, and we just have to wait and see at this point," said the volcanologist at the university's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The eruption on Saturday propelled thousands of tonnes of ash high into the atmosphere and set off a tsunami. Many of the roughly 170 islands around Tonga are covered with a thick layer of volcanic ash.

The Tonga volcano, hundreds of kilometers underwater, and around 65 kilometers from Tonga's capital, is something of a mystery, said Burton, who tries to understand when a volcano might erupt by measuring the flux and composition of the often deadly poisonous gases created by volcanic activity.

"The latest eruption which occurred on Jan. 15 is possibly the biggest eruption we've seen for the last 30 or 40 years. I say possibly, because there are still some question marks over exactly what happened," he said.

"It appears to be contradictory in some ways. In one sense, there's a sign that this was a very powerful, very big explosion, as it appeared to have gone up very high into the atmosphere, up to about 35 kilometers in height," Burton said.

"To get that high in the atmosphere, you normally need a huge amount of material to erupt. But instead there's observation suggesting there wasn't that much material that erupted. This comes from both looking at the ash fallout and from the amount of gas released," he added.

Burton said whether the main eruption is a prelude to another big eruption is yet unknown.

The impact of the Tonga eruption was felt as far away as in Peru and Japan, and it seems to have damaged Tonga in particular, he said, adding that as the eruption seems to have severed the only communication cable into Tonga, the magnitude of the damage suffered by Tonga is still sketchy.

Looking to the immediate future, Burton said one of the biggest threats, which isn't immediately obvious, is the risk of a deadly lava flow if there are rainstorms.

"You can imagine if you get lots of fine ash and coarser ash landing on the ground in depths of meters, and then there's big heavy rainfall, you can get big mud flows which can be very destructive," he warned.

As for any risk to the wider area of the Pacific Rim, Burton said it might impact ozone concentrations.

"Because there was obviously a big interaction with seawater, it may be possible there were some unusual chemicals which were injected in great amounts into the stratosphere, things like chlorine and hydrogen chloride. It is one of the gases which can destroy ozone," he said.

Burton said the risk of a future tsunami hitting China was now unlikely.

"The impact of the tsunami was within 24 hours or 36 hours of the actual eruption. Now that we're three days past the eruption, the likelihood is there is no more tsunami coming out from the eruption," he said. 
A Southern Illinois University Carbondale student from Royalton was crowned Miss Illinois County Fair Sunday at the annual gathering of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs in Springfield.

Addisyn Calloni, 19, the reigning Miss Perry County, will spend the summer as an employee of the Illinois Department of Agriculture at county fairs throughout the state as well as serving as the official hostess for the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the Du Quoin State Fair.

In her roll, Calloni will share the importance of agriculture and county fairs to Illinois. There are more than 100 county fairs held annually in the state.

I look forward to spending the summer traveling the state of Illinois and advocating for agriculture. It is such a great industry, she said.

She said she was surprised by winning the crown.

I only got about two hours of sleep the night after the competition, but I still feel like Im in a dream. It is all very surreal, she said.

Calloni was selected from a pool of 71 candidates.

I feel great, but I know anyone up there would have been deserving. This has been such a great experience, she said.

Calloni is a sophomore studying biological sciences at SIU. She said she hopes to pursue a career as a physician assistant.

Ive almost been speechless and it really hasnt sunk in yet. This is such an honor, she said.

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CHICAGO  The Chicago police officer whose fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald put the city at the center of a national debate about race and law enforcement is set to be released from prison next month after serving less than half of the 81-month sentence imposed three years ago.

Kahalah Clay, chief legal counsel for the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, confirmed that Jason Van Dyke  who was convicted in October 2018 in the killing of the 17-year-old  will be released from prison on Feb. 3. She said she did not know where Van Dyke was being held.

McDonald's great uncle, Rev. Marvin Hunter, told media outlets over the weekend that authorities had notified him of Van Dyke's pending release.

"I'm hoping he's learned the errors of his ways. I have always asked for justice and not revenge," Hunter told the Chicago Sun-Times. "We got as much justice you could get with the players that were there at the time he was on trial."

The news of Van Dyke's release after 39 months angered some community activists, about a dozen of whom protested at a train station on Chicago's South Side.

That scene was a far cry from the massive protests in Chicago a year after the 2014 shooting, when a judge forced the city to release police video showing Van Dyke, who is white, shooting McDonald 16 times. Many of the shots were fired when the Black teen was already on the ground.

The police superintendent was subsequently fired, the county's top prosecutor was voted out of office and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who was widely criticized for his handling of the case, decided not to run for reelection.

Van Dyke waited until he was in prison, ahead of formal termination proceedings before the Chicago Police Board, before he resigned from the force.

The graphic video prompted a host of police department reforms and sparked a national debate on how law enforcement treats people of color. The video resurfaced time and again, particularly after other African Americans, including George Floyd in Minneapolis, died at the hands of police.

Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery  one for each bullet he fired at the teenager  and sentenced in January 2019 to 81 months in prison.

Van Dyke, 43, appealed his conviction but abandoned those appeals in 2020. He was eligible to have his sentence cut in half with credit for good behavior.

His time behind bars included transfers from a jail in Cook County to a county jail near the Illinois-Iowa border, and a transfer from the Illinois Department of Corrections to a federal facility in Connecticut. There he was assaulted by fellow inmates, his attorneys said at the time.

He was later moved to a federal facility in New York, but, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons records, was transferred out of the federal prison system in late 2019. On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections, Lindsey Hess, said Van Dyke remains under the jurisdiction of the department but that he was being held in another state. Citing "safety and security purposes," Hess said the department would not discuss where Van Dyke is being held.

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The region helped build Illinois at statehood in 1818. Over 200 years later, lower "Egypt" has largely been forsaken, or so it seems to many o
Two North residents are charged with ill treatment of animals, torture, after Orangeburg County officials seized 71 animals from their farm in November.

Eugene Clifford Bragg II, 60, and Eslin Ricanne Bragg, 37, of Woodhaven Street, turned themselves in prior to their Wednesday afternoon bond hearing before Orangeburg County Magistrate Rob Clariday.

They are each facing 10 felony counts of ill treatment of animals, torture.

Orangeburg County Public Works officials went to their farm on Nov. 15, 2021, concerning the burial of a dead cow.

The following day, an Orangeburg County Codes Enforcement officer visited the farm for a welfare check, Orangeburg County Codes Enforcement Officer Mernard Clarkson said.

He said the officer reported seeing several calves that appeared to be under conditions that warranted additional care.

The officer asked the Braggs if they would relinquish the animals, but they declined, Clarkson said.

On Nov. 17, a codes enforcement officer and a veterinarian visited the farm.

Clarkson said, Several animals were already deceased and others had to be euthanized at the site.

In total, officials seized 71 animals from the farm, including the ones that already died or had to be euthanized, Clarkson said.

The couples attorney, Skyler Hutto, told the court theyd been in contact with a veterinarian on Oct. 18, 2021, concerning a treatment plan for the parasitic infections the animals got from soil.

Clarkson noted throughout the investigation Hutto and the couple have given total cooperation.

Clarkson asked the court to consider setting a personal recognizance bond on the couple.

Clariday set the couples bond at $10,000 each, but released them on personal recognizance.

Neither of the Braggs have a criminal record.

If convicted, each faces up to five years in prison.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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One of Eutawvilles former police chiefs has pleaded guilty to transferring beer to a minor.

Damien Desray Hartwell, 28, agreed to relinquish his law enforcement certification as part of his plea. The agreement bars him from serving as an officer anywhere in the United States.

Hartwell, of East Washington Street, Walterboro, pleaded guilty to the charge on Tuesday, Jan. 11 before Circuit Judge Ed Dickson in Orangeburg.

Dickson sentenced Hartwell to pay a $200 court fine and all fees by Feb. 15 or report to the Orangeburg County Detention Center for 30 days.

A warrant also charged Hartwell with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, but prosecutors dropped the charge as part of his plea agreement.

The S.C. Law Enforcement Division charged Hartwell on June 16, 2021.

He was working as a Branchville police officer at the time. The Branchville Police Department terminated Hartwell for allegedly lying about contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to records obtained from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.

SLED warrants said Hartwell was working at his secondary job at a Branchville gas station on May 21, 2021 when he overheard a phone conversation that the juvenile was having with a friend, also a minor.

Hartwell purchased the beer from the gas station using the juveniles debit card and placed the case of Natural Light beer in the backseat of the juveniles truck.

SLED says Hartwell admitted knowing the juvenile was under the age of 21 at the time.

The incident was recorded by the stores surveillance video.

Hartwells law enforcement career began at the Eutawville Police Department on April 10, 2017

He worked for a year as an officer there and, by July 2018, he began serving as interim police chief after the resignation of then-chief Steven Holloway.

On May 27, 2020, Hartwell resigned from the Eutawville position to begin working for Branchville, according to SCCJA records.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD.

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The Washington Post has reported the death of former local business columnist Rudolph A. Pyatt Jr. on Jan. 7 in Clinton, Maryland. He was 88.

Pyatt graduated in 1956 from South Carolina State College (now University) with a bachelors degree in English.

According to Dr. William C. Hine, author of South Carolina State University: A Black Land-Grant College in Jim Crow America, during his research for the book, Pyatt provided him firsthand accounts of the 1955-56 student uprisings, which included cafeteria boycotts and class walkouts. The events led to the expulsion of SGA President Fred Moore.

He (Pyatt) was a wonderful man who I much enjoyed talking with many times over the last 25 years or so, Hine said. Fourteen other students were suspended/expelled including Rudolph Pyatt's younger sister, Alice. Rudolph was not expelled because he was about to graduate and receive a commission in the U.S. Army through ROTC.

At a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the student uprising in 2006, the University through President Andrew Hugine formally apologized to the former students including Fred Moore, Rudolph Pyatt and Alice Pyatt. It was a very moving ceremony with many tears shed Hine said.

The Post reported that after Army service, Pyatt tried to find work as a journalist but said he found doors closed to him because of racism. He spent several years as a high school teacher, focusing on English and journalism. His students won journalism awards, and he wrote in a Post biography that he was recruited as a result to the News & Courier in Charleston, his hometown newspaper in 1964,

It was the fulfillment of a boyhood dream that had been deferred by the Souths long and stubborn embrace of segregation and by the newspaper industrys hypocrisy and duplicity about race, Pyatt wrote in his farewell Post column.

According to the Post, Pyatt was among an early corps of Black journalists that cracked the segregation barriers of Southern newspapers. He became a Washington correspondent in 1968 but soon left for work as a reporter at WETA, the Washington-area public TV station.

He also spent a few years as director of public affairs for the D.C. public schools and as a consultant in the Washington mayors office before joining the Washington Star as a writer and editor. After the paper closed in 1981, he joined The Post and wrote his business column focused on economic development, taxes, commercial real estate and local government.

In retirement, Pyatt was active in community affairs in his neighborhood of Fort Washington, Maryland. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Jacqueline Bell Pyatt of Fort Washington; twin sons, Rudolph A. Pyatt of Brooklyn and Randolph A. Pyatt of Bryans Road, Maryland; and two grandchildren.

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The American Red Cross is helping four Orangeburg residents whose Whitman Street homes were damaged by fire on Saturday.

Disaster-trained volunteers are providing financial assistance for immediate needs such as food, clothing and shelter, along with referrals to much-needed resources.

Find out how to help the Red Cross assist families by visiting www.redcross.org/HometownHero.

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Coquille, OR (97420)

Today

A few clouds. Low 41F. NNE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 41F. NNE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
(TBTCO) - Thi truong chung khoan Viet Nam co ban van giu nhip on inh trong quy au nam nay, tuy nhien, thi truong chiu ap luc ieu chinh kha manh ke tu cuoi thang 3 en nay do tac ong tu cac yeu to ngoai bien va cac vu viec sai pham mang tinh on le cua mot so ca nhan, to chuc. Theo cac chuyen gia, nhung tac ong en tam ly ngan han cua nha au tu la kho tranh khoi, nhung ay la co hoi e huong dong tien i ung huong, giup thi truong gan uc, khoi trong e phat trien ben vung.
A feud between old and new leadership of the Casper Artists Guild has spilled into the courts.

Six current members of Art 321 filed suit against the organizations board of directors last week, alleging that executive director Tyler Cessor wrongfully altered the guilds bylaws to make sweeping administrative changes without oversight.

The old guard is asking the court to declare those changes illegal, denounce Art 321s current leadership as illegitimate and reinstate the organizations previous government.

Cessor and 11 other board members are named as defendants in the suit.

ART 321 is taking these complaints very seriously, he wrote in a statement sent Tuesday to the Star-Tribune. It was a surprise to hear some of the allegations made, particularly coming from past board members who were either the presidents who led the process or were on the board when many of these decisions were approved by them.

Art 321 is a community of artists based in Casper. Since its founding nearly 100 years ago, its been a hub for art exhibits, classes and other resources for Wyoming creatives.

A complaint filed Jan. 10 alleges Cessor has changed the guilds bylaws at least three times since he took over as executive director in 2020. Those changes include stripping members of their ability to vote on important administrative matters, the suit states, and making leadership meetings that were previously open to all members closed-door.

This, the complaint alleges, shut guild members out of decisions they would have otherwise had a voice in. Namely, Art 321s top brass are no longer elected by members, but appointed by Cessor himself, it states.

The suit says that because the current board was not elected by popular vote, its members do not properly govern the guild.

Without oversight from the rest of the guild, Cessor and the new board of directors made unpopular administrative decisions that have diminished donations and membership, according to the complaint. That includes increasing employee salaries, and altering and disbanding ART 321s committees without members knowledge, it states.

The suit also alleges Cessor intimidated members who challenged these decisions.

Those in control were not elected, and refuse to give members information or even allow them to attend board meetings, said Vicki Primrose, a former board president who resigned her position last year. (The lawsuit) is an effort by and for all members to regain their voice and to exert control over those who have disregarded the membership for the past two years.

Attorney Judith Studer, who is representing the group, said Tuesday that she believed those who had left the organization had re-enrolled as members so that they can pursue this case.

Before the complaint was filed last week, Studer said, she had sent Art 321 leaders a letter requesting annual meetings and elections to be reinstated. Those still-unmet demands, as well as the installation of past presidents on the board and declaring the current boards actions as outside their authority, are now set to be decided in the courts.

In his statement, Cessor said the organization denied many of the allegations and characterizations contained in the lawsuit.

We are confident that the evidence and organizational records will show that ART 321s Board of Directors has conducted the governance of the organization with particular concern for the success and community impact of the organization and investment in creating an inclusive environment for all in our community and members, he wrote. ART 321 continues to be steadfast in its commitment to nurture and support all artists in Wyoming from a diverse range of mediums, cultural backgrounds, and communities. Increasing access to arts opportunities for all is at the core of every step we take.

The lawsuit follows a tumultuous year for the guild, after tensions over its new leadership surfaced in the wake of reports that a donor, an artist and at least two members of Art 321 pulled support in response to the gallerys Art of Pride show.

A group of more than two dozen current and former members penned a letter to Cessor and other officers, saying the new director was pushing a political agenda and shutting out members from decision-making.

As the group grew, they brought more allegations, some which are echoed in the lawsuit. They contended that membership and revenue had gone down since Cessor took over, that he was filling the organizations leadership without following proper protocol and that Cessor had coerced some former board members into leaving. Some also brought up concerns over the organization displaying queer art, which they said may be offensive, in its main gallery space.

Art 321 held a public forum in July, where some members lamented the new direction and others  mostly younger, many queer  praised it. But, the suit states, the forum was not a substitute for an annual members meeting and left questions unanswered.

Editors note: Cayla Nimmo, named as a defendant in this suit due to her time as an Art 321 board member, was the Star-Tribunes staff photographer during the time of the allegations. Nimmo left the Star-Tribune in the fall, and was not included in editorial decisions related to coverage of Art 321.

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STOCKHOLM, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The exploding number of new COVID-19 infections in Sweden is affecting critical services, with massive numbers of police and bus drivers testing positive.

"All employers and organizations, including critical services, are under strain," Svante Werger of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency told Swedish Television on Wednesday.

Ten percent of the Swedish police force, some 3,000 individuals, were off sick or in self-isolation on Wednesday, Radio Sweden reported. Some smaller police stations even had to close.

"The situation is strained in some precincts and we are on the verge of not being able to keep the business running," Patrik Danielsson, Health and Safety representative at the Swedish Police Union, told Radio Sweden.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the National Operations Department told Swedish Television the police force is prepared to transfer personnel and reprioritize tasks to cope with the situation.

Swedish Television also reported that about ten percent of bus drivers are off sick in the Varmland region of western Sweden. This has resulted in the cancelation of between 40 and 50 departures per day.

"It is a serious situation," Mikael Bergman, traffic manager of the regional bus service, told Swedish Television.

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant was also reflected in the latest statistics released by the Swedish Public Health Agency on Wednesday.

The cumulative number of confirmed infections has surpassed 1.7 million -- an increase of around 200,000 in just one week. On Wednesday, the agency also recorded the highest daily number of new infections -- nearly 43,000 in a population of 10.4 million.

The number of people getting tested for COVID-19 has also surged dramatically. Several of the country's administrative regions have hit maximum testing capacity and therefore urged the public to only get tested if strictly necessary.

On Tuesday, several medical professionals, including the chairman of the Stockholm Medical Association, said that testing had become "meaningless," as virtually everyone with symptoms is infected, and test results now take up to a week. 
Less than a week after state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow officially resigned from her post, the Republican State Central Committee is gearing up to nominate three possible replacements.

The central committee will meet Saturday to vote on three candidates. Gov. Mark Gordon will then choose one of the three to fill the position until January of next year.

There are at least four candidates who have submitted application materials so far: two teachers with doctorates in education, a former Balow cabinet member and a former state lawmaker.

Although the Wyoming Constitution does not require candidates to have a certain amount of experience in the states public education system, all four of those candidates have extensive histories in and around Wyoming public schooling.

Reagan Kaufman, a teacher at South High School in Cheyenne who won 2018 teacher of the year for Laramie County School District No. 1, stated in her application that she has experience in all levels of education infancy to post-secondary.

According to her resume, Kaufman has three degrees from the University of Wyoming all in education: a bachelors degree in secondary education in Social Studies, a Master of Arts in teaching U.S. history and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction.

Within this position, I will call for a significant revision of the Wyoming Social Studies standards with a focus on civic and economic education, Kaufman wrote in her cover letter. I will increase equity and access for students across the state, but especially in rural areas, to diverse and advanced coursework, quality Career and Technical Education, and dual language immersion programs to ensure Wyoming graduates are top competitors in a global marketplace.

As an educator in Wyoming for 30 years, Michelle Aldrich stated in her application that she has the ability to lead the Wyoming Department of Education during this challenging time while maintaining momentum.

She currently serves as the state director of career and technical education in the Wyoming Department of Education. Aldrich also has experience in early childhood education, secondary and postsecondary education levels, according to her cover letter.

Aldrich has her Ph.D. in adult learning and technology from the University of Wyoming.

Megan Degenfelder is the former chief policy officer for the Wyoming Department of Education and now works as a manager at an oil and natural gas company. For context, the current chief policy officer is serving as Balows replacement until the interim superintendent is selected.

I have built a career around Wyomings greatest resources  natural resources and our youth, both of which continue to be under attack by the federal government, Degenfelder said in her cover letter. America has the greatest education system in the world, but it is under attack from within like never before, she later added.

Without expressly saying it, Degenfelder indicated in her application that she opposed the teaching of critical race theory  an academic framework for examining how racism is ingrained in the nations society  in Wyoming classrooms. She noted that she plans to ardently support the Civics and Transparency Act, a bill that was introduced for the upcoming legislative session with the intention of keeping critical race theory out of Wyoming classrooms by creating an online directory listing all teaching materials and curriculum used in each school by grade level.

David Northrup, a former state representative from Park County, also threw his hat in the ring.

He is a current member of the Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE) Advisory Group, which is tasked with developing recommendations to improve the states education system.

Northrup helped chair the Legislatures Joint Education Committee for four years, which he served on for a total of seven years. He also served on the Joint Revenue Committee for three years.

Earlier, Northrup taught geology from 1990 to 1995 at Northwest College and served on the Park County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2012, according to his resume.

According to state statute, the Republican State Central Committee is responsible for choosing interim superintendent nominees because Balow was a member of the GOP.

The central committee consists of the chairman and the state committeewoman and the state committeeman from each of Wyomings county-level Republican parties. That equates to 69 voters if everyone is present.

Those three nominees will then be sent to Gordon, a Republican, who will have five days to choose one to fill Balows spot for the next 12 months. Her term was set to end in January 2023.

To choose one, Gordon will conduct in-person interviews with each of the three candidates, said Michael Pearlman, director of communications for the governor.

He is hopeful that the three candidates that are advanced for his consideration have, among other qualities, a dedication to children and an understanding of the importance of public education and what it means to the future of Wyoming, Pearlman said in a statement. He also believes it is important they possess a wide range of experience, because the Superintendent of Public Instruction also sits on the State Loan and Investment Board, the State Board of Land Commissioners and the State Building Commission.

Exactly how the central committees selection process will work will be determined at the start of Saturdays meeting. The committee will have a chance to vote and amend the proposed rules that govern the meeting and spell out how superintendent selection process will work.

Balows resignation comes at a pivotal time in Wyomings educational future. The Equality States K-12 education system has long been one of the best funded in the nation because of money from from fossil fuels, but that revenue stream alone can no longer support K-12 education.

This past general session, after a month of debate in committee rooms and on the floor, neither chamber could come to an agreement. No changes were made to how Wyoming pays for education.

Additionally, critical race theory and removing certain books from school libraries have become hot button issues.

In September, Balow appeared with two top state senators to introduce the Civics and Transparency Act. The superintendent was clear the bill was intended to challenge critical race theory.

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.

Critical race theory is not currently being taught in Wyoming schools.

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 the state superintendent of public instruction. Under Balow, Wyomings schools remained in-person for most of the pandemic, unlike many other public schools across the nation.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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The case of a Lander family who spent more than $80,000 on rabies vaccines after a botched bat removal will head back to court, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.

While a lower court ruled that a Lander police officer did not breach his duty in losing the bat while taking it to be tested, the justices wrote in their opinion that animal control falls under the departments scope of care for residents.

Now, the case will proceed in Landers Ninth District Court as though the disputed motion for summary judgment was denied.

According to court documents, Lander officer Fred Cox responded to the Cornella familys home in September 2016 after they found a bat in their sons bedroom. After catching the bat in a net and placing it in the bed of a pickup truck, Cox lost the animal while taking it to be treated for rabies at a local Game and Fish office, the lawsuit alleges.

The Cornella family consulted with the state veterinarian, court filings state, who told them that seven bats in the area had recently been found to have rabies. An emergency room doctor also recommended the family receive rabies vaccinations, even without detectable bite marks since bat bites can be hard to see.

Rabies can take months or up to a year to begin showing symptoms in humans, and physicians recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible after exposure.

The vaccination bill for the family of five, who each had to receive a full four-shot series, came out to $83,007.60 according to the Supreme Court.

In 2019, the family filed suit against the city of Lander seeking $133,007.60  to cover the medical costs plus emotional damages, time and damage to the familys credit, court documents state. Sky Phifer, one of the Cornellas attorneys in the case, said that the suit came after the familys initial claim with the city was denied.

In December 2020, the city asked the court to make a summary judgment in the case, saying that there were no facts in dispute but that the officer was protected by government immunity.

After each party filed responses to the motion, the Supreme Court states that the judge changed the motions main issue from whether Cox and Robert Cecrle, the police chief at the time, were protected by governmental immunity to whether they had a duty of care for the family in the situation.

Neither Cox nor Cecrle are still with the Lander police, a records keeper with the department confirmed on Tuesday.

The lower court ruled they did not have that duty, since they were not animal control officers. But Tuesdays ruling from the Supreme Court concluded that they were acting within their roles responsibilities since Landers animal control division falls under the police department and requires its officers to be certified peace officers. The court ruled in the citys favor in April 2021, and the family appealed later that spring.

The Supreme Court seemed to recognize what the issues were, and seemed to recognize that there were problems with issuing a summary judgment in this case, Phifer said Tuesday.

An attorney for the city of Lander could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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DESPITE the general economic slowdown brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, rum and bitters producer Angostura Holdings Ltd recorded a profit after tax of $158.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

The company said in its Annual Report for 2021 the $158.3 million represented an increase of 8.7 per cent over the prior fiscal year.
An increase in measles cases in January and February 2022 is a worrying sign of a heightened risk for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and could trigger larger outbreaks, particularly of measles affecting millions of children in 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF have warned.

Pandemic-related disruptions, increasing inequalities in access to vaccines, and the diversion of resources from routine immunisation are leaving too many children without protection against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Many people are struggling during this Covid-19 pandemic as prices increase, while many are 
China urges U.S. to compensate victims of secret experiments

Xinhua) 09:32, January 19, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Tuesday urged the United States to offer apologies and compensation to victims of secret experiments.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a Danish Radio documentary which exposed the secret human body experiments practiced on 311 Danish children in the 1960s, allegedly funded by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The CIA's human rights violations around the world are no news, but it is still shocking to learn that they even preyed on children, said Zhao.

Zhao also mentioned a CIA mind control project carried out around the world between the 1950s and 1970s, also exposed in the documentary. He added the human subjects suffered lifelong sequelae, including psychological disorders and amnesia, or withered away in a vegetative state.

The U.S. government keeps talking about "human rights" and "democracy," but it doesn't practice what it preaches. Zhao added the U.S. government should offer apologies and compensation to the victims and shoulder its due responsibility.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
KIEV, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday held a phone conversation with Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg to discuss security issues.

The talks focused on the diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the security situation around Ukraine, according to the press service of the president's office.

During the conversation, Stoltenberg informed Zelensky about the results of the recent meeting of the NATO-Russia Council and the prospects for further negotiations with Russia on European security issues.

For his part, the Ukrainian leader thanked Stoltenberg for the support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, sovereignty and independence.

Zelensky also voiced the hope that the alliance would strengthen its assistance for Ukraine to boost the country's defense capabilities and its ability to counter modern threats, including cyberattacks.

The NATO-Russia Council meeting took place in Brussels on Jan. 12. It discussed the situation around Ukraine, among other issues.

Recently, Ukraine and some Western countries have voiced concerns over the Russian military build-up along the border with Ukraine, fearing that Russia is preparing for an attack.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia has no plans to attack Ukraine, and there is no reason to fear an escalation of tensions with Ukraine. 
And so it has come to pass. One week after the island-wide blackout of February 16, we told you in this space that, from among the best authority available, there would be, there could be no one to blame for what happened.

We told you that the determination had already been made as to what happened, how and why, and that nobody could have been held responsible for that. It was a warning against the natural national tendency to go for blood. Loud had been the shouts of sabotage, the result of worker discontentment, and a clamour for heads to roll.
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PHOENIX  A Senate panel voted Wednesday to allow dental patients to get their lips puffed up, cheeks filled out and brow wrinkles smoothed at the same place they now get their cavities filled.

At least part of the reason is to buttress the earnings of dentists.

Without dissent, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services agreed to expand what dentists can do to include providing Botox injections for cosmetic purposes. This involves injecting a toxin that is designed to temporarily paralyze muscles, a move that can decrease wrinkles, particularly in the forehead.

The same measure, Senate Bill 1074, also would allow the cosmetic use of dermal fillers, chemicals that can get rid of deep-set lines in the face and neck, as well as plumping lips.

John MacDonald, lobbyist for the Arizona Dental Association, told legislators that these practices already are within the scope of what dentists are allowed to do. Only thing is, he said, they are limited to therapeutic situations.

W. Brian Powley, a dentist who practices in Paradise Valley, told Capitol Media Services that could include injections of what is formally known as botulinum toxin type A into a patient with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, better known as TMJ. He said it has the effect of inactivating the muscles to grant pain relief.

Similarly, Powley said fillers might be appropriate after major jaw surgery.

But what dentists in Arizona cant do, legally, is advertise for patients who simply want to look better rather than having the work be part of a dental treatment plan.

Phoenix dentist Kevin Ortale told lawmakers theres no reason for the distinction  or the restrictions.

He pointed out that under Arizona law some of these procedures, particularly Botox injections, already can be performed by nurses and others working at medical spas simply because they are practicing under the off-site supervision of doctors, who may have no specific experience in facial issues.

The alternative, Ortale said, is to have a uniquely talented group of medical professionals, highly experienced with thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of injections in and around the mouth.

Still, there is a financial component.

Ortale told lawmakers his business is down by almost 20% since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and he said he is not alone.

It hit our community, Ortale said. I have waited patiently to embark on this journey utilizing Botox and dermal fillers, hoping to expand and build back my vitality and production within my practice. My team, my peers, my patients and my hours of dedication are ready for this to pass.

Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, said she was particularly struck by the comments about how the pandemic has affected dentists.

Its a reminder of the impact and whats happened by shuttering our businesses and by closing things down, she said. Townsend said lawmakers need to look for ways to help recover from the decisions that were made as we went through this pandemic.

The measure now goes to the full Senate after legal review by the Rules Committee.

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PHOENIX  The Attorney Generals Office is threatening to prosecute  and seek to jail  Secretary of State Katie Hobbs if she follows through with her plans to temporarily take an online portal for candidate petition signatures offline.

Hobbs told candidates earlier this month that what is known as the E-Qual system would become unavailable in March for those running for legislative and congressional seats. Hobbs said that is to give time to revamp the system to account for the new districts that were drawn for the 2022 elections.

Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Wright warns her not to do that.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that any such action would be contrary to law, Wright wrote to Bo Dul, Hobbs attorney.

She said Hobbs must take all steps necessary to keep the system online to comply with the law and her legal duties.

There are teeth in that threat.

Wright said that, at the least, it is a Class 3 misdemeanor for Hobbs to knowingly fail to refuse to perform a duty required under state election laws. That carries up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

She said the refusal to keep E-Qual online could be a felony that carries a penalty of a year in state prison.

Hobbs is not backing down.

The law Wright is saying she would be violating simply requires the secretary of state to provide a system that allows candidates to collect nominating petition signatures online, said Hobbs aide Murphy Hebert.

E-Qual is that system, she said. The fact that the system may need to be offline for a period of time for updates to the system or, here, due to redistricting requirements beyond the control of our office, doesnt amount to a violation of the statute.

The threat to prosecute Hobbs does not come in a political vacuum.

Wrights boss, Republican Mark Brnovich, has been openly bickering with Democrat Hobbs for more than a year over everything from the legal positions she has taken when the state is sued over its election practices, to changes in the Election Procedures Manual.

Both also are in the middle of high-profile campaigns seeking higher office: Brnovich for U.S. Senate and Hobbs for governor.

This latest squabble is a direct result of the decennial redistricting.

The E-Qual system allows any individual to go online, provide some identifying information, and get a list of the candidates for whom he or she can sign nominating petitions. For races that are not statewide, voters are limited to signing the petitions of legislative and congressional candidates from the same district.

This is the first time the system has been used during redistricting. And the Independent Redistricting Commission is just putting the finishing touches on the new district lines.

Recognizing there would be a delay in enacting new districts, lawmakers previously voted to allow candidates to get nominating signatures from residents of their existing districts, even if those people would not be in their new districts. So Hobbs and her office set up E-Qual to use those existing lines in determining who can sign which petitions.

But the state election director, Kori Lorkick, said the system needs to be taken down in March to allow counties, which administer elections, to update with the new districts.

And since it wont be operational again until after the April 4 deadline for petitions, that will mean candidates who have not gotten all their signatures online by that point will need to supplement them the old -fashioned way: with pen and paper.

Lorick said theres really no other option as the E-Qual software, purchased before Hobbs took office in 2019, cannot accommodate two separate maps and district lines.

None of that apparently holds any water with the Attorney Generals Office. Wright said the statute says the secretary of state shall provide the online system.

We urge the secretary of state to fix the system without delay, she wrote.

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PHOENIX  A House panel voted 6-4 Tuesday, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed, to make teaching about racism illegal if done in certain ways.

State Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, said her proposal is not an effort to block students from being told about the history of racism in this country, whether it be slavery or how Native Americans were forced from their homes.

"It simply means that judging others by their race, ethnicity or sex is unacceptable,'' she told the House Education Committee, which she chairs.

"It will not be tolerated in our schools in any way, shape or form, even if it is introduced to combat racism,'' Udall continued. "We cannot combat racism with more racism.''

Udall cited some real-world examples of what she is trying to prevent, like a seventh-grade English class in Chandler reading an essay entitled "Black Men in Public Places.''

That dealt with a 6-foot 2-inch Black man walking at night in a military style jacket with his hands in his pockets. "A woman out walking was frightened and sought to put distance between them,'' Udall said.

"The essay fully attributes her fear to his skin color rather than considering a woman walking alone at night might be afraid of anyone of that size,'' she said.

But the wording of Udall's measure drew questions about exactly what teachers could and could not say about the legacy of racism  and what could result in the loss of their teaching certificates.

House Bill 2112 would make it illegal for schools to teach that one race, ethnic group or sex is "inherently morally or intellectually superior to another race, ethnic group or sex.''

Also illegal would be teaching that someone, by virtue of race, ethnicity or sex, is "inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.'' The bill would also ban any instruction that someone's individual moral character is determined by their race, ethnicity or sex.

But the potentially more problematic language has to do with whether teaching about the history of racism in the United States would cross a line that forbids teaching that individuals, based on race, ethnicity or sex, should "feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress because of that race, ethnicity or sex.'' There is similar language saying that students cannot be taught that, based on race, ethnicity or sex, they bear responsibility for actions committed by others from the same group.

If the measure becomes law, teachers who violate it could have their teaching certificates suspended or revoked. School districts would face $5,000 fines for each violation.

Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, D-Chandler, who is a primary school teacher, said she worries what will happen if a history lesson happens to make a student uncomfortable.

"That wasn't my intent,'' she said. "But if somebody has a feeling like, 'Oh my goodness, I didn't know it happens,' it makes a first-grader sad, will the teacher lose their teaching credentials, will the school be fined?''

Udall, however, said it comes down to intent.

"If you read it closely, it says that a teacher should not be teaching that an individual should feel discomfort, feel anguish or other form of psychological distress because of the individual's race, ethnicity or sex,'' she said.

More to the point, Udall said, teachers should teach that students are responsible for their own actions, "not for what happened in history.''

Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Laveen, said it isn't that simple.

For example, he said, there might be a discussion of the Fair Housing Act, the 1968 federal law designed to prevent discrimination in the ability of people to buy and rent homes and apartments, something that can be taught as a matter of history. But Bolding said lessons go beyond those bare facts.

"A student might ask, 'Why?' or 'How?' '' he said. "And that's when you start to have deeper discussion of 'why did you need a Fair Housing Act of 1968.'''

Ditto, Bolding said, of what happens when children seek to know about the treatment of Native Americans.

"How do we expect our teachers to navigate questions around the 'why' and 'how' of history if they can't mention race?'' he asked. "And if they mention race, as Ms. Pawlik mentioned, someone may feel uncomfortable.''

Udall insisted that nothing in her measure would interfere with that.

"You can't say, for example, that Blacks weren't allowed housing and say, 'All white people are this or that,' '' Udall continued. "It is the difference between talking about the actions versus talking about them as a whole race.''

But Bolding said that still doesn't address the question of teachers being allowed to explain to children why the law was needed in the first place.

Rep. Judy Schwiebert, D-Phoenix, said the lines are not as clear as Udall and her legislation make them out to be.

Consider, she said, the story of Ruby Bridges, who was the first African-American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in Louisiana in 1960.

"The book depicts a lot of white people screaming and yelling at her and being mean to her,'' Schwiebert said. "A whole group of people want to say that shouldn't be taught in classrooms.''

But Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction, said there's a larger issue being lost while lawmakers debate exactly how certain history can be taught.

"We've lost all semblance of intellect and reality when we're teaching our kids about social issues and things of that nature and not the things that are going to make them a value to the state of Arizona and the workforce,'' he said.

In fact, Fillmore said he doesn't think the bill goes far enough.

He said there should be mandatory penalties against teachers who violate the law, not some punishment left up to the state Board of Education. And Fillmore sniffed at the $5,000 fines for school districts as being "not even a nickel, it's a penny in comparison to their budgets.''

He even took a swipe at Udall, who is running for state superintendent of public instruction.

"This is nothing more than a get-elected bill under someone's name for any office that they might be running,'' Fillmore said, although he voted for it. "And it really doesn't accomplish anything.''

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema points to the angry divisions in our country as one of our top problems, and shes not wrong.

Thats one of the main points the Arizona Democrat made in a high-profile speech last week announcing her approach to two voting-rights bills in the U.S. Senate. She was right that we need to re-learn how to bridge our differences, not demonize our opponents, and come to compromise solutions.

But her logic fails her in the current context of voting rights bills blocked by the Senates 60-vote filibuster.

Shes wrong to think that polarization is whats causing efforts to limit voting rights. And that makes her wrong in her approach to the filibuster itself, which she is obstinately upholding in its most draconian, impractical form, rather than pushing to change it.

This week, the pressure mounts again on Sinema as the Senates majority leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer, tries to push two voting-rights bills through the body divided 50-50, despite unanimous Republican opposition.

One bill, the Freedom to Vote Act, would make Election Day a federal holiday, require at least 15 days of early voting, make mail-in voting mandatory, ban partisan gerrymandering and tighten campaign-finance disclosure requirements, among many changes.

The other, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, would restore pre-clearance requirements for election changes in some states, among many other changes. Schumer is trying to combine the bills with a third bill in order to facilitate passage.

Democrats nationwide have been hammering Sinema for the potentially contradictory stand she took last week. She says she supports the voting rights bills but opposes a temporary suspension of filibuster rules that would let them pass on a party-line vote, if all Democrats voted yes.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Martin Luther King III shamed her and fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin for placing the filibuster on a higher pedestal than voting rights.

Senator Manchin, Senator Sinema, members of the Senate, pass the Freedom to Vote John R. Lewis Act now, he said. If you can deliver an infrastructure bill for bridges, you can deliver voting rights for America.

If you do not, there is no bridge in this nation that can hold the weight of that failure.

It was a stinging commentary. And it probably hurts Sinema that Emilys List, the group supporting pro-choice female candidates, announced Tuesday it will no longer support her.

But that pressure probably wont change anything.

Thats because Sinema has wrongly diagnosed the reasons for changes that may make it harder to vote in various Republican-controlled states, including Arizona.

We must also acknowledge a painful fact, Sinema said in her speech last week. The state laws we seek to address are symptoms of a larger, more deeply rooted problem facing our democracy  the divisions themselves, which have hardened in recent years, and have combined with rampant disinformation to push too many Americans away from our basic constitutional values.

This is wrong. And Sinema indirectly acknowledged that in her speech.

The worst changes in voting laws are not a result of polarization. This isnt a both-sides issue. These changes are an effort to preserve Republican political power, using false claims of election fraud by former President Donald Trump as a justification. Its about seizing power, not polarization.

This is not to say Democrats are pristine and their bills are perfect. For example, the Freedom to Vote Act would force states to let voters register up to Election Day. Thats a potential major headache for election officials and the political parties and campaigns.

Essentially, with this change, the universe of registered voters would be unknown till after the election. And recorders offices would never be able to transition from registering voters to receiving and processing early ballots, as they do now under Arizonas popular mail-in ballot system.

But more crucial: Sinemas position in support of the 60-vote filibuster is not creating any compromise on these or other bills. The filibuster is not creating the compromise that Sinema keeps saying it will.

The current filibuster allows any member to use an email to tell the Senate they are blocking a bill, and forces the majority to prove they have the 60 votes to pass it.

Sinema has said for a year that shes willing to entertain reforms to the filibuster, but she should go beyond openness to reform and push for specific reforms herself. The principle should be that it ought to take effort to block the majoritys will.

Return to a speaking filibuster, which requires those blocking a bill to speak on the floor, as in the old days, instead of just typing an email.

Require those who want to invoke a filibuster to get 41 votes, instead of requiring those who want to pass a bill to get 60. This puts the onus on those standing in the way of the majority.

Ratchet down the number of votes required to pass a bill. This means requiring maybe 60 for a period of days or weeks, then, say, 57 votes, then 54, etc. It would give time and reason for the minority and majority to compromise.

Simply reduce the number of votes required for a filibuster, from 60 to, say, 57 or 55.

If Sinema would assertively pursue any of these reforms, rather than embracing the current, painless way of blocking majority rule, it would be easier to accept her contradictory position on the voting-rights bills.

Instead shes offering a false diagnosis of the election-law problem and no solution to the Senates minority rule.

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema moments that made headlines From her "F--- Off" ring and brightly colored wigs worn on the Senate floor to being bashed on late night television, U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema

Tim Steller is an opinion columnist. A 25-year veteran of reporting and editing, he digs into issues and stories that matter in the Tucson area, reports the results and tells you his conclusions. Contact him at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @senyorreporter

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A judge ruled that a Tohono Oodham woman is not guilty of criminal action in protesting border wall construction on her ancestral land, saying the prosecution imposed a substantial burden on the exercise of her religion.

In issuing the verdict Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Bowman reversed her previous ruling that Amber Ortega couldnt use the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as her defense.

This is our land, and our ways are not wrong, said Ortega to a group of supporters and reporters outside the Evo A. DeConcini U.S. Courthouse in Tucson after the verdict. We, today, again defended our culture, our ways, our songs, our locations, our mountains, our sacred sites. Today was a victory for our people.

Ortega was arrested and charged with the misdemeanors of interfering with agency function and violating a closure order, after refusing to leave a construction site on Sept. 9, 2020, in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, about 150 miles southwest of Tucson, where contractors were building more than 40 miles of 30-foot-tall steel border wall.

The site, which was closed to the public, is about one-eighth of a mile from Quitobaquito Springs, an ancient watering hole thats sacred to the Oodham, where Ortega had been praying when she heard the construction vehicles and says she felt compelled to protect the land.

After a bench trial in November, Bowman ruled that Ortega was unable to prove that the areas closure and a federal ranger telling her to leave the construction zone imposed a substantial burden on her ability to engage in religious activities, since she did have access to Quitobaquito Springs.

In a new motion, Ortegas lawyer argued that the judges understanding of what constituted Ortegas religious actions had been too narrow and that defense of the land itself was a part of her religious practice.

Ortegas religious actions were not confined to praying at the spring, which she had access to, but included defending her sacred land from destruction, said defense attorney Amy Knight.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent J. Sottosanti said his argument was the same as during the bench trial, that religious freedom should not be used as Ortegas defense. He said the law doesnt give people the right to interfere with the federal governments ability to modify, improve or use its own land however it sees fit, within the law.

There arent any new facts. Theres no new evidence. Theres no new law, Sottosanti told the judge on Wednesday.

He added that public safety was the governments compelling interest in removing Otega from the construction zone, and that she left them no choice but to arrest her.

To that argument, Knight said the government didnt show how Ortegas presence at the construction site posed a danger. Officials could have allowed her to stand on the side of the road, or they could have temporarily stopped construction, Knight said, pointing out that the construction did in fact stop when they were arresting Ortega.

Bowman agreed with the defense, saying the government did not use the least restrictive means possible.

The court has recognized actions of Indigenous people defending their land as an exercise of religion, Knight said. I thought maybe that would have been a given, but it clearly wasnt.

Knight says there has been some recognition of Native American religion in past cases but typically in the form of ceremony rather than religiously driven action.

While this may not set a legal precedent, it does create a model for how similar cases could be defended going forward, she said.

After the ruling, supporters of Ortega gathered outside the courthouse to talk about the importance and meaning of the ruling, speaking in both English and Oodham.

She went in as a girl and came out a woman, fighting for all of our rights, for religion, said Tohono Oodham member Mary Garcia to the crowd. Please understand, were still here. And this is what it takes to let them know we love our culture. We love our language. We love our religion.

While Wednesdays ruling is a step in the right direction, its not enough, Knight said.

What happened here is that we convinced the government that they cant actually put her in jail for speaking truth to them, to the officials and construction workers, Knight said. But theyre still doing whatever they want. The construction of the wall is mostly wrapped up under the Biden administration, but the general attitude of entitlement is here to stay.

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Contact reporter Danyelle Khmara at dkhmara@tucson.com or 573-4223 . On Twitter: @DanyelleKhmara

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MOSCOW, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the development of bilateral economic relations and international cooperation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow on Wednesday.

Putin noted that trade between the two countries increased by over six percent in 2020 despite the pandemic, and by more than 38 percent last year.

Turning to international cooperation, Putin said that Russia and Iran are able to assist the Syrian government in "overcoming threats posed by international terrorism."

"Relations between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are developing, and we are actively working to create a free-trade zone between Iran and our association," the Kremlin said in a statement, citing the Russian leader.

Raisi in turn spoke in favor of further developing bilateral economic, trade, cultural, political, and military relations with Russia.

"In the current, very exceptional conditions, where there is opposition to the unilateral actions of the West, including the United States, we can create synergy in our interaction," Raisi said.

Raisi said that Iran would continue to develop despite Western sanctions and threats, and would work on establishing mechanisms for the gradual lifting of all sanctions and restrictions.

The Iranian leader said it is necessary to enhance trade and economic ties, praising the current cooperation between Iran and Russia within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the EAEU.

Raisi arrived in Moscow on Wednesday. He will address the State Duma or the lower house of parliament, and will hold a range of meetings. 
Sen. Sinema

losing support

Sen. Sinema, I will never ever support you again. I will actively support any alternative in the next Democrat primary.

You apparently live in a fantasy world in which Republicans are capable of compromise or governing. They have repeatedly shown themselves to be anti-democratic. Yet you will not consider modification to the Senate filibuster rule to ensure the right to vote for all Americans and protect our fragile democracy.

What happened to the conscience of the 16 current Republican senators who the last time voted for the Voting Rights Act and currently remain in the Senate?

The slim Republican majorities in many state legislatures, such as Arizona, rule by simple majority and do not compromise with their Democrat colleagues since no filibuster rule exists at the state level.

Your stubbornness on the issue of holding dear to the filibuster, which was used historically to block civil rights legislation by southern Democrats, is simply illogical.

Michael Hamant, MD

East side

Annexation promises?

Re: the Nov. 22, 2020 article Proposed 170-home project on west side drawing critics.

Twenty-two plus months and counting. On the southwest corner of West 36th Street and South La Cholla Boulevard (60 acres) we neighbors have been fighting to retain our current zoning condition of 36,000 square feet minimum parcel size promised at annexation in 1979. There have been several meetings and many high-density Flexible Lot Development (FLD) site plans proposed  even a possibility of part of the 60 acres being preserved as a desert park. This area has large lots, mostly single-story homes, and borders natural areas of Kennedy and Tucson Mountain parks. The meetings have included carefully designed questions that do not address the core issue: The annexation promise. Some impacts of this proposed FLD to the surrounding neighbors include a wall of densely packed two-story heat island dwellings, increased street congestion, more downstream flooding, and destruction of more than 1,000 saguaros and 1,500 Pale Verde trees.

What will the Mayor and Councils decision on Feb. 8 mean for future annexations and their conditional promises?

Abreeza Zegeer

West side

I have heard this story before

Re: the Jan. 16 article Funding Tucsons transportation future.

Reading Mayor Romeros op-ed regarding the RTA reminded me of growing up and working in the Seattle-King County area watching the region struggle with regional issues, especially the pollution of Lake Washington. Cities and sewer districts were discharging effluent directly into the lake, making it unsafe to swim.

Leaders responded with a Federation of Governments (called Metro) made up of cities, sewer districts and the county to clean up the lake. New treatment plants were built and the lake was soon swimmable again. After this success, Metro assumed additional responsibilities and the Metro Council grew to 42 members who gradually began raising equity issues and creating dissension.

In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that governing boards where members did not represent equal populations violated the one person, one vote requirement of the U.S. Constitution. Metro did not comply, was dissolved and its responsibilities were assumed by King County. Metro was a success whose time had passed.

I wonder if the RTA is on the same path.

Michael Mulcahy

Northeast side

Cameras in classrooms

Re: the Jan. 11 article Ducey explains state of the state.

As a retired teacher, I have a suggestion that would not cost anything and would be better than cameras in classrooms, as one of our legislators has proposed. Instead of watching video streaming classrooms from afar, those parents could better spend their time by volunteering to help in their childrens classrooms. They could be there in person, not just to observe, but to act as a teacher aide. I believe that many teachers would appreciate the help in their overcrowded classes. I know that I would have. Furthermore, hearing that so many schools are finding a lack of substitutes, perhaps each legislator could find a day a month to sub in their local schools. That would give them an on-site view of what is really being taught and what is really happening in our underfunded schools.

Vicky Konecky

East side

Voting rights

I think Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas willingness to shoot down Democrats efforts to secure voting rights for all Americans while turning a blind eye to Republicans gerrymandering and rigging voting in their favor indicates shes on the same page as Donald Trump, Reps. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar and Sen. Mitch McConnell. If she cant see that, shes living in a fantasy world; if she can see it, but doesnt care, Democrats are living in one by voting for her.

Jim Dreis

East side

Courage of senators

No one can deny that Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas recent action to not modify the filibuster rule is an act of political courage. It takes courage to go against your party, and the majority of your constituents, to speak out about what you think is right. The question as I see it is: will any other senator show the same courage? Are all 50 Republican senators against voting rights; do all really believe that the election was stolen and that there is wide-spread voter fraud? Are the Jan. 6 demonstrators really patriots? Is pandering to your party more important than upholding your oath to protect and defend the Constitution? Time will tell.

Ronald Nowicki

Green Valley

Ward 1 forcing high-density housing in our neighborhood

Have you felt railroaded at a public meeting on a new Flexible Lot Development (FLD) project that doesnt belong in your neighborhood? We recently attended the public meeting Councilwoman Lane Santa Cruz hosted, before it comes to a vote of Mayor and Council on Feb. 8. We were told we could only make comments on this project that day and at the Mayor and Council meeting Jan. 11. But we were discouraged at this meeting from making comments with And whats your question for the facilitator? We were told our neighborhood had already had plenty of time; it was the developers time. Then our Councilperson told us we didnt represent the ethnic mix (80% Hispanic)...we werent who she wanted to hear from.

We Tucsonans have a common problem. FLD descends on settled neighborhoods with housing that is unfriendly to the community. Please support us with a call to your councilperson and we will do the same for you. Tell them NO to the permit C9-81-45C at West 36th Street and South La Cholla Boulevard.

Marta Lynne

West side

Sinema, get rid of the filibuster

I am disheartened to learn of Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas refusal to support President Bidens plan to change the filibuster. I believe the abuse of the filibuster by the Senate Republicans is a betrayal of the American people, who overwhelmingly support the presidents agenda. Sinema was elected as a Democrat in Arizona. Her failure to support the Democratic agenda flies in the face of your constituents who, like me, are anxious to see progress for our country. She has let me down. She has let Arizonans down. She has let her country down.

The peoples work will never get done as long as the filibuster exists as it does today. I urge Sen. Sinema to reverse her decision and support the presidents agenda. I proudly voted for her in 2018 but if she continues to block the progress of these initiatives, I will not vote for her again.

Diana Smith

Catalina

Sinema limited if not reelected

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema cant serve her corporate donors if shes not reelected. I think we all recognize and understand that Sinema is more responsive to her corporate donors than to her constituents.

Whether she believes that the corporate mega-donors economic views are best for the country or not, her preference is clear.

However, she will not be able to represent mega-donors interests if she is not re-elected. She will not be re-elected if she does not pass voting rights legislation.

The current filibuster rules, sadly, are broken. They allow a single person to have absolute veto power.

Requiring 30-40 objectors to be present is not an excessive burden.

Should Sinema continue her present course, her mega donors will suffer  and by default, she will, too.

Her future wealth and influence depend on your response.

David Brooke Hatfield

Oracle

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Kitchen 27, the restaurant space inside the Philbrook Museum of Art, will host a unique meal of foods from around the world, overseen by globe-trotting Tulsa chef Shannon Smith.

The six-course meal will feature dishes from countries including Mexico, India and Greece, as Chef Smith describes some of her favorite memories of each country. A wine flight for the meal will also be available.

The dinner will take place Friday, Jan. 28, at the museum, 2727 S. Rockford Road. A cocktail meet-and-greet event will begin at 5 p.m., with dinner service beginning promptly at 6:10 p.m.

Cost is $80 per person, and reservations are required. 918-749-7941, philbrook.org.

Girl Scout cookie sales begin Jan. 22

Cookie lovers now have nine flavors from which to choose when the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma kick off its annual cookie sale Jan. 22. Try the new Adventurefuls Cookie  a brownie-inspired cookie with a caramel-flavored creme filling and a hint of sea salt.

Other flavors available include such classics as Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Trefoils and Lemon-Ups, which are $5 per box. Specialty cookies such as Toffee-tastic, which are gluten-free, and Smores, which are organic and non-GMO, are $6 each.

The eight-week cookie sale begins with online stores opening Jan. 22. Girls should have cookies in stock for in-person sales by Feb. 1.

To purchase Girl Scout Cookies this season if you dont know a Girl Scout: Visit girlscoutcookies.org, text COOKIES to 59618, or use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for free on iOS or Android devices to find cookie booths available in your area.

A new option this year allows customers to purchase cookies to be delivered to their doorstep beginning Feb. 11 through DoorDash (deliveries only available Friday and Saturday evenings in the Tulsa area).

Duet Wine Dinner

Duet, 108 N. Detroit Ave., will host its first wine dinner of 2022, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, featuring French wines from Kermit Lynch to accompany the menu created by chef Tuck Curren.

The menu begins with a shrimp and mushroom crepe in a mornay sauce, followed by roast leg of duck with lentils in a mustard sauce. The entree is a seared steak with peppercorn sauce and fries, with chocolate mousse and Grand Marnier whipped cream for dessert.

Cost is $50 per person. Reservations are required. 918-398-7201, duetjazz.com.

Bonefish Grill winter specials

Celebrate the New Year with seasonal specials at Bonefish Grill, 4651 E. Kenosha St., in Broken Arrow. Specials include Rockefeller Butterfish, a filet of Alaskan Sablefish topped with creamy spinach and jumbo lump crab, and the Baja Scallops and Shrimp Scampi Pasta.

Also available for a limited are the Winter White Cosmo, made up of Reyka Vodka, Cointreau, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, white cranberry juice, fresh lime juice and topped with frozen cranberries, and Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert. For more: bonefishgrill.com.

What the Ale: Cabin Boys Brewery gets a grain silo

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OKLAHOMA CITY  As more and more schools go to distance learning in the wake of the latest COVID-19 surge, Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday announced a plan to let state employees serve as substitute teachers.

Stitt signed an executive order directing state agencies to create mechanisms for state employees to substitute teach. The order is effective for 120 days.

We expect state employees to be mobilized tomorrow and be reaching out to the school districts, the governor said. That is our intent.

The governor has criticized schools for not having an in-person option for instruction, saying students suffer mentally and academically without it.

State employees would not be paid a substitute teaching rate but would still be paid by their respective agencies, said Steven Harpe, the states chief operating officer.

Oklahoma has 32,000 state employees, Stitt said.

The governor was asked about critics who suggest that the state employees will be merely babysitters.

No. 1, we know that the best solution is our wonderful teachers across the state, in-person teaching young people, Stitt said. The second-best thing is obviously the substitute teachers.

Kids are home alone when parents have to go to work, the governor said, and he would much rather have students in the classroom and believes most parents would agree with him.

State employees would have to pass a background check to be placed in a classroom, said Ryan Walters, education secretary.

Walters came under criticism last week for social media remarks he made saying schools werent doing enough to keep in-person learning a viable option.

Chad Warmington, State Chamber CEO and president, said his group also has launched a program to allow members of the business community to substitute teach in schools.

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said the gesture of flooding schools with untrained volunteers is a meager effort.

We all agree the best place for our students is for schools to be open, Hofmeister said. I appreciate that Stitt has finally recognized this crisis. Unfortunately, he has brought a cup of water to a raging fire. This is not leadership. This is political.

Hofmeister recently announced that she is switching parties to Democrat from Republican to run for governor. Stitt, a Republican, is seeking reelection. Walters, also a Republican, is running for state superintendent.

Like many Oklahomans, I have more questions than answers after the press conference, Hofmeister said. If the governor had consulted with the State Department of Education, he would know that substitute teachers require an FBI criminal background check that takes four to six weeks to complete.

El Reno Superintendent Craig McVay said it was noteworthy that the governor was not flanked by a throng of school district leaders and teachers in making his announcement on Tuesday because they were looking yesterday afternoon for people to stand on that podium from public schools to say how wonderful an idea that was.

For McVay, the executive order is a slap in the face and of little help, practically speaking, to schools overrun by employee and student illnesses right now.

Twenty months ago if the governor would have not stuck his head in the sand and said, `Hey, what can we do to help our schools deal with this? and to put out the APB for help then, that would have been nice. Im flabbergasted, said McVay.

Anyone who volunteers in our district is subject to state law, which requires a federal background check showing 10 years with no felonies, for anyone to be around children. There is an absolute barrier to just calling in mom and pop off the streets, McVay said.

Its about 60 days from the time we submit paperwork to when we get the background check back.

In El Reno, the school district already had a dedicated corps of background-checked substitutes from long-standing agreements with the local police and fire unions, as well as a local ministers alliance.

On top of leaning on all of that outside help, El Reno Public Schools has had every central office administrator, including McVay, plus every principal, assistant principal, counselor and secretarial staffer substituting in classrooms for absent teachers  and that has resulted in 100% of them testing positive for COVID after substituting.

Its not like that we arent doing everything we can because we dont believe its better for us to be face to face with our kids. We have the same belief Gov. Stitt has about that, McVay said. Todays press conference did not help us. There are no state employees that want to get in that Petri dish, and I dont blame them.

Asked what he would tell Stitt if asked what help was needed, McVay responded: Trust.

Let us determine locally  seriously locally  when we can and cannot be in person based on whether or not we have the number of adults needed to take care of kids. And honor that decision as if you were sitting in that room with us, he said.

Trust us  we prefer to be face to face because we know its better. And get out of our way.

In a prepared statement, Jenks Public Schools officials said they appreciate anyone who is willing to be a substitute teacher and are grateful to community members who have stepped up to serve so far.

Asking state employees to substitute could be helpful, but there are still unanswered questions about how volunteers will be mobilized to districts across the state, the statement reads. Teachers are not a disposable resource. Teachers are highly qualified professionals, and they cannot simply be replaced. At JPS, in-person learning has always been the priority, and we believe a professional educator is still the most effective leader for a classroom.

Tulsa Public Schools released a statement saying that the pandemic has exacerbated Oklahomas longstanding teacher shortage and state funding challenges. The district is once again pleading for all Tulsans to do what they can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to maximize students opportunities for in-person instruction.

While we are grateful that Oklahoma is recognizing the critical need for substitutes across the state, we are also mindful that Oklahoma has quite a long way to go to meaningfully invest in our public education system, the statement reads. Time and time again, weve seen what Tulsans can do when we come together to support our educators, and substitute teaching is a great opportunity for any Tulsan to make a meaningful difference for our children and families.

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Barbara Hoberock Capitol Bureau Writer I have covered the Oklahoma Legislature since 1994. I cover politics, appellate courts, state agencies and the governor. I have worked for the Tulsa World since 1990. Phone: 405-528-2465 Follow Barbara Hoberock 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
BROKEN ARROW  A standing-room-only crowd of Broken Arrow residents opposing the proposed Bells Amusement Park raised their concerns to the Broken Arrow City Council Tuesday night.

The crowd filled the council chambers, and an overflow room itself was overflowing, with a group of people lining the doorway into the hall.

The amusement park proposal was not on the agenda, so the people speaking about the park did so during the public comment portion of the meeting. No action from the City Council could be taken on the issue, but City Manager Michael Spurgeon did speak on the subject after residents were finished.

Eight residents spoke against the plan to build a new Bells Amusement Park in east Broken Arrow, and one person spoke in favor of it.

Linda Montgomery, who lives near the proposed site, presented a petition signed by area residents opposed to the amusement park.

Montgomery said the petition came from members of the Community Watch Team of Broken Arrow.

We hereby protest and oppose and forbid the heavy commercial development of a 102-acre amusement park located at 71st Street to 81st Street east of the Creek Turnpike to 212th East Avenue, Broken Arrow, Montgomery read from the petition.

We oppose and forbid the proposed 102-acre park, which encroaches on multiple neighborhoods of over 1,000 Broken Arrow homeowners.

She said the park would affect those homeowners property values, livelihoods, and mental and physical health, as well as would lead to increased crime and the destruction of wildlife in the area.

An increase in homes for sale in the affected neighborhoods already shows the damage the park would have on the area, she said, and residents who only recently purchased homes in those neighborhoods were devastated when they learned about the new development.

We the undersigned implore you, each of you, to do what is right, what is just, for thousands of families that would be affected by your decision to move forward with this planned nightmare, she said. Its the wrong location. Its the wrong development for our neighborhoods.

The petition, which was addressed to the City Council as well as to amusement park developer Robby Bell, who was at the meeting, was signed by residents from several neighborhoods in the area of 71st Street and the Creek Turnpike.

Montgomery did not acknowledge or respond to the Tulsa Worlds question after the public comment hearing about how many signatures were on the petition.

The crowd of hundreds at the meeting was overwhelmingly against the proposal, however, as Montgomery received a large round of applause from council chambers and the overflow room.

Other residents who spoke against the proposal largely focused on the potential for crime increase and property value decrease.

Doug Campbell, a former Tulsa police officer and former chief of criminal investigators at the Tulsa County District Attorneys Office, pointed to Orlando, Florida, and said a study published in Justice Quarterly showed crime near Universal Studios, similarly sized to the proposed Bells park, increased 110%.

Johnny Walker also pointed out areas around large amusement parks and their crime rates.

Using crimegrade.org as his reference, Walker said the ZIP codes around Frontier City in Oklahoma City, Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri, and Six Flags over Texas in Arlington, Texas, all had crime ratings of D or below.

Crime Grade shows Frontier Citys ZIP code, 73131, has a rating of C plus, while the others all do have D ratings.

The ZIP code of the proposed park site, 74014, has a B-plus rating, and Walker said that would be lost if Bells is allowed to develop there.

Property values would also take a hit, Stephanie Williams said. The people around the site would lose property value, affecting property taxes that go to Broken Arrow Public Schools, the county and the citys general obligation bonds.

This is not the place; this is not the time, Williams said. Youre taking away your cash cow from your property taxes, which we all here have paid, that support the school, support the city, support the town, support our community, and now youre pulling that out from under us.

Williams advised the council and Bell to move the amusement park to somewhere truly rural and let it develop there.

Then people can decide whether they want to move there or not.

Dropping Bells in my bedroom community gives us no choice, she said. And it will drain BAs cash cow.

A community member named Matt was the lone speaker in favor of the proposed amusement park.

He said that while people against the development claim that the park will lower property values, a study on Coney Island in New York City indicates that property values and development will actually increase.

After Coney Island was created, a residential building that would be the tallest building in Brooklyn at the time was built next to it. The increase in development in Broken Arrow would bring in jobs, which would attract young people to the city, he said.

Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon said the city and the council will take all the residents concerns seriously and weigh those factors while the proposal is considered.

Since the land is already zoned for heavy commercial, which an amusement park would require, the city has to go through the process of considering this development, City Councilor Scott Eudey said.

Councilors have no legal way to object to the development even if they wanted to, since no zoning changes would be needed, but, Eudey said, the city can make sure the amusement park follows all ordinances and city laws if it were to proceed.

Speaking directly to Bell, Spurgeon said the council and he share the same concerns about the project.

I can assure you, the council members and I  this is for you, Mr. Bell, Spurgeon said. We have the exact same concerns you do about traffic, about storm water and about other impacts your potential development and your partners can have on our community.

And while this is a tremendous opportunity, this council is going to look at this very seriously because we dont want the storm water to increase on other developments. We dont want crime to increase in the area.

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An aide to County Commissioner Karen Keith described Wednesdays announcement that the federal government would provide $137.4 million to make improvements to the Tulsa levee system as Keiths birthday and Christmas presents all wrapped up in one.

That might have been an understatement.

Keith  joined in Washington by Sen. Jim Inhofe  has been championing the project since she took office in 2008.

Inhofe did not vote for the legislation that wound up funding the project. The money is coming from a disaster recovery appropriation that was part of a continuing resolution passed by Congress at the end of September. Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole was the only member of the states delegation to vote for that measure.

None of us knew this was coming, just so you know, Keith said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. This is the day we have all waited for.

The long-sought-after dollars will pay for new relief wells, water pumps, detention ponds and 13 miles of filtered berms with toe drains in the levee system. Plans also call for constructing a cutoff wall at the Superfund site in Sand Springs to prevent unsafe materials from leaching into the Arkansas River.

Im numb, Todd Kilpatrick, Drainage District 12 levee director, said prior to the press conference . Ive waited over a decade for this moment right here, and its surreal.

Dawn Rice, who will oversee the project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said construction will be done in four phases, with initial work expected to begin next summer.

That may not be continuous throughout the next couple of years, but that is when we will have our first contract, Rice said. We expect it to be awarded by then.

Keith praised Inhofe, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and everyone else who advocated for the project.

This is a very good day to be a Tulsan, and I say hurrah to that, she said.

Inhofe issued a press release thanking all those who made Wednesdays announcement possible.

This has been a priority of mine for as long as I can remember, and I am grateful for the tireless work of Army Corps Chief of Engineers Lt. General Spellmon, his predecessor Lt. General Semonite, as well as Brig. Gen. Beck, Col. Preston and their staff, Inhofe said. I also want to thank District 2 Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith and District 12 Levee Commissioner Todd Kilpatrick for their years of work  they have been in the trenches with me on this for more than a decade. This is a very good day to be a Tulsan.

The Tulsa-west Tulsa levee system, completed in 1945, stretches from Sand Springs east to Southwest Boulevard.

The levee repairs were one of 500 projects totaling $14 billion that the Biden administration announced Wednesday would receive funding through the Corps. The Corps will pay the entire cost of the project up front. Once it is completed, local government entities will have 30 years to repay the 35% of the project cost for which they are responsible.

Rich Brierre, executive director of the Indian Nations Council of Governments, noted that it is highly unusual for a project such as the levee repairs to be funded in such a short period of time.

With projects of this magnitude, it is an incredibly short period of time to go from authorization of a project to fully funded in about five years, Brierre said. It often takes decades.

Brierre said that more than 10,000 people live behind the levees, with that many people or more working and attending school in the protected areas. The land includes more than 4,000 commercial, residential and government parcels valued at approximately $2 billion.

Mayor G.T. Bynum has been working with Keith to secure funding for the levees since he was a city councilor. Citing the 2019 floods as an example, he gave a vivid account of why the reconstruction and repair project is so desperately needed.

You had personnel from the National Guard 24 hours a day whose sole job was to walk up and down these levees and look for boils that were the first sign of a failure in the levee, and we were literally calculating how we can get TPD out into neighborhoods to tell people that they would have maybe 10 minutes to get out of their house before it would be flooded, Bynum said.

I mean, those were the situations that we were running through in our minds and preparing for because of the state of our levees. That is why today is such a big day.

Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, said it has been an honor to work with local partners to advance the project. The chamber for years has included funding for the levees on its OneVoice regional legislative agenda.

On behalf of the chamber and the regional business community, we are so delighted to celebrate this important victory, and we want to thank each and every one who has worked so hard together to achieve this, Neal said.

2019 video: Levee secured during Tulsa flood

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The Oklahoma State Election Board counted 2,218,374 registered voters on Jan. 15 following the boards biennial deletion of inactive registrations.

That compares to 2,090,107 on the same date in 2020, an increase of 6.1%.

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Just over half the registrations  50.6%  are Republican, with the rest divided among Democrats, Libertarians and independents.

Only the Democratic total declined from 2020 to 2022.

Statewide, registered Republicans increased from just over 1 million two years ago to 1.12 million. The number of registered independents increased from 332,111 to 381,088 and Libertarians from 11,171 to 17,981.

Democratic registration declined from 738,256 to 696,723.

The statewide registrations follow a decades-long trend.

Tulsa County registrations totaled 367,526, up 6.4% from two years earlier with all four registration categories gaining.

Tulsa County Republican registrations were 179,364 on Jan. 15, compared to 172,917 on that date in 2020. Democratic registrations went from 113,958 to 116,988; independents from 56,627 to 67,916; and Libertarians from 1,885 to 3,258.

Voter registration lists are constantly updated with new, canceled and changed registrations, but the deletion of registrations deemed inactive is a more complicated process. That, and the cyclical nature of elections, causes registration numbers to rise and fall in two-year and four-year cycles.

At 2,272,252, registrations were actually higher across the board a year ago, two months after the 2020 presidential election. At that time there were 1.14 million Republicans, 748,222 Democrats, 369,349 independents and 15,734 Libertarians.

In Oklahoma, primary elections are exclusive to registered party members, though parties can choose to allow independent voters. Democrats opted to open their primary to independents in 2022 and 2023, as they have in previous elections. Republicans did not.

A recent Oklahoma Watch story quoted Erika Wright, an administrator of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition Facebook group with more than 6,000 members, as encouraging others to switch parties in order to be able to vote in the Republican primary for state superintendent of education.

So far, no Democrat has filed for that race.

Every congressional seat and all major state elective offices in Oklahoma are held by Republicans.

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The COVID-19 wave is overwhelming Oklahoma hospitals and hurting patient care, and health leaders are pleading for the publics help as some patients are unable to get the care they need in a timely fashion.

A rural Oklahoma hospital couldnt find a place  in state or out  to transfer to a higher level of care a patient whose kidneys began to fail because of COVID-19.

The person died in that rural hospital, said Dr. Dale Bratzler, the University of Oklahomas chief COVID officer, after the physician had reached out to five hospitals in five states in an effort to find an intensive-care bed.

I know this particular physician did call Tulsa and all the hospitals and couldnt find a bed for the patient across Oklahoma and went to other states looking for a bed, Bratzler said. I just think thats becoming increasingly common.

Several hospital and public health leaders on Tuesday described how overburdened the states hospital system is  not just health care worker shortages but medical supplies too  from the omicron variant-fueled wave, in two separate virtual updates with reporters.

This time it feels and sometimes even looks like a warzone, said Dr. Julie Watson, chief medical officer for Integris Health.

Watson hosted a joint briefing with the Oklahoma City areas three other hospital systems to urge compassion and compliance to slow the spread of the disease and help exhausted health care workers.

She said patients are housed in hallways and sometimes closets as emergency rooms are overflowing and wait times can exceed 24 hours for an intensive-care bed. Supply chain issues periodically create shortages of saline, syringes, test tube setups or IV flushes. Surgeries are being canceled.

Patti Davis, the Oklahoma Hospital Associations president, said during the regular Healthier Oklahoma Coalitions COVID briefing that the latest surge feels like the worst one yet.

Davis said Oklahoma hospitals are in need of not only medical professionals but personnel to move patients, clean environments and offer food service  basic operational needs. Some CEOs and other administrators are stepping up to help fill those holes.

My biggest concern right now is how long is it going to take until we peak and what that looks like, Davis said. This is concerning. Its the heartbreak of asking our health care professionals and others to just hang on, hang on  we dont know when that peak will occur.

Were hoping that it happens sooner rather than later, but this feels certainly worse than the other two situations  of surges that weve been through to date.

Integris also has hospitals in Grove and Miami in northeastern Oklahoma, and Watson said the situation is dire across the state  not just Oklahoma City.

There really is no ICU margin whatsoever that Watson is aware of in Oklahoma.

And its not just COVID patients who are negatively affected.

Watson highlighted individuals who need dialysis to filter their blood because their kidneys cant.

Dialysis absolutely is a regional crisis right now, Watson said. It is horrifying, actually, the number of patients that are in desperate need. And we, frankly, may be able to get machines, but that doesnt mean that we have the staff that know how to run them.

And our alternative requires ICU level of care if we dont have dialysis machines.

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday said the state feels like were about peaked and coming down the other side of it, though no medical or public health expert shared his viewpoint during their own separate media briefings.

Bratzler said Oklahoma is a good week to 10 days behind the East Coast and that he expects the state trends to continue upward.

Stitt said more patients with other reasons for hospital admission are coming into hospitals with COVID rather than because of the disease. The percentage of COVID patients requiring intensive care has dropped to the low 20s from historical averages around 33%, according to state data.

However, unspoken was that COVID-positive patients still soak up more hospital resources than average and require isolation to protect health care workers and other patients.

The good news with omicron is it doesnt seem to be as dangerous as far as going to the hospital, Stitt said, later acknowledging that some people do get very sick with it. Our hospital numbers are not as high as they were back in January (2021).

While it is accurate to say that COVID hospitalizations arent as high as in the winter surge a year ago, the governors comment left out context. Vaccines werent widely available at that point, and more caregivers were available to treat patients.

The states COVID hospitalizations right now are nearing the delta waves high from the summer, when vaccine was plentiful and many people were newly vaccinated. But fewer caregivers remain in the profession than a year ago, creating capacity crunches at lower hospitalization peaks.

For example, the four Oklahoma City hospital systems say they now have 300 fewer staffed beds than a year ago.

And Watson said the four systems estimate more than 1,000 of their health care workers are unable to come to work currently because they are in quarantine, isolation or homebound to watch children as schools move to virtual learning because of how widespread the disease is.

Despite their best efforts, Watson said, hospitals arent able to care for patients the way they normally do as staffing shortages have nearly crippled our already limited staff, similar to the staffing problems at airlines and schools.

We cant accept patients from rural hospitals. Those patients need us, Watson said. They need our doctors, our clinicians, and they cant come. We are telling you this because you need to know. This is not our choice; this is not what we want.

Weve canceled surgeries; weve pulled in our own workers from nonclinical areas to clean your rooms, to deliver trays, to open supplies on our loading docks, and we are still struggling. We cant cancel flights, and we cant go remote. Our doors are open 24 hours a day.

Featured video: 63,000 COVID deaths could be prevented by doubling booster shot rate in U.S.

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At a time of pandemic-driven gloom and relentless Republican-driven doom, President Joe Biden is already a flop.

Thats the shrill, orchestrated and nonstop message from GOP lawmakers and conservative commentators, who  as weve learned  now work in coordinated concert.

Just one year into his presidency, Biden is deemed a failure in these circles; he and his aides incompetent. His approval ratings appear to lend support to these verdicts as they hover under 45%  a level his detractors, however, never note is still well above the 35% reading of his immediate predecessor after one year, which was by far the lowest in the almost eight-decade history of presidential polling.

Presidential approval ratings, in any event, are fickle. Jimmy Carters rating after one year was 8 points higher than that of Ronald Reagan at the same point, yet Reagan was overwhelmingly reelected while Carter was defeated  by Reagan. President George H.W. Bush stood at 71% approval after his first year, only to be ushered from office by Bill Clinton three years later.

Like every other of the 45 previous presidents, Biden has made some mistakes in his inaugural year. His withdrawal from Afghanistan was precipitous, though it was tied to Donald Trumps February 2020 deal promising a full withdrawal within 15 months and based on laughable promises from the Taliban.

Bidens opposition to continuing the U.S. 20-year war was longstanding and consistent. A more careful withdrawal from Afghanistan would have taken advantage of the clear majority of Americans  60-plus percent when Biden took office  who supported leaving the country.

Despite his own mistakes and the Republicans calculated, cynical opposition, Biden has accomplished a lot in one year:

He signed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill into law in November, providing tens of millions of dollars to improve roads, bridges, public transit, broadband access and other core needs. Trump had campaigned on even bigger infrastructure investment but never overcame Republican opposition.

Biden last March signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill. Not a single Republican lawmaker voted for it, yet a number quickly put out releases boasting of bringing home federal funds. Such cowardly hypocrisy echoes the uniform GOP opposition to Obamacare in 2010 by Republican lawmakers who now pretend theyve always supported insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, the historic laws central feature.

The United States rejoined the Paris Accords last February, in line with the two-thirds of Americans who view climate change as a serious problem  and even with the two-fifths of deeply concerned Republicans. Bidens opponents dont view this as an accomplishment, but as with so many conservative stances over the years (see their initial opposition to Social Security, Medicare, Obamacare, landmark laws for clean water and air, to name just a few), the public, and history, are not on their side.

The Senate has confirmed 40 federal judges nominated by Biden, more than in any presidents first year since Reagan in 1981. This is the surest sign that Biden isnt the radical socialist Republicans claim as they trot out the tired cliche theyve used against every Democratic president since FDR.

Yes, the inflation rate is 7%. No one likes paying more for goods, yet that rate is hardly at the soaring or exploding level Republicans claim. And prices are increasing amid some positive economic signs: the unemployment rate has dropped from 6.3% when Biden took office to 3.9%. The gross domestic product last year was just shy of 5%, the best since 1984. It was less than 1% in 2020, Trumps last year in office. The economy added almost 6 million jobs last year, more than in any previous presidents first year.

Ninety-nine percent of schools are open, compared with 46% when Biden took office.

Biden has reinstated the ban on federal executions and ended the Trump-era ban on transgender service members.

In our current hyper-partisan politics, Democrats and Republicans, progressives and conservatives, will differ on whether all these changes are accomplishments and whether the uniformly positive ones are thanks to Biden.

Yet it is impossible to look at them as a whole and say, unless youre following the rote Republican script, that they represent a prematurely failed presidency. Democrats, typically more modest than Republicans, might even use the S-word and start saying its pretty darn successful.

James Rosen, a former Washington Bureau reporter for McClatchy Newspapers, wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Tuesday attended the inauguration ceremony of the Hanh Phuc rice mill, located in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang.

The mill is considered the biggest of its kind in Asia.

Tan Long Group, the owner of the plant, held the ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.

The Hanh Phuc rice factory was built on an area of 161,000 square meters in Tri Ton District, An Giang.

Its prime location will contribute significantly to reducing the time and cost of transporting fresh rice from the field to the factory and ensuring ideal conditions of the crop, according to Truong Sy Ba, chairman of Tan Long Group.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (center) shakes hands with agricultural engineer Ho Quang Cua at the inauguration ceremony of the Hanh Phuc rice mill in An Giang Province, Vietnam, January 18, 2022. Photo: Buu Dau / Tuoi Tre

All of the factorys technological solutions were imported from Europe, including a system of rice drying and storage developed by SKIOLD Group in Denmark, a rice processing system from Buhler in Switzerland, and many other types of accompanying equipment imported and synchronized with EU standards from Italy, Germany, and Poland.

Its daily capacity reaches 1,000 metric tons of processed rice.

In his remarks at Tuesdays ceremony, State President Phuc said the mill plays an important role as it helps to create new value added for the domestic rice sector.

He said An Giang should continue to form large-scale paddy fields, promote production chains, and encourage startups in agriculture to raise productivity, production value, and income for farmers.

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The United Nations is preparing to carry out relief operations for Tonga at a distance to avoid a COVID-19 outbreak in the Pacific island nation reeling from a volcanic eruption and tsunami, an official said on Wednesday.

All the homes on one of Tonga's small outer islands have been destroyed and three people have died, the government said in its first statement after Saturday's devastating eruption which it called "an unprecedented disaster".

With communications badly hampered by the severing of an undersea cable, information on the scale of the devastation so far has mostly come from reconnaissance aircraft.

Fiji-based United Nations co-ordinator Jonathan Veitch said in a media briefing that the agency will conduct most operations remotely, and may not send personnel to the island.

"We believe that we will be able to send flights with supplies. We're not sure that we can send flights with personnel and the reason for this is that Tonga has a very strict COVID-free policy," Veitch said.

Tonga is one of the few countries that is COVID-19 free and an outbreak there would disastrous, he said. The tiny island nation has 90% immunisation coverage both in adults and also younger people over the age of 12, Veitch said.

"They've been very cautious about opening their borders like many Pacific islands, and that's because of the history of disease outbreaks in the Pacific which has wiped out societies here."

The U.N. has 23 people on the ground plus other international NGOs to help with relief efforts, Veitch said.

He said the World Health Organization would start a discussion with the government "in a cautious manner, but we won't be doing anything to threaten the safety of their protocols and the safety of their population in terms of COVID."

James Garvin, chief scientist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, said the force of the eruption was estimated to be equivalent to five to 10 megatons of TNT, an explosive force more than 500 times the nuclear bomb dropped by the United States on Hiroshima, Japan, at the end of World War Two.

An eruption occurs at the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai off Tonga, January 14, 2022 in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Video recorded January 14, 2022. Tonga Geological Services/via Reuters

Clean up underway

The Tongan government has started evacuating stranded residents in some outlying areas. Water supply has been "seriously affected" by volcanic ash and is a major concern, the prime minister's office said in its statement late on Tuesday.

Tonga is expected to issue formal requests for aid soon but in the meantime New Zealand and Australian ships have set off with water supplies, survey teams and helicopters.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at a news conference in Canberra that he hoped to speak with Tonga Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni later on Wednesday.

"It is a very difficult environment to be operating in, the ash clouds and things of that nature. Our defence forces have stood up their operation and are deploying as necessary, as directed," Morrison said.

The island is still largely offline after the volcano took out the sole undersea fire-optics communication cable, which may take weeks to repair.

Limited communications had been established through satellite phones and other means in Tongatapu, but the outlying areas remained cut off.

Tongan communities abroad posted new images received from families back home on Facebook, giving a glimpse into the extent of the devastation.

The images show homes reduced to rubble, fallen trees, cracked roads and sidewalks and ash from the volcanic eruption spread across the entire island.

Clearing the airport runway of ash is a priority for the government. The archipelago's main Fuaamotu International Airport was not damaged but the ash was having to be manually removed.

"We thought that it would be operational yesterday, but it hasn't been fully cleared yet because more ash has been falling," U.N.'s Veitch said.

Tsunami waves reaching up to 15 metres hit the Haapia island group, where Mango is located, and the west coast of Tongas main island, Tongatapu, the prime minister's office said. Residents were being moved to evacuation centres as 56 houses were destroyed or seriously damaged on that coast.

Atata and Mango are between about 50 km and 70 km from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, which sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean when it erupted with a blast heard 2,300 km (1,430 miles) away in New Zealand.

Australia and New Zealand have promised immediate financial assistance to Tonga.

The U.S. Agency for International Development approved $100,000 in immediate assistance to support people affected by volcanic eruptions and tsunami waves.
You have to throw it away the instant you light it, or else youll lose your hand, said a seller of firecrackers to a girl named Chau on January 6.

She was doing the transaction in Tan Nhut Ward, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. For the 100 tiny firecracker balls, the girl paid VND850,000 (US$37).

The production, purchasing, and burning of firecrackers in Vietnam were officially banned nationwide on January 1, 1995, following a decision by the prime minister then.

However, Vietnamese people still enjoy the sight and sound of firecrackers every year around the Tet, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, holiday.

As Tet starts in early February this year, the smuggling of fireworks has increased again.

Open sales of banned commodities

On January 7, another illegal transaction was carried out in Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province.

Tuan, the seller, demanded VND1.5 million ($66) for a set of firecrackers. He described the products as the 49 model produced in Thailand.

He only sells this model of firecracker within the southern province. For distance buyers, Tuan demands prepayment by bank transfer before shipping the product.

M.A. is one of the 4,000 members of a social network group that commercializes firecrackers, where he introduced a top-notch type for the coming Tet holiday.

In a tutorial video clip and pictures of this firecracker, A. tossed the thing under water for a field test.

He limited its use to distances under 10 meters and warned buyers to keep it away from the underaged and those suffering from a high blood pressure disorder.

A. charged VND1.2 million ($52) for 100 giant ball firecrackers while demanding VND1.3 million ($53) for 50 super giant firecrackers.

After buyers from Ho Chi Minh City make a down payment of VND400,000 ($17.6), they should receive their packages after three to five days via a delivery service.

Dangers from firecrackers

The late evening of December 24, 2021 witnessed a conglomeration of hooligans along National Road 51, in front of the Vedan Vietnam Enterprise Company in Long Thanh District, Dong Nai Province.

They were coming from Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring Binh Duong and Dong Nai Provinces.

The thugs sent continuous strings of fireworks and firecrackers into the sky amid their own shrieking, howling, and motorbike races.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Van Vy, lecturer of criminology from the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, warned of the perils of burning and hand-crafting firecrackers.

It can be deadly to practitioners and cause fires and damage to buildings, assets, and the environment.

Firecrackers can also scare people and affect their mentality, he added.

The expert urged an increased public awareness of the consequences from unlawful owning and lighting of firecrackers in order to prevent unwanted accidents.

Extra efforts should be made by the authorities to curb the smuggling and selling of the banned commodity.

Simultaneously, firecracker advertisements and tutorials on how to make them have to be removed from relevant social networking sites.

Cracking down on smugglers

On January 9, the police force of Duong Minh Chau District in Tay Ninh Province arrested two smugglers carrying illegal fireworks.

The exhibits included four firework stands weighing 6.4 kilograms and nine bags of firecracker balls weighing four kilograms.

On January 4, police officers of District 5, Ho Chi Minh City spotted two illegal transactions and arrested two suspects.

They confiscated a total of 55 kilograms of firecrackers of different sorts.

The arrestees claimed that they had purchased the firecrackers over the Internet and planned to sell them to make a profit.

Do Duc Duong, a 39-year-old resident in Phuoc Long Ward of southern Binh Phuoc Province, was captured on January 1 with 104 kilograms of firecrackers.

An investigation into this case was launched immediately.

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Read what is in the news today:

Politics

-- New interfaces and mobile apps of the Vietnam Government Portal (VGP) and its subsites made their debut on Tuesday.

Society

-- Functional forces in Ho Chi Minh City are investigating a case where a 31-year-old woman is suspected to have used violence against her boyfriends nine-year-old sister in Hoc Mon District.

-- Two Youth Union members of the Hanoi Department of Public Security donated blood to a 59-year-old traffic accident victim in response to a call for help on Facebook on Tuesday.

-- The Peoples Court of Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday sentenced 39-year-old Nguyen Cong Truong, hailing from the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre, to 14 years in prison for raping a ten-year-old-girl several times.

-- Police in Hanoi are investigating a case in which a three-year-old girl in Thach That District has been hospitalized with nine foreign objects that look like nails inside her skull.

Business

-- Vietnams sales of steel products reached 23 million metric tons in 2021, up 17 percent from 2020, according to Nghiem Xuan Da, chairman of the Vietnam Steel Association.

-- Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Tuesday attended the inauguration ceremony of the Hanh Phuc rice mill located in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, with a daily capacity of 1,000 metric tons of processed rice, the biggest in Asia.

-- Da Nang has topped Vietnams provincial Tourism Competitiveness Index, finishing in first place in 2021, the Tourism Advisory Board and the governments Private Economic Development Research Board announced on Tuesday.

Education

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the Ministry of Education and Training to partner with the Ministry of Health to hold a nationwide teleconference pooling feedback from experts, scientists, and localities on a detailed road map to reopening schools and educational establishments nationwide.

Sports

-- Fourteen out of 17 Vietnamese national womens football team players infected with COVID-19 have tested negative for the virus and are ready to take a flight to India on Wednesday for the 2022 AFC Womens Asian Cup.

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The Hanoi administration has decided to cancel a fireworks show meant to ring in the 2022 Lunar New Year (Tet), explaining that the coronavirus is still raging in the capital city.

Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Chu Ngoc Anh announced the cancelation during a teleconference with local districts on Wednesday morning, stating that the decision is part of the citys pandemic prevention and control measures.

The administration recently sought the central governments opinions on the organization of the pyrotechnic display on Lunar New Years Eve.

However, the central government answered that the capital city should not hold such an event, chairman Anh said.

In early January, the Hanoi Peoples Committee announced a plan to organize a high-range pyrotechnic display for 15 minutes at Thong Nhat Park to celebrate the traditional Tet holiday, which is around late January and early February.

It was expected to last from 0:00 to 0:15 on February 1, the first day of the forthcoming lunar year.

The event would be funded by the private sector, according to the scheme.

Local authorities previously scrapped fireworks displays and countdown events intended to usher in the 2022 New Year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebration was done virtually instead.

Last year, Hanoi decided to organize the Lunar New Year fireworks display at only one venue due to the coronavirus.

The capital organized pyrotechnic displays across its 30 districts and towns in previous years.

In a recent directive, the Party Central Committees Secretariat requested localities take the actual situation of local COVID-19 outbreaks into consideration before organizing pyrotechnic displays, which tend to draw large gatherings.

The COVID-19 outbreaks remain unpredictable in Hanoi as around 2,800 to 3,000 new cases have been detected daily over the past week.

The capital city has logged more than 94,300 infections since the fourth wave of the pandemic hit Vietnam on April 27, 2021.

Above 6.5 million out of eight million people in Hanoi have received two vaccine doses, according to the national COVID-19 vaccination portal.

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Police in Hanoi have launched an investigation into a three-year-old girl being hospitalized with nail-like objects in her skull, an abnormal case suspected to have resulted from abuse.

Her mother took the little girl to Thach That District General Hospital on Monday afternoon in a coma and convulsions, with her right arm already in a plaster cast, Dr. Vuong Trung Kien, director of the hospital, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

An X-ray scan of her head later showed nine objects that looked like nails in her skull, Dr. Kien said.

Noticing such unusual signs, we reported to the districts police, the director said, adding that local police officers have summoned a number of related people for inquiry to clarify the case.

An investigation is underway to determine whether the girl was a victim of child abuse, according to Cong An Nhan Dan (Peoples Police) newspaper.

As the patient was in critical conditions and at high risk of mortality, doctors decided to transfer her to Hanoi-based Saint Paul General Hospital for further treatment.

By Tuesday evening, the girl had remained in severe conditions at the hospital, Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reported.

Three months ago, the girl was hospitalized for treatment of pesticide poisoning, and a few months later, she was admitted to hospital again for removal of a foreign object in her digestive tract, Dr. Kien said, citing the girls medical history.

Her right arm broke two weeks before being taken to the Thach That Hospital.

Six days ago, the patient had an earache and was given medicine by her family. Two days later, she vomited several times.

The girl vomited again and began to fall into a coma around 30 minutes before her hospitalization.

The youngest child of the three children of a couple who have divorced, she has lived with her mother after their break-up, according to VOV.

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Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested two suspects who caused a woman to fall and lose consciousness during an attempt to snatch her handbag last weekend.

Officers under the municipal Department of Public Security, in coordination with the police unit in Tan Binh District, captured Phan Minh L., 16, and Ngo Hoang Anh, 18, on Tuesday.

Preliminary information showed that the incident took place in Tan Binh District at around 9:20 pm on January 15.

A man and a woman were standing next to an automobile parked along the street when two men on a motorbike approached and attempted to snatch the womans handbag.

Although they were unable to take the bag, the strong pull caused her to hit her head on the ground and go unconscious.

Ngo Hoang Anh is held at the police station in Ho Chi Minh City in this photo supplied by officers.

The two suspects got away following the incident.

The man and some eyewitnesses later gave the victim first-aid treatment and reported the case to police officers.

Police had collected their statements and reviewed CCTV footage to identify the suspects and facilitate their investigation.

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Health authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have detected three infections of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the community, which are the first of their kind in Vietnam.

The three patients reside in Binh Chanh District, District 11, and Go Vap District, a source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper confirmed on Wednesday morning.

One of these patients is a doctor at a major hospital, the source added.

They previously came into close contact with a Vietnamese woman named P., who returned to Vietnam from the U.S. on January 5.

P. tested negative for COVID-19 prior to her flight from the U.S. and was quarantined at a hotel in south-central Nha Trang City following her arrival.

She tested negative again on January 9 before flying from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City on the next day.

She was picked up by three people  K., H., and T.  at the airport, and they all went to a restaurant afterward.

P. had a sore throat on January 13 while her three direct contacts also showed some symptoms one day later.

The four went to the hospital for a check-up and tested positive for the coronavirus on January 15 and 16.

Their samples were sent to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases for genome sequencing, the results of which showed that K., H., and T. were carrying the Omicron variant.

Health authorities are still waiting for the genome sequencing result of P.s sample.

The four patients are currently in stable conditions.

Prior to the detection of the three cases, Vietnam had documented 70 imported Omicron infections, including 30 cases in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) has been conducting rapid COVID-19 testing on all international arrivals at the citys Tan Son Nhat airport.

If someone tests positive, they will be quarantined and treated at makeshift COVID-19 hospital No. 12 and have their samples collected for genome sequencing to determine the coronavirus variant.

In the community, health workers will conduct mass testing in areas where there is a surge in infections and carry out genome sequencing if necessary to detect and prevent the spread of the Omicron mutant.

The mutant was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of concern on November 26, 2021, two days after it was first reported to the WHO by South Africa.

The strain, which health experts stated appears to be more contagious but less virulent than previous mutants, has now been reported in over 130 countries and territories and has become dominant in many places

Vietnam detected its first imported Omicron patient in late December last year.

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The Tet atmosphere has begun to spread around Ho Chi Minh City, as the 'Tet Viet 2022' festival was recently launched at the city's Youth Culture House, bringing a slew of activities to celebrate the traditional holiday.

According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters, many youngsters and families wore ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) and gathered at the Youth Culture House in District 1 last Sunday morning to take photos with a Tet background.

Two women pose for a photo with a yellow apricot background at the Youth Culture House in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

The event includes a variety of activities, such as folk games, performances by artisans at craft villages, calligraphy writing, traditional Tet foods and beverages, and a 'floating-market-in-the-air' model.

Visitors to the festival can rent ao dai for adults and children to wear for two hours for pictures.

A group of friends in the traditional Vietnamese ao dai pose for a picture at the Youth Culture House in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

Do Thi Huong Giang, a resident of Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, said she enjoyed wearing ao dai and came to the festival to snap photos in the traditional garment.

I had a free weekend, so my friends and I deided to go to the calligrapher's stall and snap pictures while wearing ao dai," Giang shared.

Wearing the traditional long garment of Vietnam gives me a lot of confidence.

"We spend our day creating some Tet memories together.

Visitors are seen at the calligraphy stall at the Tet Viet festival in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

Visitors chose red evelopes for their families at the Tet Viet festival in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

Festival-goers are seen at the calligraphy stall at the Tet Viet festival in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

This photo shows a crowded corner in the yellow apricot scene at the Youth Culture House in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

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This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)
(PA)

Irish police investigating the killing of teacher Ashling Murphy have arrested a second man.

Garda said on Wednesday that the man, aged in his 30s, is being questioned in relation to the potential withholding of information.

The man is being held at a garda station in the east of the country.

Another man remains in custody on suspicion of murdering Ms Murphy in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

The man, who is aged in his 30s, was arrested on Tuesday in Co Offaly.

Irish police said the man is still being questioned at Tullamore Garda station.

The arrest was made after police renewed an appeal for information, saying "significant progress" had been made with their investigation.

The body of Ms Murphy, a talented musician and teacher, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore last Wednesday.

Large crowds gathered in the village of Mountbolus and outside St Brigid's Church, where her funeral was held on Tuesday.

Mourners included Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin.

Vigils have been held across Ireland and the world to remember Ms Murphy and to call for a change in tackling gender-based violence.
The University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of Public Safety has completed the One Mind Campaign pledge to provide mental health training for its officers.

As part of the pledge, started by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), departments commit to have 100% of their officers complete an 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course and 20% receive a 40-hour crisis intervention team (CIT) training. UNG exceeded the second standard substantially, with 35 of its 40 officers taking the CIT course with plans to have the remaining officers finish that training this month.

"Our goal is to connect people with mental health resources without having to make an enforcement action. We want our officers to be able to understand what they're responding to," Greg Williams, UNG chief of police and director of public safety, said. "It emphasizes our commitment to being continual learners."

Professional services Sgt. Trent McGuffey led the effort to train all UNG officers as part of the pledge. Departments usually take between one and three years to hit the targets set by IACP, but UNG moved even more quickly than that after beginning this initiative in May.
A new Texas law that went into effect Tuesday establishes minimum standards of shelter and care for dogs restrained outside and prohibits chains as acceptable restraints.

The new law prohibits tethering unattended dogs outdoors unless they have access to clean water, adequate shelter and protection from excessive animal waste. The law also bans restrictive restraints such as heavy chains, collars that impede breathing and leashes that are less than 10 feet long or less than five times the dogs length.

Supporters of the legislation say it allows animal control officers to stop a dangerous tethering situation before it becomes a cruelty issue and they will not longer have to issue a warning before taking action.

Waco Police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said police and animal control officers work together to assess the severity of a tethered animal situation. While officers have discretion to work with animal owners, first violations of the new law can draw a fine up to $500, while conviction for a subsequent offense can bring 180 days in jail, Shipley said.

Residents concerned about how dogs are tethered or being treated should call city animal control officers at 254-750-1765, not 911, which is reserved for emergencies, Shipley said. Residents also can call the non-emergency number at the Waco Police Department, 254-750-7500, she said. While chains are now prohibited for securing animals, thinner wire tethers are fine, as long as they meet the new criteria and are not too long to allow a dog to jump over a fence and create a choking hazard.

A Waco ordinance in place for years already set requirements similar to the standards in the new state law, but the Waco law did not prohibit chains as long as they met other requirements.

McLennan County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy David Kilcrease said deputies realize many people are not aware of the law change and they will embark initially on an educational campaign to deal with offenders.

To start off with, we will be contacting the homeowners and advising people to change the way they are restraining or handling their animals to comply, Kilcrease said. Many pet owners are not aware of the change in the law. They will be cited if they dont comply with the law, but we will do our best to educate the public. That is always the sheriffs goal, whether it be maintaining pets or the way you drive. The sheriff always prefers to educate people before we start citing them.

Gov. Greg Abbott shocked bill supporters when he vetoed a similar measure after last years regular legislative session. He said its provisions amounted to micromanaging and overcriminalization because animal cruelty laws already protect dogs.

After drawing sharp criticism from dog lovers, Abbott added the topic to the third special session with requested alterations, which were made by lawmakers. Abbott signed the measure into law in October, allowing it to take effect Tuesday.

Jordan Cervantez, operations manager at the Humane Society of Central Texas, said shelter officials offer suggestions to anyone adopting dogs to help them find long-term solutions for properly sheltering and caring for their dogs.

In some limited cases, shelter workers have helped families repair fences or provided dog houses to help people in need.

We are happy to chat with anybody who does not fit these standards and see if there is anything we can do to assist and to help make sure their pets are safely maintained, Cervantez said. We are not able to do any home checks and are not able to vet everyones housing situation. But we are glad to talk to them to help them get there.

Five other laws took effect Tuesday, including three measures that determine the boundaries of districts for the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate and the states congressional delegation.

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You know that feeling when youre riding a fancy brand-new rollercoaster and youre literally being smashed and banged around from side to side and never know what to expect next? Well, as cheesy as it sounds, I can think of no better analogy to describe my college experience  a rollercoast
At the start of this new semester, we face a sobering reality. As law and political science professors, were in new territory: instructing our students about the foundations of constitutional law when neither they nor we have faith that the current Supreme Court will respect precedent and approach the law as the institution once had.

It is now clear that the court, with six conservatives  three appointed by Donald Trump  has a different attitude toward interpreting the Constitution and preserving fundamental rights.

Students see a court about to overrule or gut Roe v. Wade, a half-century-old precedent, for no reason other than that the conservatives have the votes to do so. They see a majority of the justices eager to advance Republican ideology in blocking vaccine or testing requirements for large businesses. They see the conservative majority mandating government aid to religious schools and greatly expanding gun rights, even when it means departing from decades of prior decisions. They see a court with major rulings are issued without briefing and oral arguments on a shadow docket, including 5-4 decisions limiting the power of governors to impose restrictions on religious gatherings to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Todays students arent alone in losing faith in the Supreme Court. A recent Gallup Poll showed the institution at its lowest level of public confidence in decades: Only 40% of Americans approve of the job it is doing and 53% disapprove. There is every reason to think that this is going to get worse and soon. Although two-thirds of the public believe Roe should not be overturned, the court seems poised to do just that this year, further damaging its credibility with a large segment of the public, though it will please the Republican Partys base.

So what should we tell our students? Many are dispirited and cynical because, as far into the future as they can see, this court appears likely to do more harm than good to democracy.

First, we shouldnt hide the reality that judicial decisions often depend on who is on the bench. That has never been more true because the entrenched partisan Senate confirmation process now guarantees that a Supreme Court nominee will be chosen to carry out political and ideological aims. For the first time in American history, the ideology of the justices precisely corresponds to the political party of the president who appointed them. All six conservatives were appointed by Republican presidents and all three liberals were appointed by Democratic presidents.

Until recently, there were moderate liberals, such as John Paul Stevens and David H. Souter, appointed by Republicans, and there were moderate conservatives, such as Byron White and Felix Frankfurter, who had been appointed by Democrats. Trump picked three of the most ideologically conservative judges on the federal bench.

If students are to one day become effective litigators on constitutional rights, they will need to understand the ideologies of the justices interpreting the law. In the past, we certainly discussed the ideology of the justices with our students, but we must focus on it far more now as the ideological differences between the Republican-appointed justices and judges and those appointed by Democratic presidents are greater than they have ever been.

Second, we must remind students that there have been other bleak times in constitutional law when rights were contracted. From the 1890s until 1936, a conservative Supreme Court struck down over 200 progressive federal, state and local laws protecting workers and consumers. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the court refused to stand up to the hysteria of McCarthyism. The current court will not last forever, though it may feel like that to them.

Third, we should direct focus on other avenues for change. Students need to look more to state courts and legislatures, at least in some parts of the country, as a way to advance liberty and equality. For instance, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a law known as the Roe Act, protecting a womans right to abortion under state law, no matter what the Supreme Court decides. We need to teach our students how to use the power of local governments to protect fair housing, public education and public health.

Fourth, we must encourage them to look at the sweep of history. In the early 1960s, almost half the states had Jim Crow segregation laws, there were few women going to law school and every state had a law criminally prohibiting same-sex sexual activity. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was right when he said that the arc of the moral universe is long and it bends toward justice  if we work for it.

There really are just two choices: Give up or fight harder, even if there will be a lot of losses along the way. If we can instill in students a desire to defend justice, even if victory is distant, it will be a good semester, no matter what the Supreme Court decides.

Erwin Chemerinsky is dean of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Jeffrey Abramson is a professor of law and government at the University of Texas at Austin. They wrote this for The Los Angeles Times.
Its been said that in the Southeastern United States, whether your soul is headed for Heaven or Hell, it will have to change planes in Charlotte or Atlanta. Thus is the notoriety of commercial aviations hub-and-spoke system. Regional flights often require you to fly through a hub  and its often faster to just go by automobile  and make it easier to just stay home. This may change with what we call planepooling, and the ideas time may be fast approaching.

Planepooling is like carpooling in the sky. Ubers app has offered a service called UberPool (mostly suspended during COVID-19). You hit the cellphone app, a car arrives, perhaps with another passenger already in the car when you get in. Perhaps he picks another passenger up along the way and, eventually, drops you off where youre headed. It takes a bit longer than a regular Uber, but sharing your ride and relenting a few minutes on speed lowers your fare. Now, lets adapt this idea to flying.

In a recent paper and an accompanying brief, we describe the Nashville-to-Asheville Problem. Suppose you live in the suburbs of Nashville. You need to go to Asheville, North Carolina, around 200 miles east of home, and have two options. First, you can fly via Atlanta  a 6-hour, 20-minute trip, over 4 hours of which are spent in cars or airports. Plus, theres the stress of worrying that youll miss one of your two flights.

Alternatively, you can drive to Asheville in 4 hours, 21 minutes  2 hours fewer than flying. Of course, when driving, you cant nap, read, work or play games as you can when flying. So, in 2021, the non-hub traveler must ask an odd question: Should I drive, or do I have time to fly?

Enter planepooling. In the late 1990s, aviation pioneers Burt Rutan and Bruce Holmes suggested shifting part of commercial aviation to small airplanes (6-to-10 seaters) flying in and out of the hundreds of underused small airports in America. As with UberPool, our traveler taps his cellphone app, scheduling a plane to pick him up at the tiny Smyrna Airport near his home. Boarding is quick; the plane picks up passengers at two local airports in Tennessee and then flies on to Asheville. The trip takes almost exactly the time it would take to drive. The passenger never has to change planes and never worries about missed connections. If you luck out and catch a direct planepool from suburban Nashville to Asheville, the trip takes three hours less than a present-day flight.

When Rutan and Holmes proposed the idea, planepooling wasnt feasible. Jet companies and charter plane companies have sold empty seats for years, but the process was largely manual, inconvenient and expensive. Things have changed. Ridesharing technologies and efficient new planes (some electric and climate-friendly) will make planepooling less expensive. There are more (and wealthier) potential passengers in smaller places because of outmigration from large cities and the rise of telecommuting.

COVID-19 accelerated these trends. The technology is still in progress, and policymakers must act to make planepooling economical. Existing federal aviation subsidy programs need reassessment, and local authorities should urge state and federal leaders to take a permissive view towards new aviation technologies.

Planepooling would likely yield positive effects on smaller communities. Today, an urban dweller or big-city company wishing to move to, say, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, knows the nearest reliable airports (Philadelphia and Baltimore) are more than two hours away  with considerable risk of traffic delays. (For most of the past three decades, Delaware has been the only state with no scheduled airline flights.) No doubt, this immobility deters individuals and companies from moving to Rehoboth. With planepooling, travelers could arrive at and depart from Delaware Coastal Airport, 18 miles away  or perhaps from the smaller airstrips even closer.

This situation isnt limited to Delaware. In thousands of smaller communities across America  perhaps especially in the wide spaces of the West  growth is stunted because air transportation is absent. The result can be depressed real estate prices and limited employment opportunities. Planepooling has the potential to change all of that.

Robert F. Graboyes is a senior research fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where he focuses on technological innovation in health care. Brent Skorup is a senior research fellow with the Mercatus Center, focusing on transportation technology, telecommunications, aviation and wireless policy. They wrote this for InsideSources.com.
WAHOO  Saunders County elected officials are set to receive a significant boost to their salaries, in a move thats meant to keep the county competitive in attracting talent in a crowded job market.

With the deadline to set the salaries looming on Jan. 15, the Saunders County Board of Supervisors entered into executive session at its Jan. 11 meeting to deliberate personnel matters.

Nearly two hours later, the board emerged with new figures that bumped the current base salaries up by more than 12%, with the county officials in attendance expressing their thanks to the board.

We need to stay competitive, said County Treasurer Amber Scanlon. This is much more in line with what Im hearing from counties that are going through this today.

The county attorneys salary will be $104,456, the county sheriff will make $83,979 and the county surveyor will receive $66,000. The county clerk, the county assessor/register of deeds, the clerk of the district court and the county treasurer will each make $72,500, which is up from their previous salaries of $64,394. The county clerk will receive an additional $6,500 per election cycle for serving as the election commissioner.

The base salaries will increase by 3% each year. For the previous eight years, officials salaries saw yearly raises of 1.5%.

Normally, the board would have set the elected officials salaries earlier, but County Clerk Patti Lindgren said the Nebraska Association of County Officials was late in sending its survey of Nebraska county officials salaries. The board needed the survey in order to compare its wages to those of nearby counties.

Board Chairperson David Lutton said that when the board entered executive session, it became clear that Saunders County officials were making much less than those in many comparable counties.

We dont want to be high, we dont want to be low, Lutton said. We want to be competitive and right in the middle of the array for our group (of nearby counties). And in reviewing all this, what we found was that we were considerably behind the other counties.

The salaries, which Nebraska law requires to be reset every four years before the county officials election cycle, had been the subject of concern at recent board meetings, particularly after the board in October approved a $2/hour raise for all employees in the countys law enforcement and corrections department.

That left other county officials scratching their heads as to why one department should receive a raise and the rest should lag behind.

Scanlon spoke in front of the board at its Nov. 23 meeting, expressing her frustration and calling for unilateral wage increases throughout county government.

A letter from Public Defender Thomas Kleins office, signed by multiple county officials, was presented to the board that day, too, which asked that the supervisors strongly consider pay increases not only for the Saunders County Sheriffs Office and the Saunders County Corrections staff, but for all staff members in the other Saunders County offices.

If county employees receive a wage increase, the raise likely will not come until July. But the county board has pledged to conduct a wage study to compare Saunders Countys wages to other nearby counties.

Well have a wage study that basically goes out and determines where all the other counties are and where we should be when we look at pay for all of our employees, Lutton said.

Scanlon said shes satisfied with the pay increase for county officials, but she said she hopes it opens the door to being able to pay her departments employees more.

Its a step in the right direction, she said. Its hard to pay your employees more whenever the county officials arent being paid at a marketable wage.

Sam Crisler is a reporter for the Wahoo Newspaper. Reach him via email at samuel.crisler@wahoonewspaper.com.
PRESS RELEASE  Two international leaders in aviation and Ohio-based companies NetJets and FlightSafety International (FSI)  jointly announced today a six-figure commitment to the non-profit Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center (OAS) through an investment totaling $225,000. This is the first investment of its type.

OAS is in the middle of a multi-phase, multi-million dollar fundraising campaign to renovate the original Port Columbus air terminal and tower into its home. The joint gift from NetJets and FSI will be used to unlock $550,000 with a state matching grant, allowing OAS to begin construction for phase one of its plan. The 12,000-square-foot, three-story structure, dedicated in 1929 and on the National Register of Historic Places, is located on the southeast corner of what is now John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio.

When completed, OAS will recognize NetJets as the presenter for its Founders Walk, a series of exterior public displays heralding the original terminals historic significance and recognizing the key local and national leaders responsible for its creation. NetJets, the worlds largest private jet company, was founded at CMH in 1964 as Executive Jet Aviation (EJA) and originally headquartered in Port Columbus Hangar One, located several hundred feet from the original terminal. EJA co-founder, the late Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbets, Jr., will ultimately be among the individuals honored at OAS.

FSI, the worlds premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, will be recognized as the named presenter for two flight simulator stations planned for OAS, with each station featuring a pair of simulators. One station will be available to the public among the first-floor OAS exhibits and displays featuring air and space pioneers from the state of Ohio. The second station will serve the aviation-themed Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (AvSTEAM) youth learning center housed on the second floor of the OAS. As part of its support, FSI will further assist OAS in the selection and operation of these simulators.

The Ohio Air & Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which seeks to highlight the states aviation pioneers, using their colorful legacies to help develop a skilled workforce and inspire future innovation essential to keeping Ohio as a leader in technology and aerospace.

The OAS capital campaigns phase one goal will involve commencing the terminals renovation this year. Upon its completion, phase two will follow, raising additional funds to fully complete the project along with OAS staffing, operations, and programming needs.

Regarding the recent donation, OAS Executive Director Ron Kaplan said: On behalf of our Board of Trustees and our many donors and partners providing early support to this worthy project, I thank global industry leaders NetJets and FlightSafety International for their robust commitment to our vital mission. We look forward to working closely with them to educate the aviation leaders of the future and ensure Ohios dominance in the world of aviation and aerospace.

Adam Johnson, NetJets, Chairman, and CEO also noted: We appreciate the opportunity to invest in the Ohio Air & Space organization and hopefully help inspire the next generation of leaders in aviationright here in our hometown.

Brad Thress, President and CEO of FlightSafety International complemented these declarations, stating: We are particularly excited about helping OAS with the flight simulators that will be in their AvSTEAM youth learning center, said. With education and continuous learning always top of mind at FSI, we are thrilled to be a part of this exciting endeavor.
GRUNDY CENTER  Trial for a Grundy Center man accused of killing an Iowa state trooper wont be held in Grundy County.

The move comes after prosecutors declined to resist a request by attorneys for Michael Thomas Lang to relocate the proceedings because seating a Grundy County-based jury to hear the matter would be difficult.

A new location for the trial hasnt been determined.

Lang, 42, a former candidate for sheriff, is charged with murder, attempted murder and assault on a peace office in the death of Sgt. Jim Smith with the Iowa State Patrol.

Authorities said Lang struggled with a Grundy Center police officer during a traffic stop in April and then fled home. He allegedly shot and killed Smith with a shotgun when officers attempted to enter his home to arrest him. A standoff ensued, and Lang was wounded in a shootout with officers.

During a Wednesday hearing in Grundy County District Court, the state argued against severing the charge of assault on a peace officer into a different trial.

The defense requested separating out the assault charge because the offense happened during the traffic stop before the standoff. Defense attorney Aaron Hawbaker argued it would be unfairly prejudicial for jurors to hear about that incident.

Grundy County Attorney Erika Allen argued in court records that the incidents are related.

The defendants motive for all three counts was to assault police officers. All three counts occurred on the same day and within hours of each other. All three counts occurred in the temporal proximity to the defendants residence, Allen argued.

During Wednesdays hearing, Judge Joel Dalrymple indicated he will make a ruling on the matter at a later date.

The defense also is seeking to suppress statements Lang made during police interviews following the standoff. An April hearing has been scheduled to address that issue.

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WATERLOO  A man suspected of fatally shooting his girlfriend and wounding his teenage daughter in Wisconsin was taken into custody after a standoff at a Waterloo home Wednesday.

Simone S. Hughes, 47, of Milwaukee, was ushered out of a garage at 128 E. Parker St. near the intersection with East Fourth Street. Police say it appears a home at 136 E. Parker St. may also have been involved but werent ready to release details.

Hughes was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for observation initially as he had made threats to harm himself, according to Waterloo Police.

The standoff started at a home in the 100 block of East Parker at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday in sub-zero temperatures, as police tried to get Hughes  apparently the lone occupant of the house  to surrender. Police said Hughes said he was armed.

During the standoff, Hughes ran from officers and hid in a vehicle in a nearby garage. Hughes was finally walked into a waiting ambulance just after 9:20 a.m.

Hughes was charged by Milwaukee Police last week with first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting death of Quinette N. Walters, 41, who was his girlfriend, on Jan. 6. He also was charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for shooting his 14-year-old daughter, who survived.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Hughes daughter told detectives she heard her parents arguing and her mother telling Hughes she no longer wanted to be with him. Hughes allegedly hit Walters, and when she ran out of their Milwaukee house to flee, he shot her. A neighbor reported seeing Hughes standing over Walters and shooting her twice at point-blank range.

Hughes daughter ran back into the house and locked Hughes out, and he fired a shot through the door. She ran upstairs, and jumped out of a window when he unlocked the door. Hughes then began shooting at her from the window before leaving the residence.

Waterloo Police and tactical teams got a tip he was at the East Parker Street home. It was unclear what connection Hughes had to the area.

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JESUP  A search firm has gathered input from Jesup Community School District stakeholders on what they want in a new superintendent as candidates are sought.

Applications are being accepted for the position until Jan. 30. In the meantime, Grundmeyer Leader Services surveyed district residents about qualities they felt were important for the job. The survey was online and people could complete it over a 10-day period through Sunday.

The Board of Education hired the Ankeny-based firm in December to lead its search after accepting the resignation of Nathan Marting, the districts longtime superintendent, earlier in the month.

Results from the survey shared by Trent Grundmeyer, owner of Grundmeyer Leader Services, showed support for nine superintendent qualifications.

Of the 146 respondents, 45% said a top qualification is someone who recruits, hires, supports, develops and retains effective staff. The next four were someone who promotes a community of care and support for students (32%); effectively manages district resources (28%); is a strong instructional leader (25%); and builds school and community relations (23%). Others, ranging from 20%-13% of respondents included someone who models the districts vision, mission and core values; meaningfully engages with families and community members; uses methods of continuous improvement; and effectively works with school administrators.

In a phone interview, Grundmeyer said salary comparison information was presented to the board and he is recommending the pay range for the job be set at $140,000-$160,000 annually. Candidates need an Iowa superintendents license and a masters or doctorate degree in educational leadership.

According to a timeline of the search, the board will review and prescreen the candidates Feb. 7. Grundmeyer said he recommends no more than eight semi-finalists be chosen during that closed session meeting.

Semi-finalists will be interviewed by the board Feb. 15 through videoconferencing. The board will choose finalists, typically three, whose names will be made public. Those people will come to the district Feb. 21 for in-person interviews.

The board will take a formal vote at a later date to approve a contract for the top candidate.

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WATERLOO  With proficiency levels at a little more than 50% in core subjects across Waterloo Community Schools, officials are relying on teacher training they can provide to boost student achievement.

We are working on that, Stephanie Mohorne, associate superintendent for instruction and learning, told members of the districts School Improvement Advisory Committee on Tuesday.

However, like just about everything else, COVID-19 is affecting the ability of the district to deliver that professional development in a timely manner. Staffing shortages related to the pandemic make it more difficult to provide teacher training during the work day because theres a good chance no one is available to cover classes for them.

In addition, said Mohorne, the district must balance training sessions focused on helping students to achieve at a higher level with others that teach staff how to use new elementary math and middle school literacy curriculum.

Were really trying to find all that time so that everybody can get all that professional development they need, she said. Waterloo Schools will provide a summer professional learning academy for teachers if they havent had time to get some training during the school year. Staff who sign up will be paid to attend.

The committee  which includes district staff, administrators and parents representing all schools  reviewed the spring 2021 results from the states standardized test given to students in grades three through 11.

Proficiency data on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress was shared during the virtual meeting for grade spans in elementary (third through fifth), middle school (sixth through eighth) and high school (ninth through 11th).

In reading, 52.78% of elementary students achieved proficiency or advanced proficiency. Percentages totaled 52.17 at the middle schools and 57.55 at the high schools.

Math testing showed 52.69% of elementary students were proficient along with 57.24% of middle school students and 49.7% of high school students.

The state only requires that three grades  one at each level  be tested in science on the ISASP. Those results show proficiency lagging compared to the grade spans in other subjects. Proficiency levels were 38.7% for fifth-graders, 47.7% for eighth-graders and 52.8% for 10th-graders.

I would tell you our elementary science hasnt been our strongest science (performance), said Mohorne. The districts STEM coordinator has helped elementary teachers work on science lessons to address those shortcomings. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Testing took place in April for the first time since 2019, the inaugural year the ISASP was administered. It replaced the states previous standardized test, the Iowa Assessments. No schools across the state tested in 2020 because they didnt meet in person that spring.

Mohorne provided comparisons to the 2019 testing with the caveat that those changes are best understood when consecutive years are included. The district would also usually follow each students progress on the tests from one year to the next. Individual students outcomes are used to help determine their future learning needs.

She talked about the changes in literacy, or reading, results between the two years.

We went up a bit in literacy for elementary, Mohorne noted, and saw a drop at the middle and high school levels. Proficiency grew 1.55 percentage points for grades three to five. It declined 4.3 and 1.5 percentage points at the middle and high schools, respectively.

Is it comparing apples to apples? Not really, she said. Although students took the same test, the results represent distinct groups of students separated by two years.

Mohorne also told the committee about a $3 million three-year state grant received by the district, which was announced in June.

What we are doing is really focusing on the achievement gap, she said. The emphasis is in literacy and math among young students, particularly those who are ethnic or racial minorities. District representatives recently had their first meeting with the Iowa Department of Education and national math and literacy experts.

Superintendent Jane Lindaman said Waterloo Schools could have used the money to either implement its own plan or one developed by the state.

We chose the latter, she explained, since the state was tapping experts who had figured out how to close achievement gaps across the country.

Were really hoping to start the professional development this spring, Mohorne added. But with constraints related to staffing shortages theres probably going to be more work over the summer.

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WATERLOO  The City Council got its first look at proposed designs for turning some crash-prone one-way streets into two-ways through downtown and the Church Row neighborhood.

Mark Durbahn with AECOM, the citys consultant on the proposed project since January 2020, presented preliminary designs for the possible conversion of Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets to two-way traffic during a work session with the council Tuesday.

The council in December 2020 approved $89,000 to study the possible impact of reworking traffic on those streets, from Waterloo East High along MLK Drive to the north all the way to the Six Corners intersection to the south.

Is there a reason youre taking this all the way out to Six Corners, as opposed to just doing downtown? asked at-large Councilor Dave Boesen.

Durbahn noted the council had the option of just redoing the streets downtown, but noted there were traffic and safety issues south of westbound Washington Street as well, including a fatal crash at Randolph and Sixth where Samantha Weber, 26, died after losing control of her vehicle on a curve in July 2016.

I think there was some interest in possibly trying to slow traffic down in the Church Row neighborhood, Durbahn said.

Durbahn presented several options for the three streets in question, as well as plans for an oblong roundabout at Six Corners.

The first option: Fourth Street would become a two-lane roadway with parking on one side and a bike lane on both sides, and there would be three traffic lanes on East Fifth and Sixth streets with a center turn lane and parking on both sides.

The bike lane could be between the traffic lane and the parking lane, or it could be between the parking lane and the right-of-way, like on Park Avenue. Councilor Nia Wilder indicated she preferred keeping the Park Avenue model.

I would just like to keep bicyclists away from traffic if we could, she said.

The second option includes converting the streets in question only in downtown, beginning at southbound Washington Street up to Franklin Street. In that scenario, a portion of Washington Street would also be converted to two-way from Sixth Street to Park Avenue.

The third option, similar to option one, would take away the bike lanes and parking on Fourth Street from Six Corners to Grant Avenue, making room for a center turn lane. That option wouldnt accommodate parking or bicycles, Durbahn acknowledged, but it does give you more traffic capacity for future years.

Option four would copy option one, but eliminate the bike lanes on Fourth Street in order to add on-street parking on both sides. That would add more parking to the neighborhood, Durbahn said, but growth hasnt been as high as anticipated when the streets were designed in the late 1980s.

We probably have more capacity out there than what we have traffic-wise, Durbahn said, noting the bike lanes might fit the councils complete streets policy and the states long-range bicycle and pedestrian plan better.

Boesen asked if the study considered how much bike traffic was already on Fourth Street. Durbahn said it did not except for crash data.

I think we need to understand not everyone is going to drive a car in Waterloo, and bike lanes are important on major thoroughfares, said Councilor Jonathan Grieder.

Other council members expressed interest in the first option, including Wilder and John Chiles.

It seems Alternative One is turning those roads into streets, and I think thats the major benefit of this entire project  that businesses and homeowners on those streets will have safer access to their properties, Chiles said.

Though he didnt present cost estimates at Tuesdays meeting, Durbahn acknowledged the Six Corners roundabouts cost is a significant ask. But he noted the roundabout would bring the intersection up from a lower Level C or stable traffic flow to a Level A, or free-flow traffic.

Turning downtown Fifth and Sixth streets into two-ways, however, would actually slow traffic flow at some intersections from Level B to Level C, upping travel time along those corridors by up to 36 seconds depending on the time of day.

A public meeting is planned for February, Durbahn said.

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WATERLOO  Drug- and alcohol-related crimes drove a nearly 29% increase in crime in Black Hawk County in 2021, according to data newly released from the sheriffs office.

Sheriff Tony Thompson said 2021 was a bit of a bounce-back year for us after COVID shut down so much in 2020. He spoke at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday morning.

Across all categories of criminal charges, the sheriffs office recorded 1,051 offenses in 2021, compared with 816 in 2020 and 596 in 2019.

Thompson said the increase in offenses was the result of intentionally building enforcement and cases, particularly drug cases.

You can artificially inflate those numbers every year based on where you put emphasis, he said, noting second- and third-shift deputies in particular were very intent on keeping our roadways safe, and no particular emphasis was being placed on busting drug crimes.

Thompson said an increase in drug charges means fewer arrests for theft, robbery, stolen vehicles and bad checks in subsequent months and years  crimes that affect others beyond the drug user.

The harder we work drug cases, the less frequently we see people impacted by crimes, he said. Thats where youre making the most hay in the county.

Part 1 offenses are the most serious charges, including murder, arson and robbery  though no one in Black Hawk County was charged with any of those three in 2021. The category includes crimes that dropped from 2020 to 2021, including burglaries, criminal mischief and motor vehicle thefts. Others rose, like domestic assault, sexual offenses and drug violations  the latter of which were up 67% over 2020, from 295 drug violations to 494 in 2021, the largest category of Part 1 offenses.

In 2021, the sheriffs office recorded 684 serious offenses, compared with 531 in 2020 and 449 in 2019.

Part 2 offenses make up the rest  things like operating while intoxicated, which has risen for the past three years and is the largest category of Part 2 offenses. It also includes things like child abuse or neglect, runaways, bad checks and public intoxication.

In 2021, the sheriffs office recorded 367 of these lesser offenses, with 302 of those being OWIs. Thats compared with 285 Part 2 offenses in 2020 and 147 in 2019.

The county also recorded a three-year high of 879 mental health orders served, compared with 769 in 2020 and 504 in 2019. The most common such order is an emergency committal from a judge, Thompson said.

The Black Hawk County Jail was still recovering from 2020, when courtrooms shut down for months, exacerbating a backlog of cases and leaving the jail nearly full of those charged with felonies awaiting their court dates, as it remains understaffed by nine deputies.

The backlog is so severe that Fredrick Fred Williams is only just now on trial in the killing of his wife in January 2018 after spending the previous three years at the county jail.

Thats not uncommon now, and that would have been unheard of five or 10 years ago, Thompson said.

Thompson said he doesnt expect that severe backlog  or his full jail  to abate anytime soon.

Its a challenge, he said.

The jail housed 5,982 inmates in 2021, with an average population of 263 inmates at any one time in a facility that is full at 260. More than 4,300 of those were men, while 1,661 were women, in a county split about equally between the genders.

Black inmates were the only racial group overrepresented: 37.5% were Black last year, a disparity nearly four times greater than the county population of 9.7%.

Among other racial groups, 61.2% were white in a county that is 84.5% white; 4.4% were Hispanic compared with 4.6% countywide; 1.0% were Asian compared to 2.5% countywide and 0.2% were American Indian compared with 0.4% in the county.

Thompson said he had no control on the race of the persons arrested for crime or remanded to my custody in the jail, but said he and his staff recognized and was working on reducing these disparities and root out the causes.

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COVID-19 CASES: Five cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Iowa Legislature since Friday, the House Democrats caucus staff said.

Those are only the confirmed cases. There is no requirement in the Iowa Legislature that people report a positive COVID case.

Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, confirmed Sunday that he tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantining. Wahls said he has received a COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, also confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

ATVS ON HIGHWAYS: All-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, would be allowed to drive on all county highways and some stretches of highways under legislation that advanced out of a legislative subcommittee.

House File 800 would permit ATVs on non-interstate primary highways between trails and other roads on which ATVs are permitted.

Organizations representing counties and county supervisors have registered in opposition to the proposal.

VACCINE ADMINISTRATION: Nurses would be allowed, under the order of a pharmacist, to assist in administering vaccines and immunizations under Senate Study Bill 3006, which advanced out of a subcommittee.

AVIAN FLU: A division of the federal agriculture department confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in a wild bird in South Carolina, prompting Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig to issue a statement encouraging livestock farmers to strengthen biosecurity and closely monitor animals health.

If an animal appears to be ill, farmers should immediately contact a veterinarian or state or federal animal health officials, he said.

HPAI and other foreign animal diseases pose a significant risk to Iowa agriculture, Naig said in a news release.

Our team at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will continue working with USDA, livestock producers and other stakeholders to develop, test and strengthen our foreign animal disease preparedness and response plans.

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DES MOINES  Mental health care workers and patients would be in line for assistance under a package of bills introduced by state lawmakers.

House Republicans have introduced four bills that would aim to add more beds at state-run mental health facilities, establish more psychiatric residencies in the state, and create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers.

Rep. Ann Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge and chairwoman of the House committee through which the bills will run, spoke to reporters about the proposals Tuesday at the Capitol.

Its just such a crisis, Meyer said. Its a crisis that needs to be addressed in a big way.

House Study Bill 532 would fund 12 new psychiatric residencies through the University of Iowa at the states mental health care facilities in Cherokee and Independence and the medical and classification center at Oakdale. We know that we can fill those spots. We need to do something to get psychiatrists into the state of Iowa, Meyer said. The program would cost $1.2 million in its first year and double the number of residencies to 24 and the cost to $2.4 million the following year.

House Study Bill 537 would create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers. Participants would be required to commit to working in Iowa for five years.

House Study Bill 531 would increase by 50% the number of beds at Independence and Cherokee. Meyer said this proposal faces the unique challenge of also requiring sufficient workers to staff any new beds. We need to have places for our highest-crisis patients to be treated, Meyer said.

House Study Bill 530 would establish a higher state reimbursement rate to providers for patients with complex psychiatric needs.

Peggy Huppert, executive director of the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said the group supports the four bills.

We really do need to turn our attention to workforce, and beds remain a critical issue, Huppert said.

Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, a Democrat from Waterloo and member of the committee through which the bills would advance, said she supports the proposals and believes mental health care policy can and should be bipartisan.

Im excited to see mental health bills come in, said Brown-Powers, who works in health care for MercyOne. Ive been here for eight years, and weve done very little to actually help those families and those folks with mental health. So its time. Its over time to do that.

Brown-Powers said she hopes the legislation has teeth and strong funding behind it.

I just hope that as we move forward we take a sincere look at mental health, she said. These bills are a start, but they surely arent everything that Iowans need right now.

Meyer said she has made mental health care one of her priorities since her first campaign in 2018, when she said she heard from many constituents about the need for expanded mental health care services. She recalled talking to a young woman whose brother was an Iraq War veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, turned to substance abuse and became homeless.

And theres so many stories like that, Meyer said.

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A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest for Wednesday:

SCHOOL VACCINES: Only the state board of health would be allowed to add any new vaccine requirements for K-12 school students in Iowa under legislation that advanced through the Senates education committee.

Senate Study Bill 3004 was approved by a subcommittee and, later in the day, was unanimously approved by the Senate Education Committee. The measure previously passed the full Senate in 2020, according to Education Committee Chairwoman Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton.

No lobbying organization has registered as for or against the bill.

Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, said he believes the bill does not do much to change current policy, but rather strengthens current language.

The proposal includes reiteration of a new state law, passed during last falls special legislative session, which allows Iowans to claim medical and religious exemptions to vaccines.

USS IOWA MAKES HISTORY: When the USS Iowa nuclear-powered submarine is put into action later this year it will make history as the first fully integrated crew among Navy fast attack submarines, its commander told Iowa legislators Wednesday.

Capt. Quinn James, commanding officer of the USS Iowa that is being built in Groton, Connecticut, said the crew of 135 sailors will include men and women.

Later, a House Appropriations subcommittee forwarded HF 2002 to the full committee to appropriate $200,000 for the christening and commissioning of the boat.

Several representatives of veterans organizations were on hand to speak in favor of the expenditure for the fourth warship to represent Iowa.

REYNOLDS NEGATIVE: Gov. Kim Reynolds said she tested negative for COVID-19 once again Wednesday morning after feeling ill late last week. Reynolds canceled her public events Thursday and Friday. She held one event Tuesday, for a proclamation signing. On Wednesday, she appeared at a public ceremony in the Iowa Capitol rotunda honoring veterans.

Its not COVID. I tested again this morning, Reynolds told reporters after delivering remarks at the event. Well continue to monitor that, because a lot of the symptoms are the same. So we want to make sure that were safe and its not that.

MEDIA SEATING: The League of Women Voters and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa held a news conference to advocate for Iowa Senate leadership to return to allowing Statehouse reporters to work from the media work spaces on the chamber floor.

Before the session, majority Senate Republican leaders reversed more than a century of precedent by telling reporters they could no longer work from the media work spaces on the floor and would instead be seated in the upstairs gallery. Journalism and press freedom groups have criticized the move. The Iowa Capitol Press Association, a group of Statehouse reporters, has urged Senate Republican leaders to reverse their decision and allow reporters to resume working from the chamber floor.

By denying the press direct access to legislators in the Iowa Senate, Iowans no longer will have a direct link to an understanding of the actions and activities of their elected leaders, said Terese Grant, president of the League of Women Voters of Iowa.

Joining her in speaking at the rally were representatives of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and the Iowa Capitol Press Association.

INMATES DIE: The Iowa Department of Corrections has reported the deaths of two inmates.

Donald Edward Lanphier, 84, was pronounced dead due to natural causes Sunday at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He was originally an inmate at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville. Lanphier had been serving a 10-year special supervision sentence for sexual offenses from Mahaska County beginning Dec. 10, 2020.

Also Sunday, Charles Earl Thompson, 65, was pronounced dead due to natural causes in a hospice room of the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, where he had been housed due to chronic illness. Thompson had been serving a 10-year maximum term for lascivious acts with a child from Floyd County beginning Feb. 22, 2021.

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CHELSEA  A Tama County grand jury has found no criminal wrongdoing by law enforcement in the fatal shooting of a man by a sheriffs deputy during an armed confrontation last October.

The grand jury declined to return an indictment in the shooting that killed 28-year-old Dewey Dale Wilfong III, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a news release Tuesday.

Investigators have said that Tama County sheriffs deputies and officers with several other law enforcement agencies responded to reports of shots fired around 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 in Chelsea.

Arriving officers reported seeing Wilfong walking around threatening others with a handgun. Investigators said that after Wilfong fired the gun, a Tama County deputy fired one round that hit Wilfong in the upper torso.

Wilfong was taken to a Cedar Rapids hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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WATERLOO -- Proud Image Chorus has installed Steve Klawonn as president.

Other new officers are Dan Bogart, music vice-president; Eric Boyd, membership vice-president; Craig Holdiman, secretary/treasurer; Phil Porter, communication vice-president; and Dave Hamblin, Don Lubbert and Craig Patterson, board members at large.

The Proud Image Chorus, an all-male a cappella group from the Cedar Valley, formed more than 40 years ago and is part of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The Chorus rehearses at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 4031 Lafayette St., in Evansdale.

Preparations are currently underway for their upcoming Spring Show, "Back in Harmony," when they will perform with Mason Citys River City Chorus at 7 p.m. April 23 at Central Middle School, 1350 Katoski Drive, Waterloo For membership information, call Boyd at (319) 504-4645.

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CEDAR FALLS -- Administration is declaring a "snow emergency" from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday in the Downtown and College Hill in anticipation of hauling snow.

In turn, beginning at 11 p.m., a parking prohibition will be enforced for the streets in those areas.

Any vehicle blocking traffic or parking in the designated area after that time will be subject to a citation and tow at the owners expense, said the city in a news release.

The mandate impacts streets marked with signs displaying the words Emergency Snow Route.

College Street from 20th to 23 rd

West 23rd from College to Campus

Main Street from 1st to 5th

2nd Street from State to Franklin

3rd Street from State to Clay

4th Street from State to Washington

5th Street from State to Washington

200 block to the 600 block of State Street

Half foot of snow leads to difficult Saturday morning commute in Cedar Valley A National Weather Service map shows unofficial reports this morning indicating some parts of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area received between six and eight inches of snow.

No parking signage has been established in the areas to correlate with the declaration as well.

Motorists are asked to utilize municipal lots for the duration of this declaration, the city said.

Also due to the snowfall, and the snowplows and salt trucks removing snow in all public right-of-ways to help ensure safe travel throughout the city, the Cedar Falls Police Department is reminding residents this week of an ordinance prohibiting parking continually for more than 48 hours on any city street.

Per the city, any vehicles in violation will be ticketed. And those not moved within 24 hours after receiving the citation will towed at the owners expense.

Residents are also reminded to clear their abutting sidewalks of snow and ice in accordance with city ordinance. Violators can be fined and charged for the clearing of their sidewalks if it is not completed after a snowfall, states a city announcement.

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Interview: Tonga volcanic eruption not likely to cause global climate change, says New Zealand volcanologist

Xinhua) 09:37, January 19, 2022

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Tonga volcanic eruption is not likely to cause global climate change, while the volcanic ash and acid rain may damage crops and water supply, a leading New Zealand volcanologist said Monday.

Professor Shane Cronin of the University of Auckland, who visited the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano in November 2015, has explained the uniqueness of the volcanic event and its impacts.

According to the professor, the most significant impact so far has been the tsunami generated at the beginning of the eruption.

"Thankfully, the tsunami in Tonga was not so big," said the professor.

All the homes on one of Tonga's small outer islands were destroyed in the massive volcanic eruption and tsunami, with three people confirmed dead so far, the government said on Tuesday in its first update since the disaster hit.

"But mostly the damage is not so far from the coast and especially confined to a few very low-lying areas. Thankfully, most people were able to get away from those waves," he said.

The other impacts locally in Tonga are from the ashfall. "Thankfully again, the ashes mostly fell into the ocean. On the Tongatapu island, there were reports of two centimeters of ash. This ash will impact water supply and some broad-leaf crops like corn, banana and squash, but unless there are more eruptions, this effect should allow a quick plant recovery."

Professor Cronin noted that most of the volcanic plumes from Saturday's eruption were in the troposphere or lower part of the atmosphere, below 25 km. Along with this short eruption means that there is not much aerosol to reflect sunlight and cause global cooling.

"Most of the ash plume and gas plume that went into the air contains gases like sulpha dioxide. The rain will wash them down. There was not too large a volume of particles and aerosols high enough in the atmosphere to cause global cooling," he said.

But the impact from acid rains for the affected areas such as Tonga and parts of eastern Fiji could be real. Should there be many more eruptions to come, and the acid rain continues, it could be more damaging for crops and water supply.

The longer-term effects of the volcanic eruption on marine life could be significant, he said.

On the downside, the local fishing and marine life will experience many changes as part of the volcano is destroyed. But there is some bright side along with the volcanic ashes in the longer term.

"Because when ash falls into the ocean, it brings with it nutrients. For example, It can bring iron, which is usually quite low in the ocean. It can suddenly create a bloom of plankton, which then go through the food chain, creating a population boom later on the fish and other lives too," said Professor Cronin.

According to the professor, a series of more minor eruptions happened in the submarine volcano in 1998, 2009, 2014, 2015 and perhaps even earlier than that. Saturday's eruption was so severe because a lot of the magma in the volcano had been building up for at least 10 years, or maybe longer.

"The magma accumulates to a large size inside the volcano. The pressure of the magma, built up to a point that the top of the volcano can no longer hold it. At this point cracks start to happen, until suddenly the magma is released. The magma is full of gas and it expands extremely rapidly," said Professor Cronin.

The central part of the Hunga volcano is about 150 meters to 300 meters below sea level. The amount of water that went into the crater was just big enough to fuel the big explosion that has sent waves of air pressure traveling around the world.

"Also, tsunami waves were generated by the initial expansion as well as by changes in the surface on the top of the volcano," Professor Cronin said.

"The maximum power of this eruption was very strong, equivalent to the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 in the Philippines. However, the Saturday eruption was a very short one. It lasted less than 10 minutes for its main active phase. In contrast, the Pinatubo lasted for many hours," he said.

The short period means that the overall amount of materials released from this eruption was relatively small. "We think around 0.5 cubic kilometers of materials was ejected into the air," Cronin said.

The professor's best guess is the lower level of the VEI 5 range. "Which is roughly one per 10 years around the world for such a size," he said. "It may be more sort of normal mid-scale large eruption volume."

However, it is very difficult to predict what might happen next.

"I would suggest that the eruption may be less violent from now on because the beginning of this eruption was all these pent-up magmas with a lot of trapped gas in it," Professor Cronin said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
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Ever since watching the beautiful Netflix film Roma by Alfonso Cuaron, we have bee dreaming of taking a trip to Mexico City and exploring the neighborhood featured in the movie. With gorgeous architecture and charm, it's truly a gem that we can't wait to see for ourselves.

While it's one thing to stroll through the Roma neighborhood and peer inside the windows of the grand homes, it's another to actually experience living in them. That's why we recommend checking out some of the amazing Airbnb Plus options in the area.

These homes not only have great bones, but they all also have a cool mid-century feel to their interiors. Want to see a few spots you can book for your next trip? Read ahead to tour these spaces without booking a flight.

Casa Josefa Named the Casa Josefa, this home built in the 1920s is a jewel of Art Deco design.

Artist Haven This beautiful two-bedroom Roma home is perfect for any art lover. The rooms are filled with pieces from photographer Bernardo Aja, sculpter Jorge Perugorria, and painter Cesar Menendez.

Stylish Suite Want to stay in this beautiful building? A cool guest suite awaits inside for a mere $41 per night.

Midcentury Retreat Love mid-century design? Then you have to book this incredible five-bedroom Roma home.

Deco Dream Inside this famous Art Deco facade called el Castillo de las Brujas is an apartment perfect for your next Mexico City adventure.

Total Charmer Clearly there is no shortage of beautiful mid-century-decorated homes in Roma. This two-bedroom rental is another one we have on our wishlists.

This article was written by Shelby Wax for Lonny.
California's redwoods are among the state's greatest treasures.

If you're looking to explore the redwood forests of Northern California, you can easily make weekend trips from San Francisco and the Bay Area. Or, if you really want to get away, pack them into a five-stop road trip for backpacking, hiking, swimming, and sleeping beneath the trees. We promise, it's epic.

Redwoods Road Trip, Stop 1: Muir Woods National Monument See on Instagram You don't even have to leave the Bay Area to begin your redwood adventure. If you can swing it, start your road trip on a weekday when there will be fewer crowds.

Muir Woods is a perfect trip for families and out-of-town guests with multiple loops and hiking options for groups of all fitness levels. While there are other, less crowded redwood groves in the Bay Area (though, a newish requirement for reservations is helping to limit crowds and preserve the land), Muir Woods National Monument is easily one of the best. It is a beautifully maintained site, with wooden footpaths meandering between towering redwoods that are between 600 and 800 years old. It's home to some true giants, with its tallest trees reaching over 250 feet tall. Find trail maps and lodging.

Redwoods Road Trip, Stop 2: Camping at West Marin's Samuel P. Taylor State Park See on Instagram Spend the night under redwoods at Samual P. Taylor State Park, where campsites border Lagunitas Creek and offer close access to Devil's Gulch Trail and Barnabe Peak. The campsites are dog-friendly with a maximum occupancy of six people each. There are also six group campsites that can accommodate 10-50 people.

These West Marin campsites are often overlooked. It does get busy during the summer, but take the rest of the year to explore this state park. Barnabe Peak is a nine-plus mile hike that has roughly 1,400 feet in elevation gain. The top of Barnabe Peak offers up panoramic views of Marin County. Is nine miles too long? Head to Devil's Gulch for a four-mile out-and-back hike with just about 150 feet of elevation gain. Learn more and reserve your campground.

Redwoods Road Trip, Stop 3: Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park See on Instagram The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic 31-mile-long highway surrounded by 51,222 acres of giant redwood trees in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This road, which runs through many small towns with tons of tourist attractions, offers amazing views of the redwoods.

The pull-offs along the road allow easy access to many different hiking trails, and there are many different trails that will lead you to various swimming holes and fishing spots along the Eel River. See more photos and maps.



Redwoods Road Trip, Stop 4: Backpacking at Redwood National and State Parks See on Instagram If you want to spend a couple days surrounded by redwoods, this backpacking adventure allows you to explore some of the tallest trees in the world, get amazing starlit views, and potentially run into Sasquatch...he's out there, somewhere. Before heading up, you'll want to check with the rangers station for the best camping opportunities. Off of the main road, there are side streets with access to the beaches. If there are openings, you can pull into one of these areas and camp where the river meets with the ocean. If this isn't feasible, there is plenty camping available along the route to Tall Trees Grove. Plan a four-day backpacking itinerary.


Telling truly funny  and real  stories

Black-ish showrunner Courtney Lilly spent time in the writers room of a different groundbreaking sitcom, Arrested Development, and knows the special sauce. One of the problems of too many sitcoms, he says, was that the writers were telling stories to be funny instead of telling stories that were funny. Youd sit there and go Itd be funny if instead of saying, This is something I felt, and then you tell the story  and it is funny. Black-ish is also spot-on, and sometimes heartbreaking. Creator Kenya Barris had a storehouse of personal stories to feed his semi-autobiographical sitcoms writers  and then there was the roiling world beyond the well-appointed walls of the Johnsons home.

I love what Kenya did with the Hope episode, says Lilly. That second season gem finds the whole Johnson family, including Dres mom and dad, watching cable news as a verdict in a police shooting is about to be announced. There is a spirited exchange of thoughts about the history of police encounters with Black folks, with diverging points of view. All the while Rainbow is trying to protect the young twins from the crushing weight of that story. 

I think that opened up a lot for us. It allowed us to pivot and change who we were as a show, Lilly says. Wed earned it with a season and a half of really well-observed comedy, to do something that was both funny and showed that we are capable of being more serious, especially about a serious topic. It will be wild to see how Black-ish tackles the serious and the hilarious in its swan song. When its all over, well all feel a sentiment voiced by Boyz II Men on the Black-ish soundtrack: Its so hard to say goodbye to yesterday. 

Watch it: Black-ish, Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and streaming online on ABC.com and Hulu
Chris Gash

En espanol

Scam artists know that when people get scared, they often dont think straight. Thats why many of them are able to hook potential victims by sketching out a frightening, apocalyptic scenario in their sales pitches: The economy is failing! Global instability endangers our planet! The pandemic threatens our way of living! They use exaggerated fears to convince customers that only their product can protect them from the coming Armageddon.



Precious metals scams are notorious for this kind of anxiety-based appeal. In these illegal operations, boiler room salespeople persuade victims that they should move their savings out of safe, traditional investments and into gold and silver coins. These coins, the scammers say, will keep your hard-earned money safe when the economy (or the environment or the health system) inevitably collapses. On top of the bogus pitch, the sellers sneak in undisclosed fees, and the coins, often falsely advertised as collectible, are marked up as high as 300 percent over the value of the metal. Those who invest via these scams lose much of their money the moment they make the transaction.

These scams prey on the concerns that senior citizens may have relating to the economy, their retirement and their financial well-being, says Joe Rotunda of the Texas State Securities Board.

In the biggest case of its kind, the federal government and 30 states sued a boiler room dealer called Metals.com about a year ago on charges it defrauded at least 1,600 customers around the country out of $185 million. The companys salespeople would tell investors that the market was due for a major crash and falsely warned them that the government could then seize their assets, the lawsuit says. The salespeople hid large markups and acted illegally as investment advisers, according to regulators. A federal court appointed a lawyer to take control of the companys assets.

In separate 2021 cases, securities regulators for Texas and Alabama both ordered two other precious metals sellers to stop what the states called illegal advisory schemes, accusing them of trying to scare investors into funneling their retirement money into overpriced coins.
Dozens of former University of Michigan football players are accusing Dr. Robert Anderson of molestation.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  With New Mexico rolling in a budget windfall, both Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and a key legislative panel released plans this month that would boost state spending to more than $8.4 billion  a record-high level  and provide 7% salary increases for teachers and state employees after planned pay raises were scaled back one year ago.

The budget proposals would both increase spending levels for the budget year starting in July by about $1 billion over current levels amid an unprecedented revenue surge driven by increased oil and natural gas production in New Mexico and an uptick in consumer activity.

They could also allow for a cut in tax rates or rebates for taxpayers, though such proposals would have to be approved in separate bills.

New Mexico has the opportunity for generational change with the amount of money we have, said Senate Finance Committee Chairman George Munoz, D-Gallup, during a news conference.

At least some of the proposed budget increases would be targeted at replacing one-time funding  such as a higher federal matching rate for Medicaid spending thats set to expire in April.

But the budget plans would also provide more money to hire additional law enforcement officers around New Mexico, reduce a waiting list for a state program for individuals with developmental disabilities and expand early literacy initiatives.

These are investments that take us beyond the status quo, beyond decades of unnecessary austerity  these are investments that carry our state and its people into a future that lifts up every New Mexican, Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

However, while the proposed spending levels are similar there are some key differences in the plans released by Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who is running for reelection this year, and the Legislative Finance Committee.

Both plans will be used as spending blueprints of sorts once the 30-day legislative session gets underway.

For instance, the governors plan would appropriate $85 million for an opportunity scholarship program in an attempt to cover tuition costs for an additional 22,000 New Mexicans attending higher education institutions.

The Legislatures plan, in contrast, would provide only about half that much money for the scholarship program, which has faced skepticism from some lawmakers since it is not based on financial need.

In addition, the legislative spending recommendation would require all New Mexico schools to provide an additional 10 instructional days during the coming year, though districts would have some flexibility in how to implement the mandate.

The governors budget plan would also provide additional funding for extended learning in an attempt to address academic losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, but would allow districts to decide whether to seek out the funding and participate.

Much of the proposed spending growth under both budget plans would go toward higher pay for teachers and state workers.

Under Lujan Grishams plan, about $277 million would go toward raising starting teacher pay in New Mexico to $50,000 annually  minimum pay levels for more experienced educators would also be raised  and providing salary increases for teachers and school administrators.

The legislative plan would set starting teacher pay even higher  at $51,000 per year  though that pay level would reflect the proposal for a longer school year.

For state workers, the legislative budget plan would provide 3% salary increases in April  and an additional 4% pay raise starting in June.

The governors budget plan would also earmark funding to boost state worker pay in order to establish a $15 minimum wage for state employees, a Lujan Grisham spokeswoman said.

Both budget proposals call for significant overall spending hikes.

If approved, the budget plans would represent nearly 50% state spending growth over the last 10 years.

The governors plan would increase year-over-year spending levels by $998 million  or 13.4% over current spending  while the Legislative Finance Committees plan would boost spending by slightly more than $1 billion  or roughly 14%.

But top-ranking Democratic lawmakers said the spending increase is still financially prudent, pointing out both plans call for roughly $2.6 billion  or more than 30% of state spending  to remain in cash reserves in case projected revenue levels dont materialize.

At this point, we feel its just right, said Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, the LFCs chairwoman.

But House Minority Leader James Townsend, R-Artesia, expressed unease about the proposed spending growth.

I think every one of us should be concerned about the sustainability of these spending levels, Townsend said, adding he believes some of the states revenue bonanza should be used to lower tax rates on senior citizens and veterans.

In addition to state funds, lawmakers also have roughly $728 million in federal pandemic relief funds that New Mexico received last year but has not yet allocated.
Now, more than one and a half years into the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become too clear that having the ability to care for our loved ones and our own health is an essential part of building a prosperous and resilient workforce and economy.

Yet, due to decades of inaction to implement essential social safety nets, the U.S. has become a global outlier lacking paid leave, making our workforce completely vulnerable to this and other possible pandemics and wreaking havoc in our families and countrys financial stability.

But New Mexico has a unique opportunity to take matters into its own hands. We have the opportunity to join a growing list of states that are creating and successfully implementing paid family and medical leave  a program that would be administered by the state, to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for employees to welcome a new child, care for a family member with a serious health concern or manage their own serious medical condition.

How it would work is simple. Employee and employer contributions will fund compensation payments and administration of the paid leave fund, providing exemptions for employers with fewer than 10 employees. After contributing for at least six months and submitting an application, employees will receive a percentage of their average weekly wages for up to 12 weeks. Self-employed individuals can opt into the program.

This isnt only a common-sense program, but it is also a cost-effective one with estimates of contributions for this fund ranging from $2 to $4 every week. And voters of all types agree this would support families in great ways to achieve their desired short-term and long-term stability. According to an October 2021 poll commissioned by the Southwest Womens Law Center on behalf of the PFML Coalition, 77% of voters surveyed across the state stated they support the creation of a family and medical leave program. And this is no surprise as PFML programs in other states have been shown to address health disparities, close the racial wealth gap and lessen the economic impacts of caregiving on women, especially in communities of color.

PFML programs have also shown to be effective in improving employee performance and engagement. Recent studies show employees who take paid leave are less likely to take sick leave when they return, more likely to be employed by the same business two years later, and more likely to report high morale and workplace satisfaction. In other words this is a win-win for employees, employers and our local and state economies.

In the upcoming 30-day session, we will have the opportunity to set the right foundation for the implementation of one of the countrys most effective and impactful paid leave programs in the country. Because by creating a PFML program, we will ensure economic security for New Mexico workers and communities now and in the future.

It is time for the Legislature to act to ensure New Mexico workers no longer face the loss of their livelihood due to a health condition or family caregiving responsibilities. Now is the time to protect our workers.
Detectives released the names of two men and a woman killed in separate incidents across Albuquerque.

Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque police spokesman, said the deaths of Levi Ashford, 30, Angel Gonzales, 22, and Brenda Allen, 52, are being investigated as homicides. No arrests have been made.

The first two deaths happened within hours of each other.

On Jan. 12, just before midnight, police responding to an alert from a gunshot detection device found Ashford shot to death outside the Albuquerque Inn near Central and Pennsylvania.

Hours later, officers responding to reports of a body in the alley behind the 1400 block of San Pedro NE, near Mountain, found Gonzales dead.

Then, on Jan. 17, police were called to the 1300 block of Louisiana NE for a welfare check. Arriving officers found Allen dead.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

A judge has ordered Albuquerque Public Schools to turn over information requested under the states public records law or appear in court Feb. 2 to contest the order.

District Judge Lisa Chavez Ortega also ordered APS to pay up to $100 in damages for each day the district failed to respond.

Parent Michelle Jenson of Rio Rancho filed a petition earlier this month in 2nd Judicial District Court alleging that she received no responses from APS to three requests she made under the states Inspection of Public Records Act, or IPRA.

The law gives the public the right to inspect records of state and local entities on written request, with certain exceptions. If access cant be provided within three business days, the agency must send a letter explaining when the records will be available. But the records must be provided within 15 days unless the request is determined to be excessively broad and burdensome.

APS spokeswoman Monica Armenta said the district doesnt comment on pending litigation.

Chavez Ortega wrote in her Jan. 12 order that Jenson never received a response from APS providing the responsive records or explaining the status of any of (Jensons) three IPRA requests.

The judge also cited a letter written last year by the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office in response to a complaint filed by Jenson against APS.

Assistant Attorney General John Kreienkamp sent the letter dated July 20 to APS Superintendant Scott Elder.

Jenson received no records or information whatsoever, in what appear to be obvious and flagrant violations of IPRA, Kreienkamp wrote. Presently, whatever process (APS) has in place simply does not function and must be fixed immediately, Kreienkamp said of APSs response to records requests.

Chavez Ortega also noted in her order that APS has not communicated with (Jenson) at all since the Attorney Generals office wrote the letter.

Jenson, whose son attends an APS school, filed the petition against APS and John Rodriguez, the districts records custodian.

Jenson sent a similar public records request to Rio Rancho Public Schools in December 2020 and received a response within a week that largely complied with the request, according to the petition.

Daniel Yohalem, Jensons attorney, said the case is a clear-cut example of APS ignoring a lawful public records request.

Ms. Jenson was incredibly patient, Yohalem said Wednesday. She kept writing to them, asking them to respond. The Attorney General wrote an opinion saying, you guys are totally violating the law, you better get on it.

APS officials are just failing to do anything they are required to do, Yohalem said.

APS has faced previous complaints for failure to produce public records.

A judge last year ordered APS to pay the Journal and KOB-TV more than $400,000 and nearly $215,000 for attorney fees and costs for failing to provide records and missing deadlines related to the departure of former Superintendent Winston Brooks.

In the recent case, Jenson made the three public records requests to APS by email between December 2020 and July 2021, according to her petition.

The requests seek data pertaining to students progress in school, including the number of registered students, how many had withdrawn, were home schooled, transferred out of state, or had dropped out.

The requests also sought information about the number of failing grades reported for middle and high school students through several semesters.

Jenson also sent an email to Elder in January 2021 explaining that she had received no responses to two previous public records requests and alerting him that she had filed a complaint with the Attorney Generals Office.

Editors note: Michelle Jensons last name was misspelled in some references in an earlier version of this article.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The bang of the gavel usually opens a day of ceremony and introductions at the Capitol.

But tension erupted almost immediately Tuesday in the state Senate  where members clashed over requiring masks in the chamber and then whether to remove Sen. Jacob Candelaria from the powerful Senate Finance Committee.

Neither dispute was settled.

At one point, Candelaria stopped by the desk of Sen. Michael Padilla  his proposed replacement on Senate Finance  for an exchange that was not picked up by the microphone.

Padilla put up his hands and appeared to tell Candelaria to get away from me.

Candelaria walked out of the chamber. He said afterward he had simply wanted to ask Padilla a question.

The conflict played out in the first two hours of the first day of the session, and comes after an especially contentious special session last month on redistricting. It was a jarring contrast to whats often an easy-going afternoon dedicated to introducing family members and guests, while preparing for the governors annual State of the State speech.

But Tuesdays mood was tense.

A proposal to keep the Senates mask mandate in place triggered the first conflict.

The proposed rule failed to get the two-thirds vote necessary to become effective immediately and instead is expected to be brought back through a committee recommendation, a process that will require just a majority vote.

The Senate voted 26-15 in favor of the measure Tuesday, but it was two votes short of the required two-thirds.

The dissenting votes came from Republicans, though all but a handful of them had masks on, anyway. Some GOP members said the mask rule should be vetted in committee rather than automatically extended.

Republican Sen. Gregg Schmedes, a Tijeras doctor who works as an airway surgical specialist, was among those not wearing a mask as he sat at his desk on the chamber floor.

He told the chamber that he would respect social distancing protocols, but that he doesnt believe masks are effective the way were using them.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends masks for indoor public spaces in areas of high transmission, such as New Mexico, which has had record-breaking daily case counts in recent weeks.

The absence of universal masking was noted on Twitter by Democratic Sen. Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces, among others, drawing a GOP retort on the floor.

I guess this legislative session is starting like the last one  with a lack of respect, Republican Sen. Mark Moores of Albuquerque said. If we want to work together, stop being a teenage girl on Twitter.

In an interview, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said she hopes the opening rancor doesnt interfere with the chambers work.

Im hoping we can all calm down and just work on the legislation we need to work on, she said late Tuesday. Well have to see.

No yelling

Stewart was in the middle of some of Tuesdays conflict.

She proposed new committee assignments that would remove Candelaria  who has repeatedly criticized her leadership  from the Senate Finance Committee.

Amid the fallout, Candelaria last month changed his political affiliation from the Democratic Party to decline to state, or independent.

On Tuesday, he passionately urged senators to reject the motion to remove him from the committee, describing the Senate as a deliberative body that respects the independence of its members.

Thats the point of a Senate  to be able to fiercely disagree and debate without childish, petulant retaliatory actions being taken, Candelaria said.

Stewart said she had plenty of reasons to propose the committee assignments, but wasnt going to discuss them in an interview. Candelaria, she said, had said in an email last year he wouldnt object to the change.

I dont find it helpful to engage with him at all, Stewart said.

The Senate postponed a vote on the issue.

Candelaria later stopped by Stewarts desk  adjacent to his own  and then Padillas as he walked out of the chamber.

Contradictory accounts emerged of what was said.

Stewart said Candelaria yelled, which he disputed. Thats absolutely false. There was no yelling, Candelaria said.

The committee dispute, in any case, may end with a whimper.

Candelaria said late Tuesday that he is voluntarily giving up his objection to the new assignments and is ready to move on for the good of the Senate.

Candelaria, a civil rights lawyer from Albuquerque, added that he intends to resign from the Senate later this year and that he will pursue discrimination litigation against Stewart.

The mask mandate is expected to resurface Wednesday.

An emergency health order already requires indoor masking for public spaces in New Mexico, but legislative officials say it does not apply to the Legislature, which is empowered by the state Constitution to set its own rules and procedures.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, urged lawmakers to respect each others wishes until a rule is in place.

Schmedes, for his part, did not wear a mask when seated at his desk, but put one on when visiting legislative staff to sign paperwork. While seated, senators are about 6 feet from each other, though the layout in the chamber varies.
A man is charged with shooting two men, one fatally, during a fight late last year in an East Central neighborhood.

Juan Triste Pacheco, 37, is charged with an open count of murder, tampering with evidence, felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in the Nov. 13 death of 19-year-old Joseph Morales.

Pacheco was arrested by Albuquerque police Tuesday evening and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court:

Police responded around 4:50 a.m. to the shooting near Dallas and Copper SE. They found Morales, who was wearing a military uniform, shot to death in the drivers seat of a crashed car.

Officers found bullet casings and spent shotgun shells in the street and followed a blood trail to nearby apartment. Several people exited the apartment before police found a man in the bathroom who had been shot twice.

The man who was shot, identified as Romeo, was hospitalized and later arrested on a felony warrant unrelated to the case. On Jan. 6 police interviewed Romeo and he told them Morales had come to the neighborhood looking for the person who pointed guns at his friends.

Romeo said an unidentified man who was armed challenged Morales to a fight and agreed to put his gun down. He told police Morales was winning the fight before the two wrestled over the gun on the ground.

Romeo said he felt a burning sensation before realizing he had been shot and seeing Pacheco holding a gun. He told police he also saw Pacheco shoot Morales as he got into the car.

Romeo said he was confused because then Pacheco, who he had heard wanted to kill him over some friction with a girl, helped carry him into the apartment. He picked Pacheco out of a photo lineup as the shooter.

On Jan. 18 police interviewed Pacheco and he told them Morales shot Romeo during a fight before he grabbed a gun from another man and shot at Morales. Pacheco said he accidentally shot Romeo twice and wasnt sure if he shot Morales.

Pacheco told police he then carried Romeo to an apartment before running from the scene.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

The New Mexico Brewers Guild board has chosen native New Mexican and neurophysiologist Tess Vidalis to head its organization.

Shes the second woman to hold the position and succeeds Leah Black, who stepped down at the end of 2021 to focus on her consulting business.

The executive director has a hefty role whose responsibilities include organizing events, running social media channels, fundraising, networking, financial oversight, updating the website and lobbying for policies and legislation that benefit the brewing industry.

Vidalis said working in the high-pressure environment of an operating room, where its literally a matter of life or death, has prepared her well for the fast-paced and demanding position.

Shes also a lover of craft beer.

Vidalis stepped into the role of executive director three weeks ago amidst a flurry of activity as the guild prepares for its annual WinterBrew on Saturday, Jan. 22. Its also the time of year for membership renewals and the legislative session has started.

Although Vidalis is coming directly from a career in the medical field it doesnt mean shes new to the brewery scene. Her life has kind of come full circle.

She spent six years as a young adult working at Chama River Brewing Co., one of the pioneers in the states craft brew industry. The brewery closed its doors in 2017, but many current brewers and brewery owners got their start there.

She also has experience with organizing large scale events and fundraisers. She volunteered with the symphony orchestra, Explora and an equine therapy group.

Her experience was one of the things that made her an attractive candidate for the position according to guild board member Ali Cattin. She said the guild wanted someone who was passionate about craft beer but also understands the non-profit world. The board, she said, received applications from several qualified candidates and deliberated for a long while before making a decision.

At the end of the day, we wanted someone who knows how to navigate that world and deal with the financial end, she said. And someone who can raise money and be an advocate for the brewing industry.

About three years ago, Vidalis began contemplating leaving health care and switching to a career in public or community outreach. She said this presented the perfect opportunity.

I have a very unique background, she said. This job is a perfect fit for what I was looking for. I really like to talk to people and a lot of this job is about making connections. I feel very fortunate that the board of directors saw what I see in myself.

Vidalis and her husband returned to New Mexico from New Orleans in September and now live in Santa Fe. They were living in New Orleans so her husband, a neurosurgeon, could finish his training. She said the two were anxious to return to the state and its great beer.

Theres nothing like it, she said. I just love New Mexico.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexicos governor, attorney general, secretary of state and other statewide elected officials could get a large pay bump in 2023 under a plan endorsed in the run-up to this years 30-day session by a key legislative panel.

Recent proposed salary increases for elected officials have stalled at the Roundhouse, but backers of this years proposal say its time to bring state pay levels for such officials more in line with salary rates in other states.

Under the bill endorsed this week by the Legislative Finance Committee, the governors salary would be increased from $110,000 to $150,000 annually. The salary for the secretary of state would jump from $85,000 to $115,000 annually, while other statewide elected officials would also see pay increases.

Once the pay raises are fully phased in next year, they would cost the state slightly more than $400,000 per year, according to legislative officials.

While that would represent only a tiny portion of a state budget that could eclipse $8 billion for the budget year that starts in July, some lawmakers questioned the need for such raises.

Were not having trouble finding people to run for these jobs, said Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview.

New Mexico pay rates for elected statewide officials are set in state law and have not been adjusted since 2002.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed a 2019 bill that would have authorized a 15% salary increase for the governor, state auditor, secretary of state, attorney general and other elected officials.

In her veto message, the governor said the pay raises might eventually be appropriate, but said she was not comfortable signing into law salary increases that could apply to current office-holders who might seek reelection in 2020 and beyond.

Lujan Grishams predecessor, Republican ex-Gov. Susana Martinez, also vetoed a similar proposal in 2018.

Though the bill would not have applied to her, Martinez criticized lawmakers for approving pay raises for politicians over legislation to improve the states economy.

This years proposal for adjusting the salary levels of New Mexico officials had not yet been officially filed at the Capitol as of Tuesday.

It would require Lujan Grishams signature in order to take effect and a spokeswoman said she did not know whether the governor would support or oppose the legislation without first seeing the bill.
FARMINGTON  The man accused of stealing a Salvation Army van full of toy donations was arrested in Albuquerque earlier this month and is being held at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center while awaiting a hearing on his alleged probation violations.

Anthony Crespin, 37, was charged Dec. 18 with a fourth-degree felony count of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, according to court documents.

On Dec. 14, Crespin allegedly stole a Toyota minivan that belonged to the Salvation Army from the parking lot of a Farmington Walmart, according to The Daily Times archives.

He had no legal representation as of Tuesday.

The community stepped up once news of the stolen van was reported, donating toys and gifts to a toy drive aimed at giving 1,500 children in the community a merry Christmas. The theft led to the donation of at least 3,000 to 5,000 toys, along with pledges of more than $50,000 to the Salvation Army Farmington Corps Community Center.

Crespin was arrested Jan. 7 by the Albuquerque Police Department, according to Farmington police spokesperson Nicole Brown.

Brown added Crespin was extradited Jan. 13 and booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center.

Crespin is accused of stealing a 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan from the parking lot of the Walmart at 4600 E. Main St. in Farmington, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Farmington police were dispatched around 7:21 p.m. on reports of a stolen vehicle.

The Salvation Army business manager enlisted the help of a friend and Crespin to shop for gifts for area children enrolled in its Angel Tree program.

Crespin allegedly stole the van, along with $6,000 worth of gifts, while the employee was finishing up the shopping trip. There were about 350 children enrolled in the Angel Tree program.

The van was later recovered in Sandoval County, but none of the gifts was found.

Crespins first appearance in Farmington Magistrate Court was pushed from Tuesday toThursday, according to court records.

The San Juan County District Attorneys Office has filed paperwork to revoke Crespins probation from a felony drug conviction and have him serve three years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections, according to court documents.
As one patron put it: Tammi Moe has dissolved the walls of the library.

Moe, the director of libraries and museums for the city of Gallup, is among the 10 winners of the I Love My Librarian Award for her work increasing community engagement at the Octavia Fellin Public Library.

The award winners were selected for the American Library Association recognition out of more than 1,300 nominations submitted by library users nationwide.

Tammis leadership is kind, supportive, engaged, and thoughtful, said one of her nominators as cited in an association news release announcing the winners on Jan. 10. She has dissolved the walls of the library, creating a community platform for healing and cultural understanding through shared experiences.

According to the association, Moe has worked to broaden the librarys programming and service reach beyond the librarys walls in order to reach its majority-indigenous American population.

The association said Moe has used partnerships with other city departments and community groups to expand the library presence at festivals, health fairs, career days and other events, and that the library has focused its programming on socially relevant issues, generational experiences and opportunities for open dialogue.

Programs have taken on a wide range of historically sensitive community topics, the association said, such as the involuntary sterilization of indigenous women and the incarceration and murder of indigenous activists.

Confronting our historical and current, very real issues is exactly what (Moe) has inaugurated, in an unbelievably effective series of instructive installations, displays, and programs, one nominator said. The public library has become a center for deeply probing our own history, our own conflicts, and our own individual and collective roles in those conflicts.

The 10 recipients of this years I Love My Librarian Award will receive $5,000 and a $750 donation to their library.

Even in these unprecedented times, our nations librarians continue to empower their patrons, promote inclusion in their space and collections, and provide essential services for their communities, ALA President Patty Wong said in a statement.
WASHINGTON  During his first year in office, President Joe Biden took action on a number of his key campaign promises, from rebuilding U.S. alliances globally to distributing vaccines across America and the world.

But others remain works in progress or dependent on Congress to address. Thats particularly true of his promises to reform the nations immigration system, where Biden is caught between the demands of his Democratic base and Latino voters and the realities of a steep influx of migrants to the U.S.

A look at where Biden stands on some of his key promises as he rounds out his first year:

COVID-19

 Reach a semblance of normalcy by Christmas 2021.

Broken. The delta and then the omicron variants drove fresh records in infections, spikes in hospitalizations, business closures and shortages of goods nationwide over the holiday season.

 Provide Americans with 1 billion home tests.

In progress. In December, Biden pledged to provide 500 million rapid tests amid a surge in the highly transmissible omicron variant, and announced plans last week to distribute an additional 500 million tests. A distribution website launches Wednesday.

 Provide 100 million vaccine shots to Americans in his first 100 days, and vaccinate 70% of the worlds population against COVID by September 2022.

In progress. Biden surpassed the domestic vaccination goal, but only about 61% of the worlds population has received one dose.

 Safely reopen a majority of K-8 schools and keep them open.

Mostly accomplished. Schools are largely back to in-person learning, but the omicron surge has caused closures and other issues in a handful of school districts nationwide.

 Pass a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief legislative package.

Done; the bill passed last March. It also delivered on his promise to provide $2,000 in direct aid payments to Americans.

CLIMATE

 Rescind Keystone XL oil pipeline permit, protect the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, rejoin the Paris climate agreement and embrace the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to reduce harmful hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs.

Done.

 Ban new oil and gas leases on federal lands and offshore waters.

Broken. The administration has proposed reforms to the nations oil and gas leasing program but hasnt embraced a full ban.

ECONOMY

 Roll back President Donald Trumps 2017 cuts to corporate tax rates.

Broken. Bidens social and environmental spending package included tax hikes on corporations and the wealthy, but the bill is currently stalled in the Senate.

 Pause federal student debt payments.

Done.

 Order a review of U.S. supply chains.

Done.

IMMIGRATION

 Raise refugee cap to 125,000, up from the 15,000 set by Trump.

Not close. Biden signed an executive order in February raising the cap to 62,500 refugees.

 Surge humanitarian resources to the border and encourage public-private partnerships to deal with an increase in migration there.

Yes, but officials have still struggled to deal with the influx of migrants at the border. Biden signed an executive order asking officials to prepare plans for using humanitarian resources there. He has yet to establish new public-private partnerships.

 Reform the U.S. asylum system.

Incomplete. Biden signed an executive order in February directing his officials to craft a strategy for migration, including refugees and asylum seekers, and while he promised last year to implement a new humane asylum system, theres been no sign of specifics from the White House. And the Biden administration has continued a Trump-era policy that allows Customs and Border Protection to quickly expel migrants who enter the country without authorization to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

 Reverse Trump-era policies on travel restrictions on people from a number of Muslim-majority countries, funding and building the border wall, a provision discouraging migrants from using public benefits, and one expanding criteria for deporting immigrants.

Done.

 Streamline and improve the naturalization process for green-card holders.

In progress. Biden signed an executive order in February to improve the naturalization process, and the Department of Homeland Security has since revoked some Trump-era rules.

 End family separation policy and create a task force to reunite families separated at the border.

Done. Biden signed executive orders ending the policy and establishing a task force focused on reuniting families. Only a handful of families have been reunited thus far due to difficulties locating the parents.

 Protect young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents by reinstating the Obama-era policy defending them and their families from deportation.

In progress. Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in March his agency was issuing a rule to preserve and fortify the policy, which would deprioritize young immigrants from deportation, but the policy itself is still facing challenges in court.

 End prolonged migrant detention and invest in a case-management system to process people.

Broken. Theres been no announcement of added investments in case-management systems. While the administration said in March it would attempt to release parents and children within 72 hours of their arrival, officials acknowledged that hundreds of children have been held by Border Patrol for much longer. The administration is struggling with an increase in unaccompanied minors arriving at the border and a lack of facilities to house them.

DOMESTIC POLICY

 Reverse transgender military ban.

Done.

 Establish police oversight board.

Abandoned. The Biden administration decided to scrap the idea based on input from civil rights groups and police unions.

 Direct attorney general to deliver a list of recommendations for restructuring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other Justice Department agencies to better enforce gun laws.

Not yet.

 Direct FBI to issue report on delays in background checks for gun purchases.

Not yet.

FOREIGN POLICY

 End the forever wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East and terminate U.S. involvement in the Yemen civil war.

Mixed. The U.S. ended the 20-year war in Afghanistan in August, albeit in a bloody and chaotic fashion. The administration, however, announced in November it would sell $650 million worth of air-to-air missiles Saudi Arabia, a central player in the Yemen conflict.

 Put human rights at the center of foreign policy.

Mixed. Biden has repeatedly called out China for targeting democracy activists in Hong Kong and human rights abuses against Uyghur and ethnic minorities. Hes also raised concerns about the jailing and treatment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He declined to hold Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, directly responsible for the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi despite U.S. intelligence showing Salman approved of the hit.

 Improve ties with allies who had rocky relations with Trump.

Mixed. Biden won praise from allies for his efforts to reclaim U.S. leadership on climate issues. Indo-Pacific leaders have been pleased by coordination efforts on China policy. Biden acknowledged his administration stumbled with the rollout of a deal to provide nuclear submarine technology to Australia, a move that torpedoed a $66 billion French deal and led to Paris temporarily recalling its ambassador to Washington. His decision to move forward with the U.S. military withdrawal in Afghanistan rankled some NATO allies who sought to extend the mission to stave off a Taliban takeover.

 Quickly rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran so long as Tehran comes back into compliance.

Not accomplished. Indirect talks havent collapsed, but White House hopes are fading.
MOSCOW  Russia maintained a tough posture Wednesday amid the tensions over its troop buildup near Ukraine, with a top diplomat warning that Moscow will accept nothing less but watertight U.S. guarantees precluding NATOs expansion to Ukraine.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led the Russian delegation at the security talks with the U.S. in Geneva last week, reaffirmed that Moscow has no intentions of invading Ukraine as the West fears, but said that receiving Western security guarantees is an imperative for Moscow.

The talks in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels last week were held as Russia has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine in what the West fears might herald an invasion.

Amid the soaring tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Ukraine on Wednesday to reassure it of Western support in the face of what he called relentless Russian aggression. In Strasbourg, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Union to quickly draw up a new security plan containing proposals to help ease tensions with Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday that talks between Blinken and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov set for Friday in Geneva are extremely important.

In a move that further beefs up forces near Ukraine, Russia has sent an unspecified number of troops from the countrys far east to its ally Belarus, which shares a border with Ukraine, for major war games next month. Ukrainian officials have said that Moscow could use Belarusian territory to launch a potential multi-pronged invasion.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday that some troops already have arrived in Belarus for the Allied Resolve 2022 drills that will run through Feb. 20. It said the exercise will be held at five firing ranges and other areas in Belarus and involve four Belarusian air bases.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday its too early to tell whether talks could defuse the crisis, adding that after years of rising tensions, staying silent is not a sensible option.

The Russian side is aware of our determination, Scholz told the World Economic Forum. I hope they also realize that the gains of cooperation outweigh the price of further confrontation.

Russia has denied that it intends to attack its neighbor but demanded guarantees from the West that NATO will not expand to Ukraine or other former Soviet nations or place its troops and weapons there. It also has urged NATO to roll back the deployments of its troops and weapons to Central and Eastern European nations that have joined the alliance after the end of the Cold War.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscows demands but kept the door open to possible further talks on arms control and confidence-building measures to reduce the potential for hostilities.

Ryabkov insisted, however, that there cant be any meaningful talks on those issues if the West doesnt heed the main Russian requests for the non-expansion of NATO. He warned that the Russian demands constitute a package, and were not prepared to divide it into different parts, to start processing some of those at expense of standing idle on others.

The Russian diplomat said Ukraines increasingly close ties with NATO allies pose a major security challenge to Russia.

We see the threat of Ukraine becoming ever more integrated in NATO without even acquiring a formal status of a NATO member state, Ryabkov said, pointing at Western powers supplying Ukraine with weapons, training its troops and conducting joint drills. This is something that goes right to the center of Russias national security interests, and we will do our utmost to reverse this situation.

Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 after mass protests prompted Ukraines Moscow-friendly leader to flee to Russia. At the same time, Russia also cast its support behind a separatist insurgency that swept over large areas in eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have been killed in nearly eight years of fighting there.

Asked if Russia could accept a moratorium on NATOs expansion eastward, an idea circulated by some political experts, Ryabkov answered with a firm no, saying that Moscow has seen the West backtrack on previous promises.

He emphasized that for us, the matter of priority is achievement of watertight, bulletproof, legally binding guarantees that Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations will not join the alliance.

Ryabkov suggested that the U.S. could also take a unilateral obligation to never vote for NATO membership for Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations.

Russia has urged the U.S. and NATO to provide a quick written response. Peskov told reporters Russia expects to receive it within days.

___

Matthew Lee in Kyiv, Ukraine and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
LIMA, Peru  An oil spill on the Peruvian coast caused by the waves from an eruption of an undersea volcano in the South Pacific nation of Tonga prompted dozens of fishermen to protest Tuesday outside the South American countrys main oil refinery.

The men gathered outside the refinery in the province of Callao near Limas capital. Perus environment minister, Ruben Ramirez, told reporters that authorities estimate 6,000 barrels of oil were spilled in the area rich in marine biodiversity.

Under the eyes of police, the fishermen carried a large Peruvian flag, fishing nets and signs that read no to ecological crime, economically affected families and Repsol killer of marine fauna, which referred to the Spain-based company that manages La Pampilla refinery, which processes around 117,000 oil barrels a day, according its website. They demanded to speak with company representatives, but no executive had approached them.

The company did not immediately returned an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

There is a massacre of all the hydrobiological biodiversity, said Roberto Espinoza, leader of the local fishermen. In the midst of a pandemic, having the sea that feeds us, for not having a contingency plan, they have just destroyed a base of biodiversity.

An Italian-flagged ship was loading oil into La Pampilla on Saturday when strong waves moved the boat and caused the spill. Repsol in a statement Sunday said the spill occurred due to the violence of the waves.

The eruption caused waves that crossed the Pacific. In Peru, two people drowned off a beach and there were reports of minor damage from New Zealand to Santa Cruz, California.

On Tuesday, northwest of the facility, on Cavero beach, the waves covered the sand with a shiny black liquid, along with small dead crustaceans. Fifty workers from companies that work for Repsol inside the refinery removed the oil-stained sand with shovels and piled it up on a small promontory.

Juan Carlos Riveros, biologist and scientific director in Peru of Oceana  an organization dedicated to protecting the worlds oceans  said that the species most affected by the spill include guano birds, seagulls, terns, tendrils, sea lions and dolphins.

The spill also affects the main source of work for artisanal fishermen, since access to their traditional fishing areas is restricted or the target species become contaminated or die, Riveros said. In the short term, mistrust is generated about the quality and the consumption of fishing is discouraged, with which prices fall and income is reduced.

Perus environmental assessment and enforcement agency estimates that some 18,000 square meters of beach on Perus Pacific coast have been affected by the spill.

In a statement, the Peruvian agency said Repsol has not adopted immediate measures in order to prevent cumulative or more serious damage that affects the soil, water, flora, fauna and hydrobiological resources. An AP reporter on Monday observed workers dressed in white suits collecting the spilled oil with plastic bottles cut in half.

Jose Llacuachaqui, another local fisherman leader, who was watching the cleanup, said the workers were only collecting the oil that reached the sand, but not the crude that was in the seawater.

That is preying, killing, all the eggs, all the marine species, he said.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden said Wednesday he thinks Russia will invade Ukraine and warned President Vladimir Putin that his country would pay a dear price in lives lost and a possible cutoff from the global banking system if it does.

Biden, speaking at a news conference to mark his one-year anniversary in office, also said a minor incursion by Russia would elicit a lesser response. He later sought to clarify that he was referring to a non-military action, such as a cyberattack, that would be met with a similar reciprocal response, and that if Russian forces cross the Ukrainian border, killing Ukrainian fighters, that changes everything.

But the comments also hinted at the challenge of keeping the United States and its NATO allies united in their response to Russia. In explaining the minor incursion remark, he said its very important that we keep everyone in NATO on the same page.

The news conference came at a critical moment in Europe as Russia has amassed 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border and a series of talks in Europe last week failed to ease tensions. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday. On Wednesday, Blinken met with Ukraines president in Kyiv and he heads to Berlin on Thursday for talks with allies.

Biden reiterated that he did not think that Putin has made a final decision on whether to invade, but speculated my guess is he will move in.

Even after he sought to clarify his comments about a potential NATO response to a minor incursion by Russia, the White House moved quickly to make clear that Biden was not telegraphing to Putin that the U.S. would tolerate some military action against Ukraine.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki noted that the Russians could turn to an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics.

President Biden has been clear with the Russian President: If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, thats a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our Allies, Psaki said in a statement.

As the White House did cleanup, Biden faced a barrage of criticism over the minor incursion remark.

This is the wrong way to view this threat, said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation that traveled to Kyiv over the weekend to meet with Ukrainian officials. Any incursion by the Russian military into Ukraine should be viewed as a major incursion because it will destabilize Ukraine and freedom-loving countries in Eastern Europe.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said that Biden effectively gave Putin a green light to invade Ukraine by yammering about the supposed insignificance of a minor incursion.' He projected weakness, not strength, Sasse said.

If Russia invades, Biden said that one action under consideration was limiting Russian transactions in U.S. financial institutions, including anything that involves dollar denominations. Biden was referring to potentially limiting Russias access to dollar clearing  the conversion of payments by banks on behalf of clients into U.S. dollars from rubles or other foreign currency, according to a senior administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly.

The U.S. president said he believes the decision will solely be Putins and suggested he was not fully confident that the Russian officials with whom top White House advisers have been negotiating are fully informed about Putins thinking.

Theres a question of whether the people theyre talking to know what hes going to do, Biden said.

Ukraine, meanwhile, said it was prepared for the worst and would survive whatever difficulties come its way. The president urged the country not to panic.

Russian military activity has been increasing in recent weeks, but the U.S. has not concluded whether Putin plans to invade or whether the show of force is intended to squeeze the security concessions without an actual conflict.

Biden, who spoke with Putin twice last month, said hes made it clear to him that Russia would face severe sanctions. Still, he said the decision for Putin could come down to what side of the bed he wakes up on.

Hes never seen sanctions like the ones I promised will be imposed if he moves, No. 1, Biden warned. This is not all just a cake walk for Russia, Biden said. Theyll pay a stiff price immediately and in the medium and long term if they do it.

In Kyiv, Blinken reiterated Washingtons demands for Russia to de-escalate the situation by removing its forces from the border area, something that Moscow has flatly refused to do. And, Blinken said he wouldnt give Russia the written response it expects to its security demands when he and Lavrov meet in Geneva.

Meanwhile, a top Russian diplomat said Moscow would not back down from its insistence that the U.S. formally ban Ukraine from ever joining NATO and reduce its and the alliances military presence in Eastern Europe. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow had no intention of invading Ukraine but that its demands for security guarantees were non-negotiable.

The U.S. and its allies have said the Russian demands are non-starters, that Russia knows they are and that Putin is using them in part to create a pretext for invading Ukraine, which has strong ethnic and historical ties to Russia. The former Soviet republic aspires to join the alliance, though has little hope of doing so in the foreseeable future.

Blinken urged Western nations to remain united in the face of Russian aggression. He also reassured Ukraines leader of NATO support while calling for Ukrainians to stand strong.

Blinken told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the U.S. and its allies were steadfast in backing his country and its democratic aspirations against Russian attempts to incite division and discord through relentless aggression.

Our strength depends on preserving our unity and that includes unity within Ukraine, he told Zelenskyy. I think one of Moscows long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within our countries, and quite simply we cannot and will not let them do that.

The Biden administration had said earlier it was providing an additional $200 million in defensive military aid to Ukraine. Blinken said more assistance is coming and that it would only increase should Russia invade.

Washington and its allies have kept the door open to possible further talks on arms control and confidence-building measures to reduce the potential for hostilities.

Ryabkov insisted, however, that there cant be any meaningful talks on those issues if the West doesnt heed the main Russian requests for the non-expansion of NATO with a formal response. He said the Russian demands are a package, and were not prepared to divide it into different parts, to start processing some of those at the expense of standing idle on others.

Blinken, though, said no such formal response was coming. I wont be presenting a paper at that time to Foreign Minister Lavrov, he said. We need to see where we are and see if there remain opportunities to pursue the diplomacy and pursue the dialogue.

___

Lee reported from Kyiv. Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv contributed to this report.
NEW YORK  Andre Leon Talley, a towering and highly visible figure of the fashion world who made history as a rare Black editor in an overwhelmingly white industry, has died. He was 73.

The death Tuesday of Talley, the influential former creative director and editor at large of Vogue magazine, was confirmed on his Instagram page early Wednesday. No details were given as to his cause of death, but he was known to have had health struggles in recent years. Vogue said in its obituary that he died of a heart attack.

Dressed in his signature sweeping capes or colorful caftans, Talley was a regular in the front row of fashion shows in New York and Europe for decades, or atop the famous steps at the Met Gala. At 6-feet-6 inches tall, he cut an imposing and unforgettable figure; a Vogue staffer called him the pharoah of fabulosity, the magazine wrote.

But he was celebrated even more by fashion insiders for his deep knowledge, amassed over decades of devotion to the craft that began in his youth in the Jim Crow-era South, when he would walk to the campus of Duke University, where his grandmother cleaned dorms, to read Vogue.

In a 2013 Vanity Fair spread titled The Eyeful Tower, Talley was described as perhaps the industrys most important link to the past. Designer Tom Ford told the magazine Talley was one of the last great fashion editors who has an incredible sense of fashion history.  He can see through everything you do to the original reference, predict what was on your inspiration board.

Talley was also a familiar figure to TV audiences, serving as a judge on Americas Next Top Model and appearing in cameos in the Sex and the City movie and on Empire.

Among the many celebrities offering condolences on Wednesday was TV personality Whoopi Goldberg, who said on Twitter that his death came just in time for the front line at fashion week in Heaven.

Also full of praise was Kerry Washington, who wrote on Instagram: Oh Andre! Heaven is not ready for you darling!!!!!! The whole afterlife is going to be just too fabulous now  You will shine so brightly from the heavens that we will know what true stardom looks like.

Designer Diane von Furstenberg paid tribute on Instagram: No one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did  no one was grander and more soulful than you were. Bette Midler tweeted: He was such a force, & believed in the magic of Fashion & its illusions with all his being. His life was a saga of great highs, great lows, the dramatic, the ridiculous, and the endless pursuit of beauty. Marc Jacobs was one of many who credited Talley with championing his career. You and your passions were larger than life, the designer wrote on Instagram.

And Edward Enninful of British Vogue, the first Black editor in chief of any edition of Vogue, wrote simply: Without you, there would be no me. Thank you for paving the way.

In his 2003 memoir, A.L.T.: A Memoir, Talley focused on two of the most important women in his life: his maternal grandmother, Bennie Frances Davis and the late, legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland.

Bennie Frances Davis may have looked like a typical, African American domestic worker to many of the people who saw her on an ordinary day, but I, who could see her soul, could also see her secret: that even while she wore a hair net and work clothes to scrub toilets and floors, she wore an invisible diadem, he wrote.

Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Durham, North Carolina, Talley worked various jobs before arriving in New York in the 1970s, soon meeting Vreeland and striking up a friendship that lasted until her death in 1989. After stints including Interview magazine and Womens Wear Daily, he was hired at Vogue in 1983 by Editor in Chief Anna Wintour and was appointed creative director in 1988.

Late in life he had a public falling out with Wintour, after he released another memoir in 2020, The Chiffon Trenches, that included behind-the-scenes tales about Wintour and other fashion figures like the late designer Karl Lagerfeld.

The loss of Andre is felt by so many of us today, Wintour said in Vogues obituary. The designers he enthusiastically cheered on every season, and who loved him for it; the generations he inspired to work in the industry, seeing a figure who broke boundaries while never forgetting where he started from; those who knew fashion, and Vogue, simply because of him

Yet its the loss of Andre as my colleague and friend that I think of now, Wintour said, calling it immeasurable.

Talley told The Associated Press in a 2003 interview about having worked in the late 60s as a park ranger in Washington and in Maryland, where he told visitors about slaves who built Fort Washington and dressed up like a Civil War soldier.

In that interview, he opined that of all types of apparel, he considered shoes the most important.

You can tell everything about a person by what he puts on his feet, Talley told the AP. If its a man and you can see the reflection of his face on the top of his black shoes, it means theyve been polished to perfection.  If its a woman and shes wearing shoes that hurt  well, shoes that hurt are very fashionable!

But, asked what he considered the ultimate luxury item, it was not shoes, but rather a clean, fabulous bed with white Egyptian cotton sheets.

His was honest about longtime struggles with his weight. Asked whether fashion and food went together, he noted that Food is not important in the fashion world, where you are supposed to look like an asparagus.

In my world, its about butter poundcake, and fried chicken, and potato salad and hot biscuits.  Its hard to break away from that for a lettuce sandwich.
CASA GRANDE, Ariz.  The pandemic has prompted Casa Grande to cancel the south-central Arizonas citys annual event celebrating Native American culture and the spirit of the American cowboy.

City Manager Larry Rains said the OOdham Tash and Cowboy Days event scheduled for February were canceled because of the pandemic and the preferences and wishes of our neighboring Native American communities, the Casa Grande Dispatch reported.

Although the city wont be involved, a carnival and some other events may still take place during the events normal 10-day timeframe, the citys announcement said.

The 2021 event also was canceled because of the pandemic.

Casa Grande has celebrated OOdham Tash almost every year for over 50 years, traditionally including a parade, social powwows, an arts and crafts show and an all-Indian rodeo.

Casa Grande Cowboy Days started in 2011 and typically includes a parade and a rode.

The two events were combined in 2012.

Arizonas seven-day rolling average of daily new COVID-19 cases rose over the past two weeks from 7,017.1 on Jan. 3 to 20,016.3 on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Virus-related hospitalizations statewide rose for the sixth straight day, with 3,276 COVID-19 patients occupying inpatient beds as of Tuesday, according to the states coronavirus dashboard.
CONCORD, N.H.  A Lebanese American mans survivors, who filed an ambitious lawsuit last year alleging Lebanons security agency kidnapped and tortured him before he died in the U.S., hope to find an opening after the agency recently responded in an American court.

Amer Fakhoury died in the United States in August 2020 at age 57 after suffering from stage 4 lymphoma. His familys suit says he developed the illness and other serious medical issues while imprisoned during a visit to Lebanon over decades-old murder and torture charges that he denied.

Fakhourys detention in 2019 and release in 2020 marked another strain in relations between the United States and Lebanon, which finds itself beset by one of the worlds worst economic disasters and squeezed by tensions between Washington and Iran.

Recently, lawyers representing Lebanons security agency, the General Directorate of General Security, asked to intervene in the Fakhoury familys wrongful death lawsuit to have the allegations against it stricken. Lebanon is not named as a defendant in the suit, which targets Iran.

In its filing, the Lebanese security agency claimed the lawsuit falsely accuses it and its director of serious crimes of kidnapping, torture and killing at the direction or aid of alleged terrorist organizations.

In turn, the Fakhourys lawyer, Robert Tolchin, has asked a judge for permission to formally sue Lebanon, along with Iran. He referred to Lebanons action in the familys response as a very strange and unusual motion filed by a nonparty.

The familys lawsuit filed in Washington in May initially argued it was possible to sue Iran under an exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act as it has been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984. The suit also described Hezbollah, now both a dominant political and militant force in Lebanon, as an instrument of Iran.

Iran has yet to respond to the lawsuit. It has ignored others filed against it in American courts in the wake of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and U.S. Embassy hostage crisis. Irans mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment.

Similar lawsuits against Iran have won financial judgments, though receiving a payout can be complicated. Any award could come from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, which has distributed funds to those held and or affected by the hostage crisis.

Regarding Lebanon, Tolchin said the Fakhourys lawsuit would not make sense without the allegations against Lebanons security agency.

We interpret that as a waiver of sovereign immunity, he said to The Associated Press of the agencys request. You cant come in and ask for affirmative relief on the merits, and, at the same time, claim to be immune.

In a statement provided to The AP, an attorney for the agency, David Lin, said the Fakhourys position that Lebanon or our client somehow waived sovereign immunity by seeking to strike baseless material from the complaint is baffling and wrong as a matter of law.

A judge pushed back a deadline for the lawyers representing the security agency to respond to the Fakhourys request to sue by Jan. 26.

Mary Ellen OConnell, a professor at the Notre Dame Law School, said it may be challenging for a case to be brought against Lebanon, which is not designated a state sponsor of terrorism.

Not having that listing will be difficult to go after Lebanon, as opposed to Iran, she said.

OConnell also said a move like Lebanons to strike the allegations is usually not accepted by the courts as a waiver of sovereign immunity.

Fakhourys imprisonment in Lebanon took place in September 2019, not long after he became an American citizen. Fakhoury visited his home country on vacation for the first time in nearly 20 years. A week after he arrived, he was jailed and his passport was seized, his family has said.

The day before he was taken into custody, a newspaper close to the Iranian-backed Shiite group Hezbollah published a story accusing him of playing a role in the torture and killing of inmates at a prison run by an Israeli-backed Lebanese militia during Israels occupation of Lebanon two decades ago. Fakhoury was a member of the South Lebanon Army.

The article dubbed him the butcher of the Khiam Detention Center, which was notorious for human rights abuses. Fakhourys family said he had worked at the prison as a member of the militia, but that he was a clerk who had little contact with inmates. When Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, Fakhoury left the country like many other militia members who feared reprisals.

Upon his return to Lebanon in 2019, Fakhoury was held for five months before he was formally charged, his family said. By then, he had dropped more than 60 pounds, was suffering from lymphoma, and had rib fractures, among other serious health problems, they said.

In its request to intervene, the security agency said Fakhoury was not kidnapped, but was lawfully detained for investigative purposes and then handed off to another agency responsible for prosecuting the alleged crimes. It called the allegations scandalous, impertinent, and highly damaging.

The familys suit alleges security personnel made him watch as they beat prisoners and kept him isolated in an interrogation room, where he faced verbal and physical abuse with a black sack placed over his head. The lawsuit also claims Fakhoury was threatened with execution unless he signed a declaration saying he was guilty of the accusations mentioned in the newspaper article.

Eventually, the Lebanese Supreme Court dropped the charges against Fakhoury. He was returned to the United States on March 19, 2020, on a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey aircraft. He died five months later.

The lawsuit also linked Fakhourys eventual release to the U.S. governments decision in June 2020 to free Kassim Tajideen, a Lebanese businessman who was sentenced to five years in prison for providing millions of dollars to Hezbollah.

The Fakhourys suit called it a quid-pro-quo prisoner exchange. However, Tajideens lawyer and the U.S. State Department at the time denied he was part of a prisoner exchange.

Fakhoury first arrived in the United States in 2001. He started a restaurant in Dover, New Hampshire, with his wife and put their four daughters through college. But his family said he felt Lebanon was still home, even though other members of his militia had been targeted in the years after the war.

As early as 2018, Fakhoury had sought assurances from the U.S. State Department and the Lebanese government that he could visit Lebanon freely. His family said he was told there were no accusations against him in Lebanon or no legal matters that might interfere with his return.

After his death, the Fakhourys started a foundation in his name dedicated to helping the families of hostages.

This is a fight not just for us, Guila Fakhoury, the oldest of Fakhourys four daughters, said in an interview about the lawsuit. This a fight for our father and a fight for every American who is illegally detained, and for every person who is illegally detained.

The lawsuit seeks financial damages and a jury trial.

I know my dad will not rest in peace until we have justice for what has been done to him, Fakhoury said.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden largely has rallied European allies to pledge as one that they will take tough measures against Russia if it rolls troops into Ukraine. But when it comes to what exactly the United States and Europe are willing to do, the allies havent looked as united.

Militarily, for example, the United States, Turkey and Britain have stood out for supplying or agreeing to supply anti-tank missiles, armed drones, naval warships and other weapons, along with money to help Ukraine build its defenses. A British military flight taking weapons to Ukraine on Monday flew around German airspace rather than taking the most direct route through it. German officials suggested Wednesday that the issue was their paperwork requirement for such overflights rather than any allied differences over arming Ukraine.

Biden has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of economic consequences like none hes ever seen if Russia invades Ukraine. But some major European allies have demonstrated less enthusiasm for huge economic penalties, which could damage some European economies or put in jeopardy the Russian natural gas that Europeans need to stay warm this winter.

Russian leaders have played down the allies pledge of a united stand against Russia. In reality, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has insisted, its the U.S. calling the shots.

If the show of unity and the promises of repercussions have made Putin think twice, hes not showing it.

Russia has sent some 100,000 troops toward the Ukrainian border, and U.S. officials said Tuesday they believed Russia was capable of launching an attack. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Kyiv on Wednesday, urging Ukrainians and Europeans to remain united.

The West believes Putin has tried to sow dissension among the 27-nation European Union, the United States and NATO  which has 21 EU members  with security demands challenging some of the founding principles of NATO.

The United States didnt play their game, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said last week. Russia wanted to divide us. They failed.

At least in words, the lining up of Europeans behind U.S. leadership has been a foreign policy success for the Biden administration after it led global allies in a withdrawal from Afghanistan with damaging results.

U.S. work nailing down European commitments to punish Russia if it invades will continue, said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who traveled with other senators to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders last weekend.

Right now there seems to be slightly greater interest coming from the United States on implementing tough multilateral sanctions than from Europe, Murphy told reporters Monday. Thats somewhat stunning to me, given the territorial integrity of Europe, not the United States, is at stake.

In October and November, France, Germany and some others in the EU questioned U.S. warnings that Russias military buildup near Ukraine could signal an imminent invasion. France and Germany initially opposed activating NATOs crisis response planning system. They relented, and it was activated Nov. 30.

On Wednesday, France gave one of the first public signals of a potential split in allied unity. In a speech in Strasbourg, President Emmanuel Macron called for a sweeping European proposal that would build a new security order on the continent to deal with Russia.

We will ensure that Europes voice is heard, Macron said. It was unclear if Macrons call would resonate among others.

Most U.S. allies now seem determined to prove theyre in lock-step with Biden. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, noted to reporters in Washington on Wednesday that Denmark and, he said, countries in Eastern Europe and the Baltics were also now stepping up and sending Ukraine arms to defend itself.

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would likely trigger the immediate bolstering of defenses of NATO members close to Russias borders, such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. NATO already has about 5,000 troops and equipment deployed in those countries. The presence of NATO members along Russias borders already is one of Putins central complaints against the West.

Countries in southeast Europe  Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, in particular  are also being sounded out about their willingness to potentially host a NATO battle group of about 1,000 troops and equipment in the Black Sea region.

There is a number of nations that are interested then in hosting those forces, Adm. Rob Bauer, the head of NATOs military committee, said last week.

Because its not a member of NATO, Ukraine can expect no military help from the alliance as an organization if Russia invades.

When it comes to sanctions, among the European Union and individual European governments, the rhetoric has matched that from the White House and Americans: Russia would incur enormous economic and political costs if Putin sent his forces across the border into Ukraine.

No leaders are publicly discussing the precise nature of possible sanctions, saying it would be a mistake to show their hand. The EU has a track record of imposing sanctions on Russia in unison with the U.S., the U.K, Canada and other allies.

The most talked-about actions include banning Russia from the SWIFT banking system that handles the flow of money around the world and imposing sanctions on Putins family, his military and political circles and Russian banks.

The British government has lined up firmly behind the tough U.S. line on Ukraine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week to back wide-ranging economic sanctions should Russia invade, Johnsons office said.

But there are questions about how much economic pain Britain is willing to inflict on Londons financial district and property market, which are hubs for Russian money.

Frances minister for European affairs, Clement Beaune, recently said his country is ready to support sanctions against Russia if needed. He did not elaborate.

Germany, the largest economy in Europe, holds some of the greatest leverage over Russia  a newly built pipeline, Nord Stream 2, that would deliver Russian natural gas directly to Germany and beyond.

Germanys foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said Monday that her country will do everything to guarantee the security of Ukraine.

Any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime  economic, political and strategic, she said. And were very serious about this.

But Germanys government has given mixed signals on whether it would keep the pipeline offline if Russia sends troops into Ukraine. Thats left Blinken to give assurances in Germanys stead, saying it would be difficult to see gas flowing if Russia invades.

___

Cook reported from Brussels. Associated Press writers Frank Jordans and Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jill Lawless in London, Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.
DALLAS  Some flights to and from the U.S. were canceled on Wednesday even after AT&T and Verizon scaled back the rollout of high-speed wireless service that could interfere with aircraft technology that measures altitude.

International carriers that rely heavily on the wide-body Boeing 777, and other Boeing aircraft, canceled early flights or switched to different planes following warnings from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Chicago-based plane maker.

Airlines that fly only or mostly Airbus jets, including Air France and Irelands Aer Lingus, seemed less affected by the new 5G service.

Airlines had canceled more than 320 flights by Wednesday evening, or a little over 2% of the U.S. total, according to FlightAware. That was far less disruptive than during the Christmas and New Years travel season, when a peak of 3,200, or 13%, of flights were canceled on Jan. 3 due to winter storms and workers out sick with COVID-19.

A trade group for the industry, Airlines for America, said cancellations werent as bad as feared because AT&T and Verizon agreed to temporarily reduce the rollout of 5G near dozens of airports while industry and the government work out a longer-term solution.

At OHare International Airport in Chicago, Sudeep Bhabad said his father-in-laws flight to India was cancelled.

They have to resolve this problem, Bhabad said. It would have been a lot better if they had resolved it way before and we knew this in advance, instead of, like, finding out when we are here at the airport.

Similar mobile networks have been deployed in more than three dozen countries, but there are key differences in how the U.S. networks are designed that raised concern of potential problems for airlines.

The Verizon and AT&T networks use a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to the one used by radio altimeters, devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground to help pilots land in low visibility. The Federal Communications Commission, which set a buffer between the frequencies used by 5G and altimeters, said the wireless service posed no risk to aviation.

But FAA officials saw a potential problem, and the telecom companies agreed to delay their rollout near more than 80 airports while the agency assesses which aircraft are safe to fly near 5G and which will need new altimeters.

The FAA gave approval Wednesday for more types of planes to land in low visibility near 5G signals, including the Boeing 777. By evening, however, nearly 40% of the U.S. airline fleet was still waiting to be cleared. That percentage was expected to shrink as the FAA continued to review other planes and altimeters.

I assume whatever process they are using could be used to clear the rest, said Randall Berry, a professor of electrical engineering at Northwestern University.

The FAA says there are several reasons why the 5G rollout has been more of a challenge for airlines in the U.S. than in other countries: Cellular towers use a more powerful signal strength than those elsewhere; the 5G network operates on a frequency closer to the one many altimeters use, and cell tower antennae point up at a higher angle. A telecom industry group, CTIA, disputes the FAAs claims.

Some experts say poor coordination and cooperation among federal agencies is as much to blame as any technical issues.

The fights around this from federal agencies have just gotten more and more intense, said Harold Feld, an expert on telecom policy at the advocacy group Public Knowledge.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said it wasnt aware of any problems on the continent caused by 5G interference. To mitigate airline interference, French telecom providers reduce the strength of their high-speed networks near airports.

Boeing Co. said in a statement it would work with airlines, the FAA and others to ensure that all planes can fly safely as 5G is rolled out.

In the meantime, airlines scrambled to adjust to the new reality.

Emirates, which relies heavily on the 777, halted flights to several American cities on Wednesday, but maintained service to Los Angeles, New York and Washington.

We hope to resume our U.S. services as soon as possible, the state-owned airline said.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates, told CNN it was one of the most delinquent, utterly irresponsible situations hed ever seen as it involved a failure by government, science and industry.

Japans All Nippon Airways canceled 20 flights to cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, while Japan Airlines said eight of its flights were affected Wednesday.

Air India said on Twitter it would cancel flights to Chicago, Newark, New York and San Francisco because of the 5G issue. But it also said it would try to use other aircraft on U.S. routes  a course several other airlines took.

Korean Air, Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific and Austrian Airlines said they substituted different planes for flights that were scheduled to use 777s. Germanys Lufthansa swapped out one kind of 747 for another on some U.S.-bound flights.

American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour said in a memo to staff that the carrier canceled four flights while it awaited FAA approval of equipment on its Airbus aircraft.

Choi Jong-yun, a spokeswoman of Asiana Airlines, which uses Airbus planes for flights to the U.S., said it hadnt been affected so far.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement that the 5G deployment can safely co-exist with aviation technologies in the United States, just as it does in other countries around the world. However, she urged the FAA to conduct its safety checks with both care and speed.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai. Associated Press video journalist Teresa Crawford in Chicago and AP writers Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo, Ken Moritsugu in Beijing, David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, Frank Jordans in Berlin, Angela Charlton in Paris, Kelvin Chan in London, Tali Arbel in New York and Isabel DeBre in Dubai contributed to this report.

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Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday asked members of the National Guard and state employees to volunteer as substitute teachers and child care workers as New Mexico faces a crush of COVID-19 infections.

Dozens of schools across the state have moved to remote instruction at least temporarily since winter break, and districts have reported a demand for about 900 substitute teachers.

Standing outside Santa Fe High School, closed this week amid a staffing shortage, Lujan Grisham said she hoped the new initiative would establish a pool of 500 people who can be called on to support in-person learning.

Each participating school can decide for itself whether members of the National Guard will appear in uniform or civilian clothes. They wont be armed, in any case.

Every child should feel safe, secure and supported, Lujan Grisham said. Its just a vehicle to make sure schools can stay open.

Volunteers from the guard and state workforce, officials said, will be asked to work where theyre needed and to meet state requirements.

Substitute teachers at K-12 schools, for example, have to undergo background checks and complete an online substitute teaching workshop.

The process takes about two days from start to finish, officials said, and new substitutes could reach schools early next week.

In an interview, Santa Fe Superintendent Larry Chavez said the district was evaluating its options Wednesday and planned to announce Thursday whether to resume in-person classes next week.

It is fortifying to know the state has our back during this crisis, he said.

Sub fees being waived

Under the staffing initiative, licensing fees for substitute teaching will be waived, and Lujan Grisham encouraged ordinary New Mexicans to apply if theyre interested.

She said she plans to fill out an application herself.

In Santa Fe, substitute teachers make about $130 to $165 a day, depending on education level and other criteria.

But state employees and members of the New Mexico National Guard who sign up will get their usual pay  on administrative leave for state employees or state active duty for the guard.

About 50 members of the Army and Air National Guard in New Mexico are expected to participate initially, with a potential expansion to 100 people.

State officials said they are prepared to process an influx of substitute teaching licenses to get the help into classrooms.

The state is also preparing to ensure absences in other public agencies dont disrupt ordinary state services, officials said.

Remote learning in place

Santa Fe Public Schools is among 60 districts and charter schools that have moved into remote learning since winter break.

Child care centers have also faced closures, and they are covered under Wednesdays initiative.

Elizabeth Groginsky, the states Cabinet secretary of early childhood education and care, said her agency is seeking volunteers  from the National Guard, state agencies and the public  who are willing to undergo a background check and complete health and safety training before working in child care.

Other states are also working to combat closures. In Oklahoma, for example, state employees have been asked to help as substitute teachers.

In Wednesdays news conference, Lujan Grisham acknowledged New Mexico has faced a long-standing shortage of teachers, even before the pandemic. She has called on lawmakers this year to boost teacher pay by 7%  including for substitutes  among other efforts to expand the workforce.

Teacher vacancies in New Mexico exploded in the fall semester, with about 1,000 openings early in the school year, up from 570 the year before, according to figures shared with lawmakers.

A surge in retirements is a factor. In 2021, the state saw a 40% spike in the retirement of education employees.

The jump in cases this month  fueled by the highly contagious omicron variant  is worsening the shortage, school officials say.

The need for substitute teachers has increased greatly, said Kurt Steinhaus, who leads the state Public Education Department.

The omicron wave may last four to six weeks, health officials have said, based on the experience elsewhere around the world.

Lujan Grisham said she is hopeful the state can adjust parts of its pandemic strategy in March.

In the meantime, each positive test triggers a cascade of isolation and quarantine.

The Public Education Department, for example, directs students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate themselves for five days after a positive COVID-19 test or the onset of symptoms, matching state and federal guidelines.

The Santa Fe district needed about 85 substitutes one day this week, a figure that includes people needed for just a class period, not necessarily all day, state officials said.

Mary Bissell, a high school math teacher in Rio Rancho, said the shortage of teachers and substitutes is taking on a toll on students.

We have classes that are just sitting in gyms. We have classes sitting in lecture halls, Bissell told reporters Wednesday. We have kids emailing, begging for help.
PHOENIX  The Arizona School Boards Association, which successfully sued the Arizona Legislature to invalidate key parts of the state budget last year, is now being targeted by Republican lawmakers who have long opposed its efforts to lobby for local school boards.

A Republican-controlled state Senate committee on Tuesday advanced a bill that would ban the more than 200 school boards that are association members from using taxpayer money to pay yearly membership fees.

The sponsor, Republican Sen. Kelly Townsend, said it is just wrong for tax dollars to be spent lobbying for partisan issues at the Legislature.

Townsend and Republicans on the Senate Education Committee also pointed to a letter sent this summer to President Joe Biden by the national school boards group as a key driver of the legislation. The letter asked Biden to use federal law enforcement to crack down on the growing number of threats against school board members from parents who opposed mask mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions.

The wording of the National Schools Boards Association letter led to national blowback against the group and its state members, some of which quit the organization even after it apologized.

Republican Sen. Paul Boyer, who chairs the Senate committee, sparred with the associations lobbyist over why the organization did not end its affiliation with the national group. Boyer pointed to the letters request for Biden to invoke terrorism laws to go after parents who threatened board members.

You said the speech was problematic, Boyer said to Chris Kotterman. Certainly, likening parents to domestic terrorists is more than problematic.

Kotterman agreed, noting that the letters language was an extreme problem.

But Kotterman, school board members and people who testified Tuesday said removing the associations funding would leave school boards without the training, insurance and many other services it provides members because of an ill-advised letter that prompted public blowback.

It also would leave elected school boards without a unified professional voice at the Legislature.

If we have the ability to weaponize legislation against the people or groups that we have philosophical differences with, I think we are going down a very slippery slope, said Craig Hazeltine, a Scottsdale resident who testified against the bill. I believe it takes us  to a place of retribution and disdain that we shouldnt (go to).

In the background is the lawsuit the association filed last year against four state budget bills that members opposed partially because they barred school boards from adopting mask mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions. The association won, with the Arizona Supreme Court ruling that the Legislature unconstitutionally packed the budget with unrelated policy items.

I would like to remind the committee here today that ASBA has weaponized many bills against parents and families, parent Merissa Hamilton told the panel. Last year when this Legislature passed bills to protect the parental rights and medical freedom of our students, they sued so that those bills would be thrown out.

She said bill provisions that were blocked put thousands of families opposed to those rules at risk of losing their livelihoods. She was one of several parents who testified in favor of the legislation.

Many public organizations that are affected by legislation are members of groups like the association that provide resources and advance their priorities at the Legislature. Townsend said she eventually wants all of them blocked from using public money to lobby.

Townsend pointed to a series of school board association positions opposing Republican legislative proposals to justify targeting the group.

But Jill Humpherys, a Gilbert Public Schools board member, said she and her district have benefitted greatly both from the associations services and from its advocacy at the Legislature.

We as school boards need to be able to lobby at the Legislature for our priorities, Humpherys said. We set our political agenda together at the delegate assembly, and we all vote on it.

And so if you take away opportunities to lobby, then you take away the voice of our districts and our children and our families, she said.

Townsend said she also wants to target groups like the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, which lobbies under direction of its members.

This is a Step One in the efforts to remove taxpayer dollars being used by an organization that has a partisan bias, Townsend send.

The committee approved the bill on a 5-3 party-line vote, and it now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
MEXICO CITY  Decades ago, Mexican activists drove women into the United States to terminate their pregnancies at clinics. Now its women in the U.S. who are facing more challenges to accessing abortion services and again Mexican activists are stepping up to offer support.

The changing dynamic has to do with the reversal of the legal fortunes of abortion rights on both sides of the border and the expertise of Mexican activists in helping women overcome legal and social barriers.

In September, Mexicos Supreme Court issued a decision declaring that abortion was not a crime in the heavily Roman Catholic nation. That same month, the most restrictive abortion law in the United States went into effect in Texas. And the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on a case this year that could throw out the 1973 decision guaranteeing women access to abortions, potentially allowing nearly two-dozen states already with laws in place to severely restrict or ban abortion.

This week, advocates from both sides of the border plan to develop strategies to circumvent new restrictions and find ways to coordinate assistance for women who want to safely end their pregnancies, including getting abortion pills to women in the U.S.

We want to create networks to put the pills in the hands of women who need them, especially immigrants and women in vulnerable situations, said Veronica Cruz, director of Las Libres or The Free, an abortion advocacy group in Mexico.

The pills Cruz refers to are misoprostol and mifepristone, a two-drug combination used for medical abortions during the first 12 weeks. Misoprostol, which was used to treat ulcers, doesnt need medical prescription in Mexico and can end a pregnancy alone but is more effective in combination with mifepristone, which does need prescription but the advocate groups get for free from donors.

The World Health Organization and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics endorse their use and they have been widely used for abortions in Europe and other parts of the world.

In the United States more than 4 million women have had medical abortions since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved those drugs in 2000 with a doctors prescription. The FDA eliminated a 20-year-old requirement in December that women had to pick up the medication in person so now they will be able to get a prescription via an online consultation and receive the pills through the mail.

But more than half of U.S. states have local restrictions on medical abortions  such as the need to have a physician in the same room  that make it complicated or unfeasible to carry out the practice at home.

Jacqueline Ayers, vice president of Planned Parenthood, said opponents are using medically unnecessary restrictions put in place by out-of-touch politicians.

Some women living in U.S. border areas have for years crossed to Mexican pharmacies to buy misoprostol, in some cases to avoid the cost of a clinic abortion or simply because it is easier and the drugs are cheaper in Mexico.

I really didnt want to deal with all the restrictions and unnecessary stress that goes along with the abortion in a clinic so I started looking into the medical abortion options, said Liz Stunz, a graduate student at the University of Texas-El Paso, who ended her pregnancy with a pill from Ciudad Juarez in 2015.

Cruz, a lawyer, said advocates will look closely at the new Texas law to ensure that the women and those assisting them are not put in jeopardy.

Her group, Las Libres, has been assisting Mexican women with home abortions since 2000, including safely getting the pills to even the most remote locations. They argue that no medical supervision is needed during the first 12 weeks.

At that time, abortion was illegal in all of Mexico and Las Libres was known for successfully petitioning courts to free poor and Indigenous women accused of having abortions. Much of the stigma remains, but now it is legal in four states and the September decision by the Supreme Court decriminalizing it has given momentum to efforts to strike it from state penal codes throughout the country.

More established groups like Las Libres have trained others in advocacy network, a push that accelerated after Mexico City became the first place to legalize abortion in 2007.

At the border, it wasnt necessary for Mexican women to cross to clinics in the United States anymore. We no longer needed a clinic, nor health professionals, and the process was safe and much simpler and affordable, said Crystal P. Lira, part of the Tijuana advocacy collective called Feminist Accompaniment  Tijuana Safe Abortion Network.

Now offers of assistance from these groups, especially during the pandemic, circle the globe.

A message on social media from Las Libres garnered inquiries from as far away as India. An animated video from a small advocacy group in Mexicali, across from California, spread through Peru, Ecuador and Argentina, said Perla Martinez, one of the groups three members.

With the pandemic forcing people into increasingly virtual existences, the advocates assistance moved onto platforms like WhatsApp and Zoom too. There they can give instructions, send advice, even judge whether the bleeding is normal and if necessary refer them to a doctor with advice on what to say to avoid legal trouble. But generally everything flows in a positive way, said Lira of the Tijuana group, emphasizing the most important thing is that the women feel they are not alone.

Since the Texas law went into effect prohibiting abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity  usually around six weeks, before some women know theyre pregnant  a growing number of women have sought abortions outside the state. The Texas law also allows private citizens to sue doctors or anyone who helps a woman get an abortion.

Texas conservative groups and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott celebrated the new law. The life of every unborn child with a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion, Abbott said.

Mexican advocates have begun receiving more messages from women across the border, including from migrants. Those living in border areas without legal status cant drive to major U.S. cities even within Texas without passing through Border Patrol internal checkpoints.

Some of the advocates see it as an opportunity to pay back the assistance Mexican women received at a time when the U.S. was the only option for many to access abortion services.

Its not just abortion for abortions (sake) that is fundamental, said Lira, who had an abortion in a U.S. clinic in 2012, but now advocates for abortions at home. Advocates want to rethink how to meet womens needs on both sides of the border. There is also a vision behind it, a way of working, of organizing ourselves.

__

AP videojournalist Alicia Fernandez in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and writer Claudia Torrens in New York contributed to this report.
EGELSBACH, Germany  Teenage pilot Zara Rutherford landed in Germany on Wednesday on the penultimate stop of her bid to become the youngest woman to fly around the world solo.

Hopefully one day away from sealing the record, the Belgian-British 19-year-old said that shes looking forward to getting home after a long five months.

Rutherford is due to land Thursday in Kortrijk, Belgium, where she embarked on her trip on Aug. 18. American aviator Shaesta Waiz was 30 when she set the existing record for the youngest woman to circumnavigate the world solo in 2017.

Growing up, I didnt see many other female pilots. I always thought that was really discouraging, Rutherford told reporters after landing her single-seater Shark sport aircraft at Egelsbach, an airfield a few kilometers from Frankfurt Airport, Germanys busiest. So Im hoping to encourage more girls to go into aviation and kind of show a friendly face, so that if a girl likes aviation and she sees me, she knows shes not the only one.

She was initially supposed to finish her trip on Monday, but bad weather has caused several delays during the journey.

Rutherfords flight saw her steer clear of wildfires in California, deal with biting cold over Russia and narrowly avoid North Korean airspace. She said shes really excited to get home.

Now to think that Im home tomorrow, I dont think Ive processed it  it still feels strange, I still feel like I should be months away, she said. Im happy that Ive done it, but its been really difficult.

Theres been amazing moments, but then theres been moments when I have feared for my life and I would not want to do that again, Rutherford added.

Once Im home, I think Im going to sleep for about a week and then talk about her experiences, she said. She hopes to go to university to study engineering in September, in the U.K. or the U.S.

The mens record for the youngest solo round the world flight is held by Travis Ludlow of Britain, who set that benchmark last year at 18.
TEMPE, Ariz.  Police on Wednesday said they are recommending felony charges against former Arizona Corrections Director Charles Ryan in an encounter at his Tempe home nearly two weeks ago in which he was accused of pointing a gun at officers.

Investigators recommend that prosecutors charge Ryan with aggravated assault on a peace officer and unlawful discharge of a firearm, Tempe police said in a statement.

Police have said that officers went to Ryans home on Jan. 6 after receiving a report of a person with a possible a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

They said Ryan was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time, had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to one of his hands, initially refused calls to exit his home and pointed a gun at officers standing behind an armored vehicle before surrendering.

After he was taken into custody, Ryan was brought to a hospital for treatment, police have said.

Police have declined to say whether Ryan has been released from the hospital, citing privacy concerns. They also declined to say whether Ryan has been arrested.

Ryan retired as corrections director in September 2019.

Efforts to seek comment on behalf of Ryan, who doesnt have a published phone number, were unsuccessful.

The Maricopa County Attorneys Office said there was no estimate on when it will decide whether to file charges against Ryan.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.  An Air Force airman will spend the rest of his life in prison for kidnapping a Mennonite woman from northwestern New Mexico, fatally shooting her and leaving her body in the freezing cold in a forest clearing hundreds of miles away.

Mark Gooch, 22, was convicted of kidnapping and first-degree murder in October. He was sentenced Wednesday, nearly two years to the date that Sasha Krause went missing while gathering material to teach Sunday school.

Gooch expressed no emotion when Coconino County Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols handed down the sentence. Brown Nichols said the case was one of the most senseless shes handled and was perplexed by a motive that never was revealed.

By all indications, Krause and Gooch were strangers who shared an upbringing in the Mennonite faith.

Even if he knew the person, it wouldnt be justified, Brown Nichols said. But the fact that he didnt even know her was so very senseless and mindboggling.

Authorities used cellphone and financial records, and surveillance video to tie Gooch to the crimes. The records showed he left Luke Air Force Base where he was stationed in metropolitan Phoenix, drove north past Flagstaff and through the Navajo Nation to Farmington, New Mexico, where Krause worked in the publishing ministry.

Gooch acknowledged he took the trip in a search for the fellowship of Mennonites but he denied taking Krause on Jan. 18, 2020, or killing her.

The communitys frantic search for Krause turned up nothing.

Authorities discovered Gooch left Krauses body in a remote area on the outskirts of Flagstaff, Arizona, that had no cellphone service, under the cover of night. The records showed he tried to cover his tracks, asking a friend to hold a .22-caliber gun, getting his car detailed and deleting the location history on his phone.

A camper found Krause more than a month later and alerted authorities. Krause was lying face down with her hands bound with duct tape. The 27-year-old had been shot in the head.

Prosecutors argued Gooch was driven by a disdain for the Mennonite faith that he grew up with in Wisconsin, exhibited by text message exchanges with his brothers. Gooch never joined the church and enlisted in the Air Force where he worked as a mechanic.

Now, instead of honorably serving his nation, he is going to serve a humiliating life term in prison, Coconino County Attorney William Ring said in a statement after the sentencing hearing. The victims faith was important to her, so as guided by Proverbs, we all do right by caring that justice gets done for the vulnerable ones.

Goochs parents, Jim and Anita, declined to comment after the hearing other than to say they are praying for Krauses family whom they communicated with during the trial.

Goochs attorney, Bruce Griffen, said he was disappointed Gooch wont have a chance at life outside of prison decades from now. He, too, struggled to understand any motive. Goochs family and friends described him in court documents as hardworking, respectful, inquisitive and kind.

He had no criminal history.

I call it the unanswered question, Griffen said. Still think theres a disconnect. I dont understand it. I dont think anybody understands it at this point.

Gooch briefly spoke during the hearing for the first time, expressing condolences to Krauses family and thanking his family for their support. His eyes scanned the courtroom gallery as sheriffs deputies led him out.

Krauses parents, who live in Texas, didnt attend the hearing in person but asked a representative to read a letter to Brown Nichols. In it, they said Sasha Krause was a good sister, conscientious, eager to read at a young age and determined. She had a sense of confidence that her sisters sometimes took as bossy, they wrote.

They shared pictures of Krause reading to children, with her family and on a snowy outing in Colorado so the judge could see her as more than a victim, Robert Krause told The Associated Press.

Her parents said they will never understand why their daughter was kidnapped and murdered but said it had to be part of Gods plan.

God will use her death for His glory, and I am convinced He has eternal purposes for Sasha that we can only guess about, from here, they wrote.

The Farmington Mennonite Church Community addressed a letter directly to Gooch ahead of the sentencing hearing, although its unclear if he saw it. They described Goochs crimes as heinous but wrote that they believe he has some remorse and urged him to repent fully.
Instagram Celebrity

The 'Backin' It Up' emcee puts a brake on the wild speculation after reports spread that they split because the 'Savage' raptress got drunk and assaulted him.

Jan 19, 2022

AceShowbiz - Pardison Fontaine has finally broken his silence after speculation ran wild about his relationship with Megan Thee Stallion. After rumors spread that he has called it quits with the Grammy Award-winning artist, the male rapper called a "cap" on them.

The 32-year-old songwriter took to his Instagram Story on Tuesday, January 18 to put a brake on the reports because they have gotten "too crazy." He wrote, "Stop this cap. Nobody putting hands on nobody (At least not in that way)."

"Been seein the break up rumors and was letting y'all imaginations run," the "Backin' It Up" spitter added. "..But y'all gettin too crazy .Ain't give n***as a story so they made one  We really been on it double time."

Pardi was referring to recent reports which said that he and Megan broke up because of her alleged "bad temper" when she's drunk. It's claimed that "Pardi loves Megan but then when she's drunk, things get messy which Pardi is unable to deal with." An online tabloid even reported the story with a headline that read, "Pardi Fontaine Dumps Megan Thee Stallion Because She is a Mean Drunk."

Megan and Pardison's split rumors surfaced after the Houston-born rap star, whose real name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, removed all traces of Pardison from her Instagram page. A quick look on her feed shows her pictures with her beau no longer existed on her account.

Adding fuel to the breakup rumors, the "WAP" hitmaker did not publicly wish Pardison a happy birthday when he turned 32 years old last December, according to The Neighborhood Talk. While Megan deleted every post with Pardison from her feed, he still keeps her pictures on his own page. The two also still follow each other on the photo-sharing platform.

Megan has not addressed the breakup rumors.
WENN/Joseph Marzullo Movie

The 'Harry Potter' actor is tapped to star as the musician in 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story', Roku's first original biopic produced by Funny Or Die and Tango.

Jan 19, 2022

AceShowbiz - Daniel Radcliffe is going to channel his inner comic for his next project. The British actor has been tapped to portray "the king of spoof" parody musician Weird Al Yankovic in an upcoming biopic.

The 32-year-old will star in "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" that will focus on the prolific career of the Grammy-winning musician and pop cultural icon. The movie, billed as Roku's first original biopic, is produced by Funny Or Die and Tango, and will be available exclusively for free on The Roku Channel.

The film is written by Yankovic and Eric Appel, the latter of whom will also direct the film and serve as an executive producer. Yankovic will produce the movie along with Mike Farah, Joe Farrell and Whitney Hodack for Funny Or Die, and Tim Headington, Lia Buman and Max Silva for Tango. Funny Or Die's Henry Munoz III and Tango's Neil Shah are on board as executive producers.

"The biopic holds nothing back, exploring every facet of Yankovic's life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like 'Eat It' and 'Like a Surgeon' to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle," the press release said. " 'WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story' takes audiences on a truly unbelievable journey through Yankovic's life and career, from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time."

Yankovic, meanwhile, said in a statement of the project, "When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I'm very happy to say we're on schedule." He then gushed about Radcliffe who will portray him, "And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for."

Yankovic is a five-time Grammy winner and the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. He is known for humorous songs that make light of pop culture and often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts. His 2014 release "Mandatory Fun" became the first comedy album in history to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200.

As for Radcliffe, he is best known for his title role in the "Harry Potter" film series. He has since starred in a number of films such as "Kill Your Darlings", "Now You See Me 2" and acclaimed thriller "Imperium". He will next be seen in "The Lost City", which also stars Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum.
Instagram Celebrity

After many fans speculated that he hired film crew to document his engagement, the 'Bloody Valentine' hitmaker insists that he just recorded it on his phone against a cup.

Jan 19, 2022

AceShowbiz - Machine Gun Kelly is setting the record straight. The "Bloody Valentine" hitmaker has weighed in on rumors claiming that he hired videographers to document his proposal to Megan Fox as fans found out three camera angles.

In a joint interview with the "Transformers" actress, the 31-year-old rapper told Vogue that he "just recorded it on [his] cell phone." He went on to insist, "It was just like me setting my phone against a cup."

Megan then chimed in, noting that she doesn't "really look at social media" despite their decision to release the video on Instagram as a way to put the news of their engagement out themselves. MGK went on explaining, "We released it to control the narrative."

"As opposed to someone just catching a weird cell phone picture of a ring on our hand and being like, 'whoa!' " MGK said of the proposal that took place on January 11 in Puerto Rico, under the banyan tree, the same spot where the two first fell for each other. He further stressed that he "didn't expect" that their engagement was going to be "a huge megastory."

The footage of the proposal saw MGK getting down on one knee as Megan stood in shock with her hands over her mouth. The "Jennifer's Body" actress then dropped to her knees and allowed MGK to place the engagement ring on her finger. The lovebirds then wrapped their arms around one another and shared a kiss.

Days after their engagement, Megan gave a look at an intimate moment with her now-fiance. Making use of her Instagram Story on January 17, the 35-year-old actress posted a video that saw the soon-to-be-married couple lying side-by-side in their full bath which was infused by rose petals.

Megan also showed off their matching metallic gold pedicures while enjoying romantic time together. The pair could be heard laughing as the "Bad Things" rapper asked, "What the f**k is happening?"
"A Camel Nose-Inspired Highly Durable Neuromorphic Humidity Sensor with Water Source Locating Capability"

ACS Nano

Camels have a renowned ability to survive on little water. They are also adept at finding something to drink in the vast desert, using noses that are exquisite moisture detectors. In a new study in ACS Nano, researchers describe a humidity sensor inspired by the structure and properties of camels noses. In experiments, they found this device could reliably detect variations in humidity in settings that included industrial exhaust and the air surrounding human skin.

Humans sometimes need to determine the presence of moisture in the air, but people arent quite as skilled as camels at sensing water with their noses. Instead, people must use devices to locate water in arid environments, or to identify leaks or analyze exhaust in industrial facilities. However, currently available sensors all have significant drawbacks. Some devices may be durable, for example, but have a low sensitivity to the presence of water. Meanwhile, sunlight can interfere with some highly sensitive detectors, making them difficult to use outdoors, for example. To devise a durable, intelligent sensor that can detect even low levels of airborne water molecules, Weiguo Huang, Jian Song, and their colleagues looked to camels noses.

Narrow, scroll-like passages within a camels nose create a large surface area, which is lined with water-absorbing mucus. To mimic the high-surface-area structure within the nose, the team created a porous polymer network. On it, they placed moisture-attracting molecules called zwitterions to simulate the property of mucus to change capacitance as humidity varies. In experiments, the device was durable and could monitor fluctuations in humidity in hot industrial exhaust, find the location of a water source and sense moisture emanating from the human body. Not only did the sensor respond to changes in a persons skin perspiration as they exercised, it detected the presence of a human finger and could even follow its path in a V or L shape. This sensitivity suggests that the device could become the basis for a touchless interface through which someone could communicate with a computer, according to the researchers. Whats more, the sensors electrical response to moisture can be tuned or adjusted, much like the signals sent out by human neurons  potentially allowing it to learn via artificial intelligence, they say.

The authors acknowledge funding from the Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Meta has patented technologies that use biometric data to power what the user sees;

Members of the Thematic Research Team at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offer their view:

Sarah Coop, Associate Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Facebooks plan to target user content based on facial movements are concerning but unsurprising. After all, Facebook is primarily an ad-tech business, so it is unsurprising that hyper-targeted content is the focus for its future metaverse platform.

Also Read : India is going to be a huge part of building the metaverse: Mark Zuckerberg

The metaverse is set to be huge. GlobalData forecasts augmented reality (AR) will generate revenues of $152 billion by 2030, up from $7 billion in 2020. Meta itself is a huge advocate of the metaverse, with plans to invest $10 billion over the next decade. However, consumer sentiment hasnt been positive for the company, with GlobalDatas social media analytics database finding that influencers are highly concerned about issues of data privacy, following Facebooks name change to Meta. Out of 7,692 posts on the subject, a small minority of influencers supported the move. Metas past is tainted by data privacy issues, and its future metaverse will face the same issues.

Emma Taylor, Associate Analyst at GlobalData, says: The metaverse is already considered a potentially fertile ground for data privacy violations, especially if it follows an ad-funded business model. Metas patent applications will give the company the capacity to pursue this model to the extreme by targeting users with ads using their facial expression.

Consumer trust in Meta is already poor because of the data privacy lawsuits that were previously filed against the company. These patent applications indicate that Meta has not learned its lesson, having been accused previously of storing users biometric data without permission. It appears that history is repeating itself. It is likely that the same issues surrounding data privacy from existing social media platforms will be extended, or even exacerbated, in the metaverse.
The Federal Council

Bern, 19.01.2022 - In view of the strained situation in hospitals, the Federal Council is extending the validity of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. That is the decision taken at the meeting on 19 January. The requirement to work from home will stay in place until the end of February, as well as the rules on contact quarantine. The '2G' and '2G plus' rule for certain indoor settings, the extended mask requirement in indoor settings, the '3G' rule for outdoor events with over 300 people, and restrictions on private gatherings will apply until the end of March. The Federal Council will continuously monitor the pandemic situation to decide whether measures can be lifted earlier. The Federal Council is also shortening the validity period of certificates issued as proof of vaccination and recovery from COVID-19 to 270 days from the end of January.

On 17 December, the Federal Council imposed tighter restrictions, including the '2G' and '2G plus' rule in certain indoor settings, restrictions on private gatherings and a requirement to work from home. These measures are set to expire on 24 January, as is the extended certificate requirement imposed by the Federal Council last September.

In view of the continuing strained situation in hospitals, the Federal Council, after consulting the cantons, social partners, parliamentary committees and relevant associations, is extending the requirement to work from home until the end of February, and the remaining measures until the end of March. All of the cantons generally came out in favour of extending the validity of the measures. The Federal Council continually monitors whether developments allow measures to be lifted at an earlier date. At its meeting on 2 February, it will discuss a possible easing of measures.

Contact quarantine limited to the end of February

Following the consultation, the Federal Council has also decided to limit contact quarantine until the end of February. The Federal Council significantly shortened the quarantine period on 12 January. It now only applies to persons who live in the same household as someone who has tested positive, or who has had close contact in other ways. The risk of infection in these cases remains high. Quarantine significantly

helps to prevent people from transmitting the virus, such as in the workplace. People who have been vaccinated or have recovered in the last four months are also exempted from contact quarantine.

Validity of COVID certificate shortened to 270 days

The Federal Council is shortening the validity period of all vaccination certificates from 365 to 270 days from 31 January. This ensures that the Swiss certificate continues to be recognised in the EU. Certificates issued as proof of recovery from COVID-19 will also only be valid for 270 days.

Amended rules on testing to enter Switzerland

From Saturday, 22 January, persons who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID-19 will no longer be required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test before entering Switzerland. Persons who are not vaccinated or who have not recovered from COVID-19 will

still have to take the tests to enter the country. However, due to limited testing capacity, travellers will no longer be required to take follow-up tests four to seven days after arriving, meaning that the '3G' rule applies to enter Switzerland. The Passenger Locator Form (PLF) will only have to be completed by those travelling to Switzerland by plane or on a long-distance bus service.



Selective adjustments following the consultation

Following the consultation, the Federal Council has decided on the following adjustments, valid from 25 January:



- The requirement to record contact details is to be lifted due to the more limited contact quarantine. Until now, this requirement was applicable at clubs and discos and at certain indoor events with unrestricted access for up to 50 people (such as religious services).

- In view of the high number of cases and more limited contact quarantine, having sufficient cantonal capacity to carry out contact tracing is no longer a prerequisite for the approval of large-scale events.

- Further amendments concern cantonal exemptions from the requirement to restrict access to large-scale outdoor events, the '3G' rule for sitting federal baccalaureate exams, extending the deadline for issuing a medical certificate for people who cannot be vaccinated or tested on medical grounds, and amendments to the COVID-19 Ordinance on loss of earnings.

No change to mask requirement

Based on the outcome of the consultation, the Federal Council is not making any further changes regarding rules on isolation, a stricter mask requirement or a ban on face-to-face teaching at higher education institutions. It has also decided against tightening the national rules for large

events, such as compulsory seating when eating/drinking or capacity restrictions, as requested by several cantons.



New prioritisation for PCR tests

Due to the high demand for tests and stretched laboratory capacity, the Federal Office of Public Health will recommend to the cantons a new list to prioritise the handling of PCR tests:



1. People at high risk with symptoms or who have had contact with someone who has tested positive

2. Pool tests in healthcare institutions (hospitals and clinics, retirement and care homes)

3. Pool tests in critical infrastructures (defined by the cantons)

4. Tests of people with symptoms (also possible using rapid antigen tests)



5. Pool tests at schools

6. Pool tests in the workplace



7. Tests for professional or private travel (if PCR test required)

8. Tests upon request (to obtain a test certificate)

In order to further relieve pressure on PCR testing capacities, it will be possible on a temporary basis from 24 January to obtain a Swiss certificate proving recovery from COVID-19 based on a positive rapid antigen test. This will then be valid for 270 days and only in Switzerland.

Address for enquiries

Federal Office of Public Health FOPH

www.bag.admin.ch



media@bag.admin.ch

COVID-19 Infoline +41 58 463 00 00

COVID-19 Vaccination Infoline +41 58 377 88 92

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



General Secretariat FDHA

http://www.edi.admin.ch



Federal Office of Public Health

http://www.bag.admin.ch



Federal Office for Customs and Border Security

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The proposal by Gov. Kim Reynolds to provide more incentives for higher blends of biofuels in Iowa was met with strong support from agricultur
LEWISTOWN, Mont.  Each winter, farm and ranch families look forward to chasing away the winter blues at the Montana Winter Fair, held in the heartland of the states agriculture in Lewistown from Jan. 27-30.

We always have a lot of fun at the Montana Winter Fair and everyone is invited. It is a great cure for winter cabin fever, said Chris Cooler, board chair for the Montana Winter Fair.

The Montana Winter Fair would not be complete without the fun events and contests where farmers and ranchers, their families, and town folks can join together, watch, and participate. There are 20 some fun family events in all this year, including the ag-oriented Western Expo Trade Show.

There is literally something for every member of the family at the Montana Winter Fair. Mom might want to take part in the Chili Cookoff or the Cinnamon Roll Bake-off, while Dad talks about his spring ranching and farming needs at the Western Expo, and the kids are excited to see the animals at McDonalds Barn, Cooler explained.

The Western Expo Trade Show has a western theme and farmers and ranchers will find booths on everything they need for spring calving and planting season. Walk down the aisles at the trade show and find booths filled with representatives from seed companies, fertilizer and chemical companies, livestock handling equipment businesses, western clothing, community businesses and more. While the snow queen has retired and won't make an appearance, there will still be some snowy events.

In Skijoring, a rider on his horse pulls a skier down a track.

It is fun because while the person is being pulled along, he will pick up rings and things along the side to make it more exciting. Everybody loves it, she said.

One event many businesses and folks in the community have helped with is the Savor the Flavors of Montana dinner.

All the food is raised and processed here in Montana. It is a lot of work to put together, Cooler said.

There will be a variety of meats, sides, breads, pastas, soups, appetizers and desserts offered at the dinner. Paired with this is an offering of Montana's specialty beverages, all of which have been produced in Montana using locally-grown ingredients.

Whether its the grain in the bread or the beverages being served, everything at the dinner is grown in the state. The farmers take the raw materials and have it processed or process it themselves.

It is truly a raised and made in Montana dinner for everyone. Ranchers take their beef and lamb to process it and then bring it here. Tongue River Winery will have wines there and the food is so delicious, she said.

Another fun event is the Ranch Rodeo, where ranchers from all over the region compete in fun contests, such as branding.

The fair takes place all over Lewiston, including the Fergus County Fairgrounds north of town, the Trade Center, the Pavilion Sale Barn (north end of the Pavilion), the Pavilion Arena and the Draft Horse Barn. Other host sites include: Main Street, the Eagles Club, and the Lewistown Art Center and Celebration Fellowship Church (at the top of the hill).

Check the Montana Winter Fair website to see when and where the events happen.

Fun for the kids

The Old McDonalds Barn is a favorite for kids every year with a variety of animals, Cooper said.

Kids can come and look at the animals on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Draft Barn at the Fergus County Fairgrounds.

Kids also love the Stick Horse Rodeo and it is a great time for the whole family.

Kids get to pretend they are riding their own horse, and it is a great opportunity for photos, Cooler said.

The Youth Beef Show will be held at the fairgrounds on Jan. 30, and it is open to all youth, including members of 4-H, FFA, and the Junior Cattle Breed Associations. There will be cash prizes awarded.

You dont have to be a member of a youth organization to show your beef steer or other beef animal, but most are in 4-H, she said.

Fun for farm/ranch families

For farmers and ranchers, there will be farm forums at the fairgrounds and trade center. One will be on solar power and one will be on meat processing.

Other popular events at the fair include the Fiber Arts Show, Dog Show, Dutch Oven Cook-Off, Quilt Show, Ag Ambassador Contest and Livestock Judging.

On Sunday, Jan. 30, a Cowboy Church will be held at Celebration Community Church in Lewistown. The church is home to the Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the second-oldest gathering in the country. Everyone is welcome and doughnuts and coffee will be served.

We dont have as many activities as usual and we are late getting started with COVID, but we will still put on a great event for everyone, Cooler concluded.

For more on the Montana Winter Fair, see https://www.montanawinterfair.com or call 406-538-2200.

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A partnership between the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) and two AHRQ-listed patient safety organizations (PSOs) is helping improve care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The group used lessons learned about improving patient safety based on PSO data analysis, then customized tools and training to help providers better serve patients with IDD.

According to MDDC Executive Director Nancy Cronin, M.A., patients with IDD often avoid regular checkups and preventive care because primary care physicians lack experience treating them, which can make the visits incomplete or uncomfortable. The settings where patients with IDD are most likely to receive care bear this out.

Urgent care and emergency care are the most common care settings for people with IDD, so their conditions arent being managed well. Primary care doctors just dont have the training to care for this population, Cronin said.

She initiated a statewide effort to improve care for patients with IDD when she realized the scope of the problem. She recruited the Maine Primary Care Association (MePCA) PSO and ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices PSO to help. AHRQ-listed PSOs collect and analyze data thats been voluntarily reported by healthcare providers, so Cronin knew the PSOs were a good resource for insights on patient experiences, research, and dissemination of safety solutions.

The group set out to identify what factors influenced patients with IDD to seek care outside of primary care practices in order to help providers address those issues. Their first step was to conduct a preliminary assessment of issues and develop a strategy using AHRQs TeamSTEPPS framework. TeamSTEPPS is an evidence-based system that helps improve communication and teamwork skills among healthcare professionals, boosting patient safety and quality of care.

ECRIs Andrew Martin, M.S.N., R.N., combed the over four million events within the ECRI and the ISMP PSO database to identify and analyze patient safety events. His goal was to learn what types of events were impacting patients with IDD and how primary care practices responded to those patient safety events. These included events that portrayed uncomfortable interactions between some patients with IDD and their doctorsthe type of situations that cause patients to avoid care. Based on this and other factors uncovered during the PSO analysis, the group started a dialogue with patients and clinicians to find out how to improve care.

To support that dialogue, Christopher Pezzullo, D.O., clinical director of the MePCA PSO, introduced another key element to the groups effort: Safe Table events. Dr. Pezzullo described their Safe Table event as a protected forum where participants can feel comfortable discussing patient safety and quality improvement experiences.

From left: Christopher Pezzullo, Andrew Martin, and Nancy Cronin, the Maine team that has worked to improve care for patients with special needs.

After an IDD Safe Table event held in August 2020 for primary care physicians, attendee feedback forms indicated that they wanted and needed more information about caring for patients with IDD, Dr. Pezzullo said.

To round out their research, the team also conducted interviews with pediatric specialists, who have the most experience working with patients with IDD. They also talked with patients parents, who provided the patient and familys perspectives.

Based on the assessment, data, Safe Table results, and feedback, the group developed evidence-based solutions to educate and support providers who treat patients with IDD. This included creating a patient safety brief that outlined findings from the analysis about improving care and providing recommendations. The brief also covers considerations such as scheduling, exam room setup, care provision, and staff preparations.

These small accommodations can make the visit less stressful, so that patients will be more inclined to return to primary care physicians for care, Martin noted.

The impact of this group effort has expanded. The MePCA PSO now includes the IDD perspective in all of its Safe Table events. For example, a Safe Table on lab workflow and lab errors helped to identify specific concerns of patients with IDD that can now be addressed.

The group is proud of their progress, as well as their evidence-based, collaborative approach to improving care for patients with IDD.

This project represents the gold standard: the way it should be done using evidence. Not telling doctors what to do through mandates, but having conversations, Cronin said.
This weeks column is aimed at giving you information on topics currently in the news.

People in the U.S. can now get free at home Covid-19 tests, according to a news release from the Oklahoma Insurance Department. But thats only true if you have health insurance.

Insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage must cover over-the-counter Covid-19 tests. Under the new guidelines that took effect Jan. 15, the tests may either be free or reimbursed by the insurer. Health insurers are incentivized to set up a network of pharmacies or retailers so their members can...
Driver sustains minor injuries, four citations issued

Monday about 1:25 p.m., a semi loaded with cattle overturned east of Kiowa at Bluestem Road or 1.4 miles south of Chieftain Road.

Kansas Highway Patrol Charley Brattin worked the wreck and was assisted by numerous law enforcement agencies from Oklahoma and Kansas. That's since the wreck literally happened on the Oklahoma and Kansas stateline.

Brattin said a 2001 Peterbuilt tractor truck hauling a load of cattle was northbound on N2580 in Oklahoma. The vehicle failed to make the curve, and went off the roadway to the right. The driver was Hector Zuniga Salazar, 52, of Arapaho, Okla. The troo...
Joe Biden and his cronies have a never-ending need to prove their Wokeness. In their latest attempt, the Food and Drug Administration decreed racial minorities will get preference over Whites in receiving the limited supplies of critically needed COVID-fighting drugs. Beyond the blatant racism, this taxpayer-funded dictate is clearly illegal. Officials in the Biden administration implementing these racial preferences subject themselves to prison terms every time they do.

Ironically, the same law that makes this hare-brained racial rationing of COVID treatments illegal ties directly to President Bidens recent diatribe in Atlanta. He accused Republicans of trying to reenact Jim Crow laws by filibustering the Democrats vote-stealing bills. He even labeled Republicans opposing the Democrats Voting Rights Legislation as modern-day Bull Connors.

For those too young to remember, Bull Connor was the notorious tobacco-chewing segregationist top cop in Birmingham, Alabama during the civil rights days. Connor was the Democrat grinning in the background when old news footage focused on snarling police dogs chewing on the arms and legs of civil rights protestors as pummeling nightsticks and high-pressure fire hoses knocked them to the ground. Connor would then arrest the protestors and hold them in jail incommunicado. No bail. No visitors. No lawyers, just daily beatings and fried bologna for breakfast. In the early days of my news career, I remember watching hundreds of Americans fleeing Bull Connor and Birmingham in sheer terror.

Skip forward to 2022. Rather than assuring the right for Black people to vote, Bidens so-called voting rights bills have only one real purpose. They are all designed to allow enough illegal voting to ensure permanent Democrat victories in every race from President down to the Director of Political Payoffs in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. For example, the Biden-backed bills outlaw voter ID. That would be a huge help to continue the voting fraud career of the Miami man who admitted in a TV news interview he voted seventeen times in the 2000 Bush-Gore race.

Bidens bill would also outlaw any voter ID for mail-in ballots. That would help repeat the 2008 election fraud where all 120 ballots mailed to patients in an Ohio nursing home were completed in the same handwriting with the same mauve-colored ink. Some of the names in the signatures were even misspelled! Of course, the ballots all voted the straight Democrat ticket. Ballot stuffers used to crawl thru cemeteries gathering names from tombstones to obtain large blocks of straight Democrat voters. Now the Ohio Dems have a better scheme. They catch older, often-addled voters while they are still in nursing homes!

The Democrat idea of mailing absentee ballots to every voter might sound oh-so-convenient until you remember the Texas letter carrier who reported something was amiss. He was suspicious after delivering more than 2,600 absentee ballots to one unused rural mailbox at a burned-out doublewide trailer sixty miles southwest of Houston.

Image: Preparing for monoclonal antibody treatment. YouTube screen grab.

In light of COVID and the draconian Democrat attempts to regulate everything in our lives, mentioning Bull Connor was a huge error. But the Biden Administration continues to rack up an endless catalog of massive blunders.

In their latest mistake, Bidens Food and Drug Administration decreed federal taxpayer-supported hospitals must give preference to racial minorities when dispensing the limited amount of proven COVID treatments. That Royal Decree affects 99% of the hospitals in America, because what hospital doesnt accept Medicare? The problem for Biden is that this mandate is clearly illegal.

There is no doubt Monoclonal Antibodies are highly effective in fighting COVID. They are not another vaccine. Monoclonal Antibody infusions help COVID patients get well fast. It doesnt matter if the patient was unvaccinated, had all his shots like a good puppy, or even had COVID previously. Monoclonal Antibodies keep COVID patients out of the hospital and out of the morgue. Unfortunately, like honest politicians in Washington, there are not nearly enough of these treatments to go around.

Long before Omicron ever emerged, the FDA should have accelerated the production of Monoclonal Antibodies and other effective treatments. Instead, the governments Dw.P. cadre, the Doctors of Woke Pandering, pounded only one drum; Everyone must be vaccinated! That effort failed before SCOTUS, and with, Omicron running rampant, the vaccines failed to prevent even the boosted from getting sick.

But without enough Monoclonal Antibodies and other effective treatments for patients who need them, Bidens D.C. bureaucrats decided Black Lives Matter so much they should be given priority over Whites for these life-saving drugs.

Ironically, the law prohibiting this kind of racial discrimination was enacted in the aftermath of Bull Connor, George Wallace, and the rest of the KKK kluckers. That federal law makes it illegal for any government agency to deny medical treatments based on color, race, or ethnicity.

Title 18, Section 282 of the U.S. Code says:

Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. if bodily injury results from the acts committed in violation of this section, imprisoned not more than ten years. and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section, for any term of years or for life, or sentenced to death.

Death penalty? Sorry, Joe, were not talking get-out-with-no-bail.

So how does that law apply to the distribution of Federal taxpayer-funded medical treatments? Monoclonal Antibodies treatments are a federally-provided benefit in the United States. Anyone who doubts that only has to imagine what would happen if some D.C. bureaucrat decreed Whites had priority and Latinos must be last in line for any treatment under Medicare. In this case, its quite simple. By prioritizing minority racial groups for a limited-availability federal benefit, Bidens bureaucrats are denying equal federally-funded health and medical benefits to Whites. 18 U.S. Code  282 of the U.S. Code says thats a big-time felony. For the woke-worshiping Washington crowd, suddenly, pandering may result in a prison sentence.

Some readers may argue the law would not apply. After all, cases filed against Barack Obama by private citizens seeking his birth records were quickly dismissed. Judges ruled individual plaintiffs did not have standing to sue because, even if Obamas candidacy were illegal, the country as a whole would have been the damaged party, not individual citizens. As an analogy, if a supermarket has slippery floors, only those who fall and are hurt can sue; not everyone who happened to shop in the store that day.

This is different. A non-minority person who becomes sicker because she was denied Monoclonal Antibodies solely on the grounds of her race has suffered definite individual, personal damages. The families of breadwinners who die after not receiving racially denied Monoclonal Antibodies have even bigger cases.

Will this latest Biden Administration misstep send someone to jail?

Stay tuned.

Ed Sherdlu is the pen name of a former CBS television network reporter. He uses a pen name because his mother would be so embarrassed to know that Eds 12-Step Journalism Recovery Program had been a failure.
We are hearing a lot of people expressing happiness at the low Biden poll numbers, and some are looking forward to a Democrat crash later this year. One conservative outlet stated, "The polling confirms voters are fed up with Mr. Biden's failures. After a year of Biden-driven decline, Americans are looking for a positive, forward-looking alternative." Perhaps they are counting their chickens before they are hatched?

This writer looked up some history about changes in control of the House and Senate and found the following:

(1) The Democrats gained the House and Senate back in 2006. President George Bush's approval ratings that year, according to Gallup, hovered in the high 30th percentile, with brief moments above 40. If Biden's approval ratings remain low throughout the year, predictions of a Republican sweep of House and Senate might materialize. However, we cannot forget that by 2006, it became clear that President Bush and his secretary of state, the revered phony Gen. Colin Powell, had presented bald-faced lies to the public about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq as an excuse to invade that terrible country. So far, a lie of that magnitude has not been forthcoming from the Biden tirades and drivel. Rather, we have been blessed with merely hearing a bunch of lesser lies and distortions.

(2) In 1994, both Houses went Republican, yet in January of that year, Pres. Clinton's approval rating was at 58%, but by the two months prior to November, it had fallen to about 40%. The low presidential approval just prior to the November election suggests last-minute disaffection, but that year does show that the high level of popularity achieved by Clinton at the beginning of and for most of the year did not translate into victory at the time of the election in November. This would thus suggest caution in turning Biden's low rating now into any kind of assurance about outcomes in November.

(3) Lastly, during the year 2016, the last year of his two terms in office, Pres. Obama had an approval rating in the 50th-plus percentile, and 58% by the end of the year, but the Republicans took control of the House and the Senate as well as the presidency. Thus, there is not a one-to-one relationship between a president's January approval early in an election year and election results in November for the House or the Senate.

With this background in mind, the polls about Biden's sinking poll numbers could engender a sense of complacency among conservatives  the feeling that winning back control is "in the bag." With the COVID bogeyman as the excuse for widespread out-of-control mail-in ballots and ballot harvesting, we remain in a precarious position. The democratic process is under attack. Further, in computerized voting, where voters mark their ballots in one place and then walk to another location to a computer where they insert their ballot, we see intrinsically the opportunities for fraud. This fraud, especially in densely populated areas, is something Democrats have fewer scruples about than Republicans. What is there to keep operatives at the polls from inserting hundreds or more ballots into the computers when no one is around? It takes much less time to do this "fixing" than when ballots were created by voting machines, where each voter's vote was finalized by shifting a large lever to the right. Those analog machines were much harder to tamper with than these computerized voting machines because now your vote goes in in less than a second.

So, friends, we should believe that Republicans (that is not synonymous with conservatives) will re-take the House or Senate only when we see it. Not only does history suggest that low presidential approval in January does not correlate with a shift in power in November, but also that the opposition party, the Democrats, is no longer controlled by the natural rights and individualistic values or the morality of the founders of our republic. Rather, they have shifted to a woke, cultural Marxist dogma, and violent rhetoric beyond anything we have ever seen or heard from sea to shining sea. We may be at a tipping point where a leftist takeover of the government may be incipient and past political shifts will be history.

On January 11, a small cadre of Republican senators led by Sen. Mitch McConnell, the king of non-speak, publicly spoke against certain changes in the filibuster rules of the Senate that Sen. Schumer wishes to make in order to pass dangerous changes to our voting laws. To me, this Republican presentation was a pathetic exercise of poor public speaking by a bunch of candidates for senior class president in a high school. None bothered to introduce himself by name or state of residence, and none condemned any of his colleagues in the Senate by name (although Sen. Lankford at least criticized Sen. Schumer by name).

Both the House and the Senate have rules against impugning the motives of another member of those bodies, but those rules should be ignored. Only one senator had a small visual aid with his comments in order to emphasize the point or points being made, and none had the cojones like Marjorie Taylor Greene to use the word "communist" when referring to some members of the Democrat cabal.

The public presentation by Sen. McConnell and his team was a presentation without passion. Our nation's founders not only had reason, but they also had passion. In this writer's opinion, while these Republican senators spoke in excellent, grammatical sentences disagreeing with the Democrats, their presentations did nothing to inspire a public that one of those senators rightly described as hardly interested in voting rights legislation. Yet, it is that very combination of voter disinterest in the voting rights issue and the Democrats' intense interest in that legislation that makes this issue such a dire threat to our politics and stability.

It is my fervent desire that all concerned citizens should pray constantly that the House and Senate clearly move out of Dem control in November. But at the same time, don't expect too much from a Republican Congress as far as righting the wrongs of 2021 or 2022, by, for example, impeaching officials of the Biden Cabinet, which would be desirable. And for the next ten months, please encourage everyone you know not to vote for any Democrat this November. No matter how charming any candidate may seem to be, at this point in history, the stakes are too high to trust any so-called moderates. We cannot risk that a so-called moderate Democrat might prove to be a leftist in sheep's clothing.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
As fears mount over the possibility of another Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration stands at risk of being painfully reminded of the steep cost of American retreat.

After last year brought the catastrophic combination of the U.S. pullout and Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the start of 2022 has added insult to injury. On January 11, the U.S. announced $308 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan -- meaning that Washington is still paying dearly for its miscalculations in Kabul.

In its quest to avert the next crisis overseas, the Biden administration should look no further than another embattled Central Asian nation. While energy prices fueled the protests in Kazakhstan from January 2-11, there is a far deeper geopolitical takeaway for the U.S. -- and it involves the usual suspect in an influence war that continues to confront America.

The unrest in Kazakhstan prompted the deployment of troops from member nations of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a post-Soviet alliance comprised of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Armenia. The CSTO was formed in 2002, shortly after an American-led coalition intervened in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks. Today, the CSTO functions as what former senior French defense official Pascal Ausseur recently described as a mini-NATO... with Russia in place of the U.S. on the other side.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken seems befuddled by the CSTOs military intervention in Kazakhstan, stating on January 7 that its not clear why they (Kazakh authorities) feel the need for any outside assistance, so were trying to learn more about it. Yet it should be no mystery to Blinken that the troop deployment reveals far more about Russia -- and its CSTO proxies -- than it does about the leadership in Kazakhstan alone. It embodies the Kremlins strategy of aggressively safeguarding its influence in the former Soviet Union, falling in line with the 2014 invasion of Crimea and the ongoing specter of Moscows influence over Ukraine.

Another piece of this puzzle lies in Armenia, the CSTO member country that is home to both the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri and the Russian 3624th Airbase in Erebuni Airport near Yerevan. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in his capacity as chair of the CSTOs Security Council, was the leader who formally announced the blocs military deployment to Kazakhstan. Pashinyan praised the purposefulness of our actions towards the earliest possible stabilization of the situation and the return of the country to normal life is obvious, mirroring Putins pattern of utilizing terms like stability when in reality, Russia is stirring unrest.

Ironically, Pashinyan himself rose to power after leading protests known as the Velvet Revolution -- a movement that failed to deliver on its promises, with Armenia remaining mired in an economic malaise that accompanies its staunch loyalty to Russia. During the first three quarters of last year, 103,000 more Armenians left the country than entered it, aligning with the longer-term Armenian population decrease of approximately 15% since the country gained independence in 1991.

With Armenia continuing to move in a discouraging direction, it should be no surprise that many of the countrys citizens are opposing Pashinyans deployment of Armenian troops as part of the

CSTOs military intervention in Kazakhstan -- citing the former domestic protest leaders hypocrisy in attempting to squelch protests abroad, as well as the fact that the CSTO declined Armenias request to intervene in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict last year. The Armenian people are justifiably asking themselves: Is steadfastly hitching our wagon to Moscow actually worthwhile? But rather than affirming Armenians thirst for change, the Biden administration invited Pashinyan to address its Summit for Democracy in December.

Meanwhile, although Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on January 11 that Russian forces would begin withdrawing, Putin is singing a different tune, refusing to provide a deadline for withdrawal and raising the possibility that CSTO troops could be stationed in Kazakhstan indefinitely. He also compared the developments in Kazakhstan to the 2014 unrest that led to the ouster of Ukraines pro-Russian president.

Further, Putin recently published a manifesto denying Ukraines right to sovereignty and threatened that if Ukraine is not excluded from joining NATO, Russias response will be military.

Putin is sending the unmistakable message that the Kremlin will expand its sphere of influence by any means necessary -- especially in countries and regions where America has left a strategic void. And the Russian strongman will not hesitate to persistently deploy his de facto vassal states, such as Armenia and the other members of the CSTO, in the pursuit of his objectives.

That is precisely why American policymakers, considering the substantial cost of strategic retreat, must now guide the country in standing up to Russia -- from Kazakhstan to Ukraine and beyond.

Paul Miller is president and executive director of the news and public-policy group Haym Salomon Center. Follow him on Twitter at @pauliespoint.

Image: PxHere
I recently wrote to my United States senator, a Republican NeverTrump, respectfully asking why the January 6 detainees are still in jail, with many still in solitary and not arraigned for what was essentially trespassing on public property (forgetting for the moment the role of FBI instigators). (Incidentally, we should all be writing.) His reply saddened me profoundly. I received back a two-page harangue of how horrible January 6 was and how it imperiled our democracy. Buried within that harangue were unexpected admissions about the unconstitutional conditions in which far more prisoners are held than most people realize. Surprisingly enough, these admissions gave me hope.

For anyone who lived through Election Night 2020, and watched Trump winning comfortably at 11:00 P.M. EST, only to lose that massive lead by the following morning, skepticism about the election will always remain intense. (And it seems more people are getting skeptical by the day.) That skepticism is hardened by stories of municipalities that actually stopped counting during the night and reopened with large Biden pluralities.

This sense of wrongdoing doesn't justify trespassing and certainly doesn't justify vandalism. But what happened on January 6 still pales in comparison to the carnage that BLM and Antifa wreaked on many American cities and towns the previous summer  and without cost to its perpetrators in most cases. So a white-hot rage remains in many Americans.

But back to my senator's curious reply. After a lengthy harangue about Jan. 6, the depraved perpetrators, and the evil Donald Trump, he provided two very odd statements. First, he informed me that 570 people are still held in D.C.'s jails.

Five hundred seventy! I had no idea that so many were incarcerated for so long, without trial.

Second, and unexpectedly, he revealed that these 570 were mostly kept in "restricted housing," which translates to solitary confinement or other extreme denials of privileges normally granted to the general prison population. I knew that was the case, but to have a senatorial office confirm it was curious.



Image: Cover of Marjorie Taylor Greene's report about conditions in the D.C. Jail (cropped). Only three other congressmen (Paul Gosar, Matt Gaetz, and Louie Gohmert) joined her in the report.

So here was an admission in writing that a large number of Americans are being held without trial under conditions that the Geneva Conventions would object to. Moreover, they violate the Constitution's promise of both a speedy trial and the right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment (especially before a trial is carried out with the proper due process and an actual conviction).

Land of the Free? Really? This reminds me more of the CCP's China than the America I grew up in.

My truly scary surmise is that these two reveals  following after the harangue  were no accident. The harangue, seemingly, was what was to be expected from a Democrat senator, so some staffer dutifully complied. But the two reveals were perhaps an admission  stealth or subconscious  that things aren't all fine and dandy in our nation's capital. They were an admission from a D.C. insider!

This reply was perhaps a dutiful staffer serving notice that, in addition to the harangue he was supposed to churn out, there are two more items that the establishment would rather the office not ratify. The whole thing suggests that our country is pretty far gone but that there are glimmers of resistance in surprising places.

I'm deeply saddened that people  and families  are being punished way beyond what their crime justifies. It is mercilessly un-American at its core. It is grossly mean-spirited, no matter what your politics. It is chilling to the rest of us that this is what central government in America has regressed to. Maybe that is its purpose: fear. If it is, God help us.

So here's a warning to the swamp (within and outside D.C.): inequity always causes a backlash. The inequitable treatment of Black Americans from 1865 to 1965 unleashed the Civil Rights era. Something similar is smoldering now, but this time, it involves an entire country, not just a segment. The backlash will be proportional, meaning that it will likely be (no pun intended) huge. (We've already seen a staggering shift in party alliance just in the past year.)

The harder the left tightens the spring, the greater the eventual recoil. That spring has been being tightened for over 70 years. The spring back promises to be legendary.
At 11:00 p.m. on a recent Saturday night, I had to call 911 and request EMT help for my wife who was experiencing severe chest pains.

We arrived at the Hospital ER at approximately 12:45 a.m., after a long wait for a government-managed ambulance. My wife in the ambulance arrived a few minutes earlier than I did.

I walked into the public ER entrance and took one of the required masks offered from an open-air rack. It was a thin surgical mask, as I read one person state: a surgeons splash guard. Through the rest of the night, I wore that mask whenever I was in the hospital.

Around 4:00 a.m., the nurse rolled a reclining chair into the room so I could attempt to rest. I tried this for an hour, of course, with the mask on my face. I observed that the mask created a warm, moist environment through which I sucked in air. I noted that the moisture level rose over time. And the mask became moist and warm.

This caused me to wonder: Is the supposed correlation between high vaccination rates in states such as New York and California, and high infection rates valid? Or is there a relationship between mandatory mask usage and high infection rates?

I began thinking about the physics of breathing. We suck in air, which includes oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, other gases, water, and microscopic particles including dust, pollutants, bacteria, and viruses. Some of what we inhale touches the tissue in our lungs. Our body absorbs oxygen. Some of the particles touch and stick to the tissue.

Then we exhaust most of it, with a decrease in the concentration of oxygen, and an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide and water. Most of the microscopic particles are also exhausted. Some of the particles are now attached to water vapor. During normal life, our body and its immune system take care of the rest of the particles, pollutants, bacteria, and viruses. And, we seldom get sick, meaning the bacteria or viruses dont exist in sufficient concentration in our lungs to overwhelm our system and start growing and multiplying.

Face masks of any type change this natural process. They all continue to allow the flow of gases. The most commonly used masks, surgical, cloth, and N95, stop larger particles but do little to stop the flow of microscopically small particles.

Prior to COVID-19, N95 masks were commonly referred to as dust masks. They are approved by OSHA to keep wood and metal dust, and large microscopic particles out of our lungs. They are 95% effective in stopping large microscopic particles.

All masks trap large particles and collect water vapor. The type of material used and the thickness of that material determines what the mask will trap and for how long it will be effective before the trapped particles and accumulated water prevents the material from trapping more and close enough of the holes that you will have difficulty breathing.

The relatively big holes in cloth masks trap very little other than large particles, and large drops of polluted water when you cough or sneeze. Surgical masks are untested short-term, large particle barriers.

N95 masks trap particles for a longer period. But what do they trap? They will trap 95% of particles that are 0.3 microns in size or larger. How large is a micron? 25,400 microns equals 1 inch. This is a measurement of small things.

What particles are bigger than 0.3 micros? Many of the common things we call air pollution are larger than 0.3 microns, including mold, pollen, wood and coal smoke, auto emissions, and most dust. Water vapor is larger than 0.3 microns. Bacteria are 0.3 microns or larger. (This is why we have seen photographs from China for years where everyone is wearing a mask. The Chinese are protecting themselves from extremely high air pollution common in that country.)

What is smaller than 0.3 microns? Some wood smoke particles. Some microscopic particles of heavier metals such as lead. Carbon dioxide molecules are 462 times smaller than 0.3 microns. Oxygen is 600 times smaller than 0.3 microns.

Viruses can be as small as 0.005 microns. That is 20 times smaller than what would be trapped by an N95 mask. The largest virus is 0.3 microns.

When we begin using a mask, the masks start trapping particles, slowly filling the holes in the mask, and reducing our ability to breathe. Does this mean that there is some point in time where an N95 mask might be trapping viruses? I would think that is possible. Certainly, if the virus is attached to water vapor, it would be trapped.

So, a mask would probably protect us from a virus attached to water vapor, for example, carried out of someones mouth during a sneeze. However, airborne viruses can be viewed as the microscopic equivalent of mold spores, which would not be trapped by an N95 mask.

So, what is happening behind the mask? We breathe in stuff that makes it through the mask. Some of it settles in our lungs. Some of it leaves just as it arrived. Some of it leaves our lungs attached to water vapor. It arrives in the atmosphere between our face and the mask. That's a warm and moist place. Or, it lands on the inside of the mask, again a moist place. More of the microscopic particles attached to water land on the inside of the mask. We take another breath, inhaling more airborne virus, and expose it to a high moisture environment, creating more water-captured virus. Over time, we are developing a warm, moist surface that might encourage the growth of the virus.

Are we raising our own crop of the virus that eventually succeeds in infecting us?

How many people make this worse by saving the mask for use over many days? How many people place the mask in a Ziplock bag to keep it clean, and thus also keep it moist and encourage growth of the virus?

Steve Kieffer is a retired business owner, educated by 74 years of life, with bragging rights to having earned a B.A. and M.B.A. decades in the past.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
If you don't like censorship across social media, then go "build your own" platform, the traditional conservative attitude goes. After all, we can't have the government dictate what content is acceptable. It is foolish to get the government involved because the government can also use that power against you later. Unfortunately, the government is already moderating content, and even Biden is speaking about it openly.

The "build your own" attitude downplays the extremism radiating from the left. This is what makes it so disappointing when prominent conservatives, independents, or libertarians like John Stossel (whom I like) still cling to the "build your own" attitude as if they're ignorant of the radical nature of today's Democrat party. The John Stossel "build your own" attitude assumes that the left values free-market competition as much as he does. For what reason does the "build your own" personality think the left will sit back and allow conservatives to build anything? The left is insatiable. No amount of censorship will ever be enough.

Large Big Tech companies colluded to take down Parler. Web hosts have banned conservative websites like Bare Naked Islam and Illegal Alien Crime Report. Payment providers like PayPal have banned countless conservatives, from Gavin McInnes to Ian Miles Cheong. Banks have banned Mike Lindell and Dinesh D'Souza. And like locusts seeking their next meal, the left has moved onto its next avenue of censorship  telecommunications providers.

Back in October, CNN's Brian Stelter complained about the conservative network One America News (OAN), suggesting that cable providers should not carry OAN on because it "is not just a conservative channel. It's a conspiracy channel, and there's a big difference."

For Stelter, this is nothing new. In January, Stelter openly advocated for telecommunications companies to ban Fox News from their television sets, saying, "Reducing a liar's reach is not the same as censoring freedom of speech." That same month, Stelter had former Facebook chief security officer Alex Stamos come on his show and urge cable providers to drop networks like OAN and Newsmax by saying, "These companies have freedom of speech, but I'm not sure we need Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and such to be bringing them into tens of millions of homes." These extreme censorship views are so mainstream on the left that even Joe Biden's FCC commissioner nominee agrees that Fox News should be regulated by Democrats.

Now leftists have gotten their wish. Earlier this week, DirecTV announced it would not renew its contract with OAN. I don't know what the financials look like for OAN, but I'm not naive enough to think this has anything to do with money. DirecTV is owned by AT&T  which also owns Brian Stelter's CNN.

They told conservatives to build alternative platforms, networks, or media, but the attacks have not subsided. Are we supposed to build our own telecommunications conglomerates? Even if we raised enough money to do that (which would be an enormous amount of money), local Democrat politicians would prevent the construction of the cables or other infrastructure.

Then what do we do, Mr. Stossel?

By tolerating censorship across social media platforms, some conservatives put their faith in the free market to correct the situation. Except the free market isn't as free as it used to be. Today's market consists of large corporations who finance Black Lives Matter and institute regular Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training for employees. The left has the mainstream media and social media platforms in its back pocket. Still, the old free-market conservative fails to recognize that large corporations have also become a leftist weapon.

I hope that the "build your own" conservatives and independents will soon stare at reality and recognize that they're behaving like a pacifist in a time of war. You will not be spared, so you might as well start fighting back. I was once a "build your own" conservative myself. But if we're going to combat the extremism on the left, it will require traditional conservatives to be a lot more aggressive.

Telecommunications companies like AT&T were supposed to be neutral and open to everyone, but the left has thrown out the old rules. The "build your own" thinker should throw them out as well.

Bode Lang is a conservative blogger who produces conservative videos on YouTube but is hoping you'll move with him to Rumble.
Remember when the White House and Dr. Anthony Fauci told us that, once we all took vaccines, we would all soon return to "normal"? Well, that's not going to happen. This virus will be with us for decades, just as the flu has persisted despite the availability of vaccines. That is because any virus can mutate. The combination of open borders from countries with poor public health, the relative complexity of COVID-19 compared to the flu, and the fact the viruses may mutate quickly mean it's almost impossible to make a vaccine fast enough to be effective.

Biden has pushed vaccinations and boosters, stating, "Go get vaccinated, America!" and "Get a booster shot eight months after you got your second shot." This is in sharp contrast to Kamala Harris, who about a year ago famously stated on live television: "If Donald Trump tells me to take it [the vaccine], I'm not taking it . " Oddly, Harris's sentiment transformed shortly after Biden was sworn in as president.

Next, Americans then repeatedly heard Fauci on television parroting that the vaccine and booster shots were "highly effective" and the White House officially repeating on December 22 that people with the booster are "highly protected."

What we're seeing is the moral bankruptcy equivalent of what Ernest Hemingway once said about actual bankruptcy, which comes "gradually, then suddenly." The Biden bureaucrats are "all in" and can never turn back, data be damned.

Likewise, mainstream news can't handle the truth about White House vaccine mandates. Rather than critique, they simply parrot. The truth is that the vaccines are not a magic bullet, because they protect people neither from catching nor from dying from COVID. At the bottom of this post, you'll find a long list of actual epidemiological findings from December alone, all strongly contradicting the administration's narrative.



Image: Vaccine. Freepik license.

Strikingly, despite data showing that it's not just "boostered" people usually who have mild omicron symptoms, it appears that everyone with the omicron variant seems to have mild symptoms. Why is the White House ignoring science?

Other foreign officials are more forthcoming. "It's Time to Admit Failure," stated Israel's Professor Ehud Qimron, head of the department of microbiology and immunology at Tel Aviv University.

Two years [later], you finally realize that a respiratory virus cannot be defeated and that any such attempt is doomed to fail. You do not admit it, because you have admitted almost no mistake in the last two years ... it is clear that you have failed miserably in almost all of your actions, and even the media is already having a hard time covering your shame. There is nothing left but to tell the experts who led the management of the pandemic  we told you so.

I'm hopeful that this kind of boldness to speak the truth will be contagious at the FDA, but I'm not holding my breath.

The refusal to acknowledge the truth about vaccines raises a number of questions:

Why are the White House and mainstream media working overtime to encourage public hysteria over vaccines for omicron?

Why aren't any of the career employees at the so-called "independent" federal public health agencies such as the CDC and NIH  and especially the FDA  speaking out en masse and in the name of science now, when they felt so comfortable doing so during the Trump administration?

Why are the mainstream news pundits at CNN who vociferously warned about how "stupid" it would be to take a supposedly "rushed" vaccine under Trump still blindly following the Biden White House on boosters and omicron, even as they seem to ignore the massive subjective and objective failure of boosters?

Is hydroxychloroquine bad only because Donald Trump and conservatives promote it?

Why aren't professional organizations calling out the FDA or the CDC for failing to provide pharmacies and hospitals with universal recommendations for early treatment protocols of COVID-19 infection? Instead, U.S. providers are forced to go to Canadian COVID Care Alliance to get treatment and prevention protocols for ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Hydroxychloroquine is widely available and inexpensive, has decades of safety data  and there's this: 76% of the real-time meta-analysis of 305 studies report positive effects for COVID-19 patients.

Here's a tidbit about hydroxychloroquine from you should know: according to the compilation of hydroxychloroquine COVID treatment studies, the probability that an ineffective treatment generated results as positive with those 305 studies is estimated to be 1 in 872 trillion.

Maybe it's time for America's physicians, pharmacists, and health care workers to stop blindly listening to the federal agencies and mainstream news narratives for advice on clinical pharmacology and actually examine the data themselves.

COVID vaccine/booster effectiveness news reports from December 1 through December 30, 2021

Dr. David Gortler is a pharmacologist, pharmacist, and FDA and health care policy scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center think-tank in Washington, D.C. He was a professor of pharmacology and biotechnology at the Yale University School of Medicine, where he also served at Yale's Bioethicist Center, and was an FDA medical officer who was later appointed by the White House to serve on the FDA's Senior Executive Leadership Team as senior adviser to the FDA commissioner for drug safety, drug epidemiology, FDA science policy, and FDA regulatory affairs. He is a regular columnist at Forbes and writes on drug safety, health care, and FDA policy.
Tassili n'Ajjer is a vast desert plateau in southern Algeria, stretching from the borders with Niger and Libya to the east, to as far as Amguid in the west, covering an area of 72,000 sq. km. Thousands of years of changing Saharan climate and erosion have created stunning geological features with towering sandstone pillars, deep canyons and more than 300 natural arches.

Tassili n'Ajjer shot into worldwide fame in the 1930s, not for its landscape but for the precious collection of ancient rock art in the area. Since their discovery, more than 15,000 petroglyphs and paintings have been identified representing 10,000 years of human history and environmental change. One of the most striking feature of these petroglyphs is the way they evolved with the change in climate.

Petroglyph depicting a possibly sleeping antelope, located at Tassili nAjjer in southern Algeria. Photo credit: Linus Wolf/Wikimedia

The oldest art belongs to the so-called Large Wild Fauna Period (10,000-6,000 BC) characterized almost entirely by engravings of animals such as hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and rhinos, depicting the abundant wildlife at a time when the Sahara was green and fertile. Humans appear as tiny figures dwarfed by the immensity of these animals and are often shown holding boomerangs or throwing sticks, clubs, axes or bows.

Overlapping with this era is the Round Head Period (8,000-6,000 BC) where human figures with elaborate attires took dominance. These figures ranged from a few centimeters to several meters tall. The majority of Round Head paintings portray people with round featureless heads and formless bodies. Some of the pieces seem to suggest shamanism with bodies flying through space or bowing before huge male figures that tower above them.

About 7,000 years ago, domesticated animals began to appear in the art. This period is known as the Pastoral Period. Rock art from this period reflects a changing attitude towards nature and property. Human figures became more prominent, and man was no longer shown as part of nature but portrayed as being above nature, yet able to derive sustenance from it. Wild animals gave way to cattle and stock. Later drawings (3500 years ago) depicts horses and horse-drawn chariots. Its unlikely that chariots were ever driven across the rocky Sahara, so researchers believe the figures of chariots and armed men are symbolic, representing ownership of land, or control of its inhabitants. As the climate became progressively drier, horses were replaced by camels as evident from the rock art from the most recent period about 2000 years ago.

Tassili N'Ajjer lies about 500 meters above the level of the desert. The plateau can only be reached by climbing on foot, with camping materials and supplies drawn by donkeys and camels. Large diurnal temperature variations and the absence of basic amenities make the trip extremely challenging, so only the young and the hardy attempt to reach it. Recent violence and insecurity in the country have further isolated Tassili N'Ajjer from the routes of most tourists.

Detail of a petroglyph depicting a bubalus anticus. Photo credit: Linus Wolf/Wikimedia

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Patrick Gruban/Wikimedia

Photo credit: Patrick Gruban/Wikimedia

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Photo credit: africanrockart.org

Photo credit: magharebia/Wikimedia

Photo credit: www.archmillennium.net

Photo credit: www.archmillennium.net

Photo credit: www.archmillennium.net

Photo credit: www.archmillennium.net

Photo credit: www.archmillennium.net

Photo credit: www.archmillennium.net

Sources: UNESCO / African World Heritage Sites / Algeria.com / africanrockart.org
(Image source from: twitter.com/MinisterKTR)

Telangana can fuel PM Gati Shakti Programme says KTR:- The state of Telangana and the government have not been getting enough support from the Centre. There are differences on the paddy procurement issue and Telangana Chief Minister KCR wanted the leaders to make loud protests so that the news reaches the Centre. Telangana Industries Minister KT Rama Rao demanded the Centre to offer incentives for the best performing states in the country. KTR participated in the PM Gati Shakti South Zone conference in a virtual manner in Hyderabad. KTR highlighted the achievements of Telangana during his speech in the fields of handlooms, textiles, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, power and others.

"35 percent of the global vaccine production is from Hyderabad. The capital of Telangana has been a strong place for the ecosystem, the Centre sanctioned the Defence Corridor to Bundelkhand and there is no ecosystem that exists. Telangana is also a major hub for the defense institutions like DRDL, DRDO, RSI, ANURAG and others. A cargo rail network has to be provided for Telangana to connect different ports. Telangana will set up dry ports if the additional financial incentives are provided for Telangana. The Centre has to reconsider increasing the frequency of the trains from Hyderabad to several Indian ports. States like Telangana should be encouraged to benefit the growth rate of the country as the state has been significantly contributing to the export target of the country" told KTR. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Roads, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
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STRASBOURG - French President Emmanuel Macron said "there will be no return to pre-crisis normality" in an address to the European Parliament gathered in plenary session in Strasbourg, outlining priorities and principles of the semester of French presidency of the EU, addressing in particular the issue of a reform of the stability pact. "We must do it in light of indispensible investments, like those for the climate, digital and technological agenda, or the social and defense" one, he said.



"All this - continued the French president - shows the importance of a new policy of investments. I have suggested to have a first informal discussion in March between heads of State and government. Without these investments, we would remain behind compared to the US and China".



Macron then outlined some principles: "The safeguard of the environment and the recognition of abortion should become part of the Charter of Fundamental Rights", which "must be updated", continued Macron, who also announced in February "a summit for the future of oceans" because - he stressed - "Europe is a maritime power". "During this semester we should continue with progress that started with the approval of the strategic compass, together with NATO and a strong strategy for industry and defense", he said.



"The French presidency will bring forward the reform of the Schengen area" with the objective of "protecting our external borders" and with the elaboration of "an intergovernmental force of rapid intervention". On the immigration dossier it is necessary to "act with supportive and shared hospitality between member States like we did between 2018 and 2021", Macron continued.



"The management of pandemics by democracies has led to decisions that have protected much more human lives and the economy than those of totalitarian regimes. We are ready to fight for liberal democracy", noted the French president.


TANAGRA (GREECE) - Greece on Wednesday received six Rafale jets from France as part of a multibillion-euro agreement for the acquisition, according to Athens and Paris, to increase the EU's defense capacity. Many observers however think the accord is mainly aimed at countering Turkish ambitions in the Mediterranean.



The six fighter jets landed at the airbase of Tanagra, some 70 km north of Athens, after flying over the acropolis escorted by Mirage jets previously bought from France.



Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who attended the ceremony, said that the new jets "make our air force one of the strongest in Europe and in the Mediterranean" and boost the "flexibility" of Greek diplomacy. He added that there was an "urgent need" to boost Greece's air force, often engaged in pretend combat with Turkish jets in the Aegean airspace disputed by Ankara. Orthodox priests blessed the jets on the tarmac of Tanagra.



Greece and France originally signed an agreement worth 2.5 billion euros last January for 18 Rafale jets, 12 used and six new aircrafts.



Last September, Greece and France signed a defense pact of mutual assistance that also provides for the acquisition by Athens of three Belharra frigates. Mitsotakis announced the intention of buying another six Rafale jets, bringing the total order to 24.



The frigates should be delivered in 2025 and 2026 for a value of about three billion euros.


ISTANBUL - Direct flights between Turkey and Armenia will begin on February 2 as part of the recent normalization process of relations between the two countries, the Turkish transport ministry said in a statement. The ministry added that Turkish company Pegasus Airlines will operate three flights a week from the airport Sabiha Gokcen in Istanbul to the Armenian capital of Yerevan. Direct flights from Armenia to Turkey will be operated by Moldavian company FlyOne.



On January 14 the first meeting was held in Moscow between diplomatic representatives appointed by Ankara and Yerevan to guide the reconciliation process. "The sides found an agreement to bring forward without preconditions a negotiation that vies for full normalization", said the Turkish foreign ministry in a statement, adding that the first meeting between the diplomats was held "in a positive and constructive climate" and a new meeting will soon be organized.



The ongoing negotiation follows failed attempts over the past 30 years to try to normalize diplomatic relations, interrupted in 1993 due to Turkey's support to Azerbaijan in the war against Armenia for the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The takeover of the majority of territories in the area by Baku in the last conflict at the end of 2020 changed balances of power and created the conditions for a new attempt at reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia.
Greece: French Rafale jets delivered, PM attends ceremony Part of multibillion contract, jets fly over acropolis

(ANSAmed) - TANAGRA, 19 GEN - Greece on Wednesday received six Rafale jets from France as part of a multibillion-euro agreement for the acquisition, according to Athens and Paris, to increase the EU's defense capacity. Many observers however think the accord is mainly aimed at countering Turkish ambitions in the Mediterranean.



The six fighter jets landed at the airbase of Tanagra, some 70 km north of Athens, after flying over the acropolis escorted by Mirage jets previously bought from France.



Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who attended the ceremony, said that the new jets "make our air force one of the strongest in Europe and in the Mediterranean" and boost the "flexibility" of Greek diplomacy. He added that there was an "urgent need" to boost Greece's air force, often engaged in pretend combat with Turkish jets in the Aegean airspace disputed by Ankara. Orthodox priests blessed the jets on the tarmac of Tanagra.



Greece and France originally signed an agreement worth 2.5 billion euros last January for 18 Rafale jets, 12 used and six new aircrafts.



Last September, Greece and France signed a defense pact of mutual assistance that also provides for the acquisition by Athens of three Belharra frigates. Mitsotakis announced the intention of buying another six Rafale jets, bringing the total order to 24.



The frigates should be delivered in 2025 and 2026 for a value of about three billion euros. (ANSAmed).




Jerusalem: Palestinians' home demolished in Sheikh Jarrah

(ANSAmed) - JERUSALEM, 19 GEN - After multiple attempts, Israeli police early on Wednesday tore down the home of a Palestinian family in the district of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem.



Police at dawn went to the home of the Salhiya family, who were threatened of eviction since 2017 and at the center of a support campaign in the Palestinian Territories and abroad.



"During the night Israeli police carried out the eviction order of illegal buildings on a territory designed for a school for children with special needs in East Jerusalem", police said in a statement, stressing that the Salhiya family had refused "on several occasions" to "consensually give back this land".



Israeli police added that it carried out 18 arrests during the operation.



Groups defending the family said the school could be built elsewhere in the city, without forcing the destruction of the residence. In May, demonstrations in support of Palestinian families threatened with eviction in Sheikh Jarrah degenerated in clashes with police and Israeli settlers. On Monday, shortly after the arrival of Israeli police to try to implement the eviction order, members of the Salhiya family fled with an oil barrel under the home's roof, threatening to set themselves on fire if they were forced to leave. (ANSAmed).




NEW YORK - The world's oldest man, Spain's Saturnino de la Fuente Garcia, has died aged 112 years and 341 days, the Guinness World Records announced. He had been declared the oldest living man in the world and would have celebrated his 113th birthday next month.



Due to his short height, 1.50 meters, this Spaniard born in Puente Castro on February 11, 1909, was not drafted in 1936 to fight in the Spanish civil war and had started a successful footwear business. He had seven children, 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.



The longevity record still belongs to France's Jeanne Calment, who lived 122 years and 164 days before dying in 1997.
'EU must not return to pre-crisis stability pact', Macron Principles of French presidency illustrated to EP

(ANSAmed) - STRASBOURG, 19 GEN - French President Emmanuel Macron said "there will be no return to pre-crisis normality" in an address to the European Parliament gathered in plenary session in Strasbourg, outlining priorities and principles of the semester of French presidency of the EU, addressing in particular the issue of a reform of the stability pact. "We must do it in light of indispensible investments, like those for the climate, digital and technological agenda, or the social and defense" one, he said.



"All this - continued the French president - shows the importance of a new policy of investments. I have suggested to have a first informal discussion in March between heads of State and government. Without these investments, we would remain behind compared to the US and China".



Macron then outlined some principles: "The safeguard of the environment and the recognition of abortion should become part of the Charter of Fundamental Rights", which "must be updated", continued Macron, who also announced in February "a summit for the future of oceans" because - he stressed - "Europe is a maritime power". "During this semester we should continue with progress that started with the approval of the strategic compass, together with NATO and a strong strategy for industry and defense", he said.



"The French presidency will bring forward the reform of the Schengen area" with the objective of "protecting our external borders" and with the elaboration of "an intergovernmental force of rapid intervention". On the immigration dossier it is necessary to "act with supportive and shared hospitality between member States like we did between 2018 and 2021", Macron continued.



"The management of pandemics by democracies has led to decisions that have protected much more human lives and the economy than those of totalitarian regimes. We are ready to fight for liberal democracy", noted the French president.



(ANSAmed).




Veterans who were expunged from the military because of their sexuality or forced to lead double lives have welcomed a review into their treatment, but said the fact it has taken 22 years is a national disgrace.

The Cabinet Office has launched an independent review which will hear the stories of military personnel who were stripped of their armed forces jobs and medals under homophobic laws that were in place until January 12, 2000.

Following the review, the Office for Veterans Affairs, which is part of the Cabinet department, will be working with charities to improve the support offered to veterans who were impacted by the ban.

This includes many who faced criminal convictions, prison sentences, and dismissals in disgrace.

Craig Jones MBE (Handout)

Craig Jones, co-director of Fighting With Pride  a charity which supports LGBT veterans, is working with the review and welcomed its launch, but described it as a national disgrace that it had taken so long for it to happen.

Mr Jones, a former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, told the PA news agency he revealed his sexuality on the day the ban was lifted because he felt a sense of duty to others in the military who fought against it.

The 53-year-old, who now lives with his husband, Adam Mason, in Brighton, Sussex, said: I was deputy navigator on HMS Invincible and whenever I brought that ship into port, I always looked at the jetty to see if there was any police on the jetty.

You can imagine what a huge distraction that is from from your professional job, because I was always waiting for day when the police would take me away.

But I came out on that day because I felt a sense of duty to the remarkably courageous men and women who fought to lift the ban.

They had lost everything.

Theyd lost their health and theyd lost their jobs and theyd lost their pensions and their peace of mind to some extent, but they still fought for justice and for my right, for my opportunity of service in the armed forces.

I think the UK armed forces today are the best in the world for LGBT plus inclusion, but nothing has been done for those who were dismissed in disgrace, and its a national disgrace that nothing had been done.

Craig Jones MBE and his husband of 28 years, Adam Mason, who he now lives with in Brighton (Handout)

Mr Jones, who was deployed to Northern Ireland during the Troubles and Arabia during the Gulf War, said he hopes that following the review the Government provides compensation for lost pensions, issues a full apology on behalf of the nation, and invests in much-needed support services for LGBT veterans.

Kevin Bazeley, 54, was dismissed from his role as an RAF navigator in 1995 under the ban because of his sexuality, and said the experience left an emotional scar on him.

Mr Bazeley, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, said he successfully took his case for compensation to the European Court of Human Rights but was paid only a symbolic amount in damages.

The veteran, now an accountant living in Worcestershire, told PA: The Royal Air Force was the only career I ever wanted to have, so to have that suddenly stripped from me without warning for something that I had no control over was just crushing, totally humiliating.

I was met and escorted off of an aircraft and taken off to the police station and it makes you feel very small and very unwanted.

That whole process of my dismissal left a scar on me.

Im still having counselling today for issues that my therapist and I agree dates back to that dismissal.

Kevin Bazeley during his graduation as an RAF navigator in 1989 (Kevin Bazeley family handout/PA)

Mr Bazeley welcomed the review but said it has been far too long coming and the Government must apologise to the veterans.

He said: There are many who are still living with humiliation and the poverty caused by their discharge.

Its been 22 years since the ban was lifted and all of those who suffered deserve their compensation. Its been far too long coming.

I would like to see a personal apology from the Government to all of those veterans who lost their careers and their futures and their friendships, from the nation that they volunteered to serve.

Defence minister Leo Docherty said the review will ensure the Government learns from veterans experiences.

Mr Docherty said: While the modern military embraces the LGBT community, it is important that we learn from the experiences of LGBT veterans who were affected by the pre-2000 ban.

This review will allow the voices of veterans to be heard and importantly will help us better tailor support to the community.

The Cabinet Office has said the reviews chair will give further details on how veterans will be able to contribute to the review.
A 3D recreation of a masterpiece depicting the Christian nativity scene has been installed at Winchester Cathedral to transport visitors into the world of the painting.

Yurt-like pods have been set up in the north transept of the 11th-century cathedral inside which a digital reproduction of Jan Gossaerts Adoration Of The Kings will be projected for visitors.

The exhibition, Sensing The Unseen: Step Into Gossaerts Adoration has been produced by Londons National Gallery to create an immersive experience of the oil painting that dates back to 1501-15.

A screen featuring a digital image of Jan Gossaerts Adoration Of the Kings (Andrew Matthews/PA)

A cathedral spokeswoman said: The exhibition space will house the large facsimile painting, spot lit against a black backcloth flanked by three yurt-like pods.

Inside the pods, visitors will encounter a screen featuring a digital image of the painting, which has been sonified using a soundscape comprising ambient sound, spoken word and music created by sound artist, Nick Ryan.

Interactive digital imagery will transport visitors into the world of the painting, to discover and navigate previously unseen elements in forensic detail: the weave of the fabric, Gossaerts fingerprint in the green glaze where he blotted it, thistles and dead nettles, hairs sprouting from a wart on a cheek, a tiny pearl, and a hidden angel.

The exhibition gives visitors a 3D experience (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Alison Evans, the cathedrals chief operating officer, said: We want as many people as possible to come and experience this new way of looking at art where, with the help of digital technology, visitors feel they are transported into Jan Gossaerts painting.

Dr Gabriele Finaldi, director of the National Gallery, said: Sensing the Unseen offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of this sensational masterpiece, in the deep and rich story it tells and in the artistry that made it.

The exhibition opens on January 22 and runs until April 3.
The fashion industry is mourning the loss of indomitable Andre Leon Talley, following his death at the age of 73.

The former Vogue creative director died in New York on Tuesday, his representatives, TAA PR, said in a statement.

During a career spanning five decades, he befriended big names in the fashion world, including Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld and Paloma Picasso.

Fellow designers, models and other members of the industry paid tribute to Talley as a force of nature.

Sharing a vintage photo of the pair on Instagram, US designer Marc Jacobs said he was in shock following the news.

You championed me and you have been my friend since my beginning, he said.

Our chats, the moments we shared  oh my friend. You and your passions were larger than life. I love you and I will miss you dear Andre.

Rest In Peace.

Belgian designer Diane von Furstenberg said no-one was grander and more soulful.

Sharing a picture of him, she wrote: Good bye darling Andre.

No one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did  no one was grander and more soulful than you were

The world will be less joyful. I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years I miss your loud screams  I love you soooo much.

Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, wrote on Instagram: R.I.P dearest Andre. Without you, there would be no me. Thank you for paving the way.

Actress and supermodel Milla Jovovich lamented the loss of a force of nature in her tribute and said she felt lucky to have encountered him multiple times in her career.

Andre Leon Talley was such an incredible artist, but he was also one of the most genuinely wonderful humans Ive ever met, she said.

Always there with the most beautiful smile and open arms, he was so sweet and kind, always so gracious and I imagine the term fierce was coined after meeting him.

I feel so lucky to have been embraced in his warm glow so many times in my career, because good people are few and far between in this business and youre much more likely to meet a scowl when going places than his ever present, all encompassing loveliness.

I send you so much love Andre. It was an honor and a privilege.

Costume designer Arianne Phillips, known for her work on films including Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, said Talley was a larger than life icon.

She wrote on Instagram: Andre Leon Talley trailblazer, dapper gentleman, fashion editor, writer, journalist with a singular voice  his witty repartee, larger than life icon.

Always so kind and funny, his contribution to fashion and culture is one for the history books. Such sad news to hear of his passing. Rest In Power Andre.

US actresses Kerry Washington, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer also posted online tributes to Talley.

Washington joked that the afterlife would be just too fabulous following Talleys death.

Oh Andre! Heaven is not ready for you darling! she wrote on Instagram.

The whole afterlife is going to be just too fabulous now. Ugh! You blessed us! Sir! You blessed us with your charm and wit and your taste for the exceptional.

You will shine so brightly from the heavens that we will know what true stardom looks like.

And we will gaze up at you always. In awe. And with gratitude. Rest In Peace.

TAA PR confirmed the designers death on Tuesday in a statement.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear friend and client, the indomitable Andre Leon Talley on January 18, 2022 in New York, the company said.

Mr Talley was the larger-than-life, long time creative director at Vogue during its rise to dominance as the worlds fashion bible.

Over the past five decades as an international icon (he) was a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso and he had a penchant for discovering, nurturing and celebrating young designers.

As a fashion journalist Talley worked at Womens Wear Daily and Vogue and was a regular in the front row of fashion shows in New York and Europe.

His byline also appeared in other publications including Vanity Fair, HG and Interview, and he was the editor of Numero Russia.

He was hired by Anna Wintour at Vogue in 1983, and in 1998 was appointed the magazines creative director.

Andre Leon Talley with Anna Wintour at the presentation of the Oscar de la Renta autumn 2007 collection during New Yrok Fashion Week (Diane Bondareff/AP)

In 2018 he appeared in The Gospel According To Andre, a documentary on his life, directed by Kate Novack.

Talking to British Vogue about the film at the time, he also reminisced about working with Andy Warhol, saying: It was wonderful. It was like being in high school. We worked hard, it was a professional office, but it was also a social club. Everyone in the Warhol universe was equal, and it was all just a blast.

Talley often spoke fondly of and referred to Diana Vreeland, the former US Vogue editor who he considered his mentor.

He appeared on TV on numerous occasions, including as a judge on Americans Next Top Model, and also had roles in Sex And The City and Empire.

During his tenure at Conde Nast, he was the force behind numerous notable shoots and interviews, including one with former US first lady Michelle Obama.
Hollywood stars and members of the fashion industry have remembered grand and soulful Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley for his charm and wit and taste for the exceptional following his death at 73.

The fashion trailblazer was a pioneer in magazines and on the front row of couture shows as a black man, and he became recognisable to those outside the industry for his role as a judge on reality show Americas Next Top Model.

The former Vogue creative director, who worked side by side with editor Anna Wintour for decades until a fracture in their relationship, died in New York on Tuesday.

During a career spanning five decades, he befriended big names in the fashion world, including Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld and Paloma Picasso, and was beloved by Hollywoods A-list.

Actresses including Kerry Washington, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer paid tribute, with Scandal star Washington joking that the afterlife would be just too fabulous following Talleys death.

Oh Andre! Heaven is not ready for you darling! she wrote on Instagram.

The whole afterlife is going to be just too fabulous now. Ugh! You blessed us! Sir! You blessed us with your charm and wit and your taste for the exceptional.

You will shine so brightly from the heavens that we will know what true stardom looks like.

And we will gaze up at you always. In awe. And with gratitude. Rest In Peace.

Oscar winner Davis wrote: RIP Andre Leon Talley. Rest well King, while Spencer tweeted: I am sad to hear of Andre Leon Talleys passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.

Actress and supermodel Milla Jovovich lamented the loss of a force of nature in her tribute and said she felt lucky to have encountered him multiple times in her career.

Andre Leon Talley was such an incredible artist, but he was also one of the most genuinely wonderful humans Ive ever met, she said.

Always there with the most beautiful smile and open arms, he was so sweet and kind, always so gracious and I imagine the term fierce was coined after meeting him.

I feel so lucky to have been embraced in his warm glow so many times in my career, because good people are few and far between in this business and youre much more likely to meet a scowl when going places than his ever present, all encompassing loveliness.

I send you so much love Andre. It was an honor and a privilege.

Designers, models and other members of the fashion industry paid tribute to Talley, while Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, credited him with forging a path.

He wrote on Instagram: R.I.P dearest Andre. Without you, there would be no me. Thank you for paving the way.

Sharing a vintage photo of the pair on Instagram, US designer Marc Jacobs said he was in shock following the news.

You championed me and you have been my friend since my beginning, he said.

Our chats, the moments we shared  oh my friend. You and your passions were larger than life. I love you and I will miss you dear Andre.

Rest In Peace.

Belgian designer Diane von Furstenberg said no-one was grander and more soulful.

Sharing a picture of him, she wrote: Good bye darling Andre.

No one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did  no one was grander and more soulful than you were

The world will be less joyful. I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years I miss your loud screams  I love you soooo much.

Talleys representatives, TAA PR, confirmed his death on Tuesday in a statement.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear friend and client, the indomitable Andre Leon Talley on January 18, 2022 in New York, the company said.

Mr Talley was the larger-than-life, long time creative director at Vogue during its rise to dominance as the worlds fashion bible.

Over the past five decades as an international icon (he) was a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso and he had a penchant for discovering, nurturing and celebrating young designers.

Talley was hired by Wintour at Vogue in 1983, and in 1998 was appointed the magazines creative director.

Andre Leon Talley with Anna Wintour at the presentation of the Oscar de la Renta autumn 2007 collection during New York Fashion Week (Diane Bondareff/AP)

He left the magazine in 1995 for a stint at fashion publication W before returning to Vogue as editor-at-large until 2013.

In 2020 he released his memoir, The Chiffon Trenches, which shared details about his complex relationship with Wintour.

Talley was also a larger-than-life personality on screen and in 2018 he appeared in documentary The Gospel According To Andre, directed by Kate Novack.

He also played himself in shows such as Sex And The City and Empire, and was a judge alongside Tyra Banks on modelling competition show Americas Next Top Model.

During his tenure at Conde Nast, he was the force behind numerous notable shoots and interviews, including one with former US first lady Michelle Obama, and is credited with helping to elevate a number of black models.
A man remains in custody in the investigation into the murder of Ashling Murphy.

The man, who is aged in his 30s, was arrested on Tuesday in Co Offaly, on suspicion of murder.

Irish police said the man is being questioned at Tullamore Garda station.

The arrest was made after police renewed an appeal for information, saying significant progress had been made with their investigation

Ashling Murphy (Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann)

The body of Ms Murphy, a talented musician and teacher, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore last Wednesday.

Large crowds gathered in the village of Mountbolus and outside St Brigids Church, where her funeral was held on Tuesday.

Mourners included Irish president Michael D Higgins and Irish premier Micheal Martin.

Vigils have been held across Ireland and the world to remember Ms Murphy and to call for a change in tackling gender-based violence.
Rules to tackle Covid-19 in England are to loosen after other nations in the UK already announced the lifting of some restrictions.

Boris Johnson told MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday more than 90% of over-60s across the UK have now had booster vaccines, with England set to treat the virus like flu.

But how do the current rules compare across the four nations of the UK?

Boris Johnson announced the changes on Wednesday (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

 What are the rules in England?

Currently, face coverings are compulsory in most indoor public settings, as well as on public transport, and people have been told to work from home if they can.

Secondary school pupils also must wear masks in classrooms.

Covid passes are required for entry into nightclubs and other venues.

If a person in England has tested positive or has symptoms, they can stop self-isolating after seven days instead of 10 if they receive two negative lateral flow test results on days six and seven.

Those who are unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases must still isolate for 10 days.

School pupils have had to wear masks in classrooms (Brian Lawless/PA)

Fully vaccinated travellers are required to take a lateral flow test, rather than a PCR test, no later than the end of day two after their arrival.

 What is changing?

Plan B measures are to be dropped across England.

Guidance asking people to work from home has been lifted immediately, and from Thursday next week mandatory Covid passes will end.

From next Thursday, people will no longer need to wear face masks.

Face coverings will also be scrapped in classrooms from tomorrow, with school communal areas to follow.

Masks will no longer be needed in shops from Thursday next week (Peter Byrne/PA)

Mr Johnson said: In the country at large, we will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces, particularly when you come into contact with people you dont normally meet, but we will trust the judgment of the British people and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one.

The legal requirement for people with coronavirus to self-isolate will also be allowed to end when the regulations expire on March 24.

 Whats happening in Scotland?

Nightclub closures and the requirement for table service in hospitality will come to an end.

Attendance limits on indoor events and the guidance asking people to stick to a three-household limit on indoor gatherings will also be lifted.

The wearing of face coverings in public indoor settings and on public transport, as well as working from home whenever possible, will remain.

Nicola Sturgeon has announced new rules in Scotland (Andy Buchanan/PA)

Scots also need to have a booster  within four months of their second jab  to be considered fully vaccinated.

Those coming into the country who are fully vaccinated are able to use a lateral flow test instead of a PCR as their post-arrival test, taken on or before the second day of their stay.

 What about Wales?

Wales will begin a phased lifting of restrictions from Friday.

There will be no limits on the numbers of people able to attend outdoor events and outdoor hospitality will be able to operate without table service.

A week later, attendance limits on indoor events will be lifted, including nightclubs, cinemas, and theatres.

Covid passes will be needed for larger events.

Face coverings will remain in place in Wales (Ben Birchall/PA)

The rule of six and work from home order will also be lifted, but employers must show that they are taking reasonable measures to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Face coverings on public transport and in public indoor settings, as well as self-isolating after travelling from abroad, will stay.

The mandatory isolation period for people who test positive with Covid-19 is seven, subject to two negative lateral flow tests on days six and seven.

And, like in England, confirmatory PCR tests for asymptomatic people who test positive on a lateral flow device are no longer needed.

Fully vaccinated travellers need to take a lateral flow test on day two and, if positive, a follow-up PCR test to enable genomic sequencing should be carried out.

 What about Northern Ireland?

Nightclubs in Northern Ireland are closed and dancing has been prohibited in hospitality venues except for at weddings.

People must remain seated for table service, while table numbers are limited to six and two-metre social distancing rules are in place in all businesses.

A young woman puts on her face covering as she walks past a Covid-19 safety message from Belfast City Council (Liam McBurney/PA)

The self-isolation period for confirmed Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland is also seven days, subject to negative lateral flow tests on days six and seven.

Northern Irish ministers have also agreed that sporting events can continue with no limits on capacity.

The work-from-home message is being bolstered with legislation requiring social distancing in offices and similar workplaces.

The guidance for mixing in a domestic setting is limited to three households.

Face masks must be worn in shops, indoor-seated venues and visitor attractions, public transport, and some other settings. Pupils who are post primary school and teachers must also wear them inside buildings.

Fully vaccinated travellers can also do a lateral flow test rather than a PCR test on day two or before day two after their arrival in Northern Ireland.
Transgender activists who publicized Harry Potter author J.K. Rowlings home address on social media will not be criminally charged, Scottish police said Tuesday.

On the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance in November, comedian Holly Stars, actor Georgia Frost and drag star Richard Energy staged a demonstration in front of Rowlings home near Edinburgh, Scotland, to protest her views on the trans community.

The trio were criticized for posting a now-deleted photo on Twitter with Rowlings home address visible in the background.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said in an email Tuesday that enquiries were carried out and no criminality has been established.

Through a representative, Rowling declined a request for comment about the decision.

Rowling had bashed the trio on Twitter for doxxing her, a word used when peoples private information is shared online without their consent.

I have to assume that @IAmGeorgiaFrost, @hollywstars and @Richard_Energy_ thought doxxing me would intimidate me out of speaking up for womens sex-based rights, Rowling wrote. They should have reflected on the fact that Ive now received so many death threats I could paper the house with them, and I havent stopped speaking out.

She added, Perhaps  and Im just throwing this out there  the best way to prove your movement isnt a threat to women, is to stop stalking, harassing and threatening us.

Stars, who previously defended posting the photo, said she deleted the tweet after she received online threats.

While we stand by the photo, since posting it we have received an overwhelming amount of serious and threatening transphobic messages so have decided to take the photo down, Stars wrote. Love to our trans siblings.

Rowling has been at odds with many in the LGBTQ community for her views on trans people, which some have called transphobic.

The rift blew up in 2019 when Rowling expressed her support for Maya Forstater, a British tax specialist who was fired for tweets that were deemed to be anti-transgender. Rowling then drew criticism for a slew of tweets that many said included transphobic ideas.

In 2020, after she mocked a news headline that read people who menstruate, Rowling wrote: If sex isnt real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isnt hate to speak the truth.

She doubled down on her views in a nearly 4,000-word blog post in 2020, questioning whether a contagion fueled by social media has led to the rise in the number of young people coming out as transgender.

In the blog post, she also revealed that she is a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

So I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe. When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels hes a woman  and, as Ive said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones  then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth, she wrote.

Stars from the Harry Potter films have distanced themselves from Rowling over the last several years following her inflammatory remarks on the trans community.

Notably, the series lead actor, Daniel Radcliffe, hit back at Rowling last year in an essay, declaring that transgender women are women.

Cast members from all eight films of the Harry Potter series released a behind-the-scenes reunion special on New Years Day to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the film franchise. The special, which premiered on the streaming service HBO Max, notably did not feature Rowling.

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FILE PHOTO: ByteDance logo is seen in this illustration

BEIJING (Reuters) -TikTok owner ByteDance is shrinking its investment team and dissolving a sub-group focused on financial returns in response to regulatory crackdowns in China, three sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

ByteDance had divided its external investment arm into financial and strategic wings, with the latter aimed at funding businesses that could find synergies with its own.

Employees on the financial investments team have been told by ByteDance executives that the team will be disbanded and they have been encouraged to look for opportunities elsewhere, internally or externally, two of the sources told Reuters.

ByteDance said in a statement that it was disbanding its group-level strategic investment team and moving employees to various business units, after a review earlier this month highlighted investments with "low synergies".

It did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the dissolving of the financial investments team.

ByteDance's six business units, which it created in October in a major organisational reshuffle, include TikTok and its Chinese version Douyin.

The overhaul of its strategic investment team is designed to "enhance collaborations between strategy research and business operations," the company said.

The Beijing-based company has been reducing the size of its investment team as Beijing has been strengthening anti-monopoly efforts to rein in corporate giants, four people familiar with the situation said.

Over the past year, Beijing has clamped down on antitrust violations, banned private tuition groups and reined in a debt binge by property developers, wiping hundreds of billions off the market capitalisations of some of its largest companies, including e-commerce giant Alibaba and social media giant Tencent.

ByteDance's latest high-profile investments include its $4 billion acquisition of Shanghai-based gaming studio Moonton Technology last year. Moonton is best known in Southeast Asia for its online game Mobile Legends.

It has also acquired virtual-reality headsets maker Pico and backed Chinese coffee chain brand Manner.

(Reporting by Yingzhi Yang, Xie Yu, Zhang Yan, Cheng Leng and Brenda Goh; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Louise Heavens and Alexander Smith)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  Two more House Democrats announced Tuesday they won't seek reelection in November, bringing the party's total retirements to 28 ahead of what is expected to be a difficult midterm election year.

Reps. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island and Jerry McNerney of California both said in separate announcements that they will not run for another term. Neither gave a specific reason or disclosed any firm plans for the future.

The 57-year-old Langevin, chair of the House Armed Services subcommittee handling cyber issues, has represented a district covering western Rhode Island since 2001. He is the first quadriplegic to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

I have not come to this decision lightly, but its time  time for me to chart a new course which I hope will keep me closer to home and allow me to spend more time with family and friends, Langevin said in a video.

The 70-year-old McNerney, who represents a district in California's Central Valley that includes Stockton, has served eight terms in the House, beginning in 2007.

I will keep working for the people of my district throughout the remainder of my term and look forward to new opportunities to continue to serve, McNerney said on Twitter.

The 2022 midterms are expected to be unfavorable for Democrats, putting their majorities in the House and Senate at risk. Historical trends are working against them, as party that holds the White House almost always loses seats in Congress during the next election. President Joe Biden's declining poll numbers add to the challenge.

In addition to the 28 House Democrats who have said they're not seeking reelection, 13 House Republicans have also said they will not run.

McNerney and Langevin both touted their accomplishments in their announcements.

McNerney cited the creation of a veterans health care facility in San Joaquin County, as well as the major investments he said he had helped secured in infrastructure, public safety, broadband, education, child care and health care.

In a statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lauded McNerney's commitment to veterans, which she said was driven by a sense of patriotic duty and inspired by his sons military service." She said he fought for clean energy sources and brought a valued and knowledgeable voice to Congress with his doctoral degree in mathematics.

Langevin said that he's most proud of voting for the Affordable Care Act but that he also worked to strengthen national security and cybersecurity, protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities, invest in job training, and fulfill promises to veterans.

Pelosi noted his unrelenting voice on issues of national security, particularly through his work to fight against cyber threats. She called Langevin a force for Americans with disabilities through his work to boost the Americans with Disabilities Act's protections.

It was a moment of great pride and progress for our nation when he became the first wheelchair user to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore, presiding over the House as we celebrated twenty years of the ADA, she wrote in a statement. This was only possible because of his inspiration and determination.

Langevin was 16 when he was injured while working with the Warwick Police Department in the Boy Scout Explorer program. A gun accidentally discharged and a bullet struck him, leaving him paralyzed.

Langevin has said the accident that left him disabled is what motivated him to run for office.
KABUL (Reuters) -Afghanistan's acting prime minister, Mullah Hasan Akhund, on Wednesday called for international governments to officially recognise the country's Taliban administration, saying at a news conference in Kabul that all conditions had been met.

"I ask all governments, especially Islamic countries, that they should start recognition," Akhund said, in his first major public broadcast appearance since he assumed the role in September.

Akhund was addressing a major economic conference in Kabul where senior administration officials gathered with representatives of 20 countries and the United Nations.

Foreign powers have been reluctant to recognise the Taliban administration which took over Afghanistan in August while Western nations led by the United States have frozen billions of dollars worth of Afghan banking assets and cut off development funding that once formed the backbone of Afghanistan's economy.

Akhund and other Taliban administration officials made an appeal at the news conference, also attended by United Nations officials, for a loosening of restrictions on money into the country, blaming its growing economic crisis on the freezing of funds.

"Short-term aid is not the solution; we must try to find a way to solve problems fundamentally," he said.

The international community has ramped up humanitarian aid, designed to address urgent needs and largely bypass official channels. But as the country faces a cash crunch and a deteriorating economy over the harsh winter, millions of people have plunged into poverty.

The UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons also spoke at the event, saying Afghanistan's economic crisis was a serious problem that needed to be addressed by all countries.

"The United Nations is working to revitalise Afghanistan's economy and fundamentally address Afghanistan's economic problems," she said.

The country's Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar asked that more efforts be made to help Afghanistan overcome its economic crisis, including enabling its banking system to operate.

"Now the world and international organizations know about Afghanistan's problems, therefore we ask that the world especially the UN not wastes more time on doing their responsibility about Afghanistan," he said.

He echoed calls for economic solutions to go beyond humanitarian aid and emphasised the importance of the private sector.

"The private sector is very important. If this sector stands up, Afghanistan's economic problem largely will be solved," he said. "We want to make Afghanistan self-sufficient, and it is not possible without a private sector."

(Reporting by Kabul newsroom; Writing by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Hugh Lawson)
Andre Leon Talley, former Vogue magazine editor at large, from the film "The Gospel According to Andre," photographed at the L.A. Times HQ at the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival in 2017. (Jay L. Clendinin / Los Angeles Times)

Andre Leon Talley, an influential fashion journalist and the former creative director and editor at large of Vogue magazine, has died at 73 in New York. His death was confirmed by many publications through his literary agent David Vigliano.

Talley served as Vogue's fashion news director from 1983 to 1987 and then its creative director from 1988 to 1995. Talley was also a judge on "America's Next Top Model" and was profiled in a 2018 documentary by director Kate Novack titled The Gospel According to Andre. The film was screened in September 2017 at the Toronto Film Festival and was released in the U.S. on May 25, 2018.

Reviewer Katie Walsh called the film "a fascinating look at the self-invented Andre Leon Talley, a bold, daring creation who never let anything obstruct his passions, curiosities and whims."

Talley often spoke of the challenges he had climbing the ranks of the fashion world as a larger Black man. Racism and other -isms were obstacles to success, and he addressed many of them in the film.

How did I overcome that kind of racism? I internalized and struggled with it. ... I ignored it at the time... I had family and faith and [the late former Vogue editor] Mrs. [Diana] Vreeland and [the late former Womens Wear Daily editor in chief] Mr. [John] Fairchild.

Its been through pluck, luck and survival skills.

In a 2013 Vanity Fair feature, Talley was described as perhaps the industrys most important link to the past. Designer Tom Ford told the magazine Talley was one of the last great fashion editors who has an incredible sense of fashion history.  He can see through everything you do to the original reference, predict what was on your inspiration board.

His relationship with Vogue started at Duke University, where his grandmother cleaned dorms; Talley would walk to campus in his youth to read the magazine.

Talley was also a familiar figure to TV audiences outside of the Americas Top Model circle having appeared on Sex and the City and Empire.

Raised in Durham, N.C., Talley worked assorted jobs before arriving in New York in the 1970s. He even worked as a park ranger in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, where he told visitors about slaves who built Ft. Washington and dressed up like a Civil War soldier, he told the Associated Press in 2003.

Talley also gained fame as an advisor to the Obama family on fashion. He introduced Michelle Obama to designer Jason Wu, who then created her inaugural gown.

Talley wrote numerous books, including two memoirs, and released "The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir" on May 19, 2020. In it, he discusses getting his start in New York City in the 1970s, his relationship with Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour and fighting racism in the fashion world.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the record:

10:30 p.m. Jan. 18, 2022: An earlier version of this article stated that The Gospel According to Andre screened in September 2016 at the Toronto Film Festival. It screened in 2017.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hong Kong: CE mourns Tong Wai-ki

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Hong Kong Taoist Association Chairman Tong Wai-ki.

She said Mr Tong was held in high regard, adding that he had been committed to promoting the Taoist religion and Chinese culture and actively participated in social services and charitable activities, making significant contributions over the years.

He was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2013.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Tong. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family and the Taoist community," Mrs Lam noted.

Acting Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Nip also expressed deep condolences over the passing of Mr Tong.

He commended Mr Tong for dedicating his life in promoting the Taoist religion and uniting the Taoist community while actively participating in charitable services and talent nurturing.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
113th Mekong River joint patrol kicks off

Xinhua) 09:42, January 19, 2022

KUNMING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Law-enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand joined forces on Tuesday for the 113th Mekong River joint patrol.

Two Chinese vessels departed at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday from Jingha Port in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, for the patrol, said the Yunnan provincial public security department.

The vessels will navigate over 600 km in four days and three nights in the joint operation.

The Mekong River, or Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping.

China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand have been carrying out joint patrols on the Mekong River since December 2011.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Dr. Leo Rodriguez speaks to a patient in the emergency department at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance on Jan. 11. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

In a stunning sign of the heavy burden facing California's healthcare system, the total number of people hospitalized statewide is approaching the peak of last winter's COVID-19 surge, even as there are indications that the rise in coronavirus-positive patients may be starting to ebb.

Late last week, California averaged 52,000 people daily in its hospitals for all reasons  more than was seen during any seven-day period during the summer Delta surge. California's pandemic record of 55,000 people hospitalized daily was set last winter, according to state Department of Public Health data reviewed by The Times.

Coronavirus-positive patients continue to account for a wide margin of the overall census. As of Tuesday, 15,179 such patients were hospitalized statewide, the highest since Jan. 29, 2021, state data show.

The number of coronavirus-positive patients in California's intensive care units has also surpassed the summer peak.

On Tuesday, California recorded 2,404 coronavirus-positive ICU patients; the summer peak was 2,128. Still, the latest figure is a fraction of the pandemic high of 4,868 coronavirus-positive patients in the ICU, recorded on Jan. 10, 2021.

However, there are some signs hospitalization increases are growing less steep. From Dec. 28 to Jan. 4, the overall number of hospitalized coronavirus-positive patients swelled 69%. The next week, it rose 53%.

The growth from Jan. 11 to Tuesday was far more modest: about 23%.

But even with the apparent slowdown, some areas  including Sacramento and San Francisco counties  are at all-time highs for coronavirus-related hospitalizations.

In recent weeks, California's emergency rooms have experienced strain even worse than during last winter's deadly surge.

Earlier this month, California was averaging 47,000 daily emergency room visits for all reasons over a weekly period. By contrast, visits during the summer Delta surge peaked at 42,000.

The recent peak in overall emergency room visits has been worsened by those seeking coronavirus-related treatment in ERs, where there have been nearly 12,000 recent daily visits for this type of treatment across California. That's worse than the previous record of nearly 11,000 visits a day, recorded last winter.

Californias state epidemiologist, Dr. Erica Pan, said last week that we are seeing near-crisis levels of emergency room overcrowding in some areas.

With fewer hospital workers, its harder to admit patients from the ER, which then keeps ambulances waiting for long periods to drop off patients, resulting in a worsening of 911 response times to new callers, Pan said.

Many hospital emergency rooms have been so crowded, and staffing so scarce because of employee infections, that a number of scheduled surgeries and procedures have been postponed. Those delays can affect the health of people needing treatment for cancer or other important medical issues, in which prompt care can make a difference.

"Its just harder to try to be in so many places with all of our patients," said Sandra Beltran, a registered nurse in the emergency room at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar. Its tiring. Youre literally, for 12 hours, going from room to room.

Because the hospital is short on staff, patients being treated in the emergency room have waited 20 or 30 hours for a bed elsewhere in the hospital, Beltran said. That has a domino effect on the ER, where waits grow longer and staff have had to find new ways to assess patients.

People are being seen in the hallway, the nurse said. Weve come to that.

Officials have also urged residents to avoid coming to the emergency room for non-emergency reasons  such as getting coronavirus testing.

"Do not show up to the emergency room and ask to be tested because what you do is you bombard the emergency room," said Dr. Clayton Chau, Orange Countys health officer.

In Arcadia, Methodist Hospital of Southern California is licensed for more than 300 beds but was able to staff fewer than 200 on Wednesday, limiting how many patients could be admitted, according to Senior Vice President Cliff Daniels.

"We continue to scramble every day to find nurses so we can staff more beds" because so many healthcare workers are either infected or caring for family, he said.

So far, the hospital has not sought to immediately bring back asymptomatic healthcare workers who have tested positive for the coronavirus  a step that California authorized to ease staff shortages at hospitals. It is, instead, relying on travel and registry nurses when it can hire them.

The staffing strain at the Arcadia hospital has collided with its growing number of COVID-19 patients, which surged from zero to 60 in the past month and a half, Daniels said.

The result is a logjam for patients being treated in the emergency room but who are ill or injured enough to need to be admitted. Daniels said the wait for a bed to open has exceeded 50 hours.

At Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, there were only eight patients hospitalized with COVID a little over a month ago. That number now exceeds 100, a phenomenal increase in a very short period of time, chief executive Dr. Bernard Klein said.

Some people dismiss the threat of Omicron, but tell that to the 11 patients in my ICU who are fighting to survive, Klein said, urging people to get vaccinated against the virus and follow up with booster shots. It still is a very dangerous infection.

This time around, what has made this surge so unique and challenging is that the Omicron variant is so infectious that its hitting our employees and their families, the hospital executive added. As of Wednesday morning, Klein said roughly 8% of the hospital's workforce was out and it was operating at more than 90% of its capacity.

The hospital has again set up a tent to sort patients outside, reopened designated units to care solely for COVID patients and is holding off on inpatient elective surgeries that are not emergent or urgent  the result of shortages in both staff and blood, Klein said.

Our ER, and pretty much every ER that I know of, is holding patients that are admitted because we dont have a bed in the main hospital, the hospital executive said. That has potentially huge ramifications, including longer waits for new patients trying to get into the emergency room and delays in unloading ambulances and sending them back out, he said.

The one-two punch of patient demand and staffing shortages is also straining intensive care units. Statewide, the proportion of staffed adult ICU beds that are available has fallen from 22% at the start of the month to just above 16% as of Tuesday, state data show.

In the San Joaquin Valley, the share is even lower: 10.3%. That state-defined region covers Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Benito, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties.

Should the regions hospitals report having less than 10% of their ICU beds available for three straight days, state health officials will implement surge protocols.

Across Southern California  which the state defines as Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties  15.4% of cumulative staffed adult ICU beds were available as of Tuesday.

"Staffed" is the key there. As Chau noted Tuesday, "If you have an ICU bed, you have a ventilator, but you do not have staff to work it, it is a non-usable ICU bed."

Although some health officials have said the recent COVID-19 deaths are probably the result of the Delta variant, the L.A. County Department of Public Health in recent days has noted that many fatalities have occurred among people who were infected when Omicron was clearly the dominant variant.

Officials are now warning of a significant death rate this winter, potentially worse than during the summer Delta wave. Already, Los Angeles County's death rate in recent days has exceeded that of the summer surge.

As of Tuesday, L.A. County was averaging 45 COVID-19 deaths a day over the last week, a rate that has doubled in a week. Over the summer, L.A. County tallied a peak death rate of 37 deaths a day.

"Tragically, we are prepared for an even higher number of deaths in the coming week," L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. "With unvaccinated individuals 22 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those fully vaccinated, residents should not delay getting vaccinated and boosted, as these measures are saving lives."

California has averaged about 106 COVID-19 deaths a day over the last week, a rate that has doubled since the end of December. During the state's summer surge, California peaked at 135 deaths a day.

Nationwide, the United States has been averaging between 1,700 and 1,900 COVID-19 deaths a day, around the same as summertime. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that death rates will be stable or worsen in the coming weeks, with 1,500 to 5,000 deaths a day in the week leading up to Valentine's Day.

The CDC has warned that its models have been less reliable recently, with actual deaths greater than what had been forecast.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A worker disassembles a Christmas tree outside the New York headquarters of Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post headquarters last month. (Richard Drew / Associated Press)

A former top editor of the New York Post has sued News Corp., alleging she faced years of retaliation at the publishing company for complaining about sexual advances by the Post's former editor in chief, Col Allan, one of Rupert Murdoch's longest-serving lieutenants.

Michelle Gotthelf, who was managing editor of the Post's digital edition until last week, filed the federal lawsuit Tuesday in the Southern District of New York against Murdoch's News Corp., NYP Holdings, Allan and Keith Poole, the newspaper's current editor. The lawsuit alleges discrimination and retaliation.

Poole, who also oversees Page Six and NYPost.com, fired Gotthelf  one of the Post's most senior female executives  on Jan. 12, roughly two months after learning about her allegations against Allan, the lawsuit said.

Gotthelf had worked at the Post for more than two decades, joining as a features writer in 2000. She became an editor and held several prominent management roles, including metro editor and eventually managing editor. She was the top editor of the paper's popular website until last week. The Post separately announced her departure Tuesday.

Any suggestion of wrongdoing related to the management changes announced today is meritless, a spokesperson for the New York Post and News Corp. said in a statement.

The Post has become the latest business unit in the sprawling Murdoch empire to face allegations of sexism and misogyny. In 2016, Murdoch's trusted ally, Roger Ailes, co-founder of Fox News, was ousted amid a wide-reaching sexual harassment scandal first exposed in a lawsuit by Gretchen Carlson. Ailes died the following year. Other prominent figures at Fox News, including prominent anchor Bill O'Reilly, were also forced to resign over allegations of harassment.

Allan has worked within News Corp. for more than 40 years, joining as a cub reporter in his and Murdoch's native Australia. While working as a foreign correspondent for News Corp. in the U.S. in the late 1970s, Allan became acquainted with the media baron himself.

In 2001, Murdoch and his oldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, turned to Allan to run the Post following a management shake-up when the newspaper competition with the New York Daily News was particularly intense. Allan had distinguished himself as the editor of two News Corp. publications in Sydney.

Allan served as top editor at the Post for about 15 years, and Gotthelf was one of his top deputies.

"Mr. Allan delighted in degrading Ms. Gotthelf, and women generally, in front of her mostly male peers. For example, Mr. Allan would refer to women in news stories as 'skanks' or 'stupid women', the lawsuit said. "He described a female NY Post editor as a 'sneaky lesbian.'

Allan also allegedly told Gotthelf that "Murdoch 'doesn't like many women.'"

Over the years, Gotthelf thrived within the organization  despite what she described in the lawsuit as a misogynistic atmosphere within the newsroom. Her situation began to deteriorate after Allan allegedly first made a sexual proposition to her in 2013. She decided to keep the overture quiet, because Allan was a formidable force at the company, according to the lawsuit.

But in the fall of 2015, Allan invited Gotthelf for drinks at a bar, the lawsuit said. Although she was uncomfortable, she felt she had to acquiesce and have drinks with Allan because he was her boss. That evening, he allegedly quizzed her about her relationship with her boyfriend, then told her: "We should sleep together." She said no, and bolted from the bar, the suit states.

The following day, Gotthelf reported the incident to human resources, saying she had been bullied and harassed, according to the lawsuit.

Several months later, in 2016, Allan retired as the Post's editor in chief.

Murdoch himself attended the Post's send-off for the retiring newsman, calling Allan "one of the most outstanding editors of his generation and a great friend and colleague," according to Gotthelf's lawsuit.

After three years of retirement, Allan returned to the Post in an advisory capacity with substantial clout within the newsroom.

On Jan. 3, 2019, Allan allegedly called Gotthelf and expressed displeasure because the Post had missed a story that was covered by the rival Daily News. "At the end of his tirade, Mr. Allan told Ms. Gotthelf, 'I love you,'" the suit said.

She soon learned that Allan had rejoined the publication. Gotthelf renegotiated her contract so that she did not have to report to Allan, but that arrangement did not last, the lawsuit said.

In June 2019, after the Post published an online story that E. Jean Carroll had accused then-President Trump of rape, Allan told Gotthelf that the story "should be removed" from the Post's website. The two argued, and Allan allegedly wrote to Gotthelf, saying: "Get rid of it."

In November 2021, Gotthelf was invited to a lunch meeting with Poole to discuss her contract, which was set to expire.

Poole had joined the paper early last year. At the lunch, Poole "wanted to know what happened between Mr. Allan and Ms. Gotthelf," the suit said.

She was terminated two months later, the suit said.

On Tuesday, Poole announced Gotthelf's Jan. 15 departure in an email to the staff.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank her for all she has done during her 20-plus year tenure here, and I hope you will join me in wishing her the best for the future," Poole said.

Gotthelf is represented by high-profile attorney Douglas Wigdor, who handled lawsuits against Fox News' former star TV host, Bill O'Reilly. The latter was replaced by Tucker Carlson.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Xiomara Castro will be inaugurated as president of Honduras next week, and Vice President Kamala Harris will be on hand. (Moises Castillo/Associated Press)

Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the inauguration of President-elect Xiomara Castro in Honduras next week, the White House said on Tuesday, signaling a potential shift in relations with the Central American country as Harris continues efforts to deter migration.

"The vice presidents visit will further the commitment she and President-elect Castro made ... to deepen the partnership between the United States and Honduras and work together to advance economic growth, combat corruption, and address the root causes of migration," Harris' deputy press secretary, Sabrina Singh, wrote in a statement announcing attendance at the Jan. 27 ceremony.

Until speaking with Castro on Dec. 10 in a phone call, Harris had not had direct contact with any Honduran leaders, despite leading American efforts to curb migration from the region. The number of people stopped at the U.S.-Mexico border last year reached record levels, with many migrants beginning their journeys in Central America.

The Biden administration has shunned Honduras' current president, Juan Orlando Hernandez, whose brother was sentenced last year to life in prison for drug trafficking by a federal judge in Manhattan in a case that implicated the Honduran president.

The administration has been desperate to find a Central American partner to work with. El Salvador and Guatemala, the other two countries in what is known as the Northern Triangle, have taken authoritarian turns.

Harris was tapped by Biden in March to address the root causes of migration from the three countries. Foreign policy experts say the spike in migration has been fueled by natural disasters, corruption, poverty, crime and climate disruption. The lack of reliable partners has made it difficult to design aid programs and make deals to deter migration. Harris has been working with the private sector to spur investment but those efforts have been hampered by corruption in the three nations.

Biden administration officials have signaled for weeks that they see Castro as a potential partner, despite the risks.

Castro was married to the former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, a populist whose government was overthrown in 2009 by the Honduran military and business elite. The United States, despite its considerable influence in the country, failed to stop the coup. At the time, Castro was seen as being more leftist in her politics than her husband, but is said to have become more pragmatic in recent years.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LONDON, Ky. (AP)  A man pardoned by Kentuckys former governor for a 2014 drug robbery killing will return to prison to serve a 42-year federal sentence for the same crime.

Patrick Baker was convicted of murder committed during a drug trafficking crime last year in a federal trial. He had been out of prison since 2019 when former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin pardoned him for the slaying of Donald Mills.

But media reports that Baker's family had political connections to Bevin and hosted a fundraiser for the former Republican governor put a spotlight on the case. Federal authorities brought new charges against Baker for the killing in May, and he was convicted in August.

At a hearing Tuesday in U.S. District Court in London, Baker, 43, was sentenced to 42 years in prison, but he was credited for 30 months served on the previous conviction. He was facing a maximum of life in prison.

Baker was convicted of a brazen act of violence  one that resulted in a murder, committed while the victims family was nearby," Carlton Shier, U.S. Attorney for the Kentucky's eastern district, said in a news release Tuesday night. Shier said law enforcement and the trial team's "faithful efforts were critical to the verdict, conviction, and sentence.

Baker was convicted of killing Mills, a drug dealer in Knox County, while trying to rob Mills of cash and pain pills. Baker posed as a U.S. Marshal during the crime. Mills pregnant wife and children were held at gunpoint while Baker ransacked the home for oxycodone pills.

Attorneys for Baker had asked the judge ahead of the hearing to limit Baker's sentence to a maximum of 19 years, which would have matched the punishment that was wiped away by Bevin's pardon. U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom denied that request.

Federal prosecutors said Baker was prosecuted the second time under the dual sovereignty doctrine, which allows state and federal officials to prosecute the same defendant for the same actions without infringing on double jeopardy protections.
Patrick Baker, who was pardoned by Kentuckys former governor for a 2014 drug robbery killing, will return to prison to serve a 42-year federal sentence for the same crime. (Laurel County Correctional Center via AP)

LONDON, Ky. (AP)  A man pardoned by Kentuckys former governor for a 2014 drug robbery killing will return to prison to serve a 42-year federal sentence for the same crime.

Patrick Baker, 43, was convicted of murder committed during a drug trafficking crime last year in a federal trial. He had been out of prison since 2019 when former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin pardoned him for the slaying of Donald Mills.

But media reports that Baker's family had political connections to Bevin and hosted a fundraiser for the former Republican governor put a spotlight on the case. Federal authorities brought new charges against Baker for the killing in May, and he was convicted in August.

At a hearing Tuesday in U.S. District Court in London, Baker, 43, was sentenced to 42 years in prison, but he was credited for 30 months served on the previous conviction. He was facing a maximum of life in prison.

Baker was convicted of a brazen act of violence  one that resulted in a murder, committed while the victims family was nearby," Carlton Shier, U.S. Attorney for the Kentucky's eastern district, said in a news release Tuesday night. Shier said law enforcement and the trial team's "faithful efforts were critical to the verdict, conviction, and sentence.

Baker was convicted of killing Mills, a drug dealer in Knox County, while trying to rob Mills of cash and pain pills. Baker posed as a U.S. Marshal during the crime. Mills pregnant wife and children were held at gunpoint while Baker ransacked the home for oxycodone pills.

Attorneys for Baker had asked the judge ahead of the hearing to limit Baker's sentence to a maximum of 19 years, which would have matched the punishment that was wiped away by Bevin's pardon. U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom denied that request.

Federal prosecutors said Baker was prosecuted the second time under the dual sovereignty doctrine, which allows state and federal officials to prosecute the same defendant for the same actions without infringing on double jeopardy protections.
Blinken says Russian attack on Ukraine could come at very short notice

KYIV (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Russia could launch a new attack on Ukraine at "very short notice" as he met the country's president on the first leg of a new diplomatic push to avert war.

Russia said tension around Ukraine was increasing and it was still waiting for a written U.S. response to its sweeping demands for security guarantees from the West.

The pessimistic statements highlighted the gulf between Washington and Moscow as Blinken gears up for a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday that a Russian foreign policy analyst called "probably the last stop before the train wreck".

Blinken told diplomats at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv that a Russian build-up of tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border was taking place with "no provocation, no reason."

"We know that there are plans in place to increase that force even more on very short notice, and that gives President Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine," Blinken said.

Russia has also moved troops to Belarus for what it calls joint military exercises, giving it the option of attacking neighbouring Ukraine from the north, east and south.

But it continues to deny any such intention. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, military manoeuvres and NATO aircraft flights were to blame for rising tension around Ukraine.

"HOPES ARE DIM"

The United States says Russia is threatening its post-Soviet neighbour and may be poised for a new invasion, eight years after it seized Crimea from Ukraine and backed separatist forces who took control of large parts of the east of the country.

Russia says it feels menaced by Kyiv's growing ties with the West and wants to impose "red lines" to prevent Ukraine from ever joining NATO and to get the alliance to pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe. Washington says these demands are "non-starters".

Vladimir Frolov, a former Russian diplomat who is now a foreign policy analyst, said Moscow would not be appeased by a U.S. and NATO offer of arms control talks and was pursuing a much more sweeping rearrangement of the European security order.

"The Lavrov-Blinken meet is probably the last stop before the train wreck. But hopes are dim, the positions are incompatible," he said.

Describing Russia's military deployment in Belarus as a "huge escalation", Frolov gave a dire assessment of the crisis.

"I think barring a U.S. surrender and their delivering Ukraine to Russia, some kind of a military option is all but inevitable now."

The geopolitical tensions have started to be felt in Moscow, where the rouble edged upwards on Wednesday after hitting a nearly two-week low against the U.S. dollar and Russian stocks made a slight recovery after several sessions of sharp losses. Ukrainian sovereign dollar bonds are in distress territory.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Blinken in Kyiv: "I would like to thank you personally and President Biden and the U.S. administration for military support for Ukraine, for increasing this assistance."

President Joe Biden's administration last month approved the provision of an additional $200 million https://www.reuters.com/world/us-approved-200-mln-defense-aid-ukraine-december-state-department-official-2022-01-19 in defensive security assistance to Ukraine and gave more such aid last year than at any point since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

On Monday, Britain said it had begun supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons to help it defend itself.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called on the West on Wednesday to stop supplying Ukraine with weapons and described the situation around European security as "critical", the Interfax news agency reported.

Russia held three rounds of talks last week with the United States, NATO and the 57-nation Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) but the discussions produced no breakthrough.

Lithuania's defence minister said the arrival of Russian troops in Belarus posed a direct threat to the Baltic country.

Arvydas Anusauskas wrote on Facebook: "In the current situation, we consider the entry of Russian military forces into Belarus not only as a destabilising factor of the security situation, but also as an even greater direct threat to Lithuania."

(Additional reporting by Matthias Williams in Kyiv, Tom Balmforth and Dmitry Antonov in Moscow; Writing by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
The snowstorm that battered the South this weekend, leaving thousands without power, was likely exacerbated by climate change, according to leading climate scientists.

Its a counterintuitive suggestion, because greenhouse gases are trapping heat and causing higher average temperatures. Sometimes winter weather is milder as a result. But in North America, especially the East Coast and the South, colder winds are blowing in with greater frequency because of how Arctic warming is distorting two phenomena: the jet stream, a band of air flowing west to east, and the polar vortex, a wintertime area of cold air near the North Pole.

When we get a snowstorm hitting the Southeast like this, its always because theres a big southward dip in the jet stream, basically over the Mississippi Valley, thats the underlying cause of the snowstorm in that region, and kind of all along the East Coast, Jennifer Francis, senior scientist at Woodwell Climate Research Center in Massachusetts, told Yahoo News. When it dips southward like that, the Arctic air, the very cold air, can also penetrate very far south.

This may be happening more often because the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the Earth. The temperature differential between the Arctic and other regions powers the jet stream. With a decreasing difference in temperature, a weakened jet stream is more easily diverted.

A snowplow clears a street in Greenville, S.C., on Sunday. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Climate change is causing the jet stream to take more of these southward dips and northward swings, Francis said. Each southward dip causes a rebound with an adjacent northward swing. So extreme weather events like cold snaps and storms in one location can be accompanied by dry spells and heat waves somewhere else.

Out West right now, theyre dealing with, actually, a very dry situation, warm conditions, and these two things always go hand in hand, Francis said. We see these bigger swings in the jet stream linked to climate change, and when they happen we always get unusual weather conditions. We can think back to the Texas cold spell last February, we can think back to the Pacific Northwest heat wave this past summer. Its always one of these convoluted patterns in the jet stream that causes these things.

The other climate-change-related reason for colder winter weather is that the polar vortex can get stretched out or split, making cold spells in North America and Eurasia more intense and longer lasting. Right now were seeing the polar vortex being stretched a bit, and a lobe of it is coming down over eastern North America, which is strengthening this cold spell, Francis said.

Recent research suggests that these disruptions of the polar vortex are happening more frequently now and that the cause is loss of Arctic sea ice, Francis said. She likened the polar vortex to a spinning top. If you poke the top, it tilts. Due to climate change, an emerging heat bubble over the Barents Sea near Norway and Russia acts just like poking that top, she explained. It can cause the top to not just wobble, but collapse completely.

Navigating unusual amounts of snowfall in Greenville, S.C., on Sunday. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

But whereas the causal connection between global warming and extreme summer weather, such as heat waves, is universally accepted among scientists, the effect of climate change on winter weather remains controversial.

Everybody agrees that when the polar vortex is disrupted, you get an increase in extreme winter weather. The big [question] is: Can changes in the Arctic affect the polar vortex? Judah Cohen, director of seasonal forecasting at Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER), a firm that helps businesses and governments manage climate risks, told Yahoo News. Im in the camp that says, yes, absolutely.

A paper published in Science last year, with Cohen as the lead author, found that Arctic warming is leading to more extreme winter weather in the United States. The United States and other regions of the Northern Hemisphere have experienced a conspicuous and increasingly frequent number of episodes of extremely cold winter weather over the past four decades, Cohen and his colleagues wrote.

Southerners have now seen that firsthand. Snowfalls of 13 inches were reported in Boone, N.C., and 8 inches in Spartanburg, S.C. On Sunday, North Carolina state troopers responded to more than 600 car crashes. The energy utility Duke Energy reported that over 67,000 customers suffered power outages in the Carolinas.

Jim Long clearing a pile of snow from his driveway in Morganton, N.C., on Sunday. (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)

We show [in that paper] that theres been a very strong, increasing trend in these episodes where the polar vortex stretches, or it kind of acts like a rubber band, or taffy, where it gets pulled apart, so the polar vortex then extends, Cohen told Yahoo News. Then the winds around the polar vortex go to much further southern latitudes. It heads towards the equator, and cold air and snowstorms occur when that happens.

Last February, when a series of unusually severe winter storms left millions of Texans without power or running water, scientists noted that it stemmed from the effects of Arctic warming on the polar vortex and jet stream. Its the same mechanism as the Texas freeze, Cohen said Tuesday about the recent snowstorm.

Climate change also can lead to stronger snowstorms because of increased precipitation and ocean warming. Warmer weather leads to more evaporation of water and heavier rainfall, and warmer ocean temperatures lead to more intense storms. Just as that can mean more heavy rains and hurricanes in the summer, it can lead to strong winter storms, including snowstorms.

Americans should expect these trends to worsen, especially if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated.

Meanwhile, the storm that crippled the South has now made its way north, dumping up to a foot of snow in parts of the Northeast. That region has experienced increased snowfall in recent years due to Arctic warming, according to research by Francis, Cohen and Karl Pfeiffer, a colleague of Cohens at AER. Atlanta, Boston, Des Moines, Detroit, New York, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Washington, D.C., are among the cities receiving significantly more snowfall, according to a 2018 paper published by the trio in Nature.

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Global temperatures are on the rise and have been for decades. Step inside the data and see the magnitude of climate change.
At Madre, Ivan Vasquez pours Cuish mezcal into a glass. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Mezcal is certainly having its moment. The U.S. became the worlds largest market for the spirit in 2019  surpassing even Mexico  and production increased by almost 10% in 2020. What's more, Drizly, the liquor delivery service, reported that its mezcal sales jumped 600% in the same year.

Its popularity has risen astronomically, in part due to its increased incorporation into cocktails, which is often the way American imbibers first encounter the spirit; it's used frequently as a substitute for other spirits in drinks like a smoky margarita or a mezcal mule. But even if were drinking more of it, some of us dont know that much about mezcal, so here are a few facts you should savor while youre sipping.

More than 40 varietals of agave may be used in the creation of mezcal (a word derived from the Nahuatl word for oven-cooked agave). Though its often thought to have arrived in Mexico with the Spaniards, theres evidence the spirits roots go back to pre-Hispanic times (its certainly the oldest distilled spirit in the Americas).

Traditionally, the agave pinas, or hearts, are baked in a pit for several days as they absorb flavors from the wood smoke and earth. Afterward, they ferment aerobically as they lie above ground before theyre crushed by hand or under a donkey-pulled stone. Then a mash is created by incorporating water or even pulque (a pre-Hispanic drink made from the fermented sap of agave) for funkier mezcals. Mezcal is frequently double distilled in copper; in rarer cases, it might be distilled in clay or even tree trunks.

Ivan Vasquez, the Indigenous owner of Los Angeles Oaxacan restaurant Madre  which has locations in Torrance, Palms and the Fairfax District (and plans for a new Madre in Santa Clarita)  has an almost puritanical commitment to high-quality, sustainable mezcal and destilados de agave (agave spirits made outside the 10 certified states comprising the mezcal denomination of origin), as well as the independent producers behind them. In mezcal, you taste the terroir even more than in wine, he says.

Ivan Vasquez inside Madre. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

He believes that Los Angeles is the best place to taste these spirits, which might seem a bold declaration. But its one that Vasquez is confident making, in no small part due to his own outsize collection, which is considered to be unmatched by many enthusiasts and industry veterans. (Times restaurant critic Bill Addison says Vasquez is one of the foremost mezcal evangelists in America.)

Direct relationships with independent producers enable Vasquez to stock his shelves with rare, small-batch bottles; they also supply him with bottles to sell to his customers. Other restaurants with collections he recommends? Gracias Madre in West Hollywood, Maestro in Pasadena and Neat on Pico Boulevard.

The urgency with which Vasquez is promoting traditional producers is apparent. A majority of the mezcaleros (someone who distills mezcal) who are stewards of techniques used in distilling small batches of mezcal and destilados in Mexico are in their 80s, and the time-honored techniques are at risk of dying out, especially if the demand goes the way of mass production, he says.

Mezcal and destilados made with traditional methods will result in a spirit with an alcohol by volume that is 44% or above. And even though the minimum for mezcal certification is only 40% ABV, there is no mezcal bottle at Madre that has an ABV under 44%. Most mezcaleros and palenques [distilleries], Vasquez says, aim for 44% ABV and above. But the minimum has gone down to 40% because its convenient for mass production.

Though 90% of all agave distillate is made in the state of Oaxaca, Vasquez also has been importing agave spirits made in the other states of Mexico. There are uncertified destilados that are often just as good or better than some mezcal, Vasquez says.

An array of mezcal at Madre. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Hes turned many customers into mezcal enthusiasts after taking them through a tasting flight, showing them how high-quality mezcal exhibits a wide range of aromas, differences in mouthfeel and beginning and finishing notes on the palate.

When I first started drinking mezcal, it was in cocktails, and I loved it," says Bruce Endsley, one of Madres regulars. "Then I tasted it neat and thought it was too strong and too hot. But then I went to Madre in Torrance to taste Ivans extraordinary collection, and then I knew [mezcal] was great. ... Theres so many different flavors, and you have the history and culture Ivan tells you about.

Noah Dickinson, a hospitality industry veteran, was already a mezcal enthusiast when he was hunting down a particular bottle of Real Minero ensemble mezcal (a bottle of mezcal blending distillates made from different varietals of agave). After Dickinson reached out via Instagram, one of the mezcaleros of Real Minero referred him to Vasquez. [The mezcalero] kept calling it the magic bottle, and said Ivan might have one or two bottles available, Dickinson recalls. He had one left, and it was pretty unheard of in the U.S. where somebody could sell you a bottle at the restaurant. But he appreciated my enthusiasm and was willing to sell it to me. It didnt come cheap, but collectors like me can be obsessive. And thats how we met.

Portrait of owner Ivan Vasquez. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Vasquez says 75% of Madres mezcal sales are of the sipping variety, and only 25% are used in mixed cocktails. We sell several flights that make up a lot of the share that we sell for sipping. Plus, bartenders always recommend their favorite mezcal to customers, which also helps, he adds.

Here is an overview of what theyre learning about mezcal and destilados de agave at Madre, enabling them to take their knowledge and appreciation to the next level.

Good mezcal and destilados do not taste smoky

Smoky is the most oft-used description for mezcal, and many drinkers have come to expect overwhelmingly charred notes, often driving bartenders to use it as a cocktail base. But if smoke is the main note you're tasting in the spirit, its somewhat flawed, Vasquez says.

Thoughtfully produced mezcal and destilados de agave exhibit much diversity and nuance on the palate. Look for notes that run the gamut: herbal, oily, peppery, citrusy, vanilla, woodsy, mineral and floral, as well as some specific fruits like melon.

Glass-aged mezcal is great for beginners

Aging a mezcal or destilados in glass is different from aging whiskey in barrels. (Though youll find some mezcal aged in barrels, its a practice that Vasquez has described as a corruption of the industry by Western practices.) The spirit becomes smoother, more subtle and mellower  but it still retains its ABV if aged in glass, he says. Its a technique that has passed down from generation to generation  an evolution from using clay.

From left, Mezonte, Real Minero, Mal Bien, Rey Campero and Lamata mezcals. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Vessels used for distillation and materials used for fermentation are varied and a mark of tradition

Mezcal and destilados de agave can be distilled in rawhide, clay, tree trunk, copper and even plastic. Taste for gamey, mineral or woodsy notes as you learn about how the mezcal in your glass was distilled. Look for the kind of still that was used, which is often printed on the bottle label if it is an artisanal mezcal.

Agave varietals have different names in different states

Agave angustifolia is most commonly known as espadin because thats what is most used in mezcal (it has a shorter harvest time) and also what its called in Oaxaca. However, in Puebla, the same varietal is called espadilla; it's lineno in Jalisco and zacatoro in Guerrero. Agave marmorata is referred to as tepeztate in Oaxaca but pichomel in Puebla. The list goes on and on, but paying attention to the genus and species of the agave serves as an equalizer across pre-Hispanic languages, states and regions.

Destilados de agave from the north have their own names

Raicillas and Bacanoras also are distilled from agave. Raicillas hail from two distinct regions in Jalisco (coastal or mountains) or Nayarit. Bacanoras are solely from Sonora. Theyre more herbal and dont have as many mineral notes as mezcal from Oaxaca, Vasquez says. Theres more citrus. Its more about the soil or terroir, and you can definitely taste the vehicle they use for maturation  often copper or wood."

Dont miss out on destilados made from capon agaves

Capon refers to agaves whose quiote, or reproductive stalks, are cut off a few months before harvesting. This sends the energy that would have been expended sending the flowering stalks up into the sky back into the pina, or heart of the agave, instead. Vasquez says, What you get is an explosion of stronger flavors, as well as sugar content. But its also controversial. This is because the method prevents the agave from reproducing.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Florida high school student has been arrested after allegedly shooting a classmate Wednesday, sending the school into a lockdown.

The very quick incident involved a male shooter and male victim at Seminole High School in Sanford, about 28 miles northeast of Orlando, police told the media, News 6 reports.

We regret to inform you that a shooting occurred on/near campus. One student was injured and a suspect is in custody. This was an isolated incident, the school said in an email to parents. Students are safe on campus, but will remain in lockdown until cleared by law enforcement.

Seminole High School in Florida





Seminole High School in Florida (Google Maps/)

The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, a school official confirmed to the outlet.

Though Sanford Police did not confirm that the alleged shooter was a student, a school official told the outlet that was the case.

The code-red lockdown was still in effect at the time of polices news conference, though they said it would be lifted shortly.

This is a developing story.
Texas rejects hundreds of mail ballot applications under new voting limits Travis County election officials hold a news conference about voters registration in Austin

By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) - Texas election officials have rejected hundreds of mail-in ballot applications, abiding by a new Republican-backed law just weeks before a March 1 primary kicks off this year's U.S. election cycle.

"My friends, this is what voter suppression looks like," Democrat Dana DeBeauvoir, the Travis County clerk, told reporters on Tuesday.

The county, home to the state capital Austin, invalidated approximately 300 applications because people failed to meet the law's stricter identification requirements, said DeBeauvoir, who retires at month's end.

Lawmakers in Texas approved a raft of voting restrictions last year, one of many efforts in Republican-controlled states to pass new limits after former President Donald Trump falsely claimed he lost the 2020 election because of widespread fraud.

Democrats in Congress this week renewed their push to pass sweeping voting rights legislation https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-democrats-start-voting-rights-showdown-with-no-clear-path-victory-2022-01-18 that would overturn limits such as the Texas law, but the effort appears doomed in the face of united Republican opposition.

The Texas bill prompted some Democratic legislators to flee the state for weeks to prevent the state House of Representatives from having the quorum necessary to pass it, though they eventually relented.

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who signed the bill in September and is seeking re-election this year, has said the law, known as Senate Bill 1, will increase public trust in elections.

The U.S. Justice Department has sued Texas over the legislation, saying it disenfranchises voters. Democrats say such restrictions discriminate against Black voters and other minorities who traditionally support Democratic candidates.

Among other provisions, the law requires voters applying for a mail ballot to provide either a driver's license or Social Security number, which must match the number they gave when first registering to vote.

That leaves some voters playing a "guessing game," DeBeauvoir said, because many people cannot recall which number they provided originally and there is no easy way for voters to check.

Harris County, which includes Houston, had rejected 409 out of 1,373 applications as of last Friday for ID problems, including 309 missing ID numbers and 173 with numbers that did not match those on file, according to Leah Shah, a spokesperson for the county elections office.

In Bexar County, home to San Antonio, officials had processed more than 300 rejections through last week out of some 1,200 applications, elections administrator Jacquelyn Callanen said in a phone interview. Around 80% of those were due to the new ID requirements.

Other provisions in the law are also creating obstacles, she said. The office previously added a sticker with voters' addresses to applications that were mailed out to save them a step, but that is no longer permitted, Callanen said.

The law also prohibits residents from obtaining applications for other people, including relatives. Callanen said her office regularly receives messages from senior citizens asking for ballots for themselves and their spouses; under the law, spouses must make their own separate requests.

"It's sort of thwarting us at every turn," she said.

Mail ballots in Texas are already sharply limited to a handful of categories, including residents 65 years and older, disabled residents or voters who will be absent from their county during early voting and Election Day.

DeBeauvoir said Secretary of State John Scott's office had failed to give local officials enough guidance on how to help voters cure any defects.

In response, Sam Taylor, a spokesperson for Scott's office, said state officials reached out to Travis County last week to advise staff on the proper process and noted that the county's own estimated rejection rate went down from 50% to 27% following that guidance.

He said clerks have been instructed to accept applications in which voters have included both their license and Social Security number, as long as one of them matches what is on file.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Howard Goller)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Blinken speaks about Russia and Ukraine at State Department in Washington

By Simon Lewis and Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's top diplomat will seek to defuse a crisis with Moscow over Ukraine when he meets the Russian foreign minister in Geneva this week following visits with Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv and European officials in Berlin.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel amid concerns voiced by Ukraine and its Western allies over the tens of thousands of Russian troops amassed in and near Ukraine.

"The United States does not want conflict. We want peace," a senior U.S. State Department official said on Tuesday.

"(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin has it in his power to take steps to de-escalate this crisis so the United States and Russia can pursue a relationship that is not based on hostility or crisis," the official told reporters.

Russia denies planning a new military offensive but has made several demands and said it could take unspecified military action unless the West agrees to them..

Blinken will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday.

Then in Berlin he will meet German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and later the Transatlantic Quad, referring to a format that involves the United States, Britain, France and Germany.

A State Department statement said the discussions would focus in part on a readiness among allies to impose "massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia."

Blinken will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday to seek a diplomatic off-ramp with Moscow, the senior official said.

Blinken spoke with Lavrov on Tuesday and the senior official said the two decided in the call that it would be useful to meet in person.

Lavrov separately said Moscow would welcome U.S. diplomatic efforts and reiterated Russian accusations that Ukraine was "sabotaging" agreements aimed at ending the conflict between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Despite diplomatic engagements this month, Washington has yet to see Russia de-escalate tensions and Moscow could launch an attack on Ukraine at any time in January or February, the senior official said.

"We are now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack on Ukraine," the official said

A second senior State Department official on Tuesday voiced concern about Russian troops being deployed since Monday in Belarus close to its southern flank with Ukraine for what Moscow and Minsk say will be joint military drills.

The numbers of Russian troops are beyond what the United States would expect in a normal exercise and potentially could be used to attack neighboring Ukraine, the official said.

Biden has warned of severe economic consequences for Moscow if Russia invades Ukraine.

Baerbock, in Moscow for talks with her counterpart, on Tuesday said Germany was ready to pay a high economic price to defend its fundamental values in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Kyiv has sought weapons from Western nations to shore up its defense. On Monday, Britain said it had begun supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons to help it defend itself.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Howard Goller)
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday advised against travel to 22 nations and territories because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases, including for Israel, Australia, Egypt, Albania, Argentina and Uruguay.

The CDC elevated its travel recommendation to "Level Four: Very High," telling Americans they should avoid travel to those destinations, which also include Panama, Qatar, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Suriname, Saint Lucia and Bolivia.

In total, the CDC now lists just over 100 countries and territories at "Level 4." The CDC also raised another 20 countries to Level 3: High," including Uganda, Kuwait, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Cuba. The CDC recommends that unvaccinated Americans avoid nonessential travel to those destinations.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
FILE - President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrive to meet at the 'Villa la Grange', June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland. While Biden has assured Russian President Vladimir Putin of economic consequences like none hes ever seen if Russia invades Ukraine, some major European allies have demonstrated less overt enthusiasm for huge economic penalties. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden largely has rallied European allies to pledge as one that they will take tough measures against Russia if it rolls troops into Ukraine. But when it comes to what exactly the United States and Europe are willing to do, the allies haven't looked as united.

Militarily, for example, the United States, Turkey and Britain have stood out for supplying or agreeing to supply anti-tank missiles, armed drones, naval warships and other weapons, along with money to help Ukraine build its defenses. A British military flight taking weapons to Ukraine on Monday flew around German airspace rather than taking the most direct route through it, although German officials suggested Wednesday the issue was their paperwork requirement for such overflights rather than any allied dispute over arming Ukraine.

While Biden has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of economic consequences like none he's ever seen if Russia invades Ukraine, some major European allies have demonstrated less enthusiasm for huge economic penalties, which could damage some European economies or put in jeopardy the Russian natural gas Europeans need to stay warm this winter.

During weeks of intense diplomacy, Russian leaders have dismissed the allies' pledge of a united stand against Russia. In reality, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted, its the U.S. calling the shots.

And if talk of unity and the promises of repercussions have made Putin think twice, he's not showing it.

Russia has sent some 100,000 troops toward the Ukrainian border, and U.S. officials said Tuesday they believed Russia was capable of launching an attack. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was making a hastily planned trip to Ukraine and Germany ahead of talks with Lavrov in Geneva on Friday.

On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron gave one of the first public signals of a potential split on the European-U.S. united front on Russia.

In a speech in Strasbourg, France, Macron pointedly called for a sweeping European proposal building a new security order on the continent, to deal with Russia.

We will ensure that Europes voice is heard," Macron said. France had been an early skeptic of U.S. warnings on Russian moves toward Ukraine, and it was unclear if Macron's call would rally other allies.

Top officials believe Putin has tried to divide the 27-nation bloc, the United States and NATO  which also has 21 EU members  with his security demands.

The United States didnt play their game, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said last week. Russia wanted to divide us. They failed.

At least in words, the lining up of Europeans behind U.S. leadership marked a foreign policy success for the Biden administration after it led global allies in a withdrawal from Afghanistan with damaging results.

U.S. work nailing down European commitments against Russia if it invades will continue, said Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat who traveled with Republican and Democratic senators to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders last weekend.

Right now there seems to be slightly greater interest coming from the United States on implementing tough multilateral sanctions than from Europe, Murphy told reporters Monday. That's somewhat stunning to me, given the territorial integrity of Europe, not the United States, is at stake."

In October and November, France, Germany and some others in the EU questioned U.S. warnings that Russia's military buildup near Ukraine could signal an imminent invasion. France and Germany initially opposed activating NATO's crisis response planning system. They relented, and it was activated Nov. 30.

U.S. allies now seem determined to prove theyre in lock-step with Biden. Publicly, there's virtually no dissent from the pledges of tough action.

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would likely trigger the immediate bolstering of defenses of NATO members close to Russias borders, like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. NATO already has about 5,000 troops and equipment deployed in those countries. The presence of NATO members along Russia's borders already is one of Putin's central complaints against the West.

Countries in southeast Europe  Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, in particular  are also being sounded out about their willingness to potentially host a NATO battle group of around 1,000 troops and equipment in the Black Sea region.

There is a number of nations that are interested then in hosting those forces, Admiral Rob Bauer, the head of NATOs military committee, said last week.

Since it's not a member of NATO, Ukraine can expect no military help from the alliance as an organization if Russia invades.

Among the European Union and individual European governments, the rhetoric matches that from the White House and Americans: Russia would incur enormous costs of an economic and political nature if Putin sent his forces across the border into Ukraine.

No leaders are publicly discussing the precise nature of possible sanctions, saying it would be a mistake to show their hand. The EU has a track record of slapping sanctions on Russia in unison with the U.S., the U.K, Canada and other allies.

The most talked-about actions include banning Russia from the SWIFT banking system that handles the flow of money around the world and imposing sanctions on Putin's family, his military and political circles and Russian banks.

The British government has lined up firmly behind the tough U.S. line on Ukraine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week to back wide-ranging economic sanctions should Russia invade, Johnsons office said.

But there are questions about how much economic pain Britain is willing to inflict on Londons financial district and property market, which are hubs for Russian money. U.K. banks and financial authorities have long been accused of turning a blind eye to ill-gotten gains.

After France emerged as one of the initial skeptics of the U.S. warnings over Russia's troop buildup, the government minister for European affairs, Clement Beaune, recently said France is ready to support sanctions against Russia if needed. He did not elaborate.

Germany, the largest economy in Europe, holds one of the greatest pieces of economic leverage over Russia  a newly built pipeline, Nord Stream 2, that would deliver Russian natural gas directly to Germany and beyond.

Germanys foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said Monday that her country will do everything to guarantee the security of Ukraine.

Any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime  economic, political and strategic, she said. And were very serious about this.

But Germany's government has given mixed signals, and no definitive public word, on whether it would keep the pipeline offline if Russia sends troops into Ukraine. That's left Blinken to give assurances in Germany's stead, saying it would be difficult to see gas flowing if Russia invades.

___

Lorne Cook reported from Brussels. Frank Jordans and Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jill Lawless in London, Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, and Sylvie Corbet in Paris, contributed to this report.
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From left, Rohan Gonsalves, Aashwin Sharma and Carter Dessommes lead a trash-collection day for their organization, "GreenUp" outside Johns Creek High School Jan. 15. The Saturday clean-up resulted in 2,600 pieces of collected trash taking the nonprofit's total to 5,000 pieces of trash. Sharma said the organization is aiming to collect 100,000 pieces of trash from in and around Johns Creek.
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YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Greece Tigran Mkrtchyan presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou on January 19, ARMENPRESS reports the Embassy of Armenia in Greece informed.

During the meeting following the official ceremony, the Greek President congratulated the Armenian Ambassador and wished him success, expressing confidence that he will invest his efforts in the further development of bilateral relations.

Emphasizing the traditional friendly relations between Armenia and Greece and the historical close ties, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan noted that the two countries have a great potential for deepening cooperation and hoped that as a result of his activities the agenda of the Armenian-Greek cooperation will further expand. The Ambassador emphasized that the Armenian-Greek relations are based on common values, principles, fraternal ties, which are above all other types of contacts. At the same time, the Ambassador noted that the focus of his activity will be not only the deepening of political and economic relations, but also the use of the great potential existing in the cultural, scientific and educational spheres.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on cooperation within international organizations.

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou wished success to Ambassador Mkrtchyan in carrying out his diplomatic mission in Greece and expressed support for that mission. The President of Greece also congratulated on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Greece on January 20.
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The ministry has also issued an updated set of guidelines for the care of Covid-19 treatment

New Delhi: Noting there has been a decline in Covid-19 testing in many states and Union territories, the Union health ministry has urged them to speed up the pace of testing in a strategic manner to keep effective track on the spread of the pandemic for immediate citizen-centric action. It said that the progression of disease to a severe category can be averted by strategic testing of those who are at high risk and more vulnerable, as well as in areas where the spread is likely to be higher.

The ministry has also issued an updated set of guidelines for the care of Covid-19 treatment, in which it has urged doctors to avoid the use of steroids and to test patients for tuberculosis if severe coughing persists. The guidelines said the use of steroids increases the risk of secondary infections, such a black fungus, and must thus be avoided.

In a letter to states/UTs, health ministry additional secretary Arti Ahuja highlighted that Omicron, designated by the World Health Organisation as a variant of concern, was currently spreading across the country. As many as 2,38,018 fresh Covid-19 cases, driven by the Omicron variant, and 310 deaths were reported across the country in the last 24 hours. The Omicron count across 29 states/UTs has gone above 9,000. The positivity rate has, however, fallen to 14.43 per cent from 19.65 per cent.

Delhi has also seen a drop in Covid-19 cases. The city saw 11,684 Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths in the last 24 hours. Delhis positivity rate has come down to 22.47 per cent from 27.99 per cent.

Mumbai, however, has seen a marginal rise in the number of infections. The countrys financial capital logged 6,149 fresh cases, 193 more than Monday, and seven deaths. The number of active cases in Mumbai now stands at 44,084.

While there has been a marginal dip in the number of Covid-19 cases in the past few days in Delhi and Mumbai, there has been an uptick in the number of people requiring hospital care in the two cities. Delhi saw a rise from 2.88 per cent to 3.19 per cent in hospitalisations between January 11 and January 17. Mumbai also saw an increase from 7.24 per cent to 11.08 per cent in hospitalisations in the same period.

There are about 315 districts -- 43 per cent of the countrys total districts -- where the positivity rate is more than 10 per cent. About 150 other districts have a positivity rate between five and 10 per cent. Among the affected districts, the spread of the deadly virus is very high in Kolkata, followed by North Goa, Gurgaon, New Delhi, North-West Delhi, Pune and Gautam Buddha Nagar.

India has a capacity to carry out about 25 lakh Covid-19 tests a day. The maximum tests carried out in a single day in the third wave has been about 16 lakhs. Referring to the health ministrys earlier letters and the home ministrys advisory of December 27 last year laying out the broad framework of pandemic management in the context of Omicron, Ms Ahuja told the states/UTs that testing was a key and crucial component. However, it is seen from the data available on the ICMR portal that testing has declined in many states and Union territories.

Ms Ahuja said in all advisories on testing issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), including the latest on January 10, the basic objective remains early detection of cases for quick isolation and care. In addition, testing remains a key strategy for pandemic management as it helps in identification of new clusters and new hotspots of infection that can in turn facilitate immediate action for containment such as setting up of containment zones, contact tracing, quarantining, isolation and follow-ups.

Reiterating the advisory on purposive testing strategy issued by ICMR on January 10, Ms Ahuja said in community settings all those who are symptomatic must be tested and all at-risk contacts of lab-confirmed cases must also be tested.

Ms Ahuja said this advisory must be read in conjunction with the earlier guidelines and advisories wherein it was recommended that strategic and focused testing should be done of people who are vulnerable, living in closed surroundings, in densely populated areas in emerging new clusters and new hotspots of positive cases.

In the revised set of guidelines, the ministry has also advised Covid-19 patients to go for tests for tuberculosis and other conditions if cough persists for more than two or three weeks. According to the guidance note, upper respiratory tract symptoms without shortness of breath or hypoxia has been categorised as mild disease and patients have been advised home isolation and care. Those suffering from mild Covid should seek medical attention if they have difficulty in breathing, high grade fever, or severe cough lasting for more than five days.

The guidelines said those having breathlessness with SpO2 fluctuating between 90-93 per cent can get admitted to a ward, and they will be considered moderate cases. Such patients should be given oxygen support and awake proning should be encouraged in all patients who require supplemental oxygen therapy, in sequential position changes every two hours Respiratory rate over 30 per minute, breathlessness or SpO2 lower than 90 per cent on room air should be considered as severe disease and such patients have to admitted to an ICU as they will need respiratory support.
Top party leaders, including Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, will hit the campaign trail after January 22

Party will hold small physical rallies that will also be streamed live on various social media platforms. (ANI)

New Delhi: The BJP has formulated a fresh campaign strategy for the assembly polls in five states keeping COVID-19 guidelines in mind and will hold small physical rallies that will also be streamed live on various social media platforms, party sources said on Tuesday.

BJP president J P Nadda deliberated with several leaders on the campaign strategy and it was decided that all rallies will be in hybrid mode -- top party functionaries will physically address small gatherings and these will be telecast live in multiple areas and streamed on social media platforms.

Top party leaders, including Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, will hit the campaign trail after January 22, they said.

They said the party has the required infrastructure to connect with the public using technology.

Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases, the Election Commission has imposed restrictions on holding big political rallies till January 22. Thereafter, the poll panel will review the situation and take a call on the future course.

Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 10 and March 7. The election results will be announced on March 10.
The policy articulates what it sees as Pakistans vision and priorities and provides a detailed implementation framework

Pakistan last week released its National Security Policy 2022-2026, a document co-authored by its national security adviser Moeed Yusuf, but acknowledging inputs from several government entities. The policy articulates what it sees as Pakistans vision and priorities and provides a detailed implementation framework. About half the document was released to the public and half kept classified. The document emphasises economic security and says that traditional security is only a means to achieving economic prosperity. It speaks of health security, climate change and water stress, food security and gender security.

It refers to terrorism with these words: The most acute form of efforts to undermine the stability and national harmony of a society is terrorism.

The internal security policy objectives are: To ensure the writ of the state in all parts of the country to guarantee security of life and property of all citizens. Prioritise combatting terrorism, violent sub-nationalisms, extremism, sectarianism, and organised crime. Ensure Pakistan remains a secure destination for intellectual activity, businesses, investors, and visitors.

Externally, it says it will seek regional peace through normalisation of relations in our immediate neighbourhood on the basis of mutual respect and sovereign equality.

Pakistan is on the threshold of change because of a corridor that China is building connecting China with the Arabian Sea via Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This will help connect Pakistan to Central Asia, especially if Afghanistan remains stable.

Our government should be studying the document (and also trying to access those parts which are classified) to see if it needs responding to and whether our national security policy is affected by this.

Unfortunately, for this to happen, we must first have a national security policy, which we do not. Retired Gen. Prakash Menon has noted that, for several decades, Indias political guidance to the military had been oriented towards Pakistan as the immediate threat. But now that the Chinese threat has reached our doorstep, this has changed. The political objectives expected to be achieved by the military resided in a 2009 document called the Raksha Mantris Directive. That directive, Gen. Menon wrote, continues to lack parentage for the lack of a coherent national security strategy. The Defence Planning Committee, headed by the NSA, was assigned this task two years ago. Nothing has emerged so far.

He adds: In essence, the directive is shaped by inputs not flowing from requisite logic and awareness. Only the adoption of and adherence to the dictates of a politico-strategic approach can provide the desired inputs.

In 2018, the government created the Defence Planning Committee. This was to be chaired by Indias national security adviser Ajit Doval and include the foreign secretary, defence secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, the three service chiefs and secretaries of the finance ministry. It had the enormous task of looking after national defence and security priorities, foreign policy imperatives, operational directives and associated requirements, relevant strategic and security-related doctrines, defence acquisition and infrastructure development plans, national security strategy, strategic defence review and doctrines, international defence engagement strategy, and so on. It met once, on May 3, 2018, and does not appear to have met after that. Our national security adviser is not a scholar like Moeed Yusuf, but a man of action and a man of the field. This is true of the rest of the government too.

In January 2021, a think tank put out a paper by a retired general. He wrote that the changes introduced in the military gave an opportunity for the government to display its strategic and military acumen. Unfortunately, the report concluded that the Chief of Defence Staff was yet to articulate a defence strategy.

In 2020, India was compelled by China to change its national security strategy. From counter-insurgency, which the Army has been focused on for years, we shifted to conventional war.

Late Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat (who along with Army Chief Gen. M.M. Naravane was a counter-insurgency expert) accepted in June 2021 that China was now Indias primary threat: When you have a larger neighbour, which has got a better force, better technology, you obviously prepare for a larger neighbour. This has upended what is called the Doval Doctrine, which posits that terrorism is Indias primary national security threat and that Pakistan is the primary adversary. In February 2021, India and Pakistan made a surprise joint announcement that they would strictly observe a ceasefire at the Line of Control. This was a surprise as earlier the Indian government and its ministers had made aggressive statements against Pakistan. It was clear that events in Ladakh had done two things. First, India would shift focus away from the Line of Control in the west to the Line of Actual Control in the east. Before Galwan, of the Armys 38 divisions, 12 faced China while 25 were deployed at the India-Pakistan border, with one division in reserve. After the reassignment, 16 divisions would face China. A total of 200,000 Indian troops were now at the China border, fully stretching the Army and reducing Indias military options. Second, India was forced to shift its resources from the Navy to the land border. This was accompanied by a demotion of the so-called Quad alliance with the United States, Japan and Australia, and the militarisation of another alliance (AUKUS) against China between the traditional allies US, Britain and Australia.

All these changes have come due to external pressure and because of a national security policy. This means that we are being compelled to act in a particular way rather than being in control of things and anticipating them. These are the things to think about when we look at Pakistan and its new National Security Policy 2022-2026.
Nehru had made up his mind, and on December 17 Indian troops moved into Goa and, within 26 hours, made it a part of India

In 1947, when India attained Independence, the British left the subcontinent but the French and the Portuguese stayed on in their possessions in parts of India in the south and west. While France gave up

Pondicherry (now Puducherry) in 1954, the Portuguese hung on to Goa and some other nearby smaller territories occupied by them  Daman, Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. In July 1954, a group of 1,000-odd activists from Mumbai (then Bombay) marched into Dadra and seized it, followed soon after by Nagar Haveli, which offered no resistance. But their attempt to similarly occupy Daman, which had a garrison of 1,500 Portuguese soldiers, did not succeed. A few months later, a group of satyagrahis led by N.G. Goray of the Socialist Party forcibly entered Goa but were attacked by the Portuguese police and incarcerated at the Fort Aguada prison, where they were kept for 20 months before being freed. The number of people arrested in 1954-55 was more than 2,000, most of them belonging to Bombay.

In 1956, then US secretary of state John Foster Dulles issued a statement saying that Goa is an integral part of Portugal, but clarified that he was in favour of a peaceful solution of the whole controversy. His statement infuriated Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who told a delegation on the eve of its visit to the United States: Dulles statement about Goa has angered everybody here. Indo-American relations are much more affected by this kind of thing than by the aid they may give. By the end of 1956, the Indian government had reached an impasse on Goa. Nehru was, however, determined that India, though very angry, should act with responsibility and wisdom. But what such action should be was not clear, and the whole policy had obviously to be reconsidered after the elections that were due in the beginning of 1957. But till 1959, there was hardly any advance on this front, except the Prime Minister asserting time and again that Goa was a part of India and bound to come to India, but he did not spell out how this would be made possible. Though he counselled patience and pointed out the unwisdom of any resort to force, Nehru never ruled out the possibility of circumstances arising which might compel armed intervention. A few days later, he moved even closer to the possible use of force by stating that the Portuguese were pushing the Government of India into thinking afresh and adopting other than peaceful methods to solve the problem.

As the 1960s dawned, while new US President John F. Kennedy believed that India had a legitimate case in Goa and the American government was totally opposed to colonialism, he was against the use of force by the Indian government. Sensing this, Nehru tactfully avoided discussing Goa with Kennedy on his visit to United States in November 1961. He even sidestepped the issue with British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and declined to promise him that India wouldnt in any circumstances resort to the use of force. US ambassador to India John Kenneth Galbraith, who was in regular touch with Nehru after the latters return from Washington, got the impression that the Prime Minister appeared to have changed his mind and was preparing for military intervention. He warned Kennedy, who wrote to Nehru expressing his general concern at the use of force in Goa. The letter reached the Prime Ministers office on December 16. Later in the day, the US government came up with a fresh proposal, conveyed through Ambassador Galbraith, that India should postpone any action for six months to enable the government of the United States, and perhaps other countries, to help solve this problem.

But it was too late. Nehru had made up his mind, and on December 17 Indian troops moved into Goa and, within 26 hours, made it a part of India, after 400 years of colonialism. As expected, there was widespread condemnation in the United States and Britain, but Nehru was unmoved. He wrote to Kennedy on December 29: An aspect of this question which has troubled me greatly is the vast difference between the reaction in India, in Africa and generally in Asia on the one side, and the contrary reaction, chiefly in the United States and the United Kingdom. Why is it that something that thrills our people should be condemned in the strongest possible language in the United States and some other places... politics has a different face looked at from different points of view.

The point was not lost on the young and charismatic American President who was wise enough to realise what Nehru had succeeded in doing with the willing cooperation and goodwill of the people of Goa, almost bloodlessly.

Notwithstanding the widespread rejoicing in the country over the action, there was criticism in a few quarters, the most prominent being from Swantatra Party leader C. Rajagopalachari and finance minister Morarji Desai. In less than three months from then, however, Morarji Desai would be defending Krishna Menon, the defence minister who presided over the Goa action, while Rajaji would be on the other side batting for Acharya Kripalani in the prestigious North Bombay seat in the 1962 Lok Sabha election. That Menon won by over one lakh votes was primarily due to Nehrus hectic canvassing for him and the action in Goa for which he, as defence minister, had shared the credit with his PM.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

The contract concerns the joint development of a storage facility on Sri Lanka's east coast. Indian funding counteracts Chinese influence. The turning point came with the economic crisis of 2021: Colombo will need 4.5 billion dollars this year to repay its foreign debts.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Sri Lanka and India have signed an agreement to develop the Trincomalee oil complex with 99 tanks, a capacity of almost one million tons. The agreement involves the Indian Oil Corporation (Ioc) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Cpc).

The Trincomalee oil depot was built by British settlers during the Second World War as a refuelling station. It is located in China Bay, close to the internationally sought-after natural harbour. The storage facility was served by the port call, which is located on the east coast of Sri Lanka, about 350 kilometres north of the main east-west Indian Ocean shipping route.

Considered a new milestone in the economic and energy partnership between India and Sri Lanka, the oil tank storage contract was signed on 6 January, amid growing concern over increased Chinese influence in the island.

India and Sri Lanka will share the reservoirs: 14 will depend on the Ioc on the basis of a 50-year lease, 24 will be operated by Sri Lanka and 61 will be jointly developed by the two countries. India will own 49% of the shared tanks and the agreement is considered a major victory for Delhi.

The new contract brought to an end an earlier framework agreement signed by Colombo, Lanka Ioc (Lioc) and Cpc in 2003, which provided for the lease of all the tanks to the Sri Lankan company. Currently, Sri Lanka holds a share of 85 tanks in the plant.

The project will increase energy security for both countries, as Ioc plays a key role in the distribution of petrol to the public in Sri Lanka, and lay the groundwork for further economic cooperation.

Although talks to redevelop the Trincomalee complex have been held intermittently since 1987, the big breakthrough came last year with Sri Lanka's economic crisis. India had sent Foreign Minister Harsh Vardhan Shringla to Sri Lanka in October 2021 and visited the tanks before sealing the deal. As analysts pointed out, the move consolidates India's role in the controversial project since the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka agreement.

According to experts, with the understanding Trincomalee will be able to become an energy and transport hub in the island's eastern district. The project will advance Sri Lanka's request for financial assistance, which is crucial in the current context of acute economic crisis.

According to trade unions, the island nation has closed its only oil refinery due to its inability to pay for crude oil. Sri Lanka is negotiating a 0 million credit line from India's Exim Bank to purchase fuel from Indian suppliers. This is in addition to a loan request to cover the import of essential foodstuffs, medicines and other basic items from India, including a 0 million currency swap under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Since 2021, Sri Lanka has been facing a foreign exchange crisis that has caused the worst economic meltdown since the 1970s, resulting in restrictions on imports of essential foodstuffs, the prices of which have skyrocketed. In 2022, the country will need USD 4.5 billion to repay its foreign debts.
The waters off Eastern Point along the Long Island Sound in Groton, Conn., Tuesday, Oct. 26 2021, (Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant) (Mark Mirko)

Three people in two different locations were rescued out of frigid waters in Connecticut Tuesday, according to authorities.

In the case involving two people, the Fairfield Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call at about 12:39 p.m. from a kayaker on the Long Island Sound who was seeking assistance after he and a friends kayaks overturned and were swept away by the current, Sgt. Michael Stahl said in a release.

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The caller reported they were in the water, wearing dry suits and life jackets and they were both hanging onto a channel marker just outside the South Benson Marina, Stahl said. The kayaker reported to dispatchers that they were not in distress but needed assistance getting back to shore.

Stahl said the Fairfield Police Marine Unit responded and located the kayakers, who were then taken onboard the Fairfield police vessel and subsequently turned over to AMR Ambulance for evaluation. One subject was treated and transported for exposure after water had penetrated his dry suit, Stahl said. The second subject refused medical attention.

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The Fairfield Fire Department also assisted in recovering the kayaks, Stahl said.

The water temperature in Long Island Sound was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday, according to the website https://seatemperature.info/.

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In a separate incident at about 8:22 a.m. Tuesday, the Groton Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting that a male fell overboard from a canoe off of Esker Point, Deputy Police Chief Paul Gately said in a release.

The male was in the water and clinging to the side of a second small vessel, Gately said. He said members of the Groton Town Police Department, Noank Fire Department, Groton Long Point Fire Department, L&M Hospital paramedics and Mystic River Ambulance responded.

It was learned that several small boats were out duck hunting off Esker Point when the canoe, which was occupied by a lone male, capsized, Gately said. He was wearing a life jacket at the time of this incident. Workers from Spicers Marina sent a launch out and recovered the male as emergency services were arriving on scene.

The victim, a 27-year-old male, was treated on scene and refused medical treatment, Gately said.

The deputy chief said the canoe was recovered with the cooperation of workers from Spicers Marina and members of the Groton Town Police Marine unit.

The Fairfield Police Department reminded those going out on the water to check the marine forecast and take notice of any advisories prior to venturing out. At the time of this incident, there was a small craft advisory in effect.

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For additional information on cold water hazards and safety, refer, courtesy of the National Weather Service. to: https://www.weather.gov/safety/coldwater
"Our sins, our mistakes, our falls, do not frighten God, let's get that straight in our heads, but he is frightened by the closure of our hearts, by our lack of faith in His love". "It is right that those who have erred should pay for their error, but it is just as right that those who have erred should be able to redeem themselves from their error. There can be no condemnation without a window of hope." "We pray that all disciples of Christ may persevere on the path of unity."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Tenderness "is something greater than the logic of the world", it is "an unexpected path of justice", it is "the experience of feeling loved and welcomed precisely in our poverty and misery, and thus transformed by God's love". Tenderness also towards "those who have done wrong" was at the heart of Pope Francis' address for today's general audience in which, continuing the cycle of catechesis on St Joseph, he spoke of "St Joseph the father in tenderness".

The five thousand people present in the Paul VI Hall were also invited to pray for the inhabitants of the islands affected by the eruption of the Tonga volcano, to whom he said he was spiritually close.

The Pope first of all recalled that "even if the Gospels do not give us details on how he exercised his paternity, we can be sure that his being a 'just' man also translated into the education given to Jesus". An example of paternal tenderness, he added, is the parable of the merciful Father. The prodigal son "expected a punishment, a justice that at most could have given him the place of one of the servants, but he finds himself wrapped in the embrace of his father".

"Tenderness is something greater than the logic of the world. It is an unexpected way of doing justice. That's why we must never forget that God is not frightened by our sins, our mistakes, our falls, let's get that into our heads, but he is frightened by the closure of our hearts, by our lack of faith in his love. There is great tenderness in the experience of God's love. And it is beautiful to think that the first to transmit this reality to Jesus was Joseph himself. In fact, the things of God always come to us through the mediation of human experiences".

"Then we can ask ourselves if we ourselves have experienced this tenderness, and if we in turn have become its witnesses. For tenderness is not primarily an emotional or sentimental matter: it is the experience of feeling loved and welcomed precisely in our poverty and misery, and thus transformed by God's love. God does not rely only on our talents, but also on our redeemed weakness".

"The experience of tenderness consists in seeing God's power pass through precisely that which makes us most fragile; provided, however, that we are converted from the gaze of the Evil One who "makes us look at our fragility with negative judgment", while the Holy Spirit "brings it to light with tenderness" (Patris corde, 2).

"Tenderness is the best way to touch what is fragile in us. [...]". "That is why it is important to encounter God's mercy, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, by making an experience of truth and tenderness. Paradoxically, even the Evil One can tell us the truth, but if he does, it is to condemn us. We know, however, that the Truth that comes from God does not condemn us, but welcomes us, embraces us, supports us, forgives us" (Patris corde, 2). God always forgives, even the worst things, it is we who tire of asking for forgiveness".

God's mercy," he reiterated, "is not afraid of our past, of our ugly pasts, it is only afraid of closure. All of us have accounts to settle, but settling accounts with God is a beautiful thing, because we begin to speak and he embraces us".

"It does us good, then, to mirror ourselves in Joseph's paternity and to ask ourselves if we allow the Lord to love us with his tenderness, transforming each one of us into men and women capable of loving in this way. Without this 'revolution of tenderness' we risk remaining imprisoned in a justice that does not allow us to rise easily and that confuses redemption with punishment. For this reason, today I want to remember in a special way our brothers and sisters who are in prison. It is right that those who have done wrong should pay for their mistake, but it is even more right that those who have done wrong should be able to redeem themselves from their mistake. There can be no condemnation without a window of hope".

And at the end of his speech, he invited people to ask "St Joseph, father in tenderness, to teach us to accept being loved precisely in what is weakest in us. Grant that we may place no obstacle between our poverty and the greatness of God's love. To arose in us the desire to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so that we may be forgiven and also made capable of loving our brothers and sisters tenderly in their poverty. Be close to those who have done wrong and pay the price for it; help them to find, along with justice, the tenderness to be able to begin again. Help them to find, along with justice, tenderness so that they can begin again. And teach them that the first way to begin again is to sincerely ask for forgiveness so as to feel the Father's caress.

In his greetings to the different language groups, Francis also recalled that we are in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. "I encourage you," he urged the Portuguese, "so that, banishing all forms of indifference, confusion and hateful rivalry, you may collaborate with all Christians for the love of Christ. Let us all unite in his Name! To the Poles he reminded them that "it is the task of every baptised person to strive for what Jesus desired: that all may be one. I invite you to pray so that all Christians, discovering the tenderness of God's love, may love one another" and finally to the Italians that "the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which began yesterday, invites us to ask the Lord with insistence for the gift of full communion among believers".
Two bursts of gunfire in broad daylight Tuesday wounded three people in Hartford, one fatally, police said. The deadly shooting was the capital citys first homicide of the year.

Police identified the man who died as Kendall Fair of Warren Terrace in West Hartford. He was 22 years old.

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According to police, the shootings happened near each other, minutes apart, and appear to be connected.

About 1:50 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Albany Avenue after getting an alert from the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. As officers headed to the scene, police said they got a second alert about another shooting in the 100 block of Mather Street, two minutes away.

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Officers who arrived at the first scene found no victim, but discovered signs of gunfire outside in the upper 500 block of Albany Avenue, police said.

Those who went to Mather Street found an unresponsive man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The man, later identified as Fair, was taken to Saint Francis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

Hartford, Ct. - 01/19/2022 - Drenda Stanley visits the Mather Street memorial for Kendall Fair, 22, where Fair was shot and killed yesterday in Hartford's first homicide of the year. "I lost a child, and I want his mom to know he's an angel," said Stanley who hung a cardboard sign at the memorial. Stanley's 15-year-old son, Nick "TT" Oliver Jr., died in 2006 after he was struck by a stray bullet in a Hartford drive-by shooting. 2021 finished with 35 homicides, a 40-percent increase over 2020s total and one of the highest homicide rates in more than a decade. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

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In the meantime, two people with gunshot wounds showed up at Saint Francis. Police said one, a man in his 40s, was wounded in the gunfire on Albany Avenue.

Investigators believe the other, a man in his 20s, was wounded when he was with Fair during the fatal shooting on Mather Street, Lt. Aaron Boisvert said.

Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call the Hartford police tip line at 860-722-8477 (TIPS).

[ Top stories of 2021: Hartford has deadliest year since 2003 ]

Fair, who had drug convictions on his record, survived being shot three different times, twice in 2018 and a third time during a shootout on Huntington Street in Hartford Sept. 7, 2020, federal court documents show.

Officials said he was on federal supervised release at the time of his death.

The deadly shooting Tuesday was the first homicide of the year in Hartford. The year 2021 finished with 35 homicides, a 40% increase over 2020s total and one of the highest homicide rates in more than a decade.

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Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
British bike manufacturer Brompton has always strived to stand out from the crowd and be more than just another forgettable name in the industry. And the best way to become memorable is to constantly outperform and reinvent yourself with each product you release. The T Line titanium folding bike makes no exception, claiming to be the lightest one in Bromptons lineup.

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EV

New 'study' claims it takes 48k miles for electric vehicles to emit less CO2 than gasoline cars.



But it's just a misleading brochure.

Reality is closer 16k miles.



UK media including @thetimes where mislead by this carmaker-paid attack on @BorisJohnson's green plans. (thread) pic.twitter.com/ozuhbX8NXU  AukeHoekstra (@AukeHoekstra) November 27, 2020

Don't leave us hanging Carlos, what were they?



More importantly, why did many automakers push back against tighter emission standards if there are all these fast, cheap ways to reduce them? https://t.co/E7sra2y9kt  Colin Mckerracher (@colinmckerrache) January 19, 2022

According to the Stellantis CEO, that would be clear considering that there were much cheaper ways to decarbonize personal transportation. Reuters wrote that his example for that was a light hybrid, which costs half as much as an EV.Tavares also said that an electric car has to drive 70,000 kilometers (43,496 miles) to compensate for the higher carbon emissions in its production and with Europes current energy mix. This seems to be based on a study called Decarbonising Road Transport: There Is No Silver Bullet. Elaborated by Clarendon Communications, it was more than debunked: it was entirely demoralized.First of all, Auke Hoekstra showed on November 27, 2020, that an electric car would have to run 16,000 miles (25,750 km) to offset the higher carbon emissions the large battery pack imposes on its manufacturing process. The Dutchresearcher presented the numbers and why they were wrong in a Twitter thread that is worth checking  it is embedded below.Later, Michael Liebreich, founder of BNEF (Bloomberg New Energy Finance), revealed that Clarendon Communications had Rebecca Caroline Stephens as one of its directors. The part-time NHS nurse is the wife of Aston Martins government affairs director, James Stephens. Aston Martin was one of the sponsors for the study. Some of the others were Bosch, Honda , and McLaren. The scandal was known as Astongate or Boschgate, which shows Tavares is not in the best company by quoting those numbers.Another point that Tavares misses is that many companies are not simply trying to comply with emission regulations: they want to catch up with Tesla and Chinese companies that are doing fine with EVs, such as Xpeng and NIO. China and Norway already have very relevant EV markets, and that trend should keep expanding worldwide.It is comprehensible that the Stellantis CEO is concerned with multiple questions. How will the industry sell electric cars at a profit, especially affordable ones? Where will it get raw materials for all the batteries it needs? Is the current battery technology the right one? What about fuel cells? Legacy companies also have massive investments in combustion engines.Despite that, the cheaper ways to reach lower carbon emissions were something carmakers also avoided as much as possible. They once argued that hybrids were expensive solutions that only fancier cars could have. They still do: otherwise, light hybrid vehicles would be a lot more common. Colin Mckerracher, from BNEF, even asked Tavares publicly on Twitter which other options would be available other than pushing back tighter emission standards. Will the Stellantis CEO ever answer that?
The two watches, named AT8185-89E and AT8185-97E, share some common features inspired by the Z. On their dials, theres a Fairlady Z logo (since theyre made in Japan) and a second red hand, which mirrors the redline on a tachometer. The case back also has a Nissan logo, and the crown of the timepieces has the iconic letter embedded.The AT8185-89E comes with yellow elements, reminding us of the Ikazuchi yellow body color that the limited edition Proto Spec model is wearing. But the watchmaker did not want to recreate just the vehicles sleek exterior look. It also wanted to add some elements found in the interior. So, it put a yellow dot design on the dial to make it match the seats in the Proto Spec.Its sibling, the AT8185-97E , features blue accents, which take after the Seiran Blue body color of the Z. Paired with the matte black dial and the silver hands and indexes, this watch is sure to stand out.Inside, Citizens new timepieces come with the watchmakers light-powered Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled tech, which constantly recharges their batteries. They also have a water resistance of up to 333 ft (100 meters).A band treated with Citizens proprietary Super Titanium technology completes these pieces' elegant yet sporty look. This makes the band up to five times harder than stainless steel, scratch-resistant, lightweight, making it ideal for everyday wear.The new models are limited to 1,700 units each, and they come with a $2,495 price tag. Dedicated fans and watch enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on them in March when theyre set to be launched in Japan and the U.S.
Diamonds have been the object of fascination, famous robberies, and even more famous movies throughout history, and they continue to do so to this day. A recently-unveiled beauty proves it. Called The Enigma, the precious stone that Sothebys revealed to the world is not only an extremely rare black diamond but also the largest faceted cut diamond of any kind to ever appear at auction.Sothebys is known as the worlds largest art and luxury auction house, and The Enigma confirms its prominent status once again. The incredible precious stone that has never been seen on the market was unveiled yesterday in Dubai, where it will be displayed until tomorrow, before heading to its final auction destination, London, with a stop at Los Angeles along the way.The Enigma is certainly worth such a fancy world tour. First of all, its a rare, huge, 555.55-carat (3.92 oz or 111.11 grams) stone. Sophie Stevens, a Sothebys Dubai jewelry expert, told the Associated Press that the number five holds a special meaning in the Middle-Eastern tradition, representing the palm protective symbol. As such, this special diamond also shows off no less than 55 facets.But whats even more spectacular is that The Enigma is believed to have come from space . Black diamonds are extremely rare and believed to be of cosmic origin. Due to their composition based on carbon isotopes, they are also known as carbonado. Stevens explained that this diamond most likely has extraterrestrial origins, resulting from a meteorite collision with the Earth. The gorgeous black stone was formed either through a process called chemical vapor disposition or from the meteorite itself, according to Stevens.If you happen to be in Los Angeles, you can admire The Enigma between January 24 and 26. After that, it will be heading to London, where the auction will kick off on February 2. In line with the numerological symbolism, the extraterrestrial black diamond is expected to fetch at least 5 million ($6.8 million), and the auction house is even accepting cryptocurrency payments.
The company responsible for this model is RUF Automobile GmbH (or simply RUF). Founded in 1939 by Alois Ruf Sr. in Pfaffenhausen, Germany, it was initially a service garage, then became a bus manufacturer. After Ruf senior died in 1974, his 24-year-old son - who happened to be a huge enthusiast of the Zuffenhausen-based carmaker  reorganized the family business once again, turning it into a tuning house dedicated to all things Porsche, mainly the 911.A year later, a beefed-up Turbo became the first RUF-enhanced Porsche and in 1978, the naturally-aspirated SCR was added to the lineup. With performance figures that stood close to those of the factory-spec 911 Turbo, this model became a hit and made the company famous. However, the best was yet to come. A decade later, Alois Ruf Jr.s dream of creating the perfect 911 turned into reality with the introduction of the CTR.It was based on the Carrera 3.2 because the chassis was lighter and it had a better drag coefficient than the more powerful Turbo version, but it was stripped down and extensively modified. Like Porsche engineers did with the 1970s 2.7 RS , the body gained many lightweight, seam-welded aluminum panels such as the hood, engine cover, or doors. Furthermore, the aerodynamics were slightly improved with new, fiberglass bumpers and a Turbo-style whale tail spoiler. All these modifications helped shed about 441 lbs (200 kg), despite the addition of a full roll cage for improved safety and better torsional rigidity.The weight-saving treatment continued inside where everything that was deemed unnecessary was also stripped off. Except for a couple of race-spec Recaro bucket seats and thinner carpeting, RUF didnt add other features. In terms of convenience, the factory air conditioning and stereo systems were kept but the latter was unnecessary since the engine sang an incredible tune.Like the chassis, the boxer-six was taken from the 3.2 Carrera. It was bored out to 3.4 liters, fitted with a fuel injection system originally designed for the legendary 962 race car , stronger internals also derived from motorsport and not one, but two equally large turbochargers.While the naturally-aspirated 3.2 made around 230 hp in stock form, the CTRs motor could spit out 463 hp at 5,950 rpm and 408 lb-ft (553 Nm) of torque at 5,100 rpm. That was more than the Turbo, the four-wheel-drive 959 , or Lamborghinis Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole. Even more impressive, legend has it that these were the lowest figures recorded on a dyno by the company. Numerous independent tests conducted in the years that followed revealed that the engines output stood very close to 500 hp.But with all that power, the engineers faced a serious problem. The Carrera 3.2 came with a five-speed manual that couldnt cope with the tuned engine. The only Porsche gearbox that was theoretically capable of handling the output was the Turbos four-speed. Instead of using the outdated unit, RUF opted for a no-compromise approach and designed an appropriate five-speed from scratch. With its gear ratios tuned to perfection, it enabled a 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) acceleration of 3.65 seconds and a top speed of 213 mph (342 kph), numbers that were attained during independent tests by various car magazines such as Autocar.Speaking of which, the Germans at Auto Motor und Sport organized a high-speed test at Nardo Ring in 1988. The CTR went head-to-head with the eras fastest supercars, and it managed to achieve the highest top speed, reaching 213 mph (342 kph). A Porsche 959 was second with 211 mph (339 kph) while the third fastest time was attained by two Ferrari F40s, both reaching 211 mph (339 kph).A similar test was conducted a year earlier by American magazine Road & Track at Volkswagens Ehra Lessien testing facility. Nine high-performance masterpieces were present, including a Ferrari Testarossa , a Slantnose 911 Turbo (930S), and a Lamborghini Countach 5000S. Much to everyones surprise, the yellow CTR was the only car to reach 211 mph (339 kph) as it flew down the straight. The R&T photographers who struggled to capture the moment from the sidelines dubbed the car Yellowbird and this became the CTRs nickname from that point on.But it gets even better. The wild 911-based RUF was not just a fearsome straight-line performer but could also handle impeccably since it was fitted with a bespoke suspension system and larger brakes. Dont just take my word for it and see for yourself in the intense YouTube video below posted by Option Auto where the beast shreds the difficult Nurburgring Nordschleife.The German tuning house continued to offer CTR conversions until 1996. Its unclear how many Carrera 3.2s were transformed, but the company build 29 units from scratch, using unmarked Porsche chassis. These examples come with different vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and are now highly coveted by collectors. Some have surfaced during auctions in recent years, fetching over $1 million.If the original Yellowbirds notoriety is appealing but you prefer something modern, RUF has relaunched a new CTR in 2017 and its still being produced today. The first model to be fully engineered and designed in house by the Pfaffenhausen-based manufacturer is not the fastest car in the world by any means but with 700 hp on tap and a retro-inspired carbon fiber body, it's a heck of a machine.For decades, many manufacturers have claimed that their vehicles were so-called supercar killers, but such a statement was often an exaggeration. This was not the case with the 1987 CTR, a legendary car that proved its superiority time after time.
The semiconductor struggle continues all over the world, and unfortunately, after a short recovery recorded in late 2021, carmakers are now returning to painful decisions to reduce the disruptions in their daily operations.

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One of the most exciting events in the world of luxury yachts was the start of Galacticas maiden voyage earlier this month. Now, the famous Heesen shipyard is giving us a glimpse into the vessels spectacular journey through the challenging canals and a close-up of its massive, transformable helipad.Initially dubbed Project Cosmos, the mammoth 265-footer (80 meters) was unveiled in 2020. It was not only the yards largest project to date but also became its most celebrated one, as it turned instantly famous all over the world. Although it was built of aluminum, instead of the steel that is typically used for massive yachts, which made it lighter and more dynamic, the Galactica is still a massive beast. The shipyards team had to constantly take measurements each step of the way when the Galactica departed on its first voyage.Locks and bridges have a very tight clearance, and the massive vessel nearly got stuck several times, Daily Mail reports. The Galactica squeezing under railroad bridges was certainly a sight to behold, but a routine process for the Heesen team, who goes through the same steps with each superyacht launch.But the Galactica is now ready for its final sea trials before being delivered to its owner . The shipyard revealed the final part of the journey from Oss to the port of Harlingen. After barely making it underneath low bridges and being delayed by water levels being too high, the flagship vessel eventually made it through, unscathed.A closer look at the opulent ship reveals its giant helipad that transforms into a stunning open-air cinema. Up to 12 guests will enjoy plenty of room onboard this spacious floating mansion, and a custom limousine tender will be waiting in the garage. Remarkably, the giant Galactica is also set to become the fastest aluminum yacht in this size category.Both the owner and the price are still shrouded in mystery, but were likely to find out more about this opulent beast as it will start cruising in the most luxurious exotic places.
The recent demonstration was part of Meguri 2040, a project launched in February 2020 to accelerate the development of fully autonomous vessels. The large ferry , named SOLEIL, was equipped with the Super Bridge-X autonomous navigation system developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding.It features an avoidance function that helps the ship go around any obstacles in its path and automatic berthing and unberthing, which SOLEIL used to turn and reverse. The vessel also included infrared cameras that allowed it to detect other ships, even in low visibility.Moreover, it had a remote engine monitoring system, which the team used to keep an eye on the motor, and a complex cyber security system.The demonstration test was carried out by Shin Nihonkai Ferry, which was also in charge of setting the ferry's system requirements. Using the autonomous navigation systems onboard, the 222-meter (728-ft) ship successfully traveled for 240 km (149 miles) from Shinmoji to Iyonada and achieved a top speed of 26 knots (30 mph/48 kph).Currently, fault prediction and engine monitoring technologies are among the most challenging aspects of fully autonomous vessels. So, the companies are addressing these issues as well.This recent demonstration marks a significant step toward safer coastal shipping. Naoki Ueda, Executive Vice President at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, said that the company "will continue to develop technologies using the valuable knowledge gained to achieve safety and high quality service for passenger ferries."Other companies are expected to showcase their autonomous systems as part of the Meguri 2040 too. The project will feature autonomous navigation systems and include platforms designed to protect navigation data utilized for onshore monitoring. Demonstrations are set to take place until later this year, in March.
West Hartford  First Church West Hartford, which has had 20 senior pastors since it was founded in 1713, has appointed its first female senior pastor. The Rev. Jane Willan will assume her duties on Feb. 8.

Willan, 60, is pastor at First Congregational Church of Paxton, Massachusetts. Before moving to New England, she was a pastor in two congregations in Iowa. Before beginning her pastoral career, she taught religion, including for a time at Ethel Walker School in Simsbury. Willan also writes murder mysteries.

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Willan will succeed Rev. Dr. C. Geordie Campbell, who retired in January 2020.

Reached at her home in Paxton, Willan said she is experienced at being the first.

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Ive ... been the first woman installed pastor at Creston, Burlington, Paxton, and now West Hartford, she said.

Jane Willan has been appointed the first female senior pastor in the 309-year history of First Church West Hartford. (Courtesy First Church West Hartford)

She was compelled to apply for the leadership position in the 419-member First Church for many reasons.

I was attracted to their commitment to social justice, their outreach to the local community, their understanding of who they are in the world, not just a church contained within its own walls, she said. This is a church that goes outside its walls to serve.  Are they doing in the world what God has called the church to do? That is the question they are always asking.

She also likes that First Church is open and affirming. In Iowa, Willan performed some of the first same-sex marriages in that state, after the state Supreme Court legalized them in 2009.

The best one I did was this couple from Missouri, two women. They couldnt get married in Missouri, she said. One was a pastor. They brought the whole congregation with them. In that crowd were nine other same-sex couples. Willan married them all that day.

Call to ministry

A native of Wadsworth, Ohio, Willan grew up in the Disciples of Christ church.

As a kid my parents didnt go to church, but my grandparents did. I went with them, mostly in junior high and high school. I got a call to ministry when I was that young, she said.

First Church West Hartford (Courtesy First Church West Hartford)

She went to Hiram (Ohio) College, majoring in religion and history, then Vanderbilt Divinity School. After Vanderbilt, she veered away from her calling.

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As a kid I saw only the wonderful side of church. In divinity school, I didnt find it so perfect and wonderful. Thats how it works when you grow up. I thought, I dont want to do that, she said.

She taught religion and history, then pivoted again, getting a masters in science from Boston University, where she studied neuroendocrinology. She went to work in a membranes laboratory at Harvard University. She lasted five months in that job.

I love the idea of science, but I decided I didnt want to make it my career, she said.

At that point, the call to ministry came back.

I ended up thinking this really is where I want to be. I really do love this. I went through the ordination process in Rhode Island with United Church of Christ, she said. In 2003, at age 42, she was ordained. After the two parishes in Iowa, she returned to Massachusetts when her husband got a job there. She became a pastor first in Grafton, then Paxton.

Jane Willan, senior pastor at First Church West Hartford, has published three books in the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery Series: The Shadow of Death, The Hour of Death and Abide With Me. (Ayesha Pande Literary)

Murder mysteries

Now that shes firmly established in the ministry, Willan is enjoying a side career as a novelist. She has published three books in the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery Series: The Shadow of Death, The Hour of Death and Abide With Me. The books are set in a religious community in Wales, where Sister Agatha, an Anglican nun, is always being drawn into solving suspicious deaths.

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When I started writing, I tried to write some type of dystopian zombie book because they sell so well. But I found that I cant do it. I like to write a book that ends happily. I write cozy mysteries. Cozies are heartwarming. And yet there is a murder. They are fun. The people in the book have some sort of transformation. Sister Agatha always grows in the stories.

She also said she likes writing about religious communities.

You can make fun of the church and point out its problems, but at the same time you can reveal how the church helps the world, she said.

She is working on a fourth novel, Widows Walk, which is not a murder mystery.

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Writing helps her escape and gives her a different circle of friends.

Its nice for a pastor to have friends outside the church. Its hard because when youre a pastor, the church becomes your life, she said.

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New goals

She is ready for First Church to become her life. She said she wants to continue on the positive path that the church already has established. She also has some goals.

I think every pastor in the world right now wants to rebuild what was put on hold and even lost during COVID, as COVID hopefully begins to end, she said. Also I want to do all the regular normal things a pastor wants to do: build up membership, strengthen the financial base, nurture faith formation, strengthen the youth and childrens programs, help the staff meet their goals.

Willan and her husband, Don Lutz, have rented a townhouse in Bloomfield, where they will live with their Corgi mix Moses and their cat, Winifred. Lutz is an instructional designer at Clark University in Worcester, where he develops online classes. His work is remote.

We think we will find a home in West Hartford eventually, but housing prices right now are so high, she said.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
This 1969 Rebel may look like a plain jane, somewhat derelict car on the outside, but it hides a mid-engined layout under the gray shell. Wait, what? Is this some sort of experimental factory car that surfaced many decades later? Sadly, the answer is no.This thing was put together long after the Rebel left the American Motors Corporation assembly line. And we actually don't know much about it, but it's an interesting build that adds a new twist to the term "muscle car."But before you get all hyped up, you should know that this Rebel isn't a regular mid-engined car. As in the mill is not located behind the front seats. Instead, the V8 was pushed from under the hood to where the seats should be. As a result, the front seats were moved further back, where the rear bench should be.It's a rather unorthodox layout for a road car, but I've seen similar configurations in vintage dragsters and some custom hot rods. Okay okay, not with the entire engine inside the cabin, but you get the point.Back to the Rebel in question, I've seen it in action for the first time in early 2021, when it was featured on YouTube's "OffTheRanch." Almost one year later, the mid-engined AMC changed a few owners before it ended up with "Vice Grip Garage."And here's the really crazy thing, he flew to Florida to pick it up, hoping that he would be able to drive it back to Tennessee for 800 miles (1,287 km). The V8 was not running upon purchase, but as it turned out, getting it to fire up wasn't the biggest issue.Having a big V8 inside the cabin not only makes things extremely hot, noisy, and uncomfortable, but in this Rebel's case, it also results in having to deal with fumes and oil leaks. To make matters worse, the engine also sprays oil on the passenger seat and the headliner.The owner needs to stop several times to fix a long list of new or recurring issues and it all becomes an incredibly frustrating experience. With the floor flooded by oil and with the engine spewing way too much smoke inside the cabin, he gives up about a little more than 500 miles.Apparently, there's a second part underway, but this AMC won't hit the road again anytime soon, as the plan is to haul it back to Tennessee. But hopefully, it will get a second chance at some point because this Rebel might actually become a cool ride with a few proper adjustments.
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As a result, the German automaker has started working on its successor, which will be the last of its kind to feature internal combustion engines.Subsequent to making its spy photo debut a little over a month ago, the 2024 Audi A4 was spotted yet again, this time close to the Arctic Circle. The model is still in the estate body style, or Avant in Audi slang, and looks about the same, though the background is radically different.Compared to its predecessor , the new generation will feature a slightly smaller grille, flanked by slender headlamps. The side air intakes in the front bumper appear to have been shrunken, yet it could be the camouflage tricking us. It has a much cleaner profile design, new door handles, provisional taillights, two visible exhaust pipes, and appears to be sitting closer to the ground, so we might be looking at an S line variant.As we already mentioned, this will be the last A4 (and not only) to feature internal combustion engines. It is expected with the usual 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline mills, and adiesel might be offered as well, in Europe at least. Mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrids will likely be part of the offering, and it appears that the upcoming RS 4 will have some sort of electrification too. A zero-emission variant is likely in the pipeline, yet it might use a different architecture than the updated MLB, on which the new A4 will presumably be built around.The unveiling should take place sometime next year, and it will go on sale shortly after. In North America, it will probably arrive as a 2024 model.
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Sometimes, Mansory pushes the limits too far, and the end result might not be as easy to understand by ordinary people, but it is appreciated by those who never care about a price. But in this case, the white Black Badge Cullinan features just a few changes on the exterior, such as the 22" CS.11 light-alloy wheels and the unique badges on the C-pillars. But there is no wide body kit on this, even though the tuner offers an option for the Billionaire collection The interior is the one that stands out with utterly new upholstery. In addition, there are specific badges embroidered on the door cards and on the seats. Last but not least, the Rolls-Royce badge from the steering wheel was replaced by a navy-inspired badge. Finally, the tuner installed a metallic plaque on the center console that says "one of one," meaning that the Billionaire collection features only one white Cullinan, which certainly adds more value to the already $484,000 plus some change for the standard Black Badge vehicle.But, in a Cullinan, the most important seats are in the back. For those seated there, Mansory installed two touch screens mounted on the back of the front seats. Thus, the rear passengers can control the sound system. TheYachtMogul (Denis Suka) shows us the carpeting with the Billionaire writing embroidered on the carpet in the trunk. Denis Suka is also known in the yachting industry as an influencer and a trendsetter. Recently, he launched his own project for a stunning luxurious yacht Mansory, unlike Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective , is also known for improving the engine's performances, and this Cullinan makes no exception. The luxuriousoffers 601 hp (610 ps), and 701 lb-ft (950 Nm) of torque with thetweaked. The 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends the power in all corners. A standard Black Badge Cullinan (which offers 591 hp) can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 4.5 seconds.The Yacht Mogul took the luxobarge for a ride in Dubai, where the British carmaker opened a showroom in December 2021. It looks like he enjoyed sitting in the back, as well as driving it. We can understand that.
Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA) already competes in North America under the Formula DRIFT and GT4 series outside of old-fashioned American drag racing. But the team's entry into one of America's racing past times sends a clear message.The top prize in drag racing is up for anyone with the technology to claim it, regardless of where it is headquartered, even in Japan. Still, TGRNA plans to use American drivers and use mostly American hardware in their pursuit of racing immortality."The opportunity to introduce TGR North America to the NHRA community in 2022 and continue the support in Formula DRIFT and GT4 competition is a big moment for everyone involved in Toyota's overall motorsports program," said Paul Doleshal, group manager, Motorsports and Assets for Toyota Motor North America.The ability to showcase the GR family of vehicles on the race track and ultimately be a part of applying racing performance to production vehicles is something that we all strive for through motorsports. Showcasing the capability of our race enthusiast engineers to our new and existing fan base of enthusiasts is the overarching goal of the program." Very profound words from a manufacturer that doesn't often fall short of grandiose promises, just ask anyone who watches the LeMans racing series for proof of that.The NHRA regulated Toyota Supra Funny car will make its debut on the quarter-mile this upcoming 2022 season. It will find itself embattled with competition from Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler/Mopar American iron that's sure to test their metal at every single green light.Meanwhile, their Formula DRIFT counterpart GR Supra and GR-86 are prepared to make their respective debuts this upcoming season as well. All in all, an exhilarating year for Toyota and their motorsports counterparts.
In other words, car manufacturers are back to the struggle that came in multiple waves throughout 2021, so many of them are now turning to various measures in an attempt to reduce the disruptions in their global operations.Like other big and small automakers, Toyota has recently confirmed that the global chip shortage is making it extremely hard to maintain the production of cars at the same level.The company has acknowledged its now more than likely to miss the original annual production target of 9 million vehicles, and the reason is the one anyone can easily anticipate. The global chip shortage means the Japanese carmaker must slow down the production of some cars simply because it doesnt have enough semiconductors to install on the vehicles it builds. Toyota estimates the February production would reach 700,000 units in all its plants worldwide. The figure isnt necessarily bad, as its still an increase over the 2021 levels, but on the other hand, its approximately 150,000 units below what the company had in mind for this month.Like everyone else, Toyota is also getting ready for some painful decisions to deal with the lack of chips. The company will suspend certain operations at eight of its plants, though the whole thing would only happen temporarily in the coming weeks.Of course, Toyota has no estimate as to when things could come back to normal pretty much because nobody knows when it is supposed to happen anyway. Analysts originally predicted the end of the chip crisis would come to an end in 2022, but its already clear this wouldnt happen until the last months of the year if were very optimistic.
The memorandum was signed earlier this week by Thomas Schmall, member of the Board of Management in charge of Technology at the VW Group, and Rolf Najork, member of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch Group.By working together, the two industry giants aim to supply the entire range of processes and components needed for the large-scale manufacturing of battery cells and systems, in a bid to meet industry demand, which is growing by the minute.In Europe alone, various companies are looking to build battery cell factories with a total yearly capacity of roughly 700 gigawatt-hours by 2030.Both VW and Bosch want to establish themselves as leaders in the world of e-mobility, with the former being such an accomplished carmaker and soon-to-be major battery cell manufacturer. Bosch meanwhile will provide the know-how in terms of factory automation and systems integration.Europe has the unique chance to become a global battery powerhouse in the years to come. There is a strong and growing demand for all aspects of battery production, including the equipment of new gigafactories, said Schmall.Volkswagen and Bosch will explore opportunities to develop and shape this novel, multibillion-euro industry in Europe. Our decision to actively engage in the vertical integration of the battery-making value chain will tap considerable new profit pools. Setting out to establish a fully localized European supply chain for e-mobility made in Europe certainly marks a rare opportunity in business history.At this stage, neither VW nor Bosch has stated publicly how much theyre willing to invest in this joint venture.
Much like the FBI and the CIA, we will never know what took place deep inside the American car industry around 20 years ago. You cant deny the quality and appeal of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai, and they have curb-stomped American automakers since the first oil crisis in 1971.A running theme to these posts is that Americans seem to kill their best models once they are perfected, and this story exemplifies those sentiments. Choosing an easy target, the Pontiac Solstice & Saturn Sky were small roadsters with more power and comfort than a Miata or S2000 and they can easily ingest 2 bar of boost with the Air Con blowing ice cold. The Solstice Targa arrived in GXP trim with a meaty turbo, great audio, and a comfortable suspension. Only a few hundred were built, with examples quickly approaching $90,000.In the case of Saturn, GM used this innovative brand to hide a century of bad debt, so their best brand never turned a profit. Needless to say, Saturn was the cornerstone of the bankruptcy. Also tossed into the fire was Oldsmobile, who was not given a budget since 1991. The big elephant in the room was Pontiac.One of the oldest automakers, they were responsible for the Grand Am, Trans Sport (plastic dustbuster van), cheesy body cladding, and an insane attempt to power the front wheel drive Grand Prix with a 5.3L V8. My 2005 Grand Prix GXP would rip your arms off from Torque Steer. The ultimate turd in the punchbowl came from the Aztek. This one failure best exemplifies what went wrong in the last 3 decades of Old GM. I want to emphasize that Old GM is dead, and they are responsible for cleaning 110 years of lead from across the U.S.We know who the bad apples were and why they were culled, but what happened to the truly great cars? This was a time of badge engineering. Instead of Chevy and Cadillac sharing chassis, 2006 offered every flavor of crossover SUVs. The Chevrolet Trailblazer was introduced on the Colorado (midsize) chassis in 2001. From there it was shared with Oldsmobile, Isuzu, Saab, Buick, and whoever else wanted to offer it.Front wheel drive finally killed the Monte Carlo, Cavalier, Sunfire, Intrigue, Alero, Aurora, and Riviera , so they decided to call Australia. The last Pontiac GTO was built Down Under by Holden, and it is a truly amazing car. The decision was made to revive the Camaro on the same Zeta chassis, but development only took 11 years. For those efforts, we received the Chevy SS sedan, a 6.2L beast that was somehow $10,000 more than a used CTS-V.This confusion also spread into Cadillac offering a Corvette in the form of the XLR. It was a hardtop roadster with sleek lines that was cut down by only offering the 4.6L Northstar V8 that has been a dumpster fire for 30 years.A truly hateful sight was watching GM use their shares of Subaru to build the Saab 9-2X, a WRX STi wagon. It was and is amazing, but only a few hundred were built before Saab was rolled into the bankruptcy. Sweden has never forgiven us, but it allowed Christian Von Koenigsegg to buy the factory for pennies.The final kick in the teeth came from Saabs version of the Trailblazer SS. It offered 410 horsepower to all wheels thanks to the Corvettes LS2 V8, and with mud tires it can literally walk up a mountain. The death of these great cars was the result of decades of shuffling debts into cheap plastics and poor dealer experiences. Thankfully, new GM is unstoppable thanks to Marys Ultium chassis and incredible battery density. This is the best business lesson of the last 50 years, so take a look at these classics for a great experience.
But while Thailand still does supply a good number of models to the Philippine market and the rest of ASEAN, Indonesia is gradually building up its volume too. Based on official numbers reported to the major auto industry association of Indonesia, we can see just how many vehicles were sent by our neighbor in the south and into our ports and showrooms.

In the last 10 or so years, the majority of the imports came from Thailand. The Detroit of Asia is where a lot of automakers and parts suppliers have set up their regional manufacturing hubs to take advantage of the ASEAN Free Trade Area.

The automobile market in the Philippines is one where a lot of the models are imported. Yes, there are models that are made here like the Vios, Mirage, Innova, and a few others, but the truth is that most of the nameplates being offered by automakers are completely-built unit (or CBU) imports.

GAIKINDO (the Indonesian counterpart to CAMPI/AVID) reports that a total of about 64,363 units were exported to the Philippines in 2021. The total includes reports from a variety of brands producing models in Indonesia, and all of these are Japanese automakers. The only caveat with the total number is that it is incomplete because one automaker in Indonesia did not report their export numbers to GAIKINDO, and that is Isuzu with regards to the Traga; in the Philippines, that model is known as the Traviz.

Based on the data, Hino Philippines imported a total of 1,725 units of the Dutro; in the local market, we know that as the 300 series. Honda Cars Philippines Inc. also imported a total of 3,090 units of the Brio. Mitsubishi imported 9,493 units of the Xpander, but we have a feeling that the number may include the Xpander Cross as well, given that the Xpander MPV and Xpander Cross SUV are too similar to split up.

Suzuki Philippines imports 4 different model nameplates from Indonesia, namely the APV (yes, it's still selling here), the Carry utility truck, the Ertiga, and the XL7; Suzuki split the model lines for the report. While it would be expected that the Ertiga and XL7 would command the majority of Suzuki's total of 7,000 units imported from Indonesia, it is actually the Carry that makes up the bulk with 4,584 units.

Of course, it is Toyota that imported the most vehicles from Indonesia out of all of the automakers in 2021. Of the total 64,363 units imported last year, 43,055 have the T emblem on the grille. The bulk of that number is comprised of three models that all exceeded 10,000: the Wigo (AKA: Ayla) accounted for 15,364 units, the Fortuner is in second with 11,393 units, and the Rush is in third at 10,445 units imported. As a testament to the popularity of the Rush, only 3,530 units of the Avanza were imported, though Toyota is prepping for an all-new model which would mean they were limiting their imports.

There are also some things we can notice in the import, and that's the presence of 1,043 units of Innova that were imported by Toyota. We produce it here, so it's odd that there were units imported; perhaps it was a special edition model. We'll have to check. The other is that the Raize was already reported in the numbers in December 2021. It seems Toyota already imported 1,280 units last month in preparation for the launch next month.

The last thing we can point out is the pattern of low export numbers in the middle of 2021. There are months where automakers noted a sharp decline in export figures sometime from May to June. This can probably be attributed to the production stoppages caused by the parts and semiconductor shortage.
Mozambique has positioned itself as a key figure in the electric vehicle wars, with the Southern African country set to provide Tesla an essential component in its car batteries. The world's top electric car maker signed a deal last month with Australia's Syrah Resources, which operates one of the world's largest graphite mines in Balama, Mozambique. Analysts believe this agreement will help Tesla reduce its dependence on China for graphite.

Tesla nabs major deal with Syrah Resources

Graphite is a mineral that is a critical component in developing lithium-ion batteries. Syrah Resources possesses that all-important material, processing the graphite from its mine in Mozambique at its plant in Vidalia, Louisiana.

Tesla wants that graphite badly, with the Austin, Texas-based automaker planning to buy up to 80 percent of the Louisiana plant's production starting in 2025. Syrah Resources generates around 8,000 tons of graphite per year. For the deal to commence, Syrah Resources must prove that the graphite meets the standards of Tesla.

According to Simon Moores of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a UK-based battery materials data and intelligence provider, Tesla's deal with Syrah is part of the company's plan to make its own batteries in the future and, in the process, reduce its dependence on China, which is the undisputed global leader in graphite production.

Moores said in an interview with the Associated Press that the deal is all about geopolitics at this point. He said that the United States wants to build enough capacity domestically to build lithium-ion batteries within the country. This deal will help Tesla source graphite independently from China.

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Tesla looking to reduce dependence on China

According to Moores, producing the batteries in the United States also has an added benefit for Tesla, as this will reduce the questions the company is facing regarding its ties with China. Tesla has invited criticism after setting up a showroom in the Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Authorities in this area have been accused of human rights abuses against Muslim ethnic minorities, with forced labor one of the main issues. Environmental concerns have also been raised at some Chinese mines where graphite is mined.

There has been a short supply of graphite in recent months, hampering the battery industry as a result. This makes Tesla's deal with Syrah a major catch for Elon Musk's company. Graphite is important because it is the primary material used for the anode in lithium-ion batteries.

Demand remains very high for electric vehicles, with Tesla making almost a million cars per year. Tesla's biggest constraint, however, is expanding its fleet is the sourcing of batteries. Having this deal with Syrah will help Tesla increase its battery manufacturing capacity.

Tesla is building a new battery factory in its headquarters in Austin, Texas, helping the company move ever closer to self-sufficiency. Moores believes, however, that Tesla will continue to buy batteries from other manufacturers in the coming decade because of the scarce raw materials.

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A major deal has transpired in South Korea to start the year with the country's bankruptcy court approving electric vehicle start-up Edison Motors Co.'s acquisition of struggling carmaker Ssangyong Motor Co., according to a report by the Korea Economic Daily newspaper.

Edison close to completing the Ssangyong deal

The next step for Edison is to submit its rehabilitation plan for Ssangyong by March 1 to South Korea's bankruptcy court to prove its capability in overcoming the troubled automaker's financial woes. Edison's blockbuster takeover deal will be finalized after the company pays out 274.3 billion won ($229.3 million) which is the remaining acquisition fee. Edison also needs to gain approval from at least two-thirds of Ssangyong's creditors to complete the deal.

This is just the latest chapter in the troubled history of Ssangyong, which has struggled to find its footing in the Korean automotive industry. Ssangyong had been in this situation before, facing near bankruptcy in 2011. Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra provided much-needed funds to rescue Ssangyong, acquiring a controlling 75 percent stake for the beleaguered carmaker.

The deal has not been profitable for Mahindra, with the Indian firm seeking to unload its stake in the South Korean company since June of 2020. Edison Motors came out of the blue last year with its bid to acquire Ssangyong, forming a consortium with Semisysco Co., activist fund Korea Corporate Government Improvement Fund (KCGI,) and Seoul-based Keystone Private Equity. They offered a bidding price worth 280 billion won.

Edison Motors eventually pushed its bid to 304.8 billion won, with the company offering to buy 60 million new Ssangyong shares at 5,000 won per piece. The two sides agreed to that contract, with Edison having a 95 percent stake in Ssangyong once the takeover is finalized. KCGI will get 34 to 49 percent of the new shares, while Edison will take control of the rest.

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Edison wants to be a major force in the EV market with Ssangyong

This is a major statement of intent by Edison Motors, established in 2015. The company currently produces electric buses and is developing electric-powered commercial vehicles. Edison founder and CEO Kang Young-Kwon wants a bigger share of the pie, with Ssangyong providing Edison a greater worldwide presence in the auto market via its affordable vehicle range.

Kang told the Korea Herald that Edison plans to invest between $670 million to $837 million to help the ailing Ssangyong. Edison is aggressive with its plans to infiltrate the lucrative passenger car market. The company is currently developing a powerful electric sedan named the Smart S and an SUV called the Smart X.

Ssangyong fits Edison's plans as the company is going electric in the future. They have already made available to customers the electric crossover of the Korando. The electric SUV e-Motion can be purchased for just under 20 million won thanks to tax benefits and government subsidies for environment-friendly cars.

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Two more incarcerated people have died of the coronavirus, a Department of Correction spokesman said Wednesday. Both men died in the last week.

One was a 77-year-old man who had been receiving treatment at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institutions medical isolation unit, Andrius Banevicius said.

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The second was a 51-year-old man who had absconded from special parole on Sept. 23, 2020 and was returned to the Hartford Correctional Center on Oct. 29, 2021. The state did not release their names because of medical privacy laws.

The first man was taken to a local hospital for continued care for COVID-19 and other illnesses. He died Jan. 15, Banevicius said.

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He had entered the Connecticut correctional system on July 31, 2018, and was in custody on $2 million bail after being charged with murder, he said.

The second man showed symptoms of the coronavirus after he was returned to Hartford Correctional in the fall. He was taken from the Hartford facility to a local hospital for further treatment on Jan. 15, and he died Jan. 17.

His involvement with the Department of Correction dates back more than 30 years, and his special parole end date was Aug. 12, 2026, Banevicius said.

DOC Commissioner Angel Quiros said, I pray that we have passed the peak of the Omicron wave of the virus. As always, I encourage those who have not been vaccinated to get their shots.

Since the start of the pandemic there have been 27 deaths of individuals incarcerated in Department of Correction facilities.

Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - Attendees check out the all-electric Chrysler Airflow Concept vehicle during a Stellantis press event at CES 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 5, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The future certainly looks bright for legendary brand Chrysler after automaker Stellantis revealed a fully-functional Airflow EV concept at this year's Consumer Electric Show. The announcement comes two years after the Vision Chrysler Airflow was unveiled at the 2020 CES as a static design showcase.

Stellantis finally reveals plans with Chrysler

Not much has been heard about the Airflow concept and the Chrysler brand in general since the formation of Stellantis after French company PSA Group's merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in early 2021. Company representatives of Stellantis did not discuss or acknowledge the Airflow concept last year apart from two virtual presentations on the company's EV day back in July and Software day back in December.

Questions were starting to emerge about Chrysler's future with the company lagging in the electrification of its fleet. While other companies have released innovative electric vehicles such as the GMC Hummer EV, Chevy Bolt, and Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chrysler only had a single electric vehicle in its product line with the Pacifica Hybrid minivan.

That all changed on January 5 when Chrysler finally showed off its battery-electric future with the new and improved Airflow concept vehicle. Chrysler Brand CEO Chris Feuell was proud of his company's electrification, telling Forbes Wheels that "Chrysler has been an iconic brand for almost 100 years now" and that it "has since evolved to a portfolio of products."

Feuell added that Chrysler is at the forefront of revitalizing its brand and transforming its product line. He wants Chrysler to improve its customers' driving and ownership experience by moving forward with their clean mobility plans.

Related Article: Subaru Delivers Surprise at 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon With 1,073-HP STI E-RA Electric Race Car Concept

Chrysler delivers with Airflow EV concept

What makes the Airflow concept such an exciting project for Chrysler, according to Feuell, is its link to the brand's storied past. It is named after the 1934 Chrysler Airflow, one of the most advanced vehicles of that era. That vehicle by the Detroit-based company combined modern body construction and aerodynamic streamlining.

Chrysler's team of engineers and product planners applied those same principles with the Airflow EV concept, with Feuell describing the vehicle's dimensions as falling between midsize and compact crossovers. Electric motors sit at the front and rear of the Airflow under the vehicle's sharply designed exterior. This pair of 150-kilowatt motors provide some punch, producing a combined total output of at least 400 horsepower.

This vehicle also has a 118-kilowatt hour battery pack, helping the Airflow reach an estimated range of 400 miles. That distance will delight possible buyers as the Airflow's range beats out other electric crossovers on the market, such as the popular Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y.

What separates the Airflow from the competition is its interior, with Stellantis developing STLA SmartCockpit in a joint venture with FoxConn. This provides consumers with an interior user experience system unlike any other. The primary center screen takes center stage with a huge 17-inch floating display.

READ MORE ON AWN:

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U.S. envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking traveled to the Gulf on Wednesday in the aftermath of an attack by Houthi rebels that killed three people in Abu Dhabi.

Why it matters: Lenderking's trip was previously planned but became much more urgent after the attack threatened new escalation in the fighting in Yemen and more broadly in the region. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also spoke Wednesday with Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed.

They discussed steps to tighten Emirati defenses against missile and drone attacks as well as enhanced maritime security to stop weapons flows, the UAE's ambassador to Washington said.

Meanwhile, UAE intelligence director Ali al-Shamsi arrived in Washington for a previously scheduled trip that will include meetings with CIA director Bill Burns, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior members of Congress.

The big picture: The Houthi attack was unprecedented because the Iran-backed rebels had previously targeted Saudi Arabia and ships in the region but not the United Arab Emirates, which is a member of the Saudi-led alliance that intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015.

The Emiratis asked the Biden administration to re-designate the Houthis as a terror organization after the attack. The UAE is also pushing for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss and condemn the attack.

The Saudi-led coalition also responded with strikes on Yemen's rebel-held capital, Sana'a.

What they're saying: The Special Envoy and his team will press the parties to de-escalate militarily and seize the new year to participate fully in an inclusive UN-led peace process," the State Department said in a statement.

The big picture: The attack took place while Saudi Arabia and the UAE were trying to de-escalate regional tensions with Iran.

The UAE invited Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi for a rare visit to Abu Dhabi, which could take place on Feb. 7, according to media reports.

Saudi Arabia also allowed three Iranian diplomats to enter the country to take up posts at the Iranian mission for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah.

A spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry said this week that Iran and Saudi Arabia could reopen their embassies in Riyadh and Tehran soon.

Whats next: It is unclear what bearing the Houthi attack may have on the regional de-escalation process.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich on Wednesday sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen responding to the Biden administration's threat that it will take back and withhold the state's COVID-19 relief aid over anti-masking school policies.

Driving the news: "[W]e will not be intimidated by the heavy-hand of the Biden Administration forcing Arizona to comply with ambiguous and unrealistic national standards," Brnovich said.

Catch up fast: Earlier this week, Yellen warned Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) that the administration will take back the state's COVID-19 funding if it does not redesign programs that use the funding to discourage schools from mandating masks.

One of the programs provides $163 million in funding to schools that do not require face coverings. Another one offers up to $7,000 for parents if their kid's school mandates masks, per AP.

Between the lines: The CDC recommends universal indoor masking in all schools, regardless of vaccination status.

What he's saying: "Madam Secretary, the states created the federal government, not the other way around. Unfortunately, members of the Biden Administration have continuously ignored this fundamental principle of our great nation when proposing and enacting bureaucratic mandates and harmful regulations upon individual states," Brnovich wrote.

"It shouldn't surprise anyone that the U.S. Department of Treasury, under your leadership, is again trying to overstep its constitutional bounds and dictate to Arizona how our state should run and fund our schools."

Brnovich argued that under the Ninth and 10th Amendments of the Constitution, the state can set whatever educational policies it sees fit.

What we're watching: Brnovich called for Yellen to rescind her initial threat, adding that if she fails to do so, his office will "take appropriate action in the courtroom" against the administration.

The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the letter:
In a new book, former Hong Kong lawmaker Nathan Law connects his experiences as a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong with China's attempts to curb freedoms around the world.

Why it matters: "Its really important that we see Hong Kong as part of the puzzle in a bigger picture of democratic recession, so we can equip ourselves more as China expands its authoritarianism around the world," Law told Axios in an interview.

Driving the news: In "Freedom: How We Lose It and How We Fight Back," Law describes how Beijing was able to subvert Hong Kong's traditional freedoms and how the CCP uses doublespeak to rob democratic values and institutions of their true meaning.

"The fear of living in an unfree city may not be physically constraining in the way a prison is, but it is no less restricting to the mind," Law writes.

"When the lines around what constitutes a crime begin to blur, your imagination becomes your own worst enemy."

The backstory: Law narrates how his family originally came from rural Guangdong province, immigrating to Hong Kong when he was 6 years old in search of economic opportunity and freedom from communist restrictions.

In 2016, Law became the youngest person to be elected to Hong Kong's representative body, but he was removed several months later after he made a subtle protest of Beijing during his oath. In 2017, he spent several months in jail for his role in a 2014 protest.

After Beijing forced a national security law on the city in 2020, a final blow in a series of growing restrictions on democratic life in the city, Law found himself making the same journey as his parents, but this time from Hong Kong to London, where he was granted asylum.

"By bringing out my personal story, you can see that people who protest in Hong Kong arent anti-China in a cultural sense, but are fighting a brutal authoritarian regime," Law told Axios.

"Freedom, in practice, is never absolute. But we shouldn't confuse freedom with having a seeming abundance of choice," Law writes.

He gives the example of China's more than 2,000 television channels, which feature many different topics but all conform to a single ideological narrative.

Different societies make different decisions about when to restrict freedoms and for what purpose, but that doesn't mean freedom is relative. In a free society, "freedom is restricted only to protect, and not to empower authority," Law writes.

The true meaning of freedom is "the ability to hold values and make choices that the ruling party does not like."

The bottom line: "Where economic leverage had once been the means by which Hong Kong's limited freedoms were meant to be protected, today trade is used by China to apply pressure to reshape freedom around the world," Law writes.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett proposed a Russia-Ukraine summit in Jerusalem to Russian President Vladimir Putin in their meeting last October, Ukrainian and Israeli officials tell me.

Why it matters: Israel is one of the few countries that has good relations with both Kyiv and Moscow and is able to pass messages between them. The Ukrainian side first broached the idea of a summit in Israel with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last spring when Russia was massing troops on the border, but it never gained much traction.

Flashback: When a senior Ukrainian delegation visited Israel in April last year, the government decided to try to use its close relationship with Israel to promote dialogue with Russia, Ukraine's ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, told me in an interview.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys closest adviser, Andriy Yermak, asked Netanyahu if he would be prepared to organize a summit between Zelensky and Putin. Netanyahu wasn't very enthusiastic but said he'd consider it if both sides wanted it, according to an Israeli source.

Netanyahu's advisers raised the idea with the Kremlin in April and again in May but didn't get a positive response. According to Korniychuk, the Russians said they wouldn't discuss Crimea or the Donbas, and that was a non-starter for Ukraine.

Bennett spoke to both Putin and Zelensky within days of replacing Netanyahu last June. Zelensky also invited Bennett to a forum calling attention to Russias annexation of Crimea (he didn't attend).

Then, in October, Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Kyiv and met with Zelensky, who told him about Netanyahu's mediation efforts and asked if the new Israeli government would resume them, according to Ukrainian and Israeli officials.

Herzog briefed Bennett, who was scheduled to meet Putin two weeks later in Sochi. Bennett called Zelensky the day before traveling, and the Ukrainian president again raised the summit idea and said it could perhaps be at a lower level  between national security advisers, for example, rather than the heads of state.

When Bennett raised the idea in Sochi, Putin wasn't at all enthusiastic and harshly criticized Zelensky, according to Ukrainian and Israeli officials briefed on the conversation.

Bennett and Herzog's offices both declined to comment for this story, as did Netanyahu.

The state of play: The Israeli government has been completely silent in recent weeks as warnings of a Russian invasion of Ukraine have grown louder.

In recent calls, U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken raised the issue with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and Putin raised it with Bennett. In both cases, the Israeli side mostly listened, Israeli officials say.

We love Ukraine, but we are not going to get involved in a conflict between superpowers like the U.S. and Russia. We have enough on our plate," a senior Israeli official told me.

Korniychuk told me Ukraine remains willing to attend a summit in Jerusalem but is also prepared to fight. Our main lesson is to be Israeli  dont listen to anybody and be ready to defend ourselves by ourselves. A Russian invasion wont be a picnic [for the Russians]. 30% of Ukrainians said they are ready to fight if Russia invades. The Russians will have heavy losses," Korniychuk said.

Worth noting: Ukraine's relationship with Israel did yield a tangible benefit last February when the Ukrainians were desperate for vaccines but couldn't get through to Pfizer. Netanyahu organized a call between Zelensky and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, and Ukraine signed a contract two weeks later.
Indigenous communities in Oaxaca, Mexico, are replacing corn crops with cannabis in anticipation of marijuana being legalized in the country.

Whats happening: Ten communities in the sierra formed the collective Oaxaca Highlands and are in the process of obtaining growing permits.

They plan to use the plant to sell products containing CBD, dishes flavored with cannabis seed, and clothes and beer made with hemp.

A Mexican Supreme Court decision last year eased the rules for receiving licenses to grow medicinal cannabis, which is legal.

A national bill that would decriminalize cannabis for recreational purposes has been approved by the lower house and a Senate vote is anticipated for the legislative period that starts in February.

The big picture: The Oaxacan growers say there is Indigenous vindication in growing the cannabis themselves and profiting directly.

The Oaxaca and Guerrero highlands have for many years been exploited by drug-trafficking organizations that force local residents to tend drug crops for them and to pick opium poppy for heroin sold in the U.S.

That created a stigma against Indigenous peoples who grew marijuana, despite records of native groups having done so for traditional and medicinal purposes since the 16th century.

The collective hopes the permits will help to generate legal job opportunities so fewer Oaxacans will need to migrate north.

Go deeper: Mexico moves closer to legalizing marijuana
Monday was a day of red lines for Vladimir Putin: Russia will not allow "color revolutions" in its neighborhood, he said, and will stand by its demands that NATO pull back from its borders and keep Ukraine out  even as Washington insists those are "non-starters."

Driving the news: Putin said that by dispatching troops to Kazakhstan, the Moscow-led alliance had shown it "will not allow the situation to be rocked at home and will not allow so-called 'color revolutions,'" a reference to the uprisings that toppled pro-Moscow governments in Georgia and Ukraine.

Putin described at a virtual gathering of leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization the events in neighboring Kazakhstan as a foreign-backed terrorist operation, a claim for which there is little evidence.

He said Russian troops would remain in Kazakhstan until order is restored and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev deems them no longer necessary.

By inviting Russia in, Tokayev underscored Moscow's position as security guarantor for regimes in the region. He may also have compromised his countrys sovereignty.

Even if Russia doesnt leave troops in the country, "it's hard to imagine that Moscow wouldn't try to secure something in exchange for this activation," says Alexander Cooley, a Central Asia expert at Columbia University.

Meanwhile, in Geneva, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said that if diplomacy over Ukraine and NATO fails, Russia will opt for an unspecified "military-technical solution."

Those comments followed the first of three meetings Russia will hold this week with U.S. and European interlocutors who are hoping to stave off a potential invasion of Ukraine  something Ryabkov denied Russia was planning.

But he also said the U.S. would be "playing with fire" if it didn't move quickly to reach legally binding pledges to reduce NATO's footprint in Eastern Europe and to keep Ukraine out.

The deals must be cut on Russia's terms, he insisted: It should be NATO that is making a step toward Russia rather than the other way around, so Russia shouldnt modify its position regarding key issues.

Between the lines: Top U.S. officials warn that the Russians may be using the talks as a pretext to invade Ukraine when their maximalist demands are inevitably rejected.

Deputy secretary of State Wendy Sherman told reporters following an eight-hour meeting with Ryabkov that the U.S. was open to discussing "reciprocal" restrictions on missiles and military exercises but "will not allow anyone to slam closed NATO's open door policy."

She also confirmed publicly for the first time that the Biden administration's sanctions in response to a Russian invasion of Ukraine could include export controls on certain key technologies.

Ryabkov denounced what he called U.S. "blackmail" on sanctions, saying the U.S. had failed to "learn anything from history, from the events of recent times."

He also mocked Western diplomats, saying they knew how to threaten and to sanction but no longer knew how to make a deal. "That's OK," he added. "We will try to teach them."

What to watch: Next up are Russia-NATO talks on Wednesday.
Wesleyan University leaders have declared the Middletown campus tobacco- and vape-free, but enforcement will be limited to warnings and encouragements to quit.

The policy, which went into effect Jan. 1, covers the entire campus, indoors and out, and applies to students, staff and visitors.

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This policy, according to an FAQ on the university website, is intended to provide a healthy living, learning and working community. The policy will help to reduce health risks and reduce campus litter associated with tobacco use. This policy also helps to prepare individuals for careers, etc. in increasingly tobacco-free work environments.

Wesleyan University's new logo for campus-wide policy effective Jan. 1. (Wesleyan University)

Chewing tobacco and snuff are prohibited along with smoking, but the policy does not include nicotine replacement products designed to help people quit smoking. Federal law already prohibits marijuana and THC use on campus.

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No fines or other punishments are included in the new policy.

Wesleyan University's new logo for campus-wide policy effective Jan. 1. (Wesleyan University)

All members of the Wesleyan community share the responsibility to respect this policy, a statement on the university website says. The goal of this initiative is to be educational, supportive and engaging to encourage individuals who use tobacco and vape products to quit. Through continued peer support and voluntary compliance, the goal remains to foster behavior and culture change over time..

Compliance will be supported, Johnson said, in part through free nicotine gum, patches and lozenges and quit kits that include flavored toothpicks, fidget toys and informational pamphlets. The handouts are funded through a $7,500 state grant, she said.

We want this policy to be supportive in nature, Johnson said. We dont want to ad any stress to the quitting process.

September Johnson, Wesleyans alcohol and other drugs specialist, said the policy had been under discussion for a while, but concerns increased with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic as research emerged on the exacerbating effects of smoking and vaping.

Tobacco- and vape-free campuses are a growing trend throughout the nation, according to the American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation. Of 2,560 100% smoke-free campus sites, 2,122 are 100% tobacco-free, 2,194 prohibit e-cigarette use, 1,201 prohibit hookah use, 554 prohibit smoking/vaping marijuana, and 619 explicitly include personal vehicles on campus in the policy protections, according to the foundation.

Five Things You Need To Know Daily We're providing the latest coronavirus coverage in Connecticut each weekday morning. >

The foundations list of campuses that prohibit tobacco use and vaping includes several Connecticut colleges, including Southern Connecticut State University and Quinnipiac University.

The latest statistics show about 14% of Americans smoke. Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the U.S., accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year, according to the federal government. In Connecticut, the latest figures show about 12% of the population smokes.

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Cigarette smoking was highest among people aged 2544 and 4564, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking was lowest among people aged 18-24.

While smoking has decreased across the country, there are concerns that vaping has increased, and Johnson noted that research has shown people who vape are more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.

In 2018, 14.9% of adults had used an e-cigarette and 3.2% were current users, the CDC reported. The prevalence of adults who had ever used an e-cigarette and were current users was highest among men, non-Hispanic white adults, and those aged 1824.

The CDC says e-cigarettes are unsafe. Most contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development into the early to mid-20s. Also, e-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances, according to the agency.

Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com
An aerial view of police standing in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade) (Brandon Wade/AP)

First, let us start by saying that we are extremely grateful for the efforts of local and state law enforcement, as well as the FBI and The Department of Homeland Security, for bringing the Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis to a safe resolution this past weekend. This situation is a painful reminder of the fact that synagogues in America continue to be at risk for attacks as we witness historically high levels of antisemitism across the country and the proliferation of anti-Jewish hate online.

We also believe that the weekends events underscore the importance of the work of ADL, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to fight antisemitism and secure justice and fair treatment to all, at which both of us have spent years volunteering. ADLs mission recognizes that hate never affects only one group and it has been working for over 100 years, to educate, advocate, investigate and prevent antisemitism and other forms of bias and bigotry, and the violence that can follow. Our organization and others like it can and must continue to play a role in working cooperatively with law enforcement to mitigate the threat of incidents like this.

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To paraphrase Martin Luther King Jr., the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice and we believe that we must use our efforts to bend it, that this trajectory requires work by all of us. At ADL, we do this by providing education programs for every age group to understand and prevent antisemitism, bias and bullying in schools and online, reaching tens of thousands of students every year. We have educated social workers, legislators, law enforcement, and community and business leaders about antisemitism, bias, bigotry and extremism. ADL has spent decades fighting for civil rights in the courts and in state and federal legislatures, drafting many of the countrys first hate crimes laws, including those concerning online hate, and fighting for racial justice and voting rights.

ADL, through its center on extremism and its center on technology and society, monitors extremism and hate and maintains important databases on extremist groups, hate symbols and the prevalence of hate-motivated incidents across the country. Our data shows that between 2015 and 2018, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. doubled. In 2019, ADL logged a record number of antisemitic incidents since we began tracking them in 1979. Antisemitism is often a gauge for the level of hatred of all kinds in society, including racism, anti-immigrant bigotry, and more. In 2019, the U.S. recorded 7,314 hate crimes. In 2020, hate crimes targeting the AAPI community rose by 150% in major U.S. cities. In the virtual world, we have found that 41% of Americans experienced online harassment last year, especially the LGBTQ+ community, which experienced higher levels of harassment.

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We are writing today because the Colleyville synagogue incident is yet another painful reminder that the American Jewish community continues to be the target of antisemitic attacks fueled by extremism. Fighting hate, as the work of ADL illustrates, requires a multipronged approach in which we all work together collaboratively.

We want to point out that a local Catholic church provided a place for the Colleyville Jewish community to gather during the hours of the hostage situation and that a local Muslim leader was present in support of the wife of the rabbi who had been taken hostage. These are small yet important examples of how we can all work to support each other, not only in times of crisis. We hope this event can be an opportunity to further improve Muslim-Jewish relationships. We can also ask Congress to increase funding to protect religious institutions through the nonprofit security grant program. And with antisemitism posing a grave threat to Jewish communities everywhere, we can all call on the U.S. Senate to confirm Prof. Deborah Lipstadt as the state departments special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. We hope you will join us in standing together and fighting hate for good.

Alan Lazowski is on the ADL national board; Suzanne Pinkes is the ADL Connecticut board chair
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Father and son devoted to mail service for village in north China's Shanxi Province

Xinhua) 10:38, January 19, 2022

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 7, 2022 shows Wan Yuntian driving a mail van to Wangfeng Township to deliver packages in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province. Located in a remote mountainous area in Wanbailin District of Taiyuan, Wangfeng Township had long suffered from poor transport infrastructure. In 1985, Wang Shouqiu became a postman of China Post serving Wangfeng Township, and held his post until a position transfer in 2020 due to his bad health condition.

From the time of delivery on foot to delivery by mail van, Wang Shouqiu had earned respect and trust from local villagers with more than 30 years of earnest work. Bearing duty in mind, he recommended his son, Wang Yuntian, to take over his work.

Wang Yuntian was once reluctant to follow his father's advice. Wang Shouqiu told him that for villagers, especially the elderly in Wangfeng Township, mail is the only link with the outside world. Persuaded by father, Wang Yuntian finally decided to shoulder the responsibility of being the "link" and taking care of villagers. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
In this file photo, a welder at a plant in Columbia, Connecticut in 2019. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant)

Many construction jobs in Connecticut dont pay enough to support a family, according to new research from the Labor Center at the University of California, Berkeley.

The study, The Public Cost of Low-Wage Jobs in the Connecticut Construction Industry, found that 39% of Connecticuts construction workers have a family member enrolled in at least one of the five largest social safety-net programs: Medicaid subsidized health care, the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP), welfare cash assistance known as Temporary Aid for Needy Families, the earned income tax credit, and SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

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Annually, $229 million in state and federal funding supports the 20,000 construction-worker families enrolled in those programs in Connecticut.

We want families to be able to survive on what they earn in their jobs, said Ken Jacobs, one of the authors of the study. This is a cost to the public, and its a real marker that shows just how far the job quality has deteriorated in a large part of the industry.

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Analysts say its critical that the post-pandemic economic recovery be focused on sectors that provide steadier, higher-paying employment. So far, construction is the only industry that has gained jobs in Connecticut since January 2020.

The Connecticut findings were one component of a larger study, commissioned by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America union, which found similar trends in other states and nationwide. In the United States, the proportion of workers in construction with a family member enrolled in social safety net programs was the same as Connecticuts: 39%. That figure across all industries was 31% nationwide and 29% in Connecticut.

Connecticut reflects what were seeing in the rest of the country, which is that a large part of the construction industry is low road practices: low pay, few benefits, lots of cash pay and other violations of labor and employment laws, Jacobs said.

Matt Capece, attorney for the carpenters union, said, Contractors need to stop subcontracting to crooked businesses that abuse their workers and turn a blind eye to taxpayers who subsidize their poor treatment of the workforce.

But there are plenty of contractors who do what theyre supposed to do, said Don Shubert, president of the Connecticut Construction Industry Association. They pay people properly, pay their taxes and provide good benefits. Still, there are others who circumvent the rules to gain an advantage in the market, he said.

Construction is a highly competitive industry in which projects are frequently awarded on the sole basis of the lowest bid, the Berkeley study found. Between 12.4% and 20.5% of construction workers are either misclassified as independent contractors  which allows companies to avoid providing certain benefits and protections  or paid under the table, according to researchers. These practices drive a race to the bottom in the industry, which degrades job quality and leaves many workers unable to support themselves and their families.

Said Shubert: Its very hard to see really good contractors that do everything right sitting on the sidelines.

Projects on tap

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New funding for infrastructure, from both the state and the federal government, is expected to add many more jobs in the construction sector in the coming years.

In an emailed statement, Gov. Ned Lamonts spokesman Max Reiss said: The Lamont Administration continues to take significant steps to support the construction sector like investing hundreds of millions of dollars in transportation across the state through recent approvals from the state bond commission. He added that Lamont has been out front on the need to put federal funding to work on infrastructure, which will create and support thousands of jobs in our state for things like clean water, green energy, and fixing aging bridges.

Public works construction projects require contractors to meet certain wage requirements and to provide payroll certification on a regular basis, Shubert said. You wont see a lot of this mischief, like misclassification or under-the-table pay, when it comes to infrastructure projects, he said. But Shubert and others are concerned that spending on large planned infrastructure projects in Connecticut could face delays.

In the meantime, Shubert said hes concerned that historic state unemployment reform, passed with widespread support last year, could incentivize more bad behavior in the construction sector. Businesses in the construction sector are among those that will see their unemployment taxes rise as a result of the legislation, he said.

If your unemployment taxes are going to double, what do you think some of these people are thinking? Its like an incentive to misclassify people, he said, which could lead to more construction workers relying on the social safety net. Its just going to make this matter a lot worse, he said.

Reiss responded: The unemployment reform we passed last year was supported by members of both parties, organized labor, and the business community. It will shore up the historically underfunded unemployment trust fund for generations, providing certainty to businesses, claimants, and policymakers.
Wacky, Tubular Pyrosomes Found Again on Oregon Coast: Will This Bring More?

Published 02/03/22 at 5:50 PM PST

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Florence, Oregon)  An old pal of sorts is back on the Oregon coast. That familiar, tubular shape of the pyrosome has returned  at least for a little bit  and in some places there are great numbers of them. (Photo above courtesy Seaside Aquarium from back in 2017)

In Seaside, Seaside Aquarium found one. However, down in Florence, from quite a ways south of town all the way up to Muriel Ponsler Memorial Wayside, there are sometimes hundreds of them, depending on the beach. Reports came in from the Siltcoos River near Dunes City on the southern Oregon coast, as well as Heceta Beach below the Heceta Head Lighthouse, and Hobbit Beach, among others.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection readers are also noting farther south around Coos Bay and Port Orford in sizable amounts.

Pyrosomes are somewhat gelatinous in feel but they're not related to the jellyfish at all  they're more closely related to the salp. These rather strikingly oddball creatures made quite a sudden splash on the Oregon coast back in 2016 and 2017, showing up in enormous numbers on and off before trailing off in 2018. Biologists were puzzled by this at the time, because such a flood of them had not occurred before, at least on record.

Then, the big numbers simply stopped, with the occasional rare sighting since. Now, they appear to have showed up again in larger-than-normal numbers, although the reports seem confined to south central coast.

Mary Nulty, a volunteer and historian with the Heceta Head Lighthouse, checked out a few beaches over the weekend. At Heceta Beach, there were about 100 lying around. At Washburne, Nulty said something like 1,000 were seen on that wide area, and quite a few at the Siltcoos River.



Photo courtesy Mary Nulty - pyrosomes this weekend near Florence

They were all in the high tide line mixed in with small debris and lots of small bits of plastic, Nulty said.

Just about all the finds noted, including those by other Florence residents on social media, were flattened and not round and whole, as is often seen. They were also sometimes their usual purple and sometimes brown or pink, a sign that they've been around a bit and are decomposing.

Does it mean there's going to be more runs of them up and down the coastline? That's hard to predict.



Photo courtesy Mary Nulty

Whatever will happen, part of the reason for so many is warmer-than-usual waters off the Oregon coast, another point of climate change that is worrying experts. The other main reason for seeing them is just west winds or recent storms.

These creatures are remarkably odd  more so than the average person will know by looking at it. Each rounded individual is actually a colony of smaller creatures about one centimeter long. They are all connected by tissue and in turn form this colony that looks like a plastic tube.

They're technically a tunicate, something related to a salp, according to Tiffany Boothe of Seaside Aquarium. And there's more special surprises.

This colony of animals is comprised of thousands of individual zooids and moves through the water column by the means of cilia, she said. They filter plankton out of the water for food and are known for bight displays of bioluminescence. In fact, their scientific name is derived from the Greek words pyro meaning 'fire' and soma meaning 'body.' 

However, you won't see them glow at night on the beach: they'll only do that when they're still alive and in the water.

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Markus Schreiber, STF / Associated Press

Burkeville ISD is closing all of its campuses for the remainder of the week due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, the district announced Tuesday.

According to the district's website, suspected or confirmed COVID cases exceed 8% to 14% of facility occupancy, moving the district to "stage four," or short-term restricted operations. The district has 237 enrolled students as of Sept. 2021, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Screen time can seem like a must, especially in todays culture. It may make a parents job harder, but that doesnt mean parents cant ensure that screen time is healthy for children. The Bible says that we should guard our minds and protect what goes into them. Parents must safeguard the thoughts of their children, primarily because while theyre young, parents are the ones who are responsible for safeguarding their minds to the best of their ability. These movies are great to watch together as a family and help foster an environment to start godly discussions with each other and lay those foundational truths in your kids lives.

"The Prince of Egypt" DreamWorks Pictures This movie is a classic and one to watch if youve never seen it before. DreamWorks released the film in 1998; it tells the story of Moses, starting when his mother placed him in a basket after King Herod demanded the execution of all Hebrew boys under the age of two. It goes through his childhood in the palace, murdering an Egyptian and Gods journey in his life to eventually call him to free Gods People from Pharaoh. The film does a great job of staying true to Gods Word while adding some movie elements to keep kids attention.

"Joseph: King of Dreams" DreamWorks Pictures Just two years after the "Prince of Egypt," DreamWorks released "Joseph: King of Dreams." It starts with Joseph being born to Rachel and Jacob, his brothers jealousy, and his brothers selling him into slavery. It goes through Josephs ups and downs from the palace to prison back to the castle. Eventually, it comes full circle, and he meets with his family again as the second most famous man in Egypt. The movie has many songs with lyrics that touch you and serve as a form of praise and worship.

"Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" Artisan Entertainment The VeggieTales series is a classic for Christian kids shows and movies. The VeggieTales videos and movies take important points and stories from scripture and turn them into fun yet impactful stories for kids. This specific film goes through the story of Jonah, featuring pirates that dont do anything. It also stays true to the storys ending, showing that not all scriptures have a happy ending. The film also does a great job of showing that God wants everyone to show compassion and mercy, even to those who dont seem to deserve it.

"Lion of Judah" Rocky Mountain Pictures This cartoon movie tells the tale of Jesus crucifixion through the lens of Judah, the sacrificial lamb. It follows the adventures of Judah and his stable friends as they try to avoid the sacrificial alter the week before the crucifixion of Christ. The quest follows the animals from the stable in Bethlehem to the great temple in Jerusalem. This film does a great job of teaching elementary-school-aged children about Jesus crucifixion in a visual way. Its excellent for leading up to Easter or anytime of the year. This film has some harsh elements, so it may not be appropriate for children under six.

"God's Not Dead" Pure Flix Entertainment The initial film in this series tells the story of an atheist professor whos challenged by a devout Christian student who believes that God doesnt just exist, but Hes alive and well. The first film was released in 2014, but the series spawned two sequels: "Gods Not Dead 2" in 2016 and "Gods Not Dead: A Light in Darkness." This film is excellent to watch with older kids to hear their opinions on responding to this situation. After watching this film, ask your children how they felt about it and what they would do to foster an exciting discussion.

"Heaven is For Real" Sony Pictures Releasing This film was released in 2014 and told the story of Colton Burpo. 4-year-old Colton says he experienced Heaven during emergency surgery after acute appendicitis. He describes to his incredulous family about seeing the surgeon operate on him, his mother in the waiting room praying, and his father yelling at God to not let him die. He also talks about incidents with people he never met or knew about, like his great-grandfather. Coltons father, Todd, a pastor, is conflicted with what his son is telling him but ultimately decides to believe him.

"Miracles From Heaven" Sony Pictures Entertainment This movie is based on a book with the same title by Christy Beam. It recounts the true story of her young daughter, who had a near-death experience and was cured of an incurable disease. The film focuses on Anna Beam; one day, Anna starts vomiting, and when her parents take her to the doctor, they dont find any issues. One night, Anna wakes up with stomach pains, and her parents take her to the hospital. Again, the doctors dont see anything wrong with her. Eventually, Anna is diagnosed with an incurable disease, and she starts intensive treatment. On a December day, Anna falls out of a tree, yet she doesnt sustain any injuries. It also appears that Anna is no longer affected by her illness. Then, Anna tells her parents of her experience during her fall and they're floored by her story.

In todays world, bad influences surround children. As parents, you always want to keep their best interests at heart and protect them from these harmful influences. Taking time together as a family to watch these films wont only foster great discussions, but it will allow you to spend quality time with your children. After watching each movie, take the time to discuss them with your children to ask them what theyve learned. You could also ask them how theyll apply the films lesson in everyday life. These films are perfect for a movie night for the whole family. Cuddle up on the sofa, pop some popcorn, and settle in for a family movie night that you wont forget.

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Forty

Feet

Familial Relationship Terms

Angel

Satan

Apocalypse

Stephanie Hertzenberg is a writer and editor at Beliefnet. She is a graduate of the College of William and Mary where she majored in Religious Studies and minored in Creative Writing. She maintains an avid interest in health, history and science.

The oldest books of the Bible were written thousands of years ago. Since then, language has changed dramatically. Modern and Biblical Hebrew are noticeably different languages, and only small pockets of people still speak Aramaic, the language Jesus would have spoken. These two languages, however, were two of the primary languages in which the Bible was written. The third language was ancient Greek, most famously in the form of an early Bible, the Septuagint. These languages, however, have evolved over time, and the number of speakers of each language has decreased accordingly.The Protestant Reformation and the invention of the printing press led to an explosion of demand for Bibles written in vulgar languages, the languages that common people spoke instead of ancient Greek or liturgical Latin. As such, the ancient texts needed to be translated. As everyone knows, things get lost in translation. This happened with the Bible just like any other text. Also, translation is in and of itself an act of interpretation. Think about it. Scrawny and thin both technically mean the same thing, but the two words convey very different ideas. So, which word the translator uses reflects their opinion.Biblical translation was further complicated by the loss of context. The original writers of the Bible would not have explained things that they and their audience would have simply understood. As such, translation was more difficult because there was no real way for translators to tell how a phrase was meant to be understood. One of the classic examples is the story of Tamar. This woman is often seen today as a prostitute or a temptress when in reality she was following ancient law. To make matters worse, translators were often translating a translation, such as in the case of the Septuagint.The incredible complexity of Biblical translation has led to some common Biblical terms being divorced from their original meaning. Here are six Biblical terms that do not mean what people think they do.The number 40 shows up repeatedly in the Bible. Christ was in the desert for 40 days. The Israelites waited to enter the Promised Land for 40 years. Jewish kings are noted as ruling for 40 years. This repeated number is often taken at face value by Christians. Lent, for example, is 40 days long in memory of Jesus time in the desert. The number 40, however, does not actually mean 40 in the Bible. In ancient Hebrew, the number 40 was used as a stand-in for many. So, Jesus was in the desert for many days. It can also be used to represent a generation. The number 40, then, is less a specific quantity in the Bible but used more like the modern words forever, an age or a gazillion. No one has been waiting in a coffee shop for the literal definition of forever, and no friend is literally taking an age to get ready. These words are simply understood to represent a long time in place of a more accurate number.Though no one likes to tell children this in Sunday school, the Bible actually contains quite a bit of sexual innuendo. One of the most common innuendos hidden throughout Scripture is the repeated use of the word feet. In ancient times, feet did not just refer to the appendages at the end of a persons legs. It was also ancient slang for a persons genitals. Rather like people today describe a persons junk. As such, when Ezekiel says that the Seraphim covered their faces and feet, he does not mean that one set of wings was used to shield the Seraphims lower legs. Similarly, Zipporah probably did not touch her sons foreskin to Moses toes. Being able to read the innuendo into such passages certainly evokes a different scene in a persons head.Familial relationship terms are everywhere in the Bible. Jesus refers to some of His Apostles as His brothers, and there are numerous verses where people refer to those who are not kin as brother, sister or father. The many uses of familial relationship terms do not meant that everyone in the Bible is related by blood. Terms such as sister or father were used in some cases to denote the balance of power between two people. A father, obviously, would be a person who as in charge. A sister, meanwhile, would be a woman who was to be treated as an equal by the man. This is why the romantic Song of Solomon refers to the woman in the song as my sister, my bride. The writer is not promoting incest. They are saying that their bride is their equal.Most people have slightly different visions of what an angel actually is, but most agree that an angel is some sort of unique heavenly being. What most forget is that angel is not a race of heavenly beings, a denotation of salvation or a title. It is a job description.The Hebrew word most commonly translated as angel is malak, which means messenger. The modern English term angel is a bastardized combination of the Old English engel and the Old French angele. Both these words came from the Latin angelus, meaning messenger, which carries the same meaning as the Late Greek term aggelos or angelos and the original Hebrew. Why modern English translators left angel in the Bible instead of the correct messenger is a mystery especially when the correct meaning for the word survived so long.If you ask just about any Christian what the word Satan is, they will tell you that it is the name of the Devil. Those who are fans of Miltons Paradise Lost will say that Satan is the name of Lucifer after he fell from heaven. Ironically, this Christian truth has a somewhat shaky foundation in Scripture.Satan is often used as a proper name in Christianity today, but it is actually a descriptor or a title. In the ancient Hebrew versions of the Old Testament, there are repeated appearances of figures called satan or sometimes ha satan. These words mean, respectively, an adversary and the adversary. The figures do not always act like the Devil that Christians envision. The various figures alternately test, torment and spare various righteous people. Depending on how satan acts in each story, modern translations refer to the character in a variety of ways. The Hebrew ha satan is translated as the Enemy, Satan and, in one notable case in Numbers, an angel of the Lord. The word satan is also used to describe human enemies such as Hadad the Edomite.The use of the word satan gets a bit more complicated in the New Testament due to how many different languages the ancient texts were written in. Sometimes satan is used as a proper name, but other times the tradition of the Old Testament continues, and the word is used more as a descriptor than a name.The word apocalypse never actually appears in the Bible, but it has come to be heavily associated with Scripture. It does not, however, mean what most people believe it signifies. Apocalypse does not mean the end of the world. It does not refer to the destruction of Earth, a violent end to life or any of the other disastrous scenarios the word usually conjures. Apocalypse comes from the Greek apokaluptein which means uncover or reveal. This is a much less frightening definition than the English definition: the complete and final destruction of the world.In religious terms, an apocalypse actually refers to the end of an age. Life might well continue on, but things will have been irrevocably changed. As such, the resurrection of Christ could technically be considered an apocalypse because of how clearly the world was divided into before and after the event.Because it is such a well-read and important book, many Christians are surprised to find out how many misunderstandings or mistranslations exist in the modern Bible. This, however, should not be shocking. The Bible has been translated from ancient Hebrew to ancient Greek to Late Latin to Old English to modern English. It is almost laughably easy to lose an article or word in a series of translations this long. This is, ironically enough, why more Bible translations are necessary. Religious scholars are increasingly able to jump over Greek and Latin to translate the original Hebrew and Aramaic directly into modern languages. These translations tend to be far more accurate with regards to the original text because there are fewer places for a word to get lost. Modern scholars also have a better grasp of ancient culture than medieval translators did and so can get a better sense of the context and connotations of ancient words. For some, the knowledge that the Bible is still being corrected is a frightening concept, but it should be an exciting one. Due to the determination of devout Christians and the curiosity of secular researchers, the faithful are continually receiving versions of Scripture that are increasingly accurate. Eventually, translations may be accurate enough as to be effectively word for word and thought for thought bringing Christians as close as they can get in this life to hearing sermons as Jesus phrased them.
Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, is creating an exploratory campaign for statewide office, becoming the first Democrat to put down a marker on the office of comptroller since an ailing Kevin P. Lembo quit the post last month.

Comptroller is one of Connecticuts six statewide constitutional offices, responsible for the often-prosaic tasks of keeping the states books and overseeing the administration of state employee payroll and benefits.

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I just filed an exploratory committee for statewide office with a focus on Comptroller, Scanlon said on Twitter Tuesday.

But it has evolved in recent decades, first under William E. Curry Jr. in the early 1990s and more recently under Lembo, as a platform with a potential for shaping public policy on health care and retirement.

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I think the Office of State Comptroller, which is the focus of my exploratory committee, is a job that is really relevant in this moment where health care affordability is an issue, where the budget is something that needs to be really watched like a hawk, Scanlon said.

Comptroller and secretary of the state are expected to provide the only two open races in 2022 for statewide or congressional offices in Connecticut. Topping the Democratic ticket this fall will be Gov. Ned Lamont and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced in June she would not seek a fourth term, drawing a field of nine politicians who have declared candidacies or are testing the waters with exploratory committees, with a tenth expected to join them shortly.

[ Connecticuts Secretary of the State job is open for the first time in 12 years and nine candidates are considering a run ]

The field for comptroller has been slow to develop.

Lembo, also in his third term, announced on Dec. 3 he would resign on Dec. 31 due to a serious heart condition. Natalie Braswell, who was appointed by the governor to complete Lembos term, is not a candidate.

Mary Fay, a Republican member of the West Hartford town council who ran for Congress in 2020, is the only declared candidate for comptroller from either party. Without fanfare, she filed papers creating a candidate committee on Jan. 4.

Scanlon was elected to the 98th House District in 2014 as an ambitious 27-year-old aide to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy. He was reelected without opposition in 2016, 2018 and 2020 and has risen quickly in the House.

He was one of two lawmakers named as committee co-chairs in their second terms by then-House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz in January 2017: Scanlon on Insurance and Real Estate; Caroline Simmons, who was elected mayor of Stamford last year, on Commerce.

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The first act of House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, as Aresimowiczs designated successor after the 2020 election was to name Scanlon as co-chair of the legislatures Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Scanlon is now 35, married, the father of a 2-year-old and facing a career crossroads. He is known at the Capitol as ambitious yet cautious. He declined entreaties to run for an open state Senate seat in 2018, while making statewide connections working on behalf of House candidates.

He left Murphys staff in 2019 to become the executive director of Tweed New Haven Airport, a city-owned facility with limited commercial services and ambitions of becoming a regional airport. On his watch, the discount airline Avelo designated Tweed as its east coast hub and announced plans for a new terminal.

With mixed results, the office of comptroller has become a springboard for the politically ambitious, albeit one whose powers are largely unknown to the voting public.

After a single term as comptroller, Curry won the 1994 and 2002 nominations for governor, losing both times to Republican John G. Rowland. Currys successor, Nancy Wyman, was elected lieutenant governor in 2010. Lembo explored a run for governor in 2018.

Connecticut is one of just 19 states with a comptroller or controller, whose duties overlap with treasurers in other states. It is an elected position in only nine states.

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Somebody may not know what the comptroller does by name, but the things that the comptroller does are relevant to a lot of people in this state, Scanlon said. And one of the things that I want to explore and hear about from people is can that office be more relevant in the day-to-day lives of Connecticut people. And I think the answer is yes.

The office oversees health care coverage for 300,000 people in Connecticut, about 50,000 state employees and 250,000 dependents and retirees. The state has opened its health plans to municipalities, covering another 50,000 people or so, with relatively low administrative costs.

This is pretty wonky stuff. But when you look at what works in one sample and you extrapolate that, you can figure out whether it can work in a larger sample, Scanlon said.

With Lembos support, the General Assembly also authorized in 2016 a quasi-public retirement security authority to develop a voluntary savings mechanism for employees of companies with no retirement benefits. It has been slow to launch. By law, the comptroller is chair of the authority.

The comptrollers office also is meant to act as a fiscal watchdog, an awkward role at times when the comptroller and governor are of the same party.

So I think why that office is relevant today in this moment is because he or she is the chief budget watchdog, he or she is the chief health care officer of the state, he or she is the chief retirement officer for the state, Scanlon said. And all of those things are things that rank and file voters in Connecticut are worried about.

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The early months of a campaign or exploratory campaign for nominations on the under-ticket revolve around demonstrating credibility by fund raising and getting commitments from potential delegates to the state nominating convention. The fourth-quarter 2021 campaign finance reports filed last week showed no one escaping the pack in the contest for secretary of the state.

The only declared candidates for the fundraising period reported raising similar amounts:

Rep. Stephanie Thomas, D-Norwalk, raised $31,336.

Republicans Dominic Rapini and Brock Webber raised, respectively, $26,273 and $29,509.

In their second quarter as candidates, Rapini now has raised $47,311; Webber, $52,444.

A half dozen Democrats interested in the nomination raised varying amounts in exploratory campaigns.

Rob Simmelkjaer of Westport, the chair of the CT Lottery board of directors, raised $24,965.

Darryl Brackeen Jr., a New Haven alder, raised $4,310 in the quarter, bringing his total to $15,021.

Maritza Bond, a top public health official in New Haven, raised $30,180 in the quarter, bringing her total to $36,100.

Sen. Matt Lesser of Middletown raised $14,976 in the quarter, bringing his total to $42,275.

Rep. Josh Elliott of Hamden raised $18,930 in the quarter, bringing his total to $21,588.

Rep. Hilda Santiago of Meriden raised $18,105 in her final quarter as an exploratory candidate, bringing her total to $26,840. Santiago reported raising another $9,669 since converting her exploratory effort to a candidate committee.

Sources say Rep. Terrie Wood, R-Darien, is expected to file papers this week creating either a candidate committee or exploratory committee with an eye towards running for secretary of the state. She could not be reached for comment Monday.
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The most frequently used word in the Christians vocabulary is blessed. Have a blessed day, blessed to be a blessing, and God bless you are just a few of the ways we put it to use. Its even common among unbelievers to describe themselves as blessed. Some people think of blessed as a spiritual term for good fortune, like when we receive something good, the desired outcome, or an exceptional comfort. But what does it mean to be blessed?

Definition of Blessed

The Greek word often translated as blessed is makarios, which means fortunate, happy, enlarged, or lengthy. Makarios is used in the Septuagint, a translation of the Old Testament into the Greek language, and the New Testament to define the kind of happiness that comes from receiving favor from God. Consequently, the word can also translate to favored. The New Testament usually carries the meaning of being blessed by God. Luke 1:42-45 describes Mary, the mother of Jesus, as blessed among women. It was the Lord God who had blessed and favored her. While material blessings are certainly included in Gods favor, the Bible attributes a much fuller meaning to the word blessed.

Perhaps the most well-known use of the word blessed in the Bible is in the Beatitudes, found in Matthew and Luke. Jesus used the term blessed in the framework of the Beatitudes to describe the inner quality of a faithful servant of God. This blessedness is a spiritual state of well-being and prosperity, deep, joy-filled contentment that cannot be shaken by poverty, grief, famine, persecution, war, or any other trial or tragedy we face in life. In human terms, the situations depicted in the Beatitudes are far from blessings, but because God is present with us through these difficult times, we are blessed by Him in them.

The faithful servant of God is blessed, regardless of circumstances, because God has favored them with a delighted soul, described in Psalm 63:1-5. The material things we crave can never bring genuine happiness or contentment. True fulfillment can only be found in a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

How the Bible Measures Blessings

The Bible measures blessedness differently from how people of the world measure it. James 1:12 says Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. To those who rest in God, He grants an inner state of joy unaffected by external trials. What is this promised crown of life? It is the never-ending, victorious life in the world to come, where God will end all trials. However, 1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds us that the marvelous blessings we experience now are minor compared to the benefits God has stored up for us in His eternal kingdom.

The one who is blessed trusts in Gods love no matter what. Romans 8:35-39 reminds us that nothing can ever separate us from God and His love, not misfortune, persecution, or hunger. No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell, can separate us from Gods love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below. Indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What it Means to Be Blessed

Blessed speaks of our inner state of well-being, the prosperity of our souls in Christ. Blessedness comes from unhindered fellowship with God the Father through our Lord Jesus. To be blessed is to experience the full impact of Gods presence in our lives now and for all eternity. In Christ, we are loved, chosen, redeemed, forgiven, freed, sanctified, and promised an eternal inheritance with all the riches, glories, and character of our Savior.

For the glory of God, we are blessed. May we all assert how truly blessed we are as we see Christ working himself more deeply in us, even through circumstances that seem far from being blessings. For it is better to be desperately poor and weak in the eyes of the world and eternally blessed in the glory of Christ than to be abundantly blessed in earthly measures and found naked and needy before the judgment seat of Christ.

Lets fix our eyes on the incredible inheritance that God guaranteed us whenever we start grieving over what weve lost, when we long for things to be made right and when we groan in these earthly bodies. If that remains our focus, we will never have a reason to despair. The grieving we experience on earth will make our eternal inheritance all the more beautiful.

The way human beings experience Gods blessing changes with the redemptive storyline that spans the significant peaks of creation, fall, redemption, and final restoration.

However, blessing always flows out of Gods benevolent creative design for his creatures and coincides with obedience to his will. Some people believe that being blessed means you have a lot of material possessions, and youre rich. However, being blessed has less to do with material possessions and more to do with how we are inside.

Being blessed means that God has looked down upon you with favor and mercy. Hes looked past all of your faults and mistakes and loved you anyway. Yes, God can bless us with material things, but He cares more about our spirit and hearts. Still, its important to remember that God can give blessings, but He can also take them away. When we receive our blessings, its best to remain humble and grateful because God can put us back where we were in no time. Being blessed isnt about what you have, but its about who you are on the inside and how God chooses to reward your behavior.
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We all have unbelief, all to varying degrees. Unfortunately, we arent born believers; God must pursue our hearts until we willingly submit to Him and lay our lives at the feet of the cross. When the root of unbelief is in our hearts, we need to cry out to God in sincere desire to believe fully. In Mark 9:24, the father of a sick child cries out to Jesus that he believes and asks Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief. So, as believers, we can also call out to Jesus, and He will answer. The more challenging aspect comes when you marry someone wrapped in unbelief.

Sadly, we dont have control over that situation at all. We desperately want our spouses to see with clear, unveiled eyes that God is the answer to all of their problems. The biblical wisdom they lack could bring them so much freedom and the burden their disbelief places on them. While theres no one size fit all formula that will instantly revolutionize a mismatched marriage, a few principles can contribute to the health of your relationship. If youre married to a non-believer, the following tips may help you navigate and thrive in your spiritual mismatch.

Shift your focus from your struggles.

When youre being pulled in two different directions, toward God by the Holy Spirit and away from Him by your spouse, its important to remember where your priorities lie. Staying captivated on the dilemma of a mismatched marriage drags down our troubles instead of lifting our eyes toward God. God recalibrates our life, and He empowers us to love our spouses when they arent very loveable. He loves our partner even more than we do. Pursue the joy of God, resting in His presence instead of the happiness of better external circumstances.

Make your spouse your priority human being.

If your spouse is a non-believer, they may feel like theyre losing you to your religion. They may feel betrayed that youre seeking comfort and encouragement from someone else. They may not understand why you worship an entity that youve never physically seen or heard His voice. However, your differing beliefs dont mean that youve stopped relating in other areas. You got married because you enjoyed each others company and shared mutual interests. Putting your partner first will quell their jealousy.

Resist focusing on your spouses unbelief.

Theres a natural tendency in a lopsided marriage to become obsessed about the one shortcoming in your partner that they arent a Christian. Obsessing over their disbelief may look like forcing them to read Bible verses or join your church every chance you get. You may feel the need to fix their unbelief, but this could fuel their bitterness towards you. Instead, try to emphasize the things you like about your spouse. The more you accentuate their positive attitudes, the more you motivate them to live up to your praises.

Teach your children Christian values without turning them against your spouse.

If there are children in the equation, things may be complicated. Sunday school is an opportunity for your children to develop strong moral values. As a believer, you have the privilege and responsibility to show your children how wonderful it is to know Jesus. However, if Mommy or Daddy doesnt go to church or seek a relationship with God, your kids may wonder if theres something not so extraordinary about their mother or father. It would be best to avoid undermining the authority or showing anything less than respect for your non-believing spouse. You wouldnt want your children to look down on them because they arent a follower of Jesus.

Pursue a Christian marriage by living out godly principles in your life.

Your non-believing spouse may belittle your choice to believe in a higher power. They may criticize you for attending church services or offer sarcasm while youre praying. You may feel tempted to give them a taste of their own medicine. However, it would be best not to let their negative attitude get to you. With Gods help, you can resist those urges. Retaliation wont make anything better and may cause things to get worse. The Christian principles that you bring to your marriage will change the flavor of your relationship. Be a truth-teller, a servant, a forgiver, a person of humility, integrity, and kindness. The extent to which your relationship can be Christian is the extent to which you commit yourself to following Jesus and letting His influence seep into your life.

Keep expectations realistic.

If your skeptic spouse decides to become a believer, you may think that everything about them will change instantly. However, they may not quite live up to your expectations. God may round their rough edges, change their values, priorities, and worldview, but theyre still who they were when you married them. Dont think that they will become perfect when they become a believer.

Marrying someone who is a non-believer is a deal-breaker for some Christians. However, that may be the reason God brought you two together.

He may want to try to change your spouses heart about becoming a believer. While youre waiting for God to change your spouses heart, pray and be still. God can do amazing things in your spouses heart. However, its best not to force your spouse to become a believer. You can nudge them in the direction, but the decision is ultimately up to them.

If your spouse chooses not to become a believer, dont resent them for making that choice. Instead, it would be best to love them through their decision. On the other hand, you shouldnt allow them to talk down on you for being a believer. The two of you should develop some boundaries that the two of you can respect when it comes to religion. When you decide to have children, sit down and talk about how youll incorporate faith into your children. If one spouse chooses not to go to church, dont belittle them or talk down about them in front of your children. Religion is necessary for some people, but its ultimately an individual decision.
Residents of western Myanmars Rakhine state say they are concerned over possible armed clashes in Maungdaw township along the countrys border with Bangladesh amid a recent uptick in activity in the area by the outlawed Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.

ARSA, which has joined Myanmars shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and other armed ethnic groups in fighting the junta following its Feb. 1, 2021, coup, has been moving aggressively to establish control over sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, where about 740,000 Rohingya fled after a crackdown by Myanmars military in 2017. The crackdown came in response to ARSAs attack on Rakhine police posts.

A rival group, the Buddhist Arakan Army (AA), agreed to a ceasefire with Myanmars military in late 2020, and ARSA appears to be taking advantage of the relative calm, residents of Maungdaw told Radio Free Asia (RFA).

In November, clashes broke out between ARSA and the military in Maungdaw. Last month, a man from the townships Khonedaing village was injured when ARSA gunmen opened fire on a group of 20 people who had gone to collect bamboo in the jungle.

Earlier this month, several photos and videos appeared on social media purporting to show an armed exercise by more than 50 ARSA troops and their leaders. Maungdaw residents said they are now afraid of renewed violence in the area.

The ARSA fighters look like a revolutionary group in guerrilla uniforms and sometimes we see four or five of them in civilian clothes, said Maung Hla, the administrative officer of Khonedaing village.

We are afraid to go to the western part of the hills. If we need to go, we must go in groups of about 20 people, not in small groups. And we dare not go into the deep jungle.

According to Maung Hla, ARSAs Myanmar branch is based in the Wela Hills, about 20 miles north of the seat of Maungdaw and only about two miles from his village. Its presence has disrupted the lives of community members who rely on natural resources for their livelihoods, he said.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told RFA that ARSAs position in Maungdaw lies directly between a group of military and AA units.

ARSA cannot move around as freely as it did before [the 2017 crackdown] with two adversaries on either side, he said. People living near the border areas will have to be careful about their movements.

Repatriation stalled

Other sources told RFA that a planned repatriation of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh had stalled in part because of reports of ARSA militants within their ranks.

While Bangladesh denies that ARSA operates in the refugee camps, Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, told reporters last month that he had credible information about the group being involved in kidnapping, abusing and even killing fellow Rohingya at the facilities.

Mohammad Shari, a Muslim resident of Maungdaw, said that while ARSA remains active, the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh would refuse to return home.

As long as these ARSA elements are present, it is impossible for us to bring back our refugees from Bangladesh and there will be no peace and security for us who are now living in northern Rakhine state, he told RFA.

Last time, we had to flee to Bangladesh because of these people [ARSA]. And now, with all these pictures and video files appearing on Facebook, we are worried we might have to flee again.

In addition to ARSA, residents told RFA that other militant groups, including the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and the Rohingya Army, have infiltrated the Maungdaw side of the Myanmar-Bangladesh border in Rakhine state.

Junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun was not immediately available for comment when contacted by RFA.

Dil Mohammad, a Rohingya leader in Bangladesh, told BenarNews that fighting had already broken out between ARSA and the AA in the no-mans land along the shared border.

The fighting between ARSA and the Arakan Army occurred after a reported incident about the abduction of a Rohingya person, Mohammad said.

But he said that while fighting has broken out in the area, the real reason Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have not returned home is owing to the reluctance of the Myanmar government.

Myanmar is still reluctant to accept us, so the repatriation is not taking place, he said.

Shah Rezwan Hayat, Bangladeshs Refugee Relief and Repatriation commissioner, downplayed the presence of ARSA in the Rohingya refugee camps to BenarNews.

We hear from the media and other sources about the presence of ARSA at the camps. But the armed groups inside and around the camps only use the ARSA name to enhance their importance. We will not allow any armed groups to create anarchy at the camps, Hayat said.

If Bangladesh and Myanmar could reach a diplomatic agreement, either with the facilitation of any other country or without, the violence at the border would not hinder the repatriation process.

Brother of ARSA leader arrested

The increased presence of ARSA in the border area comes amid reports on Tuesday that the brother of ARSA leader Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi was arrested in a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar.

Mohammad Shah Ali, 50, was taken into custody on Jan. 16 by police who discovered him carrying a Bangladeshi national ID card, weapons and drugs, Inspector (Investigation) Gazi Salah Uddin, who oversees the Ukhia Police Station, told BenarNews.

Chittagong District Election Officer Jahangir Hossain told local journalists that if the identity card is genuine, it will be investigated, and action will be taken against those involved.

Naimul Haque, a captain of the Armed Police Battalion Coxs Bazar, told BenarNews that Shah Ali was staying in a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar on the instructions of his brother Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi.

Sunil Barua contributed to this report from Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
Cut Bank, MT (59427)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
The Philippines is planning to buy 32 Black Hawk helicopters from a Polish manufacturer for more than U.S. $620 million, in its latest move in efforts to modernize its military arsenal, the Filipino defense secretary has announced.

The planned acquisition brings to about $1.5 billion the amount of cash the Philippines is committing to spend through three separate purchase deals announced in less than a month.

Last week, Manila announced an agreement to purchase a package of BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles from India to step up Philippine defenses in the disputed South China Sea. And on Dec. 28, the government signed a contract with South Koreas Hyundai Heavy Industries for two new warships.

Upon the instruction of the president, we are procuring additional 32 brand new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana wrote in a Facebook post on Jan. 15.

Lorenzana said the defense department had issued a notice of award to Poland-based manufacturer PZL Mielec on Dec. 28, 2021. The first batch of five helicopters is expected to be delivered in 2023, and the whole contract is to be completed by 2026.

The S-70i is the latest variant of the Black Hawk multi-mission aircraft developed by the Polish company, a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft, which is owned by U.S. aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin.

The contract agreement is now being drafted, after which I will issue a notice to proceed to officially commence the project, Lorenzana said.

The deal includes an initial logistics support package as well as training for pilots and maintenance crew.

The purchase is aimed at replacing the fleet of Vietnam War-era Huey helicopters which, in Lorenzanas words, have become uneconomical to maintain.

Modernization

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is undertaking a 15-year, $40 billion modernization program that started in 2012 and will continue through 2027, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA).

Under the late President Benigno Aquino III, the focus was to strengthen the AFPs capability to address external threats, particularly to protect its territorial waters, and advance its maritime domain awareness, ITA said.

The Philippine Air Force already has 12 new Black Hawks, which were deployed in disaster-relief operations after Typhoon Rai, known locally as Odette. Lorenzana said those deployments showed the lack of transport planes and helicopters has never been more acute.

Jay Batongbacal, an associate professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, said President Rodrigo Duterte, who took office in June 2016 and whose six-year term ends following the May 9 election, shifted the nations focus to counterterrorism and internal threats. He said these recent buys may prove to be too little, too late.

The BrahMos missile system purchase, while newsworthy, in the final analysis is not really a game changer for the strategic situation in the South China Sea, he told BenarNews.

At this point, three batteries and a limited number of shots seem more symbolic rather than practical, especially in light of the military balance in the region and the existing threat environment.

It is possible that the fact that the Duterte administration has only a few more months to go is a factor, meaning that there is a stronger push and better incentive to actually finalize the deals, he said.
A senator on Wednesday accused the chief of the Philippine Public Attorneys Office of flouting the governments strict restrictions on the movements of unvaccinated people by not being jabbed, amid surging COVID-19 infections from the Omicron variant.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the refusal by Persida Acosta to get coronavirus vaccine shots ran counter to the governments efforts to inoculate the general public.

Acosta is putting the life, health and safety of her co-workers in danger and that should be dealt with accordingly and decisively, Drilon said in a statement. The government should take the same hardline stance against their own officials. Set an example with Acosta.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, the health department recorded the first deaths in the country attributed to the highly infectious variant.

There were two reported deaths among our Omicron cases.  Both deaths were aged more than 60 years, unvaccinated and had pre-existing medical conditions, it said in a statement.

Acosta, a political ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, is head of the government office that provides legal representation to those who cannot afford to pay for lawyers.

Drilon said Acosta should be restricted from leaving her home.

If the government is serious about its no vax, stay at home; no vax, no ride policy, it should apply it to all. Otherwise, it will not work, he said.

Earlier this week, Acosta publicly opposed the stay-at-home policy, calling on the government to respect the rights of those who refuse to get inoculated. She added that she had yet to get her shots and was waiting for studies about a protein-based vaccine.

On Wednesday, Acosta accused pharmaceutical firms of doing mass experimentation to fight off the pandemic and those who refuse to vaccinate are punished.

If a person would not want to get vaccinated for COVID-19, thats his choice, and thats his right because that is his own body given to him by God. So hes the only one who can decide for himself, Acosta said on her social media account.

I am begging you, dont discriminate them.

Acostas comments occurred as the Philippines has seen thousands of infections in recent days. The health department logged 39,004 cases on Jan. 14, the most since the pandemic began. On Wednesday, it reported 22,958 daily COVID-19 infections, a drop from 28,471 on Tuesday.

Persida Acosta, chief of the Public Attorneys Office, talks to reporters at Caloocan City Regional Trial Court near Manila, Nov. 29, 2018. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews]

Duty-bound to obey

Acostas anti-vaccine statement did not sit well with some government officials, including her boss, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. He said she must obey regulations restricting the movement of unvaccinated individuals in the interest of public safety.

At present, there is no law making anti-COVID vaccination mandatory. To that extent, PAO Chief Acosta has the legal right to refuse vaccination, Guevarra told reporters on Tuesday. But the state has the power to regulate the movement of unvaccinated persons if it deems that such regulation is in the interest of public health or public safety.

In short, a person may refuse to get vaccinated for her own personal reasons, but she is duty-bound to obey reasonable state regulations affecting unvaccinated persons for the benefit of society at large, he said.

This is not the first time that Acosta challenged a government vaccination program.

She previously led an investigation into a public vaccination program against dengue over fears about the drug Dengvaxia manufactured by French firm Sanofi Pasteur, the only dengue vaccine licensed globally.

The shots were administered to thousands of Filipino schoolchildren nationwide before Dengvaxia was pulled off the market following the deaths of at least 14 boys and girls who received the vaccine in 2016 and 2017. Experts could not determine if the drug was responsible for the deaths.

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are acute viral infections that affect infants, young children and adults. It is transmitted by a bite from an Aedes aegypti mosquito infected with any one of four dengue strains.

In November 2017, Sanofi issued a statement on its website admitting Dengvaxia could be harmful when administered to individuals not previously infected with dengue. Months later in March 2018, it posted another statement expressing confidence in the vaccine.

Philippine health officials have denied the companys appeal to lift the ban, citing the permanent revocation.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
Lincoln, NE (68508)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
NORTHERN BERKSHIRE BIRD COUNT

The Northern Berkshire Bird County, held on Dec. 20, 2021 was compiled by Leslie Reed-Evans. A total of 49 species and 3,404 birds were counted. The teams reported that a highlight, during the count week, was the high number of falcons seen  American kestrel, merlin and peregrine. Birds seen during count week include the northern harrier, sharp-shinned hawk, screech owl, yellow-billed sapsucker and purple finch. Other notable items: the high bluebird numbers and the relatively high number of song sparrows compared to the relatively low number of tree sparrows.

Canada Goose: 126

Wood Duck: 6

Mallard: 113

Common merganser: 2

Hooded merganser: 18

Wild turkey: 6

Ring-necked pheasant: 1

Great blue heron: 3

Bald eagle: 5

Coopers hawk: 5

Red-tailed hawk: 13

Red-shouldered hawk: 1

Ring-billed gull: 1

Herring gull: 1

Rock pigeon: 107

Mourning dove: 102

Great horned owl: 1

Belted kingfisher: 2

Red-bellied woodpecker: 23

Downy woodpecker: 53

Hairy woodpecker: 20

Northern flicker: 6

Pileated woodpecker: 11

Blue jay: 115

American crow: 478

Common raven: 3

Black-capped chickadee: 322

Tufted titmouse: 85

Red-breasted nuthatch: 2

White-breasted nuthatch: 103

Brown creeper: 4

Winter wren: 3

Carolina wren: 19

Golden-crowned kinglet: 2

Eastern bluebird: 64

Hermit thrush: 1

American robin: 26

European starling: 607

Cedar waxwing: 398

American tree sparrow: 27

Song sparrow: 10

Swamp sparrow: 1

White-throated sparrow: 110

Dark-eyed junco: 102

Northern cardinal: 43

Common grackle: 1

House finch: 13

American goldfinch: 138

House sparrow: 71

Total species: 49

Total individuals: 3,404

CENTRAL BERKSHIRE BIRD COUNT

The Hoffmann Bird Club held its annual Christmas Bird Count, complied by Holly Higinbotham, in Central Berkshire County with total of 23 participants identifying 65 species on Dec. 18, 2021.

The weather was not the best, as it was cloudy, spitting snow, raining and sleeting throughout most of the day. Temperatures ranged from 29 F to 32 F. The five teams out that morning counted 6,418 birds.

Common loon: 3

Canada goose: 1,137

Mute swan: 4

Gadwall: 6

American black duck: 55

Mallard: 55

Green-winged teal: 8

Ring-necked duck: 6

Greater scaup: 1

Common goldeneye: 6

Hooded merganser: 115

Common merganser: 404

Ring-necked pheasant: 9

Ruffed grouse: 2

Great blue heron: 14

Bald eagle: 8

Sharp-shinned hawk: 1

Cooper's hawk: 3

Red-tailed hawk: 19

Merlin: 1

Ring-billed gull: 297

Herring gull: 15

Rock pigeon: 240

Mourning dove: 119

Great horned owl: 4

Barred owl: 9

Northern saw-whet owl: 4

Belted kingfisher: 4

Red-bellied woodpecker: 22

Yellow-bellied sapsucker: 1

Downy woodpecker: 45

Hairy woodpecker: 19

Northern flicker: 1

Pileated woodpecker: 5

Northern shrike: 3

Blue jay: 144

American crow: 265

Common raven: 9

Horned lark: 1

Black-capped chickadee: 311

Tufted titmouse: 57

Red-breasted nuthatch: 7

White-breasted nuthatch: 46

Brown creeper: 11

Carolina wren: 15

Winter wren: 5

Golden-crowned kinglet: 5

Eastern bluebird: 88

Hermit thrush: 1

American robin: 109

Northern mockingbird: 3

European starling: 1,271

Cedar waxwing: 311

Pine grosbeak: 16

American tree sparrow: 58

Song sparrow: 7

White-throated sparrow: 39

Dark-eyed junco: 180

Northern cardinal: 72

Rusty Blackbird: 1

Purple finch: 1

House finch: 79

Red crossbill:25

American goldfinch: 196

House sparrow: 89

Total Species: 65

Total individuals: 6,148

SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE BIRD COUNT

The Southern Berkshire Bird Count was held on Jan. 1 with 46 team members out looking for birds in the count circle, which included parts of Sheffield, Egremont, Mount Washington, Monterey, Great Barrington and New Marlborough. A total of 76 species and 10,913 individual birds were counted.

In a narrative account, Rene Wendell reports:

"We found an amazing 76 species! This is unheard of. Undoubtedly, part of the reason was the open water we had throughout the count area. Water bodies like the Housatonic River, Lake Garfield, Smileys Pond, Mill Pond and many smaller ponds were all free of ice. Eleven species of waterfowl were observed including snow geese, northern shoveler, and northern pintail.

Some lingering passerine species taking advantage of the mild weather were yellow-rumped warbler, hermit thrush, northern harrier, great blue heron, northern flicker, American kestrel, and ruby-crowned kinglet.

We also had some northern species on the count like red-breasted nuthatch, horned lark, evening grosbeak and pine siskins."

Total Species:7 6

Total individuals: 10,913
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.
PITTSFIELD  A man is being treated for life-threatening injuries after being pulled from a burning vehicle early Wednesday outside his apartment complex, police said.

Deputy Fire Chief Dan Garner said that the man was incapacitated when firefighters and police officers arrived shortly 8:40 a.m. and began working to pull him from the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which was engulfed in flames in the parking lot of Livingston Apartments at East and Second streets.

The car was parked at the time, and the fire did not appear to have resulted from a crash.

While crews were working to save the man, the car's fuel line broke, spreading fuel and fire to a Honda Insight and a Nissan Tucson parked nearby.

Pittsfield Police Sgt. Ryan Williams said that crews described the victim as an older male, but were unable to identify him before he was transported by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center.

Traffic to Second Street was closed between East and Fenn streets until about 10 a.m.

The incident is being investigated by the Pittsfield Fire Investigation Unit, Pittsfield Police and the Massachusetts State Police.
AMSTERDAM  Who betrayed Anne Frank? is a common question visitors ask at the Anne Frank House, a museum built around the secret annex where the teenage diarist hid from the Nazis for more than two years.

New clues hadnt surfaced in decades, but Pieter van Twisk, a Dutch media producer, was sure that modern crime-solving technologies like artificial intelligence, big data analysis and DNA testing could arrive at better conclusions than previous investigations.

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Six years ago, van Twisk assembled about two dozen researchers for a so-called cold case team, with Vince Pankoke, a retired FBI detective from South Florida, taking the lead. Ultimately, high-tech tools played a minimal role in their findings, which the investigators arrived at largely through reexploring old leads. They hired Canadian author Rosemary Sullivan to write a book, The Betrayal of Anne Frank, about the process, which she presented like a true crime procedural. The book was published Tuesday in the United States and the Netherlands.

The team settled on a suspect: Arnold van den Bergh, a Jewish notary from Amsterdam, who died of throat cancer in 1950. The name wasnt new to Anne Frank experts. In 1945, Annes father, Otto Frank, the only family member who survived the Holocaust and returned to Amsterdam, received an anonymous note that said van den Bergh had alerted Nazis to their hideout.

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Otto Frank handed the note over to a Dutch detective who conducted an investigation in 1963 into whether the family was betrayed, but the detective dismissed it. David Barnouw, author of the 2003 book Who Betrayed Anne Frank? said he had also considered van den Bergh as a suspect but ruled him out because, beyond the note, there was no evidence that he had played a role.

Barnouw was among several Dutch historians who voiced concerns about the findings of van Twisks team. As part of the publishers media strategy, the conclusions were not shared widely. Anyone who contributed to the investigation had to sign nondisclosure agreements, and the results were kept largely secret until a news blitz early this week, opening with a 60 Minutes television segment Sunday.

Many news organizations picked up the report uncritically, naming van den Bergh as the betrayer, without any expert response. MailOnline, the website of the British Daily Mail newspaper, ran the story with a headline beginning, Anne Frank was betrayed by a JEWISH notary.

Emile Schrijver, director of Amsterdams Jewish Cultural Quarter, said he got an advance copy of the book late last week. The evidence is far too thin to accuse someone, he said. This is an enormous accusation that they made using a load of assumptions, but its really based on nothing more than a snippet of information.

By Tuesday, after experts on Anne Frank, World War II and the Holocaust had a chance to consider the findings, many said they doubted the books theory.

They came up with new information that needs to be investigated further, but theres absolutely no basis for a conclusion, said Ronald Leopold, the Anne Frank Houses executive director. He added that the museum would not be presenting the findings as fact but perhaps as one of several theories, including others that have been considered over the years. (Filmmaker Thijs Bayens, who had the idea to put together the cold case team, did tell The Associated Press on Monday, We have investigated over 30 suspects in 20 different scenarios, leaving one scenario we like to refer to as the most likely scenario. He quickly added, We dont have 100% certainty.)

The Betrayal of Anne Frank says that van den Bergh had a list of Jews in hiding that he got from the Amsterdam Jewish Council, an organization on whose board he once sat. The Nazi administration in the Netherlands established the council in 1941 to control the Jewish population, appointing its leaders from other Jewish organizations that they banned. The councils staff were given stamps in their identity cards that forestalled their deportation, until 1943, when the organization was disbanded and its employees arrested.

But there is no evidence that the council had any such list, said Laurien Vastenhout, a researcher at the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, who is an expert on the Amsterdam Jewish Councils history. Why would the people in hiding provide the Jewish Council with their addresses? Vastenhout said.

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Leopold, the Anne Frank House director, said he had heard rumors that the council may have kept lists of addresses but only from unreliable sources. He added, The Jewish Council was under special scrutiny from the occupying forces, and it would be very, very risky to keep lists like that.

Van Twisk confirmed that his team has not found a list. But, he added, we have several sources that mention the existence of the lists.

Circumstantial evidence is also evidence, he said.

Because the Jewish Council was under the thumb of the Nazis as they implemented their genocidal program in the Netherlands  which resulted in the murder of 75% of the Dutch Jewish population  it has long been the target of suspicion and victim blaming.

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Nearly 15,000 Dutch citizens were convicted of some form of collaboration in the postwar courts, about 10% of them for informing on Jews in hiding. Of those, 152 resulted in death sentences, of which 40 were carried out. Only one of the convicted collaborators was Jewish: Ans van Dijk, who was put to death by firing squad in 1948 for betraying 145 Jews.

Vastenhout said that if the investigators put so much of their arguments weight on the Amsterdam Jewish Council, an organization around which so many misconceptions already existed, they should have been very careful in dealing with this topic. Instead, she said, the book based on their work is full of errors.

The problem is they come out with this accusation without providing any real evidence, Vastenhout said. Again, a story that its the Jews themselves who did this, and again, the Jewish Council. It feels like were starting all over again.

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Dara Horn, the American author of the 2021 book People Love Dead Jews, an exploration of antisemitic attitudes, said that this story fits into a trope of Jews turning against Jews.

Theres even a name for this in Jewish studies, called Holocaust inversion, she said Monday. Theres a reason why thats appealing to a non-Jewish audience. It makes it so you dont have to think about your own responsibility.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

Sullivan, the book author, said that the investigating team was distressed when their research led them to a Jewish culprit. I think its a very painful discovery, but I think its one that people will understand, she said. Thats what happens: People turn against one another and people live in fear and constant dread.

To address this concern, van Twisk said, the team consulted a rabbi, who gave them his blessing to go forward with publication. He said that in the Talmud there is only one value, and that is the truth, he said.

But historians are questioning whether or not the project, in fact, resulted in the truth. This book is full of terms such as most likely, most certainly, Vastenhout said.

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Schrijver said he did not doubt the good intentions of the team. In a book like this, after so many years of work, I would have expected some sort of critical reflection about what this teaches us about betrayal, he said. Theres a total lack of historical thinking and context that really bothers me. And thats the big difference between forensic and historical research.

This report was augmented by material from The Associated Press.
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989.
PITTSFIELD  A new cannabis cultivation center is on the horizon for an industrial park in the northeast corner of Pittsfield following an unanimous vote by the Community Development Board Tuesday night.

Representatives from Bridge City Cultivation, a national cannabis company based out of Portland, Oregon, told the board that they plan to turn the existing industrial building at 74 Downing Industrial Parkway into a 36,670 square foot cannabis cultivation, processing and office space facility. Locally, Bridge City Cultivation operates as the company OBCC, LLC.

While the majority of the presentation focused on how parking will be repurposed and the kind of lighting additions needed for the site, several comments from representatives hinted that the facility will be a sizable project.

Brent White, the civil engineer from White Engineering who presented the plans, told the board that the cultivator plans to have 60 employees as our maximum population per shift. and that there may be a substantial amount of demolition and construction work to make the space work for Bridge City Cultivation.

The Community Development Board had previously approved the location, near a Berkshire Regional Transit Authority storage lot and several manufacturing companies, for a separate proposed cannabis cultivation company in 2018.

Property records for the site show that the previous company, Viscaria LLC, received a permit to construct grow rooms on the property, but that the work was never completed.

Pittsfield marijuana cultivator looks to grow into manufacturing business PITTSFIELD  An emerging marijuana cultivator is looking to add a manufacturing arm to its Berkshire business.Brian Vincent, chief executive officer of Commonwealth Cultivation and Viscaria 

The board approved the site plan for the latest development with the request that an odor management plan be submitted along with a certificate of occupancy and that any complaints related to odor will be evaluated in conjunction with the odor management plan.

Jeremy Bromberg, the managing director for OBCC, told the board that the condition was already in line with how the company intends to do business in the city.

The importance of odor mitigation cannot be overstated, Bromberg said. For us, its critically important to be a good neighbor and this is something we need to address regardless [of this condition.]

We will absolutely have a plan in place, he added. And well be happy to communicate it with you and make sure that it is to your satisfaction.
NORTH ADAMS  In September 2020, Gerrit Blauvelt asked for years worth of Airport Commission meeting minutes, spanning periods from 1960 to 2004.

He is still waiting on years of minutes, he says in an Open Meeting Law complaint filed in late December.

After a previous complaint from Blauvelt, the state said last year that the missing minutes violated Open Meeting Law, and it asked the commission to recreate as many minutes as it can. Some documents have been found, and the commission said its working on recreating others.

The Airport Commission voted in a brief special meeting Tuesday evening to approve an official response to Blauvelts December complaint, saying that minutes are being re-created and will be made available.

In response to his original minutes request, the city told Blauvelt at least a decade worth of minutes, including those from 1989 through 1990 and 1995 through 2004, were missing.

All meetings of public bodies must be documented. We find that the Commission failed to meet this requirement for numerous meetings by not creating or maintaining minutes of its meetings for a period of approximately 35 years and thus violated the Open Meeting Law, Assistant Attorney General KerryAnne Kilcoyne wrote in a July letter to the city in response to a previous complaint Blauvelt filed.

We order the Commission to create minutes for as many meetings as it deems possible to the best of its ability, through whatever means are available, including the notes and recollections of the attendees, the letter says.

The commission takes the states findings seriously, a letter from the commission to Kilcoyne in late October reads, and after it received Kilcoynes letter, commission members started working with city employees to look for missing minutes. Staff found a substantial number of the missing minutes within the files of City Hall, the letter says, adding that former airport managers were contacted for their help.

Minutes from April 1, 1982 to August 21, 2001 could not be found as of late October, according to the commissions letter. The commission has been looking at newspaper articles, figuring out who was on the commission when, and requesting information from engineering firms who presented at meetings. All of this data has been compiled to create minutes to the best of the Commissions ability for those meetings for which original minutes cannot be located, the commissions letter reads.

At a meeting in October, Airport Commission member Marc Morandi said a city staff person had found a good amount of the missing minutes, and that he researched newspapers and worked with the City Clerks Office to re-create 233 sets of missing minutes, meeting minutes read.

But, Blauvelt wrote in his recent December complaint that he asked for years of the minutes in early December and had not received them.

The Commission is confused by your current complaints repeated request for minutes already covered by a previous Open Meeting Law complaint, the commissions official response, approved Tuesday, reads. The commission is complying with the states request by working to re-create minutes, and minutes Blauvelt asked for in a previous request will be made available as per the resolution of that request and your subsequent appeal to the Massachusetts Attorney General.

Angie Ellison, the city administrator who also responds to public records requests, said at Tuesdays meeting that Blauvelts December request seems to be redundant ... This request seems to be asking the same thing the finding asked us to re-create.

Blauvelt also said in his recent complaint that the commission should better explain when and where missing meeting minutes were located.

In explaining why the minutes were missing, Ellison said in July that the short answer is bad record-keeping. Ellison, who is also interim airport manager until a permanent manger is found, could not be reached for comment during the day Tuesday.

Kilcoyne writes in her July letter to the city that in the fall of 2020, then city Public Records Access Officer Jessica Lincourt told the Blauvelt that some past airport commission secretaries chose to record the minutes, while others did not. Therefore, the records of the minutes are sporadic at best.
Finding child care in the Berkshires went from hard to horrible since the pandemic. We look at the reasons behind the child care staffing crisis PROJECT PAYCHECK: Child care centers in the Berkshires are fighting to hold it together, one positive COVID-19 test and one teacher resignation after another. By all accounts, the pandemic has steamrolled a stressed early-education system in Massachusetts. Its been difficult not being able to work because I cant find child care for my daughter," said one Berkshire County mother. She's not alone.

Ive been on the phone with directors who are just ready to cry.

Thats what Anne Nemetz-Carlson, president and CEO of Child Care of the Berkshires, told The Eagle in summing up the steep challenges facing those who watch over our littlest residents. Child care providers, particularly those in Berkshire County, are facing a long-building crisis that has been exploded by COVID.

Young families bear it as well. If it was hard to find child care in the Berkshires before the pandemic, its nearly impossible now. Long waiting lists are the norm. Nearly a fifth of smaller, family-run programs have shuttered and larger centers, while more likely to survive, struggle mightily with staffing levels due to hiring issues and COVID-related absences. That means many child care centers cant accommodate their full capacity, which in turn means fewer slots for the working families that desperately need them.

We share the view of advocates who say the extent of this care crisis should compel an earnest new look at how to seriously upgrade the child care and early education picture in Massachusetts.

The Build Back Better federal legislation, mired in D.C. sclerosis, would have helped a bit by bringing more than $3 billion in early childhood care funding to the commonwealth.

At the state level, the so-called Common Start bill (H.605, S.362) would solidify funding for these care programs by basing the formula on capacity instead of attendance. Thats more like how public education funding is allotted, a parity that early childhood education advocates say is long overdue. If implemented, it would make child care free for families below the Bay State median income. The legislation is backed by several members of the Berkshire delegation, including state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, who underscored that this issue should be considered part of public education  and treated with similar import at the policy level.

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, Rep. Farley-Bouvier told The Eagle.

Our Opinion: Facing down the Berkshire nursing home crisis Recent Eagle investigations have laid bare the steep challenges facing the countys nursing homes and the resultant struggles for those who de

The labor side of the issue requires attention as well. Finding workers is hard across the board right now. We must acknowledge that the vital work performed by those in child care positions is often as tough as it is crucial, and we should compensate them as such even when the market doesnt solve for it on its own. That requires boosting funding toward improving salaries and also building in career advancement opportunities to help with retention. As with the regions nursing home crisis, we must face this matter with clear eyes. When given the choice between a taxing job like caregiving and a lower-pressure job like serving coffee at a drive-thru window for the same compensation, many will go with the latter option. We must see the investment in caregivers, including those looking after kids, as one that is worth more to our society than a fast-food job.

In fact, the child care crisis is like the nursing home crisis in many ways. Its a systemic problem that isnt new, worsened with COVID and isnt going anywhere. Its costly to properly address, but even more costly to ignore. Thats true in both moral and economic development terms. Working families need accessible care for their young children at a critical developmental juncture, and this lifegiving work deserves the level of public investment that acknowledges its value. If we dont recognize that, then it will only make it harder for underserved regions like Berkshire County to keep and attract young families.

COVID has forced us to rethink many of our priorities. This one in particular deserves a refocus sooner than later. Why do we as a nation have an endlessly increasing budget for bombs and warplanes but a penny-pinching attitude toward ensuring decent care for our young and elderly constituents? Where are our priorities as a society when caregiver pay is barely competitive with an entry-level job at Dunkin? Seeking solutions to these crises might be far from simple or cheap, but we cant afford to neglect them.
People incarcerated in Massachusetts are allowed one 10-minute phone call for free each week, but every 10-minute call afterward is $2.10.

For families, the cost of keeping in touch with a parent, spouse or child often adds up to hundreds of dollars per month.

The Massachusetts Legislatures Criminal Justice Reform Caucus will hold a Wednesday briefing on legislation that would make phone, video and other electronic communications free in jails and prisons.

Event details The Massachusetts Legislature's Criminal Justice Reform Caucus will hold a legislative briefing at 4 p.m. on Wednesday to promote the proposal to make phone calls free in prisons and jails. Register at tinyurl.com/2p82akr8 to attend the event on Zoom. State Rep. Chynah Tyler, D-Boston, will speak Wednesday on her bill to make phone calls free at all penal institutions in Massachusetts. Tyler also will speak at a virtual forum Thursday to promote another bill, which would place a five-year moratorium on new prison and jail construction in Massachusetts. Supporters want the $50 million that was proposed for a new women's prison in Norfolk to be invested in communities rather than incarceration. The forum begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, and people can register at http://bit.ly/nonewwomensprison. The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women organized the event in collaboration with Act on Mass. Families for Justice as Healing, Mass Peace Action, Progressive Mass, Our Revolution Mass and several Democratic Town Committees are sponsors.

For folks to get a real opportunity at a real second chance, this is a must, said state Rep. Chynah Tyler, D-Boston, who authored the House bill.

When people stay connected to their support systems while incarcerated, years of research has shown, they return to their communities with stronger relationships and a reduced risk of reincarceration.

People who had been visited were 13 percent less likely to be convicted for another felony than people who had not been visited, the Minnesota Department of Correction found in 2011.

Among women in the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative, phone calls reduced the risk of reincarceration even more than in-person visitation did, according to a 2014 study by the nonprofit Research Triangle Institute.

For folks who cant pay thousands of dollars to lawyers, they get that support through family and loved ones, Tyler said. Particularly now during COVID, you have families losing income, frontline workers not being able to work, and its even harder to pay these fees.

Telephone lifeline from jail costly for family members CHICOPEE  Jennifer Thurston's family spends up to $50 a week on phone calls to stay in touch with her while she is in custody. It's a lot for a family struggling with poverty and poor 

Considering both the cost of phone calls to low-income families and the cost of reincarceration to taxpayers  a Massachusetts legislative commission put the cost of incarcerating a person at over $92,000 in fiscal year 2020  the benefits of making phone calls free far outweighs the costs, says Bonnie Tenneriello, a staff attorney for Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts.

Its senseless that we keep this barrier between incarcerated people and their loved ones in place, Tenneriello said. We know that communication with children and community members is vital for people to succeed when they leave.

Worth Rises, a New York-based nonprofit advocacy group, worked on the campaign to make phone calls free in Connecticut, which became the first state to do so last year. Cities such as New York, San Diego and San Francisco also have adopted no-cost calls.

Less than a week after the Connecticut bill became law, Massachusetts sheriffs announced an agreement to allow 10 minutes of free calling per week and to cap rates at 14 cents per minute. A month earlier, the Federal Communications Commission had made a new rule capping interstate call costs at 12 cents per minute for prisons and 14 cents per minute for larger jails, defined as having an average daily population of 1,000 or larger.

Calls cost 12 cents per minute in Hampden County and 14 cents per minute in all other Massachusetts counties, according to research by Karina Wilkinson, who works with Prisoners Legal Services.

Worth Rises estimates that making phone calls free would save Massachusetts families $25.1 million per year.

Much of those payments go to two companies among the three that control the $1.4 billion prison telecommunications industry. ICSolutions provides service for Hampden and Hampshire Counties, and Securus has the rest of the contracts.

An estimated $7 million per year also goes to the budgets of the state Department of Correction and county jails. Sheriffs previously have argued that they need those site commissions to pay for rehabilitative programming.

Thursday hearing will tackle Massachusetts bill that would provide free phone calls from prisons and jails Working for $5 per week while behind bars, Jasmin Borges could afford just one 20-minute phone call with her daughters each week. She's now one of many people advocating for legislation that would make phone calls free for people incarcerated in Massachusetts.

Tenneriello, however, argues that paying for rehabilitative programming should come out of budgets rather than the pockets of families that often struggle to afford it.

I am not convinced, but its really the Legislature that has to decide whether thats true [that sheriffs need the site commissions] and how much of that they want to replace, if any, she said. Its kind of a black box where we really dont know what theyre doing with [the money].

When facilities receive site commissions, they have an incentive to negotiate contracts with greater commissions rather than lower costs for callers. Securus offered the DOC a rate of 5.7 cents per minute in 2017, according to a copy of the offer that was publicized by the Prison Policy Institute, but the DOC chose the rate with the highest commission payouts  and highest cost per minute.

Worth Rises has estimated that the maximum cost of service ranges between 3 cents per minute at larger facilities and 5 cents per minute at smaller ones, adding up to $5.9 million per year. For comparison, calls cost 1.3 cents per minute in New Hampshire and 2.9 cents per minute in Rhode Island, according to the national Campaign for Prison Phone Justice.

Its such an easy thing to do, its small money, and it means to so much to so many people, Tenneriello said. I think the more legislators learn about this, the greater chance of getting it done. It shouldnt be a heavy lift.
Physicist and educator Shirley Jackson is president of New York's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the oldest technological research university in the United States. She is the first woman and African American to lead the institution. Jackson is featured in a traveling exhibition "The Creative Mind," which is at Nauticus through April 2. The exhibition highlights the contributions of African Americans in medicine, science, technology and engineering. (Provided by the City of Norfolk)

Norfolk  A traveling exhibition at Nauticus, The Creative Mind, recognizes African Americans in medicine, engineering, mathematics and science. It will be on display through April 2.

The exhibition includes seven panels  each about 8 feet high, 3 feet wide  of portraits and information on more than 50 individuals, including Warren Washington, a scientist who in 1975 created one of the first computer models of the earths climate and atmosphere. Another is Shirley Ann Jackson, the first African American woman to receive a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in any field. In 1999, she became the first African American and woman to lead Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, the countrys oldest technological research university. She will leave the post in June.

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The exhibit will also include Hampton Roads groundbreakers, including Christine Darden, one of the human computers at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton. In 1967, Darden joined NASA as a mathematician writing programs for engineers. She later became an engineer and led Langleys Sonic Boom Team. In 2019, Darden received the Congressional Gold Medal for her service to the nation as an aeronautical engineer.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: NASA mathematician and aeronautical engineer Dr. Christine Darden at an event honoring NASA's 'Hidden Figures,' African-American women mathematicians who helped the United States space program. The photo was taken in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol March 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Women's History Month event honored the women mathematicians of Americas space program, including Darden, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and their families. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)

The traveling show was launched in 2012 by the African American History Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, D.C. and has been on display in libraries, community centers and universities around the country. Biographies of select African American doctors, scientists and engineers can be found at africanamericanhistoryprogram.org.

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The exhibition is free for Nauticus members. General admission, $15.95 for adults and $11.95 for children, includes access to STEM programs and activities.

Nauticus is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Visit nauticus.org or call (757) 664-1000 for more information.

Reach Dominique M. Carson at dominique.carson922@gmail.com
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 41F. SSE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 41F. SSE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
LEWISTON - During the 'Betty White Challenge' that swept the nation, the Idaho Animal Rescue Network was able to raise $5,212 across all platforms, including cash donations, with some donations still trickling in.

In a social media post shared Wednesday afternoon, the Idaho Animal Rescue Network thanked the community for their generosity.

"Your generosity speaks volumes about our community. This comes at a time when veterinary costs have hit us hard. Thank you so much. Because of you, the animals we work with will receive the best care possible."

The Betty White Challenge started with a hashtag on social media, encouraging fans to donate $5 or more to local animal rescues and shelters on January 17 in honor of Betty White. Betty was a well-known animal rights activist. January 17 would have been the day she turned 100.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Russ Fulcher, Congressman Mike Simpson, and Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse held a forum on Tuesday, Celebrating the Benefits of Domestic Mining in the Gem State.

Joining the Congressman were several representatives from Idaho government and businesses, including Matthew Lengerich, the Executive General Manager of Jervois Mining Ltd. Jervois Mining is managing the Idaho Cobalt Operations, a multi-million dollar project that is expected to begin production in mid-2022.

For the last 12 years, Jervois Mining, and the previous mine operator Formation Capital, have been building mining facilities at the Idaho Cobalt Operations project. The Idaho Cobalt Operations project is the culmination of careful planning, sound investments, and collaboration between complementary partners on the federal, state, and local level. A statement from Fulcher's office says the Idaho Cobalt Operations project shows how environmentally sound mining practices in the United States can assist American manufacturers while reducing our dependence on minerals from foreign adversaries.

For Idahoans, responsible mining projects mean economic investment in local economies, including good-paying jobs. As a nation, if we work to responsibly utilize Idahos invaluable resources, we can loosen the grip that foreign nations currently have on the global critical mineral supply chain, said Simpson.

Through my experience working for a microchip company, I saw first-hand the benefit critical minerals exploration can pose to a country. Cobalt in particular has many uses like aerospace manufacturing and lithium-ion batteries. Rather than relying on other countries  some even being adversaries to the United States for these critical minerals, our country should be fostering these opportunities domestically like we are seeing with the Idaho Cobalt Operations," said Fulcher.

A video of the forum is available by clicking here.

By summer of 2022, the Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho will be home to the only fully functional, underground cobalt mine in the United States. This project, known as Idaho Cobalt Operations, has been authorized since 2009 with construction underway since 2012.

Due to a growing push for clean energy technologies and electric vehicles, cobalt has been in demand more than ever with very few places in the world to find it.

"The mine and the managing company, Jervois Mining, are expected to bring a significant positive impact on local and state economies while also establishing long-term opportunities to benefit the region in the future," says a statement from Fulcher's office.

The Idaho Cobalt Operations project is projected to create about 150 to 200 jobs in the Salmon-Challis area.
BOISE - Idaho State Police have arrested a 33-year-old man on Vehicular Manslaughter and Driving Under the Influence charges after a fatal vehicle collision that occurred early Wednesday morning in Nampa.

Police say a Subaru BRZ, driven by a 44-year-old male from Nampa, was traveling westbound on 2nd Street in Nampa when it entered the intersection at 11th Avenue. A Chevy Silverado, driven by 33-year-old Joshua R. Reyes, of Nampa, ran the red light at a high rate of speed headed southbound on 11th Avenue. The Chevy struck the Subaru and both vehicles left the roadway and came to a rest in a nearby business parking lot.

In addition to the Vehicular Manslaughter charge, Reyes was charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon Under the Influence, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
In the continuation of a longer-term trend stretching back over a decade, the number of births in the U.S. fell by 4% in 2020, pushing the birth rate to its lowest point on record. Experts attribute falling birth rates to the increase in the average age of mothers, as people have been marrying and having children later in life. A growing body of evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have deterred many would-be parents from starting families.

As it has been since 2007, the U.S. birth rate is well below what is referred to as "replacement-level fertility," the birth rate a country must maintain to keep population levels stable without immigration. This could prove to be a problem. Though it is difficult to predict the implications with any degree of certainty, an aging and shrinking population could slow economic growth, strain government funding, and lead to worker shortages.

In Idaho, the birth rate is higher than the national average. There were 11.5 births for every 1,000 people in the state between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021 compared to 10.8 per 1,000 nationwide, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program. Idaho's birth rate ranks as the 11th highest among states.

Due in part to a higher than average birth rate, births outpaced deaths in Idaho in the most recent year of available data. Excluding net migration -- the number of people who moved to or from the state -- Idaho's population expanded by 0.24% over the 12 months ending in July 2021.
On Tuesday, Bill spoke with film critic and author Christian Toto, who explained how Hollywood has come to be totally dominated by political correct 'wokeness.'

Enhance your life  become a Premium Member for complete access to the No Spin News and get a FREE COPY of Killing the Killers.
FILE - A Dreamliner 787-10 arriving from Los Angeles pulls up to a gate at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. Federal safety officials are directing operators of some Boeing planes to adopt extra procedures when landing on wet or snowy runways near impending 5G service because, they say, interference from the wireless networks could mean that the planes need more room to land. The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, that interference could delay systems like thrust reversers on Boeing 787s from kicking in, leaving only the brakes to slow the plane. (Seth Wenig/AP)

AT&T and Verizon will delay launching new wireless service near key airports after the nations largest airlines said the service would interfere with aircraft technology and cause widespread flight disruptions.

The decision from the companies came Tuesday as the Biden administration intervened to broker tried to broker a settlement between the telecoms and airlines over a rollout of new 5G service.

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The companies said they will launch 5G or fifth-generation service Wednesday, but they will delay turning on 5G cell towers within a 2-mile radius of runways designated by federal officials. They did not say how long they would keep those towers idle.

President Joe Biden said the decision by AT&T and Verizon will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled. He said the administration will keep working on a permanent solution.

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Even with the concession by the telecommunications companies, federal officials said there could be some cancellations and delays because of limitations of equipment on certain planes. Delta Air Lines also said there could be issues with flights operating in bad weather because of airport restrictions that regulators issued last week, when the 5G rollout appeared to be on schedule.

The new high-speed wireless service uses a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to that used by altimeters, which are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground. Altimeters are used to help pilots land when visibility is poor, and they link to other systems on planes.

AT&T and Verizon say their equipment will not interfere with aircraft electronics, and that the technology is being safely used in 40 other countries.

However, the CEOs of 10 passenger and cargo airlines including American, Delta, United and Southwest say that 5G will be more disruptive than earlier thought. That is because dozens of large airports were subject to flight restrictions announced last week by the Federal Aviation Administration if 5G service was deployed nearby. The CEOs added that those restrictions wouldnt be limited to times when visibility is poor.

Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded. This means that on a day like yesterday, more than 1,100 flights and 100,000 passengers would be subjected to cancellations, diversions or delays, the CEOs said in a letter Monday to federal officials. To be blunt, the nations commerce will grind to a halt.

The showdown between the airline and telecom industries and their rival regulators  the FAA and the Federal Communications Commission, which oversees radio spectrum  threatened to further disrupt the aviation industry, which has been hammered by the pandemic for nearly two years.

This was a crisis that was years in the making.

The airlines and the FAA say that they have tried to raise alarms about potential interference from 5G C-Band but the FCC ignored them.

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The telecoms, the FCC and their supporters argue that C-Band and aircraft altimeters operate far enough apart on the radio spectrum to avoid interference. They also say that the aviation industry has known about C-Band technology for several years but did nothing to prepare  airlines chose not to upgrade altimeters that might be subject to interference, and the FAA failed to begin surveying equipment on planes until the last few weeks.

Randall Berry, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northwestern University, likened the interference issue to two stations that overlap on the radio dial. The FCC-determined separation may be be enough for some (altimeters) but not for others, he said.

One solution could be outfitting all altimeters with good filters against interference, Berry said, although there could be a fight over who pays for that work  airlines or telecom companies.

After rival T-Mobile got what is called mid-band spectrum from its acquisition of Sprint, AT&T and Verizon spent tens of billions of dollars for C-Band spectrum in a government auction run by the FCC to shore up their own mid-band needs, then spent billions more to build out new networks that they planned to launch in early December.

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In response to concern by the airlines, however, they initially agreed to delay the service until early January.

Late on New Years Eve, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson asked the companies for another delay, warning of unacceptable disruption to air service.

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AT&T CEO John Stankey and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg rejected the request in a letter that had a scolding, even mocking tone. But they had second thoughts after intervention that reached the White House. The CEOs agreed to the second, shorter delay but implied that there would be no more compromises.

In that deal, the telecoms agreed to reduce the power of their networks near 50 airports for six months, similar to wireless restrictions in France. In exchange, the FAA and the Transportation Department promised not to further oppose the rollout of 5G C-Band.

Biden praised that deal too, but the airlines werent satisfied with the agreement, regarding it as a victory for the telecoms that didnt adequately address their concerns.

___

Associated Press writers Tali Arbel in New York and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this story.
Indian biopharma industry HITS Rs 33K Cr WITH 13% GROWTH in 2020-21

Amidst the pandemic, the Indian Biopharma Industry, with over 300 companies, has witnessed a good growth of 13 percent, 2 percent less than the previous years 15 percent growth rate. This growth was largely driven by the performance of the Indian biopharma companies which have done very well as against multinational companies. As a result, the Indian Biopharma Industry has crossed the Rs 33,000 crore mark for the year 2020-21 over the previous years figure of Rs 29,176 crore. The Indian Biopharma industry, comprising hormones, insulin, blood products, and vaccines recorded a sales revenue of Rs 33,067 crore for the year 2020-21.
Wunderman Thompson's 8th edition of The Future 100: 2022, their annual trend almanac that offers a snapshot of the year ahead through 100 original trend predictions across 10 sectors, has launched.

Source: Wunderman Thompson

A year of societal healing

Report highlights:

Culture  unbounded optimism: Brands are projecting a progressive and positive outlook for 2022, encouraging playfulness and creativity.





Brands are projecting a progressive and positive outlook for 2022, encouraging playfulness and creativity. Tech & Innovation  virtual teleportation: Technologists are opening up digital portals into a new virtual dimension that offers more intimate, close-to-reality in-person interactions.





Technologists are opening up digital portals into a new virtual dimension that offers more intimate, close-to-reality in-person interactions. Travel & Hospitality  meditative travel: Meditative integrations are making every journey a mindful one.





Meditative integrations are making every journey a mindful one. Brands & Marketing  brandalism: Vandalism for good is hijacking ad space and exposing brands missteps, demanding they do better.





Vandalism for good is hijacking ad space and exposing brands missteps, demanding they do better. Food & Drink  liquid Immunity: Wellness aficionados are quenching their thirst while supercharging their immune systems.





Wellness aficionados are quenching their thirst while supercharging their immune systems. Beauty  acidic care: Skincare brands are homing in on the benefits of acidic ingredients.





Skincare brands are homing in on the benefits of acidic ingredients. Retail & Commerce  virtual flagships: Digital flagship stores are taking over e-commerce storefronts.





Digital flagship stores are taking over e-commerce storefronts. Luxury  sonic luxification: Luxury brands from fashion to auto are investing in audio hardware, luxifying the listening experience.





Luxury brands from fashion to auto are investing in audio hardware, luxifying the listening experience. Health  emotional health: Recharge zones for emotions are emerging in public spaces around the world.





Recharge zones for emotions are emerging in public spaces around the world. Work  metaverse recruits: From virtual material designers to creatives across the board, companies are hiring for a metaverse workforce.

From Wunderman Thompsons futurism, research and innovation unit, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence, the report spans culture, tech, travel and hospitality, brands and marketing, food and drink, beauty, retail and commerce, luxury, health, and work.Now in its 8th year, were delighted to launchand share the creative innovations that are set to go mainstream alongside the shift in consumer behaviours, says Emma Chiu, global director of Wunderman Thompson Intelligence.She adds that in 2021, cautious optimism set the pace as the world reflected on the challenges of 2020 and looked to a year of societal healing. This year ushers in a resolute positivity that encourages playfulness and creativity,This optimistic outlook will take us on a journey into the near future, where a new digital era is on the horizon as the metaverse shifts from a sci-fi concept into reality.Lifestyles and businesses will shift to become climate-friendly as being sustainable is no longer enough, while the physical and emotional tax of the last two years is forging a holistic, sensitive, and nuanced approach to wellbeing.Brands and marketers are leading with positivity, eager to provide joy in peoples lives by creating euphoric ads as they too ride the optimistic wave, she continues.follows Wunderman Thompson Intelligences Into the Metaverse trend report launched in September 2021. Wunderman Thompson launched their own branded metaverse during CES 2022 to showcase insights from the report and teach clients and brand marketers about the metaverse itself, exploring the elements of this new frontier of customer experience that will shape our future and change how we do business.Download the full report: here
For global business leaders, the continent we call home is simply the next frontier, a high potential market - a concept they are yet to figure out. This needs both a drastic rethink and immediate action: Africa is no longer just for the future, the continent is the new growth frontier. Starting today, in the next 20 years, business leaders will want to have invested in Africa.

Insights and growth levers for brand connection

Theres a deeper love for culture and local flavours and textures, feeling globally connected and locally anchored. A growing sense of purpose and the right thing to do increasingly turn consumers into citizen-first human beings.



Why shop anywhere else when I can buy directly from apps I use constantly? This is the incredibly exciting opportunity that most prominent social media apps offer to consumers. Everywhere around the continent, WhatsApp and Facebook have established stores in as much as they are communication platforms.



The new entrant is TikTok, and the cards are set to change when we think of the incredible growth the platform has had in Africa in just two years. In Senegal for example, TikTok usage went from almost 0 to 53%; in South Africa, its 26% of internet users use the platform, 41% are under 24. As the platform wins share from established social media giants, it will counter the trend with new offers and lots more to see in this space - including commerce, of course!



We cant ignore the power of technology. Whether its tech for fun, tech for good, tech for money - the continents love for technology and all things digital is whats really transforming lives, lifestyles and brand choices.

Serah Katusia, managing director, GroupM East and Central Africa and SSA coordination lead, is optimistic about Africa because it is diverse, young, and growing and urbanising faster than any other continent across the world.More than 50% of Africans are under the age of 20 - more babies born in Nigeria in a year than in the whole of Western Europe. Every diaper, milk and baby brand should be set up in Africa, connecting with millions of Africans in a deep and meaningful way.Theres also depth in the way its people interact with data and consume brands, content and media, with Africas media landscape quickly growing, changing and evolving across the continent. Weve seen a rise in digital and growth in TV consumption, with content creation at an all-time high.This is fueled by better and more affordable internet connections, resulting in the democratisation of content production. Its no surprise as young Africans are creators - creators of content, creators of businesses, creators of movement#WeCreate!Young Africans want brands to connect with them beyond being customers, to stretch into uncharted territories and provide products and services that resonate with them in more meaningful ways. Your business needs to rethink its communications about products and services and get to know the human being behind the consumer persona.There are immense opportunities in this new audience in Africa, with their love of all things digital and yearning for the new and the different. Brands will continue to need tailored, data-driven approaches to connect more meaningfully with the most connected generation of our times.These three insights and growth levers can help your brands connect more intimately with the African audience and win sustainably:Africa is ready. Africa is growing. Africa is both the future and a new frontier. The question is, is your brand ready to grow with the continent?Watch out for our deep dives into the four intersections of the changing dynamics of the African marketplace in the informal sector opportunity; the education and unconventional ideas opportunity; and the entrepreneurship and human capital opportunity.Find out all about Africa Life here . With a focus on understanding the youth and the women of Africa. Missed the live launch? Register to watch the hour-long brand learning session on demand.
This week, we speak to Candice Burgess-Look, the director of King of the Jungle - a PR firm that looks at developing effective communication strategies for its clients.

Candice Burgess-Look

Could you tell us a bit more about your work?

Whats behind your mask - literally and figuratively speaking?

Growing up, what did you want to be?

How did you end up on your career path?

What excites you most about your career?

What advice would you give to youth trying to enter the industry?

Where are you based during lockdown?

When youre not busy working, what do you do? How do you socialise these days?

Whats one thing not many people know about you, but should?

Whats your favourite meme/gif of all time?

What are you watching/reading/listening to at the moment?

Whats next for you?

King of the Jungle develops and executes communication strategies to get the word out about our clients products or services. Since we offer integrated solutions, we do this with a mix of earned media (PR), owned and paid media as well as social media. Content creation is a big part of the job and involves writing, concept development, facilitating photo and video shoots, and working with design teams.Whats usually going on behind my mask is me quietly singing a nursery rhyme that I cant get out of my head (Im a mom to a one-year-old). I have found motherhood to be the most profound journey, so I guess thats who is really behind the mask at the end of the day.I was always fascinated by the newsroom and wanted to either be a TV news anchor or a reporter for a newspaper.I had planned on studying journalism, but the Varsity College campus I was attending in Durban didnt offer it at the time. One of the administrators pointed out that if I like writing then I should consider their Public Relations Diploma, so I signed up. Thereafter I completed my Honours degree in Media Studies and went on to land a job in an advertising and PR agency.I like how challenging it is, and how rewarding it is to deliver results for your clients. I really enjoy how much creativity goes into generating these results. No two campaigns or company objectives are the same, each requires a different strategy and execution, so you constantly have to be on your creative toes.Pay your school fees. Thats what my dad used to say to me. Basically, it means youre not going to get what you want overnight. You must start somewhere, so stay humble and work hard.Since PR is such a multi-faceted game with many different areas of expertise, you might start out in an area that you dont necessarily enjoy. My advice is to stick it out, the more skills you can wrack up across the different disciplines in this industry, the better. Gaining holistic experience is invaluable in PR.Im currently working from my home office in Lakeside, Cape Town, and occasionally I plug in and meet up with team members at a local coworking space.When not working, Im usually with my hubby and daughter. Ive got an insane amount of energy so Im always trying to get us out of the house. Usually, we land up at a park, or the beach, but a lot of the time youll find us on the hunt for good coffee.Im a vegetarian.The Toby Maguire Spiderman dance gif is my favourite. It just seems so unlikely for Toby Maguire to move like that, and if Im being really honest, its kind of sexy!Im busy watching Schitts Creek for the second time (its that good) and reading Till we meet again by Lesley Pearce, as well as Raising Kids Positively by Carol Surya.We are launching a PR Training Programme in June 2022 this year, aimed at internal comms teams. The programme will teach key principles of PR and provide companies with basic PR tools and techniques.
Indian River Middle School students wear masks and keep their distance from one another in the cafeteria in November 2020. Thirteen parents  all of whom have children in Chesapeake Public Schools  are asking the states high court to issue an emergency order blocking the new administration from enforcing the Jan. 15 executive order. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)

Chesapeake  A group of 13 Chesapeake parents is suing Gov. Glenn Youngkin in the Virginia Supreme Court, contending he has overstepped his legal authority in overturning mask mandates at school divisions statewide.

These parents  all of whom have children in Chesapeake Public Schools  are asking the states high court to issue an emergency order blocking the new administration from enforcing the governors Jan. 15 executive order.

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Youngkins order, issued shortly after his inauguration Saturday, says parents are the sole deciders on whether their children wear masks in schools.

The parents of any child enrolled in an elementary or secondary school or a school-based early childcare and educational program may elect for their children not to be subject to any mask mandate in effect at the childs school or educational program, the order says.

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The governors order, scheduled to take effect Jan. 24, says no teacher, school, school district, the Department of Education, or any other state authority can force a student to wear a mask against his or her parents wishes.

Youngkins order overturned a prior order from Gov. Ralph Northam that required students to wear masks in schools after cases picked up over the summer.

Though the Chesapeake School Board has gone back and forth over mask mandates, it has recently had a mask requirement in place for virtually all students and employees. Some other school boards said they plan not to heed Youngkins executive order.

The lawsuit brought by the 13 Chesapeake parents  all supporters of the mask mandates  contends Youngkins order is in direct conflict with existing Virginia law.

That is, a law passed by the General Assembly last year says school districts statewide must offer in-person instruction to students  but adhere to the maximum extent practicable to COVID-19 mitigation strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Given that the CDC currently recommends universal masking in public schools nationwide with only limited exceptions, the lawsuit contends that Youngkins order rejects the recommendations of the CDC and thereby violates state law.

The lawsuit, filed by Virginia Beach attorney Kevin E. Martingayle, says the Virginia Supreme Court has made clear in prior cases that a governor does not have the option of being unfaithful to laws with which he disagrees.

Moreover, the lawsuit asserts that Youngkin lacks the legal authority to supersede local school board policies. The Virginia Constitution, the suit says, vests the boards with the responsibility to oversee the public schools, under laws adopted by the state legislature.

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Youngkins order purports to sweep aside masking mandates ... with little or no consideration of or respect for CDC guidance, actions taken by the Virginia General Assembly, or the powers vested in school boards, the lawsuit asserts.

The 13 Chesapeake parents say their families will suffer irreparable harm if Youngkins order goes into effect Monday. They are asking the Virginia Supreme Court court to declare the order void and unenforceable and immediately bar its implementation.

Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, said the lawsuit makes a good case for courts to step in. But he said theres a strong chance the Supreme Court will kick it down to a lower court for a hearing on the merits.

This seems to already be highly politicized, and the Supreme Court doesnt like to get in the middle of that, Tobias said. They might not even entertain it.

Tobias predicted a huge mess in the schools next week, with lots of larger city school divisions saying they wont comply with the governors order, even as some parents will likely cite the order for why their children are not wearing masks.

He ought to be talking to the General Assembly and trying to figure a way to reach some resolution, Tobias said of Youngkin. But everybody seems to have already picked sides on this. And the Democrats and Republicans are screaming at one another rather than trying to work something out.

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Youngkins executive order fulfills a campaign promise to scrap the mask mandates. He ran on giving that decision to parents alone.

Under Virginia law, parents, not the government, have the fundamental right to make decisions concerning the care of their children, the introduction to Youngkins order says. Recent government orders requiring virtually every child in Virginia wear masks virtually every moment they are in school have proven ineffective and impractical.

Such mandates have failed to keep up with rapid changes to the science, the governors order maintains. That includes that the omicron strain of the virus results in less severe illness than delta, or that children aged 5-12 can now obtain vaccines.

Youngkins order adds that many children wear masks incorrectly  providing little or no health benefit and that cloth masks are often dirty, containing bacteria and parasites.

The universal requirement has also inflicted notable harm and proven to be impracticable, the governors order says. Masks inhibit the ability of children to communicate, delay language development, and impede the growth of emotional and social skills.

Additionally, the order says that masks have increased feelings of isolation among schoolchildren, exacerbating mental health issues that in some cases are a bigger health risk to students than COVID-19.

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[ New COVID surge is forcing Hampton Roads schools into hard choices ]

Youngkins order adds that the CDC has found no statistically significant link between mandatory masking for students and reduced transmission of COVID-19.

Still, the 13 parents who have filed suit assert that COVID-19 remains a dangerous disease, and that universal mask wearing is crucial.

It is ... beyond debate that COVID-19 has proved to be a deadly and highly destructive virus with high transmissibility and constantly evolving variants that have made it difficult to control and protect against, the suit contends.

The head of the Democratic Party of Virginia applauded the 13 Chesapeake parents Tuesday for standing up to Gov. Youngkins illegal executive order that puts our childrens health and safety at risk as COVID-19 surges.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

Gov. Youngkin is putting politics over the well-being of Virginias families  its dangerous and unacceptable, said Democratic Party Chairwoman Susan Swecker, adding that it was under Democratic control that all 132 Virginia school districts are open for in-person instruction.

On the other hand, state Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant  the Henrico Republican who initially sponsored the legislation in which schools must provide in-person instruction  said the focus of the bipartisan bill was not on masks, but on getting children in school five days a week.

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That law does not mandate the use of masks in school because the CDC does not mandate masks, said Dunnavant, an obstetrician-gynecologist originally from Hampton Roads.

Since March 2020, Dunnavant wrote, only 0.07 percent of Virginias 1.9 million schoolchildren have been hospitalized for COVID-19.

Such numbers dont justify mask mandates, she said, agreeing with Youngkin that the forced mask-wearing risks learning losses and social and emotional challenges.

Parents, constitutionally and logically, are the best people to do an analysis of whats best for their child, Dunnavant said. The default option should always be normalcy for our children unless there is evidence or metrics to back up the protocol.

Peter Dujardin, 757-247-4749, pdujardin@dailypress.com
Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg was founded in 1773. Over the past thee years, the facility has seen a surge in admissions from the court system and jails. (File photo by Aileen Devlin/Staff)

The usual explanation for chronic overcrowding at Virginias state mental hospitals has missed a distinctive Hampton Roads challenge thats been keeping Eastern State Hospitals beds filled to capacity.

For the past three years, legislators have debated what to do about the increasing numbers hospitalized at state facilities under temporary detention orders while private hospital TDO admissions decline. But over that time, Eastern State has seen a surge in admissions from the court system and jails.

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The hospital has long handled a disproportionately large share of such admissions  over the past few years, it took in between 43 and 47% of all such Virginia patients, even though its service area accounts for only 22% of the states population.

But a quiet tweak to state criminal procedure law, approved unanimously by the General Assembly in 2017, has sent the number of court-ordered cases soaring, a Daily Press review of admissions data shows.

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Cases of defendants sent to Eastern State, in the hope they can be treated so they are competent to stand trial, have ballooned since that change.

The number jumped from 194 in fiscal year 2017 to 324 last year. The 2017 law set a 10-day deadline for placing individuals found incompetent to stand trial into a state hospital for treatment. Over the same period, the number of jail inmates sent to Eastern State under TDOs climbed from 96 to 158  while last years number marks a drop from the 2019 total of 194.

Treatment for these patients is the same as for people who come involuntarily under a civil TDO or involuntary commitment. But since those civil cases generally come after a mental health crisis lands a person in a hospital emergency room, the attitude of many civil patients coming to Eastern State is quite different.

If you end up in a hospital and transfer here, youre likely to see that youre here to be helped. But if youre coming from jail and were trying to get you back, what youre feeling is more that this is a struggle for you, said Nicholas Morgan, ESHs nurse educator.

Imagine what its like, coming in here in handcuffs. Imagine what other patients think when they see you leaving in handcuffs.

Competency restoration patients stay an average of 52 days, and the jail TDOs, 15 days before they are sent back. When their numbers are added to the 98 longer-stay individuals hospitalized after a court found them not guilty by reason of insanity, a large majority of patients at Eastern State are there because theyve run into some kind of trouble with the law.

The entire facility is affected, said Brandie French, Eastern States chief executive officer.

I dont like to say harden, but weve had to harden facilities, she said. The physical damage caused by patients who are often more aggressive takes a toll on the building.

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Juggling staff and sometimes moving patients, to try to keep contact between the most upset competency restoration or TDO patients and the generally much calmer longer-term patients is a challenge in a hospital that often operates at 100% of its capacity.

Its basically up to the staff to keep the place secure, and to ensure that everyone stays safe. That, too, is a challenge for Eastern State, which like the other Virginia state hospitals, struggles to find and keep enough staff.

When, for instance, there are no beds free in the hospitals 40-bed geriatric unit  there are currently 58 geriatric patients  and no space in the building set aside for them and for other longer-term patients, hospital administrators make a point to arrange one-to-one staff-to-patient coverage.

At some point, our state hospitals are just going to break, French said.

To help, Eastern State has started a pilot program for front-line staff  the orderlies and nurses in the pods  who are willing to take additional training to help them better understand patients challenges, treatment plan and the triggers that can lead them to act out.

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The aim is make it easier for staff to help patients. Staff members who participate get a new title, acknowledging their ability to deal with emergencies, and more pay.

Its a program that already is paying off in terms of helping patients and managing the stresses of an overcrowded facility, said Angela Harvell. the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services deputy commissioner for facility service. Shes hoping to introduce it at the other state hospitals.

Increased demand for competency restoration, meanwhile, has led Eastern State to set up a team to focus on those patients.

Their symptomology is the same; clinically, there isnt a difference from patients coming to the hospital through a TDO or civil commitment, said Kristen Hudacek, the hospitals psychology director and forensic coordinator.

Medication regimens are the same, based on the patients diagnoses. The main difference is that instead of some group sessions, competency restoration patients will have weekly one-on-one sessions, and sometimes more often, with members of Eastern States specialist restoration team.

These focus on enhancing reasoning and the ability to understand reality  competency, under Virginia law, is not a finding of mental illness, but simply a finding that a defendant cannot participate in his or her own defense. That means Eastern State has to treat the mental illness to make sure it is not blinding a defendant to the challenges to be faced at trial.

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The only difference is, for one group, were working to help them to discharge them into the community, for the others, were helping them, to discharge them back to court for their cases to be heard, Hudacek said.

Roughly 80 percent of patients admitted for restoration head back to court for their trials. Those who cant be generally have other conditions, such as dementia, or an intellectual or developmental disability.

The rise in competency cases is a national trend, Hudacek said. But Eastern State may be feeling it particularly intensely because courts here have long been more inclined than others to issue restoration orders.

Part of whats going on in recent years, said Hampton Commonwealths Attorney Anton Bell, is that more people with mental illness are showing up in court, a trend he fears means that earlier interventions that might have kept them out of crisis and out of trouble arent available.

Part is that many Hampton Roads communities, like Hampton and Newport News, have taken a lead in setting up special mental health dockets, he said.

These, like the longer-established drug courts, seek to steer offenders to get help rather than to continue on a revolving door in and out of jail. They require defendants show up and report to a judge and other defendants on their progress; this, along with regular reports from probation or mental health workers, creates a kind of mix of 12-step program and trial.

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The program, along with universal crisis intervention training to help Hampton and Newport News police, sheriffs deputies and first responders recognize and manage a mental health crisis has heightened awareness of mental illness across the criminal justice system, Bell said.

Bell says police officers in Hampton are making an effort to steer people to help rather than directly to jail for such common misdemeanor offenses as trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

But this isnt always an easy call, he said.

Sometimes, with these situations, you dont know where it will go, and Ive seen it go south real fast, he said.

Still, with nearly 4 out of 10 competency restoration cases coming to Eastern State involving people with misdemeanor charges, Hudacek thinks the mental health dockets in area district courts could be a tool to ease pressure on hospital beds.

Virginia law allows for competency restoration to be done outside of a hospital, with the mental health services provided by local community services boards  a model other states are looking at  and Hudacek hopes reminding courts of this option might increase use when cases involve nonviolent misdemeanor offenses.

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Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan, whose longstanding concern over mental health challenges in the criminal justice system led him to serve on the Virginia Interagency Civil Admissions Advisory Council and the Virginia Supreme Courts Commission on Mental Health Law Reform, says Virginia needs to do more to help.

When you drive around Eastern State and see those abandoned buildings and overgrown lawns, thats an issue ... we have a capacity problem, he said.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com
Armored vehicles rumble for first training

China Military Online) 15:57, January 19, 2022

An armored vehicle attached to a brigade under the PLA 73rd Group Army dashes through a mound of dust during a training exercise on January 4, 2022. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zeng Bingyang)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
William & Mary COVID-19 director and chief operating officer Amy Sebring provided updates on the schools COVID statistics as well as on protocols for health and safety guidelines in an email to the student body this week.

In accordance with Executive Directive 2, which Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Saturday and prohibits vaccine requirements for state employees, the school will no longer be requiring vaccines and boosters for its staff and faculty. Instead, W&M is strongly recommending that employees get vaccinated. In another change due to Executive Directive 2, W&M can no longer require disclosure of vaccine status from the schools employees.

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While state employees are no longer required to be vaccinated, W&M students must continue to comply with the schools COVID-19 protocols. With classes beginning Jan. 26, all students are required to record proof of a COVID-19 booster if theyre eligible to receive one, or to have an approved disability or religious exemption. Those that havent yet submitted a record of their booster will be contacted by the school.

In the schools most recent Community Conversation, which is a series of videos that address questions about the universitys response to the COVID-19 pandemic, president Katherine Rowe said that W&M is at a very strong place heading into the spring semester from both a vaccination and culture standpoint.

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According to W&M, more than 96% of the students that will be on campus are fully vaccinated, with almost 82% having already received a booster. The school expects that number to continue to increase.

W&M has received more than 2,000 pre-arrival tests, most of which have not yet been processed. So far, the results are encouraging with fewer than 8% of students receiving a positive result.

As weve seen every semester, we typically experience a spike in the first few weeks, Sebring said in the email. Once again, we will be watching the data and adapting as needed.

Testing will continue to be available to those who are symptomatic or have been verified as a close contact by W&M.

On campus, W&M will also continue to require masks to be worn in public indoor spaces, and has ordered 40,000 KN95 masks for students and employees, though they advise everyone to take stock of your personal mask collection as the omicron variant has reinforced the importance of masks ... in reducing spread.

This is our fifth semester that weve navigated this pandemic, so we really have a lot to build on in terms of both internal and external knowledge about how to navigate this successfully, said assistant professor and Public Health Advisory Team member Carrie Dolan in Wednesdays Community Conversation. We are in a population that is highly boosted and highly vaccinated, and so it makes a safer community than many other public spaces.

The university continues to remain committed to providing an in-person learning experience, Rowe said during the panel.

Learning is a social activity. People learn best in company with others, she added. And that means at William & Mary a semester thats going to require flexibility and compassion and understanding.

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Sian Wilkerson, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com
Nancy Pelosi's son was involved in five companies probed by federal agencies  but has never been charged himself, a DailyMail.com investigation reveals.

A shocking paper trail shows Paul Pelosi Jr.'s connections to a host of fraudsters, rule-breakers and convicted criminals.

His years-long repeated business dealings raise two troubling questions Nancy's son has been unable to answer: why did he get mixed up with such unsavory characters over and over, and how involved was he with the criminal investigations into his fraudster colleagues?

Pelosi Jr.'s links to alleged lawbreakers include:

The 52-year-old joined the board of a biofuel company after it defrauded investors according to an SEC ruling, and whose CEO was convicted after bribing Georgia officials

Pelosi Jr. was president of an environmental investment firm that turned out to be a front for two convicted fraudsters

He joined a lithium mining company and received millions of shares, allegedly issued as part of a massive $164 million fraud

He was vice president of a company previously embroiled in an investigation of scam calls that targeted senior citizens

He has close business ties with a man accused by the Department of Justice of running a fake UN charity that stole investors' money

A medical company Pelosi Jr. worked for tested drugs on people without FDA authorization, according to an FDA investigation

Pelosi Jr. has never been accused or charged with crimes relating to these cases.

How Nancy Pelosi's husband made them $17million in one year House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made millions from her stock market investments, including from companies she helps regulate. Her wealth grew by an estimated $16.7 million in 2020, trading over $50million in assets and generating an annualized return of 69 percent that beat legendary investors like Warren Buffet and George Soros, according to Congressional disclosures. Many of her outsized gains came from bets on big tech stocks like Google, Amazon and Apple  while DC insiders have accused the House Speaker of dragging her feet on reforms to rein in Silicon Valley. Her Wall Street plays are handled by her husband, Paul Pelosi Sr., who runs investment firm Financial Leasing Services. His well-timed bets included buying 4,000 shares of Google parent company Alphabet just before a House Judiciary Committee vote on antitrust regulations for Silicon Valley monopolies. The investment earned the Pelosis $5.3 million. The couples fortune is worth an estimated $100million, making Nancy one of the richest members of Congress. Prominent fellow Democrats Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Elizabeth Warren have called for members of Congress to be barred from investing on Wall Street. The access and influence we have should be exercised for the public interest, not our profit. It shouldnt be legal for us to trade individual stock with the info we have, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted last month. Nancy Pelosi told a reporter in December that she believed she and her colleagues should be able to participate in trading because were a free-market economy, and denied any conflict of interest. Reliance on tech stocks led the Pelosis to underperform in 2021, trailing the S&P500 by 15.5 percent, according to FinePrint.

But sources close to the Democrat power broker's son  and even Pelosi Jr. himself  admit that some of his business dealings may have arisen from savvy entrepreneurs hiring him in an attempt to curry favor with his powerful family.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is unlikely to be comfortable with the string of convicted criminals and subjects of federal probes DailyMail.com has uncovered as her son's business partners.

But despite all of his associations with criminals and alleged fraudsters, the powerful politician's son has never been charged himself  and has tried to cultivate a squeaky-clean, green image.

Back in 2007, Pelosi Jr. was dubbed the 'rising prince' of the Pelosi political dynasty in a Men's Vogue profile.

His mother, Nancy Pelosi, herself the child of a Maryland Democratic Congressman and Baltimore Mayor, had just ascended to Speaker of the House of Representatives. His father was a successful investor, and his cousin, current California Governor Gavin Newsom, was the mayor of San Francisco
CNN has now disclosed that the sensational charge against Moscow that it's prepping "potential sabotage operations against their own forces" - as Bloomberg described it last Friday - was likely made known to CIA Director William Burns during a secretive January 12 visit to Kiev where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and top officials.

Scoop: CIA Dir Burns traveled to Kyiv last week and met with Zelensky, amid Russias military buildup. A US official said Burns & intel counterparts discussed current assessments of risk to Ukraine. US disclosed alleged Russian false flag plot soon after. w/@KatieBoLillis  Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) January 17, 2022

As we described days ago, the allegation was dubious from the start as it was based on the usual "anonymous" and "unnamed" US intelligence officials.

During Burns' now officially acknowledged trip, he and Ukraine's intelligence leaders discussed "current assessments of risk to Ukraine" - and according to CNN's Natasha Bertrand, and then US officials "disclosed the alleged Russian false flag plot soon after."

Meanwhile, on Monday Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov again blasted the US claims (and we might add, what appear to be the evidence-free allegations spun in Kiev), telling the US it's peddling "total disinformation" with the false flag narrative.

Further, Lavrov reiterated "that Russia expects a written response this week from the U.S. and its allies to Moscows request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet nations, or station its forces and weapons there," the AP writes.

"A US official told CNN" is not a "Scoop" but demonstrates the willingness of 'journalists' to stenograph unverifiable government disinformation. https://t.co/wr2u3xKtiI  Moon of Alabama (@MoonofA) January 14, 2022

Reviewing the slew of reports and claims that have come out in just the last days, journalist Dave DeCamp writes:

The claim that Russia is planning a false flag against the Russian-speaking population of Ukraines eastern Donbas region first surfaced in a CNN report. What started as a flimsy claim from an anonymous US official quickly spread through most major US media outlets and then was parroted by the White House and Pentagon. The US has provided no evidence to back up the false flag assertion. The extraordinary claim overshadowed a report from Yahoo News that revealed the CIA has been training Ukrainian paramilitaries since 2015. One former CIA official said the training program taught the Ukrainians how to "kill Russians."

Translation: Kiev fed it to CIA, who fed it to Fusion Natasha, who fed it to CNN, who fed it to the American public. At no point was it ever true. https://t.co/pgyxMWz4t1  Nebojsa Malic (@NebojsaMalic) January 18, 2022

Again, on top of all of the above - as if this weren't enough to convince any objective outside observer that an intense propaganda campaign is being waged over the Ukraine crisis - we now know the most "bombshell" recent accusations against Russia and Putin appear sourced to the Ukrainians themselves.
For two years, the political classs ineptitude has been on full display. School shutdowns, business closures, and endless mask mandates have all proven relatively ineffective at stemming the spread of COVID-19 (never mind reducing hospitalizations and deaths), yet politicians continued instituting these harmful and useless measures in a desperate attempt to be perceived as doing something.

But over the past month or so, it has become inescapable that sheer incompetence and ignorance can no longer be the sole explanation for two years of bungled policies. Rather, the craven mindset of many of our leaders in both parties (albeit primarily Democrats) is manifest. They are using our bodies to score cheap political points, impervious to the injury they are inflicting upon us.

Worst of all are the vaccine mandates, which come in countless forms. Universities, including public ones, are requiring faculty, staff, and students to vaccinate against COVID-19 in order to remain employed or enrolled. Many, for example Washington and Lee University in Virginia, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and the CUNY and SUNY state schools in New York, are now requiring boosters.

As an attorney who has filed a number of lawsuits challenging vaccine mandates coming from both public university employers and the federal government, I am contacted every day by myriad students, faculty and employees at these universities. Many now are double-vaccinated and COVID-19 recovered. A significant portion had recent bouts with COVID-19, which is unsurprising given that Omicron swept across much of the nation in a very brief time period. Yet, for students to continue their education at the universities they may have invested significant time, emotional energy and resources into attending, they are being coerced into getting a useless medical procedure that many legitimately fear could harm them.

Consider, for instance, the data on myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) especially for men under age 30. While in a cynical attempt to push their blanket vaccine mandate agenda agencies such as the CDC and FDA have dismissed these concerns, claiming that myocarditis is extremely rare and almost always resolves quickly, cardiologist Anish Koka has explained that this is not an accurate assessment of either the risk or the severity of the condition.

Multiple independent data sets actually suggest that vaccine-induced myocarditis occurs at rates that are much higher than the CDC estimates, and may in fact be higher than the rates of COVID related complications in healthy young men. Moreover, as Koka has explained, the notion that myocarditis can be described as minor is absurd. Not only does one suffer chest pain and leak cardiac enzymes from damaged heart muscle, but a third of patients are found to have fibrosis and scarring in the heart that has an uncertain long-term prognosis.

Valid concerns about the health risk of repeated boosters are also arising. European Union regulators just rang an alarm bell, explaining that evidence indicates such a practice could actually deplete ones immune system long-term, leading to all sorts of health problems, including greater susceptibility to COVID-19. In short, for many, especially young, COVID-recovered people, the risks of COVID-19 vaccination, especially a second dose or a booster, might outweigh any benefit.

Furthermore, there is no societal-wide justification for these mandates. Many epidemiologists and experts in vaccine safety believed that these particular products did not stop transmission from the start. They unquestionably do not stop transmission of new variants like Omicron. Even CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, who relentlessly pursues a blanket vaccine mandate approach, has admitted as much.

Where no coherent claim can be made that vaccination is for the greater good, to remove personal choice from the equation by premising employment upon taking a medically unnecessary and possibly injurious vaccine is unconscionable.

Yet, instead of revisiting their vaccine requirements, some employers are doubling down and mayors and governors are taking a page out of their books. Democratic strongholds across the country are implementing passport programs, meaning that one must show proof of vaccination in order to enter places of public accommodation, for instance restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and gyms.

Essentially, participation in public life is not possible in these blue bastions unless one gets vaccinated and is willing to show proof of it or take the legal and reputational risk of using a counterfeit vaccination card. Although New York Citys proof of vaccination requirement has been a colossal failure, other blue cities such as DC, Chicago, Boston, and Minneapolis are emulating the program. Politicians like de Blasio and Mayor Bowser of DC appear to believe that getting people vaccinated, the justification for these requirements, is an end in and of itself, regardless of whether it does anything to reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, not to mention improve public health overall.

Mask mandates fare no better. For two years, study after study has confirmed what could not escape the objective, casual observer: that community masking with cloth and surgical masks does nothing to slow the spread of COVID-19, despite the attempts of politicians and compromised scientists to twist results of this research to claim otherwise.

Rather than admit the obvious policy failures, those who have been insisting upon masking are making the ludicrous claim that the Omicron variant somehow circumvents these barriers while Delta and original COVID did not. And, contrary to the contentions of these experts, who are somehow still considered experts despite being wrong time after time, masking is harmful, especially for children.

The commonsense points many of us have been making  that children need to see facial expressions and be free to make such expressions themselves in order to develop socially, cognitively, and linguistically  are now being borne out by research. Masking is harmful to adults, too. Reading facial expressions is one way in which we connect with each other, and it is important for our psychological well-being.

While the average member of the Zoom class does not have to spend the majority of the day in a mask, most members of the working classservers, bartenders, and uber drivers, for exampledo. Masking for hours each day causes pain behind the ears and reduces oxygen intake. It is also hard to escape the dehumanization attached to servers and bartenders having their faces covered, while the patrons remain mask-free from the moment they sit down.

Yet, every time cases rise in a blue jurisdiction, one can be relatively certain that the mayor or governor will weaponize this pointless measure in order to make a show of doing something.

In 2022, mask and vaccine mandatesand many other COVID-19 mitigation measures such as arbitrary restrictions on gathering size and social distancinghave nothing to do with our well-being, and everything to do with the Mayor Bowsers of the world scoring political points, which becomes yet more obvious when these same politicians do not follow their own rules.

Mandates that serve no legitimate public health purpose and are instituted merely to punish the noncompliant should have no place in a civilized or democratic society. It is time that Americans wake up and realize that they are being used as pawns in a game of politics.
The 2021 U.S. murder rate is estimated to be as high as it was 25 years ago when close to 20,000 people were killed annually across the nation, according to a recent news analysis report.

In 2021, the FBI estimates that the murder rate was 6.9 murders per 100,000 people, just a hair lower than the 1996 rate of 7.4 murders per 100,000 people. Its the closest the country has seen to figures that match the high-crime scourge of the 1990s, according to the analysis of crime data by The New York Times.

Howard Safir, who served as the New York Police Department commissioner during the crime spike of the 90s, told Fox News that he believes last years murder spike is at least partially attributable to "woke mentality that assumes that police are racist and brutal."

He also said a failure to defend police and prosecute crimes appropriately is not helping the issue.

"If crimes continue to be committed in large numbers, and police continue not to have the backing of politicians and the public, then theyre not going to do their job the way they did when I was commissioner," he said.

In Chicago, the homicide figure hit 797, up 25 from 2020. Minneapolis also experienced numbers that its Police Department has not seen since 1995.

Los Angeles reached its highest murder figure in a decade-and-a-half with 397, and the NYPD reported 488 murders in 2021, up by nearly 200 annual killings since 2018.
When Bidens executive branch sets its internal security apparatus sights on domestic extremists (intelligence jargon for any group or individual who deviates from the corporate state narrative), The Daily Bell was among the first independent media to sound the alarm.

However, we didnt rigorously assess why the populist Right, and not the Left, poses an existential threat to the ruling class.

The establishment references the conglomeration of dominant interest groups that sits atop the political food chain.

In a past era (in the Western context, before the original Industrial Revolution), the establishment was a landed aristocracy in collusion with the Church and militaries that ruled nation-states.

In the 21st century iteration of feudalism, the ruling class is a consortium of multinational offshore corporate elite.

Theoretically, regardless of who occupies power, any social group outside of the establishment is a latent threat  hence the oppressive apparatuses of state throughout history from the Red Guards of the Mao era to the Stasi of East Germany.

In a rough 99% vs. 1% breakdown, if the vast majority or the ruled rose up against the tiny minority of rulers, their days perched atop the social hierarchy would be finished.

But, if the 99% can be chopped up into all manner of sub-groups  either along pre-existing cultural, racial, or political fault lines or artificial ones engineered by the state  and then turned against one another, the status quo can be maintained.

The British perfected this method of rule  often called divide and conquer in their management of colonial assets.

Politically, the population at large (outsiders of the establishment) in the United States is divided into two large groups: Right and Left.

Here is a brief breakdown of why, in the current social configuration, the Left serves as the enforcement arm of the state to suppress the grassroots Right, which is correctly viewed as the only faction that is a threat to the power structure.

#1: International vs. National Orientation

First, its imperative to understand that the United States, along with the rest of the West, is now under the effective control of a multinational corporate elite.

Piece by piece, sovereignty over decision-making is chipped away at the national level and handed over to international governing institutions like the UN, World Bank, World Economic Forum, WHO, et al.

Weve explored this concept in greater detail in several pieces:

Cutting the legs out from insurgent nationalist movements, accordingly, is essential to moving the multinational corporate agenda ahead.

The Right is nationalist in its orientation, not internationalist. This is, as just one example, why the corporate media intently demonized the UK Brexit separation from the European Union as racist to taint the nationalist movement.

The inverse is true of the Left  especially as you move further to the fringes  which makes it a natural ally.

#2: The True Anti-Authoritarian, Anti-Establishment Left in America Is Dead

The corporate state certainly would target the Left if it posed a threat to its interests - except that there is no authentic anti-authoritarian Left still alive in the United States.

Whatever Left remains has been thoroughly co-opted to serve the interests of the multinational oligarchy.

Leftist protests used to target multinational trade organizations, as happened in 99 anti-WTO riots in Seattle.

Then (1999) : the Black Bloc in 99, fighting a class war that may have legitimately challenged the multinational corporate state (embodied by the WTO) if it had fostered popular support.

Now (2021) : Antifa earlier this year showed up to fight the culture war outside of an LA spa where a transgender woman flashed her semi-erect penis at a mother and child in the womens-only section. The transgender perpetrator was later charged by the LAPD over the incident and exposed as a convicted sex offender for previous indecent exposure crimes .

The victim (the mother) had the audacity to make a social media video about the trauma imposed on her daughter, which led to a trans rights protest against alleged rampant transphobia (in LA, one of the most progressive cities in America).

One of these things is not like the other:

The former version of the Left targeted the rape of the American economy by multinational corporations that offshore American manufacturing jobs to generate profits (which, also, incidentally, was a centerpiece talking point to Trumps successful 2016 campaign in which he defeated the entire GOP and DNC establishment)

by multinational corporations that offshore American manufacturing jobs to generate profits (which, also, incidentally, was a centerpiece talking point to Trumps successful 2016 campaign in which he defeated the entire GOP and DNC establishment) The modern version of the Left targets normal mothers who dont want their daughters wantonly exposed to mens genitalia in public spas, fueling a culture war and distracting the population with nonsense while the oligarchs methodically implode the US economy

#3: The Left Is Hyper-focused on Identity Equity Politics, Not Governmental or Corporate Overreach

The modern Left can be neutered (quite easily) with language such as going green or promoting [insert protected minority group]s rights.

When the Department of Justice requested additional funds to combat domestic extremism earlier this year, they pacified any potential resistance from the Left with such fig leaves. These came in the form of a variety of race and gender-based spending proposals:

[Attorney General] Mr. Garland also said that the department sought $1 billion [to] fund services for transgender survivors of domestic abuse, support women at historically Black colleges and in Hispanic and tribal institutions .

Given their unending obsession with identity politics, this stuff is catnip to the Left base.

#4: The Left Will Dependably Enforce the Vaxx/Lockdown Agenda

Action item #1 on the corporate state to-do list is the vaxx/lockdown agenda, the initial stages of the internationally-standardized CCP-style digital control grid.

An antifa group protests in Brisbane, Australia over the weekend calling for stricter government action on Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/2ZT5qYBExU  Andy Ngo  (@MrAndyNgo) October 17, 2021

Reconciliation with far-gone elements of the Left is a losing cause  time for the remaining independent, undomesticated elements of civilization to de-rig with our own Great Reset parallel society.

Ben Bartee is a Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via his blog, Armageddon Prose, Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter.
Kentuckys Senator Rand Paul was censored by YouTube for questioning the effectiveness of cloth masks. But now he says that even the CDC has come around to his way of thinking.

On Twitter, Paul shared a story that suggested the CDC admitted that cloth masks are not as effective in preventing the spread of Covid as other masks.

Paul wondered whether he would get an apology from YouTube.

Does this mean snot-nosed censors at YouTube will come to my office and kiss my  and admit I was right? Sen. Rand Paul tweeted.

The tweet contained a link to a story by the New York Times titled: The C.D.C. concedes that cloth masks do not protect against the virus as effectively as other masks.

According to the article, the CDC clarified its stance on masks, acknowledging that the cloth masks frequently worn by Americans do not offer as much protection as surgical masks or respirators.

The censorship of his questioning the efficacy of masks was the reason Senator Paul quit YouTube for Rumble.


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Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Storms may produce some hail. Low 58F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Storms may produce some hail. Low 58F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
The minister said that they were taking all precautionary measures to comply with Covid-19 norms to ensure that no student gets infected with Coronavirus and asked the parents not to worry over the health of their wards in the schools. (Representational Image/ PTI)

Vijayawada: The number of students attending schools has gone up to 74 per cent on the second day against 61 per cent on the first day of reopening of schools after Sankranti vacation in the state.

Minister for education Adimulapu Suresh here on Tuesday said that more students were turning up at the schools to attend classes given the rise in their attendance from the first day to the second day after Pongal vacation.

The minister said that they were taking all precautionary measures to comply with Covid-19 norms to ensure that no student gets infected with Coronavirus and asked the parents not to worry over the health of their wards in the schools.

The minister assured the parents that the state government was paying utmost concern over safety of the children attending schools at a time when Coronavirus infections were spreading fast.

Percentage of attendance of students in the schools district-wise in the state on Tuesday was reported as: Srikakulam-68.36, Vizianagaram-60.46, Visakhapatnam-64.65, East Godavari-62.35, West Godavari-71.25, Krishna-77.39, Guntur-80.94, Prakasam-79.05, Nellore-69.21, Kadapa-81.90, Kurnool-78.09, Anantapur-80.16 and Chittoor-76.91.
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Canada's food manufacturers are cutting capacity and focusing on key products as they confront labour shortages and supply chain bottlenecks that show no signs of easing.

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A section of empty shelves is seen at a Walmart store in Teterboro, N.J., Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Seth Wenig

Canada's food manufacturers are cutting capacity and focusing on key products as they confront labour shortages and supply chain bottlenecks that show no signs of easing.

Shipping backlogs, delays in obtaining packaging and ingredients and high worker absenteeism due to COVID-19 isolation protocolsare interfering with the availability of certain products, experts say.

The situation has prompted some food suppliers to inform grocers about the steps they're taking to fulfil orders, including finding new sources for materials, adding transportation capacity and even changing product formulations in some cases.

Shoppers should expect intermittent issues with product availability, said Michael Graydon, CEO of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada.

"There are certain commodities that will come and go and be a bit sporadic," he said. "But the essentials in life will there."

Many food manufacturers are coping with labour and product shortages by concentrating on key product flavours and sizes with the highest demand in order to maximize efficiencies, Graydon said.

Still, others have been forced to reduce production as absenteeism reaches up to 20 per cent in some plants, Graydon said.

"You end up having to cut significant manufacturing capacity because you don't have the labour," he said. "We already have high demand for products because the restaurant industry is virtually down and out and home consumption increased."

Meanwhile, supply chain issues are also impacting the flow of goods, especially over the border.

Shipping problems are delaying the delivery of U.S.-made products to Canadian distribution centres as well as the availability of raw materials like packaging, experts say.

"There's a massive shortage of truck drivers," Graydon said. "Goods aren't moving and the cost of moving those goods is going up."

Compounding the situation is a new federal vaccine mandate for truckers, he said.

"Its the timing," Graydon said. "This new variant has had a significant impact on absenteeism ... we can't afford to lose more drivers right now."

Sylvain Charlebois, Dalhousie University professor of food distribution and policy, said food access in Canada will be a challenge for some time.

"There are bottlenecks throughout the supply chain, especially in processing," he said. "That impacts distribution and eventually the ability for grocers to restock shelves."

Consumers will see fewer discounts and products on supermarkets shelves as a result, Charlebois said.

"Promotions are going to be really, really rare," he said. "And shoppers may occasionally notice half-empty shelves."

Meanwhile, the shortage of truckers will make the border less fluid, leading to delays in obtaining both raw ingredients and finished products, Charlebois said.

Av Maharaj, chief administrative officer for Kraft Heinz Canada, said his company is not immune to the current supply chain challenges across the food industry.

Shipping costs have gone up dramatically and there is a scarcity of certain raw materials, he said.

Still, Maharaj said Kraft Heinzs facility outside of Montreal has rigorous safety protocols in place and low absenteeism, allowing it to operate at full production.

The factory continues to run at a maximum capacity to meet demands of Canadian consumers, he said.

Lores Tome, a spokesperson for Kellogg Canada Inc., said higher at-home consumption coupled with supply chain challenges have impacted the availability of some products in Canada, such as Kelloggs Rice Krispies cereal.

These intermittent shortages reflect the challenging operating environment all manufacturers are experiencing, she said in an e-mailed statement.

About 1,400 union workers at Kelloggs plants in the United States were on strike for several weeks last year. An agreement was reached Dec. 21.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 19, 2022.
There are 3,107 ICU beds in government hospitals across the state while 7,468 are there in private sector health facilities. (Representational Image/ PTI)

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday cautioned people against the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the state during the third wave and said both Delta and Omicron variants of the virus are contributing to the ongoing unprecedented surge in daily cases.

Though its severity is lesser, Omicron variant has the potential to spread the disease 5-6 times more than the Delta variant and so it should not be taken lightly. Every single person should adhere to COVID protocol strictly to keep the pandemic under control, she told reporters here.

George also warned of stringent action against those unleashing false propaganda regarding the pandemic and vaccination through social media platforms.

Stating that a section of people are spreading lies like Omicron is a "natural vaccine" and so it was not dangerous to contract the infection, she said such campaigns were baseless.

Whatever be the variant, the basic characteristics of the novel coronavirus were the same and people should take extra care to keep the disease at bay, the minister said.

"Delta (variant) was the reason for more cases during the second wave. The third wave happened before it was completely over. Now, both Delta and Omicron are contributing to the surge in COVID cases," George said.

Making it clear that the infectivity was very high these days, she said compared to the second wave, five percent more cases were expected during the third wave.

Stressing the need to follow health protocols without any fail in the present circumstance, the minister said vaccination was a defence against the infection, so everyone should take the jab at the earliest.

Officials should take special precaution to avoid cluster formations in their respective institutions.

Urging people to avoid unnecessary hospital visits, she said aged people and those having co-morbidities should take more care.

Rubbishing news reports stating that there was scarcity of essential medicines in the state, she said the health department was fully prepared to tackle the situation and the slight rush witnessed by hospitals of late was natural.

There are 3,107 ICU beds in government hospitals across the state while 7,468 are there in private sector health facilities. There are 2,293 ventilator beds in government hospitals and 2,432 in private hospitals, she added.

The minister also urged the support of everyone, cutting across political lines and other differences, to deal with the situation and contain the disease effectively.
The Sandy Bay residential school was destroyed by fire decades ago, but its tragic legacy lives on.

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The Sandy Bay residential school was destroyed by fire decades ago, but its tragic legacy lives on.

Now, the local Manitoba First Nations community wants to know if any missing children remain at the site.

An agreement has been signed between the federal government and Dakota Tipi First Nation to guide potential unmarked gravesite investigations into five former residential school sites: Sandy Bay, Portage la Prairie, Assiniboia, Brandon, and Fort Alexander (Sagkeeng).

The agreement will create a survivor-led steering committee to search each of the sites, but also to do research at various places, including church and Hudson Bay Co. records, St. Boniface Archives and the Winnipeg-based National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation, to determine how many students attended the schools.

Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation Chief Trevor Prince said he never attended a residential school  and his grandparents hid his father and two aunts from having to go  but members of the community tell him there were some students who never came back, even though the building (closed in 1970) was located on the reserve.

"Im hoping they dont find anything," Prince said Tuesday.

"But I have been hearing they will find something. People are saying a kid would enter the school and, all of a sudden, they were gone."

Last year, news that more than 200 potential unmarked gravesites had been found at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School in B.C. shocked Canadians. In its wake, hundreds of such sites have been flagged at other former residential schools.

In response, the federal government earmarked about $320 million in support for Indigenous-led, survivor-centric and culturally informed initiatives to help respond and heal from the impacts of residential schools. So far, about $116 million has been committed.

Regarding efforts in Manitoba, a spokesperson said Tuesday evening that the federal government has committed $353,320 over three years from the Residential School Missing Children'sCommunity Support Funding Program.

In a statement Tuesday, Chief Eric Pashe called the announcement "a historic time for the Dakota people."

"The time has now come for our history to be properly told," said Pashe. "We have an initial commitment to help engage with our survivors to determine how they would like to proceed.

"As you can imagine, there is significant trauma and, as stories are coming forward, we want to make sure we listen to our survivors in what they would like to see happen. The funding will also help us do that and scope the initiative properly," the chief said.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Canada to discuss the project and ensure we can do this right."

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller credited First Nation leadership who "worked tirelessly to ensure that the community is in a good position to begin the important and difficult work of searching archival records and undertaking fieldwork to investigate five former residential schools in Manitoba."

"The government of Canada, and all Canadians, support the residential school survivor project, which will be guided by a survivor-led steering committee, to contribute to the healing of survivors and community of Dakota Tipi First Nation."

Prince said while it has been decades sinceSandy Bay residential school closed, many residents are still dealing with the negative effects.

"A lot of our people are still experiencing the traumas from back then," he said. "It is a touchy subject for me. I get emotional when talking about it. And its not just my parents and grandparents  its the entire realities of First Nations across Canada."

Prince said researchers from the University of Manitoba came to the site last summer with ground penetrating radar equipment, but are still analyzing the results.

"If they do find something, then there will be big decisions to make: whether we dig them up and give them a proper burial or leave them there and have some type of memorial right there. As chief, I wont make the decision on my own, Id have to bring the community together," he said.

"But I say these kids are lost and want to be found."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
The first edition of the Brandon Sun was published 140 years ago today.

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FILE Former agriculture reporter Greg McComb makes some phone calls in this photo from around 1986. (File)

The first edition of the Brandon Sun was published 140 years ago today.

Born several months ahead of Brandons incorporation as a city after the Canadian Pacific Railway was pushed through the area, the paper has followed the lives of Brandonites through two world wars, the Spanish flu and COVID-19 pandemics, the tenure of every Canadian prime minister except Alexander Mackenzie, 20 Manitoba premiers, six monarchs and 34 mayors.

As Canada approached the 60th anniversary of confederation in June 1927, Sun founder W.J. White recounted the events that led to the papers creation in a special edition called the "Old Timers Section."

He recalls speaking outside a general store in Exeter, Ont., in July 1881 with Thomas Greenway, the Liberal premier of Manitoba from 1888 to 1900, who described the promise brought by the development of the railway through Manitoba.

FILE Brandon Sun pressmen show off their workspace sometime in the 1920s.

After deciding to move to set up shop in what would become Brandon in June 1882, White took a series of trains through Grand Haven, Mich., Milwaukee, Wis., and St. Paul, Minn., before arriving in Winnipeg and catching a final train that took him 35 miles out from his destination.

Hitching a ride on a lumber wagon for the last portion of the trip, White described a wet and miserable journey through what is now Carberry as he arrived at a tent hotel in Grand Valley.

"Boys!" White exclaimed. "That rain was cold. I was cold and wet."

According to White, there were few buildings erected in Brandon when he arrived, with wooden planks placed side by side serving as sidewalks, connecting tents occupied by businesses, along with a few finished homes and businesses.

The first edition of the newspaper on Jan. 19, 1882, bears little resemblance to what the publication would eventually become.

FILE An issue of the Sun is printed in this undated photo.

There was no news at all on the front page, just business listings, uncredited advice articles, a historical piece, some jokes and two columns of a depressing love story.

It was more like one of those single-sheet newsletters one might find in a coffee shop or restaurant rather than a full-fledged newspaper.

By 1885 and 1886, the front pages still had business listings, but there was actual local news being presented, like the execution of Louis Riel and a visit to the city by the man who approved his execution  the first prime minister of Canada, John A. Macdonald.

White left Brandon sometime in the 1890s, leaving the paper publishing weekly with C.H. Beaton on the masthead. Eventually, he returned with enough capital to take back control of the paper, which remained a weekly publication until he left in 1897.

Pictures and artwork were rarely printed in the Suns early years alongside the written articles. However, a portrait of Queen Victoria ran alongside a story covering her death in 1901. Though that story dominates the news portion of the front page, local advertisements have started to appear in addition to the business listings.

FILE Brandon Sun carriers pose for a group photo in 1946.

According to internal notes on the history of the paper, the Sun experienced turbulent times as it struggled to find consistent financial support until J.B. Whitehead first purchased a majority of shares in 1903 and then obtained sole control in 1911.

When J.B. Whitehead became ill in 1937, he turned over the business to his son, Ernest C. Whitehead, who took over the paper upon his fathers death in 1941.

Ernest ran the paper until his death in 1961, having worked over the past two decades to groom his sons Ernest and Lewis to assume the family tradition. Unfortunately, Joseph died of polio in 1953 at the age of 28, leaving Lewis to take charge.

After decades at its original home on 10th Street, the Sun purchased the John Deere dealership building at 501 Rosser Ave. in 1963. After taking two years to renovate the building for its purposes, including installing a new printing plant, the Sun officially unveiled its new home on June 17, 1965.

Former Canadian Press general manager Gillies Purcell, whose father had worked for the paper decades before, was on hand to unveil a plaque rededicating the building.

The Sun still calls the building home to this day.

The Whiteheads maintained control until 1987, when it was purchased by Thomson Newspapers, which has since merged with Reuters to become Thomson Reuters.

In 2001, both the Winnipeg Free Press and the Sun were bought by FP Canadian Newspapers, which continues to operate both papers along with the Steinbach Carillon.

After a century of printing the Sun in Brandon, the papers printing presses were shut down in 2010 in favour of having daily editions printed in Winnipeg.

"All of us at FP Newspapers are very proud of the Brandon Suns long and distinguished history in western Manitoba and very proud to have the Sun as part of the FP family," Winnipeg Free Press publisher Bob Cox said about the Suns anniversary. "The Sun has survived and thrived for 140 years because it is dedicated to serving Brandon. It is as crucial to keeping Brandon informed today as it was in 1882."

 cslark@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @ColinSlark
Airlines around the world are adjusting their schedules and aircraft deployments for flights to the US over fears that a 5G rollout by AT&T and Verizon Communications near American airports could interfere with key safety systems.

Dubais Emirates Airline said it will suspend flights to several US cities, including Chicago, Newark and San Francisco, while Japan Airlines and ANA Holdings said they will drop some routes and wont fly their 777 jets to and from the US mainland after a warning from Boeing Co.

Emirates has rescheduled some of its Boeing 777 flights into US cities. Credit:Bloomberg

Qantas said it was not affected because it does not fly Boeing 777s.

Korean Air Lines said its 777 and 747-8 aircraft are affected by the 5G service, and is rearranging its fleet. Air India also warned flights to the US will be curtailed or revised from January 19 (US time).
For the second year in a row, the World Economic Forum scrapped its annual meeting in the Alpine resort town of Davos, Switzerland, because of the pandemic.

The gathering is an essential stop on the annual circuit for the global elite, a week-long schmoozefest where billionaires and autocrats mingle over canapes while activists protest in the frigid mountain air. Companies make climate pledges. Economists discuss inequality. Everyone walks on the same slippery, slushy roads.

Davos has a year-round population of about 11,000 people. That number essentially doubles when the forum comes to town. Credit:AP

It was at the January 2020 annual meeting that many executives and world leaders first heard about the coronavirus, as news reports about a mysterious illness began to trickle out of Wuhan, China. Last year, the forum abandoned Davos and planned to hold the meeting in Singapore during the summer, but the Singapore event was cancelled, too.

This years event was scheduled to begin Monday and proceed more or less as usual. Multinational corporations were renting out suites in luxury hotels. Dinner party invites were being sent. Then in December, with the omicron variant spreading rapidly, the organisers said they had decided to postpone the gathering once more, with hopes of staging it this European summer instead.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In her first solo exhibition in 1967, Vivienne Binns unexpectedly upset the critics. After visiting the show at Watters Gallery in East Sydney, reviewers wrote of pure obscene horror, monumental repulsion and (in silly, petty capitals) HORRID FAIRGROUND COLOUR. Shes a shocker, frothed one headline. The 27-year-old Binns had dared to unashamedly examine sexuality and the process of making art. But she survived, and thrived. Binns many achievements in her long career as a boundary-pusher are celebrated in the comprehensive new survey exhibition On and Through the Surface at Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA). I knew some people would be shocked, she says of the 1967 show. There were some erotic images and so on. But I was surprised by how some of them just didnt get it. They really didnt like the lack of craft they saw in places. It was that  some of the work looking unfinished  that really riled the critics. In fact, Binns was academically trained and was excellent at the craft side of making art. Vivienne Binns, Vag dens, 1967. Credit:National Gallery of Australia What the reviewers failed to understand was that the show was stretching the frontiers. It challenged visitors at every turn, and is now seen as an historical landmark  as writer Nadia Wheatley notes, Binns 1967 show is the first entry in Wikipedias timeline of Australian feminist art. Today, in her Canberra studio, looking back on her six decades of work, which has included a lot of community-based art, a lot of experimenting, and a lot of exploring of sexuality and feminist territory, Binns is clear: her work has not been about style. It has been about process and relationship, about how art is made. Curators Hannah Mathews and Anneke Jaspers describe Binns as a generous, insightful and witty collaborator in helping to create the exhibition. They have traced the way she moved beyond the gallery into seeing art as a human pursuit that is not tethered to hierarchies of expertise and excellence.

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Binns entire career has been about the big questions  what is art, what does it mean to be an artist, and where does it belong? She reckons she has shifted and softened over the years  she used to be so strident in trying to get critics and others to understand that her work was about the whole practice of making art: the idea, the process, and then the finished piece. Vivienne Binns, Suggon 1966. Credit:National Gallery of Australia No surprise that Binns has never been interested in the traditional idea of an art career trajectory, which she describes as seeming to require that, firstly, youre a bloke, and then laboriously ticking boxes: getting a style, getting a subject and getting a name. Then you stick to that, and you refine and refine, and you have a few excursions. That is still the standard in many peoples minds. Binns broke with all that and while the Watters show and subsequent work included a few things she says looked like theyd been chucked together, which some of them had, what she was really exploring was the truth of the moment  the act of making. Vivienne Binns, Tower of Babel, 1989. Credit:Courtesy of the artist Around that time in the 1960s, as a young artist, sexuality was an important question for her. My family couldnt understand what was happening because I was very cut off from them in that sense. Where I was going wasnt where I was supposed to be going! For about three years I was pretty isolated. I went through this process which resulted in having these amazing breakthroughs in painting and drawing.

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Binns became interested in the unconscious, automatic drawing and a washing away of received ideas that resulted in keen insights and understanding her work in a different way. But her withdrawal from the world had to end. I got to the point where I couldnt keep on digging down there, it got too hard, she says. I needed to pull back  because I didnt want to be without friends and close, happy people. I had to put some of the layers back on. But this was the inward journey that gave me the insight to continue the outward journey. You learn how these things weave together and how you can move within them. Theres always that tension between control and the lack of control. Lots of artists talk about chaos and order, form and formlessness, the tensions that create meaning. Vivienne Binns, Somebodys everyday, somewhere, sometime, 2009. Credit:Tim Herbert Shes been intrigued by the curators choices of pieces for the MUMA show and has had to dig up a lot of work, provoking many memories of her life. This includes Binns heavy involvement in community art. She loved it  with the side benefit of having people without specialist training look at her own work. The language of painting  people are reading it subconsciously all the time, she says. Words such as like or hate  they actually reflect something real, not just some personal or uneducated comment. It was about taking the time to listen and not jump in. Unsurprisingly, shes found people without an art education will often gravitate towards the one when looking at her work  a painting, perhaps, that has been best resolved. They can pick it! I have no doubt about that underlying element  they read the world subconsciously, as well as through the given meanings. Vivienne Binns, Funky ashtray, 1971. Credit:Zan Wimberley One of Binns most pivotal community art experiences was working with novices in Blacktown in the late 1970s and early 1980s, teaching silkscreen. I almost cant tell you, but I knew I was changing all the time, she says. I became much more  I dont know, human. Binns had had a middle-class upbringing and after art school had entered Paddington circles with its unusual mix of highly educated cultural types and working-class people.

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I didnt think of myself as pretentious but there were still feelings of superiority, she says. We all have people out there we feel superior to ... you come up against those attitudes and prejudices you can hold. Going to Blacktown was an education. Vivienne Binns working as an artist-in-community in Blacktown in 1980. Credit:David John Barton Part of that experience involved something she had learnt from artist-teachers John Passmore and Godfrey Miller while she was at art school: discerning there is something beyond the visible manifestation of an artwork: a certain depth. I can recognise those works that stop at the surface. Its a very different experience. Loading That goes back to her childhood. In an interview with her long-time friend and curator Merryn Gates, Binns is asked about her voracious curiosity, libertarianism and collaborative spirit. She replies with a story about her mother once telling her she asked more questions than anyone else in the family. By the time I got to about pre-puberty, when I really was waking up to the world, I asked Mum some very difficult questions. I asked her, maybe when I was about 12, How do you really know whats good and bad? I didnt know, and she couldnt answer, and she said, You just know. Looking at Binns life and work, its the same thing: you just know its good. On and Through the Surface is at Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA) February 5 - April 14 and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Sydney, July 15 - September 25.
But its not a settled relationship. As in every part of Australian society, racism towards individuals and systemically remains an issue, and what Aboriginal players want from the game is not always what they get.

Theres no denying the central role Aboriginal players have come to hold in rugby league in this country. Since Arthur Beetson helped change the very nature of attacking play in the early 1970s, on his way to captaining the Australian national team, Indigenous players from this country (not to mention across the Pacific) have stretched the field, rewritten geometry, and created milestones: Mal Meninga, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston are just a few.

For former great Dean Widders, a forward who played in the 2000s, that same Indigenous All-Stars match is a wasted opportunity. What he wants is for the players to have a traditional dance to perform  as New Zealands All Blacks do with the haka  before that match, one that can eventually be adopted by the national team.

Directed by the writer, filmmaker and legal academic Larissa Behrendt, Araatika: Rise Up! follows Widders quest. The documentary is not slavish to his goal  it moves from one related idea to the next, so that history and contemporary politics, community pride and personal strength are laced together through a narrative that is never rushed. Widders isnt trying to kick the door in, instead hes trying to show why it makes sense for those in charge to graciously open it.

That instinct for movement, for space, its a thing thats in our history, Widders says, and Araatika: Rise Up! has a fine understanding of how Aboriginal culture connects to a game that is a source of pleasure and advancement.

The best players are as physically dynamic as the principals from the Bangarra Dance Company, whose presentation of a pre-game performance  shot in a spectral blue light, a moment of visual wonder in a workmanlike aesthetic  follows founder Stephen Page offering his expertise to Widders when then Sydney Festivals artistic director Lesley Enoch gave Widders a stage to publicly perform on.

Widders now works as Indigenous pathways manager for the NRL, so hes dedicated to working within the system. The documentary touches on the racism that elite Aboriginal players experience, including an incident of racial vilification involving Widders himself during a 2005 game, although its the clearly anguished explanations from current South Sydney stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker that cut through so powerfully. The oft-spouted retort that professional players are celebrated millionaires with no right to complain about how theyre treated by opponents or the general public very quickly evaporates here.
Former Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley has finally abandoned the chiffon trenches of the fashion world, a term he used for the title of his recent memoir, dying after suffering a heart attack at the age of 73.

From 1983 until his shock exit in 2018, Talley moved in the ozone of the fashion world, delivering gossipy and witty articles for Vogue that skimmed the surface of his profound knowledge of design. Just as impressive was his close relationship withVogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, which unravelled, leaving Talley hurt and perplexed.

In happier times: Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Tally in 2007. Credit:Getty

I had suddenly become too old, too overweight, and too uncool, I imagined, for Anna Wintour, Talley wrote in The Chiffon Trenches, released in 2020. For Talley, Wintours crime of fashion and taste was leaving the task of firing him to a mid-level Vogue employee. Anna should have had the decency and kindness to call me or send me an e-mail.

Despite high-profile roles at Andy Warhols Interview magazine, The New York Times and Womens Wear Daily  where Talley, as bureau chief of the Paris office, formed an enduring friendship with Karl Lagerfeld  Vogue was Talleys destiny. Raised in Durham, North Carolina by his grandmother, a maid at Duke University, the magazine offered an entree to a world that his 198cm frame would eventually dominate.
Its a suffering that is acute and  for many  hidden. While people might notice if you have a drinking problem and start to slur your words, its harder for them to see when you have loss at the centre of your life. I have heard it described as being this very palpable absence, says Professor Caroline Hunt, president of The Australian Clinical Psychology Association, of people who raise a family without their extended family living nearby. I have heard from my therapist that acknowledging the pain and sitting with it helps, rather than trying to avoid it by online shopping or taking drugs, says one mother. And its a situation that many Australians find themselves in. As of last year, 29.8 per cent of Australias population were born overseas, according to The Australian Bureau of Statistics. In 2020 alone, 368,700 people moved interstate. And raising a family alone, says Hunt, can easily lead to anxiety or depression.

And particularly if youre already a bit vulnerable in other ways, in temperament, to being anxious or depressed, she says. Those people are going to be most at risk. One of the biggest struggles people have with this situation, she says, is the lack of an emotional and practical safety net that extended family often provide. Sort of always knowing in the back of your mind that if something does happen, If I get unwell, or I have to do something, then theres somewhere I can take my children, to a safe place, says Hunt. Or somebody can go to the shops and get something for me. The absence of that, she says, is very difficult to quantify, but it has a big impact. Its one that Gina Becker, a South African mother of three, has felt on and off since moving to Sydney 17 years ago. You hear the [phone] calls [other kids make], and theyll go, Oh like I just rode to my grandmothers house, says Becker, whose children are aged 15, 12 and eight. Your heart kind of goes  she lets out a mournful sigh  for your own children. It is a daily sort of feeling like you dont have what you should around you, for yourself, for your family, and your kids.

It isnt the only trigger. She feels sadness for her ageing parents, too  they live in South Africa  that theyre without their grandkids. When I see an old person cross the road here, she says, I feel sick. She, too, questions her decision to move here with her husband, who is also South African, though she did so for the advantage of a safer environment  South Africa has a high incidence of crime  and work opportunities. Loading I have heard from my therapist over the years that acknowledging the pain and sitting with it helps, it dissipates, rather than trying to avoid it by online shopping, taking drugs or drinking, says Sarah. I dont do that [sitting with the pain] a lot. Instead, she often relies on shopping. Its called retail therapy for a reason. Yeah, look its a distraction. So it diverts the mind from Im feeling this pain, to What I can I buy next?

So what should families in this situation do? Focus on the present, says Hunt. Worrying about the future or ruminating about the past, its going to make it feel worse, she says. Focusing on where youre at in the moment and dealing with the moment, of course there are ups and downs, but its a useful thing. We can dwell on our losses. We can dwell on the things that might happen in the future. That can often not be a very useful place to be. So, [try] catching yourself when youre doing that, and going, OK, well, yes of course, I miss my family being close, but what can I do right now? For Becker, this has often meant reflecting on an unexpected joy: tight-knit friendships with people in the same situation who have been united, in part, by their challenges. Im very lucky that Ive got lots of South Africans around me, people whove also left their homes, she says. My other close friend is English. Ive got an old friend whos Mexican, a very close friend who grew up in New Zealand... You probably have things in common, you understand things, and that fills me up. Seek professional help, says Hunt, if the sadness about distant family is keeping you awake at night, and stopping you from doing the things you usually enjoy. We can all have good days and bad days, but if the bad days become consistently bad, then thats really a sign to [get help].

And, says Hunt, parents should try and connect with like-minded people in their community  perhaps through their childs school  who might be able to provide support, when you just need a break. For the moment, its working as a stop-gap for Sarah. Ive got a couple of friends who I feel I could call if the shit hits the fan. And I feel lucky that Ive got that. Enjoyed this piece? Read previous articles from our How Do You Do It series: People dont like being lied to: How do you tell your child theyre the product of IVF? After years of silence, Sharon fixed her relationship with her sister: How can you end an estrangement?
The New York Times reported that Gotthelf complained to human resources and to Robert Thomson, the Australian chief executive of News Corp, but was told that if Allan tells you to do something, you do it. Gotthelfs lawsuit comes less than a week after she left the Post, and she says Poole sacked her after she informed him of her harassment allegations. Col Allan with Lachlan Murdoch Credit:Getty Some current and former Post staffers told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald they were unaware of any harassment by Allan. One female New York Post staffer said: Col was a thug, but he was an equal opportunity thug. Meaning, Allan was believed by some to be a bully to men and women alike.

The New York Daily News report on Col Allans departure from its rival in 2016. Col had many faults, but sexually harassing staffers was not one of them, said a former male Post journalist. This lawsuit is an attempt to shake News Corp down for a payday. Gotthelf is represented by Douglas Wigdor, who has sued News Corps Fox News, on behalf of more than two dozen people alleging discrimination, which resulted in a $10 million settlement. The Post and News Corp jointly issued a statement that did not reference the harassment allegations, but said any suggestion of wrongdoing related to the Posts management changes was meritless. Allan has not responded to the complaint and his defence will be filed at a later date.

Previously, the Post settled a lawsuit brought by Mr Wigdor on behalf of former Hispanic employee Sandra Guzman for racial and sexual discrimination in 2013. The lawsuit alleged that Allan showed Post staffers pictures of celebrity male genitalia he had stored on his mobile phone. The new lawsuit was filed as Allan returned to New York on a visit which presumably included catching up with old Daily Telegraph buddies, including columnist Miranda Devine, who has a berth on the New York Post. Allan was last pictured in public in December looking underdressed in an ill-fitting blue polo shirt and jeans as he attended Lachlan and Sarah Murdochs Christmas drinks party at their mansion in Sydneys Bellevue Hill. Allan retired on the same day the Post endorsed Trump for the New York Republican primary in 2016, and a mooted role as an adviser during the campaign never materialised. Rupert Murdoch once labelled Allan, who has been inducted into the Melbourne Press Clubs Australian media hall of fame, a great friend and colleague whom he has known since 1974.

He became editor of Sydneys Daily Telegraph in 1992 and once admitted that he would occasionally urinate in his office sink (located in an office cupboard) during news conference. But never while any women were present. Without commenting on the veracity of the allegations, a former NY Post executive told The Age and the Herald: He was such a mean bastard to everyone. Scores Gentlemans Club in Manhattan, which Kevin Rudd visited with Col Allan during a taxpayer-funded visit to the UN in 2003. Why does Rupert keep employing these type of men? Cols management style never progressed from the 1970s, and he has left a trail of bruised employees, but Rupert continually backed him. Allans chaperoning of Kevin Rudd to New York strip club Scores in 2003 was credited with humanising the Labor opposition leader when the story broke in 2007 ahead of his federal election victory.

However, when Allan returned to Australia in 2013 to act as a consultant to News Corps tabloid papers, Rudd recounted in his memoir The PM Years that Allan had returned to physically direct the Murdoch campaign against the government and that Allan had phoned editors from a Sydney restaurant and ordered them to go hard on Rudd, start from Sunday and dont let up. The front page of The Daily Telegraph on day one of the election campaign was Kick This Mob Out. Col Allan in 2003, when he was editor-in-chief of the New York Post. Credit:James Estrin Insiders later said the headline had been a disaster for the Telegraphs Labor-supporting readership in the papers western Sydney heartland. On Wednesday, Mr Rudd, who is campaigning for a royal commission into News Corp and its impact on the political system, said in a statement Allan was one of Ruperts closest cronies.

Loading The courts will judge whether this complaint is true. Murdoch employees must be freed from non-disclosure agreements that shield executives from misconduct claims. And a royal commission would afford them legal protection, he said. During Allans time at the Telegraph it was said there was a booth in the ladies toilets reserved for women who needed to recover from his trademark brutal dressing downs. Allan himself professed to great loyalty to Mr Murdoch, so how the media mogul reacts to this lawsuit will be upmost in his mind. But while respected as an editor, others saw his attitude to the Murdochs as sycophancy rather than loyalty.
An Alfred Hospital spokesman said the hospital continued to prioritise category one and other urgent operations even during the significant challenges posed at this stage of the pandemic, and that all patients requiring urgent surgeries are being treated within clinically recommended time frames. A Victorian Health Department spokesman said category one elective surgery was continuing during the states code brown. While hospitals may choose to reschedule category one patients, postponement was a last resort. Matthew Hatfield, the Victorian chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, said it was becoming absolutely more challenging to carry out category one surgery at busy metropolitan hospitals, which were caring for the bulk of COVID-19 patients. The problem is that the COVID-19 and category one surgeries tend to be competing for the same hospitals, Dr Hatfield said. You cant transfer either COVID patients needing inpatient treatment or category one patients getting inpatient treatments to some of the smaller, more remote or less resourced hospitals  so thats where the bottleneck is.

A memo from the Victorian Health Department, sent to healthcare workers on Monday and seen by The Age, details the governments COVID-19 streaming model, designed to meet unprecedented system challenges. Loading It instructs hospitals to immediately move to stage three of the model, as coronavirus hospital admissions reached 1173 on Wednesday. Under stage three, all public and private acute hospitals in Victoria, including rural hospitals, are braced to be coronavirus streaming sites. This means all can provide care to coronavirus patients, with the exception of small day-procedure hospitals and ambulatory and community health sites. Previously, coronavirus patients, particularly those in rural areas, were transferred to the nearest tertiary hospital  including coronavirus wards in Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo  or to major public hospitals in Melbourne.

Once 1500 coronavirus hospital admissions were reached, the document said, this would trigger another rationing of care, in which ambulances would transport only emergency or critically ill patients between hospitals. Under this stage of the plan, if admissions rise as predicted to between 1501 and 2500, ambulance transfers would be reserved for those most at risk, including trauma patients, those needing urgent maternity care and the critically ill, including people requiring specialist intensive care on the way to hospital. Other patients would instead be transferred to medi hotels for medical care or receive support through hospital-at-home programs or general practitioners as hospitals face severe workforce constraints, the document said. By next month, government projections indicate coronavirus hospitalisations are expected to reach 2500, and could hit 100 new admissions a day.

The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) said on Tuesday the code brown declaration enabled hospitals to access a range of critical levers to provide care. The college has repeatedly urged people in medical emergencies or needing urgent care not to delay seeking treatment and says those requiring treatment in emergency departments will always receive medical care and support. ACEM understands this may be a period of concern for the Victorian public who may fear they will not be able to access medical care in a medical emergency, the college said. ACEM stresses that people experiencing medical emergencies will be prioritised and will receive acute care, but that care may be in a different location to what was expected. The document outlines six stages, the final stage detailing the health response in the worst possible case, in which more than 5000 coronavirus cases are hospitalised, prompting a further rationing of medical care to those with the most critical needs. But the memo to staff said the six stages were not sequential, and the department may make a decision to move between stages due to critical workforce shortages or transfer challenges, rather than from admitted COVID-19 patients alone.

Loading Surgeon and Australian Medical Association Victoria board member Jill Tomlinson said while she was not aware of any cases of category one surgery being delayed in recent days, this scenario was inevitable in the coming weeks. With nursing staff being redeployed across the health system, there will be times where even category one elective surgery is impacted by staffing and delayed or deferred as a result of that, she said. Even though we know that hospitals will do their absolute utmost to ensure that category one patients are treated within that 30 days. Dr Tomlinson also warned life-saving tests including cancer screening were being delayed across the state, which could result in delayed diagnosis and negative implications for patients in the months and possibly years to come. One source, who spoke to The Age on the condition of anonymity because they didnt have authority to speak, said breast cancer procedures, abdominal aneurysms and coronary bypass operations had been delayed at The Alfred hospital in recent weeks, while an estimated 70 per cent of operating theatre staff were absent last week due to furloughing.

Procedures that are typically performed within 15 to 30 days were being postponed for six to eight weeks as the hospital faced war-like resource limitations. The pressure on intensive care capacity also meant those needing such care following an urgent, category one procedure may face delays, the source said. This is an ethical and moral dilemma that we shouldnt be put in, but that is where we are at the moment. The government maintains the 30-day threshold is being met. The Australian Medical Associations Victorian president Roderick McRae said hospitals would probably postpone urgent, category one operations under the code brown declaration as emergency surgery took priority in resource-poor theatre rooms.

Under the code brown arrangements, it may well be that your elective procedure will not continue because the resources are so lean. Were actually only looking after absolute emergency presentations  this is an absolute signal of distress. Dr Hatfield, who is a vascular surgeon working in a Ballarat hospital, said patients who have had category two and three procedures postponed have deteriorated because of the delays, and now require more urgent interventions. Were seeing patients presenting with more advanced vascular disease than we used to, he said. Anecdotally, it sounds like there is an increase in categorisation urgency, and thats due to delays in surgery in these patients presenting in the first place. The level of anxiety due to the COVID pandemic means a lot of people are delaying seeking medical help from the GP, from specialists in the first place.
The Indigo flights of Airbus had hundreds of passengers on board. (Photo: Reuters)

New Delhi: The issue of Indigo's two domestic flights narrowly escaping mid-air collision will be investigated by the aviation watchdog Director General of Civil Aviation.

The incident of a serious safety breach was reported to India's aviation regulator DGCA and a team under DGCA Director General Arun Kumar was constituted for a thorough investigation.

"We are investigating and shall take the strictest action against those found delinquent," Kumar told ANI.

Indigo Airlines declined to comment on the incident.

According to officials, a close shave of two Indigo flights from Bangalore to Kolkata and the other from Bhubaneswar shows negligence and miscommunications between radar operators and ATC officials, because two aircraft can't operate on the same air path.

"On Jan 7, 2022, two IndiGo flights 6E 455 (Bengaluru - Kolkata) and 6E 246 (Bengaluru - Bhubaneswar) were involved in breach of separation at Bangalore airport," DGCA official told ANI.

"Both runways were in use, the official on shift decided for single Runway operations i.e. North Runway for arrival and departure, South Runway will be closed but it was not communicated to South tower controller. South tower controller gave departure to 6E 455 Kolkata bound aircraft and at the same time North tower controller gave departure to 6E 246 Bhubaneswar bound aircraft without coordination," DGCA official further said.

A prima facie report stated that "the incident occurred due to a lack of communication between radar controllers and ATC officers at the time of the incident," according to investigators.

The Indigo flights of Airbus had hundreds of passengers on board.

The report suggested that the two planes took off for their designated destinations and had an instant face-off in mid-air at an altitude of over 3000 feet in the skies over Bengaluru.
The worlds biggest money manager, BlackRock, has issued a stern warning to companies that they must decarbonise or die.

Chairman Larry Fink has written to chief executives warning them not to dismiss environmentalism as simply a woke issue but instead a key consideration of effective capitalism.

As governments struggle to make the commitments needed to avoid dangerous levels of climate change, the private sector is increasingly stepping in to push the greening of the global economy.

But is it enough? And what does 2022 hold in store for climate action?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged the states to ease rules that could force employers to require daily virus tests for millions of workers, as he acknowledged the natural anger in the community over soaring infections and chronic test kit shortages.

Moving to shore up supplies of rapid antigen tests, Mr Morrison said employers should only use them daily for essential workers in areas like health and aged care and called on states and territories to make the rules clear to prevent workers being furloughed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Those states who want to get their workers back, that is one thing they can do today to ensure that they can alleviate those workforce shortages, Mr Morrison said.

The call angered the union movement in an escalating political dispute over the blame for the shortage of RAT kits when companies do not have the tests they need to meet state and territory rules to keep their employees safe at work.
What is the Kremlin after? What could happen if diplomacy fails? And what does it mean for the rest of the world?

Officially, Russia has denied it intends to invade while the US and the UK are already sending weapons to Ukraine.

They believe Kremlin saboteurs have already infiltrated Ukraine to sow violence and create a pretext to roll in troops, as Russian state television blasts fake news of a Ukrainian plot against Russia, and Microsoft warns of more malware lying in wait inside Ukrainian networks.

Russia has had a starring role in some of Ukraines biggest international crises down the years, from crippling cyber attacks to war for territory in the east. Now, US and Ukrainian intelligence say they have uncovered plans for a major Russian invasion in early 2022.

It might have been a small-scale hack last month, rather than another dreaded wave of power station shutdowns. But for Ukrainians already eight years into an undeclared war with Russia and watching 100,000 Kremlin troops line up at the border, the message was loud and clear.

The message flashed across screens at the Ukrainian government offices, as days of peace talks between Russia and the West hit an impasse: Be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future.

In 2019, in a strange case of life imitating art, the star of a popular TV comedy about an everyday man becoming the Ukrainian president was himself actually elected president of Ukraine. Since his landslide win, Volodymyr Zelensky has had mixed reviews, praised for some elements of his pandemic response. But, Kovalaska says, his promises to clean up corruption in Ukrainian politics and end the war with Russian separatists are so far unfulfilled  the miracle has not happened  and his popularity is now slumping.

Ukrainians have the resistance in their blood, says Marta Barandiy of Promote Ukraine, a Brussels-based non-profit that supports EU-Ukraine ties. All those centuries fighting for freedom and autonomy from all the neighbours left a scar on the soul of many generations.

To Putin, Ukraine is still part of Russia and it cannot fall to the West. For much of eastern Europe, its also a red line. If Russia reclaims one ex-Soviet state, will it come for them next?

Ukrainian language and traditions were largely destroyed during the countrys long years under foreign powers, says Kyiv-based artist Hanna Kovalska. But she says more and more people are switching back to their own language and way of life. And that, in turn, has provoked a heavier crackdown from Moscow.

A country rich in natural resources, once called the USSRs breadbasket, Ukraine is also a country of deep poverty, with a dark history of environmental catastrophe under the Soviets  from the deadly Holodomor famine orchestrated by Stalin-era control of farms to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant meltdown near the border with Belarus in 1986.

With Russia at its back, a clutch of NATO countries to the west and the Black Sea on its doorstep, Ukraine has become the epicentre of the Kremlins fight to keep control of eastern Europe. Its the largest country in the region, save Russia itself, known for its mountains and festivals (including a national week dedicated to eating pancakes) and home to the third-largest military in Europe.

Since that war broke out, about 15,000 people have been killed, including 298 passengers on commercial flight MH17 that was shot down during the fighting in July 2014 ( 38 of them Australian citizens and residents ).

The Kremlin, long fearful of what Russia expert Dr Robert Horvath calls revolution contagion, acted fast. Within days, Putins little green men (soldiers without insignia) were invading Crimea in unmarked tanks. Moscow installed a Russian politician (with rumoured mob ties and the mafia nickname The Goblin) as head of the new republic to force through a stage-managed referendum to separate from Ukraine. It was not recognised by the West and both Crimea and breakaway rebel provinces in the east now held by pro-Russian separatists have become international no-fly zones.

Then, in late 2013, when Ukraines then pro-Kremlin president Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign up to a trade association with the European Union, street protests in Kyiv erupted into what became known as the Maidan (after the citys central square where protesters set up barricades). The rebellion revealed a deep rupture in Ukrainian society between those still deeply tied to Russia and those eager to throw off the old Soviet legacy to embrace opportunities from the West. That winter, hundreds of statues of the Russian leader Lenin were toppled and defaced in what became known as Leninfall  and Yanukovych fled.

Ukraines capital, Kyiv, is considered the birthplace of the Rus empire (originally made up of Vikings) that became modern Russia. There are still deep cultural ties to Russia, but most Ukrainians consider themselves a separate people. Ukraine is not as entangled as neighbouring Belarus is with Russia, for example. There, the countrys militaries are joined, and people speak Russian more than their own language . After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia had pledged not to interfere in a newly independent Ukraine.

Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky starred in the popular Servant of the People before he was elected Ukraines president. Credit:Kvartal 95

Putin wants to restore Russia to some of its former glory, says Dr John Besemeres, a Russia expert and former Australian intelligence analyst now at the ANU. The Russian President has made no secret of his imperial ambitions to reclaim the old Soviet states, Besemeres says. Russia, without natural borders such as rivers and mountains along its western frontier, sees a sphere of influence over its neighbours as its best defence. And he is determined, in particular, to take over Ukraine, Besemeres says.

Russia is still a formidable military power (the US and Russia hold 90 per cent of the worlds nuclear arsenal between them), and much of Europe relies on it for energy. But it is increasingly overshadowed by the rise of economic superpower China.

This year will mark 100 years since the creation of the Soviet Union. Putin calls its collapse in 1991 a major geopolitical disaster, which saw Russia lose 40 per cent of our territory.

Many experts have compared Russias focus on Ukraine to Chinas efforts to reclaim Taiwan . Both are testing grounds for attacks  and flash points for conflict with the West.

A shaky ceasefire brokered in 2015 by Germany and France has helped end large-scale battles but left the conflict frozen in a tense stand-off, where sniper fire still crackles on and off along the line and attacks in cyberspace rage on. Since the latest uptick in tension, emergency talks between the West and Russia have resumed .

Putin questions why NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation formed after World War II to safeguard peace in Europe (and contain the Soviet Union), has continued to expand since the Soviet Union broke apart.

Retaliatory sanctions from the West after Crimea stung, but NATO (including its key member the US) did not send troops to Ukraines defence, and many experts say Putin was emboldened.

The history of Russia is the history of imperial expansion, says the ANUs Kyle Wilson, a former diplomat to Moscow.

There are precedents. The Soviets twice invaded their own nominal Cold War allies when they became nervous about the direction of politics in Hungary (1956) and the then-Czechoslovakia (1968).

Annexing Crimea in 2014 became a kind of revenge for the perceived wrongs done to Russia by the West. If you compress a spring all the way to its limit it will snap back hard, Putin said at the time, and his popularity back home soared to record highs.

And this time his demands are big  he doesnt just want NATO to disavow talk of Ukraine ever joining its military alliance, he wants them to pull back their forces from Eastern Europe, effectively rewriting the old boundaries agreed in 1997.

That year, Moscow entered into an agreement with NATO that made clear ex-Soviet states could join the Western alliance and, since then, more than a dozen countries in the region have become NATO members, including the former Soviet Baltic republics Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 2004.

Four years later, NATO declared its intent to bring Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova into the fold and Moscow said a red line had been crossed. Russia now has nowhere further to retreat to, Putin has complained. Do they think well just sit idly by?

During Montenegros bid to join NATO, the tiny nation accused the Kremlin of involvement in a 2016 failed coup and assassination plot against its prime minister. (Two Russian secret-service agents were later convicted in absentia over the thwarted plans, but Montenegro did join NATO.)

In 2008, America lobbied to let Ukraine and Georgia into the alliance but was blocked by Germany. In the years after, both Georgia and Ukraine were invaded by Russian troops.

Russias demand is this, says Wilson. Russia claims no state should seek its security at the cost of the insecurity of others. But that is actually what theyre doing ... They believe their neighbours must be weak and neutral while Russia can be a military superpower.

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If Ukraine does join NATO, it will be afforded the full protections of the alliance  member countries will be bound to defend it if it comes under attack. Of course, Horvath says, thats unlikely to happen any time soon. NATO decision-making is by consensus, and it will be a very long time before all of its member states agree.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is caught in a sort of tug-of-war between East and West, a grey zone where Russian influence ends and Western influence starts, says Griffith Universitys Dr Matt Sussex. From Putins perspective, the Ukraine question has to be settled.

And many experts say Putin has chosen his moment well. The world is still reeling from the pandemic and US President Joe Biden has just overseen a messy withdrawal from Afghanistan. Russia, which has now set up its own loose defence alliance in the region with Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, may be betting that the US is not of a mind to intervene in another long, messy conflict.

But Europe cannot be defended without American support, says Besemeres.

Sussex and Wilson say the border standoff is designed to test Ukraines connections with the West and to test Biden himself. Putin has come to think Biden is weak (and preoccupied with domestic problems), says Sussex.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: One lesson of recent history is that once Russians are in your house, its sometimes very difficult to get them to leave. Credit:AP

What has been the response from NATO countries?

Peace talks have not been uncommon between Western leaders and Russia over Ukraine since fighting broke out. In April last year, a build-up of Russian troops at the border coincided perfectly with Putins push to meet the new President Biden in another perfectly engineered crisis, Besemeres says, to make Biden agreeable to what Putin wanted from that summit.

But this time, experts note his demands seem beyond the reach of compromise (and have so far been refused).

Russia wont accept Ukraine into NATO. The West wont accept a Russian sphere of influence, says Sussex.

US officials have, however, said that America is willing to deal with Russia on new arrangements around military exercises and tougher rules on nuclear weapons, which all sides still agree are off-limits).

In a sign of the evolving tone from Russias neighbours, in early January, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the organisation would engage in talks with Russia in good faith, but warned: We have troops, we have forces ... We have the plans to be able to defend, protect all allies  to make sure that we preserve peace in Europe.

Ukrainian artist Kovalska, who took part in the Maidan protests, says sanctions should also be imposed on some Ukrainian oligarchs in the pocket of Moscow who profit from the chaos and enduring poverty of a Ukraine under siege. The longer Ukrainian democratic institutions falter, the stronger Moscow can spin the narrative of Ukraine as a failed state.

Yet, the global response so far may also have been a surprise for the Russian leader . Since the latest Ukraine crisis began, the US has sent anti-tank weapons and put thousands of troops in the US on stand-by for deployment to Eastern Europe. Baltic nations have sent arms to Ukraine. While Britain, a historical rival of Russias going back to the Crimean War, has openly discussed sending troops to the region. The US and allies have also discussed coordinated, and innovative sanctions aimed at Moscow if it chooses to invade. Australia has discussed aid to the country, and countries are withdrawing embassy families.

Crowds of people celebrate the New Year in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 1, 2021. Credit:AP/Efrem Lukatsky

What is the reaction in Ukraine?

Ukraines government has been noticeably sidelined from some of the recent peace talks, and forced to set up an informal channel with Moscow. (Its unacceptable, but there is no choice but to watch two states deciding the destiny of a third one, says Barandiy). Ukrainian president Zelensky has said his country is ready to take the necessary decisions to end the war in Donbass. That could include more prisoner swaps and another ceasefire. While Ukraine has been calling on the West for help, the intensity of the attention from world leaders has also seen Zelensky move to dampen fears of an impeding invasion domestically, amid concerns the drums of war will spook investors and create panic).

Asked what Australia and other non-NATO countries could do to support Ukraine, Zelensky said: Investors are welcome.

Barandiy says most Ukrainians will not accept more appeasement of Moscow because we know it does not work. I believe that no matter what the results of the talks are, Putin will not let Ukraine go: the more that is given in, the more he will want to take later, to restore the empire.

Indeed, former Ukrainian minister of defence Andriy Zagorodnyuk argues that accommodations in the past by the West have only emboldened Putin to continue negotiations at gunpoint, ratcheting up the prospect of war.

Above: A meme posted by the Ukrainian government in late 2021 as Russian troops built up at the border.

Sussex agrees: If youre Putin, why not keep doing this? Because every time you do, you get rewarded. The Russians are prepared for a 25 per cent risk of war to achieve what they want on the border. So many wars are started by accident, particularly when someone decides to send a patrol close to enemy lines.

The best way to avoid war now, Zagorodnyuk says, is to make the cost of a full-scale invasion too high for the Kremlin. Russia has built up its reserves in recent years and is well-placed to weather another storm of sanctions. Instead, he argues, a Russia waiting for the West to blink first in its dangerous diplomatic dance, should be reminded that a long, difficult occupation of Ukraine will not be popular back home, just as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s was not.

And Ukraine is not a helpless hostage. It has an army of about 145,000 and there are 300,000 veterans of the long-running conflict in Donbass with Russian separatists. Polling says one in three Ukrainians are willing to take up armed resistance to an invasion.

The US is also considering supporting Ukrainian insurgents fighting against separatists in Russian-controlled territory too. Its part of a so-called Porcupine strategy, laying down resistance as far across Ukraine as possible to make the country so spiky with threats it becomes too difficult for Russia to swallow.

Battle group deployments at the Pogonovo training area in Voronezh, Russia, near Ukraine on January 19. Credit:Maxar Technologies

Will Russia really invade?

The signs are there on the ground, and they could be genuine preparation or pure theatre  or a little of both.

Even before talks had begun with the West this month, the Kremlin was emptying its Ukrainian embassy and issuing more than 500,000 passports to Russian separatists fighting in Ukrainian territory (so it can claim to be coming to the defence of its citizens if it invades).

Ukraine says the cyber attack that knocked its government websites offline this month came from Russia, Microsoft has issued a warning more malware is in place in the countrys networks, and on January 10, Ukraine arrested a Russian military intelligence agent allegedly trying to recruit others into terrorist attacks on the Ukrainian city of Odessa. The US said in January it gathered intelligence of false flag missions  operatives trained in urban warfare dispatched to sabotage Russias own proxy forces, and so provide Moscow with a cause for war.

Meanwhile, Kremlin ally Belarus has been running joint military drills with Russia near its own border with Ukraine, which leaves the besieged Ukraine facing troops on three sides. Moscows recent military intervention to put down uprisings in Kazakhstan has cemented Russias ties to that countrys forces too.

Just as it did before seizing Crimea, the Kremlin has also been flooding Ukraine with disinformation  ramping up the narrative that Russia must defend against dangerous Ukrainian nationalists.

Besemeres points to a long and, frankly, horribly tedious essay Putin himself wrote last year claiming there was no distinction between Ukrainians and Russians; therefore Ukraine could not be its own country. And theyve been making the army learn all this propaganda too, he says. Why? Well, those people might have to invade Ukraine at some point.

In Crimea, where about half the population is ethnically Russian, pro-Putin crowds celebrated the annexation in 2014. Credit:AP

If Putin wants to invade, he has a narrow window to move in this northern winter. The land at the border is expected to freeze by February, allowing tanks and other heavy military equipment to cross. If he waits into March, that ice will turn to mud. Experts expect he would need somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 troops for a full invasion of Ukraine  on the scale of what the US and its allies sent into Iraq in 2003. As Russia itself learnt from Soviet incursions in the Middle East, that would be costly, messy and potentially damaging back home.

But Hovarth, like many seasoned observers of Russia, says the danger is real this time. Putin has already unleashed one war in Ukraine. Hes committed atrocities in Syria.

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And Horvath believes Putins motives are less about Russias interests than his own. Putin was a little-known secret service chief before he catapulted to power as the strong man launching a bloody war with neighbouring Chechnya. Annexing Crimea gave him another polling bump. But it was a catastrophe for Russias long-term national interests. It turned a kindred people into an adversary, and guaranteed Ukraines Western trajectory.

Its an old trick of Putins, Horvath says, aggression on the international stage is a way of shifting the focus. And he says the ageing autocrat could use a distraction right now. The poisoning and jailing of his main critic Alexei Navalny, as well as Navalnys exposes on Putin-era corruption, has drawn the wrong attention.

But if Russians suddenly cannot buy iPhones under fresh Western sanctions, or soldiers begin returning home in body bags because of an expensive war over the border, a messy war may backfire.

And the depth of the US and European response so far may have also altered Putins calculus over Ukraine.

Instead of seeking to take over all of the country, including Kyiv, Russia could stop at a larger slice of the east. Still, US officials have indicated they will treat any incursion at the border seriously. (How the US will respond to a major cyber offensive, of the kind that has knocked the lights out in Ukraine in the past, is less clear).

Also complicating the picture is the major Russian pipeline Nord Stream 2, which runs under the Baltic Sea to carry gas to Europe. When it opens, Russia will have more leverage over Germany and wider Europe  even if a lot German leadership does not see this as overly problematic.

The fate of Europes most politically divisive infrastructure project is now closely tied to Ukraines. If Russia invades, Germany, which has historically been reluctant to confront Russia on Ukraine, has hinted it will block the pipeline. In the event of fresh aggression, we have a wide range of answers, including Nord Stream 2, Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, told Parliament on January 27. But if the pipeline opens and war hasnt come, one of the last levers to pull Russia back from conflict will be gone.

A Ukrainian soldier at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Credit:AP

In 2014, Western governments were largely unprepared for the Kremlin disinformation offensive that accompanied their invasion of Crimea. But this time the White House is taking nothing from the Russians at face value. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused Russia of pushing a false narrative that it itself is under threat from Ukraine and NATO to justify its troops at the border.

Sussex says there has certainly been an evolution in approach from the West on public communication with Russia. The question now is whether the US is trying to pre-empt (and hence prevent) invasion with forewarning based on solid intelligence or is the US actively trying to shift the narrative to put Russia on the defensive in the public sphere.

Indeed, all minds might be on the Kremlin, trying to anticipate Putins next move, but eastern Europe is looking just as anxiously at the US.

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a humanitarian catastrophe and a disaster for Ukraine, for Russia, for Europe and the world, says Horvath.

The Biden administration has made it clear that its response will be limited.

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When the bluff is called, the West will have to decide what to do, says Sussex.

By then, he says, Putin will have succeeded in further eroding the post-Cold War order. With news of the talks in the headlines, some Western commentators and members of the public are asking, Why should we be involved in Ukraine? Partisans, hard-core realists, isolationists all ask: what does eastern Europe mean to us? [And] if youre Poland or a member of a Baltic state, youre terrified.

Barandiy says Ukraine is used to being let down by the West. Even if the West does not help Ukraine now, Ukrainians will still rise, she says.

But that will be the final fight and the independence that we gain, will be the real one  from the West as well.
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Three of Ltd have resigned from the board with immediate citing instances of alleged serious lapses in corporate governance and compliance.

The company informed BSE that Kamlesh Shivji Vikamsey, Thomas Mathew T. and Santosh B. Nayar on account of reasons as mentioned by them in their resignation letters. The company has appended resignation letters with the filing.

Thomas Mathew in a letter said as an independent director he had made best efforts to fulfill the responsibilities by voicing singly and together with other many instances of lapses in governance and compliance. He had expressed displeasure about the lack of appropriate information being made available to the board.

He cited various instances of alleged shortcoming included issue of appointment of Ratnesh as whole-time director. Ratnesh was appointed by the board as director (Finance) and chief financial officer.

On January 10, the company secretary informed that Rantesh has re-joined NTPC. No explanation was given as to why he re-joined NTPC and the circumstances that led to his returning to NTPC, Mathew said.

There was unilateral change in conditions of loans, without prior approvals of the board. The company extended a term loan of Rs 150 crore for four-laning of Darah-Jhalwar-Teendhar section of national Highway 52 under the hybrid model. The changes were made to repayment timelines, without prior approval of the board, he alleged.
E-commerce firm said it is hosting its first-ever dedicated Samarth sale event - Crafted by Bharat to be held on January 26, marking the occasion of Indias Republic Day. The event will focus on celebrating Indias rich culture and heritage by showcasing the wide range of handicrafts and handlooms from across the country.

The pandemic has accelerated the shift to e-commerce, and more consumers are expected to shop online at a higher frequency this year than last year, according to analysts.

Crafted by Bharat will see participation from artisans, weavers, people with disabilities and rural and urban women working in self-help groups associated with the Samarth program from every corner of the country, including Tier 2 and 3 cities such as Bhagalpur, Bhopal, Gandhinagar, Howrah, Kalyani Lucknow, Nuapatna, Saharanpur, Sikar, Surat, and Vijayawada, among others.

The event is a part of Flipkarts continued efforts to partner with Flipkart Samarth artisans, weavers and handicraft makers by providing market access to a nationwide customer base of more than 400 million consumers.

The Flipkart Samarth program has grown 5X over the past year and continues to see accelerated growth each quarter. Being a homegrown company, we are committed to continuing working towards creating more opportunities for increasing business growth for Indias local communities, said Rajneesh Kumar, chief corporate affairs officer, Flipkart Group. With this dedicated sale event, we are looking forward to providing our Flipkart Samarth partners with a platform where they can showcase their diverse products and at the same time, bring our customers closer to Indias rich historic culture. With millions of Indians shopping online, small enterprises and artisans can now move beyond their local communities and gain access to opportunities that truly reflect the worth of their efforts.

At the event, customers will have access to great value propositions for a wide range of products curated by partners with rich cultural heritage and high regional significance. These include Garvi Gurjari - one of the largest emporiums from the western region; Biswa Bangla - showcasing traditional Bengali handicrafts, fabrics and artifacts; Khadi products, chikankari, and zari-zardozi work; and Karnataka's renowned handloom and handicraft brands such as Cauvery.

Flipkart Samarth was launched in 2019 and has been designed to democratize e-commerce through technology and build a sustainable and inclusive platform for these under-served domestic communities, with a special focus on women-led enterprises and people with disabilities. Under this program, Flipkart has been working with several Government entities, livelihood missions and NGO partners to onboard rural entrepreneurs from across the country. Today, Flipkart Samarth impacts over a million livelihoods by helping them adapt and leverage digital commerce.

To further make the e-commerce experience seamless, the Flipkart app is available in 11 Indian language interfaces including Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Bengali.

Rival company Amazon Indias Great Republic Day Sale started from midnight on January 17 with offers until 11:59 pm on January 20. Prime members will get 24 hours early access starting 12:00 AM on January 16th, 2022.

Customers can shop from millions of products offered by sellers including artisans and weavers, women entrepreneurs, start-ups, brands, and local neighbourhood stores. These are across hundreds of categories including smartphones, consumer electronics, fashion and beauty essentials, home and kitchen, large appliances, TVs and daily essentials.

There is up to 40 per cent off on the latest smartphones and accessories from top brands and up to 70 per cent off on electronics and accessories. The platform is offering up to 60 per cent off on TV, up to 50 per cent off on appliances and up to 80 per cent off on Amazon fashion and beauty.
While quashing the GO, the bench said that the state government had no role in the matter of fixing fee for medical courses as it was the task of the fee regulatory committee. (DC photo)

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday struck down GOs 41 and 43 issued by Telangana state health and family welfare department dated 09-5-2017 fixing fee for students admitted into the professional postgraduate and dental courses and Telangana state minorities dental professional institutions for the academic years 2017 to 2019 (3 block years) on the ground that the fee was fixed by the government without the recommendation of the fee regulatory committee and in clear violation of various Supreme Court judgments.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Shameem Akther directed all colleges where the students studied medical courses during the block period of 2017-2019 to pay back the extra fee collected by them to the students, other than the fee fixed by the fee regulatory committee within 30 days from the January 19 and also directed the colleges to issue certificates to the students which were withheld for not paying the additional fees prescribed by the medical colleges as per the GOs issued by the government.

While quashing the GO, the bench said that the state government had no role in the matter of fixing fee for medical courses as it was the task of the fee regulatory committee. Despite the fact that the fee regulatory committee had informed the Telangana government vide its letter dated 01-5-2017 that it had fixed the fee for medical courses for the period of three-block periods and a notification had been issued to this effect, the Telangana government went ahead and issued a GO fixing the fee for the same block periods cited, which is in clear violation of various Supreme Court judgments.

The bench was hearing a batch of PILs and writ petitions filed challenging the decision of the government in issuing GOs permitting the medical colleges to collect fees without the recommendation of the fee regulatory committee.

T. Sujan Kumar Reddy, counsel for the medicos submitted that the government overrode its own GO 29 issued in 2016, prescribing fees to the block years 2016-19, based on the recommendations of the fee regulatory committee. With the connivance of the medical and dental colleges, new GOs had been issued in 2017 by hiking fees up to 100 to 700 percentage.

Sama Sandeep Reddy, counsel for the aggrieved students, brought to the notice of the court that thousands of postgraduate medical and dental doctors were sitting idle as all their original education and course completion certificates were being illegally withheld by the medical and dental colleges in the state.
Biophore India Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced that it developed and started manufacturing the key intermediates of Nirmatrelvir, one of the active ingredients of Paxlovid, the latest anti-Covid therapy, approved by US authorities.

The anti-viral pill developed by recently received emergency use authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Hyderabad-based Biophore said the manufacturing of key intermediaries of Nirmatrelvir is being done in collaboration with Rakshit Group. This is expected to greatly reduce the dependence on imports, mainly from China, from where these intermediates are being procured currently.

Biophore is also manufacturing Nirmatrelvir in a FDA compliant facility and has announced that it will be filing for approval with Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) soon.

Paxlovid's breakthrough approval was given by the FDA in December 2021 and is indicated for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Covid-19 in adults and paediatric patients as well and in those who are at high risk of progression to severe levels. It was the first oral pill that has been approved by FDA and with a better safety profile than subsequently approved oral therapies. It is available in a co-pack of Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir tablets.

"The development and manufacturing of these intermediates is extremely complex and is significantly more challenging than earlier antivirals that have been indicated for Covid. We have developed the intermediates that are required for the manufacturing of this product from basic raw materials and have the manufacturing capabilities in place to produce high volumes, to the scale of multi tons, catering to Indian as well as global markets," said Dr Jagadeesh Babu Rangisetty, CEO, Biophore.

"As and when the product gets approved in India, we can ensure that the manufacturers of this product can be self-reliant from within India itself and not be dependent on imports, which can be tricky in terms of control of quality and supply," he added.

Rameswara Rao Chandana, Chairman of Rakshit Group, said their Sainor Laboratories, is the largest manufacturer of Lithium HMDS in India with a capacity of 500 tonnes per month and has the facilities to handle cryogenic reactions.

"Manufacturing of these intermediates require extreme temperatures and large volumes of Lithium reagents and with the above infrastructure that we have, we are well placed to ensure that the requirements for the market can be met locally. With a strong partner such as Biophore, we believe this is a perfect synergy to get these products to the market quickly," he said.

--IANS

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(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.)
reported a profit of Rs 320 crore for the third quarter (Q3) of the current fiscal, a more than double jump from the profit during corresponding period, last financial year. The company attributed this to higher revenue.

During Q3FY22, the revenue of the company stood at Rs 1,984 crore as against Rs 1,659 crore in Q3FY21. JSW said the increase in revenue was primarily due to increase in short term sales and realisation.

As a result, EBITDA for the quarter was higher by 35 per cent year-on-year at Rs 882 Crore vis-a-vis Rs 655 Crore in the corresponding period of previous year.

The company continues to deliver strong EBITDA on the back of stable cash flow from long term portfolio, superior O&M practices, with opportunistic gains from buoyancy in the short-term markets, JSE Energy said in a public statement.

On the power sale front, the companys generation units witnessed a slowdown in the long-term sale of power which was down to 4,173 million units as against 4,300 million units in Q3 FY21.

This was partially offset by higher sales at Vijayanagar plants and Hydro Plants. Short term sales during the quarter stood higher by 3 per cent YoY at 323 million units (versus 312 million units in Q3 FY21) primarily due to higher short-term sales at Vijayanagar, the company said.

During the quarter, the Companys Board gave approval for corporate reorganisation received in November 2021. The renewable energy businesses would now be under JSW Neo Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the JSW Energy, while the thermal businesses would remain under and other existing subsidiaries.

JSW has also initiated its pilot green hydrogen production plan, with scoping work nearing completion , it said. The company has also signed a Letter of Intent with the government of Rajasthan for developing a 1GW Hydro Pumped storage plant.

The Consolidated Net Worth and Consolidated Net Debt as on Dec 31, 2021 were Rs 16,082 crore and Rs 6,021 crore, respectively, said .

This in a net debt to equity ratio of 0.37x and Net Debt/TTM (trailing twelve months) EBITDA of 1.74x. The Companys balance sheet is one of the healthiest among its peers with a large headroom to pursue value accretive growth opportunities, said the companys statement adding, the cash balances of JSW Energy stood at Rs 2,195 crore as of Dec 31, 2021.
Microsoft's acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion is yet another play by the tech giant to secure its stake in the nascent Metaverse and bring more intellectual property (IP) under the Xbox and Game Pass umbrella, industry experts said on Wednesday.

In the biggest deal ever in the world of gaming, has announced to acquire Activision Blizzard, the maker of popular games like Call of Duty (CoD) and Warcraft.

When the transaction closes, will become the world's third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.

According to Forrester VP, Research Director Mike Proulx, the company previously announced its vision for a Metaverse tech stack back in May.

"The acquisition of Activision Blizzard further expands their gaming footprint across PC, consoles, and mobile," he told IANS.

What this means is that is now holding an ever-increasing number of important cards in the developing metaverse: Back-end infrastructure, devices, and a rapidly growing experience platform, Proulx noted.

Following on the 2014 acquisitions of Mojang (makers of Minecraft) and 2021 acquisition of ZeniMax Media/Bethesda (makers of Doom, Elder Scrolls, and Fallout), Activision Blizzard brings IP like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush to Microsoft's portfolio.

Mobile is the largest segment in gaming, with nearly 95 per cent of all players globally enjoying games on mobile.

The acquisition also bolsters Microsoft's Game Pass portfolio with plans to launch Activision Blizzard games into Game Pass, which has reached a new milestone of over 25 million subscribers.

"Microsoft and Xbox already have Xbox Game Studios, which in themselves have some really impressive IP (in addition to what's mentioned above, Forzia, Halo, Age of Empires, and Gears of War are part of their portfolio), and more under that umbrella now as well," said Forrester analyst Will McKeon-White.

Neil Shah, Vice President, Research, at Counterpoint, said that it is a huge step for Microsoft to boost its position in the world of gaming.

"Content is king and with this, Microsoft becomes one of the largest gaming content producers in the world -- ready to harness Azure Cloud, Xbox and Cloud gaming capabilities. It is a natural extension for the company towards its XR (Extended Reality) and Metaverse plans," Shah said.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US tech giant Microsoft and the Telangana government have finalised a deal to set up a Rs 15,000-crore data centre in Hyderabad. A 50-acre land near the city is believed to have been finalised and the project is expected to create around 300 jobs. According to sources aware of the development, a formal announcement is likely to come within a month.

Microsoft did not comment on questions from Business Standard. Telangana is one of the few states that came out with a data centre policy in India, way back in 2016. It is also expecting investments to the tune of around $10 billion in ...
NowPurchase, a procurement technology company for the metal manufacturing industry, has raised $2.4 million in a seed round led by Orios Venture Partners and InfoEdge Ventures. Angel investor Neeraj Arora (ex-WhatsApp global business head & Co-Founder HalloApp) also participated in the round.

The Kolkata-based company will use the new funds towards expanding its procurement business by establishing a global supplier base and expanding into other parts of India. NowPurchase will also use the funds to further strengthen the technology team to build out its procurement platform and expand the offering of its manufacturing intelligence software-MetalCloud.

Naman Shah, Founder & CEO, NowPurchase, said, Metal is the primary building block or backbone of the physical world and will remain so in the foreseeable future. As a result, it is critical that we are able to manufacture metal efficiently. The source and quality of raw materials has a significant impact on metal manufacturing efficiency. NowPurchase is a one-stop procurement platform for these raw materials, and we believe that efficient raw material sourcing can have a significant positive impact on the metal manufacturing industry.

NowPurchase provides its users with a WhatsApp bot to discover prices and stock in real time, a dedicated technically trained team to provide on-ground service and quality assurance, and a proprietary software-MetalCloud to optimize their manufacturing process.

Shah added, We are extremely excited to build a strong technology layer which provides dynamic insights to manufacturers to optimize their manufacturing process & suggest them the right raw materials depending on their end output, production technique & real time supply chain situation.

Vinit Bhansali, Senior Vice President at Orios Venture Partners, says, Digitizing procurement is a critical milestone and one of the most important gaps that remains to be filled in India's manufacturing sector. NowPurchase's tech-first platform will be a game changer in this space. We are excited to partner with Naman to build a technology enabled disruptor in this critical sector.

Kitty Agarwal, Partner at InfoEdge Ventures, said We are very excited to partner with NowPurchase in their journey to become a disruptor in cloud procurement in the metal manufacturing industry. India has a strong advantage in production and conversion costs in key metals and NowPurchases innovative solution ensures transparent and efficient procurement for metal manufacturers.

The company has grown ten-fold since launching its platform for foundries in September 2020. In terms of customers, it has nearly 100 foundries on the platform, with 70 of them transacting monthly.

The NowPurchase team consists of 35 people, with aggressive plans to grow its business & product teams this year.

NowPurchase was founded in 2017 by Naman Shah and Aakash Shah, with an initial investment of $300K from Nipha Group.

Arindam Basu and Sonal Biyani of Basic Roots Consulting acted as the financial advisors to the company for this transaction.
Its another day of hope for South Korean steel major POSCO as it takes yet one more shot at setting up a new steel plant in India. In the past 17 years, it has tried alone and in partnership with private and public sector companies to get a meaningful foothold in the market, but without success.

As it joins forces with Adani, one of Indias most powerful business groups, the big question everyones asking is whether POSCO will be fifth-time lucky. On January 13, in a statement, the Adani group and POSCO said they had signed a non-binding agreement to explore business ...
threedots, a next-gen community investing platform, has raised $4 million in seed round of led by . Other investors include Better Capital, iSeed, Cloud capital, Kunal Shah (Cred), Lalit Keshre (Groww), Jitendra Gupta (Jupiter), Amrish and Sweta Rau (Pine labs), Ramakant Sharma (Livspace), Rohit MA (cloud9), Giri Malpani (Malpani Family), Mohit Daga and others. The funds will be used for strengthening the product and expanding the team.

threedots app offers users a daily dose of financial and a finance centric community apart from stock investing. It provides a platform for members to leverage the knowledge & experience of stock/crypto market experts. It bridges the gap between market experts and users, which helps users to make quality decisions.

A large number of people including millennials are confused and clueless about making investing decisions. The layperson doesnt have the access to institutional-level expertise & resources, unlike mature investors. They end-up losing hard-earned money, due to a lack of right guidance, resources & wrong expectations. Youngsters who are first-time investors lack a connected community where they can discuss investing and the markets with like-minded folks and keep themselves updated with the trends.

The market is rapidly expanding with over 14 million Demat accounts in FY 2021 vs 4.9 million in FY20. Currently, only 3 per cent of Indians invest in the capital market which is poised to reach 15% by 2030 as compared to 55 per cent in the US.

threedots has already onboarded 100+ market experts who guide users in their community as well as partnerships with Groww, Coindcx, and Finshots. Its key differentiators are - Just in time & on-demand relevant information availability; experts led investing communities, interests, and cultures; app designed with a focus on real needs & problems of the masses, said the company in a release.

threedots was founded in March 2021 by Rishu Garg, Prakhar Bhardwaj and Akul Agarwal who are BITS Pilani alumni and have worked together at . The founders have experience in product and scaling with backgrounds in working with like Cleartax and Small case.

Rishu Garg, Cc-founder, threedots, said, Our vision is to make threedots the next-gen community investment platform where people can learn, discuss & invest all at one place. Our goal is to shape and empower the investment ecosystem in India. We want to change the financial life of the next 100 mn users in India who will be using financial services for the first time and help them create wealth. At threedots, we always practice & believe in hyper trust - within our users & our team, which was missing in the industry for so long."

Kiran Vasireddy, partner at Kalaari Capital, Ex-COO Paytm, commented, "We are excited to partner with Rishu, Prakhar, and Akul as they are building a social investing platform for the new generation of investors in India. Equity investments in India are expected to witness strong growth backed by the increased information access brought by platforms going digital. With current penetration only at 5%, there is a huge opportunity for a platform to help millennials come and learn from financial influencers the art of investing. We are impressed with Rishu and the team's strong experience in building consumer internet products and excited to partner with them in their journey as they build threedots for the world.

threedots has a team of 30 and expects to be 50-strong in the next few months. Its home-grown app is available on Android and ios.

There are 200 million people with investable income in India, but only 30 million investors. The only way to bring the next 170 million on board is by making investing simple. threedots aims to play a leading role in making it easier for the next generation.
After losing her son to Covid-19 last year, 79-year-old Tomasa Valdez was desperate to get vaccinated. But on the remote Philippine island of San Salvador, where she lives, there were no shots to be had.

Getting to the mainland, where vaccines were available, meant a boat ride that was arduous at her age and expensive given Valdezs meager income from drying sea grass which she sells for less than 100 pesos ($1.95) a sack. Help only arrived in December 2021 -- 10 months after the Philippines began its national Covid vaccination program and about a year after Western nations like the U. S. and U. K. started theirs.

Even then, health workers had to travel via a wooden motorized boat, ferrying heavy vaccine storage equipment across the choppy South China Sea. Vaccines really have to be brought closer to the people, not the other way around, said Noel Bueno, the doctor who inoculated Valdez.

While lack of supply was the biggest threat initially to the vaccination programs of developing nations, now its logistics.

Places like the Philippines are now struggling to get shots into the arms of their citizens, millions of whom live on distant archipelagos or far-flung mountain tops, under-served by roads, transport and basic infrastructure. Developed countries are getting to the point where they are choosing to live with Covid and treat it as endemic, their hospital systems insulated by higher vaccination rates. But logistical issues continue to bedevil the rollouts of poorer countries, becoming one of the worlds biggest public health challenges as the pandemic enters into its third year.

The Philippines has one of Asias lowest vaccination rates, with only about half of its population receiving two shots, according to the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker. Its limited and costly testing apparatus, fragmented tracing program and fragile health system have made it hard to stamp out outbreaks despite several economically devastating lockdowns. In recent days, the country has posted record daily case increases, potentially due to the spread of the ultra-contagious strain.

The hurdles that developing nations face in widening the reach of their inoculation programs -- which can extend beyond logistics to issues of vaccine hesitancy and social media rumors - are likely to stymie global efforts to contain the virus.

New strains can proliferate in under-vaccinated populations and lengthen the pandemic as the emergence and spread of the delta and variants in India and Africa have shown.

Developing nations face a combination of challenges in hard infrastructure in the form of trucks, freezers but also soft infrastructure in the form of logistics staff, vaccine administrators, and adequate planning, said Prashant Yadav, a senior fellow at the Washington and London-based Center for Global Development, who specializes in supply chains. But these are all surmountable barriers and we have managed to overcome them for the Ebola vaccine, and many other outbreak vaccines.

While the U. S. government and international agencies have begun efforts to support developing countries, more high-income countries need to step in, he said. Remote regions have poorer health-care infrastructure in terms of oxygen, ICU beds so if someone does get severe Covid the ability to treat them is weaker, Yadav said. From that standpoint it becomes important to reach remote areas early.

To help address these logistical woes, the U. S., through its Agency for International Development, pledged $315 million for mobile vaccination sites for hard-to-reach rural areas, and to invest in cold-storage facilities.

For much of last year, developing nations faced difficulty getting access to the most effective vaccines, which were initially hoarded by Western countries for their own use. The Philippines first relied on shots from Chinas Sinovac Biotech Ltd., which have been shown to be less potent than the mRNA shots being used in the U. S., particularly against the variant.

But in recent months, many of its supply problems have eased and the Philippines now has a stockpile of shots. More mRNA vaccines from Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. are now being administered in the Southeast Asian country, particularly to young people. But its logistical challenges have lingered.

Other low- and middle-income nations are grappling with challenges of their own. In Asia, India is pushing to get shots to its vast, impoverished countryside, while Indonesias vaccine drive is hampered by the difficulty of reaching people spread across its thousands of islands.

In sub-Saharan Africa, poor trade and transport infrastructure could destroy vaccines, and further derail the regions already slow shot rollout, the African Development Banks chief research economist Eugene Bempong Nyantakyi and Professor Jonathan Munemo from Salisbury University in Maryland have said. Only around 8% of Africans were fully vaccinated as of late last year.

No journey is more critical to determining the fate of a pandemic than the distance a vaccine must travel from the production line to a persons arm, the researchers said in a report published on the International Monetary Funds website late last year. In sub-Saharan Africa, the last mile of this important race is all-important.

Nations from Asia to Africa are attempting to get creative and stretch their limited budgets to bring vaccines to isolated areas. The government in Ghana partnered with a startup to use drones to ferry tens of thousands of Pfizer-BioNTech shots to its remote countryside.

In Malawi, where less than 5% of the population is fully vaccinated, health workers drive vans from UNICEF to bring shots to remote rural areas.

Back in the Philippines, local officials in the central city of Tacloban are now dangling 100-peso transportation fares for those from remote areas who have to travel to get vaccinated, Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin said over the phone.

Despite delays, residents from isolated areas like sea-grass merchant Valdez are thankful for these efforts.

I can finally walk along the shore to collect sea grass, without having to worry about getting very sick from Covid, she said, smiling as she finally held her vaccine card, more than two months after her sons death.
said on Tuesday it will curtail or revise its flights to the US due to deployment of internet there from January 19.

US aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had on January 14 said that interference with the aircraft's radio altimeter could prevent engine and braking systems from transitioning to landing mode, which could prevent an aircraft from stopping on the runway.

Therefore, a group of US-based airlines said on Monday in a letter to FAA that that internet deployment could cause catastrophic aviation crisis.

The group comprises airlines such as United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and FedEx.

Apart from Air India, United Airlines and American Airlines are the other two carriers that operate flights between India and the US.

The airlines group said that 5G should be implemented everywhere in the US except within two miles of airport runways of affected airports.

tweeted on Tuesday: Due to deployment of 5G communications in USA, our operations to USA from India stand curtailed/revised with change in aircraft type from January 19, 2022.

Update in this regard will be informed shortly, it added.

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Chinese capital Beijing reported five new COVID-19 cases of the Delta variant on Wednesday, days after the first Omicron case was detected in the city bracing to host the Winter Olympics from next month.

Four of the infected people are the employees of a cold storage company in Fangshan district. The fifth person, who lives with one of those employees, also works in the cold storage industry, Liu Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Beijing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, (DCP) told a news conference here.

The Delta variant was detected from samples. All of the cases have been transferred to designated hospitals for medical treatment, he said.

The city which is bracing to host the Winter Olympics from February 4 reported first case of Omicron variant on January 16 prompting the health officials to ramp up testing and tracing.

Concerns were heightened as millions of people were set to travel across the country to celebrate the week-long Spring Festival and Chinese New Year from the end of this month.

Chinese officials blamed the lone Omicron case in Beijing on international mail delivered from Canada to Beijing via the US and Hong Kong.

The single Omicron case detected in Beijing was traced back to an international document from Canada, and it was found to have similar strains from those in North America and Singapore, according to health officials.

Few days ago, the Omicron variant was found in the nearby Tianjin city.

Since Beijing reported one locally transmitted case on Saturday, the infected cases have involved Haidian, Chaoyang, Fangshan and Fengtai districts by Wednesday in the current COVID-19 outbreak in the capital city, the state-run China Daily reported.

The DCP has released the tracks of the new cases and asked the residents who have been to those places during the same period to report to local communities as soon as possible.

Liu said residents should not leave Beijing before receiving nucleic acid testing results.

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The decision of the Chief Minister to clear pending DAs came as a bonanza to employees and pensioners. (Photo:Twitter)

HYDERABAD: The state government on Wednesday issued orders sanctioning Dearness Allowance (DA) to its employees and pensioners which has been pending from January 1, 2020. The government has sanctioned three pending DAs at a time.

The three DAs are pending from January 1, 2020, July1, 2020 and January 1, 2021. The government issued orders sanctioning DAs payable from July 1, 2021.

The DA was hiked from 7.28 per cent to 17.29 per cent with monetary benefit from July 1, 2021, resulting in a 10.01 per cent increase in DA for employees and pensioners.

The government will credit the DA arrears in the GPF accounts of employees and pensioners.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao extended new PRC pay scales to employees and pensioners from April 2021 with a fitment of 30 per cent (hike on basic pay) against just 7.5 per cent fitment recommended by PRC commission headed by CR Biswal in January 2021. The Chief Minister also raised the retirement age of employees from 58 years to 61 years.

The decision of the Chief Minister to clear pending DAs came as a bonanza to employees and pensioners. Various employees and pensioners associations of Telangana thanked the Chief Minister for sanctioning three pending DAs at a time despite financial constraints due to Covid.
Mining giant BHP Group on Wednesday joined rival Rio Tinto in warning of further disruptions from COVID-19, including labour shortages, and said the impact of the Omicron variant will last into the second half of its financial year.

BHP said the proposed easing of border restrictions in Western Australia on Feb. 5 may also cause some short-term disruption to the operating environment as the pandemic evolves in the state.

The mineral-rich state has maintained a hard-line on border controls during the pandemic, while a surge of Omicron cases across



Australia has caused a dearth of workers in mines as well as train drivers to transport millions of tonnes of commodities.

With the country in the grip of an Omicron wave, BHP's production of some commodities fell in the December quarter.

Labour constraints and wet weather also forced the global miner to cut its annual forecast for metallurgical coal.

"Workforce absenteeism arising from the COVID-19 Omicron variant is anticipated to continue into the early part of the second half of the 2022 financial year," the company said.

Rio Tinto forecast slightly weaker-than-expected 2022 iron ore shipments on Tuesday, partly due to tight labour market conditions.

Still, BHP's second-quarter iron ore production from Western Australia rose 5% to 73.9 million tonnes, helped by strong performance at its Jimblebar mine and ramped up production at its $3.6-billion South Flank project.

"With iron ore driving so much of the cash flow, the impact from today's result should be relatively muted considering the relative



strength there will likely help to offset downgrades elsewhere," RBC Capital Markets analyst Kaan Peker said.

BHP shareholders are set to vote on Thursday on whether to unify its structure, bringing its dual-listing in London within a single Australia-listed company.



The miner's shares were flat by 0335 GMT, while the broader market fell 0.9%.

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The Delhi Commission for Women Tuesday issued a notice to the Delhi Police demanding action against some people who made "obscene comments against Muslim women" on an app, following which an FIR was registered against unknown persons.

In its notice to the Cyber Crime Cell, the panel said it had taken sou-moto cognisance of a video posted on Twitter which showed a conversation where and girls were being referred to in a disparaging way.

"In the said conversation, the participants are clearly heard making obscene, vulgar and derogatory remarks targeting and girls. The Commission took strong note of the case and has sought from Delhi police urgent and strict action against the persons involved," the panel said.

It asked the police to register an FIR immediately and arrest the accused.

""The Delhi Police has been given five days to submit a detailed action taken report to the Commission," the panel added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations) KPS Malhotra said that an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code in the matter and an investigation is underway.

The sections include 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 354 A (sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), according to police.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal said, Someone tagged me on Twitter the detailed audio conversation on the app which targeted and girls and made disgusting sexual comments against them. I feel outraged over the fact that such incidents are increasing in the country. Strongest action needs to be taken against the culprits and that's why I have issued a notice to Delhi Police seeking immediate FIR and arrests in the matter."



This comes days after hundreds of Muslim women were listed for auction on the Bulli Bai mobile application with photographs sourced without permission, and doctored. The app appeared to be a clone of Sulli Deals which triggered a similar row last year.

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Continuing its rise, the daily COVID-19 caseload in crossed the 3,000-mark on Wednesday with 3,557 infections, and took the tally to 7,18,196 while the death toll rose to 4,065 with three more fatalities.

The State recorded 2,983 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the highest number of fresh cases with 1,474 followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (321) and Ranga Reddy (275) districts, a bulletin said while providing details as of 5.30 PM today.

A total of 1,773 people recovered from the infection during the day. The cumulative number of recoveries till date was 6,89,878. The active caseload stood at 24,253, the bulletin said. A total of 1,11,178 samples were tested today and the total number examined till date was 3,09,28,740.

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Tripura's Covid-19 tally rose to 94,203 on Wednesday as the state registered 1,242 fresh cases, 143 less than the previous day's count, an official said.

For more people died of coronavirus, taking the toll to 845.

Of the new cases, West district, of which state capital Agartala is a part, reported the highest number of 489 infections, while South logged 185.

now has 7,050 active cases,



Altogether 86,240 people have recovered from the infection, including 679 in the last 24 hours, while 68 patients have migrated to other states.

A total of 8,908 samples were taken up for COVID test in the past 24 hours, out of which 1,242 tested positive, state surveillance officer Dr Deep Debbarma said.

While the state's average positivity rate stands at 13.94 per cent, the situation in the West Tripura district remains critical with a rate of 22 per cent, Debbarma said.

"There is no confirmed case of Omicron in Tripura. As per the guideline, 150 samples will be sent for genome sequencing tests to National Institute of Biomedical Genomics in West Bengal on Thursday," the Head of Microbiology Department in Agartala Government Medical College, Dr Tapan Majumder, said.

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Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Wednesday said COVID-19 positivity rate in the city is not low enough to lift the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the infection and that the government will monitor the situation for three to four days.

He also said the city is likely to see around 13,000 cases on Wednesday, with a positivity rate of around 24 per cent.

"The Covid positivity rate has come down from 30 per cent to 22.5 per cent in Delhi. But it is not that low that all the curbs can be lifted suddenly... The rate should be half of it. We will monitor the situation for three to four days," Jain said when asked about some traders' protest over DDMA's odd-even arrangement for opening of shops.

Delhi had logged 28,867 COVID-19 cases last Thursday, the sharpest single-day spike since the beginning of the pandemic. The number then declined to 24,383 on Friday, 20,718 on Saturday, 18,286 on Sunday, 12,527 on Monday, and 11,684 on Tuesday.

The positivity rate stood at 30.6 per cent on Saturday, the highest in the ongoing wave of the pandemic so far, 27.9 per cent on Sunday, 28 per cent on Monday, and 22.5 per cent on Tuesday.

The minister said daily hospital admissions have not increased for one week.

"We have prepared 37,000 Covid beds, of which only 15,600 beds have been released. Only 17 per cent of the beds are occupied, which is why we are not releasing more beds," he said.

Jain reiterated that the ongoing wave of the pandemic has peaked and is on the decline in Delhi. "We hope that its descent is as sharp as its rise. Let us wait for a few more days," he said.

Responding to a question about low rate of testing in Delhi, the health minister said no one is being denied a Covid test and the authorities are following the guidelines issued by the Centre.

"They said high-risk contacts of Covid patients and those with symptoms should be tested. On Tuesday, they clarified that tests be conducted in some pockets in the community too, which we are doing," he said.

Delhi had been conducting 50,000 to 60,000 tests daily for the last six months, he added.

On the Centre asking states and Union territories to ramp up testing again, Jain said, "Maybe other states are doing fewer tests, but the number of tests in Delhi is three times than in other parts of the country. We will increase the rate even further.

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Delhi's air quality was 'very poor' Wednesday morning as a state crisis panel was urged to take multi-pronged measures to tackle throughout the year.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) was 331 at 8 am, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecast agency SAFAR. Readings below 50 are considered safe, 51 and 100 is 'satisfactory' and anything above 300 is considered hazardous or 'severe'.

" is a complex, multi-faceted challenge, and addressing this challenge requires a carefully considered, multi-sectoral, long-term strategy. The Commission (for Air Quality Management) should actively take multi-pronged measures to tackle throughout the year, not only in response to complaints or during peak periods," the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) said on Tuesday.

CPR urged the CAQM to "identify all sources of pollution in the region and defining key measures to reduce emissions from these sources year-round which will reduce reliance on emergency measures such as Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)."

The national capital's air quality is expected to improve as "high wind speed is likely from Jan 21 resulting in dilution of pollutants and improvement of AQI," SAFAR on Monday said.

Delhi was this morning the world's second most polluted city in the world with an AQI of 228, according to IQAir.

India is failing in efforts to improve its toxic air quality, with the number of smog-plagued cities increasing since the launch of a national program to tackle the issue, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

A total of 132 cities now have pollution levels deemed below national standards, from 102 cities when the National Clean Air Programme began in 2019, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
A broke out at a four-storey residential building in the Hari Nagar area of the national capital on Wednesday following which 22 people were rescued safely, a department official said.

The official informed that a call about the incident was received around 03.00 a.m. at H No-C -84-A near Clock Tower, Hari Nagar after which two fire tenders were immediately pressed into the service.

"The inferno has been brought under control now," the official added.

The cooling process has also been completed. The official confirmed that there have been no casualties or injuries in the incident, however, there was certainly a loss of property.

Prima facie it looks like the cause of the fire was in the Electric Metre Boards.

Fire Service chief Atul Garg said that the fire was small but as the smoke spread to all floors, all the people had to be evacuated.

The incident comes just four days after a fire broke out at a shoe manufacturing factory in the Narela industrial area. No injuries or casualties were reported then.

--IANS

uj/svn/dpb

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The fugitive Kingfisher tycoon is facing the prospect of a humiliating eviction from the luxury Central home he currently occupies after the UK High Court ruled against him in a dispute with the Swiss bank UBS.

Mallya held a mortgage obtained from UBS on the multi-million-pound property, located along Cornwall Terrace in one of the most sought after areas of the British capital, minutes from Regent's Park and attractions such as Madame Tussaud's wax museum.

It's believed that Mallya has lived in the property along with his son Siddharth and his 95-year-old mother Lalitha.

A judge sitting in the chancery division of the High Court on Tuesday refused a request by Mallya's lawyers for a stay on repaying the UBS loan after Mallya had failed to meet a previous repayment deadline in April 2020.

UBS however, were unable to evict the Mallyas due to COVID regulations. Today's ruling paves the way for UBS to repossess the property.

It's believed that Mallya and his family own numerous other properties in the UK and elsewhere, including a sprawling country home in Hertfordshire, north of .

Mallya has been living in since fleeing to the UK after being accused of a Rs 9,000 crore fraud relating to the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines.

He has consistently denied the charges.

He was ordered to be extradited by the UK High Court after hearings lasting three years. He remains on bail while the UK government considers what's thought to be an asylum application.

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Union Road Transport and Highways Minister on Monday called for cooperation between Central and state governments for infrastructure development in the country.

"Cooperation and communication needs to be enhanced between State and Centre," he said while inaugurating a Conference on "PM-Gati Shakti" for the South Zone, organised by his Ministry.

The day-long event witnessed panel discussions on various aspects of the programme, involving Central and state officials and stakeholders. Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana were the states and Union Territories that participated in the event.

Gadkari said that infrastructure development will play an important role in fulfilling the vision of India becoming a $5 trillion economy and welcomed suggestions from the States for making the programme a success.

Puducherry Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, in her address, said that the multi modal connectivity will facilitate connectivity for movement of people and goods while Chief Minister N. Rangasamy spoke about the importance of the elevated corridor project to minimise traffic congestion, helipad services and airport facilities for people visiting Puducherry.

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Bommai said that the time has come to cooperate and coordinate in major mega projects of the Centre and the states. he urged the Centre to fasten clearances and relax rules in the finance sector to maximise investments.

The states and UTs gave their presentation during the conference regarding the achievements so far, action plan for implementation and improvement of logistics and infrastructure development in the respective states and UTs.

--IANS

uj/vd

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Union labour ministry on Wednesday said it has re-activated 21 monitoring centres across the country to help mitigate the problems faced by migrant workers through co-ordination with various state governments amid the third wave of the pandemic.

Once the pandemic situation eases, labour minister Bhupender Yadav and his deputy S Rameshwar Teli will travel extensively, interact with working class as well as with labour union members and gather their views on implementation of various welfare and social security measures, according to a statement.

Yadav held a virtual interaction with representatives of various trade unions on Wednesday and thanked all trade union leaders for their whole-hearted cooperation for motivating workers to register with e-Shram portal.

The minister also said the portal has already turned into a public movement with full jan-bhagidari. In little over 200 days, nearly 23 crore unorganised workers have registered with the portal.

During the interaction, the minister said that in view of the resurgence of COVID and subsequent imposition of certain restrictions by state governments, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has re-activated the 21 monitoring centres from January 5.

The centres have been re-activated "in order to mitigate the problems of migrant workers through co-ordination with various state governments" under the Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) across the country," the ministry said in the statement.

Acknowledging the problems faced by workers employed in brick kiln, plantations and other sectors in getting themselves registered on the e-Shram portal, Yadav said that special camps will be organised for them.

"The government has undertaken several social security schemes for the unorganised workers. Besides, the all India survey of domestic and migrant workers has been undertaken with full earnestness and soon the government will take meaningful and constructive action on the report, keeping in view the aspect of social security and welfare of the working class," Yadav said.

After the survey of migrant and domestic workers is complete, the data shall be linked to e-Shram portal. The NCS ( Career Service) portal would also be linked to e-Shram portal.

According to the ministry, in a first of its kind unique initiative, Yadav interacted over video conference with level office-bearers of unorganised workers' unions and associations, to discuss the issues of unorganised workers.

The representatives of construction workers, domestic workers, textile workers, municipal workers, transport workers, street vendors, brick-kiln workers and railway malgodam workers participated in the meeting.

The unorganised workers' representatives appreciated the ministry's initiative of e-Shram portal and stated that not only this has given an identity but also dignity to the workers and will help in alleviating the sufferings of the unorganised workers, as per the statement.

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A file photo of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy with Employees union leaders Bandi Srinivasa Rao, Bopparaju Venkateswarlu others at the camp office.

VIJAYAWADA: State government employees dissatisfied with the PRC order and other decisions of the AP government would serve a strike notice on the chief secretary on January 21.

Stating this, APJAC chairman Srinivasa Rao said the union leaders would discuss the future course of action on Thursday. Employee leaders said they would negotiate with the government only after the GO on the 11th PRC is cancelled.

Chief secretary Sameer Sharma called a meeting with the leaders on Wednesday and tried to explain the government's stand. The leaders expressed dissatisfaction over the CS saying the states revenue has drastically fallen due to the pandemic.

The AP government employees association that covers 40 departments held a meeting chaired by its president Suryanarayana and general secretary Askara Rao and rejected the GO on PRC released by the government on Monday night.

The leaders said the employees have been waiting for 42 months for the PRC implementation. The government did not consider the employees demands as per the Ashutosh Mishra committee report while deciding on the PRC, they said.

A PRC Saadhana Committee has been formed to stage protests and agitations from January 20, in which PRTU, SLTA, YSRTF, SC ST TF, MAPTA, APUS, RJUP, APTG, BTA, RTU and NTA of the AP government employees association JAC will take part from January 20.

Venkatrami Reddy, president of the secretariat employees' union, said it was ironic that the salaries have come down due to 11 PRCs implementation. AP JAC Amaravati chairman Venkateswarulu said the employees were on a wait for the past nearly three years. He explained with figures how the salaries would come down with the new PRC and fitment.

He claimed that as per the CAG report and MP Vijaya Sai Reddy's tweet, the state's revenue has increased.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday recovered Rs 6 crore in cash during the raids there were carried out in in connection with a illegal mining case.

A source said Rs 4 crore in cash was recovered from the house of Bhupinder Singh Honey, the nephew of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. Another Rs 2 crore was recovered from the house of one Sandeep Kumar.

The raids were conducted by the ED at more than 10 locations including Bhupinder Singh Honey's home.

The ED case is on the basis of a two-year-old FIR.

Police had on March 7, 2018, lodged a case against more than 10 persons.

The ED had initiated a money laundering probe on the basis of this FIR pertaining to illegal sand mining in Punjab.

The FIR has been accessed by IANS which was filed under several sections of IPC.

The ED found that money was being laundered by the accused involved in the case and they started probing the matter.

A source said that ED team which conducted raids at different premises including of residence of Bhupinder Singh Honey which is at Homeland Heights, went on till late Tuesday evening.

The ED team reached several premises early Tuesday mornings. At the home of Punjab CM's nephew, no one was allowed to leave or enter the house. The ED scanned various documents and computers.

The raids have also drawn political reactions. The political parties had already accused the Punjab Chief Minister many times over illegal mining in his own constituency.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had tweeted several times regarding the ongoing illegal sand mining racket.

The police were already looking into the matter for more than two years. And on the basis of the local police probe, the ED initiated their money laundering probe.

As of now, the ED has not made any statement regarding the raids.

During the raids, the ED recorded the statement of those who were present at Honey's house.

A large number of people had gathered outside the house and the police personnel were called to avoid any untoward incident.

A probe into the matter is underway.

--IANS

atk/pgh

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An ED team is also questioning Honey and recording his statement. However, the officials said, the decision to arrest anyone would be taken as per the situation.

The places being searched on Wednesday are situated in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Mohali, Pathankot and Panchkula which include Honey's Homeland Heights Society residence in Mohali's Sector-70, said ED sources.

The fresh raids have been started since morning under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The agency officials are engaged in verifying the source of over Rs 6 crore cash recovered from the residential premises of land mafia Bhupinder Singh Honey in a day-long raid conducted nearly a dozen places in poll-Punjab on Tuesday.

Several documents linked to illegal banking transactions and related to some immovable property are also being scrutinized, said the source.

The federal agency had made these recoveries on Tuesday during raids at nearly a dozen places in Punjab as part of a money-laundering probe against the 'sand mafia' and companies linked to alleged illegal sand mining in the border state.

The ED on Tuesday searched the residence and office premises of the suspects that include premises linked to sand mafia Honey, who had allegedly floated a firm named Punjab Realtors to get sand mining contracts.

Sources said that the raiding team of the ED recovered over Rs 6 crore during searches at Honey's residence Homeland Heights Society in Mohali's Sector-70 and other places. However, there is no official word on it yet.

The ED has refused to connect any political links in the case.

The ED suspects that black money was invested in getting a contract for the sand mine. The company floated, sources say, is of very small scale and unlikely to get a contract worth crores.

The ED action is learnt to be initiated after taking cognizance of a 2018 FIR of the Punjab Police against some companies and individuals alleged to be involved in illegal sand mining in the state.

Punjab Police had registered the case in 2018 regarding illegal sand mining and Section 420 was later added to the FIR. The ED took over the case to probe under PMLA.

The FIR was lodged against Honey's partner Kudratdeep Singh of Ludhiana and 25 others. The case was registered after then CM Capt Amarinder Singh spotted illegal mining activities in Nawanshahr while flying in his chopper to Kartarpur on March 6, 2018.

When the ED questioned Kudratdeep Singh it came to the fore that the main facilitator was Honey.

Sources in the ED said the agency is probing whether the CM's name was used to do illegal mining.

With the Assembly election in Punjab slated for February 20, the timing of raids is all set to rise the electioneering mercury in the State.

Voting for 117 assembly seats in Punjab is slated on February 20.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday termed the raids as part of a political vendetta, saying "Congress party and its leaders will not budge under any pressure".

Notably, former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh after quitting from his post and the Congress party had publicly alleged that the party leaders were involved in illegal sand mining.

"As far as the issue of illegal sand mining was concerned the offenders, unfortunately, were the substantive bulk of Congress MLAs and Ministers, including an overwhelming number in the current government," he stated.

The Opposition parties --including Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party -- have been consistently accusing the Congress leaders of being involved in illegal mining activities that were rampant across the State.

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India stressed on women's participation in public life and elimination of violence against them as a pre-requisite for promoting lasting peace around the world at United Nations Security Council open debate on "Women, Peace and Security."

Addressing violence targeting women in peace and security processes, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador TS Tirumurti on Tuesday (local time) highlighted its firm supports for women's full, equal and meaningful participation in political processes and decision-making to promote an inclusive society.

"India has today moved from a paradigm of women's development to women-led development," said Tirumurti.

"In 2007, India created history by deploying the first-ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) for UN Peacekeeping in Liberia. This unit served in Liberia for a decade and through their work served as an example of how the deployment of more women uniformed personnel could help the UN in its efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse," added India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

India has more than 1.3 million elected women representatives at the grassroots level who have taken up leadership roles in their local communities. It even has all-women Panchayats, the village-level elected local bodies, at the grassroots level. Twenty Indian states have made provisions for 50 per cent reservation of total seats in legislative bodies at the local level for women.

Giving an example of women's participation in India's freedom struggle, the Indian ambassador said that women were at the forefront in practically every aspect of the effort and paraphrased an eminent Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda and reiterated that just as a bird cannot fly with one wing, durable peace and development cannot be achieved without the other half being equally invested.

In order to strengthen women's participation in peace and political process, and to eliminate discrimination and violence against women, Tirumurti highlighted the following points - Member States should identify and address barriers to women's meaningful participation in the prevention and resolution of conflict, and in post-conflict peace-building efforts and programs.

"This requires devising a legislative and judicial framework, providing economic opportunities, undertaking institution and capacity building, ensuring accountability and checking impunity of those perpetrating violence against women," said Tirumurti.

He also urged Member States to provide conducive environment for the participation and inclusion of women in political processes and decision-making.

"In this context, we underline once again the importance of inclusive and representative governance in Afghanistan, with the meaningful participation of women in accordance with Resolution 2593 adopted on 30 August 2021, said Tirumurti.

Along with political participation, the Indian ambassador stressed on socio-economic empowerment of women, including their access to credit, finance and technology.

For example, a growing digital divide could have the potential to alienate women from the mainstream agenda.

"Keeping this in mind, India has not only undertaken numerous citizen-centric digital initiatives but has also focused these services towards women to minimize the gender divide. We have opened online bank accounts for over 440 million people of which more than 55 per cent of account holders are women. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative helped in direct benefit transfer to nearly 200 million women," added the Indian representative at .

Emphasizing on terrorism and violent extremism that invariably targets women, he urged Member States to condemn violence against women and girls perpetrated by terrorists and said that Council should focus on the consequences of terrorism on the rights of women.

Tirumurti further spotlighted the importance of women police officers and peacekeepers, who play an indispensable role in furthering Women Peace and Security agenda as they are better able to gain the trust of a large but marginalized section of society.

"We, therefore, need more women in peacekeeping. India welcomes the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy to increase the number of women peacekeepers. We also support increasing the deployment of Women Protection Advisors for effective monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence in the fiel," said Tirumurti.

He also highlighted that UN should provide support to Member States for institution and capacity building in post-conflict situations to address meaningfully and institutionally the inequalities and violence faced by women and to ensure their full participation in decision-making.

Further, he urged media for a sincere, committed, non-discriminatory and collective effort to prevent women from online criminal acts.

"News media, especially social media, has emerged as a platform increasingly being used by various actors, including terrorists, for amplifying discriminatory ideas and promoting violent radicalization. Women are often the victims of these online criminal acts. To counter it, we require a sincere, committed, non-discriminatory and collective effort through a whole of society approach," said Tirumurti.

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With the addition of 2,999 new cases of coronavirus, the tally of infections in Maharashtra's district reached 4,39,078 on Wednesday, an official said.

As many as 1,654 patients were discharged from hospitals, while one died of the infection during the day, taking the count of recoveries to 4,16, 202 and the toll stood at 8,773, the official said.

At least 14,103 patients were currently undergoing treatment in the district, he said.

Of the total number of cases reported so far, 2,50,304 were from city, 1,64,505 from other parts of the district, 13,217 from Malegaon and 7,136 patients were from outside the district, it was stated.

Meanwhile, in light of the rise in infections, the administration has issued an order to shut all tourist spots in the district, an official said. The administration has closed Brahmagiri and Anjaneri mountains, Dugarwadi waterfall, Harihar, Pahine, Salher, Bhaskar and Ramshej forts and dams including Bhavali, Vaitarana and Gangapur, to tourists, he said. The concerned departments have been directed to implement curfew rules and guidelines preventing gathering and assemblies in these areas, Collector Suraj Mandhare stated in the order.

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The government on Tuesday deployed senior nursing officers from public hospitals as nodal officers to monitor the management of Covid patients and vaccination at private facilities.

Government hospitals have also been asked to find suitable replacement for retired and transferred nursing personnel.

"The competent authority is pleased to deploy senior nursing officers as nodal officers in various private health care facilities from government hospitals to monitor management of Covid -19 patients along with monitoring of Covid vaccination," read an order issued by the health department.

on Tuesday logged 11,684 fresh COVID-19 cases and 38 more deaths due to the viral disease, while the positivity rate declined to 22.47 per cent, according to a bulletin issued by the health department.

The national capital had reported 12,527 fresh Covid cases and 24 deaths due to the disease on Monday, while the positivity rate stood at 27.99 per cent.

A total of 2,730 patients are admitted to hospitals, including 139 on ventilator.

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New Delhi [India], January 18 (ANI): Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) Head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Dr Samiran Panda on Tuesday said that the variant of is gradually replacing the Delta variant in many states across the country.

Speaking with ANI, Dr Panda said, "We are seeing a change in India that is gradually replacing Delta in many of the states and the determining factor is spread of population and people's behaviour. That's why we have to ensure COVID appropriate behaviour."

Responding to whether Delhi has crossed its peak for the wave according to its present trajectory of COVID cases, the head of ICMR's epidemiology said that it is too early to infer a downward trend. "We should wait for the next three-four weeks," he said.

"Delhi, Maharashtra or any state's health team should ensure that the test performance is not going bad. Those who are symptomatic should be encouraged to get tested," he added.

"One should not quickly jump to an inference that the wave is over. You have to wait for three weeks before recognizing any trend," Dr Panda said.

Talking about the recent change in testing guidelines by ICMR, Dr Panda said that its purpose is to manage the epidemic.

"I'm trying to underline is that epidemic is not the same that we are facing now or that we faced in 2020 or 2021. So, as the epidemic has changed, its character, we have to change our testing strategy and the pandemic management strategy as well," he said.

Dr Panda also asserted that the public must avoid panicking and said that the individuals who have been hospitalised or require oxygen support are "in fact getting treated for comorbidities like cirrhosis or chronic kidney disease, etc."

"Associated comorbidities are killing them," he said.

On Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry informed that India reported 2,38,018 COVID cases, 310 deaths, and 1,57,421 recoveries in the last 24 hours.

A total of 8,891 cases have been detected so far.

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Over 50 per cent of the total 322 Covid positive Supreme Court employees have reported back to duty and the others are recovering with hardly any case needing hospitalisation, sources said on Wednesday.

They termed as alarmist some news report that out of around 1500 staff in the apex court and as many as 400 have tested positive to Covid in the third wave.

What is projected in some newspapers is not true. Our staff strength is 2,100 and not 1500 as reported and out of them, only 322 cases were reported as positive in the third wave and most importantly, over 50 per cent have reported back to duty, an official said.

Concerning the figures of judges getting affected by the virus, they said out of four judges, two have started holding court, and moreover, speculation is being made about some other judges whose RT-PCR test reports have been negative as of now.

Some judges, as a precautionary measure and due to some other reasons, are not holding the court, leading to speculations, they said.

B A Rao, the President of the Supreme Court Employees Welfare Association, thanked Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana for ensuring all kinds of help and facilities, including ensuring quality face masks, for the employees.

Recently, a COVID-19 testing facility has been set up on the top court's premises and it is open from Monday to Saturday.

In view to contain the spread of the highly contagious infection and a sudden upsurge in the cases of Omicron variant of the coronavirus, it is reiterated that the entrants to the Supreme Court premises, i.e. the registry staff, staff of the coordinate agencies, advocates and their staff, etc., particularly those who may be showing any symptom(s) similar to those notified for COVID-19 infection(s), may kindly get themselves tested at such facility..., the circular read.

The top court on January 2 had decided to conduct all hearings in virtual mode for two weeks starting from January 3, in view of the rising number of cases.

A circular issued in this regard stated that an earlier circular prescribing standard operating procedure for physical hearing (hybrid hearing) will remain suspended for the time being.

Later, another circular was issued saying that the judges would hold courts from their official residence.

With 2,82,970 new infections being reported in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,79,01,241, which includes 8,961 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

The active cases have increased to 18,31,000, the highest in 232 days. The active cases stood at 18,95,520 on May 31 last year.

The death toll has climbed to 4,87,202 with 441 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

There has been an 0.79 per cent increase in Omicron cases since Tuesday, the ministry said.

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Prime Minister will host the first India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format on January 27, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Wednesday.

The summit will be held with the participation of the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the MEA said in a statement.

This will be the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders, it said.

The first India-Central Asia Summit is a reflection of India's growing engagement with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of India's "extended neighbourhood, the MEA said.

Prime Minister Modi paid a historic visit to all Central Asian countries in 2015. Subsequently, there have been exchanges at high-levels at bilateral and multilateral forums.

The inception of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at Foreign Ministers' level, the third meeting of which was held in New Delhi from December 18-20, 2021, has provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations, the MEA said.

The participation of the secretaries of National Security Councils of Central Asian countries in the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi on November 10, 2021 outlined a common regional approach on Afghanistan.

During the first India-Central Asia Summit, the leaders are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights, the MEA said.

They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation.

The summit is symbolic of the importance attached by the leaders of India and the Central Asian countries to a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership, the statement said.

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In view of Republic Day, the historic will remain closed for people for five days from January 22-26 due to security reasons, police said on Wednesday.

The Police took to Twitter to inform the citizens.

"In view of Republic Day, the shall remain closed for public and general visitors from January 22, 2022 to January 26, 2022, due to security reasons," it tweeted.

There is a three-layered security system in place for the celebration and the force is always alert and undertakes anti-terror measures especially ahead of any event of importance, the Police said.

Citing the recent security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy in Punjab, the Police officers said that the force is extra vigilant to ensure no such incident happens in the capital.

The celebrations will now begin every year from January 23 instead of January 24 to include the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subash Chandra Bose.

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The traders of Sadar Bazar Market here on Wednesday staged a protest over the DDMA's odd-even arrangement for opening of shops which was imposed due to a surge in Covid cases in the city.

The traders' group had staged a similar protest on Tuesday as well pressing the same demands.

This time, the traders came out on the streets of Qutub Road Chowk by beating plates as a mark of protest against the odd-even scheme and wore black armbands and displayed placards saying "no odd-even" and "Delhi traders oppose odd-even".

They demanded from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to end the odd-even arrangement and also to put an end to the weekend curfew and allow the entire market to open.

Paramjit Singh Pamma, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association, said it is a matter of "great sadness that due to this decision of government, the traders have come into financial trouble.

"The traders have not been able to cope with the two lockdowns already and with this decision has broken their backs," he said.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had in December last year announced odd-even arrangement for markets after cases of Covid and its Omicron variant had started increasing.

On January 4 this year, the DDMA imposed a weekend curfew in the city.

However, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had last week said that the city might see some relaxations once daily cases go below 15,000.

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KABUL: The Taliban's prime minister called Wednesday on Muslim nations to be the first to officially recognise the Afghan government that seized power in August.

"I call on Muslim countries to take the lead and recognise us officially. Then I hope we will be able to develop quickly," Mohammad Hassan Akhund told a conference in Kabul to address the country's massive economic crisis.

No country has yet recognised the Taliban government, with Western nations watching to see how the hardline Islamists -- notorious for human rights abuses during their first stint in power between 1996 and 2001 -- will rule this time around.

But nations face the delicate task of channelling aid to the stricken economy without propping up the regime, with many members of what the Taliban call their interim government on an international sanctions list.

"We do not want anyone's help. We don't want it for the officials," Akhund said, referring to recognition of the government.

"We want it for our public," he said, adding that the Taliban had fulfilled all necessary conditions by restoring peace and security.
India on Tuesday termed as dangerous the tendency of several UN members, driven by their political, religious and other motivations, to label into categories such as racially motivated violent extremism and right wing extremism, saying this will take the world back to the pre-9/11 era of labelling them as your terrorists and my terrorists.

Highlighting some counter- trends and developments at the UN, their impact on the global counter- discourse and India's approach towards them, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti told the International Counter Terrorism Conference 2022 organised by the Global Counter Terrorism Council that the first trend is what is being referred to as emerging threats.

This is essentially a move to categorise terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, based on the motivations behind such acts.

In the past two years, several member states, driven by their political, religious and other motivations, have been trying to label terrorism into categories such as racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism, violent nationalism, right wing extremism among others. This tendency is dangerous for several reasons, he said.

Tirumurti noted that such a tendency goes against some of the accepted principles agreed to by all UN member states in the recently adopted Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which clearly states that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned and there cannot be any justification for any act of terrorism, whatsoever.

Second, this will take us back to the pre 9/11 era of labelling terrorists as your terrorists and my terrorists and erase the collective gains we have made over the last two decades.

The Council should be on guard against new terminologies and false priorities that can dilute our focus, he said.

Tirumurti said it is important to understand that in democracies, right-wing and left-wing are part of the polity primarily because they come to power through the ballot, reflecting the majority will of the people and also since democracy by definition contains a broad spectrum of ideologies and beliefs.

We therefore need to be wary of providing a variety of classifications, which may militate against the concept of democracy itself. Fourth, even such labels are being given to so-called threats which are limited to certain or regional contexts. The extrapolation of such or regional narratives into a global narrative is misleading and erroneous. Such trends are neither global nor have any agreed global definition, he said.

Tirumurti also stressed that recently, a resurgence of terrorist activities has been witnessed both in their range and diversity as well as geographical space.

Recalling the Security Council resolution on Afghanistan, adopted under India's Presidency in August 2021, he said it is vital that sympathisers of al-Qaida in Taliban stop their support to al-Qaida and Islamic State (ISIS).

Further, developments in Afghanistan are being closely watched in Africa by terrorist and radical groups. We need to ensure that they and other regional affiliates of ISIL and al-Qaeda don't get emboldened and take advantage of armed conflict situations in and around the Sahel region and Lake Chad Basin area, the Indian Ambassador said.

He highlighted that another trend which has of late become prominent is highlighting certain religious phobias.

The UN has highlighted some of them over the years, namely, those based on Islamophobia, Christianophobia and antisemitism - the three Abrahamic religions. These three find mention in the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. But new phobias, hatred or bias against other major religions of the world need to also be fully recognised.

The emergence of contemporary forms of religiophobia, especially anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist and anti-Sikh phobias is a matter of serious concern and needs attention of the UN and all member states to address this threat. It is only then can we bring greater balance into our discussion on such topics, Tirumurti said.

He also cautioned that the misuse of information and communication technology such as internet and social media for terrorist propaganda, radicalisation and recruitment of cadre; misuse of new payment methods and crowdfunding platforms for financing of terrorism; and misuse of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes have emerged as the most serious threats of terrorism and will decide the counter-terrorism paradigm going forward.

Further, being a low-cost option and easily available, utilisation of drones and aerial/sub-surface platforms by terrorist groups for purposes such as intelligence collection, weapon/explosives delivery and targeted attacks have become a challenge for security agencies worldwide, Tirumurti said.

In our context, we have witnessed terrorists using UAS (Unmanned aircraft system) to smuggle weapons and drugs across the borders and also launch terrorist attacks.

Given the transnational nature of these treats, this warrants a holistic collaborative approach by member states, private sector, civil society organisations among others, as well as to strengthening support to financial watchdogs such as FATF to ensure that member states bring their counter-financing structures at par with international standards, he added.

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Corp. agreed to buy Activision Blizzard in an all-cash deal valued at $68.7 billion, using its largest acquisition by far to grab a videogame heavyweight. More on that story in our top headlines this morning. Can steel major POSCO be fifth-time lucky in India?

Its another day of hope for South Korean steel major POSCO as it takes yet one more shot at setting up a new steel plant in India.

In the past 17 years, it has tried alone and in partnership with private and public sector companies to get a meaningful foothold in the market, but without success. Read more

Fugitive billionaire faces eviction

The fugitive Kingfisher tycoon is facing the prospect of a humiliating eviction from the luxury Central London home he currently occupies after the UK High Court ruled against him in a dispute with the Swiss bank UBS. Read more

Twin Star Technologies moves SC in Videocon case

Twin Star Technologies, a promoter entity of the Vedanta Resources group, has moved the Supreme Court against the Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order, which set aside the approval granted by the Mumbai bench of the Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to the resolution plan put forward by the company for acquiring the Videocon Group. Read more

seeks details of NBFCs' 'buy now, pay later' deals

The buy now, pay later (BNPL) game is set for a big change. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sought details of shadow banks BNPL arrangements with e-commerce (e-com) players. Read more

to buy Activision Blizzard for $69 billion in all-cash deal

Corp. agreed to buy Activision Blizzard in an all-cash deal valued at $68.7 billion, using its largest acquisition by far to grab a videogame heavyweight that has been roiled by claims of workplace misconduct. Read more
The Secretary General of the on Wednesday said that the notice asking lawyers and litigants to avoid using mobile phones to attend the virtual court proceedings was a mere advisory and did not bar its usage.

The clarification by Secretary General Virender Kumar Bansal came on a representation made by the Advocates On Record Association (SCORA) to Chief Justice of India NV Ramana to ask the Registry to not insist on a particular kind of equipment or connectivity to join court hearings.

On January 17, the CJI had expressed unhappiness over disruptions during virtual hearings due to the use of mobiles.

Later that day, the apex court registry, through a circular, asked the advocates and litigants to use a desktop or laptop with a stable internet connection to join proceedings conducted through video conferencing.

In reply to SCORA's representation, the Secretary General wrote, Contrary to the concern expressed by you, a careful reading of the notice dated January 17 reveals that it is merely advisory in nature and nowhere in the said advisory it is stated that the usage of mobile phones is barred.

He said the purpose of the advisory was to facilitate smooth functioning of the Court and to avoid inconvenience to all the stakeholders



including the advocates and litigants.

To remove apprehensions in this regard, if any, it is hereby clarified that in case any lawyer does not have desktop/laptop, etc., he/she can attend the proceedings through the mobile phone ensuring that the learned advocate appearing through the mobile phone is properly visible and audible to the Court, Bansal said in a letter to SCORA's Secretary Dr. Joseph Aristotle.

The Secretary General further said that the Chief Justice of India has always been alert to the multifarious hardships being faced by the advocate community and that he highlighted these issues in various public fora urging all concerned to step up to help the needy.

In his communication addressed to the Minister of Law and Justice as early as on June 8, 2021, the CJI, inter-alia, emphasised on the urgent need to augment the network and connectivity across the country and also on the need to extend financial assistance to the advocates who are struggling to make both ends meet, he added.

The same was followed up under directions by the Chief Justice of India through a communication from the Registry to the Ministry very recently, he said, adding that it is hoped that the issues are sorted out at the earliest.

The Bar Association (SCBA) also on Tuesday had said that Chief Justice of India NV Ramana has assured that lawyers can attend the proceedings through the mobile phone in case they do not have a laptop or desktop.

The Chief Justice of India, however, requested the members of the bar that the mobile phone should be stationed and placed in such a manner that the face of the lawyer is visible and the voice is audible, the SCBA stated in a letter after a virtual meeting with the CJI and four senior-most judges.

The notification dated January 17 had advised the lawyers and litigants to join the virtual proceedings through a single device either a laptop or a desktop.

All advocates, party-in-person must also join the VC hearings preferably using a headset enabled microphone and audio system...Please also close all background applications running on your devices for best VC experience, the notification had read.

The circular was issued after the hearing in as many as 10 cases was to be adjourned by the bench headed by the CJI as the lawyers were either inaudible or invisible or both.

The bench was irked over frequent disruptions as the lawyers or litigants were mostly joining the proceedings through phones using mobile data and even observed that it may have to ban participation through mobiles.

Lawyers are appearing using their mobile phones and are not visible. We may have to ban this mobile business. Mr counsel, you are now practicing in the Supreme Court and appear regularly. Can't you afford to have a desktop to argue, the CJI had observed in one of the cases.

The top court has been hearing cases through video-conferencing since March 2020 due to the pandemic and has been relaxing or tightening the conditions from time to time keeping in mind the changing pandemic situation.

The apex court, on January 2, took note of a sudden spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country and decided to hear all matters in virtual mode, and from January 7, the benches are sitting at the residential offices of the judges.

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Ahead of the Budget session of Parliament, the finance ministry on Wednesday asked departments and ministries to restrict their expenses within the allocated limits. They have been advised to seek additional funds only for unavoidable expenditure. This move is to keep the within the target of 6.8 per cent for FY22.

Inviting proposals for the third and final batch of supplementary demands for grants for FY22, the department of economic affairs, in a memorandum, said departments and ministries should only propose additional expenditure in cases where advance from the contingency fund has already been granted. They may also do so for payments against court orders which cannot be postponed and cases in which the finance ministry has specifically advised to propose supplementary demand.

And, also for additional funds immediately required that can be met by re-appropriation of savings but require immediate approval.

All the ministries/departments have been requested to contain expenditure within the approved RE (revised estimates) ceilings, it added.

The finance ministry said the proposal for supplementary demand for grants may be projected after a thorough and objective assessment of additional funds required. While processing proposals for supplementary grants, the grant controlling authority must invariably identify savings available within the grant so that the infructuous or inflated supplementary demands are weeded out and the eventuality of surrender after obtaining supplementary grant is avoided, the communication said.

The Public Accounts Committee of had earlier expressed displeasure over cases of excess expenditure, under spending and wrongful appropriation of funds due to bad planning, lack of foresight and ineffective monitoring while preparing budget estimates as well as supplementary demands.

During the winter session of last month, the government had sought approval for gross additional spending of Rs 3.7 trillion for the current fiscal year as part of the second supplementary demands for grants. While the net cash outgo was around Rs 3 trillion, the remaining amount was proposed to be met from savings of government departments and ministries.

During the first supplementary demands for grants for FY22 in July last year, the government had sought nod for gross additional spending of Rs 1.87 trillion while the net cash outgo was only Rs 23,675 crore.

The government has set a target of 6.8 per cent for FY22.

Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group chief economic adviser, State Bank of India, in a research note released on Wednesday, said for FY23 could be lower in the range of 6.5-6.8 per cent ahead of the Union Budget.

If disinvestment of LIC passes through in FY22, the government may end the fiscal with a large cash balance of Rs 3 trillion. This can come handy in supporting a large part of the fiscal deficit without taking recourse to market borrowings. We caution that any new taxes like wealth tax or others at this point could do more harm than benefit, he added.
Limited (HAL) has signed a contract with the government to export one advanced light helicopter (ALH Mk-III) for the country's police force, an official statement said on Wednesday.

The government already operates HAL-built ALH and Do-228 aircraft.

"With this contract (to supply one ALH Mk-III), HAL and the government have further strengthened the long standing business relations spanning over three decades," HAL's statement noted.

The contract was recently signed between senior officials of HAL and the Mauritius government at the company's Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, the statement mentioned.

The helicopter supplied would be used by the country's police force, it stated.

ALH Mk-III is a multi-role, multi-mission versatile helicopter in 5.5 tonne category.

It has proven its mettle in various roles including numerous lifesaving missions during natural calamities in India and abroad, the statement mentioned.

More than 335 ALHs have been produced till date logging around 3,40,000 cumulative flying hours, it said.

"HAL also ensures technical assistance and product support to the customer to ensure healthy serviceability of the helicopter," it noted.

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has signed an agreement with the International Co-Operative Alliance And Pacific (ICAAP) intending to assimilate and develop further on the core strengths, experience, and institutional objectives in the interest of advancement of research, study, documentation, and training for development of the cooperative sector.

Lt Col Dr Baljit Singh who is the Chief Director, of the Laxmanrao Inamdar National Academy for Cooperative Research and Development (LINAC), Gurugram under the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) signed the pact while Regional Director, ICAAP, Balasubramanian Iyer represented the other party, a release from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying said on Tuesday.

has more than eight lakh registered cooperative societies, especially in the agricultural and agri-allied sector, banking, and housing sectors. The cooperative movement in the country has regained focus after the Central Government recently created the Ministry of Cooperation to provide a separate administrative legal and policy framework for streamlining the cooperatives.

ICAAP president Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav and National Cooperative Union of (NCUI) president Dileep Sanghani jointly released a policy recommendation handbook 'Sahakar Pragya: Good Practices for Cooperatives' based on a 'Brain Storming Session on International Good Practices Platform for Cooperatives' conducted earlier by LINAC, NCDC.

A compendium of guidelines, resources, methodologies, key learning, case studies of the best performing cooperatives in India and abroad and the outcome and impact, the handbook would serve as an action plan that can help these entities to achieve the goal of self-reliance.

"This handbook is expected to help cooperatives in India and abroad to innovate and adopt best models not only to stay competitive, but also distinguish themselves as successful commercial entities," the release said.

Some of the best practices are from milk, credit, and banking co-operatives in the handbook.

Yadav said, "The cooperatives have inherent advantages in tackling the problems of poverty alleviation, food security, and employment generation -- a path to self-reliance. This has also been reflected during the Covid-19 times."

Dileep Sanghani said: "It is heartening to note that, taking a cue from Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, NCDC-LINAC and International Co-Operative Alliance And Pacific (ICAAP) have come together to set up a platform to share their wide experience and ideas for transmitting Indian good practices of cooperatives abroad and vice versa."

The consultation process for the Handbook was initiated in November 2021. International experts and other participants from across the country had deliberated on the difficulties in operating cooperatives and possible solutions to those challenges.

MD NCDC Sundeep Nayak and national president, Sahakar Bharati DN Thakur were also present at the function held at NCDC headquarters, the release added.

--IANS

niv/pgh

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Counselling 2021: The Medical Council Committee (MCC) will conduct National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test - (UG), 2021 counselling from today. The counselling dates for the 2021 have been released on the official website mcc.nic.in.



The counselling process under All India Quota/ Deemed/ Central Universities/ Institutes/ ESIC/AIIMS/JIPMER/ AFMS to be conducted by MCC of DGHS registration will begin on January 19 and will end on January 28, 2022. For state quota seats, NEET counselling 2021 will be held by the respective state authorities separately.



Who is eligible for NEET Counselling 2021



Candidates who have scored a minimum of 50th percentage (40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC and 45th percentage for General-PH) will be eligible for NEET 2021 counselling round.

The following is the detailed schedule for all the rounds of NEET 2021 counselling:

NEET 2021: Round 1



Counselling by MCC of DGHS





Registration, payment and choice of filling: January 19, 2022 to January 28, 2022

Last date of joining: February 4, 2022



State counselling





Registration, payment and choice of filling: January 27, 2022 to January 31, 2022

Last date of joining: February 7, 2022

NEET 2021: Round 2

Counselling by MCC of DGHS





Registration, payment and choice of filling: February 9, 2022 to February 18, 2022

Last date of joining: February 26, 2022



State counselling





Registration, payment and choice of filling: February 15, 2022 to February 18, 2022

Last date of joining: February 24, 2022



Mop-up round

Counselling by MCC of DGHS





Registration, payment and choice of filling: March 2, 2022 to March 11, 2022

Last date of joining: March 19, 2022



State counselling





Registration, payment and choice of filling: March 7, 2022 to March 10, 2022

Last date of joining: March 15, 2022

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)/Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) will conduct the NEET 2021 counselling. The counselling will be conducted for admissions to 15 per cent All India Quota seats in Government medical and dental colleges across all states (except Jammu & Kashmir), 100 per cent seats in deemed and central universities, seats reserved for Wards of Insured Persons (IP quota) in Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical colleges and seats at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune.

NEET 2021 result: Reservation of seats in government medical colleges

SC candidates: 15% seats

ST candidates: 7.5% seats

27% seats are reserved for OBC candidates

10% seats are reserved for Economically Weaker Sections

NRI quota in PG Medical, dental courses

The Supreme Court held that NRI quota in PG Medical and Dental courses is not sacrosanct in any given academic year and private medical colleges are not obligated to earmark such seats for admissions. The top court said that if a medical college or institution or the state regulating authority decides to do away with such quota, then a reasonable notice of such a decision be issued to enable those aspiring for such seats to choose elsewhere.

Special quota for terror attack victims in MBBS, BDS admissions

Spouses and children of terror attack victims will now get reservation in MBBS and BDS admissions. The move will be applicable for the 2021-22 academic year. The reserved seats will be from the central pool of seats for medical admissions. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reportedly written a letter to chief secretaries of all states and UTs along with the guidelines in this regard.
The on Wednesday won 23 of the 68 seats on offer in four nagar panchayats of Latur district, while the NCP and the BJP bagged 14 each, election officials said.

In Latur district, voting was held for 68 seats in four nagar panchayats (17 seats each) - Chakur, Shiroor Anantpal, Jalkot and Deoni - last month and counting was taken up on Wednesday. The won a majority of seats in two of them, Jalkot and Deoni. Nagar panchayats are local self-government bodies for small towns.



In Chakur, out of 17 seats on offer, eight were bagged by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (consisting of Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena), six by the Prahar Janshakti Paksh and three by the BJP, the officials said.



In Shiroor Anantpal, the BJP won 9 seats, the NCP 4, the Shiv Sena 3 and the one. In Jalkot, the Congress won 7 seats, the NCP 4, the Shiv Sena 2, the BJP 1, while 3 seats were bagged by independent candidates. In Deoni, the Congress won 12 seats, the NCP 2, the BJP 1 and independent candidates bagged 2.Overall, the Congress won 23 seats, followed by the NCP and the BJP 14 seats each, the Shiv Sena 6, while 11 seats went to independent candidates and others. In Beed district, the BJP won a majority of seats in three nagar panchayats - Ashi, Patoda, Shirur Kasar, while the NCP prevailed in one - Wadvani Nagar.In all, the BJP won 48 out of 85 seats spread across four nagar panchayats in Beed district. The Supreme Court on December 6 stayed till further orders the local body in Maharashtra on seats reserved for the OBCs. The apex court later directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to notify 27 per cent of seats in the local bodies, which were reserved for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), as general category ones so that the poll process can be taken forward.

(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 on Wednesday announced five more candidates for the February 14 elections to the 40-member Assembly.

While Delailah Lobo has been fielded from Siolim constituency, Kedar Naik will contest from Saligaon and Carlos Alvares Ferreira will fight from the Aldona seat.

Delailah Lobo, along with her husband Michael Lobo, a former BJP minister, joined the party in Panaji on January 11.

An official statement from the party said these candidates have been selected by the Central Election Committee of the party chaired by Sonia Gandhi.

Dr Dinesh Jalmi will be the candidate from the Priol assembly seat while Moreno Rebello will contest from the Curtorim assembly constituency.

Former BJP minister Michael Lobo, who recently quit the saffron party to join the Congress, has been fielded by the Congress party from Calangute constituency, while Lavu Mamlekar, who was earlier with the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, will contest from the Marcaim Assembly constituency.

The Congress has also fielded former Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar, who had resigned from the House recently to join the Congress, from his traditional Assembly seat Sanguem.

The party has fielded Aleixo Sequira from Nuvem constituency and Savio D'Silva from the Velim seat on Tuesday evening.

The party had on Tuesday also released another list of nine party candidates for the assembly elections.

So, far it has announced the names of 31 candidates in the state.

The Sonia Gandhi-led party has already announced a pre-poll alliance with the Goa Forward Party, a regional outfit.

The Congress had won 17 seats in the 2017 Assembly polls in the tiny coastal state to emerge as the single largest party.

However, the BJP, which was in second place in terms of seats, quickly stitched an alliance with smaller parties and Independent MLAs to form its government in Goa.

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A day after Samajwadi Party annoumced that Chief Minister will campaign for it jointly with party president Akhilesh Yadav for the February-March Assembly poll,



West Bengal Leader of Opposition claimed that she will be rejected by devout Hindus in the politically important state.

The "santan Hindu community" in Uttar Pradesh, specially in places like Mathura, Brindavan and Varanasi will reject Banerjee "due to her appeasement politics for one community in Bengal" and disallowing immersion of Durga idols in the past as the Puja had coincided with Muharram, he said playing the Hindutva card as in the campaign for the Bengal poll.

"Her campaign in UP will do more harm than good for SP," he said.

The Nandigram legislator said, "Her presence will be counterproductive as brutality in post-poll violence in Bengal against political opponents has shaken the conscience of the nation and made the common man antagonistic to Trinamool Congress."



Reacting to Adhikari's statement, TMC state spokesman Kunal Ghosh said, "Whatever Suvendu has become today, in his political career and as a former minister and ex-MP he owes it to but he doesn't have the minimum gratitude".

Adhikari had been a protege of Banerjee and a part of the Nandigram movement by TMC. He had defected to BJP months before the state poll and had defeated the TMC supremo.

Ghosh claimed that Banerjee enjoys popularity and acceptability across the country especially after TMC's landslide victory n the last Bengal Assembly poll. "BJP's star campaigner Yogi Adityanath had on the other hand addressed several sparsely attended meetings during the Bengal polls as he has no standing among its people".

TMC will not contest in and will support Samajwadi Party in the fight against the BJP, senior SP leader Kiranmoy Nanda had said on Tuesday after meeting Banerjee at her residence.

Describing Banerjee as one of the most prominent anti-BJP faces in the country, he said the TMC supremo will visit Varanasi in February but the date is yet to be fixed.

To a question about the hearing of the case relating to Mukul Roy's continuation as PAC chairman, Adhikari said "We are waiting for the Supreme Court verdict in the case".

The apex court was moved in connection with the case.

BJP had moved the speaker's office in July 2021 contending that Roy, who had joined TMC after winning on BJP ticket from Krishnanagar Dakshin assembly seat, cannot occupy the PAC chairman's post as it is traditionally given to a senior opposition MLA in the house.

Responding to the BJP leader's comments, Ghosh said "Adhikari should first explain why his father Sisir Adhikari is not stepping down as MP despite being elected on TMC ticket in 2019. He should not continue as TMC MP after pledging his support to Amit Shah in 2021 January in a public rally.

"Why is Suvendu silent on this?" he asked.

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Punjab minister and Congress leader Brahm Mohindra on Wednesday said the party should declare its CM face for next month's state Assembly polls while stressing that has proved himself in the role in just three months.

The local bodies minister said the Congress Party had set the tradition of declaring its chief ministerial candidate ahead of the elections in 2012 and 2017.

It should continue with that tradition and announce the candidate sooner than later, he said in a statement.

There should not be any confusion in the party about announcing the chief ministerial candidate when there is already one who proved himself beyond everybody's expectations, Mohindra said.

Mohindra said it has become all the more important when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced Bhagwant Mann as its CM candidate and Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal has already been projecting Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Under such circumstances, the Congress Party cannot afford to leave any vacuum as it can prove detrimental to the party's interests, he said.

That too when we have far better choice than others, tried and tested," he said.

A few days ago, Cabinet minister Rana Gurjeet Singh had asserted that Channi had done an exceedingly outstanding job during just three months.

He had said that raising a question mark about his continuation as the CM after party comes back to power can prove to be suicidal.

The issue of chief ministership was already settled for the Congress in Punjab three months back and there is no need for any further debates or discussions about it, Rana had said in a statement.

He had regretted that confusing signals were being circulated about the fate of the chief minister when he is leading from the front and that too when elections had already been announced.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Wednesday welcomed Aparna Yadav, the younger daughter-in-law of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, in the family.

"Welcome Aparna ji into the family," he tweeted and also posted a picture.

Earlier in the day, Aparna Yadav joined the in Delhi, asserting that she has always been impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She joined the party in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and state party chief Swatantra Dev Singh.

Aparna Yadav said the nation's interest has always been a priority for her and praised several schemes of the BJP government for cleanliness, woman empowerment and employment.

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The family of the 19-year-old Hathras victim has turned down a proposal to contest the UP Assembly elections.

"We have not been approached by anyone so far. Our aim is to get justice for my sister. If anyone wants to approach us, they are welcome but, so far, no one has contacted us," said the victim's younger brother.

Asked about the Unnao rape victim's mother contesting the elections, he said: "The verdict in their case has been delivered and the accused has been convicted."

The family's reaction came amid reports that the Congress had offered them a ticket for the elections.

The 19-year-old Hathras girl had been gang-raped by four men in September 2020 and she died ten days later in a Delhi hospital. Her mortal remains were cremated in the dead of the night by the local administration despite protests by the family.

The incident led to national outrage and became a major political issue, focusing on atrocities on Dalits.

UP Congress general secretary Shyam Sundar Upadhyaya meanwhile said: "No decision in this regard has been taken so far, but the party will ticket to people who have been victimised so that they can be empowered and fight for their own rights and help others too."

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has given the slogan 'Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon', along with her brother Rahul Gandhi, had gone to meet the family of the rape and murder victim in Hathras in October 2020, a few days after the girl died in a Delhi hospital. Assuring the family of all possible help, the Gandhi siblings had then said no one can stop them from standing for justice and truth.

--IANS

amita/shb/

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patriarch Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joined the on Wednesday.

She joined the party in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and and its state chief Swatantra Dev Singh.

She is married to Prateek Yadav, son of Yadav's second wife while SP president Akhilesh Yadav is his son from the first marriage.

Aparna Yadav said she has always been impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and added that the nation's interest has always been her priority.

There had been much speculation about her joining the BJP, and the development highlights the rift in the SP's ruling family at a time when Akhilesh Yadav has been working to rally the party's base in the run up to the state assembly polls.

The may field her in the polls, sources said.

Aparna Yadav had contested the 2017 assembly polls on the ticket from Lucknow Cantt but had lost to BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi, now a Lok Sabha member.

Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases beginning from February 10.

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In what could be a big blow to the ahead of upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Aparna Yadav, daughter-in-law of former state chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday.

She is expected to meet president JP Nadda after joining the party on Wednesday.

According to the sources, Aparna Yadav has sought a ticket from the Lucknow Cantt assembly seat.

Amid the talks of Aparna Yadav joining the BJP, chief had also said that members are worrying more about his family than about themselves.

Aparna Yadav has in the past lauded some initiatives of the government. She also donated Rs 11 lakh to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Aparna Yadav contested the 2017 assembly elections from Lucknow Cantt seat and finished second. She was defeated by Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi and secured about 63,000 votes. Aparna is the wife of Prateek Yadav, son of Mulayam Singh's second wife Sadhna Gupta.

There are many contenders for Lucknow Cantt seat in the BJP. Apart from Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, Rita Bahuguna Joshi is also seeking a ticket for her son from the seat.

Elections to the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10.

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.

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Ltd., the Indian lender at the center of turmoil after the nations banking regulator appointed a director last month, is seeking to raise new capital in a bid to allay investor concerns over its financial health, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Mumbai-based bank has approached for in exchange for a stake, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. The bank is looking to raise as much as Rs 1,500 crore ($201 million) in confidence capital, one of the people said.

Deliberations are at an early stage and could still decide against the fundraising plan, which may be subject to approvals by the Reserve Bank of India, the people said.

A spokesperson for denied the plans, saying the lender doesnt see any need to raise any equity capital at this stage and is currently having no discussions with investors in this regard.





ALSO READ: ICRA places RBL Bank ratings under watch with developing implications

Shares of RBL Bank plunged to an almost 19-month low late last month after an abrupt decision by the Reserve Bank of India to appoint one of its own career officers to RBLs board for two years raised doubts about the lenders asset quality and cash buffers. Adding to the intrigue, the then chief executive officer left on medical leave and was replaced by an executive director.

The central bank has said RBL is well capitalised and its financial position remains satisfactory in a bid to reassure investors. The firm has maintained a comfortable capital adequacy ratio of 16.33% and a provision coverage ratio of 76.6%, the RBI said. The interim CEO Rajeev Ahuja has said the RBIs move wasnt motivated by worries over RBLs financial health.

The RBI said it appoints additional directors at private-sector when its felt that the board needs closer support in regulatory or supervisory matters.

Nevertheless, the concerns have lingered as RBL grapples with a surge in soured loans in the midst of the pandemic. Though an increase in provisions led to a first-quarter loss, it returned to profit in the subsequent three months ended Sept. 30.

RBL Banks shares are down more than 40% in the past year, compared with a gain of about 18% for the S&P BSE Bankex index, a gauge of local banking shares. Brokerage arms of Ambit Capital Ltd. and Housing Development Corp. are among those that cut the target price for the bank shares this month.
around the world are adjusting their schedules and aircraft deployments for flights to the US over fears that a rollout by AT&T and Verizon Communications near American airports could interfere with key safety systems. Dubais Emirates said it will suspend flights to several US cities, including Chicago, Newark and San Francisco, while Japan and ANA Holdings said they wont fly their 777 jets to and from the US mainland after a warning from Boeing about how the models altimeter will be affected. British Airways cancelled a handful of services to the US on Wednesday, and has also made some aircraft substitutions, a spokeswoman for the carrier said. The U. K. airline was using Airbus SE A350 and Boeing 787 jets to operate some flights usually flown by 777s, according to tracking website FlightRadar24.

Singapore will also substitute 777s for A350s, the carrier said in a statement. The concerns stem from potential interference with sensitive navigation equipment used during landings in poor weather, which a trade association representing major US airlines said could lead to catastrophic disruptions. Frequencies within the so-called C-band being used for the services are near airwaves used by aircraft radar altimeters, which track altitude and allow landings in bad weather. At least 25 flights operated by Boeing 777 jets to the U. S. were canceled for Wednesday, according to data from Flightradar24.com. Deutsche Lufthansa AG switched its aircraft to the 747-400 from 747-8 on the Frankfurt-Chicago route. AT&T and Verizon agreed late Tuesday to delay switching on hundreds of cell towers near US airports following last-minute talks with government officials over safety concerns.
Africa should no longer be the last in line to access vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the official launch of the Nant-SA Vaccine Manufacturing Campus in Cape town, Ramaphosa said it was part of a far broader initiative to propel Africa into a new era of health science.

The president joined Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, founder of the multinational conglomerate NantWorks, LLC, to launch the facility.

The launch follows the announcement by South African-born US pharmaceutical company head Soon-Shiong in September last year of an ambitious initiative to build capacity for advanced health care in Africa.

This state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing campus that we are officially launching today is a bold step to unite biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, non-profit organisations and academia. The coalition recognises that Africa has both a great need and vast capabilities, Ramaphosa said.

The pandemic has revealed the huge disparities that exist within and between countries in access to quality healthcare, medicines, diagnostics and vaccines, he said.

At the same time, the pandemic has revealed the depth of scientific knowledge, expertise and capacity on our continent. It has shown what we are capable of when we work together to mobilise all our resources to confront a common challenge.

As the African Union Champion on COVID-19, South Africa supports vaccine manufacturing in Africa to ensure self-sufficiency of the continent. Africa should no longer be last in line to access vaccines against pandemics, the president said.

Ramaphosa said Africa has had to wage a concerted fight to secure vaccines for its people, although the 50 million vaccines that had been secured for the continent through the work of the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team was just over half of what was actually needed to vaccinate 900 million people to achieve the 70 per cent target set by the WHO.

We need more vaccine doses, we need better therapeutics, and we need to protect the people of our continent against future variants and future pandemics.

We have seen that if we want to safeguard the health of our people, we need to have the means, the technology and the resources to produce vaccines and treatments for all the diseases that afflict the people of our continent, Ramaphosa said.

The president said that the new facility would make a vital contribution to this mission, complementing the work already being done by companies like Aspen, Biovac and Afrigen in South Africa and several other companies in other parts of the continent.

Ramaphosa also lauded the skills of South Africa's scientists, many of whom have come under fire in recent months for having been the first to announce the discovery of the Omnicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, which is currently causing havoc across the globe, in November last year.

South Africa's capabilities in genomic surveillance are recognised worldwide and have been vital in our response and indeed the global response to the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. This has been possible only through collaboration, he said.

Africa stands ready to contribute to global scientific enquiry and knowledge, and to develop treatments, diagnostics and vaccines that will serve humanity. What we are asking for, what we need and what we now have is the opportunity to realise this bold and noble vision, Ramaphosa said.

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Major international airlines rushed on Tuesday to rejig or cancel flights to the United States on the eve of a 5G wireless rollout that triggered safety concerns, despite two wireless carriers saying they will delay parts of the deployment.

The Federal Administration (FAA) has warned that potential 5G interference could affect height readings that play a key role in bad-weather landings on some jets and airlines say the Boeing 777 is among models initially in the spotlight.

Despite an announcement by AT&T and Verizon that they would delay turning on some 5G towers near airports, several airlines still canceled flights. Others said more cancellations were likely unless the FAA issued new formal guidance in the wake of the wireless announcements. "While this is a positive development toward preventing widespread disruptions to flight operations, some flight restrictions may remain," Delta Air Lines said.

The world's largest operator of the Boeing 777, Dubai's Emirates, said it would suspend flights to nine U.S. destinations from Jan. 19, the planned date for the deployment of 5G wireless services.

Emirates flights to New York's JFK, Los Angeles and Washington DC will continue to operate. Japan's two major airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, said they would curtail Boeing 777 flights.

ANA said it was cancelling or changing the aircraft used on some U.S. flights. JAL said it would not use the 777 on U.S. mainland routes "until safety is confirmed," according to a notice to passengers reported by airline publication Skift.

Korean Air Lines said it had switched away from 777s and 747-8s on six U.S. passenger and cargo flights and expected to also change planes used on another six flights on Wednesday. The airlines said they were acting in response to a notice from Boeing that 5G signals may interfere with the radio altimeter on the 777, leading to restrictions.

A spokesman for Boeing had no immediate comment. The 777 last year was the second-most used widebody plane on flights to and from U.S. airports with around 210,000 flights, behind only the 767, according to data from FlightRadar24.

Industry sources said Boeing had issued technical advisories noting potential interference, but that flight restrictions were in the hands of the FAA, which has for now limited operations at key airports unless airlines qualify for special approvals.

Radio altimeters give precise readings of the height above the ground on approach and help with automated landings, as well as verifying the jet has landed before allowing reverse thrust.

Air India, which serves four U.S. destinations with Boeing 777s, said those flights would be curtailed or face changes in aircraft type starting from Wednesday.

Workhorse jet

The announcement of cancellations came despite the wireless carriers delaying turning on some 5G towers near key airports. Airline industry sources said the decision had arrived too late to affect complex aircraft and crewing decisions for some Wednesday flights.

British Airways opted to switch aircraft on its daily flight to Los Angeles to an Airbus A380 from the usual Boeing 777 service, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

That entails pre-positioning a flight crew in Los Angeles to fly the Airbus superjumbo back to London on the return leg. Web tracker Flightradar24 said the A350 may also be used.

The radio altimeters on the two Airbus jets have been cleared while the planemaker is still assessing its other models. The 777 mini-jumbo is a workhorse of the long-haul travel market that remains depressed following COVID-19, while its freighter equivalent has reshaped the route map during the pandemic, according to a spokesperson for Flightradar 24.

Not all 777s are affected. Emirates, which is also a major user of the larger A380, will switch to the larger aircraft for Los Angeles and New York but keep flying the 777 to Washington, which is not affected.

Qatar Airways, which operates both Boeing 777s and A350s to the United States, said it was evaluating the situation. President Joe Biden hailed the agreement with the wireless carriers, saying it would allow more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled. He said they would work to "reach a permanent, workable solution around these key airports."

(Reporting by Tim Hepher and David Shepardson, Additional reporting by Jamie Freed in Sydney, Ed Copley in London, Eric M. Johnson in Seattle, Lilian Wagdy and Moataz Mohamed in Cairo; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Richard Pullin)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. Secretary of State urged western nations Wednesday to remain united in the face of what he called relentless Russian aggression against and reassured Ukraine's leader of their support.

Blinken told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a visit to Kyiv that the U.S. and its allies were steadfast in backing his country and its democratic aspirations amid growing fears of a potentially imminent Russian invasion.

The Ukrainian people chose a democratic and European path in 1991. They took to the Maidan to defend that choice in 2013, and unfortunately ever since you have faced relentless aggression from Moscow, Blinken said, referring to Ukraine's trajectory since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Our strength depends on preserving our unity and that includes unity within Ukraine, he said to Zelenskyy. I think one of Moscow's long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within our countries and quite simply, we cannot and will not let them do that.

The Biden administration said earlier it was providing an additional $200 million in defensive military aid to to help protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Zelenskyy thanked Blinken for the assistance, which was approved in late December but not formally confirmed until Wednesday, as well as for his visit and assurances of support.

This (military) support not only speaks to our strategic plans of joining the alliance, but more importantly to the level of our military, our military supplies, he said, referring to Kyiv's desire to join NATO over Russia's strong objections.

If we want dramatically fast steps in modernizing the military, we need help especially in these tough times, Zelenskyy said. Your visit is very important. It underlines once again your powerful support of our independence and sovereignty."



The aid announcement came at the start of Blinken's hastily arranged visit as U.S. and western officials stepped up increasingly dire warnings about a possible Russian invasion.

Blinken said Russian President Vladimir Putin is now in position to launch military action against Ukraine at will and at very short notice with more than 100,000 troops massed on its border and plans to add more.

We know that there are plans in place to increase that force even more on very short notice and that gives President Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine, Blinken told staff at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.

After his meetings with Zelenskyy and other senior Ukrainian officials, Blinken plans a short trip to Berlin for talks with German and other European allies on Thursday, He is scheduled to see his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Geneva on Friday. That meeting is aimed at testing Russia's willingness to resolve the crisis diplomatically, officials said.

The administration and its European allies have accused Putin of creating the crisis by massing troops along Ukraine's borders and it is up to him and the Russians to decide whether to invade and suffer severe economic consequences.

Russia has brushed off calls to withdraw its troops by saying it has a right to deploy its forces wherever it likes on its own territory. It also has rejected U.S. allegations that it's preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine. Lavrov dismissed the U.S. claim as total disinformation.

The U.S. has not concluded whether Putin plans to invade or whether the show of force is intended to squeeze security concessions without an actual conflict. Inconclusive diplomatic talks between Moscow and the West in Europe last week failed to resolve stark disagreements over Ukraine and other security matters.

Instead, those meetings appear to have increased fears of a Russian invasion, and the Biden administration has accused Russia of preparing a false flag operation" to use as a pretext for intervention. Russia has angrily denied the charge.

CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv last week to consult with his Ukrainian counterparts and discuss current assessments of the risk to Ukraine, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Burns' schedule, which is classified.

Ahead of his face-to-face meeting with L avrov, Blinken spoke to the Russian foreign minister by phone on Tuesday and "stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions, the State Department said.

Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the U.S. and its allies to Moscow's request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet countries or station its forces and weapons there.

Blinken underscored to Lavrov on Tuesday that any discussion of European security must include NATO Allies and European partners, including Ukraine, the State Department said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov emphasized in the call with Blinken the key aspects of Russian draft documents envisaging legally binding guarantees of Russia's security in line with the principle of indivisibility of security approved by all countries in the Euro-Atlantic. It said Lavrov stressed the importance for Washington to quickly deliver a written response to the Russian proposals.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscow's demands during last week's Russia-U.S. negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels and it does not appear likely the Biden administration will reply to Russia in written form.

Meanwhile, the White House is accusing Russia of deploying operatives to rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine to carry out acts of sabotage there and blame them on Ukraine to create a pretext for possible invasion.

Ahead of Blinken's visit to Kyiv, a delegation of U.S. senators was visiting Ukraine to emphasize congressional support for the country.

Russia in 2014 seized the Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of Ukraine's Moscow-friendly leader and 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 country's industrial heartland called Donbas.

Putin has warned that Moscow will take unspecified military-technical measures if the West stonewalls its demands.

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US President on Tuesday (local time) thanked and AT & T for agreeing to delay 5G deployment around key airports.

"I want to thank and AT & T for agreeing to delay 5G deployment around key airports and to continue working with the Department of Transportation on safe 5G deployment at this limited set of locations," read Biden's statement on 5G Agreement.

There was uproar among Airlines companies over the deployment of 5G signals next to runways that could interfere with the key safety equipment that pilots rely on to take off and land in inclement weather.

"This agreement will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery while allowing more than 90 per cent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled," said Biden.

"This agreement protects flight safety and allows aviation operations to continue without significant disruption and will bring more high-speed internet options to millions of Americans," added the US President.

Meanwhile, Biden also said that expanding 5G and promoting competition in internet service are critical priorities and tomorrow will be a massive step in the right direction.

"My team has been engaging non-stop with the wireless carriers, airlines, and aviation equipment manufacturers to chart a path forward for 5G deployment and aviation to safely co-exist - and, at my direction, they will continue to do so until we close the remaining gap and reach a permanent, workable solution around these key airports," said Biden.

United Airlines said the US government's current 5G rollout plan will have a devastating impact on aviation, negatively affecting an estimated 1.25 million United passengers, at least 15,000 flights and much-needed goods and tons of cargo travelling through more than 40 of the largest airports in the country annually.

"We implore the Biden administration to act quickly and apply the same common-sense solutions here that have clearly worked so well around the world," said United Airlines statement.

United Airlines said that it will not "compromise on safety - full stop" and urged the federal government to follow successfully designed policies of other countries to ensure the safe deployment of 5G technology.

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has terminated its sourcing contract with Malaysian glove maker Supermax Corp following allegations about forced labour, the country's public services and procurement department said on Tuesday.

Malaysian factories making products ranging from medical gloves to palm oil have increasingly come under scrutiny over allegations they abuse foreign workers, who form a significant part of the manufacturing workforce.

The Canadian government had put on hold its contracts with Supermax gloves in November, saying it would determine its next steps after receiving an audit report over the firm's labour practices.

"Based on the seriousness of the allegations and expected timelines for the final audit results, the Government of has decided, and Supermax Healthcare has agreed, to terminate by mutual consent the two existing contracts for the supply of nitrile gloves," the department told Reuters in an emailed statement on Tuesday.

Supermax did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In November, Supermax said it will speed up a process it had begun in 2019 to meet labour standards set by the Labour Organisation.

Canada's move to put on the hold its contracts last year followed an import ban on Supermax by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in October. U.S. Customs cited reasonable information that it said indicated the use of forced labour in the Malaysian firm's manufacturing operations.

Supermax has said it was in contact with the U.S. agency to obtain more clarity and that it had commissioned an independent consulting firm to conduct an audit into the status of foreign workers at its factories.

Earlier this month, Supermax said it had introduced a new foreign worker management policy and enhanced its current human resources policies in light of the labour allegations.



The growing number of allegations over the treatment of labour at Malaysian have started to hurt businesses.

In November, home appliances maker Dyson terminated a contract with its biggest parts supplier, Malaysian firm ATA IMS Bhd , over forced labour allegations.

ATA has acknowledged some violations, made some improvements and said it now complies with all regulations and standards.
will force key industrial sectors and regions to take action to measure as part of a new initiative to improve data quality and oversight, according to an environment ministry document reviewed by Reuters.

Under the pilot programme, some of China's biggest coal-fired power providers, steel mills and oil and gas producers must draw up comprehensive new greenhouse gas monitoring plans by the end of this year.

It comes as China, the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter, needs to beef up its measurement of carbon emissions in line with its monitoring of air pollutants to meet a pledge by President Xi Jinping to become carbon neutral by around 2060, say experts and environmentalists.

"In contrast to air pollutants, there is a major gap in reporting on CO2 emissions - there is no regular reporting in place that would disclose the country's total emissions," said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst with the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

"Expanding the emission monitoring and disclosure that is currently in place for air pollutants to CO2 would be a huge step forward."

After some success in curbing the choking smog that envelops many of China's industrial cities over winter, the State Council, China's cabinet, has already promised to expand curbs on pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides and heavy metal waste.

This will require more real-time environmental monitoring stations and advanced technologies that can detect a wider range of emissions and catch companies trying to cheat, officials and environmentalists said.

But the yawning coverage gap on carbon dioxide emissions could prove the biggest challenge. up to now has relied largely on proxy indicators - including energy consumption - to measure CO2, falling behind countries in Europe.

According to the policy document, dated September 2021 and supplied to Reuters by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), the new monitoring programme aims to provide "statistical support" for the country's fight against climate change.

Cities like Tangshan and Hangzhou, along with regions like Inner Mongolia and Yunnan, have also been ordered to assess their ability to act as carbon sinks, including forest coverage rates and land use changes.

The pilot programme, scheduled to be completed in the first three months of 2023, is designed to assess best practices for measuring . It will include the oil and gas, steel and thermal power sectors, as well as waste processing, and will cover key gases like methane as well as carbon dioxide.

State companies involved in the pilot programme - including the Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec), the China National Petroleum Corp and the Shandong Energy Corp - did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

REAL-TIME MONITORING

Around 23,000 of China's major polluters are now plugged into a national real-time emissions monitoring system that measures air pollutants like sulphur dioxide or ammonia in water, though this is still a fraction of the millions of factories across the country that require monitoring.

An accurate measure of carbon emissions has also become increasingly important for China's plans to build out its national emissions trading system (ETS), which currently covers the power sector but will later be expanded to other sectors.

"When it comes to controlling emissions, and cap and trade, and all the other issues like carbon pricing - all of this needs to be based on accurate data, otherwise it will be meaningless," said Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE), a non-government organisation focused on environmental monitoring.

The launch of the first phase of the ETS was repeatedly delayed partly because of data quality concerns.

Consultancy Frost & Sullivan estimated sales of environmental monitoring devices in China will surpass 102 billion yuan ($16 billion) in 2023, four times the level in 2014.

But up to now there has been no legal requirement for firms to measure greenhouse gas.

IPE's Ma said monitoring CO2 would be expensive for firms, but was vital to ensure the levels of compliance required green financing and carbon trading.

"When it comes to emissions trading you need to go extremely accurate," he said, noting companies needed to be able to determine precisely how many credits to buy.

"Any slight change in parameters or emission factors could mean a difference of hundreds of millions of yuan."

(Reporting by Muyu Xu and David Stanway; Editing by Florence Tan and Richard Pullin)

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The first Sherpas meeting of 2022 was held virtually on January 18-19 under the Chinese chairship with the members thanking India for its chairship in 2021.

Programme and priorities for the year were discussed at the first Sherpas Meeting of 2022 held virtually on January 18-19, under the Chinese chairship, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter.

Members thanked India for its BRICS Chairship in 2021, he said.

They looked forward to continuity, consensus and consolidation of BRICS cooperation, Bagchi said.

BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

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Argentina's Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has slammed payments to the International Monetary Fund as costing the country more than COVID-19, as talks over a new $40 billion deal show little sign of advancing.

Fernandez de Kirchner, the former president who remains a key power player in the government, blamed the country's debt woes on the government of her successor, conservative President Mauricio Macri. Macri's administration struck a record $57 billion agreement in 2018, but failed to prevent economic crisis.

"It is very clear that, in 2021, the 'Macrista' pandemic cost the state more than the COVID-19 pandemic," Fernandez de Kirchner wrote in a blog on Tuesday. She said payments for the year outstripped COVID-19 alleviation spending, citing figures indicating loan repayments cost 1.1% of gross domestic product, versus 0.9% for COVID assistance. Reuters was not able to verify the details of her calculations.

The allocated over $4 billion to when it disbursed more than $650 billion to its members last year. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fernandez de Kirchner holds huge sway in the ruling Peronist coalition though does not always see eye-to-eye with more moderate current President Alberto Fernandez and Economy Minister Martin Guzman. is racing to strike an IMF deal before the end of March - with some $18 billion in payments due this year, according to the current schedule. The two sides disagree over the speed at which the country should reduce its fiscal deficit.

Worries over the deal talks stumbling have dragged Argentine sovereign bonds to near record lows in recent weeks, with some analysts growing concerned a deal will not be struck in time.

The Eurasia Group said in a note on Tuesday that prospects for a deal before a key payment in March were "dwindling." "Currently, negotiations are stuck and a deal before the next big payment in March still looks unlikely," it said, pointing to a hardening of tone from Argentina's leaders.

"The government has yet to present a consistent plan, and officials resist making fiscal and monetary adjustments that would be politically costly."

Argentina's Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday and said he hoped for U.S. support in the IMF negotiations.

(Reporting by Adam Jourdan in Buenos Aires and Rodrigo Campos in New York, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

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The Biden administration has chosen Los Angeles to host a summit of leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean that is a key part of its outreach to a region increasingly being courted by U.S. adversaries such as Russia and China.

The Summit of the Americas, to take place the week of June 6, will focus on defending democracy and human rights in the Western Hemisphere as well as addressing irregular migration, climate change and efforts to ensure equitable growth as the region emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, a senior congressional aide briefed by the State Department told The Associated Press.

It's the first time the U.S. is hosting the key regional gathering since 1994, when President Bill Clinton hosted regional leaders in Miami to push for a free trade agreement stretching from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.

But with that ambitious goal abandoned long ago amid a rise in leftist, anti-American politics in several parts of the region, many experts have questioned the need for an expensive gathering of more than 30 heads of state each pushing their own bilateral agenda with Washington but often cooperating little amongst themselves.

The region in recent years has diversified its trade and diplomatic ties and the U.S. has largely stood by as Russia, China, Iran and other foreign powers hostile to the U.S. have gained influence in what for decades was somewhat referred to as Washington's backyard.

President Donald Trump didn't even bother to show up for the last summit, in Peru in 2018.

It's not clear who Los Angeles beat out. But cities including Miami, Houston and New Orleans were also rumored to have been considering a bid.

In the end, Los Angeles a Democratic stronghold where Vice President Kamala Harris has deep roots was considered a safe choice, one that reflects the administration's focus on addressing the drivers of migration from Central America and Mexico. Many migrants fleeing economic hardship and gang violence in the region have resettled in Los Angeles.

The White House said in a statement announcing the decision Tuesday that the vital national interests of the United States are inextricably bound to the fortunes of our closest neighbors in the Americas."



The ability of our democracies to close the gap between what we promise and what we deliver depends in no small part on what we do, together, to make it better, it added.

It's unclear if leaders of all 35 nations in the hemisphere will be invited to attend the Summit. In the past, Cuba was excluded but President Barack Obama famously shook hands with former President Raul Castro at the 2015 gathering in Panama as part of his effort to re-establish diplomatic relations with the communist-run island.

Another sore spot is Venezuela. The Biden administration has continued the Trump policy of recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaid as the country's legitimate leader, meaning its unlikely that President Nicols Maduro, who has consolidated his rule with the support of the Venezuelan military, be invited.

The Biden administration has taken a similarly harsh stance against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's crackdown on his opponents and has also raised doubts about El Salvador President Nayib Bukele's commitment to democracy.

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Ahead of the mega 5G rollout in the US, major airlines like Emirates, Air India, ANA and Japan Airlines have announced to cancel some flights over concerns that it could potentially interfere with some instruments and may put flyers' safety at risk.

Emirates said it's "suspending flights to the following US destinations from 19 January 2022 until further notice," listing Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The airline will continue to fly to New York JFK, Los Angeles (LAX), and Washington, DC (IAD), reports The Verge.

Air India will also not be able to operate a number of US-bound flights.

Airline operators in the US warned that the rollout could cause "catastrophic disruption" to their flight schedules.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the concern is that the C-band 5G signals could interfere with the radar altimeters used in some planes, creating a safety issue.

Boeing has announced flight restrictions on all airlines operating the Boeing 777 aircraft.

Japan Airlines also cites a notification from Boeing, saying that it was told that "5G signals for US mobile phones, which will begin operating in the US on January 19, 2022, may interfere with the radio wave altimeter installed on the Boeing 777."

However, both AT&T and Verizon have announced that they would voluntarily delay 5G antenna upgrades near certain airports.

Verizon said that it will launch its 5G Ultra Wideband network on Wednesday which will enable more than 90 million Americans to experience the transformative speed, reliability and power of this game-changing network on the go or in their homes or businesses.

"As the nation's leading wireless provider, we have voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our nation's airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries," Verizon said in a statement.

US President Biden has thanked the carriers "for agreeing to delay 5G deployment around key airports and to continue working with the Department of Transportation on safe 5G deployment at this limited set of locations".

--IANS

na/svn/dpb

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A group of more than 100 billionaires and has issued a plea to political and business leaders convening virtually for the World Economic Forum: make us pay more tax.

The group calling itself the "Patriotic Millionaires" said that the ultra-wealthy were not currently being forced to pay their share of the global economic recovery from the pandemic.

"As millionaires, we know that the current tax system is not fair. Most of us can say that, while the world has gone through an immense amount of suffering in the last two years, we have actually seen our wealth rise during the pandemic - yet few if any of us can honestly say that we pay our fair share in taxes," the signatories said in an open letter, published on the occasion of the World Economic Forum's "virtual Davos", which began on Jan. 17.

Reuters reported last year on the staggering rise in billionaires' wealth in 2020, as the world went into lockdown and the global economy faced its worst recession since World War Two, prompting the millionaires' group to call for higher taxes.

While that spurred more than 130 countries to agree a deal to ensure big companies pay a global minimum tax rate of 15%, aimed at making it harder for them to avoid taxation, the said the wealthy still needed to contribute more.

Over the course of the two years of the pandemic, the fortunes of the world's 10 richest individuals have risen to $1.5 trillion - or by $15,000 a second - a study by Oxfam this week showed.

'PART OF THE PROBLEM'

In the letter, the signatories including Disney heiress Abigail Disney and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer told Davos participants convening for a week of online power-brokering and talks: "You're not going to find the answer in a private forum... you're part of the problem."

A spokesperson for the World Economic Forum said paying a fair share of taxes was one of the forum's tenets, and a wealth tax -as exists in Switzerland, where the organisation is based -could be a good model to deploy elsewhere.

In most countries outside a handful in Europe and some recent joiners in South America, the rich do not have to pay annual taxes on assets such as real estate, stocks or artwork, because they are taxed only when the asset is sold.

According to a study conducted by the Patriotic together with Oxfam and other non-profits, a progressive wealth tax starting at 2% for those with more than $5 million and rising to 5% for billionaires could raise $2.52 trillion, enough globally to lift 2.3 billion people out of poverty and guarantee healthcare and social protection for individuals living in lower income countries.

The World Bank in 2021 published an article urging countries to consider a wealth tax to help reduce inequality, replenish state coffers depleted by COVID-19 relief schemes and regain social trust.

However, outside Argentina and Colombia, no new wealth tax schemes have been initiated since the start of the pandemic.

Demands Of The Patriotic Millionaires An annual 'wealth tax' on those with fortunes of more than $5 mn could raise more than $2.52 tn

The proposed tax would see those with more than $5 mn pay 2%, rising to 3% for those with more than $50 mn and a 5% rate for dollar billionaires What It Could Achieve Lift 2.3 billion people out of poverty; make enough vaccines for the world and deliver universal healthcare and social protection for all the citizens of low and lower-middle-income countries

Pay for the Health and Social Care Levy twice over every year

Cover the salaries of an additional 50,000 nurses

Pay for the permanent increase of universal credit

Build 35,000 affordable houses

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Pakistan's National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has cancelled his planned visit to in view of a planned anti- protest in Kabul, according to a media report on Wednesday.

Yusuf was scheduled to lead an inter-ministerial Pakistani delegation to on Tuesday (January 18) to discuss the issue of border-fencing and take stock of the humanitarian needs of the war-torn country with the Taliban regime.

However, Yusuf scrapped his two-day visit as a massive protest against was planned at the Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan's Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

Quoting a diplomatic source, the news outlet said Yusuf decided against the visit to avoid "certain embarrassment".

Pakistani officials said Yusuf's visit was postponed due to inclement weather.

Hundreds of Afghans held anti- placards and marched to the airport on Tuesday, calling Islamabad's policy "two-faced", the source said.

Tensions have been rising between the two neighbours over fencing of the British-era Durand Line, which Kabul does not recognise as a formal border.

Border-fencing was among the key topics of discussion during Yusuf's visit.

Pakistan has completed almost 90 per cent fencing work along the 2,670-km border to stop an easy passage for militants.

Last month, videos began to circulate on social media, purportedly showing members of the Afghan Taliban uprooting a portion of the fence along the border, claiming that they were erected inside Afghan territory.

Pakistani officials earlier said Yusuf's visit would help extend humanitarian aid to .

Concerns over Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis have been discussed at the United Nations.

On January 13, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that millions of Afghans were 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.

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External Affairs Minister on Wednesday held discussions with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto on a host of issues, including Afghanistan.

In a tweet, Jaishankar said in his wide-ranging discussions with Haavisto, he noted the steady growth of bilateral cooperation.

"Agreed that we would work to strengthen the ties further in 2022," he said.

"Exchanged views about Afghanistan in detail. India and Finland have cooperated in the past on humanitarian support there," Jaishankar said.

"Expect to work closely with each other in organisations, including the UN Human Rights Council," he added.

Later, in another tweet, Jaishankar said he had a warm conversation with Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon.

"Looking forward to building on my visit there last year," Jaishankar said.

"Discussed the Covid situation, our trade prospects, UN Security Council and G20. Hope to see him in India soon. Will help renew our traditional friendship," he said.

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US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Wednesday spoke to Foreign Secretary to discuss bilateral ties and a broad range of issues including the COVID pandemic and the situation in the strategic Indo-Pacific.

"Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke with Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla today," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a readout of the call.

"They discussed a broad range of issues including Russia's concerning military build-up on Ukraine's borders and regional issues," Price said.

The US has warned that Russia, which has amassed tens of thousands of troops near Ukrainian borders, could launch an invasion at any point.

Sherman and Shringla agreed to remain closely coordinated on shared goals and priorities and reiterated the importance of a strong US-India partnership to mitigate the COVID-19 Omicron variant's rapid advance, the spokesperson said.

In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said they reviewed upcoming bilateral engagements and the COVID pandemic, including supply of vaccines and exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, Middle East, UN Security Council and India's neighbourhood.

"FS @harshvshringla had a wide-ranging telecon today with the US @DeputySecState Wendy Sherman. Inter alia reviewed upcoming bilateral engagements and the COVID pandemic, including supply of vaccines, and exchanged views on Indo-Pacific, Middle East, UNSC, India's neighbourhood, etc," he said in a tweet.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region.

The Chinese military is also actively eying the strategic Indian Ocean region to step up Beijing influence. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it.

Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

In 2017, India, Australia, Japan and the US gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the "Quad" or the Quadrilateral coalition to counter China's aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sherman travelled to India in October last year on a three-day visit. She held extensive talks with Shringla and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during which the recent developments in Afghanistan, the need to counter cross-border terrorism and ensure peace and stability in that country, including through implementation of a UN Security Council resolution figured prominently.

According to a US official, her visit to New Delhi was seen as an opportunity for the US to deepen its strategic partnership with India and engage substantively with some of the key interlocutors on pressing regional and global security challenges like the situation in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.

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A delegation led by South Korea's president visiting inked a preliminary deal Tuesday to explore a project to develop a potentially cleaner form of energy. The development comes even as remains South Korea's top supplier of .

The visit was the second stop on a Mideast tour by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife, who were greeted on the tarmac by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and an honour guard marching band. All were masked and President Moon did not shake hands with the prince, in line with coronavirus social distancing practices.

The preliminary deal centers on developing a project in to produce green hydrogen for export, according to the state-owned Saudi Press Agency. Supporters of green hydrogen tout it as a less carbon intensive way to power transportation and curb some of the environmentally destructive impacts of burning gasoline and diesel fuel.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by leading executives and officials from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, South Korea's POSCO and Samsung's C&T construction and engineering company.

South Korea has been pushing ahead with plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050. Saudi Arabia, one of the world's biggest oil and gas producers, last year announced its pledge to reach net-zero by 2060.

Still, both nations deeply depend on oil and gas. Relations between South Korea and Saudi Arabia date back to the early 1960s, and have been underpinned since by South Korea's reliance on energy imports to power its manufacturing industries and refineries.

Around a third of South Korea's oil imports are from Saudi Arabia, making the kingdom Seoul's top supplier of crude.

More than 90% of South Korea's imports from Saudi Arabia are concentrated in oil, according to a 2018 report published by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. South Korean exports to the kingdom are also not varied, consisting mostly of automobiles and construction equipment. Nearly 90% of South Korea's investments in Saudi Arabia are in the construction sector.

Although the Saudi economy remains heavily reliant on oil and gas exports for revenue, the crown prince's Vision 2030 plan calls for creating new industries and attracting foreign investment in a range of non-oil sectors, including nuclear technology, construction, artificial intelligence, education and healthcare.

Korean media reported that President Moon and Prince Mohammed discussed potential deals on defense and advanced weapons systems to Riyadh, as well as Korea's nuclear fusion reactors. Moon's government has previously expressed interest in South Korea taking part in a major nuclear power plant project in Saudi Arabia.

South Koreans helped neighboring United Arab Emirates build its $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant, the first of its kind on the Arabian Peninsula.

Moon visited the United Arab Emirates on Monday, where he reportedly reached a preliminary $3.5 billion deal to sell Seoul's surface-to-air missiles to Abu Dhabi and pledged deeper cooperation with the Arab country. The South Korean leader is scheduled to visit Egypt next.

State-run Saudi media said among those who attended Moon's talks with the Saudi crown prince at Al-Yamama Palace in Riyadh were a number of ministers, including the crown prince's younger brother, Prince Khalid bin Salman, who serves as deputy defense minister.

The crown prince has largely taken over day-to-day rule of Saudi Arabia from his father, King Salman. It was unclear whether Moon would also meet the king, who has only made limited public appearances since the outbreak of the virus globally in March 2020.

This is the first visit to Saudi Arabia by a South Korean president since 2015. The Saudi crown prince visited South Korea in mid-2019.

Prince Mohammed faced fallout in the immediate aftermath of the 2018 killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in the kingdom's consulate in Turkey. Though the crown prince still faces scrutiny abroad, Western and Asian billionaires, members of U.S. Congress, celebrities, world leaders and have been wooed back to Saudi Arabia.

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President Joe Biden has rallied European allies to pledge as one that they will take tough measures against if it rolls troops into .

But when it comes to what exactly the United States and Europe are willing to do, the allies don't look as ringingly united.

Militarily, for example, the United States, Turkey and Britain have stood out for supplying or agreeing to supply anti-tank missiles, armed drones, naval warships and other weapons, along with money to help build its defenses.

But key ally Germany appears averse to any such direct military aid so much so that a British military flight taking weapons to on Monday flew around German airspace rather than taking the most direct route through it.

While Biden has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of economic consequences like none he's ever seen if invades Ukraine, some major European allies have demonstrated less enthusiasm for huge economic penalties, which could damage some European economies, or put in jeopardy the Russian natural gas Europeans need to stay warm this winter.

During weeks of intense diplomacy, Russian leaders have dismissed the allies' pledge of a united stand against . In reality, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov protested, it's the US calling the shots, the Europeans falling in line.

And if talk of unity and the promises of repercussions is making Putin think twice, he's not showing it.

Russia has sent some 100,000 troops toward the Ukrainian border, and US officials said Tuesday they believed Russia was capable of launching an attack. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was making a hastily planned trip to Ukraine and Germany ahead of talks with Lavrov in Geneva on Friday.

European Union leaders see Russia as trying to sow discord among the 27-nation EU, the United States and NATO.

By last week, they were congratulating themselves on avoiding that trap.

The United States didn't play their game," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. Russia wanted to divide us. They failed."



At least in words, the lining up of Europeans behind U.S. leadership has been a foreign policy success for the Biden administration after it led global allies in a withdrawal from Afghanistan with damaging results.

US work nailing down European commitments against Russia if it invades will continue, said Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat who traveled with Republican and Democratic senators to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders last weekend.

Right now there seems to be slightly greater interest coming from the United States on implementing tough multilateral sanctions than from Europe, Murphy told reporters Monday.

That's somewhat stunning to me, given the territorial integrity of Europe, not the United States, is at stake."



In October and November, France, Germany and some in the EU questioned US warnings that Russia's military buildup near Ukraine could signal an imminent invasion.

France and Germany initially opposed activating NATO's crisis response planning system. They relented, and it was activated Nov. 30.

U.S. allies now seem determined to prove they're in lock-step with Biden. Publicly, there's virtually no dissent from the pledges of tough action.

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would likely trigger the immediate bolstering of defenses of NATO members close to Russia's borders, like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. NATO already has about 5,000 troops and equipment deployed in those countries. The presence of NATO members along Russia's borders already is one of Putin's central complaints against the West.

Countries in southeast Europe Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, in particular are also being sounded out about their willingness to potentially host a NATO battle group of around 1,000 troops and equipment in the Black Sea region.

There is a number of nations that are interested then in hosting those forces, Admiral Rob Bauer, the head of NATO's military committee, said last week.

Since it's not a member of NATO, Ukraine can expect no military help from the alliance as an organisation if Russia invades.

Among the European Union and individual European governments, the rhetoric matches that from the White House and Americans: Russia would incur enormous costs of an economic and political nature if Putin sent his forces across the border into Ukraine.

No leaders are publicly discussing the precise nature of possible sanctions, saying it would be a mistake to show their hand.

The EU has a track record of slapping sanctions on Russia in unison with the US, the UK, Canada and other allies.

The most talked-about actions include banning Russia from the SWIFT banking system that handles the flow of money around the world and imposing sanctions on Putin's family, his military and political circles and Russian banks.

The British government has lined up firmly behind the tough US line on Ukraine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week to back wide-ranging economic sanctions should Russia invade, Johnson's office said.

But there are questions about how much economic pain Britain is willing to inflict on London's financial district and property market, which are hubs for Russian money.

UK banks and financial authorities have long been accused of turning a blind eye to ill-gotten gains.

After France emerged as one of the initial skeptics of the US warnings over Russia's troop buildup, the government minister for European affairs, Clment Beaune, recently said France is ready to support sanctions against Russia if needed. He did not elaborate.

Germany, the largest economy in Europe, holds one of the greatest pieces of economic leverage over Russia a newly built pipeline, Nord Stream 2, that would deliver Russian natural gas directly to Germany and beyond.

Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said Monday that her country will do everything to guarantee the security of Ukraine.

Any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime economic, political and strategic, she said. And we're very serious about this.

But Germany's government has given mixed signals, and no definitive public word, on whether it would keep the pipeline offline if Russia sends troops into Ukraine. That's left Blinken to give assurances in Germany's stead, saying it would be difficult to see gas flowing if Russia invades.

(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 US has unveiled a new privacy bill that would ban targeted advertising on digital platforms by social media giants like Meta (formerly Facebook), Google and .

The bill allows users to sue platforms like and Google if they break the law, granting up to $5,000 in relief per violation.

Titled 'The Banning Surveillance Advertising Act', the bill seeks to limit the ways that Big Tech serve ads to their users.

It, however, makes some small exceptions, like allowing for "broad" location-based targeting and "contextual advertising", reports The Verge.

"The 'surveillance advertising' business model is premised on the unseemly collection and hoarding of personal data to enable ad targeting," Anna Eshoo (D-CA), the bill's lead sponsor, said in a statement.

"This pernicious practice allows online platforms to chase user engagement at great cost to our society, and it fuels disinformation, discrimination, voter suppression, privacy abuses, and so many other harms. The surveillance advertising business model is broken," Eshoo said late on Tuesday.

Any targeting based on "protected class information, such as race, gender, and religion, and personal data purchased from data brokers" would not be allowed.

--IANS

na/dpb

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The should reaffirm its interest in the diplomatic resolution of tensions around by refusing to supply weapons to Kiev, the Russian Embassy in Washington said in a statement.

"If the is truly committed to diplomatic efforts to resolve the intra-Ukrainian conflict, it should abandon plans to supply new batches of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the embassy said on Facebook.

According to the statement, Washington should instead use its influence on the Ukrainian authorities to persuade them to stop sabotaging the Minsk agreements.

The embassy also recalled that does not plan to invade .

"On January 18, The White House, US Department of State and #Pentagon high-ranking officials spoke with one voice about the absence of de-escalation steps on the Russian-Ukrainian border. Moreover, they argued that our country could invade the neighboring state at any moment, including from the territory of Belarus," it said.

"We stress once again: is not going to attack anyone. The practice of moving troops on our own soil is a sovereign right. We call to end the hysteria and not to pile on tension around the Donbas problem. And most importantly - not to push 'hotheads' in Kiev towards new provocations," the embassy said.

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The Biden administration plans to significantly expand efforts to stave off catastrophic wildfires that have torched areas of the U.S. West by more aggressively thinning forests around areas called hotspots where nature and neighbourhoods collide.

As climate change heats up and dries out the West, administration officials said they have crafted a $50 billion plan to more than double the use of controlled fires and logging to reduce trees and other vegetation that serves as tinder in the most at-risk areas.

They said work will begin this year and the plan will focus on regions where out-of-control blazes have wiped out neighbourhoods and sometimes entire communities including California's Sierra Nevada mountains, the east side of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and portions of Arizona, Oregon and Washington state. Homes keep getting built in fire-prone areas, even as conditions that stoke blazes get worse.

You're going to have forest fires. The question is how catastrophic do those fires have to be," Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack told the Associated Press in an interview before announcing the administration's wildfire strategy on Tuesday in Phoenix.

The time to act is now if we want to ultimately over time change the trajectory of these fires, Vilsack said.

Specific projects weren't immediately released, and it's not clear who would pay for the full scope of work envisioned across almost 80,000 square miles (200,000 square kilometers) an area almost as large as Idaho. Much of that area is controlled by states, tribes or is privately owned.

Reaching that goal would require an estimated $20 billion over 10 years for work on national forests and $30 billion for work on other federal, state, tribal and private lands, said Vilsack spokesperson Kate Waters.

Vilsack acknowledged that the new effort will also require a paradigm shift within the U.S. Forest Service, from an agency devoted to stamping out fires, into one that uses what some Native Americans call good fire on forests and rangeland to prevent even larger blazes.

Forest Service planning documents indicate the work will focus on hotspots that make up only 10% of the fire-prone areas across the U.S. but account for 80% of risk to communities because of their population densities and locations.

The recently-passed federal infrastructure bill put a down payment on the initiative $3.2 billion over five years that Vilsack said will get work going quickly.

Wildfire expert John Abatzoglou said lessening fire dangers on the amount of land envisioned under the administration's plan is a lofty goal" that represents even more acreage than burned over the past 10 years across the West. But Abatzoglou, a University of California Merced engineering professor, said the focus on wildfire hazards closest to communities makes sense.

Our scorecard for fire should be about lives saved rather than acres that didn't burn, he said.

Dealing with western wildfires is becoming increasingly urgent as they get more destructive and intense. There have been rare winter blazes in recent weeks, including infernos in Montana and Colorado, where a wildfire on Dec. 30 tore through a suburban area and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, leaving one person dead and a second still missing.

And there's no signs of a let-up in conditions that keep the risk of wildfires extremely high. A long-term megadrought is gripping the region and scientists forecast temperatures will keep rising as more climate-changing carbon emissions are pumped into the atmosphere.

The impact stretches far beyond the western U.S. because massive smoke plumes at the height of wildfire season in the U.S. and Canada spread the health effects across North America sending unhealthy pollution last summer to major cities from San Francisco to Philadelphia and Toronto.

For decades the primary approach to containing and extinguishing forest fires was to try to stamp them out. The efforts have been similar to massive, military-like campaigns, including planes, fleets of heavy equipment and thousands of firefighting personnel and support workers dispatched to the fire zones.

However, fires are a part of the natural cycle for most forests, so putting them out leaves stands of trees that don't burn surrounded by dead wood, underbrush and other highly flammable fuels a worst-case scenario when blazes ignite.

Critics have said U.S. agencies are too fixated on fighting fires and that trying to solve the problem by cutting more trees will only harm the forests. In South Dakota's Black Hills, for example, government biologists have said that too many trees dying from a combination of insects, fire and logging have made current timber harvest levels unsustainable.

But Vilsack said a combination of tree thinning and intentionally set fires to clear undergrowth that are called prescribed burns will make the forests healthier in the long run while reducing the threat to public safety.

Forests thinned near Lake Tahoe and its tourism gateway community of South Lake Tahoe were credited with slowing the advance of the massive Caldor Fire last summer that destroyed almost 800 homes and prompted evacuations of tens of thousands of residents and tourists.

A similar phenomenon played out during Oregon's Bootleg fire last July, which burned more than 600 square miles (1,500 square kilometers) but did less damage in forest that was thinned over the past decade.

We know this works," Vilsack said. It's removing some of the timber, in a very scientific and thoughtful way, so that at the end of the day fires don't continue to hop from tree top to tree top, but eventually come to ground where we can put them out.

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Secretary of State will meet with his Russian counterpart in Switzerland this week as tensions between the US and escalate over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, the State Department said Tuesday.

The State Department said Blinken will travel to Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, move on to Berlin and then meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday.

The hastily arranged trip aims to show US support for and impress on the need for de-escalation.

A senior State Department official underscored the urgency, telling reporters: We are now at a point where could launch an attack on at any time. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

The meetings follow inconclusive diplomatic talks between Moscow and the West in Europe last week that failed to resolve stark disagreements over and other security matters.

Instead, those meetings appear to have increased fears of a Russian invasion, and the Biden administration has accused Russia of preparing a false flag operation" to use as a pretext for intervention. Russia has angrily denied the charge.

From Kyiv, Blinken will travel to Berlin, where he will meet with his German, British and French counterparts to discuss a possible response to any Russian military action. In Geneva on Friday, Blinken will be testing Lavrov on Russia's interest in a diplomatic off-ramp for the crisis, the senior State Department official said.

Russia has massed some 100,000 troops with tanks and other heavy weapons on its own soil near the Ukrainian border in what many observers believe may be preparation for an invasion.

Blinken's travel and consultations are part of the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension caused by Russia's military build-up and continued aggression against Ukraine, the State Department said in a statement.

Blinken will meet with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday to reinforce the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the State Department said.

The trip follows extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners about a united approach to address the threat Russia poses to Ukraine and our joint efforts to encourage it to choose diplomacy and de-escalation in the interests of security and stability, it said.

CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv last Wednesday to consult with his Ukrainian counterparts and discuss current assessments of the risk to Ukraine, a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Burns' schedule, which is classified.

While there, he also discussed the current situation with Zelenskyy and efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Blinken spoke by phone Tuesday with Lavrov, discussing the diplomatic talks and meetings held last week.

The State Department said Blinken stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine situation and reiterated the unshakable US commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On Monday, Lavrov, Russia's top diplomat, rejected the US allegations that his country was preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters, he dismissed the US claim as total disinformation.

Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the US and its allies to Moscow's request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet countries or station its forces and weapons there.

Blinken underscored to Lavrov on Tuesday that any discussion of European security must include NATO Allies and European partners, including Ukraine, the State Department said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov emphasized in the call with Blinken the key aspects of Russian draft documents envisaging legally binding guarantees of Russia's security in line with the principle of indivisibility of security approved by all countries in the Euro-Atlantic. It said Lavrov stressed the importance for Washington to quickly deliver a written response to the Russian proposals.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscow's demands during last week's Russia-US negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels.

The White House said Friday that US intelligence officials had concluded that Russia had already deployed operatives to rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine to carry out acts of sabotage there and blame them on Ukraine to create a pretext for possible invasion.

Ahead of Blinken's visit to Kyiv, a delegation of US senators was visiting Ukraine to emphasize congressional support for the country.

Our bipartisan congressional delegation sends a clear message to the global community: the stands in unwavering support of our Ukrainian partners to defend their sovereignty and in the face of persistent Russian aggression, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, said in a statement.

Speaking Monday on a visit to Kyiv, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime economic, political and strategic," and she emphasized the need to continue negotiations.

We are prepared to have a serious dialogue with Russia, because diplomacy is the only way to defuse this highly dangerous situation at the moment, she said.

Russia in 2014 seized the Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of Ukraine's Moscow-friendly leader and 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 country's industrial heartland called Donbas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will take unspecified military-technical measures if the West stonewalls its demands.

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Two navy vessels will arrive in Tonga on Friday carrying critical water supplies for the Pacific island nation reeling from a volcanic eruption and and largely cut off from the outside world.

Hundreds of homes in Tonga's smaller outer islands have been destroyed, and at least three people were killed after Saturday's huge eruption triggered waves, which rolled over the islands causing what the government has called an unprecedented disaster.

With its airport smothered by volcanic ash and communications badly hampered by the severing of an undersea cable, information on the scale of the devastation has mostly come from reconnaissance aircraft.

The Red Cross said its teams in Tonga had confirmed that salt water from the and volcanic ash were polluting the drinking water sources of tens of thousands of people.

"Securing access to safe drinking water is a critical immediate priority... as there is a mounting risk of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea," Katie Greenwood, the Pacific head of delegation for the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said in a statement.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted with a blast heard 2,300 km (1,430 miles) away in and sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean.

James Garvin, chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said the force of the eruption was estimated to be equivalent to five to 10 megatons of TNT, an explosive force more than 500 times the nuclear bomb dropped by the United States on Hiroshima, Japan, at the end of World War Two.

New Zealand's foreign ministry said Tonga had approved the arrival of HMNZS Aotearoa and the HMNZS Wellington in the COVID-free nation, where concerns about a potential coronavirus outbreak are likely to complicate relief efforts.

Simon Griffiths, captain of the Aotearoa, said his ship was carrying 250,000 litres of water, and had the capacity to produce another 70,000 litres a day, along with other supplies.

"For the people of Tonga, we're heading their way now with a whole lot of water," Griffiths said in a release.

Other countries and agencies including the United Nations are drawing up plans to help.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said it would send help, including water and food, when the archipelago's main Fua'amotu Airport reopens. It was not damaged but was covered in ash, which has to be cleared manually, "We thought that it would be operational yesterday, but it hasn't been fully cleared yet because more ash has been falling," Fiji-based U.N. co-ordinator Jonathan Veitch said on Wednesday.

Pacific neighbour Fiji will send defence engineers on Australia's HMAS Adelaide, which is due to set sail from Brisbane for Tonga on Friday, a Fiji military spokesman told a briefing in Suva.

CLEAN-UP

Waves reaching up to 15 metres hit the outer Ha'apia island group, destroying all of the houses on the island of Mango, as well as the west coast of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, the prime minister's office said.

On the west coast of Tongatapu, residents were being moved to evacuation centres as 56 houses were destroyed or seriously damaged on that coast.

said power has now been restored, and clean-up and damage assessments were going on and Tongan authorities were distributing relief supplies.

Australia and New Zealand have promised immediate financial assistance.

The U.S. Agency for Development approved $100,000 in immediate assistance to support people affected by volcanic eruptions and tsunami waves.

The Asian Development Bank was discussing with Tonga whether it would declare a state of emergency to draw on a $10 million disaster funding facility, senior bank official Emma Veve told Reuters.

Tonga is still largely offline after the volcano severed the sole undersea fibre-optics communication cable.

International mobile phone network provider Digicel has set up an interim system on Tongatapu using the University of South Pacific's satellite dish, the New Zealand foreign ministry said.

That would allow a 2G connection to be established but the connection is patchy and amounts to about 10% of usual capacity, U.S. cable company SubCom has advised it will take at least four weeks for Tonga's cable be repaired, it added.

REMOTE AID

Tongan communities abroad have posted images from families on Facebook, giving a glimpse of the devastation, with homes reduced to rubble, fallen trees, cracked roads and sidewalks and everything coated with grey ash.

Aid agencies, including the United Nations, are preparing to send relief flights to Tonga but without personnel who disembark to avoid introducing the coronavirus, Veitch said.

Tonga is one of the few countries that is COVID-19 free and an outbreak there would disastrous, he said.

"They've been very cautious about opening their borders like many Pacific islands, and that's because of the history of disease outbreaks in the Pacific which has wiped out societies here," Veitch told a briefing.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon, Kirsty Needham, Tom Westbrook, Karen Lema and Jane Wardell; writing by Robert Birsel; editing by Grant McCool and Richard Pullin)

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Shares of One97 Communications, the parent company of digital payments major Paytm, hit a new low of Rs 990, down 5 per cent on the BSE in Wednesdays intra-day trade on the back of heavy volumes. The stock is less than 10 per cent away from touching brokerage firm Macquarie's target price of Rs 900 apiece.

In the past three weeks, the stock price of has slipped 26 per cent, whereas it has declined 54 per cent against the issue price of Rs 2,150. The company had made its market debut on November 18, 2021.

At 12:56 pm, was down 4.4 per cent at Rs 997, as compared to a 1.2 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex. A combined 5.2 million equity shares had changed hands on the counter on the NSE and BSE.

On listing, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) held 10.37 per cent stake, while individual shareholders held 12.05 per cent holding in Paytm, the shareholding pattern data shows. The company is yet to file its December quarter shareholding pattern.

On January 10, 2022 global brokerage Macquarie came out with a report on One97 Communication maintaining its underperform rating on the stock and reducing its target price (TP) to Rs 900. Macquaries previous target price for was Rs 1,200 in November.

Post the various business updates and results, we believe our revenue projections, particularly on the distribution side, is at risk and, hence, we pare down our revenue CAGR (compound annual growth rate) from 26 per cent to 23 per cent for FY21-26E. We are roughly cutting revenue estimates for FY21-26E on an average by 10 per cent every year due to lower distribution and commerce/cloud revenues offset partially by higher payment revenues, Macquarie had said.

It added that it was cutting its earnings projection by 16-27 per cent for FY22-25E, because of lower revenues and higher employee and software expenses. We cut our TP sharply by around 25 per cent owing to a lower target multiple of 11.5x (price-to-sales ratio) (from 13.5x earlier) and lower sales numbers, the brokerage said.

The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBIs) proposed digital payments regulations could cap wallet charges. The payments business still forms 70 per cent of overall gross revenues for Paytm and, hence, any regulations capping these charges could impact revenues significantly. Add to that the recent rejection of Paytms foray into insurance by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. The brokerage believes this could impact the companys prospects of getting a banking license.

Paytm has a history of net losses and it may not be able to achieve profitability. In the event that payment processing charges payable to financial institutions and card networks increase significantly, and Paytm is not able to pass on these higher processing charges to its merchants or consumers, it may not be profitable, brokerage HDFC Securities had said in its IPO note.

It had added that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to prevent its spread have had, and may continue to have, a material and adverse effect on the business and results of operations.

Paytm offers some of its services in partnership with group company, Paytm Payments Bank. Any failure by Paytm Payments Bank to support these services could adversely impact these services and could impact the overall business, financial condition and results of operations are among key risks and concerns, it said.
Amid the growing trend of stock trading through mobiles, capital regulator on Wednesday launched its mobile App -- Saa?thi-- to create awareness among about the basic concepts of .

Launching the app, chairman Ajay Tyagi said, "This mobile App is yet another initiative of with a view to empowering with knowledge about securities market".

With the recent surge in individual entering the market, and more importantly a large proportion of trading being mobile phone based, this App will be helpful in easily accessing the relevant information, he added.

He, further, said that in coming times this App will be popular among investors especially the young ones.

The Sebi mobile App aims to create awareness among the investors about the basic concepts of securities market, KYC process, trading and settlement, mutual funds, recent market developments, investor grievances redressal mechanism, etc.

The App is available in Hindi and English. The Android and iOS versions of the App can be downloaded from Play Store and App Store respectively.

Tyagi said that the App would be made available in regional languages going forward.

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Adani Transmission has signed a share purchase agreement with PFC Consulting on 18 January 2022 for acquisition of its entire stake in Karur Transmission.

The project comprises of establishing 2x500 MVA, 400/230 kV Karur Pooling Station at Tamil Nadu and Loop In Loop Out (LILO) of Pugalur - Pugalur (HVDC) line.

The Company's execution of the project will help evacuate renewable energy from the Karur-Tiruppur region and the estimated capex will be more than Rs. 200 crore.

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Adani Transmission has signed share purchase agreement with PFC Consulting on 18 January 2022 for acquisition of its entire stake in Khavda-Bhuj Transmission.

The project, Khavda-Bhuj Transmission, primarily consists of approximately 220 ckt km of transmission line connecting Khavda pooling station with Bhuj pooling station and 4,500 MVA, 765 kV Gas Insulated Substation at Khavda.

With an estimated capex of more than Rs 1,200 Cr, ATL's execution of the project will help evacuate about 3 GW of renewable energy from Khavda, Gujarat. The project will help shape one of the country's largest solar and wind farms.

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Hero Electric and the Mahindra Group today announced their collaborative intent as part of Hero's growth and expansion plans to cater to the ever growing demand for EVs in the country.

The strategic partnership will create multiple synergies to help drive adoption across the country.

As part of the partnership, Mahindra Group will manufacture Hero Electric's most popular electric bikes - Optima & NYX at their Pitampur plant to meet the growing demands of the market.

With this collaboration along with the expansion of their existing Ludhiana facility, Hero will be able to meet its demand of manufacturing over 1 million EVs per year by 2022. This will further enable them to drive adoption of a cleaner mode of transport.

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On a consolidated basis, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company's net profit rose 2.53% to Rs 312 crore in Q3 December 2021 over Q3 December 2020.

While the company's net premium income rose 1.15% to Rs 9,073.97 crore, net income from investments slumped 96.18% to Rs 737 crore in Q3 December 2021 over Q3 December 2020.

Value of New Business (VNB) for 9M-FY2022 was Rs 1388 crore, a growth of 34.8% over 9M-FY2021. With an APE of Rs 5125 crore for the 9M-FY2022, VNB margin was 27.1% for 9M-FY2022 as compared to 25.1% for FY2021. VNB is used to measure profitability of the new business written in a period.

New business premium was Rs 10248 crore for 9M-FY2022, a growth of 29.7% as compared to Rs 7899 crore for 9M-FY2021. Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) was Rs 5125 crore for 9M-FY2022, a growth of 29.6% as compared to Rs 3954 crore for 9M-FY2021. APE is a measure of new business written by a life insurance company.

The company offers a range of products across protection and savings solutions to meet the specific needs of customers. During 9M-FY2022, retail traditional savings APE grew by 33.9% from Rs 1127 crore in 9M-FY2021 to Rs 1509 crore in 9M-FY2022, resulting in an improvement in share of APE from 28.5% in 9M-FY2021 to 29.4% in 9M-FY2022. Protection APE grew by 21.8% year on year to Rs 856 crore and the protection mix stood at 16.7% in 9M-FY2022.

As a result, new business sum assured was Rs 513163 crore for 9M-FY2022, a growth of 24.7% as compared to Rs 411500 crore for 9M-FY2021. Based on new business sum assured, the Company continued to maintain a leadership within the private life insurance sector.

The company has strong focus on improving the quality of business and customer retention which is reflected in 13th and 61st month persistency ratios. The company's 13th month persistency ratio was stable at 84.8% at December 2021 as compared to March 2021. Its 61st month persistency ratio improved to 52.7% at December 2021 as compared to 49.8% to March 2021.

Total expenses grew by 25% year-on-year to Rs 3505 crore for 9M-FY2022. The growth in expense was lower than the new business growth which stood at 30% for the same period. The company's overall cost to Total Weighted Received Premium (TWRP) stood at 17.7% in 9M-FY2022.

The total assets under management of the company was Rs 237560 crore at 31 December 2021, a growth of 16% over 31 December 2020. The company had a debt-equity mix of 52:48% at 31 December 2021. 97.8% of the debt investments are in AAA rated and government bonds.

The company's net worth was Rs 9086 crore at 31 December 2021. The solvency ratio was 202.2% against regulatory requirement of 150%.

N S Kannan, MD & CEO, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance said, "We have maintained positive momentum in business and profitability, and have registered a strong year-on-year growth of 35% in the Value of New Business for 9M-FY2022. Given the environment, financial security for self and family including retirement planning has assumed greater significance with growth of 30% in New Business Premium for 9M-FY2022. Further, almost half of our New Business Premium for 9M-FY2022 has been contributed by the Protection and Annuity segments. With this strong performance and continued focus on the 4P strategy, we remain on track to achieve our aspiration of doubling the FY2019 VNB by FY2023.

During the quarter, we became a signatory to the United Nations supported Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI), the first Indian insurance company to do so. This demonstrates our commitment to sustainability. Also, we are the first insurance company in India to offer an ESG-focused fund to our customers.

As we continue to develop innovative products, leverage technology, expand distribution across platforms and geographies, we remain committed to our vision of securing the protection and long-term saving needs of customers with sensitivity."

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance is promoted by ICICI Bank and Prudential Corporation Holdings. The company offers an array of products in the Protection and Savings category which match the different life stage requirements of customers, enabling them to provide a financial safety-net to their families as well as achieve their long-term financial goals. The digital platform of the company provides a paperless on-boarding experience to customers, empowers them to conduct an assortment of self-service transactions, provides a convenient route to make digital payments for purchasing and making renewal premium payments, and facilitates a hassle-free claims settlement process.

Shares of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company tumbled 4.98% to Rs 577.25.

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Lupin on Wednesday announced that it has entered into a partnership with Shenzhen Foncoo Pharmaceutical Co for providing high quality generic and complex generic medicines to patients around the world.

Lupin said that this its first partnership arrangement in China and reinforces the company's commitment to bringing high quality generic and complex generic medicines to patients around the world.

Dr. Fabrice Egros, president - growth markets of Lupin said, Lupin continues to invest in key growth markets. With China's growing commitment to affordable and accessible healthcare, Lupin is committed to serving the healthcare needs of the Chinese population by providing high quality generic and complex generic products. We are very excited about our partnership with Foncoo. We will continue exploring additional partnership opportunities in China to leverage our global portfolio including complex generics and specialty medicines.

Shenzhen Foncoo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. specializes in providing pharmaceutical products that treat Central Nervous System disorders. Its headquarter is located in Shenzhen, China

Lupin is a transnational pharmaceutical company. The company develops and commercializes a wide range of branded and generic formulations, biotechnology products and APIs in over 100 markets in the U.S., India, South Africa and across Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), Europe and Middle-East regions.

The company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 2,094.87 crore in Q2 FY22 as against net profit of Rs 213.51 crore in Q2 FY21. On a consolidated basis, net sales rose 5.9% to Rs 4,003.42 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21.

The scrip rose 0.37% to currently trade at Rs 946.05 on the BSE.

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Raymond rose 2.21% to Rs 751.55 after the company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary has signed a pact for the redevelopment of residential project in Mumbai.

Ten X Realty, the step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Raymond, has signed a binding term sheet for joint redevelopment of residential project in the western sub-urban district of Mumbai.

The project is estimated to have, in aggregate, revenue potential of around Rs 2,000 crore over a period of next 5 years. This is in line with the company's growth plan to expand its realty horizons beyond Thane.

Raymond last month incorporated Ten X Realty as its step-down wholly owned subsidiary for development/joint development of land and properties other than existing properties of the company situated at Thane, Maharashtra.

The company's board also approved infusing upto Rs 150 crore in Ten X Realty in more than one tranches over a period of time.

Raymond is India's largest integrated suiting manufacturer that offers endtoend solutions for fabrics and garmenting. It has one of the largest exclusive retail networks in the country with around 1,500 stores in more than 600 towns.

On a consolidated basis, the company reported a net profit of Rs 56.15 crore in Q2 FY22 as compared to a net loss of Rs 136.59 crore posted in Q2 FY21. Net sales jumped 130.1% to Rs 1,551.32 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21.

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Although Covid-19 has been hard on everyone, it has not been an equal opportunity disease. The virus poses a greater threat to those who are already in poor health, many of whom are concentrated in poor countries with weak public-health systems. Moreover, not every country can spend one-quarter of its gross domestic product (GDP) to protect its economy, as the United States did. Developing and emerging economies have faced hard financial and fiscal constraints. And because of vaccine nationalism (hoarding by rich countries), they have had to scrounge for whatever doses they can get.

When countries suffer such acute pain, officeholders tend to receive more blame than they deserve. Often, the result is a more fractious politics that makes addressing real problems even harder. But even with the deck stacked against them, some countries have managed to deliver strong recoveries.

Consider Argentina, which was already in a recession when the pandemic hit, owing to a large extent to former President Mauricio Macris economic mismanagement. Everyone had seen this movie before. A right-wing, business-friendly government had won the confidence of international financial markets, which duly poured in money. But the administrations policies turned out to be more ideological than pragmatic, serving the rich rather than ordinary citizens.

When those policies inevitably failed, Argentinians elected a centre-left government that would spend most of its energy cleaning up the mess, rather than pursuing its own agenda. The resulting disappointment would then set the stage for the election of another right-wing government. Regrettably, a pattern repeated over and over.

But there are important differences in the current cycle. The Macri government, elected in 2015, inherited relatively little foreign debt, owing to the restructuring that had already occurred. International financial markets were thus even more enthusiastic than usual, lending the government tens of billions of dollars despite the absence of a credible economic programme.

Then, when things went awry  as many observers had anticipated  the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stepped in with its largest-ever rescue package: A $57 billion programme, of which $44 billion was quickly dispersed in what many saw as a naked attempt by the IMF, under pressure from US President Donald Trumps administration, to sustain a right-wing government.

What followed is typical of such political loans (as I detailed in my 2002 book, Globalization and Its Discontents). Domestic and foreign financiers were given time to take their money out of the country, leaving Argentinian taxpayers holding the bag. Once again, the country was heavily indebted with nothing to show for it. And, once again, the programme failed, plunging the economy into a deep downturn, and a new government was elected.

Fortunately, the now recognises that its programme failed to achieve its stated economic objectives. The Funds Ex-Post Evaluation places a significant portion of the blame on Macris government, whose redlines on certain policies may have ruled out potentially critical measures for the programme. Among those measures were a debt operation and use of capital flow management measures.





Illustration: Binay Sinha

The IMFs usual apologists will attribute the programmes failure to a lack of communication or clumsy implementation. But better communication is no fix for poor programme design. The market understood this, even if the US Treasury Department and some in the did not.

Given the mess that Argentinian President Alberto Fernandezs government inherited in late 2019, it appears to have achieved an economic miracle. From the third quarter of 2020 to the third quarter of 2021, GDP growth reached 11.9 per cent, and is now estimated to have been 10 per cent for 2021  almost twice the forecast for the US  while employment and investment have recovered to levels above those when Mr Fernandez took office. The countrys public finances have also improved, even with a countercyclical recovery policy, owing to the strong economic growth, higher and more progressive tax rates on wealth and corporate income, and the debt restructuring of 2020.

There also has been significant growth in exports  not just in terms of value but also in volume  following the implementation of development policies designed to foster growth in the tradable sector. These include reforms to credit policies; a reduction in export duties to zero in value-added sectors, coupled with higher rates on primary commodities; and investments in public infrastructure and research and development (the kinds of policies that Bruce Greenwald and I advocate in our book Creating a Learning Society).

Despite this significant progress in the real economy, the financial media has chosen to focus wholly on issues such as country risk and the exchange-rate gap. But those problems are hardly surprising. Financial markets are looking at the mountain of IMF-furnished debt coming due. Given the enormous size of the loan that needs to be refinanced, an agreement that merely extends the amortisation timeline from 4.5 to 10 years is hardly sufficient to alleviate Argentinas debt worries.

Moreover, is still experiencing the effects of the speculative portfolio capital that poured in during Mr Macris presidency. Much of this was trapped by that governments capital controls, resulting in constant pressure on the parallel exchange rate.

Cleaning up the previous governments financial mess will take years. The next big challenge is to reach an agreement with the IMF over the Macri-era debt. The Fernandez government has signalled that it is open to any programme that does not undermine economic recovery and increase poverty. Though everyone should know by now that austerity is counterproductive, some influential IMF member states may still push for it.

The irony is that the same countries that always insist on the need for confidence could undermine confidence in Argentinas recovery. Will they be willing to go along with a programme that does not entail austerity? In a world still battling Covid-19, no democratic government can or should accept such conditions.

Over the past few years, the IMF has gained new respect with its effective responses to global crises, from the pandemic and climate change to inequality and debt. Were it to reverse course with old-style austerity demands on Argentina, the consequences for the Fund itself would be severe, including other countries diminished willingness to engage with it. That, in turn, could threaten global financial and political stability. In the end, everyone would lose.

The writer is University Professor at Columbia University and a member of the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation. Project Syndicate, 2022
leader and minister Anil Parab on Wednesday claimed the results of the nagar panchayat elections showed that people favoured the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Numbers were important in democracy and the ruling MVA alliance of the Sena, NCP and Congress won the highest number of seats collectively, he told reporters here after the results were announced. It did not matter which MVA constituent won how many seats, Parab said, adding that the result was a victory of the alliance. The Sena also did well in the coastal Konkan region, its traditional bastion, he claimed. Of 1,649 seats in 97 nagar (local government bodies for small towns), the BJP bagged 384,



NCP 344, Congress 316 and 284. Asked about the ongoing strike in the state-run MSRTC bus service, Parab, who is transport minister, said the labour court has declared the strike as illegal.

"Whatever demands were needed to be accepted, have been accepted. The employees who haven't returned to work are creating obstacles for their colleagues and the corporation," he said.

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on Wednesday announced that its mixed reality headset HoloLens 2 is now available in India.

Apart from India, HoloLens 2 is also available in Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Portugal, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"HoloLens 2 helps businesses, and their employees complete crucial tasks faster, safer, and more efficiently, and creates new ways to connect with customers as well as partners," Rajiv Sodhi, Chief Operating Officer, India said.

The next-generation AR headset is built off a Qualcomm system-on-a-chip and is targeted at enterprise.

The headset offers a new time-of-flight depth sensor, combined with built-in artificial intelligence and semantic understanding to enable direct manipulation of holograms in a more realistic fashion.

Thousands of leading companies in industries such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, retail, and education are using HoloLens 2.

--IANS

wh/svn/skp/

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With a large number of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) continuing to reel from the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, banks and companies have represented to the finance ministry for another relief package for the sector.

According to bankers, the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, mainly driven by the variant, has impacted the sector adversely. Banks and industry representatives have sought support for the sector in the line of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), a measure introduced early in the pandemic.

The ECLGS scheme entails 100 per cent credit guarantee by the NCGTC (National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd) for loans extended by banks and non-banking finance companies.

In addition, a large number of accounts that have turned non-performing (NPA) even with an extended classification of 180 days overdue, the security collateral usually remains fully utilised in MSMEs. As a result, promoters are unable to bring in additional security demanded by lenders to accept a restructuring package.

For units impacted during the Covid pandemic, a guarantee cover of 100 per cent of additional security needed for restructuring may be extended through the existing CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises) scheme or through a new instrument under NCGTC, said the pre-budget memorandum of the Federation of India MSMEs (FISME).

There is also a demand to amend the (IBC) for better recovery of the dues from MSMEs.

A large number of MSMEs are suppliers to companies. During the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) and liquidation process under the IBC, MSME suppliers are treated only as operational creditors.

For distribution of assets as per waterfall mechanism under both these processes the dues of MSME operational creditors are mostly written off with little to no recoveries, as by the time the dues of the secured creditors are addressed there is very little left to distribute, FISME said in its pre-budget memorandum to the government.

The procedure is such that hapless MSME suppliers get nothing if their large buyers go through CIRP/ liquidation. The process has pushed many MSME suppliers to the brink of closure for no fault of theirs. As one large corporate entity would have many MSME suppliers, a large debtor becoming insolvent also has a snowball effect. All of this is despite the MSME Act providing for timely payment of MSME dues which stand overruled by the IBC, FISME said.

As a remedy, it has been suggested that MSMEs should be classified as a separate sub-category under the existing operational creditors category and accorded priority for payment of their dues over other operational creditors and other debts / debtors by introducing a relevant amendment under the waterfall mechanism as under Section 53.

Further, section 53 be so amended as to put dues of MSMEs on a par with the dues of workmen to a minimum extent of 5% of the total CIRP or liquidation amount, as the case may be, for payment, the pre-budget memorandum said.
In a bid to maintain fiscal deficit within the targeted limit, the has asked ministries and departments to restrict their expenses with the revised estimates.

The communication comes ahead of the Union Budget 2022-23, likely to be unveiled on February 1.

In an office memorandum seeking proposals for the third and final batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants, the economic affairs department under the asked the ministries and departments to submit their proposals by February 10.

"While processing proposals for supplementary grants, the grant-controlling authority must invariably identify savings available within the grant so that the infructuous or inflated supplementary demands are weeded out and the eventuality of surrender after obtaining supplementary grant is avoided," it said.

The proposal for Supplementary Demands for Grants may be projected after a thorough and objective assessment of additional requirements of funds, it said.

"All the ministries and departments have been requested to contain the expenditure within the approved Revised Estimate ceilings," it said.

The government estimates a fiscal deficit of 6.8 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the current financial year ending on March 31.

Fiscal deficit is an indication of the government's borrowing to meet the shortfall between expenditure and receipts from taxes and other sources.

The memorandum further said the demand proposal should be made after a thorough review of savings within the Grant.

"In cases where re-appropriation can be made without the requirement of Supplementary as per the extant provisions, no Supplementary proposal, including for a token amount, should be proposed.

"Such requirement may be met by re-appropriation of savings after obtaining approval of competent authority," it said.

The cases that will be eligible to be incorporated under such demands include those where advances from the Contingency Fund of India have been granted.

Besides, payments against court decree will be included as well in cases where the has specifically advised moving of supplementary demand in the budget session, it said.

The two-phase Budget session begins on January 31 and continues till April 8.

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Melbourne [Australia]/Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 19 (ANI/NewsVoir): Australian vehicle and powered products manufacturer H2X Global Ltd. and Indian manufacturing and development company ADVIK Hi-Tech Pvt. Ltd. today announced a joint venture for products and components for hydrogen vehicles and powered products for India and for global market.

The vehicles and components have been designed and developed by the H2X Global design team and production is scheduled to start immediately to cater for the rapidly growing demand for hydrogen powered equipment and vehicles in India.

H2X is driven by a team with over 20 years of experience in Europe and Asia with the development of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Vehicles and Power Systems and currently developing several customer delivery programs for Fixed Power Generation and vehicles in Europe, Australia, South East Asia, Africa and South America.

ADVIK is a global leader of Automotive components with a leading position in the Passenger car, Commercial Vehicle and Two-Wheeler production chain as a core supplier of high technology components to almost all major OEMs and over $100 million in annual revenues. ADVIK is a leader in high technology low weight application and together with H2X will take a leading position in the development and production of solutions for Hydrogen Power and Hydrogen Mobility in India.

Launching immediately H2X and ADVIK will begin production of H2X's Series of Fuel Cell Powered Generators. H2X currently has several of these units in deployment in Australia. The first generators manufactured by the joint venture will be put into service with a large-scale power system providing emission-free power for ADVIK's state of the art Research and Development Centre located in Pune, India.

"India is destined to be a leader in the Hydrogen Industry with strong support from Government and Industry. As a company which has always been ahead of the curve, we are aggressively pushing into the Hydrogen space as a core growth area for our company and as a leader of this movement in the country," says Aditya Bhartia, Managing Director for ADVIK Hi-Tech. "We have great confidence in the product range from H2X as being one with several key opportunities to support to the deployment of Hydrogen in the Indian Market and together with our local knowledge and expertise we see great opportunity to develop this for the acceleration of the Indian Clean Energy movement."

Over the past year, the two companies have been working together to explore opportunities for Hydrogen in the Indian market and as the dawn of the Green Hydrogen Revolution comes upon the country the Joint Venture is launched to position H2X and ADVIK as key players within that.

ADVIK will become a major supplier of products and components to H2X on a global level, using the significant power of the company as a leading supplier in the Automotive Industry. ADVIK will also be launching distribution activity for products from H2X through the Joint Venture, capitalising on the local knowledge and network of the company.

Brendan Norman, CEO of H2X believes that the Indian Market is critical to the long-term success of the Hydrogen Industry and that the partnership with ADVIK will be critical to the growth of the company. "We have long believed India is one of the great manufacturing powers of the world and we have found a great player in the automotive Industry in ADVIK. The cooperation between our companies gives us great strength in being able to address India but also to provide us with a strong Manufacturing Backbone to support our production activities in Australia and other parts of the world as well."

The first products from the Joint Venture will be delivered to the market within the coming few months, with the power system in Pune being the highlight of the launch of the Venture. In showing this the Venture will stake its claim as one of the leaders in the upcoming hydrogen revolution.

"The opportunity for us to be able to launch a product to the Indian market at this early stage is reflective of the passion we have at ADVIK to lead our country and the world in terms of being active in new technological advancement," says Aditya of the launch of the Joint Venture. "We strongly believe that through our partnership with H2X we come into a position where we can become a global leader in the Hydrogen revolution and strongly position the growth of Hydrogen in India as a strong pillar of growth into the future."

H2X is an automotive and power unit company focused on absolute sustainability. The company is focused on harnessing the most efficient and effective technologies, with the onus on capturing free and renewable energy sources. A specialisation in hydrogen is the basis of H2X's growth, however, with a strong platform as a maker of electrically powered vehicles, the company has a versatile approach to finding the right vehicle for the right task.

For more information, please visit: (https://h2xglobal.com/).

ADVIK Hi-Tech Private Limited is a leading & Global automotive components manufacturer. We have been catering to the needs of a number of domestic and overseas customers across four continents in the passenger car, commercial vehicle, stationary engine and two-wheelers segment for the past two decades.

We provide products to our customers, keeping in mind their needs and specifications. Our customer base includes leading automotive original equipment manufacturers in India, Europe, the UK, US and ASEAN Region.

For more information, please visit: (https://advik.co.in/)

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Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 19 (ANI/PRNewswire): Lotus Eye Hospital and Institute reveals their vision for 2022. The hospital elaborately plans to expand its reach by addressing the lack of awareness among people about the latest technologies and developments in eye care.

The campaign named 'See The World Better' focuses on helping people achieve better eyesight with the help of Lotus's ophthalmology experts and advanced technology.

The vision of the campaign 'See The World Better' is to remind and urge people to take action to improve their eyesight.

India has a growing population with eye diseases that can turn to blindness if untreated. The primary focus of this campaign is to bring awareness about the importance of proper eye care and encourage people to seek professional help before it is too late for their eyes.

With the help of technological advancements and an expert panel of doctors, Lotus has been providing the best eye care in the sector for the past 32 years. Lotus currently has five high-tech eye care centers in Tamil Nadu and two in Kerala.

"We are on a mission to provide the best eye care in South India. Accessibility to better eye care and awareness of the latest advancements are the challenges our people face now. This year, we will be reaching out to them with our campaign 'See The World Better'," says Sangeetha Sundaramoorthy, Managing Director, Lotus Eye Hospital and Institute.

"There are more advanced eye treatments available currently. Yet, our people keep going for the traditional ways of eye treatments. Methods like ReLEx SMILE and LRCS have proven to be highly efficient than their forerunners like the LASIK treatment and traditional cataract-removal surgery. These treatments can save everyone's time and in certain cases, their eyesight also. People should be more aware of these treatment options. With this year's proactive campaign, the hospital is taking leadership to reach out to the common masses," added Dr R J Madhusudan, Medical Director, Lotus Eye Hospital and Institute.

Lotus Eye Hospital and Institute has been catering its value- added super specialty eye services since 1990. Lotus is known for its excellence in ophthalmic services with personalized care and is committed to pioneering the technological revolution in eye care.

Website: (https://www.lotuseye.org/)

CONTACT: Name: Subash Chandran, Contact Number: 7708888939, Email ID: digitalmarketing@lotuseye.org

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Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 19 (ANI/PRNewswire): Star Localmart, the retail arm of Sanjay Ghodawat Group, today inaugurated its first retail store at Kesnand, Wagholi in Pune.

Strategically designed and located, Star Localmart aims to enhance the lives of consumers with convenience and product affordability, while simultaneously providing an unparalleled retail experience by empowering local resources.

Widely regarded and recognized for its uniquely-held mission of offering customers a wide range of high-quality consumer products at attractive rates, Star Localmart ensures that customers indulge themselves with great discounts, quality products, and excellent customer care. It gives us immense pleasure to expand our footprint in one of the major educational and technological cities of India.

Commenting on this milestone, its Managing Director - Shrenik Ghodawat stated, "As we expand Star Localmart into the city of Pune, I truly believe this experience will be nothing short of extraordinary. Not only will it play an integral part in our retail business but also boost customer satisfaction with quality products and services. As a passionate team, it is our commitment to provide an exquisite shopping experience to ensure customer satisfaction. We hope that our store brings a progressive step towards boosting the local economy and serving the needs of residents of Pune."

Star Localmart currently operates more than 45 retail stores across parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka like Kolhapur, Sangli, Ichalkaranji, Ratnagiri, Miraj, Belgavi, Bagalkot and other locations.

With the goal of opening 3000 stores over the course of the next three years, Star Localmart aims to generate 25000 local employment opportunities that would aid the expansion of the retail stores into new markets. As an exceptionally proficient one-stop shopping destination, Star Localmart is perfect for consumers looking for high-quality products with convenience at affordable prices.

Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG) is a prominent Indian business conglomerate that has its presence in various high-value business verticals. Aviation, Consumer Products, Education, Energy, Mining, Realty, Retail, and Textiles are some of its key business domains. SGG was founded in 1993 and since then it has witnessed impressive growth under the splendid stewardship of its Founder and Chairman- Sanjay Ghodawat.

It has a strong base of millions of customers globally, an employee strength of over 10,000, and a student base of over 16,000. SGG is moving ahead with great vigor and bringing significant changes in people's lives with its wide range of high-quality products and services.

Media Contact:

Nilesh Dave

+91-9175046282

nilesh.d@ghodawat.com

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Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], January 19 (ANI/PNN): PassMark Software, based in Australia, is a global leader in software and hardware performance benchmarking and testing for quality and functionality.

The fact that the first-ever Indian brand, "VIBRANIUM", is ranked No 1 among the nine other cyber security software across the globe is a great pride for the Indian brand. During a press conference held at Hotel Pride in Ahmedabad on this occasion, the company's founder, Sanjay Patolia, briefed the media on Vibranium and provided satisfactory answers to their questions.

Vibranium Alltech Pvt Ltd has extensive experience in the field of cyber security and was the first company in the world to release highly effective anti-malware software to combat ransomware. Not only in India but all over the world, cyber-attacks are becoming a major issue. With India's growing population of internet users, data security has become a major concern. When a computer is infected with malware or ransomware, Vibranium protects your data by detecting it before it attacks.

Viruses that attack your data are extremely dangerous, and the problem is that there is no guarantee that your data will be returned to you even if you pay a ransom. Vibranium is dedicated to the complete security of your data, and with its cutting-edge features, it will continue to dominate the cyber security market in the coming years.

On this occasion, the company also announced a new Vibranium product called Vibranium Beyond Security, which includes Data Abuse Prevention System (DAPS), Blue Dome Technology and Data Rollback for End-users, which will provide full data protection against present and future ransom attacks and cyber theft. The company has spent nearly a decade working with highly trained cyber security professionals to produce this software and give real-time data protection. This software will revolutionise cyber security and will be available at a reasonable price. With this, the company's mission is to deliver services to every citizen of India via made in India cyber security software and to contribute to the excellent work of Make in India.

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We all remember the famous Micromax tagline Nothing like Anything and wondered what it meant. The company brought one smartphone after another a decade ago, capturing a healthy market share and becoming Indias biggest mobile phone brand. Since then, it has been a downhill journey for not just Micromax but also other Indian mobile phone brands.

The entry of Chinese companies decimated Indian brands like Micromax, Lava, Karbonn and Intex. Techarc, which tracks the market share of Indian vs Chinese brands, has analysed the impact.

The share of Indian brands has now fallen from 68% in 2015 to a mere 1% in 2021 in terms of shipments, marking a complete reversal in the handset environment. In the same period, the Chinese brands volume share rose from 32% to a staggering 99% in 2021.

In terms of value too, the share of Indian brands has dropped to a mere 1.2% in January-October period of 2021 compared to 25.4% in the calendar year 2015.

In the same period, the Chinese have established their domination, hitting a value share of 64.5%, up from 17.8%. India brands are, however, still commanding a decent presence in the feature phone space. Even there, itel, a Chinese brand, leads the feature phone market with some 27% market share, followed by Lava.

And the rapid switch from feature phones to smartphones doesnt bode well for Indian firms.

Indian players say were able to pull off this feat by discounting, which is reflected in their financials.

Vivo made losses of Rs 349 crore in FY20, although its revenues went up by 45% to Rs 25,124 crore. Oppo also hit losses of Rs 2,203 crore in FY20 on revenues of Rs 38,757 crore.

To expand their market share, Chinese companies have been executing umbrella branding strategy. This allowed them to follow different approaches for different product lines.

Due to new government policies, they have localised their production. This has made India the second biggest mobile manufacturer after China. Nearly all the phones sold in India are manufactured here.

A media report states that Apple and Samsung are set to locally manufacture smartphones worth around $5 billion in FY22 under the government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, exceeding the Centres target by over 50%

Although, five domestic companies are availing themselves of the PLI scheme, they have committed only 10% of the total incremental production value of Rs 11.75 lakh crore under the five-year scheme.

Lava and Micromax are plotting a comeback boosted by the . But given the dominance of Chinese brands and Samsung, your guess is as good as mine whether they succeed in their plans.

Experts, meanwhile, argue that the main reason behind this is the failure of the country to invest in research and development, keep pace with technological change, and build better products.
Global diplomacy kicked-off in the New Year with the World Economic Forums Davos Agenda 2022. This week, Indias Prime Minister gave a special State of the World address at the Davos Agenda via videoconferencing. Chinese President also addressed the Summit. Lets look at some of the key points raised by both leaders.

On Covid, Modi highlighted Indias achievements of having administered 160 crore vaccine doses, adding that a democracy such as India, has given the world a bouquet of hope.

Modi hailed India as the pharmacy of the world, while also praising the digital infrastructure built by his government to deal with the pandemic, mentioning contact tracing apps Aarogya Setu and CoWin.

On the reforms front, Modi talked about his governments achievements in having deregulated several sectors like drones, space, geospatial mapping. India has carried out big reforms in the outdated telecom sector, the Indian PM added.

Modi hailed Indias entrepreneurial talent, mentioning that the country now has more than 60,000 registered startups and over 80 unicorns, of which, 42 entered the club last year itself. He also pitched India as an investment destination for the world.

Meanwhile, Xi stressed more on the challenges that the world faces amid the pandemic. He spoke about ensuring the equitable distribution of vaccines among countries, and said that China has already delivered 2 billion doses of vaccines to 120 countries and will further contribute another 1 billion doses to African countries.

On the challenge of ensuring economic recovery of the world economy, Xi said, the global industrial and supply chains have been disrupted. There can be serious negative spillovers if major economies take U-turn in monetary policies.

Amid heightened tensions between the US and China over Taiwan, and amid fears of a possible Russian intervention in Ukraine, Xi said the world needs to discard Cold War mentality, as acts of containment, suppression or confrontation are harmful.

Hailing his countrys economic growth, Xi Jinping talked about the 8% growth in Chinas GDP in 2021, and the importance of bettering economic and trade ties with other countries through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or RCEP.

Clearly, both the leaders had different perspectives and standpoints, which meant that they stressed somewhat different themes. However, at the same time, there was some similarity in their approaches to the challenges of the day, particularly as far as the importance of multilateralism is concerned.
GreatStar Tools USA, a leading manufacturer of hand tools serving DIY, professional and industrial markets worldwide,announced today it has promoted Roberto Izaguirre to chief operating officer of Arrow Fastener Company, LLC. Previously serving as vice president of global sales for Arrow Fastener, Izaguirre brings 10 years of company leadership experience to the COO position, having collaborated with fellow executive team members to drive Arrows revenue growth, market share, and corporate mission.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220118005349/en/

Roberto Izaguirre, chief operating officer of Arrow Fastener Company, LLC. (Photo: Business Wire)

In his new role, Izaguirre will be responsible for the sales, operations, personnel, facilities, and administration for GreatStars Arrow Fastener, Pony Jorgensen, and Goldblatt brands, in addition to leading the strategic, long-term vision for the business. He will also guide the organizations future programs and activities, oversee and implement a comprehensive marketing plan to drive sales, and oversee the development of operating and capital expenditure budgets. Izaguirre will report to Gary DuBoff, chief executive officer, GreatStar Tools USA.

Throughout his decade at Arrow Fastener, Roberto Izaguirre has elevated the brands international sales and marketing strategy, consistently meeting and exceeding goals year after year. As Arrow, Pony Jorgensen and Goldblatt continue their impressive growth and expand into new categories in 2022, were thrilled to have Robertos leadership to help drive the brands forward, said DuBoff.

Prior to joining Arrow, Izaguirre served as executive vice president, general manager at Illinois-based Signature Control Systems, Inc. He also worked as director general, Mexico, for Ace Hardware International. Izaguirre graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BA in business communications.

Arrow Fastener, Pony Jorgensen, and Goldblatt are part of the GreatStar Tools USA brand portfolio, owned by Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd., one of the largest hand tool manufacturers in Asia, specializing in designing and manufacturing high-quality products for DIY, professional and industrial markets globally.

About Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co., Ltd.

Established in 1993, GreatStar is the leading manufacturer of hand tools in Asia, serving DIY, professional and industrial markets worldwide. GreatStar also manufactures a full range of specialty tools for drywall, masonry, painting, tiling, plumbing and automotive applications, as well as power tools, tool sets and flashlights. GreatStars culture of innovation, firm commitment to R&D and extensive customer insight ensure their leading brands and high-quality products meet the specific needs of the consumers and professionals they serve. For more information, visit www.greatstartools.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220118005349/en/
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, presented awards to the 10 winners of the 2022 Zayed Sustainability Prize yesterday.

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Mohammed bin Rashid honours 10 Winners of 2022 Zayed Sustainability Prize (Photo: AETOSWire)

The Prizes Awards Ceremony coincided with the start of the 2022 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). The ceremony was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated winners across the five categories reaffirming the Prizes key role in realising the aspirations of participants to achieve sustainable development within their communities.

This year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, along with ADSW, joined forces with Expo 2020 Dubai for hosting the ADSW Opening Ceremony and the 13th edition of the Prizes Awards Ceremony, both of which took place on the morning of Monday, 17th January at the Dubai Exhibition Centre. The event brought thousands of attendees and more than 600 VIPs from around the world together, including heads of state, government ministers, industry leaders and country ambassadors, amongst others.

In his remarks on the Awards Ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said: The UAE continues to make important strides and contributions to advancing the global sustainability agenda to stimulate economic and human sustainable development, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Zayed Sustainability Prize remains at the forefront of these efforts as it continues to set the course for alleviating hardships and improving lives by rewarding impact and innovation through a platform that can reach a much larger number of beneficiaries.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid highlighted the support, involvement and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, while underscoring how the hosting of the Awards Ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai coupled with the recent announcement of the Principles of the 50, which marked the UAEs Golden Jubilee last month, provide an optimal backdrop to this years awards, as all these national efforts share one single goal  to create a more sustainable future for all.

His Highness continued: Over the last 14 years, the wise and long-term vision and legacy of the UAEs Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, has ignited the passions of millions of sustainability pioneers the world over, inspiring us to take the Prize to new heights by strengthening and diversifying its offerings to become the all-encompassing award it is today.

The event was also attended by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, in addition to various heads of state, ministers, and other senior-level dignitaries from the UAE and abroad, in addition to past winners, and the 2022 finalists.

The USD 3 million Prize is the UAEs pioneering sustainability award that recognises small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organisations (NPOs), and global high schools for their innovative, impactful, and inspirational sustainability and humanitarian solutions. Through its 86 former winners, the Prize has transformed the lives of more than 370 million people, across 150 countries, since 2008. In the Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories, each winner receives USD 600,000, while the Global High Schools category has six winners, representing six world regions, with each winner receiving up to USD 100,000.

In terms of the Global High School category, His Highness highlighted the importance of strengthening the youths capacity as a driving force for future sustainable development to shape tomorrows leaders and effectively empower them to play a larger role in advancing their impact on socio-cultural and economic development, in a rapidly changing world.

On a broader level, His Highness also praised the level of foresight and sophistication that many of the student-led proposals displayed, noting their potential impact on an individual, community and global level.

In the Health Category, Argentinas Mamotest was awarded the Prize for its efforts to increase access to diagnoses and life-saving services in tele-radiology and remote analysis. Mamotest is currently deploying centres that are providing 582,697 beneficiaries affected by breast cancer access to quality healthcare, with plans to scale this to over 1 million people over a period of five years. Mamotest also enjoys robust patient-journey follow up as 87% of women diagnosed within their system could receive lifesaving treatment on time. Furthermore, Mamotest has successfully carried out more than 5,000 diagnoses to date while creating awareness in millions of women.

S4S Technologies from India was the Food category winner for its important work in food preservation and dehydration systems. They currently directly impact 35,820 people and the SME plans to scale this to 10 million individuals over the course of five years.

The organisation is committed to empowering rural women and harnessing new technology to reduce food waste and improve income for farmers and is deploying solar-powered technology to help women farmers increase their earnings. As part of its commitment to supporting Gender Equality, backed by economic opportunities, S4S Technologies has provided additional income to 455 women farmers turned micro-entrepreneurs, increasing their profit between 50 to 200%, annually.

In the Energy category, the Bangladesh-based SOLshare created an interconnected microgrid for peer-to-peer energy exchange networks to enable more efficient distribution of electricity across rural communities in the country. The organisation won the 2022 award for its efforts in energy management as it currently benefits a total of 35, 300 people with plans to expand reach to 2 million people in the next five years.

SOLshare is providing more than 1,000 households with access to over 85 MWh of additional clean energy and serves approximately 500 entrepreneurs within their grids, of which 25% are women who experience significant income rises as a result.

Wateroam, an SME from Singapore, secured the Water category win for its commitment to tackling the global challenge of contaminated water through portable water filters to serve disaster-hit and rural communities. Wateraoms safe drinking water solutions are benefitting more than 150,000 people across 38 countries globally with daily access to clean drinking water and has plans to expand its reach to 1 million people over a period of five years.

The Chair of the Jury and former President of the Republic of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, said: The level of creativity, vision and potential scale outlined by this years winners has been truly remarkable and uplifting as the sustainability world looks to the future through a more challenging, yet determined prism. We are confident that all these winners will set the cornerstones for future economic growth and prosperity for vulnerable communities, within and beyond their borders, while also significantly contributing to key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize said: Following the guidance of the UAEs wise leadership and the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, the Prize continues to deliver real, meaningful, and long-term impact to numerous communities around the world. This has earned the Prize a global reputation as a catalyst for change for over a decade, as it has to date benefited the lives of more than 370 million people.

H.E Al Jaber added, The hosting of the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony along with the opening of ADSW at Expo 2020 Dubai reinforces the UAEs commitment to sustainable and humanitarian development, which characterises the countrys progressive, inclusive model for economic growth.

Thanks to our current roster of 96 winners and their shared commitment to building a better world, communities who were living in the dark have been illuminated through essential solar lighting, millions of children are accessing safe drinking water, hunger and malnutrition are being combatted through sustainable food solutions, and access to life-saving healthcare in remote parts of the world is being optimised.

The Prizes Director General concluded his remarks by underscoring the amplified impact and geographic reach that the Prize has achieved through the UAE-driven Beyond2020 humanitarian initiative. Beyond2020 has been donating critical sustainability solutions developed by past winners and finalists to vulnerable communities in various parts of the world, and in cooperation with several leading Emirati and international partners.

In the Global High Schools category, six schools, each representing a world region, receive an award and high schools submit project proposals to build or augment a solution they developed for their school or local community. The objective of this category, introduced to the Prize in 2012, is to inspire the young people to become pioneers, innovators and sustainability advocates who will contribute to a more sustainable future.

The recipients of the 2022 awards are Instituto Iberia (Dominican Republic), representing The Americas; Liceo Europeo (Spain), representing Europe & Central Asia; Eastern Mediterranean School (Israel), representing the Middle East & North Africa region; Sayidina Abubakar Secondary School (Uganda), representing Sub-Saharan Africa; Hira School (Maldives), representing South Asia, and finally, UWC ISAK (Japan) from the East Asia & Pacific region.

About the Zayed Sustainability Prize

Established by the UAE leadership in 2008 to honour the legacy of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAEs pioneering global award for recognising small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organisations (NPOs), and global high schools for their innovative, impactful, and inspirational sustainability and humanitarian solutions around the world.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize acknowledges and rewards global pioneers and innovators who are committed to accelerating impactful sustainable solutions.

Over the past 14 years, the Prize has awarded 96 winners. Collectively, they have positively impacted the lives of more than 370 million people around the world. The Zayed Sustainability Prize categories are Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools.

For more information, please visit www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com or go to our social media platforms on, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220118005713/en/
MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community, announced today its collaboration with Menai Financial Group (Menai), a leading provider of institutional-grade digital asset investment products and trading services. This strategic alliance marks one of MSCIs first collaborations in the digital asset space. MSCI will aim to develop innovative tools for institutional investors seeking to capitalize on the growth of blockchain technology and digital assets.

The collaboration between MSCI and Menai comes at a time when institutional investors are increasingly considering opportunities within the digital asset class. As investor interest grows, MSCI has recognized the demand for robust frameworks and analytical tools to help provide insights into performance, risk and classification within this emerging asset class.

Menais expertise in digital assets will support MSCIs development of the solutions institutional investors can leverage to navigate this market, understand the risks and challenges, and capitalize on emerging opportunities and developments as the rapidly growing industry drives technological change. This collaboration will aim to help institutional investors identify and understand the investment universe for digital assets and the relationship between digital assets and traditional assets.

Henry Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI, said: Digital assets often get conflated with cryptocurrencies, but the market is far larger than that. Applications associated with digital assets are transforming long-established technologies such as payment, trading and settlement systems, among others. While investors are eager to enter the digital asset market as it matures, there is need for a robust suite of tools to gain reliable insight into the space.

We are excited to fill that gap in collaboration with Menai and develop what is needed to power investment decisions in this evolving space. At MSCI, we are committed to capturing market disruptionslike digital assetsand helping our clients better understand their exposure to related trends as they construct portfolios with an eye towards forces shaping our future.

Zoe Cruz, Founder and CEO of Menai Financial Group, said: Institutional players are keen to participate in the digital asset markets, but have historically struggled to find the means to do so in a way that meets the high standards of professionalism, scale, risk management, security and rigor required by traditional financial markets. We are thrilled to see a sophisticated, norm-setting player like MSCI enter the digital asset space and are honoured that they have chosen Menai as one of their partners in this endeavour. We look forward to working together with MSCI as it provides institutional investors with transparent, secure and efficient solutions to help navigate the digital assets space.

About MSCI Inc.

MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data, and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or performance and involve risks that may cause actual results or performance differ materially and you should not place undue reliance on them. Risks that could affect results or performance are in MSCIs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year ended on December 31 that is filed with the SEC. MSCI does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. No information herein constitutes investment advice or should be relied on as such. MSCI grants no right or license to use its products or services without an appropriate license. MSCI MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION HEREIN AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220118005740/en/
The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative fiber and technology solutions for the textile and apparel industry, announced today that its largest manufacturing site located in Foshan, China has earned a score in the upper quartile for its third-party audited Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005033/en/

The LYCRA Company site - located in Foshan, China which is part of the Guangdong province in China (Photo: Business Wire)

Higg FEM is a sustainability assessment tool that The LYCRA Company is using to determine the Foshan sites environmental impact, standardize how its environmental performance is measured year over year and identify, prioritize and scale enhancements.

Foshans Higg FEM score is based on the percentage of completed and verified self-assessment questions related to its environmental management systems, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, water use, wastewater, air emissions, waste management and chemical management. The Foshan site completed the full module and had their responses confirmed by an independent verifier.

Foshan is the first of our six global manufacturing sites to undergo Higg FEM verification. Were thrilled to achieve such a high score in the upper quartile for our first assessment, said Choon Hueei Beck, Foshan plant manager, The LYCRA Company. This positive outcome not only demonstrates The LYCRA Companys commitment to sustainability and transparency, but it will also differentiate our products in a highly competitive marketplace.

At Foshan, the Higg FEM verification was an intensive three-day process that required months of preparation and documentation according to Beck. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a cross-functional team in Foshan and other locations, we now have a blueprint to repeat this successful result at other facilities, all of which have completed self-certification, he said.

Located in Guangdong province, the Foshan plant first opened in 2005. The manufacturing site produces LYCRA fiber for apparel and LYCRA HyFit fiber for personal care products and employs about 500 people. A number of LYCRA fiber products made at Foshan are Gold Level Material Health certified by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

To learn more about The LYCRA Companys efforts around the Higg FEM assessments, click here.

Higg FEM is part of a suite of tools developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a global, nonprofit alliance of over 270 stakeholders in the fashion industry. For more information on Higg FEM, visit this website.

About The LYCRA Company

The LYCRA Company innovates and produces fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, The LYCRA Company is recognized worldwide for its innovative products, technical expertise, sustainable solutions, and unmatched marketing support. The LYCRA Company owns leading consumer and trade brands: LYCRA, LYCRA HyFit, LYCRA T400, COOLMAX, THERMOLITE, ELASPAN, SUPPLEX, and TACTEL. The LYCRA Companys legacy stretches back to 1958 with the invention of the original spandex yarn, LYCRA fiber. Today, The LYCRA Company focuses on adding value to its customers products by developing unique innovations designed to meet the consumers need for comfort and lasting performance. For more information, visit www.thelycracompany.com.

LYCRA and LYCRA HyFit are trademarks of The LYCRA Company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005033/en/
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Get to know the Emporia and area baseball and softball teams in the 2022 Baseball and Softball special section.

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Fifty-three California cities are eligible for up to $6 million each in violence reduction funds through the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (CalVIP). The program was established by Assembly Bill 1603, the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, signed by the Governor on October 11, 2019. The application process is being managed by the Bureau of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).

Equal Justice USA (EJUSA)  a national nonprofit dedicated to reforming criminal justice  issued a press release encouraging cities to apply for the grants. It reads in part:
In what seems to be a regular occurrence at this point, Mazda has announced a product stoppage anew at their Japanese factories this May.
FILE - The Activision Blizzard Booth is shown on June 13, 2013 the during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, for $68.7 billion to gain access to blockbuster games including Call of Duty and Candy Crush. The all-cash deal will let Microsoft accelerate mobile gaming and provide it building blocks for the metaverse, or a virtual environment. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Steps lead up to the front entrance of Pine Knoll Shores town hall, which town officials have reopened to the public, with social distancing and masking still recommended. (Mike Shutak photo)
Photo: BC Transportation The Needles Cable Ferry

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is advising of possible service disruptions to inland ferry service in the coming weeks.

MOTI said The impact of the Omicron variant and other seasonal illnesses are affecting the availability of crew members.

That could impact staffing for inland ferries, and lead to delays or other disruptions in service.

There are 14 inland ferry routes in British Columbia, including the Needles Ferry across the Lower Arrow Lake, about 59 kilometres south of Nakusp on Highway 6, to Fauquier, on the east side of the lake.

All of the ferries are certified by Transport Canada, which requires a certain number of crew members for the service to operate. MOTI said if the contractor is unable to meet the minimum crew levels, the vessel cannot sail.

Any notices of disruptions will be posted through DriveBC.
Photo: The Canadian Press Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Mark Holland speaks during a news conference, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Government House leader Mark Holland is urging the Conservatives to reconsider their rejection of a compromise proposal that would allow MPs to finally see unredacted documents related to the firing of two scientists at Canada's highest-security laboratory.

In a letter Tuesday to his Conservative counterpart, Gerard Deltell, Holland reiterates his proposal to allow a special all-party, security-cleared committee to review all the documents, aided by three former senior judges who would decide whether or how any disputed material could be released publicly without jeopardizing national security.

He cites articles by several experts who've recently backed the government's contention that Canada's national security would be harmed by complying with opposition demands that the documents be turned over to a regular committee of MPs.

Under a House of Commons order passed by opposition parties last spring over the objections of the Liberal minority government, the documents would be vetted by the parliamentary law clerk for potential national security issues but committee members would retain the right to release whatever material they chose.

In his letter, Holland urges Deltell to read a recent article in the Globe and Mail penned by Michael Kergin, former ambassador to the United States, and two former senior officials in the Privy Council Office, Greg Fyffe and Jim Mitchell.

In it, the trio argued that prolonging the dispute over the documents "could be damaging for Canada's intelligence and security agencies."

They wrote that the release of information that appears innocuous could actually wind up "unmasking" foreign sources and could be "a gift to hostile intelligence powers." It could also deter potential sources from sharing information for fear they could be identified.

Moreover, if the government were to lose control over the release of sensitive information, the trio argued that would violate Canada's obligations to its "Five Eyes" intelligence partners, with whom sensitive information is shared under strict confidentiality conditions.

Canada's intelligence relationship with the U.S. in particular "would also be gravely undermined by any loss of confidence in the government's ability to safeguard its sensitive information," they wrote.

Holland notes in his letter that the three experts backed his compromise proposal, which he calls reasonable and responsible.

"It acknowledges your fair and right request to be able to see all documents unredacted and recognizes the power of the House to order such documents. Our proposal does this without endangering our national security," Holland says.

He cites another recent article penned by national security experts Leah West and Stephanie Carvin at Carleton University and Thomas Juneau at the University of Ottawa, in which the academics argue that all parties need to come together to agree on a process for Parliament to review classified documents.

The Conservatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Holland's letter.

While the Tories have flatly rejected Holland's compromise proposal, the Bloc Quebecois and NDP have not categorically ruled it out.

"I know they're considering it," Holland said in an interview Tuesday.

Opposition parties believe the documents will shed light on why scientists Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, were escorted out of Winnipegs National Microbiology Laboratory in July 2019 and subsequently fired last January.

They also want to see documents related to the transfer, overseen by Qiu, of deadly Ebola and Henipah viruses to China's Wuhan Institute of Virology in March 2019.

Just before Christmas, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole announced that he will not name any Tory MPs to the national security and intelligence committee of parliamentarians, known as NSICOP, until the wraps are taken off the documents.

In his letter, Holland urges Conservatives to reconsider that decision as well, arguing that NSICOP has been "a model of collaboration" where "partisan interests are not placed ahead of national security."

NSICOP was created in 2017 specifically to allow MPs to review sensitive matters. It submits classified reports to the prime minister, which are later tabled in Parliament in edited form. Its members must have top security clearance and are bound to secrecy.

"To not participate in this essential oversight mechanism is to weaken its essential function," Holland writes.

The battle over the documents has dragged on for a year, culminating in June with the head of the Public Health Agency of Canada being hauled before the bar of the House to be reprimanded for his refusal to hand them over.

After that, the government applied to the Federal Court of Canada to prohibit release of the documents on the grounds that disclosure would be "injurious to international relations or national defence or national security." The case was dropped after an election was called in August, which terminated the House order to produce the documents, along with all other business before the Commons.

The Conservatives have vowed to continue pursuing the matter in the new parliamentary session.

Holland said it's "extremely important" to find a resolution that respects the right of parliamentarians to see documents without jeopardizing national security and to have "broad public trust" that there's a fair process for achieving that balance.

"I don't think it's healthy to leave these matters out there," he said in an interview.

"The Conservatives have been in government and might be in government again one day and will have to face these same issues. And so I'm hopeful that they'll take a look at it through the lens of precedent that they would be establishing with the position they're taking and how injurious it could be to national security."
Photo: Laura Palmer

A new podcast series on the disappearance of four-year-old Michael Dunahee dives deep into the 30-year search for the missing Victoria boy.

The first episode of Missing Michael, by Island-based journalist Laura Palmer, released Tuesday, opens with audio from home videos of Michael meeting his baby sister Caitlin at the hospital, on Christmas morning unwrapping presents, at his sisters christening, and building a snowman with his father.

The preschooler went missing from a playground next to the former Blanshard Elementary School on March 24, 1991. He was last seen heading a short distance from the familys car to the playground, where he had been told to wait for his father. Bruce and Crystal Dunahee never saw their son again.

Based on interviews over a year with roughly 50 people connected to Michael and the case, Palmer delves into the little boys life and the exhaustive search for him, including looking into some suspects in his disappearance. Most suspects go unnamed in the 10-episode series, because no one has been charged and Palmer said she doesnt have enough evidence to name them.

However, there are a couple of people she does name who have been identified over the years as possibly linked to the case. One of those is Vernon Seitz, a Milwaukee man who told his psychiatrist shortly before his 2009 death that he had killed a boy in the late 1950s and knew of another child killing. U.S. police found a missing-person poster of Michael inside his home.

Seitzs psychiatrist surprised Palmer by agreeing to an interview. Palmer said the psychiatrist was quite fearful of Seitz, didnt like him, and at one point tried to stop treating him. She described him as a psychopath and her most challenging patient.

While Milwaukee police have said they could not substantiate a link between the man and any missing or dead children, Palmer isnt sure.

I could not, myself, exclude him altogether, and I think people will understand why when they hear the interview with the psychiatrist, she said.

As a former CBC Vancouver journalist, Palmer was familiar with Michaels story, but was struck by what seemed to her sparse details about a widely reported case that became one of the largest missing-child investigations in Canadian history.

After taking early retirement from CBC and moving to Port Alberni for her husbands work, Palmer started a podcast called Island Crime. Missing Michael is the third in the series.

She hopes that the information shared in the podcast, much of which has never been reported publicly, will help move the police investigation toward a conclusion.

Theres been so much work done on this case. And there is a lot there for them to go on, that it could be just one last little piece of information to put them over the edge, she said.

Last March, Victoria police released an age-enhanced sketch of Michael, showing what he might look like at age 34, on the 30th anniversary of his disappearance.

VicPD spokesman Bowen Osoko said Tuesday that police have no update on the investigation, but the release of the Missing Michael podcast trailer has already led to an increase in tips.

Someone knows what happened to Michael. With this podcast, every time someone tells Michaels story, it moves us all towards that person coming forward and telling us where Michael is today, Osoko said.

Anyone with information they have not yet shared with police is asked to report tips to  vicpd.ca/michaeldunaheetips or call the Michael Dunahee tip line at 250-995-7444.

To listen to the podcast, go online to islandcrime.ca.
Photo: pixabay

More financial help is on the way for British Columbia businesses forced to stay closed for at least another month as the province tries to contain the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

A statement from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation says businesses including event venues, bars, nightclubs and lounges that don't serve full meals are eligible for grants of up to $20,000, based on staffing levels.

The funds, which double the amount available to those businesses, can be claimed through the provincial COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant.

Businesses ordered by the provincial health officer to remain closed until at least Feb. 16 are eligible for the larger amount, while those that have been allowed to reopen can claim up to $10,000.

The province says the $4-million extension of the grant program complements existing federal assistance, including the Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, which provide wage, rent or income support to those affected by pandemic-related closures.

Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, says the province has increased the funding because some sectors are still affected by public health measures.

The Omicron variant is also forcing service changes in the Northern, Interior and Island health authorities. All three have announced adjustments in anticipation of staffing shortages and an increase in patients because of a wave of COVID-19 infections.

Each authority has postponed surgeries, while Island and Interior Health are relocating staff in an effort to maintain safe patient care.

Interior Health says in a news release that it has closed in-patient services at health centres in Clearwater, Invermere and Lillooet to stabilize emergency departments. It says those who have been affected by the closures will be contacted.

On Vancouver Island, staffing levels at larger acute care sites are being beefed up by moving ambulatory and surgical workers to areas of critical demand, Island Health says.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has warned that a peak of COVID-19 patients will be arriving in hospitals this week after infections in the community topped out earlier this month.
Photo: The Canadian Press

England announced Wednesday it will be dropping mask requirements and mandatory vaccine passports.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government is also no longer recommending people work from home, reports the BBC.

"This is a moment we can all be proud of, Johnson said during a news conference, crediting the nations rapid rollout of vaccine boosters and adherence to the rules by residents.

More than seven-in-ten U.K. residents have received a vaccine booster.

"It's a reminder of what this country can accomplish when we all work together, Johnson added.

Scientists believe the Omicron wave has peaked in the country, he said, and the nation will work on charting a course in how to live with the virus in long term.

"We must learn to live with Covid in the same way we live with flu, he said.

Restrictions being lifted Thursday include mandatory Covid passports for the entrance to nightclubs and large events, although venues can continue to use the passport if they choose.

Face masks will no longer be mandated in public spaces and schools, although they remain recommended.

Travel restrictions are also going to be eased in the coming days.

Scotland announced Tuesday it was easing virus restrictions and said it would not be expanding its vaccine passport program, although it is not being dropped all together.
Photo: Vancouver International Airport More than 200 Afghan refugees landed at Vancouver International Airport last night.

A plane carrying more than 200 Afghan refugees safely landed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) last night.

The group is the largest to arrive in B.C. since the Taliban took over Afghanistan last August.

Most of the people aboard the charter flight, which departed from Islamabad, Pakistan, had work in Afghanistan that involved a significant or enduring relationship with the Government of Canada, as well as their families, said Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser, in a statement.

Fraser said 161 of the new arrivals will stay in Vancouver while the other 48 will settle elsewhere in the country, where they have family ties.

They were greeted at YVR by the Community Airport Newcomers Network  a resettlement assistance program provided by Success, a Richmond-based immigrant settlement organization, that provides an initial orientation, winter clothing and arranges transport for newcomers and their families.

Over the next few weeks, the group will also receive support from the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. (ISSofBC), which will help them find housing and provide information about finding a job.

Around 85 per cent of the government-assisted Afghan refugees who have arrived in B.C. since August 2021 have moved into permanent housing, according to the federal government.

Chris Friesen, chief operating officer of ISSofBC, told the Richmond News last December that while many Afghan refugees have had their first landing spot in Richmond  up to 100 at a time staying at a local hotel  none of them have found a permanent home in the city.

There is absolutely a need for more affordable housing in Richmond, including for refugees, he added.

Instead, most settle in Surrey while others have found homes in Burnaby, Vancouver and Coquitlam.

Friesen said at the time that the ironic saving grace of the COVID-19 pandemic is that theres been more rental housing available due to less immigration and fewer international students competing for homes.

But refugees are expected to keep flowing into Canada over the next few years and Friesen said at the time that he doesnt see any relief in sight as far as housing is concerned.

Last November, the B.C. government announced the $2 million Refugee Readiness Fund to help boost local services and supports for families resettling in B.C. due to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

With Tuesdays arrivals, the federal government said more than 7,000 Afghan refugees have landed in Canada.

Ottawa has promised to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees across the country.
Photo: The Canadian Press Residents collect water from the Sylvia Grinnell River near Iqaluit, Nunavut on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, after potential petroleum was discovered in the city's tap water, making it undrinkable. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emma Tranter

The City of Iqaluit shut down its water treatment plant Wednesday after the water was contaminated last week with fuel for the second time.

The city said a breach in the system is suspected to have caused residents to smell fuel in their water, with breaches detected last week and Wednesday.

The city said it is using a bypass system to pump water to residents instead and the entire territorial capital is now under a precautionary boil water advisory.

Nunavut's health department said the level of contamination in the plant was below the limits for fuel set by Health Canada.

"The boil water advisory is a precautionary measure because the water is not filtered through the normal water treatment processes," the department said in a release.

The release said residents should boil their water for one full minute if it is to be used for drinking, preparing infant formula, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking and brushing teeth.

Iqaluit residents couldn't consume their tap water for two months last fall after it was found to be contaminated with fuel.

The city has said an old fuel tank buried next to the water treatment plant was the source of the previous contamination and residual traces of fuel entered the distribution system again last week.

The city said engineers and experts are on-site to find out how fuel entered the water again.

The water is being pumped from Lake Geraldine, Iqaluit's water source, and piped to residents without going through the water treatment plant.

The city said the bypass system chlorinates the water, but residents may notice discoloration, a different taste or smell.

"Residual hydrocarbons from the historic fuel tank discovered, and removed last fall, entered the distribution system, and were noted on the real-time monitoring station at the water treatment plant," the city said.

"Identification of the exact path of the contamination as it entered the distribution system is underway."
The banned Pakistani Taliban on Tuesday claimed responsibility for an overnight gun attack on police in Islamabad that killed an officer and wounded two others.

Police officials said two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a security checkpoint near one of the city's busy markets late on Monday. They say the ensuing shootout killed both the assailants, Voice of America (VOA) reported.

"The gunfire by terrorists killed a police officer while two others were wounded," said a police statement.

Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed condemned the gun attack as an act of terrorism, VOA reported.

The Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) has increased attacks in Pakistan, particularly since early December when a 30-day ceasefire between the outfit and the government expired.

Afghanistan's ruling Taliban had brokered the truce to try to pave the way for substantive peace talks between the two adversaries. But the Pakistani Taliban refused to extend the ceasefire deal, citing a lack of progress in the talks, VOA reported.

It further reported that over the years, the TTP has claimed responsibility for carrying out hundreds of suicide bombings and other attacks in Pakistan that killed thousands of Pakistani civilians and security forces.

"Pakistan says TTP leaders and fighters have taken refuge in neighboring Afghanistan from where they are organizing cross-border terrorist attacks," VOA reported.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Tuesday said the gun attack on police in Islamabad the previous night was not a robbery or dacoity gone awry but an act of terrorism, Dawn reported.

(ANI)

Also Read: Afghanistan: Female protesters in Kabul urge Taliban to reopen Ministry of Women's Affairs
The United States should reaffirm its interest in the diplomatic resolution of tensions around Ukraine by refusing to supply weapons to Kiev, the Russian Embassy in Washington said in a statement.

"If the United States is truly committed to diplomatic efforts to resolve the intra-Ukrainian conflict, it should abandon plans to supply new batches of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the embassy said on Facebook.

According to the statement, Washington should instead use its influence on the Ukrainian authorities to persuade them to stop sabotaging the Minsk agreements.

The embassy also recalled that Russia does not plan to invade Ukraine.

"On January 18, The White House, US Department of State and #Pentagon high-ranking officials spoke with one voice about the absence of de-escalation steps on the Russian-Ukrainian border. Moreover, they argued that our country could invade the neighboring state at any moment, including from the territory of Belarus," it said.

"We stress once again: Russia is not going to attack anyone. The practice of moving troops on our own soil is a sovereign right. We call to end the hysteria and not to pile on tension around the Donbas problem. And most importantly - not to push 'hotheads' in Kiev towards new provocations," the embassy said.

(ANI)

Also Read: Russian embassy viewing White House remarks about Ukraine as information pressure


Alcoa to extend quicklime supply to Cockburn Cement Ltd

19 January 2022

Cockburn Cement Ltd (CCL), an Adbri company, is looking forward to continuing to work with Alcoa around the supply of quicklime to its operations in Western Australia.

Adbri announced that CCL has reached an agreement with Alcoa for the supply of quicklime until 31 January 2023, when the existing arrangement ends on 31 January 2022.

Adbri said, The extension reinforces CCLs position as a reliable and high quality supplier of lime through our local manufacturing and distribution network across Western Australia, supporting local manufacturing jobs, the resources sector and broader WA economy.

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Chatham, VA (24531)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Carole Barbara Martin, 94, passed away on January 17, 2022, in the presence of her daughter.

She is survived by her sister, three children, four grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. As a friendly soul who loved to travel, she is also remembered by her friends around the world from Switzerland to Kenya.

Carole was born on April 26, 1927 to parents Sam and Francis Everts. Francis was born in Puerto Rico and passed away in the early 1970s, and Sam was of Russian descent and passed away in the late 1990s. Carole and sister, Shirley Everts Weissman, were born and raised in Washington Heights, NY

After marrying James Martin, Carole moved to Old Tappan, NJ. She worked at Unilever in Fort Lee until she turned 67, and spoke fondly of her coworkers there, often visiting the company store until she moved away from NJ a few years ago.

One of Carole's greatest passions was her love for animals. One of her lifelong dreams was to see wild cats, which she achieved by going on a Safari in her eighties. Carole was the owner of Carillon Kennels where she raised Standard Schnauzers. For over twenty years she raised AKC Champions and showed them in America, Canada, and Bermuda. Carol loved all kinds of animals. Throughout her life, Carole supported a variety of animal charities.

Her first son, Kevin and his wife Jeanne enjoyed watching Carole be a grandmother to Jaclyn and Kyle, as well as become a great-grandmother to Logan and Leslie.

Her second son, Stephan and his wife Debora often had Carole visit them in Florida where she spoiled their pets.

Her daughter, Stacey and her favorite son in law (she only had one) Patrick OSullivan, will always remember that even in Caroles last days, she continued to be the spunky and talkative person she had always been. Their children, Daniel and Devin, fondly remember summer days by the pool with their grandmother, where she shared with them her love of reading.

Carole was an unforgettable person with a big personality, and she will remain in all of our hearts for the years to come. We wish her a peaceful journey, and we are so thankful we got to know her during her long and full life.

Due to COVID-19, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Please take a moment of silence to remember Carole. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee https://www.elephants.com/

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd.
Directors at locally-owned SimplyBank promoted Cara Roberson, formerly chief financial officer, to the role of bank president this week, at the recommendation of CEO John Owen for the position. Bank leaders cited Ms. Robersons impressive track record, proven financial expertise and leadership in fostering an entrepreneurial attitude within the organization as ample evidence of her qualification to take on the new role.

In tandem with Mr. Owen, Ms. Roberson will lead all operations at the 14-location community bank which has served customers across East Tennessee and Northwest Georgia since 1890, and which premiered its first Chattanooga branch in August 2021. SimplyBank also plans to launch a downtown Chattanooga loan production office on West Main Street later in the first quarter of this year.

Ms. Roberson, a Pikeville, Tn., native, is a graduate of UTC and certified public accountant. She has served in various roles at SimplyBank since joining the organization as an auditor in 2012.

Ive had a connection to this bank nearly my entire life, as my mom was a teller here when I was young and I was a teller here during college, Ms. Roberson said. Im proud of the historical success this bank has seen and of the transformation weve undergone in recent years in pursuit of the vision of bank directors and shareholders.

Ms. Roberson said she looks forward to coupling the organizations unique local identity with its innovative, self-starter and nonorthodox management approach to doing business.

When George Calfee bought this bank in the 1980s, he introduced the differentiating qualities we live and lead by still today, she said. We exist to serve our customers and team members. Running a good bank means running a good business, and I, along with the others on our leadership team, love living up to that challenge daily.

Mr. Owen, in recommending Ms. Roberson for the role he previously filled while simultaneously acting as CEO, said Ms. Robersons banking, management and leadership acumen will continue to elevate the organizations operations and move it along the track that he and other leaders have laid out in recent years.

He said Ms. Roberson exemplifies the qualities of the SimplyBank leadership team which has been surgically assembled to lead locally, while charting a course for community banks everywhere willing to embrace nontraditional management styles.

Cara has repeatedly proven herself to be one of the sharpest minds in banking, Mr. Owen said. Since joining the organization as an auditor nearly 10 years ago, she has shown a unique, proven ability to balance true thought leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, operational efficiency and expert accountability, all at the highest level. Along the way she has not only continually grown herself, she has also developed those around her. Those are hallmarks of exceptional leadership, which when paired with a command of our nontraditional style, make Cara the perfect fit for the role of president.

Cara is among the most impressive executives Ive worked with over more than 20 years of owning, running and growing businesses, Mr. Owen said. She is a top-notch professional and will be a topnotch president.

With her elevation, Ms. Roberson joins a prestigious group of female bank leaders across the state of Tennessee who currently occupy either chief executive or presidential roles.

Colin Barrett, president of the Tennessee Bankers Association, praised Ms. Robersons proven thought leadership in the industry and offered congratulations on her new role.

Congratulations to Cara on her well-deserved appointment as the first female president of SimplyBank in its 132-year history, Mr. Barrett said. Cara has proven to be one of the great leaders of the Tennessee banking industry and will be an asset for the banks growth for years to come.

Following Ms. Robersons elevation to president, bank leaders have promoted Candace Colvard to succeed her in the role of chief financial officer. Ms. Colvard holds both a bachelors degree and a masters degree from UTC and is a certified public accountant. A Pikeville, Tn., native, Ms. Colvard joined SimplyBank as corporate controller in 2018 before being named directing financial officer less than two years later.

Congratulating Ms. Colvard on her promotion, Mr. Owen pointed to her seamless adaptation to the organizations fast-paced management style and willingness to jump in and lead projects.

Since arriving, Candace has repeatedly demonstrated a unique ability to succeed in the enterprising environment weve built here, Mr. Owen said. Her energy and expertise add tremendous value and we are excited to have her on our executive team going forward.

Ms. Colvard said she is excited to tackle her new role and continue working with bank leaders in pursuit of organizational excellence and vision.

Our bank is filled with exceptional talent and people, and Im grateful for the opportunity to work alongside them daily as we cast a strategic vision and go after it, Ms. Colvard said. Community banking is special because we are not forced to work independent of one another. Both internally and outside the organization, partnerships are key, and I look forward to leveraging my experience for our bank and our industry now and going forward.

Ms. Colvard has worked closely with Ms. Roberson guiding the banks financial operations and helped oversee the consolidation of SimplyBank with its former sister bank in spring 2021. Ms. Roberson praised Colvards financial knowledge, her willingness to engage and complete projects and her ability to lead teams from the front.

Candaces ability to synthesize information, see the big picture and work with us as nontraditional bankers has made our organization smarter, stronger and more efficient, Ms. Roberson said. Candace and I agree: after being exposed to this management style and fast-paced entrepreneurial environment, there is no way we could work anywhere else.

Alongside Ms. Roberson, Ms. Colvard will manage all financial reporting and operations for the organization.
Local students representing Christian Family Theater in Chattanooga and North Whitfield Middle School in Dalton won a national award and earned other recognition at the 2022 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta. The weekend dedicated to rewarding and celebrating student-driven musical theater programs happened online and in-person Jan. 14-16 in Atlanta.

Christian Family Theater student Skylan Sapere won a Freddie G award for Outstanding Student Direction and Choreography.

Christian Family Theater students Nadia Giles and Hailey May and North Whitfield Middle School student Blakely Nix made it to the callback for future video shoots for how-to choreography videos.

Christian Family Theater students Robby Lawrence and Mia Lucas and North Whitfield Middle School students Blakeley Nix and Preston Nix were distinguished as All-Stars, an outstanding group of young performers at the festival.

At the festival, each group performed 15 minutes of a Broadway Junior musical for adjudicators.

Christian Family Theater presented Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. for music director and iTheatrics Master Teacher Derek Bowley and Michael J. Bobbitt, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Mr. Bowley said, "The performers committed to everything they did onstage. Whether they were singing solos, harmonizing with their cast-mates, executing the choreography, or creating a car with their bodies, the level of focus and effort remained high throughout the presentation. Christian Family Theater is teaching traditional musical theater technique in singing and dancing, while instilling an understanding that the success of a production depends on the full effort of everyone involved, onstage and off."

North Whitfield Middle School presented Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical JR. to director Lotte Wakeham (Associate Director: Matilda the Musical - West End and Broadway); actor Daniel Yearwood (Hamilton, Once On This Island 2017 Revival); and Cindy Ripley, senior education consultant at iTheatrics.

Said Ms. Wakeham, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this performance of Matilda, including the detailed staging of Miracle and the impressive physicality and teamwork used to create the hidden alphabet in the School Song. The students displayed great energy and passion throughout - Bravo! The staff and students should be incredibly proud of their hard work. This program is an asset to the school. Matilda can be a demanding show to stage, and they took on this ambitious project with great flair, skill and talent.

Mr. Yearwood said, Every element of this production sparked the room with a light and joy that left the entire audience giddy. The top of the showas the bullied children were dragged through a wall of bodieseach member of the ensemble held their own with strong point of views about one another and the environment they coexisted in. They reminded all of us of the kindred happiness and fears wed all experienced as children-the feelings that have become more complex over time. Still, we saw ourselves in this cast. Addison Connors Matilda along with all the other classroom kids expressed so vividly the vast array of emotions that accompany dealing with those who abuse their power. Lindy Hesters Trunchbull and Preston Nixs Nigel brought vigor and tenacity to a strife ridden relationship between a tyrannical teacher and her frightened students. Taking the world to another level- The Alphabet Song displayed choreography and stunts that left us darting our eyes around the stage as they used their bodies to spell out letters both from the floor and in formations that formed larger three-dimensional letters. North Whitefield Middle Schools execution had us all grinning from ear to ear throughout the number and it served as a wonderful prelude to the fun we all deserve to have so wonderfully depicted In When I Grow Up. Their portrait of a playground took us back to our own childhood parks and memories we all had of growing up."

Ms. Ripley said, This cast took the stage with confidence. These students know how to use every ingredient of their theatre craft to tell a story! I can tell their theatre educators are consistent, caring humans who offer incredible instruction!
Scenic City Womens Network welcomes Ardena Garth-Hicks, president of Chattanooga Endeavors, Inc., as guest speaker for the SCWN Luncheon Jan. 27, at noon, at Mountain City Club at 729 Chestnut St.

A Chattanooga native, Ms. Hicks graduated from Ooltewah High School and received her Bachelor of Science from Middle Tennessee State University. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Kansas School of Law and currently practices law in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court and also handles pro bono cases.

She is the president of Chattanooga Endeavors, the oldest and longest surviving prisoner reentry program in East Tennessee. Since 1988 the organization has been a resource for prisoners and their loved ones as they attempt to recover from the impact of a felony conviction. Prior to becoming involved with CEI, Ms. Garth-Hicks was the former public defender for Hamilton County, the first elected and longest serving public defender for the 11th Judicial District.

Ms. Garth-Hicks is a member of the Chattanooga Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and graduated from the first Leadership Chattanooga class. She is the recipient of various awards to include Women in American History Award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Bruce C. Bailey Volunteer Attorney Award from Legal Aid of East Tennessee.

Ms. Garth-Hicks lives in Chattanooga with her husband, William, and they together attend Living Stones Ministry Church of God.

Ms. Garth-Hicks will go on the air live Jan. 20 at 8:30 a.m. on Moody Radio 88.9 FM Chattanooga.

Registration is $25 and open to the public. Space is limited and registration ends Jan. 25. Register online at SCWN.org, or call 698-6262.

SCWN, founded in 1994, is a non-profit ministry for Christian professional women. The mission of the SCWN is to Encourage, Equip and Energize todays Christian working women. SCWN provides special events, networking opportunities, webinars and more. For more information about SCWN or to learn more about future luncheons and events, visit www.SCWN.org.




HHM Certified Public Accountants, a full-service CPA and consulting firm with locations in Chattanooga and Memphis, has hired three senior managers, a supervisor, and three staff accountants to support growth throughout the upcoming tax season.

HHM welcomes Jason Ashley, CPA, as a senior tax manager. He will assist business owners, trustees, passive investors and individuals with tax consulting, research, and compliance. Prior to joining HHM CPAs, Mr. Ashley spent several years as a tax manager at a firm in Bluffton, S.C. where he managed client relationships and employees. Prior to that, he worked as a manager at a BDO alliance firm in Savannah, Ga. He is a graduate of Missouri State University.

Also joining the firm as a senior tax manager is Donna Langerud, CPA. Ms. Langerud brings over 20 years of experience to the tax team and will prepare and review returns for a variety of clients including high net worth individuals, S corporations, and partnerships. Ms. Langerud will provide clients with strategic planning, risk assessment, and tax law compliance specific to their situations. Prior to joining HHM CPAs, Ms. Langerud worked at a public accounting firm in Houston, Tx. where she was a senior tax manager. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

HHM welcomes Amy Smith as a senior manager. She brings over 20 years of experience to the growing firm. She will consult with businesses and individuals providing tax saving strategies and advise clients on how current tax laws apply to their specific circumstances. Prior to joining HHM CPAs, Ms. Smith worked in private industry as the tax and fund accounting director for a large renewable energy company in addition to working at public accounting firms on the East Coast. Ms. Smith is a graduate of St. John Fisher College, has attained a certificate in transfer pricing from Thomas J. Campbell School of Law, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Accounting at the Kenan Flager School of Business at UNC Chapel Hill.

Peggy Brandon joins the firm as a supervisor. With experience working with corporations, partnerships, and S-corps, she will provide tax preparation and guidance to clients. In addition, she will provide estate and trust tax return preparation. Prior to joining HHM CPAs, Ms. Brandon worked in the tax department at a large medical corporation in addition to working at public accounting firms in the greater Nashville area. Ms. Brandon is an enrolled agent and a graduate of Lipscomb University.

Joining the firm as staff accountants are Keenan Cox, Tyler Ballengee, and Jackson Vetetoe. Mr. Cox joins the audit department and is a graduate of Lee University. Mr. Ballengee and Mr. Vetetoe join the tax department and are graduates of UTC.

I am thrilled to start a new year by adding this group of talented professionals at all levels of our team, said Donnie Hutcherson, managing partner of HHM CPAs. We are preparing for another busy tax season and I have no doubt this group will provide excellent client service throughout this challenging season.






On the Jan 16 episode of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days, TLC finally introduced fans to Ben and Mahoganys long-distance relationship.

52-year-old Ben is looking forward to finally meeting the love of his life, 24-year-old Mahogany, after his messy divorce and leaving his strict church. However, there are many red flags that have 90 Day Fiance fans wondering how legit their relationship is.

Ben and Mahogany on 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days Season 5 |TLC

Mahoganys photos look fake

After posting his fitness modeling photos on social media, Ben caught the attention of 24-year-old Mahogany from San Bartolo, Peru. The two began talking online for three months, and theyve yet to video chat. Despite this, Ben is planning a trip to visit her in Peru. However, after Ben showed his friends and family the photos of Mahogany, they immediately saw warning signs.

Mahogany, 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days Season 5 | TLC

Ben admits to his friends that theyve talked on the phone twice but have yet to video chat. He says, Theres a good reason for that. So shes just very shy. And she just doesnt like video chatting, and I understand that. However, his friends and family all agree that Mahoganys photos look fake or very heavily edited.

Ben has been catfished before.

This isnt the first time that Ben has talked to strangers online. In fact, he ended up falling in love with someone who was catfishing him to extort money from him.

Ben, 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days Season 5 | TLC

Ben tells the cameras, I really havent told anyone. I have been catfished before. And it took me several weeks to figure out the person I was talking to was actually a man that was texting me from Africa.

He admitted, It really hurt me, actually. But I know thats not the case with Mahogany. Because we just keep connecting every single day, deeper and deeper. And you cant fake that.

Ben sends money to Mahogany

Despite Ben believing everything Mahogany tells him, his friends are much more skeptical of her intentions, especially after Ben reveals that hes been sending her money.

His friend suggests that hes being scammed, but he doesnt see it that way. His friend says, You dont even know if shes a real person or if shes anything who she says she is.

Ben retorts, Listen. If I have to spend a thousand dollars to find out if shes real. He confirms that he sent Mahogany a $1,000 loan. Ben defends his choice to send her money. He says, She asked for a loan, which is different.

Many 90 Day Fiance fans are convinced that this will be another Williams situation. However, Mahogany and Ben might surprise us. 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airs Sundays on TLC and discovery+.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: All of the Red Flags So Far in Ella and Johnnys Relationship
After putting her nuptials on hold, Hannah Ferrier from Below Deck Mediterranean not only secured a date for her wedding but shell be married in a few months.

During a chat with Brock Davies and Scheana Shay from Vanderpump Rules, Ferrier spilled that she and fiance Josh Roberts will tie the knot soon. The big news comes after she recently told Showbiz Cheat Sheet that wedding planning was furthest from her mind because she and Roberts just bought a house. But she also may be sticking with her original wedding date  which is fast approaching.

Hannah Ferrier from Below Deck Med is getting married in a few months

Ferrier laughed about being in sudden wedding planning mode. Weve actually just set our date as well, she revealed on her Dear Reality, Youre Effed podcast. But Im like a f****** crazy person. Its like two and a half months away.

Hannah Ferrier from Below Deck Mediterranean on WWHL | Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank

Davies joked that Ferrier has a problem with a date coming so fast. I know, she agreed. Ive got the location of the ceremony, and thats it [laughs]. Ferrier recently asked for wedding suggestions on her Instagram story, including a shout-out to Captain Lee Rosbach from Below Deck to perform the ceremony. Ferrier also shared a text exchange she had with her personal trainer, adding, When youre needy with your trainer but also honest.

Brock Davies from Vanderpump Rules joked that he and Scheana Shay will swing by the wedding

Ferrier shared that she has a wedding coordinator helping her. But added, I need to return some of her calls! I said to Josh, You know what, as long as we have like wine and music and some food. Like I dont really f****** care apart from that.

Davies and Shay said that they may be in Australia on the date Ferrier planned to marry and could swing by. She added, I have a feeling Ill be busy the next few months with wedding planning. And then I still got the business kicking along. And obviously the podcast. Got a few other things on the back burner.

Ferrier told Showbiz Cheat Sheet she had a date her wedding. But once she and Roberts purchased a house, she abandoned wedding planning so she didnt think they would still get married on the date. So we had March 5 booked in, she said in early November. And then we ended up buying this house. I just ended up saying to Josh, if I was just staying home with Ava, and wasnt working, Id be able to do the move, plan the wedding and do all that.

And then there were threeand a ring pic.twitter.com/pJBLiox76b  Hannah Ferrier  CEO Ocean Int Training Academy (@hannahferrier_) November 23, 2020

RELATED: Below Deck: Hannah Ferrier Drags Kelly Dodd Again and Fans Take Sides  Including Christine Quinn From Selling Sunset

But at the end of the day something has got to give, she added. And its not gonna be my work because we need that to pay the mortgage and its not going to be the house because thats a priority.

At the time the borders were closed in Australia which was one reason why she wasnt sure if she would marry in March. Its also difficult because our borders have been shut for two years, she said. So my fiance is from Scotland and its kind of at that stage where if we held the wedding now, its a bit of an f-you to his family. Because obviously, the flights are like $10,000 return from the UK.

The couple wanted a wedding that everyone could attend

Perhaps restrictions are easing because Ferrier was essentially waiting for an opportunity for everyone to travel. So seeing as we havent planned it now, we will now wait until everything calms down, she said. The borders open. People can come from overseas. Like he lived in Singapore for six years, Vietnam for four years. So most of his friends are overseas.

Coming up to Avas 6 months Josh and I just worked out that my waters broke exactly 2 years and 12 minutes from the moment we met. That alone sums up the first 6 months of having a child pic.twitter.com/MbrS9kZMZM  Hannah Ferrier  CEO Ocean Int Training Academy (@hannahferrier_) April 21, 2021

RELATED: Below Deck: Courtney Skippon Said Shed Never Go Back to the Show  Its Embarrassing

Now that the restrictions are easing, so its probably better to wait until we can actually have a wedding, she remarked. And the other thing, theres no bigger commitment than a baby and a mortgage [laughs]!
Hulus Dopesick, starring Michael Keaton, tells the true story of Purdue Pharma and the marketing of OxyContin. However, the truth is disturbing. The eight-episode miniseries depicts the lengths Richard Sackler (portrayed by Michael Stuhlbarg) went to market the highly addictive opioid. In the series, Rick Mountcastle (Peter Sarsgaard), Randy Ramseyer (John Hoogenakker) find proof that Sackler and other executives knew about the drugs addictiveness but did nothing. After watching the dramatization of real-life events, many viewers want to know if Purdue Pharma is still in business today.

Dopesick: Michael Stuhlbarg | Gene Page/Hulu

The final episode of Dopesick on Hulu updates events since the 2007 settlement case that Mountcastle, Ramseyer, and John Brownlee (Jake McDorman) settled against Purdue Pharma. Brownlee accepted a $600 million settlement in 2006, misdemeanors against the executives, and felony charges against the company. However, Purdue Pharma remained in business after the 2006 settlement.

The ending to Dopesick gave a brief overview of what had happened since 2006. By 2019, significant institutions began rejecting future donations from Purdue, including the Louvre in Paris, France. The Sackler family left New York after public shaming for their role in the opioid crisis in America.

RELATED: Dopesick Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg Received a Harassment Intimidation Letter for Portraying Richard Sackler

David Sackler and Kathe Sackler publicly defended the companys actions in a 2020 congressional hearing. According to Dopesick Episode 8, in 2021, the Sackler family signed a bankruptcy restructuring plan that would turn over $4.5 billion of their fortune. The family would also turn over ownership of Purdue Pharma; however, the agreement included terms that the Sackler family could not be sued.

However, after Dopesick aired on Dec. 16, 2021, a New York federal court judge overturned the settlement mentioned in that final episode (Forbes). Judge Colleen McMahon threw out the case stating that the New York Bankruptcy court did not have the authority to grant legal immunity to members of the Sackler family.

Is Purdue Pharma still in business in 2022 after the events of Dopesick on Hulu?

Yes, Purdue Pharma is still in business as of the writing of this article in 2022. The Purdue Pharma FAQ about the bankruptcy filing explains that they filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which does not put them out of business. They plan to come out of bankruptcy as a stronger organization.

Chapter 11 is very different from chapter 7 and other types of reorganization, where the focus is on liquidating a company and going out of business, the FAQ read. During a chapter 11 filingunlike a chapter 7 filingmanagement remains in control of the business, and the business operates as normal.

The bankruptcy gives Purdue Pharma a way to finalize all of their settlements from litigation in one place.

It became standard to individualize the dose, but at what cost? Only one more episode of #DopesickHulu left. pic.twitter.com/THsrmE82Nv  Dopesick On Hulu (@DopesickOnHulu) November 11, 2021

What is Richard Sacklers net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, the former president of Purdue Pharma, Richard Sackler, is worth an estimated $1 billion in 2022. The entire Sackler family is estimated at around $14-15 billion. Even if the bankruptcy settlement mentioned in the last episode of Dopesick goes through, the Sacklers will continue to be very rich. However, they no longer will be a part of the company going forward.

The complete eight-part series created by Danny Strong, Dopesick, is currently available for streaming on Hulu.

RELATED: Dopesick on Hulu: 4 Shows Like it to Watch Next While Awaiting Season 2
The Duggar family might have spent years on television, but that doesnt mean they shared everything with their audience. In the wake of Josh Duggars arrest, Duggar family followers learned quickly that the Duggars hid a lot. During Josh Duggars trial, several bombshell statements were made. Still, family followers were most interested to finally learn that Josh had dated someone before Anna Duggar. Josh married his wife, Anna, in 2008. Family critics theorized that Josh Duggar dated Kayleigh Holt, the daughter of Jim and Bobye Holt, long before the information became common knowledge. Bobye Holt confirmed the dating history during her testimony. So, exactly what did we learn about the couples relationship?

Bobye Holt revealed details of Josh Duggar and Kayleigh Holts courtship

While most of Holts testimony centered around Josh inappropriately touching his siblings and a family friend when he was a teen, she did share plenty of details about the courtship that Duggar family followers long suspected. During her testimony, Holt revealed that Josh dated her eldest daughter for several months between 2002 and 2003. Holt stated that the two families hoped Josh and Kayleigh Holt would eventually wed. They were just 14 years old when they were a couple.

Josh Duggar and Anna Duggar | Kris Connor/Getty Images

Holt even shared exactly when the couple put their romance on pause. She told the court that the couple ended their relationship on March 30, 2003. Holt revealed that she remembered the date for a specific reason. It was the date that Josh confessed to inappropriately touching several girls, including four of his sisters.

Bobye announced that while they ended the romance, the families thought Josh and Kayleigh might continue their relationship at some point. According to the elder Holt, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar sent Josh to live with the Holt family in 2005. They lost all hope for a renewed romance during Joshs brief stint in Little Rock, Arkansas, though. Bobye testified that Josh was asked to leave the Holt home for transgressions unrelated to inappropriate touching.

NEW YORK, NY  MARCH 11: AJ Calloway with the Duggar family | D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra

Kayleigh Holt has since gone on to marry someone else. According to Fandom, she married Rob Tull in 2012. They share five children, although little else is known about the couple. Her youngest child was born in October 2021, just weeks before the elder Holt took the stand at Josh Duggars trial. Josh married Anna in 2008. They have seven children.

Kayleigh Holt appeared in the Duggar familys first TLC special

While Bobye Holts testimony shed serious light on the nature of her daughters relationship with Josh Duggar, evidence of their relationship was available all along. Before an alleged falling out forced the two families apart, the Holts were close enough to the Duggar family to be featured in their TLC special, 14 Children and Pregnant Again.

The Duggar family | Bill Clark/Roll Call/Getty Images

Not only were the Holts featured in a scene, but Duggar family followers noticed Kayleigh and Josh appeared to be very much an item during the special. According to Reddit users, early airings of the specials showed the eldest Holt daughter gazing at Josh lovingly, similar to how his current wife looked at him when they appeared together on 19 Kids and Counting. Although, the timing would suggest that the couple had put their relationship on hold by the time TLC began filming. Later airings of the special may have limited the Holt familys participation.
Recently, the situation in Ukraine has continued to be tense. The picture shows a military parade held in the capital Kiev of Ukraine on August 24, 2021, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its declaration of independence, where tanks march lining up. (Published by Xinhua News Agency)

Recently, the US together with other organizations like NATO has held a series of emergency meetings with Russia. On January 10, representatives of the US and Russia held talks in Geneva; on January 12, Russia and NATO held talks in Brussels; on January 13, Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) held talks in Vienna. The relations between the US, Europe and Russia remain tense over the Ukrainian issue.

Irreconcilable structural conflict

"The dialogues did not reach any breakthrough as expected. NATO's eastward expansion and its deployment of weapons to Russia's neighbors have threatened Russia's security. To this, Russia is sure to definitely resist and fight back hard. This is an irreconcilable structural conflict", according to Ruan Zongze, executive vice president of the China Institute of International Studies.

"This round of dialogues marks a contest of Russia with the US and NATO on the immediate cause of Ukrainian issue. NATO has extended its tentacles into Ukraine, deploying weapons, and dispatching some so-called 'mercenaries' therein. These have humiliated Russia beyond endurance. In this case, Russia was forced to warn the US and NATO in a tough manner. From a deeper level, this is a contest between the US and Russia around European security. In the Cold War, the Europe once served as a strategic buffer to the US-Russia relation. However, the US has kept promoting NATO's eastward expansion, which has been encroaching on the security environment around Russia after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. The security buffer between the US and Russia has all gone ever since. Russia has to fight back, resulting intensions between Russia and both the US and NATO. "

Analysts generally pointed out that since the end of the Cold War, the US and other Western countries have long adopted a "hybrid approach" featuring a combination of dialogue and cooperation and military deterrence to contain Russia. After the Cold War, NATO has moved more than a thousand kilometers eastward, having gained the opportunity to use non-strategic weapons against targets on the territory of Russia. Besides, NATO usually conducts dozens of large-scale exercises each year, including the military operations targeting Russia. Recently, Russia and Western countries have fought fiercely over the Ukraine issue, which has made their tensions even worse. The US and Ukraine keep hyping up the so-called threat of Russian invasion; Russia on the other hand attaches great emphasis to the deployment of weapon systems by the US and other Western countries in areas close to Russia's western border, which have brought serious military risks to all parties involved and touched Russia's red line.

During this round of dialogues, both the US and Russia have shown a tough and uncompromising position. However, Europe has actually become a party injured. Europe is worried that severe sanctions against Russia may trigger an economic blow to itself. As quoted by Bloomberg from some insiders, the EU is still evaluating potential sanctions against Russia from both economic and legal perspectives. The European countries are also worried about Russia's retaliation, even cutting off the gas supplies.

According to Ruan Zongze, "the core of these three dialogues lies in a contest between the US and Russia. Both the NATO and EU are supported by the US from behind. Given geopolitical factors, Europe is actually more sensitive to Russia's toughness, and has always advocated dealing with security issues through negotiation with Russia to avoid intensifying the conflicts. However, the toughness of the US forces Russia to respond toughly. What the US has done is actually tying Europe to its own chariot, forcing Europe to pay for the US' strategic adventure. In this sense, the US has put the security concerns of its allies on the back burner for its own sake."

Try to avoid a showdown

"The only outcome of these dialogues is that the US, Russia and Europe will continue to maintain consultations and dialogues." As analyzed by RuanZongze, "next, the development of the situation is up to the changes of the Ukrainian situation. If the US and NATO continue to deploy weapons to Ukraine, provoking the situation to deteriorate, Russia's countermeasures are sure to be extremely severe."

"In all, the conflicts between Russia, the US, and NATO over NATO's eastward expansion will not easily vanish, which are bound to be the most important conflict affecting the security situation in Europe for a long time to come. There is no way for Russia to retreat. There is little room for compromise between the two sides. However, each side is trying to avoid a showdown, and diplomacy will continue to play its corresponding role", said Ruan Zongze.

Editor's note: This article is originally published on haiwainet.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.
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Netflix and Money Heist executive producer Alex Pina have teamed up for a new riveting series for fans. The upcoming Korean drama Money Heist: Korea  Joint Economic Area will feature the same characters as the Spanish original. However, the adaptation will cast Korean actors and take place in South Korea. Fans have seen small teasers of what is in store from the Professor and its main cast. And now, a teaser image for Money Heist: Korea  Joint Economic Area depicts the infamous red jumpsuit and a look at Helsinki.

Actor Kim Ji-Hoon (L) as Helsinki in Money Heist: Korea  Joint Economic Area | via Netflix

What is Netflixs Money Heist: Korea  Joint Economic Area about?

According to Soompi, Pina revealed his excitement over the remake set in the Korean Peninsula. Details of the storyline are yet to be revealed, but Netflix and Pina assure it will follow a similar style to the Spanish original.

Netflixs Money Heist: Korea stars a coveted cast of actors that will portray the same characters and names from the original. When Park Hae-soo announced his role as Berlin in December 2021, he gave fans a small teaser of what to expect with his character.

In an interview with The Swoon for Squid Game, Park explained how his version of Berlin would differ. In the original version, Berlin is kind of chic and cold-blooded. Hes on the verge of good and evil. But in the Korean version, Berlin has a good reason to be like that. So, itll be completely different, explained Park.

For Money Heist: Korea, the Professor, played by Yoo Ji-tae, will gather a group of thieves to rob a bank in South Korea. Netflix released a new still image of a central character and the well-recognized red jumpsuits.

Netflixs Money Heist: Korea  Joint Economic Area still image reveals first look at Helsinki

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On Jan.18, Netflix released its list of upcoming K-dramas for 2022. The anticipated Money Heist: Korea and a teaser image from the drama made the list. While fans have received introductions to the Professor, the new still image reveals a first look at the character Helsinki.

Helsinki is one of the Spanish originals leading characters who helps rob the Royal Mint of Spain. He is known for his brute and towering physique. According to Soompi, South Korean actor Kim Ji-hoon will play the role. The still image is likely showing the group of thieves holding hostages inside the bank of South Korea.

Helsinki faces four rows of hostages dressed in Money Heists iconic red jumpsuits. The character looks indifferent while holding a rifle as one hostage lays on the ground in distress. For the first time, fans get a sneak peek of the set for the upcoming Money Heist: Korea.

Who else stars in the upcoming K-drama remake?

The Korean remake will look to capitalize on the popularity of the original Money Heist. Not only will the remake have an already established fan base, but it will capture the attention of die-hard K-drama fans with its impressive cast list.

Besides Park and Kim as Berlin and Helsinki, Money Heist: Korea also stars Jeon Jong-seo as Tokyo and Lee Won-jong as Moscow. Actor Kim Ji-hoo will play Denver alongside Jang Yoon-joo as Nairobi and Park Jung-woo as Rio. Lee Kyu-ho will play Oslo.

Netflix will release Money Heist: Korea  Joint Economic Area in 2022.

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Princess Diana was married to Prince Charles for a little over 10 years. However, their relationship ended in the 1990s, and she went on to date other men.

In one instance, she dated a doctor of Pakistani descent and reportedly became interested in interfaith marriages. A Muslim photographer recalled that Diana asked him about this subject.

Princess Diana in 1983 | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

In 1995, Diana became acquainted with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan. She was reportedly attracted to him at first sight, and the two of them started dating. However, they had to keep their relationship under wrap as Khan did not want attention from the press.

According to Daily Mail, Dianas butler at the time, Paul Burrell, helped them date in secret. He shared, I organised this thing: romantic candlelit dinners, telling chef that the Princess was hungry so could he do double portionsId do it all in secret and provide this world for them. I was this gobetween who made it happen. I used to be given the night off to drink with Hasnat to see what he was thinking, what he was planning, what he was doing.

Burrell also alleged that Khan was the true love of her life.

Princess Diana once asked a Muslim photographer about interfaith marriage

Hasnat Khan | Stan Karczmarz/Sygma via Getty Images

RELATED: Prince William Once Told His Mother Princess Diana to Leave England and Live in Exile, Royal Photographer Recalls

Khan was a practicing Muslim, and Diana was intrigued by his religion and culture. She also took trips to Pakistan and met his family. Additionally, photographer Anwar Hussein recalled that she approached him about interfaith marriage during a flight.

All the lights were dimmed on the flight, and she came and whispered, Can I have a chat?  Hussein told People. She knew that I was married to an English girl, Caroline. She wanted to know about Islam. She was asking about being married when one person is Muslim and another is Protestant.

Hussein explained, She was interested because of what she was going through with [her then-boyfriend] Dr. Hasnat Khan. She didnt mention him, but she assumed I knew it. I think she was wondering how the family would react to him and things like that.

Many sources believe Diana wanted to marry Khan. Biographer Judy Wade even told People in 2015 that Diana had this vision that together they could bridge east and west, crossing creeds and continents.

Hasnat Khan says Princess Diana left him for a billionaires son

Diana and Khans relationship came to an end in the summer of 1997. Around that time, Diana was hanging out with Dodi Fayed, a son of Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed. During an inquest into Dianas death, Khan stated that she was lured by Fayeds money.

I think Diana finally realised that Al Fayed could give her all the things I could not, he said, according to Evening Standard. He had money and could provide the necessary security. You never see Al Fayed without six or seven bodyguards.

Diana and Fayed were together when they both died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.

RELATED: The Heartbreaking Reason Why Princess Diana Never Had More Children
Before 2021 concluded, there was justice for some of Jeffrey Epsteins victims when his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on several counts of recruiting and grooming teenage girls for sexual encounters with the late financier. Her conviction threw the spotlight back on Prince Andrew who has been accused of having sex multiple times with one of Epsteins alleged victims when she was a minor.

A judge recently decided that the civil lawsuit brought on by the Duke of Yorks accuser, Virginia Guiffre, will go to trial. Heres more on that, plus how Andrew reportedly reacted when he was stripped of his titles and the question royal watchers have after a mystery persons body part is seen in a photo of the prince and Guiffre.

Prince Andrew gestures as he speaks with business leaders during a reception | Michel Euler-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Andrew reportedly left in tears after losing royal patronages and privileges

On Jan. 13, news broke that Queen Elizabeth II stripped her son of his honorary military titles and removed his remaining royal patronages. He is also no longer able to use the His Royal Highness style anymore but will retain his Duke of York peerage.

After the decision was made public, a statement from Buckingham Palace read: 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.

Royal watchers want to know whose thumb is in the picture

Calls for Andrews titles to be removed have been growing ever since his disastrous TV interview in 2019. During that, he tried to explain his friendship with the late convicted pedophile and did not come off as believable claiming that he never met Guiffre.

The original photo has emerged https://t.co/Kz4FX9FUVd  The Daily Record (@Daily_Record) January 17, 2022

A piece of damning evidence against the queens second-oldest son is a picture of him with his arm around Guiffre when she was 17. Maxwell is smiling in the background of the photograph said to be taken inside her London townhome in 2001. An image of the uncropped version of the photo was shared recently. It shows a mystery persons thumb on the lower right-hand side and now, many royal watchers want to know whose thumb that is.

One Twitter user asked if Maxwell has revealed anything about it writing: Did Maxwell ever say it was someone elses hand? While another stressed the need to find out tweeting: Get forensics on that!

The reason the identity of the person who took the picture could be crucial to the case is because it would bring about another potential witness who would have seen Andrew and Guiffre together. However, the thumb could be that of Epstein though as no one has ever come forward in the past two decades to say they were at Maxwells house that evening and snapped the picture.

Prince Andrew insists he has no recollection of the photograph being taken and denies the accusations against him.

RELATED: Prince Andrew Took a Dig at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Right Before Princess Eugenies Wedding
Teen Mom star Jade Cline originally debuted on Young and Pregnant in 2017. Since her reality television debut, fans have noticed she looks different. Did she have plastic surgery?

Teen Mom: Young and Pregnant logo | MTV

What surgery did Jade from Teen Mom have?

In early 2021, 24-year-old Jade Cline had a BBL (Brazilian butt lift) surgery in Miami, Florida. She talked about the procedure beforehand on her podcast, Jay and Kay Unfiltered, admitting she was astonished by the transformation of others who had the surgery.

After doing her research, the reality star went through it and allowed MTV to document her experience on the upcoming season of Teen Mom 2.

TOMORROW: Jade hits a breaking point when the stress of being a new Mom gets too overwhelming. pic.twitter.com/wIRt1fMFzb  Teen Mom (@TeenMom) April 8, 2018

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Cline then briefly opened up about it during the podcast, noting she went through a lot of pain and unexpected turns. The June 8 episode followed the Indiana natives recovery process as her mom attempted to care for her.

However, her mother had a hard time getting her necessary pain medication. Cline is nearly a year removed from the BBL surgery and seems pleased with the results.

Jade Cline joined Teen Mom: Family Reunion cast

In Sept. 2017, the Indiana-based waiter welcomed her first child, baby girl Kloie Kenna, at the age of 20. Soon after, she was featured in spinoff Young and Pregnant (2018), which chronicled her tumultuous relationships with her mother and boyfriend, Sean Austin, as she attempted to raise her child.

Following the first season, Cline moved to Teen Mom 2 in season 9 (2019) to replace Janelle Evans. She has become close friends with co-star Briana DeJesus, and the two joined the cast of spinoff Family Reunion.

However, the 24-year-old had unresolved drama with castmate Ashley Jones who infamously called her mother a crackhead at a Young and Pregnant reunion. The two have continued to throw shade at each other online, and they werent looking forward to seeing one another.

When Cline called out Jones for her bullying during a group exercise, it almost got physical as the Indiana native wanted her co-star to acknowledge her behavior. Although things got awkward between the two, they have since made up.

Are Jade and Sean still together?

Austin and Cline were dating at the time they welcomed their now-4-year-old daughter. However, the couple frequently argued, and she accused him of punching a hole through their window.

He also struggled with addiction, and she began forcing him to take drug tests before eventually breaking up in 2019. During the premiere episode of Family Reunion, Cline revealed Austin checked himself into the same rehab facility where OGs Tyler Baltierra reportedly received treatment.

You know her from Teen Mom: Young + Pregnant, and now her story will continue on #TeenMom2!



Get to know @jade_desere and welcome her to the family. pic.twitter.com/5P0h26MQcz  Teen Mom (@TeenMom) June 4, 2019

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She explained hed stay in the program for a total of about four months and admitted she didnt know how to break the news to their daughter. The Teen Mom 2 star also noted hes working on several issues, including depression, in a confessional.

Cline shared another update in a Jan. 2022 TikTok featuring the two that joked about him taking 6 years to get his s together. Replying to a fan who noticed how healthy she looked, the 24-year-old noted he has gained weight and is feeling great. Currently, it seems the two havent rekindled their romance, but some fans believe its coming. Teen Mom: Family Reunion airs Tuesdays on MTV.
The Monkees Mike Nesmith said Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz were the heartbeat of the Prefab Fours show. During an interview, Nesmith compared Jones to Bob Hope. In the same vein, Jones discussed Nesmith at length in his autobiography.

The Monkees Davy Jones | Express/Express/Getty Images

Why Mike Nesmith compared 2 of The Monkees to Bob Hope and Bing Crosby

Following Jones death in 2012, Rolling Stones Andy Greene reached out to Nesmith. Greene did not expect to get a response from the reclusive Nesmith. To Greenes surprise, Nesmith discussed his feelings about Jones in an email.

For me, David was The Monkees, Nesmith wrote. They were his band. We were his sidemen. He was the focal point of the romance, the lovely boy, innocent and approachable.

In addition, Nesmith said Dolenz was integral to the success of The Monkees sitcom. Micky was [Jones] Bob Hope, Nesmith opined. In those two  like Hope and [Bing] Crosby  was the heartbeat of the show. For context, Hope and Crosby co-starred in several classic comedic musicals such as Road to Singapore and Road to Zanzibar.

The Monkees Mike Nesmith | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

RELATED: How The Monkees Davy Jones Inspired Star Treks Chekov

What The Monkees Davy Jones did when he laughed

Nesmith discussed what he thought of Jones brand of comedy. [Jones] told great jokes, he said. Very nicely developed sense of the absurd  Pythonesque  actually, Beyond the Fringe  but you get my point. The term Pythonesque refers to the surrealist humor of Monty Python while Beyond the Fringe was a famous satirical play.

Nesmith further elaborated on Jones humor. We would rush to each other anytime we heard a new joke and tell it to each other and laugh like crazy, he recalled. David had a wonderful laugh, infectious. He would double up, crouching over his knees, and laugh till he ran out of breath. Whether he told the joke or not. We both did.

Nesmith revealed his reaction to Jones death. I dont really process that, he said. I just leave it to God to process. I have a very strong sense of a universal divine order. When that takes me over, life is heaven on Earth.

RELATED: The Monkees Davy Jones Sang a Song in The Brady Bunch Movie and Its Writer Hated It

What Davy Jones said about Mike Nesmith in his autobiography

Near the end of his 1987 autobiography, They Made a Monkee Out of Me, Jones discussed the other members of The Monkees. Jones had positive things to say about Nesmith. He felt Nesmith was talented, opining that he could become a leading man in Hollywood at any minute.

In addition, Jones praised Nesmiths musicianship. He noted that Nesmith was always concerned with the way The Monkees looked and sounded. Jones also revealed Nesmith seemed to have two or three cars at any given time because he knew how to look after his money. Nesmith felt Jones was the central member of The Monkees and Jones had plenty of respect for Nesmith.

RELATED: The Monkees Davy Jones Said He Could Have Easily Been David Bowie  I Could Have Been and Done What He Did
I grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during an era of bitter and violent conflict between Protestants and Catholics. The Protestants wanted Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom, while the Catholics wanted to unify Ireland as a single, independent republic.

My first awareness of the political differences between Protestants and Catholics came when I was 14 years old. On that day, I had been skipping school with a group of other boys, all Catholic. We were down in a glen, among the trees, where there was a rope swing attached to a branch jutting out over the river. I stood there listening as the other boys discussed what they should do to me. What they did was beat me up and throw me in the river.

As I climbed out of the water, I tried to figure out what I had done to deserve this. When I asked, one of the boys told me: They had attacked me because I was a Protestant. Until then, I didnt know what it meant to be a loyalist or a Republican. Nor did I understand the distinction between being a Protestant and being a Catholic.

That day marked a turning point in my life, and it set me on a destructive course. I decided I would never again have Catholic friends. And as a teenager, I made the fateful decision to become a political terrorist, joining an illegal paramilitary organization called the Ulster Volunteer Force. I saw myself as a righteous activist fighting for a good causefor loyalty to queen and country.

Time to change

As a UVF member, I committed several crimes, including a bombing, a bank robbery, and several other armed robberies, one of which got me sent to prison at age 17. After being released one year later, I got involved again, which ended in another arrest and a 12-year sentence.

I had been in prison a few years when something out of the ordinary happened. I was attending a church service just before Christmas. (Like nearly everyone else, I wasnt there out of any religious convictions, but only for the chance to get out of my cell, see prisoners from other wings, and exchange contraband and scuttlebutt.) The prison chaplain asked, Any volunteers to read the Bible passage this morning? When no one responded, someone sitting in front of me turned around and said, Davey said he will do it!

My first instinct was denial. But I knew everyone would laugh at me. So I took the Bible and read the passageLukes account of the nativity of Jesus. When I finished, I was smiling! For some reason, it felt good. In fact, I wrote a letter to my mother that evening explaining what had happened. But nothing changed. Christmas came and went.

In early January, I had another amazing experience. One evening, not long before lockup, I made myself a cup of tea. Returning to my cell, I noticed a small piece of folded-up paper lying on the pillow: a Christian gospel tract with the title Jesus Christ is Coming Back Soon. I laughed, balled it up, and tossed it out the cell window.

But a sudden thought came into my mind: Its time for you to change, to become a Christian. This was startling. But a few moments later, the thought repeated itself.

At first I laughed it off, figuring God would never be interested in someone like me. I was a bad man guilty of doing bad things. The UVF had killed many people. Some of my friends were murderers. Thankfully, I had not taken anyones life, but it wasnt for lack of trying.

I shook myself back to reality and put my cup on the shelf, beside a Gideon Bible. (Every prisoner kept one in his cellnot to read, but as a backup source of cigarette paper.) Curious, I flicked through the pages, reading a few lines here and there. It didnt make any sense, so I put it back on the shelf. A few minutes later, I tried reading once more. It still didnt make any sense.

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Lying on my bed, I started thinking about my close brushes with death. Like the night when the Irish Republican Army attempted to kill me while I was eating out with my fiancee. Or the time I planted a bomb that exploded prematurely while I was still in the building. Although my jacket was cut to shreds, I survived without a scratch. Or the moment on the street when someone put a gun to my head and pulled the trigger, only for the gun to jam.

Not many live to tell such tales, so why was I still alive? Suddenly the thought rushed through my mind: It was God who kept me alive! The more I pondered it, the more convinced I was.

Suddenly, I knew I wanted to become a Christian, although I wasnt sure how. Thankfully, the next morning I encountered the very man who had put the tract on my bed. To my surprise, I began confessing my interest in becoming a Christian. I thought he would laugh at me because I had mocked him so many times for his faith. Instead, he simply gave me a hug. He also gave me several more tractsenough reading material for a month.

One of the tracts contained a simple prayer on the back side:

Come into my heart Lord Jesus, come into my heart today.

Come into my heart Lord Jesus, come into my heart to stay.

I prayed the prayer six times, just to make sure God knew I was serious. When the cell door opened for us to return to work, I decided to tell the first person I saw, but to my horror he started yelling, Daveys a Christian now! Hes joined the God Squad!

When I spotted the prison chaplain, I shouted, I am a Christian now! He stopped and walked over. When did this happen? he asked. He invited me back to his office, where he sat and smiled as I recounted my story. After I finished, he opened a cupboard and gave me the first Bible I considered my own, a little red Gideons New Testament. When he prayed for me, I felt ten feet tall.

Hope for the hopeless

At the time, I didnt realize that someone else had been praying behind the scenes: my uncles mother-in-law, an elderly woman named Mrs. Beggs. On the day of my sentencing, when my mother was crying about her hopeless son, Mrs. Beggs shook her head and said, If God could change the heart of John Newtonthe slave ship captain who penned Amazing Grace after his conversionhe can change the heart of your son. I will pray for him every day.

In fact, when my mother told her the good news, Mrs. Beggs reported back that she already knew, because God had lifted the burden of her heart. She added, God has told me I am to pray for his future ministryhe will become a minister! Though Mum could hardly believe it, Mrs. Beggs was right.

After my release, I worked as an evangelist for Prison Fellowship. (Charles Colson had visited me after my conversion.) Five years later I began to travel across Europe as an itinerant evangelist. In another 12 years, I received a call to pastor a church in England, which I did until my retirement. Nowadays, having moved back to Ireland, I continue to evangelize across the country.

Truly, there is no such thing as a hopeless case, because God is mighty to save!

David Hamilton is a retired minister living in Northern Ireland. He is the author of A Cause Worth Living For: The Story of Former Terrorist David Hamilton.

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Today the Open Doors World Watch List has again thoroughly documented the severe repression that many Christians experience every day. The church is under outright attack in many countries, while grinding repression and ceaseless limitations slowly strangle believers in others.

The list is a call to action and prayer for the persecuted. Understanding the dire situation should motivate Americans of all denominations to ask our government to help the persecuted church and to speak up for others victimized for their beliefs.

Yet while the World Watch List paints a troubling picture, the news is not all bad. There are positive situations in a few countries. Of course they are not perfect, and Open Doors still gives several low marks. But these glimmers of light are worthy of prayer, support, and continued engagement to press for further improvements.

Here are my picks for five recent religious freedom developments worth praising:

1) United Arab Emirates

Last year, construction begin in Abu Dhabi of the first official synagogue in the country, part of a larger state-funded project to build a mosque, church, and synagogue in the same complex to represent the three Abrahamic faiths. The UAE is also funding the restoration of two historic churches in Iraq that ISIS tried to destroy. The synagogue construction comes alongside the Emirates establishing ties with Israel and expatriate Jewish life blossoming in the Gulf state. Emirati citizens do not enjoy full conscience rights, but the country boasts many churches for foreign Christianssomething remarkable considering its neighbor Saudi Arabia and nearby Iran.

2) Sudan

In 2019, the transitional Sudanese government issued a new constitution with several notable provisions defending religious freedom and minority worship. While the devil is always in the details, the transitional government also repealed the law mandating death for apostasy and reduced blasphemy penalties by removing flogging as a punishment. These were notable developments, as the Muslim-majority world trends toward increasingnot weakeningapostasy and blasphemy punishments. At the same time, the transition away from former dictator Omar Al-Bashir is in jeopardy, with the military pushing out key civilian leaders and using deadly force against unarmed protesters.

3) Uzbekistan

In a far corner of the world, the former Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan has opened space for religious freedom. From 2006 to 2017, the US State Department designated Uzbekistan as one of the worst countries in the world for religious freedom. However, new leadership brought a new interest in improving relations with the United States, creating momentum for religious freedom reforms. Uzbekistan has eased legal restrictions, released prisoners, and registered churches. Not everything is perfect, however, and the old Soviet mentality hinders reforms that would bring greater religious freedoms.

4) Egypt

Authorities continue to approve the building of new Coptic churches, a significant change from a decade ago for the Middle Easts largest Christian community, estimated at around 10 million. Previously, Copts endured a painful approval process for new churches or even simple repairs, an exercise designed to frustrate and eventually suffocate Christian life. But as CT reported last year, the Sisi government has now approved 44 new churches. In addition, the release of Coptic activist Ramy Kamel after two years of pre-trial detention is positive. However, Kamels jailing demonstrates deeper problems with the dismal human rights environment in the country for all EgyptiansMuslim, Christian, or otherwise.

5) IRFBA alliance

Rights-respecting nations are responding to the threat of religious persecution worldwide. In 2020, at the initiative of the United States, a new alliance was launched to promote international religious freedom. Now, for the first time, a group of 33 nations are explicitly working together to advance religious freedom for all. Still in the early stages of development, the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance has spoken about Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar). Other multinational efforts include the upcoming multinational summit in London this summer focused on freedom of religion or belief, and a US summit led by civil society groups will continue. Time will tell if words will translate into deeds.

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Moving governments and international institutions to act can save lives, free prisoners, and increase religious freedom for all. But why should we fight for the religious freedoms of non-Christians, be they Muslim, Hindu, or atheist? Because they are our global neighbors. To love them as we love our own, we should speak up for them as well as for our brothers and sisters in the faith. Such a heroic love of neighbor would be a powerful example of Gods love. And practically, if not everyone can enjoy religious freedom, then there is not complete religious freedom for anyone.

A great example is Open Doors calling for an Olympics boycott because of Chinas persecution of Uyghur Muslims, or the Southern Baptist Convention condemning Chinas treatment of the Uyghurs as a genocide.

Open Doors should be commended for its commitment to accuracy. For instance, its statistic on Christian martyrs is much lower than other organizations. Although inflated numbers would be effective clickbait, it would undermine their credibility and rigorous researchand ultimately hurt the people they want to help. Groups found to exaggerate, misrepresent, or be ill-informed will have difficulty persuading persons of power and influence.

The World Watch List also clarifies the blessings of liberty we enjoy in the United States. While some have spoken of Christian persecution in America due to COVID-19, the Open Doors report demonstrates what real persecution looks like: violent, targeted, and unrelenting. What occurred this past weekend at the Colleyville synagogue in Texas resembles what one finds throughout the list. Unfortunately, too many of our brothers and sisters overseas must bravely confront violent persecution every day. Overuse of the term in our domestic context only cheapens it and lessens the impact in actual situations of persecution.

Knox Thames served as the State Department Special Advisor for Religious Minorities for both the Obama and Trump administrations. He is currently writing a book on 21st century strategies to combat religious persecution. You can follow him on Twitter @KnoxThames.

Speaking Out is Christianity Todays guest opinion column and (unlike an editorial) does not necessarily represent the opinion of the magazine.

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Latest report on Christian persecution finds Nigeria has 4 out of 5 martyrs worldwide, China has 3 out of 5 church attacks, and Afghanistan is now worse than North Korea.

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Image: Illustration by Mallory Rentsch / Source Image: Benne Ochs / Getty Images

Open Doors has released its 2022 World Watch List of the 50 countries where Christian persecution is worst.

A thousand more Christians were killed for their faith last year than the year before.

A thousand more Christians were detained.

Six hundred more churches were attacked or closed.

And Afghanistan is the new No. 1, according to the 2022 World Watch List (WWL), the latest annual accounting from Open Doors of the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous and difficult to be a Christian.

This years findings indicate seismic changes in the persecution landscape, said David Curry, president of Open Doors USA.

Since Open Doors began its tally in 1992, North Korea has led the ranking. But since Afghanistans takeover by the Taliban last August, Afghan believers have had to leave their country or relocate internally. Many lost everything they had, notes the report, while house churches were closed in their wake.

Before the Taliban, it was not great, but it was good, said one evacuated Afghan, requesting anonymity in hopes that he may one day return. [Now] Christians are living in fear, in secret, totally underground.

Open Doors is quick to note the displacement of North Korea to No. 2 does not reflect an improvement in religious freedom there. On the contrary, a new antireactionary thought law has resulted in an increase of Christian arrests and house church closures.

Overall, 360 million Christians live in nations with high levels of persecution or discrimination. Thats 1 in 7 Christians worldwide, including 1 in 5 believers in Africa, 2 in 5 in Asia, and 1 in 15 in Latin America.

Last year, for the first time in 29 years of tracking, all 50 nations scored high enough to register very high persecution levels on Open Doors 84-question matrix. This year, all 50 again qualifiedas did 5 more nations that fell just outside the cutoff.

While Islamic extremism continues to create the most persecution, Open Doors noted that COVID-19 restrictions have become an easy way to tighten control and surveillance over religious minorities and worship services in China and other nations. Researchers also found that persecution is increasingly displacing Christians from their communities, with tens of thousandsespecially from Myanmarbecoming refugees in other nations.

The purpose of the annual WWL rankingswhich have chronicled how North Korea has competition as persecution gets worse and worseis to guide prayers and to aim for more effective anger while showing persecuted believers that they are not forgotten.

The 2022 version tracks the time period from October 1, 2020, to September 20, 2021, and is compiled from grassroots reports by Open Doors workers in more than 60 countries.

Where are Christians most persecuted today?

Afghanistan does not represent the only substantial change in this years rankings. Myanmar moved up to No. 12 from No. 18, due to increased violence after its coup and discrimination in health care. Qatar climbed to No. 18 from No. 29, as previously tolerated house churches were not permitted to reopen after COVID-19 closures, despite permission given to mosques and the few officially registered church buildings. Indonesia rose to No. 28 from No. 47, driven by two deadly Islamist attacks on churches despite a government crackdown against terrorists. And Cuba jumped to No. 37 from No. 51, due to intensified action against Christian leaders and activists opposing Communist principles.

Overall, the top 10 nations only shuffled positions from last year. Somalia held steady at No. 3, as did Libya at No. 4, Eritrea at No. 6, and India at No. 10. Yemen rose two spots to No. 5, replacing Pakistan which fell three spots to No. 8. Iran fell one spot to No. 9, and Nigeria rose two spots to No. 7, completing the group.

Where Its Hardest to Follow Jesus:



1. Afghanistan

2. North Korea

3. Somalia

4. Libya

5. Yemen

6. Eritrea

7. Nigeria

8. Pakistan

9. Iran

10. India

Surprisingly removed in November from the US State Departments annual listing of Countries of Particular Concern after finally being added in 2020, Nigeria was given special attention in the Open Doors report.

Once you are Christian in Nigeria, your life is always at stake, said a Nigerian believer identified as Manga, whose father was beheaded by Boko Haram. [But] it's not like we have anyplace [else] to go; we have no option.

Africas most populous nation ranked first in the WWL subcategories of Christians killed, abducted, sexually harassed, or physically or mentally abused, and in homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. It ranked second in the subcategories of church attacks and internal displacement.

It has  become increasingly clear that Christians (and minority groups) cannot count on the security apparatus for their protection, stated the report.

Violations of religious freedom in Nigeria are tied to a rapidly growing Islamist presence in the African Sahel. Mali rose to No. 24 from No. 28, and Open Doors fears it may increase further next year. Burkina Faso held steady at No. 32, and Niger jumped to No. 33 from No. 54. Nearby, the Central African Republic (CAR) rose to No. 31 from No. 35.

The epicenter of international jihadism is now [in] the Sahel area, said Illia Djadi, Open Doors senior analyst for freedom of religion and belief for sub-Saharan Africa. This terrorism is moving south  and predominantly Christian countries like Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast are now affected. (None rank on the watch list.)

Countries with Christian majorities rank relatively low in the top 50, and include Colombia (No. 30), Cuba (No. 37), Ethiopia (No. 38), the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DRC (No. 40), Mozambique (No. 41), Mexico (No. 43), and Cameroon (No. 44).

Of the top 50 nations:

11 have extreme levels of persecution and 39 have very high levels. Another five nations outside the top 50 also qualify as very high: Kenya, Sri Lanka, Comoros, United Arab Emirates, and Tanzania.

18 are in Africa (6 in North Africa), 29 are in Asia, 10 are in the Middle East, 4 are in Central Asia, and 3 are in Latin America.

34 have Islam as a main religion, 4 have Buddhism, 2 have Hinduism, 1 has atheism, 1 has agnosticismand 10 have Christianity.

The 2022 list included two new countries: Cuba and Niger. Two countries dropped off the list: Kenya and Comoros.

Where Christians Face the Most Violence:



1. Nigeria

2. Pakistan

3. India

4. Central African Republic

5. Democratic Republic of Congo

6. Mozambique

7. Cameroon

8. Afghanistan

9. Mali

10. South Sudan



Open Doors reporting period: Oct. 2020 to Sept. 2021

Other noteworthy increases include Saudi Arabia at No. 11, up from No. 14, due to the availability of more specific information on the situation of migrant converts. Similarly, fellow Gulf nation Oman rose to No. 36 from No. 44, following an increase of surveillance against Christians, especially converts, with several forced to leave the country. And in Asia, Bhutan rose to No. 34 from No. 43, due to a rise in violence against Christians in the traditionally nonviolent Buddhist nation.

Not all noteworthy movement was negative. Iraq and Syria each dropped three slots to No. 14 and No. 15, respectively, due to decreases in their number of churches attacked and Christians killed. Tunisia dropped to No. 35 from No. 25, as fewer Christians were detained, while a decrease in violence against Christians caused Tajikistan to fall to No. 45 from No. 43. Meanwhile, fewer attacks by radical Hindu groups in the Himalayan nation of Nepal led its rank to sink to No. 48, down from No. 34.

Open Doors suggested that some declines may be superficial, however, caused by decreases in Christian activity due to COVID-19. Egypt dropped to No. 20 from No. 16, and Turkey fell to No. 42 from No. 35, as attacks on churches lessened. Yet in Egypt, violence against individual Christians remained high, with eight believers killed, while Turkey witnessed increasingly aggressive government rhetoric against Christians, who suffered from growing social distrust.

Other nations canceled out positive developments with negative ones. Sudan remained at No. 13, given that religious freedom reforms at the national level have not yet been enacted at the local level. Colombia held steady at No. 30 as fewer Christians were killed yet criminal activity and social hostility roseespecially in indigenous communities. And Ethiopia, which dropped two spots to No. 38, saw a drop in violence against Christians offset by community pressures amid civil war conditions that make it difficult to discern religious versus ethnic persecution.

How are Christians persecuted in these countries?

Open Doors tracks persecution across six categoriesincluding both social and governmental pressure on individuals, families, and congregationsand has a special focus on women. Nearly all categories saw increases this year, and some hit record highs.

When violence is isolated as a category, the top 10 persecutors shift dramaticallyonly Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, and India remain. In fact, 16 nations are deadlier for Christians than North Korea.

Martyrdoms rose by more than 1,000 from the prior year, as Open Doors tallied 5,898 Christians killed for their faith during the reporting period. Representing an increase of 24 percent, the toll remains an improvement over the 2016 high of 7,106 deaths. Nigeria accounted for 79 percent of the total, followed by Pakistan at 11 percent.

Where Christians Were Martyred Most:



1. Nigeria: 4,650

2. Pakistan: 620

3. Name withheld: 100*

4. Burkina Faso 100*

5. Democratic Republic of Congo: 100*

6. Mozambique: 100*

7. Central African Republic: 29

8. Cameroon: 27

9. Tanzania: 25

10. Indonesia: 15



*Estimate | Open Doors reporting period: Oct. 2020 to Sept. 2021

Open Doors is known for favoring a more conservative estimate than other groups, who often tally martyrdoms at 100,000 a year.

Where numbers cannot be verified, estimates are given in round numbers of 10, 100, 1,000, or 10,000, assumed to be higher in reality. And some national tabulations may not be provided due to security reasons, resulting in an NN designation for Afghanistan, Maldives, North Korea, Somalia, and Yemen.

Under this rubric, an unnamed nation, Burkina Faso, the DRC, and Mozambique all follow with a symbolic tally of 100 martyrs.

A second category tracks attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, whether destroyed, shut down, or confiscated. The tally of 5,110 represents a 14 percent increase from last year, but is only about half of the 2020 reports high of 9,488.

China (No. 17), which rejoined the top 20 last year for the first time in a decade, led the way with 59 percent of recorded church attacks. Nigeria was second with 470 incidents, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Qatar. Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Burundi, Angola, and Rwanda all were assigned a symbolic 100 attacks.

Where Churches Were Attacked or Closed Most:



1. China: 3,000

2. Nigeria: 470

3. Bangladesh: 200

4. Pakistan: 183

5. Qatar: 100

6. Central African Republic: 100*

7. Burkina Faso: 100*

8. Mozambique: 100*

9. Burundi: 100*

10. Angola: 100*



*Estimate | Open Doors reporting period: Oct. 2020 to Sept. 2021

The category of Christians detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, and imprisoned set a new high in 2021, with a total of 6,175, about 1,000 more cases than the previous reporting period. Open Doors divides this into two subcategories, with 4,765 detained believers representing an increase of 69 percent. India led with 1,310 cases, and along with an unnamed nation, Pakistan, and China, made up 90 percent of the total.

The tally of 1,410 believers imprisoned, however, represented a decrease of 4 percent from the prior period. An unnamed nation, Eritrea, China, and Bangladesh comprised 91 percent of the total.

Another new high was registered in the number of Christians abducted, with the total of 3,829 representing an increase of 124 percent over the prior period. Nigeria accounted for 66 percent of the total, followed by Pakistan at 26 percent.

By far the largest category total was displacement, with 218,709 Christians forced to leave their homes or go into hiding for faith-related reasons. An additional 25,038 Christians were forced to leave their countries. Myanmar represented 9 in 10 internal displacements and 8 in 10 refugees tallied.

Open Doors stated that several categories were particularly difficult to count accurately, highest of which were the 24,678 cases of physical and mental abuse, including beatings and death threats. Of the 74 nations surveyed, 36 were assigned symbolic numbers. Nigeria was the highest, followed by India, two unnamed nations, Eritrea, Pakistan, Myanmar, China, CAR, Mozambique, and Malaysia.

An estimated total of 4,543 Christian homes and properties were attacked in 2021, along with 1,906 shops and businesses. Of the latter, 18 of 36 countries were given symbolic numbers, with Nigeria first.

Nigeria, Pakistan, and Mozambique had the most in the former category, with only Cameroon and Bangladesh able to record actual cases. Iraq, Syria, China, Burkina Faso, and the DRC rounded out the top 10, each with a symbolic score of 100 attacks.

Categories specific to women were also difficult for Open Doors researchers to count accurately. There were a total of 3,147 cases of rape and sexual harassment, led by Nigeria and Pakistan as the highest, with 36 of 48 countries scored symbolically. For forced marriages to non-Christians there were a total of 1,588, led by Pakistan as the highest of the 25 out of 37 countries scored symbolically.

Why are Christians persecuted in these countries?

The main motivation varies by country, and better understanding the differences can help Christians in other nations pray and advocate more effectively for their beleaguered brothers and sisters in Christ.

Open Doors categorizes the primary sources of Christian persecution into eight groups:

Islamic oppression (33 countries): This is the main source of persecution that Christians face in more than half of the watch list countries, including 7 of the top 10 overall: Afghanistan (No. 1), Somalia (No. 3), Libya (No. 4), Yemen (No. 5), Nigeria (No. 7), Pakistan (No. 8), and Iran (No. 9). Most of the 33 are officially Muslim nations or have Muslim majorities; however, 6 actually have Christian majorities: Nigeria, CAR (No. 31), Ethiopia (No. 38), DRC (No. 40), Mozambique (No. 41), and Cameroon (No. 44).

Dictatorial paranoia (5 countries): This is the main source of persecution that Christians face in five countries, mostly in Central Asia, with Muslim majorities: Uzbekistan (No. 21), Turkmenistan (No. 25), Bangladesh (No. 29), Tajikistan (No. 45), and Kazakhstan (No. 47).

Communist and post-communist oppression (5 countries): This is the main source of persecution that Christians face in five countries, primarily in Asia: North Korea (No. 2), China (No. 17), Vietnam (No. 19), Laos (No. 26), and Cuba (No. 37).

Religious nationalism (4 countries): This is the main source of persecution that Christians face in four Asian nations. Christians are primarily targeted by Hindu nationalists in India (No. 10) and Nepal (No. 48), and by Buddhist nationalists in Myanmar (No. 12) and Bhutan (No. 34).

Organized crime and corruption (2 countries): This is the main source of persecution that Christians face in Colombia (No. 30) and Mexico (No. 43).

Christian denominational protectionism (1 country): This is the main source of persecution that Christians face in Eritrea (No. 6).

Secular intolerance (0 countries) and clan oppression (0 countries): Open Doors tracks these sources of persecution, but neither is the main source in any of the 50 countries on the 2022 list. However, last year clan oppression was the primary driver in Afghanistan, Somalia, Laos, Qatar, Nepal, and Oman.

How does the WWL compare to other reports on religious persecution?

Open Doors believes it is reasonable to call Christianity the worlds most severely persecuted religion. At the same time, it notes there is no comparable documentation for the worlds Muslim population.

Other assessments of religious freedom worldwide corroborate many of Open Doors findings. For example, the latest Pew Research Center analysis of governmental and societal hostilities toward religion found that Christians were harassed in 153 countries in 2019, more than any other religious group. Muslims were harassed in 147 countries, followed by Jews in 89 countries.

When examining only hostility by governments, Muslims were harassed in 135 countries and Christians in 128 countries, according to Pew. When examining only hostility within society, Muslims were harassed in 115 countries and Christians in 107 countries.

The breakdown corresponds to Open Doors data. China, Myanmar, Sudan, and Syria tallied over 10,000 incidents of government harassment each. Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Egypt were noted for high levels of social hostility.

Most of the nations on Open Doors list also appear on the US State Departments annual list that names and shames governments that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

Its top-tier Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) list includes Myanmar (No. 12 on the 2022 WWL), China (No. 17), Eritrea (No. 6), Iran (No. 9), North Korea (No. 2), Pakistan (No. 8), Russia (which exited the WWL last year), Saudi Arabia (No. 11), Tajikistan (No. 45), and Turkmenistan (No. 25). Its second-tier Special Watch List includes Algeria (No. 22), Comoros (which exited the WWL this year), Cuba (No. 37), and Nicaragua (unranked but monitored by Open Doors).

The State Department also lists Entities of Particular Concern, or nongovernmental actors producing persecution, which are all active in countries on Open Doors list. These include Boko Haram and ISWAP in Nigeria (No. 7 on the WWL), the Taliban in Afghanistan (No. 1), Al-Shabaab in Somalia (No. 4), ISIS in primarily Iraq (No. 14), Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria (No. 15), the Houthis in Yemen (No. 5), and ISIS-Greater Sahara and Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin in the Sahel.

Meanwhile, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2021 report recommended the same nations for the CPC list, with the addition of Nigeria, India (No. 10), Syria, and Vietnam (No. 19). For the State Departments watch list, USCIRF recommended the same nations except for Comoros, with the addition of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan (unranked but monitored by Open Doors), Egypt (No. 20), Indonesia (No. 28), Iraq, Kazakhstan (No. 47), Malaysia (No. 50), Turkey (No. 42), and Uzbekistan (No. 21).

All nations of the world are monitored by Open Doors researchers and field staff, but in-depth attention is given to 100 nations and special focus on the 76 which record high levels of persecution (scores of more than 40 on Open Doors 100-point scale).

CT previously reported the WWL rankings for 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012, including a spotlight on where it's hardest to believe. CT also asked experts whether the United States belongs on persecution lists, and compiled the most-read stories of the persecuted church in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

Read Open Doors full report on the 2022 World Watch List here.

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Candace Cameron Bure releases shirt encouraging people to love like Jesus, hug like Bob Saget

Hollywood actress and devout Christian Candace Cameron Bure is mourning the loss of her TV dad, Bob Saget, who died suddenly this month. She has designed a sweater that both shares the hope of her faith in Jesus and honors the late actor.

"Love Like Jesus, Hug Like Bob Saget," the sweatshirt reads.

The actress shared a photo on Instagram of herself wearing the sweater while out for a walk with her Full House co-star Dave Coulier. Bure, Saget and Coulier shared the screen on the popular family show for most of Bures young life, when she played the role of "D.J. Tanner." Saget, who played the role of "Danny Tanner," was in Bures life for over three decades.

"This has been one of the hardest weeks of my life and yet, incredibly beautiful because of family and close friends," Bure captioned the photo. "Yesterday was a better day. We walked, we laughed, we reminisced."

Saget was found dead in a Florida hotel room on Jan. 9 at the age of 65.

"I had this sweatshirt made. Thanks @erinnoella for the design and help. I think it sums everything up just right. Love like Jesus, hug like Bob Saget," Bure added.

After getting permission from Saget's widow, Kelly Rizzo, and his daughters, Bure is selling the sweatshirt and T-shirt model of the design on HugLikeBob.com.

All of the proceeds of the sales will go to Scleroderma Research Foundation, a foundation that was dear to Sagets heart. Sagets sister, Gay Saget, died of the autoimmune disease in 1994.

The foundations website says it aims to "develop a foundation that would deliver life-changing results by bringing the brightest minds in science together, and harnessing the power of technology to accelerate the progress of scleroderma research."

Saget was a board member of the Scleroderma Research Foundation and used his influence to raise millions of dollars to support the research of the disease.

Bures design is fitting for the actress, who uses her platform often to share her faith in Jesus Christ.

"My relationship with God is my guiding light. I'm a Christian and I love the Lord with all my heart. I don't leave that at the doorstep when I work or if I'm on my social media; it is who I am! Bure told The Christian Post in a past interview. I love being able to use that platform of social media to share Scripture and hope that God gives each and every one of us because He loves us all so much.

Along with highlighting the love of Jesus, Bure wants to remember Sagets hugs, which were often caught on camera. Following his death, the actress posted a collage of photos throughout the years of the comedian hugging her.

After Bure posted a photo of the shirt, other celebrities shared their support for the endeavor on social media.

Country star Leanne Rimes wrote, Love the shirt. Massive hug sent your way."

BJ Novak, star of The Office, asked, "Can I order one?"

Bures Hallmark co-star, Nikki DeLoach, wrote, "Beautiful. Been sending up prayers everyday."
3 things to know about Democrats voting rights bill

UPDATE: 12:15 a.m. ET Jan. 20: Late Wednesday night, Senate Democrats failed to change a filibuster rule in an attempt to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act that would have federalized elections, giving the federal government the power to upend state laws banning ballot harvesting and requirements to show a photo ID to vote. Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin, W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., voted along with Republicans to not change the filibuster rule. The vote was 52-48.

Original report:

Democrats are pushing for the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 this week, painting the measure as a necessary step to preserve civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named in honor of the late Georgia Congressman John Lewis, also known simply as the voting rights bill, is the latest effort by congressional Democrats to pass a bill that would increase federal oversight of elections in the United States, which has historically granted the powers of election supervision to the states. The For the People Act, another bill designed to increase the federal governments role in overseeing elections, failed to pass.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act passed the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives in a party-line vote last year, with all Democrats voting in favor of it and all Republicans voting against it. It faces an uphill battle for passage in the evenly divided Senate. While one Republican Senator, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, has indicated that she supports the bill, her support is not enough to enable it to cross the 60-vote threshold required for most legislation to pass the Senate.

President Joe Biden has encouraged Senate Democrats to abolish the filibuster, the official name of the 60-vote rule, in order to pass the legislation. Two Senate Democrats, Krysten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, have indicated that they have no intention of supporting such an effort.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, R-Ga., urged his colleagues to stand up for voting rights at a Monday celebration of Kings Life at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. King preached there during his lifetime and Warnock continues to serve as the pastor there today. Warnocks remarks came ahead of the Senates planned debate on the bill.

Democrats argue bills like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are necessary to curb election laws passed in states like Georgia and Texas, which they portray as voter suppression. Republicans describe the bill as an attempt to secure Democratic Party rule and an unconstitutional takeover of state elections.

If passed now or in the future, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would significantly impact the way the U.S. conducts elections. Here are three things to know about the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

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Black church fund project gets $20M on MLK Day

As many churches struggle to stay open amid the COVID-19 pandemic with dwindling membership and finances, The National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund received a $20 million gift on Monday to help preserve the legacy of the black church in America.

"The centerpiece of Black communities starts with the Black church," Brent Leggs, senior vice president and executive director of the fund told ABC News in an interview. "Black churches are exceptionally important in American democracy, not only for their legacy in civil and human rights, but also for their role in uplifting civic identity and community empowerment."

The $20 million gift to the fund came thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc., a philanthropic foundation that supports community development, education and religion.

Leggs argued that without black churches, which are often seen as pillars of the community, America would lose part of its history.

"[Preserving] our shared cultural heritage and pride is an act of racial justice," he said.

And that preservation effort appears more important now than ever as black church engagement and membership had been losing its appeal even before the pandemic began.

In an earlier interview with The Christian Post, Anthony B. Pinn, The Agnes Cullen Arnold professor of humanities and religion at Rice University in Houston, Texas, explained the role of the church in the black American community historically.

The black church has never simply been about spiritual development. The black church has always tried to position itself as an organization that has met a full range of needs. And so folks go for this greater range of needs, Pinn said.

He explained that over time, the involvement of black Americans in churches decreased because they found different avenues to meet their needs, particularly among millennials.

You experience now a decrease in participation from millennials, for example, because these religious organizations are not meeting their needs. Theyre not answering the questions that matter to these folks, Pinn said.

Some studies, such as a 2014 Pew report that shows marked disparities in faith in God by racial group, does not reflect a clear picture of who really believes, Pinn also argued in explaining the complex role of the black church.

According to Pew, a vast majority of African Americans claim belief in God, but I dont know that that is synonymous with religion. One could also say these folks are spiritual, whatever that means. What Pew tells us is rather limited and we tend to build out from that, he said. We know that a significant percentage of the black population believes there is a God, but the number decreases if you ask, How many of you go to church regularly.

A 2019 Pew Research study showed that the share of black Americans who say they attend religious services at least a few times a year or less had risen in the last decade.

According to the researchers, younger black Americans  much like younger Americans in general  are less religious than their elders. Black millennials and members of Generation Z are twice as likely as black members of the Silent Generation to say they seldom or never attend religious services.



"Black millennials and members of Generation Z are less likely to rely on prayer, less likely to have grown up in Black churches and less likely to say religion is an important part of their lives," the researchers wrote.

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is expected to give direct and targeted funding and assistance to black churches for staffing and operations, help them create an emergency fund and help churches develop digital storytelling and documentation strategies, ABC News reported.

The St. James AME Church in Mayfield, Kentucky, which was destroyed last month by a tornado that killed more than 20 people, is expected to receive $100,000. The church was founded in 1868 and will be one of the first recipients of the projects emergency fund.
Ex-priest charged with stealing $100K from Nebraska church

A former chancellor of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha who's already facing other criminal charges has been charged with stealing over $100,000 from a Nebraska church.

Michael Gutgsell, a former priest who had previously been charged with two other felony counts, was charged last week with stealing $106,000 from his former parish, St. Josephs Catholic Church in Springfield.

Gutgsell, who claims that he took the money to help a homeless man, will face a preliminary hearing on the latest charge on Feb. 8, according to The Associated Press.

According to police, Gutgsell has already admitted to taking $180,000 from a retired Omaha priest, Theodore Richling, who died in 2019. Gutgsell took care of Richling and oversaw his estate during his final years.

During his lifetime, Richling faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct among minors, which an archdiocesan investigation in 2020 concluded held merit.

Before resigning last year due to the allegations, Gutgsell held a host of church positions, including chancellor of the Archdiocese from 1994-2003, curia moderator 1998-2005, pastor of St. Celia Parish from 2005-2017, and pastor of St. Joseph from 2017-2021.

Last October, the Archdioceses publication Catholic Voice reported that an audit by the Catholic Church also found financial improprieties in the St. Joseph parish finances, although no evidence of wrongdoing was found when Gutgsell was pastor of St. Celia.

In 2007, Gutgsell's brother, Stephen, plead guilty to felony theft by deception for embezzling over $125,000 from St. Patrick Catholic Church in South Omaha, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

Stephen Gutgsell was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution. He paid around $27,000 in restitution during his probation and was released after Archbishop George Lucas said the archdiocese had made arrangements for Stephen to pay what was still owed.
John Piper issues blistering condemnation of the lottery, says gambling destructive to peoples lives

John Piper, the founder of DesiringGod.org, has issued a blistering condemnation of the lottery, stating that he believes that gambling endeavors are destructive to peoples lives.

On an episode of his podcast posted Monday, Piper, an author and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was asked to elaborate on earlier comments he made in which he concluded that the lottery involves preying on the less fortunate.

The Don't Waste Your Life author said he believes the lottery deceives the poor into "get rich quick" efforts. He revealed that the less fortunate often sacrifice at least 6% of their annual income on the lottery.

The noted Bible teacher also claimed that the main draw for lower-income individuals when it comes to gambling games is pull-tabs and scratch games.

These kinds of games are less attractive to middle-class people and upper-class people because adding $10, or $100 dollars even, to your bank account really doesnt make that much difference to a middle-class person, said Piper.

But to a poor person  $10, $100, or $500  thats like a windfall. And therefore, the more frequent payout and the greater the likelihood of winning draws in disproportionately more poor people for these kinds of games than for, say, the big Powerball payout," he said.

The theologian went on to note that the lottery did not become a million-dollar industry due to its large output of winners and that, while lotteries are theoretically aimed at funding social services, there are ironies.

Most states allocate some of the lottery income to providing services for gambling addiction, and some try to provide a good kind of education, which creates, supposedly, habits of mind and heart which are the opposite of the habits they exploit by the lottery itself, he continued.

Addictive behaviors are more common among the poor, and living by immediate rather than deferred gratification is more common among the poor. Publicly funded gambling feeds these kinds of habits, which are destructive to peoples lives.

The podcast episode came as a follow-up to a 2016 opinion column in which Piper listed seven reasons why it was wrong to play the lottery. He said the lottery is spiritually suicidal, a kind of embezzlement, a fools errand, built on the necessity of most people losing," and it preys on the poor.

So, if you win, dont give from your lottery winnings to our ministry. Christ does not build his church on the backs of the poor, he wrote at the time.

Pray that Christs people will be so satisfied in him that they will be freed from the greed that makes us crave to get rich.

In an op-ed published by The Christian Post in 2019, Chuck Bentley of Crown Financial Ministries expressed opposition to lotteries, writing that the Lord does not want us relying on random chance to see our needs met.

For most people, the return on investing in lottery tickets is nothing more than the paper on which its printed. Christians should never take the money God entrusts to them and waste it on gambling, wrote Bentley at the time.

God is more than able to meet our needs. When we put more trust in chance than in Him, we need to reevaluate our priorities. Faith that is put in luck and random chance ignores Gods Word.
Japan is becoming an increasingly valuable partner in the resistance to Chinas authoritarian advances

As communist China increases hostilities in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan is stepping up, not only with bold statements against Chinas intimidation but with action  including military contingency planning with the U.S. and joint defense agreements with regional allies.

Foreign policy successes arent always flashy. But several recent accomplishments in the Indo-Pacific region are collectively affirming a more enhanced allied deterrence against Chinese intimidation of Taiwan, Japans growing security role outside of its alliance with Washington, and U.S. commitment to the defense of the region.

The first success saw Washington and Tokyo developing combined contingency plans for responding to a Taiwan crisis with communist China. The allied military planning was necessitated by Chinas increasing threats toward Taiwan. While the United States has long had a role in Taiwan's defense contingencies, the prospects of Japans involvement in them have long been complicated by the legal intricacies of its post-World War II passivism.

During the past year, however, Tokyo has issued increasingly bold statements of support for Taiwan against Chinese intimidation, even hinting at military support if Beijing attacked Taiwan.

Last year, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi declared that the security of Taiwan was directly linked to that of Japan. Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso asserted that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be an existential threat (to Japan) since Okinawa could be next and would necessitate a joint Japanese-U.S. response to defend the island.

Tokyo has been studying possible military responses to a conflict over Taiwan, including protecting U.S. warships and military planes coming to Taiwans defense. In 2021, Washington and Tokyo drafted a combined operation plan, including establishing a U.S. Marine Corps attack base on Japans southwest islands if a Taiwan attack appeared imminent. Japanese Self-Defense Forces would provide unidentified support to the operation.

The second recent success saw Japan and Australia signing a Reciprocal Access Agreement this month to enhance defense cooperation and the interoperability of their military forces. The agreement will allow more efficient coordination during combined military training exercises as well as disaster response operations.

In recent years, Japan has steadily increased military cooperation with Australia and other regional partners, stepping up its regional security role to address common threats in the Indo-Pacific. In November 2021, Japanese naval forces conducted a protection mission of Australian ships, the first time they ever conducted a mission with a country other than the U.S.

Japanese forces had been precluded from protecting other nations forces until 2015 legislation allowed for collective self-defense. Having set the precedent for expanding its security protection beyond its U.S. alliance partner, Japan is now considering similar exercises with the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and possibly Germany and India.

Finally, for the third foreign policy accomplishment worth noting, this month, the United States and Japan will sign an updated Special Measures Agreement outlining Tokyos contribution to offsetting the cost of stationing U.S. forces in Japan. These periodic negotiations are always difficult, since they involve money, but are typically mundane and handled by working-level diplomats. During the past few years, however, these negotiations were more contentious, as they focused more on the payments than the purposes of the alliance themselves.

The forthcoming U.S.-Japan agreement marked a return to the former, traditional approach to negotiations. Putting our disagreements behind us and turning the page on the agreement enables Washington and Tokyo to now focus on addressing common threats rather than the internal mechanics of the alliance.

Under long-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan strengthened its alliance with the United States, undertook an increasingly firm security stance against Chinese and North Korean threats, and set the intellectual foundations for the successful and ongoing Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue amongst Japan, the United States, Australia, and India.

Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed concerns about Chinas growing military strength and called Taiwan the front line in the struggle by democracies to resist authoritarianisms advance. This latest series of seemingly minor policy wins will help the U.S. make the most out of Tokyos new-found clarity.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
The Bibles accuracy vindicated  again

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, writes the author of Proverbs, but the glory of kings is to search things out. The Biblical account of reality  that God created a world that was knowable and His image-bearers to be knowers  powerfully explains the human drive to learn and investigate the world around us. It also justifies the utilization of general revelation as we pursue knowledge of the created order through various branches of science.

To put it bluntly, the Bible is not anti-science. Rather, the Bible explains why science works. And, every once in a while, the Bible offers an insight that sheds further light on an unsolved question of science. That seems to be the case with the Assyrian destruction of Lachish, an event recorded in the book of Kings. The accurate Biblical accounting of this event has provided scientists with a reliable anchor from which to better answer two tricky dilemmas: one having to do with geophysics and the other with archeology.

A recurring question of geophysics is how to measure changes in the Earths magnetic field over time. The Earths magnetic field acts like a massive cosmic shield, protecting us from solar winds that could disrupt navigational equipment, introduce harmful radiation into the atmosphere, or perhaps even blow our atmosphere away completely.

The earths magnetosphere is not a perfect shield, however. For years, scientists have known of gaps in the magnetosphere over certain regions, which drift over time. However, since measurements have only been collected since the 1850s, there is also a significant gap in our knowledge of how the magnetosphere has changed in the distant past. Though its possible to take sizeable measurements from the magnetic record in rocks, localized measurements are much harder to obtain. Or, at least, they were harder to obtain until research found a way to use burned-out ruins from ancient archeology.

Tel Aviv Universitys Yoav Vaknin recently led a team to Tel Lachish to measure magnetism. When the Assyrian King Sennacherib burned Lachish in 701 BC, he unknowingly reset the magnetic charges in the minerals found in floors, tools, and pottery pieces. As they cooled, these artifacts re-attuned to the Earths magnetic field, forming a snapshot of the Earths magnetic field in that particular location at that specific moment.

With enough snapshots like this one, scientists could much better piece together how the magnetic field has changed over time. If, of course, the Biblical dating of this event is accurate.

The consensus from historians is that it is. In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiahs reign, 2 Kings 18:13 tells us, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah. By providing accurate dating of Aramean, Assyrian, and Babylonian conquests of the region, the Bible gives scientists the kind of helpful data footholds they can reliably use.

And this is connected to a second advance enabled by the Bible in archeology. For reasons not fully understood, radiocarbon dating isnt accurate around the years 800-400 BC, an historical period known as the The Hallstatt Plateau. The curve of carbon-generated dates around this time is distorted, flattening out where it seemingly shouldnt. As a result, scientists cannot reliably carbon-date objects within a sizeable and important stretch of history.

Breakthroughs like the one at Lachish give us a new way to find those dates through archaeomagnetism, a process that uses the magnetic readings from archeological sites to help determine their age. As with the advance in geophysics, archaeomagnetism is dependent on reliable, independently established dates from ancient history. Thats the kind of thing Scripture offers over and over again.

This isnt the first time the Bibles accuracy has been vindicated, of course. The Old Testament predicted the existence of ancient groups like the Hittites long before anyone discovered evidence of their culture. Its description of the assassination of the same Assyrian king Sennacherib matches the one his son, Esarhaddon, provides in his records. At the ruins of Jericho, many archeologists believe there is evidence of a sudden structural collapse, which would align with how the book of Joshua describes the citys destruction.

Of course, many mysteries remain about how the many pieces of the archeological record fit with the Biblical one. But in the words of archeologist and Jewish scholar Nelson Gluek, [It] may be clearly stated categorically that no archeological discovery has ever controverted a single Biblical reference. Yet, scores of archeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible.

This is what we should expect from a religion grounded in history. The Bible describes real things that happened to real people. We should expect it to provide accurate data about the events it reports, even events from the ancient past. And if true, the data it presents could help us solve puzzles about the world around us.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
Virginia finds hope in the gov. compartment

Of all the things in short supply right now, optimism may be the hardest to find. After 12 disappointing months of an administration whose domestic and foreign policy failures are rivaled only by the number of illegals crossing the border, Americans everywhere are desperate for some sign of hope, some indication that the country they love isn't completely lost.

This past Saturday, on a sunny day in Virginia, that hope returned. For a brief moment, there was a break from the long shadows of the Biden administration, as new Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) stood before Virginia, the state of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, and vowed to restore the promise of those great men. "It's day one," he declared. "Let's get to work."

For Americans who don't live in Virginia, the sight of the Commonwealth's tall new governor was a reassuring reminder that power still belongs to the people  and those people are hungry for someone to lead, not mandate, control, or command. And thankfully, Youngkin didn't waste any time distinguishing himself from the tyrannical ways of his radical predecessor (and infanticide-endorser), Ralph Northam. In fact, the new governor's inaugural address struck an altogether different tone to Democrats these days. It was an especially refreshing contrast to Joe Biden's maniacal rant in Atlanta, where he demonized every good and decent American on election reform. Unlike the president's increasingly spiteful tone, Youngkin leaned into the unifying message voters desperately need to hear.

"I come to this moment, and to this office, knowing we must bind the wounds of division. Restore trust. Find common cause for the common good. And strengthen the spirit of Virginia," Youngkin said. "Somewhere along the way," he lamented, "we've lost the ability to show respect to one another. To disagree without being disagreeable ... We must set our eyes on the common values and common future that unites us."

He made a point of pushing back on the Left's phony race-based narrative of the GOP, lauding voters for just electing "the most diverse leadership in commonwealth history" and "sending a message that Virginia is big enough for the hopes and dreams of a diverse people." He spoke heartfeltly about the pandemic and loss Americans have experienced but reiterated that the way forward "is not about government deciding for us what is best for us." That resonated especially powerfully with parents, who view Youngkin as a bold new ally in the fight for public schools.

The career businessman also turned the hallmark of his campaign  education  into a centerpiece of his first 24 hours, telling parents he would fight for their rights and then proving it with a slew of first-day policies. "We've tried to silence the people most responsible for the lives of young children  their parents," Youngkin said. "To parents, I say, we respect you. And we will empower you in the education of your children." Fresh off the dais outside the Richmond Capitol, he made good on that promise, signing 11 executive orders  ranging from a ban on critical race theory in the classroom to revoking the mask order for students and investigating the "wrongdoing in Loudoun County." To the cheers of conservatives everywhere, he also overturned the vaccine mandate for state employees.

After just two days, Youngkin's sincerity on the education issue is already resonating in places like Loudoun County, where leaders are acting preemptively. Embattled superintendent Scott Ziegler, who was caught lying about two sexual attacks in girls bathrooms, moved to strike a controversial transgender book from school libraries ahead of Youngkin's inauguration. Gender Queer: A Memoire has sparked an all-out war in Northern Virginia after it was discovered in both Fairfax and Loudoun County schools. Published in 2019, the "graphic novel" is graphic all right. According to critics, the book includes "illustrations of sexual contact, masturbation, and a sex toy; an erotic scene of a man and boy ... and depictions of [menstruation]."

The content is so horrifying that it's prompted a parents' protest up and down the state. Ian Serotkin, vice chair of the county school board, wrote on Facebook that the sexual content was pervasive. "It is not fleeting or brief." Late last week, after a split committee recommended keeping the book, Ziegler himself intervened. "I am not generally in favor of removing books from the library. I believe our students need to see themselves reflected in the literature available to them." But, he acknowledged, "The pictorial depictions in this book ran counter to what is appropriate in school."

Will that be the first of many dominos to fall in the Virginia education fight? We'll see. Youngkin seems in no mood to back down  on anything. When White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki bashed him on Twitter for leaving school masking up to parents  and Arlington County flat-out refused to obey  the governor had a warning for local officials. "The fact that [that refusal] came out from Arlington County within minutes of my Executive Order, what that tells me, is they haven't listened to parents yet," he said on Sunday. They'd better, Youngkin urged, because "we granted parents the option ... and we're going to protect that right."

When reporters challenged Youngkin's insistence that CRT is being taught in classrooms, the governor didn't budge. "Anyone who thinks that the concepts that underpin critical race theory are not in our schools hasn't been in our schools," he fired back. "The curriculum has moved in a very opaque way that has hidden a lot of this from parents ... There's not a course called critical race theory. All the principles of critical race theory ... [do] exist in Virginia schools today. And that's why I have signed the executive orders yesterday to make sure that we get it out of our schools ... We absolutely have to recognize what the Left, liberals do here is try to obfuscate this issue."

In the meantime, there's no obfuscating what Youngkin is doing: challenging the Leftist establishment to its very core. That's what voters love about him, and it's why FRC Action was proud to endorse him. When he spoke at our Pray Vote Stand Summit in Loudoun County, Virginians saw a man who was committed to restoring dignity, unity, and power to the people. Congratulations to him and to his stellar lieutenant governor, Winsome Sears, and attorney general Jason Miyares, who make-up one blockbuster team for Virginia! Let's hope the change they bring to the Commonwealth inspires other states to do the same!

Originally published at the Family Research Council.
Why pastors are preaching on biblical sexuality today

Canada's new law, Bill C-4, is framed as a conversion therapy ban, but its really a Christian therapy ban. And considering the cunning and vague nature of the law, Bill C-4 threatens to criminalize Biblical preaching, too.

When Bill C-4 became law on January 7th, Prime Minister Trudeau said, It is now illegal to promote, advertise, benefit from, or subject someone to this hateful and harmful practice.

However, Bill C-4 wont protect homosexual and transgender people from hate or harm. Itll actually penalize the people who attempt to protect them from hate and harm.

The preamble for the bill says:

Conversion therapy causes harm to society because, among other things, it is based on and propagates myths and stereotypes about sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, including the myth that heterosexuality, cisgender gender identity, and gender expression that conforms to the sex assigned to a person at birth are to be preferred over other sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions  in light of those harms, it is important to discourage and denounce the provision of conversion therapy in order to protect the human dignity and equality of all Canadians.

Therefore, the bill implicitly suggests the Bible is filled with hateful and harmful myths about sexuality, equality, and human dignity.

What blasphemous thing to suggest about the Word of God  what a blasphemous thing to suggest about God!

God created all people in His image  so He gets to set the rules about the right way to protect human dignity, not the government.

Nevertheless, Bill C-4 says:

Conversion therapy means a practice, treatment or service designed to

a. Change a persons sexual orientation to heterosexual;

b. Change a persons gender identity to cisgender;

c. Change a persons gender expression so that it conforms to the sex assigned to the person at birth;

d. Repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour;

e. Repress a persons non-cisgender gender identity; or

f. Repress or reduce a persons gender expression that does not conform to the sex assigned to the person at birth.

Therefore, anyone who influences a person to undergo conversion therapy or provides conversion therapy to that person could be fined or sentenced to up to five years in prison. And anyone who promotes conversion therapy could be fined or sentenced to up to two years in prison.

Meaning, under the vague law: anyone  especially Biblical counselors and pastors  who promote Biblical sexuality could be penalized for practicing or promoting conversion therapy.

This is why under the leadership of Liberty Coalition Canada, James Coates, and John MacArthur  pastors across Canada and America are preaching on biblical sexuality today (originally published on January 16).

This is why, for the first (and hopefully) last time, Im publishing an article on a Sunday morning.

My friends at the Liberty Coalition tell me theyre expecting over 300 pastors in Canada and over 3,000 pastors in America to preach on biblical sexuality this morning.

When God said, Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20), he was speaking about people like the Canadian government.

Therefore, what these pastors preached on a few days ago will be called hateful and harmful by many people today.

However, it isnt hateful and harmful to convert homosexual and transgender people to Christ. Its hateful and harmful to affirm homosexuality and transgenderism  since it leads them to the wrath of God in Hell.

Indeed, some versions of conversion therapy are hateful and harmful. But thats because the people who performed those kinds of conversion therapy were disobeying the Bible. The Gospel is the free offer of salvation  it isnt forced conversion.

However, Bill C-4 is even more hateful and harmful than any version of conversion therapy. This is because the conversion therapy ban is hateful and harmful to Christians and homosexual and transgender people.

The conversion therapy ban penalizes people who want to save others from the penalty of sin.

So we should all be grateful for the pastors, especially Canadian pastors who love homosexual and transgender people enough to preach on biblical sexuality today  especially since that act of love has become a controversial and possibly a criminal act this morning.

However, we can be grateful for these pastors without bitterness against the others who wont preach on biblical sexuality today. This isnt the litmus test for faithful preaching.

The Holy Spirit sets the preaching schedule for pastors  not me, not you, not anyone else. So although Im grateful for the pastors who will be preaching on biblical sexuality today  I know they agree this morning isnt the only day or only way to preach on biblical sexuality.

Therefore if your pastor isnt preaching on biblical sexuality today, do not burden them with your preferences. If they submit to the Bible, you should submit to them.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you (Hebrews 13:17).

We should obey our pastors because we obey God, and we should disobey our government on Bill C-4 because we obey God.

Originally published at Slow to Write.
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.
Postcard from Paris: An overlooked and forgotten national hero

Largely overlooked in Paris, a city full of landmarks and other sights popular with tourists, is the grave of the Marquis de Lafayette.

Not only did Marie Joseph Yves Roches Gilbert du Motier serve in the Continental Army under George Washington and help secure the Franco-American alliance that changed the trajectory of the Revolutionary War, but he wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen at the start of the French Revolution in 1789. The seminal document, inspired by the Enlightenment and the principles embodied by Americas founding documents, remains a foundation of the French Republic to this very day.

Despite this incredible legacy, Lafayette seems forgotten today. Sure, the whitewashing of the great men from past eras by woke iconoclasts can be blamed but it is also undeniable that schools long ago stopped teaching history.

Lafayettes final resting place is Picpus Cemetery, a private cemetery on the grounds of a former Roman Catholic convent. His grave is surrounded by others, including mass graves containing 1,306 victims of the guillotine during the Reign of Terror in 1794.

Absent an American flag and several plaques, the grave is remarkably humble and seems beneath the dignity of a major national hero of both France and the United States.

The flag and most of the plaques date to July 4, 1917, when the American Expeditionary Forces under famed Gen. John Pershing arrived in Paris not long after the United States entered World War I or the Great War.

Pershings soldiers paraded through the city with great fanfare. Not only was it Independence Day for the doughboys, but the occasion was also steeped in the symbolism of the United States rescuing France just as Lafayette and the French came to the aid of the American cause.

The parade ceremonially ended at the cemetery, where Pershing, accompanied by French dignitaries, paid homage to Lafayette with Col. Charles Stanton  speaking for the Americans  famously declaring, Lafayette, we are here.

Today, the American flag is replaced during a graveside ceremony every July 4.

If you go

Picpus Cemetery (in French, Cimetiere de Picpus) is open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Access is through a somewhat nondescript door at 35 Rue de Picpus.

Supposedly, a nominal admission fee of 2 (about $2.28 at the time of writing) is charged but there was nobody collecting it when this columnist visited.

Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post.
Religious beliefs shouldn't be subject to verification,' Justice Neil Gorsuch says in dissent

A pair of ministers seeking a tax-exempt status shouldnt be subject to a government verification process, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch argued Tuesday.

The Supreme Court denied a request for oral argument in the case of New Life in Christ Church v. City of Fredericksburg, which centered on whether Josh and Anacari Storms can claim a tax exemption for their residence.

The couple are college ministers who minister to students at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and host Bible studies and worship events.

City officials had concluded that they could not claim tax-exempt status for a parsonage, contending that the Storms family does not fit the exact classification of a minister according to the Presbyterian Church in America, which includes a requirement to be ordained and a prohibition on female ordination.

Gorsuch took exception to the nations high court denying the appeal in a written dissent, arguing that the Storms should have been eligible for the tax-exempt residence.

The church tried to explain that the City misunderstood its traditions and practices. The church responded that, yes, women can and do serve as ministers, wrote Gorsuch.

It acknowledged that in order to deliver sermons a minister in its tradition must be ordained but nothing in its rules or the Book of Church Order prohibits a particular church from hiring ministers to serve as messengers and teachers of the faith without ordination.

Gorsuch, who was nominated to the court by former President Donald Trump in 2017, lamented that the city continues to insist that a churchs religious rules are subject to verification by government officials.

I would grant the petition and summarily reverse. The First Amendment does not permit bureaucrats or judges to subject religious beliefs to verification. About this, the Court has spoken plainly and consistently for many years, he added.

The Framers of our Constitution were acutely aware how governments in Europe had sought to control and manipulate religious practices and churches. They resolved that America would be different.

Gorsuch concluded that while he considered the New Life case a small one, he would correct the earlier decision. He stressed that state-sponsored efforts to subject religious beliefs to verification have no place in a free country.

Last August, the First Liberty Institute, Christian Legal Society and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLC filed a petition to the Supreme Court on behalf of New Life in Christ Church after the Virginia Supreme Court refused to hear the complaint against the city for denying the tax exemption status.

For over 150 years, the Court has confirmed that civil authorities may not second-guess religious organizations on questions of discipline, or of faith, or ecclesiastical rule, custom, or law, stated the petition.

It is a foundational premise of our constitutional system that religious organizations enjoy power to decide for themselves, free from state interference, matters of church government as well as those of faith and doctrine.

Attorneys representing the city argued that the precedent for legally defining a minister has been individuals who are ordained and heads a congregation.

This is not a case about who may be a minister of the petitioners church or about the free exercise of religion, stated the citys legal brief.

Instead this case is about the authority of a court to make a determination of relevant facts, based on the evidence, when adjudicating a churchs application for Virginias tax exemption for the residence of the minister of the church.
HR 1 'will make it easier to cheat, easier to manipulate election results': Voter fraud expert

The United States House of Representatives passed a controversial bill last week that one election expert warns will make it easier to cheat and easier to manipulate election results.

The House passed H.R. 1, also known as the For the People Act of 2021 last Wednesday on almost an entirely party-line vote. Not one Republican voted for the measure, while just one Democrat, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, broke with his party in opposing the legislation.

Billed as a necessary measure to expand Americans access to the ballot box and reduce the influence of big money in politics, the sweeping legislative initiative, which stands at nearly 800 pages, has become a target of criticism from conservatives.

Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, who testified before the House Judiciary Committee as it considered the Act in 2019, elaborated on the bills deficiencies in an interview with The Christian Post.

Describing H.R. 1 as a federal takeover of the administration of elections, which have been run by the states, von Spakovsky concluded that there are parts of the bill that are unconstitutional.

The mandate and the prohibitions that it puts on the states, I think, are extremely dangerous, and they basically get rid of any and all of the safety and security protocols that the states have in place, he warned.

H.R. 1 would eviscerate state voter ID laws because it tells states they have to allow someone to vote by just simply signing a form in which he swears that he is who he says he is  which is worthless for proving identity, von Spakovsky stressed. On absentee ballots, it tells states they cant enforce their witness signature requirement, which again, is just a basic security provision for absentee ballots in a state that has been in place for years.

All of the rules being put in will make it easier to cheat and easier to manipulate election results, and all of that will be extremely damaging to our democratic process of running our elections, von Spakovsky added.

Citing the widespread distrust in the outcome of the two most recent presidential elections (2020 and 2016), he predicted that kind of loss in public confidence, in the integrity of the election process, is something that will further increase if H.R. 1 is passed.

Von Spakovsky also explained that another section of the bill is dedicated to making changes in federal campaign rules, which he contended will restrict and chill First Amendment-protected political activity and political speech. As an example, he mentioned the requirement for nonprofit organizations to reveal who their donors are. There is no purpose for that disclosure other than to subject the donors of disfavored organizations to harassment and intimidation, he added.

I think its the most dangerous, reckless bill Ive seen introduced in Congress in my 20 years in Washington.

Additionally, 20 state attorneys general across the U.S., all Republicans, signed a scathing letter addressed to the House and Senate leadership of both parties outlining a series of concerns and vowing to seek legal remedies to protect the Constitution, the sovereignty of all states, our elections, and the rights of our citizens if it becomes law.

As introduced, the Act betrays several constitutional deficiencies and alarming mandates that, if passed, would federalize state elections and impose burdensome costs and regulations on state and local officials, they wrote. The letter outlined the constitutional requirements for the administration of presidential elections, specifically that States have principaland with presidential elections, exclusiveresponsibility to safeguard the manner of holding elections.

The attorneys general also expressed concern about the Acts regulation of congressional elections, including by mandating mail-in voting, requiring states to accept late ballots, overriding state voter identification ('ID') laws, and mandating that states conduct redistricting through unelected commissions.

After contending that it is difficult to imagine a legislative proposal more threatening to election integrity and voter confidence than the so-called For the People Act, the signatories described the Acts limitations on voter ID laws as the most egregious provision in the legislation.

They warned that should the For the People Act become law, it would dismantle meaningful voter ID laws by allowing a statement, as a substitute for prior-issued, document-backed identification to attest to the individuals identity and  that the individual is eligible to vote in the election.

Adding to the threat of increased voter fraud, the Act would mandate nationwide automatic voter registration and Election Day voter registration. Such systems would provide too many opportunities for non-citizens and others ineligible to vote, to register, and cast fraudulent ballots before officials can take preventive action. States should determine appropriate methods for voter registration based on their experiences with voter access and voter fraud.

In addition to characterizing H.R. 1s limits on how states maintain voter registration rolls as an attack on reliable methods that states have been using to maintain voter lists without specifying any reasonable permissible alternatives, the attorneys general concluded that the purpose of the bill seems to be to prevent meaningful voter list maintenance altogether.

While he lauded the effort of the multi-state coalition of attorneys general, von Spakovsky warned that the authors of the For the People Act made it deliberately difficult to challenge the law in court.

Part of the problem with the attorneys general of the states is another provision in the law that I find unprecedented and which to me is  clearly intended to try to deny due process rights because the bill says that any lawsuit filed by those 20 attorneys general can only be filed in one federal court and thats the federal court of the District of Columbia, he asserted. Not only that, it says the judges can order anyone challenging the law to be represented by only one lawyer at oral arguments and to have to file joint pleadings.

So in other words, theyre saying that no matter how many states sue, they may be only allowed one lawyer in court and they  cant file potentially more than one brief in the court.  I have never seen a provision like that; its clearly intended  to deny due process rights and to make it hard for states or anyone else to challenge it. ... Thats what they would have to do.

The letter was signed by the Attorneys General of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

Concerns about the For the People Act extend beyond the aforementioned provisions of the legislation regarding election integrity and the First Amendment. The legislation contains a provision featuring findings related to District of Columbia Statehood, asserting that the 705,000 District of Columbia residents deserve voting representation in Congress and local self-government, which only statehood can provide.

The rest of that particular provision of the bill goes on to argue for reasons why the nations capital should become a state before noting that Congress has the power to admit new states and reduce the size of the seat of the government to the area surrounding the Capitol, the National Mall and the White House.

H.R. 1 also calls for the creation of a Congressional task force on voting rights of United States citizen residents of territories of the United States, as part of an effort to grant voting rights to those living in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam.

While the For the People Act narrowly passed the House, its future remains uncertain in the Senate, where most legislation requires 60 votes to pass. Democrats have a 50-50 majority in the upper chamber, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

Under current Senate rules, Democrats would need to secure the support of 10 Republicans for the bill to pass. Democratic leadership has repeatedly promised to invoke the so-called nuclear option that would abolish the filibuster and enable legislation to pass with a simple majority, but last weekend Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., doubled down on his commitment to keeping the filibuster in place. The abolition of the filibuster is likely not possible without Manchins support.

President Joe Biden, who has put his support behind H.R. 1, signed an executive order to promote voting access on Sunday, the 56th anniversary of the tear-gassing of civil rights protesters in Selma, Alabama. Von Spakovsky described the executive order as mostly for show, adding, all it does is tell federal agencies really to do everything they can to essentially help people register to vote.

In addition to directing federal agencies to improve and modernize Vote.gov, increase federal employees access to voting, analyze barriers to voting for people with disabilities, increase voting access for active duty military and other overseas voters and establish a Native American voting rights steering group, the executive order has a provision calling on the U.S. Attorney General to provide voting access and education to citizens in federal custody. Von Spakovsky found this portion of the executive order revealing.

So the Biden administration, apparently their chief interest is making sure that dangerous felons who are held in the federal prison system are able to register and vote as soon as they are able.  I think that would concern me a lot and should concern the American public that would be his chief focus.
Manchin denounces HR 1 voting rights bill, says it will 'destroy binds of our democracy'

One of the congressional Democrats legislative proposals, H.R. 1, has run into a significant roadblock as one of the most influential Democrats in the U.S. Senate has announced that he will vote against the legislation.

In an op-ed for The Charleston Gazette-Mail Sunday, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced that he would vote against the For the People Act, which Democrats bill as a necessary measure to protect the right to vote.

Since Democrats have a narrow 50-50 majority in the Senate and all Republicans are expected to vote against the legislation, Manchins decision will likely deal a fatal blow to the bill also known as H.R. 1.

Manchin, who represents one of the most conservative states in the country, maintained that congressional action on federal voting rights legislation must be the result of both Democrats and Republicans coming together to find a pathway forward.

He warned that by embracing a wide-reaching bill without Republican support, his fellow Democrats risk further dividing and destroying the republic we swore to protect and defend as elected officials.

I believe that partisan voting legislation will destroy the already weakening binds of our democracy, and for that reason I will vote against the For the People Act, he added. For as long as I have the privilege of being your U.S. Senator, I will fight to represent the people of West Virginia, to seek bipartisan compromise no matter how difficult and to develop the political bonds that end divisions and help unite the country we love.

The For the People Act passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives earlier this year but has always faced long odds in the Senate because of the filibuster rule, which requires most legislation to receive 60 votes instead of a simple majority.

While Democrats have proposed eliminating the legislative filibuster to enable legislation to pass with a simple majority, Manchin poured cold water on that effort as well, vowing that I will not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster.

The 73-year-old former governor of the Mountain State acknowledged that while the legislative process under the current Senate rules can be frustrating and slow and force compromises that are not always ideal, the alternative is much worse.

Do we really want to live in an America where one party can dictate and demand everything and anything it wants, whenever it wants?" he asked. "I have always said If I cant go home and explain it, I cant vote for it. And I cannot explain strictly partisan election reform or blowing up the Senate rules to expedite one partys agenda.

As an alternative to the For the People Act, Manchin suggested that the Senate work on passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which has already secured the support of one Republican: Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

According to Manchin, this bill would update the formula states and localities must use to ensure proposed voting laws do not restrict the rights of any particular group or population.

The senator stressed the importance of opposing laws that seek to needlessly restrict voting while acknowledging the need to secure our elections.

Conservatives and Republicans have warned that the For the People Act will have negative implications for Americans trust in the outcome and legitimacy of elections.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, asserted that H.R. 1 would make it easier to cheat and easier to manipulate election results.

A group of 20 Republican attorneys general reached a similar conclusion. They expressed particular concern about the Acts regulation of congressional elections, including by mandating mail-in voting, requiring states to accept late ballots, overriding state voter identification (ID) laws, and mandating that states conduct redistricting through unelected commissions.

Additionally, they argued that mandated nationwide automatic voter registration and Election Day voter registration would provide too many opportunities for non-citizens and others ineligible to vote, to register, and cast fraudulent ballots before officials can take preventive action.

In addition to the For the People Act, Manchins opposition could hurt Democrats' chances of passing the Equality Act, another top legislative priority for congressional Democrats that would codify protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity into federal discrimination law.

Manchin opposed the Equality Act when it was first introduced in 2019, but his opposition did not matter since the Republican-controlled Senate never brought the bill up for a vote.

While Manchin has not explicitly opposed the Equality Act this time around, he is expected to vote against the legislation. Conservatives worry about the Equality Acts implications for religious liberty and womens sports.

Manchin has explicitly announced that he will not support a bill that would make Washington, D.C. a state, a decision that will likely cause the demise of the Democrat-backed legislation.

Even if Manchin supported the aforementioned legislative initiatives, his opposition to the filibuster would likely prevent them from becoming law because of the lack of Republican support.
North Korea no longer the worst persecutor of Christians on Open Doors' World Watch List

For the first time in over 20 years, North Korea is not listed as the worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on watchdog Open Doors USAs influential World Watch List.

Afghanistan has replaced North Korea as the most dangerous place on the planet to be a Christian on Open Doors USAs 2022 World Watch List, released at a virtual press conference Wednesday morning.

Open Doors CEO David Curry said that his organization, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, takes into account on-the-ground expert consensus about whats happening around the world to Christians who are targeted simply for their faith.

The World Watch List measures pressure, intolerance and violence against the Christian faith worldwide.

The 2022 World Watch List reveals the most seismic changes in the history of our research, Curry said. For the first time ever, Afghanistan is the most dangerous place on the planet to be a Christian, coming in at No. 1 on the World Watch List. It has supplanted North Korea, which is now No. 2, for the first time in 20 years.

Curry clarified that North Korea has not gotten better but rather that Afghanistan has gotten worse.

The ranking comes months after the Taliban Islamic radical insurgency retook control of the Central Asian country after the United States withdrew its military presence.

Curry shared the personal story of a young Afghan woman who fled for her life and went into hiding after the Taliban took control of the country. The woman finds herself in particular danger because she is both a female and a Christian.

Curry recalled a conversation Open Doors had with her and retold it from her perspective.

A few years ago, the Taliban came and they took my father away because he was a Christian. They tortured him for months and then killed him. A few months later, my brother also disappeared and weve never heard from [him] again.

Its no doubt that she knows where her fate is, and thus she and her mother are now on the run, Curry said.

The human rights advocate maintained that the Talibans recapturing of Afghanistan led to a global rise in Islamic extremism that extends beyond its borders.

In September, shortly after the Taliban seized control, a list was circulated with the names of prominent Christians. Somehow, this list fell into the hands of the Taliban, he said.

Those listed were among the first to be hunted, he continued. The Talibans interpretation of Islam considers Christians to be traitors, enemies of the state, enemies of the tribe and community. They are infidels from Islam, and in their mind, the punishment is death.

Curry declared that every Christian who remains in Afghanistan is either on the run or in hiding.

He shared testimony from another Afghan Christian Open Doors USA spoke with, asserting that the Taliban are going door-to-door and snatching young girls and destroying  families.

Assessing the state of religious freedom worldwide, Curry said Open Doors data shows that free societies that protect freedom of conscience, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are facing a war against hatred and discrimination on two separate fronts.

The one battle is against tribal, religious and nationalistic extremists thats sweeping the globe, he described. And theres a second battle against authoritarian regimes who are deploying sophisticated systems of surveillance, censorship and punishment of anyone who believes or worships outside of a strictly enforced boundary.

Today, religious extremists and the governments they control or influence lead the World Watch List for the first time, he said, adding that extremism and tribalism are skyrocketing along with related incidents of harassment against Christians.

Nine of the top 10 countries on the World Watch List are run or influenced by radical Islamists or Hindu extremists, Curry stated.

The only exception is North Korea, which is run by a murderous dictator with a communist ideology.

In addition to Afghanistan and North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and India rounded out the World Watch Lists top 10 countries where its most difficult to follow Jesus.

Our report shows that 360 million Christians globally now suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination. Thats one in seven Christians worldwide, he lamented.

Curry emphasized that the World Watch List also illustrates the challenges  to freedom of conscience and expression for all people, whether they have a religious faith or  consider themselves an atheist or just have different views from the majority of their culture.

The list contains a total of 50 countries where persecution of Christians is either extreme or very high.

Open Doors USA determined that the top 10 countries on the list, as well as Saudi Arabia, have extreme levels of Christian persecution while the remaining 39 have a very high amount of persecution.

While the countries on the list are primarily located in Asia and Africa, a handful of countries in the Western hemisphere made it on the list.

Mexico, located directly south of the U.S., is ranked as the 43rd most dangerous country for Christians because of organized crime and corruption. Cuba came in as the 37th most challenging country for Christians because of dictatorial paranoia.

The complete report, which contains detailed examples of religious freedom violations in each country on the list, is available on the Open Doors USA website.
60% rise in Christians killed worldwide in 2020: Open Doors report Governments use COVID-19 as excuse for persecution of Christians

2020 continued a trend of rising persecution around the world, with governments often using COVID-19 restrictions as tools of repression, Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors USA announced in its annual report.

Open Doors' 2021 report revealed two important persecution trends in 2020. The number of Christians killed has increased by 60% this year, mostly because of Islamic violence against Nigerian Christians. Secondly, anti-Christian governments around the world use COVID-19 restrictions to persecute Christians.

This past year 2020 has been a year of uncertainty and fear. Weve been all fighting a virus that we cannot see with the naked eye. Less known but equally as viral has been the discrimination, isolation and violence against Christians by using COVID-19 as a leverage and as justification, Open Doors President and CEO David Curry told the conference.

In Nigeria, over 2,200 Christians were murdered by radical Islamists. This number makes up slightly less than half of the 4,761 Christians killed for their faith worldwide, according to Open Doors statistics. Most of the Christians killed in 2020 gave up their lives to extremist groups, not governments, Curry said.

Extremists [] are emboldened by government weakened by COVID-19 restrictions, knowing that they can steal food and medical supplies from already embattled Christian communities around the world, he said.

Violence by Islamists in Nigeria amounts to genocide, Curry said. Attacks have spilled over into neighboring countries. Across Africa, even countries with sizeable Christian majorities like Mozambique and Burkina Faso have suffered from Islamic persecution. It only takes a few extremists to commit violence against Christians.

Other persecution hotspots around the globe include China and India, Open Doors announced. In China, the Communist Party has cracked down on Christians by using surveillance technology. In the last year, it has integrated its social credit and video security system, enabling it to track its people and punish them for attending church.

In India, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has encouraged persecution of Christians by sanctioning Hindu extremism, Open Doors research found. The party has told its nation that only Hindus are truly Indian, Curry told The Christian Post. Political leaders have discouraged police from responding to attacks on Christians.

I put the responsibility at the feet of the ruling party, the BJP, which is very nationalistic.

Their message to the population has been, we want India to be a Hindu nation, said Curry. I have a strong belief that if most Indian citizens knew what was happening in these Christian communities they would vote for different people.

COVID-19 restrictions have covered up persecution in many places, Curry said. In many countries, Christians lose their jobs because of COVID-19. Then, governments refuse to provide aid to believers and employers dont hire them back. It looks like more suffering caused by COVID-19, but its a quiet persecution.

In the northeast of Nigeria, Christians have been reporting only 15% of the emergency rations that others have gotten. COVID has clearly affected all of us around the world, yet for some their faith has made them more vulnerable, he said.

Similar events have happened in India, he said.

For the first time, every country in Open Doors list of the top 50 persecutors has very high or extreme levels of persecution, the report said. This trend will likely continue, Curry added.

The embedded forces that are driving these scores up, religious extremists, Hindu extremism in Nepal, Hindu extremism in India, the Islamic extremist groups which we most recognize as ISIS or al Qaeda, thats an ideology that does not need a territory. When ISIS was conquered, that cancer has metastasized around the world. That trend is growing in strength. You also have governments now who have the ability to use surveillance to watch private behavior, said Curry.

Christians face the most persecution worldwide because they are the largest minority faith in many countries, he said.

The sheer number of [Christians persecuted] is significant, he said. You do have other faiths and we want to speak up that everybody should have the right to choose their own faith. This is about freedom of conscience.
Supreme Court questions Boston's refusal to fly Christian flag at City Hall

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday on whether Boston city officials wrongfully denied a request to fly the Christian flag at City Hall.

The nations high court heard arguments in the case of Harold Shurtleff, et al. v. Boston, MA, et al., with the justices expressing skepticism of the arguments on both sides.

Shurtleff runs an organization called Camp Constitution, which exists to enhance understanding of our Judeo-Christian moral heritage and runs Constitution Day and Citizenship Day events at City Hall.

Shurtleffs request to fly the Christian flag (which features a cross) outside of City Hall on Constitution Day 2017 was denied based on a policy that gives the city discretion on which flags it can fly on the City Hall flagpoles.

Liberty Counsel Chairman Mat Staver, a prominent Christian conservative lawyer whose organization helped represent Shurtleff, was the first to present arguments before the justices.

After 12 years, with 284 flag-raising approvals, no denials, and usually no review, one word caught the attention of a Boston official: the word Christian on the application. The flag itself was not the problem. Had it been called anything but Christian, the same flag would have flown for an hour without incident, Staver argued.

The city, by an unbroken history and practice and policy, expressly declared that the flagpoles are one of its public forums open to all applicants. In doing so, the city long ago crossed the line from government speech to private speech.

Justice Elena Kagan, one of three justices appointed by a Democrat president, asked Staver if the city would have to fly a Nazi flag at City Hall due to it being a public forum. Staver replied that the city would have to fly such a controversial flag since it designated the flagpole as a public forum.

So, really, what youre saying is that a city cant possibly have a kind of open policy like this because no city is going to want to put up a swastika or a KKK flag or something like that, Kagan reasoned.

The citys brief tries to indicate certain limitations on categories of subject matters, Staver replied. But thats nowhere to be found in the 12-year or 13-year policy, and its not in the 2018 codification of that policy, anyway.

If the city wants to open up a forum but limit it to certain kinds of subject matters or speakers, certainly, the city is capable of doing so, he added.

Sopan Joshi, the assistant to the U.S. solicitor general, argued in support of Shurtleff as a representative of the federal government.

Like any private property owner, the government is entitled to use its own property for whatever lawful purpose it likes, including for expressive purposes, Joshi told the court.

But this Court has said that, unlike a private property owner or a private speaker, when the government chooses to open up its own property for use by third parties to express their messages, the government cannot restrict access based on viewpoint, including religious viewpoints.

When Justice Neil Gorsuch asked if the city could limit speech to reject religious viewpoints, Joshi responded that the Supreme Court has said that even in a non-public forum, viewpoint discrimination is impermissible.

Representing the city, lawyer Douglas Hallward-Driemeier told the justices that groups cannot commandeer the citys flagpole to send a message the city does not endorse.

Its not any individual flag. Thats the citys message. The citys statement of its goals is clear. Its the collective. Its the diversity of the flags, stated Hallward-Driemeier.

Shurtleffs legal team had argued that the city has flown other flags with religious imagery in the past, including Turkey's flag, which depicts the Islamic star and crescent, and the Portuguese flag. Additionally, the Boston city flag includes Latin words meaning God be with us as he was with our fathers.

We also want to raise awareness in Boston and beyond about the many countries and cultures of the world, Hallward-Driemeier said. Our goal is to foster diversity by celebrating the communities within Boston.

Justice Clarence Thomas, one of the courts most conservative judges, asked Hallward-Driemeier why the apparent definition of diversity appeared to exclude Christians.

The city chose not to start down the road of speaking on the subject of religion from the flagpole, responded Hallward-Driemeier, who added that Boston would not exclude religious groups from raising a flag at city hall.

In fact, in connection with Constitution Day, the city said it was willing to raise a flag of Camp Constitution in celebration and recognition of Constitution Day.

Thomas pressed the attorney on if the city was only celebrating limited diversity.

Theyre celebrating a particular kind of diversity, national origin diversity, he said.

In February 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper, an Obama appointee, ruled in favor of Boston. She argued that the City Hall flagpoles constituted government speech and made flying a Christian flag an unlawful government endorsement of religion.

There are no additional facts in the record that would suggest any improper preference for non-religion over religion or selective treatment of any person or group based on religion, ruled Casper.

In January 2021, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit unanimously upheld the lower court ruling, with Reagan appointee Judge Bruce Selya writing the panel opinion.

Selya argued that the three flags flying in close proximity communicates the symbolic unity of the three flags, and therefore, it strains credulity to believe that an observer would partition such a coordinated three-flag display.

Shurtleff appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, gaining the support of the progressive legal nonprofit the American Civil Liberties Union. Last November, the ACLU filed an amicus brief supporting the Christian group.

We have long expressed concern about government endorsement of religion, and have sued often to enforce the Establishment Clause, stated ACLU National Legal Director David Cole.

But when the government opens a forum to private speakers generally, as Boston did here, it cant turn away a speaker simply because it is religious.
Preparing for the AI tsunami: The vital issue in answering if we should be afraid of AI (pt 3)

Should we be afraid of AI?

This was the question posed by Ron Schmelzer in an article that appeared in Forbes magazine.[1]

There is a general anxiety about it and what its potentially capable of, noted Schmelzer. The angst is often caused by the recurring theme in movies and science fiction in which AI systems go rogue  think HAL.

But the concern is deeper, even, than that: the greatest danger is that in an age when fallen human beings are developing the most powerful of machines, society is losing the sense of Gods transcendence.

Yet, what one worships determines how one will act.

Werner von Braun, the brilliant scientist who developed the terrifying rockets that pommeled England in the Second World War, became a powerful example of this.

Eventually, von Braun became disenchanted with Hitler and the Nazis, and, at one point, protested the raining down of V2 rockets on innocent people. For that, he was jailed with some of his prime staff. The Nazis missile development quickly began to fade, and von Braun and his associates were released early in 1945 to get back to work.

By then, it was becoming evident that Germany was on its way to defeat. In the meantime, von Braun realized that German physicists would be taken by Soviet troops poised to invade Germany from the East and carried away into Russia to help it develop its rocket technology. Before that could happen, von Braun and his whole staff surrendered to American troops. Some five hundred scientists and their families were in that group.

Von Braun began thinking more spiritually, back to the Bible he had been taught as a youth. He recognized that it would be better to surrender to a regime that had a general consensus that God exists and is transcendent than one that promoted atheism and godlessness.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, says that Bible. (Proverbs 9:10, et al.)

One need not fear any invention or discovery or device whose maker believes in and walks under fear and reverence for the transcendent God revealed in the Bible and in the life of Christ.

Therefore, I argue in my book, Who Will Rule the Coming gods? that the most urgent issue in this AI age is the recovery of a consensus centered on Gods transcendent majesty.

If there are no spiritual and ethical boundaries in the minds of the brilliant people developing this technology, there is indeed much to fear.

Cultural worldviews and values have been secularizing since the 1960s. The fundamental struggle in the fallen world is between chaos and cosmos  the peaceful and harmonious order brought by God Who is simultaneously characterized by pure love and also by unavoidable justice.

Transcendence means that God is perfect and absolute. Therefore, His attributes are perfect and absolute: perfect love and absolute justice, among others.

So, in this age of dizzying technological advance, there must be an equal progression of the understanding and recognition of Gods transcendence and how it relates to our lives and work. The spiritual understanding must advance at least at the same pace as the technical developments.

Its not likely that secular educational institutions will add a course on, AI and the Bible, or AI and Theology. But its urgent that someone take on that mission.

Namely, the Church and the Home.

The biblical church must play a prophetic role in society. This means being like the sons of Issachar who understood the times and their nature, and what the nation should do. The church can tell the culture what time it is in terms of both signs and times. (1 Chronicles 12:32)

The pulpit should proclaim the transcendence of God. Discipleship programs should educate people about Gods awesome otherness and holiness, and our accountability to Him Who is high and lifted up.

The Church must walk in righteousness and holiness as a witness and example to the culture, rather than adopting or trying to find biblical sanction for the ways the world wants to live, according to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16)

Leaders in home and family should set a good personal example in their computer interactions, both qualitatively as it relates to content and quantitatively with respect to the time they may spend online that could be invested in family interactions.

Family leaders should teach their children the importance of worldview, and what a biblical worldview looks like. Mothers and fathers must teach their children how to discern the good and reject the bad.

In our personal lives we must exercise spiritual disciplines given through Paul in Romans 12, where he calls for the renewal of our mind through conformity to Christ, and Philippians 2 and 4, where the challenge is that we focus on things true... honorable... right... pure... good... acceptable... perfect... excellent.

Like almost every human technological advance, artificial intelligence can be a great blessing or a frightening threat.

It comes down to the practical: how we use AI and what determines the purposes and boundaries of its applications.

This was on the mind of nuclear scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer when he observed the first test explosion of the atomic bomb. He thought of words from Hindu literature: I am become Death... the Destroyer of worlds.

AI can mean death or life, based on the ultimate values of the user... and that is embedded in what or who we worship.

Thus, the vital issue is indeed spiritual, focusing on the very character of God.

[1] Should We Be Afraid of AI? (forbes.com)
School district defends decision to allow After School Satan Club at elementary school

An Illinois school district is defending an elementary school after it received criticism from parents for handing out flyers promoting a controversial After-School Satan Club for students in the first through fifth grades sponsored by the Satanic Temple.

Hey Kids, lets have fun at After School Satan Club, read the flyer distributed by Jane Addams Elementary School in Moline, Illinois.

The flyer says the program is about science projects, puzzles and games, arts and crafts projects, nature activities, according to a tweet.

Many parents criticized the Moline-Coal Valley School District after the flyer appeared on social media, CBN News reports.

Kick every board member off that allowed this to occur. Vote in new people with common sense, morals and ethics, wrote a parent on Twitter.

The school district was quick to come to the defense of the elementary schools decision.

The district does not discriminate against any groups who wish to rent our facilities, including religious-affiliated groups, it said in a statement. Religiously affiliated groups are among those allowed to rent our facilities for a fee.

It added, The district has, in the past, approved these types of groups, one example being the Good News Club, which is an after-school child evangelism fellowship group. Flyers and promotional materials for these types of groups are approved for lobby posting or display only, and not for mass distribution.

It further sought to explain, saying, Students or parents are then able to pick up the flyer from the lobby, if they so choose, which is aligned to District policy. Please note that the district must provide equal access to all groups and that students need parental permission to attend any after-school event. Our focus remains on student safety and student achievement.

The Satanic Temple says on its website: Proselytization is not our goal, and were not interested in converting children to [s]atanism. After School Satan Clubs will focus on free inquiry and rationalism, the scientific basis for which we know what we know about the world around us We prefer to give children an appreciation of the natural wonders surrounding them, not a fear of everlasting other-worldly horrors.

A letter from Rachel Savage, Moline-Coal Valley Schools Superintendent, said a district parent had asked the Satanic Temple to offer the program to the elementary school to offer parents a choice of different viewpoints, because the school was offering a child evangelism fellowship club.

Flyers were not distributed to all students, Savage said, according to New York Post.

In November 2016, Point Defiance Elementary School in Tacoma, a school district in Washington state, became the second in the nation to approve the After School Satan Club program for elementary school students.

Satanic Temple of Seattle spokesman Tarkus Claypool ... said a parent brought the Bible club to their attention over concerns the club was teaching children to evangelize to other children. Claypool said their curriculum teaches children logic, self-empowerment and reasoning and they dont worship a deity, according to local news station Q13 Fox.

A month earlier, the Satanic Temple had launched a nationwide After School Satan Club to counter Christian student organizations in public schools.

The groups creation came in response to the Christian Good News Club that was meeting at public schools throughout the nation.

Douglas Mesner, spokesperson and co-founder of The Satanic Temple, who goes by the name Lucien Greaves, told The Christian Post at the time that the Christian club's presence at public schools created the need for a counter-balance in the extracurricular options.

Moises Esteves, vice president of USA Ministries for Child Evangelism Fellowship, told CP at the time that he believed the Satan club was yet another atheist PR stunt" that "has no staying power.

The After-School Satan Club is simply another attention-seeking atheist club. The choice of mascot reveals that its leaders simply hate God, and are trying to provoke or spook parents and schools, said Esteves. Like those before it, this club will fizzle out, because parents don't view their children as pawns for a 'blend of political activism, religious critique and performance art' by angry atheists.

In 2001, the United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in the decision Good News Club v. Milford Central School that the Christian group had the right to meet on public school property after school hours.
Texas synagogue hostages are safe, suspect who wanted known terrorist freed shot dead

UPDATE JAN. 16 at 7:15 a.m. ET: The suspect in the Texas siege was a British citizen named Malik Faisal Akram, 44, from Blackburn. His family has apologized to those who were held hostage at the synagogue for 10 hours. President Joe Biden called the man's actions an act of terrorism.

The FBI and Texas authorities resolved an hourslong hostage situation at a Dallas-Fort Worth area synagogue late Saturday after they killed an armed man who stormed the Jewish place of worship on the Sabbath and held four hostages, including a rabbi, reportedly demanding the release of a convicted terrorist whom U.S. officials once described as the most wanted woman in the world.

U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram late Saturday the hostage-taker is dead.

A loud bang followed by what sounded like gunfire was heard about 9:12 p.m. Central time Saturday outside Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform synagogue in Colleyville where a hostage situation had been going on for hours.

"All hostages are out alive and safe," Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted about 9:35 p.m.

The SWAT situation in Colleyville is resolved and all hostages are safe. We continue to work in partnership with the FBI to finalize all details, followed a tweet by Colleyville police at 9:55 p.m., hours after a male hostage had been released uninjured.

The suspect, who had not been identified but claimed to have bombs in unknown locations, took hostage of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three others at the synagogue during their Sabbath morning service.

The synagogue was livestreaming its service on Facebook at the time which captured the initial part of the hostage situation before it was removed.

Rabbi Marvin Hier and Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organization, said they were praying for the safety of the hostages. By all available information, this was a well-planned scenario designed to gain entrance into the synagogue by posing as a homeless man, they said in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

Earlier on Saturday, law enforcement officials told CNN the man may have demanded the release of Aafia Sidiqqui, known as Lady Al Qaeda, who was convicted in 2010 on charges that included attempted murder and armed assault on U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan and is serving her sentence at Carswell Air Force Base near Fort Worth.

The suspect was carrying backpacks and claimed he had explosives, ABC News said, adding that law enforcement acted as if it was true.

Law enforcement had said their priority was the safety of the rabbi and the other hostages.

Officers responded after they received a call about 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. They evacuated the area and called for assistance from the FBI Dallas Field Office, Tarrant Regional SWAT Team, Texas Department of Public Safety and other local agencies.

The rabbi is known for bringing all faiths together, according to The New York Times, which quoted Giovanni Capriglione, a state representative, as saying, He has brought Christian groups, and various Muslims groups together. He is not someone who is railing against one faith or another. Hes the exact opposite.

Siddiqui, a mother of three, was arrested in Afghanistan in 2008 when she was found with two kilos of poison sodium cyanide and plans for chemical attacks on New Yorks Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building, according to the Daily Mail, which said that during her trial she demanded that every jury member get DNA tested to see if they were Jewish.

Siddiqui is a Pakistani-born neuroscientist who was a biology major at MIT in Cambridge and got a doctorate in neuroscience from Brandeis University. She once reportedly told her student friends she would be proud to be on the FBIs Most Wanted list.

She had reportedly joined a National Rifle Association class and encouraged other Muslims also to do so. And she's also known to have lied to her husband, who was surprised to learn she married him for his familys connections to better enable her to wage jihad.

Her hatred for the U.S. was so strong that during her interrogation she grabbed a rifle from one of her guards and shot at them shouting: Death to Americans, according to the Mail.

Before her 2010 conviction, Siddiqui was possibly the lone female at al Qaedas highest echelon, and was dubbed by U.S. officials as the most wanted woman in the world, according to the Boston Globe, which also said the Islamic State terrorist group twice sought to trade captives for her release before beheading them.
Christian MP says prosecution for tweeting Bible verse on homosexuality is a privilege

A Christian politician in Finland who faces the possibility of six years in prison for sharing her deeply held biblical beliefs on sexuality and marriage says its quite a privilege to be interrogated for her religious beliefs.

Parliament Member Paivi Rasanen, who was interrogated by police for over 13 hours and questioned on how she interprets the Apostle Pauls letters in the Bible, will appear in court next Monday over criminal charges for voicing her belief on marriage and sexuality.

She authored a 2004 booklet on sexual ethics describing marriage as between one man and one woman. She also expressed her views on a 2019 radio show and tweeted church leadership on the matter.

I thought it was quite a privilege to have these kinds of discussions with the police, Rasanen said in an interview with Alliance Defending Freedom International, a legal nonprofit that specializes in religious freedom cases and is supporting the 62-year-old former interior minister.

I had many times during these hours the possibility to tell to the police the message of the Gospel, what the Bible teaches about the value of human beings, that all people are created in the image of God and that is why they all are valuable.

It was like giving Bible studies to the police, she remarked.

Rasanen, who worked as a doctor before going into politics and is married to a pastor, said it was absurd and shocking to be interrogated and claims it feels like Soviet times.

I could never have imagined when I worked as the minister of the interior and was in charge of the police that I would be interrogated and asked that kind of questions in a police station, the lawmaker who led the Christian Democrats party from 2004 to 2015 said.

She said police also asked her if she was ready to renounce her writings.

But I answered that I will stand on what I believe and I will speak about these things and write about these things also in the future because they are a matter of conviction, not only an opinion, she said.

Rasanen has been charged with three counts of ethnic agitation over statements expressing her beliefs about human sexuality and marriage. Evangelical Lutheran Mission Bishop Juhana Pohjola has been charged with one count of ethnic agitation for publishing Rasanens booklet.

Prosecutors in Finland determined that Rasanens previous statements disparage and discriminate against LGBT individuals and foment intolerance and defamation.

The mother of five maintains that her expressions are legal and should not be censored.

I cannot accept that voicing my religious beliefs could mean imprisonment, said Rasanen in a statement previously issued by ADF International. I do not consider myself guilty of threatening, slandering or insulting anyone. My statements were all based on the Bibles teachings on marriage and sexuality.

In November, Pohjola warned that his prosecution illustrated that the Gospel of Christ is at stake because of postmodernism and cancel culture.

He said hate speech laws had been unfairly used against him.

When postmodernism first swept over Western countries, its basic core was denial of absolute truth. The only truth was that you must allow everyone to have his or her own subjective truth, Pohjola said. This hyper-individualism continues, but it has now a different tone. If you are against LGBTQ+ ideology, so-called diversity, equality and inclusiveness, you are not only considered to be old-fashioned  but rejected as morally evil. This is what the prosecutor general understands her duty to be, to protect fragile citizens and victims from the intolerant and hateful Christians.

Six members of U.S. Congress have condemned the prosecution as infringements on religious freedom.

Led by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, the lawmakers urged the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to consider these prosecutions when recommending which countries the U.S. State Department should place on a special watch list of countries that engage in religious freedom violations.

Last May, professors from Ivy League institutions like Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University were among legal scholars to urge USCIRF to pressure the State Department to sanction Finlands prosecutor general for prosecuting Pohjola and Rasanen.

No reasonable balance of the goods of public order, civil equality, and religious liberty can ever support this suppression of the right to believe and express ones beliefs. The prosecutions are straightforward acts of oppression, they wrote.
Russia posts its ballistic missile launchers and sniper teams on the Ukraine border as the threat of a rollout over the border is claimed by NATO.

The border is stiffly contested as the Kremlin tells the west the today stand down and stop the eastern expansion, which it has been doing for several years. One more problem is that Vladimir Putin is getting testy at the US and NATO and sticking to his guns.

Russia deploys troops, military equipment

More missile launchers were moving to the Ukraine border where the West is trying to win in the standoff, but the Kremlin is not budging one bit, reported the Sun UK.

Heavy weapons like the Iskander-M launchers were on trains rolling to the border. Moscow deployed snipers to the border to augment the regular troops.

Andrij Melnyk, the Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin, told of a vast conflict if the Russians would be ignored. Comparing it to 1945, and said his country should defend itself. He asked Berlin for arms to combat Russia if it invades as it has insufficient stores.

At the Kadamovsky training ground about 37 miles from the border, 100 troopers conducted sniper drills, cited Pipa News.

Included in the training were special forces in drills with the Arbalet-2 and Malva-guided parachute systems located in the Tambov region. Live tank round firing was done in the Mulino in the Nizhny Novgorod region for their crew's training. A total of 300 servicemen were part of the tactical drills.

According to the US, Vladimir Putin has deployed more than 100,000 troop and ballistic missile launchers and sniper teams at the Ukraine border.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Dispatches Russian Paratroopers To Quell Protesters at the Request of Kazakhstan Leader as Law and Order Degrades in the Country

Kremlin denies intent of invasion

On the other hand, Moscow has rejected any intention of invading Ukraine, insisting that it has the right to reposition military equipment and troops on its soil. Hitting at the West's demands which are moving its own on the other side.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, added that some are crucial to the situation. According to him, it is what Russia calls security at the border. Repeating that Ukraine is not threatened, which is madness, but stress that if the allies push, there will be a shove soon.

The House of Commons Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood MP said Kyiv is in danger of invasion as Ukraine blames Putin for the recent cyber-attack, noted the Independent UK.

EU excluded in border talks

Massed armor and artillery pieces are parked on the border, which gave rise to the fear of imminent danger faced with such a buildup. The allies believe that Putin would risk his force to capture a strategically indefensible area.

When Washington and the Kremlin held talks, the bloc was sidelined favor a cold war configuration. But later, Brussel's had its meeting with Russia in a Normandy setting after Joe Biden ignored them.

During all these discussions, Kyiv was left out and not consulted about its opinion. But most glaring is the voicing for support the US but will not send any forces because it is not a NATO member.

The Kremlin places its ballistic missile launchers and sniper teams to remind the west it will not back down from the Ukraine border and still push its demands.

Related Article: West Tries To Sow Dissension in Moscow-Beijing Alliance as Kazakh Leader Requests Russian Intervention

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ex-drug user credits sobriety, salvation to church staying open amid COVID-19: 'I would be dead'

Before surrendering to Christ, Jennifer Scott was a drug user, "smoking and shooting" 7 grams of crack cocaine into her body every day. But God used other Christians to save her life  and she believes if it wasnt for her church staying open during the COVID-19 lockdowns, she would be dead.

Scotts church, Trinity Bible Chapel in Ontario, Canada, posted a video on Twitter of her sharing her testimony, which has since gone viral.

Despite bans on worship gatherings and ongoing lockdowns in response to the pandemic, Trinity Bible Chapel incurred over $100,000 in fines for staying open in opposition to the Reopening Ontario Act and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Scott, who testified ahead of her baptism that she'd abused drugs since she was 14, credited her recovery with the churchs decision to keep its doors open despite opposition.

Before Christ, I was a very angry person, and filled with fear, doubt and self-pity. I was constantly seeking avenues of filling the hole in me that only Jesus could fill, added Scott, according to The Daily Wire. It began with marijuana and ended with smoking crack cocaine and intravenous drug use. I was a slave to darkness.

While mired in drug addiction, Scott was invited to a prayer meeting at Trinity by her son. Shortly after attending that meeting, she started to attend the church, led by Pastor Jacob Reaume, regularly.

In my small group, I asked for prayer to help me stop, Scott shared in her video testimony, referring to her drug use. I left a comment on one of Pastor Jacobs sermons on YouTube. Pastor Jacob took the time to find out who I was and tracked me down and called me to pray for me to encourage me to keep coming to church. I did.

Shortly after the pastor and church elders prayed for her, Scott received a phone call that there was a bed available at a sober living house in Cambridge. In the meantime, Scott said, she continued to attend Trinity.

Ive been clean and sober now for over seven months, moved into my own apartment and the Body of Christ here at Trinity has helped me with [furnishings] and other blessings, she revealed. None of these things would have happened if Trinity closed its doors and was solely online. I know for a fact that I would be dead right now if God had not used this church in my life.

"None of these things would have happened if Trinity closed it's doors and was solely online...I'd be dead right now if God had not used this church in my life."



There are people like Jennifer in your community. Refuse to turn them away.#OpenYourChurchpic.twitter.com/OEzFVIW5bM  Trinity Bible Chapel (@TBCWR) January 11, 2022

Scott added that even when struggled with relapsing on several occasions, Jesus never stopped His pursuit after her.

The Gospel is the good news that we have salvation through Jesus Christ, Scott said. God came down in the form of a sinless man, Jesus, and poured out His wrath onto Him, that He might spare us eternity in hell; if only we believe that He is the Son of God  the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Truth, the Way, and the Life.

The video of Scotts testimony was spread across Twitter feeds with the hashtag #OpenYourChurch.

Over the last two years, several pastors have been jailed  or their churches hit with fines  for violating Canada's COVID-19 restrictions of church gatherings.

Last year, Trinity Bible Chapel and its leaders were ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines over its decision to remain open despite the lockdown orders.

This included a $35,000 fine for the church itself, $10,000 fines for its pastors, and other leaders of the congregation each being fined $7,500, among other fines.

At the time, Reaume posted a statement to the church's website explaining that despite opposition, Jesus is worth it.

"[W]orship services are not ours to give up. They belong to Jesus. He purchased His worship with the price of His own blood, wrote Reaume.

Not only do we rejoice that our extravagant worship services have given us the opportunity to lead many people to Jesus, as it seems we learn of new people every week who have been saved during this time of persecution, but also now our extravagant worship services have furnished the opportunity to bear witness to the worthiness of Christ before the Superior Court of Ontario.

Though restrictions on religious gatherings due to COVID-19 vary across Canada, all provinces have placed limits on how many people can get together under one roof. On Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. State Department advised against travel to Canada because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases as the Omicron variant continues to spread.

In an op-ed for The Christian Post, Sey criticized Canada's leadership for enacting a fourth lockdown.

"[Most] Ontarians arent necessarily suffering from Omicron or COVID. Were suffering from the consequences of our governments incompetent leadership," he wrote.

"Omicron isnt a threat to most of us, but the government has become a threat to us all. Ontarians and Canadians have some of the highest vaccination rates in the world. Yet, we also have some of the most severe restrictions in the world."

Sey pointed out that a recent poll revealed that 55% of Canadians supported new restrictions and new lockdowns because of Omicron.

"In some ways, we are just as responsible for the authoritarian and oppressive COVID policies. If we didnt support or remain largely silent on these policies, our government would be too afraid of their political future to enforce them," he contended.

"So shame on the government, and shame on us for continuing to allow them to do this."
Pakistani Christian man imprisoned 4 years on false blasphemy charges is granted bail

The brother of a Pakistani Christian man granted bail last week after spending years in prison is pleading with Pope Francis and other international leaders to evacuate and grant his brother asylum in a Western country as concerns about his health and safety persist.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan granted bail for Nadeem Samson, a Catholic who has been imprisoned in Pakistan for four years on blasphemy charges. Samsons brother, Shakeel Anjum, a United States citizen, reacted to the development in an interview with The Christian Post.

[On the] one side, we are happy. But [on the] other side, we are very afraid, he said, speaking on behalf of himself and another brother, who also lives in Pakistan.

Anjum cited the Jan. 3 death sentence of Zafar Bhatti, another Christian imprisoned under Pakistans blasphemy laws, as a cause for concern.

While the Supreme Court of Pakistan granted Samson bail, the legal proceedings stemming from the blasphemy charges against him will continue at the district court level.

Anjum told CP that trials are very dangerous because he has to  go to the court back and forth to attend the hearings. He recalled a 2020 incident where a Muslim accused of blasphemy was murdered right in the court, fearing that his brother could end up facing the same fate.

He was murdered right in the court, Anjum said. He was on bail and he got shot dead and somebody just killed him in the court.

More recently, on Dec. 3, a Twitter account managed by Anjum devoted to securing his brothers release retweeted a video of a Sri Lankan Hindu Factory manager who was burned alive by #Muslims mob for accused blasphemy. Anjum said these two incidents have left him and his brothers really scared and really worried.

In light of the concerns and the fact that mob attacking is common in Pakistan, Anjum delivered an appeal to the pope and Josep Borrell, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs.

Both [of my] brothers actually should be evacuated immediately because this is very, very risky, he said.

Anjum also fears for his brother, Michael, who has attended Samsons court proceedings and visited him in jail. He believes that Michaels association with Samson is enough to put his life in danger as well. Anjum called on the Canadian government to grant Samson asylum to save his life.

I have no parents. I have two brothers  in Pakistan, Anjum added. They should be protected and they should be evacuated immediately from Pakistan.

Anjum elaborated on the toll that four years in prison has taken on his brother. My brother, for [the] last few months, he has [been] very sick, he said. We got the orders for his treatment. We got the court order for  his immediate treatment.

Because the jail superintendent didnt allow his brother out of the jail for his treatment, Anjum said Samson was in severe pain.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedoms profile on Samson lists kidney stones as a health concern and indicates that he has faced torture while detained.

Samson is reportedly living in inhumane conditions at the district jail in Lahore, where he has also been denied adequate medical care for treating kidney stones, the congressionally-mandated religious freedom body said.

Anjum agreed with Samsons lawyer that his bail was historic. Blasphemy charges in Pakistan can be punishable with life imprisonment and even the death penalty. However, the Pakistani government has never executed anyone for a blasphemy conviction.

Specifically, section 295-C of Pakistans penal code mandates that whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy [Islamic] Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

As CP previously reported, Samson was arrested in November 2017 after the man he was leasing a house from told police that the Pakistani Catholic had posted blasphemous material on his Facebook account.

Anjum previously alleged that the man, Abdul Haq, created a fake Facebook account to smear his brother in an effort to avoid having to pay Samson the $4,000 owed to him as part of the lease agreement.

Anjum previously predicted that the Supreme Court of Pakistan would make a fair decision about Samsons fate because they have bodyguards and are therefore not intimidated by the mob. By contrast, Anjum asserted, the trial court judges do not have any security for themselves.

So they have only one option, he maintained. They have to allow the punishment.

Anjum lamented that most blasphemy cases in Pakistan follow a familiar pattern, where after several years of litigation, the judges determine that the accusations of blasphemy are false.

Their lives are ruined in trial, Anjum said of those falsely accused of blasphemy. In the case of Samson, his accuser never appeared in the trial court.

False allegations of blasphemy are a common occurrence in Pakistan. Patrick Sookdeho of the Barnabas Fund, a Christian aid agency, elaborated on the indiscriminate and improper use of blasphemy laws in Pakistan at the first annual International Religious Freedom Summit that took place in Washington, D.C., last summer.

In a panel discussion featuring Asia Bibi, another Pakistani Christian imprisoned on blasphemy charges who since fled the country, Sookdeho informed attendees that Pakistans blasphemy law has been used by those who are unhappy with Christians or [used against] a particular Christian as a weapon to settle scores.

In Pakistan today, there are at least five Christians on death row for blasphemy, he proclaimed. There are 20 Christians in prison on blasphemy charges. ... Since 1990, at least 15 Christians have been murdered because of blasphemy allegations, often before trial has begun.

He stressed that the allegations of blasphemy and hostile treatment endured by Pakistani Christians does not come from the government, per se, but rather from the institutions of society.
Tsunami causes significant damage in Tongas capital; casualty reports await

Tsunami waves crashed across the shore of the Pacific nation of Tonga after the eruption of a huge undersea volcano Saturday, causing significant damage in the capital city of Nukualofa and bringing the entire U.S. West coast under a tsunami advisory.

As the telephone and internet links remained severed early Sunday, possible casualties remained unknown.

Coastal areas beyond the capital Nukualofa remained uncontactable, New Zealands Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at a news conference Sunday, Reuters reported. Nukualofa is covered in thick plumes of volcanic dust but otherwise conditions are calm and stable. We have not yet received news from other coastal areas, Ardern was quoted as saying.

Tonga, which has a population of about 105,000, lies northeast of New Zealand.

Satellite images showed the volcanic eruption Saturday which sent plumes of ash, steam and gas rising like a mushroom about 12 miles above sea level.

The volcano, named Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai, has erupted regularly over the past few decades but the latest eruption was so loud that residents in Fiji and New Zealand heard it, according to Reuters.

My entire house was shaking, Sanya Ruggiero, a consulting communications advisor based in Suva, the capital of Fiji, was quoted as saying. My doors, windows were all rattling like hell. And mine was not even as bad as others. Hundreds of people ran out of their homes.

Later, videos appeared on social media showing large waves slamming coastal areas and reaching homes, a church and other buildings, The Associated Press reported.

It was massive, the ground shook, our house was shaking. It came in waves. My younger brother thought bombs were exploding nearby, a local resident, Mere Taufa, told the Stuff news outlet.

While official damage assessments were awaited, she added that the New Zealand high commission in the Tongan capital had said the tsunami damaged boats, shops and other infrastructure.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Pacific Office in Suva also had no updates on damages or casualties, according to Al Jazeera, a Qatari government-run news outlet.

An Australian government spokesperson told Reuters that initial assessments were still underway but Australia was ready to provide support to Tonga if requested.

Residents along the U.S. Pacific coast as well as in Hawaii and Alaska had also been advised to move away from the coastline to higher ground.

Savannah Peterson, a resident of Pacifica, California, just south of San Francisco, said the water reached her oceanfront house. It came up so fast, and a few minutes after that it was down again. It was nuts to see that happen so quickly. Ive never had water come all the way up to my front door, and today it did.

We dont issue an advisory for this length of coastline as weve done  Im not sure when the last time was  but it really isnt an everyday experience, Dave Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, was quoted as saying.

The highest waves were recorded in Port San Luis, California (4.3 feet); King Cove, Alaska (3.3 feet); Area Cove, California (3.7 feet); Crescent City, California (3.7 feet); and Port Reyes, California (2.9 feet), CNN reported, citing the National Weather Service.
Instead of New Years Resolutions and a wish for a Happy New Year, a friend simply wished for Hope for the New Year. For those around the world and indeed, in Australia, who are experiencing persecution, hope in Christ is perhaps the only thing to cling to.

But instead of looking at it from the perspective that hope is all we have, we must shift our gaze from just hope to Hope with a capital H! Hope in a powerful God who can do more than we imagine: Psalm chapter 140, verse 12:But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor.

And we can pray with Paul, the writer of the letter to the Ephesians that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of their imagination, flooding them with light, until they experience the full revelation of the hope of his callingthat is, the wealth of Gods glorious inheritances that he finds in them, his holy ones! From Ephesians Chapter 1, verse 18 (The Passion Translation, amended by me)

Update on Ethiopia: TPLF retreats to Tigray and appeals for ceasefire

Hope in God will not disappoint! Praise God who has turned back the battle in answer to prayer!

The head of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), DebretsionGebremichael, has written to the United Nations explaining that he has ordered all units of the TigrayDefence Force outside of the borders of Tigray to withdraw to Tigray. As the TPLF retreats it leaves in its wake 'a trail of abuse', including a multitude of displaced and massacred civilians, looted aid warehouses and vandalised empty hospitals.

But this conflict was always about much more than TPLF ambitions. Foreign elements want to weaken, divide, and rule Ethiopia (by proxy [the TPLF]) so they can dominate the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea Region. The collapse of Ethiopia would trigger a Christian crisis of monumental proportions. Please continue to pray that God will fulfil all his purposes for Ethiopia.

'The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands' (Psalm 138:8 ESV).

Update on Haiti: all 17 hostages returned free

Praise God for answered prayers.

Founded in 1981, Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) describes itself as 'a foreign-aid outlet for Amish and Mennonite and other conservative Anabaptist groups and individuals to minister to physical and spiritual needs around the world.' On 9 October a criminal gang seized 16 American and one Canadian CAM missionaries/supporters in Haiti, where they had been visiting a CAM-run orphanage.

The gang demanded one million US dollars ransom per captive and threatened to kill them if it was not forthcoming [see RLPB 621 (27 Oct)]. Two missionaries were released on 21 November and three more were released two weeks later.

Then, on the night of 15 December, the remaining 12 hostages made a daring night-time escape, walking for hours in the dark over rugged terrain until the dawn when they approached someone who phoned for help. On 20 December, under a banner declaring, 'Praise God for answered prayers', CAM General Director David Troyer gave a press conference, rich in gracious thankfulness, announcing the safe return of all 17 hostages.

Praise God and continue to pray that Haiti will be delivered of its spiritual darkness.

Hope will not disappoint  a historical perspective

In 1860, Charles Spurgeon preached on Amos chapter 9 verse 13, envisaging that the land of Israel, which had been turned into desert during Turkish/Ottoman rule, would become fertile once again. Today, a restored Israel has made the desert bloom.

Much has changed since Spurgeon's day! Then, most Christians lived in the Judeo-Christian West, and persecution was limited largely to the indigenous Christian peoples of the Ottoman Empire.

By the year 2000, after some 200 years of Protestant missions (initially from the West, but now [since the 1960s] increasingly indigenous), most Christians live in the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, traditional or atheistic non-Western world. Multitudes exist as counter-cultural religious minorities in states with appalling human rights records and little to no religious liberty, amidst escalating intolerance.

The reason persecution has grown to be a global phenomenon is because Christianity has grown to be a global faith! God is fulfilling his promises!

At the end of 2021, Elizabeth Kendall challenged us: Dare we image a future in which churches in China and Iran are freely sending out missionaries all over the world? Dare we believe that the day may be coming when instead of Islam pressing southwards through Africa, a spiritual harvest might be reaped in Sudan, across the Sahel, and throughout West and North Africa as the Holy Spirit sweeps north unleashing revival among the Hausa, the Fulani and the Arabs? Dare we imagine a mostly Christian India or Japan or Afghanistan? Dare we trust God to be faithful to his word? 'I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it' (Jesus, in Matthew 16:18 ESV).

Almighty God our Heavenly Father,

Please merciful God, increase our faith so that we will never tire of interceding for and supporting your persecuted Church as she serves you on the front line of an increasingly intense spiritual battle.
Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61

Cable, telephone and internet provider Grande Communications has changed its name to Astound Broadband powered by Grande.

More than 38,000 Midland-Odessa households are eligible for Astound service. According to company officials, local customers will not need to take any action as the local team managed by local Grande managers will continue to provide customer service. There will be no change to customers billing process at this time other than the name change.
Hawaii may soon require visitors to get a COVID-19 booster shot in order to be considered fully vaccinated.

The new precaution is being considered as Hawaiis Department of Health reports surging case counts fueled by the omicron variant with 48,000 new cases in a two-week period. We are definitely concerned as case counts [have] increased, said Gov. David Ige in an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

According to ABC News, the state's current "Safe Travels'' program says that travelers who don't want to quarantine for five days must either be fully vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test within one day of travel. Currently, fully vaccinated means that tourists must have received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

However, under the new rule, the program would adjust the definition of "fully vaccinated" to include booster shots. Gov. Ige said that the program wouldnt change for a few weeks, which would give travelers time to adjust their plans.

"We know that the community needs time to react to that, so we would have to provide at least two weeks for those who may not be up-to-date to  have the opportunity to go and get vaccinated if they need to," he told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

In the livestream, ABC News reported, Gov. Ige said he was speaking with county mayors about mandating boosters for indoor dining and other indoor activities. However, he said he would let that decision be made by each county leader.

Statewide, Hawaii is now reporting a daily average of 4,000 new cases per day, with a total of around 180,000 since the pandemic began.

The State of Hawaii Department of Health did not respond to SFGATEs request for comment at the time of publication.
United States Secretary of State Anthony Antony Blinken is set to visit Ukraine this week to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid the escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow over the possibility of Russia invading its neighboring country.

According to the State Department, the trip aims to show the United States' support for Ukraine after security talks in Geneva between Moscow and the Western powers last week failed to de-escalate the conflict over Ukraine, as well as other matters of security.

Blinken's "travel and consultations are part of the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension caused by Russia's military build-up and continued aggression against Ukraine," the State Department reads.

After the Ukraine visit, Blinken will meet German, British, and French counterparts in Berlin to prepare a possible response if Russia pursues military actions as per the Associated Press.

The State Department said the US senior official will meet with President Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday to strengthen the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's "sovereignty and territorial integrity."

According to reports, Russia has mobilized around 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border. Multiple observers see the move as a preparation for an invasion.

Read Also: Russia Warns US Is Oblivious to Ukraine Issue as Officials Set To Discuss War Games, Missile Deployments

Russia Accuses US of Disinformation

After a massive cyberattack on Ukraine's government websites last week, allegedly launched by Moscow, the Biden administration has accused Russia of preparing a "false flag operation" to employ as a pretext for the invasion of Ukraine.

According to the White House, US intelligence authorities have concluded that Russia has already deployed operatives to rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine to engage in acts of sabotage and blame them on Kyiv, as per Politico.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the allegations of the U.S. as "total disinformation." The high-ranking Russian official underscored that Moscow expects a written response this week from the US and its allies in the West regarding Russia's request for guarantees that NATO will reject Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also issued a warning before that Moscow will carry "military-technical measures" if the West blocks its demands.

Moscow Denies New York Times Report

Meanwhile, Russia announced on Tuesday that its embassy in Kyiv has normally been operating after a media report stated that Moscow had initiated the evacuation of staff families at its diplomatic assignments in Ukraine as per Reuters.

The New York Times mentioned a top senior Ukrainian official claiming that 18 people, mostly family members of Russian diplomats, had left Ukraine on January 5. While 30 more fled the embassy in Kyiv and consulate in Lviv in western Ukraine in the succeeding days.

According to the report of the US publication, diplomats at two other Russian consulates were alerted to prepare to leave Ukraine.

The Russian foreign ministry, however, did not comment regarding the situation of its consulates in Ukraine, but it informed Interfax its embassy in Kyiv is functioning as usual, but it did not provide additional details.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry remarked that it had received no information from Moscow regarding the evacuation of its diplomatic outposts in Ukraine. It went on to say that Kyiv had no plans to evacuate Ukrainian envoys from Russia.

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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LINCOLN TOWNSHIP  "Pretty rig," were words used to describe the new, bright red fire engine Lincoln Township Fire Department acquired as a needed replacement.

Members of the fire department and community gathered on a frigid, but sunny afternoon, Saturday, at the Lincoln Township Fire Station for a push-in ceremony and blessing of a new fire truck.

The afternoon began with Richard Steig of T.C. Energy, who used to be in the department, presenting a paycheck for a partial-payment toward the new fire engine to Lincoln Township Fire Chief David Beldon.

TC Energy, at an earlier time, contributed money toward new fire pagers, and now toward purchasing the fire truck, a 2022 Pierce pumper with a $295,000 price tag.

"It's a godsend," Beldon said, describing all the support toward the purchase of the much-needed new fire engine. "The other truck was failing and needed immediate replacement."

During the ceremony, members of the fire department gathered around as Beldon welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming.

"I'd like to welcome you this afternoon to our push-in ceremony. We are excited to bring this fire engine into service today," Beldon said, explaining the 'push-in ceremony' is a tradition which dates back to the 1800s when hand-drawn pumpers and horse-drawn equipment were used. When horses couldn't easily back up fire equipment into the station after a fire call, the equipment was removed from the horses, and firefighters would push the equipment back into the bays by themselves.

The new fire engine was built by Pierce Manufacturing in Bradenton, Florida, and seats five firefighters, carries roughly 2,000 feet of hose, has a 1,000 gallon water tank, and pumps 1,250 gallons of water per minute, Beldon explained.

He said how the services the fire department provides significantly changed over the past 20 years, saying how today's fire engines are a multi-purpose emergency vehicle, which, besides fighting fires, can carry needed medical equipment, rescue tools including Jaws of Life, water rescue gear, power saws and large fans to exhaust smoke and toxic gasses.

"Each fire engine has a service life of approximately 20 years and our old fire engine was built in 1995, and has served us well over the last 27 years," Beldon said. "That old engine cost $122,000."

Beldon thanked those who assisted with the purchase of the new engine, including TC Energy, and Lincoln Township Board, who was able to provide enough funding to purchase much needed new equipment to place on the fire engine.

Lincoln Township Supervisor Mark Brock then said a blessing over the new fire engine, praying for safety and protection for all who use the fire engine and all who ride in it.

Members of the fire department then gathered around the back of the new engine and pushed it into the fire bay. Following the push-in ceremony, those present were invited to celebrate inside the station with snacks and light refreshments.

Lincoln Township Fire Department services Lincoln and Cedar townships in Osceola County, and the northern half of Pinora Township in Lake County.
January is our back-to-basics month each year. This week, we discuss the importance of local media in building a vibrant transformative community. Dont confuse local media with national media, they are different in their mission and scope. Local media can be vital in a communitys transformation and vibrancy.

It was recently asked, What happens when a community loses their local newspaper? A follow-up question was also asked, How would that community then get their news?

As might be expected, answers varied from things such as radio, social media, word of mouth, friends, neighbors, to answers such as other regional outlets and so forth. All of which are accurate to a degree, but regardless, it was agreed the community would suffer from lack of accurate information.

Yes, communities would still figure out when businesses closed, violent crimes tend to blanket social media and word of mouth, the not so pleasant news and information tends to reach far and wide on social media, radio, friends, neighbors etc. And yes, they would get a bit of regional coverage for any high-profile crimes and business closings. They might even get unlucky and have a major news outlet like the New York Times or Washington Post swoop into town doing a feature story on another dying rural American town.

But who is consistently going to be the community voice sharing the communitys feel-good stories, business openings, and convey the great things happening locally to the outside world? Aside from a local media company sharing the great happenings in your community, lets carry reality one step further.

When potential new businesses are looking to relocate to a community, they first tend to Google all the prospective communities or locations. Without a voice sharing the great things going on, what they will see besides the business closings, crime stories, obituaries, and yes, that NY Times piece, will appear at the top of their search.

Without that voice conveying the good things, they are left with only the impressions of the less desirable things. What conclusions do you think they will make? While I wish this was only a what if situation, unfortunately, nearly 2,000 communities across the country experience this scenario today.

Local newspapers can be the eyes into the soul of your community. They should be the communitys ambassador to the outside world. If the local newspaper cant convey your communitys positive message to the outside world, who then will be able to convey that message in a consistent and accurate fashion?

If your local newspaper isnt doing this, demand them to do so. Newspapers should be the communitys proverbial communication town square. In todays world of media fragmentation and information sources, providing this role is more critical than ever. Local communities need every bit of help they can muster, having a local media presence fulfilling the above roles is critical to the overall success and vitality of the community.

A recent Notre Dame study indicated a community that loses their newspaper could expect the cost of local government to increase by 30% within five years. This doesnt mean government is bad, but without the media oversight, they tend to spend more than they otherwise might.

Regardless of the political leanings of the local newspaper, that simple act of oversight saves a community hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Another recent poll shows most residents believe their local newspaper is doing fine financially. While many newspapers are okay, it is safe to say most local media outlets are facing challenging and potentially crippling economic headwinds. Importantly, it is often the case communities are facing many of these same economic challenges.

The media company and the community must work together, finding synergies that can be created to mold a strong community foundation from which to build. For both to succeed, they need each other more than ever before.

When a community loses its newspaper, part of that community dies. In addition to less civil engagement, these communities may lose their identity.

A quote by Portland States Lee Shaker was recently shared with me.

He said in a Nieman Lab report, If a community loses its newspaper, it stops being its own place. It becomes a satellite of something else, rather than having its own core identity.

A community without a newspaper becomes a rudderless ship adrift in the treacherous economic currents of life.

John A. Newby, of Pineville, MO. is the author of Building Main Street, not Wall Street a weekly column appearing in over communities. He is Founder of Truly-Local, LLC and dedicated to assisting communities create excitement, energy and combining synergies with their local media to become more vibrant and competitive. His email is: info@Truly-Localllc.com.
As Conroe ISD students returned to class for the spring semester on Jan. 5, COVID-19 cases were already rising in part due to the omicron variant. While some students feel perfectly safe returning, others wish the district could take more precautions.

Montgomery County reported an increase of over 5,000 new COVID cases in a week in its Jan. 4 report, and 9,547 total active cases. As of Jan. 18, the county is reporting an increase of 8,608 in its total cases since last week, and the school district is reporting 1,833 students isolated on its COVID-19 dashboard.

On Jan. 13, CISD increased its COVID threat level to four in response to the increase in cases in both students and staff.

The United States is entering the third calendar year of the pandemic that shut down the 2019 spring school semester several weeks early in Texas. Last school year many students had the option to take classes online, but that option is no longer available. School districts do not have the authority to mandate masks or vaccines for either students or staff.

For some students, heading back into the classroom right now is an uncomfortable experience.

Its definitely really hard. Theres so many conflicting feelings I have about COVID and school right now, said Cash Kowalski, a senior at The Woodlands High School.

On yourcouriernews.com: Conroe ISD in critical need for substitutes, bus drivers

Kowalski plans on going to college to become a high school teacher, so he has been thinking about the current situation from both a student and future teacher perspective. He feels that the district has been communicating its plan well, but the implementation of restrictions and precautions varies by campus, classroom, and club.

Its almost not really a consideration anymore, Kowalski said of how he felt the district was taking students feelings into account. I remember at the beginning of the school year we had conversations about COVID and wearing masks and keeping others safe. I feel like a lot of those things have just become parts of the setting, instead of actual policies were maintaining.

As the district increases its COVID threat level it will be restricting or canceling some events or activities for students and district families. Kowalski is a member of multiple clubs and after-school activities and is disappointed that some may be postponed or canceled, especially as a senior.

Its difficult, he said, remembering when the pandemic hit during his sophomore year. I remember thinking, two weeks is going to be the thing and then well be fine.

But COVID is still not over. Kowalksi thought maybe the pandemic would be over by the time he goes to college, but that is looking less likely these days.

Eric Kimmel is a parent with three kids in CISD, in grades four, six, and eight. As a father, Kimmel said he believes CISD and superintendent Curtis Null have been measured in their response to COVID, listening to many perspectives, and does not believe masks should be mandated. For Kimmel, the important thing is keeping his students in school. Their family had a very negative experience with the districts online education, especially for their daughter with autism.

On yourcouriernews.com: Conroe ISD boosts its COVID alert to level 4 as cases rise

Kimmel was able to work from home when the pandemic hit, but he is concerned for families who may not have that option if school were to close again. When it comes to COVIDs impact on students, Kimmel believes the risk to students mental health and education loss outweighs the risks of keeping students in the classroom.

Its shown itself to be a seasonal virus that were going to have to live with the incremental, fractional additional risk that kids have, Kimmel said. That fractional increased risk does not outweigh the known risk from closing schools down and putting all the kids in virtual for an extended period of time.

Kimmels oldest son, Caden, is in eighth grade, and he doesnt want his son to miss out on the best parts of school that he remembers from that age; making new friends. All of the Kimmel family, parents and children, have had COVID now, and Kimmel does not feel nervous about sending his kids back to school. Caden is excited to be back too.

I feel really good about going back, Caden said. Virtual was really tough for me, I feel like, because I couldnt actually communicate with my teachers except over emails. I think getting back to the classroom and getting to interact face-to-face is really helping.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston-area schools work to stay open as COVID hits staff, students

As a student, Caden said he feels safe in his school and is comfortable with what his teachers are doing to react to COVID. The best part of being back, he said, is seeing people.

Over the quarantine, not getting to hang out with people was honestly kind of depressing, Caden said.

Like Kowalski, Riley Logan is a student at The Woodlands High School as a junior. She was nervous to return to the classroom after winter break because so many people she knew were testing positive for COVID and she has high risk family members. She chooses to wear a mask and is being very cautious about the activities she participates in.

Its hard for me to go to clubs and things like that to get stuff on my college resume, Logan said. If Im going to a place and Im well aware people arent going to be vaccinated or wearing masks, I have to be concerned with whether Im going to bring that home or not.

She wished that CISD could mandate masks and maintain an online school option. She took the virtual option last year and would take it again if it were available now. She carries her own sanitizer and when possible she chooses to sit with other masked students. She is fully vaccinated, but the comfort she gets from having both shots and the booster is that if she gets COVID she is less likely to need medical care.

Im very grateful for that because so many people have died or have ended up in the hospital and are going to be permanently affected by COVID for the rest of their lives because they didnt get the vaccine in time, Logan said, noting that some people may not be able to get vaccinated for health reasons. Its still the people who are choosing not to who are hurting those who need the extra help.

She hasnt been fully comfortable at school all year, even when the district was at a COVID threat level two.

jamie.swinnerton@chron.com
Maltese conservative lawmaker Roberta Metsola was elected president of the European Parliament on Tuesday, with overwhelming support, making her the first woman to hold the position in 20 years.

She takes over as president of the 705-member parliament from Italian socialist David Sassoli, who died earlier this month due to"dysfunction of his immune system" at age 65.

The Christian Democrat won 458 of the 616 officially cast votes in the first round of the presidential election, eliminating the need for a run-off. Metsola defeated three other candidates for the position: Sira Rego (radical left) of Spain, Poland's Kosma Zlotowski (ECR, Eurosceptics), and Alice Bah Kuhnke (Greens) of Sweden.

Read Also: European Union Might Suffer Crisis as the Belarus Border Needs Special Measures To Address the Situation

Representing The Assembly With Dignity

After getting elected as the new head of the European Parliament, Metsola expressed to the members of the press that she feels honored to have secured the important position. She assured the public that she would do her best to represent the house "with dignity."

Metsola said she wants to use her new position to help the parliament establish better connections with European citizens to earn their trust and confidence.

"I want people to believe in Europe. To re-capture that sense of hope & enthusiasm in our project. To stand up for those values that unite us as Europeans," Metsola posted on Twitter.

I am humbled by the responsibility entrusted to me today as the President of the European Parliament.



I want to thank my colleagues for their support and fellow candidates Alice Bah Kuhnke & @sirarego



You can count on me to represent the European values our House stands for.  pic.twitter.com/iwdwKpjJGB  Roberta Metsola MEP (@RobertaMetsola) January 18, 2022

Metsola Will Defend EU Parliament's Positions On Women's Rights

Metsola, 43, also becomes the youngest president of the European Parliament. Since 2013, the lawmaker has been a member of the center-right European People's Party (EPP) assembly as per Politico.

Before Metsola, the European Parliament, since it became a directly elected assembly in 1979, had only two female presidents: Simone Veil and Nicole Fontain, who are both French.

The Maltese Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is known for her anti-abortion stance. She has consistently voted against resolutions of the European Parliament that push for women to gain access to safe abortion. However, she emphasized that the parliament's pro-abortion stance has been "unambiguous," and that the position of the assembly will be her position on the issue.

As president of the EU Parliament, she would defend its positions on sexual and reproductive health and rights. That includes resolutions encouraging all member states to ensure that women can access safe abortion services, as per Reuters.

Being a lawmaker from the coastal state of Malta, she has extensive experience with migration issues. Metsola believes in a holistic strategy where all 27 EU members should share the responsibility for migration flows.

She has also worked on legislative matters related to media freedom, the rule of law, democratic backsliding, corruption, the European Green Deal, and jobs creation as per EuroNews.

Moreover, Metsola is a strong advocate for women's rights and the LGBTQ+ community.

"Ours must be a Parliament that empowers, that is diverse. It will be not two decades until the next woman is standing here," she said.

To avoid lapses, the new president of the European Parliament stated that she supports policies and systems, ensuring that all member states uphold the assembly's fundamental values and ideals.

The parliament adopts and amends proposed rulings of the EU and determines the bloc's budget.

Related Article: EU Members Internal Issues Give Putin, Xi Advantage To Turn Screws on Them With Washington Rendered Ineffective

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On Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released its list of the top 10 agricultural finds of 2021 from throughout the United States, including agricultural seizures conducted in Texas. Overall, CBP issued 73,917 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products entering the United States in 2021, conducted 630,150 positive passenger inspections and issued 7,190 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items.

Here are the top ten weirdest things officers seized in 2021, according to CBP.

1. In February, CBP officers at the commercial facility at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, Calif. seized more than 12,000 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $27 million found commingled within a shipment of papayas. During a secondary inspection, a CBP narcotic detector dog immediately alerted to the shipment, and officers discovered 873 wrapped packages of marijuana.

2. In April, CBP agriculture specialists at the port of Memphis, Tenn. inspected a shipment from China en route to New York City labeled as "The Scarf" and found that the shipment actually contained 750 unfertilized avian eggs. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, China is currently affected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, both of which are highly contagious and fatal to the U.S. poultry industry and various avian wildlife. The eggs were not accompanied by any documentation detailing the genus or species, nor was there any indication of their purpose, so they were destroyed.

3. CBP agriculture specialists working at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston intercepted 15 live giant land snails from a passengers luggage in early July. The passenger was traveling from Nigeria and initially only declared dried beef, but later amended her declaration to include live snails. During an examination of the passengers luggage, agriculture specialists found three plastic zip-closed bags containing the live snails with fresh leaves and about a quarter pound of beef. The snails were turned over to USDA, who identified the snails as giant land snails, also known as banana rasp snails.

4. In August, CBP agriculture specialists assigned to the Boston Logan International Airport encountered a 35-year-old female arriving from Santiago, Dominican Republic. During a baggage examination, 11 kilograms of pork sausages were discovered. Just a month prior, Dominican Republic officials confirmed the presence of African swine fever, a highly contagious disease of wild and domestic swine, that can spread rapidly in swine populations with extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. The pork sausages at the Boston airport were removed and turned over to a USDA hauler for destruction.

5. CBP agriculture specialists assigned to the Paso Del Norte Border Crossing in El Paso seized 320 pounds of pork bologna and 30 pounds of turkey ham in August. The meat was discovered during an inspection and had been hidden under blankets, under the seats, center console, and inside a duffel bag. The individual was issued a $1,000 civil penalty, and the products were confiscated.

6. In September, a traveler arriving from Japan reluctantly declared he was in possession of Botulinum and E. coli DNA plasmids intended for research. An inspection conducted by CBP agriculture specialists revealed 27 vials of the biological material. The traveler lacked the required documents, such as the official statement attesting to the non-infectiousness of the material, required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC was consulted and, after reviewing the samples, agreed that more information was needed to determine admissibility. The traveler withdrew his application for admission to the United States and returned to his country with the biological materials.

7. Also in September, CBP agriculture specialists at the Port of Gulfport, Miss. discovered a butterfly larvae pest, informally known as the Saunders 1850, while inspecting a shipment container of pineapples from Costa Rica. Due to the potential impact to U.S. agriculture, the shipment of pineapples, worth $15,000, was destroyed. According to USDA, this was the first time this species had been discovered in the United States.

8. In October, CBPs agriculture team in Minneapolis discovered six large bags containing clothing, two primate arms, dry fish, cooked snails, plant material, cow skin, bushmeat and eru plant material. After notifying the CDC, the team seized the primate arms and bushmeat and destroyed them according to USDA protocol. The seeds were submitted to USDA for identification and the passenger was informed of human-health concerns with handling and consuming bushmeat, including the potential transmission of ebola and monkeypox viruses.

9. In November, CBP officers at the Laredo Port of Entry intercepted a large clutch of live poultry hidden throughout a vehicle. A total of 47 roosters and hens were found wrapped in stockings inside a purse, and underneath the seats, floor mats, inside the glove compartment and trunk of a vehicle in the SENTRI lane. A $500 penalty was issued to the driver for attempting to import prohibited agriculture items while being a SENTRI card holder. The SENTRI card was turned in to the SENTRI Enrollment Center, the vehicle was seized by CBP under 19 USC 1595, and the live poultry were seized and transferred to USDAs Veterinary Services.

10. In December, CBP agriculture specialists in Newark, N.J. encountered a shipment of fresh peppers from Guatemala. During a review of the document, the provided phytosanitary certificate, which must be used to facilitate importer plants and plant products, was blurry, and an original certificate could not be found. It was later discovered that the certification was fraudulent, which can alter the options for phytosanitary actions that must be taken to prevent the entry of plant pests, prohibited plant products, or animal products capable of introducing foreign animal diseases.

"The efforts of our frontline personnel and CBP agriculture specialists augment CBPs enduring mission priority to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while ensuring a robust agriculture safeguarding continuum," Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison Acting Executive Director John Sagle said in a statement. "Whether it is the prevention of an introduced foreign animal disease, an invasive plant pest, or unknown biological material, our CBP agriculture specialists and our agriculture canine teams are steadfast in their determination to keep Americas agriculture and natural resources safe."
Joe Manchin made it plain that his party's attempt to isolate him and fellow moderate Kyrsten Sinema will not drive him to change the rules, once again rejecting Democrats' planned filibuster improvements in the Senate.

The West Virginia Democrat seemed to like his seclusion. Before a Democratic Caucus meeting, he told reporters that he would not support introducing a talking filibuster, which could be used to circumvent the Senate's 60-vote barrier or a simple majority rule change.

Schumer insists Senate will vote on voting rights bill

Despite the fact that all 50 Senate Democrats currently support the voting and elections measure before the Senate, the Democratic caucus is blaming Manchin and Sinema (D-Ariz.) for the party's inability to pass comprehensive elections reform to their opposition to reducing the filibuster. Given that Sinema and Manchin will be critical to any additional success the party can manage this year - notably on any resurrection of President Joe Biden's economic plan - the decision bears significant risk, according to Politico.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) began the last drive on Tuesday to persuade Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) to embrace a rule change that would make a major election reform package easier to pass.

Despite the fact that his attempt is certain to fail, Schumer argued on the Senate floor that senators be obliged to speak publicly on the matter. While both Manchin and Sinema support the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which were combined into one massive piece of legislation by the House last week, they believe the filibuster is a critical component of the Senate and that amending it would exacerbate America's political divide, as per New York Post.

Read Also: Joe Biden's Allies Foresee Probes, Impeachment Attempts as Midterm Election Looms

Schumer risks exposing moderate Democrats on filibuster

Congressional leaders prefer not to go to the floor until they are confident that they will be able to approve a bill. However, a swelling chorus of activists calling for action has created a climate in which senior Democrats appear to believe they must act or risk losing their base in the midterm elections. Even Schumer looks to be losing patience with members of his own party who are resisting the filibuster.

After a year of progressives dominating the party agenda and increasing pressure on party leaders to abandon Senate tradition, the doomed-to-fail vote is no longer something Senate Democrats can avoid. Over the course of a year, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other progressives used news conferences, media appearances, and public declarations to increase the pressure on Schumer to do something about the filibuster.

Last summer, following a series of dismal judgments for Democrats, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, spearheaded demands to abolish the filibuster in order to load the Supreme Court. The Congressional Progressive Caucus tweeted on Oct. 8 that "the Senate should abolish the filibuster and pass the Women's Health Protection Act," in response to Texas' new abortion law. Now, with Democrats' election bills back in the news this month, the filibuster is once again in progressives' sights, Fox News reported.

Related Article: Joe Biden Urges Senate Democrats' Unification To Pass Voting Rights Bill; Mitch McConnell Rips the President's Speech

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The Laredo Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is pleased to announce that LEDC member Coeus Internet is expanding to Laredo and will provide businesses and residents fast, competitive, and dependable internet service for our community. The company has established a mid-town office and is quickly expanding service to provide city-wide coverage.

Coeus Internet is bringing their service from San Antonio via their own fiber and their technology will allow them to charge competitive rates and provide redundant connections which are self-healing leading to world-class reliability. Their service tier speeds start at 200 Mbps and offer business connections up to 10G, without data caps or restrictions.

Gene Lindgren, Laredo Economic Development President and CEO, stated "Coeus Internet is bringing much needed competition to our community, and they are establishing Laredo as their South Texas Headquarters as they will be further expanding in the Rio Grande Valley. Furthermore, all their employees will be hired from the local workforce. This is a testament to the talented and dedicated workforce Laredo can provide companies in the technology sector."

Jim Muse, Coeus Internet Director of Sales stated, "this community has been great, working with the LEDC, the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, with City Officials, everyone is united in their support of businesses like ours."

Ryan Friesenhahn, President stated, "the speeds that you sign up for are what you get, and that includes symmetrical speeds for both download and upload. We want to be good citizens and one thing we are doing is to offer discounts for those that qualify for underprivileged credits. We make the application to the federal government on behalf of the customer. We are also working on plans to provide internet at all City Parks in the next two years."

If youd like to know more about the benefits and services offered by the Laredo Economic Development Corporation, please contact 956-722-0563 or visit www.laredoedc.org.

About Laredo Economic Development Corporation

Laredo Economic Development Corporation (formerly LDF), is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to the economic and industrial development of Laredo, Texas. The Laredo Economic Development Corporation is an Accredited Economic Development Organization, 1 of 66 in the U.S.
On January 24, tax season begins, and parents should expect the remainder of their Child Tax Credit funds.

That's not all though. The child and dependent care credit is a different tax deduction that might result in a significant increase in tax refunds for parents and carers this spring.

The child and dependent care credit allows taxpayers to deduct the amount spent on child or dependent care expenditures such as daycare, babysitters, or associated transportation from their taxes.

Child and dependent tax credit increases this year!

Parents who paid for child care in 2021 are entitled to get up to 50% of their child care expenditures returned as a tax break or refund thanks to a one-time enhancement of the credit under the American Rescue Plan Act. The maximum tax credit you may get is $8,000 if you have one dependent and $16,000 if you have two or more. What's the catch? To ensure that you may claim the tax deduction when you file your income tax return, you'll need all of your receipts and other monetary proof.

Below, we'll go through how the Child Care Tax Credit works. Read about how to obtain the rest of your enhanced child tax credit money, nine tax misconceptions to avoid, and 13 lesser-known tax deductions and credits for additional information on your taxes in 2022.

The highest amount you could claim in prior years was $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more children. You can claim up to $8,000 for one kid or dependant and up to $16,000 for multiple children for expenditures in 2021. The Child Care Credit's one-time extension for 2021 also raises the maximum return rate for child care costs from 35 to 50 percent.

What exactly does that imply? In summary, for the 2021 tax year, you might receive up to $4,000 for one kid and up to $8,000 for two or more. Before the American Rescue Plan, the child and dependent care credit was nonrefundable, which meant that it might lower your tax bill to zero; but you wouldn't get a refund on anything you didn't pay. The credit is now completely refundable, which means you'll get money even if you don't owe taxes, as per CNET via MSN.

Read Also: SNAP Benefits 2022: How To Receive Extra EBT Payments of Up to $1,504?

How to claim remaining CTC stimulus checks?

The Child Tax Credit was passed by Congress to be given out early to families to assist them financially during the epidemic. The initial installments were sent out in July and the last installments were sent out in December. Only half of the Child Tax Credit you'll claim on your taxes this year came from those payments.

A total of $3,600 is available to parents or legal guardians of children under the age of five while those aged six to seventeen are entitled to $3,000 per child. This year, the IRS will send letters to filers informing them of the amount of money they got from the government. Many of the letters have already come, but Letter 6419 should arrive by the end of January, according to the IRS, KGW8 reported.

If you receive a third stimulus payment in 2021, you will also receive a letter from the Internal Revenue Service, which you should retain. If you're married, you'll both get a letter detailing half of the total amount you got.

The same is true with Child Tax Credit payments; both will be sent a letter. You can verify your eligibility at IRS.gov if you didn't get a stimulus payment or Child Tax Credit in 2021. Because at least half of the expanded credit will be paid out in one lump payment when parents get their 2021 tax return, recipients should preserve the letter and use it to correctly reconcile the credit they earned this year when filing their taxes.

When families fill out Schedule 8812 and Form 1040, the information is crucial in determining how much additional money they will receive from the credit. The IRS said earlier this month that it would begin sending letters about child tax payments and would continue to do so during the first half of the new year. Last month, an estimated 36 million Americans got the payout, as per Fox Business.

Related Article: Build Back Better May Extend $3,000 Stimulus Check in Child Tax Credit; How To Apply for the 2022 Monthly Payment?

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A US court awarded the family of Otto Warmbier, the American student who died after being imprisoned by Pyongyang, $240,000 seized from a North Korean bank. Warmbier, who was jailed in North Korea for allegedly removing a propaganda banner from his hotel, died in a coma days after being returned to the United States.

Cynthia and Frederick Warmbier sued North Korea for their son's alleged torture and murder, and a US judge ordered Pyongyang to pay them $501 million in 2018. After North Korea's Korea Kwangson Banking Corporation failed to reply to a forfeiture order, Judge Lawrence Kahn of the Northern District Court of New York allowed the seizure of the cash last week.

Otto Warmbier's family receives $240,000

Otto Warmbier, an Ohio native and University of Virginia student, went on a tour to North Korea in 2016. At Pyongyang airport, he was separated from his party and charged with crimes against the state for allegedly removing a propaganda billboard.

Warmbier was hooked to a feeding tube and wailing with nonsensical noises when he returned home after 17 months, according to the 2018 verdict. The judgment stated that Warmbier had become blind and deaf, that his previously straight teeth had become crooked, and that his eyes had bulged out. Six days later, he passed away. At the time, North Korea blamed his ailment on botulism medication he was taking, according to South China Morning Post.

Otto Warmbier died around 2:20 p.m., according to a statement provided by his family. Warmbier has been undergoing treatment at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Ohio since his release from North Korean custody last week for humanitarian grounds following the intervention of the US Department of State, led by US Secretary of State John Kerry. Joseph Yun, Special Envoy for North Korean Policy.

Read Also: China's Birth Rate Hits Historic Low as Economic Growth Slows Despite Beijing's Effort To Tackle Dilemma

Who is Otto Warmbier, the American student held in North Korea?

The Warmbier family blamed their son's death on the North Korean regime's treatment of him. According to the family's statement, his "torturous torture" in the hands of the North Koreans meant that no other conclusion was conceivable but the tragic one that occurred today. Otto was unable to talk, see, or respond to vocal directions when he returned, according to his family.

Otto exhibited no evidence of comprehending language, reacting to vocal orders, or being aware of his surroundings, according to Daniel Kanter, a neurologist who evaluated him earlier. Otto had severe brain tissue loss in all parts of the brain, according to Kanter, as per The Diplomat.

A University of Virginia student went on a hiking trip to North Korea. Warmbier was caught as he was about to leave for stealing a political sign from a hotel where he stayed on his trip. Warmbier confessed to stealing the propaganda poster as a prize for a member of his church who paid him with a $10,000 automobile a month and a half later. Later, it was revealed that Warmbier, like his suspected briber, was not a member of the church he mentioned.

Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor on March 16 despite pleas for his release from the US State Department and Human Rights Watch, as well as a meeting with American envoy Bill Richardson, The Feed reported.

Related Article: North Korea Launches New Missiles in Response to US Sanctions; Booming Hacking Industry Reportedly Stole $400 Million in Cryptocurrency

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WINSTED  Business owners can now apply for loans from the Connecticut Green Bank, offered by the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program, or C-Pace.

Town Manager Josh Kelly asked the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday to approve joining the funding effort to give local retail, industrial and manufacturing busineses the opportunity to apply.

Money from the CT Green Bank program provides financing for green energy projects, ranging from installing solar panels to upgrading HVAC systems or improving air quality.

The only way C-Pace offers financing for its industrial or commercial customers is if the municipality signs an agreement, Kelly said. There is a component in the agreement that involves the tax collector.

In a lending agreement between the CT Green Bank and a borrower, applicants are required to have assessments of their properties from the town tax collector.

The CT Green Bank provides one-on-one assistance to local tax collectors to understand the assessment and lending process.

There will be voluntary property assessments (for applicants) that require the tax collectors time, Kelly said. So we are required to do that. I personally saw the implementation of this C-Pace program when I worked in Bolton, and it took the tax collector less than two hours to have this financing opportunity available.

Out of Connecticuts 169 towns and cities, 140 are already involved in the C-Pace program, which has been offered since 2012.

Torrington, Barkhamsted, New Hartford and Norfolk are towns that are already using this program, Kelly said. Its a positive program that gives business owners access to this kind of financing.

Selectwoman Linda Groppo said she wants to make sure everyone knows about this opportunity.

How are towns going to get information about this? she asked. This is really the first step.

Kelly said he plans to update all businesses who are signed up for his monthly emails and will include them in the monthly Winchester Wire, a newsletter he developed a few months ago.

About once a month, Ive been sending email updates with information on how to sign up for economic development programs, he said. I will make sure this information is posted on social media and the next Winchester Wire.

Kelly stressed that the business interested in the CT Green Bank funding is responsible for their own application process.

The town is not part of the loan process in any way, he said. The person or business has to apply for the loan themselves. But we have to approve this, because voluntary property assessments are part of it, and that involves our tax collector.

Winsted recently unveiled several lending and grant programs for local businesses, using money from the American Rescue Plan Act. A facade improvement program and a business loan program were announced Jan. 14. During a press conference that day, Kelly and a number of business owners shared details about the funding.

The Board of Selectmen approved those programs in December, which are part of 17 projects using ARPA funding. Winsted is getting more than $3 million from the rescue plan.
The latest COVID-19 data shows 231 new cases and two more related deaths reported around Hale County over the weekend.

The numbers reflect the latest data reported between Jan. 14-17 and it marks the highest jump in cases seen in several months.

A breakdown of the data shows 187 new cases reported in Plainview, 20 each in Abernathy and Hale Center and four in Petersburg in just that three-day window.

The report is the second released through the City of Plainview in three days. The report prior to this was released Saturday and showed 115 new reported cases across the county.

Vaccination rates havent changed much. Of the 31,152 individuals 5 years old and older who are eligible to receive a vaccine, 15,092 (48.44%) have received one dose and 13,215 (42.42%) are fully vaccinated.

City health officials are once again reiterating the importance of getting vaccinated and getting tested for COVID-19.

Vaccinations are available at Home Town Pharmacy, Amigos Pharmacy, Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy.

Those interested can also get tested at CVS Pharmacy and any of the four Covenant Health Clinics across the county.

The data shows there are currently 179 active cases of COVID in Hale County including 144 in Plainview, 15 in Hale Center, 13 in Abernathy and seven in Petersburg. There are six individuals with COVID in local medical facilities.

To date, the county has had 9,096 total cases of COVID since March 2020.
Bosque County Sheriff's Office

Texas officials found more than a dozen vehicles located beneath the surface of Lake Whitney on Saturday, January 15. Officials discovered the vehicles after following a tip that the remains of a man who went missing 13 years ago might be in the water, according to a Facebook post from Bosque County Sheriff's Office. Bosque County is near Waco and the Fort Worth/Dallas area.

According to BCSO, two vehicles were successfully removed from the water with a depth of 40 to 65 feet. Six more vehicles were located and searched. However, the condition of the vehicles prohibited efforts to remove them from the lake, BCSO stated in its post.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has tested positive for COVID-19, his office said Wednesday.

The communications staff at the attorney general's office told The Texas Tribune in an unsigned statement that Paxton had tested positive.

"He remains working diligently for the people of Texas from home," the statement said.

The attorney general's office did not immediately say whether Paxton was vaccinated. It did not release further information on when Paxton tested positive or how he may have contracted it. Paxton is married to state Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney. The attorney general's office gave no information on her condition.

Paxton, a second-term Republican, has challenged attempts by President Joe Biden to mandate vaccines for health care employees at facilities that receive funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and troops serving in the Texas National Guard. He has also fought attempts by the Biden administration to require staff and volunteers at Head Start programs to be vaccinated and for all parents, staff, volunteers and children over the age of 2 to wear a mask while at schools.

Paxton is the latest state official to be diagnosed with COVID-19 as the omicron variant spreads through Texas. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tested positive for COVID-19 the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Gov. Greg Abbott tested positive in August.

Patrick Svitek contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/19/ken-paxton-positive-covid/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Marion, IN (46952)

Today

Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..

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Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.
On Tuesday, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu slammed a Massachusetts court for reuniting Harmony Montgomery, who has been missing since she was five years old, with her father and stepmother before the state could finish a home investigation.

Sununu described the father, Adam Montgomery, as a "monster" in a letter to the chief justice of Massachusetts' highest court. Adam Montgomery has a criminal record in both states dating back to at least 2007. In Massachusetts, he was previously convicted of shooting someone in the head and a separate armed attack on two women, according to Sununu.

Gov. Sununu questions Harmony Montgomery's custody decision

Sununu questioned why Harmony Montgomery was placed with him by the Massachusetts courts. According to the governor, New Hampshire's child protection agency had requested further information from Massachusetts in order to complete the home study and would have likely declared the father unsuitable at the time the court ruled.

The Office of the Child Advocate is evaluating the circumstances of the case, according to a representative for Massachusetts' Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Harmony Montgomery was last seen in Manchester in October of this year when she was five years old. Last December, Manchester police were told that the youngster had not been seen in two years.

Police have searched the residence where she was last seen since then. Harmony Montgomery's father and stepmother have been detained on suspicion of endangering her health. Adam Montgomery was arrested earlier this month on accusations of second-degree assault, interference with custody, and child endangerment.

By failing to know where the girl has been since late 2019 - the last recorded sighting - police accused him of "purposefully breaking a duty of care, protection, or support," as per Associated Press via MSN. Harmony Montgomery's family claims that the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth, and Families failed the little child. Harmony was just five years old when she vanished in October of this year.

Officers are now working round the clock. According to Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg, Harmony has been reunited with her father; DCYF authorities notified Blair Miller, who adopted Harmony's younger brother. Miller had inquired about the prospect of Harmony being adopted.

According to court filings, Adam's uncle, Kevin Montgomery, contacted the DCYF after noticing Harmony had a black eye. Kevin Montgomery later told authorities that his nephew, Adam, admitted to abusing harmony physically. There is a prize of more than $112,000 up for grabs, Crime Online reported.

Read Also: Wisconsin, Illinois Women Still Missing After Weeks of Panama Plane Crash; Families Urging US Government for Help

Harmony Montgomery's younger brother has a message to her

In a devastating video shared on Instagram by his adoptive father, Harmony Mongtomery's younger brother Jamison addressed his missing sister. In the video, Jamison states, "Harmony, it's me, your brother." By the time she was last seen, Harmony had enrolled in a Massachusetts school. Harmony's disappearance was not reported to Manchester authorities until December 2021, according to Police Chief Allen Aldenberg during a news conference on December 31.

In February 2019, Harmony was reportedly reunited with her biological father; and in November 2019, Blair and Johnathon Miller adopted Jamison. Jamison was always on the lookout, Blair told The Sun, even at his early age; and he was continually asking where Harmony was.

Despite the fact that the little child was last seen in 2019, she was not reported missing until the last week of December 2021.The strange case made national headlines and had an influence on Miller's residence in Washington, DC, which was screwed with little Jamison's mind. The concerned fathers stated that they were doing everything possible to locate Harmony for Jamison's sake.

Harmony Montgomery's father, Adam Montgomery, was arrested on January 4th, according to investigators. Due to alleged behaviour towards Harmony in 2019, Adam was charged with felony second-degree assault. A misdemeanor charge of interference with custody and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child were also filed against the missing kid's father.

The missing girl's stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, was also arrested in early January and was accused of criminal benefit fraud. Harmony's parents, Adam Montgomery and Crystal Sorey, are not married, and their relationship's duration is unknown, as per The Sun.

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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Local

Postscript: Mike Weaver, his legacy is his family

Special to the Chronicle Mike Weaver, Marine, former law enforcement officer, longtime Chronicle employee and beloved father and grandfather, died Jan. 10 at age 76 after a battle with Alzheimers and cancer. He is shown here with his some of his family at his retirement from the Chronicle in March 2018. mattbeck / Matthew Beck / Chronicle photo editor Former Citrus County Chronicle warehouse manager Mike Weaver, left, and Production Manager Tom Feeney prepare to raise the new American flag in front of the Citrus County Chronicle office in Meadowcreast. Weaver, a former law-enforcement officer and long-time employee of the newspaper, died Jan. 10 at age 76.

Weaver

Mike Weaver was a lot of things.

He was a former detective, a longtime assistant production manager and go-to guy at the Chronicle.

He told great stories, had a green thumb.

He was a Marine, the father of three U.S. Army helicopter pilots.

Mike was an avid reader, a lover of history, a funny and fun-loving guy.

But his proudest role, the thing he did best and loved most, the legacy he leaves behind is being a dad.

He was as good as it gets, said son Ryan Weaver on behalf of his brothers and sisters.

Of the eight children who called him Dad, all of them knew Mike Weaver as a man who would do anything for them, from being at their high school sports games to foregoing getting dentures to pay their college tuition.

As an undercover detective doing drug busts in the Everglades area of south Florida, one drug buy didnt go well, with Mike ending up getting jumped and beaten, resulting in his jaw being nearly irreparably smashed.

He would tell the story about being in excruciating pain and, because the nearest hospital was more than an hour away, stopping to buy a 12-pack of beer and drinking all of them to ease the pain on the way to the ER.

When he arrived, they wouldnt admit him because he was drunk, and rather than blow his cover and say he was a cop, he went outside long enough to sober up and then tried again to be admitted.

Throughout his life, Mike lived with broken and missing teeth because he thought his money was better spent on his childrens needs than on new teeth.

That made his smile even more valuable to his family.

His humor and wit, and that laugh! He could take you out of the darkest pit just by putting his arm around you or smile or laugh, son Ryan Weaver said.

Michael Wayne Weaver died Jan. 10 after a battle with Alzheimers and cancer. He was 76.

He was intelligent, witty, sarcastic, stoic, said Ellen Weaver, his wife of 28 years.

She and Mike had two children together, Paige, now 28, and Kiersten, 24.

The other children include: Stephen, brothers Aaron and Ryan, whom Mike adopted, and daughters Shannon, Regina and Ashley.

Mike and Ellen met when she was coaching track at Inverness Middle School and Shannon was one of her students.

He proposed to me with a single red rose, Ellen said. He was quite the romantic and brought me flowers and cards frequently. He was my biggest support system when I coached and when we played softball together.

She recalled Mikes old, ugly, yellow, rusty pickup truck that he loved and how theyd pack all the kids in the back and go hiking or out looking for fossils, glass or arrowheads, which Mike collected.

He loved to sit out back and feed peanuts to the squirrels, and they would eat out of his hand, she said. He was an amazing runner ... he was patient. He peeled potatoes and always did the dishes.

The most important thing was his love and support for his children and me, she said. He always made sure we were taken care of first. There are so many more memories, but these stick out the most.

Mike had an innate way of knowing how to relate to people.

When he worked for the St. Petersburg Police Department, he carried a live mouse in his shirt pocket and whenever he approached someone or a group of people, he would take out the mouse and play with it.

It got their attention, whether catching them off guard or piquing their curiosity.

As a dad, he encouraged his children to pursue their dreams, do their best, love their country and community, always do the right thing.

Back when I was in high school, I had a motorcycle that cost $1.45 to fill the gas tank, Ryan said. I went out on a date one night to the movies and spent all the money I had from my job at Taco Bell and didnt have any money left for gas.

He said for the first time ever, he asked his dad for gas money.

Wheres your money? Mike asked.

Ryan told him he spent it all at the movies.

Well, Im sure youre going to think about that next time, Mike said, then handed his son $2.

I paid it back immediately, but I remembered what he said and it taught me the value of work, of hard work, and that if you owe somebody, you pay it back, Ryan said. He instilled those things in us because thats how he lived. He was consistent in doing right.

Ryan said, Dad could take three words and absolutely crush your soul if you were doing wrong, but with just one look he could raise you up.

In 2012, after a career as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Ryan got out of the Army and moved to Nashville to pursue a music career, including returning to Citrus County to perform.

We were doing a concert out at the race track ... and this was the biggest show hed seen me do, and I remember the look on Dads face, Ryan said. The look said, Wow. Youre really doing it. It was awesome to see that look on his face.

Years before, when Ryan graduated from flight school and the whole family had come to see him graduate, he hadnt told anyone he was top of his class.

When they called my name and that I was top of my class, my dad lit up, he said. He wouldve been proud of me no matter what, but that was special, and that memory will stay with me for the rest of my life.

When Weavers world collapsed

On Jan. 8, 2004, Mikes son, Aaron, a chief warrant officer in the U.S. Army, was among nine soldiers killed when the Black Hawk medevac helicopter they were riding in was shot down by a rocket near Fallujah, Iraq.

On the five-year anniversary of Aarons death, Jan. 8, 2009, Mike told the Chronicle that he thought his career as a police officer would have left him unaffected by death.

I figured I would be waterproof, he said.

But when he learned the news from two officers from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa who showed up at his doorstep, he became completely dysfunctional.

After a year of living in grief, Mike said, he decided to pull himself together and that his memories of a bright, athletic child who became a dependable, hard-working man helped him cope with the tragedy.

He said at family gatherings he would sometimes set up Aarons chair from a tent he lived in while in Iraq and place a beer on it in his memory.

I dont think you ever get used to it, Mike said. But he certainly is remembered.

Tragedy struck his family again when his son-in-law, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy L. Billings, 34, was one of six service members killed on Dec. 17, 2013, when their helicopter crashed in Afghanistan. Billings was married to Mikes daughter Ashley.

Even during the toughest time of his life after Aaron died, he had a Japanese film crew who were doing a documentary on Aaron staying at his house, said Tom Feeney, Chronicle production director and Mikes boss and friend.

Mike was always positive, always with a Yes, sir, No, sir, polite demeanor, my right-hand guy and a really good friend, Feeney said. He was an all-around good guy, and people just liked him.

Mike retired from the Chronicle in March 2018 after 31 years.

When he retired, people asked him what he was going to do, Ellen said. He told them, I dont know. The only thing I know how to do is raise kids.

He spent his final years, months and weeks doing what he knew and loved best, being Dad and Grandpa, feeding his squirrels and telling wild, crazy stories.

With Alzheimers, a lot of people get mean and hard to handle, but not Mike, Ellen said. He was kind and gentle.

Near the end he said to me, Were going to take the truck and hang out with the big dogs. I said, You think Im able to hang out with the big dogs?

He said, Oh, yeah; you can hang with the big dogs. That was his way of letting me know that he knew I would be OK, she said.

A celebration of life for Mike Weaver is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22 at Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, 3075 S. Florida Ave., Inverness. Friends may greet the family beginning at 1 p.m. before the service.

The service can also be viewed live at the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory Facebook page. Note: Chas. E. Davis has two Facebook pages. The live stream is on the and Crematory page.
Florida, US (34429)

Today

A shower or two around the area early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

A shower or two around the area early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
When COVID lockdowns first hit in early 2020, large Australian travel agency group Flight Centres $20 billion in global revenues disappeared overnight. At the time, CIO Chris Locke was responsible for the organisations 250 IT staff in Australia and New Zealand with an annual technology budget of $85 million.

Sadly, 70 contract and 90 permanent technology staff lost their jobs due to the economic impact of the pandemic as Flight Centres Australian business shifted from a $103 million monthly cost base down to $30 million.

Chris Locke. Flight Centre

This was a tough experience. A lot of these people were our colleagues and friends and had been with us for a long time, Locke tells CIO Australia.

We spent several weeks working and reworking budgets to try and remove any overhead or spend that could be pushed out to the future. At this point, we believed that wed done all we could to get our Australian technology budget down to around $55 million.

Technology staff that were left deployed VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure), software-based telephony clients, and Wi-Fi and VPN technology to enable up to 5,000 people to fulfill their roles at home.

Flight Centre Australia also reviewed its technology contracts in an attempt to halve its annual technology operating budget, eventually reducing it to $42 million. Locke and his team were supporting half the number of users and the same number of systems and applications that were being run prior to the COVID outbreak.

We were also continuing to maintain our PCIDSS (payment card industry data security standard) compliance, which was always a challenge, even in good times, Locke says.

A tired and beaten tech team

At this point, the team was tired and beaten, Locke says.

At the same time, Flight Centre had, as Locke puts it, copped a rough time over the allocation of customer refunds for money that was sitting with suppliers.

The business was flat out working on refunds and selling no travel. We refunded in excess of $1 billion back to customers, which is phenomenal. Everyone was busy but nobody was making money, he says.

The situation offered a great change management window, Locke says.

Flight Centre moved from Googles G-suite to Microsoft Office 365 and saw more cost savings in shifting virtual desktops for 4,000 people from AWS to Azure.

All of these projects are now complete. We executed them with far less people and budget that we thought possible. The tenacity of the technology team was exceptional. Each [project] led to a substantial cost out or cost avoided saving, Locke says.

Service desk outsourced, global replication removed

During the last 12 months, Flight Centre also outsourced its service desk in Australia and New Zealand to TCS and is looking to roll out this model across the rest of its subsidiaries worldwide. Prior to this agreement, the organisation was running its own service desk, and for some time during the pandemic, the desk was staffed by only four people.

For 30 years, Flight Centre has been operated in a federated way with its seven individual technology business units essentially being replicated across each region in markets like North America, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Asia, and South Africa.

Locke promised Flight Centres executive board a 15% saving on technology if these units were consolidated and standardised. In exchange, he would receive a promotion to global chief information officer, which came in effect in July, with a brief to bring the regional technology businesses together in a program that will take 18 months to two years.

The consolidation of budget had never been done before in the history of the company. Having convinced the executive of this possibility, we have now embarked on a mission of creating a service aligned to business bringing seven tech units into one, he says.

Rather than have teams regionally aligned, we are looking to have them service-aligned so we will have service teams that are globalised as opposed to teams that are just supporting a specific region.

Consolidating technology contracts will also help further cut costs across the business. This will eliminate the wastage that comes with each business unit going to market separately for a solution.

A great example is our single sign-on solution where five years ago, we all went to market separately and, ironically, ended up on the same solution but contracted separately. We have continued to administer that environment [this way] to this day.

Before COVID hit in 2020, Flight Centre had already started moving its application development teams out of its traditional IT group and into the business units. That is where the company is seeing growth in IT, says Locke.

They now sit heavily in corporate and leisure travel sales divisions. Those people are working a lot more closely with the users and customers. So, they are not sitting back as a behind the scenes IT group anymore; they are really part of those front end businesses, he says.

Strategy focuses on automation, consulting

The COVID virus is still running rampant across the world, creating angst and hesitation for would-be domestic and international travellers. This means that travellers are going to want more support from consultants, Locke tells CIO Australia.

I think where we started to struggle in the market was where there have been [competing] online players and a product that was being highly commoditised. While the product may still be commoditised, people need information and I think thats the gap we are going to fill, says Locke.



Flight Centre is pushing more product offerings online, particularly in its leisure business. Meanwhile, its corporate business will benefit from increased use of automation technologies, he says.

Flight Centre will soon introduce omni-channel capabilities where customers will interact with the organisation online and face-to-face with a consultant who will provide people with answers around issues like COVID-related requirements for overseas travel.

Corporate clients, on the other hand, tend to interact more with apps on their smartphones and on the companys website to book their travel, says Locke.

Much of the sales process, we can automate behind the scenes. The ticketing and invoicing process, all of that is being automated. This helps consultants spend more time with the customer rather than spending time on processing in the back-end, he says.
Theres been another small eruption in a long-dormant legal battle between Oracle and Rimini Street, a company that provides third-party support services to Oracle customers.

The dispute concerns Riminis use of Oracles files to support their joint customers, and could put off companies considering using Riminis alternative to Oracles support for legacy PeopleSoft, JD Edwards, and Siebel products.

In the latest judgment, delivered on January 12, 2022, the US District Court for the District of Nevada found Rimini in contempt of a 2018 court ruling on five issues, ordering Rimini to pay a fine of $630,000 and Oracles costs. For five other issues that Oracle had raised, the court found no case to answer.

Oracle general counsel Dorian Daley hyped up the ruling, saying, Our rights have been vindicated once again, and the court recognizes Rimini as a bad actor that violates federal law.

A statement from Rimini, predictably, sought to minimize the ruling, saying, Despite extensive discovery by Oracle that commenced over two years ago and included millions of pages of documents, only 10 items were ultimately before the Court.  The Court ruled in favor of Rimini Street on five.

Rimini is considering whether to appeal the ruling on the other five issues.

What Rimini did

Riminis business model is that it supports customers by accessing Oracle code and data files to which its customers, as Oracle licensees, are legally entitled.

In its January 2010 lawsuit, however, Oracle alleged that Rimini would log on to Oracles password-protected technical support websites using one customers credentials, using automated tools to download files in excess of the customers authorization under its license agreement that Rimini would then use to help other customers.

In April that year Rimini filed a countersuit, saying that Oracle knew full well that Rimini was accessing Oracles systems on its customers behalf with their authorization  and Oracles cooperation. It defended its use of automated tools to download the files, saying that Oracle did not itself provide adequate tools to manage such large volumes of materials.

The case rumbled on for over eight years, culminating in an October 2015 ruling finding that Rimini had infringed on Oracles copyrights and awarding Oracle $50 million in damages  about one-fifth of what it had asked for.

That wasnt the end of it, though. Rimini got some of the courts original findings overturned, and in March 2018 obtained a refund of $21.5 million from Oracle.

Oracle, however, persuaded the court to grant it a permanent injunction against Rimini to prevent further breaches of its copyright. The court ordered Rimini not to reproduce, prepare derivative works from, or distribute Oracles software or documentation for its PeopleSoft, JD Edwards, Siebel, and Oracle Database products, other than to serve a specific customer whose license from Oracle allowed such use.

What Rimini did next

In April 2019, the court agreed to Oracles request to investigate whether Rimini had been complying with that. After a year-long discovery process, Oracle identified 10 issues with Riminis use of its files. Many of them involved annual updates to Oracles software to handle changes to tax laws and rate changes.

In one, for example, a customer emailed a PeopleSoft patch file to Rimini, and when Riminis technician inspected the file that put the company in breach of the terms of Oracles license, the injunction, and of a Rimini policy brought in to ensure its compliance with the injunction. Even though the file was shared by the customer, the court found that Rimini did not show substantial compliance with the order, and that its new procedures were inadequate.

In another, Rimini tested a fix for one customer in a development environment belonging to another of its customers, and then sent it to other customers, too. The court found this was in breach of the injunctions prohibition on cross use.
Photo taken on Oct. 29, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Tuesday urged the United States to offer apologies and compensation to victims of secret experiments.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a Danish Radio documentary which exposed the secret human body experiments practiced on 311 Danish children in the 1960s, allegedly funded by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The CIA's human rights violations around the world are no news, but it is still shocking to learn that they even preyed on children, said Zhao.

Zhao also mentioned a CIA mind control project carried out around the world between the 1950s and 1970s, also exposed in the documentary. He added the human subjects suffered lifelong sequelae, including psychological disorders and amnesia, or withered away in a vegetative state.

The U.S. government keeps talking about "human rights" and "democracy," but it doesn't practice what it preaches. Zhao added the U.S. government should offer apologies and compensation to the victims and shoulder its due responsibility.
Hong Kong authorities enforced an animal cull of more than 2,000 hamsters after one pet store employee and several hundreds of the creatures tested positive for the coronavirus infection as the nation struggles against new outbreaks of the virus.

The pet store employee was found to have been infected by the coronavirus after a test on Monday and had the Delta variant. Officials also said that several hamsters from the store, which were recently imported from the Netherlands, also tested positive for the infection. The situation comes as the Omicron variant has caused new outbreaks throughout the city.

Massive Animal Cull

Authorities are still unsure whether or not the pet store cases are linked, and they noted that, if there was a link, the employee may have been infected by the animals or vice versa. However, officials are not ruling out the possibility that the hamsters were the origin of the recent infection and enforced drastic actions.

Hong Kong has stopped all sales of hamsters in the city as well as halting all imports of the creatures and other small animals, such as chinchillas, after the discovery of the infection. There were already around 2,000 small animals inside the city that authorities decided to put into a humane cull to prevent further transmission of the virus, ArsTechnica reported.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that animals did not appear to have a significant role in the spread of the coronavirus infection. However, Hong Kong authorities were still considering the possibility of the infection being spread from animals to humans.

Read Also: At Least 2 Dead in North Carolina as 170,000 People Are Left Without Power Due To Powerful Winter Storm

A controller at the Center for Health Protection, Edwin Tsui, said that Hong Kong was unable to exclude the possibility that the store employee was on the receiving end of the infection. While the coronavirus pandemic is believed to have started from an animal that infected a person, the spread was much faster among humans, resulting in the massive pandemic we have today.

Spread of COVID-19 Among Animals

Dr. Scott Weese from Ontario Veterinary College said that Minks were the only known animals where the virus is known to have been transmitted from human to animal and back to human. The director of the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department, Leung Siu-Fai, spoke at a news conference and said that owners should keep their hamsters at home and not take them out, the Associated Press reported.

Siu-Fai said that the decision to capture the thousands of small animals was due to the city's inability to quarantine and observe each creature. She also noted that the animals could have a long incubation period for the virus, which would make the process much more tedious and dangerous.

The situation is similar to one that happened in 2020 when Denmark officials culled around 17 million commercially raised Minks after the animals were found to be at risk of carrying the coronavirus infection. Later, the nation's government admitted that the animals were improperly killed and buried and they have tasked a commission to look into the case, The Washington Post reported.



Related Article: Massive 9-Alarm Salisbury Fire Engulfs Hotel, 4 Other Buildings, Displacing Dozens of Locals

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A group of philanthropies is launching an independent nonprofit news organization in Houston with initial funding of more than $20 million, marking one of the biggest investments into local news in recent years.

The investments$7.5 million each from the Houston Endowment and the Kinder Foundation, $4 million from Arnold Ventures, $1.5 million from the American Journalism Project, and $250,000 from the Knight Foundationare for an initial period of three years.

The endeavor follows a two-year research effort led by the American Journalism Project, a venture philanthropy dedicated to local journalism. The newsroom, which is as yet unnamed, will begin operating in late 2022 or early 2023, the group said.

While the AJP and other investors will assist in establishing the organizations leadership team and operational budget, they will remain independent from its day-to-day work. The search for an editor in chief and other staff is expected to begin shortly.

Local news is a public serviceone thats been in sharp decline, Sarabeth Berman, chief executive of the American Journalism Project, told CJR. This project demonstrates that local philanthropies can, and need to, play a transformative role in rebuilding and sustaining independent, original reporting in service of communities.

In the past decade, the print journalism industry has cut more than half its jobs nationally, thrusting local newsrooms deeper into crisis as readership and revenue continue to dry up. More than sixty-five million Americans live in areas with only one local paper or none at all. Even in Texas, which is home to a number of robust nonprofit newsrooms like the Texas Tribune, nearly twenty-five local newsrooms were closed or bought out or had significant furloughs in the past two years alone.

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But philanthropy has risen as a revenue source for journalism. Data from Candid, an organization dedicated to financial transparency in the nonprofit industry, shows that between 2009 and 2021, US community foundations gave more than $1.1 billion to media projects.

Of this, less than 1 percent went specifically to journalism, but that number is increasing. In 2019, The Cityan independent nonprofit publication in New Yorkwas launched with an $8.5 million investment by a coalition of New York philanthropies. The Ohio Local News Initiative was similarly incubated by the AJP with $6 million in seed funding, as was the Baltimore Banner, with $15 million in startup capital from a single philanthropist.

An investment in independent local journalism is essential for all important issues, including civic engagement and participation, Ann Stern, president and chief executive of the Houston Endowment, told CJR. It is essential for democracy to flourish.

The AJPs research in Greater Houston, which included surveys, interviews, and multilingual focus groups, found that communities in the area wanted stronger accountability journalism as well as more diverse, nonpartisan, and accessible information.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Paroma Soni is a CJR fellow.
Joe Biden was inaugurated as president of the United States a year ago tomorrow, and as the anniversary has approached, the first year takes have intensified to a deluge. These started in earnest a month or so ago, reminding me of the time that ABC assessed Bidens first hundred days after eighty-one days (though I guess the end of his first calendar year was somewhat less arbitrary). Since then, weve seen photo-essays, scorecards, and statsHow many judges did he appoint? How long did he spend at his homes in Delaware?as well as analyses weighing his performance across key policy areas, from covid-19 to the climate crisis.

Weve seen similar reflections on the state of Bidens relationship with the press. Last February, after Biden had been in office for a month, I wrote that early pundit giddiness at the (mostly) respectful normality of his press operationVan Jones on Jen Psakis first briefing as press secretary: There was a human, and that person said words, and the words made sensehad given way to frustration with Bidens personal inaccessibility to reporters, even though Psaki had restored the daily briefing and other officials were talking regularly to national and local outlets, including some serving Spanish-speaking, Black, or niche audiences. Eleven months on, and these trends have mostly continued, not least the loud griping about Bidens lack of availability. Last month, White House reporters at major outlets complained to Vanity Fairs Charlotte Klein that their interview requests had largely gone unanswered: Biden had done fourteen sit-downs and town halls on TV but only three with print outlets, compared with Donald Trumps thirty by the same point and Barack Obamas forty-two. According to Martha Joynt Kumar of the White House Transition Project, which tracks such things, Biden has also held fewer formal press conferences than any of his immediate predecessors had by this point: just nine, compared with twenty-two for Trump and twenty-seven for Obama.

ICYMI: Covering the Republican assault on American democracy

The administration has pushed back on claims that its falling short of its lofty transparency promises. Psaki has said that reporters dont need to be seated on embroidered cushions in a formal setting to ask questions, with Biden fielding impromptu queries in the course of his daily business more often than any president since Bill Clinton; press officials also note that Biden has both toured the country and used social media to share his policies, chatting with influencers (Olivia Rodrigo, Bill Nye the Science Guy) to meet young voters where they are (which is not watching cable news). Still, critics point out that the latter arent hard journalistic settings, and that informal Q&As are often too brief for rigorous scrutiny, with Biden able to dodge questions he doesnt want to field, or to drop a hot talking point and run. Even some of Bidens political allies have expressed concern about his lack of deeper engagement with traditional media, arguing that hes ceding the narrative about his presidency to louder, more hostile voices. Every network would give him time if he asked for it, Kurt Bardella, a Democratic adviser, told the New York Times. He needs to use the trappings of the presidency.

Transparency, of course, is about more than just press conferences. Last week, the Committee to Protect Journalists published a report by Leonard Downie Jr., a former executive editor of the Washington Post, that sought to assess the question through the broader lens of press freedom. It concluded that there is a night and day difference between Biden and Trump when it comes to their rhetoric toward the press, and praised Biden on other grounds, too. His administration moved on day one to restore the credibility and independence of Voice of America, a US-funded international broadcaster, after Trump rampantly politicized it. After initially defending a Trump-era move to subpoena the phone records of several Post reporters in the course of a leak investigation, meanwhile, Bidens Justice Department reversed course and pledged to stop surveilling reporters. (Biden himself catalyzed this promise. The setting for his doing so? An informal Q&A.)

Still, the new policy on surveillance contains some gray areas and has yet to be enshrined in formal prosecutorial guidelines, let alone federal law. And in various other areas, Bidens press-freedom record is spottier still. Public-records experts told CPJ that responsiveness to Freedom of Information Act requests has not markedly improved on Bidens watch. For reasons of explicit diplomatic self-interest, the administration refused to personally punish Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite concluding publicly that he ordered the murder of the dissident Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. As Afghanistan fell to the Taliban and the US withdrew, officials made it easier for endangered journalists who worked with American outlets to get US visas, without offering equivalent practical support to help them flee. The administration has pushed ahead with a Trump-era move to extradite Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, from the UK on espionage charges that effectively criminalize certain routine reporting practices. And it has often impeded reporting at the US border with Mexico.

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Which brings us back to access. I wrote last March, amid a media feeding frenzy on Bidens early immigration record, that while access to the border is important, its not everything. Broadly speaking, a similar frame might be applied to the entirety of Bidens early relations with the press. Access, again, is important, and more of it would be betterespecially access to Biden personally. But access to the president is not the be-all and end-all of access to the presidency: Psaki has continued to hold regular briefings, and various departments and agencies under Bidens command, including State and Defense, have done likewise. What officials say remains more important than the format in which they say it. (Trump often used his relative accessibility to reporters to make them props in his fake news rhetoric.) Anddespite the outsize attention paid to his meager interview-and-presser metricsaccess has little to do with Bidens most egregious media missteps, which, to my mind, all come under the press-freedom banner. A successful espionage prosecution of Assange would be much worse for American journalism than Biden sitting down with the Times columnist David Brooks but snubbing his news-side colleagues.

Ultimately, access to the president is only useful if reporters do something useful with it. After Biden took office, various members of the press clamored obsessively for him to hold a formal press conference, but when he finally acquiesced, in March, White House correspondents peppered him with a barrage of inane questions about his political standing without asking once about covida missed opportunity, theGrios April Ryan (who was present but not called on to ask a question) noted at the time, to bring up vaccine-equity gaps, among other important topics. Today, at 4pm Eastern, Biden will host what, by one count, will be his first formal solo news conference at the White House since then. Its already being billed as an opportunity for Biden to reset at a difficult moment in his presidency. Its a chance for the press to reset, too.

Below, more on Biden, the media, and politics:



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: In France, an extraordinary musical interview sparks a debate on infotainment

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
According to a royal insider, Prince Charles has had multiple "good-natured and pleasurable" video chats with Prince Harry and is "desperate" to meet his grandchildren.

During the talks, Prince Charles, 73, expressed his desire to spend quality time with his two-year-old son Archie and seven-month-old daughter Lilibet.

Prince Charles wants to see Prince Harry, grandchildren

According to recent reports, ties between father and son were at an all-time low, and the two had not communicated in over eight months. It happened after Harry claimed in an explosive Oprah Winfrey interview that his father had cut him off financially and refused to take his calls, as well as making allegations about Charles' upbringing.

Despite allegations that the two were not communicating, insiders close to Prince Charles indicated that the two had been on a "tour of rediscovery" in terms of their relationship. Many regarded Prince Charles' mention of Harry by name and admiration for his environmental efforts in a recent column in Newsweek as an olive branch, and now sources indicate Prince Charles has extended another olive branch by inviting Prince Harry and his family to stay with him when they next visit the UK.

The heir made the offer to bring the family together for the first time since Prince Harry and his bride Meghan Markle opted to leave their royal positions and settle in California in the run-up to Christmas, according to Mirror.

Read Also: Prince Harry Launches Legal Action To Ensure Family's Protection When They Return to the UK with Lilibet

Prince Harry threatens to sue the Home Office

With a promise to sue unless Britain provides him with protection, Prince Harry has practically declared war on the Royal Family. In 2020, the Duke of Sussex, together with Meghan Markle and his son Archie, notoriously abandoned the UK, forsaking his royal obligations and vowed to live financially independent of the government.

As a result, he lost his taxpayer-funded protection and was forced to hire a private security firm to protect his family, which he plainly dislikes. The Duke has now vowed to sue the Home Office to force the British government to fund protection for him when he visits the UK, claiming that he is more effective in exile since his private security is insufficient for a visit to the UK..

Prince Harry intends to sue the government to reclaim the protection he lost when he stepped down from his royal duties. "Her Majesty will absolutely not fall in to his demands," a royal insider stated.

Prince Harry has been reminded that the Met Police are not "weapons for hire" and cannot be utilized as a private force for the affluent and famous. Sun writer Piers Morgan labeled him a "shameless, delusional, woefully-entitled hypocrite." He vowed to sue the government after the Home Office refused to employ its police as he demanded.

When he and his US-based family visit the UK, he wants round-the-clock police security, which is usually reserved for royals and government officials. Harry, on the other hand, lost the privilege two years ago when he informed Her Majesty that he would be leaving the royal service to reside in California with his wife Meghan, The Sun reported.

Prince Harry's bid to sue UK branded "whiny"

The Duke of Sussex, 37, is fighting for the right to pay for his own police security when in the United Kingdom. Prince Harry claims he has been battling for his Metropolitan Police security when on British territory since January 2020, and has offered to foot the money himself.

When Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, 40, stepped down from royal responsibilities in 2020, he lost taxpayer-funded police protection. The couple currently pays for private protection in the United States, where they now live with their two children, Archie, who is two, and Baby Lilibet, who is one.

Prince Harry has said he is unable to bring Meghan Markle and his children back to Britain because it is too dangerous without police protection. He has filed a claim for a judicial review against the Home Office decision not to allow him to personally pay for the security while in the UK.

Now, according to a reputation expert, the Prince's activities make him "appear like a child," and he has been labeled "whiny" for his newest move. Harry's current legal bid, according to Eric Schiffer, head of Reputation Management Consultants, makes him look "outrageously out of touch.", according to Express.

Related Article: Queen Elizabeth, Prince William Hold Emergency Summit as Future Kings Allegedly Push for Prince Andrew To Lose Titles

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Two owners of an Omaha company were sentenced Friday to federal prison for knowingly violating worker safety standards, leading to an explosion that killed two workers.

Nebraska Railcar Cleaning Services; Steven Michael Braithwaite, president and owner of the business; and Adam Thomas Braithwaite, vice-president and co-owner, pleaded guilty in July to willful violations of federal safety regulations and submitting false documents to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Adam Braithwaite also pleaded guilty to perjury.

Prosecutors said that on April 14, 2015, NRCS workers were removing petroleum residue from a rail tanker car when gasses inside the car ignited and exploded.

Employees Adrian LaPour and Dallas Foulk were killed and a third employee was injured.

Steven Braithwaite was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. Adam Braithwaite was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and must pay $100,000 restitution. The company and the two men also must serve five years of probation and pay a $21,000 fine.

The defendants admitted in their plea agreements that they falsely claimed to OSHA before the explosion that they were taking safety precautions and testing the railcars for benzene.

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A retired San Jose Police officer who owns a security business pleaded no contest to insurance fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and worker exploitation and is expected to be sentenced to three years in jail, prosecutors said Friday.

Robert Foster, who retired from the San Jose Police Department after he was charged in the case in July 2020, owns Atlas Private Security with Mikaila Foster, his wife, who also pleaded no contest and is expected to be sentenced to one year in jail and five years of probation, said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen.

Foster started the company, now called Genesis Private Security, without the knowledge of the police department, Rosen said.

The couple illegally reduced their insurance premiums and taxes by reporting false payroll, paying employees off-the-books, and underreporting employee injuries. The Fosters also failed to pay employees overtime and dissuaded them from reporting on-the-job injuries and wage-theft violations, Rosen said.

In one case, an off-the-books security guard suffered severe injuries during a crash while driving an Atlas security vehicle. Robert Foster responded to the guards $1 million medical bill by telling the insurance company that the guard was not an Atlas employee. Investigators found records showing that the guard was driving an Atlas vehicle and wearing an Atlas uniform at the time of the collision.

Exploitation takes a massive toll on workers, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. Our Office does not tolerate the victimization of workers and will prosecute those responsible _ no matter who they are.

The investigation also uncovered the couple used a subcontractor that had no knowledge of the employees hours, wages, or schedules. The other company simply moved money from the Fosters firm to the employees so that the Fosters could avoid paying their fair share of taxes, workers compensation insurance, and overtime wages, Rosen said.

Robert Foster will also be ordered to repay $1.13 million to Everest National Insurance and the Employment Development Department, Rosen said. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 25.

Mikalia Fosters sentencing is scheduled for April 29.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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United States President Joe Biden's administration quietly launched its website where American citizens can sign up and apply for free COVID-19 at-home test kits that will allow residents to order a maximum of four tests that will be shipped directly to their household.

While the launch of the website, which is a day earlier than scheduled, marks an eventful moment in the United States, technical issues have surfaced where some Americans are having difficulties ordering the test kits.

Free At-Home Test Kits

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed that the federal government website where people can order free test kits was up and running as part of a "beta phase." The situation comes ahead of the government's formal rollout on Wednesday morning.

During a news briefing at the White House, Psaki told reporters that COVIDtests.gov was already in its beta phase. She noted that the process was a standard part of the process typically as it's being kind of tested in the early stages of being rolled out, CNN reported.

Additionally, some Americans who are living in apartments and other multi-unit residences are facing problems when ordering the test kits. Residents who lived in multi-unit dwellings tried to register but instead received error messages saying that there have already been tests ordered for their address.

Read Also: Hong Kong Authorities Capture 2,000 Hamsters After the Animals Tested Positive For COVID-19 as Region Struggles Against New Outbreaks

One administration official said that the issue was not widespread and that orders of test kits for people in areas facing disproportionate COVID-19 cases and deaths were being prioritized. They said that the first 20% of test orders processed will be for people in vulnerable ZIP codes.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the process would help ensure that the people who were in dire need of the tests receive them as quickly as possible. On the other hand, the U.S. Postal Service said that the problem lies from buildings not being registered as multi-unit complexes and affected only a "small percentage of orders," Politico reported.

Problem With The Website

The Postal Service said that Americans having the issue should file a service request at this link or call the help desk at 1-800-ASK-USPS. During the briefing on Tuesday, Psaki said that every website launch, in the government's view, always came with a risk. She acknowledged that there would be a problem or two in the process.

However, the White House press secretary said that the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service were already working on the issue to make the website a success. The federal government launched the site after widespread public outcry over testing shortages amid the busy holiday travel season.

Pharmacies, large and small, all struggled to keep at-home test kits in stock as demand continued to surge amid the Omicron variant's surge. Biden said that the federal government was in the process of procuring a total of one billion at-home tests to distribute to the American people for free. The Defense Department on the other hand is awarding contracts for the tests in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, CNBC reported.



Related Article: US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Warns Omicron Could Get Worse in Following Weeks as Average Daily Cases Rise to 800,000

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Local police departments in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland credited the Jewish Federation of Cleveland for alerting them to a live hostage crisis in Colleyville, Texas, Jan. 15 just before noon and stepped up their response immediately.

Lt. Mike Roberts of the Orange Police Department told the Cleveland Jewish News he was alerted by Jim Hartnett, director of community-wide security at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

As you know, we share a close relationship with Jim Hartnett and his security team at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Roberts wrote in a Jan. 18 email to the CJN. He was in contact with our department and internally, we were monitoring the events surrounding the Colleyville incident.

Roberts and others spoke of that partnership as being instrumental in their quick response.

Theyre keeping us abreast of any new developments, Cleveland Heights Police Chief Annette Mecklenburg told the CJN Jan. 17. But in the meantime, I did let them know that we are increasing our visibility in those areas and keeping an eye on things.

Beachwood police officer Jamey Appell spoke similarly, saying the Federation requested additional patrols and that officers in Beachwood were more vigilant.

We always do when an incident happens, Appell told the CJN Jan. 17. We always beef up the patrols at all of the Jewish facilities.

University Heights Lt. Todd Kinley said Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, Police Chief Dustin Rogers, Lt. Mark McArtor and shift commanding officers were all in constant contact with Hartnett and were responding in real time.

Everything was being coordinated as it was happening with increased patrols, Kinley told the CJN Jan. 18.

Hartnett also spoke of the importance of those partnerships, praising the immediate response local police made  and the two-way communication that leads to enhanced security at times when a Jewish institution and lives are under threat  even if the situation is occurring hundreds of miles away.

We were obviously very engaged this weekend, even here in Northeast Ohio, due to that unfortunate incident in Texas, Hartnett told the CJN Jan. 18. We have enhanced security measures already throughout the community.

Training, he said, plays a critical role as well  both for community members and for those empowered to protect them.

In fact, within the past several weeks, the Federation held a drill at a Greater Cleveland school in which the scenario happened to be an active hostage crisis.

Members of the Jewish community took part, as did the Beachwood Police Department, the Eastside Department Group Enforcement SWAT Team, the FBI and the Heights Hillcrest Communication Center.

The more we can create this culture of security, the better were protected, Hartnett said.

The Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America, has announced a new training called BeAware, which is open to members of the Jewish community. A preview of that training is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 27 online. Hartnett recommended anyone take part in that to help enhance their ability to protect themselves.

In the meantime, the Federation will continue its work with training and assessments in local Jewish institutions.

Were constantly reassessing security, Hartnett said. Its a day-to-day focus of ours. Because you cant be complacent.

In Youngstown, Rob Elston, Youngstown Area Jewish Federations security director, received detailed and regular updates from SCN as well as from his colleagues at the Ohio Regional Intelligence Center during the hostage crisis, according to a statement from Bonnie Deutsch Burdman, co-interim CEO of the Youngstown federation. Elston was also in contact with the Youngstown Police Department, the Liberty Police Department, the Boardman Police Department and his security team at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown.

We are grateful for law enforcement and the coordinated response of so many local, state and federal agencies, the Jan. 16

statement reads. We continue to keep those involved in our thoughts and prayers.

In Akron, John Kevercamp, vice president of the Jewish Community Board of Akron and executive director of the Shaw JCC, said as he saw what was unfolding on Jan. 15, Our immediate response was to contact our local police department and ask them to step up patrol in and around the JCC, particularly because we have a synagogue on campus.

He also credited local police and said Hartnett has been supportive to the Akron Jewish community.

We do have security on campus, he told the CJN Jan. 18. Times like this you always look at it a little bit closer.  We do training for campus staff and we have more training scheduled even prior to this event.

In Columbus, Justin Shaw, senior director of community relations at JewishColumbus, said JewishColumbus remains in constant contact with local law enforcement agencies.

On an ongoing basis we look for ways to improve upon tactics, Shaw wrote the CJN in a Jan. 17 email. In partnership with law enforcement, incidents like Saturday give us an opportunity to examine current practices.

Shaw noted that Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas spoke of the importance of his own security training.

To me, it is a strong signal that training works, Shaw wrote. And thanks to the strong partnerships we have with law enforcement  we have been able to conduct these same trainings for nearly two decades.

He also said JewishColumbus has made funding available to hire armed security at local Jewish institutions, partly through state and federal security grant funding.

When you walk into services on a Saturday morning  you will be greeted by someone in uniform, Shaw wrote to the CJN. This remains the gold standard in protection  having a trained officer who can respond instantly.

Hartnett recommended synagogues and Jewish institutions lock their doors at all times and he recommended Jewish institutions build lasting partnerships with local police departments, allowing walk-throughs of buildings and ensuring that local police have floor plans of their buildings as one of many precautions.

Ive got a picture I keep that I saved from the attack in Halle, Germany, on Yom Kippur back in 2019, Hartnett said. And if you look at the picture, it shows that the terrorist fired multiple rounds into the door to try and get into the synagogue where 50 people were basically taking cover. And the one thing that saved them all was the door was locked.

Columbus Bureau Chief Stephen Langel contributed to this story.
Less than 10 days after announcing he was entering the race for Cuyahoga County Executive, Warrensville Heights Mayor Bradley D. Sellers withdrew from the race.

I entered the race for Cuyahoga County executive on January 5, 2022, Sellers wrote in a Jan. 15 news release. Recent reports have now become a distraction in this race, so today I am announcing I am withdrawing my candidacy for the position of Cuyahoga County executive.

The reports Sellers referred to was a Jan. 12 story by The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com about his unpaid property taxes.

That leaves Chris Ronayne, who announced in September he would resign as president of University Circle Inc., to run for the seat, as the only Democrat running.

Former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Lee Weingart, a Republican who established LNE Group, an international government relations and business consulting firm headquartered in Cleveland, announced his candidacy in February. He announced Dec. 10 that he pulled a petition to run.

County Executive Armond Budish, a Democrat who is completing his second term, announced in November that he would not seek a third term.

The deadline to file petitions for candidates is Feb. 2.
Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, walked away during a heated discussion with New York Post writer Steven Nelson by saying, "I think we're done!"

On Monday, Psaki held a news conference with a tight schedule and just about 25 minutes to answer questions. But that didn't stop Nelson from answering the same question three times regarding a Vanity Fair piece on COVID-19 testing, as well as a follow-up about President Joe Biden's visit to his Wilmington home.

Jen Psaki defends Joe Biden's Delaware visitor logs

Nelson was curious about "which administration officials attended the October 22nd meeting." Nelson also asked, "Was President Biden personally briefed on that recommendation at the time before it was turned over?"

Psaki did not directly address Nelson's questions, but she looked to be arguing that the data she did present rendered it irrelevant, as per Mediaite vi MSN.

Despite the fact that President Biden spent more than a quarter of his first year in office in Delaware, White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended the president's refusal to provide visitor logs from his Delaware properties on Tuesday.

After Biden spent extended periods of time at his Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach homes, the Post questioned Psaki at her daily press conference if the White House's decision not to make the Delaware logs public still stood. Before dismissing the reporter's third question regarding a separate issue, Psaki justified the travels.

In his first year in office, Biden spent all or part of 101 days in Delaware. In August, Psaki informed The Washington Post that no visitor logs from Biden's homes in the First State would be provided.

Biden is facing criticism from the press for granting fewer interviews and news conferences than his predecessors, despite promising to head the most open government ever. On Wednesday, the last day of his first year in office, he will hold his second solo White House press conference.

The White House should provide the Delaware visitor records as soon as possible, according to Tom Fitton, head of the conservative legal group Judicial Watch, which has fought for openness in White House visitor logs for years, according to New York Post.

Read Also: Press Secretary Jen Psaki Insists Disagreement Between Democrats is Democracy's True Form Amid Failed Talks

Jen Psaki takes shot at Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Meanwhile, over the weekend, Psaki clashed with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on school mask rules. Despite the incoming governor's order prohibiting masks, the press secretary supported her child's school's choice to keep them in place.

One of Youngkin's first directives, which he signed on Saturday, mandated school districts to give parents the option of opting out of their children being masked at school. Psaki stated that she had a personal stake in the topic because her child attends Arlington schools and that Youngkin's children do not attend Arlington schools.

Youngkin was asked what he would do if Arlington declared it would not comply, according to Psaki. On Saturday, Youngkin, Virginia's first Republican governor in more than a decade, published a list of 11 day-one executive orders. One of them pledged to give Virginia parents more control over their children's education and upbringing by enabling them to choose whether or not their youngster wears a mask at school.

Youngkin campaigned on a platform of ending COVID-19-related school closures and combating critical race theory and other progressive beliefs in the classroom. Youngkin's successful campaign has been cited by Republicans as a model ahead of the November elections, in which they aim to retake the House, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Joe Biden's Allies Foresee Probes, Impeachment Attempts as Midterm Election Looms

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Clinton, IA (52732)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 36F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

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Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 36F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 18) Vice President Leni Robredo has formally asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow her office to continue with its pandemic initiatives even during campaign season.

The campaign period for national candidates kicks off on Feb. 8. Robredo said they already sought an exemption from the poll body.

"So, lalong-lalo na itong Swab Cab, saka 'yung Bayanihan E-Konsulta, ito talaga 'yung - saka siguro Vaccine Express, ito talaga 'yung marami kaming ginagawa ngayon para makatulong sa surge. So, sana mabigay 'yung exemption," Robredo said during her visit to Swab Cab in Makati City on Tuesday.

[Translation: Especially Swab Cab, Bayanihan E-Konsulta, and the Vaccine Express, these are the programs we do to help in the surge of COVID-19 cases. We hope the exemption will be granted.]

The Office of the Vice President's Swab Cab provides free antigen testing in areas where there's a spike in COVID-19 infections. Bayanihan E-Konsulta, meanwhile, connects COVID-19 patients to volunteer doctors. They are also given care kits, including medicines, in this initiative. Vaccine Express, on the other hand, offers doses against the coronavirus.

Section 13 of the Comelec's Resolution 10747 requires candidates to secure a certificate of exception for "projects, activities, and programs pertaining to social welfare projects and services."

OVP ready to partner with LGUs outside Metro Manila

Robredo also said her office is ready to respond to the requests of local officials in the provinces amid increasing cases outside Metro Manila.

"So, sinasabi naman namin sa mga - lalo na 'yung mga LGUs na nakikipag-partner with us, na anytime na kailangan nila ng tulong in whatever form, willing kaming tumulong," Robredo said.

[Translation: We tell LGUs who want to partner with us that we're willing to help anytime in whatever form.]

Robredo said they have been receiving calls to bring the Vaccine Express or Swab Cab to Mindanao. Some even want to replicate Bayanihan E-Konsulta, complete with the COVID-19 care kits, she added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19)  Authorities are discussing a new round of the National Vaccination Days, or Bayanihan Bakunanhan, said Natonal Task Force on COVID-19 Chief Implementer Vince Dizon Wednesday, although no dates have been revealed.

"Hinihintay lang natin humupa-hupa lang ng konti itong Omicron surge natin, dahil alam natin hirap na hirap ang ating mga health workers, ang ating mga LGU (local government units)," Dizon said at the Laging Handa briefing.

"Papahupain lang natin muna ng konti at magkakaroon din tayo sa mga susunod na linggo ng bagong Bayanihan Bakunahan o National Vaccination Days sa buong bansa."

[Translation: We are waiting for the Omicron surge to decrease because we know that out health workers and LGUs are having a really difficult time. We will let the surge go down and in the next weeks we will have a new round of National Vaccination Days nationwide.]

Dizon gave no details on whether there would be more than one round of Bayanihan Bakunahan this year or how many people are targeted to participate.

The government's first three-day Bayanihan Bakunahan was held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 last year, followed by a new three-day drive held from Dec. 15 to 17 -- although some areas were forced to postpone the drive due to Typhoon Odette.

Areas affected by the typhoon moved the drive to Dec. 20 to 22.

Over eight million vaccines were administered during the first round of Bayanihan Bakunahan, while over six million were administered during the second round.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19)  The two inmates who escaped from New Bilibid Prison (NBP) shot a fellow prisoner as they were fleeing from the maximum security compound earlier this week, Bureau of Corrections spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag revealed on Wednesday.

In an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source, Chaclag bared that the prisoner who was shot by the two "armed and dangerous" escapees had died. The person deprived of liberty (PDL) was supposed to be freed this month.

"While they were escaping, may PDL din po na wala silang pakundangang binaril, naging wounded po yun," Chaclag said. "But we received news yesterday na yung PDL na binaril nila ay nag-expire na po. Yun ay palaya po sana within this month."

[Translation: While they were escaping, they shot a PDL who eventually became wounded. But we received news yesterday that the PDL whom they shot had expired. He was supposed to be freed this month.]

"Ganoon ka-violent yung dalawang hina-hunting natin," he added.

[Translation: That's how violent these two escapees are.]

Authorities are still hunting down Drakilou Yosores Falcon and Chris Candas Ablas, who were among the four prisoners who broke out of NBP in Muntinlupa at 1 a.m. on Monday.

The two other escapees, Pacifico Adlawan and Arwin Bio Villeza, were killed in the middle of the pursuit operation that lasted for eight hours.

Chaclag said the four inmates were "dormmates" who likely planned their escape together.

He also noted the four escapees might have taken advantage of the possible "easing of alertness level" among authorities just a week after a riot broke out in the vicinity. The investigation on the incident is ongoing.

Chaclag added Falcon and Ablas were last spotted in Southville 3 in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.

The BuCor has asked the public to call 09178049362 and 09186001081 for information on Falcon and Ablas.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19)  Two presidential contenders admonished the Department of Agriculture (DA) for allowing the importation of 60,000 metric tons (MT) of fish this year, threatening the livelihood of local fisherfolk.

In separate statements on Wednesday, Senators Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Manny Pacquiao expressed dismay over the move made by the DA.

"Import pa more [import again]! After killing our farmers by importing vegetables and fruits, it is the turn of our fishermen to die," said Lacson.

In a tweet, Lacson called out the DA, saying the department's solution to all agricultural problems seemed to be importation.

"Ang laging remedyo ng DA sa problema ng agrikultura - mag-mport ng gulay, prutas at isda," Lacson said. "Ang sigaw tuloy ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda: sila na kaya ang ibaon sa lupa at gawing pataba, at ihulog sa dagat para gawing pain sa mga isda?"

[Translation: The DA's ready solution to agriculture problems -- import vegetables, fruits and fish. Farmers and fisherfolk are saying why not bury them in the ground and turn them into fertilizer or throw them in the ocean as fishing bait?]

Meanwhile, Pacquiao said the country should be a fish importer considering the large bodies of water surrounding it.

"This is unbelievable," Pacquiao lamented. "Saan ka naman nakakita ng bansang napapaligiran ng mga dagat pero nag-iimport ng mga produktong galing sa dagat?"

[Translation: How can a country surrounded by oceans resort to importing products from the sea?]

"Sobrang kawawa na nga ang ating mga magsasaka dahil sa pagpasok ng napakaraming imported at smuggled na mga bigas at gulay tapos ngayon naman ang mga mangingisda naman natin ang gustong parusahan," he bemoaned.

[Translation: Our farmers are already suffering because of the influx of imported and smuggled rice and vegetables, and now they want to punish our fishermen.]

Both presidential aspirants were reacting to Agriculture Secretary William Dar's announcement that he has signed the certificates of necessity to import 60,000 MT of pelagic fish.

Dar said the country has a potential deficit of about 119,000 MT for the first quarter of 2022.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, who is the running mate of presidential aspirant Leni Robredo, said it was unfortunate the agri fisheries sector has been neglected and the country remains "seafood insecure" despite having "one of the longest coastlines in the world."

"Importation is a stop gap short term solution to address the supply and price of fish but it compromises and undermines food security in the long run," Pangilinan said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos said the importation should be stopped, or it would kill local fisheries.

"There's at least 35,000 MT still unsold from 2021 importation plus those still to be delivered for Q1 2022!" she pointed out.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 20)  Netizens have reacted to Davao City Mayor Sara Dutertes statement that she will push for the imposition of mandatory military service for all Filipinos upon turning 18 years old, if she wins the vice presidency in the May elections.

During a virtual caravan on Wednesday, Duterte noted that the same policy is being implemented in countries like South Korea and Israel.

For one netizen, the imposition of mandatory military service in the country could be a good idea if it would result in further education.

Another one said the proposal may be beneficial for the country as it could help the government build strong military forces.

Meanwhile, a netizen pointed out that Duterte has to reassess her proposal as countries imposing mandatory military service have reasons and are not doing so because its the trend.

Another netizen said what the government should prioritize is improving the countrys education and health systems.

Other netizens joked about Dutertes proposal, saying they could be serving in the military even before their favorite South Korean celebrities would do so.
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Penn State updated its contingency plans in the event winter weather prohibits typical campus operations.

The university reminded its community that the Office of Physical Plant will be working diligently to clear sidewalks, parking lots and roadways as quickly as possible.

However, if circumstances prevent the Office of Physical Plant from its normal operations because of snow or other weather or emergency conditions, then individuals are urged to remain off campus, and those who must visit campus are advised to remain alert and avoid areas that may be covered in snow or ice.

The university said individuals can stay informed on weather-related delays and cancellations by using the PSUAlert system, Penn States official Twitter, Penn State News and WPSU TV and radio.

Penn State encourages all employees and students to take responsibility for their own safety.

According to a release, faculty and staff can review the Handling Weather Day Absences from Human Resources Guideline 10, and union-represented employees should reference their collective bargaining agreements," for information about absence from work.

Instructors can choose to cancel class altogether or offer content asynchronously, but according to the release, professors may not move their classes to a remote asynchronous format on snow days.

Hybrid courses can either have content offered asynchronously or have class canceled if the class is scheduled to meet in person, the release said.

A remote synchronous class can continue as normal as long as the faculty member wishes to and is safely able to do so."

Penn State said web classes are to continue as offered with no changes.

Instructors are asked by the university to not travel during a change in normal campus operations unless otherwise designated as an essential employee.

In the case that a faculty members use of a classroom or other setting for specialized instructional materials is necessary in order to teach a class previously scheduled to be delivered remotely then that class should be offered asynchronously or canceled, the release said.

In the event of a delay, classes or activities beginning at or after the announced time for the resumption of normal campus operations are to be held as originally scheduled," according to the release.

In-person activities that were scheduled to commence during a delayed campus opening are canceled, the release said.

In the event of an early dismissal, the university will announce the dismissal as early as possible via PSUAlert and other official platforms," according to the release.

Penn State said students will be released first, and faculty and staff will be released simultaneously 30-45 minutes after the release of students.

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE
According to state news agency KCNA, North Korea fired tactical guided missiles on Monday, the latest in a string of recent tests that have highlighted the country's burgeoning missile programs amid stalled disarmament talks.

Two prior launches used "hypersonic missiles" capable of high speed and movement after lift-off while another test on Friday used two SRBMs launched from train carriages.

North Korea makes unusual sequence of missile launch

According to diplomats, the UN Security Council will meet behind closed doors on Thursday to discuss the ongoing missile launches. The proposal for a Council debate was submitted on Tuesday by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and Albania. North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from an airfield in Pyongyang on Monday, the South Korean military said. The missiles traveled around 380 kilometers (236 miles) and reached a maximum height of 42,000 meters (137,800 feet).

According to the official KCNA news agency, the Academy of Defense Science conducted a test of tactical guided missiles from the country's west coast, and they "precisely targeted an island target" off the east coast. The unusually quick run of launches has prompted US censure and a lobbying for more UN penalties while Pyongyang has threatened harsher measures, raising the possibility of a return to the 2017 "fire and fury" threats.

After a teleconference with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim urged Pyongyang to "stop its illegal and destabilizing acts" and begin talks, stating he was willing to meeting without preconditions.

South Korea's defense ministry said on Tuesday that it considers all North Korean missile launches a "direct and severe danger," but that its military can identify and intercept them, according to Reuters.

During a press conference, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric termed the North's tests "increasingly alarming," urging all parties to return to discussions to reduce tensions and pursue verified denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. In 2017, North Korea tested the Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) at the Sunan airport, with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance.

Read Also: China's Birth Rate Hits Historic Low as Economic Growth Slows Despite Beijing's Effort To Tackle Dilemma

Pyongyang flauts new sanctions

Since 2017, North Korea has not conducted a test of its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or nuclear weapons, owing to a flurry of dialogue with Washington. However, following a failed summit in 2019, it began testing a variety of different SRBM designs. The most recent exam was skipped by Kim. It was a missile ascending into the sky atop a cloud of dust and spewing flame, according to a photo issued by KCNA, as per South China Morning Post.

According to Mason Richey, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, the pace of testing and the various launch sites suggest that North Korea has enough missiles to feel comfortable spending them on tests, training, and demonstrations and that this helps to reinforce its deterrent credibility by emphasizing the size of its missile force.

Since 2017, North Korea has not launched its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or nuclear weapons; but as denuclearization negotiations stagnated in 2019, it resumed revealing and testing a variety of new SRBM designs. Many of the most recent SRBMs, particularly hypersonic missiles, appear to be designed to circumvent missile defenses. North Korea has also stated that it will seek tactical nuclear weapons, perhaps allowing it to deploy nuclear warheads aboard SRBMs, Business World reported.

Related Article: North Korea Launches New Missiles in Response to US Sanctions; Booming Hacking Industry Reportedly Stole $400 Million in Cryptocurrency

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It can be so busy at home that sometimes we forget whats going on at the other side of the world. A story that hasnt gotten nearly enough attention is brewing in eastern Europe.

Russia is preparing an invasion of Ukraine, which would be one of the biggest geopolitical events of the 21st century thus far.

Ukraine and Russia have a complicated history. After years of being dominated by the Russian Empire and other powers, Ukraine was incorporated into the Soviet Union, becoming one of the 15 republics that are now all independent countries.

Ukraine would go on to declare independence from the USSR as the Soviet empire crumbled. And, Ukraine has gone through various presidents. In 2014, pro-Russia Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown as Ukrainian protesters desired a closer relationship with Europe and the west, turning their back on their former occupier.

Russia responded by invading and annexing Crimea, a strategically important peninsula on the Black Sea. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed this was to protect ethnic Russians living in the east of Ukraine. Soon, war broke out in the eastern Donbas region between the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed rebels.

Russia sent supplies and unmarked soldiers to assist the rebels, and the ensuing civil war has raged the last seven years.

Now, it has hit its breaking point.

Ukraine tried to integrate with Europe and made efforts to join both the European Union and NATO, the U.S.-led European military alliance. While the U.S. has provided weapons and supplies to Ukraine, Russia fears that Ukraine joining the alliance would doom it and have NATO right on its doorstep.

Russia is massing troops on the border, usually a telltale sign of invasion, and has planned false flag operations in order to justify an invasion of Ukraine, according to intelligence reports.

All signs point to war being imminent.

Why does this matter? Why does a war in another part of the world concern the U.S.?

For starters, sovereign nations, or recognized countries, dont typically go to war with each other. An invasion would be as consequential and dramatic as the U.S. overthrowing Iraq in 2003.

Clearly, Putin doesnt fear what the world thinks of him or Russia. An invasion and occupation would cement that hes willing to do whatever it takes without worry of serious retaliation.

Of course, this will also be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, test of the Biden administration. Ukraine is an ally that the U.S. has been backing for years. We all saw what happened in Afghanistan, and Biden cannot afford to lose another ally.

The last thing Biden should do is send ground troops to fight against Russia, which could create a disaster war with a global great power. At the same time, just imposing sanctions hasnt done much to deter Russia from increasing aggression. The status of the U.S. is set to decrease, and our power around the world will lapse.

Ukraine being overrun will give Bidens opponents the ammo to decry the presidents foreign policy, pretty much ending any hope he and the Democrats have to hold onto power going into midterms. If Ukraine is taken over, Trump and his allies, rightfully so, will have the advantage.

Losing Ukraine will also be a loss for democracy. Eastern Europe has struggled to become democratic following the collapse of communism, and Ukraine was on the right path over the last few years.

Whatever happens in Ukraine will be the defining moment of both the long animosity between the two nations and the new cold war between the U.S. and Russia. I doubt theres a path for the U.S. to come out on top  we should start preparing for the unfortunate aftermath.
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The city will begin looking through the landfill on Monday, but officials stressed they're still trying to find the area in use in August 2006 and aren't yet looking for criminal evidence.
New York Attorney General Letitia James just fired back at Donald Trump after the latter accused her of launching a politically motivated attack on the ex-POTUS.

On her Twitter account, James revealed that they found multiple pieces of evidence that prove that the Trump Organization engaged in fraudulent and misleading asset valuations. James also said that Trump's two children, Donny, Jr., and Ivanka are involved.

"We have uncovered significant evidence indicating that the Trump Organization used fraudulent and misleading asset valuations on multiple properties to obtain economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions for years," she wrote via AXIOS.

Letitia James determined to complete her investigation

The attorney general added that her office won't tolerate Trump family's attempts to evade testifying in their ongoing investigation. Additionally, James said that they will not be deterred in their efforts to continue their investigation regardless of how many roadblocks they would have to face.

James previously issued a subpoena for Donny, Jr., and Ivanka. She also requested a deposition from the ex-POTUS last month.

As of late, James still hasn't decided as to whether the evidence that she found against the Trump Organization would merit legal action. However, the grounds for pursuing the investigation are self-evident.

Read Also: Andrew Cuomo Drags Joe Biden In His Testimony Released By New York Attorney General Letitia James

Michael Cohen busted Donald Trump, Trump Organization

According to the Daily Beast, the ongoing investigations into the Trump Organization started in March 2019 after Michael Cohen testified before Congress.

Cohen, who served as Trump's former lawyer, claimed that the ex-POTUS's annual financial states inflated the values of Trump's assets so that he could get loans and insurance coverage while deflating the value of his other assets, through which he could get lower real estate taxes.

Trump previously valued his own apartment in the Trump Tower a $327 million, but the real value was later confirmed to just be around $116.8 million.

Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg conceded by saying that the incorrect estimates amounted to a $200 million overstatement give or take.

Even though the Trump Organization knew that there was an ongoing investigation into the company, they only started cooperating recently.

As for Donny Jr. and Ivanka's involvements, James said that the former had authority over numerous financial statements containing misleading asset valuations.

Ivanka, on the other hand, was a primary contact for the organization's biggest lender, Deutsche Bank. She also caused misleading financial statements to be submitted to the bank and the federal government, according to NBC News.

Donald Trump slams Letitia James

In May, Trump released a statement slamming James and her office. The ex-POTUS accused the attorney general of desperately searching for a crime even when there's none.

Trump also accused James of campaigning on prosecuting him even before she knew anything about the former president. He also claimed that James threatened to go after him once she becomes the attorney general of the state of New York.

At the time, Trump's son, Donny, tweeted a copy of his dad's statement to show his support for his father, according to CNBC.

Related Article: Donald Trump Could Face Civil Lawsuit, Not Criminal Charges From Atty. General Letitia James Amid Civil Fraud Investigation

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The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
As the Cubs were beating the Braves 6-3 Wednesday night Steve left to see the game with his mom and dad, Reva and Harold, brother Ron and baby niece Elizabeth Henney. He left behind to run the store his wife Kathleen (Knight), Amelia (27), Nathan (24) and his beloved cat Lewis Black. His sis
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01/19/2022

Photo (c) Memorystockphoto - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 67,617,789 (66,700,210)

Total U.S. deaths: 854,292 (852,601)

Total global cases: 334,699,140 (331,350,251)

Total global deaths: 5,558,316 (5,540,981)

White House to provide free masks, officials say

A day after announcing a website where Americans can order a free COVID-19 test, White House officials say they expect more help for people to avoid getting sick. Officials say the government is preparing to provide free N95 masks at retail pharmacies across the nation.

The Wall Street Journal quotes a White House official as saying nonsurgical N95 masks will begin appearing at distribution centers late next week. The program is expected to be fully operational by early February.

According to the official, the program will be  the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in U.S. history.

WHO warns the pandemic isnt over

After a post-holiday spike in COVID-19 cases, mostly caused by the Omicron variant, the number of new cases is falling. But a top official of the World Health Organization (WHO) cautions that the pandemic is nowhere near over.

In some countries, cases seem to have peaked, which gives hope that the worst of this latest wave is done with, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHOs director. But no country is out of the woods yet. I remain particularly concerned about countries with low vaccination rates.

Ghebreyesus said the evidence suggests that Omicron infections are less severe. However, he says it is wrong to assume that all cases of the variant of the virus are mild.

Couples first date leads to engagement after COVID-19 lockdown

Zhao Xiaoqing, a 28-year-old woman from northern China's Shaanxi province, agreed to a blind date arranged by her family. But after visiting her dates parents home, she had to stay for weeks because the government decreed a lockdown.

"I never thought about staying the night, because it's pretty awkward," Zhao Xiaoqing, who was meeting her date for only the second time, told local media Jimu News.

The relationship was reportedly awkward at the beginning, but apparently, nature began to take its course. We get along very well," Zhao Xiaoqing said, confirming they are now engaged.

Around the nation
01/19/2022

Photo (c) youngvet - Getty Images Gift cards are an increasingly popular holiday gift, but shortly after the holidays, ConsumerAffairs began receiving negative reviews about one particular gift card  the Vanilla Prepaid Visa card.

Some consumers say they have been unable to activate the card. A reviewer from Canada said he was able to activate the card but that he was told Google Play doesnt accept payments from the company. Others report a variety of technical problems.

I bought a $100 Visa Card gift card a few weeks before Christmas, and I still can not use it, Irina, of Wylie, Texas, wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. First of all, I was unable to access my card balance or register it. After trying repeatedly to access my card with no result, I called customer service on the back of the card and I was told that my card was deactivated for security reasons.

Andrea, of Buffalo, N.Y., had an even more intriguing experience. After buying a $100 gift card for her son, the card had a zero balance. She says she was told that right after the card was activated, the funds were withdrawn and used to register an internet domain.

No refund

Since the money was withdrawn by someone, Andrea says the company has refused her request for a refund. In an email to ConsumerAffairs Tuesday, Andrea said the issue remains unresolved.

David, a pastor in Minneapolis, tells us he had a similar experience. After purchasing two $500 prepaid cards, David said the money was quickly gone.

The second it was activated someone purchased $500 on Amazon and the balance is 0, David wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review. The 2nd one had also $500 and when it got activated someone stole $490.

David, at least, was lucky in one respect. He purchased the cards at a Speedway store and when he told the manager about it, the manager refunded $990.

Nearly all the consumers complaining recently about problems with their cards said they contacted Vanillas customer service but found it unresponsive. Some were told that refunds take up to 90 days to process.

The problem appears to be affecting consumers across the country, not in one geographic region. KPRC-TV in Houston reports that dozens of viewers have complained about issues with the cards and about what they perceive as a lack of response from the credit card issuer.

Vanilla Prepaid Visa appears to be owned by three banks  TBBK Card Services, Inc., The Bancorp, and MetaBank, N.A., along with Incomm Payments. ConsumerAffairs reached out to The Bancorp for information about the issues consumers are facing, but so far we have not received a response.
South African residents are more at ease when it comes to dealing with COVID-19 now that they are already in their fourth wave.

The first case of Omicron was detected in South Africa eight weeks ago. At the time, there was a growing concern regarding the seriousness of the variant, especially since Delta saw the death of thousands of individuals in the country.

But just weeks later, the number of Omicron cases in the country can be estimated at around 5 percent. And hospitalization rates have also gone down considerably.

Since thousands of locals became infected with COVID-19 during the first three waves, more people have become more immune to the virus. As such, South Africans are no longer as concerned as they once were.

South Africans are more at ease with Omicron

CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta confirmed that hospitals during Omicron looked very different during the time of the Delta variant.

After all, more hospital beds were empty and fewer patients infected with Omicron required oxygen.

Local nurse Justice Mangala said he's more at ease now that they have their second line of defense, the vaccine.

"I'm highly optimistic that we have reached a turning point in this pandemic. I can't see us revisiting what we experienced during the course of the first three waves in South Africa," Mangala told CBS News.

Read Also: CDC Puts Canada, the Caribbean Island of Curacao on its Highest-Risk for Travel Category Amid Sudden Spikes in COVID-19 Cases

Cape Town mayors want government to lessen restrictions

With the lowering number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa comes the possibility that the country would once again lessen its restrictions, especially when it comes to gatherings.

Cape Town Mayor Geordie Hill-Lewis formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to ease down the government's restrictions regarding social gatherings.

As of press writing, there's still a 50 percent capacity rule for outdoor public facilities. Spectators and fans are still not allowed to attend major sporting events.

According to Business Tech, the number of people allowed at an indoor gathering is 1,000, while the number of people permitted at outdoor events is 2,000.

Study reveals Omicron-infected individuals can't get Delta

According to Bloomberg, a study conducted by South Africa-based researchers also found that a strong wave of coronavirus infections driven by Omicron could end the pandemic because they cause less severe illness and provide protection against Delta.

The study used samples from 23 people infected with Omicron between November and December. They found that those infected with Omicron could not be infected with Delta, especially if they were already vaccinated.

Even though Omicron is more infectious than Delta, the hospital and mortality rates in countries like South Africa show that it causes less severe disease.

Of the 23 participants, 14 were admitted to the hospital, but only one of them needed supplemental oxygen. Ten had been vaccinated by they still got infected with Omicron.

The variant was also tested against 18 samples taken from 14 previously infected individuals with Delta and showed extensive escape from antibodies.

But the World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan stressed that the study only showed that Omicron gave protection against Delta only in those who are fully vaccinated.

Related Article: WHO Predicts Half of Western Europe's Population Could Be Infected With COVID-19, Says Countries With Lower Vaccination Coverage Are At Higher Risk

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Website srx.com.sg uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery and Boostrap. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 62735 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 281813 bytes (275.21 kb uncompressed) and 30492 bytes (29.78 kb compressed).

This CoolSocial report was updated on 2022-03-25, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.
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Apparently, Hollywood has stopped making films forever, which is too bad. But we do have 50 billion existing films, and even if you've watched them all already, watching is just the start. Long after that comes the real entertainment: reading fan theories, which make the movies much better. Or prove fans are insane. Or both.

1. Back to the Future

Marty in Back to the Future has died repeatedly, and we're just watching was happens after Doc Brown fixes things and saves him. When Doc appears and pulls him out of the tunnel? He knows to come right then because that's where and when Marty died. The band who frees Marty from that car trunk are also time travelers sent by Doc; this also explains why they have a guitar too modern for 1955.

2. Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is on drugs, and Bert is her dealer. That's why neither holds down a steady job. That guy who flies when he laughs is also clearly high, and drugs are the only explanation for that trip they take where they see the animated penguins.

3. Fight Club

Tyler Durden in Fight Club isn't merely an alternate personality. He was a real person who died in a car crash caused by the narrator's company. This explains the narrator's grief at the start of the movie, his desire for vengeance, and the movie's obsession with trashing cars.

4. More Fight Club

Alternatively, Fight Club is the sequel to the 1984 movie Cloak & Dagger. Sure, maybe, you've never heard of Cloak & Dagger, which means this theory asks a little more of you than ones that say Tyler is Joker or Hobbes or whoever, but there's a lot to this. It explains the origin of the narrator's mental issues, his obsessions with plane crashes and anatomy, his masculine insecurities, as well as his explosives expertise.

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5. Seinfeld

George in Seinfeld had a brother, but George got him to kill himself. George mentions him once in an episode called "The Suicide" (in which no one commits suicide) but never again. George is depressed after this episode, his parents blame him for unspecified wrongs, and there's always a vacant spot at the family dinner table.
Germany reported more than 112,323 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, a record-breaking number that prompted the country's top health official to call for mandatory vaccination before mid-year.

According to Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases, the current tall of COVID-19 cases in Germany is 8,186,850, while the number of deaths has reached 116,081 after 239 have been recorded. The wave is caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant that increased the country's seven-day incidence rate to 584.4 cases per 100,000 people, as per Reuters report.

Germany's Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said that the COVID-19 is expected to continue in the next few weeks. He also thinks that the COVID-19 infections will reach "the peak of the wave" by the second or third week of February. "Then the numbers could fall again," he said in an interview with RTL on Tuesday, as per US News.

"But we haven't reached the peak yet," said Lauterbach, who also believes that the current number of unreported cases is possibly twice bigger than the reported figures.

With the surge in infections, the health minister pushes for a compulsory vaccination among the population to be implemented as soon as possible to prevent another possible wave of infections if new variants emerge in autumn.

Read Also: Germany's COVID-19 Daily Cases Hit Past 80,000; Mandatory Vaccinations In Discussion

COVID-19 Numbers Keep Going Up

Last week, Germany recorded 80,430 new COVID-19, breaking the previous highest single-day record of more than 76,000 in November.

Since the start of 2022, the seven-day incidence rate in Europe's largest economy has been constantly high due to the outbreak of the omicron variant, which emerged in South Africa in November.

With the number of infections continuing to rise, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the premiers of Germany's 16 federal states have agreed to impose additional restrictions for restaurants and modified quarantine periods early this month.

Customers must provide certification of receiving a booster shot or a COVID-19 test result indicating negative results in addition to proof of vaccination.

Officials have also agreed to reduce the time spent in quarantine or self-isolation from 14 to 10 days if the person does not show symptoms or recovers from them. If the person is negative after testing, the quarantine time can be reduced to seven days.

German leaders also recommended wearing highly protective FFP2 masks in shops and public transportation.

Get Vaccinated

Scholz and the German premiers also highly encourage citizens to take advantage of the government's vaccination program as well as underscored to get booster shots for increased protection against Omicron and other COVID-19 variants.

In terms of travel, according to CNN, Germany requires individuals to complete a digital registration form before traveling. Those entering by plane is required to provide either proof of completed vaccination or negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours.

According to the European Medicines Agency, as COVID-19 sweeps through Europe, it gradually becomes an endemic disease like influenza, which humans can live with. The agency is in charge of evaluating and overseeing medical products in the EU.

However, several medical experts advise the public to take the Omicron seriously and continue to practice health precautions like wearing protective masks and getting fully vaccinated.

Related Article: WHO Predicts Half of Western Europe's Population Could Be Infected With COVID-19, Says Countries With Lower Vaccination Coverage Are At Higher Risk

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has become the leading force of the region in less than six months on the job after shattering campaign fundraising records and building up $21.6 million for her election campaign.

Hochul turned Tuesday into a tour de force of her political and government prowess on the same day that saw one of the official's biggest potential primary opponents bow out. She also released a state budget packed with goodies for residents and special interest groups.

Massive Campaign Fundraising

A statewide poll showed that the New York governor was crushing her rivals, all of which came just months after she took the helm succeeding Andrew Cuomo. The former official resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal despite nearing three terms in office.

The situation suggests that Hochul is quickly replacing the former governor as the most powerful person in New York politics. If the new official wins the election, she would become the first woman to be elected governor in New York history.

"She's a tough chick from Buffalo. I always said - from day one, when people assumed she would just be there temporarily and as a placeholder for [Attorney General] Tish James or someone else - I said, 'don't underestimate her,'" said state Sen. Diane Savino who endorsed the now-New York governor last year, Politico reported.

Campaign paperwork that was filed on Tuesday showed that Hochul was raising around $140,000 every single day, on average, between her swearing-in last August and last week. With a massive sum in the palm of her hands, Hochul has shown few signs of slowing down her fund-raising pace.

Read Also: Child Care Tax Credit Doubles To $16,000 in 2022; Remaining CTC Stimulus Checks May Be Claimed If You Keep This IRS Letter

The New York governor's fundraising strength has already assisted her most competitive foil, Letitia James, the New York attorney general, from the race completely. The situation most likely played a significant role on Tuesday when Bill de Blasio, the former mayor of New York City, announced he would not be running for governor despite teasing the idea for months.

Kathy Hochul's Strengths

However, the main source of liability of Hochul comes from the sources of some of her donations, which complicate the image of a governor who just took office after scandalous Cuomo. Some of the financiers include New York's most well-financed special interest groups, commonly multimillionaires, labor unions, and business groups, the New York Times reported.

The situation comes as Hochul leads in the Democratic primary for governor of New York by more than 30 points from her nearest challenger, based on a new poll released on Tuesday. The governor captured the support of 46% of Democratic voters.

Compared to last month's 36%, Hochul's recent poll numbers include those from a Siena survey that was conducted from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3 last year. At the time, voters were asked about who they would support if the primary was held that same day.

In a statement, Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said that the New York governor approached support from nearly half of all Democrats. He also noted that James' dropout from the race boosted de Blasio's numbers before he announced himself out of the elections, the New York Post reported.



Related Article: Michigan Democratic Party Apologizes After Fury Rages for Questioning Parents' Role in Public Education

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This past week has seen an inundation of notifications concerning Russias overt and covert efforts to set their stage to provide it with a pretext to invade Ukraine once again. The realpolitik of the Russian efforts and the media focus is on the likelihood of Russia taking this course of action.

These preparatory actions include a widespread cyber component. CISOs of entities in defense, intelligence, or critical infrastructure should be monitoring what is taking place in Ukraine and heeding the advisories being issued by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Microsoft and others.

Cyberattacks on Ukraine

On January 14 at approximately 0200 hours the cyberattacks began. Within the hour news of the hacks began appearing within the Russian media. Approximately 70 Ukrainian government websites saw their forward-facing web presence defaced, and a static message posted in Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish in essence told Ukrainians their personal information was compromised and that they should be afraid and expect the worst.

Later that day, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, told Sky News, We can clearly track their signature. These are the Russian specialists who perform these actions. I am 99.9% sure Russia was behind these attacks.

Subsequently, Serhiy Demedyuk, deputy secretary of the Defence Council, was more precise in assigning attribution to UNC1151, which he identified as  a cyber-espionage group affiliated with the special services of the Republic of Belarus. He continued how UNC1151 has in the past attacked targets in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine.

Demedyuk continued how the defacement activities were a smokescreen: The defacement of the sites was just a cover for more destructive actions that were taking place behind the scenes and the consequences of which we will feel in the near future. He went on to describe those efforts encrypted some government servers, with malware with similar characteristics used by the ATP-29 group.

The group specializes in cyber espionage, which is associated with the Russian special services (Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation) and which, for its attacks, resorts to recruiting or undercover work of its insiders in the right company, said Demedyuk.

CISOs take heed of state-sponsored attack warnings

Microsoft on January 15 hit the industry klaxon hard in a blog post, Malware attacks targeting Ukraine government, by Tom Burt, vice president customer security and trust. It discussed the destructive malware in systems belonging to several Ukrainian government agencies and organizations that work closely with the Ukrainian government.

Burt continued how the malware is disguised as ransomware, but if activated by the attacker renders the infected computer system inoperable. Targeted entities, according to Burt, include  government agencies that provide critical executive branch or emergency response functions and an IT firm that manages websites for public and private sector clients, including government agencies whose websites were recently defaced.

Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center simultaneously posted a technical blog post, Destructive malware targeting Ukrainian organizations. It highlighted how the malware was first detected on January 14 (time zone differences between Ukraine and U.S.) and contained the call-to-action of, We strongly encourage all organizations to immediately conduct a thorough investigation and to implement defenses using the information provided in this post.

The Microsoft advisory was preceded by CISA, FBI and NSA noting Russia poses a cyber threat to U.S. critical infrastructure in a January 11 note to industry, where-in they urged the cybersecurity communityespecially critical infrastructure network defendersto adopt a heightened state of awareness, conduct proactive threat hunting, and implement the mitigations identified in the joint CSA  Alert AA22-011A Understanding and mitigating Russian state-sponsored cyber threats to U.S. critical infrastructure.

The joint alert contained three action items which, if taken, may reduce the risk of compromise or severe business degradation.

Be prepared: Confirm reporting processes and minimize personnel gaps in IT/OT security coverage. Create, maintain, and exercise a cyber incident response plan, resilience plan, and continuity of operations plan so that critical functions and operations can be kept running if technology systems are disrupted or need to be taken offline. Enhance your organizations cyber posture: Follow best practices for identity and access management, protective controls and architecture, and vulnerability and configuration management. Increase organizational vigilance: Stay current on reporting on this threat.

Russian cyberattack sets the table

The White House declared the U.S. intelligence community has detected Russian efforts to deploy individual assets in east Ukraine to conduct sabotage operations. The warning from the White House was explicit: The operatives are trained in urban warfare and in using explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russias own proxy-forces.

Coupled with the cyberattack which was allegedly launched from Belarus, displays to the world the Kremlins wish to have plausible deniability, as they set put the pieces of their offensive puzzle in place in support of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine actions taking place within Ukraine.

The call-out by both Ukraine and the United States serves to remove this fig leaf and lays bare the Russian efforts to both the international community and perhaps more importantly, the domestic Russian audience. In a press briefing, Jake Sullivan, national security advisor, reiterated the U.S.s position should Russia invade Ukraine, The United States and our allies and partners are prepared for any contingency, any eventuality. Were prepared to keep moving forward down the diplomatic path in good faith, and were prepared to respond if Russia acts.
Its been almost six weeks since Russian troops entered Ukraine and the large-scale cyberwar expected to accompany the invasion has not yet materialized. Observers and experts have offered many theories about why Russia hasnt launched a destructive cyberattack on Ukraine yet despite its full capability to do so.

The reasons range from Russia saving its most dangerous cyberattack until the bitter end to the Kremlins fear of a devastating Western response. The most intriguing explanation for why Russia hasnt seemingly unleashed its cyber arsenal is because were already in the middle of what Thomas Rid, professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies, calls a secret cyberwar.

The digital cyberwar is playing out in the shadows, Rid argues, with the more apparent cyberattacks taking place to divert attention from the incidents that were not supposed to see. Cyberwar has been playing tricks on us, he argues, emerging in the form of seemingly random attacks and then slipping away into the future.

Adding to the haziness of this digital war is the emergence of shadowy hacktivists egged on by the resource-strapped Ukrainian government, which is encouraging amateurs to do their part in helping to defeat Russia. Potentially devastating leaks of unknown origins make black-and-white delineations of digital malfeasance impossible.

Given the growing volume of varied cyber-related incidents in Ukraine, weve updated and expanded the scope of what we previously called our timeline of Russia-linked cyberattacks on Ukraine. Our updated timeline that follows includes not only incidents that can properly be called cyberattacks but also hacktivist campaigns and destructive digital incidents that defy categorizations that have been spurred by the situation in Ukraine.

Timeline on Russia-linked cyber incidents

Given the rapid pace of events surrounding Ukraine, we have updated our timeline of Russia-linked attacks in the country, originally published January 19. The following is a chronological timeline of this years developments related to the cyberattacks in Ukraine:

January 11: U.S. releases cybersecurity advisory

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Security Agency (NSA) released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) providing an overview of Russian state-sponsored cyber operations, including commonly observed tactics, techniques, and procedures. The advisory also provided detection actions, incident response guidance, and mitigations.

CISA also recommended that network defenders review CISA's Russia Cyber Threat Overview and Advisories page for more information on Russian state-sponsored malicious cyber activity. The agencies seemingly released the CSA as part of an occasional series of joint cybersecurity advisories.

January 13 to 14: Ukrainian websites defaced

Following a breakdown of diplomatic talks between Russia and the West intended to forestall a threatened Russian invasion of Ukraine, hackers launched defacement attacks that brought down dozens of Ukrainian government websites, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Ministry of Education, and others. The hackers posted a message that said, Be afraid and expect the worst.

The message also warned Ukrainians that All your personal data has been sent to a public network. All data on your computer is destroyed and cannot be recovered, and raised historical grievances between Poland and Ukraine. Ukraines State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) press service said that no data were stolen in the attack.

Although Ukraine did not attribute the attacks to Russia definitively, the European Union's chief diplomat Josep Borrell hinted that Russia was the culprit. Serhiy Demedyuk, deputy secretary of Ukraines national security and defense council, preliminarily pinned the attacks on a hacker group linked to Belarusian intelligence known as UNC1151. Belarus is a close ally of Russia.

The European Union condemned the attacks and said it stands ready to provide additional, direct, technical assistance to Ukraine to remediate this attack and further support Ukraine against any destabilizing actions, including by further building up its resilience against hybrid and cyber threats. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that his cyber experts in Brussels were exchanging information with their Ukrainian counterparts on the malicious cyber activities and would sign an agreement on enhanced cyber cooperation.

January 14: Russia takes down REvil ransomware group

In what seemingly appeared to be a surprise demonstration of U.S.-Russian collaboration, Russias FSB domestic intelligence service said that it dismantled ransomware crime group REvil at the request of the United States in an operation that resulted in the arrest of the group's members. The announcement was made even as the attacks on the Ukraine websites were underway.

A senior administration official notably stopped short of confirming that the arrests were made at the administrations request. The official did say they were the product of the Presidents commitment to diplomacy and the channel that he established and the work that has been underway in sharing information and in discussing the need for Russia to take action.

January 15: Microsoft reveals discovery of malware on Ukrainian websites

Microsoft observed destructive malware disguised as ransomware in systems belonging to dozens of Ukrainian government agencies and organizations that work closely with the Ukrainian government. Microsoft didnt specify which agencies and organizations were targeted but said they provide critical executive branch or emergency response functions, as well as an IT firm that manages websites for public and private sector clients, including government agencies whose websites were recently defaced.

If activated by the attacker, the wiper malware would render the infected computer system inoperable. Microsofts Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) issued a technical post outlining the malware, saying that while designed to look like ransomware, it lacked a ransom recovery mechanism, was intended to be destructive, and was built to render targeted devices inoperable rather than to obtain a ransom.

MSTIC found no notable associations between the observed activity, tracked as DEV-0586, and other known activity groups. Microsoft has implemented protections to detect this malware family, known as WhisperGate, via Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

January 16: Ukraine blames Russia for attack on Ukrainian websites

Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation said that all the evidence pointed to the fact that Russia is behind the defacement attacks on Ukraines government websites. The latest cyberattack is one of the manifestations of Russia's hybrid war against Ukraine, which has been going on since 2014, the ministry said.

January 18: Data wiped at Ukrainian government agencies

According to the Ukrainian government and other individuals familiar with the incident, several Ukrainian government agencies had their data wiped in a cyberattack coordinated with the defacement attacks against government agency websites. The Ukrainian government said that it believed Russia was responsible.

January 23: DHS issues bulletin for critical infrastructure operators

The Department of Homeland Security sent an intelligence bulletin to critical infrastructure operators and state and local governments warning that Russia would consider conducting a cyberattack on the U.S. homeland if Moscow perceived that a U.S. or NATO response to a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine "threatened [Russia's] long-term national security.

February 15: Ukraine's defense ministry hit by DDoS attack

Ukraines State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) confirmed that a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack hit the websites of Ukraine's defense ministry and armed forces and the websites of two Ukrainian banks.

February 15: Declassified intelligence reveals Russian presence in critical Ukrainian networks

Newly declassified intelligence showed that Russian government hackers likely penetrated Ukrainian military, energy, and other critical computer networks to collect intelligence and position themselves potentially to disrupt those systems should Russia launch a military assault on Ukraine.

February 16: U.S. agencies issue joint Cybersecurity Advisory

CISA, along with the FBI and the NSA, issued a joint Cybersecurity Advisory titled, Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Target Cleared Defense Contractor Networks to Obtain Sensitive U.S. Defense Information and Technology. CISA said that compromised entities have included cleared defense contractors (CDCs) supporting the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Space Force, and Intelligence Community programs over the last two years.

February 18: CISA releases guidance regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict

In the face of ongoing Russia-Ukraine geopolitical tensions, CISA released a new CISA Insight, Preparing for and Mitigating Foreign Influence Operations Targeting Critical Infrastructure, which provides critical infrastructure owners and operators with guidance on how to identify and mitigate the risks of influence operations that use mis-, dis-, and malinformation (MDM) narratives.

February 18: U.S. attributes February DDoS attack to Russia's GRU

In an unprecedented development, the U.S. publicly attributed the February DDoS attacks against Ukraines defense ministry and significant banks to Russian GRU military intelligence officers. This attribution occurred in only a few days following the attacks, a process that usually takes months or even years. The Biden administrations deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, Anne Neuberger, announced this attribution at a White House press briefing saying that the U.S. moved swiftly to call out the behavior in the hopes of averting an invasion of Ukraine.

February 22: FBI warns U.S. businesses of potential for ransomware attacks

In a phone call with private executives and state and local officials, senior FBI cyber official David Ring asked U.S. businesses and local governments to be mindful of the potential for ransomware attacks as the crisis between the Kremlin and Ukraine deepened.

February 23: New form of destructive malware discovered in Ukrainian networks

Researchers from ESET and Symantec report that a new form of destructive malware called HermeticWiper that can delete or corrupt data on a targeted computer or network has been seen spreading in Ukraine. Symantec also said that the wiper had been detected in Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine and that targets included financial organizations and government contractors.

February 23: Ukrainian banking and government websites hit by DDoS attack

A new, second round of DDoS attacks took down Ukrainian government and banking websites. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraines digital transformation minister, confirmed that a sizeable DDOS attack affected the stability of several government websites and some Ukrainian banks and websites related to Ukraines parliament.

February 24: President Biden warns of risks to U.S. businesses, critical infrastructure

President Biden said during remarks on Russias invasion of Ukraine that "If Russia pursues cyberattacks against our companies, our critical infrastructure, we are prepared to respond. Biden added that For months, we've been working closely with the private sector to harden our cyber defenses, sharpen our ability to respond to Russian cyberattacks as well.

February 24: Russian websites, critical information infrastructure hit by cyberattacks

The Russian governments National Computer Incident Response and Coordination Center warned of the threat of an increase in the intensity of computer attacks on Russian information resources, including critical information infrastructure (CII). The warning follows numerous reports of outages on official Russian government websites, including the website of the Kremlin itself.

February 24: Viasat cyberattack impacts broadband service in Ukraine, across Europe

One of the worlds largest commercial satellite companies Viasat was hit with a multifaceted and deliberate cyber-attack against its KA-SAT network that resulted in a partial interruption of KA-SATs consumer-oriented satellite broadband service. The attack impacted several thousand customers located in Ukraine and tens of thousands of other fixed broadband customers across Europe.

February 26: Ukrainian officials urge civilians to join the Ukraine IT Army

Ukrainian officials supported a campaign to attract civilian developers and hackers into what it called the IT Army of Ukraine. The army almost immediately signed up 184,000 users on its main Telegram channel.

March 2: Microsoft warns of continued wiper attacks

In a blog update, Microsoft warned that the group behind the HermeticWiper attacks in February were still active, implying that it had observed other attacks that were not disclosed.

March 2: Russian government posts lists of IP addresses and domains allegedly involved in DDoS attacks against Russian targets
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Ghislaine Maxwell, who was recently convicted for sex trafficking charges and for her involvement in disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking, may have had a secret relationship with Prince Andrew, a Buckingham Palace royal protection officer claims.

An ITV documentary could potentially reveal the details into the close relationships between the royal family member, Maxwell, and Epstein. The show claims that the convicted sex trafficker traveled in and out of Buckingham Palace at will.

Secret Relationship

In a series of interviews with various members of their social circle, employees, and victims of Epstein and Maxwell, presenter Ranvir Singh will unravel the story of the billionaire heiress and her trial for child sex crimes. A former Buckingham Palace royal protection officer, Paul Page, will speak for the first time in front of television cameras.

The former official will share his suspicions that Maxwell may have had a closer, secret relationship with Prince Andrew more than what was previously known or reported. He told the documentary that the way Maxwell was entering and exiting the palace at will gave him and others the idea that she may have had an intimate relationship with the prince, Independent reported.

While previously being branded as friends, this is the first time that Maxwell and Prince Andrew are being labeled to have had a romantic relationship. The shamed socialite allegedly visited Buckingham Palace up to four times a day.

Read Also: Massive 9-Alarm Salisbury Fire Engulfs Hotel, 4 Other Buildings, Displacing Dozens of Locals

In 2009, Page was jailed for fraud and he previously claimed that Prince Andrew's female friends, including Maxwell, rarely signed in. On the other hand, in the royal family member's infamous car crash 2019 Newsnight interview, he explained that he met disgraced financier Epstein through his then-girlfriend Maxwell.

The prince said that he was acquainted with Maxwell since she was at university in the United Kingdom. Prince Andrew added that there were questions that Maxwell had to answer, but he argued that those were her problems, not his, The Sun reported.

Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell

The claim comes as Maxwell will no longer fight to protect the identity of eight "John Does" who allegedly had sex with young women that she and her deceased partner, Epstein, procured for them. One of her lawyers wrote in a letter to Judge Loretta Preska this week that she would no longer object to the identities of these individuals in a 2015 civil lawsuit brought against her by Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre.

The letter, which was sent on Jan. 12 and signed by Laura Menninger, said that after careful review of the detailed objections submitted by "Non-Party Does 17, 53, 54, 55, 73, 93, and 151," counsel for Maxwell said she no longer wished to further address those objections. The lawyer wrote the letter on the same day that a Manhattan federal judge refused to dismiss Giuffre's case against Prince Andrew, the New York Post reported.

The rumors come as Prince Andrew is facing a civil sexual assault lawsuit from Giuffre, who was one of Epstein's victims. She claims that she had sex with the royal family member when she was only 17 years old. Despite denying the accusations, Prince Andrew was stripped of his honorary military roles and royal patronages last week by the Queen.



Related Article: Connecticut Boy Dies of Fentanyl Overdose After Bringing Nearly 40 Bags of Deadly Drug at School

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STRATFORD  As Bridgeport prepares to hand over operation, either through lease or sale, of its Stratford-based airport to the state, a just-released study has concluded the facility needs at least $17 million in new investment but can potentially achieve tens of millions in revenues for Connecticut.

Last spring two of Igor Sikorsky Memorials tenants, Atlantic Aviation and Three Wing Aviation, along with Mayor Joe Ganims administration, commissioned the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis at the University of Connecticut to take a look at how to further develop the airport.

The $47,000 study  Bridgeport pitched in $7,000, with the private companies covering the rest  came as the city sought to bring regular commercial service back and have some hard data to help attract the necessary private, state and federal dollars.

Then it was announced in November that the Connecticut Airport Authority, which state lawmakers established a decade ago to take on the responsibility and the financial burden of running several Connecticut-owned airports like Bradley International, was negotiating to lease or buy Sikorsky from Bridgeport.

Kevin Dillon, the authoritys director, said his agency needs no convincing when it comes to Sikorskys potential.

We were provided a draft copy (of the UConn document), Dillon said. Were actually still going through it. Ill just say, without specifically commenting on any of the particular items in the study, CAA has felt all along theres a real opportunity to maximize Sikorsky Airport.

The UConn analysis provides more specifics on how that can be achieved and the minimum nearly $17 million price tag required.

Sikorsky at one time offered regular passenger service from the 1950s until 1999. It currently caters to business, charter and private flights, but the old passenger terminal there was demolished.

The Center for Economic Analysis recommends building two additional, 30,000-square-foot hangars, one this year, the second in 2023, at an estimated $30 per square foot to house and maintain at least 22 private jets. That will cost $1.8 million.

Theres money in that business, said Dan Roach, the Ganim aide involved in talks with the CAA. Theres focus on the passenger service, but the other areas of the airport  corporate and private  are things that keep the airport going.

Then, in order to restore regular commercial flights, the study calls for the installation of a temporary terminal in 2023 and construction of a permanent, $15 million one by 2026.

That building would serve passengers and crew flying to/from Orlando, Fla., Nashville, Tenn., Chicago and multiple communities in between and all cities in Eastern Canada, beginning with six arrivals per day in year one, reaching 17 by late summer 2026.

I believe the terminal could be even a little bit more expensive than $15 million, depending on the size and what youre looking to build, Dillon said.

Those $16.8 million worth of UConns recommendations would be on top of the $7 million Gov. Ned Lamonts administration recently approved to overhaul one of Sikorskys two runways, 11/29, which would be the preferred, quieter runway for commercial passenger planes.

And in late December Connecticuts Congressional delegation said that state airports would be receiving nearly $12.5 million from the recently passed federal infrastructure bill, including $763,000 for Sikorsky.

But the Center for Economic Analysis, after weighing multiple economic factors  new taxes and fees, job creation, impact on property values and attracting other business  concluded that the hangars and bringing back passenger service will reap tens of millions of dollars and a more active Sikorsky is vital to help grow the states economy.

Connecticuts dismal economic performance in the last decade argues powerfully for mobilizing critical assets such as Sikorsky to drive new business investments and job creation, the study states.

Asked where the money for upgrading Sikorsky will come from, Dillon said, Certainty the CAA is prepared to invest some of our resources. ... We intend to use our resources to maximize federal grants. We also anticipate there will be private investment into these facilities as well. The terminal building is a primary target for private investment.

Dillon has previously said that Breeze Airways, a new passenger carrier launched by former New Canaan resident David Neeleman that has begun operating out of Bradley, remains interested in Sikorsky. And the company confirmed as much last May in a letter supporting U.S. Rep. Jim Himes efforts to obtain federal dollars for the airport.

Other highlights from the UConn study include the conclusion that Sikorsky and New Havens Tweed Airport can successfully co-exist.

It is important to recognize that development of Sikorsky is not a dichotomous choice with the planned expansion of Tweed, reads the document. Connecticut needs to mobilize every asset it can to restore its economic health; the two airports serve fundamentally different regions and expansion of both maximizes the economic benefits the state can capture.

And, perhaps more important for good relations between Bridgeport, the CAA and Sikorskys host town of Stratford, the Center for Economic Analysis, though touching on the benefits of expanding the runways, found success can be achieved without doing so given technology allowing for shorter takeoffs/landings. The prospect of lengthened runways has traditionally met with stiff opposition in Stratford.

Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydicks chief of staff said they did not want to comment until they had received and reviewed the report.

In our scenario we do not foresee a runway expansion, Dillon said. We would not be looking to expand the runways.

As for when the Ganim administration and CAA will have a negotiated deal to present to their respective governing bodies  the Bridgeport City Council and the CAA board  Roach said the sides have agreed on basic undisclosed terms.

Its at the point now where the lawyers are just going to hammer it out, he said.

I dont want to negotiate it publicly, Dillon said. We continue to make good progress on it. ... Danny Roach and I, I think, have reached some good understandings as to how this could progress.

Dillon acknowledged a purchase would be a lot cleaner and a lot easier to accomplish but a long-term lease would also provide us with the same flexibility we need to bring development to the airport.

Either way, Dillon said, We would like to be operating the airport by the end of the year.
Credit union professionals looking to improve banking services and deepen their relationships with business partners should consider creating transparent career paths for their employees. Career pathing presents a structured development program within any financial institution. If done successfully, it allows workers to see their potential for advancement, set clear milestones and receive proper direction to achieve these aspirations.

Credit unions with burgeoning career path programs support employees in developing the necessary skills to advance in their field. They can benefit a company in many ways.

The Benefits of Career Pathing Options

Job path programs are vital in avoiding employee turnover. Replacing workers who resign is expensive, costing 21% of their annual salary. People who clearly understand how their career progresses will be less likely to quit, costing financial institutions fewer expenses and resources to rehire new employees.

Credit unions that have career path options in place are more likely to attract and retain talented employees and people who are qualified for the positions. Once transparent career pathing options are established, employees will have something additional to work toward. Theyll be incentivized to become top performers to advance their careers, resulting in better outcomes for the credit union.

How to Create Career Paths for Employees

Before establishing career paths for employees, best practice calls for company reflection and setting goals as a leadership team. What does the credit union hope to achieve with the career pathing program? Consider objectives like productivity, employee engagement or turnover as focus areas.

1. Create a Career Road Map

Create a detailed career map for each company position that charts a development path in each business area. For example, have a career map detailing the steps to go from a teller to a relationship banker, loan officer or auditor.

Additionally, explain the moves it would take to transition into a management role. Using a diagram or graphic to represent career position changes is helpful. It also highlights the many opportunities for employees to advance in their careers.

Add clarity by fleshing out the position profiles. Outline and detail job responsibilities, education requirements and necessary skills. Include technical training, licenses and required certifications.

2. Outline Performance Standards

Ask HR for a review of the top employees performance. Translate these numbers to the career road map, so other workers can aspire to the same execution level. Consider researching different metrics in banking to provide a broader achievement scale.

3. Incorporate Training Opportunities

Identify professional development opportunities for employees to advance and grow. Consider milestones like leadership training classes, employee stock ownership finances or cross-functional development courses. Additionally, market these training opportunities as a perk within the credit union and allow workers to complete training during office hours.

Offering growth options with an employees career can benefit a company significantly. People feel loyal to their employer, making them more likely to stay in their current role. It helps to develop the worker and save the company money by promoting from within rather than hiring from outside.

Communicate About the Career Pathing Program

Once the career path program is organized and established, the next step is ready to roll out. Consider having HR communicate the news so all is shared with existing employees in the same manner. Ensure everyone understands that the company wants them to grow. Have managers revisit this information soon after its been implemented to guarantee workers understand the core contents.

Keep career paths transparent for all employees by posting the road maps for all to see in the company interweb. If theres a physical office location, consider printing it out and displaying it. Have managers routinely meet with employees to see how theyre doing on their personal career path program.

Set up a System to Track Performance

Launch the program and establish a system to track employees success. Performance management software can help HR manage employee progress in the career path program and document job reviews. Another option is to administer a career development survey before launching the program and then conduct another study three months later. Compare results for benchmark data. Inspect turnover rates and employee performance metrics to measure success.

Support Employees Through Career Paths

The benefits of creating a career path program are profound. Employees are more likely to stay in their current role and become more efficient workers to help improve banking services and deepen business relationships.
Rebranding your credit union is a complicated process, and the most successful transformations are backed by data and research. Its not as simple as changing your logo, slogan, or brand colors  your brand is core to your vision, values, and cultural positioning, and must be relatable to your members.

If your new years resolution is to revitalize your credit unions marketing strategy, a rebrand could be the way forward. By refining your brand, you can establish a deeper connection with your current members and grow your position in the market, leveraging brand loyalty and engagement.

Lets take a look at the elements of an effective rebrand.

Research and strategize

Strategy is key to establishing the foundations of a rebrand. In order to refresh your organizations identity, you need to understand what is working now, and more importantly, what isnt.

The first step in rebranding your financial institution is to take a deep dive into your current brand perception by analyzing your culture and evaluating your brand awareness and engagement. Make sure you consider your brand position, competitors, and identify cultural brand gaps.

Through analyzing your target market, you can use personas to segment your members and understand the values that they connect with. A thorough evaluation is always helpful  take a look at your brand personality, organizational mission, and vision, and dont forget to review your internal brand culture too.

This discovery and understanding of your credit union can be collated into a new, refreshed, and informed brand strategy that will provide the basis for a successful rebrand.

Define your new you

Once you have gained an understanding of the strategy behind the rebrand, the next step is to define the new vision and values that provide the building blocks of your refreshed brand identity.

Maintaining your brands connection with your members is essential at this stage. A rebrand is typically only necessary when a company needs a lift in engagement, is moving in a renewed or expanded direction, or changes business models, so be sure youre clear on which elements of your existing brand resonates most with your members, and tie the new brand back to pieces of your heritage that members will most appreciate.

Showcase your brand personality and engage with your members in new ways through your new brand  this builds trust and encourages them to remain loyal to your credit union. Highlighting the positives in changing the look and feel of your brand isnt such a bad thing when it comes to communicating with your target audience in an honest and personalized way.

While developing a powerful new brand story demonstrates the reasoning behind the change, it also sets your brand apart from the competition.

A brand story isnt just a gimmick  research by Headstream found that if people connect with a brand story then they are 55% more likely to buy a product or service in the future, 44% more likely to share the story, and 15% more likely to engage with the organization immediately.

Make data-backed branding decisions

Make an extensive list of every brand touchpoint and identify what needs to change to reflect your new brand. Updating both visual and non-visual brand elements can uplift a brand and bring a new identity to life, but its important to utilize the wealth of data at your fingertips to make informed branding decisions.

When it comes to updating your logo, define the elements of the logo that are the most recognizable, and consider keeping aspects of this to maintain consistency and familiarity with your members. An effectively rebranded logo inspires excitement in an evolving brand.

Color is a powerful way to communicate. In fact, Color Communications suggest that in the 90 seconds it takes for someone to form an opinion of a brand, more than 62% of decisions are influenced by color alone. Consider applying color psychology to your selection of brand colors  they will evoke the emotions and values that represent your rebranded identity.

At each step, review your data, research, and strategy to establish what would most effectively represent your core values and appeal to your target audience before implementing changes.

Inspire your most important brand champions

A cohesive internal brand culture is essential to a successful rebrand. Your employees have the potential to be your biggest brand ambassadors, but without comprehensive brand education, they have the power to derail a new identity from the inside out.

Communicate clearly and openly  explain the reasoning behind the rebrand, what it aims to achieve, and establish a long-term plan for internal brand engagement. In order for your employees to embrace a rebrand, they need to understand the strategy and values that the new branding represents.

Consistency is vital  ensure your team are provided the tools and training to engage wholly with all aspects of the new brand. Every individual across the organization forms a piece of the puzzle  they bring integrity and humanity to your brand and represent its core values with every internal and external connection they make.

Want to learn more? Curious if you should rebrand? Or maybe youre ready to take the leap. EmpowerFi helps credit unions and financial institutions transform their use of data and strategy to improve marketing and brand engagement.

Real people, real branding experience. Lets chat. Schedule a one-on-one brand consultation today!
Rep. Ritchie Torres announced new legislation Monday that would require federally subsidized housing like Twin Parks to have heat sensors. Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Shutterstock

In the days following the deadliest New York fire in the last 30 years, it became painfully clear that existing safety laws failed to protect the residents of Twin Parks North West in the Bronx. The fire started when an electric space heater used to warm a chilly apartment malfunctioned, and smoke billowed into stairwells and hallways after malfunctioning self-closing doors failed to contain the blaze. The 19-story building also lacked both sprinklers and fire escapes  neither of which it is required to have. In the wake of the disaster, which left 17 people dead, a variety of new laws are being introduced in an attempt to prevent a fire like this from happening again.

On Monday, Representative Ritchie Torres and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced legislation that would require federally subsidized housing like Twin Parks to have heat sensors. During the colder months, city law requires building owners to warm apartments to at least 68 degrees during the day and 62 degrees overnight. But landlords regularly flaunt that rule. At Twin Parks North West, tenants reported inconsistent heating that led some to rely on space heaters. Installing sensors, Torres said, would deter landlords from skimping on the heat  if housing authorities had access to real-time temperatures, they could better enforce heating requirements and issue violations. This has already been proven effective: In 2020, the city piloted sensors at 26 buildings  including a seven-story apartment complex on the Lower East Side and four-story red brick building in Fort Greene  and those properties saw heat complaints drop by more than half. Torres also wants to pass a bill requiring an automatic shutoff for overheating space heaters, which are a leading cause of house fires.

Then there are the self-closing doors, whose failure during the fire created a flue effect, drawing smoke to higher floors where many of the deaths ultimately occured. It is easy in New York for landlords to get away with leaving broken self-closing doors unfixed  once a busted door is reported, all they have to do is tell the city that theyve made the repair without providing any proof. Local City Council member Oswald Felix is now pushing five new bills that would ramp up enforcement and penalties against landlords who fail to maintain them.

One such bill would require the citys housing department to reinspect any building written up for self-closing-door violations within seven days. If a door hasnt actually been fixed, a city worker would repair it, bill the landlord, and fine them a yet-to-be-determined amount. On the federal level, Torres plans to introduce legislation that would require self-closing doors for both apartments and common areas in federally subsidized housing. The bill would require building owners to inspect the doors on a monthly basis and ensure they are working properly.

Other fixes have been floated too. Feliz wants to boost the minimum temperature landlords are required to heat apartments. (They dont have a specific number in mind yet, though the idea may be to inch it closer to the temperature required in neighboring states  New Jerseys overnight number is 65, Massachusettss is 64, and Pennsylvanias is a relatively staggering 68.) And Gillibrand said that exempting older buildings from city laws requiring sprinkler systems is unacceptable; together with Torres she said she is working to get federal resources to install them in buildings across the city. There should be no grandfathering, she said on Monday. We should never see this kind of devastation again.
Photo taken on July 21, 2019 shows the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- It has been 73 years since Taiwan and the Chinese mainland were separated in 1949, due to the civil war in China and the interference of foreign forces.

As the evolution of cross-Straits relations attests, the country must be reunified, and will surely be reunified.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has put forward a series of important ideas and major policy propositions on Taiwan-related work, thus developing the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era.

Xinhua has compiled a list of keywords that shed light on the essence of the policy.

National reunification & rejuvenation

Wang Yingjin, director of the cross-Straits relations research center of the Renmin University of China, said that pursuing the complete reunification and rejuvenation of China is undoubtedly at the core of the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era.

"The Taiwan question arose out of the weakness and chaos of our nation, and it will be resolved as national rejuvenation becomes a reality," Xi once said.

Xi's remarks struck a deep chord with Zhuang Chuanhong, 91, whose family moved to Shanghai from Taiwan in 1938 as his father was unable to tolerate Japan's colonial rule. It was not until the early 1990s that Zhuang was able to revisit his hometown of Tainan in southern Taiwan because of decades of isolation on both sides.

"Many of my relatives in my hometown are looking forward to the realization of a real reunion of both sides of the Straits at an early date," Zhuang said.

Terminating political confrontation for lasting peace

"The longstanding political differences between the two sides are the root cause affecting the steady growth of cross-Straits relations, but we should not allow this problem to be passed down from one generation to the next," Xi said in 2019.

Xi reiterated a willingness to engage in broad exchanges of views with all parties, groups, or individuals in Taiwan regarding political issues between the two sides, and the promotion of China's peaceful reunification, in order to forge social consensus and advance political negotiations.

From the perspective of Liu Guoshen, head of the Collaborative Innovation Center for Peaceful Development of Cross-Straits Relations, peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" is the best approach to realizing national reunification.

He said that the approach maximizes the immediate interests of the people in Taiwan with due regard to the political demands of the Taiwan authorities, and embodies the long-term interests of the Chinese nation and the overall interests of the country.

Provided that China's sovereignty, security, and development interests are ensured, after peaceful reunification, Taiwan's social system and its way of life will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs, and lawful rights and interests of compatriots in Taiwan will be fully protected.

Placing hope on Taiwan people, opposing "Taiwan independence"

Secession aimed at "Taiwan independence" is the greatest obstacle to national reunification and a grave danger to national rejuvenation. The CPC remains committed to the principle of placing hope on the people of Taiwan.

The mainland has been consistently upholding the principled position of the 1992 Consensus, promoting people-to-people exchanges, delivering benefits to Taiwan people and placing hope on them, said Wang Kun-Yih, a professor at Tamkang University, adding that this is in the spirit of abiding by goodwill and sincerity.

In contrast, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authority has been seeking "Taiwan independence" since it took power in 2016, instigating confrontation and using foreign forces to resist reunification, posing a serious threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

Zhu Songling, a Taiwan studies professor at Beijing Union University, said that opposing "Taiwan independence" is integral to the overall policy of the CPC to resolve the Taiwan question in the new era. "National reunification and the downfall of 'Taiwan independence' are irreversible trends in history."

Integrated development in shared market

"It is the best of times for Taiwan entrepreneurs to accomplish something on the mainland, as cross-Straits trade, which has grown from nothing, now is booming under the mainland's preferential policies benefiting people in Taiwan," said Wu Chia-ying, director of the Taiwan chamber of commerce in the coastal Xiamen City, who has spent the past three decades doing business on the mainland.

The mainland continues to share development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots and enterprises, ensure that they receive the same treatment as those from the mainland, and expand cross-Straits economic and trade cooperation.

Integrated development on both sides of the Straits has been promoted.

The national plan for social and economic development in the 2021-2025 period outlines efforts to strengthen cross-Straits industrial cooperation and build a common cross-Straits market to grow a stronger Chinese economy, and to encourage Taiwan entrepreneurs and enterprises to take part in the Belt and Road Initiative and the country's coordinated regional development strategy.

"With more detailed measures and policies -- from enabling Taiwan compatriots to enjoy the same healthcare and housing purchasing treatment as mainlanders, to supporting Taiwan companies in participating in new infrastructure construction and seeking listings on the mainland -- we are feeling more and more at home," Wu said.

Closer bonds within the same culture

The closeness between people across the Straits is rooted in blood, history and culture, Xi has said on several occasions.

Chiang Ming-shyan, a renowned Taiwan artist who held a solo exhibition on the mainland in 1988, has printed one of the paintings he co-created with artists from the mainland on his name card. Chiang was among the first to bring his works to the mainland since the restoration of cross-Straits contact in 1987.

"To me, the co-created painting serves as the best footnote to the fact that people across the Straits share the same culture and blood," he said.

Past years have witnessed cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan on a variety of topics, including Chinese characters and cultural heritage preservation.

Just as Xi once said, "Between loved ones, there is no knot of perception that cannot be untied. With perseverance, we are sure to forge closer bonds of the heart and mind between the people on both sides."
Ohio math teacher Douglas Frank has been going across the United States to spread 2020 election fraud lies. According to reports, the math teacher decided to quit his job last year after allegedly discovering an equation that proves that the election was stolen from Donald Trump two years ago.

Douglas Frank creates sixth-order polynomial equation

Frank said that a sixth-order polynomial equation proves that the election was rigged during one of his gigs. He also claimed to be the perfect person to discover this because he has the right skills and loves to swim in big data.

While in North Carolina, Frank claimed that America was stolen using a spreadsheet. He also accused those in charge of taking care of the votes in Idaho of inflating registration rolls, stuffing phantom ballots, and then cleaning them afterward.

Ohio math teacher criticized by professor

Most recently, Frank has been going around Texas to tell his supporters that just about every county in the country was hacked. However, a political science professor debunked his claims.

"At the core of how our democracy works is that we have to trust election results. Luckily, the theory is so crazy that I think only the people who really want to believe or really, really want to see some conspiracy in the world would be persuaded. But nevertheless, I think there's a real danger there," Justin Grimmer said via CNN.

Read Also: Donald Trump's Speechwriter Subpoenaed After Writing Ex-POTUS's Pre-Capitol Riot Statement Urging Republicans To Fight Like Hell

Donald Trump, Republicans continue to spread election fraud claims

However, the publication also pointed out that Frank isn't the only person who has been spreading election fraud lies. An Ipsos poll previously revealed that a third of Americans believed that Joe Biden was an illegitimate president.

Trump has also been spreading election fraud lies even though he still hasn't shown any proof to support his claims.

Just last week, the ex-POTUS visibly became enraged after an interviewer grilled him on his dubious claims about the 2020 election result.

NPR's Steve Inskeep asked Trump why he continues to push the debunked conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 election. But before the ex-president could even give a direct answer, he decided to end the call.

A video of the interview shows Trump saying that he doesn't control what his supporters want to do. But the ex-POTUS thinks that smart Republicans like Kari Lake are very big on the issue.

Trump once again said that the only solution is for the election fraud claims to be proven because he firmly believes that it was rigged in favor of Biden, according to the Daily Beast.

Donald Trump supporters concede he lost to Joe Biden

However, even some of Trump's supporters who previously claimed that the 2020 election was stolen had already conceded.

In August, Sen. Ron Johnson conceded that Trump lost after an audit took place in Wisconsin. The GOP senator also said that Trump didn't win in the swing state simply because 51,000 Republicans in Wisconsin did not vote for him, according to Forbes.

According to Business Insider, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise also conceded that Biden won in the 2020 election even though he struggled to say that the election wasn't stolen directly.

Related Article: 4 Donald Trump Allies That Helped Spread Election Fraud Lies Subpoenaed by the House Select Committee Investigating the Capitol Riot

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
You are so exotic, a guy at the University of Oregon told me just moments after we met. Dressed up and intended as a compliment, this comment is afflicted with stereotypes and misconceptions. One of the most enduring tropes around Latin women in U.S. culture is Tropicalism, which erases ethnic specificity and replaces it with a generic image of bright colors, rhythmic music, brown skin and curvy hips. As soon as I introduce myself as Peruvian and Latin American, strangers begin to depict me as exotic and rob me of my individuality.

One thing Ive noticed since I moved to Oregon last September is that many people at UO lack any cultural awareness, the ability to recognize the nuances of ones own and other cultures. People simply havent been exposed to other cultures enough to have developed the experiential skills necessary to appreciate and understand different ethnicities, races and religions.

It is no secret that Oregon is not the most diverse place in the U.S. Home to more than 4 million people, 75% identify as White and only 13.4% as Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It is also home to Portland, ranked by WalletHub in 2019 as one of the least diverse cities in the U.S. For some, this does not pose a problem. But for members of minority groups, it affects how their culture and identity are perceived. A lack of representation creates a society that is inadvertently culturally blind.

UO is no exception to the shortfall of diversity. According to the Office of Institutional Research, 60% of all UO students identify as White, while only 12.6% identify as Hispanic or Latino. There are immense efforts by the UO administration to create an inclusive institution, such as their commitment to the Inclusion, Diversity, Evaluation, Achievement, Leadership act which is intended to enhance global perspectives. However, a lack of exposure to cultural diversity fosters an absence of cultural awareness among students.

Consequently, some UO students think its okay to call others exotic. Unfortunately, I do not feel associated with tropical birds or foreign fruits. I am most definitely not an imported good meant for your consumption. Calling me exotic downgrades my existence to an object. It is a compliment that sexualizes and objectifies non-eurocentric beauty, ignoring and denying the existence of any other value.

The content our society views on screen contributes tremendously to these attitudes. In a study published by the USC Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism, researchers found that Latinxs occupied only 3% of roles from the 100 top-grossing films of 2016. One-fourth of the women cast in these roles were either nude or wearing sexy attire. For decades, the media has depicted stereotypical representations of the Latin communities, sexualizing and objectifying women. Too often, the content that these industries distribute remains the only form of representation some individuals see of Hispanic and Latino culture. This affects how the entire community is perceived.

It is easy to believe these stereotypes when you have never been exposed to the diversity of Latin culture.

In order to increase cultural awareness, people must put themselves in situations where they can interact with others who are racially, ethnically and culturally different from themselves. One can have unknowingly have internalized many biases and stereotypes that our society enforces. Get to know and understand a person rather than relying on those distorted ideas. After all, cultural awareness consists of interacting with people without your preconceived ideas of them.

So, let beauty exist on its own terms, unrelated to ethnicity, color or race.

Dont call me exotic.
Unless you live under the rocks, you must have heard about legal entity identifiers. The term is getting thrown around a lot lately. And it's mostly within the financial and business space.

If you're curious to know whether your business needs a legal entity identifier number, I'm happy to tell you that you've come to the right place.

In this post, we're going to answer the age-old question: Who needs an LEI? So, let's roll.

What is really an LEI?

To benefit those who may not know, let's set the ground up first.

Legal entity identifier (LEI) is a 20-character alphanumeric code developed by international financial regulatory bodies to enable transparency, trust, and clarity in the global financial space. The concept was invented to help clients, investors, business owners, and government bodies know who they're dealing with and what other businesses that person.

In short, LEIs were developed to curb age-old challenges like fraud, money laundering, impersonation, financial data misrepresentation, amongst other common financial hiccups.

Now that we're all in the know, let's get back to the subject of the day, which is who needs an LEI?

Who needs an LEI?

I've been asked this question a lot of times. And each time, I always give the same answer I'm going to give you now.

There are two kinds of people who need the legal entity identifier number.

The first category:

Businesses and institutions are mandated by law to have an LEI number. These may include institutions like banks, credit unions, brokers, investment companies, insurance companies, financial traders, RTOs, ISOs, government agencies, etc.

The second category:

This category is a bit descriptive. It points to businesses that answer YES to the question below.

Do you think prospective business partners, investors, and customers may have a reason to doubt the legitimacy of your business? If yes, you also need an LEI Number, regardless of whether you sell puppy dogs or accept Bitcoin investments.

Why would prospective partners and clients doubt your business?

Perhaps because you operate from a foreign country, lack enough social proof, have some negative remarks about you online, or are a newly launched brand. By default, people doubt these types of businesses.

If you fall in this category, a legal entity identifier number can help prove you can be trusted.

Do people trust the LEI?

Yes, people involved in the financial space know and trust the LEI. They know it's ISO-backed and has a credible history behind it.

However, not everyone knows about LEI yet. It's possible you may find an investor who wants to invest in your brand but doesn't trust that you're completely legitimate and who doesn't know about LEI either. To convince this type of people, you may first need to sensitize them on the subject of legal entity identifiers. Thankfully, lots of credible and believable information sources out there support LEI. Your potential investor can find confirmatory statements on government websites, credible Not-for-profit organization sites, and also popular financial websites (e.g., Forbes).

Who doesn't need the LEI?

Individuals generally don't need LEI. If you're an individual trader on the financial market, a simple online retailer, a freelancer, or a solopreneur with no official branding, you won't need an LEI Number.

Technically speaking, people who fall in this category are not considered 'LEGAL ENTITIES.' You're more or less just a regular individual, whereas LEIs are designed for legal entities.

Types of businesses that need LEI

In case you need further convincing, here are some popular business types that could really use an LEI. Of course, we can't possibly discuss all the business types that we have out there. We've only chosen a few.

We've already described the two categories of businesses that need LEI. You should refer to that section of the post in case you can't find your business type below, or you're in doubt.

1. Financial institutions

The first group that requires LEIs is financial institutions. Whether you're a brokerage firm, a financial audit group, a bank, or a credit union, you definitely need to file an LEI application today.

For these kinds of businesses, transparency is highly important, especially considering the level of KYC proceedings that must be observed.

Imagine a private audit group not having a legal entity identifier number. How would such a company confidently walk into an organization to conduct a financial audit?

2. Financial associations

This group includes businesses offering tax services, retirement services, savings packages, and loan offers. Whether you're doing it on a small scale or you've gone global, you definitely need a legal entity identifier number if you want to be taken seriously.

3. Financial advisors

If you call yourself a financial expert, a financial advisor, or a financial consultant, you need certificates like the LEI to prove your legitimacy to clients.

Of course, you can use other certifications to affirm your status, but having an LEI is definitely an added bonus. Clients will be happy to know that they can verify your business name on the GLEIF site anytime they want.

4. Financial Market Traders

If your business trades on the financial market - whether stocks, bonds, Forex, equity, CFDs, etc. - you'll need an LEI to stay in business.

In your case, LEI is required for two reasons:

1) Because it is mandatory. As a financial trading company, LEI ownership is one of the many certificates you'll be required to have by regulatory bodies.

2) Because it helps prove your legitimacy (in case you're taking trades for others): Before someone can trust you with their money, they need proof that you can be trusted. One way to showcase your trustworthiness is by having an LEI.

5. Investment companies

Another type of organization that requires a legal entity identifier is an investment company. Before you can take investments from clients, you need to comply with the terms stated in the regulatory mandates of the state you're operating in.

Take the EU, for example; before an investment company can proceed with trades, the company and its clients must both possess LEIs. Otherwise, the EU authorities will block any transaction from taking place.

6. Government agencies

Many agencies in the USA are required by the Office of Financial Research to have an LEI. Agencies like the Federal Reserve Bank, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

7. Brokerage firms

Brokerage firms, or brokers for short, need LEI, too. As with the other business types we've discussed, brokers need LEI to ascertain their legitimacy and also to comply with major regulatory mandates in the country or jurisdiction they're operating.

Like in the case of the investment companies, clients of brokerage firms may also be required to have LEIs before being allowed to participate in the buying and selling of assets/securities.

8. Mortgagers

Whether you're targeting individual homeowners or corporate organizations, mortgagers need LEI Numbers to function properly.

For starters, LEI enables traceability of all their mortgage dealings, as well as pointing out real estate businesses they're in league with.

9. Insurance companies

Individuals and companies use insurance companies to protect themselves against loss. To operate as an insurance company in some countries, you need to have an LEI. In cases where you wish to insure foreign parties, you also need this need.

Not to forget, having an LEI helps alleviate any fears prospective clients may have about the legitimacy of your brand.

10. B2B Overseas business owners

If you're dealing with other business owners, customers, or investors across the border, you need to have a legal entity identifier number. Foreign investors or business partners may not have access to your local business registry. As such, there's no way they can confirm you're real.

But with an LEI Number, they can quickly look you up on the GLEIF (Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation) website.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ashland, KY (41101)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Sunbury, PA (17801)

Today

Periods of rain. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Products featured in this Mail Best article are independently selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com may earn an affiliate commission.

If you love the practicality of a Wellington boot but hate how bulky they are, you might be interested to hear that sustainable footwear brand SeaVees has a super stylish alternative that's just as practical.

The SeaVees fully waterproof Bolinas boots are shaped like a smart Chelsea boot but made from a natural rubber that will keep your feet dry in all eventualities.

Whether you're battling storms, hiking in the country or splashing through puddles on a wet day in the city, the boots will keep your toes toasty and comfortable without compromising on style.

The SeaVees Bolinas boots have the sleek, minimalist shape of a Chelsea boot as well as being 100 per cent waterproof

The SeaVees Bolinas boots will withstand all water, whether you wear them in the city for commuting or in the countryside for hikes

Combining fashion and function, the pull-on boots look at first glance to be regular footwear with elasticated sides and a sleek, minimalist fit.

The men's boots are available in a smart military olive color that add a touch of outdoor chic to blue denim jeans or brown pants.

The men's Bolinas boots are available in a chic shade of olive green, which looks fantastic with denim jeans

For women, a deep peacoat navy means these versatile boots will complement most items in a closet. Wear with skirts, jeans or even work pants to always feel protected from the unpredictable winter weather.

The SeaVees Bolinas boots for women are available in peacock navy, which complement jeans, leggings and even skirts

When purchasing from SeaVees, you'll also experience the feel-good factor that you're contributing to ocean research and saving the planet. For each Bolinas boot sold, 10% of the price will benefit the charity Un Mar De Colores who work to cultivate and inspire inclusivity, diversity, ocean stewardship and surf therapy for children of color and underserved youth.

With both the men's and women's options at $100, it will work out as great value for wear as many reviewers say that they wear them practically every day. Plus, the durable rubber will last many years, giving you protection winter after winter.

'These are just awesome!' said one delighted reviewer. 'I'm truly shocked at how comfortable they are, and they are the perfect fit.'

Shoppers love the pull-on tabs at the front and back of the boots, which makes putting them on and off super simple and mess-free

And if you hate the sticky mess that is trying to wiggle your feet out of wellies without getting your hands or clothing dirty, you'll be happy to see that both the men's and women's styles have two pull tabs at the front and back for easy entry.

Once your foot is inside, it will benefit from a soft knit lining to make your feet feel warm no matter what the temperature is outside.

Another practical feature is the ultra-grooved outsole to prevent against slipping, which is especially useful if you're likely to be on muddy or uneven ground.
A rooftop bar in the middle of a major Australian city has a pop-up frose bar lets guests pour their own cocktails and top with a selection of sweet treats.

Untied rooftop bar in Barangaroo in the heart of Sydney's CBD is the perfect spot for a summer tipple in the sunshine.

Untied has become a popular spot for party lovers for its colourful tropical decor, Instagrammable food and drinks, city views and harbour glimpses.

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A stunning rooftop bar in the middle of a major Australian city has a pop-up frose bar lets guests pour their own cocktails and top with a selection of sweet treats

Untied rooftop bar in Barangaroo in the heart of Sydney's CBD is the perfect spot for a summer tipple in the sunshine

Untied has become a popular spot for party lovers for its colourful tropical decor, Instagrammable food and drinks, city views and harbour glimpses

They offer bottomless top-ups from their 'Frose Your Way' bar that has nine different flavours and wall of lollies and dried fruits you can garnish your drink with.

Flavours include strawberry kisses, orange crush, passion fruit, bubblegum blues, apple of my eye and more.

Diners can enjoy their frozen cocktails with a range of Untied's popular menu item including the parmesan truffle fries, signature burgers and donut dessert fries.

They offer bottomless top-ups from their 'Frose Your Way' bar that has nine different flavours and wall of lollies and dried fruits you can garnish your drink with

Guests can enjoy two hour bottomless access to the frose bar and garnish wall for $39 per person

If you don't want to commit to two hours of frose, you can get individual drinks for $12 or $7 during happy hours

Guests can enjoy two hour bottomless access to the frose bar and garnish wall for $39 per person.

If you don't want to commit to two hours of frose, you can get individual drinks for $12 or $7 during happy hour.

For more information or to book a table, head to the Untied Sydney website.
A care worker who stole 7,200 from a vulnerable woman and blew it during a luxury holiday in Mexico was caught when her husband heard her talking in her sleep about money.

Ruth Fort, 47, from Lancashire, stole the money from a vulnerable and wheelchair-bound woman while working at a care home.

Her husband, Antony, 61, became suspicious after Fort began splurging cash on a family holiday to Mexico - and one month later, he was awoken by his wife talking in her sleep, and found a debit card, belonging to the care home resident, in her purse.

He reported her to the police and Fort appeared before Preston Crown Court in February 2021 where she admitted to stealing 7,200 and was handed a suspended jail sentence of 16 months, with conditions including attending drug rehabilitation sessions.

This month, Fort appeared before Liverpool Crown Court after breaching the suspended jail sentence, which she admitted, and the judge agreed to give her one last chance.

Father-of-three Antony says: 'I had my suspicions when Ruth began over-spending. It was more of an instinct really, at first. But when I found the debit card in her purse, I just knew. It was heartbreaking.

Ruth Fort, 47, (pictured) stole 7,200 from a vulnerable and wheelchair-bound woman while working at a care home

Her husband, Antony, 61, (pictured) became suspicious after Fort began splurging cash on a family holiday to Mexico

'I loved Ruth deeply, but I could not ignore what she had done. It was abhorrent to me that she could steal from a vulnerable person and I had to report her.'

Antony, 61, a microbiologist, met Fort whilst he was studying at Liverpool university. They began dating in May 2008 and fell in love over a shared passion for music.

He says: 'We went to gigs and did a lot of walking. We were really happy together.'

They moved in together in Fleetwood, Lancashire, and were married on New Year's Eve 2010. But their relationship ran into difficulties.

The couple then moved house again to a picturesque Lancashire village and Fort took up running and fitness and found part-time work as a carer. Antony felt encouraged that their problems were behind them.

Antony, 61, a microbiologist, met Ruth whilst he was studying at Liverpool university. They moved in together in Fleetwood, Lancashire, and were married on New Year's Eve 2010. The couple are pictured on their wedding day

Antony says: 'One night, in August 2018, I picked Ruth up from work and she told me she'd taken one of the care home residents out shopping that day.

'She said the lady, who was in a wheelchair, had 98,000 in her bank account. Something in the way she spoke just made my heart sink. I realised Ruth must have access to the card and pin number.

'There was no more to it, but I began worrying, even though I had no reason to. It was an instinct.'

In November 2018, Antony booked a family holiday to Mexico and whilst they were away, Fort began splashing the cash.

Antony says: 'Ruth booked lots of trips on the holiday. She was spending so much. When I questioned her, she claimed relatives had given her a thousand pounds spending money. I wasn't sure whether to believe her.'

Anthony, pictured with Fort before discovering her crime, said he 'loved Ruth deeply, but I could not ignore what she had done'

Early in December 2018, Fort took time off work with epilepsy. One night soon after, Antony was woken by Fort talking incoherently in her sleep. He found her purse on the floor beside her, with four or five 20 notes falling out.

As he closed the purse, Antony noticed a debit card which belonged to the care home resident she had been looking after.

He says: 'Ruth was mumbling about money and when I woke up, I saw the purse on the floor with a few notes fallen out. I got up to put them back, and in her purse, I saw the debit card.

'It all clicked into place, and I felt absolutely sickened. I couldn't believe it. When Ruth woke up, I confronted her, and she admitted everything. I told her to pack her bags and leave. It was heartbreaking, I loved her, and yet I knew I had no choice but to report her.'

Late in December 2018, Antony went to the police and Fort was arrested soon after. She appeared before Preston Crown Court in February 2021.

Antony says: 'When the case became public there was revulsion in our village. My family really suffered as a result. I had done the right thing and yet I was being judged alongside Ruth.'

Late in December 2018, Antony went to the police and Fort was arrested soon after. She appeared before Preston Crown Court in February 2021

Ruth Fort appeared before Preston Crown Court in February 2021 and admitted stealing 7,200.

The court heard she had preyed on the vulnerable woman over a two-month period.

She was handed a suspended jail sentence of 16 months, with conditions including attending drug rehabilitation sessions.

The judge praised Antony for his 'commendable' actions, saying: it 'must have been a very difficult thing to do.'

She told Fort: 'The temptation here turned into greed, and you should be thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour.'

This month, Fort appeared before Liverpool Crown Court after breaching the suspended jail sentence by twice not attending drug rehabilitation sessions and had also missed a meeting with her probation officer.

Fort admitted to breaching her suspended sentence and the judge agreed to give her one last chance.

He imposed a six-week curfew between 7am and 7pm and warned her that if she breaches the orders or commits any other offences the jail term would probably be activated.

Antony says: 'My anger has subsided now, and I want to help her. I feel as though the system has failed us so far.'
The horrifying moment that an enormous spider dropped from the ceiling onto a sleeping baby was captured on the snoozing child's baby monitor.

mother Emily Stewart, from Bradley, Illinois, shared the footage on TikTok, showing how the spider was first filmed crawling across the baby monitor's camera while the small child was blissfully unaware in her crib.

But a moment later, the spider drops several feet, landing in tension-building slow-motion on the baby's head.

The horrifying moment that an enormous spider dropped from the ceiling onto a sleeping baby was captured on the snoozing child's baby monitor

Suddenly, two bright white lines appear on camera, obscuring almost everything else. They continue to move, as the body of spider reveals itself, crawling directly over the camera lens

The arachnid scuttles by, moving past the lens before dropping off the ceiling from a strand of silk, slowly lowering itself closer and closer to the baby

'Trigger warning!!' Emily captioned the video, which has been viewed 3.2 million times since it was posted on January 4.

'I think my life would have been better if I didnt see this. Now I have to burn the house down,' she wrote.

Using audio from the Kreepa song 'Oh no,' she uploaded a few seconds of the toe-curling incident.

For a moment, everything seems fine from the vantage point of the baby monitor, which appears to be mounted on the ceiling.

Down below, baby Kyla is alone in her room, sleeping on her side in her crib.

Thanks to a glowing effect, it's clearly visible all the way down as it appears to land on the unsuspecting baby's head

'I think my life would have been better if I didnt see this. Now I have to burn the house down,' other Emily Stewart, from Bradley, Illinois wrote on TikTok

Emily did not see the footage until the morning and killed the spider, which had not bitten her daughter, Kyla

But suddenly, two bright white lines appear on camera, obscuring almost everything else. They continue to move, as the body of spider reveals itself, crawling directly over the camera lens.

Because the video is black and white and was filmed in the dark, the monitor's infrared lights create the illusion that the spider is glowing.

The arachnid scuttles by, moving past the lens before dropping off the ceiling from a strand of silk, slowly lowering itself closer and closer to the baby.

Thanks to the glow, it's clearly visible all the way down as it appears to land on the unsuspecting baby's head.

In a second video, the spider is seen crawling back up the silk strand to the ceiling.

Emily said that she didn't see the video until the morning, but killed the bug soon after. She also assured viewers that the baby was not bitten.

Commenters are horrified and have joked that Emily must have 'never went to get her child again'

Yet commenters were not satisfied and expressed horror over the incident.

'Im so sorry for your loss.Im assuming you never went to get your child again?' wrote one.

'Press charges you got it on camera,' wrote another, while others called it 'terrifying.'

'The spider had the ENTIRE ROOM.... and it chose right there to spin down, wrote a third, while a fourth suggested: 'The way it went down to the baby gotta throw the room and the baby away now.'

'Absolutely not,' wrote one more. 'I'm not even afraid of spiders but repelling onto a sleeping baby?? Immediately no.'
A woman who asked TikTok users to help her find the mystery man she flirted with on vacation has learned that he is married with children.

Mica Renee, a blogger and model from Pennsylvania, shared a video of herself frolicking in the ocean with the guy while in Florida, explaining that she failed to save his phone number and was hoping to track him down.

'TikTok help me find this man I met in Miami. He walked right into the ocean to introduce himself to me. I was lit when he gave me his number,' the 28-year-old wrote, adding: 'Hopefully he ain't married.'

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Mica Renee, a blogger and model from Pennsylvania, took to TikTok last week to ask users to help her track down the mystery man she flirted with while on vacation in Miami, Florida

Mica said he introduced himself in the water and gave her his number, but she failed to save it

In the caption, she noted that she thought he said he was from Detroit, Michigan.

The video has been viewed more than 4.7 million times and internet sleuths did find the man  who goes by 'AJ' on TikTok  but only after they discovered his wife.

After Mica learned he was married, she filmed an update in which she detailed how AJ had approached her and introduced himself.

'I was in Miami, looking all good in the ocean, and my friend was taking pics of me,' she explained. 'He came up to me and he introduced himself. My friend thought he was bold, so she kept recording.'

Mica claimed that he gave her his number, but she had one too many drinks and didn't actually save it, which worked out for the best.

The video has been viewed more than 4.7 million times and internet sleuths did find the man, but only after they discovered his wife

'So the update is that he is indeed married, and I wont be reaching out to him,' she said, adding that AJ's wife had asked her to leave her original video up.

'All I have to say is, ladies, dont believe in fairy tales. You may go viral.'

Mica included a screenshot of the alleged conversation she had with his wife via direct message. After she apologized to the woman and assured her she wouldn't be reaching out to her husband, the woman insisted she did nothing wrong.

''It's not your fault. He didn't care soo please believe I'm not about to. But thank you for posting this. Everything done in the dark will always come to the light,' she wrote.

AJ, whose TikTok handle is @irontemple07, denied Mica's claims in a series of three videos, saying they met briefly chatted, but he never gave her his number.

In a follow-up clip, Mica said she won't be reaching out to him after connecting with his wife, saying she was asked to keep her original video up

'All I have to say is, ladies, dont believe in fairy tales. You may go viral,' Mica warned

'I wasnt gonna comment to anything, honestly, because I know the truth [and] everything that happened,' he said. 'But little miss cheater is really trying to run off this clout that she got from completely capping. Its time for the truth.'

AJ claimed he met Mica five months ago in August 2021 and they talked for about five minutes  'seven at most.' He insisted he didn't even know her name until he saw the 'crazy video' she had posted.

'The video you made, you definitely edited it and sliced it in a good way to depict whatever the hell you [are] trying to prove or say,' he added, addressing Mica.

While he admitted that he did come up to her first, he claimed it was a completely innocent conversation.

'I was already enjoying myself in the ocean, basking in Gods blessings upon me as the sun shined upon my bald head, then you wobbled your a** down to the water,' he said.

The man, who is known as 'AJ' on TikTok, responded with his own account of what happened, claiming they chatted for about five minutes five months ago

AJ admitted he approached Mica first, but he insisted he was just 'having fun' and wasn't in any way trying to cheat on his wife

According to AJ, he came up to her after he saw that her friend was pictures of her in the water because he is a 'gentleman' who was 'having fun.'

He insisted there was 'nothing serious' about their conversation, noting that if he had been trying to cheat, their interaction would have been more 'intimate.'

AJ also claimed that he never gave Mica his phone number, saying it's 'weird as hell and very lame' that she was still thinking about their brief encounter five months later.

'I mean, granted, I know Im a handsome guy. And I like to think that I got a decent mouthpiece,' he said. 'But I cant even give myself that much credit.'

In his final video, he reiterated that he didn't cheat nor did he attempt to cheat on his wife with Mica.

'That's why the convo was very, very short,' he said. 'That's why I left that beach and got the hell home and continued having fun enjoying my life.'
Travellers are flocking to this incredible flower field where you can make your own bouquet and get a picture-perfect colourful photos.

Glenbernie Family Farms in Kurmond, just over an hour's drive north west of Sydney's centre, has been taking social media by storm.

The sea of flowers provides the ultimate backdrop for keen photographers to capture colourful snaps.

Travellers are flocking to the spectacular Glenbernie Family Farms to explore the sprawling fields of stunning flowers

Glenbernie Family Farms in Kurmond, just over an hour's drive north west of Sydney's centre, has been taking social media by storm.

The sea of flowers provides the ultimate backdrop for keen photographers to capture colourful snaps

The highly Instagrammable destination has become a popular spot for travel starved Sydneysiders with dozens of photos and videos of the magical flower fields popping up all over social media.

Visitors can enjoy exploring fields of golden yellow sunflowers as well as dahlias, zinnias, delphiniums, celosias, cosmos, and heaps more.

You can make your own bouquet out of the wide variety of flowers on site for $4 a stem.

The highly Instagrammable destination has become a popular spot for travel starved Sydneysiders with dozens of photos and videos of the magical flower fields popping up all over social media

Visitors can enjoy exploring fields of golden yellow sunflowers as well as dahlias, zinnias, delphiniums, celosias, and cosmos and can make their own bouquet out of the wide variety of flowers on site for $4 a stem

Glenbernie Family Farms also offers seed packets of gold sunflowers, bedding dahlias or cosmos for $10

Glenbernie Family Farms also offers seed packets of gold sunflowers, bedding dahlias or cosmos for $10.

Entry to the farm is $10 at the gate for adults and $5 for kids between 4 and 15 years old.

Glenbernie Farms is open from Friday to Sunday and guests must wear closed in footwear to enter.

The farm is pet friendly but patrons must be sure to keep their furry friends on a leash

Entry to the farm is $10 at the gate for adults and $5 for kids from Friday to Sunday

The farm is pet friendly but patrons must be sure to keep their furry friends on a leash.

Visitors wanting to pick flowers are advised to bring a bucket and secateurs or something to snip the stems.

For more information, head to the Glenbernie Family Farms website here.
Coles has launched a delicious new spirit, Vero Aperitivo, which is perfect for summer spritzes.

Vero Aperitivo is the supermarket giant's own version of Aperol and was created from a secret recipe that came to Australia from Italy 80 years ago.

Priced at just $20 a bottle, $9 cheaper than Aperol, Vero makes for the ideal base for a classic Italian spritz with sparkling water, prosecco and ice.

The zesty orange liqueur, which is currently on special for just $15, is created with locally-made wine, aromatic herbs and bitter-sweet citrus flavours.

Coles has launched it own version of Aperol, Vero Aperitivo, which is just $20 and perfect for summer spritzes.

The zesty orange liqueur, which is currently on special for just $15, is created with locally-made wine, aromatic herbs and bitter-sweet citrus flavours

How to make the perfect Spritz Veneziano - Two parts Vero Aperitivo - Three parts prosecco - Splash of soda water Mix all ingredient in a wine glass with crushed ice, gently stir and garnish with a slice of orange. Advertisement

Vero brings a taste of Italy to Australia and is made in the Riverina region in New South Wales which is known for its shiraz and cabernet sauvignon wines.

The bitter orange aperitif is an essential ingredient in the traditional Spritz Veneziano cocktail, popular in Northeast Italy, that first appeared in the 1920s and was originally served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

The refreshing orange spritz has become a popular choice among Aussies in the summer recently and is now served at bars, restaurants and sporting events, like the Australian Open, all across the country.

Coles Liquor Merchandise General Manager, Brad Gorman said Vero Aperitivo brings together Australian style and Italian heritage.

'Vero brings to life a generations-old aperitif recipe in an authentically Australian way that we know our customers will love,' he said.

Vero Aperitivo is available from Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market.
A journalist has blasted Kanye West for buying his new girlfriend a whole new wardrobe on their second date, calling the move 'serial killer-level mad.'

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, London-based author and feminist writer Rebecca Reid branded the move 'cruel and rude' and said that she'd run away if anyone asked her to get rid of her clothes.

It's been reported that West, 44, who is dating model Julia Fox, 31, bought her a new wardrobe on their second date as a romantic gesture.

Debating the issue with Rebecca on the morning show, 10 Years Younger presenter Nicky Hambleton-Jones said she thinks the move is 'romantic' and that we should just 'embrace it.

Viewers were split over the issue, but many told Rebecca the best course of action would be to take the clothes and move on.

North London-based author and feminist writer Rebecca Reid said on Good Morning Britain that Kanye West buying a new wardrobe for his girlfriend was 'cruel,' 'rude,' and that she'd run away if anyone asked her to get rid of her clothes

Some people agreed with Rebecca, but others said they'd just accept the clothes and keep them after the breakup

Asked how she would react if a date bought her a new wardrobe, Rebecca said: ' I would think: "When will he murder me and can I get away fast enough to prevent that happening?".

'It's serial killer-level mad, and even if my instincts are a little overly honed and his plan is not to keep me in a basement, I'd think "What is wrong with my clothes? Why are you trying to control me? Why are you udnermining my confidence?".

'There would not be a second date.'

Nicky Hambleton-Jones had a different point of view, and said she has no issue with West buying his girlfriend new clothes.

It was reported that the rapper, 44, bought a whole new wardrobe for his new girlfriends Julia Fox, left, 31, on their second date

'As women, have we forgotten how to accept romance, and just embrace that gesture?' she asked.

'Kanye West is someone who is bold, he's got a strong brand identity: he's over the top,' she added.

'Him buying his girlfriend a whole new wardrobe on their second date is probably like my husband buying me a new handbag from a high street shop.

'We can't really relate to it, but I think there is something super romantic about it.

'You know, it's the second date, if it falls apart she gets to keep the wardrobe. That's a win-win in my department,' she joked.

Rebecca said it is 'serial killer-mad' to buy a partner new clothes on a second date as well as controlling

10 Years Younger presenter Nicky Hambleton-Jones said she buys clothes for her husband all the time

But Rebecca said she feels the move is a way to control your date and a rude way to treat a partner.

'I'm sure you would agree, what we wear is a big part of who we are, it's how we express ourselves,' she said. 'It's a really important creative outlet. And with Kanye West it's literally all of the clothes.'

She aregued that his actions are the rapper's way of saying: 'I hate all of the ways you've chosen to express yourself, I'm going to erase the entire thing.'

But Nicky challenged her, saying: 'Did he say to Julia Fox "I hate all your clothes" or did he say "Darling, I bought you a wardrobe, take it or leave it, wear what you want?".

The two women, pictured, debated the issue on this morning's Good Morning Britain. with Rebecca saying she thinks asking someone to get rid of all their clothes is 'rude,' and 'cruel'

'I think there is a fine line between the two,' she added.

Rebecca reminded Nicky that Kanye West made Kim Kardashian throw her wardrobe away when they started dating, on Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

'He said: "You dress badly and all of your stuff has to go." He made her throw things away,' she recalled.

Suzanna Reid chimed in to remind Rebecca that Kim had done the same thing for her mother, Kris Jenner, on the show.

'It's also on the Kardashians that Kim buys her mum as whole wardrobe full of clothes as a birthday gift,' she said.

Some viewers said Rebecca can 'take it or leave it' and others said they'd happily keep the clothes

'They are multimillionaire and given each other set of clothes is a gesture of love,' she added.

But Rebecca pointed out Kim shopped with Kris Jenner rather than buying her things arbitrarily.

'There is really a different between shopping with somebody and working with their style and saying like Kanye did "You dress badly, I don't like it, you have to change".

'And that is fundamentally really, really, really rude,' she added.

She added it's no better when a woman forces her partner to change their clothes.

'It's definitely more normalised for women to go "oh I hate all your clothes, I'm throwing them all away, I'm improving you." But I actually think it's still pretty cruel when you do it to a man,' she said.

'There's a real different in saying "I love you in dark blue and I've bought you this very lovely jumper, and saying "I got rid of all your clothes. I don't care if they had memories, I'm getting rid of all of them and they're all rubbish,' Rebecca added.

Nicky said she buys clothes for her husband all the time and that he loves it.

'My love language is buying things, particularly in fashion because it's my passion,' she said.

Viewers were split with the issue, with some saying they'd take the clothes and move on, while others said it was a red flag.

'Buying someone a new wardrobe of clothes is controlling!! He did it with Kim Kardashian too,' one said.

'Kanye West can buy me a new wardrobe if he wants. I'm sick of wearing my Lonsdale s*** every day,' another wrote.

'I see no issue... also let's not forget how they spend money is very different to the majority!!!! I'll take the wardrobe thank you please,' one said.

'Anybody turning up with a gift on the 2nd date is a warning sign,' one agreed with Rebecca.

'Look Rebecca, take it or leave it, its a brand new wardrobe full of top of the range clothing for free.. if thats something to argue about then I dread the debate over what came first, the chicken or the egg,' another wrote.
Mother was referred to a specialist ward where her condition was monitored

Viewers of 24 Hours in A&E were left in tears after the series premiere saw an 82-year-old woman with Alzheimer's die after being hospitalised with sepsis.

Pamela Carrana was rushed to St George's Hospital in Tooting with a suspected blood infection after she became unresponsive in the south London home she shared with daughter and carer Lisa.

Doctors discovered the infection was the result of a twisted bowel, and Pam - who spent her youth enjoying the 'glitz and glamour' of the West End - passed away after seven days in hospital.

Her daughter explained how Pam spent years managing a lavish London nightclub, where she hobnobbed with 'politicians and gangsters' before meeting the love of her life in Lisa's father.

The episode, which aired on Channel 4 last night, left viewers 'crying their eyes out' after discovering that Pam had passed away after hearing Lisa's poignant memories of her mother.

Pamela Carrana, pictured with her husband in the 1960s, spent her youth managing a lavish London nightclub, where she hobnobbed with 'politicians and gangsters' before meeting the love of her life in Lisa's father

Pamela, 82,was rushed to St George's Hospital in Tooting with a suspected blood infection after she became unresponsive in her south London home in 2020

'I sat there next to her hospital bed and she held onto my hand so tightly at one point, but I think that was her saying goodbye. I felt it', said Lisa.

Viewers quickly took to Twitter to share their sadness at Pam's death, with one writing: 'I will never understand how people can just sit and watch things like 24 hours in a&e. im literally just sat here crying my eyes out.'

'24 Hours in A&E is killing me tonight. Still too raw', said another.

'Someone needs to remind me not to watch 24 Hours in A&E. Emotional', wrote a third.

The episode, which aired on Channel 4 last night, left viewers 'crying their eyes out' after discovering that Pam had passed away after hearing Lisa's poignant memories of her mother

Pam had been ill for a couple of days before she was rushed to hospital in 2020 after Lisa, who cared for her mother, noticed her abdomen had become extremely swollen.

'My mum had been ill for a couple of days but I stayed up with her that night just as an air of caution, said Lisa.

'When I woke up her stomach was really swollen. It was alarming, it was massive. She looked like she was 18-months pregnant and my mum was tiny. I was alarmed because she's so vulnerable, she can't verbalise how she's feeling - but there was something seriously wrong'.

'It crossed my mind that my mum may not come back home, I was really, really worried about her'.

When Pam was diagnosed with Alzheimer's her daughter Lisa (pictured) moved back to her mother's south London home to care for her

Pam loved music and dancing, and Lisa says that in the months ahead of her mother's hospitalisation she was still singing aloud to her daughter.

Sharing memories of her mother, Lisa said: 'My mum was very, very generous. She was generous with her time, with her love, generous to a fault really. She always had this spirit which everyone gravitated to.

'I remember sitting on buses or trains, people always came and spoke to my mum. She was born in 1937 in Stockwell. She was always singing, dancing, playing the piano. Always up to something.

'She was always going up to the West End and looking and embracing it all, she was drawn to the bright lights of central London and the glitz and glam'.

Pam worked in the 1960s as a manageress at the swanky central London Georgian Pussy Club, where she entertained influential figures of the day including politicians and celebrities.

'In the 1960s London really was swinging, and it was really fun', she said. 'I think she ended up being a manageress of a club in the west end called the Georgian Pussy Club.

Pam married her beloved husband in a registry office before giving birth to Lisa at the age of 36, followed by her sister Stella

Stella sadly died of a blood disorder when Lisa was a teenager. The pair are pictured together in their teens

'There would be a band, there would girls dancing and they served up everyone, the clients were politicians gangsters, anyone influential at the time. They worked hard in the club, they really did. And they partied and enjoyed life.

'She loved her time there and actually it's the time she met my dad. My mum thought he was the most good-looking man ever, I think she fell in love with my dad instantly. He was quite a cheeky chappy dark handsome, had a bit of a swagger. He would pick my mum up in his Rover from the club every night.'

The pair were married in a registry office before giving birth to Lisa at the age of 36, followed by her sister Stella, who sadly died of a blood disorder when Lisa was a teenager.

Lisa's father passed away in 2015, and when Pam was diagnosed with Alzheimer's she moved back to her mother's south London home to care for her.

'Living with my mum again just felt the same', she said. 'There was no difference really from when I was younger. There was such strong love and respect for each other and i'm so grateful for that time.'

She added: 'She still made us laugh, she had me and her carers cracking up at times, her one liners. We used to listen to music we had it on full volume because she was a little bit deaf, but she loved it.'

Pictured, Pamela smiling when she recognised Lisa next to her bed while hospitalised for sepsis

When Pam was rushed to the hospital doctors gave her intravenous antibiotics in an attempt to stabilise her condition before being referred to a specialist ward where her condition was monitored.

However after spending a week in hospital, doctors discovered she was suffering with volvulus, and Pam died with Lisa by her side.

'I actually had a feeling she was going to go a couple of days before because that was my sister's birthday and I had romanticised this thing in my head she was going to be with my sister on her birthday', said Lisa.

'She actually went on on bonfire night so my mum went out with a bang.

'I gave my mum the best funeral I could for her and we celebrated her life because it was the last thing I could do for my mum.

'I think my mums legacy lives within everyone she encountered and I think her ability to party definitely lives within all of us. We always enjoy raising a toast to mum, she lived and she knew how to live and I think that is something to be very proud of'.

24 Hours in A&E airs on Channel 4, Tuesday, 9pm
A carer who fell in love with a burglar from his prison cell has revealed how he proposed a day after his release with a dazzling diamond and platinum ring.

Breah Sutton, 22, from Swindon, had never met serial burglar Harley Webb, 32, from south east London when they started talking on the phone in August 2020 after a friend who was also 'dating' an inmate put them in touch.

But after a month of countless messages, phone calls, letters and lavish gifts, the pair were smitten and became boyfriend and girlfriend, despite not meeting in person for another eight months.

Once Covid restrictions banning prison visits were lifted, Breah visited her boyfriend for the first time in May 2021, surprising his with a tattoo of his initial on her ribs.

She visited every week since then until his release a week ago, on 10th January.

Breah Sutton, who fell in love with a burglar from his prison cell has revealed how he proposed a day after his release with a dazzling diamond and platinum ring.

Breah Sutton, 22, from Swindon, had never met serial burglar Harley Webb, 32, from south east London when they started talking on the phone in August 2020 after a friend who was also 'dating' an inmate put them in touch. The pair are pictured together

She's became a viral sensation on TikTok sharing stories about her life as a 'prison wife' but many have branded her 'naive' and a 'gold-digger' - with many questioning how he affords the lavish design gifts he buys her from behind bars, which have included designer clothes, shoes, roses and even a French Bulldog puppy.

But just 24 hours into his freedom, Harley showed he was ready to commit by popping the question before releasing celebratory fireworks.

The following day the loved-up duo, who have been together for 18 months, went and chose an engagement ring together, with Breah opting for a diamond and platinum number.

The carer is now staying in a rented apartment in St Ives, Cornwall, to be near the hostel her fiance has to stay in as part of his probation.

'The first time we got to hug it was just so surreal, I was crying, it doesn't seem real. It's like I'm living a dream,' she said.

'It's crazy finally being together after just visits and phone calls for so long but it's like we've known each other forever, there are no awkward moments or anything.

Just 24 hours into his freedom, Harley showed he was ready to commit by popping the question before releasing celebratory fireworks. The following day the loved-up duo, who have been together for 18 months, went and chose an engagement ring together, with Breah opting for a diamond and platinum number (pictured)

The pair had video calls everyday (pictured is Harley on the phone) and see each other once a week. Harley is allowed to make video calls as part of a system that was set up during lockdown when visits were banned

Once Covid restrictions banning prison visits were lifted, Breah visited her boyfriend for the first time in May 2021, surprising his with a tattoo of his initial on her ribs.

'He proposed to me the next day in a park with a firework display. I've never felt like that ever in my life, I was lost for words and really emotional.

'I had no idea. Everyone was guessing that he would propose but I didn't want to get my hopes up so I wasn't expecting it.

'I didn't think he'd do it because he hadn't had time to get a ring but we went and got it the next day.'

Harley added: 'Since I got out it's just been unreal. It still seems unreal now, it's amazing.

'I knew I was going to propose to her when I got out. She's stood by me in jail and she's just a good girl, she's got a heart of gold and she'd do anything for you.

'You couldn't ask for a better partner to be with so I knew I had to drop the question to her.

Leah became a viral sensation on TikTok sharing stories about her life as a 'prison wife' but many have branded her 'naive' and a 'gold-digger' - with many questioning how he affords the lavish design gifts he buys her from behind bars, which have included designer clothes, shoes, roses and even a French Bulldog puppy. The couple are pictured after meeting outside prison

The ex-convict admits he has been 'in and out of prison' for most of his adult life, with his most recent stint of burglary from cash machines seeing him imprisoned from late 2018 up to his recent release. He is pictured following his release

Harley has also sent Breah roses from prison with sweet notes reading 'I love you so much'

'I was quite nervous but she said yes and I was over the moon - it was a good job she said yes because I already had the firework display set up.'

The ex-convict admits he has been 'in and out of prison' for most of his adult life, with his most recent stint of burglary from cash machines seeing him imprisoned from late 2018 up to his recent release.

He was meant to be released last December but Breah says conflict with an ex-partner during his sentence saw his term extended for 'harassment'.

Following his release and GPS tracking anklet being fitted, the pair have been able to spend quality time together during the day at Breah's temporary apartment, before Harley has to return to the hostel each night.

They have been enjoying their newfound freedom and each other's company, alongside their one-year-old French Bulldog Dream that Harley's dad bought for the pair to shared during his imprisonment.

Breah (pictured) explained Harley was meant to be released last December but Breah says conflict with an ex-partner during his sentence saw his term extended for 'harassment'

The couple are currently not allowed to stay together overnight as Harley has to sleep at his assigned hostel as part of his probation. Breah is pictured

Following his release and GPS tracking anklet being fitted, the pair have been able to spend quality time together during the day at Breah's temporary apartment, before Harley has to return to the hostel each night

Breah revealed how she fell in love with a serial burglar from his prison cell - becoming his girlfriend and getting his initial tattooed on her chest before they had even met. Harley is pictured

Breah said: 'He wasn't allowed to walk out the gates, the police had to go into the jail to take him out and straight to the hostel so I didn't get that initial moment of him walking out.

'But after he got his GPS fitted and sorted everything out we were able to spend some time together.

'The first thing we did was a big food shop together. Harley was looking forward to that after prison food for so long.

'He comes over at 7am every day, lets me have a lie-in and cooks me breakfast - we've done a lot of home cooking because he likes cooking and he's missed that.

'We're two minutes away from the beach so everyday we're taking the dog to the beach and having a good walk with her on there and enjoying the views.

'It's almost like [my dog] Dream has a sixth sense and knows who he is because obviously they'd never met before but as soon as she saw him she was so excited.

'I've never seen her like it, she's so loving and always wants to be near him, she follows him everywhere and plays with him all the time - she loves him more than me now.'

They have been enjoying their newfound freedom and each other's company, alongside their one-year-old French Bulldog Dream that Harley's dad bought for the pair to share during his imprisonment

French bulldog Dream, one, that Harley's dad bought for him to share with his girlfriend

As his hostel is in St Ives just minutes from the beach, Harley and Breah have been enjoying walks with their bulldog Dream

Harley's most recent stint of burglary saw him imprisoned in April 2017 for 48 months, but conflict with an ex-partner during his sentence saw his term extended to January 2022. He is pictured on the beach now

The couple are currently not allowed to stay together overnight as Harley has to sleep at his assigned hostel as part of his probation.

But once this period ends, after three to six months depending on his behaviour, the pair will be able to buy their own home and live together.

After lavishing each other with luxurious gifts during the first 18 months of their relationship while Harley was behind bars, the engaged couple are now focused on saving for their future together.

Breah said: 'The first thing we want to do is get a place together so we're saving for a deposit and then we'll start planning the wedding.

'We're hoping to move down here because it's so lovely here and away from everything else like a fresh start.'

Harley said: 'Meeting Breah has changed my life for the better because before that, when I lost my mum, I was lost, in and out of prison, around the wrong people and on the wrong track.

'But now I'm moving away from London and Swindon and settling down with Breah, it's going good.'

Speaking previously about they met, Breah explained: 'My friend was talking to someone in prison and she asked if I wanted to talk to someone in there as well because his friend had asked,' she explained.

Harley lavishes Breah with gifts including a Gucci belt (left) while Breah has also brought designer clothes for Harley to wear after his release (right)

Pictured are Gucci sliders (left) which Harley had bought while Breah has bought Harley Nike Air Max's (right)

Getting spoiled! Breah has also been sent Nike Air Jordans - which she says are 'gifts from bae'

'I thought why not, I don't have anything to lose. I was single and had been for two years.

'I didn't go into it thinking I want this boy to be my boyfriend or anything like that, I was kind of just talking to him as a friend.

'I was a bit nervous in the beginning, I'd never done anything like that or had any idea how prison works.

'I was shocked at the way he spoke to me because it was so nice and different to how I'd been spoken to before. I thought he was really sweet.

'I'd say about a month into talking I realised I'd fallen for him because we were speaking so much.

'We both felt the same but we were too scared to say anything and then one day my friend said to him you need to tell her, I know you love her.

'The boy my friend was talking to wasn't very serious about her and was just talking to pass the time and I thought it would just be like that so it completely shocked me.'

Due to Covid-19 restrictions banning prison visits, Breah (pictured) couldn't meet her boyfriend for the first nine months of their relationship - but she now makes the seven-hour round trip to see his at Elmey Prison every week.

Breah Sutton started talking to convicted burglar Harley in August last year because her friend was also 'dating' an inmate and he'd asked if she had any single mates

Breah says she quizzed Harley about his criminal history when they first spoke in August 2020, to discover he has been 'in and out of prison', often for burglaries, over the last decade.

She has also hit back at 'jealous' trolls who brand her a 'gold digger', saying they spoil each other because they're in love - adding that she also has a designer wardrobe waiting for him.

Harley's most recent stint of burglary saw him imprisoned in April 2017 for 48 months, but conflict with an ex-partner during his sentence saw his term extended to January 2022.

But she was able to look past this and envision a future with him thanks to his honesty and efforts to create a better life for himself - by teaching himself to read and write in prison after missing out on most of his education due to bullying about his traveller background.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are unlikely to stay with Prince Charles after he offered his home to them, the Queen's biographer has said.

The Prince of Wales, 73, offered to have his family to stay with him in the UK in the hope of meeting Lilibet for the first time, a source claimed this week.

The offer, which would be the first time the family have fully come together since Harry and Meghan moved to the US, was made just before Christmas, according to the Mirror.

However, royal biographer Angela Levin has claimed the couple won't stay with Charles as it would be 'too awkward'.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are unlikely to stay with Prince Charles after he offered his home to them, the Queen's biographer has said. The couple are pictured with their children in California

She told the Sun: 'Of course when you are married your partner has a say in it all and I don't believe Meghan ever wants to come back here.

'She would find it very difficult to stay with Prince Charles and the duchess [of Cornwall] because I think she would be quite awkward about it all.'

She added: 'I think Charles is very brave, very honourable and it should really be Harry that apologises to him and try to get back in his good books but I think this looks as though it's the other way round'

It comes as Harry's refusal to return without a substantial level of security from the Met Police is said to have put the reunion in doubt.

It comes as Harry's refusal to return without a substantial level of security from the Met Police is said to have put the reunion in doubt. Harry and Charles are pictured in 2019 at the Natural History Museum

What it really costs to guard Sussexes The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's security team in Canada was made up of at least six 60,000-a-year Scotland Yard protection officers. But experts say the true cost of each officer would have been closer to 100,000 a year when taking into consideration overtime, flights back and forth to the UK, pension contributions and living expenses. The couple spent more than three months in Canada before moving to California in March 2020 when they are reported to have hired top-of-the-range security firm Gavin de Becker and Associates (GDBA), used by A-listers including Jeff Bezos, Tom Hanks and Madonna. The team from GDBA  described as a 'secret service for famous people'  is rumoured to cost about 7,000 per day, or 2.5million a year. Harry and Meghan are likely to have been provided a team of six bodyguards, which could include former intelligence officers from the FBI and CIA, who work in rotation, with four on duty by day and two at night. The couple's American security would have no jurisdiction in the UK or access to intelligence information. Advertisement

Prince Harry faced outrage over his threat of legal action against Her Majesty's Government.

He is seeking a judicial review of the decision to strip him of his UK police protection team, claiming it is too dangerous to visit without Scotland Yard bodyguards.

A former head of royal protection warned the royal 'cannot pick and choose' when he wants to visit the UK and receive protection.

Dai Davies pointed out Princess Anne was nearly kidnapped and her protection officer was shot - but she does not get full time protection.

His comments came as sources suggested the Queen will not help her grandson in his demand for security personnel when he comes to Britain.

The insiders claimed the Monarch has no intentions of 'caving into his demands' for protection from the Met and Home Office.

Meghan and Charles were previously close and are said to have shared a bond of love of culture, art and history.

Charles is also said to be 'desperate to see his grandchildren'.

A source told the Mirror last week: 'The Prince of Wales has been saddened that he hasn't had the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren, which he really does miss.

'He is a fantastic grandfather and loves playing the role immensely and it's certainly fair to say he feels there is something missing from his life without the ability to get to know Harry's children.

'This is something he is hoping to remedy which is why he made the gesture for Harry, Meghan and the children to stay with him if they wanted to, whenever they may come home for a period of time.
BBC podcast host Deborah James, who has incurable bowel cancer, has revealed she had an 'awful night' in hospital after she was 'rushed back into theatre' yesterday, following a medical emergency in which she almost died.

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.

In a picture shared on Instagram this morning, the mother-of-two could be seen sitting on her hospital bed surrounded by medical equipment.

Deborah said she was 'on the cancer rollercoaster', writing: 'A small bleed meant I ended up being rushed back into theatre having a colonoscopy and endocsopy within the hour to check for the source.'

'Its amazing how quickly crash teams work, and as much as I just want to be home (its now getting on to two weeks in hospital), its also nice to feel in a safe place when my body isnt playing ball.'

BBC podcast host Deborah James, 40, who has incurable bowel cancer has revealed she had an 'awful night' in hospital after she was 'rushed back into theatre' yesterday, following a medical emergency in which she almost died.

In a picture shared on Instagram this morning, the mother-of-two could be seen sitting on her hospital bed surrounded by medical equipment and said she had had 'an awful night'

She posted: 'Yesterday was the classic ride high and fall flat at the last bend! Started with positive blood results, drains all out (unlike in this picture) and I was more fussed about my make up stash in hospital than anything else! Dry shampoo and Lippy for the win!

'Was feeling good (its all relative!) and my liver number were FINALLY improving (go liver!!). My oncologist even talked about getting me home in a few days.'

However she said things had gone down hill yesterday afternoon, adding: 'Praying today will be un-eventual and stable! Thank you for your love.

'Either me or mum will update - its nice to have another source for updating you lovley lot.

BBC podcast star Deborah, who has incurable bowel cancer, revealed how she 'nearly died' last week in an 'acute medical emergency'. She shared this photo from hospital

'Have to say that teaching mum how to use Instagram from my hospital bed has put a massive smile on my face! Its certainly giving my family some well needed laughs!'

She added: 'We keep going. One step at a time. As a late friend said I havent come this far to only go this far.'

It comes after Deborah's mother shared an update on her daughter's health yesterday on Instagram.

She explained: 'How she does it time and time again blows me away. Its early hours, but it went to plan. The aim was to internalised her bile stent if it was working which so far it seems to be.

The mother of BBC podcast star Deborah told fans she has had five operations in 10 days following a medical emergency during which she almost died (pictured together)

'Obviously now shes kept under close monitoring but shes really happy (and emotional) because she has no drains for the first time in weeks.

'We just have to pray she remains stable for the foreseeable future now. Due to the operation today, I was allowed to see her briefly as her nominated visitor - which Im grateful for.'

Heather continued: 'Visiting in Covid is a really hard balance and its heartbreaking that families cant see their loved ones more - I cant imagine what families went through in full lock down (including in our own family).

'Deborah certainly needs the support hence why I was allowed in, but risk has to be kept super low.

'Mental health is so important though, we cant underestimate how it helps with recovery.

'I see it with Deborah. I recall times pre Covid when I used to sleep in the same room over night!

'As is usual she asked for her make up as soon as she came round which is always a good sign!'

She went on to hashtag the post with #MotherDaughter and #OneDayAtATime.

It comes days after she filmed herself walking down a hospital hallway. She explained she was 'beyond shattered' after nearly dying last week.

She said she is 'making progress' and tasking her recovery step by step after 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.

The mother-of-two was told early on that she might not live beyond five years - a milestone that passed in the autumn (pictured)

Sharing the video on Instagram, Deborah wrote: 'Today I walked - its the first time in nine days Ive been able to try.

'Its never been so hard to muster the strength and conviction to do so. Ive had four operations this week (with more to come), am beyond shattered with a very weak body,' she revealed.

In the video, Deborah can be seen walking tentatively in a hospital hallway.

'But somehow my body is still ploughing on. Sometimes all we can do is take things step by step. The nurses and doctors are being incredible - Ive cried on pretty much everyone that pops their head around the door,' she went on in her post.

'Im making progress, its slow, but steady. Im still being monitored very closely. No idea what the next plan is- its just taking things bit by bit.

'Its hard when you just want a plan, but the plan is really to try to get me better, whatever pathway that takes. My drains are to do with my bile duct - which they finally stented (well we are in the middle of that process), and acities, which Ive had 10 litres drained already hence why Im dont look pregnant anymore,' she explained.

In spite of the grueling ordeal she is facing, Deborah thanked her following for their support.

Days ago, Deborah shared a video as she took her first steps through hospital after her difficult week

Sharing the video on Instagram, Deborah wrote: 'Today I walked - its the first time in nine days Ive been able to try.'

The podcaster shared she is making progress on her Instagram and updated her followers on her condition

'Thanks for all your wonderful messages. They have blown me away. Im not in a position to respond but I very much appreciate the kindness,' she said.

Posting on Instagram on Friday, 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.

'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 tomorrow.

'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, Deborah revealed she had to learn how to walk again after being bed-bound with colitis in December

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

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.

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

'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.'

'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 that 'big gun chemo' in the summer had 'floored her'
A woman has revealed how she was so ashamed about being unable to read that she hid her children's books in the back of the wardrobe to avoid bedtime stories.

Mother-of-three Sarah Todd, from Shaftesbury, told Woman's Hour on Tuesday that a trip to the library was a 'living nightmare' - and explained how she eventually sought help after breaking down about her low literacy levels during a return to work interview.

Todd told the BBC Radio 4 programme that her two eldest daughters, who are twins, didn't know that she couldn't read.

As a single parent at the time, she said it 'broke' her to not be able to read them stories and nursery rhymes.

It's thought that nearly 7 million adults in the UK have limited literary skills. Later this month, The Repair Shop star Jay Blades will star in a new documentary, Learning To Read At 51, about his own struggles with reading.

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Sarah Todd, from Shaftesbury, told Woman's Hour that she would hide copies of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty in the back of her wardrobe from her children (Pictured with her youngest daughter)

Later this month, The Repair Shop star Jay Blades will star in a documentary about how he learned to read for the first time aged 51

The mother-of-three says experiences that were fun for most parents such as trips to the local library were 'a living nightmare' for her

After breaking down at a return to work interview, she finally contacted adult literacy charity Read Easy and says she 'hasn't looked back since'

Appearing on yesterday's broadcast, Todd told host Chloe Tilley said that she stopped trying to 'vocalise the fact I'd fallen so far behind' with reading at school and would just play the 'cheeky, sarcastic kid' to hid her illiteracy.

Todd said that having children and then becoming a single parent was particularly tough because of the paperwork associated with raising young children.

After bills piled up, she was threatened with the bailiffs before family members helped her out.

Having her twin daughters though was the first step towards acknowledging that she needed help to learn to read.

Getting emotional, Todd said: 'It kind of broke me. Your children, you sit down with them and you read with them and you read bedtime stories and you have all this fun and you take them to the library. For me that was a living nightmare.'

Eventually, when her daughters were five, Todd went to a meeting about going back to work, and broke down after admitting she couldn't read.

She told the Radio 4 programme that the reality of how difficult life can be without reading skills hit when she became a mum to twins and fell behind on household bills

The show's host Chloe Tilley discussed how nearly 7 million adults in the UK have limited literary skills

She revealed she expected a 'snooty' response but instead she was given the number of charity ReadEasy and, although it took her six attempts to pluck up the courage to ring, she says she's now 'never looked back'.

Todd says that when she moved house four years ago, she found the books including classics like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty that she'd hidden from her daughters.

Later this month, star of BBC One show The Repair Shop, Jay Blades, will open up in a new documentary about how he learned to read for the first time at the age of 51.

The presenter learned how to read last summer using the same techniques children use, such as phonics.

Jay, who left school without any qualifications, suffers from dyslexia which went undiagnosed until he was 31.

Candid: Jay Blades has revealed he cried when he was finally able to read his daughter's letters to him after he learned to read for the first time aged 51

Speaking to The Sun about being able to read a letter from his daughter for the first time, Jay recalled how he was brought to tears when he received the note from Zola, 14, who lives in Turkey with his ex-wife Jade, and was able to read it.

The TV personality was bullied in school over his race and was once told by a teacher he would 'never amount to anything'.

Jay has been learning to read with a tutor from the charity ReadEasy and had hoped to fit in two or three sessions a week but filming has made this difficult.

The furniture restorer, who got engaged to girlfriend Lisa on Christmas Eve, recently read to his daughter Zola for the first time.

Jay Blades: Learning To Read At 51 airs on BBC One on January 26 at 9pm.
An 'exhausted' mother-of-four was in for a shock when she came to the horrifying realization that she has been celebrating her three-year-old son's birthday on the wrong day for the last two years.

Emily Vondrachek, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was left mortified when she discovered that she didn't know her own son's birthday - a fact that she was only alerted to after her health insurance company flagged that she had used the wrong date.

She explained in a TikTok video that her pediatrician had called to work out a billing problem they were having with the insurance company after a recent check up for her young son Henry.

According to Emily, who has four kids under the age of six, she told the doctors office that her son's birthday was on February 26, 2018 - but the insurance company had it listed for February 25.

She insisted that the insurance company was wrong, but after going back to an old Facebook post, she realized she was actually the one that was wrong.

An 'exhausted' mother-of-four was in for a shock when she realized she's been celebrating her three-year-old son Henry's (pictured in 2019) birthday on the wrong day for the last two years

Emily Vondrachek, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, explained in a TikTok video that her pediatrician called to work out a billing problem they were having with the insurance company

Emily told the doctors office that her son's birthday was February 26 - but the insurance company had it listed for the 25th. Pictured is her birthday post for Henry in 2020

After the confusion over his date of birth, she went back to an old Facebook post and realized that she had been celebrating the tot's birthday on the incorrect day for two years

'Here's a little story to allow all the moms of littles out there to maybe feel a little better about yourselves. Here's a real confidence boost for you, not for me,' she began in the clip, which has gone viral - gaining more than three million views in a matter of days.

'I am his mother, I know his birthday,' she said. 'I'm about to call up my insurance company to let them have it and I said, "Maybe I should scroll back on Facebook to look at the birth announcement years ago, to make sure."'

To Emily's surprise, she soon discovered that Henry was indeed born on the 25th. And it turns out, she had been celebrating the tot's birthday on the incorrect day for two whole years.

She continued: 'For two years I've been celebrating his birthday on the 26th. And now, I have to call my pediatrician back and say, "Ha ha ha, you know what? I had my kid's birthday wrong."

She insisted that despite not knowing her own son's birthday, she 'loves her kids.' Henry is pictured with his older brother, Johnny, 5

She joked: I love my kids. They may not have their birthday celebration on the correct day but they celebrated the next.' Pictured is Henry's birth announcement in 2018

'The worst part is, it's my middle child. I love my kids, OK? I love my kids. They may not have their birthday celebration on the correct day but they celebrated the next.'

She captioned the hilarious video, 'Hows your day going? #momfail #mombrain #parenting101 #sahm.'

While chatting with Today Parents about the ordeal, Emily said she and the receptionist were both 'laughing so hard' when she called the doctors office back to tell them what happened.

Emily, who is also the mom to Johnny, five, Nora, two, and four-month-old Olive, noted that Henrys due date was the 26th, which is why she might have gotten it wrong.

'Maybe thats why I got it wrong. But who knows. Im exhausted,' she joked

As for Henry's upcoming fourth birthday, Emily has plans to make it extra special.

'Henry wants an Iron Man-Hulk party,' she explained. 'Hes specifically requested a red Hulk, not a green Hulk.

'I have no idea how Im going to make that happen - but for my middle child I will do anything.'

Emily, who is also the mom to Nora, two, and four-month-old Olive (not pictured), noted that Henrys due date was the 26th, which is why she might have gotten it wrong

As for Henry's upcoming fourth birthday, Emily has plans to make it extra special. She said, 'For my middle child I will do anything'

Many other parents took to the comment section of Emily's 'relatable' TikTok video to share their own stories - and lots admitted that they too have forgotten their kids' birthdays

It turns out, Emily is not the only one that this has happened to. Many other parents took to the comment section of Emily's 'relatable' TikTok video to share their own stories - and lots admitted that they too have forgotten their kids' birthdays.

'I had my middle child's birth month wrong for over a year,' one mom wrote. 'Who knew August was the eight month, not the ninth?'

'Every time somebody asks for my kid's date of birth I internally panic,' another added. 'So this is relatable.'

'Had painted a plaque with footprints for February 24, 2009. He was born on the 23rd. I think it must be February,' someone else joked.

A different user said: 'I feel like it's a quiz I didn't study for every time. And guess what, two [of my kids] even have the same date and I can't get it right.'

Some kids who were the victims of forgetful parents commented too

One person even admitted that they got their own child's name wrong once.

'I got flustered one day when someone said I had a handsome baby boy and asked his name,' they shared. 'I said Ron. Her name is Harper. It's hard out there.'

Some kids who were the victims of forgetful parents commented too, with one writing, 'One year my mother sang, "Happy birthday to Allison..." My name is Ashley, I'm an only child.

'My dad has twins. Only twins. He forgot my birthday two years ago. Not my sister's,' another person commented. 'Haven't let him live that down.'

'My dad introduced me at a wedding as "Ellen." My name is Annie. I was 19,' a different user shared.

Another comment read, 'This happened to my ex-husband for over 25-years. His mother thought his b-day was different for 25+ years.'
She sits upright on an orange velvet armchair, looking directly at me.

Her long, dark hair is tucked behind her ears and there is an ever-so-slightly defiant expression on her face, as if to say: Yes, I am naked  so what? It still amazes me that the woman in this oil painting  with her unflinching gaze, bare chest and soft stomach  is me. I never thought I would hang a nude portrait proudly on my living room wall  let alone commission and pose for it myself.

As an insecure teenager, that level of self-confidence was inconceivable to me. I was so worried about my looks, constantly comparing myself to models in magazines and falling short every time, that I did everything I could to avoid mirrors. The thought of committing my naked body to canvas would have horrified me.

Thats why it feels so powerful for me now, at 31, to look at this picture of myself proudly baring everything. And it turns out Im not the only one commissioning nudes of myself as a sign of self-acceptance.

Radhika Sandhani, 31, (pictured) commissioned a naked portrait of herself by Nicholas Baldion after setting out to change the way she thinks about herself

In recent years, its become something of a trend, with people sharing their paintings on social media with hashtags such as #SelfLoveArt and #NudeArt.

In fact, when I contacted my chosen artist, who charges about 800 per portrait, he said he was already being commissioned by other women to paint their bodies in a celebratory way, as part of this growing movement. This only crystalised my desire for a portrait of my own.

Five years ago, my first long-term relationship ended and I decided to go freelance. For the first time, I could no longer depend on a boyfriend or workplace for validation: it was down to me to give myself the approval I wanted. Yet I was my own worst critic.

So I set out to change the way I thought about myself. It wasnt easy, but I started to realise just how often I inwardly criticised and berated myself. I forced myself to stop and, instead, notice things I liked about myself, from my quick humour to my long, shiny hair.

Next, I started accepting things I didnt like about myself  from my impatience to my big nose, which Id always hated.

At school, friends said Id be beautiful if only I had a smaller nose, and Id spent my whole life believing this. But now I wanted to love my nose, just the way it was.

I confronted my fear head-on by posting on social media pictures of the side of my face with the hashtag #SideProfileSelfie.

To my shock, thousands of people started joining in and telling me how beautiful my nose was. Suddenly, I was a body positivity influencer, inspiring others to love themselves as well.

My new approach changed my life so much that I decided to write a book about it, fictionalising my experiences to help others.

Radhika (pictured) said she had reached a place where she didn't want to look like anyone other than herself, following years of longing to look like Hollywood's heroines

Thirty Things I Love About Myself is out today and follows the story of Nina Mistry, a British-Indian journalist who hits rock bottom  ending up in a jail cell on the eve of her 30th birthday and going viral in the worst way  before embarking on a journey to do the seemingly impossible: love herself.

Ninas story mirrors mine in that she attempts to write a list of 30 things she loves about herself  one for every year shes lived  leading her to radical self-acceptance.

For me, that means not berating myself for every tiny mistake but forgiving myself for being fallible and human. Most importantly, Ive started to celebrate myself for being me, rather than wishing I was different.

Its why I decided to commission a naked portrait of myself by Nicholas Baldion, an artist whose classical yet bold style Ive always loved.

After years of longing to look like Hollywoods perfect romcom heroines, Id reached a place where I didnt want to look like anyone other than myself.

Ive started to view my painted self as a Botticelli

Thats not to say I wasnt nervous about the painting process. At first, when Nicholas sent me photos of nudes to ask me which styles and poses I liked, I took weeks to reply. I just couldnt see myself brazenly sitting on a chair wearing no clothes.

As much as I was excited to have the finished portrait, I was terrified to actually make it happen.

In the end, I gave him the only reference I had of a naked painting that didnt scare me: Leonardo DiCaprios drawing of Kate Winslet in Titanic.

We agreed that he would photograph me in my chosen pose, rather than paint from life. Im normally fairly comfortable with nudity  my time at an all-girls school means I dont bother to hide in a towel in a gym changing room.

But the idea of a male artist scrutinising my body made me so anxious I asked my close female friend Sofia to join us for the shoot.

At first, I was awkward and made too many jokes. But as we settled into finding the right pose, my nudity became more normal. Yes, I wasnt wearing any clothes, but my chosen pose of reclining on the sofa meant it didnt look too shocking as half of my body was concealed.

Then Nicholas suggested I sit upright on my armchair  it felt less romantic than my Titanic vision. And when I saw the photo, I hated it. I was just so . . . naked.

Radhika (pictured) admits she'll now think twice about letting someone in her home, as some people will think the portraits are completely mad, or arrogant and narcissistic

The fact that I was sitting meant that my stomach had a crease in it so you could see my natural rolls. I knew I was meant to be a body positivity influencer now, but I wished Id breathed in.

Nicholas agreed to paint the horizontal one instead, but asked my permission to use the seated one as inspiration for another painting, and I agreed  so long as it never had my name on it.

A month later, he sent me a photo of the finished product, only it turned out hed done two: the one Id asked for, and the one Id hated.

If you dont like it, you never have to see it again, he told me. I just thought it was such a powerful pose that I was desperate to paint it. And I think its the better painting of the two. I love it.

I loved it, too. You could still see the crease of my stomach, but it felt so different translated into paint. I loved the soft, earthy tones, the orange of the armchair, and the glow of my skin. I still wasnt convinced by my stomach, because Im so used to the filtering on social media. Couldnt he have just softened that crease a little? But when the real painting arrived, I changed my mind.

This is me. Its what I look like. Of course my stomach is curved  I have a womb behind it.

For the first time, I feel really sexy and beautiful

I started to view my painted self as I would a Botticelli or a Rubens. Instead of wanting to edit away my flaws, I realised I wouldnt be me without them.

I still love the other painting of me lying serenely on the sofa, comfortable in my skin, yet a little nervous. Its softer than the bold confidence of the seated portrait. Ive chosen to hang it over my bed, where only I can see it, while the other takes pride of place in my living room.

It makes me laugh that I now have two nude paintings of myself in my one-bedroom flat. Some people will think its completely mad, or arrogant and narcissistic. And I imagine Ill think twice now before letting someone into my home.

But the truth is my portrait has nothing to do with believing Im better than anybody else. Its simply a case of accepting who I am, being grateful for this life and body Ive been given, and celebrating it all.

I will always have moments of doubt and insecurity, but this painting will remind me that true beauty  the kind we see in galleries, not glossy magazines  isnt constrained by perceived flaws. Its not about trying to look like everyone else, but celebrating what makes us unique.

I WANTED TO EDIT OUT THE CELLULITE BUT WAS TOLD NO

Heather Spencer, 53, is an international recruiter from Clapham, London.

Heather Spencer, 53 (pictured) from Clapham, London, decided to commission a naked painting of her body to celebrate how far she has come

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with two brain tumours and had surgery that year. It was terrifying because there was a real chance I wouldnt make it.

But when I survived, it made me realise you only have one chance to live. Soon afterwards, I decided to turn my life around, and hired a personal trainer during lockdown. After 15 months of online sessions, I lost three-and-a-half stone.

Now Im a size 10 to 12, just like I was in my 20s, only this time I have the soft body of a 53-year-old. And yet, Im more confident than ever.

For the first time in my life, I feel truly good about myself and Im comfortable in my own skin. This is me. Its what Ive gone through and its where I am now. I wanted to embrace it.

I decided to commission a naked painting of my body to celebrate how far Ive come. Id seen artist Jaz Ward posting nude paintings of her clients on Instagram and asked her for three: one of my bum and legs, one of my back, and one from the front. I wanted to put them on the wall and have a 360-degree view of myself. Theyre 300 each, but its a treat.

Initially, I wanted Jaz to edit out the cellulite and make my bum rounder. But she said no, Ill do you as I see you. Im glad I trusted her because now I see myself through new eyes. I know its me, but if people come over they wont.

The pose is quite sexy. Id lost that side of myself and this was to help me get that confidence back.

Its helped me feel sexy again, and after being single for a while because of my health and Covid, Im now ready to put myself back out there.

My friends think its great. If other people think its vain, I dont care. Its completely for me, to show where Ive come from. Its a pat on the back to myself.

MY SISTER LIKED IT SO MUCH SHE WENT TO BE PAINTED TOO

Harriet Catchpole, 24, is a waitress from Suffolk.

Harriet Catchpole, 24, (pictured) from Suffolk, was inspired by artist Sophie Tea on Instagram after changing who she follows on social media

Growing up, I never saw myself as desirable; I didnt have any curves. It was only when I went to university in London and met lots of diverse, confident people that I felt inspired to appreciate myself.

I started to wonder, why do I care so much about social media and what people think? I began to embrace the way I looked, even my acne. I changed who I followed on social media and felt a lot better as a result.

I used to cry about my acne all the time. But now I just let go and stop for a minute. I say: You are you, and no one else is you.

Thats when I began to think about getting a nude artwork. I was inspired by artist Sophie Tea on Instagram who has become famous for her self-love nudes, but she charges 4,000.

I couldnt afford that, so I found Bronagh Genovesi through TikTok, and commissioned a nude from her for 250, sending her a photo of myself. I decided not to include my face as I felt a little cautious.

At first, I was nervous about what my mum and stepdad would say. But actually I think Ive encouraged Mum, whos 55, to feel better about her body.

And when I showed my 29-year-old sister, she was so inspired she had her own nude painted.

Mine hangs on the wall opposite my bed and when I look at it, Im really proud of myself. I cant wait to have it up when I buy my own house one day.

It was out of my comfort zone, but turning myself into art has changed how I see my body.

For the first time, I feel really sexy and beautiful.
Organ-crushing underwear, skirts too tight to take a step and shoes that torture our toes  what woman hasnt put her body through the wringer in the name of fashion?

It came as no surprise that a recent study discovered women are 12 times more likely than men to suffer in the pursuit of looking good.

What is surprising  to me at least  is that many of the worst offenders, trends I foolishly fell for back in the 1980s, are now having something of a revival. How can we be popping ourselves into bodysuits and putting ourselves through the misery of thongs again?

Having been there, done that, and got the welt marks to prove it, Ill be giving these a miss this time around. But, for those who are tempted, here are my memories of the pain (and embarrassment) you have to look forward to . . .

SKI PANTS RE-BORN

Are they leggings? Are they jodhpurs? No, just a hideous-hybrid of the two that are now making a comeback and were recently seen on Victoria Beckham (pictured)

Are they leggings? Are they jodhpurs? No, just a hideous-hybrid of the two that are now making a comeback and were recently seen on Victoria Beckham.

The stretchy trousers give you an elongated leg shape thanks to the stirrups that hook under your feet.

The only problem is that walking with a swatch of itchy fabric bunched up into the arch of your foot feels like youve got a permanent lump of sand in your shoe.

BAFFLING BODIES

Made from stretchy fabric, the bodysuit is effectively a glorified leotard designed to show off curves while creating a smooth silhouette when worn with trousers or skirts.

Made from stretchy fabric, the bodysuit is effectively a glorified leotard designed to show off curves while creating a smooth silhouette when worn with trousers or skirts

Hugely popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Claudia had a selection in different colours that she wore with pencil skirts and jeans

Hugely popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I had a selection in different colours that I wore with pencil skirts and jeans.

Alas, the bodysuit had one fatal design flaw: the poppers of peril. Ping! The first goes as you sit down.

Ping! The second when you stand up. Leaving just one holding it all in place. Ouch.

And lets not talk about the chaffing nightmare that was the thong bodysuit.

ROPEY ESPADRILLES

Massive in the Eighties and mysteriously back in fashion even though shoes made of canvas and rope are never going to be a practical choice.

I discovered that when I wore a pair to Ascot races once. In my head I imagined summer sandals laced up elegantly, ballerina style, tanned legs.

Ropey espadrilles were massive in the Eighties and are now mysteriously back in fashion even though shoes made of canvas and rope are never going to be a practical choice

In reality the laces had to be pulled so tight that tiny little rolls of fat bulged on either side of the ribbons.

The laces also rubbed off my spray tan, meaning I had a white criss-cross pattern on my calves for days.

WONDERBRA WOES

Hello boys! Hello crushed boobs! Hello grazed rib cage! Hello sweaty cleavage! The Wonderbra, which promised to boost womens bust sizes was a revelation when it launched in the mid-1990s and is now back on sale at M&S. I had the original  and the strapless version  which made me look like I had one giant boob in the middle of my chest. Both left me with red welts that took a day to disappear.

HOLD-UPS FAIL

Stockings are too much of a faff, tights just arent sexy, but hold-ups  well they seemed a perfect solution. What actually happened was that they inched their way down your leg when you walked. If youre, say, walking along with a date, holding hands, a little tipsy you might not notice until he points out that one of them is around your ankles.

ITCHY CHICKEN FILLETS

What lunatic dreamt up the idea of creating a lump of wobbly padding, that looks like a raw chicken breast, to fill your bra out with? They may have boosted your cup size but they also gave you hot itchy boobs  and a rash if youre allergic to silicone.

SUFFOCATING SPANX

When I was a Spanx virgin, I assumed that buying them a size too small would mean they held me in even more. They did.

They also turned my thighs purple, and halfway through a date I had to dash to the loo to cut emergency slits in the leg seam in order to get my circulation going again. Sexy.

Kim Kardashian-West pictured in her own brand of shape-enhancing undergarments, Skims, with the usual stretchy shapewear items for your stomach, bottom, waist, and thighs

NUMB TOES IN STILETTOS

They give you height and great posture  they also give you painful blisters and numb toes. The good news is that eventually your toes get so battered that they lose all feeling. Beware though, when the heel is too thin it gets stuck in everything  including the ridges of an escalator step. Like the time I got wedged at Londons Green Park tube station and had to be lifted out of them to leap free, barefoot, in the nick of time.

UNZIPPABLE JEANS

The height of fashion when I was a teenager. Every teen in the 1980s knew the coat hanger zip up technique performed lying down (and usually resulting in a few flesh wounds) where you hooked the hanger into the zip and yanked. One friend cut herself so badly on her rusty wire coat hanger that she needed a tetanus shot.

PENCIL SKIRT ALERT

Probably the most flattering style of skirt. Definitely the least practical. They hug your bottom and emphasise every curve. They also arent designed for walking in. I took a lot of taxis at the peak of my pencil skirt years.

CRUSHING BELTS

A GODSEND for apple shapes like me  wide belts made of stiff leather give the wearer a fabulously defined waist and are, apparently, designed for people who dont possess internal organs.

In order to achieve the hourglass shape you need to pull the belt so tight it crushes your stomach, liver and kidneys. Todays teens are embracing them, too. I fear for their kidneys.

LIKE WEARING WIRE

Visible thongs are now back in fashion, with popstar Dua Lipa showing off her thin black thong with gold detail on her holidays

High-street fashion retailers are selling this eighties trend, like ASOS, pictured, in the form of trousers with built-in thongs that are on show

In my 20s the idea of walking around with VPL (visible panty line) was unthinkable.

Thongs were the only solution.

The less fabric they contained, the more they seemed to cost.

They were every bit as uncomfortable as they looked  gave you a permanent wedgie and were the equivalent of wearing a cheese wire as underwear.

The sight of pop starlet Dua Lipa with hers on show recently gave me flashbacks.

SCRATCHY SEQUINS

They catch the light, they sparkle and they make any evening outfit stand out.

Sequins are a marvellous little invention, but buy a cheap sequined top for a party and youll go home with a thousand tiny scratches all over your torso.

WONKY SEAMS

They evoke images of old, Hollywood glamour. Seamed tights look sexy and feminine... as long as the seams remain straight, which they never do.

In the early 1990s they had a huge revival but you needed a wing-man if you wore them  someone to turn to every 15 minutes and say are my seams straight? No? Ill sort them, again.

RISKY CHOKERS

The clue is in the name isnt it? Why would anyone think jewellery that half strangles you is a good idea? I had one where the ribbon had a bendy wire stitched into it that used to garrote me if I turned my head too sharply.
Last week, my 97-year-old father was rushed to hospital with an infection. A seven-hour wait in A&E resulted in not only a diagnosis of suspected septicaemia but also  thanks to a routine test carried out as part of the doctors investigations  Covid.

Despite his having barely any coronavirus symptoms, I had to explain to him what this meant. Isolation on an NHS Covid ward.

Strictly no visits. Righty-oh, he said cheerfully. My father always tries to see the bright side. Then silence as the news sunk in. Its a bastard, isnt it. My father never swears.

I admit I burst into tears. Some years ago, I spent nine months in five hospitals, shadowing staff and interviewing patients for a think-tank report on NHS management.

I met inspiring individuals. But I also saw indifferent nurses, hospital-acquired infection, neglected and hungry patients, waste and inferior treatment.

I feared what my father was in for. When a dear friend was dying in hospital 15 years ago, I slept three nights on the chair by his bedside, so concerned was I by the standard of nursing I had witnessed during my research.

Harriet Sargeant revealed how her 97-year-old father, an ex-City Editor for the Daily Mail who survived the war, nearly lost the will to live after his experience with the NHS. Pictured: Sir Patrick and daughter Harriet

But, of course, I could not do that on a Covid ward. I imagined my father crying out in pain and being ignored by the nurses as they had ignored my friend. It was an unbearable image.

And this time I would not be there to intervene. Communication was vital. My father has only a vague idea how his mobile works.

Even less about keeping it charged. In the brief time before he vanished into isolation in the hospital near my parents London home, we snatched what we both feared were final exchanges.

Keep smiling! my father urged, summing up his attitude to life. Enjoy yourself and support Ga Ga, (my mother, aged 95, to whom he has been married for 70 years). And keep your pecker up, he added when I started to sniff.

After a sleepless night, I called my father. His mobile whined and clicked like a bad-tempered bird waking up. I held my breath.

At least it was charged. No answer. I tried again. Suddenly my father burst on to the line, Harriet! he boomed. How good to hear a human voice, he added, with the desperation of a drowning man.

He could not understand the nurses and he was hungry. I am looking at a bit of white toast. He was also missing the usual bottle of champagne he still consumes every day. Even in the war you got a drink!

My father is Sir Patrick Sergeant, former City Editor of the Daily Mail and founder of the hugely successful Euromoney magazine.

He reinvented financial journalism, determined to make it of interest to the ordinary reader, and was behind the 1966 launch of Money Mail, the Mails peerless financial section.

Harriet said her father developed bedsores and complained of being hungry as the lack of basic care while in hospital became obvious. Pictured: Sir Patrick with four-year-old Harriet and his wife Gillian

Gregarious and stylish, with a zest for life and sense of adventure, he had a huge impact on me and my younger sister, the renowned painter Emma Sergeant. He was, and is, a wonderful father.

Even at his great age, my father retains his can-do optimism, his bravery and character. That is, until he came up against the NHS.

What was to happen to him in isolation sums up the failings of our health service. It has led me to conclude that problems I identified almost two decades ago have only worsened, exacerbated by the Governments obsession with Covid.

The lack of basic care soon became obvious. My father developed bedsores. NHS England admits pressure ulcers are a mainly avoidable harm associated with healthcare delivery.

In other words, they are caused by poor nursing and so widespread it costs the NHS more than 3.8 million daily in increased illness and late discharges.

Or as my father put it: The nurses left me sitting on my bum all day. No one worried at all.

There were other signs that my father was not getting even the basic care vital for an elderly man. He complained of being hungry.

Im bloody annoyed to be chained up here for another night

The nurses failed to keep him clean and, when he eventually came home, he had a nasty skin rash.

After three days, a physio rang me to get a benchmark of what my father was like before he entered hospital.

She described the man she saw in front of her: a listless fellow, slumped to one side, who failed to lift his hand when asked.

My heart sank. This was not the father I knew. For while he may not be mobile, just the previous weekend we had chatted animatedly, and hed had no trouble raising his hand when it held a glass of champagne to toast my mother.

Imagine how I felt, knowing he was confined in such a place.

Harriet (pictured) firmly believes our myopic adherence to Covid guidance is blinding us to the fundamental failings of the NHS

Its all too clear to me that medics are blindly following Covid rules that demean the dignity of patients  especially the elderly.

Almost entirely alone on his Covid ward, my father rapidly deteriorated, bored and frightened, his lively joie de vivre fading until he barely had the strength to keep his head upright.

And let me be clear: such deterioration seemed more from lack of nursing than either Omicron or his original infection. It is no exaggeration to say I feared for his life.

I now firmly believe our myopic adherence to Covid guidance is blinding us to the fundamental failings of the NHS  an inability to deliver basic patient care, as my father has sadly discovered. Covid didnt make me ill. It was the NHS, he says today.

It enrages me to think of the hypocrisy of a Government that saw fit to hold boozy parties at the height of the first lockdown  yet still, almost two years on, keeps vulnerable patients trapped on isolation wards with staff who are at best indifferent, at worst callous.

If Boris and his inner circle were able to bring their own booze all those months ago, why was my father now forcibly subjected to a horrendous ordeal?

Of course, not all the nurses were uncaring. But my fathers care, as he described it himself, was spasmodic.

When one kind nurse was there, I received updates. My father was given cups of coffee, and she brought him an iPad so we could see each other, to which my father exclaimed: Bless her heart! But in her absence nothing appeared to get done. The other nurse walks past me when I call, my father said.

At first, I put it down to a busy Covid ward. My father snorted: Theres only two of us patients here. Desperate to get him out, after four days, I tried to persuade the doctor to let my father come home.

My mother and their carer, had now tested positive for Covid, again virtually symptomless. If, I argued, everyone at home had coronavirus, what was the point in keeping my father in isolation?

The doctor ummed. She wanted to keep him in a few days longer for observation. But if his health failed, she promised she would make sure he died at home.

Harriet (pictured) said she believed her father was now in safe hands after being discharged, however he lay alone in the cold ambulance

Shaken, I explained this to my father  only for the nurse to call me immediately to discuss his discharge. Did this mean he was dying? No one seemed to know and I had no way of contacting the doctor.

Death, however, was certainly not on my fathers agenda. He was overjoyed at the prospect of coming home and eating a decent meal. Put the champagne on ice! he ordered.

The ambulance crew, needed to transport him home because of his lack of mobility, then arrived. We had been warned they were very busy and in short supply. My fathers spirits soared.

Suddenly, the nurse on duty said: Hes not going home.

Why not? demanded my father.

I am not ready and no one told me, she said, flouncing off. The ambulance men shrugged, turned around and left.

That was a bad moment, said my father later on the mobile, Im bloody annoyed to be chained up here for another night. His voice dropped. Get me out of here, he begged.

The next morning, five days after he left home, after a lot of faffing around with bits of paper, the ambulance with my father in pulled up outside my parents house. Then disaster struck. The two-man ambulance crew suddenly realised my father was not weight-bearing.

He could not get himself up and out of the ambulance and he was too heavy to carry on a stretcher. The nurses had failed to pass on this basic information to the crew. The men called a second ambulance team to help. As my father had Covid, they had to have extra PPE.

So, again, Dad waited. My mother was too frail to go out to the ambulance, and was too confused and upset to call me.

After an emotional week, I had relaxed, believing he was now in safe hands after being discharged. Instead, my father lay alone in the ambulance. It was bloody freezing. I was getting colder and colder.

Then my father, always full of optimism and vitality, did something he has never done before, not even in wartime when he was an 18-year-old seaman on a corvette warship in the North Atlantic. He gave up. I honestly thought I was going to die in that ambulance.

Harriet (pictured) said her father's carer was so shocked by his condition after returning from hospital that she took photographs in case the family wanted to complain

After 90 minutes, the second crew arrived and carried him upstairs. A few days at home with good care and my father is now almost back to his old self.

When I visited, his carer explained she was so shocked by his condition when he returned from hospital, she had photographed his bedsores and rash in case we wanted to complain.

We decided against it. As a family, we do not have much time left together. We dont want to spend it lost in the bureaucracy of the NHS complaints procedure.

Despite what we encountered, I do believe it is unfair to pick on the individuals responsible  the spiteful nurse, the lack of basic nursing, the incompetent discharge service or the callous ambulance men.

Set against them are the many NHS staff who work their hearts out.

No, the outstanding feature of my fathers care was its sheer randomness. In one day, often in one hour, my father experienced disorganisation and indifference side-by-side with first-class care and kindness.

What the ward needed was a good editor, said my father, as a former journalist. No one appeared to be in charge. I kept asking for matron.

But matron has long fallen out of favour in the NHS. Many nursing staff and unions are uncomfortable with the idea of an authority figure. They dismiss the old-fashioned matron as sexist.

Unfortunately, as I saw when shadowing matrons and sisters, it goes against the NHS culture to reprimand staff.

As one sister explained sadly to me then: We are a caring profession who sometimes put caring for each other above caring for patients.

I watched gobsmacked as a matron weakly admonished a nurse for a flagrant breach of infection rules, before later agonising that she had said too much. I dont like to nag.

These incidents happened many years ago but not much appears to have changed. In the absence of authority, there is little incentive for a nurse to treat my father for bedsores except her own humanity and professionalism.

Nor is there any punishment if she forgets or does not bother. Or reward for an ambulance crew that works flat out during their shift, or consequences for those who sneak off and leave hard-pressed colleagues to pick up the slack.

As my parents carer had seen the week before. Without a change of culture, no amount of government money will rectify the situation or make things better for patients.

Safely back at home, my father leant back against his pillows and raised a glass of champagne. Its not a bad old life, he said.

But only just for my dear, old dad. My father survived septicaemia. He breezed through Covid thanks to the vaccination programme. But he was nearly done for by the NHS. Not something I can easily forget or forgive.
Waiting at least six hours in A&E before being admitted to hospital can raise your risk of dying by almost 10 per cent, a damning report suggests.

NHS targets state 95 per cent of patients should be seen within four hours when they attend casualty units. However, the health service has continually failed to meet its goal.

Around one million patients faced four-hour waits in 2021, with A&E units now seeing just 73 per cent of patients in the recommended time-frame.

Now, researchers from the Royal Bolton Hospital have analysed 5millionA&E visits to calculate the potential cost in lives caused by treatment delays.

Patients forced to wait at least six hours between attending A&E and being admitted for treatment were 8 per cent more likely to die within 30 days. This translated to an extra death among every 82 patients who faced severe delays.

The risk of death increased to 10 per cent for patents made to wait even longer before admission, eight-to-12 hours.

Researchers said the increased mortality could be due to variety of factors, including vital treatment being delayed, extended hospital stays, and delayed patients more likely to be admitted at night when staffing numbers are lower.

Lengthy A&E waits have grown more common over the course of the pandemic due to backlogs of care and staffing problems in the NHS.

Emergency medics today warned the 'unacceptable' delays present a 'serious threat to patient safety'. Despite this, NHS bosses are already planning to scrap the four hour target.

Royal College of Emergency Medicine research shows the longer patients spend in emergency departments waiting for treatment the higher their risk of dying within 30-days. The dotted line in the above graph indicates the threshold for increased risk of death which increases broadly from the five hour onwards mark

England's A&E departments have struggled for years to meet a target to have 95 per cent of patients either starting treatment of discharged within four hours

Just 58% of patients who attended A&E over Christmas week were seen within NHS target of four hours More than four in ten A&E patients were not seen within the NHS's four-hour target over the Christmas week, 'unacceptable' figures show. Statistics from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine shows hospitals in the UK treated just 57.8 per cent within the time-frame in the week ending December 31. It was the second worst A&E performance since records began in 2015. Ambulance handover waiting times also increased during the week, with the number of hours lost increasing 44.7 per cent to 1,670. Wes Streeting, Labour's shadow health and social care secretary, said almost half of patients were 'left waiting, often in pain and distress' in A&E over Christmas. The health service is currently battling crises on multiple fronts, with thousands of staff forced to isolate because of the rapid spread of Omicron. Advertisement

Researchers used data from 5million A&E patients in England who attended a major emergency department and were admitted to hospital in England between April 2016 and May 2018.

Researchers then compared these patients with recorded deaths within 30-days of admission, accounting for factors such as age, sex, and other health conditions.

Dr Chris Moulton, lead author of the study, said the impact of the delays may go further than just death.

He noted the study did not account for factors like the worsening of patients' conditions from delays, or the terrible experience of waiting for care itself.

'30-day mortality is a relatively crude metric that does not account for either increases in patient morbidity or for the inevitably worse patient experiences,' he said.

The research, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, was an observational study and, therefore, cannot directly link an extended treatment to a patient death.

However, Dr Moulton said from a clinical perspective it made sense that there was link between the two.

'Despite limited supporting evidence, there are a number of clinically plausible reasons to accept that there is a temporal association between delayed admission to a hospital inpatient bed and poorer patient outcomes,' he said.

These reasons include, delay to vital treatments resulting in an extended hospital stay which increases the risk of patients getting a hospital acquired infection.

Another factor may be that delayed patients are more likely to be admitted to hospital at night as bed's free up but when staffing levels are at their lowest, the researchers said.

Dr Moulton says the study shows the importance of reducing treatment wait times and that ministers: 'Should continue to mandate timely admission from the (emergency department) in order to protect patients from hospital-associated harm.'

In a statement for the release of the study, RCEM lay member Derek Prentice said: 'Let nobody be in doubt any longer, the NHS four-hour operational target is, as many of us have always known, of key importance to patient safety.'

The latest statistics for the all of NHS England's emergency departments recorded that just 73 per cent of A&E patients were seen within the NHS' four-hour target with performance having steadily declined since 2010

Heart attack patients wait 53 minutes for an ambulance amid crisis Ambulance services in England are continuing to struggle with near-record long response times and handover delays at A&E departments, figures show. The average response time in December for ambulances dealing with the most urgent incidents  defined as calls from people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries  was nine minutes and 13 seconds. This is just under the nine minutes and 20 seconds in October, which was the longest average response time since current records began in August 2017. Ambulances also took an average of 53 minutes and 21 seconds to respond to emergency calls, such as heart attacks, severe burns, epilepsy and strokes  the second longest time on record. Response times for urgent calls  such as late stages of labour, non-severe burns and diabetes  averaged two hours, 51 minutes and eight seconds, again the second longest time on record. NHS England, which published the figures, said staff had dealt with the highest ever number of life-threatening call-outs last month, averaging one every 33 seconds. It also said on average more than 66,000 NHS staff at hospital trusts were off work each day in December. Advertisement

The college's president, Dr Katherine Henderson, also welcomed the research, saying it confirmed what all A&E colleagues know, that long waiting-times threaten patient safety.

She added that the government must now act to address the 'exit block' issue, where new patients struggle to be admitted as old ones wait to be discharged into a struggling social care system.

'To do this will require long term resourcing; the government must commit to publishing a long-term workforce plan for the health service and take effective steps to address the ongoing social care crisis,' she said.

Dr Henderson also bemoaned the current lack of clarity for A&E performance in England with the Government planning to phase out the four-hour target and replace with, as yet, ill-defined metrics.

'We are currently in a performance vacuum, with a lack of clarity on what staff should focus on, yet month-on-month decline in performance is met by inaction. It is patients and their care that suffer most,' she said.

A NHS spokesperson said: 'Pressure on NHS emergency departments is high, with more than 26million attendances recorded between 2016 and 2018 when this research took place, and in spite of the additional challenges as a result of the pandemic, NHS staff are working incredibly hard to respond to rising demand and provide expert care for as many patients as possible.'

The Department of Health was contacted for comment.

The four-hour target time for 95 per cent of people to be seen when attending A&E was introduced in 2004.

However, NHS England announced in May last year that it would be replacing it with a new pack of 10 measures.

These including such performance indicators as percentages of patients handed over by ambulances and receiving initial assessments within 15 minutes.

And instead of a four-hour performance target A&Es would instead publish the average time spent in emergency departments before either being admitted or discharged.

However, exact details of the measures have yet to be announced, including when they will be brought in, with NHS England and the Department of Health still discussing the implementation.
Eye scans could in the future be used to calculate your risk of dying, researchers have suggested.

Academics claim the retina acts as a 'window' in allowing doctors to take a deeper look at someone's health.

And Australian scientists have now linked a bigger 'retinal age gap' to a heightened risk of death.

The gap is the difference between someone's chronological age and the estimated biological age of their retina.

The latter can be calculated by an AI programme that analyses images taken of the fundus, the internal back surface of the eye. Some high street opticians offer these scans.

People with gaps of a decade were up to 67 per cent more likely to die, according to Australian experts who tracked volunteers for 11 years.

Academics calculated there was a 2 per cent increased risk of death for every year of gap.

Experts analysed retina scans taken from 36,000 Britons, they found those with retinas older than their biological age were at increased risk of death. Each one year gap between a person's retina age and their biological age was associated with a 2 per cent increased risk of death

What is the retina? The retina is a layer of cells at the back of the eyeball opposite the pupil. It is responsible for converting light which enters the eye into chemical messages. These chemical messages are sent to the brain and interpreted as the images that form our sense of sight. Previous studies have suggesting that taking scans of the retina is a good way to detect heart disease. This is because poor circulation, a possible early indicator of heart disease, can cause parts of the retina to die, leaving a permanent mark. Optometrists frequently look at the retinas of both eyes during a standard eye test looking for signs of other health problems. Deeper and more specialised image scans of retinas are available at some UK optometrists but these are sometimes not included in a standard eye test. Advertisement

Academics at Melbourne's Centre for Eye Research taught an artificial intelligence algorithm to predict retinal age by giving it almost 19,000 fundus scans.

The programme's estimates were found to be accurate, coming within three-and-a-half years of someone's actual age, on average.

The team then assessed the retinal age gap of 36,000 participants plucked from the UK Biobank.

More than half had retinas thought to be at least three years older than their actual biological age.

Some had retinas a decade older, according to the research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

They then paired this up with health data from the participants, over an average of 11 years, allowing them to link causes of death with their retinal age gap.

During this time, 1,800 (5 per cent) of the participants died. The majority were killed by cancer, dementia or heart disease.

Large retinal age aps were associated with between a 49-67 per cent higher risk of death from causes other than heart disease or cancer.

Researchers also applied a similar study using images of retinas taken from the left-eye, producing similar results.

Dr Lisa Zhuoting Zhu, one of the authors, said: 'These findings suggest that retinal age may be a clinically significant biomarker of ageing.

'The retina offers a unique, accessible "window" to evaluate underlying pathological processes of systemic vascular and neurological diseases that are associated with increased risks of mortality.

'This hypothesis is supported by previous studies, which have suggested that retinal imaging contains information about cardiovascular risk factors, chronic kidney diseases, and systemic biomarkers.'

Scans of the retina, the light sensitive layers of nerve tissue at the back of the eye, has previously been used to detect some of the warning signs of cardiovascular disease.
While it is starting to appear that the Omicron COVID-19 wave could be nearing its end, one model projects a grim future ahead for the United States, forecasting that between 58,000 and 305,000 more Americans will succumb to the virus over the next two months.

Projections shared during a White House briefing Tuesday gave the 305,000 figure as the top estimate of how many could die from Covid between now and when the wave is expected to subside by mid-March.

If the grim prediction is even halfway correct, it would bring America's overall Covid death total - sitting at over 853,955 as of Tuesday - to over one million, a mark no other country in the world has reached.

The projection comes despite the growing data that the Omicron variant is less severe than its predecessors. Data revealed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week showed that a person infected with Omicron is 91 percent less likely to die than a person who contracted Delta.

Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said last week that the Delta variant was even still responsible for the recent uptick in deaths suffered by the U.S. despite making up a minimal proportion of cases. According to data released by the agency Tuesday, the Omicron variant makes up 99.5 percent of active cases in America.

On Tuesday, the United States recorded 1,060,547 new cases of the virus, a decrease of 3 percent from a week ago on a rolling average basis.

There were 1,893 new deaths, a five percent increase from a week ago on a rolling average basis.

A projection revealed by the White House on Tuesday estimates that between 58,000 and 305,000 Americans will die between now and when the Omicron-fueled Covid wave subsides in a few months. If the more grim expectations prove to be correct then the U.S. will likely eclipse one million total deaths early this year. Pictured: Health care workers in Los Angeles, California, cover the body of a deceased Covid patient on December 14

The CDC reports that the Omicron variant (purple) makes up 99.5% of Covid cases in the U.S., while Delta (orange) only makes up 0.3%. Last week, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Delta was still responsible for increases in America's Covid mortality.

The seven-day rolling average for daily new COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has been trending upward since mid-November, reaching nearly 1,700 on January 17 - still below the peak of 3,300 in January 2021.

Cases have rocketed in recent weeks, reaching 800,000 daily cases on average earlier this week. Testing shortages, the prevalence of asymptomatic cases and many rapid tests going unreported means the figure is likely even higher.

The spike in cases has, fortunately, not also translated into a sharp increase of deaths from the highly infectious strain.

Despite signs Omicron causes milder disease on average, the unprecedented level of infection spreading through the country, with cases still soaring in many states, means many vulnerable people will become severely sick.

'A lot of people are still going to die because of how transmissible Omicron has been,' said University of South Florida epidemiologist Jason Salemi.

'It unfortunately is going to get worse before it gets better.'

Morgues are starting to run out of space in Johnson County, Kansas, said Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the health department.

More than 30 residents have died in the county this year, the vast majority of them unvaccinated.

"We've seen this virus continue to drift and undergo gradual evolution...there is a presumption at some point we are going to have a dominant lineage," says @ScottGottliebMD. "The conventional wisdom right now is it's likely to be omicron." pic.twitter.com/6BEEGzDTJs  Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) January 18, 2022

But the notion that a generally less severe variant could still take the lives of thousands of people has been difficult for health experts to convey.

The math of it - that a small percentage of a very high number of infections can yield a very high number of deaths - is difficult to visualize.

Overall, youre going to see more sick people even if you as an individual have a lower chance of being sick,' said Katriona Shea of Pennsylvania State University, who co-leads a team that pulls together several pandemic models and shares the combined projections with the White House.

The wave of deaths heading for the United States will crest in late January or early February, Shea said.

In early February, weekly deaths could equal or exceed the Delta peak, and possibly even surpass the previous U.S. peak in deaths last year.

Some unknown portion of these deaths are among people infected with the delta variant, but experts say Omicron is also claiming lives.

'This is Omicron driven,' Shea said of the coming wave of deaths.

The combined models project 1.5 million Americans will be hospitalized and 191,000 will die from mid-December through mid-March.

Taking into account the uncertainty in the models, U.S. deaths during the omicron wave could range from 58,000 to 305,000.

Overburdened hospitals could also contribute to more deaths, said Marc Lipsitch of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and scientific director of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions forecasting center.

'In places with extremely short staffing and overloads of patients, as the medical professionals have been telling us, the quality of care begins to suffer,' Lipsitch said.

'That may also lead to higher death rates, but thats not in any of the models that Im aware of.'
Researchers may have developed a new tool that uses machine learning to better predict health outcomes for hospitalized Covid patients, and help physicians make more informed treatment decisions.

A German research team from Charity-University Medicine in Berlin - one of the country's largest university hospitals - developed an Artificial Intelligence tool that can estimate how well an infected person will fare based off of a blood sample.

The levels of fourteen proteins found in a person's blood can indicate whether a person who suffers a severe enough hospitalization will survive or die from the virus, and the tool developed by researchers can accurately asses their risk.

In times of crisis, where resources are especially scarce, the tool can help determine what patients require the most intensive care to survive, and who is more fit to fight off the virus themselves.

Using blood samples from Covid patients, a German research team has found that levels of 14 proteins can help determine whether a person survives the virus. They built a machine learning tool that accurately predicted the outcome of 23 of 24 patients

The tool is simple to use and can take tough decisions out of the hands of doctors and instead into a more accurate AI system. They hope it can assist health care systems in times of need. (file photo)

'Our study shows that a combination of markers, combined in a risk prediction model based on artificial intelligence, can fairly well predict the probability that an individual patient will die or survive,' Dr Florian Kurth, a researcher from Charity-University and co-author of the study, said in a press release.

Researchers, who published their findings Tuesday in PLOS Digital Health, first gathered data from 50 critically ill Covid patients from Germany and Austria for the study.

Blood samples from the patients were gathered, and researchers used these samples to measure for proteins and other biomarkers.

Eventually, 15 of the 50 patients ended up dying. Researchers searched for trends in protein levels among those that survived and those that did not.

Using their findings from the original 50 patients, they built an artificial intelligence system that could predict whether a person will die from Covid based on these indicators.

That system was then trialed in a group of 24 real world Covid patients who were receiving treatment at their hospital.

Of the study group, 19 patients ended up surviving their illness and five succumbed to it. The machine learning tool predicted all five deaths, and correctly identified that 18 of 19 patients would survive.

'We found 14 proteins which over time changed in opposite directions for patients who survive compared to patients who do not survive in intensive care,' Kurth said.

'Interestingly, the plasma levels of all of those proteins had been found to be altered by COVID-19 before [and] makes us particularly confident in our findings.'

Researchers note that their study included a very small sample size, with the machine learning only using samples from 50 patients, and only 24 patients included in its trialing.

Early results are promising, though, and they hope to get the opportunity to trial it with a larger population to determine whether they have actually developed a system that can be crucial to treatment decisions going forward.

Overwhelmed hospitals with overworked staff and not enough resources to go around has been a universally recognized scene during the pandemic.

With every wave of the pandemic that comes, basically everywhere hospitals once again get filled to the brim with Covid patients.

Even during the most recent Omicron wave, a strain that is generally more mild than previous versions of the virus, there are reports of hospitals around the country having trouble dealing with a surge of patients.

The situation has even forced some hospitals into having to ration care with doctors having to make tough decisions when there just are not enough resources to go around.

Systems like the one developed by the German team can help physicians make more efficient use of limited resources, and also reduce some of the emotional toll of these decisions since they are made - accurately - by an intelligence system rather than just the doctor themselves making the choice.
The BTS-inspired webtoon, "7FATES: CHAKHO" / Courtesy of Naver Webtoon



By Dong Sun-hwa



As many people had expected, the BTS-inspired webtoon, "7FATES: CHAKHO," turned out to be an instant hit, with the digital comic exceeding 15 million views only two days after its release on Jan. 15. These views amount to the highest record for any new webtoon unveiled by Korea's online portal Naver.



"7FATES: CHAKHO," which is available in 10 different languages, including English, German and Spanish, has been garnering positive reviews worldwide, scoring a 9.91 rating on Naver Webtoon's global service platform as of Monday. Although some fans are reacting negatively to the webtoon and criticizing BTS's management company, HYBE, for its "excessive use" of BTS's intellectual property, others are showing their support for the digital comic, praising its gripping story and eye-catching drawing style.



"7FATES: CHAKHO" is an urban fantasy story that stars seven BTS members as fictional characters. It revolves around seven monster hunters called "chakho," who join forces to avenge their loved ones. HYBE General Manager Hwangbo Sang-woo said in an online briefing in November that the title has interpreted a Korean folktale in its distinctive way, bringing life to a new story.



As "7FATES: CHAKHO" gains global traction, numerous people abroad seem to wonder what exactly "chakho" is and why its name appears so frequently in other Korean content, such as Netflix's hit zombie series, "Kingdom," penned by star screenwriter Kim Eun-hee.





Tigers inside a zoo in Gwangju / Newsis
The likelihood of receiving a false positive after taking a rapid antigen Covid test is extremely low, accounting for les than 0.1 percent of total tests, a new study finds.

Researchers at the University of Toronto, in Canada, gathered data from workplace testing programs throughout the country to determine how often a person who is not carrying the virus may test positive.

Antigen tests, while functional, are not as accurate as 'gold standard' PCR tests. The results of a PCR test may take days to arrive, though, and antigen tests can give a person a result in as little as 15 minutes.

The quick turnaround time has made the rapid tests a favorite for workplace and school testing programs, and they are recommended for asymptomatic people wanting to test before travel or a major event.

A false positive could have devastating consequences, though, leaving businesses short staffed or forcing people to cancel travel or miss major events out of precaution for a virus they are not carrying.

A Canadian research team found that only 0.05% of rapid antigen Covid tests are false positives, and even the ones the found may be a result of a very specific batch of faulty tests that were distributed in one part of the country during the fall. The low likelihood of false positives is a promising sign for workplaces and schools that regularly use the tests. Pictured: A man in Washington D.C. is tested for COVID-19 on January 13

'The overall rate of false-positive results among the total rapid antigen test screens for [COVID-19] was very low, consistent with other, smaller studies,' researchers wrote.

Researchers, who published their findings in JAMA, gathered results from over 900,000 Covid tests conducted at 537 workplaces across Canada between January to October of 2021.

The test period included the latter parts of last winter's major Covid surge - the largest the nation had suffered until Omicron arrived this winter - and two separate surges of the Delta variant.

Only a very small portion of those tests, 1,103 (0.15 percent), came back as positive.

People who did test positive as a part of these programs then took a PCR test, and received results a few days later.

If a person had a positive antigen test but then tested negative on a PCR test then their original antigen test is considered a false positive.

In total, 462 PCR tests came back negative, meaning a third of positive antigen tests were false positives, but only 0.05 percent of all tests resulted in a false positive.

Faulty tests distributed in one particular area during a particular time period could be blamed for many of these false positives as well.

Researchers found that 60 percent of false positive tests came from two unnamed workplaces around 400 miles apart from each other between September 25 and October 8.

It is possible that these two companies both received faulty batches of tests from a nearby distributor, driving up false positive figures.

'The cluster of false-positive results from one batch was likely the result of manufacturing issues rather than implementation,' researchers wrote.

While false positives are unlikely, researchers believe the potential for them to exist highlights the need for robust PCR testing systems to quickly screen positive rapid tests and determine which ones are not correct.

'The results demonstrate the importance of having a comprehensive data system to quickly identify potential issues,' they wrote.

'With the ability to identify batch issues within 24 hours, workers could return to work, problematic test batches could be discarded, and the public health authorities and manufacturer could be informed.'

This study was performed with data from before the rise of the Omicron variant, which some officials have warned is less detectable by some rapid tests.

Getting quick results for PCR tests has become a problem in the U.S. The rise of the Omicron variant surged the demand for PCR tests in late December and early January.

This meant that some were waiting days, sometimes over a week, to get results of their tests.

A person having to wait a week to return to work after a false positive antigen test can be devastating not only to individuals, but to society as a whole.

In response to some of these work shortages, whether caused by false positive or real infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduced the minimum quarantine time for asymptomatic infection to five days in recent weeks.
As households brace for a huge rise in energy bills, many will be counting on their supplier to give them some breathing space.

But Money Mail has found that, instead, power firms are unleashing debt collectors over bills which have often been issued in error.

Customers of one firm have had unexpected demands after the supplier sold debts to a third party.

The debt-purchasing company is represented by a law firm which two watchdogs have received complaints about.

Shock tactics: Power firms are instead unleashing heavy-handed debt collectors over bills that have often been issued in error

Some debt collectors offer large discounts if households agree to pay up quickly.

But experts say this could lead to customers handing over cash without first ensuring the demands are correct, for fear any delay could result in a bigger bill  and complaints about inaccurate bills are at a record high.

Last month, energy watchdog Ofgem was forced to intervene after bailiffs acting for Scottish Power were filmed breaking into a woman's flat to collect cash she did not even owe.

Most suppliers paused debt collection at the height of the pandemic in 2020  but that reprieve has ended.

Experts fear incorrect demands will pile anxiety on to customers already worried about soaring energy costs  the average annual bill is set to hit 2,000 in April.

They say firms facing cash-flow problems may ramp up debt collection.

Jules James, 56, is being hounded for 6,306 by EDF Energy  despite never being a customer. She has had three letters from debt collector LCS.

It claims the eye-watering sum covers two-weeks in August for a two-bed flat she rents out but never occupied.

She sent proof he did not live at the property at the time and was with another supplier. But this was dismissed as 'not relevant'.

One letter threatened legal action, saying this could 'hinder your ability to obtain future credit or a mortgage' if successful, and added 'litigation costs are usually paid by the debtor'.

LCS later sent an 'offer of settlement', and a 25 per cent discount if the debt was paid in ten days.

Jules, who runs a branding agency, says: 'It is bullying and it is harassment.'

The average annual bill now expected to hit 2,000 in April with many concerned about costs

Retired local government officer Neil Hayward was also chased by LCS for 463. He sent proof he did not live at the property at the time and was with another supplier. But this was dismissed as 'not relevant'.

LCS also asked Neil, 57, for details of the people who sold him the home, but he refused. The matter was resolved when Neil complained to EDF and LCS. He was offered 300 as a goodwill gesture.

He says: 'How many people just pay to get these firms off their backs?'

Last month, specialist debt collection law firm BW Legal sent out letters claiming households had outstanding debts with Eon dating back years.

Yet comments posted on review website Trustpilot suggest many had settled their balance or were never with Eon.

Watchdogs the Information Commissioner's Office and Solicitors Regulation Authority are making enquiries after receiving complaints about the firm' .

One reader says he opened an envelope with three letters from Eon, debt collection agency PRAC Financial and BW Legal claiming that he owed 109.45.

Addressed to 'the occupier' it referred to a debt accrued between July 2017 and January 2018. He was offered 65 per cent off, reducing the debt to 38.31, if paid within a month.

Experts are concerned that incorrect demands will be particularly upsetting for households already anxious about the soaring cost of energy

But the telecoms engineer, 35, says he had settled his balance after switching supplier almost six months ago.

In some cases, debt collectors are doorstepping customers without warning.

Last summer, Eon representatives turned up twice at a 93-year-old widow's house claiming she owed 1,120, plus 55 for the collection.

Despite proving she had paid her bills she was threatened with legal action leaving her panicked and distressed. Eon eventually admitted the bill was an error.

Martyn James, of complaints site Resolver, says: 'Energy firms are deeply concerned about rising prices. In the absence of any meaningful solution from the Government, it's likely some of them will look at other ways they can recoup their losses.'

Jane Tully, of Money Advice Trust, says: 'Poor debt collection practices can harm people's financial and mental wellbeing. There is no place for intimidating and threatening language.'

An Ofgem spokesman says: 'We are reviewing how suppliers provide assistance to customers in debt or payment difficulty.'

Eon says that it legitimately gave property details to BW Legal.

BW Legal says its clients identify the persons responsible for debts it has bought. It says its letters explain that if recipients believe they are not responsible 'they simply need to contact us and we will resolve this'.

BW Legal questions the credibility of the Trustpilot reviews and says it works proactively with customers who raise concerns.

A spokesman adds that the letters are 'not intimidating'.

EDF Energy says it contacted Jules as the leaseholder and is trying to discover who was responsible for the bills.

It admits Neil was contacted by mistake by LCS after it passed on the address.

Scottish Power says it paid compensation after the bailiff broke into the female customer's home.

a.murray@dailymail.co.uk
Unilever shares fell again yesterday as the backlash against its 50billion bid for Glaxosmithklines consumer arm continued.

The group saw a further 3billion wiped off its value, as shares fell 4 per cent, or 145.5p, to 3516.5p, bringing the total drop since its plans emerged to 10billion.

The latest sell-off came as ratings agency Fitch said it could downgrade Unilevers A credit rating if it goes ahead with the deal.

Unilever saw a further 3bn wiped off its value, as shares fell 4 per cent, or 145.5p, to 3516.5p, bringing the total drop since its plans emerged to 10bn

GSK, maker of Aquafresh and Sensodyne, has rejected three bids from Unilever for the consumer healthcare business, the latest worth 50billion.

But Unilever, which makes Dove, Marmite and Ben & Jerrys, could come back with a higher offer with analysts suggesting a 60billion bid would be needed.

Fitch said a takeover was likely to raise Unilevers debt to a level not consistent with an A rating. If it was unable to reduce its debt by 2024-25 it could be downgraded to BBB, the lowest level Fitch considers investment grade.

It said the deal would need to be accompanied by the sale of other businesses to keep its debt levels under control.

Unilever chief executive Alan Jope stressed on Monday any takeovers would come alongside sales of poor performing brands.

He said the groups pursuit of the GSK business was part of a strategy to focus on faster-growing health, beauty and hygiene brands  and further suggested Unilever could even offload its whole food and refreshments business.

But investors fear Unilever will overpay after its 50billion offer was rejected as substantially undervaluing the business.

GSK chief executive Emma Walmsley plans to demerge the business and list it on the stock market while maintaining a 20 per cent stake.
The boss of the world's largest money manager has insisted it is not 'woke' to go green and to care about more than just profit.

In his annual letter to the chief executives of companies he invests in, Blackrock founder Larry Fink defended a focus on the environment, sustainability and other issues.

Urging them to embrace a green agenda, he said: 'Stakeholder capitalism is not about politics.

Winds of change: Larry Fink is the founder of Blackrock, which manages 7.5trillion of asset

'It is not a social or ideological agenda. It is not woke. It is capitalism, driven by mutually beneficial relationships between you and the employees, customers, suppliers, and communities your company relies on to prosper. This is the power of capitalism.'

Insisting the 'fair pursuit of profit' and 'long-term profitability' was key to success, he said firms must also 'create value for and be valued by' society as well as shareholders.

'We focus on sustainability not because we're environmentalists, but because we are capitalists,' added Fink, whose own fortune is valued at 800million.

His annual 'Dear CEO' missive regularly causes a stir and his comments come just a week after fund manager Terry Smith attacked Unilever, saying it had 'lost the plot' and was 'obsessed with publicly displaying sustainability credentials at the expense of focusing on the fundamentals of the business'.

Fink also used this year's letter  entitled The Power of Capitalism  to warn that firms rolling back flexible working 'do so at their peril'.

'Companies expected workers to come to the office five days a week. Mental health was rarely discussed in the workplace. And wages for those on low and middle incomes barely grew.

'That world is gone,' he said of life before the pandemic. 'Companies not adjusting to this new reality and responding to their workers do so at their own peril.'

Blackrock manages 7.5trillion of savers' cash in a host of funds and has huge influence over the companies in which it holds stakes.

Rather than selling out from carbon-intensive firms, Blackrock prefers to remain an investor and persuade them to change their ways.

Green future: Rather than selling out from carbon intensive companies, Blackrock instead prefers to remain an investor and persuade companies to change their ways

But the money manager has come up against stiff opposition for its agenda which focuses on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Critics have accused Blackrock and Fink himself of 'woke posturing' and behaving like an 'activist' investor.

Neil Wilson, an analyst at Markets in the City, said: 'Chief executives privately complain of the pious brigade that ignore the messy realities of life and doing business.'

The US state of West Virginia this week said it would no longer use a Blackrock fund because of the damage it was doing to the economy.

The fund was pushing companies in West Virginia to embrace net zero investment strategies that would have harmed the state's industry.

West Virginia is known for its heavy industry, in particular its chemical and coal firms. It is the second largest coal producer in the US and ranks fifth in total energy production.

West Virginia state treasurer Riley Moore said: 'I have a duty to ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed in a responsible, financially sound fashion which reflects the best interests of our state and country, and I believe doing business with Blackrock runs contrary to that duty.

'Blackrock has urged companies to embrace net zero investment strategies that would harm the coal, oil and natural gas industries, while increasing investments in Chinese companies that subvert national interests and damage West Virginia's manufacturing base and job market.'
Oil majors Shell and BP hit fresh post-pandemic records as crude prices reached their highest levels in just over seven years.

Shell was up 1.5 per cent, or 28.4p, at 1873.8p while BP rose 0.5 per cent, or 2p, to 395.75p  their highest levels since February 2020.

The gains came as prices of Brent Crude passed $88 a barrel, for the first time since October 2014.

Price boost: Shell was up 1.5 per cent, or 28.4p, at 1873.8p while BP rose 0.5 per cent, or 2p, to 395.75p  their highest levels since February 2020.

Another oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, was also trading at around a seven-year high close to $86 a barrel.

The latest surge followed an attack by rebels in Yemen against the United Arab Emirates, which raised fears of supply disruption.

Tensions were increased further when neighbouring Saudi Arabia launched air raids in Yemen in retaliation.

Stock Watch - Sanderson Design Interior design group Sanderson surged to a three-month high as demand for its UK-made fabrics and wallpaper rose following Brexit and disruption to supply chains. It expects profits for the year to the end of January to be at least 12m, significantly ahead of expectations and up from 7.1m last year. The group also highlighted foreign success, with sales in North America up 40pc year-on-year, where it is enjoying very strong orders. Shares rose 21.9pc, or 33.5p, to 187p.

Brents rally means it has risen around 60 per cent in the last 12 months and over 350 per cent since April 2020, when its value plunged to just under $20 a barrel.

Some analysts, including Goldman Sachs, have predicted that the prices of oil could climb back to $100 a barrel this year as the perceived threat of Omicron diminishes, allowing the global economy to reopen and kick-start demand for fuel.

The worlds oil market is also facing a supply squeeze unless the OPEC+ group of oil-producing countries, such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, decide to open the taps to meet demand at the risk of prices falling back again.

Political instability is adding upward pressure to oil prices, with the Yemen conflict and rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine worrying energy markets.

The FTSE 100 dropped 0.6 per cent, or 47.68 points, to 7563.55 while the FTSE 250 fell 1 per cent, or 218.93 points, to 22,652.71.

Markets in London were under pressure after rising to a two-year high on Monday, with some traders looking to take profits following the rally.

Miners also weighed on the index amid weaker commodity prices, with Russian group Evraz, which is part-owned by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, dropping 2.8 per cent, or 15.8p, to 557.2p while precious metals group Polymetal fell 1.9 per cent, or 21.5p, to 1132.5p.

GlaxoSmithKline shares fell 0.4 per cent, or 6.6p, to 1701.2p, as it emerged that it is in talks with the sovereign wealth funds of Qatar and Singapore to fend off Unilevers takeover efforts.

Cybersecurity group Darktrace inked a multi-million dollar deal to provide its artificial intelligence technology to one of the worlds largest airlines.

The airline, which operates around a thousand flights each day to over 100 destinations, will use Darktrace tech to protect the business from sophisticated threats. Darktrace rose 5 per cent, or 20.6p, to 433.8p.

Mid-cap oil and gas firm Energean jumped by 3.7 per cent, or 33.5p, to 949.5p after a record performance in 2021.

The firm noted that record gas prices in Italy, one of its key markets, and better than expected production helped lift its revenues to 364million, up from 247million in 2020.

Telecoms giant BT was up 3.1 per cent, or 5.55p, to 186.6p after analysts at Goldman Sachs added it to their conviction buy list and raised their target price on the stock to 270p from 180p.

Stock trading platform Plus 500 bounced up 2.3 per cent, or 32.5p, to 1470p after it was granted a tax cut by the Israeli government.

Its status as a preferred technological enterprise has been extended and as a result, its annual corporation tax rate will be lowered to 12 per cent from 23 per cent.

Retirement income and pension specialist Just Group surged 8.2 per cent, or 7.1p, to 93.3p after its sales jumped 25 per cent to 2.7billion during 2021.
Covid lateral flow tests don't work as well on children, according to a study which casts doubt on whether they can curb the spread of the virus in schools.

All secondary school students in Britain are currently encouraged to do LFD tests at least twice a week.

But writing in the BMJ's Evidence-Based Medicine, experts said the rapid kits were not as effective as hoped in youngsters.

A team of British and German scientists pooled together results from 17 old studies, involving over 6,000 children, that analysed the efficacy of lateral flows in detecting Covid in young people.

The team found that overall, the tests  which give results in as little as 15 minutes  only detected 64 per cent of Covid positive children.

Detection rates increased to 72 per cent when children had symptoms of Covid, like a new continuous cough or a change in the sense of taste and smell.

However, the swabs spotted little over half of the infected children who didn't have symptoms.

The authors said their findings mean LFDs would fail the minimum standards of the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the US's Food and Drug Administration, and the World Health Organization.

Each of these bodies require Covid testing kits to have a minimum success rate of about 80 per cent.

It comes amid fears the return of children to school could trigger another uptick in Covid cases, just as the Omicron surge appears to be fizzling out.

A new study suggests that commonly used lateral flow tests fail to meet UK regulator standards when used on children. The analysis of available data found that even in children with Covid symptoms, the test kits only detected 72 per cent of cases, 8 percentage point slower than the UK regulator's minimum accuracy standards

Regular lateral flow tests are a key part of Government efforts to control the spread of Covid in schools. Here Erin Horn takes a test Outwood Academy in Woodlands, Doncaster in Yorkshire (file image)

A new analysis suggests lateral flow test kits, like the one pictured, only detect about, 64 per cent of Covid cases in children, well below the UK's regulator minimum standard of 80 per cent success

Covid cases in children have rocketed up in the few days back at school, with over 240,000 total confirmed or suspected Covid cases, with more children also in isolation. Regular lateral flow tests by students are a key part of Government plans to curb the spread of the virus in schools but a new study has cast the effectiveness of such tests on children into doubt

How to do a rapid lateral flow test Rapid lateral flow tests are for people who do not have Covid symptoms, such as a high temperature, a cough or a loss or change to smell or taste. The tests give a quick result using a device similar to a pregnancy test. People with Covid symptoms should do a PCR test. Before doing a rapid lateral flow test the NHS advises: try not to eat, drink, smoke or vape 30 minutes before doing the test as this may affect the result

read the instructions carefully

clean the surface you're putting the test on

check nothing in the test kit is damaged or broken

start the test within 30 minutes of opening the test kit If your test requires a throat swab: open your mouth wide and rub the swab over your tonsils (or where they would have been)

avoid the end of the swab touching your teeth, tongue and gums

put the same swab inside your nose (about 2.5 cm up or until you feel some resistance) If your test requires a nose swab only: put the swab inside your nose (about 2.5 cm up) Completing the test: put the end of the swab into the tube so it's in the liquid

squeeze the liquid from the tube onto the test strip

check the waiting time in the instructions that came with your test kit

wait for the time shown in your test kit instructions

read your result

report your result on the Government website Advertisement

Researchers added that the findings only include samples taken by professionally trained individuals and not self testing at home, which would likely only be a detriment to the accuracy.

The authors added it is unknown if repeated, regular LFD testing would help to alleviate some of these detection problems.

One of the authors, Dr Naomi Fujita-Rohwerder, of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care in Cologne, Germany, said the findings may cast doubt on using LFDs to detect Covid cases in children.

'Taking into account test-specific pooled results, no test included in this review fully satisfied the minimum performance requirements as recommended by WHO...the USor the MHRA in the UK,' she said.

'This may affect the planned purpose of the broad implementation of testing programmes.'

The authors only looked at studies that used eight different kits, meaning some of the 500-plus tests currently on sale across the world may be more accurate.

All 17 of the studies included in the new analysis were published between the start of 2020 and May 2021, meaning they will not have accounted for Omicron.

The researchers did offer any reasons why the tests did not perform accurately on detecting Covid in children.

Nor did they offer a comparative estimate of LFD accuracy in adults though other studies have estimated this at being 72 per cent of symptomatic cases, though the UK Government insists the tests catch over 80 per cent of the most infectious individuals.

Regular LFDs are one of the cornerstones of the UK Government's attempt to curb the spread of the virus amongst children.

And the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) insists the kits remain the best way to detect Covid among the wider population.

Lateral flow tests have been under the spotlight in recent week as ministers urge Britons to take a test before meeting others in an attempt to reduce the chances of people unknowingly passing the virus on to others.

But scores of Britons complained over the Christmas period that they received a negative lateral flow result only later to test PCR positive, prompting concerns about the kits' accuracy in detecting the Covid variant Omicron.

The scrutiny also comes with a change of guidance, with people now only needing a positive LFD test to being self-isolation, no longer needing a follow-up with a more accurate PCR test.

Covid rates in schools jumped in England in the first week back from the Christmas holidays, according to official data.

A total of 315,000 children were absent from state schools on January 6 because of Covid-related reasons. This represents about 3.9 per cent of students, according to the Department of Education.

It was a marked increase from the previous report's 236,000 Covid-related absences recorded on December 9.
The parents of Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old student who was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for ripping down a propaganda poster in North Korea in 2016 before he was returned to the US in a coma and died days later, was awarded $240,000 in damages from a North Korean bank account.

The payout on January 12 was seized from the Korea Kwangson Banking Corp. (KKBC) upon approval from the Northern District Court of New York. It is just a fraction of the $501 million in damages the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled the country was liable for in 2018. Warmbier's parents, Cynthia and Frederick Warmbier, had sued North Korea for the alleged torture and murder of their son.

But the country and its banks refuse to acknowledge court orders and notices - even those filed at North Korea's mission to the United Nations - most recently missing a deadline for the payment on January 10, according to the Washington Post.

Otto Warmbier, an Ohio native who studied at the University of Virginia, traveled to North Korea as part of a guided tour group in 2016. He was charged with crimes against the state after pulling down a propaganda poster in his hotel, and died six days after he was returned to the United States in a coma

Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in 2016 for allegedly stealing a poster in North Korea before being returned to the U.S. in a coma

Otto Warmbier was detained in North Korea for allegedly removing a propaganda poster from his hotel, and died days after being sent back to the United States in a coma in 2017

Otto Warmbier's parents Fred and Cindy Warmbier, pictured here in 2018, sued North Korea for the alleged torture and murder of their son

The New York court directed the New York Office of the State Comptroller to seize the funds 'on a final basis.'

'Neither North Korea nor KKBC has appeared in this action or filed any objections or responses to the petition for turnover within the applicable time periods,' Judge Lawrence Kahn said in the order.

'Judgement is hereby entered in favor of the Plantiffs/Judgement Creditors Cynthia Warmbier and Fredrerick Warmbier with respect to the Subject Funds in the sum of $240,336.41, plus any accrued interest thereon.'

North Korea, struggling under biting international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, is believed to have few assets in the United States.

Warmbier, an Ohio native who studied at the University of Virginia, traveled to North Korea as part of a guided tour group in 2016.

He was pulled away from his group at Pyongyang airport and charged with crimes against the state for allegedly taking down a propaganda poster.

Otto is seen crying while speaking to reporters in Pyongyang, North Korea in 2016 and right, in June 2017, in a vegetative state while being carried off an airplane at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati

According to the 2018 ruling, when he finally returned home after 17 months, Warmbier was attached to a feeding tube and was howling incomprehensible noises.

Warmbier had gone blind and deaf, his once straight teeth were misaligned and his eyes bulged out, the ruling said.

He died six days later.

North Korea at the time blamed his condition on medicine they said he took for botulism.

The damages paid to the Warmbier family come as plaintiffs in Japan and South Korea attempt to hold the country accountable for similar human rights violations.

Former South Korean prisoners of war in South Korea who managed to escape are seeking damages that would be paid from an inter-Korean cooperation fund.

A South Korean court ruled on Monday that a judgement could not be enforced against the fund, which holds copyright fees collected on behalf of North Korean broadcasters, and the case is now headed to appeal.

A group of ethnic Koreans living in Japan are suing Kim Jong-un directly, claiming that their human rights were violated when they participated in a repatriation program to North Korea that ran from 1959 to 1984 and accusing the regime of 'falsely advertising' the living conditions there.

Those plaintiffs are among thousands that were able to defect after repatriating, fleeing to Japan or South Korea. In this case, a judgement is expected in spring.

Cindy and Fred Warmbier are pictured looking on during a symposium on possible ways of international cooperation with North Korea to urge the country to take concrete actions against human rights violations

Warmbier is pictured being led away from North Korea's top court on March 16, 2016

Last year, Warmbier's parents lambasted former President Donald Trump for complimenting Kim Jong-un, North Korea's dictator, and said they wanted current President Joe Biden to reach out to them to work on human rights abuses in the country.

'Complimenting Kim was wrong. Do you compliment Hitler?' Cynthia Warmbier told DailyMail.com. She went on to call Kim 'a worm' who is only successful because he was born into the ruling family.

After their 2019 meeting, Trump said of Kim, 'I may be wrong, but I believe that chairman Kim has a great and beautiful vision for his country, and only the United States, with me as president, can make that vision come true.'

Cindy Warmbier criticized Trump for his relationship with Kim Jong-un, saying 'Complimenting Kim was wrong. Do you compliment Hitler?'

At the time, the grieving parents said they were excited to work with the Biden administration.

'It's all about human rights. That was their platform, that's our platform. It's all about Otto's rights. There needs to be accountability for an American student - our son.'

The family conceded that the Trump administration was 'absolutely helpful' - it wasn't until Trump took office that the U.S. secured Otto's release in June 2017.

'They brought Otto home, they gave us access to every department of government, they worked with us to prosecute the Kim regime, through sanctions, taking their assets and seizing the assets,' Fred Warmbier said.

Asked in Hanoi about the message, in the context of Warmbier's death, Trump said, 'I know the Warmbier family very well. I think they're an incredible family. What happened is horrible. I really believe something very bad happened to him, and I don't think that the top leadership knew about it.'




Instead, fact-checkers should be funded and people should be educated

They say it won't help in fight against conspiracy theories and could fuel them

Scientific misinformation should not be removed from online, experts have warn

Harmful misinformation shared online should not be removed, experts warned today.

The UKs national academy of science said removing bogus claims circulating on the internet could actually make the situation worse.

It could 'exacerbate feelings of distrust' and leave people searching for information in darker corners of the web, according to the Royal Society.

Misinformation has been rife throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with incorrect claims about vaccines allowed to spread on major platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - including that the jabs contain microchips or can alter DNA.

Other conspiracy theories included the idea that the pandemic was caused by 5G, which led to phone masts being set on fire.

But the Royal Society, which commissioned a report delving into how the internet impacts how people engage with scientific information, said the best way of tackling the problem is to invest in fact-checking websites.

This, it argues, would thwart the spread of misinformation and potentially educate readers wanting answers about complex topics.

It also called for the UK's communications regulator to have wider powers to take action on misinformation and for online platforms to develop technology to detect false information.

A YouGov poll of 2,019 people, commissioned by the Royal Society researchers, found eight in 10 people believe the Covid vaccine are 'very' or 'fairly' safe, with Pfizer being the most trusted vaccine, followed by Moderna and AstraZeneca

The survey also found that commissioned by the Royal Society researchers, found eight in 10 people believe the Covid vaccine are 'very' or 'fairly' safe, with Pfizer being the most trusted vaccine, followed by Moderna and AstraZeneca

Professor Frank Kelly, a mathematician at the University of Cambridge and chair of the report, said science 'stands on the edge of error' and the nature of scientific endeavour 'means there is always uncertainty'.

He said: 'In the early days of the pandemic, science was too often painted as absolute and somehow not to be trusted when it corrects itself.

'But that prodding and testing of received wisdom is integral to the advancement of science, and society.'

FROM MICROCHIPS TO CHANGING YOUR DNA: DEBUNKING ALL THE MYTHS ABOUT COVID Misinformation about the Covid vaccines spread online throughout the pandemic. Conspiracy theorists claim the jabs implant microchips, can alter DNA and give you Covid. CLAIM: It was rushed and isnt safe FACT: Researchers took no safety shortcuts. Large real-world studies show the vaccine is safe CLAIM: It changes my DNA FACT: Its impossible for the vaccine to change your DNA CLAIM: It can give you Covid FACT: The vaccine doesnt contain a live virus strain, meaning it is impossible to catch the virus from the injection CLAIM: It contains egg protein FACT: It doesnt contain egg proteins and can be given to people with allergies CLAIM: It causes severe side effects FACT: For most, the vaccine causes mild side effects that resolve in a few days or sooner CLAIM: It makes women infertile FACT: There is no evidence that the vaccine causes infertility CLAIM: It contains alcohol FACT: It doesnt contain alcohol CLAIM: It cant be taken if you have existing health issues FACT: Contact your GP before getting the jab if you are concerned about an existing health issues CLAIM: There is human and animal DNA in the vaccine FACT: The Covid vaccines do not contain human or animal DNA CLAIM: There is a microchip inside the vaccine FACT: There are no microchips inside the Covid vaccines Source: Kent Community Health Advertisement

Professor Kelly added: 'This is important to bear in mind when we are looking to limit scientific misinformation's harms to society.

'Clamping down on claims outside the consensus may seem desirable  but it can hamper the scientific process and force genuinely malicious content underground.'

As part of its report, the Royal Society quizzed more than 2,000 Britons to determine the proportion of people who believed misinformation.

They found 80 per cent of people thought Covid jabs were safe, while 90 per cent believed humans were responsible for climate change.

This shows that the 'vast majority' of Britons agree with the scientific consensus, but warned that the 'group who dispute the science, although small, can be influential'.

Inaccurate information 'can cause harm to individuals and society at large', such as 'filling intensive care units' during the pandemic if it leads to people not getting vaccinated, they warned.

The report said the Government should take steps to protect independent news media, as it exposes people to a wide range of viewpoints and is a key source of trusted information.

Companies such as Reddit remove misinformation posted by users on its website, while Instagram bans anti-vaccination hashtags, the researchers said.

'But those seeking to promote such misinformation have been able to quickly adjust their tactics,' the experts warned.

Instead, leaving social media users to spot misinformation and call it out can be a 'powerful anecdote', they said.

Social media giants could curtail the spread of it by imposing limits on how many times a message can be shared via online messaging and using algorithms that verify information in messages or images, the team said.

They called for funding to be given to fact-checking companies, which play 'a vital role in a healthy online information environment'.

And older adults, who are more likely to be 'targeted by and be susceptible to online misinformation', should be offered digital literacy classes, as well as educating children about misinformation in schools.

The team found people share information out of altruistic concerns, as well as for profit or due to political motivations.

Professor Gina Neff, an expert in technology and society at the Oxford Internet Institute and one of the researchers, said: 'Scientific misinformation doesn't just affect individuals, it can harm society and even future generations if allowed to spread unchecked.

'Our polling showed that people have complex reasons for sharing misinformation, and we won't change this by giving them more facts.

'We need new strategies to ensure high quality information can compete in the online attention economy.

'This means investing in lifelong information literacy programmes, provenance enhancing technologies, and mechanisms for data sharing between platforms and researchers.'

No10 is already embroiled in a row over its upcoming online safety bill.

The proposed bill is intended to make tech giants accountable for 'harmful' content on their platforms.

It would hand more power to regulator Ofcom, the Government and social media platforms to regulate what news users see on social media.

Tories have warned it will be 'catastrophic' for the freedom of speech of ordinary people.

And the proposed rules raised the prospect that the Silicon Valley firms could take down posts they think are not 'politically correct' even though they are legal.

News organisations such as MailOnline should be given a 'positive exemption' from the provisions of the bill, industry representatives have said.

Peter Wright, editor emeritus of DMG Media, told MPs in October that social media giants should not moderate journalistic content when it is produced by 'recognised news publishers'.
Authorities in Mexico are investigating whether a six-day-old infant who was found dead in a prison dumpster had been used to traffic drugs into the prison.

The discovery at the notorious San Miguel Center for Social Reinsertion in Puebla last Tuesday was made by an inmate who was searching for plastic bottles inside several garbage bins. He found the body inside one of them.

The man noticed a surgical incision in his stomach and reported the incident to jail officials.

An investigation has been opened at a Mexican jail when the body of a dead six-day-old baby boy was found inside a garbage bin last Tuesday. Activists and authorities believe the child was used by drug traffickers to smuggle narcotics into the prison in the central state of Puebla

Reinserta, a non-profit children rights advocacy group, denounced the murder and called on governor Miguel Barbosa Huerta to investigate.

Its unknown how the boy was taken inside the prison because children are prohibited from visiting due to COVID-19 preventive measures.

As a civil association that works to transform the lives of children and adolescents marked by violence, this murder deeply moves us because these inhumane acts should not be repeated in none of the countrys prison facilities, Reinserta said in a statement.

Reinserta founder Saskia Nino de Rivera told MVS Noticias that incisions on the babys abdomen are a clear sign he was used as a drug mule to bring narcotics into a prison, which is marked by violence and corruption.

The San Miguel Center for Social Reinsertion has a capacity of 2,100 inmates, but it currently is overcrowded by 40 percent with more than 3,000 male inmates and at least 350 women.

The prison made headlines in June 2021 when an inmate tricked prison guards and escaped. During a visit from his brother, they swapped clothes and the brother returned to the cell, allowing the inmate to walk out undetected.

Nino de Rivera pointed out the firing of the prisons director over a prostitution scandal.

'When we talk about self-rule, we talk about extortion, we talk about drug trafficking, we talk about drug dealing, we talk about prostitution,' she said.

We have never talked about the possibility of a child being used to put drugs inside a prison, and everything points towards it. That is the theory: The boy was dead, they got him in to put drugs inside the prison.'

Governor Barbosa Huerta said the Puebla State Office of the Attorney General would be investigating.

A lot of dirt is going to appear and a lot of people will be involved, he said. But this investigation is (going to be) handled with the necessary secrecy to reach the truth  He was not born inside the prison.
Dr Norman Swan has called for more robust surgical and N95 masks to replace the common cloth versions for everyday use by Australians.

The ABC presenter said the familiar blue paper masks and simple cloth versions are not up to the task of preventing the spread of the more contagious Omicron strain and Australians need to upgrade to more heavy-duty protection.

'As the virus becomes more infectious there's less tolerance for aerosol escaping through the mask,' he told the ABC.

'Cloth masks were pretty good against the Wuhan virus but it's not good enough now.'

Dr Norman Swan says cloth masks are now outdated technologies and the country needs to start prioritising the use of more heavy-duty facewear

Dr Norman Swan wants Australians to ditch cloth masks (left) and start using N95 medical-grade masks (right)

Dr Swan, who has a doctorate in paediatrics and been an ABC presenter for decades, said the strain on hospitals could be vastly improved if better masks were used.

'A minimum is the surgical mask and if you can get an N95 well fitting, that's the key, if it fits well around the face,' he said.

'A poorly fitting N95 wouldn't be as good as a surgical mask.'

He also warned Australians to check the fine print to make sure the masks are approved for medical use and appropriate for handling the spread of Covid.

'This is a situation of buyers beware, controversy blew up in 2020 when many hundreds of supposed N95s came onto the market and many were counterfeit and forgeries,' he said.

'The blue masks you see everyone are single use. You've got to be careful if it says for medical use and has an ARTG number on it, which means in theory it doesn't do what it says it does.

'The surgical masks are the ones you should be using, but not a cloth mask.'

Another 32 people died with Covid in New South Wales on Wednesday in the state's second deadliest day on record - but down from Tuesday's record high.

Masks: N95s vs Surgical vs Cloth Surgical Masks: Surgical masks are made in different thicknesses and with different ability to protect you from contact with liquids. These properties may also affect how easily you can breathe through the face mask and how well the surgical mask protects you. If worn properly, a surgical mask is meant to help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria), keeping it from reaching your mouth and nose. Surgical masks may also help reduce exposure of your saliva and respiratory secretions to others. While a surgical mask may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, a face mask, by design, it does not filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures. Surgical masks also do not provide complete protection from germs and other contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the mask and your face. N95 Masks: An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Note that the edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. Surgical N95 Respirators are commonly used in healthcare settings and are a subset of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs), often referred to as N95s. Cloth Masks: A face mask is a product that covers the wearers nose and mouth. Face masks are for use as source control by the general public and health care personnel (HCP) in accordance with CDC recommendations, and are not personal protective equipment. Face masks may or may not meet any fluid barrier or filtration efficiency levels; therefore, they are not a substitute for N95 respirators or other Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs), which provide respiratory protection to the wearer, or for surgical masks, which provide fluid barrier protection to the wearer. Information: The CDC Advertisement

President Joe Biden (pictured last Thursday) plans to distribute millions of N95 face masks to pharmacies and community sites across the nation as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to surge

US President Joe Biden is set to follow Dr Swan's advice, with plans to distribute 400 million N95 face masks to pharmacies and community sites across the nation.

The masks will be sourced from the government's Strategic National Stockpile and distributed for free, insiders familiar with the plan told Politico.

The initiative is part of Biden's effort to ensure the Americans have access to 'more-protective' masks as some states are experiencing a surge in COVID cases.

It comes after public health experts and former Biden transition advisers in recent weeks have pushed the White House to take action as people struggle to find affordable and genuine N95s.

Last week, Biden signaled that he would soon be announcing a plan to distribute free face masks to citizens, acknowledging 'high-quality masks' are not always accessible to everyone.

'I know for some Americans the mask is not always affordable or convenient to get,' he said Thursday.

'I know we all wish that we could finally be done with wearing masks. I get it. But they're a really important tool to stop the spread, especially of a highly transmittable Omicron variant.'

The 50 combined deaths recorded Wednesday are lower than Tuesday's shocking figure of 58 but Dr Swan says the strain on hospitals could be vastly improved if proper masks were used

There were 32,297 new infections recorded with 217 people still battling the virus in intensive care facilities in NSW.

Victoria recorded 18 deaths on Wednesday with 20,769 new Covid cases. There are 125 people in ICU with the virus, including 42 on ventilators.

The 50 combined deaths are lower than Tuesday's 58.

Victorian and NSW also reduced the booster wait time from four to three months on Wednesday.

There have been 1,773,457 people in NSW have received a third or booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, about half of the eligible 3.4 million.

Australians had to wait four months between their second dose and booster, which was due to change to three months at the end of the month.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet will reduce the booster wait time from four to three months on Wednesday as the state looks to reduce the strain on hospitals

But the two biggest states on Wednesday brought that forward almost two weeks to combat the Omicron strain that cuts through the initial course of vaccine.

'We have the capacity for 250,000 vaccines every week in those hubs. Today's decision will enable over 3.5 million more people from our state to be eligible for that booster shot,' NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet told reporters.

'As we are clearly seeing, boosters are key to keeping yourself, your friends and your family safe. We have the capacity available. We've seen in our intensive care units the difference vaccination makes.'

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said 1.2 million more residents would be eligible for the booster immediately under the revised wait time.

'It's safe. It's effective. The total number of people eligible increases substantially by 2 million Victorians and it will help us get more people third-dose boosted quicker than would otherwise be the case,' he said in his Covid press conference.

'There's 1,365,004 Victorians who are 18 and over and have had a third dose and with the announcement I've just made, effective immediately, reducing the interval down to three months, there are now 2.45 million Victorians who are eligible, but have not yet had their third dose.

'So we've got a long way to go but it's a very impressive base to start from.'




South Korea's state pension fund lowered its exposure to large cap and other domestic shares in 2021 in an apparent bid to boost returns and diversify its portfolio, a corporate tracker said Wednesday.







The National Pension Service (NPS) held stakes of 5 percent or more in 265 companies listed on the country's major and secondary bourses as of the end of 2021, down 10 from a year earlier, according to CEO Score.







Compared with two years earlier, the number was down 49.







Last year, the NPS cut its holdings of shares in 216 corporations, while raising its stakes in 103 firms.







The state pension provider has announced plans to cut the ratio of South Korean shares to its total investment to 15 percent by 2025.







Last year, the NPS increased holdings of shares in pharmaceutical and bio companies, while reducing stakes in IT, electric and electronics firms.







As of the end of 2021, the value of NPS stakes in the 265 large cap firms came to 154.6 trillion won ($130 billion), down 5.9 percent from a year earlier.







The NPS saw the value of its shares in global tech titan Samsung Electronics drop 21.4 percent, or 11.2 trillion won, to 41.2 trillion won. It was the biggest decline among the large caps decreasing to 8.69 percent from 10.7 percent.







In contrast, the state pension operator bought the largest amount of shares in Samsung Biologics, South Korea's top pharmaceutical firm, with its purchase reaching 3.4 trillion won, according to CEO Score.







The NPS had more than 918 trillion won in assets under management as of the end of October 2021, making it one of the largest pension operators in the world. (Yonhap)


In the aftermath of the chaotic Tongan volcanic eruption and tsunami, a volcanologist has warned Australia needs to be more prepared because the region could experience a far larger explosion 'with little warning'.

Australia needs to better coordinate early-warning systems and emergency services so reisdents can be ready in the unlikely event of a 'super colossal' eruption nearby, Heather Handley, a volcanologist from Monash University said.

At least three people died following the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai eruption on Saturday, which led to a tsunami hitting the Tongan archipelago and blanketing the islands with volcanic ash and debris.

Although a tsunami warning was issued for Australia on Saturday night, and authorities warned people in Sydney to stay out of the ocean, thousands ignored the plea on a warm Sunday.

In the aftermath of the chaotic Tongan volcanic eruption and tsunami, a volcanologist has warned Australia needs to be more prepared because the region could experience a far larger explosion (Pictured, a plume rises over Tonga after the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai erupted in this satellite image)

Although a tsunami warning was issued for Australia on Saturday night, and authorities warned people in Sydney to stay out of the ocean, thousands ignored the plea on a warm Sunday (pictured, a surf lifesaver at Bondi Beach)

Australia needs to better coordinate early-warning systems and emergency services so they can be ready if a massive volcano erupts nearby, said Monash University volcanologist Heather Handley (pictured)

The volcano risk near us - and in Australia The Australian mainland has two 'active' volcanic regions, both of which have erupted since Australia was populated. One centred on Mt Gambier in South Australia, which erupted around 5,000 years ago with similar force to Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai. The other is Kinrara in north-east Queensland. Both would be less likely to produce a seven on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. The most violent volcanic eruption in the last 70,000 years took place across the Tasman Sea at Taupo, New Zealand, about 2,400 years ago. It has erupted 28 times in 26,000 years, with the Oruanui eruption scoring an eight on the VEI scale. Advertisement

Some of the damage in the Tonga archipelago is 'catastrophic', including on Atata and Mango islands. A shortage of clean water now threatens the health of thousands.

Although Hunga Tonga was one of the biggest eruptions of recent times and looked frightening in satellite images, early estimates say its power was between four and five on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI).

There are 'hundreds' of active volcanoes in the Asia-Pacific capable of reaching a seven on the VEI, which could kill thousands and cause millions of dollars of damage, Ms Handley said.

She confirmed an eruption could happen 'with little warning'.

'Indonesia alone has 129 active volcanoes, if you look at Vanuatu, Tonga, New Zealand have a lot of volcanoes to our north and east side that are are capable of [damaging] eruptions.'

The last volcano to reach a seven on the VEI was Mount Tambora, in Sumatra, Indonesia in 1815, which killed 88,000 people.

The VEI scale runs from 1 to 8, with each number 10 times more powerful than the previous one.

Ms Handley says the Asia-Pacific region, on average, experiences a category seven VEI event- which is described on the scale as a 'super colossal' eruption - every 400 years.

New Zealand has had a multi-agency research program, called Devora, aimed at preparing Auckland for a volcano since 2008, coordinating government, emergency services and the military.

It even ran a simulation of a volcanic eruption to assess readiness in New Zealand's biggest city.

The eruption at the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai off Tonga on January 15, 2022 is seen in a video showing the huge plume of ash and steam rising from the ocean

An image taken from a military reconnaissance plane shows a Tongan village inundated with ash, while the beach shows signs of water damage where tsunami waves washed ashore following the huge volcanic eruption at the weekend

Ms Handley says Australia could be better prepared by issuing tsunami alerts on the basis of volcanic eruptions, not just earthquakes.

Currently the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre issues alerts based on seismologists' predictions of 'potential for an identified undersea earthquake'.

If there's no earthquake detected, no warning is issued.

'We still need to do a little bit more to prepare because Australia is surrounded by large volcanic areas capable of major volcanic eruptions, as we've just seen,' Ms Handley says.

'Eruptions can occur outside Australia that impact Australia.

'We've got to think about what would the impacts be?

'What areas would be affected, what emergency management services would we need to bring together? How would they interact?

'We've got have the right systems to bring all those together to manage the hazards so that it wouldn't be chaos.'

Northern Australia has been affected by a volcanic ash cloud from Tonga.

Spectacular satellite images showed the huge Hunga Tonga eruption from space

In 2011, ash from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle eruption spewed ash over the region.

The Australian mainland also has two 'active' volcanic regions, both of which have erupted since Australia was populated.

One centred on Mt Gambier in South Australia, which erupted around 5,000 years ago with similar force to Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai. The other is Kinrara in north-east Queensland.

Both would be less likely to produce a seven VEI rating.

A volcano has a lifespan of millions of years and is considered 'active' if it has erupted in the past 10,000 years.

The most violent volcanic eruption in the last 70,000 years took place across the Tasman Sea at Taupo about 2,400 years ago.

It has erupted 28 times in 26,000 years, with the Oruanui eruption scoring an eight on the VEI scale.
Australians are being needlessly stranded overseas after recovering from Covid by outdated isolation requirements scrapped at home.

Martina Cullen said the re-entry requirements split her family despite her having no Covid symptoms and not being contagious after picking up the virus while on holiday in Fiji.

Despite being cleared to leave the country by Fijian authorities, she is still there well after her nephew after other family members flew home to Melbourne.

Ms Cullen had to say goodbye to her husband Nigel Landeryou and children Talei, 12, and Liadin, two, and stay in Nadi while they flew home as the Australian Government requires her to wait 14 days after her positive PCR test before leaving.

Martina Cullen (pictured) is stuck in Fiji while her husband and kids have been able to fly back home to Melbourne

'What I wasn't prepared for was that the Australian government have kept in place a rule that is no longer valid within Australia,' she told The Age.

The family flew to Fiji in late December and on Christmas Day flew to Savusavu for a family reunion with Mr Landeryou's Fijian-born mother and Australian-born father, who has Parkinson's disease.

Mr Landeryou's sister's family were also on the holiday.

By the time they all returned to Nadi on January 6 to fly to Melbourne the next day it had already been a very eventful holiday, with lost luggage, cancelled flights, a cyclone and the Tongan volcanic eruption.

But it was about to get worse. Some family members tested positive to Covid-19 on January 7, causing them to miss afternoon flight and go into hotel quarantine.



Though the Fijian government released the family on January 12 after they met local requirements, the Australian government still requires travellers to wait 14 days after their first positive PCR test if they are 'shedding'.

Shedding is when patients have recovered from Covid, have no symptoms, and are not contagious but continue to test positive.

'Myself and my nephew are still shedding the virus but no longer contagious, have been given clearance by the Fijian Ministry of Health,' Ms Cullen said.

Martina Cullen (pictured right) is hoping to soon be reunited with her husband Nigel Landeryou (pictured left) in Melbourne

Australians have since last month only had to isolation for seven days after testing positive and can freely travel after that time.

However, waiting times to fly into Australia from abroad have not been reduced as they have in many other countries.

So Ms Cullen and her nephew are allowed to leave Fiji, but not allowed to land in Melbourne.

'We have followed all the rules we needed to, it's the disjunct between what happens for re-entry into Australia as opposed to internal requirements,' she said.

'The rules just haven't caught up. I am fit to fly as far as the Fijian government is concerned.'

She and her nephew have been spending their time in limbo at Nadi's Gateway hotel.

Martina Cullen (pictured left) is stuck in Fiji due to Covid-19 regulations, while her husband Nigel Landeryou (pictured right) was allowed to fly back to Australia

'We are free to roam around the resort, we have medical clearance from the Ministry of Health on two separate occasions,' she said.

'The biggest thing I want to get through is that Australian families are in this predicament around the world, spending thousands of dollars on an antiquated rule that has been updated in most countries.'

Ms Cullen, who has already spent $15,000 said Australia needs to update its regulations and it was 'insane' that it had not already done so.
Ray Hadley has quashed rumours that he has Covid-19 two days after an explosive on-air interview with the NSW Premier during which he confronted Dominic Perrottet over claims he called him a Covid 'bedwetter'.

Listeners called in expressing fears for the radio broadcaster's health after he appeared to sound under the weather during Ben Fordham's 2GB breakfast program on Wednesday.

Hadley was quick to end rumours on his morning show shortly afterwards, assuring listeners he simply had a cold.

'I'm clear of Covid - I just have a common ordinary tickle in the throat - fear not, I'm not infecting anyone,' Hadley told listeners.

Ray Hadley (pictured with wife Sophie) has assured his listeners he's been cleared of Covid

'Even if it turns out I do, I will continue to work, it will just be in a confined space somewhere.'

His 2GB colleague also addressed the feedback a short time before Hadley replaced him on-air.

'He is very conscious. So no, he doesn't have Covid,' Fordham explained.

'He has a few other issues including a bit of a sniffle, I think'.

A day earlier, Hadley's social media team was forced to disable comments on his Facebook page after he confronted the NSW Premier over allegedly badmouthing the shock jock behind his back.

Appearing on Hadley's 2GB morning program on Monday, Mr Perrottet denied he was referring to people like Hadley when he said he would not 'give in to the bedwetters' by re-introducing Covid restrictions.

'I don't know where that's come from, I haven't made those comments in cabinet at all,' Mr Perrottet responded.

Hadley said people had told him Mr Perrottet had called 'people like me' bedwetters after a few drinks at a pre-Christmas function.

'Ray, I have no recollection of that,' Mr Perrottet responded.

Concerned 2GB listeners called in on Wednesday after hearing Ray Hadley sounding ill when he spoke on air

On Tuesday morning, Hadley's team blocked comments on both their post promoting Mr Perrottet's appearance, and a December 17 story in which the 2GB host called the premier 'weak as p***', as many listeners tried to call out Hadley over his comments.

Hadley continued his criticism of the Premier on Wednesday's program and referred to the state's double vaccination rate, which has increased by less than one per cent in the last five weeks.

'When Gladys Berejiklian was the Premier, she spoke every single day about getting vaccinated,' Hadley said.

'We went straight through to 90 per cent vaccination with Gladys at the helm.'

'Since December 15, that's been vaccinated and the message to get vaccinated has gone out the window.'

Hadley's feud with the new Premier ignited last year, when he said Perrottet wasn't doing enough to ensure residents would remain safe from Covid as he loosened restrictions.

'I think he's close to signing his political death warrant,' the shock jock said. 'He's putting Sydney and NSW at risk.

'I hope he's listening if he continues on this particular path, [NSW Opposition Leader] Chris Minns will be premier in 2023 and he will go down the path of Kristina Kenneally being a partial premier.'

Ray Hadley has reignited his war of words with Dominic Perrottet (pictured), who has accused the broadcaster of being a Covid 'bedwetter'

On Monday the pair locked horns for the first time this year as Hadley returned to the airwaves.

He claimed former premier Gladys Berejiklian had directly told him Mr Perrottet was part of 'a team' who pushed for most Covid restrictions to be dropped on December 15.

'Don't blame Gladys, she's gone!' Hadley told Mr Perrottet when the premier said the road map for removing restrictions had been in existence before he took the top job.

'You were part of the team pushing the December 15 date, whether you deny it or not, because that comes straight from her to me,' Hadley said.

'You deny it, Im telling you she says that you were part of the push to get the brakes released on December 15, and when you became Premier you were intent on doing it.'

Hadley has been a vocal opponent of Mr Perrottet's decision to end a range of Covid restrictions in mid-December, particularly as the Omicron variant began to take hold across the state.
A four-cylinder Czech wagon has been chosen ahead of bigger-name brands to replace Australian-made Holden Commodores as police highway patrol cars.

Skoda has confirmed the Western Australia Police Force ordered 55 Superb wagons, marking the biggest ever single order for a European brand by an Australian law enforcement agency.

The Sportline turbo model has been little modified to suit police purposes with a standard sub-woofer removed to fit a police-specification dual battery.

Skoda first came to Australia in 1965 when the old Czechoslovakia was under communist rule.

A lesser-known four-cylinder Czech car is replacing Australian-made Holden Commodores as police highway patrol cars. Skoda has confirmed the Western Australia Police Force ordered 55 Superb wagons (pictured), marking the biggest ever single order for a European brand by an Australian law enforcement agency

The brand left Australia in 1983 but returned in 2007, under the German ownership of parent company Volkswagen.

Since Holden stopped making cars in Australia in October 2017, police in each state have been scouting around for high-speed alternatives with plenty of space.

For decades the Commodore and the Ford Falcon, made in Australia until October 2016, were the staple choice for police highway patrols.

They had larger six cylinder or V8 engines and rear-wheel drive.

With Australia no longer manufacturing cars, state police have turned to Germany with diesel-powered BMW 5 Series sedans joining the police fleets in New South Wales and Victoria.

Victoria Police placed an order for a BMW 530d fleet in September 2017 while the NSW Police Force do so in May 2018.

A BMW Group spokesman declined to confirm exact numbers of rear-wheel drive luxury cars ordered by state police.

Since Holden stopped making cars in Australia in October 2017, police in each state have been scouting around for high-speed alternatives with plenty of space (pictured is an Australian-made VE Commodore)

'We do not comment on the specifics of agreements with our customers,' he said.

Skoda said its order was the 'first large scale sale by the European brand to an Australian law enforcement agency'.

It is expecting another 10 on top of the 55 already ordered.

The wagons have a two-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine with 206 kilowatts of power and can reach 100 kilometres an hour in 5.8 seconds.

The all-wheel drive wagons are priced from $57,990 for those who aren't buying in a fleet.
The mayor of New York City has admitted that he does not feel safe while riding the subway - two days after insisting that there was merely a 'perception of fear.'

Eric Adams's backtracking came hours after a group of commuters revealed how they were forced to stand behind the subway entrance while waiting for a train as a screaming man paced on the platform - a scene that is increasingly typical as random subway violence becomes the norm.

Transit crimes are already up 65 percent in 2022, with 96 crimes taking place in the first 16 days of the year, compared to only 58 in the same period last year, according to New York Police Department crime statistics released on Tuesday afternoon.

On Saturday morning, a 40-year-old Deloitte executive died when a mentally ill homeless man shoved her into the path of an oncoming subway train at Times Square.

A candlelit vigil in honor of Michelle Alyssa Go, who grew up in the Bay Area before moving to New York, is scheduled to take place in Portsmouth Square in San Francisco's Chinatown on Tuesday at 6pm. Another vigil will be held on Tuesday night in Times Square.

On Sunday, Adams said: 'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system. I think it's about 1.7 percent of the crimes in New York City that occur on the subway system.

'Think about that for a moment. What we must do is remove the perception of fear.'

Adams, a former NYPD officer, acknowledged on Tuesday there was a problem - reversing his previous stance.

'Day One, January 1, when I took the train, I saw the homelessness, the yelling, the screaming early in the morning, crimes right outside the platform,' he said, during an in-person City Hall press briefing.

'We know we have a job to do  and we're going to do both.

'We're going to drive down crime, and we're going to make sure New Yorkers feel safe in our subway system.

'And they don't feel that way now. I don't feel that way when I take the train every day, or when I'm moving throughout our transportation system.'

Adams spoke hours after three women waiting for the downtown 6 train at the 23rd Street station at around 7am told how they were forced to stay behind the turnstiles before running onto their train at the last minute when it arrived.

Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, admitted on Tuesday that he did not feel safe on the subway, despite having said on Sunday that there was merely the 'perception of fear'

Subway riders are seen on Tuesday morning waiting nervously outside behind the turnstiles at the 23rd Street Station in Manhattan, as a screaming man paced the platform

The man was behind the turnstiles (pictured), a rider told DailyMail.com, and three women riders had to rush through the terminals to get on the train when it arrived

Eric Adams's subway U-turn Adams on Sunday: 'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system. I think it's about 1.7 percent of the crimes in New York City that occur on the subway system. 'Think about that for a moment. What we must do is remove the perception of fear. 'Cases like this aggravate the perception of fear. 'When you see homeless individuals with mental health issues not being attended to and given the proper services, that adds to the perception of fear.' Adams on Tuesday: 'Day One, January 1, when I took the train, I saw the homelessness, the yelling, the screaming early in the morning, crimes right outside the platform. 'We know we have a job to do  and we're going to do both. 'We're going to drive down crime, and we're going to make sure New Yorkers feel safe in our subway system. 'And they don't feel that way now. I don't feel that way when I take the train every day, or when I'm moving throughout our transportation system.' Advertisement

Jennifer Smith, 29, who has lived in the area for two years and takes the downtown 6 train from 23rd Street regularly to her media job, said when she arrived, she noticed 'two to three other women standing behind the turnstiles.'

'There was also a six-foot man who'd gone through the turnstiles who was hovering near the exit door near us.

'It was a horrible atmosphere and there wasn't a cop or MTA worker in sight,' she told DailyMail.com on Tuesday.

'When the train did arrive, we all raced through,' she said.

'He was still pacing, I'm not sure if he even got on the train.

'There's always the worry that you'll be followed onto the carriage and then you're stuck there, potentially in a dangerous situation.'

Transit crimes have been on the rise since the start of the pandemic, with many commuters becoming increasingly worried about being thrown on the tracks as more horror stories arise.

The number of felony assaults has also increased by 7.7 percent, and overall, crime is up 35 percent from the same period in 2021, according to the city's crime stats.

Despite the MTA Chairman Janno Lieber commending the mayor for 'getting it,' not all New Yorkers are feeling the same way.

'That station has become a lot more dangerous in the last six months,' Smith told DailyMail.com.

'Before the pandemic, it was always fine and there were enough people around that you felt safe.

'Now, every other day it's just you and either a homeless person or someone with clear mental illness.'

Transit crimes already up more than 65 per cent in 2022 as more commuter face dangerous situations on their commute

When Smith first arrived, she didn't even notice the man lurking on the other side of the turnstile until he walked past with a 'deranged look in his eye.'

Overall crime is up 35 per cent in the Big Apple

What once might have been considered a 'right of passage' to encounter a crazy man on the subway, is now an every day occurrence for New York City subway riders as the weather grows colder and more homeless people take shelter on the trains and inside the stations.

And whereas previously a man or a woman might wander through subway cars asking for spare change, the situation has now turned more and more sinister; passengers are forced to stand against the wall to keep themselves safe.

One even said she had resorted to using a bike lock to chain herself to poles in double platform stations, to avoid being thrown on the tracks.

Wanda Vela, from the Bronx, recently went viral on TikTok for her radical way of making sure no one pushes her off the tracks.

Vela secures herself with a bike lock to a nearby pole on the platform and doesn't take it off until the train has arrived.

'Ain't nobody pushing me,' she said in the November video. 'People want to push people into trains, it's bad out here - that ain't gonna happen to me.'

Adams sparked mockery on Saturday when he said that the subway systems are 'safe,' despite the ongoing increase in transit crimes, and said all New Yorkers have to do is erase the 'perception of fear.'

'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system,' Adams said.

'Think about that for a moment, what we must do is remove the perception of fear.

'When you see homeless individuals with mental health issues not being attended to and given the proper services, that adds to the perception of fear.'

Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, fell to her death after being shoved onto the tracks on the southbound N/Q/R/W platform at West 42nd Street and Broadway on Saturday morning at 9:30.

From January through December 12, 2021, passengers were pushed onto the tracks 27 times, up from 25 during the same period in 2020, according to the NYPD.

'I don't know the last time Eric Adams took the subway, but every other New Yorker I know has noticed a deterioration in the last year,' Smith told DailyMail.com.

'We're not talking about taking an empty train in the middle of the night.

'This was at 7am, when people are just trying to get to their jobs.

'If more cops aren't put down there soon, I worry about how much worse it's going to get for passengers and MTA workers.'

New York subway stations have been more desolate in the recent weeks as more offices are working from home, leaving riders more vulnerable during what used to be busy commute times.

Homelessness across the city could become more apparent as the two-year eviction moratorium - designed to stop residents from losing their homes during the pandemic - expired on Saturday, leaving many vulnerable to eviction and foreclosures.

Adams' comments came after 40-year-old Michelle Alyssa Go fell to her death after being shoved onto the tracks on the southbound N/Q/R/W platform at the Times Square station - West 42nd Street and Broadway - on Saturday at 9:30am.

Michelle Alyssa Go is seen volunteering for the New York Junior League (NYJL) - an organization of women created 'to strengthen the health and well-being' of children and other women in the community

Go (center) is seen with her family. On Monday they released a statement telling of their shock and sadness at her death

Simon Martial, 61, who has a lengthy rap sheet, was arrested later that day on a charge of second-degree murder for allegedly pushing Go.

He also justified his alleged killing by calling himself 'God,' and saying he 'can do it.'

'Yes, because I'm God. Yes, I did it. I'm God. I can do it,' Martial told a reporter.

Martial is reportedly homeless and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

His sister, Josette Simon, from Georgia, argued that her brother belonged in a mental health facility and should have been kept off the streets.

Police have said it is unclear where Go was heading at the time of her death.

Go was Asian American, but police officials said that while the investigation was ongoing, they did not immediately believe the attack was motivated by her race.

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack was 'unprovoked' and the victim did not 'appear to have any interaction with the subject.'

Transit crimes have been rising throughout the pandemic with several people being thrown onto the subway tracks. A woman was killed on Saturday after a homeless person threw her on the tracks at the Times Square Subway Station at West 42nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan (pictured: police on scene in Times Square)

A witness told police that Martial had confronted her just minutes before he shoved Go to her death, Assistant Chief Jason Wilcox told reporters on Saturday.

'He approaches her and he gets in her space. She gets very, very alarmed,' Wilcox said.

'She tries to move away from him and he gets close to her, and she feels that he was about to physically push her onto the train.

Simon Martial, 61, (pictured) was arrested on Saturday on a charge of second-degree murder for allegedly pushing Go

'As she's walking away she witnesses the crime where he pushes our other victim in front of the train.'

Wilcox said that police have documented 'three emotionally disturbed encounters' with Martial in the past.

Maria Coste-Weber said she she saw Martial approaching the tracks with his arms in front of him.

'He started running with both of his hands in front of him, like, tackling,' Coste-Weber told The New York Times.

'But it was so fast, nobody realized what was going on before it was too late.'

Coste-Weber added: 'She (Go) had her back to this crazy person. She never saw anything.'

Go graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles, and went on to receive her master's in finance from New York University's Stern School of Business.

She had also volunteered for the New York Junior League (NYJL) for the past decade, according to the New York Post.

The NYJL is an organization of women created 'to strengthen the health and well-being' of children and other women in the community

Go worked on a committee that had 'the goal of empowering adults and young adults on the path to independent success,' a spokesman told The New York Post.

'Michelle's focus populations were seniors, recovering homeless, immigrants and under-resourced and academically struggling elementary and middle school kids and their parents,' the spokesperson said.

The family of Go has released a statement expressing 'shock' at their loss.

New York's crime rate continues to rise under new Mayor Eric Adams, who promised to be tough on crime, and 'woke' progressive DA Alvin Bragg

The statement, shared on Twitter on Monday, said: 'We are in a state of shock and grieving the loss of our daughter, sister and friend.

'We hope Michelle will be remembered for how she lived and not just how she died.

'She was a beautiful, brilliant, kind and intelligent woman, who loved her family and friends, loved to travel the world and to help others.

'Her life was taken too soon in a senseless act of violence, and we pray that she gets the justice she deserves. Thank you for your condolences.'

The horrifying attack comes as crimes in the subway and around the city continues to soar at the beginning of Adams' and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's first terms.

Bragg's controversial decision to downgrade burglary, armed robbery and drug dealings from felonies to misdemeanors has drawn criticism, as it has led to many criminals being let back out on the streets.

Former Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said Adams has his hands tied in terms of crime while Bragg's office implements its woke policies.

Rape, robbery, and grand larceny are also up in the Big Apple at 15.8, 25.1, and 61.7 percents, respectively.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Mayor's Office for a comment.
A heartbroken family is suing a Connecticut police department for allegedly mishandling the investigation into how their 23-year-old daughter wound up dead after a night of drinking with an 'older white man' she met on a dating site.

Lauren Smith-Fields, who is black, was found dead in her Bridgeport apartment on December 12 by the man she met on the Bumble dating app. More than a month later 'her cause of death is pending further studies.'

Her loved ones are reportedly frustrated with how local police are handling the case, alleging the detective told them to stop contacting him and was uninterested in pursuing Smith-Field's date as a suspect, whom they described as an 'older white man.'

'When I asked the officer about the guy, he said he was a very nice guy and they weren't looking into him anymore. It was almost like he was sticking up for him and it seemed weird to hear that from a detective,' her brother Lakeem Jetter told NBC Connecticut.

'He told me directly on the phone to stop calling him and hung up in my face, it was just like total disrespect, like that's what you tell a family that's going through grief and trying to find answers?'

Jetter also alleged police were not thorough in their initial crime scene investigation, noting that while officers confiscated her phone, passport and $1,345 in cash, they neglected to collect other pieces of potential evidence. He told Rolling Stone they found a used condom in the trash, lubricant, bloody sheets on her bed and an unidentified pill in the unit.

'The first night we saw cups there, flipped plates and the lube. The cops didn't take any of the cups to test the liquor,' said Jetter. 'There was a big stain of blood in the middle of her bed, with streaks going to the right side.'

Smith-Fields' mother also claims the officers made her feel as if the investigation was 'not important.'

'The way they talked to me, the way they have talked to the family, how they treated my daughter, they treated her like she was nobody, like she was not important,' Shantell Smith told the TV station.

The family's attorney alleged police often don't prioritize investigation involving black women.

'We have seen the amount of resources that have gone to other cases involving missing white women like Gabby Petito and we know so many black woman are missing so much in this country,' attorney Darnell Crosland said. 'Everyone is speaking out, everyone is insulted with the way the Bridgeport police and the Bridgeport city has dealt with us.'

The family plans to serve notice of an intention to sue to the City of Bridgeport and intends to make a formal announcement on Sunday. They also plan to hire a private investigator to look into the case. Meantime, they have paid for an independent autopsy of Smith-Fields' body.

The heartbroken family of Lauren Smith-Fields (pictured) plans to sue the City of Bridgeport after they allege the local police department mishandled the investigation into her death

Smith-Fields was found dead in her apartment after she met up with her Bumble date, Matthew LaFountain.

An incident report viewed by Rolling Stone said Smith-Fields had asked LaFountain for $40 to get her nails done and then to meet her at her residence where the pair reportedly took 'shots of tequila'.

LaFountain claims Smith-Fields became ill and threw up in her bathroom before the two continued drinking tequila mixed drinks. They reportedly played games, ate food and began watching a movie when Smith-Fields allegedly received a text, went outside to get something from her brother and then, upon her return, went into her bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes.

Her date told police 'he thought it was odd, but didn't feel it was his place to say anything as he didn't know her that well,' the incident report reportedly reads.

Afterwards, the pair continued to watch the movie and finished the bottle of tequila before she fell asleep on the couch. LaFountain allegedly carried her to her bedroom and the two went to bed.

He claims he woke up around 3am to use the bathroom and found Smith-Fields snoring. Then, around 6.30am he reportedly found her lying on her right side with blood coming out of her right nostril and not breathing. He then called 911.

Once police arrived on scene, Smith-Fields' landlord was contacted. The landlord did not have family contact information so it wasn't until days later when Shantell Fields visited the unit that she learned her daughter had died.

Smith-Fields was found dead in her Bridgeport apartment (pictured) on December 12 after a night of drinking by Matthew LaFountain, a man she met on a dating app called Bumble. More than a month later 'her cause of death is pending further studies'

Her loved ones claim police did not pursue LaFountain as a suspect, failed to collect what they believe to be essential evidence from the scene and told the family to stop calling about the case (Pictured L to R: Unamed relative, mother Shantell Smith, brother Lakeem Jetter and attorney Darnell Crosland)

The family has several concerns with the incident report, Rolling Stone reported.

'I haven't texted my sister since December 4,' Jetter said, noting that he did call Smith-Fields on the night of December 11 to bring out a basket of clothes he was picking up.

'I didn't know that anybody was in there. She came out and she was out there for like 10-15 minutes and she walked back into the house. She looked normal. She didn't look sick, she didn't look tired, she didn't look drunk. I'm her second older brother, if I would have seen her drunk I would've said 'What are you doing?'  'Why do you look like that?'

Her mother also claims that Smith-Fields had gotten her nails done earlier that week and that she wouldn't have needed to get them done again. Fields also noted that her nails were 'still so intact' they didn't need to be done for her funeral.

Attorney Darnell Crosland, who is representing Smith-Fields' family, said he is seeking justice for the deceased woman.

'We're suing the city of Bridgeport for failure to prosecute and failure to protect this family under the 14th Amendment,' Crosland told the magazine. He is planning to evoke the portion of the Constitution that provides equal protection under the law for all citizens, including black people.

'It's happening all too often with black girls missing across this world, across this country, and no one says anything,' the lawyer said. 'When a white woman goes missing, the whole world drops everything. We are done with this valuation.'

While spending the night with her, LaFountain reportedly woke up around 6.30am and found Smith-Fields (pictured) lying on her right side with blood coming out of her right nostril and not breathing. He then called 911

Attorney Darnell Crosland (pictured on left with Shantell Fields), who is representing Smith-Fields' family, said he is seeking justice for the deceased woman. He said: 'We're suing the city of Bridgeport for failure to prosecute and failure to protect this family under the 14th Amendment' and claims this happens 'all too often with black girls'

A makeshift memorial has been set up outside Smith-Fields' apartment and a GoFundMe established to help the family fund their private investigation. The family is also planning a citywide march to raise awareness about the case and demand justice for their loved one

He added: 'We want an independent investigation by an independent state agency or federal agency to look into this case. We want the DOJ like when they have to step in for cases like a Mike Brown, this family has to continue to deal with the loss of their loved one, work and they shouldn't have to do that when they are hard-working tax-payers.'

Crosland claims Bridgeport police have issued their condolences, but only after the case was brought to their attention by the media.

'We see them now offering their condolences after reporters have been asking them for questions and when we hear about it, it's like a slap in the face, we don't want excuses, we want answers,' he said. 'I have no faith in the Bridgeport Police Department, we have been disrespected and they didn't handle our loved one's case like they should have as soon as this happened.'

Meantime, a makeshift memorial has been set up outside Smith-Fields' apartment and a GoFundMe established to help the family fund their private investigation.

Fields and Jetter are also planning a citywide march to raise awareness about the case and demand justice for their loved one.

'We want justice, we want answers, I mean whatever happened happened that night, we want to know and we want to feel like they care as much as we care,' said Jetter.

'I never thought something like this would happen where you lose a family member and we are treated like you don't exist so we are going to ensure this city remembers Lauren Smith-Fields.'

'I miss my daughter and I see her in everything that I do and it pains me to know that I'll never get to see her again,' echoed Fields.
A Florida woman is suing Southwest Airlines for $10 million after she claimed that a flight attendant removed her from the plane before takeoff for regularly pulling her mask down to drink water.

Passenger Medora Clai Reading, was on a flight from Washington DC to Palm Beach, Florida on January 7 where she claims in her suit that she was wrongly removed from the aircraft.

Reading claims she needed to stay hydrated because of medical issues such as a heart condition and low blood sugar. Despite this, she claims that a 'hostile' flight attendant still demanded that Reading keep her mask on.

A Florida woman is suing Southwest Airlines for $68 million after a 'hostile' flight attendant removed her from the flight for periodically pulling her mask down to drink water

Passenger Medora Clai Reading, 68, claimed that she had to regularly drink water because of her medical issues. Masks are only allowed to be pulled down in airplanes to take a bite of food or a sip of a beverage.

Reading said she offered to show the attendant her medical exemption card but was told, 'we don't care.' The attendant objected to her later sipping water by shouting, 'You were talking!', according to the complaint.

She also said a gate attendant eventually ordered her off the flight as an unmasked pilot 'laughed mockingly' while she tearfully exited.

Attorney Kristina Heuser said Southwest's 'hostile and abusive' conduct reflected a 'COVID insanity' that should not override federal laws protecting people with medical disabilities

She added nearby police helped her to a chair and offered water, while commenting that similar occurrences were 'happening far too often' and 'it is usually Southwest.'

Kristina Heuser, a lawyer for Reading, said in an interview that a 'planeload full of witnesses' saw the encounter, and some may have videotaped it.

Heuser said Southwest's 'hostile and abusive' conduct reflected a 'COVID insanity' that should not override federal laws protecting people with medical disabilities.

Reading's lawsuit alleges violations of the federal Air Carrier Access Act, which prohibits discrimination against disabled travelers, and various civil rights laws.

The flight attendant, two gate officials and the pilot, none of whom is identified by name, are also defendants.

'We have no immediate comment to offer on this now-pending litigation, as we make an initial review of the complaint,' Southwest Airlines said in a statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration said airline crews in 2021 submitted 5,981 reports of unruly passengers, including 4,290 incidents related to masks.

As part of the organization's zero-tolerance policy, passengers who do not abide by flight rules such as wearing a mask may face a fine up to $37,000.

However, masks may be 'briefly' lowered for food and drink consumption but must be kept on for the entire duration of the flight.

Delta passenger Patricia Cornwall was captured getting into a violent altercation with Russell Miller, 69, on a flight from Tampa to Atlanta in December after he refused to put his mask up

Cornwall was captured hitting and scratching Miller during the altercation

This comes after a woman was kicked off a Delta flight last month after she was involved in a violent brawl with an elderly man for not wearing a mask.

Patricia Cornwall was on a Thursday flight from Tampa to Atlanta when the altercation took place, after she took exception to her 69-year-old male target Russell Miller taking off the face covering to eat and drink while at his seat.

The pair exchanged foul-mouthed insults, which ultimately descended into physical violence. At least one crew member and multiple other passengers reportedly were injured while trying to get Cornwall away from Miller.

Cornwall was seen hitting, scratching and spitting at the older male passenger as the pair exchanged expletives.

Following the brief violent interaction, she was then escorted to the back of the plane by flight attendants and was arrested at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by Atlanta police.

DailyMail.com reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has acknowledged Australians are experiencing 'a frustrating summer' while the Omicron variant sweeps through the nation, as he announced a new program to bring foreign students and backpackers back into the country.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Morrison said Omicron has caused 'great disruption' across the world and that Australians must 'respect' Omicron - 'but not fear it'.

'You have seen queues, you have seen rising cases, you have seen pressures on hospital systems, you have seen disruption of supply chains, you have seen shortages of tests, you have seen all of these in all of these countries all around the world,' he said.

'That is what Omicron has brought.'

The PM announced a significant new package to increase the size of the country's workforce, outlining a scheme to rebate the $630 fee for a visa application for about 150,000 foreign students and 23,500 backpackers.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians should respect Omicron but not fear it in a press conference held on Wednesday

Mr Morrison urged backpackers to 'come on down' to Australia, saying travellers would have their visa application fee rebated for the next 12 weeks.

'We want you to come to Australia and enjoy a holiday here in Australia, move all the way around the country, and at the same time join our workforce and help us in our agricultural sector, in our hospitality sector, and so many of the other parts of the economy that rely on that labour,' Mr Morrison said.

'We'll be supporting that with $3million for Tourism Australia to support a marketing program to target backpackers and students to get them out.'

From today, foreign students will also be able to recoup their visa application fee for the next eight weeks.

The Government will also relax the '20-hour rule' for student visas, allowing them to work more than 20 hours a week despite their status as students.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the scheme would cost taxpayers $55million.

Mr Morrison said the return of backpackers to Australia had been 'slower' than the return of foreign students.

'We also want them to come here and be able to be filling some of these critical workforce shortages, particularly those who are working and being trained in healthcare, aged care, those types of sectors, that will be incredibly helpful,' he said.

Mr Morrison has urged backpackers to 'come on down' to Australia, saying that for the next 12 weeks travellers would have their visa application fee rebated (stock image)

International passengers including foreign students arrive back in Australia after the border reopened on December 15. Students will have working restrictions eased and visa application fees rebated to encourage their return to Australia

'Respect' Omicron

The PM said Australians should 'respect' Omicron with sensible, balanced rules and precautions, but at the same time not lock ourselves up, destroy people's livelihoods and bring society to a halt.

'We understand the great concerns particularly in the early stage of Omicron several weeks ago when we knew it was contagious, but we didn't quite know then just how severe it could be,' Mr Morrison admitted.

'Good news - yes, it is much more contagious, we do know that, but the good news is that it's far less severe, some 75 per cent less severe which has given us more options once we could have greater certainty about its severity impact.'

The Prime Minister detailed his government's response to the outbreak in a wide range of areas, including health care, rapid antigen tests (RATs), supply chains and support for those on pandemic leave.

Mr Morrison defended his government's performance in securing RATs, telling reporters comments were being made 'with hindsight, rather than foresight'.

'When it comes to providing the tests that we are responsible to provide, states and territories have always had the responsibility in providing those tests in their states, just like the PCR test,' Mr Morrison said.

The PM said Omicron 'changed everything' in terms of the need for RATs.

'The advice was that we can stay with the PCR test and those PCR tests were able to be done in the earlier days of the virus,' he said.

'Rapid antigen tests were not being widely used in Australia for pretty much all of the pandemic. Up until we hit December and Omicron arrives.'

Mr Morrison defended his comments on rogue Queensland MP George Christensen, who said yesterday that parents should not get their children vaccinated against Covid-19.

Asked about rogue LNP MP George Christensen saying Australians shouldn't get their children vaccinated, Mr Morrison said bluntly: 'Don't listen to him'

'I don't think I could have been any clearer yesterday, don't listen to him,' Mr Morrison said.

'He is not a doctor, he can't tell you what to do with vaccines.

'Australia is a free country, you can't go around locking people up for what they say as Australians.'

Mr Morrison said he could not guarantee a uniform approach to the return of school students for 2022 given education was a state responsibility, but said national cabinet will try to 'harmonise' return-to-school arrangements.

'If schools don't open and stay open, that's another 5 per cent of your workforce that gets taken out and that has a very serious impact,' he said.

The prime minister said he will receive an update on the capacity of state hospitals to handle the current Omicron outbreak at a national cabinet meeting tomorrow, after Victoria announced a 'Code Brown' for its strained hospital system yesterday.
A Michigan professor who was suspended for posting a profanity-laced pre-semester video calling his students 'vectors of disease' is threatening to sue if he's not reinstated, claiming that administrators have known about his unique style for years.

An attorney for Barry Mehler, a tenured history professor at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, says the teacher is protected by the First Amendment and a contract between Ferris State and its faculty.

'The university should be celebrating and defending Dr. Mehler, not summarily disciplining him,' attorney Matthew Hoffer wrote in a letter on Tuesday.

'Dr. Mehler has been inundated with letters of support from current students, former students, and university faculty as well as students, educators and law professors from around the world,' Hoffer added.

Mehler's 14-minute YouTube video, published on Sunday, is peppered with profanities and unusual remarks about grades, plagiarism and classroom attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the educator says it's all part of his 'style' and that his superiors have even congratulated him for his flair in the past.

'Go complain to your dean, f*** you! Go ahead,' Barry Mehler yells in the video. 'I'm retiring at the end of this year and I don't give a flying f*** any longer!'

Dr. Barry Mehler, a tenured history professor at Ferris State University in Michigan, called his students 'vectors of disease' in a pre-semester video published on Sunday

Mehler said anyone who shows up to a live class setting is 'selfish' and told his students that none of them 'are good enough to earn an A in my class'

Ferris State (pictured) said Mehler has been placed on leave while his conduct is investigated, but Mehler's attorney now says the university violated his First Amendment rihts

He included commentary about an old Camel cigarette TV ad - 'turning death into profit' - and a clip from the HBO series 'Deadwood.'

In the video, he told students that it didn't matter how hard they worked in his class because he randomly predetermined their grades prior to the semester.

'None of you are good enough to earn an A in my class,' Mehler said. 'So I randomly assign grades before the first day of class. I don't want to know anything about you. I don't even want to know your name. I just look at the number and I assign a grade. That is how predestination works...

'And don't come complaining to me. Take your complaints to God.'

Hoffer, Mehler's attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

Mehler has been teaching at Ferris for nearly 30 years in the humanities department and is the director of the university's Institute for the Study of Academic Racism, according to his bio on the university's website that has since been deleted.

He introduced himself at the beginning of the video wearing what he described as a helmet equipped with filters to protect him from the coronavirus.

'I will not take questions in class because I'm wearing this ... helmet in order to stay alive,' he said.

Mehler has been teaching at Ferris for nearly 30 years and is the director of the university's Institute for the Study of Academic Racism, according to his since-deleted bio

He is one of many professors who has expressed concern about returning to in-person learning during the pandemic.

'I don't know whether you people have noticed, but it's dangerous to breathe the air,' he said in the video. 'Many of your experts are advising wearing masks because there's a deadly virus spreading around the planet. Your civilization is collapsing and life on your planet is going extinct.'

He told his students he had no choice but to return to the classroom to teach, but urged the students not to join him because of his age and increased risk of contracting the virus.

'I'm old enough to be your grandpa, and you people are vectors of disease to me,' he said. 'So when I look at a classroom filled with 50 students, I see 50 selfish kids who don't care whether grandpa lives or dies.'

Ferris State President David Eisler said he was 'shocked and appalled' by the video, which has been viewed nearly 500,000 times.

The university says it has no further comment on the 'personnel matter.'

Mehler was placed on leave last week and barred from teaching classes while the matter is investigated.

Mehler says the video was intended to get his students' 'juices flowing' and that administrators have known about his style for years

But Mehler said the video was a humorous performance intended to get his students' 'juices flowing.'

Indeed, Hoffer said in the letter to Ferris State that campus officials have been familiar with Mehler's style for years. He received a merit raise in 2014 and was nominated in 2017 for a distinguished teaching award.

Mehler got a hug from a dean in 2016 when she sat in class and watched his introductory lecture, which had many of the same elements from the controversial video, Hoffer said.

'She wished she had an instructor like him when she was in school,' the attorney said.

Ferris State declined to comment on Mehler's threat to go to court if he's not reinstated by Wednesday.

Mehler believes the president is upset over his mocking of the school's COVID-19 policies. Vaccinations aren't required at the Big Rapids school, 155 miles northwest of Detroit.

'I will not take questions in class because I'm wearing this ... helmet in order to stay alive,' he said in the video, a reference to a $300 astronaut-style helmet with air filters
Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona is facing new blowback from a powerful interest group over her opposition to changing Senate rules to advance voting rights legislation  with Emily's List threatening she will be 'standing alone' in her next election.

The group, which backs pro-choice women across the country, released a statement warning Sinema on Tuesday, as Senate Democrats were meeting on their strategy on a push for voting rights legislation that is likely doomed by opposition from Sinema and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

'We have not endorsed or contributed to Sen. Sinema since her election in 2018. Right now, Sen. Sinema's decision to reject the voices of allies, partners and constituents who believe the importance of voting rights outweighs that of an arcane process means she will find herself standing alone in the next election,' the group said in a statement.

Pro-choice group Emily's List said it would not support Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) if she doesn't address its concerns with her position on changing the filibuster to act on voting rights legislation

'EMILY's List is laser-focused on the 2022 electionsholding the House and Senate, electing governors and state legislators,' the group said. 'Understanding that access to the ballot box and confidence in election results are critical to our work and our country, we have joined with many others to impress upon Sen. Sinema the importance of the pending voting rights legislation in the Senate. So far those concerns have not been addressed.

The move comes after Sinema announced her opposition to changing the filibuster in a fiery floor speech last week  just before President Joe Biden came to the Capitol to make the case for acting.

Progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told Capitol Hill reporters that he would back primary challenges against each of them

Democratic Senator Kyrsten Simena made it clear last week she will not support a call from her party leaders to kill the filibuster in order to pass voting rights legislation

Activists sit on the steps of the US Capitol during a rally for voters' rights on Capitol Hill January 18, 2022, in Washington, DC. Democrats were expected to plow ahead January 18 with an almost certainly doomed effort to enact sweeping voting rights reforms they argue would protect democracy against threats posed by Republicans

President Joe Biden flew to Atlanta to demand action on voting rights and called for changing the filibuster

Sinema is already facing a potential primary challenge, after she and Manchin have drawn Democratic fury by refusing to support Biden's $2.8 trillion Build Back Better plan.

Progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told Capitol Hill reporters that he would back primary challenges against each of them. 'Well, yeah,' he responded when asked.

'Legislators are moving aggressively to suppress the vote and to impose extreme gerrymandering among many other things. And anybody who believes in American democracy has got to vote to enable us to go forward with 50 votes to suspend the filibuster, at least on this vote,' Sanders said.

He called it 'enormously important,' adding: 'I hope we have 50 votes, if we don't, they're gonna have to go home and explain to their constituents.'

Sanders added that he believed there was a 'good chance' people in those states would support a primary challenger against the two moderates.

Sinema focused her remarks last week on healing divisive politics in the nation, even as fellow Democrats are demanding a rules change to roll back a Republican filibuster that has four times blocked action on legislation Sinema said she supports.

'Our mandate, it seems, evident to me: work together and get stuff done for America,' Sinema said. 'We must address the disease itself, the disease of division, to protect our democracy, and it cannot be achieved by one party alone,' she said. 'The response requires something greater and, yes, more difficult than what the Senate is discussing today.'

'When one party needs to only negotiate with itself, policy will inextricably be pushed from the middle towards the extremes,' she added.

'The steady escalation of tip for tat, in which each new majority weakens the guardrails of the Senate and excludes input from the other party, furthering resentment and anger, amongst this body, and our constituents at home,' she added.

She said ending the filibuster 'to pass these bills that I support will not guarantee that we prevent demagogues from winning office.'

The blast from Emily's list was a turnaround from 2018, when it congratulated her on her election win.

'Over a year of hard work and talking to Arizonans paid off, and EMILY's List is thrilled to congratulate Kyrsten Sinema on her incredible victory,' the group said.

It called her a 'bipartisan leader.'

'In the U.S. Senate, she will continue being the fighter that Arizona's working families deserve,' it said, in a statement reflecting general progressive enthusiasm for Sinema, a former party activist who ran on combating climate change and other issues.
Customers visit a sales office of Shinhan Investment in Seoul, Tuesday, to place bids for LG Energy Solution shares ahead of its initial public offering. Yonhap









By Lee Min-hyung







A two-day public subscription for LG Energy Solution's retail investors ended Wednesday, making history among the nation's initial public offerings (IPO). According to securities industry sources, around 4.4 million retail investors submitted bids worth 114 trillion won ($95.59 billion) for the subscription of the firm's common shares.







The battery maker made headlines Tuesday by receiving a record-high 32.6 trillion won in bids from investors on the first day of subscription. The company is slated to go public on the benchmark KOSPI on Jan. 27.







LG Energy Solution offered 34 million shares via the IPO and set the stock price at 300,000 won per share. The LG affiliate's initial market capitalization will reach 70.2 trillion won after going public.







However, given the firm's presence in the global battery industry, analysts expected its stock value to continue a rally on a rosy outlook for the electric vehicle (EV) market here and abroad. Some market experts even said the firm's market capitalization will soar to as high as 120 trillion won for some years after the IPO.







According to data from market tracker SNE Research, LG Energy Solution came in second in the global EV battery industry with a market share of 20.5 percent during January and November last year. The market leader is China's CATL and LG Energy Solution seeks to take the title as the world's top battery maker by continuing to expand its manufacturing facilities in Europe and the United States. CATL is valued at 250 trillion won in market capitalization.







"Our target stock price for LG Energy Solution is 520,000 won per share, and the company will be worth around 122 trillion won by 2025," Eugene Investment & Securities analyst Hwang Sung-hyun said.







The firm's sales for 2022 are forecast to top 21.5 trillion won, with its operating profit set to reach 1.3 trillion this year, according to the analyst.







"Expectations for the firm's expansion of manufacturing facilities by 2025 will be rapidly reflected in its stock price," he said.







Despite the optimistic outlook for LG Energy Solution's post-IPO growth, the stock price of LG Chem extended losses on Wednesday. Back in 2020, LG Chem shared its plan to split off the battery business by launching the new subsidiary. LG Chem shares reached as high as 1 million won early last year, but it continued to lose luster, with the battery affiliate's IPO schedule drawing closer. LG Chem shares showed poor performance with a drop of more than 6 percent at one point on Wednesday afternoon from the previous trading day.







"The stock price of LG Chem widened its volatility ahead of the listing of LG Energy Solution, but we maintain our opinion recommending purchasing LG Chem shares due to a series of positive factors," Choi Go-un, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities said.







"Starting from 2022, LG Chem's investment momentum from its advanced materials will pick up steam," the analyst said. "We need to focus on the firm's expansion into new growth areas."







LG Energy Solution will become the nation's third most valuable company in terms of its post-IPO market capitalization next week, surpassing that of Naver whose value is 54.5 trillion won as of Wednesday. The battery maker may also become the second-largest company if its stock value continues to rise over 100 trillion won. For now, SK hynix maintains that spot with a market capitalization of 92.4 trillion won.






A Philadelphia man with a license to carry a weapon shot and killed a man allegedly attempting to steal his car Tuesday morning in the crime-plagued city.

A trio of men tried to attach yellow cables to the man's black Acura sedan in an attempt to tow it away around 8:15 am, police reported.

The car owner stepped outside his home on the 5800 block of Cobbs Creek Parkway when he saw the robbery in progress, according to multiple reports.

He fired his weapon and hit driver of the silver Honda that was being used to tow the Acura away, ABC 6 reported.

Philadelphia has seen a disturbing spike in carjackings in the first few weeks of the new year, with nearly 100.

The owner of a black Acura, who is licensed to carry a firearm, shot and killed a man he believed was attempting to steal his car, which was parked outside his home

The driver of the silver Honda, which appeared to be attempting to tow the Acura away, was shot before the car crashed into the side of a school bus

The driver of the Honda, identified by relatives as Satario Natividad (pictured), was pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The other two men in the car with him fled the scene

'This does not appear to be a carjacking,' Chief Inspector Frank Vanore said. 'It appeared to be that they were either attempting to take the car or parts of the car and they were confronted.'

'You could see catalytic converters, some tools, and what appears to be a firearm,' he said.

Catalytic converters, an emission control device made with precious metals that costs between $1,000 and $2,000, have become a prized commodity among car thieves who can resell the item on the scrap and secondary market.

The mortally wounded man, who was only identified as a Hispanic man in his early 50s, was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead from a single gunshot wound.

Relatives who arrived on the scene identified him as Satario Natividad, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Natividad has a long rap sheet that includes robbery, theft, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, recklessly endangering another person, causing catastrophe, criminal conspiracy, intimidation of witnesses or victims, retaliation against witnesses or victims, assault, and terroristic threats, according to public records.

The two other men who were with him fled on foot and remained at large.

During the foiled car robbery, the Honda broke free from the attached cables and made it about a block away before ramming into the driver's side of a school bus, police said.

Radnor School District officials confirmed three children and two adults were on the bus. They were unloaded and moved to another bus following the incident but did not report any injuries.

Police recovered a fake weapon from inside the Honda.

Police have yet to reveal if any charges would be filed in the incident.

Officers were going door-to-door talking to neighbors and searching for video of the incident.

Natividad's friends and relatives adamantly denied reports that the deceased was attempting a car heist and have called on police to charge the man who killed him.

'How could it be a carjacking when no one was in the car?' Sherell Natividad, the dead man's wife, cried to the Inquirer. 'They shot him. They killed him.'

Three children and two adults were on the bus during the collision but reported no injuries

Philadelphia has recorded nearly 100 carjackings in the first two weeks of the new year

Neighbor Jackie Grear told ABC 6 that she heard two shots and a car speed away.

Another neighbor, Devon Evans, said the area has seen a recent spike in carjacking and car thefts.

'You have to keep looking to see if your vehicle is there,' he said of his Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood.

The police department had roughly 750 carjackings in 2021, nearly double the total for 2020.
A Covid patient has drawn both fury, kindness and a literary reference after leaving a note on their car windscreen begging rangers not to leave them a parking ticket.

If they are correctly following the seven-day mandatory isolation period, the car, parked near the University of Melbourne in the city centre, will need to draw a lot of sympathy from parking officers.

'Please no ticket. I have Covid,' the notes starts, followed by a sad face drawing.

A note (pictured) left on a car screen begs for mercy from Melbourne's parking rangers

To prove they did in fact have the virus, the person, who may be a university student, also displayed a rapid antigen test with its positive reading visible.

The note also asked inspectors considering giving them a ticket to 'have mercy' and followed with two kisses.

The final words of the note - 'Thank you' - were presumably written more in hope than expectation.

Throwing yourself at the mercy of real life parking officer is one thing, but online mercy is often in short supply.

'I can sum this up in one word. PATHETIC,' one poster to Karvelas' Instagram page wrote.

Students (pictured) from the University of Melbourne walking across University Square. The person leaving a note on a car nearby begging not to be ticketed is thought to be probably be a student there

'I didn't realise Covid got people out of paying consequences,' said another.

'How's getting Covid and breaking the law related. What a selfish act to do,' said a third.

But the note did convince some to show kindness to a stranger in need.

'Hope the ticket man was kind,' one wrote.

ABC presenter Patrician Karvelas (pictured) posted a photo of a note left on a car in Melbourne's city centre to her Instagram account

'Yes people are doing it tough, some support is needed,' another said.

One literary fan - it was on an ABC personality's page after all - said 'This is a real contender for Hemingway's "tell a sad story in six words" challenge.'

This was a reference to a famous short story from the 1920s, often credited to the writer and journalist Ernest Hemingway.

It reads: 'For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.'
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Harrowing photos have shown the devastation caused by the tsunami in Tonga as villages are destroyed and houses are left resembling piles of rubble.

The South Pacific archipelago was rocked by the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano on Saturday, which resulted in a tsunami striking minutes later.

The death toll from the disaster has climbed to three with every house on Mango Island completely destroyed.

Images show locals in the Kanokupolu village on the island of Tongatapu staring at the remains of their homes, many of which had been crushed by trees, while cars were seen buried under piles of branches.

Harrowing photos have shown the devastation caused by the tsunami in Tonga as villages are destroyed and houses are turned into piles of rubble

Tonga was rocked by an underwater volcano on Saturday, which resulted in a tsunami wreaking havoc on the islands minutes later

A car is seen buried underneath a pile of branches in the wake of the disaster in the South Pacific archipelago

Images show locals in Kanokupolu village on the island of Tongatapu staring at the remains of their homes, many of which were crushed by trees

Images taken by locals in Tonga show the scenes of devastation, with trees torn down and cars and homes destroyed after the tsunami

Dogs play in the dirt as cars are covered with a thick layer of mud after the natural disaster on Saturday caused mass destruction

Researchers from NASA have estimated the blast was '10 megatons of TNT equivalent', which is 500 times more powerful than the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

James Garvin, the chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, told NPR although the blast was significant, it was likely there wouldn't be another eruption of that size in a long time.

'If the past precedent for volcanic eruptions in this kind of setting has any meaning at all then we won't have another one of these explosions for a while,' he said.

The eruption was heard in Alaska, located 9,744km away.

Michael Poland, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey said the event was possibly one of the loudest recorded on the planet in over a century.

'This might be the loudest eruption since [the Indonesian volcano] Krakatau in 1883,' he told the publication.

The normal picturesque beaches are instead a scene of devastation with trees torn down and debris strewn across the ground

Locals desperately tried to help each other by clearing away the rubble after homes and possessions were destroyed

The South Pacific islands lie over a subduction zone otherwise known as a collision of two of the earth's tectonic plates, where one slips under the other

Internet access to the South Pacific islands was severed meaning friends and relatives were unable to contact those stranded for days

The South Pacific islands lie over a subduction zone otherwise known as a collision of two of the earth's tectonic plates, where one slips under the other.

Mr Garvin said that as Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai formed, layers of liquid magma filled chambers beneath it.

He believes the eruption was sparked due to a change to the underwater system, which led to sea water flooding into the chambers.

Incredible footage captured the sound of the explosion as terrified locals fled the beach.

In the video taken 40 miles away from the underwater volcano, a huge plume of ash is shown rising over the horizon, filling the sky before a deafening boom is heard.

The person filming and other onlookers are seen visibly shaken as the shockwave hits, and immediately turn away from the ocean and begin running in-land.

Pictured: Video footage captured moments before a shockwave from the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano struck Tonga's shores

The footage spanned across the sky showing the huge plume of ash and steam rising from the volcano, moments before the shockwave hit Tonga

One person, who looks like a young boy, instantly turns away from the water and starts running. After a couple of seconds, the others do the same, presumably after realising the danger they are in.

As they run away, the people can be heard panicking and swearing. The person filming appears to run inside a building and is heard speaking to a woman, before the footage cuts off.

The government on Tuesday confirmed three have so far died from the disaster but the true extent of the eruption is not yet known.

Pictured: A plume rises over Tonga after the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai erupted in this satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency on January 15, 2022

The eruption at the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai off Tonga, January 14, 2022 is seen in a video gran showing the huge plume of ash and steam rising from the ocean

The dead include a 65-year-old woman on Mango Island, a 49-year-old man on Nomuka Island, and 50-year-old Briton Angela Glover who was found dead on Tongatapu Island on Monday.

An entire village on Mango Island has been swept away by the tsunami, the government also confirmed, with just two buildings left standing on Fonoifua Island. Namuka Island also has 'extensive damage'.

Rescue operations including evacuations of Mango, Fonoifua and Atata islands are underway, with 'a number of' injuries also reported - though government officials could not say how many.

Communications from Tonga, a remote set of Pacific islands with a population of 105,000, have been sparse since disaster struck late Saturday.

The eruption not only sparked a tsunami, but covered nearby islands in ash, and severed an undersea internet cable connecting the country with the outside world.

While early reports from the islands were encouraging, as the days have gone on the picture has darkened. Aid workers on the main island of Tongatapu say the death toll there is likely to be limited, but fears are growing for hundreds of people who live on smaller outlying islands and have not been heard from since the eruption.

Reconnaissance planes from the Australian and New Zealand air forces circled some of the islands on Monday, giving a glimpse of the conditions being faced by survivors - moon-like landscapes covered in thick ash, buildings flattened, and people living under tarpaulins.

Aid efforts are being hampered by damage to the islands' main port and airport, but also by the country's strict zero-Covid policy which could see aid shipments and workers quarantined to stop a 'tsunami of Covid'.

Tonga has recorded just one official Covid case in a traveller from New Zealand who tested positive in isolation in October last year, and is determined to keep it that way.

Ministers have already warned their counterparts in New Zealand and Australia, which are coordinating aid efforts, that virus protocols will be applied to rescuers.

New Zealand and Australian air force planes have circled Tonga, as the true scale of devastation caused to the islands slowly emerges. Pictured above is one of the smaller islands, which appears grey because it is blanketed in ash

An image taken from a military reconnaissance plane shows a Tongan village inundated with ash, while the beach shows signs of water damage where tsunami waves washed ashore following a huge volcanic eruption at the weekend

Tonga has given its first update on rescue efforts since the eruption and tsunami hit, revealing which islands are worst-affected and where evacuations are currently taking place

 Slide me  Satellite images reveal how Kanokupolu, a village on the hard-hit western side of Tonga's main island of Tongatapu, has been almost wiped out as ash turns the landscape grey

 Slide me  Satellite images taken before and after the eruption reveal how a village on one of Tonga's islands has been badly damaged, with the surrounding landscape blanketed in ash

 Slide me  Satellite images of Niutoua, a village on Tonga's main island of Tongatapu, show how it has been completely destroyed with all buildings washed away during a tsunami triggered by the eruption

 Slide me  Satellite images reveal how the village of Kanokupolu, on the main island of Tongatapu, was completely washed away in a tsunami which struck after a volcanic eruption late Saturday

 Slide me  Satellite images reveal damage caused by the eruption and tsunami at Tonga's main port in the capital Nuku'alofa, which is now blanketed in ash with many buildings damaged or destroyed

Tsunami waves reaching up to 50ft hit the Ha'apia island group and the west coast of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, the prime minister's office said.

On the western coast of the main island, 56 houses were completely or seriously damaged and residents moved to evacuation centres.

Mango is about 43 miles from the Hunga Tonga volcano, which sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean when it erupted with a blast heard 1,430 miles away in New Zealand.

A search and rescue operation began on Sunday for Atata island, which has a population of about 100 people.

'Challenges to sea and air transportation remain due to damage sustained by the wharves and the ash that is covering the runways,' it said. Some limited communications had been made with satellite phones, but other areas remain cut off.

The Tongan navy had deployed with health teams and water, food and tents to the Ha'apai islands, with more aid sent on Tuesday due to the severity of the damage observed on Mango, which has about 50 people, and Fonoifua and Namuka islands, it said.

 Slide me  Nomuka Island, Tonga, is seen before and after the eruption which caused widespread damage to villages and blanketed the island in ash, turning it a dark grey colour

 Slide me  The peak of the Hunga-Tonga volcano is seen before and after the eruption, which destroyed most of the cone

Australia's Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said Tongan officials were hoping to evacuate people from the isolated, low-lying Ha'apai islands group and other outer islands where conditions were 'very tough, we understand, with many houses being destroyed in the tsunami.'

The United Nations had earlier reported a distress signal was detected in Ha'apai, where Mango is located. The Tongan navy reported the area was hit by waves estimated to be 5-10 metres (15-30 feet) high, said the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The NZDF images, which were posted unofficially on a Facebook site and confirmed by Tu'ihalangingie, also showed tarpaulins being used as shelter on Mango island.

A thick layer of ash blankets the islands, the New Zealand High Commission said, adding it was working to establish communications with smaller islands 'as a matter of priority'.

The archipelago's main airport, Fua'amotu International Airport, was not damaged in Saturday's eruption and tsunami but heavy ashfall is preventing full operations, hampering international relief efforts.

The U.N. humanitarian office said Tongan officials had said that clearing the runway would take days as it was being done manually, by Wednesday at the earliest.

People on the western coast of the main island of Tongatapu had been evacuated because of 'significant damage', OCHA added in an update, while government ministers had broadcast warnings on radio against price gouging amid worries of supply shortages.

The Tongan government is expected to formally request aid from countries including Australia and New Zealand tomorrow. Both antipodean nations have C-130 military aircraft on standby, packed with emergency supplies.

'The priority now will to be get supplies to Tonga and the biggest constraint on that at the moment ... is the airport. There is still a significant amount of ash,' Seselja said.

Tonga is a kingdom of 176 islands, of which 36 are inhabited, with a population of 104,494 people.

The archipelago has remained largely cut off from the world since the eruption which cut its main undersea communications cable.
Lesley Nicol's husband David Heald has died at the age of 68 - just days after revealing he had tested positive for Covid. Downton Abbey star Ms Nicol, also 68, who is currently working in the US, has been left heartbroken, with her agent confirming the 'unexpected' death via a statement. David said in a Facebook post on April 26 that he had tested positive for Covid in a fit to fly test, although there is currently no suggestion that the illness played a part in his death. He wrote: 'The fit to fly test was positive! Now going on May 4. I caught it when I had the spring booster shot!' Ms Nicol, who portrays cook Beryl Patmore in the period drama and follow-up films, had been over in the States performing her one-woman show. Lesley was married to spiritual healer David - who was known as Da'aboth Te'He'Ling - for fifteen years and the pair lived in West London. In a statement provided to The Sun, Lesley's agent said: 'I would like to confirm the passing of Lesley's beloved husband David Heald, known to all his wonderful friends as Da'arboth. Da'arboth was an amazing, unique and inspirational man who was always at Lesley's side - 'her warrior'. We are all processing this unexpected turn of events and Lesley would like to thank everyone for their loving and kind messages of support.'
More than 19,000 cannabis plants - worth almost $67 million - have been seized from a rural property in western NSW, in what police believe is Australia's biggest weed bust.

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives, beat officers and police dogs descended on a property at the Newell Highway in Dandry, near Coonabarabran, on Tuesday morning.

What they found was one of the biggest illegal cannabis farms they'd ever seen.

More than 19,000 cannabis plants - worth almost $67 million - have been seized

Police say it was one of the largest cannabis enterprises they have ever seen

'In terms of scale, this is one of the largest and most commercial cannabis enterprises we've seen  with significant infrastructure, including two large dams, commercial generators, earth moving equipment, across multiple sites, all of which require attention from workers seven days a week,' Drug and Firearms Squad Commander John Watson said.

'About 90,000 square metres of land has been illegally cleared at this property to make way for more than 20 greenhouses containing cannabis plants.'

The operation is continuing, but police have so far seized 19,082 cannabis plants, with an estimated potential street value of nearly $66.8 million.

Detective Superintendent Watson says police believe the seizure to be a national record.

Five men and one woman, were arrested and charged with cultivating the drug

Six people, five men and one woman, were arrested and charged with cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis and participating in a criminal group.

All six, aged between 23 and 42, were refused bail to appear at Coonamble Local Court on Wednesday.

Investigators are working with the Department of Home Affairs regarding the visa status of the group.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday night he would put forward a 'talking filibuster' proposal after an expected vote on a voting rights bill fails Wednesday.

At an evening press conference, surrounded by his Democratic colleagues, Schumer explained that if Republicans block the voting bill from proceeding - which they will, using the current filibuster rules where 60 votes are needed for cloture - he will have senators vote to change the rules for just the voting bill.

'We feel very simply: On something as important as voting rights if Senate Republicans are going to oppose it, they should not be allowed to sit in their office,' Schumer said. 'They've got to come down on the floor and defend their opposition to voting rights, the wellspring of our democracy.'

He explained that 'once member of the minority party have exhausted all of their speaking rights and defended their position on the Senate floor, debate will have run its course and the Senate will move to vote on final passage at a majority threshold, which has always been the threshold for final passage,' Schumer noted.

The rule change would force Republicans to hold the floor if they want to delay a vote and once their turns run out, just Democratic votes could be used to move the legislation along.

Earlier, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin - who with Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has stood in opposition to meddling with the filibuster rules - told reporters there's no precedent for allowing a simple majority vote to conclude a debate.

'That has never happened. that has never happened in the history of our country,' the West Virginia senator told reporters. 'I just don't know how you break a rule to make a rule,' he added.

Signaling he would not support Schumer's endeavor he added, 'There's no checks and balances in this process, the only thing we have is the filibuster.'

With the Senate split 50-50, without the votes of Manchin and Sinema, Schumer's rule change also won't pass.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday he would put forward a 'talking filibuster' proposal after the vote on voting rights fails Wednesday. Schumer's proposal would make senators have to hold the floor if they wanted to delay a vote. And once time expires, a simple majority could end debate. There's currently a 60-vote threshold for this procedural step

Sen. Joe Manchin said there's no precedent to allow a simple majority vote to wrap up a debate. 'That has never happened. that has never happened in the history of our country,' the West Virginia senator told reporters 'I just don't know how you break a rule to make a rule,' he added

Senate Democrats huddled on Capitol Hill early Wednesday evening in advance of Schumer's press conference.

Manchin joined in person, Sinema by phone, Punchbowl News reported.

In the meeting, Manchin expressed to his colleagues he would not support the effort.

Manchin has said he's opposed to changing the Senate's rules without Republican buy-in.

At his press conference, Schumer wouldn't talk about whether he'd support primary challengers running against Manchin and Sinema.

'I'm not getting into the politics. This is a substantive, serious issue,' Schumer answered.

Just hours before, Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the top progressive voices in the Senate, answered ''well, yeah,' when asked if he'd support primary challengers vying to unseat Manchin and Sinema.

'Legislators are moving aggressively to suppress the vote and to impose extreme gerrymandering among many other things. And anybody who believes in American democracy has got to vote to enable us to go forward with 50 votes to suspend the filibuster, at least on this vote,' Sanders said. 'It's enormously important, I hope we have 50 votes, if we don't, they're gonna have to go home and explain to their constituents.'

Sanders added that he believed there was a 'good chance' people in those states would support a primary challenger against the two moderates.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began debate on the Democrats' doomed-voting rights legislation

Earlier Tuesday, Schumer began debate on the Democrats' doomed voting rights legislation and called Republican opposition to the bill an 'implicit endorsement of Donald Trump's big lie.'

The Senate Majority Leader took to the Senate floor to double down on his promise to try and kill the filibuster if Republicans use it to stop the legislation from advancing.

'The eyes of the nation will be watching what happens this week in the United States Senate,' Schumer said. 'The public is entitled to know where each senator stands on an issue as sacrosanct as defending our democracy. The American people deserve to see their senators go on record.'

'Republicans will have to choose which side they stand on protecting democracy or offering their implicit endorsement of Donald Trump's big lie,' he said, referring to Trump's false claim he won the 2020 election.

Meanwhile Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell slammed Democrats for their turn against the filibuster - a legislative weapon they wield when in the minority.

'Until the last couple of years, senators on both sides have understood the Senate is not here to rubber stamp massive changes under thin majorities,' he said.

'This is about one party wanting the power to unilaterally rewrite the rulebook,' he noted.

Chuck Schumer called Republican opposition to the bill an 'implicit endorsement of Donald Trump's big lie' - above Trump at a rally in Arizona on Saturday; he has falsely claimed he won the 2020 election

The action is expected to start on Wednesday when Schumer makes a motion to end debate on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

That is when he'll need 60 votes in the 50-50 evenly split Senate to move the legislation forward. Given the united Republican opposition to it, that will fail.

Schumer has then vowed to hold a vote to kill the filibuster, allowing the legislation to proceed with a simple majority.

'The only path forward on this important issue is to change the rules to bypass the filibuster,' Schumer said Monday at an event marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 'Right now there are two Democrats who don't want to make that change. But that doesn't mean the fight is overfar from it.'

However, despite a heavy public pressure campaign, Manchin and Sinema have remained firm in their resolve to support the filibuster. Without their votes, Schumer's move will fail and the legislation will die on the Senate floor.

Senate Democrats will meet Tuesday evening for one last chance to lobby Manchin and Sinema.

The pressure has been intense on the two from both party leadership and the base.

The president put all his powers of persuasion behind this effort. He went to Capitol Hill to personally lobby Manchin and Sinema. When the two stuck to their guns in favor of the filibuster, he brought them to the White House Thursday night for another round of talks.

Biden tweeted on Tuesday: 'Jim Crow 2.0 is about two insidious things: voter suppression and election subversion. It's about making it harder to vote, who gets to count the vote, and whether your vote counts at all. We have to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.'

And White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended their decision to keep pushing the voting legislation.

'It's never a good idea not to shoot for the moon with what your proposals are and what you're fighting for. And the alternative is to fight for nothing.'

Pressure from Democratic leadership and the party base has been heavy on Senators Joe Manchin (left) and Kyrsten Sinema (right)

King's son Martin Luther King III compared Senator Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema's opposition to voting rights legislation to those who told his father to wait for a more 'convenient time' to fight segregation

Fellow Democratic lawmakers have criticized them.

'These two Democrats have decided that it is much more important to them to protect the voting rights of the minority on the Senate floor than to protect the voting rights of minorities in this great country of ours, the minorities that made it possible for them to be in the position that they're currently in,' Democratic Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina said Sunday on ABC's This Week. 'So, I hope, but I don't think, that we will change their mind.'

And Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted on Monday: 'As the voting rights bill finally comes to the floor of the Senate, there is only one vote which will really matter. Will 50 Democrats vote to override the filibuster, protect American democracy and pass the bill, or will Manchin and Sinema vote with the GOP and let the bill die?'

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, King's son tore into the two senators by name.

Martin Luther King III cited his father's famous letter from a Birmingham jail and compared the two senators to those who told his father to wait for a more 'convenient time' to fight segregation.

'While there he wrote an open letter, in which he said the biggest stumbling block was not the Ku Klux Klan, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to order than justice,' he said.

'He was surrounded by people who told him to wait until a more convenient time and to use more agreeable methods - 59 years later, it's the same old song and dance from Senator Manchin and Sinema.'

'History will not remember them kindly,' he said of the two senators.

This will be the fifth time the Senate will try to pass voting legislation this Congress. Democrats are trying to counter a series of state laws they say make it harder to vote, particularly for minorities and the disenfranchised. Republicans oppose federal legislation, saying elections should be handled on the state level.
One key graph reveals Australia is beating the Omicron outbreak thanks to its mass vaccination program that is among the best in the world.

Despite dramatically surging numbers as the highly virulent Covid strain spreads through the population, the death rate from the disease has dropped to a record low.

Australia's case fatality rate (CFR) - the ratio between Covid deaths vs case numbers - remained stable until the vaccination program began to roll out last winter.

The jabs had an immediate impact, slashing the death rate from 330 per 10,000 cases to just 15 per 10,000 this week.

This key graph reveals Australia is beating the Omicron outbreak thanks to the mass vaccination program that is among the best in the world

In October 2020, the CFR hit 3.30 per cent - 330 deaths per 10,000 cases - and stayed around there until the vaccination program began to roll out in 2021.

As jabs began to spread through the nation last year, the CFR immediately begin to slide ahead of the country hitting 70 per cent fully inoculated on October 20.

By the time Omicron was first reported in Australia on November 27 - three weeks after the country hit 80 per cent - the CFR had already dipped to just 0.96 per cent, its lowest level since July 2020.

But the latest data reveals the CFR hit a record low on January 15 of just 0.15 per cent and tracking to drop even lower. The figure means just 15 deaths per 10,000 cases.

Current double-dose vaccination in Australia now stands at 91.64 per cent and growing as school children begin to be jabbed.

The encouraging data comes despite a record number of Covid deaths on January 18 when 77 people died from the virus in one day across Australia.

But that number is in the context of a huge rise in Covid cases, which hit a new peak on January 13 with 153,123 people reported infected in just 24 hours.

The daily case numbers have dropped dramatically every day since, and have already halved since last week's record high.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews confirmed the reasons for optimism on Wednesday and admitted: '[Omicron] is milder.

'It's not to the point of being insignificant. There are still many people in hospital and no one wants to get this Omicron variant.

'But it is not quite as lethal as Delta was. We're seeing many people in general ward beds, less people that are in ICU.'

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews (pictured) confirmed the reasons for optimism on Wednesday and admitted that Omicron is milder

It backs up the message of hope from Australia's former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth who has predicted the Covid crisis will end in 2022.

'It could even be sooner than we think,' he wrote at the start of the year.

'Our community is ready and can move to a phase of living with COVID-19 as an endemic virus.

'We can be rightly proud of what we have achieved as Australians in the face of what was the challenge of our lifetime.

'We will emerge a stronger, healthier and more prosperous nation for our efforts.'

The data backs up the message of hope from Australia's former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth (pictured) who has predicted the Covid crisis will end in 2022

On Wednesday, NSW reported 32,297 new cases and 32 deaths, but just eight more cases in ICU, and more than 23,000 people recovering from the virus in the last day.

Victoria recorded 20,769 new cases and 18 deaths, with two fewer patients in ICU, while Queensland had 19,932 new cases and 11 deaths.

Victoria announced the state's health service was on Code Brown, with staff set to be recalled from holiday and elective surgery put on hold as it struggles to cope.

But in NSW the numbers in ICU may have already plateaued at around 130 in total, far below the doomsday scenario predicted by the Burnet Institute last September for the Delta outbreak in NSW.

They warned Delta could put almost 950 in ICU which would test the state's health system to its limit.

In NSW the numbers in ICU may have already plateaued at around 130 in total, far below the doomsday scenario predicted last September for the Delta outbreak in NSW by the Burnet Institute (pictured, an ICU patient at St Vincent's Hospital)

However the modelling said NSW hospitals could easily cope with ICU numbers of up to 600 before the system began to become stretched.

A major study from South Africa found people who catch Omicron Covid are 80 per cent less likely to be hospitalised than those who get Delta.

The real-world analysis of more than 160,000 people by South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases revealed Omicron sufferers were also 70 per cent less likely to end up in ICU or put on a ventilator.

On Monday though, NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant warned: 'The number of deaths are likely to be high over coming days.

Modelling has predicted NSW hospitals could easily cope with ICU numbers of up to 600 before the system began to become stretched (pictured, customers at a Bondi cafe in Sydney)

'It does take seven to 14 days after the booster to afford that protection, so I can't stress the urgency for taking up every booking available and get your boosters now.'

Australia's current total death rate of 107 per million is still among the best in the world. The UK rate is 2,231 per million and the US is 2,559 while Sweden's is 1526.

And only a handful of countries can beat Australia's fully vaccinated rate for the whole population which leads the world alongside others including Spain, China, Portugal, Chile, Denmark and Canada.
Victoria's request for support from the Australian Defence Force to help ease the pressure on ambulance and hospital services due to a spike in Covid case numbers across the state from the Omicron strain has been officially granted.

A total of 20 drivers, as well as additional staff and planners, will be sent to Victoria to support paramedics, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Wednesday.

The development comes as nurses earlier this week pleaded for the military to be urgently deployed in Australian hospitals.

The Victorian nurses' union are adamant hospitals require urgent military support to keep running after the state government declared a 'code brown' emergency on Tuesday.

Deputy Premier James Merlino said the code brown declaration was necessary to help out hospitals as they struggle to cope with record admission numbers.

Nurses in Victoria (pictured) have seen their request for the military to work out of hospitals granted as the health system continues to struggle with the Omicron strain of Covid-19

Victoria's nurses' union are adamant hospitals require urgent military support to keep running after the state government declared a 'code brown' emergency on Tuesday (pictured, a paramedic outside St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne)

Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino said the code brown declaration was necessary to provide relief to hospitals struggling to cope with record admission numbers as Covid cases numbers continue to rise (pictured left, Australian Army personnel)

'We have reached a point in our healthcare system where it's juggling extreme workforce shortages alongside a vast number of patients with Covid-19 who require hospitalisation,' Mr Merlino said.

'Alongside that is an extraordinary (health) workforce that are absolutely exhausted.'

This is the first time a statewide code brown - which comes into effect from 12pm on Wednesday - has been declared in Victoria for all major hospitals.

Under a code brown, hospital staff can be asked to defer their leave and work in different roles as needed, and non-urgent clinical services can be reduced or ceased.

Hospital and emergency services are at breaking point, with countless medical wards running with skeleton staff due to coronavirus exposure numbers.

As of Tuesday, just over 4000 of Victoria's public healthcare workers were unable to work because they had been exposed to or infected with Covid-19.

The code brown declaration, which applies to all metropolitan as well as six regional hospitals, allows hospitals to cancel workers' leave and also redeploy staff to priority areas, according to The Age.

Paul Gilbert, assistant secretary at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Victorian branch, is adamant the declaration isn't enough and called on the federal government to urgently introduce military support.

'We are in a crisis and we need a crisis intervention,' he said. 'This is one clear source of additional support that we cannot be lacking.'

Gilbert went onto state military-trained nurses and doctors could help treat the wave of Victorians expected to arrive at emergency departments over the coming weeks.

The Victorian government has forecast a huge spike in hospitalisations in February, with projections that 100 new Covid patients could be admitted every day.

Paul Gilbert from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Victorian branch, called on the federal government to urgently introduce military support - the request was granted, with confirmation from PM Scott Morrison on Wednesday (pictured, a patient being transported to a Victorian hospital)

A total of 20 military drivers, as well as additional staff and planners, will be sent to Victoria to support paramedics, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Wednesday

Australian Medical Association national president Omar Khorshid said the code brown response in Victoria shows the national policy surrounding healthcare has failed.

'Why they let this happen is beyond us,' he said. 'This was absolutely predictable.'

The code brown announcement came after Australia recorded 77 deaths from Covid on Tuesday, the largest number since the pandemic began.

Daily Mail Australia approached the Defence Minister for comment surrounding the role of trained military staff in hospitals across Victoria.
People can now get their booster vaccine three months after their second

Residents previously had to wait four months to get their third dose

Millions more Australians are eligible for their Covid boosters shots after Victoria and NSW moved slashed the wait time to three months.

Boosters shots hit 1,773,457 in NSW, about half of the eligible 3.4 million and 27.8 per cent of the adult population, and 26 per cent of Victorians.

Australians had to wait four months between their second dose and booster, which was due to change to three months at the end of the month.

But the two biggest states on Wednesday brought that forward almost two weeks to combat the Omicron strain that cuts through the initial course of vaccine.

'We have the capacity for 250,000 vaccines every week in those hubs. Today's decision will enable over 3.5 million more people from our state to be eligible for that booster shot,' NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet told reporters.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet will reduce the booster wait time from four to three months on Wednesday as the state looks to reduce the strain on hospitals

'As we are clearly seeing, boosters are key to keeping yourself, your friends and your family safe. We have the capacity available. We've seen in our intensive care units the difference vaccination makes.'

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said 1.2 million more residents would be eligible for the booster immediately under the revised wait time.

'It's safe. It's effective. The total number of people eligible increases substantially by 2 million Victorians and it will help us get more people third-dose boosted quicker than would otherwise be the case,' he said in his Covid press conference.

'There's 1,365,004 Victorians who are 18 and over and have had a third dose and with the announcement I've just made, effective immediately, reducing the interval down to three months, there are now 2.45 million Victorians who are eligible, but have not yet had their third dose.

'So we've got a long way to go but it's a very impressive base to start from.'

Victoria Health announced a vaccine blitz for Friday with major hubs extending opening hours and an extra 60,000 appointments available for those seeking their first jab or booster.

'Hours at major hubs including Sandown, Bendigo and La Trobe University have all been extended specifically for the blitz, which will run from this Friday to next Monday, with key clinics also offering free ice creams in collaboration with Unilever,' it said.

Mr Andrews said his team were motivated to keep mandates 'consistent with what New South Wales has announced this morning'

Another 32 people died with Covid in NSW on Wednesday in the state's second deadliest day on record - but fell from Tuesday's record high.

There were 32,297 new infections recorded with 217 people still battling the virus in intensive care facilities in NSW.

Three people were in their 40s, three in their 60s, eight in their 70s, 11 in their 80s and seven in their 90s

23 of those who died had had two doses of a vaccine, one had one dose, eight were unvaccinated, and five had had a booster.

Victoria recorded 18 deaths on Wednesday with 20,769 new Covid cases. There are 125 people in ICU with the virus, including 42 on ventilators.

The 50 combined deaths are lower than Tuesday's shocking figure of 58 but it underlines the sentiments of Professor Paul Kelly who said Australia was yet to see the worst of the current Omicron wave.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the need to increase booster numbers was urgent.

'We want to see the booster rate increase as dramatically and quickly as possible,' he said.

On Tuesday, chief health officer Chant said the NSW Government was pleased cases were lower than what they had modelled for and it appeared the curve was starting to flatten.

'The fact that our projections are tracking under (what was expected), the fact that the numbers have stabilised, give us some hope that we have been slowing the spread,' she said.

A further 32 people died of Covid in New South Wales on Wednesday in the state's second deadliest day on record

Dr Chant stressed more can be done to bring those statistics back down, pointing out that just a handful of the 36 people who died were triple-vaccinated.

'There needs to be a sense of urgency in embracing the booster doses,' she said.

'For Omicron, we know the protection is lower and we need that next boosting. I just can't stress enough the urgency.'

While half the adult population in NSW is eligible for their third dose, only 25 per cent have received one.

Some 70,000 bookings at state vaccination centres went unfulfilled last week, and hundreds are available each day this week.

The state government is also under pressure to boost vaccination rates among schoolchildren, as kids prepare to return to classrooms at the end of January.

There were 32,297 new infections recorded in NSW on Wednesday with 217 people still battling the virus in intensive care

The chief medical officer Paul Kelly said on Tuesday despite a challenging few weeks dealing with Omicron, it would be some time yet before the worst was reached.

'We expect death and hospitalisations to continue to rise over the next couple of weeks as we are about to peak in terms of case loads, particularly in the eastern states,' he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

'We know from international experience that Omicron rises quickly, it plateaus and then falls quickly, and I fully expect that this will be the experience here in Australia.'

Australia had its highest one-day death toll from the pandemic on Tuesday, with 77 fatalities reported.

That figure included 36 deaths in NSW, 22 in Victoria, 16 in Queensland - more than double its previous high - two in South Australia and one in the ACT.

The chief medical officer said preparations were being carried out for a second rise of Omicron cases.

NSW also saw 12,450 new positive RAT results, but 10,417 had come from the past seven days

'I expect we will continue to see cases of Omicron right throughout the next few months, but it will be at a much lower level than it is now,' Prof Kelly said.

The federal government has activated its private hospital agreement, which would allow more than 57,000 nurses from private hospitals to be used in Omicron-affected areas across the country.

The agreement was created in 2020 after the start of the pandemic.

However, Prof Kelly said public hospitals were still coping with Omicron cases.

'There is not a public hospital system in the country that has reached their level of concern,' he said.

'For hospitalisations, ICU is under pressure, particularly in Victoria, but again there's plenty of room there.'

The state government is also under pressure to boost vaccination rates among schoolchildren, as kids prepare to return to classrooms at the end of January

The head of Australia's vaccine rollout, Lieutenant General John Frewen, said there wasn't vaccine hesitancy among the community, despite 70,000 vaccination appointments going to waste last week.

'There have been some challenges in the system with bookings,' Lt Gen Frewen told the Nine Network.

'I think some people have been shopping around to get bookings and then maybe when they've got a better booking, they haven't gone back and cancelled some of the other bookings.'

More than 5.3 million people have received their booster shot since the rollout of the third dose began in November.

More than 380,000 child vaccines have been carried out since eligibility opened for five to 11-year-olds last week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison choked up during a televised press conference as a reporter told him a man has been charged with the murder of nine-year-old schoolgirl Charlise Mutten whose body was found in a barrel overnight.

Earlier in the same media briefing Mr Morrison had expressed hope that the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, would be found alive - unaware that her remains had been discovered inside a barrel in scrub alongside the Colo River, an hour from where she vanished in Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains.

'My thoughts and prayers frankly are with the family today and that little girl,' Mr Morrison said.

'And I hope she's alright. I really do. I'm sure we all do. Let's hope that that has a good ending.'

At the end of the answer Mr Morrison briefly noted that he had not been updated on the case before the press conference.

Towards the end of the press conference Mr Morrison was informed that the girl's body had been found.

'I'm sorry. I hadn't seen that before I came out today. That is devastating news,' a shaken Mr Morrison responded.

'I'm very sorry that... since early this morning, I've been engaged in other issues, as I'm sure you can imagine.

'Having heard that news, that's... it's just... devastating.'

Asked about the case of at a press conference on Wednesday morning, Mr Morrison said he had been following the case 'privately' and hoped the girl would be found alive. After being told her remains had been found, Mr Morrison choked up and said the news was 'devastating'

It comes as police allege the young girl may have been dead for up to three days before her mother reported her missing.

Police revealed in court on Wednesday morning the nine-year-old was allegedly murdered sometime between 7pm on Tuesday January 11 and 10am January 12. They were not notified of her disappearance until 8.20am on Friday, January 14.

She had arrived in Sydney from the Gold Coast, where she was living with her grandparents, just days earlier to spend the school holidays with her mother and the mother's fiance. She allegedly went missing from a multi-million dollar property in Mount Wilson.

Charlise's 31-year-old stepdad Justin Stein was arrested at a unit in Surry Hills in central Sydney on Tuesday night and charged with murder. He appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday morning where he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

His lawyer asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication'.

The young girl may have been dead for up to three days before she was reported missing by her mother

Detectives had already scoured the Colo and Hawkesbury rivers for signs of the girl after receiving information a boat was used in the hours after she vanished.

Police will allege the accused tried to get the barrel to the river but couldn't drag it through dense bushland and left it abandoned in scrub nearby.

CCTV footage was used to trace the movements of the accused, including the moment he allegedly purchased sandbags and petrol for a small boat.

However, police allege the boat would not start and the accused instead opted to head to nearby scub, which is where the girl's body was found.

A vehicle was seized in Penrith in the city's west late last week. Police said they had tracked the movements of the car throughout the investigation.

An eyewitness also told Daily Mail Australia they had seen a car leaving the property the girl was last seen at in the early hours of Friday morning.

The young girl attended a local primary school south of the border, where she was known as a spritely and cheerful student.

The scene on the Colo River where a barrel containing the remains of the missing nine-year-old girl were discovered

Tributes have poured in online in the wake of her sudden death.

Her 'shattered' father, who also cannot be identified, shared an emotional tribute on Wednesday morning, hours after learning of her death.

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' he said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his statement.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'


The United States takes very seriously the threat posed by North Korea's "improving" missile programs, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Tuesday.



However, he said the U.S. is still assessing the nature North Korea's recent missile launches, apparently to learn their exact capabilities.



"We will continue to take this threat and this improving program of Pyongyang's very, very seriously," he told a press briefing when asked about North's recent missile launches.



North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles Monday (KST), marking its fourth missile launch since the start of the New Year.



Citing photos of the launch released by North Korea, Seoul officials have said the missiles fired Monday appeared to be the KN-24, which are said to be a North Korean version of the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System or ATACMS that fly a complicated trajectory, making them hard to intercept.



"We've assessed them as ballistic missiles, and we're still running the traps on that. So I don't have more detail on that," Kirby said when asked about the nature of the missiles involved in the latest North Korean launch.



North Korea fired what it claims were newly developed hypersonic missiles Jan. 5 and Jan. 11 before launching two short-range ballistic missiles Friday.



Kirby noted the U.S. has clearly and repeatedly called the North Korean missile launches a threat to U.S. allies and partners in the region.



"We're not devaluing anything. Not at all," he said when asked if the U.S. was downplaying the threat posed by the North Korean missile launches since they did not pose an immediate threat to the U.S. homeland.



"We have, as an administration, condemned these missile launches and called them out for what they are, clearly violations of various U.N. Security Council resolutions and dangerous to the region, certainly dangerous to our allies and partners, and we're taking that very seriously. There's no devaluing of any," he added. (Yonhap)


Anthony Fauci must apologize for calling a Republican senator a 'moron', a group of GOP congressmen have said - accusing him of spreading divisiveness and calling his hot mic moment 'just the latest example of his tragic failure to lead.'

Fauci, the nation's top public health expert, clashed last week with Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas after Marshall repeatedly asked him about his financial disclosures.

Fauci, 80, has led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and is the highest-paid federal employee in the country, making $434,312 a year as head of the NIAID.

President Joe Biden's salary is $400,000.

When he retires, Fauci's pension will be the largest in US history, exceeding $350,000 per year.

Marshall wanted to see Fauci's financial information; Fauci told him the documents were public.

Dr Anthony Fauci (left) is seen on January 11, during a heated Congressional hearing, holding up a screenshot from Rand Paul's website where he fundraises by getting supporters to pay to donate to his 'Fire Dr Fauci' campaign. He also got into a debate with Roger Marshall (right)

'Yes or no, would you be willing to submit to Congress and the public a financial disclosure that includes your past and current investments?' Marshall asked. 'Our office cannot find them.'

Fauci replied: 'I don't understand why you're asking me that question.

'My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years or so.'

Marshall continued to press him, and Fauci continued to state the documents were public. At the end of the discussion Fauci, believing his microphone to be switched off, muttered in exasperation: 'What a moron. Jesus Christ.'

On Tuesday, the Republican Doctors' Caucus wrote to Fauci to demand he apologize.

'We, as members of the GOP Doctors' Caucus, are calling for you to make a public apology to Dr Marshall for your unprofessional comment,' they wrote.

'The divisiveness that has occurred during this pandemic should not come from an individual who was selected to lead this nation's pandemic efforts.'

Greg Murphy of North Carolina, vice chair of the caucus, told Fox News that they wrote the letter because they were offended by Fauci's remarks.

Greg Murphy, a Republican senator for North Carolina, is vice chair of the GOP Doctors' Caucus. He said that Fauci should apologize for calling Roger Marshall a 'moron' last week

'Dr Fauci has forfeited his credibility as a public health expert by placing political science ahead of medical science,' said Murphy, a practicing surgeon.

'Physicians have an obligation to put forward clear, consistent, and well-educated messaging to inform patients and the public.

'Instead of fulfilling this responsibility, Dr Fauci has administered confusing and conflicting information in an air of arrogance that has resulted in a marked decrease in the public's trust.'

Murphy continued: 'Dr Fauci's recent denigrating antics in undermining our highly respected colleague, Dr Marshall, is just the latest example of his tragic failure to lead.

'We ask that Dr Fauci make a public statement immediately withdrawing his derogatory comments, and reflect on the fact that medical opinions are best achieved through consensus and humility, not arrogant monolithic statements.

'Dr Fauci should take stock of how his divisive actions have done our nation more harm than good.'

Fauci has not responded to their letter.

Fauci's finances have become another source of ammunition for his Republican critics.

The Center for Public Integrity reported that Fauci's financial statements were indeed public available, but noted obtaining them was a lengthy procedure: they requested the document in May 2020 and not receive it until three months later.

The publicly available salary information for Fauci shows he earned $3.6 million from 2010 to 2019.

He will make roughly $2.5 million more for the years 2020 through 2024 if he stays on through Biden's current term.

Financial records from December 2020 show that the New York-born medical expert has a contributory IRA with $638,519.70 in it, and a brokerage trust account with $2,403,522.28.

All his accounts are with Charles Schwab: the most valuable of the three disclosed being a Schwab One Trust containing $5,295,898.92.

His three accounts have a total of $8,337,940.90.

On Tuesday a watchdog, Open Books, claimed that there remained 1,200 more pages to disclose.

They said the government has said the documents will be published, but owing to a backlog in Freedom of Information Requests they will only be cleared at a rate of 300 pages a month.
An 'outraged' Aboriginal community organisation has described as 'shameful' attempts by an Australian businessman to trademark an iconic Indigenous land rights catch-cry.

Christopher Michaelides lodged a trademark application last Australia Day to use the phrase 'Always Was, Always Will Be' with Intellectual Property Australia.

Trademark documentation shared on social media showed the Mr Michaelides wants the right to emblazone the phrase on clothing including boxer shorts, polo shirts, pyjamas, fancy dress costumes and paper hats.

An 'outraged' Aboriginal community organisation has described as 'shameful' attempts by an Australian businessman to trademark an iconic Indigenous land rights catch-cry (pictured, protesters at an 'Invasion Day' rally displaying phrase the businessman is seeking to trademark)

The phrase is believed to have first been used by an elder from outback New South Wales, uncle Jim Bates, during a campaign to buy back Aboriginal lands in the 1980s.

But its significance and popularity has grown, to now be synonymous with many Indigenous causes.

Actor Liam Hemsworth shared the message last Australia Day, January 26, 2021 - and it will no doubt be widely shared again next week.

It is regarded as historically significant to First Nations people, as 'a statement of resilience, survival, deep connection and celebration', the Australian Museum says.

Christopher Michaelides lodged a trademark application last Australia Day to use the phrase 'Always Was, Always Will Be' with Intellectual Property Australia

A non-profit community health group, Clothing the Gap, which sells t-shirts with the phrase on t-shirts, says the phrase belongs to the indigenous community.

'Certain Aboriginal phrases belong to our whole Community, not individuals,' Clothing the Gap posted to social media.

'It's particularly shameful when non-indigenous people try to take ownership of our language, history and struggle.'

Clothing the Gap, which uses the funds from the sale of his shirts to pay for health promotion programs in Indigenous communities, asked a team of lawyers to investigate the trademark application.

'We became aware and outraged of this application in April last year,' the post said.

'In summary, it's unlikely this trademark application will be accepted however, this does not make it okay.'

It is understood multiple objections to the application have been lodged, including one from the 'trade marks examiner'.

In order to overcome the objections, Clothing the Gap claimed it was advised the applicant would need to file 'quite significant evidence' of use of the phrase on 'clothing footwear and headwear'.

They would also have to provide a 'sworn declaration' of 'sales and advertising figures [and] examples of labels and products'.

The application is expected to be decided by July 12, 2022.

'Always Was, Always Will Be' is now often chanted at different gatherings, protests and rallies as a reminder that First Nations people have and will continue to fight for their lands and their rights,' according to The Australian Museum.
Winchester College has apologised for a 'cult'-like Christian club which allowed a powerful barrister to groom and abuse its pupils in the 1970s.

An independent investigation published yesterday found the evangelical society gave John Smyth QC 'unfettered' access to boys for his warped attacks.

Winchester, which charges 43,000 a year, was founded in 1382 and has educated a number of politicians.

Winchester College (pictured) has apologised for a 'cult'-like Christian club which allowed a powerful barrister to groom and abuse its pupils in the 1970s

The investigation, published on its website yesterday, says a Christian Forum which had 'unfettered access' at the school 50 years ago 'showed signs of what would today be described as radicalisation'.

Smyth subjected pupils to beatings and abuse at his home that was sometimes 'sexual in nature', often under the pretence it was for religious purposes.

Then-head teacher John Thorn was informed of the abuse in 1982 but did not report it to police.

In October 1982, Mr Thorn and two parents visited Smyth to get him to sign an undertaking to cut all ties with the school and seek psychiatric help.

Mr Thorn wrote: 'We have I feel rendered him pretty well harmless.' Smyth moved to Zimbabwe, where he abused 'as many as 90 boys, possibly resulting in the death of one', the report said.

Winchester yesterday apologised 'unreservedly' for its part in the 'terrible experiences' of Smyth's victims.

In a statement, it said: 'The review...demonstrates in particular that John Smyth was able to infiltrate the college's Christian community and gain access to the college's pupils, providing him with the opportunity to groom and then abuse them.'

The review said multiple staff members were aware of Smyth's 'powerful influence' over the boys.

However, pupils felt unable to tell staff about the abuse and teachers did not share or report their suspicions.

Some families raised concerns about how Smyth appeared to have an unhealthy hold over the boys but many staff felt they could not tackle him.

Mr Thorn, now in his 90s, was unable to answer questions for the review. Smyth died in 2018.

An independent investigation published yesterday found the evangelical society gave John Smyth QC (pictured in 2017) 'unfettered' access to boys for his warped attacks

Up to 100 pupils attended the college's weekly Christian Forum in the 1970s and early 1980s, which was dominated by Smyth and had an 'inner circle' the review likened to a 'cult'.

Boys were invited to Smyth's home for Sunday lunch with his family, and some were subjected to brutal beatings in his shed.

One survivor said he received more than 1,000 strokes on one occasion. Two survivors later attempted suicide.

Another said Smyth made him feel like part of an inner circle as he imposed a 'code of loyalty and secrecy'.

Smyth also invited some Winchester boys to attend Christian summer camps, where he groomed them.

The reviewers said they were aware of 13 former Winchester college pupils abused by Smyth, but there was 'likely' more.

The Church of England has also commissioned a review of its handling of allegations made against Smyth, due this year.

Winchester has been contacted for comment. The Daily Mail was not able to contact Mr Thorn.
Queensland has recorded 19,932 new cases and 11 deaths, down from a record 16 people who died on Tuesday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the new cases on Wednesday during a media conference with chief health officer Dr John Gerrard.

It comes after Queensland recorded 15,962 new cases on Tuesday.

Ms Palaszczuk announced that from 1am this Saturday, international travellers can return and no longer have to do quarantine, if they are vaccinated.

The premier said the decision was made possible by the state's current vaccination rate of 91. 5 per cent of the population with one dose of a vaccine and 88.82 per cent who are double dosed.

Travellers will need to do a RAT test within 24 hours of arrival.

Unvaccinated travellers will still need to do two weeks of quarantine.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said vaccinated international travellers will be allowed back into Queensland without the need for quarantine from this Saturday

'I know a lot of people have sons and daughters overseas or parents or brothers and sisters overseas, this gives certainty to the airlines and incoming travellers that from 1:00am on Saturday, you can come into Queensland and you will no longer have to do - if you are vaccinated - quarantine,' Ms Palaszczuk said.

'You are free to come in.'

Dr Gerrard said the 11 new deaths comprised one person in their 30s, one in their 50s, two in their 60s, one in their 70s, three in their 80s and three in their 90s.

'Of these people, two had not been vaccinated, seven were double dosed and two had received boosters,' Dr Gerrard said.

'These last two had received boosters were from residential aged care facilities and had very significant other medical problems.'

One of those unvaccinated was the person aged in their 30s.

There were now 835 people in Queensland hospitals with Covid including 52 patients in ICU, 18 of whom are ventilated.

'The next three weeks or so are going to be a very tough time for Queenslanders and also specifically for our health care workers in Queensland hospitals,' Dr Gerrard said.

'The next three weeks or so are going to be a very tough time for Queenslanders and also specifically for our health care workers in Queensland hospitals,' Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Gerrard said

'This gives certainty to the airlines and incoming travellers that from 1:00am on Saturday, you can come into Queensland and you will no longer have to do - if you are vaccinated - quarantine,' Ms Palaszczuk said. Pictured: Coolangatta on the Gold Coast

Ms Palaszczuk called on domestic manufacturers to be accredited as a way to provide extra RATs in Australia.

'We have capacity in this country to manufacture these RAT tests.

'We need to ask these companies to put forward approvals and get them done quickly. Rather than searching the world to get them, we could be producing them here locally.

'It's something I'd like to raise at national cabinet tomorrow.'

Ms Palaszczuk raised concern again about the vaccination rate on the Gold Coast, which is under the state average with 90.5 per cent of the population having received one dose of vaccine.

'In terms of where people will be travelling, can I please give an added push for the Gold Coast.

'Come and get vaccinated. If you're due a booster, come and get it.'

Health Minister Yvette DAth said more than 6,000 health staff were now unavailable in the state due to infection with Covid-19 or as a close contact of a positive case.

The figure had exceeded the state's modelling of the impact of the current outbreak, she confessed.

'There is a greater number of health staff impacted than our previous modelling suggested, and thats because of Omicron, with those numbers climbing in a shorter time than predicted,' Ms DAth said.
Police closed in on the man accused of murdering missing schoolgirl Charlise Mutten whose body was found inside a barrel after he was heard 'discussing buying sandbags' and provided 'inconsistent stories' when he was questioned.

The nine-year-old's body was found on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they'd used CCTV to track down her stepdad Justin Stein, 31.

They allege the Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where the girl's body was later found.

Charlise Mutten was last seen on Thursday but was reported missing on Friday morning

The accused appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday from Surry Hills police station, where he is detained

'(There were) a number of telephone conversations, to purchase a number of sandbags - 20 kilos sandbags from the hardware store - to fuel a boat and then try and float that boat on the water at one of the one of the docks in inner Sydney,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

Footage of the Stein's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing as he walked from the car to the holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him.

He wore a grey Everlast jumper and shorts which he was still dressed in when he fronted court on Wednesday morning.

They're still waiting to speak to the girl's mother because she's under guard at a hospital and 'hard to approach'.

The woman and her fiance reported the victim missing to police on Friday morning, claiming they last saw her on Thursday afternoon.

There has been a significant delay in speaking with the girl's mother because she remains in hospital under guard. 'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said

Footage of the man's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing as he walked from the car to the holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him

Daily Mail Australia can reveal shocking new details about the nine-year-old girl's alleged murder as her 31-year-old stepdad faced a Sydney court on Wednesday morning

But the police fact sheet tendered in court on Wednesday indicates police believe there are contradictions to that timeline.

Police have alleged she was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12.

There has been a significant delay in speaking with the girl's mother because she remains in hospital under guard.

'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

'She's under medical supervision, but when doctors allow, we will be talking to her.'

Mr Hudson said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice.

'At this stage, we have no evidence to support whether the accused acted alone... However it is still early days,' he said.

He wore a grey Everlast jumper and shorts which he was still dressed in when he fronted court on Wednesday morning

The 31-year-old man was arrested at an apartment in Surry Hills on Tuesday night. He will face court on Wednesday

Police made the grisly discovery near the Colo River in Sydney's west on Tuesday night. A child's remains, which are yet to be identified, were found in a barrel

Police were investigating a number of 'anomolies' they identified in the accused's initial testimony, which included giving two separate versions of events in the lead up to the girl's disappearance.

Mr Hudson said through tracking the movements of a car they seized via CCTV, they were able to establish certain facts as to the movements of the man charged.

'Thursday afternoon, he purchased a number of sandbags from a hardware store,' he confirmed, adding that petrol was also used in an attempt to float a small boat which was later deemed inoperable.

'We then tracked the individual back to the location where we found the body.'

The child's doting grandparents, who have fulltime custody of her in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, have been notified.

More details about the girl's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives.

Police had already scoured the Colo and Hawkesbury Rivers after information that a boat was used in the hours after she vanished, but returned to the scene following new information on Tuesday

The 31-year-old accused, who was arrested shortly after the body was found inside a Surry Hills unit, faced court on Wednesday morning.

He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

His lawyer asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication'.

Police will allege he tried to get the barrel to the river but couldn't drag it through the dense bushland and left it abandoned in scrub nearby.

The barrel has now been seized and will be forensically examined further, police said.

An eyewitness also told Daily Mail Australia they had seen a car leaving the property she was last seen at in the early hours of Friday morning.

The one hour drive from Mt Wilson to the Colo River follows Mt Wilson Road to the Bells Line of Road then via one of two routes to reach the river.

NSW Police also carried out a search at Colo River, about an hour from the Blue Mountains but it's unclear what they were looking for and if anything was found

Police told volunteers that the little girl would likely be exhausted lying still if she was lost in the bush

Driving past houses and equestrian properties, the road becomes a dirt track as it enters the Wollemi National Park.

Comleroy Road to Upper Colo is a winding and often steep and treacherous dirt road which crosses through the flowing Colo River past the remote Wheeny Creek campground.

A road posted with a sign warning 'Protect children! Please drive carefully' goes past the Upper Colo Anglican Church and local rural fire brigade headquarters.

The victim's 'shattered' father, who also cannot be identified, shared an emotional tribute on Wednesday morning, hours after learning of her death.

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' he said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his statement.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'

A man has been charged with murder after a nine-year-old girl disappeared in the Blue Mountains. Emergency crews are seen in Colo River near the Blue Mountains

Pictured: Police vehicles moving down the driveway at Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains

RFS volunteers (pictured) were deployed to the area to search for the nine-year-old and have been combing bushland
MPs have slammed the Government's failing plan to provide superfast broadband across the nation, with many hard-to-reach areas still cut off.

The Commons public accounts committee said it was doubtful Project Gigabit would meet downgraded targets.

A report today accuses the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport of making 'little tangible progress' beyond that achieved by the private sector.

It said a rise in the proportion of those with access, from 40 per cent to 57 per cent from May to October last year, was largely due to Virgin Media O2 updating its cable network.

The Government committed in 2019 to fund 'gigabit-capable' broadband for hard-to-reach areas, with all covered by 2025  but this was revised to 85 per cent (stock image)

The committee said the goal of full coverage by 2030 would still not cover around 134,000 homes in the 'very hardest to reach areas'.

The Government committed in 2019 to fund 'gigabit-capable' broadband for the hardest to reach 20 per cent of homes and businesses, with all covered by 2025  but now revised to 85 per cent.

Superfast broadband delivers speeds of one gigabit per second, over 16 times faster than the UK household average.

The committee said they were concerned the focus was on 'accelerating coverage through rollout by commercial operators rather than by prioritising those areas it knows are hardest to reach risks some of the areas that need improved connectivity most, being once again left behind'.

A report accused DCMS of making 'little tangible progress' in improving broadband and said a rise in those with access was largely due to Virgin Media O2 updating its cable network

It said there appeared to be 'no detailed plan in place' for reaching communities where it is not commercially viable to do so.

Chairman Dame Meg Hillier MP said: 'DCMS' planning and project management here show all the signs of the previous rollout - that the focus will continue to be on the easier to reach areas and there is still no clear plan for the hardest to reach communities.

DCMS couldn't really explain how broadband has got as far as it has in this critical national strategy, beyond 'thanks to Virgin Media', and incredibly it still doesn't have a real plan for getting the rest of the way to its own downgraded targets.

'What DCMS does know full well is it can't rely on the private sector to get fast broadband to the hardest to reach, excluded and rural areas, and despite its repeated promises to do exactly that we are apparently little nearer to closing 'the great digital divide' developing across the UK nor addressing the social and economic inequality it brings with it.'
After numerous lockdowns and school closures, it may come as no surprise that the nation's children voted 'anxiety' their Word of the Year.

Lexicographers at Oxford University Press used a survey of more than 8,000 pupils asked about words they use to discuss health, wellbeing and lockdowns.

More than one in five chose 'anxiety' as their number one word.

Researchers say the findings reveal the social impact Covid-19 and lockdowns have had on youngsters.

Last year's children's word was coronavirus, and in 2019 it was Brexit.

Anxiety' was closely followed this year by 'challenging' (19 per cent) and 'isolate' (14 per cent).

For more than a decade, lexicographers, experts and academic researchers in the Children's Language department at the OUP have analysed the changes in children's vocabulary and self-expression.

The department will be updating their dictionaries and resources for schools to reflect the current usage of the words - such as bubble and lockdown - in relation to the pandemic.

Lexicographers at Oxford University Press used a survey of more than 8,000 pupils asked about words they use to discuss health, wellbeing and lockdowns. Researchers say the findings reveal the social impact Covid-19 and lockdowns have had on youngsters

New phrases such as self-isolation will be included.

Helen Freeman, director of early childhood and home education at OUP, said: 'The research highlights the vital role language plays for children when it comes to self-expression, learning and wellbeing

'It's important now, more than ever, that we invest in supporting children's language development at home and in school.

'The findings demonstrate the role we all play in making sure children have the words they need to be able to express themselves and that, as adults, we are aware the language we use around children can significantly influence their learning and wellbeing.'

The views of more than 8,000 children across the UK, from Year Three to Year Nine, were represented by teachers taking the survey.

Wellbeing was selected as the focus of the vocabulary research for 2021.

This was prompted by the impact Covid-19 has had on children's education and the growing awareness of children's mental health as a key concern.

Helen Freeman, director of early childhood and home education at OUP, said: 'The research highlights the vital role language plays for children when it comes to self-expression, learning and wellbeing (file photo)

Joe Jenkins, executive director, social impact from The Children's Society, said: 'It's concerning that 'anxiety' is the number one word but it isn't surprising when you consider all the restrictions and changes children had to endure.'

The charity's Good Childhood Report, which was published in August last year, found that more than 300,000 UK children were estimated to be unhappy with their lives in 2018-19.

Teachers from the 85 schools involved in the survey were also asked for the word they use most often when talking to their pupils about health and wellbeing in the context of the past year.

Resilience came in as their top choice (31 per cent), which researchers said reflected the importance of providing their pupils with positive direction.

Challenging was their second choice (19 per cent) and wellbeing came in third (18 per cent).
A Kentucky man who was pardoned by former Gov. Matt Bevin for a drug robbery killing after pressure from the man's family who donated to his campaign will return to prison to serve a 42-year federal sentence for the same crime.

Patrick Baker, 43, was sentenced to 42 years in prison with credit for the 30 months he served in state prison for the 2014 murder of 29-year-old Donald Mills- for a total sentence of 39 years and six months.

Baker had been out of prison since 2019 when former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin pardoned him for the slaying until he was convicted for the same murder last August in federal court.

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Patrick Baker, 43, (pictured) was sentenced to 42 years in prison with credit for the 30 months he served in state prison for the 2014 murder of 29-year-old Donald Mills

Former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin's (pictured) controversial decision to issue 428 pardons in the weeks after he lost his re-election bid in November 2019 led to an FBI probe

Baker had been out of prison since 2019 when former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin pardoned him for the slaying until he was convicted for the same murder

Baker was found guilty of killing Mills, a drug dealer in Knox County, while trying to rob him of cash and pain pills.

Baker, who posed as a U.S. Marshal during the crime, held Mills' pregnant wife and children at gunpoint while Baker ransacked the home for oxycodone pills.

'Baker was convicted of a brazen act of violence - one that resulted in a murder, committed while the victim's family was nearby,' U.S. Attorney for the Kentucky's eastern district Carlton Shier said in a news release Tuesday night.

Shier said law enforcement and the trial team's 'faithful efforts were critical to the verdict, conviction, and sentence.'

But the case was shrouded in controversy after media reports that Baker's family had political connections to former Republican governor Bevin, at one point even hosting a fundraiser for him.

Baker was found guilty of killing 29-year-old Donald Mills, (pictured) a drug dealer in Knox County, while trying to rob him of cash and pain pills

While presenting a victim impact statement, Donald Mills' sister Melinda burst into tears as she talked about the effect her brother's murder has had on his family

Bevin's controversial decision to issue 428 pardons in the weeks after he lost his re-election bid in November 2019 led to an FBI probe.

In total he made more than 650 pardons while Governor of Kentucky and drew criticism from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his pardon of Baker after the Courier Journal reported that Baker's brother and sister-in-law hosted a political fundraiser for Bevin in 2018 where they raised $21,500.

'It seems to me it was completely inappropriate. I expect he had the power to do it but looking at the examples of people who were incarcerated as a result of heinous crimes,' McConnell said in 2019, according to ABC News.

Bevin defended Baker's and the other pardons, saying that they had been carefully decided after he consulted with legal experts.

'It's interesting when we look at our criminal justice system in America.  I don't care what your ideology - whether you're liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat - we should want there to be integrity in the system,' he told WHAS Radio.

In May federal authorities brought new charges against Baker for the killing and he was convicted in August.

Attorneys for Baker had asked the judge ahead of the hearing to limit Baker's sentence to a maximum of 19 years, which would have matched the punishment that was wiped away by Bevin's pardon, but U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom denied that request.

Federal prosecutors said Baker was prosecuted the second time under the 'dual sovereignty doctrine,' which allows state and federal officials to prosecute the same defendant for the same actions without infringing on double jeopardy protections.

Judge Boom could have sentenced Baker to life in prison but elected to spare him because he had not intended Mills to die when he and his accomplice ransacked Mills' home for drugs and cash, Courier Journal reported.

While presenting a victim impact statement, Donald Mills' sister Melinda burst into tears as she talked about the effect her brother's murder has had on his widow and three children- including his 7-year-old daughter who was born after he was killed.

'My family is forever broken,' Mills said, before she turned to Baker and told him: 'May God have mercy on your soul. He is the final judge in the end.'

Baker is the second man Bevin pardoned who has been successfully prosecuted in federal court, the Courier Journal reported.

Dayton Jones whose sentence for the brutal sodomy of an unconscious 15-year-old boy was commuted by Bevin, pleaded guilty in October to a federal pornography charge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In a normal universe, today would be a source of celebration both in the Tory party and the country at large.

Despite the bleak predictions of Covid laying waste to the economy, Britain can bask in three beams of sunny optimism.

Even as locked-down France reels from nearly half a million daily coronavirus cases, UK infections have plummeted so dramatically that almost all restrictions will be lifted next week.

Boris Johnson visiting Finchley Memorial Hospital yesterday. His former top aide Dominic Cummings accused the Prime Minister of lying to Parliament

Thanks to the vaccine miracle, and the Government's unprecedented business support strategy, unemployment is back to near pre-pandemic levels  despite being forecast to hit a terrifying 10 per cent.

And remarkably, redundancies are at their lowest level since records began  even with furlough winding up.

This is no accident. It is the result of Boris Johnson getting the key Covid decisions right. But what is leading the news bulletins instead?

The mutinous actions of some wet-behind-the-ears Tory backbenchers, which border on madness.

The so-called 'pork pie putsch', said to involve Melton Mowbray MP Alicia Kearns and a handful of others from the 2019 intake, seeks to defenestrate Boris.

Anyone can see why they (and their constituents) may be angry. But do they really think Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss have what it takes to keep them in their seats?

Indeed, do they not realise they are conspiring against the very man whose unique political skills won them a place in Parliament in the first place?

Cummings, pictured last week, said he would swear under oath that the Johnson both was aware of and allowed a drinks party at Downing Street

Meanwhile, on grinds the interminable claim and counterclaim over how much the Prime Minister knew about drinks parties in Downing Street up to 20 months ago.

The revelations are part of another concerted plot to destroy Mr Johnson, orchestrated by his former consigliere Dominic Cummings, a proven liar once described as a 'career psychopath'.

When he dreamt up an absurd story to mask his Barnard Castle lockdown breach, broadcasters dismissed him as a fantasist.

Now they treat his every word as if handed down from Sinai on tablets of stone.

The Mail does not seek to minimise Mr Johnson's errors.

These parties were wrong. But with the country in such a parlous state  the cost-of-living crisis looms and British troops have deployed to Ukraine as Russia threatens war  Tories should be getting behind their leader, not destabilising him.

With Labour riding high in the polls and posing a genuine threat, the conspirators ought to be careful what they wish for.

Bleating of the Beeb

Within hours of the announcement of a two-year licence fee freeze, BBC director-general Tim Davie warned this could mean axing popular programmes and channels.

There is, of course, a much simpler solution. This cash-guzzling behemoth could try living within its means.

BBC director-general Tim Davie (pictured) warned the two-year licence fee freeze could mean axing popular programmes

Perhaps cut the gargantuan sums spent on pampered stars? Or slash the excessive salaries  and numbers  of executives?

The culture of profligacy must end. Families across the country are having to tighten their belts. So should the state broadcaster  without moaning.

Labour road-blockers

Does Labour still claim to be the party of ordinary working people?

If so, how can they possibly justify opposing new laws to prevent climate zealots bringing large parts of the country to a grinding halt by glueing themselves to roads and public transport.

Their juvenile stunts stop workers getting to jobs, parents taking children to school and ambulances getting patients to hospital. They routinely endanger lives.

Labour once boasted it would be 'tough on crime'. By siding with eco-vandals, they have turned those words into a sick joke.
France hit a new daily record for Covid infections yesterday, registering nearly half a million fresh cases, as Britain continued its recovery.

The country revealed 464,769 cases over the previous 24 hours. French officials have issued a series of diktats in a desperate bid to curb the rising case numbers.

These include forcing children as young as six to wear masks, and banning drinking while standing up in cafes or bars.

French MPs have also toughened up draconian vaccine passport rules that will ban unvaccinated people from public life.

French president Emmanuel Macrons hardline measures are in stark contrast to Prime Minister Boris Johnsons approach.

French president Emmanuel Macrons hardline measures are in stark contrast to Prime Minister Boris Johnsons approach.

The UK Government has vowed to axe nearly all restrictions by the end of the month. France has a rolling seven-day average of 283,134 cases, while Britain has 98,684, the lowest since December 22.

Coronavirus now appears less likely to be the primary cause of death in people who die after being infected with Omicron than previous variants.

And, promisingly, new strains are likely to be even milder and cause less disruption to daily life, a government advisor said yesterday.

There were 922 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to January 7 that mentioned coronavirus on the death certificate.

However, while Covid may have contributed to these deaths, it was not the primary cause in 210 instances, or 23 per cent of cases, the latest Office for National Statistics data show.

This is up from around 16 per cent with Delta in November and 10 per cent with the Alpha wave last January, before widespread vaccination.

A similar trend has been seen in hospital data, where patients are increasingly likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid, rather than because of it.

In some regions more than half of hospital Covid patients are now so-called incidental cases.

The UK Government has vowed to axe nearly all restrictions by the end of the month. France has a rolling seven-day average of 283,134 cases, while Britain has 98,684, the lowest since December 22

The data comes as a member of the governments Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the virus is likely to evolve to become milder.

Professor Andrew Hayward said the virus may become more transmissible but it doesnt do the virus any good to increase in severity.

He said: It looks like the Omicron variant, by becoming more transmissible, that its also become less severe, and we would hope thats the general direction of travel.

Professor Hayward, from University College London, said that in future not everyone would need booster vaccines and jabs may be given less often than they are for flu.

He told Times Radio: I think the people that we might want to think about boosting the most are the same as flu really - people with chronic illness and elderly people - and well probably move into a sort of more regular annual vaccination programme, or it may not even need to be that frequent.

We need to wait for the evidence on that. Prof Hayward said he agreed the pandemic will end and people will live with the virus continuing to transmit but causing much less disruption.

He added: It will tend to, I think, settle into a seasonal pattern - we may still get quite big winters of infection but not the sort of level where we can justify wholesale societal closedown.

So, I think it is genuinely an optimistic picture, but were still not quite there yet.

Professor Hayward said there were very encouraging signs of cases plateauing or dropping in some places, but nobody was sure whether they will stabilise at a very high level or dip down.

Yesterday the UK recorded a further 94,432 lab-confirmed Covid-19, with 438 deaths.

France has a rolling 7-day average of 283,134 new cases, while Britains figure stands at 98,684, the lowest since December 22.




Investigators searched the headquarters of HDC Hyundai Development, Wednesday, in connection with the recent accident at its construction site in Gwangju that left one worker dead and five others missing.







Officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the National Police Agency conducted a joint search of the real estate developer's headquarters in central Seoul to look for evidence in connection with the Jan. 11 accident.







Rescue operations have continued for a week after the facade on a 39-story apartment building under construction collapsed and fell to the ground in Gwangju, about 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul.







Five construction workers remain unaccounted for, with one worker found dead under the rubble Friday.







On Monday, Chung Mong-gyu, chairman of HDC Hyundai Development, offered to step down to take responsibility for the accident.







Chung said he will consider terminating the contracts for buyers, and completely demolishing and reconstructing the apartment building from the start if a safety inspection finds there was a problem with its construction. (Yonhap)


Armed Forces personnel who took part in the evacuation of more than 15,000 people from Afghanistan in August 2021 are set to receive a new medal recognising their efforts, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

Personnel will receive the existing Operational Service Medal Afghanistan, featuring a new clasp reading 'Operation Pitting', recognising their contribution to the evacuation of Afghan and British nationals.

More than 15,000 people were evacuated by personnel from across the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, during the effort.

Personnel will receive the existing Operational Service Medal Afghanistan, featuring a new clasp reading 'Operation Pitting'

Pictured: A full flight of 265 people supported by members of the UK Armed Forces on board an evacuation flight out of Kabul airport, Afghanistan in August 2021

More than 15,000 people were evacuated by personnel from across the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, during the effort

Approximately 600 soldiers were deployed to Kabul airport, providing food, water, and medical assistance to evacuees after the Taliban took control of the country.

Evacuees were flown out of Kabul by the Royal Air Force in what Defence Secretary Ben Wallace described as 'the largest British evacuation since the Second World War'.

One flight set a new record for the highest number of people carried in an RAF C-17 aircraft, at 439.

The Prime Minister said: 'I'm delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given permission for a special medal to be awarded to all those who deployed to Kabul, to honour their heroism in the face of extreme adversity.

'Operation Pitting will go down as one of the great achievements of our UK Armed Services and their civilian counterparts in the post-war era.

'The whole country can be immensely proud of their tireless work to bring men, women and children to safety. They represent the very best of us.'

Pictured: Some of the UK Armed Forces who took part in the evacuation of entitled personnel from Kabul airport in Afghanistan

Mr Wallace hailed the Armed Forces' 'true heroism, bravery and dedication', adding: 'As the security situation worsened by the hour, our service men and women stepped up and delivered the largest British evacuation since the Second World War. They will rightly receive medallic recognition for their efforts.

'Following approval from Her Majesty The Queen, they will now receive the medallic recognition their efforts deserve.'

Shadow defence secretary John Healey praised the decision, saying: 'Troops involved in the Kabul airlift totally deserve a medal, and Labour have argued this since early September.

'The military medal is a fitting recognition of their bravery and professionalism, as well as expressing the pride and respect the nation feels in their service.'

Pictured: Members of the UK Armed Forces taking part in the evacuation of entitled personnel from Kabul airport in Afghanistan

However, not everyone involved in the evacuation effort will be receiving accolades.

In December, the Foreign Office's top mandarin told shocked MPs he stayed on holiday for 11 days after the dramatic fall of Kabul - and admitted there are 'lessons to be learned' from the Afghanistan disaster.

During a committee hearing, Sir Philip Barton revealed that he was on leave from August 9 and did not return until August 26, nearly two weeks after the government collapsed and handed the Taliban control.

Sir Philip, senior colleagues then-Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab all came under fire in damning testimony from a junior civil servant who claimed that at times they had been the only person dealing with thousands of emails from those desperate to flee the Taliban.

Raphael Marshall said soldiers had to be drafted in for desk work in the Foreign Office when officials stayed at home and refused to do overtime.

In a dossier handed to the Foreign Affairs Committee, he accused Mr Raab - who was also on holiday at a luxury resort in Crete when the crisis erupted, but came back more quickly - of undermining the rescue efforts by delaying decisions.
Plans to give people in Wales the day off to celebrate St David's Day have sparked calls to make St George's Day a national bank holiday in England.

Nationalists in Gwynedd Council's cabinet in north-west Wales have voted to shut its buildings and wind down its services on March 1 to give up to 5,000 people the day off to toast the nation's patron saint.

Westminster, which has responsibility for bank holidays in Wales as well as England, had refused to back the plans on grounds that a day off would cause economic disruption and ultimately cost taxpayers.

But furious Plaid Cymru councillors unilaterally defied London's demands, comparing England to a foreign imperial power that treats Wales like its 'last colony' and its people like 'children'.

For centuries, the Welsh have marked St David's Day by wearing daffodils, attending parades, going to concerts and waving flag. But unlike Scotland and Northern Ireland, Wales does not have a national bank holiday for its patron saint.

The development has raised questions about why the English should not be allowed to enjoy a bank holiday for St George.

One social media user asked: 'So will England get St George's Day, Ireland get St Patrick's Day? If yes then why not!'.

Another said: 'In Wales only, if they want to why not? Obviously only if we get St George's Day too. St George's flags to be flown on all government buildings'.

Plans to give people in Wales the day off to celebrate St David's Day have sparked calls to make St George's Day a national bank holiday in England (pictured, people in Beckenham in 2007)

Despite annual parades and concerts, there is no special day off to toast March 1 in Wales

Plans to give people in Wales the day off to celebrate St David's Day have sparked calls to make St George's Day a national bank holiday in England (St George and St David, left and right)

A third added: 'Let's also have a St George's Day holiday. This move in Wales could catalyse that. Here's a pint to St David'.

One person tweeted: 'Also think the Cornish should get St Piran's Day (March 5) off and the English St George's Day'.

Councillors in Wales have claimed it is unfair that the Welsh can't celebrate their patron saint with a day off and compared it to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which will be marked with an extra bank holiday.

Dyfrig Siencyn, council leader, claimed that the government in Westminster regards Wales as 'the last colony of its empire'.

'It's really offensive and insulting; our masters in London are treating us as little children who cannot make decisions themselves,' he told The Guardian.

'I think it's another example of how this government is treating us here in Wales. What do we expect from such a government that sees us as the last colony the empire has?'.

Mr Siencyn said he hoped other councils would follow suit.

Nia Jeffreys, another Gwynedd councillor, added: 'The principle behind it is the importance of St David's Day for us as a nation, how close it is to our hearts.

People carry flags and wear t-shirts emblazoned with the national flag as they take part during a St David's Day Parade in Cardiff.

A man dressed as Dewi Sant leads a St David's day parade in Cardiff, where hundreds of people march through the city in celebration of the patron saint of Wales

One person tweeted: 'Also think the Cornish should get St Piran's Day (March 5) off and the English St George's Day'

'It's embarrassing that they can give an extra day off willy nilly for the Queen's jubilee but we can't decide for ourselves what day we have off.'

Teachers will not benefit from the day off as their conditions are negotiated centrally.

Staff such as social workers, refuse collectors and librarians, though, will received paid holiday  costing the council around 200,000.

A third councillor, Dilwyn Morgan, said Wales should be left alone to 'decide what we want to do with St David's Day' and the days of going to a 'foreign government like Oliver Twist' need to come to an end.

A spokesperson for the Welsh government said: 'We've repeatedly asked the UK government for the Senedd to have the powers to make St David's Day a bank holiday, and it's disappointing to see these requests continue to be refused.'

Gwynedd Councillor Dafydd Meurig (right) and Nia Jeffreys (left) have voiced their support for Wales marking St David's Day with a bank holiday

Gwynedd Council in North Wales are going to be having a meeting about the day off plans
Media and marketing industry website Mumbrella has published an extraordinary post detailing drug-taking after its Christmas party that led to the resignation of two staff members.

David Longman, the CEO of the news outlet's parent company, Diversified Communications Australia, posted details of the after-party on Mumbrella's site this morning.

'After a serious incident following the Sydney Christmas party last year, which included Mumbrella staff, I felt it necessary to get on the front foot and share what happened, including the ramifications,' Mr Longman posted.

The CEO of Mumbrella's parent company, David Longman, said in a post that after Mumbrella's Christmas party on December 9, some staff members 'purchased, distributed and consumed' illicit drugs at the news site's Walker Street head office

Mumbrella's Christmas party was held at the Green Moustache restaurant (pictured) in North Sydney on December 9 before some staff members continued the party back at the office

Mr Longman said that after Mumbrella's Christmas party held at the Green Moustache restaurant in North Sydney on December 9, some staff members returned to its Walker Street head office.

'During this time, illicit drugs were purchased, distributed and consumed by a number of the staff there,' Mr Longman wrote.

'The staff ranged from junior to more senior staff.'

An investigation by the company's human resources department commenced last week after the incident came to light, Mr Longman said.

'Unfortunately, as a result of the investigation, two Mumbrella staff have resigned and a number of others have been warned.

'Furthermore, staff involved will be undertaking a drug awareness and education program which I believe will provide long-term benefits.'

David Longman, CEO of Diversified Communications Australia, the parent company of Mumbrella

The CEO said he felt obliged to make the incident public because of the new site's long history of holding the media and marketing industry to account.

'[Mumbrella] has questioned the actions of individuals and businesses that have seemingly not acted in the best interests of staff, clients and the industry in general,' Mr Longman noted.

'Mumbrella is a strong supporter of diversity, culture and a safe working environment, and is not shy in pushing the industry to be better.

'But were not perfect ourselves, and this piece is written because I feel its important to take ownership of when poor decisions are made.'

Mr Longman said the two people who had resigned were 'valued people who were both good at their jobs and had contributed to the success of Mumbrella', denying their departures were a 'cost-cutting exercise'.

'This has been an uncomfortable piece for me to write and I hope not to grace the digital pages of Mumbrella often in the future,' Mr Longman signed off.

Mumbrella's founder Tim Burrowes, who left the business only last year after selling it to Diversified Communications in 2017, provided extra detail on the ill-fated Christmas gathering in his regular newsletter, implied that the illicit drug in question was cocaine. '...they got into the bags,' Mr Burrowes wrote.

'Yes, it was that much of a cliche,' he also noted.

'As David Longman suggests in his article, the reason this came to light was because there was a whistleblower from within the Mumbrella team,' Mr Burrowes wrote.

'This wasnt somebody motivated by internal politics, but because they wanted to do the right thing by Mumbrella, which would otherwise have been impossibly compromised.

'Even though Im no longer on Mumbrellas staff, Ill always be the founder, so I still care for its reputation.'

A number of journalists were quick to tweet about Mumbrella's Christmas Party debacle, as well as comedian (and former journalist) Wil Anderson

'Breaking: Mumbrella has a great Christmas Party,' tweeted journalist Patrick Lenton

A number of journalists were quick to tweet about Mumbrella's Christmas Party debacle.

'Breaking: Mumbrella has a great Christmas Party,' tweeted journalist Patrick Lenton.

'Typical Mumbrella story, hundreds of words and at the end you go: well duh,' joked comedian Wil Anderson.

James Hennessy described Mr Longman's message as a 'hall of fame' post.

'It would be easier for those involved to have kept it behind closed doors, however as Mumbrella has done throughout its time, we have owned our mistakes,' wrote Mr Longman.
Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to Honduras for the inauguration of President-elect Xiomara Castro in an effort to 'address the root causes' of illegal immigration.

The trip is part of Harris' effort to 'deepen the partnership' between the US and Honduras to combat corruption and migration, as well as advance economic growth, the White House announced Tuesday.

Harris, 57, was tasked by President Joe Biden last year to lead the nation's border crisis response and has faced widespread criticisms over her efforts within the role.

Republicans have mockingly nicknamed her the 'border czar' while also accusing her of being uninterested in actually visiting the US-Mexico border.

Since being named as the point person on the migrant crisis in March, Harris has visited the southern border just once, last June, when she spent a few hours in El Paso, Texas, before jetting off to her $5million Los Angeles mansion.

Meanwhile, illegal crossings at the border have skyrocketed since Biden took office. Customs and Border Protection data shows agents have encountered more than 1.75 million migrants illegally crossing or attempting to seek asylum in the US last year.

Vice President Kamala Harris (left) is traveling to Honduras for the inauguration of President-elect Xiomara Castro (right) in an effort to 'address the root causes' of illegal immigration. Analysts claim a productive relationship between the US and Honduras could be particularly useful diplomatically

The trip is part of Harris' effort to 'deepen the partnership' between the US and Honduras to combat corruption and migration, as well as advance economic growth (Pictured: Migrants seeking asylum in El Paso, Texas)

The vice president's upcoming trip will mark her second trip to a Northern Triangle country since she was tasked with tackling the border crisis.

It is unclear when Harris will depart for Honduras or how long she will be in the country. However, Castro's inauguration is slated for January 27.

The trip will come about month after Harris announced a deal to provide $540million in new private industry investments in Central America. She attracted seven new companies and organizations to invest in Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Savlador in her effort to improve economic conditions and weed out corruption.

Among them are PepsiCo, Cargill and Parkdale Mills, all of whom pledged roughly $150million towards infrastructure projects. Some existing and expanded investments are coming from Mastercard, Microsoft and Nespresso.

Castro - the leftist opposition party candidate won out over the country's ruling party in November - allegedly shares common ground with the US government in areas of immigration, drug trafficking and corruption.

Analysts claim a productive relationship between the US and Honduras could be particularly useful diplomatically.

However, critics continue to slam the vice president for focusing her efforts in Central America instead of at the border.

The White House announced the trip Tuesday, which marks the vice president's second trip to a Northern Triangle country since she was tasked with tackling the border crisis

'You can have her,' wrote Twitter user @JustMe73forAll. 'Kamala should just stay in Honduras. She's useless and completely unqualified in her position.'

'Kamala doesn't have time to comment on Southern border human trafficking, she's packing for Honduras,' @ska_texas said.

'Every day she does not go to the southern border is an absolute boon for the Republicans,' echoed @AllistarMick. 'Have at it Kamala!'

'Oh Kamala just go to the border and do your job PLEASE,' stated @love_gman.

User @Mas_hoc added: 'So Kamala is having difficulty defining herself....had she done her job as border Czar and stemmed the tide of illegal crossings, she would be in a much better place.

'She squandered the opportunity. Lightweight. Incompetent.'

The politician has also come under fire from other progressives after she declared publicly that undocumented migrants were not welcome in the US.

Meanwhile, critics continue to slam the vice president for focusing her efforts in Central America instead of at the border

Her trip to Honduras comes after disturbing images unveiled last week showed dire conditions at Arizona border patrol facilities as tens of thousands of migrants were packed together in overcrowded trailers and makeshift mylar tents.

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 figure equates to the number of migrants intercepted in an average month over the past two decades.

The surge and revelation of overcrowding also came 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.

After receiving a barrage of criticism, Harris had a phone call with Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei during which she '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.

Photographs released last week 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

In November, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered 173,620 migrants at the southern border, an increase from the 164,753 in October. December figures have not yet been released.

Last September, Border Patrol officers encountered more than 192,000 people attempting to cross the border, as opposed to 57,674 and 52,546 in 2020 and 2019, respectively, under then-President Donald Trump.

Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar said last month that he's done trying to work with the vice president on border issues, as Border Patrol agents continue to record a rise in encounters between illegal immigrants and their officers.

'I say this very respectfully to her: I moved on,' Cuellar told The New York Times earlier in the week.

'She was tasked with that job, it doesn't look like she's very interested in this, so we are going to move on to other folks that work on this issue.'

Cuellar's gripes originated when Harris said she'd be visiting the border in June and a phone call from his office to hers went unreturned.

Also last month, Harris conceded in a televised interview that her 'biggest failure' since taking office last January has been 'not getting out of DC more,' as she continues to face criticism for making just one visit to the southern border despite the worsening migrant crisis.

The vice president made the remarks after CBS News interviewer Margaret Brennan asked the former California senator an open-ended, introspective question concerning her own perceived shortcomings.

Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar (left) said that he's done trying to work with Vice President Kamala Harris (right) on border issues

Migrants from Central America climb a hill to avoid immigration authorities as they set off in a caravan for the United States, near the border with Guatemala, in Corinto, Honduras

'What do you think, as you come to the end of this first year, what do you think your biggest failure has been at this point?' Brennan asks in a preview clip for the White House-set interview.

In the clip, Harris, 57, seems to laugh off the question at first, before admitting: 'To not get out of DC more.'

'I mean, and I actually mean that sincerely for a number of reasons.'

She continued: 'You know, I, we, the president and I came in, you know, COVID had already started. The pandemic had started. And when we came in we really couldn't travel.'

'You know, a large part of the relationship that he and I have built has been being in this, you know, together in the same office for hours on end, doing Zooms or whatever because we couldn't get out of D.C., and on issues that are about fighting for anything from voting rights to child care, to one of the issues that I care deeply about, maternal health.

'Being with the people who are directly impacted by this work, listening to them so that they, not some pundit, tells us what their priorities are. I think it's critically important.'

Since being named as the US' point person on the migrant crisis in March, Harris has visited the border region just once, more than six months ago in June, when she spent a few hours at the the El Paso US Customs and Border Protection Central Processing Center

Harris is pictured making her one and only visit to the southern border since becoming VP, during a June 2021 trip to El Paso in Texas

'People are, people have a right to know and believe that their government actually sees and hears them.

'My biggest concern is, I don't ever want to be in a bubble when it comes to being aware of and in touch with what people need at any given moment in time.'

Harris' comments come as she continues to face rampant criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike for being largely withdrawn from the ongoing migrant crisis at the country's southern border - a predicament that the president asked her to solve.

During Harris' sole, brief visit to the region, the politician was not brought to the actual border line, but to nearby immigration facilities where she met with migrant girls aged 9-16.

Harris' other trips out of DC have included visits to Guatemala and Mexico in June, to discuss the 'root causes' of the migrant crisis, as well as stops in Vietnam, Singapore, and Japan in August, in a show of solidarity with the Asian countries against China.

The politician also took a trip to France in November in an effort to mend the US' recently tarnished relationship with its longtime European ally, after the country was left out of the US-UK-Australia deal on submarine technology that was spawned earlier this year.

Harris' domestic trips, meanwhile, have included stops in Las Vegas, Chicago, Charlotte, the San Francisco Bay Area and Newark, New Jersey - which she visited in October the same day that other top Biden administration officials were in Mexico City to attend a high-level meeting about border issues.
Teachers at the school where a nine-year-old girl attended before she was allegedly murdered have paid tribute to the child who 'who brightened all our days, every day'.

The girl's remains were found in a barrel in scrub alongside the Colo River late on Tuesday night, about an hour from where she vanished from last week at Mount Wilson in NSW's Blue Mountains.

A 31-year-old man has been charged with murder and appeared in court on Wednesday where he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

The girl had lived with her grandparents in the Gold Coast and attended a school south of the Queensland border.

The school shared a photo of the young girl receiving a class award for literacy at their end of year presentation day in 2021.

'We are absolutely devastated to hear this morning's news,' the school shared.

'Our hearts go out to her family, we cannot begin to imagine the distress they must feel. (She) was a much loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day.

Teachers of the school where a nine-year-old girl attended before she was allegedly murdered have paid tribute to the child who 'who brightened all our days, every day'

'Today we will be in touch with the Department of Education to explore options to support our students and staff when school resumes.'

The school confirmed a candlelight vigil will be held for the young girl at 7.15pm tonight.

Both the girl and the man charged with her murder cannot be identified for legal reasons.

It comes after police investigate whether the victim was dead for up to three days before her mother reported her missing.

The child was holidaying with her mother and her step-father at a multi-million dollar property in Mount Wilson, in the Blue Mountains, last week, with police sources telling Daily Mail Australia her last confirmed sighting was about 7pm on Tuesday, January 11.

The exact date of when the girl died is unclear as there were other unconfirmed sightings of her in the days before her mother reported her missing last Friday.

She had arrived in Sydney from the Gold Coast just days earlier to spend the school holidays with her mother and her mother's fiance.

The lawyer for the man charged asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication'.

In court documents, police allege the man murdered the girl between 7pm last Tuesday and 10am on Wednesday, January 12.

The nine-year-old girl was last seen on Thursday but was reported missing on Friday morning

Daily Mail Australia can reveal shocking new detail about the nine-year-old girl's alleged murder as a 32-year-old man prepares to face a Sydney court on Wednesday morning

Police made the grisly discovery near the Colo River in Sydney's west on Tuesday night

Over recent days hundreds of rescuers and police divers scoured the mountains and the Colo and Hawkesbury rivers for signs of the girl after receiving information a boat was used in the hours after she vanished.

Police will allege the accused tried to get the barrel to the river but couldn't drag it through dense bushland and left it abandoned in scrub nearby.

CCTV footage was used to trace the movements of the accused, including the moment he allegedly purchased sandbags and petrol for a small boat.

However, police will allege the boat would not start and the accused instead opted to head to nearby bush, which is where the girl's body was found.

A vehicle was seized in Penrith in the city's west late last week. Police said they had tracked the movements of the car throughout the investigation.

An eyewitness also told Daily Mail Australia they had seen a car leaving the property the girl was last seen at in the early hours of Friday morning.

The 32-year-old man was arrested at an apartment in Surry Hills on Tuesday night. He will face court on Wednesday

Police had already scoured the Colo and Hawkesbury Rivers after information that a boat was used in the hours after she vanished, but returned to the scene following new information on Tuesday

Her 'shattered' father, who also cannot be identified, shared an emotional tribute on Wednesday morning, hours after learning of her death.

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' he said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his statement.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'

A man has been charged with murder after a nine-year-old girl disappeared in the Blue Mountains. Emergency crews are seen in Colo River near the Blue Mountains

Pictured: Police vehicles moving down the driveway at Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains

RFS volunteers (pictured) were deployed to the area to search for the nine-year-old and have been combing bushland
Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, was pushed on to the tracks on the southbound N/Q/R/W platform at West 42nd Street and Broadway on Saturday at 9:30am

The mayor of New York on Tuesday evening joined hundreds of people for a vigil to remember a Deloitte executive pushed under a subway train on Saturday - hours after admitting that he himself is concerned for his safety on the trains.

Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer, was elected on a promise to make the city safer, but has seen crime rise 65 percent in just the first two weeks since he took office.

On Tuesday night, he paid tribute to Michelle Alyssa Go, a 40-year-old who was shoved into the path of an oncoming train in Times Square, and said the violence has to stop.

'Right here in Times Square, I served as a police officer, and spent many days in the early '80s wearing a blue uniform as a police officer - a transit police officer, watching where we were,' he told the crowd.

'Swearing and committed that we would never go back.'

Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, is seen on Tuesday night at a vigil for Michelle Alyssa Go, who was pushed under a subway train on Saturday by a mentally ill homeless man

Go, 40, is beamed on to the side of Times Square during Tuesday night's vigil

Go's friends and colleagues and hundreds of well-wishers gathered in Times Square to pay their respects

Tributes to the 40-year-old 'fearless' Deloitte executive, who grew up in San Francisco, were on display on Tuesday night

The vigil was organized by Asians Fighting Injustice, and founder Eric Wei told the New York Post the group is demanding that City Hall set up an Asian-American task force to address ongoing concerns over anti-Asian violence.

Anti-Asian crime was up 361 percent in 2021 compared to 2020, with 129 anti-Asian crimes, according to the NYPD - and 183 anti-Semitic crimes.

A mentally ill homeless man, who was well known to police, has been arrested for shoving Go.

It is unknown if her racial background was a factor in the 9:40am attack on Saturday, but police suggested it was random.

Simon Martial, 61 - who admitted to killing her - ranted publicly after his arrest that he was God, and was allowed to do it.

Adams on Sunday sparked widespread anger by seeming to downplay the concerns of subway riders.

'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system,' he said.

'I think it's about 1.7 percent of the crimes in New York City that occur on the subway system.

'Think about that for a moment. What we must do is remove the perception of fear.'

On Tuesday, before the vigil, he backtracked and admitted there was a problem - reversing his previous stance.

'Day One, January 1, when I took the train, I saw the homelessness, the yelling, the screaming early in the morning, crimes right outside the platform,' he said, during an in-person City Hall press briefing.

'We know we have a job to do  and we're going to do both.

'We're going to drive down crime, and we're going to make sure New Yorkers feel safe in our subway system.

'And they don't feel that way now. I don't feel that way when I take the train every day, or when I'm moving throughout our transportation system.'

Adams spoke hours after three women waiting for the downtown 6 train at the 23rd Street station at around 7am told how they were forced to stay behind the turnstiles before running onto their train at the last minute when it arrived.

Protesters calling for greater protection for Asian Americans gathered in Times Square after Go's murder

Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, challenged Adams for the mayor's job. He attended Tuesday's vigil with his colleagues

Go was remembered by her co-workers and friends as someone who loved to travel, and loved life

Adams admitted on Tuesday that he did not feel safe on the subway, despite having said on Sunday that there was merely the 'perception of fear'

Subway riders are seen on Tuesday morning waiting nervously outside behind the turnstiles at the 23rd Street Station in Manhattan, as a screaming man paced the platform

The man was behind the turnstiles (pictured), a rider told DailyMail.com, and three women riders had to rush through the terminals to get on the train when it arrived

Eric Adams's subway U-turn Adams on Sunday: 'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system. I think it's about 1.7 percent of the crimes in New York City that occur on the subway system. 'Think about that for a moment. What we must do is remove the perception of fear. 'Cases like this aggravate the perception of fear. 'When you see homeless individuals with mental health issues not being attended to and given the proper services, that adds to the perception of fear.' Adams on Tuesday: 'Day One, January 1, when I took the train, I saw the homelessness, the yelling, the screaming early in the morning, crimes right outside the platform. 'We know we have a job to do  and we're going to do both. 'We're going to drive down crime, and we're going to make sure New Yorkers feel safe in our subway system. 'And they don't feel that way now. I don't feel that way when I take the train every day, or when I'm moving throughout our transportation system.' Advertisement

Jennifer Smith, 29, who has lived in the area for two years and takes the downtown 6 train from 23rd Street regularly to her media job, said when she arrived, she noticed 'two to three other women standing behind the turnstiles.'

'There was also a six-foot man who'd gone through the turnstiles who was hovering near the exit door near us.

'It was a horrible atmosphere and there wasn't a cop or MTA worker in sight,' she told DailyMail.com on Tuesday.

'When the train did arrive, we all raced through,' she said.

'He was still pacing, I'm not sure if he even got on the train.

'There's always the worry that you'll be followed onto the carriage and then you're stuck there, potentially in a dangerous situation.'

Transit crimes have been on the rise since the start of the pandemic, with many commuters becoming increasingly worried about being thrown on the tracks as more horror stories arise.

The number of felony assaults has also increased by 7.7 percent, and overall, crime is up 35 percent from the same period in 2021, according to the city's crime stats.

Despite the MTA Chairman Janno Lieber commending the mayor for 'getting it,' not all New Yorkers are feeling the same way.

'That station has become a lot more dangerous in the last six months,' Smith told DailyMail.com.

'Before the pandemic, it was always fine and there were enough people around that you felt safe.

'Now, every other day it's just you and either a homeless person or someone with clear mental illness.'

Transit crimes already up more than 65 per cent in 2022 as more commuter face dangerous situations on their commute

Overall crime is up 35 percent in the Big Apple

From January through December 12, 2021, passengers were pushed onto the tracks 27 times, up from 25 during the same period in 2020, according to the NYPD.

On Tuesday night, Go's friends and well wishers gathered in Times Square in her honor.

'She loved New York. We would talk about it in the pandemic that we would rather be nowhere else,' said Kim Garnett, one of Go's friends and coworkers at Deloitte.

Garnett told The New York Post: 'She loved Central Park. She loved living on the Upper West Side.

'I was talking to one of my friends yesterday about what I would say about Michelle.

'The first thing that came to mind was, wow, she hated attention. And right now she's listening and saying, 'Is this reality. Did this happen in Times Square?' '

Garnett said she had texted Go the day her death, just about 'mundane things' such as the weather.

'One of the things that still is hard for me to do is refer to her in the past tense,' Garnett said.

'She traveled and took chances, and she showed me what it means to live life to the fullest.'

Another friend, Rakesh Duggal, remembered Go as a travel-enthusiast who always prepared an agenda ahead of her trips.

'She loved to travel. We must have done a dozen trips together,' Duggal said.

'Wherever we went, Michelle always had a plan and it was often accompanied by a spreadsheet and all of the reservations.'

Duggal said that, at work, Go thrived on challenges.

'She was a glass ceiling breaker. No challenge was too big or scary for her. She always wanted to work on the biggest and most challenging things,' said Duggal.

Jae McGuire, 40, of Woodside, Queens, called Go's death 'senseless violence.

'She didn't even see her attacker. She's standing there waiting for the train like me and what I do every day,' McGuire said.

'This could happen to me or any of my friends.'

A vigil was also being held on Tuesday night in San Francisco, where Go grew up.

Michelle Alyssa Go is seen volunteering for the New York Junior League (NYJL) - an organization of women created 'to strengthen the health and well-being' of children and other women in the community

Go (center) is seen with her family. On Monday they released a statement telling of their shock and sadness at her death

Martial, who has a lengthy rap sheet, was arrested later that day on a charge of second-degree murder for pushing Go.

He also justified his alleged killing by calling himself 'God,' and saying he 'can do it.'

'Yes, because I'm God. Yes, I did it. I'm God. I can do it,' Martial told reporters.

Martial is reportedly homeless and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

His sister, Josette Simon, from Georgia, argued that her brother belonged in a mental health facility and should have been kept off the streets.

Police have said it is unclear where Go was heading at the time of her death.

Go was Asian American, but police officials said that while the investigation was ongoing, they did not immediately believe the attack was motivated by her race.

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack was 'unprovoked' and the victim did not 'appear to have any interaction with the subject.'

Transit crimes have been rising throughout the pandemic with several people being thrown onto the subway tracks. A woman was killed on Saturday after a homeless person threw her on the tracks at the Times Square Subway Station at West 42nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan (pictured: police on scene in Times Square)

A witness told police that Martial had confronted her just minutes before he shoved Go to her death, Assistant Chief Jason Wilcox told reporters on Saturday.

'He approaches her and he gets in her space. She gets very, very alarmed,' Wilcox said.

'She tries to move away from him and he gets close to her, and she feels that he was about to physically push her onto the train.

Simon Martial, 61, (pictured) was arrested on Saturday on a charge of second-degree murder for allegedly pushing Go

'As she's walking away she witnesses the crime where he pushes our other victim in front of the train.'

Wilcox said that police have documented 'three emotionally disturbed encounters' with Martial in the past.

Maria Coste-Weber said she she saw Martial approaching the tracks with his arms in front of him.

'He started running with both of his hands in front of him, like, tackling,' Coste-Weber told The New York Times.

'But it was so fast, nobody realized what was going on before it was too late.'

Coste-Weber added: 'She (Go) had her back to this crazy person. She never saw anything.'

Go graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles, and went on to receive her master's in finance from New York University's Stern School of Business.

She had also volunteered for the New York Junior League (NYJL) for the past decade, according to the New York Post.

The NYJL is an organization of women created 'to strengthen the health and well-being' of children and other women in the community

Go worked on a committee that had 'the goal of empowering adults and young adults on the path to independent success,' a spokesman told The New York Post.

'Michelle's focus populations were seniors, recovering homeless, immigrants and under-resourced and academically struggling elementary and middle school kids and their parents,' the spokesperson said.

The family of Go has released a statement expressing 'shock' at their loss.

New York's crime rate continues to rise under new Mayor Eric Adams, who promised to be tough on crime, and 'woke' progressive DA Alvin Bragg

The statement, shared on Twitter on Monday, said: 'We are in a state of shock and grieving the loss of our daughter, sister and friend.

'We hope Michelle will be remembered for how she lived and not just how she died.

'She was a beautiful, brilliant, kind and intelligent woman, who loved her family and friends, loved to travel the world and to help others.

'Her life was taken too soon in a senseless act of violence, and we pray that she gets the justice she deserves. Thank you for your condolences.'

The horrifying attack comes as crimes in the subway and around the city continues to soar at the beginning of Adams' and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's first terms.

Bragg's controversial decision to downgrade burglary, armed robbery and drug dealings from felonies to misdemeanors has drawn criticism, as it has led to many criminals being let back out on the streets.

Former Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said Adams has his hands tied in terms of crime while Bragg's office implements its woke policies.

Rape, robbery, and grand larceny are also up in the Big Apple at 15.8, 25.1, and 61.7 percents, respectively.
A Chinese couple who were trapped on a never-ending date thanks to a virus lockdown have gotten engaged.

The happy news comes days after another pair said romance had not blossomed after a blind date led to a week-long house share when parts of the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou were abruptly placed under lockdown.



Zhao Xiaoqing, a 28-year-old woman from northern China's Shaanxi province, thought her date in mid-December with a young man living in a different city would be a one-day affair where she would also get to know his family.

But authorities in her date's city of Xianyang suddenly ordered a lockdown due to a spike in virus cases, leaving the woman unable to return home.

The man's parents urged the pair to get engaged after just one week together - but Zhao said she felt it was 'too rushed.'

Despite the awkward start, the pair began to develop feelings for each other, and have now decided to get engaged.

Zhao Xiaoqing, 28, and a young man who were trapped on a never-ending date in his home city of Xianyang thanks to a virus lockdown have gotten engaged

Zhao thought her date in mid-December with a young man living in a different city would be a one-day affair where she would also get to know his family. But authorities in her date's city of Xianyang suddenly ordered a lockdown due to a spike in virus cases, leaving the woman unable to return home

Young Chinese in smaller cities and rural communities often rely on family and friends to introduce potential matches and can meet their date's family at the same time.

'I never thought about staying the night, because it's pretty awkward,' Zhao Xiaoqing, who was meeting the man for only the second time, told local media Jimu News on Monday.

Zhao said she was 'not too interested' when she first saw a photograph of the man - named Zhao Fei - but later thought he looked better in real life.

'We get along very well,' Zhao Xiaoqing, who is an online apple trader, told Jimu News.

'I have to sell apples on livestream at his house, but no matter how late it is he's always by my side. I'm very touched by this,' she said.

'Our souls are compatible, we get along very well, and both our parents are happy,' she said.

The story captured the imagination of online audiences. But while some swooned over the relentless march of fate, others warned again rushed decisions.

'Then after a year or two you'll get tired of each other and divorce... I've seen too many of these kinds of flash marriages,' wrote one.

'Sis, think clearly about this,' warned another.

The man's parents urged the pair to get engaged after just one week together - but Zhao said she felt it was 'too rushed.' Despite the awkward start, the pair began to develop feelings for each other, and have now decided to get engaged

Zhao's story went viral on Chinese social media just days after another pair made headlines for being trapped on a week-long blind date thanks to a Covid-19 lockdown.

Wang, a woman in central China's Henan province, has been stuck in her suitor's apartment since going for a home-cooked meal as their first date in early January.

Posting a video on Chinese social media platform WeChat in early January, it seemed love had not blossomed between the pair, as Wang described him as 'mute as a wooden mannequin', according to local media reports.

Wang told Shanghai-based outlet The Paper that she had gone to Zhengzhou for a week-long trip to meet potential suitors when the city was thrown into a Covid-19 lockdown.

She said: 'Just after I arrived in Zhengzhou, there was an outbreak and his community was put under lockdown and I could not leave.'

Wang said her family introduced her to 'ten matches' and the fifth blind date wanted to 'show off his cooking skills' so invited her to his house for dinner, where they were unexpectedly plunged into lockdown.

Since then, Wang has shared videos documenting her daily life locked down with her date, who has been cooking meals for her, which she described as 'mediocre'.

Wang, a woman in central China's Henan province, (pictured) has been stuck in her suitor's apartment since going for a home-cooked meal as their first date in early January

Posting a video on Chinese social media platform WeChat last week, it seemed that love had not blossomed, as Wang described her date as 'mute as a wooden mannequin'

According to clips published by local media, her blind date, whose identity is not known, has also been doing household chores and working at his laptop while she sleeps in during lockdown.

It seems romance is not on the cards for the pair, as Wang said she is looking for a more talkative partner, describing him as 'mute as a wooden mannequin'.

'Besides the fact that he's as mute as a wooden mannequin, everything else (about him) is pretty good,' she told The Paper.

'Despite his food being mediocre, he's still willing to cook, which I think is great.'

Her short videos quickly went viral on Chinese social media sites but Wang said their surge in popularity prompted her to remove the videos 'for now'.

'Friends have been calling him and I think this has definitely affected his life, so I have taken them down for now,' she said in a video posted last week that was widely republished in Chinese local media.

'Thanks everyone for your attention... I hope the outbreak ends soon and that my single sisters also find a relationship soon.'

It remains unclear if she is still stuck at her date's house.
The parents of a girl born with a rare genetic disorder likely to prevent her from ever walking, talking and possibly even learning to use a toilet have pleaded for financial assistance to help them access a miracle cure.

Sydney parents Tatyana Leonov, 38, and Evan Dickson, 40, need financial assistance to help their daughter Millie access a trial for life-changing gene therapy that is not available in Australia.

Millie, now 15 months old, recently received a heart-breaking diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome, in which one of the mother's gene's is missing, preventing the production of key proteins.

The disorder is sometimes known as 'smiling syndrome', because the sufferers appear to laugh or smile for not apparent reason.

But the happy face can hide severe developmental problems that last a lifetime.

The parents of a girl born with a rare genetic disorder likely to prevent her from ever walking, talking and possibly even learning to use a toilet have pleaded for financial assistance to help them access a miracle cure (pictured, mum Tatyana Leonov with Millie)

Millie during testing, with her mum Tatyana Leonov. Her parents hope new gene therapy will transform little Millie's future

When Millie started missing 'milestones' that parents normally celebrate - such as sitting up around six months, the couple began to worry.

Ms Leonov's father, a retired GP, suggested they genetic testing for Millie, just in case.

'We honestly didn't expect anything like this. Or anything at all,' said Ms Leonov.

'She just wasn't sitting up when other kids were and wasn't babbling, but now she's much further behind her peers.'

Children and adults with Angelman Syndrome live with severe intellectual disability, speech impairment, debilitating seizures and they do not develop the way other people do.

For instance it is rare for children with Angelman Syndrome to be learn to use the toilet.

'From the moment we found out about the diagnosis, it felt like we'd stopped breathing,' Ms Leonov said.

'The life we'd imagined for Millie and for our family was pulled from under our feet. We were told there would be no first words for Millie, no ballet performances, no camping trips with friends.'

They were told they'd forever have to care for Millie 'as one would a toddler'.

But the chance of a miracle cure which is only possible overseas has raised the family's hopes for a life free of 24/7 care.

New gene therapy trials are available for Angelman cases in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom - though the family is not yet sure where Millie will go for treatment.

In Millie's case the treatment could potentially 'switch on' a missing gene that is dormant in her paternal chromosomes, but missing from her maternal side.

Tatyana Leonov and Evan Dickson with their two children Millie (left) and Ari (right)

Mr Dickson and Ms Leonov have been told they may have to care for Millie all her life as though she's a toddler - even when she gets older

The trials have shown remarkably quick results, some after just two months of treatment.

Some child patients have begun to speak and walk. One learned to catch a ball and another even swam a lap of a swimming pool unassisted.

'Those were older children, so you can imagine the possibilities for very young children.'

She is hopeful the effects for Millie will be 'transformative'.

'Hearing Millie say 'mama' or 'dadda' continues to be our dream,' she said.

'We are confident that she will talk and walk, and probably even sing and dance.'

At least she hopes Millie will go on to live 'an independent life'.

Because Millie will need constant treatment for a year, the family would be forced to relocate overseas, which Mr Dickson estimates could add up to $400,000.

While the trial is free, the costs come from the cost of the medication, plus accommodation, medical visas, flights, travel insurance and continuing Millie's usual therapies overseas - physiotherapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, speech therapy, hydrotherapy.

The family's online fundraiser has so far raised $76,000.

The disorder is a genetic 'fluke', and is thought to happen in around 1 in 15,000 births, though it is thought to be misdiagnosed in many cases.

'There could be many more undiagnosed cases as the signs and symptoms were sometimes mistaken for acute autism, cerebral palsy or global developmental delay,' Ms Leonov says.

'Genetic testing is necessary.'
Mining billionaire Clive Palmer is attempting a return to federal politics, announcing he will lead his party's Senate team in the upcoming election.

Mr Palmer's United Australia Party plans to field Senate candidates in every state and territory, with the one-time lower house MP last tasting victory in 2013 when he won the Sunshine Coast seat of Fairfax.

'The reason I've come back into politics and taken a key role at this important time is because of the state of the nation,' he told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday, pointing to the level of national debt.

Billionaire Clive Palmer (pictured) is attempting a return to federal politics, announcing he will lead the United Australia Party in the upcoming election

'I'd like to be on my boat but I'm not, I'm in this situation.'

The vaccine-mandate opponent says his party has attracted more than 80,000 members, and will be backed by a campaign with significant resources.

'I don't budget, we just respond to the political circumstance,' he said.

Wednesday's press conference was held at Brisbane's Hyatt Regency, where a check-in sign at the door stated proof of vaccination is required for entry from December 17.

However Mr Palmer said he did not need a vaccination.

'I don't think I need a vaccination for COVID personally, I haven't caught it, I have a healthy life,' he said, undeterred by the impact Queensland's vaccine mandate for a wide range of venues may have on his campaign.

'I haven't checked into the hotel, I haven't gone to a restaurant here, I just came up to the escalator and walked into this room,' he said after being questioned if he was asked for proof of vaccination.

The vaccine-mandate opponent says his party has attracted more than 80,000 members, and will be backed by a campaign with significant resources

The party has just one seat in the federal parliament - the electorate of Hughes held by Craig Kelly, who was elected as a Liberal candidate until he resigned to sit as an independent before joining the UAP.

But Mr Palmer continues to spruik the party's chances in the election to be held sometime before the end of May, and says candidates will also be fielded in every lower house seat.

'We can win seats in Western Sydney, Western Melbourne. There are seats in Queensland that we can win,' he said.

The party's Senate team also includes former Deloitte Australia chief executive Domenic Martino in NSW and property executive Ralph Babet in Victoria.

The announcement follows controversy sparked by Mr Kelly, who caught the attention of the Therapeutic Goods Administration after spamming people with unsolicited text messages last year.

The messages included a link to a website showing listings of 'adverse event notifications' from COVID-19 vaccines, which TGA's John Skerritt labelled a misuse of data.
Wet weather is set to drench Australia's eastern coast while the nation's west prepares for a record-breaking heatwave, but in lucky news for millions out east - La Nina is nearly over.

Heavy rain is expected in both parts of NSW and Queensland on Thursday due to the remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Tiffany and a secondary coastal trough.

After weeks of wild weather and even more unpredictable surf, La Nina is now expected to peak in the next few weeks and fizzle out by March.

Meanwhile, other parts of the country will sizzle through consecutive 40C days as heatwaves strike Western Australia and Victoria.

Weatherzone meteorologist Joel Pippard said: 'What's left over from cyclone Tiffany is crossing northern NSW and will spread into Queensland tomorrow.

The remnants of ex-cyclone Tiffany will bring a mega rain bomb to Australia's east coast affecting parts of NSW, QLD and SA (pictured, Sydneysiders shelter from the rain)

The Bureau of Meteorology warned storms could bring flash flooding around northern ranges, far northern slopes and the northern inland in NSW

'It has quite a bit of tropical moisture in it so we're seeing fairly widespread rain across going on across the region with some thunderstorms in the north.'

Mr Pippard added a secondary system was developing over the same region with heavy rainfall forecast for parts of NSW over the next two days.

'A coastal trough is developing off the northern NSW coast, that one is going to stick around for the next two days and bring heavy rainfall for that region,' he said.

'By the end of tomorrow there could be some areas that pick up 80 to 120mm of rain - that's most likely between the mid north coast and the northern rivers district.'

The Bureau of Meteorology warned storms could bring flash flooding around NSW's northern ranges, far northern slopes and the northern inland.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for Perth and WA's south west from Tuesday until Thursday

A record-breaking heatwave is set to hit Perth (pictured) with residents expected to cop the heat all the way through to Thursday

What is La Nina? La Nina is part of a weather cycle known as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a naturally occurring shift in ocean temperatures and weather patterns along the equator in the Pacific Ocean During La Nina in Australia, waters in the central or eastern tropical Pacific become cooler than normal, persistent south-east to north-westerly winds strengthen in the tropical and equatorial Pacific, and clouds shift to the west According to the Bureau of Meteorology's Head of Operational Climate Services, Dr Andrew Watkins, rainfall becomes focused in the western tropical Pacific, leading to wetter than normal periods for eastern, northern and central parts of Australia Last significant La Nina in Australia was back in 201012. This strong event saw the wettest two-year periods on record, and widespread flooding La Nina was predicted to last well past January 2022 The weather pattern can reduce the chances of bushfires due to colder conditions Source: BOM Advertisement

Damaging winds are also a possibility for storms in Bourke and Tibooburra and other north western regions.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds has also been issued for the South West Slopes, the Hunter, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and the Snowy Mountains.

Rainfall is expected to ease across the north-east by Friday as the system moves towards the far west bringing the possibility of thunderstorms over the weekend.

Sydney will miss out on the brunt of the deluge with showers expected in the morning and late afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.

'There's a little bit of wet activity but none of it is looking that heavy, so there'll be times to get outside during the weekend,' Mr Pippard said.

Five states are set to be soaked this week as ex-tropical cyclone Tiffany barrels a low pressure system across parts of the NT, SA, NSW, VIC, and QLD. Pictured: Sydneysiders braving the rain

Slow moving thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy rainfall have continued to develop in parts of QLD on Wednesday.

The Bureau issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Thargomindah, Roma, Charleville, St George, Quilpie and Windorah.

Lifeguards have also closed six beaches in the Cairns Region due to hazardous surf conditions.

South Australia will bear the brunt of the multi-state wild weather event, with parts of the state expected to see up to 150mm of rain and potential flooding.

While the wet conditions have hit Queensland and NSW earlier, the western side of the system - which is currently sweeping across outback NT and SA - will reach Adelaide on Friday.

Once it arrives, South Australia's east is expected to be smashed with up to 100mm of rain - the equivalent of a whole summer's worth in just 48 hours.

Adelaide, Port Augusta, and Whyalla are forecast to be soaked by about 20mm each day throughout the weekend, while other areas north of the capital city are forecast to reach more than 100mm and 150mm.

Regions in the system's path include the Eyre Peninsula, Mid North and Flinders, although its trajectory could widen in coming days.

Parts of South Australia are set to be smashed by heavy downpours exceeding 150mm, with Adelaide (pictured) copping more than 40mm over the weekend

The heavy downpours are anticipated to be the most the state has seen since February 2011, raising concerns of significant flooding.

Cities along Australia's eastern coastline are also bracing for a soggy weekend, as the effects of the low-pressure system linger into next week.

Sydney is expected to hit with up to 50mm of rain in coming days, with 10mm on Tuesday, 25mm on Wednesday, and 15mm on Thursday.

In inland NSW, Dubbo is set to see up to 20mm on Tuesday and 15-35mm on Wednesday as storms roll over the state's central and northwest.

Armidale is also expected to be inundated with 20-40mm during the middle of the week.

But conditions will be even wetter further east, with Coffs Harbour seeing falls of 60-100mm between Tuesday to Friday.

The midweek downpours will increase the risk of flooding in southeast Queensland and northern NSW (pictured, flooding north of Brisbane on January 11)

Up north, Brisbane residents may also need umbrellas as showers start on Wednesday, gaining momentum over Thursday and Friday with 20mm across the two days.

Further west, Cunnamulla is also in for some downpours, with 10-35mm on Wednesday and Thursday.

The system will also trickle into eastern parts of Victoria, with showers forecast for the Gippsland region on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heatwave warning for Perth and WA's south west from Tuesday until Thursday.

Despite the showers, temperatures will remain high in Sydney, with the mercury hovering between 20C-28C.

Melbourne is set to sizzle this week from Wednesday onwards, with tops in the low 30s and minimums in the mid-teens.

Similar heat will be felt in Brisbane, with overnight lows of 20s and maximums in the high 20s.

Floodwaters are seen in Brisbane on January 9 with more dangerous conditions expected over the next few days

Perth is in for scorching temperatures, with tops of 39C and 40C all week, and lows in the mid 20s, as very hot and sunny conditions bake the nation's west.

Humid conditions are in store for Adelaide, with the mercury climbing from 29C on Wednesday to the mid 30s for the rest of the week.

Temperatures will ease slightly from Saturday as showers move in, bringing maximums to the mid 20s.

Darwin residents can also expect sticky conditions, with showers most of the week and temperatures between the mid 20s to low 30s.

Hobart will be cool and cloudy until the middle of the week, with minimums around 12C and a top of 19C. Sunny conditions will emerge from Thursday, boosting the mercury up to the mid 20s.

Canberra is forecast to be cloudy all week until the last half of the weekend. Temperatures will bask between the mid teens to low 20s.




An appellate court upheld a life sentence Wednesday for a man found guilty of stalking a woman he befriended online and killing her and two of her family members in one of the country's most appalling stalking cases.







The Seoul High Court confirmed a lower court's life imprisonment for Kim Tae-hyun, 26, commenting "his life sentence should be completely executed without a parole."







Kim was charged with killing the woman he met in an online game, along with her mother and younger sister, at their home in Seoul in March last year.







As she cut communications with him over his repeated stalking, Kim disguised himself as a deliveryman to enter her home and killed the youngest daughter who was at home alone. He waited for the other two victims to arrive and later stabbed them to death, according to investigation records.







The prosecution had sought the death penalty for Kim, arguing the killings were premeditated. Kim had argued only the murder of the online gamer was premeditated.







The lower court accepted the prosecutors' argument that the killings of all three were premeditated, although it did not impose the death penalty they demanded.







"Having not followed through with a death penalty over the past 25 years, capital punishment no longer has a practical effect as a punitive measure in the country," the court said.







The court, however, insisted Kim should remain in "permanent isolation to repent for the rest of his life," adding that he should be denied the opportunity of parole. (Yonhap)


Stein allegedly tried to get barrel to river, but couldn't drag it through bushland

Stepdad Justin Stein, 31, allegedly bought sandbags and tried to dump the body

A stepdad accused of murdering a missing schoolgirl and dumping her body in a barrel was arrested in a grimy government-owned unit in one of Sydney's trendiest inner city suburbs.

Justin Stein, 31, was tracked down to a housing commission block in Surry Hills, after police uncovered nine-year-old Charlise Mutten's remains in bushland by the side of the Colo River 100km away on Tuesday night.

His arrest and subsequent murder charge signified the end of a five-day search for the youngster, who was reported missing from his family's multi million-dollar estate at Mount Wilson, in the Blue Mountains, at 8.20am on Friday.

It is unclear whether Stein, who comes from a wealthy family, lived in the public housing building or was staying with a friend.

He was escorted out of the building on Tuesday evening in a grey Everlast hoodie and handcuffs.

31-year-old Justin Stein faced a Sydney court on Wednesday morning, charged with murder

Nine-year-old Charlise Mutten was last seen on Thursday but was reported missing on Friday morning

Stein was arrested at an apartment in Surry Hills on Tuesday night (pictured)

A wheelchair with an IV stand was parked on one floor, surrounded by a shelf and wire framing

When a Daily Mail Australia reporter was invited into the building, a government worker warned: 'Be careful in here - I've been working with the people who live here for a long time, and they're not all friendly.'

A resident said he was at work when police stormed the building, but said 'I don't talk to any of my neighbours, I don't like them - they're loud.'

He also appeared concerned, and warned: 'Be careful.'

The walls of the block were heavily-stained walls and brown carpets, along with a black door festooned with hazmat and duct tape sitting in the middle of a doorway - unattached to a frame.

Some residents personalised their front doors with wire and steel frames, dream catchers, scorch marks, and signs that read 'no stupid people beyond this point' and 'danger, high voltage'.

The Surry Hills apartment block was littered with junk and old doors (pictured)

Some residents personalised their front doors with wire and steel frames, dream catchers, scorch marks, and signs that read 'no stupid people beyond this point' and 'danger, high voltage' (pictured)

The grimy public housing block has broken furniture dumped in the hallways outside units

The public housing block on Riley Street in the trendy suburb of Surry Hills is rundown and graffitied inside

A wheelchair with an IV stand from nearby St Vincent's Hospital was parked in the middle of one landing, surrounded by a shelf, bicycle, a wire frame, and broken furniture.

The tragedy unfolded when Charlise flew from the home where she lived with her grandmother in Queensland to NSW to see her mother Kallista Mutten and Stein.

While she was reported missing at about 8.20am on Friday, police sources telling Daily Mail Australia her last confirmed sighting was about Tuesday at 7pm, on January 11 - three days before a missing persons report was filed.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they'd used CCTV to track down the girl's stepdad and charge him with murder.

Charlise Mutten's body was found in a barrel. Her stepfather was charged with murder

Justin Stein appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday from Surry Hills police station, where he is detained

They allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where the girl's body was later found.

'(There were) a number of telephone conversations, to purchase a number of sandbags - 20 kilos sandbags from the hardware store - to fuel a boat and then try and float that boat on the water at one of the one of the docks in inner Sydney,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

Footage of his arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing as he walked from the car to the holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him.

They're still waiting to speak to Charlise's mother because she's under guard at a hospital and is 'hard to approach'.

Ms Mutten reported Charlise missing to police on Friday morning.

He wore a grey Everlast jumper and shorts which he was still dressed in when he fronted court on Wednesday morning

There has been a significant delay in speaking with the girl's mother because she remains in hospital under guard

Police have alleged she was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12.

'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

'She's under medical supervision, but when doctors allow, we will be talking to her.'

Mr Hudson said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice.

'At this stage, we have no evidence to support whether the accused acted alone... However it is still early days,' he said.

Police told volunteers that the little girl would likely be exhausted lying still if she was lost in the bush

Police were investigating a number of 'anomalies' they identified in the Stein's initial testimony, which included giving two separate versions of events in the lead up to the girl's disappearance.

Mr Hudson said through tracking the movements of a car they seized via CCTV, they were able to establish certain facts as to Stein's movements.

'Thursday afternoon, he purchased a number of sandbags from a hardware store,' he confirmed, adding that petrol was also used in an attempt to float a small boat which was later deemed inoperable.

'We then tracked the individual back to the location where we found the body.'

Charlise's doting grandparents, who have fulltime custody of her in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, have been notified.

More details about the girl's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives.

Police made the grisly discovery near the Colo River in Sydney's west on Tuesday night

Stein, who was arrested inside a Surry Hills unit shortly after the body was found, faced court on Wednesday morning.

He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

His lawyer asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication'.

Police will allege he tried to get the barrel to the river but couldn't drag it through the dense bushland and left it abandoned in scrub nearby.

The barrel has now been seized and will be forensically examined further, police said.

He reappear in court on March 18.
An 'exploitative' NSW doctor has been found guilty of professional misconduct after he offered a teenage receptionist $200 to have sex with him, the state's Health Care Complaints Commission has ruled.

Rashid Iqbal qualified as a medical practitioner in Nigeria in 2001 before moving to Australia and registering as a NSW doctor in 2013.

He was found by the commission to have offered the 19-year-old woman $200 for sex after she rebuffed his advances in January 2018.

In a judgment released on Monday, the HCCC said that when the pair were alone on a work shift at the unnamed medical practice, the GP followed the teenager - known as person A for legal reasons - to the waiting area 'and inappropriately said, 'will you have sex with me'.'

'When person A replied 'No' he followed her to the back of the practice and said 'is it yes or no for sex, I will give you $200'.'

At that point, person A again said 'no' and left straight away 'as the harassment and fear caused by Dr Iqbal was too much for her to handle'.

An 'exploitative' NSW doctor has been found guilty of professional misconduct after he offered a teenage receptionist $200 to have sex with him

Iqbal, who was 39 at the time, conceded offering the teen money but said it was for clothes and argued he actually said 'something like 'it's not for sex' as a failed attempt at humour which he regrets'.

However, the HCCC rejected the married doctor's claim, siding with the receptionist who wrote about the incident in her diary at the time, describing it as 'super uncomfortable'.

'We prefer the evidence of person A and find that Dr Iqbal asked person A to have sex with him, she refused and he then offered her money to have sex with him,' the medical tribunal found.

'We are satisfied that Dr Iqbal used his position as the senior person at the practice to pursue a sexual relationship with person A in circumstances where he was or should have been aware he could cause significant harm.'

In ruling the doctor guilty of professional misconduct and unsatisfactory professional conduct, the tribunal found that Iqbal, at other times, showed the teenager mobile phone photos of naked women, asked her out to the movies and inquired about her sexual orientation.

On another occasion, Iqbal made comments of a 'sexual and unwanted nature' to person A about a patient whom he said flirted with him during a breast examination, the HCCC found.

Iqbal was also found to have repeatedly asked person A out on dates, bought her chocolates and food, and offered her lifts home 'to enhance his chances of having a sexual relationship'.

He later tried to cover up his 'improper and unethical' conduct, according to the judgment, by telling the woman's mother, in a recorded conversation, 'please don't disclose the sexual harassment', and 'can I pay that $200 and just let her keep it a secret at $600?'.

Iqbal's 'exploitative behaviour towards a junior employee ' was serious enough to justify suspension or cancellation of his registration, the HCCC found.
A homeless man accused of attacking and killing a 70-year-old nurse at a Los Angeles bus stop was charged on Tuesday with murder.

Sandra Shells was punched in the face without any provocation last Thursday at a downtown bus stop near Union Station while on her way to work as a nurse at LA County-USC Medical Center, the district attorney's office said in a statement.

Shells fell backward and hit her head on the pavement, suffering a fractured skull. She died of her injuries on Sunday at the hospital where she had worked for 38 years.

Police arrested Kerry Bell, 48, a transient man with criminal histories in multiple states not far from the crime scene, initially booking him on suspicion of attempted murder.

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Kerry Bell, 48 (not pictured), on Tuesday was charged with murder in the killing of LA nurse Sandra Shells, 70 (left and right). She was attacked at random at a bus stop on Thursday

Police said Bell, a homeless man, struck Shells in the face as she was waiting for a bus at this stop near Union Station in Downtown LA

Two days after Shells' death, Bell was charged with one count of murder. He was expected to be arraigned on Tuesday.

TIMELINE OF FATAL LA NURSE ATTACK: January 13, 5.15am: Nurse Sandra Shells, 70, is waiting for a bus near Vignes Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue in LA when a homeless man hits her in the face, causing her to fall and hit her head January 13, 6.45am: Police find Kerry Bell, 48, asleep near the scene of the attack and arrest him January 13, 9.47am: Bells is booked into the LA County jail on a charge of attempted murder January 16: Shells succumbs to a head injury at LAC+USC hospital where she had worked for 38 years January 18: Bell is charged with murder in the killing of Sandra Shells Advertisement

'Sandra Shells unselfishly dedicated her life to caring for others in their time of need,' District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. 'To lose such a valuable member of our community is tragic and my office will hold accountable the person responsible for her death.'

Bell remained jailed on $2million bond. He is due back in court on February 9.

Meanwhile, a $250,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of another homeless man, 31-year-old Shawn Laval Smith, who is suspected of stabbing 24-year-old Brianna Kupfer while she worked at a luxury furniture store.

Kupfer and Shells' killings took place just hours apart in Los Angeles, which has been in the throes of a massive crime surge, with murder, assault and shooting rates on the rise. The county's progressive District Attorney George Gascon is facing mounting scrutiny for failing to stop the violence.

Jonathan Hatami, a veteran Los Angeles County prosecutor who has been an outspoken critic of Gascon and even sued him for retaliation last year, hit out at his boss in the wake of Kupfer's killing, arguing that his progressive policies are failing the community, and that he deserves to be voted out, along with other 'woke' DAs in cities with rising crime rates.

'When you say, "here's a list of crimes I'm not going to prosecute," Yeah, you are not a good DA,' Hatami told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. 'And you are not a good prosecutor. That shouldn't be the first thing you do when you become DA.'

A customer found Kupfer dead on the floor Thursday afternoon, Los Angeles police said in a statement.

The suspect, wearing all black clothing and a face mask, was last seen buying a vape pen from a 7-Eleven just 30 minutes after allegedly knifing the UCLA student to death.

Smith has a lengthy criminal record and was last released from jail in October 2020 on $1,000 bail following an arrest on a misdemeanor charge.

'He should be considered armed and dangerous,' an LAPD community alert said. 'If seen do not approach call 911.'

Shells, a veteran nurse said to be approaching retirement, was attacked at about 5.15am last Thursday near Vignes Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue, half a mile away from Union Station, while she was waiting to catch a bus to her job at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

A makeshift memorial is seen at the spot where Shells was attacked last week

Neighbors and colleagues described Shells as a compassionate and dedicated nurse

Bell, her suspected attacker, allegedly punched Shells in the face, leading the nurse to hit her head on the ground, likely striking it against the concrete. As a result of her fall.

Less than two hours later, police found Bell asleep not far from the crime scene and arrested without incident on suspicion of assault, which has now been upgraded to murder.

No motive for the unprovoked attack has been revealed.

Bell has one prior arrest in Los Angeles, but multiple prior arrests in several other states, according to the LAPD.

In the wake of Shells' killing, people in the community have called on public transit officials to step up security measures, and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins issued a statement expressing her commitment to keeping riders safe.

Just hours after the attack on the nurse, UCLA grad student Brianna Kupfer, 24, was stabbed to death inside an LA furniture store. Police are now looking for Shawn Laval Smith, 31 (right)

Flowers and candles are placed outside Croft House store in honor of Brianna Kupfer on Tuesday in Los Angeles

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

'This tragic and random act of violence makes us even more determined to maintain our vigilance around safety,' she said on Monday. 'We will continue to work to identify long-term public safety measures.'

In November 2021, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva released data related to crime in the city's transportation system over a three-year period, which included a half-dozen murders, 26 rapes, and 1,450 robberies or assaults, reported CBS LA.

Homicides in the City of Angeles rose 52 per cent last year from 2019, and shooting incidents were up 59 per cent, according to LAPD data.

The city has also suffered a shocking wave of follow-home robberies and organized smash-and-grab attacks on retailers.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged businesses not to enforce rules requiring employees to return a negative rapid antigen test each day before they start work.

While the prime minister acknowledged people's frustrations during the summer period because of escalating Omicron cases and rapid test shortages, he said daily tests for employees were only needed in essential sectors like health, aged care and meat processing.

'There is no requirement for workers to be tested on a daily basis with rapid antigen tests, that is not the medical advice,' Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.

'Seeking to impose that would not only frustrate supplies, but it would also impose further burdens on our employers.'

As Covid-19 deaths across the country continue to rise amid the Omicron outbreak, Mr Morrison said the variant must be respected but not feared.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) has said employers do not need to have a daily rapid antigen test requirement for workers

The government is also considering whether to adopt a US-style approach and reduce the isolation period from seven days to five following a positive Covid-19 test result.

'All of these things are always under active consideration and have been for some time,' Mr Morrison said.

'The most recent information that we have is that post-five days you've still got 30 per cent (of cases) that are remaining infectious, and so that is a calibrated decision you've got to make.'

National cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday, where a unified approach to reopening schools safely is on the agenda.

The prime minister said it was still uncertain whether all states and territories would agree to the same reopening approach.

Meanwhile, NSW is set to have students undergo rapid testing several times a week as part of its safety measures.

'There is a very strong case about surveillance testing for teachers, just like we do with healthcare workers,' Mr Morrison said.

'Each state jurisdiction will make their own call on that ... and when they do, the Commonwealth will support them in that, including arrangements for students.'

Labor health spokesman Mark Butler said the government had failed to secure enough rapid antigen tests to ensure access.

'The prime minister is now trying to rewrite history and pretend that the emergence of this new variant was something completely new,' he said.

'It was a job he had to do if we were going to move to the next phase of the pandemic and it is a job he has failed.'

As shortages of rapid antigen tests persist across the country, 52 million kits will be flown from Asia and the US into Australia this month through an emergency freight supply scheme.

The test are in short supply but another 52million are being flown to Australia from Asia and the Unites States (file image)

Health Minister Greg Hunt said rapid tests continued to be in short supply across the globe.

'These kits - destined for supermarkets, pharmacies and medical services across the country - will help Australians juggling the demands of jobs and families with requirements to isolate and undergo rapid testing,' he said.

Several jurisdictions on Wednesday also moved to shorten the time before people could get their third Covid-19 dose.

The interval between doses has been lowered to three months in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.

Wednesday has been another deadly day for Australia during the pandemic, with 67 fatalities recorded.

Of those, 32 were in NSW, 18 in Victoria, 11 in Queensland and six in SA.

The country on Tuesday recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic with 77 deaths.

There were more than 32,000 cases of COVID-19 reported in NSW on Wednesday, while Victoria and Queensland had 20,769 and 19,932 cases respectively.

South Australia had 3482 cases, Tasmania registered 1185 new infections and the ACT had 1467.
New data has revealed Australia may have hit its Omicron peak, with an expert suggesting the country's outbreak began to decline two weeks ago.

University of New South Wales health and maths expert James Wood believes a dramatic drop in reports of coughs and fever is key in the latest fight against Covid.

The numbers from the Flutracker website showed a massive surge last month, but case reports dropped significantly in the first two weeks of the new year.

'First clear signs that we are past the peak of infections,' associate professor Wood posted on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.

'Clear decline in weekly fever+cough incidence from week 1 to week 2 2022 [with] declines in every COVID state except NT.'

New data has revealed Australia may have hit its Omicron peak two weeks ago - and is already over the worst of the disease (pictured, a beachgoer at Perth's Cottesloe beach)

First clear signs that we are past the peak of infections (ceteris paribus) from @Flutrack (access here https://t.co/exPibdolgT). Clear decline in weekly fever+cough incidence from week 1 to week 2 2022 (declines in every COVID state except NT). 1/ pic.twitter.com/e5PXDkOJCM  James Wood (@JamesGWood_UNSW) January 19, 2022

He added: 'Age-specific decline also emphasises the high attack rate in 18-39 year olds.

'Fever+Cough probably captures only about 30 per cent of COVID cases - but at least it's consistent surveillance over time.'

Sydney University Professor Emeritus Bob Cumming agreed and said the statistics matched other sources and the experience of similarly-affected countries.

'Consistent with PCR data, SIR models, hospital numbers and experience elsewhere in world,' he posted.

University of New South Wales health and maths expert James Wood (pictured left) believes a dramatic drop in reports of coughs and fever is key in the latest fight against Covid. Sydney University Professor Emeritus Bob Cumming (right) agreed and said the statistics matched other sources and the experience of similarly-affected countries

Others warned the return of students to school will throw the numbers out once more, as predicted by NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant.

But Prof Cumming added: 'Kerry Chant is very good but most covid infection in children occurs in the community, not in schools. So any surge should be small.'

The encouraging news comes as another key graph reveals Australia is beating the Omicron outbreak thanks to its world-beating mass vaccination program.

Despite dramatically surging numbers as the highly virulent Covid strain spreads through the population, the death rate from the disease has dropped to a record low.

This key graph reveals Australia is beating the Omicron outbreak thanks to the mass vaccination program that is among the best in the world

Australia's case fatality rate (CFR) - the ratio between Covid deaths vs case numbers - remained stable until the vaccination program began to roll out last winter.

The jabs had an immediate impact, slashing the death rate from 330 per 10,000 cases to just 15 per 10,000 this week.

In October 2020, the CFR hit 3.30 per cent - 330 deaths per 10,000 cases - and stayed around there until the vaccination program began to roll out in 2021.

As jabs began to spread through the nation last year, the CFR immediately begin to slide ahead of the country hitting 70 per cent fully inoculated on October 20.

By the time Omicron was first reported in Australia on November 27 - three weeks after the country hit 80 per cent - the CFR had already dipped to just 0.96 per cent, its lowest level since July 2020.

But the latest data reveals the CFR hit a record low on January 15 of just 0.15 per cent and tracking to drop even lower. The figure means just 15 deaths per 10,000 cases.

Current double-dose vaccination in Australia now stands at 91.64 per cent and growing as school children begin to be jabbed.

The optimistic data follows a record number of Covid deaths on January 18 when 77 people died from the virus in one day across Australia.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews (pictured) confirmed the reasons for optimism on Wednesday and admitted that Omicron is milder

But that number is in the context of a huge rise in Covid cases, which hit a new peak on January 13 with 153,123 people reported infected in just 24 hours.

The daily case numbers have dropped dramatically every day since, and have already halved since last week's record high.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews confirmed the reasons for optimism on Wednesday and admitted: '[Omicron] is milder.

'It's not to the point of being insignificant. There are still many people in hospital and no one wants to get this Omicron variant.

'But it is not quite as lethal as Delta was. We're seeing many people in general ward beds, less people that are in ICU.'

It backs up the message of hope from Australia's former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth who has predicted the Covid crisis will end in 2022.

'It could even be sooner than we think,' he wrote at the start of the year.

'Our community is ready and can move to a phase of living with COVID-19 as an endemic virus.

'We can be rightly proud of what we have achieved as Australians in the face of what was the challenge of our lifetime.

'We will emerge a stronger, healthier and more prosperous nation for our efforts.'

The data backs up the message of hope from Australia's former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth (pictured) who has predicted the Covid crisis will end in 2022

On Wednesday, NSW reported 32,297 new cases and 32 deaths, but just eight more cases in ICU, and more than 23,000 people recovering from the virus in the last day.

Victoria recorded 20,769 new cases and 18 deaths, with two fewer patients in ICU, while Queensland had 19,932 new cases and 11 deaths.

Victoria announced the state's health service was on Code Brown, with staff set to be recalled from holiday and elective surgery put on hold as it struggles to cope.

But in NSW the numbers in ICU may have already plateaued at around 130 in total, far below the doomsday scenario predicted by the Burnet Institute last September for the Delta outbreak in NSW.

They warned Delta could put almost 950 in ICU which would test the state's health system to its limit.

In NSW the numbers in ICU may have already plateaued at around 130 in total, far below the doomsday scenario predicted last September for the Delta outbreak in NSW by the Burnet Institute (pictured, an ICU patient at St Vincent's Hospital)

However the modelling said NSW hospitals could easily cope with ICU numbers of up to 600 before the system began to become stretched.

A major study from South Africa found people who catch Omicron Covid are 80 per cent less likely to be hospitalised than those who get Delta.

The real-world analysis of more than 160,000 people by South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases revealed Omicron sufferers were also 70 per cent less likely to end up in ICU or put on a ventilator.

On Monday though, NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant warned: 'The number of deaths are likely to be high over coming days.

Modelling has predicted NSW hospitals could easily cope with ICU numbers of up to 600 before the system began to become stretched (pictured, customers at a Bondi cafe in Sydney)

'It does take seven to 14 days after the booster to afford that protection, so I can't stress the urgency for taking up every booking available and get your boosters now.'

Australia's current total death rate of 107 per million is still among the best in the world. The UK rate is 2,231 per million and the US is 2,559 while Sweden's is 1526.

And only a handful of countries can beat Australia's fully vaccinated rate for the whole population which leads the world alongside others including Spain, China, Portugal, Chile, Denmark and Canada.
Enamored online commenters have hijacked a police force's plea for help locating a wanted woman, calling the blonde a 'heartbreaker.'

Brisbane Water Police District revealed on Wednesday local woman Tenika Vandenberg is wanted for arrest in Wyong, 85km north of Sydney.

'She is wanted in relation to alleged offences relating to a Domestic Violence Apprehended Violence Order in Watanobbi last year,' the statement read.

Police published a plea for help in locating Tenika Vandenberg (above) on Wednesday stating she is wanted on domestic violence charges in Wyong, 85km north of Sydney

However the post went wayward when commenters began joking about Vandenberg's looks with one commenter saying she 'could only be guilty of stealing hearts'

'Police have received information that she is known to frequent the Central Coast areas including Gosford & Wyong Police districts.'

However commenters were happy to look past Vandenberg's alleged crimes and instead focused on her appearance.

'Surely she could only be guilty of stealing hearts? Amirite??!?,' one person wrote.

'She can hit me if she likes,' another joked.

Brisbane Water Police District said in their post that Vandenberg is wanted 'in relation to alleged offences relating to a Domestic Violence Aprehended (sic) Violence Order'

Commenters were happy to look past her alleged crimes and even joked she could 'hit' them

Not all commenters could look past her behaviour though and were less than impressed.

'She needs to pull her head in,' one commenter said.

Vandenberg also joined in on the fun and reacted to a few of the comments from her Facebook profile.

'I see this lovely lady is reacting to the comments,' one user pointed out.

Police have urged anyone who knows of Vandenberg's whereabouts or sees her in public to not approach her but contact Crime Stoppers or call Triple Zero.
American citizens are being warned to avoid all travel to Australia, declaring the risk of contracting Covid-19 is too 'severe'.

Once having the unenviable title of most Covid-riddled place on earth, the US now has significantly lower infection rates than Australia, which has rocketed to the top of the list.

The US State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their travel advice on Wednesday, slapping Australia with a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' rating - the same as war-torn nations including North Korea, Afghanistan and Syria.

The levels are determined by official statistics showing how many virus cases there are per 100,000 people in a country.

Australia recorded an additional 80,000 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, with hospitalisation rates at record highs and supply chain disruption leaving supermarket shelves across the country bare.

The United States has warned its citizen to not travel to Australia, declaring the risk of contracting Covid-19 is 'severe'. Pictured: US President Joe Biden

The US State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their travel advice on Wednesday, slapping Australia with a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' rating - the same as war-torn nations like North Korea, Afghanistan and Syria. Pictured: Bondi Beach in Sydney

Even with the highest number of Covid cases in world since the pandemic began, the US administration warned Americans to avoid a trip Down Under, with countries such as China and Japan still considered Level 3.

Under the threat system Level 1 means there is low risk, Level 2 signifies a moderate threat, while Level 3 urges US residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Travel advisory warnings take into account a destination's political instability, the threat of terrorism or violent crimes as well as the potential for natural disasters.

During the pandemic, the marker for a nation to be given a Level 4 warning by the CDC is 500 new Covid cases per 100,000 people over the past 28 days.

With the Omicron strain wreaking havoc across the globe, 22 new nations surpassed that threshold this week.

Australia recorded an additional 80,000 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, with hospitalisation rates at record highs and supply chain disruption leaving supermarket shelves across the country bare. Pictured: Queensland Police stop vehicles at a Covid checkpoint

NEW DESTINATIONS WITH 'DO NOT TRAVEL' BY THE US Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde, Egypt, Grenada, Guyana, Israel, Panama, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Turks and Caicos, and Uruguay. Advertisement

'Do not travel to Australia due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions,' the travel advice said.

'The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Australia due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

'Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine.'

'There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into Australia.'

Since the pandemic began, the US has recorded 69 million Covid infections and a death toll of 877,000.

Daily cases during the Omicron wave have soared as high as 894,000 cases with figures now sitting at about 570,000 per day.

But this comes across a much higher population than Australia, with 330 million people living in the US.

The decision comes by the US comes just one day after the European Union also deemed Australia a Covid danger zone following a daily pandemic death record.

Travel rules for unvaccinated arrivals were tightened on Tuesday to include travellers from Australia, Argentina and Canada, amid soaring Omicron variant cases.

The European Council of the European Union announced it would continue recommending a ban on non-essential travel to those nations.

Melbourne and Buenos Aires have also had the world's longest lockdowns.

Residents queue up for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing at a residential community on January 18, 2022 in Beijing, China with the nation still declared a Level 3 threat

Japan has a Level 3 warning. Pictured: People wearing face masks walk at Shinagawa station in Tokyo on January 18, 2022

Despite that, Australia is regarded as unsafe with a record 77 new daily coronavirus deaths announced on Tuesday.

But the European Council recommended travel, regardless of vaccination status, to New Zealand, Colombia, China, Indonesia and even Rwanda.

Colombia has seen 5.5 million coronavirus cases to date, and more than 131,000 deaths, while the virus originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

Australia's Covid death toll has been relatively low throughout the most of the pandemic, but Omicron is creating challenges with more than 60,000 new daily cases since December.

The European Council has removed Australia from the recommended list of countries whose unvaccinated citizens will be able to enter the EU under lifted Covid restrictions on Tuesday night (pictured, beachgoers on Bondi Beach on January 16)

China is on the list of places the European Council recommends lifting travel restrictions on, despite the virus originating there (pictured, testing at Xian North train station on January 17)

Canada reported 48,964 new infection for January 17 - earning it a place on the EU's danger list

Countries removed from the EU list of people who can travel vaxx-free Australia: 46,220 new cases were reported on January 18 with the majority of cases situated in NSW and Vic. 92.6 per cent of Australia's population aged over 16 is fully vaccinated. Canada: Canada reported 48,964 new infection for January 17. 87.78 per cent of the country's population aged over 12 is fully vaccinated. Argentina: Argentine has reported 161,893 new cases of covid in the last 24 hours. Reuters estimates 91.7 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. Advertisement

Since the beginning of the pandemic Australia has recorded a total of 1.8 million cases of Covid and 2,750 deaths from the virus.

This means about 6.9 per cent of the population has been infected with Covid, with a death rate of just 0.01 per cent.

By comparison, about 21 per cent of France's population has been infected with the virus since the beginning of the pandemic and 0.18 per cent have died.

Tourists fully vaccinated with European Medicines Agency approved vaccines are now able to travel to EU countries for any purpose.

The vaccines approved include Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novavax, and Moderna.

EU citizens and healthcare and transport personnel are exempt from the recommended tightened restrictions.

Roughly 5.5 per cent of Australia's population has been infected with Covid and 0.01 per cent have died from it

EU citizens and healthcare and transport personnel are exempt from the recommended tightened restrictions

The EU council stated that the list will be reviewed every two weeks.

When the pandemic began in March 2020, the majority of EU nations agreed on an entry ban for non-essential travel, which now applies to those who aren't vaccinated against Covid.

The list of countries the EU council recommends lifting travel bans for includes 15 countries and special administrative regions.

The move to remove Australia from the safe list coincided with a pandemic daily death record of 77.

Australians were banned from travelling overseas for a holiday in March 2020 but that restriction was lifted just before Christmas for vaccinated citizens and permanent residents

A record 36 people died on Monday in New South Wales, after testing positive to Covid, followed by and 22 in Victoria and 16 in Queensland.

The youngest of the NSW fatalities was aged in their 40s while all but three were over-65.

Australia has banned international tourists since March 2020, the month the World Health Organisation declared a pandemic.

But international students and those with a working visa have been allowed back into Australia since December 2021.

Australians were banned from travelling overseas for a holiday in March 2020 but that restriction was lifted just before Christmas for vaccinated citizens and permanent residents.
A man has died after falling into a mine shaft near a walking track in Victoria's northeast.

Emergency services attended the Gibraltar Spur Track in Hawkhurst shortly after 10am on Wednesday after reports a man had fallen down a mine shaft.

Victoria Police's search and rescue squad are working to retrieve the body.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
A sweeping review has been launched into the treatment of LGBT veterans who were expunged from Britain's Armed Forces because of their sexuality or forced to lead double lives.

The Cabinet Office's review will hear the stories of military personnel who were stripped of their jobs and medals under homophobic laws that were in place until January 12, 2000.

Following the review, the Office for Veterans's Affairs, which is part of the Cabinet department, will be working with charities to improve the support offered to veterans who were impacted by the ban.

This includes many who faced criminal convictions, prison sentences, and 'dismissals in disgrace'.

Veterans affected by the ban welcomed the review, but said it had been 'far too long coming' and claimed it was a 'national disgrace' that 'nothing had been done' to help those 'dismissed in disgrace'.

Craig Jones, co-director of LGBT charity Fighting With Pride, said he hopes that following the review the Government provides compensation for lost pensions and issues a full apology.

A sweeping review has been launched into the treatment of LGBT veterans who were expunged from Britain's Armed Forces because of their sexuality or forced to lead double lives (file image)

Undated family handout photo of Adam Mason (left) with his husband Craig Jones MBE

The Cabinet Office's review will hear the stories of military personnel who were stripped of their jobs and medals under homophobic laws that were in place until January 12, 2000

Minister apologises for 'wrong-headed' LGBT ban for Army and hints that compensation could be offered to veterans post-review A Government minister today apologised for a ban on LGBT people serving in Britain's Armed Forces. It was illegal to be gay in the British military  a rule that is thought to have affected about 5,000 people in the armed forces  until 2000. Armed forces minister James Heappey said the Cabinet Office review must understand the impact of this 'wrong-headed' policy. Mr Heappey told Radio 4's Today programme: 'The review needs to understand what the consequences were of that extraordinarily wrong-headed policy.' He added: 'We are so sorry for the fact that that was ever the case, that people who had the courage to serve in our nation's armed forces were then thrown out because they loved someone of their own sex.' Mr Heappey also hinted that compensation might be offered post-review, saying a payout may 'matter more' than apologies. Advertisement

The former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy was deployed to Northern Ireland during the Troubles and Arabia during the Gulf War. He now lives with his husband Adam Mason in Brighton, Sussex.

'I was deputy navigator on HMS Invincible and whenever I brought that ship into port, I always looked at the jetty to see if there was any police on the jetty,' the 53-year-old said.

'You can imagine what a huge distraction that is from your professional job, because I was always waiting for day when the police would take me away.

'But I came out on that day because I felt a sense of duty to the remarkably courageous men and women who fought to lift the ban.

'They had lost everything.

'They'd lost their health and they'd lost their jobs and they'd lost their pensions and their peace of mind to some extent, but they still fought for justice and for my right, for my opportunity of service in the armed forces.'

Kevin Bazeley was dismissed from his role as an RAF navigator in 1995 under the ban because of his sexuality, and said the experience left an emotional 'scar' on him.

The 54-year-old said he successfully took his case for compensation to the European Court of Human Rights but was paid only a 'symbolic amount' in damages.

The veteran, now an accountant living in Worcestershire, added: 'The Royal Air Force was the only career I ever wanted to have, so to have that suddenly stripped from me without warning for something that I had no control over was just crushing, totally humiliating.

'I was met and escorted off of an aircraft and taken off to the police station and it makes you feel very small and very unwanted.

'That whole process of my dismissal left a scar on me. I'm still having counselling today for issues that my therapist and I agree dates back to that dismissal.'

Mr Bazeley welcomed the review but said it has been 'far too long coming' and the Government must apologise to the veterans.

He said: 'There are many who are still living with humiliation and the poverty caused by their discharge.

Mr Jones, co-director of LGBT charity Fighting With Pride, said he hopes that following the review the Government provides compensation for lost pensions, issues a full apology on behalf of the nation, and invests in much-needed support services for LGBT veterans

'It's been 22 years since the ban was lifted and all of those who suffered deserve their compensation. It's been far too long coming.

'I would like to see a personal apology from the Government to all of those veterans who lost their careers and their futures and their friendships, from the nation that they volunteered to serve.'

Defence minister Leo Docherty said the review will ensure the Government learns from veterans's experiences.

'While the modern military embraces the LGBT community, it is important that we learn from the experiences of LGBT veterans who were affected by the pre-2000 ban,' he said.

'This review will allow the voices of veterans to be heard and importantly will help us better tailor support to the community.'

The Cabinet Office has said the review's chair will give further details on how veterans will be able to contribute to the review.
The stepfather accused of murdering missing schoolgirl Charlise Mutten allegedly drove around Sydney for hours with her body before dumping it near a river, police will claim.

The nine-year-old was found in a barrel on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains.

Police will allege Justin Stein, 31, spent up to five hours driving around the Harbour City with his fiance's daughter's body in the back of a boat while he tried to figure out where to dump her, the Daily Telegraph reports.

It is understood detectives believe Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten had left her daughter in the care of Stein last Tuesday night - the last time she was confirmed to be alive.

Police will allege she was killed within the following 15 hours.

Charlise Mutten, 9, was initially believed to have last been seen on Thursday but was reported missing on Friday morning. Police will now allege she was killed on the Tuesday night, three days before her mother called 000

Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten's fiance Justin Stein (pictured) has been charged with murder

The schoolgirl, who was under the fulltime custody of her grandparents in the Gold Coast, was spending the holidays with her mother and stepfather at the Blue Mountains property when she was reported missing on Friday.

Homicide detectives retraced Stein's steps using CCTV after he allegedly bought five 20kg sandbags from Bunnings, fuelled up a boat, then tried to launch it from an inner-Sydney dock.

After finding the boat was inoperable, police will allege he then tried to dump the barrel containing Charlise's body in Colo River but was unable to roll it in due to the weight of the sandbags.

It is alleged he instead left her in bushland, where she was later discovered.

A blue tarpaulin was also found in the back of the boat. The barrel has now been seized and will be forensically examined.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they will allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where his stepdaughter's body was later found.

The accused appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday from Surry Hills police station, where he is detained

'(There were) a number of telephone conversations, to purchase a number of sandbags,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

Footage of Stein's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing the moment he walked from a car to a holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him.

He wore a grey Everlast jumper and shorts which he was still dressed in when he fronted court on Wednesday morning.

Ms Mutten reported Charlise missing to police on Friday morning.

The police fact sheet tendered in court on Wednesday indicates police believe she may have been killed several days before this call was made.

Police alleged Charlise was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12.

Detectives are still waiting to speak to Ms Mutten because she remains under guard at hospital and is 'hard to approach'.

'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

'She's under medical supervision, but when doctors allow, we will be talking to her.'

Mr Hudson said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice.

'At this stage, we have no evidence to support whether the accused acted alone... However it is still early days,' he said.

There has been a significant delay in speaking with the girl's mother Kallista Mutten (pictured) because she remains in hospital under guard. 'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said

Footage of the man's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing as he walked from the car to the holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him

Police have seized Stein's red ute (pictured) as part of their investigation into Charlise's alleged murder

Police were investigating a number of 'anomalies' they claimed to identify in the accused's initial testimony, which included allegedly giving two separate versions of events in the lead up to the young girl's disappearance.

Mr Hudson said through tracking the movements of a car they seized via CCTV, they were able to establish certain facts as to Stein's movements.

Charlise's doting grandparents, who live in Coolangatta, have been notified.

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives.

The 31-year-old accused, who was arrested inside a Surry Hills unit shortly after her body was found, did not apply for bail in court on Wednesday - and it was formally refused.

The 31-year-old man was arrested at an apartment in Surry Hills on Tuesday night and he briefly faced court on Wednesday

Police made the grisly discovery near the Colo River (pictured) in Sydney's west on Tuesday night

His lawyer asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication'.

An eyewitness also told Daily Mail Australia they had seen a car leaving the property she was last seen at in the early hours of Friday morning.

The one hour drive from Mt Wilson to the Colo River follows Mt Wilson Road to the Bells Line of Road then via one of two routes to reach the river.

Driving past houses and equestrian properties, the road becomes a dirt track as it enters the Wollemi National Park.

Comleroy Road to Upper Colo is a winding and often steep and treacherous dirt road which crosses through the flowing Colo River past the remote Wheeny Creek campground.

Emergency crews are seen in Colo River near the Blue Mountains, near where Charlise's body was found

Pictured: Police vehicles moving down the driveway at Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains

RFS volunteers (pictured) were deployed to the area to search for the nine-year-old and have been combing bushland

A road posted with a sign warning 'Protect children! Please drive carefully' goes past the Upper Colo Anglican Church and local rural fire brigade headquarters.

Charlise's 'shattered' father, who cannot be identified, shared an emotional tribute on Wednesday morning, hours after learning of her death.

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' he said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his statement.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'
BEIJING, Jan.19 -- General Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), met with the newly elected academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering in Beijing on January 18, where he expressed congratulations on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping and other CMC leaders.

He emphasized that military scientific and technological workers must vigorously promote the spirit of scientists and the innovation of national defense science and technology, make new and greater contributions to realizing the goals set for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and build a strong military in an all-round manner in the new era.

CMC member and director of the CMC Political Work Department Admiral Miao Hua also attended the meeting.
Choi Jin-seok, right, a professor emeritus of Sogang University, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate and leader of the minor opposition conservative People's Party, are seen at Choi's house in Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday. Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



A retired professor of Sogang University, Choi Jin-seok who has criticized the Moon Jae-in government, joined the minor opposition People's Party to spearhead the Ahn Cheol-soo camp as an election campaign chairman.



The two met on Tuesday at Choi's home in Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province after Ahn went all the way down to the rustic southern countryside to bring the academic onboard to join his presidential campaign.



After having an hour-long conversation with the presidential candidate, Choi, 62, accepted the offer.



After the meeting, Ahn said he was inspired by the professor of philosophy and has adored him after reading his book, without mentioning which book he was talking about.






Raw sewage has been dumped illegally in rivers across the country more than 3,000 times since 2017, it has emerged.

Seven water companies in England and Wales have regularly broken the law by discharging untreated sewage into Britain's waterways over the past four years, a report by the BBC alleges.

Campaigners said data shared with the broadcaster showed that the water industry was flouting 'poor regulation' by the Environment Agency.

The seven accused companies are Southern Water, South West Water, Thames Water, United Utilities, Wessex Water, Yorkshire Water and Welsh Water.

Professor Peter Hammond, who campaigns with Windrush Against Sewage Pollution, said that the companies discharged untreated sewage from 59 treatment works that treat 4.5million people's wastewater.

Raw sewage has been dumped illegally in rivers across the country more than 3,000 times since 2017, it has emerged (stock image)

No English river is free from pollution because a 'chemical cocktail' of wet wipes, sewage and car tyre particles is clogging up waterways and putting health at risk, damning report warns Not a single river in England is free from pollution  with waterways fouled by a 'chemical cocktail' of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes. This is the conclusion of a report by Parliament's Environment Audit Committee, which pointed to agriculture and then water companies as the largest contributors. The committee  which spent months taking in expert advice  warned that the ubiquitous pollution poses a risk to both the environment and to human health. UK waterways are used for pastimes from fishing to swimming and other sports, but bacteria derived from sewage and slurry risks making river users gravely ill. And the noxious influx of chemicals, microplastics and excessive amounts of nutrients are harming river-based wildlife and leading to harmful algal blooms. In particular, the audit committee criticised government inaction and budget cuts that are tying the hands of the Environment Agency in the fight against pollution. Advertisement

He claimed the Environment Agency is failing to detect thousands of illegal spills because it is not scrutinising the available data closely enough.

Water UK, which represents the water companies, said the companies agree there is an 'urgent need for action to tackle the harm caused to the environment by overflows'.

MPs warned last week that England's rivers are fouled by a 'chemical cocktail' of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes.

Parliament's Environment Audi Committee branded water and agriculture companies the biggest contributors and said the ubiquitous pollution poses a risk to both the environment and to human health.

Prof Hammond told the BBC: 'In some cases, multiple sewage workers are spilling into the same river causing damage for long periods of time, sometimes spinning as long as four months, six months almost without a break.'

The broadcaster said Prof Hammond looked at data from 'event duration monitors', which check every 15 minutes whether a treatment works is discharging untreated sewage into a river.

He then compared this data with rainfall data and with the companies's records on how much sewage they're treating.

His report claimed that the sewage treatment works at Dorking run by Thames Water was responsible for the highest number of unpermitted spills.

Untreated sewage was discharged into the River Mole on 223 days over the last four years, the BBC reported.

Prof Hammond's analysis suggests that none of them would have been permitted by the rules, because either the weather was too dry, or not enough of the sewage had been treated properly.

Water companies are allowed to discharge untreated sewage into rivers in exceptional circumstances, such as during heavy rainfall.

They may be breaking the law if they discharge when the conditions are dry  so-called 'dry spills'.

They could also be acting illegally if they are not treating enough of the sewage before they discharge it  known as an 'early spill'.

Yorkshire Water cast doubt on Prof Hammond's work, claiming he has 'fundamentally misinterpreted the data'.

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'In the short time we've had the report, it is clear that it has fundamentally misinterpreted the data and failed to understand how Environmental Permits work. The data overwhelmingly shows these works are operating within their permits.

'The report appears to show our treatment works operating as they should, with permitted spills occurring during or after period of rainfall when flows to the works are above FFT (flow to full treatment).'

Welsh Water insisted the data contained 'a number of inaccuracies' and took dispute with Prof Hammond's 'methodology'.

A spokesman added: 'We have an important role to play in improving river water quality more generally, and improving the performance of our CSOs is already a key priority for us.'

Seven water companies in England and Wales have discharged untreated sewage into Britain's waterways since 2017, a report by the BBC alleges (file image of the River Trent at Yoxall)

Campaigners said data showed that the water industry was flouting 'poor regulation' by the Environment Agency (file image of the River Thames at Maidenhead)

Water firms pump a fifth less cash into sewage works despite leaks and rising bills, new data shows Water companies have slashed their investment in sewage works by a fifth in the 30 years since they were privatised, figures show. The chronic under-investment comes despite water bills rising 31 per cent and the 72billion paid in dividends to investors over the same period. The claims come as the firms are under attack for dumping sewage into rivers instead of processing it  which critics say is because they have failed to adequately invest in treatment works. Water companies are now facing a wave of anger  which includes customers withholding bills in protest at the repeated dumping of sewage in rivers and seas. The analysis is of investment following privatisation in 1989. And it shows that cash put into waste water and sewage networks fell by almost a fifth  17 per cent  from 2.9billion in the 1990s to 2.4billion, based on data from regulator Ofwat and the campaign group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution. Advertisement

Southern Water's Chief Customer Officer, Katy Taylor, said: 'Transparency about our performance is really important to us. Any release of sewage, whether permitted or not, is reported to the Environment Agency and published on our own website.

'While we are proud of our contribution towards 78 of 83 of the bathing waters in our region being rated as good or excellent, We know there is more we need to do to improve the health of our rivers and seas.

'To improve our performance we are investing 2billion over the next five years, with a commitment to cut 80% of our pollution incidents by 2025 and 80% of storm overflows by 2030.

'In order to go further faster, we are taking a more collaborative approach to tackling the many causes of water pollution, through local stakeholders partnerships across the South East to put more holistic, nature-based approaches at the heart of reducing pollution.

'We welcome the support of Ofwat and the Environment Agency in creating the framework that supports more collaborative and environmentally-led approaches to eliminating sewage releases for good.'

A Wessex Water spokesman said: 'We are working through Professor Hammond's detailed modelling to verify the data he has calculated for overflow use.

'Our monitoring data indicates these overflows do not impact the downstream ecology of the rivers in these locations and no concerns have been raised by the Environment Agency.'

A Thames Water spokesman told MailOnline: 'We've received the report and will be looking at it carefully in the coming days.

'We regard all discharges of untreated sewage as unacceptable and will work with the government, Ofwat and the Environment Agency to accelerate work to stop them being necessary and are determined to be transparent.

'That is why we've committed to providing sewage discharge notifications in close to real time from all of our 468 permitted discharge points by the end of 2022 and believe we're the only water company to have made such a commitment for inland waters.

'We have an unprecedented amount of investment directed towards safeguarding our rivers and streams.

'Between 2020 and 2025 we are spending 1.25billion on maintaining and improving our operational sites, including contributing to the health of 745km of rivers across London and the Thames Valley, for example increasing our capacity by 50 per cent at our Witney site.

'Our aim will always be to try and do the right thing for our rivers and for the communities who love and value them. We have a long way to go  and we certainly can't do it on our own  but the ambition is clear.'

An Environment Agency spokesman said: 'Where there is evidence of non-compliance we will not hesitate to pursue the water companies concerned, and take appropriate action  as is evidenced by the conclusion of seven prosecutions against water and sewerage companies in 2021.

'Sewage pollution can be devastating to human health, local biodiversity and our environment. Water companies, regulators, farmers and others must do more to tackle this.

'To date, 1,300 storm overflows and storm tanks at waste water treatment works have been identified as spilling frequently, and prioritised for further scrutiny following our review of data from over 12,000 sites.

'Our separate, major investigation into possible unauthorised spills at thousands of sewage treatment works is ongoing.'

MailOnline contacted all seven companies for comment.
Queenslanders may no longer enjoy a cigarette on their balcony after a 'game-changing' decision to ban a smoker was backed by a body corporate.

An unhappy resident living on the ninth floor of the Artique Resort in Surfers Paradise complained their downstairs neighbour was a 'chain smoker'.

The woman said her downstairs neighbour would smoke on her eighth-floor balcony every 20 to 40 minutes, a process that took about five minutes each time.

Queenslanders in apartment buildings may no longer enjoy a cigarette on their balcony after a 'game-changing' decision to ban a smoker was backed by a body corporate (pictured, apartment buildings in Southbank, Brisbane)

Poll SHOULD SMOKING ON PRIVATE BALCONIES BE BANNED? Yes No SHOULD SMOKING ON PRIVATE BALCONIES BE BANNED? Yes 174 votes

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She told a body corporate she feared the 'unbearable' tobacco smoke would start to have an impact on her health,' the ABC reports.

In response, the accused 'chain-smoker' argued this wasn't the case and stated a packet of cigarettes could easily last her a week.

She claimed that because she had a disability the balcony was her only option and said she couldn't control where the wind blew the tobacco smoke.

In an incredible first, the Office of the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management's adjudicator ruled in favour of the non-smoker.

An unhappy resident complained the tobacco smoke coming from their downstairs neighbour was a health hazard, a decision that was backed by a body corporate (stock photo)

The adjudicator said the 'game-changing' decision made last month came after it was determined the tobacco was indeed a hazard to the upstairs tenant.

The body corporate ordered the eighth-floor resident must no longer smoke tobacco-based products on her private balcony.

They added salt to the wound by ordering the woman must take steps to ensure no other tenant is affected by her smoking indoors.

Kristi Kinast, president of the Strata Community Association of Queensland, said the extraordinary ruling would set a precedent for other unit owners.

The eighth-floor tenant was ordered to smoke inside her home instead of her balcony, a decision expected to open the floodgates for other smoke-related complaints (stock image)

She said the decision would 'open the floodgates' for residents to argue other types of smoke or the frequency of it was a health hazard.

Ms Kinast said restrictions on cigarette smokers go back a decade, with the activity banned in airports, cinemas, restaurants, workplaces and bus stops.

However, this is the first instance a person has been banned from smoking in their own home, with the ruling to potentially apply to vaping in the future.

By 2010, smoking inside pubs and clubs was banned in every Australian state.
A heartless teenager who pocketed 6,500 by setting up a fake GoFundMe page for four young men who had died in a car crash has been spared jail - and has been told to do rehab instead.

Kyle Saunders set up the fundraising page in the memory of Matthew Parke, Corey Owen, Ryan Nelson and Jordan Rawlings, who were killed in a crash on the A4 in August 2020.

The Volkswagen Polo they were in, driven by Jordan, had crashed into a house and burst into flames.

But Saunders, from Blackbird Court in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, set up the page pretending to raise money in their memory, when he actually kept the money for himself.

Saunders previously admitted organising the made-up money spinner in memory of the pals who died.

He was given a one-year community order with 150 hours' unpaid work at Swindon Magistrates' Court.

Kyle Saunders (pictured) set up the fundraising page in the memory of Matthew Parke, Corey Owen, Ryan Nelson and Jordan Rawlings, who were killed in a crash on the A4in August 2020

JPs also ordered him to carry out 12 days rehabilitation activity 'to address his offending' and to pay 2,000 compensation to GoFundMe Ltd - the company he defrauded.

Saunders from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, who appeared in person before the bench, had been bailed after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation at the same court last month.

Matthew Parke and Corey Owen, both 19, and 20-year-olds Ryan Nelson and Jordan Rawlings were killed when their car crashed into a house and burst into flames on the A4 in Derry Hill, near Calne, Wiltshire, in August 2020.

The death of the close friends shocked the local community and donations flooded in for a proposed memorial for them.

Saunders, then 17, created a GoFundMe account called 'Jordan, Corey, Matt, Ryan Memorial' and published the fundraiser on local Facebook pages, stating the money would go towards a shrine for the tragic victims.

A total of 6,479 was donated to the fundraiser but no memorial ever emerged.

Corey Owen (left) and Ryan Nelson were two of the four young men who died after the car in which they were travelling crashed into a house near Calne, Wiltshire and caught fire

The death of the close friends shocked the local community and donations flooded in for a proposed memorial for them. Left and right, Matthew Parke and Jordan Rawlings

The teen can be named having turned 18 since his arrest in October last year by Wiltshire Police.

Saunders previously told how he had received death threats.

Speaking outside his family home last autumn, where he agreed to be pictured, he claimed he had moved temporarily to Wiltshire. He said he knew of the four victims through pals but didn't know them personally.

He claimed he shared a link to the memorial fund on his Snapchat, saying there had been 'an issue' but was unsure what because he 'suddenly started getting loads of abuse and s**t' and death threats.'

He said: 'I shared a link to let my mates know about the fund so they could donate. They were young lads who died, my age, it was horrible.

'I didn't know them but at the time I was living in Wiltshire. I thought it was a nice gesture but it was taken the wrong way by random people.

'I suddenly started getting loads of abuse and s**t and people said they wanted to kill me.

'I didn't know what I had done wrong. I was trying to do a nice thing by sharing a link then everyone's after me.'

Scorched grass and boarded up windows were seen on the house the car crashed into next to the A4 near Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire

Saunders, of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire pleaded guilty to the offence

Talking before he pleaded guilty to the offence he had insisted: 'I've done nothing wrong.'

He said he didn't report the alleged death threats against him to police because it was a 'sensitive subject.'

Gym fanatic Saunders, who studies electrics at college, lives with his parents and eight siblings.

His builder dad Jason Macdonald, 37, said at the time: 'People have been terrorising Kyle over this. He's a good lad, he's a nice lad. He's not a monster.'

'He was 17 at the time and it's been a frightening experience. This is my kid, people have been hurt.'

Kind-hearted locals who made contributions to the fake campaign are being refunded their donations.

A GoFundMe spokesperson said: 'All donors will be refunded.

'Misuse of GoFundMe is completely unacceptable and we will always work with police and authorities in the rare occasions it occurs.'

An inquest into the four deaths heard the doomed VW Polo car could have been travelling at 120mph before the crash and driver Jordan Rawlings was over the legal alcohol limit.

The hearing at Wiltshire Coroner's Court last July heard the desperate attempts by passers-by to try and save the young men.

A lorry driver, taxi driver and his passengers all described hearing screaming and shouting from the burning car but were forced back from rescuing them because of the ferocious flames and extreme heat.

Police said their families had been kept updated on the investigation.
A popular dairy brand has issued a recall on seven of its popular butter varieties sold at major supermarket locations.

Food Standards Australia has announced a variety of Devondale and Woolworths butter products have been removed over a 'potential microbial contamination.'

A variety of butter products sold in Woolworths, Coles, ALDI, independent supermarkets and Costco have been recalled

What is a microbial contamination? Microbial contamination refers to the accidental introduction of a potentially harmful material into food products. These 'materials' could include bacteria, fungus, mould, etc. Advertisement

The following eight products have been recalled:

Devondale Salted Butter 250g: Best before 18 May 22; 4 June 22.

Best before 18 May 22; 4 June 22. Devondale Salted Butter 500g: Best before 30 April 22; 1 May, 22; 24 June 22.

Best before 30 April 22; 1 May, 22; 24 June 22. Devondale Salted Butter 3 x 500g: Best before 1 May, 2022.

Best before 1 May, 2022. Woolworths Butter Salted 250g: Best before 16 October, 21; 21 April 22; 12 May 22; 13 May 22.

Best before 16 October, 21; 21 April 22; 12 May 22; 13 May 22. Devondale Unsalted Butter 500g: Best before 30 April, 22.

Best before 30 April, 22. Devondale Dairy Soft Original 500g: Best before 6 Jan, 22; 6 April 22; 11 May, 22; 12 May 22; 26 May 22.

Best before 6 Jan, 22; 6 April 22; 11 May, 22; 12 May 22; 26 May 22. Devondale Dairy Soft Salt Reduced 500g: Best before: 10 May, 22.

The Devondale and Woolworths products were sold nationwide.

Devondale products were sold in Woolworths, Coles, ALDI, independent supermarkets and Costco.

Food Standards Australia recommended customers do not eat the products as they could potentially cause illness.

'Consumers should not eat these products,' it said.

'Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.'

For more information on the recall visit Food Standard Australia and New Zealand.
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Britain's 12 most wanted fugitives are thought to be hiding out in Spain, among them suspected hitmen and drug smugglers including one with gold teeth and another with 'Croydon' tattooed on his arm.

The alleged criminals, who are believed to be hiding in mainland Spain or the Spanish islands, have been named by law enforcement in a bid to flush them out.

A joint campaign involving the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) and Spanish officials was launched in Madrid on Wednesday, where a rogues' gallery of men wanted for crimes including murder and dealing in guns and drugs was unveiled.

The list of fugitives includes two wanted murderers accused of killing members of rival criminal gangs.

Nana Oppong, 41, is wanted by Essex Police for the drive-by killing of Robert Powell, 50, who was shot eight times with a 9mm pistol on June 13, 2020, while Callum Halpin, 27, is wanted by Greater Manchester Police for the 2018 murder of rival Luke Graham, 31, in a turf war.

There is also Jack Mayle, 30, from Croydon, south London, who allegedly sold substances including class A drug MDMA via a phone line in south London, called the Flavour Quest, and on the dark web.

When he fled the UK he had a tattooed neck, a diamond tattoo under his left eye and 'Croydon' tattooed on the outside of his left forearm.

Nana Oppong, 41, (left) is wanted by Essex Police for the drive-by killing of Robert Powell, 50, who was shot eight times with a 9mm pistol on June 13, 2020, while Callum Halpin, 27, (right) is wanted by Greater Manchester Police for the 2018 murder of rival Luke Graham, 31, in a turf war

Jack Mayle, 30, from Croydon, south London, (left) allegedly sold substances including class A drug MDMA via a phone line in south London called the Flavour Quest, and on the dark web. Asim Naveed, 29, (right) described as muscular and 6ft 2in, is accused of being the leader of a drug smuggling gang that brought 101lbs (46kg) of cocaine, worth nearly 8 million, into Wales between February and June 2020

Alleged customer of Asim Naveed, Calvin Parris, 32, (left) who has gold upper teeth, is accused of selling cocaine in the Welsh capital. Scotsman James 'Jamie' Stevenson, 56, (right) is wanted after the seizure of around one tonne of cocaine at the Port of Dover in September 2020, and 28million Etizolam 'street Valium' tablets in a raid on a suspected pill factory in Kent in June that year

Mayle is heavily tattooed - his neck is covered with warriors and religious figures on horses, and he has a full back tattoo. He has a diamond shape under his left eye, 'Croydon' tattooed on the outside of his left forearm, and his hands are also covered in images.

His left hand has the words 'Money never sleeps', '12-20' and a small heart, while his right is decorated with a design featuring an eye and hands, and the word 'Littles'. On both hands he has tattoos on his fingers reading 'trap star'

The list also includes two suspected drug dealers from Cardiff who used the secret phone network EncroChat before it was taken down in an international sting.

Asim Naveed, 29, described as muscular and 6ft 2in, is accused of being the leader of a drug smuggling gang that brought 101lbs (46kg) of cocaine, worth nearly 8 million, into Wales between February and June 2020. His last known addresses were in Butetown and Pentwyn, Cardiff. Naveed, who is described as Asian, has a surgical scar along his left wrist.

His alleged customer Calvin Parris, 32, who has gold upper teeth, is accused of selling cocaine in the Welsh capital. His last known addresses were in Ely, Sully and Barry in Cardiff. He is black and around 5ft 11in.

Another suspect is Scotsman James 'Jamie' Stevenson, 56, who is wanted by the National Crime Agency and Police Scotland after the seizure of around one tonne of cocaine at the Port of Dover in September 2020, and 28million Etizolam 'street Valium' tablets in a raid on a suspected pill factory in Kent in June that year.

Stevenson, who is stocky and has a scar on the left side of his face, is also wanted in connection with two suspected arson attacks in Lanarkshire and Forth Valley in May 2020. His last known address was in Rutherglen, Glasgow, and he is around 5ft 9in with grey hair. He has links to Barcelona and Alicante.

NCA director general of operations Steve Rodhouse attended the launch of the campaign alongside Spanish Security Minister Rafael Perez Ruiz, British Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliot, and Mark Hallas, CEO of CrimeStoppers.

Mr Rodhouse insisted that Spain 'is not a safe haven' for criminals.

He said: 'Fugitives usually continue offending while on the run and these men will be known in criminal circles wherever they are. The last thing the fugitives' associates will want is the combined determination and capabilities of the UK and Spanish law enforcement focusing on them.

'Many of these fugitives will be trying to blend in to the large British communities who have made their homes in Spain, and if you are resident, you may know one of them from your town or village. Loyalties change over time and we urge anyone with information about these men to help us find them.'

Mark Francis Roberts, 28, (left) from Liverpool, is wanted for GBH and attempted robbery in 2016. Roberts and an accomplice threatened the victim with a knife on his driveway at 1.30am in a bungled attempt to steal his 60,000 Richard Mille watch. John James Jones, 31, (right) was last known to have lived in the UK in Aughton, Lancashire. He is wanted for allegedly stabbing two victims multiple times, causing serious injuries

Callum Michael Allan, 23, (left) is wanted by Northumbria Police for allegedly being involved in drug dealing as well as assaulting an emergency worker, affray and dangerous driving. Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30, (right) from Liverpool, is also accused of being part of a drug dealing gang, trafficking heroin and crack cocaine from Liverpool to Grimsby via a dedicated phone line, and has a separate 2018 conviction for conspiracy to supply cocaine, for which he was sentenced in his absence to 10 years in prison

Dean Garforth, 29, (left) whose last known address was in Dingle, Liverpool, is wanted by Cheshire Police for being part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns. He is accused of having used the secret phone network Encrochat, that was brought down in an international sting, to carry out his crimes. Benjamin Macann, 32, (right) whose last known address was in Beetley in Norfolk, is wanted by police in the county for allegedly being involved in a cocaine dealing gang

Mark Francis Roberts, 28, from Liverpool, is wanted for GBH and attempted robbery in 2016. Roberts and an accomplice threatened the victim with a knife on his driveway at 1.30am in a bungled attempt to steal his 60,000 Richard Mille watch.

When the victim refused to hand it over, the pair stabbed him multiple times, leaving him with a collapsed lung and needing treatment in intensive care. Roberts, who is white, 6ft 1in and has a scar down his right leg, cut his arm during the attack and was identified when his blood was recovered from the victim.

John James Jones, 31, was last known to have lived in the UK in Aughton, Lancashire, is wanted for allegedly stabbing two victims multiple times, causing serious injuries. It is thought that Jones, who is white, around 6ft, and stocky with dark hair, fled to Madrid directly after the attack, and may now be in Ibiza.

Meanwhile Callum Michael Allan, 23, is wanted by Northumbria Police for allegedly being involved in drug dealing as well as assaulting an emergency worker, affray and dangerous driving. His last known address was in South Shields, and he is slim, white, around 5ft 11in, with fine hair, blue eyes and a Tyneside accent. Allan has links to Alicante and Marbella.

Benjamin Macann, 32, whose last known address was in Beetley in Norfolk, is wanted by police in the county for allegedly being involved in a cocaine dealing gang. He is white, 5ft 10in, has blue eyes and greying hair, and suffers from asthma. He has links to Barcelona.

Founder of the charity Crimestoppers Lord Ashcroft said: 'We know it can be difficult for people to speak up about crime, which is why our charity is here to give you an option.

'We guarantee you'll stay completely anonymous, just like the millions of people who have trusted our charity with their crime information since we were formed back in the 1980s.

'Please do the right thing by passing on what you know about these fugitives' whereabouts and help us ensure these criminals are no longer a danger.'

Anyone with information about the fugitives can call Crimestoppers anonymously in the UK on 0800 555 111 or from Spain on 900 926 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/fugitives.
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The president of Emirates has slammed the 5G fiasco as the 'most delinquent, irresponsible' mess he has seen in his 50-year aviation career and blamed it on Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who he says knew about the impending chaos but failed to warn anyone in time to stop it.

AT&T and Verizon launched their 5G network across America on Wednesday morning, switching on 4,500 towers to bring faster wireless to their customers. They had to hold back on ten percent of the towers - 500 - that are near airports because the frequencies the towers emit could interfere with the signal on some planes.

Eighty-eight airports now have buffers to protect against it but some major airports like Boston and Memphis do not. In the most recent FAA announcement on Wednesday afternoon, the government said '62 percent' of flights could operate safely - leaving nearly half to reschedule.

On Wednesday, some airline passengers who were unaware of the fiasco showed up at airports ready to board their flights but were told they had been canceled. Air India, Emirates, BA, Japan Airlines and All Nippon canceled flights on Tuesday, then rushed to bring them back on Wednesday.

In total, 239 flights to, from and within the US have been canceled so far. It's unclear if all have been scrapped because of 5G, but the network launch is causing major issues.

It had a detrimental effect on Boeing, whose 777 and 787 planes are the ones affected and which has lucrative contracts with both the government and with the airlines; stocks fell by three percent on Wednesday as a result of the fiasco.

Sir Tim Clark, the president of Emirates, appeared on CNN, Wednesday that American airlines knew about the risks before the rest of the world, and that it forced them to scramble to cancel flights then bring them back once it was safe.

President Biden, at a rare press conference on Wednesday afternoon, shrugged off responsibility for the fiasco and instead tried to take credit for brokering the deal.

'What I have done is pushed as hard as I can to have 5G folks hold up and abide by what was being requested by the airlines so that 5g would not interfere with any tower within a certain number of miles.

'Anything that happens that is consequential is viewed as government responsibility,' he said.

Tim Clark, the president of Emirates, appeared on Bloomberg Wednesday to blame the shambolic situation on the Biden administration, which greenlit the 5G rollout without addressing the safety fears of the aviation industry first. Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg has not been able to offer a solution to the fiasco and the airlines say they weren't even made aware of the risks until Monday

Brendan Carr, the Republican head of the Federal Communication Commission, also laid the blame with the Biden administration, calling it a 'failure of leadership' and 'botched' effort.

Boeing stocks tanked on Wednesday as a result of the fiasco. The company has huge contracts with both the government and the airlines

American airline CEOs - who have lucrative contracts with the government - are praising it for reaching a negotiation with the telecoms giants, and reserving all criticism of why it took so long.

'Let the truth be known, we were not aware of this until yesterday morning to the extent that it was going to compromise the safety of operation of our aircraft and just about every other 777 operator to and from the United States and within the United States. It came to a head, it was known by the US operators probably a little bit more than we knew.

'We have evidence of letters being written to the Secretary of Transport in the US government alerting that group to what was likely to happen and its consequences.

'I need to be as candid as I normally am and say this is one of the most delinquent, utterly irresponsible issues, I've seen in my aviation career because it involves organs of government, manufacturers, science,' Clark said.

Buttigieg - who took two months of paternity leave late last year - has not issued a comment on the fiasco since yesterday, when he said the government was 'aware'

'The notion that, for instance, the United States government should sell its franchise for all the frequencies for a large amount of money...somebody should have told them at the time - that the risks and the dangers they placed in certain frequency uses around field, airfields, metropolitan fields that should have been done at the time,' Sir Tim fumed.

'We were aware of a 5G issue. Okay. We are aware that everybody is trying to get 5G rolled out after all it's the super cool future of whatever it may be communication and information flow.

'We were not aware that the power of the antennas in the United States have been doubled compared to what's going on elsewhere.

'We were not aware that the antenna themselves have been put into a vertical position rather than a slight slanting position, which when taken together compromise not only the radio altimeter systems, but the flight control systems on the fly-by-wire aircraft.

Republicans, including the FCC Commissioner, blamed Biden for the botched launch

'So on that basis we took that decision late last night to suspend all our services until we had clarity.'

Delta Chief of Operations John Laughter, in a statement on Wednesday, reserved criticism of the US government.

'Were continuing to work with the FAA, the FCC and the telecom industry to find a practical solution that will allow for the rollout of 5G technology while preserving safety and avoiding flight disruptions.'

United said: 'We're pleased the Biden Administration reached a compromise with AT&T and Verizon to avoid mass cancellations across the aviation industry. We look forward to a higher level of coordination between the regulators, telecom companies and the aviation industry to ensure that customers are not faced with disruptions going forward.'

British Airways, Emirates, All Nippon and Japan Airlines, had canceled dozens of their scheduled flights to and from the US or put people on different flights using different aircraft.

Air India canceled flights on Tuesday and are yet to put people on other services.

Jageish Rathor, who was due to fly to Delhi from Newark this morning, arrived at the airport to learn the flight had been canceled.

'They say the flight is canceled until further notice.

'I' traveling to Deli, Air India. They say the flight is canceled until further notice. They're saying some kind of 5G network...the agent told me the flight canceled.

'They want to charge me $400 extra to get on a flight tomorrow.

WHICH FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED OR CHANGED ALREADY? DELTA Delta said in a statement that it expects some flights to be canceled, but the airline will not say which flights or why. 'Telecom companies agreed Tuesday to limit the scope of Wednesday's planned 5G deployment and will delay implementation around certain U.S. airports. 'While this is a positive development toward preventing widespread disruptions to flight operations, some flight restrictions may remain,' the airline said in an announcement EMIRATES All Emirates flights to and from these airports are indefinitely canceled; Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, New Jersey, Orlando, Florida, San Francisco and Seattle The airline's flights to L.A.X., New York City and Dulles are still operating. ALL NIPPON 20 passenger and cargo flights scheduled on Boeing 777s from Haneda and Narita airports in Japan to the US through Thursday. All Nippon said it would also be changing the Boeing 777 aircraft used on some U.S. flights. The airline is advising passengers with tickets to check if they have been rescheduled to a flight on a different aircraft. JAPAN AIRLINES Japan Airlines has canceled three passenger and five cargo flights on Wednesday. AIR INDIA All flights between Delhi and from New York, San Francisco and Chicago, and between Mumbai and Newark are canceled until further notice. BRITISH AIRWAYS British Airways cancelled a handful of flights from Heathrow to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco on Wednesday. The carrier said some flights due to be operated by Boeing 777s are using different, larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 to ensure people can still fly on the same day they booked. CATHAY PACIFIC Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said it is deploying different types of airplanes where necessary to the affected airports and that its flights to the United States have not been affected so far. KOREAN AIRLINES Korean Air Lines, South Korea's biggest airline, switched four passenger planes from Boeing 777s to 787s and two cargo planes from 747-8s to 747-400s overnight, and will continue to avoid operating 777s and 747-8s at affected U.S. airports. AUSTRIAN AIRLINES Austrian Airlines scrambled to switch their aircraft from their usual Boeing 777 service GERMANY'S LUFTHANSA Lufthansa also swapped out one kind of Boeing 747 for another on some U.S.-bound flights Advertisement

'I am from New Jersey, I spent $70 on an Uber to come here, I didn't get an email or message. I just found out when I got here

'I'm supposed to go to my niece and nephew's wedding two days after today, and I can't get there.'

He was among dozens of people in the same position.

Now, as a result of the halt, the airlines - which are based in different time zones and heard the news at varying times throughout the night - are scrambling to resume Boeing 777 flights.

The result is a thickening headache at airports where the chaos is playing out in cancelations, staff shortages and a lack of the right planes in the right place at the right time.

United Airlines has canceled 20 flights in and out of Newark already on Wednesday. British Airways canceled all its 777 flights to New York, Boston and L.A.X from London, putting passengers on different aircraft. The airline is now working to resume those flights.

'Safety is always our priority. We are monitoring the situation in the US closely and will continue to review our schedule in the next few hours.

'Were disappointed that some of our customers are facing potential disruption and will update them as soon as possible on any changes to their travel plans,' a spokesman told DailyMail.com.

Japan Airlines announced that it is working to resume flights to the US, a day after issuing a blanket cancelation on all of its services.

'On January 18, 2022, Boeing has notified us that 5G signals for U.S. mobile phones, which will begin operating in the U.S. on January 19, may interfere with the radio wave altimeter installed on the Boeing 777.

'Based on that information, we were forced to cancel some flights to the U.S. mainland on January 19.

'Today on January 19, we have received confirmation from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) that there is no longer a problem with the operation of the Boeing 777 and we will resume service to the U.S. mainland with Boeing 777 from January 20.

'We will continue to monitor the situation closely and if there is any impact on our flight operations, we will promptly announce it on our website,' the airline said in an announcement on its website.

Emirates, which had canceled all flights to nine US airports indefinitely, has now shortened that list.

It will still not operate flights to Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Miami, Newark, Orlando, and Seattle, but some flights to San Francisco and Boston are back on the schedule.

Verizon will temporarily not turn on about 500 towers near airports, sources told Reuters, or less than 10 percent of their planned deployment, while the carriers and the administration work on a permanent solution, sources briefed on the matter said.

But details of the agreement, including the length of the pause for the rollout, and a solution were not disclosed.

Lacking an immediate solution, passengers and airlines are bracing for further delays and cancellations as the travel chaos shows no sign of stopping.

Scores of people have now been left stranded at airports, with many complaining on social media about their flights being cancelled due to the 5G rollout.

One passenger, identified as Siddhartha on Twitter, complained that he and other passengers were 'not happy' that their Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco had been cancelled.

Travelers were seen crowded together at Indira Gandhi International Airport as they waited for more news.

Another passenger, identified as Kausi on Twitter, was left frustrated after they were told their Emirates flight to Chicago had been cancelled as soon as she landed in Dubai.

Kausi complained that she and other passengers were not left 'stuck' in airports.

Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines warned passengers of cancellations and long delays as a result of the 5G rollout.

Delta said they are 'planning for the possibility of weather-related cancellations caused by the deployment of new 5G service in the vicinity of dozens of U.S. airports starting as early as Wednesday.'

Jageish Rathor, who was due to fly to Delhi from Newark this morning, arrived at the airport to learn the flight had been canceled. He is shown on hold to the airline while waiting to find out if can get another flight

People at the Air India customer service desk after a Delhi flight was cancelled at JFK Airport, Queens, New York, on Wednesday

Stranded: Passengers who were due to fly to Delhi on an Air India flight from Newark arrived at the airport on Wednesday morning to learn it had been canceled

The Air India passengers told DailyMail.com they have not yet been placed on other flights, and that they received no warning their flight was going to be canceled

An empty check-in at the British Airways counter at JFK. The airline had to scrap its 777 flights to the US on Wednesday morning and put those passengers on other flights. A spokesman told DailyMail.com the airline was 'disappointed' by the disruption caused to the service

Cancellations are seen on boards at JFK Airport, Queens, New York. January 19 2022. All Nippon Airways canceled all its US flights on Tuesday to heed the FAA warning, then announced on Wednesday that some were being brought back. The British Airways flight to Heathrow tonight was canceled

This graphic shows how the wireless spectrum used by 5G networks could interfere with altimeters, which measure a plane's altitude and is especially important for low-visibility operations. The CEOs of the airlines have asked officials that the 5G be implemented everywhere in the country except within the approximate 2 miles of airport runways at some key airports

Delta Air Lines released a statement that the company 'is planning for the possibility of weather-related cancellations caused by the deployment of new 5G service'

TIMELINE OF 5G TRAVEL CHAOS MONDAY: Airline CEOs beg Biden administration to intervene in AT&T and Verizon's rollout, citing safety fears that 5G tech will interfere with radio altimeter technology on Boeing 777s TUESDAY MORNING: Boeing issues warning to international airlines that 5G signal will interfere with their planes Airlines like Emirates, Japan Airlines and All Nippon make arrangements to cancel their 777 flights bound for America, or put people on different aircraft TUESDAY AFTERNOON: AT&T and Verizon agree to halt the rollout of some of their towers near some airports. They won't say which airports or how long they have agreed to pause it for. WEDNESDAY: 5G launches across America - excluding near some airports. Airlines overseas scramble to get the 777 jets they'd grounded back up and running. The chaos results in delays and disruption in other airports and airlines Advertisement

United Airlines told customers on a flight from Denver to Houston that a three-hour delay was a result of the new 5G systems, according to a notice on its website. It also suggested customers with any concerns reach out to the Federal Communications Commission.

A major issue for airlines has been their use of the Boeing 777 model, a long-range, wide-body aircraft, which is said to be particularly affected by the 5G signals. It has prompted cancellations and a mad dash to change the aircrafts.

Japanese major airline All Nippon Airways said it would be cancelling some of its flights and changing the Boeing 777 aircraft used on some U.S. flights.

But on Wednesday morning, the airline announced the flights would be resumed.

'As the launch of the 5G service in the U.S. has now been partially postponed, operation of ANA flights from Jan. 20 will follow the normal schedule based on FAA notification that there is no safety issue with the operation of Boeing 777 aircraft to the U.S. airports that we serve.

'We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to our customers,' they said.

Meanwhile, British Airways opted to switch aircraft on its daily flight to Los Angeles to an Airbus A380 from the usual Boeing 777 service, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

And Korean Air Lines, South Korea's biggest airline, switched four passenger planes from Boeing 777s to 787s and two cargo planes from 747-8s to 747-400s overnight, and will continue to avoid operating 777s and 747-8s at affected U.S. airports, spokeswoman Jill Chung said.

Germany's Lufthansa also swapped out one kind of 747 for another on some U.S.-bound flights

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said it is deploying different types of airplanes where necessary to the affected airports and that its flights to the United States have not been affected so far. Taiwan's EVA Air also said it had taken 'contingency measures to ensure flight safety,' without elaborating.

The airlines said they were acting in response to a notice from Boeing that 5G signals may interfere with the radio altimeter on the 777, leading to restrictions.

Industry sources said Boeing had issued technical advisories noting potential interference, but that flight restrictions were in the hands of the FAA, which has for now limited operations at key airports unless airlines qualify for special approvals.

But Air France said it planned to continue flying its Boeing 777s into American airports. It did not explain why it didn't change its aircraft as many other carriers have.

All Nippon Airways has resumed flights to the US after canceling them due to the 5G security fears

Japan Airlines is resuming flights on 777s to the US as a result of the telecoms giants halting the launch of 5G near some airports at the last minute

Korean Air Lines said it had switched away from 777s and 747-8s on six U.S. passenger and cargo flights

HOW DOES 5G AFFECT PLANES? AT&T and Verizon have spent tens of billions of dollars to license the 3.7 to 3.98 GHz frequency range for the new high-speed C-Band 5G service. The C-band is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies ranging from 4.0 to 8.0 gigahertz (GHz), although the US Federal Communications Commission has designated 3.7-4.2 GHz as C band too. The problem is that wireless spectrum used by 5G networks could interfere with radio altimeters, which measure a plane's altitude - especially important for low-visibility operations. Airlines fear that C-band 5G signals will disrupt planes' navigation systems, particularly those used in bad weather. This interference with radio altimeters, which measure a plane's altitude, could lead to the loss of radar altitude information or, worse, incorrect radar altitude information unknowingly being generated, they say. It is not seen as a problem in Britain or Europe, according to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority, Ofcom and EU Aviation Safety Authority. All three insist there is no evidence 5G interferes with aircraft systems. However, in Europe 5G networks work in the 3.4-3.8GHz spectrum so regulators on this side of the Atlantic don't appear as concerned about it being close to the 4.2-4.4GHz band for radio altimeters. It seems the basis for US airlines' fears is that mobile networks' traffic from the top edge of 3.98GHz might bleed into the neighbouring altimeter band. 'The issue is that the C-band frequency used for 5G in the US is a little bit close to the frequencies used by altimeters,' Roslyn Layton, vice president at Strand Consult, told Tech Monitor. The radio altimeter is a critical aviation safety technology that indicates the airplane's height and supports safe landing. It operates in the 4.2-4.4 GHz spectrum band; cell phones are currently not permitted to operate in that band or any nearby band to prevent interference. However, if telecommunication authorities reallocate the 3.7-4.2 GHz band for 5G, the risk of interference could increase. The airlines want 5G signals to be excluded from 'the approximate two miles of airport runways at affected airports as defined by the FAA on 19 January 2022'. This would ensure that no airplanes are affected by the 5G interference, they say. There have been fatal accidents associated with incorrect radar altitude, most recently Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 in Amsterdam in 2009. The FAA has warned that potential interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments such as altimeters and make an impact on low-visibility operations. So this threat could compromise key safety systems and result in suspended passenger and cargo flights. For passengers, flights may be cancelled or have to be diverted to other airports if 5G towers are deployed too close to airport runways. But most aviation regulators are content the risks posed by 5G to planes are low, according to Layton. 'This whole thing is unhelpful for the world's airport regulators,' she said. 'They have blessed this technology years ago, so what does it look like when the FAA all of sudden says 'there's a problem'? It's really inconvenient and a bit embarrassing.' AT&T and Verizon have agreed to buffer zones around 50 airports to reduce interference risks. In the UK, Ofcom said the country had had 5G deployments and other services in the bands near to radio altimeters for years and there have been no known cases of interference. Similarly, other countries are already using these frequencies for 5G and other wireless services with no reported incidents of interference to aviation equipment. The issue in the US is that it's about to deploy these services, so there's concerns of the effects deployment may have. Advertisement

A spokesman for Boeing had no immediate comment.

Similar 5G mobile networks have been deployed in dozens of other countries - sometimes with concessions like reducing the power of the networks near airports, as France has done. But in the U.S., the issue has pitted the FAA and the airlines against the Federal Communications Commission and the telecoms companies.

The 5G service uses a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to that used by radio altimeters, which are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground and help pilots land in low visibility. The FCC, which set a buffer between the 5G band and the spectrum that planes use, determined that it could be used safely in the vicinity of air traffic.

AT&T and Verizon have said their equipment will not interfere with aircraft electronics.

But FAA officials saw a potential problem, and the telecom companies agreed to a pause while it is addressed.

AT&T and Verizon on Tuesday agreed to temporarily defer turning on some wireless towers near key airports in a bid to avert further disruption to U.S. flights.

President Joe Biden hailed the agreement, saying it 'will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90 percent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled.'

Verizon will temporarily not turn on about 500 towers near airports, sources told Reuters, or less than 10 percent of their planned deployment, while the carriers and the administration work on a permanent solution, sources briefed on the matter said. Details of the agreement, including the length of the pause, were not disclosed.

Both Verizon and AT&T will launch 5G on Wednesday elsewhere in the country bringing faster speeds to tens of millions of people.

The row erupted on Monday when US airline CEOs begged the Biden administration to stop AT&T and Verizon from rolling out their C-band 5G technology.

The telecoms giants had been planning to launch the technology across the US on Wednesday, turning on 5,000 towers across the country that will bring Americans' faster internet speeds, including 500 which the airline industry say pose a threat to flight safety.

Both AT&T and Verizon have reluctantly agreed to halt turning on those towers of concern until a resolution can be found, in order to avoid a mass cancelation of flights across America and travel chaos that would up end the already distressed supply chain and scupper consumer travel.

It seemed to appease domestic airlines but did not calm international fear.

The FAA has said it will allow planes with accurate, reliable altimeters to operate around high-power 5G. But planes with older altimeters will not be allowed to make landings under low-visibility conditions.

Part of the problem, according to the FAA, are the signal strength of the 5G towers and the orientation of their antennae.

'Base stations in rural areas of the United States are permitted to emit at higher levels in comparison to other countries which may affect radio altimeter equipment accuracy and reliability,' the FAA said in December.

The FCC's chairwoman said in a statement that the 5G 'deployment can safely co-exist with aviation technologies in the United States, just as it does in other countries around the world.'

Emirates has now canceled flights to Boston, Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Seattle.

In its announcement, Emirates cited the cancellation as necessary due to 'operational concerns associated with the planned deployment of 5G mobile network services in the U.S. at certain airports.'

'We are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and the relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns, and we hope to resume our U.S. services as soon as possible,' the state-owned airline said.

The United Arab Emirates successfully rolled out 5G coverage all around its airports without incident, like dozens of other countries. But in the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration worries that the C-Band strand of 5G could interfere with aviation equipment.

Of particular concern in the 5G rollout appears to be the Boeing 777, a major workhorse for Emirates, which only flies that model and the Airbus A380 jumbo jet. Its Mideast competitor, Qatar Airways, anticipates 'minor delays' on return flights from the U.S. but says otherwise its dozen U.S. routes are operating as scheduled.

All Nippon and Japan Airlines have canceled all of their Boeing 777 flights to the US, and they say they did so at the request of Boeing.

'Boeing has announced flight restrictions on all airlines operating the Boeing 777 aircraft, and we have cancelled or changed the aircraft for some flights to/from the U.S. based on the announcement by Boeing,' a statement from All Nippon Airways said.

All Nippon cancelled 20 flights to the U.S. over the issue to cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

Japan Airlines similarly said that it had been informed that 5G signals 'may interfere with the radio altimeter installed on the Boeing 777.'

'We will refrain from using this model on the continental United States line until we can confirm its safety and we regret to inform you that we will cancel the flight for which the aircraft cannot be changed to the Boeing 787,' the airline said. Eight of its flights were cancelled on Wednesday - three passenger trips and five for cargo.

Boeing has not confirmed that it has given the order to airlines to ground their US 777s.

It's unclear exactly how many flights have been canceled so far, or how many more will be.

The 777 last year was the second-most used widebody plane on flights to and from U.S. airports with around 210,000 flights, behind only the 767, according to data from FlightRadar24.

Industry sources said Boeing had issued technical advisories noting potential interference, but that flight restrictions were in the hands of the FAA, which has for now limited operations at key airports unless airlines qualify for special approvals.

Radio altimeters give precise readings of the height above the ground on approach and help with automated landings, as well as verifying the jet has landed before allowing reverse thrust.

Air India, which serves four U.S. destinations with Boeing 777s, has canceled flights to and from Delhi to and from New York, San Francisco and Chicago, and between Mumbai and Newark 'due to deployment of the 5G communications' equipment. It said it would try to use other aircraft on U.S. routes as well.

Choi Jong-yun, a spokeswoman of Asiana Airlines, a South Korean carrier, said the company hasn't been affected so far because it uses Airbus planes for passenger flights to the U.S. and doesn't use the affected Boeing planes to transport cargo.

However, Choi said airlines have also been instructed by the FAA to avoid automatic landings at affected U.S. airports during bad weather conditions, regardless of plane type. Asiana will redirect its planes to nearby airports during those conditions, she said.

Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been unable to offer a solution to the fiasco.

Aviation officials fear that 5G signals near airports could interfere with certain airplane instruments, including the radio altimeter used to gauge altitude

'We recognize the economic importance of expanding 5G, and we appreciate the wireless companies working with us to protect the flying public and the country's supply chain,' said Buttigieg.

Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg has not been able to present a solution

'The complex U.S. airspace leads the world in safety because of our high standards for aviation, and we will maintain this commitment as wireless companies deploy 5G,' he said in a statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that 5G wireless interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments such as radio altimeters, which are crucial aids to pilots landing in low-visibility operations.

Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement the FAA 'has a process in place to assess altimeter performance in the 5G environment and resolve any remaining concerns. It is essential that the FAA now complete this process with both care and speed.'

The telecoms giants say they do not understand why the US has not been able to find a workaround when other countries have been able to launch.

The 5G signals that Verizon and AT&T want to emit are stronger than those in Europe.

Despite the delay, some international airlines are already canceling flights to the US out of an abundance of caution.

The list of 50 airports with 5G buffers that should be protected AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL LAURENCE G HANSCOM FLD BOEING FLD/KING COUNTY INTL BIRMINGHAM-SHUTTLESWORTH INTL NASHVILLE INTL BOB HOPE AKRON-CANTON CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTL DALLAS LOVE FLD DALLAS-FORT WORTH INTL DETROIT METRO WAYNE COUNTY ELLINGTON EWR NEWARK LIBERTY INTL FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL FORT LAUDERDALE/HOLLYWOOD INTL FLINT MICHIGAN WILLIAM P HOBBY NEW HAVEN GEORGE BUSH INTCNTL/HOUSTON INDIANAPOLIS INTL LONG ISLAND MAC ARTHUR JOHN F KENNEDY INTL HARRY REID INTL LOS ANGELES INTL LAGUARDIA LONG BEACH (DAUGHERTY FLD) KANSAS CITY INTL ORLANDO INTL HARRISBURG INTL CHICAGO MIDWAY INTL MCALLEN INTL MIAMI INTL MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL INTL/WOLD-CHAMBERLAIN ONTARIO INTL CHICAGO O'HARE INTL SNOHOMISH COUNTY (PAINE FLD) PALM BEACH INTL PHILADELPHIA INTL PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL ST PETE-CLEARWATER INTL PITTSBURGH INTL RALEIGH-DURHAM INTL FREDERICK DOUGLASS/GREATER ROCHESTER INTL SEATTLE-TACOMA INTL SAN FRANCISCO INTL NORMAN Y MINETA SAN JOSE INTL JOHN WAYNE/ORANGE COUNTY ST LOUIS LAMBERT INTL SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL TETERBORO Advertisement

It's unclear how long the FAA and airlines now have to resolve their safety concerns.

AT&T is now demanding to know why the FAA - a government body - waited so long before sounding such alarm.

'We are frustrated by the FAA's inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it do so in a timely manner.'

Despite the urgency conveyed by the CEOs of American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, as well as officials from FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, Transport Secretary Buttigieg has yet to make a public statement about the issue ahead of Wednesday's rollout.

Of 88 airports that could be affected around the country, there are currently 50 with 5G buffers around them to reduce the interference of 5G.

The FAA has not named the remaining 38 affected airports.

Despite the buffer, the airports could still face 5G interference.

If any of the 88 airports experience bad weather, where altimeters are a necessity, the FAA and U.S. airlines said flights would be cancelled, diverted or delayed.

Allied Pilots Association spokesperson Dennis Tajer echoed the airlines' concerns and urged the cellular companies to push back the 5G rollout.

'This is reckless, it's dangerous, and it's got to stop,' Tajer told the Today Show on Tuesday.

'Take a pause. This is about a cellphone signal, and we're focused on protecting lives.'

The warning comes after airline International airports and airlines have also begun warning customers to check if their trips to the U.S. will be cancelled or delayed due to the 5G launch.

Although the FAA approved 48 of the 88 airports most directly affected by 5G to use two radio altimeters to avoid confusion on Sunday, it ultimately issued an order to all pilots to avoid using the instruments because they could still face issues.

The buffer zones call for the 5G towers to be located at least two miles away from airports and to limit the towers' heights.

'Even with the approvals granted by the FAA..., U.S. airlines will not be able to operate the vast majority of passenger and cargo flights due to the FAA's 5G-related flight restrictions unless action is taken prior to the planned January 19 rollout,' Airlines for America, which represents American Airlines, Delta Airlines and FedEx, told Reuters.

As of Tuesday morning, the stocks for American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines remained stable with a small upward trend.

AT&T and Verizon, which won nearly all of the C-Band spectrum in an $80 billion auction last year to launched their 5G services, had agreed to buffer zones around 50 airports to reduce interference risks and take other steps to cut potential interference for six months.

'Even with these new approvals, flights at some airports may still be affected,' the FAA warned in a statement.

'The FAA also continues to work with manufacturers to understand how radar altimeter data is used in other flight control systems. Passengers should check with their airlines if weather is forecast at a destination where 5G interference is possible.'

Despite the worries in America, 5G's possible effects on planes has not been a major concern in Europe.

Allied Pilots Association spokesperson Dennis Tajer urged cellular companies to push back their 5G rollout due to the signal's effect on a plane's altitude reading

Airline CEOs are calling for immediate intervention ahead of Wednesdays 5G rollout, warning it may cause massive flight disruptions nationwide. @tomcostellonbc has the details. pic.twitter.com/KXr5ptCOuv  TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 18, 2022

What are US airlines worried about and could British planes be affected? The debate about whether 5G has the potential to interfere with crucial aeroplane instruments is intense and unresolved. What are the airlines worried about? Airlines are concerned that the new 5G network could affect aircraft instruments including altimeters, which measure a plane's distance from the ground. This is because both the new 5G network and the altimeters will operate at a similar wavelength. What are the networks saying? AT&T and Verizon say there is no evidence their new network will interfere with aircraft operating systems. They have previously delayed the rollout to allow for more research to take place. What is the view in the UK and Europe? 5G is not seen as a problem for aircraft in Britain or Europe, according to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Ofcom and EU Aviation Safety Authority. All three insist there is no evidence 5G interferes with aircraft systems. 5G in Europe is on a different wavelength, which is seen as less likely to affect planes than the one used in America. Advertisement

Last month, Britain's Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement that 5G emission's won't harm British airlines.

'Conversations with [national aviation authorities] has established that there have been no confirmed instances where 5G interference has resulted in aircraft system malfunction or unexpected behavior,' the agency said, adding that it will continue to monitor the issue.

AT&T and Verizon told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that they were not commenting on the issue at this time.

On Monday, the CEOs of American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, as well as officials from FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, wrote a letter to government officials urging them to pause the launch of 5G.

The CEOs warned that a significant number of widebody aircrafts will become unusable and 'could potentially strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas.'

'Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded,' the CEOs wrote.

'The harm that will result from deployment on January 19 is substantially worse than we anticipated for two key reasons,' they explained.

The CEOs also argued that because radio altimeters provide critical information to other safety and navigation systems in modern airplanes, multiple modern safety systems 'will be deemed unusable.'

'Airplane manufacturers have informed us that there are huge swaths of the operating fleet that may need to be indefinitely grounded.'

'The ripple effects across both passenger and cargo operations, our workforce and the broader economy are simply incalculable,' the CEOs wrote as they asked officials 'that 5G be implemented everywhere in the country except within the approximate 2 miles of airport runways' at some key airports.

'Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies.'

The carriers added they urge action to ensure '5G is deployed except when towers are too close to airport runways until the FAA can determine how that can be safely accomplished without catastrophic disruption.'

The letter, which was obtained by DailyMail.com, went to White House National Economic Council director Brian Deese, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Airlines late on Monday were considering whether to begin canceling some international flights that are scheduled to arrive in the United States on Wednesday.

'With the proposed restrictions at selected airports, the transportation industry is preparing for some service disruption. We are optimistic that we can work across industries and with government to finalize solutions that safely mitigate as many schedule impacts as possible,' plane maker Boeing said.

United Airlines also separately warned on Monday that the issue could affect more than 15,000 of its flights, 1.25 million passengers and snarl tons of cargo annually.

United said it faces 'significant restrictions on 787s, 777s, 737s and regional aircraft in major cities like Houston, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.'

JetBlue Airways Chief Executive Officer Robin Hayes told employees on Monday that the planned rollout of new 5G service by AT&T and Verizon on Wednesday is set to 'further stress our already fragile air system.'

Hayes said in a memo that the airline is preparing for the 'worst' when the new service and new flight restrictions take effect.

'While we will do our best to avoid customer disruption, we won't be able to avoid the impact of this, including significant flight delays, cancellations, and diversions in low visibility flying,' Hayes wrote.

One area of concern is whether some or all Boeing 777s will be unable to land at some key U.S. airports after 5G service starts, as well as some Boeing cargo planes, airline officials told Reuters.

The airlines urged action to ensure '5G is deployed except when towers are too close to airport runways until the FAA can determine how that can be safely accomplished without catastrophic disruption.'

The FAA said on Sunday it had cleared an estimated 45% of the U.S. commercial airplane fleet to perform low-visibility landings at many airports where 5G C-band will be deployed and they expect to issue more approvals before Wednesday.

The airlines noted on Monday that the list did not include many large airports.

The CEOs of major airlines and Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun held a lengthy call with Buttigieg and Dickson on Sunday to warn of the looming crisis, officials told Reuters.

The CEOs of some of the nation's largest airlines wrote to federal officials on Monday warning about the potential negative effects of 5G

Altimeter's are a key tool for pilots landing in low-visibility conditions

THE EVOLUTION OF MOBILE BROADBAND UP TO 5G The evolution of the G system started in 1980 with the invention of the mobile phone which allowed for analogue data to be transmitted via phone calls. Digital came into play in 1991 with 2G and SMS and MMS capabilities were launched. Since then, the capabilities and carrying capacity for the mobile network has increased massively. More data can be transferred from one point to another via the mobile network quicker than ever. 5G is expected to be 100 times faster than the currently used 4G. Whilst the jump from 3G to 4G was most beneficial for mobile browsing and working, the step to 5G will be so fast they become almost real-time. That means mobile operations will be just as fast as office-based internet connections. Potential uses for 5G include: Simultaneous translation of several languages in a party conference call

Self-driving cars can stream movies, music and navigation information from the cloud

A full length 8GB film can be downloaded in six seconds. 5G is expected to be so quick and efficient it is possible it could start the end of wired connections. By the end of 2020, industry estimates claim 50 billion devices will be connected to 5G. Advertisement

But the issue doesn't just affect airplanes - they could also have a negative effect on the nation's helicopters, including lifesaving medevac choppers.

Under U.S. law, all commercial helicopters must have a working altimeter in order to fly. Without them, officials warn, landing in remote areas or on hospital landing pads will be near impossible.

Helicopter Association International petitioned the FAA in October asking for medevacs to be exempt from the law when 5G rolls out, and the FAA granted it last week for areas where 5G C-Band interference could affect the radio altimeter.

Airlines for America, the group that organized the letter, declined to comment.

The CEO's also complained that: 'Given the short time frame and the exigency of this completely avoidable economic calamity, we respectfully request you support and take whatever action necessary to ensure that 5G is deployed except when towers are too close to airport runways until the FAA can determine how that can be safely accomplished without catastrophic disruption.'

The FAA said it 'will continue to ensure that the traveling public is safe as wireless companies deploy 5G.

'The FAA continues to work with the aviation industry and wireless companies to try to limit 5G-related flight delays and cancellations.'

The other government agencies did not comment.

The U.K. CAA, the mobile phone industry and Ofcom released statements earlier this month in response to U.K. concerns. They said they did not share the worries of that in the U.S. at this stage.

A spokesperson for the CAA, the UK equivalent to the FAA, said: 'We are aware of reports that suggest that the frequency band being used for 5G in a number of countries could potentially pose a risk of interference with aircraft radio altimeters.

'There have been no reported incidents of aircraft systems being affected by 5G transmissions in U.K. airspace, but we are nonetheless working with Ofcom and the Ministry of Defense to make sure that the deployment of 5G in the U.K. does not cause any technical problems for aircraft.'

A spokesperson for Ofcom said: 'We're aware that the aviation sector is looking at this; we've done our own technical analysis and are yet to see any evidence that would give us cause for concern.'

Gareth Elliott, head of policy and communications at Mobile U.K., which represents mobile networks, said: 'The U.K.'s mobile network operators follow all health and safety guidelines and engage with a variety of industries on interference.

'Mobile operators are actively coordinating with the aviation authorities to ensure no interference in the U.K.'
This is the moment a pair of thrill-seeking base jumpers launched themselves from a 3280ft high cliff face into a cloudy abyss on a single parachute.

Tom Newberry, 32, and Callum Coldwell-Story, filmed themselves jumping from one of the peaks of Mount Brento, Italy.

Footage shows the pair, who recorded themselves with an Insta360 One X attached to Tom's helmet, as they become surrounded by thick clouds and fog.

After they jumped Callum slid down to dangle from Tom's legs, before taking his hand and then letting go to freefall into the abyss.

Tom Newberry, 32, and Callum Coldwell-Story filmed themselves jumping from one of the peaks of Mount Brento, Italy in September

Tom had an Insta360 One X attached to his helmet which offered a view of all the action

Callum slid down to dangle from Tom's legs, before taking his hand and then letting go to free fall into the abyss

They were performing a stunt known as a 'Mr Bill', where two skydivers fly on the same parachute.

Seconds after jumping Callum steered his parachute away from the cliff face and out towards the obscured valley.

Once the pair cleared the cloud, the valley opened up beneath them and Callum began to manoeuvre himself, unhooking himself from the harness.

He slid down Tom's legs and dangled in the air before talking his hand and letting go and falling rapidly towards the earth.

Moments before the end of the video it is possible to see the small speck of Callum's parachute far below.

Tom, a teacher from Exeter, Devon, said: 'We had been in Italy training our skills before heading to the Swiss Alps.

'Towards the end of the week we wanted to do something more fun so we came up with the plan, no idea whether it would work or not.

'As you can see from the huge smiles, a lot of fun was had on this jump!'

The footage, which has recently emerged online, was filmed on September 17 last year.

Callum unstrapped himself from Tom's harness and prepared to free fall towards the valley below

Callum, pictured, was attached to Tom's harness until they navigated their way through the cloud cover that blanketed the valley
Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has slammed Boris Johnson for 'hypocrisy' over partygate allegations.

Brexit-supporting Mr Martin, who once called the PM a 'winner', also said that pubs should have been left open during lockdown because of the 'social and health benefits' for people who 'don't or can't attend private parties'.

He said No10 staff could have visited a Wetherspoons branch in May 2020 and that the CCTV installed in the company's central London pubs could have helped with inquiries into any 'high-jinks'.

The pub chain said an official statement to the London Stock Exchange: 'Public anger regarding 'partygate' relates mainly to hypocrisy  the public was prevented from seeing friends and family, while the same rules were not observed at 10 Downing Street.'

It added that there would have been 'a number of advantages for the nation' if Downing Street staff had instead been allowed to go to one of its pubs.

Wetherspoons chairman Tim Martin has hit out at Boris Johnson over allegations of parties at Downing Street during lockdown

'Central London pubs employ experienced staff, including highly trained managers, who would have easily dealt with the 'high jinks' alleged to have occurred at No 10,' it said.

It added: 'CCTV is in operation in central London pubs, so subsequent inquiries as to events are facilitated by the ready availability of evidence.'

The company said public finances would also be in better shape as the chain, its staff and its customers normally pay around 15 million in weekly taxes.

'There are well-documented social and health benefits from open hospitality venues, especially for people who don't, or can't, attend private parties,' it said.

It came as Wetherspoons reported a 16.6% drop in sales over the 12 weeks to the middle of January, as the impact of the Omicron variant of coronavirus struck the hospitality industry.

The business warned that it would make a loss in the first half of its financial year.

Founder and chairman Mr Martin backed Mr Johnson in 2019 when the former mayor of London was running to take charge of the Conservative Party.

'I think he's a winner. Can he deliver Brexit? I hope that he can,' said the businessman, who once donated to the campaign to leave the European Union.

Founder and chairman Mr Martin backed Mr Johnson in 2019 when the former mayor of London was running to take charge of the Conservative Party

'I think he would make a good prime minister,' he added.

But on Wednesday his company said it is 'crazy' that pubs have to pay a higher level of VAT on alcohol sales than supermarkets do.

It also launched a broadside against American investment giant BlackRock, a major investor in Wetherspoons.

In November the investor used its shares to vote against the re-election of all Wetherspoon's non-executive directors, saying there were shortfalls in corporate governance standards.

On Wednesday the pub chain said: 'Blackrock corporate governance executives, at the time of the AGM (annual general meeting) vote, had never met anyone from Wetherspoon  and there was no advance indication of their voting intention.'

It added: 'BlackRock itself infringes UK corporate governance guidelines, since its chairman is also CEO, and it does not appear to observe the 'nine-year' maximum tenure guideline for NEDs (non-executive directors).'
The body of a father-of-two has tragically been found after two days of searching, with the dad going missing just hours into a family holiday.

Hoi Yu Chan, 32, disappeared under the surface of the Hawkesbury River in Laughtondale, north Sydney, around 6.10pm on Monday.

Mr Chan and his family had begun a house-boat holiday with two other families just hours before he drowned.

Hoi Yu Chan (above) was reported missing around 6.10pm on Monday after the father-of-two disappeared below the surface of the Hawkesbury River, his body was recovered around 2.50pm on Wednesday

He had reportedly attempted to swim 20 metres to the house boat after disembarking on a tinnie with his two sons and two other holidaymakers.

Emergency services quickly responded to reports of a missing swimmer and began an extensive rescue operation.

The search team included specialists from marine rescue services, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and local boaters.

In a desperate attempt to find his sibling, Mr Chan's brother took action and posted a $3million reward on Facebook for anyone who could locate the missing swimmer.

Mr Chan's family (above) had reportedly began a house-boat holiday with two other families just hours before he, his two sons, and two other men left the main boat on a tinnie

Mr Chan was an able swimmer, had not been drinking, and had no health problems when he drowned after attempting to swim 20 metres from the tinnie (left) to the house-boat (right)

'Any assistance is greatly appreciated,' he wrote.

However on Tuesday morning police sadly informed Mr Chan's family they had changed the status of the operation to a recovery mission for the father's body.

Mr Chan's body was found in the river around 2.50pm on Wednesday.

He was reportedly an able swimmer, had not been drinking, and had no serious health issues.

An extensive search operation for Mr Chan began on Monday after reports he was missing including specialist maritime services, local boaters, and a rescue helicopter

Laughtondale local Ebony Waddups said objects stuck under the water could be responsible for Mr Chan's heartbreaking death.

'There's sticks, there's trees that are under the water,' she told 7 News.

'There's a lot that happens. It's just really sad for the family.'
A woman who was brutally attacked by her partner has issued pictures of her appalling injuries which left her unrecognisable even to her own daughter.

Helen Procter, 40, thought she was in a happy relationship with her boyfriend of two years, Daniel Burton, after she met him through friends in October 2018,

But after pubs reopened last April, Burton launched a frenzied assault on her when they returned to their Hull home from a drinking session.

Burton became aggressive on their walk back and dragged Ms Procter inside the house. He threw her against the living room wall and kicked her repeatedly in the face in a frenzied outburst.

His elderly mother, who Burton had been caring for, was upstairs at the time and Ms Procter screamed for her to help before blacking out.

Burton appeared in court on January 4 and was jailed for seven years for grievous bodily harm.

Helen Procter, 40, was slammed against a wall and kicked repeatedly in the face by her partner Daniel Burton. He later told her to lie to doctors and say she had an accident while drunk

Ms Procter has been left severely traumatised by the incident but wants to raise awareness of Clare's Law to help protect others from domestic abuse

Daniel Burton appeared in court on January 4 and was jailed for seven years for grievous bodily harm

Now, Ms Procter has come forward with pictures of her injuries to raise awareness of Clare's Law - which enables police to disclose information about a partner's previous offending - and to also reach out to other victims who currently feel trapped.

Her daughter Abbie Burnett said: 'The relationship had been a happy one. He seemed really well-spoken and I thought he was going to look after mum.

'It wasn't until Dan was in court we realised he has done this before on record. Clare's Law would have showed us he was known to do this. If we'd known, we could have prevented this.'

Ms Burnett spoke on behalf of her mother, who has been left so traumatised by the attack she finds it hard to relive her ordeal.

'When I went into the hospital to see for myself, I walked in and said, "that's not my mum". If I hadn't known it was her, I'd have thought I was in the wrong room.

Ms Procter's injuries were so bad, her daughter Abbie could only recognise her through her toes

What is Clare's Law? How you can find out your partner's domestic violence history, thanks to father's campaign Clare's Law was created in 2014 following a campaign by Michael Brown, whose daughter was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The initiative, officially called the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, was designed to provide people with information that may protect them from a potentially abusive situation. The scheme allows the police to disclose information about a partner's previous history of domestic violence or violent acts. Clare Wood, 36, was strangled and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton at her home in Salford, Greater Manchester, in February 2009. The mother-of-one had met Appleton on Facebook, unaware of his horrific history of violence against women, including repeated harassment, threats and the kidnapping at knifepoint of one of his ex-girlfriends. The family's campaign was taken up by Salford and Eccles MP Hazel Blears and backed by police and Home Secretary Theresa May, who agreed to run the pilot. Advertisement

'Her toes were the only way I could recognise her as we've all got distinctively long toes in our family. The police said that in 15 years it's the worst case they'd seen.'

After bludgeoning Ms Procter within inches of her life, Burton sat down to watch TV, hiding her phone so she couldn't call for help. He took her to hospital the following day and told her to lie to doctors about how she got her injuries.

Despite being told Ms Procter had an accident after getting drunk, the severe wounds aroused suspicion from nurses, who asked her if she had been attacked by her partner. Eventually, Ms Procter opened up to them about what happened and police were called.

Her daughter said: 'I thought I was going to lose her. It was touch and go for a while. For a long time after it was all I could see when I closed my eyes.

'A psychiatrist who checked her over later said mum will never be the same again.

'She still needs an operation on her jaw and has teeth missing, so needs dentures. Her vision is still not 100% she does look really different.

'An old school friend she hadn't seen in years wouldn't recognise her.'

Ms Procter's family asked local media to publish the photos of her in hospital to show the extent of domestic abuse.

'We want people to know about Clare's Law and to get help if you are scared,' Ms Burnett added.

'After the incident, mum said she had already started feeling scared of him a few weeks before. Maybe if she had told us we could have helped her.

'He can't get away with another incident like this - he's a monster.'
Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Song Young-gil, left, introduces former JTBC anchorman Lee Jeong-heon, center, and former YTN anchorwoman Ann Gwi-ryeong at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Jan. 18. Lee and Ann had been scouted by the party's presidential election camp to support candidate Lee Jae-myung. Korea Times file



By Ko Dong-hwan



Broadcast journalists are up in arms after two of their ex-colleagues joined the election camp of one of the presidential candidates, accusing them of "swapping their vocational conscience for a ticket to the national political inner circle."



The workers' union of The JoongAng and JTBC, an association of JTBC journalists, and the National Union of Media Workers' YTN branch issued statements on Jan. 18 criticizing JTBC anchorman Lee Jeong-heon, YTN anchorwoman Ann Gwi-ryeong and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) election camp that had recruited them.



With the election set for March 9, the camp recruited them as "speakers" to deliver candidate Lee Jae-myung's pledges to the public more effectively and respond to the opposing parties' camps. It is also a strategy of the camp to raise Lee's support rating, which has so far not risen above 40 percent, according to multiple pollsters.



"The ink on Lee Jeong-heon's resignation letter that he submitted last week hasn't even dried," the journalists said, questioning their ethics as journalists. Lee has been one of the network's main anchormen, having hosted a morning news show for four and a half years.



"It makes us sick to watch him take advantage of the 'trust' we have built with our blood and sweat as a ticket to the political inner circle," the journalists said. "From now on, we refuse to address him as our elder."



The rankled journalists condemned their former colleague for having decided to advocate for the credibility of a certain presidential candidate, and thus bring public trust to the candidate. "A true journalist must remain neutral and trustworthy to the public," they said.



"When he gave up on his journalism ethics and conscience to pursue greed and authority, the very 'trust' he mentioned was already demolished," the journalists said, chastising anchorman Lee.



YTN's journalists also criticized Ann for joining Lee's campaign only 10 days after stepping down from her anchorwoman position to "take a break," in her words. They likened her transition to the network's two former senior employees who later became senior presidential secretaries of public affairs in 2010 and 2014.





Lee Jeong-heon, left, and Ann Gwi-ryeong, former journalists for JTBC and YTN, respectively / Screenshots from JTBC, YTN
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The boss of Pornhub has spoken out for the first time since his unfinished $16million Montreal mansion was burned to rubble last year.

46-year-old Feras Antoon's dream manor was reduced to ashes in April last year after a suspected arson attack on the property.

The blaze on April 25, 2021, reduced the house to nothing more than ashes just weeks after Antoon had put the opulent manor up for sale - at a price of $15.9million.

Following an opinion article in the New York Times in 2020 which claimed Pornhub 'monetizes child rapes', the website has been hit with allegations of allowing videos of underage girls being assaulted to be uploaded onto their website.

This has led to a backlash against Antoon and his adult film empire - resulting in tumbling profits and forcing him to list his lavish manor, despite construction on the property not having been completed.

But only weeks later, the security team in charge of monitoring the construction site noticed two unidentifiable individuals gaining access to the site in April 2021, with the property quickly seen burning down only a short while later.

The devastating blaze took nearly three hours and 80 firefighters to put out, and now in a rare interview, Antoon has alleged one theory that 'extreme religious groups' could have acted to incite the arson attack.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, he said: 'Could the extreme religious groups have incited and encouraged someone to do this? Absolutely.

'When you use extremist language and QAnon sentiment toward child trafficking, your words are going to attract and mobilize some of the darkest corners of the internet.'

46-year-old Feras Antoon's dream $16million Montreal manor (pictured before the blaze), which backed onto 'Mafia Row', was reduced to ashes in April last year after a suspected arson attack on the property

Pictured: The burnt shell of the mansion after firefighters were finally able to extinguish the flames, back in April 2021

The blaze took about 80 firefighters to put out the inferno that raged on into the early hours of the morning

Antoon - who faced a money crunch nightmare with his empire in danger of crumbling following allegations that much of the content on his leading site contains videos of underage girls - had put his unfinished mansion up for sale just weeks before the blaze.

'Its site is infested with rape videos. It monetizes child rapes, revenge pornography, spy cam videos of women showering, racist and misogynist content, and footage of women being asphyxiated in plastic bags,' wrote Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times column that first exposed Pornhub.

In a rare interview, Antoon has revealed that he believes extremist religious groups could have been behind the blaze

'A search for 'girls under18' or '14yo' leads in each case to more than 100,000 videos. Most aren't of children being assaulted, but too many are.'

Pornhub responded to the Times that the claims were 'irresponsible and flagrantly untrue.'

But major credit card companies Mastercard, Visa and Discover cut ties with Pornhub forcing it to delete 80 per cent of its content in a bid to clean up its act. It has also severely curtailed uploading of videos and completely banned downloading.

And lawmakers in both the United States and Canada were drafting legislation to make it easier for child victims to sue companies that post videos of sexual acts.

Following the New York Times' opinion piece, more than three dozen women sued the website, alleging that it acted as a 'classic criminal enterprise', profiting from content showing rape, child pornography, sex trafficking and other nonconsensual activity.

Additionally, the lawsuit also alleged that MindGeek - Pornhub's parent company - also bought in bulk content produced by human traffickers.

In October last year, MindGeek settled the legal case outside of court with 50 women who claimed to have been victims of a sex-trafficking operation.

The women alleged that adult content provider Girls Do Porn coerced them into having sex on camera, but were dishonest about how the content would be shared - with the woman claiming Pornhub continued its partnership with the firm despite being aware of the allegations.

The settlement terms were not made public, but in a statement MindGeek said it had zero tolerance over the posting of illegal content on its platforms.

The statement read: 'MindGeek has zero tolerance for the posting of illegal content on its platforms, and has instituted a comprehensive, industry-leading trust and safety policy to identify and eradicate any illegal material from its community.'

The home, which was still under construction, boasted a nine-car garage, seven bathrooms and eight bedrooms before it went up in flames

The mansion (pictured is an artist's impression of the final build) was listed for sale on real estate website Centris for $19.8 million just weeks ago

The house (pictured is a digital concept art of the end result) had seven bathrooms, four powder rooms and nine parking spaces

'We are committed to remaining at the forefront of internet safety, and taking every measure to prevent bad actors from posting illegal content online.'

While Brian Holm, the lawyer who represented the women, said in an emailed statement: 'The Parties reached a mutual resolution to resolve the dispute and the terms are confidential.'

On the backfoot, Pornhub also said last year that it introduced enhanced safety features which only permitted verified content creators to upload videos onto their website.

Speaking to Vanity Fair about his decision to sell the mega mansion, Antoon said: 'It attracted too much attention. I felt a very negative karma about it. It was supposed to bring joy and I felt it was only bringing negativity, so we decided to sell it.'

Antoon runs Pornhub's parent company MindGeek alongside his Chief Operating Officer David Tassillo.

Both men have previously testified before the Canadian parliament's ethics committee on the New York Times allegations.

And explaining why he had granted a rare interview, Antoon said that ignoring questions forever could be seen as 'dodgy' - which he says isn't the impression he wants to give off.

On the night of the suspected arson attack, Montreal police were called the property around 11.30pm in response to reports of two people breaking into the construction area of the home.

In December 2020, DailyMail.com reported that Syrian-born Antoon bought two lots of land for CAN$2.3 million (US$1.8 million) cash four years previously and had spent millions more building the home of his dreams that now sits in piles of rubble.

Pictured: Antoon's unfinished chateau as it burned down in a suspected arson attack in April 2021 just after it had been listed for sale

Photos taken the morning after the blaze show the charred remains of what once was once Antoon's multi-million dollar dream home that sat on land next to the Bois-de-Saraguay nature park on the northern edge of Montreal

Montreal police were called around 11.30pm on April 25, 2021, to reports of two people breaking into the construction area of the home

The property backs on to Montreal's 'Mafia Row' where many crime figures live. On the very spot that Antoon's home is being built, a gunman stood and fired a single bullet through a double-paned window, killing Nicolo Rizzuto  'The Canadian Godfather'  in his kitchen in 2010

The home boasted a nine-car garage, seven bathrooms and eight bedrooms before it went up in flames.

The property backed on to Montreal's 'Mafia Row' where many crime figures live.

On the very spot that Antoon's home had been being built, a gunman stood and fired a single bullet through a double-paned window, killing Nicolo Rizzuto  'The Canadian Godfather'  in his kitchen in 2010.

The previous owners of the site went to court to win a planning battle to allow 220 trees to be felled to make room for it.

The Montreal Heritage Council argued that the wooded land should be left alone as it played 'an important ecological role particularly with regard to biodiversity, the movement of fauna and the flow of water.'

Permission was only granted to Antoon to build his dream home if he agreed to fund the planting of 160 trees elsewhere.
A 15 blood-thinning drug could help Covid patients and prevent lung damage, a study suggested today.

Researchers based in the UK and Australia found heparin improved oxygen levels of hospitalised patients by 70 per cent.

The drug is unique because of its combination of anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant effects, experts said.

Heparin  which is found in drugs such as Lovenox  is already used in hospitals to treat infected Brits suffering clots. It is usually injected but doctors found it was safe and effective for Covid patients when inhaled.

Experts believe the drug works by preventing the virus multiplying in the lungs, while its anti-inflammatory properties stop the immune system overreacting.

Covid can be deadly because it has the potential to damage the lungs, which blocks the flow of oxygen around the body to major organs. Severely ill patients have also been found to suffer blood clots in the lungs.

Doctors said the drug could be used in poorer countries where fewer people have been vaccinated so are more at risk of being hospitalised.

Researchers from King's College London and the Australian National University found heparin improves oxygen levels by 70 per cent in virus patients. Graph shows: Blood oxygenation in 98 Covid patients before and after being given the blood thinner on day zero

Heparin  which is found in drugs such as Lovenox  is already used in hospitals to treat infected Brits suffering clots. It is usually injected but doctors found it was safe and effective for Covid patients when inhaled

Pfizer's antiviral Covid pill shows effectiveness against the Omicron variant Pfizer's Covid pill showed effectiveness against the Omicron variant in lab tests. The company revealed data showing that its pill Paxlovid showed promise in a laboratory environment in three tests. Nirmatrelvir, the drug's active ingredient, showed effectiveness is neutralising the virus in the trials that are still pending peer review. The highly mutated Omicron variant has displayed the ability to bypass vaccines and Covid treatments since it first emerged last year. Pharmaceutical companies have been working to tweak vaccines and treatments to be effective against the new mutant strain. Dr Michael Dolsten, Pfizer's chief science officer, said: 'We specifically designed Paxlovid to retain its activity across coronaviruses, as well as current variants of concern with predominantly spike protein mutations.' He added that the antiviral pill showed the ability to cut the risk of hospitalisation or death from the virus by 90 percent if taken early in infection. Advertisement

Professor Frank van Haren, study author from the Australian National University, said: 'This drug is already available in hospitals all over the world.

'It is a very inexpensive drug. If it is as effective as our early results suggest, it could have a major impact in our fight against Covid.'

Covid can also cause the body's immune system to overreact in a process known as inflammation, which can scar the lungs and even trigger blood clots.

Around 20 per cent of people infected with the virus develop hypoxaemia  a drop in oxygen saturation in the blood.

This is the main cause of hospitalisation, according to the ANU and King's College London researchers.

And some of those in hospital experience respiratory failure, with up to a quarter requiring mechanical ventilation in intensive care.

Co-author Professor Clive Page, from Kings, said: 'Inhaled heparin has antiviral properties which work by binding to the spike proteins the coronavirus uses to enter the cells of the body.

'Inhaled heparin effectively stops the virus infecting cells in the lungs and could also stop people from getting the virus from others.

'It also works as an anti-inflammatory drug  the medicine has the ability to calm everything down when the body is mounting an exaggerated response to the virus.

'We already know heparin can reduce lung damage caused by this inflammation and the immune response overdrive that we see in other lung diseases which could provide benefit to patients hospitalised with Covid.'

He added: 'There is no other drug that has these three different effects - anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant.'

Britain currently has two antiviral treatments specifically for Covid approved  Merck's molnupiravir and Pfizer's Paxlovid  but the researchers will continue to collect evidence on heparin's use in fighting off the virus.

Other treatments for seriously ill patients including monoclonal antibodies and dexamethasone.

The study, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, analysed 98 Covid patients in hospital with the virus who were given heparin in the US and Argentina between April 2020 and January 2021.

Most patients would not have been vaccinated because of the time frame.

They were split over two hospitals in the US  Frederick Health Hospital in Maryland, and Coney Island Hospital in New York  and the San Camilo Clinic in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The patients in the study had an average age of 66. The majority were not hooked up to ventilators.

Around 20 per cent of people infected with the virus develop hypoxaemia  a drop in oxygen saturation in the blood  which is the main cause of hospitalisation

Nearly two thirds were already on remdesivir, an antiviral licensed for emergency use in Covid patients in the UK.

No comparison group not taking heparin was used, so it is impossible to tell whether the drug was truly behind the improvements in patients.

Researchers measured their level of blood oxygen levels before and after being given the drug  which was administered in three different dosages.

The drug costs the NHS just 16.50 per dose when administering 5,000 International Units per dose  the second most common dosage used in the study (32 per cent).

They found it increased in all groups after taking the drug, with the biggest jump seen in patients given the highest dosage of 25,000 IU per dose, which was given to 62 per cent of patients.

A total of 69 patients (70 per cent) survived the virus with 29 (30 per cent) dying. Improving oxygen levels helped the survivors avoid needing to be put on a ventilator.

The researchers also measured their bleeding to determine how safe the drug was.

Despite two patients already on ventilators suffering major bleeding, they concluded the drug was generally unlikely to cause problems.

The drug has an excellent safety record in patients with other respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

The authors said their study showed promising signs for heparin's use in treating Covid, adding they are continuing further studies into its effects.
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Boris Johnson today announced plans to scrap all Covid restrictions by the spring as he revealed Plan B will also be ditched as the Omicron wave continued to recede today, with Covid cases, deaths and hospitalisations all down on last week.

The under-fire PM said working from home will end with immediate effect today with the remaining Omicron-fighting measures  Covid passports and compulsory face masks  to be dropped from next Thursday in an attempt to win back the support of Tory MPs and voters following the Partygate row.

He also laid out his intentions to remove all remaining Covid laws by March 24, including basic measures like mandatory self-isolation for positive cases and the requirement to give your address to NHS Test and Trace if you have Covid.

The shock announcement came as the UK recorded 108,069 new positive Covid tests, down 16.6 per cent on last Wednesday's 129,587 and the 14th day in a row that cases have been down week-on-week.

Fatalities were down 9.8 per cent, with 359 deaths recorded today, ad hospitalisations fell 14.5 per cent to 1,752 on Saturday, the latest date data is available for.

While Mr Johnson  who is currently facing enormous pressure to resign over a number of parties in No10 during the brutal first lockdown of 2020  unveiled the Covid-loosening plans to MPs in the Commons today, it was Health Secretary Sajid Javid who was sent to announce them to the public at a press conference tonight and fend of questions from journalists about his boss' latest scandal.

Speaking at the podium in Downing Street, Mr Javid declared 'Omicron is in retreat' as he hailed the decision to lift Plan B as the start of the 'next chapter' in the pandemic.

He said the Government was fulfilling its promise to 'open up the country as soon as the data supports it' as he pointed to rapidly collapsing Covid cases and plateauing hospital rates.

Mr Javid added: 'This plan has worked and the data shows that Omicron is in retreat.'

He described the relaxation of measures as a 'major milestone', adding: 'But it's not the end of the road and we shouldn't see this as the finish line because we cannot eradicate this virus and its future variants.

'Instead we must learn to live with Covid in the same way we have to live with flu. And we will be setting out our long-term plan for living with Covid this spring.'

In other developments today:

Documents sent between the UK's health agencies revealed free Covid lateral flow tests will be scrapped from July under the Government's virus 'exit strategy';

Britain's gold-standard infection study showed Covid cases plummeted by a fifth in England last week in more confirmation that Omicron is on its way out;

A study found children who develop a rare Kawasaki-like inflammatory syndrome after catching Covid recover within three months;

Research showed Covid patients who only experience mild illness can still experience 'brain fog' that lasts for up to nine months;

A study showed claimed a 15 blood-thinning drug could help Covid patients and prevent lung damage.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid who was sent to announce the new rule changes to the public at a press conference tonight and fend of questions from journalists about his boss' latest scandal

Mr Javid said that, starting with immediate effect, No10's work from home guidance will no longer apply, and face masks will no longer be required in school classrooms in England from tomorrow. Covid passes and compulsory face masks will be axed from next Thursday.

The Health Secretary said that testing, vaccines and antivirals will be the 'cornerstone of our future defences' when 'almost all' restrictions end.

He claimed that the re-opening of the country now when many nations in Europe are still living with draconian lockdown measures was a vindication of the PM's response to Omicron.

Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, Mr Javid denied Mr Johnson 'just got lucky' when he chose not to impose further restrictions over Christmas.

'The central decision that he made which was to absolutely focus on boosters has been vindicated,' he said. 'That is the main reason that we are where we are today because the Prime Minister made those decisions.'

Free lateral flow Covid tests to be scrapped by JULY Free Covid lateral flow tests will be scrapped from July under the Government's virus 'exit strategy', according to documents sent between the UK's health agencies. Ministers have urged Britons to take the swabs regularly in an attempt to quell the spread of Omicron  but only key workers will be able to access free tests if No10's mooted plan to 'ramp down the Universal Testing Offer' gets signed off. Instead, officials say an online ordering system will be ready by the end of June to direct Britons to purchase the tests, which are said to cost the Government 30 per pack of seven. No10 has previously said it would 'at a later stage' stop offering everyone the tests, which are free to order from the Government website or pick up at pharmacies. No10 has spent billions of pounds on securing the kits as part of its mass-testing strategy. Amid record high cases at the start of the year, more than 8million lateral flows were registered over the space of one week. However, only a fraction of tests used are officially logged. But Covid infections have been in freefall for the past fortnight. The natural fizzling out of the Omicron wave has piled pressure on Boris Johnson to unveil his pandemic 'exit strategy' to prepare the country for living with Covid like flu. Advertisement

Discussing his future plan to 'live with Covid', he told the conference: 'The way we are going to do this is we're going to have to find a way to remove almost all of these restrictions and get life completely back to normal but with one or two really big things that I think will be there for a while.

'That is I think probably the need to vaccinate, I can't tell you how often that will be, but I think vaccinations will remain hugely important just as we have to have annual vaccinations protecting older people against flu.

'I think antivirals and treatments will continue to play a big role, especially for those that might be more exposed, and I think testing, it's great where we are today with testing and I think it will improve over time.

'These pharmaceutical defences of the vaccines, antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, and testing, I think they will be the cornerstone of our future defences.'

Mr Johnson told MPs at lunchtime the Government will still 'suggest' to people to wear face coverings in certain 'enclosed or crowded places' but 'we will trust the judgement of the British people'.

He also said there will 'soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether', promising the change will be made by March 24 at the latest.

Ministers are confident they can lift the final restrictions because of the increasingly positive data.

Even NHS consultants have now claimed the end of the pandemic is 'now in sight'. Dr Richard Cree, an intensive care consultant at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, said: 'I am confident that the worst will soon be behind us.'

Today's figures also show another 75,088 booster vaccine doses were dished out yesterday, taking the country's total to 36.6million  63.7 per cent of the over-12 population.

More than 18,000 first doses and 29,000 second doses were also dished out, meaning 90.7 per cent of people in the age group now have at least some protection against the virus.

Mr Johnson said March 24 is the date when the regulations underpinning the current five-day self-isolation period expire and the Government 'very much expect not to renew them'.

The PM said his preference is actually to 'seek a vote in this House to bring that date forward'.

The move on self-isolation is likely to be welcomed by business chiefs after the quarantine rules and spiking case numbers during the Omicron wave wreaked havoc with the nation's workforce.

Mr Johnson said the Government's scientific advisers believe that the Omicron variant 'has now peaked nationally' and 'the data are showing that time and again this government got the toughest decisions right'.

The changes in England come after Scotland and Wales had already set out plans to ease their respective restrictions.

A limit on the number of people who can attend outdoor events in Scotland was removed earlier this week while table service-only rules and a three household limit on mixing will end next Monday. Scotland has not yet ditched its work from home guidance.

In Wales, the limit on the number of people who can attend outdoor events will be lifted from Friday this week.

The rule of six, table service and 2m social distancing for hospitality will then be axed from January 28.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson today announced that he is lifting Plan B Covid curbs in England

Even mild cases of Covid can lead to 'brain fog' that lasts for up to NINE MONTHS, study claims Covid patients who only experience mild illness can still experience 'brain fog' that lasts for up to nine months. Researchers already knew survivors struck down by long Covid can suffer attention and memory difficulties. But a new study, by Oxford University academics, spotted similar effects in people without any lasting symptoms of the virus. The study, published in the journal Brain Communications, analysed 135 people who were invited to play 12 'brain games'. Forty per cent of volunteers said they had already had Covid. Of those who had been infected, seven had severe symptoms. Two confessed to experiencing long Covid. The rest said they had not suffered the other issues associated with long Covid  including fatigue, shortness of breath and aches and pains. Their tests results were then compared against those of a control group, who were considered to be of a similar state. Experts said the Covid group performed well in short-term working memory and planning. But they scored significantly worse in their memory of past events and in their ability to sustain attention over time. Advertisement

Mr Johnson rolled out his Plan B curbs across England in December to combat the spread of the Omicron variant.

The regulations underpinning the Plan B restrictions are due to expire on January 26 and the Government committed to reviewing them ahead of that date.

Mr Johnson met with his Cabinet this morning to hammer out the way forward.

Delivering a statement to MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon, Mr Johnson said that because of the booster jab campaign and the public adhering to Plan B rules 'we can return to Plan A in England and allow Plan B regulations to expire'.

He said: 'As a result, from the start of Thursday next week mandatory certification will end.

'Organisations can, of course, choose to use the NHS Covid Pass voluntarily but we will end the compulsory use of Covid status certification in England.

'From now, the Government is no longer asking people to work from home and people should now speak to their employers about arrangements for returning to the office.

'And having looked at the data carefully, the Cabinet concluded that once regulations lapse, the government will no longer mandate the wearing of face masks anywhere.

'Mr Speaker, from tomorrow, we will no longer require face masks in classrooms, and the Department for Education will shortly remove national guidance on their use in communal areas.

'In the country at large, we will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded places, particularly where you come into contact with people you don't normally meet.

'But we will trust the judgement of the British people and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one.'

Mr Johnson said the current requirement for people to self-isolate for five full days after a positive Covid test will remain in place.

But he told MPs: 'There will soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether - just as we don't place legal obligations on people to isolate if they have flu.

'As Covid becomes endemic we will need to replace legal requirements with advice and guidance urging people with the virus to be careful and considerate of others.

Calls grow to ditch compulsory Covid jabs law for NHS staff as 80,000 face the sack Ministers are under pressure from Tory MPs to scrap a law requiring all NHS staff to have a Covid jab as bosses prepare to start sacking 80,000 in a fortnight. All frontline workers must have had two doses of the vaccine by April 1, meaning the first must have been administered by February 3. But more than 80,000  6 per cent of the workforce  remain unvaccinated despite repeated efforts to boost take-up. New NHS guidance to employers says staff who have not been jabbed should start being called into formal meetings from February 4 and warned they face dismissal with the notice period ending on March 31. But the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives have urged ministers to delay the rules, saying they could have a 'catastrophic' impact on the delivery of services. And Mark Harper, the chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Conservative MPs, yesterday urged No 10 to reconsider its approach. He said: 'The Government is still ploughing on, regardless of the consequences on staffing levels. It's nonsense. Ministers must change course.' Advertisement

'The self-isolation regulations expire on March 24, at which point I very much expect not to renew them.

'Indeed were the data to allow, I would like to seek a vote in this House to bring that date forwards.'

Mr Johnson said that in advance of March 24 the Government will set out its 'long-term strategy for living with Covid-19'.

The premier said this document will explain 'how we hope and intend to protect our liberty and avoid restrictions in future by relying instead on medical advances  especially the vaccines which have already saved so many lives'.

'But to make that possible, we must all remain cautious during these last weeks of winter,' he said.

'When there are still over 16,000 people in hospital in England alone, the pandemic is not over.

'And, Mr Speaker, make no mistake, Omicron is not a mild disease for everyone - and especially if you're not vaccinated.'

Mr Johnson said 'we know that around 90 per cent of people in intensive care are not boosted' as he repeated his plea to the nation to get jabbed.

The PM also said the Government will make an announcement about easing Covid travel restrictions 'in the next few days'.

Mark Harper, the chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, welcomed the lifting of Plan B but said: 'I hope the Prime Minister will forgive me for not being extraordinarily grateful for the withdrawal of these measures.

'I and many colleagues on these benches didn't think they were necessary in December but I do nonetheless welcome their removal.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer blasted the PM as he claimed he is 'too distracted to do the job'.

Sir Keir said: 'The 438 deaths recorded yesterday are a solemn reminder that this pandemic is not over. We need to remain vigilant, learn the lessons from the Government's mistakes, with new variants highly likely we must have a robust plan to live well with Covid, so where is it?

'He's too distracted to do the job and it's not just the Prime Minister who's letting us down. Where's the Health Secretary's plan to prepare for another wave of infections?

'Why isn't the Chancellor working with British manufacturers to shore up our domestic supplies of tests? Where is the Foreign Secretary's plan to help vaccinate the world? They're all too busy plotting their leadership campaigns to keep the public safe.

Mark Harper, the chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, welcomed the lifting of Plan B but pointed out he had always opposed the measures

'While the Conservative Party tear themselves apart, jostling for position, looking inward, the Labour Party is focused on the national interest, filling their void. We have a plan that the Prime Minister doesn't.'

Covid pandemic is 'nowhere near over' and new variants are likely to emerge, WHO warns, despite cases continuing to plummet in Britain The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, the World Health Organization's chief said Tuesday, cautioning against a narrative that the the Omicron variant is risk-free. 'This pandemic is nowhere near over,' chief of the UN health body Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters from WHO's headquarters in Geneva. Tedros warned against dismissing the coronavirus Omicron variant - which has spread like wildfire around the globe since it was first detected in southern Africa in November - as mild. Omicron is much more contagious than previous strains but seems to cause less serious disease in patients. That has triggered a debate on the virus passing from being a pandemic to becoming endemic - with the implication that the danger will have passed. But the WHO has warned that the sheer numbers of people infected will mean many vulnerable people are still falling seriously ill and dying. Experts have also warned that allowing Covid-19 to spread out of control dramatically increases the chance on new variants emerging. Advertisement

NHS bosses said it is up to Mr Johnson when to impose and lift Covid rules but warned 'Covid-19 has not magically disappeared'.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'While it is the job of the Prime Minister and the Government to weigh up the balance of pros and cons for lifting restrictions, this is not the time for complacency about this virus.

'COVID-19 has not magically disappeared, and we are likely to have to learn to live alongside it for years to come. Lifting restrictions doesn't mean a return to normality is inevitable.

'We need to be honest with the public that a decision to lift restrictions is a trade-off. We will have greater freedoms but the cost - at least in the short term - will be that more people are likely to get sick with Covid, and that the health service will continue to have to deal with the extra burdens that this creates.'

Hospitality bosses said the lifting of Plan B represents 'extremely good news' for the sector.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: 'The announcement from the Prime Minister today to remove all Plan B restrictions when they expire on 26th January is extremely good news for our pubs and brewers.

'However, the severity of the impact these measures had on trade during the festive period and into the new year must not be underestimated.

'It is vital the Government now lays out its plan for living with Covid as an endemic disease, this will enable the sector to plan for a strong and sustainable recovery.'

The PM had faced growing pressure from Tory figures to axe mandatory face mask rules after there were reports that they could be kept in place.

Lord Frost, the former Brexit minister who quit the Cabinet in December over the imposition of Plan B, had tweeted this morning: 'It is good news if the Cabinet does decide this morning to lift some 'Plan B' restrictions.

'But the job isn't done if mask wearing remains in place. The evidence for masks is weak & the many downsides are persistently discounted. All Plan B measures need lifting *for good*.'

The Government's strategy for living with Covid will see local testing centres starting to shut in the spring, according to The Times.

The Treasury believes the estimated 10billion a year cost of the testing operation is not sustainable and wants it to be reduced.

A Government source told The Times: 'The wind-down will be quite swift and will mean fewer test centres because we don't need all of the sites.'

It is thought the long-term coronavirus strategy could be unveiled by the Government by the end of February.

Official Government data showed there were a further 94,432 Covid cases recorded in the UK yesterday while a further 438 people had died within 28 days of testing positive.

A total of 19,450 people were in hospital in the UK with Covid-19 as of January 17.

This is down two per cent week-on-week - though the total had risen slightly in the most recent two days.

During the second wave of coronavirus, the number of hospital patients peaked at 39,254 on January 18, 2021.

There were 1,892 Covid-19 hospital admissions on January 14, the latest UK-wide figure available, down five per cent week-on-week.

Admissions during the second wave peaked at 4,583 on January 12 2021.

Lifting the Plan B restrictions is part of a Downing Street policy blitz, dubbed 'Operation Red Meat', designed to stabilise the PM's premiership after the Partygate row.

Other crowd-pleasing policies have already been announced, including bringing in the military to tackle the migrant Channel crossings crisis and freezing the BBC licence fee for two years.

The lifting of Plan B rules came as Scotland's national clinical director said Omicron is 'definitely' on a 'downward slope', but urged caution over thinking the pandemic is in its final stages.

Asked if we are in the 'endgame', Professor Jason Leitch told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think we're in the endgame of Omicron. I'm afraid that's not the answer you wanted.

'Nobody knows if we're in the endgame of the whole pandemic. And anybody who does, I'm afraid it's hope rather than reality.

'I hope we're in the endgame, and the WHO are telling us still to be cautious  don't drop your guard for surveillance of other variants that might come into your country or you might generate yourself.

'But we're definitely in a downward slope of Omicron, which is terrific news.'
Britain is still evacuating 250 people a week from Afghanistan, the Armed Forces minister has revealed as he pledged to keep bringing them 'as long as people who are eligible want to come'.

James Heappey told LBC the UK had managed to bring 'about 2,800' people out of Afghanistan since the end of Operation Pitting - the extraction of British nationals and eligible Afghans following the 2021 Taliban takeover of the region.

Mr Heappey said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was 'steadily, quietly, getting on with it', bringing around 250 people a week out of the country, mostly through Pakistan.

When asked how long this would continue, the minister replied: 'Indefinitely.'

Pictured: A full flight of 265 people supported by members of the UK Armed Forces on board an evacuation flight out of Kabul airport, Afghanistan in August 2021

James Heappey told LBC Britain had managed to bring 'about 2,800' people out of Afghanistan since the end of Operation Pitting - the evacuation of British nationals and eligible Afghans following the 2021 Taliban offensive

UK military personnel onboard a A400M aircraft departing Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021

UK'S PLEDGE TO RESETTLE AFGHANS The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme has already settled thousands of Afghans who have worked with the UK government, and their families. The ARAP scheme, which launched in April 2021 and will continue to operate 'indefinitely', offers relocation or other assistance to current and former Locally Employed Staff in Afghanistan. Under the ARAP scheme, any current or former Locally Employed Staff (LES) directly employed by the British Government assessed to be at 'serious risk of threat to life' is eligible to apply for ARAP, regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served. The Relocation Offer under the ARAP scheme applies to staff whom the UK government considers to have put themselves in the most danger and contributed the most to the UK mission in Afghanistan. This is in addition to the separate Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), which Britain formally opened on January 6 2022. The scheme will prioritise those who assisted British efforts in Afghanistan and 'stood up for values such as democracy, women's rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law', the Government announced. Vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of ethnic and religious minorities along with LGBT+ people will also be prioritised. The Government has pledged to resettle more than 5,000 people in the first year and up to 20,000 'over the coming years', working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to identify those in need of help. Anyone who is resettled through the ACRS will receive indefinite leave to enter or remain (ILR) in the UK, and will be able to apply for British citizenship after 5 years in the UK under existing rules. Advertisement

He said: 'I would love to be able to fly a load of planes in Kabul, scoop up 1,000 people in one go, and bring them out, it's not realistic.

'People are having to get out through a number of routes, none of which I should really disclose to your listeners.

'It may be the reassuring point to make in response to your question is that these people haven't been forgotten, this isn't a line of activity that has disappeared out of view.'

The minister said he had visited Uzbekistan and Qatar while 'looking for new routes', and has been having 'lots of conversations with our friends in Pakistan'.

He said: 'Our commitment to those who served alongside our Armed Forces during our time in Afghanistan is absolute and we will keep bringing people here for as long as people who are eligible want to come.'

The revelation comes as the MoD announced that Armed Forces personnel who took part in the evacuation of more than 15,000 people from Afghanistan in August 2021 are set to receive a new medal recognising their efforts.

Personnel will receive the existing Operational Service Medal Afghanistan, featuring a new clasp reading 'Operation Pitting', recognising their contribution to the evacuation of Afghan and British nationals.

More than 15,000 people were evacuated by personnel from across the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, during the effort.

Approximately 600 soldiers were deployed to Kabul airport, providing food, water, and medical assistance to evacuees after the Taliban took control of the country.

Evacuees were flown out of Kabul by the Royal Air Force in what Defence Secretary Ben Wallace described as 'the largest British evacuation since the Second World War'.

One flight set a new record for the highest number of people carried in an RAF C-17 aircraft, at 439.

The Prime Minister said: 'I'm delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given permission for a special medal to be awarded to all those who deployed to Kabul, to honour their heroism in the face of extreme adversity.

'Operation Pitting will go down as one of the great achievements of our UK Armed Services and their civilian counterparts in the post-war era.

'The whole country can be immensely proud of their tireless work to bring men, women and children to safety. They represent the very best of us.'
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Prince Andrew's Twitter account has been deleted and a Government Minister slammed his 'horrifically ill-advised associations' as pressure intensified on the Queen's son one week after she removed his honorary military roles.

Social media users visiting the Duke of York's official Twitter page @thedukeofyork today were greeted with a message saying 'this account doesn't exist - try searching for another' just hours after it was still live yesterday.

The Duke's Facebook and Instagram accounts - which both have the handle @hrhthedukeofyork - were still live this morning, six days after Andrew lost his titles and gave up his use of the HRH style last Thursday.

However a source close to Andrew told MailOnline today that all of his social media channels had now been removed and were no longer live, but some of them were taking longer to filter through. The source said: 'The changes have been made to reflect the recent statement from Buckingham Palace regarding The Duke of York.'

It comes after a series of revelations in an ITV documentary last night which saw his ex-girlfriend Lady Victoria Hervey claim Jeffery Epstein and former US president Bill Clinton 'were like brothers' and 'loved' being around him.

And Lady Victoria, the 45-year-old former 'It Girl', also said Ghislaine Maxwell used her as 'bait' to entertain Epstein's friends, adding that the US paedophile and financier had Maxwell 'sort of go fishing' for girls for him.

The documentary on at 9pm yesterday also aired allegations by former royal protection officer Paul Page that Andrew's love of his soft toy collection meant he would throw a tantrum if the teddy bears were moved.

Mr Page said a laminated picture of his toys was kept in a drawer to help household staff properly place them on his bed  and he would 'shout and scream and become verbally abusive' if they were not put back correctly.

Two of those speaking on the programme - viewed by a peak of 3.3million viewers - suggested Andrew and Maxwell were so comfortable around each other they gave the impression they had been in a relationship.

Euan Rellie, who socialised with Maxwell, told the documentary: 'I got the sense that Prince Andrew and Ghislaine had probably been boyfriend and girlfriend in the past. They had an easy warmth around each other.'

And Mr Page, who said he believes he first met Maxwell in 2001, added: 'From the way she was allowed to enter and exit the palace, go in and out, we thought she was having an intimate relationship with Prince Andrew.'

Andrew, who was born an HRH, will not use the style in any official capacity, and was also stripped last week of his remaining royal patronages in a decision which represented the Duke's complete removal from official royal life.

Social media users visiting the Duke of York's official Twitter page @thedukeofyork today were greeted with a message saying 'this account doesn't exist - try searching for another' (left) just hours after it was still live yesterday (right, as it appeared)

Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts stand together with Ghislaine Maxwell in the background in London on March 13, 2001

The Duke's Facebook and Instagram accounts - which both have the handle @hrhthedukeofyork - were still live this morning, but a source close to Andrew told MailOnline today that they had been removed but were taking longer to filter through

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told LBC today that the associations kept by Andrew were 'horrifically ill-advised'

The Queen's dramatic move came one day after the lawsuit against Andrew in New York took a big step forward when a judge threw out his motion to dismiss the sexual assault case against him and ruled it can go to trial.

Speaking about Andrew on LBC radio today, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said: 'He is out of public view.

Special Jubilee medal awarded to Prince Harry, Meghan and Andrew Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew are set to be awarded special Platinum Jubilee medals by the Queen next month. The commemorative medals are also being presented to frontline staff at the police, fire and emergency services who have completed five years' service, as a token of thanks. Members of the royal household with one year of qualifying service will receive medals too. Prince Andrew next to Harry and Meghan on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2019. Also pictured (front) are the Queen (left), James, Viscount Severn and Isla Philips (both right) But as with previous jubilees, the Queen will pay privately for medals to be given to members of her 'wider' family, both working and non-working. And this year the non-working number will include Andrew, Harry and Meghan. The Duke of York was forced to relinquish his remaining royal roles and stop using his HRH title last week as he faces his US sex case as a 'private citizen'. Harry and Meghan, who quit as working royals and moved to the US in pursuit of lucrative commercial careers while repeatedly criticising the Royal Family, will also be awarded medals as a matter of course. A royal source said: 'In common with previous jubilees, it is likely that wider members of the Royal Family would receive the Platinum Jubilee medal... they are funded privately and are commemorative.' It is understood that Andrew, Harry and Meghan would be entitled to wear their medals with 'civilian dress' if they are invited to an event where the dress code says 'decorations'. But the Queen may not be able to award Harry and Meghan's medals in person. Harry is threatening to seek a judicial review of a Home Office decision not to allow him to pay for police protection while in Britain. Without this security, he feels unable to travel to the UK, a spokesman said. The medals will also go to frontline prison and Armed Forces staff, as well as living individual recipients of the George and Victoria Cross. Advertisement

'My personal reflection is his associations are horrifically ill-advised and he has caused enormous challenges for the Royal Family in a year when we should be celebrating the extraordinary service of Her Majesty the Queen as she reaches her Platinum Jubilee.

'But I'm also a Minister of the Crown and it would not be appropriate for me to give any further comment that might risk being too colourful.'

It comes as Lady Victoria told yesterday how Maxwell used her as 'bait' to entertain Epstein's friends. The socialite and model, who dated Andrew in her early twenties, said the US paedophile and financier had Maxwell 'sort of go fishing' for girls for him.

The 45-year-old former 'It Girl', who is the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol, first met the pair 20 years ago when she said she was 'young and naive'.

On the ITV documentary last night called 'Ghislaine, Prince Andrew And The Paedophile', Lady Victoria spoke about the relationship between Epstein and Mr Clinton, who was photographed on a number of occasions with the paedophile, and is reported to have flown on his private jet at least nine times.

She said: 'Clinton was definitely very close to Jeffrey. I don't know if you saw the paintings that were in Jeffrey Epstein's house? One of them being a portrait of Bill Clinton wearing the dress that Monica Lewinsky wore when they had the affair.

'So yeah, he was super close to Jeffrey Epstein. They were like brothers, you know, and he was close to Ghislaine as well,' the socialite said.

In 2010, Maxwell was a guest at the wedding of Chelsea Clinton, Bill Clinton's daughter. The former president denies being close with Epstein.

Andrew is accused of having sex with Virginia Giuffre when she was a teenager, then called Virginia Roberts, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell. The Duke strenuously denies the accusations.

When asked by presenter Ranvir Singh what she thought Epstein and Maxwell wanted from their friendship with Andrew, Lady Victoria said: 'Prince Andrew was the son of the queen of England. Americans love that. Jeffery loved that. Bill Clinton loved that.'

She also said of Epstein and Maxwell: 'It was kind of like Batman and Robin  they were a double act. I don't think Jeffrey could have done any of it without Ghislaine.'

Ms Singh asked her: 'And Ghislaine was crucial to getting those girls, was she, do you think, to those dinners?'

Lady Victoria replied: 'He just kind of sat back and sort of waited for her to sort of go fishing and go find however many girls were needed to entertain his friends. I was pretty much used as bait. Looking back, I was really young and naive.'

Maxwell, 60, was found guilty of facilitating the sexual abuse of schoolgirls at a New York trial last month.

She will be sentenced on June 28 and faces a prison term of up to 65 years.

Epstein, 66, killed himself in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Lady Victoria also appeared on ITV's Lorraine yesterday and suggested that Maxwell was initially a victim of Epstein but later became an accomplice.

Prince Andrew is said to have visited Jeffrey Epstein at a number of the billionaire's residences - including Epstein's island of Little St James - and his name is recorded on the flight logs of Epstein's private jet that become known as the Lolita Express

Epstein's luxury home on his island - Little St James - where Virginia Giuffre, previously known as Virginia Roberts, alleges the Duke of York sexually abused her. Prince Andrew denies all the allegations made against him

Lady Victoria Hervey and Ghislaine Maxwell in Hollywood in February 2004. Lady Victoria first met her about 20 years ago

Lady Victoria Hervey (looking towards the camera) stands near Prince Andrew (left) at a party in London in January 2002

She added: 'She is a scapegoat right now, so unfortunately for her, she is being taken down for what he has done as well.'

Maxwell used me as bait for Epstein, says ex-It Girl Lady Victoria Hervey told yesterday how Ghislaine Maxwell used her as 'bait' to entertain Jeffrey Epstein's friends. The socialite and model, who dated Prince Andrew in her early twenties, said the US paedophile and financier had Maxwell 'sort of go fishing' for girls for him. The 45-year-old former 'It Girl', who is the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol, first met the pair 20 years ago when she said she was 'young and naive'. Prince Andrew's ex-girlfriend Lady Victoria Hervey appears in 'Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile' on ITV last night On an ITV documentary last night, Lady Victoria said: 'It was kind of like Batman and Robin  they were a double act. I don't think Jeffrey could have done any of it without Ghislaine.' Presenter Ranvir Singh asked her: 'And Ghislaine was crucial to getting those girls, was she, do you think, to those dinners?' Lady Victoria replied: 'He just kind of sat back and sort of waited for her to sort of go fishing and go find however many girls were needed to entertain his friends. I was pretty much used as bait. Looking back, I was really young and naive.' Lady Victoria also appeared on ITV's Lorraine yesterday and suggested that Maxwell was initially a victim of Epstein but later became an accomplice. She added: 'She is a scapegoat right now, so unfortunately for her, she is being taken down for what he has done as well.' Advertisement

Meanwhile the Grenadier Guards greeted the news that Andrew had lost his honorary role as their colonel with 'three cheers' for the Queen.

After Buckingham Palace announced the decision to strip the Duke of his military affiliations, the regiment's ceremonial commander Roly Walker confirmed the position had 'returned to Her Majesty with immediate effect'.

Lieutenant General Walker said in an email sent to all troops: 'I am sure you will offer a personal 'Three Cheers' for the colonel, an appointment she first held in 1942, 80 years to the day on February 24 this year.'

Andrew, 61, inherited the role with the Grenadier Guards from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, when he retired from public life in 2017.

It was one of the positions that he clung to when he first stepped back from official duties in 2019. But there were repeated reports that officers felt 'uncomfortable' at having to drink to Andrew's health at the end of regimental dinners.

Lt Gen Walker also said in his email: 'Buckingham Palace have informed me that in due course the colonelcy, along with the duke's other titles and affiliations, will be reallocated to another member of the Royal Family.'

He added that he would write to Andrew 'to thank him for his time as colonel'.

Formed in 1656 by Charles II, the Grenadier Guards have fought in almost every major campaign of the British Army, including the Napoleonic, Crimean, Boer, First and Second World Wars.

York Racecourse yesterday confirmed it will rebrand one of its most historic events, the Duke of York Stakes, in a bid to distance itself from Andrew.

The six-furlong sprint was first staged in 1895 and derives its name from Prince George, Duke of York, who became George V.

The racecourse's head of marketing and sponsorship, James Brennan, said: 'It has never been directly about Prince Andrew. However, we are going to explore how we can make the name a lot clearer about its history  and that the name refers to an entirely different Duke of York.'

Andrew was a patron of the course, and a regular attendee at flagship fixtures, until he relinquished the role in 2019.

The prince has now been forced to withdraw entirely from public life in the wake of his association with disgraced paedophile Epstein and his sex trafficker girlfriend, Maxwell.

Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre claims she was lent out by the pair and forced to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17. She is now suing him for rape and sexual assault in a civil court.

The prince has always vehemently denied the claims. He was last week forced by the Queen to hand back all his royal privileges in order to fight the US case as a 'private citizen'.
Nearly nine in ten residents in York have demanded that Prince Andrew be stripped of his dukedom as the dramatic fallout from his bombshell sex abuse lawsuit rumbles on, a poll suggests.

A survey by York's daily newspaper The Press found that 88 per cent of its readers want to see the prince's Duke of York honours taken away from him as the prospect of a court showdown in the US looms.

York appears to be distancing itself from the so-called 'pariah prince' after the Queen sensationally stripped him of his honorary military roles, royal patronages, and official 'HRH' status last week.

Andrew is facing a lawsuit from a woman who claims she was trafficked to have sex with him by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. His accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre alleges she was forced to have sex with the duke on three occasions when she was a minor under US law.

Andrew denies the allegations and will fight the lawsuit as a 'private citizen'. He is not being accused of criminal wrongdoing.

Nearly nine in ten residents in York have demanded that Prince Andrew be stripped of his dukedom as the dramatic fallout from his sex abuse lawsuit rumbles on, a poll suggests

Andrew at York Racecourse to open the new weighing room in May 2015

Calls have been made for Andrew to lose his dukedom (York Minster is pictured)

The prince pictured with his accuser Virginia Roberts and Ghislaine Maxwell

Grenadier Guards give three cheers as the Queen replaces Prince Andrew as their chief... following rumours officers felt 'uncomfortable' drinking to the Duke's health at regimental dinners The Grenadier Guards greeted the news that Prince Andrew had lost his honorary role as their colonel with 'three cheers' for the Queen. After Buckingham Palace announced the decision to strip the Duke of York of his military affiliations, the regiment's ceremonial commander Roly Walker confirmed the position had 'returned to Her Majesty with immediate effect'. Lieutenant General Walker said in an email sent to all troops: 'I am sure you will offer a personal 'Three Cheers' for the colonel, an appointment she first held in 1942, 80 years to the day on February 24 this year.' Andrew, 61, inherited the role with the Grenadier Guards from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, when he retired from public life in 2017. The post has huge personal significance for the Royal Family. The prince even took riding lessons so he could lead the regiment on horseback for Trooping the Colour on the Queen's official birthday. It was one of the positions that he clung to when he first stepped back from official duties in 2019. But there were repeated reports that officers felt 'uncomfortable' at having to drink to Andrew's health at the end of regimental dinners. Advertisement

The Duke of York Stakes, one of York Racecourse's most prestigious racing events, yesterday revealed it is planning to rename the sprint 'The 1895 Duke of York Stakes' to 'better reflect its long history and the specific Duke of York that it remembers'.

A York Racecourse spokesman told The Press that the Stakes was introduced in 1895 and named after Prince George, the Duke of York at the time  later King George V.

Meanwhile, more than 900 people have signed a Change.org petition calling for Andrew's dukedom to be revoked.

The petition claims that Andrew has 'a lack of morals, lack of humanity and lack of judgement by protracted fraternising with Jeffrey Epstein' and has a 'total lack of caring for others'.

'These are not Yorkshire values. Having him associated with such a proud, fair and straight talking county is contradictory and embarrassing,' it adds.

And pubs across the country are debating whether to rename their Duke of York pubs as Andrew's case continues.

In Marylebone in west London, the manager of The Duke of York Gastropub said there would be a meeting this week to discuss a potential name change.

The manager, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'We won't decide either way until next week in a meeting amongst the owners. It's a business change of name with the bank, and on credit card machines, so it's not just straightforward, but no decision's been made on that at the moment.'

In a round of interviews this morning, the Armed Forces minister said the associations kept by Andrew were 'horrifically ill-advised'.

Speaking on LBC, James Heappey said Andrew had 'caused enormous challenges for the royal family in a year when we should be celebrating the extraordinary service of Her Majesty the Queen as she reaches her platinum jubilee'.

He said he could not give any further comments which 'might risk being too colourful'.

Local politicians have been campaigning for Andrew to forsake his title as Duke of York.

Labour's MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell, tweeted: 'It's untenable for the Duke of York to cling onto his title another day; this association with York must end.

'There's a very serious allegation made against this man of privilege and entitlement.'

Liberal Democrat councillor Darryl Smalley added: 'No one is above the law and all allegations should rightly be investigated, particularly following the recent distressing court cases.

York appears to be distancing itself from Andrew after the Queen sensationally stripped him of his honorary military roles, royal patronages, and official 'HRH' status last week

Andrew inherited the role with the Grenadier Guards from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, when he retired from public life in 2017

Plaque that marked the opening of a Devon police station by the Duke of York has been removed following public complaint as Andrew becomes a 'pariah Prince' A plaque that marked the opening of a police station reception by the Duke of York has been removed following a complaint from a member of the public. In a sign of how Andrew has become a 'pariah Prince', senior officers in Devon decided to take down the plaque which had been on the wall at Torquay police station since 2001. Andrew has strong links to Devon, having trained at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth from 1979 to 1980. He also attended the Dartmouth Regatta in 2019, just weeks after the death of his friend, the American paedophile tycoon Jeffrey Epstein. But in comments that will add to his ignominy, Assistant Chief Constable Jim Nye, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: 'Following a complaint we received from a member of the public, a decision was made to move the plaque from public display. 'The recent removal of Prince Andrew's military affiliations and Royal patronages were also taken into account when making this decision.' Advertisement

'We stand with all victims, whose harrowing stories have shocked us all in recent months.

'Whilst Prince Andrew remains innocent until proven guilty, Buckingham Palace and the Government must consider the implications of these troubling allegations moving forward.

'Having been stripped of his military roles and royal patronages by the Queen, he should also now relinquish his title as Duke of York.'

Labour councillor Pete Kilbane said: 'Prince Andrew has, by knowingly consorting with a convicted paedophile and mixing with a now-convicted sex trafficker, lost all respect and trust from the public he relies on for his position and public funding.

'Decent people would want to put as much distance between the city and the Duke as possible. We trust that this is now being addressed'.

But Tory group leader Paul Doughty said: 'We have a long history and tradition in this country of a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. I believe this to be a cornerstone of a civilised society.

'Likewise, I also believe that someone's position, whether a royal or otherwise should have equity in law.

'I therefore think it is right that the Duke is not afforded special treatment and faces the law as anyone else would.'

It comes after York City residents pressed MPs to pass an Act of Parliament to formally withdraw his dukedom  a wedding day present from the Queen in 1986.

The Queen marked the royal nuptials by giving her second son the dukedom  the highest rank in the British peerage  and he also became became Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh.

The monarch traditionally gives members of the royal family a new title when they get married, with Prince William becoming the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry given the title the Duke of Sussex.

Former holders of the title Duke of York include Andrew's grandfather King George VI and his great-grandfather King George V.

Andrew's dukedom will not be inherited by his daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice when he dies, but revert back to the sovereign.

The title was created in the 14th century and the following century became a possession of the Crown when it was inherited by a future monarch.
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Devastated mourners have held a candlelit vigil for schoolgirl Charlise Mutten after her body was tragically discovered in a barrel.

Friends, family and fellow students of the nine-year-old congregated outside the front gates of Tweed Heads Public School on the NSW coast on Wednesday night.

Many of the young mourners held candles as they stood outside the gates adorned with countless bunches of flowers, pink balloons, cards and photos of Charlise.

The schoolgirl's body was found in a barrel on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson - in the NSW Blue Mountains.

The nine-year-old's stepfather Justin Stein, 31, has been charged with murder and was arrested inside a Surry Hills unit shortly after her body was found.

Devastated mourners (pictured) have held a candlelit vigil to pay their respects to schoolgirl Charlise Mutten

Many of the young mourners held candles as they stood outside the school gates and remembered their classmate

Friends, family and fellow students of the nine-year-old congregated outside the front gates of Tweed Heads Public School on Wednesday night

A young girl is comforted by a woman as she leaves flowers outside the school gates in honour of Charlise

A woman wrapped her arms around two young girls at the Wednesday night vigil that was attended by over 150 people

A woman is seen struggling to hold back tears as she placed a bouquet of flowers amid the tributes to Charlise

The emotional vigil began at about 7:15pm outside the school where Charlise had been a student and was attended by about 150 people despite sprinklings of rain.

A message on the school's notice board read 'don't count the days, make the days count' with the school releasing a statement on Wednesday morning.

'Charlise was a much loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day,' the statement read, adding the school was 'absolutely devastated' by the news.

It was accompanied by a touching photo of the nine-year-old holding a literacy award she had received at the end-of-year presentation day.

Police will allege Stein spent up to five hours driving around Sydney with his fiance's daughter's body in the back of a boat, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The 31-year-old spent hours deciding where to leave her body before dumping it near a river, police will claim.

Detectives believe Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten had left her daughter in the care of Stein last Tuesday night - the last time she was confirmed to be alive.

Police will allege she was killed within the following 15 hours.

Charlise Mutten (pictured) has been remembered as a much-loved member of Tweed Heads Public School in a statement from the school released on Wednesday morning

A little boy places a candle on a makeshift shrine for Charlise set up outside the school as some made speeches in her honour

'Charlise was a much loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day,' a statement from her school read (pictured, mourners hold each other during the vigil)

A message on the school's notice board read 'don't count the days, make the days count' during the emotional service

A few women were seen addressing the large crowds during the emotional candlelight service in a tribute to the school girl

Charliese's biological father has shared an emotional tribute to his daughter and vowed to 'get answers' about her tragic death.

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' the man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his statement.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'

The schoolgirl, who was under the full-time custody of her grandparents in the Gold Coast, was spending the holidays with her mother and stepfather at the Blue Mountains property when she was reported missing on Friday.

Homicide detectives retraced Stein's steps using CCTV after he allegedly bought five 20kg sandbags from Bunnings, fuelled up a boat, then tried to launch it from an inner-Sydney dock.

Countless bunches of flowers, colourful balloons and letters addressed to Charlise were left outside the school gates

The nine-year-old's body was reportedly found in a barrel on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson

The vigil was attended by up to 150 people including Charlise's classmates despite the light sprinklings of rain overhead

The candlelight vigil was held to celebrate the life of the school girl who brightened the days of those around her, as described by her school

Charliese's biological father has shared an emotional tribute to his daughter and vowed to 'get answers' about her tragic death (pictured, a mourner arrives at the scene)

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they will allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where his stepdaughter's body was later found (pictured, mourners comfort each other at the service)

After finding the boat was inoperable, police will allege he then tried to dump the barrel containing Charlise's body in Colo River but was unable to roll it in due to the weight of the sandbags.

It is alleged he instead left her in bushland, where she was later discovered.

A blue tarpaulin was also found in the back of the boat. The barrel has now been seized and will be forensically examined.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they will allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where his stepdaughter's body was later found.

'(There were) a number of telephone conversations, to purchase a number of sandbags,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

Footage of Stein's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing the moment he walked from a car to a holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him.

He wore a grey Everlast jumper and shorts which he was still dressed in when he fronted court on Wednesday morning.

Ms Mutten reported Charlise missing to police on Friday morning.

Touching photos of Charlise were left outside the school gates along with dozens of candles, flowers, balloons and letters

A woman was seen reading a tribute from her phone as she addressed the dozens of mourners who came to honour Charlise

Mourners comfort each other as the nine-year-old is remembered by loved ones, friends and students at the service

Police will allege the nine-year-old (pictured) was killed within the 15 hours after she was placed in the care of Stein last Tuesday night

Detectives believe Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten had left her daughter in the care of Stein last Tuesday night - the last time she was confirmed to be alive

A woman comforts a little girl at the service while another is seen holding a candle in honour of Charlise Mutten

The police fact sheet tendered in court on Wednesday indicates police believe she may have been killed several days before this call was made.

Police alleged Charlise was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12.

Detectives are still waiting to speak to Ms Mutten because she remains under guard at hospital and is 'hard to approach'.

'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

'She's under medical supervision, but when doctors allow, we will be talking to her.'

Mr Hudson said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice.

'At this stage, we have no evidence to support whether the accused acted alone... However it is still early days,' he said.

Detectives are still waiting to speak to Ms Mutten because she remains under guard at hospital and is 'hard to approach' (pictured, mourners look on at colourful balloons left for Charlise)

Emotional schoolchildren and their parents commemorated Charlise outside the school gates on the rainy Wednesday night

One mourner gave another a hug as crowds weathered the rain to say goodbye to Charlise who was reportedly found in a barrel by police on Tuesday night

Police alleged Charlise was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12 (pictured, flowers, candles and posters pay tribute to the schoolgirl)

Charlise's doting grandparents, who live in Coolangatta, have been notified of her death (pictured, crowds outside Tweed Heads Public School on Wednesday night)

Police were investigating a number of 'anomalies' they claimed to identify in the accused's initial testimony, which included allegedly giving two separate versions of events in the lead up to the young girl's disappearance.

Mr Hudson said through tracking the movements of a car they seized via CCTV, they were able to establish certain facts as to Stein's movements.

Charlise's doting grandparents, who live in Coolangatta, have been notified.

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives.

The 31-year-old accused, who was arrested inside a Surry Hills unit shortly after her body was found, did not apply for bail in court on Wednesday - and it was formally refused.

His lawyer asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication'.

Detectives have said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice (pictured, a woman looks forlorn as she attends the candelit vigil)

Police have seized Stein's red ute (pictured) as part of their investigation into Charlise's alleged murder

Police made the grisly discovery near the Colo River (pictured) - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains on Tuesday night

The 31-year-old man was arrested at an apartment in Surry Hills on Tuesday night and he briefly faced court on Wednesday

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives (pictured, mourners at the vigil)

'Charlise, we will miss you,' a handmade sign left on the gates reads as more than one hundred mourners pay their respects to the little girl

An eyewitness also told Daily Mail Australia they had seen a car leaving the property she was last seen at in the early hours of Friday morning.

The one hour drive from Mt Wilson to the Colo River follows Mt Wilson Road to the Bells Line of Road then via one of two routes to reach the river.

Driving past houses and equestrian properties, the road becomes a dirt track as it enters the Wollemi National Park.

Comleroy Road to Upper Colo is a winding and often steep and treacherous dirt road which crosses through the flowing Colo River past the remote Wheeny Creek campground.

A road posted with a sign warning 'Protect children! Please drive carefully' goes past the Upper Colo Anglican Church and local rural fire brigade headquarters.
A father-of-four who was reportedly suffering from paranoid hallucinations smashed a hospital's third floor window and plunged to his death during his admission for an overdose.

After sending his wife a text telling her he had been arrested and to look after their children, Aaron Deeley smashed the window of his hospital room and fell to his death with medical tubes still attached to his body.

Mr Deeley, 43, was suffering from depression and had been taken to A&E three days earlier following an overdose where he was kept for 24 hours.

He was then moved to the acute medical unit on the third floor of the hospital where he was being treated for severe liver damage.

His grieving family are now demanding answers after they say the hospital assured them he would not be left unsupervised as he was admitted following the attempted overdose.

Wife Michelle Deeley said: 'I want everyone to know that Aaron would be here if Southend Hospital had done their job properly.

'Aaron wasn't a priority to them. He wasn't given a chance to get better and work through his demons.

'It wasn't taken seriously enough that Aaron was ill. It was his second attempt in six weeks.'

Michelle said Aaron was suffering paranoid hallucinations in hospital that were made clear in a text he sent Michelle - his wife of 12 years - less than an hour before his death.

Aaron wrote: 'Michelle I've just been arrested. I love you. Take care of our babies.'

Father-of-four Aaron Deeley died after falling from a window at Southend Hospital after being admitted following an overdose prompting his family to ask why he was left on his own

Aaron Deeley, 43, with wife Michelle, 40. Michelle said that hospital staff assured her that Aaron would be under 24-hour watch while in hospital after he was admitted following an attempted overdose

The father-of-four was described as 'one in a million' in tributes shared by family after his death

Michelle said that hospital staff assured her that Aaron would be under 24-hour watch while in hospital after he was admitted following an attempted overdose.

But she claimed that a security guard clocked off at 9pm and Aaron was left alone before breaking a window frame and jumping into an alley below at around 1.30am that night.

Michelle said: 'I told the hospital why did you leave him? I thought you had a 24-hour watch.

'You took security guards off, why would you do that? Why wasn't he on the ground floor?'

Michelle's sister Louise Collins told the Southend Echo he was 'not thinking straight' due to the drugs from his treatment.

She added: 'I can't even put into words our anger at the hospital. We are absolutely disgusted.

'After being promised that he was going to be watched 24/7 we have been completely let down. What happened?

'They weren't thinking of his mental health, it feels like they didn't care despite being warned to watch him, and he was just left unsupervised to do that.

'We feel absolutely devastated, there are just no words. He could have got better, had he been watched, he could have got better, he just didn't get the chance.'

The Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust has confirmed it is investigation the circumstances surrounding Aaron's death after his family say they were assured he would be watched 24/7

Louise said: 'It's so awful. We were telling Michelle 'he's alright, he's safe, he's in hospital, and that wasn't true.'

The trust has confirmed it has opened an investigation into the death.

A spokesperson for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said:

'An incident at Southend Hospital is currently under investigation, meaning we are currently unable to make any further comment.'

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed they are also investigating and said: 'We were called at around 1.30am on Friday 14 January to an incident at Southend University Hospital.

'A man had been found injured and, sadly, he died at the scene.

'We are carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances leading up to the incident but at this stage have not identified any third party involvement.'

Michelle said that Aaron's mental health deteriorated last October.

Michelle said her husband (pictured together) had battled mental health problems in the months before his death and had previously attempted to take his own life before Christmas

She said that Aaron suffered paranoid delusions that his family would be better without him - and attempted an overdose before Christmas that left him hospitalised for two days.

Michelle said: 'We're just devastated, he was so lovely. He would move heaven and earth to make his wife and kids happy, we were his world.

'Everything is gone because of massive failings. We've been robbed of our future, my children have been robbed of a father.'

Paying tribute after his death, Aaron was described as a 'one in a million' man and 'the best dad ever' by his grieving family.

Michelle, who had been married to Aaron for 12 years, said in a tribute shared online on Friday: 'You were the love of my life, my soul mate and kindred spirits today.

'You have left us and I can't believe it. Love u always and forever.'

Flowers have been left at the scene where Aaron died outside Southend Hospital on Friday

The Canvey father-of-four, who worked as a delivery driver for Sainsbury's, leaves behind his loving wife Michelle and children Hunter, 20, Alexis, 14, Destiny, 11, and Jason, 10.

His sister-in-law Louise Collins said: 'It's such a tragic loss because Aaron was the best dad ever. My sister didn't have to worry for anything, she had Aaron and he was just her and the children's whole world.

'We as a family knew she was always alright because she had Aaron. He didn't have a single bad bone in his body, he was just an amazing man who absolutely adored his kids and his wife.

'Aaron was just one in a million, he really was a lovely man. Always had a smile on his face and was a delight to know.'

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org
Piers Corbyn has been charged after trying to shut down the coronavirus vaccination clinic at Guy's Hospital in south east London.

The 74-year-old conspiracy theorist and another man - known only under the name David - were detained by police at the scene.

It came after the Met Police received reports a group of nine people had started protesting outside.

Footage of the protest, posted online by Corbyn and his supporters, show the police attempting to move them on, warning they would be arrested if they stayed.

Stunned staff delivering the jabs can be seen as they refused to leave.

One anti-vaxxer who was not arrested can be heard declaring the hospital was a 'murder scene' and describing the lifesaving shots as 'murder weapons'.

Eventually Corbyn can be seen being led out of the hospital in handcuffs and being put in a police van before being taken to Walworth Police Station.

Later he posted on social media: 'Piers released from custody. Piers and David have been charged with "causing without reasonable excuse on NHS premises a nuisance / disturbance".

Footage of the arrest showed Piers Corbyn being led away to the police station in Walworth

Corbyn was seen seconds earlier being led out of the hospital after the anti-vax protest

'This is apparently the first time this charge has been used. Piers and David are pleading Not Guilty and will be in court on Feb 3.'

Earlier he had declared: 'Piers and team were attempting to shut down Guy's jab centre.'

The post also referenced what it said was a crime reference number relating to allegations about people being vaccinated.

It comes less than a month after anti-vax activists stormed a Covid testing site and marched through the facility where protesters tore down signs, threw traffic cones and appeared to steal medical supplies.

A demonstrator holds up a placard reading 'Reclaim NHS, end jab tyranny now' at the testing site in Milton Keynes

A motorist remonstrates with anti-vaccination protesters during the rally at a Covid testing site in central Milton Keynes

Protesters throw traffic cones as they take part in an anti-vaccination 'Freedom Rally' inside an NHS Covid vaccination centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Demonstrators in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were filmed shouting 'shame on you' repeatedly at testing site staff.

Some held placards bearing slogans including 'BBC: Just a bunch of WOKERS!', 'Fear is the currency of control' and 'Boris lied, people died', while others threw traffic cones and pushed over signs.

Cries of 'You murdering b****rds' and 'The wind is changing' are heard as the crowd marches into the site, and one of the demonstrators appears to pick up testing equipment before carrying it out of one of the site's tents.

One of the protesters is seen asking a member of staff in a high visibility jacket: 'Have you had the vaccine yourself?'

The social media user who uploaded footage of the incident, which has been viewed 10,000 times, claimed that one protester 'stole testing equipment and dumped it in a bin outside the centre'.

A spokesman for the Met Police told MailOnline of the London protest: 'David Burridge, 44, of Hounslow and Piers Corbyn, 74, of Southwark have been charged with causing a nuisance or disturbance on NHS premises without reasonable excuse.

'They were charged on Wednesday, 19 January and bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, 3 February.

'Police were called at 15:15hrs on Tuesday, 18 January to Guy's Hospital, St Thomas's Street, SE1 following reports of people staging a protest.

'Officers attended and arrested two men who were later charged as above.'
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Russia could attack Ukraine on 'very short notice' during remarks at the American embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Blinken met with President Volodymyr Zelensky as the Biden administration today said it is providing an additional $200 million in defensive military aid to the country amid growing fears that a Russian invasion is imminent.

Upon his arrival Kyiv to open a hastily arranged visit to show U.S. support, Blinken told embassy staff: 'We know that there are plans in place to increase that (Russian) force even more on very short notice.'

'That gives President Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine,' Blinken said.

He also maintained that a peaceful, diplomatic solution was still the priority, but stressed the situation was entirely reactive to Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions.

'I strongly, strongly hope that we can keep this on a diplomatic and peaceful path, but ultimately, that's going to be President Putin's decision.', Blinken said.

The United States' chief diplomat ratcheted up his warning about the Kremlin's military capabilities during a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Blinken added to his warning of a potentially imminent Russian attack that Ukraine could also face twice as many enemy troops in the process.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a meeting with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 19

At his press conference with Kuleba, Blinken told reporters he would not be presenting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with a written response to Russia's demands, which Moscow had asked for

'As we meet today, Russia has ratcheted up its threats and amassed nearly 100,000 forces on Ukraines border, which it could double on relatively short order,' he said.

During his week in Europe Blinken will meet with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in Geneva on Friday.

Blinken told reporters he would not be presenting Lavrov with a written response to Russia's demands, as Moscow had requested.

'It's not clear what Russia's central demand is or is not. They've put a number of things on the table,' he said. 'Some of them are clearly absolute non-starters like closing NATO's door to new members.'

Blinken's comments at the embassy prompted a response from Russia today, with the country's Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Ryabkov called on Washington to stop military support for Kiev, as this directly threatens Russia.

'We emphasize the need to stop feeding the militant Ukrainian regime with the supply of weapons, instructor assistance, the development of plans and their implementation for the construction of military bases, conducting training events and much more, which poses a direct, immediate threat to us,' he said.

Ryabkov also said that Russia is urging the United States to take 'concrete cases' to force Kiev to comply with the Minsk agreements, if Washington is really interested in this.

Blinken told an audience of roughly 60 embassy staff in Kyiv on Wednesday that Ukraine is experiencing a 'critical time' in it shistory

During his meeting with Zelensky, Blinken reaffirmed the American commitment to his nation's sovereignty and said Ukraine had faced 'relentless aggression from Moscow' since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

'Russia invaded territory in the Crimea, ginned up a conflict in eastern Ukraine, and has systematically sought to undermine and divide Ukraines democracy,' Blinken said.

'Our strength depends on preserving our unity and that includes unity within Ukraine. I think one of Moscow's long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within our countries and quite simply, we cannot and will not let them do that.'

After their meeting, State Department spokesman Ned Price warned the West was ready to impose 'crippling costs on Russias economy' if Putin chooses the path of 'further aggression.'

'They discussed U.S. and international security and economic assistance to Ukraine, and the Secretary expressed appreciation for Ukraines continued calls for a diplomatic solution, stressing the need for Ukrainian unity in the face of the Russian threat,' Price said.

'He emphasized the United States unwavering commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterated the principle of nothing about Ukraine, without Ukraine.'

Zelensky thanked Blinken on Twitter after their meeting and said he was counting on stronger 'economic & financial' cooperation from the West.

'Grateful for [US's] political & security support. Count on enhancing economic & financial cooperation. I'm sure there will be no decision about [Ukraine] without [Ukraine],' he wrote.

After his meeting with the U.S.'s top diplomat, Zelensky said he was counting on stronger 'economic & financial' cooperation from the West

Blinken told Zelensky that Ukraine has faced 'relentless aggression from Moscow' since the collapse of the Soviet Union

Ukrainian soldiers with the 56th Brigade, on the front line on January 18, 2022 in Pisky, Ukraine. Blinken rushed to the Eastern European nation on Wednesday as Russia ramps up its aggressive posturing

The latest back-and-forth between the U.S. and Russia follows inconclusive diplomatic talks between Moscow and the West in Europe last week that failed to resolve stark disagreements over Ukraine and other security matters.

Instead, those meetings appear to have increased fears of a Russian invasion, and the Biden administration has accused Russia of preparing a 'false flag operation' to use as a pretext for intervention. Russia has angrily denied the charge.

A senior U.S. State Department official said the additional defensive military assistance was approved in late December as part of American efforts to help Ukraine protect itself. Until Wednesday, however, the administration had refused to comment on it. The official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly before Blinken's meetings in Kyiv and spoke on condition of anonymity.

'We are committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to provide Ukraine the support it needs,' the official said. The official did not detail the contents of the aid package.

Britain has also sent troops and hi-tech weapons to Ukraine in a bid to thwart a feared Russian invasion, with two RAF transporters flew badly needed missile systems to Kiev's forces. Troops were aboard the planes and will remain in Ukraine to teach their counterparts how to combat Russian tanks.

U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the deployment came 'in light of the increasingly threatening behavior from Russia'.

The White House said Tuesday it believed a Russian invasion of Ukraine could come at any time, with Press Secretary Jen Psaki warning of an 'extremely dangerous situation' at the border as 100,000 Russian troops gathered.

Pictured: Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center) arrives in the Ukraine today and is greeted by the country's Deputy Foreign minister Dmytro Senik (left) at Boryspil International Airport, Kyiv

On top of the military forces sent to Ukraine by Britain, the Biden administration today said it is providing an additional $200 million in defensive military aid to the country, with the US having previously supplied small arms, ammunition, secure radios, medical equipment, spare parts and other equipment. Biden has also previously ruled out sending US forces into Ukraine, but special forces already operate under rotation there to train Ukrainian soldiers

A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Russia has concentrated an estimated 100,000 troops with tanks and other heavy weapons near Ukraine in what the West fears could be a prelude to an invasion

Russian military vehicles arriving in Belarus are seen in this photograph distributed by the Belarus Ministry of Defense on Tuesday, ahead of joint exercises

It comes as Moscow officials said Russia is sending troops from the country's far east to Belarus for major war games in a deployment further beefing up Russian military assets near Ukraine.

'We're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday. 'And what Secretary Blinken is going to go do is highlight very clearly there is a diplomatic path forward.'

'It is the choice of President Putin and the Russians to make, whether they are going to suffer severe economic consequences or not.'

It is not yet known how the additional $200million of aid being sent by the US to the Ukraine will be broken down, but in the past, small arms, ammunition, secure radios, medical equipment, spare parts and other equipment have all be supplied.

Additionally, President Biden has previously ruled out sending any US forces into the Ukraine to assist in combat, but currently, special forces soldiers operate on rotation within the country to provide training for their soldiers.

Blinken will today meet with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky and other senior Ukrainian officials before flying to Berlin on Thursday where he will speak to his German, British and French counterparts to discuss a possible response to any Russian military action. That meeting is aimed at testing Russia's willingness to resolve the crisis diplomatically, officials said.

Then from there he will meet Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday.

In Geneva, Blinken will be testing Lavrov on Russia's interest in a 'diplomatic off-ramp' for the crisis, a senior US state department official said.

Pictured: A consignment of defensive military aid from Britain which was flown into the Ukraine this week, including missile systems

Pictured: A forklift truck removes the shipment of weapons and equipment from an aircraft in the Ukraine this week

British soldiers were also onboard the flight and will remain in the Ukraine to teach the country's soldiers how to use the new weapons against Russian tanks

Blinken's 'travel and consultations are part of the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension caused by Russia's military build-up and continued aggression against Ukraine', the US State Department said.

CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv last Wednesday to consult with his Ukrainian counterparts and discuss current assessments of the risk to Ukraine, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Burns' schedule, which is classified. While there, he also discussed the current situation with Zelenskyy and efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Blinken spoke by phone Tuesday with Lavrov, discussing the diplomatic talks and meetings held last week. The State Department said Blinken 'stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions' surrounding the Russia-Ukraine situation and 'reiterated the unshakable U.S. commitment' to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia has rejected the U.S. allegations that it's preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine. Lavrov dismissed the U.S. claim as 'total disinformation.'

Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the U.S. and its allies to Moscow's request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet countries or station its forces and weapons there.

Blinken underscored to Lavrov on Tuesday that any discussion of European security 'must include NATO Allies and European partners, including Ukraine,' the State Department said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov emphasized in the call with Blinken the key aspects of Russian draft documents envisaging 'legally binding guarantees of Russia's security in line with the principle of indivisibility of security approved by all countries in the Euro-Atlantic.' It said Lavrov stressed the importance for Washington to quickly deliver a written response to the Russian proposals.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscow's demands during last week's Russia-U.S. negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels.

The White House said Friday that U.S. intelligence officials had concluded that Russia had already deployed operatives to rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine to carry out acts of sabotage there and blame them on Ukraine to create a pretext for possible invasion.

Ahead of Blinken's visit to Kyiv, a delegation of U.S. senators was visiting Ukraine to emphasize congressional support for the country.

Speaking Monday on a visit to Kyiv, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that 'any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime - economic, political and strategic,' and she emphasized the need to continue negotiations.

Russia in 2014 seized the Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of Ukraine's Moscow-friendly leader and 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 country's industrial heartland called Donbas.

Putin has warned that Moscow will take unspecified 'military-technical measures' if the West stonewalls its demands.

Ukrainian soldiers with the 56th Brigade maintain their positions in trenches in Pisky

White House Press Secretary said the situation at the Ukraine border was 'extremely dangerous' and that a Russian invasion could come 'at any point'

The region has been on a knife-edge since the end of last year when Moscow moved as many as 100,000 troops, as well as tanks and missiles, close to the border with Ukraine.

Intelligence officials believe that Putin has not yet made up his mind to invade.

'He clearly is building up a force posture there that provides him multiple options,' said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

'It's just difficult to know right now what options he's going to choose and we still don't believe that he's made a final decision.'

However, officials said last week that Russia had deployed agents trained in sabotage and urban warfare to launch a 'false-flag' attack on proxy forces, providing the pretext for invasion.

At the same time, it has stepped up social media campaigns portraying Ukraine as aggressors.

Russia has repeatedly denied that it is planning an invasion and instead demanded that NATO bar Ukraine from membership.

For their part, the United States and its allies have urged Russia to deescalate the situation by calling back the troops amassed near Ukraine.

Blinken on Tuesday again urged a diplomatic resolution during a call with Lavrov, during which he stressed the 'unshakeable' U.S. commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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)

A handout photo made available by the Belarus Defence Ministry press service shows Russian military vehicle arrives for Russia and Belarus joint military drill 'Union resolve 2022' in Belarus, 18 January 2022. The exercises will be held next month

Russian servicemen prepare their military vehicles to unload for Russia and Belarus joint military drill in Belarus on January 18

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday, as part of another round of talks after meetings last week failed to break the deadlock

Spokesperson Ned Price said: 'The secretary stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions surrounding the deeply troubling Russian military build-up in and near Ukraine.

'The secretary reiterated the unshakeable U.S. commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and underscored that any discussion of European security must include NATO allies and European partners, including Ukraine.'

Meanwhile, Lavrov has repeated that Russia expects a written response this week from the U.S. and its allies to its request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet nations, or station its forces and weapons there.

In a possible sign that preparations for an attack continue, a Ukrainian official said some staff and their families left the Russian embassy in Kiev this month.

The official told the New York Times that wives and children of employees began leaving on Jan. 5, and a total of 18 people had left.

At the same time, train and road convoys of armored vehicles have been arriving in Belarus since president Alexander Lukashenko announced upcoming war games with Russian forces next month.

Russia's Deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin said the drills were intended to practice a joint response to external threats to the two countries.

He didn't say how many troops will be involved in the drills, according to the Associated Press, but mentioned that Russia will deploy a dozen Su-35 fighter jets and several air defense units to Belarus.

Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia could launch an attack on Ukraine from various directions, including from its ally Belarus.

The growing fears prompted the United Kingdom to send what it called 'training personnel' troops and defensive weapons to Kiev.

In a clear signal to Vladimir Putin, two Royal Air Force transporters flew badly-needed missile systems to Kiev's forces. Troops were aboard the planes and will remain in Ukraine to teach their counterparts how to combat Russian tanks.

Officials said the UK was supplying Ukraine with light, anti-armor, defensive weapon systems while a small number of British personnel - about 100 - will provide training on how to use the equipment.

Yet there were signs of disunity in Europe.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was accused of sowing discord by refusing to take a hard line on Russia.

Scholz, who took the job from Angela Merkel last month, has tried to maintain his predecessor's warm relations with Moscow by refusing to supply Kiev with arms and ruling out sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas line if an attack goes ahead.

But the SDP leader - a socialist while he was a student - now stands accused of aiding Putin and undermining the West by creating rifts within the EU, NATO, and even his own fledgling coalition over the best way to deter the Russian strongman.

The German government even went so far as to brief journalists on Tuesday that cutting Russia off from international banking systems - the so-called 'nuclear option' of sanctions - was off the table, prompting angry denials from Washington.

Tensions escalated at the end of last week after American officials claimed to have information that Moscow had deployed resources for a 'false flag' attack.

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.

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

'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 Kiev 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.

Even so, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it was accelerating its plan to form reserve battalions, a move that would help it rapidly deploy 130,000 recruits to bolster its 246,000-strong armed forces.
By Carl Bildt





STOCKHOLM  The Russian threat to Ukraine is not the only potential crisis in Eastern Europe this year. Bosnia and Herzegovina is heading for a period of deep political turmoil, with a key election scheduled for October.



Bosnia has never been an uncomplicated place. In the late 19th and early 20th century, it generated one crisis after another, eventually contributing to the outbreak of World War I. Then, with the breakup of Yugoslavia in the late 20th century, it was the site of a brutal war between Bosnian Muslims (Bosniaks), Serbs, and Croats.



The Dayton Accords ended the conflict in 1995, after more than 100,000 people had been killed  including in the genocidal Srebrenica massacre that July  and after millions more had been driven from their homes. The next step was to build a functioning state out of the wreckage.



But the armies of the three groups were the only functioning structures left, and many local leaders saw peace as little more than the continuation of war by other means. Hopes that a new generation of non-nationalist leaders would rise out of the ashes were soon dashed.



Although international aid has transformed the country, covering up most of the traces of war, its politics remain profoundly dysfunctional, due to the continued political dominance of nationalist parties. As a result, the prospect of Bosnia joining the European Union looks increasingly distant.



In its 2021 annual assessment of Bosnia, the European Commission notes that "political leaders continued to engage in divisive rhetoric and unconstructive political disputes." There has been virtually no progress in meeting the 14 benchmarks for starting EU accession talks, and "during the pandemic, the negative effects of widespread corruption and signs of political capture continued to manifest strongly." Neither judicial officeholders nor political leaders have managed to tackle these problems.



Moreover, owing to the "generalized phenomenon of corruption" and an "inefficient and oversized" public sector, Bosnia's per capita GDP remains just one-third of the EU average. An estimated half-million people have left the country over the last few years, draining it of precious young talent.



Bosnia should be doing much better than it is 26 years after the war ended.



Instead, another deep crisis looms. The Bosnian Serb leader, Milorad Dodik, is beating the nationalist drum and pushing for Republika Srpska (one of the country's two mostly autonomous regions) to assert even greater independence vis-a-vis the central government. The rhetoric is intensifying on all sides, leading to calls by Christian Schmidt, the EU High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, for another international intervention.



But this is the wrong medicine for what ails Bosnia. One factor in the current political crisis is a controversial new law banning genocide denial, imposed last summer by the outgoing international high representative just days before he left office. Bosnian Serbs immediately responded by pulling out of common state functions, and Dodik has since issued strident ultimatums.



Dodik occasionally calls for Republika Srpska to break away from Bosnia entirely. This rhetoric gets him headlines, but it should not be taken seriously. After all, both Serbia and Russia have clearly called for Bosnia's territorial integrity to be respected.



But the crisis both has deepened nationalist divisions in Bosnia and highlighted the confusion at the heart of the international community's presumed role in the country. Is Bosnia supposed to be a protectorate, where the international community can devise, impose, and implement decisions at will? Or is it a truly sovereign country that should sort out its own problems?



In a sense, the office of the international high representative  a post that I was the first to hold after the war  has gone from being part of the solution to part of the problem. On the Bosniak side, its presence invites constant demands for international action to be taken against reluctant Bosnian Serbs or Bosnian Croats, while for the latter groups, it instills fear that such action will indeed be taken. The result is paralysis and distrust, because neither side feels a need to sit down and hash out the hard compromises needed to make the country work.



A major factor in the current crisis is Bosnia's general election later this year. In the 2020 local elections, opposition parties made impressive gains against the dominant nationalist forces in Sarajevo and in the Bosnian Serb center, Banja Luka. Fearing further losses, nationalist leaders on all sides are eager to create a new crisis to scare and mobilize their bases.



It is critical that the general election be held as planned. But afterwards, the international community should reconsider its approach to Bosnia. If it isn't ready to assume full protectorate powers, it should step back and leave the country's leaders grudgingly to sort things out themselves. That process will be slow and difficult; but it must happen sooner or later if Bosnia is to have any chance of functioning as a sovereign country.



In stepping back, the international community should establish two hard conditions: Bosnia's territorial integrity must be maintained; and the small EU military mission in the country should remain, because it has the capacity to call in rapid NATO reinforcements if necessary.



This year will undoubtedly be politically tumultuous for Bosnia. Bosnian Serb nationalists will want more power devolved to them, and Dodik  despite new U.S. sanctions against him  might well engage in more brinkmanship to rally his supporters. At the same time, Bosniak nationalists will demand that more power be centralized in Sarajevo, and they will seek the international community's help in imposing this. Bosnian Croat nationalists, for their part, will remain profoundly unhappy (not unreasonably) with an election law that effectively denies them representation in the country's highest decision-making body.



This political crisis certainly is not Bosnia's first, and it won't be its last. Calls for another massive international intervention are not surprising, but they are ill-advised. Bosnia should no longer be treated as a protectorate. While the EU and the United States remain ready and willing to help, Bosnians ultimately must take responsibility for Bosnia.





Carl Bildt is a former prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden. This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org).


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Tonga is facing imminent water and food shortages after crops and drinking sources were inundated with salt water and ash from a devastating volcanic explosion which triggered a 50ft tsunami, aid agencies have warned.

Water which tens of thousands of people rely on to drink has been polluted, the Red Cross said today, as Tonga's parliamentary speaker added that 'all agriculture' on the islands has also been destroyed.

Tongan communities abroad have posted images from families on Facebook, giving a glimpse of the devastation, with homes reduced to rubble, fallen trees, cracked roads and sidewalks and everything coated in grey ash.

New Zealand and Australian aid flights are due to start landing at Tonga's main airport starting Thursday as work to clear the runway of ash nears completion, with naval vessels due to bring water supplies by Friday.

But complicating efforts are Tonga's insistence that any aid deliveries have to be 'contactless' due to the risk of Covid being brought to the region, which has so-far avoided getting caught up in the pandemic.

'They really don't want to exchange one disaster for another,' said Katie Greenwood, head of delegation in the Pacific for the Red Cross.

Elsewhere, it was revealed that a tsunami warning system failed in the wake of Saturday's eruption, after an undersea internet cable was severed and cut all communication between the islands and with the outside world.

Pictures have emerged on social media showing the scale of the devastation in Tonga following the tsunami. The island nation is facing imminent water and food shortages after crops and drinking sources were inundated with salt water and ash from a devastating volcanic explosion which triggered a 50ft tsunami, aid agencies have warned

A man surveys the scene of devastation with debris strewn across the road in Tonga in the wake of the tsunami. Water which tens of thousands of people rely on to drink has been polluted, the Red Cross said today, as Tonga's parliamentary speaker added that 'all agriculture' on the islands has also been destroyed

Wasteland: The coastline of the tropical paradise has been flattened in some areas with palm trees and buildings swept away

As well as being pounded by a tsunami, the island was coated with a thick layer of volcanic dust

Images from Tonga's shoreline show damage to structures and trees following the tsunami. Pictured: A child waves to a camera amidst the devastation caused by the tsunami

Trees were torn down, cars crushed and houses swept away by the force of the tsunami. Pictures are slowly emerging on social media showing the scale of destruction

Wasteland: The normally lush and verdant waterfront was flattened by the tsunami which struck after a massive volcanic eruption

Pictured: Trees uprooted by the force of the tsunami that hit Tonga The undersea telecommunications cable connecting Tonga to the rest of the world that was damaged by a volcano eruption will take at least a month to fix, its owner said on Wednesday, with the delay likely hampering disaster recovery efforts

Two New Zealand navy vessels will arrive in Tonga on Friday carrying critical water supplies for the Pacific island nation reeling from a volcanic eruption and tsunami and largely cut off from the outside world

Alistair Coldrick, a Briton who runs a tourist company on the Vava'u islands which sit around 160miles from the Hunga-Tonga volcano, told Sky News that no warning was sent despite the eruption triggering a 50ft tsunami which devastated some islands - destroying all buildings on one and leaving just two standing on another.

Despite the communication blackout, he said most people who heard the eruption - which he compared to 'a bomb' going off - did start heading for high ground because they knew 'something catastrophic had happened.'

He said people in Vava'u have been living in 'fearful limbo' since the eruption because there has been no contact with the other islands, meaning no updates on the extent of the damage or number of people killed.

SubCom, the American company which manages the undersea cable from Fiji to Tonga, has warned that it will take 'at least' four weeks for the line to be repaired.

During that time updates from the islands to the outside world are likely to be sparse, with the Tongan government sending its first dispatch just yesterday - describing the disaster as 'unprecedented' and saying damage to some of its smaller, outlying islands is severe.

The brief statement said that at least three people have been killed and 'a number' injured, though stressed that information-gathering is still at a preliminary stage and more-detailed assessments are underway.

It revealed the worst-hit islands are Mango, where every building has been flattened, and Fonoifua, where just two structures remain standing. Evacuations of both islands are underway.

Nomuka island has also sustained heavy damage and is being evacuated, the update said, while adding that western areas of the two main islands of Tongatapu and 'Eua have been hard-hit.

Hundreds of homes in Tonga's smaller outer islands have been destroyed, with at least three dead, after Saturday's huge eruption triggered tsunami waves that rolled over the islands, home to 105,000 people

The Red Cross said its teams in Tonga had confirmed that salt water from the tsunami and volcanic ash were polluting the drinking water of tens of thousands of people.

Tongan communities abroad have posted images from families on Facebook, giving a glimpse of the devastation, with homes reduced to rubble, fallen trees, cracked roads and sidewalks and everything coated in grey ash

Ms Greenwood was on board a Red Cross ship that toured Mango, Fonoifua and Nomuka on Tuesday, warning that all three have 'suffered devastating consequences' as a result of being hit by the tsunami.

'Securing access to safe drinking water is a critical immediate priority ... as there is a mounting risk of diseases, such as cholera and diarrhoea,' she added.

At the same time, Fatafehi Fakafanua - a Tongan politician, parliamentary speaker and Lord of the Realm - told the Pacific News Network that 'all agriculture' on the islands has been destroyed.

'On top of the water that we need in Tonga, it seems that we'll be facing a food shortage,' he said

New Zealand's foreign ministry said Tonga had approved the arrival of its ships, the Aotearoa and the Wellington, in the COVID-free nation.

Simon Griffiths, captain of the Aotearoa, said his ship was carrying 250,000 litres of water, and had the capacity to produce another 70,000 litres a day, along with other supplies.

'For the people of Tonga, we're heading their way now with a whole lot of water,' Griffiths said in a statement.

The Polynesian archipelago of 176 islands, 36 of them inhabited, has a population of about 105,000. Its Fua'amotu International Airport was not damaged by the tsunami but it was covered in ash, which has to be cleared manually.

Aid flights from New Zealand and Australia could begin on Thursday, a Tongan official said, depending on the clear-up.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said two Hercules aircraft were ready to go with humanitarian supplies and telecommunications equipment 'as soon as conditions allow'.

'HMAS Adelaide is also preparing to depart from Brisbane with water purification equipment and additional humanitarian supplies,' Morrison said on Facebook after he spoke with Tonga's prime minister, Siaosi Sovaleni.

Pictured: A plume rises over Tonga after the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai erupted in this satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency on January 15, 2022

The eruption at the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai off Tonga, January 14, 2022 is seen in a video gran showing the huge plume of ash and steam rising from the ocean

New Zealand and Australian air force planes have circled Tonga, as the true scale of devastation caused to the islands slowly emerges. Pictured above is one of the smaller islands, which appears grey because it is blanketed in ash

An image taken from a military reconnaissance plane shows a Tongan village inundated with ash, while the beach shows signs of water damage where tsunami waves washed ashore following a huge volcanic eruption at the weekend

As well as emergency supplies, Australia and New Zealand have promised immediate financial assistance. The U.S. Agency for International Development approved $100,000 in immediate assistance.

The Asian Development Bank was discussing with Tonga whether it would declare a state of emergency to draw on a $10-million disaster funding facility, senior bank official Emma Veve told Reuters.

Other countries and agencies, including the United Nations, are drawing up plans to help. China will send help, including water and food, when the airport opened, a spokesperson of its foreign ministry said.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted on Saturday evening with a blast heard 1,430 miles away in New Zealand which sent tsunami waves rippling across the Pacific Ocean.

James Garvin, chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said the force of the eruption was estimated to be the equivalent of five to 10 megatons of TNT, or more than 500 times that of the nuclear bomb the United States dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima at the end of World War Two.

Waves reaching up to 50ft hit the outer Ha'apia island group, destroying all the houses on the island of Mango, as well as the west coast of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, the prime minister's office said.

Residents of Tongatapu were being moved to evacuation centres as 56 houses were destroyed or seriously damaged. New Zealand said power had been restored and Tongan authorities were distributing relief supplies.

But the country is largely offline since the volcano damaged the sole undersea fibre-optic communication cable and it would probably take a month or more to fix, its owner said.

A specialist ship should embark from Port Moresby on a repair voyage on the weekend, said Samiuela Fonua, chairman of cable owner Tonga Cable Ltd, but with up to nine days sailing to collect equipment in Samoa, he said it would be 'lucky' if the job was done in a month.

International mobile phone network provider Digicel has established a 2G connection using a satellite dish, the New Zealand foreign ministry said, but it is patchy and amounts to about 10% of usual capacity.

Tongan communities abroad have posted images from families on Facebook, giving a glimpse of the devastation, with homes reduced to rubble, fallen trees, cracked roads and sidewalks and everything coated in grey ash.

The United Nations and aid agencies were preparing relief flights to Tonga but without personnel who disembark, so to avoid introducing the coronavirus, said Fiji-based U.N. co-ordinator Jonathan Veitch.

Tonga is one of the few countries free of COVID-19 and an outbreak there would disastrous, he added.
Boris Johnson was today accused of refusing to self-isolate with Covid symptoms for a whole week before being laid low by the virus and having to be treated in intensive care.

The Prime Minister went into quarantine on March 27, 2020, and was later taken to London's St Thomas's Hospital, where he spent three days in the high-dependency unit amid fears for his life.

But officials today claimed he had been showing signs of having the virus, including a cough, for almost a week before agreeing to shut himself away, dismissing concerns by banging his chest and proclaiming himself 'strong like bull'.

Speaking to the Times they also alleged that once officially in isolation he failed to follow the rules and had in-person meetings with staff.

Downing Street today said 'appropriate measures were taken to ensure the PM was isolated'.

Images show the Prime Minister's changing appearance as his battle with coronavirus continued in 2020 from (top row left to right) March 27 and 28 and (bottom row left to right) April 1 and 2

The Prime Minister went into quarantine on March 27, 2020, and was later taken to London's St Thomas's Hospital, where he spent three days in the high-dependency unit amid fears for his life

What were the Covid rules at the time? Rules telling people to quarantine if they had any Covid symptoms were unveiled by the Government on March 12, 2020. It listed the symptoms as; a new continuous cough or a high temperature - symptoms later joined by a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell. Mr Johnson highlighted the rules just a few days before the Times alleged he refused to enter quarantine when urged by staff. In an address to the UK on March 16, 2020, he said: 'Last week we asked everyone to stay at home if you had one of two key symptoms: a high temperature or a new and continuous cough... we need to ask you to ensure that if you or anyone in your household has one of those two symptoms, then you should stay at home for fourteen days. 'That means that if possible you should not go out even to buy food or essentials, other than for exercise, and in that case at a safe distance from others. If necessary, you should ask for help from others for your daily necessities. And if that is not possible, then you should do what you can to limit your social contact when you leave the house to get supplies.' Advertisement

Last summer former No10 aide Dominic Cummings claimed Mr Johnson wanted to meet the Queen at the start of the pandemic despite signs Covid was spreading in Downing Street.

In a fresh assault on his ex-boss, Dominic Cummings said he had to persuade the PM not to have his weekly audience with the monarch in case he gave her the fatal virus.

In an hour-long interview with the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg, he said: 'I said "what are you doing?" and he said "I'm going to see the Queen", and I said, "what on earth are you talking about, of course you can't go and see the Queen".

'[The PM] said, "ah, that's what I do every Wednesday, sod this, I'm gonna go and see her".'

The former chief adviser alleged he warned the PM that there were already people in No 10 who were isolating and told him: 'You might have coronavirus.'

He added: 'I just said, 'if you... give her coronavirus and she dies what are you gonna do, you can't do that, you can't risk that, that's completely insane'.

'And he said, he basically just hadn't thought it through, he said, "yeah, holy s***, I can't go".'

Boris Johnson is facing a make-or-break PMQs today as dozens of Red Wall Tories threaten to put in no-confidence letters within hours amid rising anger over Partygate.

The party is plunging into meltdown as ministers round on a group of newly-elected MPs over a coup attempt branded the 'Pork Pie Plot' - because one of the plotters represents Melton Mowbray.

Around 20 MPs are said to have held a meeting yesterday lunchtime to coordinate sending letters required to spark a vote on ousting Mr Johnson. The revolt was fuelled by the premier's car-crash interview in which he appeared close to tears when grilled about the litany of allegations about lockdown breaches in Downing Street.

There is speculation that the threshold of 54 letters to trigger a full no confidence vote could even be reached today - although 1922 chair Sir Graham Brady keeps the tally a closely-guarded secret.

Seven MPs have publicly confirmed contacting Sir Graham, but the true figure could be significantly higher. A desperate attack by ministers and whips - including branding them 'f***** nobodies' - seems to have backfired.

Although more letters do seem to be going in, other MPs are keen to wait for the results of the Partygate probe being carried out by top civil servant Sue Gray - which could come as early as Friday.

One senior Northern MP told MailOnline they thought the number of letters was around 30 currently, and is likely to reach 54 soon. 'It could well be in next couple of weeks,' they said.

Another normally loyal backbencher warned a lot will hang on Mr Johnson's performance at PMQs this afternoon.

Defence minister James Heapppey was sent out to put the case for the PM this morning and said he 'trusted' the leader, but conceded he too had been 'battered' by voters.

'I choose to believe what the Prime Minister has said. But I know that that's not good enough for many of my constituents,' he said.

Mr Heappey said: 'I think everybody in Government, everybody in Parliament, is acutely concerned about what has happened and the reaction of the public.

'Our boss is not the Prime Minister. Our boss is those who send us to Westminster to represent us and they are furious at what they have heard, and so it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that every single member of the Government, every single member of the party, is balancing those two loyalties.'
The bodies of three teenagers were discovered at a rural Texas house in what police have described as a possible 'double murder-suicide'.

Harris County deputies were called to the property near the 4500 block of Wolcek Road in Crosby Tuesday afternoon when a family member who lived next door found the bodies.

The victims are believed to be two teenage girls, both 17, and a 15-year-old boy. Two bodies were found together in the home, and a third body was found 'separate,' authorities said.

The relative was looking for somebody when they made the grim discovery at the house, located 25 miles northeast of Houston.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at a press conference that it appears one of the teens killed themselves after killing the other two.

The gun that appears to have been involved was found at the scene, he said.

'There was a firearm we found but we don't know, we assume they were shot,' he added. 'There will be a forensic investigation that will determine their cause of death.'

Harris County deputies were called out to a property (pictured) in the Crosby area of Texas after the bodies of three teenagers were discovered

At the scene, the victims' distraught loved ones could be seen comforting each other as investigators cordoned off the street

The bodies were found at the property near the 4500 block of Wolcek Road yesterday afternoon

The owner of the house where the bodies were found was out of town, Gonzalez added.

'A family member discovered three deceased bodies inside the residence. They all appeared to be teens,' Gonzalez said. 'We know a family member was trying to locate someone. They came to a location but they didn't get a response.'

'Based on the trauma that was viewed, it appears that this may be a case of double homicide-suicide, but that is still going to be under investigation. But that is the preliminary information that we have.'

Gonzales called the deaths 'senseless' and 'tragic.'

The victims have not been named and investigators said they don't know yet the nature of their relationship to each other, but they believe at least two of the teens were related, and the third was an acquaintance.

'We want to be careful especially if one of the parents involved in this are on travel,' Gonzalez said. 'These cases are always highly charged and very emotional, we know that. Our condolences go out to the family.'

At the scene, the victims' distraught loved ones could be seen comforting each other as investigators cordoned off the street.

Harris County Sheriff deputies at the scene of a double murder-suicide in Crosby, Texas

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez called the deaths 'senseless' and 'tragic'

The owner of the house where the bodies were found was out of town, Gonzalez said

Loved ones of the victims have arrived to scene as information becomes available

Police are still trying to determine a motive and the connections among the three teens.

Tweeting earlier in the day, Gonzalez said: 'The deceased bodies of three teens have been discovered inside the residence. There are signs of trauma.'

'Anytime there is a child involved we're all parents in some way connected to and its extremely difficult when we're talking about young people,' Gonzalez said during a press conference.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Ukrainian soldier 'Tom' Bokejon Akram was sheltered from the Nazis

A family has revealed the extraordinary story of 'Britain's Anne Frank' who hid from the Nazis in their home - and even kept a diary.

Phyliss Emily Le Breton and her husband John kept 'Tom' hidden away behind trap doors after he fled his German captors.

Tom - real name Bokejon Akram - was a Ukrainian soldier and school teacher taken as a prisoner of war by the Third Reich.

They took him to the occupied Channel Island of Jersey as a slave but he escaped and was taken in by Mr and Mrs Le Breton.

They risked their lives by hiding him in their house, where the soldier used a trap door to get from side of the house to the other.

He survived with them for three years and was repatriated to the Ukraine in 1945 by the British.

Although he had promised to keep in touch, the Le Bretons did not hear from him again after 1945.

It is known that many Soviet former prisoners of war were accused by the authorities when they returned home of collaboration with the Nazis.

Others were branded traitors for ignoring Order Number 270, which banned any soldier from surrendering to the enemy.

The family's story has now emerged as officials at Jersey Heritage try to discover more about him.

Phyliss Emily Le Breton and her husband John kept 'Tom' hidden away behind trap doors after he fled his German captors

What happened to Soviet prisoners of war after WWII? It is known that many Soviet former prisoners of war were accused by the authorities when they returned home of collaboration with the Nazis. Others were branded traitors for ignoring Order Number 270, which banned any soldier from surrendering to the enemy. Returning Soviet PoWs had to go to special sites known as 'filtration camps', which were run by the country's feared secret service the NKVD. There, they were vetted and either cleared for release back into normal life or condemned for alleged collaboration. While some were cleared, those who were judged to have collaborated or fallen foul of Order No 270 were forced to serve in forced labour camps. Many would ultimately remain there until the death of dictator Josef Stalin. Advertisement

Tom told the Le Breton's five young children fairy stories and even kept a diary - just like the teenage Anne Frank in Amsterdam.

The family gave him his nickname and taught him English - partly by reading the Bible with him.

Phyliss and Emily's grand-daughter Carolyn Horn, 52, said she was immensely proud of what her family risked to save Tom's life.

Ms Horn, who lives in Cyprus with her husband and three children, said: 'He became a member of the family.

'My aunt said she called him her favourite uncle, as that was how he was known - Uncle Tom.

'My grandmother used to talk about Tom all the time. It just shows what kind people they were. It makes me proud.

'It was a time of crisis and they had German soldiers walking in whenever.

'They still risked their own lives, and the lives of their children, to help someone who they didn't even know and let live in their house as a member of their family.

'There was a little door under the staircase in the house with a trap door behind it - that is how Tom could get from one side of the house to the other.'

Mr and Mrs Le Breton are reported to have said: 'We trusted this man, he was the sort of man we could trust.

'The children loved him and, when he could understand some English, he used to read them fairy stories.'

Tom's journey began in July 1941 when the young Ukrainian soldier and unmarried school teacher defended his country against German attack.

During a two-hour period 12,000 of his colleagues died and Tom, alongside many other Ukrainians, became a PoW.

The German soldiers collected thousands of people and used them as slave labourers to quarry stone and build coastal defences.

Tom then found himself with 2,000 others taken to St Malo in Jersey in July 1942.

He was put into hard labour but ran away and was found in St Mary - by the Le Bretons and their four very young children.

They were nervous and so renamed Bokejon as Tom to reduce the risk of discovery if their kids said anything.

The Le Bretons risked their lives by hiding him their house (pictured) where he had trap door escape routes. He told their five young kids fairy stories and even kept a diary - just like the teenage Anne Frank in Amsterdam

Tom survived with them for three years and was repatriated to the Ukraine in 1945 by the British. Above: The interior of the family's home

Phyliss and Emily's grand-daughter Carolyn Horn, 52, said she was immensely proud of what her family risked to save Tom's life. Above: Ms Horn on her grandmother's lap when she was young

Phyliss and John are reported to have said: 'We trusted this man, he was the sort of man we could trust. The children loved him and, when he could understand some English, he used to read them fairy stories.' Above: The Le Breton family

Mr Le Breton was one of 20 Jersey men and women awarded a gold watch by the Soviet government for their courage in helping to shelter Russian and Ukrainian escapees. Above: Mr Le Breton's Jersey ID card

The wartime ID card of Phyliss Emily Le Breton. In a bid to control the population, the Nazis ordered every person in the occupied Channel Island to be registered under the Registration and Identification of Persons (Jersey) Order, 1940.

Tom slept in in the stables behind a trap door, in a car hidden behind bales of straw and in a shed in case the Germans called.

Mrs Le Breton's daughter Dulcie, now in her 90s, remembers him reading fairy stories to the children and playing with them.

Dulcie, who was four when the Occupation began, remembers Tom like a 'favourite uncle'.

In May 1945, before repatriation to the Ukraine by British forces, Tom promised to keep in contact.

Three letters arrived in June 1945 from Guernsey where Tom was last known to be - but then nothing.

German soldiers are seen being given a lecture in the grounds of Victoria College, Jersey, where they were billeted during their occupation of the Channel Islands

German officers outside the Alderney branch of Lloyd's Bank, which they turned into their headquarters

Years later Mr Le Breton was one of 20 Jersey men and women awarded a gold watch by the Soviet government for their courage in helping to shelter Russian and Ukrainian escapees.

Historians at Jersey Heritage have now issued a plea for anyone to come forward with more information about him.

Chris Addy, sites curator, said they were surprised how much they had been able to find out about them.

He said: 'It's always a bit of a guess. You never know what stories are going to come out after 77 years.

'It's always fascinating to hear a new piece of information or research, and add it to the stories that we tell each year to remind people about this significant part of the Island's history.'

Soviet PoWs who returned to their home country after the war had to go to special sites known as 'filtration camps', which were run by the country's feared secret service the NKVD.

There, they were vetted and either cleared for release back into normal life or condemned for alleged collaboration.

While some were cleared, those who were judged to have collaborated or fallen foul of Order No 270 were forced to serve in forced labour camps.

Many would ultimately remain there until the death of dictator Josef Stalin.
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Six Russian landing ships have sailed past Britain sparking speculation they are bound for an impending 'full-scale invasion' of Ukraine - as Kiev warns President Putin has 'nearly completed' the build-up of troops along the border.

Russia's Baltic Fleet vessels the Korolev, Minsk and Kaliningrad were today sailing south past the UK followed by Northern Fleet warships Olenegorsky Gornyak, Pyotr Morgunov, and Georgii Pobedonosets which passed the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday.

The ships, which can each carry up to 25 armoured personnel carriers, were deployed three days ago but it remains unclear if they are heading for Ukraine.

The region has been on a knife-edge since the end of last year when Moscow moved as many as 100,000 troops, as well as tanks and missiles, close to the border.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's latest intelligence assessment yesterday warned Russia had massed more than 127,000 troops along the border, together with a sea and air component that marked a 'full strength' force.

The assessment, seen by CNN, described the situation as 'difficult' and warned Russian President Vladimir Putin was 'trying to split and weaken the European Union and NATO' while also 'limiting the capabilities of the United States... to ensure security on the European continent'.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today warned Russia could attack Ukraine on 'very short notice' during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the American embassy in Kiev.

He urged Putin to take 'the path of diplomacy and dialogue to try to resolve differences there are peacefully' hours after the Biden administration said it would provide an additional $200 million in defensive military aid to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

'Clearly the preferable path, clearly the most responsible path and the one that we would prefer, but there is also the path if Russia chooses to renew aggression, of conflict, confrontation and consequences for Russia,' Blinken said.

'I strongly, strongly hope that we can keep this on a diplomatic and peaceful path, but ultimately, that's going to be President Putin's decision.'

The stark warning comes after two rounds of last ditch talks between the West and Russia failed to de-escalate the conflict which has threatened to bubble over since late last year.

Six Russian landing ships (pictured, landing ship Minsk near the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark en route to the North Sea) have sailed past Britain sparking speculation they are bound for an impending 'full-scale invasion' of Ukraine

Northern Fleet warships Olenegorsky Gornyak Pyotr Morgunov, (pictured) and Georgii Pobedonosets passed through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday, possibly en route to Ukraine

A map showing the route the six landing ships could possibly be taking from Russia's second Baltic Sea base Kronstadt to Ukraine ahead of a 'full-scale invasion'. The vessels were pictured at the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday and, if heading to Ukraine, are likely to have already transited the Channel

Northern Fleet warship Georgii Pobedonosets passes through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday with five other landing vessels, sparking speculation they are bound for an impending 'full-scale invasion' of Ukraine

Amphibious assault ship Kaliningrad was spotted sailing through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday, days before Kiev warned President Putin had 'nearly completed' the build-up of troops along the border

Russia's Northern Fleet warship Olenegorsky Gornyak passes through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday as fears rise about a possible invasion of Ukraine by Moscow following a months-long troop build-up along the border

Russia's Baltic Fleet vessel the Korolev was seen passing through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday after two rounds of last ditch talks between the West and Russia failed to de-escalate the conflict which has threatened to bubble over since late last year

In new training drills yesterday, three dozen Russian warplanes including Su-34 fighter-bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft and MiG-31 fighter-interceptors flew from airfields in Perm, Krasnoyarsk, Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions

The Russian ships' 'highly irregular' movements sparked Swedish authorities to deploy hundreds of troops and armoured vehicles to the island of Gotland.

In new training drills yesterday, three dozen Russian warplanes including Su-34 fighter-bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft and MiG-31 fighter-interceptors flew from airfields in Perm, Krasnoyarsk, Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions.

They hit targets of a 'simulated enemy' in 'large-scale' exercises involving 500 military personnel.

Meanwhile, in the Black Sea, the Kasimov antisubmarine ship 'successfully destroyed' air and sea targets by artillery fire in storm conditions, in a naval exercise.

And in the Western Military District, a missile regiment armed with S-400 Triumf mobile, surface-to-air missile system conducted electronic launches at a range in Leningrad region.

Moscow has announced the 'successful' completion of tests on its Kinzhal - or Dagger - hypersonic missiles, which can carry nuclear or conventional weapons with a range of 1,250 miles, in the Arctic, though the weapons had been deployed with Russian forces ahead of the trials.

The Kremlin also deployed servicemen to Belarus this week, ostensibly for major military operations with the country, sparking fears in neighbouring Lithuania.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said today: 'In the current situation, we view the arrival of Russian armed forces in Belarus not only as a destabilising factor in the security situation but also as the one posing an even bigger direct threat to Lithuania.'

Russian deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin confirmed that the mission includes the relocation of two S-400 mobile surface to air missile battalions, a Pantsir-S battalion and 12 Su-35 fighters for the 'surprise' inspection and drills.

The deployment was cited in Ukraine's intelligence report which said Belarus 'should be considered as a full-fledged theater of operations that Russia can use to expand aggression against Ukraine.'

The assessment said Moscow had deployed troops to the border on a 'permanent' basis and said the movement of 'stockpiles of ammunition, field hospitals and security services' to the hinterlands confirmed 'the preparation for offensive operations'.

It said Russia had deployed 36 Iskander launchers, weapons capable of hitting targets up to 700km away, near Ukraine and said the medium-range missiles that could be used to 'destroy vital objects'.

The assessment put the number of rebels within Ukraine who are loyal to Moscow at 35,000 and estimated Russia has a further 3,000 military personnel within Kiev's territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured during a meeting at the Kremlin on Tuesday) has 100,000 troops and military hardware along Ukraine border, say security analysts

Moscow has announced the 'successful' completion of tests on its Kinzhal - or Dagger - hypersonic missiles in the Barents Sea on Tuesday, though the weapons were already deployed with Russian personnel

During his meeting with Zelensky today, Blinken reaffirmed the American commitment to his nation's sovereignty and said Ukraine had faced 'relentless aggression from Moscow' since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

'Russia invaded territory in the Crimea, ginned up a conflict in eastern Ukraine, and has systematically sought to undermine and divide Ukraines democracy,' Blinken said.

'Our strength depends on preserving our unity and that includes unity within Ukraine. I think one of Moscow's long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within our countries and quite simply, we cannot and will not let them do that.'

After their meeting, State Department spokesman Ned Price warned the West was ready to impose 'crippling costs on Russias economy' if Putin chooses the path of 'further aggression.'

'They discussed U.S. and international security and economic assistance to Ukraine, and the Secretary expressed appreciation for Ukraines continued calls for a diplomatic solution, stressing the need for Ukrainian unity in the face of the Russian threat,' Price said.

'He emphasized the United States unwavering commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterated the principle of nothing about Ukraine, without Ukraine.'

Zelensky thanked Blinken on Twitter after their meeting and said he was counting on stronger 'economic & financial' cooperation from the West.

'Grateful for [US's] political & security support. Count on enhancing economic & financial cooperation. I'm sure there will be no decision about [Ukraine] without [Ukraine],' he wrote.

Blinken told an audience of roughly 60 embassy staff in Kyiv on Wednesday that Ukraine is experiencing a 'critical time' in it history

Blinken told Zelensky that Ukraine has faced 'relentless aggression from Moscow' since the collapse of the Soviet Union

It comes after UK dfence chiefs said yesterday they fear Putin will opt for the 'nightmare scenario' of a full invasion of Ukraine as tensions rise towards tipping point.

The White House warned yesterday the situation was 'extremely dangerous' and that Moscow could launch an attack 'at any point'.

It had been thought Mr Putin would choose the 'simple option' of sending troops into the Donbass region in south-eastern Ukraine and then negotiate for it to become an independent state, providing a buffer between pro-western Ukraine and Russia.

As the region is already occupied by pro-Russian separatists, and has been in a state of war since 2014, it was believed it would offer little resistance.

But the latest intelligence now has Ministry of Defence chiefs worried about a much larger incursion, raising fears of warfare engulfing cities and high civilian death tolls.

They believe Mr Putin's troops are being positioned in line with his new objective, with armoured divisions set to head into neighbouring Belarus on exercise but now stationed within striking distance of Kiev.

Last night a senior defence source said: 'We strongly believe [Putin's] preference is for a full invasion rather than a limited offensive. In a sense he might as well go for as much of Ukraine as he can get hold of because the penalties are just the same.

The UK's Ministry of Defence fears Putin will inflict large-scale warfare engulfing cities and high civilian death tolls (Pictured: A convoy of Russian armoured vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022)

The White House warned yesterday that the situation was 'extremely dangerous' (Pictured: Anatoliy, a Ukrainian soldier with the 56th Brigade, in a trench on the front line on January 18, 2022 in Pisky, Ukraine)

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Anatolii Petrenko (L) attends the delivery of light, anti-armor, defensive weapon systems, supplied by the UK

Light, anti-armor, defensive weapon systems, supplied by the UK arrive in Kiev, Ukraine on Tuesday amid a Russian military buildup on its border

Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirms it has already received a shipment of "light anti-tank weapons" provided by United Kingdom

A member of the 503Ad Naval Infantry Battalion stationed in Donbas, Ukraine on January 18, 2022

The White House warned yesterday the situation was 'extremely dangerous' and that Moscow could launch an attack 'at any point'

It had been thought Mr Putin would choose the 'simple option' of sending troops into the Donbass region in south-eastern Ukraine and then negotiate for it to become an independent state, providing a buffer between pro-western Ukraine and Russia

Members of the 503Ad Naval Infantry Battalion relax and prepare lunch while stationed in Donbas, Ukraine on January 18, 2022

US in crisis talks as Moscow is told: There'll be consequences By Sam Greenhill Chief Reporter for the Daily Mail America last night warned the Kremlin of 'massive consequences' as its top diplomat flew to Europe for last-ditch talks aimed at averting war. In a hastily arranged trip, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was set to arrive in Kiev last night to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He then moves on to Berlin and will also hold talks with France and the UK. Looking to impress on Moscow the need for de-escalation, he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov decided yesterday 'it would be useful' to meet in person on Friday in Geneva. In a call to Mr Lavrov, Mr Blinken 'stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions'. A senior State Department official said: 'This is neither an exercise nor normal troop movement. It is a show of force and plans for a possible invasion. 'This is extremely dangerous. We are now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack on Ukraine.' The official warned the Kremlin: 'Our message, and that of our allies and partners, is that Russia has two choices: diplomacy and de-escalation, or escalation and massive consequences. 'Should Russia invade, we will provide additional defensive equipment to Ukrainians.' Advertisement

'Also, if he just occupies the eastern regions he will never be able to take back the whole of Ukraine because of the inevitable strengthening of Ukrainian forces in the remainder of the country in the aftermath.

'It is the nightmare scenario.'

Mr Putin is aware that as Ukraine does not belong to Nato, there will be no military response by Western states.

Similarly, the economic sanctions threatened by the US and the UK apply regardless of the scale of such action.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday before holding talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday in the latest attempt to defuse the crisis.

'Our view is this is an extremely dangerous situation,' said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

'We're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine, and what Secretary Blinken is going to go do is highlight very clearly there is a diplomatic path forward.

'It is the choice of President Putin and the Russians to make, whether they are going to suffer severe economic consequences or not.'

Officials said last week that Russia had deployed agents trained in sabotage and urban warfare to launch a 'false-flag' attack on proxy forces, providing the pretext for invasion.

At the same time, it has stepped up social media campaigns portraying Ukraine as aggressors.

Russia has repeatedly denied that it is planning an invasion and instead demanded that NATO bar Ukraine from membership.

Last night, Kiev hailed Britain for sending anti-tank weapons and troops as an 'important first step' to help the country defend itself.

On Monday, two C-17 transporters left the UK with 2,000 armour-piercing missile systems and soldiers to teach Ukraine's forces how to use them.

But the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, called on extra help from Western powers.

The Joe Biden administration fears Moscow could launch an attack against Ukraine 'at any point' (Pictured: Mykola, a Ukrainian soldier with the 56th Brigade, in a trench on the front line on January 18, 2022 in Pisky, Ukraine)

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

Russian servicemen prepare their military vehicles to unload for Russia and Belarus joint military drill in Belarus on January 18

A handout photo made available by the Belarus Defence Ministry press service shows Russian military vehicle arrives for Russia and Belarus joint military drill 'Union resolve 2022' in Belarus, 18 January 2022. The exercises will be held next month

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)

Russian military vehicles arriving in Belarus are seen in this photograph distributed by the Belarus Ministry of Defense on Tuesday, ahead of joint exercises

Ukrainian soldiers with the 56th Brigade maintain their positions in trenches in Pisky

'We are asking for more, and we are expecting to have more,' Mr Prystaiko told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'I am not ashamed to ask to help us with everything that is possible to avoid this war.

'Russia is stopped when it is stopped, not when Putin decided that he achieved enough.'

The diplomat hit out at Germany for failing to match Britain's offer of military aid, with Berlin preferring to focus on the threat of sanctions.

'How can we be given a chance to defend ourselves if you're not giving weapons? With what? Rocks?' he said.

Mr Prystaiko also slammed Berlin for pushing ahead with the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that will circumvent Ukraine.

Critics fear it will increase Germany's reliance on Russian energy supplies.

In comments that will alarm Kiev, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said her country needs 'a reliable Russia' to supply Europe with gas.

However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he may consider halting the pipeline if Moscow attacks.

With pressure to take a more hawkish stance, he met Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Berlin to discuss the next steps.

Mr Scholz told reporters it was 'clear that there will be a high price to pay and that everything will have to be discussed should there be a military intervention in Ukraine'.

The German government even went so far as to brief journalists on Tuesday that cutting Russia off from international banking systems - the so-called 'nuclear option' of sanctions - was off the table, prompting angry denials from Washington.

Tensions escalated at the end of last week after American officials claimed to have information that Moscow had deployed resources for a 'false flag' attack.

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 Kiev 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.

Even so, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it was accelerating its plan to form reserve battalions, a move that would help it rapidly deploy 130,000 recruits to bolster its 246,000-strong armed forces.

Meanwhile, in a show of support for former Soviet republics, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace yesterday visited Latvia. He told officials the UK stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Baltic state  a Nato ally.

He said the countries were 'united in their resolve' against Russian aggression.

A Royal Air Force transport jet arrives in Kiev, Ukraine, with a shipment of anti-tank weapons designed to deter a Russian attack on the country as Putin masses his forces on the border

A pallet of British anti-tank weapons are unloaded at an airport in Kiev so they can be distributed to troops on the front lines with Russia in an attempt to deter an attack by Putin
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Free Covid lateral flow tests will be scrapped from July under the Government's virus 'exit strategy', according to documents sent between the UK's health agencies.

Ministers have urged Britons to take the swabs regularly in an attempt to quell the spread of Omicron  but only key workers will be able to access free tests if No10's mooted plan to 'ramp down the Universal Testing Offer' gets signed off.

Instead, officials say an online ordering system will be ready by the end of June to direct Britons to purchase the tests, which are said to cost the Government 30 per pack of seven.

No10 has previously said it would 'at a later stage' stop offering everyone the tests, which are free to order from the Government website or pick up at pharmacies. No10 has spent billions of pounds on securing the kits as part of its mass-testing strategy.

Amid record high cases at the start of the year, more than 8million lateral flows were registered over the space of one week. However, only a fraction of tests used are officially logged.

But Covid infections have been in freefall for the past fortnight, with 94,432 cases reported yesterday, a fall of 20 per cent on last week. The natural fizzling out of the Omicron wave has piled pressure on Boris Johnson to unveil his pandemic 'exit strategy' to prepare the country for living with Covid like flu.

Even NHS consultants have now claimed the end is 'now in sight' with hospitalisations falling. Dr Richard Cree, an intensive care consultant at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, said: 'I am confident that the worst will soon be behind us.'

Boris Johnson today said he is lifting Plan B Covid curbs in England as he stepped up the fight for his political life with another 'Operation Red Meat' announcement.

The Prime Minister said 'from now' the Government's work from home guidance will no longer apply. Meanwhile, Covid passes and compulsory face masks will be axed from next Thursday after the regulations underpinning Plan B expire.

The PM also said there will 'soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether' as he revealed the change will be made by March 24 at the latest.

Boris Johnson today revealed the legal requirement to self-isolate after catching Covid will be scrapped from March 24 and that it could be brought forward. Pictured: Mr Johnson leaving Downing Street today ahead of Prime Minister's Questions

And even an NHS consultant said the Omicron wave is waning. Dr Richard Cree, an intensive care consultant at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, said: 'Despite the strain that the hospital is currently under, I am confident that the worst will soon be behind us and that the end is now in sight'

Ministers have urged Britons to take lateral flow tests (pictured) regularly in an attempt to quell the spread of Omicron  but only key workers will be able to access free tests from July if No10's mooted plan to 'ramp down the Universal Testing Offer' gets signed off

The document sent between the Department of Health and UK Health Security Agency shows the public are expected to have to start paying for lateral flow tests from July, a later date than originally planned due to the emergence of the super infectious Omicron strain.

It states there will be a 'triage' system to inform people whether they are eligible for a free test.

It acknowledged that some of those who expected to get a free test but could no longer get one would react 'negatively'.

However, health officials said the July target may be pushed back again if another 'curveball' emerges, such as another variant.

Earlier documents on plans to wind back free Covid tests warned the move could result in a stampede of families 'stockpiling' lateral flow tests and discourage the most vulnerable, including the poorest, from testing.

Mass testing had been a critical part of Britain's fight against the virus. But a damning report by MPs last year found that despite an 'eye-watering' 37billion budget over two years, NHS Test and Trace has failed in its main objective of helping stop the virus spreading.

More than 691million free lateral flow tests were distributed by November but only 96million of these  14 per cent  have been used to register a test result with the NHS, the report by the Public Accounts Committee found.

Worst of pandemic will soon be behind us, says NHS consultant The end of the pandemic is 'now in sight', according to an NHS frontline consultant, despite hospitals still feeling the strain of Covid patient numbers. Dr Richard Cree, who has blogged about his work during the pandemic, said he is confident that 'the worst will soon be behind us'. The intensive care consultant at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital believes the Omicron wave is now 'waning'. Writing in his nomoresurgeons.com blog, Dr Cree said: 'Fortunately, the number of Covid patients being admitted each day has begun to decrease and the situation should continue to improve. 'Boris (Johnson) appears to have already started celebrating the end of the pandemic. To be honest, it looks like he started celebrating way back in May 2020 and never stopped. 'For the rest of us, raiding the wine fridge at work and cracking open the champagne may be somewhat premature. 'However, despite the strain that the hospital is currently under, I am confident that the worst will soon be behind us and that the end is now in sight.' Advertisement

A Government spokesperson said: 'We will continue to provide free tests as long as necessary.

'It is one of the most important lines of defence, alongside our vaccines programme.

'With cases remaining high, we continue to process millions of tests a day  more than any European country  providing a free LFD to anybody who needs one.'

But Professor Iain Buchan, chair in public health at the University of Liverpool who led a trial of lateral flow tests in the city, said Britain's approach of making the tests freely available for months, unlike many other countries, had been a success, and cautioned against introducing charges for tests.

He warned: 'Viruses move quicker than free market economics.'

And Professor Jason Leitch, Scotland's national clinical director, said it is 'too early' to decide whether free lateral flow tests can come to an end.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there has 'certainly been no suggestion that in the near future they will be charged for'.

Professor Leitch added: 'I think they are a crucial building block of our baseline, a bit like Test and Trace, Test and Protect for us in Scotland, the alcohol gels, the vaccinations, I think these are what we're going to be left with post-Omicron.'

Asked if Britain is in the 'endgame', Professor Leitch said: 'I think we're in the endgame of Omicron. I'm afraid that's not the answer you wanted.

'Nobody knows if we're in the endgame of the whole pandemic. And anybody who does, I'm afraid it's hope rather than reality.

'I hope we're in the endgame, and the WHO are telling us still to be cautious  don't drop your guard for surveillance of other variants that might come into your country or you might generate yourself.

'But we're definitely in a downward slope of Omicron, which is terrific news.'

However, intensive care medic Dr Cree said he is 'confident' that the worst of the pandemic 'will soon be behind us'.

He said: 'Yesterday saw our total number of Covid-positive patients peak at 176, which is more than we saw during the first wave back in April 2020.

'However, things are not the same. Far fewer patients are unwell like they were back then. The Covid wards are no longer full of people struggling to breathe.'

While the situation is better than staff were expecting, the hospital is still finding it a challenge to cope with such a large number of patients, he said.

Dr Cree said: 'The staff sickness rate is decreasing but there are still many members of staff who are unable to work following infection with Omicron.

'Empty beds remain hard to come by and many patients continue to experience long waits in A&E.'

He said social care staff shortages has led to difficulties in discharging patients once they have recovered, leading to 'clogged' hospitals.

It comes as the PM today announced the end of Plan B curbs, with rules to work from home, wear face masks and Covid passports for large events ditched.

However, Mr Johnson said people are still advised to wear face covering in crowded places, such as public transport, while some event organisers may still require proof of vaccination or a negative test.

The Prime Minister said that 'from now' the Government's work from home guidance will no longer apply.

Meanwhile, Covid passes and compulsory face masks will be axed from next Thursday after the regulations underpinning Plan B expire.

The changes will be explained by Health Secretary Sajid Javid at a Downing Street press conference this afternoon.

Mr Johnson told MPs at lunchtime the Government will still 'suggest' to people to wear face coverings in certain 'enclosed or crowded places' but 'we will trust the judgement of the British people'.

Face masks will no longer be required in school classrooms in England from tomorrow.

The PM also said that there will 'soon come a time when we can remove the legal requirement to self-isolate altogether' as he said the change will be made by March 24 at the latest.

He said that is the date when the regulations underpinning the current five-day self-isolation period expire and the Government 'very much expect not to renew them'.

The PM said his preference is actually to 'seek a vote in this House to bring that date forward'.

The move on self-isolation is likely to be welcomed by business chiefs after the quarantine rules and spiking case numbers during the Omicron wave wreaked havoc with the nation's workforce.

Mr Johnson said the Government's scientific advisers believe that the Omicron variant 'has now peaked nationally' and 'the data are showing that time and again this government got the toughest decisions right'.

The move on self-isolation is likely to be welcomed by business chiefs after the quarantine rules and spiking case numbers during the Omicron wave wreaked havoc with the nation's workforce.

Lord Frost, the former Brexit minister who quit the Cabinet in December over the imposition of Plan B, tweeted this morning: 'It is good news if the Cabinet does decide this morning to lift some 'Plan B' restrictions.

'But the job isn't done if mask wearing remains in place. The evidence for masks is weak & the many downsides are persistently discounted. All Plan B measures need lifting *for good*.'

The Government has turned its attention to coming up with a long-term strategy for living with the disease.

The Times reported that this is likely to mean local Covid testing centres starting to shut down in the spring.

The Treasury believes the estimated 10billion a year cost of the testing operation is not sustainable and wants it to be reduced.

It is thought the long-term coronavirus strategy could be unveiled by the Government by the end of February.

It is likely to include the end of free lateral flow tests and changes to self-isolation rules for people who test positive.

A Government source told The Times: 'The wind-down will be quite swift and will mean fewer test centres because we don't need all of the sites.'

Official Government data showed there were a further 94,432 Covid cases recorded in the UK yesterday while a further 438 people had died within 28 days of testing positive.

A total of 19,450 people were in hospital in the UK with Covid as of January 17.

This is down two per cent week-on-week  though the total had risen slightly in the most recent two days.

During the second wave of coronavirus, the number of hospital patients peaked at 39,254 on January 18, 2021.
Ukraine has begged Germany for weapons to deter an attack by Russia, stepping up pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz who has so-far resisted calls to provide military assistance despite warnings Putin is about to invade.

Andriy Melnyk, Kiev's ambassador to Berlin, said on Wednesday that Ukraine wants German warships to help defend against Russian attacks on its coasts in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and anti-aircraft systems to prevent attacks from the air.

It comes after Scholz, who has been accused of 'weakening' Europe and NATO's response to Russia with his soft stance, on Tuesday rejected the idea of supplying even defensive weapons to Kiev - citing a long-standing German policy.

That is despite other countries sending military aid, with Great Britain on Tuesday supplying Ukraine with anti-tank missiles in an attempt to deter Russian aggression.

Ukraine has pleaded with Germany to send warships to help defend its coastline in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, fearing a Russian invasion is imminent (file image)

Kiev also wants German anti-aircraft systems deployed on its soil to dissuade Putin from launching aerial attacks (file image)

'It's primarily about German warships, which are among the best in the world, which we urgently need for the robust defense of the long coast in the Black and Azov Seas,' ambassador Melnyk told German media.

'There is the same huge demand for the most modern air defense systems, which are currently being produced by German armaments companies.'

Germany justifies its stance towards Russia by arguing it owes an historical debt to Moscow due to atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis against the Soviets during the Second World War.

Ambassador Andriy Melnyk said Germany's reasoning- that it owes an historical debt over the Second World War - doesn't make sense

It justifies the ban on exporting lethal weapons along the same lines.

But such reasoning is failing to wash with Kiev, which points out the Nazis also occupied large parts of eastern Europe - including Ukraine - during the war and perpetrated some of their worst atrocities there.

'It's astonishing that in Berlin the question of historical responsibility is used as an argument for rejecting military aid,' Melnyk added.

'This responsibility should apply to the Ukrainian people, who lost at least eight million lives during the German Nazi occupation of Ukraine.'

Scholz, who took the job from Angela Merkel last month, has found himself in the firing line by trying to maintain his predecessor's warm relations with Moscow even in the face of increasing threats from Moscow to its neighbours.

He has repeatedly denied requests to supply arms to Ukraine, and has given evasive answers when asked whether the Nord Steam 2 gas pipe from Russia to Germany could be targeted in the event of an attack.

That led academics and foreign policy experts to write an open letter at the weekend condemning his position and calling for a tougher stance, and has opened up a rift in his fledgling coalition government with ministers pushing him to go further.

In an attempt to quell the pressure, Scholz on Tuesday hinted that Nord Stream could be the target of sanctions by saying that 'everything' would be on the table in the event of an invasion - ignoring an opportunity to single out the pipe.

British weapons including anti-tank missiles have arrived in Ukraine

Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirms it has received a shipment of 'light anti-tank weapons' provided by the UK

As the Bundestag continues to oppose involvement, flightpath tracking data shows how British aircraft are avoiding German airspace en route to ferrying anti-armour weaponry to Ukraine

British weapons flown to Ukraine are understood to include shoulder-fired missiles, such as the AT4 84mm anti-armour system which is widely used by Nato members.

In eastern Ukraine  the region most likely to see conflict between British-trained troops and Russian soldiers  the weapon could destroy advancing tanks and combat vehicles, helicopters and aircraft flying at low altitude.

UK defence chiefs fear Putin will opt for the 'nightmare scenario' of a full invasion of Ukraine as tensions rise towards tipping point,.

The White House warned yesterday the situation was 'extremely dangerous' and that Moscow could launch an attack 'at any point'.

It had been thought Putin would choose the 'simple option' of sending troops into the Donbass region in south-eastern Ukraine and then negotiate for it to become an independent state, providing a buffer between pro-western Ukraine and Russia.

As the region is already occupied by pro-Russian separatists, and has been in a state of war since 2014, it was believed it would offer little resistance.

But the latest intelligence now has Ministry of Defence chiefs worried about a much larger incursion, raising fears of warfare engulfing cities and high civilian death tolls.

They believe Mr Putin's troops are being positioned in line with his new objective, with armoured divisions set to head into neighbouring Belarus on exercise but now stationed within striking distance of Kiev.

Last night a senior defence source said: 'We strongly believe [Putin's] preference is for a full invasion rather than a limited offensive. In a sense he might as well go for as much of Ukraine as he can get hold of because the penalties are just the same.

Olaf Scholz, Germany's new Chancellor, has been accused of weakening NATO, the EU and his own country with a soft stance towards Russia even as Putin gears up to invade Ukraine

The UK's Ministry of Defence fears Putin will inflict large-scale warfare engulfing cities and high civilian death tolls (Pictured: A convoy of Russian armoured vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022)

The White House warned yesterday that the situation was 'extremely dangerous' (Pictured: Anatoliy, a Ukrainian soldier with the 56th Brigade, in a trench on the front line on January 18, 2022 in Pisky, Ukraine)

'Also, if he just occupies the eastern regions he will never be able to take back the whole of Ukraine because of the inevitable strengthening of Ukrainian forces in the remainder of the country in the aftermath.

'It is the nightmare scenario.'

Putin is aware that as Ukraine does not belong to Nato, there will be no military response by Western states.

Similarly, the economic sanctions threatened by the US and the UK apply regardless of the scale of such action.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday before holding talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday in the latest attempt to defuse the crisis.
A doctor has appeared in court accused of depositing his semen in a cup of tea he gave to a woman.

Dr Nicholas John Chapman, 54, who is currently suspended from his post at the 4,000-patient North Curry Health Centre, in Taunton, denies the allegation.

The details of the case against him were outlined during a 40-minute hearing at Taunton Magistrates Court in Somerset.

Dr Chapman, of Kingston St Mary, Somerset, is charged with attempting to cause a woman aged 16 or over to engage in sexual activity (no penetration) without her consent on September 13 last year.

Dr Nicholas John Chapman (pictured), 54, is charged with attempting to cause a woman aged 16 or over to engage in sexual activity (no penetration) without her consent on September 13 last year. Defence lawyer Nigel Yeo said Dr Chapman denies the allegation

Giles Tippett, prosecuting, told the two magistrates overseeing the hearing that the victim discovered a substance at the bottom of her cup when she finished the drink, which she said had been given to her by the defendant.

Mr Tippett said the incident was reported to police three days later.

Nigel Yeo, defending, said his clients response to the charge is 'a straightforward denial'.

Dr Chapman will face a plea and trial preparation hearing at Taunton Crown Court (pictured) next month after electing to be tried in front of a judge and jury

Dr Chapman was born in South Africa, where he qualified as a doctor at the University of Cape Town in 1993.

He was given the chance to defend himself at a trial in the magistrates court but elected to be tried in front of a judge and jury at Taunton Crown Court, where he will face a plea and trial preparation hearing on Monday, February 21.

He was released on conditional bail, including an order not to contact any named witnesses, by chairman of the bench Valerie Castell.

Nigel Yeo, defending, said all of Dr Chapman's 'community ties' are in the UK, where he lives with his partner and part time with a child.
A man with Covid who presented at a Perth hospital emergency department has forced some of its staff into isolation.

The vaccinated man in his 60s turned up at Fiona Stanley Hospital with non-respiratory symptoms, Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said on Wednesday.

About 12 emergency department workers have been identified as close contacts.

Police believe the man is linked to a cluster of Omicron cases across several Perth massage parlours.

WA is on alert after the Covid-infected man visited a busy emergency department (pictured, a dogwalker in Perth)

12 staff from the Perth Fiona Stanley Hospital (pictured) have been forced into 14 days isolation after a vaccinated man in his 60s presented himself while infected with Covid

'The contact tracers are working hard to get information from this gentleman. I don't think it's been straightforward,' Ms Sanderson told reporters on Wednesday.

'(Police) use a range of techniques, CCTV and investigative techniques, to establish people's stories versus what is actually the case. But we also had information from a third party.'

The man, who has been placed in hotel quarantine, lives with four other men who will also enter quarantine and have been tested.

Ms Sanderson said the hospital staff had been wearing personal protective equipment.

With the WA government still yet to update close contact definitions ahead of the February 5 border reopening, the staff members could face up to a fortnight in quarantine.

Police believe the man is also linked to a cluster of Omicron cases across several Perth massage parlours (pictured, locals in Perth)

WA has not yet updated its rules around close contacts and quarantine, meaning essential workers like medical staff will have to quarantine for 14 days as cases are expected to boom when borders open February 5 (pictured, travellers are tested upon leaving Sydney Airport)

'The protocol is 14 days because they're deemed a close contact. That was the immediate response from the health team to put them in,' she said.

'But they'll work through the exact nature of their contact to determine whether they're able to come back sooner than that upon negative testing.

'We've seen that, certainly in hospitals around the country, 14 days' isolation for close contacts is not sustainable for the health system.'

The Australian Medical Association and Australian Nursing Federation have urged the government to immediately release more information about the reopening plan, including modelling on the impact of the Omicron variant.

But Ms Sanderson suggested it would be premature to base decisions on modelling before the borders reopened, despite other states having done so.

'Omicron has only been in the community since the end of November. That is not enough time to get a full dataset to get a clear picture,' she said.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson (pictured) admitted a 14 day quarantine was 'not sustainable' for the healthcare system are WA prepares for rising case numbers

'I think it has to play a role but there will be a range of other factors that we have to take into consideration.'

The minister said close contact definitions and hospital surge plans would be communicated to healthcare workers in coming days.

WA Liberal leader David Honey said with just over a fortnight until borders reopen, businesses had no clarity on staff infection protocols.

'The premier needs to stand up and give a guarantee to the people of Western Australia, that this state is ready for the opening date that he chose,' he told reporters.

A second local case reported on Wednesday involves an unvaccinated man in his 50s who has also been linked to the cluster.

He has been in quarantine during his infectious period.

The state now has 34 active Omicron cases with double-dose vaccination nearing 90 per cent.
A horse trainer has been cleared of punching his girlfriend after she had allegedly hit him with a frying pan.

Michael Jackson, 41, was accused of hitting Rosie Bell 'four to five times' and stamping on her thigh and foot during a furious breakup row at his Cotswold stables on January 24, 2020.

Prosecutors alleged that Mr Jackson had told Miss Bell to move all her belongings from his home in Sezincote within two days.

Jurors heard that she then drove to the yard and argued with him while he led a young stallion out of the stables.

Giving evidence at Gloucester Crown Court, Miss Bell denied that injury to her toe could have been caused by the horse.

But Mr Jackson denied assaulting her, saying she had approached him while screaming before grabbing his jumper and ripping it.

The horse rider told the court that he lost his grip on the stallion's neck rope and the horse had bolted  causing him to put out his hand to steady himself and connecting with Miss Bell's chest.

Mr Jackson also alleged that his girlfriend had hit him in the face with a frying pan during a row in August 2019.

Michael Jackson, 41, was accused of hitting Rosie Bell 'four to five times' and stamping on her thigh and foot during a furious breakup row at his Cotswold stables on January 24, 2020

Prosecutors alleged that Mr Jackson had told Miss Bell to move all her belongings from his home in Sezincote within two days

'I was surrounded by brick walls and lots of metal,' he told the court.

'The horse starts to accelerate in one direction as I tried to detain him and with my other hand battle with Rosie who was attacking me.

'She screamed in my face and ripped my jumper which made the horse bolt forward. This escalated the situation and instinctively I put out my left hand to stop me falling, but as I did so I connected with Rosie's chest.

'During this commotion we both lost our balance and I fell on top of her and I felt the rope ripping through my hands, causing me to suffer from rope burn.

'The stallion escaped from the stables and I didn't see which way it went.

'Rosie then scratched me in the face, something which she had done to me in the past. As I tried to stand up one of my hands may have connected with her face.

'I ran out of the stables looking for the runaway horse. It was very important to me that I retrieve this valuable stallion.

'With the help of others, I managed to locate the horse in less than five minutes. I found him talking to other horses over a fence in a neighbouring field. I retrieved him and took him to a safe place.

'When I next saw Rosie she looked fine as she collected her belongings from the office and tack room.

Mr Jackson insisted she had approached him screaming as soon as she got out of her car and grabbed his jumper, ripping it

Mr Jackson told the court he rides and trains horses for various owners

'I carried on mucking out the horses and while I was wheeling out a wheelbarrow, she squared up to me again and instantly became argumentative.

'I then shouted out for another member of the team for help as I expected that something else might happen.

'Rosie said sarcastically that I needed him to hold my hand, to which I responded, yes I did, as I wanted a witness to anything that might happen.'

Mr Jackson told the court he rides and trains horses for various owners. He generally has around 14 to 15 horses in his care at any one time and spends 12 hours a day working with them, he said. The horse rider added that he competes in competitions all over the country, Ireland and Europe.

'My reputation is everything. I rely on this to be sent the horses to train. People trust me,' he said.

He had formerly been married for nine years and had split up with his wife in 2016, the court was told. The court heard that Mr Jackson met Miss Bell on the eventing and riding circuit and she moved in with him in late 2017.

He said his relationship with Rosie started breaking down whilst they were on holiday in Portugal in June 2019.

'We were in a bar at a marina when we had an argument and she threw a glass in my face,' Mr Jackson told jurors.

The court heard that Mr Jackson met Miss Bell on the eventing and riding circuit and she moved in with him in late 2017

'The next time she went off the rails was at an event at Hartpury, near Gloucester, in August 2019 at which I was riding three horses.

'We'd had a few drinks in the horsebox's living quarters before heading to the bar. We arrived as a group of eight and I recognised the barman as somebody who I had seen working at the eventing stages earlier in the day. I offered to buy him a drink.

'Rosie then accused me of chatting up boys.

'I was so disgusted by this accusation that I chose to go back to the lorry alone and went to bed. About an hour later Rosie came into the lorry screaming at me and said she wanted to examine my phone.

'I gave it to her. However, she twisted an innocent message from a female photographer and made sexual allegations.

'She then started attacking me in the lorry, picked up a frying pan and hit it squarely on my face, making my nose bleed. Rosie then began screaming the place down.

'I left the lorry as I was embarrassed about being in a scene from Eastenders.'

Following their breakup, he alleged, Ms Bell told him more than once that she would 'try and ruin me.'

He added: 'She also stated that she had wasted three years of her life being with me and added 'Don't ever expect to see my nice side ever again. We've broken up. You will not be so smug later on.'

On January 24, 2020, he said he sent Miss Bell a text reminding her that he wanted everything of hers removed from his house by Sunday evening, otherwise it would get binned that Monday.

Soon afterwards, she arrived at the yard in a 'raging mood' and the skirmish which led to the assault allegation began, he told the court.

After the jury returned the not guilty verdict Mr Jackson was discharged.
President Moon deserves criticism for breaching promise



With less than four months remaining before the end of its term, the Moon Jae-in administration is going too far when it comes to "parachute appointments." True, no other previous administration dared to put a stop to the practice of "parachuting" pro-government and pro-ruling party figures into high-level positions, but most of them pretended at least to restrain themselves toward the end of their terms. But the incumbent government is turning a blind eye to this long-held practice.



A case in point is the Moon administration's recent appointments in the public financial sector. The Korea Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO) appointed Won Ho-joon, who had been in charge of the unmanned weaponry business at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, as an executive overseeing its non-performing loans business, during a shareholders meeting Friday.



In late December, the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) named a lawyer who had run for the general election on the ruling party's ticket twice as one of its outside directors. The appointment prompted an unusual scene  four people with connections to the ruling Democratic Party of Korea holding seats on the corporation's 13-member board of directors  as three such individuals had already been with the KDIC. Last August, the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute, which manages the country's inter-banking payment systems, appointed a former senior presidential staff member as its standing auditor, whose annual salary amounts to 240 million won ($200,000), although he had no career background in that field.



President Moon vowed to get rid of parachute appointments in July 2017, two months into his presidency. But his promise turned out to be empty, as he has solely taken care of his subordinates throughout his term. Most recently, he seems to have no concerns about negative public opinion, assuming that the next administration will be unable to expel those he appointed months before his term ends. Expertise and experience should be the criteria for appointments, not simply connections with the administration. The broader populace wants cronyism to disappear for good.


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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could now not visit Britain for Prince Philip's service of thanksgiving in the coming months if their legal battle over his family's security in the UK remains unresolved, it has been claimed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been expected to attend the memorial event at Westminster Abbey which was announced by the Queen on December 23 and is due to take place on an unconfirmed date this spring.

It was hoped that Harry and Meghan, who now live in California, would finally introduce their seven-month-old daughter Lilibet to the Royal Family, who would also have a rare opportunity to see their two-year-old son Archie.

But the dispute with the UK Government could now scupper these plans, with Harry threatening a judicial review of a Home Office decision not to allow him to pay for police protection for him and his family while in Britain.

A royal source told US celebrity news website Page Six last night: 'If Harry goes, he will want to have security for him and his family. If and when he decides to go back to the UK, he needs security.' MailOnline contacted representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment this morning.

A judicial review challenges the lawfulness of a public body's decision and must first pass a 'threshold test'. Now Harry has filed his claims, the Home Office must file a document on why they will be resisting it. The High Court will then consider whether there is a case for judicial review - and a proper hearing will take place if granted.

The bill for the process will almost certainly run into the tens of thousands of pounds, with each party in a case at a one-day substantive hearing likely to face legal costs of at least 25,000 to 40,000 and possibly even more. The Home Office has previously given the cost on the Government of a substantive hearing as up to 100,000.

Meghan has not returned to Britain since the couple officially stepped down as senior royals in March 2020  and did not accompany Harry to his late grandfather's funeral last April because she was heavily pregnant at the time.

They have not yet said whether they will be among the congregation at the service, which will feature family, friends, dignitaries and representatives of many charities and organisations with which Philip was associated.

But it was widely believed that they would attend and have the chance to reconnect with senior royals including Harry's grandmother the Queen, father Prince Charles, brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are accompanied by security personnel in October 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand

The Queen and Prince Philip are pictured in June 2014. The Duke of Edinburgh died in Windsor on April 9 last year aged 99

The memorial service will take place at Westminster Abbey in London in spring this year on a date which is to be confirmed

Harry does not carry out any engagements since officially quitting the royal family almost two years ago, but has demanded the Metropolitan Police provide him security on the occasions he and his family return home.

Those visits would be for social and business reasons, or to undertake private charitable commitments. He has offered to reimburse the costs himself.

'Police guard for Harry? Anne doesn't get one... and she was nearly kidnapped!' Prince Harry should learn from his aunt Princess Anne, who gets police security only when on royal duties, an expert said this week. Harry, who now carries out no royal engagements, has threatened legal action unless he gets Met Police security, which he would pay for, when he is back in the UK from California. Ex-royal protection chief Dai Davies (pictured) said Princess Anne 'doesn't get full time protection now and yet in 1974 she was nearly kidnapped  her protection officer was actually shot'. The ex-chief superintendent added: 'Her security is now adapted according to risk. There just isn't a large pool of officers to pick and choose from.' Of Harry and wife Meghan he said: 'They both have such egos that they expect the treatment. The fact is, many senior royals are losing their protection. They're not going to take officers away from other royals or other duties to protect him.' Advertisement

Harry was last in the country in July 2021 when he attended the unveiling of a statue for his late mother Princess Diana at Kensington Palace.

Meghan has not been in the UK since March 2020, and their son Archie last saw his family as a babe in arms in November 2019.

Their daughter Lilibet, who will turn one in June, has never visited her father's home country or met her great-grandmother or grandfather.

Harry is now seeking a judicial review of the decision to strip him of his UK police protection team, claiming it is 'too dangerous' to visit without Scotland Yard bodyguards.

Lawyers acting for Harry have written a 'pre-action protocol' letter to the Home Office, threatening to go to the High Court if his family are not provided with security while they are in Britain.

In a statement the unnamed spokesman said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed whilst in the U.K.

'In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home,' it said. 'The UK will always be Prince Harry's home and a country he wants his wife and children to be safe in. With the lack of police protection, comes too great a personal risk.'

A Government spokesman said the UK's security system was 'rigorous and proportionate' and that it was long-standing policy not to provide detailed information about such arrangements

It is also unprecedented for the judiciary to get involved in matters of royal protection, which are signed off by an independent committee and the Home Secretary.

Royal insiders have also made clear there is no backing for the prince at Buckingham Palace. A palace spokesman said it was a matter 'for the Home Office and the Sussexes.'

Earlier this week, a security expert warned Harry should learn from his no-nonsense aunt, Princess Anne, who does not get full-time police protection despite surviving a kidnap attempt in which her bodyguard was shot.

The Queen's daughter is understood only to get armed Metropolitan Police bodyguards when she is out and about undertaking official duties on behalf of the monarch.

Harry and Meghan's family Christmas card released last month featuring pictures of their children Archie and Lilibet

Prince Harry was last in Britain in July last year for the unveiling of a statue of his late mother Princess Diana at Kensington Palace in London, on what would have been her 60th birthday. Harry attended the event with his brother Prince William

Meghan has not been in the UK since March 2020, when she and Harry attended their last events as senior royals. The Sussexes are pictured attending the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9 that year

The former head of Scotland Yard's royalty protection department, retired Chief Superintendent Dai Davies, said that the prince should 'do his homework' and study what arrangements are in place for other family members.

Special Jubilee medal awarded to Prince Harry, Meghan and Andrew Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew are set to be awarded special Platinum Jubilee medals by the Queen next month. The commemorative medals are also being presented to frontline staff at the police, fire and emergency services who have completed five years' service, as a token of thanks. Members of the royal household with one year of qualifying service will receive medals too. But as with previous jubilees, the Queen will pay privately for medals to be given to members of her 'wider' family, both working and non-working. And this year the non-working number will include Andrew, Harry and Meghan. The Duke of York was forced to relinquish his remaining royal roles and stop using his HRH title last week as he faces his US sex case as a 'private citizen'. Harry and Meghan, who quit as working royals and moved to the US in pursuit of lucrative commercial careers while repeatedly criticising the Royal Family, will also be awarded medals as a matter of course. A royal source said: 'In common with previous jubilees, it is likely that wider members of the Royal Family would receive the Platinum Jubilee medal... they are funded privately and are commemorative.' It is understood that Andrew, Harry and Meghan would be entitled to wear their medals with 'civilian dress' if they are invited to an event where the dress code says 'decorations'. But the Queen may not be able to award Harry and Meghan's medals in person. Harry is threatening to seek a judicial review of a Home Office decision not to allow him to pay for police protection while in Britain. Without this security, he feels unable to travel to the UK, a spokesman said. The medals will also go to frontline prison and Armed Forces staff, as well as living individual recipients of the George and Victoria Cross. Advertisement

'Princess Anne, we understand, doesn't get full time protection now and yet in 1974 she was nearly kidnapped and worse. Her protection officer was actually shot,' he said.

'And yet her security is now adapted according to risk. There just isn't a large pool of officers to pick and chose from.'

Anne's children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, both high profile individuals, do not receive any police protection in their day to day lives, although they now live on Princess Anne's private Gatcombe Park estate.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex - the Queen's son, Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie - and are also believed to have dispensed with round-the-clock protection.

And Harry's cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were also stripped of their police bodyguards when they decided to pursue independent lives and careers outside of the royal family, following extensive public debate over why taxpayers should foot the bill for their globe-trotting lifestyles.

Prince Andrew now employs private security guards for his daughters, often retired police officers.

There will be ongoing public debate as to whether he is entitled to security now that he has stepped back from public life to fight his US sex case as a 'private citizen' and handed back any remaining royal roles.

Anne was attacked in 1974 as she drove down The Mall with her then husband, Captain Mark Phillips.

Ian Ball forced her limo to stop, shot her bodyguard, Inspector James Beaton, multiple times as he tried to protect the royal couple, before trying to pull the Princess out of the car.

Another police officer and a journalist were shot before Ball was tackled by a passer-by.

Anne famously replied 'not bl**dy likely' as he tried to pull her out of the car and escaped out of the other rear door

Mr Davies, who has worked in policing and security for more than 53 years, said: 'He [Prince Harry] decided that he didn't want to be part of the Royal Family, he made some dreadful remarks in that interview [with Oprah Winfrey] and his behaviour since has been, in my opinion, disgraceful, along with his good wife.

'If they want to be royals and they want to carry on doing royal business, then, yes, there is a risk.

'But over the years royalty protection and the Home Officehave got reasonably good at making sure that the risk assessment is carried out throughly, in conjunction with the other security agents dictated [by the] threat assessment centre.

Pallbearers carry Prince Philip's coffin for his funeral service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on April 17

Cutting a solitary figure at the front of the quire, near the altar, the Queen sat apart from her children at the funeral last April

'They [Harry and Meghan] both have such egos that they expect the treatment.

Meghan and Harry will turn down Prince Charles' invitation to stay with him in the UK so he can meet Lilibet because it would be 'awkward' after row over security, Queen's biographer claims Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are unlikely to stay with Prince Charles after he offered his home to them, the Queen's biographer has said. The Prince of Wales, 73, offered to have his family to stay with him in the UK in the hope of meeting Lilibet for the first time, a source claimed this week. The offer, which would be the first time the family have fully come together since Harry and Meghan moved to the US, was made just before Christmas, according to the Mirror. However, royal biographer Angela Levin has claimed the couple won't stay with Charles because it would be 'too awkward'. She told the Sun: 'Of course when you are married your partner has a say in it all and I don't believe Meghan ever wants to come back here. She would find it very difficult to stay with Prince Charles and the Duchess [of Cornwall] because I think she would be quite awkward about it all.' She added: 'I think Charles is very brave, very honourable and it should really be Harry that apologises to him and try to get back in his good books but I think this looks as though it's the other way round' Advertisement

'The fact is, many senior royals are losing their protection. Once you become a plain member of the public like the rest of us, unless there is a serious risk, neither the police nor Scotland Yard will take action.

'At the moment, it is considered that there isn't a risk, and so they're not doing to take officers away from other royals or other duties to protect him when he decides to be royal again. '

Nine months ago on April 17, Britain fell silent in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh as a funeral marking his life of service, devotion and duty took place at Windsor Castle.

The Queen and her family gathered to say farewell to Philip, who died peacefully and was hailed as the 'grandfather' of the country by his son Andrew.

Covid-19 regulations reduced the scope of the service with public elements cancelled, mourners reduced from around 800 to just 30.

All guests wore face masks and sat apart, and the UK came to a halt to observe a minute's silence for the Duke who died a few months short of his 100th birthday.

Charles and Anne led senior royals in walking behind their father's coffin for the short distance from the castle to St George's Chapel.

Philip's coffin was carried on a custom-built Land Rover Defender hearse designed by the duke and modified over 16 years.

It was followed for part of its final journey by the Queen, who travelled in a Bentley with Lady Susan Hussey, her trusted lady-in-waiting  with both wearing facemasks.

Watching as it passed were royal mourners including the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Wessex and her children James and Louise.

Zara and Mike Tindall, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were also in attendance.

The Duke of Sussex and Duke of Cambridge joined the procession, separated by their cousin Peter Phillips. They were seated opposite one another in the chapel.

Cutting a solitary figure at the front of the quire, near the altar, the Queen sat apart from her children. There was a space left beside her where Philip would have sat.
A Vietnamese trafficking ringleader who sent 39 of his own countrymen to their deaths in a lorry discovered in an Essex industrial estate has been jailed for 15 years in Belgium.

Vo Van Hong, 45, was convicted of running a criminal organisation in Belgium involved in smuggling a total of 115 identified people to Britain between September 2018 and the date of his arrest in May 2020, more than two years after the truck full of corpses was found in October 2019.

At least 15 of the 39 dead had passed through the Belgian-based trafficking network, which operated two safe houses in the Anderlecht district of Brussels for migrants heading to Britain.

The victims - 31 men and eight women aged between 15 and 44, all Vietnamese - died from suffocation and hyperthermia in the confined space of the container, which arrived on a ferry from Zeebrugge.

Vo was one of 23 suspects - both Belgians and Vietnamese - put on trial after a May 2020 police operation in which several addresses, most in the Brussels region, were raided and Vietnamese suspected of links to the gang were rounded up.

Of the 23, a total of 19 - including Vo - were convicted and four were acquitted. The 18 others sentenced after Vo were given prison terms of under five years, most of them suspended.

Several suspects have already been convicted and incarcerated in Britain and Vietnam in connection with the case while in France, 26 more have been charged and face trial.

Vietnamese trafficking ringleader Vo Van Hong, 45, who sent 39 of his own countrymen to their deaths in a lorry discovered in an Essex industrial estate has been jailed for 15 years in Belgium

The migrants suffocated to death in the container on the back of this lorry in 38.5C temperatures as they crossed the Channel from Belgium to Essex

Most of the defendants were allegedly members of the people-smuggling ring.

Twelve of the defendants were charged for having worked as safehouse guards or grocery shoppers who fetched food for migrants being smuggled.

Ten of the accused - three Belgians, six Moroccans and an Armenian - were taxi drivers in Brussels and are accused of ferrying people to the safe house.

Prosecutors said the 'very well-organised' gang specialised in clandestinely transporting people into Europe then Britain for a fee of 19,800 (24,000 euros) per person.

Collectively, they were accused of involvement in 'several dozen smuggling activities' that illegally brought at least 100 people to the UK going back to September 2018.

They operated out of an apartment run by Hong that was located above a pizzeria on Ninoofsesteenweg, the main highway cutting through the Anderlecht district.

Prosecutors said the smugglers had connections in France, the Netherlands and Germany, and that it was believed some of the defendants continued their illegal activities after the October 2019 tragedy.

Vo denied acting as ringleader and claimed he was a 'victim' of the smuggling ring but was handed a 15-year sentence, the statutory maximum, and a fine of 735,300 (920,000 euros).

Vo was one of 23 suspects - both Belgians and Vietnamese - put on trial after a May 2020 police operation in which several addresses, most in the Brussels region, were raided and Vietnamese suspected of links to the gang were rounded up

Most of the defendants were allegedly members of the people-smuggling ring. Collectively, they were accused of involvement in 'several dozen smuggling activities' that illegally brought at least 100 people to the UK going back to September 2018

Of the 23, a total of 19 - including Vo - were convicted and four were acquitted. The 18 others sentenced after Vo were given prison terms of under five years, most of them suspended

Belgium launched an investigation into the deaths after it emerged the container in which the migrants died originated in the port of Zeebrugge (pictured, in court today)

Prosecutors said the gang used an Irish trucking company that regularly imported Vietnamese biscuits to get the migrants across the Channel, and that Vietnamese gang members took charge of them once they got to Britain.

In previous court documents, prosecutors laid out the route the migrants had taken to the UK which ended up with them dead.

On October 21, two days before the bodies were found, prosecutors say migrants who had been brought to Hong were driven Paris.

Then - the following day - they were taken to Bierne in northern France where they were ordered inside the refrigerated lorry.

Driver Eamonn Harrison, 23 and from Northern Ireland, then drove the trailer back to Belgium and to the port of Zeebrugge where it was left on the dock to be loaded on to a ferry bound for Purfleet, in Essex.

During the journey, temperatures inside the trailer soared to 38.5C and oxygen levels dropped near-zero, causing the 39 people inside to suffocate.

Many sent desperate last texts or voice messages to loved ones as they died, while at least one grabbed hold of a metal pole and tried to batter their way out.

A separate trial in the UK established the trailer was then picked up by driver Maurice Robinson, also from Northern Ireland, who was texted by boss Ronan Hughes telling him to 'open it and give them some air but don't let them out'.

Robinson sent a thumbs up emoji back and soon pulled over on an industrial estate in Grays, Essex, and opened the container doors - 12 hours after they were sealed.

During the trial, jurors saw horrifying footage of steam gushing from the container as Robinson opened it. He then sent a message to Hughes saying: 'They're f***** dead.'

Robinson then re-sealed the lorry and drove around for seven minutes before returning to the same industrial estate and parking up a second time.

He opened the read doors again, then had a call with Hughes. A short time later, fixer Gheorghe Nica became involved in the calls, as did Christopher Kennedy, another lorry driver involved in the operation.

For 15 minutes, the four-some called and texted one-another while trying to work out what to do. Robinson eventually called police and requested an ambulance.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, but could do nothing to save the victims.

Police described arriving to an horrific scene of 39 bodies - 31 men and eight women, ten of whom were teenagers and the youngest of whom were 15-year-old twins - piled up in the trailer.

The victims included 31 men and eight women, ten of whom were teenagers and the youngest of whom were 15-year-old twins

Four men aged between 26 and 36 were also jailed in Vietnam for luring the migrants to make trips abroad (pictured, the regions where the victims originated from)

Realising their gruesome fate, at least one migrant had tried to batter their way out of the lorry with a metal pole (damage pictured) while others sent heartbreaking messages to families

Most had partially undressed in order to keep cool as the temperature climbed, before collapsing on the floor.

Police arrested Robinson at the scene and launched an investigation, as other members of the gang tried to cover their tracks.

Nica and two other gang members, Marius Draghici and Valentin Calota, fled the UK for Romania where they were later arrested.

Kennedy was arrested in November as he drove a truck on the M40, while Hughes and Harrison are extradited from Ireland the following June.

In October, all were hauled before the Old Bailey in London on charges ranging from manslaughter to criminal conspiracy. In January 2021, all were sentenced for their crimes.

The court heard that Harrison, 23, and Robinson, 26 - together with Nica, 43 - were paid by Ronan Hughes, 40, to ferry non-EU citizens into the UK.

Hughes headed the million-pound people-smuggling ring which used death trap lorries on multiple occasions - charging his human cargo up to 14,000 a head for a 'VIP' service.

Hughes was jailed for 20 years, while fixer Nica - who arranged transport from Essex to London for the foreign nationals - was sentenced to 27.

Robinson was handed a 13-year and four-month sentence, while Harrison - who dropped off the trailer in Zeebrugge - was jailed for 18 years.

Seven men - including Harrison and Robinson - have already been jailed in the UK for their part in the operation.

Ronan Hughes and Gheorghe Nica, who were found guilty of orchestrating the smuggling operation, were sentenced to 20 years and 27 years respectively.

Harrison was given 18 years and Robinson was given 13 years. Three others - Christopher Kennedy, Valentin Calota and Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga - were given between three years and seven years.

Another investigation in Vietnam established that most of the migrants had come from a poor central region of the country, and had been lured into making the dangerous journey by local fixers assuring them of a better life overseas.

The victims had stumped up around 10,000 each for the trip, with their families mostly borrowing the money on the promise to pay it back once their relatives reached the UK, began working and sent cash home to them.

Four men aged between 26 and 36 were eventually found guilty of brokering illegal migration in Vietnam, and jailed for between two and a half years and seven years.

Seven men have been jailed in the UK over the deaths, including Ronan Hughes (left) who was jailed for 20 years and Maurice Robinson (right) who was sentenced to 13 years
The mother of Rikki Neave was wrongly accused of his murder after a picture of Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man was found at the family home, a court has heard.

Six-year-old Rikki's naked body was posed in a star shape in woods in Peterborough after he was strangled in November 1994, the Old Bailey heard.

Police investigating his murder found a book containing a picture of the famous drawing of Vitruvian Man at the Peterborough home of his mother Ruth Neave.

Prosecutor John Price QC said: 'It was said, as indeed is the case, that in one of its forms, the posture of the image resembles the way her son's naked body had been posed by his killer.'

Ms Neave went on to be accused of killing him at the house and transferring the body in a buggy to the woods before reporting him missing, jurors heard.

But Mr Price told jurors sightings that day showed she could not have done it and she was acquitted after a trial.

James Watson, now 40, is now accused of strangling Rikki in Peterborough in November 1994.

The case remained unsolved for more than 20 years until a DNA breakthrough shed new light.

Pictured: Rikki Neave, six, was found dead five minutes away from his house in Peterborough with his school uniform dumped in a nearby bin on the morning of November 29, 1994

James Watson, 40, is on trial for the murder of six-year-old Rikki at the Old Bailey in London

Police investigating his murder found a book containing a picture of the famous drawing of Vitruvian Man at the Peterborough home of his mother Ruth Neave

The famous drawing 'Vitruvian Man' (Uomo vitruviano) by Leonardo da Vinci

The housing estate (bottom) where Rikki Neave lived in 1994 and the wood (top) in Peterborough where his body was found

DNA belonging to child witness Watson was identified on Rikki's trousers, which were among a bundle of clothes dumped in a bin near the woods.

In his statement in 1994, Watson, then 13, said he had skipped school and gone to the Welland Estate in Peterborough where his father lived on the day of Rikki's murder

At around 12.30pm, he said he came across Rikki as he watched a digger in the road.

He told police he did not know the boy but recognised him from the estate.

According to his statement, Rikki said: 'That's a big tractor isn't it?' to which Watson replied: 'It's not a tractor, it's a digger.'

He told police Rikki walked away and he did not see him again.

In 2016, Watson allegedly changed his story the day before being told of the new DNA evidence.

Mr Price said the DNA added to a 'substantial body' of evidence of other highly incriminating circumstances.

He said: 'Ultimately the critical question for the jury in this case will be whether such a wide variety of evidence, including the DNA, just happens to combine to incriminate Watson for the simple reason that he is indeed the killer of Rikki Neave or whether, alternatively, may he be a hapless innocent victim of what would be the most extraordinary, implausible, and unfortunate set of coincidences.'

The court heard today that Watson allegedly stripped Rikki naked and manipulated his body to create 'the desired image of it in death', a court heard today.

The killer remained with the victim's body for an hour and made no attempt to conceal it, the Old Bailey heard.

Rikki's murder had remained unsolved for almost three decades before sophisticated DNA testing, used on Rikki's clothes in a 'cold case review' in 2015, found a 'definitive match' with Watson.

Prosecutor John Price, QC, told jurors how Rikki's body was found in the wood 'in a star shape, with outstretched arms, and legs placed wide apart'.

He added that there was no sign of any clothing apart from a small, white shirt button 'perched poignantly' on a leaf just inches from Rikki's left hand.

In the second day of his opening today a series of images were shown in court showing Rikki's body after it was found in the woods.

The prosecutor said: 'No attempt had been made to conceal the body, quite the reverse.

Photograph taken in 1994 which shows where the body of six-year-old Rikki Neave was found

Artists impression of James Watson facing trial for the murder of Rikki Neave at the Old Bailey

'Though posed on its back...there were mud stains on his face, the front of the trunk, the outside of the knees, and the soles of the feet.

'The distribution of mud staining would indicate, we suggest, that the killer moved the body about, after he had stripped it of its clothing, until he achieved the pose that he wanted and the pose which would of course be seen when it was found by others.

'There is evidence to be considered later, which shows, we suggest, that Rikki's killer may have remained in that wood with the child's dead body for up to as long as an hour after the killing.

'Certainly...he will have expended considerable energy and no little time, removing all of the clothing and then manipulating the body to create the desired image of it in death.'

The post-mortem, performed at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridge by Dr Nat Cary, determined the cause of death to be 'ligature strangulation'.

This conclusion was supported by marks to the front of Rikki's neck caused by the teeth of the little boy's front jacket zipper.

These marks, it is said, suggested Rikki's jacket had been pulled back from behind around the neck for a sustained period of time.

Referencing the images shown previously, Mr Price told jurors: 'You may have seen the red wheel or mark on the side of the neck.'

Dr Cary concluded that Rikki's death would have followed within 'no less than 30 seconds' from when pressure was first applied.

'In context, that is quite a long time,' said Mr Price.

'Furthermore, however long it took to bring about the death of this boy, Dr Cary states that the pressure must have continued to be applied for a period after the child first became unresponsive and had effectively already collapsed into unconsciousness.

'Because deprivation of oxygen causes unconsciousness first and then, only if it continues thereafter, does it go on to cause death.

'You will have to decide the intent of the person who did this to Rikki.

'You will want to keep clearly in mind...not just these mechanics of the act of killing, how long it took, that force continued to be applied to the neck after he was unconscious, but also what happened to the body after it was done.

'Because whosoever it was, the killer of Rikki Neave did not rush off in panic, as though startled by something unintended having occurred.

'He remained with the dead body.

Photo taken in 1995 of a PC leaving flowers at Welland County Primary School, Peterborough

Pictured: File photo dated 29/11/94 of police at the scene where the naked body of six-year-old murder victim, Rikki Neave, was found in undergrowth less than 500 yards from his home

'As mentioned, from what he then did, it is known he will have stayed with it for some time.

'The death of this child was not a shock to him, as it were borne of an unexpected event.

'Nor for that matter was it an end in itself, rather it was a means to an end.

'For one thing, it enabled him then to remove all of the clothing.

'We submit that Rikki Neave's death was brought about by someone who acted with an intention to kill him.'

Evidence also suggests Rikki's strangulation was a surprise attack, the court heard.

There was no evidence of recent 'blunt force injury' which can often be seen on a body when a victim has tried to defend themselves from a front-on attack.

Mr Price said: 'This...suggested to Dr Cary that Rikki had no warning of the impending attack.

Prosecutors: 'Rikki was a vulnerable child' Rikki was living with his mother and his two younger sisters on the Welland Estate in Peterborough at the time of his death. His older sister, Rebecca, aged eight at the time of his death, was living in foster care. The family were well known to local social services, the court heard, and Rikki in particular was on the at risk register. 'Fourteen months before he died, in September 1993, police had responded to two reports, made only days apart that he was missing together with his older sister Rebecca, who was then still living at the family home,' Mr Price said. 'At the time, it was not unusual for Rikki and his older sister to return home at well past the time they should have done, if coming straight from school. 'On the 29th of September 1993 Rebecca and Rikki did not arrive home until twenty to seven that evening.' Jurors heard he would be used by his mother to collect drugs, she being a heavy user of amphetamine sulphate at the time. 'This neglect exposed one so young to grave risk,' Mr Price added. 'We would suggest that Rikki Neave for that reason was a vulnerable child.' Advertisement

'He was not a child in fear just before it started.

'Taking account also of the nature and the location of the zip marks on the front of his neck, literally as well as metaphorically, we suggest didn't see it coming.'

There was also no evidence of any harm of a sexual nature having been perpetrated.

Mr Price said Rikki walked into the wood 'willingly', adding: 'This was familiar territory to him.

'He was at his ease when he was in there on that day. And, of course, he wasn't alone.

'There was no sense of impending danger, right up until the fatal and surprise attack began.

'Thereafter he would have been dead within less than a minute and unconscious before that.

'Rikki Neave knew his killer.

'He felt safe and at his ease with him.'

In May 1995, Rikki's mother, Ruth Neave, was charged with the murder of her son as well as offences of cruelty to him and two of his sisters.

She admitted the cruelty charges but she was cleared by a jury of murdering Rikki in 1996, the court has heard.

Police spoke to Ruth Neave the day after her son was reported missing and jurors heard her account.

Mr Price explained that as Rikki was stood over his baby sister, Ms Neave fell asleep again and when she next awoke, at about 10:45, he was gone.

'She assumed he had gone to school,' he added.

'The truth of course is that she could not have known where he was.'

In January 1995, Ms Neave was arrested on suspicion of Rikki's murder. Prosecutors in her trial claimed that she killed her son in the house.

'It was alleged that Rikki must have returned there during the afternoon of that Monday the 28th, where it was said, he must then have eaten Weetabix which was found in his stomach,' Mr Price said.

'At some time after he had done that, he was murdered by her.

'Found in the house were many books. One of them contained a picture of the famous drawing of the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo De Vinci.

'It was said, against her as indeed is the case, that in one of its forms, the posture of that image resembles the way her son's naked body had been posed by the killer.

'It was further alleged that having killed him, she had then taken the body to the wood, most likely concealed in a child's buggy.

'Returning to the house having done so, so it was said, only then did she make the telephone call at 6 o'clock that evening, to report him as missing.'

Ruth Neave was acquitted unanimously of Rikki's murder by the jury sitting at Northampton Crown Court in October 1996.

Mr Price said Ms Neave's account, that Rikki left home that Monday morning and never returned, is supported by evidence from two other witnesses.

Patricia Cockburn, a health visitor, went to Rikki's house at 10:30 that Monday morning to examine baby Sheradyn, jurors heard.

According to her, there was no sign of Rikki during the time she was there.

Kelly Appleby, a teenager of school age, regularly played truant from school in favour of spending weekdays with Ms Neave at her house, it was said.

Jurors heard that the teenager arrived at the house at around 10:45, passing Ms Cockburn as she left.

'Kelly Appleby states that after she arrived, she remained in the company of Ms Neave throughout that day until 5 o'clock that afternoon when she [Kelly] went elsewhere,' Mr Price said.

'She said she was not long gone. She was back before six o'clock.

'She was in the house when Ms Neave telephoned the police.

'Kelly states that Rikki was not there when she arrived.

'He did not return to 209 Redmile Walk while she was there.'

Jurors have heard Ms Neave was cleared of murdering Rikki in 1996 and Mr Price said it was the 'correct verdict'.

He said: 'If Ruth Neave killed her son, then must he not have been dead and his body already lying where next day it was found, well before she telephoned the police at six o'clock?

'It is obvious is it not, she would not have called the police to report Rikki as missing, bringing them to her house, causing them to search the house for him, only then to kill him.

'Besides which, they had arrived within 17 minutes of the call and they searched the house and neither he nor his body were there.'

Ms Neave always denied Rikki's murder, but admitted charges of cruelty and child neglect, for which she served seven years in prison.

She, along with Ms Appleby, are due to give evidence in Watson's trial.

The court has heard Watson was showing a 'grotesque interest' in the subject of child murder in late November 1994.

Watson, of no fixed address, denies murdering Rikki between 28 and 29 November 1994.

The trial continues.
A Syrian doctor who allegedly killed and tortured inmates at a government prison has gone on trial in Germany.

Alaa Mousa, 36, arrived in Germany in 2015 on a visa for skilled workers after working at a military intelligence prison in the Syrian city of Homs from April 2011 until December 2012.

The doctor, who later practised medicine in Germany, allegedly administered a lethal injection to a prisoner who resisted being beaten, in what prosecutors say was to demonstrate his 'absolute power' over the prisoners.

In one case, Mousa is accused of pouring flammable liquid on a prisoner's wounds before setting them on fire and kicking him in the face so hard that three of his teeth had to be replaced.

The former prisoner, Ahmad A., who now lives in Austria, will be one of the prosecution's main witnesses, according to the weekly Der Spiegel.

He also allegedly doused a teenage boy's genitals in alcohol before setting them alight, and did the same to an adult prisoner.

Alaa Mousa, 36, who allegedly killed and tortured inmates at a government prison, including setting fire to a teenage boy's genitals, has gone on trial in Germany

On another occasion, Mousa was called to a prison in Homs where an inmate was suffering an epileptic attack. Prosecutors say the accused punched him in the face, hit him with a plastic pipe and kicked him in the head.

The man died a few days later, shortly after taking a tablet given to him by Mousa, though the cause of death is unclear.

Other inmates were kicked and beaten, sometimes with medical tools, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors accuse the doctor of killing one person, torture in 18 cases, causing serious physical and psychological harm to another person, and other crimes including one that led to another death.

Mousa left Syria for Germany in mid-2015, arriving not as a refugee but on a visa for skilled workers.

He worked in several places as an orthopaedic doctor, including in the spa town of Bad Wildungen, before being arrested in June 2020 after Syrian witnesses came forward.

The Syrian doctor arrived in Germany in 2015 on a visa for skilled workers after working at a military intelligence prison in the Syrian city of Homs from April 2011 until December 2012

He worked at a clinic near Kassel in central Germany, where multiple Syrians recognized the doctor from his time in Syria and reported him to German police.

German federal prosecutors say Mousa worked in military hospital 608 in the Syrian city of Homs and military hospital 601 in the capital Damascus, where injured detainees were brought after being arrested for opposing Assad's regime.

But instead of being treated, many were tortured 'and not infrequently killed' in such hospitals as part of Assad's brutal repression of the opposition, prosecutors allege.

Reading the charge sheet at the start of the trial, public prosecutor Anna Zabeck accused Mousa of torturing detainees 'within the framework of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians'.

The defendant, who arrived at the court in a blue suit and wearing an FFP2 face mask, has so far denied the charges.

He criticised the Frankfurt court however for not providing Arabic translations of the proceedings for the public.

Rene Bahns, a lawyer for the civil parties in the case, representing victims' rights, told AFP the examples highlighted 'the use of sexualised violence' in the Syrian torture system.

The doctor, who later practised medicine in Germany, allegedly administered a lethal injection to a prisoner who resisted being beaten

The war in Syria has killed close to half a million people since it broke out in 2011, and spurred the largest conflict-induced displacement of a population since World War II.

Germany has taken in some 800,000 Syrian refugees.

The trial at Frankfurt's higher regional court comes after another German court last week sentenced a former Syrian colonel to life in jail for overseeing the murder of 27 people and the torture of 4,000 others at a Damascus detention centre a decade ago.

That verdict, hailed by victims as 'historic', marked the culmination of the first trial globally over state-sponsored torture in Syria.

The proceedings in Germany are made possible by the legal principle of 'universal jurisdiction', which allows countries to try people for crimes of exceptional gravity, including war crimes and genocide, even if they were committed in a different country.

Other cases involving the Syrian conflict have also sprung up in France, Norway and Austria. In 2017, Sweden became the first country to convict a former Syrian soldier of a war crime.

'Over the past decade, a large amount of evidence about atrocities in Syria has been collected, and now... those efforts are starting to bear fruit,' said Balkees Jarrah of Human Rights Watch.
The terrorist gunman shot dead after taking hostages in a Texas synagogue had told his British family he was going to US to find himself a Mexican bride.

Details have emerged of the movements of Malik Faisal Akram, who took four people hostage during a 10-hour standoff, in the days leading up to his death.

The 44-year-old from Blackburn arrived in the US at New York's JFK airport on a tourist visa in late December.

But new details show that despite having been investigated by MI5, no red flags were raised and he was allowed to enter the country, according to NBC.

It has also emerged that Akram had told family members he wanted to get married and was going to go to Texas to find a Mexican bride.

Malik Faisal Akram, 44, who was shot dead after taking hostages at a Texas synagogue, had told his family he was travelling to the US to find himself a Mexican bride

They have since said that he had been 'suffering from mental health issues.'

Two days after his December 29 arrival it is reported he then asked relatives for money to get to Texas and took a flight to Dallas Fort Worth on New Years' Eve.

He then spent time in Dallas-area homeless shelters before the attack on Saturday in the suburb of Colleyville.

It is claimed during this time he bought a gun on the city's streets that had been reported stolen in 2020.

During the standoff with police in Colleyville, Akram demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is suspected of having ties to al Qaeda and was convicted of trying to kill US troops in Afghanistan.

The prison where Siddiqui is serving her sentence is in nearby Fort Worth.

The 44-year-old from Blackburn arrived in the US at New York's JFK airport on a tourist visa in late December. But new details show that despite having been investigated by MI5, no red flags were raised and he was allowed to enter the country

The standoff ended when the last of the hostages ran out of the synagogue, and an FBI SWAT team rushed in 10 hours into the standoff and shot Akram dead. All four hostages were unharmed.

Akram was not believed to be included in the Terrorist Screening Database, a listing of known or suspected terrorists maintained by the FBI and shared with a variety of federal agencies, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.

Had he been included, it would have been extremely difficult for him to get into the country.

'Our understanding, and obviously we're still looking into this, is that he was checked against US government databases multiple times prior to entering the country, and the US government did not have any derogatory information about the individual in our systems at the time of entry,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

She added: 'We're certainly looking back... what occurred to learn every possible lesson we can to prevent attacks like this in the future.'

The standoff ended when the last of the hostages ran out of the synagogue, and an FBI SWAT team rushed in 10 hours into the standoff and shot Akram dead. All four hostages were unharmed. Pictured: The scene outside Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville

The case illustrated once more the difficulties in identifying potential lone-wolf attackers, despite the US government's enormous strides in its counterterrorism efforts since 9/11.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who was among the hostages, told CBS that he had let Akram into Congregation Beth Israel because he appeared to need shelter.

Former Liverpool gang member 'shocked and saddened' after gunman friend was shot dead A former gang member from Liverpool has spoken of his 'shock and sadness' after learning his friend, the Texas terrorist gunman, had been shot dead by police during the hostage siege. Darren Gee, 43, said he had forged a close friendship with Malik Faisal Akram on the city's notorious Grizedale estate. Gee served 18 years in prison for organising the murder of David Regan during a drug war which raged across the city in 2004, and was released from prison on licence several years ago. 'Malik was my friend and I had no idea that he had been involved in this terrible thing in America until yesterday,' he told Liverpool Echo. 'I was shocked and saddened to hear that he was dead.' Gee said Akram spent a few months living with him in Liverpool in 'the late summer of 2020'. 'He arrived on the Grizedale estate and started knocking on doors, looking for me.' Gee said Akram had sought him out after hearing about his brother, Daniel, had been jailed for public protection in 2010 over threatening to kill a teenager. He said that Akram had 'campaigned about the treatment of people in the prison system' and 'wanted to help my family.' Talking about the hostage incident, Gee added: 'I cannot condone what Malik has done and I am baffled as to how he gained entry into the US because he had a criminal record. 'I think Malik suffered from some mild form of mental illness. He probably needed help.' Advertisement

The rabbi said the man wasn't threatening or suspicious at first, but later he heard a gun click as he was praying.

One hostage was released hours later, and the rabbi and two others later escaped after Cytron-Walker threw a chair at the gunman.

During the standoff, Akram could be heard on a Facebook livestream demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is suspected of having ties to al-Qaida and was convicted of trying to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The prison where Siddiqui is serving her sentence is in nearby Fort Worth.

An attorney in Texas who represents Siddiqui said the prisoner had no connection to Akram.

On Tuesday, police said teenagers who had been arrested in connection with the case had been released without charge.

Blackburn-born Akram's family said he had been 'suffering from mental health issues.'

Investigators believe he had initially traveled to New York believing that Siddiqui was still being held there - where her trial occurred - without realizing she had been sent to a federal prison in Texas.

During the standoff, Akram forced Cytron-Walker to call Angela Buchdahl, the senior rabbi at New York's Central Synagogue, in a bid to win Siddiqui's release.

In at least one subsequent call, Akram ranted and demanded that Buchdahl try to get Siddiqui freed, an official said. Buchdahl called 911 and reported the calls to New York City police.

Investigators are still sorting through Akram's movements in the U.S. and reviewing his financial and phone records, but believe he may have traveled by bus to Texas, two of the officials said.

On Monday, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said she had offered 'the full support' of the UK police and security services to her US counterpart.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has described the incident as an 'act of terrorism and anti-Semitism', a view echoed by the Muslim Council of Britain, which called it a hate crime and expressed its solidarity with the Jewish community.
A group of more than 100 billionaires and millionaires have issued a plea to pay more tax in an open letter.

The letter, penned by the Patriotic Millionaires and circulated by groups including Millionaires for Humanity, Tax me Now, and Oxfam, was addressed to the World Economic Forum's online Davos meeting.

Signatories including Disney heiress Abigail Disney, who has a reported net worth of 88million said the current tax system is unfair and 'deliberately designed to make the rich richer'.

A group of more than 100 billionaires and millionaires including Disney heiress Abigail Disney have begged to pay more tax in an open letter

The letter says: 'The world - every country in it - must demand the rich pay their fair share. Tax us, the rich, and tax us now.

'As millionaires, we know that the current tax system is not fair

'Most of us can say that, while the world has gone through an immense amount of suffering in the last two years, we have actually seen our wealth rise during the pandemic - yet few if any of us can honestly say that we pay our fair share in taxes.'

The signatories include wealthy men and women from the United States, Canada, Germany, Britain, Denmark, Norway, Austria, the Netherlands and Iran.

In the letter, the signatories told Davos participants convening for a week of online power-brokering and talks: 'You're not going to find the answer in a private forum... you're part of the problem.'

A spokesperson for the World Economic Forum said paying a fair share of taxes was one of the forum's tenets, and a wealth tax -as exists in Switzerland, where the organisation is based -could be a good model to deploy elsewhere.

Their appeal came as a study backed by wealthy individuals and nonprofits found that a wealth tax on the world's richest people could raise 1.85trillion per year -- enough to pay for Covid vaccines for everyone and pull 2.3billion people out of poverty.

Meanwhile a report by Oxfam this week said the world's 10 wealthiest men doubled their fortunes to 1.1trillion during the first two years of the pandemic while inequality and poverty soared.

The Patriotic Millionaires took part in a the wealth tax study with a network of non-profits and social movements, including Fight for Inequality Alliance, Oxfam and the US-based Institute for Policy Studies think tank.

The letter, penned by the Patriotic Millionaires, was addressed to the World Economic Forum's online Davos meeting

In addition to funding vaccines worldwide and alleviating poverty, the tax would be enough to provide universal health care and social protection to 3.6billion people in low- and middle-income countries, the group said.

The tax would be set at two percent for those worth over 3.7million ($5million), three percent for over 37million and five percent for over 730million.

The group said a steeper progressive tax, which includes a 10 percent levy on billionaires, would raise 2.66trillion a year. The actual levels of taxation would be country specific.

Jenny Ricks, global convenor of the Fight Inequality Alliance, told AFP the group chose a lower progressive tax that was on the 'realistic side'.

A plan to tax the wealth of some 700 American billionaires was floated by Democrats in the US Congress last year, but it was cut from President Joe Biden's 1.3trillion social spending and climate change programme.

Wednesday's tax proposal was made as global government and business leaders take part in the virtual Davos meeting this week. The in-person gathering was postponed due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

'There is no defending a system that endlessly inflates the wealth of the world's richest people while condemning billions to easily preventable poverty,' Patriotic Millionaires chairman Morris Pearl, a former BlackRock investment firm managing director, said in a statement.

'We need deep, systemic change, and that starts with taxing rich people like me,' Morris said.
Police have made a new arrest over the murder of teacher Ashling Murphy.

A man, in his 30s, is being held at a police station in the Eastern Region of Ireland on suspicion of withholding information from police.

It comes a day after another man, a 31-year-old Slovakian, was arrested as he was discharged from hospital in Dublin.

That man is now being questioned in Tullamore, the town where Ashling was killed, as the main suspect in her death.

A decision over whether to charge him is due to be made later today.

Ashling Murphy, 23 (left and right, as a child), was killed on the afternoon of January 12 as she went for a jog in the town of Tullamore. Two men have now been arrested over the killing

Police are now holding two men on suspicion of involvement in the crime, having wrongly arrested a third who has been released

Ashling was strangled to death as she jogged along a canal path in Tullamore on the evening of January 12, with her body found on the path the same day.

Police say the 23-year-old, a primary school teacher and talented musician, tried to fight off her attacker using a set of keys before being killed.

Officers arrested 39-year-old Romanian Radu Floricel the same day - though later released him and said he is no longer suspected of involvement.

Detectives then put out an appeal for information including to hospitals, with doctors told to look out for anyone arriving with 'suspicious' injuries.

That led them to a ward in Dublin, where a man had checked in Thursday with stab wounds he claimed were inflicted in a fight in the west of the city.

Officers, who believe some of the wounds were self inflicted, questioned the man - and on Tuesday arrested him as their main suspect.

Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore

The arrest came the same day as Ashling's funeral, with her heartbroken boyfriend, Ryan Casey, telling mourners at her graveside that Ashling 'is the greatest love of my life'.

He said: 'I will cherish the last five years we spent together for my entire life. I hope that some day, God willing, we can be reunited once more and continue the great plans we had made for each other.

'Goodbye for now, but not for ever, darling. Ashling shall live on in all of our hearts.'

Police said they had not intended to make the arrest on the day of the funeral, but that their hand was forced because the man was about to be discharged from hospital and they were afraid of losing him.

Prior to his arrest, the man had spent five nights in Dublin being treated for injuries to his hands and face - some of which police suspect were self-inflicted.

A relative brought the man to hospital last week for treatment to stab wounds that he claimed to have sustained in a fight in west Dublin. Police were then alerted after warning hospitals to be on the look-out for anyone arriving with 'suspicious' wounds.

He was admitted and was treated by doctors, before being taken into police custody as he was discharged and driven to Tullamore police station, where he remains.

As detectives question the man, officers continue to gather evidence to build their case and are thought to be taking DNA samples from the suspect to see if it matches DNA found at the scene of the attack.

It comes after police revealed Ashling may have used a set of keys to try and fight off her attacker, before being killed.

Officers are also thought to have seized cars and phones linked to the suspect, as well as carrying out searches of his home.

Detectives are still looking for a knife used in Ashling's murder, and have searched the canal where she died and seized a nearby bottle bank where they suspect it may have been hidden.

Mourners walked beside the hearse carrying the coffin of Ashling Murphy as the cortege arrived for her funeral at St. Brigid's Church

Pupils from Ashling Murphy's class hold a photographs and a red roses during Ashling Murphy's funeral at St. Brigid's Church, County Offaly on January 18, 2022

Family members place their hands on the coffin as it is carried out of St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, Co Offaly

Mother and sister of the late 23-year-old teacher, Ashling Murphy, who was murdered while out jogging, arrive for her funeral at the St Brigid's Church in Mountbolus near Tullamore, Ireland January 18, 2022

Gardai have also seized a taxi they believe was used to transport the suspect to Dublin from County Offaly in the hours after the murder last Wednesday.

The taxi travelled from Dublin to Tullamore to pick up the suspect, gardai believe.

A specialist team is now forensically examining the taxi believed to have transported the suspect to Dublin.

It is one of two cars that gardai believe the suspect may have travelled in before he appeared at a Dublin hospital. The other car, which was also seized in Dublin, is also being forensically examined.

The Irish Daily Mail previously reported that gardai spent two days reviewing CCTV footage at Tullamore train station and determined that the suspect did not travel to Dublin by train, unless he had hidden his appearance behind a Covid mask, baseball cap and other improvised disguises.

That led them to believe that someone drove him to Dublin and dropped him at the home of a relative.

Gardai have also made enquiries at every taxi company in Tullamore and surrounding area to determine if any driver brought the suspect to the Co. Offaly town.

They also want to determine if he is the man in the black tracksuit with a distinctive white stripe down the leg that was seen on Main Street, Tullamore in the hours before the murder.

That man, who was captured on CCTV footage, appears to be cycling a Falcon Storm mountain bike, very similar in colouring to the one that was found abandoned close to the murder scene.

Yesterday, as flags flew at halfmast and moments of silence were observed nationwide, President Michael D Higgins, his wife Sabina, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Justice Minister Helen McEntee were among those in attendance at Ashling's funeral. Education Minister Norma Foley and Culture Minister Catherine Martin also attended.

Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan, told mourners that 'a depraved act of violence' which deprived Ms Murphy of her life has united the country in grief and support.

Police probing the murder of schoolteacher Ashling Murphy are trying to identify a mystery man who was seen cycling near to where the 23-year-old was killed. According to gardai, at the time of the attack the suspected killer wore a dark tracksuit with no hood and black tracksuit bottoms with a large, distinctive white stripe (pictured: CCTV still)

Bishop Deenihan said that her death has asked questions of 'ourselves and of society', and has questioned attitudes towards women, and 'our values and morality'.

'Whether those questions will be addressed or passed over remains to be seen but we cannot allow such violence and disregard for both human life and bodily integrity take root in our time and culture,' he added.

'The past few days have been a nightmare. A walk on a mild and sunny afternoon in January should be a happy event, promising the brighter and warmer days of spring and summer.

'We all know that no individual should die like Ashling and no family should suffer like Ashling's.

'Respect is an old-fashioned word but it is an important one. Respect was missing last Wednesday but it has re-emerged here all the stronger. Let us respect each other.'

He added that one piece of light during last week's darkness was the outpouring of support and sympathy.

Parish priest Fr Michael Meade told mourners that Ms Murphy's family has been 'robbed of your most precious gift'.

'A gift that gave only joy and love, fun and laughter to many, many beyond yourselves and bounds of your own home,' Fr Meade added.

Children outside the church held photographs of Ms Murphy and roses. The message next to Ms Murphy's image read: 'Fly high in the sky, our shining light.'

Representatives from Ms Murphy's local Gaelic football club as well as from her old school attended the parish church of St Brigid.

Schoolchildren provided a guard of honour outside the church prior to the funeral. Several children also held fiddles and tin whistles.
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Clutching a microphone and piece of paper, a brave schoolgirl fronted a crowd of devastated mourners to deliver a moving speech paying tribute to her former schoolmate and alleged murder victim Charlise Mutten.

Capturing the sentiment of Australia, the student welcomed members of the community to the candlelit vigil at Tweed Head Public School, on the NSW north Coast, on Wednesday night with the poignant words: 'This should not be happening.'

The nine-year-old girl's body was found in a barrel on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - drawing an end to an extensive five day search - and with it any remaining hope she may still be alive.

Her mother Kallista Mutten's fiance, Justin Stein, has since been charged with her murder, after the schoolgirl flew from Queensland - where she lived with her grandmother - to spend a fortnight's holiday with her mum.

A day after her body was discovered, friends family and fellow students congregated outside the front gates of her former school as they celebrated her short, but impactful life.

'We are gathered here tonight to recognise, honour, and celebrate the young life of Charlise Mutten - a beautiful, loving and gentle spirit who has been taken far too soon,' her schoolmate said.

A brave student (pictured on Wednesday night) who explained she mentored Charlise through primary school delivered a moving speech in tribute to the nine-year-old's life

Charlise Mutten (pictured) has been remembered as a 'beautiful, loving and gentle spirit' who 'touched many lives on her journey throughout this world'

'Charlise has touched many lives on her journey throughout this world especially within the school community, where she was loved.

'Her bright smiling face and her beautiful nature shone as bright as her spirit is now.'

Many of the young mourners held candles as they stood outside the gates adorned with countless bunches of flowers, pink balloons, cards and photos of Charlise.

The school student, who was Charlise's older peer buddy when she first started primary school, invited attendees to light candles in her memory 'to keep her bright light strong and shining for everyone to see'.

'Some of us knew Charlise well, and some of us are here tonight to just simply acknowledge that she existed, and are deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened,' she said.

'We recognise her having been here made a difference to those who knew and loved her.

'And we must take this opportunity to keep in our hearts and minds this very special and beautiful girl.'

Charlise was reported missing on Friday after disappearing from a lavish wedding venue in Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains - an hour away from where her body was discovered.

Her mother's new fiance Stein, 31, has been charged with murder and was arrested inside a Surry Hills unit shortly after her body was found.

It is understood he normally lives in Leichardt in the city's inner-west, but had been staying with a friend.

Hundreds of devastated mourners (pictured) held a candlelit vigil to pay their respects to schoolgirl Charlise Mutten on Wednesday night

Many of the young mourners held candles as they stood outside the school gates and remembered their classmate - clutching remembrance posters

Friends, family and fellow students of the nine-year-old congregated outside the front gates of Tweed Heads Public School on Wednesday night

A young girl is comforted by a woman as she leaves flowers outside the school gates in honour of Charlise, who was allegedly murdered by her mother's fiance

A woman wrapped her arms around two young girls at the Wednesday night vigil that was attended by more than 150 people

A woman is seen struggling to hold back tears as she placed a bouquet of flowers amid the flowing tributes to Charlise

The emotional vigil began outside the primary school at 7.15pm, with more than 150 turning up to pay their respects despite sprinklings of rain.

A message on the school's notice board read 'don't count the days, make the days count'.

'Charlise was a much loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day,' the school said in a statement on Wednesday.

'We are absolutely devastated by the news.'

The statement on their Facebook page was accompanied by a touching photo of the nine-year-old holding a literacy award she had received at the end-of-year presentation day.

The school has been in touch with the Department of Education to 'explore options to support our students and staff when school resumes'.

Police will allege Stein spent up to five hours driving around Sydney with his fiance's daughter's body in the back of a boat, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The 31-year-old spent hours deciding where to leave her body before dumping it near a river, police will claim.

Detectives believe Charlise's mother had left her daughter in the care of Stein last Tuesday night - the last time she was confirmed to be alive.

Police will allege she was killed within the following 15 hours.

A group of young girls stand close together as they hold candles in honour of Charlise Mutten outside her former school

'Charlise was a much loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day,' a statement from her school read (pictured, mourners hold each other during the vigil)

A message on the school's notice board read 'don't count the days, make the days count' during the emotional service

A group was seen addressing the large crowds during the emotional candlelight service in a tribute to the schoolgirl

Charliese's biological father has also shared an emotional tribute to his daughter and vowed to 'get answers' about her tragic death.

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' he said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his statement.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'

The schoolgirl, who was under the full-time custody of her grandparents in the Gold Coast, was spending the holidays with her mother and stepfather at the Blue Mountains property when she was reported missing on Friday.

Homicide detectives retraced Stein's steps using CCTV after he allegedly bought five 20kg sandbags from Bunnings, fuelled up a boat, then tried to launch it from an inner-Sydney dock.

Countless bunches of flowers, colourful balloons and letters addressed to Charlise were left outside the school gates

The nine-year-old's body was reportedly found in a barrel on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson

The vigil was attended by around 150 people, including Charlise's classmates, despite the light sprinklings of rain overhead

The candlelight vigil was held to celebrate the life of the school girl who brightened the days of those around her, as described by her school

Charlise's biological father has shared an emotional tribute to his daughter and vowed to 'get answers' about her tragic death (pictured, a mourner arrives at the scene)

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they will allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where his stepdaughter's body was later found (pictured, mourners comfort each other at the service)

After finding the boat was inoperable, police will allege Stein then tried to dump the barrel containing Charlise's body in Colo River but was unable to roll it in due to the weight of the sandbags.

It is alleged he instead left her in bushland, where she was later discovered.

A blue tarpaulin was also found in the back of the boat, police say. The barrel has now been seized and will be forensically examined.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they will allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where his fiance's daughter's body was later found.

Footage of Stein's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing the moment he walked from a car to a holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him.

He wore a grey Everlast jumper and shorts which he was still dressed in when he fronted court on Wednesday morning.

Ms Mutten reported Charlise missing to police on Friday morning.

Touching photos of Charlise were left outside the school gates along with dozens of candles, flowers, balloons and letters

A woman was seen reading a tribute from her phone as she addressed the dozens of mourners who came to honour Charlise

Mourners comfort each other as the nine-year-old is remembered by loved ones, friends and students at the service

Police will allege the nine-year-old (pictured) was killed within the 15 hours after she was placed in the care of Stein last Tuesday night

Detectives believe Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten had left her daughter in the care of Stein last Tuesday night - the last time she was confirmed to be alive

A woman comforts a little girl at the service while another is seen holding a candle in honour of Charlise Mutten

The police fact sheet tendered in court on Wednesday indicates police believe she may have been killed several days before this call was made.

Police alleged Charlise was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12.

Detectives are still waiting to speak to Ms Mutten because she remains under guard at hospital and is 'hard to approach'.

'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

'She's under medical supervision, but when doctors allow, we will be talking to her.'

Mr Hudson said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice.

'At this stage, we have no evidence to support whether the accused acted alone... however it is still early days,' he said.

Detectives are still waiting to speak to Ms Mutten because she remains under guard at hospital and is 'hard to approach' (pictured, mourners look on at colourful balloons left for Charlise)

Emotional schoolchildren and their parents commemorated Charlise outside the school gates on the rainy Wednesday night

One mourner gave another a hug as crowds weathered the rain to say goodbye to Charlise who was found in a barrel by police on Tuesday night

Police alleged Charlise was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12 (pictured, flowers, candles and posters pay tribute to the schoolgirl)

Charlise's doting grandmother, who lives in Coolangatta, has been notified of her death (pictured, crowds outside Tweed Heads Public School on Wednesday night)

Police were investigating a number of 'anomalies' they claimed to identify in the accused's initial testimony, which included allegedly giving two separate versions of events in the lead up to the young girl's disappearance.

Mr Hudson said through tracking the movements of a car they seized via CCTV, they were able to establish certain facts as to Stein's movements.

Charlise's doting grandmother, who lives in Coolangatta, has been notified.

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives.

Stein, who was arrested inside a Surry Hills unit shortly after her body was found, did not apply for bail in court on Wednesday.

His lawyer asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication'.

Detectives have said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice (pictured, a woman looks forlorn as she attends the candlelit vigil)

Police have seized Stein's red ute (pictured) as part of their investigation into Charlise's alleged murder

Police made the grisly discovery near the Colo River (pictured) - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains on Tuesday night

Stein, 31, was arrested at an apartment in Surry Hills on Tuesday night and he briefly faced court on Wednesday

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives (pictured, mourners at the vigil)

'Charlise, we will miss you,' a handmade sign left on the gates reads as more than one hundred mourners pay their respects to the little girl

An eyewitness also told Daily Mail Australia they had seen a car leaving the property she was last seen at in the early hours of Friday morning.

The one hour drive from Mt Wilson to the Colo River follows Mt Wilson Road to the Bells Line of Road then via one of two routes to reach the river.

Driving past houses and equestrian properties, the road becomes a dirt track as it enters the Wollemi National Park.

Comleroy Road to Upper Colo is a winding and often steep and treacherous dirt road which crosses through the flowing Colo River past the remote Wheeny Creek campground.

A road posted with a sign warning 'Protect children! Please drive carefully' goes past the Upper Colo Anglican Church and local rural fire brigade headquarters.
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Covid cases plummeted by a fifth in England last week in more confirmation that Omicron is on its way out, the country's gold-standard infection study shows.

The Office for National Statistics' weekly report found around 2.9million people were infected on any given day in the week to January 15, a 'welcome decrease' from the record 3.7m the previous week.

It marks the first week that the ONS has recorded a fall in infections since Omicron first took off in late November and the downward trend now matches the Government's daily stats.

The ONS survey is regarded as the most reliable indicator of the UK's outbreak because it uses random sampling of around 100,000 people, rather than relying on people coming forward to be tested.

The promising figures come as Boris Johnson revealed the legal requirement to self-isolate after catching Covid will be scrapped from March 24 and that it could be brought forward.

He is also scrapping all Plan B measures from January 26, which means Covid passports and working from home will be axed and face masks no longer mandated in any setting  although Brits will be encouraged to wear them in crowded places.

There are also plans in place to scrap free Covid lateral flow tests from July under No10's 'exit strategy', according to documents sent between the UK's health agencies.

Despite the fall in infections last week, Covid was still more prevalent than at any point in the pandemic before the extremely-infectious Omicron variant emerged, with one in 20 carrying the virus.

The promising figures come as Boris Johnson revealed the legal requirement to self-isolate after catching Covid will be scrapped from March 24 and that it could be brought forward. Pictured: Mr Johnson leaving Downing Street today ahead of Prime Minister's Questions

Free lateral flow Covid tests to be scrapped by JULY under No10's 'Operation Rampdown' Free Covid lateral flow tests will be scrapped from July under the Government's virus 'exit strategy', according to documents sent between the UK's health agencies. Ministers have urged Britons to take the swabs regularly in an attempt to quell the spread of Omicron  but only key workers will be able to access free tests if No10's mooted plan to 'ramp down the Universal Testing Offer' gets signed off. Instead, officials say an online ordering system will be ready by the end of June to direct Britons to purchase the tests, which are said to cost the Government 30 per pack of seven. No10 has previously said it would 'at a later stage' stop offering everyone the tests, which are free to order from the Government website or pick up at pharmacies. No10 has spent billions of pounds on securing the kits as part of its mass-testing strategy. Amid record high cases at the start of the year, more than 8million lateral flows were registered over the space of one week. However, only a fraction of tests used are officially logged. But Covid infections have been in freefall for the past fortnight, with 94,432 cases reported yesterday, a fall of 20 per cent on last week. The natural fizzling out of the Omicron wave has piled pressure on Boris Johnson to unveil his pandemic 'exit strategy' to prepare the country for living with Covid like flu. Even NHS consultants have now claimed the end is 'now in sight' with hospitalisations falling. Dr Richard Cree, an intensive care consultant at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, said: 'I am confident that the worst will soon be behind us.' Advertisement

The number of people testing positive dropped in all age groups in the most recent week, except in schoolchildren in Years 2 to 6 who are not routinely vaccinated.

Sarah Crofts, head of analytical outputs for the Covid Infection Survey, said: 'Our latest figures show a welcome decrease in infections across most parts of the UK and among all age groups apart from younger children.

'We will continue to closely monitor the data to see if this week's decrease carries forward.'

The ONS said Covid infections fell in all regions of England except the North East and South West, where the trends were uncertain.

In North East England, around one in 10 people were likely to test positive in the week to January 15  the highest estimate for any region. The South West had the lowest rate, at around one in 25.

Elsewhere in the UK, one in 25 people in Wales were estimated to have had coronavirus last week, where the outbreak was found to have shrunk. The rate was also one in 20 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The national fall brings the ONS' findings in line with a raft of other official data which all point to a rapidly shrinking fourth wave.

There were 94,432 new positive tests logged across the UK yesterday, which marked a 22 per cent fall compared to last Tuesday. Cases have fallen week-on-week on every day since January 6.

The ONS' survey is considered more reliable because it includes people who do not come forward for official testing.

It came as Mr Johnson said the legal requirement on people with coronavirus to self-isolate will be allowed to lapse when the regulations expire on March 24, and that date could be brought forward.

Plan B measures aimed at tackling the spread of Covid are also to be dropped across England from January 26.

The PM told MPs in the House of Commons more than 90 per cent of over-60s across the UK had now had booster vaccines to protect them, and scientists believed the Omicron wave had peaked.

He said the Government had taken a 'different path' to much of Europe and the 'data are showing that, time and again, this Government got the toughest decisions right'.

People will no longer be told to work from home and, from Thursday next week when Plan B measures lapse, mandatory Covid certification will end, Mr Johnson said.

The Government will also no longer mandate the wearing of face masks anywhere from next Thursday and they will be scrapped in classrooms from tomorrow.

The announcement is the latest move as part of 'Operation Red Meat' - a policy blitz cooked up by Number 10 in a bid to win back the support of Tory MPs and voters following the Partygate row.
A male nurse who was sacked from a London hospital after a patient accused him of kissing him, touching his bottom and insisting he was gay has won an unfair dismissal case.

The patient claimed Paolo Messeri repeatedly touched him inappropriately and pinched him against his will as he lay paralysed in his bed.

The male patient said 'playful' Mr Messeri, who denied the allegations, was always patting my bottom and saying a big kiss for you my love.

Italian Mr Messeri was sacked from The Royal Hospital For Neuro-disability in London for gross misconduct in 2020.

But he has now won his claim for unfair dismissal after the tribunal ruled there was insufficient evidence against him.

An employment judge said the hospital should have been a 'little more circumspect' about the allegations against Mr Messeri as some referred to dates when he was not at work.

Paolo Messeri was sacked from his job as a nurse at The Royal Hospital For Neuro-disability, in London after a patient accused him of kissing him, touching his bottom and insisting he was gay. But he has now won his claim for unfair dismissal after the tribunal ruled there was insufficient evidence against him (stock image)

The employment tribunal heard the patient, named only as X, has locked-in syndrome and is completely paralysed aside from limited head movement, facial expressions and eye movement.

To communicate, X uses an eye-gaze system, an electronic device which allows him to choose letters by looking at them when writing messages.

The tribunal heard that, in November 2019, X sent an email to the specialist hospital in Putney, south west London, alleging his married carer Mr Messeri had been inappropriately touching him.

The patient said: 'This began with pulling the hair on my arms and pinching my upper body, to touching me and inserting fingers into my ears and nose and trying to kiss me and continually accusing me of being gay.

'Im most definitely heterosexual and Im not the one struggling with my sexuality.

'This highly unprofessional and unpleasant behaviour has been going on for more than a year - last night has prompted me to write this email.

'He blatantly behaved this way in front of other night staff.'

X, who also claimed other male carers behaved this way, said I wont hesitate to contact the police and demanded: 'In future I dont want any aspect of my care done by male nurses.'

The next day he said: 'I would like it known from the beginning that I am in no way homophobic.

'While I have sympathy for his recent losses of his father and unborn child it doesnt condone his behaviour.

'What has concerned me the most is that he physically restrained my head to prevent me from reaching the call bell and getting help.

'In the last few weeks [he] was always patting my bottom and saying either "a big hug for you my love" or "a big kiss for you my love" as he left the room - so that he continued to do all this even though he could see I didnt like it.'

X alleged Mr Messeri, who worked at the hospital for around four years, tried to kiss him on the lips and the nurse was subjected to a disciplinary investigation.

Mr Messeri denied allegations of trying to kiss the patient on the lips and laughing at the patient when he said just stop, I am not gay.

A tribunal report said: '[Mr Messeri said] he had a good relationship with X and that to cheer him up he might say to him "you OK? You want a kiss from me?"

'When asked whether he had had conversations with X about his nose hair or put his fingers in his nose and ears, Mr Messeri said "I have talked to him about trimming his nose hair, I havent put my fingers in his nose or ears, but I have pointed it out to show him where the hair was".'

A tribunal heard patient X was being cared for at The Royal Hospital For Neuro-disability in London in November 2019 when he emailed the hospital alleging his married carer Mr Messeri had been inappropriately touching him

X claimed colleagues witnessed incidents but when interviewed they said they did not see anything inappropriate, and said Mr Messeri was quite playful.

At a disciplinary hearing, Lesley Mill, director of service delivery, found there was not enough evidence to conclude Mr Messeri tried to kiss the patient, accused him of being gay, patted his bottom, or pulled hairs from his chest.

But, Ms Mill found Mr Messeri did insert his fingers into the patients ears and nose and asked if he wanted a kiss and sacked him for gross misconduct in February 2020.

The hospital claimed Mr Messeris behaviour over time was likely to be due to cultural differences.

Now, employment judge John Pritchard has ruled the hospital failed to show there was enough evidence for gross misconduct because there were flaws in Xs evidence.

At a disciplinary hearing in February 2020, Lesley Mill (pictured), director of service delivery, sacked Mr Messeri for gross misconduct

Judge Pritchard said: 'In circumstances in which X had clearly stated the dates of the alleged misconduct, on some of which Mr Messeri was not at work, and in light of the evidence given by those individuals whom X clearly stated had witnessed the misconduct, it would have been reasonable for the hospital to be a little more circumspect about Xs allegations.

'The tribunal also notes that, according to the claimant, X had made a number of complaints in the past. There was no evidence to suggest such complaints had been investigated for veracity.

'Having heard the evidence, the tribunal finds that the reason for the unfair and unreasonable treatment of Mr Messeri was a lack of care, attention to detail and focus [in the investigation].'

The judge added there was insufficient evidence to show that Mr Messeri was culpable or blameworthy to the extent that [his behaviour] was perverse, foolish, bloody-minded or unreasonable.

He won his claim of unfair dismissal. He also won a claim of indirect race discrimination after he was unable to have an Italian translator at his disciplinary hearing.

Compensation will be awarded at a later date.

The tribunal heard Mr Messeri cared for 16 profoundly disabled patients at the specialist hospital and worked mainly night shifts.

He lost claims of harassment and sex discrimination.
SillaJen shareholders call for the trading of the biotech company's stocks to be resumed in front of the Korea Exchange's building on Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap



Final decision for biotech firm to be made next month



By Kim Bo-eun



Retail investors of SillaJen are seeking to take legal action following the Korea Exchange's preliminary decision on Tuesday to delist the troubled biotech company. While the final decision is set to be made next month, with SillaJen pledging to appeal, the prevailing view is that there is little chance of the company's relisting on the secondary Kosdaq bourse.



It appears some 17,000 retail investors will sustain major losses in the delisting. According to data from the company, minority shareholders hold a 92.6 percent stake in the firm as of the end of 2020. SillaJen's stock price peaked over 150,000 won in late 2017, but dived to the 12,000 won level ahead of the trading ban.



Investors continued their protest in front of the Korea Exchange on Yeouido, Wednesday, urging trading to be resumed. They are represented by a 4,000-member group.



"I bought shares at 152,000 won and continued to make further purchases since my profit rate hit minus 50 percent. This is killing me," an investor wrote in an online community, Tuesday. "Should I sell the shares, even if it means I can barely get anything?"



Another investor posted on Naver's stock discussion board, "I learned a lesson worth 249 million won. I'm just going to think I experienced properly what I needed to learn."



Trading of the company's stocks was suspended in May 2020, after CEO Moon Eun-sang and executives were indicted on charges of embezzlement and breach of duty. The Korea Exchange's corporate review committee gave SillaJen one year to improve its finances and governance. Accordingly, Emtuen became the company's largest shareholder in July 2021, securing 100 billion won ($83.9 million) by issuing new stocks.



Investors had been hoping for SillaJen's stock price to rebound, as the company carried out measures and presented plans for new businesses.



However, the local bourse operator stated the company's sustainability was unclear. SillaJen was listed on the Kosdaq in December 2016, via a process for promising companies. Firms listed via this process are required to make at least 3 billion won in annual revenue starting in the sixth year since their listing. SillaJen's revenue for the first three quarters of 2021 came to 234 million won, down 73 percent from 872 million won the previous year.



"We are going to do our best to deliver our position to the committee," the company said in a statement, after the Korea Exchange committee unveiled its decision. "SillaJen also wants to stress that its business activities  such as research and development  are operating normally. We apologize for causing concern to the shareholders."



A lower court handed Moon a five-year prison sentence last August over illicit gains amounting to 35 billion won.



Investors' anger is also directed at the Korea Exchange, given Moon's irregularities took place before the company listed on the Kosdaq.



SillaJen was once considered a promising drugmaker, becoming the No. 2 company in market capitalization on the Kosdaq in 2017, fueled by expectations over its liver cancer treatment, Pexa-Vec. The treatment's clinical trial, however, was suspended in 2018. Moon and executives were found to have sold millions of shares just before the news of the failed trial caused the stock price to plummet in August 2019.


Dr Norman Swan has slammed Australian politicians for pushing what he deemed 'two Omicron myths' - that the strain is mild and that it can prevent reinfection.

Australia is enduring its highest infections rates and deaths since the pandemic began, with more than 88,000 new cases and 84 deaths on Wednesday alone - prompting the US government to warn Americans against travelling Down Under.

The figures prompted the ABC presenter to clear up what he claimed were misconceptions perpetuated by politicians during an appearance on The Project on Wednesday.

Dr Swan said the new variant was not as mild as it was being made out to be, and that natural infection from Omicron does not provide as much protection as vaccination - meaning people can easily catch the virus again and still get ill.

'There is this myth that this is a mild virus. You hear it all the time from politicians. It is not a mild virus,' the doctor told the panel.

'Now, Delta was a virulent virus, yes, it is less virulent than Delta, but if you compare it to the Wuhan virus, it is just as virulent as that. That's why we're seeing deaths.'

Dr Swan told panellists that although it was an unpopular opinion, the world was far from pulling the curtain on the Covid-19 pandemic (pictured, Sydneysiders on Christmas Eve)

He explained natural infection from Omicron 'does not seem to provide anything like what an immunisation gives', and would give little protection against future variants.

Dr Swan told The Project that although it was an unpopular opinion, the world was far from pulling the curtain on the Covid-19 pandemic - and that Australia had been too slow to react, leaving it with no supplies of rapid tests.

He warned Australians not to celebrate as some politicians claim Covid will soon become endemic - meaning a virus that is relatively constant in a population, and has predictable infection patterns.

'Smallpox was endemic. Nobody says that's a mild disease. Malaria is endemic in many countries. 'Influenza is endemic and it is not a harmless disease,' he said.

Dr Norman Swan said the new variant was not as mild as it was being made out to be and that natural infection from Omicron does not provide as much protection as vaccination

'Endemic does not mean it is harmless. This is an epidemic virus.'

He criticised politicians for simply 'letting it rip' and easing border controls and restrictions, saying it had actually hurt the economy by leading to thousands being stuck in isolation, as well as causing 'unnecessary deaths'.

Instead the top doctor said the country should have slowed things down in December to ensure hospitals were well-equipped for another variant.

He revealed the people who were dying with Covid were likely people aged 60 and over who had received two AstraZeneca doses in early 2021.

What is the difference between a pandemic, an endemic and an epidemic? What is an epidemic? - An epidemic is an unexpected increase in the number of disease cases in a specific area of the world. - Notably, in an epidemic the disease does not have to be contagious and can refer to specific health-related behaviour, such as smoking. What is a pandemic? - A pandemic is when the growth of the disease is exponential with soaring case numbers that grow with every day that passes. - It means the virus has crossed international borders to cover a wide area and affects multiple countries and populations. The term does not point to the deadliness of an illness. What is endemic? - An endemic is a disease that is consistently present in a region or population, for example malaria, smallpox or influenza. - The rate and spread of the disease is therefore easier to predict. What is the difference between an epidemic, endemic and a pandemic? - The difference between an endemic and a pandemic is the degree to which the disease has spread and how predictable it is - While a pandemic has crossed international borders and is out of control, an epidemic, while still large is generally contained and more predictable. Source: Mailman School of Public Health Advertisement

The doctor said this group was vulnerable because that vaccine did less to protect against serious disease with Omicron, as well as offering diminishing protection over time, and said it was crucial to get a third jab.

'The booster shot just brings that immunity back,' he said. 'The most vulnerable people are the people aged over 60.

'So the very people who are most vulnerable got the vaccine which has got the least protection against severe disease.'

He said the recent move from NSW, Victoria, SA and the ACT to reduce the interval between second and third doses to three months would ramp-up booster rates.

Dr Swan, who has a doctorate in paediatrics and has been an ABC presenter for decades, also recently urged Australians to upgrade their face mask.

Dr Swan said the recent move to reduce the interval between second and third doses to three months in several states would protect the most vulnerable (pictured, the QLD border)

The presenter said the familiar blue paper masks and simple cloth versions are not up to the task of preventing the spread of the more contagious Omicron strain and Australians need to upgrade to more heavy-duty protection.

He recommended Australians instead use N95 masks and check the fine print to make sure the masks are approved for medical use.

'As the virus becomes more infectious there's less tolerance for aerosol escaping through the mask,' he told the ABC. Cloth masks were pretty good against the Wuhan virus but it's not good enough now.'

Meanwhile, American citizens are being warned to avoid all travel to Australia, declaring the risk of contracting Covid-19 is too 'severe'.

Once having the unenviable title of most Covid-riddled place on earth, the US now has significantly lower infection rates than Australia, which is now 4th on the list behind only San Marino, the Seychelles and Denmark.

NSW, Victoria, SA and the ACT recently moved to reduce the interval between second and third doses of the vaccine to three months (pictured, a woman is vaccinated in Sydney)

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The US State Department and Centers for Disease and Prevention updated their travel advice on Wednesday, slapping Australia with a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' rating - the same as war-torn nations including North Korea, Afghanistan and Syria.

The levels are determined by official statistics showing how many virus cases there are per 100,000 people in a country.

In Australia, that rate is 412 per 100,000, compared to 230 per 100,000 in the US and just 143 in the UK.

Australia recorded an additional 80,000 Covid cases in the past 24 hours, with hospitalisation rates at record highs and supply chain disruption leaving supermarket shelves across the country bare.

Even with the highest number of Covid cases in world since the pandemic began, the US administration warned Americans to avoid a trip Down Under, with countries such as China and Japan still considered Level 3.

Under the threat system Level 1 means there is low risk, Level 2 signifies a moderate threat, while Level 3 urges US residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Travel advisory warnings take into account a destination's political instability, the threat of terrorism or violent crimes as well as the potential for natural disasters.

During the pandemic, the marker for a nation to be given a Level 4 warning by the CDC is 500 new Covid cases per 100,000 people over the past 28 days.

With the Omicron strain wreaking havoc across the globe, 22 new nations surpassed that threshold this week.

'Do not travel to Australia due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions,' the travel advice stated.

'The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Australia due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

'Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine.'

'There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into Australia.'
A longtime Los Angeles prosecutor has slammed the county's liberal politicians and district attorney for the rising homicide rates in LA following the murders of a 24-year-old woman and a 70-year-old nurse this week.

Jon Hatami, a child abuse prosecutor who led the infamous Gabriel Fernandez case in 2014, warned cities across America to reject liberal district attorneys.

He has blamed the soft-on-crime policies of LA DA George Gascon for soaring violent crime and homicide rate in LA, including the recent murders of Brianna Kupfer, 24, and Sandra Shells, 70.

Hatami and other critics said Gascon has failed to stop rising homicide rates in LA, and said his policies allowed career criminal Shawn Smith, 31, to be out on a $1,000 bond when he allegedly stabbed Kupfer, a UCLA grad student, to death inside the Croft House luxury store last Thursday.

'Nobody should have to be around a district attorney who fails to fight for victims and fails to fight for the family members of victims,' Hatami told Fox News.

'Nobody should have a district attorney who refuses to file charges against murderers and rapists and child abusers to the fullest extent of the law. That person does not deserve to be the D.A.'

Homicides in LA have grown nearly 40 per cent since 2019 after the county reported nearly 400 murders at the end of 2021.

Jon Hatami, a longtime LA prosecutor, (left) blamed DA George Gascon for not dealing with LA's rising homicide rates. He said the liberal district attorney has allowed crime to run rampant with policies that imposed $0 bail for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies

Murders in Los Angeles reached an all time high in 2021 as the LA Police Department reported 397 homicides. The homicide rate took a sharp increase after Gascon took office in 2020

Brianna Kupfer, 24, (left) was stabbed to death in a random attack last Thursday while she was working alone in a luxury furniture store in Los Angeles. the attack occurred hours after Sandra Shells, 70, was fatally attacked at a bus stop

'There are some people that are so bad that they deserve to go to prison,' Hatami added . 'And the reason for that is punishment, accountability and protection for the public.'

'You have a large group of people who are out of custody, who are committing thefts, who are addicted to drugs who are not being held accountable for their actions,' he added. 'And now they're preying on innocent individuals.'

Among Hatami's biggest problems with Gascon's policies included the DA's decision to retain California Proportions 47, a statewide policy of imposing $0 bail for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies.

The statewide policy ended last year, but it was kept in place within the LA County Superior Court system.

Gascon also came under fire last week for not sentencing Hannah Tubbs, 26, to jail after she pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old-girl when she was a teenager due to his policy to stop charging juveniles as adults.

'When you say, 'here's a list of crimes I'm not going to prosecute,' Yeah, you are not a good D.A.,' Hatami told Fox.

'And you are not a good prosecutor. That shouldn't be the first thing you do when you become D.A.'

Hatami said these progressive policies don't work and urged not only LA residents to vote out Garscon, but said all counties and cities across the US should reject liberal district attorneys.

Although overall crime in LA has seen a drop in the past month, the county continues to see a yearly surge in murders.

In 2019, the same year Garscon was ran for DA, LA reported a total of 252 homicides, the lowest since 2014.

Then in 2020, murders shot up to 343 and continued to rise in 2021 as LA reported 397 deaths by the end of the year.

The end of 2021 saw a drop in crime rate in an otherwise violent year with record high murders

He also slammed Gascon for his connection to liberal billionaire George Soros.

Soros has funneled millions into the successful campaigns of other progressive district attorneys across the country.

The billionaire, one of the most prolific Democratic donors, is most known for giving to Presidents Clinton and Obama but he has also been pumping money into a far-left effort to overhaul the criminal justice system which critics say is creating a lawless America.

Among those he backed is Kim Foxx, the State's Attorney for Cook County, Chicago, where murder is at its highest in nearly 30 years.

It also includes Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who is also facing backlash over his progressive policies amid rampant crime in New York City.

George Soros has funneled millions into the successful campaigns of other progressive district attorneys across the country. He has also been pumping money into a far-left effort to overhaul the criminal justice system which critics say is creating a lawless America

Hatami ultimately blamed liberal catch-and release policies, which he said exacerbate the unaddressed issues of mental illness and substance abuse in LA's homeless population, for the recent murders this week.

Shells, an ER nurse, was allegedly struck in the face without provocation by Kerry Bell, 48, a homeless man, as she waited for a bus to take her to work last Thursday.

Shells succumbed to her injuries three days later.

'Sandy was a very hard worker. Very private person, stayed to herself but she was always working. I think her whole job, her whole life, was just helping other people,' Shells' neighbor Liz Anderson told ABC7.

'Her personality would effect anybody. A very caring person that just loved everybody, and I know that this community will really, she's just going to be missed.'

Bell, who had criminal histories in multiple states, was charged with murder.

Neighbors and colleagues described Shells as a compassionate and dedicated nurse

A makeshift memorial is seen at the spot where Shells was attacked last week

Shawn Laval Smith, 31, is wanted for the murder of Brianna Kupfer in Los Angeles. He has a lengthy rap sheet

Just hours after Shells' attack, Kupfer was stabbed to death while working alone at the Croft House store on La Brea, just minutes after she texted a friend that a man in the store was 'giving her a bad vibe'.

Smith is a career criminal with a long rap sheet spanning both coasts, and is currently free on a $1,000 bond from a misdemeanor arrest in Los Angeles County in October 2020, sheriff's records show.

The nature of that charge wasn't immediately clear, and it was also unclear why the case still hadn't been brought to a trial or a plea deal 15 months later.

A spokesperson for Gascon's office, who took office with a vow to stop prosecuting many misdemeanors, did not immediately respond to an inquiry from DailyMail.com on Tuesday night.

Smith is also currently free on a $50,000 bond in Charleston, South Carolina in relation to a November 2019 arrest on suspicion of firing a weapon into an occupied vehicle, court records show.

An indictment in that case was handed down on March 16, 2020, just before COVID-19 paralyzed the courts, and the docket shows no further action on the case.

Smith has a prolific criminal record, with dozens of prior charges in North Carolina and South Carolina

The suspected killer has a prolific criminal record, with dozens of prior charges in North Carolina and South Carolina, public records show.

Smith's prior charges on the East Coast include assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, assault on a police officer, trespassing, possession of a stolen vehicle, and misdemeanors for larceny and possession of stolen goods. The outcomes of those cases weren't immediately clear.

He has a history of failing to appear in court, and has been repeatedly arrested on bench warrants. In one case in Charleston, he was convicted in abstentia after skipping court, and does not appear to have served the sentence, which is sealed in court records.
A heartbreaking post by Charlise Mutten's school has revealed the sad truth behind one of the photos most widely shared of the nine-year-old during a desperate five day search.

Charlise's school, Tweed Heads Public School, shared a post on Tuesday night where they said the community was 'devastated' over the little girl's death.

It was accompanied by the picture, showing Charlise in her school uniform receiving a class award for literacy - in what revealed to be the school's 'last photo' of her.

'We are absolutely devastated to hear this mornings news about Charlise,' the post read.

Charlise Mutten's school, Tweed Heads Public School, shared in an emotional tribute that the above photo was the last they had of the little girl and was from the '2021 presentation day where she received her class award for literacy'

The school said the community was 'absolutely devastated' by the loss of the 'much loved member of our school who brightened all our days'

'Our hearts go out to her family, we cannot begin to imagine the distress they must feel.'

The message also said about how the nine-year-old girl 'brightened' her school.

'Charlise was a much loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day,' the school wrote.

Charlise, who lived with her grandmother in Tweed Heads, was spending the holidays with her mother Kallista Mutten and future stepfather Justin Stein, 31, at a wedding venue in the Blue Mountains.

Her body was found dumped in a barrel near a river on Tuesday night, with Stein now charged with her murder.

The school also sent a message of support to Charlise's family and wrote 'we cannot begin to imagine the distress they must feel'

Charlise was reported missing on Friday after she had gone to the Blue Mountains to spend her school holidays with mother Kallista Mutten and future stepfather Justin Stein

She was last seen alive on Tuesday night when Ms Mutten had left Charlise in the care of Stein (pictured), police claim

The young girl was reported missing on Friday however police sources have told Daily Mail Australia the last confirmed sighting of Charlise was last Tuesday at 7pm.

Ms Mutten had reportedly left Charlise in the care of Stein that night.

Stein was arrested on Tuesday and charged with murder.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they have a timeline of events they will allege against Stein.

Police will allege the future stepfather drove for several hours with a barrel containing Charlise's body and sandbags in the back of his ute.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday that they have prepared a timeline they will allege against Stein (pictured, a police roadblock during the search for Charlise)

They will also allege Stein had attempted to use a boat to sink the barrel into the Colo River.

They believe that after failures with the boat he instead left her in bushland, where she was later discovered.

The barrel has now been seized and will be forensically examined.

Ms Mutten made the phone call to report her missing child on Friday, but court documents indicate police believe she may have been killed several days before this call was made.

Charlise's mother Ms Mutten (pictured) made a phone call to police on Friday to report her daughter as missing

Ms Mutten has reportedly not spoken to police about her daughter's disappearance and remains under guard in hospital

However Ms Mutten has reportedly not yet spoken with detectives as she remains under guard in hospital and is 'hard to approach.'

'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

'She's under medical supervision, but when doctors allow, we will be talking to her.'

Mr Hudson also said it was too early in the investigation to speculate if Stein had worked with an accomplice.

'At this stage, we have no evidence to support whether the accused acted alone... However it is still early days,' he said.

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days once her post-mortem results are shared with detectives.

Charlise's father also shared an emotional tribute to his lost daughter on Wednesday, after learning of her death just hours prior.

Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said it was too early in the investigation to speculate if Stein (pictured) had allegedly worked with an accomplice

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' he said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his message.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'
Christian Wakeford's defection from the Tories sparked a furious internal labour row today - as it emerges that he called his new comrades 'c**ts' only last year.

Grassroots hard Left figures in the party lashed out at the Bury South MP's recent voting record and questioned why he was being allowed in by Sir Keir Starmer.

Supporters of the former leader Jeremy Corbyn also weighed in, demanding he also be allowed to return to the Labour benches.

He has been sitting as an independent since 2020 for failing to apologise for comment she made about anti-Semitism.

Corbynista group Momentum today tweeted: 'Labour can not be the party of change at the next election, and welcome a Tory MP to their benches who has consistently voted against progressive policies and consistently with a disastrous Tory government. We need better than this.'

And Aydin Dikerdem, a Labour member of Wandsworth Council in London, tweeted: 'If you can give Christian Wakeford the whip, you can damn well give Jeremy Corbyn the whip.'

Members of the local constituency Labour Party (CLP) also spoke in favour of Lucy Burke, who came second to Wakeford at the 2019 election.

But Labour MPs today rallied around Mr Wakeford as he defended his foul-mouthed rant about the party in a Tory WhatsApp group last year.

Speaking to Sky he said defecting from the Tories to Labour was 'the most difficult decision I have ever had to make'

But he added: 'There's been far too many issues where I've felt we've been on the wrong side.'

But Labour MPs today rallied around Mr Wakeford as he defended his foul-mouthed rant about the party in a Tory WhatsApp group last year.

The 37-year-old has been a vocal critic of the Prime Minister over Partygate and made headlines during the Owen Paterson lobbying saga with a foul-mouthed rant at the former minister.

Who is lining up against Boris Johnson? Ring leaders Dehenna Davison Alicia Kearns Gary Sambrook Chris Loder Other red wall assassins Mark Logan Lee Anderson: Ian Levy Simon Fell Antony Higginbotham Paul Howell Robin Millar Robert Largan 2019ers not in Red Wall seats Ben Spencer Greg Smith Danny Kruger Julie Marson Anthony Browne Advertisement

And he rejected demands to stand in a by-election, after supporting a law change to make it mandatory for defecting MPs in 2020.

He told Sky: 'I supported my friend, but I think we've also seen a Conservative Party that's broken promise after promise and at no point have they ever gone out to renew a mandate to say we're breaking our manifesto promise, are you OK with that? And we've seen that on quite a few different issues.

'And I think if they were serious about it, we (would have had) a general election already.

'I'm going to get on with the day-to-day job and I will be looking forward to the general election when it comes.'

Mr Wakeford made little secret of his fury with Boris Johnson and the stench of sleaze emanating from the Conservative Party before his defection to Labour today.

The 37-year-old has been a vocal critic of the Prime Minister over Partygate and made headlines during the Owen Paterson lobbying saga with a foul-mouthed rant at the former minister.

Amid the chaos over the PM's attempts to spare Paterson from censure for lobbying for firms paying him a six-figure sum the father-of-one approached the then North Shropshire MP and called him a 'c***' for causing the situation.

It came after the Government instructed MPs to vote to change parliamentary sleaze rules to help out the former Northern Ireland Secretary, who later quit as an MP.

His decision to cross the floor to Labour today was the strongest manifestation of disgust at weeks and weeks of sleaze.

But critics will point to the size of Mr Wakeford's majority as well. He took the seat in 2019 - one of the Red Wall victories which propelled Boris Johnson to his massive election win.

It was the first time the area had gone blue since 1997, but his majority is just 402 votes, one of the thinnest in the country. New polling today by Channel Four and JL Partners shows the Tories on course to lose his seat, along with 41 other Red Wall seats they took three years ago.

His move could also act as a pressure valve over Partygate for Boris, shocking fellow would-be rebels into calming down and taking attention off the PM himself.

One Tory MP told the i newspaper that he had 'just united the Tory Party', while Michael Fabricant told MailOnline that Wakeford previously backed a new law forcing defecting MPs to seek re-election.

'Let's now see whether there's an vestige left of his integrity and see if he will stand down so initiating a by-election as the Bill he promoted suggested,' the Litchfield MP said.

But a Labour spokesman indicated the party's leader believes there will be no need to hold a by-election in Bury South following Christian Wakeford's defection.

Before entering politics, Mr Wakeford worked for a telecommunications firm having studied politics at Lancaster University. He is married to Alexandria (pictured together after he won Bury South in 2019)

Critics will point to the size of Mr Wakeford's majority. He took the seat in 2019 - one of the Red Wall victories which propelled Boris Johnson to his massive election win.

How could Boris Johnson be ousted by Tory MPs? Boris Johnson is under huge pressure over Partygate, with speculation that he might even opt to walk away. But barring resignation, the Tories have rules on how to oust and replace the leader. What is the mechanism for removing the Tory leader? Tory Party rules allow the MPs to force a vote of no confidence in their leader. How is that triggered? A vote is in the hands of the chairman of the Tory Party's backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. A vote of no confidence must be held if 15 per cent of Tory MPs write to the chairman. Currently that threshold is 54 MPs. Letters are confidential unless the MP sending it makes it public. This means only Sir Graham knows how many letters there are. What happens when the threshold is reached? A secret ballot is held, with the leader technically only needing to win support from a simple majority of MPs But in reality, a solid victory is essential for them to stay in post. What happens if the leader loses? The leader is sacked if they do not win a majority of votes from MPs, and a leadership contest begins in which they cannot stand. However, when the party is in power the outgoing leader typically stay on as Prime Minister until a replacement is elected. There is no requirement for a general election to be held, unless the new PM wants to call one. Advertisement

Asked if, as far as Sir Keir Starmer is concerned, there is no principle requiring anyone who defects from one party to another to stand for re-election, the spokesman said: 'Correct.'

On whether Mr Wakeford will face a trigger ballot in the coming months, the spokesman said: 'We'll set out all of the process, obviously, once we've had a chance to speak to people, the relevant people that vote in the local party and nationally, and we'll happily set out the process at that point. But I don't want to pre-empt that now.'

Also, his defection has not been welcomed by all in Labour, however. In a tweet, the leftwing Yong Labour organisation said: 'Christian Wakeford MP should not be admitted to the Labour Party.

'He has consistently voted against the interests of working-class people; for the 20 universal credit cut, for the Nationality and Borders Bill and for the Police and Crime Bill. Young Labour does not welcome him.'

Mr Wakeford announced his decision in the Bury Times and sent a letter to Mr Johnson explaining why he had lost patience with his leadership.

Mr Wakeford said: 'I care passionately about the people of Bury South and I have concluded that the policies of the Conservative government that you lead are doing nothing to help the people of my constituency and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.

'Britain needs a government focused on tackling the cost of living crisis and providing a path out of the pandemic that protects living standards and defends the security of all.

'It needs a government that upholds the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life and sadly both you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves.'

Mr Wakeford had been one of seven Tory MPs to publicly call for Mr Johnson to quit.

But Mr Johnson claimed the Tories could hold Bury South without him. Sir Keir goaded the PM in the Commons that any more defectors were 'welcome', saying the Tories had shown they were 'incapable' of governing the country.

But Mr Johnson shot back: 'As for Bury South, let me say to him, the Conservative Party won Bury South for the first time in a generation under this Prime Minister on an agenda of of uniting and levelling up and delivering for the people of Bury South. We will win again in Bury South.'

Before entering politics, Mr Wakeford worked for a telecommunications firm having studied politics at Lancaster University. He is married to Alexandria and they have a young daughter.

He has served as a Tory councillor on Lancashire County Council since 2013 and also previously worked as a case worker for Tory MP Andrew Stephenson.

He served as the leader of the Tories on Pendle Borough Council.

In Parliament, Mr Wakeford is a member of the Education Select Committee.

He is also the co-chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews.

He hit the headlines last year over a boozy trip to Gibraltar, in which the behaviour of MPs was criticised.

He and another Conservative on the trip were accused of carousing into the early hours on a visit to UK armed forces in the Mediterranean enclave.

The claims came after three opposition MPs were accused of drinking heavily before arriving in the British Overseas Territory with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme - with one apparently having to be taken out of the airport in a wheelchair.

The SNP's David Linden and Drew Hendry and Labour's Charlotte Nichols were slated for showing a 'lack of respect' by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace after the 'drunken' display.

In his resignation letter, Mr Wakeford wrote: 'My decision is about much more than your leadership and the disgraceful way you have conducted yourself in recent weeks.

'However, I don't believe all politicians are the same and I do believe in the power of politics to be a force for good. So does Keir Starmer.

'He has shown that integrity in the way he has led his party on issues that matter to me, not least the vital challenge of combatting antisemitism.'

Sir Keir said Mr Wakeford had always put his constituents 'first'.

'As Christian said, the policies of the Conservative government are doing nothing to help the people of Bury South and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.'

It is the first defection from the Tories to Labour in 15 years, since Quentin Davies jumped ship. It comes amid claims that Mr Johnson wept as he begged MPs for more time last night.

The PM is alleged to have broken down in tears as he met wavering backbenchers yesterday - with one reportedly saying he 'knows he is finished'.

No10 denied the claims amid a febrile atmosphere at Westminster, but it underlines the threat to his leadership as rebels gear up for a bid to oust him.

Mr Wakeford (back row, far left) hit the headlines last year over a boozy trip to Gibraltar, in which the behaviour of MPs was criticised. He and another Conservative on the trip were accused of carousing into the early hours on a visit to UK armed forces in the Mediterranean enclave

'Britain needs a government that upholds the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life': Christian Wakeford's letter to Boris Johnson Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from the Conservative Party and apply to join the Labour Party. From today I will be sitting as the Labour MP for Bury South because I have reached the conclusion that the best interests of my constituents are served by the programme put forward by Keir Starmer and his party. I care passionately about the people of Bury South and I have concluded that the policies of the Conservative government that you lead are doing nothing to help the people of my constituency and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse. Britain needs a government focused on tackling the cost of living crisis and providing a path out of the pandemic that protects living standards and defends the security of all. It needs a government that upholds the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life and sadly both you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves. Being elected as MP for Bury South was the proudest day of my life. I care passionately about the area and will always be grateful to those who have supported me. Today, however, I am in no doubt that they will be better served by my joining a party that genuinely has their interests at heart. I have wrestled with my conscience for many months, and you will know that I have made my policy misgivings clear on many occasions in private and sometimes in public. I can no longer support a government that has shown itself consistently out of touch with the hard working people of Bury South and the country as a whole. Under Keir Starmer, the Labour Party is back firmly in the centre of British politics, in touch with working people, and ready to provide an alternative government that this country can be proud of, and not embarrassed by. My decision is about much more than your leadership and the disgraceful way you have conducted yourself in recent weeks. However, I don't believe all politicians are the same and I do believe in the power of politics to be a force for good. So does Keir Starmer. He has shown that integrity in the way he has led his party on issues that matter to me, not least the vital challenge of combatting antisemitism. I will always put the people of Bury South first and will continue to speak out for the changes the area needs. Changes that can only be delivered by a Labour government with Keir Starmer. Yours, Christian Wakeford Advertisement

Meet the Pork Pie Plotters: Carrie's 'Red Wall poster girl' ex-reality TV star friend, the ultra-ambitious 'Melton Mowbray' mother and the foul-mouthed MP who defected to Labour and once called a minister a 'c***' in the Commons

The 'pork pie' plotters are being led by mutinous Red Wall Tory MPs who believe they will be wiped out at the next election if the Prime Minister is not slung from office.

The group, branded 'Boris' Babies' when they entered Parliament in 2019, are now being called 'f***ing nobodies' by Mr Johnson's allies.

Senior party sources have pointed the finger at Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison and fellow Tory Alicia Kearns as ringleaders. As many as 20 recently-elected MPs are believed to have gathered at 1pm yesterday in the office of one of their number, Miss Kearns, which swiftly became known as the 'Pork Pie Putsch' because she represents Melton Mowbray.

Whips suspect three other relatively new backbenchers  Ms Davison from Bishop Auckland, Gary Sambrook, a freemason and MP for Birmingham Northfield and Chris Loder from West Dorset  of being among the ringleaders. They are now being called the 'grey wolves' by some allies of the Prime Minister because 'they were not socialised in Parliament during the pandemic', according to Sky News.

One Cabinet source was furious at the lack of loyalty, telling The Times: 'They were only elected because of him. Most of them are a load of f****** nobodies. It's nuts.'

Downing Street is understood to be particularly annoyed about Miss Davison. Carrie Johnson, along with Dilyn, the PM's dog, and Rishi Sunak had campaigned for her in 2019. And in a sign that all is not well, Nimco Ali, Carrie's best friend tweeted today: 'Honestly can't believe the audacity of @DehennaDavison. Girl get a grip'.

While the plotters whispered behind closed doors, another 2019-er admitted having sent in a letter of no-confidence in the PM. The plotters are said to have discussed submitting their letters en masse after Prime Minister's Questions - with 11 now said to be in.

Christian Wakeford, the first Tory to represent Bury South in more than 20 years, became the seventh MP known to have written to the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee. Last year he admitted he approached Owen Paterson and called him a 'c***' after the government instructed MPs to vote to change parliamentary sleaze rules. Today he defected to Labour but

The plotters are said to have discussed submitting their letters en masse after Prime Minister's Questions - with 11 now said to be in - but some way short of the 54 needed to spark a new leadership election.

These are the people believed to be leading the plot:

Dehenna Davison with rescued puppy 'Carter' pictured next to Carrie Johnson with dog Dilyn and Rishi Sunak, canvasing in Bishop Auckland. She is thought to be one of the ringleaders

The ringleaders

#ToryGirlSquad: Carrie and Dehenna even took their respective rescue dogs Dilyn and Carter on the Tory campaign trail in 2019

Dehenna Davison has been named as one of the ringleaders of the plot to oust the PM, despite her close friendship with his wife Carrie, branding themselves the 'Tory Girl Squad'.

The poster girl of the 2019 intake, she won with a majority of 7,962 - the first time seat has been represented by the Tories since it was created in 1885.

But now she is said to be annoyed with the Prime Minister because two female Red Wall MPs have been promoted ahead of her. Ms Davison has not spoken publicly about whether she believes Boris should be thrown from office.

Is she does, it would be an extraordinary turnaround for her, having heavily relied on Mr Johnson's wife Carrie during her campaign to be Bishop Auckland's MP.

But in a sign that all is not well, Nimco Ali, Carrie's best friend tweeted: 'Honestly can't believe the audacity of @DehennaDavison. Girl get a grip'.

Born in Sheffield, her father was attacked and died when she was 13. Ms Davison was just a young teenager when she learned her father Dominic had been killed by a single blow to the head in the pub.

Ms Davison, a Tory winner last night in a Co Durham seat which has never elected a Conservative MP, recalled how she sat in a hospital waiting room as doctors battled for 45 minutes to save her father's life.

'I can still picture it. I can tell you what the colour the walls were and everything,' she said. 'They [the doctors] stopped and I went to see my dad's body, which is not something you expect to do at such a young age.'

In 2019 she beat Labour Remainer Helen Goodman. The Tory studied politics at Hull University and spent a year as an aide to Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Ms Davison, who has received support on the campaign trail from Mr Johnson's then girlfriend Carrie, said politics was about helping people 'get their benefits claim through, getting a pothole filled'.

The former computer game shop worker admitted the 'poster girl thing' was probably due to her tragic backstory and her 'slightly unusual demographics'. But she added: 'I just want to get stuff done.'

Carrie Johnson's best friend Nimco Ali today told Dehenna, also a friend, to 'get a grip'

Divorcing: After marrying Hull Tory councillor John Fareham, 35 years her senior, in her early twenties, the couple are now getting divorced. The pair appeared on Channel 4 show Bride and Prejudice during their relationship to talk about taboos surrounding age gap marriages

Carrie Symonds tweeted her congratulations after her victory, saying she was thrilled to hear her friend had become the first Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland. 'She will be fantastic,' she wrote.

The pair both own rescue dogs. A photo posted on social media by Davison in 2019 saw the pals campaigning with Symonds' Jack Russell cross Dilyn and Davison's terrier cross Carter. At the time, Davison posted the snap to her followers with the caption #ToryGirlSquad.

Of her friendship with Mrs Johnson, who's recently found herself at the centre of the Downing Street renovation scandal, Davison said Carrie had been 'incredible and offered loads of support and advice' when she became one of the youngest MPs in the Commons after being elected in 2019 aged 26.

After the election, their pets even enjoyed a doggy playdate at the home Symonds now shares with the PM and their son Wilfred. Davison described the meet, saying it 'wasn't pretty' but no damage was done to the flat's interior furnishings.

Last year Davison also revealed that she's currently divorcing Hull Tory councillor John Fareham, the husband 35 years her senior with whom she appeared on Channel 4 show Bride and Prejudice with.

Davison says appearing on the television programme about taboo relationships including large age gaps had proved 'a learning curve'.

Last November she has said she was 'overwhelmed' by support after saying in an interview that she is bisexual. It is believed to be the first time a female Tory MP has come out as bisexual.

She told Times Radio she was now in a relationship, with a man, that was 'going really well'. She also said she had used dating apps with 'a kind of nickname', as her first name is so distinctive she was worried she would be easily identifiable.

She said: 'I didn't say what I did for a living or anything like that. So it was a little bit more natural. I went on a few nice dates, dates with a few nice girls and a few nice guys. And it was just, you know, fun.'

Alicia Kearns

Rutland MP grabbing a pork pie in the market town of Melton Mo

Alicia Kearns, who was an Amnesty International activist during her teenage years, was elected as MP for Rutland and Melton in 2019.

The alleged involvement of Miss Kearns led to the coup attempt being dubbed the 'Pork Pie Plot' - because she is MP for Melton Mowbray, the pork pie capital of the world.

The 34-year-old is a former press officer, working for the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice and the Foreign Office.

A mother of two, she is now a member of the Commons foreign affairs select committee. She has spoken out against some of the government's lockdown restrictions, including Covid passports.



The Tory MP, who replaced stalwart Alan Duncan, has had her second child since being elected and has campaigned for mothers not to be alone in labour in hospitals, after some trusts banned partners.

She also weighed in on the debate over breastfeeding in the Commons chamber amid an outcry over Labour's Stella Creasy being censured for carrying her son Pip, then aged three months.

Rutland and Melton MP Ms Kearns, 34, said she has always been able to leave the chamber to feed her daughter and does not need to have that 'live-streamed to the world' from the Commons.

Ms Kearns, who announced the birth of her second child in January 2021, said: 'Babies have no place in the chamber. I've asked to leave debates to feed my child a few times - I have never been turned down.

'This is a debate about childcare that is wrongly being presented as one of rights and representation.'

Chris Loder

Chris Loder at Dorchester West Station, where he used to be train guard

Another MP said to be involved in the plot is Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset since 2019, replacing Oliver Letwin.

Mr Loder said he had received 400 emails over recent days with the 'vast, vast majority' critical of the PM.

He said on Facebook: 'With revelations concerning Downing Street parties over the last two years at its height, I'd like you to know that I and most of my colleagues feel deeply embarrassed and humiliated by such revelation'.

The 40-year-old was previously head of new trains for South Western Railway.

He started work as a train guard aged 18 at South West Trains, the firm which previously held the franchise.

Mr Loder is an opponent of 'woke' politics and he lists his hobbies as bell ringing in Dorset churches and playing his organ.

He attended the local state comprehensive and never went to university.

His Christian faith has seen him speak out on a number of scandals gripping the Church of England in recent years.

This included when the Rt Rev Dr Joanna Penberthy, the Bishop of St Davids, told her congregation 'never, never, never trust a Tory'. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was forced to apologise.

Loder, a practicing Anglican in the Church of England, wrote to Dr Penberthy telling her to resign over the 'disgracefully divisive' comments, which proved she 'isn't fit to be a bishop'.

He also claimed his political affiliation had led members of the clergy to 'turn their backs when sharing the peace of Christ at the eucharist' and that 'there are some churches and some clergy who don't welcome me, even in my home constituency... because I am Conservative.'

Gary Sambrook

Gary Sambrook was elected MP for Birmingham Northfield in the 2019 election - but is believed to be deeply unhappy with the party leader.

Gary Sambrook was elected MP for Birmingham Northfield in the 2019 election - but is believed to be deeply unhappy with the party leader.

He said: 'The prime minister has admitted attending one of the gatherings but disputed its status as a party, and has apologised. We all will come to our own conclusions.'

Sambrook defeated sitting Labour MP Richard Burden, who had represented the seat since 1992.

The 32-year-old has spoken out in favour of trans rights, and wants the government to improve legal recognition for trans people.

The former Birmingham councillor is openly gay and also a proud freemason, saying it was easier to come out than admit the latter.

He spoke out after former Tory MP Sarah Wollaston asked on Twitter why 'anyone would bother with all that claptrap if not for the chance to weasel an unfair advantage'.

But Sambrook said Freemasons did a great job for charities and its members were ordinary people  despite the 'funny handshakes'.

'For a long time Freemasonry has been on the receiving end of whispering, stigma and discrimination,' he said.

'I have never made a secret of the fact that I am a Mason, and proudly tell anyone who asks.

'It was probably easier to come out as gay than as a Freemason. The generalisation is often of a secret society, meeting in anonymous buildings with accusations of controlling Governments and faking the moon landings.'

The minister

Therese Coffey

Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, departs the Commons

Cabinet minister Therese Coffey, 50, is also accused of speaking out against Boris Johnson's leadership.

Before she entered politics, she was finance director for Mars Drinks UK and property finance director for the BBC.

She was elected as MP for Suffolk Coastal, taking over from John Gummer, in 2010. She voted against the legalisation of same-sex marriage, saying she believed marriage was about family.

Boris Johnson appointed her as Work and Pensions Secretary in 2019 after the resignation of Amber Rudd, a position she retains.

Last month she strenuously denied breaking coronavirus restrictions by hosting karaoke parties at her Cabinet office in lockdown.

Red Wall assassins

Christian Wakeford

Bury South MP Christian Wakeford is joining Labour

Bury South MP Christian Wakeford today defected from the Conservatives to Labour, telling Boris Johnson that 'you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves'.

He is said to have been quitting for Labour since the Autumn but allegations about the Downing St parties were the final straw.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer welcomed MP Christian Wakeford's defection from the Tories, saying: 'The policies of the Conservative government are doing nothing to help the people of Bury South and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.'

He was not at the 'pork pie' meeting but has said he has no confidence in the Prime Minister. Some exoerts are claiming that his letter still may count, despite his defection.

Before he won his Bury South seat in 2019 he was an insurance broker.

It was reported last year that he approached Owen Paterson and called him a 'c***' after the government instructed MPs to vote to change parliamentary sleaze rules.

He used the expletive while full of a mixture of 'anger' after Mr Paterson broke lobbying rules, and codeine he received for a broken ankle.

The MP for Bury South, one of a number elected to former Labour strongholds in 2019, said he was angry at MPs being 'marched up the hill' to try to block Mr Paterson's suspension. Mr Wakeford confirmed the claim he used the C-word was true, telling Times Radio: 'It's been a mixture of quite a lot of anger and codeine. I clearly have a broken ankle at the moment. It's not the best mix'.

Mark Logan

Bolton's Tory MP Mark Logan rebelled over the operation to save Owen Paterson

Bolton's Tory MP Mark Logan, who has a majority of just 378, says he has been left 'infuriated' by the No 10 parties.

He said: 'Like many of you who've taken the time to contact me this week. In government the prime minister sets the culture and example for the rest of the country.'

He began rebelling against Boris Johnson in November, choosing to abstain the controversial vote over whether to review the system for upholding standards.

It was in relation to North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson who was found to have repeatedly breached paid lobbying rules.

The decision by Boris Johnson to try to save Paterson's skin and prevent him being suspended has been seen by many as the turning point of his premiership.

He said at the time: 'I believe in the end that given the findings of the independent commission, I would not be able to vote for a motion that would overrule the findings that were laid out.

'This is not only from the perspective of my own personal assessment of the findings, but also in relation to how just or unjust this would feel to people in Bolton'.

Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson refused to watch Gareth Southgate's team in the Euros because they took the knee

Elected in Ashfield with a majority of 5,733 - it was just the second time the Nottinghamshire constituency has ever had a Tory MP.

He said of the partygate scandal: 'Personally, I would not back anyone who has knowingly done wrong.'

Son of a coal miner, educated at the local state and then a miner for 12 years himself he was a member of Arthur Scargill's National Union of Mineworkers and went on strike in 1984.

Later worked in homeless hostels before becoming office manager for the Labour MP Gloria De Piero. Frustrated with Labour's Brexit stance, he quit in 2018 and joined the Tories.

Last year he made headlines having vowed to boycott England's Euro 2020 games because of his opposition to players taking the knee.

He lashed out at the players taking the knee because it was associated with the Black Lives Matter political movement, which is largely far-left.

In a video on Facebook, Mr Anderson - wearing a T-shirt with the Three Lions emblazoned on it - said it's 'their choice to take the knee and it's my choice not to watch the matches' but added he had received abuse about his position.

Before the tournament began, Mr Anderson said the FA had made a 'big mistake' in supporting taking the knee.

He told the Times that Black Lives Matter was a 'Marxist organisation', adding: 'The FA, Premier League and footballers now run the risk of becoming like the Labour Party and that is having nothing in common with their traditional supporters.

'All forms of racism are vile and should be stamped out, but this is not the way.

'For the first time in my life I will not be watching my beloved England team while they are supporting a political movement whose core principles aim is to undermine our way of life.'

The 32-year-old won Burnley with a majority of 1,352 - the first Tory MP in the town since 1910.

Antony Higginbotham

The 32-year-old won Burnley with a majority of 1,352 - the first Tory MP in the town since 1910.

But with his seat under threat he said on Facebook: 'I am as angry and disappointed as you are.

'This whole saga has damaged trust in politics; raised serious questions about those who were responsible for forming up the restrictions I had to vote on and we all had to live under; and made us all think about the difficult periods we've endured over the last two years and the sacrifices made.'

He is single and openly gay. His grandmother was a nurse and his mother was a trade union representative, while his father held two jobs to try to make ends meet. Single and openly gay.

Educated at the local state school and the first of his family to go to university, studying politics at Hull.

Before entering politics he worked in the NHS and then joined NatWest to help customers prepare for life after the EU.

He claims his political outlook was inspired by his time in Lancashire's Army Cadet Force.
The billionaire founder and CEO of Airbnb has announced from now on he will be working remotely from a number of different rentals - as he hops from city to city.

Brian Chesky, 40, who is currently worth an estimated $12.3billion, took to Twitter yesterday to announce his alternative style of working.

In a series of tweets he outlined where he would be staying over the next couple of weeks and why he has chosen to operate in so many different locations.

He wrote: 'Starting today, Im living on Airbnb. Ill be staying in a different town or city every couple of weeks.

Brian Chesky, 40, who is currently worth an estimated $12.3billion, took to Twitter yesterday to announce that he would be staying in a number of Airbnbs as he city-hopped

In a series of tweets, Chesky explained that he planned to start in Atlanta, but would be frequenting San Francisco - and other places - while staying in a number of Airbnbs

'This week I'm in Atlanta. I'll be coming back to San Francisco often, but for now my home will be an Airbnb somewhere.

'Why am I doing this? I think the pandemic has created the biggest change to travel since the advent of commercial flying. For the first time, millions of people can now live anywhere.'

Chesky continued by explaining that remote working has 'untethered' many people from the requirement of working in an office every day.

'Were seeing this in our data,' he added. 'From July to September, one in five nights booked on Airbnb were for stays of a month or longer, and nearly half of nights booked were for stays of a week or longer.

'In the past year, 100,000 Airbnb guests booked stays of three months or longer. In 2022, I think the biggest trend in travel will be people spreading out to thousands of towns and cities, staying for weeks, months, or even entire seasons at a time.

Chesky continued by explaining that remote working has 'untethered' many people from the requirement of working in an office every day (stock image of the Airbnb logo)

'More people will start living abroad, others will travel for the entire summer, and some will even give up their leases and become digital nomads.

'Cities and countries will compete to attract these remote workers, and it will lead to a redistribution of where people travel and live.

'This trend is kind of like a decentralization of living, and its changing the identity of travel. So thats why Im living on Airbnb. Itll be fun, but more importantly it will help us improve the experience for people who can now live anywhere.'

According to the Future Workforce Report, the number of US citizens who will be working from home is set to rise to 36.2million by 2025.

And with fewer workers needing to be in the office as a result of the Covid pandemic, people took the opportunity to move around more.

Airbnb recorded record profits in the third quarter of 2021 of $2.2billion - a rise of 36 per cent when compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic.

Last year, Airbnb quietly removed a clause from its 40-page terms of service to allow hosts and guests to sue the company over sexual assault and sexual harassment claims that take place in its listings

Chesky founded Airbnb back in 2008 with his roommates Nathan Blecharczyk and Joe Gebbia - who both own smaller stakes in the company than Chesky.

In 2020, the company went public, with the share price rising to $144, more than doubling its initial value.

Last year, Airbnb quietly removed a clause from its 40-page terms of service to allow hosts and guests to sue the company over sexual assault and sexual harassment claims that take place in its listings.

The clause - which said customers claiming sexual assault or sexual harassment took place in an Airbnb property had to seek a judge to settle the dispute - had been buried in the terms for more than a decade.

The 150 million Airbnb users agreed to this clause when they registered for the site.

The 150 million Airbnb users agreed to the previous clause when they registered for the site. In a statement issued last year alongside the change, Airbnb said it was 'building trust' by 'doing the right thing in the rare instances where things go wrong'

In a statement released in August 2021, Airbnb said, 'We're announcing that arbitration provisions will no longer apply to sexual assault or sexual harassment claims by hosts or guests in the next iteration of Airbnb's Terms of Service.'

'We believe that survivors should be able to bring claims in whatever forum is best for them,' the statement read.

It also encouraged 'industry peers within the travel and hospitality space to consider taking similar steps for their respective communities'.

Airbnb concluded the statement by ensuring hosts and guests that it is 'building trust' by 'doing the right thing in the rare instances where things go wrong'.
A mother and father have appeared in court today after being charged over the death of a baby boy who died from serious head injuries.

Eloddie Goncalves, 31, of Broadfields, Harlow, has been charged with murdering two-month-old baby Malik Goncalves in August 2020.

Goncalves, who appeared at Colchester Magistrates Court on Wednesday, is also charged with child neglect.

Police and paramedics rushed to Joyners Field in Harlow, Essex at around 10am on August 19, 2020 to reports of a baby boy falling ill at a property.

On arrival, they found a two-month-old boy, Malik Olayia, unconscious and not breathing.

He was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow where he was sadly pronounced dead hours later.

A murder inquiry was launched in the wake of Malik's death, and his parents Ellodie and Muritala were both charged on Tuesday.

Police and paramedics rushed to Joyners Field in Harlow, Essex at around 10am on August 19, 2020. Two-month-old boy, Malik Olayia, was unconscious and not breathing and later died

Emergency services rushed to the housing estate in Harlow, Essex last August after there were reports of a two-month-old falling ill.

Several police and ambulance vehicles were seen parked up in front of the high-rise block of flats while an air ambulance was also seen landing nearby in a field off of Rye Hill Road.

Dr Fitzpatrick-Swallow and Dr Palm gave Malik's provisional cause of death as 'head injuries pending further investigation'.

Several police and ambulance vehicles were seen parked up in front of the high-rise block of flats while an air ambulance was also seen landing nearby in a field off of Rye Hill Road

Andre Kimshe of the coroner's office, said: 'On August 19, baby Malik was found at home unconscious and not breathing.

'Paramedics attended and he was conveyed to Harlow hospital where his death was confirmed at 9.53am.'

Ellodie Goncalves, 31, of Joyners Field, has been charged with murder and child neglect, while Muritala Olaiya-Imam, 36, of Shearwater Close in Barking, east London, was charged with causing or allowing the death of a child, and child neglect.

Both will appear before Colchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing.
A 'hitman' accused of gunning down the brother of a Real Housewives of Cheshire star claims he was told to travel to London by his Swedish crime boss cousin but had no idea about a murder, a court has heard.

Flamur 'Alex' Beqiri, 36, whose sister Misse Beqiri appeared in Real Housewives Of Cheshire, was shot in front of his wife and two-year-old son on the doorstep of his 1.5m family home in Battersea, southwest London.

Southwark Crown Court heard the hit was organised by Swedish crime boss Ahmed Karaer, who has since since disappeared.

Alleged gunman Anis Fouad Hemissi, 24, alongside his Swedish compatriots Bawer Karaer, 23, Tobias Andersson, 32, Estevan Munizaga, 35, deny murdering the father-of-two on December 24, 2019.

Claude Isaac-Castor, 22, and Clifford Rollox, 31, deny perverting the course of justice between the 24 and 28 December 2019.

Giving evidence today, Bawer Karaer said on December 23, 2019, he had been unexpectedly told by his cousin Ahmed to travel to London on the same day.

He claimed his cousin wanted him to go to the UK to assist in a burglary involving expensive watches, an offer he immediately rejected.

Flamur 'Alex' Beqiri, 36, a Swedish national of Albanian heritage and whose sister Misse Beqiri appeared in Real Housewives Of Cheshire, was murdered outside his 1.5m home in Battersea, southwest London, on Christmas Eve 2019 (both pictured)

Flamur 'Alex' Beqiri, 36, was killed in front of his wife Debora Krasniqi (they are pictured together)

'I told him I wasn't comfortable with that,' said Bawer. 'I am not involved in crimes like that. He knew that, but he said 'think about it.'

Later that afternoon, Ahmed called him and told him 'you are going', informing his cousin he had already bought plane tickets for him that evening.

Bawer said he viewed his cousin Ahmed 'as an older brother' and looked up to him.

Mark Heywood, QC, prosecuting, said: 'We have heard some evidence he was involved in serious crime. Had he suggested to you before then you should get involved?'

Bawer replied: 'Not in his actions. I didn't know about his actions. I knew he was in prison, but I thought it was about fighting.'

Jurors heard the cousins would regularly meet and stay in touch, but Ahmed had never spoken about criminal activities prior to that day.

Mr Heywood said: 'If what you say is true this, involving a murder, is the first time that this deceiving happened.'

'Yes,' replied Bawer.

While he felt under pressure from his cousin, Bawer said he had not been threatened to ensure his cooperation.

Mr Beqiri's sister Misse Beqiri, who appeared in Real Housewives of Cheshire

The doorstep of Mr Beqiri's home in Battersea, southwest London, where the shooting took place on Christmas Eve 2019

'I was weak enough to agree,' he said. 'I didn't know about a murder taking place.'

Mr Heywood told him: 'My suggestion is that you are telling the jury a pack of lies; that this was discussed days before, and that you had known what was going to happen.'

'I told you everything I know, I have been as honest as I can be. I do not deserve this, my mum and dad do not deserve this, I am not my cousin,' said Bawer.

While his cousin had told him he would help him out with the burglary in London, he had never specified what Bawer's exact role would be.

Mr Heywood asked him: 'It is your experience that when people make decisions, especially ones that are unusual decisions they ought to know what might happen?'

The defendant replied: 'I would like to know what happened. I put my trust in my cousin. That was a mistake, that is the only reason I am here today.'

Asked about an Encrochat phone that was in his position, he denied knowledge of the device's secure features.

The five Swedes and UK national Rollox appeared at the dock, while a Swedish interpreter assisted in the trial.

Hemissi, Pino-Munizaga, both of Malmo, Sweden, Karaer, of Stockholm, Sweden, and Andersson, of Trangsund, Sweden, all deny murder.

Hemissi also denies possession of a prohibited firearm in relation to a self-loading pistol.

Isaac-Castor, of no fixed address, and Rollox, of Percival Street, Islington, deny perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.
Emmanuel Macron has blamed Britain for migrant deaths in the English Channel and called on Brussels to be 'tough' on fishing licences as the bitter row with London continued at the European Parliament today.

As France took over the presidency of the EU, Macron took the opportunity to accuse Boris Johnson of putting lives at danger because of his migration policy, with record numbers making the perilous journey across the Channel in dinghies.

The French president said current rules encourage illegal migration and do not allow for asylum seekers to seek lawful ways into the country, pushing migrants to attempt the treacherous crossing instead.

The row between France and Britain has rumbled on since the tragic sinking of a dinghy in November which led to the deaths of 27 migrants, with both countries placing the blame on the other.

His comments come as it was revealed today that nearly 1,000 migrants have arrived in the UK already this year, after 168 landed in Dover yesterday.

Macron, addressing Parliament in Strasbourg at the start of the six-month presidency, also said the EU and the UK need to 'regain trust' in each other in the post-Brexit era in a reference to the ongoing dispute over fishing licences.

He said: 'We want to make certain that the agreements entered into are respected when it comes to the rights of our fishermen or the Northern Ireland protocol or vital discussions which have to be had in the future.

'Let's be clear, let's be tough when we say that the conditions of agreements entered into have to be respected. That's the way to remain friends.'

French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured addressing the European parliament in Strasbourg today) has blamed Britain for migrant deaths in English Channel and demanded a sign of 'good faith' over fishing licences in a blistering attack as France today took over the presidency of the European Union

This morning 25 people were escorted into the Port of Dover on board a Border Force vessel shortly before 9am. Pictured: Migrants arrive in Dover Harbour today

The latest crossings bring the total number of migrants arriving in the UK by small boats to nearly 1,000 already this year. Pictured: A migrant is brought ashore at Dover Harbour today

In his speech, Macron also urged the EU to commit to 'strategic armament' in a bid to avoid 'war' amid growing concerns of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Macron's comments come after six boats were intercepted by Border Force officials and brought to the Port of Dover on Tuesday, according to the Home Office.

One small boat carrying dozens of people, including children, came perilously close to a P&O ferry while making the dangerous journey across the Channel - the world's busiest shipping lane.

Meanwhile, French authorities intercepted three further crossings involving 126 people.

And this morning 25 people were escorted into the Port of Dover on board a Border Force vessel shortly before 9am.

The latest crossings bring the total number of migrants arriving in the UK by small boats to nearly 1,000 already this year.

Last year saw a record 28,381 people cross the Channel in small boats. But it was not until mid-February when the number of migrant crossings reached 1,000.

Officials have told Home Secretary Priti Patel that 65,000 people could cross the Channel in 2022  more than double last year's total.

Macron said the situation of migrants risking their lives trying to reach Britain by crossing the Channel from France in dinghies would not change as long as London does not adjust its migration policy

The flimsy and dangerous dinghy that sank off Calais, killing 27 people, on November 24

The sinking of a boat in November last year which resulted in the death of 27 people prompted emergency talks between London and Paris as they sought to hammer out an agreement to stop the crossings.

Only two people of the 29 aboard the vessel on November 24 survived in what is believed to be the greatest loss of life from a single migrant crossing on the Channel. The youngest victim was just seven years old.

The deaths furthered the diplomatic row between Britain and France amid the record numbers of migrant crossings.

Macron said today the EU required a government in London that acts in 'good faith' and live up to agreements with the bloc.

He said: 'Ultimately we cannot solve this problem if the way in which migratory flows as seen from the British side doesn't change.

'Our British friends at the moment are trying to adopt an approach which is the one that prevailed at the start the 1980s is where you've got a level of acceptable economic illegal migration, you allow people to work without papers because it's helpful the economy, but that is doesn't take on board the reality of migratory flows now.

'Secondly, there need to be legal, stable routes to be able to migrate to the UK and this is a situation that we're confronted with. This is a dialogue that we need to pursue with the UK. It's a horrendous humanitarian situation but that's the reality.'

Earlier this month the Home Office 'gave up' on achieving a Channel deal ahead of the French Presidential election in April amid a rumbling dispute between Johnson and Macron.

French fishermen claim that they are entitled to licences under the terms of the trade deal with the EU, and have staged repeated protests including blocking access to ports on the Continent.

However, Britain insists only boats that provide evidence they were using the waters before Brexit happened need to be given permission.

The dispute ramped up before Christmas with French fleets threatening to blockade Christmas goods from reaching Britain despite a number of extra licences being granted to French boats in early December.

A number of protests were staged and roads were blocked in France amid the row.

Banners installed by French fishermen on the fences of the Eurotunnel Freight Terminal near Calais during a day of protest in November

Macron, 44, also told EU lawmakers today that Britain and the EU must find a 'path of trust' in the post-Brexit era in a reference to the ongoing dispute over fishing licences

Macron made several pleas during his speech in Strasbourg today, calling for the bloc to hold a 'frank dialogue' with Russia and seek a political solution to the tensions over Ukraine.

He said EU countries must also define among themselves a 'new stability and security order' that they would then discuss with Moscow.

'The security of our continent is indivisible', Macron said, referring to Russia.

A proponent of the EU having its own 'strategic autonomy' in the field of defence, Macron added that the bloc must bring itself to a position to make sure 'it can be respected,' including by making sure it is not too dependent on Russia for its energy supplies.

Separately, Macron said the EU must review its relationships with the Western Balkans and offer them sincere prospects of joining the bloc.

The EU must also propose a new alliance to African countries, he said, adding that EU and African countries would discuss it at a summit in February.
The majority of the 270 signatories to an open letter to Spotify accusing Joe Rogan of pushing 'anti-vax misinformation' on his podcast - with one branding him a 'menace to public health' - are not medical doctors.

Hundreds of doctors and scientists signed the letter, published January 10, that called on the streaming giant to adopt a misinformation policy after the comedian hosted the controversial Dr Robert Malone last month.

Only 87 of the 270 signatories are medical doctors  the rest are from assorted professions including engineers, teachers, psychologists. Malone himself has an MD from Northwestern University.

Some of the other medical professions represented include: Dr. Christine Garvey, a Western New York-based veterinarian; Dr. Colleen Trecartin-Frost, a dentist from New Jersey; Autumn Schuster, a social worker at the University of California at Irvine; Korinne Bricker, a 'COVID-19 laboratory supervisor', as well as a host of teachers, engineers and psychologists.

A few of the people signing the letter also work on podcasts like Rogan's.

A total of 270 experts and medical professionals called on Spotify to adopt a misinformation policy after Joe Rogan (pictured) hosted the controversial Dr Robert Malone last month

Alie Ward (left) is the host of 'comedy science' podcast Ologies and also works as a consulting producer for one of Barack and Michelle Obama's Netflix projects, while Dr. Christine Garvey, DVM, (right) is a veterinarian

Forrest Valkai (left) describes himself as a 'renegade science teacher' and TikToker, while Dr. Colleen Trecartin-Frost (right) is a New Jersey-based dentist who signed the letter demanding Spotify take action against the comedian

Bridget Scallen, an MS, credits herself as the editor of the Unbiased Science podcast, which calls itself 'devoted to objective, critical appraisal of available evidence on science and health-related topics relevant to listeners daily lives' and says it aims to 'dispel misinformation and misconceptions across an array of science and public health topics' like vaccines.

April English, an MPH and signee, is a contributor to Unbiased Science like Scallen.

Shoshana Ungerleider, MD, is herself also in podcasting; she hosts the TED Health Podcast from the company that produces TED Talks.

Nini Munoz is senior electrical design engineer at Garmin International, a company that delivers 'innovative GPS technology across diverse markets, including aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation, tracking and mobile apps' according to its website.

Alie Ward, host of the Ologies podcast which describes itself as a 'comedic science' program, has no medical degree but is a co-founder of the science communication collective Nerd Brigade. Ward also works as a consulting producer for Ada Twist, Scientist, a Netflix cartoon executive produced by Michelle Obama.

Read the full letter sent to Spotify - accusing Joe Rogan's episode with Dr Robert Malone of 'damaging public trust in scientific research' An Open Letter to Spotify: A call from the global scientific and medical communities to implement a misinformation policy: On Dec. 31, 2021, the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), a Spotify-exclusive podcast, uploaded a highly controversial episode featuring guest Dr. Robert Malone (#1757). The episode has been criticized for promoting baseless conspiracy theories and the JRE has a concerning history of broadcasting misinformation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. By allowing the propagation of false and societally harmful assertions, Spotify is enabling its hosted media to damage public trust in scientific research and sow doubt in the credibility of data-driven guidance offered by medical professionals. JRE #1757 is not the only transgression to occur on the Spotify platform, but a relevant example of the platforms failure to mitigate the damage it is causing. We are a coalition of scientists, medical professionals, professors, and science communicators spanning a wide range of fields such as microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, and neuroscience and we are calling on Spotify to take action against the mass-misinformation events which continue to occur on its platform. With an estimated 11 million listeners per episode, JRE is the worlds largest podcast and has tremendous influence. Though Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, the company presently has no misinformation policy. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Rogan has repeatedly spread misleading and false claims on his podcast, provoking distrust in science and medicine. He has discouraged vaccination in young people and children, incorrectly claimed that mRNA vaccines are gene therapy, promoted off-label use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 (contrary to FDA warnings), and spread a number of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories. In episode #1757, Rogan hosted Dr. Robert Malone, who was suspended from Twitter for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Dr. Malone used the JRE platform to further promote numerous baseless claims, including several falsehoods about COVID-19 vaccines and an unfounded theory that societal leaders have hypnotized the public. Many of these statements have already been discredited. Notably, Dr. Malone is one of two recent JRE guests who has compared pandemic policies to the Holocaust. These actions are not only objectionable and offensive, but also medically and culturally dangerous. The average age of JRE 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. Dr. Malones interview has reached many tens of millions of listeners vulnerable to predatory medical misinformation. Mass-misinformation events of this scale have extraordinarily dangerous ramifications. As scientists, we face backlash and resistance as the public grows to distrust our research and expertise. As educators and science communicators, we are tasked with repairing the publics damaged understanding of science and medicine. As physicians, we bear the arduous weight of a pandemic that has stretched our medical systems to their limits and only stands to be exacerbated by the anti-vaccination sentiment woven into this and other episodes of Rogans podcast. This is not only a scientific or medical concern; it is a sociological issue of devastating proportions and Spotify is responsible for allowing this activity to thrive on its platform. We, the undersigned doctors, nurses, scientists, and educators thus call on Spotify to immediately establish a clear and public policy to moderate misinformation on its platform. Source: WordPress Advertisement

Some of the other members of the medical academic field featured include physicians' assistants, a biochemist, nearly 100 Ph.Ds and Ph.D candidates, over a dozen nurses, medical students and public health advisors.

One such medical student, Forrest Valkai, also describes himself as a 'renegade science teacher' who has a podcast, YouTube channel, TikTok account, Patreon and merchandise store.

The nearly 100 Ph.Ds and Ph.D candidates largely do not practice medicine and many are professors.

Spotify has yet to publicly address the letter or the controversial episode of Rogan's hit podcast.

During a three-hour and six-minute interview on the now-viral episode #1757 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Malone compared the US to Nazi Germany and said today's society was suffering from a 'mass formation psychosis' over the use of vaccines.

He also claimed to be part of the team that invented the mRNA technology used in the Covid-19 jab and said pharmaceutical companies administering vaccines - such as Pfizer and Moderna - have 'financial conflicts of interest'.

The hundreds of medical professionals claim to have fact-checked Malone and demanded accountability from Spotify - which spent a reported $100million on exclusive streaming rights to the Joe Rogan Experience last year.

In an open letter, they said: 'With an estimated 11 million listeners per episode, JRE, which is hosted exclusively on Spotify, is the world's largest podcast and has tremendous influence.

'Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, though the company presently has no misinformation policy.'

The letter claims Rogan has a penchant for 'broadcasting misinformation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic' and that the episode with Malone promoted 'baseless conspiracy theories', including 'an unfounded theory that societal leaders have 'hypnotized the public'.'

The letter added: 'Dr. Malone is one of two recent JRE guests who has compared pandemic policies to the Holocaust.

'These actions are not only objectionable and offensive, but also medically and culturally dangerous.'

In the episode, posted on New Year's Eve, Malone, 61, said: 'It was from, basically, European intellectual inquiry into what the heck happened in Germany in the 20s and 30s. Very intelligent, highly educated population, and they went barking mad.

'And how did that happen? The answer is mass formation psychosis. When you have a society that has become decoupled from each other, and has free floating anxiety, in a sense that things don't make sense. We can't understand it.

'And then their attention gets focused by a leader or series of events on one small point, just like hypnosis. They literally become hypnotized and can be led anywhere.'

Streaming giant YouTube removed the episode from its platform, while Malone's Twitter account - which had amassed 500,000 followers - was suspended hours before appearing on the show for 'violating' its rules.

The episode was still available on Spotify as of January 19. Dailymail.com has contacted Spotify and the Joe Rogan Experience for comment.

Dr. Katrine Wallace, who signed the letter, branded Rogan a 'menace to public health', adding that she condemned giving people like Malone a platform.

She told Rolling Stone that his claims 'are fringe ideas not backed in science.'

She added: 'Having it on a huge platform makes it seem there are two sides to this issue. And there are really not.

'The overwhelming evidence is the vaccine works, and it is safe.'

Dr. Ben Rein, a neuroscientist at Stanford University who co-authored the letter, added: 'People who dont have the scientific or medical background to recognize the things hes saying are not true and are unable to distinguish fact from fiction are going to believe what [Malone is] saying, and this is the biggest podcast in the world. And thats terrifying.'

In the podcast episode, Rogan talked about Malone's ban from Twitter, which happened just one day before the podcast was released.

'They removed you for not going along with whatever the tech narrative is because tech clearly has a censorship agenda when it comes to Covid in terms of treatment, in terms of whether or not you are promoting what they would call 'vaccine hesitancy' - they can ban you for that,' Rogan said, adding that Malone is 'one of the most qualified people in the world to talk about vaccines'.

Malone responded by questioning: 'If it's not okay for me to be a part of the conversation even though I'm pointing out scientific facts that may be inconvenient, then who is?

'Whether or not I'm factually correct or not - and I freely admit no one's perfect. I'm not perfect. It's one of my core points is people should think for themselves.'

'And I try really hard to give people the information and help them to think, not to tell them what to think,' the doctor added, pointing out that 'no one can debate the dispute that I played a major role in the creation of this tech'.

Malone later alleged on the podcast that many of the pharmaceutical companies administering vaccines - such as Pfizer and Moderna - have 'financial conflicts of interest'.

In what appeared to be an effort to establish his credibility, Malone reassured: 'I think I'm the only one that doesn't. I'm not getting any money out of this.'

Meanwhile, as the creator of the mRNA technology used in Covid vaccines, many questioned why Malone would then speak so strongly against getting jabbed.

Malone claimed the answer was simply 'because it's the right thing to do'.

He said: 'For me, the reason is: Because what's happening is not right. It's destroying my profession, it's destroying the practice of medicine worldwide, it's destroying public health in medicine.'

He continued: 'I'm a vaccinologist. I've spent 30 years developing vaccine. A stupid amount of education learning how to do it and what the rules are.

During a three-hour and six-minute interview on the now-viral episode #1757 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Malone (pictured on the show) compared the US to Nazi Germany and said today's society was suffering from a 'mass formation psychosis' over the use of vaccines

The 61-year-old doctor's account was suspended and Twitter cited a violation of the platform's rules

'And for me, I'm personally offended by watching my discipline get destroyed for no good reason at all except, apparently, financial incentives, and - I don't know - political a**-covering'.

The controversial doctor also offered his expertise on the government's Covid-19 response.

'Our government is out of control,' he said, adding: 'They are lawless. They completely disregard bioethics. They completely disregard the federal common rule. they have broken all the rules that I know of - that I have been trained on for years and years and years.'

He went on to say that government-imposed vaccine mandates 'are explicitly illegal' as they do not align with the Nuremberg Code and the Belmont Report.

According to a research team at the University of North Carolina, the Nuremberg Code is a ten-point system determining what medical experimentation is justifiable on human subjects.

Similarly, the Belmont Report established basic ethical principles to guide medical research involving human subjects, as stated by the US Department of Health & Human Resources (HHS).

'They are explicitly illegal and they don't care,' Malone reiterated.

It is not the first time Rogan has courted controversy over comments made about Covid on his podcast.

Last April he seemed to discouraged young people from getting the vaccine, saying in a conversation with comedian Dave Smith: 'If youre like 21 years old, and you say to me, "Should I get vaccinated?" Ill go no.'

Rogan, who caught Covid himself, also promoted taking ivermectin, despite no evidence proving it works to treat Covid.
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A beach on Lake Michigan looked almost prehistoric earlier this month as tiny sand sculptures - created by the frigid weather - dotted the shoreline.

They are known as 'sand hoodoos,' named after the naturally formed, thin rock spires normally found in canyons. But the ones that popped up along the shore of Lake Michigan near St. Joseph, Michigan, are made by a combination of strong wind, frozen moisture in sand and erosion.

The sand sculptures can be up to 15 inches tall in the area, which is about 82 miles from Grand Rapids, and are a yearly occurrence, with some resembling chess pieces.

But they don't last. Unlike their rock counterparts, sand hoodoos usually collapse within hours as the weather warms throughout the day.

'It was like a different planet,' Terri Abbott told Fox Weather. 'I've never seen anything like them and I spend a lot of time there!'

Tiny sand hoodoos appeared along the shorelines of St. Joseph in Michigan, roughly 80 miles from Grand Rapids, during cold and windy days in January

Some of the sand hoodoos reached up to 15 inches, the tallest Michigan has seen

The hoodoos were seen in Tescornia Park in southwestern Michigan

Sand hoodoos are tiny formations that form from strong winds and erosion, and are a yearly occurrence near Lake Michigan

Abbott saw them in Tescornia Park in the southwestern Michigan city.

Michigan photographer Joshua Nowicki said this year's were the 'tallest ones that I have ever photographed.'

Western Michigan has been experiencing the perfect weather for sand hoodoo creations with freezing temperatures and brutal winds blowing in throughout January, he said.

Sand hoodoos are found in cold, windy locations along Lake Michigan.

'I imagine what happened is that the sand is frozen. Then we had a big storm roll through a couple weeks ago with strong winds. The wind blew along the beach and blasted out the areas that were a little less frozen,' said Geology Chairman at Michigan State University Alan Arbogast.

He mused that the sand hoodoos actually look more like ventifacts, a creation similar to hoodoos where rocks are sandblasted by wind and appear to have a smooth finish.

'Those things aren't being built up. Everything around the features that are standing up was eroded from it. Those are the things that are left behind,' Arbogast told Fox Weather.

The tiny sand hoodoos usually collapse within hours, but can last up to a few days. Real hoodoos, which are made of rock or clay, can last centuries

Hoodoos are typically found in drier regions, but sand hoodoos occur along Lake Michigan due to the freezing temperatures and high winds

All different shapes and sizes were scattered across the beach in an bizarre display

Some of the little hoodoos looked like chess pieces and sculptures with smooth finishes

Rock hoodoos are seen across the US and Europe. The highest concentration can be found in Bryce National Park in southwestern Utah, creating an amphitheater in the Paunsaugunt Plateau in the park.

Hoodoos in Bryce and Putangirua Pinnacles in New Zealand can be 200 feet high, range in color, and be made out of volcanic rock, clay, and other natural materials.
SK ecoplant CEO Park Kyoung-il presides over an extraordinary meeting of shareholders at the company headquarters building in Seoul in this December 2021 file photo. Courtesy of SK ecoplant





By Park Jae-hyuk







SK ecoplant's union, which was organized last November to protest the management's decision to spin off the plant construction division and sell it to a private equity firm (PEF), is being viewed by market insiders as a potential risk to the builder's attempt to go public in 2023.







According to industry sources, the union  comprised of workers who will stay at SK ecoplant and those who will be transferred to the spun-off company, named, "SK eco engineering"  is considering joining the Federation of Korean Trade Unions to exercise more influence over the company. Last December, they held rallies in front of SK Group's headquarters demanding job security.







The transferred workers are particularly concerned about the possibility of SK Group not reacquiring SK eco engineering from the PEF.







Although the management told workers that SK eco engineering will return to the group within a year after its spin-off, unionized workers cited the case of SK TNS, an ICT infrastructure company that was spun off from SK ecoplant in 2015 and could not return to the group after being sold to a PEF.







"The intention of restructuring is inherent in the recent spin-off," a member of the union said.







If the spin-off eventually ends in a restructuring, SK ecoplant is expected to face a labor conflict, which would weigh on its ambitious initial public offering (IPO) plan.







SK ecoplant CEO Park Kyoung-il said in his New Year's address that the company will complete preparatory works this year for an IPO. His predecessor also said the company aims for an estimated valuation of 10 trillion won ($8.4 billion) after the listing.







For this goal, SK ecoplant appointed Nam Gi-cheol late last year as an executive in charge of the IPO. It also reportedly established a taskforce team and hired an investment banking expert from Samsung Securities.







In response to concerns about the ongoing labor conflict, SK ecoplant stressed that its recent spin-off differs from that of SK TNS.







"Our CEO told employees last year that our company will not go public unless SK eco engineering regains its status as SK subsidiary," an SK ecoplant official said.


NYPD officers' dramatic rescue of an elderly woman trapped underneath her couch in the aftermath of a Bronx home explosion Tuesday morning was captured on video.

Bronx woman Yolanda Jiminez, 83, was saved by officers after neighbors reported hearing screams from the home. The rescue was recorded by an officer's bodycam as officers made their way inside the wrecked, cluttered home.

The Tuesday morning disaster blasted Martha Dagbasta, 77, who was killed, and her sister, 82, from their home following an apparent gas explosion in the building in the Longwood section of the Bronx. The cause has not been officially determined. Both the 82-year-old and Jiminez are hospitalized.

The explosion left seven others injured, including a 68-year-old woman and five other NYPD officers who were called to the scene at Fox Street and Intervale Avenue around 11am.

Video footage captured the moment NYPD officers rushed into a Bronx home adjacent to the scene of a blaze to rescue an 83-year-old woman

Officers rushed to the home of Yolanda Jiminez, 83, after neighbors heard screaming coming from inside

Jiminez was found underneath a couch amid a pile of debris as officers picked her up and pulled her to safety

The beginning of the footage shows people running down the street following the explosion of the three-story building. 'Somebody's in there!' someone screams as one officer goes toward the home next door to the origin of the blaze.

Police then enter that home, which is cluttered with broken pieces from the ceiling and furniture.

'She's under the couch! She's under the couch!' a man inside the home tells the officers.

A woman is heard moaning in pain underneath the debris as officers head towards the collapsed couch.

Three of the officers then overturn the couch revealing a woman pinned against the back corner of the room.

'One, two, lets go. Get her over the couch!,' one of the officers command as they lift her up and pull her to safety.

The scene of the Bronx fire began around 11am due to an apparent gas explosion at a three-story building in the Longwood section of the borough

NYPD officers had rushed to the scene as neighbors and witnesses were seen running down the street

Officers went into Jiminez's home after hearing reports from neighbors that someone was trapped inside

The bodycam footage of the rescue was later released by the NYPD who were commended by the community for their efforts.

'We saved lives today. Our actions saved lives,' NYC Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference.

'When you see the (cops') body-cam video, youre going to see the quick response of the officers going into the building next door from the explosion, not realizing if there would be an additional explosion, but they went inside and carried out a woman who was trapped inside.'

'There's so much we need to find out about this incident. Its an ongoing investigation to determine what happened.'

Jiminez's relatives said she had suffered a heart attack recently. 'It's not easy. This isn't easy,' her nephew Armando Garcia told CBS2.

Garcia said that he had been warned before the explosion by a neighbor who reported smelling gas in the building.

'He knocked on her door, because he smelled gas. So he went in to ask her if she had a leak or something. She didn't smell it, but he said he smelled it,' he said.

'Then they sat down, they were talking, and when they were talking, that's when the explosion happened.'

A neighbor told police that Jiminez was trapped underneath the couch in the debris-cluttered home

Pieces of the ceiling and disheveled furniture were seen scattered around the room

Screams and cries of pain were heard coming underneath the collapsed couch

Three of the officers managed to pull the couch of Jiminez who was seen trapped toward the back wall

Jiminez was found and pulled to safety by the officers



Other witnesses to the scene compared the moment the building had exploded to an action movie sequence.

'The metal melted away. I saw flames in the middle. It was like you lit a match and it went boom,' a witness told the network.

'I just heard an explosion. I checked my window and I see the third house was just on fire completely,' another witness reported.

The aftermath of the two-alarm Bronx fire that killed 77-year-old Martha Dagbasta and injured her 82-year-old sister on Tuesday after they were found lying on the ground outside of the building

More than 100 firefighters were called to the scene of the blaze

A 68-year-old woman and five officers were also reportedly injured as a result of the fire

The fire comes just over one week after another large fire in the Bronx killed 17 people in an apartment building just three miles away.

Fire experts, attributing smoke to those fatalities, believe a self-closing door in the Twin Parks North West complex may have malfunctioned, allowing the smoke to spread through the building. They believe the fire was caused by a faulty space heater.

'The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke travelled throughout the building and the smoke is what caused the deaths and the serious injuries,' Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said during a press conference last Monday.

Fire Marshals have ruled the fire 'accidental,' noting that it was caused by a malfunctioning space heater and that a 'smoke alarm was present and operational'.

A New York City official, who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity, revealed fire marshals suspect the space heater had been running uninterrupted for multiple days. According to a list of resident maintenance requests shared online, building received at least four complaints last year of units being without heat.

It is unclear if the unit where the fire started was having an issue with heat.
A toddler who was allegedly beaten to death by his mother and her partner was told to shut up and warned he was ruining the fun, a court has heard.

Prosecutors say Kyrell Matthews was repeatedly struck by his mother, and her then-partner over several weeks, with 'harrowing' secret audio recordings capturing the violence said to have been meted out by the pair at their flat in south London.

Kyrell, who was non-verbal, died at the flat on October 20, 2019, with a litany of internal injuries, including 41 rib fractures and a 1.6in (4cm) wide cut to his liver.

His mother Phylesia Shirley and Kemar Brown, who is not the boy's father, deny murdering Kyrell at Shirley's home in Thornton Heath.

Prosecutor Edward Brown QC told jurors at the Old Bailey: 'Kyrell had his ribs crushed or broken by blows within the four weeks before October 20.

'At least one of the defendants plainly inflicted a significant number of injuries in at least five separate incidents in the four weeks leading up to ... Kyrell's death.

'The pain and distress in those four weeks when he was abused was brought vividly to the fore by those harrowing recordings.

'On October 20, his ribs were crushed once more - it killed him.'

Police later discovered secret audio files on Shirley's mobile phone - the apparent results of attempts to catch Brown being unfaithful - which inadvertently captured the abuse, the prosecution said.

They included multiple audio files where it appeared Kyrell was hit repeatedly, with Brown saying 'shut up', causing the toddler to cry and scream.

Kyrell Matthews, two, suffered months of abuse at the hands of his mother Phylesia Shirley and her boyfriend Kemar Brown according to recordings found on her phone, prosecutors said

On another occasion, prosecutors said, Brown inflicted several blows on the little boy before telling him: 'You have to ruin the fun.'

Another file, the prosecution said, captured Shirley striking her own child and causing him to cry in distress.

Shirley is said to have carried out the covert phone recordings at her one-bedroom flat to check whether then-partner Kemar Brown was secretly contacting other women.

However, police investigating the death of her son, Kyrell Matthews, discovered that the recordings contained disturbing evidence of the non-verbal boy being hit repeatedly, with Brown saying 'shut up', causing the toddler to cry and scream.

Prosecutor Mr Brown told jurors: 'It makes for harrowing listening, because, say the prosecution, you will hear Kemar Brown hitting that child again and again on different days, and you will hear Kyrell crying and screaming as a result.'

On one recording, the prosecution said Kyrell could be heard getting increasingly distressed amid 'slapping sounds' and 'hitting noises' as Brown told him to 'shut up'.

Jurors were told Brown admits it is his voice on the recordings.

The prosecution said Shirley could then be heard asking 'What did he do?', to which Brown is said to have replied 'He got up'.

The prosecutor said: 'Plainly, she (Shirley) has seen distress at the very least, expecting punishment of Kyrell having taken place by Kemar Brown.

'It is plain, say the prosecution, what you can hear.'

In the fourth recording, taken in August 2019, Brown can be heard saying to Kyrell 'Stop crying, stop crying, yeah,' and imitating the baby's cries, followed by two slapping sounds minutes apart.

Minutes later, Brown can be heard saying 'What you crying for?', followed by two hits or slaps, at which point Kyrell yelps and faintly cries.

Brown showed no emotion as the recordings were played.

The prosecution described the case as a 'determined pattern of repeated and significant assaults on a completely defenceless and young child'.

Jurors were told that on one occasion in the days before he died, Kyrell was apparently 'reluctant to go back into his mother's flat' having spent the day elsewhere.

Jurors heard that the toddler did not attend a nursery and so was in the full-time care of his mother, then aged 21.

A court sketch of Phylesia Shirley, and her partner, Kemar Brown, at the Old Bailey in London

Neither defendant was employed in the period leading up to Kyrell's death, the court heard.

Both also said they left the flat at separate times, briefly, the day the boy died - although only Shirley's account could be corroborated by CCTV.

Shirley said she raised the alarm by calling the NHS's non-emergency 111 number after she got home, saying her son had become 'floppy', his eyes were rolling back and he was having problems with his breathing.

'The ambulance arrived just 12 minutes later and Kyrell was rushed to hospital. Both Shirley and Brown denied harming him.

It was only following his death that forensic examination offered clues about how he died.

Prosecutor Mr Brown said: 'This all happened behind closed doors, so to speak.

'After the initial investigation, the long task to examine a huge amount of telephone data was begun and trawled through over many months, and what was found was a section on Phylesia Shirley's phone that contained a number of recordings.

'They are revealing - indeed they are very harrowing.

Shirley and Brown both deny murder and are on trial at the Old Bailey in London (pictured)

'It appears that Phylesia Shirley had taken to setting her phone up to record what might or might not be going on in the flat when she was out, or when she was at least not within earshot.

'It appears that she was checking up on Mr Brown to see if he was contacting other women.

Judge Mark Lucraft QC described the audio footage as 'difficult listening'.

The court heard earlier that Brown was on his mobile phone as A&E doctors fought to save Kyrell's life.

The prosecutor continued: 'Phylesia Shirley was observed as being distressed in the flat and at the hospital as well.

'On being told of the decision to pronounce life extinct, she became hysterical.

'Descriptions of Kemar Brown's demeanour at the flat and hospital are those of a calm person, slightly disengaged somewhat unaffected, it appeared, as the emerging tragedy became obvious.

'The CCTV at the hospital shows him on his mobile phone whilst the A&E staff were trying to treat Kyrell and save his life.

'Brown's reaction, or lack of it, the prosecution say, you may think is a surprising one if the child's terrible condition and death was a surprise to him.'

'It is the prosecution's case that the injuries were inflicted on that very young child by the defendants Phylesia Shirley or Kemar Brown or both of them,' Mr Brown said.

Shirley, of Thonton Heath, south London, denies murder but has admitted allowing the death of a child and allowing serious physical harm to a child.

Brown, of Thornton Heath, south London, denies murder, causing or allowing the death of a child and causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child.

The trial continues.
The mother of gangster Reggie Kray's 'adopted son' has died suddenly after failing to attend her own trial for historical sex offences against two youths.

Kim Lane, 64, of Rawmarsh near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, had been charged with 15 offences of indecent assault and gross indecency dating back to between 1978 and 1980 in relation to two complainants, who were aged 12 and 14 at the time.

Recorder Gurdial Singh told Sheffield Crown Court that Ms Lane had failed to attend her scheduled trial on Monday and he was satisfied she had taken her life.

She was the mother of Brad Lane, who as a young boy developed a fascination with the Kray twins and became a pen pal of Reggie in prison.

In 1991, Brad, who was 12, reportedly changed his name to Kray by deed poll.

Ms Lane's son met the gangster regularly upon his release from prison and built up a collection of Kray memorabilia.

Reggie Kray died in his sleep in 2000 aged 67, five years after the death of his brother Ronnie. Ms Lane's son Brad died suddenly in 2008, after which his collection of memorabilia was sold at auction.

Kim Lane's son Brad with Reggie Kray. The two became pen pals during Kray's jail term and regularly saw each other after his release

Recorder Gurdial Singh told Sheffield Crown Court that Ms Lane had failed to attend her scheduled trial on Monday and police attended her address and found a body which - given the information he has received - he was satisfied was Ms Lane and that there were indications she had taken her life.

Nicola Quinney, prosecuting, said: 'The defendant did not attend court yesterday and there were concerns for her welfare so police attended and she was found unconscious at her home address and she had been taken to hospital.'

Ms Quinney added that Ms Lane subsequently died at hospital.

She also said she had two statements from neighbours outlining how Ms Lane had asked them to sign her last will and testament on Sunday, January 16.

Ms Quinney said: 'There is no real suggestion it is anybody other than Ms Lane with the body found at her address and the circumstances of what happened on Sunday.'

Recorder Singh confirmed Ms Lane was taken to hospital where she suffered a cardiac arrest and a doctor registered her life extinct at 2.45pm, on Monday, January 17.

He formally brought the legal proceedings concerning the charges which were denied by the defendant to an end.

The complainant in the case said: 'I'm absolutely devastated by the justice system.

'Twelve years ago I went to the police. Originally the CPS would not take the case because it was my word against hers.

'I was sitting in the court. The judge acknowledged the circumstances of her death. But there was no mention of the victim.

'I've had no justification, no closure. The police have been excellent with me throughout, but it feels like the justice system gives no consideration to the victim.'

Twin brothers and organised crime bosses Ronnie and Reggie Kray were London's most feared gangsters during the 1960s

She said the case was picked up again three years ago after she had seen something on television about historic sex abuse case, and got in touch with a special historic cases panel.

She said she did not believe Ms Lane had intended to kill herself, but thought she may have been hoping to get the case postponed.

The complainant said: 'I had waited 42 years for justice. Now there is no closure.'

Following today's hearing, Ms Lane's defence barrister Joy Merriam said police initially received a report against Ms Lane in 2010 which was not proceeded with but there was a further report in 2017.

She said: 'It has been hanging over her head for four years partly down to the pandemic and trials not going ahead and that she became mentally unfit to stand trial from September 2020 to December, 2021.'

Ms Merriam added: 'When these allegations are made in this case, and 40 years later, it comes as enormous shock and it's very difficult for those accused to find the evidence to defend themselves.'

She added that Ms Lane's position was made more difficult because of the delays surrounding her trial especially given her mental health problems.

Ms Merriam said Ms Lane had 'strenuously denied all allegations' against her and highlighted that delays in such cases create difficulties for both defendants and complainants.

A CPS spokesperson said: 'The CPS carefully reviewed all the evidence in this case and we were satisfied that there was sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction, and that it was in the public interest to prosecute. As the defendant has sadly died, the case has been stopped.'
A lesbian couple from Texas was tortured and shot dead before their bodies were dismembered and left in two garbage bags on streets in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez.

The women were identified as Nohemi Medina Martinez and Yulizsa Ramirez, both 28, of El Paso, according to the Chihuahua State Office of the Attorney General.

The bags containing their bodies were found about 17 miles apart from each other on a stretch of Juarez-El Porvenir Road Sunday morning.

One of the bodies was in the San Agustin neighborhood and the other was found at the entrance of the Jesus Carranza village.

Yulizsa Ramirez (left) and Nohemi Medina Martinez (right), both of El Paso, Texas, were found tortured and shot dead in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Sunday morning. The married couple were dismembered and their remains were discovered inside bags that were abandoned on a road

Family members last saw Yulizsa Ramirez (left) and Nohemi Medina Martinez (right) on Saturday before they disappeared

Mexican newspaper El Diario reported that they were visiting family members in Ciudad Juarez and they last saw the two Saturday.

It is unclear how long they had been in Mexico. The two were Mexican citizens but lived in Texas.

Chihuahua Committee for Sexual Diversity director Karen Arvizo confirmed to DailyMail.com that the couple were mothers to three children. They were married in 2021.

Arvizo fears that the murders of Medina Martinez and Ramirez could go unsolved like many other hate crime incidents across Mexico's LGBT community in the past.

'The concern is that authorities will absolutely do nothing,' Arvizo said. 'We feel like we are treated like second-class citizens and that we really don't matter.'

On Monday, Ciudad Juarez authorities found the bodies of two other women at an intersection in the Patria-Zaragoza neighborhood. They also had been tortured and shot. They have not been identified.

One of the victims was declared dead at the scene. The other died at a local hospital from a gunshot wound.

It's unknown if the four murders are connected.

Nohemi Medina Martinez (left) and Yulizsa Ramirez (right) were parents to three children

Recent crime stats reviewed by El Diario shows that at least 65 homicides have been reported so far this year in Ciudad Juarez, the most violent of Chihuahua's 67 municipalities. Eleven of the victims have been identified as women.

Data released by the Chihuahua State Office of the Attorney General showed that 1,424 of the 2,476 homicides that were registered in the state in 2021 took place in Ciudad Juarez, about an average of four per day.

In comparison, 2,715 killings were reported in 2020, including 1,507 in the border town.

Ciudad Juarez district attorney Jesus Carrasco attributes the majority of the homicides to smaller drug gangs like 'Los Mexicles,' 'Doble A,' 'Los Aztecas' and 'La Nueva Empresa.'

'We don't see the big cartels as active or active in the city, but we do see the gangs,' Carrasco said, as quoted by online news outlet La Verdad Juarez. 'We do see these groups or small cells that separated from the gangs, that generated new groups and there could be a series of conditions between them that could be generating these intentional deaths.'
Biden administration lawyers appeared in court on Wednesday to defend their use of a Trump-era immigration restriction that has led to more than a million migrants being expelled at the US-Mexico border.

The Biden administration says the use of Title 42 public health protections are essential to stem the entry of COVID-19 into the country.

But human rights campaigners argues it deprives arrivals of their right to claim asylum and offers no public health benefit when the coronavirus is already widespread.

'Issuing the title 42 role in order, [the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] applied its scientific expertise to address a once-in-a-century highly dynamic public health emergency involving emergent variants of COVID-19, rising transmission rates and strained healthcare resources, in particular at remote areas near the southwest border,' said Sharon Swingle, for the Department of Justice.

She said overturning Title 42 would mean holding migrants in facilities where COVID-19 could spread.

'They would have to be transported to border patrol stations or held at ports of entry facilities that are not designed or equipped to quarantine, isolate or treat COVID positive individuals, and they would be held for lengthy periods in these crowded and overcapacity facilities, posing a substantial risk of the spread of COVID 19,' she said.

In September, a federal court in Washington, DC, issued a injunction barring the Biden administration from using the measure to expel families.

Asylum-seeking migrants from Haiti walk near the border wall after crossing the Rio Bravo river to turn themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol agents to request asylum in El Paso, Texas

Critics have accused President Joe Biden of failing to make good on promises to reverse President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Campaigners will be in court on Wednesday as they continue their efforts to overturn the administration's use of Title 42, a public health measure that allows officers to expel migrants without hearing their asylum claims

However, that was overturned on appeal.

Campaigners returned to the appeals court on Wednesday to argue that they have documented thousands of murders, kidnappings, sexual assaults, and other forms of violence against expelled migrants.

'The Biden administration is bound by both domestic law (the Immigration and Nationality Act) and international law (the Refugee Convention, the Convention Against Torture, the International Bill of Human Rights) to allow refugees to seek safety at our border, rather than be expelled back to regions where they are at risk of persecution,' said Oxfam legal adviser Diana Kearney in a memo setting out the group's position.

'We are litigating alongside our partners to ensure that the US government adheres to these legal obligations.'

Title 42 was first applied to the pandemic by the Trump administration.

It allows border officials to swiftly return migrant adults and families to Mexico or their homelands without first screening them for asylum.

Its use during the pandemic has been highly controversial, and critics saw the fingerprints of Steven Miller - one of President Donald Trump's most senior advisers - and his anti-immigration instincts all over it.

At the time, the Associated Press reported that the White House had acted despite the advice of the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which said there was no evidence it would slow the coronavirus.

'We are back in court because the Biden administration has chosen to continue this brutal policy against families, despite the absence of any support from public health officials,' the ACLU's Lee Gelernt, lead attorney in the litigation, told CNN.

Public health experts have lined up in support of their action.

US Border Patrol agents monitor a section on the U.S.-Mexico border wall lear Otay Mesa, between San Diego and Tijuana

A record number of immigrants  legal and illegal  are living in the U.S. with 46.2 million foreign-born people in the country

Dr. Ron Waldman, an epidemiologist at the CDC for more than 20 years who is now president of Doctors of the World-USA said Title 42 had never been about public health.

'Despite President Bidens promises to end the harmful immigration practices of the previous administration, his administration, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has fully embraced, defended, and used this inhumane policy for a year now,' he said.

'They now own it, and the horrific human suffering it has inflicted.'

Critics say the Biden administration has failed to make good on its promises to overturn the most brutal of Trump's immigration policies.

At the same time, Biden is under pressure from the right.

Republicans accuse Biden's soft touch is causing a surge in migrant numbers arriving at the southern border.

Earlier this month, Customs and Border Protection released figures showing officers had encountered more than two million migrants at the border - a huge number, swollen in part by repeat arrivals who had already been turned away under Title 42.

In 2015, the number was about 527,000.

Republicans see a winning issue in November's midterms as they seek to recapture the House and the Senate.

And Sen. Ted Cruz recently said Republicans will be under 'enormous pressure' to impeach Biden if they take back the House of Representatives in this year's midterm elections.

On The Verdict With Ted Cruz, he accused Democrats of 'weaponizing' impeachment against twice-impeached former President Donald Trump.

Asked about whether his colleagues in the House will respond in kind, Cruz said: 'I do think there's a chance of that. Whether it's justified or not, Democrats weaponized impeachment.'
Tucker Carlson slammed liberal leaders for the rise in homelessness and crime across the US, claiming Seattle, San Francisco, New York City and other progressive cities have done little to mitigate the problem and actually reward being homeless.

On his show Tuesday night, the Fox host bashed woke leaders for allocating millions of dollars in housing for the homeless instead of focusing on treating mental health and substance abuse - issues saw homelessness rates rise by 15 per cent in 2020.

Carlson blamed the rise in homelessness and poor management of the city's homeless community for soaring homicide rates and most recently, the death of Brianna Kupfer, 24, who was stabbed to death by a Shawn Smith, 31, a suspected homeless man with a long rap sheet who was out on a $1,000 bond.

He also blamed them for the death of a 70-year-old ER nurse who was killed by a homeless man at a bus stop.

'What you're watching here is civilization collapsing in real-time,' Carlson said.

'A determined group of well-funded ideologues decided to make it easier to live on the streets in this country while doing drugs. Therefore, many more people now live on the streets while doing drugs.'

Tucker Carlson slammed liberal leaders on Tuesday night for policies that he claimed incentivized homelessness and have to led to crime and 'collapsing civilization.'

In 2020, Los Angeles saw its homeless population jump by 15 per cent to 63,706, despite the city's commitment of $440 million on housing and homelessness prevention programs

Brianna Kupfer, 24, (left) was stabbed to death in a random attack last Thursday while she was working alone in a luxury furniture store in Los Angeles. Police are looking for Shawn Smith, who they suspect is a homeless man

'At every intersection, there are beggars. It's what we used to imagine India was like, but this is not Calcutta. This is New York and San Francisco and Austin, Texas. So the question is what happened? And the short answer is: Our leaders did this. No matter what they tell you, homelessness is not an act of God. It's not the result of economic collapse in this country. America does not run out of housing.'

'Focusing our attention and our money on people who contribute nothing, who only detract from the project that is this country, don't help their communities or anybody's community, who hurt other people, who live solely for themselves, who are a danger to the rest of us, that's insane,' Carlson said.

He said his point was also emphasized by Kupfer's father, Todd, who told Fox: 'What's endemic in our society right now is that everybody seems to be oriented on giving back rides and bestowing favor on people that robbed others of their rights.

'We should be celebrating the good in people and trying to recognize that that's the job they have is to try to elevate that, to make communities better, to make people care more, to not tear down communities by exposing them to people thatre falling out the bottom that really don't care about the other human beings and just think they can do whatever they like in our society and they are doing it more and more in every community,' Todd said.

Carlos agreed and bashed LA leaders for spending about $440 million on housing and homelessness prevention programs in the last four years, including $160 million for new housing on Skid Row, all while the city still saw its homeless population jump in 2020 by nearly 15 per cent to 63,706.

Carlson said such projects did nothing to protect the likes of Sandra Shells, 70, an ER nurse, who was allegedly struck in the face without provocation by Kerry Bell, 48, a homeless man, as she waited for a bus to take her to work last Thursday in downtown LA, just hours apart from Kupfer's murder.

Shells succumbed to her injuries three days later. Bell, who had criminal histories in multiple states, was charged with murder.

'Bell was homeless. He was a victim. He was part of a protected class. And then he killed somebody,' Carlson said.

It included $160 million for housing units on Skid Row. Carlson claimed the spending was frivolous and did only incentivized people to continue being homeless

LA nurse Sandra Shells, 70, was attacked at random at a bus stop on Thursday. She died of her injuries three days later at the hospital where she worked

Skid Row was one of LA's most notorious homeless encampments. The city spent $160 million last year to house its nearly 5,000 homeless

The new housing apartments included bright white kitchens t0l allow people to cook within their own 380-sq ft studio units

Carlson said it was the same in New York City, where city's Department of Homeless Services received about $2 billion last year, yet the Big Apple has about 80,000 homeless people, a 2 per cent increase from the 78,604 recorded in 2019.

New York City has the largest homeless population in the US and has seen an uptick in crime in recent weeks following the policies of liberal District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

On Saturday, Simon Martial, 61, was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder for allegedly pushing Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, onto the subway tracks.

Martial, who has a lengthy criminal history, seemingly admitted to killing the subway rider when asked by a reporter if he did it, saying, 'Yes, because I'm God. Yes, I did it. I'm God. I can do it.'

Speaking to the New York Post on Monday, Martial's older sister, Josette Simon, from Georgia, argued that her brother belonged in a mental health facility and should have been kept off the streets.

The older sister of accused Times Square subway pusher Simon Martial, 61 (left), says her brother is mentally ill and has been in and out of hospitals. He is charged with murdering Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, right, by shoving her onto the subway tracks

Josette Simon said of her brother that he never should have been released from a mental hospital because he is schizophrenic

Last week, New York Police Department officers arrested Winston Glynn, a 30-year-old homeless man, for the murder of Kristal Byron-Nieves, 19, inside a NYC Burger King.

Despite his lengthy rap sheet and having a warrant out for his arrest for a previous attack, Glynn was never held in jail because hiss crime were 'not bail eligible.'

The Jamaican immigrant was being led out of the 25th Precinct stationhouse after being booked last Friday 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!'

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

Glynn faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon

Carlson noted that things in America took a turn when the lawyers at Latham & Watkins, an LA-based law firm with offices across the nation, represented Basil Humphrey, one of six homeless men who sued the city of Boise, Idaho, in 2009.

Boise had set up anti-camping laws that Humphrey and six other homeless men opposed, with the case reaching the Ninth Court of Appeals.

In 2018, the court declared the city could not enforce their law if they do not have enough beds available for their homeless population, thus setting the precedent that cities must provide public housing for its homeless.

Latham & Watkins did not immediately reply to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

'At the same time, politicians suddenly had access to a massive new source of cash,' Carlson said. 'Taxpayer money, many billions in taxpayer money, for something called homelessness prevention.'

Carlson also took aim at the homeless encampments in Seattle, New York, San Francisco, and Austin, all cities that have also spent millions of dollars in previous years trying to combat the issue.

In October, Seattle committed $48 million to build 165 apartments to house some of it's 12,000 homeless people in October. Seattle City Council and then-Mayor Jenny Durkan signed a joint proposal that included $28.5 million from the city's COVID relief funds.

Jenny Durkan, then mayor of Seattle purchased three buildings where 165 apartments will be constructed for homeless people

An eight-story building - 225 Harvard Avenue - has been purchased for $21 million, and will provide 71 homes for adults. The city spent a total of $48 million for new apartments

Durkan called the city's homeless problem a 'housing crisis,' but Carlson said it wasn't fair for homeless people to live in an apartment overseeing the Space Needle and Puget Sound while others in the city struggle.

'At the same time it was giving overpriced condos to drug addicts with stunning views of Puget Sound, Seattle allocated just $10 million total for its Small Business Stabilization Fund, designed to keep family businesses from going bankrupt during the COVID lockdowns,' Carlson said.

'So the city's priorities could not be clearer than that. You lavished money on the least productive, most antisocial parasites in our society, and then you punish Americans who work for a living.'

Seattle's homeless population had grown form around 11,000 in 2020 to 12,000 in 2021, when the city built the new housing units.

The same was seen in San Francisco, which has spent $667 million on its Department of Homeless and Supportive Housing. The city recorded about 8,000 homeless people in 2021, a 17 per cent increase from the last count in 2017.

In Austin, Texas, the city allocated $68 million last year for homelessness assistance, with Carlson noting that it only spent $3.5 million in new loans for small businesses.

'The problem they were trying to solve? Well, to no one's surprise, it has grown by 10 percent in just two years,' Carlson said.

'You get what you pay for. When you pay for homelessness, you get a lot more of it.'

Austin saw its homeless population grow from 3,024 in 2019 to nearly 3,200 in 2020.

New York City continues to have the highest homeless population in the nation

Carlson ultimately claimed that it was this overspending on homeless prevention programs that was incentivizing a rise in homelessness.

'Politicians are making it much easier to be a homeless drug addict in the United States, and much harder to be a law-abiding member of the middle class.'

'What's the effect? Well, let's see. The middle class is dying, and we now have record numbers of drug-addicted vagrants.'
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Orthodox Christians across Europe have been taking the traditional plunge into freezing waters today for the annual Epiphany celebrations.

Despite air temperatures plunging below zero in some areas of Russia and eastern Europe at this time of year, many people still took part in the annual religious celebration.

Some people took the plunge into the icy waters on their own, while others took part in the celebration in groups as they remembered the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan..

In some areas authorities cut holes into ice on lakes and rivers and constructed wooden steps to allow easy access to the chilly waters.

A woman tentatively enters the chilly waters to celebrate the Epiphany in Lviv, Ukraine, today. People believe that water blessed for the annual ceremony possesses special healing properties

Orthodox Christians have been braving freezing temperatures today to take traditional plunges into icy waters as part of the annual Epiphany celebrations. Pictured: A woman in a bikini bathes in the water in a hole cut through the ice in the Kyiv sea in Vyshgorod, Ukraine

With water cascading around him, this Orthodox Christian bursts through the surface of the water in a pond in Moscow, Russia, earlier today

An underwater photo captures the traditional dip that Orthodox Christians undergo each year to celebrate the Epiphany

A woman is dragged from an ice hole in the Kyiv sea in Vyshgorod near Kyiv, Ukraine, earlier today after having plunged beneath the water's surface

A Ukrainian Orthodox Christian lets out a gasp as he makes his way through the freezing waters of the Dnipro river in Kyiv, Ukraine

A woman is seen entering the freezing waters in Shcherbakov Park in Donetsk, Ukraine, earlier today to celebrate the Epiphany

A close-up photo shows a Russian Orthodox believer taking a dip beneath the icy water in St Petersburg earlier today - his cheeks are puffed out as he holds his breath

A woman in Lviv, Ukraine, holds onto two chopped tree trunks for support as she attempts to enter a freezing body of water to take part in the traditional Orthodox Christian celebration

In Ukraine, soldiers were seen taking turns dipping into a frozen pond - in which a cross shape had been cut out to allow the celebration to go ahead.

And in Serbia, a whole group of Orthodox Christians swam in the Danube River to mark the Epiphany.

The tradition in recent years has been embraced by politicians and diplomats, with President Vladimir Putin known to have taken part in previous years.

Last year, the Russian president defied rumours about the state of his health by taking a dip in icy waters near Moscow.

Taking the plunge: A woman takes a bath in cold water during the celebration of Epiphany in Lviv, Ukraine

One step at a time: A woman climbs out of the water after plunging in for the celebration of Epiphany in Lviv, Ukraine

People believe that water has special healing properties and can be used to treat various diseases, and many of them take ice baths as part of its celebration. Pictured: A worshipper in the water in Lviv, Ukraine

A huge group of Lithuanian Orthodox Christians in swimming outfits splash around in a lake near Vilnius, earlier today as they take part in the Epiphany celebrations

The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine Onufry (centre) is seen blessing a body of water in Kiev, Ukraine earlier today ahead of the annual Epiphany celebrations

A woman in a yellow bikini braces herself as she takes a plunge into chilly waters at Ste George Church in Alchevsk, in the Lugansk region of Ukraine, earlier today

A man is seen closing his eyes as water pours over his face and shoulders after emerging from the icy waters in Alchevsk, Ukraine earlier today

A woman is seen taking a dip in an ice hole near St Petersburg, Russia, earlier today as a crowd of people watch from orange behind barriers

A boy is seen gasping for air while he clutches onto a man as the pair emerge from the waters of the Moraca River in Podgorica, Montenegro earlier today

During the early hours of this morning, a woman can be seen receiving a helping hand out of the freezing waters in Domodedovo, Moscow region, Russia

A Serbian Orthodox believer carries a wooden cross as he swims in the cold waters of Lake Vlasina earlier today to take part in the Epiphany celebrations

An Orthodox priest is seen blessing the water during the celebration of the Epiphany at the St george Church in Alchevsk, Ukraine, earlier today

The 68-year-old looked fit and healthy in tight blue swimming trunks as he dunked in a pool, repeatedly crossing himself.

Video showed Putin getting into a cross-shaped pool to carry out the rite opposite an imposing cross made from ice.

'This is a tradition. He doesn't betray traditions,' spokesman Dmitry Peskov said speaking at the time, referring to the centuries-old practice among Russian Orthodox Christians of cutting holes to immerse themselves in icy lakes and rivers on the day Jesus Christ was baptised in the River Jordan.

In Eastern Christianity, the feast of Epiphany commemorates the Baptism of Jesus.

A group of men in Vlasina, Serbia, are seen standing together in a line as they prepare to enter the waters of Lake Vlasina to take part in the traditional celebration

A priest dips a holy cross into the freezing pool at the Svarzhyn Yar spring earlier today during the annual traditional Epiphany celebration in Kharkiv, Ukraine

Three individuals take an Orthodox priest into the middle of Lake Vlasina during the Epiphany celebrations earlier today

A man kisses a small wooden cross at St George Spring at the foot of Mount Ai-Georgy in Sudak, Crimea, earlier this morning

A Russian Orthodox Christian flicks his hair back and forth as he emerges from the freezing water in Kronstadt Naval Base outside St Petersburg, Russia today

A whole group of Serbian Orthodox faithfuls are seen gathered together before jumping into the Danube River near Belgrade to swim as part of their Epiphany celebrations

With a Russian naval ship looming in the background, this Orthodox Christian slicks back his hair with his hands after having submerged beneath the chilly waters

A woman in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don covers her eyes as she takes a dip into the water as part of the Epiphany celebrations

With a large crowd of onlookers, a man emerges from an ice hole in a frozen reservoir in Karlivka, Ukraine, earlier today

A Ukrainian soldier is seen bathing in a frozen pond earlier today to celebrate the baptism of Jesus - an annual tradition for Orthodox Christians

The religious holiday of Epiphany is also celebrated in some Western Christian churches as Three Kings Day, which marks the visit of the Magi, or three wise men, to the baby Jesus and closes out the Christmas season.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the holiday according to the Julian calendar.

Although some countries celebrate Epiphany on January 6, in the tradition of the Orthodox Church it is marked each year on January 19 - the day that Jesus was said to have been baptised into the faith.

Orthodox Christians take dips in water outside to mark the occasion and celebrate the baptism.

In order for custom to take place in Russia and elsewhere in Eastern Europe where the ground is frozen, holes need to be cut in the ice in advance.

A group of Orthodox faithfuls can be seen as they braced the elements and swam through sub-zero temperature waters

Receiving a helping hand from a thermal-wearing supervisor, this women emerges from an ice hole near the Peter and Paul Fortress in St Petersburg, Russia, earlier today

Holding his nose, this man takes the plunge beneath the icy waves in a frozen lake near the village of Pokrovka in Kyrgyzstan earlier today

A woman holds a hand rail as she emerges from the chilly waters in Kyrgyzstan after having taken part in the annual Epiphany celebrations

Two Russian women are seen taking part in the annual dip beneath the frozen waters earlier this morning in the Khanty-Mansi area of Russia

An Orthodox priest holds a golden cross down into the water of the Kara-Balta river near the village of Sosnovka, Russia
A poignant final farewell has been paid to a hero D-Day paratrooper who fought in the Battle of Normandy following his death aged 97.

Harry Read was just 20-years-old when he was dropped behind enemy lines from a Dakota aircraft in the early hours of June 6, 1944.

He jumped through a torrent of enemy shell and gunfire and looked on from above as another Allied plane crashed into a ball of flames, killing all the men on board.

Due to poor navigation, many of the paratroopers like Mr Read landed in flooded fields.

Some were then dragged down by their heavy gear and drowned.

Mr Read, a Royal Corps of Signals wireless operator, was part of the 6th Airborne Division.

The regiment had the job and seizing and holding the famous Pegasus Bridge on D-Day.

The bridge was vital to the success of the Normandy invasion because it provided an exit to the thousands of troops landing at nearby Sword Beach.

Mr Read set up wireless communications close to the bridge and helped stop German Panzer tanks and reinforcements from reaching the area in the days and weeks afterwards.

A poignant final farewell has been paid to a hero D-Day paratrooper who fought in the Battle of Normandy following his death aged 97. Harry Read was just 20-years-old when he was dropped behind enemy lines from a Dakota aircraft in the early hours of June 6, 1944. Above: Mr Read posing with his medals, including France's Legion D'Honneur, and right during the war

Mr Read, a commissioner in the Salvation Army, was awarded the prestigious Legion D'Honneur in 2016 by the French government for his role in liberating the country from the Nazis.

The great-great grandfather of three, who did a 10,000ft charity tandem skydive with the Red Devils Display Team in 2019 to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, died last month at his home in Bournemouth, Dorset after a short illness.

Dozens of family members, friends, Parachute Regimental Association and Salvation Army members gathered to pay their respects at Bournemouth Crematorium on Monday.

His son John Reed, 70, a retired Salvation Army commissioner, said: 'Harry was immensely proud of his family and took great delight in each one of them from the oldest to the youngest.

'We were extremely proud of his achievements and loved him dearly.

'Most of all we are proud that he was a man who was devoted to the service of others.

'As a young man this was his motivation when he served in Normandy as a paratrooper.

Dozens of family members, friends, Parachute Regimental Association and Salvation Army members gathered to pay their respects at Bournemouth Crematorium on Monday. Above: Members of the Salvation Army next to Mr Read's coffin

During D-Day, Mr Read (pictured centre with his comrades) jumped through a torrent of enemy shell and gunfire and looked on from above as another Allied plane crashed into a ball of flames, killing all the men on board

'It continued through his life of service as a Salvation Army Officer and it was his motivation when at the age of 95 he returned to the skies to jump once again.'

Mr Read recalled his D-Day experience after receiving the Legion D'Honneur: 'In that first hour of D-Day, as our Dakota aircraft took us steadily, inevitably, towards the French coast, on the word of command we stood in line and prepared to jump.

'As we did so we flew into the most magnificent fireworks display imaginable, except of course they were not fireworks but shells and tracer bullets.

'Keeping our feet in a wildly bucking aircraft was no easy exercise but the red warning light was on, then came the green light and we shuffled unsteadily down the plane to the exit where, in turn, and aided by a burly dispatcher, we leapt out into the night air to whatever awaited us.

'We were on time but, having landed, we knew we were in the wrong place because we splashed down in an area deliberately flooded to make life difficult for paratroops.

'Many of our men drowned there, but for those who survived we faced the hazards of linking with our units.

'It was a challenging experience but all part of the liberation, firstly of France... and then, one by one, other countries which had also been conquered.'

Two years after the war ended Mr Read left the British Army to join the Salvation Army. Mr Read was awarded the prestigious Legion D'Honneur in 2016 by the French government for his role in liberating the country from the Nazis. Above: Mr Read in his Salvation Army uniform, and posing with the Legion D'Honneur

For the next two months the 6th Airborne Division remained in static positions, holding the left flank of the Allied bridgehead and conducting vigorous patrolling.

On the night of August 16, they advanced against stiff German opposition until reaching its objective at the mouth of the River Seine on the 26 August, in nine days of fighting they advanced 45 miles.

The division was withdrawn from the frontline at the end of the month and Mr Read returned to England on September 7.

Two years after the war ended Mr Read left the British Army to join the Salvation Army.

He worked for the charity throughout his career and attained the rank of commissioner, the second highest position attainable by officers within the organisation.

He had two children, John and Margaret, with wife Winifred, who died in 2007, as well as four grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

The great-great grandfather of three, who did a 10,000ft charity tandem skydive with the Red Devils Display Team in 2019 to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, died last month at his home after a short illness in Bournemouth, Dorset

Mr Read had two children, John and Margaret, with wife Winifred, who died in 2007, as well as four grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Above: Pallbearers wait to receive the veteran's coffin

Members of the armed forces carry Mr Read's coffin into Bournemouth Crematorium on Monday

His son John Reed, 70, a retired Salvation Army commissioner, said: 'Harry was immensely proud of his family and took great delight in each one of them from the oldest to the youngest'

Soldiers at Mr Read's funeral. Members of the public also paid their respects to Mr Read on social media

Mr Read's coffin was carried into Bournemouth Crematorium before a service in which family members and comrades paid tribute. Right: Military trumpeters are seen playing their instruments at the funeral

Also paying tribute, Corporal Mike French, Harry's parachuting partner with the Red Devils, said: 'We're quite close as an airborne brotherhood so for us to say goodbye to one of our brothers is always very dear to us.'

Matthew Horan, who served as a signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals, added: 'During the Normandy landings Harry was very important because he jumped in with the radios which would have enabled those behind enemy lines to communicate and enable the landings to go ahead.

'It's absolutely fantastic to be able to pay our respects, he was a real character and he was a very humble man.'

Commissioner Anthony Cotterill, leader of the Salvation Army, said: 'The Salvation Army and its worldwide ministry have been enriched beyond words by the remarkable service of Commissioner Harry Read.

'A bold, caring and innovative leader who challenged us all to be brave and to dare greater things for Jesus Christ.

'His legacy of poems and songs is a treasure trove of inspiration and insight that will continue to help us in the days ahead.'

Members of the public also paid their respects to Mr Read on social media.

Denise Anne Tams said: 'God bless you Sir. Rest in eternal peace.'

William Phillips added: 'Rip hero safe landing on your last.'

Harry died on December 15.
Salt is used to kill harmful bacteria in the cheesemaking process

Cuts could make it impossible to produce varieties of 'blue' cheeses and Stilton

Cheesemakers have warned the Government its plans to cut salt in food could make it impossible to produce a variety of British cheeses.

Food companies are being set targets to reduce salt content in products because of 'unhealthy' levels in some supermarket items and meals.

But protestors say it will damage the UK's artisan cheese producers because certain levels of salt are essential to churn out classic 'blue' cheeses as well as Stilton.

Salt is also used to kill harmful bacteria in the cheesemaking process - on top of producing a good taste.

Protestors say cutting salt in cheese production will damage the UK's artisan cheese producers because certain levels of salt are essential to churn out classic 'blue' cheeses as well as Stilton

Groups including Dairy UK said the use of certain levels of salt in cheese-making is an 'integral aspect' rather than a 'part of a recipe which could be adapted'.

They warn new regulations could put British cheese-makers at a disadvantage and even push shoppers to buy more foreign varieties.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, has joined the protests. He said: 'I should like to know how many people health officials believe have died from salt overdose as a result of eating too much Stilton.'

He also claimed health campaigners were choosing the wrong target 'and could end up inflicting serious damage on the flourishing craft cheese sector'.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, part of the Department for Health, said it wants to see salt levels in Stilton and other blue cheeses lowered from an 'unhealthy' average of 2.1 per cent to 1.8 per cent by 2024 and has launched a consultation with the industry.

Groups including Dairy UK said the use of certain levels of salt in cheese-making is an 'integral aspect' rather than a 'part of a recipe which could be adapted'

But the proposal has brought an immediate reaction from cheese makers who say reducing the salt content will impair the keeping quality of their products and make it all but impossible to manufacture them.

They have won support from trade body Dairy UK which is calling on MPs of all parties to press for a derogation to allow the current salt levels to be maintained.

In a letter to MPs, Dr Judith Bryans, CEO of Dairy UK, warned 'The dairy sector understands why Public Health England (now incorporated in the newly formed Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) wants to take action to reduce excessive salt intake.

'However, we would urge that health policy in the UK is effective and proportionate in reaching its goal.

'These salt reduction measures unfairly target and put pressure on some of the nation's much loved cheeses, and would see Britain at a huge competitive disadvantage with other European and international cheesemakers whose products would not be subject to the same rules.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, has joined the protests. He said: 'I should like to know how many people health officials believe have died from salt overdose as a result of eating too much Stilton'

'Not only this but a continued reduction in the levels of salt will lead to serious concerns over the safety and the quality of cheeses, given salt's central role in preventing the growth of harmful organisms and in developing defining cheese characteristics, such as flavour, texture, colour and crust.

'The cheese sector has already made great strides in reducing the salt content of its products, but salt continues to play a fundamental role in the cheesemaking process after hundreds of years, for sound technical and safety reasons, as well as taste.

'It is right that public health measures to reduce salt content focus on discretionary and nutrient poor foods, but they should not endanger nutritious and traditional foods such a blue cheese. '

The group wants the Government to recognise that Blue Stilton - which holds a Certified Trademark and a Protected Designation of Origin - should be 'excluded from salt reduction measures in light of the stringent conditions manufacturers have to follow in order to make and sell this cheese'.

'If this is not an option, keep the salt target at two per cent for the blue cheese category, in recognition of the vital role salt plays in cheesemaking and in providing safe and quality cheeses.'

Mr Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said the proposal was yet another 'unwarranted intrusion by public health busybodies'.

'Stilton is a legally protected food product and the use of a certain amount of salt is essential to its manufacture.

'The craft cheese sector has really taken off in the last 20 years or so and we now have a range of artisan British cheeses that is the envy of the world.

'Stilton is a niche product which appeals to connoisseurs and which is generally eaten in small quantities.'

He said OHID's announcement was yet another example of Government picking on the wrong target, singling out a successful craft food sector when the real heath risk to the nation continues to come from industrial food production.

'It's utter lunacy to try to interfere in the production of a long-established traditional product while doing nothing about the huge tonnages of fat, sugar and salt-laden processed foods which are finding their way on to the market on a daily basis.

'If you examine the ingredients in some of these products it becomes quite clear why we have a national problem with obesity, heart disease and diabetes which is piling up such monumental costs for the NHS.

'This is the area where the Government should be directing its healthier eating campaign, not at a sector which is successfully producing and promoting traditional foods which have been enjoyed safely for years - and in Stilton's case since the 17th century.'
Police are hunting a sex attacker who struck twice within two days targeting schoolgirls - sparking fears he could offend again.

Two girls were sexually assaulted within a day of each other in the Greenwich borough of south east London last week.

A 16-year-old in school uniform was sexually assaulted in Thamesmead at 5.30pm on Wednesday, January 12.

The next day, a 17-year-old was followed off a 422 bus around 7.45pm and sexually assaulted just three miles away in nearby Woolwich town centre.

Enquiries have led the Met Police to link the two attacks and believe they were carried out by the same suspect.

Fears for women's safety in Greenwich are already heightened following the murders of teacher Sabina Nessa, 28, last year, and Khloemay Loy, 23, in 2020.

Greenwich council leader Dan Thorpe tweeted: 'We've unfortunately had two linked incidents of sexual assault in Royal Greenwich over the past few days.

Safer Schools Sergeant Geoff Warren, of the South East BCU, offered safety advice in a letter so parents and guardians can 'take reasonable measures to ensure our children are safe'.

He said: 'If you feel uncomfortable by someone's actions do not hesitate to call 999 on your mobile. You will not be wasting our time and we will take your call seriously.

'Where possible, keep to busy, well-lit areas.

'I would like to say again that I do not intend to cause any unnecessary worry and that incidents like this are rare.

'We are taking the matter extremely seriously and there will be an increased police presence in the area.'

Greenwich Council said it was 'truly appalled' by the incidents and is 'working closely with the police to do everything in our power to bring the perpetrator to justice'.

It added in a statement: 'Thanks to the bravery of the victims, who managed to get away and later contacted the authorities, we have an idea of what the perpetrator looks like.'

Both girls described their attacker as being a slim man, aged between 18 and 28-years-old, with short, dark hair.

Council leader Dan Thorpe tweeted: 'We've unfortunately had two linked incidents of sexual assault in Royal Greenwich over the past few days.

'We're asking everyone to be vigilant and let Met Police Greenwich know immediately of any concerns.'

It comes after a council survey surrounding safety of women and girls in public places was launched in Greenwich. The council took the action in December, reacting to local concerns following the murders of Sabina Nessa and Khloemae Loy in the borough last year.

Anyone with information that could help the 'thorough investigation' into locating and arresting the sex attack suspect should contact police.
A Delta airlines aircraft on approach to land at LaGuardia Airport passes telecommunications antennae on a rooftop in the Queens borough of New York, Jan. 18. EPA-Yonhap



AT&T and Verizon will delay launching new wireless services near key airports after the nation's largest airlines said they would interfere with aircraft technology and cause widespread flight disruptions.



The decision from the companies came Tuesday as the Biden administration intervened to try and broker a settlement between the telecoms and airlines over the rollout of new 5G services.



The companies said they would launch 5G or fifth-generation services, Wednesday, but would delay turning on cell towers within a 2-mile radius of runways designated by federal officials. They did not say how long they would keep those towers idle.



President Joe Biden said the decision by AT&T and Verizon ''will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled.'' He said the administration will keep working on a permanent solution.



Even with the concession by the telecommunications companies, federal officials said there could be some cancellations and delays because of limitations of equipment on certain planes. Delta Air Lines also said there could be issues with flights operating in bad weather because of airport restrictions that regulators issued last week, when the 5G rollout appeared to be on schedule.



The new high-speed wireless service uses a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to that used by altimeters, which are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground. Altimeters are used to help pilots land when visibility is poor, and they link to other systems on planes.





A passenger uses a laptop aboard a commercial airline flight from Boston to Atlanta, July 1, 2017. The airline industry is raising the stakes in a showdown with AT&T and Verizon over the telecom companies' plan to launch new 5G wireless services this week, warning that thousands of flights could be grounded or delayed if the rollout took place near major airports. AP-Yonhap
A pet owner has revealed that her dog was left 'lifeless' and 'limp' after a walk by a canal, amid a spate of dogs falling ill with a mystery big in recent days.

Nicola Jane, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, walked her six-month-old Lurcher along Hunslet canal when he became extremely poorly a few hours later.

The dog was left fighting an infection in his body for five days following the walk, which nearly killed him.

Nicola had also been walking a friend's dog at the time who also became ill, though it managed to recover within a day.

She said that both dogs started showing symptoms within four hours of the walk and 'seemed off'.

It comes amid reports of hundreds of dogs experiencing similar symptoms, sparking warnings from vets to avoid coastal walks.

Cases of dogs falling ill have been reported at Hayling Island beach and Langstone Harbour in Hampshire, Fraisthorpe Beach in East Riding, Bridlington and Redcar beach.

A woman's dog was left 'lifeless' and 'limp' after a walk by Hunslet canal in West Yorkshire last week

Louisa Moss was 'terrified' when her eight month old Staffordshire bull terrier Nalu picked up a severe infection and became so ill it had to be put on a ventilator

David Arthur's 13-month-old dog Odin went swimming every day at Hayling Island beach near Portsmouth, Hampshire, but had to be put to sleep after developing a lung infection

Ashley Brown-Bolton said she took her nine-month-old beagle spaniel Copper to Fraisthorpe Beach in the East Riding area on Sunday, and he started vomiting on Monday

Cases of dogs falling ill have been reported at Hayling Island beach and Langstone Harbour in Hampshire, Fraisthorpe Beach in East Riding, Bridlington and Redcar beach

Speaking about her lurcher's battle with the mystery illness, Nicola said: 'On day 3 he started to perk up, I thought the worst of it must be over and he was getting better like my friends dog.

'I was still concerned but his food started staying down so I thought he must have been on the mend.

Nicola had read the stories online about what was going on at the Yorkshire coasts.

She added: 'I woke up around 3am on night four, and just thought I was losing him. I thought he was dead, he was shaking and being sick, he was limp in my arms I thought he wasn't coming back from this.

'At that point in the night I took him to the emergency vet, I was really shocked with the numbers that were there. I was terrified.'

The vet carried out blood tests and kept the overnight for monitoring on IV fluids.

Nicola added: 'He is a mess, he is like a skeleton he is that skinny. He lost that much weight. There was nothing on him, no life, he was limp, I thought he was gone, I thought I was losing him.'

She claimed the vets told her it was a virus that is spreading, originally from beaches. It has now apparently spread due to people going to beaches then back to cities.

Nicola also said the vets said it's best to avoid the popular dog waking areas at the moment, as it's spreading from dog to dog very quickly.

She said: 'It's strange, it's kind of the same impact as covid, some dogs are handling it better, I have seen the difference firsthand between the two dogs.'

Relatives of Nicola have also had their dogs admitted to the vets, some for 3 days.

It comes after a dog owner told how his 'fit and strong' one-year-old Great Dane died after he developed a lung infection from swimming in 'polluted' sea water.

Miniature dachshund Honey (pictured) fell ill and stayed at a vet's for three nights after developing haemorrhagic gastroenteritis

Jo Owen Blb said she takes her two male dogs to the beach between three and four times a week, but both have fallen ill. German Shepherd Oscar (pictured), has not recovered more than a week later

David Arthur's 13-month-old dog Odin went swimming every day at Hayling Island beach near Portsmouth, Hampshire, but had to be put to sleep after developing a lung infection.

Mr Arthur, 59, from Cowplain, had already spent 6,000 on treating Odin but vets said the dog's lungs were too badly damaged from pneumonia, with vets pointing to the sea as a likely cause of infection.

Another dog owner was left with a 12,000 vet bill after her Staffordshire bull terrier swam in polluted sea water and became ill.

Nalu, who is eight months old, picked up a severe infection when swimming at Langstone Harbour in Hayling Island, leaving her owner Louisa Moss, 47, 'terrified.'

The dog became so ill that it had to be put on a ventilator and was struggling to breathe, with only a quarter of one of her lungs working and her owners were told she might die.

She spent six days at a veterinary specialist referral centre called Lumbry Park in Alton with aspirational pneumonia and E.coli and her owners were not allowed to visit her.

Dog owner Cath Baggins said her cocker spaniel puppy Roo spent six days in a vets after visiting Bridlington

Mrs Moss said: 'We believe it came from her swimming in the sea, because we live near Langstone Harbour, we used to walk down there with her and take her into the water to get her used to the water because we have a boat and wanted her to come on it with us.

'We ended up with a bill of about 12,000 because the vets told us she wouldn't make it if she stayed with them because they didn't have the equipment. It was so traumatic. I was in tears every single day, it was one of the worst experiences of my life.'

Veterinary nurse Brogan Proud, who runs Yorkshire Coast Pet Care, warned dog walkers to avoid the beaches after noticing a 'high increase' in pets suffering with diarrhoea and vomiting.

Her post sparked hundreds of Facebook posts from concerned and confused owners, reporting how their beloved pets have been struck down in recent days with 'brutal' symptoms including 'severe sickness and diarrhoea'.

The British Veterinary Association has said it is aware of reports, but added there is currently no evidence linking walks on the beach to the bug.

The exact cause of the illnesses remains unclear, though owners have speculated that the mystery illness could be a viral infection passed between dogs.

Ashley Brown-Bolton said she took her nine-month-old beagle spaniel Copper to Fraisthorpe Beach in the East Riding area on Sunday, and he started vomiting on Monday.

She said the dog suffered diarrhoea and was unable to keep water for 24 hours and she took him to the vets on Tuesday.

She said: 'The ones who know him know he's normally very lively & always wanting to play so for him to be very sleepy & just not interested isn't like him at all.'
British Airways is among the airlines which cancelled US flights over fears the 5G rollout could impact navigation systems onboard some incoming planes.

The action is in response to fears that the activation of the C-band strand of the mobile phone service near American airports on Wednesday could disrupt planes' navigation systems.

Boeing 777s are thought to be particularly at risk of being affected.

The rollout has gone ahead with 4,500 towers across the country but 500 towers that are near 88 unspecified airports are not being turned on due to fears the frequencies they emit could interfere with aircraft radar technology.

The pause on those towers was only decided yesterday afternoon - by which point some international airlines had cancelled flights using Boeing 777 aircraft.

The introduction of the technology has been halted in some parts of the US but is going ahead elsewhere.

British Airways is among the airlines cancelling US flights over fears the 5G rollout could impact navigation systems onboard some incoming planes. Pictured: British Airways planes

The issue has caused travel chaos at airports with cancelations, staff shortages and a lack of the right planes in the right place at the right time leading to mass disruption.

British Airways cancelled a handful of flights from Heathrow to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco on Wednesday.

The airline said in a statement: 'Safety is always our priority and although we had to cancel a handful of services, weve done everything we can to minimise inconvenience for our customers. Weve changed the aircraft operating some of our flights and rebooked those on cancelled services onto alternatives.

'Were disappointed that, like other airlines, some of our customers' travel plans have been disrupted.'

The carrier said some flights due to be operated by Boeing 777s are using different, larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 to ensure people can still fly on the same day they booked.

Other airlines have made many more cancellations.

This graphic shows how the wireless spectrum used by 5G networks could interfere with altimeters, which measure a plane's altitude and is especially important for low-visibility ops

Emirates suspended all its flights to nine US airports on Wednesday 'until further notice'.

The Dubai-based carrier told customers the measure was 'due to operational concerns associated with the planned deployment of 5G mobile network services in the US at certain airports'.

It added: 'Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused. We are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and the relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns, and we hope to resume our US services as soon as possible.'

What are US airlines worried about and could British planes be affected? The debate about whether 5G has the potential to interfere with crucial aeroplane instruments is intense and unresolved. What are the airlines worried about? Airlines are concerned that the new 5G network could affect aircraft instruments including altimeters, which measure a plane's distance from the ground. This is because both the new 5G network and the altimeters will operate at a similar wavelength. What are the networks saying? AT&T and Verizon say there is no evidence their new network will interfere with aircraft operating systems. They have previously delayed the rollout to allow for more research to take place. What is the view in the UK and Europe? 5G is not seen as a problem for aircraft in Britain or Europe, according to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Ofcom and EU Aviation Safety Authority. All three insist there is no evidence 5G interferes with aircraft systems. 5G in Europe is on a different wavelength, which is seen as less likely to affect planes than the one used in America. Advertisement

Other airlines to cancel flights include Air India, Japan-based ANA, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air.

Virgin Atlantic, which does not operate Boeing 777s, said it has not made any cancellations or aircraft type changes.

The concern over 5G in the US relates to its potential effect on aircraft altimeters, which measure altitude.

This does not have an impact on UK airports because the US uses a different frequency for 5G.

It comes as sources told Reuters that US network provider Verizon said it will temporarily not turn on about 500 towers near airports while the carriers and the US Government work on a permanent solution.

But details of the agreement, including the length of the pause for the rollout and a solution, were not disclosed.

Passengers and airlines are bracing for further delays and cancellations as the travel chaos shows no sign of stopping.

Scores of people have now been left stranded at airports, with many complaining on social media about their flights being cancelled due to the 5G rollout.

One passenger, identified as Siddhartha on Twitter, complained that he and other passengers were 'not happy' that their Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco had been cancelled.

Travelers were seen crowded together at Indira Gandhi International Airport as they waited for more news.

Another passenger, identified as Kausi on Twitter, was left frustrated after they were told their Emirates flight to Chicago had been cancelled as soon as she landed in Dubai.

Kausi complained that she and other passengers were not left 'stuck' in airports.

A major issue for airlines has been their use of the Boeing 777 model, a long-range, wide-body aircraft, which is said to be particularly affected by the 5G signals.

It has prompted cancellations and a mad dash to change the aircrafts.

British Airways opted to switch aircraft on its daily flight to Los Angeles and will now use an Airbus A380, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Germany's Lufthansa also swapped out one kind of 747 for another on some US-bound flights.

Check in desks for BA are empty at Terminal 7 at JFK Airport, Queens, New York on January 19

The evolution of mobile broadband up to 5G The evolution of the G system started in 1980 with the invention of the mobile phone which allowed for analogue data to be transmitted via phone calls. Digital came into play in 1991 with 2G and SMS and MMS capabilities were launched. Since then, the capabilities and carrying capacity for the mobile network has increased massively. More data can be transferred from one point to another via the mobile network quicker than ever. 5G is expected to be 100 times faster than the currently used 4G. Whilst the jump from 3G to 4G was most beneficial for mobile browsing and working, the step to 5G will be so fast they become almost real-time. That means mobile operations will be just as fast as office-based internet connections. Potential uses for 5g include: Simultaneous translation of several languages in a party conference call

Self-driving cars can stream movies, music and navigation information from the cloud

A full length 8GB film can be downloaded in six seconds. 5G is expected to be so quick and efficient it is possible it could start the end of wired connections. By the end of 2020, industry estimates claim 50 billion devices will be connected to 5G. Advertisement

Industry sources said Boeing had issued technical advisories noting potential interference, but that flight restrictions were in the hands of the FAA, which has for now limited operations at key airports unless airlines qualify for special approvals.

A spokesman for Boeing had no immediate comment.

Similar 5G mobile networks have been deployed in dozens of other countries - sometimes with concessions like reducing the power of the networks near airports, as France has done.

But in the US, the issue has pitted the Federal Aviation Administration and the airlines against the Federal Communications Commission and the telecoms companies.

The 5G service uses a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to that used by radio altimeters, which are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground and help pilots land in low visibility.

The FCC, which set a buffer between the 5G band and the spectrum that planes use, determined that it could be used safely in the vicinity of air traffic.

AT&T and Verizon have said their equipment will not interfere with aircraft electronics.

But FAA officials saw a potential problem, and the telecom companies agreed to a pause while it is addressed.

AT&T and Verizon on Tuesday agreed to temporarily defer turning on some wireless towers near key airports in a bid to avert further disruption to U.S. flights.

President Joe Biden hailed the agreement, saying it 'will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90 percent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled.'

The row erupted on Monday when US airline CEOs begged the Biden administration to stop AT&T and Verizon from rolling out their C-band 5G technology.

The telecoms giants had been planning to launch the technology across the US on Wednesday.

Board shows a British Airways flight from New York to London is among those being cancelled

Both AT&T and Verizon have reluctantly agreed to halt turning on 500 towers of concern until a resolution can be found, in order to avoid a mass cancelation of flights across America and travel chaos that would up end the already distressed supply chain and scupper consumer travel.

It seemed to appease domestic airlines but did not calm international fear.

The FAA has said it will allow planes with accurate, reliable altimeters to operate around high-power 5G. But planes with older altimeters will not be allowed to make landings under low-visibility conditions.

Part of the problem, according to the FAA, is the signal strength of the 5G towers and the orientation of their antennae.

'Base stations in rural areas of the United States are permitted to emit at higher levels in comparison to other countries which may affect radio altimeter equipment accuracy and reliability,' the FAA said in December.

The FCC's chairwoman said in a statement that the 5G 'deployment can safely co-exist with aviation technologies in the United States, just as it does in other countries around the world.'

Pictured: Altimeters onboard planes are a key tool for pilots landing in low-visibility conditions

The UK's CAA, the mobile phone industry and Ofcom released statements earlier this month in response to UK concerns. They said they did not share the worries of that in the U.S. at this stage.

A spokesperson for the CAA, the UK equivalent to the FAA, said: 'We are aware of reports that suggest that the frequency band being used for 5G in a number of countries could potentially pose a risk of interference with aircraft radio altimeters.

'There have been no reported incidents of aircraft systems being affected by 5G transmissions in U.K. airspace, but we are nonetheless working with Ofcom and the Ministry of Defence to make sure that the deployment of 5G in the UK does not cause any technical problems for aircraft.'

A spokesperson for Ofcom said: 'We're aware that the aviation sector is looking at this; we've done our own technical analysis and are yet to see any evidence that would give us cause for concern.'

Gareth Elliott, head of policy and communications at Mobile UK, which represents mobile networks, said: 'The UK's mobile network operators follow all health and safety guidelines and engage with a variety of industries on interference.

'Mobile operators are actively coordinating with the aviation authorities to ensure no interference in the UK.'
Senior Metropolitan Police officers considered that 'perceived reputational risk', rather than public health, was the biggest 'threat' when the force decided to 'effectively veto' a planned vigil for Sarah Everard, the High Court heard today.

Reclaim These Streets (RTS) proposed a socially-distanced vigil for the 33-year-old, who was murdered by former Met officer Wayne Couzens, near to where she went missing in Clapham, south London, in March last year.

The four women, who founded RTS and planned the vigil, are bringing a legal challenge against the force over its handling of the event, which was also intended to be a protest about violence against women.

Jessica Leigh, Anna Birley, Henna Shah and Jamie Klingler argue that decisions made by the force in advance of the planned vigil amounted to a breach of their human rights to freedom of speech and assembly, and say the force did not assess the potential risk to public health.

Reclaim These Streets (RTS) claim their human rights was violated by the Met breaking up their vigil. Pictured is protester Patsy Stevenson being arrested

Their lawyers told the court at the start of a two-day hearing today that notes of a Met gold command meeting the day before the proposed event included a statement that 'we are seen as the bad guys at the moment and we don't want to aggravate this'.

Tom Hickman QC, representing the four, said in written arguments: 'The most significant 'threat' identified was not public health but the perceived reputational risk to the (force), including in the event they were perceived to be permitting or facilitating the vigil.'

The four women are asking High Court judges to make a declaration that their human rights were breached and are seeking 7,500 in damages, which they will donate to a charity concerned with violence against women if they are successful.

They withdrew from organising the vigil after being told by the force they would face fines of 10,000 each and possible prosecution if the event went ahead, the court heard.

In written arguments, Mr Hickman said the vigil was planned for Ms Everard and 'all women who feel unsafe'

A spontaneous vigil and protest took place instead - over which the force was heavily criticised for its actions, but later cleared by a police watchdog.

The Met is defending the claim and argues there was no exception for protest in the coronavirus rules at the time and it had 'no obligation' to assess the public health risk.

Mr Hickman said the force's actions in relation to the vigil reflected its policy at the time that large gatherings were 'inevitably unlawful, even for protest, which did not accurately reflect the legal position'.

He also said the force 'failed properly to consider whether the claimants might have a reasonable excuse' for organising the gathering, and did not consider whether restricting or preventing the vigil would be 'necessary and proportionate' on grounds of public health.

The barrister told the court there was, for example, no assessment carried out of whether the public health risk posed by the event was likely to be low, medium or high and the force gave 'no consideration' to whether proposed social distancing, mask wearing, marshals and test and trace measures would reduce the risk.

In written arguments, Mr Hickman said the vigil was planned for Ms Everard and 'all women who feel unsafe, go missing from streets, or who face the fear of violence every day'.

He added: 'Above all, the event they sought to organise was about collective physical presence of women coming together to feel safe, supported, and to reclaim public space for Ms Everard and other women who have lost their lives or been the victims of violence.'

Ms Leigh and Ms Birley are local councillors for Lambeth, while Ms Klingler is a professional events and logistics organiser, and Mr Hickman said the women felt they were 'especially well-placed' to co-ordinate and event and were concerned to ensure it could be held 'safely and lawfully'.

Police officers moved into the crowd in large numbers in an attempt to break up the gathering

The barrister said 'initial responses' to the organisers from local Met Police officers were positive, but the women were told at a meeting two days before the planned event that it would be 'illegal'.

RTS took urgent legal action the day before the planned event, seeking a High Court declaration that any ban on outdoor gatherings under the coronavirus regulations at the time was 'subject to the right to protest'.

But their request was refused and the court also refused to make a declaration that an alleged force policy of 'prohibiting all protests, irrespective of the specific circumstances' was unlawful.

Couzens, 49, was given a whole life sentence, from which he will never be released, at the Old Bailey in September after admitting Ms Everard's murder

Mr Hickman said that a combination of the pandemic, the way in which the coronavirus regulations were drafted and a previous Court of Appeal ruling which emphasised that protest would not necessarily be unlawful, 'posed challenges' for the police and 'required them to take an unconventional policing role'.

However, he said the Met 'failed to discharge' its responsibilities in the context of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly - enshrined in Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

He added: 'Rather than starting from the premise that the vigil represented an important exercise of individual rights to freedom of expression and association, and seeking to facilitate the lawful exercise of those rights, they adopted the stance that the proposed gathering was unlawful and that the police should actively deter those organising it and attending it from doing so.'

Couzens, 49, was given a whole life sentence, from which he will never be released, at the Old Bailey in September after admitting her murder.

The policing of the spontaneous vigil that took place drew criticism from across the political spectrum after women were handcuffed on the ground and led away by officers.

But a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services concluded the police 'acted appropriately' when dealing with the event, but also found it was a 'public relations disaster' and described some statements made by members of the force as 'tone deaf'.

The hearing, before Lord Justice Warby and Mr Justice Holgate, is due to continue tomorrow.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's two adult daughters work for big tech, raising questions about whether he has conflicts of interest as the Senate pursues legislation to rein in the companies.

The New York Post reported Tuesday that Jessica Schumer is a registered lobbyist for Amazon, while her sister Alison Schumer works for Facebook as a product marketing manager.

Schumer's first test could come soon, as a bill is making its way through the Senate Judiciary Committee that would prohibit companies like Amazon from 'self-preferencing' their content - essentially marketing their products over those from other sellers.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's (right) two adult daughters work for 'big tech,' raising questions about whether he has conflicts of interest. Jessica Schumer (left) works as a registered lobbyist for Amazon

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's two daughters work for Facebook (left) and Amazon (right), companies that are likely to be more tightly regulated by Congress in the coming months

The top Senate Democrat's other daughter Alison Schumer (right) works for Facebook as a product marketing manager

A source close to Schumer told The Post he will back the bill once the mark-up process is completed.

The bill, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, is bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, and Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican.

'For too long, tech giants have used their power to suppress their rivals, unfairly put their products first in their marketplaces, and force sellers on their platforms to buy more services from them in exchange for better placement on their site. This has hurt both small businesses and consumers,' Klobuchar said in a statement last week.

'A broad, bipartisan group of our colleagues agree and have signed on to our legislation to implement common sense rules of the road for these platforms,' she added.

Additional co-sponsors includes Republicans Sens. Lindsey Graham, John Kennedy, Cynthia Lummis, Josh Hawley and Steve Daines and Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Mazie Hirono and Mark Warner.

As Senate Majority Leader, Schumer decides which bills get a vote on the Senate floor.

Schumer's spokesman Angelo Roefaro told The Post that there was 'no basis' for the narrative of the newspaper's story.

'Sen. Schumer is championing these issues both legislatively and with his appointments to federal agencies,' Roefaro said. 'He will fight for action and success that delivers a fairer and more innovative playing field for all.'

Jeff Hauser, the founder and director of the Revolving Door Project, told The Post that Schumer's ties to big tech are cause for concern.

'When they are on opposite sides of the divide it can make the public servant member of the family too sympathetic to the company that employs their child or family member,' Hauser said.

Additionally, an unnamed progressive operative told the paper, 'When you put together the amount of money Speaker Pelosi made off tech with the fact that leader Schumers two kids work for giant tech companies, Democrats are going to have a very hard time explaining if major legislation doesnt move forward this session.'

'It's not just a messaging problem - it also raises substantive concerns, the source said. 'If you were a judge with a kid who worked for Facebook you'd recuse yourself from the case.'

Glassdoor indicates that a product marketing manager based in New York for Meta, the new name for Facebook's parent company, would make an average base salary of $165,849, with additional income from cash and stock bonuses.

Jessica Schumer hasn't updated her LinkedIn profile to list her specific position with Amazon.
At least one House Democrat is refusing to attend a meeting with one of Kamala Harris' top aides after the vice president's new hire was found to have made disparaging comments about undocumented immigrants.

Rep. Lou Correa of California told The Hill on Tuesday that he would not join fellow members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) in speaking with Harris' new communications director Jamal Simmons face-to-face via teleconference.

It was reported earlier this week that Simmons is meeting with the group on Thursday to hear their concerns about old posts on Twitter that surfaced this month where Simmons called for illegal immigrants to be rounded up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

'The deep concern to me is this may show his true disposition when it comes to immigration. That's what my concern is,' Correa said.

'A meeting is not going to change my mind or give me peace of mind one way or the other.'

Correa, who fought hard to include immigration reform in President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion Build Back Better bill, indicated he was more interested in meaningful change than apologies.

Rep. Lou Correa, among the strongest backers of immigration reform in Congress, said he was concerned 'this may show his true disposition when it comes to immigration'

He also appeared to leave the door open for future cooperation with Simmons.

'Everybody changes. I think Mr. Simmons, like I, we all change our predisposition, our perspective on issues and you know what, I think actions speak louder than words,' Correa said.

The California Democrat made stronger comments earlier this week when he indicated he may be at the Thursday teleconference meeting, telling Axios: 'Is he a Trumper? Thats a question I might ask him.'

'The statements that Jamal made were just stunning, beyond stunning. Words cannot describe my feelings,' Correa had said.

Simmons joined Harris' team in early January after her previous communications director Ashley Etienne, a longtime aide of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left the administration at the end of last year.

The troublesome tweets surfaced soon after.

On November 29, 2010, Simmons wrote: 'Just saw 2 undocumented folks talking on MSNBC. One Law student the other a protester. Can someone explain why ICE is not picking them up?'

Jamal Simmons, a longtime progressive activist and writer, was announced to be joining Vice President Kamala Harris' team in early January

He followed that with a similar post just 10 minutes later.

'I'll try this again: Just saw 2 undocumented folks talking on MSNBC and have serious legal question. Why wouldn't ICE pick them up?' Simmons wrote.

A later tweet called for 'hardening' borders while also finding a way to widen the pathway to citizenship for undocumented migrants in the country.

They shined an uncomfortable light on Harris' own struggles with the Latino and Hispanic communities, including her heavily-criticized role as Biden's southern border czar.

The longtime progressive activist and writer issued an apology on Twitter soon after his problematic past was uncovered.

'As a pundit I tweeted+spoke A LOT. At times I've been sarcastic, unclear or plainly missed the mark. I apologize for offending ppl who care as much as I do about making America the best, multiethnic, diverse democracy+I'll rep the Biden-Harris admin w/humility, sincerity+respect,' Simmons wrote.

Simmons issued an apology on Twitter soon after the problematic comments surfaced

The tweets were uncovered soon after he was named onto Harris' team and have been just one of the topics that landed the new aide in hot water

He's also reportedly begun calling lawmakers to apologize for the statements. A source told Axios Simmons 'is willing to meet with anyone who wants to understand his perspective and regret.'

One of his mea culpa's has been to the woman MNSBC spoke with in the interview that sparked Simmons' inflammatory tweets.

Erika Andiola, now a progressive activist helping run an immigration nonprofit in Texas, said she has accepted Simmons' apology.

'Jamal committed to be an ally in his role. He acknowledged that the tweet was hurtful in the way it was written & explained that his intention was not to call for ICE to pick us up, but to understand the legality of how undocu (sic) folks were on TV without possible legal consequences,' Andiola wrote on Twitter.

Chuck Rocha, who helped drive Latino outreach for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, also publicly came to Simmons' defense.

'My brother @JamalSimmons has always advocated for our community and he will be a great addition to this administration. Im proud to stand with him!' Rocha tweeted.

Erika Andiola, a progressive activist who was the subject of Simmons' tweet regarding MSNBC, publicly threw her support behind him after Simmons reportedly gave her a private apology

In the short time since his hiring announcement, Simmons has already been under fire for his social media presence more than once.

He tweeted on more than one occasion that George W. Bush was an 'illegitimate president' who 'stole' the 2000 election from Al Gore, adding to a slew of revelations of his controversial past comments.

Simmons wrote in a June 2012 tweet that recently resurfaced in a Fox News report: 'I worked for Gore 2000 & believe W's 1st term to have been illegitimate. Yet when in the room w/him I stood and gave ofc respect'.

In a separate tweet from January 2017, Simmons wrote: 'I worked for Gore. Thought W was illegitimate. Still stood for him in respect for office. Members of Congress should go to inauguration.'

His most recent rebuke of Bush's 2000 presidential win against Simmons' former boss Al Gore was in a January 21, 2021 tweet  the day after Joe Biden's inauguration.

'The Trump vs Biden equivalency is wrong. Trump was an anti-Democratic huckster grifting the country while unleashing our demons,' Simmons tweeted last year. 'Biden is the #Democratic version of McCain - a good man I disagreed with. I thought W stole the 2000 elex but I still stood when he entered a room.'
Teacher, of Archway, London denies with four counts of encouraging terrorism

Chinyanga said to be MDC-alliance campaigner opposing Zanu-PF government

Court heard remarks were made in Facebook videos to 7,000 followers

The Zimbabwean activist allegedly called on followers to 'open gunfire on a gathering of people' in his home country

Zimbabwean activist William Chinyanga, 51, is accused of encouraging bombings against his country's ruling regime in four speeches to 7,000 followers on social media

A Zimbabwean activist called on his followers to carry out terrorist attacks to overthrow his country's regime in a series of speeches, a court heard.

William Chinyanga, 51, is accused of encouraging bombings in the south-east African country in four speeches to 7,000 followers on social media over two days in December 2019.

It is claimed the supply teacher, who lives in north London, told Facebook followers to 'open gunfire on a gathering of people' and use 'gorilla warfare'.

Chinyanga is understood to be a campaigner for MDC-alliance, a multi-party political bloc that opposes Emmerson Mnangagwa's ruling Zanu-PF government in Zimbabwe.

The Old Bailey was told he has been charged with four counts of encouraging terrorism, which he denies.

Prosecutor Sean Larkin QC said Chinyanga, who was born in Zimbabwe, sought asylum in 2009 and was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK

'There is no dispute he is an opponent of the Zimbabwean government,' he continued.

'He had a Facebook account and over a two-day period, the 1st and 2nd December 2019 he livestreamed four speeches to his Facebook followers, over 7,000 followers.

'He speaks in a mixture of English and Shona and he speaks against the Zimbabwean government.

Chinyanga is understood to be a campaigner for MDC-alliance, a multi-party political bloc that opposes Emmerson Mnangagwa's (pictured) ruling Zanu-PF government in Zimbabwe

'The prosecution case is that he went far beyond legitimate complaint or protest against the government and committed the offences with which he is charged.'

Jurors were told that Chinyanga was a 'long-standing opponent of the Zimbabwean regime' although only four of the speeches he posted were the subject of charges.

'In the course of these speeches he encouraged his followers to bomb the headquarters of Zanu-PF, bomb the motorcade of the leader of the Zanu-PF, bomb petrol stations, it seems with a view to disrupt the economy and bring revolution, attack police officers in their cars, attack soldiers.

'He encouraged his followers to share the speeches with others,' said Mr Larkin.

After police became aware of a speech he posted titled 'The strategy to remove zanu.pf. Announcement', Chinyanga was interviewed on February 2020.

The Old Bailey was told he has been charged with four counts of encouraging terrorism, which he denies

He admitted posting the speech and wanting to overthrow his country's government and released under investigation, in the course of which officers found his other speeches.

The court heard that in the speech titled 'Anyone in his right mind to open gunfire on a gathering of people its terrorism' he called what happened in Zimbabwe 'a disgrace'.

'What appears to have happened is that he would describe seeing some footage of police in Zimbabwe shooting a protesters, apparently in a tree planting matter.

'That is what triggered his speeches,' said the prosecutor.

Jurors were told that the Zanu-PF party had been ruling the Southeast African country since its independence in 1980, for most of that time under Robert Mugabe.

In 2017 he was ousted in a coup by his own party and replaced by Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The teacher said in the dock wearing a suit, assisted by a Shona interpreter, as the prosecutor opened the case.

Chinyanga, of St Johns Way, Archway, denies with four counts of encouraging terrorism.

The trial continues.
The Better.com CEO who famously fired 900 employers over a Zoom call will resume his 'full-time duties' after taking 'time off to reflect on his leadership.'

Vishal Garg, 43, will be returning as the CEO of Better.com after leaving in December.

In a letter sent to employees on Tuesday, the CEO announced that he would be returning after time spent considering 'the leader I wanted to be.'

'I understand how hard these past few weeks have been. I am deeply sorry for the angst, distraction and embarrassment my actions have caused,' he wrote in the email.

'I've spent a lot of time thinking about where we are as a company and the type of leadership Better needs...and the leader I want to be.'

It is unclear when he will start his 'full-time duties' again, and what he has done during his time away to change his leadership style. But the company is planning to hire new executives.

Better.com's controversial CEO Vishal Garg, 43, will be returning to work after taking time off to figure out the type of leader he wanted to be

In a separate company-wide email, the company's board told staff it is 'confident in Vishal and in the changes he is committed to making to provide the type of leadership, focus, and vision that Better needs at this pivotal times,' The New York Times, which obtained a copy of the email, reported.

Since the heartless moment in early December when Garg fired 900 'unlucky' employees over Zoom, Better.com has conducted a 'thorough' and 'independent' review of work culture, led by Anthony Barkow, a lawyer at Jenner and Block.

The company is said to be working to expand its leadership by recruiting a new chairman of the board, a president and a chief human resources officer, according to The New York Times.

Several higher-ups left their positions after the scandal broke over social media.

Garg famously fired 900 'unlucky' employees over a Zoom call in December

Richard Benson-Armer, a former McKinsey senior partner, will serve as the company's interim chief of human resources. It is unclear when exactly he joined the Better team. Meanwhile, Kevin Ryan, the company's CFO, also will continue to serve as interim CEO until Garg returns to work.

The company also is implementing a training program to build 'a respectful workplace' that will focus on new ethics and designing a healthier culture.

'Business is people, product and processes,' Christian Chapman, who was fired last month, told The New York Times. 'I think Vishal should develop the third leg of business, which is the people.'

Kevin Ryan, the CFO, has been the temporary CEO in Garg's absence and will continue to do so until his return

Garg fired nine per cent of his staff over a Zoom call in December, telling employees that they were 'part of the unlucky group'.

'If you're on this call, you are part of the unlucky group that is being laid off,' he said on the December call. 'Your employment here is terminated, effective immediately.'

Following the layoffs, he struck an aggressive tone where he accused employees of stealing time and told remaining staff they will not be allowed to fail twice.

'You will be encouraged to fail once. But not allowed to fail twice. Not meeting deadlines will not be acceptable,' he said in a digital town hall in December.

Then in a blog post, he attacked the fired employees for being so 'lazy' they effectively 'stole' from customers.

The father-of-three wrote on professional network Blind: 'You guys know that at least 250 of the people terminated were working an average of 2 hours a day while clocking 8 hours+ a day in the payroll system?'

'They were stealing from you and stealing from our customers who pay the bills that pay our bills. Get educated,' he had wrote.

He later apologized for his actions, issuing a groveling apology for his actions as CEO and took a leave of absence to 'reflect on his leadership.'

'I want to apologize for the way I handled the layoffs last week,' Garg wrote in a letter addressed to employees and later posted on the company's website in December.

'I failed to show the appropriate amount of respect and appreciation for the individuals who were affected and for their contributions to Better.

'I own the decision to do the layoffs, but in communicating it I blundered the execution. In doing so, I embarrassed you,' he added.

His letter continued: 'I realize that the way I communicated this news made a difficult situation worse. I am deeply sorry and am committed to learning from this situation and doing more to be the leader that you expect me to be.

Tanya Gillogley (left), the head of PR, and marketing chief Melanie Hahn (right) quit following the December 1 firings

The vice president of communications, Patrick Lenihan, also resigned after the December 1 Zoom call

'At Better, your dedication, focus and expertise are essential in the vital work we are doing to unlock the value, joy and opportunity of homeownership for our customers across the country.

'I couldnt be more grateful for all you are accomplishing for the customers we serve. We will talk more at our upcoming All Hands meeting about what to expect for the year ahead. I hope youll join me for the discussion.

'I believe in you, I believe in Better, and I believe that working together we can make homeownership better together,' he concluded.

Garg got rid of the company's entire diversity, equity and inclusion team, which deals with complaints about racism and sexism in the workplace and three senior executives have since voluntarily resigned.

The head of public relations, Tanya Gillogley; head of marketing, Melanie Hahn; and vice president of communications, Patrick Lenihan have all handed in their resignations, according to Insider.

In his three-minute call where he fired the employees, he said that the 'market has changed' - meaning savage cuts to the $7billion company's workforce were needed to avert disaster.

The firings came despite a $750million cash infusion the mortgage company received in December.

The boss also said market efficiency, performance, and productivity were to blame for the firings, adding that it was necessary for the company to 'move in order to survive.'

He later apologized in an email to staff, admitting he 'failed to show the appropriate amount of respect and appreciation for individuals who are affected and for their contributions to Better.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Better.com for comment.
The schoolgirl who offered a sassy putdown of Boris Johnson has said she has personally forgiven the Prime minister for his Partygate infractions because he 'gave everyone an injection'.

Five-year-old Layla Somani, from Leicester, revealed she was still a fan of Mr Johnson and believes he will cling onto his position because of the success of Britain's vaccine rollout.

The youngster made international headlines this week when she took it upon herself to explain the Prime Minister's Partygate scandal to her grandparents Kanti, 76, and Kusun, 73.

In the hilarious clip, an eloquent Layla said: 'Boris Johnson told everyone to stay at home, but in lockdown he just went down to a party, in the lockdown.

'He's been naughty, so he had to go to the naughty centre to tell everyone he's sorry for going to a party in lockdown.'

And on Wednesday, amid a fiery session at Prime Minister's Questions, she again called for Mr Johnson 'to leave' before admitting she has personally forgiven the PM because of the success of Britain's vaccine rollout.

She told Sky News: 'I think, I think he should leave'. When pressed further, she explained: 'Because he's been naughty'.

Five-year-old Layla Somani, from Leicester, says she has personally forgiven Boris Johnson for his Partygate infractions because he 'gave everyone an injection'. She was flanked by her parents, Devina Somani, 37, and father Nick Somani, 41

The youngster made international headlines this week when she took it upon herself to explain the Prime Minister's Partygate scandal. She is pictured with her family (left to right) Nick, Devina and Jayden

Last week, the Prime Minister apologised for attending a party at Downing Street in May 2020. He said he believed this was a work event (pictured leaving Downing Street in December)

The sassy youngster effortlessly explained how the Prime Minister had broken his own rules by 'going to a party in lockdown'.

The five-year-old explained she had to opt for a Zoom birthday party for her fourth birthday because it fell during the winter lockdown of 2021.

She later said she missed out on seeing her older sister because of the government's restrictions.

But Layla also admitted she had accepted Mr Johnson's apology for attending the alleged Downing Street party, which he issued last week when he said he believed at the time it was a 'work event.'

Yesterday, the five-year-old made headlines when she said Prime Minister Boris Johnson has 'been naughty' and needs to go to the 'naughty centre'

Little Layla Somani, from Leicester, had been watching the news while having breakfast on Thursday morning before taking it upon herself to explain the pressing political situation to grandparents Kanti Somani, 76, and Kusun Somani, 73

She also indicated to Sky News that she still held a soft spot for the Prime Minister, nodding when asked if she liked Mr Johnson by her father, Nitesh, 41, who is a qualified pharmacist and entrepreneur.

It comes as Mr Johnson was today told to quit over Partygate by a senior Tory at a brutal PMQs today just minutes after an MP dramatically defected to Labour.

Ex-Cabinet minister David Davis said Mr Johnson had failed to take responsibility for the breaches of lockdown in Downing Street, and he had enough of taking the flak for him. 'In the name of God, go!' he said.

A visibly shaken Mr Johnson insisted he was not going to resign, urging people to 'wait for the outcome' of the inquiry by senior civil servant Sue Gray.

But it was another hammer blow as Westminster reels from Christian Wakeford's announcement that he is joining Labour.

Sassy youngster Layla effortlessly explained how the Prime Minister had broken his own rules by 'going to a party in lockdown'

The staunch royalist plans to one day become Prime Minister and has already seen her support swell on social media

Amid what has been dubbed a 'Pork Pie plot' by 2019 intake politicians, the Bury South MP - who has a wafer-thin 402 majority in the Red Wall seat - had already declared he had put in a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson.

And he was on the Opposition benches this afternoon wearing a Union Jack face mask. In a parting shot letter to the premier, Mr Wakeford branded his leadership 'disgraceful' and said he believed Labour would do more to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir goaded Mr Johnson in the Commons that any more defectors were 'welcome', saying the Tories had shown they were 'incapable' of governing the country.

'The Labour Party has changed and so has the Conservative Party,' he said. 'He and anyone else who wants to build a new Britain built on decency, security  is welcomed in my Labour Party.'

But Mr Johnson, who was flanked by Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel on the front bench, shot back: 'As for Bury South, let me say to him, the Conservative Party won Bury South for the first time in a generation under this Prime Minister on an agenda of of uniting and levelling up and delivering for the people of Bury South. We will win again in Bury South.'

Boris Johnson (left) was today told to quit over Partygate by senior Tory David Davis (right) at a brutal PMQs today just minutes after an MP dramatically defected to Labour

A poll today found that the Tories are 11 points behind Labour in crucial Red Wall seats - a dramatic turnaround from the nine-point advantage they had at the 2019 election

How could Boris Johnson be ousted by Tory MPs? Boris Johnson is under huge pressure over Partygate, with speculation that he might even opt to walk away. But barring resignation, the Tories have rules on how to oust and replace the leader. What is the mechanism for removing the Tory leader? Tory Party rules allow the MPs to force a vote of no confidence in their leader. How is that triggered? A vote is in the hands of the chairman of the Tory Party's backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. A vote of no confidence must be held if 15 per cent of Tory MPs write to the chairman. Currently that threshold is 54 MPs. Letters are confidential unless the MP sending it makes it public. This means only Sir Graham knows how many letters there are. What happens when the threshold is reached? A secret ballot is held, with the leader technically only needing to win support from a simple majority of MPs But in reality, a solid victory is essential for them to stay in post. What happens if the leader loses? The leader is sacked if they do not win a majority of votes from MPs, and a leadership contest begins in which they cannot stand. However, when the party is in power the outgoing leader typically stay on as Prime Minister until a replacement is elected. There is no requirement for a general election to be held, unless the new PM wants to call one. Advertisement

Little Layla spoke for many across the nation on Tuesday when she derided the actions of Britain's 'bad Prime Minister' and called on him to apologise.

She said: 'Now he [Mr Johnson] can't be prime minister anymore and he can't go back to his prime minister home, so he's not prime minister anymore.

'So, someone else is being prime minister and there will be a good prime minister, but Boris Johnson is not a prime minister anymore, he's a bad prime minister.

'But, if he's lucky, he can go back to his prime minister home and he can be a prime minister again. We'll see tomorrow if he's lucky.'

Now her mother Devina, a graphic designer, has explained that the staunch royalist has promised she'll 'definitely become prime minister' - as the video has had more than 55,000 views and 1,645 reactions.

Devina said: 'We couldn't stop laughing. We couldn't believe how much she'd picked up.

'When she was explaining it we thought 'oh my god'. We couldn't believe she'd learnt all this stuff and that she was absorbing it so well.

'It was a normal morning. She was having her breakfast and she'd been watching a bit of the news.

'She went over to them and started explaining it. Nick said 'hold on stop right there' and started filming it.

'She just started coming out with it. She said he had to leave his house and go to the naughty centre. It was even funnier.

'It was amazing to capture the moment because some of these things she says you miss. She's maybe a future politician.

'She's absorbed that from the news herself. She was able to tell what's right and wrong.'

Layla developed her interest in Boris Johnson and the Queen last year during a weekend in London with her family and since then has enjoyed watching news about them on TV.

Devina said: 'She was very proud when people said 'Layla to be future PM'. She said 'I'm too little at the moment'.

'She went 'when I grow up I'll definitely become prime minister'. Last year when we were able to go on holiday, we did one visit to London.

She has a great passion for the Queen so we took her to Buckingham Palace and we were saying about how Boris Johnson runs the country for the Queen.

'We teach her certain things and from there, she's had this thing for Boris Johnson and the Queen. She talks about 10 Downing Street because we showed her.'
Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers are expected today to formally request that the British socialite's sex abuse conviction be overturned, due to a juror's possible failure to disclose that he was sexually abused as a child before the trial.

Maxwell, 60, was convicted on December 29, 2021, on five counts of sex trafficking and other crimes for recruiting and grooming teenage girls to have sexual encounters with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell faces up to 65 years in prison.

But her lawyers said earlier this month there were 'incontrovertible grounds' for a new trial after the juror, who asked to be identified by his first and middle names, Scotty David, told DailyMail.com that he described being abused as a child during jury deliberations.

That raised concerns that he did not disclose his abuse during pretrial screening.

Prospective jurors were asked in a questionnaire whether they had ever been a victim of sexual abuse.

But Scotty David told DailyMail.com he did not remember the question, but that he would have answered honestly.

Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers are today expected to formally request that the British socialite's sex abuse conviction be overturned, due to a juror's possible failure to disclose before the trial that he was sexually abused as a child

Maxwell's lawyers said there were 'incontrovertible grounds' for a new trial after juror Scotty David said he described being abuse as a child during deliberations

Prosecutors, who have requested that U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan conduct an inquiry into the juror's statements, will have until February 2 to respond to Maxwell's motion.

Legal experts say that Maxwell would not be guaranteed a new trial even if the juror did not disclose his abuse on the questionnaire, noting that cases of juror dishonesty that led to verdicts being overturned generally involved jurors who deliberately lied in order to be selected.

Nathan last week scheduled Maxwell's sentencing hearing for June 28.

David was the first of two jurors who have revealed their stories of sexual abuse and the role that sharing it played in deliberations.

He first told DailyMail.com that he had not revealed this history during jury selection because it had not been asked on the juror questionnaire.

When it was pointed out that question 48 of 50 asked exactly that question, he then claimed that he did not remember it but had answered all questions 'honestly.'

He told other outlets that he, 'flew through' the questionnaire.

He also revealed that a second juror had shared their own story of sexual abuse, a claim later verified by the juror who wished to remain anonymous.

Ghislaine Maxwell on Epstein's private jet airplane. Maxwell was convicted on December 29 on five counts of sex trafficking and other crimes

US State Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams called for the court to, 'conduct an inquiry,' in a letter filed in Federal Court earlier this month claiming that public statements made by the juror, 'merit attention by the Court.'

The letter stated, 'In particular, the juror has described being a victim of sexual abuse. Assuming the accuracy of the reporting, the juror asserted that he 'flew through' the prospective juror questionnaire and does not recall being asked whether he had been a victim of sexual abuse, but stated that 'he would have answered honestly.'

The letter signed off by all four prosecutors asked for a hearing to be scheduled within the month.

But Maxwell's lawyers have insisted that no investigation is necessary, calling instead for a new trial and claiming that the statements that both jurors have now made publicly across multiple news outlets are 'incontrovertible grounds' for a mistrial.

Judge Alison Nathan has stated that she will hear briefings from all parties as the high-profile prosecution hovers on the brink of implosion.

Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told Insider that David and the second jurors' decision to speak out was, 'absolutely the last thing you want when you get a guilty verdict. It's an absolute disaster.'

Maxwell was convicted on five out of six counts of sexual trafficking in a verdict that came at the end of the fifth day of deliberations and proceedings that lasted four weeks.

If the convictions stand, the 60-year-old ex-socialite faces up to 65 years in prison.

But now, according to Rahmani, 'This entire conviction may get tossed and we may have to retry the case.'

The admission by the jurors pose two potential issues  perjury, or lying under oath and prejudice, or a preconceived opinion that may have improperly swayed the jury.

According to Maxwell's lawyers it makes no difference whether either or both jurors deliberately or simply mistakenly failed to correctly answer the juror questionnaire when asked, 'Have you or a friend or family member ever been the victim of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, or sexual assault? (This includes actual or attempted sexual assault or other unwanted sexual advance, including by a stranger, acquaintance, supervisor, teacher, or family member).'

There were three boxes to tick by way of answer: Yes (self), Yes (friend or family member) and No.

The US Attorney General has requested an investigation into Scotty David's public admission that he 'flew through' the juror questionnaire and 'could not remember' revealing that he had been a victim of sexual abuse

Questioned by DailyMail.com, David could remember only a question relating to friends or family members and colored up when pressed about any answer relating to his own sexual history.

According to former Federal Prosecutor David S Weinstein, now a partner in Miami based law firm Jones Walker, all jurors may now be interviewed, specifically the two jurors who have shared their stories publicly.

He said that the admissions would not necessarily be considered automatic grounds for a mistrial but that it would, at the very least, be 'an arrow in the quiver' for Maxwell's appeal.

He said, 'There's going to be a record of whether or not he was asked that question, what his answer was, whether there were any follow up questions. Maxwell's lawyer will have this questionnaire and they will go back to it.'

DailyMail.com has already established that whatever David answered on the questionnaire it did not elicit any follow up questions at the interview or 'voir dire' stage of jury selection.

David told DailyMail.com, 'It was never raised. We went in front of the judge and there were all the lawyers in the room and that's where they asked me some questions. They asked me what I do, what I like to do for fun and if I can be fair and impartial. It was literally like 30 seconds long and then I was out of the room.'

Conversely when he shared his story in the jury room on day three of deliberations, he recalled 'the room went silent.'

According to David his own sharing led a second juror to share their story. His experience, he said, allowed him to better understand the victims who testified and parlay that into a better understanding in jurors who were not convinced of the victims' credibility.

Epstein killed himself in 2019 at the age of 66 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex abuse charges.
Some people trying to get a free, at-home COVID testing package from the government delivered to large apartment buildings have been turned down because their neighbors have already ordered them.

Several Americans took to social media to voice their frustration with glitch.

'At home COVID-19 tests have already been ordered for this address,' is the message some users received when they tried to order a kit from the website, COVIDTests.gov. 'Our records show that at-home COVID-19 tests have already been ordered for this address. We are unable to process duplicate orders for the same address.'

Then it gives users the option to check the address and to see Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

The website is the means for people to order one of one billion COVID tests President Joe Biden promised would be made available for free for Americans. The site was scheduled to go live on Wednesday but was discovered to be active on Tuesday, causing a rush of orders.

The U.S. Postal Service, which is delivering the ordered tests, called it a glitch happening to a 'very limited' number of people.

'The Postal Service is seeing very limited cases of addresses that are not registered as multi-unit buildings which could lead to COVID test kit ordering difficulties. This is occurring in a small percentage of orders. For assistance in the ordering process the USPS recommends filing a service request or contacting our help desk at 1-800-ASK-USPS, to help address the issue,' the agency said in a statement.

President Joe Biden promised one billion free at-home COVID tests for Americans but some users are having trouble ordering them on the government's website

The message some users are receiving when trying to order free COVID tests

The issue raises concerns about access for the millions of Americans who live in apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings - many of whom are of lower income.

Equity to the vaccine and testing has been a priority for the Biden administration.

Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who represents part of New York City, took to Twitter to advise people to find a work around by looking up exactly how their address is listed by the postal service.

Several users on Twitter also complained that they couldn't order their free tests because their roommate beat them to it - an issue critics pointed out when the Biden administration announced their plan.

Several user took to Twitter to complain about their problems ordering the free COVID tests

The site allows Americans to order up to four tests per residential address. Some critics argue that may not be enough for those who live in large households or who have multiple generations living under one roof.

The kits will not start shipping until late in January, according to a message sent to users who were able to get their order in.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday the site was operating at limited capacity and was in 'beta testing' to work out any glitches ahead of Wednesday's formal launch.

'It will officially launch tomorrow morning,' she said yesterday. 'It's in the beta testing phase right now.'

The Biden administration opened its website for free at-home tests without fanfare on Tuesday

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the COVID testing website was undergoing 'beta testing' head of an official launch on Wednesday

'Every website launch in our view comes with risk. We can't guarantee there won't be a bug or two,' Psaki said. 'But the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service are working hard to make this a success.'

Traffic to the site surged as news of the soft launch spread, hitting as many 750,000 users and representing more than half of all traffic to administration websites at one point.

Government websites havent always worked as planned.

HealthCare.gov, which is the open enrollment site for Obamacare, crashed on its first day.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he departs Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., Jan. 18. Reuters-Yonhap



U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with his Russian counterpart in Switzerland this week as tensions between the U.S. and Russia escalate over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the State Department.



Blinken arrived in Kyiv Wednesday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and will then move on to Berlin to meet with allies, and on Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva. The hastily arranged trip aims to show U.S. support for Ukraine and impress on Russia the need for de-escalation.



White House press secretary Jen Psaki underscored the urgency. ''We're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine. And what Secretary Blinken is going to go do is highlight very clearly there is a diplomatic path forward,'' she said Tuesday.



Psaki said Russian President Vladimir Putin created the crisis by massing 100,000 troops along Ukraine's borders and it is up to him and the Russians to decide whether to invade and then ''suffer severe economic consequences.''



The U.S. has not concluded whether Putin plans to invade or whether the show of force is intended to squeeze security concessions without an actual conflict. Russia has brushed off calls to withdraw its troops by saying it has a right to deploy its forces wherever it likes on its own territory.



Blinken's meetings follow inconclusive diplomatic talks between Moscow and the West in Europe last week that failed to resolve stark disagreements over Ukraine and other security matters.



Instead, those meetings appear to have increased fears of a Russian invasion, and the Biden administration has accused Russia of preparing a ''false flag operation'' to use as a pretext for intervention. Russia has angrily denied the charge.



From Kyiv, Blinken will travel to Berlin, where he will meet with his German, British and French counterparts to discuss a possible response to any Russian military action. In Geneva, Friday, Blinken will be testing Lavrov on Russia's interest in a ''diplomatic off-ramp'' for the crisis, a senior State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



Blinken's ''travel and consultations are part of the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension caused by Russia's military build-up and continued aggression against Ukraine,'' the State Department said in a statement.



Blinken will meet with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday ''to reinforce the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity,'' the State Department said.



''The trip follows extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners about a united approach to address the threat Russia poses to Ukraine and our joint efforts to encourage it to choose diplomacy and de-escalation in the interests of security and stability,'' it said.



CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv last Wednesday to consult with his Ukrainian counterparts and discuss current assessments of the risk to Ukraine, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Burns' schedule, which is classified. While there, he also discussed the current situation with Zelenskyy and efforts to de-escalate tensions.



Blinken spoke by phone Tuesday with Lavrov, discussing the diplomatic talks and meetings held last week. The State Department said Blinken ''stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions'' surrounding the Russia-Ukraine situation and ''reiterated the unshakable U.S. commitment'' to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.



On Monday, Lavrov, Russia's top diplomat, rejected the U.S. allegations that his country was preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, he dismissed the U.S. claim as ''total disinformation.''



Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the U.S. and its allies to Moscow's request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet countries or station its forces and weapons there.



Blinken underscored to Lavrov on Tuesday that any discussion of European security ''must include NATO Allies and European partners, including Ukraine,'' the State Department said.





Russian servicemen prepare military vehicles to unload from a troop train for joint exercises in Belarus, in this handout photograph released Jan. 18 by Belarus' Defence Ministry. Belarus said that Russian troops had begun arriving in the country for military drills announced against the backdrop of tensions between the West and Russia over neighboring Ukraine. AFP-Yonhap
The overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats will soon move to eliminate the filibuster -- which has protected the rights of the chambers minority for more than a century  because they feel the need to pass voting rights legislation is just too intense to be blocked by the 60-vote threshold.

By merging several pieces of legislation into one mega-bill and calling it the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, Democrats are trying to scare people into believing that if the bill doesnt pass, they will lose their right to vote.

Of course, this whole exercise is doomed to fail, because Democratic leadership cant get all 50 of their own senators to support it. But it wont be for lacking of trying.

On Tuesday night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed another obscure last-ditch procedural effort to skirt the filibuster rules.

This new piece of political theatre is called a talking filibuster. It requires Republicans to physical stand on the Senate floor and speak  likely for hours. But the details really arent important, because this too is guaranteed to fail.

This unwieldy 735-page conglomeration amounts to a federal takeover of elections, denying states their longstanding roles deciding how to run polling places and vote-counting, as well as forcing a new round of redistricting in many states.

The legislation is a massive power grab, removing authority from state legislatures and state courts and putting all the decision-making in Washington  an incongruous move from Democratic politicians who contend democracy is hanging by a thread, and that Republicans have now become sinister autocrats out to steal election.

Why would anyone with an ounce of foresight want to centralize all authority over elections in Washington, when the opposing party has a good chance to win back control of the House and Senate later this year?

You know which state doesnt have no-excuse early voting? Joe Bidens home state of Delaware!

An astounding 67 percent of all citizens age 18 and older reported voting, up 5 percentage points from 2016. Turnout rates in 2020 was higher among every ethnic group  whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians.

One of the most controversial provisions in the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act is a dramatic watering-down of voter ID laws.

States would have to accept a significantly wider range of non-photographic documents, including debit cards, utility bills or bank statements issued within six months of the election or any other document with an individual's name issued by federal, state, tribal or local governments.

If a person who showed up at a polling place couldnt generate any of those, that person could still submit a sworn written statement signed by another adult who has known the voter for at least six months under penalty of perjury.

Theres no way that much looser standard could lead to mischief, right?

Requiring a photo ID to vote is also spectacularly popular  80 percent of Americans support it, and support splits 62 percent among Democrats, 87 percent among independents, and 91 percent among Republicans.

Chuck Schumer and company want to ban a requirement that a majority of Democrats support!

Nor is there evidence that requiring voter ID reduces voter turnout. In 2005 Georgia started requiring voters to present photo ID to cast an in-person ballot; black and Hispanic turnout increased from 2006 to 2010, dramatically outpacing population growth for those groups over the same period.

The Democrats legislation would require states to make absentee voting by mail available to all voters, and to have drop-boxes widely available.

Why do states need both? If every mailbox is a drop-box, why do states need to have separate drop-boxes just for ballots?

Is this part of the short-lived conspiracy theory during the 2020 election that Republicans were stealing mailboxes?

In August 2020, Democratic congressman Peter DeFazio posted a video of him chaining himself to a mailbox and proclaiming, theyre not getting this one!

Admit it, if your best friend did this, you would try to get him admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

The bill also mandates an early-voting window starting at least 15 days before the election  and to have no-excuse early voting.

You know which state doesnt have no-excuse early voting? Joe Bidens home state of Delaware!

Somehow in a career in elected office that dates to 1970, Delawares lack of no-excuse early voting never bothered Joe Biden  until this year.

Heavily-Democratic New York and Massachusetts dont have no-excuse early voting, either!

The problem isnt a lack of a federal law requiring no-excuse early voting; the problem is certain northeastern Democratic machine states are quite comfortable with making early voting a hassle.

Chuck Schumer is willing to get rid of the filibuster to impose a law that even his own state doesnt have. What, did he lose the phone numbers of his home states Democratic state legislators?

In 2005 Georgia started requiring voters to present photo ID to cast an in-person ballot; black and Hispanic turnout increased from 2006 to 2010, dramatically outpacing population growth for those groups over the same period. (Above) Early voting in Atlanta, Georgia during the 2020 presidential election

The Democrats bill also claims it prohibits partisan gerrymandering, which sounds nice, but experience teaches us that partisanship in district lines is in the eye of the beholder.

In a nice bit of irony, after lots of fearmongering about Republican gerrymandering that Democrats in Illinois, New York and Oregon redrew the lines in enough districts to more than balance it out.

When redistricting is finished, more districts in 2022 will be to the left of Joe Bidens 4.5-point national margin against Donald Trump than in 2020, notes the progressive think tank, Data For Progress.

In the end, this bill would replace state legislatures having intense partisan fights about districts lines with state legislatures having intense partisan fights about who gets to serve on these allegedly nonpartisan restricting panels  and the legislation enables a lot of lawsuits.

Instead of calming down the fights about redrawing district lines, this bill would intensify them and make them take much longer to resolve.

The bill prohibits restrictions on giving food and water to voters waiting in a line, if the food is distributed without regard to the electoral participation or political preferences of the recipients.

Ironically, this is what the law passed in Georgia last year does as well, the same law that former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and other Democrats castigated as doom for American democracy.

Right now, 23 states automatically restore a convicted felons right to vote after release from incarceration or never abrogate that right at all. (If youre a law-abiding American citizen, this means Nevada resident O.J. Simpson has the same say in who becomes president that you do.)

The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act would make the decision for those other 27 states.

But barring convicted felons from voting is not voter suppression and it should be up to the state to decide who should get their voting rights restored and under what conditions.

Guess which state permanently bars the voting rights of those convicted of murder, manslaughter, bribery, or sexual offenses? Joe Bidens home state of Delaware!

Another issue that Biden never objected to in his many years of representing the state.

Perhaps one of the most glaring signs that the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act represents a wish-list for Democratic groups is that it includes the DISCLOSE Act, which various Democrats have wanted to pass for more than a decade.

This version of the DISCLOSE Act requires any group that spends more than $10,000 in an election cycle disclose the names of donors who give $10,000 or more.

The American Civil Liberties Union opposes the DISCLOSE Act because its basically a formula for more public harassment of donors to political organizations.

Our Constitution embraces public discussion of matters that are important to our nations future, and it respects the right of individuals to support those conversations without being exposed to unnecessary risks of harassment or embarrassment, the ACLU wrote when assessing the DISCLOSE Act.

Only reforms that promote speech, rather than limit it, and apply evenhandedly, rather than selectively, will bring positive change to our elections. Because the DISCLOSE Act misses both of these targets, the ACLU opposes its passage.

Lastly, the entire debate about these issues is framed by slippery-to-the-point-of-inaccurate use of terms like voting rights and voter suppression.

In a recent USA Today op-ed, former president Barack Obama warns Democrats must nuke the filibuster and pass the election overhaul because state legislators in 49 states have introduced more than 400 bills designed to suppress votes.

But Obama uses a spectacularly broad definition of designed to suppress votes.

Obama links to a list from the Brennan Center that warns, three bills would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Thats not voter suppression; thats existing federal law.

U.S. law limits voting in federal elections to U.S. citizens. (Some jurisdictions, like New York City, allow non-citizens to vote in local elections.)

Obama claims seven bills would expand opportunities for voter purges. But voters move out of jurisdictions, and voters die. Theres nothing sinister or objectionable about removing those individuals from the voter rolls.

Obama decries five bills [that] propose new criminal penalties for election officials who mail out unsolicited mail ballots.

If you want an absentee ballot, you should request one. But sending out ballots to everyone, whether they request one or not, is a formula for mischief.

The biggest joke of it all is that Democrats are trying to blow up the filibuster to stop alleged voter suppression immediately after a presidential election with the highest voter turnout of the 21st century, and the largest increase in voters between two presidential elections on record with 17 million more people voting than in 2016.

An astounding 67 percent of all citizens age 18 and older reported voting, up 5 percentage points from 2016. Turnout rates in 2020 was higher among every ethnic group  whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians.

In a country with no shortage of real problems, our system of conducting elections are working quite well.

Leave it to Joe Biden and Senate Democrats to want to drastically overhaul one of the few parts of American government that isnt broken.

Jim Geraghty is the senior political correspondent of National Review and the author of five books, most recently, Hunting Four Horsemen.
A Mexican TV anchor screamed at anti-vaxxers in an extraordinary on air outburst, branding them as a 'gaggle of morons'.

Leonardo Schwebel, a presenter for the Mexico-based Telediaro Guadalajara, ranted at those who have refused to be jabbed and told them to at least wear a face mask properly.

Schwebel, who angrily screamed at the camera during a live broadcast this week, accused the anti-vaxxers of 'hitting the breaks for the entire world'.

A Mexican TV anchor screamed at anti-vaxxers in an extraordinary on air outburst, branding them as a 'gaggle of morons'

Leonardo Schwebel, a presenter for the Telediaro Guadalajara, ranted at those who have refused to be jabbed and told them to at least wear a face mask properly

In an emotional outburst, Schwebel said: 'You damned anti-vaxxers, gaggle of morons.'

Schwebel, who was waving his face mask angrily during his tirade, screamed: 'Stop with your bulls*** and at least put on a goddamned face mask and stop hitting the brakes for the entire world!

'Yes you anti-vaxxers, you are a moron! Put on a face mask!'

Schwebel went on his rant at a time when Mexico is seeing a rise in positive Covid-19 cases since the new year, registering more than 260,000 infections in the past week, a new record high.

And only 58 per cent of the population have been double jabbed while 63 per cent have received one dose of the vaccine.

Schwebel, who angrily screamed at the camera during a live broadcast this week, accused the anti-vaxxers of 'hitting the breaks for the entire world'

Schwebel told Telediaro in an interview after his outburst: 'Sometimes you have to shout for people to get on.

'If I had said it normally  "sir, please, please, put on the mask, I ask you please, believe me," I would not be here with you today.'

Schwebel said that his message was important at a time when Mexicans are experiencing soaring Covid cases.

His rant comes as Mexico's triple-vaccinated President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that he has beaten COVID for a second time - and that the symptoms of Omicron were mild.

Speaking at a news conference Monday morning - a week after he began experiencing symptoms and testing positive - the 68 year-old leader said his speedy recovery was testament to the dwindling strength of the virus - and the importance of vaccines.

'It is demonstrable that this variant does not have the same seriousness as the earlier, the Delta,' Lopez Obrador said. 'In symptoms and also in recuperation time.'

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Monday, January 17, 2022, that he has recovered from COVID-19 a second time, as coronavirus infections spike in Mexico and virus tests become scarce

Lopez Obrador was infected the first time in January of last year.

He tends to often not wear a protective mask during his daily news conferences in front of staff and reporters.

But he is strongly pro-vaccine, and has shared snaps of himself receiving all three of his AstraZeneca COVID shots, including his booster just last month.

He had sounded hoarse at his news conference last Monday, dismissed it as a cold, but said he would be tested. Later in the day he confirmed he was infected.

The 68-year-old president had received three doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, with his first jab taking place in April of last year before receiving his second shot in June.

He publicly received the booster shot during his daily press conference on December 7 of last year.

Lopez Obrador gestures after receiving a third dose of the Astra Zeneca coronavirus disease vaccine as Mexico and other countries are stepping up their vaccination efforts as the Omicron coronavirus variant feeds concern about a new wave of infections, in Guadalajara, Mexico December 7

Last Thursday, the Mexican President also claimed in a video that he is living proof that the COVID-19 strain is not as lethal as the Delta variant, while isolating after testing positive 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 last Monday, hours after he appeared before the media at the National Palace and downplayed the severity of the Omicron variant he tested positive for, indicating it was only 'a little COVID.'

In Mexico, the AstraZeneca vaccine is being used for all boosters shots, regardless of which vaccine the person originally received.
Anthony Carpenter, 42, was charged with murder of an off-duty officer and arrested by the Memphis Police Department gang unit on Tuesday

A man was arrested, accused of ambushing and shooting a Mississippi sheriff's lieutenant who was leaving home to go to work Monday, authorities said.

Anthony Carpenter, 42, was charged with attempted murder of an off-duty officer and arrested by the Memphis Police Department gang unit on Tuesday.

Around 6 a.m. Monday, a DeSoto County Sheriff's Office lieutenant was driving in his personal car to work from his home in Olive Branch, about 26 miles southeast of Memphis.

Police said Carpenter blocked the victim's driveway and shot him once. The victim fled his car and ran into the woods nearby to escape from the suspect. Carpenter fled the scene, police said.

The lieutenant was taken to a hospital, but has since been discharged.

'Our officer is in good spirits and recovering,' Memphis Police Department spokesperson Lt. Bill Kaiser said in a statement.

Carpenter will be extradited to DeSoto County, where the investigation will take place.

Investigators in Memphis and DeSoto said the attack was targeted, but declined to disclose the potential motive, or the name of the victim, citing that the investigation is still active.

The victim was shot just outside his home as he was driving in his personal car on his way to work

The shooting happened just outside the lieutenant's home near Cotton Row Drive in Olive Branch, about 26 miles southeast of Memphis

The victim drove up the driveway, through his side yard and partially into his neighbor's backyard, according to the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

The DeSoto lieutenant was struck by one bullet, but managed to drive back up his driveway, through his side yard and partially into his neighbor's backyard to escape, according to the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.

He then jumped out of his vehicle and ran toward the woods behind his home.

Carpenter, of Memphis, was arrested by Memphis Police Tuesday at a traffic light, FOX reported.

Johnnie Smith, who lives down the street from the shooting, spoke fondly of the victim.

'I know he is a police officer, and he is a nice guy,' Smith told Fox. 'He will help you if he can, if you need something from him. He is just a good guy.'

Johnnie Smith, who lives down the street where the shooting took place, spoke fondly of the victim

Jake Brannon, who also lives in the neighborhood, told the outlet he was shocked that his neighbor had been shot.

'I woke up around 5.45 to 5.50 to probably about four or five gunshots, and at that time, I blew it off thinking maybe it was duck hunters or something going on in the area,' Brannon recounted.

'About 10 minutes later, I come downstairs, and I see police officers and a bunch of lights and a car in somebody's back yard that wasn't supposed to be there,' he added. 'You should be able to walk out your door and do what you want. Its land of the free and home of the brave.'

A family member of the victim who was at the scene after the shooting told Fox they didn't know what had prompted the attack.

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Captain Jeremy Dodson said Carpenter has a lengthy criminal history

Carpenter was convicted of second-degree murder in 1998, and has been charged with several felonies since his release

Carpenter was charged with the attempted murder of an off-duty police officer and was taken into custody to the Shelby County Jail. He will be extradited to DeSoto County, authorities said.

The officer was released from the hospital and is recovering.

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Captain Jeremy Dodson said Carpenter has a lengthy criminal history.

Carpenter was convicted of second-degree murder in 1998, and has been charged with several felonies since his release. In Tennessee, he was arrested once in 2018 for being a fugitive from justice and three times in 2019 in charges including possession of a handgun and evading arrest.

He is the sole suspect in the investigation at this moment, but Dodson did not rule out more arrests.

The DeSoto County Sheriff's Department is asking for any tips and neighborhood surveillance video that might assist in the investigation.
Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has told US President Joe Biden to go after Vladimir Putin's cash to rein him in instead of imposing sanctions on his cronies.

'It's really simple. You want to influence Putin, then influence his personal wealth. It's right under your backside,' Navalny wrote to TIME from prison where he is serving two and a half years in a penal colony for parole violations related to a fraud case he claims was politically motivated.

He said he was disappointed with the US response to an attempt to poison him in August 2020 which resulted in American sanctions on a group of security officers but failed to go after the Russian strongman.

Navalny described the sanctioned security officers as 'agents of Putin's will' and said Biden should 'go after Putin's own fortune and the bagmen who keep it for him in Western banks.'

'We're all tired of rolling our eyes, watching the US impose sanctions on some colonels and generals, who don't have any money abroad.'

Navalny was flown to Germany for medical treatment in August 2020 after being poisoned in Siberia with what Western experts concluded was the military nerve agent Novichok.

The Russian government has denied it was behind the poisoning and rejected the experts' findings - which prompted a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia - and accused the West of a smear campaign against it.

Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny (pictured during a court session from jail in the Vladimir region of Russia on January 17) has told US President Joe Biden to go after Vladimir Putin's cash to rein him in instead of imposing sanctions on his cronies

Navalny said he was disappointed with the US President Joe Biden's (pictured on January 13) response to an attempt to poison him in August 2020 which resulted in American sanctions on a group of security officers but failed to go after the Russian strongman.

Navalny described the sanctioned security officers as 'agents of Putin's will' (pictured in a meeting with the Iranian president on January 19) and said Biden should 'go after Putin's own fortune and the bagmen who keep it for him in Western banks

Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation early last year asked the US to sanction 35 senior Russian officials and oligarchs in response to the attempt to poison him.

Dubbed the Navalny 35, the list gathered bipartisan support in Congress, but sanctions were never imposed on top officials by the Biden administration.

Biden instead imposed restrictions on lower ranking officials and condemned both Navalny's imprisonment and a Moscow court's decision to outlawing his foundation by branding it 'extremist' and a 'foreign agent'.

But Navalny told TIME he wants the US to go after Putin and other top official's money not to pressure oligarchs into reasoning with the Russian strongman but to force them to turn against him.

It comes two days after Navalny marked a year in prison on Monday after he was detained in a Moscow airport on his return to Russia from Germany on January 17 last year.

His detention ushered in a months-long crackdown that has seen his most prominent allies imprisoned or exiled - but Navalny said in a Instagram post on the anniversary that he did not regret his decision to return.

'I don't regret it for a second,' Navalny wrote in a post on Instagram from a penal colony outside Moscow.

'Having served my first year in prison, I want to tell everyone exactly what I shouted to those gathered outside the court when a convoy led me to a police van: don't be afraid of anything,' Navalny added.

'This is our country and we have no other.'

Navalny marked a year in prison on Monday after he was detained in a Moscow airport on his return to Russia from Germany on January 17 last year and sentenced to two and a half years for parole violations on parole charges (pictured in court on February 2, 2021)

Navalny's August 2020 poisoning with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok and his subsequent arrest sparked widespread condemnation abroad as well as sanctions from Western capitals.

Moscow has refused to open a probe into the attempt on his life, claiming there is insufficient evidence to investigate and blaming Berlin for not cooperating.

But investigators last year launched a new extremism probe against Navalny that could see the opposition leader spend up to 10 more years in jail.

The European Parliament last year awarded Navalny the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought after he was nominated, but passed over, for the Nobel Peace Prize.

In a statement Monday, the EU urged Russia to release Navalny 'without further delay' and noted Russia's legal system 'continues to be instrumentalised' against the opposition leader.

A court on Monday turned down one appeal Navalny had brought against authorities over his treatment in the penal colony and postponed another.

Navalny appeared via video link, sitting behind bars in a prison uniform before the Petushki district court in the Vladimir region where he is being held.

The cases heard on Monday concerned his prison salary and his designation as prone to 'extremism', which news agencies said the court would revisit in three months.

Amnesty International said Monday the year since Navalny's arrest had been marked by 'an unprecedented campaign of repression' in Russia.

'On the anniversary of his detention, Navalny and the political activists associated with him are in a living hell,' said Marie Struthers, Amnesty's Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director.
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Hippos have been caught on camera ignoring their herbivore instincts and tucking into the carcass of an elephant on the banks of a river.

Photographer Brice Petit, 42, was visiting the Chobe River in Botswana in October when he spotted the hippos nibbling on the dead animal. One of the creatures was seen chewing on the elephant's trunk.

It is believed the elephant died of natural causes, and Brice, who also works as a laboratory technician, said: 'When we arrived with our boat on the spot, vultures and marabou stork were already inspecting the carcass together with two big male lions that were trying to keep the dinner for themselves.

'But no-one can stop a hippopotamus so imagine a whole group of them. Hippos are known to be herbivores but the stomach of an elephant is made of 70 per cent undigested vegetables.

'So, it's known that in this situation hippos might be found round the corner of an elephant carcass. But here they were so excited that they were salivating and trying to bite the carcass to open it.

'A young hippo started to catch and release the trunk of the elephant before it finally kept it in its mouth and chewed it.'

A bloat of hippos in Botswana was spotted tucking into the carcass of an elephant which lay partly in the Chobe River back in October

Photographer Brice Petit said that elephant stomachs carry 70 per cent undigested vegetables, making it not uncommon for a group of hippos to be seen waiting around a body

Peculiarly in this case though, the hippos seemed unwilling to wait for the body to rot away so they could get at the vegetables, and instead tried to eat their way to the stomach

Despite the large herd of elephants stood in the background, the bloat of hippos could be seen huddled around the dead body

The inquisitive hippos could be seen inspecting the body of the elephant before trying to nibble on the carcass

One elephant was even spotted picking up the dead elephant's trunk in its mouth, dropping it back in the water, and then biting down on it

A second hippo joined the younger animal to take a look at the dead elephant's trunk as it floated in the water

Urging the small hippo to keep away, the older animal opened up its mouth in an attempt to be intimidating
A Florida teenager has been arrested on an attempted murder charge for allegedly ambushing a jogger he had been stalking for weeks and trying to strangle him with a belt as part of a twisted plan to stash his lifeless body in a closet to fulfill his sexual fantasies.

But according to court documents, 18-year-old Logan Smith's murderous plot failed when the victim turned the tables on him by using his martial arts training to fight him off and detain the suspect until help arrived.

Responding deputies discovered at the scene some of the items that Smith had gathered in preparation for the attack on the unsuspecting jogger, including a belt, a mallet, deodorant spray and a bed sheet.

Logan Smith, 18, has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to strangle a male jogger as part of a twisted sexually motivated murder plot

Smith has been accused of ambushing the victim in the 7400 block of Batavia Avenue in Cocoa, Florida (pictured) on Monday

Smith was booked into the Brevard County jail on Monday on a felony count of attempted murder and was ordered held without bond.

A probable cause affidavit alleges that sheriff's deputies arrived in the area of Batavia Avenue and Kings Highway in Cocoa at around 1am on Monday for a report of a battery.

According to the document, Smith had spread a bed sheet in the driveway of his home, and armed himself with a rubber mallet, an aerosol can of Axe deodorant and a clothing belt.

Smith allegedly armed himself with a can of Axe deodorant, which he planned to spray in the eyes of the victim to blind him (stock photo)

Smith then hid behind a light pole across the street and waited for the victim to come running down the street, as he did regularly for exercise, a deputy wrote in the affidavit.

As soon as the jogger ran past the light pole, Smith allegedly followed him and tossed the belt over his head until it was in front of his neck.

'The defendant proceeded to pull the ligature tight around the victim's neck for several seconds which caused visible physical injury to the victim,' according to the affidavit.

But the jogger quickly realized what was happening and fought back, eventually overpowering the 5-foot-10, 200-pound teenager.

When deputies responded to the scene, the jogger told them that he typically runs about four times a week and has never met Smith, seen him or spoken to him.

The man further stated that on Monday, he was jogging with his earbuds in listening to music when 'out of nowhere he realized he was being "choked,"' according to the filing. The victim immediately realized what was happening and reverted to his martial arts training.'

During his interview with law enforcement, Smith allegedly said that he first saw the jogger about six weeks prior and began watching his exercise routine.

The 18-year-old admitted to the detectives that he decided to kill the stranger after watching a movie 'which showed very violent acts of murder and other homicidal scenes,' the affidavit stated, without naming the specific film.

Smith allegedly planned to use the mallet to hit the victim and the Axe deodorant to spray him in the eyes to disable his vision, before strangling him with the belt and then dragging his body on the sheet into his bedroom.

Responding deputies also found a rubber mallet, which Smith had brought along, allegedly planning to hit the jogger before strangling him with a belt

'He further planned to place the victim's body into his closet where the defendant stated no one would know and the defendant could have the victims body all to himself,' the document read.

The 18-year-old added that 'he also planned to play with the victim to fulfill his sexual fantasies.'

Smith was said to have proclaimed that he had every intention to carry out his sexually motivated homicidal plot but 'he got unlucky because the victim was stronger that he was,' according to the filing.

Smith is scheduled to be arranged on February 10. If convicted as charge, he could face up to a life in prison.
A fearless 'airline stewardess' who went viral when she stood atop the world's tallest building in an Emirates airlines advertisement last year has repeated the feat - but this time with even higher stakes.

Skydiver and social media star Nicole Smith-Ludvik once again donned her Emirates uniform and clambered to the top of the 2,722ft tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai last week.

Holding a series of Love Actually-inspired placards, Nicole joked: 'I'm still here!', before displaying the words 'finally, here come my friends'.

Moments later, a humungous Emirates A380 Airbus - the largest passenger plane in the world - screamed past the smiling stuntwoman, seemingly mere metres away from the top of the tower.

The advert, in which the A380 plane glided past the stranded stewardess at incredibly low speed, was Emirates airlines latest promotion encouraging viewers to 'fly the iconic Emirates A380 to the world's greatest show' in reference to the Dubai Expo 2020.

The airline released a second video on YouTube shortly after the advert was published and seen by millions to explain just how they managed to pull off such a daring stunt.

Skydiver and social media star Nicole Smith-Ludvik once again donned her Fly Emirates uniform and clambered to the top of the 2,722ft tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai tower last week

Holding a series of Love Actually-inspired placards, Nicole joked: 'I'm still here!', before displaying the words 'finally, here come my friends'. She then held a placard inviting viewers to visit 'the world's greatest show' - Dubai Expo 2020, as an A380 Airbus screamed past behind her

The advert, in which the A380 plane glided past the stranded stewardess at incredibly low speed, was Emirates airlines latest promotion encouraging viewers to 'fly the iconic Emirates A380 to the world's greatest show' in reference to the Dubai Expo 2020

Pilots could be seen waving from the cockpit of the plane as it breezed pass around half a mile away from the tower

The stunt was in aid of the Dubai Expo 2020 - a world Expo running from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 - in which 192 countries are displaying a host of cultural offerings along with their most innovative technologies.

The Emirates airbus was emblazoned with a colourful livery promoting the expo as Nicole invited viewers to visit the event and to fly Emirates along the way.

There was much speculation over how the airline was able to co-ordinate such a stunt which clearly contained a high level of risk for both the pilots and stuntwoman.

The airline released an explainer video in which it revealed that the plane in fact was flying roughly half a mile away from the tower, but looked to be incredibly close to Nicole standing at the top thanks to some clever camera work.

There was still a great deal of risk however - in order to capture the perfect shot, the airbus was forced to carry out a fly-by eleven times in succession, which it did while travelling at only 145 knots (166 mph).

This is extremely slow for such a huge plane, which typically cruises at close to 600mph and can reach speeds of 634mph at full throttle.

In addition, the pilots had to maintain the world's largest passenger plane at the paltry speed of 166mph while at an altitude of under 3,000ft in the sky above Dubai - a scenario which could have quickly descended into chaos and resulted in huge consequences had anything gone wrong.

Nicole, who was forced to stand atop the Burj Khalifa on precarious footing for hours while the advertisement was being filmed, seemed thrilled to have pulled off the stunt successfully a second time.

'We've done it again - but bigger!! I'm back at the top and this time I have an #a380 with me,' she wrote on social media.

Nicole gained notoriety for her appearance in the original stunt, which was revealed in August 2021 when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was placed on the UK's amber travel list amid a relaxation of Covid travel restrictions.

She previously held up various placards on top of the world's tallest building in Dubai to celebrate the UK moving the UAE to its Amber list

The 'stewardess' was revealed to be stuntwoman Nicole Smith-Ludvik

Nicole previously held a series of placards which said: 'Moving the UAE to the UK Amber List... has made us feel... on top of the world... Fly Emirates ...Fly better.'

Dubai holidays for Britons had been on hold since the start of the year but a flurry of bookings took place after the Foreign Office moved the UAE off the Red list and onto the Amber in August.

That meant fully-vaccinated travellers were able to return from the Emirates without needing to quarantine.

The updates caused a surge in holiday searches, with Hays Travel, the UK's largest independent agent, reporting a 193 per cent surge in bookings between Thursday 5 and Friday 6 of August.

According to Skyscanner, searches for holidays to Dubai were up 213 per cent, making it the second-most popular search on the comparison website after Spain.

Nicole previously held a series of placards which said: 'Moving the UAE to the UK Amber List... has made us feel... on top of the world... Fly Emirates ...Fly better.'

The daredevil 'stewardess' stood atop a tiny platform on the spire of the 2,722ft Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai

Emirates Airlines, the flag carrier of the UAE, shared the promotional stunt video today, saying: 'Reconnect with your loved ones or take a fabulous vacation. From 8th August travel to the UK gets easier.'

Daredevil influencer, Ms Smith-Ludvik, said on Instagram: 'This is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing and exciting stunts I've ever done.

'A big shout out to Emirates Airlines for your creative marketing idea! It was a pleasure being a part of the team!'

An Emirates Airlines spokesperson told Gulf Today the filming on top of the tower was real and made possible by a number of local organisations.

The spokesperson confirmed that a raft of safety measures were put in place for the impressive promo shoot.
The sisters and girlfriend of a Marine killed during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal are suing Alec Baldwin for defamation as legal troubles continue to pile up for the liberal-leaning actor.

Rylee McCollum, 20, was one of the 13 military members who died in the bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul while processing evacuees during the withdrawal.

McCollum's sister, Roice, publicly spoke out against President Joe Biden claiming he showed a 'total disregard to the loss of our Marine' during an event with families of the fallen service members.

Baldwin later reached out her on Instagram and sent her a check for $5,000 for her to pass onto Jiennah Crayton, McCollum's widow, and the couple's newborn baby as a 'tribute to a fallen soldier.'

But Baldwin's tone quickly changed after Roice posted a photo on Instagram earlier this month showing her at the Washington Monument on January 6, 2021 - the day of the Capitol riot - with the caption 'Throwback.'

'Are you the same woman I sent the $ for your sister's husband who was killed during the Afghanistan exit?' Baldwin wrote on Roice's Instagram post from his own account, according to a complaint filed Monday in federal court.

The sisters and girlfriend of a Marine killed during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal are suing Alec Baldwin for defamation

This photo of McCollum at the Washington Monument on January 6, 2021 - she said she was cleared by the FBI and was not at the Capitol - caused Baldwin to direct message her, accusing her and her brother's widow of being insurrectionists

'When I sent the $ for your late brother, out of real respect for his service to this country, I didn't know you were a January 6th rioter,' the '30 Rock' star wrote.

Roice McCollum pushed back, saying she was not involved in the riots and was never accused of any crimes during the mayhem. She said she'd been interviewed by the FBI who cleared her of any involvement.

That didn't stop the 30 Rock actor from commenting back in a direct message.

'Your activities resulted in the unlawful destruction of government property, the death of a law enforcement officer, an assault on the certification of the presidential election. I reposted your photo. Good luck,' Baldwin allegedly wrote back.

Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyo Eleven Marines, was among the dead, while 18 other U.S. service members were wounded in Thursday Aug. 26, bombing, which was blamed on Afghanistan's offshoot of the Islamic State group

The McCollum sisters, Roice (center) and Cheyenne (left), have previously spoken out against President Biden

Roice said that she then received 'hostile, aggressive, hateful' messages from strangers after Baldwin posted her photo to his own Instagram account and accused Rylee McCollum's widow of being an insurrectionist, despite not being in Washington at all that day.

She also said that people compared her family to ISIS or the Nazis and said that Baldwin appeared to encourage it based on his direct messaging.

'I reposted your photo,' Baldwin allegedly messaged her, according to the complaint, though he appears to have since taken it down. 'Good luck.'

Jiennah Crayton, the mother of McCollum's baby, posted a tribute to the fallen soldier after his death

'Get raped and die, worthless c**t (kiss emoji). Your brother got what he deserved,' one commenter wrote, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also said that some users told Baldwin he should be refunded the money he donated and that he did nothing to stop his 2.4 million followers from dogpiling on Roice, sister Cheyenne, or Jiennah Crayton.

'Baldwin's conduct was negligent and reckless as he should have known that making the allegations he did against Plaintiffs to his millions of followers would cause Plaintiffs harm,' the lawsuit alleged.

'I think it's worth noting, too, that his social media following  is five times the population of your state,' the family's attorney, Dennis Postiglione, added.

Representatives for Baldwin have not yet commented on the matter.

The McCollumn sisters and Jiennah Crayton are seeking $25million in damages for defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Baldwin, 63, is already facing scrutiny and is under investigation after accidentally shooting and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his film Rust in October.
A South Carolina judge has refused to lower the $7 million bail for disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh after being hit with nearly 50 charges for stealing money from clients.

The wealthy scion's lawyers argued that Murdaugh's bond amount was considered to be way too high as they claimed their client was completely broke at the last virtual hearing on January 10.

Circuit Judge Alison Renee Lee, who set the $7 million bond, denied the request Tuesday in a one-page decision and said only that she had reviewed all the information presented at last week's virtual hearing and determined Murdaugh 'remains a flight risk and potential danger to himself and his community.'

Murdaugh, 53, has remained in jail since his arrest in September when he was denied bond on a number of charges connected to stealing settlement money from clients in injury or wrongful death cases.

He also faces accusations of attempting to arrange his own death after he allegedly ordered his former client Curtis Smith to shoot him in the head so his son could collect a $10 million life insurance policy.

The scion has remained a person of interest since his wife Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22, were shot and killed at their Colleton County country lodge.

Murdaugh's lawyers have adamantly denied he had anything to do with the deaths, but the investigation into the killings started to unravel other parts of his charmed life. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were local prosecutors and his family law firm grew into a behemoth with dozens of lawyers winning a number of multimillion dollar verdicts in tiny Hampton County.

A judge has refused to lower the $7 million bond for Alex Murdaugh (pictured in October) after his lawyers claimed it had been set too high

The request for Murdaugh was denied in a one-page decision by Judge Alison Lee as she determined he 'remains a flight risk and potential danger to himself and his community'

At Murdaugh's most recent bond hearing, his lawyers said Murdaugh's accounts were frozen by a different judge to make sure victims in a number of lawsuits wouldn't lose their chance to collect settlements.

The lawyers said Murdaugh couldn't even buy new underwear at the jail or pay his phone bill.

Two court-appointed receivers also testified at that hearing, saying Murdaugh has substantial assets including three bank accounts totaling $10,000, a retirement account with more than $2 million and partial ownership of an Edisto Island beach house, the family's sprawling Colleton County estate, four parcels of land in Berkeley County and some small islands in and around Beaufort County.

However, receiver John Lay said last week that those assets should be set aside for victims, not bail.

Murdaugh's bail is even higher than what prosecutors requested - $6.2 million to match the total investigators said Murdaugh faces charges of stealing.

His victims range from family friends and a state trooper, to an immigrant living in the country illegally and a person injured in a car crash, prosecutors have said.

Murdaugh has been named a person of interest in the death of his wife Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22, who were found shot to death at their Colleton County country lodge

Murdaugh has been hit with multiple charges after allegedly stealing millions of dollars from his clients and setting up his own death in order to give his surviving son a $10 million life insurance policy

Alex Murdaugh was shot in the head and injured on September 4 while he had car trouble on a road in Hampton County, South Carolina

Since 2015, Murdaugh has moved more than $3.7 million out of personal bank accounts, and investigators haven't been able to account for much of that money, prosecutors said.

In June 2016, prosecutors allege that 'while relying on his prestige and reputation as a lawyer,' Murdaugh reportedly told one of his clients, Johnny Bush, that he allocated $100,00 of his settlement money on 'accident reconstruction' for his case.

However, an indictment obtained by DailyMail.com shows that Murdaugh transferred $95,000 to his fraudulent bank account for his personal gain.

'Murdaugh had created this bank account for the purpose of misappropriating funds belonging to others with the illusion that the money was being paid 'to a legitimate business, the indictment read, noting the lawyer used the money stolen from his clients to pay for his own credit card bills, cash, and checks to associates.

Two months later, Murdaugh allegedly rerouted a $90,000 trust account check that 'was supposed to be compensated to Jamian Risher for his injuries' into his secret bank account.

Another indictment reads that Murdaugh had another of his clients, Randy Drawdy, 'sign a settlement disbursement form which reflected the withholding of $8,819.30 for medical bills and $750.00 for private investigator services' in November 2017.

But instead of using Drawdy's settlement fees to pay the other clients he had stolen from, Murdaugh allegedly put the $9,569.30 into his fake bank account.

Nine months later, in August 2018, prosecutors allegedly found records of Murdaugh stealing $85,000 from Jordan Jinks, portrayed as a 'longtime friend of the family who had come to Murdaugh for help.'

Murdaugh allegedly told Jinks he needed to hold the settlement proceeds to 'satisfy a medical insurance lien', according to the Daily Beast. The indictment reads that two months later, Murdaugh then sent a $65,000 check to his personal, hidden bank account.

The disgraced lawyer diverted millions of dollars to a fake bank account from a wrongful-death settlement meant for the sons of the back-then family housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield

Prosecutors further allege Murdaugh stealing $112,500 in April 2019 from the personal representative for the estate of Blondell Gary for his own gain.

Nine months later, between February and July 2020, Murdaugh scammed another client who came to him for help. In time, Murdaugh moved a $750,000 check meant for the client and his injuries to his fraudulent account, according to the indictment.

Between November and December 2020, prosecutors claim Murdaugh assured a client representing the estate of Sandra Taylor that 'the total wrongful death recovery would only be $30,000' and that he was not even going to charge a fee because the recovery was so 'low.'

However, the indictment alleges, Murdaugh managed to recoup 'over $180,000' in the wrongful death settlementbefore eventually wiring more than $150,000 to his fraudulent bank account.

Murdaugh's lawyers have tried several times to get his bail reduced. An attempt to get the state Supreme Court involved earlier this month also failed.

Murdaugh previously told Judge Lee he was in 'the throes of withdrawal' from an opioid addiction when he arranged to have himself shot on September 4, and also apologized for swindling $4.3 million from the relatives of his housekeeper.

'I understand there may be concern I may be a danger to myself,' Murdaugh told the court at the bail hearing.

'I made a terrible decision that I regret and frankly I'm embarrassed about. I'm not in that place now.'

Through his lawyers, Murdaugh gave a statement to the court in which he confessed to taking $4.3 million from the family of his housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, which was meant as settlement funds in a wrongful death case.

Maggie and Alex Murdaugh with their son Paul (center) and surviving son Buster (left)

Murdaugh said he tried to arrange his own death while he was in 'the throes of withdrawal' from a 20-year opioid addiction.

He added that he was grieving over the loss of his murdered wife and son.

Murdaugh said that while in treatment for his addiction he had realized the severity of his actions and now suffered 'crushing' humiliation.

He said he was 98 days free of drug addiction and wants to take responsibility for what he has done.

'I want to deal with these charges appropriately and head-on,' he added, according to Count on 2.

'I want to repair the damage I have done. I want to repeat as many relationships as I can.'

Murdaugh also faces several lawsuits, all related to allegations concerning his plans to influence an investigation in a 2019 boat incident, when his now-deceased son Paul murdered 19-year-old Mallory Beach.

He faces further claims of stealing millions from his former law firm PMPED, which fired him earlier this year when the scandal began to snowball.

All the charges against Murdaugh are felonies and he could face more than 500 years in prison if convicted of all of them.
Starbucks has abandoned its COVID vaccine mandate in a u-turn on policy it announced two weeks ago.

This comes just a week after the ruling by the Supreme Court and follows up companies such as General Electric, Amtrak and Macy's, who have made similar decisions.

In a memo sent Tuesday to employees, the Seattle coffee giant - which employs 228,000 people - said it was responding to last week's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 6-3 vote, the court rejected the Biden administration's plan to require vaccines or regular COVID testing at companies with more than 100 workers.

'We respect the court's ruling and will comply,' Starbucks Chief Operating Officer John Culver wrote in the memo.

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 last Thursday to block his sweeping rules on private companies in a crushing blow to his pandemic response.

Starbucks is no longer requiring its U.S. workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, reversing a policy it announced earlier this month

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

Starbucks' reversal is among the most high-profile corporate actions in response to the Supreme Court ruling. Many other big companies, including Target, have been mum on their plans.

On Jan. 3, Starbucks said it would require all employees to be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or face a weekly COVID test requirement.

At the time, Culver said it was the responsibility of Starbucks' leadership 'to do whatever we can to help keep you safe and create the safest work environment possible.'

In Tuesday's memo, Culver said the company continues to strongly encourage vaccinations and booster shots. The company also told workers on Tuesday that they shouldn't wear cloth masks to work, and should instead use medical-grade surgical masks.

Starbucks required workers to reveal their vaccination status by Jan. 10. The company said Wednesday that 90 percent have reported and the 'vast majority' are fully vaccinated. Starbucks wouldn't say what percent of workers are not fully vaccinated.

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)

Starbucks employs 228,000 people in the U.S.

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.

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.

Starbucks President John Culver (pictured) is reversing the policy in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision

A demonstrator holds a "Freedoms & Mandates Don't Mix" sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court

'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 and Macy's 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.'
A pet shop is closed after the pet hamsters was, authorities said, tested positive for the coronavirus in Hong Kong, Jan. 18. AP-Yonhap



Hong Kong will cull hundreds of hamsters after some tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Tuesday, as the city pushes to maintain its strict "zero-COVID" strategy.



The Chinese territory's staunch adherence to the mainland's "zero-COVID" policy has kept the number of cases low, but maintaining it has cut the finance hub off from the rest of the world for the last two years.



The decision to cull about 2,000 hamsters and other small animals comes after health officials recorded COVID cases at a Hong Kong pet shop.



Health secretary Sophia Chan said the move will protect public health after a pet shop employee and a customer handling hamsters tested positive.



The employee was found to be infected with the Delta variant, which has become rare in Hong Kong.



"Internationally, there is no evidence yet to show pets can transmit the coronavirus to humans, but... we will take precautionary measures against any vector of transmission," Chan said during a press conference.



Eleven preliminary positive samples were found on hamsters for sale at the Little Boss pet shop in the bustling shopping district of Causeway Bay.



Officials believe they were imported from the Netherlands and urged anyone who bought a hamster after December 22 to give up their pet for culling.



About 1,000 animals from Little Boss and its warehouse will be seized and put down, while staff and customers have been sent for testing.



Health officials also issued quarantine orders for around 150 people who visited the pet shop as well as more than 20 warehouse employees.



The shop was shuttered Tuesday.



Avoid kissing pets call



Another 1,000 hamsters from dozens of other pet shops across Hong Kong will also be killed and the businesses have been ordered to close temporarily.



Imports of small mammals will be suspended, officials added.



Deputy agriculture chief Thomas Sit defended the cull as a precautionary measure when asked why the decision was made without a clear scientific basis.



"The public should avoid kissing their pets and keep their homes clean," added agriculture director Leung Siu-fai.



"They should not abandon their pets on the streets under any circumstances.



"Reaction from hamster lovers in Hong Kong was swift  and angry.



"Is there anyone who can save the hamsters and other small animals?" said one person in a Facebook group called Hamster Blog HK  which boasts more than 10,000 members.



Another ridiculed officials over the cull, telling them to "go to Wuhan and help the bats there wear two masks", referring to the Chinese city where COVID-19 first emerged two years ago.



Reverse zoonosis



Asked about the Hong Kong hamsters case, the World Health Organization said experts were studying animal susceptibility to the virus which causes COVID-19 disease.



"There are a number of species that can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and then of course, there's the possibility  we call that a reverse zoonosis  it goes from humans back to animals, and then it's possible for the animals to reinfect humans," said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on COVID-19.



"That risk remains low but it is something that we are constantly looking at," she told a press conference in Geneva.



Of seven million virus sequences submitted to global platforms, around 1,500 are from animals.



Van Kerkhove said better surveillance was needed to determine not only which animals were susceptible but also to understand the extent of infections in animals and track the virus in animals over time to see what risk it posed. (AFP)


Sen. Roger Marshall has found a cheeky way to capitalize on his unseemly spat with Dr. Anthony Fauci: His campaign is selling T-shirts marking the moment President's Biden's top medical adviser called him a 'moron.'

The T-shirts show a grumpy Fauci, arms folded, above the insult he hurled at Marshall during a heated Senate hearing.

They sell for $29 with proceeds going to Marshall's campaign to be reelected as U.S. Senator for Kansas.

Their clash came during a bad-tempered back and forth as the senator quizzed Fauci about his financial disclosures.

Marshall seemed to accuse the infectious diseases expert, who is the highest paid federal employee, of hiding what are publicly available documents.

'Yes or no, would you be willing to submit to Congress and the public a financial disclosure that includes your past and current investments?' he asked. 'Our office cannot find them.'

Fauci replied: 'I don't understand why you're asking me that question.

Sen. Roger Marshall's campaign is selling T-shirts memorializing the moment an exasperated Dr Fauci was caught on a hot mic calling him a 'moron' during a congressional hearing

For $29, Marshall's supporters can buy a T-shirt marking the moment the nation's top infectious diseases expert called him a moron

Dr Anthony Fauci (left) is seen on January 11, during a heated Congressional hearing, holding up a screenshot from Rand Paul's website where he fundraises by getting supporters to pay to donate to his 'Fire Dr Fauci' campaign. He also got into a debate with Roger Marshall (right)

'My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years or so.'

When the senator's time expired, a microphone caught Fauci muttering: 'What a moron.'

Republicans, who see Fauci as an enemy, have used it as a new attack line.

They are demanding he apologize for his use of the insult.

Fauci, the nation's top public health expert, clashed last week with Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas after Marshall repeatedly asked him about his financial disclosures.

On Tuesday, the Republican Doctors' Caucus wrote to Fauci to demand he apologize.

'We, as members of the GOP Doctors' Caucus, are calling for you to make a public apology to Dr Marshall for your unprofessional comment,' they wrote.

'The divisiveness that has occurred during this pandemic should not come from an individual who was selected to lead this nation's pandemic efforts.'

Greg Murphy of North Carolina, vice chair of the caucus, told Fox News that they wrote the letter because they were offended by Fauci's remarks.

Greg Murphy, a Republican senator for North Carolina, is vice chair of the GOP Doctors' Caucus. He said that Fauci should apologize for calling Roger Marshall a 'moron' last week

'Dr Fauci has forfeited his credibility as a public health expert by placing political science ahead of medical science,' said Murphy, a practicing surgeon.

'Physicians have an obligation to put forward clear, consistent, and well-educated messaging to inform patients and the public.

'Instead of fulfilling this responsibility, Dr Fauci has administered confusing and conflicting information in an air of arrogance that has resulted in a marked decrease in the public's trust.'

Murphy continued: 'Dr Fauci's recent denigrating antics in undermining our highly respected colleague, Dr Marshall, is just the latest example of his tragic failure to lead.

'We ask that Dr Fauci make a public statement immediately withdrawing his derogatory comments, and reflect on the fact that medical opinions are best achieved through consensus and humility, not arrogant monolithic statements.

'Dr Fauci should take stock of how his divisive actions have done our nation more harm than good.'

Fauci has not responded to their letter.

Fauci's finances have become another source of ammunition for his Republican critics.

Fauci, 80, has led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and is the highest-paid federal employee in the country, making $434,312 a year as head of the NIAID.

President Joe Biden's salary is $400,000.

When he retires, Fauci's pension will be the largest in US history, exceeding $350,000 per year.

The Center for Public Integrity reported that Fauci's financial statements were indeed public available, but noted obtaining them was a lengthy procedure: they requested the document in May 2020 and not receive it until three months later.

The publicly available salary information for Fauci shows he earned $3.6 million from 2010 to 2019.

He will make roughly $2.5 million more for the years 2020 through 2024 if he stays on through Biden's current term.

Financial records from December 2020 show that the New York-born medical expert has a contributory IRA with $638,519.70 in it, and a brokerage trust account with $2,403,522.28.

All his accounts are with Charles Schwab: the most valuable of the three disclosed being a Schwab One Trust containing $5,295,898.92.

His three accounts have a total of $8,337,940.90.

On Tuesday a watchdog, Open Books, claimed that there remained 1,200 more pages to disclose.

They said the government has said the documents will be published, but owing to a backlog in Freedom of Information Requests they will only be cleared at a rate of 300 pages a month.
A doctor who sexually assaulted an off-duty police officer on the London Underground has been suspended for six months after 'bringing the profession into disrepute'.

Yashvir Maharaj was travelling on the Tube when he followed and repeatedly tried to touch another passenger.

The Edinburgh-based doctor initially touched the officer on his right bum cheek, before following the man as he moved away.

At one point, Maharaj swayed towards the crotch of the officer and was an inch away from touching his 'private parts'.

The victim then took Maharaj off the train and explained he was a serving police officer, before taking his details.

An investigation was subsequently launched by British Transport Police and Maharaj was charged over the incident in July 2019.

Having denied all wrongdoing, he was convicted of sexual assault of a male over 16 without penetration following a trial at Inner London Crown Court.

The doctor was fined 300, ordered to pay 200 in compensation to the police officer and a 32 victim surcharge.

And he was hauled before a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) over the incident last week.

A British Transport Police officer checks that passengers are wearing face coverings on a Picadilly Line train on November 30 last year

A British Transport Police sign on the back of an officer's high visibility jacket while on duty in central London (stock picture)

A panel heard that Maharaj had qualified from the University of Kathmandu in Nepal back in 2000 before working as a research physician supervising drug trials in Edinburgh from October 2013.

His legal team accepted his fitness to practice as a medic was 'impaired' because of his sexual assault conviction, but argued that he is a 'competent' doctor and there was no issues of patient safety.

They added that the sexual assault was 'minor' and there is 'no risk' of repetition because Maharaj had banned himself from travelling on public transport.

Aaminah Khan, chair of the MPTS panel, said Maharaj's actions had brought the profession into 'disrepute'.

He said: 'While Dr Maharajs offence occurred outside of the context of a clinical environment and no patients were affected, sexual assault against any member of the public is a serious breach of the standards expected of a doctor and inevitably brings the medical profession into disrepute and undermines public trust in the profession.

'It is clear that Dr Maharajs conviction brings the profession into disrepute and that his actions breached a fundamental tenet of the medical profession.

'The tribunal considered that Dr Maharaj had underestimated individual patient concerns and it is considered that a reasonable and well-informed member of the public would expect a finding of impairment to be made in this case, both to mark the seriousness of the misconduct, and to uphold proper standards across the medical profession.'

The panel noted that there were 'no issues in respect of patient safety', but said a suspension order was necessary given the 'seriousness of the conviction'.

Maharaj was suspended from practising for six months.
A Northumbria water company has been fined 240,000 after raw sewage leaked into a fresh water stream.

Northumbrian Water Ltd had previously pleaded guilty to two offences of polluting Coundon Burn in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on March 13 and 14, 2017.

The pollution was caused by a blocked combined sewer, leading to effluent flowing into Coundon Burn, Newcastle Crown Court heard on Wednesday.

On the two days in March 2017, a manhole partially collapsed and bricks and debris blocked the sewer, causing raw sewage to pour out of the manhole and into the fresh water stream.

Northumbrian Water was fined 240,000 after pleading guilty to two offences of polluting Coundon Burn (above: sewage entering stream) in County Durham, on March 13 and 14, 2017

A member of the public reported the incident to Northumbrian Water, which attended and officers believed that they had cleared the blockage.

But the next day, officers found a second manhole further downstream was also discharging sewage into Coundon Burn, which flows into the River Gaunless - a tributary of the River Wear.

After cutting into the pipe, they found a build up of sewage rags and litter, the court was told.

Sewage fungus, which can be fatal to aquatic life, was found growing on the bed of the stream, but samples showed the water was no longer polluted 24 hours after repairs were made, the court heard.

Northumbrian Water Ltd admitted two counts of causing a discharge activity. The firm had in April denied the two counts, but the pleas were changed in October.

On Wednesday, Judge Robert Adams fined the company 240,000 and 34,238 in costs, to be paid within 28 days.

The pollution was caused by a blocked combined sewer, leading to effluent flowing into Coundon Burn (pictured: file photo of stream), Newcastle Crown Court heard on Wednesday

The judge said the figure 'certainly wont put Northumbria Water out of business' or impact on the service to customers.

Judge Adams said the company 'responded quickly' after the sewage spill was reported and 'did all they could and cleared the blockages relatively quickly' afterwards.

But he added: 'I am satisfied there was a failure by the organisation as a whole to put in place and effect proper systems to avoid the commission of the offence.'

Northumbrian Water had been described as 'one of the leaders in their sector' in their approach and in working with the Environment Agency, who brought the prosecution.

The company has a 'very low number' of spills per year and has won various awards, the court was told.

The water company is the sewerage supplier to 1.3million properties in the North East of England.

The company set up a project to remove blockages from manholes in vulnerable areas after the Coundon Burn overflow, which the judge said was a 'responsible response'.

Northumbrian Water has 45 previous convictions relating to water quality and one relating to drinking water. Pictured: File photo of Northumbrian Water treatment plant in Middlesbrough

It has 45 previous convictions relating to water quality and one relating to drinking water, as well as 64 cautions.

Last year, the company was fined 540,000 with 142,000 costs after admitting a pollution case at Heads Hope Burn, near Castle Eden, in May 2017.

Rachael Caldwell, Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said: 'We take our responsibility to protect the environment very seriously.

'Water companies are aware that their activities have the potential to cause serious environmental impacts and they have a legal duty to avoid pollution.

'The regulations are clear. Our officers worked tirelessly to bring this case to court and were committed to holding water companies to account.

'The Environment Agency has secured fines of over 137million since 2015 with record fines handed down last year, making it clear that polluters will pay for damage to the environment.'

Water firms dumped untreated sewage in rivers across England and Wales more than 3,000 times in four years, research shows

By Jack Wright for MailOnline

Raw sewage has been dumped illegally in rivers across the country more than 3,000 times since 2017, it has emerged.

Seven water companies in England and Wales have regularly broken the law by discharging untreated sewage into Britain's waterways over the past four years, a report by the BBC alleges.

Campaigners said data shared with the broadcaster showed that the water industry was flouting 'poor regulation' by the Environment Agency.

The seven accused companies are Southern Water, South West Water, Thames Water, United Utilities, Wessex Water, Yorkshire Water and Welsh Water.

Professor Peter Hammond, who campaigns with Windrush Against Sewage Pollution, said that the companies discharged untreated sewage from 59 treatment works that treat 4.5million people's wastewater.

Raw sewage has been dumped illegally in rivers across the country more than 3,000 times since 2017, it has emerged (stock image)

No English river is free from pollution because a 'chemical cocktail' of wet wipes, sewage and car tyre particles is clogging up waterways and putting health at risk, damning report warns Not a single river in England is free from pollution  with waterways fouled by a 'chemical cocktail' of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes. This is the conclusion of a report by Parliament's Environment Audit Committee, which pointed to agriculture and then water companies as the largest contributors. The committee  which spent months taking in expert advice  warned that the ubiquitous pollution poses a risk to both the environment and to human health. UK waterways are used for pastimes from fishing to swimming and other sports, but bacteria derived from sewage and slurry risks making river users gravely ill. And the noxious influx of chemicals, microplastics and excessive amounts of nutrients are harming river-based wildlife and leading to harmful algal blooms. In particular, the audit committee criticised government inaction and budget cuts that are tying the hands of the Environment Agency in the fight against pollution. Advertisement

He claimed the Environment Agency is failing to detect thousands of illegal spills because it is not scrutinising the available data closely enough.

Water UK, which represents the water companies, said the companies agree there is an 'urgent need for action to tackle the harm caused to the environment by overflows'.

MPs warned last week that England's rivers are fouled by a 'chemical cocktail' of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes.

Parliament's Environment Audi Committee branded water and agriculture companies the biggest contributors and said the ubiquitous pollution poses a risk to both the environment and to human health.

Prof Hammond told the BBC: 'In some cases, multiple sewage workers are spilling into the same river causing damage for long periods of time, sometimes spinning as long as four months, six months almost without a break.'

The broadcaster said Prof Hammond looked at data from 'event duration monitors', which check every 15 minutes whether a treatment works is discharging untreated sewage into a river.

He then compared this data with rainfall data and with the companies's records on how much sewage they're treating.

His report claimed that the sewage treatment works at Dorking run by Thames Water was responsible for the highest number of unpermitted spills.

Untreated sewage was discharged into the River Mole on 223 days over the last four years, the BBC reported.

Prof Hammond's analysis suggests that none of them would have been permitted by the rules, because either the weather was too dry, or not enough of the sewage had been treated properly.

Water companies are allowed to discharge untreated sewage into rivers in exceptional circumstances, such as during heavy rainfall.

They may be breaking the law if they discharge when the conditions are dry  so-called 'dry spills'.

They could also be acting illegally if they are not treating enough of the sewage before they discharge it  known as an 'early spill'.

Yorkshire Water cast doubt on Prof Hammond's work, claiming he has 'fundamentally misinterpreted the data'.

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'In the short time we've had the report, it is clear that it has fundamentally misinterpreted the data and failed to understand how Environmental Permits work. The data overwhelmingly shows these works are operating within their permits.

'The report appears to show our treatment works operating as they should, with permitted spills occurring during or after period of rainfall when flows to the works are above FFT (flow to full treatment).'

Welsh Water insisted the data contained 'a number of inaccuracies' and took dispute with Prof Hammond's 'methodology'.

A spokesman added: 'We have an important role to play in improving river water quality more generally, and improving the performance of our CSOs is already a key priority for us.'

Seven water companies in England and Wales have discharged untreated sewage into Britain's waterways since 2017, a report by the BBC alleges (file image of the River Trent at Yoxall)

Campaigners said data showed that the water industry was flouting 'poor regulation' by the Environment Agency (file image of the River Thames at Maidenhead)

Water firms pump a fifth less cash into sewage works despite leaks and rising bills, new data shows Water companies have slashed their investment in sewage works by a fifth in the 30 years since they were privatised, figures show. The chronic under-investment comes despite water bills rising 31 per cent and the 72billion paid in dividends to investors over the same period. The claims come as the firms are under attack for dumping sewage into rivers instead of processing it  which critics say is because they have failed to adequately invest in treatment works. Water companies are now facing a wave of anger  which includes customers withholding bills in protest at the repeated dumping of sewage in rivers and seas. The analysis is of investment following privatisation in 1989. And it shows that cash put into waste water and sewage networks fell by almost a fifth  17 per cent  from 2.9billion in the 1990s to 2.4billion, based on data from regulator Ofwat and the campaign group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution. Advertisement

Southern Water's Chief Customer Officer, Katy Taylor, said: 'Transparency about our performance is really important to us. Any release of sewage, whether permitted or not, is reported to the Environment Agency and published on our own website.

'While we are proud of our contribution towards 78 of 83 of the bathing waters in our region being rated as good or excellent, We know there is more we need to do to improve the health of our rivers and seas.

'To improve our performance we are investing 2billion over the next five years, with a commitment to cut 80% of our pollution incidents by 2025 and 80% of storm overflows by 2030.

'In order to go further faster, we are taking a more collaborative approach to tackling the many causes of water pollution, through local stakeholders partnerships across the South East to put more holistic, nature-based approaches at the heart of reducing pollution.

'We welcome the support of Ofwat and the Environment Agency in creating the framework that supports more collaborative and environmentally-led approaches to eliminating sewage releases for good.'

A Wessex Water spokesman said: 'We are working through Professor Hammond's detailed modelling to verify the data he has calculated for overflow use.

'Our monitoring data indicates these overflows do not impact the downstream ecology of the rivers in these locations and no concerns have been raised by the Environment Agency.'

A Thames Water spokesman told MailOnline: 'We've received the report and will be looking at it carefully in the coming days.

'We regard all discharges of untreated sewage as unacceptable and will work with the government, Ofwat and the Environment Agency to accelerate work to stop them being necessary and are determined to be transparent.

'That is why we've committed to providing sewage discharge notifications in close to real time from all of our 468 permitted discharge points by the end of 2022 and believe we're the only water company to have made such a commitment for inland waters.

'We have an unprecedented amount of investment directed towards safeguarding our rivers and streams.

'Between 2020 and 2025 we are spending 1.25billion on maintaining and improving our operational sites, including contributing to the health of 745km of rivers across London and the Thames Valley, for example increasing our capacity by 50 per cent at our Witney site.

'Our aim will always be to try and do the right thing for our rivers and for the communities who love and value them. We have a long way to go  and we certainly can't do it on our own  but the ambition is clear.'

An Environment Agency spokesman said: 'Where there is evidence of non-compliance we will not hesitate to pursue the water companies concerned, and take appropriate action  as is evidenced by the conclusion of seven prosecutions against water and sewerage companies in 2021.

'Sewage pollution can be devastating to human health, local biodiversity and our environment. Water companies, regulators, farmers and others must do more to tackle this.

'To date, 1,300 storm overflows and storm tanks at waste water treatment works have been identified as spilling frequently, and prioritised for further scrutiny following our review of data from over 12,000 sites.

'Our separate, major investigation into possible unauthorised spills at thousands of sewage treatment works is ongoing.'

MailOnline contacted all seven companies for comment.
Grim polls have laid bare the devastating impact of Partygate today - even though Boris Johnson seems to have staved off the immediate threat of being ousted.

The Conservatives are now 11 points behind in crucial Red Wall seats, according to one survey, while in London they are trailing Labour by a massive 32 points.

The dire figures underline why Mr Johnson has been facing a growing backlash from his MPs over the scandal, which is clearly cutting through to voters.

There are claims the flow of letters demanding a no-confidence vote has been stemmed after Bury South MP Christian Wakeford dramatically defected to Labour.

Meanwhile, a full-frontal attack from ex-Cabinet minister David Davis at PMQs - telling Mr Johnson 'in the name of God, go!' - also seemed to backfire.

However, it could only be a temporary reprieve for Mr Johnson unless he can stop the dive in the polls.

The survey by JL Partners for Channel 4 News - conducted in 45 seats in the North and Midlands that were won from Labour in 2019 - suggests a huge turnaround from the nine-point advantage they had then.

A YouGov poll has put Labour 32 points ahead of the Tories in London, raising the prospect of many MPs losing their seats.

At the general election the Conservatives were only 16 points adrift in the capital.

Meanwhile, the latest Savanta ComRes tracker has found that Mr Johnson's personal ratings have plummeted another 10 points to minus 37.

A poll today found that the Tories are 11 points behind Labour in crucial Red Wall seats - a dramatic turnaround from the nine-point advantage they had at the 2019 election

The dire figures underline why Boris Johnson has been facing a growing backlash from his MPs over the Partygate scandal

Conservatives immediately focused their fury on the betrayal by the Red Wall MP, who has a wafer-thin majority of just 402 in Bury South.

Meanwhile, senior Tory figures claimed that Mr Davis's attack may have actually helped the premier.

A Cabinet minister told MailOnline: 'The tribal nature of politics and the ''professional grump'' nature of David seems to have cooled the mood.'

Allies of Mr Johnson branded Mr Davis 'a loner', while another MP who has been increasingly frustrated at Mr Johnson's performance said he appeared to be 'back to his normal self'.

'If you are going to tell the boss to resign you do it privately,' an ex-minister said. 'He is not a popular character. He is very prickly.'

Amid what has been dubbed a 'Pork Pie plot' by 2019 intake Tory politicians, Mr Wakeford already declared he had put in a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson.

And he was on the Opposition benches this afternoon wearing a Union Jack face mask.

In a parting shot letter to the premier, Mr Wakeford branded Mr Johnson's leadership 'disgraceful' and said he believed Labour would do more to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir Starmer goaded Mr Johnson in the Commons that any more defectors were 'welcome', saying the Tories had shown they were 'incapable' of governing the country.

'The Labour Party has changed and so has the Conservative Party,' he said. 'He and anyone else who wants to build a new Britain built on decency, security  is welcomed in my Labour Party.'

But Mr Johnson, who was flanked by Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel on the front bench, shot back: 'As for Bury South, let me say to him, the Conservative Party won Bury South for the first time in a generation under this Prime Minister on an agenda of of uniting and levelling up and delivering for the people of Bury South. We will win again in Bury South.'

Mr Johnson insisted he was not going to resign, urging people to 'wait for the outcome' of the inquiry by senior civil servant Sue Gray.

The government has been ramping up 'Operation Red Meat' with crowd-pleasing policies in an effort to quell the mutiny.

And in the latest phase this afternoon Mr Johnson revealed that a swathe of Covid rules are going, with the work from home order immediately axed.

Mr Wakeford was on the Labour benches for PMQS today wearing a union flag face mask

Masks will also not be compulsory from next week, he said - in a move that was cheered by Tory MPs.

Trying to sweep away the blunders over Partygate, Mr Johnson said: 'This government has got the big things right.'

Meanwhile, No10 will have been relieved that no other Red Wallers immediately followed Mr Wakeford out of the door.

Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison, one of the 'Pork Pie' rebels, laughed off 'bulls***' suggestions she could switch to Labour or the Lib Dems.

In the Commons, Mr Davis told Mr Johnson he had spent weeks defending him from 'angry constituents', including by reminding them of the 'successes of Brexit'.

He said: 'I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take. Yesterday he did the opposite of that. So, I will remind him of a quotation which may be familiar to his ear: Leopold Amery to Neville Chamberlain.

'You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. In the name of God, go.'

Amid gasps in the chamber, a seemingly shocked Mr Johnson replied: 'I must say to him, I don't know what he is talking about.

'What I can tell him  I don't know what quotation he is alluding to  what I can tell him is and I think have told this House repeatedly, I take full responsibility for everything done in this Government and throughout the pandemic.'

In his resignation letter, Mr Wakeford wrote: 'My decision is about much more than your leadership and the disgraceful way you have conducted yourself in recent weeks.

'However, I don't believe all politicians are the same and I do believe in the power of politics to be a force for good. So does Keir Starmer.

'He has shown that integrity in the way he has led his party on issues that matter to me, not least the vital challenge of combatting antisemitism.'

Sir Keir said Mr Wakeford had always put his constituents 'first'.

'As Christian said, the policies of the Conservative government are doing nothing to help the people of Bury South and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.'

It is the first defection from the Tories to Labour in 15 years, since Quentin Davies jumped ship.
Martial Simon, 61, (pictured) was on parole for a prior felony conviction when he allegedly murdered Go on Saturday

The man accused of pushing a woman to her death in a New York City subway station was wanted for violating his parole on a prior violent felony conviction, prosecutors revealed during his arraignment on Wednesday.

Martial Simon, 61, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Michelle Alyssa Go, who was shoved in front of a subway in the Times Square station on Saturday.

Assistant District Attorney Hunter Carrell said Wednesday at a hearing that Simon had been convicted of two felonies for attempted robberies in 1999 and 2019.

At the time of his arrest on Saturday, there was a warrant out for Simon for violating his parole on the 2019 robbery. According to records from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Simon served fewer than 20 days at the Downstate Correctional Facility before being released on parole on August 27, 2019.

But after he missed two parole meetings in July 2021, an arrest warrant was issued on August 3 of that year, the Department of Corrections said. He was still wanted on the warrant Saturday.

Simon, who joined a virtual hearing Wednesday from Bellevue Hospital, was denied bail and ordered a mental fitness exam. His next court date is February 23.

Prior to her death, Go (pictured) worked as a senior manager of strategy and operations for management and acquisitions at Deloitte Consulting, according to her LinkedIn

Go, 40, was on the N/Q/R/W platform at West 42nd Street and Broadway at around 9.40am on Saturday when Simon shoved her from behind with both hands while she looked down at her phone, authorities said.

Go was struck by a train and pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel. Simon fled the scene and turned himself in to police soon after the attack.

A vigil was held in Times Square on Tuesday night for Go, who worked for the consulting firm Deloitte. She was a senior manager of strategy and operations for management and acquisitions at Deloitte Consulting, according to her LinkedIn. She graduated from University of California Los Angeles with a bachelor's in economics and public policy, and got her master's in business administration from New York University.

A prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office said Wednesday the office is seeking to determine whether the attack was motivated by racial bias against Go, who was Asian American.

Authorities had initially given the suspect's name as Simon Martial, before his attorney said on Wednesday his name is Martial Simon.

H. Mitchell Schuman, of New York County Defender Services, who is representing Simon, said his client did not have racial motivations behind the attack.

'With so many unhoused people with unaddressed mental illness walking the streets of our city, it would be a shame if Mr. Simon was sacrificed at the altar of vengeful public opinion instead of seeking a deeper understanding of these complex issues now facing our society,' Schuman said.

During the virtual hearing Wednesday, Simon mumbled incoherently.

Martial seen Saturday night leaving a Midtown precinct

According to records from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Simon served fewer than 20 days at the Downstate Correctional Facility before being released on parole on August 27, 2019

Simon was also convicted and served more than a year at the Auburn Correctional Facility

'Defendant admitted his guilt in three separate conversations with transit officers, detectives, and ADAs,' ADA Carrell said. 'In addition, video places the defendant on the scene, and an eyewitness identified the defendant in a double-blind photo array.'

Manhattan Criminal Court Judge NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack was 'unprovoked' and the victim 'does not appear to have any interaction with the subject.'

Simon also was arrested in July 1998 for allegedly simulating a gun in an attempt to rob a taxi driver, threatening to kill the driver. He was charged with two counts of robbery and criminal possession of a weapon at the time. Simon was convicted in 1999 and served more than a year at the Auburn Correctional Facility.

Martial was being sought for violating his parole in connection with the 2019 attempted robbery case, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said.

Simon's older sister, Josette Simon, said her brother, who is homeless, has been battling schizophrenia for more than two decades and should never have been let out of a mental institution.

When Simon, who has a lengthy criminal history, was asked by a reporter if he had been the one to push Go, he said: 'Yes, because I'm God. Yes, I did it. I'm God. I can do it.'

A make shift memorial seen at a candlelight vigil in Times Square for Michelle Alyssa Go, who was killed at the Times Square subway station last Saturday

A prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office said the office is seeking to determine whether the attack was motivated by racial bias against Go

A person wearing a face mask reading, 'Stop Asian Hate,' attends a candlelight vigil in honor of Michelle Alyssa Go, a victim of a subway attack several days earlier

Speaking to the New York Post on Monday, Josette, from Georgia, argued that her brother belonged in a mental health facility and should have been kept off the streets.

Josette said that in his youth, her brother was a hardworking and giving man, but by the time he was in his 30s, he had succumbed to paranoia and thought that people were after him.

Not long after their mother died 23 years ago, Josette said her brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

For a time, Simon stayed with another sister, but he had been in and out of mental hospitals for the better part of 20 years, according to his sister.

'I remember begging one of the hospitals, 'Let him stay,' because once he's out, he didn't want to take medication, and it was the medication that kept him going,' his sister told the newspaper.

The family (pictured) of Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, described her as 'kind and intelligent' in a statement shared on social media today, three days after she was pushed to her death in New York

Josette recounted that during her final conversation with her brother, he told her that 'they' were after him. She said Simon told her he was being watched by people hiding in closets.

Josette apologized to Go's loved ones, saying that news of her violent death at the hands of her 'sick' brother has been tearing her apart.

'I'm his older sister, and it really breaks my heart that there was nothing I could do,' Simon said. 'And they let him out in the street.'

Simon said she now would like to see her brother get professional help, rather than being locked up 'like an animal with people who are really murderers.'

'I'm not saying let him out, but get his some help,' Simon said.

New York's crime rate continues to rise under new Mayor Eric Adams, who promised to be tough on crime, and 'woke' progressive DA Alvin Bragg

Transit crimes have been rising throughout the pandemic with several people being thrown onto the subway tracks. A woman was killed on Saturday after a homeless person threw her on the tracks at the Times Square Subway Station at West 42nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan (pictured: police on scene in Times Square)

Sources told the Post that he has had three encounters with police as an emotionally disturbed person.

The horrifying attack comes as crime in the subway and around the city continues to soar at the beginning of Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's first terms.

Bragg's controversial decision to downgrade burglary, armed robbery and drug dealings from felonies to misdemeanors has drawn criticism, as it has led to many criminals being let back out on the streets.

The number of felony assaults has since increased by 4.7 percent over the course of the last week, as compared to the same time last year.

Overall, crime is up 30.5 percent from the same period in 2021, according to the city's crime stats.

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 has come under fire after saying at a press conference on Sunday: 'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system... What we must do is remove the perception of fear.'

Curtis Sliwa, former Republican mayoral critic, lashed out at Adams on Twitter, writing: 'What happened to the law & order candidate?'
An intoxicated Michigan driver took a scene straight out of The Dukes of Hazzard television show when he decided to jump up and over a freeway bridge.

At 2pm on January 14, the unidentified Kalamazoo man, 25, steered his Chevrolet Impala up a highway embankment of the 142nd Avenue Bridge, which spans US 131 off exit 68 in Allegan County.

In a wild moment, the black car can be seen in video footage flying over the top of the bridge at high speed on the snowy afternoon, before arching over the other side at an angle, where the car flips.

He reportedly was intoxicated.

An intoxicated man, 25, mimicked the Dukes of Hazzard as he dangerously launched his Chevrolet Impala over the 142nd Avenue bridge off US 131 in Allegan County, Michigan, on January 14

The man flipped his car on the side and sustained non-life-threatening injuries

He reportedly was able to crawl out of his car on his own and was assisted by Good Samaritans until an ambulance arrived. He was taken to a Bronson hospital, where he got a blood test and a medical evaluation

Good Samaritans rushed to help the 25-year-old, including Dante Johnson, who told ABC 7: 'Everybody decided to just come out and help. That could have been the last day he seen his child, being able to walk away from that and see your kid, it's a miracle and blessing.'

It is unclear if the man has a child.

Other drivers also helped Johnson. The man ended up in a snowy ditch, according to ABC 7, and several passersby waited with him until an ambulance arrived.

He was able to crawl out of his vehicle, according to Jessica Sinclair, who drove past the scene later on with her mother.

He was taken to a Bronson hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and for a medical evaluation to draw blood. Troopers reported that he was intoxicated.

Sinclair, who posted a video on her Facebook page, showing the vehicle turned on its side with pieces of what appears to be the back bumper on other side.

In the daring stunt, he left behind parts of what appears to be his back bumper

On the other side, his vehicle lay on its side as the Michigan State Police inspected the vehicle. The man was not arrested and charges have not been filed

State troopers were still on the scene when Sinclair drove by sometime the afternoon. Officers still were inspecting the vehicle, which was next to a road sign that had been knocked over.

The man has not been arrested as the Michigan State Police wait for his blood test results to come back.

'Because of his injuries, a copy of the full report - along with a blood analysis for alcohol level - will be forwarded the prosecutors office for review,' Lieutenant DuWayne Robinson told DailyMail.com on Wednesday.
Diabetic liberal Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch jointly denied on Wednesday that Sotomayor had asked Gorsuch to put a mask on.

On Tuesday it was reported that Gorsuch was refusing to wear a mask despite pleas from Chief Justice John Roberts on behalf of Sotomayor, who did not feel comfortable around anyone unmasked and thus was working virtually.

'Reporting that Justice Sotomayor asked Justice Gorsuch to wear a mask surprised us. It is false,' the pair of justices said in a statement. 'While we sometimes disagree about the law, we are warm colleagues and friends.'

And later, Roberts put out his own statement denying he asked any justice to wear a mask. 'I did not request Justice Gorsuch or any other justice to wear a mask on the bench' he said.

Justices are known to place great importance on presenting a civil and non-partisan front to the public. Mask-wearing has become a political landmine in the U.S.

Last fall, amid a decline in Covid-19 cases, the court resumed in-person arguments for the first time, and none chose to wear a mask except Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is 67 and has diabetes.

But earlier this month when the court returned to the bench following the Omicron surge over the holidays, Sotomayor made it clear she did not feel safe in close proximity with the others unless they were masked, according to NPR.

Roberts then reportedly asked the other justices to mask up so that Sotomayor could return, but Gorsuch, who sits directly next to her, remained obstinate. Sotomayor has thus continued to join court business by phone and has not stepped back into the court.

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch has reportedly refused to wear a mask in court despite pleas from Chief Justice John Roberts

A masked-up Justice Sonya Sotomayor is pictured above

But earlier this month when the court returned to the bench following the Omicron surge over the holidays, Sotomayor made it clear she did not feel safe in close proximity with the others unless they were masked

The rules are far more strict for those in the chamber who don't rank as justices. Reporters and lawyers are required to wear N95 masks and test negative for Covid-19.

Mike Davis, Gorsuch's former law clerk, responded to the report on Twitter: 'Every justice is vaccinated and boosted. Don't vaccines work? We know cloth masks don't.'

Gorsuch, appointed by President Trump, also raised questions about vaccine mandates during oral arguments. The high court recently struck down President Biden's vaccine-or-test requirement for private employers, but left in place the mandate for workers in healthcare settings that receive federal funding.

'Could [the government] also implement regulations about exercise regimes, sleep habits, medicines and supplements that must be ingested by hospital employees in the name of health and safety?' he questioned.

In a dissent of the decision to uphold the healthcare worker mandate, Gorsuch, along with Amy Coney Barrett and Clarence Thomas, described the vaccination requirement for healthcare workers as forcing them to 'undergo a medical procedure they do not want and cannot undo.'

The court on Tuesday was hearing arguments over artwork stolen by the Nazis from a Jewish family fleeing Germany.

It also heard arguments on a case centering on Boston's denial of a conservative group's bid to fly a flag bearing a cross outside City Hall.

Last fall, amid a decline in Covid-19 cases, the court resumed in-person arguments for the first time, and none chose to wear a mask except Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is 67 and has diabetes, as is shown in this photo from Nov. 1

Amid the Omicron surge, Roberts reportedly asked the other justices to mask up so that Sotomayor could return, but Gorsuch, who sits directly next to her, remained obstinate. Sotomayor's chair remains empty in the sketch above from Jan. 7

Earlier this month, Sotomayor incorrectly claimed during a hearing on President Biden's vaccine mandate that 100,000 children in the U.S. with Covid-19 are in 'serious condition.'

The justice, appointed by former President Obama, also claimed that Omicron is 'just as deadly' as the Delta variant for the unvaccinated.

Studies have shown the Omicron variant to be more infectious but less virulent than past strains of Covid-19.

'Omicron is as deadly as delta and causes as much serious disease in the unvaccinated as delta did,' she said. 'The numberslook at the hospitalization rates going up. We have more infected people today than we did a year ago in January. We have hospitals that are almost at full capacity with people severely ill on ventilators. We have over 100,000 children, which we've never had before, in serious condition, and many on ventilators.'

If by 'serious condition' the justice means hospitalized, those numbers are inaccurate.

The seven-day average of Covid patients under 18 who were hospitalized on the day of Sotomayor's remarks was 797.

Since August of 2020, there have not even been 100,000 Covid-19 hospitalizations among children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 82,843 children have been hospitalized during that time period.

About 600 Americans under the age of 18 have died of Covid-19 over the course of the pandemic.

The U.S. recorded 721,651 new cases on Monday, a steep fall from the 1.364 million cases reported last Monday. America's new daily case average has also dropped 10 percent over the past seven days, from 766,939 to 684,457.

Recent trends in case growth, combined with the more mild nature of the Omicron variant compared to its predecessors, has many hopeful that Covid will soon become endemic. If it reaches endemic stage, humans will be able to live normal lives with controlled circulation of the virus - similar to the flu.

Deaths are only up 7% this week, down from the 20% increase recorded last Monday.'

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow lambasted Gorsuch for 'keeping [Sotomayor] from being able to come to work.

'It's folly to try to get inside anyone else's head, I know, but I just can't shake this,' Maddow tweeted Tuesday, adding, 'Does Justice Gorsuch revel in everyone now knowing that he's keeping her from being able to come to work? Or is he embarrassed? I mean, how do you live with yourself?'
Utah Senator Mike Lee accused Democrats of isolating West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and 'making his life miserable' for refusing to go along with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's plan to invoke the nuclear option to pass federal voting legislation ahead of the 2022 midterms.

Lee excoriated his colleagues across the aisle in a TV interview on Wednesday, hours before the Senate is set to vote on ending a Republican filibuster to advance the bill.

Asked about why Manchin's fellow Democrats keep urging him to change his position, Lee said they were 'so desperate to silence Americans and seize power that they are willing to threaten and intimidate and, make life miserable for him.'

'He's got security protection around him, simply because of the fact that Democrats are mad because he is keeping his word. Unlike them,' Lee told Fox.

Manchin and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema are the lone Democrats standing in front of President Joe Biden's bid to pass a federal voting bill in response to 19 GOP-led state legislatures passing election security bills last year.

The West Virginia moderate was one of 61 senators to sign onto a 2017 letter urging Schumer and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell preserve the filibuster when Republicans controlled Congress. Every other Democrat behind the letter who's still serving in Congress is now vying to scuttle it to pass voting rights.

'They joined us in saying it shouldn't be nuked,' said Lee, who also signed onto the letter.

Lee appeared on Fox News Wednesday morning and lauded Manchin for being consistent on his filibuster stance while also attacking Democrats for criticizing him

'Now they have no explanation it other than it could benefit them for the short term right now, and they are proceeding anyway, and they're beating up on Manchin and Sinema, and it's not right.'

Democrats are setting themselves up for doomed effort on Wednesday evening, when at 6:30 p.m. lawmakers in the upper chamber tee up a vote on whether to end debate and move Biden's progressive election agenda forward.

Schumer is expected to set up a vote on scuttling the filibuster on Democrats' election bill on Wednesday, an effort that's likely to fail

Schumer will need 60 votes to overcome Republicans' filibuster, which he's unlikely to get with the Senate's 50-50 split and likely uniform GOP opposition.

He's then expected to tee up a vote on carving out an exception to Senate rules in order to pass the voting rights bill with a simple majority.

Under that proposal, the bill's rules would shift to a talking filibuster that requires Republican lawmakers to delay the legislation from the Senate floor and would then end when all objecting senators who wanted to speak are finished, according to Punchbowl News. Currently lawmakers are allowed an unlimited amount of objections, potentially killing legislation with delays.

But Democrats would need to vote in lock-step for that to happen, and Manchin and Sinema have both expressed vehement opposition to changing rules.

Last week Sinema took to the Senate floor as Biden was heading to Capitol Hill and delivered an impassioned defense of the bipartisanship the filibuster affords.

Manchin reiterated his position on Tuesday night, telling reporters 'Ive never changed my mind on the filibuster.'

'The majority of my colleagues in the Democratic caucus have changed their minds. I respect that. They have a right to change their minds. I havent. I hope they respect that too,' the centrist said.

Manchin reiterated his support for the filibuster and shrugged off potential primary threats in remarks to reporters on Tuesday

In response to his opposition, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders indicated he was open to supporting a primary challenge to either Manchin or Sinema. His fellow progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren shared similar threats.

Senate Democrats who are trying to scuttle the filibuster have been accused of flip-flopping on their full-throated defense of the maneuver in 2017.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine defended his caucus over the 2017 letter earlier this month, claiming it was 'written before one of the largest efforts in the history of this country to disenfranchise voters.'

But on Wednesday Lee accused Democrats of trying 'to silence Americans and seize power' with their legislation.

'They don't have the votes to do what they want to do,' he said.

'This isn't really about the American people, this is about enabling Democratic politicians to remain in office even at a time when they're really worried -- understandable, justifiably -- about the fact that they're down in the polls because President Biden and the Democratic agenda is really unpopular.'

Democrats notably used the filibuster last week to defeat GOP Texas Senator Ted Cruz's bill sanctioning the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.
But an execution has never been carried out as courts have overruled sentence

Blasphemy is punishable by the death sentence in Muslim-majority Pakistan

A Muslim woman has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for sending caricatures of Prophet Muhammad over WhatsApp, a court said.

Aneeqa Ateeq, 26, was arrested in May 2020 and charged with posting 'blasphemous material' as her WhatsApp status, according to a summary issued by the court.

When her friend urged her to change it, she instead forwarded the material to him, according to the court.

Blasphemy is an act punishable by the death sentence in Muslim-majority Pakistan, although an execution has never been carried out for the crime.

Aneeqa Ateeq, 26, was arrested in May 2020 and charged with posting 'blasphemous material' as her WhatsApp status, according to a summary issued by the court (stock image)

Caricatures of Mohammed are forbidden by Islam.

Ateeq's sentence was announced on Wednesday in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, with the court ordering her to be 'hanged by her neck till she is dead'.

She was also handed a 20-year jail sentence.

Up to 80 people are known to be jailed in Pakistan on blasphemy charges - half of whom face life in prison or the death penalty - according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Pakistan has strict blasphemy laws which carry a death penalty for people who insult the Prophet Muhammad, Islam, the Quran or certain holy people.

The Pakistan Penal Code states: 'Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.'

Ateeq's sentence was announced on Wednesday in the garrison city of Rawalpindi (pictured: file photo of the city), with the court ordering her to be 'hanged by her neck till she is dead'

But nobody has ever been executed under the blasphemy laws in Pakistan as higher courts have overruled or commuted the sentences.

The laws have long been criticised by rights groups because they are seen as vague and widely abused in order to dangerously discriminate against religious minority groups in the Muslim-majority country.

An overwhelming 98 per cent of the population follows Islam and critics say the law targets members of other religious groups including Hindus and Christians.

Domestic and international human rights groups say blasphemy allegations have often been used to intimidate minorities and settle personal scores.

In December, a Sri Lankan factory manager working in Pakistan was beaten to death and set ablaze by a mob after being accused of blasphemy.

Priyantha Kumara was accused by factory workers of desecrating posters bearing the name of Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

The lynching was widely condemned by Pakistans military and political leadership, prominent social and religious figures and civil society members.

It came less than a week after a Muslim mob burned a police station and four police posts in northwestern Pakistan after officers refused to hand over a mentally unstable man accused of desecrating Islams holy book, the Quran.

Last August, an eight-year-old Hindu boy, who was not named, became the youngest person in Pakistan to be charged with blasphemy.

Pakistan has strict blasphemy laws which carry a death penalty, but nobody has ever been executed under the laws as higher courts have overruled the sentences (stock image)

But Pakistan police dropped the charges against the boy after pressure from the government and media over his arrest.

The boy was originally arrested on charges of intentionally urinating on a carpet in the library of a madrassa, or religious school, that houses religious books in July 2021.

His release on bail prompted a mob to damage a Hindu temple in the conservative town of Bhong in the Rahim Yar Khan district, Punjab. The boy and his family were put in protective custody.

The country's government has long been under pressure to change the countrys blasphemy laws, first introduced by British colonial rulers in 1860.

In 2011, a Punjab governor was killed by his own guard after he defended a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who was accused of blasphemy.

She was acquitted after spending eight years on death row in a case that drew international media attention.

Faced with death threats from Islamic extremists upon her release, she flew to Canada to join her daughters in 2019.
A 2.5million Ferrari Enzo has been smashed into pieces after crashing into a tree stump in the Netherlands.

The crash took place in the town of Baarn, just southeast of Amsterdam, on Tuesday.

It is understood a local dealership mechanic was behind the wheel of the Enzo, of which only 400 were built worldwide, but escaped the incident unhurt after being taken to hospital for a check-up.

The vehicle suffered significant damage in the collision, in which its airbags were deployed, including two wheels having been ripped away along with several suspension pieces.

A witness to the crash said the vehicle's passenger side ploughed into a tree stump on the side of the road.

Two wheel on the right side of the car appear to have been ripped away in the impact of the crash on Tuesday

The crash took place in the town of Baarn, a municipality just southeast of Amsterdam in the Netherlands

Only 400 of the now 2.5million Ferrari Enzos were made worldwide - making it a very costly crash

The mid-engine dream car suffered extensive damage in the collision, but the driver escaped unhurt

Recovery teams pick up wheels that have became detached from the Ferrari in the crash as the car is lifted onto a recovery truck

A recovery driver gently moves the Ferrari onto a truck to be taken away following the crash on Tuesday

They added: 'The local Ferrari dealer is about two kilometres away from the scene. It's a customer-owned car.

'The Weather conditions were damp and chilly, maybe three degrees in temperature.

'It hit a tree stump at the side of the road. It hit it on the passenger side and the stump was damaged.

'Not sure what happened, but I think he wanted to turn right back to the dealership.'

The mid-engine supercars left the Ferrari production line between 2002 and 2004.

A close up of the damage to one of the wheel arches of the 2.5m Ferarri Enzo, which lost two wheels in the collision

The impact of the crash hit the passenger side of the vehicle, while the driver's side has been left relatively unscathed

A close up of the significant damage sustained in the crash with a tree stump on the side of the road

Significant damage has been caused to the bumper of the Ferrari Enzo, of which just 400 exist

Initially costing 450,000 when launched, the Enzos have since hugely increased in value.

Most recently, a 2003 Ferrari Enzo was sold in August last year by RM Sotheby's for $3,360,000 (2,463,132).




Security forces blocked several downtown streets and cordoned off one of the squares in Kazakhstan's biggest city Almaty, Wednesday, as an opposition group planned to stage protests, a Reuters correspondent reported from the scene.







The oil-rich Central Asian nation was shaken this month by the worst bout of violence in its post-Soviet history during which at least 225 people were killed, most of them in Almaty.







On Wednesday, a group led by Mukhtar Ablyazov, a former Kazakh banker turned government critic in exile, said it would hold protests outside local government buildings in major cities throughout the country of 19 million.







A Kazakh court has ruled Ablyazov's political movement, the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, was extremist.







Police in Almaty said they were carrying out an "anti-terrorist operation." (Reuters)






The couple at the center of the Houston House of Horrors case have been officially indicted in the death of an eight-year-old boy who was beaten to death and left to rot in an apartment alongside his three surviving brothers for nearly a year.

The Harris County Grand Jury on Tuesday indicted Brian Coulter, 32, on a charge of capital murder for the November 2020 killing of his girlfriend's autistic son, Kendrick Lee.

Meanwhile, Gloria Williams, 36, Kendrick's mother and Coulter's girlfriend, was indicted on counts of injury to a child, serious bodily injury, and tampering with a corpse.

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The Harris County Grand Jury has indicted Brian Coulter (left) on a capital murder charge and Gloria Williams (right) on counts of injury to a child, serious bodily injury, and tampering with a corpse

Coulter is accused of beating and kicking to death Williams' autistic son, eight-year-old Kendrick Lee (pictured), and leaving his body to rot for nearly a year

Coulter and Williams on Wednesday remained jailed on bonds of $1million and $1,550,000, respectively, pending their next court appearance on Friday.

According to Coulter's indictment, on November 20, 2020, the 31-year-old suspect 'did intentionally and knowingly cause the death of Kendrick Lee... by striking [him] with the defendant's hand, and by kicking [him] with the defendant's foot.'

If convicted of capital murder of a person under 10 years old, Coulter could face life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty, should prosecutors choose to pursue it after reviewing evidence.

'Prosecutors have not yet determined whether we will ultimately seek the death penalty for this defendant,' Dane Schiller, a spokesperson for Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg ,told DailyMail.com in an email on Wednesday.

Williams, pictured during a court appearance in November 2021, is being held in jail on $1,550,000 bond

Coulter, seen in court last fall, is being held on $1million bond

TIMELINE IN HOUSTON HOUSE OF HORRORS CASE REVEALED: November 20-23, 2020: Brian Coulter allegedly beats eight-year-old Kendrick Lee to death inside apartment at CityParc II complex in Houston November 23: Coulter is arrested in Luling, Texas, and spends six days in jail after being discovered drunk and in possession of a gun at a convenience store November 29: Coulter is released on bail; weapons possession case against him is still pending March 2021: Coulter and Gloria Williams, Kendrick's mother, move out of CityParc II apartment, leaving her three sons to live alone with Kendrick's skeletal remains October 2021: Coulter allegedly attacks Williams' 10-year-old son, breaking his jaw; the boy receives no medical attention October 24: Williams' 15-year-old son texts his mother that he cannot do this anymore and calls 911 to report his brother's death; police arrive to discover the corpse in filthy apartment October 24, Evening: Deputies question Coulter and Williams, but let them go without charges October 26: Harris County Medical Examiner's Office rules Kendrick Lee's death a homicide, leading to arrests of Coulter and Williams; boyfriend is charged with murder, while girlfriend is accused of injury to a child by omission and tampering with evidence October 27: Judge sets Coulter's bond at $1million and Williams' at $900,000 October 28: Coulter makes first court appearance and agrees to bond conditions November 1: Williams appears in court and has attorney assigned to her November 5: Judge raises Williams' bond to $1.5million as prosecutors reveal she was getting $2,000 towards child care January 18, 2022: Harris County Grand Jury indicts Coulter on capital murder charge and Williams on counts of injury to a child, serious bodily injury, and tampering with a corpse Advertisement

Schiller added: 'under Texas law, there are only two sentences for those convicted of capital murder: life in prison or death by execution. Either way they are to never again set foot on our streets.'

Kendrick Lee's skeletal remains were found inside a Houston apartment on October 24, 2021, after Williams' teenage son alerted the police, leading to her and Coulter's arrests.

A search of the couple's separate apartment revealed that it was fully furnished, as opposed to the unit at the CityParc II complex 15 minutes away, where Williams' three surviving sons, then aged 7, 10 and 15, lived beside the corpse of their brother, which was bare and crawling with cockroaches.

The children alleged that they were locked in a bedroom room with Kendrick's decomposing remains, even while Coulter and Williams still lived with them.

All three boys were described as malnourished, having been forced to subsist for months on snacks supplied by their mother and food donations from concerned neighbors.

Authorities alleged that Coulter punched and kicked Kendrick to death around Thanksgiving Day 2020, and Williams refused to report him to the police, claiming she was afraid her children would be taken away and she would end up in jail.

Coulter and Williams were arrested in October 2021 at a public library, where they were said to have been looking up news stories online about their own case.

During Williams' court appearance last year, a prosecutor read aloud a statement of probable cause, which revealed that three of the mother's surviving children witnessed their brother's fatal beating.

The children claimed Coulter struck the eight-year-old with closed fists and kicked him in his face, feet, back, testicles and buttocks.

Williams' 7-year-old son told deputies Coulter continued kicking Kendrick, who was lying on the floor and not moving, while staring at the younger brother who was in the room.

After Kendrick's eyes turned black and he stopped blinking, Coulter covered him with a blue blanket, the prosecutor stated.

When Williams entered the bedroom to check on her son and saw that he was dead, she began crying and fighting with Coulter.

Her 15-year-old son told investigators he believed his mother would call the police on Coulter, but 'she never did.' She then moved out of the apartment, leaving her surviving children with their brother's rotting corpse and without any adult supervision.

William's 10-year-old son told investigators that when Williams came by the apartment at a later date and lifted the blanket off of Kendrick, she found that 'his body, feet and teeth had turned into a skeleton,' and that 'his hair was off.' His decomposing corpse was said to have been covered with cockroaches.

Police in October found Kendrick's (pictured in white) skeletal remains inside a Houston apartment housing Williams' three surviving sons, ages 7, 10 and 15

Prosecutors said Williams and Coulter were living in a fully furnished apartment located just 15 minutes away from her children's bare and roach-infested home

The 10-year-old also claimed that Coulter would beat him as well, hitting him on the face, stomach, buttocks and legs, and broke his jaw three weeks ago.

When police arrived at the apartment on Sunday, they found the child with a swollen jaw. At the hospital the following day, the boy said that his mother 'was aware of the injury but did not seek or obtain medical aid for him,' the prosecutor said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been courting conservative influencers at the governor's mansion as his feud with former President Donald Trump grows.

Politico reported that DeSantis' team has been reaching out to conservative media and online personalities to get them face-time with the Republican governor.

On January 6, for instance, DeSantis invited social media stars to Tallahassee for a stop at the governor's office, dinner at the governor's mansion and drinks at Level 8 Lounge, a popular rooftop bar near the Florida statehouse, Politico said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is inviting conservative social media influencers to spend time with him in Tallahassee

On January 6, DeSantis invited a group to his office, to dinner at the governor's mansion and then to drinks at Level 8 Lounge, located near the Florida statehouse

The group included Fox News' Lisa Marie Boothe, Turning Point USA's Benny Johnson, Newsweek opinion editor Josh Hammer, The Rubin Report's Dave Rubin, New York Post and FoxNews.com columnist Karol Markowicz, Claremont Institute fellow David Reaboi and conservative writers Jordan Schachtel and John Cardillo.

Hammer shared photos of the group surrounding DeSantis at his desk and out at the bar with his press secretary Christina Pushaw.

Everyone DeSantis invited has more than 95,000 Twitter followers - and a number of them, including Rubin and Markowicz, recently relocated to Florida from blue states.

'Thanks for dinner, @GovRonDeSantis,' Rubin remarked. 'I'm no longer an enemy of the state!'

Rubin moved to Florida from Los Angeles, while Markowicz fled New York.

Pushaw downplayed the guests online notoriety telling Politico those invited 'have consistently supported the governor's pro-freedom policies.'

'Turns out that a governor who stands up for individual rights against federal tyranny is popular among conservatives,' she added.

Members of the group have become cheerleaders for the Sunshine State, with Reaboi writing a column for Newsweek Monday that Florida had become 'America's New Texas,' giving DeSantis the credit.

'By last week, when Governor Ron DeSantis gave his State of the State Address in Tallahassee, Florida had already eclipsed Texas as the most energetic, forward-looking red state in America, having captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of conservatives who have flocked here - and millions in other states and countries who are watching, often jealously, from afar,' Reaboi wrote.

'DeSantis' insistence on protecting normal life in Florida through the COVID insanity of the last two years has distinguished him in American politics,' Reaboi added.

Remarking on the same speech, Schachtel tweeted, 'Tune out from the clown show in Washington, D.C. The leader of the Free World is speaking,' he said of DeSantis.

The DeSantis fervor comes as the Florida governor's relationship with Trump, another Florida resident, has become rocky.

Trump recently called politicians 'gutless' who refused to say whether they received COVID-19 booster shots - a comment seemingly pointed at DeSantis, who is vaccinated, but hasn't said if he's been boosted.

Trump said onstage last month in Dallas with Bill O'Reilly that he had received his booster and got noticably heckled. At his rally in Arizona Saturday, Trump didn't bring up COVID-19 vaccines - and instead knocked President Joe Biden and the Democrats over mandates and masks.

Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that DeSantis' is refusing to commit to clear the way for Trump if the ex-president jumps into the 2024 presidential race.

Trump wants other presidential hopefuls to bow out if he gets in, clearing the way for an easy GOP primary win.

The fervor surrounding DeSantis comes as the Florida governor's relationship with former President Donald Trump (pictured) has gotten rocky

While DeSantis is running for re-election this year, he's shaping up to be a top GOP 2024 White House contender.

DeSantis told his inner circle the 'expectation that he bend the knee is asking too much,' The Times said.

Behind-the-scenes, Trump has reportedly remarked that DeSantis has 'no personal charisma' and a 'dull' personality.

And when Trump's people were asked to comment on DeSantis courting social media influencers who share pro-Florida sentiments, Taylor Budowich, a Trump spokesperson, pointed out the role Trump played in making DeSantis.

'The MAGA world has, in large part, followed President Trump to Florida as it readies for the future,' Budowich told Politico. 'After introducing the world to Governor DeSantis in 2017 through a Tweet, Floridians have reaped the rewards of President Trump's America First candidates.'

'Now with DeSantis up for re-election, it's an all hands on deck effort to propel Governor DeSantis across the finish line once more,' Budowich added.
A Peaky Blinders actor had cocaine in his system when an aneurysm 'ruptured' and he died, an inquest heard, as a coroner ruled a hospital was not to blame for discharging the star.

Toby Kirkup, 48, was admitted to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on August 29, 2020, and was diagnosed with gastritis before being sent home the same day.

But when he returned to his home to Titanic Mills in Linthwaite, his condition deteriorated and he died alone after an aneurysm 'ruptured', Bradford Coroner's Court heard.

Mr Kirkup's family wanted a coroner to investigate the Emmerdale actor's death because they had concerns about his treatment, the inquest heard.

But a coroner said he was 'not at all critical' of the hospital's decision to send Mr Kirkup home, saying he understood the reason for the discharge.

The inquest concluded Mr Kirkup died of natural causes after a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm, while a toxicology report found traces of cocaine in his system.

Toby Kirkup (pictured), 48, was admitted to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on August 29, 2020, and was diagnosed with gastritis. He was discharged but later died at home

A statement from his family, read at the virtual hearing, said Mr Kirkup started to use drink and drugs while at university but had been 'clean' since going to a rehab facility in South Africa almost 10 years before his death.

The family said they felt his death was the result of being 'wrongly diagnosed' and said the focus had been on placed his stomach pain rather than chest pain.

In the statement, his loved ones said they believed the diagnosis was based on 'a perception of excessive alcohol and drug use'.

They questioned why Mr Kirkup was 'sent home with lifestyle advice and told to get some Gaviscon', an over-the-counter medicine to relieve heartburn and indigestion, the statement said.

On August 18, just over a week before his death, Mr Kirkup celebrated his birthday and made 'use of recreational drugs and alcohol', the inquest was told.

Pathologist Dr Karen Ramsden told the court that Mr Kirkup died from bleeding caused by a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm.

A coroner said he was 'not at all critical' of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary's (pictured) decision to send Mr Kirkup home, saying he understood the reason for the discharge

She added: 'I don't think we can prove chronic cocaine usage was the cause.'

A toxicology report found traces of cocaine in his system, but the results 'didn't indicate recent excessive use'.

Pathologist Dr Karen Ramsden said Mr Kirkup died from bleeding caused by a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm.

She said: 'I don't think we can prove chronic cocaine usage was the cause.'

Dr Robert Palin, who assessed Mr Kirkup when he attended A&E, said although the actor went into hospital complaining of chest pain, he did not mention it during their conversation.

He said Mr Kirkup described having pain in his upper abdominal area and told the doctor he had used 'recreational drugs and alcohol to celebrate his birthday the previous week'.

Dr Palin told the hearing an electrocardiogram and additional tests did not change his opinion that the most likely cause of the pain was gastritis.

He said: 'I didn't know anything about any prior drug use apart from that which the gentleman told me himself.'

Dr Palin told the inquest that Mr Kirkup's alcohol and drug use 'didn't affect my reasoning at all'.

Dr Thomas Davies, a consultant in emergency medicine, produced a review of the incident.

He told the inquest the aneurysm would 'probably' have been present when he went to hospital, but would probably have been 'undetectable'.

Concluding that Mr Kirkup died of natural causes, assistant coroner Ian Pears said he was 'not at all critical' of the hospital or its decision to discharge the actor.

When Mr Kirkup (pictured) was discharged from hospital and went home to Titanic Mills in Linthwaite, his condition deteriorated and he died alone after an aneurysm 'ruptured'

An inquest concluded Mr Kirkup died after a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm, while a toxicology report found traces of cocaine in his system, Bradford Coroner's Court (pictured) heard

He continued: 'It's quite clear that cardiac procedures were followed.

'I'm not at all critical of anything that has taken place within the hospital and I understand the reason for the discharge.

'It is one of those things where, unfortunately, the condition has then ruptured and become a terminal event.'

Mr Kirkup appeared as a police sergeant in BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders, and also acted in ITV soap Emmerdale.

His previous performances also include a number of Shakespearean roles for a Manchester-based theatre, while his on-screen credits included an appearance on Channel 4's The Mill.

He studied drama at the University of Huddersfield and worked as a writer, stagehand, TV presenter and actor.

Mr Kirkup, who was also a keen skiier, had hopes of starting a masters degree in creative writing at Leeds University.

His family's statement described him as 'a gifted musician, sportsman and actor' who 'helped so many people' with his work in rehab clinics.
The 'older white man' who said he found his 23-year-old Bumble date dead on her blood-stained sheets after a night of drinking has been revealed as a 37-year-old design engineer who she had known for three days.

The family of Lauren Smith-Fields are now suing police and calling for an independent investigation into her death. She died on December 12 at her apartment in Bridgeport, Connecticut where she and Matthew LaFountain had spent the night drinking. Her cause of death is not known.

LaFountain works as a design engineer at Connecticut-based Times Microwave System - a company which manufactures cables for the military, aerospace and telecommunications companies. He has not been named by police as a suspect in relation to Smith-Fields' death. Multiple attempts by DailyMail.com to reach LaFountain were unsuccessful.

Smith-Fields, a student at Norwalk Community College, and LaFountain were hanging out and drinking the night before she died, according to a the police report obtained by Dailymail.com. LaFountain claims that at one point during the evening, Smith-Fields became ill and threw up in her bathroom before the two continued drinking tequila mixed drinks.

Her brother, Lakeem Jetter, told Rolling Stone that a large blood stain was found on her bed and he claimed that several other pieces of key evidence, including a used condom, lubricant and an unidentified pill, were ignored by cops.

'The first night we saw cups there, flipped plates and the lube. The cops didn't take any of the cups to test the liquor,' Jetter said. 'There was a big stain of blood in the middle of her bed, with streaks going to the right side.'

Smith-Fields' family is now suing Bridgeport Police after becoming frustrated with how they are handling the case, attorney Darnell Crosland told Dailymail.com, alleging the detective in charge of her case told them to stop contacting him.

Crosland also said that the detective was uninterested in pursuing Smith-Field's date as a suspect.

DailyMail.com has contacted Bridgeport Police for comment. In a statement issued last month, acting police chief Rebecca Garcia said the department 'takes these concerns very seriously'. Police are still investigating her death and the case is still active.

However five weeks on, the family are yet to be told a cause of death.

'They're waiting for the autopsy before questioning anyone,' Crosland told DailyMail.com.

'But there are parts of the investigation that can be done without the autopsy. They can obtain the messages from Bumble. But that's not being done.'

The 'older white man' who was on a Bumble date with 23-year-old Connecticut Lauren Smith-Fields before she was found dead after a night of drinking has been revealed as Matthew LaFountain, a 37-year-old design engineer she knew for three days

Smith-Fields, a student at Norwalk Community College, and LaFountain were hanging out and drinking the night before she died, according to a the police report obtained by Dailymail.com. LaFountain claims that at one point during the evening, Smith-Fields became ill and threw up in her bathroom before the two continued drinking tequila mixed drinks

The heartbroken family of Lauren Smith-Fields (pictured) plans to sue the City of Bridgeport after they allege the local police department mishandled the investigation into her death

The police report obtained by DailyMail.com revealed that Smith-Fields asked LaFountain for $40 to get her nails done and then to meet her at her residence where the pair reportedly took 'shots of tequila'.

LaFountain claims Smith-Fields became ill and threw up in her bathroom before the two continued drinking tequila mixed drinks. They reportedly played games, ate food and began watching a movie when Smith-Fields allegedly received a text, went outside to get something from her brother and then, upon her return, went into her bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes.

Her date told police 'he thought it was odd, but didn't feel it was his place to say anything as he didn't know her that well,' the incident report reportedly reads.

Afterwards, the pair continued to watch the movie and finished the bottle of tequila before she fell asleep on the couch. LaFountain allegedly carried her to her bedroom and the two went to bed.

He claims he woke up around 3am to use the bathroom and found Smith-Fields snoring. Then, around 6:30am he reportedly found her lying on her right side with blood coming out of her right nostril and not breathing. He then called 911.

Once police arrived on scene, Smith-Fields' landlord was contacted. The landlord did not have family contact information so it wasn't until days later when Shantell Fields visited the unit that she learned her daughter had died.

'When I asked the officer about the guy, he said he was a very nice guy and they weren't looking into him anymore. It was almost like he was sticking up for him and it seemed weird to hear that from a detective,' her brother Lakeem Jetter told NBC Connecticut.

'He told me directly on the phone to stop calling him and hung up in my face, it was just like total disrespect, like that's what you tell a family that's going through grief and trying to find answers?'

Lauren Smith-Fields was found dead in her Bridgeport apartment on December 12, 2021, by Matthew LaFountain, who she met on the Bumble dating app.

While spending the night with her, LaFountain reportedly woke up around 6.30am and found Smith-Fields (pictured) lying on her right side with blood coming out of her right nostril and not breathing. He then called 911

Jetter also alleged police were not thorough in their initial crime scene investigation, noting that while officers confiscated her phone, passport and $1,345 in cash, they neglected to collect other pieces of potential evidence.

He told Rolling Stone they found a used condom in the trash, lubricant, bloody sheets on her bed and an unidentified pill in the unit.

'The first night we saw cups there, flipped plates and the lube. The cops didn't take any of the cups to test the liquor,' said Jetter. 'There was a big stain of blood in the middle of her bed, with streaks going to the right side.'

Smith-Fields' mother also claims the officers made her feel as if the investigation was 'not important.'

'The way they talked to me, the way they have talked to the family, how they treated my daughter, they treated her like she was nobody, like she was not important,' Shantell Smith told the TV station.

The family's attorney alleged police often don't prioritize investigation involving black women.

'We have seen the amount of resources that have gone to other cases involving missing white women like Gabby Petito and we know so many black woman are missing so much in this country,' attorney Darnell Crosland said. 'Everyone is speaking out, everyone is insulted with the way the Bridgeport police and the Bridgeport city has dealt with us.'

The family plans to serve notice of an intention to sue to the City of Bridgeport and intends to make a formal announcement on Sunday. They also plan to hire a private investigator to look into the case. Meantime, they have paid for an independent autopsy of Smith-Fields' body.

Smith-Fields was found dead in her Bridgeport apartment (pictured) on December 12 after a night of drinking by Matthew LaFountain, a man she met on a dating app called Bumble. More than a month later 'her cause of death is pending further studies'

Her loved ones claim police did not pursue LaFountain as a suspect, failed to collect what they believe to be essential evidence from the scene and told the family to stop calling about the case (Pictured L to R: Unamed relative, mother Shantell Smith, brother Lakeem Jetter and attorney Darnell Crosland)

The family has several concerns with the incident report, Rolling Stone reported.

'I haven't texted my sister since December 4,' Jetter said, noting that he did call Smith-Fields on the night of December 11 to bring out a basket of clothes he was picking up.

'I didn't know that anybody was in there. She came out and she was out there for like 10-15 minutes and she walked back into the house. She looked normal. She didn't look sick, she didn't look tired, she didn't look drunk. I'm her second older brother, if I would have seen her drunk I would've said 'What are you doing?'  'Why do you look like that?'

Her mother also claims that Smith-Fields had gotten her nails done earlier that week and that she wouldn't have needed to get them done again. Fields also noted that her nails were 'still so intact' they didn't need to be done for her funeral.

Crosland, who is representing Smith-Fields' family, said he is seeking justice for the deceased woman.

'We're suing the city of Bridgeport for failure to prosecute and failure to protect this family under the 14th Amendment,' Crosland said. He is planning to evoke the portion of the Constitution that provides equal protection under the law for all citizens, including black people.

'It's happening all too often with black girls missing across this world, across this country, and no one says anything,' the lawyer said. 'When a white woman goes missing, the whole world drops everything. We are done with this valuation.'

He added: 'We want an independent investigation by an independent state agency or federal agency to look into this case. We want the DOJ like when they have to step in for cases like a Mike Brown, this family has to continue to deal with the loss of their loved one, work and they shouldn't have to do that when they are hard-working tax-payers.'

Attorney Darnell Crosland (pictured on left with Shantell Fields), who is representing Smith-Fields' family, said he is seeking justice for the deceased woman. He said: 'We're suing the city of Bridgeport for failure to prosecute and failure to protect this family under the 14th Amendment' and claims this happens 'all too often with black girls'

A makeshift memorial has been set up outside Smith-Fields' apartment and a GoFundMe established to help the family fund their private investigation. The family is also planning a citywide march to raise awareness about the case and demand justice for their loved one

Crosland claims Bridgeport police have issued their condolences, but only after the case was brought to their attention by the media.

'We see them now offering their condolences after reporters have been asking them for questions and when we hear about it, it's like a slap in the face, we don't want excuses, we want answers,' he said. 'I have no faith in the Bridgeport Police Department, we have been disrespected and they didn't handle our loved one's case like they should have as soon as this happened.'

Bridgeport Police released the following statement to NBC Connecticut last week:

'On December 12, 2021, the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center received a call for service regarding an untimely death. Upon police arrival, it was found that [Smith Fields] passed away unexpectedly. This incident is currently being investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department's Detective Bureau. This investigation remains open and active. The Detective Bureau is awaiting the final report from the Chief Medical Examiner's Office for cause and manner of death of Ms. Smith-Fields. The Bridgeport Police Department offers it's sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Lauren Smith-Fields. We encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to contact either Detective-Sergeant Joseph Morales at 203-581-5219 or the Bridgeport Police TIPS line at 203-576-8477.'

Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial has been set up outside Smith-Fields' apartment and a GoFundMe established to help the family fund their private investigation.

Fields and Jetter are also planning to hold a citywide march on Sunday afternoon to raise awareness about the case and demand justice for their loved one.

'We want justice, we want answers, I mean whatever happened happened that night, we want to know and we want to feel like they care as much as we care,' said Jetter.

'I never thought something like this would happen where you lose a family member and we are treated like you don't exist so we are going to ensure this city remembers Lauren Smith-Fields.'

'I miss my daughter and I see her in everything that I do and it pains me to know that I'll never get to see her again,' echoed Fields.
A California sheriff's office has released the 911 calls it received from frantic bargoers as a gunman opened fire and killed a dozen people, including a sheriff's sergeant, four years ago.

The frantic calls made on November 7, 2018 reveal how some patrons at the Borderline Bar and Grill hid from Ian David Long, 28, after he opened fire at the bar, while others ran away.

Body camera footage also captured some of the patrons running frantically towards sheriff's deputies in Thousand Oaks as they begged for help.

'Help me please,' one woman was heard creaming. 'He's shooting.'

As lines rang off the hook at the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, another woman reporting the shooting whispered, 'We're hiding. The guy's probably still here,' as another man said he was 'upside down' so he could not see.

One man also told dispatchers he saw several people were dead, noting that they were 'hit and they're down,' and another victim told dispatchers: 'I've been hit, I'm bleeding everywhere, people are running everywhere. This is not good.'

Victims were able to describe the suspect as a white male wearing a black hat, a black shirt and blue jeans, as they continued to run from the scene, with body camera footage capturing them running to officers outside.

When a dispatcher asked another woman if she saw the shooting, she responded: 'It's still happening!'

A shirtless man and two others carry an injured person out of the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, on November 7, 2018 after Long opened fire at 11.20pm. Eleven people inside the bar were killed along with a sheriff's deputy who was one of the first on the scene. Long then took his own life

Witnesses and survivors comforted each other as they stood near the scene of the shooting at the at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California in 2018

Several of those who were at the bar that night could be heard frantically running from the scene as they begged authorities to respond.

The first calls came in at around 11:19pm that night, with one man saying he heard six to eight gunshots.

Ian David Long, a former Marine, opened gunfire at a Thousand Oaks bar on November 7, 2018, killing 11 victims before turning the gun on himself

At one point, officers are seen entering the establishment where one officer, who was later identified as Sgt. Ronald Helus, fatally shot by another officer who tried to take aim at Long.

The calls and footage were released on Tuesday, following a court fight by the Associated Press and other news outlets who sought the evidence under public record laws.

It was previously documented in a 400-page report on the shooting that was released in July, CBS News reports, but this is the first time the audio and video files have been made public from the harrowing incident.

One group of people even stopped by the deputies outside as they received reports from inside the bar, apparently leaning against a police car as he held an open gunshot wound.

The deputies on the scene told him that an ambulance would soon be arriving to aide the victims.

Body-cam footage from the shooting that night showed people running from the scene

One man was seen leaning against a police car, apparently injured

Video released on Tuesday also showed Sgt. Helus decide to approach the building with two other cops in tow, finding several victims outside, before they were caught on surveillance footage entering the bar and grill and were ambushed by Long, who was hiding inside.

The surveillance footage, which was publicly released in 2020, offers a multi-angle view of the inside and outside of the restaurant as the events unfold.

Long could be seen in the video dressed in black waiting in a back office of the bar and watching on video monitors as the officers arrive.

Sgt. Ron Helus (above) was accidentally shot dead by a fellow officer who had joined him in the firefight that night

As they entered and made their way past the dimly-lit front desk area, they are quickly ambushed by a hail of bullets, sending them fleeing.

At one point, grainy footage shows Long from behind leaning over a counter at the bar's entrance and shooting at the officers.

Helus, 54, had returned Long's fire from inside the dark and smoky bar and was moving back out the front door when his feet got tangled in a rope and he tumbled to the ground, the video shows.

California highway patrolman Todd Barrett had already exited and was firing at Long, who was still inside. When Helus stood up, one of Barrett's rounds hit him in the chest.

Helus was shot five times by Long, but the medical examiner determined shortly after the incident that the sergeant was killed by a sixth bullet fired by Barrett that pierced his heart.

Despite being shot, Helus still managed to return fire while retreating, prosecutors said. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Helus, a 29-year veteran of the department, was close to retirement when he was killed. He is survived by a wife and son.

Helus and his partner California highway patrolman Todd Barrett passed through the dimly-lit front desk at the restaurant as they searched for Long, who was hiding

Helus was shot five times by Long, but the medical examiner determined that the sergeant was killed by a sixth bullet fired by Barrett that pierced his heart

After gunfire rings out, Helus is hit but he still manages to return fire while retreating. He is seen falling to the ground as he exits the bar

Long had served in the Marines in Afghanistan and reportedly felt that college students disdained veterans. He had targeted the bar that night because it was students' night, officials have said.

He had started shooting at patrons and employees within seconds of arriving that night around 11pm. Panicked revelers ran for the doors, dived under tables and piled on top of each other in an effort to dodge the gunfire.

Others ran for their lives through other exits or broke through windows and jumped out, injuring themselves in the flight.

He then took a tactical position and lay in wait for the officers, investigators said.

The 28-year-old gunman, who wasn't hit by either officer's gunfire, fatally shot himself after the firefight, which lasted a total of 22 seconds.

A report found both officers acted lawfully when they fired their weapons.

The report concluded that Barrett 'honestly and reasonably believed' that he and Helus, along with another responding officer, highway patrol Officer Lidia Espinoza, faced imminent threat of death or great bodily injury when they responded to reports of gunfire at around 11.20pm that Wednesday, the report said.

Prosecutors concluded Barrett's and Helus' use of deadly force against Long was justified as a lawful act of self-defense and defense of others.

In addition, Barrett's accidental shooting of Helus was justified and not criminal, the report found.

Surveillance footage complied by the Ventura County's District Attorney's Office offers a multi-angle view of the officers entering the restaurant as Long waited inside the office

An annotated still of the footage shows the officers' positions outside

An 87-page report commissioned by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office has since found that the officers who were guarding the perimeter failed to position themselves appropriately and 'there was no coordinated communication' between them.

'Body-worn camera and radio transmissions support that none of the perimeter deputies moved to position themselves in a manner that would support the officers involved in the gun battle,' the report, which released last March, reads.

'Further, there was no coordinated communication or response developed or communicated in the minutes after the shots were fired.'

The report made 30 recommendations, most of which focused on improving communications between officers on the scene, as well as improving dispatch procedure.

'This mass shooting painfully demonstrated that these threats can occur anywhere, at any time, and that law enforcement agencies everywhere must be prepared to respond.'
A civil servant who was sacked over a claim she lied about a photo of her gagged and bound to a chair has lost her 500,000 compensation claim for unfair dismissal after a tribunal ruled it was just 'high jinks'.

The image of Marine Scotland worker DeeAnn Fitzpatrick went viral in 2018 after she claimed she was subjected to the ordeal for blowing the whistle on abusive and misogynist behaviour in the office.

The Senior Fishery Officer said in a BBC interview that tape was placed over her mouth to 'shut' her up as she was told 'that's what you get for speaking out about the boys.'

Bosses later fired Ms Fitzpatrick for lying about when the photo was taken so she could claim it was punishment for her whistle blowing complaint.

She then attempted to sue her employer for 500,000.

However, an employment tribunal has now thrown out Ms Fitzpatrick's claim of unfair dismissal as it ruled the photo was just 'high jinks' and the two male workers who tied her up believed they were playing a prank.

Following the verdict, the 52-year-old said she was 'extremely disappointed' by the outcome, but insisted she would take comfort from the tribunal acknowledging that such behaviour is not acceptable.

The image of Marine Scotland worker DeeAnn Fitzpatrick went viral in 2018 after she claimed she was subjected to the ordeal for blowing the whistle on abusive and misogynist behaviour in the office

Bosses later fired Ms Fitzpatrick for lying about when the photo was taken so she could claim it was punishment for her whistle blowing complaint

The judgment in full 'We scrutinised the photograph as closely as we could. It is not determinative. 'One cannot easily tell from it, or at least the Tribunal was not able to tell from it, whether it was taken in circumstances of duress, fully or partly, or with full participation by the claimant. 'The tape on the mouth is nevertheless particularly concerning. The photograph does not look like high jinks as that term is normally understood. 'High jinks is not normally a term one would expect to be used for events at a government office charged with enforcing the law. It is a term that has dangers. 'It can cover on the one hand conduct in which every participant plays an equal part and enjoys, and on the other hand conduct which is perceived by the recipient to be discriminatory, and is in fact harassment. 'It is a term not unlike 'banter', which is a word that can describe an innocent joke, but also be a cover for the use of racist language, for example. 'This photograph shows an event that the Tribunal does not consider to be acceptable high jinks, if high jinks are ever acceptable in a government workplace. 'The photograph itself shows an image that has elements that are sinister, in particular that tape is placed across the claimant's mouth.' Advertisement

The tribunal heard Ms Fitzpatrick worked in the Scrabster Office of Marine Scotland which is on the north coast of Scotland and is involved in the enforcement of fishing laws.

She told the hearing she had been the victim of bullying at the office which the tribunal described as 'dysfunctional' and one that had a 'culture of puerile pranks.'

Workers allegedly put ice down each others clothing, taped someone who had fallen asleep to his chair, placed tape on the beard of another member of staff, poured shredded paper over someone, and used a pen casing as a 'peashooter.'

In 2009, a photograph was taken of Ms Fitzpatrick taped to a chair with parcel tape which went around her body six times, plus a piece over her mouth.

The photo was taken by her colleague Reid Anderson and another colleague Jody Paske was involved, the tribunal heard.

Ms Fitzpatrick claimed she was tied up because she made a complaint about two male members of staff after one of them made a gesture to throw a punch at a female colleague and called her a 'whore,' while the other encouraged his behaviour.

She described the office as 'feral' and said she believed Mr Anderson and Mr Paske had been 'put up' to restraining her to keep her mouth shut about the behaviour of the other two male colleagues.

At the time, Ms Fitzpatrick did not complain about the incident but later raised it as part of an employment tribunal claim in 2017.

In a BBC interview with Mark Daly in 2018, Ms Fitzpatrick said: 'Because I was making noise one of them told the other guy 'give me some tape I shuts her up'.

'He took the tape and placed it over my mouth, then he said 'that's what you get for speaking out about the boys'.'

The tribunal, which was held virtually, heard Ms Fitzpatrick said the chair tying incident happened in December 2010 after she made the complaint about her colleague's behaviour in September of that year.

But the tribunal ruled the photo was taken in August 2009 - before her whistle blowing complaint.

The site where Ms Fitzpatrick was pictured gagged and bound in a chair while working for the Scottish government

One of the men involved in the chair incident, Mr Anderson, said it was 'high jinks' and that they were 'having a laugh.'

The employment tribunal also ruled the incident amounted to a prank, though it conceded the photo does not look like most people's idea of high jinks and is 'concerning.'

Judge Alexander Kemp ruled: 'The photograph does not look like high jinks as that term is normally understood.

'High jinks is not normally a term one would expect to be used for events at a government office charged with enforcing the law.

'Our conclusion is that at the time of the incident [Mr Anderson and Mr Paske] were likely to have believed it was a form of practical joke that they were playing. It had nothing to do with any disclosure made.'

Ms Fitzpatrick was fired after the civil service also found she had lied about the incident.

Judge Kemp added that even though the chair incident was a prank, it was not acceptable behaviour in a modern workplace.

He said: 'The photograph of Ms Fitzpatrick is not acceptable in the modern workplace, nor was it in 2009, even if it was taken by those involved believing it to be a form of prank.

DeeAnn Fitzpatrick (pictured) claimed a decade of bullying at Marine Scotland's Scrabster office made her contemplate suicide

It is now over 10 years since it was taken, but then and now it is far beyond the pale of what we consider could ever be acceptable behaviour in the workplace.'

The tribunal heard Mr Anderson suffered 'dreadful' online abuse after the image circulated online in 2018.

His wife even emailed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2018 to say their lives had become a 'living hell' and to say Ms Fitzpatrick had been 'harassing' and ' them.

A police investigation was launched in August 2018 into the conduct of Mr Anderson and Mr Paske but the police concluded there was insufficient evidence to proceed with charges.

Ms Fitzpatrick also brought claims of sex, age, race, religion and disability discrimination but the tribunal rejected these at the end of last year.

The tribunal dismissed Ms Fitzpatrick's claim of unfair dismissal.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Fitzpatrick said: 'I am extremely disappointed by the outcome of this case.

'I take some comfort, however, from the fact that the tribunal acknowledged that the 'sinister' behaviour of two men taping a woman to a chair and placing parcel tape over her mouth in a Scottish Government office is not acceptable.

'The tribunal also identified that the photograph demonstrated that some restraint had to have been used to tape me to the chair. One man cannot do both.

'I also note their criticism of the Scottish Government's multiple failures to gather all relevant evidence, rather than just a limited amount, surrounding the chair incident and the wider circumstances before reaching their decision to dismiss me.'
The man accused of murdering his stepdaughter Charlise Mutten has asked to be kept away from other prisoners while in custody over the alleged killing.

The body of nine-year-old Charlise was found in a barrel on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson, in NSW's Blue Mountains.

Justin Stein, 31, appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday morning where he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

His barrister told Magistrate Robert Williams his client needed his medication for mental health issues while in custody, adding he had been on 'high dosages' for many years.

He also expressed Stein had concerns for his safety.

'The other matter I'm instructed to raise relates to his concerns for personal safety in custody,' the barrister said.

'He has asked the court to recommend a no association classification.'

The man accused of murdering his stepdaughter Charlise Mutten has asked to be kept away from other prisoners while in custody over the alleged killing

Magistrate Williams said Corrective Services only had the power to separate the accused from other prisoners.

Stein's lawyer also asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting his 'long term medication'.

It comes after police alleged Stein drove around Sydney for hours with his fiance's daughter's body in the back of a boat while he tried to figure out where to dump her, the Daily Telegraph reports.

It is understood detectives believe Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten had left her daughter in the care of Stein last Tuesday night - the last time she was confirmed to be alive.

Police will allege she was killed within the following 15 hours.

Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten's fiance Justin Stein (pictured) has been charged with murder

The schoolgirl, who was under the fulltime custody of her grandparents in the Gold Coast, was spending the holidays with her mother and stepfather at the Blue Mountains property when she was reported missing on Friday.

Homicide detectives retraced Stein's steps using CCTV after he allegedly bought five 20kg sandbags from Bunnings, fuelled up a boat, then tried to launch it from an inner-Sydney dock.

After finding the boat was inoperable, police will allege he then tried to dump the barrel containing Charlise's body in Colo River but was unable to roll it in due to the weight of the sandbags.

It is alleged he instead left her in bushland, where she was later discovered.

A blue tarpaulin was also found in the back of the boat. The barrel has now been seized and will be forensically examined.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they will allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where his stepdaughter's body was later found.

The accused appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday from Surry Hills police station, where he is detained

A candlelight vigil was held for Charlise on Wednesday night outside her Tweed Heads public school

'(There were) a number of telephone conversations, to purchase a number of sandbags,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

Footage of Stein's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing the moment he walked from a car to a holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him.

He wore a grey Everlast jumper and shorts which he was still dressed in when he fronted court on Wednesday morning.

Ms Mutten reported Charlise missing to police on Friday morning.

The police fact sheet tendered in court on Wednesday indicates police believe she may have been killed several days before this call was made.

Police alleged Charlise was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12.

Detectives are still waiting to speak to Ms Mutten because she remains under guard at hospital and is 'hard to approach'.

'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

'She's under medical supervision, but when doctors allow, we will be talking to her.'

Mr Hudson said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice.

'At this stage, we have no evidence to support whether the accused acted alone... However it is still early days,' he said.

There has been a significant delay in speaking with the girl's mother Kallista Mutten (pictured) because she remains in hospital under guard. 'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said

Footage of the man's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing as he walked from the car to the holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him

Police have seized Stein's red ute (pictured) as part of their investigation into Charlise's alleged murder

Police were investigating a number of 'anomalies' they claimed to identify in the accused's initial testimony, which included allegedly giving two separate versions of events in the lead up to the young girl's disappearance.

Mr Hudson said through tracking the movements of a car they seized via CCTV, they were able to establish certain facts as to Stein's movements.

Charlise's doting grandparents, who live in Coolangatta, have been notified.

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives.

The 31-year-old man was arrested at an apartment in Surry Hills on Tuesday night and he briefly faced court on Wednesday

Police made the grisly discovery near the Colo River (pictured) in Sydney's west on Tuesday night

Emergency crews are seen in Colo River near the Blue Mountains, near where Charlise's body was found

RFS volunteers (pictured) were deployed to the area to search for the nine-year-old and have been combing bushland

An eyewitness also told Daily Mail Australia they had seen a car leaving the property she was last seen at in the early hours of Friday morning.

Charlise's 'shattered' father, who cannot be identified, shared an emotional tribute on Wednesday morning, hours after learning of her death.

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' he said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his statement.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'
Lawmakers on the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot will get their hands on a handful of documents that Donald Trump has fought to keep hidden as early as Wednesday evening.

The Democrat-led panel is expected to receive four pages of documents concerning the Trump White House from the National Archives at 6 p.m. today, according to a court filing.

Only a last-minute Supreme Court injunction could stop their release.

The small set of White House papers is part of some 700 documents the committee has requested from the National Archives, linked to Trump's actions leading up to the Capitol attack on January 6.

'Absent an intervening court order, the Archivist intends to release records from the fourth tranche to the Committee at 6:00 pm tomorrow,' the federal agency wrote in a letter late Tuesday.

'Because the former President has not obtained such an injunction from any court, the release will proceed as scheduled absent an intervening court order.'

Trump has fought to keep roughly 700 pages of White House documents from the Democrat-led January 6 committee

The panel is seeking any material linking Trump to the January 6 Capitol riot, including materials planning his now-infamous Stop The Steal rally

Documents from the other three categories, a vast majority of what was requested, are currently tied up in the legal system as lawyers for the former president continue to push for executive privilege to hide them.

The letter was addressed to the federal appeals court in Washington, DC that already ruled in favor of the lawmakers seeking those documents.

In its decision the court ruled Trump did not have the right to invoke executive privilege after the current Biden administration formally agreed to waive it.

However it granted Trump's legal team an administrative injunction on their release to allow the former president the opportunity to lodge a Supreme Court appeal.

Justices on the high court gave no indication of when they would make a decision, according to Fox.

Trump lawyer Jesse Binnall accused the Biden administration of 'misconduct' while claiming the documents' release still violates the court order.

'It is abundantly clear that the government intended to conduct an end-run around the administrative injunction by producing alternate copies of documents that, even under the governments incorrect interpretation of the administrative injunction, would violate its unambiguous terms,' Binnall said in a filing.

The National Archives said it would hand over the documents to the bipartisan committee the same day the panel issued subpoenas to three former Trump lawyers and an ex-adviser of his

'Under no circumstances should the governments misconduct and attempt to create an ad hoc record be sanctioned by this Court.'

Trump asked the Supreme Court to take up his case in late December.

Earlier on Tuesday the committee investigating January 6 closed in on another part of Trumpworld by issuing a subpoena to Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who Trump retained as his personal lawyer while he was pushing the false claims the 2020 presidential election was rigged.

Giuliani is already in legal trouble over his allegiance to the ex-president's wild conspiracy theories.

Dominion Voting Systems is suing Giuliani for $1.3 billion in damages for defamation after he was part of a team promoting baseless claims including that Dominion's voting machines were hacked via Chinese satellites so votes could be switched from Trump to Biden.

The lawyer was also reportedly part of a core team of Trump allies stationed at a 'command center' within DC's Willard Hotel on January 5 and January 6, plotting how to get the 2020 electoral college results reversed.

Other former members of Trump's legal team who were subpoenaed are Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell. The latter is facing her own $1.3 billion suit from Dominion.

Boris Epshteyn, a close associate of both Trump and Giuliani, was also slapped with a Congressional subpoena.
A New York man is wanted by the NYPD for brutally shoving an 81-year-old man to the ground on Christmas.

The older man was taking his dog out for a walk and having a conversation with someone in Yorkville on Manhattan's Upper East Side when a man, wearing jeans and a gray zip-up jacket, suddenly shoved him to the ground.

The NYPD is now offering a $3,500 award for anyone with information

The suspect is seen on surveillance video stalking down 86th Street near Henderson Place around 12.30am. The victim's dog, wearing a light-colored winter coat, warily begins to move behind his owner's legs.

Noticing the dog's distress, the victim moves toward the person he's speaking with to clear the way.

The suspect, however, steps between the pair, and man throws a forceful arm toward the man's face. The victim stumbles backward before slamming harshly into the ground on his side. He then rolls onto his stomach.

An unidentified man shoved an 81-year-old man to the ground on Christmas in Yorkville on Manhattan's Upper East Side around 12.30am

He shoved the man to the ground (pictured) and kept walking afterward

The older man tried to get out of the way, despite the large amount of space on the sidewalk, but the thug pushes between the two before slamming his arm into the man's face, causing him to fall

The suspect keeps walking, slowing down only to flip off the victim.

The other person, whose gender was not disclosed by police, immediately goes to help the 81-year-old up then the video cuts off.

It is unclear if the older man sustained any injuries or needed medical assistance.

The NYPD has been dealing with an increasing number of felony assaults as the crime spree across the city hasn't stopped. They are up 7.7 per cent in New York City, with overall crime hitting a stunning 35 per cent as the new year rolls in.

Manhattan's DA Alvin Bragg's controversial decision to downgrade burglary, armed robbery and drug dealings from felonies to misdemeanors has drawn criticism, as it has led to many criminals being let back out on the streets. Drug dealers will also not be prosecuted unless they commit other crimes in addition, and 'prison should be the last resort.'

The attacker, who can be seen wearing jeans and gray zip-up, only looked back once to flip off the man off. The NYPD is now offering a $3,500 reward to anyone who has information on the case

On Saturday, a woman was pushed to her death in a Times Square subway station by a schizophrenic man, 61. On Tuesday, three women were left scared standing on the wrong side of the turnstile until the train arrived in the 23rd Street station after a 'deranged' man was pacing the platform screaming.

Critics are now calling it an 'open season on crime' in Manhattan and even New York City Mayor Eric Adams, 61, has admitted that he does not feel safe on the subway - a system that millions of New Yorkers rely on daily.

'Alvin Bragg's memo to his staff specifying his prosecution policy will result in more crime and increased shootings,' Detectives Endowment Association President Paul DiGiacomo said on January 12.

'Where there are drugs, there are guns. DA Bragg has made himself the police, the judge and the jury.'

Curtis Sliwa, the Republican mayoral candidate who lost to Adams by a landslide, told DailyMail.com on January 12: 'It's an advertisement for criminals. Come to Manhattan.'

'Random acts of violence, like the 81-year-old man being shoved, have been rising since the start of the pandemic,' he said on Newsweek earlier.

NYC has seen a huge increase in crime in the last year, with overall crime being up 35 per cent and felony assaults up 7.7 per cent

'That means smash and grabs, that means shoplifting, armed robbery, somebody can put a gun to your head as a tourist and guess what, he gets a desk appearance ticket.

Rape, robbery, and grand larceny are also up in the Big Apple at 15.8, 25.1, and 61.7 per cents, respectively.

However, the biggest increases have transit, robbery and felony assaults, at 65, 25, and 7.7 per cents, respectively.
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Boris Johnson has pledged to fight until the bitter end amid calls for his resignation, after David Davis claimed the Conservatives face a 'year of agony' if the party doesn't oust him over allegations of rule-breaking parties in Downing Street.

The senior Conservative sensationally told the Prime Minister to 'in the name of God, go' in the Commons on Wednesday shortly after one of the newest Tory MPs defected to Labour.

The former Brexit secretary, 73, then followed his dramatic declaration with a series of further explosive comments in a newspaper interview, in which he claimed the party is 'dying a death of 1,000 cuts'. He was then nearly run over by a taxi as he dodged further questions from a TV reporter later that evening.

In Mr Davis' interview with the Telegraph he said: 'Boris will not leave Number 10 unless he's dragged out kicking and screaming. Very few inhabitants of Number 10 go voluntarily. That's why I felt the need to give him a nudge.'

It comes as the Times reports how their are fears at No 10 that Sue Gray's report into Partygate could be more damaging to the PM than expected.

Senior figures in Downing Street are said to have briefed MPs that they think Johnson will survive Grays report because it will not be directly critical of him. But a government source told the newspaper: 'Its not going to be as good as people think. Shes genuinely struggling to reconcile the prime ministers claim that this was a work event with what shes been hearing from other people. Its very difficult for her.'

Others are prepared to follow the Mr Davis' lead, according to The Times, which reported more are set to join the handful that have so far publicly called for Mr Johnson to step down as party leader.

One privately told the newspaper that they had already decided that Mr Johnson must go, but that it would be appropriate to wait for Sue Gray's report to be published.

'I've said in the past that the right thing to do is to wait for the Gray inquiry to report, so I don't want to be seen to prejudge it,' they told the The Times.

'But frankly I've now heard enough to make up my mind. It's simply not credible that he could have thought it was a work event. That is why he has to go and that's what I'll be saying when we finally get the report.'

However, in better news for Mr Johnson, the so-called 'Pork Pie plotters' - a collection of recently-elected MPs who have turned on the PM in recent weeks - are beginning to back off - for now at least, after failing to achieve their target of 54 no-confidence letters by the end of the day.

Mr Davis' initial intervention came during a Prime Minister's Questions that started minutes after Christian Wakeford switched sides, refusing to 'defend the indefensible'.

Mr Johnson went into the Commons with his premiership on life support, as a group of Tories who won their seats in the 2019 election landslide appeared to have lost faith in their boss.

No 10 said Mr Johnson will fight any no-confidence vote launched against him and insisted he expects to fight the next general election, with a spokesman insisting he remained 'the best man for the job'.

Mr Johnson's press secretary said he would have further meetings with MPs as he attempted to shore up support on his back benches.

Boris Johnson (left) was today told to quit over Partygate by senior Tory David Davis at a brutal PMQs today just minutes after an MP dramatically defected to Labour

Mr Wakeford was on the Labour benches for PMQS today wearing a union flag face mask

David Davis warned the Tory Party is 'dying a death of 1,000 cuts' and faces a 'year of agony' if it does not act swiftly to oust Boris Johnson over allegations of rule-breaking parties in Downing Street

Mr Wakeford was welcomed by his new party leader Sir Keir Starmer in his parliamentary office tonight

How could Boris Johnson be ousted by Tory MPs? Boris Johnson is under huge pressure over Partygate, with speculation that he might even opt to walk away. But barring resignation, the Tories have rules on how to oust and replace the leader. What is the mechanism for removing the Tory leader? Tory Party rules allow the MPs to force a vote of no confidence in their leader. How is that triggered? A vote is in the hands of the chairman of the Tory Party's backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. A vote of no confidence must be held if 15 per cent of Tory MPs write to the chairman. Currently that threshold is 54 MPs. Letters are confidential unless the MP sending it makes it public. This means only Sir Graham knows how many letters there are. What happens when the threshold is reached? A secret ballot is held, with the leader technically only needing to win support from a simple majority of MPs But in reality, a solid victory is essential for them to stay in post. What happens if the leader loses? The leader is sacked if they do not win a majority of votes from MPs, and a leadership contest begins in which they cannot stand. However, when the party is in power the outgoing leader typically stay on as Prime Minister until a replacement is elected. There is no requirement for a general election to be held, unless the new PM wants to call one. Advertisement

Mutinous Red Wall MPs faced humiliation after their threat to force a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister by the end of the day failed to materialise.

Bury South MP Mr Wakeford, one of the ringleaders of the 'Pork Pie Plot', attempted to deliver the fatal blow by defecting to Labour just minutes before Mr Johnson faced the Commons at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday lunchtime.

But the act of betrayal by an MP who owes his slender 402-vote majority to the PM appeared to galvanise Tory support behind Mr Johnson.

One Cabinet source said the mutineers had 'overplayed their hand', adding: 'They are inexperienced and it has shown in the past 24 hours.'

Several wavering Tory MPs yesterday said they were waiting to see the report before deciding whether to move against Mr Johnson.

Andrew Bowie, a former vice-chairman of the party, said: 'I think the Prime Minister should be considering his position, but my position is that we need to wait and see what the facts were.' Downing Street had hoped that Miss Gray's report would be published this week to give the PM the chance to draw a line under the affair.

But Whitehall sources yesterday said the constant drip-drip of new allegations, including from Mr Cummings, meant it would be delayed.

Rebel Andrew Bridgen, one of seven MPs to publicly declare they have submitted letters against the PM, predicted Mr Cummings would publish a slew of further allegations if a vote of confidence is triggered. 'Dominic Cummings will unleash everything in his arsenal at that point to finish him off,' he said.

Tory whips yesterday launched a concerted drive to crush the Pork Pie Plot, which acquired its name because of the involvement of Melton Mowbray MP Alicia Kearns.

The plotters suggested that by 5pm yesterday the target of 54 letters needed to force a vote of no confidence in the PM would be passed. But the deadline came and went.

One Cabinet loyalist last night said the enormity of the plot was giving wavering MPs pause for thought.

'The sight of one of your own crossing the floor to join Labour reminds people how high the stakes are,' the source said. 'People are also having to face the question of what happens next. There is not a Boris figure to rally round who would do better electorally.'

Despite the temporary reprieve, the anger from a former minister first elected in 1987 and Mr Wakeford, elected to the so-called Red Wall seat of Bury South two years ago, showed the breadth of the fury in the party.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Mr Davis said: 'The party is going to have to make a decision or we face dying a death of 1,000 cuts.'

The Prime Minister will appear to be 'shifting the blame' if he fires staff after senior civil servant Sue Gray delivers her inquiry into events held at No 10 during Covid restrictions, the Haltemprice and Howden MP said.

Then there will be the 'crises' of rising energy bills and the National Insurance hike being compounded by the 'disorganisation' at No 10, which could trigger a vote of no confidence at Christmas, meaning a 'year of agony', he continued.

'That's the worst outcome, particularly for the 2019 and 2017 and 2015 intake - that, slice by slice by slice, this carries on and we bump along at minus whatever and, even worse, we create policies to try to paper over it.'

Speaking shortly after his Commons outburst, Mr Davis admitted: 'I've just made myself the most unpopular person in the Tory party.

'Well, the second most unpopular. But I've gone from thinking maybe we can rescue it to maybe we just have to accelerate it and get it done.'

Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg described David Davis as a 'lone wolf' as he downplayed the senior Tory MP's 'theatrical' call for Boris Johnson to resign.

Mr Rees-Mogg told Channel 4 News: 'He is a distinguished member of the Conservative Party but he's always been something of a lone wolf.

'No-one would call David a lightweight, he's a very serious political figure, but his comments today were too theatrical.'

Mr Johnson pictured with 2019 intake MPs after his huge election victory. Ringed are some of the alleged Pork Pie plotters, with Mr Wakeford second from left

Mr Wakeford, who was elected in 2019 with a majority of just 402 votes, accused Mr Johnson of being 'incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves' as he switched sides.

Following a joint media appearance with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Wakeford said the Tories are 'a party trying to defend the indefensible' as he explained his defection.

A Labour spokesman said the party had been in talks with Mr Wakeford for 'some time' and would welcome an election, after Mr Johnson said the Tories would win back Bury South.

He declined to say whether there are more Conservative MPs considering defecting, while the Prime Minister's press secretary said she was not aware of any.

However, embattled Boris Johnson was gifted some breathing space on Partygate on Wednesday night as Tories closed rank.

There are claims the flow of letters demanding a no-confidence vote has been stemmed after Mr Wakeford dramatically crossed the floor to join Keir Starmer.

Conservatives immediately focused their fury on the betrayal by the Red Wall MP, who has a wafer-thin majority of just 402 in Bury South. Meanwhile, Mr Davis' full-frontal attack also seemed to backfire.

A Cabinet minister told MailOnline: 'The tribal nature of politics and the ''professional grump'' nature of David seems to have cooled the mood,' they said.

Allies of Mr Johnson branded Mr Davis 'a loner', while another MP who has been increasingly frustrated at Mr Johnson's performance said he appeared to be 'back to his normal self'.

'If you are going to tell the boss to resign you do it privately,' an ex-minister said. 'He is not a popular character. He is very prickly.'

Amid what has been dubbed a 'Pork Pie plot' by 2019 intake politicians, Mr Wakeford already declared he had put in a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson.

And he was on the Opposition benches this afternoon wearing a Union Jack face mask. In a parting shot letter to the premier, Mr Wakeford branded his leadership 'disgraceful' and said he believed Labour would do more to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir goaded Mr Johnson in the Commons that any more defectors were 'welcome', saying the Tories had shown they were 'incapable' of governing the country.

'The Labour Party has changed and so has the Conservative Party,' he said. 'He and anyone else who wants to build a new Britain built on decency, security  is welcomed in my Labour Party.'

But Mr Johnson, who was flanked by Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel on the front bench, shot back: 'As for Bury South, let me say to him, the Conservative Party won Bury South for the first time in a generation under this Prime Minister on an agenda of of uniting and levelling up and delivering for the people of Bury South. We will win again in Bury South.'

Dehenna Davison with rescued puppy 'Carter' pictured next to Carrie Johnson with dog Dilyn and Rishi Sunak, canvasing in Bishop Auckland. She is thought to be one of the ringleaders

Some of the backbench Tory plotters include Alicia Kearns (left), who represents Melton Mowbray, and Gary Sambrook (right) from Birmingham Northfield

A poll today found that the Tories are 11 points behind Labour in crucial Red Wall seats - a dramatic turnaround from the nine-point advantage they had at the 2019 election

Who is Christian Wakeford, the Tory MP who has just defected to the Labour Party? Christian Wakeford was elected as the Conservative MP for Bury South for the first time in 2019 - one of the Red Wall victories which propelled Boris Johnson to his massive election win. But the married 37-year-old has now switched to Labour, inflicting a massive blow to Mr Johnson's ailing premiership. Mr Wakeford hit the headlines in November 2021 after it emerged he called Owen Paterson a 'c***' to his face after the latter was found to have broken lobbying rules. Mr Wakeford narrowly snatched the Bury South seat from Labour in 2019, winning with a majority of just 402 votes. Labour had held the seat since 1997. Before entering politics, Mr Wakeford worked for a telecommunications firm having studied politics at Lancaster University. He served as a Tory councillor on Lancashire County Council and also previously worked as a case worker for Tory MP Andrew Stephenson. He served as the leader of the Tories on Pendle Borough Council. In Parliament, Mr Wakeford is a member of the Education Select Committee. He is also the co-chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews. Advertisement

Mr Johnson insisted he was not going to resign, urging people to 'wait for the outcome' of the inquiry by senior civil servant Sue Gray.

The government has been ramping up 'Operation Red Meat' with crowd-pleasing policies in an effort to quell the mutiny.

And in the latest phase this afternoon Mr Johnson revealed that a swathe of Covid rules are going, with the work from home order immediately axed.

Masks will also not be compulsory from next week, he said - in a move that was cheered by Tory MPs.

Trying to sweep away the blunders over Partygate, Mr Johnson said: 'This government has got the big things right.'

Meanwhile, No10 will have been relieved that no other Red Wallers immediately followed Mr Wakeford out of the door. Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison, one of the 'Pork Pie' rebels, laughed off 'bulls***' suggestions she could switch to Labour or the Lib Dems.

In the Commons, Mr Davis told Mr Johnson he had spent weeks defending him from 'angry constituents', including by reminding them of the 'successes of Brexit'.

He said: 'I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take. Yesterday he did the opposite of that. So, I will remind him of a quotation which may be familiar to his ear: Leopold Amery to Neville Chamberlain.

'You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. In the name of God, go.'

Amid gasps in the chamber, a seemingly shocked Mr Johnson replied: 'I must say to him, I don't know what he is talking about.

'What I can tell him  I don't know what quotation he is alluding to  what I can tell him is and I think have told this House repeatedly, I take full responsibility for everything done in this Government and throughout the pandemic.'

In his resignation letter, Mr Wakeford wrote: 'My decision is about much more than your leadership and the disgraceful way you have conducted yourself in recent weeks.

'However, I don't believe all politicians are the same and I do believe in the power of politics to be a force for good. So does Keir Starmer.

'He has shown that integrity in the way he has led his party on issues that matter to me, not least the vital challenge of combatting antisemitism.'

Tories said the double-blow during PMQs actually had the effect of helping to shore up Mr Johnson's position

Sir Keir said Mr Wakeford had always put his constituents 'first'.

'As Christian said, the policies of the Conservative government are doing nothing to help the people of Bury South and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.'

It is the first defection from the Tories to Labour in 15 years, since Quentin Davies jumped ship. It comes amid claims that Mr Johnson wept as he begged MPs for more time last night.

The PM is alleged to have broken down in tears as he met wavering backbenchers yesterday - with one reportedly saying he 'knows he is finished'.

No10 denied the claims amid a febrile atmosphere at Westminster, but it underlines the threat to his leadership as rebels gear up for a bid to oust him.

Ministers and loyalists have rounded round on a group of newly-elected MPs over a coup attempt branded the 'Pork Pie Plot' - because one of the plotters represents Melton Mowbray.

Around 20 MPs are said to have held a meeting yesterday lunchtime to coordinate sending letters required to spark a vote on ousting Mr Johnson. The revolt was fuelled by the premier's car-crash interview in which he appeared close to tears when grilled about the litany of allegations about lockdown breaches in Downing Street.

But speculation that the threshold of 54 letters to trigger a full no confidence vote would be reached imminently has proved unfounded. The 1922 chair Sir Graham Brady keeps the tally a closely-guarded secret.

Many MPs are keen to wait for the results of the Partygate probe being carried out by top civil servant Sue Gray - which is not expected until next week.

In the Commons, Mr Johnson apologised again for the partygate saga which threatens to be the death knell for his time as Prime Minister.

But he said it was for Ms Gray's inquiry 'to come forward with an explanation of what happened', as he indicated the report would be published next week.

Facing loud jeers from the Conservative benches as he tried to ask his first question, Sir Keir accused Tory MPs of having 'brought their own boos' to Parliament, in a nod to the 'bring your own booze' party in Downing Street in May 2020 that Mr Johnson has admitted he attended.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said he did not have access to Mr Johnson's diary for the day of the event, which could be crucial to showing whether Mr Johnson knew about it in advance - something he has denied.

The spokesman said the PM would usually get a 'run-through of his day' in a morning meeting, but added he could not say what would have been discussed 'on that particular date'.

Tory MPs Gareth Bacon and Jonathan Gullis went into Downing Street today as the PM tries to rally his troops

Christian Wakeford announced he was moving to Keir Starmer's party as the premier faced a coup attempt amid the Partygate scandal

Mr Johnson's allies had pleaded for him to be given more time as reports suggested the threshold of 54 letters from MPs, which would launch a no-confidence vote in the Prime Minister, could be reached on Wednesday.

The PM has insisted 'nobody told me that what we were doing was against the rules' and he believed he was attending a work event.

But former aide Dominic Cummings alleged Mr Johnson was aware of the event in advance and was warned it broke the rules in place at the time.

The PM's press secretary could not point to where a work event would have been permitted under the rules.

The May 20 event is one of many subject to Ms Gray's inquiry, and Tory MPs were urged by ministers to wait for her report before deciding whether to move against the Prime Minister.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told a Downing Street press conference he 'fully supports the Prime Minister' as he waits for the Gray report.

Mr Javid, who ran against Mr Johnson for the leadership in 2019, did not rule out another bid in future, saying: 'We have a leader. We have a Prime Minister.'

Mr Johnson said he would not resign when challenged during PMQs.

During a chaotic session, Mr Davis said he had spent weeks defending Mr Johnson from angry constituents, including by reminding them of the 'successes of Brexit'.

'I expect my leaders to shoulder the responsibility for the actions they take,' Mr Davis said.

'Yesterday, he did the opposite of that so I will remind him of a quotation which may be familiar to his ear - Leopold Amery to Neville Chamberlain: You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. In the name of God, go.'

Seven Tory MPs have publicly called for Mr Johnson to go, far short of the 54 required to submit letters of no confidence to the backbench 1922 Committee.

The number would have been eight but Mr Wakeford's defection means the tally is unchanged.

Andrew Bridgen, one of the seven, said he expected 20 more letters to go to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady from 2019-intake MPs on Wednesday.

The day the Red Wall plot to oust Boris Johnson as Prime Minister fell apart

By Jason Groves, Political Editor for the Daily Mail

The defection of Tory MP Christian Wakeford was designed to finish Boris Johnson off.

Cruelly timed just minutes before Prime Minister's Questions, the Tory turncoat hoped his betrayal would drive his fellow malcontents among the 2019 intake of MPs to dispatch a flood of no confidence letters  triggering a leadership contest.

Excitable members of the so-called 'Pork Pie Plot' of rebel Red Wall MPs had briefed sympathetic journalists that the PM would be facing a vote of no confidence by early afternoon  and 5pm at the latest. In the end, it did not happen.

Instead, by last night, the defection appeared to have had the opposite effect. Tory MPs said that wavering colleagues who had planned to send no confidence letters to the 1922 committee of backbench MPs now looked set to delay  at least until the publication next week of a report into the 'Partygate' controversy by Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray. And with the momentum lost, the 'pork pie putsch' appeared to crumble to dust as quickly as it had materialised.

It had begun on Tuesday when around 20 of the plotters gathered in the Commons office of MP Alicia Kearns  whose Melton Mowbray constituency gave the plot its moniker  to discuss tactics for defenestrating their leader.

A secret ballot revealed that around half had already submitted letters of no confidence to Tory shop steward Sir Graham Brady.

The plotters, who included Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison, West Dorset MP Chris Loder and Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, were said to have concluded that the Partygate row was 'terminal' for the PM and discussed sending in their letters en masse to force a contest.

But news of the plot quickly reached the ears of Tory whips who have been on red alert for signs of disloyalty.

Wavering MPs were summoned for meetings with senior party figures, with some even ushered in to see the PM.

No 10 yesterday denied claims that the PM was in tears as he pleaded with them not to finish him off. But sources acknowledged he was in listening mode, asking potential rebels to tell him 'what I can do' to win them over.

At the same time, individual plotters were singled out for special treatment, with chief whip Mark Spencer making doorstep visits. Mr Wakeford, a drinking pal of Miss Davison, was one of several MPs said to have been warned by whips that boundary changes to their constituencies could see them squeezed out at the next election unless they backed down.

One ally of Mr Wakeford said the whips had overplayed their hand  and claimed the threat was the final straw in his decision to defect to Labour.

The move itself made for dramatic political theatre. Mr Wakeford was hissed and booed by Tory MPs as he entered the Commons chamber to take his place among his new Labour colleagues.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries seethed that Mr Wakeford had yet to realise that the Union Jack face mask he was wearing 'is not welcome on that side of the House'. Sir Keir Starmer made the most of it, boasting that the first Tory-to-Labour defection for 15 years showed he was 'incapable of offering the leadership and Government this country deserves'.

But the defection had a galvanising effect on the Tory benches.

Speaking afterwards, one Cabinet minister said: 'In an odd way things have suddenly got better with Wakeford going. People forget how tribal politics is. When someone swaps to the other tribe you feel under attack and the internal attacks become secondary.

'If they really thought it was going to finish the PM off it just shows how delusional some of them are.' The plot appeared to have taken off in part because of a downbeat interview given by the PM the previous day, in which he appeared visibly upset and complained that no one had told him that a party in the No10 garden broke lockdown rules.

One Cabinet source said the Prime Minister's show of contrition 'may have played well with the public' but 'looked like weakness' to some MPs. In another moment of high drama yesterday, former Brexit Secretary David Davis told Mr Johnson to his face to quit over the issue.

Borrowing from a 1940 speech by Conservative Leo Amery to Tory premier Neville Chamberlain, he said: 'I expect my leaders to shoulder responsibility for the actions they take. Yesterday he did the opposite... in the name of God, go.' Mr Davis is a big figure, but no longer has much of a following in Parliament. Conor Burns, a close ally of Mr Johnson, described Mr Davis as 'a loner'.

A Cabinet minister said he appeared to be trying to fill the role of 'father figure' to the young plotters in the hope it might improve his own political prospects.

By early afternoon, a massive whipping operation was also beginning to bear fruit in public. Loyal members of the 2019 intake were wheeled out in front of the cameras to profess their loyalty to their leader.

Stuart Anderson, MP for Wolverhampton South West, said the Red Wallers were 'not all rebels'. Stoke MP Jonathan Gullis claimed some rebel MPs were withdrawing their letters of no confidence  although he acknowledged he had not spoken to anyone who actually had.

Focus on the new intake is inevitable given their weight in numbers. The 107 MPs elected for the first time in 2019 account for almost a third of the parliamentary party.

Repeated lockdowns mean Tory whips have less of a hold over them. But they are not the PM's only problem. On Tuesday night another group of plotters gathered at the Carlton Club, the original home of the Conservative Party.

Pork Pie plotters including Guy Sambrook, Chris Loder and Ben Spencer were spotted dining with older hands such as William Wragg and former chief whip Mark Harper, who have made no secret of their opposition to Mr Johnson.

But, amid farcical scenes, the plot was exposed after uber-loyalist Miss Dorries walked in to address a think-tank event in the same building. 'They are idiots if they think the Carlton is a discreet place to hatch a plot,' said one senior Tory, who suggested that Mr Harper is considering another leadership bid himself if he can help drive the Prime Minister from office.

'He is pretty delusional about his abilities,' the source added.

However, the publication next week of the Partygate inquiry by Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray still appears to be a moment of high risk for the PM.

Several quieter MPs yesterday warned it could be the trigger for a leadership contest. One former minister said: 'I haven't put my letter in but I will do when Sue Gray's report comes out unless it completely exonerates him  which it won't.'

One member of Mr Johnson's inner circle said the PM's mood had brightened considerably after the events of yesterday and was 'delighted' by Mr Wakeford's defection, believing it would give the warring Tory tribes a common enemy.

'We've survived another day,' the source said.

'He was miserable at the weekend, telling people he was f*****. He's more upbeat today.'

Mr Johnson remains in peril. But his enemies showed their lack of experience yesterday and lost valuable momentum. For the first time this week his allies are starting to dream that he might just escape.
BEIJINGJan. 19 -- Days earlier, an aviation brigade with the PLA Air Force conducted its first night flight training in 2022. Four J-20 fighter jets were divided in two teams as offensive and defensive opponents and carried out night air combat training.

The two teams fought fiercely in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air combat. Afterwards, they switched roles and engaged in the second round consecutively.
Allison Langdon fought back tears while her Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic was lost for words after watching heartbreaking scenes from a community vigil remembering schoolgirl Charlise Mutten.

The nine-year-old girl's remains were found in a barrel on Tuesday night near the Colo River north-west of Sydney which brought an end to the extensive five day search.

Her mother Kallista Mutten's fiance, Justin Stein, 31, has since been charged with her murder, after the schoolgirl flew from Queensland - where she lived with her grandmother - to spend a fortnight's holiday with her mum.

Hundreds gathered at a candlelit vigil at Tweed Heads Public School in far northern NSW on Wednesday night, where Charlise's schoolmates and teachers recalled her love for jelly cups and butterflies.

Charlise Mutten was remembered at a heartbreaking community vigil on Wednesday night

Channel Nine reporter Jessica Millward looked red-eyed and almost lost her composure while reporting live from the scene on Thursday, where as she recalled the emotional scenes at the vigil and read out some of the letters written by Charlise's schoolmates.

'How parents even begin to explain this to the children is really beyond me,' Millward said, her voice almost breaking.

Langdon can heard fighting back tears off-screen while Stefanovic was speechless as he threw his hands up and shook his head.

'There are no words for it,' Langdon said.

Channel Nine Jessica Millward almost became emotional while reading out some of the letters penned by Charlise's friends at Tweed Head Public School

The heartbroken community gathered at Tweed Heads Public School to remember Charlise

Currumbin MP Lara Gerber said the heartbroken Coolangatta-Tweed community put on a fitting tribute for Charlise and has a daughter the same age.

'I think that we are still in a bit of shock. You kind of don't think something like this would ever happen in your community,' she told the Today show,

'I think, more importantly, last night was about the community coming together to try to support other friends, her teachers and ever win who loved her in their grief and their loss. Because she really did touch so much lives. She was such a beautiful girl.'

Ms Gerber said the community remains in state of shock.

'Last night we heard from her teachers who spoke about how she was just one of those kids that would come into the classroom and just say something nice to them every day to try to make them feel better or brighten their day,' she said.

They are still in a state of shock and it will take a while I think for the students and teachers to come to terms with their loss.

'More importantly our hearts go out to Charlise's family. I have a mother of a nine-year-old, the same age as Charlise, I can't imagine what they are going through right now.'

The emotional scenes from the vigil left Today co-host Karl Stefanovic (left) speechless

Friends, family and fellow students congregated outside the front gates of her former school as they celebrated her short, but impactful life.

Clutching a microphone and piece of paper, a brave schoolgirl fronted a crowd of devastated mourners to deliver a moving speech paying tribute to her former schoolmate and alleged murder victim Charlise Mutten.

'We are gathered here tonight to recognise, honour, and celebrate the young life of Charlise Mutten - a beautiful, loving and gentle spirit who has been taken far too soon,' her schoolmate said.

'Charlise has touched many lives on her journey throughout this world especially within the school community, where she was loved.

'Her bright smiling face and her beautiful nature shone as bright as her spirit is now.'

Many of the young mourners held candles as they stood outside the gates adorned with countless bunches of flowers, pink balloons, cards and photos of Charlise.

The death of Charlise Mutten has rocked the Coolangatta-Tweed heads community

The school student, who was Charlise's older peer buddy when she first started primary school, invited attendees to light candles in her memory 'to keep her bright light strong and shining for everyone to see'.

'Some of us knew Charlise well, and some of us are here tonight to just simply acknowledge that she existed, and are deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened,' she said.

'We recognise her having been here made a difference to those who knew and loved her.

'And we must take this opportunity to keep in our hearts and minds this very special and beautiful girl.'
John Ieans, 65, was charged with murder in the death of his 27-year-old son Andrew Ieans

A Texas father has been charged with killing his adult son during an argument at their Houston home after police found the 27-year-old victim on the family's front lawn just after midnight on Monday night.

John Ieans, 65, is already out of bail after he was arrested for the murder of his son Andrew Ieans in Houston, where police responded to 10 shootings and six murders in an eight-hour period starting Monday night.

Officer responded to a report of a shooting at 6222 Rollingbook Drive at 12.30am Tuesday and found Andrew lying on the front lawn with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

A witness said the pair was arguing before the father shot the son. Police haven not established a motive for the shooting and have not determined if it was in self-defense.

John Iaens was arrested at the scene. He posted $75,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in March, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Houston, the most populated city in Texas, saw homicides go up 71 percent last year compared to 2019, KHOU reports.

The Houston Police Department did not respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com about Tuesday morning's shooting.

Police responded to the home at 6222 Rollingbook Drive at 12.30am Tuesday and found Andrew Ians, 27, lying on the grass with multiple gunshot wounds

'We're still trying to gather as much information to see what exactly occurred, if it was self-defense,' Lieutenant Emanuel Pavel told reporters.

On Monday at around 6pm, Harris County deputies shot and killed the man believed to have killed a Cracker Barrel manager who was shot as she tried to help her coworker escape a robbery.

Deputies say they spotted Nathan Humphrey, 26, walking on foot and approached him.

He started running when they called out his name. Deputies say he seemed to have a weapon and to be pointing it at them, according to KPRC . He was shot and taken to an area hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.

Humphrey has a lengthy criminal history that dates back to 2011.

In August, he was arrested four times on charges including making a terrorist threat, criminal trespassing, assault on a family member and burglary. Court records show he was on probation until 2025.

Humphrey is believed to be responsible for a robbery-gone-wrong at a Houston Cracker Barrel on Sunday morning at about 6.15am.

Robin Baucom, 59, was shot in the torso and rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where she later died, according to Harris County deputies.

The incident happened after Buacom's colleague arrived at about 6.15am, KTRK reports.

Robin Baucom, 59, was a manager at a Cracker Barrel in Houston, where she had worked for 34 years until she was shot and killed protecting her co-worker on Saturday

Photos released by the Harris County Sheriff's Office show a suspect clad in all-black and the metallic gray Dodge Charger used in the shooting

Deputies say the co-worker was suddenly approached by a man in the passenger seat of a 2018 or newer metallic gray Dodge Charger. The man allegedly got out of the car and tried to grab the employee's purse.

Baucom, a manager at the restaurant who was already inside, let her employee in and pushed back on the door to stop the man from entering. He then pulled out a gun and shot Baucom.

Baucom is survived by a husband, three kids and three grandkids.

Crime has been climbing in Houston for months.

'What we're trying to figure out now is why. Why is this happening? And that seems to be the million-dollar question,' said Elizabeth Gilmore, an assistant professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Houston-Downtown, in an interview with KTRK in September.

Gilmore says COVID may not be solely to blame.

'It's all those factors potentially financial strain and mental health and COVID-related factors such as those. Could there be some policing concerns? Potentially. We're certainly not immune to that in Houston. It can be a variety of things, right?'
The teenager who plunged his knife into 18-year-old Barnard College Freshman Tessa Majors and killed her during as he tried to steal her iPhone at a New York City park has been sentenced to the minimum of 14 years in prison.

Rashaun Weaver, 16, is the third and final suspect to be sentenced in the brutal slaying that rattled the city just over two years ago. At the time of the killing, he was 14 years old but he was was charged as an adult, and last month pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery charges.

Weaver fatally stabbed Majors - an aspiring musician and journalist - as he tried to rob her of her iPhone while she walked through Morningside Park in the early evening of December 11, 2019. She collapsed after staggering up a flight of stairs. Two other teens were also arrested in the attack.

His middle school friend, Luciano Lewis, then 14, was also charged as an adult on second-degree murder and robbery charges. He was sentenced to nine years to life in October. Another friend, Zyairr Davis, then 13, pleaded guilty to robbery and was not charged as an adult. He was sentenced to 18 months in a juvenile facility.

At Wednesday's hearing, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos pointed out that the Majors family consented to the sentencing range of 14 years to life for Weaver.

At his sentencing on Wednesday, Weaver apologized to Majors' parents, Inman and Christy Majors, at the Manhattan Supreme Court just before learning his fate.

'I want to apologize to the court and government, and your honor,' he said. 'Mostly, I want to apologize to Tessa's family. She deserved to have a long life.'

Majors' devastated parents, who traveled to Manhattan from Virginia, submitted an emotional victim impact statement which was read out by Bogdanos in court Wednesday.

'The family of Tess Majors misses her every second of every day and will continue to do so as long as they are living and sentient,' he read. 'Their pain is immeasurable and does not go away.'

Rashaun Weaver, 16, the third and final suspect in the slaying that shocked New York City in 2019. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday

Tessa Majors was 18 when she was was stabbed to death on December 11, 2019 in Morningside Park, Manhattan

Majors' devastated parents, Inman and Christy, who traveled to Manhattan from Virginia, submitted an emotional victim impact statement which was read out by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos in court Wednesday

The statement added that Tessa Majors was the victim of the crime and they 'don't know what Tess would say at this moment about being murdered by Rashaun Weaver.

'They have no idea what it is like to fight for an iPhone for the simple matter that it contained three years' worth of songs she'd written; songs she was planning to record over the winter break, which was only a week away.

'They have no idea what it is like to stumble up a long flight of stairs after being stabbed multiple times in the chest, her phone still in her hand.'

Bogdanos added: 'Tess Majors cannot say how being murdered impacted her because she is dead. She is dead forever and is not coming back.'

'Fourteen years to life is a long time, but at the end of his sentence Rashaun Weaver goes home. Tess never will. They know she was against murder and violence in general and that she never harmed another human being in her 18 years on the planet.'

Weaver was brought into court with his hands behind his back ahead of his sentencing

Tessa Majors' parents, Christy and Inman, said in their victim impact statement that they 'have no idea what it is like to fight for an iPhone for the simple matter that it contained three years' worth of songs she'd written; songs she was planning to record over the winter break, which was only a week away'

Weaver pleaded guilty last month to murder and robbery charges in the botched mugging on December 11, 2019 in Morningside Park, which is near the Manhattan campuses of Barnard College and Columbia University.

He was 14 when he and two friends, Luciano Lewis and Zyairr Davis, set their sights on Majors while looking for someone to rob in Morningside Park.

Majors was walking by, looking down at her phone, when Weaver and Lewis ran up behind her, kicking her in the back and demanding she hand over her phone and money.

'Are you seriously trying to rob me?' Majors asked the trio, according to Lewis, who said that he stood by and watched, warning of potential witnesses, as Weaver wrestled the girl to the ground.

Weaver's family sat in the gallery at his sentencing

Weaver's family in the gallery as the teen was sentenced to the minimum of 14 years in prison

She fought for her life, and bit Weaver on his finger. Lewis held her in a headlock while Weaver repeatedly stabbed her, piercing her heart.

Lewis, who was also 14 at the time of the murder, was charged as an adult. He pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges and was sentenced in October to nine years to life in prison.

Davis was not charged as an adult, but pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and was sentenced to 18 months in the custody of the Administration for Children's Services.
Ben Fordham has called for an end to the 'alarmism' around Covid and said Australians 'can't hide under the doona forever'.

The 2GB radio host said the continual fear-mongering from parts of the community around the virus is unjustified when considering other causes of death in the country.

He said prioritising the pandemic over other health issues could see people failing to get regular check-ups, leading to early diagnosis of severe conditions, including cancer.

'On the same day 17 people died of coronavirus in NSW, an estimated 136 Australians died from cancer alone. There are serious health issues being neglected,' Fordham explained.

'I'm not suggesting we don't take it seriously, but let's keep it in check, a disease with a death rate of 0.1 per cent. It is a challenging time, but it isn't the end of the world.'

Ben Fordham has called for an end to the 'alarmism' around Covid and said Australians 'can't hide under the doona forever'

Causes of death in Australia - 2021 41,000 died from cancer 13,000 from dementia and alzheimers 11,600 from heart disease 7,000 from strokes and brain aneurisms 4,000 from diabetes 2,500 from suicide 1,800 from drug overdoses 2,000 from accidental falls 2,239 from Covid-19 Source: Australian Government Department of Health/2GB Advertisement

Fordham said despite the slow vaccine rollout in Australia and mismanagement from the government, the country had experienced just the 99th most deaths in the world.

'Last year, between January and October, 125,000 Australians passed away. Coronavirus accounted for just 1.3 per cent of deaths, about 1,600 in total,' he said.

The radio star said people need to keep the Covid figures in check and that the chances of dying with the virus in Australia are extremely low.

'Dr Angelique Coetzee, she described Omicron on day one as very mild with a low chance of hospitalisation. She was right. In NSW, your odds of dying from coronavirus is 0.1 per cent,' he said.

'Your odds of going to hospital are 0.8 per cent. The odds of ending up in intensive care are 0.05 per cent.'

Fordham said dying with Covid makes up a tiny fraction of Australia's picture and urged people to have a look at the full picture of their health.

'Some people want the goalposts moved even further, they want another year of lockdown. Well that's up to them but I'm very keen to move on with their life,' he said, referring to alarmists continuing to push fear around the virus.

'Covid is going to be around, so we can't hide under the doona forever. We've had two years of lockdowns and restrictions, at some point we need to take this thing head-on.'

However, while Fordham was quick to dismiss Covid fears, another broadcaster had a different view.

ABC journalist Norman Swan, who was formerly a physician, recently slammed Australian politicians for pushing what he deemed 'two Omicron myths' - that the strain is mild and that it can prevent reinfection.

Fordham said dying with Covid makes up a tiny fraction of Australia's picture and urged people to have a look at the full picture of their health

Dr Swan said the new variant was not as mild as it was being made out to be, and that natural infection from Omicron does not provide as much protection as vaccination - meaning people can easily catch the virus again and still get ill.

'There is this myth that this is a mild virus. You hear it all the time from politicians. It is not a mild virus,' the doctor told the panel.

'Now, Delta was a virulent virus, yes, it is less virulent than Delta, but if you compare it to the Wuhan virus, it is just as virulent as that. That's why we're seeing deaths.'

He explained natural infection from Omicron 'does not seem to provide anything like what an immunisation gives', and would give little protection against future variants.

Dr Swan told The Project that although it was an unpopular opinion, the world was far from pulling the curtain on the Covid-19 pandemic - and that Australia had been too slow to react, leaving it with no supplies of rapid tests.

Dr Norman Swan said the new variant was not as mild as it was being made out to be and that natural infection from Omicron does not provide as much protection as vaccination

He warned Australians not to celebrate as some politicians claim Covid will soon become endemic - meaning a virus that is relatively constant in a population, and has predictable infection patterns.

'Smallpox was endemic. Nobody says that's a mild disease. Malaria is endemic in many countries. 'Influenza is endemic and it is not a harmless disease,' he said.

'Endemic does not mean it is harmless. This is an epidemic virus.'

He criticised politicians for simply 'letting it rip' and easing border controls and restrictions, saying it had actually hurt the economy by leading to thousands being stuck in isolation, as well as causing 'unnecessary deaths'.

Instead the journalist said the country should have slowed things down in December to ensure hospitals were well-equipped for another variant.
Two pills to help treat Covid infections have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for the first time in Australia.

The oral treatments, Paxlovid and Lagevrio, have been provisionally approved for adults who catch the virus and who are at risk of hospitalisation or death.

'Neither product is intended to be used as a substitute for vaccination against Covid-19,' the TGA said, adding the medication was not for patients who required oxygen.

'Either medicine should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis of Covid-19 and within 5 days of the start of symptoms.

Two pills to help treat Covid infections have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for the first time in Australia (pictured Brisbane residents leaving Covid testing site)

Lagevrio is available in capsules (pictured) and was approved for use in the UK in November

'Lagevrio is available as capsules, while Paxlovid comprise separate tablets of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir.

'In both cases, the medicines are taken twice a day for 5 days.'

Lagevrio works by inhibiting the replication of the virus and both treatments are not recommended for use in pregnant women or those breastfeeding.

Paxlovid, designed by Pfizer, works by blocking 'the activity of a protease enzyme' that Covid needs in order to replicate.

'Paxlovid must also not be used with a number of other commonly used medicines, either because for some medicines this may lead to potentially harmful increases in their blood levels, or in the case of some other medicines they may reduce the activity of Paxlovid,' the TGA said.

The treatment should also not be used in patients with severely reduced kidney or liver function.

Both medications, Paxlovid and Lagevrio should be taken twice a day for five days after infection

An Italian doctor is seen holding a bottle of the Lagevrio Covid pills

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the two treatments are expected to hit Australian shores in the coming weeks.

'(They) will build on what we're already doing through the intravenous or hospital treatments,' he told ABC Radio.

'They will help people who are at increased risk of going from mild to moderate and deemed by medical professionals to have the risk of progression of more serious conditions.'

The government has secured access to 500,000 Paxlovid treatments and 300,000 Lagevrio courses.

Pfizer's chief scientific officer Mikael Dolsten said evidence from the use of the Paxlovid medicine showed it was an 'important and effective tool' in protecting people from the virus.

The Australian government has secured access to 500,000 to Paxlovid treatments and 300,000 Lagevrio courses

'We specifically designed Paxlovid to retain its activity across coronaviruses, as well as current variants of concern with predominantly spike protein mutations,' he said.

'Following the clinical findings  showing Paxlovid reduced risk of hospitalisation or death by nearly 90 per cent compared to placebo for high-risk patients when treated within five days of symptom onset  we are encouraged by these initial laboratory findings.'

The UK had approved the use of Lagevrio, developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, in November, the first country in the world to do so.

Britain then approved Pfizer's pill on December 31st.

Canada on Tuesday approved Paxlovid.
Katie Price's ex-husband Kieran Hayler is to be quizzed over historic rape allegations relating to another woman after a complaint to the police by the former model.

The 34-year-old voluntarily agreed to be questioned by detectives over three alleged incidents with a woman, known to the couple, in 2016, while they were still married.

The former stripper denies what he describes as 'false allegations' and insists he will cooperate with police inquiries to clear his name, the Sun reports.

A spokesperson from Sussex Police said: 'We are investigating a report that in 2016 a woman was raped by an adult male known to her at a location in West Sussex.

'No arrest has been made. The woman is receiving support from specially trained officers.'

The claim is said to have been made to police by Ms Price herself, who was married to Mr Hayler from 2013 to 2018.

Police are to question Katie Price's ex-husband Kieran Hayler over historic rape allegations relating to another woman (Katie and Kieran pictured in 2017)

The couple (pictured together on Loose Women in 2017) were married from 2013 to 2018

The couple had two children together in that time - eight-year-old Jett and seven-year-old Bunny.

A spokesman for Mr Hayler told the Sun: 'Kieran is very saddened by these false allegations, and is happy to fully assist the police and co-operate fully to ensure he is quickly vindicated.

'But he is keen not to get into a public dispute and would prefer to rectify this matter with the police as quickly and calmly as possible, and continue to focus on his own life and future.'

A source added: 'Police have been in touch with Kieran regarding an allegation from 2016, which is believed to have been made by Katie.

'It relates to someone they knew while they were married. Kieran is co-operating and insists he has done nothing wrong  but he's happy to speak to the cops about it. He just wants to move on from his marriage to Katie.'

It comes after Ms Price's fiance Carl Woods was left 'furious' when Mr Hayler said she deserved to be locked up after her drink and drug-fuelled car crash.

In an explosive interview Mr Hayler said his ex - who was given a suspended sentence in relation to the incident - needed to be behind bars and that a custodial sentence would send a clear message to their two kids.

Ms Price recently completed her court assigned rehab order following the car accident on September 28, after which she tested positive for alcohol and Class A drug cocaine.

Mr Hayler said of the decision: 'It is one of the most serious things you can get done for on the road, short of killing someone. It is so serious.

'Someone will get hurt if Katie is allowed to carry on the way she is. When I saw she had been arrested, I thought, 'Oh no, not again'. It is just always so much drama. A lot of drama.'

MailOnline then revealed how Mr Woods branded the comments 'low' and has accused Mr Hayler of 'kicking Katie while she's down'.

A source close to Mr Woods, who was at her side in court, said: 'He was furious when he saw those comments. Katie knows she behaved terribly and has made a public apology for what she did.

'Carl questions what kind of man publicly calls for the mother of his children to be banged up. If their paths cross he'll make clear exactly what he thinks about the way he's carrying on. He's kicking her while she's down and it's not on.'

Angry: Katie Price's fiance Carl Woods is fuming after her ex-husband Kieran Hayler said she deserved to be locked up after her drink and drug-fuelled car crash (Katie and Carl are pictured)

Opinions: In an explosive interview Kieran, 34, (pictured) said Katie, 43, needed to be behind bars and that a custodial sentence would send a clear message to their two kids

Family: Kieran already has two children - Jett, eight, and Bunny, seven (pictured) - whom he shares with former glamour model Katie while Michelle has a son Valentino, 10

Sources close to Mr Hayler say he is keen to move on from his marriage to Ms Price, and last year he took a swipe at his ex-wife after revealing she didn't reach out to congratulate him on the birth of his new baby boy.

Mr Hayler welcomed son Apollo Phoenix with fiancee Michelle Penticost in the summer and spoke with OK! magazine about their new arrival.

He revealed he'd had no contact from his former partner following the birth, and when asked if Ms Price had sent a present, he scoffed: 'What do you think?!'

He added: 'I don't expect it. She's got her own life and I've got mine. The only thing we share is the children.

'Maybe I'm too nice, but if she's happy, I'm happy. I always say congratulations, even when she got engaged to Carl Woods. For me there's no animosity there. I'm not disappointed, it's just each to their own.'

The former couple finalised their divorce in March this year, and days later Ms Price became engaged to former Love Island star, Carl Woods.

Over the course of their tumultuous marriage, she accused Mr Hayler of cheating with her best friend of 20 years, Jane Pountney, as well as sleeping with her close pal Chrissy Thomas.

In August 2017, she famously claimed Kieran had cheated on her for a third time with their nanny Nikki Brown, resulting in the breakdown of their union.

After their split, Mr Hayler began dating Michelle Penticost and they announced they were expecting back in March.

They announced their engagement in March 2020 but had to delay their wedding due to coronavirus restrictions.

Mr Hayler welcomed son Apollo Phoenix with fiancee Michelle Penticost (pictured together) in the summer

Meanwhile, reports emerged earlier this month suggesting that Ms Price's former nanny has given a witness statement to police following an assault that left the reality star in hospital.

A 32-year-old suspect was arrested after Ms Price, 43, was allegedly punched in the face at her home in Essex in August last year.

They were subsequently released under investigation after being bailed three times.

According to The Mirror, Ms Price's former nanny has since spoken to police and given a statement.

Ms Price, a mother-of-five who was also previously married to singer Peter Andre, told police she had been the victim of a violent attack.

She was driven to a friend's house afterwards and treated by paramedics.

Essex Police said in a statement to The Mirror: 'A man arrested following reports of an assault in Little Canfield, Essex, on August 23 has been released under investigation.'

Ms Price was taken to hospital and was pictured the day after the assault with bruises to her face and an injured lip.

Hours before the alleged attack, Ms Price shared an image taken by her fiance, Carl Woods, 32, showing the couple posing with her two youngest children, Bunny, seven and Jett, eight.

The news comes after the former glamour model took to Instagram to announce that she and Mr Woods had booked a date for their wedding.

In an exchange of comments with her make-up artist, Fern Howe-Shepherd, she wrote: 'Yes we have our date.'

Katie Price was pictured a day after an alleged attack at her home in Essex with bruising on her face

Last month, the celebrity narrowly avoided prison after flipping her uninsured BMW X5 into a hedge while disqualified and under the influence of alcohol and cocaine on a country lane near her home in West Sussex on September 28.

She escaped with a suspended prison sentence because she complied with a requirement to attend the 6,800-a-week rehab centre - despite going out shopping while staying at the facility.

The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant was told by a judge that she deserved to spend Christmas behind bars after committing her ninth motoring offence.

Last month, the celebrity narrowly avoided prison after flipping her uninsured BMW X5 into a hedge while disqualified and under the influence of alcohol and cocaine on a country lane near her home in West Sussex on September 28.

She escaped with a suspended prison sentence because she complied with a requirement to attend the 6,800-a-week rehab centre - despite going out shopping while staying at the facility.

The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant was told by a judge that she deserved to spend Christmas behind bars after committing her ninth motoring offence.

Following her court appearance, Katie released a statement saying she is 'incredibly sorry' and 'sincerely grateful nobody was hurt'.
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Boeing shares tanked by 3.5 percent on Wednesday as the shambolic 5G rollout temporarily grounded some of the manufacturer's 777 and 787 planes over safety fears.

Shares in the aircraft manufacturer fell from $225 to $214 throughout the day, wiping $5billion from the company's valuation.

Boeing was forced to tell airlines around the world on Tuesday that its 777 may not be completely safe in the American airspace with the launch of 5G on Wednesday.

Airlines, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific and British Airways, rushed to cancel flights for fear that pilots wouldn't be able to operate them safely if the 5G signals were in use near to airports, which it warned could interfere with frequencies planes use to land.

Now, the FAA has cleared some 777s to fly again so long as there is a buffer against the 5G zone near the airport.

The whole debacle spells trouble for the aircraft manufacturer because the 777 and 787 are two of its most biggest sellers, and they seem to be the only ones at particular risk of the 5G launch.

Boeing stocks tanked on Wednesday as a result of the fiasco. The company has huge contracts with both the government and the airlines

Delta was among airlines that said delays and cancelations were expected in Wednesday due to the 5G problems

Boeing's rival Airbus, for example, is not encountering the same problems that the 777s or 787s.

Boeing 777 and 787 are what some airlines, particularly Middle Eastern airlines, operate almost exclusively. The issue with the 5G frequencies is that it is so strong it threatens to interfere with the frequencies used by 777 and 787 altimeters.

Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg has not been able to offer a solution to the fiasco and the airlines say they weren't even made aware of the risks until Monday

The altimeters are what the pilots rely on to land the aircraft in low visibility when they can't see how far they are from the runway.

On Tuesday afternoon, AT&T and Verizon agreed - at the behest of the government - to halt the rollout near some airports of concern.

By then, dozens of flights had been canceled and planes grounded.

Now, as airlines work to get planes back online, the fallout is rumbling on.

Emirates president Tim Clark said on Wednesday that it was a 'delinquent' mess caused by the US government.

Boeing has not commented on the fiasco. It holds major contracts with both the government to produce military aircraft, and major airlines around the world - putting it squarely in the middle of the row.

Lacking an immediate solution, passengers and airlines are bracing for further delays and cancellations as the travel chaos shows no sign of stopping.

Scores of people have now been left stranded at airports, with many complaining on social media about their flights being cancelled due to the 5G rollout.

One passenger, identified as Siddhartha on Twitter, complained that he and other passengers were 'not happy' that their Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco had been cancelled.

This graphic shows how the wireless spectrum used by 5G networks could interfere with altimeters, which measure a plane's altitude and is especially important for low-visibility operations. The CEOs of the airlines have asked officials that the 5G be implemented everywhere in the country except within the approximate 2 miles of airport runways at some key airports

Cancellations are seen on boards at JFK Airport, Queens, New York. January 19 2022. All Nippon Airways canceled all its US flights on Tuesday to heed the FAA warning, then announced on Wednesday that some were being brought back. The British Airways flight to Heathrow tonight was canceled

In its most recent comment, the FAA said: 'The FAA issued new approvals Wednesday that allow an estimated 62 percent of the U.S. commercial fleet to perform low-visibility landings at airports where wireless companies deployed 5G C-band.

'The new safety buffer announced Tuesday around airports in the 5G deployment further expanded the number of airports available to planes with previously cleared altimeters to perform low-visibility landings. The FAA early Wednesday cleared another three altimeters.

'Even with these approvals, flights at some airports may still be affected. The FAA also continues to work with manufacturers to understand how radar altimeter data is used in other flight control systems. Passengers should check with their airlines for latest flight schedules.

'Airplane models with one of the five cleared altimeters include some Boeing 717, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, MD-10/-11 and Airbus A300, A310, A319, A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380 models.'

Boeing 777 and 787 aircrafts are used by almost every major airline in the world.
The family of a woman who died in a bungled kidnapping after being mistaken for Rupert Murdochs wife has used ground-penetrating radar to search for her body.

Muriel McKays killer, Nizamodeen Hosein, revealed last month the location on a farm where he buried her more than 50 years ago.

But Mrs McKays daughter Dianne, 81, said she was very frustrated that Scotland Yard officers will not even visit the site in Hertfordshire for four weeks.

The family has presented detectives with evidence from ground-penetrating radar technology showing a disturbance in the area where Hosein says he buried her.

The delay is adding to the agony of Dianne who said: We can only wait to see what the polices next move is. Theres nothing we can do now to make them hurry up. But its an unnecessary delay.

Can you imagine 52 years later, I find my mother? I would just like to go and get her out of there. Shes been there too long.

Hosein and his brother Arthur demanded a 1million ransom for Australian Mrs McKay, 55, who was married to Alick McKay  deputy to Mr Murdoch in the UK.

Muriel McKay (pictured in 1969), died in a bungled kidnapping after being mistaken for Rupert Murdochs wife

Rupert Murdoch pictured alongside second wife Anna. The burglars killed Mrs McKay, who they took for Anna Murdoch

Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire, where Mrs McKays killer Nizamodeen Hosein revealed last month he buried her more than 50 years ago

The family of Mrs McKay say they have presented detectives with evidence from ground-penetrating radar technology showing a disturbance in the area where Hosein says he buried her

In December 1969 the brothers followed Mr Murdochs chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce, unaware the media tycoon had lent it to Mr McKay while he was in Australia.

They forced their way into the McKay house in Wimbledon, south-west London, and bundled the terrified mother into a car, driving her to the Hertfordshire farm, owned by Arthur at the time.

Mrs McKay, who they took for Anna Murdoch, was never seen alive again. The brothers were later sentenced to life in the UKs first conviction for a murder without a body. Arthur died in jail in 2009.

In December Hosein, who was deported to Trinidad after serving 20 years, pinpointed to Matthew Gayle, a British barrister hired by the McKay family, where her body was buried.

He claims no violence was used and Mrs McKay died from a heart attack while watching a TV news report about her kidnapping. This week, the family hired experts to use radar to examine her presumed grave.

Although the farms owners denied access, the experts were able to aim a radar beam from a public footpath with Hosein directing the team via video call.

John Trust, a specialist surveyor who has also worked on the Moors Murders, said: The radar showed that the ground had been interfered with  there was evidence of some trenching which could indicate that somebody had dug a hole to bury something. It went down to about 5ft.

It definitely warrants further investigation because it was virgin ground and somebody has done something there.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: Officers from the Mets specialist crime command have met with the family and are in the process of reviewing all the material.
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Classmates of Charlise Mutten, the nine-year-old Queensland girl allegedly murdered by her stepfather, have left heartbreaking notes outside her old school in a public outpouring of grief.

One mentioned Charlise's favourite animal, butterflies, and there were also references to her love of swimming and drama.

'A butterfly lights beside us like a sun beam, And for a brief moment its glory and beauty belongs to our world.

'But then it flies again. And though we wish it could have stayed, we feel so lucky to have seen it.'

A photograph of Charlise Mutten (pictured) surrounded by candles at a vigil for the nine-year-old

One from Shay said 'I was in your class in Year 2. It makes me really sad what happened to you.'

'You were really nice person and I wish you were coming back to school with me, rest in peace,' said another.

'I hope you have an amazing time in heaven,' reads a fourth, from a child far too young to understand the gravity of what has happened.

The tributes have been left at Tweed Heads Public School - which is just across the border in NSW - beside photographs, flowers and candles, letting the community and the wider world know how much Charlise was loved and will be missed.

A note (pictured) references Charlise's love of butterflies

Charlise Mutten (pictured) loved butterflies, which was written about in a note left in tribute to her at her old school in Tweed Heads

Alongside pictures of Charlise were a drawing of an angel and a pair of flippers, symbolising that the little girl loved to swim.

Some of the notes just featured Charlise's name. One from the Harkness family said 'You can fly high with the angels now, your beautiful smile and laughter brightened everyone's day.

'To the family. We are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl. We are thinking of you in these difficult times.'

A speaker at a vigil at the school spoke of Charlise's love of acting.

'Charlise loved coming to out little lunchtime drama club. She was always funny, very entertaining and full of wit.'

Some of the notes left for Charlise just featured her name and short messages such as this (pictured), which says 'We will miss you'

Notes (pictured) and flowers left at a candlelight vigil for nine-year-old Charlise Mutten, whose body was found in a barrel after she went missing in the Blue Mountains, at the front gates of Tweed Heads Public School in Tweed Heads

Some notes (pictured) left at the vigil for Charlise were just her name written on cardboard, surrounded by love hearts

A note (pictured) left for Charlise that also refers to her family and their loss

A note (pictured) for Charlise from the grandmother of one of her friends

One person left a drawing (pictured) of an angel at the vigil for Charlise

A candle featuring a picture of Charlise Mutten (pictured) left at a vigil for her

Clutching a microphone and piece of paper, a brave schoolgirl fronted a crowd of devastated mourners to deliver a moving speech paying tribute to her former schoolmate and alleged murder victim Charlise Mutten.

Capturing the sentiment of Australia, the student welcomed members of the community to the candlelit vigil at Tweed Head Public School, on the NSW north Coast, on Wednesday night with the poignant words: 'This should not be happening.'

The nine-year-old girl's body was found in a barrel on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - drawing an end to an extensive five day search - and with it any remaining hope she may still be alive.

Her mother Kallista Mutten's fiance, Justin Stein, has since been charged with her murder, after the schoolgirl flew from Queensland - where she lived with her grandmother - to spend a fortnight's holiday with her mum.

A day after her body was discovered, friends family and fellow students congregated outside the front gates of her former school as they celebrated her short, but impactful life.

'We are gathered here tonight to recognise, honour, and celebrate the young life of Charlise Mutten - a beautiful, loving and gentle spirit who has been taken far too soon,' her schoolmate said.

A brave student (pictured on Wednesday night) who explained she mentored Charlise through primary school delivered a moving speech in tribute to the nine-year-old's life

'Charlise has touched many lives on her journey throughout this world especially within the school community, where she was loved.

'Her bright smiling face and her beautiful nature shone as bright as her spirit is now.'

Many of the young mourners held candles as they stood outside the gates adorned with countless bunches of flowers, pink balloons, cards and photos of Charlise.

The school student, who was Charlise's older peer buddy when she first started primary school, invited attendees to light candles in her memory 'to keep her bright light strong and shining for everyone to see'.

'Some of us knew Charlise well, and some of us are here tonight to just simply acknowledge that she existed, and are deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened,' she said.

Hundreds of devastated mourners (pictured) held a candlelit vigil to pay their respects to schoolgirl Charlise Mutten on Wednesday night

'We recognise her having been here made a difference to those who knew and loved her.

'And we must take this opportunity to keep in our hearts and minds this very special and beautiful girl.'

Charlise was reported missing on Friday after disappearing from a lavish wedding venue in Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains - an hour away from where her body was discovered.

Her mother's new fiance Stein, 31, has been charged with murder and was arrested inside a Surry Hills unit shortly after her body was found.

It is understood he normally lives in Leichardt in the city's inner-west, but had been staying with a friend.

Many of the young mourners held candles as they stood outside the school gates and remembered their classmate - clutching remembrance posters

Friends, family and fellow students of the nine-year-old congregated outside the front gates of Tweed Heads Public School on Wednesday night

A young girl is comforted by a woman as she leaves flowers outside the school gates in honour of Charlise, who was allegedly murdered by her mother's fiance

A woman wrapped her arms around two young girls at the Wednesday night vigil that was attended by more than 150 people

A woman is seen struggling to hold back tears as she placed a bouquet of flowers amid the flowing tributes to Charlise

The emotional vigil began outside the primary school at 7.15pm, with more than 150 turning up to pay their respects despite sprinklings of rain.

A message on the school's notice board read 'don't count the days, make the days count'.

'Charlise was a much loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day,' the school said in a statement on Wednesday.

'We are absolutely devastated by the news.'

The statement on their Facebook page was accompanied by a touching photo of the nine-year-old holding a literacy award she had received at the end-of-year presentation day.

The school has been in touch with the Department of Education to 'explore options to support our students and staff when school resumes'.

Police will allege Stein spent up to five hours driving around Sydney with his fiance's daughter's body in the back of a boat, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The 31-year-old spent hours deciding where to leave her body before dumping it near a river, police will claim.

Detectives believe Charlise's mother had left her daughter in the care of Stein last Tuesday night - the last time she was confirmed to be alive.

Police will allege she was killed within the following 15 hours.

A group of young girls stand close together as they hold candles in honour of Charlise Mutten outside her former school

'Charlise was a much loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day,' a statement from her school read (pictured, mourners hold each other during the vigil)

A message on the school's notice board read 'don't count the days, make the days count' during the emotional service

A group was seen addressing the large crowds during the emotional candlelight service in a tribute to the schoolgirl

Charliese's biological father has also shared an emotional tribute to his daughter and vowed to 'get answers' about her tragic death.

'Goodbye beautiful girl... We will get answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly,' he said.

'You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking with mine.'

Her father vowed this 'would not be the end of [her] or [her] story' in his statement.

'This doesn't happen. Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with people?'

The schoolgirl, who was under the full-time custody of her grandparents in the Gold Coast, was spending the holidays with her mother and stepfather at the Blue Mountains property when she was reported missing on Friday.

Homicide detectives retraced Stein's steps using CCTV after he allegedly bought five 20kg sandbags from Bunnings, fuelled up a boat, then tried to launch it from an inner-Sydney dock.

Countless bunches of flowers, colourful balloons and letters addressed to Charlise were left outside the school gates

The nine-year-old's body was reportedly found in a barrel on Tuesday night in scrub near the Colo River - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson

The vigil was attended by around 150 people, including Charlise's classmates, despite the light sprinklings of rain overhead

The candlelight vigil was held to celebrate the life of the school girl who brightened the days of those around her, as described by her school

Charlise's biological father has shared an emotional tribute to his daughter and vowed to 'get answers' about her tragic death (pictured, a mourner arrives at the scene)

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they will allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where his stepdaughter's body was later found (pictured, mourners comfort each other at the service)

After finding the boat was inoperable, police will allege Stein then tried to dump the barrel containing Charlise's body in Colo River but was unable to roll it in due to the weight of the sandbags.

It is alleged he instead left her in bushland, where she was later discovered.

A blue tarpaulin was also found in the back of the boat, police say. The barrel has now been seized and will be forensically examined.

Police revealed in a press conference on Wednesday they will allege Stein discussed buying sandbags and boat fuel before later travelling to the riverbed where his fiance's daughter's body was later found.

Footage of Stein's arrest was released on Wednesday afternoon, showing the moment he walked from a car to a holding cell at Surry Hills Police Station with his hands cuffed in front of him.

He wore a grey Everlast jumper and shorts which he was still dressed in when he fronted court on Wednesday morning.

Ms Mutten reported Charlise missing to police on Friday morning.

A woman was seen reading a tribute from her phone as she addressed the dozens of mourners who came to honour Charlise

Mourners comfort each other as the nine-year-old is remembered by loved ones, friends and students at the service

Police will allege the nine-year-old (pictured) was killed within the 15 hours after she was placed in the care of Stein last Tuesday night

Detectives believe Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten had left her daughter in the care of Stein last Tuesday night - the last time she was confirmed to be alive

A woman comforts a little girl at the service while another is seen holding a candle in honour of Charlise Mutten

The police fact sheet tendered in court on Wednesday indicates police believe she may have been killed several days before this call was made.

Police alleged Charlise was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12.

Detectives are still waiting to speak to Ms Mutten because she remains under guard at hospital and is 'hard to approach'.

'The mother is currently under healthcare and is difficult to approach,' Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson said.

'She's under medical supervision, but when doctors allow, we will be talking to her.'

Mr Hudson said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice.

'At this stage, we have no evidence to support whether the accused acted alone... however it is still early days,' he said.

Detectives are still waiting to speak to Ms Mutten because she remains under guard at hospital and is 'hard to approach' (pictured, mourners look on at colourful balloons left for Charlise)

Emotional schoolchildren and their parents commemorated Charlise outside the school gates on the rainy Wednesday night

One mourner gave another a hug as crowds weathered the rain to say goodbye to Charlise who was found in a barrel by police on Tuesday night

Police alleged Charlise was killed sometime between 7pm on Tuesday, January 11 and 10am Wednesday January 12 (pictured, flowers, candles and posters pay tribute to the schoolgirl)

Charlise's doting grandmother, who lives in Coolangatta, has been notified of her death (pictured, crowds outside Tweed Heads Public School on Wednesday night)

Police were investigating a number of 'anomalies' they claimed to identify in the accused's initial testimony, which included allegedly giving two separate versions of events in the lead up to the young girl's disappearance.

Mr Hudson said through tracking the movements of a car they seized via CCTV, they were able to establish certain facts as to Stein's movements.

Charlise's doting grandmother, who lives in Coolangatta, has been notified.

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives.

Stein, who was arrested inside a Surry Hills unit shortly after her body was found, did not apply for bail in court on Wednesday.

His lawyer asked the court for a 12 week adjournment to seek a mental health assessment, noting he's been on 'long term medication'.

Detectives have said it was too early to speculate as to whether the accused had an accomplice (pictured, a woman looks forlorn as she attends the candlelit vigil)

Police have seized Stein's red ute (pictured) as part of their investigation into Charlise's alleged murder

Police made the grisly discovery near the Colo River (pictured) - an hour from where she disappeared on a private property in Mount Wilson, in the NSW Blue Mountains on Tuesday night

Stein, 31, was arrested at an apartment in Surry Hills on Tuesday night and he briefly faced court on Wednesday

More details about Charlise's death and final moments are expected in the coming days after her post-mortem results are shared with detectives (pictured, mourners at the vigil)

An eyewitness also told Daily Mail Australia they had seen a car leaving the property she was last seen at in the early hours of Friday morning.

The one hour drive from Mt Wilson to the Colo River follows Mt Wilson Road to the Bells Line of Road then via one of two routes to reach the river.

Driving past houses and equestrian properties, the road becomes a dirt track as it enters the Wollemi National Park.

Comleroy Road to Upper Colo is a winding and often steep and treacherous dirt road which crosses through the flowing Colo River past the remote Wheeny Creek campground.

A road posted with a sign warning 'Protect children! Please drive carefully' goes past the Upper Colo Anglican Church and local rural fire brigade headquarters.
President Joe Biden said Wednesday it would be a 'disaster' for Russia if President Vladimir Putin orders an invasion of neighboring Ukraine  as he said he did not know Putin's intentions but said his counterpart doesn't want a 'full-blown war.'

But the president also said publicly it was unclear what the response would be if Russia did something short of an all-out invasion  requiring the White House to move immediately to clean up his remarks.

'It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and not do, et cetera,' Biden said at a White House press conference where Russia came up repeatedly.

Later Wednesday evening, National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne wrote that Biden had 'clarified this. He was referring to the difference between military and non-military/para-military/cyber action by the Russians. Such actions would be met by a reciprocal response, in coordination with Allies and partners,' she said.

A Ukrainian official, responding to Biden's original comments, told CNN after the press conference: 'This remark potentially gives the green light to Putin to enter Ukraine at his pleasure.'

The White House was also forced to issue a full clarifying statement. 'President Biden has been clear with the Russian President: If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that's a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our Allies,' according to a statement from White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

'President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response,' she said.

Biden said he wasn't certain of Putin's intentions  saying it may be based on 'which side of the bed he gets up on in the morning as to exactly what hes going to do.'

'I'm not so sure he is certain what he is going to do. My guess is he will move in. He has to do something,' Biden said, saying that Russia already has intelligence agents operating inside the country.

He also speculated on the issues Putin is weighing, amid the collapse of the old Soviet empire.

'He is trying to find his place in the world between China and the West, 'Biden said.

He said he was 'very concerned' about the situation, which he said could 'very easily get out of hand.' He called it one of the 'most consequential' situations since World War II 'in terms of war and peace.'

'I think he still does not want a full-blown war,' Biden said, warning of the short and long-term consequences it would face.

Biden outlined part of what he said Putin would face in some detail  suggesting that Russia would be black listed and unable to deal in dollars on a global system of interbank electronic transactions  which could take a severe bite out of its economy.

'We find ourselves in a position where  there will be severe economic consequences,' Biden said. 'For example., anything that involves dollar denominations  if they invade, theyre going to pay. Their banks will not be able to deal in dollars. So there's a lot thats going to happen,' he said.

The president said Russia would pay a 'dear price' through sanctions if it acts, after assembling more than 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. But he also spelled an area for possible talks on one of Russia's demands  and even provided a reassurance on the issue of NATO expansion.

'He has never seen sanctions like the ones I promised will be imposed if he moves,' Biden said of the economic response the U.S. would impose should Russia once again its neighbor, after seizing Crimea in 2014.

'It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and not do, et cetera,' he said.

He said it would be a 'disaster for Russia if they invade Ukraine.'

'But if they actually do what they're capable of doing with the forces amassed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine. And that our allies and partners are ready to impose severe cost and significant harm on Russia and the Russian economy,' the president said.

President Joe Biden said said Russia would pay a 'dear price' through sanctions if it invades Ukraine

He also spoke about his conversations with Putin  which included a summit in Geneva as well as calls and a zoom session.

He said he told Russia it has occupied nations before but 'the price has been extremely high.'

He asked how long Russia could sustain such an effort, which would cause great economic loss.

'How many years,' Biden asked. One? Three? Five? Ten? 'What toll does that take? Its real. It's consequential.'

'This is not all just a cake walk for Russia,' he predicted. 'Theyll pay a stiff price immediately' and in the medium and long term 'if they do it,' Biden said.

National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said Biden had 'clarified' his comments and Russia's actions would be met by a 'reciprocal response'

Biden said he is not sure of Vladimir Putin's intentions, and that it may depend 'what side of the bed' he wakes up on

Biden spoke of the difficulty of Russia invading Ukraine from the North

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken with Biden about concerns of a potential invasion. A Ukrainian official fumed to CNN that Biden's comments could give a 'green light' to Putin

He also mentioned two Russian demands: Assurances that NATO not allow Ukraine to join the alliance, and a commitment not to position strategic weapons in Ukraine.

'We can work out something on the second piece,' Biden predicted.

But on a pledge on admitting Ukraine to NATO, he said countries get to choose their own alliances. Then he added that in the 'near term' it was 'not very likely' Ukraine had been admitted since there was more work they have to do on democracy and other issues.

He also did not correct a questioner when a reporter said Ukrainian admission could be decades away.
Britain is open to sending more weapons to Ukraine to try to thwart any Russian invasion, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said last night.

He told the Daily Mail the UK may add to the 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers sent this week.

It comes as Russia has amassed an estimated 127,000 troops at the border with Ukraine along with tanks and other weapons in apparent preparation for an invasion.

Britain is open to sending more weapons to Ukraine to try to thwart any Russian invasion, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said last night. Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers are seen along the frontline near the town of Zolote

Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirms it has already received a shipment of 'light anti-tank weapons' provided by UK

It comes as Russia has amassed an estimated 127,000 troops at the border with Ukraine along with tanks and other weapons in apparent preparation for an invasion

In an exclusive interview, Mr Wallace said: 'I will keep the question of sending more defensive weapons to Ukraine under close review. I do not rule anything out within helping Ukraine deliver self-defence.

'The UK is determined to stand by Ukraine, its sovereignty and our mutual interests. We have been helping them build defensive capacity for eight years now and we decided to step up that assistance in light of Russian aggression. Britain stands by its allies.'

Russia last night accused the UK of fuelling tensions in the region with the weapons deployment. Moscow's embassy in London tweeted: 'It is crystal clear that UK shipment of lethal weapons to Ukraine will only fuel the crisis and increase tensions.'

A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea on Tuesday 18 January

Ukrainian soldiers stand in a trench near the front line on January 17, in the village of New York, formerly known as Novhorodske, Ukraine

Snipers started the shooting training at the Kadamovsky training ground in the Rostov region, Russia

Ukraine yesterday demanded economic sanctions against Russia before any invasion rather than afterwards. Defence minister Oleksii Reznikov insisted he wanted action now against Russian leader Vladimir Putin's regime to avoid 'a lot of blood' in his country.

He told the BBC's Hardtalk: 'Our partners can do more  like sanctions before the invasion, not after. Let's show the Kremlin you understand the threat and how the invasion can be made very expensive for them.'

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has flown to Kiev for crisis talks with Ukrainian officials, warned Russia could attack 'at very short notice'.

The possibility that Britain could send more arms will be welcomed by the Ukrainian government which described this week's delivery by the RAF as a 'necessary first step'.

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Anatolii Petrenko (L) attends the delivery of light, anti-armor, defensive weapon systems, supplied by the UK

Further UK deliveries may convince other Western governments to boost their help.

The US has already sent missiles and heavily-armed patrol boats while Turkey has sold Ukraine drones equipped with guided missiles. Sweden is providing medical training to Ukrainian troops.

The Mail can also reveal that British military trainers being sent to Ukraine to instruct its troops on how to use the anti-tank weapons will be drawn from the newly formed Ranger Regiment.

The 800-strong unit was established last year to provide training for the UK's allies and to fight beside them in certain situations.

A member of the 503Ad Naval Infantry Battalion stationed in Donbas, Ukraine on January 18, 2022

British military trainers being sent to Ukraine to instruct its troops on how to use the anti-tank weapons will be drawn from the newly formed Ranger Regiment

It had been thought Mr Putin would choose the 'simple option' of sending troops into the Donbass region in south-eastern Ukraine and then negotiate for it to become an independent state, providing a buffer between pro-western Ukraine and Russia

Members of the 503Ad Naval Infantry Battalion relax and prepare lunch while stationed in Donbas, Ukraine on January 18, 2022

But as Nato has said there will be no direct military response to a Russian invasion, the Rangers' assistance will be restricted to a training package expected to last a few weeks before they head home.

Ukraine released intelligence reports yesterday suggesting Russia had bolstered the size of its forces on the border to 127,000.

Officials said they believed Russia had 'almost completed' the build-up of soldiers and hardware required to mount an invasion.

Moscow denies it plans to launch an attack but has pressed the US for security guarantees. It is wary of pro-Western Ukraine's desire to join the EU and has demanded a withdrawal of Western troops from former Soviet republics.

Six Russian landing ships sail past Britain sparking speculation they are bound for impending 'full-scale invasion' of Ukraine as Kiev warns Putin has 'nearly completed' troop build-up

Six Russian landing ships have sailed past Britain sparking speculation they are bound for an impending 'full-scale invasion' of Ukraine - as Kiev warns President Putin has 'nearly completed' the build-up of troops along the border.

Russia's Baltic Fleet vessels the Korolev, Minsk and Kaliningrad were today sailing south past the UK followed by Northern Fleet warships Olenegorsky Gornyak, Pyotr Morgunov, and Georgii Pobedonosets which passed the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday.

The ships, which can each carry up to 25 armoured personnel carriers, were deployed three days ago but it remains unclear if they are heading for Ukraine.

The region has been on a knife-edge since the end of last year when Moscow moved as many as 100,000 troops, as well as tanks and missiles, close to the border.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's latest intelligence assessment yesterday warned Russia had massed more than 127,000 troops along the border, together with a sea and air component that marked a 'full strength' force.

The assessment, seen by CNN, described the situation as 'difficult' and warned Russian President Vladimir Putin was 'trying to split and weaken the European Union and NATO' while also 'limiting the capabilities of the United States... to ensure security on the European continent'.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today warned Russia could attack Ukraine on 'very short notice' during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the American embassy in Kiev.

He urged Putin to take 'the path of diplomacy and dialogue to try to resolve differences there are peacefully' hours after the Biden administration said it would provide an additional $200 million in defensive military aid to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

'Clearly the preferable path, clearly the most responsible path and the one that we would prefer, but there is also the path if Russia chooses to renew aggression, of conflict, confrontation and consequences for Russia,' Blinken said.

'I strongly, strongly hope that we can keep this on a diplomatic and peaceful path, but ultimately, that's going to be President Putin's decision.'

The stark warning comes after two rounds of last ditch talks between the West and Russia failed to de-escalate the conflict which has threatened to bubble over since late last year.

Six Russian landing ships (pictured, landing ship Minsk near the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark en route to the North Sea) have sailed past Britain sparking speculation they are bound for an impending 'full-scale invasion' of Ukraine

Northern Fleet warships Olenegorsky Gornyak Pyotr Morgunov, (pictured) and Georgii Pobedonosets passed through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday, possibly en route to Ukraine

A map showing the route the six landing ships could possibly be taking from Russia's second Baltic Sea base Kronstadt to Ukraine ahead of a 'full-scale invasion'. The vessels were pictured at the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday and, if heading to Ukraine, are likely to have already transited the Channel

Northern Fleet warship Georgii Pobedonosets passes through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday with five other landing vessels, sparking speculation they are bound for an impending 'full-scale invasion' of Ukraine

Amphibious assault ship Kaliningrad was spotted sailing through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday, days before Kiev warned President Putin had 'nearly completed' the build-up of troops along the border

Russia's Northern Fleet warship Olenegorsky Gornyak passes through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday as fears rise about a possible invasion of Ukraine by Moscow following a months-long troop build-up along the border

Russia's Baltic Fleet vessel the Korolev was seen passing through the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Monday after two rounds of last ditch talks between the West and Russia failed to de-escalate the conflict which has threatened to bubble over since late last year

In new training drills yesterday, three dozen Russian warplanes including Su-34 fighter-bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft and MiG-31 fighter-interceptors flew from airfields in Perm, Krasnoyarsk, Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions

The Russian ships' 'highly irregular' movements sparked Swedish authorities to deploy hundreds of troops and armoured vehicles to the island of Gotland.

In new training drills yesterday, three dozen Russian warplanes including Su-34 fighter-bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft and MiG-31 fighter-interceptors flew from airfields in Perm, Krasnoyarsk, Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions.

They hit targets of a 'simulated enemy' in 'large-scale' exercises involving 500 military personnel.

Meanwhile, in the Black Sea, the Kasimov antisubmarine ship 'successfully destroyed' air and sea targets by artillery fire in storm conditions, in a naval exercise.

And in the Western Military District, a missile regiment armed with S-400 Triumf mobile, surface-to-air missile system conducted electronic launches at a range in Leningrad region.

Moscow has announced the 'successful' completion of tests on its Kinzhal - or Dagger - hypersonic missiles, which can carry nuclear or conventional weapons with a range of 1,250 miles, in the Arctic, though the weapons had been deployed with Russian forces ahead of the trials.

The Kremlin also deployed servicemen to Belarus this week, ostensibly for major military operations with the country, sparking fears in neighbouring Lithuania.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said today: 'In the current situation, we view the arrival of Russian armed forces in Belarus not only as a destabilising factor in the security situation but also as the one posing an even bigger direct threat to Lithuania.'

Russian deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin confirmed that the mission includes the relocation of two S-400 mobile surface to air missile battalions, a Pantsir-S battalion and 12 Su-35 fighters for the 'surprise' inspection and drills.

The deployment was cited in Ukraine's intelligence report which said Belarus 'should be considered as a full-fledged theater of operations that Russia can use to expand aggression against Ukraine.'

The assessment said Moscow had deployed troops to the border on a 'permanent' basis and said the movement of 'stockpiles of ammunition, field hospitals and security services' to the hinterlands confirmed 'the preparation for offensive operations'.

It said Russia had deployed 36 Iskander launchers, weapons capable of hitting targets up to 700km away, near Ukraine and said the medium-range missiles that could be used to 'destroy vital objects'.

The assessment put the number of rebels within Ukraine who are loyal to Moscow at 35,000 and estimated Russia has a further 3,000 military personnel within Kiev's territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured during a meeting at the Kremlin on Tuesday) has 100,000 troops and military hardware along Ukraine border, say security analysts

Moscow has announced the 'successful' completion of tests on its Kinzhal - or Dagger - hypersonic missiles in the Barents Sea on Tuesday, though the weapons were already deployed with Russian personnel

During his meeting with Zelensky today, Blinken reaffirmed the American commitment to his nation's sovereignty and said Ukraine had faced 'relentless aggression from Moscow' since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

'Russia invaded territory in the Crimea, ginned up a conflict in eastern Ukraine, and has systematically sought to undermine and divide Ukraine's democracy,' Blinken said.

'Our strength depends on preserving our unity and that includes unity within Ukraine. I think one of Moscow's long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within our countries and quite simply, we cannot and will not let them do that.'

After their meeting, State Department spokesman Ned Price warned the West was ready to impose 'crippling costs on Russia's economy' if Putin chooses the path of 'further aggression.'

'They discussed U.S. and international security and economic assistance to Ukraine, and the Secretary expressed appreciation for Ukraine's continued calls for a diplomatic solution, stressing the need for Ukrainian unity in the face of the Russian threat,' Price said.

'He emphasized the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterated the principle of nothing about Ukraine, without Ukraine.'

Zelensky thanked Blinken on Twitter after their meeting and said he was counting on stronger 'economic & financial' cooperation from the West.

'Grateful for [US's] political & security support. Count on enhancing economic & financial cooperation. I'm sure there will be no decision about [Ukraine] without [Ukraine],' he wrote.

Blinken told an audience of roughly 60 embassy staff in Kyiv on Wednesday that Ukraine is experiencing a 'critical time' in it history

Blinken told Zelensky that Ukraine has faced 'relentless aggression from Moscow' since the collapse of the Soviet Union

It comes after UK dfence chiefs said yesterday they fear Putin will opt for the 'nightmare scenario' of a full invasion of Ukraine as tensions rise towards tipping point.

The White House warned yesterday the situation was 'extremely dangerous' and that Moscow could launch an attack 'at any point'.

It had been thought Mr Putin would choose the 'simple option' of sending troops into the Donbass region in south-eastern Ukraine and then negotiate for it to become an independent state, providing a buffer between pro-western Ukraine and Russia.

As the region is already occupied by pro-Russian separatists, and has been in a state of war since 2014, it was believed it would offer little resistance.

But the latest intelligence now has Ministry of Defence chiefs worried about a much larger incursion, raising fears of warfare engulfing cities and high civilian death tolls.

They believe Mr Putin's troops are being positioned in line with his new objective, with armoured divisions set to head into neighbouring Belarus on exercise but now stationed within striking distance of Kiev.

Last night a senior defence source said: 'We strongly believe [Putin's] preference is for a full invasion rather than a limited offensive. In a sense he might as well go for as much of Ukraine as he can get hold of because the penalties are just the same.

The UK's Ministry of Defence fears Putin will inflict large-scale warfare engulfing cities and high civilian death tolls (Pictured: A convoy of Russian armoured vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022)

The White House warned yesterday that the situation was 'extremely dangerous' (Pictured: Anatoliy, a Ukrainian soldier with the 56th Brigade, in a trench on the front line on January 18, 2022 in Pisky, Ukraine)

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Anatolii Petrenko (L) attends the delivery of light, anti-armor, defensive weapon systems, supplied by the UK

Light, anti-armor, defensive weapon systems, supplied by the UK arrive in Kiev, Ukraine on Tuesday amid a Russian military buildup on its border

Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirms it has already received a shipment of 'light anti-tank weapons' provided by United Kingdom

A member of the 503Ad Naval Infantry Battalion stationed in Donbas, Ukraine on January 18, 2022

The White House warned yesterday the situation was 'extremely dangerous' and that Moscow could launch an attack 'at any point'

It had been thought Mr Putin would choose the 'simple option' of sending troops into the Donbass region in south-eastern Ukraine and then negotiate for it to become an independent state, providing a buffer between pro-western Ukraine and Russia

Members of the 503Ad Naval Infantry Battalion relax and prepare lunch while stationed in Donbas, Ukraine on January 18, 2022

US in crisis talks as Moscow is told: There'll be consequences By Sam Greenhill Chief Reporter for the Daily Mail America last night warned the Kremlin of 'massive consequences' as its top diplomat flew to Europe for last-ditch talks aimed at averting war. In a hastily arranged trip, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was set to arrive in Kiev last night to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He then moves on to Berlin and will also hold talks with France and the UK. Looking to impress on Moscow the need for de-escalation, he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov decided yesterday 'it would be useful' to meet in person on Friday in Geneva. In a call to Mr Lavrov, Mr Blinken 'stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions'. A senior State Department official said: 'This is neither an exercise nor normal troop movement. It is a show of force and plans for a possible invasion. 'This is extremely dangerous. We are now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack on Ukraine.' The official warned the Kremlin: 'Our message, and that of our allies and partners, is that Russia has two choices: diplomacy and de-escalation, or escalation and massive consequences. 'Should Russia invade, we will provide additional defensive equipment to Ukrainians.' Advertisement

'Also, if he just occupies the eastern regions he will never be able to take back the whole of Ukraine because of the inevitable strengthening of Ukrainian forces in the remainder of the country in the aftermath.

'It is the nightmare scenario.'

Mr Putin is aware that as Ukraine does not belong to Nato, there will be no military response by Western states.

Similarly, the economic sanctions threatened by the US and the UK apply regardless of the scale of such action.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday before holding talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday in the latest attempt to defuse the crisis.

'Our view is this is an extremely dangerous situation,' said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

'We're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine, and what Secretary Blinken is going to go do is highlight very clearly there is a diplomatic path forward.

'It is the choice of President Putin and the Russians to make, whether they are going to suffer severe economic consequences or not.'

Officials said last week that Russia had deployed agents trained in sabotage and urban warfare to launch a 'false-flag' attack on proxy forces, providing the pretext for invasion.

At the same time, it has stepped up social media campaigns portraying Ukraine as aggressors.

Russia has repeatedly denied that it is planning an invasion and instead demanded that NATO bar Ukraine from membership.

Last night, Kiev hailed Britain for sending anti-tank weapons and troops as an 'important first step' to help the country defend itself.

On Monday, two C-17 transporters left the UK with 2,000 armour-piercing missile systems and soldiers to teach Ukraine's forces how to use them.

But the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, called on extra help from Western powers.

The Joe Biden administration fears Moscow could launch an attack against Ukraine 'at any point' (Pictured: Mykola, a Ukrainian soldier with the 56th Brigade, in a trench on the front line on January 18, 2022 in Pisky, Ukraine)

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

Russian servicemen prepare their military vehicles to unload for Russia and Belarus joint military drill in Belarus on January 18

A handout photo made available by the Belarus Defence Ministry press service shows Russian military vehicle arrives for Russia and Belarus joint military drill 'Union resolve 2022' in Belarus, 18 January 2022. The exercises will be held next month

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)

Russian military vehicles arriving in Belarus are seen in this photograph distributed by the Belarus Ministry of Defense on Tuesday, ahead of joint exercises

Ukrainian soldiers with the 56th Brigade maintain their positions in trenches in Pisky

'We are asking for more, and we are expecting to have more,' Mr Prystaiko told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'I am not ashamed to ask to help us with everything that is possible to avoid this war.

'Russia is stopped when it is stopped, not when Putin decided that he achieved enough.'

The diplomat hit out at Germany for failing to match Britain's offer of military aid, with Berlin preferring to focus on the threat of sanctions.

'How can we be given a chance to defend ourselves if you're not giving weapons? With what? Rocks?' he said.

Mr Prystaiko also slammed Berlin for pushing ahead with the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that will circumvent Ukraine.

Critics fear it will increase Germany's reliance on Russian energy supplies.

In comments that will alarm Kiev, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said her country needs 'a reliable Russia' to supply Europe with gas.

However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he may consider halting the pipeline if Moscow attacks.

With pressure to take a more hawkish stance, he met Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Berlin to discuss the next steps.

Mr Scholz told reporters it was 'clear that there will be a high price to pay and that everything will have to be discussed should there be a military intervention in Ukraine'.

The German government even went so far as to brief journalists on Tuesday that cutting Russia off from international banking systems - the so-called 'nuclear option' of sanctions - was off the table, prompting angry denials from Washington.

Tensions escalated at the end of last week after American officials claimed to have information that Moscow had deployed resources for a 'false flag' attack.

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 Kiev 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.

Even so, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it was accelerating its plan to form reserve battalions, a move that would help it rapidly deploy 130,000 recruits to bolster its 246,000-strong armed forces.

Meanwhile, in a show of support for former Soviet republics, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace yesterday visited Latvia. He told officials the UK stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Baltic state  a Nato ally.

He said the countries were 'united in their resolve' against Russian aggression.

A Royal Air Force transport jet arrives in Kiev, Ukraine, with a shipment of anti-tank weapons designed to deter a Russian attack on the country as Putin masses his forces on the border

A pallet of British anti-tank weapons are unloaded at an airport in Kiev so they can be distributed to troops on the front lines with Russia in an attempt to deter an attack by Putin
A 40 year old woman was arrested then released after the body of a three month old baby was found wrapped in plastic and stuffed in a freezer.

Police made the horror discovery last night as they searched a house in Corowa, 60km west of Albury on the NSW-Victoria border, after reports of a missing infant.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud scream coming from the Church Street home late on Wednesday night.

The woman was arrested at the scene. Homicide detectives have now launched an investigation and the home is being pored over by specialist forensic officers.

A 40 year old woman has been arrested after the body of a three month old baby was found wrapped in plastic and stuffed in a freezer at Corowa home on the NSW-Victoria border

The baby's lifeless body was found in a house in Corowa (pictured, the main street in Corowa)

Detectives from the NSW Police force are investigating the horror

The woman was taken to Albury Police Station and was assisting police with inquiries before she was later released while the investigating continues.

The body was found at 10pm after officers were told of 'welfare concerns' for the child by a family member.

'Officers searched the house and located the body of a child,' said a NSW Police spokesman. 'Investigations are ongoing.'

Local detectives with the assistance of the State Crime Commands Homicide Squad have established Strike Force Walumil to probe the childs death.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death

Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said the community was sharing a sense of devastation over the tragedy overnight.

'Anytime a child is lost, under any circumstances is a tragedy,' he said.

'Our thoughts go out to everyone affected, especially the family of the infant and our first responders.

'I would like to take this opportunity to request our local residents to respect that an investigation is now underway and that lead authorities will have more to say as soon as they are able to do so.

'As NSW Police have indicated, if you have any information that can help with this investigation, please provide this directly to Crime Stoppers.'

More to follow
The Army will start building camps to house up to 30,000 Channel migrants from next month, the Mail can reveal.

Plans are being drawn up for soldiers to construct temporary housing on Ministry of Defence land across the UK.

The project is likely to cost tens of millions of pounds. Home Secretary Priti Patel has privately told Tory MPs that work on the first phase is due to start within weeks.

Government sources insist the scheme will be cheaper than the current accommodation provided for migrants, which has seen thousands placed in three and four-star hotels on full board.

Ministers hope the move towards temporary hostel-style housing on military bases will also act as a deterrent to migrants planning to cross the Channel.

Meanwhile, it emerged last night that the Home Office could stop publishing daily figures on the number of Channel migrants when the MoD takes over operations to intercept them.

The project is likely to cost tens of millions of pounds. Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured) has privately told Tory MPs that work on the first phase is due to start within weeks.

Wednesday morning 25 people were escorted into the Port of Dover on board a Border Force vessel shortly before 9am. Pictured: Migrants arrive in Dover Harbour

The Home Office currently issues the data after arrivals have been processed by the UK Border Force  usually on the following day.

A source said it was unclear if that would continue to happen under MoD, adding: 'It will be up to them whether they continue issuing figures.' Not publishing the numbers would leave ministers open to accusations of attempting to hide crucial information from the public.

The UK Statistics Authority is understood to have raised concerns about the current way migrant numbers are released.

A Home Office source said it is 'currently considering advice' from the authority 'to ensure the underlying trends and total number of small boat arrivals can be presented clearly'.

On the network of new camps, a Whitehall insider said: 'There will be accommodation built at a number of bases around the country.

'We think it will be a deterrent. People will be housed in temporary, pre-fab buildings and not in mid-market hotels once the project had been rolled out.'

Exact locations have not been disclosed, but a new secure site for initial processing of Channel migrants opened in the last few days at an MoD site at Manston, Kent.

It is understood it is due to house illegal immigrants for up to five days after they arrive in the UK, but its role will now be expanded to provide longer-term accommodation.

Separately, the Government has hired planning consultants to handle applications for the ongoing use of Napier barracks in Folkestone.

It has housed up to 350 asylum seekers since September 2020 and ministers plan to keep the site in use until at least 2025. Sources confirmed Napier's capacity will be extended under the new project.

Ministers hope the move towards temporary hostel-style housing on military bases will also act as a deterrent to migrants planning to cross the Channel (Pictured: Migrants in the Channel in November)

Official figures show more than three times as many migrants have arrived in Britain so far this month than in the whole of January last year. UK authorities have intercepted more than 950 migrants so far this year  more than three times the 223 in January 2021. Last year, 28,381 people were intercepted in the Channel, compared to just 8,410 in 2020

Billeting migrants at MoD sites will be controversial because Napier has drawn criticism.

A report by an all-party parliamentary group last month described 'appalling conditions' at the base and likened it to 'quasi-detention', even though occupants are free to come and go as they please.

A Government source said: 'The MoD will be responsible for sorting out housing for migrants as they arrive. This is likely to involve the use of more barracks or other spaces similar to Napier.

'We want to dial down the use of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers, which is currently higher than we would like.'

It comes after reports the Home Office is planning for a worst-case scenario of up to 65,000 arrivals across the Channel this year.

Nearly 28,400 migrants reached Britain last year compared with 8,410 in 2020. More than 940 have been intercepted by UK authorities so far this month  more than four times the figure in January last year.

It does not include arrivals yesterday  which are thought to number around 25.
President Joe Biden claimed five Republican senators have told him they'd vote alongside Democrats on various bills, but expressed fear former President Donald Trump would unleash a primary challenger if they stepped out of line.

'I've had five Republican senators talk to me, bump in to me ... or sit with me. Who have told me that they agree with whatever I'm talking about for them to do. "But Joe, if I do it I'm getting defeated in a primary,"' Biden said Wednesday at a press conference marking the end of his first year in office. 'We've gotta break that, it's gotta change.'

Biden marveled at the grip Trump still had on the party.

'Did you ever think that one men out of office could intimidate an entire party where they're unwilling to take any vote contrary to what he thinks should be taken for fear of being defeated in a primary?' the president asked the reporters in the room rhetorically.

President Joe Biden claimed five Republican senators have told him they'd vote alongside Democrats on various bills, but expressed fear former President Donald Trump would unleash a primary challenger if they stepped out of line

At the top of the presser, Biden said one thing he didn't expect in his first year was for Republicans to be so unsupportive.

'I did not anticipate that there would be such a stalwart effort to make sure that the most imporant thing was that President Biden didn't get anything done,' the president said.

'Think about this. What are Republicans for? What are they for? Name me one thing they're for,' the president continued.

He asked the same thing about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, though said he personally liked his former Senate colleague.

'I get on with Mitch, I actually like Mitch McConnell, but he has one straightforward objective - make sure that there's nothing that I do that makes me look good in the mind, his mind, with the public at large,' Biden said. 'And that's OK, I'm a big boy.'

'I think the fundamental question is what is Mitch for?' Biden asked.

When a reporter pointed out that McConnell also tried to tank President Barack Obama's agenda, asking Biden why he was so surprised, the president answered, 'They weren't nearly as obstructionist as they are now.'

Biden said during the Obama years, the Democratic administration would work with the late GOP Sen. John McCain and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, now a top Trump ally.

When asked to ID the Republicans who flirted with bucking the party the president demurred.

'Sure, no, are you kidding me?' he said laughing. 'I maintain confidentiality.'

Biden said going into the 2022 midterm races he needed to 'make clear to the American people what we are for,' characterizing the Democrats' troubles as a messaging problem.

Biden marveled at the control ex-President Donald Trump holds over the GOP. 'Did you ever think that one men out of office could intimidate an entire party, where they're unwilling to take any vote contrary to what he thinks should be taken for fear of being defeated in a primary?' he asked

'We passed a lot. We passed a lot of things,' he added.

ABC's Mary Bruce pointed out that two moderate Democrats - Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema - were the ones who derailed Build Back Better and voting rights-related filibuster reform.

She also noted that Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, who bucked his party by voting twice to convict former President Donald Trump of impeachment, never received a phone call from the White House on the voting bills.

'Look, Mitt Romney's a straight guy. And one of the things we were doing - I was trying to make sure we got everybody on the same page in my party on this score,' Biden said. 'I didn't call many Republicans at all.'

All 50 Republicans are expected to vote down a voting rights bill later Wednesday night.

'I predict to you we'll get something done on the reform side,' Biden also said.

Biden was then asked if he would view the election as 'fairly conducted' and the results 'legitimate' if a federalized voting bill didn't get through by the time voters head to the polls in November.

'Well, it all depends on whether or not we're able to make the case to the American people that some of this is being set up to try an alter the outcome of the election,' the president answered.

Biden said that he may be 'too much of an optimist' but he believed that restrictive voting laws could motivate people to come out and vote.

'Remember how we thought not that many people are going to show up to vote in the middle of a pandemic? We had the hightest voter turnout in the history of the United States of America,' he remarked.

'Well, I think if in fact, no matter how hard they make it for minorities to vote, I think you're going to see them willing to stand in line and defy the attempt to keep them from being able to vote,' the president continued.

'But we're not there, we've not run out of options yet, we'll see how this moves,' he added.
Boris Johnson's six-week-old daughter was badly hit by Covid, the Mail can reveal today.

Downing Street announced last week that a member of his family had tested positive for the virus. It did not state who the relative was but it is understood to be his daughter Romy.

A source said she had suffered with the virus 'quite badly' aged five weeks but was now 'on the mend'.

Mr Johnson did not appear in public for several days after last week's announcement, reappearing only on Tuesday when he gave an interview to Sky News about 'Partygate' revelations engulfing the Government.

Downing Street announced last week that a member of Boris Johnson's family had tested positive for Covid. It is understood to be his daughter Romy (pictured with Carrie and Wilf, left). Carrie wears a baby carrier by Artipoppe

He appeared emotional and downcast  potentially partly explained by the personal strain on his family.

Yesterday, Mr Johnson appeared to be back on ebullient form as he faced down a plot from rebel Red Wall MPs.

Despite the defection of one MP to Labour, the coup attempt  dubbed the 'Pork Pie Putsch'  seemed to crumble yesterday.

Downing Street insisted Mr Johnson would overcome any leadership threat and fight the next election.

Romy Iris Charlotte Johnson was born on December 9 at University College Hospital in London and lives in the flat above Number 11 Downing Street with the PM, her mother Carrie, 33, and the couple's eldest child, Wilfred, 20 months.

Last Thursday the Prime Minister cancelled a visit to Lancashire, with Downing Street saying only that 'a family member has tested positive for Covid' without identifying who.

A source said Romy (pictured with her brother Wilfred, 20 months) had suffered with the virus 'quite badly' aged five weeks but was now 'on the mend'

A No 10 spokesman then said the Prime Minister would 'follow the guidance for vaccinated close contacts, including daily testing and limiting contact with others'.

The spokesman added that he would continue to hold meetings and 'for the large part that will be done virtually'.

While children who catch the virus are generally affected much less severely than adults, there is heightened concern about very young babies because they are so vulnerable.

Their immune systems are underdeveloped and newborns typically lose weight for the first few days of life before beginning to regain it.

Mr Johnson, 57, who came close to dying from the virus in the early weeks of the pandemic, followed advice to isolate as much as possible while his baby daughter was unwell.

NHS guidance regarding coronavirus in babies says: 'Newborns do not appear to be at high risk of becoming seriously unwell with the virus.

Mr Johnson did not appear in public for several days after the announcement, reappearing only when he gave an interview to Sky News about 'Partygate' revelations

'However, close observation of hygiene is important, particularly with family members resident in the house.

'Anyone who enters the home should take standard hygiene precautions, including washing their hands, and be careful about handling your baby if they have symptoms of any illness including the coronavirus.'

In April 2020, during the first lockdown, Mr Johnson fought for his life after catching the virus. He spent a tense few days in intensive care.

Around the same time, heavily-pregnant Carrie herself was bedridden, tweeting she had 'the main symptoms of coronavirus'.

The couple's son was born at the end of that month.

In 2021, Mrs Johnson had a miscarriage, which she said left her heartbroken, before becoming pregnant with Romy.

When Mrs Johnson announced the pregnancy, she said she and her husband were 'hoping for our rainbow baby this Christmas'.

A rainbow baby is the term given to a child born to a family that lost one to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

When her daughter was born last month, Mrs Johnson wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you so much to the amazing maternity staff at UCLH for looking after us so well. We are so, so grateful.'

The couple married in May last year in a secretly planned ceremony at Westminster Cathedral, making Mr Johnson the first Prime Minister to get married while in office in nearly 200 years.
Newmarket, Suffolk has been named as the town with the biggest property supply shortage hotspot, seeing the biggest gap between the number of homes selling and new sellers coming to market.

The number of sales being agreed in the town - synonymous with horse racing - has galloped by 79 per cent on last July, while new sellers putting their properties on the market is down 49 per cent.

Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire is in second place, seeing an increase of 58 per cent in sales being agreed, and a drop of 57 per cent in new sellers according to the research by property website Rightmove, which covers the past year.

Rightmove has revealed the new supply shortage hotspots, which have the biggest gap between the number of homes selling and new sellers coming to market

This three-bedroom semi-detached house in Newmarket is for sale via estate agents Morris Armitage for 297,500

Witney, Oxfordshire takes the third spot with sales up 51 per cent and new sellers down 59 per cent.

Rightmove said all of the top 10 supply shortage hotspots are in the South East and East of England and likely reflect a fresh desire to escape London for towns that are still commutable to the capital.

High demand is translating into higher average house prices. Newmarket, Berkhamsted and Bushey have seen prices up 9 per cent since 2019.

The stock shortage is being felt across the country, with the average available number of homes per estate agent on Rightmove dropping from 29 in July last year to currently only 16 properties.

Around two third of properties have already found a buyer, and some of the hotter areas, such as Newmarket, are seeing a higher rate of three quarters of homes already sold subject to contract.

This three-bedroom terrace property in Berkhamsted is for sale for 725,000 via Oakleys estate agents

SUPPLY SHORTAGE HOTSPOTS AROUND THE COUNTRY % drop in number of new sellers versus July 2020 % rise in number of sales agreed versus July 2020 Average Asking Price July 2021 Average Asking Price July 2019 Average Asking Price change versus July 2019 Newmarket, Suffolk -49% 79% 320,043 294,656 9% Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire -57% 58% 694,085 636,055 9% Witney, Oxfordshire -59% 51% 347,798 330,011 5% High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire -53% 55% 363,245 349,043 4% St. Ives, Cambridgeshire -56% 49% 308,187 294,018 5% Weybridge, Surrey -53% 49% 932,526 961,008 -3% Bushey, Hertfordshire -49% 53% 583,514 536,083 9% Egham, Surrey -60% 41% 495,844 472,470 5% Marlow, Buckinghamshire -58% 43% 726,383 688,195 6% Farnborough, Hampshire -54% 45% 364,757 354,849 3% Source: Rightmove

Tim Bannister, of Rightmove, said: 'If we think back to July last year the market in England had been open again for around six weeks, the stamp duty holiday was announced, and a summer frenzy was just beginning.

'Twelve months on, the combination of fewer sellers coming to market and sustained demand has resulted in a summer seller shortfall, and so the challenge for agents now is to try and replenish the stock to meet the demand from buyers.

'For those considering coming to market this year, now could be the time to find out what your home could be worth from a local agent.'

This two-bedroom terrace house in Witney is being sold via Thomas Merrifield estate agents for 495,000

Estate agents in the supply shortage hotspots confirmed the findings, saying completion is high for homes for sale.

Neil Harris, of estate agents Cheffins in Newmarket, said: 'There's a real shortage of houses for sale which means that for every property that does come available, we see huge levels of interest.

'We've consistently benefitted from Cambridge's house price growth, and as Cambridge becomes increasingly expensive, coupled with its fast-growing population and booming economy, buyers have continually looked to move to Newmarket in search of more space for their money.

'Similarly, as the days of the five-day a week commute appear to be coming to an end, we've seen a growth in buyers from London coming to the area, seeking out countryside and village homes at lower price tags.

As the international home for horseracing, Newmarket's strict planning policies have kept new developments to a minimum, which has exacerbated the shortage of available stock. Neil Harris - estate agent

'Now would be a good time for would-be sellers to test the market. With the summer holidays coming to an end we are entering a busy period throughout the autumn as people look to move ahead of Christmas.

'As the international home for horseracing, Newmarket's strict planning policies have kept new developments to a minimum, which has exacerbated the shortage of available stock.

'While there is a handful of new developments around Newmarket, we don't anticipate a huge amount of development in the pipeline, which will result in prices continuing to grow.'

It follows Zoopla reporting last week that the property market is facing the worst shortage in fresh listings since 2015.

While buyer demand remains strong, stock levels are down more than 26 per cent compared to last year's average - leaving prospective buyers battling it out for the most in-demand properties, it said.

It added that total listings are also 33 per cent lower than they were this time in 2018 and 2019. One in 20 UK homes changed hands over the past year, compared to one in 25 two years ago.
NASA has put out a call to entrepreneurs and inventors to come up with a toilet that can manage the waste of astronauts making a nine-month trip to Mars.

This is the latest campaign by the US space agency, operating in partnership with leading crowd-sourcing platform HeroX, based in Houston, Texas.

Known as the 'Waste to Base Challenge', it asks the public to provide inventive approaches to waste management and conversion in four categories  faecal waste, trash, foam packaging and carbon dioxide processing.

The winners will each receive a $1,000 and some of the best ideas could be incorporated into future NASA technology that could travel to Mars.

NASA has put out a call to entrepreneurs and inventors to come up with a toilet that can manage the waste of astronauts making a nine-month trip to Mars. This is a moon loo prototype

NASA plans to send a manned mission to Mars in the 2030s Mars has become the next giant leap for mankind's exploration of space. But before humans get to the red planet, astronauts will take a series of small steps by returning to the moon for a year-long mission. Details of a the mission in lunar orbit have been unveiled as part of a timeline of events leading to missions to Mars in the 2030s. In May 2017, Greg Williams, then deputy associate administrator for policy and plans at Nasa, outlined the space agency's four stage plan. It hopes the plan will one day allow humans to visit Mars, as well as its expected time-frame. Phase one and two will involve multiple trips to lunar space, to allow for construction of a habitat which will provide a staging area for the journey. The last piece of delivered hardware would be the actual Deep Space Transport vehicle that would later be used to carry a crew to Mars. And a year-long simulation of life on Mars will be conducted in 2027. Phase three and and four will begin after 2030 and will involve sustained crew expeditions to the Martian system and surface of Mars. Advertisement

Future missions to Mars and back, including time on the surface, could take up to three years, with limited scope for disposing of waste or gathering new materials.

With that in mind, NASA is looking for a series of waste management solutions that could operate on a future Mars spaceship, and are turning to the general public.

Traditionally, space agencies have put projects out to tender, with large engineering companies bidding for the chance to design and develop a solution.

In recent years, NASA has used the HeroX platform to seek inspiration from a wider variety of sources  sometimes in the form of a competition.

For this new project, HeroX is seeking 'innovative approaches to repurpose, recycle, and reprocess' the waste generated onboard to enable mission sustainability.

Since the logistics of supply ships to support a Mars mission are very difficult, the spacecraft needs to be as efficient and self-sufficient as possible.

This challenge is all about finding ways to convert waste into base materials and other useful things, like propellant or base matter for use in 3D printing.

'The challenge is looking for your ideas for how to convert different waste streams into propellant and into useful materials that can then be made into needed things and cycled through multiple times,' a spokesperson said.

It is unlikely a perfectly efficient cycle can be produced, but NASA hopes someone will come up with one that generates little to no waste.

NASA could eventually integrate all the different processes into a robust ecosystem that allows a spacecraft to launch from Earth with the lowest possible mass.

'This is exactly what our crowd is poised to do: solve intractable problems with an eye for efficiency and sustainability,' said Kal K. Sahota, President & CEO of HeroX. 'I am eager to see the submissions.'

There are multiple winners in each of four categories: trash, fecal waste, foam packaging material, and carbon dioxide processing.

The winners will be awarded a prize of $1,000 (735) and judges will recognise four ideas as 'best in class' with an additional prize of $1,000.

In total the prize purse is worth $24,000 (17,650), and the best ideas could later be commissioned and integrated into NASA missions.

The prize is open to anyone aged 18 or older, with both teams and individuals invited to take part  from any country where the US has no sanctions.

The current ISS toilet system. Space toilets have been designed predominantly with men in mind and can cause problems for female astronauts

This is the latest campaign by the US space agency, operating in partnership with leading crowd-sourcing platform HeroX, based in Houston, Texas

Missions to Mars will be the end goal of the NASA Artemis program, which is scheduled to kick off this year with an uncrewed trip around the moon.

Then, in 2024 NASA will send the Orion capsule, with a full crew component, on a trip around the moon, before sending the first woman and next man to land on the surface the following year, for Artemis III.

Throughout the Artemis program, NASA will send robots and humans to explore more of the moon than ever before.

It is also hoped that establishing a sustainable lunar presence will ultimately be used as a 'stepping stone' for the first human mission to Mars.
Archaeologists have identified the world's oldest-known drinking straws  and they were a far cry from the paper ones you get to slurp up your McDonald's milkshake.

Made of gold and silver and often decorated with a bull figurine, each straw ran to three-feet-long and was used to sip beer from communal bowls at banquets.

The eight tubes  which date back more than 5,000 years  were first unearthed from Maikop kurgan, a Bronze Age burial mound in Southern Russia, back in 1897.

The straws, which are on display in the Hermitage Museum of St Petersburg, had previously been thought to have been sceptres, or perhaps poles for a canopy.

However, experts led from the Russian Academy of Sciences found evidence that the items may have been used as long straws for drinking up beer.

Archaeologists have identified the world's oldest-known drinking straws  and they were a far cry from the paper ones you get to slurp up your McDonald's milkshake. Made of gold and silver and often decorated with a bull figurine, each straw ran to three-feet-long and was used to sip beer from communal bowls at banquets (as depicted)

The eight tubes (pictured)  which date back more than 5,000 years  were first unearthed from Maikop kurgan, a Bronze Age burial mound in southern Russia, back in 1897

Made of gold and silver and often decorated with a bull figurine, each straw ran to three-feet-long and was used to sip beer from communal bowls at banquets, as depicted

'A turning point was the discovery of the barley starch granules [left, circled] in the residue from the inner surface of one of the straws,' said archaeologist Viktor Trifonov. 'This provided direct material evidence of the tubes from the Maikop kurgan being used for drinking.' Pictured, right, the silver tip-strainer of one of the straws

MAIKOP KURGAN Maikop kurgan is a Bronze Age burial mound located near the city of Maikop in Southern Russia. The mound  which stood at 33 feet tall and had a circumference of around 650 feet  was first excavated by the Russian archaeologist Nikolay Veselovsky back in 1897. Believed to have been the burial site of a priestking, the mound also contained the remains of two women and hundreds of precious artefacts. These included not only the eight gold and silver straws and the drinking vessel used with them, but also golden and silver bull figurines. Advertisement

The new study of the tubular metal artefacts was undertaken by archaeologist Viktor Trifonov of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute for the History of Material Culture, and his colleagues.

'A turning point was the discovery of the barley starch granules in the residue from the inner surface of one of the straws,' Dr Trifonov explained.

'This provided direct material evidence of the tubes from the Maikop kurgan being used for drinking.'

More specifically, the presence of the starch granules suggests that the straws were most likely used to drink beer  although the team cautioned that they were unable to confirm whether the barley itself had been fermented.

'If the interpretation is correct, these fancy devices would be the earliest surviving drinking straws to date,' Dr Trifonov explained.

'Before having done this study, I would never have believed that in the most famous elite burial of the Early Bronze Age Caucasus, the main item would be neither weapons nor jewellery, but a set of precious beer-drinking straws,' he added.

The consumption of beer through long straws is known to have been a common practice from the 3rd millennium BC onwards in the Mesopotamian civilisation of Sumerian  with art showing people standing or sitting around a communal vessel.

The researchers found that the artefacts from Maikop kurgan bear several key similarities with such straws from Sumeria, despite having been separated by a distance of hundreds of miles.

Most notably, they sport metal strainers  a common feature in Sumerian straws  which would have helped them to filter out the impurities found in ancient beer.

Among the other artefacts recovered from the Maikop Kurgan was a large vessel which the team believe was used with the straws.

This container was large enough that, when completely filled, it could have held enough beer for eight people to share  and each drink seven pints.

The straws, which are on display in the Hermitage Museum of St Petersburg, had previously been thought to have been sceptres, or perhaps poles for a canopy. Pictured: close-ups of parts of the straws, notably showing one of the narrow, perforated tips (far left)

The consumption of beer through long straws is known to have been a common practice from the 3rd millennium BC onwards in the Mesopotamian civilisation of Sumerian  with art showing people standing or sitting around a communal vessel (top right). Also pictured: drinking tubes and tip strainers from the Sumerian Royal Cemetery at Ur (left), Tell Asmar in Iraq (middle right) and Chagar Bazar in Syria (bottom right)

In Sumeria, drinking ceremonies often formed part of royal funerary rites. Given the discovery of the straws not only within the goods of the the Maikop burial mound, but in a prized position closed to the interred (as illustrated left) , it is possible that such lavish burials might also have taken places in the Caucuses as well. Pictured, right: the straws as photographed in 1898

'The finds contribute to a better understanding of the ritual banquets' early beginnings  and drinking culture in hierarchical societies,' said Dr Trifonov.

Furthermore, the team said, the study shines new light on the culture of Maikop, showing that it may have had deep ties with its southerly neighbours in Sumeria and, perhaps, a shared taste for the luxury and spectacle of drinking ceremonies.

In Sumeria, drinking ceremonies often formed part of royal funerary rites. Given the discovery of the straws not only within the goods of the the Maikop burial mound, but in a prized position closed to the interred, it is possible that such lavish burials might also have taken places in the Caucuses as well.

'The finds contribute to a better understanding of the ritual banquets' early beginnings  and drinking culture in hierarchical societies,' said Dr Trifonov. Pictured: close-ups of three of the eight silver perforated straw tips from the Maikop kurgan burial mound

While the Maikop kurgan artefacts may be the oldest-known straws to have survived to the present day, there is evidence to suggest that such tools were used for one two millennia before this.

Seals found in Iran and Iraq that date back to the fifth and fourth millennium BC, for example, depict people using long straws to drink from a communal vessel.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Antiquity.

The eight tubes  which date back more than 5,000 years  were first unearthed from Maikop kurgan, a Bronze Age burial mound in near Maikop in southern Russia (pictured), back in 1897
Daffodils are already blooming two months early because of climate change, experts say, as Met Office data shows that 2021 was the joint-sixth warmest year ever.

A new assessment collating six datasets, including one compiled by the Met Office and the University of East Anglia (UEA), shows global average temperatures last year reached around 1.99F (1.11C) above the pre-Industrial Revolution levels (1850-1900).

Last year's record is despite the cooling effects of the natural 'La Nina' weather pattern that occurs every few years, experts have said.

Global warming and other long-term climate change trends are expected to continue as a result of record levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Daffodils are flowering early because of climate change, with some already in bloom in the south of England, the Daffodil Society has said.

The flowers, known as a symbol of spring, have been snapped by various residents around the UK  including in Windsor and Gloucestershire  less than a month after winter kicked off.

Daffodils are flowering two months early because of climate change, with some already in bloom in the south of England, according to the Daffodil Society. Daffodils are pictured today in full bloom in the Gloucestershire village of Hillesley

In Hillesley, Gloucestershire, mild weather has caused this roadside daffodil patch to flower prematurely in January

The attractive yellow flowers have been blooming early despite the freezing temperatures of recent weeks. Pictured are daffodils in Windsor, Berkshire

The Royal Horticultural Society said plants were coming into flower earlier than expected, with some now two weeks' ahead of schedule. Pictured are daffodils on The Long Walk in Windsor

SEVEN WARMEST YEARS ON RECORD 1. 2016 (2.28F/1.27C) 2. 2020 (2.26F/1.26C) 3. 2019 (2.21F/1.23C) 4. 2017 (2.14F/1.19C) 5. 2015 (2.10F/1.17C) 6. 2018 and 2021 (1.98F/1.1C) Temperatures listed are global averages above the pre-industrial period (1850-1900) Source: HadCRUT5 dataset by Met Office and University of East Anglia Advertisement

According to the Daffodil Society, some varieties of daffodil are coming out in January because of warmer, spring-like weather in the winter.

Some daffodils have already been seen flowering in parts of the south east of England.

The Royal Horticultural Society also said plants were coming into flower earlier than expected, with some now two weeks' ahead of schedule.

A spokeswoman for the society said: 'It is likely that the influence of climate change will be greater for spring-flowering plants, where the usual onset of warmer temperatures that would trigger flowering starts earlier.

'This is being seen in the timing of the appearance of leaves on deciduous plants in the spring and even more so with the delay in leaf fall in the autumn, where warmer conditions last longer in the year.'

The Met Office's Dr Colin Morice said: '2021 is one of the warmest years on record, continuing a series of measurements of a world that is warming under the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

'This extends a streak of notably warm years from 2015 to 2021  the warmest seven years in over 170 years of measurements.'

The dataset compiled by the Met Office and UEA is one of six consolidated by the UN's World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which has announced the results today.

'Back-to-back La Nina events mean that 2021 warming was relatively less pronounced compared to recent years,' said Professor Petteri Taalas, WMO secretary-general.

'Even so, 2021 was still warmer than previous years influenced by La Nina.

'The overall long-term warming as a result of greenhouse gas increases is now far larger than the year-to-year variability in global average temperatures caused by naturally occurring climate drivers.'

Last year will be remembered for record-shattering temperatures in Canada, deadly flooding in Asia and Europe and drought in parts of Africa and South America, according to Professor Taalas.

Daffodils in Windsor. In January this year Brits have noticed the flowers starting to bloom, but some are already fully bloomed

Daffodils should be planted in late September and October and they like cool and cold conditions

2020 IN THE TOP THREE WARMEST YEARS ON RECORD 2020 was one of three warmest years on record, according to a new report, despite La Nina  the large-scale cooling of the ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific. Global average temperatures last year reached around 2.16F (1.2C) above the pre-Industrial Revolution levels (1850-1900), revealed the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in April 2021. The six years since 2015 have been the warmest on record, while the period 2011 to 2020 was the warmest decade on record, WMO said in its State of the Global Climate 2020 report. Statistically, 2020 was just behind 2016 and just ahead of 2019 in terms of global temperatures, putting it within the top three. But a WMO spokesperson told MailOnline that the difference between the three is so small that it falls within the margin of error. Read more: 2020 was one of three warmest years on record, study says Advertisement

'Climate change impacts and weather-related hazards had life-changing and devastating impacts on communities on every single continent,' he said.

The warmest seven years have all been since 2015, with 2016, 2019 and 2020 constituting the top three.

An exceptionally strong El Nino pattern, which has the reverse effect of a La Nina by pushing global temperatures up, occurred in late 2015 and continued into early 2016, helping propel the year into the hottest spot.

La Nina  the large-scale cooling of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean  leads to variations in global weather.

El Nino, meanwhile, is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

The Met Office and UEA's dataset puts 2021 as the joint sixth-warmest year on record, while other datasets put it between the fifth and seventh warmest year, with small differences between the different analyses.

Regardless, the series of six global datasets showed 2021 was the seventh year in a row where the temperature has been more than 1.8F (1C) above pre-industrial levels.

'Each year tends to be a little below or a little above the underlying long-term global warming,' said Professor Tim Osborn at the University of East Anglia.

'Global temperature data analysed by the Met Office and UEA's Climatic Research Unit show 2021 was a little below, while 2020 had been a little above, the underlying warming trend.

'All years, including 2021, are consistent with long-standing predictions of warming due to human activities.'

2021 was one of the seven warmest years on record, despite average global temperatures being temporarily cooled by successive La Nina events at either end of the year. The announcement is according to six leading international datasets consolidated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

'Daffodil' is the common name for the plant genus 'Narcissus', which is thought to cover more than 100 individual species.

The society has said some of its members are now having to buy later varieties to show to compensate for warmer weather.

'There are reports over the past few years that they are flowering earlier,' a Daffodil Society spokeswoman said.

'Some exhibitors are buying later varieties to compensate for the weather at the moment in the Midlands.

The daffodil species native to the UK is called Narcissus pseudonarcissus. Pictured, daffodils is Hillesley, January 19, 2022

'Daffodil' is the common name for the plant genus 'Narcissus', which is thought to cover more than 100 individual species

At RHS Wisley near Woking in Surrey a handful of flowering bulbs are out and ahead of time, including the petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium) and the golden netted iris (Iris reticulata, pictured)

'They are early if they are in the ground  most people who show in the south east start flowering from the beginning of March.'

The Royal Horticultural Society also said plants were coming into flower earlier than expected, with some now two weeks' ahead of schedule.

At RHS Wisley near Woking in Surrey a handful of flowering bulbs are out and ahead of time, including Narcissus bulbocodium and the golden netted iris (Iris reticulata).

'The timing of flowering depends upon a range of factors with day length being one of the most influential at this time of year,' said a spokeswoman for the RHS.

'As the winter solstice has now passed and the days are now noticeably longer, warmer weather may hasten plants ready to flower into flowering.

'Other factors include the degree of chilling experienced by the plants where a period of cold conditions is required to initiate flower development, after which warmer conditions will trigger the flowers to open.'
SpaceX marked a milestone in its ambitious internet constellation project by firing its 2,000th Starlink satellite into space.

Elon Musk's firm launched another 49 Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida at 21:02 ET Tuesday (02:02 GMT Wednesday).

Deployment of the Starlink satellites, which are each about the size of a table, was confirmed by SpaceX on Twitter about one hour and 20 minutes after lift-off.

A total of 2,042 Starlink satellites have been launched since the first couple in February 2018, although many have failed or been decommissioned in space.

In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, arcs across the night sky in this view Viera, Florida, January 18, 2022

RECENT STARLINK LAUNCHES January 18, 2022: 49 satellites January 6, 2022: 49 satellites December 18, 2021: 52 satellites December 2, 2021: 48 satellites November 13, 2021: 53 satellites September 14, 2021: 51 satellites Advertisement

Starlink is a constellation of satellites that aims to provide internet access to most of the Earth, particularly underserved rural areas.

As part of its beta service, Starlink internet is already available in 23 countries around the world, including the UK.

However, next-generation Starlink constellations could have a whopping 42,000 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit, Musk hopes.

Tuesday's launch marks the third Falcon 9 blast-off of the year, following a Starlink batch on January 6 and the third Transporter 'rideshare' mission on January 13.

SpaceX also successfully landed Falcon 9's first stage on one of SpaceX's drone ships in the Atlantic Ocean, 'A Shortfall of Gravitas', 10 minutes after launch.

The recovery vessel catches falling boosters and returns them to port to save on costs.

'Deployment of 49 Starlink satellites confirmed,' SpaceX tweeted. 'Falcon 9's first stage has landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship.'

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida on Tuesday. The rocket was carrying 49 Starlink satellites

A Starlink satellite is seen in an artist's rendering. China says its space station had to take evasive action twice to avoid collision threats with the satellites

Musk also tweeted a stunning shot of the Falcon 9 rocket silhouetted against the light of the moon, shortly after launch.

On Saturday, Musk gave an update on the amount of Starlink satellites that are actually active above Earth,

Many have stopped working and are now just obsolete 'space junk cluttering up low-Earth orbit and at risk of crashing into other spacecraft.

Prior to Tuesday's launch, 1,469 Starlink satellites active and another 272 are 'moving to operational orbits', Musk said.

'Laser links activate soon', Musk added, in reference to lasers that route data between individual satellites in the constellation.

Next-generation Starlink constellations could have a whopping 42,000 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit, hopes Elon Musk (pictured)

SpaceX already has its next batch of Starlink satellites scheduled for launch aboard Falcon 9 on January 29  the third Starlink launch of 2022.

There were 18 Starlink launches throughout the whole of 2021, totalling the deployment of nearly 1,000 individual satellites in all.

Last week, SpaceX launched the third Transporter 'rideshare' mission, which released 105 microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government clients.

SpaceX's rideshare program allows corporations and governments to send a 200-kilogram payload into orbit for the relatively cheap price of $1 million  compared to a solo mission for a $50 million.
A pair of cosmonauts successfully completed out the first spacewalk of the year today, which prepared the latest Russian ISS docking port to receive its first spaceship in March.

The Prichal module was launched and attached to the space station in November last year, but needed extra work to make it ready for first use.

Cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov installed handrails, rendezvous antennas, a television camera and docking targets starting at around 7:00am ET (12:00 GMT).

The mission was completed in six hours and 10 minutes and the cosmonauts finished all tasks, except for the installation of a few handrails that were tied down to the modular for future spacewalk.

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Cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov installed handrails, rendezvous antennas, a television camera and docking targets during the six-hour spacewalk

The mission was completed in six hours and 10 minutes and the cosmonauts finished all tasks, except for the installation of a few handrails that were tied down to the modular for future spacewalk

The last spacewalk of 2021 was carried out by Chinese astronauts Ye Guangfu and Zhai Zhgang, stepping out of the Tianhe airlock on December 26.

During this new spacewalk, the duo outfitted Russia's new modules while wearing the Orlan spacesuits  exiting from the Poisk module's airlock.

The Prichal module will serve as a port, allowing the Russian Soyuz crewed spacecraft to dock and bring passengers on board the station.

And the module is now ready as a docking port.

The first time it will be used is in March, when three new cosmonauts will arrive.

Prichal is connected to the Nauka module, which arrived on the ISS in July and acts as a new, modern laboratory for low gravity experiments.

These new investments hint that Russia plans to extend its investment into the ISS beyond 2030, following a similar decision by NASA.

This is Shkaplerov's third spacewalk and Dubrov's fourth, according to NASA.

While the spacewalk was happening, three NASA astronauts continued loading the SpaceX Cargo Dragon spaceship ahead of its undocking on Friday.

Flight Engineers Mark Vande Hei and Raja Chari started the loading after lunch time, before NASA astronaut Thomas Marshburn joined them at the end of the day to help organise and secure the cargo.

This will be the first spacewalk of the year, where crew step outside the safety of the station, and is expected to take about seven hours to complete

Marshburn, along with astronaut Matthias Maurer from ESA, also participated in a workout session on the exercise cycle located in the US Destiny laboratory module.

The team are also making preparations for a visit of the first all private mission  Axiom Mission 1  to visit the space station on March 31.

Once aboard the orbiting laboratory, the four-person Axiom Space crew will conduct science, outreach, and commercial activities for eight days.
The observable universe contains 40,000,000,000,000,000,000 stellar-mass black holes  that's 40 quintillion, or 40 billion billions, a study has estimated.

Stellar-mass black holes are those that form at the end of the life of giant stars and have masses between a few and a few hundred times that of the sun.

Experts from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) used a new computational approach to estimate how many of these holes should have formed.

Moreover, they said, these black holes account for 1 per cent of all the ordinary, or 'baryonic', matter in the observable universe, which is 93 billion light years across.

The findings, the team said, pave the way to a better understanding of how stellar- and intermediate-mass black holes might evolve into supermassive black holes.

The observable universe contains 40,000,000,000,000,000,000 stellar-mass black holes  that's 40 quintillion, or 40 billion billions, a study has estimated. Pictured: a simulated view of a black hole in front of the Large Magellanic Cloud

THE 'OBSERVABLE UNIVERSE' In their study, astrophysicist Alex Sicilia and colleagues calculated the number of stellar-mass black holes not in the whole universe  but the 'observable' portion. This is the spherical region, centred on the Earth, that is bounded by the furthest distances that we could potentially see with our ground and space telescopes, given the speed of light and that amount of time that has passed since cosmological expansion. Beyond this boundary  dubbed the 'particle horizon  nothing can be detected. The observable universe is presently around 93 billion light years in diameter. Advertisement

The calculation was undertaken by theoretical astrophysicist Alex Sicilia of the Trieste, Italy-based SISSA and his colleagues.

'The innovative character of this work is in the coupling of a detailed model of stellar and binary evolution with advanced recipes for star formation and metal enrichment in individual galaxies,' explained Mr Sicilia.

'This is one of the first, and one of the most robust, "ab initio" [from first principles] computation of the stellar black hole mass function across cosmic history.'

To calculate their estimate of the number of black holes in the observable universe, the team combined models of how single and binary star pairs evolve  and thus how many turn into black holes  with data on other relevant galactic properties.

The latter included information on star formation rates, the masses of stars and the metallicity of the interstellar medium  all of which influence the formation of stellar-mass black holes. They also factored in the role of black hole mergers.

From this the team were also able to calculate the mass mass distribution of these black holes across the whole history of the observable universe.

Alongside estimating the total number of stellar-mass black holes in the observable universe, the researchers also explored various routes by which black holes of different masses can form.

This included looking at potential origins in isolated stars, binary star systems and more populous stellar clusters.

The team found that the largest stellar-mass black holes typically form from the collision of smaller black holes within stellar clusters  a notion that matches well the observational gravitational wave data on black hole collisions collected to date.

'Our work provides a robust theory for the generation of light [stellar-mass] seeds for (super)massive black holes at high redshift,' said paper author and astrophysicist Lumen Boco, also of SISSA.

Such, he added, 'can constitute a starting point to investigate the origin of "heavy seeds" [intermediate-mass black holes], that we will pursue in a forthcoming paper.'

In fact, with this initially study complete, the researchers are now looking to undertake similar calculations focussed instead on intermediate-mass black holes and then, subsequently, their supermassive counterparts.

The full findings of the study were published in The Astrophysical Journal.
Over the course of 100 days, starting on April 6, 1994, nearly 800,000 ethnic Tutsis were murdered by Hutu extremists as they tried to eradicate the minority group in Rwanda.

Although the horrific event may be over, the terror of the genocide lives on in the DNA of Tutsis victims and their offspring.

A team of scientists from the University of South Florida found chemical modifications in genes linked to mental disorders in women who were pregnant and the children they were carrying at the time of the genocide.

These findings suggest that, unlike gene mutations, these chemical 'epigenetic' modifications can have a rapid response to trauma across generations.

The study also provides more evidence to the theory known as intergenerational trauma, which states trauma can be inherited because there are genetic changes in a persons DNA.

However, the changes do not damage genes, but alter how they function.

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Over the course of 100 days, starting on April 6, 1994, nearly 800,000 ethnic Tutsis were murdered by Hutu extremists as they tried to eradicate the minority group in Rwanda

Professors Monica Uddin said in a statement: 'Epigenetics refers to stable, but reversible, chemical modifications made to DNA that help to control a gene's function.

'These can happen in a shorter time frame than is needed for changes to the underlying DNA sequence of genes. Our study found that prenatal genocide exposure was associated with an epigenetic pattern suggestive of reduced gene function in offspring.'

The Rwanda genocide started when President Habarimana's plane was shot down over the capital Kikgali.

His death brought years of ethnic tensions to the surface, with extremist Hutus starting a planned campaign of extermination against the minority Tutsis.

A team of scientists from the University of South Florida found chemical modifications in genes linked to mental disorders in women who were pregnant and the children they were carrying at the time of the genocide. Pictured are blood samples used during the study

The killings only stopped when the Tutsi-controlled Rwandan Patriotic Front seized control and put Paul Kagame into power.

By the end, about 70 per cent of the Tutsi people had been killed.

Uddin and her colleague Derek Wildman began their study to help provide scientific tools needed to help address mental health issues of the genocide's survivors.

Along with the help of Clarisse Musanabaganwa, a visiting scholar from the University of Rwanda and her colleagues, the team studied DNA from blood samples from 59 people.

Participants included 33 mothers (20 exposed, 13 unexposed) and 26 offspring (16 exposed, 10 unexposed).

Exposure is defined as being impacted by genocide-related trauma, such as rape or evading capture, witnessing murder or serious attack with a weapon and seeing dead and mutilated bodies.

'The Rwandan people who are in this study and community as a whole really want to know what happened to them because there's a lot of PTSD and other mental health disorders in Rwanda and people want answers as to why they're experiencing these feelings and having these issues,' Wildman said.

The team's work is just the lasted to provide evidence for intergenerational trauma, as it has been found among Holocaust survivors and their offspring and average people who have experienced abuse, poverty and other traumatic events.

However, the latest study also wants to shine a light on the horror that happened 28 years ago in Africa.

The majority of Rwandans are ethic Hutus, but the country was ruled by the Tutsi minority for decades until 1959 when the Tutsi monarchy was overthrown.

In 1990, a Tutsi rebel group called the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) that had formed in Uganda invaded the country.

After several years of guerrilla fighting, a peace deal was signed in 1993 between President Juvenal Habyarimana and RPF leaders.

The majority of Rwandans are ethic Hutus, but the country was ruled by the Tutsi minority for decades until 1959 when the Tutsi monarchy was overthrown. A Tutsi survivor of the genocide in Rwanda lies in his bed at Gahini hospital in Rwanda May 11, 1994

However, the fragile peace lasted only until the night of April 6, 1994, when a plane carrying Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira, president of Burundi and a Hutu, was shot down.

The Hutus blamed the RPF for the attack and enacted a 'final solution' to rid the country of Tutsis, with militias handed lists of names and told to kill them.

Neighbors turned on each other, husbands murdered their Tutsi wives, and there were even accounts of priests and nuns killing those who sought shelter in churches.

The Tutsi people were slaughtered by supporters of the Hutu government, who claimed to be weeding out the cockroaches.

Men, women and children were felled by machetes, grenades and bullets in their homes and on the streets.
Meta aims to make realistic avatars for its metaverse and plans to do so by tacking users' every move with customized technologies.

The company recently filed a trove of patents for these innovations that monitor facial expressions, eye movements and body poses of players.

The patents describe a device that sits around user's waist to track their body poses, sensor-packed gloves to monitor hand gestures and glasses to immerse players in the digital world.

Another application shows images of an 'avatar personalization engine' that creates 3-D avatars based on a user's photos using tools such as a so-called skin replicator.

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Meta aims to make realistic avatars for its metaverse and plans to do so by watching users' every move with customized technologies. It filed a trove of patents for these innovations that track facial expressions, eye movements and body poses of players in the digital world

The technologies described in the patents, which were reviewed by the Financial Times, may never be more than just drawings on paper, but Meta is tirelessly working to create a digital world where people can play and work.

The patent for a 'wearable magnetic sensor system' describes using different devices on the body to collect biometric data of the user.

This patent describes a pair of glasses with an electronic display that provides separate images to each of eye to immerse them in the metaverse, but also track their eye movement to better display digital scenes.

The document also includes drawings of a user wearing a device that transforms them into a knight in the metaverse, who is carrying a sword and wearing armor.

The patent for a 'wearable magnetic sensor system' describes using different devices on the body to collect biometric data of the user. The document includes drawings of a user wearing a device that transforms them into a knight in the metaverse

In the application titled 'Devices, Systems and Methods for Radar-based Artificial Reality Tracking' Meta describes several new technologies. The patent images include an artificial reality headband that can track the user's head movements

In the application titled 'Devices, Systems and Methods for Radar-based Artificial Reality Tracking' Meta describes several new technologies.

The patent images include an artificial reality headband, augmented reality glasses and sensor-packed gloves.

The headband can track the user's head movements but may also include output and input audio transducers that capture sounds in the environment.

The patent notes that this device can take on other forms, such as hair bands, belts, watches, wrist bands and more.

The gloves shown in the document would pair with a virtual reality headset, likely Meta's Oculus, and feature haptic features that let users 'feel' objects in the metaverse, but also track their hand movements

And another patent describes basing avatars off the user's own photos. This is done through a device that sits on the user's head and takes 3D images of them, which are then uploaded into the metaverse

What is the metaverse? The 'metaverse' is a set of virtual spaces where you can game, work and communicate with other people who aren't in the same physical space as you. Facebook explained: 'You'll be able to hang out with friends, work, play, learn, shop, create and more. 'It's not necessarily about spending more time online  it's about making the time you do spend online more meaningful.' While Facebook is leading the charge with the metaverse, it explained that it isn't a single product one company can build alone. 'Just like the internet, the metaverse exists whether Facebook is there or not,' it added. 'And it won't be built overnight. Many of these products will only be fully realized in the next 10-15 years.' Advertisement

The gloves shown in the document would pair with a virtual reality headset, likely Meta's Oculus, and feature haptic features that let users 'feel' objects in the metaverse, but also track their hand movements.

And another patent describes basing avatars off the user's own photos.

This is done through a device that sits on the user's head and takes 3D images of them, which are then uploaded into the metaverse.

Noelle Martin, a legal reformer who has spent more than a year researching Meta's human-monitoring ambitions with the University of Western Australia, told FT: 'The objective is to create 3D replicas of people, places and things, so hyper-realistic and tactile that they're indistinguishable from what's real, and then to intermediate any range of services . . . in truth, they're undertaking a global human-cloning program.'

Meta is currently resting its metaverse among a select group, but it seems the digital world is already riddled with issues.

In December, an early tester of Meta's Horizon Worlds app has revealed her avatar was virtually groped by a stranger within the metaverse.

The incident was acknowledged by the company, which changed its name from Facebook to Meta in October, in line with CEO Mark Zuckerberg's new obsession with the metaverse.

'We want everyone in Horizon Worlds to have a positive experience with safety tools that are easy to find  and its never a user's fault if they dont use all the features we offer,' Meta spokesperson Kristina Milian said.

'We will continue to improve our UI and to better understand how people use our tools so that users are able to report things easily and reliably.

'Our goal is to make Horizon Worlds safe, and we are committed to doing that work.'
The Doomsday clock has kept track of the likelihood of humanity's annihilation since it 1947 and on Thursday, a panel of scientists will again unveil it for the 75th time to determine our fate.

The clock's hand has remained at 100 seconds to midnight for the past two year, but with war looming between Russia and Ukraine, climate disasters worldwide, conflict in space and coronavirus cases spike around the globe it is hard to imagine the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists turning back time.

The closet the clock has come to hitting midnight was two minutes before at the height of the Cold War in 1953 and the farthest was when it moved 17 minutes before midnight at the end of the same war.

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists plan to host a livestream of the event at 10:00am EST (1500 GMT) tomorrow, January 20.

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The Doomsday clock has kept track of the likelihood of humanity's annihilation since it 1947 and on Thursday, a panel of scientists will again unveil it for the 75th time to determine our fate

'For 75 years, the Doomsday Clock has acted as a metaphor for how close humanity is to self-annihilation,' reads the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' website.

'Since 1947, it has also served as a call-to-action to reverse the hands, which have moved backwards before.'

The clock was founded by US scientists involved in the Manhattan Project that led to the first nuclear weapons during World War II and is a symbolic countdown to represent how close humanity is to complete global catastrophe.

Artist Martyl Langsdorf was commissioned to make the clock and told to to create an image that would 'frighten men into rationality,' according to Eugene Rabinowitch, the first editor of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

The clock's hand has remained at 100 seconds to midnight for the past two year, but with war looming between Russia and Ukraine (pictured) some are sure the hand will not move away from midnight

The Doomsday clock first moved to 100 seconds to midnight in January 2020, and remained there in 2021 - in part due to a 'lack of action' over the COVID-19 pandemic

Langsdorf developed a stripped-down clock to reflect urgency and only hours in the last quarter before midnight are shown on the face.

It was also her decision to put the minute hand at seven minutes before midnight, which was just meant to be a visual.

And it was Rabinowitch who moved the hand to three minutes to in 1949.

Since then, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has annually announced if the Doomsday Clock's minute hand has moved closer to or away from midnight, which marks disaster.

The clock was founded by US scientists involved in the Manhattan Project that led to the first nuclear weapons during World War II and is a symbolic countdown to represent how close humanity is to complete global catastrophe. Pictured is the first unveiling in 1947

The time is determined by the group of scientists who look at events throughout the year.

This can include politics, energy, weapons, diplomacy and climate science, along with potential sources of threat like nuclear threats, climate change, bioterrorism and artificial intelligence.

And It has been set backward and forward 24 times since 1947.

The Doomsday clock first moved to 100 seconds to midnight in January 2020, and remained there in 2021 - in part due to a 'lack of action' over the COVID-19 pandemic.

And tomorrow, we will again learn the fate of humanity.
Arsenals Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool on Thursday is set to go ahead.

Arsenal are confident that some of the injury issues that contributed to their request to postpone Sundays north London derby will have eased sufficiently ahead of Liverpools semi-final second leg visit to the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta was without at least 14 players last weekend, prompting Arsenals appeal to the Premier League.

Arsenal could be boosted by return of five players for tie including forward Bukayo Saka

But Martin Odegaards Covid isolation is over while a number of players including Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares were battling small injuries Arsenal hope will have cleared up.

Meanwhile Arsenal are still awaiting contact from Gabon over when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be released to return to London after his country announced he was due to return for medical checks after suffering post-Covid complications.

While Arsenal have been in touch with Aubameyang and received confirmation he is fine they have had none with Gabon.

Subsequently, due to the lack of communication, Arsenal insiders also dismissed claims from boss Patrice Neveu that the club had put Gabon under pressure to release Aubameyang.
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David de Gea was Manchester Uniteds best player here and it would be easy to say he was the reason they somehow won. But it is not as simple as that.

De Gea made important saves in the first half at a time when United were again presenting an impression of men who had never met each other before.

Had Brentford  in particular Mathias Jensen  scored the goals their impressive football merited, they may have won and United interim manager Ralf Rangnick would be facing another inquest.

Marcus Rashford celebrates with his team-mates after scoring his side's third goal against Brentford on Wednesday night

Rashford produced an emphatic finish to cap off a brilliant display from the Red Devils in the second half in west London

Rashford watches on as his strike beats the keeper and makes its way into the top right corner of the Brentford goal

MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS AND PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Lossl 5.5; Sorensen 6, Jansson 6.5, Pinnock 6.5; Roerslev 6.5, Janelt 6 (Baptiste 64min, 6), Norgaard 7, Jensen 6 (Wissa 67, 6), Canos 6.5 (Henry 64, 6); Mbuemo 7.5, Toney 7

Scorer: Toney 85 Manager: Thomas Frank 6 MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea 8; Dalot 6, Lindelof 6, Varane 6, Telles 6; Fred 6.5, McTominay 6 (Matic 84); Greenwood 6 (Rashford 70, 7), Fernandes 7, Elanga 7; Ronaldo 6 (Maguire 70, 6) Scorers: Elanga 55, Greenwood 62, Rashford 77 Manager: Ralf Rangnick 6 Referee: Andre Marriner 6 Attendance: 17,000 Season at a glance Live tables

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However, it was not just goalkeeping that set these teams apart by the end of the night. De Gea had been flawless while Brentford debutant Jonas Lossl was nervous. But it was the quality of Uniteds finishing that enabled them to take three important points.

Jensen had four chances and De Gea saved three of them, while another went wide. None of the saves were anywhere near De Geas best work, though. They did not need to be.

Contrast that to what happened when United eventually woke up in the second half.

Anthony Elangas opening goal in the 55th minute was impudent and brave. Mason Greenwoods was created so beautifully by Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes that he could not miss, while Marcus Rashfords was delivered from exactly the kind of position that Jensen had earlier allowed De Gea to save.

Proof, then, that United still have the quality to win matches, even if so much of what they deliver is sub-standard.

Anthony Elanga scores Manchester United's first goal of the game against Brentford after being played in by Fred

Elanga wheels away in celebration after breaking the deadlock shortly after half-time at the Brentford Community Stadium

The 19-year-old shows his joy after netting his first goal of the season to give his side an important lead on the night

This is what will sustain their followers as they continue to stumble blindly through this dark period in their history. Equally, it will frustrate them and Rangnick.

United were awful for the first half here. Equally as bad as they had been, for example, in struggling to beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup 10 days ago and drawing at Newcastle just after Christmas.

At times Rangnicks United, just like Ole Gunnar Solskjaers and Jose Mourinhos, do not seem to be progressing.

The flaws remain the same  poor ball retention, lack of concentration and a failure to understand basic positioning. There is also an unwillingness to work hard enough or take responsibility at times.

But a team who can throw all that into the pot and then win 3-1 must have something going for them, however hard they seem to try to bury the individual quality that came to the fore between the 55th and 77th minutes here.

Mason Greenwood finishes into an empty net after being teed up by the dazzling Bruno Fernandes during the second half

Greenwood wheels away in celebration after doubling his side's lead against Brentford with a simple finish from close range

Prior to that, Brentford could have had this game won as the first half belonged to Thomas Franks admirable side.

While United laboured, Brentford beavered away, forcing errors, turning over the ball and creating chances with smart passes. If only they could have scored.

It feels tough on Jensen, the Danish player, to load the blame on him. Two of the three chances that came his way in the first half were driven towards the target but De Gea saved both with his feet. The other was blocked by a defender. So, no howling misses there. You just need to be a little better to beat De Gea.

Other players suffered, too. Vitaly Janelt had a shot blocked as United defended desperately early on, then Christian Norgaard should have done better than clip a half volley over the bar.

Ivan Toney (right) pulls one back from close range during the closing stages of Wednesday's Premier League clash

It was exciting and engaging and the home crowd loved it. What it was not was productive and once Jensen had driven another low shot into De Geas midriff early in the second half, United responded by pretty much winning the game in the space of seven minutes.

Elangas goal was as unusual as it was effective. The pass from Fred into the penalty area was a good one but asked a lot of the Swede.

Reaching the ball before his marker, Elangas first touch propelled the ball into the air and he was quick enough to reach it before Lossl and head home. Lossl initially appeared to have been slow but he had not. It was simply smart work from Elanga.

The goal was a blow to Brentford but the second one finished them. Ronaldos chested pass in centre field to Fernandes was lovely and, with Greenwood arriving on his right, the pass was perfectly weighted to enable a tap-in.

United goalkeeper David de Gea made a number of big saves as Brentford made a strong start to the game

Ronaldo was to depart soon after and a right fuss he made about it, too.

Having tried and failed to put his coat on, he threw it to the floor and was still chuntering as a combination of Scott McTominay and Fernandes played Rashford through to score high to Lossls left.

Ivan Toney did eventually score for Brentford  turning in after some penalty area ping-pong  but by then Franks team were contemplating a worrying run that has now seen them take only three points from 18.

But their football here suggested they should not worry too much. As for United, well this is simply what they are these days. Capable of the good and the bad in equal measure.

Cristiano Ronaldo shows his frustration after being substituted by Ralf Rangnick midway through the first half

Scroll down to see how it all unfolded with Sportsmail's live runner.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal have not received 'clarity' from Gabon over why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has returned to the club.

Striker Aubameyang did not get to kick a ball at the Africa Cup of Nations, having contracted Covid and then missed out on selection after suffering 'cardiac lesions'.

Sportsmail has previously reported that there was a degree of confusion over the situation, and manager Arteta has revealed Aubameyang will now undergo tests.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is back in London and having tests

Striker Aubameyang was not able to kick a ball for Gabon at AFCON after several setbacks

Quizzed on the star, he said: 'He's in London and going through some examinations because we haven't had any clarity from Gabon about why he came back.

'So it's our obligation to make sure he's safe and in good condition. So far historically with what we've done with the player that's never been an issue.'

Gabon national team boss Patrice Neveu insisted that Arsenal put pressure on their FA to send Aubameyang back to England after his post-coronavirus heart scare.

Gabon allowed the ace to return after he was discovered to have suffered 'cardiac lesions'

It is understood that Arsenal's medical staff have spoken to the frontman, with all parties confident he will make a full recovery.

His long-term fitness is not thought to have been hindered by the issue, either.

Indeed Aubameyang himself is said to feel fine but, as predicted, will now undergo a series of examinations upon his return to his club as a precaution.

But even if he is deemed to be fit, it remains to be seen whether Arteta will welcome him back in from the cold after stripping him of the captaincy and dropping him.

It remains to be seen if Aubameyang will play for Arsenal again after his disciplinary breach

Gabon national team boss Patrice Neveu said Arsenal pressured them to release the frontman

When asked whether the 32-year-old will ever play for him again, he added: 'He contracted Covid and then the national team decided to bring him back here.

'We need to make sure the player's health is in the best possible condition and then we'll see what happens.'

A further complication came when reports from AFCON suggested Aubameyang was involved in a disciplinary breach within the Gabon camp.

Aubameyang hit back at rumours he was involved in another breach of discipline with Gabon

These allegations were branded false by the player on social media, however.

In response to those reports, Aubameyang tweeted: 'We have problems that are already complicated to solve, then on top of that there are rumours.

'In short, we have health to take care of first and foremost, I won't go back on these false rumours and I sincerely hope that our team will go as far as possible.'
Arsenal have received a loan offer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr with an obligation to buy for around 7million.

Aubameyang, who has returned home early from AFCON due to cardiac problems, was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following a disciplinary breach last month.

He was training alone before heading to Africa and his future at the club looks extremely uncertain.

Arsenal have received an offer from the Middle East for Pierre-Emerick Aubamyeang

But Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr have offered Aubameyang and Arsenal away out of their fractured relationship.

It's thought the Gunners hierarchy are currently considering the proposal.

The fee would be small for a player of Aubameyang's profile but it would also remove 250,000-a-week from Arsenal's bloated wage bill.

He has 18 months left on contract and an exit now would represent a saving of around 25m in wages.

The player is currently undergoing tests in London after suffering 'cardiac lesions' which stopped him from kicking a ball for Gabon.
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For centuries the world has been trying to work out where the waters of the seemingly bottomless Fosse Dionne spring in central France come from.

Some ancients believed they derived from the lair of a serpent king. Others thought there was a portal to another world at the base of the spring.

Between the years of 1974 and 1996 two brave divers lost their lives attempting to solve the mystery, getting into difficulties in the narrow passageways that lie beneath the surface.

The mysterious Fosse Dionne spring (pictured) is located in the heritage town of Tonnerre in the Burgundy wine region

The full answer as to what lies at the base of the spring remains elusive, and its this enigma that keeps tourists visiting the spring every year

Dye tracing studies have intimated that some of the springs water comes from an underground section of the Laigne River, which flows above ground 27 miles (43.5 kilometres) from Tonnerre

Yet still, the full answer as to what lies at the base of the spring remains elusive, and its this enigma that keeps tourists visiting the spring every year.

The spring is set in the pretty pastel-coloured town of Tonnerre in Burgundy, through which the River Armancon flows - and spews out more than 300 litres of water per second  thats enough to fill three standard bathtubs.

In times of flood, more than 3,000 litres a second can be seen pouring out of the natural phenomenon.

In the 18th century, French nobles built a wash house or lavoir around the spring and this stone structure still surrounds the waters today

The waters of the Fosse Dionne look deep even from the surface. Some ancients believed there was a portal to another world at the bottom of the spring

Visitors to the spring can wander around the historical washhouse buildings, peer into the blue-green waters and puzzle over their source

The oldest written references to the spring can be traced back to the 7th century and its known that the Romans used its waters for drinking.

In the 18th century, French nobles built a washhouse or lavoir around the spring and this stone structure still surrounds the waters today.

Visitors to the spring can wander around the historical washhouse buildings, peer into the blue-green waters of the spring, which look bottomless even when viewing them from the surface, and puzzle over their source.

Pictured are a cluster of buildings in Tonnerre, which sits on the River Armancon

The spring spews out more than 300 litres of water per second  thats enough to fill three standard bathtubs - and up to 3,000 litres per second during flooding

Over the years, scientists have carried out numerous experiments at the spring to try to establish its origins.

Dye tracing studies have intimated that some of the springs water comes from an underground section of the Laigne River, which flows above ground 27 miles (43.5 kilometres) from Tonnerre.

The most daring investigation of recent years, however, was carried out in 2019, when diver Pierre-Eric Deseigne was given permission from Tonnerres mayor to explore the dangerous passageways beneath the spring.

Descending 70 metres underground and exploring 370 metres (1,213 feet) of caves and tunnels, he was still unable to confirm the source of the spring.

The secret of the waters remains.
Abbie Chatfield has made a habit of infuriating Australian anti-vaxxers.

And the Bachelor alum has done it again, by encouraging teenagers to get vaccinated behind their parents' backs if necessary.

The 26-year-old posted, 'Friendly reminder that in [Australia] if you're over 14 you can get a Medicare card and go to the doc yourself'.

Stirring the pot: Bachelor alum Abbie Chatfield (pictured) has done it again, enraging anti-vaxxers by encouraging teenagers to get vaccinated behind their parents' backs if necessary

She added that in addition to getting vaccinated, sexually active teens could also source their own prescription for the pill.

The advice enraged one mum, who ranted, 'Stupid f**ken person you are!! You are telling YOUNG KIDS 13-14 year olds to go get the jab behind their parents [sic] back?'

'You F**KEN LOSER!!!!! You obviously don't have kids! What the f**k is wrong with you.'

Controversy: The 26-year-old posted, 'Friendly reminder that in [Australia] if you're over 14 you can get a Medicare card and go to the doc yourself'

The commenter then seemed to suggest Abbie was receiving compensation for promoting the vaccine, without clarifying who exactly was paying her.

'You've been payed (sic) out massively and you're [sic] contract has been leaked!!'

'Shut you're mouth and keep you're jab s**t to yourself [sic]'.

Abbie's life hacks: She added that in addition to getting vaccinated, sexually active teens could also source their own prescription for the pill

Chatfield cheekily replied, 'whoever is paying me to promote the vaccine pls email my total earnings to my manager so we can get that money in my account xxx'.

The radio host added that she found it 'also weird to claim to just want the "choice" to get vaxxed while taking that choice away from your kids.'

'You're not the god of your children, you don't have a right to strip them of medical freedoms because it doesn't align with your (factually incorrect) belief system.'

LOL: The commenter then seemed to suggest Abbie was receiving compensation for promoting the vaccine, without clarifying who exactly was paying her

According to the the government's Services Australia website, a child must actually be 15 before they can get their own Medicare card.

However, according to NSW Health, 'minors aged 14 and above may have the capacity to consent to medical treatment depending on their level of their level of maturity.'

Former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' winner Abbie embarked on her radio career this week, debuting her HIT Network radio show Hot Nights With Abbie on Monday.
It's no secret that many Instagram influencers use photo-editing apps to hide their physical imperfections from fans.

But former Bachelor star Keira Maguire believes there are some social media stars who use these apps to enhance their flaws, simply to gain attention.

The 35-year-old explained on the After 20 podcast: 'There are a lot of attention seekers [on Instagram] and I see that behaviour a lot. That's probably the only thing that annoys me on social media.'

'They've edited those photos to make them look worse': Former Bachelor star Keira Maguire (pictured) has called out Instagram influencers who pretend to have cellulite for attention

'Even those accounts that have the cellulite and stuff like that, they've edited those photos to make them look worse,' she added.

'Like, I physically watched them edit their photos to make their cellulite look worse, because they know it gets engagement.'

A frustrated Keira insisted these so-called 'body positivity' influencers 'don't really care' about promoting realistic beauty standards.

'That person is only doing that for the likes and the engagement, because they know it works,' she declared.

Annoyed: 'Even those accounts that have the cellulite and stuff like that, they've edited those photos to make them look worse,' Keira said on the After 20 podcast this week

Keira insisted that enhancing flaws with Photoshop isn't 'healthy', even if it does help to promote body positivity 'in some small way'.

'What I'm trying to say is, don't believe everything you see. Whether it's good or bad. Instagram is not real at all,' she said.

'But what you can do is control what you're following and the way you're looking at it.'

Hitting out: Keira insisted that enhancing flaws with Photoshop isn't 'healthy', even if it does help to promote body positivity 'in some small way'

Keira, who boasts more than 140,000 Instagram followers, has previously spoken of her love-hate relationship with social media filters.

The influencer, who shot to fame after appearing on Richie Strahan's season of The Bachelor in 2016, told Popsugar last year she sees filters as a way to 'shield her energy' rather than to make herself look more attractive.

'I feel like an Instagram filter protects my energy. I know that sounds really weird. But I feel like because I do give people so much access to myself, there needs to be some sort of filter to protect myself,' she explained.

Instagram vs reality: Keira, who boasts more than 140,000 Instagram followers, has previously spoken of her love-hate relationship with social media filters. Keira is pictured left in an edited Instagram selfie, and right in an unedited cast photo for Bachelor in Paradise 2018

'When you're in this kind of industry, you do have a lot of people talking about you so you need some form of protection,' she said.

In October, Keira said the only reason she uses Instagram is because it's her 'job'.

'To be honest with you, it is my job and it is how I make money. If I had a choice, I would probably, I probably wouldn't use it,' she revealed on SBS's Insight.

Shield: The influencer, who shot to fame after appearing on Richie Strahan's season of The Bachelor in 2016, told Popsugar last year she sees filters as a way to 'shield her energy' rather than to make herself look more attractive
Joe Rogan's controversial views on Covid-19 treatments have led doctors to label him 'a menace to public health'.

And Martha Kalifatidis said she agreed with their assessment during an interview on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old declared the popular American podcaster 'talks a lot of s**t' on his show the Joe Rogan Experience.

Speaking out: Martha Kalifatidis (pictured) has slammed podcaster Joe Rogan during her interview on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday

Rogan has been criticised for discouraging young people from getting vaccinated, as well as promoting harmful alternative treatments like ivermectin for combating the deadly Covid-19 virus.

'He finds the one person that will side with him in the science, and then he'll have them on [his show].'

'He's a flog,' agreed co-host Kyle Sandilands.

Smacked down: The 33-year-old declared the popular American podcaster 'talks a lot of s**t' on his show the Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan pictured

The Married At First Sight star's comments come after 270 doctors and scientists wrote an open letter to Spotify expressing concern over 'false and societally harmful assertions' on the The Joe Rogan Experience.

They singled out one particular episode in which Rogan's guest, virologist Dr. Robert Malone, suggested that societal leaders have 'hypnotised' the public into believing Covid is more serious than it actually is.

The deadly virus has currently claimed more than 5.55 million lives worldwide.

Hosts: Kyle Sandilands (left) tended to agree with Martha, calling Rogan 'a flog'

Earlier this month, an Australian news host stared down a challenge from Rogan over wild claims a rare heart condition is related to vaccines on the American's hugely popular podcast.

Josh Szeps, an 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 recently 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'. He's 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 Rogan (pictured) recently 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.
Iliza Shlesinger and Noah Galuten welcomed their baby girl, Sierra Mae, on Thursday, Jan. 13.

The 38-year-old actress and comedian gave birth to her healthy baby girl in Los Angeles at 11:26 p.m.

'We live in Hollywood and she is the first person I've been excited to meet,' the new mom told People. 'Mother and baby are doing beautifully. Dad's back hurts, unrelated to pregnancy.'

The new parents: Iliza Shlesinger and Noah Galuten welcomed their baby girl, Sierra Mae, on Thursday, Jan. 13

The couple tied the knot in 2018, but Noah wasn't the first to receive the big news, Iliza's assistant was.

'We found out from a test and my assistant was in the room before my husband got there,' she said. 'So technically she found out first. It was uncomfortable for everyone!'

Even though Noah is the only professional chef in the relationship, the couple co-star on their cooking show, Don't Panic Pantry.

Healthy baby girl: The 38-year-old actress and comedian gave birth to her healthy baby girl in Los Angeles at 11:26 p.m

Post-labor: 'We live in Hollywood and she is the first person I've been excited to meet,' the new mom told People . 'Mother and baby are doing beautifully. Dad's back hurts, unrelated to pregnancy'

Father-daughter bonding: 'My husband wanted an easy name  our compromise was a unique name with an uncomplicated spelling,' Iliza shared

Iliza announced her pregnancy news to the world during a stand-up comedy set in August in San Antonio, Texas. Although she had to take a break to have her daughter, she will be back on stage next month.

The couple had to compromise when it came to naming their baby girl, which they found the gender out immediately and opted out of having a lavish gender reveal party.

'My husband wanted an easy name  our compromise was a unique name with an uncomplicated spelling,' Iliza shared.
Heather Rae Young has taken another step forward in her journey to becoming a mother.

The Selling Sunset star, 34, revealed she retrieved seven eggs from her egg retrieval procedure on Tuesday.

Heather was elated to announce she was able to obtain five more eggs than originally anticipated, though cautioned they may not all be healthy.

'All went smooth': Heather Rae Young revealed she retrieved seven eggs from her egg retrieval procedure on Tuesday

'All went smooth, was told 2 eggs got 7!!!!' Heather posted to her Instagram Stories. 'Doesn't mean they will all be healthy but hoping (prayer hand emojis).'

She tagged her husband Tarek El Moussa in the post, which included a screenshot from the FaceTime call she had with him immediately after waking up from the procedure.

Heather looked tired but happy as she gazed wearily towards her husband.

The couple's day started off bright and early in preparation for the procedure.

'Was told 2 eggs we got 7!' The newlywed was elated to announced they had retrieved more eggs than anticipated

In video taken at 6:44AM that day, Heather and her husband were already on their way to the doctor's office.

'Morning, the El Moussas are tired!' Heather said as she sat in a car with her husband.

'Big day today!' Tarek said.

'We're doing egg retrieval, so we're on our way to the doctor right now and we're gonna get two good strong eggs! Ready babe?' Heather said.

Fertility journey: Rae looked tired but happy as she chatted with her husband via FaceTime

'We're ready!' Tarek exclaimed.

Heather has been documenting her fertility journey on social media as she prepares to freeze her eggs.

Last week Heather had 'not ideal news' to share with fans after learning it appeared as though one of her five eggs was not going to 'mature enough to extract or freeze'.

'I have two that are strong, one that's still growing, and another one that's still growing so I have four that are looking decent,' she said.

Yay! The beauty was 'tired' but excited as she headed to the doctor's office bright and early Tuesday morning

The Netflix star said the low count of eggs is 'not the best number' and noted that she planned to ask her doctor if they're worth extracting to create embryos.

Heather wanted to avoid 'doing another round' and said she was hoping for some good news when she speaks with her medical professional.

Despite the news, she wrote she was 'trying to stay positive.'

Let's do it! 'We're doing egg retrieval, so we're on our way to the doctor right now and we're gonna get two good strong eggs! Ready babe?' Heather said

Thanks a bunch! Young showed off the flowers she had received from her husband and friends after the procedure

Heather and Tarek said 'I do' in October at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, and then traveled to the Maldives and Dubai for a lavish honeymoon.

In November, the couple revealed their plans to start a family together.

'We're going to freeze embryos first, go from there and then see what happens,' Heather said during an appearance on E! News Daily Pop.

While talking about their honeymoon, host Justin Sylvester said, 'There's nothing to do in the Maldives except drink'

'Trying to stay positive': Last week Heather had 'not ideal news' to share with fans after learning one of her five eggs may not 'mature enough to extract or freeze'

'Make a baby?' Heather interjected.

Tarek then went on to say that newlyweds were 'having talks about having babies' and were 'practicing having babies.'

The Flip Or Flop star already has daughter Taylor, 11, and son Brayden, six, with ex-wife Christina Haack, 38.

Heather said, 'I'm more open to it because our life is already crazy.

'We're raising two kids. I'm already a mommy. So I'm like, well, why not have just one more?'

'Whatever she wants,' Tarek said. 'Happy wife, happy life!'
Joseph Baena chat about his relationship with father Arnold Schwarzenegger on the Unwaxed podcast Monday, saying they're 'very close' and like to 'joke about everything.'

The second-generation bodybuilder, 24, told hosts Sophia Stallone, 25, and Sistine Stallone, 23, about how he interacts with the famed film star and ex-California governor, 74.

'I also have to point out that with my relationship with my dad it took a little while for me and him to get really close,' Baena said.

The latest: Joseph Baena, 24, chat about his relationship with father Arnold Schwarzenegger, 74, on the Unwaxed podcast Monday, saying they're 'very close' and like to 'joke about everything'

The Pepperdine University alum said he feels like he can 'joke around with him and talk about anything.'

Baena, whose mother is Schwarzenegger's former mistress/housekeeper Mildred Baena, 60, opened up about the earlier dynamics in his relationship with The Terminator star.

'I grew up with my mom and I was always nervous,' Baena said, 'and I didn't want him to think bad of me and be like, "What the heck is this guy doing? He's just partying all the time."'

He continued: 'Now it's like awesome. I'm so close to my dad and we joke about everything.'

The second-generation bodybuilder told hosts Sistine Stallone (L) and Sophia Stallone about how he interacts with the famed film star and ex-California governor

Baena said Schwarzenegger 'always wants to hear about the drama' going on his life

The Pepperdine University alum said of his dad that he feels like he can 'joke around with him and talk about anything.' Schwarzenegger was snapped in Germany in September

Baena said Schwarzenegger 'always wants to hear about the drama' going on his life.

'He's like, "Tell me everything, tell me about the drama, tell me about the girls,"' said Baena, who works in real estate and has aims on a career in acting.

Baena said that he hasn't taken his father's last name because he 'never had the Schwarzenegger name' growing up.

'I think really the thing is that I haven't focused on changing it,' Baena said. 'I'm doing my own thing. I haven't thought of it that much. I have a last name already. I'm already doing so much and succeeding and moving forward with my goals. That's the last thing on my mind.'

Baena works in real estate and has aims on a career in acting

Baena said that he hasn't taken his father's last name because he 'never had the Schwarzenegger name' growing up

The father and son have past been seen enjoying meals, working out together and riding bicycles

The father and son have past been seen enjoying meals, working out together and riding bicycles.

Schwarzenegger in October took to social media to commemorate Baena's birthday.

'Happy birthday Joseph!' he said. 'I am so proud of you and I love you! You are crushing it in the gym, in your real estate career, and in acting. I know this will be another fantastic year.'

Schwarzenegger is also father to daughters Christina, 30, and Katherine Schwarzenegger, 32, and sons Patrick, 28, and Christopher, 24, with ex-wife Maria Shriver, 66.
Jay Blades has revealed he cried when he was finally able to read his daughter's letters to him after he learned to read for the first time aged 51.

The Repair Shop presenter learned how to read last summer using the same techniques children use, such as phonics.

Speaking to The Sun, Jay recalled how he was brought to tears when he received a letter from his daughter Zola, 14, who lives in Turkey with his ex-wife Jade, and was able to read it.

Candid: Jay Blades has revealed he cried when he was finally able to read his daughter's letters to him after he learned to read for the first time aged 51

He said: 'Reading is something most people do every day and I didn't know it would mean so much to me. It grabs you emotionally.

'It was the first letter Zola had ever sent me  she had never sent one before because she knew I couldn't read it.

'Reading her letter gave me everything I'd ever wanted but didn't think I would ever experience.'

Jay, who left school without any qualifications, suffers from dyslexia which went undiagnosed until he was 31.

Learning: The Repair Shop presenter learned how to read last summer using the same techniques children use, such as phonics

The father-of-three said he learned to 'cover up' not being able to read throughout his life and would worry about being 'exposed'.

He was diagnosed with dyslexia while a mature student at the Buckinghamshire New University where he was studying criminology.

He was accepted onto the course after his friend copied an application to Harvard University they found online and later graduated with a 2:1.

Jay completed his coursework using computer software that read out books and allowed him to dictate his essays.

Jay was raised by his single mother Barbara who came to the UK from Barbados as a teenager and became pregnant with him at 18.

Emotional: Jay recalled how he was brought to tears when he received a letter from his daughter Zola, who lives in Turkey with his ex-wife Jade, and was able to read it

The TV personality was bullied in school over his race and was once told by a teacher he would 'never amount to anything'.

Jay has been learning to read with a tutor from the charity ReadEasy and had hoped to fit in two or three sessions a week but filming has made this difficult.

The furniture restorer, who got engaged to girlfriend Lisa on Christmas Eve, recently read to his daughter Zola for the first time.

Jay Blades: Learning To Read At 51 airs on BBC One on January 26 at 9pm.


Former Married At First Sight star Mishel Karen is making big bucks as an OnlyFans performer.

The 51-year-old revealed several weeks ago she was making a modest $5,000 a month doing hardcore porn on the site, but her income since quadrupled.

She told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday her earnings had climbed to an impressive $20,000.

EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight's Mishel Karen is now making $20,000 a month on OnlyFans

'I have earned a really nice amount of money to help us through this difficult time. Well, at least I can pay my new mortgage for a few months,' she said.

The struggling single mum was forced to turn to OnlyFans to provide for herself and her family after being suspended without pay from her job for refusing to comply with Covid vaccine mandates.

She has also been caring for an immediate family member who she claims has been suffering from heart problems caused by the vaccine.

Pericarditis and myocarditis have been observed in an extremely small number of people after receiving mRNA vaccines, of which Pfizer is one.

Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and serious side effects are very rare.

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.

Cashed up: 'I have earned a really nice amount of money to help us through this difficult time. Well, at least I can pay my new mortgage for a few months,' she said

She recently pushed the envelope by releasing her very first girl-on-girl porn scene.

Mishel also sells her used socks and panties on the website, and performs bizarre custom requests for fans.

Unfortunately, her popularity on the site has its downsides, as a deranged fan recently started leaking her X-rated material online.

She almost threw in the towel on her lucrative new career after the fan, who was enraged when she couldn't respond to his messages fast enough while she was ill, started spreading her photos and videos across the internet.

No limits: 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

'It is likely that the leak is related to an original, long-term fan that got upset, who had recently abused me when I was sick with Covid for not getting back to their messages immediately,' Mishel told Daily Mail Australia earlier this month.

'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 added.

'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.'

Wow: She recently pushed the envelope by releasing her very first girl-on-girl porn scene

Fantasy fulfilled: Mishel also sells her used socks and panties on the site, and performs bizarre custom requests for fans

Mishel was then forced to have the matter investigated by OnlyFans to put a stop to any future leaks.

'OnlyFans has reassured me they are working to locate the source of the leak. It is not really fair for the majority that pay for content that someone does leak content,' she said.

Daily Mail Australia later uncovered some of the vulgar messages from porn pirates who had been illegally sharing Mishel's content on adult forums.

Dark side: Mishel's popularity on OnlyFans has its downsides, as a deranged fan recently started leaking her X-rated material online

'Some content of Mishel, f**k she is hot though!' wrote one user, who posted a gallery of racy pictures of the mother of two.

Many of the comments and posts are too explicit for Daily Mail Australia to publish.

'She made a m**********n video. anyone got it?' asked another.

'I have a ***** video of her and a full naked **** ****** photo,' wrote one, who seemed willing to trade the video with others.

'Is there any way u can send me the video?' begged another fan.

Family first: The 51-year-old grandmother is helping to support her family with her porn earnings

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.
Carrie Bickmore is a proud mother of three children.

And the Project host shared a gallery of photos to Instagram on Tuesday of her daughter Evie, who bears a striking resemblance to her famous mum.

'Evie's hat game strong too... beats the hats I wore as a kid #sunsmart,' Carrie, 41, captioned the series of images.

Seeing double? The Project host Carrie Bickmore shared a gallery of photos to Instagram on Tuesday of her daughter Evie, who bears a striking resemblance to her famous mum

The six-year-old appears to have inherited her mum's blue eyes and warm smile.

Carrie, 41, shares Evie and her younger daughter Adelaide, three, with her long-term partner Chris Walker.

She is also mother to 14-year-old son Oliver, from her marriage to her late husband Greg Lange, who died of brain cancer in 2010.

Fashionable: The six-year-old appears to have inherited her mum's blue eyes and warm smile

Mini-me: 'Evie's hat game strong too... beats the hats I wore as a kid #sunsmart,' Carrie, 41, captioned the series of images

It comes after the Channel 10 journalist addressed the impact Australia's border closures were having on her family.

'Still missing many of the people I love badly due to the WA border closure but know how lucky we were to even have some downtime as a family,' she wrote on Instagram, alongside a gallery of holiday snaps.

'So feeling very grateful and ready for another big year of work.'

Border closures: Carrie (right) bid farewell to her summer holidays on Monday as she shared a gallery of images from her vacation with partner Chris Walker (left) and their children

Carrie recently returned to screens on The Project after taking almost a month off during the festive season.

Lisa Wilkinson filled in as main anchor during her absence.

The Project airs weekdays from 6.30pm on Channel 10
Jenna Jameson does not have Guillain-Barre syndrome, but remains hospitalized in her ongoing health battle.

The 47-year-old's partner Lior Bitton took to Instagram on Tuesday with an update on Jameson's condition after doctors cleared her of the autoimmune disorder.

'Just a little update, Jenna is still in the hospital,' Bitton said in a clip on Jameson's page on the social media site.

The latest: Jenna Jameson, 47, does not have Guillain-Barre syndrome, but remains hospitalized in her ongoing health battle, her partner Lior Bitton said on Instagram Tuesday

Bitton said Jameson's doctor confirmed that she didn't 'have the Guillain-Barre syndrome' after she was tested a second time and underwent five rounds of IVIG, a therapeutic procedure for people with antibody deficiencies.

Bitton thanked followers 'for all the prayers' and urged them to 'keep praying for Jenna' amid the troubled times.

Bitton, an Israeli businessman, who shares daughter Batel, four, with the model, has been keeping Jameson's followers updated on her health struggles on her social media.

He said earlier this month that he took the the ex-adult film actress to a nearby hospital after she was 'throwing up' constantly for two weeks and wasn't able to walk.

Bitton said Jameson's doctor confirmed that she didn't 'have the Guillain-Barre syndrome' after she was tested a second time and underwent five rounds of IVIG, a therapeutic procedure for people with antibody deficiencies

Bitton, an Israeli businessman, who shares daughter Batel, four, with the model, has been keeping Jameson's followers updated on her health struggles on her social media

Bitton thanked followers 'for all the prayers' and urged them to 'keep praying for Jenna' amid the troubled times

Bitton said on the social media site that Jameson's 'legs [are] thinning down' and that she was unable to walk or stand up.

'She came back home and she couldn't carry herself,' Bitton said. 'Her muscles in her legs were very weak. So she wasn't able to walk to the bathroom. She was falling on the way back or to the bathroom, I would have to pick her up and carry her to bed.

'And then within two days it got really not so good, her legs started to not hold her, she wasn't able to walk.'

Jameson said in a clip on her account after the initial diagnosis that she was 'working through' a 'little syndrome called Guillain-Barre syndrome,' and that she appreciated the support she was receiving from fans.

Jameson, seen last June in an Instagram post, has been hospitalized this month with a serious illness

The Las Vegas native noted that her health troubles were 'NOT a reaction to the' COVID-19 vaccine, as she 'did NOT get the jab or any jab.'

Guillain-Barre syndrome, according to the CDC, 'is a rare, autoimmune disorder in which a persons own immune system damages the nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.'

The ailment's symptoms can 'last for a few weeks to several years,' the CDC said, and while 'most people recover fully ... some have permanent nerve damage,' with a small number of cases being fatal.
Marvel fans were less than impressed on Monday after hearing Oscar Isaac's fake British accent in the first trailer for his upcoming Disney+ series Moon Knight.

Viewers took to social media after the trailer dropped to mock the accent, with several comparing it to Dick Van Dyke's oft-mocked cockney accent from Mary Poppins and Don Cheadles' equally controversial Ocean's Eleven accent.

Others wondered if the 42-year-old actor might drop the voice in parts of the series, as his character suffers from Dissociative Personality Disorder (DID), which causes him to switch between different personalities against his control.

A mouthful: Oscar Isaac, 42, was mocked on social media after his British accent was revealed Monday in the first trailer for Marvel's Disney+ series Moon Knight

Several Twitter users joked after the trailer release that Isaac sounded like Dick Van Dyke, but one user joked that the 96-year-old comic star would be making a surprise appearance in Moon Knight.

'Liked Oscar Isaac's accent in the Moon Knight trailer? Wait until the Sentry shows up. Here's who they cast as the Void!' wrote one person while posting a still of Van Dyke covered in fake soot while filming Mary Poppins.

Others accepted the comparisons to Van Dyke's accent, but they thought it might make Moon Knight into a pleasantly trashy TV series.

'Oscar Isaac's Dick Van Dyke-esque British accent is singlehandedly going to make this immensely watchable, isn't it?' tweeted another user.

Surprise! Several Twitter users joked after the trailer release that Isaac sounded like Dick Van Dyke, but one user joked that the 96-year-old comic star would be making an appearance in Moon Knight

Having a laugh: Others accepted the comparisons to Van Dyke's accent, but they thought it might make Moon Knight into a pleasantly trashy TV series

All-star cast: Isaac is joined in Moon Knight by Ethan Hawke  using what sounds like his regular accent  who plays the show's villain

Isaac's wobbly accent appeared to bring back traumatic memories of Don Cheadle's hilariously awful British accent in Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's films, though the Oscar winner may have been playing up its wobbliness for comic effect.

'oscar isaac's accent in moon knight just gives me flashbacks to whatever don cheadle was doing in oceans,' one user wrote.

Another person joked, 'Moon Knight is a show that dares to ask "What if there was a superhero inspired by Don Cheadle's accent in the Ocean's 11 movies?"'

Others jokingly complained that there weren't more fake accents in the show's first trailer.

'Ethan Hawke should also be doing a fake British accent so he can compete with Oscar Isaac's fake British accent  if they don't, then what's the point of all this,' another user tweeted.

Iconic accent: Isaac's wobbly accent appeared to bring back traumatic memories of Don Cheadle's hilariously awful British accent in Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's films, though the Oscar winner may have been playing up its wobbliness for comic effect; still from Ocean's Eleven

Bad memories: One person had 'flashbacks' to the Oscar winner's infamous accent

What an idea: Another person joked, 'Moon Knight is a show that dares to ask "What if there was a superhero inspired by Don Cheadle's accent in the Ocean's 11 movies?"'

More! Others jokingly complained that Ethan Hawke was trying his own version of a British accent

Other fans thought the Dune actor harmed his image with his cartoonish cadences.

'Me, watching Oscar Isaac doing an English accent: Look how they massacred my boy,' wrote one person, alluding to the line Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) utters in The Godfather after his son Sonny (James Caan) is riddled with bullets.

Another Twitter user joked that Isaac's accent work was utterly frightening.

'just watched the moonknight trailer oscar issac using a british accent need a jumpscare warning,' they wrote.

Some users noted that the reception to the Star Wars actor's accent appeared to depending on which side of the Atlantic they were from.

'Look how they massacred my boy': One person compared their reaction to Isaac's accent with Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) reacting to seeing his son Sonny's bullet-riddled body in The Godfather

'needed a jumpscare warning': Another Twitter user joked that Isaac's accent work was utterly frightening

Different reactions: Some users noted that the reception to the Star Wars actor's accent appeared to depending on which side of the Atlantic they were from; seen in 2019 in NYC

'truly living for american marvel fans tweeting that oscar isaac's "british accent" is sexy in the Moon Knight trailer,' wrote Gavia Baker-Whitelaw.

The Scotland-based writer thought some fans' ability to overlook his voice in the show was because they were seduced by his good looks.

'unbeatable proof of mr isaac's raw sexual magnetism. folks acting like this dick van dyke panto fiasco is mr darcy,' she added.

Al Pacino got thrown into the mix when several posters compared Isaac's Moon Knight accent to the Heat star's comical cockney in The Local Stigmatic.

Too attractive to care: Gavia Baker-Whitelaw thought some fans' ability to overlook his voice in the show was because they were seduced by his good looks

Nearly forgotten: Al Pacino got thrown into the mix when several posters compared Isaac's Moon Knight accent to the Heat star's comical cockney in The Local Stigmatic

Although the Moon Knight accent came in for plenty of criticism, a few Twitter users thought it was more nuanced than others realized.

'People are roasting Oscar Isaac's accent in this but I honestly think it's fine, it's just one of those 'between' accents were ppl who aren't from the UK don't recognise bc it's not RP, 'Northern' (GOT style) or Essex,' theorized one post.

Another Twitter user even applauded Isaac's iffy accent as a way to criticize Britain's imperialist history.

'"Oscar Isaac's British accent is trash!" Oh? You mean the accent of the global exporter of imperialism????? I hope the accent is disrespectful. He still got paid tho!!!!!' wrote one furious person.

Others were simply confused by the disconnect of seeing Isaac completely change up his accent for the series.

'my mind is split between appreciating how amazing moon knight looks and trying to digest oscar isaac with a british accent,' read one tweet featuring a still of SpongeBob SquarePants looking confused while reading a book.

Moon Knight will be released on Disney+ on March 30.

Not that bad? Although the Moon Knight accent came in for plenty of criticism, a few Twitter users thought it was more nuanced than others realized

Sticking it to the man: Another Twitter user even applauded Isaac's iffy accent as a way to criticize Britain's imperialist history
Ethan Hawke has joined the cast of the upcoming Netflix thriller Leave The World Behind starring Julia Roberts.

The 51-year-old actor and Myhala Herrold, 25, both will feature in the film directed by Sam Esmail, 44, according to an article on Tuesday by Deadline.

Leave The World Behind also will star Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali, 47.

Netflix thriller: Ethan Hawke, shown in November in New York City, has joined the cast of the upcoming Netflix thriller Leave The World Behind starring Julia Roberts

Ryan Kiera Armstrong, 11, and English actor Charlie Evans, 26, also have been cast in the thriller.

The film is being produced by Julia, 54, through her Red Om Films production company along with Mr. Robot creator Sam and Chad Hamilton through Esmail Corp.

Leave The World Behind is based on Rumaan Alam's 2020 novel of the same name and Rumaan, 44, also will serve as an executive producer.

The film follows a New York City family who rent a luxurious home outside the city and are forced to live with another family under strange circumstances.

Leading lady: Julia, shown in January 2019 in Santa Monica, California, will star and serve as a producer on the project

Their stay gets interrupted when an older Black couple who own the home show up after a blackout has hit the city.

Ethan will portray Julia's husband and Myhala will play Mahershala's daughter.

Ryan and Charlie will play the children of Julia and Ethan, according to Deadline.

Also joining: Myhala Herrold, shown in October in Wales, also has joined the cast

Oscar winner: Mahershala Ali, shown in November in Los Angeles, will have a starring role in the Netflix thriller

It was reported last July by Deadline that Denzel Washington, 67, would be playing the home owner and also serving as a co-producer.

Leave The World Behind ended up at Netflix after a reported bidding war.

Julia can next be seen in the romantic comedy Ticket To Paradise set to be released in October by Universal Pictures.
Julia Fox, 31, shared a smoldering image to Instagram Stories on Tuesday of herself with her new boyfriend Kanye West, 44.

The duo, who met on New Year's Eve and quickly became notorious for their public displays of affection, were seen getting frisky in the new snap, taken after they had been seen heading back to their hotel following a studio session together.

It was unclear whether they were kissing but they were nuzzled up to one another, as Julia held Kanye with one hand and a glass of wine in the other.

Dimly lit: Julia Fox, 31, shared a smouldering snap to Instagram Stories on Tuesday of herself with her new boyfriend Kanye West, 44

On Saturday, Julia and Kanye were seen heading back to their hotel after a day in the studio together.

After just two dates, Julia and Kanye starred in a widely mocked photo-shoot for Interview in which they passionately kissed and rolled around on the floor together.

Julia, who became an It Girl in New York through her role in Uncut Gems, wrote an essay about their relationship to accompany the pictures.

Together: The duo, were seen getting frisky in the new snap, taken after they had been seen heading back to their hotel following a studio session together

Out and about: Kanye, who is in the midst of a fresh bout of drama with his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, is pictured in New York earlier this month

'I met Ye in Miami on New Years Eve and it was an instant connection. His energy is so fun to be around,' she spilled.

She gushed that he surprised her with a hotel suite full of clothes, which was 'every girl's dream come true' and 'felt like a real Cinderella moment.'

Over the past few days Kanye has begun a fresh outbreak of public drama with his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, with whom he shares four children.

He gave an interview to Hollywood Unlocked accusing her security of blocking him from entering her home recently.

A source close to the situation assured DailyMail.com that 'security didnt stop him from seeing the kids, picking them up or dropping them off.'

The insider added: 'He just can no longer walk inside her home without her permission. She has a right to privacy and is trying to set healthy boundaries.'

Wow: After just two dates, Julia and Kanye starred in a widely mocked photo-shoot for Interview in which they passionately kissed and rolled around on the floor together

Kim's boundaries, according to the source, 'became necessary because there have been several incidents where her family, friends and staff have been left upset by his recent unannounced visits.'

Julia recently tried to put a bit of her own family drama to bed, apologizing to her ex Peter Artemiev for calling him a 'deadbeat dad.'

She had made the claims in December, not long before she began hitting the headlines for running around with Kanye.

At that point Julia had posted a spoof of a missing person's report online, including a picture of Peter and writing: 'Have you seen this deadbeat dad?'

Family matters: Kanye and Kim, who married in Florence in 2014, share four children - North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two

She fumed: 'I just dont want my son f***ed up cuz he feels like his dad was absent or loved alcohol and partying more than him ... this man left me with a 5 month old and a dog and a home and ALL THE BILLS. It's wrong!!! Its not fair!!!'

Peter, who is a private pilot, was forced to publicly deny the allegations at the time in a statement to Page Six on Christmas Eve.

'I was saddened to learn of the utterly false statements made on social media by Julia Fox, my co-parent, who is clearly struggling,' he said. 'Out of respect for her privacy and to protect our child, I will not comment further.'

Apparently they have since mended fences, as Julia and Peter were spotted meeting up in New York on Monday for their son Valentino's first birthday.

Mending fences: Julia has buried the hatchet with her own ex Peter Artemiev, with whom she shares a one-year-old son called Valentino

Julia also publicly delivered a message to Peter saying: 'I'm sorry,' on a new episode of her podcast Forbidden Fruits.

'You're not a deadbeat, I know that you're not, and I know that it wasn't that you weren't trying to see Valentino, it's that you weren't trying to see me.'

Her reasoning was that over the Christmas season 'Everyone had COVID. I had no help at all whatsoever, and my friend was out and saw Peter out and Peter was saying something along the lines of: "That b**** won't let me see my son." And when that was relayed to me my blood boiled. I just snapped.'
Australian model Erin McNaught is celebrating more than ten years with her British rapper husband Example and eight years of marriage.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, the stunner, 39, revealed the secret to how they make their rock solid relationship and marriage work.

Erin said that 'good communication and honesty' is key and admits that even strong marriages take 'work'.

EXCLUSIVE: Erin McNaught has revealed the secret to how she makes rock solid relationship and marriage with British husband and rapper Example work

'Good communication and honesty is the key,' Erin began.

'The whole fairy tale and happy ever after ending that we're sold by society is actually not adhesive to a working marriage.

'Marriages take a lot of work and as time passes individuals change and it's about being able to compromise and communicate and move in tandem with your partner.'

She said it is important to overcome issues together and always 'come back together as a couple'.

Candid: Erin said that 'good communication and honesty' is key and admits that even strong marriages take 'work'

'Marriage is tough, especially after ten years together we have definitely had our issues, but we can overcome them,' she explained.

She added that 'having fun and laughing' is also a vital part of her successful and happy marriage.

Erin, who is an ambassador for The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions, married Example in May 2013 in a stunning ceremony in Australia.

Rock solid: She said it is important to overcome issues together and always 'come back together as a couple'

They will mark nine years of marriage this year.

She and Example, 39, whose real name is Elliot John Gleave, recently relocated back to Queensland from London with their young family.

Erin said that the couple are loving living in Australia and have well and truly settled back in.

Going strong: Erin, who is an ambassador for The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions, married Example in May 2013 in a stunning ceremony in Australia

'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 can't 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.
It's been six years since Nicky Brownless left her AFL star husband Billy for his best mate Garry Lyon, sparking a feud between the former Footy Show co-hosts.

However, it appears the men have mended fences, having spent the past two Christmases together as a blended family.

The once-fractured family reunited for a festive lunch hosted by Nicky, 50, and Garry, 54, last month, with Billy, also 54, and his children, Oscar, Max, Lucy and Ruby, on the guest list.

Inside the Brownless-Lyon Christmas reunion: Nicky Brownless, 50, has described how she reunited her once-fractured family over Christmas. Pictured with her ex-husband Billy, 54, in March 2013, prior to leaving him for his best mate Garry Lyon, 54,

Describing how the reunion came about, Nicky told The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday: 'I just said, everyone get on a plane.'

'It was nice to be together,' she added.

Billy and Garry appeared friendly in social media photos taken at the Red Hill retreat Nicky shares with Garry on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Together: The family broke bread at Nicky and Garry's Red Hill retreat on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. Billy (second from left) is pictured at the event with his children, Oscar, Max, Lucy and Ruby

Family affair: Ruby's partner Josh Wallis and Nickys mother Jan Smith likewise attended the shindig, at which lunch and drinks were served. Garry Lyon brings wine to the table (right)

Ruby's partner Josh Wallis and Nickys mother Jan Smith also attended the shindig, at which lunch and drinks were served.

In 2016, Lyon left his wife and started a relationship with Brownless' wife of 18 years, Nicky.

Both men's marriages had ended before Nicky and Lyon announced they were a couple, but Brownless still felt betrayed because they had assured him they were nothing more than 'just good friends'.

Last year: After five years of bad blood, Brownless and Lyon (third from right and second from left) began steps toward reconciliation last year when Brownless said they were in a 'good spot', before spending Christmas Day together in 2020 (pictured)

After five years of bad blood, Brownless and Lyon began steps toward reconciliation last year when Brownless said they were in a 'good spot', before spending Christmas Day together in 2020.

Brownless' daughter Lucy described the lunch between the blended families as 'really special'.

'It worked really well and that was all very positive. We're all happy and happy to be all together. It was a great day. We were all really excited about that,' she told the Herald Sun at the time.

Family: Brownless posed with his four children, Ruby, Lucy, Max and Oscar, in Geelong on Christmas Day (pictured, the four kids with their dad, centre) at Christmas lunch last year

'We really enjoyed it and made the most of it. My grandma was with us, Oscar was in Queensland with Geelong for the footy and Ruby and Max and I got that time together which was really nice,' Lucy said.

Brownless addressed the issue with fellow AFL greats Sam Newman and Don Scott on an episode of the pair's You Cannot Be Serious podcast in September.

'You know I'm going to ask you this - people want to know how you and Garry Lyon are going on,' Newman said at the tail end of the podcast.

Special: Brownless' daughter Lucy described the lunch between the blended families as 'really special'. Pictured clockwise around the table from bottom left: Max, Lucy, Nicky, Garry, Jan Smith, Ruby, Billy and Oscar at the Christmas lunch last year

'At the time you go through all different emotions of course,' Brownless responded. ''Why me?' and a bit of hatred.

'But now mate, it's been four or five years, I've come around and everyone is in a good spot to be honest. Garry and Nicky are - that's fine - and the kids are.

'That was the other big problem. Young Maxy was about 10, Oscar was about 14, the girls [Lucy and Ruby] were 16, 17.'

Brownless conceded though he had not fully regained the friendship with Lyon they once had - saying the pair 'might be' able to be mates like before at some point.

Past: Billy Brownless and Nicky Brownless (left) are pictured with Garry Lyon and Melissa Lyon (right) in 2012. In 2016, Lyon left his wife and started a relationship with Brownless' wife of 18 years, Nicky

'There's no Christmas cards yet but we have spoken a couple of times,' he said.

'The kids live with Garry and Nicky and things like that.'

When probed on how long it had taken for him to move on from the split, Brownless said two years was too short, but five years may be more accurate.

'There's no problems, we're in a good space, he's in a good space, Nicky is, the kids are and so am I. But that has taken time. It has,' Brownless said.
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Anna Wintour has acknowledged her 'complicated relationship' with Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley after his death yesterday, in a tribute paying tribute to her 'magnificent' friend.

Talley, a fashion icon, died from a heart attack at a White Plains, New York hospital on Tuesday aged 73.

His death was first reported at 7pm last night but it wasn't until shortly before 10am this morning that his former boss and friend Wintour shared a tribute to the fashion mogul - amid increasing pressure and criticism over her silence.

However, a source close to Wintour told DailyMail.com she felt she couldn't rush because she needed time 'to craft a statement that reflected the loss of someone who had been one of her closest friends and confidants for decades.'

In the statement, Wintour said the loss of Talley is 'immeasurable,' and that she will miss him despite their 'complicated past.'

The pair's long-time friendship came to an abrupt end when she apparently froze him out for being 'too old, too overweight, too uncool', he claimed. In his 2020 memoir, he wrote that he was left with 'huge emotional and psychological scars' after Wintour made remarks about his weight and in one scorching passage, he wrote: 'She is immune to anyone other than the powerful and famous people who populate the pages of Vogue . I am no longer of value to her.

But on Wednesday morning Wintour's tribute to Talley said: 'The loss of Andre is felt by so many of us today: the designers he enthusiastically cheered on every season, and who loved him for it; the generations he inspired to work in the industry, seeing a figure who broke boundaries while never forgetting where he started from; those who knew fashion, and Vogue, simply because of him; and, not forgetting, the multitude of colleagues over the years who were consistently buoyed by every new discovery of Andres, which he would discuss loudly, and volublyno one could make people more excited about the most seemingly insignificant fashion details than him.

'Even his stream of colorful faxes and emails were a highly anticipated event, something we all looked forward to,' she said.

'Yet its the loss of Andre as my colleague and friend that I think of now; its immeasurable.

'He was magnificent and erudite and wickedly funnymercurial, too. Like many decades-long relationships, there were complicated moments, but all I want to remember today, all I care about, is the brilliant and compassionate man who was a generous and loving friend to me and to my family for many, many years, and who we will all miss so much.'

Vogue confirmed Talley died of a heart attack on Tuesday at the age of 73. But a friend of Talley's for 45 years, Texas anesthesiologist Dr. Yvonne Cormier told the Houston Chronicle that he had passed away from complications from coronavirus. She added he had underlying health issues related to his weight.

COVID has been known to cause lasting heart conditions in patients, and small blood clots can form in the heart, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Talley is remembered as a driving force in Vogue's success, serving as the magazine's long-acclaimed creative director and American editor-at-large through the 1980s and '90s.

Andre Leon Talley , seen here in an interview with Tamron Hall in May, passed away from a heart attack caused by complications from COVID-19 on Tuesday night

He worked alongside Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour for several years, developing a close friendship with the notoriously icy editor, until she froze him for being 'too old, too overweight, too uncool'. Wintour has now described their friendship as 'complicated,' but said in an obituary on Wednesday she will miss her longtime friend

Twitter users claimed the fashion magazine tweeted about getting rid of 'bad vibes' when news of Talley's death broke

COVID-19 can cause heart problems Cells in the heart and lungs contain proteins that COVID-19 uses to enter cells and multiply. As a result, patients with COVID-19 may experience a lack of oxygen, inflammation of the heart and stress cardiomyopathy - a heart muscle disorder that affects the hearts ability to pump blood effectively. Additionally, the immune system may respond to the virus by releasing proteins called cytokines that help cells communicate with one another and fight the invaders. In some people, the response is exaggerated, leading to inflammation that can destroy healthy tissue and damage organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart. Some symptoms may mimic those of a heart attack, and in some cases, COVID can cause very small blood clots to form in the aorta, which can block tiny blood vessels and cause pain. Source: Johns Hopkins University Advertisement

Wintour's statement took 15 hours after Talley's death to come, as criticism mounted on social media.

After the news broke on Tuesday evening, the fashion magazine posted a prescheduled tweet about using sage to clear 'bad vibes.' It was soon deleted from the site.

But it wasn't until around 9am on Wednesday that Vogue had published the obituary, with its social media team instead tweeting about the Sex and the City reboot even as tweets poured in criticizing Wintour for her treatment of the fashion icon.

As one woman on Twitter wrote, Talley 'had the guts to speak out against Anna Wintour,' writing later: 'If Anna Wintour says anything about Andre Leon Talley now, she will look like a horrible person. But if she doesn't say anything, she will look like an even more horrible person.'

Others were more direct in their condemnation, with another woman tweeting about Talley's death, writing: 'This is for Anna Wintour, you ugly scarecrow looking racist piece of s***. Why you take Andre off the schedule heaux?'

A third woman tweeted that she wanted to tell Wintour she is 'going to Hell for bullying ALT about his weight cause I know she aint carry her wrinkly a** down to Chanel and call Karl Lagerfeld fat to his face,' while author Roxane Gay tweeted: 'When we talk about how your job will never love you no matter how much you give them, Vogue saying nothing about Andre Leon Talleys passing and just tweeting as normal is a case study. Foul business.'

Another Twitter user, meanwhile, wrote: '#AnnaWintour your ice persona it quite boring in 2022 ... the least you can do is honor this man who worked at American Vogue.'

Wintour and Talley's longtime friendship seemed to come to an end three years ago when she cut him out from her life

Talley had apparently reconnected with Wintour, seen together here in 2014, in recent months

An obituary was posted to the Vogue website at around 9am on Wednesday

Andre Leon Talley faced eviction before his death Andre Leon Talley faced eviction from his White Plains home before his death on Tuesday Fashion icon Andre Leon Talley was embroiled in an eviction lawsuit before he died on Tuesday of a heart attack. His friends George Malkemus, the former head of Manolo Blahnik USA, and Anthony Yurgaitis, his business partner and husband, bought the 11-room white colonial for about $1 million in 2004 with the understanding that Talley would live in it and pay them money each month. The lease expired in 2014, and it was never resigned, with Malkemus and Yurgaitis claiming Talley owed them $515,872. Talley then filed a counterclaim in the New York State Supreme Court in January 2021, saying he believed the payments were an equity investment intended to result in ownership, and requested that the house be placed in a trust so he can prove his right to ownership. He noted he had already paid $995,558 for a new boiler, to replace the roof and annual landscaping, WWD reports, and had requested that the house be placed in a trust so he can prove his right to ownership. A GoFundMe was also set up by some of Talley's fans to raise the money he owed, but it only wound up raising $9,645 before it was shut down in March and the donations were refunded after Talley thanked his fans on social media but said his lawyers would take care of it. Talley was still living in the secluded home, where he slept on a bed given to him by Oscar de la Renta, when he died on Tuesday as the lawsuit continued. Advertisement

Wintour's longtime friendship with Talley came to an abrupt end three years ago when she froze him out for being 'too old, too overweight, too uncool'.

He had claimed, in a memoir released in 2020, that he was left with 'huge emotional and psychological scars' from his friendship with the notoriously icy editor after she made the remarks about his weight - something he head been struggling with since the death of his grandmother.

Detailing his fallout with Wintour in his book The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir, Talley claimed there was an 'endless' list of writers, stylists and models who she has cast onto a 'frayed and tattered heap during her powerful rule'.

In a scorching passage, he wrote: 'She is immune to anyone other than the powerful and famous people who populate the pages of Vogue.

'She has mercilessly made her best friends people who are the highest in their chosen fields.

'Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Mr. and Mrs. George Clooney are, to her, friends. I am no longer of value to her.'

Talley's dismissal from the court of the woman known as 'Nuclear Wintour' is all the more bitter because they were so close.

He had once credited her - along with Diana Vreeland and Andy Warhol - with shaping his career, saying in a May 2020 interview with Vulture: 'I will not criticize her.

'My book is an epistle to everyone that I love. Its a love letter to Anna Wintour. I love her deeply.'

When they were at their closest he was one of the few dozen people invited to her wedding and she staged an intervention because his weight got out of control.

He penned that when he started out in fashion journalism and Wintour was creative director at Vogue she became a 'powerful ally' of his.

But by 2018, the New York Times reported at the time, Talley was between jobs and said he was broke, after 'certain friends have dropped me' from their lives.

He faced eviction from his 11-room white colonial in White Plains, which George Malkemus, the former head of Manolo Blahnik USA, and Anthony Yurgaitis, his business partner and husband, bought for about $1 million in 2004 with the understanding that Talley would live in it and pay them money each month.

The lease expired in 2014, the Times reported, and it was never resigned, with Malkemus and Yurgaitis claiming Talley owed them more than $515,000.

Talley filed a counterclaim in January 2021, saying he believed the payments were an equity investment intended to result in ownership, and requested that the house be placed in a trust so he can prove his right to ownership.

Talley was still living in the secluded home, where he slept on a bed Oscar de la Renta gave him, at the time of his death.

Fans took to social media to slam Anna Wintour for her treatment of Talley following his death

He has apparently reconnected with Wintour, telling Tamron Hall in May, he has 'had communications with Anna Wintour' after he defended her against claims of racism over the summer.

'So we've been in communication by email, strictly, on birthdays and holidays. She thanked me for that support,' Talley said.

'We are friendly, and we care about each other, and in this friendship of over four decades  having this especially in the pandemic, being home and reflection on this book and what it meant for the fashion world  I realized I'm thinking a lot about Anna Wintour, I even have dreams about Anna Wintour, and theyre not nightmares.

'She was there in my life in a very important times,' he went on. 'My grandmother died in 1980 time and my mentor died in the same year. She was the one that sent me to Paris, to live in Paris for five years and be the Paris editor of American Vogue, so she's been there, she's had my back.

'So in this complicated friendship, in this passive-aggressive friendship, we sail by each other's port of call, we sometimes miss each other's port of call, but somehow we navigate back around. And I'm looking forward to the day when Anna Wintour calls me and says, "Come to my house in Bellport [Long Island] for the weekend."'

Talley (pictured alongside Wintour in 1996) began his career in fashion at the age of 28 after snagging a job as a reporter at Women's Wear Daily

Fashion figure: He was the long-acclaimed former creative director and American editor-at-large of Vogue through the 80s and 90s; Andre seen with Anna Wintour in 1999

Andre Talley (left) and Kristen McMenamy (right) attend New York City fashion week in the mid 1990s

Talley has remained prominent in the fashion world, serving as a judge on America's Next Top Model alongside Tyra Banks, creative director Jay Manuel and runway coach J. Alexander for four seasons.

The larger-than-life fashion figure - his height was 6-foot-6 - also was a stylist for the First Family during Barack Obama's presidency.

Following news of his death, tributes to the fashion leader flooded social media. He was remembered as 'incredible' and 'groundbreaking,' with many expressing how deeply he will be missed.

Model Coco Rocha issued her condolences and shared their final conversation together.

'I'm so sad to hear that my friend, the incredible Andre Leon Talley, has passed away. He was a legendary figure in fashion and a walking encyclopedia of knowledge,' she wrote.

'His final departing words to me were "Nothing matters in this world but family and love, and you have IT". I hope, in the moments before he passed, he recalled how much he was loved by the extended family he had built over many decades in this industry. He will be missed.'

Actress Milla Jovovich posted to her Instagram page a photo of herself and Talley and wrote: 'I cant believe what a force of nature has left us today. Andre Leon Talley was such an incredible artist, but he was also one of the most genuinely wonderful humans Ive ever met. Always there with the most beautiful smile and open arms, he was so sweet and kind, always so gracious and I imagine the term fierce was coined after meeting him,'

'I feel so lucky to have been embraced in his warm glow so many times in my career, because good people are few and far between in this business and youre much more likely to meet a scowl when going places than his ever present, all encompassing loveliness. I send you so much love Andre. It was an honor and a privilege.'

Following news of his death, tributes to the fashion leader have flooded social media. He is remembered as 'incredible' and 'groundbreaking'

Talley was born in Washington D.C. in 1948, and was raised by his grandmother in Durham, North Carolina, where she worked as a cleaning lady. He would find solace from the Jim Crow-era South in the pages of Vogue, but his unusual taste led to some animosity, with some Duke University students stoning him as he tried to cross campus to buy a copy of the magazine.

Talley moved to New York City in the 1970s following a stint in Rhode Island, where he attended the prestigious Brown University.

He began his career in fashion at the age of 28 after snagging a job as a reporter at Women's Wear Daily.

The journalist had been awarded a scholarship to the school after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in French Literature at North Carolina Central University in 1970.

Talley earned a master's degree in French studies in 1972, with initial plans to become a French teacher - which were later thwarted by his involvement in the NYC art scene where he mingled with the likes of Andy Warhol and Karl Lagerfeld.

Talley penned three books, including two memoirs. He detailed his fallout with Wintour in his book The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir (pictured)

After reporting for Women's Wear Daily, Talley became the protege of former editor-in-chief of Vogue, Diana Vreeland, who'd helmed the publication from 1962 until 1971.

At the time, Vreeland was working as director for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Talley assisted her in the role which saw her stage countless exhibitions.

From there, Talley lent his natural writing talents to publications like Interview magazine and The New York Times, among others before stepping into his role at Vogue.

He served as Vogue's Fashion News Director from 1983 to 1987 before becoming Creative Director in 1988.

Talley stayed in the role until 1995 and, after a three-year absence, returned to Vogue in 1995 as editor-at-large. He held the position until his departure from the magazine in 2013.

In 2003, Talley discussed his deep-rooted love for Vogue, which he'd been fascinated with since his teen years during a sit-down chat with Interview magazine.

'Vogue was my hobby, and no one in my family ever had a copy of the magazine in the house until I did,' said the fashion figure, who grew up in Durham, North Carolina, under the care of his grandmother.

'The big experience was on Sundays after church. I'd wash the dishes, walk to the white part of town  to the newsstand that was open on Sundays. That was my big joy.'

Talley began his career in fashion at the age of 28 after snagging a job as a reporter at Women's Wear Daily

Talley (left) also served as a judge on America's Next Top Model for four seasons

Following his departure from Vogue, Talley continued to contribute to the fashion magazine.

In 2016, Vogue launched an official podcast, with Wintour naming Talley the host. It began as a huge success with guests like Tom Ford, Kim Kardashian, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang.

However, the podcast was started around the time his friendship with Wintour began to sour. In his memoir, Talley griped about being paid just $500 for each episode of the podcast, a sum which he called 'peanuts'.

'My car service bills cost that much and more for a round-trip from White Plains to One World Trade Center,' where the Vogue office is based,' he wrote.

Suddenly the podcast ceased to exist and there was no explanation from Wintour, who adopted a 'sphinx-like silence'. Talley alleged Wintour had 'decimated me with this silent treatment so many times' and 'this is just the way she resolves any issue'.

Afterwards, Talley hosted his own Sirius XM radio show, called Full Length, which debuted in 2017.

He was joined by celebrity guests and friends to discuss all-things fashion, the biggest moments in pop culture and break down the hottest style trends.

When announcing the show Talley said: 'My SiriusXM radio show will, of course, be fabulous. We will cover it allfrom global style influences and trends, to iconic pop culture moments that wowed us.'

'Full Length will showcase the connection we have with fashion.'

Talley is pictured with Karl Lagerfeld and Tommy Hilfiger

Andre Leon Talley and Janelle Monae are pictured together at the Ralph Lauren celebration of Fashion's Night Out on September 10, 2010 in New York City

Talley penned three books, including his two memoirs, and was the subject of the 2017 documentary The Gospel According to Andre.

He made a cameo appearance on Fox's Empire and appeared in the first Sex and the City film, which was released in 2008.

Talley is recognized as a trailblazer in the fashion world - which had little diversity when he made his mark on the industry - and has been considered an icon for the LGBT community.

Although he never explicitly said he was gay, Talley did tell Wendy Williams in 2018: 'Im not heterosexual; Im saying Im fluid in my sexuality, darling.'

He was also the first black person to hold his position at Vogue and in a 2020 interview with Essence said his 'blackness' helped shape his success.

'I never separated from my blackness,' he told the news outlet. 'My blackness is what made me.
He announced his shock split from Zoe Ventoura back in December 2020, after five years of marriage.

And now Australian actor Daniel MacPherson has admitted he's ready to date again, albeit 'slowly'.

Speaking to The Herald Sun this week, the 41-year-old said: 'I'm dipping my toe in and taking it very slowly.'

Candid: Daniel MacPherson, 41, has admitted that he's ready to date again, but 'taking it slowly' after his split from Home and Away star wife Zoe Ventoura

Daniel said he's now based back in his hometown of Cronulla and has been focusing on fatherhood amid the pandemic.

'I'm just loving fatherhood,' he said of raising son Austin, two.

'Zoe and I are co-parenting and we're really good, she's a fantastic mother,' he added.

Moving on: The actor announced his shock split from Zoe Ventoura back in December 2020, after five years of marriage

Back in December 2020, the pair shared almost identically worded posts to Instagram, revealing they had mutually decided to separate.

Alongside a photo of the pair with their backs turned to the camera at sunset, Daniel wrote: 'With the greatest respect for each other, Zoe and I have separated.

'Together, we will continue wholeheartedly to raise our beautiful boy Austin. He is, and will forever be, our greatest priority.

'We ask for your respect and will be making no further comment.'

'Zoe and I are co-parenting and we're really good, she's a fantastic mother,' he added

They have proven to be notoriously private about their only child, keeping him out of the public eye, as well as keeping the pregnancy and birth a secret.

Former Neighbours star Dan married Zoe in an intimate ceremony in Noosa, Queensland in 2015.

In 2017, Daniel admitted the first year of his marriage with Zoe was 'challenging' as the pair of actors are so often travelling for work.

'The first year of marriage was challenging for us in a lot of ways exactly because of the travel,' Daniel said in a candid interview in WHO magazine.

The former soap star however explained that the pair have become good at coping with spending time apart.

'We're just really good at it. We can operate independently,' he revealed, adding that the pair have a policy where they can demand that 'times up' and 'hop on a plane' back to one another.
With pilot season just getting started in Los Angeles, actress Allison Tolman is calling out writers and showrunners for putting weight jokes in their scripts.

The 40-year-old Why Women Kill star took to Twitter on Monday afternoon, revealing in a thread why writers should stop making fun of an actor's weight in a story.

The thread got over 2.2K retweets and nearly 20K retweets as it started to go viral into Monday evening.

Thread: With pilot season just getting started in Los Angeles, actress Allison Tolman is calling out writers and showrunners for putting weight jokes in their scripts

'Writers and showrunners- take the jokes about weight out of your scripts. I promise they arent funny,' Tolman began.

'And even if they were, they wont hold up well. And even if they did, theyre unkind-either to your characters and actors or someone in your audience or crew. Its not worth it,' she added.

She went on to add that these, 'jokes about weight dont have to just be jokes about a characters body.'

No joke: 'Writers and showrunners- take the jokes about weight out of your scripts. I promise they arent funny,' Tolman began

Not jokes: She went on to add that these, 'jokes about weight dont have to just be jokes about a characters body'

Tolman added inappropriate jokes can also mention, 'the numbers on a scale, what someone eats, what size their clothing is, exercise and movement.'

She also called for writers and showrunners, when they're 'ready,' to, 'begin to wrap your mind around removing body descriptors from your scripts altogether, including character descriptions and the names of minor roles.'

The actress said that doesn't mean writers shouldn't use adjectives, but offered some specific examples.

Ready: She also called for writers and showrunners, when they're 'ready,' to, 'begin to wrap your mind around removing body descriptors from your scripts altogether, including character descriptions and the names of minor roles

'But please dont say Linda- the main characters cousin, thin and witty unless theres an actual reason Linda needs to be thin. And please dont say Fat Lady In Theater when you mean Annoying Lady In Theater,"' she said.

She also said that people who think using these descriptors are 'complimentary' are 'missing the point.'

'Oh! And also, people think its okay if theyre using descriptors for small bodies, because theyre considered complimentary. Like, youre auditioning for Skinny Intern, congratulations! But do you see THAT IS THE EXACT POINT AND SURELY YOU UNDERSTAND HOW WEIRD THAT IS,' Tolman said.

Annoying: 'But please dont say Linda- the main characters cousin, thin and witty unless theres an actual reason Linda needs to be thin. And please dont say Fat Lady In Theater when you mean Annoying Lady In Theater,"' she said

Descriptors: 'Oh! And also, people think its okay if theyre using descriptors for small bodies, because theyre considered complimentary. Like, youre auditioning for Skinny Intern, congratulations! But do you see THAT IS THE EXACT POINT AND SURELY YOU UNDERSTAND HOW WEIRD THAT IS,' Tolman said

She added, 'The audience only knows the values you assign to different body types if you have characters saying lines about them.'

'But the rest of your script? Thats your crew, writers room, everyone in the office, executives, creative partners- all the people helping you make your show,' she concluded.

A fan mentioned the new HBO series Somebody Somewhere starring Bridget Everett, adding it was 'the first I've seen where the lead character is a bigger woman and, at least in the first ep, there wasn't a single mention of her size/clothing/eating/exercise habits. Remarkable and also depressing,' with Tolman responding, 'Shes one of the EPs, makes a big difference.'

Audience: She added, 'The audience only knows the values you assign to different body types if you have characters saying lines about them'

Rest: 'But the rest of your script? Thats your crew, writers room, everyone in the office, executives, creative partners- all the people helping you make your show,' she concluded

HBO: A fan mentioned the new HBO series Somebody Somewhere starring Bridget Everett, adding it was 'the first I've seen where the lead character is a bigger woman and, at least in the first ep, there wasn't a single mention of her size/clothing/eating/exercise habits. Remarkable and also depressing'
Hulu's How I Met Your Father debuted the first two episodes on Tuesday, a spin-off of CBS' How I Met Your Mother, which ran for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014.

The show features most of the same hallmarks of its predecessor - a group of friends in New York City trying to figure out their lives while hanging out at a bar, along with a narrator revealing the thoughts of the main character.

Early indications from the first reviews is that the spin-off will not match the critical acclaim of the original, with The Hollywood Reporter critic Angie Han perhaps putting it most succinctly: 'It feels so far like a pale imitation.'

Debut: Hulu's How I Met Your Father debuted the first two episodes on Tuesday, a spin-off of CBS' How I Met Your Mother, which ran for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014

Pale: Early indications from the first reviews is that the spin-off will not match the critical acclaim of the original, with The Hollywood Reporter critic Angie Han perhaps putting it most succinctly: 'It feels so far like a pale imitation'

Han adds that the spin-off tries to 'recreate the spark' from the early seasons of the original show, but it only succeeds in the most 'superficial aspects' and feels like 'a pale imitation' in 'the ways that count most.'

The show follows Hilary Duff's character Sophie, with Kim Cattrall voicing the future Sophie from the year 2050, looking back at her time in 2022, following in Bob Saget's footsteps as the narrator for Josh Radnor's Ted Mosby in HYMIM.

Duff, like Mosby before her, is a hopeless romantic looking for love, with Han praising Duff for her, 'delicate balance of starry-eyed and grounded keeps Sophie on just this side of relatable.'

Recreate: Han adds that the spin-off tries to 'recreate the spark' from the early seasons of the original show, but it only succeeds in the most 'superficial aspects' and feels like 'a pale imitation' in 'the ways that count most'

Romance: Duff, like Mosby before her, is a hopeless romantic looking for love, with Han praising Duff for her, 'delicate balance of starry-eyed and grounded keeps Sophie on just this side of relatable'

The Guardian's Adrian Horton also praised Duff, stating, 'what charm this sequel does have it largely owes to Duff  doe eyes, open face, innocent  grounding the shallow Sophie as much as she can.'

Still, Horton added that the show, 'offers no reason to watch other than fondness for the original.'

The Wrap's Jennifer Keishin Armstrong bashed the show for its rehashed premise and dialogue, including, 'Some lines sound literally like jokes rejected from the original run of How I Met Your Mother.'

Charm: The Guardian 's Adrian Horton also praised Duff, stating, 'what charm this sequel does have it largely owes to Duff  doe eyes, open face, innocent  grounding the shallow Sophie as much as she can'

Rejected jokes: The Wrap 's Jennifer Keishin Armstrong bashed the show for its rehashed premise and dialogue, including, 'Some lines sound literally like jokes rejected from the original run of How I Met Your Mother'

She added that the awkward dialogue is, 'underscored by a laugh track that thinks the show is funnier than it is.'

The New York Post's Lauren Sarner called the show an 'unnecessary sequel while The Los Angeles Times' Robert Lloyd also echoed, 'there is nothing particularly new here.'

Polygon's Petrana Radulovic said she was expecting to be disappointed by the show, but she ended up enjoying it.

Laugh track: She added that the awkward dialogue is, 'underscored by a laugh track that thinks the show is funnier than it is'

'Ive shed my cynicism and reluctantly embraced How I Met Your Father  which may yet disappoint me, but I am clinging to the way this first episode made me feel,' she said.

Many fans were equally underwhelmed as the critics, with @jsjjazzfan78 adding, 'I'm watching How I Met Your Father.... I'm not sure this show is a good idea.'

@Miscell_Thought added, 'How I Met Your Father is very much an average show. I gave it an "eh." I'll give it a few episodes to see if it has the charm of the original and if I feel invested in the characters.'

Not sure: Many fans were equally underwhelmed as the critics, with @jsjjazzfan78 adding, 'I'm watching How I Met Your Father.... I'm not sure this show is a good idea.

Average: @Miscell_Thought added, 'How I Met Your Father is very much an average show. I gave it an "eh." I'll give it a few episodes to see if it has the charm of the original and if I feel invested in the characters.'

@lyrics321 added, 'I've watched How I Met Your Mother my whole life since I was like 5. Can probably quote every line from any episode that I watched. It helped me thru my entire life. How I Met Your Father has to be the worst thing. Hoping it gets better but rn I hate it.'

@pagefold added, 'Couldn't resist checking out the How I Met Your Father pilot today. I'm instantly convinced Bob Saget's death was a direct result of an early screening of Kim Cattrall's performance as his successsor to the original series that he must have seen.'

Still, others enjoyed it like @potaylortotstoo, who said, 'How I Met Your Father is actually pretty fun and I like the cast diversity!!'

Hate: @lyrics321 added, 'I've watched How I Met Your Mother my whole life since I was like 5. Can probably quote every line from any episode that I watched. It helped me thru my entire life. How I Met Your Father has to be the worst thing. Hoping it gets better but rn I hate it'

Death: @pagefold added, 'Couldn't resist checking out the How I Met Your Father pilot today. I'm instantly convinced Bob Saget's death was a direct result of an early screening of Kim Cattrall's performance as his successsor to the original series that he must have seen.'

Oof: @reedthurston added 'How I Met Your Father. Oof.'

Diversity: Still, others enjoyed it like @potaylortotstoo, who said, 'How I Met Your Father is actually pretty fun and I like the cast diversity!!'

Grow up: @tatianateneyro shared a pic of Duff and Cattrall adding, 'How I Met Your Father really expects me to believe she grows up to be her? lol okay sure'

No hate: @ChelseaStreeter said, 'So, I uh... I didn't hate How I Met Your Father. Let's just hope I don't feel the same disappointment as HIMYM'

No judge: @CourtesanOfCake said, 'Don't judge me, but as someone who loves How I Met Your Mother, I'm going to watch every episode of How I Met Your Father. Two episodes in and I'm a fan despite its many flaws.'

Cliche: @anther93 said, 'How I Met Your Father seems cliche but adorable so far through two episodes'

Worsse: @annieweying said, 'I was pleasantly surprised but How I Met Your Father, I thought would be worse. But it was pretty fun!'

Not sure: @seeingalex said, 'Not really sure how to feel about How I Met Your Father yet... but I love Hilary Duff and HIMYM (and the ode to the apt/swords/Bob Saget is so *sad face emoji)
Machine Gun Kelly has revealed a bizarre quirk of the engagement ring he helped design for his new fiancee Megan Fox.

'The bands are actually thorns. So if she tries to take it off, it hurts,' he told Vogue, explaining: 'Love is pain!'

His remarks went public a week after Kelly, 31, and Megan, 35, sealed their engagement by drinking each other's blood after his dramatic proposal.

Besotted: Machine Gun Kelly has revealed a bizarre quirk of the engagement ring he helped design for his new fiancee Megan Fox

Astonishing: 'The bands are actually thorns. So if she tries to take it off, it hurts,' he told Vogue , explaining: 'Love is pain!'

Megan announced their big news with a three-camera Instagram video that showed him down on one knee at the Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach resort.

She revealed that 'we drank each others blood' after he proposed under a banyan tree - the same spot where they previously had 'asked for magic' in June 2020.

Kelly then shared on his own Instagram page that he designed the ring in collaboration with British jeweler Stephen Webster.

Alongside a video of the ring on Megan's finger, he wrote: 'i know tradition is one ring, but i designed it with Stephen Webster to be two: the emerald (her birth stone) and the diamond (my birth stone) set on two magnetic bands of thorns that draw together as two halves of the same soul forming the obscure heart that is our love.'

Dramatic: His remarks went public a week after Kelly, 31, and Megan, 35, sealed their engagement by drinking each other's blood after his dramatic proposal

In his new Vogue interview with Megan, he shared that one of the gems is 'a thoroughbred Colombian emerald, with no treatment. It was just carved into the teardrop, straight out of the mine.'

He noted further: 'And the diamond was directly from Stephen. The concept is that the ring can come apart to make two rings.'

Demonstrating, he said: 'When its together, its held in place by a magnet. So you see how it snaps together? And then it forms an obscure heart.'

Alexandra Michell Gemologist Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Pawn told MailOnline that the unique ring is likely to retail for up to $340,000.

Multiple angles: Megan announced their big news with a three-camera Instagram video that showed him down on one knee at the Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach resort

'Each pear shape stone appears to be approx. 3cts on two magnetic diamond pave set bands shaped like thorns, signed Stephen Webster. This is a different choice from the traditional engagement ring style and is reminiscent of vintage Toi et Moi rings,' said the gem expert.

'The style is favored by other celebs including Emily Ratajkowski but dates back to fashion icon Jackie Kennedy.'

Alexandra added: 'I would estimate this to retail for up to $340,000, being a Stephen Webster bespoke piece, with an emerald specially sourced for the ring.'

Their engagement is not the first time that the couple have decided on using blood as a way of showing their love for one another.

Details: Alongside a video of the ring on Megan's finger, he wrote: 'i know tradition is one ring, but i designed it with Stephen Webster to be two'

Last February he revealed that the Jennifer's Body actress had given him a drop of her blood in a vial on a necklace as a gift.

Kelly has never been married before but does co-parent a 12-year-old daughter called Casie with his ex-girlfriend Emma Cannon.

Megan meanwhile shares three sons of her own - Noah, nine, Bodhi, seven, and Journey, five - with her sizzling ex-husband Brian Austin Green.

She filed for divorce from Brian in 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, but she was back with him and pregnant with Journey the following year.

Catching the eye: Kelly explained that the ring featured 'the emerald (her birth stone) and the diamond (my birth stone) set on two magnetic bands of thorns'

Three years after they got back together, Megan took the legal step of filing to dismiss the divorce petition in April 2019.

Before the coronavirus lockdowns Megan and Kelly were in Puerto Rico as co-stars filming their upcoming movie Midnight In The Switchgrass.

Then in May 2020 the dynamic duo were glimpsed grabbing takeout in his Aston Martin in the wake of rumors she was self-isolating separately from Brian.

A couple of days later Brian emotionally announced on his podcast ...With Brian Austin Green that Megan had left him earlier.
Alec Baldwin was seen for the first time days after finally handing over his cellphone to cops investigating his accidental killing of a cinematographer a month after they requested it.

The 63-year-old actor was spotted on a solo outing in New York City on Tuesday.

He grabbed coffee and food while dressed in a black Moncler puffer jacket with matching jeans and loafers along with a blue protective face mask.

Alec Baldwin was spotted on a solo outing in New York City on Tuesday

This comes after the 63-year-old actor had 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

On Friday, Baldwin's lawyer Aaron Dyer confirmed his cell phone 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.

He grabbed food while dressed in a black puffer jacket with matching jeans and loafers

He was also seen grabbing coffee

He also donned a protective face mask

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.

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.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively braved the chilly temperatures to stroll through New York City's trendy Tribeca neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon.

The couple, who wed in 2012 and share three daughters, walked hand-in-hand while bundled up in their go-to winter wear.

Lively's 5foot10inch frame was swallowed up by a black fuzzy coat layered over a mockneck top and a pair of pink plaid pajama bottoms.

Braving the cold: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively braved the chilly temperatures to stroll through New York City's trendy Tribeca neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon

The 34-year-old actress threw on some brown lace-up boots and kept her hands warm with a pair of beige gloves.

Her flowing blonde tresses were worn down and partially tucked into the collar of her coat.

Reynolds layered a navy blue puffer vest over a grey thermal top and a pair of skinny trousers.

The 45-year-old actor slipped his feet into a pair of Nike sneakers and placed a beanie atop his head for some extra warmth.

Hand-in-hand: The couple, who wed in 2012 and share three daughters, walked hand-in-hand while bundled up in their go-to winter wear

Cozy: Lively's 5foot10inch frame was swallowed up by a black fuzzy coat layered over a mockneck top and a pair of pink plaid pajama bottoms

With coronavirus cases surging across the country, Blake and Ryan made sure to mask up.

The outing comes just a few weeks after the couple donated 10,000 to a fundraising page which was set up after a Wrexham FC player and his partner lost their baby during childbirth last month.

Blake and Ryan made the generous offer through a GoFundMe page, which was set up on New Year's Day following the tragedy.

Rob McElhenney, 44, who co-owns the club with Ryan, also contributed towards the generous sum alongside his wife Kaitlin Olson, 46, and wrote in their message: 'Rob, Kaitlin, Ryan and Blake For Arthur.'

Generous: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively recently donated 10,000 to a fundraising page which was set up after a Wrexham FC player lost his baby during childbirth last month

Defender Jordan Davies, 23, and his girlfriend Kelsey Edwards had initially set a goal of 1,500 to be reached for Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) - however have so far amassed a whopping 13,149 following 179 donations.

They had penned in the page's description: 'I'm raising money in aid of Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) and every donation will help.

'Our baby boy, Arthur Andrew Davies was born sleeping on the 14th December 2021. The support we received during this time was amazing.

'The butterfly suite at the Wrexham Maelor is available exclusively for grieving families and is funded by Sands UK.

Emotional: Jordan had shared a photo of his son's foot in a heartbreaking December snap

Tragic: Defender Jordan Davies, 23, and his girlfriend Kelsey Edwards had initially set a goal of 1,500 to be reached for Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) - however have so far amassed a whopping 13,149 following 179 donations

'The suite is away from the labour ward and provided accommodation with a kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom to make the circumstances as nice as possible.

'The midwives provided around the clock care and made sure we were comfortable and they really couldn't do enough for us.

'We were given the time we needed with our boy and were supported throughout. They also provided us with a memory box with things to cherish forever!

'Sands support anyone affected by the death of a baby, works in partnership with health professionals to try to ensure that bereaved parents and families receive the best possible care and funds research that could help to reduce the numbers of babies dying and families devastated by this tragedy.

Kind: The actor, 45, and his actress wife, 34, made the generous offer through a GoFundMe page, which was set up on New Year's Day following the tragedy

Heartbreaking: They had penned in the page's description: 'I'm raising money in aid of Sands (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) and every donation will help'

Terrible: He wrote in his caption: 'Our perfect little Arthur Andrew Davies born sleeping, 14/12/21, weighing 2.9lb'

Gesture: Rob commented: 'Kelsey and Jordan, @KaitlinOlson and I are so sorry for your loss. If you need absolutely anything please let us know. Red heart'

'We are forever grateful for Sands and all the staff in the Wrexham Maelor. Sweet dreams my sweet boy.'

Jordan had shared a photo of his son's foot in a heartbreaking December snap, alongside the caption: 'Our perfect little Arthur Andrew Davies born sleeping, 14/12/21, weighing 2.9lb.

'We never got to spend our lives with you, but you have placed a huge mark on our hearts, forever. Heaven has gained a perfect little angel! We love you, little boy!'

Rob commented: 'Kelsey and Jordan, @KaitlinOlson and I are so sorry for your loss. If you need absolutely anything please let us know. Red heart.'

If you have been affected by this story, contact Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity) on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk.
Jamie Chung looked every bit the doting mother while pushing her infant sons around Los Angeles' Griffith Park on Tuesday afternoon.

The Dexter actress, 38, was captured smiling down on the twins as they rested comfortably in their stroller.

Chung was dressed for the gloomy weather in a green plaid fleece coat that she styled with some mustard toned trousers.

Doting mom: Jamie Chung looked every bit the doting mother while pushing her infant sons around Los Angeles' Griffith Park on Tuesday afternoon

She pounded the pavement in a pair of bright white sneakers and wore her raven hair in a low ponytail.

Jamie let her natural beauty shine by going makeup-free for her afternoon outing with her boys.

She shares the twins with husband Bryan Greenberg, 43.

The couple in October revealed on social media that they welcomed their sons, as Greenberg said, 'We got double the trouble now.'

Chung in November credited the couple's fertility doctor, Dr. Shahin Ghadir of SoCal Reproductive Center, in an Instagram post.

Beaming: The Dexter actress, 38, was captured smiling down on her little ones as they rested comfortably in their stroller

Comfort first: Chung was dressed for the gloomy weather in a green plaid fleece coat that she styled with some mustard toned trousers

'Every fertility journey is unique, it's a tender topic,' she wrote. 'This would have not been possible without @drshahinghadir at @scrcivf. Thank you for taking such good care of us through our journey.'

Chung and Greenberg initially began dating in 2012 and exchanged vows on Halloween of 2015.

Both have been thriving in their careers, as Chung played the role of Molly Park in the mini-series Dexter: New Blood, while Greenberg is working on a comedy project for Netflix headed by Kenya Barris and Jonah Hill.

Family: She shares the twins - who were born in October - with husband Bryan Greenberg, 43; Jamie and Bryan pictured with their sons in December

During a recent interview with PEOPLE, Jamie opened up about her own struggle with postpartum depression and how it can be a 'scary transition' for many.

'Therapy really helped me prep mentally for this lifestyle change and to not be afraid to talk about certain issues because it's not the first thing you want to say when you have kids,' the first-time mom explained.

'You don't want to start with something negative or challenging, but I do think that these postpartum depression issues are so real.'

Chung admitted to feeling 'quite guilty' about 'certain things that I felt' at the height of her postpartum depression but that reminding herself that it's 'normal' helped quell the guilt.

Candid: During a recent interview with PEOPLE , Jamie opened up about her own struggle with postpartum depression and how it can be a 'scary transition' for many; Jamie pictured on January 14

'I felt quite guilty feeling certain things that I felt. And just knowing that it's normal and it's just because you're overwhelmed and you're full of anxiety and it's a scary transition for some people.'

Jamie and Bryan gave their fans a peek at their life as new parents by sharing a snap from a family hike behind the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles to Instagram last month.

'Hikes with tykes,' captioned Greenberg, who walked alongside Chung, 38, as they both wore baby carriers.

The married couple of six years posed in front of the lettering of the iconic sign, which sits adjacent to the Cahuenga Peak Trail.

Fun day: Jamie and Bryan gave their fans a peek at their life as new parents by sharing a snap from a family hike behind the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles to Instagram last month

Active: Weeks prior, Jamie and Bryan shared snaps from a hike they took in El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara, California

In the image, Chung wore a black ensemble of a top, leggings and brown hiking boots with a black ball cap. Greenberg donned a ball cap with sunglasses and a white shirt.

The couple last week shared photos from a hike they took in El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara, California, as Chung wrote on social media, 'Special being back @elcapitancanyon with the family.'

Chung and Greenberg were with their twins as they walked through the idyllic nature environment in front of a wood cabin.

Greenberg called one of his sons a 'nature kid' in an Instagram Stories post documenting the trip.
Following Joss Whedon's denial of toxic behavior after allegations surfaced from several individuals, actress Charisma Carpenter is responding.

Carpenter, 51, starred in Whedon's shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, claiming he called her 'fat' when she was pregnant during the fourth season of Angel, and asking if she was planning on keeping her baby.

Whedon stated in a controversial piece with New York Magazine that, 'I did not call her fat. Most of my experiences with Charisma were delightful and charming, with Carpenter responding by calling Whedon a, 'tyrannical narcissistic boss' while defending both Ray Fisher and Gal Gadot.

Response: Following Joss Whedon's denial of toxic behavior after allegations surfaced from several individuals, actress Charisma Carpenter is responding

Angel: Carpenter, 51, starred in Whedon's shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (above), claiming he called her 'fat' when she was pregnant during the fourth season of Angel, and asking if she was planning on keeping her baby.

Tyrannical: Whedon stated in a controversial piece with New York Magazine that, 'I did not call her fat. Most of my experiences with Charisma were delightful and charming, with Carpenter responding by calling Whedon a, 'tyrannical narcissistic boss' while defending both Ray Fisher and Gal Gadot

Ray Fisher is the Justice League actor who first came forward in 2020 with allegations of toxic behavior from Whedon on the set of 2017's Justice League that were echoed by many in the months and weeks that followed.

Carpenter came forward with a lengthy statement in February 2021 where she said Whedon 'abused his power' on multiple occasions.

She claimed that he made her come in to work at 1 AM after her doctor requested her work hours be reduced while she was pregnant and claimed he has, 'created hostile and toxic work environments since his early career.'

Abused: Carpenter came forward with a lengthy statement in February 2021 where she said Whedon 'abused his power' on multiple occasions

After Whedon's response to Carpenter's allegations, the actress took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to denounce the assertion in the New York Magazine profile that Fisher was manipulated by Justice League director Zack Snyder into making the allegations against Whedon, and that Fisher somehow manipulated Carpenter into coming forward herself.

'#IStandWithRayFisher The 'malevolent force' and 'bad actor in both senses' who poisoned my feeble mind with trendy buzzwords and corrupt ideas about my experiences with a former tyrannical narcissistic boss who is still unable to be accountable and just apologize.'

Fisher retweeted her and added an excerpt from Lila Shapiro's profile that claimed some of Whedon's defenders believed Fisher's campaign, 'had poisoned Carpenter against Whedon, causing her to see the complicated story of their relationship as a simplistic narrative of abuse.'

Stand: '#IStandWithRayFisher The 'malevolent force' and 'bad actor in both senses' who poisoned my feeble mind with trendy buzzwords and corrupt ideas about my experiences with a former tyrannical narcissistic boss who is still unable to be accountable and just apologize.

Justice League and Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot also spoke out against Whedon in May, claiming he 'kind of threatened my career and said if I did something, he would make my career miserable, and I just took care of it instead.'

Whedon disagreed with Gadot's claims, stating 'I dont threaten people. Who does that?' adding, 'English is not her first language, and I tend to be annoyingly flowery in my speech.'

Gadot insisted in an email response to the claim, 'I understood perfectly,' while Carpenter defended her in another tweet.

Manipulate: After Whedon's response to Carpenter's allegations, the actress took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to denounce the assertion in the New York Magazine profile that Fisher was manipulated by Justice League director Zack Snyder into making the allegations against Whedon, and that Fisher somehow manipulated Carpenter into coming forward herself

'I believe Gal Gadot not only understands career threats in English but also in Hebrew and Arabic. Possibly French, Spanish and Italian too.'

She concluded her thread by stating, 'To anyone struggling with alcoholism (or addiction of any kind today): It's never too late to get help. If you are willing to seek treatment, practice rigorous honesty, and are of service to others; there is a very good chance you will be free to live your life on life's terms. - With compassion, humility and love in your heart.'

She added a final tweet stating, 'Oh, I neglected to add the most integral ingredient to spiritual wellnessFinding a higher power. A power greater than yourself.'

Threats: 'I believe Gal Gadot not only understands career threats in English but also in Hebrew and Arabic. Possibly French, Spanish and Italian too'

Struggling: She concluded her thread by stating, 'To anyone struggling with alcoholism (or addiction of any kind today): It's never too late to get help. If you are willing to seek treatment, practice rigorous honesty, and are of service to others; there is a very good chance you will be free to live your life on life's terms. - With compassion, humility and love in your heart'
Geelong Cats star Tom Hawkins and his wife Emma have announced they are expecting their third child.

The AFL golden couple took to Instagram to confirm the news on Wednesday, with Emma sharing a sweet picture of their daughters Arabella, four, and Primrose, two, cuddling her baby bump.

'My two babies listening to the new baby!' she wrote. 'We are so thrilled to be adding to our family. The girls cant wait to meet their new brother or sister in July.'

Baby joy! Geelong Cats star Tom Hawkins and his wife Emma have announced they are expecting their third child

Emma met her husband Tom in high school, with the youngsters officially sparking romance in year 12.

The loved-up couple tied the knot in 2016.

Back in October, the couple discussed family life in an interview with The Herald Sun.

Sweet announcement: The AFL golden couple took to Instagram to confirm the news on Tuesday, with Emma sharing a sweet picture of their daughters Arabella, four, and Primrose, two, cuddling her baby bump

'I had difficult pregnancies so it wasnt a pleasant nine months for me,' Emma said.

When asked about the prospect of baby number three, she added: 'Never say never, and we are so beyond grateful we have two healthy girls.

'Like Tom has to prepare in the off season Id have to prepare for a third baby.'

High school sweethearts: Emma met Tom in high school and they began dating in Year 12

Meanwhile, Tom confessed in 2020 that he found playing AFL 'tough' when he was separated from his family for nearly two months when the Cats entered the sport's Queensland Covid 'bubble' to play games.

His wife and daughters eventually came to Brisbane and did two weeks in quarantine in order to be reunited with the goalkicking whiz.

'Reunited at last! he wrote on the August 13, 2020 post. 'I'm lucky to have them here with me.'

He played his 300th game last year, and is set to embark on his 16th season with the Geelong Cats.
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Lisa Armstrong 'will add a fitness studio and swimming pool' to her sprawling 3.8million home as she digs into her 31million divorce payout from TV presenter Ant McPartlin.

The professional make-up artist, 45, has drawn up ambitious plans for the London property she purchased following her split from the recently remarried Saturday Night Takeaway star in 2018.

These include a home gym, swimming pool and gazebo for entertaining guests, with Lisa having already submitted a planning application to her local authority, The Mirror reports.

It's understood that she hopes to turn the already sizeable property into a love-nest for herself and electrician boyfriend James Green, 37 - Lisa's first relationship since the collapse of her 12-year marriage.

Big plans: Lisa Armstrong 'will add a fitness studio and swimming pool' to her sprawling 3.8million home as she digs into her 31million divorce payout from TV presenter Ant McPartlin (pictured with new boyfriend James Green)

A source said: 'Lisa has well and truly moved on and is excitedly planning for the future. She looks amazing and is excited about the direction her life is heading in.

'It has been a really upsetting and obviously distressing few years  but Lisa has bounced back and is firmly looking forward.'

The Strictly Come Dancing make up artist and her former husband were granted a decree absolute in April 2020, which formally ended their 12-year marriage and 23-year relationship.

It's understood that Ant handed over 31 million in their settlement, including their 5million home in West London, after an 'eight-hour negotiation'.

A source close to the couple told The Sun: 'Ant has been very generous in terms of the financial settlement but Lisa is totally the opposite of someone who is motivated by money.

'She doesn't care about that  she earns her own.... But she has been so hurt by all of this.'

Changes: The existing garden is drawn out in the plans while the proposed designs show her desired changes

Wow: Lisa's home will feature the up to date overhauls adding value to the eye-popping home

Swanky! The sizeable gym boasted all the modern trappings of a swanky home workout emporium

Home sweet home: Lisa Armstrong has said her 3.8million house looks 'so bare' after taking down her lavish Christmas decorations

Cosy: Lisa, who is the ex wife of presenter Ant McPartlin, also shared a snap of her kitchen which had a gleaming white island, a bunch of flowers in a vase and a fruit bowl

Lisa previously showcased her cosy home interiors on Instagram in January, among them a green velvet sofa and large bay windows in the living room.

Another snap showed a huge silver mirror in front of a table and pink velvet chairs, while another featured an end table with a plant on and her name in lights on the floor.

Weeks earlier, Lisa showed off an enormous Christmas tree boasting a bauble for pet dog Hurley, who she shares with her ex-husband, as well as her wall decorations and garland-covered bannister.

She also showed off an elegant fairy-lights tree, placed just inside her front door, and showed off more of her decorations in other posts, which included rose coloured poinsettias, candy canes and wine glass ornaments.

Amazing: Another snap showed a huge silver mirror in front of a table and pink velvet chairs

Lisa purchased the property late last year and told how temporarily lived in a hotel while renovations were being carried out.

Speaking on the Outspoken Beauty podcast, she said: 'I have literally just decided to move and buy a new house, move at the busiest time in my life.

'And my friend who is an interior designer has helped me out with the house and re-designed it. She has gone in like a bulldozer and now it is like a building site. Now I am in a hotel.

'I am only staying here for a bit. I came to the hotel so I could get some breathing space so I could find somewhere to temporarily live.

'I am just having to deal with it. Getting a room service breakfast every morning is a right result. Grilled bacon, fried eggs....living the dream.'

Cute: One more photo showed an end table with a plant on and her name in lights on the floor

Festive: Back at the start of December, she showed off her enormous Christmas tree boasting a bauble for pet pooch Hurley, who she shares with ex-husband

Lisa is believed to have started dating James at the beginning of 2020 and went public with their relationship last August, months after he separated from his wife Kirsty.

Ant was married to former wife Lisa for 12 years. The pair, who were together for 23 years, confirmed their split in 2018, following Ant's stint in rehab the previous year where he sought treatment for painkiller addiction.

Following rehab, Ant took a year out from TV and he and Lisa parted ways, with their divorce being finalised in April 2020.

Looking ahead: Lisa is focusing on the future as she closes the chapter on her 12-year marriage to TV presenter Ant McPartlin

Woof! Her Christmas tree boasted a bauble for pet pooch Hurley, who she shares with ex-husband Ant McPartlin, while her walls were adorned with framed pictures
Love Island star Katie Salmon is expecting her first child.

The star, who shot to fame during the second season of the show in 2016 and made history as one half of the show's first same sex couple with the late Sophie Gradon, took to Instagram on Tuesday to reveal she is expecting with her fiance Harry.

She added a caption alongside a sweet video showing a montage of their baby journey so far, reading: 'Been Busy Creating Life. First came love, then came you! 6 months pregnant with our biggest blessing...

Sweet: Love Island star Katie Salmon is expecting her first child

'Ive kept this between close friends and family for a while but my beautiful baby bump is getting hard to hide. We love you so much already baby and cannot wait to meet you...

'I couldnt do this journey with anybody else other than my best friend. 2022 my favourite year off all, The year I marry my love and we become a family.'

A slew of fellow reality stars were quick to congratulate the star, led by Ex On The Beach star Helen Briggs who wrote: 'Oh my god KATIE!!!! CONGRATULATIONS. I know how much this means to you!!'

TOWIE star Shelby Tribble penned: 'Congratulations', while fellow Love Island star Jessica Hayes wrote: 'Babeeeee this is amazing congratulations baby girl'.

Blooming: She shared a video montage, which included an image of Harry kissing her stomach while wearing a Christian Dior trilby

Hold me close: She locked lips with her beloved during the video

Joy: She shared an image of her positive pregnancy test

Love Island's Hannah Elizabeth wrote: 'Omg congrats babe so so happy for you', while Geordie Shore beauty added:

'Beautiful babe congratulations', alongside RHOCH's Dawn Ward's heart Emojis.

Last month, Katie took to Instagram on Christmas Day and gushed over her fiance as she revealed he popped the question on the beach in Thailand.

Katie is certainly no stranger to causing a stir after her Love Island 2016 appearance. She is best known to viewers of the ITV2 show for pairing up with the late Sophie on the reality dating series.

Yay! She shared bikini-clad images showing her blooming bump

Yay! She posed in a wig and a sexy swimsuit while holding on to her bump in another shot

Blooming: She shared a black and white image of her bump

Sophie was originally partnered with Tom Powell but later coupled up with Katie after he quit the show.

However, Sophie later dumped Katie and bowed out of the show to be with Tom again, leading Katie to pair off with aspiring wrestler Adam Maxstead. Their romance was short-lived, lasting just two weeks after the series drew to a close.

In June 2018, Sophie tragically hanged herself following a cocaine and alcohol binge, hours after revealing she was 'struggling with the world'.

Snap happy: She shared a number on images of her sonograms

Bumping along nicely! She appeared to have documented every development of her pregnancy with a series of stunning selfies

Katie previously opened up about the abuse she received from the LGBT community, following her same-sex romance with late star Sophie.

Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire programme last year, Katie admitted she was the subject of much uproar after her relationship with Sophie, who was tragically found dead in June 2018 aged just 32.

She said: 'In the villa I was so scared because I didn't know what the outside world was thinking, what my family was thinking, what my friends were thinking, so I was really upset that they'd not supported me from my own community.'

Happy days: They shared a clip showing their sonogram images

To be married! Last month, Katie took to Instagram on Christmas Day and gushed over her fiance as she revealed he popped the question on the beach in Thailand
Alec Baldwin was seen taking his children to the Museum of Natural History in New York on Tuesday - only to discover it was closed.

The actor, 63, who is currently under investigation after shooting and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his film Rust in October, was joined by his sons Rafael, six, and Leonardo, five, for the outing before it was cut short.

Alec cut a casual figure in a navy blue padded jacket and jeans as he joined his sons for a trip into the city, after it was revealed on Friday he had finally handed over his phone to police to aid in their investigation.

Disappointing: Alec Baldwin was seen taking his children to the Museum of Natural History in New York on Tuesday - only to discover it was closed

Alec sported a burgundy face mask as he accompanied his sons to the Museum, unaware it is only open from Wednesday to Sunday.

The 30 Rock star shares six children with his wife Hilaria - Carmen, eight, Rafael, six, Leonardo, five, Romeo, three, Eduardo, one, and Lucia, 10 months.

On Friday, Alec's lawyer Aaron Dyer confirmed his cell phone had been handed over to authorities in Suffolk County, New York, close to where he lives.

Low-key: The actor, was joined by his sons Rafael, six, and Leonardo, five, for the outing before it was cut short

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.

'The real question that needs to be answered is how live rounds got on the set in the first place.'

Drama: On Friday, Alec's lawyer Aaron Dyer confirmed his cell phone had been handed over to authorities in Suffolk County, New York, close to where he lives

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 mother 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.

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.'
Kyle Sandilands announced on Monday that he's engaged to his girlfriend Tegan Kynaston after a two-year romance.

And on Wednesday, the radio king, 50, was seen doting on his pal John Ibrahim's adorable four-month-old son Elvis at a swanky lunch at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in a photo shared to Tegan's Instagram Stories.

Kyle previously revealed that he hasn't ruled out having children with Tegan, 35, and confirmed he's been given the 'all-clear' after undergoing fertility testing.

So sweet: Kyle Sandilands, 50, doted on pal John Ibrahim's adorable baby son Elvis at a swanky lunch at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Wednesday, in this sweet photo shared to Tegan Kynaston's Instagram Stories. Kyle announced his engagement to girlfriend Tegan, 35, on Monday

The adorable photo taken at Bondi Icebergs saw a casually dressed Kyle cradling little Elvis and planting a kiss on his head.

Kyle and Tegan enjoyed a fancy lunch at the coastal eatery with John, his model partner Sarah Budge who he shares Elvis with, and a few of their other pals.

On Monday's The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Kyle opened up about his extravagant proposal.

'Beautiful friends': Kyle and Tegan enjoyed a fancy lunch at Bondi Icebergs with John, his model partner Sarah Budge who he shares Elvis with, and a few of their other pals (pictured)

Congratulations! Kyle opened up about his extravagant proposal to Tegan on Monday's The Kyle and Jackie O Show. The couple got engaged in Port Douglas while on vacation during the Christmas holidays

Setting the scene: Kyle explained he'd hired a venue and arranged for fireworks, candles and a lavish meal before getting down on one knee

Kyle explained he'd hired a venue and arranged for fireworks, candles and a lavish meal before getting down on one knee.

He presented his girlfriend with a large oval diamond ring, estimated to be worth over $1.14million.

After she said yes, they had a romantic dinner together with Australian ingredients including crocodile, kangaroo and dried fig kafta.

Serious bling! He presented his girlfriend with a large oval diamond ring, estimated to be worth over $1.14million

To end the night, the newly engaged couple watched a fireworks display with their friends.

Tegan is director of communications for her boyfriend's company King Kyle Pty Ltd.

The couple went public with their romance on New Year's Eve in 2019, when Tegan shared a picture of herself kissing Kyle in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Two months earlier, she had denied rumours she was dating the KIIS FM presenter.

Going public: The couple went public with their romance on New Year's Eve in 2019, when Tegan shared a picture of herself kissing Kyle in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Kyle began dating personal assistant Tegan, following his split from his long-term girlfriend Imogen Anthony.

The radio titan announced his shock split from his girlfriend-of-eight-years on The Kyle and Jackie O Show in November 2019.

He told listeners the couple 'haven't been living with each other' for months and their relationship had simply 'run its course'.

It's over! Kyle began dating personal assistant Tegan, following his split from his long-term girlfriend Imogen Anthony (pictured)

'We haven't been with each other for quite a few months now. Unfortunately it's run its course,' he said.

Earlier this month, Kyle revealed he hasn't ruled out having children with Tegan.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the radio shock jock said: 'It is definitely not off the cards.'

Kyle explained: 'It has never really been on my priority list and I think that is just because I was that kid that dragged around my childhood issues from my parents' divorce and this and that.'

He admitted he wasn't always interested in having children, but came around to the idea after spending time with other parents, including John and his partner Sarah.

'It's definitely not off the cards': Earlier this month, Kyle revealed he hasn't ruled out having children with Tegan

The KIIS 106.5 radio star also recently confirmed he had been given the 'all-clear' after undergoing fertility testing.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia last month, Kyle said: 'I was really nervous [about the fertility test] until it came back saying, "Yep, it's all great, everything's fine".'

'[Tegan] is all good, obviously. She's a young and healthy woman. So it's good to know that everything's fine in that area so it won't interfere with any future plans.'

'[I wasn't thinking about having kids] because I've been work focused. But all my friends have kids and Tegan's family and friends, they've all got little kids. And we're like the only couple at the barbecue that've got no kids, we have the FOMO [fear of missing out],' he said.
Bruno Tonioli has made his return to Strictly, joining the celebs and their partners at the live tour rehearsals on Wednesday.

The judge was spotted arriving at the rehearsal session in Birmingham, after it was announced he would serve as a judge during the tour dates alongside Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood.

The live show marks Bruno's much-anticipated return to Strictly after he missed the 2021 series and appeared virtually during the 2020 season, due to travel restriction uncertainty in the US, where he's based.

Look who's back: Bruno Tonioli has made his return to Strictly, joining the celebs and their partners at the live tour rehearsals on Wednesday

Making his Strictly return, Bruno stood out in a pair of white trousers and a black leather jacket. He was joined by pro dancers Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec and celeb competitors Maisie Smith and John Whaite.

Bruno was replaced by Anton Du Beke on the latest series while he remained stateside to continue with Dancing With The Stars.

Of his return to the show, Bruno told MailOnline: 'I am absolutely delighted to be back on the judging panel for the Strictly Arena Tour for the first time in two years.

'I've missed my fellow judges, I've missed the glitz and glamour of the tour and I've missed the amazing audiences that come to see us all over the country  I hope you have missed me too?

Stand in: Bruno was replaced by Anton Du Beke on the latest series while he remained stateside to continue with Dancing With The Stars

Judge: The judge was spotted arriving at the rehearsal session in Birmingham, after it was announced he would serve as a judge during the tour dates

'I cannot wait to be back alongside Shirley, Craig, the celebs and the pros. The fans are really in for a treat  next year's arena tour is going to be simply fantastic.'

The tour will be choregraphed and directed by Bruno's fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood. It kicks off on January 20 and runs until February 12 with a glittering finale at London's O2 Arena.

Among the competitors are 2021 winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, alongside finalists John Whaite and Johannes Radebe.

Pros: He was joined by pro dancers Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara at rehearsals

Another Strictly return: AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the tour after she continues to recover from injury. Her pro partner Kai Widdrington has instead been paired with 2020 star Maisie Smith (pictured at rehearsals)

Ready to rehearse: Katya Jones wrapped up warm for another day in Birmingham

Here come the boys: 2021 finalist John Whaite (left) showed off his muscles in shorts while Max George, who was a 2020 competitor looked in good spirits (right)

Champion: Giovanni Pernice is reuniting with his partner Rose Ayling-Ellis after their win

AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the tour after she continues to recover from the injury which meant her early exit from the series. Her professional partner Kai Widdrington has instead been paired with 2020 star Maisie Smith.

Other dance couples on the bill from the 2021 show include Sara Davies and Aljaz Skorjanec, Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, and Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu.

Elsewhere, The Wanted's Max George, who was a contestant in 2020, will join the tour with Katya Jones.

Strictly's professional dancers Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal will also be performing with the couples in over 33 sequin-spangled shows.

Janette Manrara will be hosting the tour after the star took over from Zoe Ball as host of It Takes Two this year.
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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With two weeks until Pam & Tommy's debut, Disney+ has unveiled the full trailer and epic character posters to accompany the eagerly-anticipated, true story drama.

Starring Lily James and Sebastian Stan as the titular characters, the show follows the story of the leak of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape in 1997, which led to devastation for the Nineties pin-up and Motley Crue rocker when their intimate moment spread across the Internet for anyone to view.

Having hit headlines during the making of the show, Lily, 32, showcased her transformation into the iconic buxom beauty while Sebastian, 39, perfectly mimicked the rocker in the character posters for the upcoming programme, the first three episodes of which hit the streaming service on February 2.

Wow! With two weeks until Pam & Tommy's debut, Disney+ has unveiled the full trailer and epic character posters showing Lily James and Sebastian Stan as the titular characters Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee

Lily, who began filming the eight-episode series in May, swapped her classic English rose for all the trappings on Nineties pin-up Pamela - complete with prosthetic breasts and exaggerated make-up.

In the poster for the show, all of which were fashioned to look like video tapes, the Downton Abbey star gave a piercing stare and smouldering pose into the camera in her Pamela aping.

The latest trailer sees Pamela's world crashing down around her as she learns of the sex tape's release and scolds her husband for not acknowledging the leak is more detrimental to her life than his.

In a meeting with lawyers, she is asked about her knowledge of Tommy before she met him, to which she gently admits she 'liked his smile' before a montage of images play out their connection and initial union.

The sex tape is OUT! The latest trailer sees Pamela's world crashing down around her as she learns of the sex tape's release and scolds her husband for not acknowledging the leak is more detrimental to her life than his

Reel vs real: Lily, who began filming the eight-episode series in May, swapped her classic English rose for all the trappings on Nineties pin-up Pamela - complete with prosthetic breasts and exaggerated make-up

Sexing it up: The couple were seen frolicking in a fountain of champagne in scenes from the sex tape

Sweet: In a meeting with lawyers, she is asked about her knowledge of Tommy before she met him, to which she gently admits she 'liked his smile' before a montage of images play out their connection and initial union

Yay! Pamela is seen appearing on Jay Leno in a perilously plunging dress in the teaser

Pamela adds: 'I knew he was the drummer for Motley Crue', as she sits in an uncharacteristically demure mint green suit while appearing to talk to the lawyers while giving a steely gaze to the camera.

She is then seen appearing on Jay Leno, with a warm welcome followed by dazzling greetings to the crowd.

Sebastian is also captured storming out of their lavish mansion with a gun in hand.

Sebastian's transformation was also put on display, while other posters feature Seth Rogen, who plays Rand Gauthier, the porn actor-turned-electrician who stole Pamela and Tommy's sex tape, Nick Offerman, who plays Rand's associate, Uncle Miltie, and Taylor Schilling, who plays Rand's porn star wife Erica.

Woo! Her chat show appearance saw her give a greeting to the crowds in her sexy look

Raging: Sebastian is also captured storming out of their lavish mansion with a gun in hand

The sex tape was stolen by Rand after Tommy refused to pay for work that he had performed on their house.

When Gauthier confronted the musician about not being paid the $20,000 he was owed, Tommy pulled out a gun to scare him away. Gauthier took his revenge by stealing the giant safe that had been kept in the couple's garage, which mainly housed the drummer's guns and Pamela's jewelry, in addition to the sex tape.

Pamela, 54, and Tommy, 59, tied the knot on a beach in Mexico in 1995 after dating for just four days. At the time, her mother hadn't met Tommy. They went on to have sons Brandon, 24, and Dylan, 22, and divorced in 1998.

Get off! The couple were seen fending off press as they emerged in the midst of the drama

Changes: Both Lily and Sebastian's transformations were flawless as they rocked all the hallmarks of the celebrity couple

Oh dear! The couple's most intimate moments play out on screen in the later sold video

In 2015, Pam told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live that she never profited from the sex tape, nor even watched it. She said: 'I've never seen it. I made not one dollar. It was stolen property...

'We made a deal to stop all the shenanigans. I was seven months pregnant with Dylan and thinking it was affecting the pregnancy with the stress and said, "I'm not going to court anymore. I'm not being deposed anymore by these horny, weird lawyer men. I don't want to talk about my vagina anymore or my public sex  anything."'

Earlier this year, Pam claimed that the video wasn't actually a sex tape, but was merely a compilation of footage of them naked on vacation, which just happened to include sex acts.

Changes: Other posters included Seth Rogen, who plays Rand Gauthier, the porn actor-turned-electrician who stole Pamela and Tommy's sex tape

Starring: Nick Offerman, who plays Rand's associate, Uncle Miltie, and Taylor Schilling, who plays Rand's porn star wife Erica, showed off their own new looks in the posters

Fury: The sex tape was stolen by Rand after Tommy refused to pay for work that he had performed on their house

Uh oh! Nick and Rand's discovery of the sex tape is documented in the final trailer

In May, insiders claimed that the Pam has thinks Pam & Tommy is 'a joke and cheap knock-off.' She called the show 'God awful,' though the series had just begun filming, and she claimed she had never heard of Lily or Sebastian.

The source said Pamela had 'no intention of watching this God awful show, absolutely not. Never.'

Pam & Tommy is executive produced by Seth, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Alex McAtee at Point Grey, and Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle and Ali Krug at Annapurna.

The series is written by executive producers Rob Siegel and DV DeVincentis, and directed by executive producer Craig Gillespie. Dylan Sellers, Dave Franco, Chip Vucelich and Sarah Gubbins also serve as executive producers.

Whirlwind romance: Pamela, 54, and Tommy, 59, tied the knot on a beach in Mexico in 1995 after dating for just four days; pictured with son Brandon
Ioan Gruffudd and his new girlfriend Bianca Wallace have been seen enjoying a stroll in Los Angeles with their puppy, after she shared her diagnosis with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis.

The actor, 48, was spotted on a low-key walk with the actress, 29, and her dog, after he gushed he was 'so proud' of her for publicly sharing her health battles.

On Saturday Bianca shared a lengthy video revealed she'd been suffering from MS, a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, following a diagnosis three years ago, explaining she didn't know if she would ever walk again.

Challenges: Ioan Gruffudd and his girlfriend Bianca Wallace have been seen enjoying a stroll in LA with their puppy, after she shared her diagnosis with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis

Ioan cut a casual figure in a black zipped-up jacket and tracksuit bottoms as he enjoyed the outing with Julia.

The Australian actress sported a cosy black padded jacket and skintight leggings, while being pulled along by little bear on his lead.

Despite the rainy weather, it appeared nothing could dampen the couple's spirits, as they beamed from ear to ear during their outing.

Sweet: The actor was spotted on a low-key walk with the actress and her dog, after he gushed he was 'so proud' of her for publicly sharing her health battles

Stylish: Australian actress Bianca sported a cosy black padded jacket and skintight leggings after admitting she feared she'd never walk again after being diagnosed with MS

Low-key: Ioan cut a casual figure in a black zipped-up jacket and tracksuit bottoms as he enjoyed the outing with Julia

Ioan had previously paid tribute to his girlfriend Bianca after she detailed her day to day life with MS.

The Liar star posted a message of support for his girlfriend, with whom he embarked on a relationship shortly after confirming his separation from wife Alice Evans in 2021.

Sharing an Instagram story that has since expired and consequently no longer present on his account, he wrote: 'I'm so proud of you.'

Proud: Ioan Gruffudd previously paid tribute to girlfriend Bianca Wallace after she revealed a previously undisclosed battle with 'aggressive' multiple sclerosis

Happy: The Liar star posted a message of support for his girlfriend, with whom he embarked on a relationship shortly after confirming his separation from wife Alice Evans in 2021

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS? Multiple sclerosis (known as MS) is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body and causes nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. It is an incurable, lifelong condition. Symptoms can be mild in some, and in others more extreme causing severe disability. MS affects 2.3 million people worldwide - including around 400,000 in the US, and 100,000 in the UK. It is more than twice as common in women as it is in men. A person is usually diagnosed in their 20s and 30s. The condition is more commonly diagnosed in people of European ancestry. The cause isn't clear. There may be genes associated with it, but it is not directly hereditary. Smoking and low vitamin D levels are also linked to MS. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, vision problems, bladder problems, numbness or tingling, muscle stiffness and spasms, problems with balance and co-ordination, and problems with thinking, learning and planning. The majority of sufferers will have episodes of symptoms which go away and come back, while some have ones which get gradually worse over time. Symptoms can be managed with medication and therapy. The condition shortens the average life expectancy by around five to 10 years. Advertisement

Wallace revealed that she first went to doctors after being unable to pick up a pen to write, and that after that 'everything changed'.

The actress detailed how she now suffers with occasionally going blind in her left eye, has a tremor and that the whole right side of her body has nerve damage.

She went on to say that the diagnosis has actually been her 'lucky charm' and pushed her to get into acting and 'appreciate life for what it is'.

Common symptoms include tiredness, vision problems and problems with walking or balance. Multiple sclerosis cannot be cured, but medicines and other treatments can help ease some of the symptoms.

Opening up: Bianca had detailed her day to day life with the condition in a recent Instagram video after being diagnosed three-years ago

Happy: Sharing an Instagram story that has since expired and consequently no longer present on his account, Ioan (pictured with Bianca) wrote: 'I'm so proud of you'

Old times: Gruffudd and estranged wife Alice Evans confirmed their separation after 13-years of marriage in 2020

Wallace added: 'I haven't always had the same outlook on life. I haven't always been about following your heart and living your life to the best of your ability. That's actually come with a diagnosis of aggressive multiple sclerosis.

'In October 2018 I was diagnosed with MS, I was diagnosed with an aggressive from, it was very aggressive in nature, it came on hard and fast. I was at work in accounting and I tried to pick up a pen and I couldn't.

'There was an initial shock, I can't really describe how I felt, I've never been able to put it into words, this is why I haven't spoken about it in the last three years as I don't quite know what to say.'

Progress: Bianca previously detailed how she now suffers with occasionally going blind in her left eye, has a tremor and that the whole right side of her body has nerve damage

She continued: 'It has been the most confronting this to be dealt in life. It's not something a 25 year old would have ever expected. I then put the pen in my other hand to try to write and I just couldn't.

'I was sent to the emergency room and from there everything changed. Within the next few weeks I couldn't walk anymore, the entire right side of my body was completed whacked out. I had to start a journey I wasn't ready for. You're never ready for a diagnosis like this.

'I've always been a bubbly positive person but when you are faced with aggressive MS something changes. It put a question mark over my head but now I think it's the luckiest thing that could have happened to me as I was able to ask the hard, heavy questions in life.

Progress: She went on to say that the diagnosis has actually been her 'lucky charm' and pushed her to get into acting and 'appreciate life for what it is'

'Will I ever walk again? I had my new. The neurologist answered that with 'I don't know'. At 25 I didn't know if I was going to walk again. I realised I had to make some changes in my life. I realised that starts with me. I was miserable, unhappy, I didn't know if I would walk again.'

She added: 'I was living with regret. I didn't know what was going to happen to me. I still don't. It was hardship that has made me who I am. That's why I always tell people to just follow their heart as I know how how debilitating regret can be.

'I deal with a lot of drama because of the diagnosis. I go blind in my left eye, I have botox to lift it up. My entire right side has nerve damage, this is my tremor look. When I'm stressed I lose my walk. So I had to learn how to control my emotions.

'I know how it feels to lie in bed and regret everything and I don't want to do that again ever. Without MS I would never have become an actress, it's the big question mark that did that. I don't know how it will progress I don't know what's going to happen.'

She signed off by saying: 'That knocked all the fear off me. It taught me to appreciate life for what it is. I hope this has cleared up some questions you may have of me. So now you know!'
Stunning Queensland Instagram model Georgia Hassarati has become the first Australian woman to join Netflix's sizzling dating show Too Hot to Handle.

The 26-year-old student midwife and social media influencer, who stars in the third and current season, told The Sun on Tuesday that her season is the 'naughtiest' yet.

'It's 100 per cent the naughtiest ever. When I watched the previous seasons I actually admire how long they held out [for],' the brunette bombshell said.

She's not shy: Too Hot to Handle star and Australian Instagram model Georgia Hassarati (pictured), 26, revealed to The Sun on Tuesday that the third season is by far the 'naughtiest'

The racy reality series revolves around 10 sexy singles who are known for engaging in meaningless flings and one-night stands, and are unable to form long-lasting relationships.

The group are isolated together in stunning Turks and Caicos, where they are banned from kissing, sexual contact and even self-gratification.

They begin with a massive prize pool of $100,000, but deductions are made whenever the chastity rule is broken.

There to have fun: 'It's 100 per cent the naughtiest ever. When I watched the previous seasons I actually admire how long they held out [for],' the brunette bombshell said

Racy: The series revolves around 10 sexy singles who are known for engaging in meaningless flings and one-night stands, and are unable to form long-lasting relationships. They begin with a prize pool of $100,000, but deductions are made whenever the chastity rule is broken

The group also must show their commitment by participating in various workshops.

Georgia told The Sun that she arrived with the mindset of 'having fun'.

'So much thought went into if they wanted to break the rules or not,' Georgia said of the previous seasons.

Influencer: Georgia is a student midwife and a social media influencer where she uses her page to promote skincare products and fashion brands. The beauty is the first Australian woman to join Too Hot to Handle

'Whereas we didn't really do that. We were like, "You know what? Everyone's doing it, let's do it".'

While little is known about Georgia at this stage, an official bio released by Netflix reveals she hails from Brisbane and has a 'crush' on pop star Justin Bieber.

Her Instagram account boasts over 75,000 followers, and contains endless photos of Georgia in skimpy bikinis and party dresses.

Remember me? Georgia is the second Aussie to appear on Too Hot to Handle, following in the footsteps of Queensland-born Harry Jowsey (pictured) who featured on season one in 2020

She has also used her page to promote skincare products and fashion brands.

Georgia is the second Aussie to appear on Too Hot to Handle, following in the footsteps of Queensland-born Harry Jowsey who featured on season one in 2020.

Too Hot to Handle has been a hit for Netflix, becoming the No. 1 television program on the streaming giant when it premiered in April 2020.

Season three of Too Hot to Handle is streaming now on Netflix
CBBC's Oliver Twist prequel Dodger has released its first trailer, offering fans a glimpse of the story based on the iconic Dickens novel Oliver Twist.

Christopher Eccleston leads a star-studded cast as the criminal Fagin, who leads a gang of young thieves in an array of madcap schemes in a desperate bid to survive the hardships of Victorian London.

Set to take on the role of Jack Hawkins, who is later renamed the Artful Dodger, is young actor Billy Jenkins, previously known for his roles as a young Prince Charles in The Crown, and the 2020 fantasy film Four Kids and It.

Coming soon: CBBC's Oliver Twist prequel Dodger has released its first trailer, offering fans a glimpse of Christopher Ecclestone as Fagin in the Oliver Twist prequel

In the first trailer, Fagin can be seen enlisting the help of Hawkins from his hideout above an East London pub, eventually deciding he should take on the name of the Artful Dodger.

Twelve years old and an orphan, he has no memory of his mother and father and was brought up in an orphanage in London, where kindly matron Miss Piptree looked out for him.

Aged six, Hawkins was sold to a cruel mill owner who made him work long hours with frequent beatings and little food, but he later escapes and finds himself involved in Fagin's gang of pickpockets.

Exciting: Set to take on the role of Jack Hawkins is young actor Billy Jenkins, previously known for his roles as a young Prince Charles in The Crown

Exciting: The series sees Fagin lead a gang of young thieves in an array of madcap schemes in a desperate bid to survive the hardships of Victorian London

Plotting: In the first trailer, Fagin can be seen enlisting the help of Hawkins from his hideout above an East London pub

What did you get? The young pickpockets are embroiled in an array of schemes to earn a penny, including breaking into Buckingham Palace

Iconic: The series will also feature several iconic characters from the famous Dickens novel, including Bill Sykes (centre) and Nancy (far right)

Ever the optimist, and quick with his hands (and a deck of cards) Dodger is always making plans and finding ways to succeed in a world that is frequently against him, but often rushes into situations without thinking them through first.

No stranger to a hair-brained scheme the trailer shows the gang invading Madame Tussauds, printing their own money, and even breaking into Buckingham Palace.

All the while the crew struggle to evade the authorities, who themselves can;t keep up with the team, despite declaring themselves the 'best police in the world.'

Focused: Ever the optimist, and quick with his hands (and a deck of cards) Dodger is always making plans and finding ways to succeed in a world that is frequently against him

Surprise! The series also features an array of guest stars, including John Thomson (pictured)

That's different! Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison will also make a guest appearance in one episode of the series

Oh dear! All the while the crew struggle to evade the authorities, who themselves can;t keep up with the team, despite declaring themselves the 'best police in the world'

So many stars: The series also stars David Threlfall as Sir Charles Rowan, the commissioner of police determined to catch Fagin's gang

While it all seems to be fun and games, Fagin reminds them of the hardships they're facing during a life on the streets, telling the gang: 'If we don't rob, we don't get food, if we don't get food we don't eat, and if we don't eat, we die!'

The series also stars David Threlfall as Sir Charles Rowan, the commissioner of police determined to catch Fagin's gang, Sam C Wilson as the villainous Bill Sikes and Saira Choudhry as Nancy.

Discussing the role, Christopher said: 'Our Fagin is serious but also comedic. There's a balance between drama and comedy.

'He's tragic, which we hint at, which is why he invests emotionally. He parents the kids. But acts with tough love -he's cruel but fair. The question is, does he love these children or is he exploiting them?'

Tough: While it all seems to be fun and games, the gang are reminded of the hardships they're facing during a life on the streets, told if they 'don't rob they don't eat'

New story: The series has been written by husband and wife duo Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery

Meanwhile actor Billy adds: 'In the original we never really learn the background of the characters Oliver meets in London. Where did they come from? How did they end up there?

'With this story we follow Dodger or, as we know him in episode one, Jack Dawkins, on his journey. We follow his story on how he becomes the Artful Dodger, who he meets along the way and how Dodger meets Fagin and ends up working for him.

'We are introduced to the other members of the gang in more detail and, over the course of the series, learn their stories too.'

The series has been written by Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery, and features a slew of guest stars including Colin McFarlane, Alex Kingston, James Fleet, Frances Barber, Danny John Jules and John Thomson.

Dodger begins on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 6th February
Former Bachelorette Georgia Love and her husband Lee Elliott moved into their new marital home in Melbourne's upmarket suburb of Hampton East last week.

And on Wednesday, Georgia, 33, took to her Instagram Stories to admire their luxurious ensuite at their $1.3million townhouse, which they purchased in October.

Georgia panned the camera to capture the 'his and hers' vanity sinks, the earthy colour palette and tiling, along with the contemporary bath tub and shower area.

Luxurious abode: The Bachelorette's Georgia Love, 33, admired her luxurious ensuite in an Instagram Stories post on Wednesday after moving into her $1.3million home in Melbourne with husband Lee Elliott, 40, last week (both pictured)

The journalist has settled nicely into the home, adding her own touches in the form of statement flowers and greenery.

'God I love our ensuite. Feat. My pride and joy,' she captioned the footage.

Georgia and Lee, 40, who wed in March last year in Tasmania, got the keys to the townhouse last week.

Back in October, plumber Lee proudly showed off their new digs on Instagram with a video of Georgia excitedly walking into the pad.

Proud: Georgia panned the camera to capture the 'his and hers' vanity sinks and her choice of styling

Features: The journalist also drew attention to the earthy colour palette and tiling, along with the contemporary bath tub and shower area

Home owners: Back in October, plumber Lee proudly showed off their new digs on Instagram with a video of Georgia excitedly walking into the pad

'It's ours!' Georgia captioned the clip, which she re-shared on her own feed.

They proudly showed off their new doormat, personalised with the words 'The Elliotts, established 2021'.

Georgia then led the pair through the entry way, near some stylish wooden stairs, and into their living and dining area off their kitchen.

Exciting: Georgia couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she walked into the modern home

Sweet: The pair drew attention to their new doormat, personalised with the words 'The Elliotts, established 2021'

The pair were greeted by some balloons which read, 'Welcome home Lee, Georgia and Pawdrey,' referring to their pet cat.

Inside, their home features high white ceilings, wooden floorboards and a stylish white kitchen.

They purchased the property in October last year, after the home was listed between $1.3million and $1.35million.

It is located in the family-friendly suburb of Hampton East, just 30 minutes away from the Melbourne CBD.

Celebrations: They were greeted by some balloons which read 'Welcome home Lee, Georgia and Pawdrey,' referring to their pet cat

Husband and wife: Georgia and Lee, 39 tied the knot in a stunning ceremony in Tasmania in early March last year. They were due to marry in Italy the year prior, but were forced to cancel their wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic

It features a spacious four bedrooms, as well as three bathrooms, and an expansive living-dining area.

Georgia and Lee said 'I Do' at the Frogmore Creek Winery, just 20 minutes outside of Hobart's city centre, followed by an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery, in March last year.

The bride stunned in a custom couture gown by Australian designer Jason Grech, while the groom donned a white tuxedo jacket and bow tie by YSG Tailors.

Georgia and Lee were due to marry in Italy the year prior, but were forced to cancel their wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dani Dyer cut a casual figure when she arrived to film Steph's Packed Lunch in Leeds on Wednesday.

Stepping out midweek, the Love Island star, 25, teamed an oversized hoodie with figure-hugging leggings and opted for comfort in box-fresh trainers.

Despite her pared-down look, Dani was sporting a full-face of glam and her blonde hair fell in glossy loose curls past her shoulders. She was seen leaving the studios some time later in ripped jeans and a chic white coat.

Low-key: Dani Dyer, 25, cut a casual figure when she arrived to film Steph's Packed Lunch in Leeds on Wednesday

Home time: Dani was seen leaving the studios some time later in ripped jeans and a chic white coat

Clearly in high spirits, Dani beamed as she prepared for a morning in front of cameras.

Tucked under her arm was a cosy padded coat.

In her right hand the mother-of-one clutched a face mask and a chocolate bar.

It comes after Dani took to Instagram on Sunday to post a cute snap of her son playing in the bath ahead of his first birthday this week.

Comfy: Stepping out midweek, the Love Island star teamed an oversized hoodie with figure-hugging leggings and opted for comfort in box-fresh trainers

Hair done: Despite her pared-down look, Dani was sporting a full-face of glam and her blonde hair fell in glossy loose curls past her shoulders

Stylish: Making a quick exit after filming, Dani cut a stylish figure

Dani shares Santi with her conman ex Sammy Kimmence who was sentenced to three years in jail in July.

Elsewhere, Dani claimed that she wasn't fazed by controversy surrounding her son Santiago's name.

During an episode of the podcast, Sorted With The Dyers, Dani and her dad, Danny, 44, agreed on their love of the little one's name - despite the EastEnders star admitting he was a little sceptical at first.

Mummy's boy: Dani took to Instagram on Sunday to post a cute snap of her son playing in the bath ahead of his first birthday this week

Dani began: 'I love Santiago though, I love his name. A lot of people don't like it, but that doesn't really bother me.'

A hesitant Danny replied: 'I love his name now. At first, I was a bit unsure.'

Dani's conman ex Sammy was sentenced to three years in jail in July. The pair split shortly after Sammy was imprisoned for posing as an investor after scamming pensioners out of 34,000 by befriending and tricking them.

Not only did he con the two pensioners, he convinced Dani the crimes were not serious so the reality star would stand by him.

'It doesn't bother me': Dani claimed that she isn't fazed by those who dislike her son Santiago's name... but her dad Danny admitted he also 'wasn't so sure at first'

But the reality star stopped sharing anything from their relationship when the truth of his crimes came to light, and immediately broke things off with him when she found out.

So much so, that Dani decided against going to the courthouse to see Sammy's sentencing at Portsmouth Crown Court where he was handed a 42-month sentence.

Sammy is required to pay back funds to both pensioners - 3,926 to Peter Martin, which will go to his estate following his death, and 1,173 to Peter Haynes - within the next three months.
Keala Settle has spoken candidly about a stroke she suffered in 2018 just eight days before she was due to perform smash-hit This Is Me at the Oscars.

The star - who is best known for playing The Bearded Lady opposite Hugh Jackman in 2017's The Greatest Showman - revealed she was even 'fitted for her Oscar performance gown' while in hospital.

Appearing on Wednesday's Loose Women, Keala, 46, explained: 'The stroke ward is actually where I was fitted for my gowns. They had to take off the monitor on my chest and fit me into these lovely gowns.'

Candid: Keala Settle, 46, revealed she was even 'fitted for her Oscar performance gown' while in hospital during an appearance on Wednesday's Loose Women

Opening up further about the aftermath of her stroke, Keala added: 'When it happened, I had about two to four months

'I had to regain all of my talking, and reading, and writing. I think the last bit of that was singing, I didn't know if I could sing again.'

Elsewhere, the star was quick to talk about her friendship with A-lister Hugh, 53, sweetly revealing he 'called her every day' when she was in hospital.

She also shared the moment Hugh asked her to join him on the film's 2019 world tour.

Candid: The star - who is best known for playing The Bearded Lady opposite Hugh Jackman in 2017's The Greatest Showman - revealed she was even 'fitted for her Oscar performance gown' while in hospital (pictured at the Oscars in 2018)

Best known: Keala is best known for playing The Bearded Lady opposite Hugh in 2017's The Greatest Showman

'After I came out of surgery and I started singing again and was trying to find some semblance of life he said ''I'm so glad you're feeling better, do you wanna go on tour with me?''' Keala told the audience.

Keala revealed in November 2018 that she had a stroke just days before the biggest performance of her career.

The incident happened eight days before Hollywood's biggest night at a rehearsal space in Burbank, California on February 24 she told People magazine.

Keala explained: 'The stroke ward is actually where I was fitted for my gowns. They had to take off the monitor on my chest and fit me into these lovely gowns'

Leading into the medical emergency, she felt 'completely rundown' as she had food poisoning in Tokyo while fighting a cold.

According to the publication, her stress levels were so high that she had a nervous breakdown on set which lead to her collapsing into tears.

Keala said that she started feeling a shooting pain in her skull and noticed the right side of her body going numb.

Friends: Elsewhere, the star was quick to talk about her friendship with A-lister Hugh Jackman, 53, sweetly revealing he 'called her every day' when she was in hospital (pictured in 2019)

She explained: 'It was like someone cracked an egg on the top of my head and then drew a line on my body, turning one half off.

'My body started drooping immediately. I tried to put my hands up to my face, but I could only move my left arm. I couldn't talk because part of my tongue was immobile. I tried to stand, but there was nothing.'

The talented star suffered from what is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) which is basically a 'mini-stroke' that produces similar symptoms of a larger stroke which is often a warning of impending trouble.

'I was panicked,' she said. 'I let out this wail because I was so scared and the room went silent. All I could figure out how to say was ''Help.'''

Her body was able to begin to bounce back after 20 minutes as she quickly rushed to get some consultation with a series of brain scans.

The medical professionals found that half of her brain was blocked off from blood flow and oxygen for years due to collated carotid arteries, which happened to be major blood vessels which supply blood to brain, neck and face.

Her brain created tiny blood vessels to supply it with blood as a way of compensating, however, they snapped. The rare cerebrovascular disorder is known as Moyamoya disease.

According to Settle the condition is prevalent in a lot of women (especially of Asian Pacific Islander descent) as she explained: 'It could have happened at any time. It just so happened to happen a week before the biggest performance of my life.'

She underwent a 10-hour double-bypass brain surgery to correct the problem and admitted that the experience helped change her for the better.

'It's shifted me in ways I'm still understanding,' she explained. 'The way that I look at the world is so completely different. I'm more at peace than I've ever been; I can find the joy in things I never could. This truly gave me another lease on life.'
Bella and Gigi Hadid's aunt Ghada Hadid passed away on Wednesday morning in Washington, DC.

The native of Palestine had suffered a heart attack this week after coming down with COVID-19 and pneumonia, which put her in Intensive Care unit.

Ghada's brother Mohamed Hadid, 73 - who is the father of Bella and Gigi as well as son Anwar whom he had with reality TV star Yolanda Hadid - shared the news of her death on social media.

A sad loss for the family: Bella and Gigi Hadid's aunt Ghada Hadid passed away on Wednesday morning in Washington, DC

A look alike: Bella closely resembles her aunt when she was young; seen this month

'My beautiful eldest sister passed,' the businessman who lives in Los Angeles posted on social media.

'My sister may God open the Gates of Heaven wide open and give Ghada an easy entry you will be among the most beautiful Palestinians in heaven Momma baba Magida Maha our beloved cousin Zuhair.'

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills guest star added, 'You have been a voice for peace. You left legacy @linahadid to fight for us all. We love you.'

Mohamed and Bella had traveled to Washington DC before her death to say a last goodbye.

Before her passing Bella, 25, Gigi and Mohamed all asked their fans for prayers.

Too much to take: The native of Palestine had suffered a heart attack this week after coming down with COVID-19 and pneumonia which put her in Intensive Care unit

A big hole in his heart: Ghada's brother Mohamed Hadid - who is the father of Bella and Gigi as well as son Anwar whom he had with Yolanda Hadid - shared the news of her death

Gone too soon: 'My beautiful eldest sister passed,' the businessman who lives in Los Angeles posted on social media. 'My sister may God open the Gates of Heaven wide open and give Ghada an easy entry'

'Please pray for our Auntie Ghada,' said Bella on Instagram Stories as she shared images with the woman. 'I love you,' she added.

One saw Bella hugging Ghada in front of a birthday cake.

And another shot showed Ghada with Mohamed and two other sisters in formal clothing for a black and white shot.

A shot with Mohamed and Ghada was also shared as Bella wrote over the post, 'My baba and His big sister Ghada.' She added a red heart emoji.

So much love: 'Please pray for our Auntie Ghada,' said Bella on Instagram Stories as she shared images with the woman. 'I love you,' she added

On his way to say goodbye: Then there was a photo of Mohamed in a private jet as he looked out the window. 'Flying my Baba to my birthplace in Washington DC to see his sister for the last time,' she wrote over the sad image. 'I can't wait to see our big, beautiful, Palestinian family,' she added as she linked to her dad

In a photo on her wedding day, Bella called the lady a 'Palestinian Queen' and added two crown emojis.

Then there was a photo of Mohamed in a private jet as he looked out the window.

'Flying my Baba to my birthplace in Washington DC to see his sister for the last time,' Bella wrote over the sad image.

'I can't wait to see our big, beautiful, Palestinian family,' the Versace model, who used to date The Weeknd, added as she linked to her dad.

Gigi Hadid, 26, also took to Instagram Stories to share her pain.

Way back: And another shot showed Ghada with Mohamed and two other sisters in formal clothing for a black and white shot

So close: Gigi Hadid also took to Instagram Stories to share her pain. Gigi added a bikini shot of Ghada with a swim cap on as she lay on a beach towel.

Happier days: One image was of Ghada when she was a young woman. 'May our auntie Ghada Rest In Peace,' she wrote. 'I will never forget her sparkling eyes and smile'

Family time for fun: The second shot saw Ghada with her family in the early 2000s

Last year: Gigi walks the runway at the Alberta Ferretti fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week - Spring / Summer 2021 in September

One image was of Ghada when she was a young woman. 'May our auntie Ghada Rest In Peace,' she wrote. 'I will never forget her sparkling eyes and smile.'

The second shot saw Ghada with her family.

And Gigi added a bikini shot of Ghada with a swim cap on as she lay on a beach towel.

Mohamed Hadid shared a touching post this week before his sister's passing.

The businessman shared several throwback photos of his sister from their childhood as well as images from her wedding and when she was older.

'Not So happy news my eldest sister and the Family matriarch Ghada H HADID, COVID Pneumonia hospitalization and a heart attack I ask you for a prayer for this wonderful woman,' he began his note.

Before she passed: 'Not So happy news my eldest sister and the Family matriarch Ghada H HADID, COVID Pneumonia hospitalization and a heart attack I ask you for a prayer for this wonderful woman,' it was shared

The RHOBH guest star - who used to be married to Gigi and Bella's mother Yolanda Hadid - added: 'She and I and our mother Khairiah and two other sister were born in our great grand father palace the prince of Nazareth Daher Al Omer alzydani in Nazareth Palestine.

'The last picture in this photo album in the same room our mothers quarters that was build in 1730 over looking the grounds that Where Jesus of Nazareth was conceived.

'We were refugees Ghada was 6 years old and I was just few days old when were not let in by our guest Im Safad Palestine.'

In a sharp blazer: Here she is seen in the 1980s with a black and white jacket with pearl earrings

She was proud of her nieces: Gigi and Bella at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2019

He then said: 'At that moment of time Our journey Begone to Syria Lebanon Tunisia then Washington DC before arriving to DC Ghada Set sail to Ohio for university.'

Mohamed continued: 'Age of 16 With amazing careers and degrees and beauty pageants in Ohio She got married in Tunisia and her legacy today is by her side @linahadid at ICU in the hospital.'

Hadid then said: 'Look at some her pictures in this note. I hope you would hear a happier story from me tomorrow.'

He also said he had tears in his eyes and was praying to God that he would see her sky blue shining eyes again.

'May we wake tomorrow she is being watched by her momma and babba above in heaven,' he ended his note.

Ghada's last Instagram post was from September 2021: 'Life will be more difficult without him, especially for Sana, Reema. Waseem and the grandkids. We will miss him. Zuhair was a pillar of the Hadid family. He was so responsible and forthcoming in his support and generosity. A true Palestinian man. May God bless his soul, and help his immediate and extended family deal with life without Zuhair. '
Tippi Hedren turned 92-years-old on Wednesday, and her daughter Melanie Griffith did not let it pass by unmentioned.

The actress, 64, shared several photos, both new and old, of her famous mother as well as a complimentary message directed to her.

'Happy Birthday Mom!! You are so beautiful, tenacious, gracious, elegant and YOU ARE 92!!' the Working Girl star captioned the photo. 'Happy happy birthday. I love you very much!'

Shouting out mom: Tippi Hedren turned 92 on Wednesday, and her daughter Melanie Griffith did not let it pass by unmentioned

The famous famous: Tippi with, from left, granddaughter Dakota Johnson, daughter Melanie, and granddaughter Stella Banderas in 2015 in Los Angeles

Griffith posted a mix of new and throwback photos in honor of the nonagenarian.

The first picture showed a more recent glimpse of The Birds actress while she sat on the couch wit h a kitchen behind her.

She donned a leopard print turtleneck and a number of huge gold chains and large gold rings.

Her gray hair was cut short, not even meeting her shoulders, and lip gloss made her mouth appear shiny.

Lots of love: One fun snap saw Hedren don she a pair of glasses with heart-shaped frames and black lenses as smiled for the camera

Breezy clothes: The Marnie star wore a pink and white kimono covered in flowers and branches with several gold bracelets sitting atop her right wrist

Another fun snap saw Hedren in a pair of sunglasses with red heart-shaped frames and black lenses as smiled for the camera.

The Marnie star wore a pink and white kimono covered in flowers and branches with several gold bracelets sitting atop her right wrist.

A large orange skeleton hung from her left ear. While it's upper body appeared human, the lower half ended in a what looked like a skeletal fin.

Alongside those three photos, Griffith also shared a pair of throwback snaps including a black and white side profile of the star from her youth and another shot in which Hedren held Griffith when she was a baby in front of a sign for Trans World Airline.

Look from the side: Griffith also shared a pair of throwback snaps including a black and white side profile of the star

Baby Melanie: The last photo showed Hedren holding a baby Griffith in front of a TWA plane

Big movies: Hedren was a major Hollywood force for several decades in the 20th century even appearing in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds

Hedren was a major Hollywood force for several decades in the 20th century. She appeared in two Alfred Hitchcock films, The Birds and Marnie, as well as other well-known movies like Charlie Chaplin's final film A Countess from Hong Kong and I Heart Huckabees.

Hedren gave birth to Griffith in 1957 while married to her first husband Peter Griffith. They divorced four years later. She married two more times though neither relationship lasted.

The Citizen Ruth actress has three grandchildren through Griffith including 50 Shades of Gray star Dakota Johnson.
Bridgerton have given fans their latest glimpse of the much-anticipated second series, as the star-studded cast returns for yet another run of period drama.

New images show Phoebe Dynevor returning as the newly-married Daphne Basset, while newcomer Kate Sharma (played by Simone Ashley) brandishes her rifle as she joins her male suitors for a shoot.

Bridgerton's second series will see unlucky-in-love Lord Anthony keen to find a suitable wife to uphold his family name, after setting his eye on new arrival Edwina, her sister Kate is determined to stop their union.

Coming soon: Bridgerton have given fans their latest glimpse of the much-anticipated second series in new snaps, with Phoebe Dynevor returning as newly-married Daphne Basset

Having taken centre stage in the last series, Daphne will once again in series two, though this time her now-husband Duke of Hastings (Rege Jean-Page) will not appear.

Instead it appears she'll be as involved as ever in her brother Anthony's love life, as he grows more determined than ever to find a wife.

Another image features series lead Kate enjoying a shoot with her rifle in hand, surrounded by male companions, including Anthony, Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and his brother Jack (Rupert Young).

Exciting: New images show newcomer Kate Sharma (played by Simone Ashley) brandishes her rifle as she joins her male suitors for a shoot

Stay away! After Lord Anthony sets his sights on her sister Edwina following their arrival from India, Kate is determined to put a stop to their union

What's going on? While it appears Kate is determined to thwart Anthony's plans to marry her sister, it appears their verbal sparring may really bring them closer together

While it appears Kate is determined to thwart Anthony's plans to marry her sister, it appears their verbal sparring may really bring them closer together, as another image shows the pair during a passionate dance.

Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the regal Queen Charlotte, is embrossed in yet another of Lady Whistledown's publications in one image, which also teases some of the show's grand sets with a landscape view of a gold ballroom.

Elsewhere, desperate to keep her identity as the ominpotent Lady Whistledown a secret, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) can be seen in a tense exchange with her close friend Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie).

Found out? Desperate to keep her identity as Lady Whistledown a secret, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) is in a tense exchange with Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie)

Here they come! Another image features Penelope donning a stunning gold gown, as she joins her sisters Prudence, Philipa and her mother Lady Portia descending a grand staircase

Another image features Penelope donning a stunning gold gown, as she joins her sisters Prudence (Bessie Carter), Philipa (Harriet Cains) and her mother Lady Portia (Polly Walker) descending a grand staircase at a ball.

The final image sees the Bridgerton brothers in yet another fencing duel, keen to keep their physiques in top shape in their quests to find a wife.

It was confirmed last month that Bridgerton's second series would air in March 2022, in a clip shared by Netflix.

Lavish: Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the regal Queen Charlotte, is embrossed in yet another of Lady Whistledown's publications in one image

At arms! The final image sees the Bridgerton brothers in yet another fencing duel, keen to keep their physiques in top shape in their quests to find a wife

Several stars of the show including new leads Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley appeared in the clip where they read an 'announcement' from Lady Whistledown confirming the date, with some fans saying they will have to wait 'so long'.

Jonathan, who plays Anthony Bridgerton, said: 'Is that Whistledown? What's she got to say today, the cheeky little mistress?'

All the stars read out a message saying: 'Happy anniversary to our buzzy ton. It is customary for a first anniversary to gift paper, dear readers.

'I do hope you find this one informative. Bridgerton returns March 25th.'

Not long to wait! It was confirmed last month that Bridgerton's second series would air in March 2022, in a clip shared by Netflix

Bridgerton was renewed for a second season in January, followed by an early order for Seasons 3 and 4 in April.

Throughout the summer, the series skidded to a halt due to various coronavirus breakouts, with a source saying in September: 'Filming has been in chaos due to Covid and bosses are hopping mad...

'Dramas like The Crown have got their production moving without a hitch... This outbreak has taken down members of cast and crew.'

A source told MailOnline at the time: 'The health and safety protocols that are implemented by production have allowed for fast action to be taken...

'The proactive testing programme allows us to react quickly to mitigate the risk of transmission within the production.. The safety of the cast and crew is of the highest priority to the production.

'All regular COVID-19 health and safety protocols were followed and those impacted have been isolated.

Ahead of the show returning to screens, Netflix described Simone's new character Kate as 'a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools  Anthony Bridgerton very much included.'

In the first look trailer for Bridgerton, Kate defiantly confronts lothario Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan in a bid to call out his objective views of women.

Bridgerton's second series will be released on Netflix on March 25, 2022.
The #BettyWhiteChallenge to donate $5 to a local animal shelter/organization on what would've been the national treasure's 100th birthday on Monday was a huge success.

The eight-time Emmy winner was a board member for the Los Angeles Zoo and it has received nearly $95K in donations since the challenge was created by fans after she passed away on New Year's Eve.

LA Zoo president Tom Jacobson told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that they 'are blown away' with the money they received from 49 states and 11 countries.

Final photo taken December 20: The #BettyWhiteChallenge to donate $5 to a local animal shelter/organization on what would've been the national treasure's 100th birthday on Monday was a huge success

Betty also served on the board of directors for American Humane, which thanked their generous donors on Tuesday for 'quadrupling' financial gifts in the last three weeks.

American Humane spokesman told WSJ: 'There could be no more perfect time and way to honor the legacy of Betty White.'

The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society of New York Instastoried on Wednesday that it's raised '$52K and counting' through the #BettyWhiteChallenge.

Mohawk Hudson CEO Ashley Jeffrey Bouck marveled to WSJ: 'For a single fundraising event, especially because it was done through social media, this is huge.'

From 49 states and 11 countries! The eight-time Emmy winner was a board member for the Los Angeles Zoo and it has received nearly $95K in donations since the challenge was created by fans after she passed away on New Year's Eve

'Betty would certainly be overjoyed': Betty also served on the board of directors for American Humane, which thanked their generous donors on Tuesday for 'quadrupling' financial gifts in the last three weeks

'Betty we did it!' The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society of New York Instastoried on Wednesday that it's raised '$52K and counting' through the #BettyWhiteChallenge

'Thank you all so much!' Three-time Grammy winner Trisha Yearwood was also 'blown away' by amassing over $30K for her organization, Dottie's Yard Fund, for the #BettyWhiteChallenge

Three-time Grammy winner Trisha Yearwood was also 'blown away' by amassing over $30K for her organization, Dottie's Yard Fund, for the #BettyWhiteChallenge.

Wagmor Pets Dog Rescue owner Melissa Bacelar called Monday a 'magical day' having raised $17K for her Los Angeles organization.

'I woke up to hundreds of Venmo notifications on my phone,' Bacelar gushed. 'It was just people showing gratitude to Betty White.'

Many of the donations stemmed from a mural painted by local artist Corie Mattie in the 7700 block of Melrose Avenue, which included a helpful QR code fans could scan on their phones.

'I woke up to hundreds of Venmo notifications!' Wagmor Pets Dog Rescue owner Melissa Bacelar called Monday a 'magical day' having raised $17K for her Los Angeles organization

'It was just people showing gratitude to Betty White': Many of the donations stemmed from a mural painted by local artist Corie Mattie (pictured January 12) in the 7700 block of Melrose Avenue, which included a helpful QR code fans could scan on their phones

'What a wonderful way to honor Betty!' TriBeagles of North Carolina got $12K from grieving Betty White fans, and they tweeted a thank you to donors on Tuesday

TriBeagles of North Carolina got $12K from grieving Betty White fans, and they tweeted a thank you to donors on Tuesday.

Golden Retrievers in Need raised $7,600 from about 200 people for the #BettyWhiteChallenge - according to TMZ.

The site also reported K9s for Warriors, Puppy Jake, and Days End Farm Horse Rescue raised $4,390, $1,190, and $4,200 respectively for their organizations.

White famously doted on her Golden Retriever Pontiac, whom she adopted after he flunked out of the Guide Dogs for the Blind program and the organization thanked donors on Tuesday.

'We'll miss you Betty!' Golden Retrievers in Need raised $7,600 from about 200 people for the #BettyWhiteChallenge

'Our deepest gratitude': White famously doted on her Golden Retriever Pontiac (not pictured), whom she adopted after he flunked out of the Guide Dogs for the Blind program and the organization thanked donors on Tuesday

'We know she believed in the aquarium': The blonde funnywoman was a big supporter of the Aquarium of the Pacific, which also publicly thanked donors this week

She also loved the Wildlife Learning Center, which wrote: 'We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to everyone who donated to WLC in memory of Betty White'

'Friends Forever': Betty - who never had biological children - was actively involved with Tree People, Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as Actors and Animals for Others (pictured in 2019)

The blonde funnywoman was a big supporter of the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Wildlife Learning Center, which also publicly thanked donors this week.

Betty - who never had biological children - was actively involved with Tree People, Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as Actors and Animals for Others

White - last publicly seen January 16, 2020 - often joked she started out in 'silent television' having made her first appearance on the small screen in 1939.

Pioneer: White - last publicly seen January 16, 2020 - often joked she started out in 'silent television' having made her first appearance on the small screen in 1939 (pictured in 1954)

Dipped: Throughout her impressive 80-year career, Betty played memorable regular roles in CBS' The Mary Tyler Moore Show, NBC's The Golden Girls (pictured in 1987), and TV Land's Hot in Cleveland

Throughout her impressive 80-year career, Betty played memorable regular roles in CBS' The Mary Tyler Moore Show, NBC's The Golden Girls, and TV Land's Hot in Cleveland.

White's last acting gigs were voicing tiger teething ring Bitey White in Toy Story 4 as well as Sarah Vanderwhoozie in Trouble in 2019.

Betty - who died from a cerebrovascular accident six days after suffering a stroke - last acted onscreen portraying Ms. Wilson in two episodes of Freeform sitcom Young & Hungry in 2017.

Gone but not forgotten: White's last acting gigs were voicing tiger teething ring Bitey White in Toy Story 4 (pictured) as well as Sarah Vanderwhoozie in Trouble in 2019
She has been littering her social media with sexy swimwear snaps this month.

And Salma Hayek, 55, was at it again on Wednesday as she shared a picture to her Instagram after a diving trip in Mexico.

The actress showed off her gorgeous curves in a wetsuit and busty purple bikini as she posed up a storm on the side of the boat.

Wow: Salma Hayek, 55, showed off her gorgeous curves in a wetsuit and busty purple bikini as she went diving during her trip to Mexico on Wednesday

She looked great in the swimwear which fittingly had a pink 's' printed on it and flaunted a glimpse of her ample assets.

The beauty wore her brunette tresses in a low-key top knot and opted for a radiant makeup free look.

In a second shot shared to her grid the star swam confidently through the water clad in her diving equipment.

Off she goes: In a second shot shared to her grid the star swam confidently through the water clad in her diving equipment

This was not the first time in 2022 that the mother-of-one has taken to Instagram with swimwear shots.

On New Year's Eve, she celebrated with a splash by posing for another sexy swimsuit snap.

The brunette bombshell shared a photo with her fans on Friday along with an inspiring message.

'May this new year bring you the awareness of your own strength. Happy, healthy 2022,' the House of Gucci star wrote.

Curves ahead: This is not the first time in 2022 that she has taken to Instagram with swimwear shots. On New Year's Eve, she celebrated with a splash by posing for another sexy snap

She added a second snap on New Year's Day, writing: 'Ready for new adventures.'

The actress, who has a 14-year-old daughter Valentina with her French billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault, appeared to be on holiday but didn't share her location.

The star looked a picture of confidence in the snapshots after talking candidly about how her body has changed during the menopause.

During an appearance on Jada Pinkett Smith's Red Table Talk last year she revealed: 'The boobs grow a lot. For some women, they get smaller. But there are some women that when you gain weight, your boobs grow, and other women that when you have children and you breastfeed your boobs grow and they don't go back down, and then in some of the cases when you are in menopause they grow again.

'And I just happen to be one of those women where it happened in every, single step!'

Throughout her years in the spotlight, Salma admits many people have speculated as to whether she'd had a boob job to boost her breasts, but the changes in size and shape to her breasts have been her body's natural reaction to pregnancy and now menopause.
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Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway star as Adam and Rebekah Neumann in the dramatic new trailer for WeCrashed which focuses on the incredible rise and fall of their shared workspace startup WeWork.

'This is what tomorrow looks like,' Adam said as he walked into an empty warehouse space. 'Let there be light, and wide open spaces!'

The disheveled room transformed into a functional, high-end workspace with colleagues collaborating over colorful couches, as Adam assured the room: 'This isn't the place for people to punch in and out.'

Trouble: Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway star as Adam and Rebekah Neumann in the dramatic new trailer for WeCrashed which focuses on the incredible rise and fall of their shared workspace startup WeWork

Inspired by the podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork, the Apple TV+ series will follow the larger than life story of a charismatic founder who floundered a multi-billion dollar business plan.

'WeWork's role is to elevate the world's consciousness,' Rebekah Neumann told a packed crowd at a festival before Adam reiterated: 'WeWork isn't just a company, it's a movement.'

'It's animal manifested,' Rebekah said.

'It's magic, you're magic,' Adam said before throwing his head back into a guttural scream.

Thoughts become things: Inspired by the podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork, the Apple TV+ series will follow the larger than life story of a charismatic founder who floundered a multi-billion dollar business plan

'This is what tomorrow looks like,' Adam said as he walked into an empty warehouse space. 'Let there be light, and wide open spaces!'

'WeWork's role is to elevate the world's consciousness,' Rebekah Neumann told a packed crowd at a festival before Adam reiterated: 'WeWork isn't just a company, it's a movement'

The disheveled room transformed into a functional, high-end workspace with colleagues collaborating over colorful couches, as Adam assured the room: 'This isn't the place for people to punch in and out'

At the time, Adam Neumann was put on a par with the likes of Steve Jobs as a Silicon Valley innovator who would change the world, but WeWork's planned flotation on the stock market stalled and investors soured on the company, causing its value to plummet to just $10billion

All was not as it seemed though as investors started questioning Adam's antics, as he was known just as much for his big ideas as he was for his grandiose gestures.

'You know you're not God, right,' one friend asked Adam to which he replied: 'You have to admit, I do look a little bit like him.'

WeCrashed will document the 'greed-filled rise and inevitable fall of WeWork and the narcissists whose chaotic love made it all possible,' according to Variety.

Along with playing the lead roles, Anne and Jared will also act as executive producers with Lee Eisenberg, who will also take on both showrunner and co-writer titles.

Trouble brewing: All was not as it seemed though as investors started questioning Adam's antics, as he was known just as much for his big ideas as he was for his grandiose gestures

'You know you're not God, right,' one friend asked Adam to which he replied: 'You have to admit, I do look a little bit like him'

Big time: Along with playing the lead roles, Anne and Jared will also act as executive producers with Lee Eisenberg, who will also take on both showrunner and co-writer titles

WeWork launched in 2010 and at its peak had co-working spaces in more than 110 cities in 29 countries with a valuation of $47billion.

Rebekah was named the company's chief brand and impact officer, while also overseeing WeWork's education program WeGrow.

At the time, Adam Neumann was put on a par with the likes of Steve Jobs as a Silicon Valley innovator who would change the world, but WeWork's planned flotation on the stock market stalled and investors soured on the company, causing its value to plummet to just $10billion.

Larger than life: Neumann, who served as chief executive, essentially drove the briefly thriving company straight into the ground with his hard partying ways

'It's magic, you're magic,' Adam said before throwing his head back into a guttural scream

Done deal: Neumann agreed to leave the company in October 2019 after its Japanese investors SoftBank bought $1billion of stock from him to get him out

Neumann, who served as chief executive, essentially drove the briefly thriving company straight into the ground with his hard partying ways.

In his book, Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Fall of WeWork, Reeves Wiedeman described how ex-employees claimed that Neumann would blast music at party volumes and scream at anyone who asked for it to be turned down.

He also reportedly demanded that cases of Don Julio 1942 tequila were at every office and would 'lose his s***' if they were not there and staffer said that he would schedule meetings for 2am and then be 45 minutes late.

Neumann agreed to leave the company in October 2019 after its Japanese investors SoftBank bought $1billion of stock from him to get him out.

Timeline of WeWork's rise and fall A man walks past the logo of WeWork in Tokyo on May 18 2010: Israeli-born Adam Neumann and American-born Miguel McKelvey found WeWork with its first co-working location in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood. 2014: After rapid expansion, WeWork is valued at $4.6billion, with investors including JP Morgan Chase & Co, T. Rowe Price Associates, Wellington Management and Goldman Sachs Group. 2016: Fortune warns that WeWork faces daunting challenges, writing: 'For WeWork to live up to its $10billion valuation, it faces the daunting task of scaling like a software companybut with people, long-term leases, and office furniture.' 2017: SoftBank makes its first investment in WeWork, in a massive $4.4billion funding round that valued the company at $20billion. 2018: The company restricts employees from expensing meals that contain pork, poultry, or red meat for environmental reasons. WeWork also purchases a $60million private jet that Neumann enjoys using frequently. January 2019: SoftBank injects a further $2 billion in funding at a $47billion valuation. SoftBank's investments in WeWork now total $10billion. August 2019: WeWork files a public prospectus for its initial public offering, revealing for the first time the extent of the company's losses. Analysts express skepticism about the company's true value and corporate governance. September 13, 2019: WeWork announces changes to the company's governance, including the ability for the board of directors to pick any new CEO despite Neumann's majority voting rights. September 17, 2019: The We Company, the parent company of WeWork, decided to postpone their IPO until the end of 2019. September 24: 2019: Facing backlash over the aborted IPO, WeWork announces Neumann will step down as CEO. The company also puts its private jet up for sale. October 14, 2019: Reports emerge that WeWork warned clients that approximately 1,600 office phone booths at some of its North American offices are tainted with cancer-causing formaldehyde. October 16, 2019: Facing a cash crunch that threatens to send the company into bankruptcy, WeWork's board forms a committee to explore a financing lifeline. October 22, 2019: WeWork board agrees to take a $9.6billion lifeline from SoftBank that sees the Japanese firm take effective control of the startup. As part of the deal, Neumann resigns from the board and gives up his special voting rights. SoftBank executive Marcelo Claure is installed as executive chairman. May 4, 2020: Neumann sues SoftBank for walking away from a $3billion bailout for the troubled startup he co-founded. The tender offer was part of a $9.6billion rescue financing package that SoftBank agreed with WeWork in October and gave it control of the company. Since then, WeWork's occupancy rates have plummeted amid the COVID-19 pandemic. May 19, 2020: SoftBank values WeWork at $2.9billion. CEO Masayoshi Son says the largest portfolio companies 'have a relatively good chance of passing through the valley of the coronavirus. The exception is WeWork.' June 3, 2020: Investors who bought shares in WeWork in the months leading up to its failed IPO file a class-action lawsuit against both WeWork and SoftBank alleging that WeWork downplayed losses and overhyped its business plan. McKelvey announces his departure soon after. Advertisement
Dani Dyer says she now shares less pictures of her son Santiago on social media after she and her baby were targeted by cruel trolls.

The former Love Island winner, 25, welcomed her first child to the world with her now-jailed ex Sammy Kimmence, 25, in January last year.

And she has taken to sharing less moments with her offspring with fans online in a bid to protect her and her boy, explaining during an appearance on Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4 on Wednesday: 'I definitely feel like I do share less with social media.

Private: Dani Dyer, 25, shares less pictures of son Santiago, 11 months, online after they were targeted by cruel trolls, she said on Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4 on Wednesday

'If youre having a bit of a down day and youre not feeling great in yourself and then someone sort of adds it on there, youre like "well they must be right, then." So I do definitely think Ive held back a bit on social media.'

On people's reactions, she continued: 'It took him a little while [to crawl] He only started crawling at 11 months.

'I was excited  its more of a drag, I cant say its a crawl, the army crawl  I was so excited and I thought I want to share that because all my friends with babies share it on social media.

Doting mother: She has taken to sharing less moments with her offspring with fans online in a bid to protect her and her boy

'Then you do get that "shouldnt he be walking by now?" And they put a laughing face.

'Im not asking for that and people will say I shouldnt advertise it but Im proud of my baby, I want to advertise him like any normal mum would want to do.'

And it seems life in the public eye may have put Dani off encouraging the same for Santiago in the future.

Looking back: The former Love Island winner welcomed her first child to the world with her now-jailed ex Sammy Kimmence, 25, in January last year

Asked whether she would ever allow Santiago to appear on Love Island, she categorically said: 'No!'

Dani added: 'Love Island for me, I just kind of went on it, I didnt really think about it.

'When Ive come out and it was like "oh do you want to continue doing all the reality stuff", I was like oh Im actually scared of me now, I dont really know who I am, its so weird.'

Saddened: Dani said her mood is dulled when people target her with harsh remarks or comments on social media

The star, who is the daughter of EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, 44, went on to reflect on life as a mother, insisting she'd 'changed so much in a year' that it was 'crazy'.

However, despite being more guarded when it comes to social media, Dani could soon be back on television screens - her family have reportedly been offered a massive 1million to film their own reality show.

Dani's father Danny announced his departure from EastEnders after nine years on the BBC soap earlier this month.

Next move? Danny Dyer, 44, and his family, including wife Jo Mas, 45, and daughter Dani, have reportedly been offered 1million to star in their own Channel 4 reality show

And once he is no longer filming scenes as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, it is claimed he, wife Jo Mas, 45, and their children Dani, daughter Sunnie, 14, and son Arty, eight, have been offered a lucrative salary to record a Keeping Up With the Kardashian-style series.

A television source told The Sun: 'Once Danny is a free agent later this year, the skys the limit.

'TV production companies are falling over themselves to film him and his family.

Moving on: Danny announced his departure from EastEnders after nine years on the BBC soap earlier this month

'Channel 4 made him a lucrative offer that hes been tempted by and he knows his family would make really lively, fun TV as theyre all so down-to-earth and people at home can relate to them.'

MailOnline contacted representatives for the Dyer family and Channel 4 for comment.

Jo previously said the Dyer clan had been offered a reality show in 2018 but Danny was contracted to EastEnders at the time.

She told The Sun: 'We've been offered a reality show, but Danny is contracted at the BBC.

'We have always joked about it. People do say we need a show in our house because there's always a drama.

'One day we might do it.'
The popular Bravo talk show Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen has officially been renewed through 2023.

The news about the hit program was made known to the public on Wednesday, and Deadline reported that the show had hit several milestones in terms of its recent viewership.

Cohen, 53, also gave a statement to the media outlet where he praised the work of his show's crew and looked forward to the future.

Ready for more: The popular Bravo talk show Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen has officially been renewed through 2023

'My WWHL team rose to every challenge of the pandemic, and getting to do WWHL for two more years is the ultimate reward,' he said.

The media personality went on to express that he and the rest of the show's crew were heavily invested in the continued success of the program.

'We're still having a ball making our show  whether our guests are virtual or in studio,' he stated.

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen made its debut in July of 2009.

Dedicated: The media personality went on to express that he and the rest of the show's crew were heavily invested in the continued success of the program

In addition to serving as the show's host, the reality television figure serves as one of its executive producers.

The program has become well known for allowing fans to call in with questions for various celebrities.

Guests who have appeared on the show in the past include Julianne Moore, Octavia Spencer and Dolly Parton, among numerous others.

Watch What Happens Live has since become the highest-rated late-night talk show on ad-supported cable for the A18-49 demographic.

Successful format: The program has become well known for allowing fans to call in with questions for various celebrities; with Mary J. Blige, Charlamagne the God

Plenty of talent: Guests who have appeared on the show in the past include Julianne Moore, Octavia Spencer and Dolly Parton, among numerous others; with Teresa Giudice (top)

The program received a nomination for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media Within an Unscripted Program in 2018, although it lost to Conan Without Borders.

Watch What Happens Live notably began being produced from Cohen's apartment during the early stages of the global pandemic, although it has since returned to being produced in person.

The reality television personality previously sat down for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where he gave his opinion on the program's success.

'Part of the longevity and appeal of the show is that it is unlike all of the shiny floor late-night shows. This feels more homemade,' he said.

Speaking his mind: The reality television personality previously sat down for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter where he gave his opinion on the program's success. Martha Stewart on his show, pictured

Cohen went on to say that the show had become an indicator of fame in modern culture.

'I feel like we're a true representation of who America is viewing as stars these days. And I like that. I think it's democratic,' he said.

The star then noted that he was happy to have ended up as the show's host and that he was grateful to its network for keeping it on the air.

Bellwether: Cohen went on to express that the show had become an indicator of fame in modern culture

'I have no professional regrets...I'm so grateful to Bravo. Bravo is so a part of my life,' he said.

Cohen later noted that he had not planned out a potential end to the program and was happy to keep meeting new guests.

'I haven't thought about that. For us, every new guest, every new big star that we get to come on the show who has never been on is why I keep doing it,' he said.
George Clooney appeared to be in great spirits as he left Nobu Malibu with wife Amal on Tuesday night after landing stateside following reports production on the film Ticket To Paradise with Julia Roberts was shut down due to Queensland's current COVID-19 outbreak.

Despite the late night hour, the 60-year-old actor sported a pair of sunglasses as he headed to the valet stand at the celebrity favorite haunt on Pacific Coast Highway where he wined and dined with Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford.

Clooney and Gerber, who have been friends for decades and sold their billion-dollar Casamigos tequila company in 2017, wrapped up in a warm embrace before heading off in their separate ways.

Night out: George Clooney appeared to be in great spirits as he left Nobu Malibu with wife Amal on Tuesday night after landing stateside following reports production on the film Ticket To Paradise with Julia Roberts was shut down due to Queensland's current COVID-19 outbreak

A-list: Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford wined and dined with their friends at the celebrity favorite haunt on Pacific Coast Highway

George kept things casual wearing light-wash jeans with a navy blue polo shirt underneath a leather jacket for the sushi dinner.

Amal, 43, simply stunned in a pair of black leather trousers with a pale yellow button-down to complement a black blouse.

She added inches to her statuesque frame with black booties and carried a matching black bag across her shoulder.

Friends forever: Clooney and Gerber, who have been friends for decades and sold their billion-dollar Casamigos tequila company in 2017, wrapped up in a warm embrace before heading off in their separate ways

Stepping out: George kept things casual wearing light-wash jeans with a navy blue polo shirt underneath a leather jacket for the sushi dinner

Model behavior: Cindy looked equally as glamorous in her own pair of leather slacks with a black sweater and a beige duster draped over her shoulders

Cindy looked equally as glamorous in her own pair of leather slacks with a black sweater and a beige duster draped over her shoulders.

She opted to wear a black mask below her nose and wore her signature brown hair parted to the side with tendrils cascading down her back.

Rande and Clooney joined the billionaire's club when they sold their affordable Casamigos tequila brand to Diageo in 2017.

'Casamigos really started by accident as far as a company,' Gerber told Business Insider in 2018. 'As you do in Mexico, we would drink a lot of tequila. We'd go out to bars and restaurants and bartenders would recommend them.

'Some were good, some not so good, and some expensive. There came a point where George turned to me and said, "Why don't we create one that's perfect for us?"'

Covered up: She opted to wear a black mask below her nose and wore her signature brown hair parted to the side with tendrils cascading down her back

Hugs: Amal and Rande hugged before heading off in different directions

Buddies: Rande and Clooney joined the billionaire's club when they sold their affordable Casamigos tequila brand to Diageo in 2017

'Casamigos really started by accident as far as a company,' Gerber told Business Insider in 2018. 'As you do in Mexico, we would drink a lot of tequila. We'd go out to bars and restaurants and bartenders would recommend them'

'Some were good, some not so good, and some expensive,' Rande added. 'There came a point where George turned to me and said, "Why don't we create one that's perfect for us?"'

Classic: Cindy stayed warm underneath a host of layers as she left the celebrity hot spot

Missed you! The guys were happy to see each other once again and wrapped up in a hug

George recently returned to Los Angeles with only weeks left of filming in Australia when writer/director Ol Parker made the call for production to be paused for at least three months.

Sources told Daily Mail Australia that people were 'dropping like flies' due to spread of the omicron variant in the area in recent weeks.

Some of those who contracted the virus worked in close proximity with Clooney and Roberts, although it's unclear who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Production of the film, which is set in Bali, was moved to Australia because of fears about the number of Covid cases in Indonesia.
She was censored by Instagram earlier this week for posting a nude photo that violated the website's rules on 'sexual solicitation'.

But Gabrielle Epstein won't let the man get her down.

The OnlyFans star, 27, shared a series of defiant bikini snaps on Wednesday as she flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a tiny black two-piece.

Brave: Gabrielle Epstein won't let the man get her down, sharing a series of defiant bikini snaps on Wednesday just a day after being censored by Instagram for alleged 'sexual solicitation'

The titillating images were taken in a luxury pool area, and drew attention to Gabrielle's pert derriere and slim waist.

She didn't caption the pictures, instead letting her incredible body do the talking.

It comes after the Los Angeles-based Australian model was censored by Instagram for posting a naked photo.

She had her raunchy post deleted by the Facebook-owned platform on Tuesday for violating the website's community guidelines.

Suggestive: The titillating images were taken in a luxury pool area, and drew attention to Gabrielle's pert derriere and slim waist

Stunning: She didn't caption the pictures, instead letting her incredible body do the talking

Bottoms up: The blonde held a bottle of liquor while posing next to an ornate hot tub

Gabrielle shared a screenshot of the automated alert she'd received from Instagram telling her the photo had been removed.

Instagram broadly defines 'adult sexual solicitation' as any content that allows users to 'facilitate, encourage or coordinate sexual activity'.

This includes pornography, 'erotic messages', offering or asking for sex or nude images, use of 'sexualised slang' and 'language that describes sex or arousal'.

She laughed off the slap on the wrist by writing 'LOL' next to the screenshot.

Censored: Gabrielle, an Australian OnlyFans star, was censored by Instagram and accused of 'sexual solicitation' after posting a fully nude photo earlier this week

Alert: She shared this screenshot of the automated alert she'd received from Instagram telling her the photo had been removed. Instagram broadly defines 'adult sexual solicitation' as any content that allows users to 'facilitate, encourage or coordinate sexual activity'

The socialite's 'less is more' approach to fashion often gets her in trouble with Instagram's anti-nudity police.

She was censored by the social media giant yet again earlier this month after sharing a photo of herself that was apparently 'too naked'.

She told her followers an image she'd posted to her back-up account - which features more racy content than her main account - was removed because it supposedly violated Instagram's community guidelines.

She posted a comparatively tame gallery of photos of herself in a white lace bra and sweatpants, and wrote in the caption: 'Hi, Instagram removed my pic this morning because I was too naked (what's new?) so here is this instead.'

While it's unclear why Instagram took steps to remove Gabrielle's post, the image may have been reported by a user or alternatively it could have been flagged by an algorithm that detects nudity.

Removed: It comes after the LA-based model was censored by Instagram yet again earlier this month after sharing a photo of herself that was apparently 'too naked'

'What's new?' She said an image she'd posted to her back-up account was removed because it supposedly violated Instagram's community guidelines

Instagram's community guidelines state: 'For a variety of reasons, we don't allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos and some digitally created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals and close-ups of fully nude buttocks.

'It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos in the context of breastfeeding, birth giving and after-birth moments, health-related situations (for example, post-mastectomy, breast cancer awareness or gender confirmation surgery) or an act of protest are allowed.

'Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is okay, too.'

Drenched: Gabrielle isn't exactly known for her subtlety when it comes to fashion

In November, Gabrielle fired back at critics who said her photos were 'too explicit'.

Speaking to Maxim, she called out the 'toxic double standard' between how men and women are treated differently on Instagram.

'There are plenty of photos of men without their shirts on showing their nipples but the fact that mine can be covered and a photo still gets removed creates a very toxic double standard,' she said.

Defiant: In November, Gabrielle fired back at critics who said her photos were 'too explicit'

'We are all human, we are all born with bodies and we should not be taught to be ashamed of how they look in a natural state.'

She said she'd turned to OnlyFans to get around Instagram's censorship.

'I also feel like I can be more of myself on OnlyFans,' she explained.

'To me showing my body isnt about me being objectified; its about me feeling confident, powerful and beautiful in my own skin.'

Double standards: 'There are plenty of photos of men without their shirts on showing their nipples but the fact that mine can be covered and a photo still gets removed creates a very toxic double standard,' she told Maxim

Gabrielle's Maxim interview came after Instagram removed one of her pictures due to claims of 'sexual solicitation'.

In September, she was frustrated to learn her post breached community guidelines.

She uploaded a screenshot of an alert she'd received telling her a naked photo had been deleted because it breached 'adult sexual solicitation' rules.

Confident: 'To me showing my body isnt about me being objectified, its about me feeling confident, powerful and beautiful in my own skin,' she explained

It wasn't the first time she'd had content removed by Instagram, with the blonde bombshell commenting: '@instagram here we go again.'

'You can't even see ANYTHING what is going on,' she added.

The supposedly offensive photo showed a naked Gabrielle lying on a white sheet while propping herself up on her elbows.

Prior to finding fame as an adult model, Gabrielle was a competitive swimmer and ambassador for fitness brands.
Karlie Kloss was unmistakable as she walked the streets of New York City on Wednesday with a brand new look.

The 6ft2in model, 29, debuted much darker hair, an escape from her signature blonde locks.

The runway star modeled impeccable winter style in a long, patterned coat and matching skirt combination.

New look: Karlie Kloss walked the streets of New York City on Wednesday with brand new darker hair and clad in a long, patterned coat and matching skirt

The coordinating pieces were teamed with a multi-brown turtleneck sweater with a chunky collar.

It was tucked into her mini skirt, which boasted a thigh split on one side.

Karlie completed the look with sheer black tights and structured knee-high black boots.

Do brunettes have more fun? The 6ft2 in model, 29, debuted much darker hair, an escape from her signature blonde locks (pictured right in December)

Kloss, who's married to Jared Kushner's brother Joshua Kushner, looked photo-ready with her center-parted and newly-dyed locks pushed to one side.

The tresses fell over her shoulder in loose curls, with some strands tucked behind her ears.

She made the sidewalk her personal catwalk while flaunting her stellar seasonal style.

The mom-of-one was seen by herself as she strutted the Big Apple with her hands tucked into her statement-making outerwear.

Dark side: An escape from her signature blonde locks, the model debuted chocolatey locks

Karlie's face was fully made up and fully visible as she trekked along without a face mask.

Her expertly arched eyebrows matched her new chocolate toned hair, and her cheeks were warmed with blush, highlighting her famous beauty mark.

The established supermodel rocked a burnt rosy lip stain along her pout as well.

She wore small but thick earring cuffs in her earlobes as she walked solo.

Social media appearance: Also on Wednesday, the Chicago-born stunner took to her Instagram Story to share content with her 10 million followers

Also on Wednesday, the Chicago-born stunner took to Instagram to share two pieces of content with her 10 million followers.

In a video shared to her Stories she flashed back to when she was at the salon switching up her hair color. The fashionista covered her face with her iPhone as she sat with her locks covered in plastic wrap.

Around her there was a contraption of red lights beaming heat onto her head. She wrote over the clip, '...something different,' with an upside down smiley face.

Closer perspective: Taking to her grid on the photo-sharing app, Kloss gave her fans a closeup look at Wednesday's runway-worthy outfit

Taking to her grid on the photo-sharing app, Kloss gave her fans a closeup look at Wednesday's runway-worthy outfit.

On a quiet street in the big city she took a moment to pose for some pictures and record a short video clip.

In one snapshot she tossed her hair over her shoulder. The caption said, 'after a decade of being a blonde, i finally crossed over to the dark side.'

Attitude! In one snapshot Karlie showed her sense of spunk as she tossed her hair over her shoulder

Fans showed their approval of the model's experimental new look as thousands of likes tallied up in just an hour.

Comments from famous friend poured in as well as multiple people wrote variations of, 'Love!'

On a somber note, on Wednesday Kloss also paid tribute to the late fashion icon Andre Leon Talley, who died on Tuesday.

'Rest In Peace, Andre,' she wrote over a photo of the former Vogue editor, adding, 'Your legacy in fashion will be treasured forever.'
She is busy promoting her new drama Trigger Point.

And Vicky McClure cut a stylish figure as she left The One Show after a TV appearance to promote the show on Wednesday night.

The Line Of Duty actress, 38, stepped out in central London wearing a long denim dress which she had teamed with a black leather and brown shearling jacket.

Looking good: Vicky McClure cut a stylish figure as she left The One Show after a TV appearance to promote the her new show Trigger Point on Wednesday night

Vicky completed her chic look with a pair of white heeled leather boots and accessorised with small gold hoop earrings.

The brunette beauty looked great in the midi dress which had button detailing and was cinched in at the waist with a belt.

Vicky wore her dark tresses slicked back in her classic cropped style and had opted for a radiant and natural makeup look.

Style: The Line Of Duty actress, 38, stepped out in central London wearing a long denim dress which she had teamed with a black leather and brown shearling jacket

The look: Vicky completed her chic look with a pair of white heeled leather boots and accessorised with small gold hoop earrings

Vicky has said she wanted to make a statement that 'you don't really need make-up' while playing her character in new drama Trigger Point.

The star explained how she ditched make-up and an 'actual bra' to make the point that her character 'didn't make a big deal about the way she looks'.

Vicky has once again joined forces with director Jed Mercurio in the ITV drama where she plays bomb disposal expert, Lana 'Wash' Washington.

Discussing her character Lana, who didn't wear any make-up in the series, Vicky told Radio Times: 'I wore a crop top instead of an actual bra. I didn't want the character to make a big deal about the way she looks. She is real and human.'

Stepping out: The brunette beauty looked great in the midi dress which had button detailing and was cinched in at the waist with a belt

When asked why she did this, Vicky said: 'Well, I do feel a slight sense of responsibility. There is so much pressure on people, especially via social media. I would like to put some kind of message out there, showing people that you don't really need make-up.

'I think it's important to strip things back and be comfortable. I mean, my body isn't fully toned; people will see the real Vicky, as well as Lana. I'm not hiding anything.'

Vicky said this is something that she wants to bring to her characters, giving them a sense of relatability and realism.

Beauty: Vicky wore her dark tresses slicked back in her classic cropped style and had opted for a radiant and natural makeup look

She said: 'I enjoy making characters I can relate to, and which I can bring authenticity to. My favourite way of acting is reacting.

'So playing around with dialogue is important, making sure it's authentic; if I'm working with writers who are collaborative they will help me feel it is. Actors are creatives, and artists, with their own methods.'

Vicky has become a household name in recent years thanks to her role as Kate Flemming in hit police drama Line Of Duty.

She first rose to prominence after playing Lol in Meadows's 2006 film This Is England and the subsequent 2010 Channel 4 mini-series This Is England 86, written by Meadows and Jack Thorne.

Radiant: Vicky is best known for her main role on Line of Duty where she stars as one of the main detectives

Before that Vicky worked in retail and in an office for eight years as she followed her dream of becoming an actor.

Discussing her past CV, Vicky said: '[I worked at] H Samuel, Boots, Dorothy Perkins. Then an office for eight years.

'You do have to have some funds and that's why I worked, so I could afford to get to London. I would have to take a day unpaid off work and go to London for auditions.'

The interview comes after Vicky hinted at a possible return for Line Of Duty, despite AC-12 finally discovering the identity of criminal mastermind H during its series six finale.

Jokes: She was later seen laughing with friends on the street after leaving the studios

Viewers of the hugely popular crime drama were divided after hapless Detective Superintendent Ian Buckells was unmasked as the corrupt senior officer, prompting speculation that he could be taking the fall for a more astute member of the underworld.

Vicky admitted she would be open to reprising her role as straight-talking the Detective Inspector, should show creator Mercurio opt to produce a seventh series.

She told The Guardian: 'I don't know! I don't know, there's no word of it. I think we've all been really honest and said should that happen, we're all game.

Cigarette: She enjoyed a quick smoke with the group

'I'll just stick with the guys. I think when it comes to a close, it will be a natural close for us all.'

The police procedural about a fictional anti-corruption unit has become one of the most popular shows on television since its launch in 2012, turning principal actors Martin Compston, Adrian Dunbar and McClure into households names.

Sources recently claimed a seventh series is definitely on the cards, but won't be happening at any point in the near future.

Out and about: They had a chat on the pavement
She has been a fixture of the music industry for decades.

But Natalie Imbruglia, 46, could have been mistaken for a woman half her age as she attended the English National Ballet's premiere of Raymonda in London on Wednesday.

The mother of one was simply glowing as she posed for photos on the red carpet, showcasing her line-free complexion by wearing minimal makeup.

Forever young! Natalie Imbruglia, 46, could have been mistaken for a woman half her age as she attended the English National Ballet's premiere of Raymonda in London on Wednesday

The Torn hitmaker looked chic in a black midi-dress, cream fur duster coat, black stockings and lace-up stiletto heels.

Her chestnut locks fell loosely around her shoulders in waves, while an intricate, layered necklace draped across her decolletage.

Displaying her expensive taste, the former soap star accessorised with a classic quilted Chanel handbag, worth about $14,000.

Glowing: The mother of one was simply glowing as she posed for photos on the red carpet, showcasing her line-free complexion by wearing minimal makeup

Effortlessly chic: The Torn hitmaker looked chic in a black midi-dress, cream fur duster coat, black stockings and lace-up stiletto heels

Natalie previously revealed her 'less is more' beauty routine involves drinking plenty of water, wearing SPF sunscreen and taking her makeup off every night.

She told Kate Waterhouse's blog in 2014 she likes to wear a tinted moisturiser with SPF rather than foundation.

'You don't necessarily have to wear a foundation these days. With tinted moisturiser you're getting a really good SPF and a lighter coverage,' she said.

She's barely aged! Natalie previously revealed her 'less is more' beauty routine involves drinking plenty of water, wearing SPF sunscreen and taking her makeup off every night. Pictured left on January 18, and pictured right in the music film clip for her 1997 hit Torn

Natalie, who kickstarted her career on the Australian soap Neighbours in the '90s, has her own skincare range called Iluka.

She previously told Beauty Heaven: 'I know I have my skin care line now, but I think you should drink a lot of water, get plenty of sleep, and exercise.

'Combined with a really good skin care routine, these are the best things you can do for your skin.'
Kyle Sandilands' ex-girlfriend Imogen Anthony has spoken out after the radio host announced his engagement to new partner Tegan Kynaston earlier this week.

Reacting to the news on the Good B***h podcast, Imogen spoke about their 2019 break-up and what led to the end of their eight-year relationship.

The Big Brother VIP star, 30, who is said to have received a substantial financial settlement after her split from Kyle, acknowledged he was going through a hard time when they broke up.

Kyle Sandilands' ex-girlfriend Imogen Anthony (centre) has spoken out after the radio host announced his engagement to new partner Tegan Kynaston earlier this week. Pictured with Good B***h podcast hosts Jules Rangiheuea and Jodie Clarke

'It was self-destructive. We've spoken about that since,' she told hosts Jules Rangiheuea and Jodie Clarke.

'He was going through a lot of s**t. He had people he'd worked with for years he was falling out with, he lost his dad [Peter Sandilands] a couple of years earlier and was still dealing with that.

'There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes.'

Split: The Big Brother VIP star, who is said to have received a substantial financial settlement after her split from Kyle, acknowledged he was going through a hard time when they broke up

Moving on: Kyle has moved on with glamorous communications specialist Tegan (right)

It comes after Imogen revealed on Sunday she'd spent the last 48 hours on 'a full Barangaroo bar crawl', which also involved going to Crown Sydney 'twice in two days'.

While it's unclear if her bender was related to Kyle's engagement - which was reported in the press that weekend - she said things were so wild she 'won't be drinking' again until her birthday in two weeks' time.

The model wrote: 'As stated in my previous post, please excuse my disheveled head as it was absolutely p**sing down with rain on the two days I decided to leave the house.

Wild: As news broke over the weekend that Kyle was engaged to Tegan, Imogen admitted she'd spent the last 48 hours on 'a full Barangaroo bar crawl'

Drowning sorrows: While it's unclear if her bender was related to Kyle's engagement, Imogen said things were so wild she 'won't be drinking' again until her birthday in two weeks' time

'For f**k's sake, if it ain't Covid, it's crap weather. Anyhow, for someone who doesn't go out much anymore, she (unintentionally) ended up at the Crown twice in two days, did a full Barangaroo bar crawl, made friends with the bellmen, left accessories in different bathrooms and had multiple staff members helping her.'

Imogen concluded, 'Needless to say she ain't going back there for a while and isn't drinking 'till at least her birthday (in two weeks) Who was she? We're still not quite sure.'

Kyle and Imogen were together for eight years, but he never popped the question.

The media titan, 50, announced their shock split on The Kyle and Jackie O Show in November 2019.

Ex appeal: The former couple (pictured in November 2014) were together for eight years, but Kyle never popped the question

He told listeners the couple 'haven't been living with each other' for months and their relationship had simply 'run its course'.

'We haven't been with each other for quite a few months now. Unfortunately it's run its course,' he said.

Kyle began dating 35-year-old Tegan, the director of communications for his company, following his split from Imogen.

The KIIS FM presenter proposed on holiday in Port Douglas, Queensland, earlier this month, and confirmed the news on air on Monday.

A source close to the couple said the wedding will happen this year.

It's official! Kyle began dating 35-year-old Tegan, the director of communications for his company, following his split from Imogen. He proposed on holiday in Port Douglas earlier this month, and confirmed the news on air on Monday
Aussie millennials are enjoying a blast from the past this week thanks to Boost Juice's new 'Strawb's Kisses' campaign featuring former child star Nikki Webster.

Nikki, now 34, became an overnight sensation at the age of 13 after performing at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

And while the Strawberry Kisses hitmaker is now a mother and dance studio owner, some fans clearly still think of her as a pre-teen pop star.

Nostalgia: Aussie millennials are enjoying a blast from the past this week thanks to Boost Juice's new 'Strawb's Kisses' campaign featuring former child star Nikki Webster

In one campaign photo, a beaming Nikki poses on an outdoor swing with a Boost Juice take-away cup in her hand.

'Thanks for making me feel old, Boost Juice,' one Facebook user commented, while another added: 'Wow, so grown up...'

A third wrote: 'Nooo is that Nikki? Thanks for the reminder that we've all grown old. Can we get some free Boosts to remember the glory days of whacking on the So Fresh Hits of Summer 2022 and banging out Strawberry Kisses?'

Blast from the past! In one campaign photo (left), a beaming Nikki poses on an outdoor swing with a Boost Juice take-away cup in her hand. She is pictured right at the age of 14 in 2001

'Thanks for making me feel old, Boost Juice': While the Strawberry Kisses hitmaker is now a mother and dance studio owner, some fans clearly still think of her as a pre-teen pop star

Since her performance at the Olympics, Nikki has opened three dance schools, released eight albums and co-authored a children's book called Dare to Dream.

Nikki also recently expressed interest in performing at the Brisbane Games in 2032.

'I'd love to perform in Brisbane. Who wouldn't?' the mother of two told Woman's Day magazine in August.

Iconic: Since her performance at the Olympics in 2000 (pictured), Nikki has opened three dance schools, released eight albums and co-authored a children's book called Dare to Dream

Showbiz career: Nikki is pictured performing at the 10th anniversary of the 2000 Summer Olympics on September 15, 2010, in Sydney

Return to the spotlight? Nikki (here in 2005) recently expressed interest in performing at the Brisbane Games in 2032, telling Woman's Day in August: 'I'd love to perform... Who wouldn't?'

However, Nikki admitted she would make some changes to her now-iconic Sydney appearance all those years ago.

'I definitely won't be wearing the pink dress,' said Nikki, in a nod to the famous floral-print garment she wore in 2000.

Nikki, who will be 45 when the Brisbane opening ceremony takes place, also said she'd be interested in getting her children involved in any potential performance.

Referring to her seven-year-old daughter, Skylah, Webster said she'd 'absolutely' let her take part in the ceremony, if asked.

Not much is known about Skylar's musical prowess, but she looks like a carbon copy of her mother and has been photographed in the same pink Hawaiian dress Nikki wore while performing Under the Southern Skies.

'I definitely won't be wearing the pink dress': However, Nikki admitted she would make some changes to her now-iconic Sydney appearance all those years ago. Nikki is pictured at the age of 13 during the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games
Josh Altman has revealed that he 'cut' his Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles costar Fredrik Eklund out of his life after finishing up the

The 42-year-old real estate agent admitted that he was done with the Swedish-born reality star in an interview with People from Wednesday in which he dismissed Eklund, 44, as 'irrelevant.'

Altman has starred on Bravo's flagship real estate reality series since 2011's season four, while Eklund, who has starred on every season of its spinoff Million Dollar Listing New York, joined the series in its 13th season.

Bad blood: Josh Altman, 42, told People on Wednesday that he had 'cut' his Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles costar Fredrik Eklund, 44, out of his life

According to Altman, he and Eklund has a strong relationship for 'a long time' before things went south.

'We don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but especially I'm just not a fan of ordering your own trophy,' he said. 'I was friends with him for a long time, and I noticed many things that I let slip, that I swept under the rug, but it got to the point where now that I'm a dad, you kind of just cut people out of your life that don't bring positive support.'

He claimed that his new costar didn't live up to the charming persona he created for the camera.

'There's the Fredrik you might see on TV that you think you know, and then there's the real Fredrik,' Altman continued. 'I don't want to make this a Fredrik-bashing thing because he's irrelevant in both real estate and my life. I just keep it at that.'

Seeing clearly: 'I was friends with him for a long time, and I noticed many things that I let slip, that I swept under the rug,' Altman said, but he was done ignoring issues he had with Eklund

Altman was vague about his criticisms of Eklund, but he alluded to the 'real, real, horrible thing' the bicoastal real estate agent had done to his frenemy-turned-pal Josh Flagg.

'I'll just respond to what you see on the show. I just thought it was a real, real, horrible thing to do what he did to Flagg, and we'll just leave it at that,' he said. 'But no friend in the world would ever do that to somebody. It's been confirmed multiple times since, and it is what it is, so we move on.

'Flagg and I, we're busy. We got great friends and family, and that's it. You move on. You cut certain people out of your life, and he has absolutely been cut,' he added.

Altman recently wrapped up a four-episode spin-off titled Million Dollar Listing: Josh & Josh in which he and Flagg ventured beyond Los Angeles and throughout the Western US to sell high-end properties.

In December, it was announced that Flagg had left Rodeo Realty for Prudential Douglas Elliman, where Eklund serves as managing director.

Two faced? 'There's the Fredrik you might see on TV that you think you know, and then there's the real Fredrik,' Altman continued; Eklund in a publicity still for MDLNY

But the change in firms was first reported a week earlier based on information from an anonymous source, and Flagg and some of his costars appeared to imply that Eklund had been the one to leak the information after he congratulated Flagg on social media.

After Eklund commented, 'This makes me so happy,' on Flagg's Instagram post announcing the move, he replied, 'Shut up. Phony.'

Altman jumped into the fraying, adding, '@fredrickeklund too bad some selfish loser spoiled the surprise.'

Tracy Tutor added, 'I wonder what pr person it could be.'

Standing by a pal: Altman's friend and costar Josh Flagg hinted Eklund had leaked his move to a new real estate firm a week earlier, creating a rift between the two; seen in 2019 in LA

'Yeah, its amazing. Must have been someone with a super small d***,' Flagg responded to his costars.

'But [the] good thing is the truth always comes out, and we already know what happened. Right, Fred? The truth always comes out,' he added.

Altman admitted that he never saw himself becoming a friend and ally of his old enemy Flagg.

'Absolutely not. I didn't think we would've been able to stand in the same room together,' he said.

'I mean, that kind of hurts, but it's fine,' he continued. 'I always had hope when I was trying to plot how to kill Josh Flagg, I hoped that one day we would have a show.'
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jennifer Nguyen has been labeled racist and anti-vaxx after posting controversial memes on social media.

The offending jokes - using phrases such as 'BLM Thugs' - were posted over a six-month time period amid the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.

Fans called for the reality star to be fired on Wednesday, as they slammed her over the offensive and controversial posts.

Controversy: RHOSLC star Jennie Nguyen accused of being racist and anti-vaxx as she faces backlash over resurfaced social media posts

The various memes carry a theme of depicting the Black Lives Matter protestors in a negative light, as well as encouraging violence against the movement itself.

Addressing the controversy herself on Wednesday, Nguyen admitted she had shared the posts, writing: 'I want to acknowledge and apologize for my deleted Facebook posts from 2020 that resurfaced today.'

'At the time, I thought I was speaking out against violence, but I have since learned how offensive and hurtful my words were.'

Addressing the claims: Jennie admitted she had shared the offending posts in a Wednesday Instagram statement

'It's why I deactivated that account more than a year ago and why I continue to try to learn about perspectives different from my own. I regret those posts and am sincerely sorry for the pain they caused.'

Screenshots first posted by All About The Tea show Nguyen sharing the disturbing images to her social media, including one that doubted George Floyd was killed as a result of police brutality.

One cartoon image shows an old lady bragging about how many 'rioters' she has hit with her car.

Caught out: The offending jokes - using phrases such as 'BLM Thugs' - appear to have been posted over a six-month time period amid the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests in 2020

Reacting to the resurfaced posts, fans of the show immediately began to call for Nguyen to be fired.

'I'm calling on @BravoTV and @Andy #RHOSLC to immediately fire Jennie Nguyen! No half hearted apology will work! She must be terminated!' one fan wrote on Wednesday.

Fans also took issue with Nguyen taking her co-star Mary Cosby to task on the show, for making the racially insensitive remark about 'slanted eyes.'

Political: Other alleged posts shared by Nguyen depict anti-vaxx beliefs and conspiracy theories that Biden stole the election

'Jesus getting the screenshots from Jennie's Facebook after Mary sent him #RHOSLC,' a fan joked.

Other alleged posts shared by Nguyen depict anti-vaxx beliefs and conspiracy theories that Biden stole the election.

One meme shows Former President Donald Trump shaking hands with a doctor, along with the text: 'Only make the vaccine in suppository form. I want the democrats to shove it up their a***s.'
Nicole O'Brien was certainly too hot to handle as she stepped out for dinner at MKNY House, Mayfair, for a girls night out on Wednesday evening.

The reality personality, 26, showcased her phenomenal physique in a strapless black glitzy mini dress, which featured sexy cut out sections at the side.

Nicole teamed the thigh-grazing number with a pair of green snakeskin boots, which showcased her toned pins as she strutted towards the resturant.

Wow! Nicole O'Brien was certainly too hot to handle as she stepped out for dinner at MKNY House, Mayfair, for a girls night out on Wednesday evening

Nicole wore her glossy auburn locks in loose waves and opted to enhance her naturally pretty looks with a glamorous coat of make-up.

The Too Hot To handle star accessorised her look with a black Dior saddle bag and a pair of gold hoop earrings along with a selection of rings.

Nicole, who appeared on series one of the Netflix hit, has returned to London after jetting to Dubai for a sun-soaked getaway to kick off the New Year.

Sizzling: The reality personality, 26, showcased her phenomenal physique in a strapless black glitzy mini dress, which featured sexy cut out sections at the side

During her stay, she shared a very busty snap of her in a black bikini while posing on a balcony.

While Nicole did not find love on the Netflix show, she went on to date her co-star Bryce Hirschberg after the show wrapped, making their relationship public last April.

They called it quits later in the year due to the travel restrictions posed by COVID-19, as Bryce lives in Marina Del Rey, California, and Nicole calls the UK home.

Glowing: Nicole wore her glossy auburn locks in loose waves and opted to enhance her naturally pretty looks with a glamorous coat of make-up

Fashion: Nicole teamed the thigh-grazing number with a pair of green snakeskin boots, which showcased her toned pins as she strutted towards the resturant

A representative for Bryce, 30, told People at the time: 'I can confirm that Bryce and Nicole decided mutually to split early last week after months of trying to make a long-distance relationship work.'

Bryce also made a statement: 'After the many failed attempts to reunite due to quarantine and border restrictions, we decided that moving on and remaining friends would be our best option for the time being.

'Nicole is so lovely and if under less unusual circumstances I'm sure that we could've had an amazing relationship! I wish her the best because she deserves it.'
Few books have received as much attention on the American left as Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States. The son of two Jewish immigrant factory workers, Zinn dedicated himself to popularizing the many episodes in American history that have been distorted or ignored by mainstream bourgeois intellectuals. Above all, he took it upon himself to fight against the idea that only great men make history and instead explained history from the bottom-upthat is, from the perspective of the exploited and oppressed.

Published in 1980, A Peoples History has sold over two million copies and still plays a role in exposing new generations to the atrocious crimes of the American ruling class over the last three centuries. As millions of Americas youth are radicalizing and looking to understand the countrys real history, A Peoples History remains popular. However, while Zinns work has many positive aspects, Marxists must also look critically at this standard textbook of the American left and soberly evaluate its ideas, and above all, its method.

Centuries of bitter class struggle

A Peoples History of the United States is a 700-page tome that covers the history of America from 1492 to the Iraq War. Zinn seeks to trace the history of peoples struggles against the rich and powerful. As he explains:

We must not accept the memory of states as our own. Nations are not communities and never have been. The history of any country, presented as the history of a family, conceals fierce conflicts of interest (sometimes exploding, most often repressed) between conquerors and conquered, masters and slaves, capitalists and workers, dominators and dominated in race and sex. And in such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of thinking people, as Albert Camus suggested, not to be on the side of the executioners.

A Peoples History focuses on the many heroic struggles of the American masses throughout history. The great merit of Zinns book is that it cuts through American national myths and falsehoods. For example, one episode covered in the book is the American subjugation of the Philippines in 1899an episode often ignored by bourgeois historians and rarely taught in schools.

A Peoples History focuses on the many heroic struggles of the American masses throughout history. The great merit of Zinns book is that it cuts through American national myths and falsehoods / Image: Steve Bowbrick, Flickr

Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, the US sought to transform Spains former colonies into reliable markets for American goods. Immediately after the American occupation of the Philippines, the Filipino masses rose in revolt. The attempt to put down the insurgency quickly became an extermination campaign. Zinn quotes a captain from Kansas: Caloocan was supposed to contain 17,000 inhabitants. The Twentieth Kansas swept through it, and now Caloocan contains not one living native.

Zinn also quotes another officer recounting his experience in the war: The major said that General Smith instructed him to kill and burn, and said that the more he killed and burned the better pleased he would be; that it was no time to take prisoners, and that he was to make Samar a howling wilderness. Major Waller asked General Smith to define the age limit for killing, and he replied, Everything over ten.

The vilest nationalist and racist sentiments were inflamed to justify this barbarism. Only after three years and the use of 70,000 American soldiers was the Philippines firmly under the boot of American imperialism.

Countless heinous acts perpetrated by the American ruling class and its state are routinely hidden from view in classroom textbooks and ignored in university lecture halls. Zinn earned himself deep hatred from the ruling class for reminding the world of American capitalisms crimes and the heroic efforts of the oppressed in their struggles for freedom.

Nonetheless, while A Peoples History documents struggles such as Nat Turners Rebellion, the Arawak War, the St Louis Commune, and the rise of the Black Panther Party, as we shall see, Zinns work also contains significant flaws that deserve a balanced analysis.

Historical progress and morality

Zinn begins A Peoples History by recounting the atrocities committed against the native peoples of Hispaniola, North, and South America in the 15th and 16th centuries. He recounts the most nefarious acts of genocide and ruthless exploitation by the Spanish and English colonizers in their search for gold, slaves, and land. As Zinn explains, the horrors of colonialism cannot be overstated:

Total control led to total cruelty. The Spaniards thought nothing of knifing Indians by the tens and twenties and of cutting slices off them to test the sharpness of their blades. Las Casas tells how two of these so-called Christians met two Indian boys one day, each carrying a parrot; they took the parrots and for fun beheaded the boys.

Building up the productive forces was a historically necessary stage in preparing the material conditions for socialism / Image: Rawpixel Ltd, Flickr

While today it is widely acknowledged that the colonization of North America was accomplished through the use of ruthless, genocidal violence, this was not always the case. When A Peoples History was first published in 1980, most people were still under the impression that Columbus was a heroic explorer and the Pilgrims peacefully coexisted with the Wampanoag. This was no accident. To justify the rule of the American capitalist class, bourgeois historians intentionally painted this history as a smooth and painless process. Zinns book was one of the first significant works to confront this dishonest revision of the past, exposing history for what it really was.

Inseparable from the topic of colonization is the question of morality and historical progress, which Zinn approaches from a moralistic standpoint. As an example, capitalist development led inexorably to direct colonialism, a brutal and sadistic chapter of human history, the legacy of which continues to this day. However, Zinn sees this as immoral in the abstract. For Zinn, human progress is entirely relative and subjective: what is progress to one group of people is misery and death for another.

Marxists argue for a different conception of history and historical progress. Before humans can create art, science, philosophy, and culture in general, they must first feed, clothe, and shelter themselves. Therefore, in the final analysis, historical progress is that which leads to the further development of the means of producing the necessities of life for humanity as a wholeregardless of how much individual suffering that process entails.

Humans originally lived in small, classless, hunter-gatherer groups with an extremely low level of technique. As productivity rose over the millennia, society began to divide into antagonistic classes, giving rise to the state. Inequality, exploitation, and violence against the majority were inherent in this process. Nonetheless, this simultaneously freed up a small portion of society to develop science, technology, and productivity.

Despite its many crimes and bloodletting, the emergence of capitalism was immensely progressive due to its ability to revolutionize the means of production. Building up the productive forces was a historically necessary stage in preparing the material conditions for socialism. Socialism can be built only on the basis of large-scale industry and advanced technique. Only when poverty and material want are eliminated can classes, inequality, and the state begin to wither away.

Marxists have always acknowledged the ruthless violence and exploitation that was integral to capitalisms development. As Marx put it, capitalism was born dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and dirt. To be sure, the entire history of class society could well be classified as immoral. What society can claim to be moral when the necessities and pleasures of life are the monopoly of a select minority? Nonetheless, in our view, historical progress cannot be defined in a moralistic sense.

Marxwho had no sympathy for the American slavocracynoted in The Poverty of Philosophy that without the colonization of North America, the creation of world trade, and the ruthless exploitation of Black slaves, capitalism would have been hamstrung: Direct slavery is just as much the pivot of bourgeois industry as machinery, credits, etc. Without slavery, you have no cotton; without cotton, you have no modern industry. It is slavery that gave the colonies their value; it is the colonies that created world trade, and it is world trade that is the precondition of large-scale industry.

Zinns methodological mistake in this regard has important implications. Lacking the method of historical materialism, he concludes that colonization, war, and all the other repugnant trappings of class society are just unhappy accidents that are best to be avoided. Whereas Marxists see an underlying thread of development in the history of class society, laying the conditions for the end of class society once and for all, Zinn sees only misery and violence in the abstract.

We might be horrified by historys course of development, but that doesnt change the fact that history has found no other means of building up the productive forces. As Trotsky remarked in Their Morals and Ours: It is impossible not to agree with the moralists that history chooses grievous pathways. But what type of conclusion for practical activity is to be drawn from this?

Our task is not to judge history, which does nothing to advance the struggle for socialism and freedom, but to understand its objective laws of development. As Trotsky explained, only with rational insight into the inner workings of the historical process can we seek to intervene in that process meaningfully.

Americas bourgeois revolutions

A large part of A Peoples History deals with the American Revolution and the US Civil War. Zinn argues that while the two revolutions contained heroic elements of the people in their struggle for freedom, the leaders of the revolutions betrayed the masses and led to the establishment of a new powerful elite. As Zinn comments on the events of 1776:

Were the Founding Fathers wise and just men trying to achieve a good balance? In fact, they did not want a balance, except one which kept things as they were, a balance among the dominant forces at that time. They certainly did not want an equal balance between slaves and masters, propertyless and property holders, Indians and white.

The US Civil War was ultimately a bourgeois revolution in its very essence and as such could go no further than the limits of capitalism / Image: Adam Cuerden, Wikimedia Commons

This assertion is undoubtedly correct. But without clearly situating the American Revolution in its proper historical context, it ends up missing the point. The economic foundation and class character of early American society were dramatically different from what it is today. The vast majority of the population was made up of poor and yeoman farmers, craftsmen, artisans, and slaves. The industrial working class was as yet in an embryonic phase of development.

Although it did not do the heavy lifting itself, the only class able to drive the development of the means of production at the time was the nascent American bourgeoisie. Despite the conservative nature of the Founding Fathers, the war for independence and revolutionary expropriation of the Tories property allowed for the rapid development of capitalism and, by extension, the development of the productive forces on a world scale. Therein lies the historical significance of the first American Revolution.

Similarly, with the Civil War, Zinn makes a repeated point of showing the limitations of the Unions revolutionary struggle against the South:

The clash was not over slavery as a moral institutionmost Northerners did not care enough about slavery to make sacrifices for it, certainly not the sacrifice of war. It was not a clash of peoples but of elites. The Northern elite wanted economic expansionfree land, free labor, a free market, a high protective tariff for manufacturers, a bank of the United States. The slave interests opposed all that; they saw Lincoln and the Republicans as making the continuation of their pleasant and prosperous way of life impossible in the future.

It is undoubtedly true that the North made many mistakes and was initially reluctant to resort to revolutionary measures to defeat the South. Marx himself expressed his annoyance at the tepid measures taken by the American bourgeoisie, writing that the manner in which the North wages war is only to be expected from a bourgeois republic, where fraud has so long reigned supreme. (Marx to Engels, September 10, 1862).

Ultimately, Zinn misses the forest for the trees and is blind to the historic role of the Civil War in eliminating slavery and clearing the decks for todays struggle for socialism. His moralistic view verges on the ahistorical, and he appears to see fully-fledged socialism behind every mass struggle, regardless of the objective limitations of the time.

The US Civil War was not a socialist revolution, and could not have beenthe working class was far too weak and disorganized to be able to take power. To be sure, the struggle could have gone significantly further than it did, particularly during Reconstruction. But it was ultimately a bourgeois revolution in its very essence and as such could go no further than the limits of capitalism. As always, the material conditions ultimately determine the basic parameters and outcomes of revolutionsnot our subjective desires.

The need for revolutionary leadership

A Peoples History focuses on the multitude of struggles throughout American history but says very little about the leaders of such movements. One exception is the history of the Socialist Party of America (SP). Zinn describes the SPs remarkable size and strength only a few years after its foundation in 1901:

The party at one time had 100,000 members, and 1,200 officeholders in 340 municipalities. Its main newspaper, Appeal to Reason, for which Debs wrote, had half a million subscribers, and there were many other Socialist newspapers around the country, so that, all together, perhaps a million people read the Socialist press.

A workers party was badly needed in America at the turn of the 20th century. Eventually, several parties united in 1901 to form the Socialist Party of America. But the ideas underpinning the tactics, strategy, and overall goals of the party were not at all homogenous / Image: Public domain

For the first time in history, the American working class had a party of its own, with hundreds of elected officials, daily papers, and leading positions in the labor movement. At its height, the SP was much larger than the Bolshevik Party was for most of its existence. On paper, the SP was in the perfect position to overthrow capitalism when the time was ripe. Yet this did not happen. Zinns conclusion is that beginning in 1919, the state successfully crushed the SP, causing it to descend into obscurity over the next 15 years. However, in the history of the worldwide labor movement, other workers organizations have successfully weathered severe state repression. So what really brought down the once-mighty Socialist Party?

A workers party was badly needed in America at the turn of the 20th century. Eventually, several parties united in 1901 to form the Socialist Party of America. But the ideas underpinning the tactics, strategy, and overall goals of the party were not at all homogenous. There was a strong reformist wing in the leadership, led by Victor Berger, which sought to dampen the revolutionary wing of the party, headed by Eugene V. Debs. Debs was a towering individual who made enormous contributions to the tradition of American socialism. However, he was not infallible, and during the clashes between the two wings inside the SP, Debs did not seek to combat the reformists on the question of theory and strategy. This turned out to be a fatal mistake.

The contradictions within the SP were bound to explode sooner or later. In 1919, under the hammer blows of international eventsparticularly the First World War and the Russian Revolutionthe party split into three, with the revolutionary wing later forming the Communist Party of America.

Zinn presents the demise of the SP as a natural outcome of the harsh measures taken by the American state. While important, state suppression was only one factorand certainly not the decisive one. The fundamental reason for the collapse of this impressive party was the unprincipled unity of reformism and revolution. Debs made the mistake of treating theory as a secondary matter. In reality, muddying the lines between reformism and revolution created fatal fault lines that shattered the party under the pressure of great events. The most important lesson to be drawn from this experiencethe need for correct theory and bold leadershipis entirely missed by Zinn.

Zinn traces what the Socialist Party did, how many people voted for them, how many papers they published, and more. This is all of great interest, and there is much that socialists can learn from the experience. But Zinns bottom-up method of investigationfocusing on the masses and not on classes while relegating leaders and theory to the backburnercannot explain why the SP was reduced to rubble without a single serious attempt at overthrowing capitalism. Without explaining this thoroughly and adequately, the main lessons from the history of the SP are lost.

Socialism: utopian and scientific

The original concluding chapter of A Peoples History deals with Zinns perspectives on the coming American revolution. Here, Zinn shows his eclectic analysis of American capitalism and the possibility of socialist transformation.

Zinn begins by saying that the American system (capitalism) has been able to contain all the past peoples rebellions. Then, seeing that most Americans are not the superrich, he lumps together the 99% as the people. The elite, afraid of the 99%, then divides the people through artificial scarcity, nationalism, and prejudice. However, to explain the failure of past rebellions, Zinn discovers that the people are not so unified after all:

In a highly developed society, the Establishment cannot survive without the obedience and loyalty of millions of people who are given small rewards to keep the system going: the soldiers and police, teachers and ministers, administrators and social workers, technicians and production workers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, transport and communications workers, garbagemen, and firemen. These peoplethe employed, the somewhat privilegedare drawn into alliance with the elite. They become the guards of the system, buffers between the upper and lower classes. If they stop obeying, the system falls.

To achieve victory in the future, the American working class requires what it never possessed in the past: a mass, class-independent revolutionary party grounded in the theory of Marxism / Image: Paul Stein, Wikimedia Commons

Zinn now views the majority of the populationfrom lawyers to teachers to sanitation workersas something akin to prison guards. In particular, Zinn points to white workers, neither rich nor poor as the main guards of the American system.

Zinn bases his understanding of classes on income and privilege. The somewhat privileged workers are considered middle class, even though they remain wage workers. At the same time, the 99% is lumped together as the people, despite the class differences within the 99%. This betrays Zinns impressionistic approach to classes in society. In contrast, Marxism bases its understanding of class not on income but ones relation to the means of production.

From this scientific approach, Marxists understand the working class as the only force able to transform society along socialist lines. This is not because the working class is especially oppressed or impoverished, but because of its particular social position and its role in modern industry. Instead, Zinn sees that some workers are better off than others and considers them a middle class buffer against the lower classes.

Zinns solution to this American system is to establish a network of cooperatives a neighborly socialism avoiding the class hierarchies of capitalism and the harsh dictatorships that have taken the name socialist. To construct this neighborly socialism, people would need to begin to transform their immediate environments by a series of struggles against absentee authority, to give control of these places to the people who live and work there. The methods of these struggles would involve all the tactics used at various times in the past by peoples movements.

As a result, Zinns book falls short in its practical solutions to the American working classs problems. This gradualist approach and vague notion of cooperative-socialism is a form of utopian socialism. That is, the logic flows not from what exists in reality, but rather an idealized schema that originates in Zinns imagination. Classes are confused with income, the bourgeois state appears to be reformable, and most importantly, the role of leadership is completely ignored.

If all we do is repeat all the tactics used at various times in the past, we will simply repeat past failures. To achieve victory in the future, the American working class requires what it never possessed in the past: a mass, class-independent revolutionary party grounded in the theory of Marxism. Only then can the forms of struggle already discovered by the masses be put to good use in the struggle for a new and truly just society.

A question of method

A Peoples History is a treasure trove of the endless capacity of the American masses to struggle in the face of hopeless odds and does an excellent job of transmitting knowledge of these heroic traditions to the next generation of class fighters. But the various problems highlighted above are all related to a philosophical error in Zinns general method. The method behind his book can best be described as empiricism combined with moralistic idealism. Facts are accumulated in vast numbers, but they remain isolated from one another. Their interconnections are lost in a forest of endless events, and theoretical generalizations remain dormant in the pile of factual raw material. The reader might well get the impression that history is, as Arnold Toynbee put it, one damn fact after another.

As Marx explained philosophers have always interpreted the world; the point, however, is to change it / Image: Socialist Revolution

In short, while Zinns book is an impressive compendium of events, the most critical question remains unanswered: why did all these movements fail? The empiricist method can state facts, but it is helpless to explain why events turned out the way they did. On the other hand, Zinns moralism is a brand of philosophical idealism, where Zinn projects subjective morality on history and creates abstract schemas for a future neighborly socialism. Empiricism and idealism are intertwined in an eclectic melange.

It would be a grave mistake to ignore the facts. But facts are not in themselves sufficient. A doctor, for example, must not merely catalog the symptoms of illnesses. Above all, it is necessary to understand diseases inner workings and how to treat them. Likewise, Marxism aims to understand history and society as a science, using empirical evidence to draw theoretical generalizations from historical experience. As Hegel said in his Introduction to the Philosophy of History: It is, in fact, the wish for rational insight, not the ambition to amass a mere heap of acquisitions, that should be presupposed in every case as possessing the mind of the learner in the study of science.

Marxists seek to gain scientific insight into the inner workings of history, economics, and the class struggle. But we dont stop there. We dont simply want to understand the world around uswe want to change it. Which philosophical method to adopt is not a sterile academic debate but determines our actions in the real world. Empiricism leads to an acceptance of appearances, while dialectical materialism, the philosophy of Marxism, allows us to penetrate the surface of events and even to anticipate events before they take us by surprise.

Our task is not merely to describe the past but to draw the necessary lessons from history and use it to fight for the socialist transformation of society. Marx explained this nearly 180 years ago when he wrote that philosophers have always interpreted the world; the point, however, is to change it. Let us do just that and put an end to this cruel system once and for all.

Originally published on 13 January 2022 at socialistrevolution.org |


Well, the downside is that consumerism itself is inherently unsustainable  regardless of how green its advertised to be.
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The South Korean military failed to pinpoint the exact location of the launch site of ballistic missiles North Korea fired last week.

On Jan. 14, the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said that the North launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea from "around Uiju," North Pyongan Province. But the Korea Defense and Security Forum on Tuesday said they were actually fired from Pihyon, about 20 km south of Uiju.

Determining the precise location of the launch site is the first step in the "kill-chain" defense to launch a preemptive strike on missile facilities in case there are signs of provocation. Unless the exact location is determined, the defense system is doomed.

"The North fired the missiles from behind a tunnel after carrying them on a train to dodge detection by South Korea and the U.S.," said Shin Jong-woo at the forum. "It must have been very difficult for the South Korean military to detect them in advance."


DHL Global Forwarding supports Warriors of Wildlife in rescuing wild cats; five lions and one tiger from Ukraine safely transported and found a new home for in South Africa.

DHL Global Forwarding has continued its commitment to supporting wildlife by assisting a conservation organization with the rescue five lions and one tiger from captivity. On behalf of Warriors of Wildlife, the wild cats, all born in Ukraine, were relocated safely to South Africa. Following this transport, the non-profit organization has rescued a total of 28 wild cats and other animals from Ukraine. In the past, DHL Global Forwarding has also helped relocate several brown bears, pandas, and most recently, the worlds loneliest elephant, Kaavan.

To make the journey as pleasant as possible for our special guests, profound expertise and a well-coordinated team are key. Our Lions and Falcons of DHL, as I like to call our staff, brought the animals safely back to their wild home base. In the sanctuary of Warriors of Wildlife, they are finally back where they belong  two of them have South African parents. The lions Hercules, Cher, Khaya, Ilana, another male lion that was named Arslan by our Turkish Airfreight team, as well as the tiger Kisa, travelled with us for 72 hours. Not an easy job, but one we accepted wholeheartedly, says Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding MEA.

The wild cats were kept in a private zoo in Chernivtsi and a zoo in Nikolaev in the south of Ukraine. DHL brought them to a sanctuary run by the head of the wildlife organization Lionel de Lange. The Simbonga Game Farm & Sanctuary is located near Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape, South Africa. Throughout the whole journey the animals were monitored by veterinarian specialists. In Ukraine, the DHL team had the support of a Ukrainian vet until departure. Together with the director of Warriors for Wildlife and another veterinarian they boarded then their flight from Boryspil International Airport to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The last leg of their journey the cats travelled via road before they were finally welcomed to their new home.

Transporting wild cats is always a great challenge and requires the trust and cooperation of all parties involved. With DHL as an experienced animal logistics partner, we were able to manage this complex coordination effort with ease and bring the animals safely back to their home. Now, the lions and the tigress are in the very best environment with the proper care they need, says Lionel de Lange, Director Warriors of Wildlife and Simbonga Game Farm & Sanctuary.

Warriors of Wildlife is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, relocation and future care of abused and neglected wildlife in captivity. The organization was founded in 2016 by Lionel de Lange and his wife Anya Masyach and operates from Ukraine and South Africa.

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HAL also ensures technical assistance and product support to the customer to ensure healthy serviceability of the helicopter, it was stated.

Bengaluru: In line with the central government's vision to boost defence exports to friendly foreign countries, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed a contract with the Government of Mauritius for export of one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk-III) for the island nation's police force.

With this contract, HAL and the Government of Mauritius, which already operates an HAL-built ALH and Dornier-228 aircraft, have further strengthened the long-standing business relations spanning over three decades, the Bengaluru-headquartered company said in a statement on Wednesday.

The contract was signed by General Manager, Helicopter Division-HAL, B K Tripathy, and Secretary of Home Affairs, Prime Minister's Office, Government of the Republic of Mauritius, O K Dabidin at HAL's Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur, it said.

The ALH Mk-III is a multi-role, multi-mission versatile helicopter in 5.5 tonne category, according to HAL.

"It has proven its mettle in various utility role including numerous life-saving missions during natural calamities in India and abroad", the statement said.

More than 335 ALHs have been produced till date logging around 3,40,000 cumulative flying hours. HAL also ensures technical assistance and product support to the customer to ensure healthy serviceability of the helicopter, it was stated.
ANANTPUR: In joint raids, police and forest officials seized 1 crore worth sandalwood and sandal oil, which smugglers had earlier robbed from the custody of a forest office at Penukonda in Anantapur district. The raid was led by Penukonda DSP Sri Lakshmi.

According to information, authorities had earlier seized huge stocks of sandalwood logs and concentrated oil from Basavanahalli Sandalwood Factory located in Amarapuram mandal close to Karnataka borders. The seized material had been kept under custody of the forest department at the premises of its range office in Penukonda.

When smugglers realised this, they broke into the range office and took away the seized sandalwood and oil despite a watchman being kept for security there.

On information that these goods had been kept at a specific location, a joint forest and police team raided the place and seized the stocks.

Anantapur DFO said a probe is on for tracing the smugglers who had taken away the goods.
HYDERABAD: Controversial businessman Potluri Vara Prasad, popular as PVP, has allegedly been misreading a High Court order to justify his actions on Tuesday that led to the Banjara Hills police booking a case against him and his employees.

Based on a complaint by D. K. Shruti Reddy, daughter of BJP leader D. K. Aruna, the police pressed charges of trespassing into neighbours property and intimidation against PVP. Giving a twist to the case, Vara Prasad, who earlier faced allegations of chasing away police, unleashing dogs when they went to his house in connection with a case, served this time a contempt of court notice against Banjara Hills station house officer P. Shiva Chandra and assistant commissioner of police M. Sudarshan.

Following the exposure, Vara Prasad released a video on Wednesday in which he categorically claimed that he was only implementing a High Court order based on which he said he had been carrying out all the activities (of erecting iron sheets on a compound wall that separates his property and a gated community in which Shruti Reddy lives in).

When this newspaper asked Vara Prasad to elaborate on the court order, he referred to a December 22, 2021, order of the Telangana High Court in writ petition no 33174 of 2021. He claimed that he sought a direction from the court to police not to interfere with erection of fence on the compound wall and that the government pleader (home) informed the court that there was no interference from the police. We even informed the police about the HC order and commenced the civil works on Tuesday, he pointed out.

But the order issued by the High Court reads, In view of the submissions made by the AGP for home, no orders were required to be passed in this writ petition. However, it is open to the official respondents (police) to follow the rule of law in the event of commission of any offence by any party to the writ petition.

Inquiries revealed that Vara Prasads company which developed the neighbouring gated community showed the compound wall as boundary for it while obtaining the permissions from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. The Banjara Hills police who earlier investigated into a complaint filed by Vara Prasad himself against the neighbours for obstructing him from erecting a fence, closed it since the dispute was civil in nature.

It is a gross lie to claim that the High Court allowed him to erect fence on someone elses wall. No court will allow him to enter into others property, intimidate them and build something that belonged to the community, said Shruti Reddy, the complainant. We have not received any such court orders, she said.

A senior police official on condition of anonymity, referring to the same order quoted by PVP, said the court left it open to police to follow the rule of law in the event of commission of any offence by any party to the case. The dispute is clearly civil in nature as both parties claim ownership of the compound wall. It is for the civil courts to decide. Meanwhile, the police will act if they receive any complaint relating to trespassing and criminal intimidation, he pointed out.
People stand in a queue to take Covid test from PHC at Kukatpally on Tuesday.(Photo:DC/ R. Pavan)

HYDERABAD: As many as 15 employees working in various departments of the Secretariat located in BRKR Bhavan were tested positive for Covid including education secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania in the last two days. With this, employees and officials working in the Secretariat are jittery over-reporting to work.

Four employees each in medical and revenue departments were also tested positive. Employees said R&B secretary K.S. Sreenivasa Raju and health secretary Syed Ali Murtuza Rizvi were also tested positive but there was no official confirmation in this regard.

Employees are requesting the state government to implement 50 per cent attendance in the Secretariat on alternate days to check the spread of the virus. Major departments such as general administration, finance, law, minorities welfare, IT etc function from this building having a built-up area of just 1.6 lakh sq. ft.

Employees say that the scope for maintaining physical distancing is little given the limited space available in the building. In addition to existing staff, visitors thronging the Secretariat to meet officials on various works is also huge. Employees want restrictions on visitors until Covid situation improves.

Three employees working in the GAD principal secretary's office were tested positive over the past two days. With this, GAD principal secretary Vikas Raj went into home isolation.

The fear of transmission of virus in BRKR Bhavan impacted the attendance of employees on Tuesday. While some employees opted for leave, a few others sought permission to work from home.

Chief secretary Somesh Kumar reviewed Covid situation in BRKR Bhavan. He instructed staff to strictly follow Covid protocols like wearing of masks and avoid gatherings during lunch and tea breaks. Instructions were issued to sanitise building premises frequently.
A Government Order on the modalities of donation would be issued soon, an official said. (Representational image: PTI)

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to raise funds from donors, both national and international, as it urgently requires over Rs 6,300 crore to ramp up infrastructure in schools for implementing the National Education Policy-2020.

Also, with its plan to get all the 44,500-plus government schools in the state affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, requisite physical infrastructure needs to be built.

There are 44,519 state-run schools in AP with 66,846 rooms at present.

As per the infrastructure standards for foundation and foundation-plus schools and high schools, and also the norms of the CBSE, the total requirement of rooms in these schools is 1,15,472.

We need to build 48,626 additional rooms in these schools. An estimated Rs 6,321.38 crore is required for that. Hence, we have decided to seek donations from different quarters, a top official told PTI.

A Government Order on the modalities of donation would be issued soon, he said.

The government also requires a School Maintenance Fund of Rs 450 crore per annum but the amount is being deducted from the beneficiaries of Ammavodi freebie scheme at the rate of Rs 1,000 each.

Under Ammavodi, the government has been paying Rs 15,000 each annually to about 44.5 lakh mothers for sending their kids to school. Since last year, the government has been crediting only Rs 14,000 each into the mothers' accounts while retaining the balance for school maintenance.

While that takes care of the maintenance part, no money is available with the state government for new infrastructure development as banks are also disinclined to advance any more loan, officials point out.

Hence, the donation scheme, they said.

Donors can give for one school or a group of schools or even components. The expenditure will be displayed in public domain and the donor will receive a certificate, a top official involved with the programme said.

The government is seeking to tap foreign donors, particularly multinational corporations and trusts run by businessmen-philanthropists, who have been funding other programmes in the country.

We will receive foreign contributions through a separate account under the Connect AP initiative. The money accrued will be transferred to the respective parents' committees of the schools and there will be a state-level management committee to oversee the programme, the official said.

The government plans to launch the infrastructure building programme this year so as to complete it by the year 2024, he added.
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh registered a steep rise in coronavirus infections with the daily infection tally on Wednesday put at 10,057 and eight more deaths  against 6,996 cases and four deaths on Tuesday.

With this, AP reported a daily hike of 3,061 infections or a 43.75 per cent rise.

State health authorities said 10,057 out of 41,713 samples tested were found infected with the coronavirus. Out of a total of 3,19,64,682 samples tested in the state so far, 21,27,441 were C-positive; of them, 20,67,984 have recovered while 44,935 are under treatment.

Among daily cases of infection, Visakhapatnam topped the regional list with 1,827 cases, followed by 1,822 in Chittoor, 943 in Guntur, 919 in East Godavari, 861 in Anantapur, 716 in Prakasam, 698 in Nellore, 482 in Kadapa, 452 in Kurnool, 407 in Srikakulam, 382 in Vizianagaram, 332 in Krishna and 216 in West Godavari.

As for the death of infected patients, Visakhapatnam reported three followed by one each in Chittoor, Guntur, Nellore, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. With this, the death toll climbed to 14,522.

Doctors discharged 1,222 infected patients after recovery since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, admissions to Covid- designated hospitals are matchingly increasing. Nearly 90 per cent of the more than 2000 admitted cases were either patients with comorbidity conditions or senior citizens, hospital sources said.

The situation turned worse in Chittoor and Visakhapatnam districts with high caseloads. While 1,827 new cases were reported in Visakhapatnam, the highest in the state, Chittoor stood second with 1,822 cases.

Doctors at the Covid-care hospitals said the situation would be out of control by end of this month if people do not resort to Covid-appropriate behaviour and observed social distance and wearing of masks.

A total of 41,713 samples were tested since Tuesday and 10,057 of them tested Covid positive with a positivity rate of 4.14. Eight such patients died -- three in Visakhapatnam district and one each in Chittoor, Guntur, Nellore, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram.

Some 1,222 persons have fully recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, the AP Health department said in a statement.

A Covid hospital management committee member told DC, Youngsters and the asymptomatic are responsible for the widespread of the disease in the last one week. Vizag reported more than 1,000 cases per day for the past week.
New Delhi: Delhi and the entire National Capital Region will be placed under a thick blanket of security in view of the looming Republic Day celebrations. After intelligence inputs of a possible terror attack at around this time, the security agencies have put a complete ban on the operation of sub-conventional aerial platforms, including UAVs, paragliders and hot air balloons, over the Delhi region from January 20 till February 15.

In the wake of the recent drone attack in Abu Dhabi, where two Indians and a Pakistani were killed, as well as the recovery of IEDs in Punjab and Ghazipur, the possibility of a threat to the Prime Minister cant be ruled out, a Delhi police officer said. Citing the recent security breach of Prime Minister Modis convoy in Punjab, the Delhi police officers said the force was extra vigilant to ensure no such incident happens in the Delhi area.

As the Prime Ministers security is of paramount importance, we have intensified our vigil and deployed extra manpower to ensure no such (Punjab-type) incident is repeated. We have also received intelligence inputs that there are chances of a possible terror or drone attack, the officer said.

The government has this time put a cap on the number of people who can attend the Republic Day parade physically. The defence ministry has said the gathering will be curtailed by 70-80 per cent, with a maximum of about 5,000-8,000 people allowed due to the ongoing Covid-19 wave. Last year, approximately 25,000 people were allowed to attend the parade on Rajpath. Officials said the aim was to keep people away and ensure social distancing at all times so that it doesnt become a super- spreader event.

The parade will also start half an hour later than usual, at 10.30 am instead of the usual 10 am, for better visibility of the flypast. This year 75 aircraft from the armed forces will take part in the Republic Day flypast over Rajpath to mark 75 years of Indias independence

There will be no foreign chief guest this year on January 26 for the second year running due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sources said. The heads of state of five Central Asian countries -- Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan -- had been invited by New Delhi earlier to be the chief guests for this years parade, but there has been no official announcement or confirmation by the external affairs ministry till now. The sources said the plans were dropped in view of the raging Covid-19 third wave. Last year, British PM Boris Johnson was to be the chief guest on Republic Day, but he had to cancel his plans due to the pandemic raging in the UK at that time.

According to the Delhi police, there is a three-layered security system in place and the force is always alert and undertakes anti-terror measures especially ahead of any event of national importance.

DCP (New Delhi) Deepak Yadav said in view of Republic Day, security has been tightened in the entire area where the celebration will take place being placed under multiple CCTVs fitted with facial recognition software.

All Delhi police units, including the local police, the Special Cell, Special Branch, traffic, SWAT (all-woman Special Weapons and Tactics) and teams from the National Security Guard, will be deployed, as well as the paramilitary forces, he said.

Anti-drone arrangement systems have been put up at two different locations. Police personnel will also be deployed on high-rise buildings for extra vigil. There is also an air defence gun to keep watch and tackle any hostile aircraft, the DCP added.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy handing over to `YSR Jaganann Sashwatha Bhoo Hakku Mariyu Bhoo Raksha Pathakam' to beneficiary at the camp office on Tuesday. Minister Peddireddy Ramachandrareddy, Botsa Satyanarayana, Revenue Department special CS Rajat Bhargava, Land Administration Chief Commissioner Neerab Kumar Prasad are also seen. (Photo By Arrangement)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy on Tuesday inaugurated the registration services for lands under the YSR Jagananna Saswatha Bhoo Hakku Bhoo Raksha scheme. Under this, land registration services started in 37 villages.

The chief minister said, By the grace of God, for the first time in the country, we have completed this comprehensive land survey in 51 villages in our state in the most scientific manner, using the latest technology. In 37 of the 51 villages surveyed, we are starting the process of registration of lands and properties in village secretariats, which is the first of its kind.

Terming the YSR Jagananna Saswatha Bhoo Hakku and Bhoo Raksha scheme as a great reform and a revolutionary step, Jagan said that the resurvey of lands has been taken up after 100 years. The government is committed to provide clear title deeds to the rightful owners after proper and scientific resurvey.

The CM also inaugurated the registration process in 37 villages said that in the first phase, the resurvey was completed in 51 villages and the process would be completed in 11,501 villages by December 2022.

The resurvey would ensure that there would be no scope for any future litigation and the land deals can be carried out at village level with the implementation of the scheme.

He said that the reforms had to be taken up as 90 per cent of the disputes are civil litigations and there are complaints of tampering with land records and the boundaries are not well marked. These problems can be solved if the land markings are done scientifically and an identification number is given to all landholders, the CM said.

Jagan said the land resurvey was started with a budget of around Rs 1,000 crore, pressing into action some 4,500 survey teams, with 70 CORS base stations and 2,000 rovers employing modern technology. In the first phase the resurvey was held in 51 villages covering 29,563 acres in which 3,304 objections were resolved. The chief minister dedicated these resurveyed records to the people.

Jagan said the remaining lands would also be resurveyed by June 2023, in phases, and the registration would be carried in the respective village secretariats with a unique identity number. Mandal Mobile Magistrate teams will clear the objections; and once the resurvey is completed, the state will take forward the Permanent Land Right Certificate issuing programme.

This will put an end to the play of middlemen and the data can be viewed online from their respective villages besides speedy disposal of F line in 15 days) and subdivision applications in 30 days. After the resurvey is complete, registrations will be done at village secretariat level.

Minister for Panchayatraj and Rural Development Ramachandra Reddy, Minister for Municipal and Urban Development Botsa Satyanarayana, Education Minister Adimulapu Suresh, Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma and other officials were present.

Meanwhile, Rampachodavaram sub-collector Katta Simhachalam said Gogumilli village in Rampachodavarm Division has been selected as a pilot project'' to conduct resurvey successfully under YSR Jagananna Saswatha Bhoo Hakku and Bhoo Raksha scheme, and this was completed in the village.

Participating as chief guest in the Grama Sabha to declare borders and roads in the lands of the village as well as the agriculture fields at Gogumilli on Tuesday, Simhachalam said the remaining villages would also be surveyed soon.

Meanwhile, East Godavari district collector Chevuri Hari said nearly 4,004.63 acres of land belonging to 2,504 land owners have been put for resurvey with sophisticated equipment and 3,609 parcel maps and all these landowners would be given Land Right Certificates through sub-registrars of Village Secretariats.

He said that the state government took up the project after 100 years. Due to the resurvey of the lands, many land disputes can be sorted out and the land transactions would be easier.

He said the resurvey programme was being conducted in 1616 villages except 69 polvaram-submerged villages and in the first phase, the resurvey was being conducted in 288 villages. It will be done in 576 villages in the second phase and 752 villages in third and last phase.

He said that with the help of Survey of India, the survey is being conducted with drones, rovers and GPS technology.

The resurvey for the lands has been conducted as a pilot project in six villages like Illindrad of Pithapuram mandal, Sirivada of Peddapuram, Palagummi of Amalapuram, Utrumilli of Ramachandrapuram, Bhupalapatnam in Rajanagaram mandal and Gogumilli in Rampachodavaram mandal.
Eva Longoria directs a new documentary called La Guerra Civil about the boxing rivalry between Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez in the 1990s. The film premiers at Sundance Film Festival. (Philipp Schmidli // Getty Images)

Heres a collection of the best of whats arriving on TV and streaming services this week.

Eva Longoria documentary at Sundance

The Sundance Film Festival kicks off Thursday night and, like last year, it is entirely virtual and movie lovers from around the world can buy tickets to see the films when they premiere from the comfort of their homes. Opening night offerings on Jan. 20 include La Guerra Civil, a documentary about the rivalry between Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez in the 1990s directed by Eva Longoria, Jesse Eisenbergs directorial debut When You Finish Saving the World, starring Julianne Moore, and The Princess, a documentary about Princess Diana that turns the lens on the audience. Or if you cant score tickets to any of the Sundance films this year, MUBI is programming some breakouts and underseen gems of years past, like But Im a Cheerleader (Jan. 23), Tarnation (Jan. 20) and Whirlybird (Jan. 22).

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Iranian masterpiece: A Hero

Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi latest masterpiece, A Hero, comes to Amazon Prime Video on Jan. 21. AP Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote in his review that this saga about a good deed gone wrong, in which a man imprisoned for a debt returns a bag of gold to its owner, is, " one of the most labyrinthine moral tales youre likely to encounter... Farhadis film grows increasingly knotty with fictions to cover truths, and vice-versa.

"Munich: The Edge of War" debuts Jan. 21 on Netflix. (AP)

Munich: The Edge of War

Its the fall of 1938 and tensions are boiling over as Hitler readies to invade Czechoslovakia and Britain seeks peace in Munich: The Edge of War, coming to Netflix on Friday. Based on the book by Robert Harris, this fictional tale directed by German filmmaker Christian Schwochow centers on two old Oxford classmates, one British (George MacKay) and one German (Jannis Niewohner), who are sent to the Munich Conference for negotiations. Jeremy Irons plays Neville Chamberlain and Ulrich Matthes is Hitler.

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After a slew of let-down Tinder dates, Sophie (Hilary Duff) meets the seemingly perfect guy. Meanwhile, her roommate returns home from London Fashion Week with a sexy souvenir in "How I Met Your Father." (Patrick Wymore/Hulu)

How I Met Your Father with Hilary Duff

When a title is as catchy as How I Met Your Mother, theres reason to think it will be recycled. Say hello to Hulus iteration, How I Met Your Father, with Hilary Duff as the woman searching for love and a tale for future offspring. Kim Cattrall, who skipped the sequel to Sex and the City, is Sophie circa 2050, filling her son in on his origin story and her frisky salad days. Co-stars Christopher Lowell, Francia Raisa, Tom Ainsley, Tien Tran and Suraj Sharma play friends and others in Sophies circle. The series debuts Tuesday.

"Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," premiers Jan. 21 on Apple TV+. (AP)

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock

Its party time again for Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley and Boober on the Apple TV+ reboot Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, debuting Friday. New friends are also promised in the 13 puppet-populated episodes with roots in the 1983 series created by Muppets mastermind Jim Henson. Signature elements: Bouncy tunes, silly jokes and good will. The streaming service also is home to the original shows 88 episodes, along with Fraggle Rock shorts and specials.

Amazons As We See It

Writer-producer Jason Katims, who gifted TV with Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, is steering Amazons As We See It, an adaptation of an Israeli series about 20-something roommates navigating the road to adulthood. Jack (Rick Glassman), Harrison (Albert Rutecki), and Violet (Sue Ann Pien) share something else: They are all on the autism spectrum. (The actors playing them also identify as being on the spectrum). The eight-episode comedic drama, which also stars Sosie Bacon, Chris Pang and Joe Mantegna, is out Friday.

AP Television Writers Lynn Elber and Lindsey Bahr contributed to this report.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the first India-Central Asia Summit in virtual format on January 27, a day after Republic Day, with the participation of the Presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. New Delhi announced on Wednesday that the leaders will take steps to take India-Central Asian ties to newer heights and they are also likely to discuss the evolving regional security situation, especially with regard to Afghanistan.

The summit -- the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian republics at the top leadership level -- is taking place in the virtual format due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Presidents of these five Central Asian nations had earlier been invited to New Delhi to be chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations this year, though there had been no official announcement or confirmation of this. These plans were later dropped due to the raging third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India.

The five Central Asian countries are the key to Indias connectivity and trade initiatives through the sea-land route via Iran. The strategic importance of this energy-rich region has also increased for New Delhi considerably after the fall of Afghanistan to the Pakistan-backed Taliban in August last year. The recent violence and turbulence in one of these nations -- Kazakhstan -- has also been closely monitored by New Delhi. All five Central Asian nations have a secular character and are wary of instability, particularly after the events in Afghanistan last year. All five nations also have close ties with Indias time-tested friend and decades-long strategic partner Russia.

In a statement, New Delhi said: The first India-Central Asia Summit is a reflection of Indias growing engagement with Central Asian countries, which are a part of Indias extended neighbourhood. ... During the first India-Central Asia Summit, the leaders are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation.

Pointing out that Mr Modi had paid a historic visit to all Central Asian countries in 2015, the MEA said that subsequently, there have been exchanges at high levels at bilateral and multilateral forums. It said: The inception of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the foreign ministers level, the third meeting of which was held in New Delhi from 18-20 December 2021, has provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations. The participation of the secretaries of the National Security Councils of Central Asian countries in the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi on 10 November 2021 outlined a common regional approach on Afghanistan. The summit is symbolic of the importance attached by the leaders of India and the Central Asian countries to a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership.
When in opposition, the DMK staged agitations demanding closure of liquor outlets in the first week of May 2020, when Tamil Nadu saw a mere 775 cases per day. (Representational Image: AFP)

Chennai: Opposition AIADMK on Wednesday claimed there was hardly any justification in allowing state-owned liquor outlets and bars in Tamil Nadu to function amidst increasing coronavirus cases; and hit out at the ruling DMK government in its strategy to contain the pandemic.

Expressing concern over the huge crowds in front of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) shops despite the high transmissible trait of the contagion, former chief minister K Palaniswami accused the ruling DMK of double standards in permitting the TASMAC outlets to function when the COVID-19 infections have touched about 24,000 cases a day.

When in opposition, the DMK staged agitations demanding closure of liquor outlets in the first week of May 2020, when Tamil Nadu saw a mere 775 cases per day. But, after coming to power, the DMK government is permitting the TASMAC outlets to operate in spite of rising cases, Palaniswami said in a statement here.

What is the justification in keeping the liquor shops open when the coronavirus cases have peaked to about 24,000 a day, he asked and pointed out that Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian had indicated a sharp increase in cases after the Pongal festival holidays.

The DMK appears to take one stand while sitting in the opposition and something contrary to it after coming to power, the AIADMK co-coordinator remarked while urging the state government to close the liquor shops immediately and save people's lives.
HYDERABAD: Even as the Covid-19 cases are surging in the state by each passing day, seasonal diseases like viral fevers, coughs and cold are adding to the existing miseries of people.

According to official sources, such seasonal ailments have increased three-folds and city hospitals are packed with patients. As the symptoms of these seasonal diseases and that of Covid-19 are almost similar, doctors are said to be facing a tough time.

At the Fever Hospital, Nallakunta, the out-patient department which usually has around 300 patients, is getting around 900 patients each day. The hospital dedicated 200 beds for Covid-19 treatment, 100 beds fitted with three-line oxygen supply and 44 ventilator beds, with all medical and oxygen supplies. The hospital superintendent urged the patients who are Coronavirus positive with mild symptoms not to come to the hospital, but to stay home and get treated.

Already there is heavy load on the hospital. We are ready to treat the patients with moderate to severe symptoms. As of now, six doctors, four nurses, four ward boys and four paramedics have been infected with Covid and are in home isolation. This Omicron variant is six to eight times faster in its spread, but is much weaker compared to other variants, said Dr K. Shankar, superintendent, Fever Hospital and director of Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), Narayanguda.

He said the third wave of Coronavirus would come down in the month of March. There are more seasonal fevers and infections, and its symptoms are similar to the Covid symptoms. The hospital OP is flooded with patents. I request patents who are Covid positive with mild symptoms not to come to the hospitals. They can be treated at home, stay in home isolation and the government is providing you the Covid-19 treatment kit. In most of the cases this time, patients are getting cured within a week, he said. In this third wave, most of the cases are with mild symptoms, and a very few cases require ICU (ventilator). The saturation levels of oxygen are also not dropping to less than 90 per cent even after five days, he added.

Dr Shankar said there were too many festivals, celebrations and public gatherings, yet people were not following proper Covid precautions. Maybe that could have triggered so many cases, he said, adding that presently the positive rate had gone up to more than 20 per cent because more numbers of people were vaccinated.

He suggested, The frontline workers, especially in the medical field, should go for booster shots of vaccine soon after completion of six months of vaccination. People should eat nutritional and protein-rich food, keep physical distance and wear masks properly.
Congress spokesperson Medipally Satyam argues with officials of revenue and police personnel in support of the farmers in Gangadhara mandal in Karimnagar district on Wednesday. (Photo:DC)

KARIMNAGAR: Farmers of Gangadhara mandal in Karimnagar district protested when officials arrived on Wednesday for survey of additional lands that would submerge after capacity of Kaleshwaram project is increased.

Revenue officials led by tahsildar Srinivas had to leave Kondannapalli and Rangaraopalli villages without conducting the survey. The tahsildar and assistant sub-inspector of police Naresh, who had arrived amid tight security, told the villagers not to obstruct their work, as they are performing their duties as per governments instructions.

Farmers pointed out that they have already handed over some of their lands for developmental works to government. But they have not got any compensation yet. Now, the government wants to take over additional lands for increasing the capacity of the project. The villagers remained adamant on not allowing the survey.

Meanwhile, Choppadandi assembly segment Congress in-charge Medipally Satyam arrived and extended his partys support to farmers. He alleged the TRS government is increasing the capacity of the Kaleshwaram project only to collect more commission from contractors.

He pointed out that the government is already insisting on farmers not to cultivate paddy, the only crop that requires considerable water. Alternate crops do not require much water. The existing availability of 2 TMC of water is more than enough for growing crops as currently done. Clearly, the proposal to increase the project capacity by 1 TMC more if only to line the pockets of TRS leaders, Satyam charged.

He said Congress will support the farmers fight against the state government till it withdraws its decision to increase the capacity of Kaleshwaram project by one more TMC.
New Delhi: In Punjab, the AAPs Bhagwant Mann is now pitted against the Congress Charanjit Singh Channi, the incumbent chief minister. While the battle for Punjab is expected to be mainly between the Congress and the AAP, the BJP and its allies are patiently waiting for a fractured mandate. The BJP is also planning to target Mr Channi for corruption as the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on the premises of the CMs relatives across Punjab over illegal sand mining cases this week. Punjab will be going to the polls on February 20.

On Tuesday, following a statewide mega telephonic survey, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal declared Bhagwant Mann as the partys chief ministerial candidate. On the other hand, amidst fierce infighting, the Congress has unofficially projected Charanjit Singh Channi as its leader by tweeting a 36-second video by actor-philanthropist Sonu Sood backing him as the real chief minister. The Congress high command continued to fight shy of taking an official stand due to factionalism in the party, particularly between Punjab PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and the chief minister.

Incidentally, a few days back, both wanted the high command to project a CM face. All eyes will now be on the mercurial Mr Sidhu, who has been coveting the top post. By hinting at Mr Channi, the Congress is openly playing the dalit card. While Punjab has nearly 33 per cent Scheduled Castes, the Jat-Sikhs comprise almost 20 per cent.

While Mr Channis selection could possibly confine the Congress reach to the 33 per cent backwards vote bank, Mr Mann -- politician, political satirist, actor and comedian -- could cut across caste and community. Unlike the Congress, the AAP held an elaborate function in Mohali to declare its dulha (groom)." As Mr Kejriwal announced his name, Mr Mann broke down. Wiping his tears, he hugged his mentor and elder brother, Mr Kejriwal. Im a humble servant of the people, Mr Mann said as he addressed the gathering at Mohali after the announcement. He also said that it is a huge responsibility and I will work with resolve.

It may be recalled when the Narendra Modi wave wiped away the entire Opposition, one person from a rookie party withstood the bloodbath. It was Bhagwant Mann alias Jugnu from the AAP. In 2019, Mr Mann won for the second time from the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. Mr Mann also runs an NGO called Lok Lehar Foundation, which works with the children who have developed physical deformities from the pollution of groundwater in border areas of Punjab. The AAP believes Mr Manns popularity and charisma could help the party to expand outside Delhi -- a long-cherished dream of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.

Regardless of his popularity, Mr Mann has his share of controversies. His alleged alcoholism and videos of his tumbling down from dais have haunted him. Fake pictures of Mr Mann and Mr Kejriwal were circulated by rivals. Mr Mann has claimed to have overcome his battle with the bottle with his mothers blessings. Leading the AAP in the polls in the state, Mr Mann will now be under much stronger public scrutiny.

With Mr Channi as its unofficial face, the Congress would focus mainly on the dalit vote bank. Mr Channi belongs to the second-largest dalit community, the Ravidasa, comprising nearly 20.7 per cent of the dalit population. Statistics indicated that in 2017 the Congress managed to bag nearly 41 per cent of dalit votes. Mr Channi has also started making the rounds of the deras in the state. He visited Radha Swami Satsang Bears, which reportedly influences nearly 19 constituencies, Dera Sacha Sauda (27 constituencies) and Dera Noormahal (eight constituencies), among others. Mr Channi is also reported to be a regular visitor at the Ravidas communitys Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which influences nearly eight constituencies.
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday reiterated that it would not stay GO 317 issued by the state government, which prescribed norms for transfers of government employees and teachers. However, the court assured that transfers of all employees, who had come to the court, would be the final outcome of the writ petitions.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili said without hearing the contentions of the government, it would not issue interim orders to stop transfers of the petitioners, who approached the court.

The bench was adjudicating a batch of writ petitions filed by teachers, secondary grade teachers and school assistants working in various government schools in Telangana, challenging GO 317 dated 6-12-2021.

Senior counsel Surender Rao and other counsels Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Rachana and Chikkudu Prabhakar who appeared for the petitioners, requested the court to issue interim orders and that the cases may be posted at an early date for hearing as there was an urgency in the matter. Actually, the cases were posted to April 4 for hearing.

J. Ramchandra Rao, additional advocate general, informed the court that counter affidavits had been filed in some writ petitions and further apprised the court that all employees, who had been transferred to new places of work, had reported for duty.
parna Yadav, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law being greeted by BJP National President JP Nadda, at BJP HQ in New Delhi, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. UP CM Yogi Adityanath is also seen. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadavs daughter-in-law Aparna Bisht Yadav, sister-in-law of party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on Wednesday joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, virtually confirming the speculation about a rift within the Yadav clan. It is learnt that the SP president was not in favour of his sister-in-law contesting the polls.

Aparna Yadav is the wife of Mulayams younger son Prateek, who going by rumours in the Yadav-dominated party does not have a cordial relationship with his step-brother Akhilesh Yadav. It is speculated that the BJP will give her a ticket to contest the coming Assembly polls, but this has not been announced so far.

With the Yadav clans chhoti bahu entering the BJP, pressure seems to have mounted on the SP president to contest the Assembly polls this time. Akhilesh Yadav is currently a member of the Lok Sabha from Azamgarh in UP.

The SP chief is already under pressure to contest the Assembly polls after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanaths Assembly poll debut from Gorakhpur Urban. Mr Yadav has hinted that he could contest from one of the Assembly constituencies in the Azamgarh region, a SP stronghold.

As she formally joined the BJP on Wednesday, Ms Aparna Yadav said: I have always been profoundly impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath I have always said that for me it is always the nation first. I have joined the BJP so that I can serve my nation. I have always been impressed by the schemes of the BJP and will do my best in the party. Earlier, her being photographed together with Yogi Adityanath on several occasions had created a flutter in state politics.

While the BJP, which had recently lost several prominent OBC faces to the SP, scored a major point with a Yadav family bahu snubbing the SP, from which she had made an unsuccessful electoral debut in the last election, Wednesdays development could also create some problems for it. Ms Yadav had contested against the BJPs Rita Bahuguna Joshi in 2017 from the Lucknow Cantt Assembly seat, which she is now seeking for her son. Ms Rita Bahuguna Joshi had to vacate her seat after her entry into the Lok Sabha from Allahabad in 2019.

She has been meeting the BJP central leadership with her request and has even said that if her son gets a ticket, she will quit her Parliament seat. The BJP is yet to announce who will contest from that seat.

Responding to his sister-in-law joining the saffron fold, the SP chief said: I want to congratulate her and I am happy that the SPs ideology is now spreading I am sure our ideology will reach there and spread democracy.

Akhilesh Yadav said his father Mulayam Singh Yadav had tried to counsel her not to leave the SP. According to the buzz in the SP, its chief was unwilling to field any family member in the coming Assembly polls, which had upset Ms Yadav.

When asked whether or not he will contest, Mr Yadav said: If I contest, it will be after taking permission from the people of Azamgarh, who have elected me as MP.

Ms Yadav joined the BJP at the party headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and state unit chief Swatantra Dev Singh. Mr Maurya took the opportunity to hurl a jibe at the SP chief, saying he has not been successful in his family and was also unsuccessful as a chief minister and an MP.

Union minister Anurag Thakur also welcomed Ms Aparna Yadav into the BJP, saying that it indicated that women in UP were safe living under the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the state.

Meanwhile, in another development, in Uttarakhand, Col. Vijay Rawat (Retd), the brother of late CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat, joined the BJP in the presence of state chief minister Pushar Singh Dhami.

Former Uttarakhand CM and senior leader Trivendra Singh Rawat has in a letter to party president J.P. Nadda requested that he not be selected to contest the coming Assembly polls in the state. Speculation was rife in the Uttarakhand BJP unit that it would be tough for the party to retain the Doiwala Assembly seat if Trivendra Rawat was renominated. If at all he were to contest, sources said, it should be from a different seat.
KAKINADA: After several agitations held by the tribal people, the state government is currently in a mood to sort out the problems of the 440 Polavaram Project Displaced Families among the tribals and involving 426 acres of land for compensation.

The government has issued a Preliminary Notification for 300 acres, to give it to the PDFs of tribal people under land-to-land compensation scheme for the project. The authorities have identified the land selected by the tribals.

However the PDFs have opposed the land of 100 acres at Lakkonda as they felt this is too far from their residential colonies.

The government has issued a notification to acquire the lands at Neladonelapadu, Rajavaram, Jaggannapalem, Rajupeta Loddi and Lakkonda in Gangavaram mandal. All lands except Lakkonda are existing at a distance of 5 to 6km, but Lakkonda is too far, some 20km from the rehabilitation colony and the PDFs will face hardships to go and come to the fields said the Agency Girijana Sangam president Illa Ramireddy.

He requested the authorities to change the land and show other land to the PDFs nearby their residential colonies.

Special Collector for Polavaram Project, E Murali, said an agreement was reached to settle the compensation issue years ago, and the PDFs have proposed some lands for them as compensation. The government has identified the lands in places where they proposed and decided to give those to them as compensation. A Preliminary Notification has been issued for 300 acres and the government released Rs 43 crore for the purpose, he said.

According to sources, the people of Kondamodalu Panchayat have staged several agitations and they have refused to vacate the villages during the flood and cyclone periods also. They have gone to nearby hillocks to save their lives from floods, when their villages were inundated.

Though the officials made several appeals to them to vacate the area, and that they would be provided with shelter, the people have not believed in these promises due to the bad experiences of the PDFs of other villages.

Now the tribal people of the villages have appealed to the government to complete the compensation process to all the PDFs relating to 426 acres of land as early as possible and give peace of mind to them.
An Oxfam report claims that Indias richest one per cent holds over four times the wealth of 953 million people who make up the poorest 70 per cent of the population. (Representational image/ AFP)

Nothing could expose the bankruptcy of Indias public life more convincingly than the reported announcement by the Uttar Pradesh government spokesman, Sidharth Nath Singh: There is one biggest OBC leader with us and his name is Narendra Modi. Reducing the Prime Minister of 1.3 billion Indians to the level of a mere sectarian chief in order to woo voters highlights both the fracturing of Indian unity and the appeasement for political purposes of societys lowest common denominators.

No doubt we shall see and hear much more of such counter-productive propaganda as the electoral cycle starts in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur next month and winds its weary way, infecting crowds that ignore all social distancing precepts, to Gujarat in December. The ruling BJPs recent leadership losses in Uttar Pradesh might be the Samajwadi Partys gain.

But, overall, the loss is to India as a whole as contestants for power fight out even legitimate battles with weapons that bestow legitimacy on the most primitive urges and raise the spectre of vicious Mandal-style quarrels.

It would make sense if the mobilisation of forces were on the basis of factors like job creation, housing, education, civic welfare, urban renewal, public health or improved communications. Instead, Yogi Adityanath blatantly sought an 80-20 Hindu vs Muslim polarisation, which surely is in violation of the Election Commissions Model Code of Conduct?

Elsewhere in the world, rational impulses find expression in sensible demands. British Columbia, for instance, refused to join the Canadian confederation until the government agreed in 1871 to extend the Canadian Pacific Railway to the province so that trade and tourism could prosper. Even India has experienced sound sense in public life. The Rs 75 lakhs that the East India Company demanded in 1846 to recognise Maharaja Gulab Singh as sovereign of Kashmir was modest compared to the additional demand that he should also present annually to the British Government one horse, twelve shawl goats of approved breed (six male and six female) and three pairs of Cashmere shawls. Pashmina was (and is) wealth. Kashmir boasted 7,000 looms and 17,000 weavers in 1846, but shawl production was valued at nearly Rs 50 lakhs four years later when the trade engaged nearly 50,000 workers. Napoleons nation of shopkeepers knew well which side its bread was buttered.

Such pragmatism seems unthinkable in todays India, with the Centre squandering about Rs 13,450 crores on the Central Vista Redevelopment Project whose only purpose seems to be to feed political egos instead of coming to grips with the surging Covid-19 pandemic with an effective public health strategy.

Official policy on the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs and other supposedly disadvantaged groups has also only created a vested interest in backwardness. Although proud of what they call their 5,000 years of uniquely unbroken civilisation, the Chinese are also convinced that their present economic success and scientific and military prowess flow naturally from those 5,000 years.

They proudly show tourists the narrow lanes and courtyard houses of Beijings Ming and Qing era hutongs but do not build them now for contemporary habitation. Nor do todays Chinese men sport pigtails or women bind their feet.

But Dharma Sansads of the kind that were recently held in Haridwar and elsewhere seek to perpetuate the limitations and inhibitions of the past. As the letter by five former chiefs of staff of the armed forces and more than 100 others, including veterans, bureaucrats and prominent citizens to President Ram Nath Kovind and the Prime Minister stressed, repeated calls for establishing a Hindu Rashtra and, if required, picking up weapons and killing of Indias Muslims in the name of protecting Hinduism seem designed to drag India back into an era of bloodthirsty medieval ignorance.

UPs incensed thakurs no doubt regarded foiling dalit attempts to instal an image of the late Dr B.R. Ambedkar at Ravidas temple at Shabbirpur as a major victory. In turn, dalits protested vehemently against a thakur procession to celebrate Maharana Prataps birth anniversary. Both events may have some symbolic value but little contemporary relevance.

Neither can contribute anything towards developing the scientific temper that Jawaharlal Nehru rightly regarded as the sine qua non of a modern republic. Tragically, symbols have acquired all the substitute value of substance under leaders who splash out on the circus of gigantic statues, riverside corridors, lavish bhoomi pujans and ostentatious temples to mythic heroes instead of the bread and vaccines people need.

Not that we have achieved nothing. India may not be able to oust China from Ladakh but our Mukesh Ambani has toppled Chinas Jack Ma, former boss of the Alibaba Group, from the pedestal of Asias richest man. An Oxfam report claims that Indias richest one per cent holds over four times the wealth of 953 million people who make up the poorest 70 per cent of the population. Covid-19 and the consequent lockdowns, curfews and closures have pushed 230 million Indians into poverty although India now boasts the third largest number of billionaires globally. The 15-month farmers agitation, which is now in abeyance, might flare up again if the suspicion is not dispelled that the new dispensation the government wants will benefit most Mr Ambani and Mr Gautam Adani, who is also believed to be close to the Prime Minister.

Anticipating this turn of events, Winston Churchill, arch imperialist and bitter opponent of Indian independence, noted newspaper reports in 1931 of the crowd of rich Bombay merchants and millionaire millowners, millionaires on sweated labour, who surround Mr Gandhi, the saint, the lawyer  He believed that they were making arrangements that the greatest bluff, the greatest humbug and the greatest betrayal shall be followed by the greatest ramp so that nepotism, back-scratching, graft and corruption in every form will be the handmaidens of self-rule.

Opinions differ on the extent to which that grim prophecy may have been fulfilled. But there can be little dispute over the disarray of the political landscape, caused largely by the powerful emergence of identity politics. The strength of individual caste and sub-caste lobbies even within the BJPs Uttar Pradesh unit compounds the challenge that groups like the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and an invigorated Congress present to Mr Adityanaths hopes of repeating his partys impressive performance in 2017. What matters far more than the fate of any political party is the threat to social cohesion in an India that is finding it increasingly difficult to contain its many discontents.
Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law joined the BJP ranks, while Shiv Sena dismissed a coalition, on the lines of the Maharashtra government, for Goa polls citing that Congress believed it would win a majority on its own. The Election Commission of India concluded that the Samajwadi Party had violated the Covid-19 safety guidelines issued by the panel in Uttar Pradesh and four other poll-bound states in view of the surge in coronavirus infections.
Bethlehem City Council postponed a vote on three South Side development projects, including a controversial nine-story building that some council members have concerns about.

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At Tuesdays council meeting, council Vice President Grace Crampsie Smith called for a motion to postpone the vote on projects at 305 E. Third St., 317-327 S. New St. and 127 E. Fourth St. because council did not have a solicitor at the meeting to answer questions. Council unanimously supported her motion.

Former council solicitor John Spirk left his role to become city solicitor for new Mayor J. William Reynolds. Though council unanimously swore in new city solicitor Brian J. Panella at the meeting, he was not yet serving in that role.

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Further, some members of council voiced concerns about the nine-story, 88-foot-tall, mixed-use development proposal at 317-327 S. New St.

The proposed mixed-use building would bring 61 apartments and a food court to the South Side neighborhood. Developers have said they plan to make 10% of the apartments affordable to low-income renters, and the building would also retain the historic facade of buildings on 321-323 S. New St., per a historic commissions recommendation.

The delayed vote comes after nearly a year of back-and-forth between the developers and the historic conservation commission. Developers had to scale down their original proposal, which they first presented in early 2021, reducing the building from 13 stories and the number of apartments down from more than 80.

Still, the project has met resistance from some historic conservation commission members, city council members and the public. Critics have voiced concerns about the height of the building, which is likely to tower over the neighborhood, blocking sunlight and obscuring views of the city, they say.

Historic commission members previously called for the height to be reduced to five stories, though developers said that slashing the building to that height would mean the building was no longer economically viable.

Despite reservations from some members, the commission approved the project this month.

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Council member Paige Van Wirt called the Historic Conservation Commissions approval of the development troublesome because the commission approved it even though developers did not take up one of the commissions suggestions.

That suggestion was to set back the top two stories of the building by making them smaller than the rest of the floors. Setting back those floors would allow for more sunlight on the streets and be less imposing for pedestrians on narrow New Street, Van Wirt said.

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When you have buildings without setbacks like that, it creates a very imposing streetscape on the street for the pedestrian, Van Wirt said.

Bethlehem Director of Community and Economic Development Alicia Miller Karner said that the suggestion to set back the top two stories of the developments is not part of the application that council was to vote on.

Reynolds and Council President Michael Colon raised concerns about the delayed vote, saying that doing so could contribute to a backlog in conservation commission approvals.

I would express my wishes that if the will of council is to postpone items that are to be discussed, I would just ask that we vote on them sooner rather than later, Colon said, although he voted in favor of postponing the vote.

Morning Call reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at 610-820-6681 and liweber@mcall.com.
Major international airlines rushed to rejig or cancel flights to the United States ahead of a 5G wireless rollout on Wednesday that has triggered safety concerns, despite two wireless carriers saying they will delay parts of the deployment.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had warned that potential 5G interference could affect height readings that play a key role in bad-weather landings on some jets and airlines say the Boeing 777 is among models initially in the spotlight.

Despite an announcement by AT&T and Verizon that they would pause the 5G rollout near airports, several airlines still cancelled flights or switched aircraft models.

Late Tuesday, the FAA began updating its guidance on which airports and aircraft models would be affected, in a move expected to dramatically lessen the impact of the nearly 1,500 notices of 5G restrictions issued by the regulator.

The world's largest operator of the Boeing 777, Dubai's Emirates, said earlier it would suspend flights to nine US destinations from January 19, the planned date for the deployment of 5G wireless services.

Also Read  Do 5G telecoms pose a threat to airline safety?

Emirates flights to New York's JFK, Los Angeles and Washington DC will continue to operate.

Japan's two major airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, said they would curtail Boeing 777 flights. ANA said it was cancelling or changing the aircraft used on some US flights.

Korean Air Lines said it had switched away from 777s and 747-8s on six U.S. passenger and cargo flights, Taiwan's China Airlines said it would reschedule some flights and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said it would deploy different aircraft types if needed.

The airlines said they were acting in response to a notice from Boeing that 5G signals may interfere with the radio altimeter on the 777, leading to restrictions.

A spokesman for Boeing had no immediate comment.

The 777 last year was the second-most used widebody plane on flights to and from US airports with around 210,000 flights, behind only the 767, according to data from FlightRadar24.

Industry sources said Boeing had issued technical advisories noting potential interference, but that flight restrictions were in the hands of the FAA, which has for now limited operations at key airports unless airlines qualify for special approvals.

Radio altimeters give precise readings of the height above the ground on approach and help with automated landings, as well as verifying the jet has landed before allowing reverse thrust. Air India, which serves four US destinations with Boeing 777s, said those flights would be curtailed or face changes in aircraft type starting Wednesday.

The announcement of cancellations came despite the wireless carriers delaying turning on some 5G towers near key airports. Airline industry sources said the decision had arrived too late to affect complex aircraft and crewing decisions for some Wednesday flights.

Also Read  Is 5G detrimental to your health? Only time will tell

British Airways opted to switch aircraft on its daily flight to Los Angeles to an Airbus A380 from the usual Boeing 777 service, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Web tracker Flightradar24 said the A350 may also be used. The radio altimeters on the two Airbus jets have been cleared while the planemaker is still assessing other models.

The 777 mini-jumbo is a workhorse of the long-haul travel market that remains depressed following Covid-19, while its freighter equivalent has reshaped the aviation route map during the pandemic, according to a spokesperson for Flightradar24.

Not all 777 flights are affected. Emirates, which is also a major user of the larger A380, will switch to the larger aircraft for Los Angeles and New York but keep flying the 777 to Washington, which is not affected.

Qatar Airways, which operates both 777s and A350s to the United States, said all 12 of its US routes were operating as scheduled, with minor delays expected on flights from the U.S. to Doha.

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The apex body for liquor firms Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies has urged the government to gradually reduce customs duties on British alcoholic beverages under the proposed India-UK free trade agreement, and not in an unfair manner as that could impact domestic players.

Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) Director-General Vinod Giri said that the duties on scotch whiskies should not be reduced in a hurry and unfairly.

India and the UK have formally launched negotiations for an FTA, under which duties would be reduced or eliminated on several goods traded between the two countries.

Also Read: Rift between BJP and JD(U) in Bihar widens

"We urge our government to ensure (in the FTA) that Indian alcoholic beverage industry is permitted a truly level playing field by way of an effective customs duty that is reflective of the higher cost of production driven by the regulatory restrictions and capital cost in India; equal opportunities are created for export of Indian products to the UK, and measures are put in to prevent dumping or predatory price exports to India," Giri said in a letter to the commerce ministry.

The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has also suggested the government to ensure that the UK allows the selling of domestic whiskies as 'Indian Whisky', irrespective of whether they are made from malt, grain spirits or molasses-based spirits.

The UK should also remove the condition of a minimum three years maturation period for whisky and rum, the body said.

"The domestic alcoholic beverages industry only seeks just and fair level playing field for Indian producers and help them achieve global scale and success...It is therefore vital that the interests of the domestic industry are not compromised, and opportunities are created for Indian products to reach out and conquer the world," the body added.

He also said that the alcoholic beverages industry contributes Rs 2.5 lakh crore annually in taxes to the states, employs 20 lakh people and supports 50 lakh farmers.

Giri informed that the UK has imposed "non-tariff barriers", related to product recipe and ageing, on Indian alcoholic beverages, which prevents most domestic products from accessing the British market.

"These must be removed to ensure genuine quid pro quo," he said in the letter.

On January 13 this year, India and the UK formally launched negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), which is expected to help double bilateral trade to over USD 100 billion by 2030 and boost economic ties between the two countries.

Further, the confederation said that to prevent dumping of beverages, India should impose a minimum assessable value (MAV), and treatment of bottled and bulk spirits as same for tariff and MAV.

"Today, India produces internationally acclaimed single malt whisky brands such as Paul John, Amrut, Rampur, Solan Gold, gins such as Jaisalmer, and wines like Sula which are being exported across the globe. These products confidently and proudly showcase their Indian heritage to the world," he said.

India's exports to the UK stood at $8.15 billion in 2020-21, while imports aggregated at $4.95 billion.

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You dont own web3. The VCs and their LPs do.

Jack Dorsey tweeted this esoteric salvo in late December, not long after he stepped down as the head of Twitter to focus on advancing his Bitcoin ambitions. The post, swiping at the power held by venture capitalists and their limited partners as they try to reorganize the internet around blockchain technology, an effort known as web3, soon set off a public feud among members of the Silicon Valley ruling class. The dispute over what many herald as the next arena of technological revolution has drawn increasingly hard lines. Elon Musk is with Dorsey; Marc Andreessen is his enemy.

The web3 revolution, backers say, promises the democratisation of commerce and information by building a better internet on blockchain networks  distributed ledger systems that form the basis of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It theoretically would cut out traditional middlemen and gatekeepers, letting users transact directly and have a greater stake in the programs they use.

Read more: Bitcoins dominance of crypto payments is starting to erode

But Dorsey has a different view. It will never escape their incentives, continued his post about the role of venture capitalists in web3. Its ultimately a centralised entity with a different label.

If you find these messages mystifying and wonder whats at stake, you are not alone. These billionaires are debating the future of the internet, a tool we all use, in a new language that few of us understand. Lets decipher the code.

What is the problem?

First, tech types are divided on what web3 means and whether it matters.

I dont think its super easy to defin, acknowledged Sam Bankman-Fried, the billionaire founder of the crypto exchange FTX, taking a few unsuccessful stabs at a simple explanation. I think a lot of people see in it what they want to see, he added.

Essentially, web3 refers to an internet operating on so-called tokenomics. Tokens are digital units of cryptocurrency, and in web3, developers and users have mutual financial interests and everyone can earn crypto. Users benefit directly from their contributions  creativity, play, engagement or deposits, say. They can also help govern futuristic community-run companies, where they can vote on decisions with tokens created by the particular project.

Believers say these innovations will change how companies are formed and run. A report on 2022 trends by the crypto research firm Messari called web3 an unstoppable force that will take society from an internet built on rented land with monopoly overlords to an infinite frontier of new possibilities. Messaris founder, Ryan Selkis, contends that crypto presents a credible revolution to all monopolies.

Yet big investors also appear attracted to the infinite frontier. Last year, venture capitalists backed about 460 blockchain projects, spending nearly $12.75 billion, up from 155 deals worth $2.75 billion in 2020, per Pitchbook data provided to The New York Times. And the venture arms of crypto exchanges like Coinbase and FTX are some of the biggest deal-makers, compounding concerns about corporate concentration. That means major players increasingly control the decentralized entities said to democratize everything for little guys.

Before Dorseys warning, many in crypto muttered about insiders with outsize control hampering decentralisation and undermining the democratic ethos.

The venture firm Andreessen Horowitz, which Marc Andreessen co-founded, has stakes in Compound and Uniswap, two web3 programs that allow for lending, borrowing and trading. More than 95% of the coins that are used for governance on those two platforms are owned by just 1% of token holders, said Alexis Goldstein, the financial policy director of the progressive think tank Open Markets, in recent testimony to the Joint Economic Committee in Congress.

While cryptocurrency industry insiders promote the democratized benefits of digital assets, Goldstein testified, in truth, crypto concentrations of money and power match or surpass those in traditional financial markets.

Read more: Blockchain to grow despite proposed rules

Why does the spat stand out?

The growing battle of barbs and memes between billionaires has exposed a rift in the increasingly lucrative crypto industry as it tries to sell policymakers and the public on its virtues. Crypto confounds as many people as it seduces, and the push to mainstream it has relied on a unified front from its influential proponents.

But that unity is cracking. In response to Dorsey, Musk, the chief executive of Tesla, quipped that he couldnt find web3. Dorsey retorted that it was somewhere between a and z, a dig at Andreessen Horowitz, which is known as A16Z.

Marc Andreessen was displeased. Andreessen Horowitz is billions deep in crypto, and it just built a Washington lobbying team to push policies that ensure that its visions manifest. Marc Andreessen blocked Dorsey on Twitter and devoted his feed to memes about muting bad followers with terrible opinions, calling out bad faith web3 takes.

Andreessen Horowitz and Block, a company founded by Dorsey and formerly known as Square, did not respond to requests for comment.

The crypto industry has been hoping to build on successes it notched last year. Coinbase had a blockbuster initial public offering in April. In October, an exchange-traded fund linked to Bitcoin futures arrived, allowing crypto-linked investment activity to occur on established trading platforms. In December, six executives spoke at a House hearing to play up the democratizing powers of blockchains.

For crypto to truly flourish, however, policymakers and the public must be more than charmed by the possibilities. They must be persuaded that blockchains can be a tool for good in addition to speculation and profit. Instead, the fight over web3 has called attention to problems.

Its potentially super exciting, Bankman-Fried said. He said that he was cautiously betting on web3, but that he was definitely worried that some of whats going on right now looks at least as much like a money grab.

Whats the big deal?

Read more: Blockchain to grow despite proposed rules

There have already been instances of questionable activity with certain crypto projects.

Take ICP, the buzziest cryptocurrency of last spring. It fuels Internet Computer, a blockchain network that aims to replace cloud computing giants like Amazon and that is backed by Andreessen Horowitz. The price rose astronomically amid gushing reports of a token release and crashed spectacularly in weeks. A firm that tracks activity on blockchains found 44 IDs associated with project insiders, including venture capitalists, who deposited more than $2 billion in ICP to cryptocurrency exchanges, transfers that coincided with significant price drops while individual investors struggled to redeem tokens.

The developer behind Internet Computer denied that the process was made difficult to benefit insiders. But ICPs price has never recovered, and some investors say they have since lost faith in the project.

In October, the crypto venture capital firm Divergence Ventures got caught gaming the system to collect $2.5 million worth of tokens meant for users of Ribbon Finance, a project it backs. This raised suspicions it had acted on inside information. The firm said it wasnt the only one cheating.

Intentions aside, things go awry. There are bugs and hacks and there are kinks yet to be worked out.

ConstitutionDAO, a group hastily created to bid on an original copy of the US Constitution, raised about $47 million in November from thousands of investors. But after it lost the auction bid, DAOs core team struggled to come up with a plan to return investments as contributors bickered in online group chats. The average investment was about $200, but now the investors may have to pay that much in fees to get their crypto back. (ConstitutionDAO did not respond to a request for comment.)

What now?

Proponents across the web3 ideological divide have been working to woo lawmakers. Venture capitalists are pushing policy proposals meant to influence officials to embrace web3. Believers in the revolution, like Selkis of Messari, have compiled lists of politicians to support. But the movement still appears to lack a unified front.

The debate that Dorsey sparked last month has continued online, though it appears he has begun to direct his attention elsewhere. On Thursday, he started a Bitcoin legal defense fund for developers who face legal headaches, and he said Block would get involved with mining Bitcoin.

Andreessen Horowitzs policy team has been looking beyond Washington, publishing proposals for global leaders on how to become web3 republics.

Crypto, however, is not the only issue on every tech billionaires mind.

Bankman-Fried, the founder of the FTX exchange, gave roughly $5 million to the Biden campaign during the last election and said he had already made a number of donations to midterm election campaigns. He isnt planning to flex his considerable financial muscle on behalf of web3. Instead, he said, his concern is pandemic preparedness.

Theres a little bit of lazy thinking going on right now in some cases where people will just say, like, Ah, you know, like everythings going to be better in web3 land, he mused. And I dont know  some things will be. But you cant just say the word web3 and then assume that makes things better.
The chief executives of major US passenger and cargo airlines have warned of a "catastrophic" aviation crisis this week as AT&T and Verizon deploy new 5G services.

They said the new C band 5G service set to begin on Wednesday could render a significant number of aircraft unusable, causing chaos for US flights and potentially stranding tens of thousands of Americans overseas.

Also read: Air India to curtail or revise US flights due to 5G internet deployment

Here is the background to the dispute:

What happened?

The United States auctioned mid-range 5G bandwidth to mobile phone companies in early 2021 in the 3.7-3.98 GHz range on the spectrum known as C band, for about $80 billion.

Why is that a problem?

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that the new 5G technology could interfere with instruments such as altimeters, which measure how far above the ground an airplane is travelling.

Altimeters operate in the 4.2-4.4 GHz range and the concern is that the auctioned frequencies sit too close to this range.

In addition to altitude, altimeter readouts are also used to facilitate automated landings and to help detect dangerous currents called wind shear.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said last month the FAA's 5G directives would bar the use of radio altimeters at about 40 of the biggest US airports.

US airlines have warned the directives could disrupt up to 4% of daily flights.

Kirby said if left unresolved it could mean that at major US airports in the event of bad weather, cloud cover or even heavy smog "you could only do visual approaches essentially."

What difference does the frequency make?

The higher the frequency in the spectrum, the faster the service. So in order to get full value from 5G, operators want to operate at higher frequencies.

Some of the C band spectrum auctioned had been used for satellite radio but the transition to 5G means there will be much more traffic.

What do the telecoms companies say?

Verizon and AT&T have argued that C band 5G has been deployed in about 40 other countries without aviation interference issues.

They have agreed to buffer zones around 50 airports in the United States, similar to those used in France, for six months to reduce interference risks.

Why not an issue elsewhere?

The European Union in 2019 set standards for mid-range 5G frequencies in a 3.4-3.8 GHz range, a lower frequency than the service set to be rolled out in the United States. The bandwidth has been auctioned in Europe and is in use in many of the bloc's 27 member states so far without issue.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which oversees 31 states, said on Dec. 17 the issue was specific to US airspace. "At this stage, no risk of unsafe interference has been identified in Europe," it said.

FAA officials have noted the spectrum used by France (3.6-3.8 GHz) sits further away from the spectrum (4.2-4.4 GHz) used for altimeters in the United States and France's power level for 5G is much lower than what is authorized in the United States.

Verizon has said it will not use spectrum that is closer to the higher band for several years.

In South Korea, the 5G mobile communication frequency is 3.42-3.7 GHz band and there has been no report of interference with radio wave since commercialization of 5G in April 2019.

Currently, 5G mobile communication wireless stations are in operation near airports, but there have been no reports of problems.

"Wireless carriers in nearly 40 countries throughout Europe and Asia now use the C band for 5G, with no reported effects on radio altimeters that operate in the same internationally designated 4.2-4.4 GHz band," CTIA, a US wireless trade group, said in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission.

How can this be fixed?

In the short-term, AT&T and Verizon agreed to temporarily defer turning on some wireless towers near key airports to avert a significant disruption to US flights.

Longer-term the FAA needs to clear and allow the vast majority of the US commercial airplane fleet to perform low-visibility landings at many airports where 5G C-band will be deployed. This means certifying altimeters to operate near 5G base stations.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said that it has signed a contract to supply the island nation of Mauritius with one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

The ALH Mark III will be operated by the Mauritius Police Force. The Mauritius government already operates other HAL-built Advanced Light Helicopters and Do-228 aircraft.

HAL said that the new order falls in line with the governments vision to boost defence exports to friendly nations.

Also Read  Hindustan Aeronautics shares zoom nearly 10%

The contract was signed by B K Tripathy, General Manager, Helicopter Division-HAL and O K Dabidin, Secretary of Home Affairs, Prime Ministers Office, the Republic of Mauritius at HALs Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur.

The ALH Mk III is a multi-role, multi-mission versatile helicopter in the 5.5-tonne category. More than 335 ALHs have been produced to date logging around 3,40,000 cumulative flying hours. HAL also ensures technical assistance and product support to the customer to ensure the serviceability of the helicopter.

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The hope of stitching an MVA like alliance in Goa has not taken off as Congress is unwilling to ally with the Shiv Sena and NCP. The three parties have formed Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra but in Goa, the Congress is already in alliance with Goa Forward Party.

Congress is not willing to concede more seats to the allies and sources say it thinks that the NCP and the Shiv Sena in the fray will split BJP votes.

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP said, "NCP and Shiv Sena tried to form an MVA like alliance in Goa but did not get a positive response from the Congress."

Also Read | In Goa, AAP fields Amit Palekar as CM candidate

The Shiv Sena leader in the past had met Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the same but things did not work out as Congress assessment is that people will vote for a change. NCP leader Praful Patel has said that his party will contest with Shiv Sena in the state.

The Congress had alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Trinamool Congress were contesting in Goa to split the opposition vote and help the BJP.

Congress Senior observer of Goa, P. Chidambaram said that the people are voting either for the BJP or for a regime change.

Also Read | Goa Assembly polls: TMC announces first list of 11 names

Chidambaram in a statement said, "My assessment that the AAP (and the TMC) will only fracture the non-BJP vote in Goa has been confirmed by Mr Arvind Kejriwal. The contest in Goa is between Congress and BJP".

"Those who want a regime change (after 10 years of misrule) will vote for the Congress. Those who want the regime to continue will vote for the BJP. The choice before the voter in Goa is stark and clear. Do you want a regime change or not? I appeal to the voters of Goa to vote for a regime change and vote Congress," he added.

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."

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Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav is likely to join the BJP. Sources in the BJP said that Aparna is in touch with the party's top leadership and is likely to join the party on Wednesday.

It is learnt that she is seeking a ticket from Lucknow Cantt Assembly seat, however, the BJP leadership has clarified that there will be no pre-condition for joining.

"Aparna has contested the 2017 Assembly polls from Lucknow Cantt Assembly constituency and this time also she has expressed her desire to contest from the same seat. However, the BJP leadership has clarified that there will be no pre-condition and Aparna ticket will be decided like any other only on the criteria of winnability," a senior BJP leader said.

Aparna, wife of Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Pratik Yadav, had unsuccessfully contested the 2017 polls against BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Lucknow Cantt.

BJP Lok Sabha member from Prayagraj, Joshi, meanwhile, had on Tuesday offered to resign from Parliament if the party is ready to give ticket to her son Mayank Joshi in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

In the past Aparna lauded the several initiatives of the Narednra Modi government like 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' and others. She also donated for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10. Counting of votes will be held on March 10.

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Former BJP ministers Swami Prasad Maurya and Dara Singh Chauhan, who had resigned from the saffron party a few days back and joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar, who had been a former ally of the BJP and had now allied with the SP, may belong to the OBC but they represent different communities within the same and formed a large chunk of the OBC electorate in the 'Poorvanchal' (eastern) region of Uttar Pradesh. Their support was crucial for any party nurturing dreams to form the next government in the state.

And it was precisely the reason why their departure from the saffron party could severely dent the BJP's electoral prospects in the region, which was swept by the party in the 2017 assembly polls and again in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

BJP had bagged 115 of the 164 seats in the 2017 assembly elections riding on its alliance with the Apna Dal (AD) and the SBSP. SP had won 17 followed by the BSP, which had emerged victorious on 14 seats. Congress could manage only two seats while the others, mainly the alliance partners of the BJP, had bagged 16 seats.

A quick look at the caste arithmetic of the 'Poorvanchal' was enough to understand the electoral significance of the 'Rajbhar, Maurya and Chauhan' communities in the region.

Also read: Winning Muslim voters' trust biggest challenge for BJP in UP polls

Swami Prasad Maurya, a five-time MLA, was considered to be an influential OBC leader and his clout among the voters of his community was evident from the fact that he had a support base among them not only in the eastern but also in some districts in the central region, including Kushinagar, Raebareli, Badayun and Shahjahanpur.

In fact, such was Maurya's importance in the BJP that he was allowed on the stage when PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kushinagar airport a few days back. 'Mauryas' were in good numbers in several eastern and central districts.

Similarly, the 'Rajbhars' may be only three to four per cent of the total electorate in UP but their numbers in some eastern districts are sizable. They form around 17 per cent of the electorate in Ghazipur, Ballia, Mau, Varanasi, Chandauli, Azamgarh, Amebdkar Nagar, Baharaich and Maharajganj districts. A shift in their votes could significantly hit the BJP's performance in these districts. Om Prakash Rajbhar wields considerable influence on the voters of his community.

The 'Chauhan' community was also quite sizable in the eastern UP districts of Azamgarh, Mau, Ghazipur and Ballia and could alter the results in more than two dozen assembly constituencies.

While the BJP leaders have claimed that the departure of these leaders will not have any impact on their party's electoral prospects, sources in the party admit otherwise. In the 2017 assembly polls, BJP had polled around 40 per cent votes while the SP's vote share stood at around 20 percent. The saffron party had managed to secure 44 per cent votes of the OBCs in the eastern region. Any significant dent in the OBC votes could hit its prospects.

The fact that BJP had agreed to give more seats to its two OBC allies Nishad Party and Apna Dal (AD) also proved that it apprehended loss in the region. ''BJP may be trying to offset the loss by fielding more candidates from the Nishad Party and AD,'' said a Lucknow-based political analyst.

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The Election Commission of India on Tuesday concluded that the Samajwadi Party had violated the Covid-19 safety guidelines issued by the panel in Uttar Pradesh and four other poll-bound states in view of the surge in coronavirus infections.

The ECI, however, did not act against the Samajwadi Party, which had a congregation of its workers and supporters at its headquarters in Lucknow on January 14, allegedly flouting the Covid-19 guidelines -- its first violation by the party in the current round of elections.

The poll panel advised the party to be careful in future and to follow all the extant guidelines diligently. It also instructed the party to instruct all its members to adhere to the extant Covid-19 safety guidelines during the period of the elections without fail.

The legal proceedings initiated against the SP on the basis of the FIR registered at the Gautampalli Police Station in Lucknow against the 2,000-2,500 political functionaries of the party would continue.

Also read: Mamata Banerjee to campaign for Samajwadi Party in UP; to attend virtual sabha with Akhilesh in Lucknow, Varanasi

The ECI had issued a notice to the SP on January 15 for allegedly flouting the ban it had imposed on physical rallies in Uttar Pradesh and the four other poll-bound states in view of the third wave of the Covid-19.

The commission acted after the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh reported that the Samajwadi Party had violated the Covid-19 protocols by holding a public meeting at its headquarters at Vikramaditya Marg in Lucknow on January 14. The party chief Akhilesh Yadav not only attended the conclave but also delivered a speech.

The SP in its response to the ECI claimed that it had not violated the ban imposed on the rallies. It argued that the congregation in the party office on January 14 was not a rally or public meeting. It stated that more than 4,000 applicants had asked for the partys nomination to contest the elections and they were being interviewed in its headquarters in Lucknow. It also said that the applicants were being allowed to enter the party headquarters only if they followed the Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.

The said procedure is a part of the election process and has not been prohibited by the Election Commission of India under its guidelines dated January 8, 2022, the SP wrote to ECI.

The poll panel, however, was not convinced by the argument of the SP. It referred to the press note it had issued while announcing the schedule of the polls on January 8.

It reminded that all stakeholders, including the candidates and the political parties, campaigners, voters and authorities engaged in the election process, should always be conscious of their prime duty towards public health and safety and should abide by the general instructions and other norms of the Covid-19 appropriate behaviour as mandated by the respective authorities prescribed under the law.

Also read: SP MLA Pinki Yadav, others booked for violating MCC, Covid guidelines

An FIR was also registered at the Gautampalli Police Station in Lucknow against the political functionaries of the Samajwadi Party under Sections 188, 269, 270 and 341 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 and Section 03 of the Pandemic Act 1897. The Station House Officer of the Gautamapalli Police Station was suspended for dereliction of duty as he failed to stop the public meeting.

The Model Code of Conduct had come into force in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur soon after the commission had announced the schedule of the assembly elections in the five states on January 8 last. The poll panel had also banned physical rallies and road shows for a week in view of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Samajwadi Party held the congregation of its party leaders, workers and supporters, at its office even when the ban on rallies was in force.

The EC on Saturday extended the ban till January 22.

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Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Wednesday expressed his unwillingness to contest the Assembly polls and has written a letter to BJP national president J P Nadda in this regard.

In the letter to Nadda, Rawat said: "Leadership has changed in the state and the party got a youth leader Pushkar Singh Dhami. In the changed political scenario, I should not contest the 2022 Assembly polls."

He said that he had earlier also conveyed his intent not to fight the 2022 polls.

"As per responsibilities extended to me by the national secretary and party in the past, I have done election related work in Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh," the letter read.

"I want to work wholetime so that the BJP government is formed under Dhami's leadership. Therefore, I request you to accept my request of not contesting so that I can do my best for the formation of the BJP government in the state again," it added.

In 2017, Trivendra Singh Rawat became chief minister after winning from Doiwala constituency. In March 2021, the BJP high command removed him from the chief minister's post and made Tirath Singh Rawat the Chief Minister of the hill state. Sensing that Tirath Singh Rawat may not get elected as MLA within six months, the saffron party handed over the reins of the state government to Dhami.

The state is slated to go to the polls on February 14.
For Allentown School District students, Labor Day may end up being an extra day off from school instead of the last day of summer vacation.

Allentown has traditionally started its classes the day after Labor Day, but the proposed calendar for the upcoming school year would have the district starting one week earlier. That would align the districts calendar with other Lehigh Valley school districts. Allentown is the only area district to start classes after Labor Day.

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The Allentown School Board will vote on the 2022-23 calendar at its Jan. 27 meeting. If the board approves the switch, Allentowns 16,000 students would start Aug. 29 and finish the school year June 7.

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At a committee meeting last week, the board unanimously approved putting the proposed calendar up for a vote this month. The board did not publicly discuss the proposed switch.

[ From April 2021: Allentown School Board divided on whether to start school before Labor Day ]

School board President Nancy Wilt said Tuesday that she supports starting classes one week earlier because it would help Allentown students who attend Lehigh Career and Technical Institute and those who are dual-enrolled in college courses. LCTI, which enrolls students from each of Lehigh Countys high schools, starts before Labor Day.

It aligns our kids with everyone else in the Lehigh Valley so theyre not coming in a week behind in instruction from the remainder of the schools that send students to LCTI, Wilt said.

Other school board members either did not return messages or deferred to Wilt.

Last year when the district made a similar request, the board was divided on changing the calendar. While half of the board favored the change, others thought it was better to wait to give employees more time to make the switch. Wilt said the board understood last year that it would revisit the pre-Labor Day start for the 2022-23 school year.

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We felt at that time that moving forward on what at that time was the coming school year didnt provide enough time to our teachers and faculty to make the shift, Wilt said.

The district is required to approve a calendar for the coming school year by May, but the board is getting the calendar done early this year to give parents, students, faculty and staff extra time to adjust to the proposed changes, she said.

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The school district is looking to make sure its old buildings will be able to accommodate students and teachers during handful of hot August days, Wilt added. Some schools will have heating, ventilation and air conditioning updates.

Wilt said though the vote to move the proposed calendar forward was unanimous, she did not know if there would be unanimous support to adopt the calendar at the upcoming meeting.

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Parkland was one of the only other school districts in the area to start after Labor Day, but it made the switch for the 2020-21 school year to better align with other districts during the pandemic.

Pre-Labor Day starts have not been without controversy. Some say it hurts tourism by taking away much-needed student employees. Others say it robs families of quality time in the summer.

Former state Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery, tried but failed to pass a law banning pre-Labor Day starts in Pennsylvania.

Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has slammed the United Nations (UN) once again, saying that there are "not enough people" in the world and one should be more worried about population collapse.

In a latest tweet, Musk posted, "UN projections are utter nonsense. Just multiply last year's births by life expectancy. Given downward trend in birth rate, that is best case unless reversed."

"We should be much more worried about population collapse," Musk wrote.

UN projections are utter nonsense. Just multiply last years births by life expectancy. Given downward trend in birth rate, that is best case unless reversed.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 18, 2022

Musk said that if there aren't enough people for Earth, "then there definitely won't be enough for Mars."

The SpaceX CEO's theory believes that when an increasingly-elderly global population clashes with declining birth rates around the world in the near future a 'population bomb' would go off.

Musk first broached the topic back in 2017 when Musk replied to a publication saying, "The world's population is accelerating towards collapse, but few seem to notice or care."

Tim Peake, a British astronaut earlier said that Musk's prestigious SpaceX project could accelerate time to help man walk on Mars in just another 20 years or so by 2040.

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It is not possible to end the Covid-19 virus as such viruses never go away and end up becoming part of the ecosystem, a top WHO official said on Tuesday but asserted that it is possible to end this year the public health emergency caused by Covid-19 with a collaborative approach to fix inherent inequities in the system.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum's online Davos Agenda 2022 summit, the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme Executive Director Michael Ryan said what needs to be done is to ensure a really low level of disease incidence with the maximum vaccination of the entire world population.

"That will be the end of the public health emergency in my view and that would be an end to this pandemic," he said while adding that there was a chance to achieve it this year itself.

The worldwide spread of the deadly virus, which was first reported in China's Wuhan in late 2019, has seen more than 33 crore confirmed cases globally and over 55.5 lakh deaths so far.

Also read: In a massive jump, Karnataka reports 41,457 new Covid-19 cases; 25,595 from Bengaluru alone

The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the outbreak a 'public health emergency of international concern' on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

However, the emergence of its fast-spreading Omicron variant, resulting in the re-introduction of national lockdowns, travel bans and quarantines in various parts of the world, has reinforced the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We won't end the virus this year. We may never end this virus. Pandemic viruses end up becoming part of the ecosystem," Ryan said.

"What we can end is the public health emergency this year, but the issue is about deaths, about hospitalisations and about the destruction of social, economic and political systems that have caused the tragedy. The virus is just a vehicle," he said.

The WHO official said it is the reaction of the society to the virus that caused the tragedy as he blamed "the inequity including in access to health facilities and all those long-standing social inequities and those huge inequities not just between countries but also the internal inequities within countries".

"Yes, we have a chance to end this public health emergency this year if we do right things to fix these inequities. But the reality is this tragedy will continue," he said.

Ryan also sought to warn against an emerging narrative on whether the Covid-19 pandemic is on its way to becoming endemic in nature.

"Endemic just means it is here forever. Even endemic diseases kill hundreds of thousands of people and we should not think that a pandemic becoming endemic is the good thing," he added.

Also read: N95? KF94? Which mask is best at protecting against Covid-19

Speaking at the same session, Oxfam International Executive Director Gabriela Bucher said it is possible to end the pandemic if we overhaul the model radically to ensure a truly equitable distribution.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said the definition of the pandemic is evolving every day. "I am not an expert, but there will be a point when we reach a certain level of vaccination, hopefully by the end of this year, when everyone is double or triple vaccinated, then probably we can say that. And also that would depend on what kinds of new variants emerge and hospitalisation levels remaining under control," he added.

He was replying to a question on whether an end to the pandemic could be in sight.

Seth F Berkley, CEO of Gavi vaccine alliance, said the COVAX programme has been successful, but not without its speed bumps along the way.

The WHO has also been criticising the unequal distribution of vaccines and has been asking manufacturers and other countries to contribute to COVAX, the UN-backed programme for supplying vaccines to poor countries. So far, it has delivered 1 billion doses.

According to WHO, 36 of its 194 member countries have vaccinated less than 10 per cent of population and 88 have inoculated under 40 per cent.

Poonawalla, whose Serum Institute of India has been a key member of GAVI alliance, said his company is ready to support the pool towards reaching global vaccine equity.

John Nkengasong, Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said greater cooperation and greater solidarity will be the way forward if we want this pandemic to end.

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The blast from the volcano could be heard in Alaska, and the waves crossed the ocean to cause an oil spill and two drownings in Peru. The startling satellite images resembled a massive nuclear explosion.

And yet, despite sitting almost on top of the volcano that erupted so violently on Saturday, the Pacific nation of Tonga appears to have avoided the widespread devastation that many initially feared.

In its first update since the eruption, the government said Tuesday it has confirmed three deaths  two local residents and a British woman. Concerns remain over the fate of people on some of the hard-hit smaller islands, where many houses were destroyed. Communications have been down everywhere, making assessments more difficult.

But on Tonga's main island of Tongatapu, perhaps the biggest problem is the ash that has transformed it into a gray moonscape, contaminating the rainwater that people rely on to drink. New Zealand's military is sending fresh water and other much-needed supplies, but said Tuesday the ash covering Tonga's main runway will delay the flight at least another day.

On Tongatapu, at least, life is slowly returning to normal. The tsunami that swept over coastal areas after the eruption was frightening for many but rose only about 80 centimetres (2.7 feet), allowing most to escape.

Also read: Undersea cable fault could cut off Tonga from rest of the world for weeks

We did hold grave fears, given the magnitude of what we saw in that unprecedented blast, said Katie Greenwood, the head of delegation in the Pacific for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Fortunately, in those major population centres we are not seeing the catastrophic effect we thought might happen, and that's very good news.

Greenwood, who is based in Fiji and has been talking with people in Tonga by satellite phone, said an estimated 50 homes were destroyed on Tongatapu but that nobody needed to use emergency shelters. She said about 90 people on the nearby island of 'Eua were using shelters.

U.N. humanitarian officials and Tonga's government reported significant infrastructural damage around Tongatapu and concerns about the lack of contact from some of the low-lying islands. The Geneva-based U.N World Health Organization reported that many people remained unaccounted for.

New Zealand's High Commission in Tonga also reported significant damage along the western coast of Tongatapu, including to resorts and the waterfront area.

Tonga's government said all the homes on Mango island  where about 36 people live  were destroyed and only two houses remained standing on Fonoifua island, home to about 69 people.

The government described the event as an unprecedented disaster and said tsunami waves had risen as high as 15 meters (49 feet) in places.

Like other island nations in the Pacific, Tonga is regularly exposed to the extremes of nature, whether it be cyclones or earthquakes, making people more resilient to the challenges they bring.

Indeed, Greenwood said Tonga does not want an influx of aid workers following the eruption. Tonga is one of the few remaining places in the world that has managed to avoid any outbreaks of the coronavirus, and officials fear that if outsiders bring in the virus it could create a much bigger disaster than the one they're already facing.

Another worry, said Greenwood, is that the volcano could erupt again. She said there is currently no working equipment around it that could help predict such an event.

Satellite images captured the spectacular eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano on Saturday, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a giant mushroom above the South Pacific. The volcano is located about 64 kilometres (40 miles) north of Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa.

Two people drowned in Peru, which also reported the oil spill after waves moved a ship that was transferring oil at a refinery.

In Tonga, British woman Angela Glover, 50, was one of those who died after being swept away by a wave, her family said.

Nick Eleini said his sister's body had been found and that her husband survived. I understand that this terrible accident came about as they tried to rescue their dogs, Eleini told Sky News. He said it had been his sister's life dream to live in the South Pacific and she loved her life there.

Tonga's government said a 65-year-old woman on Mango island and a 49-year-old man from Nomuka island had also died, while a number of other people had suffered injuries.

New Zealand's military said it hoped the airfield in Tonga would be opened either Wednesday or Thursday. The military said it had considered an airdrop but that was not the preference of the Tongan authorities.
A parliamentary panel in Pakistan on Wednesday approved the elevation of High Court judge Ayesha Malik to the Supreme Court, moving a step closer to appoint the first woman judge of the apex court in the conservative Muslim-majority country.

The name of Justice Malik, currently working as a judge of the Lahore High Court, was sent to the Parliamentary Committee on Judges Appointment by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed earlier this month.

The bipartisan Parliamentary Committee headed by Senator Farooq H Naek of Pakistan Peoples Party, in its meeting held in Islamabad endorsed her nomination, removing the last big hurdle in her elevation to the apex court.

The committee while approving her nomination created an exception by setting aside the seniority principle because Justice Malik, who is on the fourth position on the seniority list of the judges of the Lahore High Court, would be the first woman top judge, according to Naek.

"We have approved Justice Ayesha's name in national interest," he said.

Normally seniority of high courts judges is considered while approving their elevation to the Supreme Court and it was the reason when her name was rejected by the JCP last year.

Even the latest JCP meeting held on January 6 hotly contested the issue before finally granting approval of Maliks nomination by a marginal difference of five members of JCP supporting her while four opposing the nomination.

Her name will be sent to President Arif Alvi and after his approval, Justice Malik will become the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Justice Malik was appointed as a judge of the Lahore High Court in March 2012. She will now work as a Supreme Court judge until her superannuation in June 2031. She will also be the senior most serving judge and likely to become the Chief Justice of Pakistan in January 2030. In that scenario, she would again create history by becoming the first chief justice of Pakistan.

The chief justice of the Supreme Court is appointed on the basis of their seniority of service in the apex court.

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Voters in at least 15 US states could face new restrictions on voting if President Joe Biden's Democrats fail to pass a bill aimed to offset the state laws following former President Donald Trump's claims of widespread fraud. Here is a look at some:

Texas

Texas has revived a program allowing officials to notify voters they could be stricken from registration rolls without proof of citizenship. Officials have already notified more than 11,000 voters that their registration could be cancelled. More than 2,300 people have been purged so far, among them 382 non-citizens.

Also read: This isnt the presidency Biden imagined for himself

Hundreds of others in counties that include Houston, San Antonio and Austin have had mail-in ballot applications rejected weeks before the state's March 1 primary elections. A new rule requires voters to include a Social Security number, driver's license or other identifying data on applications that can be matched against records on file.

The law makes it a felony for local election officials to send out unsolicited mail-in ballot applications, bans drop boxes for mail-in ballots and drive-through voting for most people. It expands protections for partisan poll watchers.

Georgia

A March 2021 law allows legislators to name the chair of a Republican-controlled State Election Board that is authorised to suspend local election officials and replace them with its own appointees. The board has already ordered a review of Democratic-leaning Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, and has led to reorganisations in other counties.

It is now illegal for election officials to send out mail-in ballot applications to all voters, and for outside groups and others to provide water or food to voters within 150 feet (46 metres) of polling places, which tend to have long lines in urban areas on Election Day, which will be Nov. 8 this year.

The 98-page law says any voter can challenge the qualifications of an unlimited number of other voters. It requires counties to hold hearings for each challenge and forbids local officials from accepting funding from outside philanthropic groups to defray election costs.

Arizona

New election laws enacted by Arizona's Republican legislature will eventually allow election officials to purge voters from a widely popular early voting list, which nearly 90% of voters used in 2020 to cast mail-in ballots. Voters have been put on notice that failure to cast at least one early ballot over the course of two election cycles could lose the option to vote early beginning in 2027.

It will also require voters who submit early ballots without a signature to settle the issue by 7 pm on Election Day.

Civil rights activists assert that both initiatives penalise minority voters.

Other states

New voting restrictions also became law in at least 12 other states with Republican-controlled legislatures, including Arkansas, Florida and Montana. A new law in Idaho was blocked by the state high court.

The changes include more stringent rules on the use of absentee or mail-in ballots, tighter voter ID requirements, purges of voter registration rolls, state audits of local election results and stiff criminal and civil penalties on voters and election officials who run afoul of new restrictions, according to a Reuters review of state voting laws.

Voting restrictions passed by Republican legislators in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were vetoed by those states' Democratic governors and did not become law.

Four additional states have also passed new voting laws, including New York and Nevada, which both have Democratic-controlled legislatures. A new law in Kentucky was welcomed by Democratic Governor Andy Beshear as an expansion of voter access. A Louisiana law set out new requirements for purging voters who have died from registration rolls.
Air India said on Tuesday it will curtail or revise its flights to the US due to deployment of 5G internet there from January 19.

US aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had on January 14 said that 5G interference with the aircraft's radio altimeter could prevent engine and braking systems from transitioning to landing mode, which could prevent an aircraft from stopping on the runway.

Therefore, a group of US-based airlines said on Monday in a letter to FAA that 5G internet deployment could cause catastrophic aviation crisis.

Also read: Vikram Dev Dutt appointed Air India chief

The group comprises airlines such as United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and FedEx.

Apart from Air India, United Airlines and American Airlines are the other two carriers that operate flights between India and the US.

#FlyAI: Passengers scheduled to fly to Washington DC from Delhi by AI103 of 19th January 22 may kindly note the flight will operate as per schedule. Please stand by for updates regarding departures to other USA destinations.https://t.co/3RGQLhpVKS  Air India (@airindiain) January 18, 2022

The airlines group said that 5G should be implemented everywhere in the US except within two miles of airport runways of affected airports.

Air India tweeted on Tuesday: Due to deployment of 5G communications in USA, our operations to USA from India stand curtailed/revised with change in aircraft type from January 19, 2022.

Update in this regard will be informed shortly, it added.

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A BJP MLA in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district has courted controversy by allegedly stating that "TMC goons will have to face police encounters" as and when his party comes to power in the state. Condemning the statement, the ruling TMC said the saffron party will never get to rule the state.

In a purported video clip, which has gone viral on social media, Bongaon South MLA Swapan Majumder was heard telling supporters at a meeting in Gaighata area that his party members would give a "befitting reply to TMC goons if they do not stop carrying out attacks on them". "We will not suffer silently if the harmads (goons) of Trinamool continue with the atrocities. Our Nadia district unit president was attacked by the goons in Gayespur, his car was damaged right in front of the police. We will not tolerate such attacks. The BJP has mass support, we will give them a befitting reply," he said during a meeting on Tuesday evening.

"Trinamool men who are carrying out Taliban-type attacks on our members will not be spared. When we come to power, they will have to face police encounters," he added. The video clip, which was not independently verified by PTI, has earned the wrath of TMC leaders. "This is the true face of the BJP, a party that doesn't believe in rule of law. They want to emulate the encounter raj of UP in Bengal. But their dreams of coming to power in Bengal will never be realised," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh asserted.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, when approached, said he was yet to find out what exactly the BJP MLA had said. In response to Ghoshs remark, however, the state BJP chief claimed that "UP is far ahead on the development ladder when compared with Bengal". "The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the state. Its activists have been attacking our men since May last year (following the declaration of assembly poll results). Not a single accused has been prosecuted thus far," he added.

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Plagued by infighting and exodus, the West Bengal BJP, which is still licking its wounds after the assembly poll defeat, is staring at bleak prospects in the state as senior leaders engage in feud off and on social media, leaving little time for the partys growth.

Churnings in the Bengal BJP had started after the recent organisational revamp, with several senior leaders and party legislators openly criticising the top brass over its decisions. All damage control efforts seem to be hitting the wall of late as the house stands divided.

"Yes, there have been some issues, few people are not happy... but we are hopeful that the problems will be sorted out very soon," BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

Read more: Yogi Adityanath welcomes Aparna Yadav into BJP fold

Sources in the BJP said that the party, which had been fighting hard to keep its flock together after former union minister Babul Supriyo and five legislators, including its national vice president Mukul Roy, switched over to the TMC, is facing an "inner-party rebellion" as leaders angered over being dropped from key posts are organising separate meetings.

Leading from the front is prominent Matua leader and union minister Shantanu Thakur who recently quit the WhatsApp groups of the party, accusing the state leadership of sidelining leaders from his community for newcomers in the camp, according to the sources.

Nine BJP MLAs from the community, including Asok Kirtania, Subrata Thakur and Mukutmani Adhikari, have exited BJP legislators Whatsapp group in the last one month. "It seems the BJP no longer acknowledges the role played by Matua community in the party.

The way the party is being run by a handful of leaders is totally unacceptable. The state office bearers committee was formed without any proper consultation," Shantanu Thakur said. Although the state leadership has taken note of the resentment and given assurance that things will be sorted out, tempers are still frayed.

The group of irate leaders is apparently in touch with other incensed members across districts, trying to bring them under one platform, the sources said. "What did Matuas get by supporting the BJP? Nothing. Neither the CAA was implemented nor were we given minimum respect in the party.

"We want to build a platform for disgruntled leaders so they can air their views. We will wait for the central leadership to act, hopefully once the UP polls are over," a leader from the Matua community told PTI.

He, however, warned that the group might think of forming a separate outfit if their grievances are not addressed ahead of the panchayat polls next year. Some of the senior leaders who have been dropped from the office bearers' panel, including Jai Prakash Majumdar, Ritesh Tiwari and Sayantan Basu, are also learned to have held meetings with Shantanu Thakur.

"The committed and old-time workers are being sidelined, and new entrants, who hardly have any organisational experience, are being promoted. Those who have slogged to ensure the partys vote share increases from four per cent vote to 40 per cent have no place," Majumdar said.

Read more: OBC upsurge: BJP hopes Mayawati impedes Akhilesh Yadav's run

A section of disgruntled leaders claimed that more than the new state president Sukanta Majumdar, who took over in September last year, it is state BJP general secretary (organisation) Amitava Chakravorty who is facing the ire of party members. "

The team of office bearers that took the BJP to great heights in Bengal was disturbed with the removal of general secretary (organisation) Subrata Chatterjee in 2020, just six-seven months before the elections, at the behest of Mukul Roy, Babul Supriyo and few central leaders.

Then imports from TMC were given tickets and old-timers ignored. The result is known to all," a BJP leader said. He pointed out that the strike rate in the 149 seats, where the party fielded newly joined members, was just nine, while old-timers managed to bag 68 of the 77 seats they contested. "

The ongoing tiff among the state leaders is badly affecting the morale of the party workers, and it did lead to a drop in vote share, as was evident during the last few bypolls and the KMC elections," the BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, stated. In the just-concluded KMC elections, the TMC bagged nearly 71.95 per cent of the votes polled, whereas the Left Front and the BJP garnered 11.13 per cent and 8.94 per cent respectively.

State BJP Chief Sukanta Majumdar, who did not want to divulge much about his partys next plan of action, said all the issues will be sorted out through discussions. The partys national general secretary B L Santosh had visited the state last month, aware of the rumblings of discontent, and promised to look into the grievances of members.

Saffron camp sources said the central leadership is waiting for the elections in five states to be over before making a move in the state. It is apprehensive that any action taken against rebel leaders may further hurt its popularity among the backward communities, given the fact that several OBC leaders have quit the saffron camp in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the elections there.

Matuas, who make for a large chunk of the state's Scheduled Caste population, has been with the saffron camp since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. With an estimated three million members in the state, the community, which traces its ancestry to Bangladesh, holds sway in at least five Lok Sabha seats and nearly 50 assembly seats in Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas districts.

Thakur and his supporters, in its bid to exert influence on the BJP top brass, have now demanded quick implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was passed in December 2019. CAA seeks to provide citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, when approached, said that the situation would be brought under control sometime soon.

"A new team has taken charge, and we need to give them some time, allow them to work. Obviously, if someone is dropped, he may feel bad, but they can always be accommodated later. No one will be left out. Everybody who has fought for the party is an asset," Ghosh, the two-time state president of Bengal BJP, said. Political pundits, however, feel that the infighting and squabbling are the results of central leadership fast losing its grip over the state unit.

"There have been previous instances where the BJP has cracked the whip to maintain inner-party discipline. But its stoic silence this time is a reflection of two things  the leadership is fast losing grip over the party, and it doesn't want to send out a wrong message to its SC vote bank before UP polls," political analyst Suman Bhattacharya said.
In a first, a team of Narcotics Control Bureau from New Delhi is said to have seized a container loaded with marijuana at Mundra port in Kutch district. Sources said that the consignment of marijuana or weed had landed from Canada and was to be smuggled to Punjab.

Sources in the agency said that the officials on the spot were yet to ascertain the quantity and purity of the weed. They said that the consignment was imported from one Amarjeet from Ontario in Canada. The importer has been identified as an industrial firm based in Gobindgarh in Punjab.

Sources said that the investigation is being handled by the NCB team from Delhi. They said that this is the first time that marijuana has been caught at the port imported from Canada.

Earlier in September, DRI had seized over 3000 kg heroin worth over Rs21,000 crore at Mundra port. Later, the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency for further probe. So far, eight accused have been arrested in the case including a couple from Chennai and several Afghan nationals.

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The Narendra Modi government has dropped its plan to host the leaders of the five Central Asian nations as the chief guests on the occasion of Republic Day in view of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Modi will instead hold a virtual summit with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on January 27.

Though the government had originally planned to host the Central Asian leaders as the chief guests, it had to drop the plan in view of the surge in the SARS-CoV-2 infections. The last Republic Day was also celebrated with no foreign leader being invited to be the chief guest in view of the pandemic.

The virtual summit Prime Minister will hold with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on January 27 will be the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of the leaders.

The first India-Central Asia Summit is a reflection of Indias growing engagement with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of our extended neighbourhood, Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Also read: Security forces on high alert along Pathankot-Jammu highway ahead of Republic Day

The Prime Minister and his counterparts from the five nations  President Sadyr Japarov Kyrgyzstan, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan  are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation, the MEA spokesperson added.

New Delhi is keen to step up its engagement with Central Asia as Pakistan is trying to get a strategic edge against India in the region after the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan. Pakistans iron brother China has also been expanding its geopolitical influence in the region.

Modi visited all Central Asian countries in 2015 and it was followed by exchanges at high-levels at bilateral and multilateral forums.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosted his counterparts from the five Central Asian nations for a conclave in New Delhi from December 18-20 last year. It provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations. Earlier, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also hosted the secretaries of National Security Councils of the Central Asian countries in the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in New Delhi on November 10. The conclave outlined a common regional approach of India and five Central Asian nations on Afghanistan.

India has since long been hosting a foreign leader as the chief guest on the occasion of its Republic Day every year. The first Republic Day chief guest for the Modi Government was the then United States President Barack Obama. He attended the ceremony on the Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26, 2015.

The then French President Francois Hollande and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and de-facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, were the chief guests in Republic Day ceremonies in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The leaders of the 10 Southeast Asian nations had attended the Republic Day ceremony on January 26, 2018. The Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro were the chief guests in 2018 and 19 respectively.

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People rummage through packages stolen from cargo containers littered on Union Pacific train tracks Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in the vicinity of Mission Boulevard in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

The scene was a stretch of railroad tracks in Lincoln Heights on Saturday: A blizzard of torn plastic wrappers, cardboard boxes and paper packaging attesting to a wave of rail car thievery that officials say has been on the rise in recent months.

Several scavengers picked through the debris, hoping to find electronics, clothes or whatever valuables thieves left behind.

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Everything comes on the train  cellphones, Louis Vuitton purses, designer clothes, toys, lawnmowers, power equipment, power tools, said a 37-year-old man who declined to give his name. He said he comes to the tracks regularly and once found a Louis Vuitton purse and a robotic arm worth five figures: We find things here and there, make some money off of it.

Thieves are pilfering railroad cars in a crime that harks back to the days of horseback-riding bandits, but is fueled by a host of modern realities, including the rise of e-commerce and Southern Californias role as a hub for the movement of goods.

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The images have generated national attention and revealed tension among rail operators, government officials and authorities over what can be done to reduce the thefts.

Later Saturday, approximately 17 cars on a Union Pacific train derailed in the same area where the vandalism has been occurring, said Robynn Tysver, a Union Pacific spokesperson. The crew was not hurt and the cause is under investigation, Tysver added.

Union Pacific reported what it claimed was a 160% increase since December 2020 in thefts along the railroad tracks in L.A. County. The railroad didnt release specific data on what was stolen or the value of what was lost, but it said the increase in crime cost the company at least $5 million last year.

A bottleneck in the supply chain and the presence of homeless encampments near rail lines have contributed to the thefts, officials said.

Organized and opportunistic criminal rail theft ... impacts our employees, our customers in the overall supply chain industry, said Adrian Guerrero, a director of public affairs for Union Pacific.

Guerrero estimates that about 90 cargo containers a day are compromised, sometimes by an organized group that has halted trains and recruited people living on the street to ransack the containers.

Union Pacific is deploying more drones, has brought in extra security and enlisted the Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department to combat the thefts, Guerrero said.

But Union Pacific is partly to blame for not deploying more security, said Los Angeles Police Capt. German Hurtado, who works in the Hollenbeck Division.

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We have millions of dollars of items and equipment, but it is unpoliced, Hurtado said. There are even sometimes weapons on these trains. Everything goes by train, you learn.

The problem gained attention last week when KCBS and KCAL photojournalist John Schreiber posted a series of videos and tweets, including one of himself picking through discarded packages strewn along a rail line in Lincoln Heights.

He plucked out a discarded coronavirus test and a box of REI merchandise along tracks plastered with the detritus of packages intercepted and torn into well before reaching their destinations.

Missing a package? Shipment delayed? Maybe your package is among the thousands we found discarded along the tracks, Schreiber wrote on Twitter, alongside an aerial shot of the littered tracks. The posts went viral, as others posted their own photos.

Though Los Angeles has seen a significant increase in homicides over the last two years, property crimes like the rail thefts are a different story. According to LAPD data through Nov. 27, property crime was up 2.6% over the same period last year but is down 6.6% from 2019.

Along the tracks Saturday, a couple who said they showed up after seeing an Instagram post scanned the crush of abandoned cartons looking for something valuable. An Xbox package had caught their eye. Another man who had been waiting for a bus stopped to rummage through the debris. He found some car speakers he figured he could sell for $200 to make up for the hours he missed at work that day.

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Its ugly out there, the LAPDs Hurtado said.

In a letter to District Attorney George Gascon, Union Pacifics Guerrero estimated that more than 100 people have been arrested but they boast to our officers that charges will be pled down.

Alex Bastian, an adviser to Gascon, said the district attorneys office has filed charges in some burglary and grand theft cases, but other cases dont have enough evidence to prosecute.

Lena Kent, a spokesperson for BNSF Railway, a major operator in Southern California, said somebody is depending on those stolen items. These are not victimless crimes, particularly when many of these packages include much-needed supplies, she said.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach handle about 40% of the nations maritime imports. The majority of the nearly $450 billion in goods moved at the ports eventually lands on a train.

Dumping, trash and encampments around railroad tracks last year prompted Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino to call for the city to declare them a public nuisance. But the effort was dropped after Union Pacific cleaned up a swath of tracks, said his spokesperson, Branimir Kvartuc.

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Still, Buscaino said, Union Pacific needs to hire more agents to patrol the tracks. Its no surprise we are seeing the additional crimes, he said in a text, adding that the problems had been unabated for years.

The biggest problem is around two rail yards where cargo is transferred from trucks onto trains or vice versa. One of those yards is a sprawling rail facility that sits just east of downtown off the 5 Freeway in Lincoln Heights.

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Keith Lewis, vice president of operations for CargoNet, a company that tracks cargo thefts, said figuring out just how much is stolen from trains is difficult because much of it is unreported.

Union Pacific operates about 3,200 miles of railway in California and BNSF has 2,100 miles. In Southern California, many of those tracks abut businesses and homes in low-income communities such as Wilmington and Lincoln Heights. In El Sereno, where crime has been increasing, barbed-wire fences line the street-level train tracks.

It is not like we have given up on it. We do task forces with the sheriff, other agencies along the tracks and make arrests, Hurtado said.

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Even as India continues to reel under the daily spike in Covid-19 numbers, experts and medical researchers say that the current wave of infections may decline faster than the previous waves citing fewer hospitalisations and increased awareness among the people. However, they are unsure as to whether the infections in the current wave have peaked.

Pointing out that different regions are at different stages of the pandemic, due to an array of local factors  international arrivals, curbs in place, mask discipline  experts cautioned that it might be unwise to assume that the worst has passed.

Concerning Delhi and Mumbai, which have reported the highest number of Covid-19 infections, fuelled by the Omicron variant, experts said that the decline in numbers may have to be studied for a few more weeks before making assumptions over the peak of the infection wave.

Also Read  Third wave of Covid-19 may peak in next three weeks: Report

Dr Samiran Panda, the head of the epidemiological department, Indian Council of Medical Research, said that case trends cannot be established in a few days and that decline has to be tracked over weeks.

We need to wait for two more weeks before saying Delhi and Mumbai (cases) have peaked and the worst is overWe cannot say this simply on a decline in cases and positivity, Panda was quoted in a report by the India Today.

Panda said that the Omicron variant has become the major strain and accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the cases, while the rest mostly pertained to the Delta variant.

A report published by SBI Research stated that there is reason for optimism as India is faring better than the USA, which has reported an increase in caseload by around seven times despite double-vaccinating 80 per cent of its population.

The SBI report stated that infections in the top 15 districts have declined to 37.4 per cent in January, from 67.9 per cent in December. However, the report stated that 10 of these top 15 districts are major cities and among them, Bengaluru and Pune still have higher infection rates.

A report by The Hindustan Times, citing the Cambridge Tracker, stated that Bihar, Chandigarh, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal are likely to see their maximum daily cases in the ongoing third week, while cases in Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are likely to peak in the fourth week of January.

Also Read  N95? KF94? Which mask is best at protecting against Covid-19

The Pune district administration recently said that Pune is at least three weeks behind Mumbai in terms of the pace of infection. Hence, the Pune administration too is apprehending a peak by the last week of January.

Panda said that the Covid-19 could become endemic in India after March 11, provided certain conditions are met.

An endemic disease is constantly present in a population or region with relatively low spread. It is different from a pandemic, which is characterised by a sudden increase in cases.

Panda said that mathematical projections show the Omicron wave will last for three months, starting December 11, in India. We will see some respite March 11 onwards, he was quoted as saying.

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A Bajpai, a Dubey and a Tiwari are set to sway the Brahmin votes in the Uttar Pradesh polls. Three individuals  Laxmikant Bajpai, Khushi Dubey and Hari Shankar Tiwari  have emerged as symbols of the alleged victimisation of Brahmins in the Yogi Adityanath regime.

Laxmikant Bajpai, the former state president of BJP, has emerged as a major factor among the BJP sympathisers. Bajpai, who led the party to a stupendous victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections with 71 seats, has won elections in 1989, 1996, 2002 and 2012.

However, he has been denied a ticket this time.

Moreover, the party has not accommodated the veteran leader in either the Rajya Sabha or the Vidhan Parishad whereas new entrants like Jitin Prasada have been adequately rewarded. "The party talks of Brahmin pride but insults our own leaders. Laxmikant Bajpai is now one of the tallest Brahmin leaders in the party but his humiliation is there for all to see. Brahmins within the party are upset but no one is speaking for obvious reasons. This will definitely impact the elections," a Brahmin legislator said.

Also Read  Uttar Pradesh Polls: More Brahmin leaders, BJP MLA join SP

Bajpai himself has withdrawn from party activities and does not answer questions in this regard but his supporters in western UP, in particular, are angry. The BJP is trying to promote Uttar Pradesh Minister Brijesh Pathak as a Brahmin leader but he lacks the stature of Bajpai.

In central Uttar Pradesh, Khushi Dubey, who was widowed in the Bikru incident is set to shape the vote share. Khushi Dubey had been married for just three days when the Bikru incident -- in which eight policemen were killed -- took place.

Her husband Amar Dubey, an aide of the main accused Vikas Dubey, was killed in an encounter and Khushi was arrested for her complicity in the crime. It has been a year and a half since Khushi is languishing in jail.

BSP MP Satish Chandra Mishra was the first politician to raise the issue. He claimed that the minor widow has been targeted only because she happened to be a Brahmin. "Hers is an example of the manner in which Brahmins are being targeted by the Yogi Adityanath government," he said, offering her legal help.

Mishra raised the issue in several meetings, touting Vikas Dubey as a "victim".

"We do not say that Vikas Dubey was innocent but the police should have allowed the law to decide his fate. He was killed in cold blood. All his five associates were also shot dead by the police which had the same script for every encounter. One of them was a high school student. If this was not a massacre, then what was it?" said Shubham Tiwari, a young graduate in Kanpur.

Also Read  BJP tasks Yogi Adityanath's rival with 'placating' Brahmins in Uttar Pradesh

In eastern UP, the biggest factor for Brahmins, meanwhile, is Hari Shankar Tiwari of Gorakhpur. Hari Shankar is among the most respected Brahmin leaders of eastern Uttar Pradesh where the Thakur-Brahmin hostilities have ballooned for decades.

Soon after Yogi Adityanath took over as the chief minister, raids were conducted at the residence and offices of Tiwari in Gorakhpur. The police said that they were looking for an accused in a loot case.

His son and former BSP MLA, Vinay Shankar Tiwari, said, "The police entered my house without a search warrant. It was a clear attempt to malign the image of my 84-year-old father."

Hari Shankar's sons, Vinay Shankar Tiwari and Bhisham Shankar Tiwari, have now joined the Samajwadi Party "with the blessings of our father".

Brahmins in eastern UP have complained of police high-handedness and insist it is deliberate. "The police very promptly catch a petty criminal if he happens to be a Dubey, Mishra or Tiwari but turn a blind eye to a dreaded criminal who belongs to the Thakur community. This kind of discrimination was not seen even when Veer Bahadur Singh was chief minister and the Hari Shankar Tiwari-Virendra Shahi (another mafia don) war was at its peak," said Pradyumn Narain Mishra, a retired government employee in Maharajganj.

Also Read  Brahmin trouble brewing for BJP ahead of Uttar Pradesh polls

Senior political analyst, Samiratmaj Mishra, who has toured almost the entire state, said, "There is no denying the fact that Brahmins are disillusioned and upset with the BJP government. The Laxmikant Bajpai factor is visible within the party -- more so because Brahmins believe that they had a major role to play in the formation of the BJP government in 2017 after 15 years of political exile. The targeting of Hari Shankar Tiwari has added insult to the injury."

He said that the manner in which the government portrayed Brahmins as a community of criminals, in the aftermath of the Vikas Dubey case, has also upset the community.

Mishra said that the Brahmin voters are still searching for options and only a fraction of the community would go with the BJP. "Brahmins are being wooed by the Samajwadi Party, but I feel that there will be tactical voting and Brahmins will vote for a candidate of their community first because they feel that it is important to ensure maximum representation of Brahmins in the Assembly," he said.

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Remember the 1970 hit song from Purab Aur Paschim -- 'Koi jab tumhara hriday tod de'? The song, in a new avatar, is now back on hoardings, wooing dejected leaders who have failed to get a ticket.

A poster in Prayagraj and on social media platforms is gathering attention for inviting leaders from other political parties who could not get a ticket to contest the Assembly polls.

The poster, which carries the caption "SP mein housefull', has been uploaded on social media by Prayagraj Congress Committee General Secretary Irshad Ullah.

The poster says, "'Koi jab tumse moonh pher le, aur wo chunav ka ticket bhi na de/ Tab tum mere paas aana guru, mera ghar khula hai, khula hi rahega tumhare liye.' (When leaders avoid your entry, and even deny tickets to you, then you should come to me and my house will remain open forever)."

Also Read  Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joins BJP

Irshad Ullah told reporters that leaders from various political parties, who have joined Samajwadi Party in recent times, have not got due respect.

"We appeal to such leaders who want to save the country, society and state from going into wrong hands. They should join the Congress under the leadership of AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra," he said.

Giving the examples of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan and former Congress leader Imran Masood who could not get respect in the Samajwadi Party respectively, Ullah said, "It was only Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who has given tickets to the ground-level workers. It is the Congress that is fighting for the rights of the common man. The day is not far when people of the state acknowledge this fact and will support Congress."

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The Department of Biotechnology has disbursed less than 15 per cent of its Rs 900 crore fund on Covid-19 vaccine development promised more than a year ago while multiple government research agencies say they havent received any funding from a Rs 100 crore corpus set up under the PMO during the first wave of the pandemic.

The Union Health Ministry, Indian Council of Medical Research and DBT said they didnt receive any money from a Rs 100 crore PM-CARES (Citizens Assistance Relief in Emergency Situations) fund as announced by the government way back in May, 2020.

The Rs 100 crore fund for vaccine development was a part of a Rs 3,100 package under PM-CARES to purchase 50,000 ventilators and undertake relief measures for migrant workers, who were affected the most during the lockdown period.

A top official told DH that the PM CARES fund could be given to the industry as well but since neither the industry nor the PM CARES come under the ambit of the RTI, it would be difficult to know the recipients of the money unless the PMO discloses.

Also read: Govt expert panel recommends regular market approval for Covishield, Covaxin

A few months down the line, the Union government launched Rs 900 crore Mission Covid Suraksha to back indigenous vaccine development through the Department of Biotechnology. Launched in November 2020, the first phase of the project was valid for 12 months.

But 14 months later, just about Rs 116 crore has been disbursed to five companies engaged in Covid-19 vaccine development whereas Rs 78.96 lakh was given to Faridabad-based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute for supportive R&D.

This has been disclosed by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)  a wing of the DBT - to the transparency activist Commodore Lokesh K Batra responding to his RTI query.

Those who have received the funding are Biological E Ltd (Rs 22.50 crore), Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (Rs 22.50 crore), Cadila Healthcare Ltd (Rs 40 crore), Bharat Biotech (Rs 23.73 crore) and Genique Lifesciences (Rs 6.47 crore).

Government sources told DH that funds were released following a milestone approach in which achievement of a company (fund recipient) is reviewed after each milestone before releasing the next installment. We have committed Rs 900 crore, said a BIRAC official.

India has so far used Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik-V vaccines in one of the worlds largest Covid-19 vaccination programmes in which nearly 160 crore doses have been administered.

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A bomb threat call was reported from the CRPF headquarters in Delhi on Wednesday evening which was later declared a hoax, officials said.

They said the call was made to the fire authorities around 6:30 pm about a "suspect bomb like object" in the headquarters of the paramilitary force located inside the CGO complex on Lodhi Road in the national capital.

Two fire tenders and some Delhi Police teams were rushed to the spot but no bomb or lethal item has been found till now, they said.

Officials said the call has been declared a "hoax".

They said the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) head office reportedly received a phone call from Telangana, following which paramilitary force officials informed the police control room.

The security apparatus in the national capital is on a high alert in view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

This comes hours after two unattended bags created a bomb scare in East Delhi's Trilokpuri, but officials said nothing suspicious was found in them except for a laptop and personal belongings

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with his Russian counterpart in Switzerland this week as tensions between the US and Russia escalate over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, the State Department said.

Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will move on to Berlin to meet with allies, and on Friday will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva. The hastily arranged trip aims to show US support for Ukraine and impress on Russia the need for de-escalation.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki underscored the urgency. We're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine. And what Secretary Blinken is going to go do is highlight very clearly there is a diplomatic path forward, she said Tuesday.

Also Read -- 'Marry me or ill kill you: Putin to Ukraine

Psaki said Russian President Vladimir Putin created the crisis by massing 100,000 troops along Ukraine's borders and it is up to him and the Russians to decide whether to invade and then suffer severe economic consequences."

The US has not concluded whether Putin plans to invade or whether the show of force is intended to squeeze security concessions without an actual conflict. Russia has brushed off calls to withdraw its troops by saying it has a right to deploy its forces wherever it likes on its own territory.

Blinken's meetings follow inconclusive diplomatic talks between Moscow and the West in Europe last week that failed to resolve stark disagreements over Ukraine and other security matters.

Instead, those meetings appear to have increased fears of a Russian invasion, and the Biden administration has accused Russia of preparing a false flag operation" to use as a pretext for intervention. Russia has angrily denied the charge.

From Kyiv, Blinken will travel to Berlin, where he will meet with his German, British and French counterparts to discuss a possible response to any Russian military action. In Geneva on Friday, Blinken will be testing Lavrov on Russia's interest in a diplomatic off-ramp for the crisis, a senior State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Blinken's travel and consultations are part of the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension caused by Russia's military build-up and continued aggression against Ukraine, the State Department said in a statement.

Blinken will meet with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday to reinforce the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the State Department said.

The trip follows extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners about a united approach to address the threat Russia poses to Ukraine and our joint efforts to encourage it to choose diplomacy and de-escalation in the interests of security and stability, it said.

CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv last Wednesday to consult with his Ukrainian counterparts and discuss current assessments of the risk to Ukraine, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Burns' schedule, which is classified. While there, he also discussed the current situation with Zelenskyy and efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Blinken spoke by phone Tuesday with Lavrov, discussing the diplomatic talks and meetings held last week. The State Department said Blinken stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine situation and reiterated the unshakable US commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On Monday, Lavrov, Russia's top diplomat, rejected the U.S. allegations that his country was preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, he dismissed the U.S. claim as total disinformation.

Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the US and its allies to Moscow's request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet countries or station its forces and weapons there.

Blinken underscored to Lavrov on Tuesday that any discussion of European security must include NATO Allies and European partners, including Ukraine, the State Department said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov emphasised in the call with Blinken the key aspects of Russian draft documents envisaging legally binding guarantees of Russia's security in line with the principle of indivisibility of security approved by all countries in the Euro-Atlantic. It said Lavrov stressed the importance for Washington to quickly deliver a written response to the Russian proposals.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscow's demands during last week's Russia-US negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels.

The White House said Friday that US intelligence officials had concluded that Russia had already deployed operatives to rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine to carry out acts of sabotage there and blame them on Ukraine to create a pretext for possible invasion.

Ahead of Blinken's visit to Kyiv, a delegation of US senators was visiting Ukraine to emphasize congressional support for the country.

Our bipartisan congressional delegation sends a clear message to the global community: the United States stands in unwavering support of our Ukrainian partners to defend their sovereignty and in the face of persistent Russian aggression, Senetor Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, said in a statement.

Speaking Monday on a visit to Kyiv, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime  economic, political and strategic," and she emphasized the need to continue negotiations.

We are prepared to have a serious dialogue with Russia, because diplomacy is the only way to defuse this highly dangerous situation at the moment, she said.

Russia in 2014 seized the Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of Ukraine's Moscow-friendly leader and 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 country's industrial heartland called Donbas.

Putin has warned that Moscow will take unspecified military-technical measures if the West stonewalls its demands.

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In the new Excise Police for the next Financial Year, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has decided to allow the sale of liquor at all airports in the state select supermarkets in four big cities, and issue home bar licenses to those earning Rs one crore or more annually.

In the Excise Policy 2022-23, approved by the state Cabinet on Tuesday, the government also decided to slash retail prices of liquor by 20 per cent in a bid to "make them practical". Explaining the rationale behind the proposed cut in rates of alcohol, an official said that the prices will become competitive with neighbouring states.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress took a swipe saying the state government is not willing to provide any relief to common people by slashing taxes on fuel but is reducing the prices of liquor.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also cleared the Madhya Pradesh Heritage (Traditional) Liquor Policy. Under the new Excise Policy, counters selling liquor can be opened at all the airports in MP while licenses for (opening) such outlets can now be issued in select supermarkets in Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur and Gwalior at a fixed fee, an official statement said.

Now, a home bar license will be issued at an annual fee of Rs 50,000 to applicants with an annual individual income of Rs one crore or more, it said. Another official said that this is not the first time in the country that home bar licenses are going to be issued by any state.

Some northern states have been issuing such licenses, he added. Under the upcoming policy, bar licenses can be issued at concessional rates to temporary units being operated by the Eco-Tourism Board and the Tourism Development Corporation at tourist places. The state government also decided to simplify the liquor import process.

Opening of microbreweries will be allowed in Bhopal and Indore cities subject to No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to be issued by local civic bodies and the electricity department and after securing environmental clearance. Officials also said that all the liquor outlets will now be composite shops to curb the sale of illegal alcohol. Composite shops are the ones from where traders can sell Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), Country Made liquor and beer together.

District-level high power committees that include the collector and MLAs will be empowered to change locations of liquor shops, if needed, under the new excise policy. Besides, wine prepared from grapes by farmers in MP will be made duty free, the officials said.

The new excise policy also has a provision of tetra-packing liquor and scanning the QR code to check the authenticity of the product. The Madhya Pradesh cabinet also gave its nod to the new Heritage Liquor policy, announced by the chief minister last November, which will enable tribals to brew liquor from 'mahua' (Madhuca) flowers in a traditional way and sell it.

This policy will be later presented before a cabinet sub-committee which was formed to discuss the heritage liquor project, the officials said. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath slammed the state government, saying the upcoming excise policy shows its love for liquor.

"While alcohol is set to become cheaper in MP but there is no relief in taxes levied on petrol and diesel, Nath said.

The state government has taken several decisions to encourage liquor consumption under the new Excise Policy. The BJP government wants to take alcohol to every household even though deaths due to spurious liquor are happening in the state, the former chief minister alleged. The BJP talks about prohibition during elections but becomes a big supporter of liquor when in power.

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The World Health Organization's chief scientist said there was currently no evidence that healthy children and adolescents need booster doses of Covid-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, An expert panel of India's central drug authority on Wednesday recommended granting regular market approval to Covid vaccines Covishield and Covaxin for use in adult population subject to certain conditions.
The Indian intelligence agencies have found that Pakistan is purchasing Chinese drones to use them for the purpose of smuggling arms and drugs into the country, sources said.

Sources in the security agencies said that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is purchasing drones from China for terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Pakistan can also execute drone attacks in India like the one in Abu Dhabi on Monday which killed two Indian nationals, the sources said.

After receiving the crucial inputs, the security agencies have stepped up their vigil and have spoken to the law enforcement agencies in various states regarding this.

Since the Republic Day is round the corner, Delhi Police have been specifically briefed about the inputs.

A document has been accessed by IANS, which confirms ISI's conspiracy.

"ISI can execute drone attacks like the one in Abu Dhabi on Monday which killed two Indians. We are suspecting that a few famous personalities can be targeted with drone attack by terrorist outfits backed by the ISI," said a source.

Read | Two Indians killed in drone attack in UAE

"The inputs have been received from a reliable source. They indicate that ISI has procured very sophisticated, customised drones from China, which are water-resistant and capable of operating even during rains. These drones can fly up to 800m AGL (actual ground level) and 15-20 km one side. It has been further learnt that the ISI has provided these drones to terrorist groups (LeT and JeM) to use them against India by smuggling arms and narcotics into the country," the source said.

After receiving the inputs, the Border Security Force (BSF) has been informed. In Punjab, the BSF had earlier spotted a few drones, some of which were gunned down by the force. The drones were used for the purpose of smuggling of arms and drugs by Pakistan-based handlers.

The agencies have specifically alerted the states after the drone attack in Abu Dhabi regarding possible similar attacks in the country.

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Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday cautioned people against the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the state during the third wave and said both Delta and Omicron variants of the virus are contributing to the ongoing unprecedented surge in daily cases. Though its severity is lesser, Omicron variant has the potential to spread the disease 5-6 times more than the Delta variant and so it should not be taken lightly.

Every single person should adhere to Covid protocol strictly to keep the pandemic under control, she told reporters.

George also warned of stringent action against those unleashing false propaganda regarding the pandemic and vaccination through social media platforms. Stating that a section of people are spreading lies like Omicron is a "natural vaccine" and so it was not dangerous to contract the infection, she said such campaigns were baseless. Whatever be the variant, the basic characteristics of the novel coronavirus were the same and people should take extra care to keep the disease at bay, the minister said.

Also Read: Covid hits Kerala government as surge continues

"Delta (variant) was the reason for more cases during the second wave. The third wave happened before it was completely over. Now, both Delta and Omicron are contributing to the surge in Covid cases," George said. Making it clear that the infectivity was very high these days, she said compared to the second wave, five per cent more cases were expected during the third wave. Stressing the need to follow health protocols without any fail in the present circumstance, the minister said vaccination was a defence against the infection, so everyone should take the jab at the earliest.

Officials should take special precaution to avoid cluster formations in their respective institutions. Urging people to avoid unnecessary hospital visits, she said aged people and those having co-morbidities should take more care. Rubbishing news reports stating that there was scarcity of essential medicines in the state, she said the health department was fully prepared to tackle the situation and the slight rush witnessed by hospitals of late was natural.

There are 3,107 ICU beds in government hospitals across the state while 7,468 are there in private sector health facilities. There are 2,293 ventilator beds in government hospitals and 2,432 in private hospitals, she added. The minister also urged the support of everyone, cutting across political lines and other differences, to deal with the situation and contain the disease effectively.

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Burley, ID (83318)

Today

Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 37F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 37F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
In Andhra Pradesh, the Covid-19 positivity rate has surged over 24 per cent. On Tuesday, 6,996 new cases were reported. On Wednesday, the cases shot up to 10,057.

The very high positivity rate can be attributed to the low number of tests the YSRCP government is conducting, even as there is a clear spike in positive cases over the last few days. The number of samples tested remained below the 40,000 mark for most of the last 10 days.

Sankranti  the biggest, three day festival in the state when friends, families meet traveling long distances, health officials said, has also aided the fast pace of the virus prevalent now. The Jaganmohan Reddy government had deferred the night curfew imposition in the state till Tuesday to facilitate the festivities.

Also Read | Has third Covid-19 wave peaked? Experts are not so sure

On 12 January, 3,205 cases were reported when 41,954 tests were done. On 19 January, i.e, a week later with Sankranti in between, 10,057 cases were reported when almost the same number of tests  41,713 were carried out.

During the earlier two waves, we were proactive  searching for every contact of a positive person and testing a very high number of samples as a precautionary, containment measure. But now, following the central guidelines we are focused on the symptomatic people, those with co-morbidities etc, Dr G Hymavathi, director, public health, Andhra Pradesh told DH.

However, we are still encouraging people to get tested. We have a good stock of testing kits and other requirements.

Visakhapatnam (1827) and Chittoor (1822) districts are topping the Covid-19 case charts now. Arrival of international passengers, floating population like tourists, devotees is stated as the reason. Majority of the 40,000 ests being conducted in Andhra Pradesh are in the government sector.

In a move that could encourage more number of people to take tests in private labs, the state has on Tuesday issued orders reducing the prescribed fees for RT PCR tests in ICMR approved NABL labs from Rs 499 to Rs 350, including PPE, VTM charges.

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A Covid review meeting to be held in Kerala on Thursday is likely to prescribe further restrictions as Covid-19 cases increase at an alarming rate.

As many as 34,199 fresh Covid cases were reported in Kerala on Wednesday with a TPR of 37 per cent. The active cases in the state also increased to 1.68 lakh.

Also Read | Both Omicron & Delta variants causing surge in Covid-19 cases: Veena George

A meeting of the state Cabinet on Wednesday reviewed the situation and stressed the need to impose more restrictions. The decision will be taken in the Covid review meeting of experts on Thursday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is in the US for medical treatment, is attending the meetings online.

Meanwhile, the CPM is facing criticism for conducting the party district conference and even conducting events like mass dances. Many party leaders and workers are already infected.

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Embattled businessman Vijay Mallya on Tuesday lost a legal battle to hold on to his plush London home after a British court refused to grant him a stay of enforcement in a long-running dispute with Swiss bank UBS.

The 18/19 Cornwall Terrace luxury apartment overlooking Regents Park in London, described in court as an "extraordinarily valuable property worth many tens of millions of pounds", is currently being occupied by Mallyas 95-year-old mother Lalitha.

Delivering his judgment virtually for the Chancery Division of the High Court, Deputy Master Matthew Marsh concluded there were no grounds for him to grant further time for the Mallya family to repay a GBP 20.4-million loan to UBS  the claimant in the case.

"The claimants position was a reasonable one further time is not likely to make any material difference," Deputy Master Marsh ruled.

"I would also add from my review of the correspondence, I can see no basis whatever for the suggestion that has been made that the claimant has misled the first defendant [Vijay Mallya] in conclusion, I dismiss the first defendants application, he said.

The judge also declined permission to appeal against his order or to grant a temporary stay of enforcement, which means UBS can proceed with the possession process to realise its unpaid dues.

"I will refuse permission to appeal and therefore it follows that I will not be granting a stay," said Marsh.

Mallyas barrister, Daniel Margolin QC, indicated that the 65-year-old businessman plans to pursue an appeal before a High Court Chancery Division Judge as it has "serious consequences" for his clients, including Mallyas elderly mother who currently resides at the address.

Meanwhile, Fenner Moeran QC made it clear that UBS intends to proceed with the enforcement order without delay.

The case relates to a mortgage taken out by Rose Capital Ventures, one of Mallyas companies, with the former Kingfisher Airlines boss, his mother Lalitha and son Sidhartha Mallya listed as co-defendants with right of occupancy of the property.

In May 2019, Judge Simon Barker had handed down a consent order allowing the family to retain possession with a final deadline of April 30, 2020, granted for repayment of the loan. That deadline failed to be met and with special rules in place over the Covid-19 pandemic period, UBS was legally unable to pursue enforcement until April 2021.

When the bank sought a court order for enforcement in October last year, Mallya filed an application of stay on the grounds that the bank had placed unreasonable obstacles in his path to repay the sums through family trust funds. His legal team also produced a non-binding letter claiming a company was willing to acquire the property, which would help pay off the loan.

However, Deputy Master Marsh concluded that the letter was of limited assistance and expressed real doubts about the bonafide of that offer.

Under the May 2019 order, UBS had been granted an immediate right to possession and Mallya and the co-defendants were not permitted to make any further applications to postpone or suspend the date for giving up possession.

The court order also forbade any further claims arising out of the bankruptcy proceedings against Mallya by a consortium of Indian banks led by State Bank of India (SBI), proceedings which concluded in a bankruptcy order in July last year.

Meanwhile, Mallya is wanted in India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an alleged Rs 9,000 crores related to loans made to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

The former United Breweries chief remains on bail in the UK while a confidential legal matter, believed to be related to an asylum application, is resolved following separate extradition proceedings.

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The coronavirus cases in Gujarat on Wednesday surged past 20,000-mark for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. The state government has said that 70-80% of the cases are of Omicron variant of Covid-19 and the numbers are likely to rise for another fortnight.

The government while warning the citizens to strictly follow the Covid-19 protocols said that cases are "reaching the peak". Health minister Rushikesh Patel while addressing media persons in Ahmedabad said that the government has stopped differentiating Delta and Omicron variants. "The cases are rising rapidly and we believe that about 70-80 per cent of cases are of Omicron variant, which is spreading the infection faster like everywhere in the world," said Patel.

Also Read | 'No funds': Realities of India's Covid-19 vaccine funding

The state reported 20,966 cases in the last 24 hours, which increased the number of active cases to 90,726 cases. Meanwhile, 12 more people succumbed to the virus, taking the total death toll to 10,189.

While requesting people to follow covid-19 protocol such as wearing masks in public, follow social distancing and take vaccines, Patel said "expert doctors have said that cases are rising rapidly in the third wave and reaching peak." The minister said that although the cases are mild and casualties are less, it is important to follow the protocol or else it will affect those whose immunities are weak.

Several expert doctors, who are part of special task force to tackle the pandemic, also warned people not to take Omcron variant "as lightly as common flu." They said that the varient is infecting people faster and if cases keep rising at this alarming speed, it will overwhelm hospitals. As of today, only 1 to 2% cases are required hospitalisation.

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, whos the most democratic of them all?

Historians have rarely held a mirror to assess who among all the prime ministers of India has been the most democratic and egalitarian in spirit. A dispassionate and thorough appraisal of all the PMs we have had so far might provide us a chance to fight slanging matches  that is, how P V Narasimha Rao would fare compared to, say, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh with I K Gujral, Chandra Shekhar with H D Deve Gowda, Rajiv Gandhi with V P Singh, and last but not least, Narendra Modi with his bete noire Jawahar Lal Nehru  to name just a few. Indira Gandhis flirtation with a brief period of dictatorship taught most Indians about the dangers that threaten democracy. They understood the pitfalls of gratuitous hero worship and how demagoguery, disregard for liberty, placing power in the hands of a few, can play havoc. One Emergency was enough to blot the many exploits of a really courageous PM, the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 being the foremost one.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah late last year said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought back people's faith in democracy by taking good governance to the grassroots level. According to him, people have realised that Modi came to power in 2014 not to run the government but to provide a clean, transparent and welfare administration, thus changing the face of the country. Modi took decisions, Shah averred, neither with an eye on the vote bank, nor on populist planks, but upon consideration of what is good for the people. But what takes the cake is perhaps the claim that Modi is a precursor to the revival of what was a flagging state of Indian democracy.

Then, almost as a counterpoint, came the howler a few days later, when Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik triggered a massive row by saying that Modi had been arrogant when he met him over the deaths of farmers during their year-long agitation. When I told him that 500 of our own (farmers) had diedhe said, Did they die for me? I told him yes, since you are the king. I ended up having an argument with him. He told me to meet Amit Shah, and I did.

The residual part of Maliks statement  of having met Shah and having been told by him that our PM had lost his mind was uncharitable if it was made to placate Malik, and whatever might be the spirit of the statement, it ran counter to Shahs depiction of Modi as an exemplar of democracy. The perception of Modis received image as a megalomaniac leader, who remains unmoved by the human costs of his far-reaching decisions, got firmed up further by Maliks fulminations.

But a democratic leader, in view of all his obligations to be pro-people, must not remain impervious to the enormous costs of his or her decisions. Over 140 people died waiting in long queues at the ATMs due to demonetisation. An iron-fisted lockdown resulted in the dangerous and unplanned displacement of millions of internal migrant workers, killing many on the way. The BBC filed over 200 RTIs to find out who in the government had been consulted before the national lockdown was called, only to learn that nobody in the government, whether disaster management or the finance ministry, knew this was going to come. The plight of millions of migrant workers in cities, without work or basic resources, beggared description. The death of the agitating farmers could have been avoided, too.

If Malik was hinting at demagoguery, democracys tryst with demagogues according to the political scientist Samuel Huntington, passed through three waves each followed by a reverse wave.

The first wave, from 1828 to 1926, included the series of European revolutions in 1848, followed by a reverse wave that began in 1922 with Mussolinis takeover of Italys fragile democracy and continued through World War II.

The second short wave extended from 1943 to 1962, as the Allied Powers installed democracies in the conquered Axis countries, followed by a second reverse wave from 1958 to 1975, when authoritarian regimes took root across the world.

The third wave began in Portugal in 1974 and crested with the fall of the Soviet Union, the various colour revolutions in Eastern Europe and the rise of democracies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America today. The third reverse wave should include not only the rise of the authoritarian strongmen but the double threat to democracy posed by post-truth propaganda and an authoritarian backlash to the politics of Truth.

At the Democracy Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, Modi was one of 12 leaders invited to speak at the plenary. Our PM proudly recounted how the spirit of democracy and adherence to rule of law are ingrained in Indians, and how the source of that endowment lies in Indias civilisational ethos. The trouble is, the situation on the ground runs counter to his proclamations because it is the very spirit that has seriously been dented by his regime.

Facts have been recounted ad nauseam. India dropped from Free to Partly Free status in Freedom in the World 2021. The central government and its state-level allies continue to crack down on critics, lynch and crush innocent persons, hate people with different sartorial and eating habits, intimidate filmmakers, dramatists and writers with contrarian views. India seems to have forfeited its potential to serve as a global democratic leader, elevating narrow Hindu nationalist interests at the expense of its founding values of inclusion and equal rights for all.

None can fail to see how the driving force of the government has been based on an ideology of pure and unadulterated communal polarisation. A number of commentators recently analysed how hatred and intolerance, obfuscation and obscurantism have become parallel tools of governance, be they through calls for genocide, branding civil society as a war weapon, or unleashing a very pliant media and vigilante groups on detractors. But finally, it is the civilisational call of the Opposition, already looking too effete and clueless  mute spectators so far when institutions have been subverted, political opponents hounded, dissent suppressed and freedom of speech silenced  to put their act together to arrest Indias tectonic slide towards authoritarianism.
The ongoing case in the Delhi High Court challenging the legal exception for marital rape has brought into focus the issue of sexual crimes within the family, especially marital rape. The question by a judge about why the law should treat complaints of sexual violence by a married woman and a sex worker differently received some adverse attention. The criticism was that it equated marriage with prostitution. But this is wrong, and the point that was probably sought to be made was that law should respond equally to complaints from women, whatever be their profession or station in life. Only those who view marriage as a relationship that gives the legal right to a spouse to force oneself on the other without consent would want the exception for marital rape to stay.

Consent is a crucial element that determines the legality or even the legitimacy of individual and social dealings and interactions. Women own their bodies, whether they are married or unmarried, and so their consent is required for sex. Sex without consent becomes a violation of their body, and marriage does not make a difference to this. If domestic violence is a crime, marital rape is more so. The Verma Committee, whose report led to changes in rape laws, had said that the relationship between the victim and the offender is immaterial, and consent should be the deciding factor in such cases. It is because the wife is considered as the husbands property that marital rape was not considered an offence. It should be viewed as an offence against womens rights, including privacy, their autonomy, will and physical integrity, and the law should be freed from the traditional framework of family, customs and patriarchy. It should also be noted that most countries consider marital rape a crime. India is in a minority of 32 countries where it is legal.

It is wrong to argue that criminalising marital rape would hurt the institution of marriage. Marriage itself must be a matter of mutual consent, and so should all that it involves. There have been different judicial views on the matter. The Chhattisgarh High Court recently ruled that forced sex within the marriage is not rape. Other High Courts have also held similar views because the exception exists in law as Exception 2 to IPC Section 375. Strangely, the government told the Delhi High Court that "what may appear to be marital rape to an individual wife may not appear so to others. This is an absurd argument. What matters is what the woman thinks, not what someone else does. The exception must be struck down.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership has come to rest hopes on the possibility of Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) halting Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav's run to assume power in Lucknow. Mayawati may be only a shade of her former feisty self but retains her support base among Jatavs; the community comprises more than half of the Dalit population in the state.

At the peak of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP's popularity in the previous 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP's vote share was 26 per cent - dropping a mere four per cent from its vote share in the 2007 elections when elected to power with 30 per cent. On the other hand, the SP had clocked a vote share of 24 per cent in 2007, 29 per cent in 2012 and 22 per cent in 2017 - a drop of seven per cent from 2012, when it was elected to power. Thus, the big spike in the BJP vote share of 39.18 per cent in 2017 had primarily come at the expense of the Congress and other smaller parties, not as much at the cost of the SP and the BSP.

Also Read | Akhilesh Yadav likely to contest Uttar Pradesh polls, may opt for Azamgarh

Mayawati can halt the SP juggernaut because of this reason. While the BJP had decimated all rival parties in 2017 in the 58 seats of western UP, scheduled to go for polls in the first phase, Mayawati's BSP was the runner up in 30 of these constituencies, while SP candidates were placed second in only 15 seats. Hence, the more Mayawati's BSP gains, the more extensive the damage to Akhilesh Yadav's SP.

What psephologists say

There is no denying that the SP-led coalition has rapidly emerged as the principal challenger to the BJP in India's most populous and politically significant state. According to a recent ABP/C-Voter survey, the BJP is expected to retain its vote share of 40 per cent but is forecasted to win between 223 to 235 seats - a drop of approximately 70 seats from 2017. With an expected vote share of 33.3 per cent, the SP is projected to win between 145 to 157 seats.

Also Read | Battle for UP: Trouble in RLD as SP candidates get RLD symbol

Two issues stand out about the survey report. First, with a bigger vote share for the BJP, how can the party get fewer seats than in 2017? Second, it has never been the case in UP that a party with nearly 30 per cent vote share does not form the government. When the BSP was elected to power in 2007, the party had a vote share of 30 per cent. In 2012, the SP had been elected to power with a vote share of 29 per cent.

Psephological projections can hardly be taken as an accurate barometer of existing ground realities. Still, the following appears reasonable: If there comes about a breach in the "Hindutva plus" strategy (the inclusion of the backwards and Dalits within the Hindutva umbrella), the BJP could be heading for trouble. A realisation of such sort appears to have also dawned upon BJP strategists' minds.

Caste overpowering Hindutva

The SP has emerged as the first port of call for leaders of the smaller caste-based parties and also ministers and MLAs belonging to the Other Backward Caste (OBC) communities, who have quit the BJP in past weeks to join the SP. Massive crowds have turned up at recent rallies addressed by Akhilesh Yadav at locations including Jaunpur, Lucknow and Kanpur.

Learning from past mistakes, Akhilesh Yadav has also made a conscious effort to broad-base the party's support base - reaching out to communities other than Yadavs and Muslims. At a recent meeting with leaders of SP's alliance partners, Krishna Patel of the Apna Dal faction was accorded the honour as the master of ceremonies, while Akhilesh Yadav himself sat among the other participants. Alliance leaders such as Om Prakash Rajbhar of the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party and Keshav Dev Maurya of the Mahan Dal have been asked to lead the SP's Vijay Rath Yatras.

Also Read | Mamata Banerjee to campaign for Samajwadi Party in UP; to attend virtual sabha with Akhilesh in Lucknow, Varanasi

Akhilesh Yadav has also reached out to the Brahmin community by way of the "Parashuram Yatras" that the SP has conducted. He has also avoided directly attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, keeping his campaign themes focused on misgovernance and misrule of the Yogi Adityanath government, raising price rise, unemployment, Covid mismanagement and the Adityanath government's "thoko niti" (encounter policy). In short, Akhilesh Yadav has attempted to reinvent himself as a leader capable of taking everybody along.

BJP's dilemmas

For a party known for its planning and the hard work of its cadres - with access to unlimited resources, financial and other, the BJP appears to have suddenly and embarrassingly run out of ideas in UP.

Plans had been firmed up to field Adityanath from the Ayodhya constituency with apparent aims to overwhelm the resurgence of "Mandal politics" by the Hindutva wave. But Adityanath is now seen visiting the homes of Dalits, sharing meals with Dalit families. Union minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan also announced that the party would field Dalits from non-reserved seats as well. Prime Minister Modi has been on a ribbon-cutting and foundation stone laying drive, particularly in eastern UP, where caste identities are strong.

In the upcoming budget on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to make populist announcements targeted at Dalit and backward welfare. Despite all this, this fear looms large in respect of the BJP's last hour change of strategy for Uttar Pradesh: That it might be a case of it being too little and too late.

(The writer is a journalist)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
More than 40 out of 170 men from Mysuru battalion deployed for Mekedatu padayatra have tested positive for COVID-19, Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) Alok Kumar said on Wednesday.

In a tweet, he said:"42 men out of 170 deployed from Mysore Battalion for Mekedatu padayatra have tested positive. Luckily they are having mild symptoms. Need to meet them in person and express gratitude for putting their lives at risk in the line of duty, once they are out of isolation."

42 men out of 170 deployed from Mysore Battalion for Mekedaatu paada yatra have tested positive .

Luckily they are having mild symptoms.

Need to meet them in person and express gratitude for putting their lives at risk in the line of duty, once they are out of isolation .  alok kumar (@alokkumar6994) January 19, 2022

The Congress' Karnataka unit had organised a ten-day padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru from January 9, that was to span a total distance of nearly 139 km, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river, by violating Covid curbs.

However, with limited options before it amid surging Covid cases, the government prohibiting movement of people, and High Court observations against it, the Congress on January 13, temporarily halted the padayatra on its fifth day at Ramanagara.

Police have filed four FIRs against Congress leaders, including state president Shivakumar and legislature party leader Siddaramaiah, for taking out the march defying Covid-19 curbs.

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Hinting at relaxation of the Covid-19 curbs, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said the general feeling now is that the infection is like a flu that comes and goes with fewer people requiring hospitalisation.

Bommai, however, said the government will decide on withdrawing the daily night curfew and the weekend curfew after talking to experts.

He is scheduled to chair a meeting with experts this Friday.

Also Read -- India reports 2.82 lakh new Covid-19 cases, 441 deaths

What everybody is discussing is that this is like a flu that comes and goes. People arent ending up in the hospital. The general opinion is that daily life should go on without any inconvenience by following Covid rules, Bommai told reporters. We have asked experts to examine this. In Fridays meeting, they will give us the full picture and we will have clarity. Based on that we will decide, he said.

According to Bommai, experts have projected a peak in Covid-19 cases by January-end. The estimation has been prepared based on trends in other countries and states. The wave started a little late for us, so it is estimated that we will see a peak in the last week of January or first week of February, he said.

Bommai reiterated that while Covid-19 case numbers are increasing, the load on hospitals is less. We need to focus on OPDs, he said.

On cases of BJP leaders defying Covid-19 curbs and the Congresss demand that they be booked, Bommai said he has given clear orders on taking legal action and filing of cases against any and all violators. Even the chief secretary has issued an order. We dont need a complaint from the Congress. Were doing our work, he said.

Bommai back to office

CM Bommai returned to office Wednesday after recovering from the Covid-19 infection. I was under quarantine. I have tested negative and Im returning to office, he said. Bommai tested positive on January 10 with mild symptoms.

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The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins is to deliver a specially recorded message to the Bloody Sunday families and the people of Derry to mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

The Presidents message will be shown publicly for the first time during Beyond the Silence  a poignant commemorative event  which will take place before a limited in-person audience in Guildhall Square on Sunday, January 30.

The message will be broadcast on a large screen and the occasion will be livestreamed to an online audience.

Beyond the Silence is one of a number of events organised for this years anniversary by the Bloody Sunday Trust.

Beginning at 4pm sharp on the day of the anniversary, it will be hosted by actor, Adrian Dunbar, and will feature tributes to the victims, as well as music and public performances.

Guildhall Square will fall silent at the precise time when, on January 30, 1972, British paratroopers opened fire on civil rights marchers in the Bogside.

The attendance in the Square will be restricted, in accordance with public health guidance during the pandemic. People will be asked to assemble from 3.30pm. Five hundred places will be reserved for family members and one thousand will be available online on a first come, first served basis.

The Trust is inviting members of the Bloody Sunday families to take part in a Family Walk of Remembrance on the morning of the anniversary. It will set out from Creggan Shops at 9.15am and make its way to the Bloody Sunday Monument in Rossville Street for the annual Memorial Service and wreath-laying ceremony at 11.00am.

Members of the public are being asked to show their support for the families by lining the route in a responsible, socially distanced way.

The Trust has chosen One World One Struggle as the theme for its 50th anniversary commemorative programme.

Other highlights include the delivery of the prestigious Bloody Sunday Memorial Lecture by the former British Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn. The Islington North MP has been a long-standing supporter of Bloody Sunday justice issues, including the campaign for a new inquiry to overturn the discredited Widgery Tribunal findings and the call for British soldiers to be made accountable for Troubles-related incidents.

All events in this years programme are risk-assessed to ensure they comply with public health regulations and guidance. The full programme can be seen at https://bloodysunday50.com
The Derry and Letterkenny Chambers of Commerce have met to discuss their shared priorities for the North West ahead of what has been described as a significant year for the city region.

Representing over 600 businesses across the North West, the two Chambers agreed a partnership in 2021 to collaborate on issues affecting the membership of both bodies.

The meeting was the first opportunity for new Chamber Presidents, Derry Chambers Aidan OKane, and Letterkenny Chambers Kristine Reynolds, to meet as they began their tenure.

With Protocol negotiations ongoing, both Chambers expressed their desire for the protection of the North Wests unfettered access to UK, Ireland, and EU markets.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to present challenges to businesses on both sides of the border, with rising energy and material costs presenting further disruption to hard-hit retail and hospitality sectors.

The meeting comes as the Chambers submit their joint response to the All Island Strategic Rail Review, where they call for wholesale rail reform to strengthen the North Wests connectivity with the islands other economic hubs.

Over the past year, the Chambers have also collaborated on a Masters in Research Programme examining cross border clusters, with a particular focus on the FinTech sector.

Derry Chamber President, Aidan OKane, said: I was privileged to meet with the Letterkenny Chamber to discuss our shared ambitions for the North West.

"For years, our close partnership with Letterkenny has reflected the progress we believe can be made through meaningful cross-border collaboration.

"The challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit have not gone away, and it is imperative that we work alongside each other to meet these issues head-on.

The vast economic potential of the North West City Region is well known. Derry and Letterkenny are thriving hubs of innovation and growth, and with proper investment, support, and stimulus, we can reach the heights seen elsewhere across the island.

"In the year ahead, Stormont, Dublin and Westminster must knuckle down, not work in their silos, and support the North Wests growth, as one coherent and conjoined region.

I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Letterkenny Chamber in my tenure in what is a crucial year for the North West business community.

Kristine Reynolds, Letterkenny Chamber President, said: We were delighted to establish a formal partnership with the Derry Chamber in 2021, an agreement which reflected how interconnected we are as a city region.

"Our collaboration has been instrumental in promoting our members interests to key stakeholders and elected representatives across the island.

"Now, with an important year ahead of us, we are looking forward to working together to tackle the key issues facing our local economy.

As a unique cross-border city region, the North West provides unfettered access to the UK, Ireland and EU markets.

"Regional infrastructure and connectivity are improving slowly, however, and there remains little to no rail connectivity to and within our region.

"Following the All Island Strategic Rail Review, both Stormont and Dublin must work to address the regional imbalance in transport infrastructure as part of a properly funded investment programme to bolster our region.

I was pleased to meet with my counterpart Aidan and I hope that, in working together, we can build a more vibrant, sustainable and prosperous regional economy that benefits everyone.
People across County Derry gathered on Friday evening at numerous community vigils which were held to mark the life of murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy.

Large crowds joined together in many towns and villages across the county to honour the 23 year-old woman who was murdered while out for a run in Co Offaly on Wednesday.

The 23 year-old talented musician was running along the canal bank in Tullamore at around 4pm when she was assaulted.

Members of the public at a vigil in Ballinascreen.

In Ballinascreen, residents came out to pay their respects and also to take a stand against violence towards women and girls.

In Dungiven, Sinn Fein councillor Kathleen McGurk led tributes as residents came together at 'The Grove' in the town.

Speaking afterwards, Councillor McGurk said: The community of Dungiven came together last night to remember Ashling Murphy.

We also stood in solidarity with all women and girls who have fell victim to male violence and to all of us who carry fear and thoughts of Ashling as we go out for our walks.

The elected representative urged anyone affected by the tragedy to reach out to any of the organisations out there offering support, including Nexus, Victim Support and Women's Aid.

There was a large turn out at a vigil organised in Dungiven.

Meanwhile, Ballerin GAA held a vigil in the club's grounds.

A table was set up on the pitch with a framed image of Ashling Murphy sitting alongside a pair of running shoes and a candle.

A woman played the tin whistle - a tribute to Ashling's musical talent - as locals stood in silence.

Banagher GAC also remembered Ms Murphy with members of the club and parish taking part in a lap of the pitch while holding candles.

There were similar scenes in Bellaghy with locals coming together at Wolfe Tones GAC to pay their respects.

'The Voice' star Brooke Scullion sang Sarah McLachlan's 'Angel' as those gathered held lit candles in tribute.

On the same night, the club raised 1,117.57 for Air Ambulance NI in support of the Maggie's Call campaign.

East Derry MLA Cara Hunter described a vigil held at Coleraine Town Hall as 'a beautiful moment of reflection surrounded by good people'.

Dozens of people attended the vigil, placing candles and laying flowers beside pictures of Ms Murphy whose funeral took place yesterday morning (Tuesday) in Mountbolus.
The son of a County Derry man murdered in 1991 says the Police Ombudsman's report into collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries confirms what the families already knew.

Malachy O'Hagan's father Bernard was shot dead by a UDA/UFF gunman as he arrived at Magherafelt Technical College on September 16 1991.

The murder was among 19 similar killings that spanned a four-year period between 1989 and 1993 on which the Ombudsman focused her investigation.

The report found that police had failed to inform Mr O'Hagan that his details had been found in documentation found at an address in Portrush in February 1991.

It also concluded that 'efforts by police to identify and prosecute those responsible for Mr O'Hagan's murder were thorough'.

Malachy says the O'Hagan family intend to meet with the Ombudsman to raise some questions over the term 'thorough'.

There are some questions to be raised over the terminology, and in terms of our own father's murder and the investigation that preceded it being described as 'thorough', he told the County Derry Post.

It seems a bit of an oxymoron whenever the RUC are investigating a murder where members of Special Branch are suspected of being involved in the preparation, targetting and passing on of information.

Overall, Malachy said the family had been left with 'mixed feelings' following the publication of the report last week.

It's tough to read through some of the details; finding the witness reports and the details in them bring a lot of memories back, he said.

Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson.

I was very young  I was only two and a half  so I've no memory from the time that other than from my siblings and my mother, God love her.

It's a very difficult day, but overall, the Ombudsman has said the concerns and complaints of the families were legitimate.

It was dressed up in language like 'collusive behaviours' but in layman's terms, that is collusion. She gave a broad summary of what collusion can be.

It can be failure to act, or co-operating and helping identify and give information over to loyalists, or make sure the families didn't see justice. This has been a long time coming.

The report has been said to confirm what the families already knew about what was described in the investigation as 'collusive behaviours'.

The families themselves have known for a long time. We don't necessarily need a report to tell us there was collusion involved, but it's very important that the world knows, said Malachy.

We were accused of being involved in some sort of nationalist propaganda, saying the state was involved in murders, but after the report, it's very clear.

It's in black and white; state agents on the payroll of Special Branch, with the authorisation of senior members, were involved in murders.

These individuals were known to Special Branch and the RUC to have been involved in murders and kept on the payroll.

It links back to the importation of arms in 1987, and there are questions over that still. British military intelligence were involved in the importation of these weapons.

They found their way on to the streets of Ireland and used to murder innocent people.

In our own father's case, the weapon used was a Personal Protection Weapon (PPW) and the same gun was used to kill Malachy Carey.

Individuals as well as weaponry were a crossover in a lot of these cases, which is why previous Ombudsman Mr Maguire connected these cases.

Ms Marie Anderson's report said the term 'collusion' was difficult to define, and that there were a spectrum of behaviours that constituted the term.

Whenever you tie in the weaponry, individuals, circumstances and patterns it became very obvious to the victims and their families, said Malachy.

This report probably confirms what had been known, but it's now in black and white open for the whole world to know.

British military intelligence, with the help of the UDR, RUC Special Branch and UDA members, carried out a concerted campaign against the nationalist populations.

We'll go through that, sit down with our solicitors and have an opportunity to speak to the Ombudsman ourselves in the coming weeks, he added.
A County Derry councillor has said the report generated by Operation Greenwich has laid out the extent of what he referred to as 'state-sponsored murder'.

Causeway Coast and Glens councillor Sean Bateson said the report revealed a 'systemic practice' of 'procuring weapons, sharing intelligence and using agents to murder'.

We can see why the British government is wanting an amnesty for their state forces and to sweep their dirty truth under the carpet. It was state sponsored murder, he said.

My thoughts are with all the families of the 19 victims in the report in their long road to truth and justice.

In the area of Kilrea which I represent, there where two murder victims -Tommy Donaghy and Danny Cassidy. Particular thoughts are with the Donaghy and Cassidy families.

Party colleague and Mid Ulster MLA Emma Sheerin also paid tribute to the families, and said the report confirmed what many of the families already knew.

The report indicates direct involvement of UDR members with loyalist groups, something that many people at the time would have taken as fact, she said.

The continued use of loyalist informants who were suspected to be directly involved in murder proves that, for RUC Special Branch in particular, nationalists were considered expendable.

The families who have been left behind have done tremendous work in ensuring that their loved ones are remembered and that the truth of what happened to them is exposed.

Aontu election candidate for East Derry, Gemma McAleese, said the report was a 'tentative step towards justice'.

This report however does not go far enough, still suggesting it is difficult to confirm loss of life could have been avoided had collusion not taken place, she said.

The families, friends and neighbours of those who were murdered as a result of collusion have fought for justice for approximately thirty years.

Those responsible for these murders must be brought to justice, she added.

East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said the report would have brought back painful memories for the families.

I hope the report will bring some comfort that what many of them already knew about their loved ones deaths has been confirmed to the public, she said.

The Greysteel Massacre was one of the worst atrocities of the entire Troubles and still casts a shadow over the village today.

Its to the credit of all the people who live there that they have not allowed themselves to be defined by it and continue to be a thriving and welcoming community.
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Photo courtesy of Low Income Housing Institute [enlarge] The seven-story building has 60 units.





Back in September, the Low Income Housing Institute announced that it would be purchasing three new construction properties to help deal with the homeless crisis. These properties were purchased with the help of state funding as part of Washington's Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program and marked an innovation in methods to deal with homelessness through the purchase of nearly completed new buildings.





. . .
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SEATTLE  An industrial building at 7700 Second Ave. S. recently sold for $11.2 million, according to King County records.

The seller was RLE Properties LLC, which acquired the property in 2018 for almost $4.4 million. That entity is associated with prior tenant and recent owner Pacific Western Agencies, or PWA, which makes wire, cable and other industrial products.





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BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- In an effort to consolidate its poverty elimination achievements, China will strive to ensure that at least 30 million people who have been lifted out of poverty are employed this year, a senior official said on Tuesday.

In 2021, some 31.45 million people lifted out of poverty found jobs, Liu Huanxin, deputy chief of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group and head of the National Rural Revitalization Administration, told a video conference.

That number is 1.26 million higher than the 2020 level, Liu said, pledging efforts to achieve even better results this year.

To that end, Liu said work will be done to boost labor service cooperation between provinces, cities and counties, develop characteristic industries, provide public welfare jobs in rural areas, and support entrepreneurship and flexible employment.

As a result of the country's efforts to consolidate its poverty alleviation achievements and push for rural vitalization, the average net income of people who have shaken off poverty is likely to have reached 12,500 yuan (about 1,968 U.S. dollars) last year, up over 16.5 percent year on year, official data shows. 
Over six and a half million euro is being allocated to Creative Ireland projects across 31 local authorities in 2022.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, and Minister for Housing, Darragh OBrien, announced the funding today (January 19).

Speaking about the announcement, Minister Martin said, "I am delighted to continue to support the excellent work undertaken by local authorities on behalf of the Creative Ireland Programme. Since the inception of Creative Ireland our partners in local government have been key to the delivery of creative projects that promote an improved sense of wellbeing, social connections and economic development within their communities."

A minimum of 175,161 will be allocated to each project, with four areas in Dublin - including Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal, South Dublin and Dublin City - set to receive 220,161 each.

The Creativity in Older Age Fund and the Creative Communities Economic Action Fund will receive 500,000 each.

The minister continued: "Through these projects local authorities have been able to create exciting and constructive opportunities for people and communities. I want to congratulate our local authority partners for their energy and creativity in delivering so many wonderful projects that sustain and enhance the lives of everyone in their communities."

The 2022 funding will ensure people of all ages can access thousands of community-led creative projects, 1,500 of which were delivered last year.

It includes planning for an enhanced Cruinniu na nOg - Ireland's national day celebrating the creativity of young people - as well as projects encouraging creativity in older age.

Creative Climate Action projects, in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, will use art to connect people to changes occurring in the environment, society and economy arising from climate change.

Minister Darragh O'Brien also commented on the announcement.

He said, "Local authorities have extensive expertise across heritage, arts, libraries as well as vital local relationships. I firmly believe that culture plays a key role in local governments work in creating great places to live and work. Creative Communities takes this a step further. Culture and creativity can be part of responses to social isolation, to creating a sense of place and to integrating new communities."
The Taoiseach has said the country can be optimistic about the future, amid growing expectation that coronavirus restrictions may soon be lifted.

Micheal Martin told reporters today (January 19) that the Government will give clarity later this week regarding plans to ease Covid rules.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet tomorrow (January 20) to discuss the situation.

Mr Martin said: The Government will meet on Friday and then well give clarity to the public at large and to the interests that are very concerned about the situation and want that clarity.

Well take it step by step. The Omicron situation, the manner in which that has happened, the widespread nature of its transmission and so on, and the fact we have managed so far to weather that storm, gives us grounds for optimism in that medium term right out to March.

However, he warned current infection levels remain fairly high.

Earlier, Eamon Ryan suggested Covid restrictions may be lifted from the end of next week.

The Green Party leader and climate minister said he expects the Government to start lifting restrictions quickly and widely.

The comments come as health officials point to signs that the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, fuelled by the Omicron variant, has passed.

Mr Ryan told RTE radio yesterday (January 18) that he believes restrictions can be lifted as soon as the end of next week.

The Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 will meet on Friday to discuss the possibility of an easing of restrictions, he said.

Mr Ryan said the Government aims to give the public and businesses advance notice, and indicated there will not be any change to the rules this weekend.

The position were in at the moment is a lot better than it looked a couple of weeks ago, Mr Ryan said.

The latest indicators suggest, he said, that it is going to give us the chance to start lifting restrictions quickly, in my mind very widely.

He added: I think we need to start bringing back some of our social life.

He indicated that sporting, cultural and artistic events will be among the priorities when restrictions do ease.

In light of the positive public health outlook we would like to see the opening until midnight for pubs from this weekend, followed shortly afterwards with reopening of late bars and nightclubs, as well as the removal of all other hospitality restrictionshttps://t.co/6V3gpN8jro  LVA (@LVADublinPubs) January 19, 2022

He also said he would like to see people returning to offices.

It is important that people who are working from home do start to have the chance to go back in, he said.

However, Mr Ryan also indicated that requirements regarding the wearing of face masks are likely to remain in place, even if the vast majority of restrictions are relaxed in the spring.

Donall OKeeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, said today that the pub industry could reopen fully this weekend, if granted permission by the Government.

In light of the more positive outlook, we would certainly support the return to opening until midnight from as early as this weekend, he said.

We know that is what pubs throughout the country would like to see and they would make every effort to be ready if they were given the green light by Government.

Yesterday, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party that the low level of hospital admissions, ICU admissions and deaths has given a strong degree of confidence that we can ease restrictions quickly over the next few weeks.

He added a caveat to his remarks to TDs and Senators by saying we cannot promise anything yet, party sources said.

The legal basis for the restrictions is set to expire at the end of March, but the Government has the option to extend them for another three months until the end of June.
Micheal Martin has said the British Government has dragged its feet for too long on legacy issues in Northern Ireland.

The Taoiseach has again criticised proposals in London to introduce a ban on future prosecutions of military veterans and ex-paramilitaries for Troubles incidents predating April 1998.

Mr Martin told the Dail today (January 19) that British soldiers involved in atrocities such as Bloody Sunday and the Ballymurphy massacre should be brought to justice.

It came as Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney met with a cross-community group of Troubles victims to discuss opposition to the proposals.

It would be totally unacceptable, it would be a betrayal of the victims of all violence, the Taoiseach said of the proposals.

There is no sense here for a lot of people, a lot of victims, of closure, of answers in terms of who did what.

Many, many people feel that theyve been forgotten about, or the loss of their loved ones has been completely forgotten about, and there is no balance in terms of how we approach that.

I believe that British Government has dragged its feet for too long on legacy in my view.

Ten years ago, agreement had been reached between the two governments.

We believe that British soldiers should be brought to justice in terms of atrocities like Bloody Sunday, Ballymurphy and others.

Mr Martin raised the issue of collusion and said that State forces were involved with all paramilitaries.

He added: It seems to me the people most who dont want closure, or dont want the light shined on this are those who are engaged in the killing.

We are all agreed in this house, were against legacy proposals and against the idea of an amnesty. There needs to be clarity and transparency to what happened.

Mr Coveney met with a cross-community group of victims today, including John Teggart, whose father was killed by soldiers in Ballymurphy; Raymond McCord, whose son was killed by loyalists; and Eugene Reavey, whose three brothers were shot dead by a loyalist paramilitary gang.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr McCord, from Truth and Justice Movement, said they were seeking support from the Irish government.

The agenda is the British governments shameful amnesty proposals, Mr McCord said.

Our cross community group the Truth and Justice Movement has, since August, been engaged in meetings in London and Belfast with all the main political parties in Ireland and the UK, except the Tories.

Each political representative signed a historical document in agreement of support for us and rejecting the amnesty proposals.

We have also the support of the NIPSA trade union.

We are going to Dublin to talk to and listen to Minister Coveney about how and what the Irish government can do to help us stop all of the British governments proposals.

In July last year, the UK Government published a command paper outlining its intention to prohibit future prosecutions of military veterans and ex-paramilitaries for Troubles incidents pre-dating April 1998.

The proposals, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson said would allow Northern Ireland to draw a line under the Troubles, would also end all legacy inquests and civil actions.

The proposals are opposed by all the main parties at Stormont, the Irish government and many victims groups.
Independent councillor Bernie Conlon has called for an investigation into the circumstances around the issuing of a Do Not Consume (DNC) notice for the Greenmount Public Water Scheme in December.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ardee Municipal District a number of councillors again raised serious concerns regarding the lack of communication from Irish Water to local affected residents.

Concerns had previously been raised around Irish Waters public engagement, with councillors citing the fact that many older residents did not have access to social media and were not kept up to speed with the situation as it developed.

Cllr Paula Butterly of Fine Gael highlighted that the issue had a serious impact on local hospitality businesses in particular.

Frustrated with the communication from Irish water Cllr. John Sheridan of Fianna Fail proposed that all six Ardee councillors sign a letter requesting a meeting with representatives of the company at the next municipal meeting or some other suitable forum.

The motion was passed with Cllr. Pearse McGeough of Sinn Fein commenting that:

The response we received wasnt what we were looking for, we need a full investigation into what took place at Greenmount, its a very serious matter.

We have ammonium in the water supply of nearly 4000 citizens in our area.

Its not good enough, we need a comprehensive report on the communication in relation to Irish Water, which left a serious amount to be desired.

There are old people in the area that had no knowledge whatsoever of what the situation was, because when the water was turned on they just thought that naturally that it was a boil notice and that they could boil the water and everything would be ok.

Cllr. McGeough had previously told the monthly meeting of Louth County Council that he had been informed that a number of people had got extremely sick due to the ammonia in the water.

When questioned at the same council meeting Chief executive Joan Martin said that the council could not comment at all on the matter.

The meeting was however told that the director of services would raise the issue at the next meeting between the Council and Irish Water.

What we asked for still hasnt been addressed, councillor McGeough concluded.
Louth Fianna Fail Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed a series of actions to support Irish horticultural growers who are dependent on peat that was announced by Ministers in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Senator McGreehan commented: The Irish horticultural industry makes a significant contribution to the economy with an estimated 17,600 employed in the sector and a farm gate value of almost 469 million in 2020.

"The industry has faced several legal and regulatory challenges in the extraction of peat in recent years. This has generated supply challenges (volume and price) for the horticulture sector, which continues to rely on peat as a raw growing material.

This follows the publication of the Final Report of the Working Group on the Use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry.

The Working Group on the Use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry was established following a series of High Court decisions which determined that large scale peat harvesting requires planning permission and licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Working Group was tasked in particular with examining the potential of alternatives to peat for the horticultural industry. While the sector is committed to transitioning away from peat, this is not possible in the short term.

Against this background, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has worked with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Housing), to develop proposals that include:

* the commissioning of an independent expert to assess levels and suitability of current stocks of peat across all suppliers, including Bord na Mona, for the Irish horticultural sector;

*the commissioning of experts on planning to provide free advice to those who wish to extract peat in a manner which is compliant with the relevant regulations on sub-30 hectare bogs; and

*research to deliver alternatives to peat for the horticulture sector.



The ultimate ambition of this exercise is to support the 469 million horticulture industry, the people employed and the many families that depend on this important sector.
There were double celebrations in Jacqui OHanlons home on New Years Eve as she received the news she had been awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year Honours list for her services to the Arts.

Jacqui, whose father was originally from the Greenore Road in Carlingford, spent part of her childhood in the village attending the local primary before her family moved back to Birmingham.

Today she is the Director of Learning for the (RSC) Royal Shakespeare Company, a job which sees her travel across the U.K. helping young people to engage and better understand the works of The Bard.

The Democrat caught up with her to discuss her life, her work and winning an MBE.

She recalls the first time she read a Shakespeare play.

We moved back over to Birmingham and thats where I got my secondary education and first introduction to Shakespeare.

I really loved it from the word go, despite the funny language.

A teacher came to my school and began to do drama in the school and soon I acted in plays and thats what made me think gosh Id love to do that.

I was lucky enough to go to university and do a degree in theatre and have been able to make that my career.

Jacqui started her career as an actor setting up a theatre company that would take adaptations of Shakespeares work into schools.

I spent some time in repertory theatre but education work was always part of what I did and I began to do more and more of it using Shakespeares work to help with literacy and using drama to help kids with their self-esteem.

Then a short ten month contract came up at the RSC in the learning department and I always wanted to work there so I took it and Ive never left!

A core part of Jacquis work is getting children past the dense language of the plays to a fuller understanding of the texts.

Shakespeare is very difficult, but actually everybody finds it difficult.

There isnt anybody I know who can pick up a Shakespeare play for the first time and completely understand it.



Lots of our work is about giving young people ways of understanding the clues that Shakespeare gives you in the text, many of which you learn as an actor at the RSC, and it helps them to decode it, its like a detective with a puzzle.

And when theyre given the keys to that puzzle, that makes a real difference to them and their appreciation of the work.

Weve done research that shows that changing the way a child thinks about Shakespeare can have a really positive impact on how they think about school more generally.

But its not solely in the classroom that her work has an effect.

What we also found out is that it really changes what children think they can achieve.

They take an attitude of well if I can do Shakespeare I can do anything and this can have tremendous effects on their confidence and self-esteem.

I find that when you work on them [the plays] with children and young people, they just ask such interesting questions and have the most interesting takes on the plays and parallels between the play and the world were in today.

Most would think getting young people interested in Shakespeare is a hard sell but Jacqui says shes continually surprised at how well the plays are received, something she puts down to the universality of the works.

Its the beauty and complexity of the language and when that is decoded you find he has an extraordinary ability to write about what its like to be human and what its like to experience love, pain, sorrow and a whole range of other emotions.

But the other thing is that his work has a way of connecting with literally everybody.

No matter what kind of life youve lived or where you live in the world, Shakespeares plays will have something to say to you.

If you look at India or Africa or China Shakespeare has a really strong place in those countries even though they are very different culturally, it shows his plays have an ability to speak to you no matter the context youre living in.

Her work has clearly made an impression as she was nominated for the MBE by an anonymous person.

I got a letter on New Years Eve that told me I was officially being awarded it and that it would be announced that night on the New Years Honours list.

I was really thrilled, incredibly surprised, and incredibly humbled to be given the award and its very generous of whoever nominated me, even though I dont know who they are.

Im incredibly privileged to do the job I do, its a job I love and really believe in, she concluded.
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NCBI, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, are leading calls for new legislation to govern the use of e-scooters in Ireland.

They will present their concerns regarding the use of e-scooters to the Oireachtas Committee on Transport.

The organisations have called on Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, to ensure the voices and experiences of disabled pedestrians and those with mobility needs are heard and their concerns addressed in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021.

The three organisations, who published a joint position paper in advance of the Dail debate on the Bill in November last year will be asking the Committee to propose and support amendments to the legislation to ensure:

E-scooters will be prohibited from use on footpaths and in shared spaces; A universal sound solution, which is robustly tested and researched, is installed to allow pedestrians to hear them approaching; maximum speed limits of 12 kph will apply with lower speed limits of 6 kph in certain areas; and there is designated parking infrastructure.

June Tinsley, NCBI Head of Advocacy and Communications, said: The volume of E-scooter usage is increasing daily and it is vital that the correct legal frameworks and infrastructure is in place to ensure the safety of disabled pedestrians. In a recent NCBI survey, 57% of our service users reported e-scooters reduced their confidence to walk or access the community. It is imperative the legislation introduces lower speed limits and requires the installation of an audio system to guarantee pedestrian safety as already there have been too many near misses or accidents.

John Fulham, Public Engagement Manager, Irish Wheelchair Association said; The introduction of E-Scooters in Ireland has generated valid concerns amongst the disabled community regarding the continuing safety of people with disabilities. It is important the infrastructure introduced does not place disabled people in a vulnerable position and we welcome the opportunity to present to the committee regarding these issues.

Lean Kennedy, Advocacy and Policy Officer, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind said; In a recent survey, 89% of our clients are concerned about the use of e-scooters in relation to their safety and therefore we welcome the opportunity to present to the Committee on this important issue. We are calling for specific amendments to be made to the Bill to safeguard people with vision impairment and children with autism so they can move independently in their communities.
Family Carers Ireland has called on the government to recognise the vital role of family carers during Covid-19 in helping to keep loved ones safe by extending the 1,000 Covid bonus to all full time family carers.

This follows the announcement from Cabinet this morning that public healthcare workers who worked on the frontline during the pandemic are to receive a once off 1,000 tax free payment.

All public healthcare staff who worked in a clinical setting, including hospital porters, cleaners and ambulance workers will be entitled to the bonus as well as student nurses who did placements in hospitals and healthcare settings, army personnel who were deployed to Health Service Executive testing and vaccination centres.

Healthcare workers who are privately employed will not be included in the scheme with the exception of staff in private nursing homes and hospices.

The payment will not be made to healthcare employees who worked from home and is instead being directed towards those who worked on site in a clinical setting.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said there will be frustration felt by many workers who are not eligible.

Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy, Family Carers Ireland said:

Our frontline workers have worked incredibly hard to keep the health system running under severe pressure from Covid and emergency care and they deserve this recognition.

What strikes me most is that this is yet again another missed opportunity to show family carers, once and for all, that the Government recognises their value and contribution in society and acknowledge them as the forgotten frontline workers that they are.

In normal times, family carers provide extraordinary levels of care to loved ones, putting the needs of others before their own. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they played a hugely significant role in lessening the spread of the virus and supporting the Irish healthcare system by keeping vulnerable family and friends safe at home and out of hospital.

They did this at time when essential supports and services were withdrawn or severely curtailed. When the country shut down, they stepped up and kept their loved ones safe at home.

Family carers were overlooked when it came to the provision of PPE, priority testing and vaccination. They continue to suffer burnout and serious ill-health caused by the stress and strain of their care work. The role theyve played in keeping their loved ones safe and the impact on their own mental and financial wellbeing continues to be ignored.

The simple fact is that an extra bank holiday will be of no help to them. In fact, it will potentially increase the burden of care as schools and day services will close.

As the country begins to emerge from the Covid-19 crisis, there is now an opportunity for Government to make a meaningful impact and demonstrate that they recognise family carers and value their contribution.

Family Carers Ireland is calling on the Government to extend the Covid bonus to family carers in receipt of the Carers Support Grant, which is a non-means tested payment for full time family carers, at a cost of approximately 120 million bearing in mind the savings to the state of 20 billion that family carers contribute each year.
BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special address at the 2022 World Economic Forum (WEF) virtual session on Monday has charted the course towards a better world, and injected strong momentum into reinvigoration of global development, experts from different countries have said.

"The history of humanity is a history of achieving growth by meeting various tests and of developing by overcoming various crises. We need to move forward by following the logic of historical progress, and develop by riding the tide of development of our times," Xi said in his address titled "Forge Ahead with Confidence and Fortitude to Jointly Create a Better Post-COVID World."

Speaking highly of Xi's address, Selcuk Colakoglu, professor of international relations and director of Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, noted that global challenges and transborder disasters like the pandemic cannot be handled by any single country, especially as unilateralism and protectionism are posing a grave risk to aggravate these challenges.

Against such a backdrop, Colakoglu stressed, China has been constantly urging the international community to increase multinational initiatives as a way to build the post-pandemic world, and advance cooperation for global economic development.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that Xi's address has highlighted China's commitment to pursuing win-win cooperation and enhancing friendship with other countries around the world.

"China has always been ready to work with the international community to restore confidence in multilateralism and globalization, build an open and pluralistic world economy, and blaze a new trail in inclusive growth and sustainable development, so as to shape a brighter shared future," he told Xinhua.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a test for the unity of mankind, and only through mutual respect and understanding can the world move successfully out of the crisis, said Lawrence Loh, director of the Center for Governance and Sustainability at National University of Singapore.

Through its global collaboration initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, China plays a key role in uplifting other emerging countries, Loh said.

French writer and sinologist Lea Bessis said she is impressed by Xi's stress on the need to "embrace cooperation and jointly defeat the pandemic," adding that only when countries around the world unite and work together can they defuse various risks and get rid of the scourge of the pandemic. 
Martin Luther King III, speaks during a news conference in Washington, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Kings eldest son criticized Biden and Congress as a whole on Monday for failing to pass voting rights legislation, even as 19 Republican-led states have made it harder to vote in response to former President Donald Trumps false claims about election-rigging.
North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
Cambodia's Tourism Minister Thong Khon speaks during the 25th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Jan. 19, 2022. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tourism ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday agreed to announce the reopening of ASEAN tourism to revitalize the sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement.

Chaired by Cambodia's Tourism Minister Thong Khon, the 25th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers was held in both physical and virtual formats in Cambodia's seaside city of Sihanoukville.

The ministers said the ASEAN tourism sector was not only ready for reopening but would also bounce back quickly with more resilience, according to the statement.

"In this regard, we agreed to announce the reopening of ASEAN tourism, both intra-regional and international," it said, noting that "every possible coordination and cooperation will be provided so that the reopening process will be gradual and steady."

The ministers also agreed to introduce a standardized COVID-19 vaccination recognition system among ASEAN countries, and welcomed the progressive roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination in each ASEAN member state, which is a key indicator for the reopening of ASEAN tourism.

They also highlighted further cooperation in the tourism sector among ASEAN member states to ensure that ASEAN remains competitive in the sector.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 

Photo taken on Jan. 19, 2022 shows the 25th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)
Long-term syndicated loan to bolster company balance sheet for renewables portfolio expansion

Borusan EnBW Enerji to encourage young women to pursue careers in the renewables sector

Company is a long-standing EBRD client in Turkey

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Netherlands Entrepreneurial Development Finance Company, FMO, are extending an US$ 80 million financing package to Borusan EnBW Enerji A.S., providing a fresh boost to the renewable energy sector in Turkey.

The company  a joint venture between German utility Energie Baden-Wurttemberg (EnBW) and Turkish conglomerate Borusan Holding  is a prominent renewable energy player in the country. It runs nine wind farms, two solar plants and one hydro-electrical power plant, with a total of 720 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity. Its wind portfolio is the largest in Turkey.

The financing package is split equally between the two lenders under the EBRDs A/B loan syndication structure, a financing model whereby lenders participate in an EBRD loan on market terms, with the EBRD remaining the lender of record for the entire loan amount.

The long-term loan will strengthen Borusan EnBW Enerjis balance sheet and reinforce its financial sustainability for further portfolio expansion.

Borusan EnBW Enerji will also develop and implement a new accredited course for young people to acquire the skills required in the renewable energy sector. It has further committed to stepping up support for women, who remain underrepresented in the industry and Turkeys labour market more broadly.

Aida Sitdikova, EBRD Director of Energy Eurasia, said: To advance its green agenda and meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement, Turkey needs strong, experienced renewable energy investors on a sustainable financial footing, such as Borusan EnBW Enerji. The EBRD is delighted to consolidate its partnership with this Turkish-German venture and enable it to step up the delivery of green sources of energy.

In 2020, the EBRD supported the company with a loan of US$ 37 million to finance the expansion of the Kiyikoy wind farm in Turkeys northwest.

Borusan EnBW Enerji CEO Enis Amasyal said: Borusan EnBW Enerji, which has been a prominent representative of the renewable energy sector since its establishment, will ensure the continuity of its clean energy investments through its strong cooperation with the EBRD. We will also initiate an inclusion project to increase green-collar employment in the sector, particularly for female students. This partnership will support us in our corporate sustainability strategy, focusing on climate, people and innovation.

The EBRD is a major institutional investor in Turkey and has invested more than 14.7 billion through 361 projects in the countrys economy to date, mostly in the private sector. Sustainability is at the heart of the Banks investment and policy engagement.
CORK-based seafood company Keohane Seafoods, has signed a new 20 million deal with Lidl Ireland.

This new deal will bring their fresh and frozen Irish seafood products to Lidl stores across the island of Ireland, in addition to an increase of exports to selected Lidl stores in Great Britain, USA, Germany, Cyprus, Italy and Greece making them Lidl Irelands largest fish supplier.

Keohane Seafoods were founded by Mike Keohane and his two sons Colman and Brian in 2010.

A family-run business to this day, they started out as a small team.

In 2011 they secured their first contract with Lidl Ireland supplying just two salmon darnes, alongside a cod and mackerel product. Since then the partnership has grown. They now employ a workforce of more than 220 employees and are one of Irelands largest quality seafood processors.

Colman Keohane, Managing Director, Keohane Seafoods said that the partnership with Lidl has brought a wave of success to the company.

Through the considerable investment from their team, it has given us a huge opportunity to place our products on the plates of Lidl customers across the domestic and international market. We strive to provide a trusted quality product and sustainability is a core value that is very important to us. All our seafood is sourced from responsibly managed fisheries and farms.

Commenting on the new deal with Lidl Ireland and Lidl International, Brendan Conway, Head of Buying at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said: This latest partnership with Keohanes amplifies the quality and success of their products with our customers here and abroad.

"Through Lidls ongoing investment over the years, Keohanes have considerably upscaled their business providing significant employment opportunities to the local community."

"We are delighted to be part of their journey to creating a premium product that we are thrilled to place in Lidl stores in Ireland and in stores across the UK, USA, and Europe," he added.

Salmon, Mackerel, Trout, and Coley are just a few of the products in Keohane Seafoods growing range available in Lidls stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

As part of the new contract, the company has been awarded supply of three new fresh salmon items to two Lidl Great Britain regional distribution centres in Avonmouth outside of Bristol and Bridge End in Durham worth over 4 million.
A new survey by The Associated Press has found that about two-thirds of the 50 states analyzed mention nuclear energy in their energy policies. The remaining third, and Washington, DC, do not plan to incorporate nuclear energy, but instead rely on renewable energy sources, such as solar power, as well as battery storage and reducing demand for power.

Some officials are concerned that renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, will not generate enough energy to power the country. They say that for a faster transition from fossil fuels, nuclear energy is needed.

To the Biden administration, nuclear is an essential component for moving away from fossil fuels. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told The Associated Press that the Biden administration has a goal to reach zero-carbon electricity, and to reach that target, that means nuclear, that means hydropower, that means geothermal, that means obviously wind on and offshore, that means solar.

In its recent $1 trillion infrastructure package, the Biden administration has included $2.5 billion to invest in advanced reactor demonstration projects. Advanced reactors may use gas, liquid metal, or other materials aside from water to cool the core.

But nuclear power is controversial and risky. While nuclear power plants dont produce carbon emissions, they do require the mining and refining of uranium ore, which requires a lot of energy and produces emissions. Used reactor fuel from nuclear power plants is also radioactive and remains hazardous for thousands of years.

Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, also noted that smaller reactors may be cheaper to build, but the electricity they produce will be more expensive for consumers. As the market expands, Lyman is also concerned that the industry will potentially take shortcuts on safety in order to save money.

Im not optimistic wed see the kind of safety and security requirements in place that would make me feel comfortable with the adoption or deployment of these so-called small modular reactors around the country, Lyman told The Associated Press.

And while the U.S. is planning for more reactors, it currently has no long-term solution for storing the radioactive waste. If the waste or reactors are mishandled or targeted in an attack, the results would be catastrophic.

Currently, the U.S. is the largest producer of nuclear energy in the world, responsible for more than 30% of all nuclear electricity generation, as reported by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). In the country, one-fifth of all electricity comes from nuclear power, and more states plan to incorporate this energy source in the near future despite the risks.

New nuclear plants are more expensive and take longer to build than renewable energy sources like wind or solar, Greenpeace said on its website. If we are to avoid the most damaging impacts of climate change, we need solutions that are fast and affordable. Nuclear power is neither.
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Hong Kong: Return of voucher mooted

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today said that in deciding whether to disburse consumption vouchers again, the Government has to consider relevant factors in a prudent and holistic manner.

Mr Chan was asked by lawmakers if the Government has considered disbursing consumption vouchers of at least $5,000 to members of the public and launching other measures to relieve people's hardship given the uncertainties about the prospects of Hong Kong's economy.

He noted that he is currently gauging the views of various sectors on the 2022-23 Budget through a public consultation.

The finance chief added that as resources are limited, in deciding whether to disburse consumption vouchers again or launch similar initiatives involving a large amount of public funds, the Government has to consider the social and economic situation, the impact on social livelihood arising from the epidemic outbreaks and the current financial situation to ensure that the measures are in the overall interest of Hong Kong.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
KIEV, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Ukraine held a reception on Tuesday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Ukraine diplomatic ties.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal sent a congratulatory letter to the Chinese embassy, in which he praised the progress made in the development of China-Ukraine relations, expressing the hope that Beijing and Kiev will use the occasion of the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to achieve even greater and better results.

Shmyhal wished the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympic Games a success.

While addressing the reception, Chinese Ambassador Fan Xianrong said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Ukraine 30 years ago, the relations between the two countries have continuously developed, and their cooperation has expanded and deepened.

China and Ukraine have become important strategic partners, Fan said, adding that China is Ukraine's largest trading partner, while Ukraine is the biggest supplier of corn, sunflower oil and meal to the Chinese market.

Noting that Ukraine is China's friend and partner, Fan stressed that the peoples of the two countries have long been friendly towards each other, and China will always promote friendly relations and cooperation with Ukraine.

The reception also featured a photo exhibition, which showcased more than 50 photographs depicting important events for the two countries. 
A woman walks past the pyramid of Louvre Museum in Paris, France, Jan. 19, 2022. The COVID-19 situation continues to worsen in France, as 464,769 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours, announced by the country's public health agency on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

PARIS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 situation continues to worsen in France, with 464,769 new cases detected in the past 24 hours, it was announced by the country's public health agency on Tuesday. This broke the previous daily record of 368,149 cases.

The agency said that 3,881 COVID-19 patients were being treated in intensive care, accounting for over 70 percent of the French health system's current capacity.

Also on Tuesday, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced two new measures providing government aid to companies that have been struggling due to the pandemic.

The first measure will help small companies (with less than 250 employees) that lost more than 30 percent of their turnover in December 2021 and January 2022, by covering 20 percent of their social contributions.

The second concerns companies that lost more than 65 percent of their turnover, and have asked employees to work part-time. These companies will be exempted from charges normally paid by employers for permanent staff, and will also receive aid equivalent to 20 percent of their social contribution payments.

On Jan. 16, the French National Assembly adopted the vaccine pass law, which makes the pass mandatory for people over the age of 16 to enter public venues.

Children between the ages of 12 and 15 are not obliged to have the vaccine pass, but must present a health pass.

According to a study published on Tuesday by Economic Analysis Council, the health pass has allowed France to prevent 4,000 COVID-19-related deaths.

The French government hopes to adopt the vaccine pass law on Friday, if it receives the green light from the Constitutional Council, the country's highest constitutional authority. 

A man walks past the pyramid of Louvre Museum in Paris, France, Jan. 19, 2022. The COVID-19 situation continues to worsen in France, as 464,769 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours, announced by the country's public health agency on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A man walks past a poster in Paris, France, Jan. 19, 2022. The COVID-19 situation continues to worsen in France, as 464,769 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours, announced by the country's public health agency on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A woman wearing a mask walks on a street in Paris, France, Jan. 19, 2022. The COVID-19 situation continues to worsen in France, as 464,769 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours, announced by the country's public health agency on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A woman walks past the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Paris, France, Jan. 19, 2022. The COVID-19 situation continues to worsen in France, as 464,769 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours, announced by the country's public health agency on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
The Logos of Khronos Group and EMVA

The Khronos Group, an open consortium of companies creating interoperability standards together with the EMVA, announces the formation of a new Khronos Working Group to develop an open, royalty-free API standard for controlling camera system runtimes in many applications.

The new API standard targets the embedded, mobile, industrial, XR, automotive, and scientific markets. Over 70 companies participated in an European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) / Khronos-hosted Exploratory Group during 2021 to develop a Scope of Work document that will guide the direction of the API design. Design work is expected to start in February 2022, and any organization is invited to join Khronos to participate.

Cameras are increasingly critical in diverse markets, motivating the development of increasingly sophisticated optical systems, image sensors, and vision processors often utilizing machine learning technology. However, the lack of interoperable camera API standards increases application development time and maintenance costs while reducing portability and opportunity for code reuse, resulting in unnecessarily high integration costs for camera technologies.

The Embedded Camera API Exploratory Group followed the Khronos New Initiative Process with invaluable cooperation from the EMVA. Over seventy companies worked together from March to December 2021 to forge strong industry consensus on the need, terminology, scope, requirements, and design methodology for a new open standard camera system API, said Neil Trevett, Khronos president. Now, we warmly invite any interested companies, vendors, and developers to bring their voice and their expertise to the design phase of this important work.

The Camera API will be designed to provide applications, libraries and frameworks low-level, explicit control over camera runtimes, with a low-level of abstraction that still provides application portability over a wide variety of camera systems with effective, performant control to generate streams of data for consumption by downstream applications and clients.

The close and productive collaboration between the EMVA and Khronos has been very effective in enabling a broader industry participation and diversity of perspectives at the Embedded Camera Exploratory Group than either organization could have achieved working alone, said Chris Yates, EMVA president. EMVA will continue to work closely with Khronos under our new liaison agreement to ensure that the interests of both the EMVA membership and the wider industry are represented at the new Camera API Working Group.

The Camera API Working Group will start meetings in February 2022 and is expected to be of particular interest to sensor or camera manufacturers, silicon vendors, and software developers working on vision and sensor processing. Any organization is welcome to join Khronos and participate in this global initiative under the consortiums multi-company governance process.

Industry Support for the Camera API Working Group

Over 70 companies and organizations participated in the Camera Exploratory group, and the following companies support establishing the Camera API Working Group: Adimec, Almalence, Analog Devices, Basler, Baumer Optronic, Cadence Design Systems, Collabora, Digica, Digital Air Technologies, Euresys, EMVA, Flir Integrated Imaging Solutions, Google, Groget, Holochip Corporation, Ideas on Board, LunarG, Matrix Vision, MM Solutions, MVTec Software, Nvidia, Perey Research & Consulting, Pleora Technologies, Raspberry Pi Ltd, Rupert Stelz, Stemmer Imaging, Texas Instruments, VeriSilicon, and Vision Components.
The Spanish-Lebanese arms dealer Abdul Rahman el-Assir is a wanted man. According to El Pais, Interpol has issued two international search and arrest warrants for the trafficker. In this context, the international police body has listed El-Assir in red, that is, his arrest and extradition are now actively sought.

The arms dealer dodged French and Spanish justice for almost three years, but after an investigation by El Pais noted that El-Assir not only lived in Abu Dhabi, but was close to Spain's former king Juan Carlos I, Interpol has demanded his extradition.

El-Assir's arrest and extradition warrant was processed by the Interpol office in Madrid. Meanwhile, the organization's office in the United Arab Emirates has passed the order to the Arab state's operational police groups. The pressure to capture the arms dealer comes not only from this body, but also the Spanish state itself, which has appealed to Abu Dhabi through its embassy in the country.

Fugitive from Spanish justice

Juan Carlos's right-hand man in the United Arab Emirates has a more-than-complicated relationship with the justice system in the European country in which his friend was head of state. El-Assir gave the Spanish judiciary a slap in the face when it sought to try him for an alleged 14.7 million-euro tax fraud in 2019. The intimate buddy of the emeritus, however, chose not to report to justice and left the country to avoid a trial.

Spanish public prosecutors are demanding 90 million euros from El-Assir, specifically a fine of 73,923,014 euros and compensation to the Spanish treasury of 14,784,602 euros. In addition, an eight-year prison sentence is sought for the trafficker.

His relationship with the French judiciary is not much better: north of the Pyrenees, he is being prosecuted for corruption. In France he has already been convicted in his absence for the Karachigate affair, a corruption and arms sale scandal centred on Pakistan, for which he is also wanted.

Decades of friendship with Juan Carlos

The relationship between Juan Carlos I and Abdul Rahman el-Assir goes back many years. So much so that for months now the arms dealer has been living in Abu Dhabi - where the former king has himself been resident since he also fled Spain, in August 2020 - and the two have been spending time together at the private complex where the Bourbon lives. Their relationship is very close, but they are rarely seen, especially the arms dealer, for obvious reasons.

The Spanish emeritus king is not the only influential figure in Spain with whom he has a good relationship. In his list of contacts are names like Jose Maria Aznar, Rodrigo Rato and Felipe Gonzalez.
Lese-majeste: the crime of slandering a monarch. Belgium had an ancient law in its Penal Code listing this as an offence, and thanks to the case of the rapper Valtonyc, it was declared unconstitutional in October 2021, and the Mallorcan musician will definitively not be handed over to Spain for that precise crime. This is assumed in yesterday's decision on the Valtonyc case by the Court of Cassation, which completely ruled out his extradition in connection with two other offences. But the point made by the country's highest appeal court in its ruling is that the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) against the artist cannot be dismissed for the third offence - defined in Spain as insults to the crown - without examining whether the actions involved are punishable under other articles of the Belgian Penal Code that regulate the offences of insults against authorities, people in public positions, or the right to the honour of individuals. This is stated in the decision handed down yesterday by the Belgian court, to which ElNacional.cat has had access, and which has ordered a repeat of the extradition hearing against Josep Miquel Arenas, who performs under the name Valtonyc.

The Ghent Court of Appeal had rejected the rapper's extradition on 28th December. Two months earlier, in a headline-making decision, the Constitutional Court had ruled that the Belgian regulations of 1847, punishing insults to the king with up to three years in prison, were unconstitutional because they did not respect freedom of expression. The high court ruled that the law complied with neither the Belgian Constitution or the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the prosecution appealed the decision of the Ghent court and the Court of Cassation ruled yesterday that the hearing will have to be repeated.

The sentence warns that extradition under the EAW "is possible without double criminality being verified" under certain conditions." Double criminality refers to the essence of the crime. It is not necessary that the classification of the action in the two legislations be the same or that the infraction constitutes, under both legislations, a crime with the same constitutive elements", it warns.

Not terrorism, nor insults to the king

The senior Belgian appeal court reiterates that extradition cannot be accepted for glorification of terrorism or humiliation of its victims, which were ruled by Spanish justice to have been contained in the rapper's lyrics, because these actions are not punishable under Belgian law. As for the insults to the king found in Valtonyc's rhymes, it reiterates that the Belgium's Constitutional Court has rejected the principle of protecting the reputation of the monarch above that of anyone else.

However, it adds that although Valtonyc was convicted of insulting and slandering the Spanish crown by the National Audience court in Spain, and that these actions are not punishable by Belgian justice, this motive for extradition cannot be ruled out "without examining whether these facts may be punishable under Articles 275 to 277 and 444, 445 and 449 of the Penal Code, in reference to its Chapter II, which defines the law relating to insults and violence against ministers, members of the legislative chambers, vested authorities and public forces, and Chapter V, on the right to honour of citizens.
Gov. Mike Parson praised his administrations response to the still unfolding COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday, telling a joint session of the Miss
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LJUBLJANA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia reported 12,286 new COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour span, a new daily record for the second day in a row, the National Institute of Public Health said on Wednesday.

According to the Health Ministry, starting from Tuesday, only patients with chronic diseases, immune deficiency, pregnant women and children would be able to take a free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test directly. Others would only be able to take a PCR test if they tested positive after an antigen rapid test or if their symptoms persisted in spite of a negative rapid test.

The ministry also expected the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care to rise from 155 on Tuesday to up to 250 by Feb. 7.

The government has been calling on the citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as only 57.3 percent of Slovenia's population has so far been fully vaccinated. 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attend a press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 18, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Turkey and Serbia have agreed to bring together leaders of Bosnians, Croats and Serbs in a bid to solve the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.

"Let's bring together three leaders of Bosnians, Croats and Serbs and accomplish this. We have come to this decision. This meeting may be in Belgrade, maybe in Istanbul," Erdogan said after a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic in the capital Ankara.

"After the elections in Serbia, we want to bring the leaders of this tripartite group together and hold a meeting where we can take steps to ensure the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina," the Turkish president said in a joint press conference with Vucic at the Turkish presidency.

We "strongly and decisively" confirmed the importance they attach to the peace and stability of the Balkans, Erdogan noted, adding "Serbia's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is very important for the peace and stability of out region."

Elaborating on bilateral relations between Turkey and Serbia, Erdogan said the two countries increased their trade to 2 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 with an increase of 34 percent, noting their goal is to reach 5 billion dollars.

According to Erdogan, more than 1,300 Turkish companies operate in Serbia and employ about 8,000 people, and Turkey's total investments in Serbia have increased from 1 million dollars to 250 million dollars in the last decade.

For his part, Vucic stressed stability and security in the region and underlined the importance of the Dayton Accords signed on Dec. 14, 1995, in Paris that put an end to the three-and-a-half-year-long Bosnian war.

"I told President Erdogan that we are extremely respectful of the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Vucic said.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been de facto divided into the Serb Republic and a Muslim federation dominated by Bosnians and Croats since 1995.

The Balkan country has seen a separatist push since Milorad Dodik, the Serb member of the country's tripartite presidency, stepped up moves to weaken the country's central government. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attend a press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 18, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
More COVID-19 cases were reported in Franklin County this week than any other week of the pandemic.
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrive to meet at the 'Villa la Grange', June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland. While Biden has assured Russian President Vladimir Putin of economic consequences like none hes ever seen if Russia invades Ukraine, some major European allies have demonstrated less overt enthusiasm for huge economic penalties. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Cherry Lee Ward Yeager age 87 of Athens died Monday at Athens Limestone Hospital. Mrs. Yeager was born October 21, 1934 in Giles County Tennessee. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church Athens where she sang in the chrior, and was active in the WMU. Mrs. Yeager was a Red Cross vol
President Biden is following his executive order on cybersecurity with more concrete action. The leader has signed a memorandum aiming to improve digital security for the Defense Department, the intelligence community and national security systems. The notice sets firmer requirements, both for schedules and for the technology needed to lock down government data.

The memo lets the NSA require agencies to take "specific actions" in response to threats and security flaws, and asks the NSA to coordinate with Homeland Security on directives. Agencies will also have to identify their national security systems, report incidents and secure tools that transfer data between classified and unclassified systems. The President's move also sets timelines and guidance for implementing technologies required in the executive order, ranging from encryption to multi-factor authentication.

Biden's move complements an order that was initially signed in response to critical infrastructure cyberattacks. In theory, this will tighten security at some of the most sensitive federal government institutions. As with the order, though, the memo can only accomplish so much without Congress' support. Virginia Senator Mark Warner, for instance, used the signing to ask Congress to pass legislation requiring notices of critical infrastructure breaches within 72 hours.

The timing is apt, at least. The President's effort comes as tensions rise between Russia, the US and American allies, with Ukraine blaming Russia for a string of cyberattacks that knocked out government websites. The situation might not lead to outright cyberwarfare, but the US still has a strong incentive to close as many security holes as possible.
Automakers have been pursuing the dream of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for decades  who wouldn't want a car that runs on renewable hydrogen and only emits water vapor? But many challenges, from designing cars that can easily hold the fuel, to setting up reliable hydrogen distribution, have made it difficult to turn that dream into a reality. But what if you used those fuel cells to set up a remote EV charging station, or to replace a traditional gas or diesel generator for a large camp? That's what GM is planning to do with its HYDROTEC fuel cell technology, the company announced today.

GM

GM's Mobile Power Generators, or MPGs, are pretty self descriptive: they'd basically let you bring large amounts of electricity anywhere without burning fossil fuels, or expanding a local power grid. It could be useful for concerts, movie sets, or neighborhoods that frequently lose power. (In my town outside of Atlanta, almost everyone owns a gas generator to deal with storm-related outages.)

The announcement also makes plenty of sense for GM, as it's already bringing its fuel cell technology to trucking, aerospace and rail partners. The company says the MPGs will be able to spit out 60 to 600 kilowatts without producing much noise or heat.

GM plans to show off an MPG-powered EV charging station in the middle of 2022, a project co-funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the U.S. Army. Additionally, the California Energy Commission is exploring how MPGs could help provide energy during power shutdowns. GM is also working together with Renewable Innovations to build the EMPOWER rapid charger, which could deliver fast EV charging to existing stations without the need for huge infrastructure improvements. Taking things to an even more extreme level, there's a large MPG implementation that could potentially power large military camps and heavy-duty equipment. (And as a bonus, those camps can actually use the water the MPG emits.)

While it'll likely be years before MPGs can actually deployed, it's heartening to see GM explore uses for fuel cells outside of cars. Battery-powered EVs have evolved so quickly that hydrogen-powered cars don't have much of a future (sorry, Toyota). So it's about time we start considering other ways fuel cells could help.
Lyft has already splashed out $14.4 million towards a likely November ballot measure in Massachusetts which would cement its drivers as contractors, rather than employees  and the vast majority of those funds were paid in a single, $13 million donation, the largest in the state's history by a considerable margin. It's an unambiguous opening salvo in what will likely be a bitter and protracted battle, the playbook for which Lyft and its gig work peers successfully tested in California two years ago.

As the Boston Globe reports, Lyft has thus far contributed the lion's share of the Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers committee's $17.2 million war chest, which is intended to fund the forthcoming ballot measure. The rest comes from Uber, DoorDash and Instacart owner Maplebear. The previous record for largest single donation was nearly a third the size: a $5.1 million contribution from General Motors in 2020.

Currently Lyft and Uber are engaged in a lawsuit, filed by the Attorney General of Massachusetts, which contends that the companies have been misclassifying their driver workforce as contractors. Leveraging contractor status relieves them of many of the costs and obligations associated with employees  such as minimum wage, healthcare and overtime pay  but true contractors typically control how and when they work, and what they charge for their services. Whether or not ridershare drivers actually have that level of autonomy has become a point of legal contention in several of the states and countries in which these companies operate.

California thus far has prosecuted its defense of gig-workers-as-employees most vociferously, first through a state Supreme Court ruling in 2018, then through AB5, a successfully-passed bill that (however briefly) enshrined these kinds of drivers as employees. It went into effect on January 1, 2020 and was overturned by ballot measure Proposition 22 that November. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Postmates dumped a historic $224 million into the proposition  outspending their opposition, which largely consisted of labor unions, by more than 10-to-1  the most expensive ballot measure in California history.

Although Prop 22 was eventually ruled unconstitutional, the strategy has thus far been successful for gig work companies. Legislative changes have been tied up in court, and nowhere in the United States are Lyft or Uber drivers currently entitled to the entire slate of benefits enjoyed by full-time employees.

In making their case for Prop 22, gig companies essentially employed two lines of attack. The first, against its own workers, was a facile attempt to tie the concept of "flexibility" to contractor status, an utterly false dichotomy perpetuated by the companies themselves. The second was to convince voters in California that the costs associated with a fleet of employee drivers would either force them to scale back service or raise prices.

After Prop 22 passed, every single company that backed it raised prices anyway. Uber's CEO also recently contended on a call with investors that, in the face of potential employee-status regulations in the European Union, Uber can, in fact, afford to "make any model work" financially. We've reached out to Lyft to ask if it's in a similar position.

Given this much publicized bait-and-switch, it seems unlikely the Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers committee will be able to successfully argue the same case regarding cost to consumers. Still, the $17.2 million already amassed has paid for, as the Globe reports, a slew of big-name political consultancies who were behind what is currently the most expensive (and likely to soon the be the second-most expensive) ballot measure in Massachusetts history, which sought to stymie a right to repair law.

Update 1/19/21 2:09pm ET: Reached for comment, a representative for Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers told Engadget that, "this is just the beginning of our effort. All of the Coalition members have committed to providing significant resources to achieve our shared goal of protecting drivers ability to remain independent contractors while accessing historic new benefits." Lyft decline to comment individually.

Are you a gig work driver or courier working in Massachusetts? Download Signal messenger for iOS or Android and text me confidentially at 646 983 9846 and let's keep in touch.
ULAN BATOR, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia recorded 3,088 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, exceeding the 3,000 mark for the first time since Sept. 23, 2021, bringing the national tally to 415,765, the country's health ministry said Wednesday.

The latest confirmed cases were all locally transmitted, and more than half of them were detected in the national capital Ulan Bator, the hardest-hit area by the virus and home to over half of the country's population of 3.4 million.

Meanwhile, no more related deaths were reported in the past day, and the country's COVID-19 death toll remains at 2,016.

Since the beginning of this year, daily COVID-19 infections have significantly increased across the country due to New Year celebrations and the Omicron variant.

The Omicron cases currently account for at least 90 percent of new daily infections in the country, said Tsolmon Bilegtsaikhan, director of the National Center for Communicable Diseases, urging the public to follow all relevant health guidelines.

So far, 66.7 percent of the total population has received two COVID-19 vaccine doses, while more than 979,390 people aged over 18 have received a third dose.

In addition, 49,504 Mongolians have received a fourth dose, which the country started to administer from Jan. 7 on a voluntary basis. 
Microsofts been buying up studios for the last couple of years, adding notable developers and game series to the Xbox, righting the wrongs of previous generations of the companys console  namely the lack of exclusive games. And while the purchase of Bethesda last year seemed the biggest deal made in modern gaming, Microsoft picking up Activision Blizzard blows it out of the water. Theres been a mixed response, however.

First off, the studio is mired in multiple investigations into allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination at the company, with calls for CEO Bobby Kotick to step down. Further, as Senior Editor Jessica Conditt lays out, this puts an incredible amount of industry power  and titles  in the hands of one gaming platform. (Two if you include PC.)

Christian Petersen via Getty Images

And what about exclusivity? In his blog post about the acquisition, Xboxs Phil Spencer didnt address Sony or Nintendo platforms specifically, but he alluded to the possibility of cross-platform support. Activision Blizzard games are enjoyed on a variety of platforms, and we plan to continue to support those communities moving forward, he said, without getting into specifics. Spencer said similar things regarding Bethesdas Elder Scrolls VI at first, only for his comments to change later .

 Mat Smith

Nest speakers are now playing a different, shorter sound.

Multiple users noticed that Google recently changed its white noise on its Nest speakers series. A new ambient noise was repeating every 10 minutes, when it used to repeat every hour, with the previously crisp sound file now apparently "muffled" and quieter than before.

There were at least 100 complaints on Nest community forums, with many people saying they use the white noise to get their babies or toddlers to sleep. The feedback reached Google, which has reverted the feature back to how it was. Rest easy, angry toddlers.

Continue reading.

You can request four tests per household, and the USPS will start deliveries later this month.

A little earlier than scheduled, folks in the US can now order free at-home COVID-19 tests from a United States Postal Service website. Households can each request one set of four rapid antigen tests. USPS will start shipping the kits later this month, usually within seven to 12 days of ordering.

Continue reading.

The premium multisport watch has been button-only until now.

Garmin

Garmins new Fenix 7 line will now include touchscreens  a first for this series. The great outdoors, with sweat, dirt, gloves and the rest, can usually mess with the proper workings of a touch interface, so itll be intriguing to see how this works out. The new watches also include a new multi-LED flashlight, which can alternate between red and white as you run, matching your personal cadence.

Continue reading.

And Tilted Towers are coming back!

Epic

Say hello to Klombos. Theyre climbable monsters with blowholes ion their heads to launch you into the sky. They also offer up items if you feed them. Provoke them, however, and they will attack. The latest update also revives Tilted Towers, arguably Fortnite's best-known location. While there appear to be some cosmetic changes, you'll have the chance to revisit the sniper-friendly clock tower.

Continue reading.

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The southern Pacific nation of Tonga is struggling following the eruption of a volcano, and that includes challenges getting online. According to Reuters and The Verge, the Tonga government has warned internet access is "down" following damage to the lone undersea fiber optic cable keeping the archipelago online. While the country didn't provide an initial estimate, the Southern Cross Cable Network's Craige Sloots told Reuters it might take as long as two weeks to repair the cable "all things going well."

It will take the repair ship up to nine days to travel from Papua New Guinea to Tonga, according to Sloots. The timing for the repair will also hinge on safety clearance and any lingering activity from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano. The 514-mile cable is secured through a Fiji relay.

Tonga has been somewhat prepared for incidents like this. It struck a 15-year agreement for satellite internet access with Kacific in 2019 after damage to the underwater cable. However, ZDNet learned a contract dispute with Kacific kept that access from being activated. Officials said the country's two telecoms were "working on satellite options" to restore service, but didn't provide timelines.

The outage underscores the vulnerability of internet access for island nations and other remote communities. While many countries connect to the rest of the world through undersea cabling, these more distant areas are frequently dependent on either a very limited cable network or expensive satellite service that can degrade in bad weather. Until these places have more reliable cables or lower-cost satellite data, they can't depend on the internet for vital services to the degree other regions can.
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of Oklahoma and northern Texas, including the following counties, in Oklahoma, Alfalfa, Atoka, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Major, Marshall, McClain, Murray, Noble, Oklahoma, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Stephens and Tillman. In northern Texas, Archer, Clay, Wichita and Wilbarger. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Thursday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Showers and thunderstorms will develop Wednesday morning over a broad swath of the watch area. Another round of rain and thunderstorms is expected later in the afternoon and lasting much of Wednesday night before ending Thursday morning. Storm total amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Given recent rainfall, these additional amounts may cause flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
The 82 coups Africa experienced between 1960 and 2000 were devastating for the continent contributing to the instability, corruption, human rights abuses, impunity, and poverty that characterized many African countries during that era. Coups, moreover, are contagious. A successful coup significantly increases the probability of subsequent coups  in that country as well as its neighbors. The recent spate of coups in Africa, therefore, is bad news. In the past two years there have been coups in Mali (twice), Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Tunisia, and, arguably, Algeria and Burundi  many of which were navigating democratic transitions. This variant of the coup bug can be traced back to the coups in Egypt and Zimbabwe a few years earlier. That means nearly 20% of African countries have succumbed to coups since 2013. The continent, thus, risks hurtling back to bad old days of military misgovernance  a period often remembered for its lost decades.

INTERNATIONAL ACTORS FAILING TO UPHOLD NORMS AROUND COUPS  Coups are ultimately cold-eyed calculations of benefits vs. costs. The upsides are fabulous  power and unbridled access to state resources. The allure of a coup, consequently, will always exist. The potential downsides  failure or imprisonment  are likely viewed as manageable for unconstrained military actors under a civilian administration. Those who mount coups, in short, do so because they believe they can get away with it, with minimal costs.

Under the Organization of African Unions policy of non-interference, coup plotters didnt need to worry about external costs. The plethora of coups during this era demonstrates the open invitation to military takeovers created by this posture. The African Unions shift to a policy of non-indifference at its creation in 2000 fundamentally altered this calculation, subjecting a junta to potential suspension, sanctions, and the threat of intervention. These costs were further amplified by penalties from Western democracies and international organizations.

The recent rise in coups in Africa (a pattern not observed in other regions) reflects a waning in regional and international actors willingness to enforce anti-coup norms in Africa. This is a result of a confluence of factors, including a regional democratic recession, an inclination by regional bodies to negotiate compromises with coup leaders, reticence to mount military interventions, and distractions of international actors with internal crises and the pandemic, among others. This pattern underscores the critical role that regional and international actors play in mitigating coups. What is a coup, after all, but some military actors claiming that they are the sovereign representatives of that state? To be sustained, coups need to be recognized. If international actors refuse to do so, then the putschists are politically isolated  further compounded when they are denied access to a states sovereign financial accounts. International actors, in short, have a critical role in validating coups. By treating coups as unfortunate but normal means of transferring power in Africa, international actors inadvertently provide coup leaders a helping hand across the finish line to consolidate their putsch.

COUP LORDS  The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have viewed African coups as a means of enhancing their regional ambitions. They have been actively sponsoring the Sudanese militarys bid to hold onto power. They have also been busy behind the scenes in emboldening and providing cover to Kais Saieds auto-golpe in Tunisia. Preventing an Arab democracy from taking root also blunts any reformist momentum these Gulf states might face to open their own highly restrictive governance structures. Russia has also been actively supporting coups in Africa. Often working through the Wagner mercenary group, Moscow has maintained a close relationship with the military throughout Sudans democratic transition and reportedly agitated for it to seize power. In exchange for its support, the Sudanese junta is likely to grant Russia naval port access to Port Sudan, giving Moscow a military foothold in the important Red Sea corridor. Wagner interests will also continue to operate in western Sudan in support of gold and other illicit trafficking through the Central African Republic.

In Mali, pro-Russian disinformation campaigns had disparaged the authority of democratically elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in the year preceding the August 2020 coup. This messaging contributed to the opposition protests against Keita that were used as a justification for the coup. Several members of the junta had previously studied in Russia. To compensate for their lack of domestic legitimacy, coup makers crave international validation. This gives external authoritarian actors more leverage to compromise a states sovereignty. The coup in Mali, for example, has led the junta to consider inviting in Russian mercenaries, an action that would dramatically reshape Malian security and foreign policy. The effect of such a decision, taken by unelected military officers operating outside a constitutional framework and absent public accountability, wouldnt be in the interests of Malian citizens, but it would enhance Russian leverage.

WAYS INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC ACTORS CAN MITIGATE COUPS  The most significant action the international democratic community can take to reverse the trend of coups in Africa is to incentivize democracy. African governments that commit to and uphold democratic practices should merit significantly greater diplomatic support, development and security assistance, and promotion of private investment. While Africas democratization wave of the 1990s and 2000s was led by domestic reformers, there were clear international incentives for adapting democratic norms. International democratic actors need to recommit themselves to these norms by building a more unified posture in sustaining opposition to coups.

This diplomatic effort needs to actively engage the African Union and Regional Economic Communities, each of which have their own democracy charters, to affirm these norms. Much of the public reaction and coordination of international responses to a coup occurs through these regional bodies. If African regional institutions are clear in condemning a coup, it is far easier for the international democratic community to rally behind that position.

International democratic actors may rationalize that, once a coup has occurred, the best that can be done is to maintain engagement in the hope of encouraging gradual reform over time. The problem with this approach is that leaders who have come to power by breaking the rules  be it through coups or by evading term limits  tend not to moderate but to act with escalating impunity.

The flip side of providing incentives for Africas democratizers is the need to consistently impose real costs on coup makers. Those who seize power extralegally should not be recognized. Financial assistance and debt relief should be suspended. Coup leaders should have their assets frozen and denied access to the international financial system. Coup-installed governments should be denied access to sovereign accounts. The posture should be to first walk back the coup, then negotiate, not vice-versa. By ensuring there are stringent costs on coup leaders, international democratic actors can also help balance the scales domestically. Protests and widespread civil disobedience from citizens who reject the unconstitutional seizure of power can escalate pressure on coup leaders. International democratic actors, therefore, must be careful they do not inadvertently undercut this domestic resistance by recognizing a coup, effectively providing legitimacy where it is otherwise absent.

External powers that are financially or politically propping up coup leaders must also face costs. In addition to blocking the democratic aspirations of millions of Africans, these actors are effectively undermining a rules-based international system while reaping the benefits from it. These costs should be reputational and financial. Naming and shaming can deepen antipathy towards these external spoilers and limit their regional influence. This should be accompanied by curtailed security cooperation, constrained access to Western markets and financial networks, and sanctions under the European or Global Magnitsky Acts and Global Fragility Act.

This is not just a moral stance but one that contributes to a more stable and prosperous Africa that can yield more reliable security and economic partners. Africas autocracies are responsible for over 75% of the continents conflicts, forced migration, and food crises. If the West wants to help stem the flow of these destabilizing forces, then it needs to be a steadfast champion of democracy in Africa. There was a reason the international community broadly worked to eliminate coups in the post-Cold War period. The same rationale persists today. The question is whether international actors remember the script.

Africas Coups and the Role of External Actors  Commentary by Joseph Siegle  Italian Institute for International Political Studies / ISPI.

The Commentary can be downloaded here
Whether or not Vladimir Putin moves his troops into Ukraine, he has once again confronted Europe with a most painful reality: while being too weak to defend itself, it can no longer rely on the United States to come to its rescue, argues Jonathan Holslag, a professor of international politics at the Free University Brussels. We are facing a reality in which Russia, despite its economy only having the size of Italys, can bully and intimidate a continent thanks to its energy reserves and its readiness to project vast military power, Holslag added in his latest opinion piece. The European Unions real dependency on the US backing has yet again come to the spotlight when it was announced Friday (14 January) that the US State Department has held talks with several international energy companies to supply more power in the event of Russian gas-cut offs to Europe if an escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine disrupts Russian supplies.

According to US officials and industry sources involved in the talks, Washington is concerned Russia is preparing for the possibility of a new military assault on the country it invaded in 2014. Russia denies it plans to attack Ukraine. Weve discussed a range of contingencies, a US source said. The talks come amid sky-high gas prices in EU markets and Russian refusals to increase supplies, in what Russias deputy prime minister Alexander Novak blamed on poor European planning. The EU depends on Russia for around a third of its gas supplies, and US sanctions over any conflict could disrupt that supply. Any interruptions to Russias gas supply to Europe would exacerbate an energy crisis caused by a shortage of the fuel. Record power prices have driven up consumer energy bills as well as business costs and sparked protests in some European countries.

The companies reportedly told the US government officials that global gas supplies are tight and that there is little gas available to substitute large volumes from Russia. Weve discussed a range of contingencies and weve talked about all that were doing with our nation state partners and allies, the source from the State Department said. Weve done this with the European Commission, but weve also done it with energy companies. Its accurate to say that weve spoken to them about our concerns and spoken to them about a range of contingencies, but there wasnt any sort of ask when it comes to production. As well as asking companies what capacity they had to raise supplies, US officials also asked whether companies had the capacity to increase exports and postpone field maintenance if necessary, the sources said. The United States promised to have Europes back if there is an energy shortage due to conflict or sanctions, an industry source said.
The 2022 Medicare Supplement Insurance Price Index has been released by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. The analysis reports the lowest and highest Medigap Plan G costs for men and women who are age 65.

"A 65-year-old woman in Dallas could pay as little as $99.24 monthly. That is the lowest rate found for the 10 largest metro areas studied," states Jesse Slome, director of AAMSI, the Medicare advocacy organization. "If she lived in New York City, the lowest monthly premium she would find is $278.26."

The Association released its annual comparison of Plan G prices for Medicare Supplement insurance. Medicare Supplement is often referred to as Medigap. According to a 2021 analysis by the association, Plan G is the most popular choice among those turning age 65 who opt for Medigap coverage. Some 54.9 percent purchased Plan G.

"In four cities, the lowest available Plan G prices rose nominally compared to 2021," Slome shares. The four included New York City, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix. "In Philadelphia and Atlanta, the lowest cost Medigap Plan G will actually cost less this year."

The number of policies available varied from city to city the study found. "There could be just a handful of choices or as many as 20 different companies competing for your business," Slome explained. "Coverage is virtually identical but clearly the pricing is not."

In addition to significant differences between the lowest and highest cost policies, the Association noted other important factors for consumers considering coverage. "Household discounts are not offered by all insurers, but they can be as high as 14 percent," Slome adds. "That can represent a considerable savings over time." Access the 2022 Medicare Supplement Price Index via the organization's website.

Medicare Supplement insurance coverage is the chosen option of over 14 million Americans reports AAMSI. "The yearly price comparison points out the importance of comparing before you buy," Slome advises.

The American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI) advocates for the importance of educated planning. AAMSI supports insurance professionals who market Medicare insurance solutions.

The organization makes available a free online directory that lists Medicare Insurance agents. To access the directory, go to www.medicaresupp.org/find-local-agent/. No personal information other than your Zip Code is required to access the directory listing.
How to Plan for Aging: You or Your Elderly Parents

CONTACT: Pamela D. Wilson +1 303-810-1816

Email: Inquiry_For_Pamela@pameladwilson.com

Date; January 19, 2021

Denver CO - Caregiving expert Pamela D. Wilson hosts the third in a series of Caregiver Livestream Events about care for the caregiver and caring for aging parents on January 20, 2022, at 7 pm EST. This Livestream event broadcasts over Wilson's social media channels: YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Vimeo.

The best gift a child can have is a parent who has "been there" and doesn't want to be a care burden. But what if your parents haven't cared for their parents and didn't create a plan for their senior years?

With people living longer, grandparents in families may still be healthy or may be receiving care from their grandchildren. Young adults today are caring for their parents or their grandparents and are quickly learning the tradeoffs involved in caring for family members, similar to adults in their 70s caring for parents in their 90s.

On this live broadcast, Wilson gives examples of the effects of not planning for care on family caregivers and things everyone should know about creating a plan for aging. While talking about aging and health declines is not a pleasant topic, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson shares stories and practical insights about aging and care needs that inspire adults to take action.

Receive Caregiver Advice From Some Who Has "Been There"

In addition to Wilson's professional career supporting family caregivers for more than 20 years, she experienced the loss of both parents more than 25 years ago. She explains caregiver issues from the perspectives of the caregivers and healthcare workers in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living communities, home care agencies, and more.

Audiences attending her Livestream events, watching her videos, and interacting with information on her website receive practical advice about aging and caregiving. Her in-depth experience of family care and the healthcare system allows her to offer a unique perspective on making it all work.

Consumers Facing Healthcare Challenges Need a Voice and a Trusted Advisor

Wilson supports family caregivers, groups, and corporations worldwide by offering education for caregivers about managing, planning, and navigating health and aging issues. More about Wilson's online courses for elderly care, individual elder care consultations, caregiver support, webinars, speaking engagements, and brand collaborations are on her website www.pameladwilson.com. Pamela may also be contacted at +1 303-810-1816 or through the contact Me page on her website.

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Greater: SATX on Tuesday said it has hired a Dallas corporate relocation executive to be the public-private nonprofits chief economic development officer.

Sarah Carabias-Rush comes to San Antonio from the influential Dallas Regional Chamber, where she worked for 18 years. She was the main contact there for companies looking to move to or expand in the Dallas area.

On ExpressNews.com: It makes a lot of sense: San Antonio Economic Development Foundation is now Greater: SATX

Carabias-Rush led several successful efforts to land corporate headquarters in the Metroplex, including Kubota Tractors, Toyota Motor North America, the manufacturer Hilti and others, according to a statement from Greater: SATX.

Carabias-Rush was unavailable to comment Tuesday.

In a post on LinkedIn, she called the San Antonio area captivating and one of the fastest-growing markets in the U.S. still ripe with opportunity.

The San Antonio region has the opportunity of a lifetime to change its economic trajectory while balancing what has made it a great place in which to build a life and legacy for more than 300 years, Carabias-Rush wrote.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio-area unemployment rate hit pandemic-era low in November

She will begin working in San Antonio later this month, according to Greater: SATX.

Carabias-Rushs hiring comes after Greater: SATX last summer re-branded itself  it was formerly the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation  and nearly doubled its annual fundraising target to $7.7 million. The organization widened its geographic focus to boost the economy across the eight counties within the San Antonio metro area  instead of focusing solely on San Antonio and Bexar County.

Carabias-Rush will arrive in San Antonio as the city this year re-examines how it doles out public subsidies for companies considering the city for headquarters relocations or expansions.

At this critical point in our regions growth, I am energized to have a leader like Sarah join our team, said Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and CEO of Greater: SATX. Her expertise in corporate recruitment, regional marketing, and international relations will significantly impact our regions growth for many years to come.

diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net
LUANDA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Tuesday inaugurated a technological center dubbed Digital.ao, where the Technological Incubator will operate, to help young people transform innovative ideas into productive and sustainable business companies.

Budgeted at around 1.3 billion kwanzas (about 2.42 million U.S. dollars), the center located in Luanda has been designed to boost small, medium and large companies.

Financed with ordinary resources from Angola's Finance Ministry and with the sector's own resources, the construction of the Digital.ao had the support of the Chinese company Huawei, manufacturer of mobile telephones and laptops Afrione, the African Development Bank and the World Bank.

The Digital.ao will offer training for the development and production of multimedia content, graphic design, digital marketing and management of social networks, local media reported. Enditem.
San Antonios positivity rate jumped 7.3 percentage points this week as the latest surge of COVID-19 continues to put a strain on the city.

The percentage of coronavirus tests that came back positive went from 31 percent last week to 38.3 percent now, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District reported.

Metro Health also reported seven new deaths from COVID-19.

This latest COVID-19 surge that began in December has seen the number of San Antonio-area residents hospitalized with the virus steadily rise. There are 1,197 people hospitalized with the virus, up from 898 one week ago and up from 1,129 on Monday.

New COVID-related hospital admissions also rose  from 159 a week ago to 186. There are now 249 patients in intensive care units compared to 195 in ICUs last week. And the number of people on ventilators has risen to the triple digits, with 105 being on the devices compared to 73 last week.

On ExpressNews.com: We need a break: Omicrons assault on San Antonio is fast, and felt everywhere

The volume of patients hospitalized is high, but numbers have been worse in the past, Metro Health spokesperson Rudy Arispe said. He said that during the recent summer surge, the number of people hospitalized reached 1,400.

Weve seen worse numbers, he said. But because of the way things are going, we can expect to see more people being admitted to the hospital with COVID.

Children are among those being treated in area hospitals. The number of pediatric COVID patient cases stands at 32. That is down from the 36 patients a week ago, but still higher than what has been seen in past surges. Arispe said pediatric case counts used to only reach about 18 or so.

On ExpressNews.com: New San Antonio COVID testing site will screen 2,000 patients per day

The increase in children getting COVID is largely due to how contagious the omicron variant has been, Arispe said.

The reason were seeing a lot more pediatric cases this time around, unlike before, is because so many more people are getting infected with COVID, Arispe said. And, of course, people who are infected, and their parents who might not be vaccinated, theyre passing it on to their children.

Dr. Rita Espinoza, Metro Health chief of epidemiology, said that at this time officials are not sure how long the current surge will continue.

We are closely monitoring the data, Espinoza said in an email.

megan.rodriguez@express-news.net
San Antonian Halee Bernard spent a long time hunting for just the right script for her first full-length feature film as a producer.

Gods Country, a neo-Western that will premiere at this years Sundance Film Festival, fit the bill.

Showrunner and creator Damon Lindelof said on a podcast one time that the way he decides what story hed like to write when someone sends him something is that its not a choice, its a compulsion, said Bernard, a 2009 graduate of Reagan High School who primarily works in television. Not to steal someone elses turn of phrase, but I think that really encapsulates how I felt when I read Gods Country.

I had read other great scripts, but when I read this script, it was like, I have to do this. I felt that I had a vision for how we could put it together and bring it to life.

Getting into Sundance is a big step toward getting Gods Country in front of audiences. Julian Higgins, the movies director, calls it pretty much the best-case scenario for an independent film.

The movie is one of more than 80 films that will be screened during the vaunted festival, which runs through Jan. 30. For the second year in a row, the festival will be virtual because of the pandemic.

Bernard, who went to Sundance in 2017 with a television project she produced titled Pineapple, said she is disappointed to not have the full, in-person festival experience with Gods Country. But shes grateful that a wider audience, including her family, will be able to stream the movie.

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On ExpressNews.com: SA natives documentary is eligible for an Oscar nomination

Shes also really grateful to have worked on the movie.

It was always a dream of mine to make a feature-length film, but the way the cards were dealt, I had more opportunities in TV earlier on in my career, she said. So this is really a special moment, and Im really happy that it was this film and this director.

Higgins, who co-wrote the script with Shaye Ogbonna and also is a producer on the film, described it as a neo-Western thriller. It stars West Worlds Thandiwe Newton. (Formerly Thandie, the actress reverted to the original spelling of her name last year.)

Thandiwe plays a college professor in a small Western town who finds a pair of hunters trespassing on her property and she ask them to leave, Higgins said. It s a very simple starting point for a story that quickly spirals out of control, and it becomes a sort of battle of wills about whose land it really is and who has the right to be there.

Gods Country What: A neo-Western starring Thandiwe Newton Where to see it: Premieres at 10 p.m. Sunday and repeats at 9 a.m. Tuesday at festival.sundance.org. Details: Tickets cost $20. Registration is required to watch the film, and there is a limit to the number of tickets available, so advance purchase is strongly recommended. See More Collapse

The movie is based on a story by James Lee Burke.

When Higgins and Ogbonna were ready to line up a producer for Gods Country, Bernard was at the top of the list, he said.

Halee and I had been tracking each other as fellow American Film Institute grads for several year,s and I knew her to be someone who, despite having a very difficult job in a major company in the industry, was still producing shorts and getting a lot of original stuff done on the side, he said. I knew her to be a real hustler and a doer, and I sent the script to her, and she got back to me right away and said she loved it and would love to produce it.

Bernard worked on Gods Country while also working as a development executive for the podcast company Wondery, a job she still holds. She works on a team that develops television projects inspired by podcasts such as Dr. Death and The Shrink Next Door. The team has more than a dozen projects in the works, she said, including Joe Exotic, an upcoming Peacock series about the reality TV star of Tiger King fame.

It is a very different career path than the one she imagined growing up in San Antonio. She was an arts-oriented kid  she loved reading, and danced at Reagan and at the San Antonio School for the Performing Arts. But she was a premed major at Boston University.

She made a lot of friends there who were studying film and acting, and soon found her own interests shifting in that direction. Instead of becoming a doctor, she wanted to find a way to work in film and television.

I knew that I had taste and loved storytelling, but I didnt want to be the director or an actress, she said. I knew I had a managerial personality, and when producing was presented to me, it made sense, it felt like a fit, where I could work with artists and champion great projects and be essentially the project manager, which is, I think, the best way of equating exactly what a producer does.

You synthesize the creative, fiscal and operational parts of a project, kind of art meets commerce, and youre part of that fulcrum. And I decided that I wanted to pursue it as a career.

She studied producing at the American Film Institute and envisioned a career in both television and movies.

On ExpressNews.com: Texas writer recalls real-life big cat escape in The Leopard is Loose

She has produced several short films, always keeping an eye out for a full-length project she could sink her teeth into. She said she was drawn to Gods Country because it was a well-crafted script that told a story that hit her at a gut level.

She got involved with the production in 2018 and filming began in Montana in March 2020. They were about halfway through when the production had to shut down because of the pandemic. Work resumed in April 2021.

She fretted a lot in between.

I never once thought about abandoning the film, of course not, but I certainly had worries, she said. I worried about crew members getting sick and the safety of everyone on the film. I worried about losing locations. We have an amazing dog in the film; I worried about the dog.

I started to have producer night terrors about anything that could go wrong, and it feels so good that everyone was safe and we got to finish it.

Having Gods Country screen at Sundance could be the key to the movies future. Ideally, Bernard said, it will be purchased by someone who will put it on screens beyond the festival circuit.

That would be a pretty good birthday present. She will turn 31 on Jan. 28.

I would happily accept that gift, she said. But honestly, just being a part of Sundance is a celebration enough, truly.

dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN
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The bodies of three teenagers were found dead inside a Crosby-area home Tuesday in what authorities believe may be a double-homicide in which the assailant then took their own life, authorities said.

A relative to at least one of the teens lives next door and found the bodies  two girls, both 17, and a boy believed to be 15  in the home in the 4500 block of Wolcek Road in northeast Harris County, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a press conference Tuesday evening in front of the property.

More from Joel Umanzor: After five murders in December, Baytown mayor assures residents of public safety

At first glance, investigators believe that one of the teens killed the others and then themselves, he said. Two bodies were found together in the home and the third elsewhere. A firearm was also located in the home although Gonzalez could not confirm if it was used in the incident.

There was a firearm we found but we dont know, we assume they were shot, he added. There will be a forensic investigation that will determine their cause of death.

Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Investigators were unsure of the relation between all the teenagers. At least two were related, Gonzalez said.

Authorities were focused on a home along a rural stretch of fields. According to the sheriff, the homeowner is out of town on travel and various family members who live around the property have come to the scene as information has become available.

We want to be careful especially if one of the parents involved in this are on travel, Gonzalez added. These cases are always highly charged and very emotional, we know that. Our condolences go out to the family.

Prior to the teens' deaths, the sheriff's office had responded to at least seven homicides this year to date, records show. In 2021, deputies investigated 125 homicides -- three more than the year before.

Nicole Hensley contributed to this report.

joel.umanzor@chron.com
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San Antonio Independent School District employees who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 will have to wait longer to see whether the district can require it.

The Texas Attorney General's Office and SAISD lawyers agreed to postpone for six to eight months a trial that had been set for Wednesday on the states effort to kill the vaccine mandate.

As the omicron variant of the virus has spread rapidly, the areas largest school district, Northside ISD, on Wednesday announced it would reimpose a mask requirement it had relaxed in the fall.

The state says the Texas Disaster Act gives the governor the authority to override local health protocols, while the city of San Antonio, Bexar County and some school districts have argued that Gov. Greg Abbotts use of that authority is an overreach. Most of the arguments have taken place in the early stages of lawsuits, during attempts to get injunctions preventing defendants from enforcing their rules.

The city and county sued Abbott last summer to get an injunction allowing local governments, including school districts, to implement mask-wearing mandates. The states high court has issued contradictory rulings on school mask mandates and a few districts still require masks  or, like Northside, implement the mandate on an as-needed basis. That lawsuit is set for a trial in July.

Northside Suprintendent Brian Woods issued a statement thanking teachers and nurses for covering for each other through high rates of student and staff absences and announcing, We will be returning to a temporary, indoor mask mandate.

The members of our Board and I do not make this decision lightly, but feel that we must use this tool given the current disruption to in-person learning. The mandate is driven by concerns for student and staff safety and is not motivated by the current legal battles on this issue, he wrote.

Last summer, SAISD ordered its 7,000 employees to get their shots and set a deadline of Oct. 15 to submit proof of it. The state filed suit Sept. 9, saying the mandate violated an emergency order by Abbott forbidding local governments from imposing mask or vaccination requirements.

SAISD officials reported at a board meeting last week that about 87 percent of its teachers, 2,700 out of a total of 3,097, have been vaccinated. Some 85 percent of all staff have reported being vaccinated, about 6,614 employees out of 7,714.

Among those receiving shots, the districts central office staff had the lowest proportion of vaccinated, 79 percent, with 1,441 vaccinated out of 1,835 total.

State District Judge Mary Lou Alvarez denied the states request for an injunction against the district last fall, and the Fourth Court of Appeals later rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons appeal of the lower courts ruling.

Paxton then appealed to the Texas Supreme Court, which stayed enforcement of the mandate while it continues to consider the states petition for an injunction, saying it sought to preserve the status quo while expressing no views on the merits of the states case.

The agreement to delay the trial will allow that process to finish, the parties said.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863

danya.perez@express-news.net| Twitter: @DanyaPH
As Daniel Oliver walked through his childhood home Monday, he made the same familiar turns down the hallways he always has. But this time, he felt a glint of sunlight through the collapsed roof above and saw most of his familys belongings covered in ash after an early morning fire engulfed the house.

Olivers mother, Debra Oliver, 68, died in the fire, he said. His father, Cliff Oliver, 70, was still hospitalized with severe burns Monday evening but will be fine. His hands were burned the worst, Daniel Oliver added.

The couples three dogs, all poodles, also died in the fire that broke out around 4:30 a.m. Monday in the 100 block of Brightwood Place near Alamo Heights.

In one day, its all gone, Daniel Oliver said.

Daniel Oliver lives nearby in Terrell Hills. Hed already talked with his two brothers, who live in Germany and New York, to coordinate a plan for them to return home.

He woke up around 7 a.m. Monday to a call from his wifes coworker, who also works with his dad. She heard about the fire on the news and thought it could be the Olivers house. It was all over by the time Daniel Oliver arrived Monday morning.

Neighbors credited a husband-and-wife team who showed up to deliver the San Antonio Express-News newspaper next door with calling 911 to get first responders on the scene.

Robert and Sanjuana Trevino said they have worked that paper route for almost 20 years and drove by around 4:30 a.m. Monday when they saw the smoke. Robert Trevino said he tried to get into the house to help the neighbors, but it was too badly burned for him to enter.

It was just a big old pillar of smoke, Robert Trevino said. I heard a lady saying Help, but I couldnt get through.

He then ran to nearby houses to wake up the neighbors and warn them in case the fire spread to other homes.

Denise Richter lives next door but wasnt home at the time of the fire. She and her husband were out of town for a wedding. When she woke, her phone was blowing up with news of the fire on her street.

Its just a shock. Weve been neighbors for 23 years, Richter said.

She would talk with Debra and Cliff Oliver over the chain-link fence that separated their backyards and through which their dogs would also bark at each other. She often overheard Debra Oliver chatting outside with her grandkids on the phone.

That will always be my memory of (Debra), Richter said.

Neighbor Juliet Langman said she was in her backyard letting her dog out around 4:30 a.m. when she heard the firetruck sirens.

Then, all the sudden, I saw shooting flames 20 or 30 feet in the air, Langman said.

She heard pops from the fire too. She never met Debra Oliver but frequently saw Cliff Oliver and the dogs around the neighborhood.

Other neighbors said the fire spread quickly once they all noticed it  within minutes, it seemed to move from the back of the house to the front, enveloping it in flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Tami Goodlette lives across the street and woke up to lights and sirens Monday morning.

It was just covered, both sides of the street, with police (cars) and firetrucks, she said.

The flames looked short at first but eventually shot up high, Goodlette said.

Richter said the neighborhood will try to organize a way to help the Oliver family get back on their feet.

I think everyone wants to help because hes lost everything, Richter said. Not only his wife and three dogs but the house and all their belongings.

Daniel Oliver said neighbors have supported his family, and hes enjoyed hearing from others who know his parents.

He said the family can salvage some belongings from the home if they were under a bed or otherwise out of the way, but most of it is gone.

A few of the only remnants left visible outside the home were a couple of angel statues in the backyard and near the front porch.

megan.stringer@express-news.net
Tomas Tommy Ramirez III, a justice of the peace in Medina County, was arrested over the weekend on the same election fraud conspiracy charges that had already been dismissed in neighboring Bandera County.

Records show the Medina County Sheriffs Office booked Ramirez into the jail on Saturday, and he later posted bail. Sheriff Randy Brown was not available for comment.

Ramirez has previously called the case by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton politically motivated. Ramirez said via email Tuesday that his lawyers have told him not to comment.

One of his lawyers, Pat Hancock, confirmed the charges were filed by Paxtons office again.

On ExpressNews.com: Judge dismisses Ken Paxtons case accusing Medina County official of election fraud

Paxton did not respond to the Express-News questions about the case.

Ramirez was charged last year with three other women after they were indicted in February 2021 in a case that Paxtons office filed in Bandera County.

But Bandera County Presiding Judge Melvin Rex Emerson granted a motion by Ramirezs lawyers, dismissing all charges on Dec. 21 against Ramirez.

COURTESY PHOTO

Three days later, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct said Ramirez could return to his JP position. It had suspended him when he was indicted in February.

The crux of Paxtons case appeared to stem from Ramirezs 2018 run in the Republican Primary, which he won. He had no Democratic opponent. In a news release of the February indictment, Paxtons office said Ramirez and three women ran a vote harvesting operation that worked out of assisted living centers.

On ExpressNews.com: Texas attorney general cannot unilaterally prosecute election cases, states highest criminal court rules

The charges include engaging in organized election fraud, illegal voting, unlawful possession of a ballot or ballot envelope and enhanced election fraud for multiple offenses in the same election.

In an 8-1 ruling, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said a provision of the law violates the separation of powers clause in the Texas Constitution. The state attorney general can only get involved in a case when asked to by a district or county attorney, the court determined.

That ruling was a blow for Texas Republicans who have promoted former President Donald Trumps discredited claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Paxton blasted the appeals court ruling at the time.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
Going out to eat during a public health crisis is rough.

Eating at a restaurant found to make their tacos with their bare hands, store their meat on the floor or have rodent waste on plates makes it that much worse.

The Metropolitan Health District conducted 12,964 restaurant inspections in San Antonio throughout 2021. The good news is that 99.3 percent of all restaurant inspections ended with a grade of 80 or higher. But just like in your high school algebra class, some couldn't manage to earn a B.

We rounded up every 2021 inspection and filtered for the worst of the worst. Below, youll find instances of ants on a cinnamon heist, many businesses lacking hand soap and one restaurant that managed to notch two spots on the list.

10. Fair Ave Shell

Google Maps

Score: 73

73 Address: 418 Fair Ave.

418 Fair Ave. Inspection date: Sept. 2, 2021

Sept. 2, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - The food inspector observed kitchen staff preparing food in a kitchen infested with rodent waste. The rodent waste was --found on shelves, behind equipment on food boxes and in cabinets. - Staff washing hands in mop sink and did not have paper towels. - The inspector deemed the building to be in poor condition with unpainted walls, unsealed floors, bare wood in several areas of the store and small openings in the walls.



9. Old Hwy 90 Cafe

Google Maps

Score: 72

72 Address: 607 Old Hwy. 90 W.

607 Old Hwy. 90 W. Inspection date: Sept. 3, 2021

Sept. 3, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - Sausage sold in the restaurant measured at 107F when it needs to be maintained at 135F or higher. - Small bugs found in flour. - Sanitizer, not soap and water, was only available for hand washing. - Tortillas were stored in colored plastic shopping bags. - Cooks did not have a thermometer. - Clean knives stored on a dirty magnetic strip. - Ceiling in dining area had gaps where ceiling was coming apart.



8. Dona Concha

Google Maps

Score: 72

72 Address: 3303 West Ave.

3303 West Ave. Inspection date: Nov. 16, 2021

Nov. 16, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - The food inspector observed ants crawling around carrying cinnamon. - Personal beverages and cell phones found on prep table next to food products. - Heavily dented canned foods found on shelves.



7. Manpasand Supermarket #7

Google Maps

Score: 71

71 Address: 3727 Colony Drive

3727 Colony Drive Inspection date: May 5, 2021

May 5, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - Roaches found on wall-mounted knife rack holder, prep table, cutting table, walls and around equipment. - Some meats in the freezer found on floor. - Cutting saws in meat market needed to be cleaned and sanitized. - Gloves used to cut meats used to wash knife sharpener. - Employees found to not to wash dishes using the wash, rinse and sanitize method. - The establishment failed to meet peak hot water demands.



6. House Of Pizza

Google Maps

Score: 67

67 Address: 2620 Presa St. S.

2620 Presa St. S. Inspection date: May 7, 2021

May 7, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - Raw wings found to be prepped inside three compartment sinks that were compromised by a backflow of sewage from adjacent drain coming from dish washing machine. - A bulk can of ketchup found compromised at the base of the can. - The three compartment sinks found soiled while in use for food prep. - Stored utensils found dirty and not clean to sight and touch. - Chicken wings stored next to soap. - No disposable paper towels found near hand washing station. - Bulk flour found stored on the floor. - Restroom doors found to not be self-closing.



5. Taqueria El Rodeo De Jalisco

Google Maps

Score: 67

67 Address: 9714 Potranco Road

9714 Potranco Road Inspection date: March 7, 2021

March 7, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - Black buildup found along scoop holder next to ice dispenser in front area as well as the interior of the ice machine. - Employees observed preparing tacos with bare hands. - Can of raid found to be stored on shelf beneath preparation table. - Hand sink found in far corner, blocked by rolling cart and tortilla preparation table. The hot water for the sink found turned off due to a leaky faucet. No paper towels found at the beginning of inspection. - Cloth towels found on cutting boards. - Establishment thawed foods by leaving frozen foods at room temperature.



4. Walters Food Mart

Google Maps

Score: 67

67 Address: 2106 Burnet St.

2106 Burnet St. Inspection date: Feb. 1, 2021

Feb. 1, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - Tongs found on unprotected counter. - Cheese slicer found with food debris. - Hand washing sink found to be blocked and not used with items stored on top of it. - Engine coolant stored with single-use items. - Waste water from ice machine and walk in cooler condenser observed to be discharged onto the ground. - Hand washing sinks in kitchen and restroom had no soap or paper towels. - Toilet paper availability supply was found to be an issue.



3. Highlander Bar & Grill

Google Maps

Score: 66

66 Address: 5562 Fredericksburg Rd.

5562 Fredericksburg Rd. Inspection date: Dec. 21, 2021

Dec. 21, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - Knives and magnetic strip where knives go were dirty and rusty. - Hand sink in kitchen backs up, drains slowly and had a fowl odor. - Food found without prep or discard date. - Food found on the floor in the walk-in cooler. - Black mold found inside the ice machine. - Styrofoam cups found in mop sink. - Shelves in walk-in cooler are dirty, starting to rust and peel. - Hood vents have accumulation of grease and grime. - A stall in the womens restroom has a broken door. - Posted inspection was not the most current.



2. Adolfos Cafe

Google Maps

Score: 63

63 Address: 321 Fredericksburg Rd.

321 Fredericksburg Rd. Inspection date: June 10, 2021

June 10, 2021 Report link

Lowlights: - Raw meat and eggs seen next to cooked food. - Rodent droppings found on top of plate in storage area as well as under equipment. - Employees seen leaving kitchen and returning to peel potatoes without washing hands. - Moth balls being stored next to food items. - Food prepared the previous morning had no dates. - No thermometers were found. - Hand washing sink in the kitchen lacked paper towels. - Microwave seen with pealed paint and rust at the bottom. - Prepared food was being stored in single-use containers. - Receptacle where grease is disposed was found on top of grass.



1. Walters Food Mart

BOB OWEN/Bob Owen/rowen@express-news.net
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Susan Korbel compares the Democratic nomination for Precinct 3 county commissioner to a bridal bouquet that no one wanted to catch.

Im the only one who stood there and caught it, Korbel said.

The reluctance of Korbels fellow Democrats to compete for the Commissioners Court post is easy enough to understand.

In a county dominated by Democrats, the North Side-based Precinct 3 is the only slot on the five-member Commissioners Court held by a Republican.

Even in a 2020 election cycle that went well for Democrats, with Joe Biden carrying the county by more than 18 percentage points over Republican President Donald Trump, GOP candidate Trish DeBerry won Precinct 3 by 9 percentage points.

That was as close as its gotten for Precinct 3 Democrats in recent years. In 2012, Democrats didnt even field a candidate.

Precinct 3 wasnt scheduled for another election until 2024, but that changed five weeks ago when DeBerry filed to run for county judge, thereby giving up her Precinct 3 seat after less than a year in office.

County Judge Nelson Wolff selected former Fourth Court of Appeals Justice Marialyn Barnard to temporarily fill the seat, but under Texas law, there needs to be an election this November in Precinct 3.

Because of the late timing of DeBerrys resignation, nominees will be decided by party precinct chairs, rather than through a primary election.

Korbel, 72, a Castle Hills-based political activist and owner of a consumer research business, will be the Democratic nominee. She was the only person to apply for the nomination by the Jan. 15 deadline established by the party.

Korbel has been active in politics for more than 50 years, dating back to her time as a Cornell University undergrad engaged in protests against the Vietnam War.

During her time as a graduate student at the University of Michigan, studying labor relations and public sector employment, she moved from anti-war to womens rights. She ultimately earned a Ph.D. in public administration.

Apart from her 2000 election to the Alamo Community College District board and various successful runs for Democratic Party precinct chair, she has never sought elective office. But she has been a consistent presence on the local political scene.

In 2018, she played a major role with San Antonio for Beto, a local organization working to elect Democratic candidate Beto ORourke to the U.S. Senate.

During that campaign, Korbel used her number-crunching skills to identify a cluster of Bexar County precincts (many of them on the far West Side) that were overwhelmingly Democratic but turned out to vote in low numbers.

San Antonio for Beto took her findings and organized five teams to infiltrate those low-performing areas and boost turnout.

Voter access has been a consuming passion for Korbel, one that she shares with her husband, George Korbel, a pioneering civil-rights attorney who, in the 1970s, helped win the fight for single-member legislative districts in Texas.

In 2018, Korbel, in response to concerns about the possibility of foreign hacking of our election system, formed a group called the Bexar County Voter Protection Coalition. She called on the Bexar County Elections Department, which had adopted a touch-screen voting system in 2002, to revert back to the use of paper ballots.

A year later, the county introduced a new election system that provides a paper trail for voters.

Korbel says last years controversial passage of Senate Bill 1, a GOP-driven measure that imposes new restrictions on the voting process in Texas, has only heightened her focus on the issue.

Its about the elections and voting security, Korbel said, when asked about the reason for her Precinct 3 candidacy.

I think there are so many people who are so frightened by what they did in Austin with SB1 and thats where it sits, is in the Commissioners Court. Im running to make sure we still have elections.

One of the most maddening aspects of SB1 has been the way it forbids elections offices from sending unsolicited mail-ballot applications to voters. In addition, the states new application forms include a box that requires voters to include either a drivers license number, state identification number or the last four-digits of a Social Security number.

If the number that an applicant provides is not the same one found on their voting registration form, the application will be rejected.

My husband and I had the problem where we downloaded a form, we filled it out and we sent it in, Korbel said. It turned out that the Secretary of State (website) had the old form up and didnt have the box that had the Social Security number and the TDL. So they kicked it back to us.

She added, I think probably its not a county commissioners job to decide on the minutiae, but I do know its a county commissioners job to make sure the public feels that they have a secure vote.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
Emergency crews worked throughout the afternoon and into the evening to extinguish a quickly spreading wildfire that prompted multiple evacuations in Bastrop County.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Rolling Pines Fire began Tuesday afternoon and had been very active since then. The fire grew from 150 acres to about 640 acres as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and at that time, zero percent had been contained, according to the service and Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape.

By Tuesday evening, only 10 percent of the fire had been contained according to the Texas Forest Service, The Associated Press reported.

Pape said during a news conference that 150 acres had been scheduled for a controlled burn by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

AP reported that Carter Smith, executive director of Texas Parks and Wildlife, said during a news conference the prescribed fire began at 10:30 a.m.

Shortly after noon, the team noticed spotting outside the perimeter of the planned burn, which they believe could have been from embers blown outside the boundaries of the planned fire, AP said.

Alex Bregenzer, a public information officer for Texas Forest Service, said the cause of the fire is under investigation and that the blaze is expected to continue spreading into the evening hours. So far, there have been no injuries or structures damaged, he said.

At this point, we are still working on containment lines and other efforts to stop the fire, but it is still an active situation, he said.

Bastrop County is just southeast of Travis County.

In 2011, a massive fire in Bastrop killed two, charred 34,000 acres and destroyed nearly 1,700 homes. That wildfire, which scorched almost 55 square miles around Bastrop, was the focus of a 2015 book "Hail of Fire by former county judge Randy Fritz.

On ExpressNews.com: Wildfire risk increases and near freezing temps expected as dry, strong cold front approaches

Residents who live along Pine Tree Loop, Linda Lane, Lisa Lane and Pine Hill Drive have been asked to evacuate due to the quickly spreading flames, according to Bastrop County Department of Emergency Management.

About 250 families were asked to evacuate because their homes were in the direct path of the fire, Pape said. A shelter is set up for evacuees at the Elgin Parks and Recreation Center at 361 Texas 95 North.

The fire was moving along Power Plant Road at 4:05 p.m., and several surrounding roads were closed as crews moved into the area to fight the fire. A temporary flight restriction was initiated at about 4:30 Tuesday so that aircraft could make water and flame retardant drops over the area.

The Bastrop State Park posted on Facebook on Monday that it would be conducting prescribed burns in the state park on Tuesday, Jan. 18, and possibly Wednesday, Jan. 19. It posted at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday that test ignitions have begun.

The current evacuation areas are about 5 miles from Bastrop State Park.

No burn ban was in effect for Bastrop County on Tuesday, although the Texas A&M Forest Service tweeted midday Tuesday that wildfire danger was anticipated in the area due to warm, dry and windy conditions in the forecast.

annie.blanks@express-news.net
People were being allowed to return to their homes Wednesday afternoon and evening as fire crews got a better handle on the 783-acre Rolling Pines wildfire in Bastrop.

Kari Hines, a spokeswoman for the Texas A&M Forest Service, said that people who live on the western side of State Highway 21 were being allowed to return to their homes. Only one subdivision, Pine Hill Estates, remained under evacuation orders, and Hines said those residents would be allowed to return after 6 p.m. Wednesday.

More than 250 families were ordered to evacuate Tuesday after a wildfire that ignited from a controlled burn in Bastrop grew overnight. As of Wednesday evening, officials say no structure had been damaged and no injury had been reported.

The fire did not grow Wednesday, remaining about 780 acres. Aided by high humidity and low winds, the more than 200 firefighters responding kept the wildfire about 30 percent contained.

Chris Parachini lives on Highway 21 in Bastrop, which is in the fires path and remained closed Wednesday evening as crews worked to contain the blaze further. Parachini had not been ordered to evacuate and was monitoring the fire from the hill he lives on.

All through the night, we saw fires burning, he said. There are lots of hills and terrain, its Hill Country, and so I can see smoke right now still rising from different valleys where there are trees behind the smoke and in front of the smoke.

Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape said during a news conference Tuesday evening that 150 acres had been scheduled for a controlled burn by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. According to the Associated Press, fire officials noticed spotting outside the perimeter of the fire just past noon Tuesday, which they believe could have been caused by embers that were blown by the wind outside the fire lines.

The cause of the fire, however, is under investigation.

On ExpressNews.com: 640-acre Rolling Pines Fire only 10% contained

Alex Bregenzer, a public information officer for Texas A&M Forest Service, said the acreage of the fire had increased overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, but it did not grow Wednesday.

Bregenzer said crews have bulldozed lines in the forest around the fire so that it wont spread.

A northerly shift in the wind forecast for Wednesday evening prompted crews to shore up their southern lines to keep the fire from spreading south.

The wind shift will be accompanied by a cold front thats expected in the overnight hours Wednesday, and it could prove challenging to firefighters, said Hines. The National Weather Service is forecasting wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour.

Were hoping for some precipitation Thursday, she said. Until then, the winds are what were concerned about.

Bastrop is about 45 miles southeast of Austin.

In 2011, a massive fire in Bastrop killed two, charred 34,000 acres and destroyed nearly 1,700 homes. That wildfire, which scorched almost 55 square miles, was the focus of a 2015 book Hail of Fire by former county Judge Randy Fritz.

Parachini said residents who still live in the area and went through the 2011 fire were extra cautious of the Rolling Pines Fire, and many people were worried about losing their homes.

Annie Blanks writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. annie.blanks@express-news.net
NEW DELHI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday held a phone conversation with his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan a day after two Indians died in a drone attack in Abu Dhabi.

During the phone conversation, the UAE foreign minister shared the details of the attack with his Indian counterpart.

For his part, Jaishankar condemned the attack in the strongest terms and emphasized that such an attack on innocent civilians was completely unacceptable and against all civilized norms.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, efforts were being made regarding the return of the mortal remains of the deceased Indians.

The attack, which killed at least three people and caused damage to civil property, was claimed by Yemen's Houthi group earlier on Monday. 
A Travis County grand jury indicted a top political aide to Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Tuesday on charges of soliciting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from farmers in exchange for state licenses to produce hemp.

Todd Smith, a longtime aide to Miller, was first arrested in May, and he faces charges of theft between $20,000 and $100,000 plus commercial bribery. His bond amount was set at $10,000.

The indictment comes as Miller faces a heated primary, with two of his Republican opponents  state Rep. James White and economics professor and rancher Carey Counsil  criticizing Miller for his past trouble with the Texas Ethics Commission and for the criminal charges looming over Smith.

Earlier this month, Miller brushed aside the allegations against Smith and confirmed that Smith remained a member of his team.

It happens every election. They know theyre not going to get you on anything, but the process is the penalty. All they need is a headline: Sid Millers political consultant under investigation for selling hemp licenses, Miller said in an interview earlier this month. Well, they brought him in for questioning. They said OK, this was 8 months ago, they said were not filing charges and were not indicting you, so end of the story, folks, move on. But they got the headlines, so they bring up that old crap.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Under Texas law governing the hemp industry, licenses are supposed to cost $100. But Smith was accused of soliciting tens of thousands in cash from prospective applicants for himself and for political purposes.

We are disappointed that the Travis County District Attorney has obtained an indictment against Todd Smith. He was not invited to address the grand jury. He is not guilty of these charges and intends to vigorously defend himself against the allegations made by the Travis County District Attorneys Office, Smiths attorney Sam Bassett wrote in an email.

Miller declined to comment Tuesday night.

In a statement to the Texas Tribune, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said: We are holding accountable powerful actors who abuse the system and break the law. Our community needs to know that no one is above the law and will face justice.

Miller is running for a third term as agriculture commissioner. Hes known as an early and avid supporter of Donald Trump and for his popular Facebook page with 842,000 followers where he posts conservative memes and has been known to spread conspiracy theories, such as promoting the idea that the 2020 election was stolen.

He and his staff have been the subject of at least two Texas Rangers investigations, as well as a handful of complaints to the Texas Ethics Commission, including one into improperly using political funds for personal travel when Miller attended a Mississippi rodeo in 2015 and another when he traveled to Oklahoma to receive a Jesus shot.

Miller also hired Smiths wife to a high-paying job in the department in 2015.

We're finding out that Sid Miller's campaign team has been meeting in the back alleys behind the Texas Department of Agriculture, taking bribes in and swindles from poor farmers and ranchers and entrepreneurs that are trying to get their business started, said White, Millers primary foe, in a radio interview earlier this month.
As the Texas Secretary of State hustles to train and equip county election officials to implement new ID requirement for absentee voters that is creating confusion across the state, Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir offered advice to voters.

The best thing to do when faced with voter suppression  and my friends, this is what voter suppression looks like  the best thing to defeat it is to go vote, DeBeauvoir, a Democrat, said at a news conference Tuesday. The best thing to do is fight back.

The law, passed by the states Republican majority last year and in effect as of Dec. 2, added requirements for voters to include a drivers license number or partial Social Security number. The new law also required that voters be allowed to correct mistakes on their mail ballot applications with the click of a button using an online state system.

But with less than a month left for voters to request mail ballots ahead of the Feb. 18 deadline for the March 1 primaries, mail ballot applications are being rejected by the hundreds, voters are confused about what information to include with their applications, and counties have not yet received training on how to use the online system to fix them. The state will hold its first webinar on the ballot tracker site Thursday.

More Information Tips for successfully applying for a mail ballot 1) If you've already applied and received a rejection notice, respond with the proper information as quickly as possible. The county must receive the application by mail by Feb. 18 - even if an electronic copy is also emailed or faxed. 2) If you haven't received a notice but have concerns that it may be rejected over an ID issue, check the Secretary of State's ballot tracker at this link: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/BallotTrackerApp/. If you can't correct your ballot online, you can send in a new application for ballot by mail. 3) If applying now, include both a driver's license number and last four digits of their Social Security number on your application. The Secretary of State's office has said counties should accept such applications, as long as at least one number matches what's on file. If you don't see a space for an ID number, it means you're using an old application, which will not be accepted. The new application can be found here: https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/forms/5-15f.pdf See More Collapse

Meanwhile, incomplete applications continue to pour in  over 25 percent of them delivered to DeBeauvoirs office so far are insufficient. Some have no ID number. Others have an ID number that doesnt match what the county has on file. Others are using old applications for ballots by mail, which do not comply with SB 1 and also must be rejected; the new application came out Dec. 3.

Legislators were warned that this would happen, that voters would be confused, that this would create havoc among our voters, said Grace Chimene, president of the League of Women Voters of Texas, referring to testimony groups like hers gave during the legislative session. There just has not been enough time to do the voter education needed by the Secretary of States office to counties or counties to the voters.

Just two states, Alabama and Wisconsin, had ID requirements in 2020 for voters requesting a mailed ballot, but last year, Republicans in nearly a dozen states offered up bills limiting the method after its heyday during the pandemic. Texas and at least three other states enacted them: Arkansas, Florida and Georgia, according to Voting Rights Lab, which advocates for expanded voter access.

BACKGROUND: New Texas elections law, decried as vote suppression, leads to record number of rejected mail ballot applications

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, who helped write the legislation, chalked the issue up to the typical learning curve that comes along with any change to election law. This one was necessary to help counties root out possible mail ballot fraud by ensuring the identification of the voter, he said.

When you have turnout in the single digits, its time to get these bugs worked out of the system, Bettencourt said about the upcoming primary elections. While patience is not at a maximum supply in this type of frothy, national environment on these issues, new election procedures will have some period of time for everyone to get used to. But were still early enough to where all this is still curable.

Bettencourt, who also wrote the amendment about the online ballot correction process upon suggestion from disability advocates, added that the Secretary of States training should have preceded the rollout of the site, but such bureaucratic snafus are to be expected.

He rejected the characterization of the new ID requirement as voter suppression, saying its like many other parts of the existing election code and noting that the Secretary of State has offered up solutions.

Sam Taylor, spokesman for the Secretary of States office, said Tuesday that the agency is working closely with counties to educate them and answer questions. A training on the new ID rules was held in mid-December as well as on Tuesday, and the office issued a guidance to counties over the weekend to answer frequently asked questions.

Despite lingering confusion, Taylor said counties should be accepting applications that contain both ID numbers  something some election officials and advocates have started advising voters to do to cover their bases  as long as at least one matches whats on file.

The ballot tracking system depends on counties uploading their data on applications. Taylor said there is no timeline specified by law for them to do so.

Pretty terrible

Voters whose applications have been rejected will receive notices in the mail from their county that they can send back with corrected information. Another option for those who think they may have erred and dont want to wait for a rejection is to pre-emptively send in a new application with both ID numbers.

SB1 LEGAL BATTLE: Biden administration sues Texas over new voting restrictions

At the news conference Tuesday, DeBeauvoir read from emails from her counterparts in counties throughout the state in which they shared similar frustration over the lack of communication from the state, in particular about the online ballot tracker.

I have called several times a day for a week and no one has answered. I have sent emails with no replies, one email read. I have no idea how this process will work.

Our online ballot tracker is blank, and I have no information on ballot tracker. I cant get any replies from the Secretary of State either, another official lamented. Pretty terrible that the public is getting information on this website on Facebook, but we have not received any training on it at all.

As of the latest count last week, Harris County had rejected about 200 applications, or 16 percent of the total received, compared to the same time period ahead of the last midterm election in 2018 when about 100 were denied, or about 2 percent. Officials did not have updated numbers as of Tuesday.

Voter sign-up sheets rationed

Also this week, the Secretary of States office told political and advocacy organizations that typically request free copies of voter registration applications that they would have to limit them to 2,000 forms at a time because of supply chain shortage issues in obtaining paper, as KUT first reported.

If we honored all large requests for free voter registration applications to be sent to every single organization who requested them right now, we would likely run out of our entire current supply of forms very quickly, Taylor said, adding that the law does not require the office to provide the free copies, but it does so as a courtesy.

The issue has drawn the ire of voting rights groups like Common Cause and the League of Women Voters who have for years pushed the state to move to allow online voter registration. Texas is one of eight states that does not offer it. The League depends on the states paper copies to provide new citizens with the forms in their welcome packets at naturalization ceremonies.

This is a problem thats easily solvable, said Common Cause executive director Anthony Gutierrez. We ask that the state immediately take steps to fix this problem that they have manufactured. Its time for the state of Texas to join the 21st century, and the rest of the country, and provide online voter registration to every eligible voter in Texas.

This report contains material from the Associated Press.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
Many questions in finance and politics are murky. We the people disagree because issues are multifaceted and complex. In a democracy, we get to duke it out to determine which of the many sides gains enough allies to win the day.

Undisclosed stock trading by members of Congress is not one of these clouded issues. It is what in my household we call a PMC  a position of moral clarity. There is no plausible reason for members of Congress  or their relatives or their staffers  to get to trade on nonpublic information without consequences.

Members of every other profession  think professors, lawyers, bankers, journalists  have strict disclosure rules, ethical restrictions and legal limitations on the trading of nonpublic information, for themselves and family members. The fact that Congress does not has been a scandal in plain sight for a long time.

A Federal Reserve vice chair resigned in mid-January because of previously undisclosed stock trading (good!). But violations by U.S. senators and representative continue to go unpunished (bad!).

Think about members of a congressional health care committee trading pharmaceutical stocks. Or members of the armed services committee trading defense-industry stocks. Or members of an environmental oversight committee trading energy stocks.

The opportunity for corruption is obvious. And yet, as recent reports from Business Insider have shown, corruption is precisely whats been happening. Even if any individual trade is innocent, the whole enterprise stinks and undermines faith in both fair politics and fair markets.

Stock trading by members of Congress is one of those unique situations in which insiders ultimately make the rules for themselves  but they shouldnt because of the obvious conflicts of interest.

Congressional pay raises fit this category, in a minor way. Gerrymandering voting districts fits this category in a major way. Undisclosed stock trading on nonpublic information falls in between these. But its still very, very bad.

To be clear, ethically speaking, it isnt entirely the Wild West when it comes to stock trades. A 2012 rule known as the STOCK Act requires disclosure of stock trades by members of Congress within a 30- to 45-day window. The disclosure was meant to deter unethical behavior by exposing the timing of trades.

One problem, however, is that the practice of disclosure has been  as Hamlet would say  more honored in the breach than the observance. Violations abound.

The second problem has been the lack of consequences for breaking the STOCK Act. Violations have either been ignored or punished with fines in the hundreds of dollars.

An online report released this month by a trading platform called Unusual Whales has a stunning compilation of congressional stock trading since 2020, complete with data visualizations, the most active trading members of Congress, average holding periods, rates of return and clear conflicts of interest. This is amazing citizen journalism and deserves our attention. Rest assured the bad practices and sketchy trades are bipartisan.

If you go to the report (and you should really go to the report!) search for unusual trades and enjoy the things that make you go hmmmmm.

In June 2020, U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and San Antonios Chip Roy, R-Texas, introduced bipartisan legislation in the House requiring blind trusts for members holding stocks. There was a lot going on at the time (COVID and Black Lives Matter protests), and the effort did not get far.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is believed to be an opponent of further restrictions on trading by representatives and their families. On stock trading by members of Congress, she said in December, We are a free market economy. They should be able to participate in that. Pelosis husband has a large, actively traded portfolio, and critics rightfully point out her conflict of interest.

Yet despite the depressing status quo, something has possibly shifted recently.

Last week, Sens. Jon Osoff, D-Ga., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., introduced the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act, which would require members of Congress and their families to place stock investments in a blind trust.

Not to be outdone by Democrats, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., announced that he plans to introduce a competing bill to ban congressional stock trading.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who has been catastrophically wrong on basic democracy issues such as the Jan. 6 commission and voting rights, is correct on this issue. He already had voluntarily eschewed owning individual stocks for himself. He also said he would seek a ban on congressional stock trading when (or if) he becomes House speaker following the November elections.

This past week, Pelosi shifted her stance a bit, calling for an investigation into violations of the 2012 STOCK Act and increasing penalties for violations. Its not enough, but it is something.

Better, clearer solutions exist. One clearly would be for wealthier members of Congress who already have individual stock portfolios to put them into a blind trust, in which decisions to buy or sell are removed from the representatives or senators hands. A simple, multisector equity index fund also would serve the purpose.

(Careful readers of this column will notice that diversified, low-cost equity index funds continue to be the answer to every single problem around here.)

A much more complicated solution  probably what we are going to get  would entail additional disclosure rules and penalties for violating disclosures.

I dont think Im naive on this topic. It honestly baffles me why members of Congress do not either choose the blind trust or index fund route, because buying and selling individual stocks so obviously opens them up to criticism and attacks from opponents and journalists. It requires a combination of investigative journalism and an alert public to make this risk clear to every senator and representative.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates and host of the podcast No Hill For A Climber.

michael@michaelthesmart

money.com | twitter.com/michael_taylor
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Local schools may soon see some relief from supply chain shortages that have plagued meal times for most of this academic year.

On Wednesday, the state Board of Education provided an update on school meal programs, which have struggled with supply problems for many months.

To tackle those challenges, the United States Department of Agriculture last month announced billions of dollars in federal assistance, including $9.4 million for Connecticut schools.

If youve been in a grocery store recently, youll notice that some of your favorite items are very often not there, said John Frassinelli, who oversees health and nutrition at the state Department of Education. Maybe even your second-choice items are not there. Even though there is a specific market for school products based on the requirements for meals, they are facing some of the same issues.

Throughout the fall, food and labor shortages felt across the nation have squeezed mealtime operations and led to a lack of ingredients and paper goods in Connecticut schools. Districts have also run up against inflated prices for the same items, without adequate funds to meet the increase.

Some of those issues are certainly not just related to food production or food availability, Frassinelli said. The shortage in truck drivers certainly is impacting their ability to get food, also impacting their ability to get parts for equipment that they need to create some of the food.

Under the program, each school district will get a base amount of $5,000 to help them deal with supply chain issues brought on by the pandemic, with additional funds available based on enrollment.

The allotment is part of a $1.5 billion federal program designed to address supply chain challenges and encourage schools to work with local suppliers.

USDAs school meal programs have a wide-reaching impact on the health and well-being of our nations children, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement. Now, more than ever, Americas children need access to healthy and nutritious foods and our school nutrition professionals play a huge role in making that happen.

The Department of Agriculture also boosted reimbursements for school meals earlier this month by an additional 25 cents per lunch  an estimated $750 million more to school meal programs nationally this year. The agency previously waived certain federal nutritional requirements so schools could offer food substitutions when items arent available.

Topline data at the state board on Wednesday showed that many school food-service workers in Connecticut have delivered, despite the many challenges.

Frassinelli, from the education department, reported 16.8 million lunches and 7.7 million breakfasts were served this school year to date, for a total of $92 million in reimbursements so far. November meals were on par with those in October, which he suggested was notable due to fewer school days in the former month.

The health and nutrition director called school staffs efforts heroic and referenced a phone call with an employee from Hartford earlier that morning.

Shes already ordering until May, just to make sure that shes got enough of what she needs, he said.

Frassinelli noted that some schools districts have made food substitutions, while others have stopped posting menus until all items are in inventory, so they dont have to change their plans if an ingredient falls through.

Theyre being very creative with what they have, he said.
British Wool has re-launched its young farmers' exclusive training offer, covering all the essential aspects of achieving a successful shearing season.

The co-operative, along with the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC), have announced the YFC training offer, which enters its fourth year in 2022.

As in previous years, it is offering young farmers an opportunity to attend a beginner shearing course, enabling them to work towards a Blue Seal award.

The course will be over two days, covering aspects such as health and safety, the use of shearing equipment and hands-on shearing practice to develop techniques.

The programme is open to YFC members who have not previously attended a British Wool shearing course.

The exclusive price YFC members will pay for this training offer is 87.50 (plus VAT)  the normal cost is 175 plus VAT.

Richard Schofield, shearing manager at British Wool said: Supporting the training and development of the next generation of shearers and wool handlers is crucial to a thriving UK sheep sector and for ensuring the highest standards.

"We look forward to welcoming young farmers onto our courses again this year and would encourage any interested YFC member to make contact before the 31 March closing date.

Elizabeth Cornforth, Thirsk YFC Secretary, attended a British Wool machine shearing course to add an additional skill to her farming career after finishing college.

"The course not only helped me build skills and meet likeminded people but also my confidence from the handling of the sheep and wool to the machine mechanics and maintenance.

"I found this course through Young Farmers and took the advantage of the YFC discount on such courses."
Farmers and growers in England can apply for up to 500,000 in funding from today to invest in new technology to boost productivity.

Government grants ranging from 35,000 up to 500,000 are available to invest in new equipment, such as automated milking systems and automated tractors.

The new scheme, worth 25m in total, is the latest instalment of the Farming Investment Fund  an umbrella fund which opened in November.

The application window for the Improving Farm Productivity theme of the Farming Investment Fund has now opened, Defra said on Wednesday.

Farmers are being urged by the department to apply for grants to buy new equipment and infrastructure to improve efficiency.

Defra explained that further themed grants would open later this year.

Farming minister Victoria Prentis said: We know how important it is for farmers to identify opportunities that maximise productivity and yields.

"These grants are aimed at contributing towards the purchase of new and green equipment that can bring a positive change to the day to day operation of a farm, as well as the wider environment.

This specific fund has a two-month application window, and I encourage everyone in the sector to take a look at eligibility and fund details.

The application window for the Improve Farm Productivity fund is open from today (19 January) to 16 March.

Grants are paid in arrears, Defra explained, and at least 60% of the project costs need to be paid for through private sources like savings or a bank loan.

Rural Payments Agency (RPA) chief executive, Paul Caldwell encouraged farmers to apply for a grant.

If you are a farm owner and are planning to invest in your business to increase productivity in an environmentally sustainable way, this fund may be suited to your needs.

There is a wide variety of equipment and systems farmers can apply for though the Farming Investment Fund."
Farmers may be missing early, all important signs for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) as it continues to have a significant impact on the UK cattle industry.

BRD currently costs the industry around 80m per year, with a recent survey by the Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W) listing it in the top five diseases affecting UK cattle.

Now new research published by Ceva Animal Health has identified aspects of disease identification, management and treatment that could be improved.

While the farmers questioned in the research believed that they were quick to identify, diagnose and treat an animal with BRD, the disease can be difficult to detect using only visual clinical signs without handling.

Pyrexia - a temperature greater than 39.4C - is often the first sign of disease and typically occurs approximately 24 hours before the more visual clinical signs appear.

For the visual clinical signs, the first one is often a nasal discharge which occurs about 24 hours after the increase in temperature, which then progresses to an increased breathing rate and coughing.

Only a quarter of those questioned always took the temperature of an apparently sick calf before medicating, which can be a useful parameter to decide on treatment and monitor during recovery.

Encouraging close monitoring of feed intake and demeanour, combined with measuring the temperature, can help in the early identification and appropriate treatment of affected animals.

Viruses are often the initial pathogens before a secondary bacterial infection is established. However, many farmers were uncertain about the causal pathogens for BRD, although they did correctly identify external factors such as weather changes, poorly designed or ventilated buildings, and management tasks causing stress.

Interestingly, farmers reported rarely isolating sick animals, despite two-thirds of those questioned stating that they had a formal written protocol for the treatment of BRD and 69% of vets recommending that infected animals are isolated during Herd Health Plan Reviews.

In an ideal situation, affected animals would be removed from their pen as well as the common airspace, especially if there are likely to be new animals entering the shed.

When it comes to treatment, antibiotics continue to be a mainstay, and will remain so until detection improves, to treat the primary or secondary bacterial infections.

The use of a NSAID, which helps reduce the pyrexia, pain and inflammation associated with disease and therefore improves demeanour and food intake, is generally accepted to be best practice.

A quarter of the farmers questioned did not use NSAIDs routinely for mild BRD which may delay or complicate the recovery.

Kythe Mackenzie, ruminant veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health, said: BRD remains a significant health and welfare issue for the UK cattle in both the dairy and beef sectors with the associated decrease in longevity and productivity.

"It is important vets and farmers work together to put prevention and management protocols in place.

"When treatment is necessary the inclusion of a NSAID has recognised benefits especially in the reduction of pyrexia and pain.

How can I prevent and manage BRD?

Ceva Animal Health have published tips to help farmers prevent, identify and manage BRD on farms:

 Ensure the herds vaccination plan is up to date and completed as per your vets instructions

 Make sure calves receive sufficient, high-quality colostrum within four to six hours of birth to provide passive transfer of antibodies

 Reduce stress associated with management procedures such as disbudding and transport

 Make sure the housing has the best ventilation possible and minimise the mixing of age groups to help reduce the risk of disease

 Take the temperature as soon as there are concerns that BRD may be developing. A high temperature is often the first sign of BRD and can be a useful factor in deciding the best treatment for each case, as well as being a useful parameter to monitor during recovery. A calf with BRD will often have a rectal temperature of more than 39.4C which may be seen before other more obvious clinical signs such as: nasal discharge, reduced feed intake and coughing

 Seek veterinary advice on whether it may be worth taking diagnostic samples to guide treatment protocols, as well as future vaccination plans

 Use of a NSAID when treating helps reduce the high temperature, pain and inflammation associated with BRD which will lead to improved demeanour and food intake

 Ideally, remove affected animals from their pen and the common airspace of other calves, especially if there are likely to be new (and therefore naive) animals entering the shed

 If the affected animal cannot be removed from the common airspace it is still advisable to consider moving the affected animal(s) out of the pen to prevent physical contact and closely monitor both the affected animal and its cohort

 These hospital pens allow better monitoring of the sick calves. For example, the monitoring of food intake and response to treatment. Always consider if movement to an isolation or sick pen will increase stress as this may be less appropriate

 Wherever the animals are housed, good ventilation with a clean, dry bed are essential for prevention and recovery. It is also advisable to clean and disinfect feeding equipment
Almost 600,000 has been allocated in the Lake District as part of a national grants programme to help local farmers adapt to the UK's new farming support system.

The three-year Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme was launched last year by the government.

In the Lake District, farmers and landowners are being offered funding for projects under the four themes: climate, nature, people and place.

The National Park Authority is now preparing for applications for the second year of funding from April 2022, with further funding available through to 2024.

One successful application is Ullswater Community Interest Company, for the creation of nature corridors in the national park.

Their project is working with local farmers to connect and improve habitats by creating a series of wildlife corridors.

As well as having a focus on nature and climate, the project wants to create an opportunity for the community to work, as much of it is done with volunteering.

Elsewhere within the national park, West Lakes Community Interest Company received funding for a Farmer Led Nature Recovery project.

The money is helping them with scoping studies, in preparation for landscape-scale projects.

This will include engaging with farmers and commoners, collecting data on the natural environment with carbon audits and habitat surveys, and mapping and recording these.

The Fell Pony Heritage Trust has also successfully secured funding, which is dedicated to protecting the fell ponies traditions and supporting the hill farmers that maintain these upland herds in Cumbria.

This year FiPL funding has been able to contribute to the cost of the Trust employing a part time administrator to work on developing its activity to achieve its aims.

The Lake District's farming officer, Andrea Meanwell said the range of applications received from farmers and landowners had so far been 'fantastic'.

"There are so many great ideas out there to benefit the climate, nature, people and place in the Lake District, and our job is help local people bring them to fruition.

"We cant wait to see the successful projects who have already received funding progress on their journey, and were looking forward to seeing what funding applications come in next."

Nibthwaite Grange Farm has also secured funding for the development of a new local tweed, with an aim to connect people to the history and culture of wool production in the Lake District.

They are developing 13 tweeds, aligned with the 13 valleys of the Lake District, using wool sourced from each local valley.

Funding is helping them with the first four valley tweeds of Coniston, Windermere, Ullswater and Ennerdale.

The project will also support farmers, offering them a good price for wool and 10 percent of the profit from sales.
NEW YORK, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices climbed on Tuesday as investors grew concerned over rising geopolitical tensions.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February delivery added 1.61 U.S. dollars, or 1.9 percent, to settle at 85.43 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery increased 1.03 dollars, or 1.2 percent, to close at 87.51 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Prices for both WTI and Brent crude marked their highest settlements since Oct. 13, 2014, according to FactSet data.

"Besides tight supply that has been cited for some days now, market participants see growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as one of the reasons for the latest upswing," Carsten Fritsch, energy analyst at Commerzbank Research, said Tuesday in a note.

"Houthi rebels launched a drone attack on an oil depot in Abu Dhabi yesterday, for example, and have threatened further strikes," he said.

On Monday, Yemen's Houthi militia claimed responsibility for a military operation that struck areas inside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an active member of the Saudi-led military coalition.

The Houthis' claim was just after three petroleum tankers exploded in a fire near the storage facilities of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the UAE capital's Musaffah industrial district.

Last week, the U.S. crude benchmark and Brent jumped 6.2 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, based on the front-month contracts. 
A new 10-hour Welsh language course has been launched specifically for farmers and farm workers in Wales.

The National Centre for Learning Welsh and Menter a Busnes have launched 'Learn Welsh', a tailor-made course for the agricultural sector.

It aims to give farmers and farm workers the freedom to learn Welsh in their own time and at their own pace.

Both organisations say the Welsh language is "an important part of the culture and heritage of rural Wales".

Their new partnership stems from one of the recommendations of the 'Iaith y Pridd' report, conducted in 2020 by Farming Connect.

The report considered how the Welsh-speaking agri-community could contribute to the goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

While conducting research for the report, it became apparent there was a desire to learn Welsh among non-Welsh speaking farmers and workers, who could see the practical benefits of being able to speak Welsh.

As a result, one of the recommendations was to "create Welsh lessons with content built around agricultural themes".

Dona Lewis, the centres deputy chief executive, said: "We know that the percentage of Welsh speakers in the agricultural sector is higher than the national average, which is 43% compared to 19%, and there is a desire to learn Welsh within the industry.

"By making it a flexible online course, learners can follow it at a time convenient to them."

Alun Jones, chief executive of Menter a Busnes added: The agricultural sector is a stronghold of the Welsh language, and we are seeing a growing interest among non-Welsh speakers in learning the language."

The Work Welsh 10-hour sector-specific courses, including agriculture, are available free of charge from the Learn Welsh website.
Ten new projects to help UK farming transition to net zero and become more sustainable have been awarded half a million pounds worth of funding.

The projects will address sustainability challenges affecting the sector, as identified by farmers, and will be carried out by some of the UK's leading agriculture and bioscience experts.

They have been formally announced today by the AHDB and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBRSC).

Five distinct topic will be covered: technology, regenerative agriculture, soil health, improving livestock farming systems and, looking to the future, development of new resistance mechanisms.

It comes as the farming industry is aiming to reach net zero across England and Wales by 2040 as a contribution to a new target of 2050 for the whole of the UK.

The industry is currently responsible for about 9% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from methane.

Two of the new projects will see researchers at Rothamsted Research develop a new field test kit to measure soil phosphate, while Stirling University hopes to create best-practice for tank-mixing biopesticides.

Regenerative agriculture also offers opportunities for farmers to increase sustainability, with two projects aiming to provide farmers with improved guidance.

Dr Julia Cooper at Newcastle University will work with farmers to better understand the opportunities and challenges for regenerative agriculture in northeast England.

Meanwhile, the University of Reading will work with farmers to provide improved guidance on reducing and optimising inputs for oilseed rape crops, particularly the soil health benefits from the addition of organic materials.

Dr Amanda Bennett, environment scientist at AHDB said: Agriculture will be instrumental in reducing the impact of climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon storage.

"These new research projects will provide much needed progress in scientific knowledge on how farming can reach net zero by 2040.

Other projects will aim to provide guidance on the benefits of improved soil health; Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) will investigate how earthworms may reduce disease risk through effective residue management.

And Dr Matthew Back at Harper Adams University will also explore how new soil amendments could help to store carbon in soil.

The UK is ideally suited to livestock farming and Dr Georgios Banos at SRUC will aim to improve genetics to breed climate resilient sheep, while the Royal Agricultural University will look at best grazing options.

Lastly, the University of Edinburgh aims to better understand how plants and pathogens battle at the molecular level with Ubiquitin induced resistance in barley, led by Dr Beatriz Orosa.
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MEDDLESOME Britain should focus on problems at home and stop poking its nose into the affairs of Zimbabwe through contrived stories and fals...
Kiara Advani shared throwback pictures from her Maldives vacation, compiled in a video, on her Instagram profile recently. The actor had earlier gone to Ranthambore National Park for the New Year vacation with her rumoured boyfriend Sidharth Malhotra.

The video compilation of pictures showed Kiara sunbathing, simply running on the beach or taking a dip in the sea. She also striked a pose on a yacht and spotted dolphins. Kiara chose to drop folded hands and a butterfly emoji in the caption space.

Kiaras fans were left mesmerised with her pictures and many of them commented beautiful on the post. But some of her fans wanted to spot Sidharth in the pictures. While one fan wrote, Siddharth kahan hai, another said, Post the pictures that you have taken with Sid.

Earlier, Kiara Advani shared a beautiful still from the movie Shershaah to wish Sidharth on his Birthday on January 16. In the picture, Kiara could be seen wrapped in Sidharths arms and she wrote, Happy happy birthday dearest one and then added a heart emoji. Sidharth also reposted the story on her profile by writing, Thanks Ki and then adding a heart and hug emoji.

Sidharth and Kiara are rumoured to be dating for a long time now. Both of them featured together for the first time in Shershaah, in which Sidharth played the role of Captain Vikram Batra while Kiara played the role of Dimple Cheema, Vikrams love interest.
The foundations call on world leaders to support the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to help end the COVID-19 crisis, prepare for future pandemics, and address epidemic threats.

SEATTLE and LONDON, Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome each pledged US$150 million for a total of US$300 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership launched five years ago this week by the governments of Norway and India, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the World Economic Forum. The pledges come ahead of a global replenishment conference in March to support CEPI's visionary five-year plan to better prepare for, prevent, and equitably respond to future epidemics and pandemics.

"As the world responds to the challenge of a rapidly evolving virus, the need to deliver new, lifesaving tools has never been more urgent," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "Our work over the past 20 years has taught us that early investment in research and development can save lives and prevent worst-case scenarios. Five years ago, following the Ebola and Zika epidemics, our foundation helped launch CEPI. Today, we're increasing our commitment and pledging an additional $150 million to help CEPI accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines against emerging variants of the coronavirus and to prepare for, and possibly even prevent, the next pandemic."

Since its inception, CEPI has played a central scientific role in curbing epidemics around the world, overseeing a number of scientific breakthroughs and putting pandemic preparedness at the center of the global health R&D agenda. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, CEPI responded immediately, building one of the world's largest and most diverse portfolios of COVID-19 vaccine candidates-14 in all, including six of which continue to receive funding, and three of which have been granted emergency use listing by the World Health Organization (WHO).

CEPI made early investments in the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is now saving lives around the world. Last month, Novavax's protein-based COVID-19 vaccine-funded largely by CEPI-received WHO emergency use listing and is poised to help efforts to control the pandemic globally. More than 1 billion doses of the Novavax vaccine are now available to COVAX, the global initiative co-led by CEPI that aims to deliver equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. CEPI also continues to work on next-generation COVID-19 vaccines, including "variant-proof" COVID-19 vaccines and shots that could protect against all coronaviruses, potentially removing the threat of future coronavirus pandemics.

"The overriding lesson from this pandemic is the need for effective organizations and systems to be in place and ready before a crisis, as well as acting rapidly based on well-established science when such crises inevitably occur," said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, director of Wellcome. "Wellcome proudly founded CEPI in 2017 along with partners from Norway, India, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Economic Forum following the devastating 2014-16 Ebola epidemic. We learned the importance of conducting high-quality research during a crisis. Since then, CEPI has worked tirelessly, and by fostering global collaboration, it has played a truly integral role in the global pandemic response from early January 2020 onwards."

"Our new commitment of $150 million recognizes the enormous potential CEPI has to protect lives against emerging infectious diseases," Dr. Farrar continued. "The effects of COVID-19 have been sobering. We urge leaders to provide their support and ensure that CEPI reaches its funding target. It is in the world's collective interest to avoid repeating mistakes and to help future generations prevent epidemics."

Beyond COVID-19, CEPI has filled a vital gap in supporting vaccine equity alongside R&D. CEPI is currently supporting the research and development of accessible vaccines against other infectious diseases, including the first-ever vaccines to reach clinical trials against the deadly Nipah and Lassa viruses. The organization has also played a critical role in efforts to end Ebola, including supporting the development of a second Ebola vaccine by Janssen. In addition to advancing the science underlying vaccine development and new vaccine platforms, CEPI is focused on dramatically reducing the time it takes to develop lifesaving vaccines against any new viral threat (referred to as "Disease X")-to within 100 days of a pathogen being sequenced. This represents a combination of scale and speed that could save millions of lives and trillions of dollars.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how inequitable access to vaccines can put the entire planet at risk and disrupt decades of global health progress," said Awa Marie Coll Seck, minister of state to the president of the Republic of Senegal. "Innovative global partnerships like CEPI play a critical role in advancing the R&D needed to prevent future pandemics. Importantly, those investments in vaccine technology, particularly in Africa, can also help accelerate progress against other diseases-like HIV, TB, and malaria-that still affect the world's most vulnerable populations."

The pandemic has rebounded in waves around the world, highlighting the important role of international organizations like CEPI that put equitable access at the core of their mission. Recent data from Northeastern University show that had the availability of vaccines in lower-income countries like Kenya been akin to that in high-income countries like the UK or the U.S., 70 percent of COVID-19 deaths to date would have been averted.

"The world must do better at protecting everyone, everywhere against the greatest health threats-from COVID-19 and beyond," said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "CEPI's investments in groundbreaking R&D, commitments to equitable access, and cooperation across the public and private sectors are vital in this effort. We call on global leaders to help CEPI reach its funding target of $3.5 billion."

The United Kingdom will host CEPI's replenishment conference on March 8, 2022, in London. The fundraising event will convene governments, philanthropists, and other donors to support CEPI's five-year plan to tackle the risk of pandemics and epidemics, potentially preventing millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.

Media contact:? media@gatesfoundation.org

About Wellcome

Wellcome supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. We support discovery research into life, health and well being, and we're taking on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, global heating and infectious diseases.

Media contact: mediaoffice@wellcome.org
ActivePure Will Host an Interactive Booth in the North Hall N10522

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 18, 2022 / ActivePure, the global leader in 24/7 surface and air purification technology, will attend and exhibit at the 2022 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo), the essential event for HVACR. The event is co-sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and is held concurrently with ASHRAE's Winter Conference. The AHR Expo is Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.





ASHRAE was formed in 1959 as two associations with history dating back to 1894 and in 1904 merged to create one voice for the industry.

"The HVAC industry is extremely important to ActivePure. We work with thousands of HVAC companies around the globe, and a number of installed solutions, to provide the highest level of indoor air quality," said Joe Urso, CEO of ActivePure. "The pandemic has been sustained largely through interior airborne spread, which highlights the need for indoor air treatment. This is why so many companies turn to ActivePure's solutions to neutralize airborne and surface pathogens in interior spaces."

ActivePure leads the industry in proactive, continuous air purification and surface decontamination for health care, commercial and residential applications. The ActivePure Medical Guardian is an FDA-cleared Class II medical device. Products Powered by ActivePure have been proven to proactively deactivate bacteria, mold, fungi and viruses in the air and on surfaces, including the virus that causes COVID-19, as proven in extensive laboratory testing and real-world environments.

ActivePure will have a significant presence at the event with 10 attendees, including reps from four divisions. ActivePure will also have a 20' x 30' booth (N10522) in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"We welcome attendees to stop by and see how ActivePure works and talk to our team to learn more about how we can partner and help mitigate the spread of airborne viruses and more," Urso said. "As the variants grow and spread, we simply cannot become complacent against our COVID-19 fight."

For more information on ActivePure, please visit ActivePure.com, or call 888-217-4316.

ABOUT ACTIVEPURE:

Privately held ActivePure has been the global leader in active, continuous surface and air disinfection systems for health care and educational institutions, commercial and public facilities, hospitality and residential applications since 1924. Patented ActivePure Technology has been proven in independent university and laboratory testing to effectively control and neutralize indoor contaminants. It is the only product in its class recognized by the Space Foundation as Certified Space Technology and inducted in the Space Foundation Hall of Fame. The ActivePure Medical Guardian is registered and cleared as an FDA Class II Medical Device. ActivePure was developed for use in the space program and has since evolved for use in commercial and consumer products used to reduce exposure to pathogens, including RNA and DNA viruses, bacteria and molds, by up to 99.9% in the air and on surfaces. For more information, please visit ActivePure.com or call (888) 217-4316.

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: To request a meeting with an ActivePure representative, please contact TrizCom Public Relations at 972-247-1369.



MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jo Trizila, TrizCom PR on behalf of ActivePure

Email: Jo@TrizCom.com

Office: 972-247-1369

Cell/Text: 214-232-0078

or

Tonie Auer, TrizCom PR on behalf of ActivePure

Email: Tonie@TrizCom.com

Office: 972-247-1369

Cell/Text: 817-925-2013

SOURCE: TrizCom Public Relations Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684482/See-ActivePure-in-Action-Meet-with-Company-Leaders-at-the-2022-ASHRAE-Winter-Conference-AHR-Expo
SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn., Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Capewell, a global leader in engineering aviation and life support solutions, announced it has named Edward Davis, CB CBE, Strategic Director in the United Kingdom to lead the Company's European operations.

"I am delighted and grateful to have been appointed to be Capewell's Strategic Director in the UK," said Davis. "It is truly inspiring to be joining a company that is recognised as a world leader in aerial delivery and associated life-support systems for land and maritime military, law enforcement and humanitarian organisations."

Davis served for 35 years in the Naval Service as a Royal Marines Officer. His distinguished career included serving as the 63rd Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces and as the Deputy Commander of NATO Land Command Headquarters. Retiring from the UK Armed Forces in the rank of Lieutenant General, he transferred to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and was appointed, by Her Majesty The Queen, as the 67th Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar in January 2016. He completed his tenure as Gibraltar's Governor in February 2020.

Davis spent his early years in the Naval Service at regimental duty in the UK, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Norway, and Belize. He commanded a Specialist Military Unit from 2002-2004, which included Operation TELIC 1 in Iraq, and subsequently commanded 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines from 2010-2011, during which he deployed to Afghanistan as Commander Task Force Helmand on Operation HERRICK 14. He was appointed the 63rd Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces in December 2011. His last Naval Service appointment was as the Deputy Commander of NATO Land Command Headquarters in Izmir, Turkey, from July 2014 to January 2016.

"Ed's significant leadership experience as the Governor of Gibraltar, his vast expertise in international governance, and his extensive tenure serving as a military leader with our allies in the UK is invaluable," said Gregory Bloom, CEO of Capewell. "Our global team has gained immeasurable strength with his addition."

"Set against the enduring challenges of our dynamically changing world," said Davis, "I particularly relish the opportunity to contribute to Capewell's strategic ambition of becoming the aerial and life-support system provider of first choice across the UK, Europe and the Commonwealth. It is an ambition that I have no doubt Capewell will achieve, given its 140 years of success in innovative, agile, and dependable engineering for mission and life. It is indeed a proud moment for me to be joining Capewell."

About Capewell:

Founded in 1881, Capewell is the global leader in the custom engineering and manufacture of critical aerial delivery systems and combat water survivability solutions for the United States government and its partner nations. Capewell's foundational mission - to protect people who operate systems in dangerous environments in support of national security - continues to this day. Operating out of South Windsor, Conn., and Meadows of Dan, Va., the company offers four core product segments of mission-critical components and systems: Aerial Delivery & Parachute Systems, Aerial & Marine Life Support & Safety Hardware, Operator and Maintainer Training and Logistics, and Engineering Services.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729181/Capewell_UK.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1420426/Capewell_Logo.jpg
TOKYO, Jan 19, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. announced today that the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU), led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has enrolled the first subject in the phase II/III study (Tau NexGen study). The study will assess the effect of Eisai's investigational anti-microtubule binding region (MTBR) tau antibody E2814, in dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease (DIAD).People who have genetic mutations of DIAD are known to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) and will likely develop symptoms at around the same age their affected parents did, often in their 50s, 40s or even 30s. The major AD pathologies are amyloid plaque that consists of amyloid beta (Abeta) aggregates; neurofibrillary tangles; and intraneuronal aggregates of tau, all of which are believed to spread throughout the brain.The purpose of the Tau NexGen study is to assess the safety, tolerability, biomarker and cognitive efficacy of investigational therapies in pre-symptomatic or symptomatic participants who have an AD-causing gene mutation. In March 2021, the DIAN-TU selected E2814, which was created from a research collaboration between Eisai and University College London, as the first investigational medicine among anti-tau drugs for the Tau NexGen study. With increasing evidence from clinical studies showing that targeting amyloid can reduce biomarkers of AD, the Tau NexGen clinical trial leaders selected Eisai's investigational anti-Abeta protofibril antibody lecanemab (BAN2401) as the background anti-amyloid therapy, and the study design was amended in November 2021.Eisai positions neurology as a key therapeutic area, and it will continue to create innovation in the development of novel medicines based on cutting-edge neurology research as it seeks to contribute further to improving the benefits of affected individuals and their families in diseases with high unmet needs, such as dementia including AD.About Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN)The DIAN is an international research effort focused on dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease. Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's disease (DIAD) is a rare form of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that causes memory loss and dementia in individuals -- typically while they are in their 30s to 50s. The disease affects less than 1% of the total population of people with AD. The aim of the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU) is to find solutions to treat or prevent this disease and, potentially, all forms of Alzheimer's. The DIAN-TU is an international public-private partnership dedicated to designing and managing interventional therapeutic trials for individuals with and at risk of DIAD.About Tau NexGen studyThe purpose of the Tau NexGen study is to assess the safety, tolerability, biomarker and cognitive efficacy of investigational therapies in people who have an AD-causing gene mutation. In the Tau NexGen study, symptomatic participants will be administered anti-amyloid beta (Abeta) protofibril antibody lecanemab for six months before being randomly assigned to also receive the anti-tau drug or a placebo. Since amyloid plaques accumulate before tau tangles in AD, this study design allows the researchers to assess whether amyloid removal clears the way for the anti-tau drug to function most effectively. Pre-symptomatic participants will be randomly assigned to receive the anti-tau drug or a placebo for a year before beginning lecanemab administration. By staggering the drugs in this way, the researchers will be able to evaluate the effects of the anti-tau drug alone before assessing the effects of the two drugs together. If the primary and secondary endpoints are positive in the analysis two years after the start of study, the study will be extended for another two years to assess whether the drug slows cognitive decline and has further effects on tau pathology.About E2814An investigational anti-microtubule binding region (MTBR) tau antibody, E2814 is being developed as a disease modifying agent for tauopathies including sporadic AD. Phase I clinical studies are underway. E2814 was discovered as part of the research collaboration between Eisai and University College London. E2814 is designed to prevent the spreading of tau seeds within the brains of affected individuals.About Lecanemab (BAN2401)Lecanemab is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody for AD that is the result of a strategic research alliance between Eisai and BioArctic. Lecanemab selectively binds to neutralize and eliminate soluble, toxic Abeta aggregates (protofibrils) that are thought to contribute to the neurodegenerative process.in AD. As such, lecanemab may have the potential to have an effect on disease pathology and to slow down the progression of the disease. With regard to the results from pre-specified analysis at 18 months of treatment, Study 201 demonstrated reduction of brain Abeta accumulation (P<0.0001) and slowing of disease progression measured by ADCOMS* (P<0.05) in early AD subjects. The study did not achieve its primary outcome measure** at 12 months of treatment. The Study 201 open-label extension was initiated after completion of the Core period and a Gap period off treatment (average of 24 months) to evaluate safety and efficacy, and is underway.Eisai obtained the global rights to study, develop, manufacture and market lecanemab for the treatment of AD pursuant to an agreement concluded with BioArctic in December 2007. In March 2014, Eisai and Biogen entered into a joint development and commercialization agreement for lecanemab and the parties amended that agreement in October 2017. Currently, lecanemab is being studied in a pivotal Phase III clinical study in symptomatic early AD (Clarity AD), following the outcome of the Phase II clinical study ( Study 201). In July 2020 the Phase III clinical study (AHEAD 3-45) for individuals with preclinical AD, meaning they are clinically normal and have intermediate or elevated levels of amyloid in their brains, was initiated. AHEAD 3-45 is conducted as a public-private partnership between the Alzheimer's Clinical Trial Consortium that provides the infrastructure for academic clinical trials in AD and related dementias in the U.S., funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, and Eisai.In September 2021, a rolling submission to the FDA of a Biologics License Application (BLA) for the treatment of early AD under the accelerated approval pathway was initiated. Lecanemab was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation in June 2021, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) program intended to expedite the development and review of medicines for serious or life-threatening conditions.* Developed by Eisai, ADCOMS (AD Composite Score) combines items from the ADAS-Cog (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale), CDR (Clinical Dementia Rating) and the MMSE (Mini- Mental State Examination) scales to enable a sensitive detection of changes in clinical functions of early AD symptoms and changes in memory.** An 80% or higher estimated probability of demonstrating 25% or greater slowing in clinical decline at 12 months treatment measured by ADCOMS from baseline compared to placeboMedia Inquiries:Public Relations Department, Eisai Co., Ltd.+81-(0)3-3817-5120Eisai Inc (U.S.) Libby Holman 201-753-1945Libby_Holman@eisai.comInvestor Contact:Eisai Co., Ltd.Investor Relations DepartmentTEL: +81-(0)70-8688-9685Source: EisaiCopyright 2022 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 18, 2022) - K2 Gold Corporation (TSXV: KTO) (OTCQB: KTGDF) (FSE: 23K) ("K2" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a 2021 annual review of progress.

Highlights:

The two most significant advancements at Mojave in 2021 were a 50% increase in the gold footprint, and the discovery of large zones of copper and base metals on the western margins of the property.

The Mojave property in California is progressing to the drill stage. The next phase of proposed drilling was submitted to the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") and is progressing through the necessary review process. The Company has applied for 30 drill sites (approximately 10,000m) which will infill and extend the footprint of gold mineralization previously drilled at the Dragonfly and Newmont targets in October 2020. The results of the next drilling programme will be incorporated into the current database to provide a preliminary gold resource estimation of the Eastern Target Area which will incorporate the Dragonfly, Remi and Newmont targets.

Through a comprehensive exploration program, the Company identified nine more areas of gold mineralization on the Eastern Target Zone expanding the anomalous geochemical surface expression from four to six kilometers in continuous strike length, an increase of thirty percent.

The 2021 exploration program was also successful in beginning to understand extensive areas of copper mineralization at the Stega target on the western side of the property. Samples of up to 14.2% copper with mineralization associated with locally anomalous gold and silver. The current surface expression of the Stega Copper Zone is up to 250m in width, 1.8km in length, and is open to the N-NW.



The relationship between the recently discovered sediment hosted copper sampled at surface, and possible buried intrusives/porphyries (identified by recent VTEMTM) is unclear at this time but spatially there appears to be a distinct and direct relationship.

The 360 Ha Morning Star property adjacent to Mojave was optioned from a private vendor. The property consists of a combination of patented and unpatented mining claims, the majority of which are unpatented. The geology is similar to Mojave, however, more mapping and interpretation is required to fully understand the mineralization style. The property has a valid drill permit. Previous drilling in the 80's and 90's on the property intersected grades up 3.7g Au over 38m (this figure is considered historical, the core is still available for review but the assay certificates from drilling have not been located).

Over the course of 2021 the Company has been actively pursuing prospective gold properties in Nevada and other states in southwestern USA. News on potential property additions are expected to be released in Q1 and Q2 2022.

Steve Swatton, President and CEO of K2, commented: "2021 was a pivotal year for K2. As the US's government departments adjusted to the expectations of the new administration, we continued to advance the Mojave property as per the BLM guidelines. Our strategy was to continue exploration at Mojave while actively looking for complementary properties in other regions of the southwest US. The discovery of significant copper in addition to gold at Mojave was a welcomed development, particularly in light of the announcements throughout the year from the State Department that the government would like to source more critical metals from domestic sources. We have identified several mineral properties in other states, and we expect to be announcing agreements on one or more other projects in the short term as we await the BLMs decision on the timing of permitted drilling at Mojave."

Please CLICK HERE to view all figures related to this news release.

Summary of 2021 Highlights:

March 2021 - Positive decision letter of completion of documents for Phase 2 of drilling delivered to K2 by the BLM.

April 2021 - The Company announced that based on a comprehensive rock sampling program the mineralization in the area of previous drilling (by Newmont, BHP and K2) was extended to approximately 1 km at surface.

May 2021 - Further sampling in the Dragonfly zone returned gold values of up to 14.5 g/t gold and both the Newmont and Flores zones were extended at surface. In addition to the known gold zone of previous drilling the company discovered sediment hosted copper in a parallel zone approximately 3km to the west. Extensive sampling recovered samples of up to 14.2% Cu from the Stega zone.

June 2021 - Additional sampling at Stega revealed that the mineralization is zoned with a distinct Cu, Pb and Zn banding occurring adjacent to a gold zone. Both zones are pervasive along a distinct north-west fault and the mineralization extends for approximately 6km by 1km.

August 2021 - K2 signed an option agreement to acquire the Morning Star property (formerly known as the Cerro Gordo property) for certain cash payments, work commitments and a 3% NSR of which 1.5% can be purchased by the Company.

November 2021 - Results of additional soil, rock and select ionic leach samples confirmed and extended mineralization at 4 zones (Stega, Soda Canyon, Upland Valley and Gold Valley). This information combined with previous work lead to the conclusion that the mineralization at the Mojave property is district wide and occurs intermittently over 100km2.

December 2021 - Announced results of a heli-borne electromagnetic VTEMTM survey. The interpretation of the results is highly suggestive of at least 2 or more buried intrusives that may be the source of the fluids that transported the mineralization at Mojave.

Qualified Person

Jodie Gibson, P.Geo, Vice President of Exploration and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information on this release.

About K2

K2 is a member of the Discovery Group of companies and has option agreements on projects in SW USA and the Yukon. In the USA, the Company is represented by its 100% subsidiary, Mojave Precious Metals Inc. ("MPM"). The Company is focused on the Mojave property in California, a 5,830-hectare oxide gold project with base metal targets. The location of Mojave enables the Company to have year-round news flow on multiple previously recognized surface gold targets that have been successfully drilled in the past by majors BHP and Newmont. Besides affording immediate drill targets based on the Company's soil data integrated with LiDAR and Worldview-3 data, the property also has undrilled locations with gold enriched historical trench results including one at the Flores zone which recorded 8.4 g/t gold over 25.6m (see October 30, 2013 news release from Great Bear Resources Ltd.).

K2 and MPM are committed to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Stephen Swatton"

President and CEO

K2 Gold Corporation.

For further information about K2 Gold Corporation or this news release, please visit our website at k2gold.com or contact Investor Relations Offices in Canada 604-653-9464, or in the USA at Lone Pine, California +1 (760) 614-5605 or by email at info@k2gold.com.

K2 Gold Corporation is a member of Discovery Group based in Vancouver, Canada. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the exploration program at Mojave, including results of drilling, and future exploration plans at Mojave. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its planned activities, and the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies. The reader is referred to the Company's public disclosure record which is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except as required by securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. No securities of the Company have been or will, in the foreseeable future, be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110731
TOKYO, Jan 19, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that, in December 2021, the company signed a joint development agreement in the area of Lithium-Metal secondary batteries(1) with SES Holdings Pte. Ltd.("SES"), a U.S. (Boston)-based EV battery research and development company.Moreover, SES plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) via a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transaction, and through the PIPE (private investment in public equity) offering by the SPAC, Honda plans to acquire approximately 2% of the shares of SES AI Corporation, the company to be listed on NYSE(2)(3).The battery is a crucial component of battery electric vehicles (EV) and Honda, which is accelerating electrification of its products on a global basis, has been concurrently looking into several options for next-generation batteries, including the all-solid-state batteries Honda is developing independently. This joint development agreement with SES is part of the overall battery strategy of Honda.From here onward, Honda and SES will pursue joint research for the realization of safe, high-durability and high-capacity next-generation EV batteries.Comments by Shinji Aoyama, Managing Executive Officer in Charge of Electrification, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., "The battery is an essential component of EVs, and Honda has been concurrently looking into several options toward the realization of high-capacity, safe and low-cost next-generation batteries. Recognizing the advanced technologies of SES, Honda signed a joint development agreement with SES with the aim to establish a good relationship with SES and expeditiously generate substantial achievements through our joint research activities. Honda will continue to establish collaborative relationships with companies which have advanced technologies, as needed, to offer highly-competitive and attractive EVs to our customers."(1) Batteries with Lithium-Metal anode, which are expected to realize higher energy density than Lithium-ion batteries (which usually use carbon-based materials for the anode).(2) On October 22, 2021, Honda signed a PIPE subscription agreement with Ivanhoe Capital Acquisition Corp. ("Ivanhoe"), a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listed on the NYSE, pursuant to which Honda is scheduled to acquire shares of Ivanhoe on the day of the merger between SES and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ivanhoe, with SES the surviving entity ("the merger"), prior to the completion of the merger. Ivanhoe, which will wholly own SES, plans to change its name to SES AI Corporation prior to the completion of the merger. Fulfillment of all prerequisites for the execution of the merger, including approval of SES and Ivanhoe shareholders, is a prerequisite for the stock purchase by Honda.(3) The shareholding percentage above is based on the assumption that the shareholders of Ivanhoe will not exercise their redemption rights.Source: HondaCopyright 2022 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA / Key word(s): Quarter Results

RICHEMONT ANNOUNCES FURTHER SALES GROWTH ACCELERATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021



19-Jan-2022 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Highlights Compared to the third quarter ended 31 December 2020: Strong sales, up by 32% at constant exchange rates and by 35% at actual exchange rates

Double-digit sales growth across all regions, channels and business areas

Strongest performance from the Americas and Europe, rebalancing regional sales mix

Retail and online retail, a combined 78% of Group sales, driving growth

Excellent performance from all three business areas: - Jewellery Maisons, with sales growth of 38% at constant exchange rates (+41% at actual exchange rates) - Fashion & Accessories Maisons, with sales growth of 37% at constant exchange rates

(+40% at actual exchange rates), sustained by Chloe, Montblanc and Peter Millar - Specialist Watchmakers, with sales growth of 25% at constant exchange rates (+29% at actual exchange rates) Compared to the third quarter ended 31 December 2019: Continued sequential quarterly growth acceleration, with third quarter sales up by 38% at constant exchange rates and 36% at actual exchange rates

Pre-pandemic levels substantially exceeded, with sales up double digits across all regions and business areas, as well as online and offline retail channels

Outstanding performance of the Americas, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa; Europe and Japan resuming growth, up double digits

Performance led by the Jewellery Maisons (+57% and +55% at constant and actual rates respectively) with other business areas growing at or close to 20% October-December 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 1 410 982 1 263 +42% +44% +12% +12% Asia Pacific 2 128 1 729 1 429 +18% +23% +47% +49% Americas 1 333 841 874 +55% +59% +59% +53% Japan 389 335 341 +22% +16% +23% +14% Middle East and Africa 398 299 249 +30% +33% +65% +60% By distribution channel Retail 3 400 2 288 2 212 +45% +49% +56% +54% Online retail 1 025 841 747 +19% +22% +40% +37% Wholesale & royalty income 1 233 1 057 1 197 +14% +17% +4% +3% By business area Jewellery Maisons 3 343 2 366 2 162 +38% +41% +57% +55% Specialist Watchmakers 977 758 818 +25% +29% +20% +19% Online Distributors 785 668 670 +15% +18% +19% +17% Other 610 436 522 +37% +40% +19% +17% Inter-segment eliminations (57) (42) (16) Total 5 658 4 186 4 156 +32% +35% +38% +36% Review of trading in the three-month period ended 31 December 2021 versus the prior-year period, at constant exchange rates Sales rose by 32% versus the prior year period driven by double-digit increases in all regions, channels and business areas, in a relatively supportive economic environment. The Americas led the growth with sales up by 55%, followed by Europe and Middle East and Africa, where sales grew by 42% and 30%, respectively. Japan and Asia Pacific saw sales increase by 22% and 18%, respectively, with China consolidating at a high level of +7%. Regional sales mix continued to be further rebalanced with Asia Pacific accounting for 38% of Group sales, followed by Europe and the Americas, at 25% and 23% of Group sales, respectively. Japan and Middle East and Africa each contributed 7% of Group sales. Retail generated the strongest channel performance, with sales up by 45%, followed by online retail sales up by 19% and wholesale sales up by 14%. Direct sales to consumers have further strengthened to reach 78% of Group sales compared to 75% in the prior year period. The Jewellery Maisons were the strongest performing business area, with sales increasing by 38%, immediately followed by the Group's Other business area (primarily our Fashion & Accessories Maisons) with sales up by 37%. The Specialist Watchmakers also performed markedly well with sales increasing by 25% while the Online Distributors posted 15% sales growth. Review of trading in the three-month period ended 31 December 2021 versus the three-month period ended 31 December 2019, at constant exchange rates On a two-year basis, sales exceeded pre-Covid levels across all regions, channels and business areas. The Americas, supported by strong local demand, saw sales rise by 59%, followed by Asia Pacific with a 47% sales increase. This commendable performance was driven by double-digit growth in most locations, notably in Australia, China and South Korea, notwithstanding renewed temporary public health protection measures. Europe, with sales up by 12%, reflected solid domestic sales across the region that more than compensated for lower tourism spend compared to two years ago, notwithstanding clients from the Middle East and the USA progressively returning to Europe, notably France. The strongest growth (+65%) was generated in the Middle East and Africa, which benefited from increased domestic demand and higher tourist spend driven by Expo 2020 Dubai and the year-end holiday season. In Japan, the surge in local demand led to a 23% sales increase after two declining quarters. All channels delivered growth, led by the offline and online retail channels that recorded sales growth of 56% and 40%, respectively. This outstanding performance was driven by double-digit growth across all business areas for retail, and increases of double to triple digits for the online retail channel, depending on the business area. Retail sales were particularly robust in China, Dubai, South Korea and the USA. Sales in the wholesale channel were 4% higher than in the comparative period in 2019, sustained by significant sales in China and the USA. The stellar 57% sales progression at the Jewellery Maisons, comprised of Buccellati, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, was broad-based across product lines and price points. Sales grew double digits in all regions and across all channels. Reaping the benefits of prior investments and client-centric activities, the Specialist Watchmakers saw sales increase by 20%, with double-digit growth in most regions and watch Maisons. At the Online Distributors, sales rose by 19% reflecting strong trading at YOOX and THE OUTNET as well as the solid performance of Watchfinder. The Group's Other business area, composed primarily of the Group's Fashion & Accessories Maisons, posted a 19% increase in sales. Excluding Delvaux for comparison purposes, growth reached 11%. This noteworthy sales performance was driven by Alaia, Chloe and Peter Millar. Trading in the nine-month period ended 31 December 2021 Sales over the nine-month period to December increased by 50% at constant exchange rates and by 51% at actual exchange rates compared to the prior year period, a further improvement over the strong performance in the first six months of the financial year. A quarter-by-quarter sales overview is presented in Appendix 1. The Group's net cash position at 31 December 2021 amounted to  4.9 billion (2020:  2.9 billion). Corporate calendar



The Group's results for the financial year ending 31 March 2022 will be announced on Friday, 20 May 2022. The Group's corporate calendar is available on https://www.richemont.com/en/home/investors/corporate-calendar/ About Richemont



At Richemont, we craft the future. Our unique portfolio includes prestigious Maisons distinguished by their craftsmanship and creativity, alongside Online Distributors that cultivate expert curation and technological innovation to deliver the highest standards of service. Richemont's ambition is to nurture its Maisons and businesses and enable them to grow and prosper in a responsible, sustainable manner over the long term. Richemont operates in four business areas: Jewellery Maisons with Buccellati, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels; Specialist Watchmakers with A. Lange & Sohne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin; Online Distributors with Watchfinder & Co., NET-A-PORTER, MR PORTER, YOOX, THE OUTNET and the OFS division; and Other, primarily Fashion & Accessories Maisons with Alaia, AZ Factory, Chloe, Delvaux, dunhill, Montblanc, Peter Millar, Purdey and Serapian. Find out more at www.richemont.com. Richemont 'A' shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, Richemont's primary listing, and are included in the Swiss Market Index ('SMI') of leading stocks. Richemont South African Depository Receipts are listed in Johannesburg, Richemont's secondary listing. Investor/analyst and media enquiries



Sophie Cagnard, Group Corporate Communications Director

James Fraser, Investor Relations Executive Investor/analyst enquiries: +41 22 721 30 03; investor.relations@cfrinfo.net

Media enquiries: +41 22 721 35 07; pressoffice@cfrinfo.net; richemont@teneo.com Disclaimer The financial information contained in this announcement is unaudited. This document contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Richemont's forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's business and performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances and results. Our retail stores are heavily dependent on the ability and desire of consumers to travel and shop and a decline in consumer traffic could have a negative effect on our comparable store sales and/or average sales per square foot and store profitability resulting in impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced travel resulting from economic conditions, retail store closure orders of civil authorities, travel restrictions, travel concerns and other circumstances, including disease epidemics and other health-related concerns, could have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if such events impact our customers' desire to travel to our retail stores. As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Group's control. Richemont does not undertake to update, nor does it have any obligation to provide updates of or to revise, any forward-looking statements. (c) Richemont 2022 Appendix 1 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 Q1 (April-June) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 905 436 1 072 +108% +108% -15% -16% Asia Pacific 1 933 1 013 1 423 +95% +91% +40% +36% Americas 955 277 698 +276% +245% +47% +37% Japan 240 112 298 +138% +114% -14% -19% Middle East and Africa 364 155 249 +154% +135% +55% +46% By distribution channel Retail 2 421 1 052 1 851 +138% +130% +35% +31% Online retail 809 506 648 +67% +60% +29% +25% Wholesale & royalty income 1 167 435 1 241 +178% +168% -3% -6% By business area Jewellery Maisons 2 515 1 083 1 827 +142% +132% +43% +38% Specialist Watchmakers 849 359 823 +143% +136% +6% +3% Online Distributors 637 356 612 +86% +79% +8% +4% Other 440 204 493 +124% +116% -7% -11% Inter-segment eliminations (44) (9) (15) Total 4 397 1 993 3 740 +129% +121% +22% +18% 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 Q2 (July-September) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 1 104 798 1 149 +38% +38% -4% -4% Asia Pacific 1 856 1 543 1 306 +17% +20% +43% +42% Americas 971 623 649 +58% +56% +59% +50% Japan 286 253 349 +20% +13% -11% -18% Middle East and Africa 293 268 204 +10% +9% +49% +44% By distribution channel Retail 2 555 1 878 1 957 +35% +36% +33% +31% Online retail 824 702 612 +17% +17% +37% +35% Wholesale & royalty income 1 131 905 1 088 +25% +25% +7% +4% By business area Jewellery Maisons 2 582 1 978 1 909 +30% +31% +39% +35% Specialist Watchmakers 830 607 744 +35% +37% +13% +12% Online Distributors 641 578 567 +11% +11% +15% +13% Other 495 341 448 +45% +45% +14% +10% Inter-segment eliminations (38) (19) (11) Total 4 510 3 485 3 657 +29% +29% +26% +23% 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 Q3 (October-December) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 1 410 982 1 263 +42% +44% +12% +12% Asia Pacific 2 128 1 729 1 429 +18% +23% +47% +49% Americas 1 333 841 874 +55% +59% +59% +53% Japan 389 335 341 +22% +16% +23% +14% Middle East and Africa 398 299 249 +30% +33% +65% +60% By distribution channel Retail 3 400 2 288 2 212 +45% +49% +56% +54% Online retail 1 025 841 747 +19% +22% +40% +37% Wholesale & royalty income 1 233 1 057 1 197 +14% +17% +4% +3% By business area Jewellery Maisons 3 343 2 366 2 162 +38% +41% +57% +55% Specialist Watchmakers 977 758 818 +25% +29% +20% +19% Online Distributors 785 668 670 +15% +18% +19% +17% Other 610 436 522 +37% +40% +19% +17% Inter-segment eliminations (57) (42) (16) Total 5 658 4 186 4 156 +32% +35% +38% +36% 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 H1 (April-September) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 2 009 1 234 2 221 +62% +63% -9% -10% Asia Pacific 3 789 2 556 2 729 +47% +48% +41% +39% Americas 1 926 900 1 347 +123% +114% +53% +43% Japan 526 365 647 +56% +44% -12% -19% Middle East and Africa 657 423 453 +62% +55% +53% +45% By distribution channel Retail 4 976 2 930 3 808 +71% +70% +34% +31% Online retail 1 633 1 208 1 260 +38% +35% +33% +30% Wholesale & royalty income 2 298 1 340 2 329 +74% +71% +2% -1% By business area Jewellery Maisons 5 097 3 061 3 736 +69% +67% +41% +36% Specialist Watchmakers 1 679 966 1 567 +75% +74% +10% +7% Online Distributors 1 278 934 1 179 +39% +37% +11% +8% Other 935 545 941 +74% +72% +3% -1% Inter-segment eliminations (82) (28) (26) Total 8 907 5 478 7 397 +65% +63% +24% +20% 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 YTD (April-December) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 3 419 2 216 3 484 +53% +54% -2% -2% Asia Pacific 5 917 4 285 4 158 +35% +38% +43% +42% Americas 3 259 1 741 2 221 +90% +87% +55% +47% Japan 915 700 988 +39% +31% 0% -7% Middle East and Africa 1 055 722 702 +48% +46% +57% +50% By distribution channel Retail 8 376 5 218 6 020 +60% +61% +42% +39% Online retail 2 658 2 049 2 007 +30% +30% +35% +32% Wholesale & royalty income 3 531 2 397 3 526 +47% +47% +2% 0% By business area Jewellery Maisons 8 440 5 427 5 898 +55% +56% +47% +43% Specialist Watchmakers 2 656 1 724 2 385 +53% +54% +13% +11% Online Distributors 2 063 1 602 1 849 +29% +29% +14% +12% Other 1 545 981 1 463 +57% +57% +8% +6% Inter-segment eliminations (139) (70) (42) Total 14 565 9 664 11 553 +50% +51% +29% +26% Appendix 2: Foreign exchange rates Average exchange rates against the euro April-December

2021 April-December

2020 United States dollar 1.18 1.15 Japanese yen 131 122 Swiss franc 1.08 1.07 Renminbi 7.57 7.93 Actual exchange rates for the period are calculated using the average daily closing rates against the euro. In terms of sales at constant exchange rates, average exchange rates for the year ended 31 March 2021 are used to convert local currency sales into euros for all presented periods. Exchange rate translation effects are thereby eliminated from the reported sales performance.

End of ad hoc announcement
January 19, 2022: Oslo, Norway, PGS is awarded a seismic acquisition contract for CO 2 storage offshore Norway by Equinor on behalf of Northern Lights JV DA. Acquisition is scheduled to start in Q2 2022 and has a duration of approximately 1 month.



"Northern Lights is one of the pioneering CO 2 transport and storage companies in Europe and we are proud to contribute with our technology to their groundbreaking efforts. We established our New Energy business area early 2021 and made MultiClient data sales during the year for development of CO 2 storage projects. I am very pleased to see that we now are taking another stepin being awarded this data acquisition contract for Northern Lights," says President & CEO in PGS, Rune Olav Pedersen.

FOR DETAILS PGS, CONTACT: Bard Stenberg, VP IR & Corporate Communication

Mobile: +47 99 24 52 35





PGS ASA and its subsidiaries ("PGS" or "the Company") is an integrated marine geophysics company, which operates world-wide. The Company supports the energy industry, including oil and gas, offshore renewables and carbon storage. PGS' headquarters is in Oslo, Norway and the PGS share is listed on the Oslo stock exchange (OSE: PGS). For more information about PGS visit.

The information included herein contains certain forward-looking statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. These statements are based on various assumptions made by the Company, which are beyond its control and are subject to certain additional risks and uncertainties. The Company is subject to a large number of risk factors including but not limited to the demand for seismic services, the demand for data from our multi-client data library, the attractiveness of our technology, unpredictable changes in governmental regulations affecting our markets and extreme weather conditions. For a further description of other relevant risk factors we refer to our Annual Report for 2020. As a result of these and other risk factors, actual events and our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The reservation is also made that inaccuracies or mistakes may occur in the information given above about the current status of the Company or its business. Any reliance on the information above is at the risk of the reader, and PGS disclaims any and all liability in this respect.

--END--
THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) yesterday said it could not block Nelson Chamisa and his party from using the MDC Alliance name, dealing a blow to MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora, who is claiming sole use of the acronym.

Mwonzora is seeking to rebrand his smaller faction as MDC Alliance, the name used by Chamisa and his party in the 2018 elections.

Last week, the MDC-T wrote to Zec chairperson Priscilla Chigumba asking her to bar Chamisa and his party from using the name and symbols.

Despite leading the MDC-T, Mwonzora said last week that he planned to contest the March 26 by-elections as MDC Alliance in what analysts said was a desperate move to confuse voters.

Zec spokesperson Joyce Kazembe told NewsDay in an interview yesterday that the electoral body would not interfere with disputes between political parties over names.

We cannot block any party that would want to register with any name as long as the name brought is different from any other name that has already been registered with another political party, she said.

If there are other individuals who want to block others from using certain names which are different from theirs, we wont entertain them. As long as the MDC acronym is used without making the name similar to the other names that have already been accepted as political party names, we cant reject registration.

Chamisa has insisted that his party will contest the March 26 by-elections under the MDC Alliance ticket.

The by-elections are mostly as a result of Mwonzoras recall of MDC Alliances elected officials, accusing them of joining a rival party  the MDC Alliance.

Mwonzora has not bothered to explain the irony or double standards of his claim to the MDC-A acronym, critics say, accusing him of wanting to have his cake and eat it.

On Monday this week, the shadowy MDC Zimbabwe led by Thulani Gula Ndebele notified Zec that it would also contest the by-elections using the MDC acronym.

Mwonzora has not responded to the move.

MDC Zimbabwe was registered as a political party in November 2019, according to documents seen by NewsDay.

Kindly note that we are not a derivative of any political party or grouping. We have never been subject to any alliance agreement nor court challenges or judgments. Therefore, MDC Zimbabwe must not be conflated with those who seek to limit political participation only to those who agree with them, via a supermarket of names and identities, Ndebele said in a letter to the electoral management body.

United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean lawyer Alex Magaisa, a former adviser to the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said Mwonzora could resort to the courts to block Chamisa from registering under the MDC Alliance name.

In the past, we have seen the nomination court accepting several names with the same acronym. The electoral law requires a party to have a distinct symbol that does not resemble that of any other party, Magaisa said.

What will, however, happen is, if Zec cannot block the MDC Alliance from contesting using the MDC Alliance name, the electoral court may. Mwonzora may challenge the use of the name at the nomination court and proceed to the electoral court, where the judgment cannot be contested. There is no appeal and Zec will abide by the court ruling and stop them from using the name. Newsday
BERLIN, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Swarm Markets GmbH, the first licensed decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, announces its decentralized exchange (DEX) is now available on the Polygon Network. Trading on Polygon is a lower-cost option for users of the BaFin-regulated DEX and its existing Ethereum-based products. Swarm Markets is the first licensed automated market maker (AMM) protocol available on the layer 2 solution.

The Polygon implementation effectively removes network fees from consideration for users because it costs just a few cents per transaction, as opposed to Ethereum fees, which regularly top $100 USD per transaction. Transacting on Polygon will allow investors to swap in and out of positions more actively to better respond to market volatility.

Swarm Markets joins an industry trend to offer alternatives to Ethereum's rising network fee, alongside DEX Uniswap, NFT platform OpenSea, and metaverse market leader Decentraland who all added support for layer 2 solutions within the last year.

Philipp Pieper, co-founder of Swarm Markets, said: "Access to DeFi needs to be at a price point that isn't cost prohibitive to Main Street investors, which is why expanding our licensed AMM to layer 2 solutions is crucial. Web3 is coming for financial markets and we're building trustless infrastructure that gives people autonomy to build wealth while retaining control of their assets at all times."

Swarm Markets' native token SMT has already been ported to the Polygon blockchain, extending the DeFi platform's incentive and reward system onto the new chain. Users will get discounts on platform fees if they pay with SMT as well as earn rewards for trading and providing liquidity to swap pools.

MATIC, Polygon's native token, is among the new assets added to Swarm Markets along with a MATIC faucet, where verified users will receive a one-time transfer of enough MATIC to pay for 5-6 transactions directly from Swarm Markets. A blockchain bridge within the platform UI will help investors move assets seamlessly from Ethereum to Polygon to take advantage of the low-fee pools.

"DeFi promises to drive innovation that simply isn't possible in traditional finance, bring services to the unbanked and give regular people access to wealth management tools currently only available to elite institutions," said Sandeep Naiwal, Polygon's co-founder. He added, "As part of that mission, we are very excited to support Swarm Markets in their scaling efforts."

Swarm Markets' newly announced SX1411 token standard is also compatible with Polygon, along with other EVM-compatible blockchains. SX1411 is a highly adaptable framework for managing asset tokens. The new standard allows Swarm Markets to support tokens backed by underlying assets whether "off-chain," such as certain regulated securities, or "on-chain," like NFTs.

Timo Lehes, co-founder of Swarm Markets, said: "We're creating infrastructure, products and services that preserve the innovation of DeFi combined with the reassurance of regulation. We are driving growth of the entire DeFi ecosystem by implementing low-fee layer 2 solutions and bringing traditional financial products on-chain, like securities, to better serve consumers."

Last month, Swarm Markets announced a partnership with German bank Volksbank Mittweida to digitize bonds on the Polygon blockchain. The registered bonds are some of the first regulated securities to be issued on Polygon.

Notes to editors

Swarm Markets' unique status as a licensed entity makes it a pioneer in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) industry. Operating under the purview of the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, BaFin, Swarm Markets adheres to the same consumer protection standards as other German financial service providers.

Swarm Markets operates under regulatory license from the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) in Germany, provided to Swarm Capital GmbH Branch Office Berlin, and is supported by Swarm Markets GmbH (together "Swarm Markets").

About Swarm Markets
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber Implants, an innovative medical technology company developing next generation spinal implants for spinal injuries, today announces the successful closing of its US$10 million Series A Financing in 2021. The round was co-led by the founders and existing venture capital investors, with participation from angel investors and non-dilutive government funding.

Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the Company's revolutionary vertebral body augmentation system, VCFix, through all preclinical verification and validation tests, ISO 13485 certification, regulatory activities, and an early feasibility clinical study and a pilot and pivotal clinical trial.

In September 2021, Amber Implants was granted Breakthrough Device Designation for its VCFix spinal system by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which enables direct and interactive communications with the US FDA and priority review. Amber Implants will also have more flexibility with regards to clinical studies, a dedicated team for reviewing the application, and reimbursement through Medicare for four years.

Dr. Banafsheh Sajadi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Amber Implants, said: "We welcome the support of our high-quality investors to advance our lead product into clinical development. This funding enables us to fully validate the clinical performance of VCFix spinal system both in Europe and the US - following receipt of the Breakthrough Device Designation. We are excited to take a further step towards improving the quality of life for patients with vertebral fractures with our proprietary VCFix."

Dr. Peter Krekel, of Blue Sparrows MedTech Fund, said: "We are excited to reaffirm our commitment to Amber Implants' journey by participating in this new investment round. The Company has shown impressive progress in the run-up to their first in-human clinical trials commencing. VCFix is without doubt a ground-breaking technological advancement for the spinal market and we very much look forward to seeing the positive impact it can have."

Yearly, over four million people suffer from vertebral fractures, which cause severe back pain, limited mobility, and increased rate of mortality amongst an already vulnerable elderly population of patients. Current treatments for spinal bone fractures involve injection of synthetic polymeric cement into the fracture to stabilize it and relieve the pain. However, 50% of patients who receive this treatment suffer from complications related to this operation.

Amber Implants VCFix spinal system is the first solution to treat broad types of vertebral fractures without the need for using PMMA bone cement and aims to significantly improve patient outcomes by providing more natural bone healing and stability, offering an easier, more efficient and safer treatment for a broader type of fractures to patients.

Amber Implants

Dr. Banafsheh Sajadi, CEO

Email: info@amberimplants.com

Optimum Strategic Communications

Hollie Ville, Stella Lempidaki, Vici Rabbetts

Tel: +44 (0) 208 078 4357

Email: amber@optimumcomms.com

About Amber Implants

Amber Implants is a medical technology start-up located in the Netherlands and United States. Founded in 2018, the Company has developed the next generation of spinal implants for Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCF), and is focussed on improving patient outcomes through implants that provide more natural healing and stability. Amber Implants aims to create more unique solutions for spinal and other orthopaedic disorders in future.

About VCFix

VCFix spinal system is the first solution to treat broad types of vertebral fractures with ability to be used without bone cement. Through its 3D-printed perforated structure, VCFix implant aims to stimulate bone ingrowth, providing a more natural healing process. It is optimized for mechanical strength, maximum fracture reduction and anatomical restoration. VCFix implant provides pedicle anchorage for better stability, better distribution of loads on the middle and posterior columns of the spine and also the possibility for posterior fixation for more unstable fractures. The VCFix spinal system is provided with a user-friendly single-use sterile surgical kit for perfect traceability and reduced risks of infection. VCFix will be the new generation and an easier, more efficient and safer treatment for patients with vertebral fractures.
BOLOGNA, Italy, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the climatic difficulties that limited production, in 2021 the kiwifruit grown from the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy, continues to record the appreciation of consumers all over the world thanks to a superior quality and taste of these fruits, which settled in the 1950s and today among the first in the world. True masterpieces of nature that the project The European Art of Taste has helped to promote among consumers in China, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, thanks to the funding from the EU, CSO Italy, and leading Italian companies in the sector.

In recent years, the Italian cultivation of kiwi has seen, in fact, a continuous increase in production and dedicated hectares, reaching over 25 thousand hectares of crops, evenly distributed in Lazio (5,219 ha), Emilia Romagna (3,491 ha), Piedmont (3,182 ha), Calabria (2,620 ha) and Veneto (1,955 ha). Due to the predominance of the cultivation of green kiwi, characterized by 90% of the Hayward cultivar which extends for over 19 thousand hectares (source Agrintesa), the new types with yellow and red pulp are increasingly important.

Precisely the yellow kiwi, thanks to its sweet and aromatic flavor, is increasingly appreciated and widespread, registering a growth of + 23% in 2020 compared to the previous year, with an extension that exceeds 5 thousand hectares (Agrintesa) which, in 2021, to a production of over 75,000 tons (+ 6% on 2020).

The Italian kiwifruit market, leader in Europe in terms of production and areas invested, is stable and constantly growing especially abroad, marking a total of 295 million euros in 2021, with growth of + 12.7% compared to the year. previous (Source Istat), positive data despite the cultivation difficulties dictated by climate change which, due to late frosts, limited the yield of the fruit.

To distinguish the kiwi of European origin that concentrates production in Italy and, to a lesser extent in Greece, France and Spain, there is the great tradition of cultivation that combines the newest plant protection and production techniques with traditional care, a great quality of the fruit and the safety guaranteed by strict controls along the entire supply chain.

For further information and details: www.europeanartoftaste.com; www.europeanartoftaste.ch
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.
KAWASAKI, Japan, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Latest news from institutes affiliated with K awasaki IN novation G ateway at SKYFRONT (KING SKYFRONT) with Genopole (France) and Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion holding an online event; an interview with Mr Ryuta Nomura of the Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA) at KING SKYFRONT about "Real-world applications of 70 years of creative research are contributing to human healthcare worldwide"; and research news from SBI Pharma.

Details

https://tonomachi-ksf.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/ennewsletter/

France and Japan Collaboration Pitch on Synthetic Biology and Health

Genopole (France) and Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion held an online meeting on 26 November 2021 to share innovative ideas and technology for future collaboration.

The meeting was organized to promote business exchanges in health and welfare based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced on 5th February 2021 between Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP) and MEDICEN PARIS REGION (MPR) for "facilitating industry-industry and industry-academia partnerships."

KIIP is responsible for promoting the activities of the Kawasaki INnovation Gateway (KING SKYFRONT)-an open innovation hub that creates new industry from the world's highest standard R&D; it is one of the most advanced R&D zones for life science and environment fields, which is expected to grow globally.

Proceedings of the meeting can be viewed at the KingSkyFront Lifescience Portal YouTube site here.

https://youtu.be/35vBN6uVN80

The France and Japan Collaboration Pitch program started at 17:00 JST the followed this agenda with three speakers from each side during the two pitch sessions.

Start

17:00~17:05 Dr. Pepin (Genopole)

17:05~17:25

1. Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion

2. Genopole

Pitch Session

17:25~17:55 Moderator: Dr. Pepin (France side)

1. Abolis (Speaker: Dr. Gwenael Servant)

2. Eukarys (Speaker: Dr. Philippe Jais)

3. Hybrigenics Services (Speaker: Dr. Marie-Edith Gourdel)

17:55~18:25 Moderator: Dr. Kono (Japan side)

4. Elixirgen Scientific (Speaker: Dr. Kazuhiro Aiba)

5. Gene Therapy Research Institution (Speaker: President Katsuhito Asai)

6. Knowledge Palette (Speaker: Dr. Hiroki Danno)

18:25~18:30 Dr. Kono (KIIP)

Further details

1. MoU

https://tonomachi-ksf.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/pdf/2021120702.pdf

2. YouTube video recording of the proceedings

https://youtu.be/35vBN6uVN80

3. Genopole

https://www.genopole.com/

4. KIIP (in Japanese)

https://www.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/

5. Kawasaki SKYFRONT

https://www.king-skyfront.jp/en/

6. KING SKYFRONT iNewsletter

https://tonomachi-ksf.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/ennewsletter/

Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA) at KING SKYFRONT

Real-world applications of 70 years of creative research are contributing to human healthcare worldwide

"My father, Tatsuji Nomura established the Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA) in 1952 with the aim of contributing to medical care and medical science based on high quality animal experiment systems," says Ryuta Nomura, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CIEA. "His pioneering research laid the foundations for our global reputation as one of the world's leading institutes focused on the development and commercialization of advanced laboratory animals and germ-free animal technology."

Indeed, over the last 70 years scientists at CIEA have played pivotal roles in a wide range of international projects including WHO programs on eradicating polio; developing therapeutic solutions for muscular dystrophy; establishing protocols to validate the safety of regenerative and cellular medicine; and development of drugs for cancer and other diseases.

"The CIEA is a private and independent non-profit institute," explains Nomura. "We must raise funding for our research. We do this by commercializing the results of our research by licensing our technology. This approach is at the heart of our business model. We think that real-world applications of our research are the ultimate way of contributing to the health of human beings all over the world."

Unique animal model systems created by CIEA

Research at CIEA is conducted at four departments.

Department of Basic Research for Laboratory Animals

The Immunology Laboratory is developing severely immunodeficient mice such as NOG and next generation NOG mice also referred to as 'humanized mice' for drug discovery and safety studies.

Department of Applied Research for Laboratory Animals

Research in this department covers topics including the development of (1) human disease model mice for studying such allergies, infections, and autoimmune diseases; (2) humanized liver mice for studying diseases such as hepatitis virus and malaria for drug development; and (3) xenograft models for screening of anticancer drugs.

Department of Marmoset Biology and Medicine

Researchers of the CIEA developed for the first time in the world genetically modified marmoset in 2009 and are now producing immunodeficient marmosets exhibiting symptoms similar to X-linked immunodeficiency for use in studies on genetically modification human diseases models and new therapies and rugs.

Research at the Molecular Embryology Laboratory is focused on the use of genetically modified technology to transfuse "genes that cause Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease into fertilized eggs of marmosets through viral vectors to generate human disease models in marmosets".

Notably, scientists at the Reproductive Engineering Laboratory are also developing reproductive engineering technology, such as micromanipulation instrumentation, for the "creation of new laboratory animals".

Live Animal Imaging Center

State of the art technology at this center includes MRI, micro X-ray computed tomography (CT) and in vivo fluorescence imaging. This technology is a powerful approach for Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement ("3 Rs") for laboratory animal science, enabling non-invasive observation of temporal changes in-vivo.

International collaboration and expansion overseas

"Currently, approximately 30% of our royalties are from licenses with overseas partners," says Nomura. "We are planning to increase this by expanding collaborations with overseas institutes by opening up our facilities and technology on a global scale."

Specific examples of new areas of expansion include 'research inbound' projects, that is, undertaking experiments at the CIEA in Japan that cannot be carried out by partners in their own countries due to changes in regulations or laws; and conducting experiments that can only be done at CIEA such as using its unique MRI and egg fertilization technology.

"We also planning to push ahead with the creation of even more advanced forms of humanized mice models," explain Nomura. "Examples include multi-organ/multi-tissue mouse models and reproducing human pathology, where there is interaction and feedback between the two areas."

Specific examples for multi-organ/multi-tissue models are functional human blood immune systems; and human liver human lungs; ES/iPS derived tissues (nerves, liver, intestines, lungs, thymus, lungs). And examples for reproducing human pathology are cancer immunity; enrichment of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models; autoimmune disease infection; and iPS cells derived from patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Synchronizing CIEA's research activities with new trends in medical health and research

"Research at CIEA is continuously evolving to satisfy the needs of modern society," says Nomura. "For example, we want play a central role in finding solutions to new medical challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, creating animal models with marmosets to treat disease such as depression that is associated with side effects of COVID-19."

Other projects include diversifying CIEA technology, for example, using CIEA's highly reproducible, semi-automatic 3D system for artificial insemination. "This technology has great potential for tackling declining birthrates," says Nomura. "The success rate of human-operator based artificial insemination is only between 20 to 60%. Our technology is semi-automatic, thereby reducing human errors during the process of fertilization of eggs. This could be a major contribution to medical health globally."

Thoughts about KING SKYFRONT at Tonomachi, Kawasaki City

"CIEA was the first institute to locate at the KING SKYFRONT," says Nomura. "We decided to move to KING SKYFRONT in 2008 and opened the new research facilities in 2011. I wanted the institute to be visible from any angle, including from the sky, so I insisted on painting our CIEA logo on the roof of our facilities-360 degree visibility!"

Nomura is also the President of the KING SKYFRONT Networking Council, and plays a central role in organizing outreach events to improve the visibility of the 70 or more institutes located at KING SKYFRONT, both within Japan and globally. Examples of events include "children's summer research gatherings" where school children and their parents participate in activities organized by institutes located at KING SKYFRONT; seminars and symposia with invited speakers from all over the world with emphasis on networking sessions during the events; and smaller gatherings focused on people based at KING SKYFRONT.

"Regular networking and interaction between people from diverse backgrounds and expertise is paramount for maintaining a dynamic and creative KING SKYFRONT," says Nomura. "Significant developments within the next few years include opening of the Tamagawa Sky Bridge in March 2022 that will connect Haneda Airport with KING SKYFRONT and enable easier interaction with people both in Japan and overseas.

"I hope that this bridge will offer new business opportunities such as medical tourism and infertility treatment as part of collaborations between CIEA and health institutes located nearby including Fujita Health University. I am confident that KING SKYFRONT will continue to be one of the world's leading research hubs in the life sciences."

Further information

CIEA website

https://www.ciea.or.jp/en/

SBI Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

Publication of a Research Paper on 5-ALA from Tokyo Metropolitan University in FEBS Open Bio

Read the press release here

https://tonomachi-ksf.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/pdf/2022011104.pdf

About KING SKYFRONT

The Kawasaki INnovation Gateway (KING) SKYFRONT is the flagship science and technology innovation hub of Kawasaki City. KING SKYFRONT is a 40 hectare area located in the Tonomachi area of the Keihin Industrial Region that spans Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo International Airport (also often referred to as Haneda Airport).

KING SKYFRONT was launched in 2011 as a base for scholars, industrialists and government administrators to work together to devise real life solutions to global issues in the life sciences and environment.

Further information

KING-SKYFRONT iNewsletter Publishing Team

TONOMACHI LifeScience Cluster Division, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion Life Science & Environment research center (LiSE) 1F,

3-25-10, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi,

Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, 210-0821

Email: event-ksfcl@kawasaki-net.ne.jp

Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP)

Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion was established in 1988 funded 100% from Kawasaki City for the purpose of coping with the hollowing out of industry and changes in the demand structure. In order to realize a higher level of market development, transforming R&D type companies, training technological capabilities to support it, human resources development, understanding market needs, etc., by utilizing the functions of the Kawasaki, KIIP has been contributing to revitalize the local economy by promoting exchanges of local industry information, advancing technology and corporate exchanges with establishment of a R&D institutions, developing creative human resources through workshops and promoting businesses such as expanding sales channels through exhibition business.

https://www.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/
Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

Raiffeisen Bank International AG

 500,000,000 6yr Mortgage Covered Bond due 2028

Commerzbank AG (contact: Daniela Olt-Farrelly; telephone: +49 69 136-20) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014).

The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Raiffeisen Bank International AG Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount:  500,000,000 due 26 January 2028 Description: Bearer, soft bullet fixed-rate mortgage Covered Bond Offer price: 99.50 % Other offer terms: launched under RBI's  25bn DIP, denoms 100k/100k, listing Luxembourg, issue rating Aa1 (Moody's) Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator:

Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank

Barclays Bank

BNP Paribas

ING

Mediobanca

Raiffeisen Bank International Stabilisation period expected to have started on: 19th January 2020 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Luxembourg

In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
TOKYO, Jan 19, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - As part of the next step into the energy management business, Honda is partnering with the V2X Suisse consortium to demonstrate the vital role of electric vehicles (EVs) and bi-directional charging technology in the future of energy management.Honda will supply 50 Honda e electric vehicles to Switzerland's car sharing operator, Mobility. The Honda e units will be used as part of a car sharing fleet in a pioneering trial which uses the Honda e's bi-directional charging function to feed energy back to the grid when the vehicles are not in use for sharing. To allow bi-directional charging, Honda is also providing 35 Honda Power Manager units. These will deliver vehicle-to-grid (V2G) energy recovery capability for Mobility, at various urban and suburban sites across Switzerland.The V2X Suisse trial includes the world's first mass-deployment of the COMBO-CCS (Combined Charging System) configuration with bi-directional functionality: currently Honda e is the only electric vehicle in the European market to allow both charging and discharging, as standard, for the European charging system CCS, making the Honda e the perfect vehicle to join the fleet.Honda Power Manager is a bi-directional system that connects EVs to a power grid, enabling the collection and distribution of electricity between the two. This allows for intelligent balancing of the supply and demand of energy, including the better use of renewable sources and supports the stabilisation of the grid.In this project, a total of 50 Honda e units will be allocated to 40 stations across Switzerland. A single Honda e can feed up to 20 kilowatts of power back into the grid when plugged into a bi-directional charging station. This not only regulates power to stabilise the grid during periods of high demand and minimise bottlenecks in the distribution of energy, but also reduces the need for expensive grid expansions as demand for EV charging increases.Using a cloud-to-cloud IT platform developed by fellow consortium member sun2wheel, the Honda Power Manager units can manage the available power for each EV in 15 minute cycles to assess and regulate the flow of electricity. The scheme will enable Honda to verify the relationship between vehicle usage frequency and V2G operation, actual V2G operation time and frequency, and how this impacts on customer convenience.Honda aims to create a sustainable society with zero environmental impact by connecting electrified mobility products and energy services, whilst contributing to the 'freedom of mobility' and 'expanding the use of renewable energy'. Not only the smart electric car, but innovations such as the bi-directional Honda Power Manager charging system will become increasingly important in a future carbon neutral society where both EVs and the use of renewable energy will become commonplace.Through a real-world demonstration, Honda can conduct data collection and analysis of car sharing and V2G battery energy services, which will lead to the development of Honda's future energy services.The actual demonstration of this project will start from September 2022, and will run until the end of 2023, includes consortium members Mobility, EVTEC, sun2wheel, tiko, Novatlantis and ETH Zurich, and is supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.Source: HondaCopyright 2022 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.




Original-Research: The NAGA Group AG - von GBC AG



Einstufung von GBC AG zu The NAGA Group AG



Unternehmen: The NAGA Group AG

ISIN: DE000A161NR7



Anlass der Studie: Research Comment

Empfehlung: BUY

Kursziel: 12.75 EUR

Kursziel auf Sicht von: 31.12.2022

Letzte Ratinganderung:

Analyst: Cosmin Filker



Strong revenue and earnings growth in 2021; guidance for 2022 significantly above our expectations; estimates and share price target raised

According to preliminary figures for the past financial year 2021, The NAGA Group AG (short to: NAGA) achieved significant revenue growth as expected. Compared to the previous year, consolidated sales more than doubled to EUR 55.3 million (previous year: EUR 24.35 million), thus exceeding both the original guidance (sales guidance: EUR 50 - 52 million) and our sales estimates (GBC forecast: EUR 54.06 million). The preliminary EBITDA of EUR 12.8 million (previous year: EUR 6.57 million) also showed a significant increase. However, as the deliberate investments in customer growth led to higher marketing expenses, the preliminary EBITDA was slightly below the original EBITDA guidance (EUR 13 - 15 million) and below our estimate (GBC forecast: EUR 14.39 million).



As expected, the company not only benefited from the favourable market conditions for online brokers, but also from the implemented focus on the core business and the expanded marketing activities contributed to the success. Overall, the trading volume doubled from EUR 121 billion (2020) to over EUR 250 million (2021) and the number of new customers increased significantly to 277,000 (previous year: 122,000). On the product side, for example, NAGA Pay was introduced to the market, which is intended to integrate customers more strongly into the NAGA product world.

For the current financial year, the company has announced the introduction of new products in addition to the planned continuation of international expansion. In the first quarter of 2022, NAGAX, a new social trading platform with a focus on cryptocurrencies, is to be introduced to the market. According to its own information, every user contribution on the platform will be automatically converted into an NFT, which can be monetised. In addition, since the end of 2021, NAGA has been offering its technology to selected partner companies as part of a white label solution as a SaaS model. This is intended to generate further business.

The financing of further customer growth, possible strategic acquisitions and further product development was significantly expanded by a financing round in November 2021. With the issue of around 4.25 million shares at a price of EUR 8.00, an additional EUR 34 million was raised. Growth capital of EUR 22.7 million was already raised in September 2021 as part of a capital increase.



On this basis, the company published guidance for the current 2022 financial year for the first time in November 2021. Group turnover of EUR 95 to 105 million and EBITDA of between EUR 25 and 30 million are expected. Both figures are significantly above our previous forecast (see research report dated 8 November 2021). We are adjusting our estimates in line with the company's guidance and are thus significantly raising our revenue estimate to EUR 96.78 million (previously: EUR 81.10 million) and our EBITDA forecast to EUR 25.48 million (previously: EUR 16.99 million). Due to this higher basis, we are also raising our 2023 estimates.

Within the framework of our DCF valuation model, this results in a new target price of EUR 12.75 (previously: EUR 11.70), taking into account the last capital increase. We continue to assign the BUY rating.

Die vollstandige Analyse konnen Sie hier downloaden:

http://www.more-ir.de/d/23266.pdf



Kontakt fur Ruckfragen

GBC AG

Halderstrasse 27

86150 Augsburg

0821 / 241133 0

research@gbc-ag.de

++++++++++++++++

Offenlegung moglicher Interessenskonflikte nach  85 WpHG und Art. 20 MAR. Beim oben analysierten Unternehmen ist folgender moglicher Interessenkonflikt gegeben: (5a,11); Einen Katalog moglicher Interessenkonflikte finden Sie unter: http://www.gbc-ag.de/de/Offenlegung

+++++++++++++++

Date (time) Completion: 18/01/22 (01:02 pm)

Date (time) first transmission: 19/01/22 (09:30 am)



ubermittelt durch die EQS Group AG.

Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung bzw. Research ist alleine der Herausgeber bzw. Ersteller der Studie verantwortlich. Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss bestimmter Borsengeschafte.




ST ANDREWS, Scotland, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pneumagen, a clinical stage biotech company developing Neumifil, a pan-antiviral, intranasal drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs), today announced it has raised a further 3.8m to advance clinical development and manufacturing of its lead product Neumifil.

Neumifil is being developed to offer pan-antiviral protection against respiratory viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 with a self-administered intranasal product. Currently, Neumifil is being assessed in a Phase I study with top line results anticipated in the first half of 2022.

The latest funding round brings total capital secured to date by Pneumagen to circa 14m and will enable the Company to:

Advance further development of Neumifil into Phase II. An influenza controlled human challenge study will be conducted by hVIVO, a subsidiary of Open Orphan plc, a world leader in the testing of antivirals using human challenge study models. The study will be conducted in the United Kingdom and is planned to commence in the second half of 2022

and is planned to commence in the second half of 2022 Conduct further GMP manufacturing by FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a leading contract development and manufacturing organisation and one of the world's most renowned, high quality manufacturing companies

Conclude extended GLP toxicology studies to support the Phase II programme

The financing round was co-led by existing investors, Thairm Bio and Scottish Enterprise.

Neumifil is a unique multivalent carbohydrate binding molecule (mCBM) generated using Pneumagen's proprietary GlycoTarge technology platform that acts by binding to epithelial cell surface sialic acid receptors in the respiratory tract, thereby stopping viruses at the site of infection, reducing their ability to both enter cells in the respiratory tract and migrate to the lungs. Neumifil has shown potent anti-viral activity against a broad range of infections caused by influenza viruses, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 in pre-clinical studies, and its differentiated mechanism of action means it is less susceptible to direct viral resistance.

Douglas Thomson, CEO of Pneumagen, commented, "This further funding ensures that we can continue the rapid clinical development progress of Neumifil. Our agreements with hVIVO and FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies are significant operational advances as we execute our Phase II clinical programme in 2022."

"Neumifil has the potential to significantly improve the lives of patients suffering from viral respiratory tract infections. As a pan-antiviral, easy to use, self-administered novel treatment option, Neumifil has the potential to have a significant impact on decreasing the risk of hospitalisation and death, through the prevention and treatment of multiple respiratory viral infections, for patients who suffer from viral exacerbations of underlying chronic lung disease."

Thairm Bio's Mark Bamforth said, "We are pleased to provide this financing to Pneumagen, which reflects the great confidence we have in the Company's business strategy and execution, the highly committed management team and the significant potential of Neumifil to become a key treatment option for patients with a broad range of viral RTIs."

Kerry Sharp, Director of Growth Investments at Scottish Enterprise, said, "Having been impressed by Pneumagen's development following our initial investment in 2016, Scottish Enterprise is underlining our support for the Company and cementing our partnership with Thairm Bio through further co-investment. Helping Pneumagen scale up its clinical development and manufacturing capabilities can unlock the potential of its lead product, Neumifil."

Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman of Open Orphan, said, "We are delighted to partner with Pneumagen for this important study to test its highly promising pan-antiviral product Neumifil, using hVIVO's Influenza human challenge study model. Neumifil has the potential to be an important prophylactic and treatment against a range of viral respiratory tract infections and we look forward to working alongside Pneumagen as we bring to bear our world-leading experience in conducting these types of trials."

Paul Found, Chief Operating Officer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies UK, said, "FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is delighted to support the clinical advancement of Pneumagen's Neumifil candidate for the prevention and treatment of RTIs. Our deep expertise and capabilities in the development and optimisation of microbial-based processes will enable us to support Pneumagen as they scale-up for mid-to-late stage clinical trials."

For further information, please contact:

Pneumagen

Douglas Thomson, CEO

Email: info@pneumagen.com

MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (Financial PR)

Frazer Hall, David Dible, Sandi Greenwood

Email: Pneumagen@medistrava.com

About Pneumagen

Pneumagen is a clinical- stage biotech company developing Neumifil, its lead product, as an intranasal drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of a broad range of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs).

Neumifil is a novel, engineered multivalent Carbohydrate Binding Molecule (mCBM), which is being developed for the universal treatment of Influenza Virus (IFV), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and coronavirus infections including COVID-19. Neumifil acts by directly binding and preventing the entry of the viral pathogens into the lungs with reduced susceptibility to direct viral resistance. Neumifil was generated using Pneumagen's proprietary GlycoTarge technology that acts by stopping viruses at the site of infection, reducing their ability both to enter cells and to migrate to the lungs.

In addition to Neumifil, Pneumagen is harnessing its GlycoTargeplatform to enable the development of a pipeline of intranasal therapies targeting other infectious lung diseases.

Pneumagen was established in 2016 as a spin-out from the University of St Andrews in Scotland giving Pneumagen access to world-class scientific expertise and capabilities in viral RTI's specifically related to glycobiology.

About Thairm Bio

Thairm Bio is a Trust that invests in early-stage life science companies that show promise in developing breakthrough treatments for diseases with the potential to make a major improvement to patients' lives.

About Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's national economic development agency. It is committed to growing the Scottish economy for the benefit of all, helping create more quality jobs and a brighter future for every region.

About Open Orphan plc

Open Orphan plc (London and Euronext: ORPH) is a rapidly growing specialist contract research organisation that is a world leader in testing vaccines and antivirals using human challenge clinical trials. The Company and its subsidiaries (hVIVO and Venn Life Sciences) provide services to Big Pharma, biotech and government/public health organisations.

About FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is a global industry-leading Biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with vast experience in the development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, viral products and medical countermeasures.
LONDON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra is supporting National Bank of Greece (NBG) with its transition to the new ISO payments standard, due to come into force from November 2022. The bank is upgrading to the latest version of Finastra's Fusion Global PAYplus payments hub.

Fusion Global PAYplus will enable NBG to fully harness the richness of the new ISO 20022 standard - improving the efficiency of screening, reconciliation and payment processing, and enabling a richer customer experience for domestic as well as cross-border transactions.

"Finastra's Fusion Global PAYplus payments hub is already playing an integral payments processing role at the National Bank of Greece," explained Tal Weiser, Managing Director Sales, Global Services Payments, Finastra. "With the ISO 20022 regulatory mandates just around the corner, NBG needed the assurance they were collaborating with a partner able to successfully support their transition. Finastra's Fusion Global PAYplus will help expedite their modernization journey, giving them the tools they need to address future challenges and meet all critical deadlines."

NBG is already using Fusion Global PAYplus to process mass payments, high value payments and real-time payments and will be adopting the ISO 20022 standard across all three rails, as and when applicable. Fusion Global PAYplus supports MT to MX processing, transforming SWIFT's MT messages into ISO 20022 compliant XML-based message formats and vice versa. This will give NBG the flexibility to take a phased approach to migration, allowing them to send and receive both MT and MX formatted messages during the transition phase, and to switch to the fully-fledged MX format once they're ready to do so.

"As a long-term Finastra partner, and user of Fusion Global PAYplus, we know that we are in expert hands and that Finastra will help us meet all regulatory requirements and address new customer needs as they arise," said Babis Ermidis, Payments Sector Head at NBG. "We look forward to a seamless and successful migration to the new standard and to delivering the benefits of ISO 20022 to our customers, as well as optimizing our internal processes."

Fusion Global PAYplus has proven inbuilt transformation mechanisms to accelerate integration with other key partner systems within the bank such as Compliance and Core Banking systems. The product also offers a number of value-added services based on the ISO 20022 catalogue which can be easily integrated with the bank's customer facing channels utilizing out-of-the-box APIs.

For further information please contact:

Caroline Duff

Global Head of PR

T +44 (0)7917 613586

Ecaroline.duff@finastra.com

finastra.com

About Finastra

Finastra is building an open platform that accelerates collaboration and innovation in financial services, creating better experiences for people, businesses and communities. Supported by the broadest and deepest portfolio of financial services software, Finastra delivers this vitally important technology to financial institutions of all sizes across the globe, including 90 of the world's top 100 banks. Our open architecture approach brings together a number of partners and innovators. Together we are leading the way in which applications are written, deployed and consumed in financial services to evolve with the changing needs of customers. Learn more at finastra.com

Corporate headquarters

4 Kingdom Street

Paddington

London W2 6BD

United Kingdom

T: +44 20 3320 5000

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/967510/Finastra_Logo.jpg
THE trial date, in the matter in which politician Simba Makoni is accused of violating the Exchange Control Act, has been set.

Makonis trial will begin on February 17.

He is accused of selling products, at his Power Speed Electrical Shop in Harare, above the official rate of $88.55.

Makoni, who is jointly charged with his company, appeared before Harare regional magistrate, Stanford Mambanje.

The Exchange Control Act prohibits the selling, displaying and offering of goods or services for sale, above the official exchange rate in Zimbabwe.

It is said that on October 6 last year, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe received information that some companies were procuring foreign currency at the forex auction, and selling their products above the official exchange rate.

The Reserve Bank Exchange Control Department deployed its officers who approached a number of retail outlets.

The following day, John Mashal Chinembiri and Tanaka Lincoln Sanyamahwe, from the Reserve Bank Financial Intelligence Unit Department, visited Makonis shop.

Chinembiri bought 750ml of Benzine for $423,65 while Sanyamahwe purchased the same product for US$2,42.

The State alleged the two were issued with point of sale receipts reflecting a rate of $175 per US$1.

This was in contrast to the official exchange rate of $88,55 to the United States dollar, which was prevailing on October 5, 2021.

Meanwhile, Best Zone Pharmacy, represented by its director Isaac Chipako, appeared before the same court, facing the same allegations.

Chipakos trial date was set for February 9. The court heard that Best Zone pharmacy sold Benylin cough syrup for $1260 or US$7, which was at a rate of $180 per United States dollar.

This was in contrast to the official $88.52 per United States dollar. Lancelot Mutsokoti appeared for the State. H Metro
19 January 2022



Acron Group's Output Up 6% in 2021

The Group's Consolidated Output

(including operating results for Acron, Dorogobuzh,

and North-Western Phosphorous Company)

Product, '000 t 2021 2020 YOY, % MINERAL FERTILISERS Ammonia 2,909 2,729 6.6% Incl. in-house consumption 2,845 2,617 Nitrogen fertilisers, including 5,058 4,707 7.5% Incl. in-house consumption 921 690 AN 2,241 2,430 -7.8% Incl. in-house consumption 339 213 Urea 1,463 1,180 23.9% Incl. in-house consumption 582 477 Incl. prilled urea 400 485 -17.5% Incl. in-house consumption 17 16 Incl. granulated urea 529 261 102.7% Incl. in-house consumption 32 26 UAN 1,354 1,096 23.5% Complex fertilisers, including 2,625 2,372 10.7% Incl. in-house consumption 61 52 NPK 2,406 2,236 7.6% Incl. in-house consumption 61 52 Bulk blends 219 136 61.0% Total commercial output for Mineral Fertilisers 6,765 6,448 4.9% INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS Organic compounds, including 474 423 12.1% Incl. in-house consumption 246 213 Methanol 105 98 7.7% Incl. in-house consumption 91 78 Formalin 169 151 12.4% Incl. in-house consumption 150 131 Urea-formaldehyde resins 199 174 14.3% Incl. in-house consumption 6 4 Non-organic compounds, including: 1,187 1,035 14.6% Low-density and technical-grade AN 469 318 47.5% Industrial urea 170 140 22.1% Calcium carbonate 483 515 -6.3% Liquid carbon dioxide 57 55 3.1% Argon 7 7 -2.3% Total commercial output for Industrial Products 1,415 1,245 13.6% RAW PHOSPHATES Apatite concentrate 1,255 1,182 6.1% Incl. in-house consumption 950 900 Total commercial output for Apatite Concentrate 305 283 7.9% TOTAL COMMERCIAL OUTPUT 8,485 7,976 6.4%

Note:

Commercial output is output less in-house consumption.

Chairman of Acron's Board of Directors Alexander Popov commented on the results:

'Acron Group set a new record in 2021, ramping up commercial output 6% year-on-year to 8.5 million tonnes and outstripping the target set a year ago. As a key milestone in 2021 we can name completed Urea-6+ project that brought urea output to record 1.6 million tonnes.

'Looking forward, we want to use the upward momentum of mineral fertiliser prices in 2021 and both accelerate ongoing investment projects and kick off new ones.

'Upgrades to ammonia units 2 and 3 and urea units 1 through 4 are underway at Acron's Novgorod-based site. We plan to complete these projects in 2023, which will boost ammonia capacity by 375 ktpa and urea capacity by 390 ktpa. At the same time, we will construct a second urea granulation unit.

'In 2022, we plan to complete construction of a 100-ktpa calcium nitrate unit. We are undertaking production of this new water-soluble fertiliser in response to client demand around the world.

'The Dorogobuzh site will see technical upgrades at its ammonia unit and the completion of a new nitric acid unit, which will result in a higher ammonium nitrate output and allow us to increase supplies to the domestic market, where this nitrogen fertiliser is traditionally popular.

'We expect the Group's commercial output to reach 8.7 million tonnes in 2022'.

Performance Analysis

In 2021, Acron Group's total commercial output was up 6% to 8,485,000 tonnes. This increase was mainly due to a number of investment projects implemented at the Group's Novgorod-based site in the recent years, including construction of a urea granulation unit in mid-2020, a capacity increase at the Ammonia-4 unit in late 2020, and a comprehensive overhaul of the Urea-6 unit in 2021. These efforts boosted output of nitrogen mineral fertilisers, industrial urea, and ammonium nitrate.

The Group's mineral fertiliser output was up 5% to 6,765,000 tonnes last year. Industrial product output increased 14% to 1,415,000 tonnes following the Group's success at promoting industrial-grade urea and ammonium nitrate in international markets. Output of these products was up 40% to 640,000 tonnes.

In 2021, the Group's ammonia output was up 7% to 2,909,000 tonnes, and the volume of ammonia processed through to end products increased to 98% from 96%.

As production of industrial-grade ammonium nitrate went up last year, the Group saw an 8% dip in output of agricultural-grade ammonium nitrate to 2,241,000 tonnes. Output of agricultural-grade urea, however, was up 24% to 1,463,000 tonnes. The Group launched production of granulated urea in 2020 and doubled its output in 2021 year-on-year to 529,000 tonnes. UAN output was up 24% year-on-year to 1,354,000 tonnes due to a better price environment.

The Group's output of complex fertilisers was up 11% in 2021 to 2,625,000 tonnes, backed by both a favourable price environment and increased production of apatite concentrate at the Oleniy Ruchey mine, where output was up 6% to 1,255,000 tonnes.

Market Trends

Global urea prices soared in Q4 2021. FOB Baltic Sea prices reached an all-time record high of USD 900 per tonne after a significant jump in natural gas prices with associated shutdowns of some capacity in Europe and export restrictions in China, Egypt, and Russia. Prices were further supported by strong demand from India and Brazil and high demand for urea in the industrial sector. In January 2022, urea prices adjusted as the import season came to a close in India and Brazil. That said, prices continue to be supported by high gas prices in Europe and export restrictions in China, Russia, and Egypt.

Like urea, ammonium nitrate and UAN prices increased rapidly in Q4 2021. FOB Baltic Sea prices set new records (USD 750 and USD 630 per tonne of AN and UAN respectively) backed by higher urea prices, which serve as a benchmark for these fertilisers, and higher production costs for these products in Europe resulting from soaring gas prices. Despite these issues, Russian producers continue to meet their commitments to support the domestic market and supply fertilisers to Russian growers at prices far below the global market.

NPK prices were on the rise in Q4 2021, driven mainly by higher prices for the basic products (urea, DAP, and potassium chloride). The increase in basic product prices outstripped blends because of their higher liquidity, so NPK 16-16-16 sold at a 5% discount to the basic product basket despite its historical average premium of about 20%. The premium over the basic products is expected to return to normal in the coming months.

Average Indicative Prices, USD/t, FOB Baltic/Black Sea

Q4 2021 Q3 2021 Q4 2020 Q4 2021 /

Q3 2021



change Q4 2021 /

Q4 2020



change NPK 16-16-16 579 425 262 36.2% 121.0% AN 646 309 166 109.1% 289.2% UAN 612 308 119 98.7% 414.3% Urea 807 445 234 81.3% 244.9% Ammonia 822 571 211 44.0% 289.6%

2021 2020 2021/2020 NPK 16-16-16 416 256 62.5% AN 355 167 112.6% UAN 356 125 184.8% Urea 480 222 116.2% Ammonia 543 204 166.2%

Media contacts:

Sergey Dorofeev

Anastasia Gromova

Tatiana Smirnova

Public Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 777-08-65 (ext. 5196)

Investor contacts:

Ilya Popov

Investor Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 745-77-45 (ext. 5252)

Background Information

Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It owns transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic seaport terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acron subsidiary North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP) holds mining leases and an exploration permit for ten parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish Grupa Azoty S.A., one of the largest chemical producers in Europe.

In 2020, the Group sold 7.8 million tonnes of its main products to 74 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe, and the United States as key markets.

In 2020, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 119,864 million (USD 1,661 million), with EBITDA of RUB 35,311 million (USD 489 million). Acron's shares are traded on the Moscow Exchange, and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs over 11,000 people.r

For more information about Acron Group, please visit www.acron.ru/en.
After reaching unicorn status in 2021, Lattice continues to grow at record rates as people strategy continues to be a top priority for companies succeeding in the new world of work.

LONDON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lattice, the leading people management platform for businesses with people-first cultures, today announced a new valuation of $3 billion after closing a $175 million round of funding from Thrive Capital, Elad Gil, Tiger Global, and Dragoneer.

Lattice CEO and co-founder Jack Altman said that Lattice decided to take on additional capital less than 10 months after closing a Series E round in March 2021 to continue to fuel the company's rapid growth across industries and geographies, and advance its product offerings.

"This new funding is a vote of confidence in Lattice's belief that the world is ready for a new generation of people management products that put the employee's interests first," said Altman. "Employees have more choice than ever before, and they're exercising that agency to choose jobs that meet their expectations for growth and fulfillment. Companies that embrace this and build their people systems with the success of their employees at the center are the ones that will thrive in the new world of work."

The new funding round was also joined by existing investors Founders Fund, HighSage Ventures, Shasta Ventures, Fuel Capital, Khosla Ventures, and several new angel investors. The new investment brings Lattice's total funding to over $330 million.

The importance of people strategy has taken center stage as the world of work continues to place emphasis on the importance of the employee by increasing emphasis on their growth, development, and holistic well-being. This trend, accelerated by the pandemic, represents a shift in methodologies of how organisations support and empower their people.

"We've seen a few broad trends come together in recent years - the rise of remote work, the evolution of the role of HR - that have fueled the HR market," said Elad Gil, Entrepreneur and Investor. "Lattice's approach of creating a broad suite of interconnected offerings has resonated and led to really exciting growth."

People strategy is no longer only a concern of Human Resource departments - attracting, developing, and retaining top talent needs to be a company-wide effort in order to better accomplish company goals. With more companies switching to hybrid and remote work models, building strong company culture is also becoming increasingly complex.

About Lattice

Lattice is the people management platform that enables people leaders to develop engaged, high-performing teams. By combining continuous performance management, employee engagement, development, and growth in one solution, HR and People teams get powerful, real-time analytics that leads to actionable insights turning managers into leaders, employees into high-performers, and companies into the best places to work. Based in San Francisco, Lattice serves over 3,700 customers including Slack, Monzo, and Tide. Learn more about Lattice by visiting: www.lattice.com.

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GHENT, Belgium, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading inverter solution supplier for renewables, showcased its flagship residential 1-phase and 3-phase PV and storage solutions for European households at InterSolution 2022 in Belgium on January 19-20, facilitating the step of the company to the further push the local energy revolution.

The 2050 European carbon neutrality target for Europe is a strong driver for energy storage systems. Tailored to various residential scenarios, Sungrow offers both 1-phase and 3-phase Solutions, opening the possibility to get both, Hybrid inverter plus Battery, delivered from one manufacturer. This offers some clear benefits for the installer but also for the end-customer: one manufacturer means one point of contact for the whole system. This may refer to installation, commissioning, service request or warranty conditions.

Beyond Effortless

The new Battery is designed in a modular and user-friendly way. Each battery module weighs only 33 kg and it's assembled just by placing the modules on top of each other, no wiring required. The new installation video guides through all required steps of the installation and shows how fast and easy a battery installation may be.

In the 1-phase Solution, the minimum battery capacity starts at 9.6 kWh which corresponds to 3 battery modules and can be scaled up to 19.2 kWh which refers to 6 modules per battery; while in the 3-phase Solution, the modular battery can be scaled up to 25.6 kWh which refers to 8 modules per battery.

Furthermore, the plug-and-play design ensures easy installation that can be carried out by only one installer in most countries.

Beyond Versatile

The combination of Hybrid Inverter plus Battery from Sungrow offers an optimized residential backup experience, with a seamless transition of only 10ms (1-phase Solution) or 20ms (3-phase Solution) when there is a power outage. Since the price of electricity fluctuates, the energy storage system can be instructed to absorb electricity when it is cheap and release electricity when it is expensive in order to generate revenue for the customer.

Furthermore, the system with hybrid inverter is also easy to be retrofitted in a grid-connected home that already owns a PV installation, adding battery storage.

Beyond Safe

The new 1-phase inverters also feature the built-in PID recovery function, that allows the inverter to compensate for the power loss of the PV modules due to the PID polarization decay at night.

It also comes with AFCI technology - in case of an arc fault, the inverter's switches open and interrupt the circuit, improving personal safety, protecting equipment, and preventing damage to the solar system.

Another highlight of the 1-phase and 3-phase Solution is the new communication device, WiNet-S. The WiNet module combines Ethernet and WiFi connections in one port. The device sends fresh data to the free of charge monitoring platform iSolarCloud every 10 seconds. With this capability, the customer can check the energy flow and self-consumption in near real time, being totally in control of his renewable energy production.

The Benelux is one of the most vibrant markets in Europe, "Residential is growing here and by developing exactly these products Sungrow shows real commitment to the Benelux market," Jeremy Powell, Director of Distribution, Sungrow Europe.

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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SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global mutation detection kits in genome editing market size is expected to reach USD 455.1 million by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 17.3% from 2021 to 2028. Technological advancements in gene modification technologies, growing adoption of personalized medicine, and increasing demand for synthetic genes and GMOs have majorly driven the market.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

The CRISPR/Cas9 technology segment accounted for the largest revenue in 2020 and is expected to continue the trend in the forecast period. This can be attributed to the various advantages offered by this technique, along with expanding applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 technique

By end-use, academic and research institutes held the largest revenue share in 2020. This is attributed to the increasing R&D activities by these end-users in the genomics space

The CROs end-use segment is expected to witness significant growth throughout the forecast period. There exists a considerable demand for contract service providers for gene editing. An increasing number of startups and emerging companies engaged in the gene-editing process has fueled the demand for CROs in this market

North America has emerged as the highest revenue-generating region in 2020 owing to the presence of key players and developed healthcare infrastructure

Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR throughout the forecast period. India and South Korea are majorly contributing to the regional market growth

Read 100 page market research report, "Mutation Detection Kits In Genome Editing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (CRISPR/Cas9, TALENs/MegaTALs, ZFN, Meganucleases), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

The advent of CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease, TALEN, and ZFN allows easy and precise genome modification with no limitation by organisms. In recent times, this space has witnessed a slew of news emerging surrounding the advancement and application of gene editing tools for genetic disease treatment. For instance, in February 2021, researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago developed a new gene-editing tool that the programming of sequential cuts or edits over time.

COVID-19 has become a catalyst for the mutation detection kits market growth. Owing to the pandemic, the leading scientific community and market competitors are now focusing on deciphering the potential of gene editing techniques to prevent COVID-19 infection. CRISPR technology has been studied as a viable tool to alleviate the adverse impact of the pandemic and virus mutation. CRISPR can be utilized in various ways that can contribute to improving human health.

The TALENs/MegaTALs technology segment is expected to witness gradual growth from 2021 to 2028. The development of TALENs has led to major advancements in new therapy development. This technique is found to have more advanced potential gene therapy applications. The scientific community as well as operating players in the gene therapy market are showing a continued interest in the implementation of meganucleases in therapy development. Key players in the market are undertaking various strategic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions and new product development to maintain their market presence.

Market Segmentation:

Grand View Research has segmented the global mutation detection kit in genome editing market on the basis of technology by application, end-use, and region:

Mutation Detection Kit In Genome Editing Technology by Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2017 - 2028)

CRISPR/Cas9



Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Analysis





Disease Genotyping





Typing of Transgenic Plants





Therapy Development





Epigenetic Editing



ZFN



Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Analysis





Disease Genotyping





Typing of Transgenic Plants





Therapy Development





Epigenetic Editing



TALENs/MegaTALs



Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Analysis





Disease Genotyping





Typing of Transgenic Plants





Therapy Development





Epigenetic Editing



Meganucleases



Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Analysis





Disease Genotyping





Typing Of Transgenic Plants





Therapy Development





Epigenetic Editing



Others

Mutation Detection Kit In Genome Editing End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2017 - 2028)

Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies



Academic and Government Research Institutes



Contract Research Organizations

Mutation Detection Kit In Genome Editing Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Thousand, 2017 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



Germany





U.K.





France





Spain





Italy



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





India





South Korea



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico



Middle East & Africa

&

South Africa





Saudi Arabia

List of Key Players of Mutation Detection Kit In Genome Editing Market

Takara Bio Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Lucigen

Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.

GenScript

Promega Corporation

Synthego

Applied Biological Materials, Inc. (abm)

New England Biolabs

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Biovision Inc.

AddGene

Check out more studies related to gene editing & engineering, published by Grand View Research:

Genome Editing Market Report | 2021-28 - The global genome editing market size was valued at USD 3.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing implementation of CRISPR genome editing technology coupled with rising synthetic gene demand in diverse biotechnology domains has primarily driven the market growth over the past few years.

- The global genome editing market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9% from 2021 to 2028. Increasing implementation of CRISPR genome editing technology coupled with rising synthetic gene demand in diverse biotechnology domains has primarily driven the market growth over the past few years. Gene Amplification Technologies Market Report | 2021-28 - The global gene amplification technologies market size was valued at USD 26.28 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.0% from 2021 to 2028. The growing need for research and development in the field of molecular diagnostics, genomics, biological research, and genetic testing is a key factor fueling market growth.

- The global gene amplification technologies market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.0% from 2021 to 2028. The growing need for research and development in the field of molecular diagnostics, genomics, biological research, and genetic testing is a key factor fueling market growth. CRISPR And Cas Genes Market Report | 2021-28 - The global CRISPR and cas genes market size was valued at USD 1.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.7% from 2021 to 2028.

Browse Through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Biotechnology Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

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Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

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Research done by the University of the Free State (UFS) has shown that Grade 1 learners not only experience visual problems, but also developmental coordination disorder. Teachers and parents can help to identify this.







In the first study published in the South African Journal of Child Health (https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJCH.2021.v15i1.1705 (https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJCH.2021.v15i1.1705)), Dr Monique de Milander, Lecturer in Exercise and Sport Sciences at the UFS, led research on (ADHD) (ADHD) and visual and motor control difficulties.







"Visual problems are often overlooked and are seen as a hidden disability. Thus, children are labelled as ADD/ADHD, but in fact, they have learning-related visual problems. Our eyes connect the world with the brain, and we receive 80-90% of information from our eyes. Consequently, visual problems lead to poor vision, and these visual problems will interfere with children's ability to learn in the classroom," she explains.







During the study, ADHD symptoms were found to be significantly associated with half of the visual functioning difficulties. These skills include fixation - the ability to fixate on a stationary object with both eyes - in addition to fixating with the eyes independently.







Ocular alignment of the right eye was indicated as a problem - the ability of the two eyes to work together in order to view an object clearly. Therefore, the eyes must move in a coordinated manner. Visual tracking was the skill that the children struggled with the most in both screening tests; thus, to follow a moving object. This was found for both eyes - the right eye on an X shape, and the left eye on a circle.







She added that science suggests that although children at the age of five or six can perform a variety of manipulative skills such as catching, throwing, kicking, and hitting, the manipulative skills that require visual tracking or the ability to intercept moving objects, develop somewhat later (eight years) due to the sophisticated visual-motor requirements.







Furthermore, although maturation plays a role in achieving these skills, children need opportunities to practise the skills in a variety of settings. Parents and teachers should encourage children to take part in physical activities and sports, in addition to proper instruction on how to perform the manipulative skills.







How will these visual difficulties be identified?







It is important to note that children can fixate, visually pursue objects, and reach accurate decisions about the size and shape of an object; however, some refining still has to take place. In other words, the perceptual abilities of the young child are not yet complete. Some examples of visual perception problems in a young child, as indicated by perceptual motor skills involving the eyes, are as follows:







1. Using control to intercept a ball



2. Interchanging letters and numbers



3. Poor perception of moving objects



4. Poor figure-ground perceptual abilities



5. Distance perception



6. Anticipating timing







What is the next step after identifying visual difficulties?







The first aspect to take into consideration is the age of the child, since we now know that their perceptual abilities need to be refined. If the problem continues, screening tests can be done. If the child is at risk, it is recommended that the parent see an optometrist who specialises in visual problems.







How does one assist a child with ADHD in the classroom?







Five tips for teaching students with ADHD:



1. Change activities frequently to accommodate short attention span



2. Use a positive behaviour modification programme to keep student focused on task



3. Incorporate 3-5 min of conscious relaxation at the end of the physical education period



4. Give brief instructions



5. Use activities that promote cooperation among all students







In another study led by Dr De Milander and published in the South African Journal of Childhood Education (https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/930), the early identification of learners with developmental coordination disorder was researched.











In children experiencing poor motor skills (fine and gross motor coordination difficulties), without evidence of a neurological disorder and which cannot be linked to a general medical difficulty such as cerebral palsy or a pervasive development disorder, the low motor skills are significant - to such an extent that it interferes with their social competence, academic performance, and physical development, leading to problems with completing daily activities, Dr De Milander explains.







The characteristics of developmental coordination disorder are:







 Experiencing problems getting dressed and tying shoelaces



 Finding it difficult to run, skip, or jump



 Experiencing problems with visual perception



 Poor pencil grip



 Slow and hesitant movement



 Poor spatial concepts about in front, behind, next to, below, and above



 Unable to catch or kick a ball



 Finding it difficult to work in group context







She gives the following advice: Children should be motivated and challenged to participate in simple, yet enjoyable and relaxing physical activities. The focus should be on the child's strengths and not his/her weaknesses. Allow the child to play regularly in sandboxes and with clay. Improve the child's ball skills by catching and throwing. Motor skills must be learnt through simple mastery steps. Improve the child's movement skills and make participation in movement activities enjoyable and challenging. Concentrate on reaction skills and play in which the child can participate. In extreme cases, specialised treatment by an occupational therapist and a kinderkineticist is important.







It is important to know that children do not outgrow these disorders as previously believed; therefore, many children still experience these difficulties as adolescents. Thus, if your child is experiencing any problems, take cognisance of the problem and address it as soon as possible. Professionals such as kinderkineticists are available in private practice and at various schools to assist your child in improving a variety of deviations. The kinderkineticist can evaluate your child through a standardised test to determine the problem, and then suggest an intervention to address the specific problem, as well as to prevent secondary problems such as low self-esteem, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, etc., which are associated with these disorders.







For help, visit the website of the South African Professional Institute for Kinderkinetics (https://kinderkinetics.co.za/ (https://kinderkinetics.co.za/)) where you will be able to find a kinderkineticist in your area.







Kinderkinetics is a profession aimed at promoting and optimising the neuromotor development of young children (0-13 years) through science-based physical activity. All programmes within this profession have a preventative, stimulating, developing, and rehabilitative nature. In summary, it has the following goals:







 Promoting functional growth and proper motor development in young children.



 Focusing on certain movement activities to promote/facilitate sport-specific skills.



 Implementing appropriate rehabilitation programmes for children with growth and/or developmental disabilities in order to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.




19 January 2022

Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc

( "QBT" or "the Company")

Sipiem Court Hearing Update

The board of Quantum Blockchain Technologies (AIM: QBT) is pleased to update shareholders on the latest hearing regarding the legal action started by Sipiem SpA ("Sipiem"), which was subsequently acquired by Clear Leisure 2017 Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company), against Sipiem's previous board and internal audit committee.

On 12 January 2022, the parties appeared before the Venice Court (the "Court") and as anticipated during the last hearing, the Judge granted the parties the right to file their comments on the Court appointed independent expert's Report ("Report"). In particular, regarding the proposed damage estimations in the Report, the damages caused to Sipiem may exceed 7 million, according to the Report.

As a result of the hearing, the following timeline was established:

by 27 January 2022 , the parties' experts shall file their comments on the estimated level of damages;

, the parties' experts shall file their comments on the estimated level of damages; by 28 February 2022 , the Court appointed independent expert will file an updated Report taking into account the comments of the parties' experts;

, the Court appointed independent expert will file an updated Report taking into account the comments of the parties' experts; on 4 May 2022 , the final hearing will be held, where the parties shall present their finalised requests to the Court.

Following the 4 May 2022 hearing, and unless the Judge deems it appropriate to carry out a further discovery activity, the parties will then have approximately an aggregate of 80 calendar days to file their final written arguments and replies. The Court will then pass its judgement, which the Company reasonably expects before the end of 2022 (bar further discovery activity if needed or other unexpected events).

Francesco Gardin, CEO and Chairman of QBT, commented, "Once again, we are very pleased with the outcome of this intermediate hearing, especially in relation to the fast-track schedule for the next steps of this legal action.

"The Company maintains a confident outlook on the merit of the legal claim, and will, in the meantime, continue working on its new strategy focused on Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Cryptocurrencies and Quantum Computing."

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.

For further information please contact:

Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc

Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman +39 335 296573

SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nominated Adviser & Broker)

Jeff Keating +44 (0)20 3470 0470

Leander (Financial PR)

Christian Taylor-Wilkinson +44 (0) 7795 168 157

About Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc

QBT (AIM: QBT) is an AIM listed investment company which has recently realigned its strategic focus to technology related investments, with special regard to Quantum computing, Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and AI sectors. The Company has commenced an aggressive R&D and investment programme in the dynamic world of Blockchain Technology, which includes cryptocurrency mining and other advanced blockchain applications.
Babylon (NYSE: BBLN) today announced completion of its acquisition of DayToDay Health ("DayToDay") to provide Babylon members with DayToDay's digital-first, highly engaging programs and clinical services prior to and following scheduled surgeries, major health events like childbirth, and following diagnosis of chronic conditions.

Although almost all care and recovery journeys extend beyond hospital and clinic walls, there is little support available for most people during their crucial recovery period. DayToDay solves this need by providing patients targeted education, communication and clinical support from a personal care team before or after clinical visits, hospitalizations, or surgeries. Having served thousands of acute care patients who had significant medical issues, DayToDay's health management has shown significant benefits*. For example, the company has been able to keep rehospitalization rates below 4%, while the industry average is close to 15%, and cut down the expected wound infection rates by 93%. Babylon will integrate DayToDay's scalable capabilities into its existing digital-first healthcare offering to support members as they prepare for and recover from medical interactions, no matter where they may be located.

"We're excited to welcome the DayToDay team into Babylon, as both companies work toward the same goal of leveraging technology to enhance the patient experience," said Ali Parsa, Founder CEO of Babylon. "As we continue to evolve our value-based care services and empower our members to take control of their health, the addition of pre- and post-surgical care will help our members at a significant period of needs, improving overall accessibility, quality and affordability outcomes."

Babylon's team of clinicians, doctors, and nurses will oversee the implementation of DayToDay's pre- and post-operative care management, ensuring end-to-end care coordination and the right treatment at the right time. This will allow clinicians to care and support patients within hospital settings more efficiently and send them home knowing they'll receive guidance through the imperative recovery process, a time when people often need care assistance most.

"Joining Babylon will empower DayToDay to scale its robust platform to clinical areas by deploying its proven platform to the Babylon customer base," said Prem Sharma, CEO of DayToDay Health. "Working together, we can tap into Babylon's AI capabilities and improve the virtual care experience for both patients and providers alike."

Headquartered in Boston, DayToDay was founded in 2018 by a team of engineers, scientists and clinicians during their time at MIT with the goal of managing virtual patient care specifically acute, post-surgical, and out-of-hospital care. DayToDay's team will join the Babylon team to lend their technical expertise, and to help merge DayToDay's guiding mission to create the ultimate patient care experience for anybody, anywhere in the world, with Babylon's mission to provide accessible and affordable healthcare care to every person on Earth.

based on 3,254 acute care patients who had significant medical issues in their most recent year.

About Babylon

Babylon is one of the world's fastest growing digital healthcare companies whose mission is to make high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every person on Earth.

Babylon is re-engineering how people engage with their care at every step of the healthcare continuum. By flipping the model from reactive sick care to proactive healthcare through the devices people already own, it offers 24 million people globally ongoing, always-on care. Babylon has already shown that in environments as diverse as the developed UK or developing Rwanda, urban New York or rural Missouri, for people of all ages, it is possible to achieve its mission by leveraging its highly scalable, digital-first platform combined with high quality, virtual clinical operations to provide integrated, personalized healthcare.

Founded in 2013, Babylon's technology and clinical services is supporting a global patient network across 15 countries, with 15 languages available. And through a combination of its value-based care model, Babylon 360, and its work in primary care through NHS GP at Hand, Babylon will manage over 350k lives globally by 2022. In the first half of 2021 alone, Babylon helped a patient every 5 seconds, with approximately 1.7 million AI interactions and 1.3 million consultations. Importantly, this was achieved with more than a 95% user retention rate and 5 star rating from circa 90% of our users.

Babylon is already working with governments, health providers, employers and insurers across the globe in order to provide them with a new infrastructure that any partner can use to deliver high-quality healthcare with lower costs and better outcomes. For more information, please visit www.babylonhealth.com.

About DayToDay

DayToDay was started as a research project at MIT in 2018. The company was founded by Prem Sharma, a serial entrepreneur, and Dr. Khalid Aljabri, a cardiologist at Tufts Medical Center, during their time at MIT through the Delta-V accelerator program.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. 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 include, without limitation, information concerning Babylon's possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, debt levels, competitive position, industry environment and potential growth opportunities.

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 of Babylon's management's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to our ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the DayToDay and other acquisitions, which may be affected by, among other things, our ability to integrate operations, resources and systems, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain management and key employees; our future financial and operating results; the growth of our business and organization; our failure to compete successfully; our dependence on our relationships with physician-owned entities to hold contracts and provide healthcare services; our ability to maintain and expand a network of qualified providers; our ability to attract new customers and expand member enrollment with existing clinical services and Babylon 360 customers; our ability to retain existing customers and existing customers' willingness to license additional applications and services from us; a significant portion of our revenue comes from a limited number of customers; a portion of our revenue is subject to the achievement of performance metrics and healthcare cost savings and may not be representative of revenue for future periods; the significant risks associated with estimating the amount of revenue that we recognize under our value-based care agreements with health plans; the impact of COVID-19 or any other pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease in the United States or worldwide on our business; and the other risks and uncertainties identified in Babylon's Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 9, 2021, as amended by any filings on Form F-1/A, and in other documents filed or to be filed by Babylon with the SEC and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Babylon cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive and cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, Babylon does not undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005359/en/

Contacts:

Media

Adam Davison: press@babylonhealth.com



Investors

Kathy Kress: investors@babylonhealth.com
Lunaphore, a Swiss life sciences company developing technology to enable spatial biology in every laboratory, today announced the appointment of Janis M. Taube, M.D., M.Sc., a leading pathologist and expert on immunotherapy research, to its Scientific Advisory Board. As an advisor, Dr. Taube will provide strategic advisory support to Lunaphore's scientific activities and product portfolio development.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005555/en/

Janis Taube, M.D., M.Sc. (Photo: Lunaphore)

"Janis is a trailblazer and highly regarded expert in pathology and immunotherapy research, and we are excited to work with her to build visibility of our products in laboratories around the world," said Diego G. Dupouy, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer of Lunaphore. "We are proud to have convened a world-class group of scientific advisors to help advance our scientific and product development strategy."

Dr. Taube is the Director of the Dermatopathology division of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She also serves as a Professor of Dermatology, Professor of Oncology, and Professor of Pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Taube holds additional roles as Co-Director of the Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory at the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy as well as Co-Director of the Mark Foundation Center for Advanced Genomics and Imaging.

Her research primarily focuses on immune evasion by solid tumors-specifically studying the PD-1/PD-L1 axis-and the identification of potential biomarkers that predict response to novel immunotherapies. She developed the PD-L1 immunohistochemical assay and scoring system for the first in-human anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 clinical trials, versions of which are now FDA approved and mainstays of cancer treatment.

"I firmly believe that the next generation of biomarkers will involve spatially resolved and quantitative analysis of the immunological landscape of tumors," said Dr. Taube.

Dr. Taube earned an M.D. at Tulane University School of Medicine and completed her residency in anatomic pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed a fellowship in dermatopathology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

To learn more about Lunaphore, please visit: https://lunaphore.com/

Disclaimer:

1 Participation by Janis Taube as an advisor to Lunaphore does not constitute or imply endorsement of Lunaphore by Johns Hopkins University.

About Lunaphore

Lunaphore Technologies S.A. is a Swiss company born in 2014 with the vision of enabling spatial biology in every laboratory. Lunaphore has developed a game-changing chip technology which can extract spatial proteomic and genomic data from tumors and transform any simple assay into multiplex spatial biology without complexity. Lunaphore empowers researchers to push the boundaries of research to ultimately develop the next generation personalized therapies. For further information on Lunaphore and its products, please visit www.lunaphore.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005555/en/

Contacts:

For further information contact:

Irene Tamayo

Lunaphore Corporate Communications

Email: communications@lunaphore.com
Data storage management company adopts quality management framework favored by automotive, enterprise, aerospace manufacturers

HELSINKI, Jan. 19, 2022, a world leader in quality-assured data storage management and networking technologies, is pleased to announce it has received ISO 9001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS).

As the most widely used QMS standard across the world, ISO 9001 is a set of specific standards based on seven broad management principles. It creates a framework that helps ensure the quality of a company's products and services and that the company consistently meets customers' expectations. An increasing number of manufacturers and OEMs, specifically in automotive, aerospace, and defense, are imposing very strict prerequisites for supplier qualification.

"Receiving ISO 9001 certification further demonstrates Tuxera's commitment to delivering the best possible quality to our customers using our state-of-the-art processes," said Jesus Cabrera, Global Quality Manager. "The decisions we make are informed by data and aim to satisfy both the needs and expectations of our customers and stakeholders. The certification also highlights that the company around the quality products is driven by a solid, quality-driven structure."

Tuxera has a global customer base, and ISO certification ensures the company will meet quality requirements anywhere in the world. Clients know that Tuxera has robust processes in place, such as risk assessment and mitigation planning, that can result in cost savings and quicker time to market.

The certification also shows Tuxera's dedication to continuous improvement and maintaining its competitiveness in the market, Cabrera said.

Tuxera and its customers greatly value quality certifications - the company is also expected to complete Automotive SPICE (A-SPICE) certification in 2022. A framework for ensuring effective delivery of automotive systems as the development cycles shorten, with increased complexity and higher expectations of reliability.

For A-SPICE certification, Tuxera adopted new Product Lifecycle Management tools to enable a better decision-making process. The company also increased its commitment to its employees by designing and implementing new training. "That allowed A-SPICE process features and needs to be simplified and translated into our own company culture," Cabrera said.

Pursuing and achieving certifications like ISO 9001 and A-SPICE framework demonstrate to Tuxera's customers that the entire organization is committed to providing quality throughout the whole development process.

"Our customers are at the heart of everything we do," Tuukka Ahoniemi, CEO of Tuxera said. "Everything we build, we test rigorously, which results in quality-driven, reliable storage and networking software, built to expectations. ISO 9001 will be an integral piece of the foundation of the products we provide our customers."

To learn more, visit www.tuxera.com.

About Tuxera

Tuxera is the leading provider of quality-assured embedded storage managementsoftware and networking technologies. Helping people and businesses store and do more with their data, our software is at the core of phones, tablets, cars, TV sets, cameras, drones, external storage, routers, spacecraft, IoT devices, and more. We help you store your data reliably, while making file transfers fast and content easily accessible. Tuxera is also an active member of multiple industry organizations, including JEDEC, SNIA, AGL, SD Association, The Linux Foundation, and many others. Founded in 2008, Tuxera's headquarters are in Finland, with regional offices in China, Germany, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. To learn more, visit www.tuxera.com.

Media Contact:

Bianca D'Angelo



www.Newswire.com

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Attachment
Total orders from this end user in January 2022 are valued at approximately US$6 million, with planned delivery by the end of March 2022

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:EFL)(OTCQB:EFLVF), a lithium-ion battery manufacturer with differentiated intellectual property that allows heightened safety and improved longevity enabling industry-leading performance, today announced a new battery purchase order through its OEM sales channel valued at approximately US$3 million. The end user is a leading Fortune 100 company, which will deploy the batteries in Materials Handling Electric Vehicles ("MHEVs") in a new distribution centre in the United States. Electrovaya announced a previous US$3.05 million order through its OEM channel on January 12, 2022 from the same end user, meaning total orders from this end user are valued at approximately US$6 million so far in 2022.

Deliveries on the recent orders are expected to be completed by the end of March 2022. Electrovaya previously announced battery purchase orders from the same end user on July 20, 2021. The batteries from that order were successfully deployed in MHEVs in two distribution centres last year.

The end user has indicated that it will make additional purchases in the first half of calendar 2022 to power MHEVs at other sites. Deliveries are expected to be made during Electrovaya's 2022 fiscal year. However, there is no certainty for any such orders and deliveries.

For more information, please contact:

Investor & Media Contact:

Jason Roy; jroy@electrovaya.com

Tel: 905-855-4618

Web: www.electrovaya.com

About Electrovaya Inc.

Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:EFL)(OTCQB:EFLVF) is a pioneering leader in the global energy transformation, focused on contributing to the prevention of climate change by supplying the safest and longest-lasting lithium-ion batteries. Electrovaya, a technology focused company with extensive IP, designs, develops, and manufactures proprietary lithium-ion batteries, battery systems, and battery-related products for energy storage, clean electric transportation, and other specialized applications. To learn more about how Electrovaya is powering mobility and energy storage, please explore www.electrovaya.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the deployment of the Company's products by the Company's customers and the timing for delivery thereof, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "possible", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "objective" and "continue" (or the negative thereof) and words and expressions of similar import. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors and assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Statements with respect to the purchase and deployment of the Company's products by the Company's customers and users, and the timing for delivery thereof, and levels of expected sales and expected further purchases and demand growth are based on an assumption that the Company's customers and users will deploy its products in accordance with communicated intentions, that the Company will be able to deliver the ordered products on a basis consistent with past deliveries, and that the company's anticipation of additional purchase orders from the user in the first half of calendar 2022 to power Materials Handling Electric Vehicles at other sites and delivered during Company's 2022 fiscal year, and the anticipation of the Company delivering batteries in Q2 FY2022 on the present purchase order are forward-looking statements and are based on assumptions by the company and its users. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to macroeconomic effects on the Company and its business and on the Company's customers, economic conditions generally and their effect on consumer demand, labour shortages, supply chain constraints, the potential effect of COVID restrictions in Canada and internationally on the Company's ability to produce and deliver products, and on its customers' and end users' demand for and use of products, which effects are not predictable and may be affected by additional regional outbreaks and variants, and other factors which may cause disruptions in the Company's supply chain and Company's capability to deliver the products. Additional information about material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations and about material factors or assumptions applied in making forward-looking statements may be found in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended September 30, 2021 under "Risk Factors", and in the Company's most recent annual Management's Discussion and Analysis under "Qualitative And Quantitative Disclosures about Risk and Uncertainties" as well as in other public disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Electrovaya, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684523/Electrovaya-Announces-Additional-US3-Million-Battery-Order-for-Materials-Handling-Electric-Vehicles-from-Existing-End-User
PARIS, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Addressing the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron outlined the priorities of his country's Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).

The EU, Macron said, has the capability and resources to be a powerful actor in the international community.

At the helm of the EU Council, France intends to "create together a European power of the future ... an independent Europe that has given itself the means to decide its own future and not rely on the decisions of other major powers," he said.

The French EU Council Presidency will promote and protect the values "that are being weakened," he said, naming democracy, solidarity and respect for the rule of law. Macron also said that the EU should add to its Charter of Fundamental Rights the protection of the environment and women's right to abortion.

The French Presidency, Macron said, "will carry the right of legislative initiative for the Parliament," i.e. it will propose laws.

"We will continue to seek a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine," he said, and "will ensure that Europe makes its united and strong voice heard on the question of strategic armaments." He called for a "European proposal building a new order of security and stability."

According to Macron, Europe has "the duty to propose an alliance to the African continent." He also said that the EU must find a "path of trust" with the United Kingdom in a post-Brexit era. 
Three men were arrested in Rutenga after being found in possession of presidential inputs suspected to have been sold to them by some farmers.

Commenting on their official Twitter handle, Zimbabwe Republic Police National Police Spokesperson Senior Assist Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest and warned farmers against abusing presidential inputs.

On 08/01/21 police and other security services intercepted a Toyota Ace truck (AFK6163) and arrested three suspects, Tavonga Chikuni (18), Maizivei Themba (33) and Maizivei Gariyakumwe (43) in connection with 35 x 50kgs of compound D fertilizer meant for Command Agriculture valued at RTGS$129 000,  said Nyathi.

He said they warn farmers against abuse of presidential inputs.

ZRP warns farmers against abusing the Presidential inputs scheme which may attract arrest and prosecution, said Nyathi.

It is reported that the suspects allegedly bought inputs from different farmers around Rutenga with the intention of reselling them.

The suspects allegedly bought the inputs from different farmers around Rutenga and intended to sell the inputs, said Nyathi.

In a related case, in 2021 ZRP arrested Politeness Shumba (39) for unlawful possession of government inputs.

It is said that police acted on a tip-off and arrested the suspect at Dorset Business Centre where 53 bags of maize seeds and 106 super fertilizer branded cotton bulk were recovered.

The inputs are alleged to have been bought from farmers in Rutenga.

Recently, local farmers were given Pfumvudza maize seeds to maximize productivity per unit area and also to ensure household and national food and nutritional security. TellZimNews
The Company is fully funded for 2022 exploration and is currently drilling its flagship La Joya Silver Project in Durango, Mexico

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV) (OTCQX: SLVDF) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") is pleased to report its common shares have qualified to be upgraded from the OTCQB Venture Market to the OTCQX Best Market.

The Company's common shares will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the symbol "SLV" and commence trading today on the OTCQX under the symbol "SLVDF". U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

"Graduating to the OTCQX is anticipated to provide improved liquidity, an enhanced trading experience for our U.S. shareholders and potential U.S. investors, and expose the company to a broader market audience," said Michael Romanik, president of Silver Dollar. "The Company is fully funded for 2022 exploration, and we are currently drilling our flagship La Joya Silver Project in Durango, Mexico."

About the OTCQX Best Market

The OTCQX Best Market is the highest tier of over-the-counter markets and is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and global companies. To qualify for the OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. The companies found on OTCQX are distinguished by the integrity of their operations and the diligence with which they convey their qualifications.

About Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Silver Dollar is a mineral exploration company that completed its initial public offering in May 2020 and is fully funded for 2022 with approximately $9 million in the treasury. The Company's projects are located in two of the prolific mining jurisdictions in the world and include the advanced exploration and development stage La Joya Silver Project in the state of Durango, Mexico; and the discovery-stage Pakwash Lake and the Longlegged Lake properties in the Red Lake Mining District of Ontario, Canada. The Company has an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potentially accretive acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions internationally.

For additional information, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter by clicking here.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Michael Romanik"

Michael Romanik,

President, CEO & Director

Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Direct line: (204) 724-0613

Email: mike@silverdollarresources.com

179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416

Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110710
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / (TSXV:OGN)(OTCQX:OGNRF) Orogen Royalties Inc. ("Orogen" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that is has signed an agreement (the "Agreement") with K2 Gold Corporation (TSX.V:KTO). ("K2"), to option Orogen's Si2 gold project in Nevada, U.S.A.

K2 can earn a 100% interest in the Si2 project (formerly known as the Elba project) by making cash payments totaling US$2.5 million, spending US$2.5 million in exploration expenditures over a five-year period, and granting to Orogen a 2.0% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty.

"Si2 is an underexplored steam heated alteration cell with no drilling that has targeted the appropriate depth for gold mineralization," commented Paddy Nicol, Orogen's CEO. "The project shares many similarities with AngloGold Ashanti NA's Silicon project in the growing Beatty gold district, where Orogen holds a 1.0% NSR royalty. We are excited to partner with K2 to advance another asset in Nevada's prolific Walker Lane Trend."

About The Si2 Property

The four-square kilometre Si2 project is located 60 kilometres northwest of Tonopah in Esmeralda County, Nevada (Figure 1). The project was generated using the same methodology used by Orogen when it staked the Silicon Gold Project in 2015 (subsequently optioned and now owned by AngloGold Ashanti NA). Si2 consists of a large steam heated alteration cell coincident with highly anomalous mercury and no gold or trace elements on surface. This property has the potential to host a buried low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposit (Figure 2).

The steam heated alteration cell at Si2 is hosted by a rhyolite dome complex. Alteration is dominated by pervasive alunite and chalcedony replacement of breccias with mercury values up to 20 parts per million ("ppm"). Breccias and altered domes define an annular zone cored by a large recessive area mostly covered by shallow alluvium. Rare exposures in the central portion of the target include milled hydrothermal breccias with leached silica textures and cross-cutting chalcedonic silica veins.

Only three shallow drill holes (maximum depth of 115 metres) have been completed at the main Si2 target. These holes encountered opalite alteration with locally anomalous gold (up to 0.3 g/t gold over 1.5 metres) and strongly anomalous mercury, positive indicators of a buried low-sulphidation epithermal deposit. These holes did not penetrate the chalcedonic blanket and were not drilled deep enough to test for a developed gold system (Figure 3).

Figure 1: Location of Si2

Figure 2: Geology and Clay Mineralogy on the Si2 Project

Figure 3: Schematic of a low-sulphidation epithermal system adapted from Hedenquist et al 2000

Si2 transaction terms

K2 can earn a 100% interest in the Si2 project by making cash payments totaling US$2.5 million, spending a minimum of US$2.5 million over a five-year period subject to the following schedule:

US$50,000 cash on the date of signing the Agreement;

US$100,000 cash and $150,000 cumulative incurred expenditures on or before the first anniversary;

US$100,000 cash and $650,000 cumulative incurred expenditures on or before the second anniversary;

US$250,000 cash and $1,250,000 cumulative incurred expenditures on or before the third anniversary;

US$500,000 cash and $1,750,000 cumulative incurred expenditures on or before the fourth anniversary; and

US$1,500,000 cash and $2,500,000 cumulative incurred expenditures on or before the fifth anniversary.

Orogen will retain a 2% NSR upon K2 exercising the option.

Qualified Person Statement

All technical data, as disclosed in this press release, has been verified by Laurence Pryer, Ph.D., P.Geo., Exploration Manager for Orogen. Dr. Pryer is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.

About Orogen Royalties Inc.

Orogen Royalties Inc. is focused on organic royalty creation and royalty acquisitions on precious and base metal discoveries in western North America. The Company's royalty portfolio includes the Ermitano West gold deposit in Sonora, Mexico (2% NSR royalty) being developed by First Majestic Silver Corp. and the Silicon gold project (1% NSR royalty) in Nevada, USA, being advanced by AngloGold Ashanti N.A. The Company is well financed with several projects actively being developed by joint venture partners.

On Behalf of the Board

OROGEN ROYALTIES INC.

Paddy Nicol

President & CEO

To find out more about Orogen, please contact Paddy Nicol, President & CEO at 604-248-8648, and Marco LoCascio, Vice President of Corporate Development at 604-248-8648. Visit our website at www.orogenroyalties.com.

Orogen Royalties Inc.

1201 - 510 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC

Canada V6B 1L8

info@orogenroyalties.com

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward looking statements". All statements in this presentation, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Orogen Royalties Inc. (the "Company") expect to occur, are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur.

Forward looking information relates to statements concerning the Company's future outlook and anticipated events or results, as well as the Company's management expectations with respect to the proposed business combination (the "Transaction"). This document also contains forward-looking statements regarding the anticipated completion of the Transaction and timing thereof. Forward-looking statements in this document are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning the receipt, in a timely manner, of regulatory and stock exchange approvals in respect of the Transaction.

Although the Company believe the expectations expressed in such forward looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Furthermore, the extent to which COVID-19 may impact the Company's business will depend on future developments such as the geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions, physical distancing, business closures or business disruptions, and the effectiveness of actions taken in Canada and other countries to contain and treat the disease. Although it is not possible to reliably estimate the length or severity of these developments and their financial impact as of the date of approval of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements, continuation of the prevailing conditions could have a significant adverse impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations for future periods.

Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE: Orogen Royalties Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684520/Orogen-options-the-Si2-Gold-Project-to-K2-Gold
IP Survey Outlines Several Significant Anomalies

Exploration Target is Alkalic CU-AU Porphyry Style Mineralization

Mal East Anomaly Highest Priority Target

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Victory Resources Corporation (CSE:VR)(FRA:VR61)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the results of the recently completed and extensive IP survey on its Mal-Wen project, located in south-central British Columbia, within the eastern belt of the Nicola Group.

The 41.6 km IP survey, announced in November and completed in December, over the area of the Mal and Wen Prospects has outlined several significant chargeability anomalies (Figure 1 - below). The exploration target is alkalic Cu-Au Porphyry style mineralization.

The northern anomaly (the Mal East anomaly) is the highest priority target. It features a coincident chargeability and resistivity high covering an area in excess of 500 m by 500 m in an area with little outcrop. The nature of the anomaly is similar to that associated with the Mal Prospect (approximately 500 m to the west), but considerably larger and stronger (Figure 2).

To the south, in the area of the Wen Prospect, are a pair of chargeability anomalies. The southernmost anomaly appears to be related to the mudstones mapped in that area. However, the chargeability high to the west of the Wen Prospect (the Wen West anomaly) is in an area of no outcrop and has a similar chargeability/resistivity response as the Wen Zone mineralization, though considerably larger and stronger.

None of these anomalies have been drill tested. An inversion will be performed on the data to provide more accurate drill targeting. An application to drill has been submitted and it is expected a permit will be granted by the spring.

"In light of earlier work by Victory, which determined that the Mal and Wen Prospects are essentially similar Cu-Au bearing zones that appear to be structurally linked, the Mal East IP anomaly is an excellent drill target in an area with little outcrop and no previous drilling. Similarly, the large chargeability anomaly west of the Wen Prospect is also in an area of sparse outcrop and has never been drill tested," noted Victory President and CEO, Mr. Mark Ireton.

About The Mal-Wen Exploration Property

The Mal-Wen Property consists of 7 mineral claims with a total area of 1205.97 hectares that is located about 30 km southeast of Merritt in south-central British Columbia. The Mal-Wen Property is within the eastern belt of the Nicola Group, in south-central BC, which hosts numerous alkalic porphyry deposits, including the presently producing New Afton Mine and past producers Ajax and Copper Mountain. The Mal and Wen Prospects may be peripheral expressions of a larger mineralized system that is mostly covered by overburden.

Figure 1: Mal-Wen chargeability map.

Figure 2: Mal to Mal East chargeability/resistivity pseudosection.

Scientific and technical information contained in this press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Helgi Sigurgeirson, Victory Geologist, and a "qualified person" under NI 43-101.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Ireton, President

Telephone: +1 (236) 317 2822 or TOLL FREE 1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653)

E-mail: IR@victoryresourcescorp.com

About Victory Resources Corporation

VICTORY RESOURCES CORPORATION (CSE:VR) is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company is also actively seeking other exploration opportunities.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. 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. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE: Victory Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684478/Victory-Announces-Mal-Wen-IP-Survey-Results
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Talisker Resources Ltd. ("Talisker" or the "Company") (TSX:TSK)(OTCQX:TSKFF) is pleased to announce full assays from the first four holes on its maiden drill campaign at the Golden Hornet Project near Rock Creek, south-central British Columbia. Assay results for the remaining ten drill holes are expected to be received from the laboratory over the coming weeks.

Key Points:

Discovery of high-grade fault-controlled quartz-sulphide breccias and veins, highlighted by 8.88 g/t Au, 0.42% Cu and 14.99 g/t Ag over 5.1 metres within a broader zone of 2.59 g/t Au over 21.5 metres in GH-DDH-21-004.

Hole GH-DDH-21-003 intercepted 11.58 g/t Au, 0.37% Cu and 11.1 g/t Ag over 1.05 metres.

Drilling also intersected broader zones of mineralization, including 9.99 g/t Au over 0.5 metres within 0.82 g/t Au over 10.3 metres (GH-DDH-21-003) and 0.96 g/t Au over 6.67 metres (GH-DDH-21-001).

A total of 4,853 metres of NQ drilling was completed in 14 holes to a maximum depth of 431 metres.

Ten holes drilled in the central Hornet Zone (3,568 metres) intersected semi-massive sulphide mineralization in every hole.

Four holes drilled in the Iron Canyon Zone (1,015 metres), a 1,000-metre step-out to the northwest, intersected semi-massive and breccia-hosted sulphide mineralization in every hole.

Terry Harbort, President and CEO of Talisker, commented, "Intersecting high-grade gold in our first four holes of the Golden Hornet Project demonstrates the potential for a large, kilometre scale mineralized system. The Golden Hornet Project is Talisker's first Greenfields drill program, and we are thrilled to announce the news of this new Discovery. We eagerly await more results to confirm gold grades from visual mineralization in the remaining holes."

Table 1: Drill Hole Collar Summary Information Drill Hole Total Depth

(m) Azimuth Dip Easting Northing Elevation GH-DDH-21-001 351 060 -45 363436 5478599 1106 GH-DDH-21-002 315 060 -45 363482 5478706 1073 GH-DDH-21-003 360 060 -55 363386 5478686 1114 GH-DDH-21-004 431 060 -60 363278 5478640 1139

GH-DDH-21-001 Hole Description:

Collared in strongly hornfels metasediments in contact with strongly silica-albite-biotite altered equigranular crowded diorite hosting stockwork pyrite veins and veinlets over the top 100m.

Semimassive pyrite-pyrrhotite+/-arsenopyrite occurrences, 15-25 cm in width, returned 2.79 g/t Au over 1.95m from 90.00m to 91.95m and 1.27 g/t Au over 4.5m from 277.50 to 280.50m.

Broad zones of pyrite-dominated stockworks returned of 0.25 g/t Au over 42.67m from 51.00m to 93.67m and 0.26 g/t Au over 11.15m from 201.35m to 212.50m.

GH-DDH-21-002 Hole Description:

Collared into silica-albite altered crowded equigranular diorite with the purpose to intersect semi-massive sulphides hosted in brecciated quartz exposed on the surface in historic trenches.

Intersected semi-massive pyrite-pyrrhotite-arsenopyrite hosted in fractured and weakly brecciated quartz veins returning 1.98 g/t Au over 0.5m from 32.65m to 33.20m,1.21 g/t Au over 3.28m from 78.60m to 82.42m, and 1.39 g/t over 0.5m from 135.32m to135.82m.

Pervasive silica-albite alteration and sulphide veinlets and stockworks decrease with depth towards the east, with mineralization focused on the near metasediment-intrusive contact zone.

GH-DDH-21-003 Hole Description:

Collared at a greater inclination into strongly hornfels metasediments and is a 50m step-out to the NW from hole 001.

Intersected semi-massive pyrite-pyrrhotite-arsenopyrite occurrences, 15-25 cm in width returning 2.08 g/t Au over 0.5m from 126.50m to 127.50m, 1.66 g/t Au over 0.65m from 184.50m to185.15m, 9.99 g/t Au over 0.5m from 188.00-188.50m, 2.05 g/t Au over 0.80m from 194.00m to194.80m, 1.12 g/t Au over 1.00m from 304.50 to 305.50m, and 11.58 g/t over 1.05m from 311.95m to 313.00m.

A zone of strong pyrite-pyrrhotite stockwork with coincident pervasive silica-albite-biotite alteration hosting several semi-massive sulphide occurrences returned 0.82 g/t Au over 10.30m from 184.50m to 194.80m within a greater interval of 0.26 g/t Au over 61.5m from 184.50m to 218.50m.

GH-DDH-21-004 Hole Description:

Collared further west into the host metasediments at a greater inclination to test the nature of the hornfels-metasediment-intrusive contact zone as well as undercut mineralization observed in GH-DDH-21-003.

Intersected several intrusive fingerlings intruding into the metasediments over the top 80m with mineralization coincident or proximal with intrusive contact margins. Values of 1.07g/t Au and 1.01 g/t Au over 1.5m and 1.12m respectfully hosted in strong pyrite stockwork intervals and pervasive silica-albite-biotite alteration.

A significant zone of semi-massive to massive sulphides hosted in and marginal to brecciated and fractured pre-mineral quartz veins returned values up to 22.73 g/t over 1.10m within a greater interval of 8.88 g/t over 5.10m from 353.90m to 359.00m.

Several broad zones of mineralization hosted in stockwork pyrite and lesser pyrrhotite were intersected returning values of 0.2 g/t Au over 22.5m from 81.00m to 102.75m, 1.38 g/t Au over 41.10m from 345.40 to 386.50m.

Project Overview:

The Hornet Zone represents an intrusion-related gold system (IRGS) where mineralization and alteration intensity is controlled by localized structures, lithologic contacts, and pre-mineralizing event veins and breccias, providing permeable conduits for later ore-forming hydrothermal fluids. The Hornet Zone exhibits a strong alteration zonation decreasing inboard into the host diorite unit from silica+/-biotite-sericite to sericite-chlorite +/- epidote. Strong continuity of mineralized breccia and vein zones is observed between drill holes. Mineralized structures are pierced at roughly orthogonal angles to drill core axis, and therefore true width of intersected intervals are estimated to be 80-90% of observed widths.

Historic trenching in the Hornet Zone returned channel samples of 22.1 g/t Au over 5.2 metres, 17 g/t Au over 2.0 metres, 4.17 g/t Au over 14 metres. In addition, broad halos of mineralization surrounding the veins returned intercepts of 1.9 g/t Au over 21 metres, 1.23 g/t Au over 12.5 metres, 1.32 g/t Au over 17.0 metres and 0.96 g/t gold over 14 metres. The main NW trending high-grade gold veins at the HornetZone outcrop continuously over a 500m x 300m area. Low-grade mineralization occurs in stockwork sulphide veinlets between major sheeted vein sets that represent an additional opportunity for bulk tonnage potential. B-Horizon soil sampling conducted by Talisker in 2020 defined a 2.8km by 1.3km gold soil anomaly (98th percentile) centred on the Hornet Zone.

Table 2: Golden Hornet Project - Drill Holes GH-DDH-21-001-004 Diamond Drill

Hole Name From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Cu

(ppm) Method Reported GH-DDH-21-001 87.00 88.50 1.50 0.14 2.18 388 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-001 88.50 90.00 1.50 0.22 2.02 366 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-001 90.00 90.95 0.95 2.09 5.96 1973 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-001 90.95 91.95 1.00 3.47 3.65 1409 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-001 91.95 93.00 1.05 0.15 1.72 463 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-001 93.00 93.67 0.67 0.42 2.47 942 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-001 276.00 277.50 1.50 1.11 0.30 127 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-001 277.50 279.00 1.50 1.96 1.05 141 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-001 279.00 280.50 1.50 0.76 0.63 196 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-002 32.65 33.20 0.55 1.98 1.90 708 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-002 78.60 79.10 0.50 3.05 4.41 1160 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-002 79.10 80.40 1.30 0.26 0.44 131 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-002 80.40 81.00 0.60 0.79 0.62 286 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-002 81.00 81.95 0.95 0.09 0.30 96.7 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-002 81.95 82.42 0.47 4.70 31.27 8259 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-002 135.32 135.82 0.50 1.39 2.10 490 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 126.50 127.00 0.50 2.08 2.43 329 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 184.50 185.15 0.65 1.66 1.71 419 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 185.15 186.00 0.85 0.03 0.44 76.8 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 186.00 187.50 1.50 0.03 0.35 57.1 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 187.50 188.00 0.50 0.02 0.13 21.3 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 188.00 188.50 0.50 9.99 3.75 318 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 188.50 190.00 1.50 0.06 0.34 56.8 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 190.00 191.50 1.50 0.33 0.53 107 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 191.50 192.90 1.40 0.02 0.15 29 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 192.90 193.40 0.50 0.02 0.40 88.7 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 193.40 194.00 0.60 0.06 0.59 105 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 194.00 194.80 0.80 2.05 1.70 169 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 206.00 207.00 1.00 0.90 0.84 238 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 210.50 211.00 0.50 0.75 1.05 297 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 218.00 218.50 0.50 1.16 0.78 251 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 233.00 234.00 1.00 0.52 1.00 210 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 304.00 305.00 1.00 1.12 0.70 205 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-003 311.95 313.00 1.05 11.58 11.10 3747 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 81.00 82.50 1.50 1.07 0.49 125 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 101.63 102.75 1.12 1.01 0.61 275 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 216.5 217 0.5 2.17 2.54 598 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 345.40 346.50 1.10 3.37 2.08 616 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 346.50 348.00 1.50 0.06 0.21 77.1 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 348.00 349.50 1.50 0.90 0.37 113 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 349.50 351.00 1.50 0.02 0.23 69.8 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 351.00 352.50 1.50 0.02 0.17 56.8 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 352.50 353.40 0.90 0.01 0.18 65.8 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 353.40 353.90 0.50 0.07 0.53 94.6 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 353.90 355.00 1.10 22.73 16.04 4607 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 355.00 356.00 1.00 5.45 8.68 1650 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 356.00 357.00 1.00 12.81 35.98 10000 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 357.00 357.50 0.50 2.06 16.10 4304 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 357.50 358.00 0.50 1.12 1.38 223 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 358.00 359.00 1.00 0.46 5.44 492 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 359.00 360.50 1.50 0.06 1.86 57.6 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 360.50 362.00 1.50 0.12 0.22 42.9 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 362.00 363.00 1.00 0.03 0.12 33.5 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 363.00 364.00 1.00 3.00 1.43 304 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 364.00 365.50 1.50 1.25 2.18 434 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 365.50 367.00 1.50 0.02 0.26 70.6 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 367.00 368.50 1.50 0.04 0.24 51.2 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 368.50 370.00 1.50 0.01 0.10 20.9 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 370.00 371.50 1.50 0.01 0.38 216 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 371.50 373.00 1.50 0.14 0.50 95.8 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 373.00 374.50 1.50 0.01 0.19 63.2 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 374.50 376.00 1.50 0.01 0.12 38.2 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 376.00 377.50 1.50 0.01 0.17 60.8 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 377.50 379.00 1.50 0.03 0.54 216 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 379.00 380.50 1.50 0.03 0.26 61.1 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 380.50 382.00 1.50 0.02 0.11 38 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 382.00 383.50 1.50 0.02 0.32 135 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 383.50 384.50 1.00 0.15 0.39 105 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 384.50 385.50 1.00 0.16 0.82 158 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 385.50 386.00 0.50 0.02 0.18 79.3 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 GH-DDH-21-004 386.00 386.50 0.50 0.94 3.86 716 GO-FAA50V10, GE-ICP21B20, GE-IMS21B20 Notes: True widths are estimated at 70 - 90% of intercept lengths and are based on oriented core measurements where available. Method Reported includes the most up to date information as of the date of this press release.

Talisker is providing an opportunity for shareholders and other interested parties to participate in a Webinar to be held at 4:15 pm ET on Tuesday, January 25th. To register, please click on the following link - https://bit.ly/33IKH9w .

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release relating to the drill results at the Golden Hornet Project has been approved by Leonardo de Souza (BSc, AusIMM (CP) Membership 224827), Talisker's Vice President, Exploration and Resource Development, who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Talisker Resources Ltd.

Talisker (taliskerresources.com ) is a junior resource company involved in the exploration of gold projects in British Columbia, Canada. Talisker's projects include two advanced-stage projects, the Bralorne Gold Complex and the Ladner Gold Project, both advanced-stage projects with significant exploration potential from historical high-grade producing gold mines, as well as its Spences Bridge Project where the Company holds ~85% of the emerging Spences Bridge Gold Belt and several other early-stage Greenfields projects. With its properties comprising 296,983 hectares over 346 claims, three leases and 198 crown grant claims, Talisker is a dominant exploration player in south-central British Columbia. The Company is well funded to advance its aggressive systematic exploration program at its projects.

For further information, please contact:

Terry Harbort

President and CEO

Terry.harbort@taliskerresources.com

+1 416 361 2808

Sample Preparation and QAQC

Drill core at the Golden Hornet project is drilled in NQ size(47.6mm). Drill core samples are minimum 50 cm and maximum 160 cm long along the core axis. Samples are focused on an interval of interest such as a vein or zone of mineralization. Shoulder samples bracket the interval of interest such that a total sampled core length of not less than 3m both above and below the interval of interest must be assigned. Sample QAQC measures of unmarked certified reference materials (CRMs), blanks, and duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and make up 9% of the samples submitted to the lab for holes reported in this release. Sample preparation and analyses is carried out by SGS Canada in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes drying in an oven at a maximum temperature of 60C, fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250 g split to at least 85% passing 75 microns (SGS code PRP89). Gold in diamond drill core is analysed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) of a 50g sample (SGS code GO_FAA50V10), while multi-element chemistry is analysed by aqua regia digestion of a 0.25 g sample split with detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for 18 elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, Ti, Zn, Zr) (SGS code GE_ICP21B20) as well as detection by atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) for an additional 33 elements (Ag, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cs, Ga, Ge, Hf, Hg, In, La, Lu, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Tl, U, W, Y, Yb) (SGS code GE_IMS21B20). Gold assay technique (SGS code FAA50V10) has an upper detection limit of 100 ppm. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the gold assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish (SGS method GO_FAG50V) which has an upper detection limit of 1,000 ppm Au. Samples where visible gold was observed are sent directly to screen metallics analysis and all samples that fire assay above 1 ppm Au are re-analysed with method (SGS code - 6 - GO_FAS50M) which employs a 1kg pulp screened to 100 microns with assay of the entire oversize fraction and duplicate 50g assays on the undersize fraction. Where possible all samples initially sent to screen metallics processing will also be re-run through the fire assay with gravimetric finish provided there is enough material left for further processing.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Talisker's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Talisker. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of Talisker's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While Talisker considers these statements to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include market risks and the demand for securities of the Company, risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof, and Talisker is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

Figure 1: High-grade semi-massive quartz sulphide breccia averaging 8.88 g/t Au, 0.42% Cu and 14.99 g/t Ag over 5.1m Au.

Figure 2: Section showing holes GH-DDH-21-001-004 with interpreted geology and gold intersections.

Figure 3: 2020 Regional Geochemistry with Geology and Drill Collar Locations.

Figure 4: Drill Collar locations overlaid on geology and geochemistry within the Main Hornet Zone.

Figure 5: All drill hole locations showing strike extent between the Main Hornet Zone and the Iron Sky Zone.

SOURCE: Talisker Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684522/Talisker-Announces-the-Discovery-of-High-Grade-Gold-Intercepts-in-Its-Maiden-Drill-Program-at-the-Golden-Hornet-Project
Rafale arrives in the Hellenic Air Force (HAF)

Six Rafale of the Hellenic Air Force are being ferried to Greece from the Istres site on 19 January 2022. The Greek Prime Minister celebrates their arrival during a ceremony at Tanagra Air Base in the presence of Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation

(Saint-Cloud, France, January 19, 2022) - Today, six Rafale of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), operated by its pilots, took off from the Dassault Aviation site in Istres to the Tanagra Air Base, where they were welcomed in a ceremony by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accompanied by the Minister of National Defense Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and Senior Greek authorities. Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, was also present to welcome their arrival.

The entry into operational service in the Hellenic Air Force's 332 Squadron of these first six Rafale aircraft comes as a proof of the quality of the partnership between France and Greece, and occurs only one year after the signature of the contract for 18 aircraft. It is a testimony to the excellent relation between French and Greek authorities as well as between the Hellenic Air Force and Dassault Aviation teams.

The expertise of the training provided, in particular by Dassault Aviation, at the Merignac Conversion Training Center (CTC), to Greek pilots, mechanics and HAF technicians, undeniably contributes to the success of this first ferry. The training of personnel will continue in the coming months in France and Greece.

The delivery of the next HAF Rafale will start at the end of 2022 with the objective to have all the fleet deployed at Tanagra Air Base by the summer of 2023.

"The mastery with which the Hellenic Air Force carried out this first ferry flight is a testimony to the excellence of our cooperation and the strength of our historical relationship with Greece for more than 45 years. Thanks to our mobilization, we were able to meet the expectations of the Greek authorities in record time, who now have the Rafale on national territory to reinforce the protection and sovereignty of the country. It also attests to the outstanding quality of our aircraft, confirmed by its export success. Lastly, it reflects our total commitment to meeting the needs of the HAF and to participating in Greece's strategic ambitions," declared Eric Trappier at the end of the ceremony.

ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION:

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft

PRESS CONTACTS:

Corporate Communications

Stephane Fort - Tel +33

Mathieu Durand - Tel +33

Defense Communications

Nathalie Bakhos - Tel +33

HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com

HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com

Attachment
DUBLIN, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Snigel announced their approved status as the latest Vendor to join IAB Europe's Transparency and Consent Framework. Snigel now holds the status as both an IAB-approved Vendor and CMP provider .

Snigel is an award-winning advertising technology company that provides sophisticated monetization solutions including header bidding and native video to help the world's largest websites maximize their ad revenue. As a Google MCM and a Google AdX Partner, the company has access to premium ad demand. Snigel's core ad delivery technology ' AdEngine ' ensures publishers are covered across all spectrums - compliance, yield, and revenue diversification.

Peter Gallagher, Managing Director of Snigel, says: "As an ad technology provider, we have a duty towards making the future of digital advertising and marketing more transparent and responsible. For years, our publishing partners have been using our CMP solution, AdConsent. Our goal is to empower users to decide on the level of ad targeting they are comfortable with while enabling our publishers to comply with privacy regulations. We take great pride in saying that it has been an IAB-approved solution since the beginning. It was only a matter of time until we joined as a fully approved vendor. We appreciate that the framework was built by and for the industry. It is a positive step for everyone in the digital value chain and helps to move us collectively towards greater accountability. We are excited to continue to evolve with the TCF and within this increasingly mature and self-aware industry."

The framework, which was launched in April 2018, is designed to help all parties in the digital advertising chain ensure that they comply with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy Directive when processing personal data or accessing and/or storing information on a user's device, such as cookies, advertising identifiers, device identifiers, and other tracking technologies.

The Framework was developed by IAB Europe in collaboration with organisations and professionals in the digital advertising industry. It provides transparency to consumers about how, and by whom, their personal data is processed. It also enables users to express choices. Moreover, the TCF enables vendors engaged in programmatic advertising to know ahead of time whether their own and/or their partners' transparency and consent status allow them to lawfully process personal data for online advertising and related purposes.

Through the Framework, publishers can continue funding themselves through relevant online advertising, and brands can continue to reach their audiences. All the while and most importantly, consumer privacy is protected.

The added registration of Snigel to the Framework further bolsters IAB Europe's mission to raise the standard and trust in digital advertising across Europe.

Contact:

Ira Nikolaou

Head of Marketing, Snigel

ira@snigel.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - Zonetail Inc. (TSXV: ZONE) (OTCQB: ZTLLF) ("Zonetail") announces a new partnership with APOLLO Insurance Solutions Ltd. ("APOLLO"), Canada's leading online insurance provider.

'Zonetail Home' and its sister platform, 'Shiftsuite', are mobile platforms designed for high-rise residential buildings, as well as property-managed townhouses and gated communities. The platforms connect the residents to the amenities and services of their building through the convenience of their personal mobile device.

Using the Zonetail platform, residents can access the building's community news and activity feeds, community calendar, document libraries, and book building amenities, such as visitor parking or the elevator. In addition, residents can create and track maintenance requests, view their ledger and status certificates (for condos), and access links to pay their rent or monthly maintenance dues. It digitizes the communications between property management and the residents. Included on the 'Zonetail Home' platform is an 'Explore' section highlighting the businesses and services that residents are in constant need of. These businesses pay Zonetail to be on the platforms to connect with the highly sought, but often difficult to reach, high-rise residents.

Through the Zonetail platform, APOLLO will have the ability to communicate directly to residents, offering a range of insurance policies, and residents can get an online quote in as little as 90 seconds.

"Everybody needs insurance. Partnering with APOLLO provides our users a simple and fast method to get a quote and purchase a policy all with a couple of taps on their phone. How much easier can it be?" said Mark Holmes, CEO and President of Zonetail. "And best of all, partnering with APOLLO, gives our users access to the largest selection of online insurance products in the country."

"We are very excited to partner with Zonetail to streamline the resident experience across Canada," says Josh Pillsbury, VP Partnerships at APOLLO. "Getting insurance is traditionally a painful process and APOLLO makes it simple for residents to get covered through the Zonetail app in minutes directly from their mobile device."

APOLLO's proprietary technology platform, the APOLLO Exchange, transacts insurance business in real time, and leverages extensive data and sophisticated algorithms to quote, collect payment, create and deliver policies. Thousands of types of small businesses and individuals are able to buy online without human intervention.

Zonetail and APOLLO are partnering to allow Zonetail's users to have the opportunity to get a quote and to purchase from the largest selection of online insurance in Canada. Although, specific details of the agreement have not been released, Zonetail is expected to receive a transaction fee for every insurance policy sold.

About Zonetail

Zonetail Inc. (TSXV: ZONE) (OTCQB: ZTLLF) is a mobile platform for hotels and high-rise residential buildings providing guests and residents access and interaction with building amenities and services, as well as neighbouring restaurants, stores, services, and other businesses. Zonetail has a partnership with AAHOA, the largest association of hoteliers in the world, representing over 25,000 hotels and 50% of the US market. Zonetail has signed an integration agreement with Yardi, the largest property management software company in North America, and is now rolling out its mobile solutions across Canada and the U.S.. Zonetail is also partnered with Shiftsuite, one of the largest property management system software providers to the condo industry in Canada.

Please visit https://www.zonetail.com.

For more information, please contact:

Mark Holmes

President and CEO

Zonetail Inc.

Telephone: (416) 994-5399

mark@zonetail.com

About APOLLO Insurance

APOLLO is Canada's leading online insurance provider. Our proprietary platform, the APOLLO Exchange, allows insurance agents and their customers to purchase their policy immediately, from anywhere, on any device, 24/7. Unlike traditional paper-based processes, APOLLO leverages extensive data and sophisticated algorithms to quote, collect payment, and issue policies for thousands of types of small businesses and individuals without human intervention. Through traditional agents and embedded finance partnerships, APOLLO is redefining the distribution of insurance.

Please visit https://apollocover.com/.

For more information, please contact:

David Dyck

VP Marketing & PR

APOLLO Insurance

Telephone: (778) 917-9667

david@apollocover.com

Legal Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to Zonetail's current expectations and views of future events. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "seek", "believe", "potential", "continue", "is/are likely to" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Certain matters discussed in this announcement contain statements, estimates and projections about the growth of Zonetail's business, potential distribution partnerships and/or clients, and related business strategy. Such statements, estimates and projections may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time-to-time. Zonetail undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The recipient of this information is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analysis made by Zonetail in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors Zonetail believes are appropriate, and, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Zonetail believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, prospective purchasers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110697
Agreement to Explore a Partnership for MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder in Europe

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 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, announced today it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to explore a partnership to utilize MDMA-assisted therapy to treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in Europe.

Under the terms of this MOU, Awakn will explore a data licensing agreement with MAPS to support Awakn's Phase IIb and planned Phase III studies for MDMA-assisted therapy for AUD in Europe. Awakn and MAPS will also assess a partnership to secure marketing authorisation/regulatory approval for the ethical commercialization of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of AUD in Europe.

AUD is a chronic disease affecting 40 million people in Europe and 390 million people globally. It is also a pervasive and persistent public health issue, with alcohol use being one of the top five causes of disease and disability in the majority of countries in Europe. And for each person suffering from AUD, there is a friend, a partner, or a family also deeply affected by it.

In February 2021, Awakn announced the publication of the successful results of the BIMA Phase IIa study investigating MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of AUD, reporting a 21% relapse rate at 9 months in comparison to a 75% relapse rate in a separate observational group.

In May 2021, MAPS announced that it achieved successful results in its first of two Phase III trials for MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of severe chronic PTSD. In this study, 88% of participants who received three MDMA-assisted therapy sessions - along with twelve 90-minute, non-drug preparation and integration therapy sessions - experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in symptoms. 67% of participants no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis.

"MAPS' role in driving and advancing the use of psychedelics in the clinical setting over the last 35 years is second to none," said Anthony Tennyson, Awakn's CEO. "We believe that by licensing MAPS' pre-clinical data and exploring options for future ethical commercialisation, we will improve the timeline and path to market for these life-changing treatments for AUD, providing hope for those for whom the status quo is not working."

"MAPS has been working with AWAKN scientists for decades in the effort to initiate trials into a range of clinical uses of MDMA-assisted therapy," shares Rick Doblin, Founder and Executive Director of MAPS. "We're delighted to be entering into this MoU with AWAKN which holds great promise for people suffering from AUD."

Awakn also recently announced groundbreaking results from its Phase IIa/b 'Ketamine for the Reduction of Alcoholic Relapse' (KARE) clinical trial. It was the first controlled study in the world to investigate Ketamine-assisted therapy for the treatment of AUD and was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in January. The study, conducted by the University of Exeter (UoE) and led by Prof. Celia Morgan, Professor of Psychopharmacology at UoE and Awakn's Head of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for addiction showed that ketamine and psychological therapy resulted in an 86% abstinence rate 6 months post treatment, an increase from 2% before the trial.

"This is another milestone in the advancement of successfully treating Alcohol Use Disorder," said Awakn CMO Dr. Ben Sessa. "Currently there are millions suffering with very few promising lasting treatments and be it with MDMA or Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, we are exploring every promising avenue to treat a disease that not only impacts the individual, but also families and communities."

NOTE

The safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy is currently under investigation. It has not yet been approved by medical regulators, does not work for everyone, and carries risks even in therapeutic settings. These statements are no guarantee of future regulatory approval or availability of MDMA-assisted therapy. These statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our projections.

About MAPS

Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MAPS is sponsoring the most advanced psychedelic therapy research in the world: Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Since its founding, MAPS has raised over $130 million in donations and grants for psychedelic and marijuana research and education and has earned both the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency and a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. Learn more at maps.org.

About Awakn Life Sciences Corp.

Awakn Life Sciences is a biotechnology company, researching, developing, and delivering psychedelic therapeutics to better treat addiction. Awakn's team consists of world leading chemists, scientists, psychiatrists, and psychologists who are advancing the next generation of psychedelic drugs and therapies to be used in combination.

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 the intended business of the Company, the expansion of the Company's business, generation of revenue. All forward-looking statements, including those herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

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/110706
First orally administered therapy for the treatment of the two main types of ANCA-associated vasculitis approved in Europe

First launches expected in H1 2022

Regulatory News:

Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (VFMCRP) today announced that the European Commission has approved Tavneos in combination with a rituximab or cyclophosphamide regimen for the treatment of adult patients with severe, active granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the two main forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis. The approval is consistent with expectations and overall follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Tavneos in October 2021 for the same indication. Tavneos will receive marketing authorization in all member states of the European Union, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

"The European Commission's approval of Tavneos is a milestone for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis in Europe and for patients living with this debilitating disease," said Dr. Klaus Henning Jensen, Chief Medical Officer of Vifor Pharma. "We are confident that Tavneos can become part of the new standard of care supporting better outcomes for patients, a better quality of life, and reduce the challenging side-effects of current treatment options. We look forward to working with EU member states to provide access to this important medicine, with first launches expected in the first half of 2022."

"This is a significant step forward for patients in Europe living with this systemic condition," said Prof. David Jayne, Professor of Clinical Autoimmunity, University of Cambridge. "They will now have available a new class of medication that meets major unmet medical needs in the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis."

EU approval is based on a comprehensive development program, culminating in the results from the pivotal phase-III trial ADVOCATE in 331 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in 20 countries, comparing treatment regimens including Tavneos to current standard of care treatment regimens with high dose glucocorticoid use. The study met its primary endpoints of disease remission at week 26 and sustained remission at week 52, as assessed by the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). Tavneos demonstrated superiority over standard of care at week 52.

About Vifor Pharma Group

Vifor Pharma Group is a global pharmaceuticals company. It aims to become the global leader in iron deficiency, nephrology and cardio-renal therapies. The company is a partner of choice for pharmaceuticals and innovative patient-focused solutions. Vifor Pharma Group strives to help patients around the world with severe and chronic diseases lead better, healthier lives. The company develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products for precision patient care. Vifor Pharma Group holds a leading position in all its core business activities and consists of the following companies: Vifor Pharma and Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (a joint company with Fresenius Medical Care). Vifor Pharma Group is headquartered in Switzerland, and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX Swiss Exchange, VIFN, ISIN: CH0364749348).

For more information, please visit viforpharma.com.

About ANCA-associated vasculitis

ANCA-associated vasculitis is a systemic disease in which over-activation of the complement pathway further activates neutrophils, leading to inflammation and destruction of small blood vessels. This results in organ damage and failure, with the kidney as the major target, and is fatal if not treated. Currently, treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis consists of courses of non-specific immuno-suppressants, in combination with glucocorticoids (steroids) for prolonged periods of time, which can be associated with significant clinical risk including death from infection.

About Tavneos (avacopan)

Tavneos (avacopan) is an orally administered small molecule that is a selective inhibitor of the complement C5a receptor C5aR1. By blocking the receptor (the C5aR) for the pro-inflammatory complement system fragment, C5a on inflammatory cells such as blood neutrophils, Tavneos arrests the ability of those cells to do damage in response to C5a activation, which is known to be the driver of inflammation. Moreover, Tavneos selective inhibition of only the C5aR1 leaves the beneficial C5a l pathway through the C5L2 receptor functioning normally.

Tavneos was developed by ChemoCentryx Ltd. who is also developing Tavneos for the treatment of patients with C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Tavneos orphan-drug designation for ANCA-associated vasculitis, C3G and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. The European Commission has granted orphan medicinal product designation for Tavneos for the treatment of two forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis: MPA and GPA (formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis), as well as for C3G.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005536/en/

Contacts:

Media Relations

Nathalie Ponnier

Global Head Corporate Communications

+41 79 957 96 73

media@viforpharma.com



Investor Relations

Laurent de Weck

Investor Relations Treasury Senior Manager

+41 58 851 66 90

investors@viforpharma.com
New franchisees grow mobile car care company's presence by 42% in its first year of franchising

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Get Spiffy, Inc. (Spiffy?), an on-demand car care, technology, and services company, today announced its latest geographic expansion, led by the launch of four new franchise locations. The newest batch of franchisees brings mobile car care and maintenance services to Indiana, New York, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.

In addition to new franchised markets, Spiffy continues to bolster its corporate-owned and operated locations across the top 40 metropolitan statistical areas. The company launched a pilot partnership in the Greater Houston area last year and is now accepting appointments for local fleets with individual services coming soon. As a result, the combined expansion brings service to the following cities:

Albany, NY

Houston, TX

Indianapolis, IN

Oklahoma City, OK

Wilmington, NC

"The last year has demonstrated both a great enthusiasm for our franchise model and the strength of our corporate-owned-and-operated strategy," said Scot Wingo, Spiffy CEO. "When you look at the diverse set of owners we currently support, it's clear that there's increasing interest in our industry, regardless of experience. We want to be a top choice for those seeking an entry point into mobile servicing, whether they are first-time franchisees, long-time business owners, or anything in between."

With an expansive automotive portfolio, and notable franchises such as Sixt Rental Cars and Big O Tires, Tom Wood Group has established itself as an automotive leader for decades. By bringing a Spiffy franchise to the Indianapolis area, dubbed Spiffy Indy , the organization connects its various businesses with mobile servicing. The franchise has launched for local customers and fleet clients throughout Indiana's capital.

"Starting Spiffy Indy is a move that just makes sense for Tom Wood. The Indianapolis area is overdue for the opportunity to simplify car maintenance with services that come directly to the customer," said Bill Demaree, Group Director of Fixed Operations for Tom Wood Management. "Beyond that, we've seen firsthand how mobile servicing can increase utilization and drive greater ROI with our Sixt franchise. We're excited to help Indiana's fleet owners and managers succeed as well."

This latest round of openings reflects Spiffy's continued growth since the announcement of its initial five franchise partners in March 2021. The company went on to close a $22 million Series B funding round in late October, launch 10 franchise markets in 2021, and provide its 1 millionth service since its inception in 2014.

As Spiffy looks ahead to the future of its franchise program, company leadership expects a year of robust growth to come in 2022.

"When we look ahead to this point next year, our goal is to double what we've achieved in 2021," added Mike Tolzman, VP of Franchising at Spiffy. "If there's anything we've learned over the past several months, it's that this model is a unique opportunity for our owners. It's been great to support such a quality group of entrepreneurs, and I'm excited to lead the growth over the next twelve months."

If you're interested in learning more about owning a Spiffy franchise, visit https://www.getspiffy.com/franchise .

About Spiffy

Spiffy ( www.getspiffy.com ) is an on-demand technology and services company with the mission to disrupt the car care experience everywhere. Available in over 30 markets, Spiffy offers a variety of zero-contact hand car washing, advanced detailing, and disinfection services, in addition to oil change, tires, repairs, and other preventative maintenance service options. Every service is conveniently performed on-site at fleets, office parks, and residences using the Spiffy Green system.

PR Contacts:

Grayson Leverenz?

Chief Marketing Officer

Spiffy

grayson@getspiffy.com

919-500-2481

www.getspiffy.com

SOURCE: Spiffy

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684417/Spiffy-Continues-Momentum-with-Its-Latest-City-Expansion-Led-by-New-Franchise-Launches
China has a packaging problem.

Beset with a handful of coronavirus cases ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing, the nation has locked down millions of people in entire cities and ordered widespread testing.

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The likely culprit, at least in Beijing? A letter mailed from Canada that had passed through the U.S. and Hong Kong, Chinese authorities claim.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a staff member disinfects parcels at a community under close-off management where a locally transmitted COVID-19 case was found in Haidian in Beijing, China on Tuesday. (Ren Chao/AP)

Chinese state media said Tuesday that a letter from Toronto was probably contaminated with virus particles that rubbed off on an unsuspecting person, triggering a host of restrictive measures to halt any spread.

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It started when a person with no travel history or other exposure came down with COVID pneumonia, the Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement. The patient reported a sore throat on Jan. 13, fatigue and fever the day after, and then an early infection was detected.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

While the person had not had any discernible means of exposure, they did mention that they had received international mail, the Chinese authorities said. Upon analysis of the mail, which was sent from Canada on Jan. 7, traveled through the U.S. and Hong Kong, and arrived on Jan. 11, the Chinese detected omicron. Several other pieces of mail from the same source also tested positive, Chinese authorities said.

A woman wearing a mask to protect from the coronavirus walks past parcels gathered near delivery tricycles in Beijing on Tuesday. (Ng Han Guan/AP)

The similarity with some strains isolated in North America and Singapore in December 2021 is high, the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control said in a statement Monday. To sum up, combined with the epidemiological history of the case, the test results of suspicious items, and the gene sequencing results of the case specimens, the possibility of contracting the virus through foreign items cannot be ruled out.

Because of this, China has instructed its citizens to minimize the purchase of overseas goods during the period of high epidemic situation abroad and instructed postal workers to wear protective equipment, receive booster shots and undergo regular testing, AP reported. They must isolate, clean and hold international packages to make sure theyre virus-free.

The entire country is on high alert for new outbreaks as the Olympics approach. Throughout the country about 20 million people are under lockdown, and mass testing is under way in cities that have discovered any cases at all, The Associated Press reported.

The World Health Organization says that the bulk of transmission occurs via droplets hanging on the air, since it needs a live animal or human host to multiply and survive and cannot multiply on the surface of food packages, according to AP. Moreover, at least one study showed that it takes just 20 minutes for the virus to lose 90% of its infectivity even then.

Canada clapped back.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, does not survive in an infectious form for very long outside an infected host or person, Dr. Gerald Evans, an infectious disease specialist at Queens University in Kingston, Ont., told Canadas Global News, calling it implausible that the virus could have survived that long, let alone remained infectious.
PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022, the leading platform for ensuring regulatory compliance and effectively managing risk with every send, share, receive, and save of sensitive content, announced today that customers can use Kiteworks for uploading, sharing, and storing vaccine-related protected health information (PHI) for employees, contractors, visitors, students, and educators. In doing so, Kiteworks enables organizations to protect sensitive PHI and comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy regulations.



"Kiteworks provides an automated, comprehensive PHI content-sharing process that makes it easy for employees, contractors, students, educators, and others to upload vaccine mandate-related content," said Bob Ertl, Senior Director of Enterprise Solutions at Kiteworks. "It also provides a detailed audit trail that organizations can use to demonstrate compliance with both vaccine mandates and HIPAA."

Vaccine Mandates in the Public and Private Sectors

The earliest U.S. federal mandates, announced by the White Housein July 2021, required vaccination or weekly testing for civilian employees of the federal government and on-site federal contractors. In August 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announcedthat coronavirus shots would be added to the Pentagon's required immunization list upon full approval of a vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While some broader federal mandates have seen recent setbacks, many vaccine requirements in the U.S. are being voluntarily initiated within individual businesses. More than halfhave, or plan to issue, vaccine mandates for employees. Many New York City-based companies, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup, already require vaccines for anyone coming into the office. In some locations, participation may be required by state or local regulations. For example, government employees in 19 statesare currently required to be vaccinated.

Ensuring Effective Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance

Organizations must be able to demonstrate that they have the right controls in place by implementing content access and functional rules matched to risk profiles and user roles. Without such controls, there is a risk of accidental exposure of employee records to peers due to missing access controls, or unencrypted attachments sent through email due to a lack of encryption policies.

Organizations also need to track PHI by logging every action. Detailed tracking ensures comprehensive visibility, which becomes particularly important for auditing and reporting processes to demonstrate compliance.

Kiteworks Simplifies Vaccine Mandate Management

As vaccine mandates have just begun rolling out, many organizations have not had sufficient time to plan and execute a data management program that anticipates the complexities of governance and compliance risks.

Key capabilities of the Kiteworks platform include:

Unify. Kiteworks provides a centralized system that standardizes multiple content audit trails and unifies secure content communication channels. Employees, contractors, and others can transmit required COVID-19 vaccine and/or testing documentation via mobile devices, web interfaces, or even email attachments.





Kiteworks provides a centralized system that standardizes multiple content audit trails and unifies secure content communication channels. Employees, contractors, and others can transmit required COVID-19 vaccine and/or testing documentation via mobile devices, web interfaces, or even email attachments. Track. Kiteworks tracks the activity of each COVID-19 vaccination and testing record by logging every action-downloads, uploads, views, sends, and permission changes.





Kiteworks tracks the activity of each COVID-19 vaccination and testing record by logging every action-downloads, uploads, views, sends, and permission changes. Control. Kiteworks lets organizations set policies according to role rather than manually configuring each user, which reduces administrative time and ultimately reduces the risk of human error, while making compliance documentation easier.





Kiteworks lets organizations set policies according to role rather than manually configuring each user, which reduces administrative time and ultimately reduces the risk of human error, while making compliance documentation easier. Secure. Kiteworks uses a layered defense model to protect sensitive content regardless of the source, and whether it is at rest or in motion. Data is automatically encrypted with every send, upload, download, and save.



Additional Resources

Webinar: How To Protect PHI and Comply With HIPAA While Meeting Employee Vaccine Mandates

Guide: A Guide on Employee Vaccine Mandates While Complying With HIPAA

Blog Post: Employee Vaccination Mandates Accentuate the Need for HIPAA-compliant File Transfer for HR Professionals

About Kiteworks

Kiteworks' mission is to empower organizations to effectively manage risk in every send, share, receive, and save of sensitive content. To this end, we created a platform that delivers content governance, compliance, and protection to customers. The platform unifies, tracks, controls, and secures sensitive content moving within, into, and out of their organization, significantly improving risk management and ensuring regulatory compliance on all sensitive content communications.

Media Contacts

Danielle Ostrovsky

Hi-Touch PR


VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Rockland Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rockland") (CSE:RKL) announces that a Long-wave infrared survey (LWIR) survey on the Elektra ("Elektra Project") claystone lithium project located in northern Sonora, Mexico has been commissioned.

The LWIR satellite data and initial interpretation is being conducted by DIRT Exploration of Cape Town, South Africa. LWIR analysis, through proprietary processing of satellite data, has the ability to map or identify, through reflectance spectroscopy against a set of known standards, mineral distribution over large areas covered by vegetation and shallow cover. The ground-penetrating nature of infrared radiation in the long-wave bands allows viewing of mineral spectra to shallow depths and is well suited to sparsely vegetated terrain such as on the arid terrain of the Elektra Project. The survey will be initiated later this week, with an interpretive report by DIRT is expected within two weeks.

The 41,818 hectares (418 square kilometers) Elektra Project concessions are contiguous to the north (Tecolote) and south (Tule) of Bacanora-Ganfeng's Sonora Property, covering similar mineralized lithium-bearing clay units localised within volcaniclastic sediment successions in the basins. The Agua Fria target is located southwest of the Sonora Property and was the site of the discovery of significant lithium-bearing clay units in surface exposures and in reverse circulation (RC) drilling in 2016-2017.

Only a limited portion of the Agua Fria target has been drill tested to date. On the Agua Fria target, a total of 16 historic RC drill holes were completed between April and June 2017, comprising 1,762 meters. Historic drill results from this only drill program were encouraging with several intervals of greater than 1,000 ppm Li over widths of up to 54 meters.

Garry Clark, P.Geo, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, is the qualified person responsible for reviewing and approving the geological contents of this news release as they pertain to the Elektra Property.

About Rockland Resources Ltd.

Rockland Resources is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets for the benefit of its shareholders. The Company is also acquiring a 100-per-cent interest in the Cole Gold Mines Property, located in Ball township, Red Lake Mining Division, Ontario. The Property consists of 28 mining claims (568 ha) located 30 km west of the Cochenour, Campbell, Red Lake mine complex owned and operated by Evolution Mining. The Property hosts high-grade gold mineralization in a classic Red Lake-type structurally controlled gold deposit environment

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Dr. Richard Sutcliffe

President and Director

For further information, please contact:

Mike England

Email: mike@engcom.ca

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM).

SOURCE: Rockland Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684541/Rockland-Resources-Initiates-Satellite-Imagery-Survey-on-Elektra-Project-Sonora-Mexico
- Rise in demand for passive fire protection systems, increased emphasis on fire safety codes and regulations, developments in the residential and commercial sectors drive the growth of the global fire stopping materials market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Fire Stopping Materials Market by Type (Sealants, Mortar, Boards, and Others), Application (Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing) and End-User (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030." According to the report, the global fire stopping materials industry was estimated at $1.35 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to hit $2.00 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.1% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities-

Rise in demand for passive fire protection systems, increased emphasis on fire safety codes and regulations, developments in the residential and commercial sectors drive the growth of the global fire stopping materials market. On the other hand, fluctuations in raw material prices impede the growth to some extent. However, advancements in fire stopping materials are expected to create lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Download Sample PDF: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/15280

COVID-19 scenario-

The strict lockdown measures in the countries, especially during the initial phase, gave way to delay in production & manufacturing of fire stopping materials which are commonly utilized in the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. This factor impacted the global fire stopping materials market negatively.

Nevertheless, as the global market gets ameliorated, the market is projected to revive soon.

The sealants segment to retain the lion's share-

On the basis of type, the sealants segment held the major share in 2020, garnering more than half of the global fire stopping materials market, due to rise in digitization among the public and private sectors and adoption of online tutoring and digital content delivery in several business organizations. The same segment is also expected to register the fastest CAGR of 4.5% throughout the forecast period. The objective of fire sealants is to seal any small gaps or openings in a building or structure to prevent a fire from spreading from one fire area/compartment to another. Fire Sealants, like all passive fire materials, have a fire rating that specifies how long it will keep fire from spreading. These factors drive the growth of the segment.

Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Fire Stopping Materials Market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/15280

The electrical segment to dominate by 2030-

On the basis of application, the electrical segment contributed to the lion's share in 2020, holding more than two-fifths of the global fire stopping materials market. The same segment is also projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 4.5% from 2021 to 2030. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical distribution systems are the 3rd leading cause of building fires. Every year, an estimated 51,000 fires occur in homes due to electrical fires, resulting in approximately 500 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Also, it has been made compulsory to install smoke detectors and install tamper resistant receptacles to prevent electrical burns. Such factors have increased demand for fire stopping materials for electrical application, thereby boosting the growth of the segment.

North America held the major share in 2020-

By region, the market across North America dominated in 2020, garnering nearly two-fifths of the global fire stopping materials market. This is because the government bodies in the region have implemented stringent fire safety rules and regulations for the installation of fire stopping materials. The Asia-Pacific region, however, is expected to cite the fastest CAGR of 4.8% throughout the forecast period. This is owing to high population and increase in demand for residential and commercial construction activities in the province.

Key players in the industry-

BASF SE

Etex Group

Hilti Group

Morgan Advanced Materials

RectorSeal Corporation

3M Company

Company RPM International, Inc.

Sika AG

Specified Technologies, Inc.

Knauf Insulation

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About Allied Market Research:

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Ermenegildo Zegna N.V. (NYSE: ZGN) ("Zegna Group" or "the Company") today announced that it will report its unaudited revenues for the full year 2021 on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at approximately 6:30 a.m. ET (12:30 p.m. CET). On the same day, at 8:30 a.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CET), the Company plans to host a webcast and conference call to discuss its revenue results, trends and guidance for 2022.

Management will refer to a slide presentation during the call, which will be made available on the day of the call. To view the presentation, please visit the "Events Presentations" tab on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the Company's website at ir.zegnagroup.com.

To participate in the call, please dial:

United States (Toll Free): +1 (844) 200-6205

United States (Local): +1 (646) 904-5544

Italy (Local): +39 069 450 0327

United Kingdom (Toll Free): +44 808 189 6484

United Kingdom (Local): +44 208 0682 558

All Other Locations: +1 (929) 526-1599

Access Code: 170714

An online archive of the broadcast will be available on the website shortly after the live call and will be available for twelve months.

About Ermenegildo Zegna Group

Founded in 1910 in Trivero, Italy by Ermenegildo Zegna, the Zegna Group designs, creates and distributes luxury menswear and accessories under the Zegna brand, as well as womenswear, menswear and accessories under the Thom Browne brand. Through its Luxury Textile Laboratory Platform which works to preserve artisanal mills producing the finest Italian fabrics the Zegna Group manufactures and distributes the highest quality fabrics and textiles. Zegna products are sold through over 500 stores in 80 countries around the world, of which 284 are directly operated by Zegna as of June 30, 2021 (239 Zegna stores and 45 Thom Browne stores). Over the decades, Zegna Group has charted Our Road: a unique path that winds itself through era-defining milestones that have seen the Group grow from a producer of superior wool fabric to a global luxury group. Our Road has led us to New York, where the Group has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since December 20, 2021. And while we continue to progress on Our Road to tomorrow, we remain committed to upholding our founder's legacy one that is based upon the principle that a business's activities should help the environment. Today, the Zegna Group is creating a lifestyle that marches to the rhythm of modern times while continuing to nurture bonds with the natural world and with our communities that create a better present and future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005389/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Francesca Di Pasquantonio

francesca.dipasquantonio@zegna.com

+39 335 5837669

Media

Ermenegildo Zegna Group

Domenico Galluccio

domenico.galluccio@zegna.com

+39 335 538 7288

Brunswick Group

Brendan Riley Alessandro Iozzia Marie Jensen

briley@brunswickgroup.com aiozzia@brunswickgroup.com mjensen@brunswickgroup.com

+1 (917) 755-1454 +39 335 718 7205 +33 (0) 6 49 09 39 54
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Emgold Mining Corporation (TSXV:EMR) ("Emgold" or the "Company") is pleased to report results of a soil sampling program at its Mindora Property, Nevada ("Mindora" or the "Property"). A total of 1,254 soil samples were taken on the eastern half of the Property. Gold and silver assay results indicate that mineralization in the historic resource area ("HRA") can be expanded from an east-west strike length of 2,000 ft (600 m) to 6,000 ft (1,800 m). In addition, four other secondary exploration areas ("SEA1, SEA2, SEA3, and SEA4") were identified outside the HRA for further work.

Property Location

Mindora is a precious and base metal property located in the Garfield Hills, 20 miles southeast of Hawthorne in Mineral County, as shown in Figure 1. It is in the Garfield Mining District.

Figure 1

Mindora Location, Claim Outline, and Historic Resource Area (HRA)

Geology

The geology of the Mindora property was first examined by E&B Explorations Inc. ("E&B") between 1980-1982. E&B produced large scale geologic, surface sample and other maps on a topographic base. A few years later the U.S. Geological Survey ("USGS") published a geology map of the Mable Mountain Quadrangle (Oldow and Steuer 1985) and Eureka Resources Inc. ("Eureka") refined the local geology in 1988. These mapping programs, along with a structural analysis conducted by Eureka in 1989, established an understanding of the complex structural geology of the region.

Limestone and intermediate volcanic rocks of the Triassic Luning Formation underlie the east and central portion of the Property. Quartz rhyolite and quartz latite dikes and sills, and an altered granodiorite intrude these meta-sedimentary and metavolcanic rocks. Late Tertiary volcanic rocks and overburden cover the western portion of the Property.

Two dominant structural trends traverse the Property. The Mindora Lineament, an E-W trending, en-echelon structure, hosts the principal gold-silver mineralization. The NE-SW Santa Fe lineament, that intersects the western portion of the claim block, extends northeast 12 mi (19 km) to the historic past producing Santa Fe Gold Mine. Crosscutting faults and thrust faulting complicate interpretation of the precious metal targets.

Mineralization discovered on the Property includes epithermal gold and silver, and porphyry style molybdenum below the gold and silver mineralization. There is also evidence of copper skarn and porphyry mineralization from historic surface sampling on the Property.

Historical Exploration

Hawthorne Gold Corporation ("Hawthorne") acquired the property in 1979 and, in the following year, brought in E&B Explorations Inc. as a joint-venture partner and operator. From 1980 to 1982 E&B conducted surface and underground geology mapping, geophysical surveys, rock-chip sampling, and exploration drilling. E&B's work resulted in the development of four gold-silver historic resource zones. Eureka acquired E&B's interest in 1983 and conducted additional exploration and development. Total historic drilling on the Property is 42,836 ft (13,056 m), mostly in vertical holes ranging from 200 to 400 ft (61-122 m) depths, with a maximum drilling depth of 700 ft (214 m). Drilling methods were mostly rotary and reverse circulation. Two core holes were also drilled.

The original focus of exploration at Mindora was to look for a deposit similar to the historic Santa Fe Gold Mine, one of the first open pit heap leach mines in Nevada and located about 12 mi (19 km) to the northeast. Several resource and reserve estimates are described in historic documents. Technical work in the 1980's included mine planning, metallurgical test work, pit design, scoping studies, and a feasibility study by Kilborn Engineering to look at heap leach and milling alternatives and to evaluate the potential for a small open pit mine.

Molybdenum was encountered and recognized in assaying of drill holes in 1981. However due to the low molybdenum prices at the time, that metal was not the focus of exploration. In the 1990's, with falling gold prices, Eureka started to focus on the potential for molybdenum and copper porphyry mineralization on the Property. Drilling results were re-analyzed for molybdenum potential and surface sampling was done to evaluate copper skarn and porphyry potential. Several exploration targets were identified.

Due to low metal prices, no exploration work was done on the Property after 1995 and Eureka abandoned the Property in 2001. The Property was subsequently staked by two separate parties, Nevada Sunrise LLC and BL Exploration. The Property continued to remain idle until it was acquired by Emgold in 2020.

No current mineral resources or reserves have been delineated on the Property that meet CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves or NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Emgold Exploration Activities

Since acquiring the Property in 2020, Emgold has staked 117 additional unpatented claims at Mindora, bringing the total number of claims to 147, encompassing about 2,940 acres. The claim expansion was designed to cover mineralized structures, the historic resources, and visible alteration zones. The Property boundary and the areas where the historic resources are located ("HRA") is shown in Figure 1 above.

Emgold had a helicopter magnetic-radiometric geophysical survey, flown by Precision GeoSurveys, BC Canada, completed over the entire property in December 2020. Data, obtained in 2021, included magnetic and radiometric maps, a logistics report, and data files.

Analysis of the geophysical data indicates that the targets within the HRA are on the edge of, and within, a magnetic low area. The Mindora and the North Targets (hatched areas in Figure 2 below) are in this low, although the Mindora Target is on the edge of it. Soil sample assays, historic workings, and a graben zone with stockwork veining are within the magnetic low. Some of the magnetics results correlate well with faults and lithologies.

In 2021, the Company contracted with Rangefront Mining Services to collect 1,254 soil samples on the eastern half of the Property. The goal of the soils survey was to expand current historic resource areas and also to identify new exploration targets away from the known historic resource areas. The survey grid consisted of 100 ft sample spacing, with sample lines 400 ft apart. Soil samples were analyzed by ALS USA Inc.

Results of the Soil Sampling Program

Emgold's technical team conducted a statistical analysis of the sample assays and created a series of maps showing the sample results from key pathfinder elements, including gold, silver, molybdenum, and copper. The results were overlayed onto the geology and geophysics maps. The soil sample results combined with geology and geophysics data indicate that the HRA can be expanded from a strike length of 2,000 ft (600 m) to 6,000 ft (1800 m) and has a width of up to 1,000 ft (300 m) as shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2 shows the Mindora and North Targets (hatched areas, historic drilling, and soil sampling results superimposed on geologic structures and magnetic geophysics data. Geologic structures in the HRA include a fault graben, stockwork quartz veins and breccias. The results indicate that the main area of epithermal mineralization is in and on the edge of a magnetic low zone, and that zone is fault-controlled. Faults trend in a northeast direction. Higher grade soil gold and silver assays also exist within and on the edge of the magnetic low. Historic gold-silver resources, including those that were delineated in the 1980's, were in this low and on the edge of it.

Figure 2 also shows that the magnetic low extends beyond the areas drilled and soil sampled, and therefore there is potential to expand the mineralized areas further. Other magnetic features have yet to be interpreted in relation to the soils data, so those other exploration targets are labeled as secondary. Four secondary exploration areas ("SEA's") have been delineated to date.

Figure 2

Mindora Property

Soil Sampling Results

In the Historic Resource Area (HRA) and Secondary Exploration Areas (SEAS)

David Watkinson, President and CEO of Emgold states, "Mindora is a property that had over 43,000 ft of historic drilling on it from the period of about 1980 to 1995. It subsequently has sat idle for over 25 years. There are numerous historic shafts and adits from historic mining activities and the soils work shows both large and numerous exploration targets for follow up. Plans are to do additional soil work on the western half of the claim block to further define drill targets. Ultimately, the Company plans to conduct a drilling program to verify historic drilling results and subsequently to start to define mineral resources on the Property, subject to exploration success."

QA/QC Procedures

Using sampling procedures approved by Emgold, Rangefront inserted a QA/QC sample at every 20th soil sample, for a total of 54 samples. Specifically, this included six standards, 32 blanks and 16 field duplicates. Samples were collected on site, shipped and stored in Rangefront's warehouse in Elko, and then delivered by Rangefront in a single batch to the ALS preparation lab in Elko. The samples were analyzed by ICP methods, specifically ALS code AuME-ST-43, which is the 25g Super Trace Au+ Multi Element PKG. ALS also conducted internal QA/QC analyses using standards, blanks and duplicates for each batch of samples analyzed. The QA/QC results were reviewed by Emgold and found to be adequate.

Qualified Person

Robert Pease, C.P.G., a qualified person under the NI 43-101 instrument, has reviewed and approved the content of this press release.

About Emgold

Emgold is a gold and base metal exploration company focused on Nevada and Quebec. The Company's strategy is to look for quality acquisitions, add value to these assets through exploration, and monetize them through sale, joint ventures, option, royalty, and other transactions to create value for our shareholders (acquisition and divestiture (A&D) business model).

In Nevada, Emgold's Golden Arrow Property, the core asset of the Company, is an advanced stage gold and silver property with a well-defined measured and indicated resource. New York Canyon is a base metal property subject to an Earn-in with Option to Joint Venture Agreement with Kennecott Exploration, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Plc (RIO). The Mindora Property is a gold, silver, and base metal property located 12 miles from New York Canyon. Buckskin Rawhide East is a gold and silver property leased to Rawhide Mining LLC, operators of the adjacent Rawhide Mine.

In Quebec, the Casa South Property, is an early-stage gold property adjacent to Hecla Mining Corporation's (HL) operating Casa Berardi Mine. The East-West Property is a gold property adjacent to and on strike with Wesdome Gold Mine Ltd.'s (WDO) Kiena Complex and O3 Mining Corporation's (OIII) Malarctic Property (Marban Project). The Trecesson Property is located 50 km north of Val d'Or Mining Camp. Emgold also has a 1% NSR in the Troilus North Property, part of the Troilus Mine Property being explored by Troilus Gold Corporation (TLG).

Note that the location of Emgold's properties adjacent to producing or past producing mines does not guarantee exploration success at Emgold's properties or that mineral resources or reserves will be delineated. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's website at www.emgold.com or view the Company's filings available at www.sedar.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

David G. Watkinson, P.Eng.

President & CEO



For further information, please contact:

David G. Watkinson, P.Eng.

Tel: 530-271-0679 Ext 101

Email: info@emgold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estimates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "could" or "would". Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including any technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

SOURCE: Emgold Mining Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684513/Emgold-Releases-Positive-Soil-Sampling-Results-Expanding-and-Adding-Exploration-Targets-At-Its-Mindora-Property-NV
PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary - Fluorspar's uses have grown and changed in the last 100 years; today, the most important markets are fluorochemical production, aluminum refining and steelmaking. Fluorspar is the business name of mineral fluorites. Fluorite minerals are made out of calcium fluoride-containing 51.1% calcium and 48.9% fluorine. The metallurgical evaluation fluorspar is fundamentally utilized in the creation of metals where it's anything but a transition to eliminate pollutants like sulfur and phosphorous from liquid metal and accordingly improves the smoothness of slag. Fluorspar lumps are also mostly used in metallurgy. A report from Market Research Future said that the developing interest for steel and aluminum from the development business is relied upon to be the critical driver in the development of the worldwide Fluorspar Market Size over the estimated time frame (2030). Developing lithium-particle batteries over ordinary batteries is likewise expected to significantly drive the Fluorspar Market over the estimated time frame. Besides, developing optics, earthenware production, and individual consideration industry in arising economies because of rising discretionary cash flow and changing way of life are further expanding the Fluorspar Market over the estimated time frame 2030. The report continued: "One of the effective challenges in the development of the Worldwide Fluorspar Market Share is the tight stockpile of fluorspar. The marked-down supply of fluorspar is relied upon to lessen the creation of hydrogen fluoride, which thusly is required to build the cost of hydrogen fluoride during the estimated time frame. The Fluorspar Market Price is relied upon to develop at a CAGR of more than 5% during the conjecture time frame." Active stocks in the mining markets this week include Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (OTCQB: ARSMF) (TSX-V: ARS), Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF), Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS), Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA), Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE: HBM) (TSX: HBM).

Market Research added: "Developing interest for steel and aluminum from the development business is relied upon to be the vital driver in the development of the worldwide Fluorspar Market over the estimated time frame. Developing notoriety of lithium-particle batteries over traditional batteries is additionally expected to drive the Fluorspar Market over the estimated time frame significantly. Besides, developing optics, ceramics, and individual consideration industry in arising economies by virtue of rising discretionary cashflow and changing way of life are further expanding the Price of Fluorspar over the estimated period. The Middle East and Africa (MEA), Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and North America are the primary districts considered during the aggregation of the Fluorspar Market Report. The APAC locale is projected to display the quickest development rate during the gauge time frame attributable to interest for the mineral in different end-use ventures. China being one of the primary makers and exporters of the mineral and its subordinates, can drive the local market development till 2023. The fast industrialization and urbanization, developing disposable pay levels of clients, and the resurgence of the car area are different drivers of the district."

Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (OTCQB: ARSMF) (TSX-V: ARS) BREAKING NEWS:Ares Strategic Mining Completes Lumps Plant Steel and Infrastructure Fabrication - Ares Strategic Mining ("Ares" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the fabrication of its recently ordered steel has been completed and the Company has taken possession. The Company has now begun arranging to ship the steel to the United States, where it will be integrated with its recently shipped lumps plant in the Company's production construction project.

The steel structure will provide a 3-storey structure, which will house the Company's plant, allowing workers to optimally adjust the plant as it manufactures metallurgical fluorspar lumps. The plant will be the only one of its kind in the United States, so Ares has arranged for experienced international operators to accompany the plant to Utah, where they will assist with the construction and optimization of the plant.

Metallurgical fluorspar lumps are an extremely in demand upgraded industrial product used in the steel industry, and which the Company is looking to supply internally within North America as part of its role as the only domestic U.S. producer. In 2018 the U.S. government classified fluorspar as a Critical Mineral, "deemed critical to U.S. national security and the economy". Fluorspar remains the only non-metallic Critical Mineral which is 100% imported in the entire country. Fluorspar's classification as a Critical Mineral in the United States translates to a faster permitting period, enabling mining operations to initiate more quickly than operations for conventional minerals.

James Walker, President and CEO of the Company said, "The Company was faced with a steeply increasing steel price, and backlogged orders, but navigated the problems quickly to source a reputed supplier with a proven track record that could supply Ares with steel products within a reasonable cost and timeline. Our metallurgical tests have demonstrated a high-quality product which has garnered interest amongst manufacturers, and we have elicited the assistance of experienced groups to assist us in the installation of our facility. This was an important step towards becoming part of the United States' industrial base, and we will keep everyone abreast of developments as we continue to advance in that direction." CONTINUEDRead this full release for the Ares Strategic Mining news at:https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-ars/

Other recent developments in the mining industry include:

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS) recently announced that it has acquired Rotax Metals, Inc. ("Rotax"), a metals service center specializing in copper, bronze and brass alloys. Founded in 1947 and located in Brooklyn, New York, Rotax services a diverse customer base including distributors, manufacturers and the commercial and residential construction markets, emphasizing local customer relationships and next-day delivery. For the twelve months ended July 31, 2021, annual net sales for Rotax were approximately $14 million. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Rotax will operate as a subsidiary of Yarde Metals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance.

"Rotax's specialty products and excellent customer service align with both Reliance's business model and our acquisition strategy of acquiring immediately accretive, high quality, high margin businesses," commented Jim Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of Reliance. "This acquisition supports Reliance's product diversification strategy by expanding our portfolio of specialty bronze, brass and copper product offerings. By operating through our subsidiary Yarde Metals, a metals service center with sixteen locations throughout the Northeast, we expect Rotax will benefit from Yarde's relationships with mill suppliers and leverage its back-office services to streamline operations and promote continued growth. We are very pleased to welcome Rotax to the Reliance Family of Companies."

Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA) and the workers' representatives at the Company's San Ciprian aluminum plant in Spain have recently reached an agreement aimed at resolving ongoing challenges that stem from exorbitant energy prices.

The agreement, which was signed on December 29, 2021, calls for a two-year curtailment of the smelter's 228,000 metric tons of annual capacity, and a commitment by the Company to begin the restart of the smelter in January 2024.

"With this agreement, we now have a path to resolve the significant challenges that the facility has faced and can begin to build a stronger smelter in two years," said Alcoa President and CEO Roy Harvey. "This has been a challenging road for everyone involved, and we look forward to the future, working constructively with our employees and stakeholders to implement the agreement we reached."

Curtailment activities will begin on January 1, 2022, with the goal of completion before the end of January 2022. During the curtailment period, Alcoa will seek to secure as soon as possible long-term power purchase agreements, beginning from 2024. Also, the Company has committed $68 million for capital investments and $35 million for restart costs. As part of the agreement, workers will immediately cease a strike action that has affected both the aluminum smelter and the alumina refinery.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF) recently announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Ferrous Processing and Trading Company, including certain related entities ("FPT"). The final necessary regulatory clearances in connection with the transaction were obtained on November 17. FPT is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

FPT, which was recently awarded Fastmarkets' 2021 Scrap Company of the Year, is a leading prime ferrous scrap processor in the United States. FPT currently processes approximately three million tons of scrap per year, approximately half of which is prime grade. Cliffs expects to grow its prime scrap presence through its existing relationships with industrial steel consumers.

Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE: HBM) (TSX: HBM) recently released its third quarter 2021 financial results.

Third Quarter Operating and Financial Results Were: Generated $359.0 million in revenue, $103.5 million of operating cash flow before change in non-cash working capital and $119.3 million of adjusted EBITDAi in the third quarter of 2021 from higher realized base metals prices and higher gold sales volumes, partially offset by lower base metals sales volumes; Consolidated copper production in the third quarter was 23,245 tonnes; quarterly consolidated gold production increased by 35% to 53,872 ounces in the third quarter, compared to the second quarter in 2021, a record for Hudbay; Consolidated cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, were $0.62 and $1.97, respectively, an improvement of 26% and 12% compared to the second quarter of 2021; Third quarter Peru production was boosted by significantly higher gold grades from Pampacancha and record gold recoveries, leading to record quarterly gold revenue. Pampacancha production continues to ramp-up, achieving a 109% increase in ore production quarter over quarter; Third quarter Manitoba production benefited from higher throughput and higher gold grades at Lalor but was negatively impacted by lower zinc grades and zinc recoveries, limiting overall zinc concentrate feed to the zinc plant. Manitoba results included initial gold production from New Britannia's gold circuit; On track to meet annual production guidance for copper, gold, zinc and silver in concentrate and dore, consolidated sustaining capital expenditures, and Manitoba unit operating cost in 2021. After adjusting for unbudgeted COVID-related costs in Peru, full year unit operating costs for Peru are expected to be around the top end of the 2021 guidance range; and Cash and cash equivalents increased during the third quarter to $297.5 million as at September 30, 2021, mainly as a result of $139.8 million of cash generated from operations, partially offset by $89.1 million of capital investments primarily for the construction of the New Britannia project and sustaining capital expenditures and $33.6 million of interest paid on the company's senior unsecured notes.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Ares Strategic Mining Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:

Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com - +1(561)325-8757
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Chef Anita Lo and Taste-Maker Millie Peartree will join a list of prestigious culinary icons when they are recognized at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York March 6-8, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City. The Torch Award will be presented to Anita Lo, a Michelin star Chef, Iron Chef Winner, and Top Chef Masters competitor, and author. The Beacon Award will be presented to Millie Peartree, respected A-list celebrity personal chef, successful restaurateur, and cupcake extraordinaire.

Anita joins a list of prestigious past Torch Award winners, including Chef Marcus Samuelsson, Chef Roy Choi, American Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, CEO Danny Meyer, Chef Curtis Stone, Restaurant Owner Drew Nieporent, Chef Thomas Keller, Chef Norman Van Aken, and others. Millie joins past Beacon Award winners including Jilly Stephens, CEO, City Harvest; Kelly Valade, President, Chili's Grill & Bar; Sara Moulton, Chef, Cookbook Author and TV Personality; and many others.

"We look forward to welcoming Anita and Millie to our Center Stage and sharing with our attendees the wonderful careers of both of these industry leaders and honoring them with our two highest awards," said Rita Ugianskis, Vice President, Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group. "In addition to the Torch and Beacon Awards attendees will also be able to see several culinary demonstrations, cooking and beverage competitions and the presentation of the Humanitarian Spotlight Award all on our Center Stage."

The Torch Award honors talented chefs and/or restaurateurs for the brilliance of their careers and the impact they have had on the industry and their surrounding community. Anita Lo, a first generation Chinese American, from Birmingham, Michigan, who fostered an interest in food at a young age will be presented with the award on Sunday, March 6 on Center Stage at 11:45 am. Lo is a former restaurant owner, cookbook author and Michelin star chef. She has appeared as a contestant on Chopped All Stars, Iron Chef America, and Top Chef Masters. She was also the first female guest chef to cook a State Dinner at the White House under the Obama Administration. In October 2011, Lo released her first cookbook, "Cooking Without Borders," which highlights her passion for bringing multicultural flavors to her American kitchen and in 2018 released "Solo: Easy Sophisticated Recipes For a Party of One." For more information on the Torch Award, click here.

The Beacon Award recognizes female leaders who have truly served as a Beacon in the industry through their leadership, contributions, and inspiration. This year's Beacon Award recipient, Millie Peartree is a world-renowned community chef, taste-maker, restaurateur, and philanthropist based out of New York City. Her flagship business Millie Peartree Cupcakes and More catapulted her to the respected A-list celebrity personal chef, successful restaurateur, and cupcake extraordinaire she is today. In 2020, Millie founded Full Heart Full Bellies, a charity that provides meals for children and families in need, due to COVID-19 related, canceled and limited food programs. She has been able to provide over 100,000 meals and over 250,000 pounds to people during the crisis and bring national awareness to food insecurity. Millie can be seen on Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, Rachael Ray, and as a regular contributor to the New York Times. Millie specializes in Soul Food / Southern Cuisine. She can be seen on here new project A Chefs Guide to Soul Food streaming on Magnolia/Discovery Plus. The Beacon award will be presented on Monday, March 7 at 12:45 pm on Center Stage. For details on the Beacon Award, click here.

In addition to the awards presentations, the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show Center Stage will offer exciting culinary and beverage demonstrations, the Rapid-Fire Plant Based Edition Culinary competition, the Hip Sip Cocktail Competition, and a dynamic Trends Presentation. The brand-new Food & Beverage Academy will offer program tracks for all segments of the industry - from independent owners to chains to specialty coffee and tea. The new Education Summits will focus on the most important issues including business solutions, marketing tips, operational efficiency and staffing solutions. For information about exhibiting, sponsoring, or attending, visit www.internationalrestaurantny.com.

Clarion Events (us.clarionevents.com ) produces 37 events across 13 sectors of both trade and consumer events. The Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group include the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, Coffee Fest and The NGA Show. Clarion Events acquired PennWell in early 2018, bringing 4 Tradeshow 200 events into the U.S. portfolio and super-charging the already rapid growth. Clarion Events has offices in Trumbull, CT; Kennesaw, GA; Boca Raton, FL; Tacoma, WA, and Fairlawn, NJ.

For Further Information, Contact:

Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative

978-475-4441 (office) or 978-502-4895 (cell)

amy@riemercommunications.com

SOURCE: Restaurant & Foodservice Show

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684502/Two-Industry-Leading-Female-Chefs-Will-Be-Presented-with-The-Torch-and-Beacon-Awards-at-The-International-Restaurant-Foodservice-Show
THE WOODLANDS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / SPYR, Inc. dba SPYR Technologies (OTCQB:SPYR), a technology company whose subsidiary, Applied Magix, Inc., develops and resells Apple ecosystem compatible products in the growing multi-billion-dollar IoT Smart Home and Connected Car markets, is pleased to announce that Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC (EMC) has been retained to provide investor/public relations services. EMC specializes in helping small and mid-sized public companies establish brand awareness and increase market share to its customer base while improving visibility to the institutional and retail investment community.

"After meeting their talented team, I am excited to be working with EMC", states, Tim Matula, Chief Executive Officer of SPYR Technologies. "EMC's representation will allow SPYR and Applied Magix to reach the market potential that we envision."

James Painter, President of EMC, said, "With the tumultuous period we have all faced, hope springs eternal. Working with SPYR, Inc. is an honor and a privilege. The Company's prospects met our stringent client requirements, and we are happy to have SPYR on our prestigious client roster."

About SPYR Technologies

SPYR Technologies (SPYR) is a technology company which, through its subsidiary, Applied Magix Inc., develops and resells Apple ecosystem compatible products with an emphasis on the growing multi-billion-dollar IoT Smart Home and Connected Car markets. SPYR continues to identify and target acquisitions that will grow its footprint in the industry and expand the products it offers consumers, including companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) and smart-technology products.

Investors can learn more about SPYR and AppliedMagix at: https://ir.spyr.com/.

About Emerging Markets Consulting LLC

Based in Orlando, Florida, Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC (EMC) brings multiple decades of combined experience in the investor relations industry. EMC is an international investor relations firm with affiliates around the world. EMC is relationship-driven and results-oriented with the goal of seeking attractive emerging companies and concentrating its resources and efforts to serve a limited number of high-quality clients. For more information, visit EMC's website at www.emergingmarketsllc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain "forward-looking statement" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Investor Contact:

(303) 991-8000

ir@spyr.com

Company Name: SPYR Inc, dba SPYR Technologies

Address: 6700 Woodlands Parkway, Ste 230 #331

The Woodlands, TX 77382

Email Address: ir@spyr.com

Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC

James S. Painter, CEO

390 North Orange Ave Suite 2300

Orlando, Florida 32801

E-mail: jamespainter@emergingmarketsllc.com

Web: www.emergingmarketsllc.com

SOURCE: SPYR, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684461/SPYR-Technologies-Is-Pleased-To-Announce-Emerging-Markets-Consulting-LLC-EMC-Has-Been-Retained-To-Provide-InvestorPublic-Relations-Services
STOCKHOLM, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, 19 January 2022, MAG Interactive AB (publ) held its Annual General Meeting with Jonas Eriksson as chairman. The Annual General Meeting revolved upon, inter alia, the following:

Adoption of balance sheets and income statements

The Annual General Meeting adopted the parent company's income statement and balance sheet, as well as the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet for the financial year 2020/2021.

Allocation of profit or loss

The Annual General Meeting resolved to allocate the company's loss in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal.

Board of Directors

The board members and the CEO were discharged from liability for the financial year 2020/2021.

The Annual General Meeting resolved that the number of board members shall be six and re-elected the board members Daniel Hasselberg, Teemu Huuhtanen, Andras Vajlok, Taina Malen, Jonas Eriksson and Asbjrn Sndergaard.

The Annual General Meeting re-elected Jonas Eriksson as chairman of the Board of Directors.

Fees to the Board of Directors

The Annual General Meeting resolved that a fee amounting to SEK 450,000 shall be paid to the chairman of the Board of Directors and that a fee amounting to SEK 220,000 shall be paid to each of the other board members not employed by the company.

Auditors

The Annual General Meeting resolved that the registered auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers AB shall be re-elected as the company's auditor for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

Authority for the Board of Directors to issue new shares

The Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to grant the Board of Directors the authority, on one or more occasions for the period until the next Annual General Meeting, to issue new shares, either applying or disapplying the shareholders' pre-emption rights. The number of shares issued by virtue of the authority may not exceed an increase of ten (10) percent of the share capital based on the total share capital of the company on the date of the Annual General Meeting 2022. If the Board of Directors resolves to issue new shares disapplying the shareholders' pre-emption rights, the reason for this must be to implement an acquisition agreement or, alternatively, to procure capital for such acquisition.

Adoption of a long-term employee stock option program and resolution regarding an issue of warrants and transfer of shares and/or warrants

The Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to implement a long-term employee stock option program for employees of MAG interactive.

In order to enable the company's delivery of shares under the employee stock option program the Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to issue not more than 529,892 warrants in two series to a wholly owned subsidiary of MAG Interactive, and to approve that the subsidiary transfers shares and/or warrants to the participants of the employee stock option program in connection with exercise of the employee stock options. Since the warrants are intended to secure delivery of shares in the employee stock option program as well as enable the participants' choice between cash exercise or cashless exercise, the subsidiary will not exercise more than 264,946 warrants (of either series), which corresponds to the maximum number of employee stock options in the employee stock option program.

Adoption of a long-term warrant program and resolution regarding an issue of warrants

The Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to implement a long-term warrant program for certain members of the executive management of MAG Interactive.

In order to enable the company's delivery of shares under the warrant program the Annual General Meeting resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to issue not more than 264,946 warrants to the participants in the warrant program.

The Board of Directors

MAG Interactive AB (publ)

For additional information, please contact:

Daniel Hasselberg / CEO / +46 (0)8 644 35 40 / daniel@maginteractive.se

Magnus Wiklander / CFO / +46 (0)8 644 35 40 / magnus.wiklander@maginteractive.se

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/mag-interactive/r/bulletin-from-mag-interactive-s-annual-general-meeting,c3482084
Routefusion unlocks international financial operations for global companies with seamless cross-border banking

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Routefusion , the most comprehensive fintech solution for unlocking global expansion, today announces their $10.5 million Seed Prime Funding Round co-led by Canvas Ventures and Silverton Partners with participation from Haymaker Ventures, Initialized Capital, Sherwin Gandi (co-founder of Jeeves), and Aldrin Clement (co-founder of Novel Bank). Rebecca Lynn, co-founder and general partner at Canvas Ventures, joined Routefusion's board of directors. In the past 11 months, the company has experienced +200% organic customer growth and +5000% revenue growth.

Cross-border payments solutions have historically been centered around large banking institutions, and have been riddled with pain points such as limited accessibility, long settlement periods with high transaction costs, and little transparency for both private consumers and businesses. Prior to Routefusion, small to mid-sized fintech companies had few options for expanding payment and banking operations internationally, as large banks are reluctant to work with startups, and smaller banks have difficulty implementing cross-border payments at the speed and scale growing fintech companies require. With increases in alternative fintechs such as neo-banks, crypto, and financial marketplaces seeking to expand globally, cross-border payment flows are expected to top $156 trillion by 2022.

Routefusion enables neo-banks, payroll providers, platforms, crypto, and marketplaces to expand their products globally with easy-to-implement embedded financial capabilities such as local and international payments (SWIFT wires) and multi-currency bank accounts. With a single integration, Routefusion customers have access to more than a dozen different banking and foreign exchange providers, including AFEX, MoneyCorp, Cambridge, Tempus, ReserveTrust, Nium, and Buckzy. The company's financial toolset enables developers and fintechs to bring a quality global product to market with confidence, and Routefusion's customers include Synapse, Jeeves, Novel, PaymentLabs, and Wyre.

With more than $14M total raised since 2021, the new infusion of capital will be used to expand Routefusion's operations in new markets with a focus on Latin America (LatAm) and Africa, bringing the company's total reach to more than 180 countries and more than 150 currencies. Based in Austin, Texas, Routefusion's remote-first workforce operates across North America. With this funding, Routefusion plans to grow its team with strategic hires including product and marketing.

"Gone are the days when go-to-market meant a domestic launch in one market. Today's most ambitious fintech companies know that in order to win big, they must launch globally," said Colton Seal, co-founder and CEO of Routefusion. "We understand how to expand a company's product and financial infrastructure, eliminating the obstacles associated with international payments and banking operations. With Routefusion, companies can embrace the global economy and scale across borders and oceans."

"The biggest problem Routefusion solves is not only payment orchestration, but global product expansion," shared Sherwin Gandi, co-founder of Jeeves. "For most companies, the global banking establishment can be a barrier when trying to set up payment options for customers. You have to negotiate with each and every bank, and it's still not guaranteed that you'll get approved to work with them. That's where Routefusion really helps companies grow. They not only streamline compliance but they provide the access to payment rails that can help take your products and services to masses around the globe."

"Routefusion solves a pain point felt by every company looking to scale globally, and is uniquely positioned to become the go-to platform to facilitate international financial transactions," said Rebecca Lynn, co-founder and general partner at Canvas Ventures. "Colton Seal, Richard Scappaticci, and the all-star Routefusion team have first-hand experience with the challenges of global payments, and they're approaching the solution in a modern, easy, transparent way that nobody has attempted to date."

About Routefusion

Routefusion provides a simple, fast solution for expanding banking and payment operations internationally. With its easy-onboarding API, Routefusion empowers fintech companies with cross-border superpowers to get connected immediately with multiple banking, FX, and local payout partners across the world. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, and co-founded in 2018 by software engineers Colton Seal and Richard Scappaticci, Routefusion is a modern solution built for innovative companies looking to grow globally.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1728215/Routefusion_Logo.jpg
Hes vaxxed and packed.

A Florida health department leader was placed on administrative leave earlier this month after emailing employees encouraging them to get vaccinated.

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Dr. Raul Pino, director of the Orange County Health Department, told department employees that their vaccination rate was irresponsible and pathetic, local ABC affiliate WFTV reported.

Dr. Raul Pino speaks during a news briefing about local COVID-19 updates on Nov. 4, 2021 at the Orange County Administration Center in Orlando, Fla. (Chasity Maynard/Orlando Sentinel)

I am sorry, but in the absence of reasonable and real reasons, it is irresponsible not to be vaccinated, Pino wrote. We have been at this for two years, we were the first to give vaccines to the masses, we have done more than 300,000 and we are not even at 50% pathetic.

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According to Pinos email, 219 of 568 health department employees have received two vaccine doses and an additional 77 have received a booster shot, WFTV reported. But another 34 got just a single dose and many more got no shots at all.

In November 2021, Floridas Republican-led state government passed a law banning vaccine mandates in the state, including for government employees. The Florida Department of Health said Pino was placed on leave while he is investigated for possibly violating that law, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Pino, 58, has been on leave since he sent the email Jan. 4, the Sentinel reported Tuesday. Pino was a common presence at COVID press conferences in the city and county, often sharing best practices alongside Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Orange County, which includes Orlando and many of its suburbs, has a vaccination rate of 75% in people over 5 years old, according to Florida state data. The states vaccination rate of 72% beats the national average of 69%.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / FALCON GOLD CORP. (TSX-V:FG), (GR:3FA), (OTCQB:FGLDF); ("Falcon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has acquired a significant land position in the Gander North area via staking and cover 406 claims totaling 10,150 hectares. The Company has immediate plans to commence high resolution magnetic surveys upon approval of exploration permits. These new claims are located 25 kilometers due East of New Found Gold's Queensway Project and are contiguous to Sassy Resources Gander North Project which Sassy had optioned from Shawn Ryan.

Figure 1. Regional location of Falcon's Gander North Gold property.

Northeast trending structural lineaments first recognized by Sassy Resources to the immediate east are interpreted to continue onto the Property. An interpretation of the regional magnetics shows NNE trending, ophiolite bearing thrust faults are cross-cut by a series of brittle NE trending fault-fractures, which indicate a regional setting similar to that to the highly prospective eastern Exploits Subzone. Gold mineralization models along the Exploits Subzone are based on analogous structural settings to those at Fosterville in Victoria, Australia (https://exploitsdiscovery.com/projects/).

Recent exploration by Sassy Resources on their Gander North Project have returned spectacular results from soil geochemistry sampling surveys as evidenced with recent published results of 1,432 ppb Au in northeast trending zones.

Falcon's Chief Executive Officer, Karim Rayani commented, "The Gander North Property marks an exciting addition to our property portfolio - the recent soil sampling program released by Sassy Resources and world-renowned prospector Shawn Ryan is further proof that we continue to acquire land positions in highly prospective terrains, where our interpretations show a very high probability of a continuation of a structural system running through our ground. We eagerly await the exploration permitting approvals and the start of our detailed high resolution magnetic surveys within our Gander Project Area."

Falcon Gold Gander South Property

Falcon's new land acquisition is hosted within the Exploits Subzone of the central Newfoundland gold belt. The property covers extensions or is proximal to major structure, the Dog Bay-Appleton-Grub Line fault system, a crustal scale fault zone that extends from the north coast of Newfoundland, southwest through Gander and these structural corridors are intimately associated with recent gold discoveries including New Found Golds Queensway Project. The property lies within a domain of ambiguous geophysical signatures with the only coverage being large-scale regional geophysical surveys and even with these coarse lines spacings, preliminary interpretations indicate zone boundaries and mapped units differ significantly from published regional geological maps.

Qualified Person

Mr. Mike Kilbourne, P. Geo, an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company.

The QP has not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the properties comprising the Hope Brook property, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighboring companies, and government geological work. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Property but may not be representative of expected results.

About Falcon Gold Corp.

Falcon is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on generating, acquiring, and exploring opportunities in the Americas. Falcon's flagship project, the Central Canada Gold Mine, is approximately 20 km southeast of Agnico Eagle's Hammond Reef Gold Deposit which has currently estimated 3.32 million ounces of gold (123.5 million tonnes grading 0.84 g/t gold) mineral reserves, and 2.3 million ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources (133.4 million tonnes grading 0.54 g/t gold). The Hammond Reef gold property lies on the Hammond shear zone, which is a northeast-trending splay off the Quetico Fault Zone ("QFZ") and may be the control for the gold deposit. The Central Gold property lies on a similar major northeast-trending splay of the QFZ.

The Company holds 8 additional projects. The Esperanza Gold/Silver/Copper mineral concessions located in La Rioja Province, Argentina. The Springpole West Property in the world-renowned Red Lake mining camp; a 49% interest in the Burton Gold property with Iamgold near Sudbury Ontario; and in B.C., the Spitfire-Sunny Boy, Gaspard Gold claims; and most recently the Great Burnt, Hope Brook, and Baie Verte acquisitions adjacent to First Mining, Benton-Sokoman's JV, and Marvel Discovery in Central Newfoundland.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Falcon Gold Corp.

"Karim Rayani"

Karim Rayani

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Telephone: (604) 716-0551

Email: info@falcongold.ca

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements

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, 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.

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, 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.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Falcon Gold Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684565/Falcon-Gold-Acquires-10150-Hectares-in-Gander-North-Adjacent-to-Sassy-Resources--Plans-High-Resolution-Magnetic-Surveys
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - Karus Gold Corp. ("Karus Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from its summer 2021 drill program at its Gold Creek gold project ("Gold Creek") part of the Company's 1,000 square kilometers ("km") South Cariboo Gold District in British Columbia (Figure 1). A total of 1,389 meters ("m") in five diamond drill holes was completed at Gold Creek between mid-June and early July 2021, including hole GC-21-049 that returned 0.74 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold over 46.4 m within a broader envelope of gold mineralization of 0.49 g/t gold over 80.65 m.

Karus Gold Vice President of Exploration, Michael Tucker, comments, "The Gold Creek program successfully confirmed the orientation and trend of the gold bearing horizon at the Camp Zone. The same mineralized horizon has now been traced for over 1,000 m of strike length, and depths up to 250 m down-dip. The system continues to demonstrate robust scale potential."

Highlights:

Program confirmed the orientation of the broader envelope of gold mineralization in the Camp Zone.

Higher-grade plunge lines are beginning to be identified within the broader corridor or mineralization.

Mineralized corridor remains sparsely tested over 1,000m strike length and could be part of a much larger gold mineralizing system that includes the adjacent Spanish Mountain deposit that is 100% owned by Spanish Mountain Gold.

Table of significant drill results

Drill Hole From To Interval Au Grade1,2 (m) (m) (m) (g/t) GC-21-049 101.6 182.25 80.65 0.49 including 112.9 159.3 46.4 0.74 GC-21-048 193.4 266.75 73.35 0.44 including 223.2 251 27.8 0.83 GC-21-047 180.4 228.5 48.1 0.31 GC-21-046 215.1 261.33 46.21 0.42 including 242.9 257.78 14.88 0.64 GC-21-045 186.7 228 41.35 0.49 206.6 219.15 12.55 1.06

Karus Gold has not been able to determine true width yet due to complexity of the vein structures within the mineralized zones. The 2021 drill program was designed to better understand the geometry and how the mineralized zones are related. The orientation of individual quartz veins within the mineralized zones are quite variable. Reported widths are drill indicated core length and not true width, for the reasons above. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays, as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts. Composites are calculated using a 0.1 g/t Au cutoff, incorporating no more than 7 m downhole dilution. Higher grade composite sections are calculated using a 1 g/t and 3g/t cutoff incorporating no more than 5 m downhole dilution.

Based on this drill program the Company is confident that gold mineralization at the Camp Zone is contained within a corridor that strikes northwest and dips approximately 60-70 degrees to the northeast (Figure 2). The Camp Zone has been traced through wide-spaced drilling for ~1,000 m along strike and to a depth of ~280 m below surface, ~250 m down-dip (Figure 3). Gold mineralization at the Camp Zone lies to the northwest and along trend of the Spanish Mountain deposit, 100% owned by Spanish Mountain Gold, which hosts measured and indicated resources of 4.7 million ounces of gold grading 0.5 g/t gold (see Spanish Mountain Gold May 11, 2021 press release).

Figure 4 is an inclined long section along this mineralized corridor showing the drill density and quality of drill results. 2021 drill results from the Camp Zone indicate that higher grade plunge lines within this corridor plunge steeply to the west.

The next stage of drilling at the Camp Zone will be to systematically step out along this corridor and search for additional higher-grade zones. Interpretation of multi-element data from 2020 and 2021 is ongoing to search for alteration assemblages and elemental correlations to zones of higher-grade gold.

Next Steps and 2022 work program

The Camp Zone has largely been the focus of work at Gold Creek in the recent past, however, much of the broader land package remains largely under-explored. Karus Gold plans to complete a property wide IP survey to better understand the sub-surface geology in the area as it is largely under tertiary cover. The goal of this survey is to generate near term drill targets as well as identify any potential continuation of the Camp Zone to the northwest across the Poquette Fault. A biogeochemical survey over prospective areas will help further refine areas for drill testing. The next phase of drilling will be ~2,500 m split between the Camp Zone and new exploration targets.

Drill assay results from the 7,142 meter FG Gold drill program continue to be received and Karus Gold expects to be in a position to provide these results in the first quarter of 2022.

Collar Table:

Drill Hole Length (m) Azimuth Dip Easting Northing Elevation GC-21-045 244.75 238.06 -52.24 599437 5831174 928 GC-21-046 300 237.58 -62.98 599437 5831174 928 GC-21-047 240 253.93 -52.79 599437 5831174 928 GC-21-048 344 254.08 -62.85 599437 5831174 928 GC-21-049 260 239.71 -51.55 599362 5831151 924

About Gold Creek

The 100% owned Gold Creek project consists of 34 claims totalling 9,673 hectares. Access is by all-weather gravel road. The site has well developed infrastructure and is just 70 km northeast of the town of Williams Lake, a major regional centre serviced by an airport and railway. The property has several small roads that will provide easy access for drilling the claims.

Gold Creek is adjacent to and on strike with a large, northwest-southeast trending gold-bearing zone bounded by the Quesnel River ("QR") historic mine and mill owned by Osisko Development Corp to the northwest and the Spanish Mountain project owned by Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. to the southeast.

More information on Gold Creek can be found in the NI 43-101 technical report dated November 26, 2021 "Technical Report on the South Cariboo Gold Property" filed under Karus Gold's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Karus Gold's website at www.karusgold.com.

About Karus Gold

Karus Gold is 100% owner of the 1,000 km2 South Caribou Gold District that includes the drill-stage FG Gold and Gold Creek projects in British Columbia. Karus Gold is supported by strategic investors Eric Sprott; and insiders, together with the management and Board, own approximately 59% of the basic shares outstanding.

Further information on Karus Gold and its assets can be found on the Company's website at www.karusgold.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting us as info@karusgold.com or by telephone at (888) 455-7620.

QA/QC and Qualified Person

Once the drill core was received from the drill site, individual samples were determined, logged for geological attributes, sawn in half, labelled, and bagged for assay submittal. The remaining drill core was then stored at a secure site in Horsefly, BC. The Company inserted quality control samples at regular intervals within the sample stream which included blanks, preparation duplicates, and standard reference materials with all sample shipments intended to monitor laboratory performance. Sample shipment was conducted under a chain of custody procedure.

Drill core samples were submitted to Bureau Veritas' analytical facility in Vancouver, BC for preparation and analysis. Sample preparation included drying and weighing the samples, crushing the entire sample, and pulverizing 250 grams. Analysis for gold was by method FA450: 50g fire assay fusion with atomic absorption (AAS) finish with a lower limit of 0.005 ppm and upper limit of 10 ppm. Gold assays greater than 10ppm are automatically analysed by method FA550: 50g fire assay fusion with a gravimetric fusion.

Bureau Veritas is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for gold assays, and all analytical methods include quality control materials at set frequencies with established data acceptance criteria. Parameters for Bureau Veritas' internal and Karus Gold's external blind quality control samples were acceptable for the analyses returned.

Technical information with respect to Gold Creek contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andrew Kaip, P.Geo., who is Karus Gold's CEO and is a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the technical matters of this news release.

On behalf of Karus Gold

"Andrew Kaip"

Chief Executive Officer

(647) 515-7858

Investor Relations

Victor Ostlund - Kin Communications

(604) 684-6730

KAR@kincommunications.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects", "suggests" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company, the next stage of the drill program and the timing, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.

Such factors include, among others: risks related to exploration and development activities at the Company's projects, and factors relating to whether or not mineralization extraction will be commercially viable; risks related to the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration of minerals, such as unusual and unexpected geological formations; uncertainties regarding regulatory matters, including obtaining permits and complying with laws and regulations governing exploration, development, production, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, site safety and other matters, and the potential for existing laws and regulations to be amended or more stringently implemented by the relevant authorities; risks related to title to the Company's properties, including the risk that the Company's title may be challenged or impugned by third parties; the ability of the Company to access necessary resources, including mining equipment and crews, on a timely basis and at reasonable cost; competition within the mining industry for the discovery and acquisition of properties from other mining companies, many of which have greater financial, technical and other resources than the Company, for, among other things, the acquisition of mineral claims, leases and other mineral interests as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and other personnel; access to suitable infrastructure, such as roads, energy and water supplies in the vicinity of the Company's properties; and risks related to the stage of the Company's development, including risks relating to limited financial resources, limited availability of additional financing and potential dilution to existing shareholders; reliance on its management and key personnel; inability to obtain adequate or any insurance; exposure to litigation or similar claims; currently unprofitable operations; risks regarding the ability of the Company and its management to manage growth; and potential conflicts of interest.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.





Figure 1. Location of the 1,000 square km South Cariboo Gold District



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

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Figure 2. Location of Phase 1 Drill Holes at the Gold Creek Camp Zone



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

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Figure 3: Geologic Cross section with 2021 drill results.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

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Figure 4. Gold Creek long section with 2021 drill results.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110735
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), a semiconductor company, said on Wednesday that its Chair of the Board Ray Stata is leaving the company with effect from the date of the company's 2022 annual meeting shareholders. Vincent Roche, current Chief Executive Officer or CEO of Analog Devices will succeed Stata, with effect from this year's annual meeting of shareholders. . Outgoing Chair Stata commented: 'Vince has shown remarkable leadership of ADI as our President and CEO. We are certain that this appointment strengthens his ability to continue his leadership of ADI, as the Company continues to develop even more complete, high-performance solutions for our customers.' In 1965, Stata co-founded ADI with his Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) fellow graduate, Matthew Lorber. Stata served as President of ADI from 1971 to 1991 and as CEO of the company from 1973 to 1996. 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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Silver Elephant Mining Corp. ("Silver Elephant" or the "Company") (TSX:ELEF)(OTCQX:SILED)(Frankfurt:1P2N) announces it has commenced an exploration drilling program at the Paca deposit, which is part of the Company's 100% controlled Pulacayo project in Bolivia.

This drilling program is a follow-up from a successful 2020 drill program (refer to news release dated November 30, 2020) where drill hole PND118 intercepted 112 meters 50 g/t silver equivalent including 10 meters of 93g/t silver equivalent ("AgEq")*.

PND118 was drilled in September 2020 from northeast to southwest at the eastern edge of the Paca resource based on 2020 mapping and where observations of oblique structures to the main east-west trending mineralized resource body, defined by 21,098meters of Paca drilling, were almost all drilled in a north-south direction.

Drilling on PND119 (from east to west) and PND120 (from northeast to southwest), was completed in December 2021, with assay results pending in early February. The drilling program tested the encouraging Paca east corridor further away from Paca resource, where target locations were pinpointed by induced polarization ("IP"). Geophysics survey results collected in 2021 identified a large anomaly which continues across 5 lines (500 meters), immediately southeast ofhole PND118. The IP anomaly starts from near surface and extends down to at least 500 meters depth, which is the IP detection limit.

The Company interprets these broad oblique structures as key conduits for the mineralizing fluids during the formation of Paca deposit. The size of IP anomaly, which wraps around Paca dome, is comparable in its extent to current Paca resource (situated north of Paca dome) at 500 x 270 meters in dimension. The Paca resource** contains an indicated 37 million oz of silver, and an inferred 6 million oz of silver, much of it regarded as a manteau-style deposit.

Most of the near-surface mineralization at Paca is classified as oxide-silver resource containing an indicated 5.9 million oz of silver at 231g/t (800,000 tonnes), and an inferred 1.2 million oz of silver at 159g/t (235,000 tonnes). This mineralization represents an opportunity to recover the silver metal via a simple leach process. Environmental permitting commenced in mid-2021 and the Company plans to provide Paca permitting and technical updates in the near future.

The Paca deposit, 7 kilometers north of Pulacayo mine (the Tajo vein), is part of Pulacayo project with total resources of indicated 106.7 million oz of silver and inferred 13.1 million oz of silver**. These resources are well supported by 94,394 meters of drilling (5,009 meters by Apex Silver from 1994 to 1998, 85,024 meters by Apogee Silver from 2002 to 2014, and 4,361 meters by Silver Elephant from 2019 to 2020). These drilling programs have almost exclusively concentrated on the Pulacayo and Paca deposits, leaving significant exploration upside in the 35.6 km2 land package, 100% of which is controlled by Silver Elephant.

Robert Van Drunen, Silver Elephant's Chief Operating Officer noted: "I was very impressed from my recent visit to Pulacayo in December in terms of the project's resource, infrastructure capability and community support.

It was easy to see why the Pulacayo mining district is legendary with its rich 200-year history, featuring the Tajo vein with an endowed strike length recorded at over 3 kilometers.

The Paca deposit stands out to me as a clean slate project, with high likelihood of resource expansion, in addition to early production potential as an oxide starter pit operation with minimal stripping. Silver Elephant will rigorously study and pursue this production scenario."

John Lee, founder and CEO states: "With the completion of the plan of arrangement to spin out the Company's non-silver assets, Silver Elephant is directing focus and budget to its silver projects in Bolivia. Going forward, Silver Elephant is all about silver and we expect to see consistent progress and news updates throughout 2022."

Paca maps are posted at www.silverelef.com.

*Based on core-angle measurements, true widths range from 77% to 86% of the reported core length. AgEq calculation is based on a 2020 NI 43-101-compliant resource report completed for the Paca deposit by Mercator Geological Services (see Company's press release dated October 13th, 2020). Silver equivalent is calculated as follows: AgEq. = Silver Equivalent (Recovered) = (Ag g/t*89.2%)+((Pb%*(US$0.95/lb. Pb/14.583 Troy oz./lb./US$17 per Troy oz. Ag)*(10,000*91.9%))+((Zn%*(US$1.16/lb. Zn/14.583 Troy oz./lb./US$17 per Troy oz. Ag)*(10,000*82.9%)) and assumed metallurgical recoveries. Metal prices of US$17/oz Ag, US$0.95/lb Pb, and US$1.16/lb Zn apply.

**Pulacayo project resource by Mercator Geological Partners, effective October 13, 2020 with details provided in the Company's news release dated October 13, 2020.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QA/QC")

Silver Elephant adopts industry-recognized best practices in its implementation of QA/QC methods. Rock chip samples average between 5-7 kilograms. Samples are shipped to ALS Global Laboratories in Ururo, Bolivia for preparation and then shipped to ALS Global laboratories in Lima, Peru for analysis. Samples are analyzed using Intermediate Level Four Acid Digestion. Silver overlimits ("ore grade") are analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. The ALS Laboratories sample management system meets all the requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015. All ALS geochemical hub laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for specific analytical procedures. A geochemical standard control sample is inserted into the sample stream. The laboratory also includes duplicates of samples, standards and blanks for additional QA/QC. Check assays are reviewed prior to the release of data. Assays are also reviewed for their geological context and checked against field descriptions.

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this news release have been prepared under the supervision of Danniel Oosterman, VP Exploration. Mr. Oosterman is not independent of the Company in that he is employed by it. Mr. Oosterman is a qualified person as defined by the guidelines in NI 43-101.

About Silver Elephant

Silver Elephant Mining Corp. is a premier silver mining and exploration, and owns 39% of Battery Metals Royalties Corp.

Further information on Silver Elephant and Battery Metals Royalties can be found at www.silverelef.com and royalbatt.com

SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Lee"

Executive Chairman

For more information about Silver Elephant, please contact Investor Relations:

+1.604.569.3661 ext. 101

info@silverelef.com www.silverelef.com

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding Silver Elephant's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Silver Elephant's forward-looking statements. Silver Elephant believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although Silver Elephant 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. Silver Elephant undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

SOURCE: Silver Elephant Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684566/Silver-Elephant-Drills-Paca-Silver-Project-in-Bolivia-Assays-Expected-in-Early-February
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - ZEB Nickel Corp. (TSXV: ZBNI) (OTCQB: ZBNIF) ("Zeb" or the "Company") has received final approval from the OTC Markets Group to begin trading on the OTCQB market under the ticker symbol "ZBNIF" at market open on January 19, 2022. Trading on the OTCQB Market is a positive step forward for both the company and its shareholders, allowing Zeb to now have access to the United States investment community, through its new U.S. listing on the OTCQB. With the support of the OTC Markets Group, the company expects to be able to continue to advance the company within the U.S. investment community.

The OTCQB is the premier venture marketplace for developing junior resource companies in the United States with its commitment to providing a high-quality trading platform for U.S. investors. Wayne Isaacs, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, states that, "We are excited to be trading on the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States which complements our Canadian listing on the TSX Venture Exchange and broadens our investor base. This is a timely milestone as we have a robust pipeline of exploration activity currently underway, and trading on the OTCQB will increase the Company's visibility to U.S. investors and improve liquidity for our shareholders." Isaacs further states that, "In the upcoming months we are looking forward to reporting our second phase of this exciting exploration project and we will be updating the marketplace on the of our project's phased exploration program which has already resulted in high grade nickel sulphide intersection in excess of 0.5% nickel and 1.88 g/t 3PGE + Au (platinum plus palladium plus rhodium plus gold)."

To be eligible, companies must meet high financial standards, including being current in their financial reporting, follow best practices corporate governance, have professional third-party sponsor introduction, demonstrate compliance with U.S. securities laws, and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. The OTCQB is recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission as an established public market that provides current public information to investors the need to analyze, value and trade securities.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Zeb Nickel Corp.'s ("Zeb") flagship project is the Zebediela Nickel Project which is located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa and contains 3.9 million tons of contained sulphide nickel. The project is ranked number 8 in the global top ten nickel sulphide resources as per Mudd and Jowitt (2014) and is at an advanced licensing stage to mine in an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and cost-efficient manner.

The project is located in an area known for its world class nickel-copper-platinum group element ("Ni-Cu-PGE") deposits. Zeb's neighbors include Ivanhoe Mines' Platreef Project and Anglo American Platinum's Mogalakwena mine, which is the world's largest open pit platinum mine. These two deposits together contain over 27% of the top ten known global nickel sulphide resource.

The Company has filed a filing statement dated July 28, 2021 (the "Filing Statement") under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are encouraged to review the Filing Statement, which provides detailed information the business of the Company and the Zebediela Nickel Project.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Wayne Isaacs"

Chief Executive Officer

For further information from the Company, contact:

Wayne Isaacs

ZEB Nickel Corp.

Chief Executive Officer

Suite 401, 4 King Street,

Toronto, Ontario

M5H 1B6

Phone: (416) 504-3978

Email: wvisaacs@zebnickel.com

www.zebnickel.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 certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws regarding the Company and its business. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to proposed financing activity, proposed acquisitions, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third-party information and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. The Company does not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. This news release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). The Company has not registered and will not register the securities under the U.S. Securities Act. The Company does not intend to engage in a public offering of their securities in the United.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110747
NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Chase, and Instacart, online grocery platform in North America, said that they have expanded their existing partnership to make Chase the exclusive issuer of Instacart's first credit card. As a part of the partnership, Mastercard will become the exclusive payments network for the new offering. Chase noted that the new Instacart Mastercard credit card will be the first Chase co-branded card offering in the on-demand grocery delivery space. The card will allow consumers to earn accelerated points on purchases across the Instacart marketplace, which today includes more than 700 beloved national, regional and local grocers and retailers. The card is expected to launch in 2022 and will also offer a number of other benefits, perks and savings. Chase and Instacart are currently offering eligible Chase cardmembers a free Instacart Express membership and $10 off their next order of $35 or more, through April 30, 2022. Instacart Express membership provides unlimited free deliveries and reduced service fees on all orders $35 or more. Eligible cardmembers can sign up through January 31, 2022. 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) - President Joe Biden has thanked wireless carriers Verizon and AT&T for agreeing to delay 5G deployment around key airports and to continue working with the Department of Transportation on safe 5G deployment at this limited set of locations. Verizon and AT&T are launching high speed 5G service across the United States Wednesday. Despite the telecom giants' exemption to airports, some foreign airlines, including Emirates, ANA and Japan Airlines, canceled some U.S. flights over concerns that high tech radio signals could interfere with navigational systems on their aircraft. 'We are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and the relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns, and we hope to resume our US services as soon as possible,' Dubai-based Emirates Airline said in a statement. FAA had warned the 5G service could interfere with some sensitive equipment on board certain aircraft, such as long-haul aircraft Boeing 777. Biden said in a statement that Verizon and AT&T's agreement will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and U.S. economic recovery, while allowing more than 90 percent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled. 'This agreement protects flight safety and allows aviation operations to continue without significant disruption and will bring more high-speed internet options to millions of Americans,' he added. 'My team has been engaging non-stop with the wireless carriers, airlines, and aviation equipment manufacturers to chart a path forward for 5G deployment and aviation to safely co-exist - and, at my direction, they will continue to do so until we close the remaining gap and reach a permanent, workable solution around these key airports,' Biden said. Expanding 5G and promoting competition in internet service are critical priorities of the Biden administration. 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.
CHICAGO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MarketsandMarkets has released 360Quadrant for the best 5G Infrastructure to help businesses make quicker and more informed decisions. Quadrants are ranked post-analysis of companies based on product portfolios and business strategies adopted by them. This data gets updated every six months based on market and regional analysis and developments in the 5G Infrastructure industry. Of 90+ parameters, the top criteria for company evaluation were communication infrastructure, frequency, voice architecture, edge computing, and network security.

5G Infrastructure, also referred to as fifth-generation, is the global wireless network invented after 4G and other networks. It is a network of macro and small cell communication infrastructure along with edge compatibility capability. 5G Infrastructure comes with functionalities like low latency, high bandwidth, multiple device connection, and network optimization with enhanced capacity. The major factors driving the 5G Infrastructure market are the increasing demand for mobile network data services and the growing demand for machine-to-machine/IoT devices.

Categorization of 5G Infrastructure Vendors

The evaluation of the vendors offering 5G Infrastructure was conducted for more than 50 companies offering 5G Infrastructure, of which 20 companies were shortlisted and categorized on a quadrant under Visionary Leaders, Innovators, Dynamic Differentiators, and Emerging Leaders.

Ericsson, Huawei, Samsung, Nokia, AT&T, Cisco, and Verizon have been identified as Visionary Leaders.

Extreme Networks, NEC, Fujitsu, and Siklu, have been identified as Innovators.

KT Corporation, Ciena, ZTE, HPE, and Juniper Networks have been recognized as Dynamic Differentiators.

Mavenir, T-Mobile, VMWare, and Affirmed Networks (Microsoft) have been identified as emerging players.

360Quadrants Scoring Methodology

360Quadrants assessed some of the top 5G Infrastructure providers. These vendors were assessed based on more than 90 specifically selected parameters, which were finalized based on the product and business strategies of the software provider, and the data received from the buyers as well as the industry experts. All these parameters were assigned a specific weightage, post which they were measured as well. This study also helps the analysts calculate the total score based on which providers of 5G Infrastructure were ranked and positioned on 360Quadrants.

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 pain points around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analysts 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 the 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, "Knowledgestore" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for a deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

Contact:

Mr. Agney Sugla

agney@marketsandmarkets.com

630 Dundee Road, Suite 430

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USA: +1-888-600-6441
An urgent need for greater clarity is emerging in the world of NFT platforms, which are already offering a very large number of diverse and varied products. To enhance the navigation experience, OpenSea has already organized their offer into ten categories: New, Art, Collectibles, Domain names, Music, Photography, Sports, Trading cards, Utility and Virtual Worlds, but even this organization has lots of overlaps and gray areas, and we believe these marketplaces need greater clarity, stability and transparency in order to attract new collectors.

Alchemical Fractal 1 (collection of 999 works), raw steel, NFT sculpture and algorithm by thierry Ehrmann. Courtesy of Organe Museum / Abode of Chaos / La Demeure du Chaos

Image: [ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2022/01/image1-alchemical-fractal-NFT.jpg ]

thierry Ehrmann, CEO and Founder of Artmarket.com and its Artprice department: "The disruptive NFT technology escapes the 'standard' segmentation of the art market, traditionally organized into periods, mediums, movements, etc. Coving a multitude of extremely innovative initiatives, the NFT phenomenon is spreading into numerous intermingling areas. But, looking ahead, Artprice is working on a framework that will inform players in this market about what is exchanged and about what creates value; in short, a clear and objective way of presenting the information relating to NFTs (origin, edition, supply, demand, use, etc.), information that is necessary to reassure the market".

The best and the not so good

For its Natively Digital: A Curated NFT Sale, which closed on 10 June 2021, Sotheby's brought together items as diverse as creations by the collective Art Blocks, a reinterpretation of Claude Monet's Meules painting by the artist digital Matt Kane, and a conceptual work by Rhea Myers aptly titled Secret Artwork (Content), about which the artist said "there is nothing rarer than something that doesn't actually exist".

Today, it is clear that NFTs represent a market that is open to all forms of hybridization, that of art and gaming, design and sport, etc.. Even if certain distinctions seem to have become obsolete, Sotheby's still chose to sell CryptoPunk #7523 separately (it fetched $11,754,000) which suggests that some NFTs still deserve specific treatment. Such a separation, based solely on demand, would obviously benefit from an accentuation of the homogeneity of the sessions.

This does not necessarily imply excluding CryptoPunks from digital art sales just because they are profile pictures (PFPs) rather than actual works. But it should be recognized that CryptoPunks, generated by random combinations, fall better into the category of Collectibles, however unattractive this rubric may sound.

Confusion, paradoxes and limits

The confusion between the Collectibles and Art categories is partly based on price because a profile photo purchased for several million dollars is perhaps an artwork as well. Similarly, when Sina Estavi acquired Jake Dorsay's first tweet for $2.9 million in March 2021, he compared this piece of code to the world's most famous work of art, da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

The NFT market is therefore still peppered with ambiguity and paradox. Clearly on the side of decentralisation and transparency, the NFT market still harbours numerous anomalies, which Financial Times journalists Hannah Murphy and Joshua Oliver have listed in a somewhat alarmist article entitled "How NFTs became a $40 bn market in 2021":

The unregulated space is also plagued by fraud, scams and market manipulation, especially because the real-world identities of buyers and sellers is difficult, if not impossible, to discover. Analysis by Nansen found $2 million of suspicious activity across the CryptoPunk and Bored Ape collections in the 30 days to mid-December. Some NFTs, for example, were sold at a 95 per cent discount to the average sale price, either because of mistakes by buyers and sellers, tax write-offs or some other scam exploiting unskilled users. Researchers have also warned that the market is likely being inflated by wash trading - when a trader takes both sides of a trade in order to give the false impression of demand.

Towards greater transparency

So far, there are not enough clear and transparent results to placate such suspicions. In 2021, Artprice databases listed just under 300 NFT lots sold at public auction for a total of $228 million, representing just 1.5% of the global secondary art market. Among the 100 best auction results of the year 2021 for NFTS, Artprice counted 65 digital artworks, 32 'collectibles', 2 'digital zones' and 1 film sequence.

But this is only the emerging part of a market that is growing at an exponential rate. The sooner the NFT marketplaces allow users to navigate with confidence by providing objective and useful information, the sooner they will reassure collectors and art professionals, and open the world of NFTs to new players.

According to thierry Ehrmann, CEO and Founder of Artmarket.com and its Artprice department: "All in all, NFTs have successfully triggered a genuine art market revolution in just a few months by flooding it with new works and providing a new sales channel. Initially by attracting young collectors and tech and cryptocurrency enthusiasts, but subsequently by attracting traditional collectors. Because, today, everyone wants to try the NFT experience. Like any revolution, this one is jerky with a lot of volatility that will attenuate over time. It is indeed perfectly natural for a new virgin space to experience a form of 'Gold Rush', with ingenuity and excesses at the same time. But as a Leader in Art Market Information, Artmarket.com will provide pragmatic solutions for NFT Marketplaces in order to establish the trust that is the driving force behind any exchange on the Internet, especially during this new phase of 'art market dematerialization'. Indeed, this has always been Artmarket.com's principal added-value: making the art market an efficient market over the years thanks to its compilation and exploitation of the most comprehensive art-focused databases in the world, providing sellers and buyers with the essential data they need for engaging in transactions with complete confidence".

Sotheby's has clearly understood that the Art Market is entering a new phase of very strong growth with NFTs and the metaverse. That's why Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are preparing Sotheby's return to the Stock Exchange via an IPO. Sotheby's has already taken the plunge by opening the Sotheby's Metaverse https://metaverse.sothebys.com/ .

Furthermore - and this is indeed irrefutable confirmation of the paradigm shift that is occuring - Sotheby's has just announced it will accept bids in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USD Coin (USADC) cryptocurrencies with Coinbase Commerce for the 555-carat black diamond!

Image: [ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2022/01/image1-alchemical-fractal-NFT.jpg ]

Copyright 1987-2022 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com

Don't hesitate to contact our Econometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: econometrics@artprice.com

Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo

Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription

About Artmarket:

Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF.

Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video

Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987.

See certified biography in Who's who :

Biographie_thierry_Ehrmann_2022_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf

Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 770,000 artists.

Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform.

Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.

Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 5.4 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code).

Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art.

Artprice's 2020/21 Contemporary Art Market Report by Artmarket.com:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2021

Artprice by Artmarket's 2020 Global Art Market Report published in March 2021:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2020

Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department:

serveur.serveur.com/Press_Release/pressreleaseEN.htm

Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 5,4 million followers)

twitter.com/artmarketdotcom

twitter.com/artpricedotcom

Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013

L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o

www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (4.4 million followers)

https://vimeo.com/124643720

Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: ir@artmarket.com

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Dominique Kelly's transition to a leadership role at the waste to regenerative products Company effective January 1, 2022

SusGlobal to benefit as it develops its second Ontario facility to advance the commercialization of its organic waste-to-fertilizer business as Leaders in the Circular Economy

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - SusGlobal Energy Corp. (OTCQB: SNRG) ("SusGlobal" or the "Company"), the developer of SusGro, an award winning, revolutionary pathogen free organic liquid fertilizer, today announced that Dominique Kelly has been appointed Environmental Compliance Officer effective January 1, 2022. Dominique has been with the Company for the past three years, first serving as Environmental Compliance & Project Development Manager.

"Dominique has maintained a focus on execution and environmental strategy and has guided SusGlobal through an impressive wave of recent regulatory developments at our Belleville facility," said Marc Hazout, Executive Chairman, President and CEO of SusGlobal Energy Corp. "Management was pleased to appoint Dominique as Environmental Compliance Officer ("ECO") to lead our march to open up new markets for our products and offerings. Her deep understanding of environmental regulations and expertise in the rapidly evolving regulations were critical to our decision to elevate her to ECO of the Company. We're proud to make this announcement and are looking forward to working with Dominique."

Dominique's appointment as ECO follows SusGlobals' purchase of the Hamilton, Ontario facility, including the Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECAs) attached to that project. These developments are expected to open new market opportunities for SusGlobals' proprietary processes and technology.

"SusGlobal is a leader in the circular economy model, and I look forward to working with the board and our entire team to achieve the company's full business and technology potential," Dominique said. "With a strong focus on producing superior products and with the momentum our business has headed into 2022, we're excited about what's to come."

Dominique brings to the ECO role over 3 years of experience as the Environmental Compliance & Project Development Manager at the Organic & Non-Hazardous Waste Processing and Composting Facility in Belleville. In 2016, Dominique graduated from Trent University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Resource Studies and obtained a certificate for Environmental Planning from Fleming College in 2019. Throughout her academic career, Dominique was involved in shoreline assessment, Geographic Information System (GIS) applications, indigenous consultation, and exploring environmental law and policies from Governmental agencies. Dominique has also acquired experience and knowledge outside of academia with expertise in public engagement, policy interpretation, environmental monitoring and analysis. Additionally, she has gained training operating heavy machinery, processing, sales and quality assurance. In 2020 Dominique received her Compost Facility Operator certification, as recognized by The Compost Council of Canada.

About SusGlobal Energy Corp.

SusGlobal Energy Corp., the developer of SusGro, an award winning and revolutionary pathogen free organic liquid fertilizer, is an industrial, environmental and agricultural biotechnology company focused on acquiring, developing, and monetizing a portfolio of proprietary technologies in the waste to energy and regenerative product applications globally. It is management's objective to grow SusGlobal into a significant sustainable waste to energy and regenerative products provider and a trusted brand for the fertilizer, soil and aquaculture market, as LEADERS IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY. For more information, please visit the Company's website at: www.susglobalenergy.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company's objectives. 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," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, lack of sufficient financial resources; variations in market conditions, currency and our stock; the Company's ability to obtain any necessary permits, approvals, consents or authorizations required for its activities; the Company's ability to produce energy, biogas, compost or organic fertilizer from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and other risk factors described in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov.

Contact

SusGlobal Energy Corp.

Marc Hazout, President and CEO

(416) 223-8500 or Toll Free: 1-866-512-7374

Email: info@susglobalenergy.com

SOURCE: SusGlobal Energy Corp.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110783
Nearly 1 million kids contracted COVID in the U.S. between Jan. 6 and Jan. 13, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The total of 981,488 pediatric COVID cases is the highest number in a single week since the pandemic began.

Advertisement

Dr. Rhonda Achonolu comforts her son Kenechi, 9, as he is inoculated with first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children five to 12 years at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, on Nov. 3, 2021, in the Bronx. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

During that time, children accounted for 22% of all COVID infections in the U.S., according to the AAP report. Since March 2020, about 17% of all COVID infections have occurred in children.

The major increase in pediatric cases mirrored a nationwide spike in positive COVID tests.

Advertisement

That figure of a million is really eye-popping, Dr. Mark Kline of Childrens Hospital New Orleans told NBC News. But I dont think that omicron has a unique propensity for children. Kids are being affected like everybody else.

The AAP said the reported figure is likely an undercount due to a lack of available testing. The organization also said many children use at-home tests, which are not always reported to public health authorities.

Vaccination rates in children under 12 are lower than those of the general population, according to Centers for Disease Control data. No vaccines are approved for children under 5.
Ananda Developments Plc - Exercise of Warrants

19 January 2022

ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC

("Ananda" or the "Company")

EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

Ananda announces that 737,349 ordinary shares of 0.2p each in the Company ("Ordinary Shares") have been issued following the exercise of warrants at 0.45p per share.

Application will be made for the new Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading on the Access segment of the AQSE Growth Market and admission is expected to become effective on Tuesday, 25 January 2022.

Following this issue, the Company has 798,515,470 Ordinary Shares in issue, each share carrying the right to one vote.

This figure of 798,515,470 Ordinary Shares may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

-Ends-

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC

Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Sturgess



Investor Relations

Jeremy Sturgess-Smith +44 (0) 7463 686 497

ir@anandadevelopments.com PETERHOUSE CAPITAL LIMITED

Corporate Finance

Mark Anwyl



Corporate Broking

Lucy Williams

Duncan Vasey +44 (0)20 7469 0930

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

About Ananda Developments

Ananda is an AQSE-listed medical cannabis company creating UK-based operations to grow and provide carbon neutral, consistent, medical cannabis for the UK and international markets.

The UK medical cannabis market is predicted to be worth 450m by 2025 and the European market is predicted to be worth USD4.2bn by 2027.

Ananda, through its 50% owned subsidiary, DJT Plants Limited, was granted a Home Office licence in May 2021 to grow >0.2% THC cannabis in a new research facility to breed and stabilise 65 strains.

For more information, please visit: https://anandadevelopments.com/
Combined Hybrid ER & Urgent Care Provider Intuitive Health Saw Unprecedented Patient Volume & Exceptional New Market Growth

PLANO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Intuitive Health , the national leader of the dual emergency room and urgent care model, has announced a record-breaking year, including increased patient utilization and the addition of new market locations alongside improved staff retention, repeat patient visits and high customer satisfaction scores. The list of accomplishments demonstrates that Intuitive Health's operational processes work as customer demand remains high for transparency, quality care and efficiencies in emergency services and urgent care.

"Despite the extremely challenging circumstances, we are pleased with our growth as it demonstrates we are providing health systems and communities with the services they need and expanding access to health care," said Thom Herrmann, chief executive officer of Intuitive Health. "Our innovative approach of providing ER and urgent care services under the same roof strengthens our health care partners' presence in communities nationwide and affords patients an alternative for quality care and treatment while saving both patients and providers time and money. Our facilities set the gold standard for value-based care."

Patient Growth

In 2021, Intuitive Health saw unprecedented patient volume. Patient facility usage across all locations increased by 52% over 2020; growth in 2020 was up 35% over 2019. Patients who came to partner facilities during COVID realized the effectiveness of the Intuitive Health model and are now reoccurring patients. The average Intuitive Health facility treats more than 100 patients every day. In 2021, each Intuitive Health location exceeded market volume projections, already set ahead of normal market volumes.

Reduced ER Over Utilization

Because Intuitive Health combines ER and urgent care services, providing dual care in locations with both high- and low-acuity environments, patients don't need to decide where to receive treatment. Patients are billed only for the services they need, eliminating all costs associated with unnecessary ER utilization. About 92% of patients had non-emergent conditions, while roughly 8% of Intuitive Health ER patients were admitted to a partner health system's ER for treatment.

New Hospital Systems and Markets

Intuitive Health entered two new markets from its partnerships with health care systems in 2021. New locations include ProMedica Toledo Hospital Emergency and Urgent Care in Ohio and ShorePoint Health Emergency & Urgent Care in Florida. These facilities are in addition to current Intuitive Health partnerships with PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care in New Mexico, Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care in Indiana, Baptist Health Care Emergency Room & Urgent Care in Florida and Intuitive Health's flagship Legacy ER & Urgent Care in Texas, which brings the total count to 14 open locations in five states (Texas, Ohio, Florida, Indiana and New Mexico).

Intuitive Health also announced partnerships with Honor Health in Arizona, Northwest Health in Arkansas and UF Health in Florida in 2021. In the first quarter of 2022, Intuitive Health will open Northwest Health Emergency & Urgent Care in Arkansas and an additional location of PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care in New Mexico. Due to increased demand for health care services, Intuitive Health will also open facilities in Delaware, Oklahoma, Arizona, Kentucky, South Carolina and Washington in 2022. The company plans to operate 28 locations in 13 states by the end of the 2022 calendar year.

Additionally, Intuitive Health forged relationships with major health systems in Kentucky, Indiana, Washington D.C., Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida. Currently, 47 facilities are in the site selection phase.

Staff Tenure

Even with the pressures straining health care provider operations, Intuitive Health retained its clinical and operational staff at all existing facilities in 2021. This staffing success is indicative of Intuitive Health's status as an employer of choice.

In addition to the company's highly efficient staffing model, which includes a proprietary EMR workflow design, the work environment at each Intuitive Health location is intentionally designed to inspire, support and instill confidence among its team. Proven protocols and positional cross-training, utilization of scribes and the strategic use of parallel processes designed for the urgent care and ER combined service all impact Intuitive Health's high employee retention rates.

Customer Satisfaction Scores

Intuitive Health measures patient satisfaction with the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a standard global retail customer satisfaction measure of operational excellence. The average NPS scores across all Intuitive Health locations rank the company in the top 1% of global retailers for customer services for 2021. This ranking includes more than 20,000 submissions of customer feedback, most received within 24 hours of a patient's visit to an Intuitive Health facility.

"We know that a positive customer experience builds trust and loyalty, which is seen in our high numbers of repeat customers, word-of-mouth referrals and individuals who advocate for our brand," said Herrmann. "These endorsements reinforce our commitment to our patients and their families. We do health care different than anything patients have ever experienced."

While 2021 was a challenging year for health care facilities, Intuitive Health continued to exceed patient expectations across the board, providing excellent and quality care. Founded in 2008 with the goal of transforming the health care industry by providing positive patient experiences through the company's principle of servant leadership, Intuitive Health is changing what it means for patients to receive care in an environment that prioritizes the patient experience, meeting both medical and customer service needs.

More information about Intuitive Health is available at www.iheruc.com/about-us/. Learn more about the company's partnerships and values at https://www.iheruc.com/health-systems/ and understand the Intuitive Health patient experience at https://www.iheruc.com/patients/.

###

ABOUT INTUITIVE HEALTH

Founded in 2008, Intuitive Health pioneered the combined emergency room and urgent care model. Intuitive Health partners with established health systems nationwide to build, launch and operate retail healthcare facilities that provide urgent care and emergency room services under one roof. Current partners include Baptist Health in Florida, Baptist Health in Indiana, ShorePoint Health ER & Urgent Care in Florida, Northwest Health in Arkansas, Presbyterian Healthcare Services in New Mexico, ProMedica in Ohio, Riverview Health in Indiana, UF Health in Florida, and its flagship center, Legacy ER & Urgent Care in Texas. Intuitive Health's patient-centered, dual-care retail model is built on a proven business system focused on concierge-level customer service and transparency. Each facility has onsite lab equipment, a radiology suite with X-ray and multi-slice CT scanners and are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Every patient is examined by a board-certified and ER-licensed physician, regardless of the level of care they need. As an objective criterion, the physician determines if the appropriate care is emergent or urgent care. Patients are billed accordingly, only paying for the care they require, which in turn eliminates inappropriate emergency room utilization. This proven model establishes a cost-effective, more personalized and time-efficient way to deliver high-quality medical service at the appropriate cost, which garners long-term patient loyalty. The Intuitive Health model simultaneously increases market share for partner healthcare systems by expanding their footprint with conveniently located centers. For more information, please visit. www.iheruc.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jo Trizila

TrizCom PR on behalf of Intuitive Health

IntuitiveHealthPR@TrizCom.com

Cell/Text: 214-232-0078

Office: 972-247-1369

SOURCE: Intuitive Health

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684578/2021-A-Record-Breaking-Year-for-ER-and-Urgent-Care-Pioneer
Highlights:

- Insurance Linked Securities listings reach record level

- International debt listings increased in 2021

- BSX moves into new headquarters at Exchange House

- BSX begins publishing U.S. MIAX Pearl Equities data to the Pyth Network

HAMILTON, Bermuda and PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) today reported 2021 results, with record insurance-linked securities (ILS) listings and continued growth in international debt listings. BSX also completed a number of important initiatives in 2021 including joining the Pyth Network and moving its operations to a new headquarters location in the Exchange House.

Insurance Linked Securities (ILS) listings reached a record 281 issues in 2021, representing an 11.1% increase from 253 listings in 2020. Combined nominal value of 2021 listings totalled $19.8 billion, a 25.4% increase from the $15.8 billion total in 2020 with the number of ILS securities totalling 757 listings at the end of 2021, representing $50.8 billion in nominal value.

"It was a pivotal year for BSX and our team, with our core listing business ending the year at record levels despite the impact of COVID-19 on our ability to engage in traditional physical business development activity," said Greg Wojciechowski, president and chief executive officer of BSX. "BSX moved its administrative and commercial operations to a new location at Exchange House in Hamilton and implemented significant upgrades to the technology infrastructure as we continued the integration with our parent, Miami International Holdings, Inc."

International debt issues listed on BSX saw continued growth totalling 222 in 2021, a 7.3% increase from 2020. The nominal value of new international debt listings totalled $29.4 billion, a 35.7% increase from 2020.

"Steady growth in our international debt listings during the ongoing disruption caused by COVID-19 is an important validation of BSX's growing importance as a recognised venue for international debt listings in the western hemisphere," said James McKirdy, chief compliance officer of at BSX. "Issuers continued to refinance outstanding debt with larger-sized issues, supporting growth in nominal value of debt issuances."

BSX listed 24 new collective investment vehicles, 10 derivative warrants and 1 new equity in 2021. At year-end 2021, there was a record 1,294 securities listed on BSX, a 14.8% increase from 1,127 at the end of 2020. The RG/BSX Index increased 27.7% in 2021, closing at 2,595.09. Trading volume on the Domestic Market totalled 3.0 million shares in 2021, while share value traded totalled $23.4 million. Market capitalisation of the companies on BSX totalled $334 billion at the end of 2021.

"Bermuda Securities Depository (BSD), the domestic Central Counter Party (CCP) and Central Securities Depository (CSD), continued to ensure orderly settlement of trades and processing of all domestic corporate actions despite the challenges encountered by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Neville Caines, operations manager of BSX. "At year-end 2021, BSD held 52% of all domestic listed securities in custody, an increase of 6% from 2020."

In June, BSX joined the Pyth Network, a decentralised financial market data distribution platform deployed on an Oracle network designed to provide high fidelity financial market data to the blockchain industry using a blockchain protocol on the Solana network. BSX subscribed to U.S. equity market data from MIAX Pearl Equities and began publishing data to the network in September 2021.

"The BSX celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021 and we believe we have built a foundation for our next 50 years of innovation and growth. What has become clear over the past year is that the change in how we work, where we work and disruptors such as digital assets and DeFi have been accelerated," added Mr. Wojciechowski. "Bermuda is positioning itself to become a global leader in climate risk finance solutions given its long history of providing catastrophic peril coverage through innovative vehicles such as ILS. The BSX will continue to play a critical role in this area as the leading Exchange for international listing services for ILS securities."

About BSX

BSX is a leading electronic international securities market regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) specializing in the listing and trading of capital market instruments such as equities, debt issues, funds, hedge funds, derivative warrants and insurance linked securities. A full member of the World Federation of Exchanges and affiliate member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions, BSX is globally recognized including by the SEC. To learn more about BSX visit www.bsx.com.

About MIAX

MIAX's parent holding company, Miami International Holdings, Inc., owns Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (MIAX), MIAX PEARL, LLC (MIAX Pearl), MIAX Emerald, LLC (MIAX Emerald), Minneapolis Grain Exchange, LLC (MGEX), and Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX).

MIAX, MIAX Pearl and MIAX Emerald are national securities exchanges registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that leverage MIAX's industry-leading technology and infrastructure to provide U.S. listed options trading to their member firms. MIAX serves as the exclusive exchange venue for cash-settled options on the SPIKES Volatility Index (Ticker: SPIKE), a measure of the expected 30-day volatility in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). In addition to options, MIAX Pearl facilitates the trading of cash equities through MIAX Pearl Equities.

MGEX is a registered exchange with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and is a Notice Registered Securities Futures Product Exchange with the SEC. MGEX serves as the exclusive market for a variety of products including Hard Red Spring Wheat, SPIKES Futures, BRIXX Commercial Real Estate Futures and TAX Futures. MGEX is a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) under the CFTC, providing DCM, DCO and cash market services in an array of asset classes.

MIAX's executive offices and National Operations Center are located in Princeton, NJ, with additional offices located in Miami, FL, Minneapolis, MN, and Hamilton, Bermuda.

To learn more about MIAX visit www.MIAXOptions.com.

To learn more about MGEX visit www.mgex.com.

Media Contact:

Andy Nybo, SVP, Chief Communications Officer

(609) 955-2091

anybo@miami-holdings.com

Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities of Miami International Holdings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company), and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer; solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

All third-party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by the Company remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, the Company's use of third-party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship, or endorsement between the owners of these trademarks and the Company. Any references by the Company to third-party trademarks is to identify the corresponding third-party goods and/or services and shall be considered nominative fair use under the trademark law.

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SACRAMENTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, UCLA Health's new Latino affinity group, La Comunidad , gathered in early October with guest keynote speakers, Cynthia Telles , Clinical Professor in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry, and Dr. Xavier Calligas, Associate Director of the UCLA Hispanic Neuropsychiatric Center of Excellence, to discuss the topic of hope and equity for the Hispanic/Latino community. The conversation was an engaging discussion that explored how UCLA Health and its leaders can transform its policies, practices, and processes to advance equity and justice for the Hispanic/Latino community.

La Comunidad, an affinity group formed by UCLA faculty and students, was founded with the mission of creating a lasting space for Latino members, providing opportunities to network, and supporting the community as a whole. In alignment with the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM), this year's national theme was "esperanza"- Spanish for "hope" - as an attempt to spark conversation around the importance of having a sense of community and support that not only represents the Latino community but also offers resources that help improve lives and careers.

During the virtual conversation, Dr. Telles drew upon what inspired her to dedicate her career and passion towards the improvement of the Latino community in her area.

"Ever since I was very young, I would see my family do a lot of charitable work across the borders of El Paso and Juarez," said Dr. Cynthia Telles. "Seeing this, combined with a number of other influences, I started to see how public service was a truly noble cause - as my father used to say."

Moreover, Dr. Telles expanded on the importance of developing more diverse leadership and management within healthcare systems that includes individuals of different ethnicities, genders, orientations, and abilities. Dr. Telles asserted that in doing so, healthcare systems can more easily identify and eliminate disparities to improve patient care and health outcomes.

For Dr. Cagigas, bridging the past, present, and future of efforts aimed at supporting Latino and immigrant families can bring a sense of hope to the community. When more people share their experiences and voices, he says, greater progress and achievement are possible.

"So many times, Latino individuals find themselves so separated from each other that we miss the importance of reaching out, networking, and building our community," said Dr. Cagigas. "Latinos and Latinas really thrive with one another, and being able to see the power of one is essential for our community."

Through the work of organizations like UCLA'S Health group La Communidad and leadership figures within the Latino community such as Dr. Telles and Dr. Cagigas, meaningful advancements to address health disparities are underway.

"If more and more of us get together and dialogue to share lived experiences, hopefully, we can begin to change the structures and the systems that we either actively or passively participate in," Dr. Cagiggas said. "I think a group like La Comunidad and other health system affinity groups are a good way to keep all of us honest and re-center often marginalized voices while keeping efforts for transformative change in plain view."

To view the full conversation, click here .

Contact: Andrew Mitchell, media@cambridgeglobal.com

SOURCE: Cynthia Telles

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684619/Dr-Cynthia-Telles-and-Dr-Xavier-Calligas-Discuss-How-To-Achieve-Equity-For-The-HispanicLatino-Community-in-Celebration-of-National-Hispanic-Heritage-Month
Brampton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. (CSE: SNA) ("Star" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a Partnership agreement with FlightPath International SA Ltd. ("FPI").

This partnership enables FPI to train Worldwide Airlines & Operators including Pilots, Engineers, Flight Operations Officers on Star's Flight Sciences Services and Technologies. These services and technologies range from helping Airlines implement the mandatory International Civil Aviation Organization's ("ICAO") Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System program ("GADSS") coming in January 2023, to Autonomous Aircraft Tracking, Flight Operations Performance and Predictive Maintenance Protocols. The agreement calls for a commission of 15% to be paid to FPI on all materials sold and Star will be entitled to a commission of 15% from all training revenues associated with the sale and distribution of materials. The term of the agreement is five (5) years with an option for a second term of five (5) years upon agreement by both parties.

"This is an important step for Star as we launch our new Star A.D.S  Training Services," says Amir Bhatti, CEO at Star. "The FPI Partnership helps us open several new doors to showcase our products as the global airline industry starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines need our technologies to ensure compliance with ICAO flight tracking requirements by January 2023 and to optimize aircraft performance.

With FPI's successful track record in Airline training and its global footprint with offices in 8 countries around the world, Star now has the ability to train new and prospective customers in best practices training standards."

The benefits of this new partnership include:

FPI offers its customers access to and training in industry leading flight operation metrics.

Star accesses 160 new potential customers that can benefit from its technologies as a result of joint marketing efforts.

Customers acquire a rapid path to ICAO-GADDS compliance well before the mandated January 2023 deadline and therefore can better plan their training needs.

Since its inception more than 18 years ago, FPI has earned a trusted reputation in the aviation industry by providing the highest standard of Original Equipment Manufacturer ("OEM") training, and customer service. Star and FPI have come together and we can now provide a remarkable service that will bring operating costs down for airlines, as well as develop an even higher standard of safety to our customer's operations", says Andrew Lucas, CEO at FPI.

In addition to the Quality Training that our customers have come to know with FPI, the addition of Star's products and services adds new dimensions for Flight Following, Technical Readiness, Environmental Optimization, reduced "Unexpected" Aircraft on Ground downtime, Improved Efficiency and Standardization and Safety in Flight Operations. These attributes provide real and substantial cost savings as well as environmental benefits.

About Star Navigation:

Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. manufactures the In-flight Safety Monitoring System, STAR-ISMS, the heart of the STAR-A.D.S. System. The STAR-A.D.S. System has real-time capability of tracking, performance trends and predicting incident-occurrences which enhances aviation safety and improves fleet management while reducing costs for the operator. Star's MMI Division designs and manufactures high performance, mission critical, flight deck flat panel displays for defence and commercial aviation industries worldwide.

About FlightPath International:

Founded in 2003, FlightPath International, a Canadian based company, is a leading provider of Training and Operational Support services for the commercial airline industry worldwide. FlightPath offers Technical, Pilot, Multi-Crew Pilot Licensing, Cabin and Dispatcher training, with aircraft types that include Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, De Havilland, and Embraer, serving over 160 Operators in over 60 Countries.

Certain statements contained in this Release constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "expected", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Star or its management or board are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect Star's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

The risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic are real and substantial but cannot be defined or measured in any meaningful way at this time. Many other factors could cause Star's actual performance or achievements to vary from those described herein. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Star does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

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 the content of this release.

Please visit www.star-navigation.com or contact

Mr. Amir Bhatti, CEO at 1-416-252-2889 #230 or amir.bhatti@star-navigation.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110797
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - Solis Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: SLMN) (ASX: SLM) (FSE: 08W) ("Solis" or "the Company") is pleased to provide the following update:

Solis has retained Amvest Capital to upgrade its US OTC listing to the OTCQB level





The Quebrada exploration concessions staked by Solis around Mostazal have been granted and are being registered





New copper-prospective concessions in Peru are under application

US OTC Market

Solis is pleased to announce the engagement of New York-based Amvest Capital Inc. to assist the Company with its application to cross-list on the OTCQB Exchange in the United States. The Company formerly held a US OTC Grey Market listing. It is anticipated that an upgraded listing to the OTCQB will provide greater liquidity and a more seamless trading experience for U.S. shareholders of Solis. The upgrade may also provide certain exemptions from U.S. state securities laws or "blue sky" exemptions which may help to further increase liquidity and expand investment advisors' ability to research and recommend investment in Solis Minerals. Amvest Capital is a specialist investment management and corporate finance firm focused solely on the Natural Resources sector and has assisted numerous TSXV and ASX companies with OTCQB cross-listing applications.

Quebrada Applications at Mostazal

Solis Minerals has been granted exploration concessions adjacent to its Mostazal Copper Project [see news release dated June 24th 2021]. A total of 18 concessions, labelled Quebrada 1-18 were applied for, totalling 4,764 hectares. Solis will update it's GIS mapping with the new concessions once the concessions are registered with the Mining Register.

New Peru Application

Solis has made application for seven concessions in the Tacna Region of southern Peru, 5 kilometres along trend from Southern Copper Corporation's Toquepala Mine. The area was subject to a number of competitive applications, which are being assessed by INGEMMET, a department of Peru's Ministry of Energy and Mines.

The applications lie along the Incapuquio Fault in southern Peru, which is associated with three large copper-molybdenum deposits, currently in production; Cuajone, Quellaveco and Toquepala.

Solis has also been granted its application for the Caruca concession in the Tacna Region of southern Peru, as announced June 9, 2021. Located in the same region as the Company's Ilo Norte and Ilo Este Copper Projects Caruca covers copper and molybdenum anomalies including the Pampa M copper-molybdenum porphyry showing. The Company will conduct an initial sampling and mapping program at Caruca, in conjunction with planned exploration at Ilo Norte and Ilo Este.

About Solis Minerals Ltd.

Solis Minerals is a Latin American-focused mining exploration company. The Company is earning into a 100-per-cent interest in the Mostazal copper project in Chile's Atacama Desert, one of the world's premier copper production jurisdictions. The Company also holds a 100-per-cent interest in a package of highly prospective IOCG (iron oxide copper/gold) and porphyry copper projects in southwestern Peru within the country's prolific coastal copper belt - a source of nearly half of Peru's copper production.

This Announcement has been authorised for release to ASX by the Board of Solis Minerals Ltd.

For further information please contact:

Jason Cubitt

President and CEO

Solis Minerals Ltd.

+01 (604) 209 1658

Stephen Moloney

Investor Relations

Corporate Storytime

+61 (0) 403 222 052

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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 save as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110789
ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- North Highland, the leading change and transformation consultancy, announced that Barbara Ray, the firm's managing director and president of client services, has been recognized as a 2022 Global Leader in Consulting by Consulting Magazine.

She is being honored for excellence in influence based on influencing change in organizational culture and industry practices that impacted the company's measures of success.

Ray was instrumental in designing the firm's integrated operating model that brings together our transformation solutions in the context of our client's industries. This approach provides superior expertise for clients and resulted in higher client satisfaction scores and a growth rate for North Highland that is double the industry average.

"If there's one way to sum up Barbara's impressive contributions, it's that she brings a growth mindset to?everything she does and sets a compelling example to inspire others," said Alex Bombeck, CEO. "She has been extraordinary in leading our change and transformation consultancy, embracing our internal transformation along the way."

Ray commented, "It's a huge honor for me to be recognized within our industry. Especially in today's environment of complex business challenges, innovation is critical for planning and executing the kind of transformation our clients need to succeed. This is an exciting time for me to collaborate with the talented team at North Highland - to help our clients grow and propel our firm and people forward."

Currently, Ray leads all industries and portfolios across the firm. She joined North Highland as a business partner in 2005 and has served as global public sector leader, managing director and was promoted to company president in 2020.

Prior to her career at North Highland, Ray served as deputy secretary in the Florida Department of Management Services and was an attorney at Bryant Miller Olive. She holds a JD from the Florida State University College of Law and a BA in psychology from Rollins College.

In March, honorees will be recognized at a Global Leaders in Consulting dinner and award ceremony in London.

About North Highland

North Highland makes change happen, helping businesses transform by placing people at the heart of every decision. It's how lasting progress is made. With our blend of workforce, customer and operational expertise, we're the world's leading transformation consultancy. We break new ground today, so tomorrow is easier to navigate.

Founded in 1992, North Highland is regularly named one of the best places to work. We are a proud member of Cordence Worldwide, a global network of truly connected consultancy firms with the ability to think and deliver together. This means North Highland has more than 4,500 experts in 60+ offices around the globe on hand to partner with you.

For more information, visit http://www.northhighland.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Media Contact:

Lucia Gomez, North Highland Public Relations

O: 404-975-6445

Lucia.gomez@northhighland.com

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Q4 Inc. (TSX: QFOR) ("Q4" or "the Company"), a leading capital markets communications platform, today announced the appointment of Julie Silcock, currently a Senior Advisor at CDX Advisors, bringing 35 years of Capital Markets and M&A experience, to Q4's Board of Directors, effective immediately.

As a Senior Advisor at CDX Advisors, a tech-enabled investment bank, Ms. Silcock is involved in strategic advisory M&A and capital raising activities primarily for growth-oriented companies in the Southwest. Ms. Silcock previously served as Co-Head of Southwest Investment Banking at Houlihan Lokey and, prior to that, founded and acted as Head of Southwest Investment Banking at Citigroup. Ms. Silcock earned her M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business and holds a B.A. degree from Princeton University. She currently also serves on the boards of MoneyGram International, Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc., a crude oil and petroleum shipping company, JC Skincare, a privately held beauty company and U.S. Ski and Snowboard.

"As a strategic growth capital and M&A advisor with deep expertise in capital markets transactions, I have an intrinsic understanding of, and appreciation for the value Q4 delivers to its clients through its world class technology and services," said Ms. Silcock. "Now more than ever, all participants across the capital markets need clear investor communication and the ability to discover and engage with each other in a virtual environment. I look forward to working with this highly talented team and contributing to the growth and success of Q4."

"We are thrilled to welcome Julie as an independent director to the Q4 board," said Darrell Heaps, CEO of Q4. "Julie brings invaluable and distinctive experience in the capital markets. We are excited to have her guidance and unique perspectives to help steer us as we continue to execute against our strategy, and capture the significant market opportunity that lies ahead of us."

About Q4:

Q4 Inc. (TSX: QFOR) is a leading capital markets communications platform that is transforming the way publicly traded companies, investors and investment banks make decisions to efficiently discover, communicate and engage with each other. The Q4 end-to-end technology platform facilitates interactions across the capital markets through its IR website products, virtual events solutions, capital markets CRM, shareholder and market analytics tools. The firm is a trusted partner to more than 2,600 public companies globally including many of the most respected brands in the world. Q4 is based in Toronto, with offices in New York and London. Learn more at q4inc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005886/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations: Matt Tractenberg, ir@q4inc.com

Media: Karen Greene, media@q4inc.com
The family-owned commercial real estate firm brings its signature hands-on management touch to the Lone Star State with the help of Forge Commercial

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Portland, Oregon-based Menashe Properties, one of the most well-respected investment and management firms in the northwest, has expanded its stronghold and reputation for success in the commercial real estate industry to include Dallas, Texas. As many companies are setting their sights on the south, the summer 2021 addition of Heritage One & Two, located at the northwest corner of LBJ and the Tollway in North Dallas, marks Menashe's first move outside of their traditional west coast corridor. The two-building complex offers a total of approximately 370,000 square feet of rentable space.

"We pride ourselves on being extremely hands-on owners who make swift decisions and make the leasing process as streamlined as possible for everyone involved in a transaction. We genuinely believe that Heritage One & Two is one of the best values in the area for current and future tenants in terms of a desirable location, flexible and customizable tenant spaces and terms, excellent property amenities and detail-driven management service," says Jordan Menashe, CEO of Menashe Properties. "We are extremely grateful for our professional partnership with Forge Commercial as well as the many brokers and tenants that we have worked with on new space, expansions, and renewals during our introduction to the bustling Dallas market. There is no question in my mind that Dallas is open for business and we are ready to work with the quality companies who are at the epicenter of it all," he says.

After the June 2021 acquisition, Heritage One & Two have seen tremendous increases in tenancy with more than 60,000 square feet leased in just six months. Russell Podraza with Forge Commercial, who along with Chuck Sellers handles the leasing of Heritage One & Two on the behalf of Menashe, notes that the leasing trend at the properties has not been simply one or two large companies, but multiple deals across multiple industries.

"Heritage One's superior location with easy access to the Dallas metroplex and price point were the main drivers for our decision making. The building's ownership worked swiftly to come to terms and understood our hot buttons while working with us to make a mutually beneficial lease. My team and I enjoy the fitness center, training rooms, and the deli. I would recommend the building to any other company looking for a great location, quality of ownership and Property Management, and value on the Lower Tollway," says Chad Larkowski, tenant and Branch Manager for Mutual of Omaha Mortgage.

The two-building complex features newly updated and expanded amenities, including a cafe with an outdoor patio, a new conference center that seats 40+, and a new, state-of-the-art fitness center. Menashe Properties' commitment to provide excellent service and hands-on approach includes an exclusive Concierge Service for their clients. "We always hope to excel in experience for our clients and we have an expectation of the highest quality," says Menashe.

"Besides the above-and-beyond services that Menashe Properties is bringing to Heritage One & Two, the prominent location is considered as much of an amenity as anything," says Podraza. "Situated adjacent to the Hilton, Sheraton, and Westin Hotels, and within walking distance of the Galleria Mall, these two Class A buildings are in the center of it all. Coupled with a ten-minute drive to Downtown Dallas, 22-minute drive to Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport and a 10-minute walk to the DART Rail Station, interurban accessibility is not a question. The prominent accessible location, first-class amenity package, and competitive rental rates, create a very attractive option for tenants coming from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex." he says.

"Our future in Dallas is just beginning. We are always on the lookout for new opportunities to expand our portfolio in the Dallas and Fort Worth commercial real estate sector and when we are approached with an acquisition opportunity we move swiftly and with purpose," concludes Menashe.

About Menashe Properties

Menashe Properties Inc. was founded more than forty years ago as a privately held family office committed to excellence in commercial real estate investment and management. The company's primary focus has been in the Pacific Northwest although the company has grown substantially over the past few years with acquisitions of quality office properties in Colorado, Washington and now Texas. Menashe Properties, Inc. prides itself on its attention to detail in professionally managing and improving its properties, sustaining close tenant relationships, and providing exceptional customer service. The company is well-positioned for continued growth in the office, industrial and retail sectors and is poised to enter new cities and expand its footprint in current markets. For more information on Menashe Properties Inc., visit www.menasheproperties.com

Media Contact:

Russell Podraza

Vice President, Forge Commercial

rpodraza@forgecommercial.com

D 972-435-0516

C 214-205-2530

SOURCE: Menashe Properties Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684650/Menashe-Properties-Dallas-Acquisition-is-Followed-by-Massive-Leasing-Momentum
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Xali Gold, Falcon Gold, Psyched Wellness, Argentina Lithium, and Algernon Pharmaceuticals discussing their latest press releases.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Xali Gold (TSXV:XGC) applies for drilling permits at El Oro, Mexico

Xali Gold (XGC) has started a new drilling permit application process for the El Oro gold-silver Project in Mexico. New drill targets have been identified using a three-dimensional Leapfrog model and are designed to test potential extensions to high-grade gold and silver zones intersected by previous drilling. Joanne Freeze, President and CEO of Xali Gold sat down with Caroline Egan to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Joanne Freeze and to learn more about Xali Gold's drilling permit application, click here.

Falcon Gold (TSXV:FG) acquires 10,150 hectares in Gander North

Falcon Gold (FG) has staked 406 claims totalling 10,150 hectares in Newfoundland's Gander North area. The company will begin high-resolution magnetic surveys upon approval of exploration permits. The claims are located 25 km east of New Found Gold's Queensway Project and are contiguous to Sassy Resources' Gander North Project, which recently sampled 1,432 ppb gold. CEO Karim Rayani joined Dave Jackson to discuss the new claims.

For the full interview with Karim Rayani and to learn more about Falcon Gold's acquisition in Gander North, click here.

Psyched Wellness (CSE:PSYC) announces partnership with Vantage Hemp Co

Psyched Wellness (PSYC) has announced a manufacturing partnership with Vantage Hemp Co. The agreement includes extraction, commercial production and bottling of the products. Psyched Wellness will present a product derived from the Amanita Muscaria mushroom that is safe for human consumption using its proprietary extract, AME-1. David Shisel, COO of Psyched Wellness sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the partnership.

For the full interview with David Shisel and to learn more about Psyched Wellness' partnership with Vantage Hemp Co, click here.

Argentina Lithium (TSXV:LIT) options additional properties on Pocitos Salar

Argentina Lithium & Energy (LIT) is expanding its holdings at the Pocitos Salar, at the heart of Argentina's world-renowned Lithium Triangle. The company's holdings in this salar now total over 26,000 hectares. Argentina Lithium President & CEO Nikolaos Cacos sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Nikolaos Cacos and to learn more about Argentina Lithium's expansion at Pocitos Salar, click here.

Algernon Pharmaceuticals (CSE:AGN) files for approval for Phase 1 DMT Human Stroke Study

Algernon (AGN) has filed a Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products and Ethics Approval application with the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The primary focus of the Phase 1 DMT study is to investigate prolonged intravenous infusion of DMT helping Algernon plan its Phase 2 study more effectively. Christopher J. Moreau CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Christopher J. Moreau and to learn more about Algernon Pharmaceuticals' filing, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

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themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/684654/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-Interviews-With-Xali-Gold-Falcon-Gold-Psyched-Wellness-Argentina-Lithium-and-Algernon-Pharmaceuticals
The Biden administration will give away 400 million protective N95 face masks to Americans starting next week in a move to limit the spread of the fast-moving omicron variant of COVID-19.

After health officials warned that the higher quality masks are needed to protect against omicron, the White House said the government will distribute the N95s for free pickup at drug stores and community health centers.

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President Biden ordered the mask giveaway after facing criticism over shortages and high prices of the masks.

The masks will be limited to three per person from the governments Strategic National Stockpile of some 750 million N95 covers. They will begin shipping this week for distribution starting late next week.

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N95 face masks (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

It marks by far the most extensive distribution of free masks to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic started two years ago.

The action comes as the government launched a new push to give away at-home COVID tests via the United States Postal Service at https://special.usps.com/testkits

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Both moves aim to blunt the lightning-fast spread of omicron, which is much more contagious than previous strains of COVID.

COVID cases have been soaring in many parts of the country as omicron becomes the dominant variant.

Health officials say early clinical data suggests omicron causes less severe disease than the virulent delta variant, although more study is needed.

Face masks (Fernando Llano/AP)

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance on face coverings to more clearly state that properly fitted N95 and KN95 masks offer the most protection against COVID-19.

The public health agency held back from openly recommending them over the more commonly used cloth masks, partially because it doesnt want to discourage any mask use.

The best mask is the one that you will wear and the one you can keep on all day long, that you can tolerate in public indoor settings, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said last week.

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Genesis Prize Chairman highlights immense role of Jewish scientists and doctors in combatting the pandemic: "A very proud moment for the entire Jewish community"

JERUSALEM, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Genesis Prize Foundation announced Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, as the 2022 Genesis Prize Laureate. Dr. Bourla received the largest number of votes in a recently concluded global campaign, during which 200,000 people in 71 countries voted online. The choice of the voters was unanimously endorsed by the nine judges on the Genesis Prize Selection Committee.

The Committee commended Dr. Bourla for his leadership, determination, and especially for his willingness to assume great risks. Unlike CEOs of most other major companies working on developing COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Bourla declined billions of dollars in US federal subsidies in order to avoid government bureaucracy and expedite development and production of the vaccine. As a result, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine was ready in record time: months instead of years.

The annual $1 million Genesis Prize, dubbed the "Jewish Nobel" by TIME Magazine, honors extraordinary individuals for their outstanding professional achievement, contribution to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values. Dr. Bourla becomes the ninth Genesis Prize Laureate. He follows filmmaker and philanthropist Steven Spielberg, who was awarded the Genesis Prize in 2021, and the legendary human rights activist Natan Sharansky, the 2020 Laureate.

The President of Israel Isaac Herzog will present the Genesis Prize to Dr. Bourla at a ceremony in Jerusalem planned for June 29.

In line with the tradition established by the inaugural Laureate Michael Bloomberg, all Genesis Prize honorees have chosen to forgo the monetary award to philanthropic causes. Dr. Bourla has asked The Genesis Prize Foundation to direct his $1 million prize award to projects aimed at preserving the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, with a particular emphasis on the tragedy suffered by the Greek Jewish community.

Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Dr. Bourla was raised in a family that knew the horrors of the Holocaust first-hand. His parents were among only 2,000 survivors out of a once-thriving, ancient Jewish community of 50,000, almost completely wiped out by the Nazis.

"I am delighted to welcome Dr. Albert Bourla to the distinguished family of Genesis Prize Laureates," said Co-Founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation Stan Polovets. "Dr. Bourla personifies two of the most fundamental Jewish values: the commitment to the sanctity of life and to repairing the world. And while the pandemic is far from over, millions of people are alive and healthy because of what Dr. Bourla and his team at Pfizer have accomplished."

Dr. Albert Bourla said: "I did not set out to live a public life, and I never could have imagined that I might one day receive the profound honor of the Genesis Prize and stand alongside my extraordinary fellow nominees. I accept it humbly and on behalf of all my Pfizer colleagues who answered the urgent call of history these past two years and together bent the arc of our common destiny. I was brought up in a Jewish family who believed that each of us is only as strong as the bonds of our community; and that we are all called upon by God to repair the world. I look forward to being in Jerusalem to accept this honor in person, which symbolizes the triumph of science and a great hope for our future."

In announcing the selection of Dr. Bourla, The Genesis Prize Foundation noted the wide-ranging contribution of numerous Jewish scientists, doctors, and healthcare officials in helping to save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation specifically highlighted the contributions of the following individuals:

Dr. Drew Weissman , Professor of Vaccine Research at the University of Pennsylvania , whose discovery of a novel nucleoside-modified mRNA platform enabled the creation of pioneering mRNA vaccines;

, Professor of Vaccine Research at the , whose discovery of a novel nucleoside-modified mRNA platform enabled the creation of pioneering mRNA vaccines; Dr. Mikael Dolsten , Chief Scientific Officer, Pfizer, who guided the development of the Pfizer vaccine in record time;

, Chief Scientific Officer, Pfizer, who guided the development of the Pfizer vaccine in record time; Dr. Tal Zaks , Chief Medical Officer of Moderna during the development of the successful mRNA 1273 vaccine;

, Chief Medical Officer of Moderna during the development of the successful mRNA 1273 vaccine; Dr. Joanne Waldstreicher , Chief Medical Officer of Johnson & Johnson, which delivered a successful COVID-19 vector vaccine;

, Chief Medical Officer of Johnson & Johnson, which delivered a successful COVID-19 vector vaccine; Academician Alexander Gintsburg , Director, Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, which developed the Sputnik vaccine;

, Director, Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, which developed the Sputnik vaccine; Dr. Anatoly Altstein , Chief Scientist, Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, who led the development of the Sputnik vaccine;

Chief Scientist, Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, who led the development of the Sputnik vaccine; Dr. Rochelle Walensky , Director, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which coordinates the US public health response to the pandemic;

, Director, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which coordinates the US public health response to the pandemic; Jeffrey Zients , the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, who oversees the US federal government response to the pandemic, including vaccine distribution.

Genesis Prize Chairman Stan Polovets said: "This is a very proud moment, not just for Dr. Bourla, but for the entire Jewish community. A people so small in number are having such an outsized impact on this global effort to save lives."

Polovets added: "Dr. Bourla is a bright star in the constellation of outstanding Jewish scientists and doctors at the forefront of fighting the pandemic. We hope that these extraordinary individuals, and their colleagues, join us in Jerusalem to further unite in our common resolve to save lives and honor our heritage."

BACKGROUND

The Genesis Prize is a global award that celebrates Jewish achievement and contribution to humanity. Launched in 2013, the Prize is financed through a permanent endowment of $100 million established by The Genesis Prize Foundation.

Previous Genesis Prize laureates are former New York City Mayor and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg (2014); actor, producer and peace activist Michael Douglas (2015); Itzhak Perlman, virtuoso violinist and advocate for individuals with special needs (2016); sculptor and advocate for the rights of refugees Sir Anish Kapoor (2017); Oscar-winning actress and social activist Natalie Portman (2018); owner of New England Patriots and founder of a new foundation to combat antisemitism Robert Kraft (2019); legendary Jewish leader and human rights activist Natan Sharansky (2020) and filmmaker Steven Spielberg (2021). In 2018, The Genesis Prize Foundation honored U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to social justice and equal rights. In 2021, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was honored with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his illustrious life-long work as a teacher of Jewish values and proponent of inter-religious and intercultural dialogue.

All previous Laureates have re-gifted their monetary awards to philanthropic causes about which they are passionate. Since inception, The Genesis Prize has leveraged the annual $1 million award into philanthropic initiatives totaling $45 million, with grants going to 197 nonprofit programs in 31 countries, directly impacting the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729874/Dr_Albert_Bourla.jpg
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - ShibRWD is excited to announce the primary listing on BitMart Exchange. The following trading pair will be available: SRWD/USDT. Trading will commence on January 26th, 2022, at 6:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8498/110848_4a698ed804ef7b5e_001full.jpg

BitMart Press Release: https://support.bmx.fund/hc/en-us/articles/4415833328923-ShibRWD-SRWD-Primary-Listing-on-BitMart

ShibRWD x BitMart Crypto Exchange are revolutionizing the Crypto Central Exchange (CEX) space by launching the first DeFi token providing 6% Transactional Dividends (Reflections) to SRWD Holders in Shiba Inu Token (SHIB). This is an exciting journey for both parties involved. This listing will trailblaze the path for mass adoption of DeFi Tokens and their Tokenomics into the Central Exchange space. No longer are investors deterred by the expensive Ethereum network fees. Investors will have the ability to trade their DeFi tokens just like any other Crypto Asset on any CEX at any time.

Current Investors of SRWD have the option to transfer their holdings in the ShibRWD Project to Bitmart effective January 25th, 2022 6:00 AM EST.

ShibRWD Project Founders and BitMart Crypto Exchange look forward to the bright future ahead.

ShibRWD Founding Members:

The team behind the success of ShibRWD is not anonymous. The team members are fully doxed and KYC Verification. They have the requisite experience and track record to develop, launch and promote successful crypto-related projects.

Co-Founded by Mr. Calvin Sanchez (KYC VERIFIED), a fintech expert, the team members have come together to build an ecosystem where every community member is uplifted and valued.

The other Co-Founder is Mr. Amir Shoolestani (KYC VERIFIED), who previously founded a successful social media influencer marketing company. Amir has a master's in engineering specializing in Project Management.

Current Purchasing Options for ShibRWD ($SRWD) Token:

Uniswap:

Token Contract Address: 0xa518c9f3724cced4715e6813858dc2ce9b21ed78

Flooz.trade:

https://www.flooz.trade/wallet/0xa518c9f3724cced4715e6813858dc2ce9b21ed78

Social Media Accounts:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shib_reward

Telegram: https://t.me/shibrwd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shibrewards

Media Contact:

Company: ShibRWD

Contact Name: Calvin Sanchez

E-mail: admin@shibrwd.com

Website: http://www.shibrwd.com/

Website: http://www.shibamask.io/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110848
Clari, a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based revenue operations company, closed on a $225m Series F funding round, raising total valuation to more than $2.6 billion.

The round was led by Blackstone through funds managed by Blackstone Growth (BXG), and included existing investor Silver Lake, in addition to new investors Light Street Capital and Maverick Capital. Other existing investors participating in the round include: B Capital Group, Bain Capital Ventures, Madrona Ventures, Northgate Capital, Sapphire Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Sequoia Capital Global Equities, and Tenaya Capital. In addition to investing in Clari, Blackstone plans to look for opportunities to utilize Clari across its more than 250 portfolio companies around the world as part of the firms efforts to drive growth through digital transformation.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its team globally, advance its technical strategy to give customers more control over their revenue, and fuel its acquisition strategy.

Led by Andy Byrne, co-founder and CEO, Clari provides a purpose-built software platform for every company, from Wall Street to Main Street, to deliver revenue performance across CRM data, revenue intelligence, sales enablement, and sales engagement signals. It gives revenue teams total visibility into their business, to drive process rigor, spot risk and opportunity in the pipeline, increase forecast accuracy, and drive overall efficiency. Thousands of sales, marketing, and customer success teams at more than 450 companies around the world including Okta, Adobe, Workday, Zoom, and Finastra, use the companys execution insights to make their revenue process connected, efficient, and predictable.

FinSMEs

19/01/2022
Wheel, an Austin, Texas-based health tech company, raised $150m in Series C funding.

The round, which brought total funding to $216m to date, including a $50m Series B round in May 2021, was co-led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Tiger Global with participation from new investors Coatue and Salesforce Ventures and existing investors CRV, Tusk Venture Partners, and Silverton Partners.

The company will use the funding to further invest in its platform and broaden its white-labeled diagnostic services, enabling companies to integrate direct-to-consumer lab testing and diagnostic follow-up care. Wheel also plans to double its employee headcount, continue growing its clinician network, invest in its clinical platform, and expand its clinical onboarding and continuing education programs.

Led by CEO and Co-founder Michelle Davey, Wheel is a health tech company that provides companies and clinicians with everything they need to deliver care virtually. Today, the company powers virtual-first care for the most forward-thinking organizations in healthcare today  including digital health companies, clinical lab networks, retailers, and tech companies. When companies build on the platform, the underlying infrastructure and technology:

Triages the patients care need and determines the best care setting

Matches the patient with the best clinician for their care needs across more than a dozen attributes

Facilitates any necessary follow-up care

FinSMEs

19/01/2022
CEAM Artist Residency presents Artist Talk with Erin Kendrick 06:00pm | Markland House

The CEAM Artist Residency, in collaboration with Flagler Colleges Department of Art & Design, is a regular program of artists-in-residence to engage in themes of place-making while collaborating with some aspect of St Augustines local community, the citys significant and varied roles in American history, or its rich natural environment.

A goal of the residency is to foster diverse perspectives on these aspects of our local community, and artists and scholars in a range of fields are invited who integrate and collaborate between the areas of fine art and broader fields of inquiry, such as curatorial practice, performing arts, and creative writing.

The CEAM Artist Residency is supported by a grant from the Dr. JoAnn Crisp-Ellert Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

Learn more about CEAM Artist Residency here.

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On January 2, 2022, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Xi Jinping pointed out, since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, China-Uzbekistan relations have kept pace with the times and forged ahead, setting an example of international relations featuring harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation. In particular, the two sides have learned from each other in the process of reform and opening up, development and revitalization, and made concerted efforts and stood together with mutual assistance in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming comprehensive strategic partners in the real sense.

Xi Jinping stressed, I attach great importance to the development of China-Uzbekistan relations, and I am willing to work with President Mirziyoyev to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to jointly write a new chapter in the history of China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership to the benefit of the two countries and peoples.

Mirziyoyev said, the past 30 years have been a splendid chapter in the history of friendly exchanges between the Uzbek and Chinese peoples for thousands of years. Under the personal care of President Xi Jinping, Uzbekistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership has flourished, bilateral cooperation in various fields has progressed smoothly, cultural and people-to-people exchanges has been continuously strengthened, and close communication has been carried out within the framework of international and regional organizations. The Uzbek side stands ready to work with China to deepen the Belt and Road cooperation and push the friendly relations and all-round cooperation between the two countries into a new historical stage.
In the latest development, Verizon and AT&T will limit their 5G service around some airports after the chief executives of Americas largest airlines warned of a catastrophic disruption from this weeks rollout.

According to the airlines, the new C-Band 5G service could render a significant number of widebody aircraft unusable, adds Reuter.

Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and the shipping public will essentially be grounded, wrote the chief executives of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and others in a letter first reported by Reuters.

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has warned that network interference could affect sensitive instruments in an airplane, including altimeters, and significantly hamper low-visibility operations.

This means that on a day like yesterday, more than 1,100 flights and 100,000 passengers would be subjected to cancellations, diversions, or delays, the letter cautioned.

With the proposed restrictions at selected airports, the transportation industry is preparing for some service disruption. We are optimistic that we can work across industries and with the government to finalize solutions that safely mitigate as many schedule impacts as possible, plane maker Boeing, said on Monday.

As a result, telecommunications carriers have offered to voluntarily delay 5G deployment by two weeks and to restrict their own antenna operations in areas close to key airports where interference could lead to significant disruptions.

The FAA, working with the aviation community and wireless companies, established buffer zones around 50 airports with wireless transmitters in close proximity to the runways.

Verizon in their official website mentioned,

As the nations leading wireless provider, we have voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our nations airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries. Thanks to the best team in the industry for delivering this technology which promises a revolutionary next step in wireless communications, including tremendous benefits for our nation.

Source 1, 2
Sixteen Fontana A.B. Miller High School students received certificates of completion after finishing Shades of Blue, a 10-week training course designed to inspire careers as commercial airline pilots. The Saturday-only course was held at Ontario International Airport, where students received guidance from industry professionals, including pilots, engineers and mechanics. (Contributed photo by FUSD)
At his first COVID briefing in City Halls Blue Room, Mayor Adams reported on Tuesday that 16 million doses of the COVID vaccine have been administered in New York City and that the number of COVID cases is beginning to drop.

Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi stressed that while cases are on the decline, the city is far from leveling out when it comes to COVID, though.

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Our seven-day average of daily new cases is under 20,000. Thats less than half the peak of nearly 43,000 average new cases a day earlier in January. Similarly, we are starting to see a decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations, from a total of about 6,500 patients hospitalized citywide on Jan. 11 to about 5,800 as of Sunday, he said. Now, let me be clear: these numbers are still high, meaning community transmission remains widespread.

NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi (AP/AP)

Adams continued to emphasize his preference that city schoolchildren continue to take classes in-person, but Schools Chancellor David Banks noted that the Education Department is still in the process of exploring remote options given high rates of absenteeism, much of it due to COVID.

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Banks said last week that negotiations between the Education Department and the United Federation of Teachers over a temporary remote option began Thursday. But so far, a deal has not yet been worked out.

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We have not announced a remote-learning option. ... We are exploring the possibilities of the expansion of a remote-learning option, Banks said Tuesday. To turn around and do a remote-learning option is not an easy thing to do.  It requires the reprogramming of school schedules [and] teachers who would be dedicated to teaching just the students who would be learning remotely. It is a big undertaking, even to be doing it for a short period of time.

Teachers from the Earth School speak out on issues related to the lack of COVID testing outside P.S. 64 in Manhattan, New York. (Brittainy Newman/AP)

The citys top educator noted that before Adams became mayor, there was a policy already in place allowing students who tested positive for the coronavirus to take some of their lessons from home  thats still in play  and Banks said its been expanded. But he added that the emphasis has been on bringing more kids back for in-school learning.

Right before the New Year, the attendance was 63%, Banks said of in-person learning. Right after the New Year, this administration began, it bumped up to 65%, and it has been steadily increasing each day ... but families have been concerned.

The message we have been promoting over and over again, which is based on the science: the safest place to be is in school, he added. That is a message that we will continue to let every one of our teachers and our students and our families know.
What You Need to Know About Installing a New Bath: A Comparison Between Different Styles
There is still no remote learning option for city schools, but an attendance policy shift will offer more flexibility to families keeping their kids home over COVID-19 concerns, city education officials said Tuesday.

The change allows schools to extend online assignments and attendance flexibility that they previously only offered to kids quarantined or out with COVID-19.

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(Shutterstock)

The shift  communicated to principals on Friday  doesnt serve as a full remote option for families who want to keep their kids out of in-person school, Mayor Adams and schools Chancellor David Banks said Tuesday.

We have not announced a remote learning option, Banks said, noting that officials are still in talks with the union about whether and how to set up a more expansive and long-term virtual schooling option. To turn around and do a remote learning option is not an easy thing to do ... It is a big undertaking.

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New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

City schools have offered a stripped-down form of remote learning since the beginning of the school year through an agreement brokered between the teachers union and former Mayor de Blasios administration, in which teachers post online assignments and set up virtual office hours for kids out with COVID-19 or in quarantine. Kids who complete the online work can be marked present for attendance purposes.

In theory, that pared-down remote option was supposed to be available only to kids out sick or on lockdown, but in practice, the rule got blurred as kids out of school for other reasons asked for access to the online lessons, said Mark Cannizzaro, the president of the city principals union.

The confusion escalated as the omicron variant spread across the country and student absences skyrocketed. More families than ever  including those keeping their kids home out of caution  asked for their children to access online assignments and office hours, and to be marked as present, Cannizzaro said.

Last Fridays change was meant to clarify the rules and offer some additional students ... an opportunity to do this asynchronous learning and to maintain their attendance while doing so, Banks said Tuesday.

Some educators said they have already been offering remote assignments to any absent student who asks, and the new policy shift wont change much for them.

We have these Google classrooms set up, I wasnt going to withhold material from a student, said Jared Fox, a teacher at Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning Schools.

But for some parents whose kids have racked up absences because they kept them out of school over coronavirus fears, the change came as a relief.

Mikhaela Reid, a Brooklyn mom, has kept her kids home since before winter break because shes afraid theyll catch COVID-19. Their schools informally offered them online assignments, which the kids faithfully complete, but marked them absent every day because of the citywide attendance policies, Reid said.

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The change will take pressure off myself and other parents keeping our kids home for safety, Reid said.

She said the change doesnt get rid of the need for a full-fledged remote option or a clearer statement of support for families keeping their kids home out of caution.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

There are also some big questions about how the policy shift will play out.

Schools are not required to extend remote work to additional students, and should do it only if teachers or administrators are so inclined, Banks said Tuesday.

That brings up...concerns about even application, along with the question of whether schools have enough money in their budgets to pay teachers for any extra work required to offer remote work to more students, said Cannizzaro.

Its also unclear how long the policy shift will last.

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A DOE spokesman said all schools have the capability to extend remote work to additional students and said its something the agency anticipate[s] to only be necessary in the short-term.

Some critics have also suggested that the change could be an attempt to boost citywide attendance numbers during a historic wave of student absences, because the daily attendance figures posted by the DOE do not distinguish between students marked present in-person, and those marked present remotely.

The agency reports attendance data broken down by remote vs. in-person each month to the City Council, a spokesman said, though the last month posted online is October 2021.
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A senior Bronx prosecutor in charge of compliance with new laws on the handling of evidence oversaw a major rape case against a Rikers Island physicians assistant that was dismissed because of failure to comply with those same laws, the Daily News has learned.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Nancy Strohmeyer handled the troubled case against Sidney Wilson, 64, a physicians assistant on Rikers Island accused in 2017 of raping four women detainees, sources told The News.

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Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark on Oct. 10, 2019 in the Bronx. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

The DAs office quietly dropped all charges in June 2021 because prosecutors werent able to follow new discovery reform laws, The News exclusively reported on Monday. A spokeswoman for the Bronx DA said the Wilson case could not be brought into compliance with discovery reform.

Just three months before the Wilson case was dismissed and sealed, Strohmeyer took over the DAs Discovery Compliance Bureau, according to her LinkedIn.

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Four prosecutors and four trial preparation assistants work for the bureau.

This Bureau ... assumes responsibility for broader discovery compliance issues, to ensure we meet criminal justice reform obligations, says the Bronx DAs website.

Nancy Strohmeyer (Facebook)

Discovery reform, implemented in New York in 2020, requires prosecutors to disclose a wide range of evidence earlier in the trial process. If the evidence is not turned over within the required time period, the case can be tossed.

Wilson, a Brooklyn resident, had been indicted for trading Popeyes chicken, candy, cigarettes and prescription medicine for sex with inmates, who legally cannot consent.

When the charges were announced, DA Darcel Clark touted Wilsons indictment as part of a crackdown on sexual abuse at the troubled jail complex.

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An attorney for Wilson previously told The News that the DA was using discovery reform as an excuse for deep flaws in the case, including problematic victims.

A spokeswoman for the DAs office declined to elaborate why exactly the case was dismissed.

We are deeply disappointed whenever circumstances prevent us from bringing justice and moving a case forward. Discovery reform broadened the disclosure requirements on old cases. The Chief of our Discovery Compliance Bureau is charged with creating systems to address the gaps that exist between the previous laws regarding discovery and the new laws under discovery so that we make every possible effort to comply, the DA spokeswoman said.
Gettysburg, PA (17325)

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Rain likely, heavy at times in the evening. Low near 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

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Rain likely, heavy at times in the evening. Low near 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers. Low around 40F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Cloudy with occasional showers. Low around 40F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Grammy-winning Bronx native Cardi B pledged Wednesday to cover the funeral costs of all 17 victims of a devastating high-rise building fire in her home borough.

The hip-hop stars financial commitment includes the expenses to return some of the dead for burial in their native Gambia as Cardi B expressed her continuing support for the families still reeling from the citys deadliest fire in more than 30 years.

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Cardi B attends the 2021 American Music Awards Red Carpet Roll-Out with Host Cardi B at L.A. LIVE on November 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Rich Fury/Getty Images)

I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal, she said in a statement.

I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.

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The Jan. 9 blaze inside the 19-story Twin Parks North West started from a faulty space heater in a second floor apartment, sending flames and thick black smoke through the building on a Sunday morning.

The dead included a family of five, with both parents and three kids ages 12, 11 and 5; a mother with two daughters, ages 21 and 19, and a 12-year-old son who celebrated his last birthday one day before the blaze; and a married couple.

A 12-year-old boy and his 5-year-old kid sister also perished in the chaotic inferno. Fifteen of the victims were remembered together at a funeral where mourners gathered around their caskets this past Sunday.

The funeral services for 15 of the 17 victims of the Bronx fire were held at the Islamic Cultural Center in the Bronx on Sunday, January 16. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The 29-year-old rapper behind the hits Bodak Yellow, W.A.P. and Up stressed her borough roots in pledging her support to the victims families.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Im extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still, she said. So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 25 Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

Mayor Adams expressed his thanks and noted donations can still be made through the Bronx Fire Relief Fund, which has already generated more than $2.5 million in aid.

See also: Photos of Cardi Bs career and standout moments

We are grateful for Cardi B, a true superstar on and off the mic, for granting some critical financial relief to the families of the victims, the mayor said. The city will forever be thankful to her and also to the grassroots donors and corporate partners who have been able to offer immediate support to our neighbors in need.

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Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, co-executive directors of the Mayors Fund to Advance New York City, provided a heartfelt cheer for the chart-topping performer.

Cardi B, in true New York fashion, quickly answered the call to help those affected by this tragic fire, they said in a joint statement. We are grateful for her generous commitment to cover funeral expenses and lessen the financial burden for the families during this most difficult time.

Donors can also send checks made payable to the Mayors Fund at the address 253 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10007.
Obituaries - Profs Ted Cowan and Lalage Bown

Professor Ted Cowan

Professor Cowan passed away on Sunday 2 January following a short illness.

The Emeritus Professor, formerly Professor of Scottish History and Literature at the University of Glasgow and Director of the Universitys Crichton Campus, Dumfries, previously taught at the Universities of Edinburgh and Guelph, Ontario.

Professor Cowan, who was 77, was born in Edinburgh but was brought up, lived, and eventually retired to Dumfries and Galloway.

A pioneer in the study of peoples history, he had a passionate commitment to communicating Scotlands past to its people today, and to the world.

He published, co-wrote, or edited 18 books and nearly a 100 articles or book chapters, including crucial contributions to our understanding of the Viking impact on Scotland, the Wars of Independenc to Scottish popular culture and folk belief. Two books are due to be published this year, Northern Lights: The Arctic Scots, and the edited proceedings of a conference on Gaelic Galloway.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glagsow, said: I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Professor Ted Cowan.

I have very vivid memories of Ted during my time as Vice Principal while he was Director of the Crichton Campus, as it was known at the time. What I remember most is his determination, belief and passion for a campus to be in Dumfries: he truly was a champion for the local community and for retaining the Universitys presence in the area. Indeed, as Director of the Crichton Campus from 2004-2009, Ted brought about significant changes and developed research and educational links in Dumfries and the wider region which still exist today.

Teds other great passions for Scottish history and literature saw him recognised and highly regarded across the globe. His exceptional reputation allowed him to teach and conduct his work not only at the University of Glasgow, but in Edinburgh, Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Australia. It is therefore not an understatement to say that Ted was considered as one of our greatest scholars and most respected historians.

Since hearing of his passing, many colleagues from across the University have been in touch with their own tributes for Ted, demonstrating how much of an impact he has made to our community in Dumfries and Glasgow, and to the academic community across the globe.

Professor Dauvit Broun, Professor of Scottish History at the University of Glasgow, who was a friend and colleague of Professor Cowan, said: Professor Ted Cowan was a towering presence in the field of Scottish studies for nearly half a century. His command of history and literature spanned a millennium, from Vikings to WW1 poets, and ranged across the globe, following the fortunes of Scots from the Arctic to the Antipodes.

His particular passion was what he referred to as 'the people's history', and latterly the history of his native Dumfriesshire and the South West generally, to which he was committed not only as a scholar but as head of the University's Crichton campus, successfully campaigning against plans to close it.

He was in regular demand as a speaker in local and academic settings, and his lectures eagerly attended by the public and scholars alike. There never was, and never will be, a scholar with such a range of research or gift for communication. It was a privilege and inspiration to work with him, and a source of great pride that he made the University of Glasgow his academic home while he was at the peak of his powers.

Professor Cowan is survived by his second wife, Dr Lizanne Henderson, his sisters Eileen, Margaret, Fiona, his children by his first wife Alison (d. 1994) Karen, Morna, David, and eight grandchildren.

Emeritus Professor Lalage Bown, OBE

Emeritus Professor Lalage Bown, OBE died in Shrewsbury hospital on 17 December 2021, aged 94, following a fall at home.

An eminent womens literacy advocate, she dedicated her lifes work to improving education for the disadvantaged, especially women, seeking to bring university opportunities to the widest possible sections of society.

Lalage was immersed in a tradition which regarded adult education as a catalyst for significant social change. Her ideas were informed by a post-war world in which many believed that the kind of injustices suffered under colonial rule had to end. But, beyond this, in her radical way, she also saw the need to develop new inclusive, post-colonial approaches to education, including the reform of university curricula. She devoted her life to this mission, inspiring and challenging all she met- professionals and learners- across many countries in Africa and Europe.

Background

Daughter of Dorothy Ethel Watson and Arthur Mervyn Bown, Lalage Bown was born in Croydon on April 1, 1927. The oldest of four children, she was destined for a strong start in life. Before she was born, her mother had agreed to marry her father  on the condition that, if they had any daughters, they would be entitled to education opportunities equal to any sons, quite remarkable for the 1920s. Her given name derives from the Roman poet Horace who, in Ode XXII, writes in Latin, dulce ridentem Lalagen amabo dulce loquentem, which in translation means 'I shall love Lalage, who laughs and talks so sweetly'. This seems particularly apposite given the great skills she demonstrated as an orator in her professional career.

Lalage grew up looking after her younger siblings while their parents lived and worked abroad. Lalage and her two brothers, Hugh and Mark, and her sister Jacqueline, lived in England, but their parents lived abroad because their fathers work with the Indian Civil Service was based in Burma. The children lived in childrens holiday homes and boarding schools. As the oldest, Lalage was responsible for keeping an eye on her younger brothers and sister, effectively bringing them up. Their mother would travel home by boat every summer, but their father had leave only every third year. They would speak to their parents for five minutes on the telephone each Christmas.

Lalage was educated at Wycombe High School for Girls (1939-42), Cheltenham Ladies College (1942-45) and Somerville College at the University of Oxford (1945-9), gaining an Honours Degree in Modern History (1948) followed by a Master of Arts (1949). At that time, she was one of just 600 female students at Oxford, among 6000 males. In common with all her generation, Lalage experienced the challenges of World War II. Aged just 20 she visited Germany in the immediate aftermath contributing to the Allies humanitarian and educational work. She was particularly impressed at Somerville by the diversity of her fellow students whose cohort included people from Denmark, France, Poland, Guyana and New Zealand, but undertaking post-graduate courses in adult education and economic development stimulated her lifelong interest in Africa. She left Oxford with a sense of responsibility to make good use of her privilege.

Pioneering adult education in Africa

It is not surprising, therefore, that after her studies, Lalage applied in 1949 for a resident tutor post based at the Department of Extra-Mural Studies of University College of the Gold Coast (subsequently Ghana). As an African colleague said, she chose to serve overseas, leaving behind the comfort and serenity of her environment for the more challenging terrain of Africa. During her interview, she was asked Now Miss Bown, supposing you were to get the job and you were in the jungle in a car and your car broke down, how do we know you wouldnt have a fit of hysterics? She simply replied, Well sir, if you dont give me the job, youll never find out, will you? She was given the job. It is perhaps ironic that, by her own admission, Lalage was the worst driver in the world and soon gave up after demolishing a gate on arrival at a friends house in Ghana, as her host watched in horror from the house balcony. At just 22, Lalage travelled via Senegal to Ghana where she became involved in teaching African literature and arts and helped to create the first African folk high school.

Over a period of 30 years in Africa she became the first field resident tutor in the Extra-Mural Department at Makerere University College in Uganda, and held various positions at the University of Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, the University of Zambia and the University of Lagos. In Zambia, Lalage established a national extra-mural programme, emphasising the role of the university in promoting discussion of current issues, with special courses for trade unionists, politicians and the police, and made use of radio, television and theatre for public education. She also helped to set up the first systematic university training for adult educators in Africa. She was an activist who served as the founding Secretary of the African Adult Education Association and as an active participant at the building of the Nigerian National Council for Adult Education. For her role in these institutions, she received numerous awards and recognitions. A special issue of the journal, Adult Education in Nigeria, was dedicated to the celebration of her 70th birthday in 1997, when she was named the Mother of Adult Education in Africa. Of most significance, she saw first-hand the effects of illiteracy and dedicated much of her career in Africa to helping adult women learn to read and write. Interviewed by Mary de Sousa in 2009 for the UNESCO Education Sector Newsletter, she said: I was left with the huge conviction that even the simplest acquisition of literacy can have a profoundly empowering effect personally, socially and politically. When it comes to women, there is a huge change in their self-worth and confidence.

Early efforts to decolonise the curriculum

Lalage was instrumental in supporting the Africanisation of the curriculum. Speaking on BBC Radio4 Womans Hour, she described how, when she arrived in Africa, the students were required to study standard English texts such as William Wordsworths daffodils poem. She thought this was absurd and that they should be studying more relevant African texts. She suggested to her (mostly male) colleagues that more relevant material, by African authors about African life, would be more appropriate, but they said there was no material available in English. She bet them a bottle of beer that she could produce texts written in English by Africans over a period of 200 years. They laughed at her but within two weeks, she had found relevant letters, diaries and texts and won her bottle of beer. This eventually led to the publishing of her book in 1973 Two Centuries of African English, which became a much relied-upon resource for the African universities at the time. Among many other distinctions, she was the first organising secretary of the International Congress of Africanists. On a personal level, when in Nigeria, Lalage looked after five-year-old Nigerian twin girls. After six months, she had bonded so strongly with the girls, she asked if she could keep them on. There were no formal adoption arrangements, but they became her daughters. Lalage fostered them long term and now the twins are over 60 years old!

Returning to the UK

Lalages work in Africa did not go unnoticed. In 1974, she became a Commonwealth Visiting Professor at Edinburgh University; and in 1975, was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Open University for services to the education of the underprivileged. She received the William Pearson Tolley Award from Syracuse University in 1975, the first woman to receive that award. She was then awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1977. The honours and accolades continued throughout her life; Lalage received her sixth honorary doctorate (from the University of Chester) during a graduation ceremony in 2018. Lalage returned full-time to the UK as Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex in 1980. Whilst there, she assisted a colleague who was running a small independent adult education centre based in the Quaker meeting house in Brighton and embroiled in political struggles to defend learner-centred literacy work. Lalage arrived as ever a whirlwind of energy, advice and clarity of thought; radical, disciplined, inspiring and determined that the adult education centre should combine internationalism and the pursuit of social justice in its work. For the remainder of her life, whenever they met her, colleagues were inspired by her distinct combination of a challenge to be rigorous, coupled with encouragement and renewed motivation.

Glasgow University, Scotland

In 1981 Lalage was appointed to the Department of Adult and Continuing Education at the University of Glasgow as Director and titular professor. All of those who had the chance to work with Lalage in Glasgow were privileged in a directly personal way. Under her leadership in the 1980s Glasgow University had the widest subject range of all continuing education departments in the UK, and the 5th highest enrolment figures. Close to Lalages heart was the establishment in 1990 of an Equal Opportunities Training Unit with three members of staff. This unit provided training for the police and Glasgow District Council. Access to higher education programmes also flourished under her leadership, and three former access students were awarded higher degrees by the University in 1988.

Lalage also maintained significant links with African nations. In 1986 she delivered a lecture at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, as part of its Faculty of Education Silver Jubilee celebrations. That same year a group of African adult educators visited the Department. Throughout her tenure at Glasgow, Lalages reputation encouraged many African students to undertake postgraduate work in the Department of Adult and Continuing Education. She was particularly proud of the growth in the numbers of students taking postgraduate courses in adult education. Given her belief in the importance of the relationship between theory and practice in adult education, the Diploma in Adult Education held particular significance for her. Many of the part-time postgraduate students were employed in work with ethnic minorities and low-income students. 1983 saw the first graduate from the MEd in Adult and Community Education. Lalage believed firmly in the maintenance of high academic standards in the discipline of adult education. She insisted that academic colleagues in the Department from other disciplines attend a module on the principles and practices of adult education.

On her retiral from the University of Glasgow in 1992 she was delighted that her successor was also a woman, at a time when c6% of the professoriate were women- celebrating in typical style over a glass of good Scotch in Glasgows Central Railway Station and setting the stage for subsequent women in senior leadership roles. Lalage maintained her links with the University for the remainder of her life, including as a strong supporter of the Centre for Research & Development in Adult and Lifelong Learning (CRADALL). In the late 1990s, in line with her appetite to widen access to knowledge across international boundaries, she agreed to act as External Examiner for an innovative Masters in English and Educational Studies, which was partly delivered on site in the UAE.

Unusually, in recognition of her distinctive contribution, Glasgow University awarded an honorary degree to one of its own Emeritus Professors. Lalage received a D.Litt. in April 2002, and, also unusually, was invited to give the charge to the graduates. In a stirring address she stressed the importance of equality in learning. The graduates were spellbound as Lalage laid out her conviction that everyone had a right to knowledge, but that knowledge must not just be information but should include analysis, interpretation and critical appraisal. In support of adult education, community engagement and lifelong learning, she called on the University to strengthen its service to mature citizens who wanted access to some university knowledge, but not always necessarily a degree. She also highlighted the need for a better gender balance especially in postgraduate study. She looked forward in her address to the day when the University might have a female Principal. Finally, she drew from her long career in Africa to highlight the need for those in developing countries to have access to the knowledge community. Her message was, therefore, about equality and access between countries as well as within the UK. Again, unusually, this oration received a standing ovation.

On-going engagement and other honours

Lalage continued to work to try and make a difference in peoples lives all throughout her retirement. In the 1990s, she pulled together her experiences on the effects of literacy on adult women into a ground-breaking report Preparing for the future: women, literacy and development: the impact of female literacy on human development and the participation of literate women in change. She was also named a fellow of the Educational Institute of Scotland and a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1991. In 2009 she was inducted into the International Hall of Fame for Adult and Continuing Education. She remained an active member of many boards, trusts, committees and councils concerned with higher education, adult education, literacy and community enrichment in Africa, the Commonwealth and the UK, including being life member of the African Adult Education Association, being joint deputy executive chair of the Council for Education in the Commonwealth from 1999 to 2006 and being Hon. Vice-President of the Townswomens Guilds in the UK for the last 24 years.

To her friends and colleagues, Lalage appeared both phenomenal and indestructible. Just before her planned 90th birthday celebration in Glasgow in 2017, she fell and broke her hip. As she was wheeled into hospital in great pain, Lalage found the strength to chuckle when the young volunteer pushing her wheelchair said it made her day to meet a celebrity. The indomitable Lalage came to Glasgow the following year to celebrate a belated 90th birthday. Among other commitments in recent years, she was an engaged patron of the Adult Education 100 campaign- celebrating and taking forward the ideals of the ground breaking 1919 British Government report on adult education. Lalage remained active in her local community in Shrewsbury and regularly recorded newspaper readings for the blind. At the age of 94 she enjoyed participating in a local campaign against a new development in her area but complained it got in the way of her academic work! She was a generous donor to appeals for public monuments in Shrewsbury, was Chair of the townships Residence association and was an active member of the local Rotary. During the recent lockdown at her home in Shrewsbury, Lalage reflected in an interview on the fight against fascism during World War II and the current fight against the coronavirus. Describing both as struggles without boundaries she recalled the fear of imminent death in WW II through bombing, of carrying a gas mask, and queuing with school-mates, each paying sixpence for the Red Cross just to smell a single grape-fruit. Demonstrating the sense of social justice, she displayed all of her life, Lalage observed the advantage then was that everyone had a basic equality. I never foresaw a time when millions had to go to food banks. She added that the greater social equality of the war years ('all in it together') resulted in welfare reforms, including, of course, the National Health Service. Without it, she concluded, our present 'war' against the coronavirus would be unbelievably more frightening.

Legacy

Professor Lalage Bown was an outstanding communicator: she wrote, edited or contributed to around 26 books and monographs plus around 86 articles. In her leisure time she enjoyed travel, reading and entertaining friends. She was living proof of the adage If you never stop learning, you never grow old. One colleague said if he were to highlight one special characteristic of Lalage's among so many, it would be her open, friendly, and collaborative attitude to working with other people. He adds that she was not self-seeking or competitive but enjoyed bringing out the best in others- she was interested in and valued every contribution, yet if she disagreed with you, she would let you know in a straight way. Another colleague has one abiding memory of her formidable and impressive qualities. At Lalage's urging he went (with her) to a conference in Nigeria, her old stomping ground. The campus was sadly decaying, and things obviously in poor shape. The conference dinner was in a bizarre setting of military opulence, with a row of men sitting on the dais; in her after-dinner speech Lalage managed to combine perfect politeness with a blistering attack on their failure to maintain the place and the lack of educational opportunity. Her colleague was torn between admiration and fearful anxiety as he scanned their faces.

In the words of one of her African colleagues, Lalage was a trail blazer in the global Adult Education movement. Her commitment to, and insight about, democratic adult education was unbounded. She succeeded in giving Adult and Continuing Education a recognised profile as a major field of education policy in Europe, Africa and beyond.

Lalage had a truly unique gift for people and engaging in the communities in which she found herself. She was a friend and mentor to countless people who loved and admired her. She fought the corner for adult education long after she left the University of Glasgow. Successive Principals received communications from her whenever the provision of courses for the general public came under internal scrutiny. She said she would rather argue with academic colleagues than have adult education funding earmarked by government bureaucrats. She kept up the struggle through argument, and an unquenchable hope and vision that universities could be organised by dialogue.

So many were enriched by having known her, even a little. She is survived by her two foster daughters Mrs Taiwo Ogundare and Mrs Kehinde Akinyede, her brother Hugh Bown, her niece Rachel Dale and her nephew Jonathan Bown.
DUBAI, Arab Emirates, Jan. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), attended on Sunday morning the international conference the SCA organized under the title 'The Suez Canal and Challenges in World Trade' as part of Expo 2020 Dubai.

The conference discussed how to support global trade amid different challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the policies and procedures adopted to ensure the sustainability of the services the SCA offers and the continuation of the flow of global trade through the Suez Canal, which is the lifeline of supply the world over.

Nevine Gamea, the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, participated in the seminar via videoconference. Other participants included Yehia Zaki, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and a host of officials working in the maritime transport sector locally, regionally and globally, as well as representatives of the most prominent international commercial and maritime associations, institutions, companies, and shipping lines.

Taking part in the international conference were: Rumaih bin Muhammad Al-Rumaih, President of the Public Transport Authority in Saudi Arabia; Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Fleet and Strategic Brands at Mrsk; Guy Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping; Keiji Tomoda, Vice President of the Japanese Shipowners' Association; and Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO of the United Arab Emirates' National Marine Dredging Company.

Launching the conference, Admiral Rabie welcomed the attendees, the partners in business and success, who attended the event to exchange ideas and visions that serve the interests of the global navigation community and the maritime transport industry and that are meant to shape the future of the industry in the medium and long terms. He saluted the organizers of Expo 2020 Dubai for hosting this important event, expressing his pride in the success of this edition, which has captured the world's attention.

In his speech, Admiral Rabie stressed the importance of the concerted efforts of all the parties in the maritime transport industry to maximize available resources to face various changes and unprecedented challenges to the global trade movement. The most prominent of these challenges is the coronavirus pandemic and its variants and climate change and its grave repercussions, which may reshape the map of global trade movement and related logistical operations for decades to come.

Admiral Rabie stressed that the SCA is fully aware of the challenges the world has been facing over the past two decades and which still cast a large shadow on the global trade movement and the global supply chain. These challenges resulted in the biggest lockdown humanity has ever known, he added.

The SCA chairman spoke about a number of successful experiences through which the authority was able to overcome enormous challenges and turn them into opportunities for success and growth, such as overcoming the challenges posed by the coronavirus crisis and its repercussions on global trade movement thanks to the direct support of the political leadership and the adoption of a number of thoroughly studied measures and flexible pricing and marketing policies. The SCA did all of this while supporting the global trade movement, customers, and shipping companies and lines operating in the field of maritime transport, preserving the safety of workers in the Suez Canal and ensuring that infection does not spread among them, while increasing the revenues of the canal, which is one of the most important hard currency earners for the Egyptian economy, the admiral stated.

These marketing policies have succeeded in attracting 4,920 new ships in 2021 that had not previously passed through the Suez Canal, and achieved an increase in revenues of $1.1 billion, he pointed out.

Admiral Rabie explained that the SCA has made great strides towards enhancing the use of digital technology as part of its ambitious strategy for 2023. The authority has succeeded in completing the design and construction of two advanced data centers in conjunction with the implementation of the comprehensive digital transformation of the electronic monitoring system and the 16 navigational guidance stations along the course of the canal. The authority has also made a unified network system that allowed the launch of five electronic services entirely directed to international shipping lines.

Citing the success of the SCA's digital transformation system in achieving its goals, Admiral Rabie said the authority implemented a remote reception and guidance operation, which was the first of its kind, for one of the largest cruise passenger ships in the world without the presence of an SCA guide on board, as is the procedure, due to the presence of 65 confirmed coronavirus cases on board the ship.

The SCA chairman stressed that the authority's development strategy also focused on the environmental dimension, which is in line with achieving the objectives of the Egypt Vision 2030 strategy and the Egyptian state's wish to take effective steps towards achieving carbon neutrality and cementing efforts to curb the repercussions of climate change. This is the framework under which Egypt was chosen to host the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in November.

The authority has adopted all the necessary measures and procedures to ensure the announcement of the Suez Canal as a "green canal" and to work on reducing carbon emissions for transiting ships by providing various incentives for shipping lines that observe environmental standards, he said.

Admiral Rabie referred to the mega vessel Ever Given, sailing under the flag of Panama, that blocked the Suez Canal, as being a practical example of how the SCA overcomes crises and is able to turn challenges into opportunities. The SCA's various specialized team members were able to float the ship safely in only six days, despite the expectations of experts in the maritime transport and global rescue sector that the flotation process would take weeks or months, rendering the incident the focus of the world's attention.

In her speech, Gamea, the Minister of Trade and Industry, stressed the government's keenness to maximize the economic benefit of the Suez Canal on the regional and international levels to boost Egypt's position as a global commercial and logistics hub. She added that the global trade movement is currently facing many challenges, the most important of which is the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to a decrease in global trade growth rates as a result of lockdowns, travel restrictions, and border closures, in addition to the rising prices of energy, and subsequently the increase in the cost of freight and transportation.

The minister stated that the Egyptian government adopted many exceptional measures that aided in the resumption of work in the industrial sector during the pandemic, which contributed to the availability of goods and services in the local market. She explained that many exceptional measures were taken to facilitate the release of goods for the continuation of trade movement and supply chains. Minister Gamea added that her ministry worked in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport to raise the efficiency of customs release systems by linking the concerned authorities electronically and beginning the implementation of the system in October 2021, which contributed to reducing the time for releasing raw materials needed for industries.

Minister Gamea explained that the Ministry of Trade and Industry has implemented a comprehensive strategy to gain access to more markets and enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian products to reach the target of $100 billion in exports annually, pointing out that the Egyptian Council for Export has been reconstituted under the leadership of H. E. President of Egypt Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. Plans and policies to maximize exports were designed while activating the role of the Export Development Fund, developing a network of trade partnerships with foreign markets, and benefiting from regional integration and preferential trade agreements.

These measures contributed to a leap in Egyptian exports, which exceeded $31 billion in 2021, in addition to the increase in the contribution of industrial production to GDP to reach 17 percent during fiscal year 2019/2020, up from about 16 percent in fiscal year 2018/2019, the minister added.

Minister Gamea pointed out that the Egyptian government welcomes the promotion of joint commercial and industrial cooperation with all countries to maximize their investments in Egypt and benefit from the advantages offered by the Egyptian market. The most important of these is access to global markets through preferential trade agreements reached between Egypt and many countries and regional and international groupings, which provide nearly 2.6 billion people around the world with access to Egyptian products.

Zaki, the Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, announced in his speech the launch of ship fueling and marine services in the economic zone in the coming months. The zone is adding the final touches to activate these services and to study the offers it has received, he said, pointing out that marine and fueling services are some of the goals stated in the Economic Zone Strategy 2020-2025. He added that projects for the green hydrogen industry in the zone will be announced in conjunction with Egypt's hosting of COP27 in November.

Zaki stated that the Suez Canal Economic Zone is a promising investment destination with a total area of 461 square kilometers, comprising four industrial zones and six seaports. It is located on the main international sea route and is an attractive platform for many industries with its comprehensive ports, logistics, and industrial areas, which enjoy world-class infrastructure and utility networks, including electric power, water desalination, water supply and wastewater treatment plants, in addition to telecommunications and natural gas.

Zaki stressed that the Suez Canal Economic Zone has succeeded in achieving its objectives, which focused on creating opportunities to attract diversified investments, pointing out that the economic zone targeted about 15 industrial and logistical sectors, three of which have already been contracted, namely the petrochemical industries that are located in Ain Sokhna, and industries for railroad supplies, green hydrogen and marine services, in addition to participating in the Egyptian state's plan to localize the automobile industries.

Suez Canal sees strong growth despite challenges

The Suez Canal has retained its importance as the most vital navigational waterway in the world for more than 150 years, thanks to its unique strategic location that places it at the heart of the global trade movement and makes it the lifeline of global supply chains, especially those related to global maritime trade. Ninety percent of the world's seaborne trade passes through the Suez Canal.

Despite the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, the subsequent fragility of global economic conditions, and the recent global supply chain disruptions, the SCA succeeded in overcoming these challenges after it was able to guide more than 20,000 ships with a total tonnage of more than 1 billion tons annually to cross the most important shipping lane in the world.

For more information, please contact: angie.mahran@strategic.ae

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Some of New York Citys most dangerous intersections are slated for makeovers, Mayor Adams said Wednesday.

The push is part of the new mayors effort to address a surge of vehicle crashes across the five boroughs after 2021 saw the highest number of traffic deaths in a calendar year since 2013.

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Adams push will target 1,000 crash-prone intersections, with the goal of adding new traffic lights, on-street bike parking corrals and raised crosswalks that also serve as speed bumps for drivers.

City Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said 55% of fatal car crashes in the city last year took place in intersections  and cited the 15-year-old girl who was killed Monday by a school bus while crossing a Brooklyn street as a reason to move quickly on the initiative.

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A crash along Guy R. Brewer Blvd. near 112th Road in Queens on Jan. 8 left one person dead. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

Today we declare our intersections as sacred spaces, as protected spaces, in the city of New York, Rodriguez said.

City officials did not provide a timeline or the locations of the intersection redesigns.

The NYPD will also crack down on motorists  an cyclists  who fail to yield to pedestrians within crosswalks, Adams said.

Mayor Eric Adams, center, announce new measures to increase pedestrian safety on New York City's streets, during a press conference on Caton Ave. & Coney Island Ave. on Jan. 19, 2022. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Were going to enforce a new traffic rule, said Adams. Drivers and cyclists must fully stop at intersections, even if there are not four way stop signs, whenever there is a pedestrian crossing or at the street corner about to cross.

Cops will aggressively dole out $50 tickets to those who break the new rule  and will arrest drivers who injure pedestrians in crosswalks, Adams said.

Rodriguez said the DOT would look at the enforcements impact to the cyclist community and ensure those on bikes arent unfairly targeted by the crackdown.

The announcement marks Adams first major push on street safety since he took office on Jan. 1, but echoes strategies put in place through Mayor Bill de Blasios Vision Zero program that aimed to eliminate traffic deaths in the city.

The city saw annual reductions in traffic fatalities during de Blasios first six years in office  but he received criticism over his commitment to the Vision Zero program as deadly car crashes surged in 2020 and 2021.

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City data shows 273 people were killed in crashes last year, the highest of any year since 2013, when 299 people were killed by motorists during the final year of Mayor Michael Bloombergs administration.

Im very happy and grateful the work we did together with the previous administration, said Rodriguez, who until December chaired the City Councils Transportation Committee. In the last eight years we put in the foundations of Vision Zero. Now we have the responsibility to expand it.
701 subjects dosed to date

Initiating enrollment activities in Turkey as part of its clinical diversification plans to support global regulatory approvals

On-track to complete enrollment in Q1-2022 and FDA submission thereafter

Commencing regulatory package activities for submission to international regulatory authorities for drug approvals

TORONTO, Jan. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revive Therapeutics Ltd. (Revive or the Company) (OTCQB: RVVTF) (CSE: RVV) (FRANKFURT:31R), a specialty life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for medical needs and rare disorders, is pleased to provide an update on the Companys U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Phase 3 clinical trial (the Study) (NCT04504734) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Bucillamine, an oral drug with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.

A total of 701 subjects have been dosed to date in the Study. The Company, in collaboration with Delta Health, has initiated the enrollment activities in Turkey at MLP Care, the largest hospital group in Turkey, and Istinye University with access to 30 research sites and over 6000 in-patient hospital beds.

The Studys expansion into Turkey complements the Companys global commercialization plan for Bucillamine as a potential treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19. As previously reported, in light of Phase 3 clinical studies and FDA approvals of oral antiviral treatments by Pfizer and Merck, it was evident that to improve the Studys outcome, a diversified patient population from different countries is important to support future global regulatory submissions. In addition, a diversified subject population supports ongoing discussions with pharmaceutical companies in Turkey and international markets.

The Company is on-track to complete study enrollment in Q1-2022. Also, the Company is preparing its regulatory package for submission to the FDA and international regulatory authorities for drug approvals thereafter.

Michael Frank, CEO of the Company commented, "We are now in the final stages in our Phase 3 study and we are focused on completing enrollment, preparing the regulatory packages for the FDA and international health authorities, and negotiating manufacturing and marketing agreements with pharmaceutical companies for commercialization.



The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate or cure COVID-19 (SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time.

About Revive Therapeutics Ltd.

Revive is a life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for infectious diseases and rare disorders, and it is prioritizing drug development efforts to take advantage of several regulatory incentives awarded by the FDA such as Orphan Drug, Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy and Rare Pediatric Disease designations. Currently, the Company is exploring the use of Bucillamine for the potential treatment of infectious diseases, with an initial focus on severe influenza and COVID-19. With its acquisition of Psilocin Pharma Corp., Revive is advancing the development of Psilocybin-based therapeutics in various diseases and disorders. Revives cannabinoid pharmaceutical portfolio focuses on rare inflammatory diseases and the company was granted FDA orphan drug status designation for the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) to treat autoimmune hepatitis (liver disease) and to treat ischemia and reperfusion injury from organ transplantation. For more information, visit www.ReviveThera.com .

For more information, please contact:

Michael Frank

Chief Executive Officer

Revive Therapeutics Ltd.

Tel: 1 888 901 0036

Email: mfrank@revivethera.com

Website: www.revivethera.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement
Pune, India, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Circuit Breaker Market size is expected to reach USD 24.59 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. The market value stood at USD 13.99 billion in 2020 and reached USD 15.41 billion by 2021. Increasing awareness regarding safety awareness and measures, rising construction activities, and dependence upon electricity are expected to foster market development. Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its report titled Circuit Breaker Market, 2021-2028.

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The circuit breaker is electrical switching devices that regulate electricity flow and send specified amounts of electricity to buildings. Increasing construction activities and rising dependence upon electricity are expected to boost the devices demand. It helps avoid failures, malfunctions, and short circuits and boosts residents safety. Further, the rising awareness regarding safety may boost the awareness of the device among consumers. The adoption of the device eliminates electrical system damages. In addition, its rising adoption in high voltage transmission & distribution lines, railway systems, and small and medium substations is expected to bolster market growth in the upcoming years.

List of Key Players Profiled in this Market Report

ABB (Switzerland)

General Electric (U.S.)

Schneider Electric (France)

Eaton (Ireland)

Siemens AG (Germany)

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan)

Larsen & Toubro Limited (India)

CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited (India)

Kirloskar Electric Company (India)

Camsco Electric (Taiwan)

BCH ELECTRIC LTD (India)

Salzer Group (India)

Atom Power, Inc. (U.S.)

COVID-19 Impact

Lockdown Restrictions to Hamper Market Development

This market is expected to be negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic because of restrictions on manufacturing activities. The sudden spike in cases led to the imposition of lockdown, which negatively affected business activities. However, rising dependence upon electricity is expected to promote the adoption of reduced capacities and part-time shifts. Further, the adoption of advanced sanitization methods has resulted in a safer working environment. These factors are likely to foster market development during the pandemic.

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Segments

By voltage, the market is segmented into medium voltage, high voltage, and low voltage. As per installation, it is classified into outdoor and indoor. Based on rated voltage, it is categorized into Upto 500V, 500V  1kV, 1kV  15kV, 15kV  50kV, 50kV  70kV, 70kV  150kV, 150kV  300kV, 300kV  600kV, 600kV  800kV, and Above 800kV. On the basis of end-user, it is categorized into utility, industrial, commercial, and residential. Regionally, it is grouped into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

Report Coverage

The report provides a detailed analysis of the top segments and the latest trends in the market. It comprehensively discusses the driving and restraining factors and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Additionally, it examines the regional developments and the strategies undertaken by the market's key players.

Drivers and Restraints

Rising Adoption of Electrification Initiatives to Bolster Market Progress

The implementation of electrification programs in developing countries is expected to boost market development. This factor is expected to boost circuit breakers adoption. Rising electricity availability leads to the abundance of electricity, which is further utilized to deliver electricity to rural areas. For example, World Bank invested approximately USD 2.3 billion for reforms and infrastructural support in West Africa Power Pool (WAPP). This investment may help provide electric supply to approximately 15 countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by 2030. In addition, the mandatory adoption of these breakers from utility-scale grids, industries, residential and commercial builds is expected to drive the circuit breaker market growth.

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However, rising competition from unorganized and small organizations is expected to hinder market development.

Regional Insights

Rising Commercial Projects and Infrastructure Developments to Fuel Market Growth in Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the circuit breaker market share because of rising commercial projects and infrastructure developments. The market in Asia-Pacific stood at USD 5.39 billion in 2020 and is expected to gain a considerable portion of the market in the upcoming years. In addition, the rising adoption of these breakers in manufacturing and industrial units is likely to boost market development.

In Europe and North America, the automation and modernization of industries are expected to boost the devices adoption. Additionally, rapid infrastructure development and the emergence of several construction projects are expected to bolster market growth.

Competitive Landscape

Launch of Novel Products to Boost Brand Presence

Prominent companies operating in the market announce novel products to boost their brand presence. For example, in March 2020, Phoneix Contact announced a thermomagnetic circuit breaker that offers excellent protection in long cable paths and electrical MCC panels. This development may enable the company to boost its brand presence. Further, the adoption of research and development may enable companies to improve product quality and boost their market position. In addition, companies adopt strategies such as mergers to boost their resources and boost market position.

Industry Development

January 2021: ABB India announced Formula DIN-Rail, a range of Isolators, Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs), and Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) to meet the global standards and shall be produced at ABBs Smart Buildings factory in Bengaluru.

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New York, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Healthcare Analytics Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05798730/?utm_source=GNW

Healthcare analytics include different technologies, skills, and methods that synthesize and analyze healthcare data across the healthcare industry. Growth in the global market is primarily driven by factors such as rising venture capital financing, government efforts to enhance EHR usage, mounting pressure to reduce healthcare expenditure and augment patient outcomes, the growing relevance of real-world data, and value-based care, and rise of big data analytics. Other factors shaping growth in the market include the increasing usage of scientific methods to cover performance deficits, the shift from paper charts to real-time monitoring systems, and the usage of electronic health records for gathering patient data. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of advanced analytical solutions that aid organizations in dealing with complexities and produce optimal outcomes. Data analytics are actively helping healthcare systems to identify at-risk populations and preparing for timely treatments. The market also stands to benefit from the rise of descriptive analytics which forms a basis for the effective application of prescriptive analytics.



Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Healthcare Analytics estimated at US$14.6 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$59.7 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 26.6% over the analysis period. Descriptive Analytics, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 24.9% CAGR to reach US$36.2 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 Predictive Analytics segment is readjusted to a revised 27.3% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 29.6% share of the global Healthcare Analytics market. The descriptive analytics segment stands to gain from its ability to analyze historical data and generate actionable insights. Predictive analytics is considered to be a major business intelligence trend. The healthcare business intelligence aims to enable physicians to make data-enabled decisions quickly and enhance treatment. Data-enabled decision-making is helpful for patients with complicated medical histories, afflicted by multiple conditions.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $10.4 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $3.3 Billion by 2026



The Healthcare Analytics market in the U.S. is estimated at US$10.4 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 58.2% share in the global market. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$3.3 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 30.7% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 22.9% and 24.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 24.4% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$4.3 Billion by the end of the analysis period. The growth in the North American region is driven by a medley of factors encompassing increased regulatory requirements such as the federal law governing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA); rising federal healthcare requirements to curb soaring healthcare costs; robust healthcare infrastructure; rising adoption of electronic health records; governmental efforts related to population health management, personalized medicine, and value-based reimbursements. The digitization of the healthcare system, increasing public expenditure on healthcare infrastructure, and the surging popularity of big data analytics are primary factors fueling the healthcare analytics market demand in developing countries and the Asia-Pacific region.



Prescriptive Analytics Segment to Reach $9.7 Billion by 2026



A prescriptive analytics model provides ideal solutions for an array of situations. It leverages the in-depth data mining techniques, including data mining, predictive modeling, and machine learning (ML). The market for prescriptive analytics is expected to benefit from growth in cyber-crimes which is boosting the need for prevention and forecast of crimes; and growth of novel technologies like IoT and Big Data. In the global Prescriptive Analytics segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 29.1% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$1.8 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$11.9 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$373.5 Million by the year 2026.





Select Competitors (Total 135 Featured)



IBM Corporation

3M Company

Oracle Corporation

Philips Healthcare

SAS Institute, Inc.

Cerner Corporation

McKesson Corporation

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.

Information Builders, Inc.







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05798730/?utm_source=GNW



I. METHODOLOGY



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



1. MARKET OVERVIEW

Impact of Covid-19 and a Looming Global Recession

2020: A Year of Disruption & Transformation

As the Race between the Virus & Vaccines Intensifies, Where is

the World Economy in 2021

EXHIBIT 1: World Economic Growth Projections (Real GDP, Annual

% Change) for 2020 through 2022

COVID-19 Drives Prominence of Healthcare Analytics

Healthcare Organizations Stay Ahead of COVID-19?s Fluid Needs

by Exploiting Predictive Analytics

Healthcare Analytics Adoption to Grow Further amid COVID-19

Recovery

Strategies to Derive Value from Healthcare Analytics

Importance of Sharing Healthcare Data Picks up Momentum in the

Covid-19 Era

Pandemic Analytics Finds Gains

How IT is Revolutionizing Healthcare Industry

Healthcare Analytics: An Introduction

Healthcare Analytics Playing a Vital Role in Patient Care

A Review of Select Application Areas of Healthcare Analytics

Advantages of Healthcare Analytics

Challenges

Core Elements

Market Outlook

Recent Market Activity



2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS



3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

The Role of Big Data Analytics in Healthcare

Big Data Analytics Playing a Pivotal Role in Healthcare

EXHIBIT 2: Global Healthcare Data Generated: 2014, 2020, and

2025 (in exabytes)

EXHIBIT 3: Leading Categories of Digital Health by Funding (In

US$ Million) for the Year 2020

COVID-19 Accelerates Digitalization in Healthcare Benefiting

Healthcare Analytics

Big Data Spurs Cloud Adoption in Healthcare

EXHIBIT 4: Big Data Applications in Healthcare (In US$ Million)

for Years 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2026

?The Cloud? is a Perfect Fit for Healthcare Big Data

Need for Healthcare Analytics to Pivot Diverse Functions

Predictive Analytics Made More Important by COVID-19

Digital Health Leverages Predictive Analytics

Analytics for Improving Security and Minimizing Fraud

Healthcare Supply Chain Management: Key to Unleash Efficiency

and Cost Savings

Growing Relevance of Big Data and Analytics

Increasing Popularity of Telehealth Draws Attention

EXHIBIT 5: Global Telemedicine Market in US$ Billion: 2018,

2020, 2022 & 2024

Prominence of Big Data in Mobile Health Applications

Analytics Play an Important Role in Improving Security and

Minimizing Fraud

COVID-19 Breaks Barriers to Wider Adoption of AI & Predictive

Analytics in Healthcare

Select Use Cases

Hospitals Bet on Actionable Insights from AI & Predictive

Analytics to Treat & Triage Patients amid COVID-19

Rising Adoption of Electronic Health Records to Benefit Demand

Pharmaceutical Companies Adopt Analytics to Drive Profits

Real time Alerting: An Emerging Area

Big Data Holds Potential in Cancer Treatment

EXHIBIT 6: Global Cancer Incidence: Number of New Cancer Cases

in Million for the Years 2018, 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035 and 2040

Types of Analytics for Insurance

Edge Computing and Analytics Aid in Better Patient Outcomes

Data Science in Healthcare

Application Insights

Data-driven Evidence-based Research



4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

Table 1: World Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 2: World Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 3: World 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of

World Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 4: World Current & Future Analysis for Descriptive

Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 5: World Historic Review for Descriptive Analytics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 6: World 15-Year Perspective for Descriptive Analytics by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of

World for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 7: World Current & Future Analysis for Predictive

Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 8: World Historic Review for Predictive Analytics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 9: World 15-Year Perspective for Predictive Analytics by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of

World for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 10: World Current & Future Analysis for Prescriptive

Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 11: World Historic Review for Prescriptive Analytics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 12: World 15-Year Perspective for Prescriptive Analytics

by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues

for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of

World for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 13: World Current & Future Analysis for Cognitive

Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 14: World Historic Review for Cognitive Analytics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 15: World 15-Year Perspective for Cognitive Analytics by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of

World for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 16: World Current & Future Analysis for Financial

Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 17: World Historic Review for Financial Analytics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 18: World 15-Year Perspective for Financial Analytics by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of

World for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 19: World Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 20: World Historic Review for Clinical Analytics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 21: World 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Analytics by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of

World for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 22: World Current & Future Analysis for Operational &

Administrative Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 23: World Historic Review for Operational &

Administrative Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 24: World 15-Year Perspective for Operational &

Administrative Analytics by Geographic Region - Percentage

Breakdown of Value Revenues for USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 25: World Current & Future Analysis for Population Health

Analytics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 26: World Historic Review for Population Health Analytics

by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 27: World 15-Year Perspective for Population Health

Analytics by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Revenues for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific

and Rest of World for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



III. MARKET ANALYSIS



UNITED STATES

Table 28: USA Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 29: USA Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by Type -

Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive

Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012

through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 30: USA 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for Descriptive

Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and

Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 31: USA Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 32: USA Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 33: USA 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



CANADA

Table 34: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 35: Canada Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 36: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive

Analytics and Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 37: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 38: Canada Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 39: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



JAPAN

Table 40: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 41: Japan Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 42: Japan 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for Descriptive

Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and

Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 43: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 44: Japan Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 45: Japan 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



CHINA

Table 46: China Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 47: China Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 48: China 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for Descriptive

Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and

Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 49: China Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 50: China Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 51: China 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



EUROPE

Table 52: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK and

Rest of Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 53: Europe Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of

Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 54: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues

for France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of Europe Markets for

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 55: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 56: Europe Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 57: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive

Analytics and Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 58: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 59: Europe Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 60: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



FRANCE

Table 61: France Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 62: France Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 63: France 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive

Analytics and Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 64: France Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 65: France Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 66: France 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



GERMANY

Table 67: Germany Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 68: Germany Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 69: Germany 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive

Analytics and Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 70: Germany Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 71: Germany Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 72: Germany 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics

by Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



ITALY

Table 73: Italy Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 74: Italy Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 75: Italy 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for Descriptive

Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and

Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 76: Italy Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 77: Italy Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 78: Italy 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



UNITED KINGDOM

Table 79: UK Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare Analytics

by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 80: UK Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by Type -

Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive

Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012

through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 81: UK 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for Descriptive

Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and

Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 82: UK Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare Analytics

by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 83: UK Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 84: UK 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Analytics by

Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics, Operational &

Administrative Analytics and Population Health Analytics for

the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



REST OF EUROPE

Table 85: Rest of Europe Current & Future Analysis for

Healthcare Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics,

Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive

Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 86: Rest of Europe Historic Review for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 87: Rest of Europe 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive

Analytics and Cognitive Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 88: Rest of Europe Current & Future Analysis for

Healthcare Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics,

Clinical Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 89: Rest of Europe Historic Review for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Financial Analytics, Clinical

Analytics, Operational & Administrative Analytics and

Population Health Analytics Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and

% CAGR



Table 90: Rest of Europe 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare

Analytics by Application - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Revenues for Financial Analytics, Clinical Analytics,

Operational & Administrative Analytics and Population Health

Analytics for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



ASIA-PACIFIC

Table 91: Asia-Pacific Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Analytics by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive

Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 92: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Healthcare Analytics

by Type - Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics,

Prescriptive Analytics and Cognitive Analytics Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Thousand for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 93: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare



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Pune, India, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global military personal protective equipment market size is projected to hit USD 32.30 billion by 2028 and exhibit a CAGR of 8.84% during the forecast period. The increasing concerns regarding soldiers security and safety in battle operations and the expanding defense forces & defense budgets are expected to bolster the market growth. Fortune Business InsightsTM has presented this information in its report titled Military Personal Protective Equipment Market, 2021-2028. The market size stood at USD 17.08 billion in 2020 and its value in 2021 was USD 17.85 billion.

Additionally, the rising demand for lightweight military PPE for battle operations is projected to stimulate market growth during the forecast period. For instance, Teijin recently unveiled Twaron Ultra Micro 550f1000 yarns developed for fragment-resistant vests. The filaments amplify the ballistic fabrics stopping power.





Pandemic to Cause Negative Effect on the Industry due to Huge Budgetary Cuts

The coronavirus pandemic has caused unparalleled damage to the defense industry. The disruptions in global supply chain networks, delayed deliveries, and temporary production halts have negatively impacted the market growth. The defense cuts by several countries, including India, Thailand, and South Korea, have affected the market growth. However, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institutes report mentions that the global military expenditure increased by 2.6% in 2020 over 2019.





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List of Key Players in this Market:

3M (U.S.)

ArmorSource LLC (U.S.)

BAE Systems (U.K.)

Eagle Industries (U.S.)

Gentex Corporation (U.S.)

Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.)

Armor Express (U.S.)

Point Blank Enterprises Inc. (U.S.)

Revision Military (U.S.)





Drivers & Restraints-

Rising Defense Budgets to Fuel Market Growth

The globally growing terrorism, political unrest, and escalating cross-border issues, particularly in the Asian countries, induce expansion of law enforcement, military forces, and homeland security. Therefore, governments of several nations are increasing their defense expenditures to procure advanced military protective equipment, which is anticipated to bolster the global military personal protective equipment market growth. SIPRI reported that the global military expenditures hit USD 1981 billion in 2020, and the U.K., the U.S., India, China, and Russia accounted for almost 62% of the total expenditure.

Moreover, the globally growing terrorism, political unrest, and escalating cross-border issues have escalated soldiers security and safety concerns. These growing concerns regarding soldiers security and safety in battle operations are projected to favor market growth.

Lastly, the rising demand for lightweight military personal protective equipment for battle operations is likely to complement the market growth in the coming years.

However, the malfunction issues with these types of equipment and high developments costs may hinder the market growth.





Segmentation-

By Product Type

Protection Systems

Tactical Vests

Body Armor

Protective Eyewear

Life Safety Jacket

Advanced Combat Helmets

By Application

Navy

Air Force

Army

By Geographically

Asia Pacific

Europe

North America

Rest Of The World





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Regional Insights-

Technological Advancements to Bolster Growth in North America

North America is projected to attain the largest global military personal protective equipment market share. The procurement of protective eyewear, modern body armors, and technological advancements in military PPE is anticipated to foster market growth. Moreover, the major market players, including 3M, Honeywell International Inc., KDH Defense Systems Inc., and Eagle Industries, among others present in the region, are expected to positively influence market growth.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to attain tremendous growth due to the growing terrorism, political unrest, and escalating cross-border conflicts. The high defense expenditure by South Korea, India, and China is likely to complement the market growth.

Europe is predicted to witness substantial growth due to countries' expanding defense spending, including Russia, Germany, the U.K., and others.

The Rest of the World is expected to exhibit moderate growth during the forecast period. The rising defense budgets are expected to aid market growth.

Report Coverage-

Features a detailed market assessment.

Emphasizes key factors, such as leading companies, applications, and others.

Provides crucial insights into the markets regulatory scenarios.

Assesses the COVID-19 pandemics impact on the market.

Suggests strategies to capture growth in the forthcoming years.





Competitive Landscape-

Key Players to Adopt Ingenious Growth Strategies

The key players operating in the market emphasize integrating advanced technologies such artificial intelligence, biometrics, wireless sensors, and others to launch next-generation solutions. They adopt various growth strategies, including partnerships, contracts, mergers, acquisitions, new product launches, technological developments, and others. For instance, in April 2021, the U.S. Army signed a contract with Microsoft for supplying futuristic goggles. The contract worth USD 22 billion will facilitate the U.S. Army with goggles with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System. This will allow military troops to see through smoke, around corners, and in the dark.





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Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Industry Developments Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis



Quantitative Insights- Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Military PPE Market

Impact of COVID-19 on Global Military PPE Market Steps Taken by Industry/Companies/Governments to Overcome the Impact Potential Opportunities Due to COVID-19 Outbreak



TOC Continued!





Key Industry Developments-

June 2021: The U.S. Army signed a contract with Elbit Systems worth USD 29 million to supply night vision goggles. The company will upgrade the National Guard rotary-wing and the U.S. Army active-duty aviation units AN/AVS-6 Aviators Night Vision Imaging Systems.





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Have a Look at Related Research Insights:

Bulletproof Vest Market Size, Share and Covid-19 Impact Analysis by Material (Kevlar, Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), and Graphene) By Type (Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA, Level III, and Level IV) By Product (Flexible Ballistic, Hard Armor Plate) By End User (Military, Law Enforcement, and Civil) and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027

Explosive Trace Detection Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Handheld, Portable/ Movable, and Fixed Point/ Standalone), By Technology (Colorimetric, Ion Mobility Spectrometry, Thermo Redox, Chemiluminescence, and Amplifying Fluorescent Polymer), By End Use (Commercial, Defense, Public Safety & Law Enforcement, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028





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TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Denarius or the Company) (TSXV: DSLV) is pleased to announce that it has received complete assays for the first four drill holes from the ongoing surface diamond drilling program on its 100%-owned polymetallic Lomero-Poyatos Project. This is the Companys first diamond drill campaign at its flagship project in Andalucia Region, Southern Spain, located within the Iberian Pyrite Belt. The Lomero-Poyatos Project comprises a 100% interest in the P.I. Rubia, License N 14.977, covering the areas occupied by the former Lomero-Poyatos Concessions.



Additional assays are expected in the coming weeks and it is expected there should be a steady flow of new assay data as drill holes are completed going forward. Denarius has mobilized a third diamond drill to expedite the ongoing drilling program on the Lomero-Poyatos deposit, which is expected to be operational in mid-February.

Initial drill results confirm that the massive and semi-massive sulfide zones at Lomero-Poyatos are significantly enriched in Au.

Initial drill data increases our confidence in the geological model created using validated data from previous explorers' drilling campaigns.

Initial data from the ongoing validation drilling phase confirms thickness and grades of selected drill holes from previous drilling campaigns.



Serafino Iacono, Executive Chairman and CEO of Denarius, commented, We are very encouraged by these early drilling results at Lomero-Poyatos, which provide a clear indication of the potential of this well-known VMS deposit. These are the first four holes for which we have complete assays, however most drill holes to date have well mineralized intervals that are now in the pipeline for assays. We are systematically stepping out through the deposit to update the geological model that will meet the requirements for establishing an updated NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate. We are confident that this drilling campaign will continue to be a key value driver for Denarius as we move forward."

The initial surface drilling program at the Lomero-Poyatos Project, which commenced in late October 2021, was designed to validate some selected historical holes drilled within the existing mine and then conduct a 50x50 m infill drilling in the lower levels of the same mine. Extension drilling will consist of 17 holes. The plan will be to initially complete approximately 81 drill holes for a total of approximately 23,500 meters of drilling. Please refer to the news release dated July 26, 2021 for further details. The Company is fully financed to complete the program.

The Company has established COVID-19 safety protocols for ensuring a secure work environment for its employees and contractors.

Key Highlights

The Company has completed approximately 5,650 meters of drilling to-date in 18 holes and two additional holes are in progress. The area tested by drilling to-date is 1,000 m along strike and 190 m deep and will continue to expand as the program progresses. All the holes have intercepted mineralization. The mineralization is characterized by massive to semi-massive lenses of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, and pyrite, with pyrite the predominant sulphide mineral. The mineralization is hosted by a dacite unit, situated at the hanging-wall contact with a volcanoclastic unit. The massive to semi-massive sulphide lenses range from approximately 2 meters thick up to 21 meters (intercept in hole LP21007). Sheared volcaniclastic horizons of variable thickness, up to 25 m thick, bearing sulphide mineralization in lenses and disseminated occur at both the hanging-wall and footwall contact with the massive and semi-massive sulphide layers. The Lomero-Poyatos deposit shows a classic VMS and Iberian Belt mineralization pattern, built up by massive to semi-massive sulphide layer. Initial data from the ongoing validation drilling phase confirms thickness and grades of selected drill holes from previous drilling campaigns as shown by the table below:







Surface Drilling Hole Phase From (m) To (m) Width Cu % Pb % Zn % Ag g/t Au g/t Min. Type LP21001 Validation 54.45 60.55 6.10 0.53 0.43 0.59 15.65 1.20 SM*/MS** L03-15 CMR*** hole 57.00 59.00 2.00 0.47 0.26 0.06 17.50 1.91 SM LM21002 Validation 189.23 214.00 24.77 0.12 0.46 1.67 13.22 0.72 SM L12-66 CRI**** hole 190.70 210.15 19.45 0.25 0.60 1.21 6.08 0.66 SM LM21003 Val/Infill 128.70 133.10 4.40 0.87 0.11 0.12 11.45 0.67 MS L03-41 CMR 141.00 144.00 3.00 1.20 0.03 0.02 6.00 0.74 SM

* MS: Massive Sulphides

* SM: Semi-Massive

*** CMR: Cambridge Mineral Resources

**** CRI: Corporacion de Recursos Iberia

The first infill drill hole (LP21007) was successful in confirming high-grade mineralization at a depth corresponding to the eastern end of Level 5 of the historical mine.



The table below lists the key intercepts from the ongoing Lomero-Poyatos drilling program:

HOLE ID Phase from (m) to (m) length (m) Cu % Pb % Zn % Ag g/t Au g/t Min. Type LP21001 validation 54.45 60.55 6.10 0.53 0.43 0.59 15.65 1.20 Including 54.45 56.55 2.10 0.17 1.10 1.67 24.57 2.45 SM Including 56.55 60.55 4.00 0.72 0.07 0.02 10.97 0.55 MS LP21002 validation 189.23 214.00 24.77 0.12 0.46 1.67 13.22 0.72 Including 196.05 205.05 9.00 0.10 0.96 2.56 13.01 0.94 SM LP21003 validation 128.70 133.10 4.40 0.87 0.11 0.12 11.45 0.67 MS LP21007 Infill 192.35 212.95 20.60 1.51 0.40 2.27 43.83 4.71 Including 192.35 195.25 2.90 0.24 0.63 2.25 30.61 1.57 SM Including 195.25 212.95 17.70 1.53 0.36 2.01 42.63 5.23 MS

The drill holes were drilled at -65 to -85 degrees from the horizontal. Grades are for semi-massive to massive sulphides intersections. The width is the sample length and is not necessarily the true width of the intersection. All base and precious metal grades are uncut and are not diluted to a minimum mining width.



Please refer also to the attached illustrative maps showing the location of drill holes and a cross section with drill hole LP21007.

Location of Drill Holes is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/88fb63a7-a652-4a71-adc0-65336baf0844

Cross Section is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e434d7c-19d9-4367-81ce-3362c8f3cc2d

Qualified Persons Review

Dr. Stewart D. Redwood, PhD, FIMMM, FGS, Senior Consulting Geologist to the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure or Mineral Projects and prepared or reviewed the preparation of the scientific and technical information in this press release. Verification included a review of the quality assurance and quality control samples, and review of the applicable assay databases and assay certificates.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

The Lomero-Poyatos samples were prepared and assayed by AGQ Labs (ISO/IEC 17025) at their laboratory in Burguillos, Seville, Spain. Gold was assayed by 30 g fire assay with ICP-OES finish, while silver and base metals were analyzed in a multi-element package by aqua regia digestion and ICP-OES finish. Blank, standard and duplicate samples were routinely inserted and monitored for quality assurance and quality control.

About Denarius

Denarius is a Canadian-listed public company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and eventual operation of mining projects in high-grade districts, with its principal focus on the Lomero Project in Spain and the Guia Antigua Project in Colombia. The Company also owns the Zancudo Project in Colombia which is currently being explored by IAMGOLD Corp. pursuant to an option agreement for the exploration and potential purchase of an interest in the project.

Additional information on Denarius can be found on its website at www.denariussilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

DENARIUS SILVER CORP.

Serafino Iacono, Executive Chairman and CEO

Email: investors@denariussilver.com

Website: www.denariussilver.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.

Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forwardlooking statements. Forwardlooking statements may be identified by words including anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, expects and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forwardlooking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, listing of the Warrants and use of proceeds from the Financing are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forwardlooking statements.
New York, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global biofuels market size was valued at US$ 109.96 billion in 2021. The transportation fuels generated from biomass resources, such as ethanol and biomass-based diesel, are known as biofuels. These fuels are typically mixed with petroleum fuels, but they can also be used independently. In addition, advanced liquid biofuels made from biomass waste, waste fats, and oil are a potential solution for decarbonizing energy sectors in industries like shipping, aviation, and freight at a low cost.



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The rising demand for sustainable and reliable energy, as well as growing focus on environmentally acceptable clean energy sources, are likely to drive biofuel demand around the world. The government regulations for biofuel combining in vehicle fuels, as well as increased government support for environmentally friendly power options, will combine to increase global biofuel use and keeps the biofuels market growing at rapid pace during the projection period.

Furthermore, large scale biofuel production from different types of plants and crops may result in a scarcity of food commodities manufactured from the crops and plants. It has the potential to alter food prices and raises concerns about the food security. In some regions or nations around the world, this factor will stifle the biofuels market expansion in the predicted period.

In the United States, China, and Brazil, major blending regulations that drive global demand for biofuels have been established. By 2020-2022, these countries aim to achieve a 15-27 percent biofuels-to-conventional-fuel blend, which is likely to drive worldwide demand in their respective regions.

Global Biofuel Market Forecast, By Fuel Type, 2021-2030

Region CAGR (2021 to 2030) North America 5.2 % Europe 4.0 % Asia Pacific 5.5 % Latin America 4.4 % Middle East & Africa 9.6 %

Regional Snapshot

North America is the largest segment for biofuels market in terms of region. The presence of supporting infrastructure for the production of these fuels, as well as favorable government policies for their use, will result in the biofuels market expansion in the region. Low-cost, plentiful raw materials like soybeans, as well as favorable government tax incentives for biofuels like RNG (renewable natural gas) and ethanol, continue to boost market demand. In the North American market, the United States and Canada remain the dominant participants. Because the United States has some of the world's most advanced biotechnology industries, they can develop biobased products on a commercial and economic scale. Biofuels are replacing traditional petroleum-based fuels in this region, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Canada is also a promising market for biofuel production, as several government initiatives are encouraging the use of biofuels in areas such as transportation and power.

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Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing region in the biofuels market. The introduction and increased adoption of biofuel-friendly laws and regulations in emerging countries of Asia-Pacific region, is expected to increase demand for biofuels, particularly in the transportation sector, where they will be blended with conventional fossil fuels. Although the biofuels business in Asia Pacific is still in its infancy, there is significant potential for growth, as seen by companies like NESTE spending $1.4 billion in a bio refinery in Singapore in 2019. Several governments in the region have shown their support for the industry by establishing a favorable regulatory environment. India and China are currently leading the pack in terms of manufacturing, research, and innovation investments. The need to minimize its reliance on oil and energy exports is one of the most important market factors. Currently, ethanol is the most extensively manufactured biofuel in the region, owing to the ease with which fuel companies can generate it from sugarcane waste, which is abundant in the country.

Report Highlights

Based on fuel type, the bioethanol segment accounted largest market share 71.3% in the global biofuels market in 2020. As bioethanol is made entirely of biological sources, it produces cleaner emissions when it is burned (carbon dioxide, steam, and heat). Plants take carbon dioxide and use it to help them grow by processing it through photosynthesis. Because of this creation and energy combustion cycle, bioethanol has the potential to be a carbon-neutral fuel. It also helps to enhance air quality by reducing carbon monoxide emissions from aging automobile engines. Another significant advantage of bioethanol is the ease with which it can be integrated into the existing road transportation fuel system  bioethanol may be blended with conventional fuels (up to 15%) without requiring engine modifications. Bioethanol can be used as a substitute for gasoline in gasoline engines. It can be combined with gasoline in almost any proportion. The majority of existing petrol engines run on bioethanol-petroleum mixtures of up to 15%.

Based on feedstock, the coarse grains segment accounted largest market share 28.1% in the global biofuels market in 2020. Cereal grains other than wheat and rice, as well as those used primarily for animal feed or brewing, are referred to as coarse grains. These grains are warm-season cereals that are used for food, feed, and fodder in different parts of the world. These are primarily farmed in Asia and Africa's semi-arid tropical regions, under rain-fed farming techniques with few external inputs and low grain yields (typically less than 1 tonne/ha).

Biofuel Market Share, By Feedstock, 2020

Feedstock Segment 2020 (%) Coarse Grains 28.1 % Vegetable oil 28 % Sugar crop 17.1 % Others 10.2 % Non-agri Feedstock 8.3 % Biomass 6.3 % Jatropha 1.9 %

Coarse grains are the main feedstock for producing bioethanol. The decline in road transport due to strict lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in affecting the demand for coarse grains in biofuels. The market witnessed a significant drop in 2020 and the market is expected to regain as the lockdown on transport is lifted.

Post-2020, the global demand for biofuels is expected to increase. The growing demand for ethanol as a fuel blend to reduce GHG emissions and adhere to the UNCCC to control climate change is expected to drive market growth. Furthermore, the price of coarse grains has a steady year-on-year variation as compared to other feedstock. Thus, the demand for coarse grains is expected to remain steady over the forecast period.

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Covid 19 Impact

Since the emergence of COVID-19 in late 2019 in China and its rapid spread around the world, demand for crude oil has fallen precipitously due to a drop in economic activity, resulting in a significant drop in crude oil prices. Furthermore, rivalry among big oil producers has pushed crude oil prices even lower.

As shown below, Brent crude oil fell from USD 59.27 per barrel in January 2019 to USD 23.34 per barrel in April 2020. On the other hand, Dubai Fateh crude oil dropped from USD 58.96 per barrel in January 2019 to USD 23.27 per barrel in April 2020. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices declined from USD 51.52 per barrel in January 2019 to USD 16.52 per barrel in April 2020.

The significant drop in ethanol prices decreased ethanol producers' profit margins. The average return above variable expenses for Iowa ethanol producers fell from nearly 35 cents per gallon in late November 2019 to -7 cents per gallon on March 27, 2020, according to daily statistics from Iowa State University's Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD). COVID-19 has several negative consequences for ethanol producers, not the least of which is a decrease in profitability per gallon of ethanol produced. Due to the 10% mix regulation, reductions in economic activity due to social distancing and required shelter in place rules have had a detrimental impact on demand for gasoline and thus ethanol. Currently, around 96 percent of the US population is subjected to various mandatory restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a result of the lack of profitability in ethanol production combined with lower gasoline demand, ethanol producers are likely to reduce output levels or, in some circumstances, shut down their operations. Because ethanol (and DDGS) accounts for a big amount of maize produced in the United States (approximately 38%), a lack of ethanol demand will result in a significant drop in corn demand.

Due to the slowdown in economic activity induced by the spread of COVID-19, demand for distillate fuel oil (diesel fuels and fuel oils) has also decreased in recent months. According to data released by the EIA, usage of these fuels decreased by 11.3% in the first two months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Diesel fuel costs have fallen as a result of lower crude oil prices and lower demand for diesel fuel. For example, in the last week of March 2020, the retail diesel price fell from around USD 3.05 per gallon in January 2020 to USD 2.56 per gallon. As a result, the price of biodiesel dropped dramatically from over USD 1,050 per metric tonne in early January 2020 to USD 735 per metric tonne by the end of March 2020. Weaker demand for diesel may result in lower demand for biodiesel, which will diminish demand for biodiesel feedstock. Soybean oil has the biggest market share in the United States of these feedstocks. As a result, any significant drop in biodiesel demand will also affect demand for soybeans.

Market Dynamics

Drivers - Reduces greenhouse gases

According to some research studies, biofuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65%. When fossil fuels are burned, enormous volumes of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are released into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases trap sunlight, causing global warming. Furthermore, burning coal and oil raises the temperature and contributes to global warming. Biofuels are being used by people all around the world to lessen the impact of greenhouse gases. As a result, the reduction of greenhouse gases is fueling the growth of the biofuels market during the forecast period.

Restraints - High cost of production

Despite all of the disadvantages of biofuels, they are currently relatively costly to produce. Biofuel production currently has a low level of interest and capital investment, but it can meet demand in the future. If demand rises, boosting supply will be a lengthy and costly process. Biofuels are still being held back by this disadvantage. As a result, the high cost of production is hindering the growth of the biofuels market during the forecast period.

Opportunities - Use of biofuels in vehicles engine

Biofuels can easily be adapted to conventional engine designs and function under most adverse situations. It has a high cetane number and improved lubrication. The engines durability improves when biodiesel is utilized as a highly flammable fuel. There is no need to convert the engine. This allows the engine to function for longer periods of time, requiring less maintenance and lowering overall pollution check expenses. Biofuel-powered engines emit fewer pollutants than conventional diesel engines. Thus, the use of biofuels in vehicles engine is creating lucrative opportunities for the growth of the biofuels market during the forecast period.

Challenges - Industrial pollution

When burned, biofuels have a lower carbon footprint than traditional fuels. However, the method through which they are made compensates for this. A lot of water and oil are required for production. Substantial-scale biofuel manufacturing plants are known to produce large amounts of pollution and cause small-scale water pollution. Unless more efficient production methods are implemented, overall carbon emissions will not be significantly reduced. It also increases nitrogen oxides levels in the atmosphere. This also leads to global warming in the environment. As a result, the industrial production caused by production of biofuels is a major challenge for the growth of the biofuels market during the forecast period.

Related Reports

Key Players

The major companies functioning in the worldwide biofuels market are Abengoa Bioenergy S.A., VERBIO VereinigteBioEnergie, DowDuPont, Inc. Archer Daniels Midland Company, BTG International Ltd, Renewable Energy Group, Inc., Wilmar International Ltd, POET LLC, Cargill, My Eco Energy, China Clean Energy Inc. among others.

Major Market Segments Covered:

By Fuel Type

Biodiesel

Bioethanol

By Feedstock

Coarse Grain

Sugar Crop

Vegetable Oil

Jatropha

Molasses





By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)





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Fort Myers, Fla., Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Oncology Network, LLC (AON), whose mission is to support the long-term viability of community oncology, is pleased to announce that Medical Oncologist Shalin R. Shah, DO has been named to its Executive Board, providing strategic guidance to its growing network of over 100 physicians across 16 states. He joins current Executive Board members: Stephen Orman, MD, Douglas Heldreth, MD, Vipul Patel, MD and Daniel Spitz, MD. Dr. Craig Reynolds who joined the Board in 2020, has stepped down from the position.

After graduating from the University of Miami, Dr. Shah completed his residency at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., followed by a fellowship in oncology. Dr. Shah is a medical oncologist and hematologist with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute and practices in Tampa, Fla. He focuses on the treatment of adult solid tumor malignancies, both benign and malignant hematology, and has an interest in clinical trial participation as well. He has served multiple terms on the Executive Board of the largest privately held oncology group in the United States and is a former member of their Finance Committee. He is also a board member of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) and was the previous Vice President of the Clinical Practice Committee for FLASCO. Dr. Shah actively serves on several other boards in healthcare, technology, and education.

AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz said With more than three decades of expertise in all areas of oncology practice management, AON empowers physicians to make cancer care better and provide the best possible patient experience. The addition of Dr. Shah to our Board strengthens our ability to ensure the long-term success of community oncology.

AON Board Member & Chairman Dr. Stephen Orman added Were thankful for Dr. Reynolds commitment and leadership and so pleased to welcome such an experienced and highly respected physician as an addition to the Board. Our Board members do an excellent job helping our partners successfully navigate todays rapidly changing healthcare landscape while serving the needs of their patients.

###

About American Oncology Network, LLC: www.AONcology.com

American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly expanding AON network represents 105 physicians and 79 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 16 states. The executive management team of AON encompasses more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most  providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

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TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the January 2022 cash distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or NEO which pay on a monthly basis. Unitholders of record of a fund on January 26, 2022 will receive cash distributions payable in respect of that fund on January 31, 2022.



Details regarding the per unit distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund Name Fund Ticker Cash Distribution Per Unit ($) iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBH 0.044 iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBO 0.038 iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF CDZ 0.093 iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF CEW 0.048 iShares U.S. High Yield Fixed Income Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CHB 0.072 iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLF 0.028 iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLG 0.035 iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR 0.000 iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF CPD 0.048 iShares Short Duration High Income ETF (CAD-Hedged) CSD 0.066 iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CUD 0.078 iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF CVD 0.070 iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CYH 0.072 iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF FIE 0.040 iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF XAGG 0.053 iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF(1) XAGG.U 0.043 iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XAGH 0.051 iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF XBB 0.065 iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCB 0.055 iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCBG 0.085 iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF XCBU 0.063 iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1) XCBU.U 0.041 iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF XDG 0.049 iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDG.U 0.039 iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XDGH 0.065 iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETF XDIV 0.087 iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF XDU 0.041 iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDU.U 0.033 iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XDUH 0.053 iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF XDV 0.103 iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XEB 0.048 iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF XEI 0.083 iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF XFN 0.133 iShares Floating Rate Index ETF XFR 0.005 iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETF XGB 0.041 iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XGGB 0.025 iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF XHB 0.061 iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHD 0.054 iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF XHU 0.052 iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHY 0.070 iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIG 0.049 iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIGS 0.042 iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF XLB 0.063 iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XPF 0.062 iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF XQB 0.040 iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF XRE 0.057 iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF XSAB 0.039 iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSB 0.046 iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSC 0.044 iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSE 0.042 iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF XSH 0.042 iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XSHG 0.080 iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF XSHU 0.037 iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1) XSHU.U 0.030 iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSI 0.046 iShares Short Term High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF XSQ 0.030 iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSTB 0.029 iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSTH 0.195 iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF XSTP 0.222 iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF(1) XSTP.U 0.178 iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF XTR 0.040 iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF XUT 0.087

(1) Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for XAGG.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U

Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca .

About BlackRock

BlackRocks purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @BlackRockCA

About iShares ETFs

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 900+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$3.04 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2021, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

iShares ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.
Delhi, NCR, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- China wind energy market is embarking upon a double-digit CAGR OF 10.2%. The wind energy market in China is thriving due to increasing investments made by Chinese provinces to achieve the ambitious goal to generate a huge amount of energy from wind.



A study, recently conducted by the strategic consulting and market research firm BlueWeave Consulting, revealed that the China wind energy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period (2022-2028). China wind energy market is organically growing due to increasing investment by the Chinese provinces to reach the ambitious goal of generating a major amount of energy from the wind. Guangdong, for instance, intends to build 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030, followed by Jiangsu (15 GW), Zhejiang (6.5 GW), and Fujian (5 GW). Other provinces have also set up their own targets and developed offshore wind development plans, which has all contributed to the growth of the China wind energy market.

Favorable Government Policies Driving the China Wind Energy Market

Advances in technology, as well as the growing ability to generate power at low wind speeds, will contribute to a significant rise in China's wind energy industry in the coming years. Furthermore, the wind energy market in China is driven by favorable policies initiated by the government owing to the increasing electricity demand. In 2018, the Chinese government put forward an action plan. [M1] A year later, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a new policy outlining a clear path toward "subsidy-free" onshore wind. Because of this law, projects already approved until 2018 continued to earn the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) if they are grid-connected by 2020. In this way, favorable schemes by the Chinese government have fueled the growth of China's wind energy market.

China also has plans to expand its offshore wind capacity by 5-6 times during the 2021-2025 period from its 2020 levels. In November 2021, Reuters reported that China's State Power Investment Corp (SPIC) connected two newly built offshore wind farms off south China's Guangdong province to the state grid. In addition to being China's largest green energy operator, SPIC is also the world's leading renewable energy operator, with over 100 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity. Thus, the growing investment from the state-owned companies and favorable government policies in wind energy generation is expected to drive the growth of the China wind energy market during the forecast period.





Request for Sample Report @ https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/report/china-wind-energy-market/report-sample

Growing Concerns Regarding Carbon Footprint is Propelling the China Wind Energy Market

In today's world, reducing carbon footprints and combating climate change is one of the most important and critical issues. To tackle climate change and reduce carbon footprint from the region, the Chinese government is expanding the use of renewable energy sources for power generation by launching new favorable schemes. According to a cabinet paper issued in the state, China intends to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels to less than 20% by 2060. According to the document, the Chinese government plans to reach peak emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. According to China, 25% of energy will be derived from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Moreover, the country plans to use non-fossil fuels for 80% of its energy in 30 years. As a result, relying more on non-fossil fuels and achieving a net-zero carbon footprint are driving the growth of the wind energy market in China.

Onshore Segment Dominates the China Wind Energy Market

Based on installations, the China wind energy market is grouped into onshore and offshore. The onshore segment dominated the market in 2021 and held the larger market share owing to the large investment in the sector and the high capital investment required for offshore wind farms. Moreover, significantly high support structure costs, high Operating & Maintenance (O&M) costs, high electrical infrastructure costs, and high turbine costs for offshore wind farms have supported large investments in onshore wind farms, leading to a dominant share of the segment in China wind energy market.

>12 MW Segment to Hold the Largest Share in the Market

Based on ratings, China wind energy market is grouped into  2 MW, >2 5 MW, >5 8 MW, >810 MW, >10 12 MW, and > 12 MW segments. Among these, the >12 MW segment holds the largest share in the China wind energy market generating a significant amount of revenue. China is expected to account for about 70% of new wind power capacity expansions globally within a decade, owing to the country's strong electricity demand. Rapid expansion in power demand, fueled by China's industrial sector, and a recent power deficit in September 2021, fueled China's ambition to accelerate renewable energy development. Thus, to reach 70% of new wind projects, there is a need for higher ratings of wind energy plants of >12 MV power ratings which is driving the growth of the segment.

For more info please visit press release of China wind energy market: https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/press-release/china-wind-energy-market-set-to-witness-a-positive-growth-growing-at-a-cagr-of-10-2-by-2028

Impact of COVID-19 on China Wind Energy Market

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, China has experienced a decline in energy consumption, a disruption of supply chains, and a decline in economic development. Due to supply chain disruptions and lockdowns during the pandemic, projects were delayed and investments were low. During the first quarter of 2020, China's economic indicators all declined: industrial production fell by 8.4%, retail sales fell by 19%, and fixed-asset investment dropped 16.1%. As a result, China's GDP fell by 6.8% year-on-year.

The wind energy sector faced a sharp slowdown in onshore investment as the onshore wind industry's key incentives expired in 2020. As per Bloomberg New Energy Finance, China was responsible for 58GW (GigaWatts) out of the worlds total of nearly 100GW (GigaWatts) worth of wind farms built-in 2020. The incentives and subsidy for offshore wind farms ended on December 31, 2021 and therefore, the country registered a meteoritic rise in offshore wind farm investment in 2021. According to a study, Chinas wind energy capacity will reach 698GW by 2030 and will hold 67% of the global share. Despite government subsidy ending, the investment in wind energy is expected to increase in the coming years and present lucrative opportunities for the growth of the wind energy market.

The Leading Players in the China Wind Energy Market are Goldwind, China Guodian Corporation, CRRC (China), CSIC (Chongqing)  HZ Wind Power (China), Envision Energy (China), SANY (China), Shanghai Electric (China), Sinovel (China), GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Energy Pvt. Ltd., China Datang, China Huandian, Mingyang, Guodian United Power Technology, Xiangtang Electrical Manufacturing Corporation (XEMC), and other prominent players.

Government initiatives to install wind energy plants throughout the region and achieve net-zero emission by 2030 have driven stiff competition in the market. Further, the Chinese government is collaborating with foreign companies to commission and install new projects, which has led to more competition in the market.

Recent Developments

In December 2021, Orient Cable (NBO) finished a dynamic subsea cable project for China Three Gorges at the 400MW Yangxi Shapa 3 floating offshore wind farm off the coast of China. The project is the world's first pilot anti-typhoon floating wind turbine in China, and it will create 5500 kilowatt-hours of clean energy for 30,000 households.

In December 2021, Chinas largest wind farm, Jiangsu Qidong offshore wind farm was connected to the grid at full capacity. The wind farm as capacity of 802 megawatt (MW) and consists of three projects  H1, H2, and H3. Each project has an offshore booster station. The wind farm has been built with an investment of USD 2.26 billion and is owned by Jiangsu Huawei Wind Power and Qidong Hua Er Rui Wind Power Technology.

Dont miss the business opportunity of China Wind Energy Market. Consult our analysts to gain crucial insights And facilitate your business growth.

The in-depth analysis of the report provides information about growth potential, upcoming trends, and statistics of China wind energy market size & forecast. The report promises to provide recent technology trends of China wind energy market and industry insights which help decision-makers to make sound strategic decisions. Furthermore, the report also analyzes the growth drivers, challenges and competitive dynamics of the market.

Scope of the Report:

Attribute Details Years Considered Historical data  2018-2021 Base Year  2021 Forecast  2022  2028 Facts Covered Revenue in USD Million Product/Service Segmentation By Rating, Component, Installation, Application Key Players Key Players for the market are Goldwind, China Guodian Corporation, CRRC (China). CSIC (Chongqing)  HZ Wind Power (China), Envision Energy (China), SANY (China), Shanghai Electric (China), Sinovel (China), GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Energy Pvt. Ltd., and other prominent players

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[M1] Action plan pertaining to? Please add






Merced, California, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After many years of planning and training, the Sisters of the Valley Mexico have opened an online store and begun commerce. All operations are currently in Tijuana.

The products on their store are all made by hand, by the Sisters of Mexico (Hermanas de la Valle). Sister Camilla and Sister Luna, the first Sisters of Mexico, took their vows on the farm in California in the summer of 2018.

Since before joining the Sisterhood, Camilla and Luna have been very active with the cannabis reform clubs in Mexico. The pair continue to host classes on salve-making and the making of pure plant oil.

Sister Kate said, For years, now, the Mexico sisters have been a steady presence on our farm in California, as they took turns learning every aspect of the business and earning all the badges required to go forward. It is really exciting to see Sister Camillas team come together to operate their own store. And even though they cant sell the CBD product line in Mexico, yet, they will be soon enough and in the meantime, our main store in California ships to Mexico. The point is, we now have a team of Sisters who are all fully bilingual and can offer language-friendly support to our growing international Spanish-speaking base.

The Sisters of Mexico make, stock and ship mushroom coffee, incense, sage, soap, and other items hand-made by the enclave in Mexico. CBD products, for now, will have to continue to be sold and shipped into Mexico from the enclave in California. However, the Sisters of Mexico are working with their lawyers and have a clear legal path toward emulating the operations of their Sisters in California. Offering CBD products handmade by the women of Mexico, from plant grown on the land of Mexico, for the people of Mexico -- is just a matter of time.

www.sistersofthevalleymexico.com

www.sistersofthevalley.org

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The teenager who killed Barnard student Tessa Majors during a botched robbery was sentenced Wednesday to 14-years-to-life in prison.

At the end of his sentence, Rashaun Weaver goes home. Tessa doesnt, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos said before Rashaun Weaver learned his fate.

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Weaver was 14 years old when he and two other youths accosted Majors and stabbed her to death in Manhattans Morningside Park in December 2019.

Rashaun Weaver in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

His sentencing in Manhattan Supreme Court closes the legal book on a crime that shook New York City. Weavers two teen accomplices have already been sentenced for their roles in the 18-year-olds killing.

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Tessa Majors family detailed  in a victim impact statement read by prosecutors  how she held onto her iPhone for dear life when Weaver demanded she hand it over on Dec 11, 2019.

It contained three years worth of songs shed written; songs she was planning to record over the winter break, which was only a week away. As far as the family knows, those songs were stored nowhere else but on her phone, the letter, read by Bogdanos said.

Tessa Majors (Instagram)

Weaver and his friends from school, Luchiano Lewis and a 13-year-old set out to mug someone in the park that night, Lewis said in September, when he pleaded guilty in the case.

After their first attempts failed, the group set their sights on Majors, who was jogging down a set of steps on W. 116th St. near Morningside Drive, Lewis said.

Rashaun turned around, ran up behind Tessa Majors and kicked her hard in the back. I watched her stumble. Rashaun started screaming, Give me your money, run your pockets, Im not playing, Lewis detailed in court.

Weaver stabbed the Ivy League freshman four times, with enough force to cause feathers from her coat to fill the night air, prosecutors said.

The impact statement referenced how Majors fought to free herself from her larger assailants and even escaped their clutches twice before she was fatally knifed.

They [the Majors family] have no idea what it is like to stumble up a long flight of stairs after being stabbed multiple times in the chest, her phone still in her hand, the statement said. They have no idea what its like to try and hail an Uber ride while sitting on a city bench after being stabbed. No idea what it is like to bleed to death on a New York City street in the presence of strangers next to a security booth.

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Tessa Majors' father Inman Majors (center) leaving Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. (Barry Williams for New York Daily News)

Weaver pleaded guilty to murder and robbery in September.

As Weaver slowly read a prepared statement in court, Inman Majors, the slain students father, hung his head, and her mother, Christy Majors, fixed a steely glaze on her daughters killer.

I want to apologize to Tessas family for my immature and thoughtless actions, the 16-year-old said, adding that he was embarrassed about what he did.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

I wish I never resorted to crime, Weaver explained. I would give anything to go back in time so that it never happened.

His lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, said his client is stuck in a generational cycle of incarceration.

Nothing absolves him for what he did, Lichtman said. But Rashaun was barely a teenager when he committed this crime.

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Lewis was sentenced to nine-years-to-life in prison for his role in the crime.

The 13-year-old who was there pleaded guilty to robbery in June 2020 and got the max for a minor  18 months behind bars.

From left, Tessa Majors' mother, Christy, Tessa Majors, and her father, Inman. (Facebook)

The Majors family, who traveled from Virginia for all the court hearings, carries on without Tessa, who was outlived by her 103-year-old great-grandmother.

The family of Tess Majors misses her every second of every day and will continue to do so as long as they are living and sentient, their statement read. Their pain is immeasurable and does not go away.
Lake City, Colo., Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Partnering with contractors, building science experts, and savvy home owners, Green Builder Media pushes the needle forward on sustainable home remodeling with the publication of its brand-new Remodeling Field Report.

With two major renovation projects wrapping upone in Scottsdale, Ariz., the other in Austin, Texasremodeling teams experienced the real-world surprises and setbacks that make rehabbing so challenging: labor shortages, permitting issues, unexpected water damage behind the walls, clients getting a divorce, and so on.

One of the resounding lessons learned from both projects is that homes built in the last 30 or 40 years as luxury projects often dont pass muster when it comes to performance. Both whole-house renovations uncovered construction flaws and inferior products far less impressive than their facades.

"In the United States, the average home is 35 years old," Green Builder CEO Sara Gutterman points out. "Nearly six of ten (58%) homes in this country were constructed before 1980many of which have moisture, structural and durability problems; lead or asbestos; poor comfort, indoor air quality, and performance; and hefty energy bills."

This report consolidates all the knowledge employed (and learned) in these builds and adds many other remodeling tips and caveats Green Builder editors have collected testing products, talking with trades and manufacturers, and generally staying on top of whats been a supercharged year for remodeling.

This guide includes:

How an architect-interior designer team cooked up a complete kitchen makeover for a millennial technicurean home buyer who loves to entertain.

How to overcome unexpected and hidden costs in a remodeling project.

The role of thermal imaging in investigating behind-the-walls problems.

New options for plumbing and exterior insulation.

Electric conversion and how kicking the gas habit needs to be addressed carefully.

The science of product selection.

What to do when remodeling costs and sustainability collide.

As Green Builders Editor-in-Chief Matt Power, says of the report: I hope you can learn from these projects vicariously. Theres no better teacher than first-hand experience.

Download the free report here.

To reprint or use excerpts from the book, including high-res photography, interview the report author, or get more trends and insights on remodeling, contact Cati OKeefe, cati.okeefe@greenbuildermedia.com 513-532-0185.

About Green Builder Media

Green Builder Media is North Americas leading media company focused on green building and sustainable living, affecting positive change by providing inspirational information to over 200,000 progressive building professionals and millions of early-adopter and first-mover consumers who are interested in sustainable living. Green Builder Media generates award-winning editorial, including breaking news, prominent market research, original insights, and visionary thought pieces. With a comprehensive suite of content marketing, digital, social, and print media options, high-profile demonstration projects, market intelligence, and data services, and live events, Green Builder Media offers a blend of visionary and practical information covering a broad spectrum of sustainable living topics, including Internet of Things, smart home technologies, energy efficiency, intelligent water, indoor air quality, resilient housing, renewables, and clean transportation.











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Beverly Hills , Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In this interview with Adam Torres, Frank Pereira talks about how organizations around the world can save money and retain their employees with one decisive action: offering flexible and convenient work schedules.

Listen to the full interview of Frank Pereira with Adam Torres on the Mission Matters Business Podcast.

How did the journey begin?

Coleman Consulting Group, LLCs Managing Partner, Frank Pereira, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, serving as a nuclear engineer and surface warfare officer with multiple deployments overseas. Frank then went on to serve as the director of one of the Navys firefighting schools on Treasure Island while pursuing his MBA at U.C. Berkeley. After eight years in the Navy, married and with a baby on the way, Frank decided to change careers.

27 years ago, I saw an ad in the newspaper to work as a consultant engineer. Walking into the interview I met our founder, Dr. Coleman. I joined the company the next day and the journey began, he says. I believe so strongly in our mission and methodology that years later, I purchased the company. Since then, Ive worked with tens of thousands of employees at hundreds of companies, changing peoples lives.

The art of retaining hourly workers

People spend the majority of their waking hours at work or doing something related to work, like commuting. There is nothing more important to people than their work schedule since we fit all the important parts of our life into the little spaces when we are not at work.

At CCG, we understand that a work schedule is a whole lot more than a day-on day-off pattern, a start time, or a shift length. A schedule also includes all those rules around the planned work time, including vacation, overtime, sick time and more. It also includes the processes around those rules. When someone else takes vacation, do I have to cover? When someone calls out sick, will I have to work overtime? These details really matter to employees.

Its all about how well you prioritize the schedule and ensure predictability and flexibility for the workers, he says. Lets say you have a worker who has to pick his daughter up from school right after his shift ends, but today he had to work 30 minutes of overtime with no prior notice. If it happens more than once, that employee will likely start looking for work elsewhere. At Coleman Consulting Group, we focus on designing and implementing predictable schedules to make a win-win situation for both the workers and the company.

Today, companies are seeing the labor turnover percentage rising as high as 200 percent. You can blame the pandemic or the attitude of the new generation in the workforce for labor shortages in the supply chain, but the reality is, unless you provide workers with flexible and convenient schedules, you are going to battle turnover.

Whether its a customer service agent, police officer, coal miner or factory worker on night shifts, Frank says, everybody needs a schedule that makes sense for them. He explains that you can improve worker retention by 50 percent simply by changing your employees schedules.

The Three Circle Approach

After working with hundreds of companies and hundreds of thousands of employees, Coleman Consulting Group has determined that there are three key considerations to developing a scheduling solution: Business Needs, Employee Desires, and Health & Safety. From a business perspective, if the schedule cannot meet demand or overtime costs are skyrocketing, you have to change schedules. Just as important is the need to find a solution that meets employee desires for flexibility and predictability. Finally, the schedule needs to be compliant with health and safety regulations.

Recognizing the needs of shift workers

The Coleman process begins with figuring out the range of a companys scheduling possibilities. The CCG team interviews managers and analyzes the employee and production data with the goal of understanding what options are available for a specific organization. Once we understand what can work, it is time to find out how the people want to work.

One of the biggest reasons for high turnover is that workers just dont feel heard, Frank says. This is why we ask the workers questions about their preferred work hours and shifts and create options that make sense for the employees themselves. Change within an organization is difficult, and depending on the circumstances, there may be hard choices to make. But by discussing the reasons why, employees can then understand why certain schedules can and cant work for the business. Whether its a coal mine with restricted hours, a manufacturing plant struggling to meet demand, or a police unit needing to cover 24/7, it is critical for employees to understand the reasons for the coverage and should have the opportunity to weigh in on their ideal shift schedules. Supervisors and managers also need to be on board and supportive of change.

In the end, the solution that fits all Three Circles will be a game changer for the company and the employees. Cost savings greater than 10% are typical. After implementation, cutting employee turnover by more than half is a normal result.

Who does Coleman Consulting Group work with?

If you want to reduce costs and increase retention, you will gain value in working with us. Weve worked with private startup companies that have just six or seven full time workers and we have worked with gigantic companies with thousands of workers such as Exxon, General Mills, General Motors, Toyota Motor Corporation, California DMV, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Frank explains that success is certain when an employer is open to the possibilities inherent to reworking its approach to scheduling. He recalls a brewing company with high turnover because 75% labor coverage was required on weekends. Our survey of the employees showed that the workers didnt mind longer shifts and were willing to work weekends if they were given a big break the next week, he says. We put half of the employees on a 12-hour schedule with rotating shifts, so if they worked the weekend, they could look forward to and plan for a four day weekend the next week. Employees were thrilled to enjoy 180 days off a year.

While this schedule worked for the day shift, it wasnt feasible for night shift employees. For the night shift, we arranged a schedule where for every 12-hour shift worked, they got a four-five day break to recover. These new schedules were so effective that even today, the brewerys employees covet the 12-hour shift. Its so sought after, its only offered to those with more than 10 years with the company.

Making a difference in peoples lives

Pereira tells another story from a manufacturing client, remembering an encounter he had with one of the employees after instituting a scheduling overhaul. Three months later when I visited the warehouse, a forklift driver came running up to me and excitedly showed me the pictures of his kids. He finally had the time off in his schedule to take them fishing. Stories like this are why Frank has been with CCG for over 27 years.

Encounters like this with past clients are not uncommon, Pereira notes. Such engagements reflect how changing schedules can not only earn companies profits through maximizing productivity, but more importantly, proper scheduling can change peoples lives, he says. Change can be hard, but when employees thank us months later for giving them a better schedule, the work is very rewarding.

Whats next for you?

We continue to find new concepts and schedules that provide flexibility and predictability for workforces. Coleman Consulting Group is currently designing a working model for manufacturing companies where sign-up shifts are available for employees alongside traditional scheduled shifts. With work coverage rules in place, employees will have the option to sign up to work when they want. Talk about a win win!

To learn more about Coleman Consulting Group, visit coleman-consulting.com or call 888-823-0810. Please follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook @colemanconsulting





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Marion, North Carolina, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Greene Concepts, Inc. (OTC Pink: INKW) is happy to announce the new release of BE WATERTM six-packs along with the presence of a new nutrition label on the bottles. The new six-packs provide a new product SKU for additional purchase choices for consumers along with reduced shelf space for retailers while the BE WATER nutrition label offers customers increased detail about the product.

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has outlined a uniformed approach to labeling bottled water along with consumer education about their specific brand of bottled water to assist them in making an informed purchase decision. The FDA further regulates the safety of bottled water beverages to include flavored water and nutrient-added water beverages.

Amy McNally, Greene Concepts Vice-President of Marketing conveys, In response to the multiple requests from retailers and distribution partners, we have added a six-pack option of BE WATER to grow our retail presence and market share. We now offer two configurations, the six-pack and twenty-four pack, to satisfy consumer and retail needs. Regarding our updated nutrition panel, we have added it to our upcoming label runs to highlight the health benefits of hydrating with BE WATER.

Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts, states, Bottled water continues to be the number one consumer beverage in the U.S. As such, our goal is to deliver multiple purchase options for consumers to include six-packs, and to provide additional information about BE WATERs nutritional value. BE WATER contains natural positive minerals, and we have upgraded our label to display the mineral content, which has positive benefits to consumers. This is another major milestone for Greene Concepts as we continue to share the benefits of drinking BE WATER with consumers across the country. Click here to preview the latest Be Water promotional video.

About Greene Concepts, Inc.

Greene Concepts, Inc. ( http://www.greeneconcepts.com ) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Companys flagship product, BE WATER , is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, North Carolina, and their water is ethically sourced from seven spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers.

Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:



Greene Concepts, Inc.

Investor Relations

IR@greeneconcepts.com

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DENVER, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talks at Google, a global talk series, recently presented Healing and Regenerating the Injured Brain with Dr. Hal Lewis and Dr. David Margulies. Drs. Lewis and Margulies co-founded the Dan Lewis Foundation for Brain Regeneration Research in 2019  with a mission to catalyze biomedical research and drug development that promotes brain cell regeneration and better levels of functional recovery for people with moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries.

In 2007, Dan Lewis (Dr. Lewis' son), then a rising junior at Yale University, was hit by a speeding motorist in Kansas as he biked a 4,000-mile route across America to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. His injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, were nearly fatal, but Dan survived and has persisted for many years since the accident. For Dan and hundreds of thousands of individuals across the globe, recovery from severe brain injury is both limited and painstakingly slow.

Now, recent startling advances in biotechnology, molecular medicines, imaging, and mapping of the human genome have unlocked the potential for new treatments that will lead to brain repair and regeneration of brain cells. Over the past two years, the Dan Lewis Foundation ("DLF") has assembled a world-class group of scientists who have volunteered their time and expertise to create a neuroscientific research agenda that holds real promise for brain repair and regeneration. The DLF's 1st Annual Summit Meeting on Brain Regeneration Research was held in Boston in August of 2021 to specify further the DLF's research blueprint. A full report on this meeting's outcomes is available on the DLF's website at www.DanLewisFoundation.org.

There are hundreds of thousands of individuals, including veterans, victims of auto and biking accidents, athletes in contact sports, children who have suffered traumatic injuries, and many others who will benefit from emerging biomedical and biotechnological interventions to improve their functional recovery and their capacity to participate more fully in family and community life.

Currently, the Dan Lewis Foundation is raising funds to support research to create treatments that stimulate brain cell regeneration and meaningful functional recovery. Detailed information on the DLF can be found at www.DanLewisFoundation.org or by contacting lyndah801@gmail.com.

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Image 1: Dr. David Margulies and Dr. Hal C Lewis Present Healing and Regenerating the Injured Brain





Recent advances in biomolecular medicine and biotechnology will make it possible for the injured brain to regenerate.









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NEW YORK and IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new union just launched in commercial real estate, and its founded on something unique: love.



Greystone, a leading national commercial real estate finance company, and Passco Companies, a privately held California-based commercial real estate company specializing in real estate acquisition, development, and asset management throughout the U.S., together announce a strategic alliance to provide their respective clients and investors with enhanced benefits surrounding the Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) CRE investment channel, as well as other real estate investment opportunities in the future.. The new relationship manifests both companies desire to lead with the protection of their clients assets, and the appreciation for the people who do so on a daily basis.

The Greystone-Passco alliance creates a newly positioned institutional sponsor in the rapidly expanding DST investment sector. With its minority investment in Passco, Greystone is strengthening its platform into a new market with its investment in Passco, who has been an industry leader for over 20 years. The Greystone-Passco alliance will be providing a broader range of acquisition opportunities including post-construction and pre-stabilized properties.

This union delivers something the industry has yet to see  a strategic vehicle with exponential growth opportunities that is focused on putting people first, says Bill Passo, CEO and Founder of Passco Companies. Our investors, partners, employees and their families are central to our focus. This is the bottom line in everything we do at Passco, and we have found complete alignment in that value with the Greystone team.

Coming off a record year of $1.7 billion in transaction volume in 2021, Passco aims to exponentially surpass this growth in 2022 by leveraging Greystones extensive network, access to brokers, and balance sheet. The #1 HUD commercial lender* and a Top 10 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lender, Greystone originated $18.3 billion in CRE financing over 1,100+ executions in 2021, and provides a full range of capital solutions for property investors in multifamily and beyond.

Stephen Rosenberg, Founder and CEO of Greystone, adds, Greystones strength is our people, period. Our success to date can be attributed to the trust we have in every individual at the company who each take the responsibility as a steward of our clients property investments very seriously. In joining forces with Passco, I truly believe that the power of partnership between two organizations with our aligned values will prove to be limitless.

Passcos investment platform has already proven itself a well-oiled engine, notes Rosenberg. Together, we are now an unstoppable force that is positioned to grow ten-fold by opening doors of opportunity for investors, guided by the level of care they need and deserve as they consider the DST sector.

Passco currently oversees $3.7 billion in assets under management, including 54 properties in 16 states. With Greystones backing, the firm aims to further expand its real estate portfolio in primary and secondary markets throughout the nation.

Passcos success over nearly 25 years can be credited to our teams ability to strategically identify assets poised for growth, says Passo. We look forward to working alongside Greystone to continue to identify strong multifamily assets, while diversifying into other sectors and strengthening our position as a major player in the industry.

Passco is represented by Kevin Gannon, Chairman/CEO of Robert A. Stanger out of Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

About Passco Companies, LLC

Passco Companies , LLC is a nationally recognized market leader in the acquisition, development, and management of multifamily and commercial properties throughout the U.S.

Passco is a full-service real estate company providing services that include asset management, property development and construction.

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Passco currently has $3.7 billion assets under management across the country and is actively growing its portfolio in primary and secondary markets throughout the United States.

The firm is an active member of the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), the Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association (ADISA), Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Urban Land Institute (ULI), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and several other multifamily, commercial real estate, and investment organizations.

About Greystone

Greystone is a private national commercial real estate finance company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac lender in these sectors.

Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Company LLC, Greystone Funding Company LLC and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greystone.com.

*HUD rankings are based upon combined originations of Greystone Servicing Company LLC (GSC) and Greystone Funding Company LLC (GFC).

Contact:

Karen Marotta

Greystone

(212) 896-9149

karen.marotta@greyco.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heartland Home Services ("Heartland") closed the books on a historic 2021 with the addition of Henry Smith Plumbing, Heating & Cooling on Dec. 18. Henry Smith is the 24th company to join the Heartland family of brands and extends Heartland's growth in the attractive Northern Indiana market. Heartland has continued to thrive despite the obstacles of the past two years as it has entered new territories, densified its existing geographies, and had the honor of carrying on the proud legacies of its partner brands across the Midwestern United States.

Henry Smith's talented management team and highly skilled technicians will stay on, and the business will continue to operate as normal with additional resources from Heartland. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"People often ask what characteristics we seek in potential partner brands. The answer is the same characteristics we pride ourselves on within our own organization: best-in-class operators that are passionate about doing business the right way. This includes providing customers with truly exceptional service experiences, creating cultures in which diverse teams can thrive, and taking care of the communities where we operate. Henry Smith checks all these boxes in spades. We are thrilled to partner with this impressive team to expand our already-meaningful service capabilities in Northern Indiana," said Heartland CEO Bill Viveen.

Mr. Viveen continued, "We partner with the highest-quality teams in our industry that have proven, long-term track records of success. As a result, we're not looking to change what they are doing. We help our partners build upon their legacies by amplifying their existing initiatives and accelerating their growth plans through access to Heartland's industry-leading technology suite and other considerable resources. The consistent sharing of best practices amongst the strongest operators in the industry is another critical, differentiating advantage for companies that join the Heartland team. We call it 'Shared Strength Delivered Locally'."

Other 2021 Highlights

Heartland meaningfully expanded its reach across the Midwest over the past year, both by strengthening existing operations and entering new states. The Company fortified its Detroit/Ann Arbor metro operation through the additions of Flame Heating & Cooling, Air Conditioning Engineers, Iceberg Heating & Cooling, Indoor Comfort, and Robin Aire. Heartland bolstered its Grand Rapids operation with the acquisition of Schaafsma Heating & Cooling. The Company also welcomed new team members to its operations in Ohio and Indiana. These and other acquisitions helped Heartland expand its dominant presence in existing states while adding branches in key markets among those regions.

Heartland also expanded into new territories. The Company entered the St. Louis market in June with the sizable acquisition of Classic Aire Care. Then, consistent with their 'Platform in a Platform' strategy, additions of Courtney's Heating & Cooling and Weiss Comfort Systems were added to Classic's already-impressive operations. Heartland also gained a meaningful foothold in Chicago's North Shore with the acquisition of American Vintage Home. Next, it entered the Kansas City Market with the acquisition of R-Mech Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, and went on to build a presence in Wisconsin via partnerships with Frasier's Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, and Action Plumbing.

Continuing the Legacy

Heartland has no intentions of slowing its growth in 2022. The Company will continue reinforcing its presence in existing territories while expanding into new ones: always abiding by the rule of partnering with the strongest teams in the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical industries.

Interested in what joining the Heartland family could look like for you? Please contact Heartland's VP of Business Development, Brandon Geyer (bgeyer@heartlandhsc.com) if you are ready to plan your exit strategy or advance your business to the next level.

About Heartland Home Services

Heartland is the leading technology-enabled provider of repair, replacement, and maintenance services for the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical markets in which we operate. The Company operates through 24 brands across 7 states including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Company collectively serves over 700,000 customers annually with 1,300+ team members through a collection of industry-leading brands that date back to 1904. For more information, please visit us at www.heartlandhomeservices.com.

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MONTREAL, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dynacor Gold Mines Inc. (TSX-DNG) (Dynacor or the "Corporation"), an international gold ore industrial corporation servicing ASMs (artisanal and small-scale miners), today announced its monthly sales of US$15.8 million (unaudited) (C$20.2 million) (1) for December 2021, and total annual sales of US195.9 million (C$245.6 million), a 93% year-over-year increase.

The Corporation beat all sales expectations by exceeding initial guidance (released on February 18, 2021) of US$150 million and revised guidance (released on September 22, 2021) of US$185-190 million. In 2021, Dynacor also achieved a new record gold production of over 100,000 ounces for the first time in the Corporations history.

A graphic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c99224b-167f-4330-958a-678948885b3d

The average selling price of gold per ounce in December was US$1,789.

In 2021 Dynacor increased its Veta Dorada processing plant's capacity by 30%, from 330 tpd to 430 tpd. The Corporation plans to increase the plant's capacity further sometime in 2022. Furthermore, Dynacor ended 2021 with a robust level of inventory, which allows the Corporation to continue producing at full capacity at the start of 2022. With this expansion and production capability, Dynacor is well-positioned for continued growth in the ASM ore-processing business through 2022 and beyond.

The Corporation is preparing to release its 2022 financial guidance.

(1) US$ sales are converted into CA$ using the average monthly exchange rate for the concerned month or months



ABOUT DYNACOR

Dynacor is a dividend-paying industrial gold ore processor headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The corporation is engaged in gold production through the processing of ore purchased from the ASM (artisanal and small-scale mining) industry. At present, Dynacor operates in Peru, where its management and processing teams have decades of experience working with ASM miners. It also owns a gold exploration property (Tumipampa) in the Apurimac department.

The corporation intends to expand its processing operations in other jurisdictions as well.

Dynacor produces environmental and socially responsible gold through its PX IMPACT gold program. A growing number of supportive firms from the fine luxury jewelry, watchmakers and investment sectors pay a small premium to our customer and strategic partner for this PX IMPACT gold. The premium provides direct investment to develop health and education projects for our artisanal and small-scale miners communities.

Dynacor is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (DNG).

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements in the preceding may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dynacor, or industry results, to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect managements current expectations regarding future events and operating performance as of the date of this news release.

Shares Outstanding: 38,715,850

Website: http://www.dynacor.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DynacorGold

PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/ad0644ae-1843-4149-8d7f-e81c3102c6bc
Chicago, IL, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For more than 50 years, the National Headache Foundation (NHF) has been the voice for more than 40 million American adults with migraine. For too long, migraine patients have been treated differently than others with medical issues as it relates to access to prescription medications. Specifically, clinicians are often forced to use outdated prescription drugs in a stepwise approach to all patients, without considering the needs of the individual patient. Unfortunately, the current care models adopted by payers (health insurance) have not kept pace with the many advances in treatment. As a result, clinicians are using older medications, some of which are not even designed for the specific treatment of migraine, even though new migraine-specific therapies now exist.

The NHF advocates that payers adopt care models that are patient-centric, where the clinician, in collaboration with the patient, is the primary decision-maker and selects a treatment that addresses the patients treatment goals and needs. Our organizations position statement follows.

Thank you for your consideration, and please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.

Thomas Dabertin, Executive Director/CEO

National Headache Foundation

Tdabertin@headaches.org

National Headache Foundation Position Statement on the Treatment of Migraine

The vision of the National Headache Foundation (NHF) is a world without headache. In support of this mission, the NHF focuses on four key goals: Awareness, Advocacy, Education, and Research. These goals place patients at the heart of everything we do.

In keeping with our mission and vision, we believe headache and migraine patients are best served by a patient-centric model of care, in which the clinician is empowered to select the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. NHF also endorses and advocates for the right of the patients voice and opinion to be included in determining the most appropriate treatment.

To that end, our position is that the selection of a migraine therapy:

Should ultimately be determined by the clinician, in collaboration with the patient, based on the individual needs of that patient and that patients outcomes

Should not be determined solely by a step-care model

Should not be determined by a one-size-fits-all algorithm, including models focused predominantly on costs instead of outcomes

This Position Statement describes our reasoning for these three key messages and offers our specific recommendations for a patient-centric, stratified approach to migraine care.

In the future, NHF will expand upon this Position Statement and propose specific treatment guidelines.

Care models for migraine must reflect scientific and clinical advances

The scientific understanding of migraine has advanced considerably in recent years, bringing better tolerated and better-studied treatments to patients  most notably, anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), oral CGRP antagonists (gepants), and agents targeting serotonin receptors. There is also growing awareness among clinicians that what was once thought sufficient efficacy for successful migraine control is, in fact, inadequate.

Unfortunately, the care models set by payers and the consequent treatment paradigms have not kept pace with these advances. For patients who are highly impacted or disabled by migraine, clinicians should not be directed to deliver outdated models of care that apply a predetermined algorithm in a stepwise approach to all patients, without considering the needs of the individual patient, and that encourage the use of older preventive drugs when targeted and migraine-specific therapies now exist. Many of the older preventive drugs have never been studied in large, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials[1],[2],[3],[4] and/or do not have FDA approval for their use in the treatment of migraine.[5] Many of these preventive drugs have lower tolerability than the newer agents (e.g., topiramate vs. erenumab[6]). Furthermore, their side effects have often been found to result in high discontinuation rates[7],[8] which, ultimately, may prolong the impact of migraine and put many patients at risk of transformation to chronic migraine or, at the very least, higher frequencies and severity of their attacks.

Rigid step-care models of migraine treatment require patients to try two established medications in succession, which may include drugs not developed specifically for migraine or FDA-approved as migraine preventives and require use for a period of 1-4 months each. If the patient has shown inadequate responses to the two drugs after the trial periods have expired, only then may they be prescribed treatments based on the clinicians discretion.

For preventive care, NHF believes it is inappropriate to require all patients to follow this try two and fail model before they may be offered treatment with any FDA-approved migraine preventive, including neuromodulation devices, with established lower adverse event profiles. Patients and their clinicians will be able to discern whether or not a newer preventive agent is providing the expected benefit much sooner, as that is a characteristic of these newer agents, e.g., mAbs and gepants.

Tolerability may also be assessed more quickly. Furthermore, the older preventive medications have established contraindications that often preclude their use in some migraine patients, e.g., cognitive capacity, reproductive status, tremor, and renal insufficiency. As noted previously, some of these non-specific preventive medications may have intolerable and unacceptable side effects for the migraine patient population, e.g., exercise intolerance, weight gain, orthostasis, or bradycardia.

NHF has other specific concerns and objections regarding the try two and fail policy which:

Ignores the evidence that migraine is a genetic, heterogeneous disease and instead treats all patients as if they were the same by applying a single set of criteria to the entire spectrum of migraine phenotypes, which can vary both in treatment response and tolerance of side effects. Lacks or is inadequately supported by data showing a positive impact for many commonly used preventive medications on healthcare utilization (HCU) and costs incurred because of ineffective preventive treatment of migraine (g., outpatient care, hospital admissions, ER visits); whereas recent studies have showing CGRP-targeting therapies can reduce HCU.[9],[10],[11],[12] Does not consider the disability patients may potentially suffer in their work, social, and family lives when migraine treatment is ineffective or inadequate. May not effectively manage the symptoms that patients have reported as most bothersome to them, such as photophobia, nausea, tinnitus, cognitive performance, vertigo, and dizziness.[13] May not enable patients to achieve meaningful outcomes, which are defined by more than a simple reduction in days with migraine, g., reduction in lost workdays, productivity on the job, increased participation in social and family life, and a greater sense of control over their disease.

Additionally, the try two and fail policy uses language that stigmatizes patients as having failed when they do not receive the expected benefit of a drug. Instead, NHF endorses the use of language acknowledging the reality that, when the patient does not receive the expected benefit of a drug, it is the drug that has failed the patient.

NHF recommendations for preventive and acute migraine care

NHF endorses care models that are patient-centric, where the clinician, in collaboration with the patient, is the primary decision-maker and selects a treatment that addresses the patients treatment goals and needs.

Preventive care model with defined thresholds for migraine-related impairment

For preventive therapies, NHF endorses a patient-centric, stratified care model that takes into account the degree to which migraine episodes adversely affect a patients ability to function, work and interact with others. Specifically, the greater the number of migraine days per month (as defined below) that the patient experiences, the greater the discretion that the clinician should have in selecting an appropriate preventive therapy.

NHF supports the ability of primary care clinicians, which in some states include nurse practitioners and physician assistants, to prescribe preventive drugs. Further, given the paucity of headache specialists in the United States, we do not endorse a requirement that newer FDA-approved migraine preventive and acute therapies be limited to use by specialists alone.

NHF views a migraine day as a standard 24-hour day during which a patients ability to function is interrupted or impaired by any symptom or group of symptoms of migraine, including aura, headache pain, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, vomiting, and/or other prodromal or postdromal symptoms. This acknowledges that (1) headache pain is not the only symptom that causes patient impairment; (2) migraine symptoms lasting more than one day can result in multiple days of impairment; and (3) the definition of migraine day should include patients who manage to function despite severe pain, as well as patients who have no pain but still cannot function because of associated migraine features.

Specific recommendations

For patients with a minimum of eight (8) migraine days per month, which constitutes high-frequency or chronic migraine, NHF recommends that the clinician have the ability to select the most suitable preventive therapy, with unfettered access to FDA-approved preventive drugs, because: (1) eight or more migraine days constitutes a significant fraction (25% or more) of the month; (2) patients with less time to recover between incidents are more likely to experience a transformation to chronic migraine (more than 15 days per month), and (3) studies suggest patients with 8-14 headache days/month have a level of disability similar to those with 15-19 headache days/month.[14]

For patients with a four to seven (4-7) migraine days per month, NHF recommends a modified step-care model, in which patients must first try one generic drug for migraine prevention from the following list, unless a patient has a contraindication or, in the clinicians judgment, the patient should not receive it:

Topiramate *

Divalproex *, sodium valproate *

Timolol *

Propranolol *

Candesartan

Metoprolol

Venlafaxine

Nortriptyline

Amitriptyline

where * denotes those drugs that are FDA-approved for migraine prevention,[15] and the remaining drugs are commonly used, but not FDA-approved, for that indication.

If a drug from this list has failed to provide the patient with benefits in the severity and/or frequency of migraine, or is found to have intolerable side effects, the clinician should be free to select the next most suitable FDA approved preventive therapy, based on the individual patients needs and situation. In the NHF-recommended model for preventive care, a patient is considered to have tried and been failed by a given drug if at least one of the following applies:

The patient does not experience an adequate treatment response after a 2-4 month trial, where response is defined as a 50% reduction in the number migraine days per month during preventive therapy compared with the number of migraine days per month prior to the start of therapy.

The patient cannot tolerate the drug due to its side effects, g., hypotension on beta-blockers, impaired cognition on topiramate, weight gain on amitriptyline.

At the time of decision, the patient has a previously documented history of having tried and been failed by the drug due to intolerability or lack of treatment benefit.

The patient has a comorbidity and/or other contraindications that preclude the clinician from prescribing the drug, g., kidney stones would preclude the use of topiramate; diabetes would preclude the use of beta-blockers.

A modified step-care model for acute migraine treatment that optimizes time to pain-free and functional status

For the treatment of acute migraine, NHF endorses a modified step-care model, in which patients must try two generic drugs: first a generic triptan, then any other generic drug, including another triptan or NSAID.

After a patient has tried and been failed by two such drugs, the clinician can select another suitable therapy based on the individual patients needs and situation, including FDA-approved acute agents such as lasmiditan or a gepant.

As with the NHF-recommended preventive care model, a patient is considered to have tried and been failed by a drug for acute migraine if at least one of the following applies:

The patient is not migraine pain-free and functional within two (2) hours of treatment after the majority of attacks OR the patient has recurrence of migraine symptoms within 24 hours after treatment.

The patient cannot tolerate the drug due to its side effects, g., tightness in the throat and/or chest on triptans.

The patient has a documented history of the drug having proved either lacking in efficacy or intolerable due to side effects.

The patient has a comorbidity and/or other contraindications that preclude the clinician from prescribing the drug, g., uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) for triptans or gastric ulcer disease, renal insufficiency for NSAIDs.

Endorsement for migraine treatment decision-making

NHF endorses the role of the clinician as the primary decision-maker, in collaboration with the migraine patient, for both preventive and acute care. We unequivocally support clinicians as the final arbiters of decision-making based on sound medical evaluation of their patients and their attestation in determining appropriate care for a migraine patient.

[1] SILBERSTEIN SD, ET AL. NEUROLOGY. 2012;78(17):1337-45. DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0B013E3182535D20.

[2] SCHRADER H, ET AL. BMJ. 2001;322(7277):19. DOI: 10.1136/BMJ.322.7277.19.

[3] TRONVIK E, ET AL. JAMA. 2003;289(1):65-9. DOI: 10.1001/JAMA.289.1.65.

[4] OZYALCIN SN, ET AL. HEADACHE. 2005;45:144-152. DOI: 10.1111/J.1526-4610.2005.05029.X.

[5] LODER E AND RIZZOLI P. HEADACHE. 2018;58 SUPPL 3:218-229. DOI:10.1111/HEAD.13375.

[6] REUTER U, ET AL. CEPHALALGIA. 2021; PUBLISHED ONLINE NOV. 7, 2021. DOI: 10.1177/03331024211053571.

[7] HEPP Z, ET AL. CEPHALALGIA. 2017;37(5):470-485. DOI: 10.1177/0333102416678382.

[8] BLUMENFELD AM, ET AL. HEADACHE 2013;53(4):644-55. DOI: 10.1111/HEAD.12055.

[9] FAUST E, ET AL. NEUROL THER. 2021;10(1):293-306. DOI: 10.1007/S40120-021-00245-4.

[10] SUSSMAN M, ET AL. CEPHALALGIA. 2018;38(10):1644-57. DOI: 10.1177/0333102418796842.

[11] TEPPER SJ, ET AL. J HEADACHE PAIN. 2021;22(27). PUBLISHED ONLINE APRIL 19, 2021. DOI: 10.1186/S10194-021-01238-2.

[12] TEPPER SJ, ET AL. J MANAG CARE SPEC PHARM. 2021;27(9):1157-70. DOI: 10.18553/JMCP.2021.21060.

[13] LIPTON RB ET AL. HEADACHE. 2021;61(5):766-776. DOI: 10.1111/HEAD.14120.

[14] ISHII R, ET AL. HEADACHE. 2021;61(7):992-1003. DOI: 10.1111/HEAD.14154.

[15] LODER E AND RIZZOLI P. HEADACHE. 2018;58 SUPPL 3:218-229. DOI:10.1111/HEAD.13375.

Attachment
TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ontario workers are sounding the alarm with an emergency appeal for the Ford government to take action to address the Omicron crisis.



On Thursday, January 20 at 9:30 a.m., labour leaders from the Ontario Federation of Labour, including the Ontario Nurses Association, Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, and CUPE Ontario will hold a virtual press conference to raise six key demands that workers urgently need action on from the Ford government. They will be joined by Leader of the Official Opposition, Andrea Horwath.

The demands that will be addressed have been endorsed by organizations representing over a million workers. They will be released as part of a joint statement following tomorrows press conference.

Date: Thursday, January 20, 2022

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Participants:

Patty Coates, President, Ontario Federation of Labour

DJ Sanderson, RN, Vice-President Region 3, Ontario Nurses Association

Karen Brown, President, Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario

Fred Hahn, President, CUPE Ontario

Andrea Horwath, Leader, Ontario New Democratic Party



Media Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82393659202?pwd=d2tZQ0cxeEhBQzQ1Umo3azRsdTFIZz09 , Passcode: 651979

For more information, please contact:

Melissa Palermo

Director of Communications

Ontario Federation of Labour

mpalermo@ofl.ca l 416-894-3456

sy/COPE343
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Metals Corporation (the Imperial) (TSX:III) reports that an agreement has been reached with the Province of British Columbia (Province) for the surrender of Imperials Giant Copper mineral claims located 37km east of Hope, BC, Canada.

Imperial has held Giant Copper since April 1988. The claim area hosts two mineral deposits containing copper, silver and gold and a recently discovered gold showing. The claim area predates the creation of Manning Park and the Skagit Valley Provincial Park which now surround the claim area.

In 1995, following a public review process, the Province designated almost 30,000 hectares as the Skagit Valley Provincial Park, while allowing mineral exploration in the 2,500 hectare claim area. Imperial at the time surrendered some of its claims along the Skagit River to enhance what would become the Skagit Valley Provincial Park in return for a commitment to allow mineral exploration and possibly mining in the remaining Giant Copper claims.

The decision to now surrender all remaining claims recognizes the challenges of obtaining mineral exploration and development permits in this area. Said Brian Kynoch, President of Imperial, Our objective as a mining company would have been to proceed with exploration of our claims. But as a company that is responsive to the aspirations of Indigenous communities, government, and neighbours we support this agreement.

The consideration payable to Imperial for the surrender, covering all prior investment in the Giant Copper claim area, is C$24 million.

Copper plays an integral role in reducing carbon emissions and reaching Canadas 2050 net zero goals. One of the largest sources of emissions in North America is the transportation sector. Petroleum based cars, trucks, airplanes, ships, and trains produce over 2,097,000,000 metric tons of carbon every year1. Today, 3% of vehicles are battery powered. By 2050, 60% of all vehicles will be electric powered2. But to make the carbon emission-free batteries to power our vehicles, car and truck makers will need up to 14 times more nickel, copper, iron ore, lithium, and other rare earths3.

About Imperial

Imperial is a Vancouver based exploration, mine development and operating company with holdings that include the Mount Polley mine (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), the Red Chris mine (30%). Imperial also holds a portfolio of 23 greenfield exploration properties in British Columbia.

Company Contacts

Brian Kynoch | President | 604.669.8959

Darb Dhillon | Chief Financial Officer | 604.488.2658

Jim Miller-Tait | Vice President Exploration | 604.488.2676

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release are not statements of historical fact and are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Company managements expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Companys expectations with respect to challenges in obtaining mineral exploration and development permits in the Giant Copper claim area; and the role of copper in Canada achieving its future net zero goals, the expected transition to electric powered vehicles and the projected necessity of key metals to make carbon emission-free batteries for such vehicles.

In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "outlook", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on information currently available to the Company as well as the Companys current beliefs and assumptions. These factors and assumptions and beliefs and assumptions include, the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Companys interim and annual financial statements and managements discussion and analysis of those statements, all of which are filed and available for review on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and all forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Such information is given only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

1 https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions

2 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/03/10/climate/electric-vehicle-fleet-turnover.html

3 https://www.visualcapitalist.com/electric-vehicles-drive-up-metals-demand/
A 23-year-old man is clinging to life after he was struck in the head by an oncoming train when he bent down to pick up his backpack from a Brooklyn subway platform, police said Wednesday.

The victim was reaching down to pick up the backpack, which lay by his feet on the Atlantic Ave./Barclays station platform, when a Coney Island-bound Q train clipped him about 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, sending him flying, cops said.

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He didnt fall onto the tracks but suffered serious injuries, including head trauma, two broken legs and multiple injuries throughout the body in the freak mishap, cops said.

Medics rushed him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn Methodist, where he remained in critical condition Wednesday.

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Police and MTA officials were investigating the incident Wednesday.

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MANSFIELD [mdash] Patricia Ann Thursby-Daniels, 77, of Mansfield, Texas, formerly of Elkhart, Indiana, died Sunday April 10, at Mansfield Hospital in Mansfield, Texas. She was born May 30, 1944, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Robert James and Opal Mae (Allison) Thursby. On Feb. 14, 1965, she marrie
Ferrari may opt for a different colour scheme than we are used to for the new design of the Formula 1 cars. The Italian racing team is not expected to show it yet during the presentation of the new car for 2022. Instead, the new colours would only be shown during the first race weekend in Bahrain.

Reportedly, the team from Maranello will opt for an "old style" livery, similar to the colors Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc drove during the team's thousandth race at the Tuscany Grand Prix at Mugello.

Ferrari may opt for old-fashioned livery

That colour scheme was very well liked by Formula 1 viewers worldwide. The classic dark red received a lot of praise. According to the Italian branch of Motorsport.com we can count on a similar color scheme for the 2022 season, which marks Ferrari's 75th anniversary.

Ferrari would present the new car in the same livery as that of the SF21, but would opt for a darker shade of red like that of the SF1000 for the new season. It remains to be seen what the car will look like. Ferrari will present the 2022 car on February 17, but we may therefore have to wait until the weekend of March 20 for the final look of the car.
A jewelry thief behind nearly a dozen armed robberies across the city has pleaded guilty to sticking up stores and snatching victims Rolexes and other luxury watches worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, authorities said Wednesday.

Victor Rivera, 30, admitted he participated in a year-long spree of armed robberies and attempted armed robberies, including one in which a victim was shot, prosecutors said.

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Officials said Rivera was involved in a total of 11 robberies in Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey.

The most expensive watch stolen was a Richard Mille worth more than $250,000, which Rivera and another man swiped from a jeweler in Long Island City, an indictment charged.

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As he has now admitted, Victor Rivera committed a year-long spree of armed robberies and attempted robberies of jewelers and other owners of luxury watches, threatening his victims with guns and, during the course of one robbery, shooting a victim, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. Now Rivera awaits sentencing for this terrifying conduct.

Rivera, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years, officials said.

According to the indictment, between October 2019 and November 2020, Rivera and several associates agreed to target victims with pricey luxury watches worth up to hundreds of thousands of dollars each. Rivera used guns in several of the heists, including one in which he opened fire on a victim who survived the attack.

Among the high-end goods stolen were a Richard Mille watch with a price tag of more than $148,000, a Patek Philippe watch worth over $160,000, a Rolex worth north of $150,000 and a diamond necklace worth a dazzling $77,000-plus.

When Rivera and a partner stole the diamond necklace from a jeweler in Brooklyn, the robbers flashed a gun, officials said. The robbery in which the victim was shot also took place in Brooklyn in June 2020.

Riveras crime spree even crossed state lines. On July 6, 2020, he and a co-conspirator robbed a jeweler in Hoboken, N.J., grabbing a Richard Mille watch worth $81,000-plus. They then took the pricey piece back to New York.

Just weeks later, Rivera and a partner flashed a gun and stole the $250,000 Richard Mille from a victim near Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
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A dispute between two new Staten Island roommates over bathroom access ended with one man dead and the other accused of murder after a botched cover-up attempt, police said Wednesday.

When the NYPD arrived at the pairs apartment Tuesday morning, they found victim Justin Gaston, 37, naked from the waist down in the bathtub, with a stab wound to his sternum and a knife in his hand, police said.

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Cops determined the suicide scene was staged, and roommate Raiquan Becheam soon confessed to the killing only a few weeks after the two men first arrived in the apartment used as a temporary shelter for the homeless, said a police source with knowledge of the case.

Suspect Raiquan Becheam (Obtained by Daily News)

They were particularly arguing over time Gaston spent in the bathroom, the source said, adding the 27-year-old Becheam placed the corpse in the tub after the fatal stabbing in another room in their small apartment.

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Gastons devastated mother was stunned by the news of his death Wednesday.

This is a bad blow for her, said family friend Kiki Macklemore, as Gastons mom wept in the background.

He was just a gentle spirit. He wouldnt heart a soul. He was loved dearly, she said. Its going to be a trying time right now. His grandfather just died last week.

Justin Gaston (Obtained by Daily News)

Cops called to the home on Jersey St. near Stanley Ave. in St. George found Gastons body sitting upright in the bathtub about 8:20 a.m.

Becheam, under questioning, spilled the beans and admitted stabbing Gaston over their living arrangements, the police source said. The suspect also admitted posing the body in the bathtub to make it look like a suicide, the source said.

I stabbed him one time in the kitchen by the front door by the refrigerator, Becheam eventually admitted to police, according to a criminal complaint. I attacked him.

Becheam was arraigned in Staten Island Criminal Court Wednesday on charges of murder and weapon possession. He was ordered held without bail.

Gaston was born in Houston, and knew at age 5 he wanted to live in New York City, his mother, Kimberly Janet Gaston-Abbey told the Daily News.

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He didnt even know what life had in store. He wanted to become famous fashion designer, she said. He loved fashion. From a little boy I can remember him always trying on and dressing up in my clothes and redesigning one of my outfits.

She described him as someone who wasnt afraid to live by his own rules.

He wasnt going to let anything stand in his way, his mother said. In 2010 he packed everything he owned and moved to New York. Hes had trials and tribulations and wasnt a saint but still loved life in spite of everything that was thrown his way. I will truly miss my son but Im thankful that he was able to live out some part of his dreams.

He lived and died in the state he has always loved, she said.

Gaston was trying to find some stability in his life, Macklemore said.

He was just a fun spirited young guy, not even at the full point of his life, the family friend said.

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Manuel Padilla, who runs a deli across the street from the home the men were sharing, described Becheam as a quiet man who would come in to buy chips and soda.

He would come here every day, directly from across the street. He was quiet, said Padilla. Over there, its nothing but drugs and fighting.

On Nov. 19, Becheam was arrested for punching and kicking an acquaintance in Brooklyn, court records show. A judge ordered him released without bail the next day.

At the time of his arrest, Becheam said he lived in Canarsie, Brooklyn. He was moved to the Staten Island shelter shortly after his arrest, cops said.

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Honda Motor announced that, in December 2021, it signed a joint development agreement with SES Holdings Pte. Ltd.in the area of Lithium-metal rechargeable batteries. Moreover, SES plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) via a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transaction, and through the PIPE (private investment in public equity) offering by the SPAC, Honda plans to acquire approximately 2% of the shares of SES AI Corporation, the company to be listed on NYSE.

Honda has been concurrently looking into several options for next-generation batteries, including all-solid-state batteries Honda is developing independently. This joint development agreement with SES is part of the overall battery strategy of Honda.

From here onward, Honda and SES will pursue joint research for the realization of safe, high-durability and high-capacity next-generation EV batteries.

Recognizing the advanced technologies of SES, Honda signed a joint development agreement with SES with the aim to establish a good relationship with SES and expeditiously generate substantial achievements through our joint research activities. Honda will continue to establish collaborative relationships with companies which have advanced technologies, as needed, to offer highly-competitive and attractive EVs to our customers. Shinji Aoyama, Managing Executive Officer in Charge of Electrification, Honda Motor

In November 2021, unveiled Apollo, a 107 Ah Li-Metal battery that is the largest in the world and is targeted at the automotive industry. (Earlier post.)

SES has addressed the dendrite safety problem associated with Li-metal batteries by coating lithium metal with a polymer coating and using a high-concentration electrolyte that suppresses the formation of dendrites. SES strategy is to dominate in the lithium metal battery market by first commercializing a hybrid method that combines a liquid electrolyte and a solid coating, which is easier to implement than an all-solid solution.

SES has already accumulated a slate of high-profile partners and investors, including Geely, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Koch, LG, SK, Tianqi Lithium and Vertex Ventures.
The Volkswagen Group and the Bosch Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the establishment of a European battery equipment solution provider. The two companies plan to supply integrated battery production systems as well as on-site ramp-up and maintenance support for battery cell and system manufacturers.

The companies are aiming for cost and technology leadership in the industrialization of battery technology and the volume production of sustainable, cutting-edge batteries. Through the local-for-local production approach, this will also be a step towards the objective of carbon-neutral mobility. In Europe alone, the Volkswagen Group plans to build six cell factories by 2030.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Thomas Schmall, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group in charge of Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, and Rolf Najork, Member of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch Group and Chairman of the Executive Board of Bosch Rexroth.

The companies aim to supply the entire range of processes and components needed for the large-scale manufacture of battery cells and systems. The industry-wide demand is enormous: In Europe alone, various companies plan to build cell factories with a total yearly capacity of around 700 gigawatt-hours by 2030.

For both partners, this alliance is a further step towards playing leading roles in the world of e-mobility. The partnership will draw on complementary areas of expertise: While Volkswagen is an accomplished at-scale automaker and is on its way to becoming a major battery cell manufacturer, Bosch has excellent know-how in factory automation and systems integration.

Europe has the unique chance to become a global battery powerhouse in the years to come. There is a strong and growing demand for all aspects of battery production, including the equipment of new gigafactories. Volkswagen and Bosch will explore opportunities to develop and shape this novel, multibillion-euro industry in Europe. Our decision to actively engage in the vertical integration of the battery-making value chain will tap considerable new profit pools. Setting out to establish a fully localized European supply chain for e-mobility made in Europe certainly marks a rare opportunity in business history. Thomas Schmall

Volkswagen and Bosch have formed the project unit with the target of preparing the establishment of the new company by the end of 2022.
Hundreds of mourners joined Mayor Adams, activists and friends in Times Square Tuesday night to pay tearful tribute to subway shove victim Michelle Alyssa Go, with those who knew her best recalling the indelible impact she made with her selfless efforts to help the homeless and those less fortunate.

One of the things thats still hard for me to do is to refer to her in a past tense, said longtime friend Kim Burnett.

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Friends of Michelle Alyssa Go speak during a candlelight vigil at Times Square on Tuesday. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

I cant express for you to you how much knowing and losing Michelle will have an impact on me. I never thought I would have to face these things but I am grateful she let me stick around and wedge my way into her life. I am better for it, she said, her voice breaking.

A large cartoon image of Go was displayed on the side of a building overlooking Father Duffy Square, along with smaller images of victims of anti-Asian violence.

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Hundreds packed Times Square for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night for subway shove victim Michelle Alyssa Go, with one person wearing a face mask reading, "Stop Asian Hate,. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

The 40-year-old senior manager for Deloitte Consulting was waiting for a train at the Times Square station at 9:30 a.m. Saturday when Simon Martial, 61, shoved her into the path of an R train, cops said.

Martial, a homeless man with a history of mental illness, randomly targeted Go, after trying to push another woman who escaped his grasp, police said. Cops have found no indication he targeted Go because of her race, and may not have known she was Asian because her face was obscured by the hoodie she wore that morning, police sources said.

Attendees at the vigil for Michele Go, being held at Duffy Square, in Times Square on Tuesday. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News)

Rakesh Duggal, Gos friend of about 13 years, talked about their shared love of pate and brie cheese, and described her as a glass-ceiling breaker.

She was a caring person with a big heart, Duggal said. Many of you have read about her volunteering and community actions around the city. Those of us who knew her personally, we always saw her as a rock who would drop everything to help her friends.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Burnett said over the years, she became familiar with Gos caring personality and how devoted she was to keeping in touch with her friends.

I learned how long she would stay on the phone with her family catching up with them and checking on how they were doing, she said. I learned that she loved documentaries and continuing to learn new things. I learned that she wanted her friends to be happy and live their best lives.

Martial remained hospitalized in Bellevue Hospital Tuesday; court officials said they expect him to appear before a Manhattan Criminal Court judge during a video arraignment Wednesday.

Adams said hes directed law enforcement officials to meet with mental health professionals to identify those who are in need and give them the services immediately.

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Mayor Adams speaks during a candlelight vigil Tuesday night at Times Square in honor of Michelle Alyssa Go, a victim of a subway attack. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

The death of Michelle ripped at my heart, to see what has happened to her and to see what has happened to our city, Adams said at the vigil.

Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) said Gos death and similar crimes have left the citys residents, and the Asian American community terrified to walk the streets, terrified to go to the grocery store, to take the subways to leave their homes.

This is a complicated problem, she said. The roots are deep, deeply rooted in poverty and racism, and we will not find an answer by simple talking points, or just blaming people and pointing fingers.
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Bob Stefanowski, who lost to Gov. Ned Lamont in the 2018 gubernatorial election and has made no secret of his intention to run again, announced Wednesday his bid for the Republican nomination.

Stefanowski publicly declared his candidacy Wednesday morning, calling in to Chaz & AJ in the Morning on WPLR-FM  the same forum he publicly conceded the race to Lamont in 2018  and later in an email blast. He filed paperwork with the state late Tuesday evening.

Lamont, who has also filed to run for reelection, won in 2018 with 49.4 percent of the vote. Stefanowski garnered 46.2 percent of the vote.

The hallmark of his 2018 campaign was repealing the states income tax, but in statements Wednesday, Stefanowski indicated this time around his focus will be on the pandemic, crime, and the affordability of the state.

Im still very much in favor of cutting taxes, Stefanowski said in an interview after his announcement Wednesday. But the issue is broader than that. Its about affordability.

In his email announcement, he said the state has become less affordable and more dangerous over the last three years. He also pointed to Connecticut having some of the highest taxes, utility rates and child care costs in the nation.

A self-proclaimed political outsider, Stefanowski said, Im running for governor to make government work for the people of Connecticut, not political insiders.

Asked about his proposals for tax relief, Stefanowski said his ideas include lowering the states sales tax  legislative Republicans plan to temporarily reduce the state sales tax from 6.35 percent to 5.99 percent is a good starting place  and getting rid of the 1 percent surcharge on restaurant food or on prepared meals, another proposal from Senate Republicans.

Stefanowski said he also wants to look at lowering the states gas tax, which is 25 cents per gallon. He did not provide details on how he would fund his tax relief proposals.

Theres a lot of frustration with the lack of affordability in this state, he said. Its not just taxes, but utility bills, groceries, gas.

Stefanowski did not earn the Republican nomination in 2018 and needed to defeat former Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton in a primary. This time he will face off against a veteran member of his own party: Themis Klarides, former state House of Representatives minority leader, who announced her candidacy last year.

Klarides has jumped ahead in the race for the Republican nomination with about $400,000 in expenditures, including nearly $200,000 in recent spending, according to campaign filings with the state. Stefanowski said Wednesday he has made an initial investment of $10 million into his campaign and plans to fundraise to further boost his campaign coffers.

If he becomes the Republican nominee, Stefanowski will face off against a popular governor who spent about $15 million of his own money in the 2018 race and is believed to have access to resources well beyond that. Lamont has invested $210,000 of his own money so far, according to his first filing since announcing reelection.

Lamont declined to say Wednesday how much he planned to spend on his reelection campaign, but said it wasnt guaranteed to become a spending race.

I dont think it has to be that at all. I think that if we stick to our message, keep it positive, talk about what you want to do for the state of Connecticut, how, from my point of view, how I think we build on the very positive momentum youve seen for the last three years, it doesnt have to be an arms race, he said.

The governor reiterated comments he made a day earlier when asked about a potential rematch against Stefanowski, saying hes focused on navigating the state through the latest phase of pandemic, keeping students in school, and Connecticuts economy open.

I can respond to every single hit that comes from the political world, but Im trying like heck to focus on the job at hand, Lamont said Wednesday.

Stefanowski has become a wholesale critic of Lamont, accusing him of government overreach in his pandemic response and more recently the administrations decision to admit COVID-positive patients into nursing homes and the holiday at-home testing debacle. He has also called for an audit of pandemic relief spending following alleged misuse of funds in West Haven.

Stefanowski said Wednesday if he were governor, he would have left the decision on whether to impose a mask mandate to local officials  a move Lamont made late last summer after initially ordering a statewide requirement. The state still requires unvaccinated individuals to wear masks when in public indoor spaces.

As for a vaccine mandate for state workers, which Lamont has ordered, Stefanowski said he would not have instituted such a requirement. But he said hes fully vaccinated and boosted and highly encourages people to get vaccinated.

Since this summer, with a flurry of headlines about car thefts and carjackings, Stefanowski has frequently taken to his Twitter page to claim the state has become less safe under Lamonts watch. He has also voiced his contempt for the states police accountability bill signed by Lamont following mass protests on the issue in Connecticut and across the country after the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis cop.

Getting rid of qualified immunity for officers was a mistake, Stefanowski said, adding its led to low morale among law enforcement professionals and police being more reactive than proactive for fear of personal liability.

Stefanowski was a Democrat until just before he became a Republican candidate in 2017 and did not vote or even register to vote for at least 17 years. He spent about 10 years living abroad as a corporate executive. His corporate experience includes: chairman and managing partner for 3i Group as the Americas and Asia, CFO of UBS investment bank, and chairman with DFC Global, a position he left in 2017 to become an independent consultant.

Stefanowski has not said who he voted for in 2020, but has tried to distance himself from former President Donald Trump and his repeated false claims about the election being stolen.

Joe Biden is the elected president of the United States. Period, he said Wednesday. Its time to move on.

He said he liked some of Trumps policies and didnt like others, but did not provide specifics other than to say, I am for tax cuts, if we can fund them and afford them.

The problem with Connecticut and our nation right now is not Donald Trumps policies, Stefanowski said. Its Joe Bidens and Ned Lamonts.

Asked whether he agreed with a statement made by Nancy DiNardo, chair of the state Democratic Party, calling Stefanowski too extreme for Connecticut, Lamont tried to tie his potential challenger to the lasting impacts of Trumps presidency.

I just think that on some issues, the legacy of Donald Trump is a problem," Lamont said. "The Supreme Court is about to outlaw a woman's right to choose, so the Supreme Court is going to greatly limit our ability to do gun safety laws, so people are going to have to decide where they stand on these Trump-era reforms that still have life today through the Supreme Court."

Staff writers Tara ONeill, John Moritz and Ken Dixon contributed to this story.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
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With the omicron variant quickly sweeping across Connecticut, driving infections to highs not seen in the past two years, questions have surfaced whether this highly infectious variant might end the lengthy pandemic.

But experts have cautioned that an end is unlikely to soon happen, as new variants, such as omicron, have redefined the trajectory of the pandemic, despite massive vaccination efforts and lasting societal changes meant to put an end to COVID-19.

I dont think we are anywhere near the end of the pandemic right now. I dont know how you have basically unchecked spread and still say we are at the end of the pandemic, said Dr. Tom Balcezak, chief medical officer for Yale New Haven Health.

On Tuesday, the Connecticut positivity rate ticked up slightly to 18.44 percent with 4,264 COVID cases discovered in 23,124 tests. Hospitalizations declined by a net of 38 patients for a total of 1,819.

While COVID-19 activity remains high, many have speculated that it will shift from a pandemic to an endemic, where the virus does not disappear entirely and circulates in certain areas and at certain times.

I dont think omicron will be the end of the pandemic, but there may be an endemic phase, where every winter we are still going to require masking, we are going to ramp up testing again, vaccines and boosters are still going to be needed. All of these things are probably what is going to happen in the future, said Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist for Hartford HealthCare.

On Tuesday, the head of the World Health Organization said: We have a chance to end the public health emergency this year if we do the things that weve been talking about.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Dr. Michael Ryan, the head of the World Health Organization, said inequities with vaccines and medicines are among the steps needed to end the emergency.

Endemic malaria kills hundreds of thousands of people; endemic HIV; endemic violence in our inner cities. Endemic in itself does not mean good. Endemic just means its here forever, he said.

Omicron, first identified in November in South Africa, spread with little resistance across the globe. Within a few weeks, the first cases had surfaced in Connecticut, and by the start of 2022, it had overtaken delta as the dominant strain.

With its swift move into Connecticut, new infections surged, and at times, nearly one in four people who tested for COVID-19 was infected  a high mark nearly double that of last winters peak.

We know that omicron is pretty good at getting people sick, even those who have been vaccinated, and in some cases, even boosted. We know that repeat infections are possible and that natural immunity is not really durable. Put that together and it doesnt give me great hope that we are at the end of the pandemic. I hope I am wrong, Balcezak said.

While for many, infections from the omicron variant have presented with relatively mild symptoms  close to those experienced with a common cold  there have still been serious cases that have driven up hospitalizations.

The assumption is that omicron is not dangerous, and theres a problem with that because omicron is dangerous, Wu said.

On Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Bidens chief medical advisor, appeared online at a World Economic Forum and said the high number of omicron cases could affect overall immunity, but it was too soon to say whether it would end the pandemic, the New York Times reported.

I would hope that thats the case, but that would only be the case if we dont get another variant that eludes the immune response, Fauci said, according to the New York Times.

The likelihood of a new variant remains high, Balcezak said, especially with immunocompromised individuals in other parts of the world still not having received vaccination.

We are definitely at risk, particularly in people who are immunocompromised where the virus lives and replicates for longer than someone with a normal immune system, Balcezak said. The potential is real possible that there could be another variant.

An Associated Press report is included in this story.
Of all the methods of measuring the progress of the coronavirus pandemic, one has been consistently reliable: the amount of the virus in sewage.

Yale University researchers have been sampling wastewater plants in Connecticut since the early stages of the pandemic, and the latest numbers from that testing have one official cautiously optimistic the omicron wave has finally crested in the state.

The recent data provide a clear example of the valuable insight that the sewage testing can provide to public health officials who are trying to deal with a pandemic that has stretched into its third year. But that type of analysis may not last much longer if Yale doesnt find additional financing for its work.

Up until late last year, the state of Connecticut was paying the researchers at Yale to track the spread of COVID-19 through several large wastewater treatment plants that served more than 1 million people in the state.

Those samples closely traced the ebb and flow of the virus within many of the states most populated communities, including Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwich, Hartford, Waterbury, Danbury and New London.

But the state contract that work was performed under ended in October 2021, and when it did, the public health data that was being collected was cut off in many locations.

Yale was able to find private donations to continue the wastewater sampling at one of its sites in New Haven for the first half of 2022. But that testing will also cease to exist this summer without additional financial support.

Max Reiss, a spokesman for Gov. Ned Lamont, said the data that Yale was able to publish between August 2020 and October 2021 proved to be an "effective tool" in monitoring the spread of the virus in Connecticut. But the state chose not to renew the $768,045 testing contract last fall, he said, because the numbers Yale was publishing each week were seen as a secondary source of information that only reinforced the data the state was already compiling from individual COVID tests.

In other parts of the country, however, epidemiologists and public health officials are now looking to sewage treatment plants as a more efficient and long-term solution for monitoring the persistent spread of the deadly virus.

There have been a large number of researchers -- many of them centered at universities throughout the country -- who have performed lab testing on fecal samples taken from wastewater treatment plants to track the virus's pace.

The testing those groups conducted repeatedly showed that samples taken from human waste can quickly and accurately detect spikes in coronavirus cases at the community level, even before people start showing symptoms or begin to seek out testing for the virus.

As a result, there is a growing effort at the federal level to expand the network of wastewater treatment plants that are screening for the genetic markers of COVID-19, which are found more frequently in sewage as the number of infections in a community rise.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is now encouraging additional testing at sewage treatment plants throughout the country, and the agency is in the process of setting up a new website where the data collected from those plants can be shared and analyzed. That effort is being referred to as a National Wastewater Surveillance System.

In response, states like New York are dramatically expanding the number of treatment plants they have partnered with.

Jordan Peccia, a professor of environmental engineering at Yale University who helped lead the wastewater testing in Connecticut, said the samples collected from treatment plants during the early stages of the pandemic were largely used as a backup source of data to confirm what the state's testing numbers were showing.

Since then, the science surrounding wastewater testing "rapidly matured," Peccia said, and the techniques that are used have proven to be a reliable indicator of how prevalent coronavirus is in a given town or city.

At this point, Peccia said, the samples being collected at wastewater plants likely provide a more accurate representation of the pandemic than the individual test results that are compiled by state health departments.

"I see an increased need for it now," he said.

Pulling samples from wastewater, Peccia said, is better than nasal swabs and saliva testing when it comes to understanding community-wide trends. It detects upticks in community spread faster than testing at drive-up sites or sampling in hospitals.

It also captures a picture of everyone within a geographic region, not just the people who are choosing to get tested because they are symptomatic or are required to be screened for their work. That's important at this point in the pandemic, when some people may not show any symptoms from the virus or are performing at-home tests that are not reported in daily testing numbers.

"I'm not being critical, but the information that you get from the compiled tests is getting worse and worse and worse," Peccia said. "And that's because the systems are stressed, and we are all doing these at-home tests now. We don't report that to anybody."

"The data stream that is going into governments that are tracking whether outbreaks are going up or going down is getting weaker and weaker, because the testing efforts are less and less controlled."

That doesn't mean that individual COVID tests don't have a role to play in the public health response. Individual nasal swabs and at-home testing kits are essential tools for telling an individual whether they are infected, Peccia said. Those tests inform people whether they need to isolate and take other precautions to stop the spread of the virus.

They just aren't the most efficient way to monitor whether a town, a county or a state is experiencing a spike in COVID cases, Peccia argued.

"We can't ever replace home testing kits or the testing apparatus that we have completely," Peccia added. "But wastewater is probably a much better way to look at trends in a community. It's a good thing to have, whether cases are high or cases are low."

Labs like the one at Yale are also able to run sequencing on the sewage samples to track which variants of the coronavirus are most common in a community at any given moment.

Take the wastewater sampling in New Haven. Over the past month, Peccia and his team were able to closely track the replacement of the delta variant with the omicron variant, which hit the state in late December and January. Omicron overtook delta by Dec. 23, the data show.

Relying on samples from centralized sewage treatment plants could also be a more cost-effective way to monitor the virus long into the future, Peccia said. Instead of paying for thousands of individual tests, public health officials could pay for a single sample each day that tracks the spread of the disease among hundreds of thousands of people.

"We really shouldn't be testing in order to track cases," Peccia argued. "That's a really expensive proposition."

When Yale's lab tests the wastewater sample from New Haven each day, they are effectively testing more than 200,000 people for COVID-19 at once, Peccia said. It captures everyone. Between the reagents needed to run the tests and the workers staffing the lab, it can cost as little as $50 per sample, he estimated.

Under its contract with the state, Peccia said the biggest cost was paying couriers to get the samples to their lab. In total, the state spent $768,045 in federal funding on Yale's testing efforts.

The investments in that type of work are still ongoing just across the border in New York, where officials are now attempting to set up a statewide "wastewater surveillance system."

The New York Department of Health is currently working with researchers at Syracuse University and the State University of New York to solidify a testing network that includes at least one treatment plant in each of the state's 62 counties.

David Larsen, an environmental epidemiologist at Syracuse, said he expects the statewide testing push for treatment plants in New York will enable local and state health officials to respond to the pandemic with more precision.

The data being collected from the plants could allow officials in New York to identify which communities have limited spread so local officials can safely end mask mandates and other precautionary measures, like social distancing.

It could also enable state health officials to quickly stand up more testing sites in areas where the virus is spreading rapidly or target vaccine drives in communities that are at the most risk.

"If we have a good understanding of what locations have high risk of transmission and what locations don't, then we can tailor our interventions to those locations," Larsen said.

All of those things could be important with the virus continuing to surge throughout most of the country.

"The virus isn't going away," Larsen said. "The virus will still be around. It will still be a threat. So if we are in this for the long haul, we need to build systems that support that."
A top local prosecutor says only Robert Dursts death spared him from a long-awaited conviction in the 1982 disappearance of his wife.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said Wednesday that her office had amassed enough evidence for a guilty verdict against Durst for the murder of his spouse Kathleen Durst  who was last seen alive nearly 40 years ago.

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We were able to reach the point where we felt confident that we could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Robert Durst murdered Kathleen Durst in Westchester County, she said, citing new, legally-admissible evidence in New York based on his conviction last year in a California murder case.

Durst, 78, died on Jan. 10 while serving time for the 2000 killing of Susan Berman, with California prosecutors successfully arguing his one-time best friend was killed over fears she was poised to admit providing a phony alibi for the one-time Manhattan real estate magnate in Kathleens death.

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Berman was executed with a point-blank gunshot to the back of her head inside her Los Angeles home.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah. (John Minchillo/AP)

Two months ago, Westchester County prosecutors announced a second-degree murder indictment against Durst for killing his first wife, last seen alive on Jan. 31, 1982. Her body has never been recovered, even as the case generated new interest following the damning documentary The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.

In a 12-page release, Rocah cited a number of early missteps by investigators in the case  most prominently the probes initial Manhattan-based efforts rather than taking a harder look at the South Salem home shared by the couple before Durst reported his wife missing.

The husband claimed that he dropped his wife off at a suburban train station, where she headed to the couples Riverside Drive apartment in Manhattan. Durst also told police that he called her from a payphone to insure she arrived safely, steering authorities toward the city rather than their Westchester home.

Robert Durst in a courtroom in Los Angeles. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

The report said the result was missed opportunities to obtain physical evidence in Westchester County where she was actually last seen alive.

Even as contradictory evidence emerged, the focus of the investigation remained in New York City, the report concluded. ... After the Manhattan-centric investigation failed to locate Kathleen or her body, the investigation went cold.

Durst, once an heir to the family-owned real estate empire The Durst Organization, dodged prison for decades until he was finally charged and convicted last year in the Berman cold-case killing.

The family of Kathleen Durst announced plans last week for a $100 million lawsuit against Dursts estate, with the Westchester County indictment reopening the door after a prior attempt was nixed by the statute of limitations.

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During his testimony last year in Los Angeles, Durst denied killing both Berman and his wife before acknowledging he would have lied about the murders if he was responsible.

Rocah said her review of the case was not launched as an exercise in finger-pointing.

This report is not about assigning blame, but rather looking at how we can better serve justice in future cases, she said. ... It will also shed some light on some of the reasons it took nearly 40 years to charge Robert Durst with her murder.
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Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced Tuesday her office will release a report this week detailing the investigation into the decades-old homicide of Kathleen Durst.

Her husband, Robert Durst, a former heir to his familys immense New York real estate fortune, died last week while serving a life sentence in California for the murder of his friend and confidante, Susan Berman. Prosecutors claimed Berman helped cover up Dursts role in his wifes disappearance.

After being convicted in Bermans death, Durst was indicted in November in his wifes homicide.

The case gained renewed attention after Durst appeared on The Jinx, an HBO documentary series about his crimes. During filming, Durst was caught on a microphone allegedly confessing to the three killings to which he had been linked in the past 40 years. He was arrested in 2015 days before the series final episode aired.

Rocahs office said the report, which will be released Wednesday during a morning news conference, details certain facts gathered during the investigation into his wifes death. Rocahs office said she will discuss many of the facts that were gathered during the investigation into the disappearance of Kathleen Durst.

Kathleen McCormack Durst disappeared on Jan. 31, 1982 at the age of 29. A graduate of what was then Western Connecticut State College in Danbury, Kathie Durst attended a party in Newtown and vanished later that night after returning home in South Salem, N.Y.

Rocahs office said the district attorney will be joined at Wednesdays news conference by retired New York State Police investigator Joseph Becerra, along with members of the New York State Police and bureau chiefs from the Westchester District Attorneys Office.

In addition to his wife and Berman, Robert Durst was also accused of killing Morris Black, a neighbor he allegedly shot in his apartment in Texas. Durst, who was accused of dismembering Blacks body, was acquitted of the killing after claiming self-defense.
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The New Haven Museum is celebrating Black History Month in February with a virtual program about one of Connecticuts most well-known Black governors, William Lanson.

The lecture is called An Upside-Down World: The Reign of Black Governors in Connecticut.

Black governors, also called African Kings, were leaders of the Black community in early American history elected by the African American community, according to the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Lanson was elected Black governor of New Haven in 1825 and was responsible for major infrastructure initiatives that still exist today. He helped build an addition to the Long Wharf and build the stone walls of the New Haven section of the Farmington Canal, according to Professor Kerima Lewis of Emerson College and Massasoit Community College.

In 2020, the City of New Haven issued a post-humous apology to Lanson for the "'humiliations, discrimination, and false accusations' against the freed slave who helped lay the foundation for economic success in 19th century New Haven." The same day the city also unveiled a bronze statue of Lanson which sits along the Farmington Canal.

The New Haven Museum invited Dr. Lewis to speak about Lansons life and legacy.

He bought property and ran businesses in the Black communities of New Haven where he employed hundreds of African Americans who were relegated to menial low paying jobs during that time, Lewis said via email. Having been enslaved himself, he helped runaways to find freedom along the Underground Railroad. There is so much that is admirable about the life of the esteemed African Governor William Lanson. Although his success made him a target of racist whites, he [persevered].

Museum Director Margaret Anne Tockarshewsky said Lewiss presentation is part of the museums effort to tell the diverse stories of early New Haven.

In particular, topics that have historically been underrepresented, we'd like to bring those to the forefront and make that ever-evolving history relevant to all people, Tockarshewsky said. I just think that the topic of Black governors is something that the public doesn't really know very much about.

Dr. Lewis agrees with Tockarshewsky. While the topic of Black governors is lesser known to the general public, she hopes that expanding topic of education from as early as elementary school could make these parts of history known to a wider audience.

When we discover these long-lost heroes and heroines, we must tell their stories whether it is in schools, churches, in the community, and to our families, Lewis said via email. African American history needs to be a required social studies course for all children.

In her presentation, Lewis will discuss the election of Black governors in New Haven, Norwich and Hartford. Shell also present an overview of Black coronation ceremonies, which included feasts, drumming and dancing.

The elections of Black governors were not imitations of white elections but a cultural tradition that combined the African tradition of celebrating kings and chiefs with a European-influenced electoral process already in place in New England, Lewis said in a news release.

Enslaved Africans in New England celebrated the election of their own rulers the same way they would have celebrated them in West Africa, according to Lewis.

The biggest reason to attend this presentation and learn about Lanson is simple, according to Lewis. Its a story of resilience, hope and the evolution of the human spirit.

Come hear about this formerly enslaved man elected the African Governor of New Haven in 1825 who after securing his freedom used that freedom to build a commercial and construction dynasty to benefit his people, Lewis said via email.

An Upside-Down World: The Reign of Black Governors in Connecticut takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10. Registration is free on Eventbrite.com. For more information, visit newhavenmuseum.org.
A new firmware update is arriving to the Huawei Watch GT 3. We recently reviewed the Watch GT 3 and we liked that it had pretty much everything that someone looking for a smartwatch would need. The update is now arriving to Watch GT 3 users in Spain and it weighs in at 293MB.

The new firmware OTA brings two new features. First, the watch gains the ability to adjust the paired devices media volume using the Watchs rotating button. In addition, users can now respond to preset messages or emojis right from the GT 3.

Source: One Tech ES

System stability and optimized HUAWEI Music user experience are listed on the updates changelog. According to One-Tech ES the quick replies work with popular messaging apps WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram.

The notes also recommend that the Huawei Health app should be updated prior to installing the update. The update should be arriving to users within the Huawei Health app.

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Samsung is getting ready to unveil its next-generation flagship smartphone family, the S22, and the S22 Ultra will be the top dog in this line. It will be the first S/Note hybrid, with its support for a built-in stylus, and its boxy style that's very similar to the Galaxy Note20 Ultra from 2020, the last Note ever made.

Today a prolific tipster has leaked a new set of official-looking (if low-resolution) renders of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which show it in four different colors. It's nice to see Samsung's S Ultra flagship finally have some actual colors in its lineup - that aren't white, various shades of gray, or black.

Maybe the design team that was previously in charge of the Galaxy Note line took over here? We ask because the S22 Ultra has a shape more reminiscent of a Note20 Ultra than an S22+, which is a bit weird considering the S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra are all supposed to be closely related.

Anyway, speculation aside, the stylus is rumored to have 2.8ms latency, which is by far the lowest Samsung's ever produced so far. The S22 Ultra is said to have a 108 MP Super Clear Lens main camera, a 12 MP ultrawide, and two 10 MP telephoto sensors (for 3x and 10x zoom, respectively). The camera system will support 12-bit HDR video recording and auto frame rate.

On the front you'll find a 6.8-inch 1440x3088 AMOLED screen with 120 Hz refresh rate and a centered hole-punch cutout for the 40 MP selfie camera. The screen uses LTPO tech to dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 1 Hz to 120 Hz. It will be protected by the still unannounced Gorilla Glass Victus+.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra will allegedly weigh 228g and measure 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm. It will be IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, it will support 45W fast charging (but don't expect any charger in the box), and 15W wireless charging for its 5,000 mAh battery. The dual speakers will be tuned by AKG and will support Dolby Atmos. The phone will run Android 12 with Samsung's One UI 4.1 on top.

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AT&T and Verizon bought most of the spectrum in the C-Band that was allocated for 5G usage and launched 5G service in that spectrum today. However, the two carriers have agreed to create temporary buffer zones around 50 airports after the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) warned of safety issues with many widebody airplanes.

The problem is that those airplanes use radar-based altimeters that operate on a frequency close to the C-Band and 5G cell towers could cause interference. This would result in inaccurate readings for the planes altitude, a reading pilots rely on when landing in low-visibility conditions.

Many airlines were already considering canceling some flights as a precaution  a letter from the FAA warned that as many as 1,100 flights serving 100,000 passengers were at risk of cancellation, diversion or delay. Some carriers like Emirates did cancel flights to certain locations.

Airlines are asking the US Department of Transportation to establish a 2 mile (3.2 km) buffer around runways that is free of C-Band cell towers. Otherwise, they would enact flight restrictions, even in good weather conditions when visibility is not affected. The FAA was only planning to restrict landing at times of poor visibility.

AT&T and Verizon argued that C-Band 5G is already operating in over 40 countries and no interference issues has been reported from airplanes. They also delayed the rollout of C-Band 5G services twice while working with the FAA and the airline industry to find a solution.

The carriers didnt delay the rollout a third time and enabled the new towers. In order to avoid disruption of flight services, however, the carriers agreed not to use the C-Band near certain US airports and are looking for ways to minimize the risk of interference with the altimeter devices.

Its not clear how long that will take or for how long the C-Band cell towers near airports will remain inactive. As AT&T points out in a statement, the FAA and the aviation industry as a whole had 2 years to prepare for this launch.

Source | Via
Lita Salas Baylons journey from Guam to Killeen, Texas, began when she got up one morning and started speaking to the spirit of her deceased mother.

I sat on my bed and I said, Oh mom, what am I going to do? Im tired, I want to quit work and just want to get away from it all, she said.

And I kid you not my mom, I heard her. She said to me, Haga esta un chagi todu, yan man dangkulo famaguon mu (My daughter you have tried everything and your children are all grown up). Thats what my mom told me that its OK because Ive tried everything.

Her personal seance with her mother, who passed away in 2013 at age 96, changed her life.

All I know is that I wanted more in my life, the 61-year-old former Mangilao resident said. It got to a point where, OK, my kids are grown, and now I need to take care of myself. I need to do stuff for myself. I wasnt happy.

She got a divorce in 2017 from her husband of 36 years with the acknowledgement and acceptance of her six kids. My kids they all say theyre happy that Im happy and thats all I asked of them, she said.

That same year, after 36 years of working at the Superior Court of Guam, she retired as chief court reporter, a job she loved.

A few months before her retirement she got a message on her professional Linkedin account from Earnest Mesa Baylon, formerly of Mongmong.

It had been 38 years since I heard or got any inkling that this dude was alive, she said. We just started communicating and realized that there was still that connection. He was my high school sweetheart.

They knew each other at George Washington High School, where he was a year older. After graduation he joined the army and left the island.

The story is he dropped me home after a date and he never came back and I never heard from him since then, she recalled.

And you know why? Because he was driving a sporty (Pontiac) Trans Am and my road to our house was all kaskahu (gravel). So it (gravel) was hitting the bottom of this beloved car and always telling him that you stop checking me out because you didnt want to drive your Trans Am into my gravel road. And yet, here we are and we laugh about it.

He invited her to visit him in South Carolina. When I finally saw him he spoke CHamoru, I was flabbergasted, because I was like, Oh, my God, you still know how to speak CHamoru after all those years and you never returned to Guam, she said.

Traveling the world

In 2019 after nearly four decades apart, she married her high school sweetheart and they moved to central Texas. They are both retired and wanted to spend their retirement years traveling.

Ive always wanted to experience and see the world. I always wanted to travel, she said. Were both on a fixed income and I remember telling him, I dont want to use all our money to pay for a mortgage and then we cant go anywhere.

They picked Killeen, Texas, for its modest cost of living and its right smack in the middle, we can go east, we can go north, we can go west and we go visit, we go travel and its nice, she said. Every month, we try to go somewhere we drive, we take a road trip, or we fly.

And since Earnest Baylon is retired military, they used to take military space available or military hops before the privilege was suspended due to the pandemic.

We are waiting for military flights to start up so we can catch a hop to Guam, she said.

All for one

Lita Salas Baylon is the youngest of seven born to Tomasa Guerrero Cruz Salas, familian Pedan, from Mangilao and Joaquin Leon Guerrero Salas, familian Chunge, of Mangilao.

All I know is that I grew up with families whose hearts are full all the time when we get together. My cousins are my brothers and my sisters. Thats all from our parents  all for one and one for all, she said.

I think of my mom and pop, and the struggles they had and how they raised us. We werent a rich family, but my mom always said, Man gefsaga na familia because of the guinaiya that we have for each other, the love we have for each other thats our riches. Thats the richness that I grew up with. I love how I was raised.

Last summer she went back home for a whole month. She brought her new husband and introduced him to the Pedan and Chunge clans.

She also spent a lot of time with her children and grandchildren. My heart was full because I was back on Guam and memories were flooding back, she said.

Family is everything

It was bittersweet to leave because Im leaving my kids again. But, I think I did well with them and instilled in them family values, she said.

Family is everything and it takes all of us to make good on what our sainas taught us. My moms last dying words (were) Inafa maolek famaguon hu.

Im in a good place, but Im missing my kids terribly, she said. My voice is cracking, but Im happy.

Back in Killeen this past holiday season, Lita Salas Baylon eagerly set up her bilen with a 75-year-old nino that her mother entrusted to her.

During her recent visit to Guam, she packed the nino, the three kings and her entire bilen ensemble carefully between all her clothes in her luggage.

Gift from monsignor

The 8-inch nino in a ceramic cradle was given to her mother in 1946 by Pale Scot  Monsignor Oscar Lujan Calvo.

The same nino that my mom and my whole family grew up saying the nobena for all those years, she said of the devotional prayers called Nobena Nino. My mom gave it to me and told me Lita, hagu un konne i nino. And since 1987 I have had the nobena nino in my (Guam) house.

The nino is now in Texas where she can continue the promesa  a sacred commitment passed down from one generation to the next.

I do the nino Jesus nobena from Christmas Eve to New Years Day. Thats always been my moms Nobena Nino and then she gave it to me and thats my promesa. Thats the promesa I have, to perpetuate moms nobena for the nino Jesus.

That nino is just one of the many gifts her mother has given her in life and in death.
Guam Memorial Hospital recently marked the first year of its telemedicine program and is planning for future expansion.
Guam recorded two more COVID-19 related deaths, according to the Department of Public Health and Social Services, which also confirmed the presence of the omicron variant on Guam and 815 new cases.

With the threat of the omicron variant and the recent high number of COVID-19 cases reported, the Archdiocese of Agana announced that Catholic schools will temporarily move to distance learning.

Superintendent of Catholic Education Father Val Rodriguez made the decision with Archbishop Michael Byrnes that all Catholic schools will resume online learning Thursday. Rodriguez met with principals of all 13 Catholic schools and the Archdiocese of Aganas COVID-19 liaison, Cathy Rivera Castro, Wednesday morning.

The move is expected to last until Feb. 7.

Deaths

The recent COVID-19-related deaths occurred Tuesday at Guam Memorial Hospital according to a news release from the Joint Information Center.

The 275th COVID-19-related fatality was pronounced dead on arrival. The patient was a 70-year-old unvaccinated woman who had underlying health conditions. She tested positive the same day.

The 276th COVID-19 death was a 67-year-old vaccinated man with underlying health conditions. He tested positive Jan. 8.

Though the fight with COVID-19 has us fatigued, we must not surrender to this virus, which has taken too many of our loved ones too soon, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero stated in the release. With each moment of silence, let us all recommit to the safeguards that have helped us reach this point in the pandemic. Get vaccinated if you havent done so already. Get boosted if its your time.

Omicron

Public Health received nine results from virus samples collected on Guam Dec. 19-27, which have undergone genome sequencing by the Hawaii Department of Health State Laboratory Division and seven were identified as the omicron variant.

Two were delta variant cases.

There were 815 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,893 tests analyzed on Wednesday, the release stated.

Of the new cases, 46 cases were identified through contact tracing.

There were 27 people hospitalized for COVID-19 with 15 patients at Guam Memorial Hospital, including two in intensive care and one on a ventilator, the release stated. Eleven patients are hospitalized at Guam Regional Medical City, with one hospitalized at Naval Hospital Guam.

Guam has officially recorded 25,033 cases of COVID-19. There are 5,269 cases in active isolation, the release stated.
An Illinois man died Saturday after diving into a frozen pond in an attempt to save his granddaughter who had fallen in.

Carlos Serafin heard the cries from his granddaughter Bailey, 8, that her 10-year-old sister MaLyiah had fallen into the pond near their rural home in Charleston, according to the Decatur Herald-Review.

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Carlos, being the person he is, he instantly slips on his slippers and just starts running out, his sister-in-law Amanda Beals told central Illinois CBS affiliate WCIA.

Carlos Serafin (far left) with his family. (GoFundMe.com)

Serafin attempted to pull MaLyiah out, but fell in himself, WCIA reported. His husband, Bill Croy, attempted to rescue Serafin and his granddaughter but couldnt reach them.

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Croy called 911 at 7:44 a.m., and MaLyiah was pulled from the ice at 8:06 a.m., the Lincoln Fire Protection District said in a Facebook post. Serafin was pulled out at 8:15 a.m.

Both were rushed to a hospital in Charleston, about 80 miles east of Springfield. Despite numerous life-saving efforts, Serafin was pronounced dead Saturday. MaLyiah remained in critical condition Tuesday, according to a GoFundMe for the family.

Bailey and MaLyiah were walking the six family dogs when two dogs sprinted onto the ice, according to the GoFundMe. MaLyiah fell through the ice and Bailey ran to get help.

The two girls are the biological children of the 47-year-old Croys oldest adopted daughter, NBC News reported. Serafin, 31, married into the family; he and Croy are legal guardians of Bailey and MaLyiah.

We as a family cant stress enough how much Carlos was a hero, Beals told the Herald-Review, and how much he really loved his family and would do anything for them.
Disclosing the name, address or other information that could identify an underage victim of a sexual offense would be made a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine of $1,000, if a bill at the Guam Legislature becomes law.

Sen. Frank Blas introduced Bill 147, aimed at protecting the identity of underage victims.

Jayne Flores, director of the Bureau of Womens Affairs, spoke in support of the legislation during a public hearing on Wednesday and asked that it be extended to all sexual offense victims, not just minors.

Flores, a former reporter, spoke about the need for the measure to rein in the media. She said that while most news organizations aim not to identify victims and re-victimize them, magistrate complaints that contain the details of sexual offenses are now sent by email, and some organizations copy and paste details in their entirety.

Small community

Guam is a very small community.  If an individual or an organization provides victims age, village and uses that term, known to the perpetrator in a public medium, they have essentially identified the victim, she said.

Flores sits on the Sexual Assault Response Team Steering Committee for the Office of the Governor.

Not a committee meeting goes by where we do not hear a complaint  about media inadvertently identifying a victim of sexual assault, she said.

Attorney John Morrison, deputy director of the Public Defender Service Corporation, said that the bill may not fix the issue with magistrate complaints, as information about the crime had to be disseminated to justify charging someone properly  a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct instead of lower degree of a crime, for example.

Morrison said he agreed with the intent of the bill, but said that it could have unintended consequences for defense attorneys.

Blas noted that the bill does allow for identifying information to be made available for the person accused of the offense. But according to Morrison, it could prevent a defense attorney from going out to investigate accusations.

Sometimes we get information that an alleged victim has made a false report in the past. And the incentive there is to go and interview family members or the people that are familiar with what happened in that false report. And its difficult to imagine doing that without revealing the persons name, he said.

Beyond that, it was possible that the measure would make anyone who spoke the name of a victim guilty of a misdemeanor, which would be a violation of the First Amendment, Morrison said.

Sen. Telo Taitague asked that Morrisons concerns be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for a second opinion. Blas agreed and said he would seek more clarification.
Father Val Rodriguez at his new office as superintendent of Catholic Schools, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.
A 23-year-old Navy sailor has been charged with vehicular homicide as a second-degree felony in connection with a Dec. 9 crash in Yigo that left one man dead, according to a magistrate's complaint filed in Superior Court.

Nickolas K. Hoffpauir of Dededo was also charged with negligent homicide as a third-degree felony, reckless driving with injuries as a misdemeanor and unsafe lane change as a violation.

The crash, which occurred on Route 1 northbound near the Guam Animals in Need shelter, killed 59-year-old Pedro T. Tevar Jr. of Yigo. Tevar's 2002 Nissan Pathfinder struck a concrete utility pole.

Hoffpauir was booked and confined at the Department of Corrections

The crash

Hoffpauir's vehicle was traveling north on Route 1 when he tried to pass another vehicle and change lanes, according to the complaint. Hoffpauir hit the brakes and lost control of the vehicle, running off the road before coming back to the outer lane and striking Tevar's vehicle. The impact caused Tevar to lose control and crash into a concrete pole, the complaint stated.

In an interview with police Tuesday, Hoffpauir said he was driving behind a pickup truck when he decided to change lanes. He told police he was not aware of how fast he was going, but when he changed lanes, he saw a slower-moving vehicle ahead and hit his brakes. Then he lost control of the car and struck the other vehicle, the complaint stated.

Navy

Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs Officer Katie Koenig said Hoffpaiur is a U.S. Navy sailor.

"A U.S. Navy sailor was involved in a fatal car accident on Dec. 9. Our deepest sympathies are with the victim's family during this tragic time. The U.S. Navy is working closely with the Guam Highway Patrol as they have jurisdictional authorities," said Koenig.
A judge denied a motion to lower the bail amount for Brandon James Flaherty, who was indicted for murder charges in connection with the disappearance of Adam Messier in 2017.

Magistrate Judge Benjamin Sison denied Flahertys motion to decrease his bail amount from $150,000 to $50,000.

Flahertys motion, written by his attorney Jeffrey Moots, argued that his client should have a lower bail amount because co-defendant Donovan Elliott Alianza Carriaga was released on house arrest, being electronically monitored and under the supervision of third-party custodians without paying his assigned $200,000 bail.

Moots also said Flaherty would be able to pay the $50,000 for his release.

So if Mr. Carriaga is the individual that was accused of strangling the victim and hes not a threat to the community, it makes no sense that Mr. Flaherty, with the conditions that weve requested, is a greater risk than the person who actually committed the homicide, said Moots.

Carriaga was granted release from prison on Dec. 20 by Magistrate Judge Jonathan R. Quan.

Sison, however, denied the motion based on what he knows about Flaherty, which includes two felony convictions and not considering another judges ruling.

Im just going to look at this defendant and his history and all that I have and make a decision today, Sison said. I am going to maintain the bail at $150,000.

Murder

Flaherty and Carriaga, along with co-defendant Curtis James Blas, were indicted for murder after a witness told police she saw the three, plus another man, Jason Alianza, brutally beat Messier and dispose of his body, according to court documents.

Flaherty allegedly held Messier, while Carriaga strangled him, and Blas and Alianza beat him, at a Tumon apartment in 2017.

Flaherty was also seen hitting Messier with a bat, charging documents state.
On the day her father would have turned 60, Layla Mafnas Tevar Jesus learned a man was arrested and charged in his traffic death.

I, myself, can barely keep it together, Jesus said. I was crying and yelling when I read the news article on the arrest.

Pedro T. Tevar was killed Dec. 9 when his vehicle crashed into a concrete utility pole in Yigo.

On Wednesday, Nickolas Kyle Hoffpauir, 23, was charged with negligent homicide and vehicular homicide in connection with the crash on Route 1 near the Guam Animals in Need Shelter.

According to charging documents, Hoffpauir, a Navy sailor, tried passing another car by changing lanes but lost control of his vehicle when he hit the breaks. Hoffpauir then ran off the road before coming back to the outer lane and hitting Tevars Nissan Pathfinder, which crashed into the pole.

Tevar was pronounced dead at Guam Regional Medical City.

Daughter

Jesus heard about her fathers accident from a neighbor.

My dad was less than five minutes from home, Jesus said. I honestly thought it wasnt bad, but when we got to the site the police officer told us to go to GRMC.

At the hospital, Jesus began getting flashbacks from when her brother, Jay-Ar Mafnas Tevar, died two years earlier on Dec. 3, 2019, after hitting a concrete pole near Wusstig Road on Route 1.

When we got to GRMC we were told to wait in a room, not the waiting area, Jesus said. I then already knew my dad was gone. It was the same thing that happened to my brother.

When the doctor came and told us, I was in complete shock. I begged to let this be some nightmare, but as reality sunk in I realized my dad wont be coming home.

Arrest

On Tuesday morning, Hoffpauir was arrested in connection to the accident. According to charging documents, he told police he didnt know how fast he was going before he hit Tevars vehicle.

After getting news of the arrest, Jesus described the overwhelming emotions felt by her whole family since her fathers death, as well has her brothers two years ago.

We have been hurting for a long time, Jesus said. My oldest daughter has been waking up early in the morning thinking my dad is leaving for work. She would go outside and not see him and then she would start crying.

My mother hasnt been doing too well either. She has been hurting, first losing my brother and now my dad.

Family

Tevar would have celebrated his 60th birthday on Wednesday. Jesus says it will be unfortunate for her children and her brothers children, who will not know their grandfather.

My father was a very loving person. He was loved and adored by everyone, Jesus said.

He was a very fun person to be around. He was the life of the party. He always knew how to make everyone smile.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero discusses the American Rescue Plan funding at Adelup in this May 2021 photo.
Oscar Mayer has entered the beauty business  and its no phony baloney.

In what it says is an inspiration from a classic childhood tradition of turning a slice of bologna into a face mask, the iconic packaged meats brand is selling a limited-edition skincare mask for $5 on Amazon.

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Oscar Mayer Bologna face mask (Oscar Meyer)

Kraft Heinz, its parent company, has partnered with Seoul Mamas, a Korean beauty and skin care company, to create the face sheets, which it describes as a hydrating and restoring hydrogel that promote skin elasticity, improve hydration and moisture retention.

With a nod to its popular Oscar Mayer jingle, My Baloney Has a First Name from the 1970s, which spells out O-S-C-A-R, the Amazon product listing states: Our bologna has a nickname and its B-E-A-U-T-Y.

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Oscar Mayer Bologna face mask directions. (Oscar Meyer)

The brand also pokes fun at what is referred to as New Year, New You trope. But unlike the real thing, the new masks (which resemble bologna and are made with Witch Hazel Botanical and seaweed-derived ingredients) are not edible and come with a warning to not eat them because thats what bologna slices are for.

The mask packaging is similar to a package of Oscar Mayer bologna with the famous Wienermobile logo.

Oscar Mayer has a legacy bringing levity to things that have gotten too serious, and beauty is a ripe territory to playfully subvert, the brands senior marketing analyst Lindsey Ressler said in a statement. This is the latest in our brand movement to create work that feels more like pop-art and less like traditional commercial advertising  inspired by the old, modernized for today.

The bologna-inspired skincare masks will be available through the online retailer while supplies last.

Last fall, Oscar Mayer entered into the fashion fray with a Street Meat apparel collection.




Haiti - Insecurity : The Cuban Government evacuates from Haiti 78 of its doctors





Following the rise in insecurity, including the kidnapping on Thursday January 13 of Cuban Doctor Taimara Heles Jeres Alavedra in Martissant (southern entrance of Port-au-Prince) by armed men, the Cuban Government, anxious not to expose the life of its citizens, has decided to temporarily reduce its medical team in Haiti on a voluntary basis.



On Tuesday, the Cuban authorities confirmed that they had repatriated 78 Cuban doctors, a departure which is a severe blow to the Haitian health system...



Dr. Taimara Heles Jeres Alavedra's kidnappers are demanding US$100,000 in ransom for her release. Amount that the Cuban Government does not intend to pay.



TB/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Insecurity : Drugs-for-guns trade between Haiti and Jamaica





Monday, January 17, police officers from the parish of Saint Catherine (in the south-east of Jamaica) during a control operation in the Planters district, discovered, hidden in a parked suspicious vehicle, a hundred packets of ganja (marijuana) compressed for a total of 935 lbs worth J$4.5 million on the market (or a little less than US$50,000)



Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, Acting Divisional Commander for South St Catherine, informed that this shipment of compressed ganja was to be delivered to Haiti as part of the illegal drugs-for-guns trade between mafia groups of the two countries, and that this was not the first shipment of Ganja seized bound for Haiti as part of this traffic.



Recall that Jamaica is the Caribbean's leading producer of ganja and traffickers also export this drug to other countries in the Caribbean region in exchange for illegal firearms.



The crime rate and violence in Jamaica is soaring, which has forced the Government to impose a state of emergency and curfew in certain sensitive areas with high levels of criminal activity.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29039-haiti-flash-jamaican-criminals-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26887-haiti-jamaica-important-meat-for-guns-trade.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24303-haiti-jamaica-drug-against-weapons-300-kg-of-narcotics-seized-1-haitian-arrested.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23180-haiti-jamaica-major-seizure-of-ammunition-3-haitians-arrested.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19602-haiti-jamaica-seizure-of-3-000-pounds-of-cannabis-destined-to-haiti.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















Romney, WV (26757)

Today

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Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.
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A Hepatitis A outbreak in a Pennsylvania county has likely killed a third person, according to health officials.

Investigators have tied the Montgomery County death to the outbreak that started in early January, NBC 10 reported.

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A spokesperson for the Montgomery County Office of Public Health told the Daily News Wednesday that two deaths have been confirmed and one is under investigation.

The health department issued an official health advisory on Jan. 5. Two days later, officials said they had identified 11 possible cases of Hep A, with nine confirmed. Of the nine, seven were hospitalized.

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As part of the investigation, officials shut down Ginos Ristorante & Pizzeria in West Norriton, tying it to the outbreak.

The restaurant remains closed, but owners said Monday that all employees have tested negative for Hepatitis A and have been vaccinated.

This is a shock to us as it is to everyone in the community, the restaurant wrote on Facebook on Jan. 7 when it was temporarily shuttered. We have been a family owned business for over 50 years. We pride ourselves on our reputation. We strive to serve our family and friends the best quality Italian food.

The death rate for Hep A cases is only 0.3% to 0.6%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This page contains all of Today's News-Herald's coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak, and the illness it causes, called COVID-19.

Because this outbreak impacts public health, our coverage of the coronavirus is available to all readers. Our journalists are working hard to bring you the verified information below. Please consider supporting important local journalism with a subscription. (Click Here)

Are you a Lake Havasu City resident whos been affected by the illness? Send us an email: news@havasunews.com.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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Days before he held four people hostage inside a Texas synagogue, Malik Faisal Akram caused trouble at another house of worship nearby.

Akram, a 44-year-old British national, reportedly tried to stay the night at an Irving mosque after arriving in Texas from Kennedy Airport, but was kicked out.

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He got a little agitated saying youre not helping out a fellow brother in the faith and all that stuff, Khalid Hamideh, the spokesman for the Islamic Center of Irving, told CBS DFW. When he did get agitated he was shown the door and left.

Hamideh said Akram was carrying a man purse with him.

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Malik Faisal Akram at a Dallas homeless shelter. (AP)

God knows if he had the gun with him already and thank God that he didnt shoot anybody or do anything bad at our place, he told the station. Im shocked that he did not do something like this at our mosque because they said he was really agitated the first day.

Attempts to reach the mosque by the Daily News Wednesday went unanswered.

Its unclear when Akram visited the mosque or how long he had been in the area at that point. He spent one night in an Irving hotel and time at the Our Calling Homeless Center in Dallas.

Investigators are trying to track down the person caught on surveillance footage dropping Akram off at the homeless center.

On Jan. 15, Akram knocked on the door of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville and Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker made him tea. Then, Akram held four people, including Cytron-Walker, at gunpoint inside the synagogue for almost 11 hours.

[ British man who took four hostage inside Texas synagogue was investigated as possible terrorist in late 2020: report ]

During the day, I remained calm  I know, those who know me wont believe it  I never raised my voice or made a quick move. Everything was deliberate, Jeffrey Cohen, one of the congregants held hostage, wrote on Facebook.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

When he let us call our families, I called my wife, daughter, and son. I also posted here on Facebook. Many of you saw that post, Im sure. To be perfectly honest, at that point, I figured we had few options and little chance of survival. With my feet, I slowly moved a few chairs in front of me. Anything to slow or divert a bullet or shrapnel.

Police stand in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. (Brandon Wade/AP)

Around 5 p.m., one hostage was released unharmed, but the other three remained inside.

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On a live stream, Akram could be heard ranting and calling for the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist and suspected Al Qaeda associate serving 86 years in a Fort Worth prison for shooting at U.S. military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.

Siddiquis legal counsel told the Daily News Sunday that Akram has no connection with the family whatsoever and he has also no connection to the Free Aafia movement inside the US.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 15 Police stand in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. A man held hostages for more than 10 hours Saturday inside the temple. The hostages were able to escape and the hostage-taker was killed. FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said a team would investigate "the shooting incident." (Brandon Wade/AP)

Hours later, Cytron-Walker collected the other two hostages, told them to make their way to an exit and threw a chair at Akram. Together, the three fled to their safety.

Akram was dead when FBI agents breached the synagogue around 9 p.m.

The FBI is investigating the hostage-taking as terrorism and said Akram acted alone, although British police said Sunday that two teenagers in Manchester had been arrested.
Montana Farm Bureau President Cyndi Johnson and Vice President Gary Heibertshausen listen to delegate floor discussions during the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting of Voting Delegates. The AFBF 103rd Annual Convention was held Jan. 7-11 in Atlanta.

ATLANTA - Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation's 103rd Convention adopted policies to guide the organization's work in 2022.

Key topics ranged from milk pricing and beef market transparency to urban agriculture.

"Delegates from all 50 state Farm Bureaus and Puerto Rico came together to demonstrate the power of grassroots leadership," said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. "The policies set forth will guide Farm Bureau in its mission to advocate for farmers and ranchers and build a sustainable future of safe and abundant food, fiber and renewable fuel for our entire nation and world."

Delegates re-elected Duvall and Vice President Scott VanderWal for their fourth terms.

Long-standing frustration over imbalances in the meat industry led to calls for greater transparency in livestock markets. In this complex discussion, it was determined that while government should play a role in increasing the share of negotiated sales while being respectful of regional differences, government mandates setting percentages of cash sales should not be used to achieve this end as doing so will negatively impact cow/calf producers.

As farmers' labor struggles continue, delegates approved additional policies that build on existing AFBF policies regarding the need for employee stabilization and reforms to the guestworker program.

Delegates updated policy on biofuels to include renewable diesel. The addition recognizes the innovation and potential that sustainable biofuels provide environmental benefits while creating opportunities for America's farmers.

As farmers and ranchers continue to increase their reliance on digital technologies, delegates voted to support raising the standard for federal broadband projects to be at least 100 Mbps for both uploads and downloads.

Montana Farm Bureau had three policies pass through the process. The policies dealt with predator depredation on livestock, addressing needed mitigation and prevention of coal seam fires and state property tax.

Next year, MFBF intends to bring back an improved version of their resolution dealing with increased levels of USDA research funding for U.S.-grown organic food.

"The 2022 Policy Development session went very well with Montana's policy proposals finding success on the floor," said MFBF President Cyndi Johnson, who represented Montana with Vice President Gary Heibertshausen. "There were 350 delegates representing 50 states and Puerto Rico, and we were all thrilled to be working together in person again to shape the policies of the American Farm Bureau. We had several opportunities to meet and network as presidents and vice presidents from around the country. We often find commonality in the issues and develop life-long friendships."
The Blaine County Sheriffs Office has released the name of a woman who died in a house fire in Harlem early Tuesday morning.

Blaine County Undersheriff Chris Adair said Shenia Sterns, 25, died in the fire which was called in around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The fire was responded to by the Chinook and Harlem fire departments along with the Fort Belknap Volunteer Fired Department which provided mutual aid.

Adair said the fire is still being investigated by the Montana State Fire Marshal so there are no details available regarding possible causes.
Staff and wire report

During a visit with Crooked Yard Hops, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Montana State Director Kathleen Williams announced that 29 Montana agricultural producers, including two in Hill County and one out of Big Sandy, are receiving grants totaling more than $3 million to help generate new products and market opportunities.

U.S. Department of Agircultures Rural Development Montana Office announced that Prairie Grass Ranch and Douglas W. Crabtree in Hill County and Fermerlicious Inc. out of Big Sandy have received grants.

The grants are being made through the Value-Added Producer Grant  VAPG  program.

This past year was unprecedented for our VAPG program because this is the most VAPGs weve ever awarded in a year in Montana. In fact, it is six times more than our previous record award amounts, Williams said. Our Rural Business and Cooperative Programs team worked hard to ensure Montanas agri-businesses have what they need to expand capacity and production. We awarded over $3 million to 29 recipients throughout the state, including several women-owned or -operated businesses. By supporting local farmers and ranchers through innovative programs like this, Rural Development is contributing to a stronger and more resilient Montana food supply and a rural economy with expanding job opportunities.

A Montana Rural Development release said Prairie Grass Ranch will receive $249,843 to finance the marketing efforts of an organic ancient grain porridge.

Crabtree will receive $40,000 to finance working capital for this family-owned, small-sized farm which produces raw organic rye that will be sold to local distillers and millers.

Farmerlicious will receive $75,000 to to fund the research, product development, test marketing and distribution of an organic lentil snack mix.

In an effort to increase competition in agricultural markets and build a more resilient food supply chain, USDA is introducing new programs aimed at building a food system that is fair, competitive, distributed and resilient.

We are excited that new programs are being added to our portfolio in an effort to ensure Montanas agricultural producers receive a fair share of the food dollar while advancing equity in this market, Williams said.

The Value-Added Producer Grant program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.

Other USDA RD Montana 2021 VAPG awardees include:

 $230,500 to Farmer Boy Eggs LLC in Drummond to pay nine employees, purchase cartons and labels, and cover delivery costs;

 $49,995 to Awesome Acres LLC in St. Ignatius to pay for the costs of processing dried herbal tea and culinary herbs;

 $39,528 to Crooked Yard Hops LLP in Bozeman to assist in processing, packaging, and distributing their products, as well as market their hops;

 $48,057 to Fireroot Distillery LLC in Florence to leverage new technologies to compete in the spirits industry, all while protecting the local environment and sustaining energy-efficient practices;

 $36,209 to Yellowstone Valley Food Hub in Billings to expand key components of marketing, aggregation and their distribution system;

 $250,000 to Farver Farms LLC in Scobey to pay for a market expansion for their lentil cruncher snacks;

 $49,990 to Sporeattic LLC in Bozeman to assist with leasing, packaging and production for this mushroom company;

 $50,000 to Bozeman Spirits LLC in Bozeman to assist with a feasibility study;

 $243,452 to JWK Enterprises LLC in Busby to pay for marketing and value-added product refinement, labeling creation, branding and printing fees, beef product processing and packaging expenses, marketing for packaged beef campaign and to support staff compensation;

 $31,940 to Western Montana Growers Cooperative, which serves the Flathead, Jocko, Mission and Bitterroot valleys, to fund a feasibility analysis to expand its infrastructure capacity;

 $30,740 to A Land of Grass Ranch in Conrad to produce a new stew line for the beef and lamb market;

 $97,248 to Basin Inc. in Sweet Grass County to pay for processing and marketing cattle;

 $49,999 to Buck N Daves Eggs LLC in Corvallis to fund working capital, which will create one new job and increase egg production by 10,000 more eggs per week;

 $75,000 to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Pablo to fund a feasibility study and business plan to assess the viability of a mobile meat processing unit and a cut-and-wrap enterprise for their tribally produced beef and bison;

 $44,543 to Farmers on Flynn in Beaverhead County to complete administrative and marketing tasks;

 $250,000 to Aaron Toews in Big Horn County to develop a naturally grown produce operation that will practice sustainable growing practices, utilizing season-extending tools like hoop-houses and greenhouses to extend the short Montana growing season;

 $49,970 to Moon River Ranch LLC in Clinton to fund the outreach and marketing needed to engage the local community as well as introduce other producers of eggs, meat, or other agricultural or food items into its distribution system;

 $43,200 to Living River Farms LLC in Stevensville to fund working capital and expand its business by increasing the quantity of cut-up chicken to its product line;

 $49,954 to Montana Ranchers Beef Co. LLC in Fergus County to fund the expenses of processing, packaging, and marketing their cuts of beef;

 $250,000 to Big West Management LLC in Beaverhead County to assist with processing, overhead and administrative costs for this husband-and-wife business that raises cattle and sells quality packaged beef;

 $49,949 to Retius Sikveland in Circle to purchase a one-grain mill that can mill chickpeas and make a gluten-free product. It will also be used for launching an extensive marketing plan;

 $250,000 to Montana Prime Meats LLC in Fort Smith to hire a new marketing manager and expand from a base of 15 head annually to 80 head annually within the three-year grant period;

 $49,960 to McCafferty Ranch Company LLC in Belt to expand sales of all-natural grass-fed beef, including online;

 $249,900 to Aspen Grove Farm in Corvallis to increase manufacturing of gourmet jams and syrup products;

 $48,000 to Thomas Niebur in Malta to provide working capital funds for this small farm operation that produces alfalfa seed; and

 $49,900 to Montgomery Farm in Lewistown to finance cleaning the wheat and rye that will be marketed to local distilleries.

More information on new programs, including USDA RDs Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program, may be found at http://www.usda.gov/meat .

For more information about VAPG, the new food and processing programs, or to apply, people can contact Montanas Business and Cooperative Programs Director Lad Barney at 406=309-3350 or [email protected]

USDA Rural Development is an investor, ally and advocate for rural America and provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Americans living and working in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, people can visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt .
From Montana Food Bank Network

Thanks to a generous gift from a collection of agricultural producers across the state, 19,800 pounds of hamburger were delivered to the Montana Food Bank Network Jan. 11.

The Producer Partnership, a statewide non-profit organization, facilitated this donation through its mission of farmers and ranchers working together to end hunger in Montana.

Established in Spring 2020 by Matt Pierson, a sixth-generation Park County rancher, the Producer Partnership reached out to Montana Food Bank Network Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brent Weisgram to for...
For the 107th consecutive day, the sit-in activity continues next to the Semalka crossing to demand the Kurdistan Democratic Party to stop its policies that serve the enemy and to hand over the bodies of the martyrs to their families. (photos and video attached).

- The people of Raqqa go out with a mass demonstration, rejecting the so-called "settlements" promoted by the Damascus government in the region. (photos and video attached).

The Lawyers Union in the city of Raqqa makes a statement to the public opinion in which it denounces the attacks of the Turkish occupation on the region and its occupation of Afrin, and the international silence regarding the crimes committed by the Turkish occupation in the region in general. (photos and video attached).

The people of Zarkan sub-district of al-Hasakah canton in al-Jazirah region, north and east of Syria, celebrate the 17th anniversary of the founding of Kongra Star, at 10:00 (photos and videos are attached).

The Expanded Committee for Drafting the Social Contract for North and East Syria continues its work for the third and final day, to discuss the remaining provisions of the contract, after it resumed last Monday, in the city of Hasaka at 10:00. (photos and video attached).

The co-chair of the Civil Council in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor, Jassem al-Riyash, affirmed the rejection of the people of Deir ez-Zor with all their segments of the so-called settlements carried out by the Damascus government, recalling that their aim is to cover up its crimes (the Damascus government) that it committed against the people. Syrian. (photos and video attached).

The co-chair of the Idlib Green Council, Haitham Al-Abdullah, said that the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is a model for resolving the Syrian crisis and achieving the aspirations of the Syrian people, by embracing all Syrian components. (photos and video attached).

The co-chair of the Legislative Council for Democratic Civil Administration in Manbij and its countryside, Siham Al-Hamou, ruled out the emergence of international positions to put an end to the attacks of the Turkish occupation army, and said, "Even if there is no reaction from the international community and the guarantor countries, we will defend our land with will and determination, no matter what the cost." (Attached with pictures and video).

The official of the media committee of the National Initiative for Afrin, Jodi Ronahi, explained that their campaign includes activities, activities and sit-ins in more than one European country and in different times and places, calling for participation in it, and said: "Let us be one voice that expresses the sacrifices of our resistance people and the pain of Afrin." (photos and video attached).

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Hassan Kojer warned that the Damascus government's continuation of its unilateral policies and its refusal to dialogue in light of the Turkish occupation of Syrian lands might eventually lead to the division of the country, and reiterated their readiness for a constructive dialogue with the Damascus government to preserve the country's unity. (photos and video attached).

a dialogue

A member of the Office of Democratic Relations and Agreements at Kongra Star, Zainab Muhammad, confirmed that Kongra Star is fighting on two fronts, the constant threats and attacks on north and east Syria and the authoritarian mentality rooted in society for 5,000 years, and to confront them, all women called for the support and support of each other. (photos and video attached).

Kurdistan

The Yazidi journalist Tahsin Sheikh Kalo said that whoever left the Yazidis in the hands of ISIS cannot be trusted, and added that the situation in Shingal does not require an increase in the number of Iraqi army soldiers, wondering about the scenes of joy that spread to Iraqi soldiers after going through an incident in which a student bus was exposed in Shingal. (Pictures attached).

Egyptian writer and journalist Sayed Abdel-Fattah asserts that the PKK establishes and consolidates humanitarian values and principles, and that keeping the party's name on the "terror list" is a crime against the Kurds and the peoples of the region. He called on the Arab people and their ruling regimes to defend the Kurdish people and their legitimate rights. (Pictures attached).

ANHA
The Damascus government insists on military means for the Syrian crisis over the past 10 years, and refuses to engage in dialogue with the Autonomous Administration. However, militarization has brought nothing but destruction, killing and displacement against the Syrian people.

With the continuation of the Turkish occupation of the Syrian territories, the Turkish intentions to annex these areas to Turkey, as it did previously in the Iskenderun district, the importance of an agreement between the Syrians to end the occupation and remove the specter of partition is increasing.

Since the establishment of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, it has confirmed that the solution to the Syrian crisis will only be through the Syrian dialogue, but the Damascus government categorically rejects it as a result this prolonged the Syrian crisis.

In this regard, our agency met with the deputy co-chair of the joint Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Hassan Kocer, who confirmed that the Syrian dialogue is the best solution to the Syrian crisis.

In this regard, He said, "The intervention of foreign countries will not solve the crisis because the solution to the Syrian crisis is with the people and the decision of the Syrian people, not from the foreign countries that do not want to solve the Syrian crisis and exit from it."

He added, "The crisis is deepening because of external interference because the decisions are not from the Syrian people, and the Damascus government has also intransigent in its old mentality to return to Syria before 2011. On the other hand, there is a non-national opposition linked to the agendas." The foreign ministry, especially linked to the Turkish state, works to protect the borders of the Turkish state and they have nothing to do with the Syrian people, so the intransigence of the regime and the absence of a national democratic opposition led to the prolongation of the Syrian crisis.

The military solution brought woes to Syria

He pointed out the need to build a national opposition to reach the right solution in Syria, and that "the Syrian regime must know that the situation in Syria is different from the past, there have been 10 years of war, displacement and killing, and it has to assess the situation well so that we can find a solution to the Syrian crisis."

He pointed out that the Autonomous Administration in general has its first goal in the unity of the Syrian territories and believes that the international resolution 2254 is the basis, "and we want a political solution to the crisis, and we have raised this several times because the military solution has exacerbated the economic, social and political situation in Syria and destroyed the infrastructure."

The Autonomous Administration united the peoples in the region

He also added, "We have to develop political dialogue because political dialogue is very important, from the beginning, we say that the Damascus government must engage in dialogue with the Autonomous Administration, because the people of north and east Syria fought for the unity of Syria and expelled ISIS. The Syrian Democratic Forces and the Autonomous Administration united the social fabric in the region in general.

"The Syrian Democratic Forces liberated the regions of northern and eastern Syria that were handed over by the Syrian regime to ISIS terrorism, so no one can talk about the patriotism and the Autonomous Administration," he added.

The unification of the Syrian territories is the basis for resolving the crisis

He indicated that Syria has two options: "If we do not unify the Syrian territories, and if we do not liberate the areas occupied by Turkey, Syria will be divided."

"On the ground, the areas occupied by Turkey are practically divided, because the language imposed in the occupied areas is Turkish, and the currency used is Turkish currency, and a governor was appointed for the occupied areas by Turkey," he added.

He concluded his speech by saying, "There is a danger to Syria, and the goal of the Autonomous Administration is to confront this danger and protect the territorial integrity of Syria, and our goal is to build a decentralized administration because if we do not build a decentralized administration, Syria will be divided and the regime's intransigence will prolong the crisis."

A

ANHA
Puerto Ricos nearly five-year bankruptcy battle is ending after a federal judge on Tuesday signed a plan that slashes the U.S. territorys public debt load as part of a restructuring and allows the government to start repaying creditors.

The plan marks the largest municipal debt restructuring in U.S. history and was approved following grueling bargaining efforts, heated hearings and multiple delays as the island struggles to recover from deadly hurricanes, earthquakes and a pandemic that deepened its economic crisis.

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There has never been a public restructuring like this anywhere in America or in the world, said David Skeel, chairman of a federal control board appointed to oversee Puerto Ricos finances that has worked with the judge on the plan.

He noted that no bankruptcy mechanisms exist for countries or U.S. states like the one Puerto Rico was granted.

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A Puerto Rican flag flies on a beach at Ocean Park, in San Juan. (Carlos Giusti/AP)

This was an astonishingly complex and large and important bankruptcy, Skeel said, noting that the island had three times as much debt as Detroit.

Puerto Ricos government declared in 2015 that it could not afford to pay its more than $70 billion public debt load it had accumulated through decades of mismanagement, corruption and excessive borrowing. It then filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history in 2017, a year after U.S. Congress created the financial oversight and management board for Puerto Rico.

The plan that restructures the central governments debt goes into effect March 15 and could be appealed, although Skeel expected the judge to affirm it.

The board said that the plan signed by federal judge Laura Taylor-Swain cuts Puerto Ricos public debt by 80% and saves the island more than $50 billion in debt service payments. Board members noted the plan reduces claims against the government from $33 billion to just over $7.4 billion, with 7 cents of every taxpayer dollar going to debt service, compared with the previous 25 cents.

This period of financial crisis is coming to an end, said Natalie Jaresko, the boards executive director. We have accomplished what many thought impossible.

The plan also avoids proposed pension cuts that had led to heated debates and created a rift between the board and Puerto Ricos legislature and the islands governor, which vehemently opposed them.

The plan notes that Puerto Rico has sufficient resources to pay the debt through 2034, but critics have said the government does not have the finances required to meet debt service payments and warned of more austerity measures.

Jaresko brushed away those concerns, saying that while budgets were cut, there were no layoffs or agencies shut down.

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It wasnt austerity, she said. People look at the last five years and think its going to continue like that forever, but it doesnt.

Still pending is the debt restructuring of some government agencies, including that of the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which holds the largest debt.

This one is very important for the economy of Puerto Rico because if it means a rise in energy costs, it makes us less competitive, said Jose Caraballo, a Puerto Rico economist and professor.

He added that the island likely would be able to access the market in three to five years to issue bonds for capital projects but warned it should avoid repeating past mistakes.

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Borrowing is playing with fire, he said. You need to have people who know what theyre doing. Otherwise, one can return to this disaster we call a debt crisis.

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said that while the plan approved Tuesday is not perfect, it represents a big step for the islands economic recovery.

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We still have a lot of work ahead of us, he said.

Jose Luis Dalmau, president of Puerto Ricos senate and a member of the main opposition party, also praised the plan and called it a transcendental step for the islands economic recovery.

From this moment on, a new page of fiscal responsibility, good governance and unity begins, which will lead to a more prosperous economy, a climate of job creation and greater fiscal stability, he said.

Jaresko noted the plan has guardrails to prevent a repeat of the islands debt crisis, including allowing long-term borrowing only for capital improvement projects. The board, known as la junta in Puerto Rico and reviled by many, expects to be around for at least three more years, or until Puerto Rico has four consecutive balanced budgets, Skeel said.

We will not stay a day longer than our mandate, Jaresko said. It is our goal to finish what we were instructed to do by Congress.
A TREE has been planted in Shiplake in memory of a former teacher at the village primary school.

Val Knight, who passed away in April 2020, aged 82, was responsible for the reception class at the school for more than 20 years after moving to Shiplake with her husband Barry in the Seventies.

The memorial event was held at Shiplake Memorial Hall on Monday and was attended by more than 40 people, including members of her family, friends and former pupils and colleagues.

The autumn blaze maple tree was planted by a bench in her memory.

The occasion was part of the Royal Horticultural Societys Roots for Remembrance initiative for the families of people who died during the coronavirus pandemic but were unable to say their goodbyes due to lockdown restrictions.

Mrs Knights brother Martin Mowforth, 74, thanked everyone in attendance.

He said: This is a fantastic afternoon hosted by the memorial hall.

This is not a sad occasion, as we are over the grief now, this is a celebration of Vals life.

We hope that you and the people who couldnt come today will come and have a catch up with Val any time at her bench under the tree. Thank you to all the people who are here and the members of the memorial hall.

Val was a key member of the community throughout the years and it is good to make use of this new facility here.

She was the most loved teacher at Shiplake Primary School, I am sure you can all agree.

James Sherwin, who was a pupil of Mrs Knight, said: She was the best. I remember her cheering me up when I first went to school. She was so kind and friendly.

His mother Sally said: Val was the best teacher you could ask for and we were all so pleased she was looking after our kids. She was so involved in the community and when she worked for Oxfam. Everyone you speak to who knew Val had something nice to say about her.

Susan Edwards, whose daughter Emily was a pupil of Mrs Knight, said: Emily was missing home and Mrs Knight comforted her and let Emily cuddle her coat because it smelled like our home.

Caroline Fairbrother, a friend of Mrs Knight, said: She would have loved this afternoon and seeing everyone here, although she would have expected to have some beer.

Mrs Knight retired from the school in the late Nineties and took to volunteering at the Oxfam book shop in Henley.

Jill Richardson, who spent more than seven years working with her at the shop, said: I believe Val worked there for around 20 years and she helped me get the role there because at the time they didnt offer any part-time options but she convinced them. Now I have my silver badge for working at Oxfam for over 10 years.

Val was amazing, calm and knowledgeable, just a lovely person.

Janet McNamara, 84, said: We were friends and spent a life together.

Their mothers were friends from when they were born at a hospital in Hull four days apart.

Mrs McNamara, who now lives in west London, said: There is a photo of us as babes in a basket when we were a few months old.

When we grew up in the late Fifties we moved to London together. We were flatmates and had such a laugh.

Mrs Knights husband died in 2008 and her other brothers, Paul and Mark, also predeceased her.
ALBANY  Shes in the money.

Gov. Hochuls campaign announced Tuesday that soon-to-be-released filings will show the Buffalo native has already raised over $21 million as she seeks a full term in office.

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The record-breaking sum, amassed since Hochul assumed office in August following the resignation of former governor Andrew Cuomo, gives the incumbent Democrat a near-insurmountable monetary lead over potential challengers.

Hochul raised a total of $21.9 million, including in-kind donations, and has $21.3 million remaining on hand.

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The governors campaign boasted that the amount raised is the largest contribution total for any single filing period in New York history, surpassing $12.8 million raised in 2002 by former governor George Pataki by more than $9 million.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul delivers remarks at National Action Network (NAN) annual policy forum on MLK Day in Harlem, New York on Monday, Jan. 18, 2022. (Darren McGee/Darren McGee- Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

The fundraising update comes as Hochuls path to primary victory becomes increasingly clear, with Attorney General Letitia James dropping her gubernatorial run last fall and former mayor Bill de Blasio announcing earlier Tuesday that he will not challenge the sitting governor.

Hochuls hefty war chest will still come in handy as she still faces primary challenges from New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-L.I.). Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-L.I.) is the presumed leading candidate on the Republican side.

According to a new Siena College poll released Tuesday, Hochul is the clear favorite among Democrats with five months to go before the June primary. She leads potential primary opponents by more than 30 points with 46% of Dem voters in her corner, compared to 12% for de Blasio, 11% for Williams, and 6% for Suozzi. Another 24% of Democrats surveyed said they were unsure.

With 22 weeks until the primary, it appears Hochul is in the catbird seat to be the Democratic nominee for governor, said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.

Hochul became the first woman to lead the Empire State last year after Cuomo stepped down in the wake of a bombshell report from James office detailing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior.

Despite promises of transparency, Hochuls fundraising efforts have raised some eyebrows as she has attended dozens of fund-raising dinners with deep-pocketed donors in the city since taking over for Cuomo.

The 63-year-old also reportedly outsourced a large chunk of her fund-raising efforts to powerful Albany lobbying firms, according to the Albany Times Union.

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Small, in-person events have been hosted by the likes of lobby firms including Hinman Straub, Brown & Weinraub, Avella Dickinson, Mercury Public Affairs and Bolton-St. Johns.

Suozzi has also called for a formal investigation into Hochuls campaign fundraising practices in the wake of reports that she used state-owned planes and helicopters to fly to political fundraisers.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we've all known individuals who have done more than their share to help their neighbors and communities with food, comfort, care, companionship and dozens of other needs. If you know of such a person, you can nominate them to be featured in our upcoming H
Aside from being a central figure in a contentious landlord-tenant dispute, Mayor Adams chief of staff, Frank Carone, faces accusations that a company he recently controlled has stiffed its business associates out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, court records show.

Carone, a politically connected lawyer and former counsel for the Brooklyn Democratic Party, has had a wide range of private business interests for years  all of which he claims to have divested since taking on the top post in Adams City Hall earlier this month.

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One of those is the CHC Surgical Center, a Brooklyn-based medical outpost thats tangled in a bitter court battle with a landlord who claims hes owed more than $600,000 in back rent and other expenses. CHCs lawyers counter that Carone tried to settle the dispute by giving the landlord, Bridge Street Offices, a $308,000 check that was returned to him, prolonging the court case.

Still, the beef between CHC and Bridge Street Offices  which the Daily News first brought to light last week  isnt the only legal battle hanging over the medical company and Carone as he seeks to pivot from the private sector, a review of public records shows.

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Frank Carone, Chief of Staff for New York City Mayor Eric Adams (Bryan Smith/New York Daily News)

Three other court cases highlight a similar theme: CHC has allegedly refused to pay its bills.

The News found that CHC is accused of dodging nearly $900,000 in various debts between the four cases.

According to Edward Builders, a Brooklyn-based construction company, CHCs tendency to ignore its bills traces back to its early years.

Edward was contracted in 2013 to build CHCs main office in Vinegar Hill, the same location for which Bridge Street Offices is suing for the alleged rent debt.

But Edward claims in a Brooklyn Supreme Court case filed in 2017 that CHC still owes it more than $95,000 for the construction job.

Thats in spite of the fact that Carone wrote in an April 2014 email to a construction firm rep that CHCs debt would be repaid by cash, according to the lawsuit.

The money in question, though, is not the entire story, according to City Hall spokesman Max Young, who said Edward defrauded CHC by doing a poor job at building the Vinegar Hill office.

When his faulty work was inspected, it didnt reflect the drawings or code, and therefore cost CHC hundreds of thousands of dollars when they had to rip out his work and start fresh, Young said. He highlighted that CHC first sued Edward over those allegations in 2015 before case consolidation.

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The CHC Surgical Center on Bridge St. in Brooklyn, New York. (Google)

The CHC-Edward case remains active. Carone, who has been listed in corporate records as CHCs owner and officer since 2014, could be called to testify in court if the case goes to trial.

Even though all but one of the CHC court cases unearthed by The News are several years old, Young suggested Carone is only facing a barrage of legal heat from Edward and others because of his new high-profile role in the Adams administration.

Now that Carone, who is not targeted in this suit, is a public figure, Builder is joining others in trying to use that to their advantage by trying to embarrass Carone in the press, which wont work, he said.

A lawyer for Edward Builders did not return requests for comment.

Another legal headache facing CHC involves a medical equipment firm called Healthnow Solutions, which alleges in a Nassau County Supreme Court lawsuit that the Carone company has refused to pay for gear worth more than $53,000 since the fall of 2019.

In the suit, Healthnow charges that CHC has ignored its numerous attempts at collecting payment, including approximately 28 invoices issued about the outstanding debt.

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Howard Fensterman (center) with then-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (left) and Frank Carone (right) (Harbor Group Communications, Inc.)

Robert Valli, a lawyer representing Healthnow Solutions, said CHC hasnt explained to his client why its ignoring the hefty bill.

Theyve just said, No, Valli said. Its a strange situation. These people have to pay.

CHC has not filed a response in court to defend itself against Healthnows claims, records show. The judge presiding over the case ruled last month that Healtnow had demonstrated entitlement to a default judgment against CHC for the debt and scheduled a hearing for Jan. 25.

Young said Carone has no knowledge of the Heathnow Solutions lawsuit.

In a recent example of alleged debt dodging, the New Jersey-based MK Medical Consultants filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court on Dec. 2 accusing CHC and Carone of refusing to pay a $25,000 tab for services and materials related to a joint business project.

MK Medical Consultants alleges the debt remains outstanding even though Carone took responsibility for paying the bill and confirmed the same in written communications.

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CHC has not responded to MKs lawsuit, according to court records. Young declined to comment on the case.

As chief of staff, Carone is expected to play a leading role in policy-making across the Adams administration.

The Canarsie, Brooklyn-born barrister has been one of Adams closest advisers for decades, and Young said the mayor hired him as chief of staff because hes the right person for the job.

But political insiders worry Carones long history in Brooklyn politics could pose a liability for Adams, including his previous representation of Jay and Stuart Podolsky, two shady landlords who pleaded guilty to dozens of felonies for illegal treatment of tenants decades ago.

I think its pretty clear that the Adams administration needs to take some time to pause and reflect on all of its appointments, said Camille Rivera, a Democratic political consultant, referencing controversy also mounting over the mayors appointments of his younger brother and a scandal-scarred ex-NYPD chief.

One issue with an appointment is fine, but two and even three, then its a pattern. Its going to sooner or later inhibit [Adams] ability to govern.
A first responder is shown getting ready to connect a cable to help pull out a van that turned on its side after sliding off M-43 in November of 2019. The National Weather Service has issued a winter advisory predicting that as much as 6 inches of snow could fall this afternoon and continue through Thursday along the lakeshore, in addition to cold temperatures and wind gusts. Motorists are advised to use caution when driving.
Uniontown, PA (15401)

Today

Cloudy with rain this evening...then scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 60F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain this evening...then scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 60F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.


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Mayor Adams slammed his own police department Wednesday for engaging in all this showy stuff instead of directing more cops to the neighborhoods that need them the most.

He also revealed hes still undecided on whether hell order a cost savings regimen for the NYPD  and suggested his decision would depend on the departments ability to more efficiently and effectively deploy cops.

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Heres my problem with the NYPD, he said. You hired  a police officer to be on patrol to go after the bad guys  that was why you hired him. He should not be sitting in the license division. His dangerous day should not be a paper cut. He needs to be on patrol.

Then-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams greets NYPD officers before the Parade of Heroes on Broadway in Manhattan, New York on July 7, 2021. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

Last week, Adams announced plans to slash city spending by 3%, but he included the caveat that some agencies would be exempt from such cuts, like the Health Department and the citys network of public hospitals.

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On Wednesday, he was asked if the NYPD would get similar treatment. Adams responded that it all depends.

He vowed to begin using my technology to perform an analysis of how NYPD resources are allocated  but noted that hes already witnessed firsthand what he views to be waste.

NYPD staffing of parades is one place he suggested he has his sights on.

Im sure you have gone to a parade, and you walk down the block, and you saw ten officers just standing there. And I bet you theyre all on overtime, and youre saying, Why are they all here for the Steuben Parade? he said. Why arent you on patrol somewhere?

He then pointed to his own official events as well.

I told the chief of department the other day. Ill go to a school or do a visit in the community. When I get there, I have ten police officers standing there to show me that, Hey Mr. Mayor, were here. I dont need you here! I need you on patrol! he said. Give me one cop right out front. Its a wrap. I dont want to see all of this display of police presence. No  you want to impress me  have that display in Brownsville. Have that display in Harlem. Go to the communities that need you to be there.

His riff on the departments inefficient use of resources stemmed from a City Hall news briefing focused on an executive order he signed bringing all of the citys tech agencies under one umbrella  the new Office of Technology and Innovation. That agency will merge several existing agencies, including the Department of Information, Technology and Telecommunications; the Algorithms Management and Policy Office; and NYC 311.

Part of its mission will be making city government run more efficiently and protecting against cyber attacks. On the latter point, Adams noted that his predecessor, former Mayor Bill de Blasio, warned him that while COVID is a problem, the real problem that were facing is cyber security.

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It can bring our city to a halt if we do not get prepared for the attacks to our infrastructure, Adams said. He declined, however, to specify any specific incidents or recommendations de Blasio shared with him.

His overarching point was cutting the flab from government. And that, he concluded, would be applied to the NYPD, one way or another.

Im going to ask: what are you doing? You have that gun, you have that shield, you have that vest. Tell me, why arent you on patrol? Why arent you on my subways? Why arent you on the street corners? Thats the problem, he said. So its not the fact that, you know, do they have their dollars. Are we deploying the manpower? And Im going to make sure before we increase numbers, that we are using taxpayers dollars to deploy police properly.
Half Moon Bay, CA (94019)

Today

Mainly clear. Low around 45F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph, becoming SE and decreasing to less than 5 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low around 45F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph, becoming SE and decreasing to less than 5 mph.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House committee investigating the Capitol insurrection issued subpoenas Tuesday to Rudy Giuliani and other members of Donald Trumps post-election legal team who filed multiple lawsuits claiming election fraud that were roundly rejected by the courts but gave rise to the lie that Trump did not really lose the 2020 presidential contest.

The committee is continuing to widen its scope into Trumps orbit, this time demanding information and testimony from Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell and Boris Epshteyn. All four publicly defended the president and his baseless voter fraud claims in the months after the election.

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Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (Robert Bumsted/AP)

The four individuals weve subpoenaed today advanced unsupported theories about election fraud, pushed efforts to overturn the election results, or were in direct contact with the former President about attempts to stop the counting of electoral votes, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, Democratic chairman of the panel, said in a statement.

The committee said it is seeking records and deposition testimony from Giuliani, the 76-year-old former New York City mayor once celebrated for his leadership after 9/11, in connection to his promotion of election fraud claims on behalf of Trump. The panel is also seeking information about Giulianis reported efforts to persuade state legislators to take steps to overturn the election results.

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A lawyer for Giuliani did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Giuliani took on a leading role in disputing the election results on Trumps behalf after the 2020 presidential election, even visiting states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where he claimed ballots looked suspicious and Bidens electoral win was a fraud.

Then-President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

To this day, not a single court has found merit in the core legal claims made by Trump, Giuliani and the other three subpoenaed Tuesday.

The nine-member panel is also demanding information from Trump legal adviser Ellis, who the lawmakers say reportedly prepared and circulated two memos that analyzed the constitutional authority for then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject or delay counting the electoral votes from states that had submitted alternate slates of electors.

Besides Giuliani, Sidney Powell was the most public face of Trumps attempts to contest the election, routinely making appearances on behalf of the president.

Sidney Powell (right) speaks next to former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, as members of then-President Donald Trump's legal team, during a news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters on Nov. 19, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

In numerous interviews and appearances post-election, Powell continued to make misleading statements about the voting process, unfurled unsupported and complex conspiracy theories involving communist regimes and vowed to blow up Georgia with a biblical court filing.

Ellis and Powell appeared with Giuliani at press conferences, pushing false claims of election fraud. Powell was eventually removed from the team after she said in an interview she was going to release the kraken of lawsuits that would prove the election had been stolen.

Powell did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

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The last person subpoenaed Tuesday by the committee is Boris Epshteyn, a former Trump campaign strategic adviser, who reportedly attended meetings at the Willard Hotel in the days leading up to the insurrection. The committee said Epshteyn had a call with Trump on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, to discuss options to delay the certification of election results in the event of Pences unwillingness to deny or delay the process.
Originally from the Mexican state of Chiapas, Trujillo has more than 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry-leading international luxury all-inclusive resort brands in the Riviera Maya, Cancun, and Playa Mujeres including Secrets and Dreams, Excellence, Azul Fives by Karisma, and the Four Diamond Hard Rock Hotel in Puerto Vallarta. Leonardo began as a Chef de Partie, rising to Executive Sous-Chef and then Executive Chef. Most recently, Trujillo lent his talent as the Executive Chef at Dreams Sands Cancun where he was responsible for seven specialty restaurants. Some of his culinary specialties include Italian, Asian, Brazilian, International, and Mediterranean dishes, and he is passionate about traditional Mexican cuisine. Leonardo has incredible attention to service and details that drive innovation and creativity with a focus on specialty and buffet restaurants, theme nights, and weddings.
The New York City nightmare has happened again. Twenty-three years and 16 days after Andrew Goldstein, an off-his-meds chronically schizophrenic man, murdered Kendra Webdale by pushing her on the subway tracks, Simon Martial, who calls himself God, took the life of Michelle Alyssa Go by shoving her into the path of an R train at Times Square.

The only thing dampening the citys shock and disgust is the seemingly routine nature of such tragedies. On Nov. 25, 2020, we wrote of three separate terrifying attacks in just the last week on innocent straphangers shoved onto tracks by people showing signs of serious mental or emotional disturbance. On Feb. 23, 2021, we lamented a rash of awful unprovoked attacks by people with histories of serious mental illness. On Oct. 8, 2021, we spoke of the massive cracks through which Anthonia Egegbara fell before her untreated mental illness took hold of her and she shoved Lenny Javier into a No. 1 train.

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Simon Martial, charged with murder, is escorted by detectives from the Midtown South Precinct, Saturday, Jan.15, 2022. (Jeff Bachner/for New York Daily News)

Kendras Law, passed soon after Webdales killing, can be used to require those who might endanger themselves or others to enter assisted outpatient treatment  meaning, to stay on their meds while living safely in the community. The law is underutilized, but it alone is insufficient, because it can only be applied when someone is fit to live outside a hospital setting. Those in the throes of full-blown psychosis need stronger medicine: inpatient treatment committing them to a mental hospital so they can stabilize first.

Here, a vague state law allows a 72-hour hospital hold in an emergency room for psychiatric evaluation  then, almost invariably, release, allowing schizophrenia to metastasize. Doctors feel powerless to keep a patient unless they can prove the person is on the verge of hurting someone, an almost impossible standard. So too are mental-health assessments when an individual is released from criminal custody now woefully insufficient.

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Michelle Go

According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, this is one of just four states that doesnt recognize the inability to meet basic survival needs as grounds for hospital commitment. Nor is our state among the 24 that include the inability to protect oneself from psychiatric harm as a basis for institutionalization.

We desperately need more psychiatric beds, but unless our statutes ensure that when an individual is gripped by insanity, they can be held, treated and stabilized, the subway push nightmare will keep returning like a horrifying horse on a carousel.
Eduardo Garcia Ramirez brings over 15 years of experience working in restaurant management, tourism, and sales. Originally from the Mexican state of Michoacan, he held roles at leading hospitality brands in Mexico including Secrets and Dreams in Playa Mujeres, Live Aqua Boutique in Playa del Carmen, among others. Prior to joining Royal Uno, he was Food & Beverage Director at Zoetry Agua in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Ramirez's wide experience of working in luxury all-inclusive resorts, managing specialty restaurants and buffet-style eateries, creating theme night dining concepts, and catering for weddings and events makes him a great asset in his new role as he leads Royal Uno's food and beverage team.
Proper Hospitality today announces the appointment of chef Ned Elliott as Executive Culinary Director across its diverse portfolio of award-winning properties including the Proper branded hotels in Santa Monica, Downtown L.A, San Francisco and Austin, the Hotel June in West Los Angeles and Malibu; and The Collective, a curation of design-driven independent hotels including Avalon Hotels in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, the Ingleside Inn in Palm Springs, and the Venice V Hotel in Venice Beach. Elliott has worked alongside some of the world's most talented chefs including Thomas Keller, Alain Ducasse and Floyd Cardoz, as well as opening and operating restaurants all around the United States in his 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Elliott will be responsible for spearheading the overarching Food & Beverage program for all the hotel brands, continuing to establish Proper Hospitality properties as destination dining experiences. He will work side by side with their many acclaimed culinary partners which include James Beard-award-winning restaurateurs Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne's The Lucques Group at Downtown LA Proper and MML Hospitality at their Austin outpost, to support and expand their culinary vision and continue to grow the hotels' best-in-class dining outlets. He will mentor other executive chefs across the portfolio as well as designing unique new concepts and implementing his culinary vision across all properties.

First, he will bring a new Italian-inspired menu to Santa Monica Proper's intimate lobby bar Palma, with Californian twists on Italian favorites including Spanish Bluefin Tuna Crudo, Roman Artichokes with Lemon Aioli and "Italian Tacos" with Prosciutto, Mascarpone and Caviar. The menu will be complemented by a wine list focusing on natural and biodynamic wines from California and Italy, alongside craft cocktails and, naturally, a Spritz offering. The bar's laid-back European feel is ideal for intimate dining experiences and casual connections making it the perfect space to enjoy an aperitivo.

Elliott joins from Chicago where he spent the past 3 years as Corporate Executive Chef at the city's largest restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. He led all culinary operations and menu development for RPM Italian, RPM Steak, RPM Seafood, RPM Events & Catering, and Pizzeria Portofino throughout Chicago, Washington DC and Las Vegas. He also played a key leadership role in the opening of Aba in Austin, Texas. Prior to that, he was the Owner and Chef at Foreign & Domestic Restaurant in Austin, Texas for 8 years. Throughout his career he has worked with some of the most renowned chefs in the world, including Thomas Keller at Per Se, Terrance Brennan at Picholine, Alain Ducasse at the Essex House Hotel, and Floyd Cardoz at Tabla.
Minneapolis - CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform and Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, today announce a unique carbon offsetting partnership initiative, as part of the launch of Etihads Corporate Conscious Choices programme. The first partnership of its kind between Etihad and a TMC, this initiative will see all CWT client bookings made on Etihad-operated flights automatically offset by the airline using the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculation methodology.

Running between the period 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022, this innovative global partnership will see all offsets purchased go to Etihads official offsetting climate action programmes in Makame Savannah REDD project in Tanzania, Perus Cordillera Azul National Park and Indonesias Katingan Mentaya Project.

Beyond this initiative, Etihad and CWTs longstanding global partnership will continue to see them collectively and individually drive forward the carbon neutrality agenda alongside delivering tangible carbon footprint solutions.

Seeking more environmentally responsible travel solutions is a continuing focus, and our initial offsetting partnership with Etihad is the latest in our range of such groundbreaking initiatives, said Patrick Andersen, President & Chief Commercial Officer at CWT.

As a launch partner for Etihads Corporate Conscious Choices, CWT is one of the first organisations globally to participate in Etihads unique corporate sustainability programme, designed specifically for organisations committed to reducing emissions and operating sustainably, with rewards and incentives designed to proactively support pro-environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and employee behaviour.

Innovation and sustainability are at the core of our business, and our carbon-offsetting partnership with CWT is another fundamental iterative step towards us realizing our ambitious sustainability goals to reduce carbon emissions in the air and through global partnership efficiencies, said Tony Douglas, Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group.

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the worlds leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Together with Etihads codeshare partners, Etihads network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. Etihad is recognised as one of the worlds leading airlines in response to COVID-19 and was the first airline in the world to fully vaccinate its crew on board.

Etihad sees tackling the climate crisis as the most important issue of our time, and through strategic partnerships with major global aviation brands and OEMs, Etihad is relentless in its pursuit of industry decarbonisation.

To learn more, visit etihad.com.

About CWT

CWT is a Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform. Companies and governments rely on us to keep their people connected  anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Across six continents, we provide their employees with innovative technology and an efficient, safe and secure travel experience backed by our three core promises: to simplify corporate travel, to connect to unlock possibilities, and to move forward, together.

Engage with us via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and our Podcast.

Media Contact CWT

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While winter days can often feel cold, dark and uninspiring, it can also serve as a magical backdrop as theres nothing quite as enchanting as a soak in a hot tub on a cold winters day. According to our research, more than half (54%)* of global travelers agree that theyd be more inclined to book a place to stay with wellness facilities like a hot tub now than before the pandemic. With that in mind, we delved into our more than 28 million reported listings in over 153,000 destinations across the globe to present five enchanting stays with hot tubs where travelers can take in the breathtaking winter views while enjoying a warm soak. Surrounded by lush forests, perched on a hilltop or set alongside a peaceful waterfront, these enticing stays will help you forget about the winter blues.

Blabjorg Resort, Iceland

Blabjorg Resort Photo by Booking.com

Blabjorg Resort Photo by Booking.com

Set in the fishing village of Borgarfjordur Eystri on the northeast coast of Iceland, this unique guest house offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and sea. Once a fish factory, Blabjorg Resort is now home to beautiful outdoor hot tubs that are perfect to relax in while taking in the views, listening to the Atlantic waves crash against the rugged shoreline and the local birds (the well-known bird colony at Hafnarholmi is just a short drive away). Guests who are lucky enough can even watch the Northern Lights while soaking, whose season normally runs from late August to mid-April.

West Coast Hideaways, UK

West Coast Hideaways Photo by Booking.com

West Coast Hideaways Photo by Booking.com

Situated in Nedd, a small village on the western head of Loch Nedd in Scotland, this cozy lodge offers self-catering shepherd huts with memorable mountain and sea views. As if the breathtaking views were not enough, guests are welcome to take advantage of the outdoor hot tubs, which are heated by a wood fired stove. The warmth of the water on your body along with the beautiful views and fresh air offer an unforgettable opportunity of endless relaxation in the highlands.

   -   Photo by Booking.com

   -   Photo by Booking.com

With 68%* of global travelers like to travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations that are less crowded, these unique tree houses in the Tula region south of Moscow, are ideal for those looking for much-needed quiet time amongst nature. Walking through the peaceful forest, guests will discover relaxing places to stay (including outdoor hot tubs!) hidden amongst the tall pine trees. Beyond the outdoor hot tub, this tranquil location also offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the winter such as snowshoeing and tubing.

Peuma Lodge Patagonia, Chile

Peuma Lodge Patagonia Photo by Booking.com

Peuma Lodge Patagonia Photo by Booking.com

Located on over 300 hectares of beautiful Chilean wilderness, Peuma Lodge Patagonia offers a cozy place to stay in the heart of the Futaleufu Valley in Northern Patagonia. While staying at this lodge, its essential for guests to take a soothing soak in the hot tub located on the propertys outdoor terrace. The panoramic views and fresh air are especially enticing for those who are looking for a relaxing stay, no matter how cold the temperatures get this winter.

A Snug Harbour Inn, Canada

A Snug Harbour Inn Photo by Booking.com

A Snug Harbour Inn Photo by Booking.com

Located in Ucluelet, British Columbia, this beautiful bed and breakfast features breathtaking ocean views thanks to its unique location on the Wild Pacific Trail, which guests can enjoy views from the comfort of the Inns outdoor hot tub. They can also descend the stairs 85 feet down from the main deck to a small private and pristine pebbly beach. After spending time outside, guests can warm up inside the large comment room complete with a grand stone fireplace and large picture windows that provide endless views of the great outdoors.

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,055 respondents across 31 countries and territories were polled (including 501 from Argentina, 1003 from Australia, 500 from Belgium, 1001 from Brazil, 500 from Canada, 1000 from China, 1007 from Colombia, 1001 from Croatia, 508 from Denmark, 1002 from France, 1000 from Germany, 1005 from Hong Kong, 1000 from India, 502 from Israel, 1003 from Italy, 1002 from Japan, 500 from Mexico, 501 from The Netherlands, 501 from New Zealand, 500 from Peru, 1000 from Russia, 1005 from Singapore, 1002 from South Korea, 1002 from Spain, 501 from Sweden, 501 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 500 from Thailand, 1000 from the UK, 1002 from the US and 501 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2021.

About Booking.com

Founded in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com has grown from a small Dutch startup to one of the world's leading digital travel companies. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com's mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com seamlessly connects millions of travelers with memorable experiences, a range of transportation options and incredible places to stay - from homes to hotels and much more. As one of the world's largest travel marketplaces for both established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, Booking.com enables properties all over the world to reach a global audience and grow their businesses. Booking.com is available in 44 languages and offers more than 27 million total reported accommodation listings, including more than 6.3 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay. No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, Booking.com makes it easy and backs it all up with 24/7 customer support.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like us on Facebook, and for the latest news, data and insights, please visit our global media room.

Press Office Booking.com

+31 20 709 4743

Booking.com

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NEEDHAM, Mass.  Today, Tripadvisor, the worlds largest travel guidance platform, announced the first of its highly anticipated, annual community-powered Travelers Choice Awards for 2022: the Best of the Best Destinations. If 2021 was the year travelers dipped their toes in the water with smaller getaways and outdoors trips, 2022 is shaping up to be the year we return to travel in a big way. Despite new variant surges, data shows that the desire to travel remains stronger than ever. In fact, 71% of Americans in a recent Tripadvisor sponsored survey say they are likely to travel for leisure in 2022. Just as travelers are ramping up on their plans for the year, the 2022 Travelers Choice list is here to identify the best places to go.

As the world returns to travel, priorities are changing, and people want more memorable experiences on their trips. Three-quarters (75%) of Americans say that its important they see new places when thinking about their future travel plans, said Steven Paganelli, Director, Destinations, Hotels and OTAs, Americas at Tripadvisor. There is a whole world out there to choose from, and we want to help guide travelers looking to take the best trips for them  whatever that perfect vacation may look like. From adventure to R&R, the 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awards for Destinations include several subcategories created to reflect the best places to go no matter what type of trip youre after.

See the winners across all subcategories here: tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations.

Whats hot for 2022?

In addition to Tripadvisors typical Popular and Trending Destinations lists, this year the Awards include the Best of the Best Destinations for Food Lovers, Outdoor Enthusiasts, Skiers, City Lovers and Sun Seekers, offering inspiration for every type of traveler.

On Tripadvisors hallmark Popular Destinations list, highlighting the highest-rated and most loved spots around the globe, Dubai has officially dethroned perennial icons like London, Paris and Rome for the crown of the Most Popular Destination in the world for 2022. In the U.S., Las Vegas is No. 1 for travelers this year, taking the crown over another long-time traveler favorite, New York City.

The Tripadvisor communitys new favorite place to travel:

Trending Destinations are locations around the world seeing the greatest year-over-year growth in reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor  including everywhere from dreamy beaches to places full of architectural wonders. Majorca, Spain is the No. 1 Trending Destination in the world for 2022. This gorgeous island is becoming more than a spring break hot spot. With picturesque seaside coves, childrens beaches and grandiose Moorish architecture, younger crowds and families alike are setting their sights on Majorca. And with the neighboring island of Ibiza ranking at No. 6, it looks like Spain is the place to be this year!

In the U.S., the Island of Hawaii  another beach hot spot  is the No. 1 Trending Destination. The natural beauty and ecological features of the island are a draw for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. And its not the only non-continental place to rank this year, as Talkeetna, Alaska makes its Travelers Choice debut as the No. 8 Trending Destination in the U.S., a sign that travelers in 2022 have expanded their horizons when looking where to go next.

Top 10 Trending Destinations in the World for 2022

Top 10 Trending Destinations in the U.S. for 2022

The Best of the Best Destinations foryou

Food Lovers: Rome takes the top spot for the Best of the Best Destinations for Food Lovers, whetting the appetites of travelers from around the globe with its authentic pasta dishes and cant-miss gelato. Meanwhile (for literally almost every other type of food in the world), Americas melting pot New York City, home to roughly 9,000 restaurants, ranks No. 1 in the U.S. Check out the full list of travelers favorite places to visit for the food: tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cFood.

Outdoor Enthusiasts: Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica is the Best of the Best Destination for Outdoor Enthusiasts in the world for 2022. One of Costa Ricas top hiking destinations, Arenal Volcano National Park offers a range of trails that wind through wildlife-rich rainforest and old lava flows, all anchored by one of the worlds most active volcanoes. In the U.S., Alaskas Denali National Park and Preserve is No. 1. Famous for being the home of Mount McKinley, the enormous park has only one road, making it the perfect backcountry adventure. Check out the full list of Outdoor Enthusiasts favorite national parks: tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cOutdoors.

Skiers: Zermatt, Switzerland has been crowned the No. 1 Best of the Best Destination for Skiers in the world in this inaugural list. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is travelers favorite ski area in the town, described as an Alpine paradise. In the U.S., Jackson, Wyoming is the No. 1 Destination for Skiers in 2022. This Western mountain town is catnip for cross-country, snowcat, and heli- skiers alike. Check out the full list of skiers favorite destinations: tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cSki.

City Lovers: If youre looking for a Bright Lights, Big City kind of vibe, you cant miss Dubai, the No. 1 Best of the Best Destination for City Lovers. Known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene, Dubai is the ultimate destination for city lovers. And no surprise in the U.S., everyone's favorite concrete jungle, New York City, reigns as the No. 1 Destination for City Lovers. The tallest buildings, biggest museums, and best pizzaNYC is a city of superlatives. Check out the full list of travelers' favorite big cities: tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cCity.

Sun Seekers: Paradise looks different for everybody. But these sunny destinations are as close to the real deal as you can get. Cancun is the No. 1 Best of the Best Destination for Sun Seekers in the world for 2022. For the many of us in need of a true relaxing vacation, the white sand and neon blue waters of Cancun are travelers favorite place to enjoy fun in the sun. Check out the full list of sun seekers' favorite destinations, from beautiful beaches to Red Rocks: tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cSun.

To see all the 2022 Travelers Choice Destinations winners, across all subcategories, visit tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations.

Methodology

The Travelers Choice Best of the Best Destinations Awards honor travelers favorite destinations worldwide based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings specific to each award subcategory from travelers on Tripadvisor for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in destinations worldwide over the 12-month period between November 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021.

About Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform*, helps hundreds of millions of people each month** become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby. As a travel guidance company available in 43 markets and 22 languages, Tripadvisor makes planning easy no matter the trip type.

The subsidiaries of Tripadvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP), own and operate a portfolio of travel media brands and businesses, operating under various websites and apps, including the following websites:

www.bokun.io, www.cruisecritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com, www.helloreco.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.seatguru.com, www.singleplatform.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, and www.viator.com.

* Source: SimilarWeb, unique users de-duplicated monthly, January 2022

** Source: Tripadvisor internal log files

Casey Brogan
ATLANTA, GA - AAHOA today announced that President & CEO Ken Greene will leave the organization in February to pursue another opportunity. The AAHOA Board of Directors will immediately begin its search for his replacement.

Greene was brought on as Interim President & CEO in June of 2021 and dropped the interim title in September. Greene is leaving AAHOA for another career opportunity with IBF Hospitality, headquartered in Dallas, TX, and his last day at AAHOA will be Feb. 11, 2022.

Ken has been instrumental in carrying AAHOA through the past several months, which brought on a lot of change both at AAHOA and in our industry, said AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel. Were grateful for the time hes spent at AAHOA and wish him nothing but continued success as he transitions to another opportunity.

While at AAHOA, Greene oversaw the associations return to in-person events, helped the organization build upon its strategic plan, and made strategic hiring decisions  impacting company culture that will last well beyond his tenure at AAHOA.

When I made the decision to come on board at AAHOA, I came with every intention of helping carry the great tradition of the association, Greene said. If it werent for this career-changing opportunity with IBF Hospitality, I would not be leaving this great organization. At IBF, I will be focused on potential acquisitions and building out a hospitality REIT.

Since June 2021, Greene invested much of his time and resources into restaffing the organization, after several key departures presented an opportunity to strengthen the culture to focus on member priorities.

We now have an incredibly strong and capable leadership team in place at AAHOA, and I know theyll all continue to lead the organization through this transitional time, Patel said. I want to thank Ken for all he has done for the association and our members during what has been a period of transition at AAHOA. Because of his efforts in building out our new Executive Leadership Team, AAHOA will not miss a beat as we continue to prepare for another record-breaking year, including our 2022 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in Baltimore.

Ive found my time spent at AAHOA invaluable, and Im grateful to our incredible team, Officers, Board, members, and vendor partners for their support, Greene said. I would like to thank Vinay Patel, Chairman of AAHOA, for his leadership. I look forward to continuing to work with the AAHOA community in my new role with IBF, very much similar to my last 20 years spent in this great industry.

About AAHOA

AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.7% of the nation"s GDP. More than one million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $47 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA's mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.

Melissa Stern

AAHOA
CHICAGO  Hyatt announced today that the Destination by Hyatt brand will makes its debut in Asia Pacific with two properties in Mainland China. The brand is expected to launch in the region with a hotel set amidst the scenic mountains of Qingchengshan in Sichuan Province, and will then be followed by a beachfront hotel in Dalian, Liaoning Province.

The Destination by Hyatt brand features a diverse collection of independent hotels that embody the true spirit of their location. Each property is purposefully crafted to be a place of discovery, connecting guests to people and place through immersive experiences, authentic design and genuine service.

We look forward to bringing the Destination by Hyatt brand to the Greater China region with these two hotels, which will retain their own unique identities and embody the true spirit of each location, and we are delighted to be doing so in collaboration with owners who share our vision to deliver distinct high-end experiences for guests, said Stephen Ho, president  Growth and Operations, Asia Pacific. With locations across the United States and most recently in Europe, we are thrilled to expand the brands footprint in Asia Pacific, providing travelers with new and enriching opportunities to experience the beauty, history and culture of unique destinations throughout the region.

The Grand Resort Qingchengshan

Expected to transition into the Destination by Hyatt portfolio in 2022, the 231-room Grand Resort Qingchengshan is situated in the vicinity of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Mount Qingcheng, being one of the ancient cradles of Taoism in China with over 2000 years of history, and the time-honored Dujiangyan hydro-engineering project built during the Qin Dynasty. Blessed with spectacular scenery, the area is a popular weekend getaway for city dwellers, located less than two hours outside Chengdu and conveniently accessible by road and high-speed rail.

This hotel will be located at the edge of Mount Qingcheng, less than a 10-minute drive from the entrance to Qingchengshan-Dujiangyan National Park. The hotel will immerse guests in tranquil mountain views from most rooms, and will feature a signature spa with hot spring and traditional Chinese medicine-focused treatments, accompanied by the sound of a waterfall and fresh mountain air. Guests can also enjoy local delicacies and farm-to-table offerings at the hotels signature all-day dining restaurant, and other facilities including unique event experiences and childrens facilities.

A Hotel in Dalian, which will join the Destination by Hyatt brand portfolio

The new Destination by Hyatt hotel will be located along the beachfront within the Xiaoyao Bay International Business District of Dalian, a vibrant port city and major tourist destination in Liaoning Province. Expected to open in 2026, the hotel will be owned and developed by Dalian Kaiyueda Resort Hotel Development Co., Ltd as part of a mixed-use development that will feature residential, retail, wellbeing, and international medical facilities. The owner has vision to build a unique hotel with independent branding to truly reflect the strong locational characteristics and differentiated approach to service. One unique feature of the hotel is its access to an ocean spring, a natural source of freshwater hot sprint from the ocean floor which is sought after for its therapeutic benefits. With this natural resource, stunning sea views and close proximity to a lush mountain park, the hotel is envisioned to be a retreat that will offer unique guest experiences with a strong focus on wellbeing. It will also feature meeting and event facilities and a signature restaurant on the beach.

For more information, please visit destinationbyhyatt.com.

The term Hyatt is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and / or one or more of its affiliates.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose  to care for people so they can be their best. As of December 31, 2021, the Company"s portfolio included more than 1,150 hotel and all-inclusive properties in 70 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes the Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Alila, Andaz, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Thompson Hotels, Hyatt Centric, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt, Hyatt House, Hyatt Place, UrCove, and Hyatt Residence Club brands, as well as resort and hotel brands under the AMR Collection, including Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt loyalty program, ALG Vacations, Unlimited Vacation Club, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Jean Miu

Hyatt  Greater China

+86 21 6081 1234

Hyatt
Texas faces some of the most significant staffing and ICU bed shortages in the country during the latest COVID surge, according to an analysis from LendingTree, an online lending marketplace.

The report used data from Health and Human Services and the Kaiser Family Foundation to look at each states number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, staffing shortages and number of physicians to see which states are least prepared for another surge in cases. Texas ranked number one.

Nationally, 78 percent of the ICU beds across the country were being used. In Texas, that number was 91 percent Tuesday morning when the study came out, but by the afternoon, it was up to 94 percent.

Lending Tree did the same study in August, and nationally ICU bed usage was just as high, said Nick VinZant, a senior research analyst who authored the reports.

The difference that we're seeing now is the states with a higher population of unvaccinated people are having much higher usages, VinZant said, and that has kind of tipped the averages.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Local companies stick to vaccination policies after Supreme Court decision

About 23 percent of hospitals in Texas reported to Health and Human services they are facing critical staff shortages, compared to 29 percent nationally. There are about two physicians per 1,000 people in Texas, compared to three physicians per 1,000 patients nationally.

Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, which oversees a 25-county hospital preparedness region, data dashboard told a similar story. Texas is using about 96 percent of its ICU beds, and 28 percent of those beds being used are for COVID patients.

In late December, when omicron surge began to ramp up, hospitals across the region told the Chronicle that unoccupied beds werent being used because of short staffing, and some had to delay elective surgeries.

becca.carballo@chron.com
Maria Vega made the financially tough choice to leave her fast-food job and become a stay-at-home mother in October 2020, in the middle of a global health pandemic and the parallel economic crises it unleashed.

The fact that Vega was pregnant with her third child helped make her decision a little easier.

I found out I was pregnant in August of 2020, the 33-year-old Half Moon Bay resident said through a Spanish translator. As an essential worker, Im happy I made the decision to stay home because I wanted to limit my interactions with people and be healthy.

New research suggests Vega was right to lean on her instincts.

'TWO LIVES ON THE LINE: Houston OBGYNS recommend COVID vaccine at any stage of pregnancy

A Sutter Health study released last month found that Hispanic women were more than twice as likely than their white counterparts to contract COVID-19 during pregnancy, increasing their risk for premature deliveries, stillbirths and even dying in childbirth. While the study was conducted from May 2020 to December 2020, it remains relevant as the highly contagious omicron variant continues to surge in the Bay Area and across the country, says its lead author.

Although the coronavirus had not yet mutated into the omicron variant during the time of the data collection, the results of the study are still relevant, and if not more important, given how contagious and transmissible this variant is, Alice Pressman, research director at the Sutter Institute for Advancing Health Equity, told The Chronicle in an email.

Pressmans team of researchers conducted COVID-19 testing on 17,446 women who delivered babies at Sutter Healths 18 birthing centers in Northern California. The testing, which was conducted before and at delivery, showed that 460 women, or 2.6% of the screened patients, were infected with COVID-19 at the time they gave birth.

Hispanic women were 2.4 times more likely than white women to have had active COVID infections, the study found.

The factors researchers observed were all about contact with other people  questions ranged from how many people patients lived with and whether or not they had to go to work.

PANDEMIC PREGNANCIES: New moms fight for their lives away from newborns, as Houston sees rise in pregnant COVID patients

Hispanic patients were much more likely to self-report living in households with more than five other members, and more likely to report having been exposed or thinking that they had been exposed to someone who had COVID-19 likely due to essential work, Pressman said.

Research shows that COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect communities of color in multiple ways.

An earlier study that UC Davis released in January 2021 found that more than half of Latina moms in Yolo and Sacramento counties cut back on food purchases and missed rent payments during the pandemic, exacerbating their struggles. Researchers surveyed 70 Latina mothers from March 18-June 5, 2020, after the shelter-in-place orders first took effect in California.

NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here.

Latino families are fighting the pandemic on multiple fronts, as systemic oppression has increased their likelihood of contracting the virus, having complications from the virus and having significant economic hardship due to the virus, Leah C. Hibel, associate professor of human development and family studies at UC Davis and the studys lead author, said in a statement when the study was released.

ANSWERS FROM HEALTH EXPERTS: When are you contagious if infected with omicron?

This was true for Vega. Her family shares their crowded home with four relatives, she said. Her husband continued with his restaurant job and, while shelter-in-place rules limited his interactions with customers, he couldnt avoid interacting with his co-workers.

Even though they were following strict social distancing rules, I was stressed out, Vega recalled. What if he caught the virus, and what if I caught it?

That didnt end up happening. Vega gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Estrella, in April 2021 at Stanford Childrens Health in Palo Alto. Vega was unvaccinated at the time, mostly because the vaccine wasnt widely available then, she said, but she got both doses soon after. She considers herself lucky for not contracting COVID-19.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined the vaccine is safe for pregnant women and protects against serious COVID-19 infections and adverse birth outcomes, only 42.2% of pregnant people, or two in five pregnant Americans, were fully vaccinated during or prior to getting pregnant as of Jan. 8. For Hispanic or Latino pregnant people, the vaccination rate was lower  37.7%.

COVID'S IMPACT: For Texas children, COVID-19 hospitalizations are outpacing vaccinations

Today, Vega stays home caring for her three children while her husband works in various roles in the restaurant industry. If it wasnt for Bay Area nonprofits like Ayudando Latinos A Sonar, or ALAS, which operates a food pantry and provides other resources, Vega said her family would have had a harder time getting by.

She often tunes in to a weekly support group on Zoom, joining her fellow Latina mothers in the Half Moon Bay area for counseling, resources and a sense of community amid a pandemic that has disproportionately afflicted them. The mothers support group that ALAS started in September 2020 out of a shared sense of isolation now has up to 40 participants.

I dont know what Id do without them (ALAS). They help with food, mental health services and most importantly community  creating a sense of belonging for us, Vega said. My family could not have managed without them.

Shwanika Narayan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: shwanika.narayan@sfchronicle.com Twitter/Instagram: @shwanika
From Sugar Land to Conroe to East Downtown, here are the best things I ate last week. A number of them came from a certain grand new barbecue outpost that I dont seem to be able to stay away from. Neither should you.

Cherry Streusel Pie from Pie in the Sky

Alison Cook / Staff

My Yankee upbringing made me more of a fruit pie person than a cream pie person, which means that here in the great state of Texas, I am often out of luck.

Until I ventured into the Conroe cafe  just north of The Woodlands, really  run by Pie in the Sky Pie Co. In back of the large building lies a busy wholesale bakery turning out pies in many varieties. You can see operations from the front, a charming dining room and retail bakery where vintage doors descend from the high ceiling, floating like clouds, a visual play on the company name.

On the pie shelves, along with Texas faves such as pecan and buttermilk, sat all the fruit varieties I seldom run into locally. Peach. Blueberry. Strawberry-rhubarb. A mixed-berry extravaganza called Bumbleberry. And  be still, my heart  a streusel-topped pie that bore the magic words tart cherries on its list of ingredients.

And tart they were, bouncing brightly off the sweet crumble of topping and mild crust. Its that contrast I crave in a fruit pie and what keeps me interested rather than bogged down in the overwhelming sweetness that bogs down too many desserts. The effect was a far cry from those dismal, gluey sweet cherries that lurk in your basic grocery store pies.

I may have polished off this admirable pie at home, but Pie in the Sky boasts a fetching covered patio with a green view. I could imagine myself sitting there, sampling pie flavors over a cup of coffee brewed from Amaya Coffee beans, the distinguished Houston roaster.

Pie in the Sky Pie Co., 3600 N. Loop 336 W., Conroe; 936-760-3301

Smoked prime rib dinner at J-Bar-M Barbecue (pictured above)

When I learned that the Thursday Steak Night special at the new J-Bar-M Barbecue was to be smoked prime rib, I knew a return trip was in order.

Yes, I had just feasted on their brisket, ribs and sausage days before. But it was too hard to resist the thought of the magic pitmaster Willow Villarreal could make with prime rib roasts tucked into those hulking Moberg smokers.

And magic it was. The plate set before me when I showed up promptly at 6 p.m., when Steak Night service starts, tasted as good as it looked. The slab of rosy-rare roast beef  cut before my eyes as I moved through the serving line  was juicy and smoke-tinged and expressively beefy, a step up from your basic prime rib. Its coarsely peppered-and-salted rim pinged off the meat, which yielded to the handsome carving knife that came with each serving.

Meat juices pooled on the plate. A cup of horseradish sauce sat to one side, the work of sides sorceress Jasmine Barela, whose stuffed baked potato was likewise a thing of beauty. Its interior was fluffy rather than leaden, and the generous toppings turned it into a luxury.

Even the little mixed-green salad that came with the $35 plate sang, thanks to Barelas pitch-perfect green goddess dressing, tart and herbal with the proper twinge of funk on the end.

This plates a Houston classic and well worth the tariff.

J-Bar-M Barbecue, 2201 Leeland, 713-534-1024

Peach cobbler at J-Bar-M Barbecue

Alison Cook / Staff

As a cobbler fiend, allow me to direct your attention to the superior version made by the aforementioned Barela at partner Villarreals new EaDo barbecue joint. I got mine without the ice cream that usually crowns the dessert, which is finished off in an oven and served hot, because I wanted to take it home.

Barelas is a shortcake rather than a pie crust cobbler version, and its a marvel of textures  from the sweet-tart softness of the deeply caramelized peaches, to the crunchy-to-crumbly range of the shortcake base, to the crackle of pearl sugar dancing across the corners.

Again, a new Houston classic.

J-Bar-M Barbecue, 2201 Leeland, 713-534-1024

Hakka Pepper Steak at Alings Chinese Bistro

Alison Cook / Staff

Im still trying to get my head around the menu at this family-owned Sugar Land Chinese restaurant. Their range combines the Hakka regional cooking of southeastern China with the Indo-Chinese repertoire that Chinese immigrants to India made popular in the subcontinent. Hot green chiles, garlic, onions and abundant ginger root are among the defining ingredients of this blended cuisine.

I could tell from my fellow patrons that Alings has an enthusiastic customer base among the South Asian community here in Fort Bend County. And I would have loved the Paneer 88 dish I picked out, in its spicy tart-and-sweet marinade, had the batons of Indian farmers cheese been yielding instead of rubbery. So near, and yet so far.

I discovered that a number of dishes, like the signature Chili Chicken and the Gobi (cauliflower) Manchurian, came with their main ingredient batter-fried, which meant that even though I had ordered them dry style, without a bath of liquid sauce, their textures were compromised during my long drive home. Id have to try them in situ to give a fair reading.

The Hakka-style Pepper Steak, however, made the trip in fine shape. With its thin flaps of beef and bright sweet peppers in a savory brown stir-fry sauce, it was a quiet comfort amid the more boisterous Indo-Chinese ideas. Ill return to the hospitable Alings to sample more of those in happier times  and to sit beneath the eye-popping neon light sculpture that hangs over the dining room like some festive flying saucer.

Alings Chinese Bistro , 6542 U.S. Alt-90, Sugar Land; 281-242-0432

alison.cook@chron.com
Lest we forget, government works for the people it represents. When the people provide their government with a mandate to act on their behalf, public officials should listen; without showmanship, without tricks and without trying to impose their own will on that mandate.

So naturally, when New Yorkers voted overwhelmingly for a mandate demanding the state follow a fair, independent redistricting processour government did the opposite, with all the chutzpah only a New Yorker could muster.

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Anyone following New Yorks redistricting process knows it is desperately behind schedule and hopelessly caught up in political squabbling. This should come as no surprise to New Yorkers, who by now are used to inadequacy from their government. But it is nonetheless disappointing.

Redistricting is an inherently political process, I understand that. It is hard to separate the politics from the process  especially for self-interested politicians. Its why an independent redistricting process was needed. But so far that hasnt been enough, which is why the Empire Center was among the many independent groups to develop maps for a state panel to consider in its deliberations.

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In 2014, New York voters approved an amendment to the state Constitution to create an Independent Redistricting Committee (IRC), to ensure future redistricting processes would be fair and non-partisan. This is the IRCs first test  and it is on a crash course to failure.

Last May, the pro-bono Government Justice Center had to sue the state just to get the IRC funded. In November, a ballot proposition that would unravel key provisions of the IRC was decisively rejected by voters. Later that month, Gov. Hochul signed a bill that memorialized in law many of the very changes the voters had just rejected. And, just days after that, Legislative leaders began laying the groundwork for making further changes to the IRC process.

Of course, the IRC hasnt been perfect, either. Last September, it failed to reach consensus and submitted two sets of maps for public comment. Last week, comically, they again submitted two proposals, this time to the Legislature  one from the Democratic members of the commission, and one from the Republicans. The Legislature rejected both maps, with Democrats presumably hoping to gain more control over the final product.

You can almost see the drool forming on the mouths of Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and their Democratic supermajorities as they contemplate a path that leads to the Legislature drawing its own maps. Politically gerrymandered districts will protect their member-politicians and their political power  just like Republican politicians are doing in state houses across the country.

But Republicans in those state houses arent doing an end-run around a supposedly nonpartisan commission, which is exactly whats happening in New York.

The IRC has one more chance to do what is required of them by the state Constitution. Likewise, the Legislature would have one more chance to do what has been asked  nay demanded  of them by residents of this great state.

Anything less is undemocratic and unacceptable.

The maps the Empire Center has proposed  for Assembly, Senate and congressional districts  are in full accordance with the Voting Rights Act; seek to keep county, town and city borders intact; and are in compliance with constitutional and legal requirements of redistricting.

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Our maps were not guided by partisan considerations and beat the two existing plans on most metrics of fairness. For example, in its draft plans, the IRC groups several upstate universities into one geographically tortured district without any provided explanation, appearing to create a politically advantageous district for one political party. But the outcome of creating that district results in a myriad of other problems, including unnaturally forcing the surrounding districts to be geographically larger, reducing the ability of representatives to effectively serve these remote and widely separated constituencies.

Likewise, an IRC-proposed New York City district needlessly combines different demographic groups, thereby reducing each groups individual influence by representation. There are dozens of such examples.

Our maps protect communities, prioritizing compactness and contiguity  and it wasnt that hard.

We implore the IRC commissioners to consider our maps (and the dozens of others submitted through your website) an olive branch. Use them to reach consensus and submit one set of maps for the Legislature to consider.

And we beg the Legislature to listen to the people of New York. Weve twice told our elected officials that we support the work of the IRC, that we want fair and impartial redistricting, and that we want our government to represent us.

When this is all over it will be crystal clear who was looking out for whos interest. Hopefully, the people of New York will come out on top.

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Hoefer is president & CEO of the Empire Center. Its proposed maps can be found at www.RedistrictNY.com
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Andre Leon Talley, the former Vogue magazine editor and fashion icon, died Tuesday at age 73 of complications related to COVID, according his longtime friend and Houston resident Dr. Yvonne Cormier. His death was first reported by TMZ.

Talley likely had underlying health issues related to his weight, Cormier said. He tried many times to lose weight, but was unsuccessful.

Cormier, an anesthesiologist, and Talley had a brother-sisterly bond that spanned more than 45 years.

They met as students at Brown University in Rhode Island, where Talley studied French literature. Cormier thought he would ultimately get a doctorate degree and teach college, but Talley was smitten by the fashion world.

"Early on in his career, he'd call me to tell me he was having lunch with someone famous," Cormier said. "I would tell him I didn't know who he was talking about. He'd say, 'Darling, but you should.'"

Talley, a North Carolina native who was fluent in French, began his career in fashion working at Women's Wear Daily before becoming the creative director of Vogue and then editor-at-large, working alongside Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. He shaped the looks of many celebrities, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, whom he introduced to Jason Wu, who went on to create her inaugural gown.

Through the years, Talley and Cormier bonded even more over fashion.

He accompanied Cormier to Paris to select fabric for her wedding gown, and he picked one of Cormier's Oscar de la Renta gowns for "The Glamour and Romance of Oscar de la Renta" exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in 2017. The exhibition featured nearly 70 ensembles, which Talley curated, from the late Dominican designer's personal archives, celebrity clients and the closets of Houston socialites. Talley and de la Renta were lifelong friends.

Cormier even made a cameo in Talley's 2018 documentary, "The Gospel According to Andre." Talley, who previously penned, "A.L.T." in 2003, "A.L.T 365" in 2005 and "The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir" in 2020, was working on another memoir, she said.

During his 2017 Houston visit, Cormier said Talley told her he'd be too busy with the exhibit to see her. But like a friend, she called him to check if needed lunch. "No," he responded, then called her back minutes later to say he wanted the best Texas chili.

"I had a friend who just went deer hunting, so I had chili in the freezer. I pulled that out and brought a dessert from the Dessert Gallery. He was so happy," Cormier said.

Talley didn't just know today's fashion, he knew the history.

"Andre could tell you first designer to do a bias-cut garment. He understood the language and history of fashion ... His message to young students was that it doesn't matter how much you pay for a garment, it's what you do with it," she said.

In a Washington Post opinion article in 2018, Talley wrote: "I grew up in the segregated South. For so long, no one who had a position of prominence in the world of fashion magazines  in the world at large  was Black, be they man or woman. But in 1988, Anna Wintour started as Vogue's editor in chief, and when she hired me, though I thought little of it at the time, I made history, too: I became the first African American man named creative director of one of the premier fashion magazines in the world."

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Talley was outspoken about the fashion industry's lack of diversity and worked diligently to showcase more Black models.

"I was a young man who always dreamed to be in fashion, who achieved his dream, which is very difficult for a Black man. To be a Black man in America and to achieve the dream of being in fashion and to have a documentary. That's a big achievement," he said in a 2017 Houston Chronicle interview.

But he had trials, too. In recent years, he had experienced a very public bankruptcy.

Talley loved draping himself in capes and credited his grandmother, who worked as a maid, for teaching him about style.

"Every Sunday, I would be beautifully dressed in a blue suit and white shirts that were starched with Argo cornstarch cooked on the stove," he told the Chronicle.

Cormier said she will miss her friend's sense of humor most.

"Andre would call me to ask what I was wearing to an event. After I would tell him, he'd say, 'No, darling, you can't do that.' There were a lot of 'darlings.'"
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Thirty-three band, choir and orchestra students from Clear Creek ISDs five comprehensive high schools have been selected to participate in Texas Music Educators Association all-state ensembles.

We are so proud to continually see our students achieve high levels of success and expand their musical talents across the state, said Greg Goodman, director of visual and performing arts for the district. The time each of them has dedicated to improve and perfect their skill and be named as an all-state member is an incredible accomplishment.

The students will perform at the TMEA Clinic/Convention in San Antonio. Creekside Intermediate Schools brass choir also will present a musical showcase during the convention.

All-state musicians from Clear Brook High School are: Corey Gutierrez, Alan Johnson, Daniel LeCompte, Paige Richeson and Samantha Yardley.

Clear Creek High Schools all-state choir members are Hayley Bermont, Layah Brown and Dennis Xu.

From Clear Falls High School, Spencer Dwyer, Shelby Griffin and Sigourney Lee were named all-state musicians.

Selected students from Clear Lake High School include: EvioN Evanson, Pedro Flores, Colin Gorham, Oliver Lampson, Jack McBurnett, Colin Roberts, Caleb Shurtz and Samuel Soisson.

Fourteen Clear Springs High School students were selected: Lindsey Austin, Michael Barcio, Matthew Baumer, Jared Dake, Harper Elliott, Annabelle Fontanilla, Aidan Knight, Peyton Nishino, Marc Obrzut, Isaac Pan, Aaron Scott, Noah Surface, Jordan Tobias and Madeline Worrell.

Local students named to Abilene Christian honor roll

Abilene Christian University recently recognized more than 1,300 students on its fall 2021 deans list, including Tanner Hill and Rileigh Smith, both of Friendswood.

Hill is a freshman majoring in ministry and vocation. Smith, a senior, is majoring in early childhood and elementary education.

To qualify for the list, students must be registered for 12 or more credit hours and earn a GPA of 3.6 or higher. Learn more at www.acu.edu.

SNHU recognizes area student

Savannah Clendenning, of Friendswood, has been named to Southern New Hampshire Universitys fall 2021 presidents list.

To qualify for the list, full-time undergraduate students must earn a GPA of 3.7. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.

UHCL wins national recognition for voter engagement

Efforts at University of Houston-Clear Lake to encourage voting appear to be working. The school achieved 62.8 percent voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election, according to the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement.

The feat earned UHCL a Silver Campus Seal in the All In Campus Democracy Challenge, said Mohammad Khan, community engagement coordinator in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership.

Our institutional voter engagement goal was to get 50 percent of our eligible students to vote, and we exceeded that goal, Khan said.

The survey, coordinated by the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education at Tufts University, yielded useful data, including whether students voted early or in person, their gender, race and major, and which segments of the student population are more or less likely to vote, Khan said.

In addition to the Silver Campus seal award, we also received a second national recognition  the Voter Friendly Campus award, Khan said. We hosted events and programs to encourage engagement, and after the election, we submitted a report that demonstrated that wed done what we said wed do.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/3GNK7pC.

COM offers COVID-19 testing

Free COVID-19 PCR testing is available 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday at College of the Mainlands Doyle Family Administration Building, 1200 N. Amburn Road.

The test is collected with a self-administered, shallow nasal swab, and results typically are provided within 1 to 2 days. Appointments are required. Visit book.curative.com/sites/33023 for details.

District in running for $100,000 prize

Pasadena ISD has been named one of five finalists for the 2022 H-E-B Excellence in Education School District award.

If named a winner in the large-district category, Pasadena ISD will receive $100,000.

We are thrilled to be recognized as a finalist for the H-E-B Excellence award, Superintendent DeeAnn Powell said. I attribute this honor to the collaborative efforts of our outstanding team of dedicated teachers, staff, campus leaders, district administrators and board of trustees. They all go above and beyond to prepare our students to be college and career ready, and this award is a testament to the work across our district.

As a finalist, Pasadena ISD will receive a $5,000 award. Winners will be announced at the 20th annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards ceremony April 30 in Austin.

Area students recognized at SNHU

Three local students have been named to the fall 2021 presidents list at Southern New Hampshire University: Kimberley Logue and Roxie Prince, of Pasadena, and Jessica Lapointe, of Deer Park.

To qualify for the list, full-time undergraduate students must earn a GPA of 3.7. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.

Pasadena clinic adds internist

Dr. Charanjeev Mann has joined Houston Methodist Primary Care Groups Pasadena practice at 6243 Fairmont Parkway.

Manns clinical focus includes physicals, immunizations, diabetes management and womens health. Learn more at houstonmethodist.org/pcg/pasadena.
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Sixteen Pearland Independent School District high school band and choir students recently proved practice makes perfect by earning places in Texas Music Educators Association all-state performing groups.

Making all-state is the highest achievement a high school music student can attain, said Tom Bell, director of fine arts for the district. It is an indicator that the students not only have received great instruction from their elementary music teachers on up to their current high school directors but also that they applied themselves to develop their skills to the best of their ability.

All-state choir members from Dawson High School are: Jessica Reed, Valeria Jimenez, Kyle Daquioag and Zaccai Campos. Pearland High School students Carly Paulk and Alex Bryan also earned all-state choir honors.

Dawsons all-state band members are: Allison Lew, Stephen Mao, Hantao Jin, Eitan Hinojosa, James Powers, Miguel Gonzales and Josh Chen. All-state band members from PHS are Joseph Gonzalez, Anthony Macias and Katelyn Nguyen.

When practicing for the competition on their own, the students develop grit, perseverance and discipline, Bell said. This not only makes every student that participates in the process, regardless of the outcome, a better musician, but also develops habits that the students can then transfer to every aspect of their academic and personal lives.

Band directors include Dawsons Aaron Brown and Pearland Highs Ken Brown. Roxan Silva directs the DHS choir, while Michael Kessler leads the PHS choir.

In February, the students will perform at the annual TMEA Clinic/Convention in San Antonio.

District selects finance head

Pearland Independent School District has appointed Monio Mark II as finance director.

Mark most recently served as controller for the city of Baytown. Before that, he was an accountant and auditor for privately owned companies.

Local students named to Abilene Christian honor roll

Abilene Christian University recently recognized more than 1,300 students on its fall 2021 deans list, including Lindsay Watson and Sabrina Anthony, both of Pearland.

Watson is a senior majoring in communication disorders. Anthony, also a senior, is majoring in nursing.

To qualify for the list, students must be registered for 12 or more credit hours and earn a GPA of 3.6 or higher.

Pearland student earns academic honor at Nazareth College

Nazareth College has named Nessaja Sharber, of Pearland, to its fall 2021 deans list.

To qualify for the honor, a student must earn a 3.5 GPA and complete 12 credit hours of graded work. Learn more about the college in Rochester, New York, at www.naz.edu.

SNHU announces fall 2021 presidents list

Southern New Hampshire University recently named several local students to its fall 2021 presidents list.

Among the honorees are: Pearlands Kentrell Edwards, Diego Gonzalez-Alcaraz, Stephanie Jager, Jamarcus Thompson and Tameshia Watts. Rosharon natives Bobby Bumgarner, Gina Gallio, Ashley Iacona and Ansgar Mchili also were recognized.

To qualify for the list, full-time undergraduate students must earn a GPA of 3.7. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.

Theater issues call for volunteers

Pearl Theater, 14803 Park Almeda Drive, is seeking ushers and concessions attendants for its production of Detroit 67, running Feb. 18 to March 6.

No experience is necessary, though volunteers must be at least 18. Visit signupgenius.com/go/70a0f45a4ae2fab9-detroit1 for details.

ACC regents approve healthy audit

Alvin Community College has received an unmodified opinion of its 2020-2021 finances from audit firm Belt Harris Pechacek.

ACCs total capital assets increased from the past year by $14 million, according to the report. The ACCs total net position also increased to $6.5 million.

Your college is healthy in that regard, said Ben Cohen, senior manager with the auditing firm.

Regents approved the audit during their Jan. 13 meeting.

In other action, the ACC Foundation issued its annual report detailing funds raised for student scholarships, college programs and more. In the 2020-2021 year, the foundation issued $140,000 in student scholarships, $6,500 in Innovative Initiative Grants and $18,000 through its Adopt A Grant program. The foundation awarded more than $195,000 to support students, staff and programs throughout the year.

The boards next meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Nolan Ryan Center, 3110 Mustang Road. Learn more at www.alvincollege.edu.
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A strong cold front and multiple wind advisories did not stop Saturdays Martin Luther King Day celebration in Missouri City.

Residents and elected officials met at the Christ Temple of Deliverance Church for an afternoon of food and music. The event included a food drive and a free COVID-19 testing booth.

This was our annual MLK Day of Service event that we've been doing for the past few years, said State Rep. Ron Reynolds. We got sponsorships from various churches and elected officials.

Groceries for the food drive were made available by the Houston Food Bank. Childrens bikes and gift cards were also given away.

We gave out 25 bikes to children from underprivileged families and provided groceries to approximately 500 families, said Reynolds. We worked with Bishop Destry Bell, Pastor Grant and Pastor Max Miller.

juhi.varma@hcnonline.com
If newly elected Cy-Fair ISD Trustee Scott Henry was hoping to make a difference by running for school board, he certainly succeeded.

Parents and educators across the state, and nation, have been looking at the Houston-area district a bit differently since Henry vaulted himself to viral infamy last week. Such episodes may become more routine now that Republicans have gone all-in on the fight against what they describe as critical race theory, essentially a focus on systemic racism in United States history.

This country is continuing to revolt against itself, observed Odus Evbagharu, an alumnus of Cy-Fair ISD schools and the chair of the Harris County Democratic Party, on Tuesday.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Cy-Fair ISD superintendent shares heartfelt story of 'modern family' after trustee's remarks on Black teachers

From his perspective, the fight against critical race theory, or CRT, is inseparable from the GOPs ongoing embrace of the Big Lie about the 2020 presidential election and other conspiracy theories  all of it, he argues, inseparable from the demographic change that the state and country are experiencing, and our relatively recent history.

People act like the civil rights movement is as old as slavery, Evbagharu observed. The civil rights movement is as old as my parents, who are 60.

To that point, Wednesday Jan. 19 is Confederate Memorial Day  a state holiday that has been officially observed in Texas since it was created by the Legislature, for no good reason, in 1973. How much have things really changed in the intervening decades?

Henry, for his part, came under fire after implying a connection between Black educators and high school dropout rates.

Cy-Fair has 13 percent Black teachers. Do you know what the statewide average is for Black teachers? Ten percent. I looked it up, Henry said during a Jan. 10 work session of the school board. 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.

The purpose of the work session was to discuss the results of a new equity audit, conducted by an outside firm, which was commissioned in September 2020 after Cy-Fair ISD trustees unanimously signed a resolution condemning racism.

Henry, along with fellow conservatives Lucas Scanlon and Natalie Blasingame, were elected last year. Although school board races are nominally nonpartisan, all three challengers made their opposition to critical race theory a focal issue in their campaigns and were backed by an array of Republican and conservative groups.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Conservative school board candidates win by campaigning against critical race theory

In fact, Henry was highlighted in a November report from the right-leaning Washington Examiner newspaper as an example of one of dozens of men and women  worried parents, as the headline put it  who had won school board races across the country by campaigning on providing a voice to parents concerned about critical race theory and mask mandates, among other things. (It goes without saying that the parents concerned about such lessons are, by and large, white).

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The fallout from this trend was evident Thursday at Cy-Fairs school board meeting. Dozens of parents, educators and students filled the room and offered testimony explaining why Henrys comments were disparaging and hurtful as well as wrong.

It was practically said that teachers that look like me are the reason why kids drop out of school, said Tylana Hudson, an educator who has lived in the district for the past decade. Do you even know who I am? Have you set foot in my classroom? Do you even know my background? Have you stopped and thought to yourself why kids even drop out?

She added that she herself had never had a Black teacher growing up  a missed opportunity, as she described it.

MORE ON HENRY: Cy-Fair ISD trustee no longer employed at California-based Splunk after racist comment about Black teachers

I became the Black teacher that I strongly longed for, Hudson said, and despite the false stats that were shared, none of my students, to this day, have dropped out due to the fact that their teacher was Black.

Some members of the public spoke in support of Henry, although not in defense of what he said. In their interpretation, the trustee was taking a more general stand against social justice propaganda, as one of them put it.

But that, too, is a dismissive way to look at equity audits, according to educators. Bryan Henry, who is white, noted that in his certification program at Texas A&M, the curriculum includes books and other materials that helped him recognize unconscious bias and harmful stereotypes, among other things.

This is not woke indoctrination in need of a witch hunt; this is what professional teaching in a diverse society looks like, he said. And any individual who does not understand that has no business serving on a school board.

Scott Henry, the embattled trustee, addressed his critics  his constituents  after the public testimony.

I will take responsibility for not saying it more eloquently, he said, without specifying what, exactly, he had been trying to say in the first place. He disputed the suggestion that the prevailing interpretation of his comments was the correct one: 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.

Thats not to say that Henry hasnt faced consequences. Since the board meeting, he has deleted his social media accounts and website, saying death threats have been made against him and his family.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Cy-Fair ISD board members apologize for trustee Scott Henry's remarks on Black teachers

He was also fired from his job at Splunk, a California-based tech company  a development that was revealed on Twitter after some outraged observers tagged the company in their tweets. We viewed the employees conduct as inconsistent with who we are as Splunkers, the company explained.

Death threats, of course, are never acceptable. Nor is Henrys firing something to celebrate, even if it may be the right decision for the company. We shouldnt outsource our moral judgments to image-conscious executives, or rely on them to be our arbiters of accountability.

And accountability hasnt really been achieved in this case, anyway.

Henrys comments were hurtful to many constituents and unhelpful to a district that is trying to improve equity and increase opportunities for its large and diverse student population. He has faced calls to resign from many local leaders as well as parents, educators and students. He has damaged his ability, perhaps irreparably, to be an effective public servant for the families in this district.

But he remains on the school board, at the very beginning of a four-year term, thanks to a small band of district voters who were swayed by GOP fear-mongering that continues about critical race theory. This may be an effective electoral strategy, at least in low-turnout, off-year elections. But the results so far havent been helpful for anybody  including the students and families who look to school boards for sound, data-driven policy.

erica.grieder@chron.com
The Houston teenager charged with fatally shooting a Madison High School student more than 20 times while she was out walking her family dog is out on bond, court records show.

Frank DeLeon Jr. was arrested and charged with murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Diamond Alvarez on Monday. Alvarez had been shot nearly two dozen times while walking her dog, Peanut, on Jan. 11 along Park Manor Street near her southwest Houston home.
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Elected officials in the city of Alvin are considering an all-out ban on abortion that would declare the Houston-area suburb a "sanctuary city for the unborn," even with the procedure virtually banned by a new state law.



One of the leaders behind this measure said he aimed to make Alvin, a city of about 26,000 residents in northeastern Brazoria County, a "trailblazing" pro-life city.



City Council Member Joel Castro said he believes the measure is necessary to enforce the statewide ban. He referenced other small Texas cities, including Lubbock in west Texas, that have implemented similar ordinances.



"I don't think it completes the job, but it's a huge step forward," Castro, 22, said of the heartbeat bill that became law in September. "I think it's imperative that we become trailblazers in the pro-life movement to show everyone that babies' lives matter and we are going to do all we can to protect our unborn citizens."



The ACLU has pushed back on cities that have implemented similar ordinances in the past, arguing they are unconstitutional and that "cities cannot punish pro-abortion organizations for carrying out their important work. Abby Ledoux, spokesperson for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said the ordinance feels "extremely cruel" and just adds more restrictive layers to the statewide ban, ultimately endangering women in an area where access to abortion care is already limited.

HEARTBEAT BILL: Data shows how Texas' new abortion law disproportionately impacts Black people, border towns



"People who cant (leave the state and) dont have those resources are overwhelmingly people of color, in low-income areas, and they are being forced to carry pregnancies against their will," Ledoux said. "All this does is make abortion harder and more difficult to access for the people who need it."



The local push comes less than a year after the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 8, the so-called heartbeat bill that bans almost all abortion procedures after roughly six weeks of pregnancy, including for victims of rape and incest. It became the nation's strictest abortion law in decades when it went into effect last year.



The law includes a novel enforcement mechanism, which empowers private citizens rather than state officials to sue those who help a pregnant patient access an abortion after fetal cardiac activity is detected.



The Biden administration and abortion providers have challenged the Texas law, citing the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade that protects a womans right to have an abortion. But the Supreme Court has allowed the Texas law to remain in effect as challenges to its constitutionality work their way through the courts.



The proposed 18-page city ordinance would make it illegal for any person to provide an abortion at "any stage of pregnancy." It defines abortion as "a murderous act of violence" and states that those who assist in abortions  whether they be organizations, drivers or doctors  should be treated as criminal offenders under Texas law. The only exceptions that the measure makes for abortion are to save the life of a mother, to remove a child who died in utero or to remove an ectopic, or tubal, pregnancy.
The city now will now will require resident pet owners to get microchips for their dogs and cats, and will ban so-called puppy mill breeders from providing animals to pet stores.

City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to revise its animal code for the first time since 2014, including those changes and others to try to rein in overpopulation of animals on the citys streets and in its shelter.

For the most part, all of these changes were really supported by the animal welfare community, which is great, said At-Large Councilmember Sallie Alcorn, who helped craft the revisions.

Pet owners, already required to license pets with the city and prove they have been vaccinated against rabies, now will have to microchip them.

The chip will replace the citys license and rabies tags and will make it easier to return lost animals to their owners, officials said. Animal control officers will be able to scan an animals microchip and return it to its owner without bringing it back to the shelter, easing the burden on that facility.

The city plans to focus on helping residents comply with the new rule initially, rather than concentrating on enforcement, officials said. Shelter employees will spend at least a year educating residents about the changes and providing opportunities to get the device installed before enforcing it. The city offers to install them for $15 and will announce details on future opportunities to do so, likely including chances to get the device for free.

Even when enforcement does begin, it likely will be limited. Many residents do not license their animals with the city and face little consequence, although they can face a fine if their animal runs away and winds up in the city shelter.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston-area animal advocates, officials prepping for landmark animal cruelty law to take effect

The city estimates it has a compliance rate of about 4 percent for the current licensing requirement, and officials hope to grow that number as they phase in microchipping. One incentive to comply: It makes it more likely your pet is returned to you if it ever gets out.

When San Antonio adopted a similar microchipping ordinance, that city saw its return-to-owner rate increase sharply. San Antonio returned 20 percent of the animals it took in to their owners in October, the last month for which data is available. In Houston, the figure was 5.7 percent in 2020.

Our return-to-owner rate is not very good at all because none of the dogs were picking up have identifiers on them, said Jarrad Mears, division manager for animal enforcement at the citys Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care. This isnt an immediate solution. This is a long-term thing. The more animals we get microchipped, the more this is going to help us get pets back to their owners.

The ban on puppy mill breeders would affect five stores currently getting animals from those sources, according to the city. They will have one year to comply with the new provision, which requires them to sell only dogs and cats sourced from a humane organization or shelter.

City officials and advocates said most reputable or legitimate breeders do not sell their animals to pet stores, which means they will not be affected by the changes.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, who did not attend council Wednesday because he was attending a conference of mayors in Washington, D.C., committed to add $1 million to the citys spay-and-neuter effort to help further the efforts, according to his administration.

Among the other changes: a shorter hold on strays, which allows for adoptions or transfers after two days for animals without microchips; animals will be sterilized before leaving the city shelter; and dogs who attack other dogs will be designated as aggressive, instead of merely a public nuisance.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Read more stories by reporter Dylan McGuinness

A half dozen animal advocates called into City Council to laud the ordinance changes, saying they were long overdue and provide hope for better outcomes in Houston.

The implementation of microchips will be able to get loose dogs in the field back home, and they wont even enter the shelter, which is phenomenal, said Shelby Bobosky, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, which seeks to implement best practices in city codes and other laws.

Tama Lundquist, co-president of Houston PetSet, a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness and suffering for animals, said it often is heartbreaking to watch the city and nonprofits attempt to address what she described as a stray animal crisis in Houston.

Today, it seems we have momentum to stop the suffering and witness good things happening for our animals, Lundquist said.

District G Councilmember Greg Travis, often an advocate for animals on council, said he was happy the city finally is taking action.

I think what were doing today is the right thing, Travis said. Doesnt mean there cant be more down the road, but its a perfect, good start that I think goes a long, long way.

dylan.mcguinness@chron.com
Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Hermans office published a mugshot to social media Tuesday in which a 22-year-old woman appears to have her head forcibly held by two officers for the photo. She had been arrested earlier in that day for failing to identify herself to a police officer.

The photo appears to show one officer forcing the womans head up with their hand under her chin, while another appears to hold her in place with hands on her shoulder and back. In the photo, the woman, identified by the constables office in a news release as Jashira Clivens, is looking up at the ceiling with her head back.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Three teens found dead in home near Crosby

The Houston Chronicle is not publishing the mugshot photo, which the constables office posted with a news release to Twitter and Facebook.

When reached for comment, Precinct 4 Corporal Iliana Moreno said that she was unaware of the specific circumstances that led to Clivens being held in place, but that it was likely the woman was resistant to having her photo taken. Arrestees sometimes are held in place when they do not want to take the mugshot, Moreno said.

On Facebook, the mugshot and news release drew more than 200 comments, the overwhelmingly number of them supporting the arrests, mocking the photo and praising the constables office.

That photo shouldnt be posted. First of all, no one is guilty until theyre convicted  and this could ruin someones reputation, lose them jobs and lose them housing opportunities, said Ashton Woods, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Houston. These are two Black women and for someone to take their autonomy away by lifting a suspects head up, that is not cool at all.

Clivens initially was pulled over for a traffic violation Sunday in the 9700 block of Jones Road in northwest Houston, according to the constables office, which said she began to argue with officers and refused to identify herself.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Teen arrested in fatal shooting of 16-year-old Houston girl walking family dog

Her sister arrived on the scene shortly after and began to cause a disturbance, the constables office said. She had an open warrant for criminal mischief and was taken into custody, as well, according to the news release. Her mugshot, which shows her smiling at the camera, also was posted to social media by the constables office.

Clivens also had open warrants for her arrest for Class C misdemeanors, the constables office said. Texas law states that failing to identify oneself to a police officer while a warrant is out for ones arrest is a Class B misdemeanor.

Neither Clivens nor her sister could be reached for comment Tuesday. They were released from custody after posting bail of $100 and $201, respectively. Both are due in court Friday.

sam.gonzalez@chron.com
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SOUTHEAST OF DEL RIO  Two Texas National Guard soldiers faced the sunset at the end of another long shift last week near the Rio Grande, as bitterly cold gusts kicked dust off U.S. 277.

Troops pulling duty in the brush country on the border mission ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott say they spend up to 14 hours a day in a usually fruitless search for IAs  illegal aliens. They might see one or two while doing without one of the basics  a toilet.

Its not the only thing these GIs resent. They said they have no clue when the mission will end. . Some have gone without pay.

The issues of pay shortages and hardships connected to service with Operation Lone Star, the guards sprawling border operation that is a response to a surge of migrants in spring 2021, have persisted despite assurances by the National Guard and state officials downplaying issues and saying they have been resolved.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

The guard works along the wall, or barrier, a hurricane fence with razor wire built on stretches of private land that gives Texas Department of Public Safety troopers a basis to arrest and jail migrants for trespassing. Some district attorneys have reduced their cooperation with prosecutions that have overwhelmed local jails and justice systems.

The guard has said the pay problem has been fixed, but one soldier manning his post last week said he still gets hundreds of dollars less per paycheck than he should. Several said two unpaid GIs have gone on strike, refusing to work and staying in their border area housing. The pair have not been punished, one soldier said.

Operation Lone Star is being reorganized, said Col. Rita Holton, the Texas Military Departments director of communications.

The mission will last as long as necessary to respond to Abbotts disaster declaration on the border, and all soldiers are being paid, Holton said. About 1,250 out of 1,330 pay problems reported in the past four months  mainly caused by human error during data entry  have been corrected, she said.

One officer, who spoke on background, said hes been toldabout 20 percent of those deployed are volunteers.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

That would be a stark contrast to past border operations in which GIs asked to be here. Soldiers said some personnel were yanked out of civilian jobs or had to quit college, and others have been turned down for the college tuition assistance they were promised when they joined the guard. (Holton said tuition assistance depends on a funding stream, separate from guard operations, that only the Legislature can make sufficient.)

Theres leadership issues, morale issues, a specialist said.

The mission has stayed the same, he continued. The way were doing it has changed. Thats why morale is really low.

Everybodys working hard

When the San Antonio Express-News got a rare but brief opportunity in January to embed with the guard on the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, a GI commented favorably about the mission with a public affairs officer standing nearby.

Spc. Robert Carrier, 35, of Boerne, an eight-year veteran, said he likes the camaraderie of the mission, supporting other agencies on the border and the idea of Texans helping Texans. He knows people who havent been paid, he said, adding, but eventually they fixed it. Everybodys working hard to get everybody paid correctly.

By Wednesday, with the presence of journalists known to commanders in the Del Rio and Eagle Pass areas, most troops declined comment. One soldier took a reporters phone number but pointedly noted that his bosses were just down the road.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

On HoustonChronicle.com: Abbotts border wall is a chain-link fence, built by soldiers in a community tired of political games

Benefits, costs

Operation Lone Star has

included deploying over 10,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers, erecting temporary barriers and a wall to deter crossings, and awarding more than $52 million to border communities for law enforcement and prosecution activities, said Nan Tolson, a spokeswoman for Abbott.

The operations encounters with more than 186,000 migrants have produced 10,000 arrests for border-related crimes and more than 208 million doses of fentanyl seized, she said.

On ExpressNews.com: Austin judge tosses migrants trespassing charge, a blow to Gov. Abbotts border enforcement plan

A few troops are posted along Vega Verde Road in Del Rio, standing a lonely watch along the river.

Abbotts tall fence runs for 3 miles on one side of the road, past run-down, abandoned homes and RVs, roaming dogs and some nicer residences. Where the barrier ends, rolled fencing and aluminum poles await installation.

The idea is to block a repeat of last Septembers mass movement of some 12,000 asylum-seekers into Del Rio.

That influx made national headlines, and though corralled by federal agents within weeks  with asylum claimants dispersed or forced back to Mexico to await the process  it became Abbotts basis for expanding the Texas Guards border operations.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Some soldiers say they believe Abbott is responsible for the accusations coming from his political rivals, both Republican and Democrat, that the missions goals and timing were designed to further the governors re-election bid this year.

One officer said Abbott apparently didnt ask the guards commander, Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, to develop a plan to help support the DPS and Border Patrol before launching the operation.

I think its 100 percent political from top to bottom, the officer said.

Giving the governor a political talking point is really all its good for, he said.

Tolson said Abbott had no choice but to step up and address this crisis in the wake of President Bidens inaction. .

Understandably angry

Not all the soldiers interviewed were sure the guard has fixed the pay problems. One said his most recent paycheck shorted what he was owed. Another said he was paid late, the money finally arriving the week before he spoke.

One GI said he knows a soldier who has massive pay issues and had to borrow money from his mother to meet his bills. Another got a loan from a friend. A third soldier said hes dipped into his savings and that when he asks his command what is happening with his paycheck, he is told, Theyre going to fix it.

A soldier standing next to him said, They always say that.

A sergeant said a fellow NCO is still waiting to be paid but that programs in the guard can help. The two soldiers who have refused to work have serious financial commitments, the sergeant said  one has a baby and must pay child support, and both have mortgages. They were angry, he said, adding, Understandably so.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Gov. Abbott signs $1.8B border security bill as Haitian migrant crisis escalates

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Sarcastic memes on Instagram have become an outlet for the real-world stress on the border force. As the largest of all 54 National Guard organizations, the Texas Guard recorded nine suicides in calendar year 2021, the most since 2018, with two of the GIs assigned to the Texas-Mexico border. The issue came up among a few soldiers interviewed last week.

In Eagle Pass, an officer discussing how he handles psychological issues with soldiers said GIs have a chain of command and fellow soldiers they work with. If a problem is uncovered, its often found by observant junior leaders at the unit level, the officer said.

We have a lot of focus on ensuring that the resources that are available are known about, from the chaplain to the behavioral health office to Army substance abuse programs to any type of issue that we think a soldier might acquire a resource, even financial, he said.

Asked how often morale issues arose among troops, the officer said that was hard to quantify.

I can say that theres not a greater incidence of morale issues in comparison with this current border duty than there was on my recent deployment to Africa or there was on the deployment to Iraq, the officer said.

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Featherston told Hearst Newspapers that 1st Sgt. John Kenny Crutcher committed suicide Nov. 12 after his temporary hardship waiver expired, requiring his return to duty as he cared for his wife after an emergency surgery and for her disabled brother.

I could not try to plan something more incompetent than this. Ive never seen an operation be so screwed up, he told the newspaper.

Featherston, a 20-year National Guard veteran, posted a video to his Twitter page that shows a dark, cramped trailer with 36 bunk beds packed together. Why do hundreds of #OperationLoneStar #Soldiers have #COVID19? he asked.

Some soldiers say there is no morale problem.

Others used single words to answer questions about their morale.

Irritated, one said.

Holton, the guard spokeswoman, said that our retention rates are the highest weve seen in more than a decade and that any attempt to predict the operations effect on retention was speculation.

The mission

A sergeant with a wife, kids and a life in his community was among some who wondered about the missions purpose.

Its supposed to be a crisis, and I just hope that our time is well spent out here and theres a legitimate reason we should be here, he said.

In the beginning, guardsmen saw some decent numbers of migrants crossing the border, the sergeant said. But lately, it has dwindled drastically, he said, adding, I dont know if we need this much manpower out here.

Iselin, the soldier from Burkburnett, saw it differently.

I feel like we have purpose down here. A lot of people, I think a majority of the United States, they read headlines about Gov. Abbott and activating us along the border, and I thought it was for political gain as well, when I first started, she said.

But being down here on these points and seeing the numbers, the influx of immigrants coming over every single day, having to call up all these crossings, it is a legitimate problem, Iselin said.

An NCO said he was disgusted that the guards work wasnt leading to more deportations and called the mission a misappropriation of funds.

Its catch and release, he said. If you go to the Stripes (gas station) in the middle of (Del Rio), youll see between two and 50 migrants a day. Were not doing anything out here.

Migrants gather at the convenience store after being processed by federal agencies, waiting for a bus to take them elsewhere.

Another soldier working near a long hurricane fence at an Eagle Pass pecan orchard said guardsmen there were buoyed by visits from locals, as well as the Border Patrol and DPS, who brought food during the holidays.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

He demurred when asked if he was familiar with the larger controversy surrounding the border mission, saying, For that, Im not following it or would have to refer you to the Texas Military Department.
Shes got a leg up on the competition.

Heidi Klums legs are insured for $2 million, but one has a higher value than the other.

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Heidi Klum attends the 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards in Los Angeles. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

The German-born supermodel recently appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and offered details about one of the most expensive and bizarre insurance policies for a celebrity body part.

For the Heidi Blanking Klum game segment, she revealed a client once put a $2 million insurance policy on her legs, with one costing more.

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When I was young, I fell into a glass and I have, like, a big scar, the 48-year-old former Victorias Secret model explained to DeGeneres. Obviously, I put so much spray tan on right now you cant see it right now, but one was more expensive than the other one.

Its weird the things that some people do, she added.

The Americas Got Talent judge isnt the only celebrity whove had a body part insured.

Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Keith Richards reportedly have insured their body parts for millions of dollars.
Regarding New Texas elections law, decried as vote suppression, leads to record number of rejected mail ballot applications, (Jan. 15): Facts: I am an elder voter and have lived in Texas for over 50 years. I completed and submitted a mail ballot application in accordance with the terms of application as I have done in past years. I received call that submission by drivers license number, rather than last 4 digits of social security number, was insufficient. The reason given was that the new Texas law requires that you must submit the particular identification number that was on your original registration. The original registration number utilized is not on the voter registration card. The original registration number utilized is not reflected on the look-up data presented by the Texas Secretary of State Office when you verify that you are correctly registered to vote, which you may verify by using any of various criteria, including VUID/TDL/Other/and Date of Birth. The information presented by the Texas Secretary of State Office does not indicate which number was used when registered, which is required. The result is that every voter has to call the Texas Secretary of State to determine how to complete the vote by mail application. What nonsense. I am thankful that the Harris County elections office called, left a message and advised that I must use the last for four digits of social security and refile my application. This is no way to promote democratic voting rights. Citizens will react.

Lets vote for candidates who are not anti-voting representatives of their constituents.

Mary Cook, Houston

Here is what I did to apply to vote by mail: I received an email from a friend telling me I had to do this process. Being a lady of generous years, Ive voted by mail for years. I went to the website she provided, found the application. I thought, no problem, Ill just complete this form and zip it off via email. But no, I had to print the application out, gather the required information, including drivers license; I even added my VUID (?) and precinct. I completed the form by hand. Then I had to find a stamp, make sure I had the correct mailing address, and go mail my application. Next I had to find that original email, go back to the website, find the track my application button, and see if my application was accepted. Or I can just wait and see if I get a ballot in the mail.

Tell me this is not voter suppression. I am privileged to have friends who knew about this. I have a computer, printer and can operate both at a basic level. Im thinking about those people who do not have a clue that this process is necessary, who do not have the resources to go through the application process, and who cannot go to the polls in person. Im sure there are some filtering exercises that people will have to go through even at the polls. Thank you, Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick and our Texas Legislature. Meanwhile, no ones home when it comes to actually governing Texas.

Margaret Hansen, Houston

Having just filled out my request I found it rather easy and straightforward. It clearly states, right next to where you fill out your name, that you must provide one of the ID numbers. If folks cant follow directions, thats on them. What I do find ludicrous, however, is that one is given the option of emailing or faxing the application  but then you have to also mail it to be received within four days. Why bother? That, in my opinion, is the part designed to be able to ignore ballot requests because if it isnt also received by mail, then it doesnt exist. Perhaps the GOP should discover we are in the 21st century and consider letting us request a ballot online. Oh, sorry, that would make it easier to vote, my mistake.

Douglas Brown, Houston

The Houston Chronicles article about the number of returned ballots was typical of the Chronicles one-sided view of todays political environment. If your request for a mail ballot does not meet the minimum standards set for by Texas, you should expect your ballot request to be rejected. I may not agree that the speed limit on Beltway 8 should be 65 mph, but if I drive 75 mph, there are consequences to my decision. The right to vote is the most important right granted to the citizens of this country. But this right has responsibilities. And it is up to the individual voters to meet those responsibilities. And just because you do not agree with those responsibilities, does not invalidate them. It is the law in Texas.

Personally, I believe that mail ballots are only for voters who cannot vote in person. These voters must sign an affidavit that explains why they must vote by mail. This includes voters who are out of their voting area due to business commitments or military service or health issues that prevent them from voting in person. This mail ballot law does not go far enough. All mail in ballots must be completed by the voter with a witness who is appointed as an appropriate witness by Texas. No other person can be guiding this person on completing the ballot. This can be accomplished my completing the mail ballot witnessed by a notary public for example. And the state can enact a law that requires notary publics to provide this service free of charge.

Mail ballots are not for persons who do not want to take the time to vote in person. The early voting period provides sufficient time for all voters to get to the ballot. If you choose not to vote, that is your choice and quit belly aching about it.

David B. Snyder, Deer Park

The subject article is at best a good opinion piece. It does not belong as a straight news article, as only one side of the story is given. Taking only the Harris County rejections of 208 out of more than 1,000 applications, we have a rejection rate of roughly 20 percent. What are the rejections for? The article states that qualifying driver license ID or other partial identifiers (last four digits of your social security number) do not match what is on record. The implication is that this is voter suppression. An alternate theory is that the process has done what was intended; to make it more secure thereby increasing our confidence in the voting process. What if this 20 percent was due to attempted fraud? That is a possibility. In any event, the prospective voter has plenty of time to correct this deficiency.

Dick Patyrak, Missouri City

Election administrators confirm that mail ballot requests are being rejected in Texass largest counties in record numbers because of confusion and impediments arising from the new voter law. Meanwhile, costly, taxpayer-funded searches for the fraud that this law is supposedly designed to correct have repeatedly proven that voter fraud has been a non-issue. (Nevertheless, election officials have been ousted for daring to tell the truth that the 2020 election was smooth and secure.) Clearly, this type of law enacted both in Texas and elsewhere aims not to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat, as proponents claim, but rather, as predicted, to suppress voter turnout.

Ironically, we concern ourselves deeply with the Russian militarys amassing on the Ukraine border threatening to impose its authoritarian regime on Ukraines democracy, even as threats to our own democracy emanate from our own backyard in Austin without the prospect of having to fire a single shot.

Maureen Wharton, Houston
Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Do you remember what identification number you used when you registered to vote? No one does, and that number should not prevent you from voting by mail. The latest mail ballot application debacle could be foreseen when the Texas Legislature persisted in making our complicated voting system even harder. Despite a smooth 2020 election, our Legislature enacted ever more restrictive voting laws.

The issue at stake here is a new required voter ID on the application. Voters must provide their Texas driver's license number or Texas ID number. If they do not have one of these, they provide the last four digits of their social security number. The tricky part is found on the back of the application in the fine print: If you have been issued one of the required numbers, but it is not associated with your voter registration record, please contact your local registrar to inquire about how to add one of the required numbers to your voter registration record.
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Jeff Daniels may have never won an Academy Award, but he now has the honor of having a parasite that kills tarantulas named after him.

The Dumb and Dumber actor received that distinction after researchers from the University of California at Riverside discovered a worm believed to infect that specific breed of spider. Phys.org reports that the parasite name, Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi, is an homage to the star who played an arachnid-killing scientist in the 1990 film Arachnophobia.

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Daniels reportedly told UC Riverside researchers he was honored by their homage after learning it wasnt his looks that inspired their decision to name a worm after him.

In Hollywood, you havent really made it until youve been recognized by those in the field of parasitology, said the 66-year-old, who recently starred in the Showtime series American Rust.

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Symptoms in tarantulas that have been infected with Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi reportedly include walking oddly and being unable to eat.

The BBC reports that in 2012, a parasite that feeds on fish was named after late reggae icon Bob Marley. That same year, a rare Australian horse fly was dubbed Scaptia beyonceae, in honor of pop star Beyonce. Former president George W. Bush, dead dictator Adolf Hitler and actress Kate Winslet have beetles bearing their names.
Medical aid then responded, and the person was transported to Berkshire Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Pittsfield Man Killed in Car Fire

Update on Jan. 21, 2022: Authorities are still investigating a fatal car fire on Wednesday morning that killed 69-year-old Barry Dunnells.

Dunnells, of Pittsfield, was pulled from a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo outside the Livingston Apartments on East Street by firefighters.

He was taken to Berkshire Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Fire officials said Dunnells was inside the burning car when they arrived at about 8:40 a.m. Two other vehicles parked nearby were damaged.

The body was taken to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office to determine the the cause and manner of death. Pittsfield detective and fire investigators, and the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the incident.

____________________________________________________________

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A person suffered life-threatening injuries from a car fire on Wednesday morning that spread to two other vehicles.

Around 8:40 am, a motor vehicle fire was called into 911 at 257-265 East Street or the Livingston apartment building. The car was parked in the parking lot behind the building on 7 Second St.



The Pittsfield Fire Department responded with one engine and arrived at the same time as the Pittsfield Police Department. Upon arrival, they found a person was still in the burning vehicle and was on fire.



"Typically a motor vehicle fires a one-engine response, we responded one engine. They arrived concurrently with Pittsfield police and bystanders explained that there was still a person in the motor vehicle that was on fire," Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner reported.

He added that the fire began to spread to surrounding vehicles. Three vehicles in total were damaged.

"So Engine Three firefighters pulled the person from their burning vehicle. At that point, I arrived and I found the fire had spread to other motor vehicles," he said. "I called for more assistance because Engine Three then started medical aid on the victim."



Medical aid then responded, and the person was transported to Berkshire Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.



The section of Second Street that the apartment building is on was closed off for about two hours to make room for emergency vehicles.



Garner confirmed that the fire was in a parked car and was not the result of a crash. At the time, he did not have an update on the victim's condition.

The area of the fire is marked off with barricade tape.



The incident is currently being investigated by the Pittsfield Fire Departments fire investigation unit, the Pittsfield Police, and Massachusetts Fire Marshal's Office.


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Spider-Man star Willem Dafoe is swinging by Saturday Night Live later this month to host an upcoming episode.

The actor will lead the Jan. 29 edition of the long-running sketch comedy series, with Katy Perry set to perform as the musical guest, NBC announced Tuesday.

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It will be Dafoes first time hosting SNL, while Perry  who recently kicked off a Las Vegas concert residency  will be making her fourth appearance as the shows musical guest, and first since 2017.

Cant wait to bring my slice of Sin City to the Big Apple, tweeted Perry, who also hosted SNL in 2011.

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Willem Dafoe and Katy Perry (Getty Images)

The SNL gig comes a little over a month after Dafoe, 66, returned to his role of the villainous Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which is now the fourth-highest-grossing movie ever in North America, having made more than $700 million since its mid-December release.

He also stars in Guillermo del Toros new horror-thriller Nightmare Alley, which came out last month as well.

Perry, meanwhile, completed the first leg of her Play residency in Vegas this week, and is set to kick off the second leg in March.

Dafoe and Perrys episode will be the third new SNL of 2022. West Side Story star Ariana DeBose hosted last Saturdays episode with musical guest Bleachers, while former SNL cast member Will Forte hosts this weeks show with the Italian rock band Maneskin.
Yvette Mimieux, the striking and private actress who broke out in 1960s The Time Machine, died Tuesday. She was 80.

Mimieux, who had just celebrated her birthday Jan. 8, died in her sleep of natural causes, Deadline reported.

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Mimieux rose to stardom as the vulnerable Weena in The Time Machine, and was compelling enough for MGM to lock her into a long-term contract and sign her up for several more films.

Yvette Mimieux attends the National Wildlife Federation's "Voices for Wildlife" Anniversary Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on June 15, 2011, in Beverly Hills. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

She went on to star in Where the Boys Are, Light in the Piazza, and Toys in the Attic, among many other films throughout the 1960s, consistently cast in more wounded, emotional roles. Shes believed to be the first actress to show her navel on American TV, in 1964s Dr. Kildare.

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I suppose I had a soulful quality, Mimieux told the Washington Post in 1979. I was often cast as a wounded person, the sensitive role.

Actor Rod Taylor carrying Yvette Mimieux in his arms, circa 1960. The two starred in "The Time Machine" together. (Keystone/Getty Images)

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

After she tired of playing abused spring breakers and child brides, she wrote and starred in her own film, 1974s made-for-TV Hit Lady. She broke type as a merciless assassin.

The character I wrote is like an onion, layers upon layers, multifaceted, interesting, desirable, manipulative, she told the Los Angeles Times.

Mimieux continued her transformation in 1976s Jackson County Jail, which started with Mimieuxs character being beaten, jailed and abused until a dramatic mid-film turn in which she goes on the run alongside a young Tommy Lee Jones. At that point in their respective careers, Mimieux got top billing.

Though Mimieux was a bona fide star, she opted for a rather private personal life.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 33 Naomi Judd, the Kentucky-born matriarch of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds and mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd, has died, her family announced Saturday, April 30, 2022. She was 76. (Josh Anderson/AP)

I decided I didnt want to have a totally public life, she told the Washington Post. When the fan magazines started wanting to take pictures of me making sandwiches for my husband, I said no, adding that a life in front of the camera takes something away from your relationships.

Mimieux continued acting through the 1980s, appearing in several TV movies and a few series, including two episodes of The Love Boat. Her last credit was 1992s Lady Boss.

Mimieux is survived by her husband, Howard Ruby.
TALLAHASSEE  As rents skyrocket, startup companies are touting what they consider to be a helpful solution to hefty security deposits pricing Floridians out of apartments.

Instead of forking over an upfront security deposit, tenants can agree to pay a monthly fee  typically about $25.

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But theres a catch: The money isnt refundable at the end of the lease like a traditional security deposit, and renters are still on the hook for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.

State lawmakers are considering legislation that would create regulations for such agreements that offer security deposit insurance instead of a traditional lump-sum deposit.

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But advocates for Florida tenants have concerns. They say the proposed regulations lack important safeguards to protect renters from predatory practices.

[ RELATED: After skyrocketing in 2021, Orlando rents expected to increase more slowly in new year ]

State Sen. Jim Boyd, who is sponsoring the measure, said paying a monthly fee is optional for tenants and landlords. It helps renters who cant come up with the money for a security deposit and will be clearly explained in rental documents, he said.

It allows people to get into a home they otherwise might not be able to get into, the Bradenton Republican said.

Ida Eskamani, a lobbyist representing the Florida Housing Justice Alliance, isnt convinced such fees will help Florida renters.

The legislation doesnt cap what renters can be charged or stipulate that landlords purchase the insurance, instead of just pocketing a monthly nonrefundable fee from renters, she said.

Instead, the Legislature should focus on combating price gouging or creating a monthly installment plan for security deposits that would be refundable, Eskamani said.

Tenants that are living paycheck-to-paycheck who are seeing 20% to 30% rent hikes dont have options, she said. A fee that they will never get back that could actually be ultimately larger than their actual deposit is not an equitable way to address the housing crisis in Florida.

[ RELATED: Low pay, soaring rents, pro-landlord laws set up Florida renters for eviction once COVID hit ]

Renters face thousands of dollars of upfront costs in a market that has already reached unheard-of heights. The average apartment in the Orlando metro area is renting for $1,650 a month, according to CoStar, a commercial real estate information company. Landlords can ask for application fees, a security deposit and first and last months rent at the beginning of the lease.

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State Sen. Audrey Gibson told Boyd during a Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that she has concerns. The committee advanced the legislation on a 7-2 vote.

Its almost like a poor tax in my mind. I know thats not something you want to do, the Jacksonville Democrat said.

LeaseLock and Rhino are two leading companies offering alternatives to security deposits. Jon Potter, a company representative of LeaseLock, said the service is helping renters, and tenants can opt out of the monthly fee at any time and pay the deposit.

Move-in costs are the single biggest barrier to housing, Potter said. Its not: Can I afford the rent? Its: Can I afford to move in?

As rents soar, Democrats want Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a housing emergency and impose price-gouging protections to control hikes.

State Rep. Carlos Smith, D-Orlando, has called the situation a crisis that should be at the top of the legislative agenda.

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Floridians cant afford Florida, he said.

sswisher@orlandosentinel.com
Two Gambian journalists died in a car crash on 17 January 2022 while returning home to Banjul, the capital, from an education mission.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) in extending its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.

Journalists Pa Modou Faal and Musa Ndow were returning home from a four day health education mission organised by the Ministry of Health in Soma while they died in a car crash along the Trans- Gambia Highway in Soma in the Lower River Region. A health official also died in the incident.

According to a statement published by the GPU, Pa Modou Fall was a 20-year veteran journalist who worked for several media outlets, including the defunct Independent newspaper and the Daily Observer newspaper. He also worked for The Point newspaper and had served as founder member and former President of the Health Journalists Association of The Gambia (AOHJ) and the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN Gambia Chapter).

Musa Ndow served as a senior editor at the former Daily Observer and had for several years served as a Presidential Affairs Correspondent for the paper. He was also a founding member and former executive board member of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG).

The President of the GPU, Muhammed S. Bah said The death of the two journalists is a great loss to the media fraternity and the country. The Gambia Press Union is deeply shocked and saddened by yet another tragic car accident claiming the lives of two journalists.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said "Today is a sad day for journalism in Gambia and we mourn the deaths of our colleagues. They will always be remembered as patriots who have served their country in the best possible way."

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) in extending its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.

Journalists Pa Modou Faal and Musa Ndow were returning home from a four day health education mission organised by the Ministry of Health in Soma while they died in a car crash along the Trans- Gambia Highway in Soma in the Lower River Region. A health official also died in the incident.

According to a statement published by the GPU, Pa Modou Fall was a 20-year veteran journalist who worked for several media outlets, including the defunct Independent newspaper and the Daily Observer newspaper. He also worked for The Point newspaper and had served as founder member and former President of the Health Journalists Association of The Gambia (AOHJ) and the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN Gambia Chapter).

Musa Ndow served as a senior editor at the former Daily Observer and had for several years served as a Presidential Affairs Correspondent for the paper. He was also a founding member and former executive board member of the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG).

The President of the GPU, Muhammed S. Bah said The death of the two journalists is a great loss to the media fraternity and the country. The Gambia Press Union is deeply shocked and saddened by yet another tragic car accident claiming the lives of two journalists.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said "Today is a sad day for journalism in Gambia and we mourn the deaths of our colleagues. They will always be remembered as patriots who have served their country in the best possible way."
Several Afghan journalists have been attacked and detained in the first weeks of 2022, as the Taliban assures press freedom organisations of its commitment to an independent and free media. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the mounting violence and intimidation of Afghanistans journalists and media workers and calls for increased efforts to safeguard press freedom in the country.

Faisal Modaris (right) broadcasts from the Panjshir province on YouTube-based outlet Kabul Lovers. He and two colleagues were detained by the Taliban on January 6. Credit: Kabul Lovers

In the afternoon of January 10, Afghan journalist Noor Mohammad Hashemi, deputy director of Salam Afghanistan Media Organisation, was attacked by three unidentified men. One assailant, carrying a pistol, forced Hashemi from his vehicle and attempted to shoot the journalist. After the gun misfired, Hashemi managed to defend himself and survived the incident.

On January 6, Taliban authorities detained three journalists, Faisal Modaris, Idris Rahimi and Milad Azizi, at a restaurant in the Shari Naw area of Kabuls District Four. All three journalists work at YouTube broadcaster Kabul Lovers, a channel covering current affairs and daily life in Kabul with over 244,000 subscribers.

The three journalists had recently covered protests in the Panjshir province, reporting residents harsh criticism of the Taliban militias killing of a civilian in the area. The report was cited by international media organisations and accrued over 120,000 views.

Modaris, Rahimi and Azizi have not been permitted to see family members or lawyers and are reportedly being held by the counterterrorism body of the Talibans intelligence agency.

These incidents are the latest in a series of attacks against journalists and media workers in Afghanistan led by the Taliban. On December 26, the Taliban detained Haji Arif Noori, owner of the independent Noorin Television station, and raided his Kabul home before releasing him two days later.

On December 11, Sayed Rashed Kashefi, a reporter with the Kabul Times and Rasa TV, was beaten and detained for over six hours for covering a fight at an aid distribution site in Kabuls 5th district.

The increase in attacks and detainments comes as the Taliban denies reports of interfering with the media. On January 18, Taliban spokesperson, Inamullah Samagani said, we are making efforts to create good coordination with the media and (give) good opportunities for them to survive and continue their activities. The presence of a free media is necessary for a good and accountable society.

The IFJ said: The disturbing trend of arrests and attacks against journalists and media workers in Afghanistan continues to grow under the Taliban regime. The Taliban must cease its harassment of the media and display a tangible commitment to safeguarding press freedom. The IFJ calls for the immediate release of the detained journalists and justice for those attacked and intimidated.
On Tuesday, Microsoft announced a surprise acquisition of Activision, the embattled gaming company. At a price tag of $68.7 billion, it marks Microsoft's largest deal, by far, eclipsing the $26 billion it paid for LinkedIn. It's also one of its most important--at least as far as its cloud gaming ambitions are concerned.

If there was any question of how important, Microsoft also promoted the head of its Xbox division, Phil Spencer, to a new role: CEO of Microsoft Gaming. That's not just a change in title. Microsoft has been on a bit of a buying spree when it comes to gaming companies, most notably Minecraft and ZeniMax, the creator of Doom. All told, it has spent more than $10 billion on a dozen game studios.

The goal is to feed the company's Game Pass strategy, which has failed to gain traction among developers who aren't particularly excited about handing over their flagship properties to a subscription service when they can easily command $50 or $60 apiece. Microsoft wants to let users pay $15 a month to play any game.

"Upon close, we will offer as many Activision Blizzard games as we can within Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, both new titles and games from Activision Blizzard's incredible catalog," Spencer said in a statement.

Despite its importance to Microsoft, it's also a deal that comes with a considerable amount of headache. Activision has been under fire for a "frat boy" culture amid a string of reports that it mishandled sexual harassment complaints. Bobby Kotick, the company's CEO, came under fire for his response to those complaints.

Kotick later apologized, but not before the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) sued the company, alleging it fostered a culture of harassment. The company also faces a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation that focuses on how Kotick handled complaints. Kotick is expected to leave once Microsoft and Activision complete their deal.

Even without Kotick, it seems pretty clear what Microsoft's biggest challenge will be in acquiring Activision: culture. And, for Microsoft, it's not a new problem.

Microsoft is facing its own criticism related to sexual harassment in the workplace, including the behavior of founder and former CEO Bill Gates. Gates and his former wife, Melinda, filed for divorce last year as allegations of inappropriate workplace relationships and conduct were made public. The company has said it will conduct an investigation and make the findings public, including any related to Gates.

"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," the company's chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella, said in a statement last week.

The thing is, in Activision, Microsoft is acquiring a company with a toxic culture. That's not something you can simply hope will go away once the Activision team reports to Spencer.

Certainly, Kotick's departure will likely make a difference, but Microsoft says the deal is expected to close sometime during its 2023 fiscal year. That means it could take 18 months or so before Microsoft makes whatever changes it thinks are appropriate. It also means 18 months before any real change happens at all.
If you're in the business of needing to hire on the quick, you've likely heard of applicant tracking software, or ATS tools, which use artificial intelligence to help the recruitment process by organizing and filtering information on potential hires. But the tech is riddled with problems, including unintended bias. Those issues don't mean all A.I.--or even all ATS--tools are bad. You just have to know how to use them.

Here are three best practices for optimizing A.I. tools in the hiring process:

1. Don't cut people out of the hiring process.

"Keep humans in the loop," says Josh Constine, a venture partner at the San Francisco-based VC firm SignalFire. While A.I. working by itself can help speed up workflow, human evaluation can help streamline the process. His advice: "Let the algorithms expand your candidate pool and apply lookalike matching based on your top performing talent, but use humans to see beyond credentials and pick who fits your values."

2. Ensure compatibility with other onboarding programs.

Elissa Moses, a managing partner at the Texas-based research platform Hark Connect, recommends that the best way organizations can optimize A.I. is to first look at what their pain points are and what their wish list is. It's also important that A.I. tools be compatible with existing frameworks. For example, if your company uses Zoom, you'll want to make sure that any tools you use to transcribe a call are compatible with the teleconference platform.

3. Customize your outreach.

Rudi Asseer tells Inc. that his Nashville-based supply chain services company, IMI Material Handling Logistics, saves more than 42 hours per job posting thanks to A.I. To optimize those tools, Asseer recommends employers use them in a way that emulates the company's tone and voice if using A.I. to communicate with its workforce. The reason: It maintains consistency in communications but also helps broadcast what you're company is all about. That can contribute to better fit and happier employees who want to stay put.
Florida Department of Health in Orange County director Dr. Raul Pino speaks during the press conference -- Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings holds a press conference to discuss COVID-19 and County updates, on Monday, April 13, 2020. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, isolated at home because of a COVID-19 infection, offered his support Wednesday for Dr. Raul Pino, who was placed on administrative leave from his post as the states chief health officer in the county.

Dr. Raul Pino has been our trusted partner and friend throughout the pandemic, the mayor said in a statement emailed from his communications team. His sound medical advice has helped guide me and countless other Orange County leaders to make the best decisions possible in dealing with COVID-19.

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It is my fervent hope that Dr. Pino returns to work on behalf of the residents of Orange County soon, Demings said.

Pino, 58, who has led the Health Department in Orange County since May 2019, is facing a state investigation related to a staff-wide email he sent Jan. 4. The email revealed that fewer than 14% of the 568 employees in the county Health Department had been fully vaccinated with a complete series and booster shot.

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Pino declined to discuss the Health Departments action, but an agency spokesperson confirmed his status.

As the decision to get vaccinated is a personal medical choice that should be made free from coercion and mandates from employers, the employee in question has been placed on administrative leave, and the Florida Department of Health is conducting an inquiry to determine if any laws were broken in this case, spokesperson Weesam Khoury said in an email Tuesday. The Department is committed to upholding all laws, including the ban on vaccine mandates for government employees and will take appropriate action once additional information is known.

The state Health Department in Orange County is one of 67 separate public health agencies in Florida  one in each county.

During a special session in November, the Republican-dominated Florida legislature enacted a law banning coronavirus vaccine mandates, including for government employees, unless several exemptions were offered to employees. The legislation was signed into law Nov. 18 by DeSantis, whom Demings, a Democrat, has often criticized for impeding local governments from taking actions to limit the spread of the virus in their communities.

In the email to staff, Pino expressed frustration with the staffs low vaccination rate amid an infection surge blamed on the omicron variant.

His email bore a subject line of Concerned for us and our families! He wrote:

I have a hard time understanding how can we be in public health and not practice it! The reasons can be many, but so many of us?

In order to have a better picture on how this current wave could affect us and the people we served, I ask our analyst to run vaccination data for our employee; shocker! The total number of active staff for FDOH Orange is 568. It appears that 77 employees (excluding contractors and interns) have received their booster dose of vaccine (SUPER LOW), and 219 employees have a complete vaccine series (not even 50%). 34 have only one dose of vaccine (missing second dose and booster).

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With those numbers we should expect many of us to get sick and be a vector between the workplace and our families, and to impact the clients we serve. To be precise, yesterday we have to cancel all prenatal appointments in a clinic because the lack of providers. I am sorry, but at this point, in the absence of reasonable and real reasons, it is irresponsible not to be vaccinated. We have been at this for two years, we were the first to give vaccines to the masses, we have done more than 300,000 (OCDOH) and we are not even at 50%, pathetic.

State authorities were unclear whether Pino was placed on leave for urging employees to get vaccinated or compiling their vaccination status.

The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

Other Central Florida figures have weighed in to defend Pino, a frequent contributor to Orange Countys COVID-19 briefings.

The Cuban-born health official answers questions in both English and Spanish posed by media outlets to help advise and educate viewers.

State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said Pino was doing his job by encouraging Health Department employees to get vaccinated.

The Orange DOH Director who helped lead Orlando thru COVID is off the job and under investigation by the #DeSantis administration for encouraging staff to get vaxxed.



HES THE DAMN COUNTY HEALTH DIRECTOR! ITS HIS JOB!



This is not okay. https://t.co/ouqTIvhZQX  Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) January 19, 2022

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, also an Orlando Democrat, was likewise incredulous in a Twitter post.

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So he got in trouble for asking his public health workers about public health?!!? WTF, she tweeted.

Although state-run, the Florida Department of Health in Orange maintains a very strong partnership with Orange County Government. DOH-Orange is responsible for protecting, promoting and improving the health of the countys 1.2 million residents and over 59 million annual visitors, according to a description of programs and services listed under Pinos photograph on its website.

shudak@orlandosentinel.com
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
Actor Nitish Bharadwaj, who rose to popularity and enviable fame after playing Shri Krishna in BR Chopra's Mahabharat series, has announced his divorce.



Nitish was married to IAS officer Smita Gate for 12 years.

Instagram

The actor spoke to the media and said he had filed for divorce in 2019, but it took three years for things to materialize. A report in Bombay Times quotes the actor saying,

Instagram

"Yes, I filed for a divorce in the Family Court in Mumbai in September 2019. I do not want to get into the reasons why we separated. The matter is in court right now. All I can say is that sometimes divorce can be more painful than death as you live with an amputated core."

Bharadwaj added that despite being a firm believer in the concept of marriage , he has been unlucky.

Instagram

"I am a firm believer in the institution, but I have been unlucky. Generally, the reasons for the breakdown of a marriage can be infinite, sometimes its because of an uncompromising attitude or lack of compassion, or it could be a result of ego and self-centered thinking. But its the children who suffer the most when a family breaks down. So, the onus is on the parents to ensure that theres minimum collateral damage that their children have to go through."

Nitish and Smita have twin daughters. Their daughters are currently living in Indore with Smita.

Instagram

He was earlier married to Monisha Patil from 1991 to 2005 and had a daughter and son. He married Smita in 2009. Nitish played a pivotal role in Abhishek Kapoor's 'Kedarnath'.

(To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.)
A mid-air collision between two IndiGo flights that took off from Bengaluru airport was averted after a radar controller saw the impending danger and took corrective actions, a preliminary report by the aviation regular DGCA has said.

Two domestic IndiGo flights  one from Bengaluru to Kolkata 6E 455 and one from Bengaluru to Bhubaneswar 6E 246, took off at the same time, from Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport on January 7, and according to reports, the safety breach came to light only recently.

"Breach of separation"

The "breach of separation" was not reported by the Airports Authority of India, or AAI, sources said, quoting a preliminary report by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, or DGCA. "Breach of separation" happens when two aircraft cross the minimum mandatory vertical or horizontal distance in an airspace.

IndiGo

The two flights had hundreds of passengers on board and it is believed that the two planes came very close to a mid-air collision shortly after taking off, at an altitude of over 3,000 feet in Bengaluru.

What exactly happened

Bengaluru airport operates two runways - north and south. On January 7 morning, flights were taking off from the north runway and landing on the south runway, the DGCA's preliminary report said.

A shift in-charge of runway operations decided to use a single runway, the north one, for both landings and take-offs, the report said. The south runway was then closed, but it was not told to the south tower controller.

The south tower controller allowed the flight going to Bengaluru to take off. At the same time, the north tower controller also gave permission to the flight going to Bhubaneshwar to depart.

Reuters

The clearances by the south and north tower controllers were given without coordination, the DGCA's preliminary report said. The report indicated a communication gap between air traffic controllers after one of the runways was closed.



What DGCA said

Both jets should not have been allowed to take off simultaneously in the same direction, DGCA sources have said. "As both aircraft after departure were on converging heading i.e. moving towards each other, an approach radar controller gave diverging heading and avoided a mid-air collision," the report said.

The matter was not recorded in any logbook and not reported by the AAI. "We are investigating and will take strict action against those responsible," a DGCA official said. The AAI runs air traffic control.

File

The Bengaluru-Kolkata flight carried 176 passengers and six crew, while the Bengaluru-Bhubaneswar flight carried 238 passengers and six crew - a total of 426 passengers.



For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


The Delhi Police filed a first information report against several people who allegedly made derogatory remarks against Muslim women on the audio chat app Clubhouse, reported The Indian Express.

Cyber Cell Deputy Commission of Police said the FIR has been registered under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the ground of religion), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion) and 354 A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code.

BCCL

DCW sought immediate action

Earlier, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) had on Tuesday, January 18, sought immediate registration of an FIR over the incident. Someone tagged me on Twitter the detailed audio conversation on the Clubhouse app which targeted Muslim women and girls and made disgusting sexual comments against them," DCW chief Swati Maliwal said, demanding punitive action against the alleged persons.

clubhouse-app

What happened

On Monday, a video of a Clubhouse conversation on the topic 'Muslim gals are more beautiful than hindu gals' went viral on social media. In the said conversation, the participants were allegedly heard making obscene, vulgar and derogatory remarks targeting Muslim women and girls. The Commission asked the police to register an FIR immediately and arrest the accused participants.

Women's commission "outraged"

"The Delhi Police has been given five days to submit a detailed action taken report to the Commission," Maliwal said. "First Sulli deals, then Bulli bai and now indecent sexual remarks against Muslim girls on the Clubhouse app! How long will this go on?," the DCW chief asked through social media.

maliwal

Maliwal further stated that she feels outraged over the fact that such incidents are increasing in the country. "Strongest action needs to be taken against the culprits and that's why I have issued a Notice to Delhi Police seeking immediate FIR and arrests in the matter," the DCW chief added.

Similar cases in the past

This comes a few days after the Mumbai police arrested three accused 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'.



Screengrab

In 2021 too, a similar app called Sulli Deals, which was also hosted on Github, had listed hundreds of Muslim women for auction with their photographs doctored and sourced without their permission. For many women, they were listed in the first app as well as the Bulli Bai app.

For those who may not be aware, Bulli/Sulli are Islamophobic slurs referring to Muslim women, alterations of the term Mulli often used by the right wing to troll Muslim women.



For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


"#MarriageStrike is the massive protest against #falsecases on men and rotten judiciary's eagerness to allow women to make false complaints of #MaritalRape," a man from the handle @mulchandani007 tweeted.

The hashtag #MarriageStrike has over 57,500 tweets, mainly from cisgender Indian males, demanding marital rape to not be recognised and criminalised in the country.

The term is seen as a movement by cisgender heterosexual males objecting to marriage, for fear of financial ruin from subsequent divorce and false cases.

Wife less empowered than a sex worker

Last week, the Delhi high court while hearing a batch of petitions on marital rape, asked "can a wife be put on a lower pedestal or be less empowered than a sex worker who has the right to say no at any stage?"

The courts remarks came when it pointed out that to exclude certain circumstances from the ambit of rape because of inter-party relationship is problematic and that marital rape exception could be examined in the light of protection granted to sex workers in rape law.

According to me, you (the amicus curiae) gave a good example of a sex worker. If you were to look into circumstances, what better defence than to say that this is a person who is used to entertaining peopleshe should have also been in the exceptionwe have chosen not to do it. Our courts have gone as far as saying she can say no at any stage. Can a wife be put on a lower pedestal? Be lesser empowered in law? Justice Shakdher questioned.

Representational Image/iStock

Justice Shankar opined that the expectation of sex in the case of a marital relationship was not the same as in the instance of a sex worker.

Senior advocate Raj Shekhar Rao, who is appointed as an amicus curiae to assist the court, argued that husband and wife are two equals before the law and there is no reason why husbands desire to have sex trump the wifes desire not to.

The amicus said that the foundation of section 375 was the lack of consent and there was no reason to give lessor protection against non-consensual intercourse to a married woman.

He thus argued that the marital rape exception in law was arbitrary and violated article 14 and article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Why #MarriageStrike is problematic and reeks of patriarchy

While there has been a growing chorus to criminalise marital rape, some people believe that there is no such thing as marital rape and that it's a ploy by feminists to destabilise the foundations of Hindu marriage and the institution of marriage.

Some also see #MarriageStrike as the "only solution to collapse the feminist agenda."

Marriage is not consent. Marriage is a social and legal contract.

Millions of Indian men understand marriage as a lifelong license to sex. But what they fail to understand is that marriage, by no means, is a blanket consent to sex but merely a social and legal contract.

Having Sex with your wife is crime but your wife having sex with someone else is not crime. #MarriageStrike pic.twitter.com/Qbhy90i5DF  Ashraf Ansari (@ashrafnansari) January 18, 2022

#MarriageStrike is the only solution to collapse the feminist agenda. pic.twitter.com/z5MYS5c6Us  Nirmal Kumar Kedia (@kedianirmal26) January 18, 2022

Last year, the Delhi high court observed that marriage does not imply blanket consent for physical relations from a wife, and that rape does not necessarily constitute the use of physical force.

In a marriage, both husband and wife, have the right and the liberty to say no to sex when they wish.

To quote the Delhi High Court Bench, Marriage does not mean that the woman is all time, ready, willing and consenting (for establishing physical relations). The man will have to prove that she was a consenting party. The court added, It is incorrect to say that (physical) force is necessary for rape. It is not necessary to look for injuries in a rape. Today, the definition of rape is completely different.

India is one of the few countries, in the world where marital rape isnt a crime, where the concept of consent for sex seems to be a blanket one, irrespective of the mental state of mind or physical health, when one gets married.

Men tweeting in favour of #marriagestrike are potential rapists. Possible rapists. Previous rapists. Why would any man who is self-respecting not want for marital rape to be criminalised? How can there be legal protection for rape only becauseit happens in a marriage?  Dr Meena Kandasamy (is on hiatus) (@meenakandasamy) January 19, 2022

The key issue is that men still do not recognise consent and fail to understand it as a concept that defines a respectful relationship between a husband and a wife.

Among the earliest cases of marital rape, one is from 1889, where Phulmani Dasi, a 10-year-old child bride died because her 35-year-old husband raped her. And cited his right to have sex with his wife according to the contract of marriage.

This case is well over a century old, but still the foundations of consent remain unclear in a marriage.

The hashtag is a glaring reminder that men still consider women as their property after marriage and that the woman has no right to say no to her husband when it comes to sex, because of non-existent implied consent at the time of marriage.

Indian men rather not marry than understand consent and respect their wives.

File/Representational Image

Marital rape is not restricted to a specific religion, caste or class. It's about asserting male domination within the household and it circumferences

Back in 2012, Karnataka HC passed a judgment on the same and said that "The husband can't be made to suffer for no fault of his and be deprived of his natural urge to enjoy sexual happiness if the wife is unwilling to share the bed and discharge her duties."

In 2019, the former Chief Justice of India, while talking about marital rape gave his reason for not supporting the idea of criminalising marital rape - "Because it will create absolute anarchy in families and our country is sustaining itself because of the family platform which upholds family values."

The ex-CJI implied that while the family is the most important aspect of Indian society, women's sexual subjugation is the most crucial aspect of Indian families.

Marital rape not only shreds human dignity, but it also violates a woman's right to privacy. It's time that we give women equality in the truest sense of the term.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.
A marine biologist from Queensland has spotted a rare rainbow-hued blanket octopus moving across the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Jacinta Shackleton

Also Read: Indian Origin Researcher's Team Catch Rare Transparent Octopus On Video

The rare sea creature was spotted by Jacinta Shackleton while she was snorkelling near Lady Elliot Island, off the coast of Queensland. The octopus looked rather like a piece of orange-coloured fabric, floating in the bright blue sea.



In a conversation with Bundabergnow, Shackleton revealed that these are a rarely encountered pelagic octopus species that spend their entire lives in the open oceans. In fact, the first live male was only sighted in 2002.

She said in a statement, The colours in her cape were incredible and it was fascinating to watch the way she moved through the water. When I first saw it I thought it could have been a juvenile fish with long fins, but as it came closer I realised it was a blanket octopus and I was overjoyed and couldnt contain my excitement! Surely a once-in-a-lifetime encounter for me, so grateful!

Jacinta Shackleton

Also Read: Australian Octopus Clicked A Selfie, Which Won Awards At A Photo Competition

Blanket octopuses get their name from the female of the species, who are known to possess a long, fleshy cape enclosed in its tentacles. According to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, this large cape allows the octopus to look more intimidating to potential predators.

In fact, the blanket on female blanket octopus can grow up to two metres in length. In contrast, the male blanket octopus measures just 2.4 centimetres. Moreover, they also die soon after mating, making them even rarer to spot.

What do you think about the blanket octopus? Tell us in the comments below and keep reading Indiatimes.com for science and technology stories.
The current generation Suzuki Jimny is one of the most anticipated offerings in India, and around the world. It is a highly-sought-after vehicle. and people cannot wait to get their hands on one.

It has a more practical five-door version that is expected to be introduced in India. While the official launch is something we have to wait for, students in Japan decided to take matters into their own hands and gave us a peak into what the five-door Jimny would look like. They did so by creating their own monster creation of the vehicle.

Car and Bike

According to a report by Car and Bike, the Suzuki Jimny four-door monster truck has been developed by the students of Nihon Automobile College (NATS) and they revealed the same at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The customised vehicle has been named the Jimny Kimun Kamui, and eight students worked on the 2019 Jimny Sierra as the base model. The platform was stretched by 400 mm to add the second row, and the body was cut in half to accommodate the extra doors and a rear-quarter glass.

Car and Bike

The report says that the rear doors are smaller compared to the the ones at the front. However, they do promise to improve access to the second-row seats. The rear fenders were also customised as part of the structural changes.

The students added some off-road specific changes including a new suspension set-up with a six-inch body lift, 17-inch steel wheels with Toyo off-road tyres, and on off-road bumper with an integrated winch. The model also gets a protective tubular frame around the bodywork, a roof-mounted light bar and a rooftop tent.

The students also upgraded the engine on the Jimny Kimun Kamui - the 1.5-litre petrol engine now develops 121 bhp and 179 Nm of peak torque and has been upgraded with a turbocharger, a remapped ECU and a blow-off valve.

Suzuki plans to get the five-door Jimny to arrive later this year. Presently, Suzuki India manufactures and exports the three-door Jimny from its Manesar plant to several markets overseas.



Car and Bike

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Forney, TX (75126)

Today

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below.
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings holds a COVID-19 briefing at the Orange County Administration Center, on Monday, July 19, 2021. Florida is accounting for 1-in-5 of nations COVID-19 cases. Demings recently urged both the vaccinated and unvaccinated to wear a mask in crowded places indoors with cases on the rise locally. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who has led the countys push for vaccination, testing and safety protocols, tested positive for COVID-19, a spokesperson announced Wednesday.

The news release said the mayor will be working from home this week.

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U.S. Rep. Val Demings, the mayors spouse, said in a separate email she is Negative and grateful. Will continue to test (as I always do) on a regular basis.

She added, As always we would also encourage all Floridians to sign up for the free tests now available through the USPS at https://special.usps.com/testkits, and to get vaccinated.

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Rep. Demings, also a 2022 candidate for U.S. Senate, is scheduled to ride her Harley-Davidson motorcycle in a meet-and-greet campaign event Saturday morning at Ace Cafe, 100 W. Livingston St. in downtown Orlando.

The mayor is fully vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms, spokesperson Despina McLaughlin said.

He received confirmation of a positive test Tuesday evening.

Demings attended the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority board meeting by telephone Wednesday.

Unfortunately, due to COVID exposure over the weekend, I am working from the creature comforts of my home and cannot participate in person today, he said when his name was called during roll call. However, I will be with you participating telephonically and Ill be viewing Orange TV live for all of the proceedings today.

The board chose Gov. Ron DeSantis transportation secretary, Kevin Thibault, by a 6-1 vote to replace retiring Phil Brown as chief executive officer of Orlando International Airport. Five board members appointed by the governor picked Thibault, who had never run an airport, while Demings preferred Lance Lyttle, director of Seattles airport. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Lyttle was his top choice, too, but he voted with the majority as a show of unanimity.

McLaughlin said Demings will follow protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for returning to the office.

Orange County remains a community of high COVID transmission, defined by the CDC as more than 100 infections per 100,000 residents.

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The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

The countys rate over the past seven days is 2,206 infections per 100,000 residents.

The omicron surge is driving COVID-19 infections to historic highs here with more new cases being diagnosed daily than any other time during the pandemic.

According to protocols updated Dec. 27 on the CDC website, people infected with COVID-19 should isolate for five days and, if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving, follow that isolation by wearing a mask for five days when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter.

Most SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the illness, usually a day or two before onset of symptoms and two or three days after.

CDC guidelines do not call for quarantine of exposed people who have had a booster shot but advise them to wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.

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shudak@orlandosentinel.com
An example of James Brown Jr.'s work that will be on display at the ARTfactory in February.
At their March Board Meeting, downtown development district Rio Nuevo announced plans to fund and advance multiple real estate projects. The announcements come as Rio Nuevo reports it is back to pre-pandemic sales tax revenue and is seeing strong requests for new construction downtown.
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, U.S. 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.

Topics Auto Law Enforcement
Asian insurer FWD Group has raised $200 million in new funding ahead of its planned Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO), according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

The sources could not be named as the information had not yet been made public. FWD Group declined to comment.

FWD Group Withdraws U.S. IPO Plan, Pivoting Instead to Hong Kong Swiss Re-Backed FWD Raises $1.4 Billion, Weighs Hong Kong IPO

Two new investors, ORIX Corp and Huatai Securities Co, participated in the private placement, the sources said.

ORIX declined to comment and Huatai did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

The deal means the Richard Li-backed FWD Group has raised $1.6 billion in the past month after the company ditched its U.S. IPO plans.

The first capital raising of $1.4 billion valued FWD Group at $9 billion on a post money basis, sources told Reuters in December.

It now plans to carry out a Hong Kong IPO after it struggled to receive full approval from U.S. regulators to list in New York.

FWD Group had planned to raise $2 billion to $3 billion in the U.S. offering.

The company received preliminary approval in December from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to carry out a marketing roadshow to investors, but still needed full sign-off from regulators, sources told Reuters at the time.

FWD has a business presence in 10 Asian markets, according to its website.

(Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Melbourne; editing by Gerry Doyle)

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Carriers Funding
A UK High Court on Tuesday threw out a case brought by climate activists against the countrys oil and gas regulator OGA, rejecting their argument that the OGAs actions amount to a type of unlawful subsidy of the fossil fuel sector.

The ruling, seen by Reuters, is a setback for climate activists who are increasingly taking to the courts to force a reduction in oil and gas production in order to control global warming. In particular, activists won a landmark Dutch case in May requiring Shell to deepen emission cuts.

In the UK case, activists including a former oil refinery worker targeted the OGAs assessment of applications for oil and gas field developments on a pre-tax basis, noting in some years if oil and gas prices were low the government actually returned money to producers rather than benefiting from tax receipts.

This, they argue, is in conflict with both the governments long-standing policy of maximizing economic recovery of oil and gas in the British North Sea, meaning that oil and gas extraction there should make commercial sense, and with Britains 2050 net zero emissions goal.

I reject the contention that the strategy is unlawful because the definition of economically recoverable was irrational. It follows that the claimants claim fails and is dismissed, Judge Sara Cockerill said in the ruling document.

Britains treasury received around 248 million pounds ($337 million) from oil and gas production in 2020/21, a drop of 71% on the previous year, according to official data, due to a plunge in oil and gas prices during the pandemic.

In a joint statement, the claimants Mikaela Loach, Kairin van Sweeden and Jeremy Cox said they would decide whether to appeal within the next few days.

Regardless of what we decide, the billions that the UK government has wasted propping up the oil and gas industry have finally been made public. There is no going back. The fight to stop the flow of public money to oil and gas companies is just getting started, they said.

The Paid to Pollute campaigners highlight tax years such as 2016/17 when an oil price slump meant the government returned 400 million pounds to oil producers.

British energy and business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and the OGA said they welcomed the ruling.

Turning off North Sea oil and gas overnight would put energy security, jobs and industries at risk  and make us even more dependent on foreign imports. This has to be a transition, not extinction, Kwarteng said on Twitter.

OGA lawyer Kate Gallafent had told the court in December the benefits of oil and gas extractions were a lot wider than tax revenues, pointing to energy security and jobs.

($1 = 0.7356 pounds) (Reporting by Shadia Nasralla; editing by Kirsten Donovan Alexandra Hudson and Mark Potter)

Topics Energy Oil Gas
A group of the worlds biggest insurers and reinsurers jointly pledging to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from their underwriting activities have run into an unexpected opponent of their planet-friendly mission: competition law.

The Net-Zero Insurance Alliance, which counts AXA SA, Allianz SE and Swiss Re AG among its members, has purposely limited the scope of its collaboration to avoid potential violations of antitrust rules, said people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing non-public information. A proposal to include a commitment to exit coal insurance as part of the terms of group membership was scrapped following advice from attorneys at Norton Rose Fulbright, one of the people said.

Antitrust rules that exist to protect consumers from cartels and monopolies are at odds with a world where cutting emissions is a top priority. And while competition authorities have begun exploring how current rules may hinder government-sponsored sustainability goals, until the rules are changed, they serve as a potential impediment to climate action.

Members of the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance have made an overarching commitment to reach net-zero emissions from their insurance and reinsurance underwriting portfolios by 2050, though it will be up to each company to determine how they reach the target.

The insurance coalition is part of the larger Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, which includes over 450 companies with more than $130 trillion of assets committing to zero net financed emissions and trumpets its broad support as a point of pride.

Attorneys at law firm Norton Rose Fulbright advised the insurance group that its members might be liable to anti-competition litigation if they act together against specific industries, the people said. A spokeswoman for Norton Rose declined to comment on the firms recommendations to the Alliance or the relevance of competition law to net-zero objectives.

Butch Bacani, program leader at the United Nations Environment Programmes Principles for Sustainable Insurance Initiative and key architect of the alliance, said hes disappointed that the group faces such a roadblock, especially since climate science demands urgent action on fossil fuels. However, insurers dont want to run afoul of competition law given the severe penalties for contravening such rules, he said.

We can see the bigger picture of net-zero societies and the wider sustainability agenda, but that is still not permeating existing laws, Bacani said.

Spokespeople for Allianz, AXA and Swiss Re, when asked to comment on the antitrust issues facing the insurance alliance gave near identical statements. Their key messages: The climate crisis is so vast it necessitates collaboration between different stakeholders; the insurance alliances founding members have complied with all applicable laws and regulations; and the alliance can achieve its ultimate net-zero ambitions while abiding with the law.

Antitrust questions arise when insurers come together and discuss which risks they will underwrite and which they wont since antitrust authorities normally say competitors shouldnt talk to each other about their policies, said Maurits Dolmans, a partner at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. Dolmans said it could be argued that a common goal of net zero by 2050 restricts commercial freedoms and could therefore be seen as an issue under competition law, though, in his view, coordination on net-zero underwriting is something that deserves to be exempted from antitrust rules.

Competition authorities in the European Union and the UK are not deaf to the criticisms.

UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy asked its competition watchdog in July to provide advice to government on whether competition and consumer laws constrain or frustrate initiatives that might support the U.K.s net-zero and sustainability goals.

EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said in September that competition enforcers need to make sure that were doing what we can to help support green activities. The EU is exploring how competition rules interact with green policies and said industry coalitions with green objectives should discuss their ideas with antitrust authorities since theres huge scope to set up these agreements in line with the antitrust rules.

Representatives of the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance have begun discussions with the EU on whether specific carve-outs can be introduced to competition law when environmental benefits outweigh competitive concerns, said one of the people. The early stage talks are focused on technical details, the person said.

A spokesperson for the EU declined to comment on the talks.

Competition law is adequate for our times, but enforcement policy should be adjusted to the climate crisis, said Clearys Dolmans. Enabling a carve out for collective action towards net-zero emissions is one way of helping correct, though not completely undoing, the market failure we have today where the immediate economic penalties for emitting carbon are minuscule to non-existent.

Taking a position on fossil fuels, especially coal, is critical to reaching net zero as the burning of thermal coal is the single largest contributor to the increase in global temperatures.

With assistance from Aoife White.

Photograph: Hopper cars laden with coal trail behind an eastbound Norfolk Southern Corp. freight train heading through Waddy, Ky. Photo credit: Photo credit: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers
Orlandos rental assistance portal is expected to reopen on Feb. 1 for households financially impacted by the pandemic.

The city announced the opening date in a news release, which also revealed Orange County would stop accepting city applicants. Soon after Orlandos portal closed temporarily, the county began accepting city residents as a stop-gap.

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Orlando paid out the entirety of one federal pool of funds in November to more than 1,600 households and needed to put the contract out for bid before a new federal pot could be used. Earlier this month, the city council signed off on again using KPMG to run the program.

This latest $6.8 million pot is Orlandos share of $21.55 billion in rental assistance allocated in the American Rescue Plan, signed by President Joe Biden last year. Funds were divvied up to state and local governments to help qualifying residents.

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To receive federal aid, a household needs at least one person who qualifies for unemployment or has lost income or faced other financial hardship during the pandemic. The U.S. Treasury also requires one more people to be at risk of homelessness or housing instability, have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income  in Orlando, thats $61,050 for a family of four  and prioritizes households at or below 50% of the area median income, which is $38,150.

Proof of residency is also required.

The program pays past-due rent, and also up to three months advance rental payments. However, total assistance is capped at 18 months, including under past pandemic rental assistance programs. Utility payments arent included unless theyre billed in the lease.

Payments are made directly to a landlord and the rental rate cant be more than $4,000 per month.

rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com
The blast from the volcano could be heard in Alaska, and the waves crossed the ocean to cause an oil spill and two drownings in Peru. The startling satellite images resembled a massive nuclear explosion.

And yet, despite sitting almost on top of the volcano that erupted so violently on Saturday, the Pacific nation of Tonga appears to have avoided the widespread disaster that many initially feared.

Damage Still Being Assessed on Tonga After Massive Volcanic Eruption

Perhaps the biggest problem is the ash that has coated the main island and transformed it into a gray moonscape, contaminating the rainwater that people rely on to drink. New Zealands military is sending fresh water and other much-needed supplies, but said Tuesday the ash covering Tongas main runway will delay the flight at least another day.

Tonga has so far reported two deaths, and concerns remain over the fate of people on two smaller islands that were hard hit. Communications have been down everywhere, making assessments more difficult.

But on the main island of Tongatapu, at least, life is slowly returning to normal. The tsunami that swept over coastal areas after the eruption was frightening for many but rose only about 80 centimeters (2.7 feet), allowing most to escape.

We did hold grave fears, given the magnitude of what we saw in that unprecedented blast, said Katie Greenwood, the head of delegation in the Pacific for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Fortunately, in those major population centers we are not seeing the catastrophic effect we thought might happen, and thats very good news.

Greenwood, who is based in Fiji and has been talking with people in Tonga by satellite phone, said an estimated 50 homes were destroyed on Tongatapu but that nobody needed to use emergency shelters. She said about 90 people on the nearby island of Eua were using shelters.

U.N. humanitarian officials and Tongas government has reported significant infrastructural damage around Tongatapu.

There has been no contact from the Haapai Group of islands, and we are particularly concerned about two small low-lying islands  Mango and Fonoi  following surveillance flights confirming substantial property damage, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

New Zealands High Commission in Tonga also reported significant damage along the western coast of Tongatapu, including to resorts and the waterfront area.

Like other island nations in the Pacific, Tonga is regularly exposed to the extremes of nature, whether it be cyclones or earthquakes, making people more resilient to the challenges they bring.

Indeed, Greenwood said Tonga does not want an influx of aid workers following the eruption. Tonga is one of the few remaining places in the world that has managed to avoid any outbreaks of the coronavirus, and officials fear that if outsiders bring in the virus it could create a much bigger disaster than the one theyre already facing.

Another worry, said Greenwood, is that the volcano could erupt again. She said there is currently no working equipment around it which could help predict such an event.

Satellite images captured the spectacular eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai volcano on Saturday, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a giant mushroom above the South Pacific. The volcano is located about 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of Tongas capital, Nukualofa.

Two people drowned in Peru, which also reported the oil spill after waves moved a ship that was transferring oil at a refinery.

In Tonga, British woman Angela Glover, 50, was one of those who died after being swept away by a wave, her family said.

Nick Eleini said his sisters body had been found and that her husband survived. I understand that this terrible accident came about as they tried to rescue their dogs, Eleini told Sky News. He said it had been his sisters life dream to live in the South Pacific and she loved her life there.

New Zealands military said it hoped the airfield in Tonga would be opened either Wednesday or Thursday. The military said it had considered an airdrop but that was not the preference of the Tongan authorities.

New Zealand also sent a navy ship to Tonga on Tuesday, with another planned to leave later in the day, and pledged an initial 1 million New Zealand dollars ($680,000) toward recovery efforts.

Australia sent a navy ship from Sydney to Brisbane to prepare for a support mission if needed.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Tuesday said China is preparing to send drinking water, food, personal protective equipment and other supplies to Tonga as soon as flights resume.

The U.N. World Food Program is exploring how to bring in relief supplies and more staff and has received a request to restore communication lines in Tonga, which is home to about 105,000 people, Dujarric said.

Communications with the island nation are limited because the single underwater fiber-optic cable that connects Tonga to the rest of the world was likely severed in the eruption. The company that owns the cable said the repairs could take weeks.

Samiuela Fonua, who chairs the board at Tonga Cable Ltd., said the cable appeared to have been severed soon after the eruption. He said the cable lies atop and within coral reef, which can be sharp.

Fonua said a ship would need to pull up the cable to assess the damage and then crews would need to fix it. A single break might take a week to repair, he said, while multiple breaks could take up to three weeks. He added that it was unclear when it would be safe for a ship to venture near the undersea volcano to undertake the work.

A second undersea cable that connects the islands within Tonga also appeared to have been severed, Fonua said. However, a local phone network was working, allowing Tongans to call each other. But he said the lingering ash cloud was continuing to make even satellite phone calls abroad difficult.

___

Associated Press journalist Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.

Photograph: This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai volcano in Tonga on Jan. 6, 2022, before a huge undersea volcanic eruption. Photo credit: Satellite image 2022 Maxar Technologies via AP.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The family of a delivery driver who died last month when a tornado collapsed the central Illinois Amazon facility where he worked filed a wrongful deathlawsuitMonday in Madison County.

The action on behalf of Austin McEwen, 26, claims that Amazon failed to warn employees of dangerous weather or provide safe shelter before a tornado slammed the Edwardsville facility Dec. 10, killing McEwen and five others.

It is believed to be the first legal action taken in response to the deaths. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation.

McEwens parents, Randy and Alice McEwen, allege that Amazon administrators knew severe weather was imminent but had no emergency plan nor evacuated employees from the fulfillment center.

Sadly, it appears that Amazon placed profits first during this holiday season instead of the safety of our son and the other five, Alice McEwen said at a news conference Monday.

Amazon carelessly required individuals  to continue working up until the moments before the tornado struck, thelawsuitsays, and improperly directed McEwen and colleagues to shelter in a rest room, which it says the company knew or should have known wasnt safe.

They had people working up to the point of no return, said Jack Casciato, the McEwens lawyer who is a partner of Clifford Law Offices.

Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel released a statement that countered that thelawsuitmisunderstands key facts including the differences among severe weather alerts and the condition and safety of the building.

This was a new building less than four years old, built in compliance with all applicable building codes, and the local teams were following the weather conditions closely, Nantel said. Severe weather watches are common in this part of the country and, while precautions are taken, are not cause for most businesses to close down. We believe our team did the right thing as soon as a warning was issued.

Thelawsuitseeks more than $50,000 from each of the four defendants named in the suit, which includes Amazon.com, the construction company that built the facility and the projects developer.

Nantel said the company would defend itself against thelawsuitbut would continue to focus on supporting our employees and partners, the families who lost loved ones, the surrounding community, and all those affected by the tornadoes.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Illinois Amazon
AT&T and Verizon Communications on Tuesday agreed to temporarily defer turning on some wireless towers near key airports to avert a significant disruption to U.S. flights as they roll out 5G service that will bring faster wireless service to tens of millions of people.

President Joe Biden hailed the agreement, saying it will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled.

Late Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration updated its list of airports that planes with approved radio altimeter equipment could use to include major airports like New Yorks JFK and LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Chicagos OHare and Midway, San Francisco and Seattle.

The FAA was also expected to update its list of Airbus and Boeing planes with the approved equipment in the coming hours. The updates should dramatically lessen the impact of the nearly 1,500 notices of 5G restrictions that the FAA had issued.

Airlines and the FAA warned that new restrictions as a result of 5G service, which Verizon and AT&T are to launch on Wednesday, would still prompt some flight disruptions. Delta Air Lines said while the wireless moves were a positive development, some flight restrictions may remain.

United Airlines told customers on a flight from Denver to Houston that a three-hour delay was a result of the new 5G systems, according to a notice on its website. It also suggested customers with any concerns reach out to the Federal Communications Commission.

The FAA has warned that 5G wireless interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments such as radio altimeters and significantly hamper low-visibility operations.

The FAA said it anticipated there will be some impacts due to the limitations of some radio altimeters.

Verizon will temporarily not turn on about 500 towers near airports, sources told Reuters, or less than 10% of their planned deployment, while the carriers and the administration work on a permanent solution, sources briefed on the matter said. Details of the agreement, including the length of the pause, were not disclosed.

Both Verizon and AT&T will launch 5G elsewhere in the country.

Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement that the FAA has a process in place to assess altimeter performance in the 5G environment and resolve any remaining concerns. It is essential that the FAA now complete this process with both care and speed.

Airlines for America, a passenger and cargo trade group, said the pause provides the opportunity to ensure all stakeholders, consumers and the U.S. economy are served in the long run.

This is the third time that AT&T and Verizon agreed to delay deployment of the new C-Band 5G wireless service. The companies in November postponed deployment by 30 days until Jan. 5, and then agreed to delay deployment until Jan. 19.

Nearly all but a handful of the impacted sites are Verizon towers, officials said.

Still the FAA and airlines must grapple with how to resolve the concerns permanently  especially since AT&T and Verizon earlier agreed to take some measures to reduce interference for six months.

Despite the agreement, major foreign carriers including Air India and Japans biggest airline, ANA Holdings, said they had canceled some U.S.-bound flights because of possible 5G interference.

ANA said on its website it had canceled some Boeing 777 flights after Boeing announced flight restrictions on all airlines operating the Boeing 777 aircraft. Boeing did not immediately comment.

Airlines are likely to cancel some additional flights in the coming hours as they wait for formal guidance from the FAA on the announcements from Verizon and AT&T. They warned Monday of catastrophic impacts. Airlines had raised concerns that the issue could prevent them from flying Boeing 777s and other widebody jets to many key airports.

The chief executives of major U.S. passenger and cargo carriers on Monday said the new 5G service could render a significant number of widebody aircraft unusable, could potentially strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas and cause chaos for U.S. flights.

The airlines asked that 5G be implemented everywhere in the country except within the approximate 2 miles (3.2 km) of airport runways at some key airports.

Verizons rollout plan is much more aggressive than AT&Ts. It is significantly impacted by the Biden administration request to delay using some towers near airport runways.

AT&T and Verizon won significant C-Band spectrum in an $80 billion auction last year.

Verizon Chief Executive Hans Vestberg told employees on Jan. 4 the carrier saw no aviation safety issue with 5G and had resisted prior delays, officials told Reuters.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Leslie Adler and Gerry Doyle)

Topics Aviation
A federal judge in New York has dismissed a potential class action against Marsh & McLennan by two former employees who sued after the firm suffered a data breach in 2021.

The plaintiffs, Florida residents Nancy Bohnak and Janet Lea Smith, who sought monetary damages and injunctive relief, failed to show that they suffered any legally cognizable injury to support their substantive claims, U.S. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York found.

The judge told the plaintiffs that to be cognizable under either Florida or New York law, damages must be capable of proof with reasonable certainty and not merely speculative, and they must be proximately caused by the defendant.

Marsh & McLennan reported that on April 26, 2021 it discovered at data breach potentially affecting the personally identifiable information (PII) of about 7,000 people. The data included Social Security or other federal tax identification numbers, drivers license or other government issued identification, and passport information. MMC immediately notified law enforcement and launched an investigation and took measures that ended all unauthorized access ended on April 30.

Plaintiffs Bohnak and Smith claimed they have always been careful about sharing their PII and have never knowingly transmitted their unencrypted sensitive PII over the internet or any other unsecured source. They alleged that MMC had inadequate security practices and brought claims of negligence, breach of implied contract, and breach of confidence.

Bohnak and Smith claimed that as a result of the breach they suffered injuries that included lost or diminished value of PII; out-of-pocket expenses associated with recovery from identity theft, tax fraud, and/or unauthorized use of their PII; lost opportunity costs associated with attempting to mitigate the actual consequences of the data breach, including but not limited to lost time, and the continued and certainly increased risk to their PII.

The plaintiffs also sought injunctive relief including requiring MMC to protect all collected data with encryption and to implement a comprehensive information security program.

MMC argued that the plaintiffs failed to state claims for negligence, breach of implied contract, or breach of confidence because they do not allege damages, the existence of an implied contract, or the existence of a confidential relationship.

The judge agreed and told the plaintiffs that their failure to plausibly allege damages doomed their request for monetary damages, and their failure to plausibly allege irreparable injury doomed their request for injunctive relief.

Plaintiffs can only speculate as to whether they will suffer harm at some unknown future date. They also can only speculate about the extent of that harm, if and when it does materialize. These damages are neither certain nor capable of proof with reasonable certainty. As to Plaintiffs allegations that they have suffered loss of time and money responding to the increased risk of harm, these damages are not cognizable because they are not proximately caused by the harm of disclosure, the judge wrote.

Their complaint falls short in establishing that they have suffered legally cognizable injury to support their substantive claims, the judge ruled.

Topics Lawsuits Cyber Legislation
An early morning fire on Jan. 14 at a church in Louisianas capital left $150,000 worth of damages but no injuries, authorities said.

The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded about 5:30 a.m. to a fire in North Baton Rouge at Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church. When firefighters entered the building, they found flames coming from the pulpit and baptism area. The blaze was under control by 6:05 a.m., news outlets reported.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The fire department and the Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office is investigating.

The department said the fire caused about $100,000 in damage for the building alone and another $50,000 in losses for the contents of the church.

No injuries have been reported.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana
Florida took a step toward opening its distressed property insurance market to more carriers Tuesday when a Senate committee approved a bill that would let Florida-based surplus lines insurers sell surplus policies in Florida.

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee also passed measures that would add stiffer penalties for some actions by public adjusters; would for the first time in years allow higher workers compensation reimbursement for physicians; and would add new requirements regarding insolvent insurance companies.

Senate Bill 1402, offered by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, would end the requirement that surplus lines carriers cannot be domiciled in Florida. If approved by the full Legislature and signed by the governor, the bill would allow many more carriers to write hard-to-place properties, but those companies would not be considered admitted carriers and would not be subject to state regulators review on rates.

The surplus carriers also would not be backed by the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association if they become insolvent, potentially exposing policyholders to significant losses. Consumers would have to be informed of that when they purchase a surplus policy, the bill states.

I definitely think that we need more options on insurance, and this is a really good bill, said committee member, Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando.

George Feijoo, a lobbyist who represents FCCI Insurance Group, a commercial carrier, argued that the bill would do little to fix the homeowners insurance crisis in Florida but would have other benefits. Under existing Florida law, if a surplus lines company wants to write in Florida, it must incorporate and be domiciled in another state. That practice is cumbersome to insurers. SB 1402 would also mean that domestic surplus lines would be regulated by Floridas financial solvency laws, instead of those of other states, Feijoo said.

Burgess said at the meeting that he is still trying to understand why current Florida law is set that way, but he noted that 21 other states have passed similar measures that ease the restriction.

Allowing domestic insurers to become eligible to transact surplus lines insurance may increase the number of property insurance policies written by surplus lines insurers, a legislative staff analysis of the bill explained.

A similar bill is in the House, HB 951, by Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota.

The committee, a key stop in the legislative process for insurance-related bills, also approved SB 1430, also sponsored by Burgess. The bill would make a number of technical changes to insolvency rules, including allowing insurers to make advance assessment payments to the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, in quarterly installments.

It also would require that the workers compensation rate-making organization for Florida, the National Council on Compensation Insurance, to include insolvent comp insurers loss experience data when recommending rates.

An amendment offered by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would also allow officers and directors of insolvent insurance companies to later be named officers or board members of other insurers, unless the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation finds that they had contributed to or caused the insolvency. The amendment and the bill passed the committee.

Brandes withdrew an amendment that would have required a post-mortem analysis on all insurers that go belly-up. He noted that when airplanes crash, the incident is subject to intense scrutiny by regulators. But when insurance carriers crash, no one examines the reasons. The concern Tuesday was which agency would be best suited to conduct the analysis.

The committee passed two other bills Tuesday. SB 1292, by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, would give regulators new powers to investigate and penalize errant insurers and public adjusters.

The bill would double financial penalties for adjusters who engage in deceptive practices during a state of emergency. And although the state Department of Financial Services already has subpoena power in some investigations, the bill would allow the department to fine insurers $2,000 per day when they fail to comply with investigations.

SB 1274 would ratify higher reimbursement rates for physicians and others who treat injured workers. The Florida Division of Workers Compensation and its reimbursement review group, known as the Three-Member Panel, have approved new reimbursement manuals in each of the past several years. But state law requires legislative review of any rule or regulation that would cost businesses above a certain amount.

Since 2016, lawmakers have declined to act on the improved reimbursements, leaving Florida workers comp doctors some of the lowest-paid in the nation, studies have shown. SB 1274, by Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Pensacola, passed the committee 9-0.

The much-anticipated property insurance bill that would tweak reforms started in 2019 and in 2021, is SB 1728, by Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, chairman of the committee. That bill did not make it on the committees agenda for Tuesday, however, because it was filed late, just before the deadline last week, a Boyd staff member said.

Topics Florida Excess Surplus
Drugmaker Endo International plc said on Tuesday it had agreed to pay up to $65 million to resolve claims by the state of Florida and local governments that the drugmaker helped fuel the U.S. opioid epidemic.

The deal is the latest in a string of settlements that Endo has struck in recent months to resolve similar cases, including a $63 million settlement with Texas in December.

The Florida settlement included no admission of wrongdoing, Endo said, while reiterating that its goal was to achieve a global opioid settlement.

Thousands of lawsuits have been filed seeking to hold drugmakers, drug distributors and pharmacy chains responsible for a drug abuse crisis, which the U.S. government says has led to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths over two decades.

Endo shares rose nearly 4% to $3.40 in premarket trading.

The settlement comes less than a month after Texas officials announced a $63 million settlement with Endo. The settlement requires Endo to pay into the Texas State Qualified Settlement Fundwhich will disperse funding accordinglywithout a requirement of a global settlement first, a news release said.

Topics Florida
California-based Relation Insurance Services has reached across the country to acquire trucking industry specialist Allen Insurance Group, headquartered in Georgia.

Based in Fort Valley, Georgia, Allen offers commercial lines and daily rental and modular container programs, the companies said in a news release. Gary Allen and Tricia Adams will continue with the merged company.

Relation Insurance, with corporate offices in Walnut Creek, California, calls itself a fast-growing national insurance agency with 125 locations around the country. It is backed by Acquiline Capital Partners, a private equity firm.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Georgia Trucking
Orion180, a homeowners insurance provider based in Florida, announced that it has made Ryan Jesenik chief operations officer.

Jesenik joined Orion180 in 2020 as senior vice president for sales and operations, and has overseen significant growth for the company, which operates in seven Southeastern states, according to an Orion news bulletin.

Jesenik has consulted for a number of companies and spent five years at aerospace manufacturing companies, including Precision Castparts, a Fortune 500 company purchased by Berkshire Hathaway in 2015.

Orion180 notes that it employs technology to serve independent agents and enables real-time quoting and binding.

Greenwich Transportation Underwriters has named Matt Grimm president. Grimm has more than 25 years of transportation insurance management, including 10 years in private law practice. Most recently, he was president of Vanliner, serving the moving and storage industry.

Greenwich is a managing general agency and program manager, specializing in commercial auto and logistics insurance. The 30-year-old company is based in Brentwood, Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is reminding residents that the state has $1 million available for firefighting equipment for the states more than 500 volunteer fire departments.

The department and the state Fire Marshals Office announced on Tuesday they are now accepting applications for grants through the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program.

The program was created in 2019 by the General Assembly and it sets aside money that can be used to either purchase firefighting equipment or to pay a cost share for federal grants for equipment, according to a news release from the department.

The programs initial launch in 2020 provided $500,000 in grants to 41 volunteer fire departments. For 2022, the programs funding was increased to $1 million.

Eligible fire departments must hold a valid recognition from the State Fire Marshals Office and have a staff of less than 51% full-time firefighters. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 28. A tutorial video is here. Questions can be emailed to Greg.Adams@TN.gov.

Topics Tennessee
Raul Pino, the state health officer in Orange, speaks on the current COVID-19 infection rate in the county during a news briefing at the Orange County Administration Building on Monday, August 9, 2021. (Rich Pope, Orlando Sentinel) (Rich Pope / Orlando Sentinel)

Dr. Raul Pino, who became a trusted voice of the pandemic response in the nations tourist capital, has been placed on administrative leave from his post as the states chief health officer in Orange County as the Florida Department of Health conducts an investigation.

Sources who spoke to the Orlando Sentinel on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss Pinos status said he was placed on administrative leave after a Health Department employee complained about an email he sent Jan. 4 to agency staff about employee vaccination rates.

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Pino, 58, declined to discuss the Health Departments action, but an agency spokesperson confirmed his status.

As the decision to get vaccinated is a personal medical choice that should be made free from coercion and mandates from employers, the employee in question has been placed on administrative leave, and the Florida Department of Health is conducting an inquiry to determine if any laws were broken in this case, spokesperson Weesam Khoury said in an email Tuesday. The Department is committed to upholding all laws, including the ban on vaccine mandates for government employees and will take appropriate action once additional information is known.

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She declined to provide details or Pinos email.

The agencys decision was first reported Tuesday by WFTV-Channel 9.

In the email, Pino said 77 of 568 employees had been fully vaccinated, including receiving a booster shot. Another 219 had received two shots.

I am sorry but in the absence of reasonable and real reasons it is irresponsible not to be vaccinated, Pino wrote in the email, according to the TV report. We have been at this for two years, we were the first to give vaccines to the masses, we have done more than 300,000 and we are not even at 50%, pathetic.

Since March 2020, when the pandemic erupted in Central Florida, Pino has been a fixture on more than 150 press briefings, appearing beside Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings to discuss COVID-19, best practices, safety protocols, coronavirus infection, testing and vaccination rates, and deaths.

He last appeared at a press briefing Dec. 28, discussing the rise of the omicron variant.

Pino has urged residents to get vaccinated against the virus to protect themselves, those more vulnerable and the regions tourism economy.

Clearly vaccines are working for us  and are the solution to this crisis, he said last month, as county officials announced the omicron variant was beginning to crest and emerge as the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 in the countys wastewater. The vaccine continues to be effective against the variants.

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The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

Pinos journey to Central Florida began more than 25 years ago when he left Cuba as a political refugee and resettled in New England.

Eight years earlier he had graduated from medical school in Cuba and trained in plastic surgery at the Naval Hospital in Havana. He worked odd jobs in the U.S. at first, including picking blueberries in Connecticut. But he never gave up on a health career. He eventually earned a masters degree in public health from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and was hired by the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an epidemiologist.

Pino also formerly served as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and Demings, a Democrat, have often sparred over vaccination and face-masking mandates, Pino has tread a thin line between the two elected officials, usually offering raw data and opinions based on his medical experience and research.

During press briefings, Pino patiently answered questions posed to him in English or Spanish, whether at the county podium or out in public, because, he has said, accurate information is a significant weapon in the fight against COVID-19. He always offered condolences to families who experienced loss because of the pandemic.

During a special session in November, Florida legislators enacted a law banning coronavirus vaccine mandates, including for government employees, unless several exemptions were offered to employees. The legislation was signed into law Nov. 18 by DeSantis.

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shudak@orlandosentinel.com; rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com
The Biden administration on Tuesday unveiled a 10-year plan to treat and maintain millions of additional acres of forests in the western United States to reduce the severity of seasonal wildfires.

Were not going to stop fires, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said at a press event in Arizona alongside Forest Service chief Randy Moore. But what we can do is begin the process of reducing the catastrophic nature of those fires.

The plan, called the wildfire crisis strategy, aims to make some 50 million acres (20 million hectares) of forests healthier and more resilient to fires through treatments like thinning, pruning, and prescribed burning, they said.

Wildfire seasons have worsened in the United States in recent years after decades of federal policy to immediately extinguish wildfires instead of letting some of them burn on in a controlled fashion, leading to a buildup of flammable brush, a report on the plan said.

Climate change has also led to hotter, drier conditions in the American West, making fires more common and brush more flammable.

The U.S. Forest Service has historically treated up to 2 million acres in the western United States annually, the report said.

Under the new plan, the Forest Service, along with the Department of the Interior and other partners, will treat up to 20 million additional acres of National Forest System land and up to 30 million additional acres of other federal, state, tribal, and private land in the western United States over the next 10 years.

The priority will be parts of Arizona, Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington state most at risk of wildfires.

The effort, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, will get underway with nearly $3 billion in funds from the infrastructure law. But it will require an additional $50 billion over time in order to meet the 50 million-acre target, a USDA official said.

A record 2020 wildfire season burned https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/us-proposes-big-increase-forest-management-tackle-wildfires-2021-05-20 more than 10 million acres in the United States, about half of which was Forest Service land. The Forest Service is part of the USDA.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A chance encounter during a shopping trip to Crate & Barrel in Novi, Mich., led to an unexpected opportunity for entrepreneur Nicole Smith, owner of Cutting Edge Lazer Engraving. After striking up a conversation with a store manager, Smith was invited to set up her AP Lazer equipment instore during the 2021 holiday shopping season to provide complimentary engraving on customer purchases. The Crate & Barrel store pre-promoted these special events and compensated the home-based engraving company.

Engraving in-stock items sidesteps global logistics issues, drives sales, and makes the shopping experience memorable.

"Our customers and sales associates were really engaged," said Crate & Barrel Store Manager Jennifer Landers. "There was a real element of fun and satisfaction assisting our guests in selecting items and having their one-of-a-kind gifts engraved in our store."

It was a winning collaboration for Crate & Barrel, Cutting Edge Lazer Engraving, and store shoppers.

"People literally teared up watching the holiday ornaments, cutting boards, platters, wine glasses and other items they bought transformed into priceless keepsakes before their eyes," said Smith, who operates her business with her husband, Brandon. "They knew these thoughtful gifts would touch people's hearts and be treasured."

The Crate & Barrel store's promotions were so successful that the engraving events are continuing in 2022. Tong Li, founder, CEO, and inventor of AP Lazer's patented large format, open base laser machine systems that can engrave almost any item on store shelves, believes retailers that embrace what he calls "The Emotional Marketplace" will be at the forefront of an emerging retail revolution.

"Once our basic physical needs for food, shelter, and safety are met, as documented by renowned psychologist, Abraham Maslow, our emotional needs for connectedness, happiness, affection, and giving and receiving love take precedence," said Li. "Enormous opportunities exist for brick-and-mortar retailers that understand this. When meaningful sentiment is engraved onto everyday products, they become cherished mementos because they elicit warm feelings and emotions."

In her article The Rise of Personalized Products in Retail, Shopkeep's Yamarie Grullon writes, "Personalization offers an appealing, cost-effective way for consumers to form an emotional connection to a particular product or brand, while retailers enjoy increased loyalty and customer satisfaction rates." Consumer studies on retail trends by Deloitte and others over the past decade confirm consumers are happy to pay more for personalized products which increases revenue, while custom items spark conversation and free word-of-mouth promotion.

According to Li, the timing couldn't be better for creative merchants to form partnerships with local laser engravers to combat the enormous obstacles, like the pandemic's Great Resignation retail trend, while also forging a promising path forward.

"AP Lazer entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. can serve as house engravers for retailers struggling to find workers, without the overhead costs of hiring, training, and managing an employee," said Li. "In-stock items can be engraved, sidestepping global logistics issues, and revenue increased without adding inventory. Perhaps most importantly, genuine relationships and a competitive advantage can be created by offering shoppers what online retail giants cannot: a high touch, one-on-one, memorable customer experience."

Another AP Lazer entrepreneur, Bonnie Gilbert of Treblig Design in Port Huron, Mich. reached out to nearby retailers when COVID-19 first hit in 2020 and craft shows were canceled. She created partnerships with a local hair salon, alteration shop, menswear store and a cafe, engraving their products and selling her own, increasing revenue for all.

"The future of retail lies in adding meaning to merchandise and humanity to the shopping experience," said Li.

Link to photos here: (photo credit AP Lazer)

About AP Lazer

Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, AP Lazer is a privately owned designer and manufacturer of patented, open architecture CNC laser machines that engrave and cut a wide variety of materials and objects of all sizes. AP Lazer provides 24/7 tech support 365 days a year. Its customers are located throughout the U.S. and on six continents. For more information visit www.APLazer.com.

CONTACT:

Catherine Ticer

catherine@ckcagency.com

Cell: 248.514.1441

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SOURCE AP Lazer
Households across Europe are taking steps to slash their energy use on concern the unprecedented squeeze on supply will keep prices high way beyond winter.

Energy bills are climbing across the continent, with homes set to pay on average 54% more than they did two years ago, Bank of America data show.

That cost surge is driving demand for solar panels and extra insulation as people seek to ease the pressure on their wallets.

Rooftop solar is going to grow quite substantially all over Europe, said Vegard Wiik Vollset at researcher Rystad Energy.

The potential of reducing your electricity bill with these sort of installations is now suddenly a lot more attractive amid higher energy prices.

France saw the biggest expansion in rooftop solar in Europe last year, with new installations jumping almost fourfold, according to Mr Rystad.

Germany was still first in terms of volume, adding more than 1,600 megawatts of capacity.

The growth in both countries builds on an existing trend, with more and more residents opting to green their homes in recent years.

The takeup of such technologies varies widely across the continent.

In Britain, whose housing stock is older than any EU countrys, improving insulation is a major challenge.

Homes there lose heat faster than anywhere else in western Europe.

Yet a survey late last year showed less than a fifth of Britons were considering improvements to home energy efficiency.

Among those not contemplating changes, more than a quarter said they cost too much.

For European households that do have the cash or incentives to make modifications, the impact on bills can come quickly.

But it could take years for those actions to become sufficiently widespread to cut national energy demand significantly.

In 2020, eurozone households spent an average of 1,200 on electricity and gas. That figure is set to swell to 1,850 this year, according to Bank of America, as geopolitical tensions push up natural gas prices which the scarce supply of energy from renewable sources cannot offset.

This year was meant to see consumer spending drive growth after two years of Covid-19 lockdowns and layoffs.

The ECB said in December it expected the eurozone economy to expand by 4.2% in 2022, driven by a surge in private consumption.

But higher energy costs hitting households at home and at the petrol pumps  with oil rising by half and wholesale prices for natural gas quadrupling in a year  are throwing those forecasts into question.

Energy typically accounts for slightly more than 6% of private consumption in the eurozone but this could rise to as much as 10% as a result of higher prices, according to ING's estimates, reducing what is available to spend on other goods.

"This would also be in line with previous episodes of higher energy prices, in which almost all countries saw other expenditures dropping," ING's economist Carsten Brzeski said. The hit to growth is likely to be significant.

In Italy, for example, gas and electricity prices will shave almost 3% off household consumption this year and 1.1% off GDP if they stay close to their current levels, according to consultancy firm Nomisma Energia.

The picture is even more severe in Spain. "If price increases come from higher demand, they are less damaging," Miguel Cardoso of BBVA Research said.

"The current situation is not like that. We are seeing a negative supply shock."

In Germany, the RWI Institute estimated consumer spending would probably not exceed pre-crisis levels again until the second quarter of 2022 and said rising prices were likely to deter people from making major purchases.

France was a partial exception as the government of president Emmanuel Macron, who is seeking re-election in May, has capped electricity price increases at 4%.

But these will offset only about a quarter of the 54% increase in energy bills from 2020, according to Bank of America.
Covid infection could be turning more and more children into fussy eaters, experts have suggested.

This may be because they are suffering from parosmia  a disorder where people experience strange and often unpleasant smell distortions.

For example, chocolate may smell like petrol, or someone may smell rotting cabbage instead of lemon.

Smell experts at the University of East Anglia and Fifth Sense, the charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders, say children in particular may be finding it hard to eat foods they once loved.

Fifth Sense and Carl Philpott, from UEAs Norwich Medical School, are launching guidance to help parents and healthcare professionals better recognise the disorder.

Prof Philpott, said: Parosmia is thought to be a product of having less smell receptors working which leads to only being able to pick up some of the components of a smell mixture.

We know that an estimated 250,000 adults in the UK have suffered parosmia as a result of a Covid infection.

But in the last few months, particularly since Covid started sweeping through classrooms last September, weve become more and more aware that its affecting children too.

In many cases the condition is putting children off their food, and many may be finding it difficult to eat at all.

Its something that until now hasnt really been recognised by medical professionals, who just think the kids are being difficult eaters without realising the underlying problem.

Prof Philpott added that he is seeing teenage patients with parosmia for the first time in his career.

Fifth Sense chairman and founder Duncan Boak said: Weve heard from some parents whose children are suffering nutritional problems and have lost weight, but doctors have put this down to just fussy eating.

The new guidance shows that children should be listened to and believed.

It suggests parents can help by keeping a diary of foods that are safe, and those that are triggers.

Prof Philpott explained: Establishing what the triggers are and what tastes OK is really important.

There are lots of common triggers  for example cooking meat and onions or garlic and the smell of fresh coffee brewing, but these can vary from child to child.

Parents and healthcare professionals should encourage children to try different foods with less strong flavours such as pasta, bananas, or mild cheese  to see what they can cope with or enjoy.

Vanilla or flavour-free protein and vitamin milkshakes can help children get the nutrients they need without the taste.

And it may sound obvious, but children could use a soft nose clip or hold their nose while eating to help them block out the flavours.

The guidance also suggests that children and adults should consider smell training.

This involves sniffing at least four different odours  for example eucalyptus, lemon, rose, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee, or lavender  twice a day every day for several months.

The experts cite the example of 11-year-old Malisse Kafi who had coronavirus in September.

Since then he has found it difficult to eat or drink because everything tastes like poo and rotten eggs.

His mum Dawn Kafi, from Old Swan, Liverpool, said: It began with Malisse thinking his food had gone off. He says that food tastes like poo and sewerage and water tastes of rotten eggs.

He just stopped eating, food was making him retch and gag. It was horrendous.

Malisse was diagnosed with parosmia and given a steroid nasal spray, but it did not help.

By November he had lost around 2kg and was rushed to hospital, dehydrated and slurring his words.

Eventually, the youngster needed to be fed via a tube that went up through his nose and down into his stomach.

While Malisse still has parosmia, he is beginning to improve and he has some safe foods that he can eat.

Help and advice for parents is available on the Fifth Sense website.
Burma Ex-Army Captain Shot Dead For Being Myanmar Junta Informant

Patron of the Myanmar War Veterans Organization (MWVO) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with retired officers last November at the MMVOs 2021 Conference in Naypyitaw. / CINCDS

The chair of the Myanmar regimes Veterans Association in Tatkon Township in Naypyitaw was assassinated on Monday by a local resistance group after being identified as a junta informant.

Former army captain Thein Myint was shot four times with revolvers on Monday afternoon while at his home in the Myanmar capital and died on the spot. Fight for Justice-Tatkon, a local resistance group, claimed responsibility for the killing.

In a statement, the group said they killed Thein Myint because he oversaw and supported a local Pyu Saw Htee group. Pyu Saw Htee are militias of pro-junta supporters formed and armed by the military regime to counter the anti-coup movement.

Fight for Justice-Tatkon said also that they will eliminate military informers and junta forces at every opportunity.

Some Tatkon residents said that Thein Myint was not only chair of Tatkons Veteran Association but also gave information about the resistance movement to the junta.

With the Myanmar military fighting resistance groups and ethnic armed organizations nationwide and suffering casualties and defections, the junta is increasingly calling on former members of the military to help in its fight against the anti-regime movement.

Some are used as informants who keep an eye on their neighborhoods, while others have been recruited into Pyu Saw Htee groups. Retired soldiers have also been reenlisted into the military and posted to areas where resistance groups are especially active.

Local residents said that a bomb exploded near Thein Myints home during his funeral, destroying some motorbikes. The funeral was attended by Naypyitaw military commander Major General Zaw Hein.



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Burma Junta Arrests Two More Journalists in Southern Myanmar

Detained reporters Ko Zaw and Ma Moe Myint of Dawei Watch.

Myanmars military regime has arrested two more journalists in southern Myanmar, raising the number of reporters being held by the junta to at least 46 as of Tuesday.

Myanmar has become the worlds second-biggest jailer of journalists after China since last years February 1 coup.

Reporter Ko Zaw, reporter Ma Moe Myint and designer Ko Thar Gyi from Dawei Watch, an online news outlet based in Dawei, the capital of Tanintharyi Region, were detained at their homes at midnight on Tuesday.

Dawei Watch covers news mainly from southern Myanmar. Since the coup, the role of local news outlets has been crucial in exposing and documenting junta violence and atrocities against civilians.

A representative from Dawei Watch told The Irrawaddy that they dont yet know where their staff were taken or why they were arrested.

The junta has targeted journalists with arrests, lawsuits, raids on newsrooms and violence in an effort to silence independent coverage of its daily atrocities. Over 110 journalists and media workers have been detained at various times since the coup. In some cases, relatives of journalists have been held as hostages to force the reporters to turn themselves in.

Three journalists have been killed by the junta since the beginning of December alone.

Freelance photographer Soe Naing was the first to die at the hands of the regime. He was killed on December 14, after being arrested while covering a silent strike protest in Yangon.

Federal News Journal editor Sai Win Aung was killed on December 25 in a junta artillery attack, while covering fighting between the Myanmar military and Peoples Defense Forces in Karen State.

Pu Tuidim, founder and editor of the Chin State-based Khonumthung Media Group, was killed by regime forces after being abducted. His body was found on January 9.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Executes Sagaing Resistance Fighters

A dead resistance fighter. / CJ

Junta soldiers shot dead four resistance fighters during a raid on Lel Zin village in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region, on Monday, according to villagers.

Around 100 junta troops raided the village searching for resistance fighters. They found three resistance fighters who were executed.

Another tried to run was also shot dead, according to Monywa Township Peoples Defense Force (PDF).

The victims were 39, 30, 25 and 23, according to residents.

An eyewitness said: When Ko Tun Oo didnt answer their questions, they shot him in his foot. Then they shot him in his temple. Another was shot in his eye.

The one who tried to escape was shot from behind in the chest. Another had his hands tied and was shot. He was told to put his hands on his head before he was shot. His body was left overnight and his arms could not be moved back, added the witness.

Junta troops also reportedly abducted four civilians. The Monywa PDF said its fighters cannot repel junta raids on villages because it lacks proper weapons.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Jails Rakhine State Ministers on Corruption Charges

U Nyi Pu speaking at the Rakhine State parliament.

Ousted Rakhine State chief minister U Nyi Pu was sentenced to nine years in prison for corruption on Wednesday along with other National League for Democracy (NLD) ministers, according to lawyers.

The detained finance minister U Kyaw Aye Thein, transport minister U Aung Kyaw Zan, agriculture minister U Kyaw Lwin and municipal minister U Min Aung were also given jail terms.

The chief minister, U Kyaw Aye Thein and U Aung Kyaw Zan faced three corruption charges for violation of financial regulations on land use in Gwa Township and for using 86.5 million kyats of Rakhine State funds.

The regime also accused the three of handing three state-owned buildings in Sittwe to a company they had links with to open a clothing factory and for giving the company 5.5 million kyats for maintenance of the building although the factory was not operational.

The junta court in Sittwe Prison handed the three ministers a three-year sentence for each charge, according to U Aung Naing Win, U Aung Kyaw Zans lawyer. U Kyaw Lwin was given three years for the charge over land use in Gwa.

U Nyi Pus daughter said: I have no comment. People know if the lawsuits and verdicts are fair.

U Nyi Pu and U Min Aung were detained in February soon after the coup. U Kyaw Aye Thein and U Aung Kyaw Zan were detained in Yangon at the end of July. U Kyaw Lwin was detained on Ramree Island in Rakhine State in August.

In August, the military regime said it had opened corruption cases against the ministers under Article 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law, which carries a potential 15-year sentence for anyone in political office involved in bribery.

U Min Aung was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday. He was also accused of accepting bribes to grant approval for markets to be built. In September, he was sentenced to two years and two months under the Natural Disaster Management Law and Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law for organizing anti-regime protests.

U Nyi Pu, an NLD member, was sentenced to two years in prison with labor for sedition in October last year.

The junta-appointed Rakhine State election body has also opened cases against U Nyi Pu and U Min Aung for alleged violation of electoral laws in the 2020 general election.



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The Charleston, South Carolina, quintet Ranky Tanky will perform music from the Gullah culture on Jan. 29 in Celebration. (Sully Sullivan/courtesy photo)

You know more music from the Gullah culture than you think. And you like more Gullah music than you know.

Ranky Tanky, the Grammy-winning South Carolina band celebrating Gullah culture, will prove that when it performs as part of the Celebration Foundations Concert Series Jan. 29 in the Osceola County community near Walt Disney World.

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The Gullah culture is in all of us, says Quiana Parler, Ranky Tankys lead vocalist. A lot of people dont realize that until we bring it to their attention.

Among the songs that come from the Gullah tradition: Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore and Kumbaya.

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See, you know them.

And although the traditional songs may come from nursery rhymes or have a kid-friendly vibe, as a band, weve put a modern twist on them so theyll have a broader appeal, Parler says.

The Gullah culture is found primarily in whats known as the Lowcountry, an area stretching along the South Carolina coast and including nearby islands.

The Gullah people originally were enslaved Africans living from the Cape Fear area of North Carolina to Jacksonville. Because they worked in larger groups than other enslaved people and had less contact with whites, the Gullah maintained more African customs and developed their own language, cuisine, folk beliefs  and music.

Ranky Tanky will put its own spin on traditional Gullah songs and share their original music in concert in Celebration. (Peter Frank Edwards/courtesy photo)

These are timeless songs, Parler says. We take you through a journey of feeling every emotion. Were going to have a good time.

Ranky Tanky  which loosely translates from the Gullah language as Work it! or Get funky!  released its first album in 2017. Quentin Baxter, Kevin Hamilton, Clay Ross and Charlton Singleton are the other members, and its a close-knit group, Parler says.

They all grew up in South Carolina, have been making music together in various combinations for 20 years and all but Parler studied music together at the College of Charleston.

And were not only friends, we have that connection spiritually where we all grew up in the church, says Parler, who also has worked with artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, Keith Sweat, Clay Aiken and Miranda Lambert.

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The members of Grammy-winning Ranky Tanky have been friends for more than 20 years. (Courtesy of Ranky Tanky )

The newest Ranky Tanky album, Good Time, expands on traditional Gullah music with original songs.

The original tunes on the album still have the same respect for the Gullah community, Parler says. She recalls how the song Freedom came about.

The guys were in sound check, jammin and groovin, and I felt the word freedom come over me. For us, my ancestors, were all striving for freedom, no matter what your race is. Were none of us really free, she says. I wish we would all band together and fight for a common goal: Freedom.

The spontaneous nature of that composition exemplifies how the musicians collaborate.

We dont sit down and say were going to write a song about this or that; it happens organically, Parler says. Thats what special about this band. We just have a connection, a bond.

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Ranky Tankys Grammy was awarded in 2020 for best regional roots album. Parler calls it a blessing and an unforgettable moment for reasons both comical and profound.

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We didnt move, when the bands name was announced, she remembers. It took a few seconds to kick in that it was us.

When they got moving, there were other hiccups.

Charlton cried, and his glasses were fogged up, Parler says. When he miscalculated a hug, somehow he punched Clay in the lip so Clay was onstage with a bloody lip.

But none of that matters when she thinks about the significance of the award.

This was the first time the Gulluh culture and our elders were acknowledged by the academy, Parler says. This was a big moment for our community. Im so happy I got to share that moment with them.

Ranky Tanky

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29

7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 Where: Outdoors at Lakeside Park, 631 Sycamore St. in Celebration

Outdoors at Lakeside Park, 631 Sycamore St. in Celebration Cost: $30

$30 Info: celebrationfoundation.org/events

Find me on Twitter @matt_on_arts, facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Want more theater and arts news and reviews? Go to orlandosentinel.com/arts. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Burma Myanmar Regime to Present Objections in Rohingya Genocide Case to ICJ Next Month

Public hearings on Gambias request for provisional measures in its genocide case against Myanmar are held at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Dec. 10, 2019. / ICJ

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will next month hear the Myanmar juntas preliminary objections in the genocide case brought against the country by Gambia over the Myanmar militarys 2017 clearance operations against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State.

The hearings in the Great Hall of Justice on Feb. 21, 23, 25 and 28 will be held in a hybrid format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICJ, also known as the World Court, said on Wednesday, meaning some members of the court will attend the oral proceedings in person while others will do so remotely by video link.

It added that representatives of the Myanmar junta and Gambia will participate either in person or by video link.

More than 700,000 Muslims from Rakhine State in western Myanmar fled to neighboring Bangladesh in late 2017 after the governments security forces launched clearance operations in the north of the state in response to a series of attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on police outposts. Those who fled said the Rohingya were subjected to extrajudicial killings, rapes and arson by security forces. UN investigators said the operations had genocidal intent. Both the Myanmar government and military denied the accusation.

Gambia filed a case at the court in November 2019 on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya.

Since-ousted Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi personally attended hearings in The Hague in December 2019 to tell the court that those responsible should be tried at home.

In January 2020 the ICJ ordered Myanmar to implement a series of provisional measures to protect Rohingya Muslims from killings and other atrocities while refraining from destroying evidence related to allegations of crimes against them. It also ordered the country to report on its compliance with provisional measures in four months and then every six months thereafter.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained by the junta since its coup in February last year.

In June, the military regime organized a new legal team led by its foreign minister, U Wunna Maung Lwin, to mount a defense in the case at the ICJ. The panel has eight members including two serving lieutenant generals: Yar Pyae and Adjutant-General Myo Zaw Thein.

The junta has yet to announce who will go to The Hague to present the arguments.



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Burma Nearly 160 Myanmar Regime Troops Killed in First Half of January: KNU

Myanmar regime troops put injured and dead soldiers on a truck in Lay Kay Kaw after a clash with the Karen National Liberation Army and People's Defense Force fighters in Karen State in mid-December.

Nearly 160 Myanmar junta soldiers were killed and another 102 were injured in fighting between the Myanmar military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) during the first two weeks of January. The KNLA is the armed wing of the countrys oldest revolutionary group, the Karen National Union (KNU).

The KNU said in a statement on Wednesday that from Jan. 1 to 15, 159 junta soldiers were killed in 181 clashes between junta troops and the combined forces of the KNLA and Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) in areas controlled by the KNLAs brigades 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Mon State; Bago Regions Nyaung Lay Pin; Tanintharyi Region; and Hpapun and Myawaddy districts in Karen State, respectively.

Thirteen ethnic fighters also lost their lives and 18 others were injured, it said.

The KNU recorded that more than 200 artillery shells fired by junta forces landed on civilian residences and farms, causing more than 50,000 locals in its administered areas to be displaced.

In addition to the artillery attacks, on seven occasions the junta conducted air raids in Hpapun districts Dwelo town and Myawaddy districts Lay Kay Kaw and Palu, killing seven civilians and injuring 19 people.

Padoh Saw Taw Nee, the KNUs spokesman, said the fighting and the juntas continuous artillery and aerial attacks were hampering the ability of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their homes.

As the fighting continues and with the juntas frequent shelling, it is impossible for IDPs and our people seeking refuge in Thailand to return, he said.

Military tensions remain high, the KNU leader told The Irrawaddy, as the fighting has raged on for more than a month between regime troops and the KNLA in Karen State, internally displacing tens of thousands of locals and sending thousands of other villagers and activists fleeing to Thailand.

More than 100,000 local people in the KNU-administered areas are in need of humanitarian assistance, the KNU said.

Junta air raids in Lay Kay Kaw town and Kawkarike Township in Myawaddy district in Karen State, and Loikaw, Demoso and Hpruso townships in Kayah State this month have made life even harder for IDPs there.

Regime airstrikes in Kayah States towns have also left more than half of the states 300,000 population internally displaced.

According to the UNHCR, as of Jan. 10 an estimated 377,800 people were internally displaced in Myanmar, including 200,400 IDPs in the southeast (Karen and Kayah states) and 157,500 in the northwest (Chin State and Sagaing Region).



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The Readers Digest Quality Service Awards recognises companies that deliver outstanding customer service based on independent research including surveys from a representative sample of 2,500 Australians.

Aussie Broadband managing director Phillip Britt thanked his staff and everyone who voted.

Customer service is at the heart of everything we do, and our team is crucial to providing a good customer experience. Credits go to our staff for their ongoing commitment to changing the telco game and delivering excellent customer service to our customers across Australia, and everyone who contributed to this survey.

At the heart of Aussie is our values. They live within our business, rather than up on the wall, and we empower our staff to use them every day when interacting with our customers. They are: think big, be awesome, have fun, and be good to people, Britt said.

Aussie Broadband says it puts emphasis on building better communities. The companys community impact program works with groups to make a difference at both a local and national level. Many of the senior leaders are active volunteers in their spare time.

2021 was one of the toughest years the industry has faced, so were incredibly proud to have been able to support both our customers and community, and continue to provide excellent customer service, Phil said.

This is not the first time that Aussie Broadband has been recognised. It has won multiple awards for its excellent customer service: Australian Service Excellence Awards Customer Service Organisation of the Year (Large Business) in 2020 and 2021, Roy Morgans Internet Service Provider of the Year (2020), and Product Review Award for Internet Service Providers in 2022.

Readers Digest group retail and sales director Sheron White said having an Australian-based support team means customers are always speaking to a local.

The Aussie Broadband customer service team resides in Australia, which sets them apart from many other providers.

Winning the Quality Service award is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work Aussie Broadbands customer service team does to make them stand shoulders above the rest when it comes to quality customer service, concluded White.

Aussie Broadband says it is a rapidly growing internet service provider and provides high-quality internet and transparent customer service.

The telco was formed in Morwell, Victoria in 2008 and is still dedicated to its local roots. The company has call centres in both regional and metro Victoria, and in 2021, expanded to a third call centre in Perth. It is the fifth largest provider of NBN services today.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 18 January 2022.
Ransomware attacks on Windows systems in the US during 2021 showed a small dip from the previous year, with 2323 local governments, schools and healthcare providers hit, the security firm Emsisoft reports.

The break-up was 77 state and municipal governments and agencies, 1043 schools and 1203 healthcare providers. During 2020, the total was 2354, with the break-up for the same categories being 113, 1681 and 560 respectively.

At least 118 data breaches resulted from these attacks, with sensitive information posted online in one case.

The Emsisoft report said in 2021, smaller municipalities and counties were hit, compared to earlier years when big cities like Baltimore and Atlanta were affected.

As far as educational institutions were concerned the number of incidents was similar  88 in 2021 and 84 in 2020. But there were more schools hit in 2021.

Sixty-eight healthcare providers were affected by ransomware, making for the total of 1203 sites. During the previous year, 80 providers and 560 sites were affected.

No estimates of costs were provided, though Emsisoft did cite a couple of cases like that of Scripps Health which estimated that it has spent US$112.7 million on getting things back to normal.

One development that merited note was the actions of the US Government following the attacks on the Colonial Pipeline and meat processor JBS, with President Joe Biden raising the issue with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

More recently, there have been arrests in Russia, with a number of the REvil gang being taken into custody.

"While it is too to say what impact these actions will have, they are certainly a step in the right direction," Emsisoft commented.

"Ransomware became so much of a problem because the cyber criminals were able to operate with almost complete impunity. That is finally starting to change."

Contacted for comment, Brett Callow, a ransomware researcher with Emsisoft, told iTWire: "Whatever Russia's motivations may be, the arrest of the REvil members is significant, at least in the short term.

"Other threat actors will be wondering when exactly the operation was compromised, what other operations may have been compromised, what information was obtained and whether any of that information could point to them.

"There's a considerable amount of crossover between ransomware operations. Developers and affiliates can work with more than one operation, they deal with the same access brokers, tumbling services, cashing-out services, etc., etc. And that means a compromise of one operation can potentially have a knock-on effect.

"Additionally, it's likely that some actors will decide the risks are now too great and decide to make an exit while they can. We've seen this after other disruptions, especially with small-time actors who may be less of their ability to remain under the radar.

"We're still a very long well from solving the ransomware problem, but we're finally taking steps in the right direction."
Steve Bardy, executive director of the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, holds a French bulldog at a Jan. 11 news conference. The bulldog was brought to the shelter by a breeder because of a cleft palate. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

It should have been a slow Monday morning in January, but at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando the donations started rolling in early. By 9:45, Central Floridians had already chipped in nearly $9,000 in support of the Betty White Challenge  a social-media appeal to contribute to animal welfare groups on what would have been the beloved actresss 100th birthday.

By days end, it was a stunning $50,500.

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And that was just a drop in what turned out to be an international outpouring of generosity for dogs, cats, horses and other critters, all a nod to Whites lifelong advocacy for animals.

We thought we might see, you know, a few thousand dollars, the Pet Alliances executive director, Steve Bardy, said Tuesday. But in no way did we think it would be that amount. Its pretty huge.

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Soon after White passed away on New Years Eve, just 2 weeks shy of her milestone birthday, a Twitter suggestion to honor her began trending.

Everyone should pick a local rescue or animal shelter in your area and donate just $5 in Betty Whites name, the post read. Make her 100th birthday the movement she deserves.

From reports Tuesday, it was clear that plenty of people donated more than $5.

Newhouse Wildlife Refuge, a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Chelmsford, Mass., reported it had received $17,000 for the day.

I cant even begin to describe how blown away I am, founder Jane Newhouse posted on Facebook. Betty was able to inspire kindness and generosity in others, even after her death. In my humble opinion, this is the greatest accomplishment one can ask for.

A Humane Society in Vermont reported over $12,600. A senior animal sanctuary outside Vancouver was reportedly astounded by nearly $40,000 in donations. Two Philadelphia shelters drew over $95,000 combined.

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In Central Florida, the bounty went beyond the Pet Alliance. Supporters donated about $5,000 to Sanford-based Pet Rescue by Judy  money the nonprofit will use to help cover surgery for Jasmine, a dog recently found sick and abandoned in a ditch.

People were sending us donations from PayPal and Venmo, and we had a nice older gentleman come by and drop off a check, said office manager Kaley Anderson. We have so many animals right now, so this really helps.

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In Lake County outside Clermont, the DreamCatcher Horse Rescue set up a special 14-day Betty White Challenge Facebook fundraiser for the occasion. The group, best known for its rehabilitation of Highway, a horse that fell from a trailer traveling on Interstate 75, has already raised $1,910 of its $2,500 goal.

The funds are particularly appreciated at this time of year  after the holiday giving season  when charities often go wanting.

Normally on a Monday, we might get $500 to $1,000 in donations, Bardy said. Were between Christmas and Paws In The Park, Orlandos largest pet festival and parade, slated this year for Feb. 12.

The group is also raising money to build a new shelter. Its former Orlando shelter and administrative offices were heavily damaged by a fire in September.

ksantich@orlandosentinel.com
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Butts County sending letter of disapproval to Georgia DOT for Hwy. 16/Brookwood roundabout and Hwy. 36 bypass

Special Photo The proposed truck bypass the county is wanting to get funded would start on Hwy. 16 east of Jackson on or near Bibb Station Road, go south and curve west across Hwy. 36 south near E. Ball Road, curve north and cross Hwy. 16 west near Bert Road, cross the railroad tracks at Old Bethel Road with an overpass, and end at Hwy. 36 north at 4 Points Road. Special Photo A diagram shows the proposed compact roundabout at the Ga. Hwy. 16/Ga. Hwy. 42 intersection just west of downtown Jackson. In the diagram, Old Griffin Road would only be accessible to drivers heading east on Hwy. 16, and drivers exiting Old Griffin Road would only be able to turn right onto Hwy. 16. North Harkness Street, located adjacent to Brookwood Animal Clinic, would be closed off and not accessible from Hwy. 16. Special Photo The proposed Hwy. 36 truck bypass would start at Brownlee Road to the south, go northeast past the Jackson-Butts County Library and connect with Hwy. 36 north at the intersection of Third Ave. and Hwy. 36.

The Butts County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 10 approved sending a letter to the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) expressing disapproval of the proposed roundabout at Hwy. 16 and Brookwood Ave. (Hwy. 42) and of the proposed Hwy. 36 truck bypass, both inside Jackson city limits.

The BOC is asking DOT to reallocate the funds for those two projects for a proposed truck bypass that would divert traffic from Hwy. 16 west to Hwy. 36 east on the north side of Jackson, with the county possibly providing additional funds from a proposed T-SPLOST.

At a joint meeting of the cities and county on July 8, County Manager Brad Johnson brought up the possibility of a T-SPLOST to help fund a truck bypass through the county.

As the distribution centers and proposed developments at the 16 and I-75 interchange come into being, trucks looking to get to Interstate 20 eastbound are going to be looking at routes that are quicker, easier and more economical for them, and that doesnt include using I-75 and I-285, dealing with Henry County and Atlanta traffic. Theyre going to come through Jackson and head north to Covington to access that corridor, along with the current traffic already doing that, said Johnson at the joint meeting in July. A potential bypass that connects 16 west over to 42 and then north to 36 would help divert a lot of that traffic and keep the trucks moving.

The county proposed that the cities consider joining forces with them and putting a referendum before the Butts County voters in 2022 to add a T-SPLOST penny sales tax devoted solely towards this purpose. This level of commitment makes it easier for Georgia DOT to consider adding state funds to the project, which would also include a railroad overpass at Highway 42 and Old Bethel Road. GDOT personnel also suggested a possible second overpass at some point south of Jackson as well, citing increasing trains and traffic due to the enlargement of the Savannah ports.

At the BOCs Jan. 10 meeting, Johnson noted that there has also been a lot of discussion in the county about the proposed roundabout at Hwy. 16 and Brookwood Ave, and that the county does not believe it would be big enough to do any good. Johnson also mentioned the proposed Hwy. 36 city bypass from Brownlee Road to College Ave.

That will take up a lot of the library area with a roundabout right there on College Street, said Johnson. It is definitely problematic for the library. And with school traffic and bus traffic, we just dont feel it is a good project. We can submit our disapproval for both projects.

Commission Chair Joe Brown said they hope to get the countys proposed truck bypass moved up on the DOT project list and use funding designated for the other two projects to help finance the bypass.

The first leg of the bypass that were pushing for starts at Four Points Road and goes out to Hwy. 16 near the sale barn, said Brown. Thats a $36 million project.

These other two projects (the roundabout and Hwy. 36 bypass) add up to $14 million. Then the other thing DOT has on its list is widening Hwy. 16 to Dean Patrick Road, which is another $13 million. Our goal is  and well have to work with the city  is so we can take resolutions from us and the city to DOT and say, Look, this is not in the best interest of Butts County. What we would like to do is not widen 16, not do the roundabout and not do the 36 bypass, and take that money and it gets us to the point to where if we had to take some local money, that it wouldnt be that much and we could look at a T-SPLOST to raise the money so we could complete the first leg of the bypass.

If this roundabout is not done, its not going to have that big of a negative effect on Butts County, he added. It will be a whole lot more meaningful, we feel, if they put the truck bypass in rather than the roundabout. Thats the reasoning and the logic for this.

Commissioner Keith Douglas asked what the county would do if DOT just took the money for the other two projects and did something else with it outside of the county.

Brown responded that in talking with DOT, he feels they have presented a strong argument as to whats best for Butts County, we have a strong representation now at the capitol, and with what they have on the books if they will listen to us, and we think they will. But, noted Brown, even if they redistribute that money somewhere else, we still dont feel at this point that it (the roundabout and Hwy. 36 bypass) is the best thing long range for Butts County. Its not the best thing for Butts County, and were depending on the GDOT and the lawmakers in Atlanta to help us redistribute that money.

A motion was made, seconded and approved for the letter to be written, with Brown authorized to sign it for the county.
A St. Petersburg Police officer rescued an injured monkey and a lost dog in separate incidents during the same shift, the department said Sunday.

The monkey, which had suffered scrapes across its face, was turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after no owner could be found.

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The department posted photos of the small brown and black mammal crouching fearfully in a mesh crate after capture, with bloody wounds on its nose, cheek and forehead.

First , now a ! Same officer rescued a little monkey near 5th Ave N. & 64th St. Lil guy probably had a run in with a dog and was so scared! We turned him over to @MyFWC. pic.twitter.com/rlIStz2tfy  St. Pete Police (@StPetePD) January 17, 2022

Lil guy probably had a run in with a dog and was so scared! the department tweeted.

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A photo taken earlier shows the officer, sitting on a pile of dead leaves and wearing thick gloves, trying to coax the monkey to her as it crouched between a bundle of gnarled, rusted chain-link fencing and what appears to be a painted plywood shed.

Earlier in the day, less than a mile away, the same cop came across an older mixed-breed dog wandering in the road.

She was able to get him into her patrol car, and took him to a local animal hospital.

Within a few hours, he was reunited with his owner.
The memory of slain Florida teen Tristyn Bailey lit up the streets around where she lived and social media to celebrate what would have been her 14th birthday this week.

Images remembering the Jacksonville area girl flooded social media on Tuesday with the hashtag #TristynBaileyStrong.

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Happy 14th Birthday in Heaven to sweet and beautiful Tristyn Today we are spending the day celebrating the life that... Posted by Jennifer van Delden on Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Bailey, a cheerleader who attended Patriot Oaks Academy, was found stabbed to death on Mothers Day in 2021. A classmate faces first-degree murder charges in her death in a trial that could start in fall 2022.

The 13-year-olds favorite color was teal, and luminaries in that color were placed around the Durbin Crossing neighborhood in St. Johns County just south of Jacksonville where she lived.

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A post from the Bailey family on Facebook reads, Its her birthday  Oh Tristyn what we would give to have you here celebrating your 14th birthday. Our hearts are forever broken and the emptiness consumes me. We have tried so hard to find some way to celebrate your day but the tears just pour at the thought of you not being here. Although our hearts are shattered . We will celebrate you as a family and with your friends. We hope that others will do something kind in Tristyns name. Be the reason people believe in good people!
Johnson City, TN (37604)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
At Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Fla., manatees frolic, Wednesday, January 19, 2022. The manatees are attracted to the warmth of the 73-degree spring during cold weather, with a record-breaking number counted by volunteer manatee watchers this week. Blue Spring is a magnitude one spring, pumping 102 million gallons from the Florida aquifer into the St. Johns River, and a popular destination for Central Floridians year-round. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

ORANGE CITY  With a turn toward cold weather in the forecast, a record 663 manatees were counted on Tuesday at Blue Spring State Park, according to the parks Facebook page.

And they had plenty of company, as a line of cars to enter the park stretched along French Avenue most of the morning on a path that included a 1/3-mile crowd-control loop on a dirt road leading toward the French Landing boat ramp on the St. Johns River.

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Yet not everyone had to endure the traffic.

Bob and Diane Hungerford, snowbirds from Kalamazoo, Michigan, rode their bicycles to the park along the shaded bike trail from Beresford Park in DeLand. The retirees traveled by car from Titusville to DeLand, where they unloaded the bikes for the final 4-mile commute.

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We did this last year and we enjoyed it so much, said Bob Hungerford, 69, a retired banker. Its a nice cool day, so we thought wed come back. We dont see these (manatees) in Michigan.

People gather to watch the manatees at one of the lookouts along the spring run boardwalk at Blue Spring State Park, Tuesday January 18, 2022 as cold weather has 663 manatees, todays count, seaking the warm 72 degree water of the spring. (Daytona Beach News-Journal via TNS/TNS)

Tuesdays record tally follows a weekend manatee influx that yielded counts of 548 of the docile mammals on Monday, when long lines of cars filled with eager manatee fans also arrived at the parks gate.

Over the weekend, there were 454 manatees sighted on Sunday and 512 manatees counted on Saturday, after low temperatures dipped into the high 30s overnight.

In a trend that has continued this week, the St. Johns River dropped to a chilly 60.8 degrees on Saturday, prompting the warm-blooded mammals to enter the spring run, where the water temperature hovers at a comfortable 72 degrees year-round.

On Tuesday, the river water temperature dipped to an even colder 59 degrees, said Cora Berchem, director of multi-media and research associate with the non-profit manatee protection organization Save the Manatee Club.

Thats the coldest weve had so far this winter season, Berchem said. The colder the the river water gets, the more they need that warm spring water. Thats what drives the manatees into Blue Spring.

Manatees in the spring run at Blue Spring State Park, Tuesday January 18, 2022 as cold weather has 663 manatees, todays count, seaking the warm 72 degree water of the spring. (Daytona Beach News-Journal via TNS/TNS)

The weekend visitor count included at least 16 adoptees of the non-profit manatee protection organization Save the Manatee Club: Lesley, Una, Annie, Rocket, Philip, Paddy Doyle, Lily, Lucille, Gator, Deep Dent, Aqua, Moo Shoo (with her calf, Phyllis), Flash, Nick and Whiskers.

More could have been hiding in some big groups in the lower part of the run that were harder to see, according to Save the Manatee Club.

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In the Blue Spring parking lot on Tuesday, license plates represented an array of states including New Jersey, Wyoming, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

At least one of the visiting groups was making a second attempt this week.

We tried to come here yesterday, but we couldnt even get close to the park, said Ken Cote, 69, who was vacationing in Daytona Beach with his wife, Kathy. We decided to come back today when its not a holiday. Weve never seen manatees, except on TV.

Even for Floridians accustomed to seasonal manatee sightings, the hundreds of creatures floating quietly in the spring was impressive.

Ive seen manatees before, but nothing like this, said Cindy Broyles, 65, of St. Pete Beach. This is amazing. This is the most Ive ever seen.

A photographer snaps photos of manatees in the spring run at Blue Spring State Park, Tuesday January 18, 2022 as cold weather has 663 manatees, todays count, seaking the warm 72 degree water of the spring. (Daytona Beach News-Journal via TNS/TNS)

Manatees have been starving to death in Florida waters in 2021, with a record-breaking 1,075 deaths reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as of mid-December.

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The rash of deaths has been so devastating, particularly in the Indian River Lagoon, that wildlife officials announced they would take the unprecedented step to feed manatees in Brevard County this winter. Poor water quality has decimated the seagrasses and vegetation that manatees rely on to survive.

Promising technology: Can this seagrass restoration method work even before Indian River Lagoon gets clean?

For now, the St. Johns River around Blue Spring has enough food to support the hundreds of manatees that rely on it, said Mona Russell, a ranger at Blue Spring State Park. A ban on aquatic herbicides in the Blue Spring region has been in place for years.

Theres still plenty of vegetation along the river, so the manatees here are not affected by a shortage of food, Russell said.

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Joplin, MO (64801)

Today

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 45F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 45F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Gov. Jim Justice looks over a get well card sent to him by Eastyn, the daughter of Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, during Mondays online COVID-19 briefing. Recovering from the virus himself, Justice spoke from his office at the Capitol, removing his mask once there was no one else in the room.
Jan. 11 marked the beginning of the 2022 legislative session, providing Florida lawmakers with three big opportunities to change the trajectory of Floridas future and mitigate the impacts of climate change on our state.

Floridians know climate change is real  94% of Floridians agree. Thats because we are already paying higher electric bills from record heat waves and skyrocketing insurance from stronger hurricanes and increased flooding.

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In 2021 alone we were hit with over 2,000 wildfires and red tide lingered all summer from higher ocean temperatures hurting our health and our tourism economy.

Dawn Shirreffs is the Florida Director of the Environmental Defense Fund. - Original Credit: Courtesy photo (Courtesy photo)

Indeed, a recent report by Florida Taxwatch highlighted $175 billion in economic risk annually by 2050 from climate change in the sunshine state.

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But what can state leaders do in the next eight weeks to change Floridas future?

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

First, Florida should set bold but achievable goals for electric vehicles, especially charging infrastructure deployment for medium and heavy vehicles.

Lawmakers can jumpstart this transition by removing barriers to electric vehicle expansion. For example, simple tweaks to the states procurement practices will allow total cost of vehicle ownership to guide fleet purchasing decisions which would save taxpayers money over time while reducing air pollution.

Second, legislators should solidify the Statewide Office of Resiliency under the Governors Office by providing this critical department with adequate resources and the requisite authority to direct resilience initiatives across Floridas agencies, lead implementation of the states resilience strategy and leverage funding from the federal government and the private sector.

Third, lawmakers should reject any legislative proposals that would unfairly check the momentum of Floridas burgeoning solar industry.

Florida families and small businesses should be able to continue recovering their costs at the same rate as Floridas utilities. Demand for electricity is growing rapidly our over-reliance natural gas (75%) makes energy security and affordability vulnerable to global gas price volatility, cyber-attacks and natural disaster events. We should be looking for ways to ensure Florida cities, universities and other tax-exempt organizations can make critical investment in solar to save taxpayer dollars, reduce risk and increase our resilience after a storm.

Florida lawmakers, during this 60-day session, have the opportunity to lead on climate and the economy with common-sense solutions. In nine short weeks, we will know if they have risen to the challenge. Lets hope they do; our state and our families futures depend on it.

Dawn Shirreffs is the Florida Director of the Environmental Defense Fund.
Wharton, TX (77488)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 73F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 73F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
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A fast-moving state bill should be concerning to Orange County residents and to anyone who cares about the welfare of animals. The bill undermines an Orange County ordinance prohibiting the sale of puppy mill puppies, kittens and bunnies in pet stores. County commissioners passed it last June for good reason.

There was compelling evidence that Orlando-area pet stores sourced puppies from puppy mills one could only describe as hellish. There were heartbreaking stories from local families who were sold sick and dying puppies. There were firsthand accounts from former pet store employees who described shocking in-store conditions that compromised animals health and well-being.

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User Upload Caption: Kate MacFall is the Florida state director for the Humane Society of the United States. - Original Credit: Courtesy photo (Courtesy photo)

The commissioners did what they knew to be right, but this properly enacted ordinance, scheduled to take effect this summer, is now under attack in Tallahassee. SB 994/HB 849  backed by the Petland pet store chain, which has two stores in Orange County  would void Orange Countys Humane Pet Store Ordinance and prevent any future local ordinances of this kind in our state. Floridas puppy-selling pet stores, including Petland, want to continue peddling pets from mass-production breeding operations that deprive animals of their most basic behavioral and physical needs, and this bill is their meal ticket.

The spin that puppy-selling pet stores are pushing in the state Capitol is the same stuff they rely on to convince their customers to spend thousands of dollars on a new puppy, claims like no puppy mill guarantees and health warranties. But the legislation is a subterfuge designed not to protect pets or consumers through genuine regulation but to preserve the ability of Florida pet stores to source puppies from some of the worst puppy mills in the nation. Whats more, the industry is backing up its bid to overturn the animal welfare ordinances passed in Orlando and Manatee counties with both money and firepower.

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The industrys bill suggests that Florida rely on the United States Department of Agriculture to provide oversight of commercial breeders even though the USDAs standards are weak and its enforcement deficiencies well-documented.

Even if SB 994/HB 849 were to pass with a requirement that pet stores only source puppies from USDA-licensed breeders without any animal welfare violations it would still perpetuate a system of harm and suffering. USDA breeders can be compliant even when they confine dogs to stacked, wire cages six inches larger than their bodies for their entire lives. Mother dogs can be bred at every heat cycle and euthanized when they no longer produce puppies.

Yet under SB 994/HB 849, selling dogs from breeders with histories of citations would be just fine so long as they dont include a USDA violation labeled direct in the previous two years or three or more violations in the previous year. This will ensure Florida stores can source from hundreds of licensed breeders whose disturbing violations have been labeled differently but are still serious or who have avoided USDA inspections over the past three years altogether, as so many have.

Public records show that Orange County pet stores already source puppies from large-scale puppy mill breeders and brokers with troubling records, and stores would still be able to buy from most of them under SB 994/HB 849. Nor would the bill stop pet stores from selling sick puppies to unsuspecting consumers, leading to high veterinary bills or the heartbreak of having a new pet die within weeks.

Attorney General Ashley Moodys ongoing litigation against an Orange County Petland store is worth noting, as it alleges the store misrepresent[ed] to consumers that the puppies are healthy, high-quality animals, and fit for sale, when in fact, in some instances, puppies have died soon after being purchased or suffered from congenital or other hereditary disorders.

Some 83 Florida localities have passed ordinances to prohibit the sale of puppies in retail pet stores, a good indication of public opinion on this issue. The Legislature may not want to pass a bill that shuts off the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline, but we urge it to do right by humankinds best friend and not prevent the local communities who wish to do so.

Kate MacFall is the Florida state director for the Humane Society of the United States.
Opinion Columnist

Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018.
A Syrian doctor goes on trial in Germany on Wednesday accused of crimes against humanity including torture and murder while working at military hospitals, in the latest European case against loyalists of President Bashar al-Assads regime.

Alaa M., 36, who arrived in Germany in 2015 and practised medicine there until his arrest, faces 18 counts of torturing detainees in Homs and Damascus in 2011-12, including setting fire to a teenage boys genitals.

He also allegedly administered a lethal injection to a prisoner who resisted being beaten, according to federal prosecutors. Alaa M. denies the charges.

The trial at Frankfurts higher regional court comes after another German court last week sentenced a former Syrian colonel to life in jail for overseeing the murder of 27 people and the torture of 4,000 others at a Damascus detention centre a decade ago.

That verdict, hailed by victims as historic, marked the culmination of the first trial globally over state-sponsored torture in Syria.

The proceedings in Germany are made possible by the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows serious crimes to be prosecuted even if they were committed in a different country.

Other cases involving the Syrian conflict have also sprung up in France, Norway and Austria.

In 2017, Sweden became the first country to convict a former Syrian soldier of a war crime.

 Absolute power 

German federal prosecutors say Alaa M. worked in military hospital 608 in the Syrian city of Homs and military hospital 601 in the capital Damascus, where injured detainees were brought who had been arrested for opposing Assad.

But instead of being treated, many were tortured and not infrequently killed in such hospitals as part of Assads brutal repression of the opposition, prosecutors say.

In one case, Alaa M. is accused of pouring flammable liquid on a prisoners wounds before setting them on fire and kicking him in the face so hard that three of his teeth had to be replaced.

The former prisoner, Ahmad A., who now lives in Austria, will be one of the prosecutions main witnesses, according to the weekly Der Spiegel.

Alaa M. is also alleged to have given a fatal injection to an inmate who was trying to fend off a beating, in what prosecutors say was to demonstrate his absolute power over the prisoners.

He allegedly doused a teenage boys genitals in alcohol before setting them alight, and did the same to an adult prisoner.

On another occasion, Alaa M. was called to a prison in Homs where an inmate was suffering from epilepsy. Prosecutors say the accused punched him in the face, hit him with a plastic pipe and kicked him in the head.

The man died a few days later, shortly after taking a tablet given to him by Alaa M., though the cause of death is unclear.

Other inmates were kicked and beaten, sometimes with medical tools, according to prosecutors.

Alaa M. left Syria in mid-2015, arriving not as a refugee but on a visa for skilled workers.

He worked in several places as an orthopaedic doctor, including in the picturesque spa town of Bad Wildungen, before being arrested in June 2020 after Syrian witnesses came forward.

One former employer told German media they knew nothing of his past in Syrias military hospitals, and that colleagues described him as someone who was unremarkable and kept to himself.

The war in Syria has killed close to half a million people since it broke out in 2011, and spurred the largest conflict-induced displacement since World War II.

Germany has taken in some 800,000 Syrian refugees.
A Syrian doctor went on trial in Germany on Wednesday accused of crimes against humanity including torture and murder in his war-torn homeland, in the latest European court case involving loyalists of President Bashar al-Assads regime.

Alaa Mousa, 36, who arrived in Germany in 2015 and practised medicine there until his arrest, faces 18 counts of torturing detainees at military hospitals in Homs and Damascus in 2011-12, including setting fire to a teenage boys genitals.

He also allegedly administered a lethal injection to a prisoner who resisted being beaten, according to federal prosecutors.

The defendant, who arrived at the court in a blue suit and wearing an FFP2 face mask, has so far denied the charges.

The trial at Frankfurts higher regional court comes after another German court last week sentenced a former Syrian colonel to life in jail for overseeing the murder of 27 people and the torture of 4,000 others at a Damascus detention centre a decade ago.

That verdict, hailed by victims as historic, marked the culmination of the first trial globally over state-sponsored torture in Syria.

The proceedings in Germany are made possible by the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows countries to try people for crimes of exceptional gravity, including war crimes and genocide, even if they were committed in a different country.

Other cases involving the Syrian conflict have also sprung up in France, Norway and Austria. In 2017, Sweden became the first country to convict a former Syrian soldier of a war crime.

Over the past decade, a large amount of evidence about atrocities in Syria has been collected, and now those efforts are starting to bear fruit, said Balkees Jarrah of Human Rights Watch.

He criticised the Frankfurt court however for not providing Arabic translations of the proceedings for the public.

 Absolute power 

Mousa left Syria for Germany in mid-2015, arriving not as a refugee but on a visa for skilled workers.

He worked in several places as an orthopaedic doctor, including in the spa town of Bad Wildungen, before being arrested in June 2020 after Syrian witnesses came forward.

German federal prosecutors say Mousa worked in military hospital 608 in the Syrian city of Homs and military hospital 601 in the capital Damascus, where injured detainees were brought after being arrested for opposing Assads regime.

But instead of being treated, many were tortured and not infrequently killed in such hospitals as part of Assads brutal repression of the opposition, prosecutors allege.

Reading the charge sheet at the start of the trial, public prosecutor Anna Zabeck accused Mousa of torturing detainees within the framework of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians.

In one case, Mousa is accused of pouring flammable liquid on a prisoners wounds before setting them on fire and kicking him in the face so hard that three of his teeth had to be replaced.

The former prisoner, Ahmad A., who now lives in Austria, will be one of the prosecutions main witnesses, according to the weekly Der Spiegel.

Mousa is also alleged to have given a fatal injection to an inmate who was trying to fend off a beating, in what prosecutors say was to demonstrate his absolute power over the prisoners.

 Sexualised violence 

He allegedly doused a teenage boys genitals in alcohol before setting them alight, and did the same to an adult prisoner.

Rene Bahns, a lawyer for the civil parties in the case, representing victims rights, told AFP the examples highlighted the use of sexualised violence in the Syrian torture system.

On another occasion, Mousa was called to a prison in Homs where an inmate was suffering an epileptic attack. Prosecutors say the accused punched him in the face, hit him with a plastic pipe and kicked him in the head.

The man died a few days later, shortly after taking a tablet given to him by Mousa, though the cause of death is unclear.

Other inmates were kicked and beaten, sometimes with medical tools, according to prosecutors.

The war in Syria has killed close to half a million people since it broke out in 2011, and spurred the largest conflict-induced displacement of a population since World War II.

Germany has taken in some 800,000 Syrian refugees.
Israeli police demolished the home of a Palestinian family and arrested at least 18 people as they carried out a controversial eviction order in the sensitive east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah early Wednesday.

The looming eviction of other families from Sheikh Jarrah in May last year partly fuelled an 11-day war between Israel and armed Palestinian factions in Gaza.

Before dawn, Israeli officers went to the home of the Salhiya family, who were first served with an eviction notice in 2017, after courts ruled the house had been built illegally.

Jerusalem authorities have said the land will be used to build a school for children with special needs, but the eviction may raise tension in a neighbourhood that has become a symbol of Palestinian opposition to Israeli occupation.

Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum told AFP Wednesday the dispute surrounding the Salhiyas home is completely different from the events in May, when Palestinians risked being forced to hand over plots of land to Jewish settlers.

Israeli police said they had completed the execution of an eviction order of illegal buildings built on grounds designated for a school for children with special needs.

Members of the family living in the illegal buildings were given countless opportunities to hand over the land with consent, a police statement said.

A bulldozer raked through rubble hours after the home was destroyed.

A police spokesman told AFP 18 family members and supporters were arrested for violating a court order, violent fortification and disturbing public order, but no clashes took place during the eviction.

When police arrived to carry out the order on Monday, Salhiya family members went up to the buildings roof with gas canisters, threatening to set the contents and themselves alight if they were forced out of their home.

Police had eventually backed off, but returned early Wednesday amid heavy rainfall in Jerusalem.

 Aggression 

Salhiya family lawyer Walid Abu-Tayeh told AFP the police had illegally arrested 20 people during the operation, six of them Israeli citizens, with the latter being released, adding that the Arab detainees were assaulted.

The authorities want to liquidate the (Palestinian) population of Jerusalem, he said.

Abu-Tayeh also confirmed reports that the Palestinian father Mahmud Salhiya is married to an Israeli Jew, named Meital.

In an audio recording distributed to local Arab-language media, Meital, who speaks Arabic, said the family was woken early Wednesday by the sound of loud booms and police had cut the electricity.

They took me out of the house with my daughter and children who were crying, and arrested my husband and all the young men, she said.

Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Gaza Strip, blasted the demolition as an Israeli act of aggression.

The Palestinian Authority, based in the occupied West Bank, called it a crime, as part of the Jewish states move to Israelise Jerusalem.

 Two-time refugees 

Deputy mayor Hassan-Nahoum told AFP the plot that the Salhiya family claim as theirs belonged to private Palestinian owners who then sold it to the city, for very adequate compensation.

The municipality plans to build a much-needed special needs school for Arab children from the neighbourhood, she said.

Human Rights Watch Israel and Palestine director Omar Shakir labelled the forcible expulsion of the Salhiyeh family as war crimes.

He noted that the family had previously been forced from their west Jerusalem home during Israels creation in 1948, and Wednesdays eviction made them two-time refugees.

Hundreds of Palestinians face eviction from homes in Sheikh Jarrah and other east Jerusalem neighbourhoods. Circumstances surrounding the eviction threats vary.

In some cases, Jewish Israelis have lodged legal claims to plots they say were illegally taken during the war that accompanied Israels creation in 1948.

Israeli law allows Jewish Israelis to file such claims, but no equivalent law exists for Palestinians who lost land during the conflict.

Palestinians facing eviction say their homes were legally purchased from Jordanian authorities who controlled east Jerusalem between 1948 and 1967.

Israel captured east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it, in a move not recognised by the international community.

More than 200,000 Jewish settlers have since moved into the citys eastern sector, fuelling tensions with Palestinians, who claim it as the capital of their future state.
TALLAHASSEE  A 15-week ban on most abortions moved forward Wednesday in the Florida Legislature, despite fervent opposition from Democrats and abortion rights advocates.

A House committee advanced the measure on a 12-6 party-line vote in the first legislative debate on the controversial bill. Abortion is presently legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy in Florida.

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State Rep. Erin Grall, the bills sponsor, said abortion needs to be limited because medicine has changed since the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that established a constitutional right to abortion.

This is not an abortion ban, she said. This is about 15 weeks. This is about having all your available options at the ready for you for 15 weeks.

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[ RELATED: Florida is poised to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. Heres why. ]

But Democrats said it would interfere with what they think should be a private medical decision and particularly hurt low-income women and people of color who lack access to health care.

When it comes to decisions about our pregnancies, they are personal and private. ... You are inserting government and politicians between me and my doctor and telling me what I can and cannot do, said state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.

The measure does not include exceptions for rape and incest.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

It would allow abortions if a fetus is found to have a fatal fetal abnormality, which the bill describes as a terminal condition that, in reasonable medical judgment, regardless of the provision of life-saving medical treatment, is incompatible with life outside the womb and will result in death upon birth or imminently thereafter.

Two doctors would have to certify that diagnosis.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and GOP legislative leaders have signaled they will support a 15-week ban.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on Mississippis 15-week ban over the summer.

Floridas Constitution includes privacy protections that have been interpreted in the past as protecting a right to abortion. The state Supreme Court is now reliably conservative with DeSantis appointees filling three of the seven seats.

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The abortion measure has two more committee hearings in the Florida House. Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, has filed a 15-week abortion bill in the Senate.

News Service of Florida contributed to this report. sswisher@orlandosentinel.com
Park Min Young is ready to showcase her new role as a professional weather forecaster in JTBC's upcoming series "Weather People: The Cruelty of Office Romance."

'Weather People: The Cruelty of Office Romance' Introduces Park Min Young's Character

Park Min Young is about to embark another chapter of her career as she plays a unique drama role in "Weather People: The Office Cruelty Romance," also known as "Forecasting Love and Weather."

On January 17, broadcasting network JTBC released Park Min Young's stills where she transformed into a weather forecaster.

The series tells the romance and life stories of the people working at the Korea Meteorological Administration.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Kang Daniel and Chae Soo Bin Give Viewers Glimpse of Their Upcoming Romance in New 'Rookie Cops' Poster and Trailer

Park Min Young takes the role of Jin Ha Kyung, known as one of the best forecasters in the department who is organized and does everything by the book. Though she is meticulous in doing her job, Ha Kyung is private when it's about keeping her personal life.

As much as she wants, Ha Kyung separates her professional and personal lives in order to have a peaceful work environment.

JTBC Drops Park Min Young's First Character Stills as Weather Forecaster

In the stills provided by JTBC, the actress looks serious and focused as she directs her team members in their weather forecasting and analysis duties.

Meanwhile, in addition to the media report, one of the drama's production staff members shared that Park Min Young completely immersed herself while playing Jin Ha Kyung's character. Her diction is precise and made perfect acting all throughout the filming sessions.

The official also added that "Her Private Life" actress pulled off the difficult scenes and even made it look natural and comfortable to do.

The drama representative also highlighted that because of Park Min Young, viewers will enjoy the series and will have a clear understanding about the field of weather forecasting which is the first time to see it in a K-drama.

She added that viewers should look forward to another legendary character from Park Min Young, who combines her strong charisma and talent as a professional career woman.

"Weather People: The Office Cruelty Romance" will be helmed by Cha Young Hoon who is also the creative mind behind Kang Ha Neul and Gong Hyo Jin's "When the Camellia Blooms" and writer Sun Young is in charge of the script.

The romance drama is scheduled to premiere on February 12 at 10:30 p.m. (KST) and will occupy Jung Hae In and BLACKPINK Jisoo's "Snowdrop."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Park Min Young and Song Kang Hint at Their Interesting Love Story in New 'Weather People: The Cruelty of Office Romance' Teasers

Are you excited for Park Min Young's drama comeback with "Forecasting Love and Weather"? 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.
Han So Hee definitely set millions of hearts racing after gracing Allure Korea's latest issue. For the publication's February issue, the "My Name" star showed off her breathtaking beauty in collaboration with the renowned makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury.

To recall, the 27-year-old actress became the brand's first Korean muse in 2021.

Han So Hee Exudes Femme Fatale Beauty in Allure Korea's February Issue

The "Nevertheless" star surely wowed the readers with her jaw-dropping visuals and captivating aura.

According to Allure, she was chosen to cover their latest issue after a survey was conducted among MZ generation readers who among is the "prettiest beauty muse these days?".

Without a doubt, the rising star scored 48 percent, highlighting her influence and brand power.

Over Han So Hee's Instagram, the actress shared a glimpse of her behind-the-scenes shoot for Allure Korea and Charlotte Tilbury.

Interestingly, fans swooned over the actress' magazine cover, pointing out how she looked like a goddess in the photos.

Others even noted that her beauty is insanely "out of this world."

IN CASE YOU MISSED: Yoo Ah In and Han So Hee's Closeness at 2021 Asia Artist Awards Causes Internet Frenzy

Han So Hee is Kdrama's Rising Leading Lady

Han So Hee's allure cover is one of her latest activities after starring in the Netflix hit Kdrama "My Name."

To recall, the rising star surprised the viewers as she played the badass character Yoon Ji Woo who ditched her real identity and lived as Oh Hye Jin to find her father's killer.

In the action-packed series, several viewers praised the actress for getting out of her comfort zone and headlining a thriller crime series.

In her interview, Han So Hee revealed that she encountered a few accidents while doing her stunts but enjoyed the whole process overall.

"There were big and small injuries while preparing for the role. I got cut up a lot, but there were no big accidents. The stunt actors did as much as I did. I did get hurt, but that was what allowed me to endure. While filming, cuts, scrapes, and bruises weren't a big deal. The stunt actors got just as cut up as I did, so I was able to move on," she said.

Before landing the kickass role in "My Name," the 27-year-old star's breakthrough project was the Kdrama "The World of the Married" with Kim Hae Ae and Park Hae Joon.

Han So Hee rose to fame after playing the young mistress Yeo Da Kyung who broke the almost perfect marriage of Lee Tae Oh and Ji Sun Woo.

Interestingly, the South Korean beauty continued to gain the public's attention with her blockbuster Kdrama "Nevertheless" with Song Kang.

In the webtoon-based series, she played senior art student Yu Na Bi, who accidentally found herself wrapped up in Park Jae Eon's spell.

Han So Hee's Upcoming Projects

Fans of Han So Hee should celebrate as the actress is set to appear in a slew of projects this 2022.

After "My Name," the 27-year-old actress will headline the upcoming Kdrama "K Project" with Park Seo Joon and "Squid Game" star Wi Ha Joon.

This is followed by another series, "Soundtrack #1," alongside Park Hyung Sik, set to broadcast in the first half of 2022.

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth address before a joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 17, 2022, in Richmond.
The public is urged to call 541-682-5162 with any relevant information. Police are actively investigating.
A passenger uses a laptop aboard a commercial airline flight from Boston to Atlanta on July 1, 2017. Canadian airlines say flights remain unaffected by the "chaos" their American counterparts warned of stemming from new 5G wireless technology.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Bill Sikes, File
Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 have risen from 160 on Tuesday to 164 on Wednesday. Many pandemic-related restrictions, such as the 50% limit on capacity at indoor entertainment venues, will be lifted at midnight Wednesday.
Notorious provocateur Roger Stone warned Gov. Ron DeSantis to step aside for former President Donald Trump in 2024, slamming DeSantiss disloyalty to Trump and implying the former president could pull his support.

Stone, a longtime Trump ally and Republican fixer, also again threatened his own potential run for governor against DeSantis this year.

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His warning came after reports that a rift was growing between Trump and DeSantis over COVID-19 vaccines and their shared aspirations for the 2024 Republican nomination.

Gov. Ron DeSantis refuses to put his own presidential ambitions on hold until President Donald Trump has decided to whether he wants to run again, Stone said in a YouTube video posted Wednesday. I consider that to be an incredible act of disloyalty and ingratitude.

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Stone called DeSantis an unknown congressman with a bad haircut, an ill-fitting suit and an undistinguished record in Congress until President Donald Trumps endorsement lifted him to the Republican nomination in 2018.

Stone added, because Ron is such a boring and piss-poor candidate, [Trump]  had to visit Florida twice to drag Ron over the finish line.

While not directly saying he would run against DeSantis, Stone said he is eligible to run for office despite a felony conviction. Stone was convicted in 2019 of lying to Congress about Russian involvement in the 2016 election, but Trump commuted his sentence and later pardoned him.

Gov. DeSantis says that Im a convicted felon, Stone said. Well, actually, Im a former convicted felon, thanks to the pardon by Donald Trump. But if Ron DeSantis isnt careful, he will soon be a former governor of Florida without the active support of President Donald Trump.

Its not the first time Stone has issued such a threat. Last year, Stone had demanded DeSantis conduct an Arizona-style audit of the 2020 presidential election, or else he might seek the Libertarian nomination for governor.

If Trump actually endorsed him, I think he actually could do a tremendous amount of damage, said Matt Isbell, a Democratic consultant who runs the MCIMaps website. ... If it was Stone running as a third party in the general [election], then I think theres an even bigger risk of damage because then youre siphoning off a handful of a percent. And that would probably galvanize Democrats.

Mac Stipanovich, a Tallahassee consultant and anti-Trump former Republican turned independent, said its too soon to know whether Stones threat is serious, or whether he has the backing of Trump.

Roger is a hot mess, Stipanovich said. And he requires attention boosts to feed his ego and to pay his bills.  So I think you can expect Roger to continue to say things like this to accomplish those exact goals.

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Still, he said, Trump wants to be the only candidate should he decide to run, which the indications are he wants to, and he expects everyone else who might run to take a knee. And so far, DeSantis has refused to do that. So Trump is going to slap him around for a while, and well see what happens.  But I wouldnt [assume] that Roger is speaking for Trump.

Trump echoed Stone at his Orlando History Tour event in December, taking full credit for DeSantis victory in 2018.

One day, he came to see me and he said, Its really important, Id like to run for governor of Florida, Trump said. ... Nobody knew him.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

Trump appeared to criticize DeSantis in a January interview, referencing DeSantis refusal to say whether he received a COVID booster shot.

The answer is Yes, but they dont want to say it, because theyre gutless, Trump said. Youve got to say it  whether you had it or not, say it.

In response, DeSantis said on a conservative podcast last week that one of his biggest regrets was not opposing Trumps calls for lockdowns in March and April of 2020, according to the New York Times.

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The back-and-forth over COVID vaccines and restrictions is a growing divide between the two, as Trump has repeatedly praised the vaccines of late while DeSantis has increasingly surrounded himself with vaccine skeptics such as Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo.

Isbell said DeSantis clearly, at this point, seems to think he can outflank Trump on the right. ... I think Ron is now starting to feel like he can go without Trump and hes trying to position himself.

Stipanovich warned that DeSantis needs to be careful.

Rogers initial assessment is basically correct, Stipanovich said. Ron DeSantis was a hologram. He was a projection of Trumps mind. If Trump didnt think about DeSantis, DeSantis wouldnt exist. And if Trump stops thinking about DeSantis, DeSantis could cease to exist.
Corey Prince, a community and political organizer from Racine, and Kenosha-based Open Wings Learning Community have been named as recipients of the 2022 Gateway Technical College Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.

The award is an annual effort by the college to honor those individuals or groups who work to support the community and exemplify Dr. Kings values. The award honors students, adults and organizations distinguished for humanitarian contributions to society, education, business or profession, as well as dedication to volunteerism or philanthropic lifes work.

The awards are typically awarded at the colleges annual Martin Luther King Day program, but this years event  which was to take place on Monday  was canceled due to illness, college officials announced Monday morning.

Open Wings Learning Community

Kimberly Hufferd-Ackles founded Open Wings Learning Community in 2012. Her daughter, who has special needs, was the catalyst for founding the school after Hufferd-Ackles couldnt find a school environment that met her needs. The school provides a progressive educational program for children and adolescents that celebrates and embraces learners neurodiversity.

Open Wings Learning Communitys nominator wrote that the school is truly an inspiration and that Dr. King believed It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not be in favor of justice for all people. A visit to Open Wings brings to light how students of all abilities are given a voice  The students and faculty of Open Wings work hard to get to know one another and reach out to the community. The priority of having a service learning curriculum in their recently opened middle school is another way they are creating a culture of inclusion and social justice  and learning to live peacefully.

Corey Prince

Corey Prince is founder of Community Consulting LLC. Gateway officials said that he has a passion for engaging people and advocating for marginalized groups. Among other services, Princes company provides assistance with pardon applications, community outreach and training in community and political organizing. Prince serves as the NAACP State Criminal Justice Chair and was named Wisconsin Ambassador for Reform Alliance.

Princes nominator says he is guided by his faith and core principles and that he has worked hard to combat systemic racism. Corey speaks with everyone, he talks with people on-on-one, he uses these conversations to build coalitions. He maintains relationships with everyone he talks to and grows the relationships into genuine friendships and that helps him to bring people together as they work toward a common goal  His peers, including myself, respect Corey and the work he is doing in Racine.

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Hopkinsville, KY (42240)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 50F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 50F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
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)

NASA has switched out the pesky parts and is gearing up to send the 322-foot-tall Artemis I rocket to Kennedy Space Centers Launch Pad 39-B for a dress rehearsal next month that would allow for a potential moon launch as early as March.

Mission managers announced last week they had successfully replaced a malfunctioning engine controller for one of the four converted space shuttle program engines used to power the core stage of the Space Launch System rocket that will send the uncrewed Orion spacecraft a mission to orbit the moon and back.

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The team conducted several tests to ensure the massive core stage is ready to roll to the launch pad, according to an update on NASAs Artemis I blog. All four engine controllers were powered up and performed as expected.

With the SLS and Orion fully stacked last fall, NASA had been planning for a rollout to the launch pad for what it calls a wet dress rehearsal by the end of 2021 and had been eying a February launch window. Testing in the Vehicle Assembly Building, though, revealed a problem with one of the engine controllers, which act as the brains behind each of the RS-25 engines used in the core stage.

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With the controller problem now fixed, NASA stated its now targeting mid-February for the 4.2 mile journey to the launch pad and late February for the test, during which NASA will run through tanking the core stage with 730,000 gallons of super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

After the launch pad rehearsal, NASA will roll it back to the VAB for further tests so they can sign off on it for launch, which could happen no earlier than March.

NASA has a complicated series of launch windows each month, and in December NASA stated it was reviewing opportunities to launch during what would be the back end of the March window that runs from March 12-27 or the April window that runs on select days from April 8-23. The next windows are from May 7-21, June 6-16 and June 29-July 12.

It really has to do with the three-body problem that were dealing with, Artemis I mission manager Mike Sarafin said. We have the Earth rotating on its axis. We have the moon going about the Earth in its lunar cycle  its 28-29 day lunar cycle  and then weve got to head outbound and splash down in a set of daylight landing conditions.

Depending on the day it launches, the mission could last either four or six weeks. The plan is to send Orion farther into space than any other human-rated spacecraft has ever traveled  280,000 miles away, which is 40,000 miles beyond the moon.

Artemis I is the first of a series of planned missions to the moon that look to return humans, including the first woman, to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. When it launches, the SLS rocket will surpass the power of the Saturn V rockets of the Apollo program, producing 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

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Originally to have launched in 2016, the SLS and Orion hardware have seen numerous cost and production delays, which have had a domino effect on future Artemis missions.

NASA now plans the crewed Artemis II flight, which will take humans in an orbit around the moon without landing, no earlier than May 2024. The Artemis III mission, which would use a Human Landing System to bring two astronauts to the lunar surface, is now planned for no earlier than 2025.

Go For Launch - Space News Weekly Fix your telescope on all space-related news, from rocket launches to space-industry advancements. >

Last fall, NASA stated the cost to the just the SLS rocket for Artemis I will have topped $11 billion by the time it launches while the combined cost for the Orion capsules for the first two missions will top $9.3 billion.

NASAs Office of the Inspector General also estimated in an audit last fall the cost of Artemis missions will top $93 billion through 2025. Breaking down the actual costs for rocket, capsule and ground systems, and not considering the development costs of previous years, the OIG estimates each new Artemis launch will cost about $4.1 billion.
Orlando has been named on a shortlist for one of Americas best places to fish.

The city ranked 7th, according to a fishing blog on the website FishingBooker.

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FishingBooker states it is the worlds largest platform for connecting anglers and fishing guides, with over 30,000 fishing trips available in more than 2,000 destinations worldwide.

Orlando features thousands of ponds and quick access to rich bodies of water, according to the blog, which praised nearby fishing destinations around Central Florida.

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The report highlighted fishers ease of access to the Intracoastal Waterway, the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Apopka, Lake Jessup and others.

Orlando wasnt the only city in Florida to make the list.

Key West ranked 2nd for the incredible Billfishing grounds [that] are just minutes away, according to the report.

San Diego, which ranked first, followed by Milwaukee, Wilmington, N.C., and Detroit rounded out the top five.

Mobile, Alabama ranked just head of Orlando while Spokane, Washington ranked just behind it.

Anchorage, Alaska; Austin, Texas; Annapolis, Maryland; and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii rounded out the top 12.
EUGENE, Ore. -- COVID-19 related hospitalizations are once again increasing to alarmingly high levels across the state, straining medical centers, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

This comes nearly two years into a pandemic that has pushed the health care industry to its limits. Some of the medical professionals whove been battling the virus on the frontlines since its beginning are now facing burnout and exhaustion.

We're tired, but I know everybody's tired. Just bear with us. We're doing the best we can," said Candace Maccarone-Janes, an intensive care unit nurse at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

Pull Quote "I did have the thought: I hope this isn't the last time I see my wife."

The ICU is a place for the sickest patients where every day patients fight for their lives.

If you're in the intensive care unit, often you're fighting for survival, you're fighting for your life, said Dr. Brian Delmonaco, the medical director at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Centers ICU.

There are few people that know the challenging battle against the virus better than Bruce Sams.

"I did have the thought: I hope this isn't the last time I see my wife," Sams said.

Sams is an Albany resident who has been a firefighter in McMinnville for years. But in August 2020, he found himself fighting for his own life in an ICU bed at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

When I first woke up, I can't tell you that I had any real or coherent thoughts. I know that I was looking around trying to figure out where I was and what was going on," Sams said.

At the end of July, Sams said he was returning to the fire station after a call when he started to feel sick. He said he went home early, but over the next few days, his symptoms got progressively worse. A COVID-19 test confirmed he was positive for the virus.

I sat on the couch for a week just not feeling good, Sams said. And on the fifth or sixth day, breathing was becoming noticeably more difficult and on the eighth day my wife took me over to the emergency room in Corvallis.

He said he was admitted to the emergency room on Aug. 10.

I don't think everybody always thought I was going to be fine, Sams said.

Sams said he doesnt remember much from his stay in the ER. After several days, he was intubated and moved into the ICU. Thats where he met Delmonaco.

He was very, very sick and was one of those patients with COVID who had a high chance of dying," Delmonaco said.

He said the main reason Sams is still alive today is because of the Seraph 100 filter.

The filter is a device that is a type of procedure called extracorporeal blood purification, Delmonaco said. "It actually filters out the virus that our patients have from their blood and then it also filters out some of the cytokines and inflammatory proteins that are causing damage to the lungs mainly, so it has a mortality benefit. It's not recommended for all patients but some of our sickest patients so we've had some good success.

Pull Quote Because I don't breathe very well still, I don't have very much at all endurance or stamina. It was really hard for probably two months, and it's not easy today. But it is easier every day. Certainly every week. It's noticeably better."

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center is the first and only hospital in the Pacific Northwest using the filter, according to a spokesperson for the hospital. It was first used there in April and has since been used on at least 15 critically ill patients, including Bruce.

With the filter, within the first 60 hours of being in the intensive care unit, the mortality rate has decreased by about 37% to 42%, Delmonaco said.

But Sams said hes still feeling the aftereffects of the virus.

Because I don't breathe very well still, I don't have very much at all endurance or stamina, Sams said. It was really hard for probably two months, and it's not easy today. But it is easier every day. Certainly every week. It's noticeably better."

Sams is one of the lucky ones. Just like the vast majority of patients fighting COVID-19 in the ICU, he was unvaccinated. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention released data saying the risk of hospitalization is eight times higher for unvaccinated people than for those who are fully vaccinated.

The ICU in Corvallis is a smaller unit with 12 beds.

Our intensive care unit is, if not full, nearly full most days and nights and our staff is quite busy," Delmonaco said.

The virus has already claimed the lives of well over 5,000 Oregonians and more than 800,000 people nationwide, according to health officials.

We definitely have had more death in our ICU in the last two years than we have in my career," Maccarone-Janes said.

Across the state, more than 900 people are currently in hospitals with COVID-19. Thats about 300 away from the peak of the Delta surge recorded on Sept. 1.

The latest projections from Oregon Health and Science University predict omicron hospitalizations will eclipse that number by the end of January. Its data Laura Hennum, CEO at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, said she has been watching closely.

Right now you just have such an overwhelming demand for health care services, we don't have enough people to provide the care," Hennum said.

She said there's been pent-up demand for hospital beds because many people shied away from seeking medical care the past two years.

This is valuable real estate inside of any hospital, and it's critical that we keep our beds available for those who need the beds the most," Hennum said.

Hennum said that delay in care is catching up to many people who waited too long. Its a trend Maccarone-Janes said shes seeing as well.

"People held off getting checked out for their heart and then they had a heart attack, or they've been having headaches and they come in and they've had a brain bleed," Maccarone-Janes said.

However, Hennum is encouraging people who think they need medical care to seek it.

One of the things I think is important to share with the community and individuals is if you need care, you should seek it, Hennum said. I know a lot of individuals are concerned about how impacted our emergency rooms are, and we are very busy. If anyone is experiencing respiratory distress, they should go to the emergency room.

Pull Quote "I still love my job. I love being a nurse, but I think the passion is getting a little I need a little bit of a refresher; I think we all do."

In some hospitals, caregivers are getting out of the business at higher rates after nearly two years navigating challenges posed by the pandemic in addition to their other work. Maccarone-Janes said some of her former co-workers have recently left the industry in favor of less stressful jobs or to become traveling nurses.

Even though there's an empty bed, doesn't mean there's somebody to take care of that patient," Maccarone-Janes said.

But Maccarone-Janes, who has been working as an ICU nurse for 10 years at Good Samaritan, said she still enjoys her job.

"I still love my job. I love being a nurse, but I think the passion is getting a little I need a little bit of a refresher; I think we all do," Maccarone-Janes said.

Through all of this, doctors say there is a light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine playing a big role.

A lot of people are getting sick and testing positive for COVID, and thankfully, the vaccination rate for our hospital staff and our community is significantly high and that helps keep our community out of the hospital," Delmonaco said.

With the omicron variant, more patients are being admitted to hospitals around the country than ever before, but the vast majority are not sick enough to end up inside the ICU, according to Delmonaco.

There's been some new therapies, some repurposing of old therapies that have been helpful for patients with COVID-19, and then we've learned a lot through the two-plus years of the pandemic on how to help people who are really sick from COVID," Delmonaco said.

For Sams, his life is much different than it was before he contracted COVID-19. He said hes now on light duty at the fire station. But hes optimistic that the technological advancements made recently and the knowledge medical providers have gained when it comes to treating COVID patients will save additional lives in the future.

"I think there are technologies and treatments that are going to hopefully be found and used," Sams said.

He said hes grateful for the staff at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

Im very grateful. I enjoy my family, my wife, Sams said. God still seems to think that I have a purpose here and that I can stay here."
Is a Night in the Hospital Necessary After Hip, Knee Replacement?
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Jasper, TX (75951)

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable..

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The temperature threshold to open the emergency overnight warming center at the Wabash Station is set at 9 degrees.
President Moon Jae-in and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf pose during their meeting at King Saud Palace, Wednesday. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



RIYADH  Korea will resume talks for a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the first quarter of this year, nearly 12 years after negotiations were halted with the alliance of six Middle Eastern countries, Cheong Wa Dae said, Wednesday (local time).



On the occasion of President Moon Jae-in's visit to Saudi Arabia, the two countries agreed to resume their talks for the agreement, with Korea's Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo and GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf announcing the decision.



During a meeting with Al-Hajraf, Moon said a potential free trade agreement between the two sides will increase mutual benefits in the fields of goods, service, investment, intellectual property and energy, and asked the secretary general to ramp up his efforts to facilitate an outcome which could be satisfactory for both sides.



"Korea and member countries of the GCC have economic structures that complement each other, and they have achieved economic progress and prosperity through reciprocal partnerships," Moon said. "The cooperation between the two sides is now expanding to various fields including healthcare, science, technology, defense, info-tech and intellectual property. The partnership is now entering the next dimension."



The GCC is a political and economic alliance between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.



GCC member nations are Korea's key trading partners in the Middle East. Korea's trade with GCC member countries totaled $46.6 billion in 2020, accounting for 78 percent of Seoul's total trade with the region.



Since 2007, Korea and the GCC have been negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement and held three rounds of official talks. But there has not been any progress since January 2010, when the GCC halted its talks with not only Korea but also Japan, China, the European Union and the U.S.



Cheong Wa Dae said the two countries will resume their talks in the first quarter of this year, aiming to wrap up the negotiations as soon as possible. Korea will appoint Lee Kyung-sik, a senior negotiator at Korea's trade ministry, as its representative in the talks.



A free trade agreement with the GCC is expected to become a turning point for Korea to strengthen its foothold in the areas of trade and investment in the Middle East. The pact is also anticipated to serve as a gateway for Korean exports to Europe and Africa.



During his meeting with the secretary general, Moon noted efforts by GCC member nations to diversify their oil-dependent industrial portfolio and nurture future-oriented businesses such as hydrogen, renewable energy and healthcare, and said such endeavors will offer an opportunity to enhance their ties with Korea.



The secretary general echoed Moon's idea, lauding Korea's experience and technologies in manufacturing, renewable energy and biopharmaceutical industries, and promised to enhance the GCC's ties with Korea.



"Under the single goal of regional security and stability, Korea and the GCC have developed special relations, which are reciprocal to each other," the secretary general said. "Based on a 2014 MOU between the two sides, the mutual cooperation has been progressing.  And we seek to prepare a next step toward the future."



In 2014, the two sides signed an MOU on strategic dialogue.




A Hyundai Merchant Marine containership using eco-friendly bio heavy oil is seen in this file photo. Courtesy of HMM



Taiwanese, Singaporean firms consider filing lawsuits



By Park Jae-hyuk



A decision by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to fine shipping companies is stoking concerns about potential economic retaliation from foreign governments. The FTC decided to slap a combined 96.2 billion won ($80 million) in fines on 23 shipping companies, including 11 foreign firms, for 15 years of alleged collusion to fix the freight rates for sea routes between Korea and Southeast Asia.



The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, which supervises the shipping industry, criticized the penalty for providing a reason for other countries to sanction Korean shipping companies arriving in their ports.



Although the maritime ministry did not issue an official statement on the FTC's decision on Tuesday, insiders in the agency told reporters that the shipping companies conducted collaborative actions in compliance with the Marine Transportation Act.



According to the FTC, the foreign shipping companies that were slapped with fines are four Taiwanese companies, three Singaporean firms and four based in Hong Kong. Among them, Taiwan's Wan Hai Lines was slapped with the heaviest fine of 11.5 billion won.



They are alleged to have colluded with Korean shipping companies starting in 2003 to simultaneously raise freight rates for three sea routes  Korea-Southeast Asia, Korea-China and Korea-Japan. The antitrust regulator said the shipping companies refused to transport the freight of cargo owners who protested the rate hike.





Fair Trade Commission Chairperson Joh Sung-wook announces the antitrust regulator's decision to slap a 96.2 billion won fine on 23 shipping companies, during a press conference at the Government Complex Sejong, Tuesday. Yonhap
A handout satellite image made available by Maxar Technologies shows ash-covered homes and buildings after the eruption of a volcano near Tonga, Jan. 18. EPA-Yonhap



A volcano that exploded near the Pacific island nation of Tonga has almost disappeared from view, new images revealed Tuesday, with swathes of the country smothered in grey dust or damaged by a tsunami.



The volcano sent ash 30 kilometers (19 miles) into the air Saturday, depositing it and gas and acid rain across a large area of the Pacific.



In the tsunami that followed, waves in Tonga rose up to 15 meters (50 feet), its government said in a statement.



Three people were killed and "a number" were injured, the government said on Twitter, calling the volcano explosion "an unprecedented disaster."



Three days after the eruption, the outside world is still struggling to understand the scale of the damage using patchy satellite phone connections, surveillance flights and satellite images.



While power and local phone systems have been partially restored, international communications remain severed and the internet is down.



Satellite images released by Maxar Technologies, Tuesday, showed that where most of the volcanic structure stood above sea level a few days ago, there is now just open sea.



Only two relatively small volcanic islands were still visible above sea level after the eruption.



New Zealand released aerial images taken from a surveillance flight the previous day, revealing a tree-lined coast transformed from green to grey by the volcanic fallout.



Wrecked buildings were visible on the foreshore alongside others that appeared intact.



Volcanic ash blanketed island fields, images from an Australian Defense Force P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft showed.



Shipping containers had been knocked over like dominoes at a port on the main island.



The World Health Organization said in a statement Tuesday that its liaison officer in Tonga, Dr. Yutaro Setoya, was "channelling communication between UN agencies and the Tongan government."



"With international phone lines and internet connectivity still down, Dr. Setoya's satellite phone is one of the few ways to get information," it said.



The officer has "literally been standing outside from dawn until long into the night for the past few days to ensure that the phone can reach the satellite signal," said the WHO's Health Cluster Coordinator for the Pacific, Sean Casey.



The UN health agency said around 100 houses had been damaged, with 50 destroyed on Tonga's main island of Tongatapu.



Between five and 10 centimeters of ash and dust had fallen on Tongatapu, the UN said.



Water supplies "have been seriously affected by the volcanic ash," the government said in a statement.



The WHO said the ash and dust were "raising concerns of air pollution and potential contamination of food and water supplies."



"The gov't has advised the public to remain indoors, use masks if going out, and to drink bottled water due to the ash-fall," according to WHO.





This combination of satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies shows the main port facilities in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Dec. 29, 2021, above, and Jan. 18. AP-Yonhap



Distress beacon



Australia's HMAS Adelaide and New Zealand's HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Aotearoa were ordered to be ready for a possible aid request from Tonga, which lies three to five days' sailing away.



The Red Cross said it was sending 2,516 water containers.



New Zealand has allocated NZ$1 million ($680,000) in humanitarian assistance and the United States has pledged $100,000.



France, which has territories in the South Pacific, pledged to help with the people of Tonga's "most urgent needs."



The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said a signal had been detected from a distress beacon on the low-lying island of Mango.



The agency said surveillance flights had confirmed "substantial property damage" on Mango, home to about 30 people, and another island, Fonoi.



Images released by the United Nations Satellite Centre showed the impact of the disaster on the island of Nomuka, one of the closest to the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano.



The satellite center said that of 104 structures analyzed in a cloud-free area, 41 were damaged.



The government has begun evacuating the affected areas, according to its statement.



Tonga's airport was working to remove volcanic ash from the capital's runway. Australia said the ash must be cleared before it can land a C-130 military plane with aid.



One of the three people confirmed dead was Briton Angela Glover, a 50-year-old who ran a stray animals charity and was reported missing by her husband after the tsunami hit.



"Earlier today my family was sadly informed that the body of my sister Angela has been found," her brother Nick Eleini said after being given the news by the husband, James Glover.



"James was able to cling on to a tree for quite a long time, but Angela was unable to do so and was washed away with the dogs," he told The Guardian newspaper.



A 65-year-old woman from Mango and 49-year-old man from Nomuka island were also killed.





This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga, Jan. 6, before a huge undersea volcanic eruption. AP-Yonhap
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 45F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

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Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 45F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
UPDATE JAN. 19 AT 4:09 PM

The Billings Police Department (BPD) has shared more information on a shooting involving an off-duty officer over the weekend.

According to the update, the suspect with the firearm who was later involved in a crash on Grand Ave. has been identified as a 24-year-old man from Billings.

He is expected to survive the injuries he sustained in the crash.

The off-duty officer involved in the incident has been identified as Matt Frank, a 9-year veteran of the department.

At this time Frank has been placed on administrative leave pending internal review, per standard procedure following a critical incident.

The investigation is being turned over to the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation for follow-up and further investigation.

In regards to the firearm, BPD says investigators have yet to confirm if the gun was ever fired during the incident as well as all of the circumstances surrounding the disturbance from beginning to end.

No arrests or charges have been made as of 4:00 pm Wednesday.

BILLINGS, Mont. - An off-duty Yellowstone County Deputy was injured in a shooting at the Grandstand Casino in Billings early Saturday morning.

During a press conference Saturday, Billings Police Chief, Rich St. John, said a group of off-duty officers were socializing at the casino.

Around 12:45 am, an officer with the Billings Police Department and a Yellowstone County Deputy, along with a civilian, left the casino and were talking in the parking lot.

Shortly after, a maroon Chevy Malibu with two people inside entered the parking lot, stopped near the group and exchanged words before the driver brandished a handgun.

Chief St. John says the officer and deputy reached into the car to try and get the weapon, while the civilian went to the passenger side of the car and got the second person out before trying to control the gun from the other side.

During the struggle, it was reported the driver fired one shot, and that the deputy was hit in the face with what is currently believed to be a bullet fragment.

The deputy reeled back, and believing he was shot, the officer and civilian continued to struggle with the driver for the gun.

A few seconds later, the driver accelerated the car, dragging the officer on the drivers side and the civilian who was partially in the passenger side

Both were able to free themselves before the vehicle left the parking lot.

After seeing the incident, one officer called 9-1-1 to report a deputy had been shot, and the officers inside left the building to give aid to those involved.

While aid was being rendered, the suspect came back and drove through the parking lot.

Chief St. John reported officers thought they would be fired at, and retreated back inside the casino.

As the suspect left the parking lot and onto Grand Ave., responding on-duty officers arrived.

Officers tried to stop the suspect, however, he then fled west on Grand Ave. and drove at speeds over 60 miles per hour.

The suspect eventually lost control of the vehicle at the 1200 block of Grand Ave., slid sideways, rolled and struck a light pole in front of Albertsons.

The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital for care.

The handgun was also recovered from the wreckage near the suspect.

At this time, the shooting is being investigated by the Billings Police Departments Detective Divison along with the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, who will assume the lead on this case.

Chief St. John says the agencies will conduct very thorough investigations, and that when complete, all parties involved will consult with the Yellowstone County Attorneys Office for any possible charges.

The off-duty officer was uninjured, and the civilian involved suffered minor injures. No on-duty officers were injured.

Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder says he spoke with the deputy involved, and that he is doing well and is expected to return to work right away.

This is a critical incident for both of our departments, and administrative review is pending, Chief St. John said. If anything changes, media will be notified.

More details on the incident are expected to be released in the coming days.

Previous coverage:

BILLINGS, Mont. - An investigation was launched after an early morning shooting at the Grandstand Casino that left a man injured.

Officers on scene tried to apprehend a suspect who fled in a vehicle and crashed in the 1200 block of Grand Ave.

The victim, a man in his 40s, sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital.

Billings Police will be holding a press conference Saturday afternoon to release more information on this incident.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
The January 6 committee subpoenas Tuesday Rudy Giuliani, seen here in November 2020 in Washington.
The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With Valentine's Day coming up, do you think the ECU community and the City of Greenville is doing all they can to make people feel loved and supported?

Survey
Are you planning to attend NH Pumpkin Festival this year? If not, what would make you attend?
Littleton, NC (27850)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
A legislative committee signed off Wednesday on a new two-year contract for Wisconsin's state troopers.

The deal covers the biennium that ended June 30. The contract calls for a 2% across-the-board wage increase in each year, with lump sump payments equal to a 2% increase for all hours worked dating back to Jan. 5, 2020.

Each step along the troopers' pay progression scale would increase by an average of 4.3%, with a lump sum payment for hours worked dating back to June 6. Employees who earn traffic accident reconstruction accreditation would receive a $1 per hour raise.

The Joint Committee on Employment Relations approved the contract unanimously with no discussion.

The deal is still subject to approval from the full Assembly and Senate and Gov. Tony Evers would have to sign it before it could take effect, but that appears to be a formality at this point. Evers' administration negotiated the contract with the troopers' union and both Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, sit on the employment relations committee and voted for the plan, signaling support.

A law Republicans passed in 2011 stripped most public workers of their union rights but allowed police officers to continue to negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
From the outside, theres nothing to suggest the fire station often is left unstaffed, or that it is used for maintenance rather than as a base for firefighters and paramedics to go out on calls.

Thats one of myriad reasons, experts said, that the person who left a baby boy in a duffel bag outside a Near North fire station around 5 a.m. in the 1000 block of North Orleans Street Saturday should have tried the buzzer and made sure to speak with someone inside. Its possible doing so could have saved the infants life and, ironically, would have meant a no questions asked policy. The biological parents now potentially face arrest and charges for abandoning the baby, officials said.

There is no risk to the person being identified or questioned. You can knock on the door, ring the bell, get our attention, we will take the child from you, thank you and youre on your way, said Larry Langford, a Chicago Fire Department spokesman.

Illinois Safe Haven Law offers new parents the option to safely and legally give up their child. Under the 20-year-old law, a baby up to 30 days old may be left at a hospital, emergency care facility, police station or firehouse without the parents facing questions or prosecution.

If they had tried to reach someone inside, Langford said, its likely they would quickly have learned the difference between a firehouse, where full-time firefighters work, and a fire station with minimal staffing  where the baby was left.

This is a building thats used for air maintenance and air supply, Langford explained. This is not a regular-man firehouse, and often there is nobody there at all.

Langford explained the crews at the fire station where the baby was left go out to service and exchange air tanks at fire companies all over the city, so they often can be out for an extended period of time as they go around the city dropping off air tanks or picking air tanks up.

It is imperative that they have contact with someone at the firehouse. Under no circumstances do we want people to leave children outside. And because of the way the Safe Haven Law is written, you may hand the child directly to a staff member or Fire Department member  they wont ask for your name, they wont ask for identification, they wont question you at all, which is far better than leaving the child outside.

Dawn Geras, founder and executive director of the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, said she isnt sure what the disconnect was in this particular case, but she echoed Langfords sentiments, saying: They could have rung the doorbell or called to say they left a baby outside.

Thats why Geras was both disturbed and puzzled at the decision to leave the baby outside, particularly in winter. She said she believes that, although the Safe Haven Law has been in effect for 20 years, there are still significant gaps in peoples understanding of the law and its protections  if theyre even aware it exists.

There is a toll-free number that people can go to if they have a question about what to do or call for information ahead of time. That number is 888-510-2229, Geras said. The general public can go to our website where there is a lot of information and materials that can be ordered for free for the community to help us distribute lifesaving information such as brochures and posters they can bring to where they work, where they worship, where they get their nails done, anywhere and everywhere.

As of last year, 143 babies had been taken to a Safe Haven since the law was passed in 2001, according to the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation website. During the same time, 87 babies were found illegally abandoned and 51% of those newborns died.

Illegal abandonment has decreased over the years, but one baby death like this is way too many, Geras said. People dont think about (the law) until something like this happens.

Once a baby is left at a Safe Haven location, the newborn will be taken to a hospital to be evaluated. Within 12 hours, either the birth parent or, upon transport from police or a firehouse, the hospital will report relinquishment to the states Department of Children and Family Services, according to the foundation.

Once DCFS confirms that the newborn is not missing, he or she will be placed with a licensed Illinois adoption agency. Birth parents have as many as 60 days to change their minds, but after that, their parental rights will be permanently terminated.

For birth parents, resources for postpartum care also are provided.

They can realize they can take responsible, loving actions for themselves and the baby, Geras said.

At least two other babies were found abandoned in Chicago in recent years, each sparking the same mixture of confusion and outrage. Fortunately, both survived, even though neither was turned over safely or properly under the Safe Haven Act.

In May 2019, a baby was found, umbilical cord still attached, inside a canvas tote on top of a garbage can in an alley in the 1700 block of North Keystone Avenue Hermosa, Geras and Chicago police said at the time.

The boy was screaming loudly and frequently enough that a mother and daughter found him and walked to a firehouse  right around the corner, at 1747 N. Pulaski Road.

The fireman on watch was trying to figure out what they were talking about and they handed him a shopping bag, Langford told the Tribune at the time. He looked inside and was shocked to find a baby.

The boy ultimately survived thanks to heroic efforts by the family who found him, firefighters, paramedics and the team of doctors and nurses at Lurie Childrens Hospital; he was named after a longtime paramedic supervisor and a police officer who cleared a path for the ambulance to the hospital.

In August 2021, another baby was found stuffed in a dresser drawer near garbage bins  on the day and close to the time when trash pickup was due, although it wasnt clear if the dresser would have been hauled off by city workers.

Paramedics were called about 8 a.m. Aug. 10 to the 2300 block of North Oak Park Avenue in the Montclare neighborhood by a person who located the newborn inside the drawer of a dresser, Langford said.

Its a good thing somebody came by. Its hot out there, it couldve ended differently, he said at the time. But its all seemingly worked out.

In both cases, law enforcement searched for the biological parents who abandoned the babies without apparent regard for their safety. Geras said those are precisely the types of scenarios the 2001 law was intended to eliminate.

How tragically sad. And unnecessary, Geras wrote in an email after the 2021 case made headlines across the city. If these parents had known to use the Baby Safe Haven law the police would not now be trying to track them down to press charges.

For more information about the Safe Haven Law or the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation visit saveabandonedbabies.org or text SAFEHAVEN to 313131.
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. Here in Lake Geneva, we have a mayoral primary. 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.

There are too many last minute changes.

For instance, on Wednesday, Jan. 12, the Wisconsin Election Commissions website stated 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.

Then, on Thursday, Jan. 13, a Waukesha County judge ruled that the drop boxes cannot be used.

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 was 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.

The Regional News editorial board consists of General Manager Robert Ireland, Editor Stephanie Jones and community members Patrick Quinn and Elizabeth Lupo DiVito.
The humble pencil has quite a history that is far from humble. Today, there are hundreds of pencil collectors around the world.
New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Absolut unveils an inspiring new campaign - Absolut Creative Commune - with an aim to champion an open and harmonious world and create positive change through art.

In a world where societies are fragmented, Absolut Creative Commune will act as a catalyst to generate a positive change, stimulate conversations, and engage with a wide audience in a creative, unexpected and meaningful manner.

Also Read | Brittney Moses: An American Way of Life Powerhouse.

As a part of the campaign, the artists will creatively exhibit their iteration of culturally relevant beliefs such as gender equality, global unity, freedom of expression, sustainability and inclusivity, in line with the ethos of Absolut.

The artists of Absolut Creative Commune stand for an Absolut world - a world without biases - with a commitment to create a wave of change through their art pieces. The campaign brings the ethos and values of the brand as well as the 'Born Colourless' campaign to the forefront.

Also Read | India vs South Africa Live Score Updates 1st ODI 2022: SA Opt to Bat As Marco Jansen Handed Debut, Venkatesh Iyer Debuts for IND.

The artists who are the pillars of the campaign, have intricately woven their artworks with beliefs they strongly stand for, beliefs that Absolut as a brand celebrates. Khyati Trehan, a graphic designer by day and a 3D-visual artist by night, has created a virtual kinetic installation bringing forward the thought that we are all human despite our differences.

With his digital art piece for Absolut Creative Commune, Tarqueeb who is a visual artist has expressed synergy between nature and the modern world, and how they can co-exist. A multi-disciplinary artist, Osheen Siva has created an animated artwork celebrating solidarity amongst women from diverse spheres of life.

Daku, who experiments with dimensions of time and space, has curated a time lapse of the shadow of a 3D sculpture made of typography that embraces freedom of expression and the complexity and diversity of the world we live in. A community of cis and transwomen spreading awareness through public art projects, Aravani Art Project's wall mural for Absolut Creative Commune depicts a world which is more empathetic and open towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

Through this campaign and an open contest, Absolut will encourage aspiring artists to come together and share their interpretation of one of the 5 beliefs using the iconic Absolut silhouette. The budding artists will have the opportunity to collaborate with one of the artists of Absolut Creative Commune and to design an art piece. Creating a holistic experience, the initiative will include a powerful talk by artist Osheen Siva on 'Achieving Fearlessness for Women through the Power of Art'. She will address the audience through Absolut's Instagram handle on 27th Jan'22 followed by a workshop by Aravani Art Project around 'Art and Identity' on the same platform on 5th Feb'22.

With Absolut Creative Commune, the brand envisions to spark a movement to 'Create Better Together' and stir purpose-led dialogues in the society.

Commenting on the launch of Absolut Creative Commune, Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard India, said, "Absolut has always been a front-runner in leading with purpose and creating a wave of positive change. With digital platforms acting like a connecting window today, Absolut Creative Commune harnesses the strength of virtual public space that allows for an immersive and accessible experience. The artists along with their artwork are the voice of Absolut Creative Commune and together we will bring the ethos of the campaign to the forefront, hence connecting with the youth who will be the crusaders of change."

Commenting on the launch of Absolut Creative Commune, Khyati Trehan said, "Working with the Absolut Creative Commune challenged me to imagine a colourless world and turn its meaning on its head; from colourless meaning devoid of colour, to being inclusive of all while reminding us that we are more in common. In that same vein, my abstract virtual kinetic installation deconstructs the Absolut bottle to celebrate our diverse layers, while pivoting around a common centre."

Commenting on the launch of Absolut Creative Commune, Tarqeeb said, "For Absolut Creative Commune, my intention was to get people to reflect on the meaning of sustainability t and how crucial it is for our society to give nature a chance to recuperate. I had a great time interpreting my topic in the current context of a post-pandemic world. This artwork is my take on how society will need to adapt and change to preserve our planet for generations to come."

Commenting on the launch of Absolut Creative Commune, Aravani Art Project said, "As an Art Collective working towards Transgender and LGBTQIA+ community by creating consciousness and well-being through art, awareness & social participation, we were glad to collaborate with Absolut Creative Commune. We created an artwork based on one of the brand's values which was close to our own art practice celebrating queer friendship and reminding people that all expressions of love are equal and free."

Commenting on the launch of Absolut Creative Commune, Osheen Siva said, "The collaboration with Absolut Creative Commune was inspired by the need for equal rights and representation. It reflects on the necessity of equality for all genders, for our society to be inclusive and progressive. I was happy to work on this project as it touches upon the causes that are close to my heart - such as solidarity, feminism, and togetherness."

Commenting on the launch of Absolut Creative Commune, Daku said, "My work for Absolut Creative Commune is an amalgamation of different scripts from all regions of India. It's beautiful to see how connected and intermingled these cultures are which celebrate 'Freedom of Expression'. When the light falls on the sculpture, it creates shadows that overlap and separate to create forms, just like the people and their culture."

Please click on https://drive.google.com/file/d/19t8T6snqTSKDeedwTsDxKOF2vjBvtK3E/view?usp=sharing to view the campaign film.

To view the campaign film on Instagram, please click on https://www.instagram.com/p/CYqtIEktIty/

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chapel Hill [US], January 19 (ANI): A new research has found that COVID-19 vaccination offers long-lasting protection from the worst outcomes of COVID-19.

The research has been published in the 'New England Journal of Medicine'.

Also Read | COVID-19 May Affect Foetus Even Without Infection in Placenta, Says US National Institutes of Health.

The emergence of the delta and omicron variants had raised questions about whether breakthrough infections are caused by waning immunity or by the more transmissible variants.

Results of the study suggested that declining immunity is responsible for breakthrough infections, but vaccines maintained protection from hospitalization and severe disease nine months after getting the first shot.

Also Read | India Reports 2,82,970 New COVID-19 Cases, 441 Deaths in Past 24 Hours.

"The primary takeaway message from our study is that unvaccinated people should get vaccinated right away," said lead study author Danyu Lin, PhD, Dennis Gillings Distinguished Professor of Biostatistics at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

"The results of our study also underscore the importance of booster shots, especially for older adults," Lin added.

The study, which is a collaboration between the UNC-Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, examined data on COVID-19 vaccination history and health outcomes for 10.6 million North Carolina residents between December 2020 and September 2021.

The study results were used by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to support the use of booster shots.

"This is an excellent example of the wonderful research partnership between the Gillings School and NCDHHS, who are working together to generate the evidence base needed to keep our communities safe," said Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, Carla Smith Chamblee Distinguished Professor of Global Nutrition and associate dean for research at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

This data included outcomes from COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant. However, data from this study were collected before the discovery of the omicron variant.

"By applying a novel methodology to the rich surveillance data, we were able to provide a precise and comprehensive characterization of the effectiveness over a nine-month period for the three vaccines employed in the U.S.," Lin said.

"Unlike previous studies, we estimated the vaccine effectiveness in reducing the current risks of COVID-19, hospitalization, and death as a function of time elapsed since the first dose," Lin continued.

"This information is critically important in determining the need for and the optimal timing of booster vaccination," Lin added.

The study found that the effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines in reducing the risk of COVID-19 reached a peak of about 95 per cent two months after the first dose and then gradually declined. At seven months, the Pfizer vaccine dropped to 67 per cent effectiveness, compared to the Moderna vaccine, which maintained 80 per cent effectiveness.

Among early recipients of the two mRNA vaccines, effectiveness dropped dramatically from mid-June to mid-July, when the delta variant was surging.

Effectiveness for the Johnson & Johnson adenovirus vaccine was 75 per cent at one month after injection and fell to 60 per cent after five months.

All three vaccines were effective at keeping people out of the hospital due to severe COVID-19. Effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine reached a peak of 96 per cent at two months and remained around 90 per cent at seven months; effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine reached a peak of 97 per cent at two months and remained at 94 per cent at seven months. The effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine reached a peak of 86 per cent at two months and was higher than 80 per cent through six months.

For all three vaccines, effectiveness against death was higher than that of hospitalization.

"Because the majority of the vaccines in the U.S. were administered more than seven months ago and only a small percentage of the population has received boosters, waning immunity is likely contributing to the breakthrough infections with the omicron variant," Lin said.

Everyone age 5 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Those ages 18 and up should get a booster shot.

The research was led by Lin with major contributions from Yu Gu, a doctoral student in biostatistics, and Donglin Zeng, PhD, professor of biostatistics. NCDHHS epidemiologists Bradford Wheeler, Hayley Young, Shadia Khan Sunny, and Zack Moore participated in the research. Shannon Holloway from the North Carolina State Department of Statistics also contributed. (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 19 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to Enforcement Directorate (ED) on bail Plea of Pinky Irani, an alleged aide of multimillionaire conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, arrested on December 9, 2021, by ED in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case.

On January 11, 2022, the trial court had rejected Irani's bail petition in the matter.

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The bench of Justice Mukta Gupta on Wednesday issued notice to the probe agency and sought a response of it and listed the matter for February 14, 2022, for further hearing.

The bench also noted the submission of Advocate Yoginder Handoo, appearing for Pinki Irani that, since November 25 the petitioner was under the 24x7 guard and watch of the Enforcement officials, in Claridges Hotel and Park Hotel and officially arrested on December 9, 2021.

Also Read | Apple iPhone SE+ 5G Likely To Be Launched in 2023.

The plea submits that the allegations of violation of provisions of PMLA against the applicant are misconceived on facts and untenable in law, which the trial court has failed to appreciate and do not make out any case on facts and law against the applicant under the provisions of PMLA.

The petition further submits that the grounds of arrest and the accusations against her were never communicated to the applicant and otherwise could not be comprehended without a copy of the complaint already filed by the Enforcement Directorate. The allegations against the applicant are on the face of it vague and rollover even though the applicant continues to be in custody.

Last month, the Enforcement Directorate confronted Mumbai-based Pinki Irani with Sukesh Chandrasekar inside Tihar Jail.

According to the ED, Pinki Irani introduced Chandrasekhar to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez. After taking requisite permission of the court, the ED carried out the joint questioning of the two. The two were asked the same set of questions. How the two knew each other and whether Pinki helped in illegal money laundering operations. Before her arrest, Pinki Irani was also confronted with Jacqueline Fernandez.

Sukesh Chandrasekar recently has purportedly issued a press statement which has been released by his lawyer Anant Malik in which he had denied charges of extortion and has asked why was Shivinder Singh's wife Aditi Singh not probed if she paid Rs 200 crores as extortion.

Sukesh Chandrashekhar says a lot about it is being said and dictated about me in a case involving me. He says it's wrong to say that he's a "conman" or "Thug" as he has not been convicted yet.

The ED has earlier questioned Fernandez in Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to Chandrasekhar. Another actress Nora Fatehi was also questioned by the ED here in connection with the same case. ED is looking into various people who are directly or indirectly connected to this case. Reports suggest that the ED is looking into the possibility that money was invested abroad and it was led by Chandrasekhar, who is accused in 21 cases.

This ED case is based on an FIR filed by Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against Sukesh Chandrasekhar who is accused of cheating and extorting Aditi Singh, wife of the former promoter of Religare Enterprises Shivinder Mohan Singh, who was arrested in October 2019 in a case related to alleged misappropriation of funds at Religare Finvest Ltd.

Chandrasekhar and his associates reportedly took money from Aditi after posing as government officials and promising to get bail for her husband. Chandrasekhar reportedly persuaded Aditi to transfer money by impersonating a central government official over a spoof call while he was lodged in Rohini jail and promised to manage bail for her husband.

Both Chandrasekhar and his actor wife Leena Maria Paul were arrested by the Delhi Police in September for their alleged role in the duping case.

The Delhi Police has so far arrested 13 people in connection with the case. The ED suspects that Chandrasekhar had extorted money from several people while he was in jail.

At the time of the incident, Chandrashekhar was lodged in Delhi's Rohini jail and was running an extortion racket from behind the bars.

In September, the ED had arrested two aides of jailed conman against whom the Delhi Police recently invoked stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). Chandrasekhar was allegedly running the cheating and extortion racket in connivance with jail officials and some associates outside. (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 19 (ANI): It's been two days since Harak Singh Rawat was dismissed from the Uttarakhand Cabinet and expelled from the BJP after he openly expressed his desire to join the Congress. But suspense remains in Congress regarding his induction.

Harak Singh Rawat was one of the ten MLAs who deserted the Congress in 2016 and joined BJP.

Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Security Beefed Up in Delhi After Intel Input of Possible Terror Attack.

Now, ahead of assembly polls, he wants to go back to the Congress but the biggest hurdle that is preventing him from re-joining the party is the former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Campaign Committee Chairman of the state Congress unit, Harish Rawat who had openly said on Monday that "I don't want to make any statement on this (Harak Singh Rawat's comeback into the party).

"Expelled Uttarakhand BJP Minister Harak Singh has not joined the Congress party yet. Party will take a decision after considering several angles. If he (Harak Singh Rawat) will accept his mistake of leaving the Congress party, then we're ready to welcome him," Harish Rawat had said on Monday.

Also Read | Omicron Gradually Replacing Delta Variant in Many States, Says Top ICMR Official Dr Samiran Panda.

According to party sources, Harish Rawat is uncomfortable with Harak Singh Rawat's re-entry into the Congress and has apprised the party leadership about the same and has suggested that Harak Singh Rawat should not be entertained since he is coming with a set of conditions and demands.

Although Harak Singh Rawat on Tuesday said that he wants to "apologize 100 times to Harish Rawat" and told ANI that he had a word with Harish Rawat over the phone but the story remains inconclusive as there are several other issues that remain under discussion.

Among the issues, include Harak Singh Rawat's demands for a ticket for him and his daughter-in-law, other MLAs who are with Harak Singh Rawat and are in talks with Congress to join along with him.

A Senior Leader on anonymity told ANI that one of the BJP MLAs who Joined BJP in 2016, leaving Congress, had met party leader Rahul Gandhi along with Yashpal Arya who has recently re-joined Congress a few months back after resigning from the BJP.

Therefore, things are under discussion and will be finalized after a detailed discussion, which means Harak Singh Rawat's re-entry into Congress might take time.

The developments come days ahead of the Uttarakhand Assembly polls which are scheduled to be held on February 14. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Agartala (Tripura) [India], January 19 (ANI): Amid a steep rise in COVID-19 cases in Tripura, the state government on Tuesday decided to impose stricter curbs, revising the night curfew norms and completely shutting down the shopping malls, multiplexes and other possible locations, informed Tripura Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.

Addressing a press conference at the Civil Secretariat, Chowdhury said, In view of the steep rise in the infection across the state, the government had decided to impose Corona night curfew from 8 PM instead of 9 PM. The revised curbs shall come into force from January 21 next as the present restrictions are imposed till January 20, the minister clarified.

Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Security Beefed Up in Delhi After Intel Input of Possible Terror Attack.

The meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb reviewed the present scenario of COVID-19 in Tripura and took a slew of decisions this afternoon.

"In every cabinet meeting, the council of ministers discuss the ongoing scenario of COVID-19 situation and the present wave which is considered to be the third Covid 19 wave is taking an alarming turn of late," he said.

Also Read | Omicron Gradually Replacing Delta Variant in Many States, Says Top ICMR Official Dr Samiran Panda.

"In the last seven days, a total of 6,491 persons were found to be infected and among them, 6,459 are in home isolation while 14 persons succumbed to the Covid related complications. Today's positivity rate of COVID-19 stood at 23.15 per cent in the Agartala Municipal Corporation area while the rate is 10.72 per cent in the entire state," he added.

The minister also said "multiplexes, shopping malls, amusement parks, picnic spots, exhibitions and fairs shall remain closed until further orders. And, all the religious activities like 'Kirtan' are ordered to be completed within January 23 next."

In the case of government establishments within the Agartala Municipal Corporation area, the offices will run with 50 per cent strength and high officials from the Joint Secretary level are asked to attend offices in full strength, he added.

On vaccination, Chowdhury said, "A total 90,251 teenagers belonging to the age group of 15 to 18 years have been administered the first dose that translates to the state's average 42.37 per cent. The national average on the ongoing drive is 42 per cent. In the overall 18 years plus category, a total of 48,64,155 doses had been administered."

Meanwhile, a three-day-long special vaccination drive shall be organized at 734 schools from January 19 to January 21 next to enhance the vaccine coverage among children. Every minister including the Chief Minister has been scheduled to visit schools in all the eight districts during this 3-day long special drive for vaccination.

Besides, the Tripura cabinet has also decided to recruit 275 posts under the Public Works Department, Fire Service Department and Social Education and Social Welfare Department. (ANI)

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Visual of Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane along with other army officials in new combat uniform (Photo/ANI)

New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane donned the new combat uniform during a recent visit to the Eastern Command area where he reviewed the operational preparedness.

Earlier, government sources had said that the new Army Combat Pattern Uniform has been developed with the help of the National Institute of Fashion Technology after going through options of 15 patterns, eight designs and four fabrics.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: BJP to Jointly Contest 403 Seats with Apna Dal, Nishad Party.

Dismissing comparisons between the new Army combat uniform with LTTE uniform, government sources had said that both are 'distinctively different' adding that filters have been used on the new Army pattern to distort its appearance.

"It is evident that misleading information with malicious intent is being spread on social media platforms wherein filters have been used on the new Army pattern to distort its appearance," government sources said. (ANI)

Also Read | Assembly Elections 2022: What is cVIGIL App And How to Use It.

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New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an Assistant Sub Inspector of Delhi Police posted at Police Station Sultanpuri and a private person in a bribery case, informed an official statement on Wednesday.

A case was registered on complaint against the Assistant Sub Inspector of Delhi Police on the allegations of demanding a bribe of Rs 40,000, as per the statement issued by the investigative agency.

Also Read | Delhi Shocker: Man Stabs Sister's Friend to Death for Interacting With Her.

It was further alleged that the accused demanded a bribe from the complainant for not arresting his brother and nephew in a separate case which was registered earlier at Sultanpuri Police Station.

It was also alleged that the accused directed the complainant to hand over the bribe to a tea vendor operating in front of the said police station, the agency said.

Also Read | Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G Launched in India at Rs 39,999; Now Available for Online Sale.

The CBI laid a trap and caught the person while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from the complainant on the directions of said ASI.

Searches were conducted at the premises of the accused. Both the arrested accused will be produced before the Competent Court at Delhi. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): Congress is mulling over the inclusion of the "Chhattisgarh model" in the party's election manifesto for the poll-bound states.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who is also the AICC senior observer for Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday met the Congress High command including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in New Delhi.

Also Read | NEET UG Counselling 2021: Registration Open on mcc.nic.in; Check Details Here.

According to the sources, the Congress high command discussed the inclusion of people-friendly schemes implemented in Chhattisgarh in the party's manifesto for the upcoming five states. A glimpse of the 'Chhattisgarh model' may be seen in the party's election manifesto for the poll-bound states.

Schemes related to affordable cheap generic medicines, relief to farmers, Godhan Nyay Yojana have been highly appreciated at the national level. The party is looking forward to presenting the "Chhattisgarh" model to the country, sources added.

Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Red Fort to Remain Shut for Visitors from January 22 to 26 Due to Security Reasons.

Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is on a political visit to Uttar Pradesh for three days for the campaign. He held door-to-door campaigning in Noida.

Sources said the high command discussed briefly the flagship schemes of Chhattisgarh and also asked Baghel about his three-day campaigning in Uttar Pradesh and the response of the people in detail.

"The state government strengthened the rural economy through schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana and Godhan Nyay Yojana and fulfilled Rahul Gandhi ji's promise of putting money into the pockets of farmers. Cash transfer in the account of the beneficiaries under schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana and Godhan Nyay Yojana gave a boost to the economy," said sources.

Notably, an FIR was also being lodged against the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister for flouting COVID norms during his recent visit.

Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7.

Elections in Goa and Uttarakhand will be held on February 14 and in Manipur from February 27 to March 3. Elections in Punjab will be held on February 20.

The counting of votes will be done on March 10. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has abducted a 17-year-old boy from inside Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district, state's MP Tapir Gao said on Wednesday.

Gao said the teenager, identified as Miram Taron, was abducted by the PLA from Lungta Jor area under Siyungla area on Tuesday.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 13,785 New COVID-19 Cases, 35 Deaths in Past 24 Hours, Positivity Rate at 23.86%.

Taron's friend Johny Yaiying, who managed to escape, informed the authorities about the kidnapping by the PLA, Gao told PTI over phone from Ziro, the district headquarters of Lower Subansiri district.

Both are local hunters and belong to Zido village.

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The MP said the incident took place near the place where Tsangpo river enters India in Arunachal Pradesh.

Tsangpo is called as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and Brahmaputra in Assam.

Earlier, Gao tweeted: "Chinese #PLA has abducted Sh Miram Taron, 17 years of Zido vill. yesterday 18th Jan 2022 from inside Indian territory, Lungta Jor area (China built 3-4 kms road inside India in 2018) under Siyungla area (Bishing village) of Upper Siang dist, Arunachal Pradesh".

"His friend escaped from PLA and reported to the authorities.

"All the agencies of Govt of India are requested to step up for his early release," he said in another tweet and posted pictures of the abducted boy.

Gao also said that he has informed Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik about the incident and requested him to take necessary action in this regard.

He tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Indian Army in his tweets.

In September 2020, the PLA had abducted five youths from Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district and released them after about a week.

The latest incident came at a time when the Indian army continues to be engaged in a stand-off with the PLA in eastern Ladakh since April 2020.

India shares a 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

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Belagavi, January 19: Amid rising COVID-19 cases and several government restrictions in place to contain its spread, Karnataka Minister Umesh Katti, who was seen without wearing a mask at a public event, refused to do so claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said "it is individual's responsibility".

"The Prime Minister has said that no restriction will be imposed and that it (wearing face mask) is an individual's responsibility. Whoever wishes to wear a mask can do so. I am not interested in wearing it so I haven't. It is my individual decision," the Karnataka Minister told media persons on Tuesday. Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Security Beefed Up in Delhi After Intel Input of Possible Terror Attack.

Umesh Katti, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, is the current Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Forest in the state. His statement comes at a time when COVID-19 cases in Karnataka and across the country witnessed a rampant surge. Also Read | Omicron Gradually Replacing Delta Variant in Many States, Says Top ICMR Official Dr Samiran Panda.

Karnataka on Tuesday reported as many as 41,457 new COVID-19 cases. The positivity rate stands at 22.30 per cent. Recently, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, after participating in party's padyatra, had reportedly refused to get tested for COVID-19 accusing the state government of trying to "infect" him with COVID-19 by exposing him to an official who tested positive for the virus.

"Additional District Commissioner who came to test me last night has tested COVID-19 positive. He was sent to make sure that I get infected and test positive. The Government wants to make me a primary contact of the COVID positive person and that is why the official had been sent," Shivakumar had alleged.

"This may not be the idea of Chief Minister. But the Health Minister (K. Sudhakar) is capable of doing it," he added.

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New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge came out in support of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday over the ED raids against his relatives and said this "vendetta" will help the party emerge victorious in the upcoming state Assembly polls.

"ED raids on the relatives of Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi show how unnerved the BJP is about a performing and popular Dalit CM," he wrote on Twitter.

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"People of Punjab are waiting to teach BJP and their B-teams a befitting lesson. Such vendetta will only lead to a landslide victory for Congress in Punjab," Kharge said.

Earlier, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said ED raids had become the BJP's favourite weapon as it had things to hide.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Deputy Speaker Nitin Agarwal Resigns from Post, Quits Samajwadi Party.

"Conducting an ED raid is BJP's favourite weapon because they themselves have things to hide. Not everyone is like you. We have #NoFear. #BJPFakeRaid," he had said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The Congress had dubbed the raids as "fake raids" to intimidate the party in the run-up to the February 20 Punjab polls, but had asserted that neither the party nor Channi would be cowed down by such moves.

It had also alleged that the ED raids were an assault on Punjab and Punjabiyat, while claiming that Channi's relatives had nothing to do with the accused in the case.

The ED on Wednesday said it has seized cash amounting to over Rs 10 crore, including about Rs 8 crore from a relative of Channi, during raids conducted in connection with an anti-money laundering investigation against illegal sand-mining operations in poll-bound Punjab.

In a statement, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said "incriminating" documents related to "illegal" sand mining and property transactions, mobile phones, gold worth more than Rs 21 lakh and a Rolex watch worth Rs 12 lakh were also seized during the searches that ended on Wednesday.

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New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) The first BRICS Sherpas meeting of 2022 was held virtually on January 18-19 under the Chinese chairship with the members thanking India for its BRICS chairship in 2021.

Programme and priorities for the year were discussed at the first BRICS Sherpas Meeting of 2022 held virtually on January 18-19, under the Chinese chairship, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Priyanka Maurya, Face of Congress Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon Campaign Likely to Join BJP.

Members thanked India for its BRICS Chairship in 2021, he said.

They looked forward to continuity, consensus and consolidation of BRICS cooperation, Bagchi said.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 13,785 New COVID-19 Cases, 35 Deaths in Past 24 Hours, Positivity Rate at 23.86%.

BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

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Dehradun, Jan 19 (PTI) Former Uttarakhand Cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat is learnt to have met senior Congress leaders in New Delhi on Wednesday in a bid to rejoin the party amid increasing opposition to his return.

Harak Singh Rawat had rebelled against the Congress government led by Harish Rawat in 2016 and had joined the BJP.

Also Read | Learnt From School About Good Touch And Bad Touch: Accused Imprisoned Under POCSO Act in Kerala Following Boy's Statement.

He was expelled by the BJP recently after he allegedly put pressure on the party leadership to give ticket to his kin for next month's Assembly polls, a charge denied by the leader.

Aware of the increasing opposition to his re-entry into the Congress, Harak Singh Rawat met senior party leaders in Delhi to make his case, sources said.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Govt Allows Liquor Sale at All Airports and Supermarkets, Cuts Prices by 20%.

He assured them of putting at least 10 seats in the party's kitty using his clout.

However, he has got no signal from them so far to join the party, the sources added.

With Congress' campaign head Harish Rawat having reservations about Harak Singh Rawat's re-entry into the party, leaders loyal to the former chief minister have come out openly against the expelled BJP leader.

Knowing well that Harish Rawat's reservations could be a roadblock for him, Harak Singh Rawat had expressed his readiness to apologise to him on Tuesday, describing him as his elder brother.

However, Congress Rajya Sabha member Pradeep Tamta, who is considered close to Harish Rawat, said, "If the party takes in people who rebelled against its government in 2016 under a conspiracy to murder democracy, it would be difficult for it to explain to people why it did so."

He said "murderers of democracy should be kept at a distance" because there is no guarantee that they will not "repeat their sin again".

Kedarnath MLA Manoj Rawat also described Harak Singh Rawat as the "murderer of democracy", saying senior party leaders should think well over whether or not to take in such people.

(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 19 (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) continued its raid at multiple locations in Punjab for the second consecutive day on Wednesday in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining case that involves Bhupinder Singh Honey, a relative of state Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

An ED team is also questioning Honey and recording his statement. However, the officials said, the decision to arrest anyone would be taken as per the situation.

Also Read | Union Budget 2022-23: Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council Seeks Import Duty Cut on Gold, Silver, Platinum.

The places being searched on Wednesday are situated in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Mohali, Pathankot and Panchkula which include Honey's Homeland Heights Society residence in Mohali's Sector-70, said ED sources.

The fresh raids have been started since morning under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Also Read | Apple iPhone SE+ 5G Likely To Be Launched in 2023.

The agency officials are engaged in verifying the source of over Rs 6 crore cash recovered from the residential premises of land mafia Bhupinder Singh Honey in a day-long raid conducted nearly a dozen places in poll-Punjab on Tuesday.

Several documents linked to illegal banking transactions and related to some immovable property are also being scrutinized, said the source.

The federal agency had made these recoveries on Tuesday during raids at nearly a dozen places in Punjab as part of a money-laundering probe against the 'sand mafia' and companies linked to alleged illegal sand mining in the border state.

The ED on Tuesday searched the residence and office premises of the suspects that include premises linked to sand mafia Honey, who had allegedly floated a firm named Punjab Realtors to get sand mining contracts.

Sources said that the raiding team of the ED recovered over Rs 6 crore during searches at Honey's residence Homeland Heights Society in Mohali's Sector-70 and other places. However, there is no official word on it yet.

The ED has refused to connect any political links in the case.

The ED suspects that black money was invested in getting a contract for the sand mine. The company floated, sources say, is of very small scale and unlikely to get a contract worth crores.

The ED action is learnt to be initiated after taking cognizance of a 2018 FIR of the Punjab Police against some companies and individuals alleged to be involved in illegal sand mining in the state.

Punjab Police had registered the case in 2018 regarding illegal sand mining and Section 420 was later added to the FIR. The ED took over the case to probe under PMLA.

The FIR was lodged against Honey's partner Kudratdeep Singh of Ludhiana and 25 others. The case was registered after then CM Capt Amarinder Singh spotted illegal mining activities in Nawanshahr while flying in his chopper to Kartarpur on March 6, 2018.

When the ED questioned Kudratdeep Singh it came to the fore that the main facilitator was Honey.

Sources in the ED said the agency is probing whether the CM's name was used to do illegal mining.

With the Assembly election in Punjab slated for February 20, the timing of raids is all set to rise the electioneering mercury in the State.

Voting for 117 assembly seats in Punjab is slated on February 20.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday termed the raids as part of a political vendetta, saying "Congress party and its leaders will not budge under any pressure".

Notably, former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh after quitting from his post and the Congress party had publicly alleged that the party leaders were involved in illegal sand mining.

"As far as the issue of illegal sand mining was concerned the offenders, unfortunately, were the substantive bulk of Congress MLAs and Ministers, including an overwhelming number in the current government," he stated.

The Opposition parties --including Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party -- have been consistently accusing the Congress leaders of being involved in illegal mining activities that were rampant across the State. (ANI)

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Mumbai, January 19: Mumbai's Colaba Police Station registered an accidental death report (ADR) in the death of three naval personnel, who lost their lives in an explosion in an internal compartment onboard INS Ranvir on Tuesday at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, said police on Wednesday.

Further investigation into the matter is underway. Also Read | INS Ranvir Blast: 3 Navy Personnel Killed in Explosion Onboard Indian Naval Ship at Mumbai Naval Dockyard.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian Navy officials, in their statement, informed that "in an unfortunate incident today at Naval Dockyard Mumbai, 3 naval personnel lost their lives in an explosion in an internal compartment onboard INS Ranvir. Responding immediately, the ship's crew brought the situation under control. There is no major material damage," the officials said. Also Read | Assembly Elections 2022: Rakesh Tikait Denies Extending Support to Any Political Party.

"INS Ranvir was on cross coast operational deployment from the Eastern Naval Command and was due to return to base port shortly," Indian Navy officials further added. A Board of inquiry has been ordered to investigate into the cause.

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New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday said that the Cabinet has decided to relax the upper age limit for candidates applying for government jobs by five years.

"In a historic move, Cabinet has decided to relax the upper age limit for candidates applying for government services by five years," the CM said in a tweet.

Also Read | NEET UG Counselling 2021: Registration Open on mcc.nic.in; Check Details Here.

He further informed that this will not be applicable for certain departments like police which require physical fitness as a criterion.

"This will however not be applicable for certain Departments like police which require physical fitness as a criterion. @PMOIndia," he tweeted.

Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Red Fort to Remain Shut for Visitors from January 22 to 26 Due to Security Reasons.

Through this decision, the age limit has been increased from 27 to 32 years and for Scheduled Tribes (STs) another five years will be added thereby relaxing the upper age limit to 37 years, he added. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 19 (ANI): To further strengthen the vocational and technical training framework, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU), on Tuesday.

According to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the partnership aims to link vocational education and training with higher education, making India's youth employable by creating avenues for them to access better work opportunities.

Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Security Beefed Up in Delhi After Intel Input of Possible Terror Attack.

The trainees attached to National Skill Training Institutes (NSTI), Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK) and Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS) will benefit from the programme, aimed at creating upward mobility of these students to be able to attain higher education for better livelihood opportunities, said the ministry.

Under the partnership, 32 NSTIs, more than 3,000 Government ITIs, 500 PMKKs and nearly 300 JSS will be associated with IGNOU as Registration Centres, Examination Centres and Work Centres for hands-on training, stated the ministry.

Also Read | Omicron Gradually Replacing Delta Variant in Many States, Says Top ICMR Official Dr Samiran Panda.

As per the ministry, through the collaboration, students will now get an opportunity to join the three-year degree programme of IGNOU. There shall be a Project Steering Committee with representatives from both MSDE and IGNOU to monitor and review the progress of the programme.

The MoU is initially for a period of 10 years subject to renewal on mutual agreement. This MoU is in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal 4.4 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for increasing Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education including vocational education to 50 per cent by 2035, said the ministry.

Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship lauded the initiative and expressed that India's young demographic dividend is the engine of its economic progress and needs access to meaningful pathways to receive quality education as well as skill, and vocational training.

The initiative is aimed in this direction as it provides higher social and economic mobility to our youth, with requisite qualifications, he added. He further said that our Prime Minister's vision is to fulfil the aspirations of India's youth and prepare them for the future world of work and this initiative is aligned with it.

Aggarwal stressed that IGNOU as an establishment has continuously striven to build an inclusive knowledge environment and he hoped that this collaboration will provide an opportunity to India's youth population to build their capacities and shape their future. In its initial stage, the joint initiative shall be implemented at the earliest with 32 NSTIs declared as IGNOU centres including courses on foreign language training, skill-based healthcare education, fashion designing and more, he added.

As per the ministry, the MoU was signed by Dr B.K. Ray, Director (CBC), MSDE and Dr V.B. Negi, Registrar, IGNOU. Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU stated that IGNOU shall provide all necessary support through its 21 Schools of Studies and 56 Regional Centres for successful implementation of this scheme.

IGNOU will develop standards for quality assurance, develop counselling and trainer training programmes to facilitate students' enrolments, train the staff of the identified centres to handle the enrolments and counselling, and mentor the management of NSTIs, ITIs, PMKKs and JSSs, stated the ministry.

It will also provide self-learning material (SLM) in digital form, undertake the comprehensive evaluation and conduct term-end examinations for its own components, and issue certificates to successful learners, it added. (ANI)

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Bengaluru, Jan 19 (PTI) More than 40 out of 170 men from Mysuru battalion deployed for Mekedatu padayatra have tested positive for COVID-19, Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) Alok Kumar said on Wednesday.

Also Read | Learnt From School About Good Touch And Bad Touch: Accused Imprisoned Under POCSO Act in Kerala Following Boy's Statement.

In a tweet, he said:"42 men out of 170 deployed from Mysore Battalion for Mekedatu padayatra have tested positive. Luckily they are having mild symptoms. Need to meet them in person and express gratitude for putting their lives at risk in the line of duty, once they are out of isolation."

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Govt Allows Liquor Sale at All Airports and Supermarkets, Cuts Prices by 20%.

The Congress' Karnataka unit had organised a ten-day padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru from January 9, that was to span a total distance of nearly 139 km, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river, by violating COVID curbs.

However, with limited options before it amid surging COVID cases, the government prohibiting movement of people, and High Court observations against it, the Congress on January 13, temporarily halted the padayatra on its fifth day at Ramanagara.

Police have filed four FIRs against Congress leaders, including state president Shivakumar and legislature party leader Siddaramaiah, for taking out the march defying COVID-19 curbs.

(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 19: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format on January 27. The virtual event will see the participation of Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

This will be the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders. "The first India-Central Asia Summit is a reflection of India's growing engagement with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of India's "Extended Neighbourhood".

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic visit to all Central Asian countries in 2015. Subsequently, there have been exchanges at high-levels at bilateral and multilateral forums," MEA statement reads. PM Narendra Modi to Address Launch Ceremony of 'Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav Se Swarnim Bharat Ke Ore' Tomorrow.

The inception of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the Foreign Ministers' level, the 3rd meeting of which was held in New Delhi from 18-20 December 2021, has provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations.

The participation of the Secretaries of National Security Councils of Central Asian countries in the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi on November 10, 2021, outlined a common regional approach on Afghanistan. PM Narendra Modi Is Incarnation of God Like Lord Ram and Lord Krishna Born To End Despair: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kamal Patel.

"During the first India-Central Asia Summit, the Leaders are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation," MEA added.

The Summit is symbolic of the importance attached by the Leaders of India and the Central Asian countries to a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership. There will be no Republic Day chief guest this year.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], January 19 (ANI): Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday alleged that a recent raid at his relative Bhupinder Singh Honey's house indicated that it was a 'revenge' for the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ferozepur in Punjab.

He added that Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax and other agencies are being used by the Central government in order to implicate him.

Also Read | NEET UG Counselling 2021: Registration Open on mcc.nic.in; Check Details Here.

"I have come to know that ED said, 'Don't forget PM Modi's Ferozepur visit.' This raid reflects 'revenge'. In order to implicate me, my nephew was interrogated for 24 hours ... The agency didn't get any proof against me," said Channi while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh.

"ED, income tax and other agencies are being used by Central government...Be it West Bengal or Punjab, the revolution started in these states. Delhi is trying to suppress (us) but Punjab will hit back...," he added.

Also Read | Republic Day 2022: Red Fort to Remain Shut for Visitors from January 22 to 26 Due to Security Reasons.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at nearly a dozen places in Punjab in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining case.

The federal agency searched the residence and office premises of the suspects including premises linked to sand mafia Bhupinder Singh Honey.

According to ED officials, Honey is reportedly a relative of Channi and had allegedly floated a firm named Punjab Realtors to get sand mining contracts. (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 19 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday hit out at Samajwadi Party accusing it of giving tickets to "rioters" in the Uttar Pradesh polls and said it was "on the back foot" after releasing the first list of candidates.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Yogi Adityanath said the opposition party was trying to "bring 'mafiavad' in the state once again".

Also Read | 5G Internet Scare: Air India Cancels 8 US Flights; DGCA Working to Overcome Situation.

The Chief Minister said that during the past five years of BJP rule in the state "professional criminals" and "rioters" either left the state or got their bails cancelled and went back to jails.

He said Samajwadi Party came with its first list close to polls and it had showed its "criminal mindset". The Chief Minister also targeted Congress.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: BJP to Jointly Contest 403 Seats with Apna Dal, Nishad Party.

"In five years rioters and professional criminals either left the state or were in jail. As elections approached...Samajwadi Party's first list (had) rioters of Saharanpur, of Muzaffarpur, the criminals responsible for migration of Hindu traders from Kairana, the way tickets were given in Bulandshahr, Siyana, Loni, all this shows that criminal mindset, tamanchawadi mentality, mafiavadi mentality, these political parties whether Samajwadi Party or Congress, they have not been able to get over it," he said.

"They are resorting to it to deprive the state of development and bring back mafiavad," he said.

The Chief Minister said that the BJP came to power in the state in the 2017 polls on the issues of "development, good governance and nationalism" and it was seeking a mandate on these issues in the upcoming assembly polls.

"One thing is clear that 'Samajwadi Party is on the backfoot after releasing their first list. Now they are apprehensive over releasing the second list," he said.

Yogi Adiyanath said his government provided "a better atmosphere in the last five years" with no riots and no discrimination in jobs. He said the government ensured women security and development work was accelerated.

Samajwadi Party is contesting the polls in alliance with RLD and some other smaller parties.

Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10, the Election Commission said.

The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)

(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 19 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Wednesday condemned the remarks made by Congress leader Tauqeer Raza Khan on the Batla House incident in 2008.

"His comments are highly deplorable. Khan called terrorists as martyrs. Tauqeer and Congress' politics is the same. They need to explain why they continue to do politics of hampering interests of the nation," said Patra while speaking to media persons.

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Day after joining the party, Congress leader Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan on Wednesday said that those killed in the Batla House encounter in the national capital in 2008 should be declared as "martyrs".

"People who died in Batla House were not terrorists, they should be given martyr status," Khan told ANI.

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He further said that earlier the Congress government at the Centre had said that an investigation will be conducted into Batla House encounter. Those killed in the Batla House encounter were not terrorists, they should get martyr status. But Congress did not get the inquiry done."

"I will always oppose Congress if they go wrong. But, as of now, it seems that only Congress is needed for Uttar Pradesh and for the whole country. Congressmen are true secularists," he added.

The Batla House Encounter took place when terrorists of the Indian terror outfit Indian Mujahideen were reported to be hiding in a flat in the area of Jamia Nagar, Okhla, on September 19, 2008. Delhi Police carried out an operation to nab the culprits and protect the civilians.

The encounter resulted in the deaths of two terrorists and one police officer, Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, with the remaining terrorists arrested. On March 15, 2021, one of the arrested Ariz Khan alias Junaid, was sentenced to death for the murder of Inspector Sharma.

Meanwhile, politician and Islamic cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who was earlier booked for derogatory comments against PM Narendra Modi and reportedly issuing threats against the Hindu community, joined Congress ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls on Tuesday. (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 19 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday summoned Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar for non-payment of ex-gratia compensation to the kin of the victims of COVID-19 despite the earlier orders of the court.

A Bench of Justices MR Shah and Justice Sanjiv Khanna asked them to remain present before it through a virtual hearing at 2:00 pm today.

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It said Cheif Secretaries should show-cause why contempt action should not be taken against them for non-compliance.

The apex court also took into note that in Kerala as against 49,000 COVID-19 deaths, only 27,000 claims have been received. "Every state has received more applications, why not yours?" asked the Bench from the counsel appearing for Kerala.

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Kerala's counsel said that for those deaths registered with the state, payment will be made in a week.

The Bench also said that it will pass an order that wherever applications received are less than State registered COVID-19 deaths, in that case, State Legal Services Authority through District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) will share data of all such registered deaths with the Centre and DLSA can act as ombudsman.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by lawyer-cum-petitioner, Gaurav Kumar Bansal, seeking an ex-gratia compensation for those family members, who died due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, the top court had approved the Centre's disaster management guidelines on payment of Rs 50,000 ex-gratia compensation to the next kin of those who died of Covid-19 and said the money is to be disbursed within 30 days of applying. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has extended till January 31 the deadline for availing the amnesty scheme for the payment of property tax with 100 per cent waiver of both interest and penalty, officials said on Wednesday.

South Delhi Mayor Mukesh Suryan said the modifications in property tax amnesty scheme-2021-22 has been made to facilitate taxpayers as they are facing difficulties due to current restrictions and weekend lockdown imposed due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.

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He said in order to provide relief to taxpayers, the corporation has extended the last date for availing the amnesty scheme, and taxpayers can avail waiver of 100 per cent interest and 100 per cent penalty if up-to-date payment of outstanding property tax dues is made by January 31, 2022.

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With the modification, waiver of 90 per cent of interest and 100 per cent of penalty can be availed by making payment of outstanding property tax dues till February 28, and waiver of 80 per cent of interest and 100 percent of penalty can be availed if payment of outstanding property tax dues is made till March 31, the SDMC said in a statement.

The mayor said citizens were not able to avail benefits of 'Property Tax Amnesty Scheme-2021-22' because of weekend lockdown amid increase in number of Covid cases, and hence the dates have been extended.

Those taxpayers who were unable to make payment of property tax due to the financial crisis will get relief, he said, adding the move will also help in increasing the number of taxpayers.

He also appealed to citizens to make payment of property tax on time and avail the benefits of the waiver scheme.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Noida, Jan 19 (PTI) The Noida Police seized Rs 4.72 lakh in cash from two people who were transporting the "unaccounted money" in an SUV on Wednesday, days ahead of the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

The incident comes a day after police briefly detained two persons and recovered Rs 99 lakh unaccounted cash from them.

Also Read | Delhi Reports 13,785 New COVID-19 Cases, 35 Deaths in Past 24 Hours, Positivity Rate at 23.86%.

According to officials, security has been heightened across Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar, which borders Delhi and parts of Haryana, in view of the Assembly polls beginning February 10.

Police have also increased security checks at border points and started a thorough checking of vehicles, the officials said.

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"In this sequence, a joint action was taken by the Sector 58 police station and the static surveillance team (SST), which intercepted a Tata Harrier near Sector 61," a police spokesperson said.

"Two people were on board the SUV and when checked, boxes containing washing powder were found in the car. When checked further wads of cash which were laminated were found stuffed inside those boxes," the spokesperson said.

The occupants, identified as Arun Saxena and Sanjeev Kumar Jha, were unable to explain the situation or provide satisfactory response as to whom the cash belonged, the official said.

The cash has been seized and due legal proceedings are being carried out, the police said.

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New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Rocketlane, a customer onboarding platform, on Wednesday said it has raised USD 18 million (about Rs 133.8 crore) in funding led by Asana investor, 8VC and others.

The Series A round also saw participation from Nexus Venture Partners, Matrix Partners India, and angel investor Gokul Rajaram, a statement said.

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The latest funding comes seven months after Rocketlane announced its seed funding round, bringing the total capital invested to USD 21 million, it added.

The funding will be used to expand product offerings, accelerate marketing and grow the Rocketlane team, it said.

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This funding round follows on the back of very strong early customer growth and validates the market pull in the category as well as the clear product leadership position we've established, Rocketlane CEO and co-founder Srikrishnan Ganesan said.

Customer onboarding represents a new two-sided project management problem that simply cannot be addressed by a patchwork of existing project management tools, Bhaskar Ghosh, Partner and CTO at 8VC, said.

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Johannesburg, Jan 19 (PTI) Africa should no longer be the last in line to access vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the official launch of the Nant-SA Vaccine Manufacturing Campus in Cape town, Ramaphosa said it was part of a far broader initiative to propel Africa into a new era of health science.

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The president joined Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, founder of the multinational conglomerate NantWorks, LLC, to launch the facility.

The launch follows the announcement by South African-born US pharmaceutical company head Soon-Shiong in September last year of an ambitious initiative to build capacity for advanced health care in Africa.

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This state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing campus that we are officially launching today is a bold step to unite biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, non-profit organisations and academia. The coalition recognises that Africa has both a great need and vast capabilities, Ramaphosa said.

The pandemic has revealed the huge disparities that exist within and between countries in access to quality healthcare, medicines, diagnostics and vaccines, he said.

At the same time, the pandemic has revealed the depth of scientific knowledge, expertise and capacity on our continent. It has shown what we are capable of when we work together to mobilise all our resources to confront a common challenge.

As the African Union Champion on COVID-19, South Africa supports vaccine manufacturing in Africa to ensure self-sufficiency of the continent. Africa should no longer be last in line to access vaccines against pandemics, the president said.

Ramaphosa said Africa has had to wage a concerted fight to secure vaccines for its people, although the 50 million vaccines that had been secured for the continent through the work of the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team was just over half of what was actually needed to vaccinate 900 million people to achieve the 70 per cent target set by the WHO.

We need more vaccine doses, we need better therapeutics, and we need to protect the people of our continent against future variants and future pandemics.

We have seen that if we want to safeguard the health of our people, we need to have the means, the technology and the resources to produce vaccines and treatments for all the diseases that afflict the people of our continent, Ramaphosa said.

The president said that the new facility would make a vital contribution to this mission, complementing the work already being done by companies like Aspen, Biovac and Afrigen in South Africa and several other companies in other parts of the continent.

Ramaphosa also lauded the skills of South Africa's scientists, many of whom have come under fire in recent months for having been the first to announce the discovery of the Omnicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, which is currently causing havoc across the globe, in November last year.

South Africa's capabilities in genomic surveillance are recognised worldwide and have been vital in our response  and indeed the global response  to the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. This has been possible only through collaboration, he said.

Africa stands ready to contribute to global scientific enquiry and knowledge, and to develop treatments, diagnostics and vaccines that will serve humanity. What we are asking for, what we need  and what we now have  is the opportunity to realise this bold and noble vision, Ramaphosa said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Wellington, Jan 19 (AP) The blast from the volcano could be heard in Alaska, and the waves crossed the ocean to cause an oil spill and two drownings in Peru. The startling satellite images resembled a massive nuclear explosion.

And yet, despite sitting almost on top of the volcano that erupted so violently on Saturday, the Pacific nation of Tonga appears to have avoided the widespread devastation that many initially feared.

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In its first update since the eruption, the government said Tuesday it has confirmed three deaths  two local residents and a British woman. Concerns remain over the fate of people on some of the hard-hit smaller islands, where many houses were destroyed. Communications have been down everywhere, making assessments more difficult.

But on Tonga's main island of Tongatapu, perhaps the biggest problem is the ash that has transformed it into a gray moonscape, contaminating the rainwater that people rely on to drink. New Zealand's military is sending fresh water and other much-needed supplies, but said Tuesday the ash covering Tonga's main runway will delay the flight at least another day.

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On Tongatapu, at least, life is slowly returning to normal. The tsunami that swept over coastal areas after the eruption was frightening for many but rose only about 80 centimeters (2.7 feet), allowing most to escape.

We did hold grave fears, given the magnitude of what we saw in that unprecedented blast, said Katie Greenwood, the head of delegation in the Pacific for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Fortunately, in those major population centers we are not seeing the catastrophic effect we thought might happen, and that's very good news.

Greenwood, who is based in Fiji and has been talking with people in Tonga by satellite phone, said an estimated 50 homes were destroyed on Tongatapu but that nobody needed to use emergency shelters. She said about 90 people on the nearby island of 'Eua were using shelters.

U.N. humanitarian officials and Tonga's government reported significant infrastructural damage around Tongatapu and concerns about the lack of contact from some of the low-lying islands. The Geneva-based U.N World Health Organization reported that many people remained unaccounted for.

New Zealand's High Commission in Tonga also reported significant damage along the western coast of Tongatapu, including to resorts and the waterfront area.

Tonga's government said all the homes on Mango island  where about 36 people live  were destroyed and only two houses remained standing on Fonoifua island, home to about 69 people.

The government described the event as an unprecedented disaster and said tsunami waves had risen as high as 15 meters (49 feet) in places.

Like other island nations in the Pacific, Tonga is regularly exposed to the extremes of nature, whether it be cyclones or earthquakes, making people more resilient to the challenges they bring.

Indeed, Greenwood said Tonga does not want an influx of aid workers following the eruption. Tonga is one of the few remaining places in the world that has managed to avoid any outbreaks of the coronavirus, and officials fear that if outsiders bring in the virus it could create a much bigger disaster than the one they're already facing.

Another worry, said Greenwood, is that the volcano could erupt again. She said there is currently no working equipment around it which could help predict such an event.

Satellite images captured the spectacular eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano on Saturday, with a plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a giant mushroom above the South Pacific. The volcano is located about 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa.

Two people drowned in Peru, which also reported the oil spill after waves moved a ship that was transferring oil at a refinery.

In Tonga, British woman Angela Glover, 50, was one of those who died after being swept away by a wave, her family said.

Nick Eleini said his sister's body had been found and that her husband survived. I understand that this terrible accident came about as they tried to rescue their dogs, Eleini told Sky News. He said it had been his sister's life dream to live in the South Pacific and she loved her life there.

Tonga's government said a 65-year-old woman on Mango island and a 49-year-old man from Nomuka island had also died, while a number of other people had suffered injuries.

New Zealand's military said it hoped the airfield in Tonga would be opened either Wednesday or Thursday. The military said it had considered an airdrop but that was not the preference of the Tongan authorities. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Jan 19 (AP) President Joe Biden put the full weight of his presidency behind voting rights action last week, heading to Capitol Hill in an effort to push Democrats to change Senate rules to pass legislation.

Vice President Kamala Harris  whom Biden tapped to take the lead on passing voting rights legislation in June  wasn't there.

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Both White House press secretary Jen Psaki and Harris aides had no clear answer when asked why the vice president didn't join Biden in the meeting.

It was yet another example of the difficulty Harris has faced throughout her first year in office, as she's struggled to define herself and her role.

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Harris has grappled with an expansive portfolio of difficult assignments, fielded questions about her relationship with the president and faced what allies say is unprecedented scrutiny for a vice president  without, some worry, adequate support from the White House.

And she's navigated all that within the constraints of a global pandemic and a duty to act as the tie-breaking vote in an evenly-divided Senate that have restricted her ability to travel beyond Washington.

It's tough for any vice president to shine  even in the best of times. And these aren't the best of times, said Roy Neel, who served as chief of staff for former Vice President Al Gore. You not only serve at the pleasure of the president, for any public activities, but there's a limit to how much you can do to take the lead role on the major issue of the day, whatever that is, and to go out and look like you're killing it.

Indeed, Harris' aides say privately that the vice president is careful not to get ahead of the president, never wanting to take credit for the administration's successes. She will also often say that while she offers her frank opinions to the president privately, her public role is to ensure he is successful.

But that's left some Harris supporters, who warmed to her as an outspoken progressive voice in the Senate on issues ranging from police reform to voting rights, frustrated at what they see as her absence on key issues. During a recent interview with media personality Charlamagne Tha God, when Harris dropped her typically pleasant demeanour and sharply defended Biden, Charlamagne took note.

That Kamala Harris? That's the one I like, he said. That's the one I'd like to see out here more often in these streets.

Many of the issues on Harris' plate have no clear solution or immediate payoff. She's been tasked with pushing broadband access, leading the Space Council, driving for passage of the voting rights bill and addressing the root causes of migration to the U.S. Southern border. Republicans in particular have targeted Harris for her work on immigration, charging she hasn't done enough as a significant increase in migrants at the border has bedeviled the administration.

She's also drawn criticism from the left for her work on immigration, after she told migrants directly do not come to the U.S. during her trip to Guatemala and Mexico last year. Progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted that Harris' comments were disappointing to see.

Domingo Garcia, the national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said he wanted to see more from the former progressive senator during that trip, calling it a day late and a dollar short.

I mean she went to Central America, she took no meetings with community groups or civic groups involved in the issue. And so it's almost like they don't have a sounding board, and they're groping around in the dark for a solution, he said.

Harris, who declined to be interviewed for this story, has dismissed questions about the difficulty of her portfolio, insisting she relishes taking on difficult assignments. But privately, a number of her allies have complained that the vice president not only has some of the administration's most thankless tasks, but that she hasn't been given enough support or resources from the White House to deliver on them.

And the grind of the office has clearly taken its toll. Harris has drawn negative headlines in recent weeks for an exodus of top aides, including her former communications director and former chief spokesperson, with anonymous aides complaining of a difficult work environment from an overly tough boss.

Still, some of Harris' biggest constraints are largely out of her control: The pandemic, and the demands on her time as a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. Harris hasn't been able to do as many public, in-person events as she and her aides would like due to the pandemic, and she's done only a fraction of the international travel typical of a vice president, which has reduced her diplomatic engagements largely to virtual meetings or phone calls.

She's also tethered to Washington because of the unpredictability of the Senate schedule. Harris has cast 15 tie-breaking votes so far, the most of any modern vice president, and must stay in Washington most weeks in case a nomination comes up for a vote.

It really isn't a source of power or influence, because really, all she's doing is voting the administration line, said vice presidential historian Joel Goldstein. It's really a constraint, because it restricts her ability to do other things.

Early in the year, it seemed like Harris was a bigger target for Republicans than Biden. Now that's less so. A Gallup poll in December showed 44% of Americans saying they approve of how Harris is handing her job as vice president; 54% disapprove. That was similar to Biden's rating in the survey. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hong Kong, January 19 (ANI): Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung has been released from prison on Lantau Island, after spending four years at a top security facility for taking part in violent demonstrations in February 2016, according to reports on Wednesday.

According to Wall Street Journal, now the 30-year-old Leung left prison before dawn today.

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On his Facebook page early today, Leung wrote that he has been released and that he would leave the limelight, stop using social media and decline all media interviews. He added that he was subject to a supervision order, a rule for inmates released early, The Wall Street Journal reported.

"Separated for four years, I want to cherish this valuable time to be reunited with my family and return to a normal life with them," he wrote before deleting his Facebook account. "Heartfelt thanks to everyone's care and love."

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Edward Leung was serving his sentence for the last six years for his part in violent demonstrations in February 2016, after China-imposed national security law, enacted in 2020, which criminalizes acts and calls for secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers.

China has strengthened control over Hong Kong through varieties of laws including the draconian National Security Law. The people of the semi-autonomous city are facing increasing policing and the crackdown.

According to a media report, most of Hong Kong's opposition lawmakers, activists are either in jail or have fled overseas since the national security law crackdown began. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Warsaw, Jan 19 (AP) The environment ministers of Poland and the Czech Republic said Tuesday they have made progress but still need to consult on some points in solving a stalemate over a Polish lignite mine the Czech government says is harmful to its citizens who live near the countries' border.

Czech Environment Minister Anna Hubackova and her Polish counterpart, Anna Moskwa, made the comments following a round of talks in Warsaw on solving the dispute over the Turow mine, in Poland's southwestern tip.

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The meeting, which Moskwa described as constructive, did not bring the hoped-for agreement, Hubackova said, adding that some points still need to be discussed.

It was not immediately clear when or where the next talks would be held.

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In September, a top European Union court fined Poland 500,000 euros for each day the mine continues to operate. Poland is refusing to pay the fine and says it cannot close the mine, which supplies a power plant that generates over 7% of the nation's energy.

The Czech government brought the case to the European Court of Justice, arguing that Poland has ignored its protests and the mine is draining water from Czech villages and causing other environmental harm.

Warsaw hopes an agreement with Prague will end the court case and the fine. (AP)

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Kabul [Afghanistan], January 19 (ANI): Afghanistan convened their first-ever Economic Conference on Wednesday attended by its high ranking officials and representatives of 80 countries both online and in-person where the country's acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund in his video speech, asked for humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and pleaded for the release of $10 billion frozen in the western banks.

Furthermore, Hasan Akhund also accused the West of violating human rights by imposing economic sanctions on Afghanistan, reported The Khaama Press.

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Notably, the Taliban led a major offensive in Afghanistan during the withdrawal of US troops from the country and took over power in August September of 2021, establishing an interim government.

Since then, the country has been battered by deepening economic, humanitarian and security crises. A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban have plunged a country, already suffering from high poverty levels, into a full-blown economic crisis.

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The conference was named "Economy of Afghanistan", was held in the office of the Prime Minister (ARG), and was telecast live on the state-run RTA channel today, reported The Khaama Press. (ANI)

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Kabul [Afghanistan], January 19 (ANI): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) distributed aid to 800 vulnerable and needy Afghan families including food, medical supplies and winter supplies.

The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) on Tuesday distributed the aid, reported Tolo News.

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Mawlawi Mohammad Abas Akhund, head of the National Disaster Management Authority of Afghanistan, asked the international community to increase humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

"This program will carry on, today it is here, tomorrow in some other areas. We try to not leave a single place in the city that is not helped," said Mawlawi Mohammad Abas Akhund, head of ANDMA, reported Tolo News.

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Meanwhile, officials at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) say that they are concerned about the economic crisis in Afghanistan, and they are trying to double their assistance, especially to the malnourished children in the country.

"UNICEF is deeply concerned about the escalating crisis, we are here as we have been for the last seventy years, we are scaling up our response, we are tracking water, we are distributing more winter kits, we are supporting children who are malnourished," said Sam Mort, Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Civic Engagement for UNICEF Afghanistan, based in Kabul, reported Tolo News.

Although there have been reports regarding the increase of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, citizens say that these assistances are not enough in the current situation in Afghanistan.

"Help us in this bad situation, because we are living in a very poor situation," said Huma, a resident of Kabul.

"People have many problems; the situation is very bad. People are homeless; they have no flour, water or bread," said Mohammad Nader, another resident of Kabul, reported Tolo News.

This comes as the United Nations said last week that half of Afghanistan's population was starving because of the dire economic situation in Afghanistan and the UN asked for USD 4.4 billion in aid to Afghanistan. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bastrop (US), Jan 19 (AP) A wildfire erupted Tuesday in a Central Texas state park, forcing the evacuation of dozens of residences in the city of Bastrop, the site of a deadly blaze a decade ago.

The fire started in Bastrop State Park. The Bastrop Office of Emergency Management posted a wildfire notice just before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

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The Bastrop County judge's office told TV station KXAN that as of late afternoon, the fire had consumed about 630 acres (2.5 square kilometers), or about 10% of the size of the park. The judge is the county's highest elected official.

About 30 homes close to the park have been evacuated, according to the county judge's office.

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An advisory by Texas Parks and Wildlife said a prescribed burn had been scheduled for a roadway in the park earlier Tuesday. Authorities have not confirmed that this was the cause of the wildfire.

Authorities closed the area over the park to flights, leaving it open for firefighting assistance. Several local roads were closed to traffic.

The 2011 wildfire destroyed 1,600 homes in Bastrop, scorching more than 50 square miles (1,630 square kilometers), including 96% of the state park. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Moon Knight is perhaps one of the most interesting and obscure Marvel characters. So when it was announced that he was set to get his own Disney+ series, fans cheered as he was finally getting his deserved time in the spotlight. With Oscar Isaac being cast in the role, the writings on the wall are already there for a great superhero show. With a trailer drop recently, we got our first look at Moon Knight, and to no ones surprise it looks interesting and weird enough that you can at least be a bit relieved that the character will be done justice over here. Moon Knight: New Poster For Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke's Marvel Disney+ Series Drops Ahead of Trailer! (View Pic).

The trailer gives us our first glimpse at Oscar Isaac in the suit and oh, does he look glorious in it. The suit itself looks like a mummified version of the outfit from comics. Its honestly top notch stuff and easily makes it one of the most anticipated Marvel projects we have had in a while. But Moon Knight is a new character for many, and he isnt really that popular outside of comics. So if you dont know much about Moon Knight, here is a perfect guide for you to know more about this character.

Watch The Trailer:

Who is Moon Knight?

In the comics, Marc Spector is a mercenary with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). He was born in Chicago and is the son of a Jewish Rabbi. He goes to Egypt and continues his mercenary work there, but during a job is fatally injured. Its at this time he is brought in front of the ancient Egyptian god Khonshu and is given a second chance. He then starts working under Khonshu and is given the alias of Moon Knight. Moon Knight becomes a vigilante and starts taking out bad guys with his new set of powers.

Moon Knight, while great at hand-to-hand combat, also has a good set of supernatural powers. At many times he is referred to as Marvels version of Batman, and well you can see the similarities considering the tone of both the characters are very similar in nature.

With Moon Knight having DID, there also comes the aspect of him having another personality under the name of Steven Grant. Marc at many times thinks he is meeting Grant, but doesnt realise that he himself is acting as Steven Grant.

With the show Moon Knight, it looks like there are going to be some creative liberties taken with the character. The official synopsis of the show doesnt mention Marc at all and says that Steven Grant will be the personality that will be explored first. Given how the trailer goes, Marc is mentioned when Steven picks up the phone and someone calls him by that name, only for him to reply Who is Marc? Moon Knight: Disney+ Sets March 30 as Premiere Date for Oscar Isaac's Marvel Series.

If the trailer is any indication, we can expect the show to be a psychological thriller with Steven realising that he is Marc and his eventual journey into becoming Moon Knight. Whatever the case here might be, everyone is really excited for the show considering just how weird and different it looks.

Moon Knight premieres on March 30, 2022 on Disney+ Hotstar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2022 11:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The Cabinet has decided to relax the upper age limit for candidates applying for Govt services by 5 years. This will however not be applicable for certain Departments like Police which require physical fitness as a criteria: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma



(File photo) pic.twitter.com/myIE3RavwO ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2022

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San Francisco, January 19: Ahead of the mega 5G rollout in the US, major airlines like Emirates, Air India, ANA and Japan Airlines have announced to cancel some flights over concerns that it could potentially interfere with some instruments and may put flyers' safety at risk.

Emirates said it's "suspending flights to the following US destinations from 19 January 2022 until further notice," listing Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, and Seattle. Air India Curtails US Operations in View of Deployment of 5G Communications.

The airline will continue to fly to New York JFK, Los Angeles (LAX), and Washington, DC (IAD), reports The Verge. Air India will also not be able to operate a number of US-bound flights. Airline operators in the US warned that the rollout could cause "catastrophic disruption" to their flight schedules.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the concern is that the C-band 5G signals could interfere with the radar altimeters used in some planes, creating a safety issue. Boeing has announced flight restrictions on all airlines operating the Boeing 777 aircraft.

Japan Airlines also cites a notification from Boeing, saying that it was told that "5G signals for US mobile phones, which will begin operating in the US on January 19, 2022, may interfere with the radio wave altimeter installed on the Boeing 777." However, both AT&T and Verizon have announced that they would voluntarily delay 5G antenna upgrades near certain airports.

Verizon said that it will launch its 5G Ultra Wideband network on Wednesday which will enable more than 90 million Americans to experience the transformative speed, reliability and power of this game-changing network on the go or in their homes or businesses.

"As the nation's leading wireless provider, we have voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our nation's airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries," Verizon said in a statement.

US President Biden has thanked the carriers "for agreeing to delay 5G deployment around key airports and to continue working with the Department of Transportation on safe 5G deployment at this limited set of locations".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2022 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
In recent years, the concept of U.S. citizenship has figured in public debate largely in connection with immigration reform. Should immigrants who are in the country illegally be given a path to citizenship? Should children born to parents who are not here legally be entitled to birthright citizenship? Should young people who are here illegally be allowed to stay indefinitely as non-naturalized residents or would that constitute second-class citizenship?

But citizenship has meanings that are deeper and more subtle than legal permission to live in this country. It defines an individuals relationship to his country and thus strikes chords of nationalism and personal responsibility, duty and rights. America, it is often said, is a nation of immigrants. Is it also a nation of citizens? In this series, we will explore that question and examine the changing nature of citizenship today.

As with so many foundational questions in American life, this one has its roots in the language of the Constitution. And as with so many constitutional questions, that language embraces large and sometimes competing values. The Constitution refers to the privileges and immunities of citizenship, for example, but it also offers important protection for persons living here regardless of nationality, including the right to equal protection of the laws and due process of law. Persons may attend schools, hold jobs, pay taxes and receive benefits.

Holders of permanent resident cards  better known as green cards  may apply for citizenship after five years of living in this country. But even if they never apply for citizenship, permanent residents are participants in the economy and their local communities, and often have spouses and children who are U.S. citizens. Some would argue that they should also be allowed to vote (if only in local elections) or serve on juries. If permanent residents were to be given a role in the political process and the judicial system, should they be required to meet the same conditions imposed on naturalized citizens, such as proficiency in English?

Complicating the picture further is the fact that many U.S. citizens  native-born and naturalized  hold citizenship in another country, and sometimes vote in foreign elections and even serve in foreign armies. Although the State Department discourages dual nationality, the Supreme Court has ruled that a U.S. citizen must affirmatively intend to renounce his citizenship before it can be taken away. In an increasingly globalized world, dual citizenship is, for some, an attractive option. Is it also good for the American political process, or does the existence of multiple allegiances undermine social cohesion?

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The notion of good citizenship, meanwhile, has been redefined by political, legal and technological developments. The advent of the Internet has altered the way citizens express their opinions to, and about, their elected representatives and potentially could transform voting as well. Supreme Court decisions recognizing a right of corporations to engage in political speech have been so controversial that some would overturn them by amending the Constitution.

In The 21st Century Citizen, The Times will take up these and other issues:

Immigration and citizenship. Is a path to citizenship the only acceptable way of legalizing 11 million immigrants? If so, should the criteria for naturalization be more rigorous? Does the current immigration system place too much emphasis on family unification and not enough on attracting potential citizens with valuable skills or financial resources? Should foreign temporary workers in agriculture and other industries receive special consideration for permanent residence and ultimately citizenship? Should the U.S. desist in efforts to persuade permanent legal residents to acquire citizenship?

Birthright citizenship. Although the Supreme Court has held that the Constitution ordinarily confers citizenship on children born in the U.S.  so-called jus soli citizenship  some legal scholars note that the 14th Amendment defines a U.S. citizen as anyone born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, a phrase they interpret as a license for Congress to exclude from citizenship persons born of foreigners in the country temporarily or illegally. The campaign to abolish birthright citizenship has been led by opponents of illegal immigration who claim that it induces women to come to this country to give birth to anchor babies. Thats largely a canard, but the idea that place of birth guarantees citizenship is not universally accepted, even among modern nations.

Citizenship and culture. In California, campaigns for English-only education or public services often have been veiled efforts to marginalize immigrants. But there are serious, nonpunitive arguments for the unifying effects of a common language. Many Americans agree with the late Harvard professor Samuel P. Huntington that immigration from Spanish-speaking countries threatens to divide the United States into two peoples, two cultures and two languages. Does this concern justify a more exacting requirement for proficiency in English as a condition of citizenship? Should mastery of English also be a requirement for holding public office over and above the requirement of U.S. citizenship?

Dual citizenship. U.S. citizens who hold citizenship in another country in some cases are able to participate in the political life of that country and to serve in its armed forces. Does this create an undesirable dual loyalty and undermine the bond between citizens and the United States? Or is it a natural and even advantageous reflection of the interconnectedness that comes with globalization?

Qualifications for citizenship. Currently, naturalized citizens must demonstrate a familiarity with U.S. history and government. But some critics suggest that the requirements should be strengthened to ensure that new citizens are better prepared to participate in the democratic process, and that its legitimate to impose higher standards of political knowledge on would-be citizens than are required of native-born citizens.

Political participation by noncitizens. Should long-term noncitizen residents of the U.S. be permitted to vote in elections or serve on juries (as a bill vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown would have allowed)? Such openness could make the U.S. an attractive place for citizens of other countries who might be more willing to live (and invest) in communities where they would have a say over how they were governed, though it also would remove an incentive to pursuing full citizenship.

Education in citizenship. Proposed Common Core academic standards have been criticized for treating the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as sources of information and not as blueprints for political engagement. Should public schools do more to inculcate values of patriotism and civic participation?

Corporate citizenship. Have Supreme Court decisions allowing corporations and unions to spend money on political campaigns undermined the role of individual citizens in American democracy? Should the Constitution be amended to decrease the role of corporations and wealthy individuals in the political process? Is there a positive notion of corporate citizenship to which profit-making businesses should subscribe?

Citizens influence in government. Although some states, including California, allow citizens to enact laws directly through initiatives and referendums, in general American democracy is of the representative or indirect variety. Advances in technology make it possible for a dramatic increase not only in the expression of political opinions but also, potentially, in public access to the ballot box. Should officials seize on that opportunity to encourage more citizens to exercise their right to self-government?

The future. Immigration, globalization and technology all have taxed traditional notions of citizenship, but are there ways to reinvigorate participation in civic life that would give modern meaning to the idea? In short, yes.

This is part of an ongoing conversation exploring the meaning of citizenship in America today. For more, join us at latimes.com/citizenship and #21stCenturyCitizen. Wed love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, rebuttals and experiences with us at letters@latimes.com.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion
A federal judge on Tuesday approved a plan that will save Puerto Rico from bankruptcy.

The plan, also known as the "Plan of Adjustment," was approved by Federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain after five years the U.S. territory declared that it would not be able to repay its creditors.

According to ABC News, the plan marks the largest municipal debt restructuring in the history of the U.S.

Furthermore, the plan's approval came after heated hearings in recent months and as the U.S. territory thrives to recover from different natural calamities such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and the pandemic.

READ NEXT: Organizations Call House Panel to Push Through With Bill Enacting Puerto Rico Statehood

Puerto Rico's Plan to Resolve Bankruptcy

Puerto Rico's financial oversight said that the "Plan of Adjustment" would cut the island's outstanding debt by 80 percent, Axios reported. In addition, the plan will also make Puerto Rico save at least $50 billion in payments.

Natalie Jaresko, the executive director of the federal control board appointed to supervise the island's finances, also noted that the plan would also reduce the claims against the island's government from $33 billion to just over $7.4 billion.

Jaresko furthered that the "Plan of Adjustment" also avoided "pension cuts" that created a rift between Puerto Rico's legislature and the island's governor.

The plan also included "guardrails" that will regulate Puerto Rico's future debt issuance. The said guardrails include debt issuances capped at 7.94 percent, long-term borrowing limited to capital improvements, a requirement for any refinancing to provide cash flow service, and maturities capped at 30 years.

The approval of the plan gathered different sympathies from Puerto Rico officials.

In a joint statement, Jaresko and Oversight Board Chairman David Skeel commented on Judge Swain's ruling on Tuesday, saying that they owe the federal judge gratitude for her "tireless leadership, exemplary diligence" in addressing Puerto Rico's debt crisis.

However, Jaresko and Skeel acknowledged that the island needs further reform for improvement.

"Puerto Rico needs to continue to reform itself to ensure a prosperous future and determined by its people," the oversight board officials said.

Jaresko and Skeel also discussed the implication of the island's debt, claiming that Puerto Rico's inability to pay its creditors affected the island's economic recovery as well as the life of its residents.

Puerto Rico's Senate President Jose Luis Dalmau also lauded the judge's move, calling it a "transcendental step" for the island's economic recovery.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi in a statement acknowledged that the plan approved by the federal judge is not "perfect." However, the governor pointed out that the plan will protect the island's pensioners, municipalities, and universities that serve their people.

"We still have a lot of work ahead of us," Governor Pierluisi said.

Puerto Rico Bankruptcy

In 2015, the island's government declared that it could not pay its more than $70 billion public debt load which accumulated from decades of mismanagement, corruption, and excessive borrowing.

Because of this, the U.S. Congress created the financial oversight and management board for the island in 2017. However, Puerto Rico declared bankruptcy in 2017.

According to Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Puerto Rico's economy was also ravaged by sustained recession over the past 14 years. In 2017, the island's debt skyrocketed hitting $123 billion.

Experts say that Puerto Rico's economic crisis is rooted in the 20th-century legislation that urged the island in relying on debt to fill the gaps in federal funding.

"Borrowing is playing with fire... You need to have people know what they're doing. Otherwise, one can return to this disaster we call a debt crisis," Puerto Rico economist and professor, Jose Caraballo said.

READ NEXT: Colombian Writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez Had a Mexican Daughter: Relatives Reveal

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: How Did Puerto Rico Go Bankrupt? - From Bloomberg Quicktake
In just a week, a news photographer was killed in Tijuana and a reporter had been killed in Veracruz, marking a gloomy start to 2022 in Mexico, which is often regarded as one of the most dangerous locations for journalists.

Margarito Martinez Esquivel, a crime reporter, and photographer who frequently interacted with members of the international press was shot and killed outside his home in Tijuana, Mexico, on Monday afternoon.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything for him," Elena Martinez, his devastated wife, told the San Diego Union-Tribune - one of several foreign sources with whom the reporter has worked, including The Washington Post, BBC, and the Los Angeles Times.

Martnez's death came just a week after another journalist, Jose Luis Gamboa, was stabbed to death in Veracruz, Mexico's most violent state. Gamboa was the director of the online news site Inforegio.

"Gamboa had highlighted and harshly attacked the relations between local authorities and organized crime," according to press group Reporters Without Borders.

Two days earlier, Gamboa used Twitter to call for an appointment with an anti-drug tsar who might slow the decades-long escalation in bloodshed.

Last year, he lamented how, rather than fighting drug trafficking, portions of the government had become entangled in "a great criminal partnership" with the cartels.

"The Mexican people still don't understand how serious this is," Gamboa wrote on Twitter.

He suffered stab wounds from a possible robbery, according to reports.

He died on January 10 in a hospital in the state capital, but his family was not informed until January 14.

ALSO READ: Leader of Notorious Gasoline Siphoning Gang in Mexico Faces 60-Year Prison Sentence

Mexico One of the Most Dangerous Contries for Journalists

Outside of active war zones, Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for reporters.

Martinez and Gamboa were the first two journalists killed this year.

The two journalist killings, which come after the assassination of nine journalists last year, triggered outrage and mourning in the Latin American country.

Yo S Soy Periodista (Yes, I'm a Journalist), a Tijuana-based press collective, has sought a prompt investigation into Martinez's death, who spent more than two decades investigating the border city's security issues.

The photographer also worked for the weekly newspaper Zeta.

Martinez was the 29th Mexican journalist killed since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office in December 2018 on a promise to bring peace to the country, according to the group.

As reports of Martnez's murder spread, letters from coworkers and politicians filled his Facebook page, where he would live-stream murder scenes to tens of thousands of followers.

According to Jan-Albert Hootsen, the Mexico representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, the government's inaction and impunity are to blame for the seemingly never-ending series of journalist killings.

"If you want to hurt a reporter in Mexico, you can do so with a very minimal chance of being discovered - and an even less chance of being put to prison," he explained.

Hootsen added that the Mexican government makes it quite easy for anyone who wants to hurt journalists.

READ MORE: Mexican Soccer Star Turned Governor Says Predecessor, Ex-Police Chief Made Deals With 'The Reds' Drug Gang

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Mexican photojournalist shot dead outside Tijuana home in second journalist killing of 2022 - from France 24 English
Former Buckingham Palace official Paul Page had shared his suspicions that British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew had a closer relationship than has been previously reported.

The former Palace royal protection officer will be speaking for the first time in front of television cameras, according to an Independent report.

Page told the new documentary that they suspected that Maxwell may have had an intimate relationship with Prince Andrew from the way she was allowed to enter and exit the palace at will.

He added that his colleague remembered Maxwell coming in four times in one day, "from the morning till the evening."

Page said that the socialite kept coming in and out of the palace premises.

He also mentioned Andrew's love of his soft toy collection, saying that the Duke of York would throw a tantrum if the teddy bears were removed.

Page said that the duke's private apartment had about 50 or 60 stuffed toys positioned on the bed.

The former royal protection officer said that there was a card the inspector showed us in the drawer, showing all the bears in situ on the bed.

Page said that the reason that there was a laminated picture was in case those bears were not put back in the right order by the maids, the duke would shout and scream and become verbally abusive.

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 Case and The Royal Family

Queen Elizabeth II had a personal meeting with her son to notify that he would be stripped of his royal patronages and military titles in light of the sexual-assault lawsuit brought against him by the Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre, according to a Business Insider report.

The decision to strip the duke of his titles came a day after a federal judge in New York declined to dismiss the lawsuit against Andrew.

Giuffre has alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex as a minor with Andrew in his New York mansion, in London, as well as on Epstein's private islands in U.S. Virgin Islands in 2001.

Andrew has rejected all of Giuffre's allegations and denied ever meeting her. Meanwhile, his lawyers have also fought against Giuffre's lawsuit.

His legal team argued that a 2009 settlement between Epstein and Giuffre protects him from liability.

In addition, Andrew's lawyers claimed that Giuffre has no jurisdiction to sue.

Giuffre was not called to testify during Maxwell's trial.

Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell's Relationship

In his November 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, Prince Andrew said that he had known Maxwell since her university days, according to an Insider report.

Maxwell attended Oxford, graduating in 1985, which was a time period during which Andrew was serving in the Royal Navy.

The two had seemed especially close in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their outings on the New York and London social scene were widely covered in the press.

In addition, they were often pictured together

Another source who spoke on the new documentary was Euan Rellie, who was a banker who said he also became friendly with Maxwell during university.

Rellie said that he got the sense that Andrew and Maxwell had probably been "girlfriend and boyfriend in the past."

READ MORE: Prince Andrew Reportedly "To Be Banished" From Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Celebration Amid Virginia Roberts Giuffre's Case

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Ghislaine Maxwell will no longer fight to keep names of 8 'John Does' secret - from New York Post






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Press secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday defended the White House's refusal to disclose visitor logs from President Joe Biden's Delaware residences.

During the daily press briefing, Psaki pointed to Biden's dead wife and child to sidestep questions about why the administration won't release visitor logs from Biden's Delaware homes.

"Well, the president goes to Delaware because it's his home. It's also where his son and former wife are buried and it's a place that is close to his heart," said Psaki, adding that "a lot of presidents" visit their homes when they are president.

Daily Mail reported that Biden had spent more than a quarter of his first year as president back home in Delaware. That includes visiting his home in Wilmington and the family beach house in Rehoboth.

According to Associated Press, Biden logged 99 days in Delaware and spent half his weekends there - a total of 26 out of 52. Biden has only spent 10 weekends at the White House. He also favors going to Camp David, spending 13 weekends at the presidential retreat in the Maryland mountains.

According to conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch, this means that Joe Biden has spent 28 percent of his presidency back home in Delaware.

READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Stays at Delaware Beach Home With No Public Events as Omicron COVID Variant Continues to Surge

Joe Biden's Visitor Logs Compared to Donald Trump

Breitbart News reported that former President Donald Trump also visited his own properties about as often as Joe Biden and did the same thing with the visitor logs.

Former White House communications director Michael Dubke said Trump's decision not to release the visitor logs was partly due to "grave national security risks and privacy concerns of the hundreds of thousands of visitors annually."

In 2013, Attorney General Merrick Garland wrote as a judge in an appeals court ruling that presidents can pick and choose what they release about visitor logs.

Garland noted that a president's constitutional right to confidential communications means that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to visitor logs held by the Secret Service.

In May, the Biden administration partially released the White House visitor logs to make good on Biden's commitment "to restore integrity, transparency, and trust in government." But despite the pledge, Psaki said in August that the White House would no longer make the logs public.

Biden's first wife, Neilia, and their 13-month-old daughter, Naomi, were killed in a car crash in December 1972, shortly after he was elected as a senator. In 2015, Biden's son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer, Washington Times reported.

The three were buried at a cemetery on a Catholic church ground in Delaware.

Joe Biden's Delaware Homes

In 1996, Joe Biden purchased four acres of secluded, lakefront land in the upscale suburb of Greenville in Wilmington, where he built his 6,850-square-foot home. The president bought the lot for $350,000. The property is now estimated to be worth more than $1 million.

The Biden family also owns a 4,786-square-foot home with six bedrooms and five baths in Rehoboth. They paid $2.74 million for the house in 2017.

Earlier this year, the White House also defended his travel back to his Wilmington home amid a spike in COVID cases.

"That's where he's lived for many years. And as any President of the United States does, he takes a private airplane called 'Air Force One' to travel there. That is, of course, unique from most Americans. But I think most Americans would also see that as a unique circumstance," Psaki said in March.

Last February, during a CNN town hall, Joe Biden has described the White House as a "gilded cage."

READ MORE: Kamala Harris Says 'Democracy' Is the Biggest National Security Threat Facing the U.S.

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Joe Biden Departs the White House for a Weekend in Delaware - From VOA News






More than 30 former Trump officials reportedly met on Monday evening to discuss how to stop former President Donald Trump from entering office again in 2024.

CNN reported that among those who participated in the Zoom call were former White House chief of staff John Kelly, former White House communications directors Alyssa Farah Griffin and Anthony Scaramucci, former Homeland Security and counterterrorism adviser to Vice President Mike Pence Olivia Troye, former Department of Homeland Security official Elizabeth Neumann, former DHS chief of Staff Miles Taylor, and former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Chris Krebs, among others.

According to Breitbart News, the group agreed on two things: the difficulty of successfully plotting opposition to Trump and that their efforts are way behind those of the former president and his allies to set the stage for 2022 and 2024 elections.

Taylor reportedly led the call and told CNN that the group was "overflowing with ideas" on how to impede Trump's 2024 presidential return.

He noted that these ideas included "shining a light" on Trump's corporate contributors or targeting to defeat each of the candidates he endorses in state and local elections.

Taylor is the author of the famed "Anonymous," a book critical of the White House under Trump's presidency. He said they all agreed that letters and statements would not do any good.

"The two operative words are 'electoral effects.' How can we have tangible electoral effects against the extremist candidates that have been endorsed by Trump?" Taylor noted.

On the other hand, Kelly told CNN that he was only able to "monitor" about 10 minutes of the call, which had lasted for about an hour. According to Troye, the call was a "preliminary discussion," and they plan to convene again soon.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis Feud Fueled by Sen. Mitch McConnell, Trump Advisers Say

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Not Backing Donald Trump's Presidential Bid

On Monday, Alyssa Farah Griffin, now a CNN commentator, urged Republicans to challenge Donald Trump. Griffin tweeted that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other "credible Republicans with governing experience" should run and challenge Trump.

"There's zero reason to nominate Trump again when R's have a bench & Biden is polling in the 30s," Griffin noted.

Ron DeSantis, who has been a once-loyal member of Trump's camp, is reportedly refusing to bend a knee to the former president.

Daily Mail reported that DeSantis said backing Trump in the 2024 election "is too much to ask" after the former president publicly attacked his character.

Last week, Trump appeared to take direct aim at DeSantis in an interview when he called politicians who refuse to disclose their booster vaccination status as "gutless."

Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis Feud

According to recent reports, Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, two of the most popular Republicans in the country, appeared to have a political feud.

DeSantis recently went on the "Ruthless" podcast and said that one of his biggest regrets since taking office in 2018 was not speaking out "much louder" against Trump at the start of the COVID pandemic.

The Florida governor noted that he was surprised when Trump made the decision that led to much of the U.S. economy shutting down.

Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly "trashing" DeSantis in private. Sources who've recently talked to the former president about the Florida governor told Axios that Trump called DeSantis an ingrate with a "dull personality" and "no personal charisma."

The sources noted that DeSantis' popularity and his refusal to rule out running against him in the 2024 election irked Trump, as others have stated pretty clearly they will not challenge him.

DeSantis is extremely popular in GOP circles. He is widely seen as a leader who can push Trump's popular policies but without a similar level of drama or baggage.

Last September, a poll among Republicans showed that DeSantis was their number one pick for president if Trump will not run.

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: Donald Trump Back in Campaign Mode to Hint at a 2024 Run - From 7NEWS Australia






A Texas teen was arrested for shooting his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend 22 times after she confronted him about cheating, police said Tuesday.

According to Daily Mail, Frank Deleon Jr. of Houston was arrested and charged with murder on Monday for killing his ex-girlfriend, Diamond Alvarez.

The Houston Police Department (HPD) said Alvarez was killed while walking her dog near her home in southwest Houston on January 11.

In their investigation, police learned that Alvarez was meeting her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend in a field turned neighborhood park at around 9:30 p.m. after she found out he was cheating on her with another woman, the Independent reported.

Police said that's when the Texas teen boy allegedly shot Alvarez 22 times in the back before fleeing and leaving the dog to run home alone. Alvarez was later found lifeless by her family in the field near their home.

READ NEXT: Dead Baby Allegedly Stuffed With Illegal Drugs Found in Trash Dumpster at Mexico Prison

Texas Teen Girl's Mom Said She Never Saw Any Red Flags

Diamond Alvarez's mom, Anna Machado, confirmed on Tuesday that Deleon was her daughter's ex-boyfriend. Machado said Deleon texted her daughter to meet him at the field shortly before she was killed.

Machado said the two had been going out for nearly a year, but they were on and off. Machado noted that she never saw any red flags to warn her daughter that she was in danger. Deleon reportedly lived less than a half-mile from Alvarez.

According to the prosecutors, Deleon attempted "to flee the jurisdiction" after the shooting. They said the Texas teen boy was already packing his bags with clothes on his bed when he was apprehended by police.

Texas Mom Tried to Revive Her Daughter

On the night of Diamond Alvarez's death, her mom told her to only stay out 20 minutes and then return home, Associated Press reported. However, her family became concerned after hearing multiple gunshots while the teen was still out walking their dog.

They quickly ran to find her after the dog ran back to the home and scratched the door with his leash and harness covered in blood.

Machado said her youngest son found Alvarez in a field near Markwood Lane. The Texas teen girl's mom desperately tried CPR on her daughter since she was still alive when they found her. However, Alvarez died at the scene.

"HPD expresses its heartfelt condolences to Ms. Alvarez's family and looks forward to following this case through the courts as we seek justice on her behalf," the police department said in a statement.

Court documents showed that prosecutors are seeking a $250,000 bond. Machado said she hoped a judge would order Deleon to be held without bond.

"He [Deleon] doesn't even deserve a high bond. He executed my daughter," Machado noted.

Frank Deleon Jr.'s first court appearance was expected on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Texas Synagogue Hostage Taking: 2 Teens Arrested in Connection to British Man Who Held Four Captive During Siege

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: HPD: Boyfriend Arrested After 16-Year-Old Shot 22 Times While Walking Her Dog in SW Houston - From KHOU 11
New York Caring Majority co-director Ilana Berger released the following statement:

"New York faces the worst home care shortage in America - and Governor (Kathy) Hochul missed an opportunity to end this dangerous crisis. By refusing to fund fair wages for home care workers, this budget ensures tens of thousands of seniors and disabled people will be left without care and forced into dangerous nursing homes. The facts are clear: only permanent, fair wages will keep home care workers from continuing to flee the sector.

READ NEXT: Statement of New York Disability Advocates on Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2022 State of the State

In the face of Hochul's insufficient budget, we urge the legislature to ensure Fair Pay for Home Care is included in the final budget, which would wipe out the home care shortage and keep seniors and disabled people safe at home. If New York pays home care workers a fair wage, the state could quickly wipe out the home care shortage, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, and save the state money by moving home care workers off of social assistance.

Our state's home care sector is overwhelmingly women and people of color - so fair wages would create new jobs for historically underpaid communities. New York's budget is a statement of values - and in this budget Governor Hochul missed an opportunity to finally put women, seniors and disabled people first. Rather than value and truly invest in home care workers, this budget will ensure more workers leave the sector daily."

Background:

New York faces the worst home care shortage in the nation.

60% home care workers have reported leaving due to low wages.

The Fair Pay for Home Care Act (S5374, A6329) would raise home care wages to 150% of the minimum wage  allowing home care workers to make at least $35,000 a year on average.

Reports estimate the Fair Pay for Home Care Act would wipe out the home care shortage in the five years.

The Fair Pay for Home Care Act has a Democratic Majority with 32 Democratic Senate sponsors and 4 Republican Senate sponsors, as well as 71 Democratic Assembly sponsors and 7 Republican Assembly sponsors.

READ MORE: NY Caring Majority on Gov. Hochul's State of the State: 'Hochul Took Important First Step Toward Addressing Home Care Crisis'
New funding is on offer to people in Laois to engage with creative projects in their areas under the scheme which aims to make creativity part of the mainstream of life in Ireland.

Laois is getting an equal share - 175,161 - in funding out of 6.6 million for the 2022 Creative Ireland Programme Creative Communities initiative.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media says the scheme is partnership with all 31 local authorities enabled through the Creative Ireland Programme. A statement said Creative Communities is a collaboration, between central and local government, between culture and industry, between artists, policy makers and communities.

This funding includes planning for an enhanced Cruinniu na nOg - Irelands national day celebrating young peoples creativity in June 2022. There will be projects around Creativity in Older Age with opportunities for older people to participate in creative activities. Finally, Creative Climate Action projects in partnership with Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications will use the talents of artists and the wider creative industries to connect people with profound changes happening in our environment, society and economy arising from climate change.

A statement said the ambition of the Creative Ireland Programme is to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation. It says participation in cultural and creative activity promotes individual, community and national wellbeing.

Sean Fleming, Laois Offaly TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Finance welcomed the support.

"These creative projects will promote an improved sense of wellbeing, social connections and economic development within Co Laois," he said.

Laois Offaly based Minister of State Minister Pippa Hackett welcomed the money for Laois.

Laois is bringing its arts and creativity to the fore with events like the Anne Jellicoe Celebration, Opening a Window on the Past: Lucy Franks and Helen Maybury Roe, and Rathdowneys mural artwork. These projects are funded through the Creative Communities scheme and Im delighted to see my colleague, Arts Minister Catherine Martin, announcing funding of 175,161 for Laois through this scheme for the coming year, she said.

The scheme in Laois is overseen by the Culture and Creativity Team is below which includes: Donal Brennan, Director of Service, Carmel McNicholl, Senior Executive Officer, Bernie Foran, County Librarian, Ann Lawlor, Creative Ireland Laois project manager, Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer, Muireann Ni Chonaill, Arts Officer, Rosa Flannery, Coordinator, Music Generation Laois, Michelle de Forge, Director of Dunamaise Arts Centre, Bridie Keenan, Assistant Arts Officer, Patricia ORourke, Clerical Officer and Creative Laois Committee Secretary.

Read more about the scheme in Laois HERE

Since the programme was launched in 2017, there has been an investment of 21 million from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in Creative Ireland initiatives undertaken by local authorities.

Speaking today, Minister Martin said: I am delighted to continue to support the excellent work undertaken by local authorities on behalf of the Creative Ireland Programme. Since the inception of Creative Ireland our partners in local government have been key to the delivery of creative projects that promote an improved sense of wellbeing, social connections and economic development within their communities. Through these projects local authorities have been able to create exciting and constructive opportunities for people and communities. I want to congratulate our local authority partners for their energy and creativity in delivering so many wonderful projects that sustain and enhance the lives of everyone in their communities.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien TD, added: Local authorities have extensive expertise across heritage, arts, libraries as well as vital local relationships. I firmly believe that culture plays a key role in local governments work in creating great places to live and work. Creative Communities takes this a step further. Culture and creativity can be part of responses to social isolation, to creating a sense of place and to integrating new communities.

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke, TD, said: Our Local Authorities are the closest arm of the State to our citizens and are well placed to engage directly with local artists and community groups. Through the PPN and other statutory committees and vehicles, they are linked in with our older people, members of the traveller community, community and voluntary groups and key stakeholders in every locality in the country. This scheme is wide reaching, and as a Government we want all members of society to have equal access cultural and creative opportunities.

For an overview of Creative Ireland projects in local communities please go to https://www.creativeireland. gov.ie/en/creative- communities/
Gardai have arrested a second man has been arising from the investigation into the killing of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore.

An Garda Siochana confirmed that the man who is aged in his 30s was detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region under the provisions of Section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939 as amended.

They say he is being questioned in relation to potential withholding of information contrary to The Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998. He was arrested on Tuesday, January 18.

Gardai say they are continuing to question the main suspect, a male in his 30s. He was also arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder. The man's detention at Tullamore Garda Station is under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and continues on Wednesday afternoon.

The arrests were made following the fatal assault which occurred at around 4pm on Wednesday, January 12 along the canal bank at Cappincur in the Offaly town.
Construction companies have been invited to submit bid to win a tender to build seven new homes in Rathdowney which councillors have been in the pipeline for some two years.

Laois County Council published tender documents for the relatively small social housing development on January 1 2022.

It involves the construction of seven dwellings in a terraced block comprising three houses and four apartments at Mooreville, Rathdowney. The project all works necessary to facilitate the development. The new homes will be built on a vacant 0.1 hectare brownfield site which had been used for farming.

Companies have until February 17 to respond with the council planning to award the contract at the end of April.

The time required to plan, approved and build the homes reveals some of the obstacles faced in delivering new social housing in Laois, since construction is likely to commence close on two years after Laois County Councillor approved plans to proceed with the project.

County Councillors unanimously approved a so-called Part VIII application prepared by council officials for the project at the end of September 2020. The plans were drawn up for the local authority in the Spring of 2020 while public consultation began in July 2020.

The council said at the time that development will assist with the delivery of 'much needed' housing in Rathdowney.

Laois County Council is in the process of recruiting extra staff to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing in the county.
A former member of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) who later became a guardian over the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux, France, has passed away.

Patrick "Pat" Sweeney, manager of St Thereses National Office Ireland and formerly of Dara Park, Kildare Town, passed away peacefully at Tallaght Hospital on Tuesday, January 18, surrounded by his loving family.

According to The Irish Catholic newspaper, in the late 1980s, Pat and his family travelled to France for their daughter, who wanted to improve her French.

They spent three weeks going around the country, including a fateful visit to Lisieux, the home of St Therese Martin, also known as "the Little Flower".

From that fateful moment on, Mr Sweeneys life was to revolve around the "Little Flower" (OR "La petite Therese" in French): shortly after, Pat and his family undertook annual pilgrimages to Lisieux, and in 2001, Pat was designated as the main driver for the visit of St Thereses relics to Ireland, when 3.7 million people witnessed their travel across the country.

Then, in 2015, he travelled to Rome to witness the canonisation of St Therese's parents.

A former sergeant in the PDF, he told the newspaper that St Therese's mythical appearances to soldiers in the First World War struck a chord with him.

He even claimed to have witnessed a miracle by a member of the Martin family.

Pat Sweeney is survived by his loving wife Mary, daughters Teresa, Cyndi, Marcie, Lizzie and Jean, sons-in-law, his nine grandchildren, brothers and sisters, brothers and sisters in law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, January 20 to arrive at The Carmelite Church, Kildare Town, for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in St. Conleth's Cemetery, Kildare Town.

Staff at the Whitefriar St Church & Carmelite Community Centre were among those who paid tribute to Pat Sweeney on RIP.ie.

They said: "To Pat's wife Mary, his daughters and extended family, on behalf of all the staff within the church and the Carmelite Community centre we would like to express our condolences to you on the death of Pat RIP."

"We will miss his weekly visits to the St Therese office within the centre and the Mass Office within the church: we are shocked and saddened at his sudden passing.

"May the light of heaven shine upon him."

Pat's Funeral Mass can be viewed on the following link: https://churchcamlive.ie/carmelite-friary-church-kildare/

A brief history of Saint Therese of Lisieux

As outlined by the Society of the Little Flower, Marie Francoise-Therese Martin was a Catholic Carmelite nun who was born in 1873 in the Normandy region of France.

After enduring multiple hardships in her early life, at age 15, she decided to become a nun along with two of her sisters at the Carmelite community of Lisieux, Normandy.

Unfortunately, St Therese contracted Tuberculosis, which ultimately ended up killing her in 1897: she was 24 years old.

According to the website Sanctuaire de Lisieux, in March of 1923, before St Therese was beatified, her body was returned to the Carmel of Lisieux, where it remains to this day.

The figure of Therese in the glass coffin is not her actual body, but in fact a statue modelled after her likeness: however, the coffin contains her ribcage and other remnants of her body.

Her feast day in the General Roman Calendar was listed as October 3 from 1927, until it was moved in 1969 to October 1.
A Kildare Minister has welcomed the news that a new permanent public holiday to celebrate St Brigid's Day will be introduced by the Irish government in 2023.

Minister of State and Kildare South Martin Heydon TD has welcomed the decision to introduce a new public holiday from 2023 to mark St Brigids Day and the Gaelic festival of Imbolc on February 1.

He said: "I have campaigned for recognition of Brigid of Kildare for many years along with the Brigidine sisters in Kildare and the many people who are passionate about recognising St. Brigid with a public holiday."

"Im delighted as Kildares Government Minister to have been able to play my part to see this vision finally become a reality."

Minister Heydon continued: "This decision is also historic as it will mark the first public holiday in honour of an Irish female figure.

"With a once off public holiday this year on 18 March 2022 to mark our journey through the pandemic, we can use the time ahead to plan for a successful introduction of the permanent date to celebrate Brigid from 2023 onwards: the public holiday will fall on the closest Monday to 1st February, except when it falls on a Friday when the Public Holiday will be on the Friday.

"Brigid of Kildare, a patron saint of Ireland, and the goddess Brigid, a powerful deity, are fitting figures who deserve to be celebrated... they represent strong Irish women and have links to both our Celtic and Christian traditions and the Gaelic feast day of Imbolc on 1 February celebrates the start of spring."

Minister Heydon TD further said that in Kildare, where there is an intrinsic link to St Brigid, work is already underway on plans for Brigid 1500 in 2024: "This will mark 1,500 years since Brigids death and the addition of a new public holiday to coincide with the date will provide a massive boost for the economy as we plan towards this international celebration."

"February has been one of only four months in the year which does not have a public holiday: this new public holiday will bridge the considerable length of time between existing holidays in December and March and bring a welcome boost to the tourism sector at a traditionally quiet time.

"Whether it is the saint or the goddess, there is a Brigid there for everyone and from 2023 we will have the opportunity to celebrate her," he concluded.

In related news, Minister Martin Heydon TD recently paid tribute to his late mother, Sheila Heydon-Hughes.
Business organisation County Kildare Chamber (CKC) has said that it welcomes the announcement that net employment from Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) increased by nearly 3,000.

This morning, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar launched the Local Enterprise Offices' Annual Employment Results for 2021.

It was confirmed that LEOs supported the creation of over 7,400 new jobs last year, and minus job losses, this saw a net employment gain of just under 3,000 jobs.

CKC said in a statement: "Job creation in Kildare in 2021 was excellent taking into account the restrictions that were placed on business throughout the year."

"New companies such as Keurig Dr Pepper, American Fruit and Flavors and DB Schenker have invested heavily in the county," it added.

Allan Shine, Chief Executive of CKC, said he expects 2022 to be a year with further job creation with job announcements due in in the first quarter of the year.: "Last week, we welcomed 41 jobs in Naas with Aldi, and we expect further announcements from Kildare businesses in the coming weeks."

"Working closely with our key stakeholders that include IDA Ireland, we are extremely confident that investment in the county will continue this year."

He continued: "(The) key to job creation is the certainty that businesses require in terms of energy and water supply along with a talented available workforce.

"We are engaging weekly with Eirgrid, Irish Water, Maynooth University and more to ensure businesses have the certainty that they need to invest in Kildare and the region," he concluded.
Two Kildare Senators have welcomed the government's announcement that a St Brigid's Day bank holiday will come into fruition from 2023.

It follows after Fine Gael Minister Martin Heydon TD, who serves Kildare South, welcomed the news earlier this afternoon.

Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O' Loughlin said about the announcement: "As a Kildare person I am delighted to see that our patron Saint will be honoured with a public holiday."

"This year more than ever, St Brigids day represents a new dawn and new beginnings for the people of Ireland- a time full of hope and promise after what has been a difficult year, and an utterly devastating week."

The Newbridge native continued: "I have been raising this for a number of years both in the Dail and the Seanad and directly with the Taoiseach.

"I have always supported the call for an additional bank holiday in tribute to the huge sacrifices made by the Irish people throughout the pandemic, especially those on the frontline.

"Ireland's first Feminist"

"Brigid was a strong and determined individual, who was met with many challenges, but she persevered on her quest, and she cared for so many.

"A message that has a newfound relevance to us as we begin to emerge from yet another wave of Covid: we need to take comfort from Brigid, who was in many ways Ireland's first Feminist - in the promise that better days are to come and a future that defies grief and obstacles.

"Outside of it being important to use this opportunity to honour a woman and to honour our frontline workers, I think many people will appreciate a break in February.

"January is often called the longest month of the year, it is cold and dark, and this could give people a little break and a lift between Christmas and St. Patrick's day," she concluded.

"Delighted"

Labour Senator Mark Wall echoed Senator O' Loughlin's sentiments, saying: "I am delighted to hear that St Brigids day

will become a public holiday from 2023."

"I have raised this possibility on a number of occasions, and it offers us a great opportunity here in Kildare to promote this day and the wonderful county that we have.

"I am aware that this work has already commenced, and I look forward to continuing to support it wherever and whenever possible," he added.

History

St Brigids Day traditionally marks the first day of spring in the Northern hemisphere and has been celebrated by Christians all over the world for many centuries.

The much-adored Kildare patron saint was born in the fifth century, and is best known for building a monastery for men and women in Kildare around 470 AD, pioneering monastic life in ancient Ireland.

Irish missionaries and migrants carried her name and spirit across the world : to this day, pilgrims and visitors come to Kildare from all over the world seeking to walk in Brigids footsteps.

Previously, in 2019, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced a worldwide festival to mark St Brigids anniversary and celebrate the creativity and talents of Irish women, this is now in its fifth successive year and has received an enthusiastic international response, with over 30 countries around the world participating in 2021.

Meanwhile, Into Kildare has said that preparations are already well underway to mark the 1500-year anniversary of St Brigids death in 2024.

UPDATE:

In addition, Independent TD Dr Cathal Berry was also happy to learn about the news: "Its a wonderful acknowledgment of the work of the Brigidine Sisters as well as for Kildare."

"Its great for both men and women in this country to have a worthy role model to look up to: the values of St Brigid of social justice, ecological awareness and compassion continue to remain relevant to everyone."
2021 saw the launch of a brand new BSc in Agricultural Science at the National University of Ireland Galway with a strong focus on Sustainable Agriculture; attracting over 500 applicants in the first year.

Building on close research and education links between the two institutions and particularly with Teagascs Mellows Campus, Teagasc and NUI Galway have announced a partnership to deliver on the huge demand for an Agricultural Degree programme in the West of Ireland.

Teagasc will deliver a substantial component of the new programme, bringing their expertise in Animal Science, Farm systems and Farm Management. The partnership will benefit from the students having access to expertise and facilities located at Teagascs Mellows Campus just outside Galway city in Athenry.

Teagasc Director, Professor Frank OMara pointed out: globally, we face a challenge to feed a population that is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050. To meet this challenge, the Agri-food sector and agricultural professionals need a strong agronomic and environmental knowledge base to address the challenge of producing safe, nutritious food products, while minimising impacts on the environment. This degree provides a rigorous understanding of the science of agriculture and sustainability, in order to promote and facilitate the application of research-based, agricultural management practices throughout the agricultural sector, using strong analytical and communication skills.

Head of Animal Bioscience research at Teagasc, Professor David Kenny said: In meeting the many challenges facing the livestock sector, students will be exposed to the latest Teagasc and international scientific information on technologies to advance animal health and welfare, augment the nutritional value of livestock derived food products, improve nutrient use and labour efficiency and ultimately ensure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of livestock farming, a sector of fundamental importance to the prosperity and fabric of rural communities and to the west of Ireland, in particular.

Programme Co-Director Professor Cathal ODonoghue, NUI Galway and former Teagasc Head of Rural Economy welcomed the collaboration: The Teagasc-NUI Galway partnership brings together NUI Galways expertise in Agricultural Sustainability, Bioeconomy and Rural Development with Teagascs expertise in Animal Science, Farm Management and Knowledge Transfer, to create a unique programme that prepares the Agri-food leaders of the future to help deliver on the opportunities of the sector in an increasingly complex world.

NUI Galway is delighted to announce the appointment of Associate Professor David Styles to the University and to the degree programme team, bringing leadership in the Sustainable Agriculture sphere, particularly in terms of carbon accounting and bioeconomy innovations and over-seeing the development of the skills, tools and critical systems thinking necessary for the graduates of this exciting degree to navigate the challenging transition towards climate neutral farming.

Professor Charlie Spillane, programme Co-Director and Director of the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway commented; The new degree programme is very relevant to NUI Galways new Strategy in terms of Sustainability. At undergraduate level it is a key component of the NUI Galway and Teagasc Research and Education Alliance on Carbon-Neutral Agriculture which was established between the institutions in 2016 and will contribute to the Agriculture & Bioeconomy theme within the sustainability mission of the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway.

With the CAO closing date coming up shortly, prospective teachers, students and farm families are encouraged to check out this innovative and timely level 8 Honours degree on the NUI Galway website.

GY322 BSc Agricultural Science:

https://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/undergraduate-courses/agricultural-science.html
Drinkaware, the national charity working to reduce and prevent the misuse of alcohol in Ireland, is offering a free mental health resource to the public. The resource is available to order online and will be sent directly to you free of charge.

The 2021 Drinkaware Barometer found that 61% of adults in Ireland cite coping as a reason to drink alcohol*, but this can have unintended consequences. The negative impact of alcohol on mental health is significant. It can contribute to the development and/or worsening of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Mental well-being is examined in the annual Drinkaware Barometer survey and the findings indicate that mental well-being has stabilised throughout the pandemic with 35% reporting low mental well-being in 2021 versus 37% in 2020**. However, it is important to note that the rate of low mental well-being reported in 2018 pre the pandemic was at 11%.

January can be a difficult time for our mental health, now more so than ever. In the lead-up to Christmas, Drinkaware resource orders increased by over 1000%. Our resilience has been tested over the past two years, but more and more people are taking positive steps to look after their health.

The Drinkaware Alcohol and Your Mental Health booklet contains facts about alcohols impact on mental health, and advice to develop healthy coping strategies without alcohol. It also explains why your mental health can be negatively impacted by alcohol.

The risk of these impacts increases when an individual is drinking above the HSE low-risk weekly guidelines for alcohol. Only 2-3% of Irish adults are aware of these guidelines**, making it difficult for people to consider the potential impact of their drinking on their mental health. Regularly drinking more than the HSE low-risk weekly guidelines interferes with chemicals in the brain needed for strong, balanced mental health.

Some of our top tips in this guide includes:

Keep Learning: Learning about the HSE low-risk weekly guidelines will help you create a healthier relationship with alcohol

Get Active: Regular exercise can improve your mental and physical health

Connect: Making an effort to re-connect with friends and family nourishes your mental and emotional health

Take up a new hobby: Doing something you enjoy is a healthy coping mechanism during times of difficulty

Take notice: Meditating or practising yoga give you the space to acknowledge and understand your feelings

Give: Do something nice for a loved one, or for a total stranger. Doing good for others does good for your own mental health.

CEO for Drinkaware Sheena Horgan commented, We all know the on-going pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our mental health as a nation. The findings from the Drinkaware Annual Barometer from both 2022 and 2021 bear this out, with a significant drop in self-reported levels of high well-being. The 2534-year-old age group are most likely to report low mental well-being as are those who report their alcohol consumption has increased in the past 12 months.

The Drinkaware Alcohol & Your Mental Health booklet is a public health resource for anyone who feels they need information on how alcohol can affect their mental health, along with tips and advice for how to maintain, protect and improve your mental health and well-being. We have all had our resilience tested during the past two years, and this resource could be a step in a positive direction for people who want to develop healthy coping strategies that dont include alcohol.

Order your free booklet today at: https://drinkaware.ie/order- resources/
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar is seeking a deadline of March 31 to remove almost all of the remaining Covid-19 restrictions.

He told a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party on Tuesday that the low level of hospital admissions, ICU admissions and deaths has given a strong degree of confidence that we can ease restrictions quickly over the next few weeks.

He caveated his remarks to TDs and Senators by saying we cannot promise anything yet, party sources said.

The legal basis for the restrictions is set to expire at the end of March, but Government has the option to extend them for another three months, until the end of June.

Measures such as Covid-19 passes for international travel, mask wearing in crowded spaces and self-isolation for symptomatic people may have to remain, Mr Varadkar said.

But curbs on hospitality and working from home could be lifted in the near future.

Sources said the Tanaiste referenced the fact that the Omicron variant is less severe and that a high level of immunity has built up due to vaccination and infection, leading to lower hospital numbers and deaths.

He also noted how difficult our restrictions on social life have become for young adults and single people in particular.

No one will thank you for turning up if youre sick. Stay at home and get a test to protect yourself and others from #COVID19.#StaySafe | #ForUsAll pic.twitter.com/1uphDgoaMo  HSE Ireland (@HSELive) January 18, 2022

Mr Varadkar also warned that the country must be prepared for the potential emergence of new variants of concern later in the year.

That could require another round of vaccination, he told party members.

The country will also need to be able to ramp up its testing, tracing and isolation programmes if necessary, continue to increase hospital and ICU capacity and invest in better air quality in buildings, he said.

Mr Varadkar also praised the Governments handling of the pandemic.

He said this was evident from case fatality ratios, the number of deaths per million in population, the number of people in hospital per million, the percentage of people vaccinated and the impact on Irelands economy and public finances.

He told party members that Ireland has performed very well by European and world standards by almost every measure.

Tuesday saw a further 11,683 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, with 5,767 positive PCR tests recorded and 5,916 antigen tests.

As of 8am on Tuesday, there were 979 patients in hospital with the disease, down 27 on the previous day, with 93 of those in ICU, down four.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Drinkaware, the national charity working to reduce and prevent the misuse of alcohol in Ireland, is offering a free mental health resource to the public. The resource is available to order online and will be sent directly to you free of charge.

The 2021 Drinkaware Barometer found that 61% of adults in Ireland cite coping as a reason to drink alcohol, but this can have unintended consequences. The negative impact of alcohol on mental health is significant. It can contribute to the development and/or worsening of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Mental well-being is examined in the annual Drinkaware Barometer survey and the findings indicate that mental well-being has stabilised throughout the pandemic with 35% reporting low mental well-being in 2021 versus 37% in 2020. However, it is important to note that the rate of low mental well-being reported in 2018 pre the pandemic was at 11%.

January can be a difficult time for our mental health, now more so than ever. In the lead-up to Christmas, Drinkaware resource orders increased by over 1000%. Our resilience has been tested over the past two years, but more and more people are taking positive steps to look after their health.

"The Drinkaware Alcohol and Your Mental Health booklet contains facts about alcohols impact on mental health, and advice to develop healthy coping strategies without alcohol. It also explains why your mental health can be negatively impacted by alcohol.

"The risk of these impacts increases when an individual is drinking above the HSE low-risk weekly guidelines for alcohol. Only 2-3% of Irish adults are aware of these guidelines, making it difficult for people to consider the potential impact of their drinking on their mental health. Regularly drinking more than the HSE low-risk weekly guidelines interferes with chemicals in the brain needed for strong, balanced mental health.

Some of Drinkaware's top tips in this guide includes:

Keep Learning: Learning about the HSE low-risk weekly guidelines will help you create a healthier relationship with alcohol

Get Active: Regular exercise can improve your mental and physical health

Connect: Making an effort to re-connect with friends and family nourishes your mental and emotional health

Take up a new hobby: Doing something you enjoy is a healthy coping mechanism during times of difficulty

Take notice: Meditating or practising yoga give you the space to acknowledge and understand your feelings

Give: Do something nice for a loved one, or for a total stranger. Doing good for others does good for your own mental health.

CEO for Drinkaware Sheena Horgan commented, We all know the ongoing pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our mental health as a nation. The findings from the Drinkaware Annual Barometer from both 2022 and 2021 bear this out, with a significant drop in self-reported levels of high well-being. The 2534-year-old age group are most likely to report low mental well-being as are those who report their alcohol consumption has increased in the past 12 months.

"The Drinkaware Alcohol & Your Mental Health booklet is a public health resource for anyone who feels they need information on how alcohol can affect their mental health, along with tips and advice for how to maintain, protect and improve your mental health and well-being. We have all had our resilience tested during the past two years, and this resource could be a step in a positive direction for people who want to develop healthy coping strategies that dont include alcohol.

Order your free booklet today HERE.
Hello, its lunchtime in Paris. The far-right candidate Eric Zemmour may have to settle for a meal on the run when he travels to Calais, a traditional hotspot for immigration (undocumented migrants are gathering here trying to cross the Channel).

What happened yesterday? A minor candidate from the left-wing, Arnaud Montebourg, said he would announce his withdrawal. He dropped out this morning.

Does it matter? To be frank, not much. This former socialist minister was gathering less than 1% of the votes. He had made a fool of himself by publishing videos of phone calls to other candidates in the name of left-wing unity but only talking to their voicemails. Divisions will still run deep on a split left.

Two months ago, the sky seemed to be the limit for the polemicist Eric Zemmour. The traditional right (Les Republicains) was an endless circular firing squad. The already numerous leftwing candidates were at loggerheads with each other. His most serious contender, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen (le Rassemblement national) was nowhere to be seen, still licking her wounds after a series of defeats in local elections in Spring.

In a matter of weeks, the former "Le Figaro" columnist (the respectable newspaper suspended his weekly article in September) appeared as a potential political star. Eric Zemmour, as a long-time political journalist, positioned himself as a maverick speaking the truth. Especially about the other candidates and their alleged lies, weaknesses, petty calculations, and cowardice.

Eric Zemmour was to set the tone of the precampaign with a tried and tested tactic: drop a bombshell and wait for the media to focus on it, to blame or praise it. He used anti-elites, anti-Islam, and anti-immigration dog whistles to reach an electorate ranging from the 2018 "Yellow Jackets" movement to the extreme right by way of Les Republicains hard-right. With the strategic aim of tearing down the political and moral fence erected by the former leaders of the traditional right that separates it from the far right. A potential game-changer for French politics.

Much to his chagrin, the tables have turned. The head of the Ile de France region (which includes Paris) Valerie Pecresse has won Les Republicains primary and nobody is challenging her in her party. After withstanding the pressure, Marine Le Pen has regained a level of votes in the polls that could open her the second round of the presidential election. Eric Zemmour appears now as a one-trick pony and his provocations are ending up tiring everyone.

Despite an impressive rally in December attended by more than ten thousand potential voters (a feat for a candidate without a political party), Eric Zemmour keeps losing ground. He has demonstrated his inability to transform himself into a unifying candidate on Friday with inappropriate comments about disabled students. "They need special institutions to take care of them, except for people who are slightly disabled, of course, who can go into the classroom. But for the rest, the obsession with inclusion is a disservice to other children," he said. His obsession with fighting everything he believes belongs to left-wing thinking has led him to commit the biggest mistake for a candidate: lack empathy.

On Monday, a French court convicted him for spurring racial hatred after making remarks on TV in September 2020 about unaccompanied child migrants living in France. It was his third conviction on racial hatred grounds in ten years. He appealed the sentence (a fine of 10,000 euros), but the conviction reminded him that his former career as a polemicist still looms over his new one. Like when he claims that he is not a writer anymore (he made millions with bestsellers) and that journalists should not mine into his work in the quest of juicy quotes (spoiler, there is A LOT of it) because it belongs to another version of himself.

Eric Zemmour has also been unable to attract big names. He was rejoined a week ago by Guillaume Peltier, a former deputy president of Les Republicains and also an MP, but this elected official, used to switching parties, may have chosen to board a ship that has run out of wind in the hope of taking the helm after the departure of its current captain.

Eric Zemmour needs now Valerie Pecresse and Marine Le Pen, both ahead of him in the polls, to make mistakes to regain momentum. If not, he could end up being ousted from the presidential race by two women. This would be a cruel ending for the man who wrote in 2006 a manifesto for patriarchy, "Le Premier Sexe", an ambitious response to 1949 Simone de Beauvoir "Le Deuxieme Sexe".

Graphic of the day

Le Monde published on Monday a Kantar poll conducted among 1,016 French adults between January 5 and January 11. One question asked about the perception of the candidates position on democracy.

Only Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour are considered by a majority as a danger to democracy Kantar poll for Le Monde and Franceinfo

Source : Source : Le Monde

Tweet of the day

Ce matin, @Fabien_Roussel visitait une ecole de boucherie pour soutenir le savoir faire de ces artisans. pic.twitter.com/cCFIJoi3lH  Avec Fabien Roussel ! (@AvecRoussel) January 18, 2022

Fabien Roussel, the Parti communiste candidate, visited a butchery training school on Tuesday. It was not by accident. When he expressed last Sunday his fondness for a French food triptych ("Good wine, good meat, good cheese: thats French gastronomy"), he was criticized by environmentalists who denounced a non-inclusive identity discourse. Fabien Roussel became almost instantly a hero for the far-right, which used his statement as a tool to further divide the left.

Countdown

81 Days until the presidential elections first round

95 Days until the presidential elections second round

Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow.

Read the previous column: The disunited states of the French Left

Gilles Paris(Columnist and former Le Monde correspondent in Washington)
DESPITE the slowdown brought about by Covid-19, almost 200 jobs were created with help from Limericks Local Enterprise Office (Leo) last year.

The annual results of all the enterprise offices from around the country reveal that Leo in Limerick supported firms which created a total of 179 new jobs.

Its the eighth year of year-on-year growth in jobs in Limerick with Leo Limerick supporting a total of 298 small businesses employing 1,825 people, the office added in a statement.

Nationally, enterprise offices are supporting 35,729 jobs across 7,158 companies across the State.

In 2021 there were 7,440 new jobs created by Leo clients companies with a net jobs creation figure of 2,999. This was up 9% nationally on 2020.

Mike Cantwell, the head of enterprise in Limerick said: These results are a testament to the resilience of Limerick's small business community. When faced with adversity, they have adapted, pivoted, upskilled and did whatever it took to sustain their businesses. At the Local Enterprise Office we too had to change how we deliver our services and our staff have gone above and beyond in their support of small businesses during the Covid pandemic and we now face 2022 with renewed optimism.

He added: We are seeing new opportunities for Irish businesses across a range of sectors and we can assure all our Leo clients that we will continue to work with both Limerick City and County Council, Enterprise Ireland and others, to ensure our small businesses get the best possible supports and nurture the green shoots emerging across the country.

The councils economic director Vincent Murray added: The job creation figures announced are a huge endorsement of the entrepreneurial and innovation capacity that exists in the Limerick region. The excellent collaboration that exists between the enterprise office and new entrepreneurs starting or growing their businesses has seen a record number of new enterprises started during the numerous lockdowns. The Local Enterprise Office is able to assist new start-ups with access to grant finance to start a business, and more importantly access to knowledge and information through its mentoring and training programs.

An Tanaiste and Enterprise Minister Leo Varadkar added: Over 35,000 people employed in small businesses around the country have been helped in some way by our Local Enterprise Offices. They are at the heart of communities in every county, always on hand to provide advice, training or financial backing and have proved invaluable throughout the pandemic, during which I know a huge amount of people relied on their local office.

Leo in Limerick is located at the Engine building in Cecil Street, and its staff can be contacted at 061-557499.
A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of school teacher Ashling Murphy.

Jozef Puska, aged 31, was heckled as he was brought from a garda car to a special sitting of Tullamore District Court this Wednesday evening.

He was remanded in custody and will appear in court again next week.

The 23-year-old victim, who graduated from Mary Immaculate College last year, was killed while jogging in Tullamore a week ago this Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a second man, arrested under the provisions of Section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939, has been released without charge.

A file is to be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ashling Murphy (Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann)

The body of Ms Murphy, a talented musician and teacher, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore last Wednesday.

A crowd of around 40 people walked along the canal on Wednesday, close to where her body was found, to mark one week since her murder.

On Tuesday, large crowds gathered in the village of Mountbolus and outside St Brigids Church, where her funeral was held.

Mourners included Irish president Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

Vigils have been held in Limerick and across Ireland and the world to remember Ms Murphy and to call for a change in tackling gender-based violence.
WIDESPREAD tributes have been paid following the sad passing of the founder of Limerick-based homelessness charity Novas.

Joe McGarry was laid to rest today in his native Co Antrim.

Having spent decades being homeless in London before turning his life around, Joe established the first Novas service in Limerick back in 2002, Bridgeland House in St John's Square.

The charity's facility in St Alphonsus Street is named in his honour.

Dr Una Burns, the policy director of Novas, said: "He never left anyone behind. He never judged anybody. He was respectful to everybody he met. He taught us how to treat people with dignity in a non-judgemental way and support people who want better for themselves."

She said the charity staff feel "like his second family."

Novas's former head of homeless services Anne Cronin added: "It's hard to put into words the impact this man had on me and others lucky enough to know him. The founder of Novas in Ireland - one of life's truly inclusive and non-judgemental people."

She added that while he was not defined by his time without a home, the cause of homelessness "certainly insired him."

In its own social media tribute, Novas added: "Joe was at the forefront of service development in Novas. Having been homeless on the streets of London for decades, he used his lived-experience of isolation, vulnerability and homelessness to create services that meet the needs of people on the fringes of society."

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Joe McGarry. Joe was an inspiration to many and offered hope to more.



My condolences also to the staff and board of @novasireland of which Joe was the founder. pic.twitter.com/S80RNI0QtE  Cllr Daniel Butler, Mayor of Limerick (@DanielButlerFG) January 18, 2022

Right up until his passing on Saturday, he remained a member of Novas.

"He helped Novas to develop services that accepted people as they were, people entrenched in addiction and people who had experienced significant trauma in their lives. For many, these services were the first places they every felt accepted. This is his legacy. It was a pleasure to know him and to learn from his empathy, his insight and his empowerment," Novas added.

Survived by his wife Mary, Joe's funeral Mass took place this lunchtime at St Comgall's Parish Church in Antrim.

May he rest in peace.
GARDAI investigating the fatal assault on Ashling Murphy have charged the man who was arrested this Tuesday in relation to her death.

The man, aged in his 30s, is due to appear before a special sitting of Tullamore District Court this Wednesday evening at 8.15pm.

The second male arrested under the provisions of Section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939 has been released without charge from garda custody and a file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ms Murphy, 23, was attacked as she was out for a run in Tullamore, County Offaly just before 4pm last Wednesday.

The funeral Mass for the former student of Mary Immaculate College took place in St Brigid's Church in Mountbolus, County Offaly on Tuesday before she was laid to rest in Lowertown cemetery.

The crime scene on the Grand Canal at Cappincur just outside Tullamore remained sealed off today, a week after the murder.
COFFEE giant, Nespresso, sacked an employee for gaining 5.65 from allegedly using Brown Thomas customers loyalty card points for her own benefit.

Sarah Clancy was employed as a Boutique Coffee Specialist at Nespressos coffee boutique at Brown Thomass Limerick store since 2015.

Nespresso UK Ltd dismissed Ms Clancy for gross misconduct in December 2019 after finding that she applied her own Brown Thomas loyalty card to customer transactions.

An audit report found that the amount allegedly gained by Ms Clancy was 5.65 for her own BT loyalty card.

Ms Clancy sued for unfair dismissal and now Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Adjudicator, Peter O'Brien has upheld Ms Clancys claim and ordered the coffee firm to pay Ms Clancy 5,322 compensation for her unfair dismissal.

Ms Clancy said that her loss of earnings was 10,644 but Mr O'Brien found that the actions of Ms Clancy significantly contributed towards her dismissal and awarded her only 50 per cent of her claimed loss.

Mr O'Brien also directed Nespresso UK Ltd pay Ms Clancy an additional 830 or the equivalent of two weeks' notice concerning her claim under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act.

Ms Clancy was sacked after a random audit conducted by Brown Thomas to identify potential frauds had identified a potential issue in respect of Ms Clancy.

The audit found that she appeared to be applying her loyalty card to customers transactions while she was the till operator.

The audit identified 11 transactions from August 30, 2019 to November 4, 2019 with a total transactional value of 565.40 for which Ms Clancy was the till operator and her loyalty card was used.

Legal representatives for Ms Clancy, Philip Moloney BL instructed by John Battles & Co Solicitors argued that Nespresso UK had used the nuclear weapon of disciplinary sanctions concerning the 5.65 amount.

In his findings, Mr OBrien found that Ms Clancys actions were very serious and her actions and denials - or stories - during the investigation did her no good in her relationship with her managers and investigators and contributed to the decision to dismissal.

However, Mr OBrien said that at the time of her dismissal, Ms Clancy had not received any benefit from her actions.

Mr OBrien asked: What is unclear is if the Complainant had owned up to her actions would she have been dismissed?

He said: The possibility exists that she may not have been as it was her denial that also contributed to her dismissal.

Mr OBrien concluded: What is also unclear is what level of consideration did the Respondent (Nespresso UK Ltd) give to other reasonable alternative disciplinary sanctions.

Mr OBrien stated that for these two reasons he deemed Ms Clancys dismissal to be unfair.

Mr OBrien said that Ms Clancys denial and excuses that her card got lost were not believable and contributed to the Nespresso view that she should be dismissed.

He said: Using customer loyalty cards for her own benefit amounts to an act of fraud and constitutes grounds for gross misconduct.

Mr OBrien said: The value, while low, is not really relevant in this case as the action could well have continued into the future and increased and the bond of trust was broken by both Ms Clancys actions, her concocting a story about her card being lost and her denial of the situation during the investigation."

Ms Clancys legal representatives claimed that Nespressos in allowing Ms Clancy to continue to work during the course of the investigation -and up to dismissal- negates and/or undermines Nespressos allegation that there was a loss of trust in Ms Clancy.

They stated that Ms Clancy had an unblemished record, before dismissal, and a relatively long level of service.

Ms Clancy stated that Nespresso was aware from the Brown Thomas Report of September 6th 2019 of the valued gained fraudulently of 5.65, but yet continued to allow her to work without any restrictions until her ultimate dismissal in December, 2019.

It was argued on Ms Clancys behalf that the finding of gross misconduct was disproportionate and excessive and the sanction imposed was disproportionate.

In response, Nespresso stated that it had substantial grounds to justify Ms Clancys summary dismissal arising from her gross misconduct.

Nespresso contended that the decision to dismiss was fair and reasonable pointing out that in a retail environment the trust between employer and employee is imperative.

It argued that where Ms Clancy, despite all the evidence put to her, continued to deny her involvement in the loyalty card transactions, it was reasonable that Nespresso would consider her position to be untenable.
It could be the end of next week before Covid-19 restrictions could start to be lifted, according to Minister Eamon Ryan.

"Towards the end of next week, I expect to see the start of restrictions being lifted," he said.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Transport was speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland.

Minister Ryan said he expected the Government to start lifting restrictions quickly and widely.

The comment comes as health officials point to signs that the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, fuelled by the Omicron variant, has passed.

Mr Ryan told RTE radio on Tuesday that he believed restrictions could be lifted as soon as the end of next week.

The Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 will meet on Friday to discuss the possibility of an easing of restrictions, he said.

Mr Ryan said that the Government would hope to give the public and businesses advance notice and indicated that there would not be any change to the rules this weekend.

The position were in at the moment is a lot better than it looked a couple of weeks ago, Mr Ryan said.

The latest indicators suggest, he said, that it is going to give us the chance to start lifting restrictions quickly, in my mind very widely.

I think we need to start bringing back some of our social life, Mr Ryan said.

He indicated that sporting, cultural and artistic events would be among the priorities when restrictions do ease.

He also said that he would like to see people returning to offices.

It is important that people who are working from home do start to have the chance to go back in, he said.

However, Mr Ryan also indicated that requirements regarding wearing of masks would probably remain in place, even if the vast majority of restrictions would be relaxed in the spring.

On Tuesday, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party that the low level of hospital admissions, ICU admissions and deaths has given a strong degree of confidence that we can ease restrictions quickly over the next few weeks.

He added a caveat to his remarks to TDs and Senators by saying we cannot promise anything yet, party sources said.

The legal basis for the restrictions is set to expire at the end of March, but the Government has the option to extend them for another three months, until the end of June.
Politicians have backed a cross-party approach to tackle male violence against women, in the wake of the murder of Ashling Murphy.

The Dail returned with a sombre leaders questions which focused on the need to eliminate violence against women, a day after the funeral of the 23-year-old old teacher was held in Co Offaly.

The body of Ms Murphy, a talented musician and teacher, was found on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore last Wednesday.

The Dail heard tributes to Ms Murphy and expressions of condolence to her family, amid calls for cross-party cooperation to protect women.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin backed a call from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald for a meeting of party leaders on the issue.

Ms McDonald told the Dail on Wednesday: Ashling Murphy was not the first woman to die in a random attack.

Others have met violent deaths going to work, coming home, in daylight and in dark.

The outpouring of grief and anger across the land is powerful expression of solidarity with the Murphy family who now face the unimaginable heartbreak of coming to terms with life without Ashling.



An Taoiseach Micheal Martin (centre) and Ivana Bacik TD (left) attend a vigil at Leinster House, Dublin, for the murdered Ashling Murphy (Brian Lawless/PA)

The streams of stories, personal experiences and traumatic narratives that flood our airwaves is stark testimony that male violence against women, harassment of women, degradation of women, is endemic, pervasive and ever present in Irish life, Ms McDonald said.

She urged the Government to take the opportunity to deliver a culture shift across Irish society.

We now stand at a crossroads, and there is a choice to be made.

We must choose action. United, persistent action to end the violence, the threat of violence, the fear of violence, that blights the lives of women and girls, we must make that choice, and we must mean it.

The Taoiseach, who attended the funeral of Ms Murphy in the small village of Mountbolus on Tuesday, said that he had been touched by the extraordinary embeddedness of the Murphy family and of Ashling herself in a wider community.

Backing the Sinn Fein call for a meeting of party leaders, he said he wanted a cross-party approach as his Government prepares to publish a new strategy in March to tackle gender-based violence.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will be responsible for ensuring that the targets contained in the strategy are met, Mr Martin said.

He said that there needs to be a cross-party Oireachtas approach, mirroring what society wants to do and in that context men need to listen more and men need to hear women more in terms of this issue.

Ms McDonald told Mr Martin: This isnt a moment for party politics, this isnt a moment for division.

This is a moment for unity.

Because the danger is, when the shock lessens, when the grief, the initial grief subsides, when the headlines have been written, when the cameras go away and that poor family are left with the awfulness of their loss, the real test will be what we do in a year.

Other politicians on Wednesday paid tribute to Ms Murphy.

Labour leader Alan Kelly said that the terrible tragedy had touched the entire country.

The word watershed is often used here for many different things.

This has to be a watershed moment, he told the Dail.



Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Brian Lawless/PA)

People Before Profit TD Brid Smith told the chamber that violence against women is a universal experience and we need to own up to the universality of the oppression of women.

The current provision of refuge for women facing domestic violence is not good enough, she said.

She urged the Taoiseach to give Government backing to bill that would reform Irish sexual education, which has been left sitting in the legislative system for several years.

That bill, she said, ensures sex education is delivered without input from a schools religious ethos.

Mr Martin, without promising to back the Bill, said that he agreed that sex education should not be based on a school ethos, but said that the issue could not be solved by legislation alone.

He said that there needs to be capacity, supports for those who teach and provide the curriculum.

The Taoiseach suggested making modules on relationship and sexuality a core part of the curriculum in teacher training colleges.

I would have to stress that it has to be a suite of an overarching package that involves the curriculum itself and the capacity to deliver in the classroom. That is the key.
The dream of spending less time at work without a pay cut is about to become a reality for more employees.

The U.K. pilot of a four-day work week will begin in June with about 30 companies that have so far signed up for the trial. The six-month-long program will see firms allowing staff to work 32 hours per week while leaving their compensation and benefits unchanged.

Companies may ask staff to spread the 32 hours over five days.

Moving to a four-day week would be a win-win for companies," Joe Ryle, director of the Four Day Week Campaign in the U.K., said Tuesday in a phone interview. Studies have shown that productivity improves along with corresponding gains in workers well-being."

The pilot in the U.K. is one of several worldwide being run by 4 Day Week Global, which advocates for the shorter week. Similar programs are set to start in the U.S. and Ireland, with more planned for Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Ryle said.

Apart from the focus on productivity, researchers will measure the impact on workers wellbeing and assess the programs effect on the environment and gender equality, 4 Day Week Global said in a statement.

The program will help companies move away from simply measuring how long people are at work, to a sharper focus on the output being produced," said Joe OConnor, a pilot programme manager for the campaign.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
The world came to a crucial crossroad in 2008 and failed to take the higher path. Then came the pandemic in 2020, another critical moment, and most governments and the global governance system are again shying away from doing what must be done. The world, unfortunately, seems all but stuck with a dysfunctional system of economic governance that was erected at Bretton Woods in the aftermath of World War II but is now out of whack with the shape of the world economy 70 years on. This anachronistic design includes multilateral financial institutionsthe World Bank and International Monetary Fundthat also look out of step in a rapidly evolving global economy. Disappointingly, these institutions seem to have bequeathed their skew to a new institution that was created in the 1990s, the World Trade Organisation (WTO). A common flaw runs through all these institutions: Theyre designed to privilege rich countries, whether it is the disproportionate say they have in how financial institutions should be run or voice in how global trade rules are best set. Rich nations have fiercely opposed and occasionally even filibustered attempts to fix the asymmetry, such as the Doha Round of trade talks.

It is little wonder then that leaders of the two most populous countries, and neighbours to boot, have recently spoken out about the outdated multilateral system. Addressing the annual conference of the World Economic Forum (WEF) virtually, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an overdue reform of multilateral institutions: the question is whether multilateral organizations are ready to deal with the new world order and new challenges; is that strength left in them? When these institutions were formed, the situation was different. Today the circumstances are different." Interestingly, and coincidentally, the same day Chinas President Xi Jinping also spoke about pending reforms: Countries around the world should uphold true multilateralism We should guide reforms of the global governance system with the principle of fairness and justice, and uphold the multilateral trading system with the [WTO] at its centre."

Cynics might be tempted to shrug off the utterances of these two leaders as soundbytes emerging from a global talkfest, and they might even be partially right. The reputation of the WEF huddle held every January in the snow-shrouded Swiss resort of Davos is not all that pristine. Its jamborees are an opportunity for billionaires, chief executives and politicians to network.The WEF has been criticized for providing a platform for showcasing the worst kind of capitalism, the monopolistic sort, though its tone has begun to emphasize compassion. The 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic have both exposed flaws in the dominant model of capitalism and highlighted a need for reforms. Markets, left to their own devices, have frequently failed to perform their assigned role of price discovery for the efficient delivery of goods and services. What Modi and Xi said should be seen against this backdrop. Both have, independently, spoken up on behalf of the vast majority of developing nations that are routinely dealt a poor hand. Global institutions need greater diversity of perspective and a better balanced approach if they are to retain relevance this century. We spy a glimmer of hope in the fact that two testy neighbours, home to almost 40% of the world, have expressed convergent views on this.
U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists are often the nations last line of defense against illicit drugs and prohibited plants, pests and animal products.

In Fiscal Year 2021 alone, CBP issued 73,917 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products entering the United States, conducted 630,150 positive passenger inspections, and issued 7,190 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items. These finds can range from the ordinary to the outrageous. The following lists the Top 10 agricultural finds of 2021 from throughout the United States:

1. In February, CBP officers at the commercial facility at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry seized more than 12,000 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $27 million found commingled within a shipment of papayas. During a secondary inspection, a CBP narcotic detector dog immediately alerted to the shipment, and officers discovered 873 wrapped packages of marijuana.

2. In April, CBP agriculture specialists at the port of Memphis, TN inspected a shipment from China en route to New York City manifested as The Scarf and found that the shipment actually contained 750 unfertilized avian eggs. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), China is currently affected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle Disease, both of which are highly contagious and fatal to the U.S. poultry industry and various avian wildlife. The eggs were not accompanied by any documentation detailing the genus or species, nor was there any indication of their purpose, so they were destroyed.

3. CBP agriculture specialists working at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston intercepted 15 live giant land snails from a passengers luggage in early July. The passenger was traveling from Nigeria and initially only declared dried beef, but later amended her declaration to include live snails. During an examination of the passengers luggage, agriculture specialists found three plastic zip-closed bags containing the live snails with fresh leaves and about a quarter pound of beef. The snails were turned over to USDA, who identified the snails as giant land snails, also known as banana rasp snails.

4. In August, CBP agriculture specialists assigned to the Boston Logan International Airport encountered a 35-year-old female arriving from Santiago, Dominican Republic. During a baggage examination, 11 kilograms of pork sausages were discovered. Just a month prior, Dominican Republic officials confirmed the presence of African swine fever, a highly contagious disease of wild and domestic swine, that can spread rapidly in swine populations with extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. The pork sausages at the Boston airport were removed and turned over to a USDA hauler for destruction.

5. CBP agriculture specialists assigned to the Paso Del Norte Border Crossing seized 320 pounds of pork bologna and 30 pounds of turkey ham in August. The offending meat was discovered during an inspection and had been hidden under blankets, under the seats, center console, and inside a duffel bag. The individual was issued a $1,000 civil penalty, and the products were confiscated.

6. In September, a traveler arriving from Japan reluctantly declared he was in possession of Botulinum and E. coli DNA plasmids intended for research. An inspection conducted by CBP agriculture specialists revealed 27 vials of the biological material. The traveler lacked the required documents, such as the official statement attesting to the non-infectiousness of the material, required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC was consulted and, after reviewing the samples, agreed that more information was needed to determine admissibility. The traveler withdrew his application for admission to the United States and returned to his country with the biological materials.

7. Also in September, CBP agriculture specialists at the Port of Gulfport discovered a butterfly larvae pest, informally known as the Saunders 1850, while inspecting a shipment container of pineapples from Costa Rica. Due to the potential impact to U.S. agriculture, the shipment of pineapples, worth $15,000, was destroyed. According to USDA, this was the first time this species had been discovered in the United States.

8. In October, CBPs agriculture team in Minneapolis discovered six large bags containing clothing, two primate arms, dry fish, cooked snails, plant material, cow skin, bushmeat and eru plant material. After notifying the CDC, the team seized the primate arms and bushmeat and destroyed them according to USDA protocol. The seeds were submitted to USDA for identification and the passenger was informed of human-health concerns with handling and consuming bushmeat, including the potential transmission of ebola and monkeypox viruses.

9. CBP officers at the Laredo Port of Entry intercepted a large clutch of live poultry hidden throughout a vehicle back in November. A total of 47 roosters and hens were found wrapped in stockings inside a purse, and underneath the seats, floor mats, inside the glove compartment and trunk of a vehicle in the SENTRI lane. A $500 penalty was issued to the driver for attempting to import prohibited agriculture items while being a SENTRI card holder. The SENTRI card was turned in to the SENTRI Enrollment Center, the vehicle was seized by CBP under 19 USC 1595, and the live poultry were seized and transferred to USDAs Veterinary Services.

10. Sometimes smugglers attempt to ship prohibited food and plant items with the use of fraudulent paperwork. In December, CBP agriculture specialists in Newark encountered a shipment of fresh peppers from Guatemala. During document review, the provided phytosanitary certificate, which must be used to facilitate importer plants and plant products, was blurry, and an original certificate could not be found. It was later discovered that the certification was fraudulent, which can alter the options for phytosanitary actions that must be taken to prevent the entry of plant pests, prohibited plant products, or animal products capable of introducing foreign animal diseases.

The efforts of our frontline personnel and CBP agriculture specialists augment CBPs enduring mission priority to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while ensuring a robust agriculture safeguarding continuum, said John Sagle, Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison Acting Executive Director. Whether it is the prevention of an introduced foreign animal disease, an invasive plant pest, or unknown biological material, our CBP agriculture specialists and our agriculture canine teams are steadfast in their determination to keep Americas agriculture and natural resources safe.

In an attempt to ease the process for travelers needing to declare agriculture and biological products prior to arriving at an airport in the United States, CBP has moved the declaration process to the CBP One mobile application, which will give travelers more transparency throughout the request process, including real-time status updates.
RTE is seeking a reform of the television licence fee this week as the national broadcaster looks to bring in an extra 30 million a year.

Reform is possible, RTE believes, with a move towards the implementation of a household broadcasting charge.

The Irish TV licence fee is 160 per year, and was last increased in 2008. An increase of 2 was added at that time.

The State broadcaster has increased to 65 million its estimate of the public broadcasting funding lost each year as a result of licence fee evasion.

It also says it is losing out due to the growing number of no TV households that are ineligible to pay the charge.

A submission is due to be heard at the Public Accounts Committee tomorrow. At this, RTE director-general Dee Forbes will stress: If there is no action, RTE will not be able to return to a stable financial position, will not be able to reinvent itself for future generations.

The station will not be able to fulfil our remit or maintain much of what we do today, due to a fall in advertising revenue associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Commercial revenue fell sharply at the onset of the pandemic and, while there was some recovery towards the end of the year, it was still 11m lower than 2019, according to RTE.

It says that 15pc of households no longer have televisions but still have no legal obligation to pay for RTE content they stream on their devices.

The RTE submission comes just after it was announced that the UK TV licence fee is to be frozen for two years.

The UK licence fee is 159 per year, which is about 190.
Women of menopausal age are less likely to go for cervical screenings, putting them at increased risk for the development of cervical cancer.

That's according to a new HSE public attitudes survey published ahead of Cervical Cancer Prevention week, which runs from January 17 to January 23 this year.

According to the survey, women of menopausal age face a number of barriers in accessing cervical screenings.

This reportedly includes a fear of the process, finding the process more uncomfortable at their greater age, and finding screening embarrassing.

Half of all women surveyed also said a fear of finding something wrong would deter them from getting screened, while 1 in 5 women said their concerns were due to Covid-19.

Primary Care Clinical Advisor with CervicalCheck, Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon, said, "Once women have finished having periods they often feel, Screening is not for me, I dont have a period, why would I need a screening test? In fact, we do encourage women to continue attending screening up to the age of 65.

"If women aged in their 50s havent ever had a cervical screen done through CervicalCheck, the programme is 'actively' encouraging them to take part. We are letting women know that just because you havent had a test done before, and youre 55 say, you absolutely can come in and have a test done. Once youre in the eligible age category, you can come any time, and to any registered screener."

Women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 65 are entitled to free cervical screening every three to five years, depending on previous history and age.

According to the HSE, a recent Australian study found women aged 50-59 who had an abnormal smear test (and who later had no test between 60-64 years of age) had a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.

The risk of developing cancer for women who had no screening test in their 50s and one between 60-64 years of age was reportedly halved from 8.4 per 1000 people to 3.5 per 1000 people.

Clinical Director of CervicalCheck, Dr Noirin Russell, is urging women to talk to their GP or practice nurse about any concerns they have about screening.

She said, Cervical cancer is typically slow growing  it typically develops over 10 to 15 years  so it is important for women to continue to come for screening at regular intervals pre- and post-menopause. We know that for some women the screening test can be more uncomfortable after menopause, and this might put them off coming. However, there are things we can do to alleviate this. Wed ask these women to consult their GP on ways to make the test more comfortable for them."

Elsewhere, the final review of revisions to CervicalCheck are nearly completed.

The news was announced yesterday (January 18) by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, who has asked Dr Gabriel Scally to conduct a final progress review.

Minister Donnelly said, "Significant progress has been made in implementing Dr Scallys recommendations since his last progress review report in April 2020. Just 6 of the 170 actions arising now remain to be completed, and these are all in progress. I believe it is now timely and feasible to proceed with a final progress review, and Dr Scally has confirmed his availability to commence this work in January 2022.

"Id like to acknowledge Dr Scallys continued commitment to this important work, and my department looks forward to engaging with him and key stakeholders in completing this review in 2022."
The Finance Minister is welcoming the news that the Irish State is no longer the largest shareholder of Bank of Ireland.

He called the news "a very positive development" following the announcement today (January 19) that the State's ahres have fallen below 7%.

He said, "Due to the operation of our trading plan which is gradually selling the States shares into the market, our shareholding in Bank of Ireland has now fallen below 7%. This has resulted in the State no longer being the banks largest shareholder. This is a very positive development for both the Irish State and for Bank of Ireland.

"The Irish Government believes that banking is an activity that should be provided by the private sector and that taxpayer funds which were used to rescue the banks should be recovered and used for more productive purposes. As todays news shows, we continue to make progress in achieving this goal.

According to RTE, the taxpayer's stake has dipped from 7.97% to 6.93%, which is slightly behind the new largest shareholder, Blackrock, sitting at 6.95%.

CEO of Bank of Ireland, Francesca McDonagh, told RTE the ongoing sale process is "a positive one for Irish taxpayers, the Irish economy, and Bank of Ireland".

She said, "We welcome [the] momentum, and look forward to being the first Irish bank to return to full private ownership during this year."

The State will now turn focus to selling their stake in AIB, which stands at just over 70%.
Local News, Business & Finance

By Chris Boyle Published: January 19 2022

State to work with residents, community leaders and public officials to revitalize downtown areas.

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that Amityville and Riverhead will receive $10 million each in funding as the Long Island region winners of the fifth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). As part of DRI Round 5, each of the state's 10 regional economic development regions are being awarded $20 million, to make for a total state commitment of $200 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their post COVID-19 economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

"Ensuring local communities have the resources they need to thrive is critical to New York's economic resurgence," Governor Hochul said. "Amityville and Riverhead both play important roles in the overall economic health of Long Island and I have no doubt that with this this funding, they won't only recover from the impacts of COVID-19, but will flourish in the long term."

Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin said, "After a competitive awards process with dozens of applicants, I want to congratulate Amityville and Riverhead for winning $20 million as part of the fifth round of the state's transformative Downtown Revitalization Initiative. As we continue to build back from the COVID pandemic, this investment is going to provide a significant boost to the local economy, attract tourists and regional visitors, create jobs and improve quality of life for residents on Long Island."

Led by the Department of State, the DRI serves as a cornerstone of the State's economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that offer a high quality of life and attract redevelopment, businesses, jobs, and economic and housing diversity. In this round, Governor Hochul doubled funding from $100 million to $200 million and allowed each Regional Economic Development Council to decide whether to nominate two $10 million awardees or one $20 million awardee for transformative and catalytic downtown redevelopment projects. Like past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan through a bottom-up, community-based planning process that articulates a vision for the revitalization of its downtown and identifies a list of signature projects that have the potential to transform the downtown and leverage further private and public investments. DRI funds will then be awarded for selected projects that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and realize the community's vision for the downtown.

Amityville

With a downtown that is compact, walkable, and close to the train station, Amityville wants to make their downtown one of the premier destinations on Long Island defined by its unique waterfront culture and historic charm. Momentum is building in Amityville with multiple completed and ongoing projects, including a pedestrian and bike lane project, multiple residential developments, and multiple mixed-use developments. To build on this momentum, Amityville wants to revitalize their train station and its immediate surrounding area, increase pedestrian/bike access, and expand green space.

Riverhead

Riverhead's downtown is a compact, diverse, mixed-use neighborhood that the town aims to make vibrant and serve as a recreational, shopping, and tourist destination with the revitalized Peconic River waterfront as its focal point. Despite historical challenges for the downtown, Riverhead has stayed committed to its revitalization. With the momentum of completed and ongoing projects, including a new aquarium, the reopening of the Suffolk Theater, and multiple housing projects, Riverhead aims to increase public gathering space capitalizing on the Peconic River waterfront, create new pedestrian/bike access, and improve pedestrian/bike safety to create a critical mass of economic activity in the downtown for residents and tourists alike.

Using a competitive evaluation process, the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and comprehensive review of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all seven criteria below before recommending Amityville and Riverhead as the nominees:

The downtown should be compact, with well-defined boundaries;

The downtown is able to capitalize on prior or catalyze future private and public investment in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas;

There should be recent or impending job growth within, or in close proximity to the downtown that can attract workers to the downtown, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable;

The downtown must be an attractive and livable community for diverse populations of all ages, income, gender, identity, ability, mobility and cultural backgrounds;

The municipality should already embrace or have the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life, including the use of local land banks, modern zoning codes and parking standards, complete streets plans, energy efficient projects, green jobs, and transit-oriented development;

The municipality should have conducted an open and robust community engagement process resulting in a vision for downtown revitalization and a preliminary list of projects and initiatives that may be included in a DRI strategic investment plan;

The municipality has the local capacity to manage the DRI process; and

The municipality has identified transformative projects that will be ready for near-term implementation with an infusion of DRI funds.

Amityville and Riverhead now join Westbury, Hicksville, Central Islip and Baldwin, which were the Long Island Region's winners in the first four DRI rounds, respectively.

Amityville and Riverhead will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize their downtowns with up to $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million DRI grant. Local Planning Committees made up of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners. The Strategic Investment Plans will examine local assets and opportunities and identify economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with each community's vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation. The Strategic Investment Plans will guide the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that will advance the community's vision for its downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state's $10 million investment. Plans for the DRI's fifth round will be complete in 2022.

Senator John Brooks said, "In securing funds for these Downtown Revitalization Projects, Governor Hochul is once again demonstrating her commitment to Long Island. By providing real opportunity for the growth of commerce, culture, and economic stability for our towns and neighborhoods, the Governor is clearly prioritizing the needs of hard working families in gaining a stronger tomorrow. This is the very definition of good government and I applaud Governor Hochul for her efforts."

Senator Anthony Palumbo said, "Riverhead's application was truly outstanding and fully deserved to be selected. I am confident that Downtown Riverhead is fully ready for transformative economic redevelopment. I am committed to helping Riverhead accomplish our mutual downtown revitalization goals any way I can."

Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre said, "New York's Downtown Revitalization Initiative has become a key component to driving economic growth and transforming our downtown neighborhoods into vibrant communities that help our state move forward, and I am so thrilled that the Village of Amityville has been selected as a recipient of this critical funding. My heartfelt congratulations go to Amityville Village Mayor Dennis Siry, Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith and the entire Village Board of Trustees on this well-deserved award, and I would like to thank Governor Hochul, Lieutenant Governor Benjamin, and the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council for continuing to prioritize real, tangible investments into our local communities here on Long Island and across New York State."

Assemblymember Jodi Giglio said, "After serving on the Riverhead Town Board for 10 years under three administrations and being part of many downtown revitalization efforts, this is the necessary shot in the arm that Riverhead needs to reach the pinnacle in terms of successful downtown revitalization. I applaud Supervisor Aguiar and the Town Board's diligent efforts, working closely with the CDA, to take bold action to acquire the parcels necessary for the Town Square and already beginning the demolition process to knock down blighted buildings to make a clear view to the river. That was the start of great things to come for downtown."

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, "In Suffolk, our downtowns are the heart of our communities, and over the last few years, both Riverhead and Amityville have worked incredibly hard to reinvigorate their business districts and bring new life into their communities. Today's awards by Governor Hochul reinforce our ongoing revitalization efforts and will allow these two communities to push forward with truly transformative projects."

Riverhead Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said, "The Town of Riverhead wishes to express our sincere gratitude to Governor Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Benjamin for awarding a significant grant to create a New Town Square. The Governor and the Empire State Development Corporation saw our vision in our "Transformative, reimagining Riverhead" plan, and through this grant, the Vision will soon become a reality, thank you, Governor Hochul.

Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Shaffer said, "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is an essential part of economic development in New York State and I am delighted to hear that the Village of Amityville will be receiving funds to grow and transform their already vibrant downtown. Amityville is a beloved part of our community here in the Town of Babylon and I applaud Governor Hochul's efforts to support our local community. This money will undoubtedly help our local economy as we continue to recover from negative economic impacts imposed by the pandemic."

Amityville Mayor Dennis M. Siry said, "This $10 Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding will go a long way toward helping Amityville residents and businesses flourish by investing in infrastructure and creating more public spaces for all to enjoy. It is exciting time for the Village of Amityville, and I'm grateful for Governor Hochul's commitment to invest in this community."

Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Committee Members Linda Armyn and Dave Kapell said, "The LIREDC is proud to support Amityville and Riverhead through the fifth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The $10M investment into these downtown areas will strengthen their economic resilience, fuel their economic growth, and transform downtown Amityville and Riverhead into vibrant communities where people can live, work, and play."

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative launched in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State, the initiative represents an unprecedented and innovative plan-to-act strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation, bringing with it an interagency team of state experts to support local government capacity in realizing their community's vision.

In the first four years of the program, the state committed $400 million to invest in downtowns that are ripe for revitalization and have the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, greater economic and housing diversity, and opportunity. The fifth round of the DRI completed an additional $200 million commitment in 2021. Participating communities are nominated by the state's 10 Regional Economic Development Councils based on the downtown's potential for transformation. Each community is awarded at least $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community's vision for revitalization and leverage additional private and public investments.

Downtown redevelopment plays a critical role in the State's nation-leading efforts to support sustainable economic development, reverse climate change, and promote climate justice by creating walkable, bikeable and transit-accessible communities that significantly reduce automobile use and greenhouse gas emissions. The DRI also supports the State's Health Across All Policies/Age-Friendly NY initiative by creating more opportunities for outside recreation and exercise; offering safe, accessible public spaces for social interaction, which improves mental health; and expanding access to fresh, nutritious food, particularly in underserved communities.

The initiative is headed by New York State Department of State. Communities receive support from private sector experts and a team of state agency staff led by the Department of State in close partnership with Empire State Development, and state Homes and Community Renewal.
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(Alliance News) - Galliford Try Holdings PLC on Wednesday said it is trading in line with board expectations as it continued to make operational progress in the first half of its financial year.

The Uxbridge, England-based construction company said all of the group's projects are fully operational in line with the latest UK government and industry Covid guidelines.

Galliford Try said it is making "excellent progress" with the integration of the nmcn water businesses, acquired back in October. It said half-year results will include non-underlying costs related to the acquisition and integration.

Galliford bought the water businesses of nmcn PLC, including the specialist water process and control businesses Nomenca and Lintott, for GBP1.0 million cash, after nmcn fell into administration.

Galliford Try reported that its average month-end cash for the six months ended December 31 was GBP180 million. Its year to June 30 average month-end cash was GBP164 million.

Period-end cash at December 31 was GBP210 million, down from GBP211 million at the same time in 2020.

Galliford Try said recent project wins, including its share of the GBP7 billion Department for Education 2021 construction framework and a GBP56 million private rented sector scheme in Milton Keynes, had contributed to its GBP3.4 billion order book.

The company said it expects to announce its half-year results on March 3.

Shares in Galliford Try Holdings were down 1.0% at 177.00 pence on Wednesday morning in London.

By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Third Anniversary of Episode Six and HSBC's Partnership Shows the Power of Banks and Fintechs Working Together

PayMe, Hong Kong's leading e-wallet, uses Episode Six's payments platform

HSBC is an early-stage investor in Episode Six, which has raised US$40m of funding

HONG KONG / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2022 / Episode Six and HSBC are celebrating the third anniversary of a technology partnership that has played a role in helping PayMe from HSBC become Hong Kong's leading e-wallet provider and proven how Episode Six's platform, Tritium(R), can help banks quickly scale up products aimed at large customer bases and easily extend those products into new areas.

Since the partnership between PayMe and Episode Six started in 2018, PayMe's user base has grown to over 2.5 million, while the app has gained the largest share of all e-wallet peer-to-peer fund transfers in Hong Kong and consistently expanded its merchant network across sectors in the city. Tritium is the industry's most flexible and extensible technology of its kind with over 600 APIs and ready-to-launch product suites.

"The three-year milestone of our collaboration with Episode Six illustrates our dedication to nurture a strong ecosystem with the wider fintech community," said Catherine Zhou, Global Head of Ventures, Digital Innovation and Partnerships at HSBC. "Partnerships like this are key to drive innovation within financial services and shape how the future of banking will look. With PayMe, we have re-imagined digital payments, enabling our customers and merchants to transact seamlessly within an engaging digital platform. Episode Six enables banks, fintechs and the broader business community to design effective digital journeys with efficiency."

"We're proud to be working with HSBC and growing our partnership while advancing financial technology," said John Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of Episode Six. "Our platform is enabling traditional and digital first banks around the world to bring on-demand digital payment offerings to their customers, responding to the shifting needs of consumers and businesses globally. Our vision is for our extensible and adaptable platform architecture to empower all of our clients with unparalleled user-driven configurability to enable any payment transaction across any imaginable asset class, any time and in any way."

#1 social payments app

PayMe from HSBC has quickly become Hong Kong's most popular social payment app and a preferred channel for transferring money and connecting with friends and family since its launch in 2018. The roll-out of PayMe for Business, PayMe's business solution, followed in early 2019, offering businesses in the city a new way to conveniently collect digital payments from consumers and manage cash flow.

Episode Six gives banks, fintechs and brands the freedom to design and bring winning payment propositions to market with unmatched speed across any asset class. The company's clients include global, regional, and domestic banks, neobanks, fintechs and insurtechs around the world. These organizations are drawn to Episode Six's proven and high-performance technology, which can handle multiple thousands of transactions per second.

Tritium provides debit and credit wallet management, a native multi-asset ledger, payment processing and closed loop payment between merchants and consumers in one tech stack. By allowing HSBC to configure and reconfigure innovative payment offerings in real-time, the platform has supported PayMe's efforts to respond quickly to changing consumer needs and merchant demand and become the leading digital payments app in Hong Kong.

Alongside institutions including Mastercard, SBI Investment Co., Ltd., and Anthos Capital, HSBC is also an investor in Episode Six, which has raised US$40m of capital since its foundation in Hong Kong in 2015.

About Episode Six

Episode Six is a payments technology company that gives banks, fintechs and brands the freedom to design and bring to market leading digital payment propositions. It powers its clients' payments journeys with the most flexible and adaptable platform on the market today, providing highly configurable products with user-driven tools and technology to optimize competitive response and customer demand. Episode Six's platform, Tritium, and ledger enables the transfer of value of any kind - fiat currency, cryptocurrencies, brand value points, gold, and more. Episode Six operates globally across 24 countries with an expanding team located in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Brisbane. Investors include HSBC, Mastercard, SBI Investment Co., Ltd. and Anthos Capital. For more information, visit www.EpisodeSix.com or LinkedIn.

Media contact:

Heather ValleCaliber Corporate Advisersheather@calibercorporateadvisers.com(888) 550-6385 x 18

SOURCE: Episode Six
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Louisiana... Mississippi River At Red River Landing affecting West Feliciana, East Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee Parishes. For the Lower Mississippi River...including Red River Landing... Minor flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/lix. Click on the Rivers and Lakes menu for forecasts and observations. The next statement will be issued when updates are needed. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL SATURDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Mississippi River At Red River Landing. * WHEN...Until Saturday evening. * IMPACTS...At 48.0 feet, Access roads will be inundated and evacuation of all river islands must be complete. Protection of people and property in the river bottom land on the river side of the levees must be complete. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 12:00 PM CDT Tuesday the stage was 50.0 feet. - Forecast...The river will is expected to fall below flood stage Saturday afternoon. - Flood stage is 48.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 48.8 feet on 04/22/2014. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Jefferson, GA (30549)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The Socialist Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, while being a big fan of the European Union, has for many years complained about the way it actually works and has been calling for a shake up of the institution to make it leaner and meaner, and how the EU has functioned, or not, during the pandemic has further fuelled the debate.

Yes, the EU has slapped billions of euros of recovery euros on the table, from the initial outbreak, but it has been accused of having done very little to galvanise how the EU as a united front confronted the pandemic.

Vague guidelines were issued but member states were very much left to their own devices.

Now, however, Sanchez has a new pal who shares similar views in the EU and it comes in the form of the mighty Germany.

The Spanish and German governments share the opinion that the European Unions fiscal rules that set limits on public deficits and debt are too complex and hard to comply with, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday after meeting his German counterpart, the newly appointed Olaf Scholz.

Spain also made it clear early doors that it wanted to fill the void left in the EU by the departure of the UK as one the powerhouses in Europe.

Perhaps Sanchez, with just under two years until the next general elections, has decided to make his move.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Germany reported a record 112,323 new coronavirus cases today, after the health minister said the peak had not been reached yet and compulsory vaccination should be introduced by May.

Germany also recorded 239 deaths in the space of 24 hours, for a cumulative total of 116,081, the Robert Koch Institute for infectious disease said.

The Czech government is due to decide later today whether to retain mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in key professions and people over 60 as the daily tally of new coronavirus cases hit a record high. Polish state employees will move to remote working and private sector companies should follow suit as the country faces another surge in daily COVID-19 cases, which could soon top 50,000, the health minister said.

Switzerland will extend until the end of February coronavirus quarantine and work-from-home rules and plans to keep until the end of March other curbs on public life it tightened last month while trying to avoid another lockdown, the government said tpday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the end of COVID-19 measures introduced to curb the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in England as he looks to live with the virus after a peak in cases.

Britain was the first country to limit international travel over the Omicron variant, raising alarm bells about its mutations, and in December introduced work-at-home advice, more mask-wearing and vaccine passes to slow its spread.

India's new cases hit eight-month high India reported new coronavirus infections at an eight-month high today and a government scientist warned it will take weeks before data on hospitalisations and deaths will show how severe the latest wave driven by the Omicron variant will be. The federal authorities have said Omicron was causing fewer hospitalisations and deaths than the Delta variant, which killed hundreds of thousands last year.

Tokyo and a dozen regions covering half the population as the Omicron variant of coronavirus drove record new infections. Already in effect in three regions, the measures, set to run from Friday until Feb. 13, were made official by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after getting the sign-off from an expert panel earlier in the day.

China reported the lowest daily count of local confirmed COVID-19 infections in two weeks today after cities sealed up areas of virus risk, quarantined infections and conducted mass testing.

Mainland China reported a total of 55 domestically transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms for Tuesday, according to official data today, lower than 127 a day earlier and marking the fewest since Jan. 4.

Brazil reported a record 137,103 new cases in the past 24 hours as the Omicron variant spreads in the South American country, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday. The number of deaths has also risen, to 351 reported on Tuesday, the highest number since mid-November.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 47F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 47F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
The Democrats have one thing right about the issue of gun control  it truly is about exerting control over the public in a show of power.

The right to bear arms is deeply rooted in our nations history. Our Founding Fathers knew they were protecting the people against government tyranny when they created the Second Amendment, and even George Washington, our first president, fiercely defended this when he said, the Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to  prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.

The radical left-wing of our country today want you to believe that weapons like guns are inherently bad, but its been said before and Ill say it now: Guns dont kill people, people kill people.

Sadly, there have been many instances of a person being in possession of a firearm who has no business doing so. What unfortunately, but immediately, comes to mind is the tragedy that took place at Oxford High School, right here in Michigan, just last year. I know this is fresh and weighs heavy on all our minds, but these tragedies go hand in hand with gun issues.

The lives lost in Oxford came at the hands of an underage teenager who came into illegal possession of a gun. A string of irresponsible instances led to the fatal incident, which goes against the morals that every responsible gun-owning citizen abides by.

Rather than talk about taking every single gun out of the hands of law-abiding Americans, we need to support and bring awareness to responsible gun ownership.

For as many stories as there are about someone unlawfully possessing a gun and engaging in acts of violence, there are many more about how lawful gun ownership saved someones life.

During his time in office, President Barack Obama ordered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a study of the issue of guns. I imagine he was surprised when the study, published by National Academies' Institute of Medicine and National Research Council, revealed that guns were used in self-defense anywhere from 500,000 to 3 million times a year, which boils down to the fact that guns are used 16-100 times more often to save a life.

From a man using his concealed handgun to detain someone dangerously throwing concrete and metal pipes at cars on a passing interstate to an elderly man using his shotgun to ward off an armed home intruder, guns save lives when used and permitted properly by responsible citizens.

While unlawful, violent gun possession gets heavily publicized as well as politicized, the lawful use of a firearm to save lives rarely gets the same treatment.

The bottom line is simple: Taking away or restricting access to guns for permitted citizens will increase the activity of criminals who dont care about abiding by the law. As a nation of law and order, perhaps the Democrats should focus on those in illegal possession of weapons. As Republicans, we will continue defending the right to bear arms in the face of progressive opposition. Our lives may depend on it.
MANISTEE COUNTY  An incident that occurred in Manistee just over three years ago prompted a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court. Now the case is being settled, according to court documents filed on Tuesday.

The case alleges that a former Manistee County Sheriffs Office deputy who was also a court bailiff, arrested a protester in Manistee for not showing identification. Shaun Carpenter is the plaintiff in the case, and part of what his case alleges is that the arrest was unlawful and used excessive force.

Carpenter was a Manistee resident on Aug. 8, 2017 when he was arrested and later charged with three misdemeanor counts in Manistee County's 85th District Court that were later dismissed by the Manistee County Prosecutor's Office. The counts were disturbing the peace, assaulting/resisting/obstructing and possession of marijuana.

The U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan Southern Division case's defendants are former Manistee County Sheriffs Office deputy Blake Fitch and Manistee County.

According to U.S. District Court documents filed on Tuesday, the court had been notified of the parties' agreement to settle this matter in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE

Previous News Advocate reporting based on the complaint document showed the complaint had been filed on Nov. 21, 2018 and that Carpenter is seeking damages for a fractured tibia, pain and suffering, mental anguish, mental distress and loss of the enjoyment of life and social activities; fear, anxiety, depression; and special damages including medical expenses. He was also seeking "to recover reasonable costs and attorney's fees."

Court transcripts of Fitch's body camera and supplemental information state that Carpenter was protesting in front of the Vogue Theatre on River Street. He was asked to relocate his protesting and then Fitch responded to the situation.

Fitch first tried to identify Carpenter by asking for identification. Carpenter refused and at one point stated that I dont have a name for you? Am I violating law?

In the transcripts, Fitch said, Believe it or not, there is a Michigan law that you are required to identify yourself upon demand of a peace officer, OK? Im a peace officer, Im asking you to identify yourself. I gotta make sure youre not wanted for anything and stuff like that. So I need your name.

There is no state law compelling a person who is not driving a vehicle to present identification to law enforcement.

The case also alleges Manistee County played a part in the incident saying that it had a policy, practice and/or custom of arresting citizens who refused to provide identification to deputy sheriffs even when the arrested citizens were not being lawfully detained.

The case is in front of U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney, and on Oct. 8 the court gave an order that it had both granted and denied part of the cases claims. The order shows that the court granted count II and denied count I's in the case.

Count I alleges Carpenter was unlawfully arrested, that his first amendment right to peacefully protest against government action in a public place was violated and there was excessive force used during the arrest.

Count II alleges what is called a Monell violation by Manistee County. According to the court documents in part, a municipality can be held liable for an officers actions  when the officer violated the plaintiffs constitutional rights, and that violation resulted from an official municipal policy or custom.

In a previous interview with the News Advocate, Sheriff Brian Gutowski said that when he took office in 2020, he started publishing an annual use of force review document that details each use of force incident by the Manistee County Sheriffs Office. Those are available at the sheriff's office for public review. Also, any use of force incident by the sheriff's office is reported, then it is reviewed by a use of force instructor.

The U.S. District Court documents stated that dismissal papers, prepared for entry by Maloney, were ordered to be filed by March 1.

Attorneys representing Carpenter, Fitch and Manistee County did not respond to News Advocate messages seeking comment on the case.
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of Arkansas and Oklahoma, including the following counties, in Arkansas, Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Madison, Sebastian and Washington AR. In Oklahoma, Adair, Cherokee, Choctaw, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Haskell, Latimer, Le Flore, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pittsburg, Pushmataha, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington OK. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff will likely result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, especially in areas that have already received heavy rainfall over the past few days. Several main-stem rivers could go into flood. A few locations could see significant flash flooding. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A slowly moving upper low will move across the area Wednesday into early Thursday. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are likely with the potential for very heavy rainfall. Widespread 2 to 3 inches of rain is expected with locally higher amounts of 5 to 6 inches. The heavier rain will begin to shift east of far southeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas early Thursday afternoon. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&


Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan has finally returned to Instagram after a four-month-long break. He shared a commercial for an electronic brand on Instagram in which he features with wife Gauri Khan. The actor had not posted anything on his social media handles ever since their son Aryan Khan was arrested in a drugs case. In the TV commercial, Shah Rukh talks about success and how it reflects in everything you do. It also features his wife Gauri Khan. The delighted fans of the actor showered love on him in the comments section as they dropped heart emojis. One of them wrote, King is Back. Another wrote, Finally u are back A user added, Good to see SRKs post after so long. Love srk always View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk)

Shah Rukh Khan has been away from social media ever since his son Aryan Khan was arrested in the drugs on cruise case in October last year. He has maintained a low profile since then and has not made any public appearance. He was seen only at a virtual event of a car company with which he has been associated for a long time. He has also been missing from social media even though his wife Gauri and daughter Suhana often share posts. On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan has been working on Sidharth Anands Pathan that marks his return to the silver screen after the 2018 film Zero. The film also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in pivotal roles. However, no official announcement has been made regarding the film yet.




Attacking Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday said that Akhilesh is scared of fighting the state assembly polls.

The BJP in its very first list had announced that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will fight from saffron party's stronghold Gorakhpur Urban, but Akhilesh is scared of contesting the polls.

Talking to mediapersons at party headquarters in the national capital, Maurya, taking a swipe at Akhilesh, said a person, who has been trying to put his sticker on the work done by the BJP government, is scared of contesting polls.

Akhilesh is not having the courage to contest from the constituency in the state where he claims of development works done by his government.

In a big blow to the SP, Aparna Yadav, married to Akhilesh's brother, joined the BJP earlier in the day.

Taking a potshot at SP chief on the development, Maurya said Akhilesh had failed on all fronts, be it family, as a chief minister or as a Member of Parliament.

Earlier, Maurya tweeted in hindi, "Akhilesh is scared of contesting assemply elections. He took so long to choose a place to contest from. He is scared of contesting from the land of development. Akhilesh ji, first tell me which place was developed most during 2012 to 2017. You cannot compete the development done by the BJP."

On January 15, the BJP, while releasing the first list of candidates, had announced candidature of Adityanath and Maurya from Gorakhpur Urban and Sirathu constituencies respectively.
Meadville, PA (16335)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 54F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 54F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
It is a known piece of flying rumour that superstars Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt were always linked up in the media. Their on-screen chemistry was reportedly translating into a romance off-screen as well. While the two never expressed anything, a lot of Bollywood insiders claimed that the actors were more than just friends.



 YouTube

In 1993, after a lot was being written about their alleged affair, Sanjay Dutt had to actually apologise to Madhuri after the news of an affair was making headlines constantly. In an interview, he mentioned what happened.



This story broke out around the time of Saajan. In fact, when the story broke out in the press, she was shooting for Khel in Kenya. So, when we had a schedule of Saajan after that, I went up and said sorry to her. Because she was under public scrutiny for no fault of her own. She took it well. Addressing the rumours around them getting married, he had said, There has to be something in between us for me to marry her.

However, according to a report in DNA, his first wife knew that the two were dating and she even mentioned how being dumped would shatter him. At every point in his life, he needs someone he can lean on emotionally. Like he was dependent on Madhuri. Now that she has ditched him, he is going to be a shattered man."

 YouTube

Later in an interview, when reports of Madhuri ignoring him started doing the rounds, the actor brushed it off. I didn't get affected by her statement. I have been her colleague and I have done a lot of films with her. See, I need to establish a proper rapport with all my co-stars, it may be Madhuri or Sridevi. For instance, during the first few days of Gumraah I wasn't comfortable, because you know how Sridevi is. She is aloof and I had to get talking to her. So what Madhuri said didn't bother me that much, in fact it didn't bother me at all, he said. The actors have obviously moved on and the two shared screen space in Kalank in 2019.



Source: TOI
(SPOILER ALERT)



It's superhero season, alright!

If you liked watching Tom Holland's Spider-Man: No Way Home, you can only be excited for what's coming next.

There's Benedict Cumberbatch's Dr. Strange 2: Multiverse of Madness, with the movie already rumoured to bring back some crazy superheroes like a new Iron Man, Wolverine, X-Men, and even Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man.

 Marvel Studios

Now, while this is still centred around Marvel or the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), you'll be excited to know that's its stepbrother (they sure bicker like them) Sony Pictures has its own plans with the Spider-Man universe.



Yep! While Tom Holland's Spider-Man will rightfully still be with the MCU, there's a lot of talk about Andrew Garfield's Amazing Spider-Man.

 Sony Pictures

I mean, after No Way Home, the Andrew Garfield fandom has really multiplied like crazy!



His heartwarming performance as The Amazing Spider-Man in No Way Home left fans with a feeling that they want more of him.

This, eventually, led to a social media uproar on how Sony should now revamp their cancelled TASM 3 film.

Well, Andrew himself has been stating that he would be interested to come back as Spider-Man if the right project pops up.

As per reports, there is already a lot of buzz around it with Sony actually looking to bring Andrew back. But how? That's been the real question.

However, it looks like Andrew himself might have confirmed where he'd want to make his much-anticipated comeback.

The Tick, Tick... Boom! star had been speaking on a recent podcast, where he spoke on his return in much detail.

In terms of moving forward with the character, I am definitely open to that. It would have to be something very unique, very special, and of service to the audience and the character. I think theres something playful and unique and odd and unexpected to be done. Im not sure it is, but if we can figure it out, that would be so much fun. said Andrew.

However, what came out next would be something very exciting for you.

Andrew was asked about the possibility of him actually coming back opposite Tom Hardy's Venom, and the actor, instead of denying the request, actually hinted positively about it.

 Sony Pictures

Thats a cool idea, he said.



Now, we know how good Andrew is at keeping secrets, don't we?

Earlier, Sony had already hinted at the idea of there being a possible Spider-Man Vs Venom movie. And guessing by what's been happening with both Marvel and Sony, this might be a big possibility.

Get excited, you lot. You're in for a roller coaster ride!

Source: The Illuminerdi
For a long time, society has kept coming up with different barometers to determine the worth of a man.

Sometimes, its their profession that makes men important, sometimes, its their wealth, and often times the lack of melanin in their skin makes them more appealing. But far too often, a mans physical attributes seem the easiest to target.

While women have begun to find appreciation in all shapes and sizes, its not always been the same for men.

A physically domineering man is seen as an alpha, whereas a shorter lad is considered a beta. Traditionally, its always been the taller and more muscular man whos considered to be superior to the rest.

While the entire concept of the alpha-male is quite ridiculous - an ill-informed piece of research that became a marketing gimmick - the impact of such a standard has unfortunately been far too real.

But its 2022. And thankfully, more and more people are waking up to this scam and weve some celebrities to thank for it.

While most of them may not be overtly public and honest about their heights like Tom Holland, their superstardom has gone a long way to show that times are changing and that theres never been a better time to be a short guy:

1. Tom Holland

 Reuters

Standing a decent 58 tall, the Spiderman: Far From Home star has been doing the festival rounds with his towering co-star and girlfriend, Zendaya, by his side.



Both Tom and Zendaya have been vocal about the ludicrous standards surrounding mens heights, where the man is always expected to be taller than the partner. Good for them!

2. Allu Arjun

 Allu Arjun

Allu Arjun has always been a superstar, but Pushpa: The Rise has increased his pan-India appeal.



He carried the entire film on his shoulders, and at no moment did you care about the fact that the stylish star is reportedly 56.

3. Salman Khan

 Twitter/ANI

In a TV interview, Sushmita Sen had shared a nugget from the sets of Biwi No. 1.



Reportedly, Salman Khan asked Sushmita why she wasnt wearing her heels for the scene when the 59 actress replied that Director, David Dhawan, wanted her to wear flats so that she wont tower over the 56 Salman Khan.

To which, Sallu Bhai confidently encouraged her to wear the heels as he wasnt insecure about a woman towering over him.

Honestly, were a little surprised by this take coming from the Sultan star.

4. Shahrukh Khan

 Twitter/ANI

57 - The man whos stolen the hearts of millions across the world, Shah Rukh Khan is undoubtedly the poster-child for men who are comfortable in their own skin.



He might be 57, but the shade of his superstardom can dwarf anyone whos in a room with him.

5. Shahid Kapoor

 Shahid Kapoor

Apart from playing problematic characters like Kabir Singh from time to time, Shahid Kapoor is actually a fairly charismatic actor.



The national heartbreaker is 57, but his fans dont seem to mind that one bit.

6. Saif Ali Khan

 Twitter/ANI

Saifus versatility is one of his greatest strengths, and as an actor, he has an incredible range. Perhaps it may have something to do with his 57 build being easier to frame and shoot.



7. Aamir Khan

 Twitter/ANI

55 - Indias 'Mr Perfectionist' has delivered hits after hits in his long and fabled Bollywood career.



Whether it be as Sahir, the villain in Dhoom 3, or Siddharth Marathe, the scrappy protagonist from Ghulam, Aamir Khan has unequivocally captured the audiences attention without them ever questioning his 55 frame.

8. Ram Charan

 BCCL

Ram Charan will soon be seen in Rajmoulis epic RRR as the freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju.



The film has gratuitous action sequences and not once does the 58 star look out of place amidst all that tension and drama.

So, its time to throw all your insecurities about your height out of the window. Theres no better way to be an attractive and confident man than to be comfortable in your skin.

Disclaimer: Do note, all these heights are ball-park figures as different platforms record their numbers differently. Perhaps it may have something to do with short men being afraid to reveal the actual measurements, in case theyre seen and treated differently by their audiences.
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
With less than one month for polling, political activities in the five poll-bound states Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur have intensified. As the Election Commission has imposed a ban on physical rallies, political parties are now exploring hybrid modes to reach out to voters.

The decision came after the BJP CEC meeting was held in Delhi with Union Ministers Amit Shah, Anurag Thakur, UP CM Yogi Adityanth, BJP national chief JP Nadda, and other leaders.

According to a report by ANI, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold small gatherings and it will be broadcast live through social media platforms as part of their campaign.
DCHS Indoor Guard and Winds preview is Saturday

The Daviess County High School Indoor Guard and Winds are hosting a season preview at 4 p.m. Saturday, January 22, at College View Middle School, 5061 New Hartford Road.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m., and the program admission is $10.

The 2022 Preview Event will feature groups from Apollo, Daviess County, Edmonson County and Ohio County high schools.

Daviess County is also hosting the annual Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Indoor Competition on February 12 at the high school, 4255 New Hartford Road. Start time will be announced at a later date as the schedule is confirmed. Admission is $10. The SCGC contest will showcase 30 performing groups from Kentucky and Tennessee.

For more information, contact DCPS Band director Nathan Clark at nathan.clark@daviess.kyschools.us.

Man charged for firing shotgun during standoff

A Daviess County man was charged with endangering the lives of sheriffs deputies after a Monday night standoff.

Daviess County Sheriffs Department reports say deputies were called to the 5000 block of Jones Road at 5 p.m. Monday to respond to an armed man making suicidal statements. Reports say deputies made contact with Timothy S. Spellman, 56, who lives at the address, who was intoxicated and armed with multiple weapons.

Reports say while deputies were talking, Spellman fired a shotgun at the rear door of the residence and then barricaded himself inside. After three hours, deputies and Kentucky State Police troopers entered the house. Spellman fought with law enforcement before being arrested.

Spellman was charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment (police officer), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, third-degree assault (police officer) and resisting arrest. Spellman also had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Georgia, reports say.

After being examined at the hospital, Spellman was incarcerated in the Daviess County Detention Center.

Senior center closes due to COVID-19

The Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County, 1650 W. Second St., will be closed to the public through the remainder of the week due to a staffing shortage caused by COVID illnesses.

The centers Meals on Wheels program has also been suspended due to the number of senior center staffers who are ill.

At the beginning of the week we had one person sick, and by the end of the week we had six people sick, Becky Barnhart, executive director of the center, said Tuesday. With a small team, that really makes

an impact.

Barnhart said that while the center will remain closed through Friday, January 21, she is hoping to resume Meals on Wheels deliveries Thursday.

Initially closed last week, Barnhart said staffers were able to continue delivering meals, but eventually there were not enough healthy staff members to continue.

We actually closed last week, on Tuesday we closed the center Wednesday through Friday, but we were still delivering meals, Barnhart said. It was just a matter of staffing and having enough people, and we didnt have it last week.

While every county in Kentucky is in the COVID-19 red zone, Barnhart said closing the senior center had nothing to do with the overall statistics of the virus in the community.

We have stayed open ever since the county went back into the red zone, we have stayed open and required masks and temp checks and increased our cleaning and sanitizing, but when it started impacting staff, that is when we felt like we didnt really have a choice, she said.

Meals on Wheels will be reevaluated Wednesday.

Assuming we have enough healthy people that can deliver the meals, then we will get them started as soon as we can, Barnhart said. That is a critical service that we provide, so we dont want it to be shut down for very long.
The Board of Smartpay is pleased to provide the following trading update following the completion of the third quarter to 31 December 2021 of the 2022 Financial Year.

Australia

The bounce back effect on transactional volumes and revenues, as a result of trading restrictions easing in New South Wales and Victoria, continued throughout November and December. Australian Acquiring revenues grew strongly through the third quarter FY22 and resulted in $3.54 million of Australian Acquiring revenue in December  a record month for the business contributing to an 81% increase compared to the same quarter FY21.Transacting terminals increased to 8,883 with the bulk of the increase, compared to October, coming from newly acquired customers. Approximately 180 terminals of the lockdown impacted fleet are yet to return to transacting or have subsequently ceased trading.Gross Margin per transacting terminal increased through the quarter as we realised additional scale benefit from improved transactional processing costs and improved average revenue per customer. Our targeted customer acquisition efforts continue to yield improving business metrics, with average monthly transaction value per terminal increasing by 14% year on year. We continue to see strong uptake of our higher revenue proposition, SmartCharge, now at 75% of our fleet profile.

Monthly customer cancellations are maintaining at FY22 levels, approximately 1.2% of our transacting fleet, with the majority associated to business closures.Total Transaction Value increased by 78% year on year.

New Zealand

New Zealand revenue contribution showed monthly improvement as trading restrictions eased into the Christmas period. Customer churn rates have not increased from pre-lockdown periods.

Outlook

The return to near normal trading conditions in Q3 FY22 in Australia and New Zealand, coupled with our ongoing growth in Australian acquiring customers, delivered a very strong Q3 result across all reported metrics. Whilst the challenges associated to the Omicron outbreak in Australia has led to some disruption for our customers early in 2022 we anticipate another positive quarter in Q4 and a strong finish to the 2022 Financial Year.

Please see the links below for details

Trading Update

Source: Smartpay Holdings Limited

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HARTFORD  Sen. Rand Paul said his office is working with Ohio County residents affected by last months tornado, and that he will assist county governments effort to get storm debris out of the streams leading to Rough River.

Paul, a Bowling Green Republican, met Tuesday morning with Ohio County homeowners who suffered losses from the December tornadoes. Paul was also scheduled to speak with people who lost homes in Muhlenberg County and to meet with utility workers in Clay County.

Paul spoke with reporters at the Ohio County Community Center. Paul said part of Tuesdays visit was to hear about whats working and whats not working in the disaster response.

Storm debris is causing flooding on Rough River, Paul and Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston said.

Rough River is backed up, and some of the concern is that some of that could be from debris from the storm, Paul said. So, we talked with (Johnston) about talking with the Corps (of Engineers) to make sure we can get the streams clear of debris, so we dont have flooding problems as spring comes.

Paul said his office will help people who have claims for assistance denied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Well work on the FEMA appeals process, Paul said.

After Pauls comments, Johnston said he has been pleased with the federal disaster response.

Our congressman and both our senators reached out and asked what we needed, and we said we needed FEMA, Johnston said. People who had their claims denied will be reviewed.

Early on, most of the FEMA claims were being approved, Paul said. Theres been some evidence now of some of them being denied. Its a learning process figuring out what FEMA covers and what is doesnt cover.

Clearing out storm debris from waterways is a concern, Johnston said.

Our waterways are all stopped up with debris, he said. We have the Corps of Engineers coming in ... and then we have to go to someone for the funding to get it done.

The funding would likely come from a federal agency like the National Resources Conservation Service, Johnston said.

Paul said there is a role for private charities in the response.

Over $20 million has been raised with private charity, and one of the people with our group said, well, where is that money?  Paul said. We are going to organize a list of all the different charities, with a description of what they are giving money for and how to contact them. Its great the people give all this money, but half the battle is figuring out how people can get access to it.

Paul said if a person has a FEMA claim denied because their request is not covered, his office will work with them to figure out if theres a private charity out there that might help them as well.

Paul said the people he has met are thankful for the level of the disaster response.

People are appreciative the most that the debris has been cleared up and the roads are passable, and thats no small feat, he said.

James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse

FEMA CLAIMS

People who have received a claim denial letter from FEMA can appeal by mailing or faxing an appeal letter and supporting documents to FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 0055, Hyattsville, MD, 20782-7055. The fax number is 800-827-8112.

For questions about a denial letter, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.
It will be some weeks until my birthday, my dead of winter birthday, but I think about it differently than I used to. I never liked my February birthday, but something a friend said this time last year intrigued me, and I have been mulling it over since.

She, too, has a winter birthday, and she also hated it as a kid. I thought my February celebration in Kentucky was drab and cold and overcast. She grew up in western New York, so she has me beat, with snow and ice and slush, and bare branches against the sky. No cookouts for her, either, or swim parties or park picnics.

Perhaps my siblings didnt have swim parties, either, what with their summer birthdays, but there were cookouts, there were picnics. I know because I ate the hotdogs. I licked the salt from my fingers before and after scrounging around in a big bag of Lays. And I never forgot, and nursed the resentment, that in seven months we will gather inside, after dark on a cold day for my birthday and presents, but it will be over in a twinkling because tomorrow is a school day.

My friend likes her winter birthday now, likes the dormant world, the cold, the early nightfall that wraps around her, creating the space for contemplation, quiet and simple pleasures: warmth on a frigid night, good bread, a book, rest.

Well, put like that, I began to see the merits. It changed my whole attitude. I have used the weeks after the holidays to do the things there is never time for in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I go to bed early, not to sleep, necessarily, but to read and dream, and check my phone for pictures of the new babies in the family.

At first I thought I would celebrate Old Christmas, Epiphany, as a way to keep the Christmas spirit going. But lets face it, except for a few pockets of people holding on to the old ways, and except for the Anglicans among us, there isnt much to recommend it. Now, the Tudors knew how to throw a 12-day party, but even they were exhausted at the end of it and werent seen again until the streams ran high.

I think my friend was talking about the idea of wintering. It should occur after the New Year and last until just before the birds begin to wake us up. Here in the Ohio River Valley, that should be sometime in mid-March. Wintering should include sleep, quality sleep with a favorite blankie, something I have only just discovered. It may take some doing to find your perfect wrap, but it is important, and I dont recommend you rush it. Wintering requires soups, and something in the oven, and coffee brewed in fancy ways. A French press, perhaps, or a Chemex, an item so beautiful it is displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art.

The Chemex coffee pot  can we call it a pot?  was designed in 1941 by a chemist and inventor, Peter Schlumbohm, and it is part Bauhaus chic, part chemistry lab equipment, and the coffee it renders is as clean and glorious as its design.

Like the French press, it takes some time to get your brew, and on a gray winter morning it is reassuring, the tiny tinkerings that engage us, the waiting. It cracks the world, just a little bit, takes us to that soft place in the middle distance where we float for a while as we wait, never reeling too far out, but far enough to slow our breathing. Such resting and waking, the symmetry of that.

My time is my own now, and I have the luxury of letting a day take me where it will. This isnt the way for everyone. Or myself, for a long, long time. Then I was always thinking months ahead, begrudging the boredom of the cold, the damp, the snow that came or didnt come, messing with every plan I had made. I spent chunks of my year in suspended animation, waiting for the clearing of the weather, the clearing of my calendar, for the arrival of spring and birds, the pale greening that signaled the true new year.

Now I think of late winter, of January, February, as the quiet quickening of all newness. The gray a blanket to crawl under and keep warm until I can warm myself. The snow, the rain and a roof, an invitation to sit still and wonder. And to rest.
When I was growing up, words like courage, integrity, honesty and public service meant something. After four years of President Trump, it appears that lying, cheating, stealing, cowardice and insurrection against the U.S. democracy have absolutely no consequence to being a Republican leader.
BJP has been desperately trying to create a bogey of Khalistan for the last one year, and by implication alienating the Sikh community.

by Tanvir Ur Rehman

Sikhs face a harsh combination of political, religious, economic, and social persecution in India. Anti-Sikh sentiments and Hindu nationalism have been part of the landscape for decades, yet, as USCIRF recently observed, conditions have deteriorated in recent years. Sikhs, like other religious minorities in India, now face challenges ranging from acts of violence or intimidation, to the loss of political power, increasing feelings of disenfranchisement, and limits on access to education, housing, and employment.

Sikhs have history of purge/ subjugation in India & have never been trusted after 1984, when thousands of Sikhs were burnt to death, their properties were looted and their women had been raped by Hindus. 8 days long Operation Blue Star (OBS) still haunts Sikh community.

OBS was an official beginning of a systematic purge of the Sikhs community in India. Over 100,000 Sikhs (mostly youth) were killed in the next four years (till 1988) while over 25,000 victims were left crippled for the whole of their lives. Over 20,000 Sikh families migrated out of India (mostly in Canada, USA and UK) after this event as they felt India does not own them and they were alien in their land.

One of the most important events related to OBS is Mutiny of 9th battalion of the Sikh Regiment that started from Bihar and spread as far as Rajasthan and over 2600 Sikh soldiers were killed by Indian Police and Army; their bodies were not handed over to their relatives. Sikh Soldiers are under constant surveillance in the Indian Air Force, Army, and Indian Navy for years to come after this incident. Sikh community strongly believes that assassination of PM Indira Gandhi after OBS was planned to provide a justification to purge the Sikh community all over India.

In 2020, this persecution was most visible in the crackdown against Sikh farmers who protested the governments policy of agricultural deregulation. State-sponsored media distorted economic & social struggle attached to the bills, labeling Sikh farmers terrorists and spreading false narratives about Sikhs in India and abroad. Winning over Farm laws has actually created unseen problems for Sikh community. Having failed to pacify farmers protests, despite use of excessive force, the BJP government was forced to repeal controversial farm laws. The repealing of laws seriously affected invincibility of PM Modi thus increasing challenges for BJP.

BJPs submission to farmers has not been liked by Sanghis. Therefore, they are using extra-constitutional means to cause sacrilege of their sacred religious places to hurt the sentiment of Sikhs. BJP considers Sikhs as main proponent of their failure, hence Sikhs are facing wrath of BJP which is likely to intensify until they are marginalized. Reputational hurt to PM Modi due to protracted farmers movement is non- digestible, hence Modi will take revenge using multi-pronged strategy to politically engineer elections, discredit Sikhs in information domain, use judicial lever for forging cases against prominent Sikhs and farmers movement leaders. On the pretext of Khalistan separatism, Modi is planning to use security forces to break the will of those having dissenting views with the center.

He is also mobilizing Godi Media for the political advantage of BJP. Concerted political efforts and a TV media campaign is launched to name, shame, blame and demonize the entire Sikh community, holding it responsible for allegedly targeting the PM. Neo-nationalist members/ supporters of BJP launched vicious noholdsbarred campaign labelling entire Sikh community as Khalistani terrorists and threatening a repeat of the 1984 riots. Not only veiled handles on Twitter have been used for posting hate messages against Sikh community, but even genuine Facebook and a few verified Twitter accounts were also actively participating.

The breach of PMs security created an opportunity for BJP that could not be missed; a new political theme  Khalistani plot to target a strong PM  has been created for the upcoming elections. While knowing clear defeat in Punjab assembly polls, BJP has also requested the Election Commission to postpone the date of Punjab elections. BJP is trying to mess up the law and order situation in Punjab to delay state elections because political turmoil in Punjab will give BJP time to manipulate / forge alliances, thereby undermining farmers and Sikhs.

BJPs highhandedness would not restrict to Punjab; it will target Sikhs diaspora abroad. Modi is also trying to influence foreign governments against prominent NGOs working for the cause of Sikhs and minorities. Indian Intelligence agencies also desire to create fear in minds of Sikhs inland & abroad to suppress their voices on Human Rights & Khalistan issue. The Indian government is trying to create chaos in Punjab to marginalize Sikhs; creating space for their Hindutva policies. Sikh youth is of the view that the repealing of farm laws was an eyewash for electoral gains. Sikhs understand the intent of the Modi government and the Hindutva mindset.

BJP has been desperately trying to create a bogey of Khalistan for the last one year, and by implication alienating the Sikh community. BJP govt made an attempt to connect Sikh Community at large with security lapses of Modi in Punjab. Sikh community should remain vigilant to the evil designs of Modi and RSS as they are trying to build traps around them.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2022

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Believe in Michigan: Supporting Small Businesses

Michiganders celebrate why they believe in Michigan through video series leading up to Governor Whitmer's State of the State address

LANSING, Mich. - Leading up to the Governor's State of the State address, Gov. Whitmer's team set out to hear from Michiganders across the state on why they believe in Michigan. We'll share their thoughts each day leading up to the address in a video series.

"Small businesses form the backbone of our economy and are cornerstones of so many communities across our state," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "As we usher in a new era of prosperity for Michigan, I am committed to ensuring small businesses can thrive. Countless small business owners like Ali work hard every day to invest in their communities and create good-paying jobs. Together, we will help our innovative, entrepreneurial small business owners thrive and continue growing Michigan's economy."

Meet Ali Rose VanOverbeke, owner of Genusee, a small business making eyewear in Flint, Michigan from recycled plastic water bottles as a result of the Flint Water Crisis.

"I want my state government to focus on supporting more small businesses, providing more aid, more guidance, more relief," said Ali Rose VanOverbeke, owner of Genusee. "Because we're still in a pandemic, it's still hard for so many of us and we need more support so we can support and take even better care of our employees."

When asked why she believes in Michigan, VanOverbeke said, "I'm most excited about a future that's inclusive and creates more access for individuals to become entrepreneurs. I most believe in the state of Michigan simply because of the people. The community here is hardworking and knows how to persevere regardless of our circumstances."

Governor Whitmer's Focus on Small Businesses

Through COVID, the state implemented 23 economic relief programs for businesses, supporting more than 25,000 companies and retaining more than 200,000 jobs. Now, Governor Whitmer is dedicated to helping small businesses navigate existing programs and services available to help them recover and thrive for years to come.

Recently, the governor laid out a $2.1 billion proposal to grow Michigan's middle class, support small businesses, and invest in communities by tackling several underlying issues. As Michigan's economic jumpstart continues, bolstered by a strong GDP, and a historic surplus, Governor Whitmer's proposals will tackle underlying issues faced by small businesses and take advantage of the massive influx of federal resources Michigan has received to deliver meaningful change that makes a real difference for small businesses and Michigan workers.

Additional signature accomplishments under Whitmer's administration include:

Ushered in 7.6% GDP growth , the best in the Midwest in Q1 of 2021 and 8.3% GDP growth , best in the Midwest again and third-best nationwide in Q2.

Took Michigan from a projected $3 billion deficit to a $3.5 billion surplus.

Launched 23 economic relief programs providing over $240 million in vital economic support to small businesses across all 83 Michigan counties. The programs supported over 25,000 companies and retained over 200,000 jobs with nearly 75% of support going to restaurants, bars, retailers and other service industry small businesses.

Saved 52,500 jobs by providing grants to 6,000 small businesses.

Provided $100 million through the Small Business Restart Program to help restaurants and other place-based businesses cover costs by providing grants up to $20,000 for mortgage, rent, taxes, payroll and other operating expenses.

Set up free virtual job fairs connecting over 2,600 employers and 9,900 job seekers.

Additional highlights of Whitmer's efforts to support small businesses can be found online.

Visit the 2022 State of the State page for videos and more.

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Port Austin's Lighthouse Cafe may not be new itself, but everything else will be new soon, with a new name and look thanks to new ownership.

The seasonal restaurant along Spring Street in the heart of Port Austin was recently bought by Colby Briggs and his wife Alex. He is a Bad Axe native who currently lives in the West Palm Springs area of Florida and plans on renaming the restaurant Anna B's when it opens this spring.

A 1999 graduate of Bad Axe Public Schools, Briggs moved to West Palm Beach right out of high school to attend culinary school He became a private chef while still in school, which he has been doing for the past 22 years.

Briggs said his grandparents owned a restaurant in Bad Axe for 30 years and he grew up in the restaurant business, which is why he went to culinary school.

"It's in my blood," Briggs said. "All I ever wanted to do was cook."

Briggs has been married to his wife Alex, his business partner in this new venture, for 10 years. They have an 8-year-old daughter, Anna, who the restaurant will be named after.

In his time as a private chef, Briggs would work for one super-wealthy family at a time. He has also worked as an estate manager for wealthy people, managing staff, the house, and everything else for a family.

Anna B's will not be Briggs' first foray into the restaurant industry. He previously owned a place called J'Colby's in Covington, Kentucky, which is across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. He ran the full-service restaurant from 2005 to 2008, selling breakfast, lunch, and dinner items.

"I wanted to come back to the Thumb and be part of the community again," Briggs said as he and Alex were looking for investment opportunities. "I wanted to have another restaurant and bring my culinary skills back to the place where it started."

The Briggs' also looked at buying a bed and breakfast in Caseville and at places in North Carolina and Arkansas before seeing the Lighthouse Cafe was listed. It checked all the boxes for them.

"I want to show my daughter the way I grew up," Briggs said, adding that he liked the slower pace of life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. "I want to teach her the benefits and values of living here."

The previous owners, John and Carol Budry, owned the restaurant for 20 years before announcing the new owners Jan. 12.

Anna B's will still be a cafe when it opens this spring, with breakfast and lunch offerings. Briggs plans on offering preordered carry out options for locals and tourists, like ribs, briskets, pulled pork, and fried chicken for people to take back to their cottages.

"Next year, it will be full-service with breakfast, lunch, and dinner," Briggs said. "The goals is to expand the restaurant to the hill behind it. The house there, that will be the restaurant so everyone can have a lakefront view."

Briggs plans on putting his own culinary twist on some other local favorites. Everything will be made from scratch and with local ingredients where possible, from farmer's markets, local beef and pork farmers, and even an egg farmer in Pigeon.

"Everything I can buy local will be local to support the community," Briggs said.

The interior dining room area will be completely remodeled, featuring new tables, chairs, flooring, and seating for 40 people. The kitchen will be expanded and a patio will be added for outdoor dining, accommodating 40 seats.

Briggs would like to have Anna B's open from April through November for this year, with plans to be open year-round the following.

"I'm looking forward to becoming part of the community," Briggs said. "The only way I feel any business survives in a small seasonal town is working with and supporting each other."
ARES activates as fire destroys 1,000 Colorado homes ARRL report Amateur Radio Emergency Services (BCARES) volunteers turned out on December 30, 2021 as the devastating Marshall Fire roared through Superior and (portions of) Louisville, Colorado



The ARRL say:



Intense winds whipped a grass fire south of Boulder near Marshall into a massive firestorm that became too large and fierce for firefighters to battle.



The only battle was evacuation, as the towns of Louisville and Superior and [the] northern suburbs of Denver lay in the fires wind-driven path, said Amateur TV (ATV) enthusiast and dealer Jim Andrews, KH6HTV, of Boulder. Andrews said the only thing limiting the fires spread was the fact that the winds diminished by that evening.



By that time, hundreds of homes had burned down, Andrews said, whose own house among them. This was not a typical forest fire, but an urban firestorm. Thousands of people were evacuated.



BCARES Board of Directors Chairman and Region 1, District 3 Emergency Coordinator Allen Bishop, K0ARK, said that a request from the Boulder Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to activate the emergency operations center (EOC) is what initiated the ARES activation. At that time, staffing was initiated with the activation of the BCARES Radio Network, with three BCARES members assigned to the EOC, Bishop said. The BCARES Net was promptly activated.



ARES volunteers supported communication at evacuation sites and established emergency communication as commercial power failures and preventive shutdowns by utilities caused a loss of commercial communication. Within about 8 hours, Bishop said, battery back-up systems for cell phones and landlines failed, and 911 services went down.



To facilitate a restoration of these emergency services, BCARES activated the Mountain Emergency Radio Network (MERN), Bishop said. Established in 2010, MERN consists of repeaters installed at fire stations in Gold Hill and Allenspark, at community centers in Nederland and Raymond, and the privately owned Airlink Repeater. These repeaters provided the emergency communication links that facilitated the restoration of 911 communications back to the dispatch center for the duration of the power outages, Bishop explained. The Allenspark Neighbors Emergency Network (ANEN) and Airlink (Alternate Access Radio Network) participated.



Read the full ARRL story at

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/ares-activates-as-wind-driven-year-end-fire-destroys-1-000-colorado-homes


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Peter Lumaj, a controversial Fairfield conservative who failed early in the 2018 race for governor, has joined a small field of Republicans who want to challenge U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal this year.

The Albanian-born Lumaj, who failed to generate enough support in the 2018 Republican State Convention to qualify for a primary, made the announcement Tuesday with an email from his Lumaj for U.S. Senate site.

In early 2018, Lumaj tried to position himself as the most-conservative in a large field of Republican hopefuls for governor, including then-Mayor Mark Boughton, of Danbury, who won the party endorsement, but lost to Bob Stefanowski, of Madison, in the primary.

In 2018, Lumaj purported to be an immigration lawyer with an office on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, N.Y., but a Hearst Connecticut Media Group investigation revealed his 2007 master of law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law did not allow him to practice immigration law in most states outside of the District of Columbia.

In a recent interview on Fox, Lumaj was portrayed as a Republican lawyer and strategist who charged that the country is on a dangerous track to become Socialist.

You cant establish socialism without force  its a transition between capitalism and complete communism, Lumaj said during the Jan. 10 appearance.

This is what Democrats are fighting for, he said. You talk about Democratic socialism. Its a misnomer. It doesnt exist. You cannot establish socialism without force. You need force to do that. That is a transition between capitalism and complete communism. And without the force, you cannot establish some sort of Democratic socialism that they are calling that it is all about command and control. The government wants to have complete command and control over the population and the means of production. And that is what they are fighting for.

Lumaj filed his intention to run with the Federal Election Commission in late-November of last year.

Lumaj has faced multiple rejections from fellow state Republicans, who turned down his 2012 bid to seek a U.S. Senate seat, choosing Linda McMahon, who was defeated by Chris Murphy. In 2014, he was the Republican candidate for secretary of the state, but was defeated by Democrat Denise Merrill.

The FEC reported on Tuesday that Lumajs campaign had no financial data to report.

Other Republican candidates on file with the FEC to challenge Blumenthal include John J. Flynn, of Norwalk, and Robert Hyde, who listed his address as a post office box in Canton. The FEC reported on Tuesday that Blumenthal has $6.9 million on hand for his reelection campaign, while Hyde had $128.20 on hand at the end of 2021, while Flynn had $3,375 in November 2020.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
Writer/director Mike Mills turbulent new family melodrama delves into the trials and tribulations of parenthood, encompassing its inherent joys and overwhelming responsibilities, including choosing between self-interest and caring for a child.

Living in a small Chinatown apartment, Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) is a New York radio journalist heading a small team of interviewers who travel around the country asking young people probing questions about their aspirations, what they think of the world around them, their uncertainties and what needs to change.

When his estranged sister Viv (Gaby Hoffman) must cope with a mental health crisis involving her bipolar husband (Scoot McNairy), Johnny flies to Los Angeles to care for Jesse (Woody Norman), her imaginative, precociously perceptive nine-year-old son.

Having absorbed Vivs self-help exercises and vocabulary, vulnerable Jesse has been taught to express his feelings openly, leading to insightful cross-generational communication.

The bittersweet plot revolves around the transformation that happens when Johnny, whos single and has no children, steps into the avuncular role.

Inspired by his own parenting experiences with filmmaker Miranda July (Kajillionaire), Mike Mills shot the script in sequence, working with Irish cinematographer Robbie Ryan to film in luminous black-and-white, tracing how Johnny and Jesse bond, with music by Bryce and Aaron Dessner of The National.

Previously in Beginners, Mills explored his poignant relationship with his father who came out late in life, and in 20th Century Women he recalled his mother and sister who raised him.

Bearded and considerably heavier than he was as the Oscar-winning Joker, Joaquin Phoenix delivers a quiet, gently thoughtful, emotionally satisfying performance, while British newcomer Woody Norman masters an authentic American accent.

FYI: One of the young people interviewed is Devante D-Man Bryant, a 9 year-old who was later killed in a shooting and to whom the film is dedicated.

On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, Cmon Cmon is a sensitive, stylistic, soft-spoken 7, streaming on Prime Video.

Susan Granger has been an on-air television and radio commentator and entertainment critic for more than 25 years. Raised in Hollywood, Granger appeared as a child actress in movies with Abbott & Costello, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, and Lassie. She currently resides in Westport.
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NEW HAVEN  Attorneys representing the New Haven police union and the city have submitted arguments for and against vacating a decision upholding the firing of former Officer Jason Santiago, who was found to have used excessive force during a December 2019 arrest, as a court case on the issue continues.

Santiago, dismissed by the Board of Police Commissioners through a 4-2 vote, struck a man, allegedly kicked him in the groin while he was handcuffed on the ground and then pulled the man to his feet by his long braids. His firing was upheld by state arbiters in June.

In a Jan. 4 brief, attorney Norm Pattis, representing Santiago and Elm City Local, argued the arbitration panels decision upholding Santiagos firing should be vacated.

Pattis cited the changed testimony of Officer David Acosta, the departments use of force trainer, and a purported familial relationship between a member of the arbitration panel and a sponsor of the states recent police accountability bill, as enough to prompt the change.

Acosta found during the departments internal investigation that the strike was justified, but the alleged kick and hair-pulling were not. While speaking before arbitrators, he said he could not speak to the appropriateness of the kick without a better understanding of Santiagos perspective and that the hair-pulling could be considered justified if it was not bearing the mans weight, Pattis said.

Pattis contended that, given Acostas changed stance, the city did not have just cause to fire Santiago in the first place.

A second expert, attorney Eric Daigle, testified at arbitration that none of the three uses of force was justified.

Pattis characterized Daigles testimony as after-acquired evidence. Given that, he said, while it was legally proferred to the panel, the situation was at least uncommon and potentially improper.

Pattis said after-acquired evidence usually is used to determine liability, not the facts at hand, noting he could not find another similar instance in which it was relied on in this fashion. He also suggested that Daigles testimony was compelled by financial interest.

As part of his brief, Pattis questioned whether the firing was justified, suggesting that Santiago was made a scapegoat to defuse tension in the city following the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.

The impact of this termination ... (reflects) a lack of leadership at the highest levels of New Havens politics that will, in the end, cost the life or lives of officers and potentially citizens involved in the often tense and rapidly evolving crises that take place all too often on the citys streets, Pattis said in his brief. On the record considered by the City and examined by the panel, there simply was no justification other than political expediency for the firing.

Pattis sought for Santiago to be reinstated, if it were found that Daigles testimony was improper, or for the decision to be sent back to arbitration if a conflict of interest were determined.

In a Jan. 14 response, attorney Floyd Dugas said the city was permitted to proffer Daigles thoughts under state regulation, noting that the statute governing the Board of Mediation and Arbitration allows parties involved to offer such evidence as they desire, with the panel having the power to weight it as it chooses.

He said Daigles testimony was, regardless, not after-acquired evidence  it was an expert opinion on the previously-established evidence at hand in the case.

Dugas also argued the potential link between an arbitrator and an unspecified relative of their spouse was too nebulous to firmly establish evident partiality, as required under past precedent for vacating such decisions.

He noted that all three members of the arbitration panel voted to uphold Santiagos termination, although one is appointed to represent the interests of labor, another to represent the interest of management, and one to be neutral, and clearly considered the specific question at hand regarding whether there was just cause.

The court is not permitted to reconsider the entirety of the matter at hand, Dugas said, as allowing that level of discretion would invalidate the purpose of arbitration.

(An) application to vacate is not a de novo review or second bite of the apple. Courts are not permitted to substitute their judgement over that of the arbitrators appointed to decide these very issues. If a court could freely substitute its judgement as to whether the just-cause standard was met, the goals of arbitration would be entirely frustrated, said Dugas. Unless one of the limited bases for vacating an award is established, an application to vacate must be denied.

Santiago was arrested and charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace in connection with the matter. He pleaded not guilty to both charges; the case is set to go to trial, according to court records.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  Five middle school students hospitalized Friday after eating a a candy bar containing THC at school have been released from the hospital, Mayor Justin Elicker said.

Justin Harmon, spokesman for the school district, said New Haven police and the state Department of Children and Families are investigating. He said the district does not currently intend to make any changes to its policies or staff training, but that could certainly change as we learn more.

The Bishop Woods Architecture & Design Magnet school seventh-graders, between 12 and 13 years old, ate the candy bar at school and began to display lethargy and some vomited, officials said at the time. Packaging for the candy indicated it was purchased with THC as an ingredient; Elicker said one of the students brought the candy bar to school and shared it with the others.

Last Fridays incident was very concerning, Elicker said in a statement Tuesday. Our childrens safety and health are our highest priority. The police are investigating the incident to determine how the student who brought in and distributed the THC obtained it and to determine what legal action or discipline will be necessary.

Elicker said that, as cannabis becomes more accessible in the state after it was legalized for adult possession on July 1, 2021, families and our school system will need to have more conversations about safety and be more vigilant.

William Carbone, executive director of justice programs and the Tow Youth Justice Institute at the University of New Haven, said he believes more vigilance from adults will be required in the future now that the drug has been legalized for adult possession.

We used to have a rule with my own kids when they go out trick-or-treating: if something came back in the bag that was not wrapped or looked like it was tampered with, you throw it right out, he said. The same kind of approach needs to be taken by kids in school if they are offered something like this.

Some advocates of marijuana legalization and regulation agree.

Childrens exposure to cannabis products  particularly edibles  a lot of that, we believe, stems from a lack of education in terms of educating parents on how to best protect their kids from marijuana products they may have around the house, said DeVaughn Ward, senior legislative counsel for the Marijuana Policy Project.

Ward said he believes that, as marijuana becomes more commonplace in the state, state agencies should run public education campaigns so that incidents such as the one at Bishop Woods cannot happen again. The statute signed by Gov. Ned Lamont allocates a portion of revenue from all marijuana sales to state agencies  including the Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. He said some of that funding should support public awareness campaigns.

Ward pointed to other components of the statute he believes can prevent illness in young people from THC, such as the cannabis products being required to be packaged individually with 5 milligrams of THC or less per serving; and that cannabis products being required to not resemble non-cannabis products on the market. However, Ward said he believes these measures most likely would be effective for an adolescent population.

Once you get to teenagers, that to me is when we talk about locking your cannabis products away, he said, likening it to a liquor cabinet.

Carbone said the issue also raises questions about criminality.

The question is what kind of care are the parents going to have to be responsible for? he said. What if parents leave it in a place where kids can get easy access to it? What should be the penalties for something like that? Were just putting our foot in the water on this issue right now in Connecticut, but perhaps we can learn something from other states that have done this.

Ward said he does not know of any silver bullet solutions to the issue. He said potential criminal charges could range from reckless endangerment to a felony charge of risk of injury to a minor.

Its important to note no one has died. There havent been any instances of a child overdosing on cannabis, he said. The severe effects are seizures and lethargy, but no one has died.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
Despite Connecticut families losing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal COVID aid since September, state governments revenues have swelled to record levels, according to a report released Tuesday.

Increasing income, sales and corporation tax receipts have state finances finishing more than $2.2 billion in the black this fiscal year  a whopping cushion approaching 10 percent of the entire budget.

That growth also has effectively wiped out any projected shortfall after the next gubernatorial election, when state government also will be weaned off federal pandemic relief.

The consensus projections from budget analysts for the Executive and Legislative branches give Gov. Ned Lamont and incumbent legislators great flexibility to cut taxes as they campaign for re-election, but its also sparking increased calls for more services for some hit hardest by the pandemic.

Finance co-chairman: Help regular citizens

I do think that the topic of conversation this session should be: What is the most effective way to help middle and working class families as we deal with year three of COVID, said Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, who co-chairs the legislatures Finance Committee and is exploring a campaign for state comptroller. The economy by many metrics is doing well  but we have an economy right now that is working more for Wall Street than for Main Street.

The latest report bears out Scanlons point.

Analysts project state taxes alone will generate nearly $18.5 billion this fiscal year. Thats $600 million more than Lamont and legislators were counting on when they adopted a new state budget last spring, and a big reason  along with surging federal grants and frugal spending during the pandemic  that the General Fund will spend $1.3 billion less than it takes in this year.

The rest of the $2.2 billion surplus involves a special savings program created in 2017 that limits how much income tax revenue tied to investment earnings  a source that fluctuates greatly  can go into the General Fund.

This volatility adjustment, which accounts for the rest of this years surplus, has been the most robust revenue engine for the state since 2019  and has grown considerably even since the coronavirus first struck Connecticut in March 2020.

And the good news continues in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, when analysts forecast another $1.9 billion surplus  nearly $1.2 billion in the traditional budget combined with more than $700 million in excess income tax receipts from investment earnings.

But while the states coffers are overflowing, many households have lost ground.

Federal unemployment benefits, which added $300 per week on top of state jobless benefits to hundreds of thousands of households, expired in early September. State labor officials said this federal aid was worth more than $70 million per week, and close to $300 million per month, to Connecticut households last summer.

An expansion of the federal income taxs child tax credit, which added $1,000 to $1,600 per child for thousands of Connecticut families, ended in December.

Scanlon is one of several officials who already have proposed state tax cuts in the coming year to help low- and middle-income households.

The Guilford lawmaker wants a $600-per-child credit within the state income tax for households making $200,000 per year or less. To ensure poor households  which often owe little or no state income taxes  still could benefit, Scanlon also proposed making 70% of the credit refundable.

Lamont has said he will propose expanding the property tax credit, another income tax provision aimed at working class families.

GOP lawmaker: Reduce pension debt further

Minority Republicans in the Senate want to temporarily roll the state sales tax back from 6.35% to 5.99% and suspend the 1% surcharge on restaurant food and other prepared meals.

Sen. Henri Martin of Bristol, ranking GOP senator on the Finance Committee, said providing some modest tax relief is important, but officials also must continue dedicating most of this projected surplus to reduce Connecticuts massive pension debt.

Because the states rainy day fund, which holds $3.1 billion, already is at its legal maximum at 15% of annual operating costs, any projected surplus not spent on programs or use to fund tax relief would be used to pay down pension debt.

The state has nearly $41 billion in unfunded pension obligations stemming from more than seven decades of inadequate savings, and analysts project this will continue to place pressure on other programs in the budget well into the 2040s.

I think we stay steady, Martin said. I think it would be too premature to make any type of significant changes.

We should not view that [revenue growth] as an excuse to forgo the good fiscal discipline that helped get us here, added Rep. Holly Cheeseman of East Lyme, ranking House Republican on the Finance Committee.

Melissa McCaw, Lamonts budget director, also was cautiously optimistic Tuesday, noting that state finances for this fiscal year and next combined are supported, in part, with more than $1.75 billion in federal coronavirus aid.

The surging state revenues give us the ability to reduce this reliance on one-time revenues from the federal government, making progress, albeit not fully, towards a structurally balanced budget  Connecticut has made significant strides to improve its financial standing in the last five years.

Those significant strides are expected to continue for at least a few more years, according to the latest report.

State ready for end of pandemic aid

The 2023-24 fiscal year  when federal pandemic relief will have expired  sounds far off, but its not.

That fiscal year begins in July 2023, and the winners of this Novembers gubernatorial and legislative elections will have to begin working on that budget 13 months from now.

Analysts now project state finances for 2023-24 have a built-in hole of $520 million. But that doesnt include another $680 million they expect to be captured by the volatility adjustment. Those funds, plus the $3.1 billion in the states rainy day fund, would enable the next governor and legislature to easily manage state finances even without lost federal pandemic relief.

And with that problem well in hand, a leader of the legislatures budget-writing committee said its time for Connecticut to bolster some services for its most vulnerable.

Private nonprofit agencies, which provide the bulk of state-sponsored social services, say demand for their programs has surged by 68 percent since the pandemic began.

The CT Community Nonprofit Alliance, which represents hundreds of these agencies, estimates that after more than a decade of minimum growth in state funding, the industry loses $461 million per year.

Sen. Cathy Osten, co-chairwoman of the legislatures Appropriations Committee, joined the alliance Tuesday in calling for annual increases in funding over the next five years to close this gap, arguing the state can easily afford to help those who serve the disabled, people struggling with mental illness, and others in need.

We have always said we valued our nonprofits and we need to show that value, not just by thanking them, Osten said. We have to start funding the services at a level that allows them to more than exist but to treat their clients with the respect that we expect them to.
Frustrations are growing among some Connecticut landlords who say they are waiting for months to get paid through the states rental assistance program aimed to help tenants struggling during the COVID pandemic.

These frustrations mean that as landlords wait for payments, some are increasingly unwilling to participate in the UniteCT program, which advocates say negatively impacts tenants who are behind on rent. After hitting its peak in the fall, the program has decreased its number of staff and is slowing down again.

Processing for fully completed applications may take up to 60 days, according to a notice on the UniteCT website earlier this month.

The biggest thing is not just the money, its the uncertainty of whether its going to get paid, said Mark McWilliams, a full-time landlord who manages close to 25 properties in Colchester, East Haddam, Norwich, Plainfield and Thompson.

Eviction filings have been on an upward trend, and lapse of time cases have also increased in recent months.

The lapse of time cases, which occur when leases expire and landlords dont renew, have more than doubled from 763 between August and December 2019 to 1,723 between August and December 2021, according to data from the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

Pamela Heller, a staff attorney at the center, said part of the reason for the increase may be because landlords want to avoid participating in UniteCT. Evictions require case numbers with UniteCT to be filed until next month when Gov. Ned Lamonts executive order expires.

State Department of Housing spokesperson Aaron Turner pointed to the programs payment statistics  more than $200 million in payments have been made to more than 7,000 landlords to cover the rents of more than 30,000 households since March 2021 when the program launched.

The program allows up to $15,000 in rental assistance per household.

Each case is different, and there are many variables that come into play, including whether the applications were in fact complete from both the tenant and the landlord, Turner said.

The federally funded program aimed to prevent a wave of evictions for people who were financially impacted by the pandemic. Connecticut received two rounds of money.

In the first round of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Connecticut received $235.9 million. The states total allocated for round two was $186.6 million. Some of that federal money went toward administrative costs.

McWilliams said hes had a handful of tenants apply for the program. In one case, a tenant applied who was seven months behind on rent. The cases processing took months, and by the time it was paid, the tenant was 14 months behind on rent, he said.

UniteCT pays up to a year of rent, so he wasnt able to recoup the last two months, he said.

Turner said in McWilliams case, four of his six applications were paid within 30 days of the state receiving all the necessary documentation. The other two need more information from the landlord, he said.

We have and continue to reach out to every tenant/landlord that has started an application, but has not completed that application every week, via email, Turner said. Applicants are provided information on how to log into the UniteCT system, and to update/complete their application.

McWilliams isnt alone in his frustration.

Oz Pariser, a landlord with 56 units, said he has pending applications from August and September that havent been paid.

It kind of in spirit, in theory, its a good idea, providing all this funding for people to pay their rent, but in reality, its not effective, Pariser said. Its a nightmare.

Hes had to cut into his personal income to make ends meet while he awaits payments. So has McWilliams, he said.

Ive lucked out in the sense that it hasnt actually cut into being able to support the property, but theres far less as far as basically the salary that I take from my business, so Ive had to cut back personally, Pariser said. If it continues this way, it will cut into the bills and we will have to find different ways to support the property.

Turner also said there were landlords who were pleased with the program, including Jamie Perna, director of operations at the Housing Authority for the City of Stamford.

Perna said the housing authority has had about 80 tenants apply for funding, and although the program was slow at the start, its since picked up. Some residents are still applying even though they are back to work because they have reduced hours or pay compared to before the pandemic, advocates said.

Early on, the program saw delays because of technical problems as the state set up its web portal and designed a system to distribute the money.

Weve just been grateful for the program, and I know the residents have been grateful, Perna said. Theyre just appreciative of the help.

October estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that just over 45,000 Connecticut residents said they were not confident they were going to make next months rent. More than 69,000 said they were only slightly confident.

Housing advocates said theyve seen the effects on tenants whose landlords are unwilling to participate in the program.

Applications are taking a long time, said Nancy Hronek, a staff attorney with Greater Hartford Legal Aid. There are a tremendous number of people applying. Im not as concerned about a delay if both sides are participating and working together, the delay is maybe a problem but its again, the bigger problem is a landlord refusing to participate.

Virginia Spell, interim executive director of the Urban League of Southern Connecticut, said she noticed the issue as well in recent weeks.

Were really concerned about some of the landlords that are very impatient and want to be made whole, Spell said.

The tenants are frustrated, theyre in a place where they cant make a payment, she said. Its tough on both sides.
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In October, news reports highlighted the presence of U.S. special operators in Taiwan, training their local counterparts on the skills necessary to fend off a Chinese invasion.

But this is nothing new. Indeed, U.S. special-operations units have been working in scores of countries for decades, teaching local units how to become better fighters and win conflicts.

This military diplomacy strengthens U.S. presence worldwide and creates valuable alliances and partnerships that can be leveraged in a time of need.

The roughly 70,000 members and supporting troops attached to U.S. Special Operations Command and its more secretive subunit Joint Special Operations Command have global responsibilities and can conduct a wide range of mission sets.

An Army Ranger platoon may conduct a direct-action operation to take down an Al Qaeda target in Iraq. A Marine Raider team may do a strategic-reconnaissance mission to observe an Al Shabaab outpost in Kenya and gather intelligence. Army Green Berets may conduct an unconventional-warfare operation by linking up with local guerrillas to take on Taliban fighters.

But one of the least known but most promising mission sets in the U.S. Special Operations Command's arsenal is foreign internal defense.

Teaching others how to fight

An instructor explains patrol procedures to soldiers with the 3rd Iraqi Special Operations Force during foreign internal defense training in central Iraq, Aug. 19, 2019. (CJTF-OIR photo by Staff Sgt. Rory Featherston)

The Department of Defense defines foreign internal defense as civilian and military agencies of one government participating in any "action programs taken by another government or other designated organization to free and protect its society from subversion, lawlessness, and insurgency."

"Foreign internal defense is one of the important tools in our toolbox, and that is why we place so much focus on it," a Green Beret assigned to a National Guard unit told Insider.

When conducting foreign internal defense, special operators link up with foreign military forces and train them, the idea being that it's easier and a better use of resources to teach a foreign force to fight for itself.

"There is a specific reason why the Q course leans heavily on the foreign internal defense skill set," the Green Beret added, referring to the Special Forces Qualification Course.

Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School participating in the Psychological Operations Qualification Course speak with indigenous role players during training at Camp Mackall, North Carolina June 16, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens)

"On top of the tactical component, we learn how to transmit knowledge very well. This is where the cultural and linguist training" that Green Berets receive "really shines," the Green Beret said. "I may think I am the best SUT [small-unit tactics] instructor out there, but if I can't transmit that knowledge succinctly and effectively, then I am no real instructor."

When U.S. trainers speak the language and know the customs of the host-nation force, "then it is way easier to bond with him and make him understand what you are teaching," the Green Beret added.

With the instruction provided through foreign internal defense, US special operators can reduce or eliminate the assistance partner forces would need in the event of a conflict.

That instruction can range from basic small-unit tactics to advanced close-quarters battle, among many other skills, "but the goal is always to enable [host nation] forces to conduct their own unilateral operations. If we don't have that end-goal in mind, then we will be there forever," said the National Guard Green Beret.

Building long-term relationships

Foreign internal defense is also about building long-term relationships with foreign militaries or even specific units.

"FID can establish and refine capabilities. It is a very diverse mission set that can address different needs and truly be a force-multiplier. In many ways, FID is the first line of defense," a former Army Special Forces officer told Insider.

"FID also has an interesting evolutionary aspect," the former officer said. "We can go in a country and establish a special-operations or conventional unit and go back there a few years later and train them up on a specific insertion capability," such as combat diving or free-fall parachuting.

"In a lot of ways, FID never ends, and we often end up building successful longterm partnerships with some units," said the former officer, who like the National Guard Green Beret was not authorized to speak to the press. "But we get something out of it too. Years or decades after, when we revisit X country, they are now experienced, and they get to teach us stuff too. FID can be a mutually beneficial arrangement that increases our experience and combat effectiveness in the long-term."

Although foreign internal defense is a specialty of Army Green Berets, the intense operational demand created by the global war on terror forced other units -- which were competing for deployment opportunities and funding -- to put more emphasis on that mission set.

Even the most elite special-mission units, such as Delta Force and the unit formerly known as SEAL Team 6, have had to do foreign internal defense on occasion as a way to get missions.

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate.
Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society member detects Tonga volcano

How the huge volcanic eruption in Tonga was picked up by Amateur Radio enthusiasts in Harborough, Leicestershire  over 10,000 miles away



The Harborough Mail newspaper reports:



Stunned Peter Rivers G4XEX, 67, secretary of Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society, told the Harborough Mail: It was absolutely incredible."



This is maybe a once in a decade event  if that."



There was a sharp sudden spike as the pressure wave from the volcanic eruption in Tonga passed over us here in Market Harborough."



It sped to us here in the town at about 7.10pm on Saturday night, said Peter, a retired geologist.

That was about 14 and a half hours after the volcano erupted.



The shock wave had travelled about 10,200 miles at a speed of just over 700mph.



I just thought wow!"



Read the full story at

https://www.harboroughmail.co.uk/news/environment/how-the-huge-volcanic-eruption-in-tonga-was-picked-up-by-amateur-radio-enthusiasts-in-harborough-over-10000-miles-away-3532570



What is Amateur Radio?

http://www.essexham.co.uk/what-is-amateur-radio



Free UK amateur radio Online Training course

https://essexham.co.uk/train/foundation-online/
The Marine Corps has announced another policy change in its effort to reshape the service by 2030: Officers will now be allowed to opt out of promotion boards in an effort to give them a chance to pursue less traditional career paths.

An administrative message released Wednesday announced that eligible officers will be able to opt out of major, lieutenant colonel and colonel promotion boards in the 2024 fiscal year.

The message says that Marines who are in-zone or above-zone for promotion, but who previously were not eligible to be promoted, are able to opt out, giving them an extra year to hit career milestones.

Read Next: Rise in Troops Choosing to Keep Serving Countered Fall in Recruiting During the Pandemic, Study Finds

The Talent Management 2030 Plan, released in November 2021, explained that the Corps' current, rigid promotion model leads officers to be "disincentivized from pursuing unconventional career experiences or education that may yield long-term benefits, but which takes them off track for key billets."

The goal, at the time, was to create an "opt-out option [that] would enable Marines to pursue opportunities otherwise deemed too 'risky' including extended educational programs."

Officers who want to take advantage of the new plan must "not have previously failed selection for promotion to the grade requesting exclusion;" be within height and weight standards; and have "no outstanding investigations, pending legal matters, or in-grade adverse material," according to the message.

The policy noted that some examples of these now-incentivized experiences include foreign professional military education, congressional fellowships, and tours with industry. Marines are also encouraged to become full-time graduate students or Olmsted scholars.

The deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, currently Lt. Gen. David Ottignon, will make the final decision on all opt-out requests.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the identity of the deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: The Corps' New Plan Aims to Treat Marines 'Like Human Beings Instead of Inventory'
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden largely has rallied European allies to pledge as one that they will take tough measures against Russia if it rolls troops into Ukraine. But when it comes to what exactly the United States and Europe are willing to do, the allies haven't looked as united.

Militarily, for example, the United States, Turkey and Britain have stood out for supplying or agreeing to supply anti-tank missiles, armed drones, naval warships and other weapons, along with money to help Ukraine build its defenses. A British military flight taking weapons to Ukraine on Monday flew around German airspace rather than taking the most direct route through it, although German officials suggested Wednesday the issue was their paperwork requirement for such overflights rather than any allied dispute over arming Ukraine.

While Biden has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of economic consequences like none he's ever seen if Russia invades Ukraine, some major European allies have demonstrated less enthusiasm for huge economic penalties, which could damage some European economies or put in jeopardy the Russian natural gas Europeans need to stay warm this winter.

During weeks of intense diplomacy, Russian leaders have dismissed the allies' pledge of a united stand against Russia. In reality, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted, its the U.S. calling the shots.

And if talk of unity and the promises of repercussions have made Putin think twice, he's not showing it.

Russia has sent some 100,000 troops toward the Ukrainian border, and U.S. officials said Tuesday they believed Russia was capable of launching an attack. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was making a hastily planned trip to Ukraine and Germany ahead of talks with Lavrov in Geneva on Friday.

On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron gave one of the first public signals of a potential split on the European-U.S. united front on Russia.

In a speech in Strasbourg, France, Macron pointedly called for a sweeping European proposal building a new security order on the continent, to deal with Russia.

We will ensure that Europes voice is heard," Macron said. France had been an early skeptic of U.S. warnings on Russian moves toward Ukraine, and it was unclear if Macron's call would rally other allies.

Top officials believe Putin has tried to divide the 27-nation bloc, the United States and NATO  which also has 21 EU members  with his security demands.

The United States didnt play their game, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said last week. Russia wanted to divide us. They failed.

At least in words, the lining up of Europeans behind U.S. leadership marked a foreign policy success for the Biden administration after it led global allies in a withdrawal from Afghanistan with damaging results.

U.S. work nailing down European commitments against Russia if it invades will continue, said Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat who traveled with Republican and Democratic senators to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders last weekend.

Right now there seems to be slightly greater interest coming from the United States on implementing tough multilateral sanctions than from Europe, Murphy told reporters Monday. That's somewhat stunning to me, given the territorial integrity of Europe, not the United States, is at stake."

In October and November, France, Germany and some others in the EU questioned U.S. warnings that Russia's military buildup near Ukraine could signal an imminent invasion. France and Germany initially opposed activating NATO's crisis response planning system. They relented, and it was activated Nov. 30.

U.S. allies now seem determined to prove theyre in lock-step with Biden. Publicly, there's virtually no dissent from the pledges of tough action.

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would likely trigger the immediate bolstering of defenses of NATO members close to Russias borders, like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. NATO already has about 5,000 troops and equipment deployed in those countries. The presence of NATO members along Russia's borders already is one of Putin's central complaints against the West.

Countries in southeast Europe  Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, in particular  are also being sounded out about their willingness to potentially host a NATO battle group of around 1,000 troops and equipment in the Black Sea region.

There is a number of nations that are interested then in hosting those forces, Admiral Rob Bauer, the head of NATOs military committee, said last week.

Since it's not a member of NATO, Ukraine can expect no military help from the alliance as an organization if Russia invades.

Among the European Union and individual European governments, the rhetoric matches that from the White House and Americans: Russia would incur enormous costs of an economic and political nature if Putin sent his forces across the border into Ukraine.

No leaders are publicly discussing the precise nature of possible sanctions, saying it would be a mistake to show their hand. The EU has a track record of slapping sanctions on Russia in unison with the U.S., the U.K, Canada and other allies.

The most talked-about actions include banning Russia from the SWIFT banking system that handles the flow of money around the world and imposing sanctions on Putin's family, his military and political circles and Russian banks.

The British government has lined up firmly behind the tough U.S. line on Ukraine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week to back wide-ranging economic sanctions should Russia invade, Johnsons office said.

But there are questions about how much economic pain Britain is willing to inflict on Londons financial district and property market, which are hubs for Russian money. U.K. banks and financial authorities have long been accused of turning a blind eye to ill-gotten gains.

After France emerged as one of the initial skeptics of the U.S. warnings over Russia's troop buildup, the government minister for European affairs, Clement Beaune, recently said France is ready to support sanctions against Russia if needed. He did not elaborate.

Germany, the largest economy in Europe, holds one of the greatest pieces of economic leverage over Russia  a newly built pipeline, Nord Stream 2, that would deliver Russian natural gas directly to Germany and beyond.

Germanys foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said Monday that her country will do everything to guarantee the security of Ukraine.

Any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regime  economic, political and strategic, she said. And were very serious about this.

But Germany's government has given mixed signals, and no definitive public word, on whether it would keep the pipeline offline if Russia sends troops into Ukraine. That's left Blinken to give assurances in Germany's stead, saying it would be difficult to see gas flowing if Russia invades.

___

Lorne Cook reported from Brussels. Frank Jordans and Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jill Lawless in London, Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, and Sylvie Corbet in Paris, contributed to this report.
Between 1966 and 1969, the United States was increasingly engaged in South Vietnam, but a few thousands miles away, U.S. troops were still fighting in the previous war. On the Korean Peninsula, North Korea was becoming increasingly bold, firing on American soldiers.

Sporadic engagements with the North had occurred along the DMZ since the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War. This time was different, however, as North Korean attacks began to involve thousands of U.S. troops. It was the closest North and South Korea came to another Korean War.

With U.S. military strength redeployed to Vietnam, North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung wanted to become such an annoyance that the United States would give up protecting South Korea. North Korea ambushed American units along the border and even infiltrated South Korea in an attempt to kill the president of South Korea at the Blue House, the presidential residence.

Then, on Jan. 23, 1968, North Korea seized the USS Pueblo, an unarmed U.S. Navy surveillance ship operating in international waters. North Korean gunboats, torpedo boats and MiG-21 fighters chased down the Pueblo, killing one sailor and capturing 82 others. The officers and crew of the Pueblo were held and tortured for 11 months. They underwent physical and mental therapy after their release.

Kim Il-Sung's plan completely backfired. Not only did the capture of the Pueblo draw international ire for the North Korean regime, the American military increased its presence on the Korean Peninsula.

As his administration attempted to negotiate for the release of the Pueblo crew, President Lyndon B. Johnson sent six aircraft carriers to Korea, along with massive reserve reinforcements and sent $100 million in military aid to upgrade South Korea's armed forces. But Johnson wanted to avoid another war in Korea, as the U.S. military was stretched thin in Vietnam and elsewhere.

Just days after the Pueblo was captured, the massive Tet Offensive began. North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong soldiers launched a series of coordinated attacks all over South Vietnam. Most of the assaults on American and South Vietnamese positions either failed or were retaken quickly, but communist holdouts lingered for months after. The city of Hue would not be recaptured until March 1968.

The United States admitted the Pueblo intruded into North Korean territory, but only to secure the release of the Pueblo sailors. After their release in December 1968 and to this day, the U.S. government still maintains the ship was in international waters.

In 2017, President Donald Trump added North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism. The move allowed surviving Pueblo sailors and the families of the deceased to sue North Korea under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. They were awarded $2.3 billion in 2021, the largest amount awarded in a state-sponsored terrorism case -- but no one knows how they will actually receive compensation.

The USS Pueblo, first launched in 1945, is still commissioned as an active ship in the U.S. Navy. The only older ship is the Revolutionary War-era USS Constitution. The Pueblo is currently moored on the Taedong River in Pyongyang, part of North Korea's Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum.

Watch the actual information video shown aboard the Pueblo in North Korea below:

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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The Red Sox announced that Taylor Cole has been signed to a minor league contract, with the right-hander receiving a non-roster invitation to Spring Training. Since Cole began the offseason as a minor league free agent, he is eligible to sign during the lockout.

Cole posted a 2.08 ERA over 8 2/3 innings in the Dominican Winter League, which marked his first action of any kind since he pitched for the Angels in 2019. Beyond the canceled minor league season and postponed MLB season in 2020, Cole was also set back by shoulder problems that forced him to undergo surgery in August 2020. He didnt pitch at all last season while recovering, until finally returning to the mound this winter to audition for scouts in the Dominican.

Cole posted a 4.97 ERA over 88 2/3 career innings with the Blue Jays and Angels from 2017-19, with a 23.9% strikeout rate and a 49.4% grounder rate. The righty had some bigger strikeout totals during his minor league career, and his grounder-heavy attack did a generally good job of avoiding the long ball until the homer-heavy 2019 Triple-A season, as Cole surrendered five home runs over 23 1/3 total innings with Anaheims Triple-A and high-A affiliates.

He hasnt yet had a chance to rebound from that rough 2019 campaign, but the Red Sox clearly saw enough in the DWL to take the low-risk move of inviting Cole to their spring camp. Cole has worked as both a starter and reliever during his career, thus perhaps lining up as a swingman or long relief option as Boston looks to cover innings and create flexibility within its pitching staff.
The convener of a group calling itself Ashanti Patriots Movement (APM), which is pushing for the presidential ambitions of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, has rubbished claims by the General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party that he is not a member of the party.

It can never be said on authority that Im not a member of the party when I was a secretary to the Tertiary Education Confederacy (TESCON), the tertiary wing of the party on a university campus at level 100. So, it will be wrong to say that Im not a member of the party, Mr Emmanuel Osei Gyamfi said.

According to him, as a level 100 student, he managed the affairs of TESCON to the admiration of the press secretary to the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Iddi Muhayu-Deen, who recently issued a statement on behalf of his boss challenging his membership of the party.

Mr Gyamfi challenged the claims of Mr Boadus press secretary in an interview with Kwame Obeng Sarkodie on Accra100.5FMs morning show Ghana Yensom on Tuesday, 18 January 2022.

He reminded the General Secretary and his cohorts that in the year 2016, he single-handedly set up the Unemployed Graduates Association of Ghana and did the bidding of the current President during the 2016 general elections to the admiration of the then-National Organiser of the party, Mr Sammi Awuku among others in the party.

I have played my role in the development of the youth front of the NPP; so, it cant be said that I'm an alien in the party, he stressed.

He revealed that in the 2020 general elections, he contested as an independent candidate in the Atwima-Nwabiagya North Constituency of the Ashanti Region and polled over 20,000 votes because the leadership of the party denied him the chance to contest the primary on the ticket of the NPP.

Mr Gyamfi explained that this arose because the party was protecting the sitting Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, who is the deputy minister of Lands and Natural Resources and a son of a member of the Council of State.

---Classfmonline.com
The world, for the most part, is organised on dynastic principles. Part of the rationale of capitalism is that wealth, and all that comes with it, cascades down the generations. Our laws sweep aside impediments to that succession. If your parents are rich, you're highly unlikely to end up poor.

But in politics it is more complex. In democracies, the scions of the great men and women are not usually guaranteed the mantle of power, although India was a notable exception in the days of Congress Party rule. They insisted, as they still do, that someone from the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty take the helm as leader .

Even without that kind of built-in largesse, the realities of wealth and access to power are often enough to ease the way upwards. So, for example, George W. Bush followed George H.W. Bush as US president after an eight year interregnum. When that happens we like to dip into our stock of cliches  'the apple never falls far from the tree', 'he's a chip off the old block' or simply 'it's in her blood'.

There lies the problem. 'Blood' (by which we really mean genetics) plays only a secondary role in how we turn out.

Which brings us to South Africa's Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu , who seems to believe that the scion families such as the Mandelas and Mbekis have had their chance and it is now time for the Sisulus to lead the government. And by 'Sisulus', she isn't thinking of her older brother Max  she has only one Sisulu in mind  herself.

Lindiwe was elected as an MP in South Africa's first democratic parliament in 1994 and served as a deputy minister (of housiing) in Mandela's government before joining the cabinet (as defence ministeer) under Thabo Mbeki and she has been in the cabinet and on the National Executive Committee of the governing African National Congress (ANC) ever-since.

She's been in the news recently following a controversial op-ed in which she attacked the country's constitution, and cast aspersions on black judges, referring to them as mentally colonised and house negroes . The article provoked outrage , but she responded by firing more broadsides at her critics.

Her actions have been interpreted as the start of a campaign for leadership of the ANC, and the country.

ANC political dynasties

For someone with political ambition , like Lindiwe, it makes sense to remind others of her name and in this way to absorb some of the stardust that settled on her parents.

Her father Walter Sisulu was Mandela's deputy in the ANC (his number two on Robben Island and the country's deputy president from 1991 until his death in 1994). Her mother Albertina Sisulu was one of the leaders of the ANC-allied United Democratic Front which coordinated internal opposition to the apartheid government in the 1980s.

But really, there's no good reason why the qualities of greatness earned the hard way by her much-admired parents should settle on a daughter raised in very different circumstances. She was a young child when her father was arrested in 1962 and later jailed for sabotage against the apartheid regime and spending 27 years in jail .

The fate of the children of other dynastic ANC families doesn't offer great hope.

Only one of Nelson Mandela's six children was active politically  the youngest, Zindziswa (Zindzi). She was still a toddler when her father was jailed. She was appointed as ambassador to Denmark in 2014, but her radical political views  which reflected those of her mother, Winnie Mandela  and her undiplomatic ways got her into hot water . She died in 2020 from COVID at the age of 59.

What of the Mbekis?

Govan Mbeki was known on Robben Island, where black anti-apartheid activists were jailed, as a communist intellectual inclined to go his own way. While in jail he refused to speak to Mandela for more than three years on ideological grounds . And when he was released in 1987 he continued to plough his own path in the Eastern Cape.

His eldest son, Thabo, was very different both ideologically and personally. In exile he was considered suave, urbane and charming. Back home, however, a different dimension emerged  thin-skinned, easily threatened and paranoid .

As president, this once-sure-footed politician kept miscalculating, most spectacularly in his AIDS denialism . It was also under Mbeki's watch that a massive fraud-laced arms deal was concluded although there's no proof that he personally benefited from it .

As an aside, it's worth noting that while Thabo rose to the pinnacle of South African politics, Duduzane Zuma, the son of the man who unseated him, never made it beyond the shallows. He was a loyal beneficiary of Jacob Zuma's corrupt state-capture relationship with the Gupta family and backed the rioters after his father was jailed, calling on them to loot 'responsibly' .

He's achieved nothing in his own right, showing none of his father's charm, persuasiveness and political nous.

Lindiwe Sisulu - 'chip off the old block'?

So we return to Lindiwe and her desire to rise to the very top. Is she in any way a 'chip off the old block' as she'd like us to assume?

Walter Sisulu was renowned for his tenacity and for his gifts as a political thinker and strategist. He was also adored for his warmth, wisdom, modesty and lack of personal ambition, qualities also ascribed to Albertina.

The 67-year-old Lindiwe has served in the cabinet in several jobs since 2004 , under Mbeki, Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa, so she's clearly tenacious. But wisdom, modesty, altruism?

She has associated herself with those accused of seeking state capture and has appointed men of dubious standing to support her, including, as her legal advisor, Paul Ngobeni disbarred from practising law in the US ) and Menzi Simelane (found unfit to be appointed to head the National Prosecuting Authority, his integrity questioned by Constitutional Court Judge Zak Yacoob .

Her most recent campaigning grenade came in her cynical attack on the rule of law, the country's negotiated settlement and constitution and the 'upper echelons' of the judiciary  all achievements for which her parents devoted their lives.

So it would seem that most of the qualities behind Walter and Albertina's political standing have bypassed Lindiwe.

Which brings us back to the question of whether a famous surname is an aid to political ambition. In some cases undoubtedly so. But do they automatically provide a leg-up to greatness or even worthiness?

It would seem not.

Gavin Evans ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possede pas de parts, ne recoit pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'a declare aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

By Gavin Evans, Lecturer, Culture and Media department, Birkbeck, University of London
Paris fashion week has launched with a mix of digital and in-person shows as the industry adapts as best it can to the latest Covid restrictions in France.

The industry is determined to get back to the catwalks after nearly two years during which most brands were forced online.

London cancelled its menswear show this month due to uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the highly-infectious Omicron variant, but Paris is going ahead as scheduled.

Some 17 of the 76 brands of the official Paris menswear calendar  including big names like Dior, Hermes and Rick Owens  will be back on the runway, up from just six last summer.

Nearly 30 others are opting for other types of in-person events, including inviting journalists, buyers and other tastemakers to less formal gatherings around the French capital.

In what is set to be a moving tribute, Louis Vuitton will present the much-awaited final collection from US designer Virgil Abloh, who died in November at the age of 41.

Abloh, named head of menswear at Louis Vuitton in 2018, was the first black man to become the lead designer of a major French fashion house. His show will be presented twice on Thursday.

Learning to live with the virus

Haute couture designers are also returning to the catwalk, with 18 of 29 houses planning live shows  albeit with the caveat that the virus could upset proceedings last minute.

Some changes have already been announced, including the Sidaction charity evening to raise money for AIDS research that traditionally marks the end of the haute couture week and which has been postponed until July.

Giorgio Armani cancelled his menswear show in Milan and his haute couture show in Paris in response to the latest surge in Covid cases.

The 87-year-old Italian maestro had been the first to cancel his catwalk shows in the early days of the pandemic in February 2020.

"It's their choice," said Pascal Morand, head of France's Federation for Haute Couture and Fashion.

He said the federation has made several recommendations, including encouraging the use of FFP2 masks, in order to get brands back to the live sphere.

"We have learned to live with the virus," he told French news agency AFP. "Digital enriches the physical, but it can't replace the emotion and sensory side of the runway shows."

Some still feel uneasy about returning to in-person events.

"I feel caught in the crossfire," said Jean Paul Cauvin, director of haute couture brand Julien Fournie, who has had to deal with the disruption of positive tests among models and workshop workers.

"We would be frustrated not to be on the catwalk, but I hope we don't create an haute couture cluster," he said.

(with AFP)
Libya's parliamentary speaker Aguila Saleh said Tuesday that by the end of the month the committee responsible for overseeing elections must set a "definitive" date for postponed presidential and legislative polls.

A presidential election was due to take place on December 24, followed by legislative polls, but the UN-sponsored electoral process was delayed in the troubled North African nation amid political tensions.

Those tensions pit military strongman Khalifa Haftar and an eastern-based parliament against authorities centring around an interim government in the capital Tripoli in the west, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.

Libya has been ravaged by violence and insecurity ever since a NATO-backed uprising in the oil-rich nation toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Saleh, speaking at a parliamentary session in the eastern port city of Tobruk, said a parliamentary committee overseeing elections must present its "final report" by the end of January.

The report must detail both "the steps necessary to remove the obstacles which hampered the electoral process" in December and "determine a definitive date" for holding the ballot, he said.

Months of disputes finally saw the vote postponed just days before it was to take place as the committee overseeing the election declared it impossible to hold as scheduled.

It was derailed by bitter arguments including over divisive candidates and a disputed legal framework.

The commission must also present to parliament "a complete vision of the executive power and the formation of a new government", said Saleh, who is himself a candidate in the presidential election.

His demand for a fixed poll date comes a day after he called for a new interim government to be established in Tripoli, noting that the current executive has outlived its mandate.

Parliament in September passed a vote of no confidence in the interim government.

Saleh has called on the attorney general to "investigate" the government's expenses along with "abuses of power" including nominations to posts.

The call came as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Libya's political factions and parties to hold safe, "inclusive and credible" presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.
19.01.2022 LISTEN

A former Member of Parliament (MP) for Suhum and an aspiring national executive officer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Frederick Opare-Ansah, has downplayed the achievements of the current crop of executives of the party.

The current leadership led by the Chairman, Freddie Blay, and General Secretary, John Boadu, is credited for bringing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo into power in 2016 with a historic one million gap and retaining him in 2020.

But the former legislator, who is lacing his boots to contest John Boadu for the General Secretary position, says the current executives can only be judged with the outcome of the 2020 polls.

In an interview with Citi News, Mr. Opare-Ansah, indicated that the executives performed poorly based on the outcome of the parliamentary election in 2020.

I am not sure about these executives [retaining] us in power. We had a set of executives who were suspended in 2015. Prior to that, we had successfully conducted parliamentary elections. I dont think the result of the 2016 elections was because of the people who assumed office after the others were suspended.

We won the 2012 elections, and it was stolen from us when the new executives had been given the opportunity to do a better job. I will not credit [the new executives]. Funny enough, we saw their work in 2020 when we had power, and resources with 169 seats, they came back to 137, he said.

Frederick Opare-Ansah is seeking to contest incumbent General Secretary, John Boadu, Justin Kodua Frimpong, Charles Cromwell Bissue and Musah Superior.

The NPP will soon organize its National Executives elections following its National Delegates Conference held in Kumasi.

It is in line with the partys reorganization processes ahead of the 2024 general elections.

citinewsroom
The Minority in Parliament has backed teacher unions opposition to the Ghana Education Services semester system for basic and secondary schools.

In a statement, the Minority called on the Service and the Ministry of Education to withdraw the new academic calendar because it lacks professional touch for a more academic friendly and healthy one to be considered.

It feels the semester is an importation which does not suit our Ghanaian educational environment.

As a Minority, we fully support the teacher unions in whatever democratic means they will take to stop this semester system being imposed on them, it added.

The Minority also urged the unions to be more vocal in their opposition to the new system so that the health of both the teachers and the children is not compromised.

We are of the strong conviction that the teacher unions in the country are aware of this academic calendar and have studied it and given the needed analysis. As professionals, we believe that the welfare of your members as well as the children that you teach is paramount to you.

The Minority, therefore, thinks strongly that you have to add your voice to this call so that the health of both the teachers and the children is not compromised.

The unions have called on the government to engage all stakeholders in education, including civil society organizations.

The Ghana Education Service has expressed its willingness to continually engage with teacher unions on the change of the trimester-based academic calendar to a semester system for basic schools.

Find below the full statement

MINORITY KICKS AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF SEMESTER CALENDAR IN PRE-TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.

For many years now, it has been the responsibility of the Ghana Education Service to fix the academic calendar for all pre-tertiary institutions-basic and secondary levels in the country. It was done in such a way that before the academic year ended, all schools received the calendar for the next academic year for teachers and managers of schools to know their way forward .It helped teachers to plan their activities for the first term because any reshuffles or transfers are effected in the last weeks of the academic for teachers to know which classes they would be managing as well as which schools they would be transferred.

However, in the last three to five years the situation has not been normal. Since the implementation of the Free Senior High School programme, the fixing of the academic calendar has become very difficult and problematic for the managers of our school system in the country. It got out of hand when the double track was introduced. It got everybody confused in the country that no one at a point in time hardly tell when one track was in school or out of it. It brought inequalities in the senior high school system such that the tracks offered unequal numbers of weeks at school.

It is very well understood that the COVID-19 pandemic had a very adverse effect on our educational system in 2020 when all schools had to close down in March 2020 till January 2021. It brought about the loss of almost one academic year and we acknowledge the efforts government through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service made to normalise the school calendar.

However, going forward the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service are professionally getting it wrong in fixing the academic calendar for basic schools in the country.

It is interesting to note that a technical committee was set up by the Minister of Education under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Minister instead of the professionals; the Director General himself or any of his two deputies. This committee was to propose the calendar for the approval of the Minister. This is one reason why the release of dates for the academic calendar delayed. Why should the Ministry of Education take over the responsibility of the Ghana Education Service in the preparation of a common academic calendar? Is the Ministry of Education becoming the policy making body and the implementer at the same time?

The outcome of work of this technical committee, which we describe as professionally wrong is the introduction of the semester type of academic calendar in our basic schools from Kindergarten to the Junior High School. It is on record that last year, the system was introduced at the Junior High School level with the explanation that it was aimed at making the students and teachers cover what was lost as contact hours in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is also now clear that our academic year begins from January and ends in December per the new academic calendar. That arrangement by itself has a lot of ramifications for the students/pupils and teachers with respect to examinations calendar of the West African Examination Council for the year.

It is expected that from Tuesday, 18th January, 2020, our children in the basic schools are to run a semester of twenty (20) weeks. We know that a normal semester runs for sixteen (16) weeks, so, why make it twenty weeks for basic schools? This means that for 2022 academic year two semesters will be run.

What is intriguing about the academic calendar is the failure of the technical committee to consider the age of the learners for whom they have developed the calendar. Hitherto, we know of three terms in the year with clear enough days and weeks for both learners and teachers to rest and prepare for the next term of between twelve (12) and fourteen (14) weeks. With this current arrangement, both learners and teachers are at a risk. The age of the learners, it is noted, is not ready to absorb anything tangible after twelve long weeks in school. There is learner fatigue and absenteeism becomes the order of the day. We do not know if the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education conducted any studies into the effects of the semester system carried out in JHS in 2021. If they did they would know that fatigue set in and attendance suffered.

Another factor that does not make the semester programme conducive for basic schools is the environment within which teaching and learning takes place. In many of our basic schools throughout the country, infrastructure is the biggest challenge. Some of schools are conducted under trees, dilapidated classrooms where ventilation is poor.

Furniture is another limitation in our schools and many learners bring kitchen stools from home. How do we expect children as young as four or six, sit in poorly ventilated classrooms and on not  to- fit furniture for twenty weeks?

It is also important to note that most of the children at the basic level travel distances to schools and parents although may want their children to remain at school for long, the financial burden will be too much for them to bear.

TEACHER UNIONS:

We are of the strong conviction that the teacher unions in the country are aware of this academic calendar and have studied it and given the needed analysis. As professionals, we believe that the welfare of your members as well as the children that you teach is paramount to you.

The Minority therefore thinks strongly that you have to add your voice to this call so that the health of both the teachers and the children is not compromised.

CONCLUSION:

The Minority wishes to call in the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to withdraw the outdoored academic calendar because it lacks professional touch for a more academic friendly and healthy one to be considered.

The Minority also withes to call on the Ghana Education Service to maintain its professional stance and not allow the Minister of Education to dictate the pace for them. This academic calendar is an importation which does not suit our Ghanaian educational environment.

As a Minority we fully support the teacher unions in whatever democratic means they will take to stop this semester system being imposed on them.

Signed.

PETER NORTSU-KOTOE

RANKING MEMBER ON EDUCATION.

citinewsroom
The Presiding Judge on the case involving Cassiel Ato Forson and two others, Her Ladyship Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, has cautioned lawyers on the case not to unduly delay the trial.

Justice Asare Botwe has threatened to drag any lawyer who attempts this to the General Legal Council for sanctioning.

Some members of Ghana's Judiciary are beginning to express disquiet over what they have generally described as undue delays particularly in high profile criminal trials which some have generally been seen as deliberate tactics deployed by some lawyers.

But her Ladyship Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe says she will not hesitate to report any lawyer who employs such tactics in the present trial to the General Legal Council.

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General has hinted that it will call five witnesses to prove its charges against Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and the two others.

The accused persons, including Sylvester Anemana a former Chief Director of the Health Ministry and Richard Jakpa, a businessman, on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the charges of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, contravening the public procurement law, and intentionally misapplying public property in the procurement of some ambulances for the country that were deemed not fit for purpose.

The parties will be back in court on February 15, 2022, for case management.

citinewsroom
Apart from being nepotist, tribalist, and a man with extreme hate and jealousy, the Ghanaian president, Nana Akufo Addo has anger issues, that often disorganized his thinking process to do many unpleasant things that seemed good to him.

From the time Nana Akufo Addo, called for the withdrawal of some four military personnel, giving protection to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, the real reason behind the presidents action has eluded the Ghanaian media.

When the E-Levy, now sitting in Limbo became a controversial issue in the parliament, the president, has some confidence in the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to do something about it.

Akufo Addo has hopes that Alban Bagbin will force and push it through but that wasnt the intention of the Parliament Speaker, since he depends on the voice of the common Ghanaians.

The president who was already totally disappointed over Bagbin's failure was hit with another setback when on December 24, 2021, the Speaker of Parliament did comment on the E-Levy, saying the NPP is bound to lose the 2024 general elections if the party goes ahead with the Electronic Transaction Levy.

The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Alban Bagbin's compassion for the common Ghanaians has cost him his security

That comment the Speaker of Parliament made, didnt only make Akufo Addo angry but has also caused the president to suffer insomnia. The president cant sleep over the E-Levy because he is not sure if the deal will go through.

God only knows why the NPP government is desperate and forcing this E-Levy on the people, while Akufo Addos government remains the worst in the political history of Ghana. Citizens are always happy to pay taxes if the government provides what they need.

Akufo Addo should tell Ghanaians what he has done after five years in power and after cutting so many sods, he should also tell Ghanaians if he has any uncompleted projects somewhere in the bush.

To satisfy his boiling anger against Alban Bagbin, the president, Nana Akufo Addo, thinks the best punishment the Speaker of Parliament deserves is to take away his security.

I am not related to the president, even though I have nothing to do with this man, I know him very well as if we live together in the same house.

I can see through him and I know his thoughts. My articles about him are my witnesses, that's why I don't believe in most of the Ghanaian pastors that claim to be prophets.

As people grow, they take particular interests and decisions in life, that is to drop bad characters and become a better person.

Unfortunately, Akufo Addo has grown fully with everything including, hate, jealousy, nepotism, tribalism, and corruption, thus; there is no more room in his life any longer to change.

Duncan Williams is neither a politician nor a Member of Parliament, yet, there is a video out revealing he has security personnel from the government protecting him. Thus, he enjoys the security of taxpayers' money.

I cant confirm the truth behind this video but it makes sense because he is one of the people behind the senseless Cathedral project that many are against, therefore, Akufo Addo might think his life can be in danger to give him that security.

I will humbly request the Speaker of Parliament to ignore any State Security to find his bodyguard. He shouldnt trust State Security any longer because your enemy will always come from your household.
The Minority in Parliament says it would summon the Minister of Education to the house to answer questions regarding the introduction of the semester-based system for basic and senior high schools.

Teacher Unions and other stakeholders have opposed the decision, which seeks to abolish the already existing trimester system.

The unions lament that they were not consulted by the Ghana Education Service prior to the introduction of the semester system.

In an interview with Citi News, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak, said the new system has serious ramifications on both teachers and students.

We are going to summon the Minister to the house to answer questions on the introduction of the semester-based system. Our position on the issue remains that what has been done is clearly not in the interest of our education. It ought to have been done with the full consultation of major stakeholders.

The Parliamentary sub-committee on Education, which is a major stakeholder, ought to have been consulted. This error ought not to be tolerated.

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has backed the teacher unions' opposition to the Ghana Education Service's semester system for basic and secondary schools.

In a statement, the Minority called on the Service and the Ministry of Education to withdraw the new academic calendar because it lacks professional touch for a more academic friendly and healthy one to be considered.

citinewsroom
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has assured that it will engage the various Teacher Unions and relevant stakeholders to ensure the 2022 academic calendar is not disrupted.

The GES and the Ministry of Education have come under criticism in the past week after announcing intention to change this years academic calendar from a trimester to a semester system.

In an interview with GHOneTV on Monday, President for the Coalition of Concerned Teachers  Ghana (CCT-GH), King Ali Awudu described the move as improper, insisting that teachers who are key stakeholders in the education sector have not been consulted.

The GES wants to introduce long hours, that even University students do not spend that long hours. Again basic schools are spending 42-weeks in a year, but SHS 3 students for example are spending less than 42-weeks. We think this is not proper and we are asking the GES to suspend this particular academic calendar. Invite all stakeholders to the table and let us negotiate because that is what our collective agreement and code of conduct says, he shared.

Following the conversation that ensued, the Ghana Education Service is now ready to engage the teacher unions.

Indeed, the Ministerial Committee on Schools Calendar engaged representatives of the Unions and Schools Heads. However, we will continue to engage the Unions and other stakeholders if they have noted additional concerns since the release of the calendar.

We wish to assure parents, students, teachers and the general public that GES will work closely with the Unions and other stakeholders to ensure that the 2022 Academic Calendar is not disrupted, the GES has said in a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs Unit, Cassandra Twum Ampofo.

The upcoming meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Important personalities in Ghana are moving around with state security at cost to the tax payers when there is no real need for it, a former Senior Governance Adviser to the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Baffour Agyeman-Duah, has said.

He explained that the deployment of security officers should be based on real threats assessment done on a situation to establish the need.

Prof Agyeman-Duah who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation said these in interview with TV3's Noble Crosby Annan on the Mid day news on Monday January 17 in connection with the withdrawal of military attached to the office of the Speaker of Parliament by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

He welcomed the withdrawal of the solders saying it will ensure streamlining of the system.

Asked whether the withdrawal of the soldiers makes the Speaker naked in terms of his security, he said Now we are supporting the military's support for the Speaker. What for? It seems to me this whole notion of security protection has become a status's symbol, rather than a real need for it. Sometime DCEs go to functions and Policeman holding their bags, our ministers have Police and all without any real threat.

The more we deploy our security personnel for private use like we are talking about we have to remember that is is the state resources we are using or abusing. So my point is that unless there is a security threats that has been assessed , if that threat requires military protection and so the agencies will in their wisdom will certainly deploy their the military's. Other than that the Police should be in charge always. So withdrawing the Military is not making the Speaker is not making the Speaker naked. Withdrawing the Military is in fact is streamlining.

He added First of all, the issue of security must be treated very carefully because people's lives depend on it. The issue of security protection in most democracies, we have what we call permanent protection for the executives. If you go to the United States for instance, they formed a special group fully dedicated for presidential protection .

All other kinds of protections are interim and temporary depending on the security threats to those individuals or institutions. So, when we talk of giving security it has got to be based on a threat assessment which basically is the process whereby you evaluate and verify perceived threats including their likelihood.

In that respect, if you look at the Speaker for that matter you just have to find out whether there is a current threat to the person and the nature of the threats, based on that you devise the protection.

Another point to make on this important conversation is that when it comes to the military we have to be careful. If in fact military protection was provided over the years, to speakers I will be surprised and and it was wrong.

Because I think such individuals do not require military protection. We have to be careful and avoid militarizing civilian governments just as we should avoid civiliazing the Military. We have Police and many other security agencies who can do the job unless there is a serious need for combat battalion to make a protection.

3news.com
African governments, including Ghana, acknowledge that womens equal participation is critical to building democracy and promoting social progress.

This acknowledgement is evidenced by their acceptance of various protocols, conventions and legal frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the challenge remains that many leaders have delayed the development and implementation of national plans towards achieving the goal of womens equal representation and participation in decision-making processes.

The failure to do so and many others were the reasons behind the adoption of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality, and the Protocol on Womens Rights by the African Union to push countries into action. A common feature of these treaties and protocols is that gender equality and womens empowerment is fundamental to development, democracy and peace.

These treaties and protocols also underscore the need to use temporary measures like affirmative action to achieve these laudable goals. Thus, these goals can only be achieved through consciously outlined strategies of which Affirmative Action presents itself as a guaranteed option.

Affirmative action is a set of measures adopted by governments, public and private institutions such as political parties, educational establishments, corporations and companies to address a history of systemic discrimination and exclusion of particular social groups or to encourage the efforts of particular social groups in the interests of certain development goals. Affirmative action is expected to improve development indicators by reducing inequalities and facilitating the contribution of particular social groups to develop. It is about fairness and equality but not preferential treatment.

In Ghana, Affirmative Action has been employed since independence to address gender and regional imbalances in access to education, health, work and politics. Ghana in 1960, legislated an Affirmative Action Act that brought in ten (10) women to represent the regions. In 1998, an Affirmative Action Guidelines were passed by the then Cabinet of President Jerry John Rawlings stipulating that:

i. Government to appoint a Committee on Affirmative Action to monitor implementation of the Affirmative Action Policy.

ii. More women to be appointed onto all appropriate Advisory Bodies. iii. National Target: Achieve at least 40% representation on all bodies. iv. The 1998 Affirmative Action Guidelines also required that:

v. Electoral Commission encourage all political parties to put up more women as parliamentary candidates to pave the way for the 40%

vi. District Assemblies  30% out of the 30% appointees to be allotted to women

vii. Education  Universities to introduce gender courses, increase female halls of residence, and science clinics for girls.

While these acts, directives and guidelines have had some successes, particularly in improving the male-female ratios in primary education, it has been less effective for improving women's representation and participation in politics and public life. The reason is that these measures and guidelines are centred on the existing political regime and so a change in government inadvertently means nullification of such acts and policies.

On the other hand, the legal legislation of such Affirmative Actions into Law makes it binding on successive governments to implement them and the aim of increasing womens representation and participation in decision making spaces would be achieved.

Ghana has been working on developing an Affirmative Action Law (AA Law) for over seven years. The Bill seeks to reverse the discrimination of the marginalised groups (women) and the subsequent adverse effects on sustainable development. It provides a framework to help eliminate discrimination on the basis that each citizen shares the equal right to self-development and that women with equal abilities should have equal opportunities regardless of gender under Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution.

The AA Law is to promote the full and active participation of women in public life by providing for a more equitable system of representation in electoral politics and governance in accordance with the Republic of Ghanas international and constitutional obligations and national development aspirations. In June 2016, the final draft of the Bill received Cabinets ascent and was tabled before Parliament. Failure to pass the Bill which was at the consideration stage meant that work had to start from the beginning with the new government. Currently, the Bill has been finalized and with Cabinet. Although successive governments have shown some level of commitment and dedication to the passage of the Bill, the pace for the passage of the Bill is rather slow.

Representation of women in government in Ghanas Legislature, Local Government and other public service spaces does not reach the UN recommended minimum threshold of 30% and the African Unions threshold of 40%. Currently, womens representation in Ghanas Parliament stands at 14.5% and womens representation in Ghanas Local Governance system stands below 5%.

In spite of this low representation, some African countries have made significant progress in terms of womens representation in public offices. Examples include Mozambique (32.8%), Uganda (32%), Tanzania (31%) and South Africa (30%). All these countries have attained these significant womens representation through some form of Affirmative Action.

Some of these African countries gained independence much later than Ghana. However, they have made significant progress in increasing womens representation and participation in decision making spaces through Affirmative Action mechanisms. An Affirmative Action Law, therefore, presents itself as the guaranteed way to increase womens representation in decision making spaces such as Parliament, District Assemblies, Ministerial and Ambassadorial appointments and other areas of governance in Ghana.

The time is therefore overdue for Ghana to pass its own Affirmative Action Law, that promotes womens effective participation and representation in all decision-making spaces.

ABANTU for Development with support from PLAN International is implementing a project, Increasing Advocacy for the Passage of Ghanas Affirmative Action Bill into Law. The aim of the project is to increase education on the Affirmative Action Bill and engage with key stakeholders including the sector ministry, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), Parliament, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, District Assemblies, the youth and the entire citizenry to gather support for the passage of Ghanas Affirmative Action Bill into Law, within the shortest possible time.

As the former Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye, has said, Affirmative Action is an instrument of social engineering to cater for some wrong done by the society that needs to be corrected. It is the essence of law-making; the law is an instrument of mischief correction. We are therefore calling on all key stakeholders to expedite processes towards the passage of Ghanas Affirmative Action Bill into Law.
19.01.2022 LISTEN

A: Introduction

If there is one law that prides itself for being an assortment of provisions on various subjects of societal relevance, it is the Land Act[1]. The Land Act, as the name implies, is a law that deals with land. It covers the different types of interests in land, sale and purchase of land and registration of title to land, and so forth. In addition to these obvious topics on land that any land law worth its name will cover, the Land Act has the unique feature of being a mixed bag of various subject-matter. For instance, the Land Act has provisions relating to how spousal property must be distributed or shared when there is death or divorce[2]. Thus, for the first time since the 1992 Constitution came into force, an attempt has been made to comply with Article 22 of the Constitution to pass a law to regulate the property rights of spouses. And that attempt materialised in the Land Act. All things considered, a more comprehensive and stand-alone law on the property rights of spouses would have been preferable.

Another example of a broader-than-land subject that has found its way into the Land Act is the stool or skin occupants and clan heads accountability provisions.[3] This article discusses the historical antecedents of the provisions on accountability for persons who hold positions that require good faith. It argues that a stool/skin/clan head accountability law should have been passed long ago to regulate the fiduciary obligations of chiefs/tendaana/clan heads as is the case for heads of families. The article concludes that the stool occupants accountability provisions in the Land Act is a welcome development, though a stand-alone law would have covered more grounds and would have had more depth.

B. Customary law rules on stool occupant and head of family roles in protecting stool and family property.

Under customary law, the occupant of a stool (while the stool is vacant, the regent or caretaker of such stool) or head of family may sue and be sued on behalf of the stool or family. An illustrative case will suffice here: in the case of Bukuruwa Stool v Kumawu Stool,[4] Nana Kwame Baadu II, chief of Bukuruwa, representing the Bukuruwa stool sued Nana Otuo Achampong I, representing the Kumawu stool, for declaration of title to a piece of land in Kwahu. The defendant stated in his statement of claim, among others, that the plaintiff is estopped per rem judicatam by virtue of a judgment of the Land Court, Kumasi, dated 23rd February, 1959, in the case Nana Otuo Achampong I, Kumawuhene, for and on behalf of the Kumawu stool versus Nana Yaa Sakaa, Bukuruwahemaa for and on behalf of Bukuruwa stool, and two others. The said suit was for a declaration of title to the same piece of land as in the case under consideration.

It was shown, however, that at the time the 1959 suit was instituted, the Bukuruwa stool was vacant. And that although the queen-mother was served with all the processes in that suit, she was destooled before the suit could be heard. The suit was in the circumstances undefended and a new Bukuruwa chief was not enstooled until 7th September, 1959. It was held that the general principle is that, only the occupant of the stool or the head of the family can sue or be sued in respect of stool or family property. When a stool is vacant, the regent or a person appointed by the council of the stool may sue or be sued.

The principle of law as to who may sue and be sued on behalf of a family is set out clearly in Kwan v Nyieni & Anor[5] and applies mutatis mutandis to a stool. Other exceptions to the customary law rule are set out in Kwan v Nyieni & Anor[6]. The Court added that it was to give effect to that customary law principle that the following rule was added to the old High Court Rules[7]: "the head of a family in accordance with custom, and the occupant of a Stool (or where the Stool is vacant, the Regent or Caretaker of such Stool) may sue and be sued on behalf of or as representing such Family or Stool."

C. The decision in Kwan v Nyieni and family members right to protect family property.

No analysis on the customary law rule that states the persons with requisite capacity to sue or defend a suit to protect family or stool property will be complete without a discussion of Kwan v Nyieni. The facts of the case are that, sometime between 1953 and 1954, the members of family of Osei Kojo wanted to remove him as head of family for squandering the familys property. An arbitration was held and the arbitrators concluded that, Osei Kojos removal was wrong and so, he should not be removed. The family was not satisfied with the arbitrators decision and so, appointed one Kojo Kwan as another head of the family. The family had six cocoa farms. In April, 1953, Osei Kojo (then still head of the family), together with one female member of the family, mortgaged four of the six farms to Kwesi Nyieni. Kojo Kwans family got to know of this in January, 1954, when Nyieni advertised the four farms for sale in exercise of a power of sale under the mortgage. Kojo Kwan, purporting to act as head of the family, sued Osei Kojo and Nyieni, claiming a declaration that the said four farms were his familys property, among other reliefs. The Land Court, Kumasi, dismissed Kwans case on grounds that Kwan was not the head of the family, nor a person authorised by the family to sue. Kwan appealed and he won on appeal.

The Court of Appeal held that, as a general rule, the head of a family as representative of the family, is the proper person to institute a suit for recovery of family land. But there are exceptions to this general rule in certain special circumstances, such as: (i) where family property is in danger of being lost to the family, and it is shown that the head, either out of personal interest or otherwise, will not make a move to save or preserve it; or (ii) where, owing to a division in the family, the head and some of the principal members will not take any steps; or (iii) where the head and the principal members are deliberately disposing of the family property in their personal interest, to the detriment of the family as a whole. The Court of Appeal added that, in any such special circumstances, the courts will entertain an action by any member of the family, either upon proof that he has been authorised by other members of the family to sue, or upon proof of necessity, provided that the Court is satisfied that the action is instituted in order to preserve the family character of the property[8].

Thus it was that after the decision in Kwan v Nyieni, it became established that if for any good reason the head of a family is unable to act or if the head of a family refuses or fails to take action to protect the interest of the family, any member of the family may sue on behalf of the family. Kwan v Nyieni, therefore, set the precedent as an exception to the long-held customary law rule that it is only the head of family who can sue for and on behalf of the family.

D: The decision in Hansen v Ankrah I

In March, 1985, an interesting appeal came up for determination before the Supreme Court in the case of Hansen v Ankrah I.[9] The facts of the case were as follows: The Mantse Ankrah family of Accra comprised three branchesthe Ankrah, Ayi and Okanta branches. Each branch had a head. H, the first appellant was the head of the Ankrah branch; K, the second appellant, was the head of the Ayi branch and O, the second respondent, was the head of the Okanta branch; while A, the first respondent, was the overall head of the entire family. The family maintained an account at the Ghana Commercial Bank, High Street, Accra which was operated by the parties on the mandate of the family. Any two of them could operate the account. In 1977, an amount of 13,968.95 received by the family as compensation for family land compulsorily acquired by the government was paid into that account. However, A paid a further sum of 160,547.40 he received in 1979 from the government on behalf of the family into his personal and not the family account. The appellants (H and K) in their capacities as heads of their branches of the family brought an action in the High Court against A and O for an account of their expenditure of the 13,969.95, some of which they claimed the respondents had spent on Homowo festivities against their express opposition. The respondents contended in their defence that they had spent the moneys on the Homowo festivities and paid the 160,547.40 into As personal account in accordance with resolutions passed by the entire family in response to the appellants unco-operative attitude to A in his discharge of family responsibilities. The respondents also raised a preliminary objection to the propriety of the action on the ground that they were not accountable at customary law to the appellants in court.

The Supreme Court, by a 3-2 majority decision[10], dismissed the appeal on grounds that a head of family was not accountable in court to the writ of a member of the family. But he was accountable to the family at a family meeting for his stewardship. Then the then Chief Justice, the late Mr. Fred Apaloo, found himself in the minority. His Lordship put forth a spirited dissenting opinion as follows: The customary rule [that the head of family cannot be sued for accounts] . . . is productive of injustice and provides a potent shield for the breach of fiduciary duties. After all, the law must adapt itself to changing social conditions and those precedents are inapplicable to modern conditions. There is some question whether doing this amounts to judicial legislation. Refusing to follow an obviously unjust precedent cannot rightly be construed as judicial legislation. We have constitutional authority to refuse to be bound by a precedent which injures the innocent, benefits the guilty and puts a premium on blatant breach of fiduciary duty. To do otherwise, would be an exhibition of judicial inertia wholly indefensible in our day and age. It is submitted that the dissenting opinion of Apaloo, C.J. and Taylor, J.S.C in the Hansen case was more forward-looking and in tune with modern trends of making persons in authority accountable to the people on whose behalf they hold and exercise power. Sadly, the better-reasoned minority opinion lost on the day hence, throwing a cog in the Courts wheels in its desire to crystalize the exceptions in Kwan v Nyieni.

D. The birth of the Head of Family (Accountability) law[11].

As noted in the preceding paragraph, the Supreme Court failed to seize the opportunity presented by Hansen v Ankrah I to affirm the rights of any member of a family to sue a head of family to account for their stewardship to the members of their family. To put matters right, the PNDC revolutionary government stepped in with a substantive legislation to deal adequately with the situation. Thus, the Head of Family (Accountability) Law was born in 1985.

The law provides that any head of family or any person who is in possession or control of any family property is accountable for such property to the family to which the property belongs[12]. The head of family must also prepare and keep an inventory of all such property.[13] Again, under the law, any member of a family whose head fails to render accounts on family property in their possession can apply to a court for an order to account. Furthermore, a court has jurisdiction to make an order compelling the head of family to render account or file an inventory in respect of all family properties in their possession, control or custody.

It is interesting to observe that the Supreme Court gave its decision in Hansen v Ankrah I on 21 March 1985 and PNDCL 114 was made on 14th June, 1985 and notified in the Gazette on 8th July, 1985. It is fair to presume then, that the law was made pursuant to the unsatisfactory majority decision in Hansen v Ankrah I. The reason appears to be because the minority decision as alluded to earlier, made practical sense. Secondly, it was to give full statutory backing to the Kwan v Nyieni exceptions so as to avoid the atrocious misapplication of the general customary law rule as happened in Hansen v Ankrah I. Indeed, Francois, JSC, a member of the majority in the case, had suggested that, the best way to make any changes in the customary law rules on head of family accountability was by passing a law and not by judicial legislation. His Lordship stated that, f the principle of non-accountability of the head before the courts has been accepted by hallowed practice and it now no longer meets the changing circumstances of a developing nation, then the answer is a change by legislation or decree and not pre-emption by judge-made reform. Law reform by judges in areas where the law is well settled and known and families have regulated their affairs by it, should rarely be undertaken. It appears, therefore, that PNDCL 114 was passed to allay the fears of the Supreme Court and to put paid to all notions that to hold a head of family to account will amount to judicial legislation. Such swift action by government to pass law to regulate matters where the Supreme Court (and in modern times, Parliament) has failed is commendable.

Indeed, it has been observed that under the current constitutional and democratic 4th Republic with a full-fledged Parliament, judgments given by the Supreme Court in which the justices have recommended certain laws to be passed to regulate various aspects of civil life have been largely ignored. Even where the Constitution itself has directed that certain laws must be passed, Parliament has failed to act. Civil society has said nothing. A notable example is Article 22 which provides that Parliament must pass a law to regulate the property rights of spouses upon death or divorce. Twenty nine years after the 4th Republic was ushered in, the law to regulate the property rights of spouses is yet to be passed. This state of affairs remains a blot on our collective conscience as a Republic.[14]

E. The need for accountability for stool occupants and customary land caretakers.

It is surprising that a law was not made to make occupants of stools also accountable to their subjects in the same way PNDCL 114 was made for and about heads of family accountability. The reason appears to be that the subject-matter of Hansen v Ankrah I being family property, the PNDC Government at the time felt constrained to limit the law to head of family accountability. It is submitted that, if the principle of law as to who may sue and be sued on behalf of a family as held in Kwan v Nyieni & Anor[15] applies mutatis mutandis to a stool, then a Stool/Skin Occupant & Clan Head (Accountability) Law should have also been passed in 1985. That law would have regulated the actions of such office holders and hold them to account to their subjects. Though this was not done, a veritable opportunity presented itself in 1991 in a case before the Supreme Court.

In Owusu & Ors v Adjei & Ors[16], the Supreme Court held that, the exceptions set forth in Kwan v Nyieni on the accountability of head of family applied equally to a chief. Therefore, it was proper for the Kumawu Youth Association to bring an action against the chief of Kumawu to render accounts on the compensations received from the Forest Reserves in the area. The Court continued that the principle in Kwan v Nyieni providing exceptions to the general rule that the head of family was the proper person to institute suits for recovery of family land was not confined to land. Under customary law, the Court added, wherever those clothed with authority to protect family interests failed to do so but rather formed an unholy alliance or conspiracy to damage the interests of the family, an urgent situation had to be deemed to have arisen allowing for a relaxation of rules and permitting more responsible members of the family to protect the endangered family interests.

The Supreme Court noted further that, since the respondents who should have protected Kumawu stool revenue formed an unholy alliance to enrich themselves at the expense of the state, their conduct which amounted to fraud disabled them from performing their duty in preserving Kumawu stool revenue. And it could hardly be expected that they would take steps on their own volition to refund moneys they had illegally appropriated or rather misappropriated. In the circumstances, it was only the plaintiffs who were the remaining entity capable of championing the rights of the state. Accordingly, the exceptions to the general rule in Kwan v Nyieni applied to clothe them with capacity.

The Court further relied on the rules of court[17] to state that the plaintiffs had to have a common interest, common grievance and common benefit for a representative action on behalf of the Oman to be valid. The Court added that the plaintiffs were citizens of Kumawu town and, therefore, had a fundamental traditional role to play in constitutional issues of the state and by virtue of their citizenship, had a stake in all moneys payable on the acquisition of stool land and their proper utilisation. The Supreme Court concluded that, in the circumstances of the case, they were entitled to sue on behalf of the Oman.[18]

The decision in this case is most interesting for the fact that, though PNDCL 114 is confined to accountability of the head of family, the Supreme Court in Owusu & Ors v Adjei & Ors extended the application of the law to make stool occupiers equally accountable to their subjects. Unfortunately, for reasons that are not readily apparent, the PNDC regime failed to take advantage of the Supreme Courts decision and pass a Stool/Skin Occupant & Clan Head (Accountability) Law. Considering that Owusu & Ors v Adjei & Ors decision was given in 1991, at the dawn of the Fourth Republic, the PNDC revolutionary regime was, perhaps, more preoccupied with metamorphosing into a political party to enter the new Republic than to be concerned with passing a law to regulate chiefs allegedly fleecing their subjects of stool revenue and other properties.

Needless to say, all the National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party governments that have been in power on an eight-year rotational basis from 1992 to date had not been able to pass a law to make stool occupants accountable to their subjects until recently. The reason may not be far-fetched. All governments in this Fourth Republic have made use of chiefs in all their endeavours. Stool and skin occupants, also mostly known as chiefs, are a ready source of government appointees to statutory and para-statal bodies and boards. Some chiefs are political endorsers during national general elections. Many are occasional organizers of festivals to remind us of our identity as a people. Yet some are also alleged beneficiaries of gas-guzzling SUVs from governments and they become voices of conscience only when their preferred political parties do not win power. If stool occupants are this beneficial to governments both in and out of power, then there is little wonder that making them accountable to their subjects by law has been so long in coming. The activities of chiefs have largely been regulated by customary law, outside the purview of the courts and formal legislation.

F: Stool/skin occupants accountability provisions in the Land Act, 2020: A new dawn.

Just when all hope was almost lost regarding the passage of a Stool/Skin Occupant & Clan Head (Accountability) Law, the Land Act was passed with provisions that made stool/skin occupants accountable to their subjects. The Land Act provides that, a chief, tendana, clan head, family head or any other authority in charge of the management of stool or skin, or clan or family land, is a fiduciary charged with the obligation to discharge the management function for the benefit of the stool or skin, clan or family concerned and is accountable as a fiduciary.[19] The Act also makes PNDCL 114 applicable to stool/skin occupants and clan heads as it applies to family heads, with the necessary modifications. Additionally, sanctions are imposed on persons who fail to comply with the provisions set forth in Section 13 (2), including fines (5,000 to 10,000 penalty units) and terms of imprisonment (5 to 10 years).

G. Conclusion

The 7th Parliament needs to be commended for finally passing a law to make stool/skin and clan heads accountable. A full legislation on the subject, it is respectfully submitted, would have been ideal. In the light of Section 13 of the Land Act, it is highly recommended that the Rules of Court Committee amend Order 4 rule 9 of C.I 47[20] forthwith (if it has not been done already) to bring the Rules in line with the provisions of the Land Act.

FOOTNOTES

[1] The Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) came into force on 23rd December, 2020.

[2] For the writers earlier discussion on the subject, read her article: https://fsboateng.com/2020/11/16/the-property-rights-of-spouses-in-ghana-why-the-eighth-parliament-should-bite-the-bullet-and-pass-a-bill-to-regulate-it/

[3] See: Section 13 of the Land Act. Where ever stool occupant is used in this article, it includes skin occupants and clan heads as well unless all three are distinctly mentioned.

[4] [1962] 1 GLR 353

[5] [1959] G.L.R. 67, C.A. See also: Ofuman Stool v Nchiraa and Branam Stools [1957] 2 W.A.L.R. 229; Ofori Atta II and Ors v Boateng [1957] 3 W.A.L.R. 38

[6] Ibid at 72-73.

[7] Order 16, rule 8 (b) of the Supreme [High] Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 1954 (L.N. 140A).

[8] [1959] G.L.R. 67 at 72-73

[9] [1987-88] 1 GLR 639 SC.

[10] By Sowah, J.S.C, Francois and Mensah-Boison, JJ.A concurring and Apaloo, C.J and Taylor, J.S.C dissenting. The lawyers in the case were Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata for the appellants and the late Mr. S.A.X. Tsegah for the respondents.

[11] The full title is Head of Family (Accountability) Law, 1985 (PNDCL 114)

[12] Section 1 (1) of PNDCL 114

[13] Section 1 (2) of PNCL 114

[14] See: note 2 (supra)

[15] [1959] G.L.R. 67, C.A. See also: Ofuman Stool v Nchiraa and Branam Stools [1957] 2 W.A.L.R. 229; Ofori Atta II and Ors v Boateng [1957] 3 W.A.L.R. 38

[16] [1991] 2 GLR 493, SC. The decision of Francois, Wuaku, Osei-Hwere and Aikins, JJSC and Adjabeng, JA. Interesting, Francois, JSC who was a member of the majority decision in Hansen v Ankrah I presided over the Supreme Court panel in the Owusu & Ors case and gave a different opinion. Most importantly, no reference was made to Hansen v Ankrah I at all!

[17] Order 16, r 9 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 1954 (LN 140A)

[18] Oman is and Akan word that means the State.

[19] Section 13(2) of the Land Act.

[20] The High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004
Just as concerns about the omicron variant helped reverse rising gas prices  a bit  in December, now the growing sense that infection rates have peaked is pushing prices back up.

But this time, some analysts are projecting that oil prices will hit $100 a barrel and gas prices will climb to $4 a gallon.

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Were not there yet. On Tuesday, the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular in Florida was $3.22  up two cents from a week ago.

In South Florida, where the higher cost of doing business keeps prices high in comparison to the overall state, a gallon of gas averaged $3.27 in Broward County, $3.23 in Miami-Dade County and $3.41 in Palm Beach County, according to travel club AAA.

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Thats still lower than $3.36 a gallon, the average price in Florida on the Monday before Thanksgiving, and just days before omicron became a household name.

Nationally, the average price was $3.31, up about a penny compared to the previous week but down compared to $3.41 on Nov. 23.

Whats causing the prediction

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for price-comparison website GasBuddy.com, says were in the calm before the storm.

Infection rates in Florida are dropping along with those in large U.S. and global cities. On Tuesday, the 7-day average for new cases in Florida dropped to their lowest point since New Years Eve.

[ RELATED: Gas prices are set to fall, thanks to the omicron variant. Heres how much and how fast ]

If infection rates continue to fall, consumers will take to the roads as they normally do this spring and send prices sharply higher as oil and gas production fail to keep pace with increased demand, he said.

The price increases will likely start as early as March  a peak time for tourism in Florida  and rise as much as 25 cents a gallon through May, De Haan said.

U.S. crude oil prices, which fell from $84 to $66 a barrel after omicron began surging across the globe, are now back close to $85 a barrel, he said.

Financial analysts are sounding similar alarms. Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs on Monday told clients that it expects crude prices to hit $100 a barrel in the third quarter of the year, according to CNN.com.

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One reason, according to the bank, is that shale oil producers are unlikely to invest in increased capacity amid the transition, led by President Joe Biden and Democratic Party allies, from an economy based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy.

[ RELATED: The truth about gasoline: Does the brand you buy really make a difference? ]

On top of that, political unrest in Kazakhstan and the ongoing threat that Russia will invade Ukraine have traders expecting oil production to remain tight and prices to remain high, De Haan said. Both Russia and Kazakhstan are members of the so-called OPEC+ bloc, which consists of 24 members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries plus 10 other oil producing nations.

The market is certainly very anxious that something will develop [in Ukraine], De Haan said. Instability in major oil-producing nations is very concerning.

In its weekly gas price update, AAA projected another round of rising prices amid failures by various members OPEC to meet production goals.

Its unclear how much of an increase to expect, but the last time oil prices were this high, the state average was above $3.30 a gallon, AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said.

No free lunch

Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for the Oil Price Information Service, which provides information to oil investors, said other factors will contribute to the upcoming price spikes, including loss of refinery capacity, as several U.S. and Canadian refineries have been permanently shut down in recent months, a reluctance by distributors to expand storage capacity to meet peak summer demand, and the fact that consumers havent changed their consumption habits amid last years rise in gasoline prices.

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Kloza said he expects $100 a barrel oil and $4-a-gallon gasoline wont last long. I dont think this is a new normal, he said Tuesday. Its kind of like a sneak preview of another Star Wars movie.

[ RELATED: Supply chain blues: Heres what South Floridians cant find, and why ]

Ultimately, he said, prices will remain high as the transition to renewable energy takes hold. Its going to be painful and costly, he said. Someone has to be honest with the pubic and say theres no such thing as a free lunch.

Still, not every analyst expects $100-a-barrel oil and $4-a-gallon gas.

The U.S. Energy Information Institute, which tracks energy prices and consumption for the federal government, predicted in its most recent Short Term Energy Outlook on Jan. 11 that gas and oil prices would actually decrease over the next two years.

While the EIA doesnt see gas prices falling back below $2.50, it expects increased global production to keep gas prices at an average $3.06 a gallon in 2022 and $2.81 in 2023.

Still, De Haan noted that the $3.06 projection for 2022 was revised upward from the administrations previous projection in December, when it said gas prices would average $2.88 this year.

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Kloza said the EIA typically does not project large price swings.

The EIA is very temperate, he said. They dont panic and they dont have an agenda but the tend to be a bit conservative [about prices] on the way up, and on the way down.

Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.
The Member of Parliament for Juaboso in the Western North region, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has given scholarships to needy but brilliant students in his Constituency for the 2022 academic year.

The MP in the past has been supporting students to pursue their dreams but has decided to make it bigger this year.

As a result, over 55 students have been offered scholarships by the MP worth GHS100,000.

These needy but brilliant students in the Juaboso Constituency can now pursue courses in medicine, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, amongst others at the countrys public universities and the various training colleges.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over cheques to the students, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the gesture is to help his constituents in the midst of the hardships in the country.

This is a rural constituency and the major occupation is here is cocoa farming and so if the crop year doesnt go well people really suffer. Looking at the economic conditions in the country the hardship is really reflecting in my constituency so I get a lot of calls and application from students who have gained admission but cant afford their admission fees plus continuing students who are unable to continue their education. So I decided to dedicate some amount of money as I have been doing every year to enable them realized their academic goals, he said.

By way of advising the benefiting students, the MP admonished them to stay away from social vices that will lead them astray from achieving their dreams.

If you really want to succeed as a young man there are certain vices you must do away with. If you are coming from the rural areas, theres no need for you to go and adapt certain behaviors like drinking, smoking, womanizing and others-that will divert your attention from studies, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh advised.
19.01.2022 LISTEN

The Accra Circuit Court 2 could not commence the trial of General Overseer of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Rev. Isaac Owusu-Bempah today, Wednesday, January 19 as had been scheduled.

The Court presided over by Mrs. Rosemary Baah Torsu noted that the accused had written to the Court of his inability to attend proceedings today.

Rev. Owusu-Bempah is standing trial with Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene, and Nathaniel Agyekum who have all pleaded not guilty to charges of offensive conduct, assault on police officers, and causing unlawful damage.

They are said to have assaulted police personnel who were deployed to invite the reverend minister to assist police in investigating allegations of the threat of death levelled against him.

The Court at the last adjourned date noted that witness statements had been served on the parties, and the prosecution was expected to call its first witness at todays hearing.

The case has thus been adjourned to February 2, 2022.
The Ghana Blind Union (GBU), in the Savelugu Municipality of the Northern Region, has decried the irregular release of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), saying the situation is affecting access to education for the visually-impaired in the area.

Mr Mohammed Zakaria, Public Relations Officer of GBU, in the Savelugu Municipality, who bemoaned the situation, said there was no school for the visually-impaired in the region, adding this coupled with the irregular release of DACF meant that many visually-impaired children of school-going age remained in the house.

He said, The Savelugu Municipal Assembly, just like any other Assembly, is not fast-tracking the release of funds to the visually-impaired to pay their schools fees to enable them to acquire formal education for their future development to prevent street begging.

He was speaking at a district durbar held at Savelugu for GBU members to engage duty-bearers and other stakeholders in the Savelugu Municipality on relevant issues affecting their livelihoods.

This is to ensure that community members appreciated what they could do to support GBU members to attain their full potential.

The durbar was organised as part of the Anti-Stigma and Discrimination Against Blind (ASDAB) project, which seeks to create a positive culture of support and care for blind persons, including people with mental health conditions to have access to basic, equitable and quality health care in the region.

The ASDAB project also seeks to promote the use of positive languages in communities and public spaces to reduce stigmatisation and discrimination against blind and partially sighted persons as well as promote the use of positive languages on persons with disability in the region.

It formed part of the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie programme, which is funded by UKaid, and it is being implemented by the Centre for Active Learning and Integrated Development (CALID), a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Northern Regional branch of GBU.

Members of GBU are part of the persons with disability, who benefit from three per cent of the DACF, which is paid quarterly to the Assemblies across the country.

However, the DACF is always in arrears, which implies inadequate funds to support the livelihoods of persons with disability in the country.

Mr Zakaria said, There is no school in the Northern Region for the visually impaired. The nearest school is in the Upper West Region. So, if an Assembly is not forthcoming with the funds to support visually-impaired children to go to the school when you ask somebody to send his child to the school from the Northern Region to the Upper West Region, the distance alone is discouraging; a lot of money.

So, if the Assembly is forthcoming with the funds, it will encourage those parents to also send their children to the Upper West Region to acquire formal education.

He also appealed to stakeholders to include the visually impaired in decision-making at all levels to contribute their quota to national development.

Alhaji Saani Sayibu, Savelugu Municipal Director of the Department of Social Welfare, said the Department prioritised the education of the visually impaired urging them to register and apply to the Department for funds under the DACF to pay their school fees.

Alhaji Sayibu said the Department had established a hotline, urging persons with disabilities to rely on the hotline to reach the Department about their challenges for the necessary support.

Mr Mohammed Awal Sumani Bapio, Executive Director of CALID, emphasised the need for all stakeholders in society, including chiefs, religious leaders and community and family members, to support blind people in their areas to reach their potential.

Meanwhile, similar district durbars will be held in the Tamale and Sagnarigu Assemblies later in the month.

GNA
A Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Mr. Peter Nortsu Kotoe says the committee has requested for the Ghana Education Service (GES) to explain the rationale behind its move to change the 2022 Academic Calendar from a trimester to a semester system.

In addition, he says his outfit is demanding that GES presents the policy document backing the important decision taken in the education system of the country.

It is major national policy on education. A policy of this nature, there should be a document on it. So we want the Minister to present the Policy Document to us, the rationale for the rolling out of the semester programme at the basic level, the primary and the kindergarten, Peter Nortsu Kotoe told Citi News in an interview.

GES after becoming used to the double-track system in the Senior High Schools is now looking to implement a semester system not only in Junior High Schools but in primary and kindergarten as well.

Although GES had claimed it consulted all the teacher unions and stakeholders before the decision was taken, it has come to light that they lied.

Speaking to Citi News, General Secretary of the All Teachers Alliance, Mr. Albert Dadson has described the change from trimester to semester as insensitive.

According to him, it is needless and government should rather focus on bridging infrastructure gap in the education sector.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has cautioned the media in their reportage of the growing conflict between Asantehene and Dormaahene.

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is urging extreme caution over the media coverage of the simmering conflict between His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and Dormaahene, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II, a statement from the GJA signed by its President Mr. Affail Monney has said.

The GJA notes that the hyper-sensitive issue involving the two prominent chiefs can degenerate into a conflict of unthinkable proportions, if it is not handled with the highest degree of circumspection, especially by the media.

The release advises the media that the sensational tilt and explosive angles which have characterised the coverage of the verbal exchanges should, therefore, give way to conflict sensitive reporting which will allow tempers to cool down and the issue to be contained or resolved in the long run.

The GJA particularly wants traditional media editors and social media activists to filter any pronouncements from the two chiefs through a very tight weave of journalistic responsibility and gatekeeping. In other words, they should think through the consequences or weigh fully the implications of anything they put out on the matter, the release adds.

The GJA says the move is to ensure that the public is fed with ethically wholesome and culturally edifying information which will not escalate the tension nor compromise the peace and security in the two traditional areas, and by extension the entire nation.
19.01.2022 LISTEN

The Greater Accra Zongo Caucus Coordinator for the opposition National Democratic Congress ( NDC), Ismaila Horoya Ali has condemned the clashes that occurred at Nima on Tuesday.

Mr. Horoya blamed both sides for the mayhem that caused fear, tensions and panic in Nima and Mamobi.

A video that went viral on social media show members of the two rival gangs attacking each other with machetes and gunshots indiscriminately.

The bloody clash brought everything to a standstill in the busy Nima as innocent people were seen screaming and running for their lives.

"Zongo has come far and we do not need such happenings that drag our names and dignities into the mud. We are like a family regardless of our political, religious and other associations we affiliate to.

"We don't want such incidences to be happening in our Zongos particularly Nima and Mamobi. Let us live in peace with each other," Horoya stated.

He called on his fellow politicians, imams, chiefs and opinion leaders in the Zongos to condemn the incident and find a lasting solution to the problem.

The NDC's regional coordinator also appealed to the police and other security agencies to ensure that all the perpetrators are identified and arrested to serve as a deterrent to others.

He commended the efforts of the security agencies for returning calm to the community. "Anyone found to be part of those that cause the mayhem leading to injuries and deaths on the people must be arrested and made to face the full rigours of the law," he emphasised.

According to the Director of Communications for the Ghana Police Service ACP Kwesi Ofori, the police had so far arrested seven people in connection with the violence.

He noted that two of those arrested who were injured had been referred to the police hospital for treatment under police guard.

He added that the police are on the manhunt for the rest of the gangsters.

ACP Kwesi Fori says all the perpetrators shall be fished out and made to face the full rigours of the law.

The Director of Communications mentioned one Kumordzi and Bombor as leaders of the two feuding groups.

The fight is said to be an old feud between the two groups that resurrected on Tuesday and escalated into a full-blown violence later in the evening of the same.
Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency in the Upper East Region Isaac Adongo has taken his usual swipe at Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Attas over the country's latest economic outlook.

He said following the downgrading of Ghana's economy by International ratings agency, Fitch, Ghana in the hands of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta can no more borrow to "eat kenkey and fish."

International ratings agency, Fitch last week downgraded Ghana's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from B to 'B-' with a negative outlook.

The downgrade, it said, reflects the sovereign's loss of access to international capital markets in the second-half of 2021, following a pandemic-related [COVID-19] surge in government debt.

In the report, Fitch noted that this comes in the context of uncertainty about the government's ability to stabilise debt and against a backdrop of tightening global financing conditions. In our view, Ghana's ability to deliver on planned fiscal consolidation efforts could be hindered by the heavier reliance on domestic debt issuance with higher interest costs, in the context of an already exceptionally high interest expenditure to revenue ratio.

Many analysts have said the recent rating is not surprising given the macroeconomic situation of the country.

Speaking on an Accra-based Accra FM, Isaac Adongo noted that the latest news from Fitch confirms his long held position on the abysmal economic performance of the Vice President and Finance Minister.

"The era of borrowing only to come and eat kenkey and fish like the Finance Minister has been doing since he assumed office in 2017 is over.

Im surprised the president is still keeping Mr Ken Ofori-Atta at post even in the wake of glaring evidence that the economy is not in good shape.

With the penchant for spending as a private person and a public officer, in other jurisdictions, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta would not have come near the position of a deputy minister, he argued.

He argues that Bloomberg is only confirming the issues he raised a year ago.

Mr Isaac Adongo says Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia who is the head of the economic management team of the Akufo-Addo appears to have abandoned what he described as the sinking economic management ship for the digitalisation ship.

Since the Vice-President jumped ship, he has turned himself into a Yahoo boy whose only concern is how to fidget with the internet in the name of digitalisation.

The Vice-President has shifted gears into digitalization, leaving economic management on the shoulders of the incompetent Finance Minister.

The legislator stated that the controversial E-levy will not be able to save Ghanas economy, adding that if GHS20 billion could not help the situation, what can GHS9 billion do?

He believes that the situation can only be averted if the creature comfort President Akufo-Addo reduces his wasteful spending on unnecessary including the chartering of luxurious private jet for his foreign trips.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has expressed total disappointment in the various waste management firms operating in the capital, Accra.

According to the Minister, his tour of the city within the last few days, revealed that most parts of Accra had been engulfed in filth despite the distribution of some waste management facilities under the Operation Clean Your Frontage project.

During an engagement with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Accra ahead of the execution of the program in February, Mr. Quartey charged them to ensure that the vicinities are cleared of all filth.

I need to send the caution to you that next week, we will be calling all waste management companies, and we will bring the media in, and we will embarrass you. It will not be a nice talk at all.

When you have 27 compaction trucks, there cant be any excuse at all, he said.

Various assemblies have faced criticism because of incidences of rubbish left uncollected by the roadside.

When you look at places like the Graphic Road, opposite the Graphic corporation, there are about 15 or 16 fertiliser bags [of rubbish]. They are there every day, Mr. Quartey complained.

The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council has also been engaging various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in Accra on their respective action plans.

With the growing concern of filth dominating most parts of the city, the government is set to ensure the enforcement of the sanitation bye-laws from February with the rollout of the Operation Clean Your Frontage project.

For instance, individuals and corporate bodies with filthy surroundings would be summoned and sanctioned by environmental health officers in two weeks time.

---citinewsroom
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu who doubles as Deputy Leader for the Majority group in Ghana's Parliament, Hon Alexander Afenyo-Markin has indicated the need to reward people who have served their communities diligently.

The move he said will inspire patriotism among the youth to contribute to nation building.

"We must not lose sight of the fact that we are Africans, Ghana to be precise, and that we have our unique way and doctrines of rewarding Selfless and dedicated service," he stated.

The vociferous Lawyer and MP said this during the commissioning and handing over of an ultra-modern ICT laboratory, library and fashion training center to the National Vocational and Technical Institute (NVTI) in Winneba on Tuesday, January 18th, 2020.

The facility has three components namely ICT laboratory stocked with 40 computers, a fashion training center equipped with overlock, knitting and embroidery machines numbering 20 and two new pavilions with sets of furniture.

The state of the art edifice named after late Nii Commey Abbey, a former Municipal Chief Executive for Effutu was solely financed and equipped by Hon Alex Afenyo-Markin in honour of the former MCE for his dedicated and honest leadership to the Effutu people during his time.

The MP has also sponsored 250 students in the school and provided laptops to all teachers in the school.

He further bemoaned that unlike the past where society failed to acknowledge people who served Effutu in the area of academia, agriculture, politics, health, security among others, "I promise to change the status quo and this I have done with all the projects since I became your MP."

Hon Markin admonished MP's who will come after him in future to pursue and promote the good initiative he has commenced. This he believes was the surest way to revive the dying sense of patriotism in the youth of the area.

The Effutu MP urged the gathering to support and believe passionately in the Effutu dream so long as I remain your humble, honest, competent, selfless representative in Parliament; our pursuit to build a modernised, progressive and a robust security for the Effutu constituency we all desire."

He continued that as future leaders of Effutu We can, together, build a new civilization 'the Effutu dream' where there is fair opportunity for all in education, where hard work, enterprise and creativity are rewarded immensely, where there is an abundance of dignified working condition for all, where there is honest amongst all the citizens."

For his part, Ekow Young Martin, who is the Manager of the Winneba NVTI commended the MP for the kind gesture.

The projects, he said were timely considering the technological advancement in the academia field.

According to the Manager of the school, infrastructural intervention by Hon. Afenyo Markin was the first time since the school was established in 1992.

He added that the facilities by Effutu Lawmaker were timely and worth commending.

The Manager of the school indicated that with the acquisition of the new edifice and its ultra-modern gadgets, it automatically places the Winneba National Vocational Technical Training Institute ahead in the Central Region.

However, Ekow Young Martin mentioned that the lack of an official vehicle to monitor the students on their industrial attachment and studies was a hindrance and called on the MP for support.

The Chief of the Effutu traditional area, Neenyi Ghartey VII Osabarima in his address urged the people not to relent in demanding nothing but quality especially in the area of education.

He advised the people of Effutu to be part of positive decision making, be very circumspect and constructive in their criticism of their leaders devoid of insults and propaganda.

He commended Afenyo-Markin for his outstanding quality leadership skills describing him as God chosen for the people of Effutu.

Neenyi Ghartey VII Osabarima admonished the students to be serious with their studies.

He urged the teaching staff and management to take good care of the facilities to last long.

In attendance at the ceremony also were Nana Kwame Appiah, Central Regional Director of Ghana Library Authority, Captain Eyi Acquah, Presiding Member for Effutu Municipal Assembly, Mrs Mabel Judith Micah, Director of Education for Effutu Municipality, Madam Gifty Sey, Effutu Municipal Director for Ghana Library Authority, Aaron Moses Eduah, Parish Priest of Anglican Church in Winneba, Neenyi Mbiri III, Chief Fisherman for Effutu, Mahalia Abbey, daughter of late Nii Commey Abbey and Mr. Lord Dartey, cousin of late Nii Commey Abbey.
First and foremost, I wish to congratulate the West African Examination Counsel (W.A.E.C) for the success of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E.) conducted in the month of November 2021. It was credible and void of the usual mass leakages which has bedeviled recent examinations in the country. W.A.E.C ayekoo!!

Appreciating the questions set for the students in relation to past years questions, there has been great variation across subjects. It is a worthwhile innovation to varry the trend of questions to build on the standard of examinations.

However, varrying the trend of question to the neglect of it capturing the varrying level of strength of learners or their different levels of intelligent quotient, deserves a review.

Students' strength in the subject of Mathematics vary from Number, Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, and Handling Data.

In simple terms, from my experience interacting with Mathematics learners, students can be categorized into two groups. The first group of students are those who have high computational quotient. These learners find calculation questions easy to understand and handle.

The second group are also equally intelligent. But, unlike the first group, these learners have high geometric quotient. These learners find geometry and measurement questions easy to understand and handle.

In a typical class, only about five percent have high intelligence in both computation and geometry. The majority are divided with every learner possessing a strong ability in either computation or geometry. There is no learner who lacks in both categories; every mathematics student is potentially good in one of the two areas.

In effect, I wish to comment that the 2021 B.E.C.E. Mathematics paper two was structurally unfair to a section of learners.

There was almost no question on geometry; it is obvious all the questions were computational. Not even one question required the use of pencil, geometry or measurement skills. All the six questions were computational. The usual geometry questions like construction, rigid motion and statistics were evidently absent.

Let's consider the fact that learners are even given the options in school selection to choose both grammar school and at least one technical/vocational school. Now, if the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service recognizes the diversity in student abilities and mandates that they choose grammar and technical/vocational schools in their school selection, it is only fair that examinations are structured well - taking into consideration this same fact of the diverse abilities of learners, computational and geometry.

Going forward, I am hopeful the West African Examination Counsel will review the structure of it's Mathematics questions for the Basic Education Certificate Examination taking into consideration the diversity of learners' skills and abilities.

Written by: Rich Akpalu

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: +233 (0)547 198 833
The omicron variant of the coronavirus arrived in Florida before the first confirmed case in the U.S. and spread earlier and faster than most people realized, a new state report shows.

At Thanksgiving, as the world was learning about a new variant detected in South Africa, a woman infected with omicron who had traveled to the African continent was in a St. Lucie hospital. In the weeks that followed, omicron sickened hundreds of Floridians enough to send them to hospitals, the report shows. Yet, delta remained the variant that mostly took the lives of Floridians during December, even as omicron raged.

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Now that the state appears to be at or near the omicron peak, new cases are slowing, and the deadly effect of omicron is only starting to become known. A sampling of COVID cases by the Florida Department of Health in a variant report released Tuesday provides the first detailed account of the evolution of omicron in the state and offers some guidance on what to expect going forward.

[ COVID UPDATED: Florida reports steep drop in new cases but largest increase in deaths in two months ]

While the omicron surge in Florida began with a few infections in people who had traveled, it infiltrated every age group in December and sickened people in all ages enough that they had to be hospitalized. But even as omicron began surging, delta and its dozens of sublineages remained in the state and made up the majority of Floridas hospitalizations and deaths.

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Dr. Michael Teng, a virologist and associate professor with USF Health, said what this new report illustrates is that a variant can linger even after it recedes, a pattern omicron may replicate.

The peak is the top of the mountain, not the end, Tang said. It could still be a while after we hit the peak of omicron to get the cases down to where they were at the tail end of delta.

By now, scientists estimate more than 95% of all new infections are the omicron strain.

[ Lee en espanol: Omicron se propago mucho antes y mas rapido en Florida de lo que la mayoria de la gente pensaba, segun muestra nuevo informe estatal ]

The first United States case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus was reported in California on Dec. 1, four days after the Florida woman in St. Lucie County learned she had COVID. The states variant report is a random sampling of positive COVID cases in the state confirmed by commercial labs.

On Tuesday, Floridas average daily rate for new COVID-19 cases fell to its lowest level of the month. The number of patients in the hospital with COVID-19 continued to hold steady  as it has for the past week  after more than a month of steep increases.

But as is the typical timeline, deaths from the omicron wave, which hit hard during the holidays, are only beginning to emerge in reported statistics. On Tuesday, an increase in reported deaths sent the 7-day average to its highest point since before Thanksgiving, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

[ RELATED: Breakthroughs make up 41% of new cases in Florida ]

Dr. Cindy Prins, clinical associate professor of epidemiology with the University of Florida College of Public Health, said the states January variant report should be more insightful. We will probably see an uptick in deaths that are confirmed with omicron, but not in the same amount we saw with delta. There might still be some delta mixed in but it feels like there is so much omicron out there that its going to proportionately show more omicron deaths.

Prins said those statistics are what researchers are most interested in knowing. We want to watch the level of deaths of omicron because the thinking has been that it is not as severe as delta.

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Decembers variant report shows while the majority of new cases were Floridians ages 25 to 44, most COVID hospitalizations were people ages 65 to 84.

[ RELATED: Where to get monoclonal antibodies in South Florida ]

I think this shows once a variant starts spreading, it hits the vulnerable, even if they are vaccinated and boosted, Teng said. We still need to pay attention to the virus because it keeps coming back.

Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com or Twitter @cindykgoodman.
19.01.2022 LISTEN

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that it will hold a town-hall meeting in Kumasi on Monday, January 24, 2022.

In a statement from the largest opposition party, it says the programme will dissect the ailing economy of the country under the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.

The town-hall meeting will also have discussions on the yet-to-be approved Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) before Parliament resumes sitting.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) wishes to inform the general public that the party shall hold a Town-Hall meeting in the city of Kumasi on Monday, 24th January, 2022.

The program which is being organized under the auspices of the National Communications Bureau will take place at the Great Hall, of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) at 1PM on the theme: Dissecting Ghana's ailing economy and the obnoxious E-levy policy, an NDC statement signed by Sammy Gyamfi has said.

The upcoming town-hall meeting will be attended by the media as well as various stakeholder groups who will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the theme for the event.

Find more in the NDC press release below:

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

19/01/22

NDC TO HOLD TOWN-HALL MEETING IN KUMASI.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) wishes to inform the general public that the party shall hold a Town-Hall meeting in the city of Kumasi on Monday, 24th January, 2022.

The program which is being organized under the auspices of the National Communications Bureau will take place at the Great Hall, of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) at 1PM on the theme: Dissecting Ghana's ailing economy and the obnoxious E-levy policy.

The program will be attended by the media and various stakeholder groups who will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the theme for event. The general public is therefore encouraged to look forward to these riveting and constructive engagements which will be streamed live on several media platforms across the country.

Signed,

Sammy Gyamfi Esq.

National Communication Officer
The Asante Akim North Municipal Security Council in the Ashanti Region has requested military deployment to Agogo and adjoining communities to prevent the excalation of farmer-herder clashes.

The reinforcement is to support an existing task force currently in place.

This comes after a 15-year-old boy was butchered by an assailant believed to be a herder at Nhyiaeso, a farming community within the municipality.

Three cattle herders are currently assisting with investigations after village folks who nearly lynched the suspects handed them over to the police.

Municipal Chief Executive for Asante Akim North, Francis Oti Boateng, disclosed that arrangements are in place to beef up security in the communities.

We were having the task force on the ground, and they retreated for about a week. God being so good, we have reactivated the police team again. We have to talk to the Defence Minister, so we can get the military too on the ground.

Agogo: Three men escape lynching after allegedly killing a teenager

The Ashanti Regional Police rescued three men from being lynched after their alleged involvement in the death of the 15-year-old.

According to a report by the police, the injured suspects have been hospitalized under police guard.

Speaking to Citi News, the Divisional Police Commander of Konongo, DSP Shaibu Osei, said the 15-year-old boy has been butchered and one of his hands has been chopped off.

Following the attack, the villagers had massed up and arrested three of them [the suspects] who were on the verge of being lynched.

---citinewsroom
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has appealed to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) to expedite the formulation of the national export strategy.

The strategy, which is being prepared by the Ministry, will guide the export of Ghanaian products to other countries under the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

It will also enable companies to identify the categories of products (non-sensitive, sensitive, and exclusion list) they would want to export, modify, and make marketable.

Dr Humphrey Ayim-Darke, AGI President, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, said, there had been delays in the formulation of the strategy and called of it to be fast-tracked.

He said though the Ministry started with a Working Committee to have the document in place, a year after commencement of the free trade, not much had been done.

He, therefore, called on the Ministry to speed up the drafting of the document to enable Ghanaian companies to take full advantage of the opportunities of the intra free African trade.

With the national strategy, we can identify the three categories of the product, including the exempted and preferential ones through the harmonised code, then we will know the tariff regimes, and the other countries that are ready, he said.

Dr Ayim-Darke noted that although Kasapreko Company Limited and Ghandour Cosmetics Limited exported their products, the recipient countries were not fully ready in terms of compliance.

A number of countries have signed on. However, their custom systems that must be harmonised is still not completely ready. So, I may choose to be exporting products to a neighbouring country and granted that the custom systems are not well harmonised, you might still face difficulties in exporting, he noted.

They have brought in the payment system that will facilitate [the free trade], but other technical issues; quality, rules of origin and identifying the product are critical. we expect the Ministry and the AfCFTA team to speed up on them, he said.

Meanwhile, the AGI President said the Ministry had been training about 100 Ghanaian companies on how to be competitive and fine-tune their products for to enter the market and export.

Mr Alan Kyeremateng, the Trade Minister, following the commencement of trade under AfCFTA, assured that the Government would ensure the inclusion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the implementation process.

The trade agreement, with a potential combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $3.4 trillion aims at creating a single market for goods and services to deepen the economic integration of Africa.

GNA
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has confirmed the termination of the appointment of two of its staff who presented fake certificates to get employment at the Central Bank.

Although the Central Bank did not disclose their names, it said in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, that it had not dismissed 90 per cent of new members of staff as being speculated on social media.

It is not true that 90 per cent of recently recruited staff were found to have presented fake certificates. The incident being referred to involve two members of staff whose appointments were terminated for providing fake certificates as part of their employment documentation, the Bank said.

It added that the statement circulating on social media was twisted to misinform the public.

The Bank explained that as part of due diligence processes during and post recruitment, those found to have presented forged documentation (including academic and professional certificates) are either dropped from the recruitment process or their services terminated if already on-boarded and on probation."

This, it said, was part of a systematic exercise to deal with unsatisfactory behaviour and ensure that members of staff conformed to rules and regulations.

The Bank of Ghana wishes to put on record that dismissals are a regular Human Resources management function for staff whose conduct is unsatisfactory or have committed an offence, as stipulated in the Bank's handbook on Human Resource Policies, the statement added.

GNA
Senior US diplomats met with pro-democracy activists Wednesday in Sudan as part of talks to discuss the way forward after last year's military coup, Washington's embassy in Khartoum said.

Sudan has been shaken by regular protests and a deadly crackdown since the October 25 military takeover led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, which dissolved the government and derailed the country's transition to civilian rule.

Anti-coup demonstrations have been met by a security response that has so far left 71 people dead -- many shot by live rounds -- and hundreds wounded, according to medics.

At least seven protesters were killed on Monday alone, the medics said, in one of the bloodiest days of anti-coup rallies.

US Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and special envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, held meetings with the bereaved families of people killed during the protests, the US embassy said.

They also met with members of the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), an umbrella of unions which were instrumental in protests which ousted president Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. The SPA has also called for anti-coup protests.

'Reestablish public trust'

The diplomats are scheduled to meet with others including military leaders and political figures.

"Their message will be clear: the United States is committed to freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people," the US State Department said ahead of the visit.

The diplomats held earlier talks in Saudi Arabia with the "Friends of Sudan" -- a group of Western and Arab countries favouring transition to civilian rule.

In a statement, the group backed a United Nations initiative announced last week to hold intra-Sudanese consultations to break the political impasse.

"We urge all to engage in good faith and reestablish public trust in the inevitable transition to democracy," the group said.

"Ideally this political process will be time-bound and culminate in the formation of a civilian-led government which will prepare for democratic elections."

While the US diplomats visited, Burhan announced that the vice-ministers -- some of whom served before the coup and some appointed after -- would now become ministers.

A statement from his office called this a "cabinet in charge of current affairs."

But it has no prime minister, since the civilian premier Abdalla Hamdok resigned in early January after trying to cooperate with the military.

Since Tuesday, many shops were closed and streets barricaded around Khartoum as part of a civil disobedience campaign to protest the latest killings of demonstrators.

Prosecutors, university professors, and doctors joined in the civil disobedience campaign, according to separate statements.

Sudan's authorities have repeatedly denied using live ammunition against demonstrators, and insist scores of security personnel have been wounded during protests. A police general was stabbed to death last week.
Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, the Executive Secretary of Tijjaniya Muslims Movement of Ghana (TMMG) has cautioned the youth to stay away from alcohol and hard drugs, including marijuana.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Alhaji Osman said using alcohol or drugs can affect young people's health, physical growth and emotional and social development.

Alhaji Osman noted that the youth might want to fit in with their friends by indulging in such activities but stressed the consequences of drug abuse were severe.

The Tijjaniya Movement Executive Secretary said alcoholism and drug abuse led to moral decadence and untimely death, causing sorrows to families and society at large.

He said alcoholism and drugs also led to the social stigmatization of victims, making children vulnerable to drug-related crimes and activities.

Alhaji Osman encouraged parents to play a key role in educating their children about alcohol and drugs by talking honestly and openly about the effects on their health, school, work and relationships.

GNA
National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Usumanu Nuhu Sharubutu

19.01.2022 LISTEN

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Usumanu Nuhu Sharubutu, has condemned Tuesday's violent clash between two rival groups at Nima.

The Chief Imam, through his Spokesperson Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, described the act as unfortunate, which did not conform to the teachings of Islam and urged Muslim youth to uphold the principle of respect for the sanctity of human blood and the sacredness of human life.

The National Chief Imam said this when the Conference of Regional Chief Imams of Ghana, consisting of imams from all the 16 regions across the country, paid a courtesy call to officially introduce themselves to him.

He said the Islamic Religion promoted all that was good and righteous and advantageous and abhored anything that was evil and destructive to human life, adding that the incident was unacceptable.

The National Chief Imam encouraged all Imams to engage the youth on peaceful co-existence every Friday in their sermons.

He advised young people to eschew violence, idleness and not allow themselves to be used by people to foment trouble, saying What happened yesterday was an eyesore and we hope that we will never see similar thing happening again.

The Ghana Police have so far arrested seven persons in connection with the Nima violent clash with two of the suspects currently on admission at hospitals under Police guard.

One injured victim identified as Appiah is on admission at the 37 Military Hospital responding to treatment.

The Police said the clash occurred after leaders of the rival groups had agreed to meet publicly to iron out their differences.

GNA
A 67-year-old Corn Mill Operator, Yaw Alhassan, who had sex with a 12-year-old girl and impregnated her has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court.

Alhassan charged with defilement, pleaded guilty with an explanation.

In his explanation to the court, Alhassan admitted having sex with the victim on two occasions.

According to him, it was the victim who visited him in his room, caressed and sat on him and I also had sex with her, Alhassan told the sitting judge, Mrs. Patricia Amponsah.

Alhassan said relations of the victim, who was two months pregnant, wanted to abort the pregnancy for her so he had offered GHC500 and 280 cedis on two occasions for the abortion, which cost GHC1, 500.

Alhassan, who is married with kids, therefore, prayed the court to have mercy on him because he had kids who were attending school and the youngest, nine-year-old.

The court initially gave him 21 years imprisonment, but an intervention by Captain Retired (Rtd) Nkrabeah Effah Darteh, saw a reduction of the sentence from 21 years to 20 years.

Captain Rtd Effah Darteh prayed the court to review the length of the sentence in view of the age of Alhassan.

He held that the victim had not suffered grave harm.

The trial judge said in sentencing, she had taken into consideration the fact that Alhassan did not waste the court's time.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant was a trader residing at Olebu and that the victim was a granddaughter of the complainant.

Chief Inspector Atimbire said the convict resided in the same house with the victim.

It said about a month ago, the complainant travelled to her hometown leaving the victim in the care of her aunty.

Whiles away, Prosecution said the victim's Aunty called the complainant saying the victim was ill.

It said the complainant directed that the victim should be sent to Lapaz Community Hospital where the doctor on duty confirmed that the victim was two months pregnant.

When quizzed, the victim revealed that it was Alhassan who had been having sexual intercourse with her in his room.

Alhassan was, therefore, arrested and during investigation he admitted the offense in his caution statement.

GNA
Ghana Health Service (GHS) has started administering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to selected persons who are fully inoculated in the last three to six months.

They include healthcare workers, persons with underlying medical conditions, persons 60 years and above, frontline security personnel, members of the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature.

Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of GHS, disclosed this during a media engagement in Accra to provide policy update on COVID-19 management.

He said the number of unvaccinated was a major concern as a high proportion of critical cases were people who had not been vaccinated.

In that regard, the GHS had intensified efforts to help further reduce the number of cases in the fourth wave, he added.

The COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is to give people an added level of protection from COVID-19 if their existing protection has waned over time.

Ghana as of January 16, 2022, has recorded a total of 155,242 confirmed cases, with 4,185 active cases, 40 severe cases, 11 in critical condition with a death toll of 1,364.

Dr Kuma-Aboagye reiterated the call on Ghanaians to continue to adhere to the safety protocols to stem the spread of the virus.

GNA
A military court in DR Congo on Wednesday rejected a bid to have former president Joseph Kabila testify at a trial into the murder of a prominent rights campaigner.

Three policemen are appealing against a death sentence over the killing of activist Floribert Chebeya in 2010 -- a case that stoked international concern over rights abuses during the Kabila era.

Civilian plaintiffs in the case and 50 NGOs had asked the court to have Kabila and several other figures give evidence, but the request was turned down.

"We are very disappointed by this position," Rostin Manketa, executive director of Chebeya's campaign group, Voice for the Voiceless (VSV).

Until now, "the court was heading in the right direction (but) this poorly reasoned decision... makes us realise that they want to keep grey areas," he said.

Chebeya was found dead in his car on the outskirts of the capital Kinshasa in June 2010.

He had been called to the police station the previous day -- his driver took him there for the appointment but subsequently went missing and is suspected to have been killed.

Five policemen were later convicted of Chebeya's death. Three were sentenced in absentia and are appealing.

Military prosecutors recently said they now suspect that the country's former head of police, General John Numbi, also played a part in the killing. He has disappeared.

Numbi was placed under US and European sanctions in 2016 for a crackdown on protests in the Bas Congo region in 2008 that according to Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed more than 200 lives.

But in 2017, he was given an award by Kabila, a move that incensed campaign groups.

The following year, Numbi was appointed armed forces inspector general, but Kabila's successor, Felix Tshisekedi, forced him out in July 2020.

Kabila stepped down in January 2019 after 18 years in power, in the first peaceful transition in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A mother and daughter getting vaccinated together as Central Floridians continue to receive the Covid-19 shots at the FEMA-supported Vaccination Site at Valencia College West campus, Monday, March 15, 2021. Monday was the first day of the vaccine eligibility age in Florida being dropped from 65 to 60; Anyone 60 and older can now get the vaccine at federally-supported walk-up and satellite sites in addition to, by appointment, area pharmacies and the Florida Department of Health at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

We are answering your questions about the coronavirus vaccines and what we need to do next. Submit your question using this form or email Lois Solomon at AskLois@sunsentinel.com.

Q. We recently moved and I misplaced a folder with my important documents. One was my vaccine card. I have a photo of the first two on my phone. Can you tell me how to get a new card? My first shot was in a park in Palm Beach County and the second was at the Palm Beach County fairgrounds. The third was at a pediatric medical office (of a friend). We plan to cruise and travel in the spring, so I need to get this squared away before we go.  Myra

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A. This is going to become a problem for many as time passes and we lose track of our little white cards. Here are a few ways to access your records.

The cards information is stored in Florida SHOTS (State Health Online Tracking System), a database available to health care professionals. The best strategy would be to call your primary care physician, who can access the database and print out your Florida Certificate of Immunization.

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You can also reach out to the site where you received your vaccine or the sites sponsor. Listed below are some of the most common in South Florida.

Florida Department of Health, Palm Beach: Email CHD50ContactUs@flhealth.gov with the subject line Vaccination Card and provide your name, birthdate and location and dates of your shots.

Florida Department of Health, Broward: Call the Records Management (Medical Records) Department at 954-412-7300.

Publix: Customers can visit any Publix Pharmacy and request their customer history summary. The printout will show their COVID vaccines.

Broward Health: All COVID vaccination data is being sent to Florida SHOTS, Broward Health spokeswoman Jennifer Smith said. The public should call their primary care physician, who can then access the database and have a new card reissued.

Q. I plan to fly back to the United States on July 17 from Portugal on three flights. How can I get a COVID test with fast results to meet the current testing requirements? I suppose I will need to find a test facility at the airport or get one on the same day I fly.  Sarina

A. For flights to the United States, you do need a negative COVID test taken within 24 hours of boarding. Taking three flights to get back here makes this a complicated problem.

Check your airlines website to see what testing facilities there are at or near the airports you will be passing through, and see if you have enough time to get tested at one of them within the 24-hour time frame. Also take a look at information posted by the airports or a site such as Business Traveller, which has a detailed list of international airports and their testing offerings.

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The 24-hour rule became effective a year ago, and travelers are not reporting significant challenges, said Vicki Bean, a travel advisor at LUXE Travel Management in Boca Raton.

Everyone that is returning from out of the country has had to go through this, and I have not heard of any problems, she said.

[ RELATED: Breakthrough infections are increasingly common with omicron variant ]

Q. I got a J&J shot back in March and I got my J&J booster in November in different places on my arm. My original injection spot STILL hurts! The booster (and flu shot) never hurt at all. I havent done a test yet, but hoping the first injection worked and wondering why it still hurts to the touch.  Barbara

A. The pain is most likely related to the way the first injection was administered, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience.

She said the soreness may indicate SIRVA, or Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration. The needle may have been placed too high, entering the shoulder joint instead of the deltoid muscle.

Sometimes you can have just pain, and sometimes it can limit your range of motion, she said. The best course of action is to seek care from your physician, who may recommend imaging, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory treatment, such as steroid injections.

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Look at the bright side, she said: Even when reactions such as this occur, the vaccine is still effective.

[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. We are planning to fly to Europe and are being told that because we change planes, we need to present a QR code to get on the connecting flight. Where do we get QR codes to show our vax status and also a current negative test?  Elise Herman

A. Check the websites for the U.S. embassies in the countries youre going to. If youre going to Spain, for example, the embassy provides directions for how to download the necessary QR code through the Spain Ministry of Healths website or in the Google Play or iTunes App stores.

Every country has its own requirements, so you have to check online to get that countrys info, said Vicki Bean, a travel advisor at Luxe Travel Management in Boca Raton. It can change anytime, so you have to keep your eye on it prior to departure to make sure you are meeting the most current requirements.

Another important thing to remember is that when you re-enter the United States, you need a negative test for COVID-19 taken within 24 hours of your return flight or paperwork showing you have recently recovered. Youll have to show these documents to the airline before you board.

[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. Can I receive one COVID vaccination in Florida and the second in Colorado?  Julia Feikert

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A. Remember when the rules were really strict and you had to show proof of Florida residency to get a shot here? Well those days are gone. Its really easy to walk in to a pharmacy and get a COVID vaccination, and its the same in Colorado. They wont ask for any identification and wont ask if youre a resident of Colorado. But bring the card that you got for your first shot when you go for your second so you can have a complete record of your vaccinations on one piece of paper. For those seeking shots in South Florida, find a list of sites at sunsentinel.com/coronavirus/vaccines.

Q. In November I had stem cell shots for two severely damaged hips. Will obtaining a booster shot interfere with the stem cell therapy? If so, when will it be safe for me to have the booster shot?  Nancy Trimble

A. This is actually one of the frequently asked questions on the American Society of Hematologys website. In short, they say you should go ahead and get a booster. I also asked Dr. Jorge Galvez Silva, a pediatric hematologist oncologist with KIDZ Medical Services and medical director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Nicklaus Childrens Hospital in Miami, for his view.

Vaccines will not interfere with stem cell therapy, he said. We suggest giving flu and COVID vaccines to patients with immune systems whose numbers/values are in the normal range.

He said some stem cell patients may have a weak response to the vaccines, but they should still get them.

Patients undergoing stem cell therapies for inflammation could respond differently but it will depend on what type of immunosuppressive medications they are on, he said. Either way, COVID vaccination should not affect the stem cell infusion and it is better for the body to have an incomplete reaction than none at all.

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[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. I got my booster and tested positive the next day for COVID. Was it a waste to get the booster? Is it still protecting me from the worst symptoms? Should I re-boost?  Eric, Cooper City

A. No need to beat yourself up on this one. You did the right thing, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people with COVID wait until their symptoms have resolved before getting a booster. But even if you didnt know you had the virus when you got vaccinated, youll still be fine, she said.

It was not a waste, Klemes said. The CDC is recommending boosters for all adults. There is no reason to re-boost at this point. The COVID you have now is giving you natural immunity on top of your booster. Research has shown that being vaccinated does help minimize the severity of your disease.

Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience, agreed.

Now you have very strong immunity, she said. If you knew you had COVID, you could have canceled the booster and postponed it for a month later. But since you didnt know that you were already infected (which happens to many people), there is no harm in receiving the booster.

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Q. I am in my 80s and had my booster shot in August. My plan in February is to fly and visit my family in another state. As six months will have elapsed since my booster shot, should I get another booster before I travel?  Ruth, Boca Raton

A. It depends whether you fall in the immunocompromised category. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved a fourth dose beginning in February for people with weakened immune systems, which includes cancer and HIV patients, and organ transplant recipients. Age is not an included category at the moment.

A fourth shot could become standard for almost all Americans in the coming year. Israel is already offering them to people age 60 and older and medical workers. Needless to say, Americans who are concerned about the omicron variant have started getting fourth shots anyway, whether they are compromised or not, and there are few safeguards in place to prevent this.

[ RELATED: South Floridians skirt rules to get booster ]

Q. I tried to make an appointment for the antibody treatment and there are hardly any locations where they are available. Any ideas or recommendations if this is going to change anytime soon? Getting the treatment early is of critical importance for those who are at risk. Im sure you already know that!  P.L.

A. Treatment availability did slow down last month because federal officials said monoclonal antibodies are not effective against COVIDs omicron variant. However, the federal government has agreed to start shipping them out again. Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday U.S. health officials will send at least 30,000 monoclonal antibody treatments to Florida, with new public treatment sites to open as soon as the doses arrive.

The infusions prevent COVID from becoming severe, although they appear to be more successful against the delta variant.

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When the doses arrive, you wont need a doctors prescription. DeSantis said the states surgeon general is going to offer guidance on how to explicitly target the treatment to the elderly population and people with risk factors.

[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. A few months ago President Biden stated that rapid testing kits would be sold to the American people for $14. However, Walmart is the only store that I know that lowered the price to $14. Walgreens and CVS are still selling these tests for $23.99. The poor cannot afford to buy these tests. If they are lucky they can find them at Walmart but that is becoming difficult because of the mass buying of these tests.  Sean Cononie, Cosac Foundation for the homeless, Davie

A. President Joe Biden has announced a plan to distribute 500 million free at-home rapid tests to Americans beginning next month. Anyone who wants a test would have to request it through a website that will launch in January. Details are still to come.

Biden had announced earlier this month he wanted home tests to become free and widely available. I couldnt find any reference he made to the $14 price you mentioned.

The president is making this announcement as the omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading quickly. At-home tests are in high demand now and hard to find, although pharmacies say they are regularly restocking. Prices start at about $7 per test (or $14 for two, maybe thats where you heard the $14 number) and go as high as $38.99. These costs could become prohibitive for a family thats testing regularly, so hopefully the presidents plan will come to fruition.

[ RELATED: Subscribe to the Sun-Sentinel's new newsletter, Essential South Florida ]

Q. My wife and I are fully vaccinated and received our booster shots in late September. If everything stays OK, we would like to visit New York City in May for a week. Would proof of our vaccination (and not a negative COVID test) be sufficient for our trip? And if we travel to Montreal and then on to Toronto from New York, would our full vaccination status still be sufficient? Would our full vaccination status be all thats needed to return to Florida?  David, Aventura

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A. You dont need a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination to travel in the United States, although there could be some venues, such as restaurants or museums or theaters you visit in New York, that will want to see your vaccination cards.

Canada is a different story; you will have to upload your vaccine info and COVID test results to an app called ArriveCAN. You may even have to undergo another test upon arrival: The Government of Canada is increasing the number of fully vaccinated travelers being selected for testing to reach 100% of vaccinated travelers in the coming weeks, according to a government website.

As for returning to Florida, you will not need to show any vaccine or testing documents to anyone. But you can feel good knowing you are fully vaccinated and boosted and unlikely to be spreading COVID or its variants.

Q. I got my second Pfizer shot at the end of February 2021. Every month since then I have suffered facial swelling and vision problems. I am afraid of the booster. What should I do?  Judith

A. This is one for your doctor. These symptoms may or may not be a reaction to your Pfizer shots, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

I would suggest she talk to her doctor, Klemes said. She may have medical conditions causing these symptoms or something new going on. She needs to be evaluated and not assume it is from the vaccine.

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Q. Can I just walk in to my local pharmacy for my booster or do I need an appointment?  John, Coconut Creek

A. Get in line; everyone wants a booster now that the omicron variant is looming among us. A record-breaking 308,217 people in Florida got their boosters last week.

Statewide, the number of people who got boosters from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 was almost 40,000 more than the previous week, raising the total past 300,000 for the first time since the week of Sept. 3.

You may get lucky and be able to walk right into a pharmacy without an appointment, but I would call ahead and see if they will take you. Publix, for example, prefers that you make an appointment.

While our pharmacies do take walk-ins, appointments receive priority and a pharmacist and/or pharmacy technician may not be available to administer a vaccine that is not scheduled, Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said. Some stores may have a vaccine check-in table that would allow customers to inquire if walk-in vaccinations are available on that particular day.

Heres a way to see where boosters are available in your ZIP code: Text 438829 to receive a list of nearby pharmacies with doses available.

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[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. I need a COVID test to get on an international flight but every place I look into wants to charge more than $100. Is there anywhere that is low-cost or no-cost?  Jill, Coral Springs

A. There are many testing sites in South Florida that wont charge you; the problem is they may not get your results back in time. There are 11 free sites run by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County. They dont require an appointment, will take any age and will take you whether you are vaccinated or not. Results typically come back within two days, spokeswoman Nina Levine said.

Palm Beach County has a similar number of sites with similar rules. Then there are the commercial sites that will either bill your insurance or require you to pay out-of-pocket. They can cost as much as $350, but promise to get you results quickly, sometimes within a few hours. So you have to weigh how fast you need the results with whether and how much youre willing to pay.

[ RELATED: Your cruise leaves in two days and you need a COVID test. Here's what you need to know. ]

Q. I am yet to get my COVID-19 booster. Should I go now, or should I wait until the pharma companies develop a new formulation that will combat the omicron variant?  Martin, Hollywood

A. No need to wait; go now, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience. The booster likely will offer protection from this scary new variant of COVID-19.

If it has been six to eight months since your second COVID vaccine and you have not contracted COVID since then, it is recommended that you receive your booster, regardless of omicron, she said. While vaccine manufacturers are currently testing the effectiveness of the vaccines against omicron as well as developing specific mRNA codes that target the omicron variant, there is no timeline as of yet as to when these new vaccines will be available.

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The current vaccines protected us from the delta variant, so theres hope they also will shield us from whatever comes our way in the coming months, she said.

Vaccine manufacturers are constantly chasing their tail when it comes to variants, so a new variant may be present by the time a vaccine against omicron and delta become available, she said. Its best to protect yourself as best you can by getting whatever booster is available to you currently.

[ RLEATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID-19 rules are different here. ]

Q. My husband and I both had a mild case of COVID-19 in January 2021, then got the first shot of Moderna in March, followed by the second in April. I plan to get my booster in the next few days. How long will immunity last with this third shot?

Also, this may be too soon to ask, but my husband and I plan to take my dream trip to Italy the end of June 2022 immediately followed by a trip to England to visit family. Thats seven months from now, so well need to renew our COVID-19 vaccines prior to our trip, right?  Linda, Boca Raton

A. Immunity wanes approximately six months after youve gotten two shots of Pfizer or Moderna or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, said Dr. Jorge Perez, founder of KIDZ Medical Services, which has offices throughout South Florida. Thats why boosters are now encouraged, although recommendations continue to evolve.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently said that the stance on boosters could change in the future as more data on their efficacy becomes available, Perez said. Overall, I recommend that my patients  and my family  follow the CDC recommendations in effect four to six weeks before their scheduled travel date.

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There are no recommendations for a second booster, or a fourth shot, at the moment, although that could change as omicron and other variants continue to emerge in the coming months.

At that time, they also need to reconsider traveling to a country that is in the middle of a surge, as several in Europe are experiencing right now, Perez said.

Q. I am a Type 2 diabetic. I received the Pfizer vaccine. Six months from my last dose would be Dec. 28. Im planning a Christmas trip. Should I get my booster two weeks before my trip, so that I have increased resistance before I travel?  Robert

A. Go for it, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends six months between your second dose and your booster, but I think it makes sense to get it two weeks early to ensure you are protected on your trip, Klemes said. Personally, that is what I would do.

[ RELATED: Here are the COVID-19 rules in Florida restaurants, theme parks, grocery stores and sports venues ]

Q. I had to get a tetanus shot about a month ago. Walgreens only had DTaP. Can I get a COVID booster now or is it too soon? Will the tetanus shot fight the COVID antibodies?  Krista, Fort Lauderdale

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A. DTaP is a triple-whammy vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Your DTaP shot will get along just fine with a COVID booster, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience.

This is a very common question, Beckerman said. Each vaccine works by making antibodies to a specific protein found on that virus or bacteria. When you get the COVID vaccine, your body makes antibodies specifically against the spike protein on the outside of the COVID virus. Those antibodies dont affect a different virus or bacteria. So if you get a DTaP vaccine, the antibodies you make as a result of that vaccine dont affect other viruses or bacteria. Therefore, you can receive the COVID vaccine regardless of any other vaccine.

Q. I may be a rare case, but I received my first Moderna vaccination in late January and my second in late February. Then this summer, I caught COVID and became quite ill with it. Do I have any extra protection? Can I get it again? I work with someone in a small office who refuses to get vaccinated and wears a mask only sporadically. Thats troubling.  Susan

A. Its true that youre in the minority, but vaccinated people do get COVID and can get it more than once. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 91 cases per 100,000 vaccinated people in the United States who had COVID as of Oct. 2, compared with 452 cases per 100,000 among the unvaccinated.

Now that youve recovered, you have extra protection, but how much and for how long is unknown, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

You can get COVID after being vaccinated and you can also get COVID again after having had it before, she said. I would discuss your particular case with your doctor, but you may consider a booster shot if it has been more than three months since you had COVID and you meet the criteria.

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Q. I received my COVID-19 vaccinations in January and February and then went for the monoclonal antibody injection in August. Do I still need to get the COVID booster?  Deb

A. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that fight the virus and have been successful in treating mild to moderate COVID. According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: If you receive monoclonal antibod(ies), it remains important to be vaccinated to prevent serious illness in the future.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you wait 90 days after treatment with monoclonal antibodies before getting a COVID shot. Depending when in August you got your monoclonal injection, you can head over to a pharmacy now or in the coming weeks to get your booster.

[ RELATED: Here's what you need to know about cruising and COVID-19 tests ]

Q. I am an over-70 survivor of open heart surgery and living with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes. I have had all three Pfizer vaccinations. What is your advice on attending a family gathering with vaccinated adults but several children under 11 still unvaccinated?  Patricia

A. Dont cancel Thanksgiving! There are several things you can do to create a safe gathering. Here are some recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Stay outdoors as much as possible.

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Make sure indoor spaces have good air circulation and are not too crowded.

Dont go if youre sick.

I would add you should get tested for COVID-19 before you go and ask others who are attending to get tested, too. The Binax Now home tests are about $25 and known for their accuracy.

Since you have some pre-existing conditions, theres extra advice from Dr. Joanna Drowos, an associate professor of family medicine at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

As someone who is at higher risk of becoming ill from a COVID-19 infection, the recommendation would be to mask when indoors, and ask others to mask around you as well, she said. You can still enjoy an event with your family, but make sure to spend time outdoors, keep your distance and wash your hands.

[ RELATED: Here's how to find a COVID-19 test if you're going on a cruise or international flight ]

Q. Do you know of anywhere that would give a Pfizer booster in the thigh for someone diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts?  Survivor

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A. You do have to ask around when you want your shot anywhere beside your arm. One possibility is a doctors office, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience.

When administering the Pfizer vaccine, the most important aspect is to give it in the muscle, she said. The upper arm is more easily accessible and has less fatty tissue covering the deltoid muscle, which is why it is most commonly administered there. The anterolateral thigh can absolutely be used as an alternative location. However, it is imperative to ensure that the vaccine is placed inside the muscle. Therefore, those receiving a vaccine in the thigh may need to use a longer needle (commonly 1.5 inch, as opposed to a 1 inch needle in the deltoid). This will obviously depend on your body type and weight.

I asked a CVS pharmacist and she said they werent allowed to do this. But some Publix pharmacists do have the training and the right needles; you just need to confirm this before you go, Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said.

There is additional training that accompanies administering a vaccine at an alternative site, such as the thigh, said Brous, who added that the customer would have to prove a medical need. We would want to ensure that our pharmacist has the training to make it a seamless process for our customer.

Q. I had a mild to moderate COVID infection in July 2020, not requiring any hospitalization. I was vaccinated with the Pfizer shot in January and February of 2021. I am wondering whether it is appropriate to get a booster shot at this time, or do I have enough protection currently and is it wiser to postpone a booster until the one-year mark of my second vaccine?  Susan

A. If you meet the age and health criteria, you can get your booster now, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

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Per the CDC recommendation, you should get a booster if it has been six months since your last shot and if you are over 65 or between 18 and 64 with health conditions that put you at high risk, she said. The CDC recommends those that had COVID get vaccinated as long as they wait 90 days from the start of the infection.

Q. A person who was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two Pfizer doses) in January and February 2021 subsequently lost a great deal of blood over a short period of time (June to August 2021) and received over a dozen transfusions. Subsequent to that, an antibody test was administered and it revealed zero antibodies for COVID-19. Is the most likely explanation that the patients body did not respond to the vaccine, that the loss and replacement of the large quantity of blood eliminated the antibodies, a combination of both, or something else?  Renee

A. The transfusions did not affect the patients antibody levels, said Dr. Guillermo De Angulo, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at KIDZ Medical Services, which has offices throughout South Florida. There are several possible explanations for the antibody loss.

The duration of antibodies seems to differ significantly among patients; thats why the booster is recommended, he said. If the patient was vaccinated with one of the three approved vaccines, my best guess would be that her antibodies were short-lived. But the replacement of blood has no impact on the presence of antibodies.

Q. Im booked on an MSC Divina cruise ship, which departs at 11 a.m. on a Sunday from Miami. They told me I need a COVID-19 test two days in advance, which would make that a Friday test. I have checked with all the people that give tests and they are telling me it takes three days, sometimes up to five days, to obtain your e-mail results and all labs are closed on Sundays! I have spoken to the representatives of MSC cruise lines and theyre telling me that is their policy. Im willing to follow their policy but if I dont get my results, Im standing on the dock ready to board the ship without results of my test. I have received my two vaccines plus my booster shot and I have my documentation to verify that. We are four people trying to get an answer. Do we lose all our money because we didnt follow their rules and regulations?  Jerry, Tamarac

A. Although PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which can take several days to come back, are considered the gold standard of COVID-19 tests, MSC accepts the results of rapid antigen tests, which are considered less accurate but come back much quicker.

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MSC accepts several types of COVID-19 testing in order to maximize flexibility for our guests while adhering to our comprehensive health and safety procedures, spokesman Field Sutton said. Rapid antigen testing is an option for anyone 12 and older prior to embarking on a cruise, so theres no need to worry about missing a cruise over the testing requirements. There are numerous places throughout South Florida offering rapid antigen testing with results that arrive within an hour. Its quick and easy to schedule a test  or just walk in at many locations  during the two days leading up to a sailing.

Sutton gave an example of his own experience with a rapid test before a cruise.

I departed on a cruise the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 29, he said. I went to a drive-thru testing facility the morning of Oct. 27, drove to work after being swabbed and had rapid antigen testing results waiting in my email by the time I got to work. I then used those results to satisfy proof of testing for boarding the cruise two days later.

Heres a list of South Florida testing sites with details on how long it takes for results to come back: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-coronavirus-drive-through-testing-south-florida-20200320-vhu64lpmx5d7tjgr5zastjim3a-story.html. Let me know how your cruise goes; Im curious what its like to cruise now that everything is opening up again.

Q. I received my Moderna booster a few months ago. I have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and have not found any answer as to what type or strength of vaccine I received for this third shot. Is the booster I received acceptable or must I sign up for Modernas new third shot booster?  Gene, Boynton Beach

A. If youve gotten three shots, youre done for now. The booster you got is stronger than the one that was recently approved. Theres no need to return for another dose.

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You likely received a full dose, just like with your other two, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience. The half dose wasnt approved until this fall. The original Moderna concentration is 100mcg and the booster has shown to be just as efficacious at half that dose, which is 50mcg, and with decreased side effects. There is currently no recommendation for a fourth dose.

Q. Im a yoga teacher in South Florida. I found out that a student who had been in one of my classes came down with COVID-19. The student with COVID told the yoga studio owner, but the owner did not tell me or anyone who was in that class. Was there a legal obligation for the studio owner to share this information with me or the people in the class? I feel like we all should have been told so we would know to get tested.  Concerned instructor

A. Theres no legal requirement. Its more of a moral responsibility, said attorney Peter Sachs, a founding partner and chairman emeritus of the law firm Sachs Sax Caplan in Boca Raton.

The yoga studio owner has an obligation to maintain a safe environment for her customers, Sachs said. In my opinion, this responsibility would include an obligation to notify the other students in the class that one of the students (name should remain confidential) they participated in class with had come down with a contagious disease such as COVID-19. The yoga studio owner breached that duty by withholding this information either intentionally or negligently.

There might have been a legal remedy if the teacher contracted COVID-19 from the student in her class, Sachs said. But I followed up with the teacher and she didnt.

There is no remedy for simply not notifying her, Sachs said. Her option without anything else would be to stop doing business with that studio. The instructor told me thats exactly what shes done.

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Q. How many people have died from taking the COVID-19 vaccine?  John Silberman

A. As of Nov. 8, 9,549 COVID vaccine-related deaths were submitted to the CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Thats 0.0022% of the 423 million doses given out in the United States.

But VAERS has proven to be an imperfect source of information. Health care providers are required to report deaths after vaccination to VAERS even if theres no direct link to a vaccine, and average citizens also can submit information. So its a jumble the CDC warns should be analyzed by statistical professionals.

Widely shared reports on social media have said 150,000 people have died from COVID vaccines. But Reuters Fact Check rated these statements as false.

The only causal link thats emerged so far between vaccines and deaths has occurred in some women who took the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In April, the CDC reported three deaths from a rare blood-clotting disorder among women 18 to 49 who got the single-dose J&J. The CDC halted J&J shots April 13 but approved their resumption 10 days later, saying their advantages outweighed their potential dangers.

Q. I am a Canadian who owns a condo in Coconut Creek. I am planning on flying to Florida Dec. 6. I have had my two Pfizer vaccines. The second one was on June 5. Will I be able to get the Pfizer booster? If yes, will I be charged for it?  Rosa Rudick

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A. You can get your shot here, and theres no cost. COVID-19 vaccines in Florida are available to full-time and seasonal residents, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Additionally, anyone in the state for the purpose of providing goods or services is also eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, according to the department.

Many people from foreign countries are getting their boosters here, even those who dont own property and are just visiting. Few questions are being asked of anyone arriving at a pharmacy for a shot. You can find a list of sites that offer appointments or allow you to walk in at SunSentinel.com/coronavirus.

Got a question? Email Sun Sentinel staff writer Lois K. Solomon at AskLois@sunsentinel.com
President Macron addressed MEPs on Wednesday, urging Europe to become a "power of the future", capable of guaranteeing its own security in the face of Russian military moves on the continent's doorstep. But French MEPs were more interested in debating his domestic policies.

Addressing lawmakers at the start of France's six-month presidency of the EU, Macron said the main challenges for the 27-member bloc were security, digital transformation and climate change.

The EU had to draw up proposals in the coming weeks for a new security deal that it would then negotiate with Russia, Macron said, calling for a "frank dialogue" with Moscow.

Speaking amid growing worries over a Russian military build-up at Ukraine's borders, Macron did not spell out what a "new stability and security order" could entail but said it must ensure Europe defends its interests.

"We will make sure that Europe makes its unique and strong voice heard," he told MEPs in Strasbourg.

Political solution

The EU and Ukraine were not invited to US-Russia talks on security earlier this month and some European states fear they are being bypassed and their security concerns ignored.

"We must put together a joint proposal, a joint vision, a new security and stability order for Europe," Macron said, adding that Europeans would share the proposal with NATO allies before discussing it with Russia.

Macron advocates the EU having its own "strategic autonomy" in the field of defence.

He said that the bloc must bring itself to a position to make sure "it can be respected," including by making sure it is not too dependent on Russia for its energy supplies.

He said that France, together with Germany, wants to continue seeking a political solution to the tensions over Ukraine, in talks with both Russia and Ukraine.

Climate, abortion

The French head of state also said he would push to have the right to abortion and defence of the environment added to the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.

"We must update this charter to be more explicit on protection of the environment, the recognition of the right to abortion," Macron said.

"Let us open up this debate freely with our fellow citizens... to breathe new life into the pillar of law that forges this Europe of strong values," he said.

The call to enshrine a woman's right to abortion in the EU's charter, ratified by member states in 2000, comes just a day after the parliament elected Malta's Roberta Metsola, a staunch abortion opponent, as its president.

French opposition

MEPs were allowed to ask questions after the speech, something French presidents are not subjected to in parliament.

French MEPs took swipes at Macron, just three months before presidential elections in which the incumbent is expected to run, and has a good chance of winning.

Yannick Jadot, who is running as the French greens party candidate, told Macron he would "go down in history as the president of climate inaction," saying he preferred to "sign armistices with the lobbies rather than wage wars on climate change".

"For France, but also for Europe, it is essential that you have only one mandate," MEP Jordan Bardella of France's far-right National Rally (RN) said.

Manuel Bompard, of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) said: "In three months, the French can ensure Europe gets rid of him."

Not a French election debate

"This is not a French election debate," said Roberta Metsola, as she struggled to move the focus back to EU matters.

Emmanuel Macron accused his opponents of misunderstanding the challenges facing Europe and France and misrepresenting his policies.

A staunch pro-European, 44-year-old Macron is hoping his proposals for a more assertive Europe could help secure him a second five-year term as French president.

While he has not officially declared his candidacy he has said he wants to run.

Opinion polls show he is the most likely winner of the April election but that it's not a done deal.

While Europe is not high on French voters' minds, polls show that questions of sovereignty, security and identity are.
A 53-year-old fisherman accused of defiling a 10-year-old minor at La in Accra has been remanded into Police custody by an Accra Circuit Court.

Samuel Odoi Yemofio pleaded not guilty for defilement and prayed the court to take sample of his blood to ascertain whether he had sex with the victim.

The court, presided over by Mrs. Patricia Amponsah, said it was unsure when granted bail, the accused person would appear to stand trial.

The trial judge, therefore, ordered prosecution to file their witness statements for expeditious trial.

The matter has been adjourned to February 4 for Case Management Conference.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant was a trader residing at La and an aunty of the victim, a class four pupil.

The accused person, also reside in the same area.

The prosecution said on January 12, this year, at about 4:30 pm, the victim went out to sell ice cream and returned home with tears.

It said whiles returning home, the accused person allegedly lured the victim into his room, gagged her with a piece of cloth and had sex with her.

The prosecution said the complainant reported the matter to the Police at La leading to the arrest of the accused person.

GNA
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has said a lot ought to be done in developing the tourism value-chain to appreciable standards for Ghana to make the most out of it.

He stressed the need for the country to pay particular attention to uplifting tourism attraction sites, build the capacity of stakeholders and develop the infrastructure of the sector.

Tourism was one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy, generating substantial jobs and wealth for the people, he said.

The tourism industry, if well packaged, could bring multiplying benefits to the country even more than cocoa, the Asantehene said when the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

He said it was important that the Ministry took the training of stakeholders in the industry seriously to improve practices and efficiency for accelerated growth.

The Asantehene called on the Minister to work assiduously to bring his expertise to bear in the discharge of his duties for the comprehensive development of tourism.

He charged the staff to support Dr Awal as he sought to spearhead the vision of the Government regarding tourism.

Dr Awal indicated that the Ministry had resolved to work in partnership with the traditional authorities to achieve government's mission.

He said the Government was investing the necessary resources to uplift tourism, thereby creating jobs for the people.

Our aim is to ensure that the sector contributed significantly to the Gross Domestic Product, he said, and with the objective to increase tourism arrivals to about two million by 2024.

The Minister was accompanied by Mr John Agbeko, the Chief Director at the Ministry, and Mr Ekow Sampson, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in-charge of Operations, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).

The others were Ms Mavis Gyasi-Afriyie, the Ashanti Regional Manager, GTA, Nana Matthew Osei Prempeh, Senior Quality Assurance Officer at the Regional GTA Office, as well as Nana Sarfo Kantanka, Project Coordinator, Ghana Tourism Development Project.

GNA
The Forestry Commission (FC) has launched two digital applications to position itself to meet the emerging global trends that govern the management, regulation and trade in forest products.

The platforms - E-Property Mark Registration/Renewal System and the Ghana Electronic Wood Tracking System- are aimed at improving service delivery in the management of forest and wildlife heritage of the country.

The E-Property Mark Registration System is a web-based application, which is designed to assign a unique identity to loggers and contractors in all their dealings with the FC within a day.

By law, a contractor or logger is required to renew his property mark twice a year, thus, January and July.

Without the property mark, one cannot harvest, transport or mill timber products.

With the introduction of the new digital system, the private operators in the sector will make significant savings for time and cost as well as reduce the risks associated with multiple travels to renew property marks.

The Ghana Electronic Wood Tracking System, on the other hand, is an enhanced web-enabled digitalized platform, which allows users to track wood along the entire supply chain, from the point of harvest to the point of sale.

With this application, inconsistencies in data capture along the supply chain can be quickly detected and corrected.

These inconsistencies, which could be a result of either deliberate or wrong data entry, have serious implications for forest management.

Additionally, the systematic collation of transaction data along the supply chain makes it possible to establish a chain of custody for market consignments and exports.

Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, speaking at the launch of the applications at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu Municipality, noted that the world was at a stage where science and technology had become the new currencies for development.

He said it was for this reason that the government was pursuing a digitalization agenda in all aspects of national life.

Mr Jinapor said the forests continued to be the mainstay of the many rural populations, supporting some two million Ghanaians and contributing immensely to both domestic and international markets.

He said the digital platforms would significantly reduce the number of hours loggers and contractors spent in their quest to renew their marks and also increase revenue mobilization of the Forestry Commission.

The Minister reiterated government's commitment to sustainably manage and develop forests and wildlife resources to ensure that future generations had better, richer and more valuable forests and wildlife endowment.

Mr John Allotey, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, said the Ghana Electronic Wood Tracking System was an invaluable source of information for decision making.

The platform, he explained, allowed for the full disclosure of forest management and timber trade information on online dashboards.

Mr Allotey mentioned that the FC with support from the UK government had installed solar panels in 34 districts in Ghana to provide electrical support for the operating systems of the applications.

Dr Julian P. Wright, West Africa Senior Climate Change and Natural Resource Advisor at the British High Commission in Ghana said the UK treated forestry issues with much prominence that was why it supported the installation of solar panels with some 10 million.

He said the UK had a long-standing partnership with Ghana on forest management and protection and pledged that the British government would continue to work with Ghana to achieve sustainable forests and wildlife legacies.

GNA
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has scheduled February 2-6 to start a nationwide intensive campaign and vaccination against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister of Health, who announced this at a media briefing in Accra on Wednesday, said the five-day national vaccination would ensure a mass inoculation of Ghanaians.

The decision, he said, formed part of the Government's revised policy and strategy on the pandemic to improve the mass vaccination drive, access to vaccines, as well as achieve a herd immunity.

Mr Agyeman-Manu said about 34.8 per cent of the 20 million target population had at least received a single dose of the vaccine with about 16.1 per cent haven taken the full dose.

The Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said more than 25 million doses of vaccines had been received with COVAX contributing about 68.2 per cent.

The African Union and other multilateral organisations supplied 21.3 per cent and 10.5 per cent, respectively.

Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the country had administered 9,499,019 doses of vaccines including AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Pfizer and Moderna.

So far about 155,242 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been recorded out of 2.2 million people tested, with more than 149,693 recoveries.

A total of 1,364 deaths had been recorded with the current active cases standing at 4,185, out of which 40 were severe and 11 critical, he said.

Dr Kuma-Aboagye said even though the country was experiencing the fourth wave of the pandemic, the proportion of critical and severe cases were relatively low.

Similarly there had been significant reduction in the active cases over the last few weeks with a downward trend in international arrivals.

The GHS Boss said as part of the revised vaccine policy, the Government had approved for booster doses to be administered to all frontline health workers, security personnel, persons with underlying health conditions, persons 60 years and above and members of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary.

Also, the Service had recommended the Pfizer and Modena vaccines to be administered to pregnant women and children between ages 15 and 17 years.

GNA
The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has locked up the main abattoir in the Municipality after butchers declined to relocate to a newly constructed modern one at Yorogo, a suburb of Bolgatanga.

The newly constructed abattoir, valued at Gh1.2 million, started in July 2017 with funding from the World Bank, and was commissioned for use in 2018.

It has modern slaughtering and animal processing facilities, lavatories, offices and a pavilion.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) observed that the abattoir, which had been locked for two days, had affected the operations of food vendors, restaurants and chops bars among other stakeholders who now resort to chicken and fish to complement their protein needs.

When the Agency visited the old abattoir in Bolgatanga, the butchers were seated in groups around the locked facility chatting with one another.

The action, the public fear, would affect the quality of meat as it may not be properly examined by Veterinary officers to ensure safety.

Mr Tindaazok Koldo, the Chief Butcher at the old Abattoir, who expressed displeasure at the situation, explained that prior to the construction of the new abattoir at Yorogo, the leadership of the Bolgatanga Butchers Association was not consulted.

He said for the past three years there had not been any discussion on the matter and so after completion, he and his colleagues declined to relocate.

Also the new facility could not accommodate the about 400 butchers, saying: A lot of our members depend on the Abattoir to earn a living, and so if we move there, a good number will be laid off for lack of space. This will add up to the unemployment among the youth in the Region.

Mr Koldo said there was no livestock market near the new abattoir, which would affect their business.

If the Assembly can move the livestock market to Yorogo, we will relocate. But as it stands, we cannot move there without the livestock market, he said.

Mr Rex Asanga, the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, in an interview with the GNA, confirmed that the Assembly locked up the abattoir after several negotiations to have the butchers relocate.

He said upon completion of the facility, the Assembly held series of meetings with their leadership and they raised concerns about the need for a meat van to transport the meat to town for sale, and also requested for a platform outside the abattoir where they could slaughter some animals as they all could not slaughter in the Abattoir.

The MCE said following the butchers requests, the Assembly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with them to address those concerns, adding that The Assembly at its own cost, constructed a platform so that some of the animals could be slaughtered on it.

These were the main things they asked for, and the Assembly has met its side of the bargain, but the butchers refused to relocate. Health wise, the old abattoir is not in the best of conditions, he said.

The MCE said after the December 15, 2021, deadline to relocate, the Assembly further engaged their leadership and extended the date to the first week of January, 2022.

But they did not move, so the Municipal Security Council held a meeting and invited them to discuss a date for their movement. They refused to honour the invitation, and so we wrote to them to relocate by January 18, 2022, Mr Asanga said.

On the issue of relocating the livestock market to Yorogo, the MCE said: We discussed that issue with them in the past but the butchers have to move first before the livestock market can move.

But they think that we should relocate all of them at the same time. That will not be fair to the cattle traders. They also have their issues.

GNA
The Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI) has filed a contempt application against Investigative Journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni and three others at a High Court in Accra.

The contempt application averred that Manasseh, Edwin Appiah, an Editor, Sulemana Briamah of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), and the MFWA as an entity (respondents), had published highly prejudicial articles against the church.

They had also made commentaries as well as conclusive statements of fact on unresolved issues, which are yet to be determined by the High Court.

The application is, therefore, urging the court to commit the respondents to prison for contempt of court for the publications.

The contempt application stems from three separate suits initiated by six former pastors of the church, which, among other things, alleged the non-payment of their Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contribution by the church.

They are Larry Odonkor, Emmanuel Oko-Mensah, Edward Laryea, Seth Duncan, Edem Kofi Amankwah, and Faith Fiakojo.

The church, in its affidavit, stated that in the three defamation suits, it forewarned the respondents that the first three publications were not only defamatory but potentially in contempt of court.

Despite, the caution to the respondents and after being served with copies of the defamation suits, the respondents threw all caution to the wind and went ahead and published the first, second and third publications on their Facebook walls on December 25, last year, it said.

The applicant stated that by the defiant republication of the articles, the respondents ought to demonstrate to the High Court that there could be no limits to the way they practice their brand of journalism.

That, the church noted, regenerated a fresh heated public debate and discussion on the six suits pending before the Honourable Court.

The church mentioned that three articles, which had been the subject matter of the contempt application, titled: Darkness in a Lighthouse, were published on April 23, 27 and 29, last year.

Another article, titled: Lighthouse begs for more time to file defence, was also published on May 25, 2021.

Two of the articles, which were published on August 25 and 26, 2021 are titled: Lighthouse pastors were not employees - SSNIT Rules, and Evidence: How Lighthouse incriminated itself but SSNIT looked away, respectively.

The church noted that the article, titled: Darkness in the Lighthouse, was published 37 times between April 23 and May 1, 2021 on the respondents' Facebook walls and twitter accounts and same generated thousands of comments and shares on Facebook and other social media handles.

The applicant held that the conduct of the respondents amounted to serial contempt in the highest, considering, especially, the repeated and defiant re-publication.

Accordingly, the applicant averred that the respondents were liable to be convicted for contempt of court without the option of a fine but a custodial sentence.

It opined that the respondents were unrepentant and without any remorse whatsoever as they will continue to bring the administration of justice into disrepute by conducting media trial.

The respondents have also arrogated to themselves the power of the High Court to make conclusive findings of fact and pronouncements as well as passed judgement on issues, which are yet to be determined by the court, the applicant said.

The contempt application has since been served on the respondents and court is expected to hear the application on January 31, this year.

GNA
Ashneer Grover, co-founder and managing director (MD) of BharatPe, has decided to go on leave till March-end. Mr Grover's decision to take voluntary leave came after he allegedly used inappropriate language against an employee of Kotak group and his ongoing tussle with Kotak Mahindra Bank.

In a statement, BharatPe says, Ashneer Grover, our co-founder and MD, has today informed the board of his decision to take a voluntary leave of absence from BharatPe till March-end. For now, the board has accepted Ashneers decision which we agree is in the best interests of the company, our employees and investors, and the millions of merchants we support each day.

Ashneer has co-built BharatPe from scratch and his decision is consistent with his passionate commitment to the future success of the company. BharatPe will continue to be ably led by our chief executive officer (CEO) Suhail Sameer and our strong management team, the payment services-provider says.

Neither the company nor Mr Grover has given any reason for the extended leave.

Earlier this month, Mr Grover got involved in a tussle with Kotak Mahindra Bank over the alleged failure of the lender to secure financing and allocation of shares in the initial public offering (IPO) of FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd (Nykaa), for the BharatPe co-founder and his wife.

It turned out that the ugly spat on social media, including an audio recording that has been making news in the past weeks, goes back to at least 31 October 2021, the date of Mr Grovers legal notice to Kotak Bank. The notice sent to Kotak Mahindra Bank's MD and chief executive officer (CEO) Uday Kotak and to some of his senior management sought damages for the gains Mr Grover and his wife Madhuri would have made after subscribing to shares worth Rs500 crore in the company, besides Rs1 lakh towards the cost of the legal notice.

On 9 January 2022, the Bank put out a brief statement that said: This notice was received by us and was replied to appropriately at the time, including placing on record our objections to inappropriate language used by Mr Grover. It further says, Appropriate legal action is being pursued. We would like to confirm that there is no breach or violation by the Kotak Group in any manner whatsoever.

Earlier this month, an audio clip surfaced on social media where a couple is speaking to someone who appears to be a Bank employee. The male voice hurls abuses and the other male voice is heard pacifying him. It was claimed that the voices were those of Ashneer Grover and his wife and the employee was from Kotak Mahindra Bank. ( Read: Tussle between Kotak Bank and BharatPes Ashneer Grover Takes Ugly Turn; Raises Larger Questions

report from Economic Times (ET) talks about further intensifying the scrutiny on Mr Grover, following the leaked audio clip of his purported conversation with an employee of the Bank. Quoting the email exchange, the newspaper claims there was a spat between Mr Grover and Harshjit Sethi of Sequoia India.

As per a communication ET has reviewed, (Mr) Grover had an altercation with Sequoia Indias Harshjit Sethi in August 2020 wherein the BharatPe founder allegedly used expletives over the course of the conversation. While internally the relations between the two were turning sour, (Mr) Sethi in a tweet in August last year congratulated (Mr) Grover on turning unicorn following a $370 million fundraise. Sequoias 19.6% stake in BharatPe is now worth around $560 million, the report says.

Quoting a former executive of BharatPe, the newspaper says, Since the constant arguments, Sequoia has kept some distance from BharatPes day-to-day matters. While it continues to back BharatPe in terms of investments due to the focus on returns, it has kept (Mr) Grover at an arms length. Therefore, their public silence now is not shocking.
Despite a winding-up order by the Supreme Court (SC), shareholders of Devas Multimedia Pvt Ltd say they will continue the pursuit of Indian assets across the globe and will not be deterred by the Indian governments attempts to obstruct justice.

In a statement, Matthew D McGill, lead counsel for Devas shareholders, says, Three separate international arbitration tribunals found that the Antrix unlawfully breached its obligations to Devas. Todays ruling is a travesty of justicethe sadly predictable result of the bogus allegations fed by the Modi government to servile domestic courts. Our global campaign to enforce Devas international arbitration awards will continue without interruption or delay. And we will hold the government of India to account for its confiscation of Devas.

On Monday, a bench of justice Hemant Gupta and justice V Ramasubramanian drew out a comparison between the Companies Act, 1956 and the Companies Act, 2013, to examine fraud as a ground for winding up a company. The bench upheld an order passed by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal in September last year, directing the winding up of Devas Multimedia on the grounds of fraud.

The bench observed that the mandate of Section 243 (a) of the Companies Act, 1956 to take recourse, in cases of fraud, to just and equitable ground, was a little incongruous. It elaborated that this is due to the reason that under Section 443(2), the court may refuse to make an order of winding up, on just and equitable ground, if some other remedy was available to the persons seeking winding up.

The main departure of the 2013 Act from the statutory regime of the 1956 Act, is the specific inclusion of fraud, directly as one of the circumstances in which a company could be wound up. Section 271 of the 2013 Act lists out the circumstances in which a company may be wound up, it said.

In other words, fraud has now directly become (under the 2013 regime), one of the circumstances in which a company could be wound up, though it also continues to be a ground indirectly, under section 224(2) read with section 213 (as it was under Section 439(1) (f) read with sections 243 and 237(b) of the 1956 Act), the SC says. ( Read: Devas Multimedia is the first case of winding up a company due to fraud

According to Jay Newman, senior adviser to Devas shareholders, the SC decision is neither a setback not a surprise to them. The (Narendra) Modi government will now appeal to global courts waving the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) ruling as yet another bogus excuse to evade payment. Courts in the US, Netherlands, Canada and France, have seen through the previous sham proceedings and evasion tactics, and this ruling is no different. Devas shareholders will continue to identify and seize Indian state assets around the world until the debt has been paid, he says in an email.

Meanwhile, a day after the SC uphold the liquidation of Devas Multimedia, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the 2005 Antrix-Devas deal as a fraud against the country. "Antrix-Devas deal was a fraud by the Congress, of Congress, for Congress," the minister says, adding, (the) government will target assets owned by Devas promoters.

"Antrix-Devas deal was a fraud by the Congress, of Congress, for Congress."



- Smt @nsitharaman during a press conference on the Supreme Court judgement on the Antrix-Devas case.



Watch the full press conference: https://t.co/LJElcshUu0 pic.twitter.com/BEZgsGkK96  NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) January 18, 2022

In May last year, the Bengaluru bench of the NCLT ordered the winding up of Devas, at the instance of Antrix. It also appointed a provisional liquidator, saying Devas was incorporated with a fraudulent motive to collude with the then officials of Antrix Corporation, to get bandwidth from it by entering into an agreement in 2005. In September last year, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal upheld the NCLTs order.

Justice Ramasubramanian, who authored the judgement on behalf of the bench, said: If the seeds of the commercial relationship between Antrix and Devas were a product of fraud perpetrated by Devas, every part of the plant that grew out of those seeds, such as the agreement, the disputes, arbitral awards etc., are all infected with the poison of fraud. A product of fraud is in conflict with the public policy of any country including India.

The bench emphasised that the basic notions of morality and justice are always in conflict with fraud and, hence, the motive behind the action brought by the victim of fraud can never stand as an impediment. Dismissing Devas appeal against its winding up, the bench said: We find all the grounds of attack to the concurrent orders of the NCLT and NCLAT to be unsustainable.

Devas Multimedia is also seeking over US$1.2 billion from India it won in international arbitration in September 2017. In 2020, an arbitration tribunal had awarded more than $111 million along with interest to Devas. The company also won US$562.5 million in damages from separate proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce.

This dispute goes back to 2011, when Antrix Corp, a unit of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) annulled an agreement with Devas Multimedia citing force majeure (unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract).

The then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government cancelled the controversial Devas-Antrix contract in February 2011, invoking sovereignty and decided to use the advanced satellite (GSAT-6) for the countrys strategic use.

Under the annulled deal, Antrix was to lease transponders of the satellite to Devas for allowing it to offer digital multimedia services using the S-band wavelength (spectrum), reserved for strategic purposes.

After the cancellation of the deal, Deutsche Telekom, three Mauritius-based foreign investors in Devas Multimedia, and Devas Multimedia itself, approached various international arbitration tribunals seeking damages from the Indian government.

Earlier this month, a law court in Montreal district of Canada allowed three Mauritius-based investors of Devas Multimedia, a joint venture between the Indian government-owned Antrix Corporation and Devas Multimedia Ltd, to seize funds deposited by Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Air India with International Air Transport Association (IATA). According to media reports, the court, on 21 December 2021, had issued the order for ordering preliminary attachment of $6.8 million of the AAI funds deposited as air service fees with the Montreal-based IATA.

According to reports, the Canadian court in Montreal passed separate orders on 24th November and 21 December 2021 on pleas by shareholders of Devas Multimedia Pvt Ltd to enforce arbitration awards against the Indian government.

After the order was issued on 21st December, Air India removed its inventory from global distribution systems (GDS), used by travel agents to issue tickets, it added.
Calling the partnership between State Bank of India (SBI) and Adani Capital Pvt Ltd as worrisome, the Peoples Commission on Public Sector and Public Services (PCPSPS) has asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to reconsider its policy and reverse the deal between the countrys largest public-sector lender and Adani group.

In a statement signed by prominent citizens and activists, including bureaucrats, academics and bank union leaders, PSPSPS says, We are aggrieved by the fact that the RBI issued such notification without holding wide-ranging consultations with all stakeholders, especially the farmers. To us, it appears to be part of the concerted efforts of late on the part of the government to bring the small borrowers, including the farming community, within the fold of the corporate business houses  the most recent example being the farm laws that were rolled back finally after a year-long farmers agitation.

We believe that the SBI has the capacity to increase farm and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) credit through its own branches. It can convert its 71,968 customer service points into small branches, which will provide regular employment to youth and increase credit in the rural and semi-urban areas, the statement says.

Last month, SBI joined hands with Adani Capital, the non-banking financial company (NBFC) of the Adani group, to co-lend to farmers to purchase tractors and farm implements.

In a statement, SBI had said, With this partnership, SBI would be able to target farmer customers in the interior hinterland of the country looking for adoption of farm mechanisation to enhance the productivity of crops.

This partnership shall help SBI to expand customer base as well as connect with the underserved farming segment of the country and further contribute towards the growth of Indias farm economy. We will continue to work with more NBFCs in order to reach out to maximum customers in far-flung areas and provide last mile banking services, Dinesh Khara, chairman of SBI, had stated.

However, the Peoples Commission says public sector bans (PSBs) like SBI have had a great role in reducing income inequalities, minimising regional imbalances, and ensuring affirmative action to correct historical injustices. On the other hand, it says, private NBFCs capacity and operations are very limited and are driven exclusively by its overarching objective of maximising profits. We wish to express our deep concern at the RBI, whether deliberately or otherwise, contributing to this unfortunate situation in which small borrowers, especially those in the informal sector of the economy, have paid a heavy price.

We are rather alarmed by the fact that while the RBI has itself cancelled licenses and even blacklisted a large number of NBFCs (1701 in 2019 alone), it has permitted this arrangement of co-lending by banks and NBFCs. An arrangement such as the one cited here paves the way for NBFCs owned and controlled by the large business conglomerates to make a backdoor entry into the unorganised sector on a much larger scale, riding on the back of a banking behemoth, the SBI, the Peoples Commission warns.

PSPSPS, in the letter, also recalls what happened in the banking sector after 1991 when private promoters were allowed entry into banking. It says, ...several public sector banks were forced to take over such banks in order to protect the interests of depositors. The subsequent entry of inadequately regulated NBFCs and the crisis that followed, especially at the hands of micro-financing agencies, which drove thousands of small borrowers to suicide is still fresh in memory.

Worryingly, we find that some of the NBFCs belong to groups of companies owned and controlled by corporate houses that are already heavily indebted to the public sector banks. Persuading the latter to co-lend with such NBFCs would involve a conflict of interest that could adversely affect the interests of the banks depositors, it added.

Considering that the NBFC sector is inadequately regulated and, therefore, poses risks that the economy can ill-afford to bear, the Peoples Commission says it feels that there are compelling reasons for RBI to stop issuing licences to corporates to run NBFCs. We demand RBI review its policy on persuading the banks to tie up with the NBFCs for co-lending to the borrowers, as it would yield no benefits to the banks, nor would it be in the long-term interest of the small borrowers.

The PCPSPS statement is endorsed by TM Thomas Issac (former minister for finance, Kerala), justice Hari Paranthaman (retd) (Madras High Court), Aditi Mehta (former additional chief secretary, Rajasthan), Dr CP Chandrasekhar (retired professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University), EAS Sarma (former secretary, Union ministry of power & economic affairs) and Indira Jaising (senior advocate, Supreme Court of India), among others.
A beef and pepper fry is served at Taj Indian Grill, which opened in December in Cooper City. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

If the partners behind Taj Indian Grill were a comic book, they would be The Fantastic Foodie Four, each bringing a super power to the new restaurant in Cooper City.

Tucked inside the refurbished Countryside Shops shopping plaza, the Taj had a grand opening ceremony with elected officials cutting the ribbon on Dec. 14, but even two weeks before that, during the restaurants soft opening, Indian-cuisine fans from the area as well as nearby Davie, Miramar and Pembroke Pines were grabbing a table in the 56-seater or dropping by for take-out. Already the catering is starting to take off through a side door with easy access to a small driveway.

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[ RELATED: Here's what's new, what's opening soon and what's closed in the local restaurant scene. ]

And its all due to the contributions from owners Mele V. Chacko, William Puthottile, Sajil Joseph and Joji John, a group of friends who pooled their talents to open an eatery that paid homage to their shared Indian heritage.

From left, Cooper City Mayor Greg Ross and community activist Sajan Kurian visit Taj Indian Grill owners Mele Chacko, Joji John, Sajil Joseph and William Puthottile on Jan. 14. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

Puthottile, as the executive chef, oversees the cooks and the menu. He owned a restaurant in Dallas for 15 years before moving to South Florida in 2019.

John also owns Big Bazar, a grocery store in Cooper City that specializes in Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern foods, spices and goods. He already knew vendors and resources for Indian cuisine. He also knew the fans of Indian food. Not just the Indian people, but the American people, many people, they come to the store and they ... buy all the spices and sauces at my store, so I know they like the food, John explains. So I send them here.

Chacko owned a gas station on Taft Street and North Flamingo Road in Pembroke Pines for 10 years, but also worked in I.T. for 20 years and has been dabbling in real estate in South Florida since 1995. He found the location, knew the demographics of Tajs surrounding neighborhoods and was able to streamline the website, making it user-friendly.

Joseph moved to SoFlo from India to marry. In India he was a nurse, so he brings strong people skills to the table as well as pandemic-protocol knowledge. He is also a business man with community contacts, having owned Colors Indian Fashion boutique in the same plaza.

Chefs prepare authentic Indian cuisine at Taj Indian Grill. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

We did a lot of homework and pilot studies, explains Chacko. I am used to doing feasibility studies, looking at the economical side of things. We did the same thing. We fine-tuned the [opening] date. We took in consideration the neighborhoods, the people around us. We checked with [other restaurants], other chefs we hired. We took their comments and their experiences and the food and we combined it all and put ... it in the menu.

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The menu

Puthottile says that so far the most popular dishes are the chicken Tikka Masala ($16), the chicken Biriyani ($18), the Masala Dosa ($12) and Gobi Manchurian ($16).

Appetizers range from $4 to $21 and include fries, chicken wings, vegetable samosas, tamarind eggplant chaat and onion spinach pakora.

There is a mulligatawny (curry) soup for $9 and a rasam soup for $6. The salads include a green salad for $8 as well as a tuna salad and a chicken tikka salad, both for $10

Curry chef specials range from $14-$22 and can be prepared in the style of Tikka Masala, Korma, Palak, Vindaloo, Kadai, Chettinadu or Malabar Korma.

Chicken Biriyani is served at Taj Indian Grill in Cooper City. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

The Biriyani mixed rice dishes include vegetable for $15, chicken for $18, beef for $19 and lamb, goat and shrimp for $20 each.

Some of the signature entree dishes include Malai Kofta and Butter Chicken, both for $16, and a beef pepper fry for $20 or a whole snapper fry for $25.

There are also vegetarian, seafood, Indo-Chinese, naan/bread offerings as well as a childrens menu.

Next up, Puthottile says, We are going to do south Indian style food. South India is more curry and more spicy ... everything is a little different.

What people are saying

His friend and community actvist Sajan Kurian says he knew Taj, which means crown in Hindi, would be a success right out of the gate.

We definitely needed something authentic and consistent with service and quality, he adds. And its people-friendly, anyone can come. Id say 90 percent are non-Indian and the place is full. People stand in line outside for takeout food.

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Plantations Ysaac Kaplan and Carri Salerno said they grabbed a table as soon as the restaurant opened on Jan. 14.

I work at the David Posnack [Jewish Community Center], Kaplan says. I do a lot of training and several of my clients, today, at one time, said, Hey, you know where Beverly Hills Cafe used to be? You know what? They have a new Indian restaurant. You got to try it. Now we would travel to West Pembroke Pines to a place called Ruchi [Indian Restaurant]. Theyre closed. COVID hit and they closed. And Im like, OK, Ive got to have some Indian food.

Masala dosa at Taj Indian Grill. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

Kaplan had the chicken Tikka Masala with a nice cream sauce, you know  a little spicy but nice, with a little  rice. Absolutely delicious. Its home cooking. We dont eat fast food. We look for the nice ma-and-pa [with] real recipes.

Salerno says, I had the Tandoori chicken. Unbelievable. So good. Incredible. Kaplan adds, And then she dipped it in my sauce.

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Dr. Kumar Shah, of Pembroke Pines, says his family appreciates the proximity to home.

Tandori chicken at Taj Indian Grill. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

Its great food. We dont have to drive to Miami or Fort Lauderdale to get it. Outside of this, to get authentic Indian food  we were driving up to, like, Coral Springs. This is the only one in this area that I have found to be really good.

Cooper City Mayor Greg Ross says that Taj Indian Grill is done right and he appreciates the added diversity of cuisine: Youve got Chinese, Italian, now Indian, you have American, I mean cmon, thats how Cooper City is. Its wonderful.

[ RELATED: Food from Pakistan, India, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad, Guyana and Germany all in one place - A Sunrise strip mall ]

Taj Indian Grill is located at 5602 S. Flamingo Road, Cooper City. It is open for lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily (closed Tuesday), and dinner 5-10 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Sunday and Monday (closed Tuesday). Call 954-314-7314 or visit TajIndianGrillCooperCity.com.

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Lamb vindaloo at Taj Indian Grill. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

Mele Chacko, one of the owners at Taj Indian Grill, greets guests at the front door. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

A chick pea dish at Taj Indian Grill. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

A family enjoys a meal at Taj Indian Grill on Jan. 14. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

Indian spices at Taj Indian Grill. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)

Dosa is prepared at Taj Indian Grill. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)
MISSOULA -- Missoula's support for Downtown businesses is breaking records, even in a pandemic.

The Missoula Downtown Association saw record breaking gift card sales for the second year in a row, selling more than $500,000 in gift cards.

In 2021 alone, over 11,000 of the gift cards were sold, which brought over $400,000 to the participating downtown businesses.

Rockin Rudys is one of the seven businesses that generated over $10,000 in revenue from the gift cards. The store's General Manager, Amelia Regalado, said they've gained traction of the 40 years they've been open.

"People all the time from here are like, 'oh I tell everybody that comes to visit', like 'go to Rockin Rudys.' So, we're definitely a destination spot for people," Regalado said. Missoula Downtown Association's Executive Director, Linda McCarthy, said the pandemic has put Missoula on the radar.

"We've done a really good job with tourism, marketing and promotion. We've done a really good job of attracting new businesses, new residents, new investments and we've been working on that for 20 years," McCarthy said.

She said they get calls from other communities who want to learn about their 'secret to success,' but McCarthy credits the Downtown Master Plan for giving them a vision that brings the community together. "You really need to have support from your residents that bring support from tourism, and Missoula's lucky that we have strong support for our independently owned businesses and our downtown district," McCarthy said. Other businesses including Hide and Sole and Runners Edge also generated over $10,000. "One of the things that's really amazed me about Missoula businesses is the inter-connectedness and the support and the kind of coming together that even was really accentuated during the pandemic," Regalado said. You can use the gift cards at over 200 different local businesses and the MDA doesn't profit from the cards, but they invest more than $25,000 into the program annually. McCarthy added that if you have a gift card, don't wait to spend it because local businesses need your support. McCarthy added that if you have a gift card, don't wait to spend it because local businesses need your support.
Fort Lauderdale  The New River Castle, a fairy-tale landmark some feared would be torn down when a new owner took over the property, now has special protection to ensure it stays standing.

In a 3-2 vote Tuesday night, the Fort Lauderdale commission designated the cherished castle as a historic landmark.

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Daniel Cole, an out-of-town developer who specializes in luxury homes, plans to build four townhomes near the castle but has no intention of knocking it down, his attorney says.

Hes happy to save the castle, said Greg McAloon, Coles attorney.

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Cole does, however, want to change out the windows and possibly paint the castle and its coral rock facade, McAloon said. For that, hell need permission from Fort Lauderdales Historic Preservation Board.

Under the rules, the board has a say over any changes made to the exterior of the castle  including any demolition requests.

The one-bedroom, one-bath castle sits on the south bank of the New River in the Tarpon River neighborhood at 625 SW Fifth Place. Cole bought the property for $1.5 million in May.

The two-story castle started out as a simple concrete block dwelling built in the mid-1920s. The coral rock facade and cone spires were added in 1973, transforming the home into what it is today, a whimsical fortress with a Romanesque/Gothic design reminiscent of medieval European architecture.

The New River Castle, built in the 1920s, has been declared historic by the Fort Lauderdale commission in an effort to make sure it is never torn down. (Connie Salerno/Connie Salerno (Realtor))

The state listed the castle as potentially eligible for historic preservation as early as 1985, city records show. The building is also eligible for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

When rumors spread that the castle might be torn down, Michaela Conca stepped in. Conca, president of the Broward Trust for Historic Preservation, filed an application with the city on Aug. 27 seeking a historic landmark designation.

The commission was required to make a decision within six months.

[ RELATED: Here today, gone tomorrow? Battle royale rages over cherished castle property ]

The matter, up for a vote in December, generated a flurry of comments from folks who wanted the castle saved and others who spoke in defense of Coles property rights.

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Mayor Dean Trantalis suggested the commission delay the vote to give him time to meet one-on-one with Cole to help negotiate a compromise.

When the commission met Tuesday night, Trantalis said he and the owner had a handshake deal.

The goal here is to make sure the castle is not torn down, the mayor said when a debate arose over whether the land surrounding the castle should also be declared historic. The basic intent is to keep the structure intact.

Commissioners Ben Sorensen and Steve Glassman argued both the castle and land deserved to be named historic, but the rest of the commission did not agree.

I think it was a mistake that it didnt include the land, Conca said Wednesday. A historic designation usually does include the land.

The mayor said including the land would hamstring any plans the owner has to build on the property by forcing him to first get permission from the Historic Preservation Board.

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Sorensen argued the board members would be very reasonable. And if they werent, Sorensen said Cole could always appeal to the commission. The commission can also reverse board decisions on its own.

But forcing the owner to get permission from an advisory board would only slow things down when it comes time to build.

It creates another headache for the property owner, Trantalis said.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan
Moultrie, GA (31768)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
Fort Lauderdale  Imagine a hulking high-rise bridge  one even taller than the 17th Street Causeway and built for commuter rail  running through downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Critics, developers included, hate the idea. They say a giant bridge would cast a dark shadow over a bustling city center in the midst of a renaissance. An underground tunnel is the best way to get Brightlines high-speed passenger trains across the New River while preserving a growing downtown, they argue.

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But that bridge could become reality if county commissioners decide its the way to go for an upgraded commuter rail system. They are expected to make a choice between a bridge and tunnel on Feb. 22.

For months, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis has been the pied piper leading the charge for a tunnel, despite a higher construction cost approaching $2 billion.

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A bridge will divide the citys historic Black community surrounding Sistrunk Boulevard and neighboring Flagler Village, the mayor says.

This is going to plow right through our historic district, Trantalis said during a commission workshop Tuesday. We have a chance now to do something that is going to impact generations to come. Lets do it right  instead of looking at dollars and cents. Thats not how you build cities.

A Brightline train makes its way across the New River bridge in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 20, 2021. (Carline Jean / Sun Sentinel)

To make way for the bridge, the government would have to seize private property through eminent domain  another highly unpopular move.

On Tuesday night, city commissioners gave unanimous approval to a resolution urging the state Department of Transportation to recommend a tunnel as the local preferred alternative for the commuter rail crossing of the New River.

Local powerbrokers have joined the controversial debate, saying a train bridge up to 80 feet high and 2.8 miles long will forever ruin downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Forever in the shadows

In a letter to City Hall, one prominent resident warned of the consequences if a sky-high bridge were built, cutting through the heart of downtown: The citys historic district would be overwhelmed by the height of the bridge. Riverwalk would forever be in its shadow.

The letter came from Nova Southeastern University President George Hanbury, a former city manager of Fort Lauderdale who said he was writing as a 32-year resident.

Leann Barber, president of Flagler Village Civic Association, argued a bridge would turn her neighborhood into an urban wasteland.

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A bridge would be a blight on our neighborhood and create a corridor of urban no-mans land similar to what we experience with the I-95 corridor, she wrote.

[ RELATED: Train tunnel under New River would cost $3.3 billion, but some say its worth ]

State transportation officials say the county has four options for the New River crossing, with a tunnel by far the most costly.

The other options involve three different bridges with varying heights and prices: A low-level bascule bridge standing 25 feet high would cost $240 million; a mid-level bascule bridge thats 56 feet high would cost $444 million; and a high-level fixed bridge standing 80 feet high would cost $452 million.

The 17th Street Causeway, built in 2001 for $62 million, is 55 feet high. But it stretches over water  not land. And it was built for cars not passenger trains.

Initial estimates by the state put the cost of building a tunnel at nearly $4 billion.

Early on, Trantalis questioned the states estimate. Fort Lauderdale found its own experts, who put the cost between $700 million and $1.5 billion.

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A legacy project

State officials now say the tunnel will cost $1.8 billion, four times the cost of an 80-foot-high bridge.

Because of the higher cost, some worry the tunnel option might not fly with county officials. In that case, the bridge would come into play.

Hanbury and other community leaders argue that the New River crossing  no matter the cost  should be treated as a legacy project for downtown Fort Lauderdale and that will have lingering effects over the next century.

A bridge would nudge up against several downtown towers that have already been built. The bridge would sit right next to others in the pipeline, including the proposed FAT Village project, the Kushner Companies high-rise tower proposed for Broward Boulevard and the coming city-county government campus.

[ RELATED: Momentum builds for Elon Musk tunnel under New River in Fort Lauderdale ]

Some worry about the noise that would come with dozens of commuter trains making daily trips on a platform bridge.

Developer Asi Cymbal penned a letter saying he cant believe a new bridge is being considered as the preferred option by anyone.

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Cymbal, who owns a downtown parcel near the train tracks on the south side of the New River, said a bridge would make him reconsider investment in Fort Lauderdale.

Patrick Campbell, executive vice president of The Related Group, says building a bridge would be a mistake.

His letter mentions two projects his company is planning downtown, including the New River Yacht Club West, currently under construction at 401 SW First Ave., right next to the train tracks.

The lives of residents on either side of the tracks will be made worse by the noise, and an elevated track will further separate the neighborhoods on the east from the neighborhoods on the west, he wrote.

Dont chase the cheaper deal

Developer Alan Hooper also sent a letter in support of a tunnel.

We should not add collateral noise and social separation in the name of a cheaper price tag, especially when our leaders are charged with protecting quality of life, Hooper wrote. If the trains are elevated, there is a risk of substantial noise by 90 to 100 plus trains making daily trips and social separation of neighborhoods.

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The Florida East Coast Railway, as the owner of the tracks, would have to sign off on any plan to build a bridge or tunnel. Brightline, also a key player, has exclusive rights to passenger-rail service on the FEC freight tracks.

In his letter, Hanbury suggested a passenger train tunnel similar to the Eurostar tunnel across the English Channel, beginning north of Sunrise Boulevard and rising south of Davie Boulevard.

[ RELATED: Sky-high stunner: Head-turning tower would be Fort Lauderdales tallest, and could change the character of downtown ]

Trantalis agrees that a longer tunnel would be best.

The states bridge and tunnel options run just south of Sunrise Boulevard and end just north of Davie Boulevard. A tunnel going underneath Sunrise and Davie as well as Broward boulevards would ease delays on those gridlocked roads, the mayor says.

Sunrise Boulevard hosts 49,000 cars a day, Broward Boulevard serves 46,000 cars a day and Davie Boulevard sees 28,500 cars a day.

State transportation officials plan to hold two town hall meetings on Jan. 27 and Jan. 31.

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County commissioners will have the final say.

Fort Lauderdale has a vested interest in making sure the right decision gets made, Trantalis said.

These are legacy projects that are going to impact us for years to come, he said.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan
Since 1978, the Midland Arts Association (MAA) has offered a Spring Juried Art Exhibition. The MAA will be collaborating with the Museum of the Southwest to host this years event. The show is open to residents of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Submissions and payment deadline is midnight on March 14. The show will be up from April 29 to June 19.

Prizes include $1,000 for best of show, $700 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. The juror will be Patrick Kelly who is the executive director and head curator at the Old Jail Art Center in Albany, Texas.
A Palm Beach County school principal whose comments about the Holocaust spurred a high-profile controversy is challenging his firing at the Florida Supreme Court.

An attorney for William Latson filed a brief Monday asking the Supreme Court to take up a dispute about the Palm Beach County School Boards decision to fire him. The filing came after the 4th District Court of Appeal upheld the firing in November.

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[ RELATED: Appeals court rebuffs principal who wont affirm the Holocaust happened ]

The controversy stemmed from an email that Latson, then the principal of Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, sent to a parent in 2018. In part, Latson wrote in the email, I cant say the Holocaust is a factual, historical event because I am not in a position to do so as a school district employee, according to documents filed in his case.

The firing came after a series of events in 2019.

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But Administrative Law Judge Robert Cohen in 2020 issued a recommended order that called for rescinding the firing saying there was a lack of evidence that Latson engaged in misconduct in office, incompetence, or gross insubordination. There was, therefore, no just cause for his suspension and termination.

[ RELATED: Principal fired for second time over Holocaust remarks ]

The school board, however, rejected Cohens recommendation and moved forward with the firing.

In the brief filed Monday at the Supreme Court, Latsons attorney contends the 4th District Court of Appeal improperly upheld the school board decision.
Reverend Terry Garrett, in his 64th year, Surrendered his Soul Tuesday from Tulsa. His Sacred Farewell, 10:00 AM, April 30, 2022, Worship Community Center, and until then, he will rest in Oak Hill Cemetery, Talladega, Alabama. biglowfunerals.com
WASHINGTON  Senators faced off in emotional, raw debate Wednesday on voting legislation that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is vital for protecting democracy but that almost certainly will be defeated without a filibuster rules change, in what would be a stinging setback for President Joe Biden and his party.

I havent given up, Biden said at a White House news conference.

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Despite his late push, Biden has been unable to persuade two holdout Democrats, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, to change Senate rules so the party can overpower a Republican filibuster that is blocking the voting bill. The two senators have withstood an onslaught of criticism from Black leaders and civil rights organizations, and they risk further political fallout as other groups and even their own colleagues threaten to yank campaign support.

In piercing speeches, the debate is carrying echoes of an earlier era when the Senate filibuster was deployed by opponents of civil rights legislation. Voting rights advocates warn that Republican-led states are passing laws making it more difficult for Black Americans and others to vote by consolidating polling locations, requiring certain types of identification and ordering other changes.

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Democrats decided to press ahead at a tumultuous time for Biden and his party. He is marking his first year in office with his priorities stalling out in the face of solid Republican opposition and the Democrats inability to unite around their own goals.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., contended fight is not over and he ridiculed Republican claims that the new election laws in the states will not end up hurting voter access and turnout. We are going to keep fighting long after today, Schumer said.

The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act would make Election Day a national holiday, ensure access to early voting and mail-in ballots  which have become especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic  and enable the Justice Department to intervene in states with a history of voter interference, among other changes. It has passed the House.

Both Manchin and Sinema say they support the legislation but are unwilling to change Senate rules. With a 50-50 split, Democrats have a narrow Senate majority  Vice President Kamala Harris can break a tie  but they lack the 60 votes needed to overcome the GOP filibuster.

Instead, Schumer put forward a more specific rules change for a talking filibuster on this one bill. It would require senators to stand at their desks and exhaust the debate before holding a simple majority vote, rather than the current practice that simply allows senators to privately signal their objections.

But even that is expected to fail because Manchin and Sinema have said they are unwilling to change the rules on a party-line vote by Democrats alone.

Emotions were on display during the floor debate.

When Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., asked Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky whether he would pause for a question, McConnell left the chamber refusing to respond.

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Durbin said he would have asked McConnell: Does he really believe that theres no evidence of voter suppression?

The No. 2 Republican, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said at one point: I am not a racist.

McConnell, who led his party in doing away with the filibusters 60-vote threshold for Supreme Court nominees during Donald Trumps presidency, warned off changing the rules again.

McConnell derided the fake hysteria from Democrats over the states new voting laws and called the pending bill a federal takeover of election systems. He said doing away with filibuster rules would break the Senate.

Manchin drew a roomful of senators for his own speech, upstaging the presidents news conference and defending the filibuster. He said majority rule would only add fuel to the fire and it was dysfunction that is tearing this nation apart.

For those who say bipartisanship is impossible, we have proven them wrong, Manchin said, citing the recent infrastructure bill he helped pass into law. We can do it again. ... We can make it easier to vote.

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Just as Manchin and Sinema blocked Bidens broad Build Back Better domestic spending package, the two senators are now dashing hopes for another major part of Bidens agenda. They are infuriating many of their colleagues and facing a barrage of criticism, particularly from civil rights leaders.

Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus walked across the Capitol building for the proceedings. We want this Senate to act today in a favorable way. But if it dont, we aint giving up, said Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the highest-ranking Black member of Congress.

Manchin did open the door to a more tailored package of voting law changes, including to the Electoral Count Act, which was tested during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, He said senators from both parties are working on that and it could draw Republican support.

Sen. Lisa Murkowksi, R-Alaskas, said a bipartisan coalition should get together on the legislation, to ensure voter access, particularly in far-flung areas like her state, and to shore up Americans faith in democracy.

We dont need, we do not need a repeat of 2020 when by all accounts our last president, having lost the election, sought to change the results, said Murkowski.

She said the Senate debate had declined to a troubling state: Youre either a racist or a hypocrite. Really, really? Is that where we are?

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Once reluctant himself to change Senate rules, Biden has stepped up his pressure on senators to do just that. But the push from the White House, including Bidens blistering speech last week in Atlanta comparing opponents to segregationists, is seen as too late.

At one point Democratic senators huddled in the cloakroom, in deep discussion with Manchin. Sinema sat in her chair throughout the debate, largely glued to her phone.

___

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Brian Slodysko contributed to this report.
Horry County is seeing a slight uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases as the omicron variant continues to infect people throughout the state and beyond.

According to a Tuesday report from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Horry County had 446 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday. The state health department also reported nearly 11,750 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide.

From Jan. 10 to Jan. 16, Horry County reported 4,029 confirmed cases of COVID-19, a 25% increase from the week before.

Since the start of the pandemic, Horry County has had 56,871 confirmed COVID-19 cases, while the entire state is nearing 1 million  currently at 968,084.

On Tuesday, DHEC reported two confirmed deaths as of Sunday. From Jan. 9 to Jan. 15, Horry County had 13 confirmed COVID-19 deaths. Since the pandemic began, Horry County has had 728 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and nearly 13,000 COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed statewide.

The Horry County Government reported Tuesday afternoon that 70 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are not reporting to work, along with 31 employees currently in quarantine due to possible exposure to COVID-19. According to Horry County Government, Fire/EMS staff have the most employees that have tested positive with 22 while the Horry County Detention Center have the most in quarantine with 13.

On Tuesday night, Conway officials said there were 10 employees out with COVID-19.

School update

As schools resumed within the last two weeks, Horry County Schools is reporting positive cases and quarantines across the county.

According to the HCS COVID-19 dashboard, as of Wednesday morning, there are a total of 1,498 active cases, with 1,409 of those being students. St. James High School has the most active cases of all the schools within the district with 67. The district office has 23 active cases, making up nearly 26% of the 89 active cases among HCS staff. The district office also has 31 staff members in quarantine, making up 18.7% of the 166 staff members in quarantine.
The president of the Whittemore Racepath Historical Society, Inc. says her group was surprised in July when they learned that the City of Conway planned to raze the old Whittemore Elementary School.

But now, Cheryl Adamson says theyre excited to present their ideas to members of the Conway City Council and staff about what they believe can happen at the U.S. 378 site.

They plan to do that Monday at a 6 p.m. meeting at the Conway City Hall.

Were excited, Adamson said, because we want to present what our vision is. We want it to be fresh when we get there on next week, but we really are still confident that this is a great opportunity for the community to do innovative things that have been done in other communities, she said.

She said a lot of imagination has gone into what can be done to repurpose our historical buildings.

Not only will they look back at the past and honor that, but they can have a facility that puts their children in a position to take advantage of all of the new technology, green energy opportunities, plus some tried and true traditional things that have not been emphasized in that community, especially for children who do not have economic means.

She also uses the word partnership, saying the city wont be expected to come up with all of the money needed to accomplish their ideas.

When council voted to raze the building, due to its mildew, asbestos and rot, they used the figure of $14 million to save it.

Adamson questions that figure saying when they asked about the details of the figure they learned that they were approximations.

There were no real costs outlined, she said.

Shes optimistic, saying they have been collaborating with other community groups, who have shown their support in various ways.

Theres money in the world to pay for whatever people want, so it has to be a priority, so there are funds for efforts like this, she said.
A new annual state record was set in 2021 for the number of firearms discovered in travelers' carry-on luggage in South Carolina, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced in a release Tuesday.

TSA officers at South Carolina airports discovered a total of 72 firearms, 13 from Myrtle Beach International Airport, according to the release. The number of firearms discovered across the state is up from 41 in 2020, while the number of firearms discovered at MYR is up from nine.

Charleston International Airport had the most firearms discovered in 2021 with 30. Authorities found 17 firearms at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in 2021.

"Each of the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints," the release said.

Nationwide, the most firearms were discovered at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport checkpoints with 507 firearms caught by TSA in 2021, the release said.

Across the country, nearly 6,000 firearms were discovered in 2021. That's an increase of 54.5% from 2020, which saw 3,257 firearms discovered at airports across the country.

According to TSA, there was an 81% increase in people screened at airports across the country - from 324 million in 2020 to 585 million last year. In South Carolina, there was a 114% increase in passengers screened as the state's six commercial airports screened roughly 5.56 million people in 2021.

With 5,972 firearms discovered nationwide in 2021, there was a firearm detected for every 97,999 passengers, according to the release. TSA reported the rate to be even higher in South Carolina with a firearm discovered every 77,315 passengers screened.

According to 49 C.F.R. Section 1540.111(a) of the Transportation Security Regulations (TSR), a passenger may not have a weapon, explosive or incendiary on or about their person or accessible property when performance has begun of the inspection of them or their accessible property before entering a sterile area, or before boarding an aircraft.
CARROLLTON  The Greene County board has approved a six-month extension of its contract with Collinsville-based engineering company Volkert Inc. to oversee county projects as it continues its search for a county engineer.

Former Greene County Engineer David Marth, in his role with Volkert, is helping oversee county projects until his replacement is hired after he resigned from the county in December 2020.

Greene County Chairman Mark Strang said the board did not expect the search to take this long, but wants to make sure the county's projects have oversight in the meantime.

"We've had trouble finding a county engineer," Strang said. "We had an applicant apply and we hired him, but he took a job elsewhere and things didn't work out."

Since then, the board hasn't been able to find another suitable candidate.

Because of the requirements of the job  at least six years experience, certain licensing and the need for approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation  finding the right candidate has been difficult, Strang said.

"We haven't had many apply, but we are still actively looking," he said.

The board hired Gruen Search Consultants, has posted the position in several locations and is working with local unions and organizations to find a suitable candidate.

"We are using a lot of different avenues," Strang said. "We are doing everything we can."

In the meantime, Marth will continue to oversee projects in Greene.

According to the contract with Volkert, Marth is paid an hourly amount for his services from the county to oversee a bridge project, highway projects and any other duties necessary. Strang said the amount paid is less than it would pay a county engineer.

Strang said Marth also has continued to help plan future projects for the county.

Though the county's projects are covered for the time being, Strang said the lack of a full-time engineer could place a burden on the county and its townships.

The Illinois Department of Transportation requires each county to have a county engineer and the county has received letters from the state stating it needs to hire an engineer soon or risk losing its Motor Fuel Tax money, which funds many road projects.

"If we don't fill the position, there is the threat of them taking our funding from us," Strang said. "But I'm not so much worried for us. A lot of that goes to the townships. I don't want to see the townships hurt because we can't find an engineer."

Strang said the board has responded to the letters, detailing what it is doing in search of a qualified candidate, as well as what it has done to continue providing services for the county.

He said despite the lack of a full-time engineer, services haven't suffered.

"We haven't had to shut down our department, we've opened new bridges, our roads are getting repaired and cleared," Strang said. "There hasn't been much drop in services for our taxpayers and we have competent people at our highway department that have been making it run while we go through this period."
In a surprise move, Gov. Ron DeSantis has inserted himself into congressional redistricting by releasing his own map that experts said Tuesday would dilute minority voting power and likely give Republicans an 18-10 advantage in Florida seats.

DeSantis map, released on Sunday in the middle of Dr. Martin Luther King Day weekend, would eliminate a North Florida seat long designed to have African American representation and could create a majority white Democratic primary in the Orange County district represented by outgoing U.S. Rep. Val Demings, who is Black.

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It would also dilute Hispanic voting power in South Florida by splitting up Hispanic voters into several different districts.

The map was dropped just days before the GOP-controlled state Senate could vote on its version, which would keep much of the status quo while still giving Republicans a likely 16-12 advantage over Democrats.

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No governor in recent history has offered a version of a map during the once-every-decade process. A spokesperson for the governors office did not return requests for comment.

Experts said the DeSantis map violates the Civil Rights Act and would likely fail to get through even the conservative state Supreme Court. But it could just be meant to send a political message to both the Legislature and GOP voters nationwide.

I think its performative, said Dan Smith, chair of political science at the University of Florida. This is an effort to, if not to consolidate power, to once again show the Legislature who has power and who controls the process.

Still, Smith said, He is the one who is ultimately going to be either signing [any new map] into law or vetoing it.

The map would be a direct challenge to the sections of the Civil Rights Act that require states to do everything they can to ensure minority representation, experts said.

While the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that legislatures could use partisan motivation to draw maps, ethnic representation is still protected under the act. The Fair Districts amendments in the Florida Constitution are also meant to discourage partisan gerrymandering.

Matt Isbell, an elections expert who runs the MCIMaps website, said he saw zero scenario where the map would hold up in court.

This is much more about [DeSantis] trying to look like hes really pushing back and trying to look good before like the conservative activist base, who have expressed more and more frustration with redistricting in Florida, Isbell said.

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DeSantis is running for reelection this year and is also believed to be eyeing a run for president in 2024.

Christian Ziegler, vice-chair of the Florida GOP, wrote in a Tweet Sunday, I had a TON of people come up to me at the Trump Rally in ARIZONA asking about Florida Congressional Maps & if DeSantis was going to get involved. 24 hours later ... Looks like we have an answer!

The DeSantis map also echoes an outlier state House map that would basically eliminate the seat held by outgoing U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy by adding much of GOP-leaning Volusia County. That would make it more favorable for Republicans, including state Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, who praised the map on Twitter.

The map would also affect the race to succeed Demings in a majority-minority district in Orange County by diluting its Black voting power. The race has drawn several African American candidates to succeed Demings, including former Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala and state Sen. Randolph Bracy of Orlando.

Theoretically, an African American could win that if they got through the primary, but the primary would [become] plurality white, Isbell said.

In South Florida, Isbell said, the map dilutes Hispanic voting power by splitting them among multiple districts, a move that potentially could turn even a Hispanic seat held by Cuban-American Republican U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart into a majority white one.

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Diaz-Balart could literally lose to a white Republican from Naples in that primary, Isbell said.

A large chunk of Hispanic voters would also be placed in Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultzs district in Broward County, making it likely more Democratic but sapping Hispanic voting strength from other seats to the south.

Not only is bad for African Americans, its theoretically bad for Hispanics, Isbell said. You could go from having three Hispanic congresspeople in South Florida to two.

The elimination of Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawsons seat in North Florida, also designed to create Black representation under the Civil Rights Act, is much more egregious.

You dont have any debate over the 5th District in the Legislature, Isbell said. So the idea that DeSantis can come in and say, Nope, thats not protected at all. Lets just get rid of it?  It reverses a historically [Black] district that has existed again since the 1990s.

The problem, said Michael McDonald, a professor of political science at the University of Florida, is that determining the exact minority representation in this or any new map is difficult because the data havent been released.

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We dont know what minority percentage is necessary in order to elect an African American candidate in any of those districts because theres been no report that has been released by the Legislature, McDonald said.

Despite the legally perilous path for DeSantis proposed maps, Smith said they might still have an effect on GOP legislators.

Now he has lawmakers having to take a position on his map, fanciful or not, constitutional or not, Smith said. Its going to push lawmakers to say, No, governor, were not going to go that direction. And no one really wants to be put in that position if youre a Republican lawmaker.
Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Joseph S. Graham, 18, of 21 Newland Lane was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:13 p.m. Monday on an armed robbery charge.

 Anita R. Matthews, 20, of 527 S. Grand Ave., Springfield, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 3:51 p.m. Friday on a charge of possession of adult-use cannabis by a driver.

 Jay P. Basden, 28, of Tallula was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:40 a.m. Thursday on a charge of driving under the influence.

 Stewart N. Wilson, 37, homeless, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 9:35 p.m. Jan. 3 on charges of driving while license is revoked or suspended and failing to report an accident and on three warrants accusing him of failing to appear in court.

Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 A 12-year-old boy was arrested at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday on three counts of aggravated battery after being accused of pushing and shoving teachers at Garrison Alternative School, 936 W. Michigan Ave.

 Jessica L. Nolting, 36, of Jacksonville was cited on charges of driving while license is suspended and operating an uninsured motor vehicle after being stopped at 2:37 p.m. Tuesday at Church and Lafayette streets.

 Lisa M. Brann, 44, of 1145 Illinois Ave. was arrested at 8:37 a.m. Tuesday on a Pike County warrant accusing her of burglary.

 Simeon M. Caldwell, 24, of 57 Aiken Court, Springfield, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:50 p.m. Sunday on a battery charge.

 Marvin D. Gilmore, 29, of St. Louis was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:24 a.m. Sunday on a charge of violating an order of protection.

 Kayla M. Ruebling, 38, of 213 Franklin St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 8:47 p.m. Thursday on a battery charge.

 Danny D. Cleer, 62, of 508 W. Oakwood Ave., Havana, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:13 p.m. Jan. 11 on charges of driving while license is revoked and speeding in a school zone.

 Matthew L. Murray, 31, of 513 Duncan St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:07 p.m. Jan. 11 on a theft charge.

 Nicole M. Rodriguez, 25, of 318 W. Dunlap St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 6:57 p.m. Jan. 10 on charges of aggravated battery and aggravated battery of a peace officer.

South Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Terrance L. Jeffries, 43, of 1701 S. Main St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 9:16 p.m. Jan. 9 on a trespassing charge.

Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Philip P. Barnes, 21, of Pittsfield was booked into Pike County Jail at 8:23 p.m. Sunday of charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Bradley D. Surratt, 30, of Griggsville was booked into Pike County Jail at 7:20 p.m. Jan. 11 on an arrest warrant accusing him of domestic battery and on an unspecified Illinois Department of Corrections warrant.

 James A. Kurtz, 41, of Barry was booked into Pike County Jail at 12:13 p.m. Jan. 10 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Pittsfield Police

 Sierra D. Sydney, 26, of Pittsfield was booked into Pike County Jail at 11:46 p.m. Friday on a petition to revoke probation.

Compiled by David C.L. Bauer
Schuyler County Jail

VIRGINIA  A Cass County man has been arrested after a nearly two-year investigation into child pornography being sent through social media.

Jared A Logsdon, 40, of Virginia was arrested Wednesday after the Cass County states attorney filed nine counts against him, including two Class X felonies of dissemination of child pornography. A Class X felony is the most serious charge someone can face in Illinois other than first-degree murder.
The Jacksonville District 117 school board is scheduled to meet in regular session at 7 p.m. today in the district office at 211 W. State St. The meeting will also be available via Zoom.

The meeting will be preceded by a committee meeting at 6 p.m.
With a new legislative session in Tallahassee underway, Floridas Republicans, who have controlled our states government for over two decades, have yet another opportunity to do something  anything  to help working-class Floridians. Under Republican control, the wealthy have prospered, and big corporations have found Florida an easy place to turn a buck.

Every year, it seems, another billionaire moves to our state, another Wall Street firm opens an office in Florida, another Fortune 500 company leaves its headquarters in New York, or California, and relocates to our state to do business here in the sunshine. But has this corporate feeding frenzy benefitted the working-class people of our state? Hardly. As Floridas rich have gotten richer, as our biggest corporations have booked massive profits, everyday Floridians  the essential workers and small business owners who power our economy and create jobs in our communities  have been left to fend for themselves.

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The problem is that, in Tallahassee, your connections matter much more than the merits of your cause, and because working-class people cannot afford to retain a well-connected lobbyist, or to buy influence with a legislator by stroking a five-figure campaign check, they are effectively shut out of the lawmaking process. Yet essential workers, and small business owners, are the backbone of the middle class, the engine of our economy. They deserve to be well-represented. They deserve leaders who will work for them, not for the rich, and not for the big corporations that are already doing so well. They deserve leaders who will concentrate their attention on addressing their needs, not leaders who waste time and taxpayer dollars fighting the culture wars and tossing red meat to their political base.

That may come as news to Floridas Republican leaders. Last year, when workers faced unprecedented hardships, the Republicans who control our state used their power to further the political ambitions of our governor while leaving the needs of working-class Floridians largely unmet. Rather than fixing our broken unemployment system, the Republicans cut taxes for the governors corporate donors. Rather than addressing the crisis of unaffordable housing in our state, the Republicans paid for their corporate tax cuts by cutting funding for affordable housing in half. And rather than heeding the calls for racial justice and for meaningful police reform in the wake of George Floyds brutal murder, Gov. DeSantis pushed for, and passed, HB 1, an unconstitutional assault not only on the Black Lives Matter movement, but on the First Amendment rights of all Floridians.

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And although I would welcome Republicans turning over a new leaf for this legislative session, the evidence suggests that this leaf aint turning. So far, for the 2022 legislative session, Republicans have promoted bills to kill rooftop solar, to put Texas-style bounties on women, to give DeSantis his own personal army, and to discourage members of the public from filming the police and documenting brutality.

When I served in Tallahassee, it meant leaving my home, my work and my social life behind. But I was willing to do so because, in this country, when the government acts in our name, we each have a right to speak up about it, or to forever hold our peace. And in the face of rising voter suppression and widening inequality, I simply could not hold my peace. I had to speak up, and not only for me and for my family, but also for my community. That is both what democracy allows and what solidarity with working-class people requires: each of us standing up, and speaking up, for one another. So as this legislative session unfolds, I urge you to follow the lawmaking process closely and to remain engaged. What happens in Tallahassee affects us all, and now is the time for all of us to speak up.

Omari Hardy is the former state representative of House District 88.
Toyon Middle School in Valley Springs area of Calaveras County View Photo

Valley Springs, CA  Toyon Middle School on Double Springs Road in the Valley Springs area of Calaveras County will be closed for the rest of the week due to a surge in COVID infections creating a staffing shortage.

Calaveras Unified School District Superintendent made this announcement to students, staff and parents, stating, After much discussion and assessing/analyzing of the situation and conditions specific to COVID and impacts on staffing, a decision has been made to cancel in-person classes. Campbell outlined that decision providing these reasons and next steps:

We are shifting to Independent Study (virtual learning model) at Toyon Middle School for the remainder of this week (Weds-Fri, 1/19-1/21) with a plan to return to in-person learning on Monday, 1/24

This direction is due to current and projected staff shortages at TMS (between 5-7 certificated and 3-4 classified staff) that presents impacts and concerns for health, safety and quality of programs, operations, supports and services

Students and staff will be expected to engage in three days of virtual learning opportunities through Google Classroom (communication from teachers to students/parents will provide greater details)

We will need to have students on Independent Study contracts (within 30 days), will hope the state will accept these days as instructional days, or may look at a waiver for the days but will also have to prepare to make up these days at the end of the year if not. Pursuing the Independent Study option puts us in a better position regarding possible waivers and not having to make up the three days

Districtwide we will have a need for 11-19 certificated subs, dependent upon the day this week, and look to have anywhere from 7-9 positions left uncoveredat this point

Even using district and site administration, given the districtwide needs, we are unable to effectively and sufficiently cover all the positions we need to

We will monitor, assess and adjust on a daily basisand make decisions based upon the impacts, needs and capacity to address them, with health and safety as a priority.
Sonora City Hall View Photo

Sonora, CA  The Sonora City Council finalized a contract with Interim City Administrator Melissa Eads that will pay $70,000 over the next six months.

Eads was most previously the Angels Camp City Administrator. At last nights meeting, former Angels Camp Mayors Amanda Folendorf (now Calaveras Board of Supervisors Chair) and Joe Oliveira spoke in support of her hiring. Oliveira called Eads an excellent crisis manager.

Sonora City Attorney Douglas White also read a statement noting that former Angels Camp Mayor Alvin Broglio and the Angels Camp police and fire chiefs endorse the hiring.

Derek Nunes, a local business owner, however, said he was concerned about the selection. He raised concerns about an ongoing lawsuit he said Eads is involved with regarding the City of Angels Camp and opposition to some decisions she made during her tenure there.

Another person voiced opposition about the price of the contract, which over a full year would total $140,000.

City Attorney White indicated that the average going rate for a city administrator in California is about $180,000 and many contracts are now eclipsing $200,000.

In the end, the council members voiced support for Eads and voted to approve her contract, 5-0. Her first day on the job will be today.

The citys most recent city administrator, Mary Rose Rutikanga, spent two years in the position. Prior to that, Tim Miller was in the role for nearly a decade and Greg Applegate for 18 years.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried speaks at a news conference, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, in Miami. Fried is also running for governor in a Democratic primary, and recently compared the rise of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to that of Adolf Hitler. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Adolf Hitler is unrivaled in the annals of evil. There have been and still are other tyrants, but none who combined bigotry, totalitarian rule, genocide, demagoguery, aggressive warfare and the subjugation of other nations to the extent that Hitler did. In modern times, Josef Stalin of the Soviet Union and Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia deserved comparison, but Hitler stands alone as an apex predator.

That is why Nikki Fried, Floridas agriculture commissioner and a Democratic candidate for governor, was out of bounds in a Florida Roundup interview on public radio station WLRN when she likened Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Nazi dictator.

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He is doing everything possible to take power away from local governments, taking away peoples abilities to protest, making it harder to vote, talking about, you know, banning books, Fried said. Thats what dictators do. Instead of listening and trying to govern with the people, he is trying to govern over the people, and, you know, that, Im sorry, Im a student of history, too. I saw the rise of Hitler.

Fried, whos running against two other prominent Democrats for the nomination to oppose DeSantis, is on point in her criticism of his record. We have not been sparing in our assessment, either. He does not govern with fidelity to many of the norms that are rightfully expected of an elected leader in a democracy. He disrespects those who did not vote for him  who, by the way, outnumber those who did vote for him. He appeals only to the slight plurality who did.

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His mismanagement of the pandemic is heedless of public health, a contradiction in someone who is so aggressively pro-life as to signal support for anti-abortion legislation with no exceptions, even for incest or rape.

But DeSantis is not a danger to our state, our country and yes, the world, (italics added) as Fried said when she doubled down in a subsequent response to the TV station 10 Tampa Bay, WTSP.

An unforced error

We occasionally receive similar allusions to Hitler in letters to the editor from readers in South Florida, the home of one of the largest Jewish communities in America and many Holocaust survivors and their families. Such discourse in our polarized nation must be toned down.

Frieds overkill prompted appropriate criticism from the Florida Anti-Defamation League. While public officials may have disagreements over policies, comparisons to the Holocaust and Nazism are inappropriate, offensive and trivialize this unique tragedy in human history, the ADL said on Twitter.

This was an unforced error on Frieds part and it is of no help to her candidacy for governor, in which the tone will soon be ugly and divisive enough without references to Hitler. DeSantis many supporters will not let it be forgotten.

Those who might agree with Fried should consider how her remarks resemble those of commentator Lara Logan when she attacked Dr. Anthony Fauci on Fox News Primetime. Logan compared President Bidens chief medical adviser to Dr. Josef Mengele, the physician who conducted hideous experiments on prisoners at Auschwitz.

[ RELATED: Fauci, Mengele and the desperate need for Holocaust education | Opinion ]

Logans talent agency has dropped her over those comments, and apparently, so too has Fox.

Ironically, DeSantiss own appetite for hyperbole is one reason why hes a target for fair criticism. His recent demonization of critical race theory, which isnt taught in Florida public schools, as teaching kids to hate our country or to hate each other was demagoguery.

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DeSantis abuse of power

But demagoguery isnt the exclusive province of dictators. Nor is the use of power solely for political means  another of DeSantiss impulses. That was on display this week when he put out a Congressional gerrymandering plan that would create 18 Republican districts, two more than the Senates. That would leave only 10 for Democrats, one fewer than now, in a 28-member delegation enlarged by the Census.

The DeSantis map also appears to eliminate District 5, held by Democratic Rep. Al Lawson of Tallahassee, and would reduce overall the number of Black Democrats representing Florida. It flouts the Fair Districts initiative that nearly 63% of voters favored in 2010.

The clear implication in this display of muscle is his power to veto anything the Legislature enacts regarding Congressional seats. No other governor in at least the last 100 years has proposed his own plan, according to Darryl Paulson, professor emeritus of political science at the University of South Florida. (Floridas governor can veto a congressional map but not a legislative map.)

This weeks swearing-in of Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, South Floridas newest member of Congress, nine months after the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings, was another reminder of DeSantiss abuse of power. He delayed scheduling a special election until faced with a lawsuit and has never bothered to deny that he did it to weaken the narrow majority supporting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

If Fried was looking for a notorious historical figure to whom DeSantis bears comparison, she might have chosen Huey Long. The former governor ruled the Louisiana Legislature from his U.S. Senate seat and was a populist authoritarian like DeSantis.

But Long was not Hitler and neither is DeSantis. That is not said to praise him.

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DeSantis is, to many Republicans, Floridas incarnation of Donald Trump, his successor, his alter ego, his clone, whatever you want to call it, Paulson said last week in an interview with the Guardian newspaper.

The political scientist noted that while the governors pugilistic, in-your-face positions on many issues have ingrained him with Republicans, they are not quite 40% of the electorate and it doesnt play so well with Democrats and independents. Even so, Paulson said, the Democrats are at a disadvantage in an electorate that turns over as rapidly as Floridas.

At the moment, DeSantis looks like a heavy favorite to win again. Anyone who seriously hopes to overcome those odds hardly helps her cause with over-the-top language that elicits sympathy for DeSantis and distracts from his performance in Floridas highest office.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson. Editorials are the opinion of the Board and written by one of its members or a designee. To contact us, email at letters@sun-sentinel.com.
Priscilla Aguirre, MySA.com

When my hiking adventures started in 2020, I carried nothing but a water bottle and a small fanny pack for my short three-mile treks. Just this past month, I upgraded from my 23-year-old sister's blue-and-white old high school backpack to an orange hiking swag bag that I put on my Christmas list.

It's decked out. It has all these compartments, and it came with a water bag that hikers told me time and time again I needed to have for my hikes. Thanks, mom. Yes, it's a new bag but I keep the same items I used to when I was rocking the run-down backpack I stole from my sister. I just carry fewer water bottles now.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis walks into a Monoclonal Antibody Treatment center at the Barnstorm Theater in The Villages on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. The center is one of many for treatment of Covid-19. DeSantis answered several media questions about school mask mandate following the press conference. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

I agree with your assessment about Floridas dictatorial governor and his willing followers who have no independent thoughts of their own.

They are ruining this state and making us a laughingstock in this country, especially with the appointment of the lame surgeon general. How did he ever possibly graduate from Harvard? He must have gotten brain freeze following graduation.

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I am neither a Republican or Democrat, and am more a Libertarian  if we have to use name tags. I think intelligent people and especially the women of this state need to vote out this governor and every Republican state senator and Republican member of Congress. We need a better political balance in this state.

No legal abortion in cases of incest or rape? Thats a very hurtful attack on women. We need a Democratic woman as governor and lawmakers who will outvote the absurd Republicans.

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Unfortunately, businesses and right-wingers have given Gov Ron DeSantis a huge pot of money. I hope your newspaper will give coverage to other good candidates for 2022, especially Nikki Fried, who has a lot more sense than dictator DeSantis.

Harold Wittcoff, Boynton Beach

The voiceless unborn

After reading last Sundays article on abortion bans, I felt compelled to correct the writers reference to anti-abortion groups related to the current legislation now pending in Florida to ban abortions after 15 weeks. Abortions are currently legal through the 24th week of pregnancy, long after a heartbeat is detected.

I am pro-life and support the rights of the innocent unborn babies who should have rights as well. I am pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court is examining the constitutionality of the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. May justice be served for these unborn babies with no voice. A woman or man has no right to end an innocent life. That is murder.

Phyllis Trainor, Boynton Beach

A sliver of editorial hope

I read several of your recent editorials about a variety of state issues, and I was struck by how meaty and substantive they were. They were very solidly researched and presented a very thoughtful analysis.

Keep up the good work for all of us. Your editorials provide a sliver of hope at a pretty bleak time in our state and national politics.

Joy Howell, Delray Beach

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Judicial overreach

The Supreme Court is questioning what right the Biden Administration has to mandate vaccinations against Covid-19.

The argument, as I understand it, is suggesting that the executive branch of our government is overreaching its constitutional powers. Would that same thinking declare the federal governments provision of a safety net for the needy in its social programs to also be an overreach?

The high court seems to be doing its own overreach when it strikes down as unconstitutional measures to protect public health.

Is it reasonable for the court to question actions advised by an overwhelming majority of specialists in the medical community? Isnt that too an overreach? The court is the highest authority of the judicial branch, and yet it often seems to be making law, which is the prerogative of the legislative branch.

Dave Boraks, Sunrise
Following a year punctuated by public clashes with disparate elements of the conservative voting base and leadership, Republican congressman Dan Crenshaw found himself again on the receiving end of criticism following a tense exchange with a young attendee at a Monday night speaking event.

Video of the incident was posted to Twitter by conservative personality Seth Weathers. The footage shows the 37-year-old former Navy SEAL at a Montgomery County Tea Party meeting on Monday night responding sharply to a young girl at a speaking engagement after being presented with quotes from past comments he'd made on the Jocko podcast back in March of 2020. The video begins with the girl quoting remarks made by Crenshaw in which the congressman seemingly likened Jesus to a fictional character.

"To anyone who hasn't heard," she says. "Crenshaw said 'The most important thing here is that we have important hero archetypes that we look up to. Jesus is a hero archetype. Superman is a hero archetype. Real characters, too. I could name a thousand: Rosa Parks, Ronald Reagan.' End quote."

"I can't wrap my head around this," she finished.

"Well, let me help you," Crenshaw responded. "Put a period after the word 'Jesus' and don't question my faith."

Crenshaw's response drew boos from the crowd and a loud "Wow" from one onlooker.

"You're talking to a little girl!" someone shouts. "You can't talk to a kid like that."

"Don't question my faith," Crenshaw repeats. "You guys can ask questions about all these things, but don't question my faith."

"This is what you said," the young speaker responds.

"You can read the quote again," Crenshaw says. "Nowhere in that quote am I saying 'Jesus is not real.' That's a ridiculous statement."

Crenshaw proceeds to accuse her of "twisting" his words and positions her actions as "not very Christian." Despite Twitter descending on Crenshaw for being "owned" by a 10-year-old girl, social media user @teet_yourself pointed out the individual quoting Crenshaw in the video appears to be an 18-year-old volunteer for Jameson Ellis, one of Crenshaw's political opponents.

The incident is the latest in a series of public dustups involving the second-term Republican congressman.

At an August 2021 fundraising event Crenshaw found himself being heckled by Bobby Piton, a Republican Senate candidate in Illinois, who took objection to the congressman stating he didn't believe the 2020 presidential election had been stolen.

"Don't kid yourself into believing that's why we lost," Crenshaw told attendees at a GOP fundraising function in Rosemont, Illinois, when asked if he believed if the election had been stolen by Democrats. "It's not. I'll tell you openly."

"You're wrong!" Piton shouted. "I have proof."

Crenshaw has also butted heads on social media with rising Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA) in recent weeks, culminating with the Texas congressman calling Greene "a Democrator just an idiot" in an Instagram story. The two began feuding after a December FOX News appearance by Crenshaw in which he endorsed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) taking control of COVID-19 testing in the United States.

On January 2, Greene posted an image of Crenshaw's FOX appearance to Instagram and accused Crenshaw of "hurting" the conservative "brand."

Greene concluded by stating Crenshaw should "stop calling himself conservative."
The House committee investigating the Capitol insurrection issued a new batch of subpoenas Tuesday to some of Donald Trumps closest advisers, including Rudy Giuliani, as the committee inches closer to the former president.

The committee is continuing to widen its scope into Trumps orbit, this time demanding information and testimony from Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell and Boris Epshteyn. All four publicly defended the president and his baseless voter fraud claims in the months after the 2020 election.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  As climate change pushes states in the U.S. to dramatically cut their use of fossil fuels, many are coming to the conclusion that solar, wind and other renewable power sources might not be enough to keep the lights on.

Nuclear power is emerging as an answer to fill the gap as states transition away from coal, oil and natural gas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stave off the worst effects of a warming planet. The renewed interest in nuclear comes as companies, including one started by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, are developing smaller, cheaper reactors that could supplement the power grid in communities across the U.S.

Nuclear power comes with its own set of potential problems, especially radioactive waste that can remain dangerous for thousands of years. But supporters say the risks can be minimized and that the energy source will be essential to stabilize power supplies as the world tries to move away from carbon dioxide-emitting fossil fuels.

Tennessee Valley Authority President and CEO Jeff Lyash puts it simply: You cant significantly reduce carbon emissions without nuclear power.

At this point in time, I dont see a path that gets us there without preserving the existing fleet and building new nuclear, Lyash said. And thats after having maximized the amount of solar we can build in the system.

The TVA is a federally owned utility that provides electricity to seven states as the nations third largest electricity generator. It's adding about 10,000 megawatts of solar capacity by 2035  enough to power nearly 1 million homes annually  but also operates three nuclear plants and plans to test a small reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. By 2050, it hopes to hit its goal of becoming net zero, which means the amount of greenhouse gases produced is no more than the amount removed from the atmosphere.

An Associated Press survey of the energy policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia found that a strong majority about two-thirds say nuclear, in one fashion or another, will help take the place of fossil fuels. The momentum building behind nuclear power could lead to the first expansion of nuclear reactor construction in the U.S. in more than three decades.

Roughly one-third of the states and the District of Columbia responded to the AP's survey by saying they have no plans to incorporate nuclear power in their green energy goals, instead leaning heavily on renewables. Energy officials in those states said their goals are achievable because of advances in energy storage using batteries, investments in the grid for high-voltage interstate transmission, energy efficiency efforts to reduce demand and power provided by hydroelectric dams.

The split over nuclear power in U.S. states mirrors a similar debate unfolding in Europe, where countries including Germany are phasing out their reactors while others, such as France, are sticking with the technology or planning to build more plants.

The Biden administration, which has tried to take aggressive steps to reduce greenhouse gases, views nuclear as necessary to help compensate for the decline of carbon-based fuels in the nation's energy grid.

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told the AP that the administration wants to get to zero-carbon electricity, and that means nuclear, that means hydropower, that means geothermal, that means obviously wind on and offshore, that means solar.

We want it all, Granholm said during a visit in December to Providence, Rhode Island, to promote an offshore wind project.

The $1 trillion infrastructure package championed by Biden and signed into law last year will allocate about $2.5 billion for advanced reactor demonstration projects. The Energy Department said studies by Princeton University and the Decarb America Research Initiative show that nuclear is necessary for a carbon-free future.

Granholm also touted new technologies involving hydrogen and capturing and storing carbon dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere.

Nuclear reactors have operated reliably and carbon-free for many decades, and the current climate change conversation brings the benefits of nuclear to the forefront, said Maria Korsnick, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute, the industrys trade association.

The scale of this electric grid thats across the United States, it needs something thats always there, something that can help really be the backbone, if you will, for this grid, she said. Thats why its a partnership with wind and solar and nuclear.

Nuclear technology still comes with significant risks that other low-carbon energy sources dont, said Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists. While the new, smaller reactors might cost less than traditional reactors to build, theyll also produce more expensive electricity, he said. He's also concerned the industry might cut corners on safety and security to save money and compete in the market. The group does not oppose the use of nuclear power, but wants to make sure it's safe.

Im not optimistic wed see the kind of safety and security requirements in place that would make me feel comfortable with the adoption or deployment of these so-called small modular reactors around the country, Lyman said.

The U.S. also has no long-term plan for managing or disposing the hazardous waste that can persist in the environment for hundreds of thousands of years, and theres the danger of accidents or targeted attacks for both the waste and the reactors, Lyman said. Nuclear disasters at Pennsylvanias Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and more recently, Fukushima, Japan, in 2011 provide an enduring warning about the dangers.

Nuclear power already provides about 20% of electricity in the U.S., accounting for about half the nations carbon-free energy. Most of the 93 reactors operating in the country are east of the Mississippi River.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved just one of the new, small modular reactor designs  from a company called NuScale Power, in August 2020. Three other companies have told the commission theyre planning to apply for their designs. All of these use water to cool the core.

The NRC is expecting about a half dozen designs to be submitted for advanced reactors, which use something other than water to cool the core, such as gas, liquid metal or molten salt. That includes a project by Gates' company, TerraPower, in Wyoming, which has long depended on coal for power and jobs.

As utilities quit coal, Wyoming is tapping into wind and installed the third-largest amount of wind power generating capacity of any state in 2020, after Texas and Iowa. But Glen Murrell, executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, said it's unrealistic to expect all the nations energy to be provided exclusively through wind and solar. Renewable energy should work in tandem with other technologies such as nuclear and hydrogen, he said.

TerraPower plans to build its advanced reactor demonstration plant in Kemmerer, a town of 2,700 in western Wyoming where a coal plant is closing. The reactor uses Natrium technology, which is a sodium-cooled fast reactor paired with an energy-storage system.

In another coal-dependent state, West Virginia, some lawmakers are trying to repeal the states moratorium on the construction of new nuclear facilities.

A second reactor design by TerraPower will be built at the Idaho National Laboratory. The Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment will have a core thats as small as a refrigerator and molten salt to cool it instead of water.

Among the other states that support nuclear power, Georgia maintains that its nuclear reactor expansion will provide Georgia with ample clean energy for 60 to 80 years. Georgia has the only nuclear project under construction in the U.S.  the expansion of Plant Vogtle from two of the traditional large reactors to four. The total cost is now more than double the original projection of $14 billion, and the project is years behind schedule.

New Hampshire said that without nuclear, the regions environmental goals would be impossible to meet as affordably. And the Alaska Energy Authority has been working since 2007 to plan for the use of small modular nuclear reactors, possibly at remote mine sites and military bases first.

The Maryland Energy Administration said that while the goal of all renewable energy is laudable and costs are declining, for the foreseeable future we need a variety of fuels, including nuclear and cleaner natural gas-powered systems to ensure reliability and resiliency. Maryland has one nuclear plant, and the energy administration is talking with manufacturers of small modular reactors.

Other officials, mostly in Democratic-led states, said they're moving beyond nuclear power. Some said they never relied heavily on it to begin with and dont see a need for it in the future.

They said the cost of new reactors compared to installing wind turbines or solar panels, the safety concerns and the unresolved question of how to store hazardous nuclear waste are deal-breakers. Some environmentalists also oppose small modular reactors because of the safety concerns and hazardous waste questions. The Sierra Club has described them as high-risk, highcost and highly questionable.

In New York, which has some of the nation's most ambitious goals to combat climate change, the future energy grid will be dominated by wind, solar and hydropower, said New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen Harris.

Harris said she sees a future beyond nuclear, dropping from nearly 30% of the states energy mix currently to around 5%, but the state will need advanced, long-duration battery storage and perhaps cleaner-burning fuels such as hydrogen.

Nevada is especially sensitive to nuclear energy because of the failed plan to store the nations commercial spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain. Officials there don't consider nuclear power a viable option. Instead, they see potential for battery technology for energy storage and geothermal energy.

Nevada understands better than most other states that nuclear technology has significant lifecycle problems, David Bobzien, director of the Nevada Governors Office of Energy, said in a statement. A focus on short-term gains cant alleviate the long-term issues with nuclear energy.

California is slated to close its last remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, in 2025, as it turns to cheaper renewables to power its grid by 2045.

Officials think they can meet that goal if California sustains its expansion of clean electricity generation at a record-breaking rate for the next 25 years, building on average of 6 gigawatts of new solar, wind and battery storage sources annually, according to state planning documents. California also imports power produced in other states as part of a Western U.S. grid system.

Skeptics have questioned whether California's all-in renewable plan can work in a state of nearly 40 million people.

Research from scientists at Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology concluded that delaying Diablo Canyon's retirement to 2035 would save California $2.6 billion in power system costs, reduce the chances of brownouts and lower carbon emissions. When the research was presented in November, former U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the nation is not positioned in the near-term to go to 100% renewable energy.

Theyll be times when the wind doesnt blow and the sun doesnt shine, he said. And we will need some power that we can actually turn on and dispatch at will. That leaves two choices: either fossil fuel or nuclear.

But the California Public Utilities Commission says it would likely take seismic upgrades and changes to the cooling systems, which could cost more than $1 billion, to continue operations at Diablo Canyon beyond 2025. Commission spokesperson Terrie Prosper said 11,500 megawatts of new clean energy resources will be online by 2026 to meet the state's long-term needs.

Jason Bordoff, co-founding dean of the Columbia Climate School, said that while California's plans are technically possible, he's skeptical because it's challenging to build that much renewable capacity quickly. Bordoff said there is good reason to think about extending the life of Diablo Canyon to keep energy costs down and reduce emissions as quickly as possible.

We have to incorporate nuclear energy in a way that acknowledges its not risk-free," he said. "But the risks of falling short of our climate goals exceed the risks of including nuclear energy as part of the zero carbon energy mix.

___

Associated Press writer Matthew Daly in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
Yves here. This post oddly misses a critical point about health insurer economics. Theyve done so well under Covid that they can hardly whinge about the cost of tests, particularly since a lot of Americans will get the 4 tests per household by mail first, since that is a very low work/risk transaction (order online and have it delivered). But of course anything other than a single person household that has members that go out and about in risky settings could burn through a lot of tests quickly.

But back to the Oh so sad, insurers have to eat this cost. They have been collecting the same premiums all through Covid when tons of insureds have put off elective surgeries (both due to MD/OR backups after lockdowns, as well as caution, of being willing to be treated only when case counts are not too high) and even regular visits like checkups. I doubt that the cost of these tests would take their profits down to pre-Covid levels.

However the article usefully points out the tricks and traps in this policy, such as the (low) reimbursement cap and the fact that the scheme bizarrely does not cover Medicare recipients.

And yours truly submits for medical reimbursements all the time, but for those not in the habit, thats another point of failure.

By Damon Darlin. Originally published at Kaiser Health News

Americans keep hearing that it is important to test frequently for covid-19 at home. But just try to find an at-home rapid covid test in a store and at a price that makes frequent tests affordable.

Testing, as well as mask-wearing, is an important measure if the country ever hopes to beat covid, restore normal routines and get the economy running efficiently. To get Americans cheaper tests, the federal government now plans to have insurance companies pay for them.

The Biden administration announced Jan. 10 that every person with private insurance can get full coverage for eight rapid tests a month. You can either get one without any out-of-pocket expense from retail pharmacies that are part of an insurance companys network or buy it at any store and get reimbursed by the insurer.

Congress said private insurers must cover all covid testing and any associated medical services when it passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. The have-insurance-pay-for-it solution has been used frequently through the pandemic. Insurance companies have been told to pay for PCR tests, covid treatments and the administration of vaccines. (Taxpayers are paying for the cost of the vaccines themselves.) It appears to be an elegant solution for a politician because it looks free and isnt using taxpayer money.

1. Are the tests really free?

Well, no. As many an economist will tell you, there aint no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has to pick up the tab. Initially, the insurance companies bear the cost. Cynthia Cox, a vice president at KFF who studies the Affordable Care Act and private insurers, said the total bill could amount to billions of dollars. Exactly how much depends on how easy it is to get them, and how many will be reimbursed, she said.

2. Will the insurance company just swallow those imposed costs?

If companies draw from the time-tested insurance giants playbook, theyll pass along those costs to customers. This will put upward pressure on premiums, said Emily Gee, vice president and coordinator for health policy at the Center for American Progress.

Major insurance companies like Cigna, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna did not respond to requests to discuss this issue.

3. If thats the case, why havent I been hit with higher premiums already?

Insurance companies had the chance last year to raise premiums but, mostly, they did not.

Why? Perhaps because insurers have so far made so much money during the pandemic they didnt need to. For example, the industrys profits in 2020 increased 41% to $31 billion from $22 billion, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The NAIC said the industry has continued its tremendous growth trend that started before covid emerged. Companies will be reporting 2021 results soon.

The reason behind these profits is clear. You were paying premiums based on projections your insurance company made about how much health care consumers would use that year. Because people stayed home, had fewer accidents, postponed surgeries and, often, avoided going to visit the doctor or the hospital, insurers paid out less. They rebated some of their earnings back to customers, but they pocketed a lot more.

As the companies actuaries work on predicting 2023 expenditures, premiums could go up if they foresee more claims and expenses. Paying for millions of rapid tests is something they would include in their calculations.

4. Regardless of my premiums, will the tests cost me money directly?

Its quite possible. If your insurance company doesnt have an arrangement with a retailer where you can simply pick up your allotted tests, youll have to pay for them  at whatever price the store sets. If thats the case, youll need to fill out a form to request a reimbursement from the insurance company. How many times have you lost receipts or just plain neglected to mail in for rebates on something you bought? A lot, right?

Heres another thing: The reimbursement is set at $12 per test. If you pay $30 for a test  and that is not unheard of  your insurer is only on the hook for $12. You eat the $18.

And by the way, people on Medicare will have to pay for their tests themselves. People who get their health care covered by Medicaid can obtain free test kits at community centers.

A few free tests are supposed to arrive at every American home via the U.S. Postal Service. And the Biden administration has activated a website where Americans can order free tests from a cache of a billion the federal government ordered.

5. Will this help bring down the costs of at-home tests and make them easier to find?

The free covid tests are unlikely to have much immediate impact on general cost and availability. You will still need to search for them. The federal measures likely will stimulate the demand for tests, which in the short term may make them harder to find.

But the demand, and some government guarantees to manufacturers, may induce test makers to make more of them faster. The increased competition and supply theoretically could bring down the price. There is certainly room for prices to decline since the wholesale cost of the test is between $5 and $7, analysts estimate. Its a big step in the right direction, Gee said.
Yves here. On the one hand, these comparisons of animal behaviors are entertaining but human societies have exhibited a range of behaviors about sharing versus hoarding wealth. And literature has presented some additional ideas, like the extreme anti-ownership society of Ursula LeGuins The Dispossessed. On the other hand, anything that gets people to admit that wealth inequality is a problem and look at different ways of dealing with it is helpful.

By Lynn Parramore, Senior Research Analyst at the Institute for New Economic Thinking. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website

Can we live by values of mutual aid and the sharing of resources, or are we destined for heavily stratified inequality? As long as there have been economies  and one-percenters benefiting from their design  there have been arguments about the naturalness of unequal conditions. Were selfish creatures, so the argument goes, and some of us will just naturally be better off. Suck it up.

A flurry of articles concerning a December 2021 study in the journal Behavioral Ecology featuring new insights into intergenerational wealth and inequality in the animal world has ignited a new round of debate on this ancient topic.

Researchers found that among beasts, it pays to be born into privilege. Certain squirrel mothers who hoard nuts and pine cones, for example, will end up bequeathing food stores to a few of their offspring, thus upping their chances of survival. Red squirrels are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, quips the New York Times. High-ranking hyenas are able to pass on status to daughters (theyre matriarchal, those clever hyenas), who inherit the right to the best meat, while some monkeys obtain tools to crack nuts from their parents, giving them extra advantage.

The Times article is quick to state that the researchers were prompted to study the topic out of concern about increasing inequality during the pandemic and simply wanted to see what humans could learn about the topic from nature rather than justify intergenerational wealth.

But it is kind of interesting that this particular bit of research has proven popular with the World Economic Forum (WEF), that august group of global elites which gathers annually in the tony ski resort of Davos (the physical gathering has been postponed this year due to Covid) to tell the world whats what with the economy. An article sponsored by that body asks readers to consider the clownfish. The clownfish, it turns out, can inherit the right to hiding places from its parents, thus enabling it to avoid predators that snack on less privileged fellows.

Could it be that the clownfish teaches the wisdom of the proposition, I am privileged, therefore nature must have intended it? Lets investigate.

Bees Do It. Or Do They?

Back in the early Enlightenment, when it was de rigueur for intellectuals to propose theories about the hows and whys of things, Anglo-Dutch philosopher and political economist Bernard Mandeville got to thinking about animals. He found himself in agreement with Rene Descartes (spectacularly wrong) view that animals were little more than physical machines: a cuckoo bird and a cuckoo clock were much the same, only one you dont have to feed. Theyre mindless automata.

Turning his attention to bees, Mandeville penned a satirical poem known as, Fable of the Bees: or, Private Vices, Public Benefits, in which he describes the breakdown of a bee community when its members suddenly stop acting in their greedy self-interest and become honest and virtuous. The moral lesson: personal vice translates into public good.

Mandeville advised people to hang up the effort to benefit others or control their passions because it just gets in the way of the states commercial and intellectual progress. After all, the circulation of capital demands that people keep buying stuff they dont need, and its therefore critical for people to be greedy and self-absorbed if you want to have a thriving economy. Luxury Employd a Million of the Poor, asserted Mandeville, And odious Pride a Million more. Without vices, people just collapse into an apathetic stupor. Greed is good, the more vicious, the better.

Mandevilles bee poem created quite a buzz. Revered ever since by the most extreme free-market fundamentalists, despite the fact that the author actually understood precious little about the species he touted as an example to humans. Turns out that bees are highly cooperative creatures, and their communities would collapse if they were unable or unwilling to help each other. The very opposite of what Mandeville argued.

Mandevilles dim view of human beings as deceitful, mean-spirited hoarders drew its fair share of detractors. Even Adam Smith felt that the philosopher had gone rather too far. Smith declared in his Theory of Moral Sentiments that How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it except the pleasure of seeing it. Smith also argued that without regulation, corruption and vice would destroy economies rather than help them thrive.

Smith intuited that reducing all human motivation down to egotistical drives ignores our complexity  and much of what makes us thrive, like empathy toward our fellows. Modern researchers have noted that as early as infancy, humans show empathy towards others in distress. A six-month-old baby will get upset to see someone being bullied  and its clearly not due to receiving an egotistical hit from exhibiting concern, as some cynics have argued is the only reason we demonstrate care for our neighbor.

Researchers have also found ample evidence of the advantages humans enjoy living in communities that feature mutual support and shared resources. A recent book by the late anthropologist David Graeber, The Dawn of Everything, presents a plethora of examples of such societies going all the way back to the Stone Age.

Nature is brimming with diverse strategies for survival  some we might wish to imitate, and some we would not. The famous ichneumon fly, for example, has hit upon an ingenious way to ensure the survival of its offspring. It lays eggs on another creatures body and paralyzes it so it cant move while slowly being eaten alive. Hey, no judgment on the ichneumon, but we probably dont want to follow its example.

Researchers have also found lots of cases in nature of animals other than bees that survive by cooperating and sharing. Certain parrots, for example, share knowledge about available food with other parrots. Vampire bats will share food with a hungry fellow bat by barfing into its mouth (gross, but effective) and bonobos, those monkeys beloved for their hippie penchant of preferring sex to violence  and also matriarchal  will happily share their chow with friends.

Some animals will even die to protect members of the group, like honeybees. On the other hand, the female praying mantis dines on her mates head after copulation, so again, you have to be careful about choosing your examples!

Even if you pick out a hundred cases of animals hoarding resources to privilege themselves and their own offspring, you still have to be mindful of extrapolating the behavior to human societies. Thats because alone among animals, we actually have choices about how we organize ourselves. We get to decide what way of living suits us best.

Heres something youre not going to find in the animal world no matter how hard you search  communities that destroy themselves altogether through hoarding. Researchers have yet to identify a Squirrel Gilded Age with gold-encrusted pinecones and fluffy-tailed robber barons. Thats because squirrels dont have access to two things that humans have: armies and legally protected engines for unlimited capital accumulation.

In the human world, the wealthy are often able to seize control of political systems and use force to protect their privileges, resulting in economies so grotesquely unequal that they threaten the survival of everyone. In the human Gilded Age, we didnt just have a few parents passing down advantages to some of their kids. We had a sweeping, systemic foul-up of wretched tenements and children huddling in dirt right next to luxury castles built by industrial gazillionaires. The result? The Great Crash followed by the misery of the Great Depression, which even took down quite a few of these gazillionaires. It was the reverse of Mandevilles bee model.

The fact is that when humans operate on the principle that greed is good, they usually end up creating extremely unstable economies vulnerable to disruption and collapse. As Thomas Piketty has shown, when the rich are able to fatten endlessly through unregulated capitalism, they will drive inequality higher and higher until finally either some bloody catastrophe happens to blow the whole thing up, or a sane government steps in to create more equal and stable conditions. We are currently in the midst of figuring out which way we would like to go this time around: a violent or peaceful transition to something more equitable. (Check out Institute for New Economic Thinking Research Director Thomas Fergusons coauthored recent paper to see how this is going).

Fortunately, theres good news: Unlike squirrels, humans can, and often have, built societies in which there are limits to how much one can hoard and curbs on how badly one can treat ones neighbor. We have altered our world so that we can overcome diseases, and we can arrange it so that none goes without access to a doctor, too. Humans are a piece of work worthy of Shakespeares praise: noble in reason, infinite in faculty. We dont crap in public, and we dont need to throw each other to the wolves. Mandevilles bees are far from the be-all and end-all that free-market fundamentalists thought they were. Beasts make a few choices; humans can make many more.
(Natural News) Almost a thousand demonstrators in Bulgaria gathered in front of the countrys parliament at the countrys capital, Sofia. The protesters called on Bulgarian lawmakers to walk back on new Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, including a health pass mandate.

The protesters attempted to enter the building of the Bulgarian National Assembly. They pushed back the cordon around the structure set up by the National Police Service, but stopped at the front doors. Afterward, they called on members of parliament (MPs) to come outside and listen to their demands.

The Sofia demonstrators urged lawmakers to abandon a proposal to mandate health passes or green certificates for Bulgarians. The pass is issued to those vaccinated, recovered from COVID-19 or returned a negative COVID-19 test result  similar to the green pass used in Italy. Bulgarians must show this pass before they can enter restaurants, cafes, shopping malls and gyms.

The protesters also called for mask mandates to be dropped. Under current rules, Bulgarians have to wear masks in indoor settings and on public transport. The demonstrators said they intend to stay in front of the parliament building until their demands to abolish the health pass and mask mandate are met.

Kostadin Kostadinov, chairman of the nationalist party Revival, said: The aim of the protest is to remove the restrictive measures, especially the unconstitutional green certificate. Some rally participants were waving the partys flags during the gathering. (Related: People around the world protest tyrannical COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates.)

Asparuh Mitov, a 39-year-old engineer who joined the protest, voiced his disapproval of the COVID-19 measures. He told Reuters: I do not approve of the green certificates. I do not approve that the children are being stopped from attending classes. I do not see the logic of these things.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov told a local TV station that he regretted being unable to meet with the protesters. However, he said he would meet with them when he finishes his quarantine period after being exposed to a COVID-19 case. Petkov and other senior officials went into self-isolation after a participant at a meeting they attended received a positive test result.

Similar protests held at the Dutch capital

Bulgaria is the nation with the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rate among the 27 member countries of the European Union. Only a third of its population has been fully vaccinated against the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. It reported a record number of COVID-19 infection  almost 7,000  on Jan. 12, which scientists partly attributed to the B11529 omicron variant.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands  a fellow EU member  reported a higher vaccination rate. According to the Dutch government, 86.1 percent of citizens aged 18 years and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Protesters frustrated with draconian COVID-19 restrictions in the Netherlands also took to the streets earlier in January 2022. They gathered at the Museumplein public square in Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, to express their grievances. However, officers from the Royal Marechaussee military police violently broke up the demonstration. (Related: Anti-vaccine protesters in Amsterdam brutalized by law enforcement, police dogs.)

Footage of the violent dispersal in Amsterdam circulated on social media. One video showed a police officer hitting a demonstrator until the latter fell to the ground.

Dutch MP Pepijn van Houwelingen posted pictures of a bus full of protesters planning to join the Jan. 2 Museumplein protest. However, he said the bus was pulled over by police officers, with one officer yelling at the bus driver to turn around.

This is what a dictatorship looks like where fundamental rights are worth nothing. If you challenge the totalitarian regime and start demonstrating for freedom, suddenly everyone is arrested, van Houwelingen said.

Watch the video below of the Bulgarian protesters making their way to the National Assembly building.

This video is from The Mysterious Stranger channel on Brighteon.com.

Resist.news has more about protests against COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates worldwide.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

NYPost.com

CoronaDashboard.Government.nl

FreeWestMedia.com

Brighteon.com
Blackshear, GA (31516)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
(Natural News) In a bid to pressure the countrys unvaccinated population to take the experimental and dangerous Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, Canada is expanding its vaccine mandate and enacting policies that are in violation of basic human rights.

According to constitutional scholars, imposing vaccine mandates on the population violates multiple sections of the the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the countrys version of the Bill of Rights. These sections specifically guarantee the right of Canadians to life, liberty, security and protection under the law without discrimination. Vaccine mandates are inherently discriminatory and would violate this statute.

Knowing that he needs more than a bill to convince holdouts to take the vaccine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made multiple speeches blaming the unvaccinated for the rise in cases in the country. He called them a small, fringe element in this country that is angry, that doesnt believe in science, that is lashing out with racist, misogynistic attacks, and who are taking up space.

Do we tolerate these people? he continued. And I know well not allow those voices, those special interest groups, those protesters  I dont even want to call them protesters, those anti-vaxxer mobs  to dictate how this country gets through this pandemic and how we recover our economy free from lockdown.

The federal government announced its plan to make vaccinations mandatory late last year. According to Minister of Labor Seamus ORegan Jr., federally regulated workplaces will have to make vaccinations mandatory for all their employees soon.

This vaccine mandate is an expansion of the one already in place for employees of the public sector, including those working in federally regulated air, rail and marine transportation sectors and the travelers on these modes of transportation.

Making vaccination mandatory across all federally regulated workplaces will protect workers, their families and their communities, claimed ORegan. It will help us finish the fight against COVID-19 and help us sustain a strong and stable economic recovery.

According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the department responsible for implementing labor policies, the federal government is still in the process of consulting with key stakeholders in the economy, including representatives from various small and medium-sized businesses, to talk about how they can implement the mandate.

The ESDCs consultations are expected to finish soon and will cover what resources the federal government needs to help federally regulated workplaces implement the vaccine mandate. (Related: Canadian province gives businesses the option to ban unvaccinated from getting groceries.)

If this vaccine mandate pushes through, it would cover around 18,500 workplaces that altogether employ over 950,000 people.

Canadian provinces could expand the vaccine mandate at their discretion

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos said that Canadas provinces and territories are likely to introduce their vaccine mandates in response to the surge in COVID-19 cases in their respective territories.

What we see now is that our healthcare system in Canada is fragile, our people are tired and the only way that we know to get through COVID-19, this variant and any future variant, is through vaccination, claimed Duclos.

He failed to point out that the majority of new cases in Canada are coming from the fully vaccinated. Duclos even claimed that in the province of Quebec, as many as 50 percent of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are due to people not being vaccinated.

Thats a burden on healthcare workers, a burden on society which is very difficult to bear and for many people difficult to understand, said Duclos. Thats why Im signaling that this is a conversation which I believe provinces and territories, in support with the federal government, will want to have over the next weeks and months.

The rhetoric coming out of the federal government is united in trying to blame Canadas unvaccinated population for the surge in cases. The more people believe this, the more likely there will be no resistance when the vaccine mandate is extended to all Canadians.

Watch this video and learn about how businesses in Canada are beginning to implement no vax, no service policies.

This video can be found on the OnlyTruth4Me channel on Brighteon.com.

Learn more about vaccine mandates in Canada and other parts of the world at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

CanadianLawyerMag.com

CBC.ca

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Professor Ehud Qimron, the head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Tel Aviv University, slammed the global management of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, saying that it was a shameful disaster driven by false propaganda.

In a letter, Qimron touched on the deliberate failure to pursue herd immunity and the futility of lockdowns and unnecessary mass testings. He also identified the people responsible for the aforementioned failure while crucifying public health officials for branding the unvaccinated as the enemies.

When you compare the destructive policies you are pursuing with the sane policies of some other countries  you can clearly see that the destruction you have caused has only added victims beyond the vulnerable to the virus, he wrote. The economy you ruined, the unemployment you caused, and the children whose education you destroyed are the surplus victims as a result of your own actions only. (Related: Israel now has more covid infections per capita than any country in the world, even as booster shots are being widely administered there.)

Supreme Court expresses skepticism of Bidens COVID strategies

In the U.S., the majority of the Supreme Court seemed to be leaning toward blocking the White Houses pandemic strategies as they expressed their skepticism of the Biden administrations legal power to mandate large employers to require their employees to get vaccinated or undergo frequent testing.

The court looks like it is more likely to allow a separate mandate that requires health care workers at government-funded facilities to be vaccinated. However, the employer mandate was more lopsided: The regulation is one of the most far-reaching policies imposed by the president in a bid to control the pandemic, and it could potentially affect 84 million workers employed by large companies.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett said that the regulation is too far-reaching in converting all large employers. She noted that while meatpacking plants and dental offices may be subject to regulation, for instance, other jobs such as landscaping, should not be.

The more liberal justices, however, insisted that the mandate was a needed response to the public health crisis. With nearly a million people dead, it is by far the greatest public health danger that this country has faced in the last century.

Fourth COVID jab not yet needed

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, some nations are already rolling out a fourth dose of COVID vaccines. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that adults 60 and older, medical workers and individuals with suppressed immune systems could receive their fourth dose if at least four months have passed since their third.

German health minister Karl Laughterbach also said that a fourth dose will only be needed to maintain protection against the omicron variant.

In the United States, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci said that it is too early to be discussing a potential fourth dose for most people. He said that one of the things that need to be followed carefully is the durability of the protection following the third dose of an mRNA vaccine.

If the protection is much more durable than the two-dose, non-boosted group, then we may go a significant period of time without requiring a fourth dose. So, I do think its premature  at least on the part of the United States  to be talking about a fourth dose, he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will examine and consider whether or not getting the fourth dose is necessary or if there is a need for them to be a nationally, however, it seems that the third doses appear to be providing durable protection, according to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. If theres science and when theres science that demonstrates that that is necessary, we will certainly be reviewing that, she said.

Some vaccine manufacturers also acknowledged that more time is needed to determine whether or not a fourth dose is necessary for the U.S., and how quickly the protection might wane following the third dose.

Modernas chief medical officer, Paul Burton, said that they will be waiting for a couple of months until they can see how data develop and mature to understand when the additional booster dose needs to be given.

Watch the video below to get updates regarding Bidens COVID-19 policies.

This video is from the All The Worlds a Stage channel on Brighteon.com.

More updates about COVID-19 are available at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

NYTimes.com

Edition.CNN.com
(Natural News) The Salt Lake City Tribune editorial board published an editorial on Saturday that called on the Utah governor to use the National Guard to prevent unvaccinated citizens from going anywhere.

(Article by Andrew Kugle republished from FoxNews.com)

In an editorial titled, Utah leaders have surrendered to COVID pandemic, the Editorial Board writes the paper lays blame at elected officials for failing to mandate the vaccine for all citizens. The paper asserted that if Utah was a civilized place, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox would implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the state and have the National Guard enforce the mandate by not letting unvaccinated people go anywhere.

Were Utah a truly civilized place, the governors next move would be to find a way to mandate the kind of mass vaccination campaign we should have launched a year ago, going as far as to deploy the National Guard to ensure that people without proof of vaccination would not be allowed, well, anywhere, the editorial board wrote.

While the editorial board placed blame at all levels of government, they were more critical of Republicans like Cox.

Government officials, mostly but not exclusively Republicans, were apparently determined not to be caught governing in the face of this challenge. Any move or recommendation to mask up or, when safe and effective vaccines became available, to make vaccination a requirement of admission to public places and society in general was shouted down as an unwarranted imposition on individual freedoms, it wrote. Cox and so many others have not carried the courage of their convictions. Cox, state legislative leaders, our congressional delegation and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes have so proudly stood against the kind of vaccine mandates that civilized society has used for generations to effectively wipe out everything from polio to diphtheria to the measles.

The papers criticism for President Biden was tepid in comparison. They applauded Bidens effort to implement a nationwide vaccine mandate but criticized the president for taking too long to make COVID-19 tests and N-95 masks widely available.

President Joe Biden tried to pull a couple of useful levers by ordering vaccine mandates for health care workers and vaccine-or-test rules for workplaces of more than 100 employees. The U.S. Supreme Court this week upheld the former while quashing the latter, foolishly holding that a communicable disease is not a workplace hazard, the editorial board wrote. Not that Biden is blameless in all this. Seeing the obvious reluctance of so many people to get, or to require, vaccinations has only now moved him to push to make tests and the most effective kind of masks available to everyone. Its the right thing to do, but months late.

Critics fired back at the paper, especially on the suggestion the National Guard be deployed to force unvaccinated individuals to stay in their homes.

This is mindless, anti-science insanity  omicron is infecting everyone  but these journalists are demanding totalitarianism. And they think theyre the good guys, OutKick founder Clay Travis wrote in a tweet.

The Salt Lake City newspaper wants the Utah national guard to not allow unvaccinated people to leave their homes. This is mindless, anti-science insanity  omicron is infecting everyone  but these journalists are demanding totalitarianism. And they think theyre the good guys. pic.twitter.com/BYoskGNQ5R  Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 16, 2022

Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, R., tweeted, The truth is Omicron is out of control everywhere. Even in places with mask and vaccine mandates. We always push vaccines, but even vaccinated ppl [sic] are catching it. Its easy to take shots from the cheap seats but this is the sort of nonsense that makes editorial boards irrelevant.

The truth is Omicron is out of control everywhere. Even in places with mask and vaccine mandates. We always push vaccines, but even vaccinated ppl are catching it. Its easy to take shots from the cheap seats but this is the sort of nonsense that makes editorial boards irrelevant pic.twitter.com/Zladdqnulc  Deidre Henderson (@DeidreHenderson) January 15, 2022

Use the national guard to prevent unvaccinated from going anywhere?! That would be more draconian than any state in the country  how do they think things are going in Australia? The Trib editorial board is absolute garbage, former staffer for former Utah senator Orrin Hatch, Matt Whitlock tweeted.

Use the national guard to prevent unvaccinated from going anywhere?! That would be more draconian than any state in the country  how do they think things are going in Australia? The Trib editorial board is absolute garbage.  Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) January 15, 2022

Read more at: FoxNews.com
(Natural News) Weve watched like many the rulings coming out of the US Supreme Court this week as Joe Bidens insane and dictatorial vax mandates for big businesses were shot down while the mandates for healthcare workers was upheld, yet as this new story over at The Defender eludes to, this means our healthcare system is now in full-scale collapse mode.

(Article by Stefan Stanford republished from AllNewsPipeline.com)

Just the latest bad news for the millions of US healthcare workers who dont trust the big pharma mafia and their still experimental injection, with them soon to have to make the decision to either give in to medical tyranny and be injected against their best wisdom or quit their careers, the comments below from that story offer some outstanding suggestions that we have to take a look at right here and now, as they offer great solutions!

So before we go any further, check out these comments and let us know what you think in our comment section below. First, an understandably very upset healthcare worker, though some outstanding solutions thinking straight out of the box are offered to her and any other healthcare worker now out of a job in the comments that follow.

Canada Toad: This is awful news. My husband and I are both nurses with tons of experience. Looks like we are now unemployed for good in healthcare and will be looking for new jobs. Just because someone works in healthcare does not mean that they dont have body autonomy! Employers have always been lenient with vaccination requirements around exemptions, but in this case the COVID vaccine requirements have been steadfast with no exemptions given. Can the US afford to lose so many healthcare workers in a pandemic? Apparently the answer is yes.

And then, three responses to that comment which offer a road forward in the madness.:

Julie Votaw: Could you start Holistic medicine clinics??? I and my family want to go to unvaccinated clinics! Can you start reaching out on line and group chat to help start creating these clinics and providing your own insurance company??? I believe the Lutheran Church has a private insurance companycould be a model? Could CHD and Front Line Doctors help start these clinics??? You always want money to fight issuestoo late! We want to build parallel structures away from the madness!

Nichole: That is a beautiful solution to this issue. Change the entire medical structure so that this portion that has been upheld will being rendered null and void. If we could get people heathy with naturopathic rather than allopathic means then there would be no need for getting forced to take injections due to CMS and its federal funding program.

Fedupwithlies: Exactly!! People need to understand that they dont need these poisonous drugs that Pharma and mainstream media (CONNECTED AT THE HIP) convince you with fear and lies, that you need. They are all about PROFITS. NOTHING MORE. Theyll sell you for an experiment, for a fee. And they rip every person off with exuberant, unaffordable fees for medicine. Faucis heading that thievery. They get you sick with their drugs and then, tell you that you need more to be healthy. Natural is best for health and healing.

So what do you think? Do those comments seen above from readers of The Defender offer us a road forward for American healthcare, cutting off and getting as far away as possible from the corporate healthcare system that is putting the lives of our doctors and nurses in grave danger, while taking away their own bodily autonomy if they want to stay in that field?

We ourselves would be quite happy to visit such an unvaxxed clinic, for many of the reasons Bart pointed out of the vaxxed in this new ANP story. And we ourselves have canceled appointments we had set up previously at fully vaxxed doctors and dentist offices over the past year+ for the exact reasons that Bart pointed out. Wed prefer right now to avoid the vax shedders. So please, by all means, if you know healthcare workers wholl be out of a job because of this insane mandate, please share with them those ideas from readers over at The Defender if you feel that the ideas are worthy.

Because going back many months now, weve been reporting on ANP that our healthcare system in America was going through a staged collapse and with the Supreme Court upholding the mandate sure to drive even more highly experienced doctors and nurses away from the healthcare field as explained in the comment above, we shouldnt be surprised that many states are now allowing unlicensed doctors and nurses to return to practice.

As Mike Adams had warned in this new story over at Natural News, with the Supreme Court betraying Americans, and especially US healthcare workers, what theyre basically saying to people who go into the healthcare field that the government owns their bodies; the very definition of tyranny. So lets take a brief look at that story before our conclusion.:

Yesterday, the US Supreme Court proved once again that it will betray the American people at every opportunity in order to forward the governments anti-human agenda that claims they own your body.

In a 6-3 decision, SCOTUS struck down the OSHA mandate affecting all employers with 100 or more employees, but the court affirmed the legality of the vaccine mandate for all health care workers, including those in nursing homes, hospitals, clinics and more. This decision means SCOTUS just declared the government owns your body and can force you to take experimental medical injections in direct violation of the Nuremberg Code.

Even in striking down the wider OSHA mandate, SCOTUS did not state that your body belongs to you. Instead, they said Congress hasnt yet authorized OSHA to have enough power to force you to take these vaccines. In doing this, SCOTUS left the door wide open for Congress to legislate vaccine mandates and force them into your body, against your will.

Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com
(Natural News) In the early days of the pandemic, it was not unusual to see store shelves wiped clean of toilet paper. These days, however, we are seeing empty shelves on every aisle of the store, and the situation is unlikely to improve any time soon as the pandemic dries up supplies.

A new round of backlogs is being seen right now at processed food and fresh produce companies alike at a time of soaring freight costs and labor shortages related to the pandemic. The result is empty supermarket shelves at major grocery retailers throughout the nation.

The CEO of Birdseye frozen vegetables parent company Conagra brands, Sean Connolly, told investors that he expects supplies from American plants to be constrained for at least the next month. He said that Omicron-related job absences were also a factor.

Meanwhile, the CEO of Albertsons supermarket chain, Vivek Sankaran, said that he sees supply chain challenges continuing for the next four to six weeks as efforts to plug supply chain gaps fall short.

Across the West Coast, produce growers are reporting paying trucking rates that are nearly triple those seen before the pandemic for shipping foods like berries and lettuce before they spoil. The CEO of Owyhee Produce, Shay Myers, said he has not been shipping onions to retail distributors from his location on the border of Oregon and Idaho due to the high freight costs and will avoid doing so until they drop.

He reports that transportation disruptions caused by storms and a lack of truck drivers during the last three weeks have caused freight costs for vegetable and fruit producers to double over the already-inflated pandemic prices they had been paying.

He said: We typically will ship, East Coast to West Coast  we used to do it for about $7,000. Today its somewhere between $18,000 and $22,000.

On social media, shoppers have been complaining of bare meat and pasta aisles in their local Walmarts, while chicken was nowhere to be found in an Indianapolis Meijer store. And toilet paper is once again in short supply in some areas. A Palm Beach Publix recently ran out of toilet paper and other home hygiene products, and some Costco stores in Washington state have placed purchase limits on toilet paper again.

Lack of labor contributing to shortages

The vice president of communications and research at Consumer Brands Association is blaming the shortages on a lack of labor. According to Katie Denis, around 120,000 workers are currently missing from the consumer packaged goods industry. Although many are citing illness as Omicron strikes the U.S., vaccine mandates are certainly making the problem worse.

Denis reports that demand during the past five months has been at the same level or even higher than the demand noted when the pandemic was in its early days in March 2020. Many consumers are stocking up on groceries as they stay at home in hopes of stemming the spread of Omicron. According to the National Grocers Association, many grocery stores are operating with less than half of their workforce capacity.

One American grocery distributor, SpartanNash, said that it is growing more difficult to get processed foods like cereal and soup from food manufacturers. The Consumer Brands Association reports that food products out-of-stock levels are currently running at 15 percent, with household cleaning and personal hygiene products experiencing 12 percent out-of-stock levels compared to the 7 to 10 percent seen during normal times.

Similar problems are being seen in other countries, like Australia, where many grocery store employees are out of work because of the virus and limits are being placed on the purchase of certain types of goods in hopes of preventing storages.

The recent snow and ice storms seen on the East Coast of the U.S. are also causing problems with deliveries to grocery stores and distribution hubs, with delays rippling across the country and putting produce with a limited shelf life at risk. And with many capable and willing workers being grounded by employer vaccine mandates, this problem could continue for quite some time.

Sources for this article include:

News.Yahoo.com

NYPost.com
(Natural News) The Office for National Statistics (U.K.) has found that ever since Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines were first introduced, deaths among males aged 15-19 have jumped 53 percent.

Even more disturbing is the fact that there have been noteworthy death spikes that directly correlate with the rollout of the first, second and third doses of the injections for this age group.

Based on this, experts say that the jabs are clearly to blame. No other factors changed other than the fact that these boys rolled up their sleeves for their Fauci Flu shots in accordance with government guidelines.

Data collected from the 2020 edition of Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales clearly shows periodic spikes in the death count right when each new injection was introduced. Once a fourth booster shot becomes available to young boys, we expect to see yet another death spike.

From week 18 and beyond in 2021, there was a noticeable rise in deaths among teenage boys compared to the same time period in 2020. Things really took a turn for the worse starting in week 23.

For instance in week 26, despite the Covid-19 virus allegedly [wreaking] havoc throughout the U.K., there were just 2 deaths registered among male teens aged 15-19 in England and Wales, reports the Daily Expose.

But fast forward one year and we can see that there were 19 deaths registered among male teens aged 15-19 in England and Wales during week 26. That represents [an] 850% increase.

Injecting your kid for covid is child abuse: Dont do it!

The noteworthy spike in deaths at week 18 onwards tracks with the time when 18- and 19-year-olds first started getting jabbed. Some 16- and 17-year-olds also started getting jabbed around the same time.

According to the ONS reports, a total of 434 deaths occurred among males 15-19 in England and Wales between week one and week 52 in 2020. In 2021 during the same timeframe, that figure soared to 577 deaths.

Between week one and 17 in both years, the death toll in this demographic was roughly the same, it is important to note. Starting on week 18, however, which is when the jabs arrived for young boys, the 2021 numbers skyrocketed compared to the 2020 numbers. There is simply no other explanation for this but the injections. (Related: Covid injections are spreading more variants, which is also contributing to the overall death count.)

This means deaths among males aged 15-19 increased by 53% following the introduction of the Covid-19 vaccine to this age-group compared to the same period in 2020, the Expose adds.

As is usually the case, the authorities are trying to blame these death spikes on covid. But a simple look at the timing of when the jabs were rolled out and when the deaths really ramped up clearly shows that the former caused the latter.

While the overall number of deaths in boys 15-19 was still relatively low in both 2020 and 2021, it is still concerning that there was any increase at all. Remember when politicians were claiming that even one lost life was too many? Well, there were many more than one that occurred among boys 15-19 thanks to the jabs.

Notice that the deaths dropped in week 52  over the Christmas period when parents wouldnt have bothered so much taking their kids into the doctors to get poisoned, noted one Expose reader.

Over at Natural News, another reader noted that the fully vaccinated are now loaded with inflammatory spike proteins, which for many of them will spell early death.

We will all be affected and harmed sooner or later, this person added about how the jabbed are shedding these poisons onto the non-jabbed.

The latest Fauci Flu shot death figures can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyExpose.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The attempts of governments across the globe at psychological engineering the population on Covid related matters has now been fully exposed after several years. A well respected immunologist in Israel heavily criticized the approach of every administration globally.

(Article republished from GreatGameIndia.com)

In a scathing letter addressed to the Israeli Ministry of Health, a renowned immunologist denounced mass vaccination against COVID-19 and chastised officials whove already branded the unvaccinated as spreaders of the disease.

The letter, penned by Professor Ehud Qimron, who is the head of Tel Aviv Universitys Department of Microbiology and Immunology, rips off vaccine-focused COVID tactics endorsed by authorities across the globe, which Qimron labels doomed to fail.

Two years late, you finally realize that a respiratory virus cannot be defeated and that any such attempt is doomed to fail, he wrote to the Israeli health ministry. You do not admit it, because 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 of your actions, and even the media is already having a hard time covering your shame.

Qimron reprimanded Israeli authorities for failing to recognize that COVID-19 vaccines will neither eliminate the virus or provide herd immunity, as the governments immunization campaign failed to do.

You refused to admit that the infection comes in waves that fade by themselves, despite years of observations and scientific knowledge, he said. 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 in that as well.

The senior immunologist further lambasted the Israeli government over ignoring the fact that the disease is dozens of times more dangerous for risk groups and older adults, than for young people who are not in risk groups, despite the knowledge that came from China as early as 2020.

Simultaneously, officials never established an adequate mechanism to evaluate the negative effects of immunization  which unequally affect younger individuals  whilst denouncing the doctors who documented vaccine injuries, according to Qimron. Doctors avoid linking side effects to the vaccine, lest you persecute them as you did with some of their colleagues, he accused.

According to Stanford University researcher Dr. John Ioannidis, younger folks incur minimal likelihood of mortality or major disease from COVID-19, with a survival rate of no less than 99.9 percent for anyone below 40.

According to research, immunizations essentially inflict more harm than that of the virus on its own in younger demographics. According to a study released last month by British researchers, the jabs dramatically raise the chance of potentially life-threatening heart inflammation in males under 40 years old compared to COVID-19 and may lead in more lethal types of the heart ailment.

You have ignored many reports of changes in menstrual intensity and menstrual cycle times, Qimron noted in his letter to the health ministry. You hid data that allows for objective and proper research. Instead, you chose to publish non-objective articles together with senior Pfizer executives on the effectiveness and safety of vaccines.

The truth will be revealed

Public health professionals, on the other hand, have also ignored the fact that in the end the truth will be revealed, according to the professor. And it begins to be revealed.

The truth is that you have brought the publics trust in you to an unprecedented low, and you have eroded your status as a source of authority, he alleged, citing increased incidences of mental illness and misbehavior among Israeli pupils amid COVID regulations.

You have destroyed the education of our children and their future, said Qimron. You made children feel guilty, scared, smoke, drink, get addicted, drop out, and quarrel, as school principals around the country attest. You have harmed livelihoods, the economy, human rights, mental health and physical health.

Israel has a reputation for having one of the toughest COVID-19 measures in the world, frequently mandating weeks-long nationwide lockdowns and instituting a vaccine green pass to access everything except essential areas of the economy. Most restrictions were dropped last summer, but were reinstated in August as vaccinated patients overflowed Israeli hospitals due to vaccination failure.

However, health officials continued to rally people against the unvaccinated, portraying them as spreaders of disease and enemies of the public, as per Qimron:

You slandered colleagues who did not surrender to you, you turned the people against each other, divided society and polarized the discourse. You branded, without any scientific basis, people who chose not to get vaccinated as enemies of the public and as spreaders of disease. You promote, in an unprecedented way, a draconian policy of discrimination, denial of rights and selection of people, including children, for their medical choice. A selection that lacks any epidemiological justification.

Qimron explicitly mentioned the Great Barrington Declaration, a document signed by over 60,000 researchers and medical experts worldwide that advocates for modest COVID limitations and focused safeguarding of high-risk demographics. According to Qimron, Israeli officials decided to ridicule, slander, distort, and discredit the signers while pursuing measures that only added victims beyond the vulnerable to the virus.

The economy you ruined, the unemployed you caused, and the children whose education you destroyed  they are the surplus victims as a result of your own actions only.

There is currently no medical emergency, the immunologist continued. 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!

Read more at: GreatGameIndia.com
(Natural News) As we have seen all throughout human history, those that would like to impose tyranny upon a nation need at least a certain percentage of the population to go along with their plans. It doesnt even have to be a majority. All that is required is enough true believers to enforce the tyrannical dictates of the elite. Many had assumed that the United States would always be immune from such a scenario because our Constitution guarantees certain liberties and freedoms. Unfortunately, things have dramatically changed in recent years. Today, a surprisingly large percentage of the U.S. population is openly embracing authoritarianism, and that should deeply alarm all of us.

(Article by Michael Snyder republished from EndOfTheAmericanDream.com)

If you think that I am exaggerating, lets take a look at some of the results of a recent Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports national survey. I will pull certain lines from their report and put them in bold, and then I will follow with my own thoughts

48% of voters favor President Joe Bidens plan to impose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on the employees of large companies and government agencies

All of the other results we will look at are specifically for Democratic voters, but this figure is for U.S. voters as a whole.

It should deeply grieve all of us to see that nearly half the country actually supports Joe Bidens unconstitutional vaccine mandates.

Have we really fallen this far as a nation?

Thankfully the Supreme Court just struck down Bidens national OSHA mandate, but more mandates are inevitably coming on the state level.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democratic voters would favor a government policy requiring that citizens remain confined to their homes at all times, except for emergencies, if they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Are you kidding me?

A solid majority of all Democrats would like to lock the unvaccinated in their own homes except for emergencies.

And since Dr. Fauci just admitted that COVID will be with us forever, such a measure would theoretically be implemented on an indefinite basis.

That is extremely chilling.

Nearly half (48%) of Democratic voters think federal and state governments should be able to fine or imprison individuals who publicly question the efficacy of the existing COVID-19 vaccines on social media, television, radio, or in online or digital publications

This is another sign that free speech is almost completely dead in our country.

If we cant even ask questions, what kind of society are we going to have?

The U.S. Constitution is supposed to forbid such government restrictions on speech, but apparently nearly half of all Democrats dont believe in the Bill of Rights anymore.

Forty-five percent (45%) of Democrats would favor governments requiring citizens to temporarily live in designated facilities or locations if they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Yes, you read that correctly.

They really do want to put the unvaccinated in camps.

I am having difficulty finding the words to describe how evil this is.

Sadly, this isnt just a fringe group of Democrats we are talking about.

Nearly half of the entire party would support doing such a thing, and that says a lot about where we are as a society today.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Democratic voters would support temporarily removing parents custody of their children if parents refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccine

Wow.

Nearly a third of all Democrats would actually support this?

I honestly do not know how people can be this evil.

This is yet another sign that people need to be moving out of blue states while they still can.

Of course it isnt just Democrats that are pushing for tyrannical measures.

Utah is supposed to be deeply red, but the editorial board of the largest newspaper in the entire state is openly calling for the unvaccinated to be strictly confined to their own homes

The editorial board of Utahs largest newspaper  the Salt Lake Tribune  which is controlled by the family of former Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., has called for the deployment of the National Guard to ensure that people without proof of vaccination would not be allowed, well, anywhere. The draconian measure was suggested in a Saturday op-ed titled Utah leaders have surrendered to COVID pandemic, suggesting that elected officials have failed to mandate the vaccine for all citizens, and that if Utah was a civilized place Governor Spencer Cox (R) would treat the unvaccinated (and no mention of the naturally immune) as lepers with severe lockdown mandates.

Jon Huntsman is a Republican that ran for president.

And his newspaper is pushing for this type of authoritarian measure?

What in the world is happening to us?

Our freedoms and liberties are under unprecedented assault, and once they are gone it will be exceedingly difficult to ever get them back.

For years, I have been warning about the Big Brother police state control grid that is being constructed all around us, and of course that process has only accelerated during this pandemic.

At this point, new authoritarian measures are being implemented on an almost constant basis. For example, I just learned that the Biden administration has just set up a system for federal workers to track all unvaccinated employees who ask for religious exemptions

According to a report by the Daily Signal, the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia, an independent federal agency designed to aid Washington D.C. courts, created the Employee Religious Exception Request Information System to track unvaccinated employees who ask for religious exemptions from President Joe Bidens federal COVID-19 shot mandate. The Federal Register describes the new system as the best way to keep track of personal religious information that is collected in the context of a public health emergency or similar health and safety incident, such as a pandemic, epidemic, natural disaster or national or regional emergency and/or any other lawful collection of employee information or data that is necessary to ensure a safe and healthy environment for individuals. Those with concerns about the system only have until Feb. 10 to offer any public comments.

It is very wrong for the Biden administration to do such a thing, but they are going to do it anyway.

In other articles, I have documented countless other ways that they are violating our fundamental rights.

Fortunately the courts are slowing them down, but they arent going to give up.

The good news is that at least we havent descended into the sort of dystopian tyranny that we are now seeing in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Austria, Italy, China and elsewhere.

But if the authoritarian wing of the Democratic Party has their way, we will eventually get there.

This is such a dangerous time in our history, because we really are on the verge of losing all of the liberties and freedoms that previous generations of Americans worked so hard to win for us.

Read more at: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com
(Natural News) The Health Ranger Mike Adams told podcaster Sheila Zilinsky that a holocaust level mass death is coming when he appeared together with authors Gary Heavin and Steve Quayle on the The Sheila Zilinsky Show.

Adams noted that White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has said publicly that strike forces or strike teams will be going into communities to enforce the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. He also mentioned that the state of Washington put out help wanted ads for strike team coordinators in September last year, and these were on the job boards already.

The Brighteon founder added that a new law proposed by a Democrat in Washington  WAC 246180  would authorize armed health officers to medically kidnap anybody at gunpoint, rip people out of their homes, take them away from their families by simply declaring them to be at risk, even if theyre not infected and show no symptoms.

They can be taken to involuntarily to isolation camps, quarantine camps. I think these are death camps. Thats what theyre going to do with these  theyre going to be death camps. And what theyre doing is genocide, Adams warned.

Theyre trying to get rid of all their political enemies by using health as the cover. So they will say, All these Christians and these Trump supporters and these second amendment people, they sure look unhealthy to us. They are filthy, dirty people, take them to the camps. And that is all being put into place right now, unless it is stopped. Thats what they will do. They will exterminate their political enemies, right here in America. Holocaust level mass death is coming if we dont stop it.

People are waking up

Heavin pointed out that the northern provinces or states of Australia have already made vaccines mandatory for people to go to work and that the American people are talking so much about all the different COVID-19 lies and transmissions, which adds to the confusion.

We need to focus now on whats in front of us and what we can do about it. We had some huge breakthroughs with [Dr. Robert] Malone and his interview the other day with Joe Rogan. And hes really talking about whos behind all of this. About globalists and the powers that be and The Great Reset, Heavin said.

And I think our audience is made up of certainly the 20 percent of us that are awake. Its not made up of the 30 percent of us that are covidians. But heres who were really talking to: the other 50 percent of the people that are not part of the cult but that are simply compliant and not thinking. And those are the people that we can reach.

The Texas businessman-author added that although 30 percent of the covidians are hopeless and still need to wake up, the good news is that half the American people are reachable.

The evidence is so strong with Malone talking about the vaccine not working and Peter McCullough and some really incredible people out there bravely speaking up. And then, of course, the evidence that the majority of people hospitalized today have been vaxxed. So obviously, it doesnt work. People are dying in such numbers now, Heavin said.

Malone, physician and inventor of the mRNA vaccine technology, had warned that the COVID vaccines are causing antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE while McCullough advocated the use of FDA-approved drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide and colchicine as treatments against COVID and expressed his concerns about the risks of the vaccines. (Related: Documents and videos reveal life-threatening adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines)

So as this evidence becomes irrefutable, were gonna see these 50 percent move and they are going to move in our direction. And the fact that we are probably 20 percent now is a good start. The American Revolution started on three percent of the population in America. So we got a good start on this and the evidence is coming. The problem is they know that this is coming and theyre going to do the next thing.

COVID-19 is a bioweapon

Quayle, on the other hand, cited that the COVID-19 is a bioweapon and more variants are coming out.

According to the famous researcher, author and publisher, a deadly hemorrhagic fever will soon be brought up to get the public fear level that the Chinese communists and globalists want.

So theyre going to bring up something thats even more deadly. And lets face it, when people start seeing blood flowing from different orifices, thats what happens. And those people arent in quarantine. And so the powers that be are allowing them to go through the land, Quayle revealed.

And one of the words I coined was infections, people who are totally infected with some of the most deadly diseases, biologically engineered to have millions of infection at a time. And these people are out loose. The bottom line is the fact that they are going to release something that is so horrible. And I believe that they want maximum fear, and the whole way that the COVID narrative is going is scaring people into compliance.

Quayle added that one of the main signs of fear is people dropping dead of heart attacks, and we are now seeing the extinction protocols happening.

This is not a normal time, this is not a normal period. The globalists, the Luciferians, the Satanists have all pulled out all the stops and they are going for it Were literally at the point now where all of the threats are poised to take the worlds population down to 500 million, Quayle warned.

Nuclear war seems to be getting ready to build up. We are now where they are pulling out all stops. And I dont think people understand the degree of evil now thats in the land and that they will not stop until they kill every man, woman and child.

Listen The Sheila Zilinsky Show podcast to know more about the COVID pandemic holocaust that is coming.

This can be found in The Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Follow VaccineHolocaust.org for more news related to vaccine deaths and injuries.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

CovidCalltoHumanity.org
(Natural News) To supposedly fight the latest wave of covid, the communist Chinese regime is delivering a death blow to the supply chain by shutting down some of its busiest and most important ports.

Chinas covid-zero policy means that consumer goods will now have an even more difficult time getting out of China to the rest of the world. Some of the supply is being rerouted through Shanghai, but it will not be enough to avoid the same types of congestion bottlenecks  or worse  that occurred last summer.

The United States is still feeling the effects of this as at least 105 supply ships float off the West Coast with no end in sight. That number will soon skyrocket as China engages in more economic warfare under the guise of fighting covid.

Sailing schedules are already facing delays of about a week, and freight forwarders are warning that already backlogged gateways in both the U.S. and Europe will definitely feel the impact.

Economists from HSBC are already warning that the entire world economy is likely headed for the mother of all supply chain collapses, which governments and the corporate-backed media are blaming on the omicron (moronic) variant of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

Temporary, one would hope, but hugely disruptive all the same, some of them wrote.

Covid is just the scapegoat for the engineered collapse of the global economy

As you may recall from last year, the global shockwave that emanated from China shutting down its ports for just a few days was massive. It resulted in an unprecedented hiccup in global logistics and shipping which hasnt been resolved to this day, is how one report words it.

Thats because China is the worlds biggest trading nation and its ability to keep its factories humming through the pandemic has been crucial for global supply chains.

This is what happens when countries try to save money and advance themselves up the economic food chain by outsourcing manufacturing overseas, which the U.S. has been doing for decades.

Now, the chickens are coming home to roost in a major way, and things are going to get very ugly. (Related: Chinas economy is already collapsing, so omicron is the scapegoat.)

Whenever the powers that be need a new excuse for the failure of their systems (i.e., runaway Wall Street corruption that requires endless fiat money printing to keep everything artificially propped up), they simply drum up a new covid variant and voila: an instant excuse.

Many are catching on to this little scheme, but the damage is already being done. As the financial terrorists try to flee the sinking ship, they are attempting to drag everything down with them, including the entire global economy.

The system as we currently know it was designed to fail, or at least it was understood that it eventually would fail because it is nothing more than a giant house of cards with mere illusion as its foundation.

Knowing this, those at the top of the pyramid knew they needed something as an excuse for when the whole thing finally crumbles, which this writer believes is why they unveiled covid in the first place.

Now that it is here with endless variants in tow, the global architects and engineers appear to be orchestrating a controlled demolition of the old world order, which will soon be replaced with a new world order as part of the Great Reset.

It would seem as though this cut-off of supplies from China is one piece to the puzzle. If the U.S. and other nations are no longer able to get computer chips for their cars, for instance, or appliances for their homes, things will get really ugly, really fast.

The latest news about covid and global supply chains can be found at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

Planet-Today.com

NaturalNews.com
Hong Kong: Quarantine improvements in place

Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan apologised for the inconvenience caused to people under quarantine, saying improvement measures have been immediately carried out at the Pennys Bay Quarantine Centre.

The number of contacts undergoing quarantine at the Pennys Bay Quarantine Centre had increased substantially in recent days, among which were isolated incidents of individuals who could not receive tests before the end of their quarantine period, resulting in delays in leaving the quarantine centre.

Prof Chan explained to lawmakers today the various enhancement measures taken at the quarantine centre.

To strengthen the operation of the quarantine centre, the Department of Health and the Civil Aid Service (CAS) deployed additional manpower to work at the centre and enhanced manpower from the contractors. The Fire Services Department also temporarily deployed staff to assist in the daily operation of the centre. Currently, the manpower at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre has increased from 600 to 1,000.

The Civil Aid Service has arranged for more experienced staff to be responsible for data entry and cross-checking of information of people under quarantine every night to ensure the accuracy of records of people checking in and out.

Other than enhancing manpower in handling enquiries from people under quarantine, the quarantine centre also disseminates the latest information to those under quarantine at appropriate times through messaging and instant messaging apps, reducing the number of repetitive enquiries.

The Department of Health has also temporarily set up a 24-hour dedicated hotline for people under quarantine to enquire about the checking-out arrangements.

A cross-departmental co-ordination group has been formed by various departments responsible for the operation of the quarantine centre and led by the Department of Health.

When needed, such as when the number of people under quarantine has drastically increased or when there are updates in the quarantine arrangement, the co-ordination group will strengthen communication among departments and expedite the work of the quarantine centre.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
(Natural News) So-called conversion therapy is now banned in Canada, and thousands of churches across the country are bracing for impact as the new law threatens to criminalize pastors for teaching the Bible.

More than 4,000 church leaders are reportedly standing together in protest against the rule, which makes it a crime to try to convert homosexuals and other members of the LGBTQ community out of their lifestyle.

Even those who would willingly seek out conversion will no longer be allowed this freedom in Canada, as pastors there are now prohibited from offering any sort of counseling or therapy on the matter.

An initiative launched by Liberty Coalition Canada and supported by Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles stands against Bill C-4, which essentially criminalizes biblical Christianity in Canada.

The controversial legislation, which went into effect Jan. 8 after being fast-tracked through the Canadian Parliament in December without extensive debate, describes as a myth the belief that heterosexuality and cisgender identity are preferable, reported Fox News.

Counseling that does not align with such a worldview now carries a potential five-year jail sentence.

California, Nevada, New Jersey and New York have all passed similar antichrist legislation

Critics of Bill C-4 warn that its all-encompassing language paves the way for extensive persecution of Christians in Canada. Even private conversations can potentially be criminalized due to how it was written.

Ultimately, the dissenters, the ones who will not cave in, are going to be those who are faithful to the Bible, MacArthur is quoted as saying about it. And thats whats already leading to laws made against doing what we are commanded to do in Scripture, which is to confront that sin. And thats just going to escalate.

The fact that they identified it as a criminal conduct that could give you as much as five years in prison takes it to a completely different level, because Canadian pastors have been put in jail for just having church services.

A similar push towards criminalizing Christianity is also occurring in the United States, though you might say that it is still in the infancy stages of a nationwide rollout.

Left-leaning states like California, New York and New Jersey have passed similar bills criminalizing conversion therapy at the state level, as has Nevada. MacArthur says this is a disturbing trend that American Christians must fight against if they hope to preserve freedom of religion in this country.

I think its reached a level there in Canada that it hasnt yet reached here, but its coming, he warns. Its coming fast.

MacArthur first got involved after receiving an email from Pastor James Coates, who was the first Canadian clergyman to be imprisoned in the name of public health.

When Coates refused to close down his Edmonton church in obedience to the provincial governments Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions, federal law enforcement raided it at dawn one morning and locked him up in a maximum-security prison for a month.

The church building itself was also forcibly locked down and barricaded behind three layers of fencing.

Coates told Fox that Bill C-4 is anything but loving, as the LGBTQ lobby contends. Instead, it aims to shut the LGBT community off from the saving and transforming message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe our government is capitalizing on a politically expedient segment of its constituency in an effort to further dismantle Western civilization as we know it. To do this, it must outlaw its very foundation, which is rooted in a Judeo-Christian worldview. Bill C-4 is another brick laid in this effort and is evidence that our government is under the judgment of God, he added.

More related news coverage can be found at Gender.news.

Sources for this article include:

FoxNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Jeffrey Prather told his viewers that the January 6 Capitol incident narrative of the Deep State is collapsing during the January 14 episode of his show The Prather Point on Brighteon.TV.

The January 6 narrative is collapsing because the majority of American people through a CBS poll, a propaganda press poll, does not believe that January 6 was an insurrection. Nobody has been charged with insurrection. Its a disruption of Congress, Prather pointed out.

Thats why [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi recently said, Hey, weve got to continue the narrative. Thats to quote her, weve got to continue the narrative about January 6 because its a very important part of the infiltration of our government through fifth generation warfare, which is primarily information influence operations.

However, the former intelligence officer said that he still does not believe in polls because they are metrics that the Deep State controls and the propaganda press controls.

So this is the Deep State via the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation], which is probably a cover for the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] to arrest Stewart Rhodes to prop up their failing and collapsing story because the January 6 patriot martyrs are not going to go away, Prather said. (Related: Tucker: Jan. 6 insurrection organizers were FBI assets.)

Oath Keepers founder arrested for seditious conspiracy

The retired Special Operations soldier also explained that Rhodes, the Oath Keepers founder who was arrested for seditious conspiracy while on the phone with his lawyer, was not really arrested because he was recruited by the FBI.

This looks like a sham arrest to me and will not hold up because the whole January 6 false flag conspiracy is collapsing daily on the Deep State Rhodes is arrested because hes talking, hes going to be a witness to a lawyer, and may have violated his informal agreement with the FBI, Prather said.

And so he was speaking to a January 6 defense attorney John Mosley, who had just secured Rhodes as a witness in an upcoming trial for his client. So now, I think theyre called confidential human sources in federal law enforcement. But one of the things you say to them when you sign them up is that now if you violate your agreement, then we can go ahead and arrest you.

The former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agent added that there were 10 other Oath Keepers who were arrested for seditious conspiracy.

That charge, which is the most serious to come out of the investigation, is one of many in the indictment unsealed January 13, which alleged that Rhodes and his co-defendants carried small arms to the Washington, D.C. area to prepare for the attacks and made plans to orchestrate quick-reaction forces to support insurrectionists.

Rhodes was apprehended January 13 in Texas.

Prather said Rhodes will be locked up and wont be available because all the political prisoners have not been available until recently at all, and they havent been able to contact their lawyers because theyre using COVID as an excuse. He also took note of the fact that the FBI has not arrested Ray Epps, a former United States Marine Sergeant in Phoenix, Arizona.

Epps is allegedly among the primary instigators of the very first breach of the Capitol Hills police barricades on January 6, 2021 and is said to have led the breach team that committed the very first illegal acts on that day.

The FBI has also secretly removed Epps from its Capitol Violence Most Wanted List on July 1 last year. Prather said that it is very interesting that the FBI has not arrested Epps but has arrested Rhodes.

January 6 incident clearly not a terrorist event

The Brighteon.TV host also stressed that the January 6 incident was clearly not a terrorist event because a terrorist event seeks to inspire terror or to inspire oppression.

So January 6 was clearly not a terror attack by the patriots who were lured into the building to breach the building and who were welcomed in. There was the black ops team, probably FBI or probably CIA posing as FBI, breaching the walls. They were changing clothes, turning MAGA caps and Trump caps around backwards for identification, Prather said. The FBI has now become the cover agency for covert operations.

Watch the full Jan. 14 episode of The Prather Point with Jeffrey Prather below. The Prather Point airs every Friday at 10-11 a.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Follow DeepState.news to know more about the Deep State.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Vox.com

WentworthReport.com
(Natural News) According to a national phone survey by Rasmussen and the Heartland Institute, nearly HALF of all Democrats favor rounding up unvaccinated people and forcing them into covid concentration camps. Nearly half of the Democratic voters (48%) believe that governments should fine unvaccinated individuals and implement prison time for people who question the efficacy of covid-19 vaccines online, on television or on the radio. Most disturbingly, 29 percent of Democratic voters would support the government taking temporary custody over a child if the parents refuse to take the covid-19 vaccines.

Nearly half of all Democrats now support todays Holocaust

A shocking 78 percent of Democrats now favor Joe Bidens plan to impose a vaccine mandate on workers across the country, which includes punishments for those who dont comply. A disgusting 33 percent strongly favor the mandates and support a totalitarian government that owns every single persons body.

The survey includes 1,016 likely US voters who either identify as Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated. Democrats were generally fonder of Dr. Anthony Fauci and were many times more likely to support Faucis vaccine mandates and bodily restrictions. A nauseating 75 percent of likely Democratic voters love their master, Dr. Fauci, but only 21 percent of Republicans look up to him. In fact, the 48 percent of people who have an unfavorable impression of Dr. Fauci mostly identify as Republicans.

This survey shows that nearly half of Democrats now support medical tyranny and the modern-day Holocaust, where due process rights are vanquished and innocent people are discriminated against, persecuted, fired, denied services, refused equal treatment, and then rounded up, fined, separated, imprisonedand eventually starved, experimented on, and killed in covid quarantine camps.

Not surprisingly, none of the government mandates stopped the spread of covid-19, not in 2020 and definitely not in 2021. Social distancing germaphobia, family separation, lockdowns, travel restrictions, assembly restrictions, mask mandates, PCR testing programs, quarantines, contact tracing, double-masking and multiple rounds of mandatory vaccines yielded negative results on each and every count. If the Democrats are going to force more of the same onto the population, they better be prepared for greater backlash. The Democrats utopia of safety and control is increasing the power of the government and perpetuating infectious disease, mental illness, abuse of children and societal breakdown. (Related: Holocaust survivor warns COVID-19 measures similar to Nazi Germanys subjugation policies.)

Consumed by misery, most Democrats seek to force their pain onto others, through mandates and restrictions

Here are some more stats from the survey. These results show just how hostile Democrats are to democracy, human rights, due process, decency and the rule of law.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democratic voters favor a government policy that requires unvaccinated citizens to remain confined to their homes at all times, except for emergencies. The proposal is opposed by 61% of likely voters, which consists mainly of Republicans (79%) and unaffiliated voters (71%).

Forty-seven percent (47%) of Democrats support the use of digital tracking devices to monitor unvaccinated people to keep them locked down and away from other people. This horrifying idea is strongly opposed by Republicans and unaffiliated voters.

Forty-five percent (45%) of Democrats favor governments that require unvaccinated citizens to be rounded up temporarily and put in designated facilities. Republicans and unaffiliated voters strongly opposed the idea of putting innocent people in designated facilities.

The truth is, most Democrat voters are paranoid of the air they breathe and feel compelled to force their misery onto everyone elses children. These germaphobe hypochondriacs wear multiple masks when they leave home, even after protecting themselves with multiple vaccines. Nearly half of all democrats obviously dont believe the vaccines work, or else they wouldnt want to force everyone else to do damaging things to their bodies to protect their fragile mind. Living in perpetual fear of disease and submission to government, most Democrats are clinically insane now and only seek to control what everyone else does to their body, forcing their pain onto others in Nazi-like fashion.

Sources include:

RasmussenReports.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The lunacy surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is never-ending and has even turned deadly, as evidenced by a case in Florida involving the refusal by a hospital  and a federal court  to allow a dying man the right to try a treatment that could save his life.

According to The Epoch Times, a Florida family has been fighting to get permission for a loved one stuck on a ventilator an alternative COVID-19 treatment, but they keep losing battles, the latest in the states First District Court of Appeal.

The outlet notes that the wife and son of Daniel Pisano began their fight with Mayo Clinic Florida during a Dec. 30 emergency hearing before the states Fourth Judicial Circuit after begging doctors and staff to treat Pisano, who has been on a ventilator for more than a month, with the drug ivermectin as well as a combination of other drugs and supplements that are part of a protocol recommended by the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC).

But hospital staff refused, so the family made an emergency request, asking for an injunction against the Mayo Clinic to allow Pisano to be treated with the protocol by an outside doctor. However, Judge Marianne Aho refused their request, so the family appealed.

On Jan. 14, however, Ahos denial was upheld by Floridas First District Court of Appeal, with a panel of three judges, all appointed by Republican governors, ruling unanimously.

An opinion of this Court explaining its reasoning will follow, the trio of judges wrote in their ruling.

Jeff Childers, an attorney for the family, remarked after the ruling: So we wait to see what that looks like unless it takes too long.

The Epoch Times notes:

Seventy-year-old Daniel Pisano doesnt have unlimited time, says Eduardo Balbona, M.D., an independent doctor in Jacksonville whos been advising the family since they reached out to him while researching other treatments that could potentially help their loved one.

Balbona, who has been monitoring Pisanos treatment at the Mayo Clinic through an online portal, testified on behalf of the Pisano family in the first hearing.

Ivermectin has been deemed controversial but by the same lying media outlets that have suppressed other useful information regarding treatments for COVID-19 that do not include a dangerous, experimental vaccine. But because our mainstream healthcare system gets its marching orders from mainstream organizations like the American Medical Association, the same group that embraces race-based medicine and mediocracy over achievement, then any treatment outside of their mandates is considered verboten.

And courts generally tend to go along with the mainstream even if it means allowing a patient to die who otherwise might not.

The Mayo Clinic has argued that the treatment plan doesnt fit with the hospitals standard protocol for treating COVID-19 patients and they dont know what the effects of following Balbonas recommendations would be, The Epoch Times reported. The hospital has told the family that Pisano has a less-than-five percent chance of survival, and all thats left to do is wait and see if he recovers on the ventilator.

The family has begged the Mayo Clinic to simply step aside and let Balbona try what he thinks could work. But the Mayo Clinic doesnt allow outside doctors to treat patients, the outlet continued.

Or to allow in-house doctors to think and act on their own instinct and volition, apparently.

Balbona says that he has used ivermectin, as well as the FLCCC protocol, successfully, with some minor modifications, dozens and dozens of times on patients who became very sick with the novel coronavirus.

And the thing is, Balbona is not alone in his belief that ivermectin works along with the combination of drugs and supplements used in the protocol. For nearly two years, other well-educated, experienced providers have testified that the drug and the combo work.

But of course, they dont cost a lot of money and are not making big pharma CEOs billionaires.

When our healthcare and legal systems would let a man die rather than allow his own family to opt for another treatment however unconventional, then its time for a major reset.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Thanks to the diligent efforts of others who have been probing his financials, we now know that Tony Fauci has been abusing his position within the government to become a multimillionaire.

Fauci and his wife, a top bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are together worth more than $10 million, a big chunk of which was generated by the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) plandemic.

Sen. Robert Marshall (R-Kan.), a doctor, learned that Fauci has raked in some $2.5 million just from being chief medical advisor for numerous presidents. And when he retires, Fauci will be entitled to the largest pension in United States history at $350,000 per year.

Fauci lied, by the way, when he claimed that all of his financials were public. Sen. Marshall learned, and then leaked, the truth that Fauci is a criminal profiteer who has been bilking American taxpayers under the guise of being a medical expert.

Though Fauci insists that he has not profited from the plandemic, now-leaked paperwork shows that he and his wife were paid $14,000 to virtually attend a series of galas directly related to his position as the nations de facto covid czar.

Fauci also pushed remdesivir to treat covid because he holds a personal stake in the drug.

Sen. Marshall introduces FAUCI Act to hold career criminals like Fauci more accountable

When asked by Sen. Marshall for his financial information, Fauci scoffed at even being asked and claimed that they already were public. It turns out that this is technically true, but that it is difficult to actually obtain said information.

When requested in May 2020, those documents took a full three months to arrive. What they show, however, was worth the wait because they expose Fauci as a money-grubbing charlatan.

Fauci currently has three accounts at Charles Schwab that all together are valued at $8,337,940.90, as of this writing. He has a contributory IRA with $638,519.70 in it, as well as a brokerage trust account with $2,403,522.28.

The most valuable of the three is Faucis Schwab One Trust account, which contains $5,295,898.92.

These figures are far higher than what the average American makes, and yet average Americans have been directly funding Faucis multimillionaire lifestyle for nearly 40 years with their tax dollars.

While a bulk of Faucis wealth comes from his excessive government salary, he has also taken in buckets of cash from books and appearances such as the virtual gala events.

In response to all of Faucis pilfering of the taxpayer coffers, Sen. Marshall has introduced new legislation called the FAUCI Act that would require Fauci and other unelected bureaucrats to produce more thorough financial disclosures that can be more easily scrutinized by the general public.

More details about Faucis corrupt financial dealings, including copies of all associated paperwork, can be found on Sen. Marshalls website.

Whats at play is big, wrote a Zero Hedge reader about these revelations, speculating that this is only just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Faucis ill dealings. That $100 million in blood money Fauci earned is hidden off in some number company.

Exactly  what is shown in these financial statements is peanuts, added another in support of this notion. But transactions always leave trails. Trails lead to offshore corps and offshore accounts.

Totally agree, added another to the conversation. Wheres the rest? Moderna stocks?

I find it kind of comical they think $8m is a lot these days, or some sort of gotcha,' said someone else. For a couple of that age and at that level of government, this is peanuts. Its offshore 1000%.

The latest news about Fauci can be found at FauciTruth.com

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com

Marshall.Senate.gov
(Natural News) Global shipping company FedEx has asked federal regulators to allow them to install countermeasures on an upcoming fleet of cargo jets that can thwart missile attacks.

This is according to a notice that was published in the Federal Register. FedEx cited several recent incidents abroad that involved civilian aircraft being fired upon by Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, or MANPADS. They expressed a desire to install a missile defense system that is capable of directing infrared laser energy toward incoming heat-seeking missiles to interrupt their ability to track the aircrafts heat. The system would work automatically without pilot input.

Specifically, they wish to install the system on Airbus A321-200 planes, which do not form part of their fleet of 650-plus aircraft at the moment. The model is a twin-engine transportation jet that offers seating for 220 passengers. FedEx first applied for a laser system in October 2019, but it was not publicly known until the FAA said in a filing last week that they are reviewing their request.

The FAA is reportedly open to approving it, but they have proposed special conditions that include failsafes that can prevent activation on the ground and avoid causing harm to people or aircraft. For example, because infrared lasers do not produce visible light, there is no warning to those on the ground or near the aircraft that they are in use, raising the possibility of vision damage.

Infrared lasers may also cause other types of equipment to malfunction. The FAA said that any approval would need to include means that prevent the inadvertent activation of the system on the ground, including during airplane maintenance and ground handling, because laser accidents can result in eye and skin damage.

The lasers are not considered powerful enough to destroy a missile, but they are capable of blinding the heat-seeking systems that enable these weapons to track planes accurately, effectively killing the missiles guidance system and eliminating the danger to the plane and its crew and cargo.

Aviation regulators are hearing 45 days of public comment before approving the measure.

High-profile missile attacks

American commercial aircraft have been carrying anti-missile systems since 2008. In recent years, there have been two high-profile missile attacks on planes that killed hundreds of people. The first involved a Ukraine International Airlines flight from Tehran to Kiev that was shot down not long after takeoff in a case of mistaken identity; the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp apparently mistook the plane for a cruise missile.

In another incident, a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014 in what was ultimately found to be a botched operation carried out by Russian-backed separatists.

FedExs plans are unusual for a courier company, but it is worth noting that cargo planes have also been targets of such attacks, with a 2003 incident involving a DHL cargo jet being hit by a missile following takeoff in Baghdad. On that occasion, the planes crew was able to land safely.

When it comes to airliners being brought down by MANPADS, one 1975 incident brought down an Air Vietnam passenger airliner, killing 26. MANPADS have hit more than 60 civilian aircraft since then, killing more than 1,000 civilians.

It is not known what FedExs specific plans are with the system, with speculation that it could be anything from a one-off experiment to test the technology on one plane to gauge its suitability for applying to their entire fleet to purchasing some A321 planes to form a civil reserve aircraft fleet the military can employ in hostile territories. FedEx could also use the system when flying over potentially dangerous contested regions.

Terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, Hezbollah and ISIS are all believed to possess MANPADS, which are relatively cheap and can fit easily into the trunk of a car.

Sources for this article include:

Reuters.com

NBCNews.com
(Natural News) The leftist insanity over the COVID-19 pandemic knows no bounds, as one major newspaper editorial board has gone full Nazi and is calling for the National Guard to be deployed against unvaccinated Americans.

In a piece headlined, Utah leaders have surrendered to COVID pandemic, the Editorial Board writes the Salt Lake City Tribune board cited the states Republican leaders for refusing to implement a mandate that all residents get a COVID-19 vaccine, adding that if Utah were a civilized place, GOP Gov. Spencer Cox would implement a mandate and order the Guard to enforce it by preventing the unvaccinated from going anywhere.

Were Utah a truly civilized place, the governors next move would be to find a way to mandate the kind of mass vaccination campaign we should have launched a year ago, going as far as to deploy the National Guard to ensure that people without proof of vaccination would not be allowed, well, anywhere, the editorial board wrote.

The board tried to make it appear as though criticism was bipartisan, but in fact, it was very obvious they were singling out Republicans for the lions share of the scorn.

Government officials, mostly but not exclusively Republicans, were apparently determined not to be caught governing in the face of this challenge. Any move or recommendation to mask up or, when safe and effective vaccines became available, to make vaccination a requirement of admission to public places and society in general was shouted down as an unwarranted imposition on individual freedoms, the editorial said.

Cox and so many others have not carried the courage of their convictions. Cox, state legislative leaders, our congressional delegation and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes have so proudly stood against the kind of vaccine mandates that civilized society has used for generations to effectively wipe out everything from polio to diphtheria to the measles, the editorial continued.

Not surprisingly, the boards criticism of Joe Biden was extremely light in comparison and even lauded the president for trying to implement a nationwide vaccine mandate  without any regard to the unconstitutionality of his act or noting that Biden said during his 2020 campaign he would never do so.

President Joe Biden tried to pull a couple of useful levers by ordering vaccine mandates for health care workers and vaccine-or-test rules for workplaces of more than 100 employees. The U.S. Supreme Court this week upheld the former while quashing the latter, foolishly holding that a communicable disease is not a workplace hazard, the board wrote.

Not that Biden is blameless in all this. Seeing the obvious reluctance of so many people to get, or to require, vaccinations has only now moved him to push to make tests and the most effective kind of masks available to everyone. Its the right thing to do, but months late, the editorial added.

Also unsurprisingly, critics hopped on social media to blast the Nazism of the editorial board in calling for an element of the U.S. military to target American citizens for the high crime of refusing a vaccine that isnt working to halt the spread of COVID-19 in the first place.

The Salt Lake City newspaper wants the Utah national guard to not allow unvaccinated people to leave their homes. This is mindless, anti-science insanity  omicron is infecting everyone  but these journalists are demanding totalitarianism. And they think theyre the good guys, Outkicks Clay Travis tweeted.

The Salt Lake City newspaper wants the Utah national guard to not allow unvaccinated people to leave their homes. This is mindless, anti-science insanity  omicron is infecting everyone  but these journalists are demanding totalitarianism. And they think theyre the good guys. pic.twitter.com/BYoskGNQ5R  Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 16, 2022

Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson (R) chimed in as well: The truth is Omicron is out of control everywhere. Even in places with mask and vaccine mandates. We always push vaccines, but even vaccinated ppl [sic] are catching it. Its easy to take shots from the cheap seats but this is the sort of nonsense that makes editorial boards irrelevant.

The truth is Omicron is out of control everywhere. Even in places with mask and vaccine mandates. We always push vaccines, but even vaccinated ppl are catching it. Its easy to take shots from the cheap seats but this is the sort of nonsense that makes editorial boards irrelevant pic.twitter.com/Zladdqnulc  Deidre Henderson (@DeidreHenderson) January 15, 2022

GOP communications operative Matt Whitlock noted: Use the national guard to prevent unvaccinated from going anywhere?! That would be more draconian than any state in the country  how do they think things are going in Australia? The Trib editorial board is absolute garbage.

Use the national guard to prevent unvaccinated from going anywhere?! That would be more draconian than any state in the country  how do they think things are going in Australia? The Trib editorial board is absolute garbage.  Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) January 15, 2022

Once again, the deranged left proves who the real authoritarians are.

Sources include:

ConservativeBrief.com

SLTrib.com
(Natural News) Lori Jean and two other advocate nurses shared their experiences about the medical tyranny happening in hospitals across the U.S. during the January 12 episode of The Dr. Ardis Show on Brighteon.TV.

Ardis reminded the viewers about his message that hospital protocols are dangerous, ineffective and set up to actually injure and murder hundreds of thousands of Americans and innocent human beings.

He also slammed the health protocols endorsed by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, including his promotion of remdesivir  an experimental antiviral drug that failed in human trials  as a treatment for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

Ardis added that the drug was the least effective against viruses and has the highest death rates in clinical trials. He noted that remdesivir is known to cause acute kidney and liver failure.

Advocates needed in hospitals

Jean, founder of the United States for Medical Freedom, spoke about the need to have an advocate in the hospital.

Im one of those nurses who believe that family at the bedside helps the patient. And I really saw that the shutting down of the hospitals and not allowing family inside was really preventing the care of these patients, Jean said. And so I immediately was trying to figure out a way that we could advocate for these people that didnt have advocates inside the hospital systems.

Jean lamented that some nurses were just following orders and were not really advocating for their patients best care. Its shocking and disappointing that in some cases, these nurses are not asking more questions. And, you know, and almost a little bit more pushback so that they can fight for these patients rights, Jean said.

Nicole Sirotek, founder of American Frontline Nurses, went viral for her May 2020 video asking everyones help because patients were being killed at the hospital. Sirotek said that the incident pushed her to start a mission to save lives.

She combined forces with Jean and Jodi OMalley to speak up against the medical tyranny happening in American hospitals. (Related: New Missouri COVID whistleblower: Hospitals are lying to the public about COVID and I can prove it.)

Remdesivir kills people

Sirotek also spoke against the use of remdesivir, which she said was killing people in hospitals.

The FDA [Food and Drug Administration] approved it. When we know that its still killing people in the hospitals, now weve been fighting against it, Sirotek said.ins

And we have been trying to connect and teach people about the dangers of remdesivir. And people think that remdesivir is just something that theyve been working on for a considerable amount of time. But as youve been educating people, it was a failed Ebola drug, it failed back with the Ebola trials, it failed every single time they tried to repurpose it.

The American Frontline Nurses founder also revealed that the remdesivir clinical drug trial conducted on COVID patients not only caused liver and kidney problems, but also brought respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ system failure to some of the participants.

Jodi OMalley is a nurse at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Shes known as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employee who became a vaccine whistleblower.

OMalley spoke to Project Veritas founder James OKeefe about what she thinks has been really happening at her federal government facility. She recorded her HHS colleagues discussing their concerns about the new COVID vaccine to back up her story.

Project Veritas released the video of their interview with OMalley during their COVID vaccine investigation series on Sept. 20 last year.

The COVID nurse, ICU, ER, and hospital supervisor said the Fauci protocol given to every COVID positive patient and every hospital throughout the U.S. was not working.

I knew the dangers of the treatment with remdesivir because we had to take labs every day and monitor our patients liver and kidney function. It was possibly killing people. And when I couldnt speak out against alternative therapy is where you saw me start to record, OMalley said.

Patient Bill of Rights

O Malley pointed out the importance of knowing the Patient Bill of Rights.

Everyone should look up the Patient Bill of Rights. If you have an issue with something, they have to try to resolve it as quickly as possible  the right to participate in your plan of care and being given informed consent, not just a one-sided narrative. But overall, the pros and cons of what you are agreeing to do, O Malley stressed.

You are to be free from all forms of harassment, abuse and neglect. And were going to be seeing that a lot more now with our people that dont want to take the vaccine. Theyre being treated much differently, which I dont have time to go into. But youre also restrained or secluded. People are not aware that they have rights.

OMalley added that hospitals keeping people unlawfully imprisoned or medically kidnapped are doing a form of torture. She noted that when patients dont have family members at the bedside to advocate for them, they lose the will to survive.

Watch the January 12 episode of The Dr. Ardis Show below. The show airs every Wednesday at 10 a.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Visit MedicalTyranny.com for more stories about medical tyranny.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

RioTimesOnline.com
(Natural News) Conservative businessman Mike Lindell revealed that he was de-banked by a financial institution. The CEO of MyPillow added that the de-banking by Minnesota Bank & Trust (MBT) impacted nine business entities under his control.

Lindell told War Room host Steve Bannon of MBTs denial of service during the programs Jan. 14 edition. The businessman said nine related business entities were also affected by the de-banking done by MBT and its parent, Heartland Financial. The Lindell Recovery Network (LRN), Lindell TV, MyShop and the Frankspeech social media platform were among those affected.

Bannon explained the de-banking efforts impact on the LRN: This is a network of Christian-based organizations to save drug addicts. Theyre at the end of the road, theyre already destroyed and going to kill themselves. Theres one last stop, and that last stop is the LRN. Theyre pulling the plug on that.

Lindell shared a recording of a conversation between his comptroller and an MBT official. The official said MBTs involvement with Lindell-connected entities posed a reputation risk for the bank, adding that it feared being subpoenaed over the businessmans bank records.

We havent been with them for 10 years. I dont know; maybe three [or] four years, Im not even sure how long. [But] they want us to leave their bank, the MyPillow CEO said.

They said they want Frankspeech gone. They want us to leave in a week, and they want all the rest gone within 30 days. Oh, lets get rid of Frankspeech. Lets attack them financially, too, now. Lindell TV, the Recovery Network, Lindell Publishing, MyStore  its just collateral damage. I said: I am not being part of this. Im not leaving, so youre going to have to throw me out of your bank  and this is it.'

Lindell insisted that he will not comply with MBT and Heartlands demands. They already had made up their mind. They just told us to leave. Im not leaving.

Lindell: De-banking an act of reprisal

According to Lindell, MBTs move to deny him service and kick him out was an act of reprisal against a lawsuit he filed. Red Voice Media reported on Jan. 7 that the MyPillow CEO sued the House Select Committee on the Jan. 6 Attack in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota. (Related: Mike Lindell to file a case before the Supreme Court to save the 2020 election  Brighteon.TV.)

Lindells suit stated that the committee subpoenaed telecommunications company Verizon to turn over all of his communication records on a designated mobile number between Nov. 1, 2020 and Jan. 31, 2021. He claimed that the subpoena violated his rights guaranteed under the First and Fourth Amendments.

The businessman further alleged that committee members acted without authority because they were not validly organized as a House committee under the chambers rules. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi established the committee in July 2021 to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol siege.

He requested the court to either invalidate the committees subpoena or allow him an opportunity to review the information requested before turning it over. According to Lindell, the second request will grant him an opportunity to assert any applicable claim or attorney-client or other privilege.

Lindell told Bannon: As you know, I went after Pelosi and that big committee they got going to scare everybody. By doing this [de-banking], these banks want to be part of the cancel culture. They want to cancel out all of these entities. They want to silence Frankspeech, they want to silence Lindell TV, theres nine entities on there. (Related: Right Side Broadcasting censored MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell for warning about coronavirus vaccines.)

This is a first for me. This is a first, and Im not going to let it happen. If we didnt have your show right now to show what theyre doing to me, they would have gotten away with it and the story wouldnt have been told.

Watch the video below of Lindells conversation with Bannon.

This video is from the Mainly Infowars/Banned.Video channel on Brighteon.com.

Banned.news has more about Mike Lindell and other conservatives being canceled by financial institutions.

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(Natural News) Trucking organizations are echoing warnings from individual haulers and trucking companies that vaccine mandates for drivers on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border are going to devastate economics and come at a time when the supply chain crisis continues to leave shelves bare in grocery and retail stores.

According to The Post Millennial, around 30,000 truckers who deliver goods and products between the U.S.-Canadian border have yet to submit paperwork indicating they have been vaccinated for COVID-19 following a Jan. 15 deadline requiring them to show proof before they are able to enter Canada, though the federal government has suspended that requirement for the time being.

Still, there is a requirement that Canadian truckers entering the U.S. show proof of vaccination that is set to go into effect Jan. 22. And if it remains in effect and/or Canada reverses its decision and reimposes a vaccination mandate, then economic chaos will follow, trucking firms warn.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began nearly two years ago, then-President Donald Trump made land border crossings between the U.S. and Canada essential so as to ensure that both countries supply chains remained intact. But when Joe Biden took office, the fools who are really running his regime told him to reverse Trumps decision, which he dutifully did.

Mike Milliam, head of Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, told the Lynnwood Times that vaccine mandates are only going to make current supply chain shortages even worse and will lead to longer-term disruptions.

Seventy percent of the $700 billion in trade between Canada and the U.S. is moved by truck, Milliam said, according to the outlet. This will have a dramatic effect on supplies and services reaching their destination and getting in the hands of those who need them.

One needs to look no further than the recent U.K. fuel shortage, where the military had to be brought in to deliver fuel as a result of a lack of truck drivers. We are already seeing shortages, if these shortages reach critical levels on items such as fuel, food, blood medicine or medical supplies, we will see real, long-lasting damage, he added.

The Lynnwood Times reported that roughly 120,000 Canadian truckers enter the U.S. every day while around 40,000 U.S. drivers enter Canada. Most of the cargo consists of extremely essential items like blood, medical supplies, fuel and food.

We understand the governments are putting these mandates in place in order to protect our health, Milliam noted further. If we start seeing shortages of medical supplies in our hospitals because weve mandated drivers to get vaccinated, how much is that going to affect peoples health? The idea may be good in one direction but I dont think weve really looked at its effects on health and safety on the other side, he noted further.

He went on to warn that vaccine mandates from either or both countries will result in losing one-in-four drivers, which would be a catastrophe.

Weve already had a shortage of driver positions before we brought in any vaccine mandates and on top of that, weve got supply chain issues to begin with. We can usually go to the grocery store now and see at least one item thats not on the shelf but once we wipe out 25 percent of the workforce, I think its going to become a very common case, Milliam told the Lynnwood Times.

Since this policy was first raised in government circles, we have constantly communicated the environment that this mandate would create. We had hoped that both U.S. and Canadian officials would recognize the effects this rule would have on our industrys capacity levels. Unfortunately, at this point neither the Canadian nor U.S. officials have changed their position on this matter, the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada noted in a press release.

While Canada relaxed its mandate for Canadian drivers, Reuters noted that American truckers would have to be vaccinated before entering.

Two years after we were told to give authorities two weeks to bend the curve, COVID-19 insanity continues to destroy our economy.

Sources include:

ThePostMillennial.com

Reuters.com
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(Natural News) Army veteran and Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, who was recently arrested along with 10 others for their roles in the January 6, 2021 Capitol incident, accused Donald Trump of abandoning his supporters.

The thing (is) people are being unlawfully detained and denied bail. Theyre being abandoned by Trump, Rhodes told Critical Disclosure Radio host Jim White. Rhodes is a former paratrooper being charged with sedition by the Department of Justice.

According to Rhodes, Trump could have donated money or held a fundraiser for his supporters who were being detained for their participation in the Capitol incident. He hasnt done that either and abandoned the people that were in the Capitol to protect him, said Rhodes.

He also mentioned a press conference that Trump held on January 6 at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, where an Oath Keepers chapter was outside asking for support to raise money for the detainees. But the appeal fell on deaf ears and the Oath Keepers went home disappointed. (Related: Arm Yourselves: Revolutionary anthem by libertarian artist Jordan Page officially adopted by The Oath Keepers.)

Rhodes denies allegations that hes working for the Feds

White asked Rhodes whether theres a semblance of truth in the allegations that he is a federal informant and working for the Feds.

Youre an inside guy, and youve turned sides, and now youre trying to work with the feds to keep people behind bars or whatever, White asked. Can you just state here directly on this broadcast? Im just going to ask you, is any of that information true?

The allegations, according to Rhodes, are ridiculous, stressing that theres no need for the Feds to try to recruit Special Forces veteran and Oathkeeper Jeremy Brown in October of 2020.

If Im a Fed, then why are they running around recruiting people and paying people to come spy on us. Why would they do that when they already had the top guy, said Rhodes, noting that the FBI has been looking for informants for generations like going back to the time of Martin Luther King and the Black Panthers.

They would try to set up anyone whos a dissident group or a thorn in their side, or for the establishment side, the Fed, the FBI will go after him. Theyll try to set people up. So I kind of get why people are so paranoid, Rhodes noted.

He also denied accusations that the Oath Keepers were all white supremacists. The false accusation that we conspire to invade the Capitol is complete garbage. And the garbage that Im a Fed is also part of the way you destroy someones reputation or their ability to function. They cant buy me, Im not for sale.

Rhodes said he could have been a wealthy lawyer but he chose a different path for patriotic reasons.

I have stuck my neck out and basically sacrificed myself, my own success, to do keepers. I was a Yale Law School graduate. I could be a wealthy lawyer, but I chose that path and do the Patriot cause. Its just absurd and disgusting to have people try to claim that Im a Fed, said Rhodes. Ive been a thorn on their side for over a decade. But I dont do illegal activities. I always stay on the side of the line.

China using COVID to weaken and invade US

Meanwhile, White and Rhodes agreed that China is using the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) to invade the United States. Mike Adams first articulated this scenario during an earlier episode of the Critical Disclosure Radio show.

Adams said one of the possible scenarios is China could weaken everybody with the vaccine and maybe do a land invasion.

Yeah, I think absolutely. Its a no-brainer that they want this land. Thats why theyre buying up properties all over the United States. Theyre sending all their graduate students here to come spy on us. Theyve been doing that for decades. But I think China wants to land, said Rhodes. I think Americans need to accept the reality that theyre using this vaccine to weaken people and depopulate the planet.

Watch the video below of Stewart Rhodes being interviewed by Jim White.

This video is from the Critical Disclosure Radio channel on Brighteon.com.

Read more stories like this at Conspiracy.news.

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LifeSiteNews.com

RedState.com
(Natural News) A father in Canada lost his right to visit his 12-year-old child because he was not vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). Following a ruling by a justice in the province of Quebec, the father was temporarily barred from visiting his child as his visits would not be in the childs best interest.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Jean-Sebastien Vaillancourt issued the ban on Dec. 23, 2021 in response to the father  given the initials RB  requesting that his visiting time during the holidays be extended. The judge ruled that RBs visitation rights would be suspended until February 2022 unless he decides to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The 12-year-olds mother  given the initials MO  opposed RBs request to extend his visitation time. MO told the court that she recently discovered that her former partner was unvaccinated. She also accused him of being an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, citing as evidence RBs social media posts that opposed the shots.

Vaillancourt took note of these social media posts in his decision, saying these cast doubt on whether RB followed applicable health guidelines in Quebec. He ruled that it would not be in the 12-year-olds best interest to have contact with RB if he is not vaccinated and is opposed to health measures in the current epidemiological context. (Related: Refusing COVID vaccines is costing people their jobs, kids, life-saving medical treatments.)

RB admitted that he has yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, telling the court that he has reservations about it. Vaillancourt responded that the ban on RBs visitation rights is only temporary, and was prompted by the rise of COVID-19 cases due to the B11529 omicron variant.

The 12-year-old child, who has been fully vaccinated, lives with two half-siblings  alongside MO and her current partner. The two other children are too young to be injected with the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Vaillancourt noted that the vaccines do not provide enough protection as omicrons highly contagious nature renders this protection null and void.

Decision first of its kind

Canadian lawyer Sylvie Schirm, who was not involved in the proceeding, said the decision by Vaillancourt was the first of its kind, at least in Canada. His ruling depriving a parent of visitation rights based on vaccination status could set a precedent, she added.

It wont necessarily apply to everybody across the board. It doesnt mean that all parents who arent vaccinated will stop seeing their kids, but it sets a certain precedent thats out there, the Montreal-based family lawyer told CTV News.

I think what probably didnt help [RB] was that the judge probably thought he wouldnt respect the regulations in any way, shape or form. So regardless of being vaccinated or not, he was going to expose his son to the virus, indirectly or directly. Thats what [Vaillancourt] was aiming to protect  the best interests of the child.

According to Schirm, the family law case involving RB, MO and their 12-year-old child highlights the debate over individual versus collective rights. She added that RB had a difficult choice to make: his own beliefs toward the COVID-19 vaccine or his relationship with his son.

I think were living in difficult times, but theres some values that are clashing. This judgment is kind of an example of two values that are clashing, Schirm commented. A judge had to make a decision because the parents didnt come to an agreement. So [Vaillancourt] had to intervene and make a decision  and thats the decision he made. (Related: Divorce court judge orders ex couple to get coronavirus vaccine.)

The ban on RBs visitation rights would last until Feb. 8. Vaillancourt said the suspension needs to be as short as possible, and will be re-assessed if an extension is warranted.

Watch the video below of Tyler Russell talking about the ban on RBs visitation rights.

This video is from the Three Spoons channel on Brighteon.com.

MedicalFascism.news has more about unvaccinated people being deprived of their rights.

Sources include:

BBC.com

Citoyens.SOQUIJ.QC.ca

InfoWars.com

Montreal.CTVNews.ca

Brighteon.com
On Monday, over 60 policy experts and scientists said that global-scale engineering programs whose purpose is to make Earth's surface cool and decrease the impact of global warming are potentially dangerous and should be prohibited by governments.

They claim that even if the most widely disputed scheme for so-called solar radiation modification (SRM) turned back a critical proportion of the Sun's rays, as intended, the repercussions could outweigh any benefits, they wrote in an open letter to the editors of the journal Nature Climate Change.

Prevention of Solar Geoengineering

According to a letter and a commentary in WIREs Climate Change, solar geoengineering cannot be regulated worldwide in a fair, inclusive, and effective manner. Solar geoengineering as a climate policy option should not be normalized.

A rise of 1.1 degrees Celsius above the mid-19th century level has increased the severity, frequency, and duration of lethal heat waves as well as the frequency and intensity of droughts, according to Science Alert.

Global warming has been agreed to be limited to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but UN-backed scientists have predicted that that threshold will be crossed within a decade.

As a result of the failure to curb greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, some policymakers are turning to solar geoengineering, which was largely regarded as science fiction not long ago.

Also Read: Human-Made Spacecraft Touches the Sun for the First Time in History

Dimming the Sun's Radiative Force

Adding a substantial amount of reflecting particles to Earth's upper atmosphere has long been known to reduce its temperature.

The debris from Mount Pinatubo's 1991 eruption in the Philippines lowered Earth's average surface temperature for more than a year.

Nature can do the same thing. However, the open letter stated that there are numerous grounds to oppose such a decision.

Artificially reducing the Sun's radiant force could interrupt rainy seasons in South Asia and western Africa, destroying crops that provide food for hundreds of millions of people.

Unexpected Outcomes

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) claimed in its most current scientific assessment that sulfate injection weakens the African and Asian summer monsoons and promotes dryness in the Amazon.

Another study this year found that SRM might significantly reduce the likelihood of drought in southern Africa. Science also worries about "termination shock" if seeding the atmosphere with Sun-blocking particles suddenly ceases to exist.

Furthermore, the technology would not be able to stop the continued accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere, which is altering the ocean's chemistry in a tangible way.

Furthermore, the open letter warns that increasing hopes for a speedy answer for climate change may disincentivize governments, corporations and society to do their upmost to achieve decarbonization or carbon neutrality in the shortest feasible time.

To stop national financing, prevent outside tests, and deny SRM patent rights, the open letter urges a "international non-use agreement" to be drafted. According to the letter, such an agreement would not prevent atmospheric or climate research.

Solar radiation can also be brightened by feeding marine clouds with salt particles from the ocean, or it can be reflected away from Earth by erecting massive mirrors in outer space.

Rooftops and road surfaces can be whitened, and genetically modified crops can have their leaves lightened.

Related Article: Does the Gravitational Pull of the Sun and Moon Really Affect Activity on Earth?

For more news, updates about the Sun and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
According to the network controller, owing to the potential of a second volcanic seismic activity, the main objective to restore the underwater correspondence connector that ties Tonga to the remainder of the civilized planet might hold to a week as it may cause threat to maintenance vessel.

Just four days following the huge outburst of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai mountain range, numbers of people in Tonga were still waiting for word on friends and family.

Massive Volcanic Eruption Caused Cable Disconnection in Tonga

The volcanic eruption also resulted to surges throughout the island chain and buried islets in calcium carbonate.

In an interview Samiuela Fonua, chairwoman of the state-owned Tonga Connection Ltd, who controls and administers the connection, stated that continued seismic eruptions posed a threat to every maintenance craft that will need to approach Tongatapu seas near the explosion zone.

The island line has then entered single-end input state, indicating it was supplied from the Fijian side though not from Tonga after the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcanic activity on Sunday. Since then, contact with the Tonga conduit had been disrupted.

Tonga's mobile network connections are provided via the transnational network, which is part of a chain of 19 underwater lines that traverse the South Pacific.

The damaged Tonga line continues to Fiji, where it crosses with the trans-Pacific Southern Cross Network, which connects Tonga to Australia, the United States, and the entire globe.

"There are plenty of individuals who reside here and are already working to understand regardless if their immediate close relatives are safe," Salesa added.

Initial experiments reveal a crack in the 827km-long Tonga connection around 37km offshore of Nuku'alofa, Tonga's metropolis.

Due to the mountain's huge smoke plume 105,000 inhabitants who was reliant on wireless transmission after the reported broken wire continues to have no signal.

The local telecommunications line in the nation stretches from the metropolis to Pangai and Neiafu in the north.

Also read: Images Reveal Complete Devastation of Tonga After Underwater Volcanic Eruption

Thousands of Residents Remained Disconnected

"Not gaining knowledge and information is apparently extremely upsetting for a majority of our relatives. Yet, it's extremely exciting from Ha'apai, that at least on the peninsula, there are no fatalities."

The tanker CS Reliance, which was anchored off the coast of Papua New Guinea's town, Terminal Moresby, over 4,000 kilometers offshore, was anticipated to replace the connection.

New Zealand Labour Party's Panmure-thuhu MP, Jenny Salesa, claimed she had talked with a methodist pastor in Ha'apai, who informed there had been no deaths on Ha'apai's mainland, Lifuka, but that contact connections with the other areas remained broken.

"The greatest fear right now is seismic eruptions considering our wires are in the comparable vicinity."

The UN stated a warning call was discovered in the secluded, low-lying Ha'apai archipelagos, with special worry for Fonoi and Mango isles.

The $32 million Tonga cable, funded by the Asian Investment Corporation and the International Foundation, arrived in Nuku'alofa in 2013 and has a capacity of 20 gigabits per second.

"We're simply getting ready for the restoration procedure, which may commence the week after next," he told the Guardian.

Originally, it was uncertain if this was due to a failing electrical supply in Tonga or a wire breakage.

Also read: Melting Ice in Arctic Circle is Made Alarmingly Worse by Rivers
A squid swims late at night near the surface of the Mediterranean sea water off the coast of the northern city of Batroun, Lebanon on August 29, 2021. (Photo : Photo by IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP via Getty Images)

A group of investigators searching for the debris of a missing WWII cruiser vessel in the Western Pacific Ocean came to shore with yet another, and maybe more interesting find.

The mysterious big fin squid was detected at a depth of over 20,000 feet which is about hundreds and hundreds of feet further than to the former record keeper.

The Deepest Dwelling Big Fin Squid Caught on Cam

Wherein the explorers of the missing WWII cruiser vessel had a video footage of the possibly the best swimming squid yet known.

The fresh-faced big fin cuttlefish which is part of the extended families of Magnapinnidae began to be an incredibly quick world champion, navigating somewhere above the surface of the Philippine Trench at a truly astonishing 20,300 feet underneath the sea floor.

Blasting the earlier title holder which is also a whole other big fin squid swimming approximately 15,400 feet just under the Mediterranean Sea, out of the ocean.

According to the latest reports released the investigators simultaneously filmed four cirrate cephalopods or often referred to as dumbo cephalopods because of enormous elephant-ear-like flippers at the same range.

While Michael Vecchione the research co-author as well as a zoologist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Organizer of Octopuses at the Natural history museum Institution in Washington, D.C., said that it was just the second visit of dumbos that have been discovered at such depths, demonstrating that prior sightings of the baggy octopuses in the Java Sea would not be a coincidence.

"This plunge demonstrated that various kinds of cephalopods can continue living in at least the higher portion of some really shallow marine dugouts," he said.

Also read: Fossil of Extinct 'Sea Dragon' Hailed as the Largest Ever Found in the UK

Big Fin Squid Swims 20,000 Feet Under The Sea?

Vecchione said that the observations pose several problems, such as How can big fin squids properly handle to exist structurally and functionally at levels spanning between 3,200 to 19,600 feet.

In which air concentrations can sometimes be up to 600 times significantly higher than at the base of the pacific.

The big fin was discovered in March 2021, while experts were looking for the wreckage of a navy ship sunk named the USS Johnston, used in the Battle of Leyte Bay in 1944.

The experts videotaped their journey to the depth of the Philippine Riverbed, wherein researchers studied for some more nearly four hours, through using controlled remotely operated DSV Limiting Factor, the very same kind of space ship used among adventurer Victor Vescovo to go to the depths of the Mariana Trench in June 2020.

The big fin octopus was discovered somewhere above the water floor by the researchers.

Surprisingly even though the submersible was too elevated to picture the octopus in precision, the investigators seem to have been eligible to identify it by seeing indicative traits like as the squid's exceptionally big back flippers and peculiar swimming orientation.

Since the squid's tendrils were so small, the investigators surmised that the deep-sea mollusk was a youngster.

Also read: Sri Lanka's Hungry Elephants Die After Eating Plastic Waste in Open Landfill
After multiple tiny animals, including hamsters, tested positive for the coronavirus at a pet business where an employee was also afflicted, Hong Kong officials said they would slaughter roughly 2,000 small animals, including hamsters.

According to the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department authorities, the city will also prohibit selling hamsters and importing small animals.

On Monday, a pet store employee tested positive for the delta strain, and the business's hamsters, which were imported from the Netherlands, also tested positive.

Cross-Species Transmission

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. officials said Animals do not appear to have a substantial role in transmitting the coronavirus. However, authorities in Hong Kong said they are not ruling out the possibility of animal-to-human transmission.

The Centre for Health Protection controller, Edwin Tsui, stated, "We can't rule out the likelihood that the hamsters truly infected the shopkeeper."

At a press conference, department head Leung Siu-fai stated, "If you possess a hamster, you should keep your hamsters at home, do not take them out." "You should wash your hands after coming into touch with animals and their food, and all pet owners should practice proper personal hygiene."

Related Article: Experts Worried as First Case of 'Florona' Detected in Israel: Is it a New COVID Strain?



He went on to say, "Do not kiss your pets."

According to officials, customers who purchased hamsters from the business after January 7 will be tracked and subjected to obligatory quarantine and must hand over their hamsters to authorities to be put down as a precaution.

Humanely Putting 2,000 Pets to Rest

According to them, approximately 2,000 tiny animals, including hamsters and chinchillas, would be killed humanely in Hong Kong.

Customers who purchased hamsters in Hong Kong after December 22 will be subjected to obligatory testing and are advised not to share their results with anyone until they have received a positive impact. Their hamsters will be quarantined if they test positive.

According to Hong Kong's Society for Animal Cruelty Prevention, the decision to kill the animals "shocked and worried" the government and encouraged it not to "take any severe action before evaluating its policy."

Several Cathay Pacific crew members who dined at pubs and restaurants around the city before testing positive for the omicron strain have been linked to a local omicron epidemic in Hong Kong.

Quarantine

According to the authorities, two former flight attendants were detained late Monday for leaving their residences during quarantine and afterward being found to have coronavirus illnesses. According to the report, the two arrived from the United States on December 24 and 25 and "conducted needless actions" while under medical observation, which did not identify their company.

Cathay Pacific said it had dismissed two crew members for breaking coronavirus guidelines after the arrests. It had previously apologized and termed their actions "very unsatisfactory." In January, the business cut back on passenger and freight flights due to increased virus restrictions.

The two have been granted bail and will appear in court on February 9 to present their case. They might face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($642) if found guilty of breaking anti-epidemic legislation.

Previously, under quarantine exemptions in Hong Kong, certain air and sea crew personnel may isolated at home. On December 31, regulations were strengthened to compel crew members to separate in a designated quarantine hotel for nearly a week.

Also Read: Experts Warn of Another Deadly Global Outbreak to Strike Within 60 Years

For more health and medicine related news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Up to a hundred catfish were recently caught in a Texas river. The name of the species that was caught is "suckermouth armored catfish," which is considered an invasive species that may cause long-term harm to the environment.

Discovery of Suckermouth Catfish in Texas Rivers

Originally from the South American oceans, the suckermouth is described by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as an aquarium fish that was freed into the wild and is now out of control, according to Miami Herald.

In spite of the fact that the armored catfish is a long way from home, it has flourished in Texas waters, threatening the state's natural ecology.

In a public park, a team of researchers from Texas A&M and Texas State University recently retrieved 406 suckermouth armored catfish, often known as plecos, from the river.

According to TPWD, "Information collected from these fish will help managers to better understand how to effectively control this invasive species."

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the suckermouth's other problem is that it likes to dig burrows in banks and this act can lead to "erosion and bank destabilization."

According to Cool Green Science, a blog operated by The Nature Conservancy, aquariums are home to the algae-eating fish, which can be seen scavenging the green plant debris it craves from rocks, miniature decorative diving divers, and the tank's walls.

Swarms of suckermouth fish have been reported to eat the algae that accumulates on manatees in Florida, where the fish is also invasive. Experts believe this may be detrimental to the slow-moving sea cows.

Due to the suckermouth's reputation as an aquarium cleaner, Texas State University believes it was either intentionally or unintentionally brought into the United States' waters.

Also Read: Extremely Rare Eyeless Catfish Finally Gets a Name After 40 Years of Waiting

Features of Suckermouth Catfish

Protective spines protrude from the suckermouth's tough outer layer. According to Cool Green Science, it can survive outside the water for at least 20 hours and "walk" on land at a speed of 2.3 miles per hour.

Salisbury University researcher Noah Bressman told the publication that these characteristics make for a hardy fish that can jump from one body of water to another. It is not uncommon for birds to drop suckermouths after snatching them, as opposed to swallowing their spines and armor.

A lot of the time, the bird just gives up and drops the pleco. He told Cool Green Science that "it can be a significant distance away from where they got it." After surviving the fall, the fish might wander for hours until it came across a body of water.

According to Texas State University, the fish can also be found in Florida, Nevada, and perhaps Wisconsin.

Environmental Effects of Suckermouth Catfish

A combination of suckermouth catfishes's big size and high population densities make them a serious threat to native fish populations and aquatic environments in the United States.

Due to suckermouth catfishes' grazing on benthic algae and detritus, aquatic insects commonly consumed by North American stream fish have less food and shelter.

A change in substrate size or sediment suspension can occur as a result of feeding on mud and soil.

Related Article: Angler Caught Rare Bright-Yellow Catfish in Netherlands Lake

For more news, updates about catfishes and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Alec Baldwin performs emcee duties at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala at New York Hilton Midtown on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
CNHI Harrisburg Bureau

Eric Scicchitano is the CNHI Pennsylvania state reporter. He is a former CNHI Reporter of the Year and previously worked at The (Sunbury) Daily Item before until he took over the Harrisburg beat in January 2022. Email him at erics@cnhinews.com.
Intel is collaborating with Green Revolution Cooling (GRC), a startup specializing in immersion cooling for server hardware, in an effort that seeks to take immersion cooling mainstream.

The two companies announced a multi-year partnership that involves working with data center customers to develop and implement advanced immersion cooling techniques for future data centers. The two will look to test the safety and reliability of the technology for immersion-cooled racks running Intel Xeon Scalable processors.

Immersion cooling it just what the name implies. Rather than cover the CPU and other chips with heat sinks, the whole motherboard is immersed in a liquid bath that keeps all of the hardware cool. Clearly the bath is not water, but rather a non-conductive fluid that wont fry the electronics.

GRC GRC ICEraQ Series 10 immersion cooling system

While the partners talked up optimizing system performance of immersion-cooled racks powered by Intel Xeon Scalable processors, its chips like GPUs and AI processors that really could benefit from immersion because they run the hottest.

In addition to research, the two companies plan to work together to educate the market on the benefits of liquid immersion cooling technology through webinars, a podcast series and white papers.

Our collaboration with GRC aligns with Intels goal of supporting cutting edge technologies that provide increased efficiency and density for data center and edge deployments, said Mohan Kumar, senior fellow at Intel, in a statement.

Through this collaboration, we are able to provide customers with custom solutions to meet their computing and cooling needs to help ensure that data centers operate in a more environmentally sensitive way, he said.

This is not Intels first dance with immersion. In August 2021 it announced a similar agreement with European immersion cooling startup Submer to develop immersible Xeon Scalable-based systems.

Liquid immersion cooling gains popularity

I have suspected for some time that this could be the breakout year for immersion cooling. Last year its biggest champion was Microsoft, which engaged in an extensive immersion cooling experiment at its Quincy, Washington, data center. It found the servers reduced power consumption by 5% to 15% through immersion cooling.

Microsoft used DataTanks immersion tanks developed and made by LiquidStack, which received $10 million in funding last year from Chinese server hardware vendor Wiwynn. The investment was part of a strategic partnership between the two to boost liquid cooling development. Microsoft was an early adopter of DataTanks, which undoubtedly helped raise its profile

With Microsoft and Intel on board, I think its just a matter of time before hyperscalers (AWS, Google) and other chip makers (AMD, Nvidia) get religion about immersion cooling. 2022 could be the breakout year for the technology.
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Guided hike

Mahomet Public Library and Champaign County Forest Preserve District will partner for a naked tree walk at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lake of the Woods, rural Mahomet.

Not to worry. The people wont be naked; the trees will be  void of leaves for the winter.

Meet at the Elks Lake pavilion, where University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Ryan Pankau will give a short presentation featuring some of the districts favorite trees without leaves on them.

Pankau will then lead a guided hike and show how to identify trees by their bark and branches alone.
Questions about Allegiant flights to Willard Airport, misleading COVID vaccination rates in C-U, that big former Amishland building in Tuscola, climate change in central Illinois, shots fired incidents in C-U, Jersey Mike's opening in Champaign and a late chime in downtown Urbana.
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).
'Theyd like to have a forum to allow the public to have one more opportunity to have their voice and discuss it, and then Jan. 18 it will be an action item for voting,' Thomasboro Grade School Superintendent Bonnie McArthur said of the school board.
Reporter

Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
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.
One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
Who are they? Illinois children reported missing

These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Theory has it that disgust sensitivity  how intensely a person is repulsed by images, ideas or situations that could be considered terribly gross or merely unpleasant  is an evolutionary trait that initially helped humans avoid eating rotten food that would have made them sick.

Research has since shown that disgust sensitivity, as measured on a specific scale, can differ widely, with some individuals experiencing disgust very strongly and others less so. But the explanation for those differences is subject to debate. Is high disgust sensitivity the result of growing up with germophobes, related to neuroticism, or a way to detect an unfit sexual partner? And is disgust stable across the lifespan, or can it change?

A new study suggests disgust sensitivity can and does change  and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, concern about getting sick with a coronavirus infection was associated with an increase in disgust sensitivity.

Ohio State University researchers who had collected disgust sensitivity data for a larger project before the coronavirus outbreak compared those measures to similar data collected during and after pandemic lockdowns.

What hasn't been tested thoroughly is the extent to which your environment actually shapes your disgust sensitivity. What happens when you're in an environment that has a lot of pathogens?. Disgust sensitivity was higher in studies we ran during the pandemic, but particularly higher for people who felt concerned they would actually contract COVID-19." Shelby Boggs, doctoral student in psychology, The Ohio State University and first author of the study

Boggs conducted the study with senior author Russell Fazio, professor of psychology at Ohio State, and former postdoctoral researcher Benjamin Ruisch, who is now at Leiden University.

The research is published in the February 2022 issue of the journal Personality and Individual Differences.

Despite disgust sensitivity's origins in dodging disease, research over the years has linked high disgust sensitivity to avoidance of "others"  people of different races, political ideologies or genders, for example. That school of thought leans toward considering disgust sensitivity an unchanging individual difference.

The Ohio State researchers focused on  and found evidence to support  what is known as the "calibration hypothesis," which suggests that disgust sensitivity is a more fluid measure that changes with time and circumstance.

This study involved nine surveys conducted between late 2018 and June 2020. Before the pandemic, the team collected data from about 2,300 participants in seven waves that included assessment of their disgust sensitivity. The pandemic's arrival in spring 2020 opened up an opportunity for a natural experiment to test the question of environmental effects on disgust sensitivity.

The researchers conducted two more surveys in late spring 2020, of 500 people each, questioning participants about a variety of their pandemic-related opinions and behaviors  including how concerned they were that they might contract COVID-19  and assessing their disgust sensitivity. The first was an entirely new group of participants, but the second was a subset of people who had participated in the pre-pandemic surveys  providing a rare longitudinal look at disgust sensitivity.

"Instead of comparing two groups of people pre- and post-pandemic, you're comparing the same people and finding that to the extent that you perceive yourself at risk of contracting COVID, we get this heightened disgust sensitivity," Fazio said. "That's powerful.

"The increase in disgust sensitivity really being limited to those people who were concerned about contracting COVID-19 also eliminated a number of alternative explanations for the data."

Part of the disgust sensitivity scale asks participants to rate various experiences  such as smelling urine while walking in a tunnel under a railroad track or seeing someone put ketchup on vanilla ice cream and eat it  on a scale of 0 to 4, where 4 is extremely disgusting.

The pre-pandemic average disgust sensitivity was 2.82, a figure that increased to 3.26 during the pandemic. These results, based on the way disgust sensitivity is measured, showed that people were not repelled only by disease-related scenarios but also scenarios that had nothing to do with disease transmission  a sign that their entire disgust sensitivity profile was heightened.

"One item on the rating asks how disgusted you would be if you were on an elevator and someone next to you sneezed. Another asks whether you'd be disgusted by eating chocolate shaped like dog doo  which has nothing to do with interacting and contracting a disease," Boggs said.

Fazio noted that the enhanced sensitivity was also evident when participants were asked to rate various visual images related to disgust, such as rotten meat with maggots in it. Those who were concerned about contracting the virus found the images more unappealing  meaning the effect extended beyond the items measured by the assessment scale.

Boggs predicted that once the most serious threats of the pandemic ease, disgust sensitivity in people concerned about getting sick would habituate to pre-pandemic levels.

"Experiencing disgust all the time is not a fun state to be in. It's a very vigilant emotion," she said. "My suspicion is if we recontacted people a year or two out of pandemic mode, they probably would have gone back down in disgust sensitivity levels. If the threat subsides, then presumably your disgust sensitivity should subside as well."

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation.
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the rapid worldwide outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has claimed more than 5.55 million lives.

Scientists have reported that the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains two domains, namely, S1 and S2, which establish the viral infection. S1 subunit contains the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which binds to the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expressed in host cells. The primary function of the S2 subunit is to promote the fusion of viralhost membranes and, thereby, facilitating viral entry into the host cell.

Prior studies have indicated that the S protein is the principal target of cellular and humoral responses elicited by natural infection. To date, all the available COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics have been developed to target the S protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019, it has evolved owing to recombination, insertion, and deletion events in the viral genome. This has led to the emergence of many SARS-CoV-2 variants that have been classified as variants of concern (VOC) (e.g., Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron), variants of interest (VOI) (e.g., Epsilon, Iota, Kappa), by the World Health Organization (WHO). SARS-CoV-2 variants, classified as VOCs, have been characterized as more virulent and transmissible than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. Additionally, these variants can evade immune responses elicited by natural infection or vaccination.

Study: Antigenicity of the Mu (B.1.621) and A.2.5 SARS-CoV-2 Spikes. Image Credit: Lightspring/Shutterstock

Mu and A.2.5 Variants

In March 2021, scientists identified a new variant from Colombia, which was named the Mu (B.1.621) variant, and was categorized as a VOI. Mu contains several mutations in the S protein, including 146N, T95I, Y144T, and Y145S mutations in the N-terminal domain (NTD), R346K, E484K N501Y in RBD, and P681H at the S1/S2 interface. A surge in the numbers of SARS-CoV-2 Mu strain was found in Quebec (Canada) during the summer, which slowed down the transmission of the Delta strain.

In 2021 the Delta variant became the dominant circulating strain in most countries of the world and caused severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. This occurrence raised the question of the possible evolutionary advantage of this variant.

Researchers also identified another SARS-CoV-2 variant, which probably spread from Central America to the Quebec province in Canada, and named it A.2.5. This variant contained deletions 141143 at the NTD and the L452R mutations in RBD. This variant belonged to the A.* lineage that was abundantly found during the early phase of the pandemic and had been replaced by the B lineage, subsequently. In early 2021, many countries reported a resurgence of the A.* lineage.

Quebec experienced two outbreaks associated with A.2.5 with an increased secondary attack rate. Researchers performed sequencing of A.2.5 and observed a convergent acquisition of the D614G and L452R signature mutations of the Beta and Delta variant, respectively. In addition, they reported a mutational jump of twenty-three mutations, a characteristic feature of the majority of the VOCs.

A New Study

To gain a better understanding of the antigenic properties of Mu and A.2.5 Spikes, Canadian scientists evaluated their capacity to interact with ACE2 and performed binding and neutralization assays with plasma from vaccinated individuals. The research is published in the journal Viruses. The researchers compared the spike glycoproteins of Mu and A.2.5 variants with Beta and Delta Spike variants.

Spike glycoproteins interaction with ACE2. HEK 293T cells were transfected with the indicated SARS-CoV-2 Spike variants. 48 h post-transfection, cells were stained with ACE2-Fc or with CV3-25 Ab and analyzed by flow cytometry. ACE2-Fc binding to the different full Spike variants is presented as a ratio of ACE2 binding of D614G Spike (A). The graph represented ACE2-Fc binding to the different full Spike variants at 37 C and 4 C (B). For each Spike variant, statistical significance and fold changes of ACE2 binding at 4 C vs. 37 C is indicated in (B). ACE2-Fc binding was normalized to CV3-25 binding in each experiment and at each indicated temperature. Error bars indicate means  SEM. Statistical significance was performed using MannWhitney U test (* p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001).

The findings of this study are in line with previous studies that revealed a considerable increase in ACE2-Fc binding. Scientists reported that although both Mu and A.2.5 bound ACE2 better than D614G, the binding capacity was lower than the Beta and Delta Spikes. However, it was not clear if the differential binding rate contributed to the transmission rates of these variants.

Previous studies by the same team of researchers showed that temperature variation impacted the RBDACE2 interface by modulating the Spike trimer conformation. This study further stated that at cold temperature (4 C), the binding between S protein of VOCs/VOIs and ACE2 increased significantly. Similarly, scientists found that both Mu and A.2.5 variants revealed better ACE2 interaction at lower temperatures.

Mutation at the RBD region enhanced the affinity of both the variants to the ACE2 receptor at a lower temperature, as it promoted thermodynamic stability of the ACE2SpikeRBD complex. This is not the case for every mutation. For instance, N501Y mutation is not associated with thermodynamic stability. Previous studies have revealed that N501Y mutation, which is found in Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, can independently impact ACE2 interaction irrespective of temperature.

Importantly, researchers observed that Mu and A.2.5 Spikes were detected in the plasma of vaccinated naive and previously-infected individuals. The neutralizing capacity of Mu was observed to be lower compared to A.2.5.

Conclusion

The authors indicated that specific mutations and lower temperatures enhance viral transmissibility and replication. This study further demonstrated the significance of measuring critical parameters, such as plasma recognition, ACE2 interaction, etc., of all newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Social media use was correlated with worse physical health indicators among college students, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.

David Lee, PhD, from the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, and coauthors demonstrated that social media use was associated with higher levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a biological marker of chronic inflammation in the blood that is associated with chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Social media use was also related to experiencing more frequent somatic symptoms. It also positively correlated with more visits to the doctor or health centers for an illness.

High levels of social media use or screen time may negatively affect physical health in multiple ways. For example, it may reduce users' amount and quality of sleep. Hyperconnectivity may also increase stress or displace health-promoting activities such as exercise.

"Given the prevalence of social media in daily lives and the importance of social relationships to physical health, we call for additional research to examine the relationship between social media use and physical health by utilizing diverse methodologies," state the investigators.

This NIH-supported research, using an objective biomarker, further advances our understanding of the negative impact social media may have on one's health. It will be important in future studies to explore which types of media use may be most detrimental, as well as how factors such as self-esteem, may moderate the link between social media and physical health." Editor-in-Chief Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCB, BCN, Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, California and Virtual Reality Medical Institute, Brussels, Belgium

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institutes of Health under Award NumberUL1TR001070. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
In a paper published in the journal Sage, a team of researchers used the Warwick coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) model, calibrated it to the available public health data streams, and estimated epidemiological quantities such as the effective reproduction number (R) during the first wave of COVID-19 cases in the UK between MarchJune 2020.

R is a time-varying measure of the average number of secondary cases per infectious case in a population of both susceptible and non-susceptible hosts, whereas the basic reproduction number (R 0 ) measures the average number of secondary infections in a population of susceptible hosts only. R is a significant factor while developing the preliminary understanding of key epidemiological characteristics for a newly emergent infectious disease such as COVID-19.

About the study

In the present study, the researchers used the University of Warwick Susceptible Exposed Infectious Recovered (SEIR)-type model which utilized epidemiological data from the seven National Health Services regions in England, including the East of England, London, the Midlands, the North East, Yorkshire, the North West, the South East, and the South West, and three countries - Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The study duration was March to June 2020, wherein the period from May to June corresponded to the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The study model incorporated multiple layers of heterogeneity and accounted for population stratified into five-year age bracket and symptomatic and asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission to simulate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within the UK.

The Warwick model estimated R, such that when R is below one, it indicates that the epidemic is exponentially declining, and there is scope for relaxation of intervention measures. However, as the value of R approaches one, relaxing the intervention measures may lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases again.

The study model was based on a large set of coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and employed the evolving Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) inference scheme for calibrating with the available health care, mortality, and serological data streams. MCMC methodologies were a suitable choice for inferring parameters in the modeled framework as they allowed quick evaluation of the likelihood function to make the study approach feasible. Last, they represented the modeled quantities through Poisson or Binomial distribution, centered around the solution of the ODEs.

Findings

Researchers used multiple datasets in a Bayesian framework to minimize biases and delays to convert infection estimates for COVID-19 into public health measurable quantities that could be compared to data such as hospital admissions, ICU admissions, hospital beds occupied, ICU beds occupied, number of deaths, and seropositivity rates.

On a daily basis, the growth rate, r, defined as the rate of exponential growth (r>0) or decay (r<0) was calculated using a deterministic set of ODEs. The estimates showed returning average growth rates of 0.21 (doubling every 3.4 days), 0.06 (halving every 11.5 days), and 0.02 (halving every 34 days) during pre-lockdown, strict-lockdown, and relaxed-lockdown phases, respectively.

The early predictions were pessimistic about the reduction in COVID-19 infections that would be generated by the lockdown. However, the model framework evolved as more data streams became available (i.e., as the COVID-19 outbreak progressed) to provide more accurate estimations of epidemiological parameters.

The three-week short-term prediction period for each region changed over time and incorporated the effects of social distancing within the model framework. A comparison of short-term predictions and data over time also demonstrated an observable decline in the error  suggesting that the study model and inference methods had improved. Therefore, especially after the peak, predictions were far more accurate and did not overestimate future hospital admissions in London. Further, the error in the prediction dropped over time from very high values for simulations in early April 2020 to values in late May and June 2020.

Conclusions

To summarize, the study emphasized how crucial it is to constantly supplement epidemiological models with data in real-time (health care, mortality, and serological data) for effective capturing of parameters to inform scientific decisions of controlling fatal disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19. The authors also emphasized the importance of conveying the uncertainty in the parameters governing the COVID-19 transmission dynamics, as in absence of that, policymakers will miss relevant information and may assume a false sense of precision.

In addition, the work highlighted the challenges with predicting a COVID-19 outbreak in a rapidly changing environment. Any statistical model inevitably takes time to respond and detect real-world changes, thereby delaying the predictions. Thus, having the necessary set of models supported by efficient inference techniques and data processing mechanisms is the key when rapid and robust predictive results are needed to inform policymakers during a COVID-19 outbreak.
In a clinical correspondence published in the latest issue of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, a team of researchers described the case of a healthy 49-year old male patient with new-onset atrial fibrillation.

This patient showed atrial fibrillation eight days after receiving the second dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine.

Acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, is a recognized complication observed in patients after taking mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. Subsequently, the implementation of mass vaccination programs globally has led to a sudden spike in the cases of pericarditis; however, new-onset atrial fibrillation is extremely rare after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced pericarditis.

In two European hospitals, 822 patients developed pericarditis over eight years, of which only 34 (4.3%) developed atrial fibrillation within 24 hours of their diagnosis. None of these patients had atrial fibrillation before they were diagnosed with pericarditis.

Pericarditis patients who developed atrial fibrillation were significantly older than those who did not, while almost all of them converted spontaneously to sinus rhythm within 24 hours. So far, only one 30-year-old male patient with Marfans syndrome has been reported to have developed atrial fibrillation a week after receiving his Moderna vaccine. However, his overall medical condition was much different from the patient described in this study.

Clinical presentation of the patient

The researchers of the present study described the case of a healthy 49-year-old male patient with 30 minutes of palpitations who was seeking an emergency admission. Notably, before eight days, he had received the second dose of his Moderna vaccination.

The patients vitals were normal, with a white blood cell count of 14.5  103 cc/L. He showed a heart rate of 110125 beats per minute and normal blood pressure and respiratory rate. Although he had mild chest discomfort with shortness of breath and irregular pulse, he did not have a fever. His electrocardiogram (ECG) confirmed atrial fibrillation without any segment elevations or depressions. Therefore, after his informed consent, he was electrically converted to normal sinus rhythm, and post this procedure, his ECG showed no segment deviations or abnormal intervals.

He was prescribed rivaroxaban and discharged from the hospital, and given an outpatient cardiology appointment after three weeks.

Discussion

As cases of pericarditis post-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination are small, the pathophysiology of this condition is relatively unknown. This illness, however, is typically reported within one to two weeks after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with an average age of 50.

Clinicians have proposed some mechanisms, including hypersensitivity to vaccine constituents, an excessive inflammatory reaction, or an inappropriate immune response for its diagnosis. The diagnosis of such patients could be based on the following Canadian clinical practice guidelines - the onset of symptoms within a week of mRNA vaccination, dyspnea, chest pain, or syncope, in addition to ECG showing pericarditis or pericardial effusion and elevated cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers. For severe cases, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or endocardial biopsy was recommended.

It is worth noting here that the majority of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation are discharged from the hospital on the same day safely, and even when admitted, they are kept under observation for usually one day.

The diagnostic procedures include a physical examination and sometimes use of biomarkers, and non-invasive imaging. Patient history, however, is taken into consideration before finally concluding the diagnoses, which is ascertained via biopsy and histologic assessments.

Conclusions

Although rare, post-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination atrial fibrillation has been reported in patients with pericarditis. The study does not endorse that all patients with new or deteriorating atrial fibrillation need extensive medical investigation. Further, the authors did not recommend any specific treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation and advised only supportive treatment.

However, they recommended physical examination techniques for a timely diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Physicians could use auscultation for a friction rub, assess neck veins, or ascertain pulsus paradoxus. More importantly, they could use bedside ultrasound for diagnosis, which is rapid, inexpensive, and easy to perform in any environment and causes minimal patient discomfort.

Currently, it is not clear whether patients with pericarditis should opt for a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccination; however, judiciously weighing the infection risks vs. risks of vaccination is strongly advised as COVID-19 infection and mRNA vaccines are associated with incidences of myocarditis, pericarditis, heart failure, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and thromboembolic events.
When the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic first arose, many governments guided citizens on how to reduce transmission. This advice commonly consisted of telling individuals to wash their hands, social distance, and wear masks. Providing proper ventilation was conspicuously missing from early advice, and while it is now more regularly recommended, this may have increased early transmission rates. Researchers have examined the implications of the increased airborne transmission from new variants.

Study: Increased airborne transmission of COVID-19 with new variants. Implications for health policies. Image Credit: Evgenia.B/Shutterstock

A preprint version of the study is available on the medRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review.

The study

The researchers determined that to build a probabilistic infection model, they needed to know the production rate of quanta by an infector, defined by per unit time and per infector. The production rate of quanta can be calculated using the viral load in respiratory fluid, the factor of proportionality between viral content and quanta, the pulmonary exhaled volume rate, size distribution of droplet concentration, and the microbiological characteristics of the variant.

The scientists proposed using different models of transmission for different situations. The homogeneous transmission model assumes no spatial gradient of risk in a space where both infected individuals and susceptible individuals evolve or stay in place. It essentially assumes that infectious molecules in the room are equally distributed. This model is appropriate for situations where ventilation is provided using methods designed to promote high jet induction, leading to a forced convection state. It can also happen when natural convection, individuals moving throughout the room, and doors opening and closing lead to a well-mixed room.

The second model of transmission is called inhomogeneous transmission and occurs when mechanical ventilation due to factors such as air conditioning leads to recirculation of the air. These models typically rely on computational fluid dynamic calculations of airflow stream, with micro-particle behavior estimated using various approaches.

Generally, when COVID-19 is transmitted between individuals at close range, the transmission is airborne. The closer to the expelled infectious particles a susceptible individual is, the higher the viral load they can receive, especially compared to the ambient indoor air. Distance is not the only key factor. However, the amount of time a susceptible individual is exposed to infectious particles in the air can also significantly affect the risk of infection. Generally, larger microdroplets are less worrying than smaller microdroplets, as they are only likely to pass on the infection at very small distances.

The researchers also examined the effects of different ventilation techniques and air quality on transmission. This is split into three rough categories.

General ventilation, where the whole volume of air is treated by introducing fresh air from outdoors  either naturally through voluntary vents, open windows, and doors, or ventilation networks throughout the building. Displacement ventilation is more suitable for larger polluted volumes of air. It generates a stratification of the environment by inducing natural convection using fresh air that is colder than the ambient air, which is introduced at a low velocity near the floor. Finally, there is personal ventilation, which is a local technique that treats the microclimate around an occupant in a fixed position. The scientists do not recommend a particular type of ventilation. Instead, they suggest that individuals select a specific type of ventilation that successfully keeps CO2 concentration below certain thresholds and is appropriate for their current situation.

The scientists then examine specific examples, including lecture rooms, school classrooms, and a restaurant. One lecture room, URL5, relied on air intake vents installed in window vents. These were very inefficient and regularly resulted in the CO 2 concentration rising above given thresholds.

The URL20, the second lecture room, was more modern and fitted with a dynamic two-way ventilation system. Even while off, the CO2 concentration was significantly lower than in URL5. The schoolroom examined has a low ventilation rate but not nearly enough to satisfy local regulations. The restaurant was exposed to the wind, which caused significant variation in ventilation values. The restaurant did not keep the CO 2 concentration below local regulations when there was no wind.

The conclusion

The authors highlight that ventilation is one of the most overlooked factors in reducing the rates of COVID-19 transmission. While many countries have updated their guidance and suggested maintaining sufficient airflow, and have started providing public buildings with new ventilation, this is not enough to prevent transmission.

They also point out that new variants are significantly more likely to be transmitted through airborne infection. They argue for new investment into ventilation methods to lower transmission further. This information could be valuable for healthcare workers and possibly inform public health policy.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A new ultra-rapid genome sequencing approach developed by Stanford Medicine scientists and their collaborators was used to diagnose rare genetic diseases in an average of eight hours  a feat that's nearly unheard of in standard clinical care.

"A few weeks is what most clinicians call 'rapid' when it comes to sequencing a patient's genome and returning results," said Euan Ashley, MB ChB, DPhil, professor of medicine, of genetics and of biomedical data science at Stanford.

Genome sequencing allows scientists to see a patient's complete DNA makeup, which contains information about everything from eye color to inherited diseases. Genome sequencing is vital for diagnosing patients with diseases rooted in their DNA: Once doctors know the specific genetic mutation, they can tailor treatments accordingly.

Now, a mega-sequencing approach devised by Ashley and his colleagues has redefined "rapid" for genetic diagnostics: Their fastest diagnosis was made in just over seven hours. Fast diagnoses mean patients may spend less time in critical care units, require fewer tests, recover more quickly and spend less on care. Notably, the faster sequencing does not sacrifice accuracy.

A paper describing the researchers' work published Jan. 12 in The New England Journal of Medicine. Ashley, associate dean of the Stanford School of Medicine and the Roger and Joelle Burnell Professor in Genomics and Precision Health, is the senior author of the paper. Postdoctoral scholar John Gorzynski, DVM, PhD, is the lead author.

Setting out to set a record

Over the span of less than six months, the team enrolled and sequenced the genomes of 12 patients, five of whom received a genetic diagnosis from the sequencing information in about the time it takes to round out a day at the office. (Not all ailments are genetically based, which is likely the reason some of the patients did not receive a diagnosis after their sequencing information was returned, Ashley said.) The team's diagnostic rate, roughly 42%, is about 12% higher than the average rate for diagnosing mystery diseases.

In one of the cases, it took a snappy 5 hours and 2 minutes to sequence a patient's genome, which set the first Guinness World Records title for fastest DNA sequencing technique. The record was certified by the National Institute of Science and Technology's Genome in a Bottle group and is documented by Guinness World Records.

It was just one of those amazing moments where the right people suddenly came together to achieve something amazing. It really felt like we were approaching a new frontier. Euan Ashley, MB ChB, DPhil, Professor, Medicine of Genetics and Biomedical Data Science, Stanford Medicine

The time it took to sequence and diagnose that case was 7 hours and 18 minutes, which, to Ashleys knowledge, is about twice as fast as the previous record for a genome sequencing-based diagnosis (14 hours) held by the Rady Childrens Institute. Fourteen hours is still an impressively quick turnaround, Ashley said. Stanford scientists plan to offer a sub-10-hour turnaround to patients in intensive care units at Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford  and, eventually, to other hospitals.

Speeding up

To achieve super-fast sequencing speeds, the researchers needed new hardware. So Ashley contacted colleagues at Oxford Nanopore Technologies who had built a machine composed of 48 sequencing units known as flow cells. The idea was to sequence just one persons genome using all flow cells simultaneously. The mega-machine approach was a success  almost too much. Genomic data overwhelmed the labs computational systems.

We werent able to process the data fast enough, Ashley said. We had to completely rethink and revamp our data pipelines and storage systems. Graduate student Sneha Goenka found a way to funnel the data straight to a cloud-based storage system where computational power could be amplified enough to sift through the data in real time. Algorithms then independently scanned the incoming genetic code for errors that might cause disease, and, in the final step, the scientists conducted a comparison of the patients gene variants against publicly documented variants known to cause disease.

From start to finish, the team sought to hasten every aspect of sequencing a patients genome. Researchers literally ran samples by foot to the lab, new machines were rigged to support simultaneous genome sequencing, and computing power was escalated to efficiently crunch massive datasets. Now, the team is optimizing its system to reduce the time even further. I think we can halve it again, Ashley said. If were able to do that, were talking about being able to get an answer before the end of a hospital ward round. Thats a dramatic jump.

Long-read sequencing

Perhaps the most important feature of the diagnostic approachs ability to quickly spot suspicious fragments of DNA is its use of something called long-read sequencing. Traditional genome-sequencing techniques chop the genome into small bits, spell out the exact order of the DNA base pairs in each chunk, then piece the whole thing back together using a standard human genome as a reference. But that approach doesnt always capture the entirety of our genome, and the information it provides can sometimes omit variations in genes that point to a diagnosis. Long-read sequencing preserves long stretches of DNA composed of tens of thousands of base pairs, providing similar accuracy and more detail for scientists scouring the sequence for errors.

Mutations that occur over a large chunk of the genome are easier to detect using long-read sequencing. There are variants that would be almost impossible to detect without some kind of long-read approach, Ashley said. Its also much faster: That was one of the big reasons we went for this approach.

Only recently have companies and researchers honed the accuracy of the long-read approach enough to rely on it for diagnostics. That and a drop from its once-hefty price tag created an opportunity for Ashleys team. To his knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of this type of long-read sequencing as a staple of diagnostic medicine.

During the study, Ashleys team offered the accelerated genome sequencing technique to undiagnosed patients in Stanford hospitals intensive care units. They provided established standard of care testing to the study patients along with the experimental rapid gene sequencing, with which they sought answers to two important questions: Are genetics to blame for the patients ailment? If so, what specific DNA errors are stirring up trouble?

Heart mystery

Those were the key questions in the case of Matthew Kunzman of Oregon. About a year ago, when Matthew was 13, an irksome cough and high fever landed him at a local doctors office. We thought it was the flu, or maybe COVID, said Jenny Kunzman, Matthews mother. It turned out the cough was the first sign of a heart condition known as myocarditis  inflammation of the heart  that makes it hard for the organ to pump blood to the rest of the body. Subsequent tests at Matthews local hospital revealed a dire situation: His heart was failing. His doctor recommended the family fly immediately to Stanford Hospital for care.

Hours later, Matthew and his father, Matthew Kunzman, Sr., arrived at Stanford Hospital. Jenny Kunzman arrived a day later and found that her son's condition had worsened. Matthew was on life support.

There are two reasons a mostly healthy 13-year-old experiences this kind of heart failure, Ashley said. One is known as myocarditis, and it happens when immune cells swarm the heart, often triggered by a virus or some other bodily stress. The other is a genetic cause, a mutation in a gene involved in heart function.

Knowing the difference, Ashley said, is crucial. Myocarditis is often reversible, he said. With treatment, the heart can go back to normal. But a genetic condition is not. If Matthews condition was genetic, likely the only solution would be a heart transplant.

Gorzynski approached Matthews parents, explaining the rapid sequencing research, and asked if they would like to enroll the boy in the study. They told us theres this brand-new research that they were working on to try to speed up the process of diagnosis, Jenny Kunzman said. They asked if we would be willing to participate, and we said, Absolutely. We wanted as much information as possible to try and figure out what the cause was.

With a few milliliters of Matthews blood, the team began the rapid-genetic-sequencing process. In a matter of hours, sequencing data showed the condition was rooted in genetics, Ashley said.

Armed with that information, Matthew was immediately put on a heart transplant list. Twenty-one days later, he received a new heart; today, about a year later, his mom says hes doing exceptionally well.

Suspicious seizures

In another case, a 3-month-old patient came to Stanfords pediatric emergency department with unexplained seizures. It was clear the infant was suffering from a form of epilepsy, but exactly what was causing the symptoms was unknown.

The researchers sequenced the patients genome, running the data through mutation-detecting algorithms and cross-referencing public genomic and disease data. They simultaneously requested standard clinical diagnostic testing for blood biomarkers associated with seizures of genetic origin. Just over eight hours later, thanks to the rapid sequencing data, the team had their answer: The young patients convulsions were due to a mutation in a gene called CSNK2B.

"In a matter of hours, sequencing data showed the condition was rooted in genetics".

If the team had relied only on the standard testing, no diagnosis would have been made at the time, though its likely that further tests would have surfaced the correct diagnosis for the patient eventually, Ashley said. We would have been in the dark for many weeks, he said.

Standard tests screen a patients blood for markers associated with disease, but they scan for only a handful of well-documented genes. Commercial labs, which often run these tests, are slow to update the molecules for which they screen, meaning it can take a long time before newly discovered disease-causing mutations are integrated into the test. And that can lead to missed diagnoses.

That's why rapid genome sequencing could be such a game-changer for patients ailing from rare genetic diseases, Ashley said. Scientists can scan a patient's entire genome for all gene variants suggested by the scientific literature, even if that variant was discovered only the day before. Furthermore, if a patient doesn't initally receive a genetic diagnosis, there's still hope that scientists will find a new gene variant linked to the patient's disease down the line.

Interest from other clinicians is already starting to pour in. I know people at Stanford have heard we can make a genetic diagnosis in a few hours, and theyre excited about it, Ashley said. Genetic tests just arent thought of as tests that come back quickly. But were changing that perception."
The B.1.1.529 variant, also known as Omicron, was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa in November 2021.

Omicron is speculated to escape passive immune therapy of COVID-19 by convalescent plasma (CCP). Additionally, this variant exhibits a higher reinfection rate.

The study

A new study published in the medRxiv* preprint server assessed the neutralization capacity of sera from convalescentssome even vaccinatedagainst the Wuhan (D614G), Delta and Omicron variants.

The primary objective was to find out if superimmunized individuals, i.e. vaccinated convalescents, had cross-neutralization capacity against Omicron  sufficient to be considered as plasma donors for passive immune therapy.

Here, serum samples were extracted from individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection  with or without SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Analysis was done through two commercially available assays according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Study approval was granted by the Ethical Committee of University of Ulm and Ethical Committee II, Heidelberg University.

Findings

The study cohort comprised 66 individuals with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The group without vaccination contained 29 and that with vaccination harbored 37 participants.

The results revealed that non-vaccinated individuals with a history of infection exhibited Wuhan D614G neutralizing titers of 249, whereas neutralization of Delta and Omicron was undetectable (i.e. below a titer of 20) in 13.8% and 65.5% of convalescent individuals. On the other hand, convalescents who had received at least one vaccination dose had significantly higher neutralizing titers compared to non-vaccinated convalescents.

Of note, neutralizing titers against Wuhan D614G and Omicron did not significantly differ in convalescents after vaccination. Moreover, for all three variants of concern (VOCs), neutralizing titers were not significantly different between subjects who received either one or two vaccination doses. Meanwhile, neutralizing titers against Wuhan D614G and Delta were significantly higher among participants with an interval  90 days since the last vaccination dose as compared to those with intervals >90 days. However, for Omicron no such significant difference was found.

In addition, the correlation matrix of 50% neutralization titer (NT50) against Wuhan D614G, Delta and Omicron revealed good correlations between all five assays, in particular between the two anti-SARS-CoV-2 serological assays and the NT50 against Wuhan D614G and Delta. While the Spearman correlation between anti-SARS-CoV-2-QuantiVac-ELISA (IgG) and NT50 against Omicron or Delta was 0.88 and 0.94. The Spearman correlation between Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S and NT50 against Omicron and Delta was 0.92 and 0.90.

Conclusion

The results were consistent with other studies which demonstrated significant immune evasion by Omicron. Hence, concerns regarding the inefficacy of antibody therapies against this VOC lingers. The findings portray in vitro resistance of Omicron to several monoclonal antibodies used clinically. Also, sera of convalescents from the first and second waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are no longer effective against the Delta and Omicron VOCs. Nevertheless, in convalescents just one dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination can restore in vitro neutralization potential against Delta and Omicron.

Thus, even without adaption of currently available vaccines, the broader immune repertoire in superimmunized individuals can cover novel variants, more so in the first three months after vaccinationassociated with the highest neutralizing titers.

It was stated that systematic screening of convalescent, vaccinated donors using commercially available high-throughput serological assays can identify plasma donors with very high SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations, who also have very high in vitro neutralizing titers against Wuhan D614G, Delta and Omicron.

Hence, for future convalescent plasma programs, superimmunized donors with previous infection plus at least one dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (preferably within the last 3 months) must be chosen as donors. These individuals harbor very high SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations.

Meanwhile, the concept of early, very high titer CCP from curated superimmunized donors must be investigated in clinical trials.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A collaborative study by the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, the University of Hong Kong and the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, United Christian Hospital

Background

Eczema, asthma, and rhinitis are three of the most common paediatric allergic diseases. Beyond persistent hallmark symptoms such as scratching, wheezing, and sneezing, allergic diseases impose a burden on the psychological aspects of life in both children and parents. As a result, as initiated by the Dr. Celia Hoi Yan Chan, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Dr. David Luk, Dr. James Cheng and the pediatricians of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of United Christian Hospital (UCH), a population-based International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) assessment was conducted in 2021, whereby over 2,200 schoolchildren and 1,800 parents were surveyed on the prevalence of allergic diseases and its mental health impact in Hong Kong.

The latest prevalence study of allergic diseases among Hong Kong primary and secondary schoolchildren after 18 years and 25 years respectively

-Although an increasing trend in the prevalence of eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis in children has been observed, updated prevalence rates from ISAAC studies are not available since 2004 for primary and 1997 for secondary schoolchildren in Hong Kong.

-As stated in the ISAAC protocol, target participants of ISAAC studies are a random sample of 6-7- and 13-14-year-olds. To obtain a representative sample, ISAAC recommends 3,000 participants from a minimum of 10 schools to be recruited for each age group.

- In light of the requirement, schools were randomly selected from each district during the first two rounds of recruitment. In each round, 14 primary and 14 secondary schools were invited to participate in the study.

-Due to low participation rates, a third round of recruitment was conducted. Nearly 900 invitation letters were sent to schools. Schools were also recruited from personal network. Physical copies of the questionnaires were sent to existing participating schools.

-Children and parents were invited to fill out questionnaires on the prevalence and severity of the allergic diseases, as well as psychosocial functioning of children and their parent caregivers.

Prevalence of allergic diseases among Hong Kong primary and secondary schoolchildren in 2022

1.High Prevalence of Eczema and Rhinitis as compared with international data

-Compared with international prevalence data on allergic diseases in 2013, eczema and rhinitis in the past year in Hong Kong primary schoolchildren were reported to be higher than those who resided in the Asia-Pacific region and most Western regions. Similarly, rhinitis in the past year in Hong Kong secondary schoolchildren were also higher than those reported in other regions of the world.

2. Huge increase of prevalence of Eczema and Rhinitis among primary schoolchildren since 2004

-From February to July 2021, primary one and two students from 19 primary schools and their parents had completed an online questionnaire. In total, self-reported data from 1,165 parent-child dyads were analyzed. The mean age of schoolchildren was 7.03 and 62% of schoolchildren were male.

-In the current study, the prevalence rates for eczema, asthma, rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis are 41.6%, 5.5%, 59.4% and 46.1% respectively.

-Compared with the last Hong Kong ISAAC in 2004, the prevalence of eczema, rhinitis and allergic rhinitis have largely increased. On the other hand, the prevalence rate of asthma has seen a minor drop.

-When primary one and two respondents were asked whether they had experienced symptoms of allergic diseases in the past year, 16.3% had experienced chronic rash (eczema), 6.2% had experienced wheezing (asthma) and 54.4% had experienced rhinitis.

-Male respondents were significantly more likely to experience wheezing in the past year, rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis than female respondents.

3. Rhinitis is the most prevalent allergic diseases among secondary schoolchildren between 1997 and 2022

-Form Two and Three students from 25 secondary schools and their parents had completed the online questionnaire. In total, self-reported data from 1,083 secondary school students and 636 parents were analyzed. The mean age of schoolchildren was 14.09 and 57% of schoolchildren were female.

-In the current study, the prevalence rates for eczema, asthma, rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis are 26.5%, 6.1%, 62.0% and 47.4% respectively, in which rhinitis is the most prevalent allergic diseases among the Form Two and Three respondents.

-Compared with the last Hong Kong ISAAC study in 1997, the prevalence rate of eczema and rhinitis has substantially increased, but the prevalence of asthma has decreased.

-In the current study, 10.4% of Form Two and Three students have experienced chronic rash (eczema), 5.0% have experienced wheezing (asthma) and 55.0% have experienced rhinitis.

-Male respondents were more frequently diagnosed with asthma than teenage females.

4. Possible causes behind the change of prevalence of allergic diseases for primary and secondary Schoolchildren

-A combination of environmental factors, such as the increased uptake of processed and high calorie foods, rising prevalence of obesity and climate changes; exacerbated by COVID-19 related factors, such COVID-19 related stress and changes in outdoor physical activities account for the increasing prevalence of eczema.

-Diagnostic shifts, changes in respiratory risk factors and behavior due to COVID-19 are possible explanations for the changes in prevalence of rhinitis and asthma.

The challenge of rendering psychosocial support for children with allergic diseases (See Appendix II, Table 2 and 3)

-Results indicated children with more severe eczema reported diminished levels of physical, emotional, social, and psychosocial functioning.

-More severe allergic rhinitis in children were associated with higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as lower levels of efficacy and sense of competence in parents. In other words, parents were more likely to feel stressed, anxious, depressed, and incompetent if their children had more severe allergic rhinitis.

-Previous research indicated that parents of children with eczema reported higher levels of stress and depression, as well as greater sleep disturbances. Given the highly fluctuating and unpredictable nature of eczema, constantly attending to, and worrying about the symptoms of the disease is a physical and mental challenge for parents of children with eczema.

"Seeing the Invisible" - Eczema management parent-child education program

-As initiated by the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and in collaboration with the Boy's and Girl's Clubs Association of Hong Kong (BGCA), "Seeing the Invisible" - Eczema Management Parent-child Education Program will be launched in February with the aim to strengthen parents' knowledge of eczema and its management techniques, and to improve the quality of life of children with eczema and their parents (see Appendix IV for more details).
In a recent article published in the Nature Medicine journal, researchers explored the inequities in understanding and addressing the neurological complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among marginalized communities in the United States (US).

COVID-19 and its neurological consequences particularly burden marginalized communities, and so can only be effectively treated by advancing health equity."

Background

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started, there have been more than 328 million severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases and over 5.54 million COVID-associated deaths worldwide.

COVID-19 and its neurological complications particularly burden communities confined to the lower or peripheral edge of the society due to the disparities in healthcare systems.

For instance, in the US, the Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities were two to three times more at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, and deaths than the rest of the population.

Thus, advancement in health equity is necessary for the effective treatment of post-acute neurological consequences of COVID-19.

Neurological outcomes

Nearly 35-85% of patients experience COVID-19-associated neurological problems in the acute and subacute phases of the disease. The acute neurological consequences include delirium, cerebrovascular disease, encephalopathy, neuropathy, and seizures.

Further, certain complications such as abnormal movements, syncope, autonomic dysfunction, and psychomotor agitation have less frequently been reported post-COVID. Some small retrospective studies have documented post-COVID acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis, acute necrotizing encephalopathy; however, sufficient information regarding their prevalence is not available.

An online survey with a large number of American and European respondents reported that a substantial proportion of the study population experienced COVID-19 endorsed neurological problems, including memory disturbances, post-exertional malaise, and insomnia for about three to six months post-diagnosis.

Almost 30% of those between 30-59 years had cognitive deficits that led to lower productivity at work. While some of the study population reported a gradual improvement in the neurological symptoms, others experienced a disturbing pattern of relapse and remittance triggered by factors like mental exertion, physical activity, and menstruation.

Non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients experienced post-COVID neurological symptoms for about three to nine months from their diagnosed date, many aged 65 years or younger.

Lack of representative studies

Most COVID-19 research works include SARS-CoV-2 patients based on a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result rather than those diagnosed based on COVID-19 symptoms or antibody responses.

The majority of the studies collected data from electronic health records, online surveys, and these studies mainly exist in the English language. Studies employing in-person clinical evaluation, and beyond the geographical regions of Europe and the US are rare. Even within American and European studies, the marginalized communities are underrepresented despite their higher burden of COVID-19.

A retrospective study of individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and stroke from the US and Canada demonstrated poor access of the Black patients for stroke treatments resulting in two times increased risk of mortality among black patients than other races.

Another American retrospective study among hospitalized COVID-19 patients indicated that treatment at non-academic hospitals was associated with two times higher risk of 30-day mortality and poor functional outcomes, despite the severity or comorbidity status.

According to a survey of COVID-19-infected patients discharged from 38 Michigan hospitals, nearly 60% of Blacks and 5% of Latinos received no follow-up care within 60 days of discharge. Most of them lacked health insurance and had moderate to severe financial effects.

Another study from San Francisco and Denver reported that Latinos were discharged after treatment of acute-COVID-19 without follow-up treatments since they were not medically insured.

Community-centered approach

The recognition and addressing of underrepresented communities with the highest burden of COVID-19 are essential for the efficient application of a multi-level public health policy to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the neurology community should implement effective measures to dismantle structural racism, eventually lowering the debilitating neurological burdens of COVID-19.

Enhancing the access of people of color and economically backward populations to trusted messengers who can educate them about the importance of neurological health and effective public health interventions can significantly decrease the risk of COVID-19.

The screening facilities in the safety-net hospitals, resource-limited clinical settings, and community-based health centers should be well equipped to offer an expansive screening for neurological problems. Moreover, the implementation of telehealth-assisted neurological services and the practice of referral to other medical institutions with higher-level care when required are also necessary for these facilities.

Increasing access to neurology clinicians along with high-quality diagnostic modalities like electromyography, brain imaging, and sleep studies will be impactful in controlling COVID-19-associated neurological sequelae.

Moreover, access to diagnostics coupled with therapeutics like vaccines, thrombolysis, monoclonal antibodies, rehabilitation services, novel oral antiviral drugs molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir, and ritonavir will be life-changing in COVID-19 severity as well as post-COVID neurological manifestations. Marginalized communities face a complex web of structural barriers in access to vaccination, given that vaccines are significant in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated long-term neurological consequences.

Universal healthcare

In most circumstances, uninsured individuals will not get appropriate healthcare services. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested the implementation of universal healthcare to provide access to healthcare services to all people without financial concerns and should be encouraged by the neurology community since it presents an opportunity to learn more about various neurological disorders.

The nations where universal healthcare has not been implemented have an immediate need for medical care in COVID-19 patients, especially among economically backward citizens. Even though the government had allocated funds for COVID-19 testing and vaccination in the US, the long-term post-COVID follow-up treatments are not covered.

Conclusions

Many of thethe Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities in the US are employed as essential workers and experienced low income, lack of paid leave, limited access to personal protective equipment, resulting in disproportionate impact from COVID-19 and associated neurological sequelae in this population.

Patient-centered studies analyzing acute and post-acute neurological manifestations of COVID-19 require the dismantling of structural racism suffered by marginalized communities, which was prevalent even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The achievement of health justice in and beyond neurology increases access to standard neurological evaluations, therapeutic management, and research opportunities, and also helps deliver neurological care beyond this pandemic.
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
(Newser)  Update: The man accused of killing three people and wounding three others in an April shooting at a bar in Wisconsin was found guilty on all charges Tuesday, the AP reports. The jury came back with the verdict in less than two hours, including a break for pizza, after the closing arguments in the trial of Rakayo Vinson, 25, who was charged in the deaths of 24-year-old Cedric Gaston; 26-year-old Atkeem Stevenson; and 22-year-old Kevin Donaldson, all of Kenosha. Authorities said Vinson and Donaldson exchanged punches earlier in the evening at the Somers House Tavern in the village of Somers. Surveillance video later shows Vinson walking to the patio of the bar and opening fire before fleeing. Vinson was convicted of three counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Each count carries a mandatory life prison sentence. A sentencing hearing is set for March 28. Our original story from April 19, 2021, follows:

Authorities say they have apprehended a person in connection with a shooting at a busy tavern in southeastern Wisconsin early Sunday that left three men dead and three men injured, the AP reports. Kenosha County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt. David Wright said the suspect is facing a charge of first-degree intentional homicide, with additional criminal charges likely after further investigation. Authorities said earlier they weren't sure if there was more than one shooter. There is no threat to the community at this time, Wright said in a release. He said no further information on the suspect would be released Sunday. Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said earlier a suspect was asked to leave the Somers House Tavern in Kenosha County but returned and opened fire. Beth said shots were fired inside and outside the bar, which he described as very busy at the time.

He said he believed at least one handgun was used. Officials originally said two people were injured but said they were checking with hospitals for people who may have been hurt in the shooting. Wright said in the updated release that authorities believe there is one possible unknown shooting victim. Beth said two people died at the scene. The third person hopped in a car with two other people, who moments later flagged down a police vehicle. The officer drove the victim to a hospital where that person was pronounced dead, Beth said. Wright called it a complex investigation that involves several crime scenes. Detectives have followed up on multiple leads and gathered surveillance video evidence during extensive neighborhood canvasses, he said.

(Read more Wisconsin stories.)
(Newser)  Update: The man pardoned by Kentucky's former governor for a 2014 murder is going back to prison for 42 years for the same murder. Patrick Baker, who was prosecuted the second time in federal court under the "dual sovereignty doctrine" since his first conviction was in state court, was sentenced Tuesday. The 43-year-old had faced a maximum of life behind bars. He'll be credited 30 months for time served on the prior conviction, the AP reports. Our original story from Aug. 26, 2021, follows:

A man pardoned by Kentucky's former governor for a 2014 drug robbery killing has been convicted for the same slaying in federal court after a two-week trial. Federal prosecutors brought charges against Patrick Baker after he was released from prison when former Gov. Matt Bevin pardoned him on his way out of office in 2019. Baker's family had political connections to Bevin, including hosting a fundraiser for the one-term Republican governor. A federal jury in eastern Kentucky convicted Baker Wednesday on a charge of murder committed during a drug trafficking crime, the AP reports. Prosecutors said Baker killed Donald Mills, a drug dealer in Knox County, in 2014 while trying to rob Mills of cash and pain pills. Baker posed as a US Marshal during the crime.

US District Judge Claria Horn Boom will sentence Baker, 43, on Dec. 21. Prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty, but Baker could serve life in prison on the conviction. Baker was convicted of reckless homicide in state court in 2017. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison, but Bevin's pardon released him and erased the conviction. Federal prosecutors said Baker was prosecuted the second time under the dual sovereignty doctrine, which allows state and federal officials to prosecute the same defendant for the same actions without infringing on double jeopardy protections. Bakers lawyer, Louisville attorney Steve Romines, said he would appeal.

(Read more Kentucky stories.)
(Newser)  The lead plaintiff in the case that legalized gay marriage nationwide is planning to follow up Obergefell v. Hodges with Obergefell v. Swearingen in a run for office in Ohio. Jim Obergefell, described by USA Today as having "rock star status in LGBTQ communities," confirmed Tuesday that he is running for a seat in the Ohio legislature. He plans to run as a Democrat in the state's 89th House District, challenging Republican Rep. DJ Swearingen. The former Cleveland resident moved back to his hometown, Sandusky, from Washington, DC last year, reports the Sandusky Register.

Obergefell's road to a place in history books started in 2013, when his partner, John Arthur, was dying of Lou Gehrig's disease and they decided to get married in Maryland because same-sex marriage wasn't allowed in Ohio. After Arthur's death three months later, Obergefell sued the state for refusing to list him as the surviving spouse on the death certificate Richard Hodges, then director of the Ohio Department of Public Health, was named as the lead respondent. The case was consolidated with three other lawsuits and in 2015, a 5-4 Supreme Court decision required all 50 states to recognize same-sex marriages. "I'm not afraid of being the underdog," Obergefell says in a video announcing his candidacy.

Obergefell tells the Washington Post it was the move back to Sandusky to be near family that inspired him to run for office. "For people who want to do the right things, who are dedicated to public service for the right reasons, I just feel like its time for us to stand up and to run for office and to do what we can to make things better for everyone," he says. Obergefell says the landmark lawsuit taught him that Americans "are a lot more alike than we are different" and he plans to work for everyone in the district, regardless of party. "You never know where you're going to connect with someone, where you're going to find common ground," says Obergefell, who became friends with Hodges after the case. (Read more Ohio stories.)
(Newser)  Update: The House Jan. 6 committee has subpoenaed and obtained phone records linked to Eric Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancee, sources tell CNN. The network calls it a "significant escalation" of the probe as it relates to former President Trump's role in the attack, and says it appears to be the first time the committee has subpoenaed a member of the Trump family. The records will only show the committee the date, time, and length of incoming and outgoing calls and a log of text messages, but not the content of the messages. Our earlier story from Tuesday follows:

The House panel investigating the Capitol riot wants to speak to the legal team that pushed Donald Trump's election fraud claims before, during, and after the attack. The House Select Committee has subpoenaed Rudy Giuliani and fellow Trump lawyers Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and Boris Epshteyn, the New York Times reports. "The four individuals weve subpoenaed today advanced unsupported theories about election fraud, pushed efforts to overturn the election results, or were in direct contact with the former President about attempts to stop the counting of electoral votes, panel chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson said Tuesday, per Politico.

Giuliani, Trump's personal attorney, called for "trial by combat" when he addressed Trump supporters before the rally, and called lawmakers later on Jan. 6 to try to persuade them to delay certifying President Biden's election win, the Times notes. Ellis wrote memos arguing that Mike Pence had the power to prevent Biden's win from being certified while Powell, who is being sued for $1.3 billion by Dominion Voting Systems, claimed the company's machines had shifted votes from Trump to Biden and filed numerous lawsuits trying to overturn the election results. The House panel said Epshteyn discussed delaying the certification of election results in a call with Trump early on Jan. 6.

Giuliani and Epshteyn were among the Trump advisers who met at a "command center" in a Washington, DC hotel to coordinate efforts to overturn the results, the Washington Post reports. The House panel asked all four lawyers to provide documents by Feb. 1 and to appear for a deposition Feb. 8, reports Politico. In a statement to the Post, Giuliani lawyer Robert Costello called the subpoena "just more political theater from the committee." "It should be obvious, even to a non-lawyer like Bennie Thompson, that besides executive privilege we have attorney-client privilege," he said. (Read more Capitol riot stories.)
(Newser)  A US woman was fatally shot during a hunting trip in Africa in 2016and now, more than five years later, her husband stands charged with her murder. Lawrence Rudolph, a dentist who practiced in Pennsylvania and also lived in Arizona, was arrested in late December and this month pleaded not guilty in federal court, the New York Times reports. Rudolph told authorities that his wife, Bianca, was packing away her 12-gauge shotgun in Zambia on the morning of Oct. 11, 2016, when it went off accidentally, hitting her on the left side of her chest. But the FBI and US consular officials ultimately found she'd been shot from 6.5 to 8 feet away, making it unlikely she'd been holding the gun when it discharged. It would also have been difficult for the 5'4" woman to shoot herself with a 3.7-foot-long gun, they said.

Also creating suspicion was the fact that Rudolph worked to have her body quickly cremated because, he claimed, it would be difficult to have it flown to the US. That seemed strange because he had "frequently" gone through the "cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming" process of having animals killed during his hunting trips to be brought to the USand also because a friend of Bianca Rudolph's contacted the FBI after her death to say that as a staunch Catholic, the woman would likely not have wanted to be cremated. And then there was Rudolph's personal life.

The now-67-year-old was involved in a years-long affair with the manager of his dental practice when his wife of 34 years died, and had also adjusted the life insurance policies for his wife that year. Within months of his wife's death, he'd collected almost $4.9 million in life insurance from seven different insurance companies, and his girlfriend had moved into the Arizona home where the Rudolphs had moved a few years prior. But his lawyers tell CBS Pittsburgh Rudolph had no financial motive to kill his wife because they had a prenuptial agreement and he would not have been out much money in the event of a divorce. His dental practice, they add, is valued at nearly $8 million. Rudolph is currently being held without bail, but his lawyer has filed to have him released as he awaits trial, NBC News reports. (Read more murder stories.)
(Newser)  Update: Publication of a book that received worldwide attention when it was released this month has been suspended, and the publisher has apologized for The Betrayal of Anne Frank. Historians and researchers had immediately questioned its main findingthat Arnold van den Bergh had turned in Anne Frank and her family to Nazi officialsand the Dutch publisher now says it should have taken a more critical approach. Printing will cease while the doubts are addressed, the Guardian reports. A decision then will be made about another printing. "We offer our sincere apologies to anyone who might feel offended by the book," the publisher said, per the BBC. Our original story from Jan. 19 follows:

A book released Tuesday revealed a bombshell allegation: The man who betrayed Anne Frank's family during the Holocaust, according to two dozen researchers who investigated the case for years, was fellow Jew Arnold van den Bergh, who was aiming to keep himself and his family out of the Nazi concentration camps. But the same day the book was released, experts were casting doubt on its claims, the New York Times reports. One author of a book on Anne Frank notes that van den Bergh has long been considered a possible suspect, but notes that he could not find any evidence he was involved.

Other scholars agree the evidence is too thin and, as one says, "full of errors," for the book to make the claims it does; one of those is the executive director of the Anne Frank House, who says the museum will present the findings only as one of several theories. According to the book, van den Bergh got a list of Jews in hiding from the Amsterdam Jewish Council, a Nazi-established organization meant to control the Jewish population on whose board van den Bergh once sat. But the experts say there is no evidence such a list existed, and that it also doesn't make sense: "Why would the people in hiding provide the Jewish Council with their addresses?" says a researcher who is an expert on the Council.

Others point out there have long been misconceptions about the Council, and argue that as such, the book should not put so much weight on it. Pieter van Twisk, who assembled the researchers behind the book, acknowledges no actual list was found, but says several sources "mention the existence of the lists." Another big point of the scholars calling out the book is that it adds to "Holocaust inversion," in which people would rather blame Jews for some of the Holocaust's atrocities than look at what actually happened. (See the Times' full story for more.)
(Newser)  AT&T and Verizon will delay launching new wireless service near key airports after the nations largest airlines said the service would interfere with aircraft technology and cause widespread flight disruptions, the AP reports. The decision from the companies came Tuesday as the Biden administration intervened to broker a settlement between the telecoms and airlines over a rollout of new 5G service. The companies said they will launch 5G or fifth-generation service Wednesday, but they will delay turning on 5G cell towers within a 2-mile radius of runways designated by federal officials. They did not say how long they would keep those towers idle. The showdown between the airline and telecom industries and their rival regulatorsthe FAA and the Federal Communications Commissionis a crisis years in the making.

President Joe Biden said the decision by AT&T and Verizon will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled. He said the administration will keep working on a permanent solution. Even with the concession by the telecommunications companies, federal officials said there could be some cancellations and delays because of limitations of equipment on certain planes. Delta Air Lines also said there could be issues with flights operating in bad weather because of airport restrictions that regulators issued last week, when the 5G rollout appeared to be on schedule. The airlines and the FAA say that they have long tried to raise alarms about potential interference from 5G C-Band but the FCC ignored them.

The new high-speed wireless service uses a segment of the radio spectrum that is close to that used by altimeters, which are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground. Altimeters are used to help pilots land when visibility is poor, and they link to other systems on planes. AT&T and Verizon say their equipment will not interfere with aircraft electronics, and that the technology is being safely used in 40 other countries. However, the CEOs of 10 passenger and cargo airlines including American, Delta, United and Southwest say that 5G will be more disruptive than earlier thought. That is because dozens of large airports were subject to flight restrictions announced last week by the Federal Aviation Administration if 5G service was deployed nearby. The CEOs added that those restrictions wouldn't be limited to times when visibility is poor. (More here, including a possible solution.)
(Newser)  Andre Leon Talley, the towering former creative director and editor-at-large of Vogue magazine, has died. He was 73, reports the AP. Talleys literary agent David Vigliano confirmed Talleys death to USA Today late Tuesday, but no additional details were immediately available. Talley was an influential fashion journalist who worked at Women's Wear Daily and Vogue and was a regular in the front row of fashion shows in New York and Europe. At 6-feet-6 inches tall, Talley cut an imposing figure wherever he went, with his stature, his considerable influence on the fashion world, and his bold looks.

In a 2013 Vanity Fair spread titled "The Eyeful Tower," Talley was described as "perhaps the industrys most important link to the past." Designer Tom Ford told the magazine Talley was "one of the last great fashion editors who has an incredible sense of fashion history.  He can see through everything you do to the original reference, predict what was on your inspiration board." Designer Diane von Furstenberg praised Talley on Instagram, writing: "no one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did  no one was grander and more soulful than you were."

In his 2003 memoir, A.L.T.: A Memoir, Talley focused on two of the most important women in his life: his maternal grandmother, Bennie Frances Davis and the late fashion editor Diana Vreeland. His relationship with Vogue started at Duke University, where his grandmother cleaned dorms; Talley would walk to campus in his youth to read the magazine. Raised in Durham, North Carolina, Talley worked assorted jobs before arriving in New York in the 1970s, soon meeting Vreeland and striking up a friendship that lasted until her death in 1989. Talley was hired at Vogue in 1983 by Editor in Chief Anna Wintour and was appointed its creative director in 1988.

(Read more obituary stories.)
MBABANE  Exceptional!

This best describes the performance by Enjabulweni Independent Examinations Board (IEB) learners who out did themselves, scooping a 100 per cent pass rate. Being true victims of COVID-19, the Grade XII pupils and teachers showed tremendous resilience by continuing to advance their academics. Head of Enjabulweni Mathew Kamota said they had improved the Bachelors Degree pass rate from 83 per cent in 2020 to 90 per cent for last years cohort. Kamota stated that since Grade XI, pupils had disrupted learning due to the COVID-19 waves and in 2021, there was the added pressure caused by the unrest and school closures. Through all of this, he said their learners and teachers showed tremendous resilience by continuing to advance their academics.

Results

This group had true grit and the results are proof that online teaching and learning is working at Enjabulweni. The use of technology has been an amazing part of what we stood for as a school and will continue to be a major part of our education, said Kamota. He added that four learners achieved Diploma passes and one obtained a Higher Certificate pass. This, he said, was a splendid performance for not only the school but Eswatini as a whole. Kamota stated that outstanding gains had been made in the teaching of Mathematics at the school with 10 out of the 22 Maths learners getting distinctions, marks from 80 per cent to 94 per cent, with the rest being learners with marks above 50 per cent. He said the Advanced Programme Mathematics had four distinctions out of nine learners.

Thanked

Kamota thanked parents for trusting them as they navigated through online learning and all its intricate demands, which at times seemed unnecessary but ultimately enabled them to give learners the tools they needed to excel in their examinations.

Furthermore, he thanked the teachers for the late nights that they endured preparing for the online lessons, the teaching, re-teaching, remedial lessons and the marking of work. All the dedication of this amazing team of professionals has paid off with increases in quality passes across the majority of the subjects, said the schools head. He sent gratitude towards the Board of Governors of the school who served for no remuneration and always demonstrated their love for the school, children, parents and other members of the Enjabulweni community. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IEB Board Anne Oberholzer said the class of 2021 had to dig deep mentally and emotionally to find the strength to face the tremendous challenges of a radically changed teaching and learning environment of the last two years. As with an iceberg, the achievement we see in the class of 2021, hides the depth of the struggle and effort that underpins this success. These Grade XII learners were the true victims of COVID-19, Oberholzer said.
(Newser)  Update: Police say a man suspected of fatally stabbing a young woman in a Los Angeles furniture store last week is now in custody. The LAPD says 31-year-old Shawn Laval Smith was arrested in Pasadena on Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Times. The arrest follows a manhunt and the offer of a $250,000 reward. A law enforcement source tells Fox that Smith was arrested after a pedestrian saw him sitting on a park bench and called 911. The LAPD released video Tuesday of the suspect in a 7-Eleven store around 30 minutes after Brianna Kupfer, 24, was stabbed to death while working alone in the Croft House store. Our original story from Wednesday follows:

A $250,000 reward is up for grabs for anyone with information leading to the arrest and prosecution of a suspect accused of fatally stabbing a Los Angeles store employee in a brazen, apparently random attack. Brianna Kupfer, 24, was alone at the Croft House furniture store in Hancock Park on Thursday when she was attacked by a man police have identified as Shawn Laval Smith, 31, per the Los Angeles Times. Police said Kupfer sent a text message to a friend at 1:36pm, saying she had "a bad vibe" about a person in the store, per Fox News. A visitor found her bloodied body about 15 minutes later. She's believed to have been a stranger to Smith, who is reportedly homeless and considered armed and dangerous.

Lt. John Radtke said Tuesday that the attack appeared to have been "random," adding no other crime was committed. Chief Michel Moore said the suspect had visited several businesses along La Brea Avenue and Beverly Boulevard before entering Croft House, which he fled through a back door. He was seen walking down a back alley before traveling the neighborhood on foot, per KTTV and Fox. "This individual responsible for this vicious, senseless, and brutal crime walks among us," Moore said. Police said Smith, who has a long rap sheet, has likely been using public transportation to visit locations around Southern California, including Pasadena, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, per the Times.

A surveillance video released Tuesday shows the suspect buying a vape pen at a 7-Eleven just 30 minutes after to the stabbing. He's Black, over 6 feet tall with short braids, wearing dark clothing, sunglasses, and a white face mask like those worn by painters. He also carries a black backpack. Todd Kupfer tells the Times that his daughter, an LA native who was pursuing a degree in architecture and design at UCLA, loved to draw, dance, and laugh. "But her candle got snuffed out way too young" and "it's torn us apart." Councilman Paul Koretz adds the murder has "shaken and shocked our community to its core." Community members have added $200,000 to the $50,000 reward offered by the city, per KCBS. (Read more murder suspect stories.)
(Newser)  It's a week of heavy meetings for Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who on Wednesday met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of a face-to-face with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday. In Kyiv, Blinken offered a message of support in the face of a buildup of Russian troops at the border, but not necessarily one of optimism, saying it's possible Russia could attack Ukraine "on very short notice," reports the AP. He confirmed the US would be providing $200 million in defensive military aid, a sum that was announced in late December. The latest:

One key quote from Blinken: "As we meet today, Russia has ratcheted up its threats and amassed nearly 100,000 forces on Ukraine's border, which it could double on relatively short order," he said, per CNN. CNN separately cites a Ukrainian intelligence report that puts the number of Russian troops near the border at 127,000 when air and sea personnel are factored in. The report asserted that Russia's aim is to try "to split and weaken the European Union and NATO."
(Newser)  A hospital in New Orleans says it has identified two patients infected with a rare, drug-resistant fungusthe first time it's been found in Louisiana. Candida auris has already been found in Washington, DC, and at least 20 other states including Georgia, Florida, and Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The fungus is a harmful form of yeast that can be resistant to the most common antifungal drugs. The CDC considers it an emerging global threat and says it is especially dangerous to hospital and nursing home patients with serious medical problems. Although the patients at University Medical Center are the first known in Louisiana, other undetected cases are likely, Dr. Nirav Patel, chief medical officer told the Times-Picayune.

"This bug could have been here in Louisiana for quite some time," he said. More than 1,100 cases had been diagnosed nationwide as of Aug. 21, according to the CDC. California has reported 245 cases, Illinois 243, and New York 235. The CDC says people apparently most at risk are those who have been in a health care facility a long time and have a line or tube into the body, such as a breathing tube, feeding tube, or central venous catheter. It can cause infections in the bloodstream or in wounds. The hospital, citing patient privacy, did not disclose whether its infected patients had recently been transferred from other health care centers, when the infections were identified, or whether the patients had a history of international travel.

But its likely more cases will follow, said Dr. Alfred Luk, medical director of transplant infectious diseases at Tulane University School of Medicine. "I know everyone is exhausted from alarmist news, but Im really concerned about it," Luk said. "Usually when we find this ... I equate it to the tip of the iceberg." The fungus can spread easily in settings such as nursing homes and hospitals because it can survive on skin and other surfaces, the AP reports. Its likely been brewing on surfaces and people for some time, Luk said. Health experts said the risk is low for healthy patients but those who are immunocompromised can face severe complications.

(Read more fungus stories.)
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Leschinskie's lawyer claims felony conviction doesn't constitute 'infamous crime'

Leschinskie

SUNBURY  Joseph Leschinskie Jr.s new lawyer, Franklin E. Kepner Jr., of Berwick, claims his clients conviction on two felony drug charges doesnt constitute an infamous crime and should not prevent him from maintaining his position as a Shamokin councilman.

On behalf of Leschinskie, Kepner filed an answer Tuesday afternoon to Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Matulewiczs complaint that challenges Leschinskies ability to maintain his position as councilman because hes a convicted felon.

Northumberland County President Judge Charles H. Saylor said a hearing will now be held before him to determine if Leschinskie can remain a councilman.

Leschinskie was sworn into office by notary public Jesse Storm on Jan. 3, hours before a hearing was held before Saylor, who said the rules of civil procedure and quo warranto (by what authority) require defendants to be given 20 days to obtain legal counsel and prepare a defense upon being served a plaintiffs complaint.

Leschinskie was served a complaint filed by Matulewicz that challenges his right to serve as a councilman on Dec. 29 by Northumberland County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Brennan.

Saylor said since Matulewicz failed to give Leschinskie proper notice to respond to his complaint in his 20 days, he violated the rules of proper civil procedure and due process.

But the judge, who gave Leschinskie 20 days from the time he was served the complaint to respond to the complaint and seek legal counsel, didnt rule on the issue of Leschinskie holding office or an injunction sought by Matulewicz to prevent him from holding office until the civil case is resolved.

Tuesday was the last day Leschinskie or his attorney could file an answer in the county prothonotarys office. The answer to Matulewiczs complaint was filed at 2:35 p.m.

In his response to the court, Kepner said his client has a right to request reconsideration of his pardon denial.

He stated, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court acknowledged in Baldwin v. Richard (2000) that the makers of the Constitution intended that the law in force at the time should determine whether the crime was infamous. The Supreme Court has also held that the definition espoused in Comm. v. Shaver, 3 Watts & Serg. 338 (1842), was not sufficiently inclusive for the modern era, Petition of Hughes (1987).

Moreover, the Supreme Court recognized in Comm. v. Rambler (2001), that there may be felonies that depart so sharply from what was within the contemplation of Shaver and the minds of the framers that the felony label alone will become insufficient.

In such a case, the Supreme Court advises that a more probing inquiry on the question of the constitutional infamy relative to in-state felonies may therefore eventually be implicated. The charges against the defendant were not infamous and his 2009 conviction did not involve falsehood or the public administration of justice. Therefore, the defendant, Joseph J. Leschinskie Jr., respectfully requests that this court enter judgment in his favor and against the plaintiff.

Kepner said the Pennsylvania Supreme Court addressed seven factors in Kearney v. Rambler (2011) to determine whether a public official has been convicted of an infamous crime.

He said the factors include the nature and character of the underlying conduct; the totality of the circumstances; whether the public official still commands the public confidence as to their honesty, decency and good moral character; whether the conduct underlying the conviction is not consistent with commonly accepted principles of honesty and decency; whether the underlying conduct obstructs or perverts the administration of justice; whether there is a charge of falsehood affecting the administration of justice; and whether the underlying conduct is akin to the crimen falsi (a crime such as perjury or fraud involving deceit or falsification).

Kepner concluded, Despite public knowledge and abundant publicity of Mr. Leschinskies convictions in local news articles, Mr. Leschinskie did not lose public confidence as evidenced by his electoral victory.

On Tuesday night, Matulewicz said, It appears Mr. Leschinskies answer shows that there is no genuine issue of material fact, but rather a pure question of law. The issue appears to be whether Mr. Leschinskies two felony convictions of possessing with intent to deliver cocaine, a schedule I controlled substance, constitutes an infamous crime under our Pennsylvania Constitution.

He added, An appropriate response will be forth coming from the district attorneys office. I took an oath to support, defend and obey the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and that is exactly what I will do.

On Jan. 3, Matulewicz said not serving Leschinskie proper notice to secure an attorney and provide a response to the allegations within 20 days was an oversight on his part and apologized to the court. But the district attorney still requested the judge to hear the substance of the case, while Leschinskie urged the judge multiple times to dismiss the complaint based on a motion he filed in the prothonotarys office the same day as the hearing.

In his motion, Leschinskie, who represented himself at that time, was seeking to declare the plaintiffs quo warranto/civil action invalid because it fails to comply with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically Rule 1018.1.

Leschinskies motion also seeks to deny the plaintiffs request for relief because the complaint is not in compliance with the rules of civil procedure, and seeks to deny Matulewiczs request for an injunction with prejudice because that action is now moot.

The motion seeks to deny Matulewiczs request to proceed in quo warranto with prejudice because at the time of the filing by the plaintiff, the defendant was not seated as a public official.

The motion claims Matulewicz acted in a negligent and harmful manner by filing the complaint and states that Leschinskie is now a duly elected, officially sworn Shamokin City councilman in accordance with the Third Class City Code.

Saylor said he was bothered by the improper procedure taken by Matulewicz and weighed that more heavily than whatever substance is contained in the case.

Although Saylor made no ruling about Leschinskie serving as a councilman while being a convicted felon, the defendant and approximately 50 of his supporters who attended the hearing took the judges decision as a victory as they applauded loudly during the proceeding and at the end.

The people have spoken, Leschinskie said after the Jan. 3 hearing. They knew who I was, but still voted me into office on Nov. 2. Mr. Matulewicz is trying to disenfranchise the residents of Shamokin. There is nothing binding that prevents me from taking office today.

Leschinskie pleaded guilty June 22, 2009, to two felony counts of possessing with intent to deliver cocaine. He was sentenced to 24 months intermediate punishment with the first 90 days being in-home confinement. He attempted to obtain a pardon for the convictions along with unrelated charges, but was denied by the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons by a vote of 5-0.

In his civil complaint, Matulewicz argues that Article II, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states that no person convicted of embezzlement of public moneys, bribery, perjury or other infamous crime is capable of holding any office of trust of profit in the commonwealth.

Citing a May 2000 Pennsylvania Supreme Court opinion in the case of Berks County versus Eden Richard Jr., Matulewicz states that the court established that a felony is an infamous crime, therefore Leschinskie is prohibited from taking office.

After the Jan. 3 hearing, Matulewicz said irreparable harm will inevitably occur to the City of Shamokin if Leschinskie takes office as he has no right to do so under the Constitution.

The defendants oath of office requires that he swear or affirm to support, defend and obey the Constitution of Pennsylvania before he can perform the duties of a Shamokin City council member, Matulewicz says in the complaint. By the defendants very act of taking his oath of office, he would be violating his oath simultaneously as his taking office is a violation of the very same Constitution he is swearing or affirming to support, defend and obey.

Leschinskie claimed during the hearing that Matulewicz was causing irreparable harm to the City of Shamokin by trying to prevent him from serving as a councilman after being elected by the voters.
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Woburn, MA (01801)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
MBABANE  Security personnel at the Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT) have now also assumed the duties of cleaners.

This follows that the cleaning staff downed their tools yesterday after the institutions administration failed to provide them with personal protective equipment (PPE) for cleaning. The staff members said they had been working for exactly three years without protective clothing and had since stopped executing their duties at the institution. In this case, their PPE is safety shoes, gloves and overalls. The downing of tools by ECOT staff came after students last week delivered a petition with nine demands, including that the institution needed to be reopened for classes in seven days.

Concerns

Meanwhile, in an article published by this publication, the staff at ECOT also raised their concerns and shared what they felt contributed to the collapse of the college. The staff, which also included lecturers and support staff, said things were never done by the book at the college. We are never paid on time; we are treated like poor helpers. No one from the administration ever bothers about us unless we protest or embark on a go-slow, said one staff member. Yesterday, the staff at ECOT downed their tools and demanded the PPE. The workers found at the college were seen walking around aimlessly while the security team took over their duties. We are not going to work until we have the required uniform. We have been patient with the college and use worn-out PPE to execute our duties. We cannot do that anymore, said one of the staff members in the Domestic Department. Another said the way things were at the college they needed to be heavily protected because the institution was a health hazard.

In every room you clean, there is leakage so we need to be fully protected. We are surprised that they are making the security team work because they feel like they do not need PPE, said another staff member.

Washing

Indeed, the security personnel, comprising of two females and one male, were found at the college mopping and washing cleaning buckets as they had finished the morning cleaning shift. When interviewed, one of the security team members said they were told to clean and they did as told by their line managers. I got an instruction to mop certain floors and pathways. I left the guard house and executed the instructions given to me, said the member. Another staff member said a number of things needed to be sorted out before the college could reopen. The administration knows what to do, said the staff member. Worth noting was that even though the college was abuzz with activities from lecturers and meetings, the principal, Nomcebo Nhlengetfwa could not be reached for comment. One of the lecturers found at the college said they had come for a meeting that had been called by the principal. At the time of the interview, the lecturer said he had no idea what the meeting was about. I have just arrived, the agenda is not known yet but we were called here and we are yet to deliberate on it, said the lecturer on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the domestic staff at the college alleged that the Ministry of Education and Training sent their own staff from last Thursday till Monday. The staff was sent to help since they had their own PPE. They invalidated our concerns and called staff from the ministry to help. Upon seeing the situation here, the staff went back and stopped helping this side, said one domestic staff member. The Principal Secretary (PS) Bhekithemba Gama confirmed the matter and said they sent some of their domestic staff to help at ECOT.

Ministry

The issue of having cleaners from the ministry was necessitated by the fact that the cleaners at ECOT had no PPE, yet we needed a certain office cleaned for immediate occupation by an officer from the ministry, Gama said. In addition, he said they were still working on procuring the PPE for the domestic staff at ECOT. The process of procuring the PPE is ongoing. The college had an insufficient budget and we suggested reallocation so that we can be in a position to purchase the needed equipment, said Gama. Previously, the PS had acknowledged that the situation at ECOT was not an ideal one but assured students that they were working around the clock to solve the state of affairs at the college.
Gregg B. Brelsford is an independent candidate for Alaskas sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2022 election. He ran in a Republican primary for the Alaska House of Representatives in 1994. Brelsford is a former manager of the Bristol Bay Borough and the City of Dillingham (interim). He is also a former CEO of the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Associations, one of the 12 regional tribal governing bodies throughout the state. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Alaska Federation of Natives. He now lives in Anchorage.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has reiterated Bahrains solidarity with the UAE in confronting all that threatens its security and stability.

Bahrain also backs all measures to stave off terrorist acts to protect the UAE citizens and residents safety.

The security of the UAE is an integral part of the security of Bahrain and the region, said HM the King.

His Majesty was speaking as he held a phone call yesterday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and UAE Armed Forces Deputy Supreme Commander His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

HM the King stressed Bahrains strong condemnation of the Houthi militias terrorist act which targeted vital civilian areas and facilities and innocent civilians lives, in breach of all international norms and laws and human values.

He extended deepest condolences on the victims of the heinous terrorist attack and wished the injured quick recovery, praying to Allah the Almighty to protect the UAE and its brotherly people from any harm and bless them with security and prosperity.

HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed thanks and appreciation to HM the King for his fraternal feelings towards the UAE and its people, which reflect deep-rooted bilateral relations.

He wished Bahrain and its people further development, progress and prosperity under HM the Kings wise leadership.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday issued Decree (3) of 2022, transferring the tasks and powers of the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) to the Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs.

The decree stipulates the following:

Article 1: The Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs undertakes all the competencies, tasks and powers entrusted to the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) and stipulated in the laws, regulations, edicts and regulations in force in Bahrain.

Article 2: All the SEA appropriations listed in the states general budget and all its rights and obligations shall be transferred to the Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs, and the SEA employees shall be transferred to the ministry, with the same rights and job benefits in accordance with the organisation of the ministry.

Article 3: Any text that contradicts the provisions of this decree shall be repealed.

Article 4: The Prime Minister and the ministers, each within his jurisdiction, shall implement the provisions of this decree, which shall come into force on February 1, 2022, and shall be published in the Official Gazette.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh sent a cable of solidarity to UAE Federal National Council (FNC) Speaker Saqr Ghobash.

Al Saleh affirmed the firm stance with UAE against all attempts to undermine its security and stability and expressed his strong condemnation of the terrorist act of Houthi militia that targeted civilian facilities in Abu Dhabi, which resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians.

He asked Allah the Almighty to protect the UAE, its leadership and its people from all harm.

Al Saleh sent a similar cable to UAE Ambassador to Bahrain Shaikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Cable of congratulations

Al Saleh also sent a cable of congratulations to Roberta Metsola on being elected President of the European Parliament.

He wished her every success, expressing keenness on continuous cooperation with the European Parliament regarding issues of common concern.
Bahrain roadmap for progress and more prosperity

Bahrain roadmap for progress and more prosperity

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas far-sighted royal vision represents a national roadmap for continued progress and prosperity.

This was emphasised by Council of Representatives Speaker Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal as she praised HM the Kings keynote speech at the opening of the fourth session of the fifth legislative term.

She described the royal address as a wide-ranging blueprint for further national development.

The Speaker lauded strong cooperation between the legislative branch and the government, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

She led a parliamentary delegation to submit to HM the King the Council of Representatives reply to the royal keynote speech at the inauguration of the fourth session of the fifth legislative term.

The delegation also included Council of Representatives First Deputy Speaker MP Abdulnabi Salman and Secretary-General Rashid Mohammed Bounajma.

Zainal stressed the keenness of the legislative branch of government to continue the democratic process, further achievements despite all circumstances and challenges, maintain security and stability and support national development.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

A stranded ailing expat is pleading to his previous employer to withdraw cases against him after suffering a serious spinal disorder.

Indian national Sudhakar Radhakrishnan told The Daily Tribune that he was working with a construction company as a foreman. I came to the Kingdom in 2017 for a salary of BD450. After working for one year and five months, I went home for 15 days as my brother suffered injuries in an accident. When I came back and joined the work, things werent the same.

The company stopped paying me, claiming that it had suffered losses because of me. They asked me to give BD3,800 to settle the losses they have suffered. The company filed a case, which led to a travel ban. However, that travel ban was lifted after Hidd Police resolved the matter and I went home on January 21, 2019.

Sudhakar came to the Kingdom again after five months after being recruited by a new employer. But, he could not work for a longer period of time after suffering a serious spine disorder. As he planned to leave the Kingdom, he came to know that a travel ban existed against him, and this time magnitude was much higher. A new case had been filed against me by the previous employer, accusing me of cheating the company of BD13,000.

I cant walk. A serious surgery is required to cure my condition, for which I have to go home. I dont have money to survive and where is the question of paying BD13,000? he asked, pleading for help.

Social workers Sudheer Thirunilath, World NRI Council Humanitarian Director for the Middle East along with Senthil G K of Annai Tamil Mandram have stepped in to help Sudhakar.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

In 2020 November, Sridhar, an Indian expatriate, borrowed BD600 from a fellow national in exchange for undersigned blank government stamp papers and blank cheques.

Eleven months from then, he lost his job and on the planned day of his travel home, he would come to know that the debt had swelled to BD2,500.

To avoid a court case and subsequent travel ban, he surrendered half of his indemnity amount along with his wifes jewellery before the fellow national.

While the pandemic season has been misery to the majority, it has been beneficial to a group of wicked individuals who loan money, targeting families with low incomes or those in difficult times.

Loan sharks have been flourishing during the time of the pandemic, said Jamal Nadvi Iringal, a social activist based in the Kingdom, who, along with a group of social workers, has been leading the battle against loan sharks under the umbrella Peoples Collective Against Loan Sharks.

Jamal said many expatriate families have fallen into the trap after failing to catch up with their expenses here and back home. Four categories of people fall prey to loan sharks.

The first is expatriate families in the Kingdom, who are unable to pay their rent, school fees of children and also fail to meet their daily expenses.

The second are those who engage in a luxurious lifestyle, get addicted to alcohol and other immoral activities, eventually treading in the path of self-destruction.

The third is small level traders including those at the Bahrain Central Market, who receive money regularly from loan sharks.

And the fourth is ex-pat labourers, from whom ATM cards are taken as guarantees for loans. Their salaries are drawn by these illegal moneylenders, who only return the remaining amount after deducting exorbitant interest.

Jamal said these loan sharks appear to be very friendly and helpful when they hand over the money but turn into the exact opposite mode when its time to collect interest.

The victims of loan sharks include almost all Asian expatriate communities in the Kingdom, be it Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan or the Philippines.

Victims normally submit signed blank cheques and blank stamp papers with these illegal moneylenders, who would write bigger amounts in the cheque leaf, fabricate debt contract on the stamp paper before filing a court case if the victim fails to pay interest on time, Jamal explained, adding that some of the loan sharks are even running illegal parallel money remittance services.

Jamal said the collective he is leading has had a success rate of nearly 90 per cent about finding a solution to take the victims out of trouble.

We request the victims of loan sharks to approach us.

People seeking loans should approach established banks and financial services, and not these loan sharks.

Never give a signed blank cheque leaf or blank stamp paper to anyone, he said.

Jamal also praised the efforts of the Bahrain Police in tackling loan sharks.

As per Bahrain's law, no one can seize the passport from anyone.

Victims can contact Bahrain Police to get their passports back from these loan sharks, he said.

Urging extreme caution, Jamal also added that many of the expatriate suicides in the Kingdom were linked to the evil schemes of loan sharks.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Global auto executives are confident that the auto industry will see more profitable growth in the next five years and that the market share of electric vehicles will grow dramatically by 2030, according to a new survey by KPMG.

At the same time, supply chain issues and labour shortages are of great concern. KPMGs 22nd Annual Global Automotive Executive Survey of 1118 executives across automotive and adjacent industries found that 53% are confident that the industry will see more profitable growth, compared to just 38% who are concerned about profit prospects.

The survey, which included 372 CEOs, found that executives confidence extends to other areas as well, including the industrys ability to withstand the next great disruption.

Jeyapriya Partiban, Head of Advisory at KPMG in Bahrain, commented on the report: Car manufacturers are now faced with a new set of challenges, putting more emphasis on new technologies and innovations than ever before.

A recent report by the Economist indicated that in 2019 Bahrain had over 711,000 vehicles registered, which in percentage terms worked out to approximately 342 cars per 1,000 people.

This represents a 10% increase since 2018.

The industry across the region, however, experienced a drop in sales attributed to the pandemic.

Even though businesses were offering innovative solutions including remote and virtual test drives to enhance customer experience, customers expectations have changed leading to a rise in demand for all-purpose vehicles with unique and cost-effective features, and a spike in interest towards environmentally friendly options including Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrids.

Vulnerable supply chains and labour shortages

The news, however, is not all rosy.

Executives are worried about a range of issues affecting the supply chain, including the price and availability of semiconductors, steel, rare earth elements and other scarce materials.

Over 50% of respondents were extremely or very worried about the supply of these materials.

Furthermore, 55% of executives were very or extremely concerned about labour shortages.

There are urgent questions executives need to answer right now: Have they learned recent lessons to build more resilient supply chains and address labour shortages?, said Gary Silberg, Global Head of Automotive at KPMG.

Auto manufacturers are competing for talent not only among themselves but also against other industries.

We will likely see executives taking lots of time in the coming years to problem-solve these risks.

EVs on the rise

Executives expect the market share of EVs to grow dramatically, though there is no consensus about what market share it will capture.

EVs popularity may depend partly on significant investments in DC fast-charging infrastructure; 77% of executives expect consumers to require charge times under 30 minutes when travelling.

Most charging stations in service today take more than three hours.

The survey also found that expectations for the EV market are based on when EVs will reach cost parity with internal combustion engines.

Most believe EVs can be widely adopted without government subsidies (77%), but the majority still support such programs (91%).

The rise of new entrants and the shift to digital The technology and automotive industries are converging, leading to new alliances and new entrants.

Start-ups are raising billions, and executives believe tech companies will enter the market.

Furthermore, 78% of executives agree that there will be a fundamental change in how vehicles are purchased in the coming years, saying that most will be sold online by 2030.

And about three-quarters predict that more than 40% of vehicles will be sold directly by automakers to consumers, bypassing dealers.

With the move to digital commerce, executives expect that automakers will monetize the vast amount of data they will collect; 43% expect that automakers will sell data to auto insurance companies.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

In recognition of the impact made by distinguished Bahraini women in leadership roles, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) announced the appointment of Professor Ghufran Jassim, Associate Professor in Family Medicine, as Head of the Family Medicine Department.

President of RCSI Bahrain, Professor Sameer Otoom, commented: My sincere congratulations to Professor Ghufran Jassim on her new leadership appointment.

Professor Jassim is among RCSI Bahrains faculty members who have made numerous worthwhile contributions ever since joining RCSI Bahrain and has a vast skillset and expertise in the field of family medicine.

We at RCSI Bahrain look forward to Professor Jassims future growth and to continue supporting the career advancement of our female staff members.

With 59% female personnel working full time and 28.4% of female personnel pursuing higher education (Master/PhD/ professional development), the University acknowledges the value added by having female faculty in leading roles.

RCSI Bahrain is keen on enabling the empowerment and access to equal opportunities for its female faculty and staff by supporting the national plan set out by the Supreme Council of Women and implementing the United Nations fifth Sustainable Development Goal of Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

Prof Jassim obtained her BSc and MD in medicine and surgery followed by completing her training in family medicine.

She has been awarded the Arab Board for Medical Specialisation in Family Medicine and Board Certificate in Family Medicine from the Royal College of General Practitioners in Ireland.

She also completed her MSc in Health Policy and Population Studies and furthered her qualifications by obtaining a PhD in General Practice and a Diploma in Health Profession Education from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, in Dublin.

Recently, Professor Jassim completed the Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program at Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, as well as the Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (CLTHE) from Advance HE, UK.
MBABANE  A leaked document, which appears to be the proposed school calendar, has been labelled by government as a draft under consideration.

This comes after a document, which appears to be this years school calendar from the Ministry of Education and Training, was leaked to the public yesterday. In the purported school calendar, it was indicated that the third term, which public schools were currently in, would close officially on March 25 and the new school calendar would resume on April 4, as the beginning of the first term and new school year. The leaked document further stated that the mid-term break for the new academic year and purported first term would be from June 23 to June 24, 2022 while the closure of schools would be on August 26. According to the leaked document, schools were further expected to reopen on September 7 for the third term and close for the year on December 22, 2022.

Resumed

It is worth noting that, the school calendar this year was expected to be different due to the fact that the third term resumed this year after schools only opened for about four months last year. The closure and reopening of schools was due to high infection rates of COVID-19 last year during the third wave as well as the fourth wave, as well as disruptions caused by the protesting of pupils across the country at various schools. When reached for comment to verify the authenticity of the leaked document, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Education and Training, Bhekithemba Gama, said the document this reporter was speaking of was one of the examples under consideration by the ministry and relevant stakeholders. He said the finalised school calendar was still under discussion and deliberations over it were still ongoing. There are still ongoing deliberations. For now, yes what you have presented was one of the examples on the table, however, the school calendar has not yet been finalised and it would be premature to say that it was, he said. When asked when the finalised school calendar would be made available to the general public, the PS mentioned that this would be soon; however, he did not want to commit himself. He further emphasised that the leaked document with the school calendar was merely one of the documents they were currently working on but was not necessarily the final draft.

Overdue

The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General, Sikelela Dlamini, was also contacted on the matter. This reporter wanted to ascertain what the possible implications of not having access to this years school calendar were on teachers, to which he responded that the release of the amended calendar was a process which was long overdue. I think the release of this school years calendar is long overdue. As SNAT, we have not participated in the process that sought to draft the new calendar. When we enquired about that, we were informed that it was still under the consideration of various officers, said Dlamini. He further said the absence of the school calendar made their planning as teachers quite difficult as they had to ensure that the pupils were brought up to speed with the subjects as they had missed out on a lot while schools were closed. When the Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) President Welcome Mhlanga was reached for comment, he did not wish to comment on this particular issue.

Previously, government indicated that the third term examinations would be completed in March this year and the school calendar would resume around April. The Ministry of Education and Training had also previously indicated that the 2022 school year would be compressed in order for the curriculum to be completed in less months than in previous years. In previous years the first term typically resumed mid-January and completed around April, while the second term commonly started in late May. A head teacher in one of the prominent schools in the Manzini Region was reached for comment on the matter, to which she stated that the planning of the year was already underway in their school despite the school calendar not being out. She stated that once the calendar was out they would work around it. I think at this point it is a matter of being proactive and working around the school calendar once it is out. However, we do hope that the final copy will be released soon as not having a calendar to work with is challenging, especially for the teachers, she said. This publication had previously reported that the examinations timetable for the third term had not yet been released and some teachers were now getting frustrated and were disappointed at the lack of communication from the Education Ministry.

Platforms

In an interview with this publication, the Minister of Education and Training, Lady Mabuza, stated that teachers needed to use the right platform to address such issues. She said anything that involved schools needed to be addressed with the ministry.

Teachers know very well that anything that concerns the ministry should be addressed to the ministry. We have addressed these issues time and again and teachers know very well everything they need to know regarding the term, she said.
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BROOKFIELD  The police department is saying goodbye to community fixture and its chief, James Jay Purcell, at the end of the month.

After five years as chief and 38 years with the department, on Jan. 31, Purcell will retire from the Brookfield Police Department.

Its been a great ride, its been a great career, Purcell said. Its time for me to move on to the next phase of my life while Im still healthy and energetic and can enjoy retirement.

Second-in-command Major John Puglisi will take the reins at the station. Purcell said Puglisi is well-regarded by the staff and is an accomplished officer.

I believe I leave the department in good shape, and its certainly in good hands with John taking over on Feb. 1, Purcell said.

A long career

Purcell took over as police chief in 2016, becoming the departments third chief since its inception in the 1970s. While he has spent only about five years as chief, his time at the department goes back nearly four decades.

Purcells family, which has a long history in the Danbury area, includes his father, a World War II veteran who worked in the photo department at The News-Times. Purcell worked in the papers advertising department before joining the force.

He became second-in-command at the police department in January of 2001, just months before the World Trade Center attacks. At the time of his retirement, he will have spent more than 20 years in a senior administrative role within the department.

During his tenure as chief, he oversaw the institution of body-worn cameras, and the updating and rewriting of the departments rules and regulations to achieve public safety agency accreditation  a process which will be seen to its conclusion under Puglisi.

Purcell oversaw a facility needs analysis, developing scenarios for their buildings future needs, and a study to complete a new emergency radio communications system for the police, fire, EMS, public works, parks and recreation departments and schools.

I think Im ready, he said of his retirement from the force.

After all this time, Purcell has a trove of memories. However, he said one of the most significant ones will be the macroburst in the spring of 2018.

The storm killed two Danbury-area people and caused millions of dollars in damages. Some local families lost their homes.

That was a pretty intense experience, Purcell said. It is probably the worst natural calamity to befall the town that I can remember in my 38 years.

Purcell said there was also a lot of media attention along with their emergency management duties.

Next on his list of memories is the COVID-19 pandemic.

The department had to recalibrate how they did simple tasks to ensure social distancing, adjusting, as everyone did, to a new normal.

Our people are pretty resilient, Purcell said.

Moving ahead

Purcell said he would miss having his finger on the pulse of things  being engaged or involved in nearly everything that goes on in the small town.

Yet, with his newfound free time, he said he wants to stay involved in community work.

He will continue working with the volunteer fire department in Danbury where hes been a member since age 16  the newly consolidated Danbury Volunteer Fire Battalion 19, formerly the Citizens Hose Company No. 6. He said he may take on a larger administrative role. He inherited lots of archives from the older Citizens Hose group from a deceased member that he hopes to digitize and organize.

Purcell plans to travel  perhaps spending more time at the beach in Rhode Island  and visit with family.

Ill stay plenty engaged, he said.

Hes going to be missed, said Capt. Peter Frengs, who was hired by Purcell.

Brookfield First Selectman Tara Carr said during her work with Purcell, he demonstrated top leadership qualities, and remarked on his very sharp mind, skilled strategic and critical thinking, and knack for interpersonal communications.

Hes a man of integrity and I really appreciated that, Carr said. Were going to miss him terribly.
MANZINI- Community members of Mafutseni woke up to gruesome news after a six-month-old baby was allegedly suffocated to death by his two minor parents aged 16 and 17.

The parents, *Wethu (mother) and *Sisho are pupils at Mhubhe High School, both doing Form II. The real names of the minors will not be revealed for ethical reasons. It is alleged the baby was killed by the mother after an agreement between both parents, on allegations that Sisho was not the biological father. The incident happened on Sunday. According to impeccable sources, it is alleged that Wethu went to Sishos home and they later had an altercation where he confronted her on why she made his family take care and feed a baby that was not his.

Approved

In response, it was gathered that Wethu informed Sisho that his mother had approved that the baby belonged to his family when the baby was taken there to be introduced. The sources shared that Sisho maintained that the baby was not his, and he was infuriated by the fact that his family had spent money on a child who was not his. It was said Wethu told Sisho that if that was the case, then he should tell his family to stop supporting the child. While arguing, Sisho allegedly told his girlfriend that they should end the relationship. However, it was said the girl said that was not the ideal solution to the problem. When he allegedly asked what could be done, Wethu purportedly suggested that they should kill the baby since the real father was not responsible.

Sisho asked how they would kill the baby and the mother said it would be in such a way that there would be no suspicions on the death of the child, and that it should be painless, the sources claimed.

It was said that at around 9pm on Sunday, both minors called Sishos mother and informed her that the baby was sickly and had sores on the head and was not breastfeeding. They allegedly told her that they suspected that the baby would not survive.

After the call, it was said Sisho suggested that Wethu suffocates the baby, which she did, until the baby choked to death. Thereafter, the sources disclosed that the mother placed a throw on the floor and put the baby on it. The sources claimed that the couple slept on the bed until the following morning. The mother said she could not sleep all night while her boyfriend did. At around 4am the following day, they called the boys mother and informed her that the baby had died, the sources shared. It was said the boys mother arrived at around 6am and advised that they take the baby to Wethus home to report the death. When they got there, they found that Wethus mother was not present. It was said Wethu placed the body on a sofa while they waited for her mother to return.

Upon arrival, the sources shared that the girls mother purportedly told her to take her thing and return to where she came from. It was said Wethu went back with her dead baby. According to the sources, when she got to Sishos home, his mother came in a police vehicle. When Sisho saw the police car approaching, he ran away while Wethu was left with the police, the sources divulged. They further revealed that Wethu still stuck with the story she and her boyfriend had told the boys mother. From there, it was gathered that the baby was taken to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital. The body of the baby was then allegedly left at one of the funeral homes while Wethu went to Mafutseni Police Station and then to test for COVID-19. When she got to Mafutseni, she told them the truth on what happened. It was then that Sisho was also taken in for questioning and confessed to that the baby was strangled to death, the sources divulged.

Meanwhile, Mhubhe High Head teacher Mlungisi Nxumalo expressed shock on the incident. Nxumalo said he had not been informed about the matter. Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni said a six-month-old baby had been reported dead at the Mafutseni Police Station. She said two minors were taken in to assist the police. However, impeccable sources shared that the police later arrested the teenagers and were in police custody. *Not real names as they are minors
MBABANE - There are now two parallel investigations that are ongoing into the smuggling of phones which were found in incarcerated MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuzas possession at the Matsapha Maximum Prison.

While there are internal investigations that are taking place within the facility, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has also launched criminal investigations into the same matter. The internal investigations within the facility were sanctioned by the Commissioner General of His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS), Phindile Dlamini, and they are reportedly still ongoing. So far, the police have managed to obtain a court order compelling Mabuza and his company to furnish them with documents or details of accounts of eight Correctional officers which they intend to use during their investigations. In a statement issued by his legal team on Monday, Mabuza confirmed knowledge of the contraband (cellphones). Mabuza stated that he had been trying by all means not to discuss the enquiry about the cellphones which were found in his possession by the prison authorities. He said this was mainly because he was told that it was an internal enquiry which would not involve the courts, his legal team or the public.

He said it was unfortunate when he read about same in the local newspapers in a different version and he felt the need to state his side of the story. In the statement, Mabuza stated that the cellphones belonged to him and he used them for three purposes, mainly to communicate with his suppliers, his employees and family members. He disclosed that the numbers contained therein were of the aforementioned people. He went on to assure his family, his constituency, his colleagues and all emaSwati that the allegations that high ranking officers from HMCS facilitated his getting of the cellphones were not only false but political motivated.

Allowed

In his statement, the MP further stated that he was not allowed to make calls using the prison telephone anymore. It was previously reported by this publication that Mabuza had been placed in solitary confinement at the Matsapha Maximum Prison.

Solitary confinement is a form of imprisonment distinguished by living in a single cell with little or no meaningful contact with other inmates, strict measures to control contraband, and the use of additional security measures and equipment. The practice is used when a prisoner is considered dangerous to himself or to other inmates, is suspected of organising or being engaged in illegal activities outside of prison. The MP has not only been placed in solitary confinement, but is also allowed one visitor who brings him food at the Correctional facility. His legal team is also permitted to see him for consultation purposes. Dube and Mabuza were arrested on July 25, 2021 and their trial was postponed to January 26, 2022. The matter will also be heard on the January 27, 2022. Other dates are February 15, 16 and 17, 2022. It will continue five days later on February 22, 23 and 24, 2022 as well as March 1, 2 and 3, 2022. The MPs allegedly committed a terrorist act by encouraging people in public statements to disobey the lawful banning by the Government of Eswatini of the delivery of petitions and to reject the appointment of the then Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku.

It is alleged that by so doing, they encouraged civil disobedience, which had one or more of the following intentions or consequences; death or bodily injury, serious damage to property, serious risk to the health of the public or a section of a public and endangering the lives of the people and was designed or intended to disrupt the provision of essential emergency services such as police, civil defence and medical services. Their urgent bail appeal is likely to be heard in February.
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 19, 2022 /CNW/ - The health of the communities we live in relies on well functioning ecosystems that provide clean air, fresh water, medicines and food security. They also limit disease and help stabilize the climate. Typically, the greater variety or the more 'biodiversity' of plants, animals and other living things will positively impact that ecosystem's ability to thrive.

However, biodiversity loss is happening at unprecedented rates, impacting human health worldwide. Earth is forecast to lose 50% of its biodiversity by the end of this century without action to curb climate change and protect the health of global ecosystems. The Global Risks Report 2021 from the World Economic Forum ranked biodiversity loss as one of the top five threats confronting humanity.

The Earth BioGenome Project is a global effort to map the genomes of all plants, animals, fungi and other microbial life on Earth. Powerful advances in genome sequencing technology, informatics, automation, and artificial intelligence have propelled humankind to the threshold of a new beginning in understanding, utilizing, and conserving biodiversity. For the first time in history, it is possible to efficiently sequence the genomes of all known species, and to use genomics to help discover the remaining 80 to 90 percent of species that are currently hidden from science.

Canada possesses significant biodiversity, having approximately 80,000 plant and animal species in environments ranging from desert to the arctic. British Columbia is home to thousands of species and ecosystems, and some of these are at risk of disappearing from our province due to rapid changes in climate and other human-led impacts on our environment.

One of Canada's contributions to this global initiative includes the Canadian BioGenome Project, an initiative funded in partnership with Genome British Columbia through Genome Canada's 2020 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition: Genomic Solutions for Natural Resources and the Environment.

Dr. Steven Jones, Co-Director and Head of Bioinformatics for Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre and Dr. Maribeth Murray, Director of the Arctic Institute of North America at the University of Calgary are leading a collaborative effort between scientists, Indigenous peoples and conservation groups, to embark on the task of determining the genetic diversity of Canada's plants and animals through genomic sequencing.

The project is seeking to identify approximately 400 species that would benefit from a fully sequenced genome. The species are being selected based on existing and established priorities of Indigenous peoples, federal and provincial organizations, academic scientists and other conservation and wildlife groups.

Through a case study approach, the team is also working with partners to establish priorities for genomics tools development, policy recommendations for the use of genomics to maintain biodiversity and support conservation and management, and a user-friendly platform of genomics data and information specific to a particular location. The data generated will also be freely available to scientists in Canada and worldwide.

"Sequencing the genomes of Canada's plants and animals is a massive proposition that requires significant scientific collaborationone with enormous benefits not only for better understanding the evolution of life itself but in uncovering fundamental genetic principles of health and disease, for individuals and populations," says Dr. Steven Jones.

"Genome BC recognizes the urgent need to develop and accelerate the implementation of technological innovation to monitor and protect our rapidly changing environment," says Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Sectors and International Scientific Chair of the Global Earth BioGenome Project. "Applications of this data are real-time, and it builds on our strengths in genome sequencing in this province."

The Earth BioGenome Project announced this week that it is entering a new phase as it moves from pilot projects to full scale production sequencing. This new phase is marked with a collection of papers published this week in Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, describing the project's goals, achievements to date and next steps. To learn more about Earth BioGenome Project visit earthbiogenome.org.

About Genome British Columbia:

Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization supporting world-class genomics research and innovation to grow globally competitive life sciences sectors and deliver sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. The organization's initiatives are improving the lives of British Columbians by advancing health care in addition to addressing environmental and natural resource challenges. In addition to scientific programming, Genome BC works to integrate genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and foster an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.

SOURCE Genome British Columbia

For further information: Brad Lyle, Communications Manager, Brand and Marketing, [email protected], 778.999.8195
Sean Scanlon took the day off Tuesday from his day job as executive director of Tweed New Haven Airport, announced hes exploring a bid for the state comptroller seat and spent most of the next 14 hours amassing contributions online and on the phone.

The take by the Democratic state representative from Guilford: $26,500 on Day One. And on Wednesday, the contributions pushed him over $30,000.

By all accounts, thats an astounding number for an underticket effort, maybe a record. Its a clear signal to any fellow Dem who hopes to vie for the open office  all the more because Scanlon limited each contribution to $250 and many came in a lot smaller than that.

So its obvious that the 35-year-old co-chairman of the General Assemblys powerful finance committee is all-in for comptroller, right?

Hes been talking about it quietly for months. He has focused his seven years in the state House on fiscal issues and health care  the main concerns of the comptroller, the state paymaster and benefits administrator with an outsized bully pulpit and an eye on policy.

No, Scanlon insists, hes not sure he will actually run for the office that was vacated on Dec. 31 by his friend and fellow Guilfordite, Kevin Lembo, who was forced to retire early with a heart condition.

Say what? Why would Scanlon go to all this trouble, only to retreat?

The answer, he told me in a hoarse voice late Tuesday and again Wednesday, is that hes happy with his two current positions at Tweed and in the legislature. Not just happy, but satisfied that hes able to make a difference in the roles.

And so, to hear him say it, the choice is tough. Never mind that Scanlon, like a lot of fast-rising pols in their 30s, comes up in conversations about future candidates for governor or U.S. senator. If thats part of the dilemma, hes not saying. Its about comptroller, one of six statewide elected offices in state government, vs. what hes doing now.

I love what Im doing right now. I love being the state rep. from my hometown, I love being the finance chair, Im really proud of what Ive been able to do at the airport. But I am interested in serving our state at a higher level, Scanlon said. The decision that I have to make is, is the job of state comptroller a way that I can do that compared to where I am today?

Keeping others out

He declined to say whether higher level means governor or senator. When I pressed him on it, Scanlon talked about growing up attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with his father  where the motto is one day at a time  and about being a new father to a 2-year-old boy.

Since I became a dad, he said, Im learning more and more that youve really got to take it one day at a time.

Scanlon said he hopes to raise the money he needs in a matter of weeks, but the decision could be months away  with the deadline being the Democratic state convention in early to mid-May, when delegates endorse candidates for the slate.

That total, I can now report here for the first time, has just been adjusted for constitutional offices other than governor, from $75,000, where it has stood since 2010, to $86,600. Thats high enough to end the hopes of some candidates, especially in the crowded field for secretary of the state to succeed the retiring Denise Merrill.

No other Democrat has declared for the comptroller post. Among Republicans, Mary Fay, a West Hartford Town Council member who ran against U.S. Rep. John B. Larson two years ago, filed papers this month.

Scanlons auspicious entry will cause those rumored to be on the verge to pause, almost as if they were running against an incumbent.

I cant think of anybody raising that much in one day, said Tom Swan, a Democratic Party veteran who has run multiple campaigns and the longtime executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group.

As for keeping others out, Swan said, it depends on the candidate. But he added, speaking of Scanlon, I would be shocked if he didnt run.

Surpluses and an airport expansion

Scanlons recent run in both his roles makes the timing for a run all the better. As co-chairman of the finance committee, he presided over a bipartisan budget which is now more than $1 billion in surplus for both this year and fiscal 2023, with no increases in broad-based taxes and only a small, common-sense levy of $90 million a year for heavy trucks.

Opponents may say Scanlon benefited from the federal pandemic relief totaling $2.8 billion to the state, and the economic rebound of the last 18 months. They may be right; thats politics and a huge surplus is a huge surplus.

Scanlons committee favored raising state income taxes on the highest-earning residents, though that was partly a compromise to allow for his proposal of a hefty child tax credit. Neither provision made it into the final budget.

I first met Scanlon in 2015, his first year in office, when he became one of just 11 Democrats to vote against the budget  over a tax increase for data processing that he opposed. That surprised a lot of people since he was a staffer for Sen. Chris Murphy, viewed as a reliable party vote. So hes been hard to typecast, a trait he says would serve him well in a job that could pit him against a governor of the same party.

On the airport side, Scanlon in 2021 negotiated a complex deal to bring in a new airline with several flights to Florida, and an operator to build a new terminal. Could it all fall through? Of course. But for now, hes riding a plan that could transform a marginal air strip into an economic engine.

What does a comptroller do?

An exploratory campaign phase, for most candidates, answers the question, am I viable for this run? We know Scanlon is viable. Hes taking it to mean, is this what I want to do?

In 2018, after four years in office, he declined widespread calls to run for the state Senate seat that came open when then-Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. stepped down to take a different position. That was the same calculation, Scanlon told me Wednesday: Where can I make the most impact?

The fundraising part can be daunting. If a candidate isnt wealthy, he or she most likely joins Connecticuts Citizens Election Program of public financing, which started in 2010. Scanlon can accept as much as $375 per contributor while hes exploring, but to qualify for public money in the campaign, hell need to show he raised at least $86,600 in amounts no larger than $250 per contribution.

His take of $26,500 on the first day may be a one-day record for races other than governor. And its for a seat that, Scanlon freely admits, most people know almost nothing about.

Nobody knows what the comptroller does but the things that the comptroller does are relevant to peoples lives, he said.

He added, There are people, and I may be one of them, that believe these statewide offices can potentially be a way in which you can get around the state and fight for and push for policies in a way that you cant as just a state rep. or a state senator.

That sounds like a guy whos willing to campaign for a pay cut of about $30,000 a year in a job farther from his wife and toddler, holding a position where he cant directly affect legislation.

dhaar@hearstmediact.com
EAST HAVEN  A former school employee has filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education, alleging he was discriminated against when he was terminated in 2020.

Joshua Berrios says in a court filing that he was a school resource officer at East Haven High School and was terminated from his position Feb. 28, 2020. Berrios, who is Hispanic, claims that other employees who were found guilty of more serious infractions than he was accused of were not terminated. The difference, Berrios alleges, is that those employees were non-Hispanic.

When asked whether he could provide more information on why Berrios was terminated given the wording of the lawsuit, his lawyer John Williams declined to comment.

We are at a stage of the proceeding such that I think this would not be an appropriate time for either of us to comment, Williams said Tuesday.

The school boards lawyers, Shipman and Goodwin, did not respond to requests seeking comment.

In its written answer to the lawsuit, the board denies violating the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act. In its court response, the board admits it terminated Barrios, but says he was not employed as a school resource officer at East Haven High School.

According to documents from a March 17, 2020, Board of Education meeting, Berrios was a full-time security guard at Joseph Melillo Middle School for in-school suspension.

Berrios suit states he had filed a complaint of discrimination with the Connecticut Commission of Human Rights and Opportunities following his termination by the school district. After the commission reviews a complaint, it can either continue it or dismiss it, leading the way for action to be brought to civil court.

Berrios alleges that he was discriminated against at least in part due to his Hispanic heritage and ancestry in violation of the Fair Employment Practices Act. This resulted in economic losses and emotional distress, according to the suit.

Berrios is claiming judgment in an amount greater than $15,000, including damages, attorney fees, a temporary and permanent injunction requiring the board to reinstate him with full back pay and benefits and back pay and front pay.

The board denied claims of discrimination due to Berrios ancestry and denied that the plaintiff is entitled to any relief, including the relief demanded.

The trial for the case is set for Jan. 19, 2023, in Superior Court in New Haven.

christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com
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NORTH HAVEN  Quinnipiac University is partnering with Hartford Healthcare to expand its programs, increase available clinical rotations and grow Connecticuts health care workforce.

Officials shared the news Wednesday at the universitys North Haven-based Center for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Its a partnership that will greatly expand experiential learning and open up new job opportunities for students, Quinnipiac University President Judy D. Olian said.

As part of the arrangement, Hartford Healthcare will give Quinnipiac $5 million over the next five years. While exactly how the money will be spent remains under consideration, Hartford Healthcare CEO Jeffrey Flaks said, it will go toward expanding the size and scope of university programs.

The institutions also plan to develop a high-tech training and simulation laboratory on QUs North Haven campus, according to a release.

Officials hope the partnership will help address staffing shortages in the health care field.

Last year, Quinnipiacs Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine received 9,200 applications for only 95 spots, Olian said.

Meanwhile, the nation is dealing with an impending physician shortage.

In 2021, the Association of American Medical Colleges said that the country could face a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, according to a release.

Flaks alluded to that statistic in his remarks. Through its partnership with Quinnipiac, Hartford Healthcare will create residencies in family medicine, train more surgeons and psychiatrists and expand training programs in specialty areas, he said.

Well be investing $5 million, so a million dollars a year, to really address the need to build our workforce pipeline so that we have the right numbers of people, the right level of quality, training and credentials in the future to care for all the residents in the state of Connecticut, he said.

Olian did not yet have details on how many new spots the university planned to add to its medical programs, but both she and Flaks emphasized the need to get more nurses and physicians into the workforce.

Connecticut alone needs to train an estimated 3,000 new registered nurses each year to keep up with demand, according to Olian.

Today in the United States theres an estimate by 2030 that we need 1.2 million registered nurses to be trained, said Flaks.

The partnership will help grow the size of our various health care programs to address these huge talent needs, Olian said.

To help retain health care professionals in Connecticut, the company will expand job opportunities for Quinnipiac students, according to Flaks.

The institutions also aim to diversify the workforce.

Were going to be making investments  financial investments  in identifying, recruiting and attracting students to Quinnipiac from minority and underrepresented populations who will have Hartford Healthcare-backed scholarships, Flaks said.

In another aspect of the partnership, Hartford Healthcare will take over the universitys on-campus health center, which will be housed in Quinnipiacs new recreation facility, said Olian.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she said, we were seeing a significant increase in demand for on-campus student health care.

The partnership will enhance those services, she said.

Currently, Quinnipiac runs its own health services program, Olian said, adding that employees will be able to remain on the job after the new management takes over.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
ANSONIA  Police have identified a youth alleged to have made a weekend social media post that resulted in an increased police presence at the school Tuesday, according to Superintendent Joseph DiBacco. He confirmed the information in a text message Tuesday afternoon.

Student they had in custody admitted to the social media post, DiBacco wrote.

The suspect is believed to be an Ansonia High School student.

This is the second instance of social media activity resulting in a police response at Ansonia High School since December. In Mid-December, three students were arrested after being accused of sending threatening messages. The school was sent into lock down then closed for a day as a result.

Then student who received the message was concerned enough to notify police, DiBacco said. The message was concerning enough to warrant an increased presence at the school, he said.

He said something to the effect, he knew the kids who wanted to do stuff to the building, the kids that they arrested, DiBacco said. Police werent sure what the message meant, but they didnt like it. I didnt like it either, he said.

In an email sent out to parents Tuesday morning, DiBacco told parents there was no credible threat to the school, but officers would remain until their investigation was complete.
NEW HAVEN  Connecticut CASA is growing its reach in the state, expanding to Waterbury juvenile court in addition to New Haven, officials said in a release.

The organization, Court Appointed Special Advocates, works to advance the interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. It aims to provide support to vulnerable youth and families.

Those most vulnerable in our society  children  are best served by a team of caring adults. We remain appreciative of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and their partnership to ensure the best interests of children and families remain at the forefront of all our efforts within local communities, Department of Children and Families Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes said in the release.

Connecticut CASA is part of the national CASA network across the country, with 96,000 volunteers, the release said, and serving nearly 277,000 children. The group works with judges, lawyers, case workers and others.

Operations Manager/Program Coordinator Catherine Ramirez Mejia will supervise volunteers in Waterbury. She joined CASA in 2021, the release said; she earned her Master of Public Policy degree from Brandeis University, focused on children, youth, and family policy, the release said, as well as a bachelors degree in urban/community studies from the University of Connecticut. Before joining CASA she was an AmeriCorps VISTA in Hartford, it said.

Having completed training through National CASA, I am pleased to be in a role where I can connect volunteers to court assignments to assist additional Connecticut children and families, Ramirez Meijia said in the release.

Connecticut CASA Executive Director Josiah H. Brown, a member of the Governors Task Force on Justice for Abused Children, said in the release that more growth is expected with the expansion.

Catherine will forge partnerships in the Waterbury area while supporting our dedicated volunteers, increasing their numbers and adhering to National CASA standards on behalf of childrens best interests, Brown said in the release. We encourage prospective volunteers of all backgrounds to join this movement. CASA volunteers help identify safe, permanent homes where children can thrive, along with resources for them and their families. Catherine is key to our team making CASAs volunteer-based approach more widely available.

For more information, email info@ConnecticutCASA.org or call 203-800-5661. To volunteer, email volunteer@ConnecticutCASA.org.
WESTPORT  Former Westport Third Selectman Ken Bernhard announced this week that he is running for the states 26th Senate District.

Bernhard, 77 of Westport,said his decision to run came after feeling a sense of responsibility to the district after incumbent and fellow Democrat Will Haskell announced earlier this month that he would not seek a third term this fall. Haskell is instead take an intermission from public service to start law school.

I felt a sense of responsibility to ensure that the 26th District will continue to be well represented and that it will remain a part of the Democratic Party caucus, Bernhard said. I would consider it a privilege to represent our community in Hartford, this time as a Democratic state senator.

Haskell was elected in 2018 at the age of 22, defeating long-time Republican incumbent Toni Boucher in a surprise upset for the 26th Senate District, which now includes Westport, Wilton, Weston, Redding, and parts of Ridgefield, Darien, New Canaan, and Stamford.

I was disappointed to learn that Will Haskell is planning to vacate his senate seat, but I admire him for his decision to attend law school and to focus on his future, Bernhard said.

With the seat left to fill, Bernhard said that as an experienced legislator he understands the political process and how it works in Hartford. He said if elected, he would be ready to represent the district effectively on day one.

Bernhard previously served as a state representative for the 136th District from 1997 to 2005.

He said during his time as a state representative he served in the role of the assistant minority leader where he was recognized as a moderate-to-liberal legislator who advocated for a womans right to choose, promoted the protection of the environment, voted for sensible gun control legislation, and supported voting rights.

My record in public and private life embodies those values and I am eager to take on a more active role in advancing them in Hartford and around the nation, Bernhard said. Our republic is under assault. Every day we see this happening in Washington, D.C. and throughout the United States. We cannot allow it to happen here in Connecticut.

Bernhard said he believes his record will attract the support of moderate and conservative-leaning Democrats, like-minded Republicans and unaffiliated voters  all of whom he said want and deserve a state senator who will exercise good judgment, common sense and will work hard to get things done.

Hes also a retired Judge Advocate General officer in the U.S. Army and served as town attorney for Wilton, Westport and Weston with nine different administrations. Bernhard is a partner in the law firm of Cohen and Wolf and is also a frequent presenter at local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs on subjects ranging from the U.S. Constitution to charitable work hes done in Jordan and Haiti.

If elected, he plans to address the ongoing threats of climate change, transportation, racial injustice and safety.

I want to make certain that the interests of our Fairfield County communities are not overlooked in Hartford, he said. That's why I am announcing my candidacy for state senator from the 26th District and I look forward to meeting with voters to discuss the issues and Connecticuts future.

This story was updated to show that Ken Bernhard was formerly Westports third selectmen.

serenity.bishop@hearstmediact.com
The Frontier Communications unionized workers have reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with the Norwalk telecommunications company.

The tentative deal was reached late Monday, according to Dave Weidlich, president of the Local 1298 of the Communications Workers of America.

Weidlich said he hopes to have the contract ratfied by the end of February.

I think this is a nice agreement for both parties, Weidlich said. Our employees are ready to continue building out the fiber optic network for the company.

Frontier officials could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

The union represents more than 1,600 Frontier employees, Weidlich said. The tentative contract calls for a 9 percent general wage increase over the life of the deal, he said.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
STAMFORD  The base salary for Stamfords superintendent of schools will increase by $35,000 a year under a recently approved new contract, but the leader of the school district stands to gain much more in employer contributions and fringe benefits  to the tune of a total of more than $400,000.

Under the new contract, which will run until June 2024, Superintendent Tamu Luceros base salary will increase from $260,000 a year to roughly $295,000 annually .

But after June of this year, unless a new base salary is negotiated, Luceros salary will increase by 2 percent, a provision that was not in her previous contract, which stated that her base salary would remain the same in such an instance, according to the contract.

Lucero will also receive $26,000 yearly in contributions to her tax-sheltered annuity plan, and another $26,000 contribution to her deferred compensation plan. Both of those are increases from the $19,000 she got for each, respectively, in her previous contract.

After adding up the salary, contributions, and fringe benefits, Luceros total yearly earnings will be roughly $406,000.

It is an honor to live and work in such a wonderful community, Lucero said in a written statement. I am looking forward to continuing the work of strengthening our teaching and learning practices, expanding opportunities for our students and improving our school campuses to best meet the needs of our students, staff, and families.

According to an investigation by Hearst Connecticut in June of last year, the average salary for full-time superintendents in Connecticut was $209,000, with tax sheltered annuities and bonuses for doctorate degrees included. At the time that report was published, Lucero was the third highest paid superintendent in the state, behind Alan Addley in Darien and Bryan Luizzi in New Canaan.

Luceros new contract was released Tuesday morning, a week after the Board of Education voted 5-4 in favor of giving chairwoman Jackie Heftman the authority to sign and execute the document.

Typically, a new contract would have been signed and posted online by mid-July, but the board was unable to reach the five votes necessary to move forward. The recent school board election shifted the balance of the vote, as two members who said they opposed the increases  Jackie Pioli and Mike Altamura  were replaced by Ben Lee and Josh Esses, who were split on the vote.

For months, members of the board met in non-public executive sessions to discuss Luceros contract. One issue that seemed to be a reason for the impasse, according to public discussions, was related to Luceros mandatory contribution to the state Teachers Retirement Board, which provides pension benefits for educators.

Law firm Shipman and Goodwin advised the city to pay a gross-up to cover the additional taxes due on the reimbursement to Lucero. But recently, the same law firm said that guidance was ill-advised and the gross-up was unnecessary.

The end result was Lucero earned more money than what was stipulated in her contract; Shipman and Goodwin offered to reimburse the board for the expense and said Lucero was not at fault.

Under Luceros new contract, the board will also continue to reimburse her for her contribution to the Teachers Retirement Board, not to exceed 8.25 percent of her salary. At that maximum rate, Lucero would receive a reimbursement of almost $24,000.

Additionally, Lucero will receive a $25,000 retention stipend, which was not included in her previous contract. That section of the newly signed contract reads, The (board) desires to promote and encourage the (superintendent) to remain on a long-term basis.

Another new element to the contract, that was not in the previous one, is that Lucero and her husband will have the option of receiving the same health care coverage as Stamford teachers at no cost.

Finally, Lucero will get an additional $3,000 stipend in recognition of her doctoral degree and a $600 monthly stipend for her personal car expenses.

Lucero was first hired in the Stamford school district in 2013 as an assistant superintendent for elementary education. In 2018, she took on the role of deputy superintendent under previous Superintendent Earl Kim. Once Kim left the school system in 2019, Lucero took over the top job.

ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com
MBABANE - The court has issued an order compelling incarcerated MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and his company to furnish the police with details of accounts of eight officers from His Majestys Correctional Services held with Baceth Investments.

Mabuza is the owner of Baceth Hardware which has branches across all regions of the country. Baceth Investments is one of the hardware stores which allow customers to open accounts with them for purposes of purchasing building material. The eight officers are subject to the investigation that has been instituted by the police pertaining to the smuggling of two cellphones which were found in Mabuzas possession. The ranks of the officers, who are reportedly all stationed in Matsapha, were not stated in the court order that was issued at the Manzini Magistrates Court. According to the order, the officers are Thokozani Mhlanga, Lucky Dludlu, Lasco Leandry, Johannes Tsabedze, Tom Bongwe, Mangaliso Dlamini, Neliswa Dlamini and Bheki Magagula.

Details

The order comes after the police moved an application in terms of Section 49 bis (1) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 67/1938. In the application for the order, the court was informed that the documents were needed as part of criminal investigations into the circumstances surrounding smuggling of cellphones. Section 49 (1) provides that: If upon application to the court by a police officer the court is satisfied that any books of account, document, records or thing which is in possession of any person including a company, bank or other financial institution is necessarily required in connection with any criminal investigations by the police, the court shall make an order requiring that person, company, bank or financial institution to produce such book, document, records or things to the police subject to such conditions as the court may impose. In the order, the court said it was satisfied on the basis of an application made to it that in terms of Section 49 of the Act, Mabuzas company had in its possession accounts held by the eight officers.

The court further highlighted that it was satisfied that the documents or accounts were necessarily required in connection with the criminal investigations surrounding the smuggling of the cellphones into the Matsapha Maximum Prison. You are herby ordered to furnish the applicant (Royal Eswatini Police Service) with original copies of these documents and further informed that should you refuse or fail to comply with this order without any reasonable excuse or proof of which shall be on you, you shall be liable to prosecution in terms of Subsection (2) of the cited Act, reads part of the court order. Subsection(2) of the Act states that: Any person who, without reasonable excuse, proof of which shall be on him, refuses or fails to comply with an order of court under Subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding E10 000 or to imprisonment not exceeding five years or both. The order, which was served to Mabuza in prison, is dated January 6, 2022.

On December 10, 2021, Mabuza was found with two cellphones inside the Matsapha Maximum Prison.

Gadgets

The legislator was reportedly found with the gadgets during a random search, which was conducted by HMCS officers inside the prison. It is said the officers then confiscated the cellphones and the matter was reported to the management and this led to the office of the commissioner general appointing a select team to probe how the gadgets got to Mabuza. The findings of the task team will determine who will be charged for the offence as cellphones are prohibited within the area designated for inmates.

Just after the discovery of the cellphones, there was a brief investigation which was conducted by the Correctional facility warders, wherein there were allegations that the gadgets were smuggled into the facility allegedly by some of the people who frequently visited Mabuza. There were also suspicions that the MP allegedly got assistance from some of the officers.
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NEW HAVEN  Officer Diane Gonzalez was laid to rest Wednesday, as colleagues and family remembered her warmth, toughness and compassion, and came together to honor both her life and her service.

Gonzalez died last Monday after suffering a traumatic brain injury and falling into a coma in 2008 following an on-duty crash.

She was interred at Evergreen Cemetery Wednesday, ushered there by a motorcycle procession of officers from around the region, including from Bridgeport, North Branford, Hartford and Greenwich.

Yale police Assistant Chief Anthony Campbell, formerly the police chief in New Haven, said during the service that he served with Gonzalez on the midnight shift when he was a young officer.

When he met her, he said, he was intrigued by her motherly nature.

She always made sure she was taking care of the people around her, said Campbell. She understood how to be part of family.

Her love for her family was obvious, he said  when asked what she did for fun, he said she replied that she liked to take her family on vacation, to Disneyland, Cape Cod, Puerto Rico; she lit up when talking about the chance to care for her grandchild. And she carried that spirit into her work as a police officer, he and other said, both with her colleagues and with residents, treating others with dignity and stern kindness.

Campbell said he felt a sense of confidence when Gonzalez was called to a scene as his backup. She had a way of defusing tension, de-escalating matters before it became fashionable in policing  she could both take command and impress upon others that she cared. She did her work with pride, with joy, with authority, he said.

He said he once asked Gonzalez about her approach to the work. For him, a former divinity student, it was a form of ministry. She noted the rare privilege of the job  out of the many who apply, only a few are chosen; in the finite span of a career, they have chance to come to the aid of people in times of great need.

She was truly the best of us  the ideal police officer. ... If there was an opportunity to help someone, she was going to do exactly that, said Campbell. In the ultimate way, she called us all friends.

Interim Chief Renee Dominguez said Gonzalez had been a role model and sounding board for her as a young officer, as she worked through entering a male-dominated profession.

Diane was the mother hen, caring for her chicks, said Dominguez. (She was) always there to help and guide, always there to back you up, always just there, no matter what was needed.

Dominguez said the night of the crash remained vivid in her memory. It had altered the course of the lives of everyone in the department, she said. That night, a colleague used the word matriarch to describe Gonzalez  and it rang true.

Gonzalezs passing was a dark moment, Dominguez said, but there was light in it, as well, noting that officers from around the region had come together in fellowship to honor her.

Through her example, Dominguez said, Gonzalez reminded them all to love fiercely, to practice forgiveness; to take that chance to have coffee with a friend or spend time with a loved one.

That is what death does to us  it reminds us to live, said Dominguez. Diane, through her death, is telling you, is telling me, to do some soul-searching.

Diane Mora, Gonzalezs daughter, said her mother indeed had taught them to be fearless.

You fought with us, and for us, like no other, said Mora. We never got the opportunity to tell you how proud we are of you. Mom, we are so proud.

After remarks had been offered, and taps and Amazing Grace played, the call marking Gonzalezs death went out over the radio.

Officers lined up, two by two, to salute Gonzalezs casket. The hum of traffic, evident from where reporters stood near the fence, dropped away near her headstone, fading with the the distance.

After the proceedings, retired Officers David Hartman, Rebecca Goddard and Stephie Van Wilgen  Gonzalezs partner on the force  spoke fondly of their departed friend and colleague.

Hartman recalled the words of Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress: Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.

That is absolutely true with Diane, said Hartman. She will be sorely missed.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  The Civilian Review Board has been told it is acting outside its purview, but a high-ranking police official plans to continue to give the board unfettered access to all closed complaint cases.

The board was caught off guard in late December when the corporation counsels office said the CRB ordinance gives the board the role of investigating civilian complaints against the police for alleged misconduct.

But there is no mention of reviewing the often more important Internal Affairs cases instigated at the behest of the police chief, and such cases therefore are outside the boards jurisdiction, according to Corporation Counsel Patricia King.

At the same time, attorney William Brennan was not allowed access to unredacted files and videos after being chosen by the board to look deeper into a case in which firearms were not surrendered in a domestic violence incident in May that was followed by the suicide death of a city employee.

It was the first time the board decided to hire an outside investigator for a particular case, something that is clear in the CRB ordinance.

Coincidentally, the Hartford mayors office announced last week that Brennan has been hired as the full-time inspector general for that citys Civilian Police Review Board, starting Feb. 7.

New Haven police Capt. David Zanelli, who is in charge of the Professional Standards & Training Division for the Police Department and who was the first liaison with the new CRB here, said he plans to allow the members to continue to have open access to all the closed case files they have had since the board was constituted.

He said while the police are not obligated by the ordinance to allow this access, we show the closed chief-ordered IA investigations to the CRB in hopes to promote trust and transparency between the PD and the CRB.

The ruling by corporation counsel was a surprise as the CRB already had looked into two cases ordered by former Police Chief Otonel Reyes and the May domestic violence case ordered by Interim Chief Renee Dominguez, and made recommendations in two of them.

The new parameters on the boards role came up after the board voted to bring in Brennan to investigate beyond what Internal Affairs found in the case of a city employee who allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriends apartment in May 2021.

Brennan said he feels he can still work on the New Haven case if the board desires and if he is given access to police files in New Haven.

Contrary to what unfolded in December, Zannelli Thursday said police will give Brennan access, opening the unredacted files to him at police headquarters  the same arrangement afforded the board members.

No one is allowed to make copies or take the files out of the building for liability purposes and to protect certain information, such as juvenile names, Social Security numbers and domestic violence victims names from being released.

In the case of the May incident, Internal Affairs determined Sgt. Jasmine Sanders improperly recommended a misdemeanor summons instead of felony domestic violence charges.

The Police Commission just voted to suspend her for 16 days, rather than the 6-month suspension recommended by Dominguez.

The IA report said if the city employee had been taken into custody on a more serious charge, his firearms would have been seized, at least temporarily. Later that day, the employee used a firearm to take his own life.

The CRB members were concerned the employee had been treated differently because of his employment.

King, in a phone interview, said the ordinance defining the board, which looks into alleged police misconduct, clearly applies to complaints submitted by civilians, but doesnt go beyond that.

King said she sees a distinction between a civilian complaint and an internal review by IA requested by the chief.

References to the two types of complaints in Sec. 2.08 of the General Orders for police, however, apply the same standards in dealing with either as an IA report is produced.

In an email to Civilian Review Board member Steve Hamm, who asked for clarification on the issue, King responded:

The ordinance states that the CRBs jurisdiction relates to civilian complaints. My understanding is that the CRB was interested in an Internal Affairs complaint that did not originate as a civilian complaint. So it is not within the purview of the CRB, and as I understand the Internal Affairs files are confidential until the investigation is concluded and discipline, if any, is issued, she wrote.

Under the process already in place, the CRB only gets access to the files after IA has completed its investigation.

In any event, the power of the board is limited to make recommendations on discipline, but it cannot impose any.

The police and the CRB for the past year have worked to maintain a good relationship but there are differences in the ordinance and the police contract and general orders that could be an issue in the future, according to both the board and Zannelli.

Hamm, in his report to the Downtown Wooster Square meeting Tuesday, said the progress that was being made has really stalled. Referring to the suicide case, he said the board thought there may be other officers who should have been corrected or disciplined in some way.

Hamm said Kings interpretation of their purview is not the way he and other members of the board interpret the ordinance.

We have not been able to engage with the (corporation) counsels office to address this and other legal issues and that has held us up, Hamm said. There are a variety of things stalling us and I can tell you, this board member is frustrated.

Board Secretary Richard Crouse has brought up the looming potential conflicts at numerous meetings and the need to rectify them before they become a problem.

Domiguez already has told the members to relay its concerns as the city will be entering contract bargaining later this year.

Zannelli said the first conflict is the 90-day requirement for IA to complete an investigation according to General Order 2.08. Also, the chief has 90 days to impose discipline, according to the union contract, after IA has sustained the charges.

The CRB does not have these deadlines. In the suicide case, it had asked the chief to give it additional time to conduct an investigation, which was not granted. It is now beyond 90 days.

Zannelli said reopening a closed case, which is allowed under the CRB rules, would violate the police contract under the time frame issue.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Catherine LaMarr, in an October training session with the CRB, was asked a number of questions on some potential conflicts and she promised to get back to the board. They have not been answered.

Crouse said the board would like to reconcile any issues that may become a problem in the future, one of them being reopening a case because the members feel not all the facts had been discovered.

I would like to see how we can figure that out, Crouse said at the training session.

LaMarr said she was very much a process person. I think the process (deadlines on IA investigations) has to incorporate the Civilian Review Board if all that has to happen within the 90 days. She said she planned to discuss this with Zannelli.

She said as long as they have a process to look at documents in a confidential manner, there probably is a way to incorporate this board within the process if it is just a matter of making sure that all the parties agree on how the pieces of the puzzle fit together.

Crouse said they would like to create a flowchart that would show the public the process.

It is certainly in everyones interest to work this out in advance so there isnt conflict, LaMarr said.

At the training session, the members did not seem to know LaMarr had been assigned to work with the CRB, while both LaMarr and King were under the impression the board had opted for outside counsel. Several members could not remember any vote on that.

The independence of the CRB is an issue, given some of the discussion at its Dec. 22 meeting where the initial denial to give Brennan access to files was brought up by Anne Marie Rivera-Berrios, vice chairwoman of the CRB, who had been contacted by the attorney.

Al Lucas, who heads the aldermanic legislative office, and who has been advising the CRB technically and on other questions for the past year, took issue with Kings interpretation.

Chairman Samuel Ross-Lee asked Lucas whether King has the authority to tell the board what it can and cant do.

Lucas said all she can do is give your board advice. She is counsel. She can counsel other parts of the city, as well. They can decide if they want to take her counsel or not.

She doesnt have any authority over your board. All she can do is advise. That is also why the ordinance provided for you to be able to do your own work and keep yourselves at an arms-length distance from the citys counsel, Lucas said.

When an updated Civilian Review Board was being discussed in 2019, it was expected that the most controversial thing would be the use of subpoena power to compel an officer to testify before the board.

That has not happened yet. Zannelli said for the parties, that would be uncharted territory. He said corporation counsel is guiding the Police Department on these matters.

On other conflicts, in the discussion with LaMarr, Crouse asked about a section in the ordinance that the board feels requires police to apprise the board of new evidence as IA works to complete its investigation.

The section reads that part of its authority is, To receive, in writing, a copy of any findings of fact and/or recommended disposition of a complaint at the same time it is forwarded to internal affairs, before it is submitted for final action to the relevant chief of police and to interview the officer(s) preparing such proposed findings of fact and/or recommended disposition.

The way we read this ... it seems to us, whenever a piece of information or finding of fact is submitted to IA that we are supposed to receive this at the same time, Crouse said.

He said it was one of the things the board was most interested in clarifying and the board was told corporation counsel was looking into it.

Zannelli most recently said such sharing before a final report would be a violation of General Order 2.08 on confidentiality. LaMarr, at the training session, said she would look into it, but referring to the Freedom of Information Act, she said there are exemptions of disclosure for preliminary reports in an investigation.

She said, in her opinion, it makes sense in an ongoing investigation that preliminary information not be made public because it could hinder the investigation.

The ordinance, however, does allow the CRB to have access to the same files and reports that Internal Affairs has, LaMarr read to the board.

In her opinion, LaMarr said as long as the CRB has a process that will not interfere with the investigation, I dont see any reason why you wouldnt be able to access those records.

As she continued with the training session, she read the portion where it says the ordinance supersedes other ordinances to the degree they are in conflict.

She said it doesnt say if the ordinance supersedes the collective bargaining agreements.

Crouse said they have only been considering closed cases because they are backlogged at the moment, but conceivably in the future they may want to review documents contemporaneously.

We are just trying to make sure we are building this process in a way that makes sense, Crouse said at the training session.

LaMarr said there may be a resource, such as a secure website, that would be helpful. She said in her previous career she used them for sensitive documents. They do not allow anyone to print from them or take a screenshot.

In fall 2020, Hartford upgraded its Civilian Police Review Board, according to Mayor Luke Bronins office, giving it subpoena power, ensuring that its findings are more than advisory, and establishing the Inspector General position, among other reforms.

The interim inspector general there since spring 2021 was attorney Beth Merkin, who was a career public defender in the New Haven Judicial District. In Hartford, she oversaw investigations and provided administrative support for its review board.

Brennan currently is executive director of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center and a visiting lecturer at Yale Law School. He previously served for more than a decade as an assistant U.S. attorney for the district of Connecticut.
MILFORD  Police tape blocked off a portion of sidewalk in front of a Naugatuck Avenue pizzeria on Wednesday.

The police tape blocked off the front of Alfa Pizza as of late Wednesday morning. No one answered the phone at the pizzeria on Wednesday.

Police said earlier in the day that a disturbance prompted their presence in the area of Naugatuck Avenue and Broadway Wednesday morning, officials said.

Police reported around 7:20 a.m. that they were investigating an early-morning isolated incident in that area.

Police said there was no danger to the public, but did not provide more information.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Douglass Youd at 203-783-4728 or Detective Mitchell Warwick at 203-783-4730.
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 48F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 48F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has reacted to the Abia State High Court rul...





Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has reacted to the Abia State High Court ruling on the pro-Biafra agitator.





Justice Ben Anya of the High Court sitting in Abia State had refused to entertain the Federal Governments suit challenging the competence of his court to hear Kanus fundamental rights violation suit.





Kanu, through Ejimakor, had filed the fundamental rights suit against the Federal Government on the grounds of military invasion of his residence in 2017, his rearrest and torture in Kenya, his repatriation to Nigeria, amongst others.





However, the trial judge ordered the Federal Government to pay Kanu one billion as compensation.





Justice Anya also ordered the government to publicly apologize to the IPOB leader for violating his fundamental human rights and pursue a political solution.





Reacting to the ruling, Ejimakor expressed confidence that the Federal Government would implement Justice Anyas judgment.





In a statement he signed and forwarded to newsmen, the Special Counsel expressed hope that the judgment would impact Kanus trial at the Abuja Federal High Court.





Ejimakor said: I am pleased with the judgment, especially as it diminished the vested notion that Nnamdi Kanu jumped bail in 2017. The directive by the Judge to the federal government to pursue the path of political solution with Kanu is also in good order. Going forward, I see the judgment having a significant impact on the Abuja case.





I have no doubt that the federal government will implement the judgment. My confidence comes from the recent pronouncements from the President that he will respect whatever the judiciary decides in the matter of Nnamdi Kanu.
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday commence a two-day visit to Kaduna, during which he will commission several important projects. ...













President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday commence a two-day visit to Kaduna, during which he will commission several important projects.





During the two-day visit, the President will visit the three major towns of Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan.





A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Muyiwa Adekeye, explained that the President would also be shown round road projects across the state.





The projects to be commissioned during the two-day visit include the remodelled Murtala Muhammed Square, which is located at the heart of Kaduna town.





Other projects include the Infectious Disease Hospital, located at Mando; the Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited along Kaduna-Abuja expressway; and the Sabon Gari market in Zaria.





The statement also explained that the President would commission completed projects like the reconstructed Kawo flyover which has three grand rotaries and access roads, the WAFF Road which has been dualized with junction improvement.





It added that the president would also commission road projects in Kafanchan and Zaria.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Rain likely. Low 52F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 52F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Emergency management pros often remind us that no two storms are alike, and that their impact will be different. Hurricane Idas aftermath has been different in no small part because the powerful August storm struck in the midst of a pandemic. Rebuilding is more expensive, delays are constant, projections for the future are cloudy at best.

All that has been playing out in the hospitality sector, already on the ropes from the travails of the public health crisis.

+31 Ian McNulty: Meet the people behind uplifting New Orleans food stories of 2021 Following the story of New Orleans food means rolling into a lot of great meals and tracking changes in a field thats constantly in flux. It 

Most restaurants and bars were able to get back open after Ida, some with astonishing speed, others only after lengthy and expensive repairs.

Some remain shuttered more than four months after the storm. Heres the latest on where things stand for those I could reach for updates.

Central Grocery, 923 Decatur St.  At a casual glance its possible to assume that the damage at the famous font of muffulettas wasnt so bad. The familiar red facade is still there, as is the sign.

The impact on Central Grocery, however, was catastrophic. And work to get it back open again is only in the early stages.

Right now, co-owner Tommy Tusa estimates Central Grocery will be closed until late in 2022.

Were going to reopen, but with that much damage its impossible to pinpoint when, he said.

A large portion of the three-story townhouse that rises above Central Grocerys own two-story building collapsed during Ida, dumping tons of masonry through the markets roof. The building remained open to the elements for weeks, including through a tropical depression that lashed the area in September.

Much of the building past the facade will have to be rebuilt. Today, you can look through the second-floor windows from the street and see only sky above the old market.

In the meantime, however, Central Grocery is still preparing muffulettas off site to continue its shipping operation. They remain available to order through the specialty food shipping sites goldbelly.com and creolefood.com.

Sidneys Wine Cellar, the long-running liquor and convenience store adjacent to Central Grocery, was similarly damaged by the collapsing brickwork. Owner Sunay Patel earlier confirmed his plans to reopen, though he could not be reached for an update.

Cowbell, 8801 Oak St.  When Brack May and Krista Pendergraft-May opened their art-filled, chef-led cafe in late 2010 it was part of a wave of better-burger concepts coming along, and Cowbell was at the top of the class. Now, though, Cowbell has closed for good.

May said that losses from the storm proved the final nudge for the business, which had been through a shuffle of closing, reopening, closing again in the pandemic. When the lease came due late in 2021, he decided the pull the plug.

Under these conditions it didnt make sense to renew, he said.

May was well known for his work at the CBD restaurant Cobalt (now home to Luke) before developing Cowbell. It took shape in a one-time gas station by the parish line at the end of Oak Street. May would not rule out the possibility of reviving Cowbell sometime in the future, but has no plans to do so for now.

New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co., multiple locations  This local restaurant group has seven locations spread broadly around the metro area. But that did little to spare them from the wide-ranging Ida damage. Four remain shuttered, and a fifth is operating only with its drive-thru window for now.

However, company co-owner Gary Wiener confirmed this week that all locations will reopen. Each is in its own progression towards that goal.

The two locations now fully open are in New Orleans East (12000 E I-10 Service Road) and Elmwood (1005 S. Clearview Parkway), while the Harvey location (2515B Manhattan Blvd.) has its drive-thru window open for takeout only.

That Harvey location is expected to fully reopen in early February, along with the Oakwood Center location in Gretna (197 Westbank Expressway).

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The Uptown location (4141 St. Charles Ave.) is slated to open later in February. This restaurant is along the St. Charles Avenue parade route, near Napoleon Avenue, and Wiener said it was important for the location to be open in some way, shape or form by the time parades roll.

The two locations in Metairie (817 Veterans Memorial Blvd. and 6920 Veterans Memorial Blvd.) are slated to return by April.

Palace Cafe, 605 Canal St.  As reported here earlier, the original restaurant from the Dickie Brennan & Co. group has merged hurricane repairs with a significant revamp, both to the interior and to the restaurant's modern Creole menu.

The scope of work extends across the dining rooms, bars and event spaces on all four floors of the historic Werleins Music building. While Palace Cafe will host some private events through Carnival, the restaurant is now slated to fully reopen to the public in mid-March.

Crescent City Brewhouse, 527 Decatur St.  This pioneering brewpub  which introduced the modern concept to Louisiana 30 years ago  stayed closed for almost a year in the pandemic, taking the opportunity to make renovations before re-opening in February 2021. Six months later, much of that work had to be done all over again after Ida.

Now though, owner and brewmaster Wolfram Koehler has set a re-opening date for Jan. 27.

St. Joes Bar, 5535 Magazine St.  Plywood has covered the windows of this longtime Uptown haunt since Ida, stirring fears that it had closed for good. But St. Joes will reopen, confirmed proprietor Charlie Thompson. He is working to re-staff after the long hiatus, and hopes to open the doors again before the end of January.

St. Joe's has been around for more than 25 years, first opening in 1996. For nearly four decades prior, the address was home to Ms. Maes, before that bar moved down Magazine Street to Napoleon Avenue and returned as The Club Ms. Maes, which remains open today.

Iacovone Kitchen, 5033 Freret St.  When the Freret Market returned late last year, Joanna and Bob Iacovone set up a stand to dish out butter chicken curry, pulled pork tacos and the good news that they would reopen their doors a few blocks up Freret soon.

Though sidelined by roof damage, this chef-led deli and specialty foods shop reopened Jan. 14 with a menu ranging through fresh pasta, pressed po-boys and lush salads.

Lotus Bistro, 203 W. Harrison Ave.  Roof damage initially kept this intimate, high-aiming sushi bar closed last fall. Proprietor Betty Sun was preparing to open late in 2021, but the omicron surge forced her to reassess.

The restaurant made its debut in 2020, only weeks before the pandemic arrived. It had been operating with outdoor table service and takeout only, keeping its tiny indoor area off limits. But Sun said she has learned she can no longer use the buildings parking spaces for outdoor seating due to insurance reasons.

Now, she hopes to reopen Lotus Bistro after the surge subsides.

Its something Im monitoring very closely, she said.

When Lotus Bistro does re-open it will have a liquor license for the first time, and also a new menu with more izakaya-style small plates.

+47 Where to eat next in New Orleans, the comfort food restaurant picks we all need right now Hows 2022 treating you so far? Im guessing a big serving of comfort food could be in order, so thats the theme for this latest edition of o

+56 Ian McNulty: A year of New Orleans dining in 52 dishes, and a few drinks There are many ways to sum up a year in the New Orleans dining scene. Below, I'm giving you 52 of them, snapshot style, with tastes that contr
Christian Scott, the New Orleans-born trumpeter, composer and all-around innovator, designs his own instruments. He spent part of the pandemic crafting a new brass horn in the key of B-flat, the same key as trumpets, flugelhorns and cornets.

Ive wanted to try to build one that was an amalgamation of all of the different designs, he explained recently, in a quest for one horn to rule them all.

He laughed at his Lord of the Rings reference. But he was also serious.

My thing is, as much as I love the sound of the trumpet or drums or saxophone or any of these instruments, Im not a person who believes that the tenets of the design from 200 years ago are going to trump our attempt to do better.

Ambitious innovation connecting the past to the future describes not only Scotts approach to instrument-building but to music in general.

Professionally known as Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, he has for the past 20 years lived mostly in New York and Los Angeles when not traveling the globe showcasing Stretch Music, his jazz-based synthesis of styles and sounds. He rarely performs in his hometown, even though his cultural ties to New Orleans run deep.

But on Saturday, he and his latest project, Chief Adjuah & the Sound Carved From Legend, headline the P.5 Gala, the closing fundraiser for the fifth iteration of the citywide contemporary art triennial Prospect New Orleans. The high-dollar gala is at Studio BE, the Bywater warehouse that is home base for visual artist Brandan Bmike Odums.

That Scott, a graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and the Berklee College of Music, is the galas headliner is appropriate: The title of his 2010 album, Yesterday You Said Tomorrow, inspired the theme of Prospect.5, Yesterday we said tomorrow.

For them to name what theyre doing this year after our older record ... the relationship with them has been amazing, Scott said of Prospect.5, which is on display at 17 sites across the city through Sunday.

With Prospect.5, the natural tendency is to think about the visual art. But this (performance) is getting into other areas of artistic practice in New Orleans.

In March 2020, Scott capped off the pre-pandemic portion of his career by recording several performances at New Yorks Blue Note for a live album, Axiom. Those shows ended up being his last before the coronavirus shutdown.

Its weird how it worked out. We were just documenting. We listened back to the tapes and it felt to us that it sounded like what we sound like, so we ran with it.

Axiom was nominated for a Grammy. Scott sustained his string of consecutive Grammy nominations again this year with a nod for his contributions to Sackodougou, a song by Ghanian-born Weedie Braimah, a master of the West African djembe drum. Braimahs The Hands of Time album was released on Scotts Stretch Music record label.

Scott doesnt see the Grammys  this years ceremony has been postponed to April 3  as a competition.

I always appreciate being recognized by my peers, but Im also really intentional about just focusing on my work and letting the popularity aspect of it just do whats going to do.

During the pandemic, he "never stopped moving completely. It definitely hasnt been an idle time. Ive been trying to get as much work done as possible.

Case in point: hes prepped three albums for release over the next 18 months. The first is Bark Out Thunder, Roar Out Lightning, a title that borrows from an ancestral phrase handed down through generations of his family. His grandfather was revered Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr.; his uncle is world-renowned modern jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., who is also a Black Masking Indian chief.

The music on Bark Out Thunder, Roar Out Lightning is basically a hybrid of Louisiana blues, Maroon blues and Black Indian music, Scott said. It takes music that happened in the Delta at the turn of the last century and created this big boom in 20th-century music and tethers it back to its ancestral home.

He facilitates that process by designing electric instruments based on traditional West African instruments, including the Adjuah Bow, an electrified version of a traditional West African double-sided harp. Scott's creations are wholly connected to the root instruments. At least in terms of how theyre built, theyre not completely disparate, new instruments. Theyre actually built with the Old World templates.

Those Old World templates inform the percussive-heavy The Sound Carved From Legend, which synthesizes folkloric music from throughout the African Diaspora with Scott's contemporary Stretch Music.

Its really rooted in a more rhythmic approach to blues that incorporates the ancestral rhythms from ceremonial and ritual practice. Superimposed on top of that is this new style of hybridized, 21st-century, West African double-sided harp playing that is more blues than anything else.

For now, Scott is tri-coastal: he owns residences in New Orleans and Los Angeles and maintains a New York apartment, which, after two decades, he may soon give up.

Scotts twin brother, Kiel, is an L.A.-based writer and director; many of their friends also call Southern California home. Scott prefers Southern Californias weather to New Yorks. And as hes doing more and more work scoring films, proximity to Hollywood makes sense.

His home in L.A.'s Sun Valley neighborhood, purchased just before the pandemic, is the most perfect location. Im five minutes away from the Burbank airport. The energy in that airport is like going to your neighborhood corner bodega. Once youve gone twice, everyone knows you. And to not have to engage with LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) every other day has been a blessing.

Scotts prolific touring slowed down during the pandemic but has picked up again. In late 2021, he performed in Indonesia, Dubai and along the East Coast.

The Dubai gig in November was part of Expo 2020, an international gathering that Scott likened to a culturally focused Worlds Fair. To intermingle with like-minded artists from around the world who are coming at their creatively from different angles was especially fulfilling for him.

Its centered specifically around the cultural contributions of seemingly disparate cultures, he said. It was great.

Hell perform at the Prospect.5 gala with a slightly downsized configuration of Chief Adjuah & The Sound Carved From Legend. Hell play some trumpet, but you wont be experiencing the kind of trumpet-heavy concert you would have experienced in the past. This one is much more mixed  singing, poetry, storytelling.

Im excited to come back and be home and put something in the air that is wholly connected to the energies that existed in the city when I was a little boy, but that also reaches for whats coming next.
An imaginative 4-year-old detective is seeking the publics help in tracking down several monsters in the Irish Channel.

Though he hasnt encountered them face-to-face, Eli Wasser has a hunch that some mischievous other-worldly beings are lurking just out of sight, causing trouble  and hes determined to find them with some additional help from his neighbors.

Residents are now participating in his monster awareness campaign, and Eli  whose father and co-detective Frank says is going through a "superhero phase"  nonchalantly told Gambit, Im glad we were born to spearhead this cause.

The pre-K sleuth is warning of an army of squirrel monsters in the area who are looking to pick sword fights  though he concedes these rascals are not likely to cause too much to harm humans, because, after all, their swords are "little.

And while more pragmatic residents might blame aging infrastructure and unfortunate weather patterns on the crumbling streets, Eli suggests the real cause is Big Puddle Monster, who particularly enjoys hanging out around Louisiana Avenue with his ally Slime Monster. Big Puddle Monster is suspected of devouring car parts when drivers accidentally (and inevitably) bottom out in a local pothole on a rainy day.

Elis father Frank initially tried to assuage his sons concerns by telling him monsters arent real. We had this ongoing debate: Eli keeps saying there are monsters; I keep saying there are not  because I dont want him to be afraid of them, Frank says.

But on a recent father-son stroll through the neighborhood Eli spotted a Lost Dog sign, which sparked an idea to post signs around the neighborhood. Convinced there might be others out there who have seen the monsters, Eli told Gambit Tuesday evening that the signage made me want to make a monster sign.

You could see the wheels in his head turning, Frank says.

Frank and Eli went home and created several signs that the pair has since posted around the Channel, in high-traffic areas, which describe the monsters and request that anyone with more information email an account they set up: NOLAMonsters@gmail.com.

And, after Frank shared their mission in a neighborhood Facebook group, dozens of residents have since come forward to share their own supernatural experiences and sightings, lending further credence to Elis beliefs.

One neighbor claimed Big Puddle Monster had recently relocated, at least temporarily, to Steins Deli.

Pretty sure he tried to eat my shoe while I was crossing the street, the fellow vigilante wrote to Eli. Next time Im going to be more prepared and tie my laces extra tight.

Another neighbor reported that Slime Monster was spotted digging through the trash by Dat Dog...probably trying to find a spare hot dog in the trash. Im not completely sure but I felt like you needed to know.

Yet another wrote that the clearly ravenous Slime Monster could be appeased by "kind words and a hot breakfast" from Slim Goodies.

Others have also offered Eli feeding tips. Monsters love peanut M&Ms, but only the green and blue ones, wrote another neighbor, adding that the monsters are actually very shy.

Frank says that Eli is taking the feedback seriously and remains determined to fearlessly find more clues.

Im not scared of Big Puddle or Slime Monster, Eli clarified to Gambit.

The child is also excited about winning an argument against his father about the monsters' existence.

Now theres a 4-year-old gloating to me about how I was wrong, says Frank. But its been very fun and hes having a good time.

Anyone who has information about the Irish Channel monsters can email Eli at NOLAMonsters@gmail.com.
The chaplain at Brother Martin High School abruptly left his post earlier this month, just days after the school was notified of allegations that he kissed and fondled a Mount Carmel Academy senior in 1990 while serving at another local Catholic institution, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

The Rev. Paul Hart was assigned by Archbishop Gregory Aymond to serve as Brother Martins chaplain in 2017, after a church investigation four years earlier confirmed the sexual misconduct but determined the student was not a minor under church law.

Reached by phone, Hart said his retirement from the all-boys high school, as well as from his job as director of retreats at St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, was due to his ongoing battle with brain cancer. The archdiocese said the same.

But the picture appears far more complicated.

According to multiple sources, Brother Martin was unaware of the past abuse claims and was tipped off early this month.

Then, on Jan. 13, the archdiocese was formally asked to notify the school of the church investigation into claims Hart had engaged in sexual contact with a student. She was 17, and he was in his late 30s.

That investigation determined that Hart broke church laws mandating that priests practice celibacy. But the probe stopped short of finding that Hart had sexually abused a minor.

That's because church officials gave precedent to the canon law that was in place at the time of the alleged abuse, which considered 16 the age of majority, even though the U.S. Catholic Church had adopted policies in 2002 that instructed church leaders to consider anyone younger than 18 as underage, the sources said.

When asked Monday about the investigation, the archdiocese declined to comment other than to say Hart retired on Jan. 6. The statement added that the archdiocese was barred from speaking about the case because of a federal court order, an apparent reference to a mandate associated with the church's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing from May 2020, when it was faced with dozens of pending abuse-related lawsuits.

Brother Martin officials also declined to return multiple messages seeking comment, simply confirming Hart had retired without saying when.

Hart was 37 years old when he was ordained in August 1989, having first pursued a career in banking before joining the priesthood. His first assignment was at St. Ann Church in Metairie, and as chaplain at the all-girls Archbishop Chapelle High School.

It was during his work at St. Ann that he took an interest in a Mount Carmel senior who participated in the Catholic Youth Organization chapter at the church, the sources said.

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By 1990, he was allegedly spending his personal time with the student, and began kissing her, groping her chest, and at least once engaging in what church investigators described as dry sex  which involves people simulating intercourse with their clothes on  while in the rectory, the sources said.

Two of the teens friends told investigators that they recalled the student speaking about kissing Hart at the time, but they did not remember her talking about about the more intense sexual contact, the sources said.

The girl eventually stopped spending time with Hart. She didnt immediately report the priest, who went on to assignments at St. Charles Borromeo, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Andrew the Apostle.

But in the spring of 2012, the woman learned Hart was returning to St. Ann, where she had children in school. That prompted her to contact the archdiocese and file a formal complaint.

Though 17 is the legal age of consent in Louisiana, the woman told the archdiocese she realized Hart's contact with her was inappropriate, and she accused him of grooming her before pursuing sexual contact.

The complaint led to an internal investigation that lasted into 2013. Generally, Hart denied initiating contact but acknowledged there was some and that he may have even "released some semen," multiple sources said.

Aymond's internal clerical advisors determined, at a minimum, Hart had violated celibacy rules along with priest-parishioner boundaries, the sources said. A separate review board advising Aymond, which included lay members of the church, voted that Hart  by his own admission  had abused a minor.

But the case turned on a technicality: the definition of an adult under church law at the time of the sexual misconduct. That section of canon law set 16 as the age of adulthood, so  at the behest of his clerical advisors  Aymond indicated to the Vatican office which oversees clerical abuse cases that Hart had not abused a minor in this case, the sources said.

Hart, therefore, is not on a list of more than 70 priests and deacons that the archdiocese considers to be credibly accused of molesting minors.

Hart had been active in celebrating virtual Masses for the Brother Martin community since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. In confirming his retirement, the archdiocese said Harts record at the school was exemplary.

"Father Hart served the people of God ... with faithfulness to his priestly promises," the archdiocesan statement read. "We continue our prayers as Father Hart struggles with treatment for brain cancer."

Hart, for his part, denied that anyone had ever accused him of misconduct with someone younger than 18.

Theres never been anything like that, he said. I retired because I have cancer and am fighting right now.
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter disclosed Wednesday that he has tested positive for Covid and is experiencing what he called "flu-like symptoms."

Carter, who is serving his first term and lives in New Orleans, emphasized in an interview that he expects to fully recover soon. In the meantime, he is working remotely while quarantining at his Washington, D.C. apartment.

"This is not a dire situation. Theres discomfort but nothing thats life threatening," Carter said, adding that he's suffering from body aches and chills similar to having the flu. His voice was hoarse.

Carter, 58, said he is fully vaccinated and has received his booster shot.

Without that protection, "this would be a far more serious account," he said and added, "I would ask friends to take this as an example. Dont take any chances."

Carter said he began feeling chest congestion, pressure on his head, sore throat and a sore throat on Tuesday. That night, he treated it as if he had the flu.

Carter said he felt significantly worse Wednesday morning and took an at-home Covid test that was positive. He immediately contacted the attending physician at Congress.

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Carter recently announced that he would skip the upcoming annual Mardi Gras gathering for elected officials, lobbyists and big donors in Washington because of omicron.

Of Louisiana's congressional delegation, Luke Letlow died in December 2020 just weeks after being elected to represent northeast Louisiana and just before he took office. His widow Julia won a special election to replace him.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy tested positive for Covid in August 2020.

Carter's predecessor Cedric Richmond suffered a bout of Covid in 2020 while in Congress. Richmond recovered and is now a senior adviser to President Joe Biden.

Carter won a special election last year to replace Richmond after having served for five years in the state Senate. Since taking office, he has been a reliable supporter of President Joe Biden's priorities.

His district includes virtually all of New Orleans, a portion of the west bank of Jefferson Parish, the River Parishes and a portion of Baton Rouge.

On Tuesday, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that Louisiana has had more than 1 million cases of Covid and that more than 15,000 residents have died from the illness.
Tensions continued to build on Tuesday between New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson and District Attorney Jason Williams ahead of an upcoming special City Council hearing on crime and following a wave of highly-publicized carjackings over the weekend.

Ferguson is scheduled to sit in the City Council hot seat on Thursday, before Williams and court leaders are questioned four days later. Ahead of those hearings, Ferguson is blaming the rest of the criminal justice system for failing to hold offenders accountable, while Williams is bemoaning what he calls a low NOPD clearance rate.

The exchange came after a weekend whirlwind of carjacking that included a string of incidents near the Tulane and Loyola University campuses that police believe were committed by the same people. Many types of non-violent, property crime are down since the pandemic, but carjackings and homicides have shot up.

After 11 violent vehicle robberies between Friday and Sunday in the city, residents were confronted with more violent crime during afternoon rush hour Tuesday. A woman was shot and killed on Interstate 10 East at the Crowder Boulevard exit, prompting police to shut the highway down for two hours as they worked the crime scene.

+11 At MLK Day ceremony, Mayor Cantrell calls for social justice, decries violence At a wreath-laying ceremony to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other city officials issued a call to figh

Williams said the city is in the midst of a crime surge during a news conference outside his headquarters on Tuesday, a day after Ferguson held one of his own. Williams said prosecutors are hampered by the NOPDs failure to follow through with the additional evidence needed to convince judges and juries after an initial arrest.

The people of this city are rightly frustrated, Williams said. What we need is for the chief to understand that their role in the criminal legal system does not end in simply arrest. You gotta have evidence in court.

On Monday, Ferguson said officers are making arrests but the back portion of this criminal justice system isn't doing its part to hold offenders accountable.

+16 New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell sworn in for second term, saying 'the best is yet to come' Mayor LaToya Cantrell took the oath of office for her second term Monday, telling supporters from the steps of historic Gallier Hall that desp

"We'll continue to make the arrests but it doesn't mean a thing if there are no consequences to their actions," Ferguson said.

The Police Departments statistics show that armed robberies and carjackings declined slightly between 2020 and 2021, dropping 2.7% to a combined total of 790 last year. But that drop came after a 27% increase between 2019 and 2020 that was driven by carjackings, which shot up during the pandemic, according to City Council data.

Residents of New Orleans East have witnessed the worst of the spike, with a carjacking rate there that recently was roughly 13 carjackings for every 10,000 people, more than double the city's average rate of 5 per 10,000 people.

New Orleans voters most often listed crime as the citys biggest problem in an October poll shortly before the municipal elections. The hearing this week is the new City Councils first attempt to address the issue.

+9 New Orleans East, facing carjacking epidemic, has city's slowest police response times Sharon Varnado left her Little Woods neighborhood in New Orleans East three years ago, and she hasn't looked back.

Its past time, said Marcia McWilliams, president of the North Kenilworth Improvement and Security District in New Orleans East. She said she is filled with fear every time she parks her car.

Theyre running around, carjacking and everything. Its really sad to me. I am afraid outside of my house, I am afraid inside of my house, she said. Theyve just got to do a complete overhaul as it relates to crime.

The concerns around crime carry political peril both for Ferguson, an appointee of Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and Williams, who is a year into a six-year term but needs City Council support for his office's budget.

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The mayor has 1000% confidence in Ferguson, according to Cantrell spokesman Beau Tidwell.

Both sides decried finger-pointing, but the two top lawmen gave dueling explanations for the citys current crime woes. Ferguson said there is a revolving door when it comes to his officers arrests, with arrestees often released quickly on bail.

+2 New Orleans ends 2021 with most murders in a year since before Hurricane Katrina: 'Why?' For the second straight year, New Orleans reported an increased number of killings in 2021, erasing gains in public safety achieved in the pas

Ferguson and Cantrells office have pointed to the slowdown in the court system caused by the COVID pandemic. Last year, there were only four jury trials in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. The court has suspended jury trials until March 7 due to the omicron surge.

That's a reality, Tidwell said at a Tuesday news conference. That's not anybody's fault. That's not pointing fingers. That is a reality that the pandemic created, and it has consequences.

Williams claimed the NOPD isnt solving enough crimes. He cited a 30% solve rate for murders, 35% rate for robberies and 8% for car thefts in 2020. Tidwell disputed those numbers, but he said the city wasnt interested in splitting hairs on the point.

Its problematic for me that the chief sees a discussion about the solve rate as an issue, Williams said. We should be discussing that so we can fix it, so we can find real discussions with the City Council, with the mayor.

Meanwhile, Williams also claimed that a proposal from his office for a joint initiative aimed at auto burglaries and carjackings has been sitting on Fergusons desk for months. The NOPD said in a statement that it did sign the agreement for 2021 and that this years pact is under review.

City Council members and civic leaders have begun sketching out proposed solutions, which run the gamut from ramping up police presence to addressing root causes.

The Metropolitan Crime Commission has proposed pay raises to improve recruitment and retention at the New Orleans Police Department, which has been losing officers since the pandemic started.

An entry-level NOPD officer makes $56,566 after one year on the job. Entry-level sheriff's deputies make $44,776 in St. Tammany Parish and $44,745 in Jefferson Parish, two jurisdictions where crime rates rates are not as high as New Orleans, according to the agencies websites. It was not immediately clear what the suburban deputies make after one year.

The crime commission has also called on Williams to allow prosecutors to ratchet up defendants' sentences with the states habitual offender law. Williams has banned the practice in his office, saying that it helped give Louisiana the unwelcome distinction of being the most incarcerated place on the planet.

On the other end of the spectrum, Gina Womack, executive director of Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children, a non-profit that advocates for youth in the juvenile justice system, said the city needs to address root causes of crime like poverty and racism.

Youth need community resources, support, and opportunities to learn from missteps to develop into healthy adults, she said in a statement. Placing a child in prison causes additional trauma and data proves that system involvement contributes to a cycle of crime.

Some proposals for the carjacking problem involve beefing up services for the youths who have been tied to stick-up sprees. Newly elected District D City Council member Eugene Green says he wants to improve mentoring for youths incarcerated at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center, where the escape of four youths last week sparked a city-wide police response.

Ranord J. Darensburg, chief judge of the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court, said his bench needs more resources to help troubled youths.

Pointing fingers at other points in the justice system does not represent a solution to any problems, Darensburg said. What is necessary is the investment in juvenile court by providing the court with the proper resources and ability to supervise youth that are involved in the courts.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams called Wednesday for the return of a controversial multi-agency task force that was credited with disrupting street gangs through much of the 2010s, as he and Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson spent a second day arguing over who was more to blame for increases in violent crime over the past two years.

With the first of two special City Council hearings on crime set for Thursday, Williams and Ferguson used dueling news conferences to propose solutions. And they both said that strained budgets made it difficult to devote more resources to stopping or solving carjackings, homicides and other violent crimes.

+3 Wave of carjackings fuel dispute between NOPD, DA ahead of New Orleans City Council meeting Tensions continued to build on Tuesday between New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson and District Attorney Jason Williams ahead of 

The district attorney said bringing back the gang unit could be an effective arrow in law enforcement's quiver. But without more money, Williams said his office could spare only the holdover assistant district attorney who had been assigned to the unit during the administration of his predecssor, Leon Cannizzaro. There is no money to add trial assistants and investigators, who could help build and prosecute the sprawling racketeering cases that incapacitated dozens of defendants during a period of falling homicide totals, he said.

Leaders, criminal justice stakeholders, we need to surge back with strategies, not [be] blaming someone else, Williams said. We are at a unique precipice.

The two officials separately said it was unproductive to point fingers, a day after each did so. They spoke publicly as the City Council prepared to address New Orleans' crime rate in a pair of special hearings.

+11 At MLK Day ceremony, Mayor Cantrell calls for social justice, decries violence At a wreath-laying ceremony to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other city officials issued a call to figh

Ferguson is expected to address the council during its regular meeting Thursday, Williams at a special meeting Monday. Council member Oliver Thomas, who newly chairs the criminal justice committee, said the discussions should form the basis of a comprehensive plan.

Based on what we hear in the next couple days, Ill develop some expectations in terms of what we need to see, and what my committee expects from the Police Department, Thomas said.

Thomas said he wants to revisit strategies from the late 1990s, when the record-high homicide rates earlier in that decade fell dramatically under Mayor Marc Morial and Police Chief Richard Pennington. Those strategies include intergovernmental agreements with other New Orleans-based law enforcement agencies - the Harbor Police Department, for example - to increase police staffing in neighborhoods, Thomas said.

We may be limited with our Police Department. But within our boundaries, we have thousands of trained folks whose careers and jobs are law enforcement, Thomas said.

Thomas said he plans to discuss the idea with U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan, who oversees the federal consent decree governing the Police Departments operations.

Thursday's council meeting will be the first with regular business, after five new members were sworn into office Jan. 10. Members of the previous council were generally deferential to Ferguson and Mayor LaToya Cantrells approach to crime and criminal justice, but it remains to be seen if the congeniality will continue.

Elected officials in both City Hall and the criminal courts are under equal pressure to reduce homicides and carjackings, which have risen for two years and reached a political boiling point this week after a spate of weekend carjackings.

Criminal District Court Judge Robin Pittman initiated a meeting Tuesday night with fellow judges, Cantrells administration and Sheriff Marlin Gusman. It is not clear what exactly the officials discussed, other than pandemic-related challenges to holding jury trials. Pittman did not respond to a request for comment.

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Cantrell administration spokesperson Beau Tidwell said additional meetings will be scheduled with all criminal justice agencies leaders in the near future, but he did not answer a question as to whether Williams was invited to the one on Tuesday.

Council member Joseph Giarrusso said providing better public information to track criminal cases from arrest to resolution could be the first step in coming up with a crime plan.

My sense is that people see the crime numbers and are looking at what's on social media, or they've either been victimized or know somebody who has, and are asking what are the results?

Gang unit

Given Williams history as a criminal defense attorney, his call to revive the gang unit was a surprising turn. Political progressives, whose support carried Williams to victory in the 2020 election to succeed Cannizzaro, have excoriated the units work, arguing that it tore apart Black families and bordered on finding people guilty by association.

Launched after the 2012 killing of a 5-year-old girl outside of a birthday party, the gang unit paired New Orleans police and prosecutors with federal law enforcement to secure dozens of convictions against some of New Orleans' most notorious criminals, largely by repurposing Prohibition-era laws aimed at curbing bootleggers. Cases involved charging many defendants, ranging from purported kingpins to bit players, with a wide range of alleged offenses.

Supporters said the unit helped New Orleans lower the number of homicides in five of the next seven years, culminating in a 47-year-low of 121 homicides in 2019.

But the unit fell out of political favor and was disbanded about four years ago, as Louisiana tried to strip itself of its title as the world incarceration capital. And despite the reduction in the number of homicides, New Orleans' remained one of the deadliest cities in the country.

The unit also drew criticism for quietly gaining access to sophisticated computer software that let investigators draw from a wide range of databases and social media networks to connect victims, suspects and witnesses.

Critics said the program, if not properly overseen, could lead to the very kind of biased policing that resulted in the Police Department entering into a federal reform agreement in 2012, one that is still in effect. Among those who criticized the police for gaining access to the software without disclosing it was Williams, who said at the time: I would not take a pill out of an opaque, amber bottle that doesnt have a label on it.

'More creative'

Homicides in New Orleans rose to 198 in 2020 then to 218 last year, with sociologists saying the jumps were driven by stressors associated with the coronavirus pandemic. In the first 19 days of 2022, there have already been 16 killings in New Orleans, alarming resident and political leaders.

Carjackings and armed robberies increased 27% in 2020, before dropping 2.7% last year. That slight dip became a distant memory Saturday, a day when police logged 11 armed robberies and carjackings, with only three of them resulting in arrests by Wednesday afternoon.

Tensions surrounding the rising levels of violent crime boiled over at the start of the week, especially between Williams and Ferguson. Generally, Ferguson said, police are making arrests but those at the courts arent holding offenders accountable. He invoked one case in particular, involving an armed robbery suspect who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in return for probation last month; the defendant was released and, within days, was charged with robbing a bank, federal authorities allege.

Williams countered that police arent making enough arrests to improve public safety; roughly 1 in 3 murders and robberies are leading to arrests, and for auto theft cases, the number falls to less than 1 in 10, Williams said.

Another sticking point was whether the police had signed off on an initiative for officers and prosecutors to target serial carjackers and robbers. Ferguson said Wednesday he signed a pact with a similar aim last summer but that other agencies didnt endorse. He said Williams came back with another initiative more recently, and that he was mulling it because it would require him to fund two attorneys. He questioned whether that was fair given that his agency already pays for police officers assigned to the DAs staff.

We have to be more creative, Ferguson said. Hows this fair to everyone?
A man was killed in a shooting early Wednesday in Algiers, New Orleans police said. It was one of two overnight homicides reported in the city.

The Algiers shooting was reported to police around 2:45 a.m. in the 1300 block of Flanders Street (map). Police said a 49-year-old man was shot multiple times and died at the scene.

His name has not been released. No other details were immediately available, including a possible motive or a description of a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Det. Tanisha Smith at 504-658-5300 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Man killed in stabbing

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About 45 minutes earlier, a man was killed in a stabbing at an apartment building in the Treme.

The crime was reported to police around 2 a.m. in the 2100 block of Ursulines Avenue (map).

A 34-year-old man was in a fight with an unidentified man, New Orleans police said. Both were armed with knives.

The unidentified man stabbed the 34-year-old multiple times, police said. The 34-year-old, whose name has not been released, died at the scene.

No other details were immediately available, including a possible motive or a description of a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call NOPD Homicide Det. John Bakula or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
The dismembered body found in a New Orleans freezer earlier this month has officially been identified as that of Julia Dardar, authorities said Wednesday.

Dardar, 36, died of blunt force injuries to her head and neck along with asphyxia due to manual strangulation, the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office said.

Benjamin Beale, 34, was booked with second-degree murder late Friday in connection with her death and is being held in the Orleans Parish Justice Center in lieu of a $1.4 million bail. Beale is accused of beating and strangling Dardar, dismembering her body and then putting the parts in a freezer inside a bus at a home they shared on Pauline Street.

Beale also faces charges for obstruction of justice and running a methamphetamine lab at the house.

Authorities found the body parts Jan. 11 during their search for Dardar, who was reported missing by her estranged husband on Dec. 23.

The 36-year-old mother of two teenaged daughters split with her husband and moved in with Beale last year at a house in the 2300 block of Pauline Street in the Florida neighborhood. Her husband reported her missing after a friend said he saw Beale driving Dardar's car without her.

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Neighbors said Beale had lived in the house for about a year. Dardar arrived more recently and lived in the school bus near the rear of the property, straddling an empty lot, said Tracy Pearson, who lives next door.

She was a nice girl, always tried to work on the house, Pearson said.

Pearson said Beale and Dardar often walked their small black mixed-breed dogs together in the neighborhood.

+5 As dismembered body awaits autopsy, portrait of missing mom emerges: 'Meth is horrible' 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

Loved ones remembered Dardar as an artistic person who loved working on cars and doting on her girls before she developed a meth addiction that precipitated a split from her husband, among other things.

After the gruesome discovery in the freezer, authorities said they couldn't immediately identify the corpse or determine the cause of death because the remains had to thaw.

Staff writer John Simerman contributed to this story.
National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability by being ranked first in Bahrain and second in the Arab World in the Refinitiv Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Scores for Banking Services Companies.

The bank received a total score of 65, surpassing 44 regional banks, making it part of the top 16% banking services companies.

Refinitiv is a provider of transparent and accurate data surrounding ESG practices within the financial industry. Its scoring system objectively measures a companys ESG performance, commitment and effectiveness, based on company-reported data. More than 9,500 companies globally are scored and ranked as per Refinitivs ESG pillars, which include emissions, environmental product innovation, product responsibility and corporate social responsibility (CSR strategy).

The Refinitiv ESG ranking solidifies the banks sustainability efforts and brings it closer to its goal of becoming a greener organisation that practices responsible banking. Additionally, it is aligned with NBBs unwavering commitment to support the Kingdoms Economic Vision 2030 of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2060, the bank said.

Farouk Yousif Khalil Almoayyed, Chairman of NBB, said: We are delighted to have reached this leadership position, which is a testament to the sustainability initiatives we continuously emphasise. Our positioning reinforces that we are taking the right steps towards positively contributing to the community and environment. This will only strengthen the banks standing as it continues to thoroughly incorporate sustainability considerations into all of its organizational aspects.

Jean-Christophe Durand, CEO of NBB, said: The leadership positioning marks the rigorous and systematic approach we have planned and implemented towards the integration of ESG factors into the banks operations. NBB has been committed to embedding sustainability in all its functions and core business, as it continues to launch environmentally driven products and initiatives. We have applied ESG factors into our loan and investment plans, launched a range of sustainable products, including the solar financing, hybrid/electric car loans and education loans. These are some of the many ESG initiatives the bank has undertaken, positively impacting the environment and community in which it operates. In 2021, the bank was the first in the Kingdom to obtain the international ISO 14001:2015 accreditation for Environmental Management Systems, reinforcing its position as a financial leader in sustainability practices.

Dana Buheji, Group Chief Human Resources and Sustainability Officer at NBB, said: Embedding ESG practices throughout our core business has been a focal point for the bank. NBBs Sustainability journey positions us strategically, enabling us to address short and mid-term risks, as well as identify long-term risks and gain a level of response that is flexible and serves all of our stakeholders. NBB has made strides towards becoming environmentally responsible, but this is only the beginning. Refinitiv recognizes the Banks endeavors on a regional level and motivates us on our journey towards becoming greener, which, in turn, will enable us to better serve our community.

NBB has won numerous awards pertaining to its sustainability practices, including The Middle Easts Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2021, Global Finances Outstanding Leadership in Sustainability Transparency Award and International Business Magazines Sustainable Bank of the Year Award. TradeArabia News Service
New Orleans public schools said Tuesday they were tracking 1,603 COVID-19 cases and 3,764 student and staff quarantines.

The number of quarantines made for a 72% increase over the 2,192 reported quarantines last week.

But the number of infections dropped 23% from last week's 2,233 active cases. And the school system said the positivity rate of tests given at school sites had dropped by almost half in the past week, from 13% to 7% in Tuesdays data. NOLA Public Schools said that positivity rate was on 15,900 tests administered during the reporting period.

We are encouraged to learn that the positivity rate among our students is going down, Superintendent Henderson Lewis Jr. said.

The COVID cases broke down to 1,402 among students and 201 among staffers, the data shows.

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Even with the quarantines, Tiffany Delcour, the school system's chief of operations, told the School Board on Tuesday afternoon that many more schools had returned to in-person classes this week. Some 30 schools had pivoted to distance learning as students returned from winter break earlier this month, but this week that number had fallen to 10, she said.

Were in a much better situation than we were last week, Delcour said.

The Orleans school system requires everyone to wear masks on campus. Students face a Feb. 1 deadline to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The weekly COVID data release came on a day when Louisiana reached a grim milestone, surpassing 1 million infections in the 22-month pandemic, according to the state Department of Health showed. The agency's daily update showed 1,025,748 people - about 1 in 5 residents - have now tested positive for the virus since March 2020.
A charter school for students with dyslexia is coming to St. Tammany Parish following a state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education vote to approve it, a first for a parish that has not had any charter schools.

Louisiana Key Academy North Shore plans to open in time for the 2022-2023 school year with 96 students in grades 1-4, and will add one grade of 48 students each year until it reaches full capacity of 360 students in grades 1-8. The school will be run by Louisiana Key Academy, which now operates a location in Baton Rouge.

"We are so grateful, especially for all the parents who supported this and I am extremely proud of all the students who spoke," said Jessica Stubbs, who will be the school's principal. "We are ready to start serving the community."

The school uses a curriculum designed for students with dyslexia and trains its teachers to become Certified Academic Language Therapists. Students from the north shore and nearby parishes can attend. Students who intend on enrolling at the school will be tested for dyslexia free of charge.

Petitions for charters are heard by local school boards after a third-party review. In this instance, St. Tammany Parish schools Superintendent Frank Jabbia said Louisiana Key Academy's charter application was incomplete and it never appeared before the St. Tammany School Board. The charter told BESE in October that a technological mishap was to blame and sough an appeal.

BESE approved the charter near the end of a long meeting in Baton Rouge Tuesday.

Jabbia urged BESE to deny the charter, saying that St. Tammany public schools adequately teach students with dyslexia, a claim that brought derisive laughter from some in the crowd.

"Reading is necessary for life," Stubbs said. "We are so excited and ready to get to work."

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About a dozen parents, students and teachers -- most wearing red -- spoke in favor of the charter, including state Rep. Richard Nelson of Mandeville.

"[Parents] don't care about the process, they don't care about what forms or boxes were checked, they care about their kids learning to read and I don't have to tell you how important that is especially in Louisiana," he said.

Nancy Guzman, who flew from North Carolina to speak in favor of the charter school, said her grandson who lives in St. Tammany has struggled with reading in the public school system.

"It is unacceptable to watch another generation of students fail to achieve the outcomes that could have been achieved because the adults for their education would not commit to doing what is right and provide a school that teaches to each child's diverse traits and aspirations," Guzman said.

Anthony Foto said his 6-year-old son with dyslexia is repeating kindergarten and sometimes comes home with stacks of books from the library to "fake read."

"I care that these people are here and they want to to bring a school to my neighborhood to help my son really read those books from the library ... not only do these teachers specialize in teaching kids to read in a special way but every subject is brought to them in a way with their dyslexia in mind," Foto said.

Interested students can find an application on the charter website: www.lakeyacademy.com.
Two patients at University Medical Center in New Orleans have been diagnosed with a rare, drug-resistant fungus called Candida auris, hospital officials said Tuesday, marking Louisianas first known cases of the pathogen.

The fungus, a type of yeast, is considered a global emerging threat by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. C. auris can cause infections in the bloodstream or in wounds, and is typically spread in health care settings. It is sometimes called a superbug because it is resistant to common antifungal drugs.

Louisiana surpasses 1 million coronavirus cases as omicron wave continues As the fifth wave of the coronavirus sweeps across Louisiana, the state passed a sobering milestone on Tuesday: more than a million resident

University Medical Center, which is operated by LCMC Health, notified the public of the cases out of an abundance of caution, said Dr. Nirav Patel, chief medical officer. While this is the first time the hospital has found C. auris, it's likely gone undetected in the state until now, Patel said.

"This bug could have been here in Louisiana for quite some time," said Patel, ticking off recent outbreaks in Florida and Texas. "These cases have been happening in the continental United States in large numbers."

The hospital, citing patient privacy, did not answer questions about whether its infected patients had recently been transferred from other health care centers, when the infections were identified or whether the patients had a history of international travel.

Omicron case surge has 1 in 4 Louisiana hospitals at 'critical' staffing levels Familiar scenes are playing out in hospitals across Louisiana as omicron continues to prompt more people to seek care: emergency rooms are sla

But it's likely more cases will follow, said Dr. Alfred Luk, medical director of transplant infectious diseases at Tulane University School of Medicine.

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"I know everyone is exhausted from alarmist news, but I'm really concerned about it," Luk said. "Usually when we find this ... I equate it to the tip of the iceberg."

Because C. auris can live on surfaces, including skin, it's easily transferred from one person to another in settings such as nursing homes and hospitals. It's likely been brewing on surfaces and people for some time, Luk said.

Some people stricken by C. auris have mild infections. But immunocompromised patients, typically those who are already hospitalized for other issues, face severe complications. More than 1 in 3 patients diagnosed with C. auris die within a month, according to the CDC. The risk for healthy people remains low, health experts said.

Since it was first recognized, Candida auris has caused an increasing number of infections in health care settings, some severe cases in immunocompromised patients, said Dr. Julio Figueroa, who works in infection prevention for LCMC Health. Candida auris is still rare in the United States, and many people [who] get invasive Candida infections already have serious underlying conditions.

The yeast was first identified in a Japanese patient's ear infection in 2009. In 2016, the U.S. announced 13 known cases within the United States, the first dating from 2013. It has since shown up in hospitals, which routinely test for the fungus, in increasing numbers.

Between September 2020 and August 2021, 1,156 U.S. cases were reported to the CDC, and another 3,043 cases were found by routine screening. The two cases at University Medical Center are the only known cases in Louisiana at this time, although the hospital said it is following CDC protocols that call for increased surveillance.
I was all set to write about it when I received an email from a friend and former colleague (who is now a professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC). He told me hed been reading these columns and appreciated the good news that Ive tried to convey.
Montgomery County -- Expel hate with love, expel division with unity" -- that was the message of people gathering today, Jan. 18, on the Day of Racial Healing. Pennsylvanians are to use this day as an opportunity to pause, reflect, and rededicate themselves to creating a more just Commonwealth.

The words were spoken by Dr. Dan Jurman, Executive Director of the Governors Office of Advocacy and Reform, an office established by Governor Tom Wolf through an Executive Order; the office's goal is to advocate for people whose circumstances have made them vulnerable.

During a celebration of the Day of Racial Healing in Jenkintown, Montgomery County, Jurman extended an invitation to all to find a way, large or small, and work within whatever capacity available to show solidarity to those who have been marginalized.

At the center of the Montgomery County event was a mural, Symbol of Solidarity, and a documentary of the same name which told the story of how art can help inspire communities and heal divides.

"Symbol of Solidarity is the new feature-length documentary film from first time filmmaker, Philadelphia native, and MTV producer, Esteban Serrano, and writer-producer, Eric Bhanudas Blackerby. The documentary explores how Brian "bbsketch" Bowens, a Jenkintown-based Black artist, used his gifts to help the community find its voice during the troubling summer of 2020.

First Lady Wolf called upon members of the Commonwealth to do their part.

"We've seen this time and time again throughout history. Racial trauma runs deep in our commonwealth and our country," said First Lady Wolf of the power of art and its ability to heal. "We must fully face it and give it space to be expressed in order to heal our communities. We must ask ourselves, how can I help? How can I make it better? Then just get up and do it!"

The event concluded when OAR Deputy Director, Victor Cabral, shared the podium with his nine-year-old daughter, Bella Cabral, and expressed his hopes for the future.

To see the power we have as human beings when we stand together in solidarity, build community and set an example for future generations, a world where we can acknowledge the pain of our history and extend compassion and unconditional love and recognize our shared humanity," said Cabral.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. More from this section Abortion rights rally to take place Tuesday evening at federal courthouse
Williamsport -- The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP) recently expanded the fundraising team to include the hiring of Vanessa Hales and Abby Gulden-Luthi.

FCFP has always provided a personal experience in helping the regions philanthropists with their current and long-term philanthropic planning, says Jason McCahan, Director of Philanthropy. With the expansion of our team, FCFP can work with more donors to guide them in their philanthropy in support of area nonprofits or by creating scholarship opportunities for deserving students.

Hales will serve as the organizations Assistant Director of Philanthropy. She will be responsible for the planning and execution of the fundraising and development activities including writing solicitation and campaign materials, managing social media content, stewarding donors, and collaborating with other departments to ensure an integrated approach to both cultivation and engagement efforts.

Hales has over twenty years of experience in resource development, communications, fundraising, building relationships, project management and event/volunteer management.

Vanessa has extensive experience working in the nonprofit sector, added McCahan. She will have a variety of opportunities to enhance our engagement with donors and nonprofits in the region.

As the Development Officer, Gulden-Luthi, will focus on cultivating new donors and overseeing relationships with current constituents in Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties.

She will assist with annual, major and planned gift solicitations. Gulden-Luthi was born and raised in Lewisburg, attended Lewisburg Area High School and Bucknell University for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. She is the co-Founder of the Lewisburg Childrens Museum and currently a member of the LCM Board of Directors. In addition to the LCM, Abby spends time volunteering for the Lewisburg PSA and The Green Dragon Foundation.

As a lifelong resident of the Greater Susquehanna Valley, Abby will focus on engagement with donors and nonprofits in that area, says McCahan. Over the past few years, we have seen an increase from donors in the Greater Susquehanna Valley with a desire to establish endowed funds at FCFP. Abbys knowledge of the area and the needs of those communities will allow FCFP to work with philanthropists wishing to enhance funding opportunities to improve the quality of life through the work of our nonprofit partners in those communities."

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get Our Free Newsletters Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Sign Up Today! Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter? Afternoon Update: What's happening today? Here's your update! Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. More from this section Abortion rights rally to take place Tuesday evening at federal courthouse
Balls Mills  Nearly 200 years ago a group of Baptist Brethren fleeing persecution in Germany purchased a plot of land near what is now the small village of Balls Mills in Lycoming County and the meeting house they built is still there today.

The Blooming Grove Meeting House, which is part of the Blooming Grove Historical Society, can be considered the focal point of a small party of emigrants who settled together in the wilderness of Central Pennsylvania in the early part of the nineteenth century writer Joseph McMinn said in 1901. This group of people had been harassed and tormented until the land of their ancestors became intolerable.

According to Greg Thomas, a member of the Blooming Grove Historical Society, this was a group of German Christians, which held to Baptist traditions, and called themselves Brethren.

McMinn said this group of Baptists began meeting together in 1708 and chose the name Brethren from the Bible verse Matthew 23:8  for one is your Masterand all ye are brethren.

They refused to go to war, McMinn said 1901 book Blooming Grove: A History of the Congregation of German Dunkers who settled in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Neither did they swear the civil or any other oath before a magistrate or in a court of justice. They were noted for modesty of apparel, plainness of speech, and distinguished hospitality. They had been compared to Mennonites, priests and Quakers.

At the time, Germany was involved with a war with Napoleon Bonaparte.

The authorities in Wurteinburg (in southwest Germany) continued to be imperious and cruel to the non-conformists, McMinn wrote. Many of them had been imprisoned for refusing to bear arms in the levies being made for Napoleon, McMinn said. About 1804 with the prisons being overcrowded, the Brethren members were released then upon promising to leave the country.

Because Pennsylvania had a tradition of being a safe haven for the religiously persecuted thanks to William Penn in the 1690s, these German Baptists found their way to Central Pennsylvania in 1805. Thomas said along the journey they met a land speculator who sold them a tract of land in what is now Lycoming County.

When these Baptists came to this area, they saw the dogwoods blooming, and they thought it reminded them of Germany, so they settled here, Thomas said. They called it Blooming Grove.

By 1828, they had built the Meeting House, Thomas said, out of the white pines that were plentiful nearby. The structure rests on a stone foundation, with long white pine logs held together by white mortar. The simple roof, which had been made of cedar tiles, sloped down in the same direction as the hill behind it. Since 1828, only two logs here have had to be replaced, Thomas said as he commented on the craftsmanship of the building. He said they built the structure to be 30 feet wide, 40 feet long and 12 feet high. He said as a reflection of their simple style, the interior of the church is similar to a Quaker meeting house. There are two metal stoves on either side of a rectangular room. On each side were backless benches and the women would go up one set of stairs and the men would go up another. The women would sit on one side and the men would sit on the other. The elderly and pregnant women were allowed to sit on the benches next to the walls so they could lean back, Thomas said. McMinn explained that the long plain benches without back supports testify to a race, at once vigorous and robust, and who scorned any show of comfort or ease, such as we find required in modern churches. But like Thomas said, young mothers were offered extra help. McMinn wrote that it might be said in this connection that mothers with nursing infants  would occupy the seats next the wall which offered them a rest and when the small children fell asleep they were often laid away under the seats. Thomas said a traditional service began... Continue reading On the PULSE

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Harrisburg, Pa.  Pennsylvania voters could face at least five ballot questions about changing the state constitution next year after House Republicans added four controversial revisions to a single proposal.

Republican lawmakers have increasingly relied on constitutional amendments to pursue policy initiatives that Gov. Tom Wolf would otherwise reject and that most Democrats dont support. Bundling together several amendments represents an escalation of that tactic, as the combined measures eliminate the need to advance and pass separate proposals.

The resulting omnibus bill is packed with initiatives that Republicans hope to send directly to voters all at once as separate ballot questions.

Its very partisan in nature and really reflects the attempt to advance an agenda that was unsuccessful through typical, ethical democratic means, said Khalif Ali, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a good-government organization. Its a process in place for a reason and to go around that erodes democracy.

The original bill, introduced by state Sen. David Argall (R., Schuylkill), seeks to modify the way Pennsylvania elects the lieutenant governor  an idea that has wide bipartisan support.

But in December, shortly before breaking for the holidays, GOP state representatives amended the bill to include four new constitutional revisions. Those alterations passed along party lines, before the House passed the entire bill the next day with nearly every Democrat voting against it.

Republicans in both the House and Senate have argued the constitutional amendment process ultimately gives voters the ability to set policy.

I believe that at the end of the day that people always have the right to decide how to be governed, House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) said last year.

Democrats, meanwhile, have said the growing reliance on constitutional amendments circumvents established checks and balances. Per the Pennsylvania Constitution, the legislature is able to overturn Wolfs vetoes with a two-thirds majority, which requires both Republicans and Democrats to be in agreement.

The House Republicans have taken this approach of amending the constitution as a way to govern, said Nicole Reigelman, a spokesperson for House Democrats.

Two of the proposed amendments would send voters ideas Wolf has already rejected and that Democrats and good-government groups have decried as unnecessary or potentially harmful to marginalized groups. One would require government-issued identification to vote, and another would require the state auditor general to review elections and voter rolls for accuracy.

[The bill as amended] has very little if nothing to do with any factual issue that were facing as a state, Ali of Common Cause said.

Another proposed amendment would give a simple majority in the legislature power to override executive orders and administrative regulations, a reaction to Wolfs actions during the pandemic as well as his announcement that Pennsylvania would join a coalition of states in regulating carbon emissions.

The Pennsylvania Constitution requires both the state House and Senate to pass proposed amendments in two concurrent sessions before they appear on the ballot.

Typically, lawmakers introduce proposed changes in separate resolutions, a system that gives each revision its own platform for legislators to debate, amend, and consider. But as a bundle, lawmakers are forced to vote for all or none of them.

From a procedural point of view when you do this  when you throw a lot of amendments into one bill  you dont have hearings, you dont have discussion, no one knows theyre coming, said Marc Stier, director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, a progressive research group that studies the states economy and government.

While the timeline for amending the constitution is designed to be slow, Republicans, who control the legislature, have favored the process in recent years to circumvent Wolf and curtail executive power. The Democrat has vetoed more bills during his time in office than any other Pennsylvania governor since Milton Shapp, who served from 1971 to 1979.

Last year, voters approved two ballot measures that limit the governors power to declare and renew a state of emergency  advanced by Republicans angry over Wolfs response to the pandemic  as well as another that guarantees equal rights to residents regardless of race.

I would say that anytime that a branch of government circumvents the function of another branch of government, we have some real concerns about the constitutionality and legality of that move, Ali said.

Presenting a measure as a ballot question nearly guarantees it will be approved. Voters have rejected only six of 49 amendments dating back to 1968, the year the current state constitution went into effect. The overwhelming majority were approved in off-year elections, when only a small fraction of eligible voters go to the polls.

The amendments curtailing Wolfs emergency powers were passed during the 2021 primary, when just over 25% of registered voters at the time cast a ballot.

The amendment omnibus is back in the state Senate for a vote on the changes. If it passes this year, the amendments would need to pass again in the 2023-24 session before appearing on the ballot as separate questions.

Argall said Wolf refuses to negotiate with the Republican caucuses, making it necessary to use the constitutional amendment process.

The governor has the worst relationship with the House and the Senate in generations, he said.

While Argall supports the individual measures now tacked onto his bill, he hopes his initial effort to update the lieutenant governor election process wont fail to pass the legislature because of the other measures now attached to it.

Republicans in both chambers are pursuing a number of other amendments to Pennsylvanias constitution, including one that would end statewide elections for appellate judges in favor of races in districts drawn by the legislature, and another that would give state lawmakers the final say over their own political boundaries in the redistricting process.

That bill, sponsored by state Rep. Seth Grove (R., York), was scheduled for a House floor vote this week, just six days after Grove introduced it. But Democrats, mirroring their GOP colleagues actions before the holiday break, introduced dozens of amendments seeking changes to the constitution that would provide free college education, raise the minimum wage, eliminate property taxes, and more.

The House, controlled by Republicans, adjourned Wednesday without bringing the previously fast-moving bill up for a vote.

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Lewisburg, Pa.  A former public safety officer at Bucknell University has sued the university, alleging that former Chief of Public Safety Steve Barilar mishandled crime cases on campus.

The former public safety officer, Colby Snook, filed the lawsuit on Jan. 4 at the Union County Courthouse claiming that the university violated the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law. Snook claims that he was subjected to a hostile work environment in retaliation for blowing the whistle about police misconduct within Bucknells Public Safety Office, according to the complaint.

Snook, who worked for the universitys public safety department for six years, eventually was forced to resign from his position on Nov. 16, 2021.

According to the lawsuit, Barilar mishandled a case when he gave a student an opportunity to erase cell phone evidence of a harassment incident in which the student was allegedly involved.

Barilar also advised that criminal harassment and evidence tampering charges not be pressed against the male student, despite having an alleged history of attempting to invade the privacy of female students, according to the complaint.

Snook was one of the officers to respond to the harassment call on May 17 when a male student was reported to be recording a female student at a campus restroom. Barilar allegedly told the officers to seize and place the male students cell phone into evidence at the public safety office. The phone was turned off when the officers placed it into evidence. They were told the phone could only be turned on after a search warrant was obtained and the Pennsylvania State Police computer crime lab had possession of the phone, according to the complaint.

However, Snook alleges that Barilar allowed the male student to tamper with evidence after he met with the student and his family just a day or two later, according to court documents. The male student came into the public safety office, where Barilar told the officer on duty to allow the student to have the phone.

Snook alleges that during this time, the male student was able to do a factory reset on the phone to erase evidence from the harassment incident, according to the complaint.

Officers applied for a search warrant for the phone and eventually gave it to state police, who confirmed that a program to wipe the phone had been downloaded and utilized during the time period that the phone was in evidence at Bucknells public safety office.

No criminal charges were filed against the male student, and he was allowed to remain enrolled at the university, Snook alleged in the complaint. The male student also allegedly was involved in previous similar harassment incidents, including one in which a male suspect allegedly recorded females in the shower at a campus residence hall.

For one of the previous incidents, the male student received an internal harassment charge at Barilars direction  no criminal charges were filed. Barilar did not pursue harassment charges for the May 17, 2021, incident either, telling Snook instead that only a disorderly conduct charge could be filed.

Snook reported Barilars alleged unethical actions on May 21 to human resources at Bucknell University. Three weeks later, Snook contacted Union County District Attorney Pete Johnson who forwarded the complaint to the public corruption unit at the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.

By July, Snook was called to meet with Bucknell Universitys general counsel, Karin Rilley. According to the complaint, Rilley became visibly angry during the meeting and threatened Snook about his future employment with Bucknell and she indicated that his actions did not have the best interests of the university in mind.

Snook also was treated differently within the public safety department after he reported Barilars misconduct, according to the lawsuit. Snook was excluded from a department-wide training on June 30. One of Snooks co-workers told him that Cpt. Lauver in the public safety department mentioned that they did not want to waste resources on Snook in hopes that he would leave the department soon, according to the complaint.

In the complaint, Lauver is accused of questioning Snook several times about leaving the public safety office. Lauver allegedly once called Snook at 4 a.m. to say, he heard rumors and Snook should let him know when he was planning to leave, according to the complaint.

Barilar also allegedly ostracized Snook after the officer had reported his superior. By Aug. 20, the stress and anxiety became bad enough that Snook applied for and was granted a work-related stress leave of absence, according to the document.

Snook sought care from a medical professional for anxiety and depression attributed to the hostile environment he was facing at work, he reported. Before his return-to-work date on Nov. 16, Snook emailed human resources stating he felt forced to resign due to the hostile treatment he had been subjected to, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit filed in Union County is not the first time Barilar had been accused of misconduct. In 2000, when Barilar worked for Pennsylvania State Police, charges of obstruction of administration of justice and intimidation of a witness were filed against him. Court documents outline a situation in which Barilars wife was pulled over by a state trooper and issued a speeding ticket. Barilar later talked with the trooper and allegedly pressured him into presenting only partial evidence in court, so that the judge would throw the case out.

Last week, Bucknell announced that a new chief of public safety, Anthony Morgan, was hired after a nationwide search. His first day will be Feb. 1. Barilar is retiring at the end of January after 11 years of service, according to a Bucknell press release.

Barilar's retirement "had been planned long ago," according to Mike Ferlazzo, director of media relations for Bucknell. As for the lawsuit, Ferlazzo said the university cannot comment on active legal cases.

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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome each pledged $150 million for a total of $300 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi).

Cepi is a global partnership launched five years ago this week by the governments of Norway and India, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the World Economic Forum.

The pledges come ahead of a global replenishment conference in March to support Cepis visionary five-year plan to better prepare for, prevent, and equitably respond to future epidemics and pandemics.

As the world responds to the challenge of a rapidly evolving virus, the need to deliver new, lifesaving tools has never been more urgent, said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. Our work over the past 20 years has taught us that early investment in research and development can save lives and prevent worst-case scenarios. Five years ago, following the Ebola and Zika epidemics, our foundation helped launch Cepi. Today, were increasing our commitment and pledging an additional $150 million to help Cepi accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines against emerging variants of the coronavirus and to prepare for, and possibly even prevent, the next pandemic.

Since its inception, Cepi has played a central scientific role in curbing epidemics around the world, overseeing a number of scientific breakthroughs and putting pandemic preparedness at the centre of the global health R&D agenda. When the Covid-19 pandemic began, Cepi responded immediately, building one of the worlds largest and most diverse portfolios of Covid-19 vaccine candidates14 in all, including six of which continue to receive funding, and three of which have been granted emergency use listing by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Cepi made early investments in the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, which is now saving lives around the world. Last month, Novavaxs protein-based Covid-19 vaccinefunded largely by Cepireceived WHO emergency use listing and is poised to help efforts to control the pandemic globally. More than 1 billion doses of the Novavax vaccine are now available to Covax, the global initiative co-led by Cepi that aims to deliver equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines. Cepi also continues to work on next-generation Covid-19 vaccines, including variant-proof Covid-19 vaccines and shots that could protect against all coronaviruses, potentially removing the threat of future coronavirus pandemics.

The overriding lesson from this pandemic is the need for effective organisations and systems to be in place and ready before a crisis, as well as acting rapidly based on well-established science when such crises inevitably occur, said Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of Wellcome.

Wellcome proudly founded Cepi in 2017 along with partners from Norway, India, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Economic Forum following the devastating 201416 Ebola epidemic. We learned the importance of conducting high-quality research during a crisis. Since then, Cepi has worked tirelessly, and by fostering global collaboration, it has played a truly integral role in the global pandemic response from early January 2020 onwards.

Our new commitment of $150 million recognises the enormous potential Cepi has to protect lives against emerging infectious diseases, Dr Farrar continued. The effects of Covid-19 have been sobering. We urge leaders to provide their support and ensure that Cepi reaches its funding target. It is in the worlds collective interest to avoid repeating mistakes and to help future generations prevent epidemics.

Beyond Covid-19, Cepi has filled a vital gap in supporting vaccine equity alongside R&D. Cepi is currently supporting the research and development of accessible vaccines against other infectious diseases, including the first-ever vaccines to reach clinical trials against the deadly Nipah and Lassa viruses.

The organisation has also played a critical role in efforts to end Ebola, including supporting the development of a second Ebola vaccine by Janssen. In addition to advancing the science underlying vaccine development and new vaccine platforms, Cepi is focused on dramatically reducing the time it takes to develop lifesaving vaccines against any new viral threat (referred to as Disease X)to within 100 days of a pathogen being sequenced. This represents a combination of scale and speed that could save millions of lives and trillions of dollars.

The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed how inequitable access to vaccines can put the entire planet at risk and disrupt decades of global health progress, said Awa Marie Coll Seck, minister of state to the president of the Republic of Senegal.

Innovative global partnerships like Cepi play a critical role in advancing the R&D needed to prevent future pandemics. Importantly, those investments in vaccine technology, particularly in Africa, can also help accelerate progress against other diseaseslike HIV, TB, and malariathat still affect the worlds most vulnerable populations.

The pandemic has rebounded in waves around the world, highlighting the important role of international organisations like Cepi that put equitable access at the core of their mission. Recent data from Northeastern University show that had the availability of vaccines in lower-income countries like Kenya been akin to that in high-income countries like the UK or the US, 70% of Covid-19 deaths to date would have been averted.

The world must do better at protecting everyone, everywhere against the greatest health threats from Covid-19 and beyond, said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation.

Cepis investments in groundbreaking R&D, commitments to equitable access, and cooperation across the public and private sectors are vital in this effort. We call on global leaders to help Cepi reach its funding target of $3.5 billion.

The UK will host Cepis replenishment conference on March 8, 2022, in London. The fundraising event will convene governments, philanthropists, and other donors to support Cepis five-year plan to tackle the risk of pandemics and epidemics, potentially preventing millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage.-- TradeArabia News Service
West Burlington Twp., Pa. -- An assault on officers at the Bradford County Correctional Facility in West Burlington Twp. resulted in three injured correctional officers, according to the State Police in Towanda.

Charges have been filed against a 23-year-old Canton man who allegedly assaulted a 25-year-old male guard of Waverly, NY, a 42-year-old female guard, and 45-year-old male guard, both of Barton, NY.

Doyle Kipp Bonnell, who was incarcerated on charges of disorderly conduct engage in fighting, allegedly slipped out of a restraint belt and struck an officer in the hand with it.

According to an affidavit, the officer received a laceration on his hand after being struck.

Bonnell continued struggle with authorities, allegedly spitting in the same correction officer's eyes. Trooper Brett Cohen described it as a "large" amount of saliva.

After the incident, Cohen spoke with correction officers, who said Bonnell hit one officer in the leg and spit on another as they attempted to take control of the situation.

The assault occurred Jan. 7, around 12:50 p.m. The news release did not indicate that Bonnell was injured in the struggle.

Court records show Bonnell was charged with multiple felonies that included three counts of second-degree aggravated assault by prisoner, three counts of third-degree aggravated harassment by a prison and first-degree aggravated assault.

Bonnell was given $75,000 monetary bail and will continue to be held at the Bradford County Prison. Bonnell will face Judge Jonathan Wilcox for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 2.

Trooper Decatur of the PSP also assisted on the scene.

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Selinsgrove, Pa. -- State police have released the name of the man whose body was found on Jan. 14 near the green bridge just outside of Selinsgrove.

The body of Colby Cooper, 25, of Weleetka, Oklahoma, was discovered shortly before noon along a bank of Penns Creek at the area of N. Airport Road and N. Susquehanna Trail in Monroe Township, Snyder County, according to Pennsylvania State Police at Selinsgrove.

The coroner completed an autopsy and results are pending. Cause of death will be released once the autopsy results come back, according to Trooper Andrea Pelachick, public information officer for PSP Selinsgrove.

Police continue to investigate.

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Mobile carriers are starting to decommission their 3G cellular networks this year, some as soon as next month.

Pennsylvania officials are reminding people with older-model cell phones to prepare for how this might affect service. Decommissioning older networks helps free up infrastructure to support more advanced services, like 5G, but it may result in some phones being unable to make calls or send text messages.

Jeff Boyle, deputy director of 911 for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, said you are likely to be notified by your carrier if it affects you, but it is smart to plan ahead in case of an emergency.

"If your phone is more than a few years old, you may need to upgrade your device to avoid losing service," Boyle explained. "And calling 911 is often the quickest way for somebody to access emergency services, so plan now so that you don't lose connectivity, including the ability to call 911."

AT&T said it will finish shutting down its 3G network by February, with Verizon and T-Mobile finalizing by year's end. The move may also affect medical alert devices and home security systems. Lower-income residents whose phones may no longer be supported can apply for help through the FCC's Lifeline program.

Lt. Adam Reed, communications office director for the Pennsylvania State Police, said in an emergency, dispatchers and first responders rely on the 911 system to gather crucial information, including location, which means 3G network phones may hinder the ability to provide assistance quickly.

"Whether it's a vehicle crash, a criminal act in progress or a medical emergency, seconds count when it comes to calling 911," Reed emphasized. "First responders will go wherever we need to save lives and help wherever we can, but again, we need to know where you are and what the emergency is."

Groups serving people experiencing homelessness or domestic violence survivors sometimes provide clients with older phones with no service plan but are still capable of making emergency calls. Users of such phones should check with their organization to discuss options.

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Watsontown, Pa. -- Alleged threats to shoot a 17-year-old male have landed Graydon Coup, 32, of Watsontown misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats.

According to Watsontown police, the incident took place around 2 p.m. December 29, 2021 at Lingle's Market, 15 Brimmer Ave.

Coup allegedly threatened to shoot the victim because he was upset that the victim was friends with an individual with whom Coup had previously had issues, according to police.

Watsontown Police have also charged Graydon Coup with a summary count of harassment stemming from an incident that occurred on January 12, 2022 around 8:20 p.m., also at Lingles Market.

According to a news release, Coup followed a 16-year-old employee around the store in an attempt to confront the employee. Just prior to this, police said Coup engaged in a confrontation with another store employee over a floor cleaning machine that is used at the store.

The Watsontown Police did not release a photo of Coup when posting the news release on Facebook. Multiple commenters did allege similar harassment by Coup, one writing, "When is enough gonna be enough with this man," and another writing, "Went to court and he got probation but was told to leave me alone. Which he has failed to do."

All charges have been filed at Judge Michael I. Diehl in Milton.
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The issue of the short-term decline in fertility rates, the effect of Covid-19 vaccination on female and male fertility, as well as the impact of Covid-19 on the foetus will be discussed at the Arab Health Obs & Gyne Conference.

The conference returns to Dubai for its 14th edition to discuss current trends in womens health and will be held under the theme Updates, consensus & controversies in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The Obs & Gyne Conference is a regular feature at the Mena regions leading exhibition for the healthcare industry, Arab Health, which returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 24 to 27, 2022 as a co-located event for the healthcare and laboratory industries.

Arab Health, co-located with Medlab Middle East 2022, will attract global healthcare professionals and feature 12 CME conferences, over 550 international and regional speakers, and more than 250 unique sessions.

According to research from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), public health crises and economic shocks have long been recognised as conditions that alter reproductive behaviour. Indeed, data from the US, Europe and East Asia reveals sharp declines in births starting in October 2020, compared to the same months of the previous year, indicating that Covid-19 has prompted short-term fertility decline in many countries.

Meanwhile, research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows one in five Australian women changed their plans of having children because of Covid-19, and one in seven women indicated that Covid-19 likely impacted when they would have children, with most of the study cohort (92%) choosing to delay having children.

This was supported by the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, which reported on the relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and births for 22 high-income countries, finding particularly strong declines in southern Europe: Italy (-9.1%), Spain (-8.4%) and Portugal (-6.6%).

Speaking ahead of the conference, Professor Dr Human M Fatemi, Group Medical Director, ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, UAE, discussed how the pandemic had impacted the intentions of people to have children: The pandemic has definitely postponed the desire to be parents, and the desire of having a child. For some patients, especially women who have reduced ovarian reserve and are older, the pandemic will significantly impact fulfilling their desire to have a child.

As a specialist in infertility, I would not be worried about Covid-19 and getting pregnant. The key message is to maintain hygiene, wear masks, ensure social distancing and be cautious. If you have a reduced ovarian reserve and desire to get pregnant, one should not delay it.

The 14th Obs & Gyne Conference will host several key sessions covering fertility, reproduction and Covid-19, including a session on Covid-19 and the fetus, which will be presented by Professor Asma Khalil, Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, St Georges University Hospital, London, UK, and Covid-19 and the impact on fertility, presented by Dr Johnny T Awwad, Executive Chair of Womens Services & Chief of Reproductive Medicine at Sidra Medicine & Research Center, Qatar.

Ross Williams, Exhibition Director for Informa Markets, said: The Arab Health Obs & Gyne conference returns to the international stage, showcasing the latest developments in science and practice in the field of womens health. When healthcare facilities are experiencing a severe burden on their services and capacity, it is important to empower medical professionals across the region to provide the most current medical care to their patients.

This is why we have added the online experience for healthcare professionals this year as a unique extension of the live in-person conference to hear from experts in a highly interactive learning environment.

Conferences taking place live, in-person from January 24 to 27 and online from January 31 to February 10, include Total Radiology, Orthopaedics, Surgery, and Obs & Gyne, all of which will continue with corresponding online tracks and CME content two weeks later. Other online conferences include Quality Management in Healthcare, Family Medicine, ENT, and Emergency Medicine and Critical Care.

-- TradeArabia News Service
Some states have been significantly less impacted by the global pandemic that originated from communist China. One of those states is Alaska. With universal vaccine mandates and one-size-fits-all policies being handed down, we thought we should get some perspective from one of these statesAlaska. NTD spoke with a candidate for United States Senate, Kelly Tshibaka about this.
The Republican-controlled House voted 58-35 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.

House Bill 1001 would compel all Indiana businesses with a COVID-19 vaccine requirement, except federal contractors, 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 automatically 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.

House debate over the proposal turned surreal at times with Republicans arguing in favor of workers' rights and Democrats demanding the government stay out of business operations.

The sponsor of the legislation, state Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, said his goal is to protect Hoosier workers from employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates that infringe on the liberty of individuals to make their own health care decisions and disrespect employees' sincerely held religious beliefs.

On the other hand, state Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said business leaders have a right to decide how best to operate their companies, including mandating workers get immunized to minimize their personal health impacts from COVID-19, reduce the spread of the coronavirus in the workplace, and ensure the business can remain open.

"This attack is being led by those who proclaim they love and admire the private sector," Delaney said. "Then leave the businesses alone!"

Lehman repeatedly denied Delaney's accusation that Lehman simply is trying to cast doubt on the efficacy of the vaccine in a state where millions of unvaccinated Hoosiers need to hear from more state and local leaders that the vaccine is safe and effective.

"I am vaccinated," Lehman said in response. "I would encourage anyone to get vaccinated."

Though Lehman also said he's been bothered by constantly changing federal guidance on COVID-19 prevention measures and claimed the response to the virus has been "politicized," which in turn spurred him to offer his legislation.

"We tried to find that line between the rights of the employer versus those of the employee," Lehman said. "But this bill needs to be about protecting Hoosier workers."

Lehman's distaste with some aspects of the federal COVID-19 response was followed by state Reps. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, and John Jacob, R-Indianapolis, delivering to lawmakers an extended play, greatest hits album of COVID-19 conspiracy theories.

The lawmakers touted unapproved hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin as valid treatments for COVID-19, falsely claimed the COVID-19 vaccine has killed tens of thousands of Americans, and said a COVID-19 fatality rate of less than 1% isn't worth worrying about.

"Our bodies are our own and we should be able to decide our own bodily autonomy and integrity," said Jacob, who repeatedly has filed legislation seeking to permanently outlaw abortion in the Hoosier State.

Interestingly, while both Lucas and Jacob said they believe the legislation doesn't go far enough to protect Hoosiers from vaccine mandates, particularly since there are no penalties for employers who ignore the proposed rules, Lucas nevertheless joined most House Republicans by voting in favor of the proposal while Jacob joined House Democrats and a few Republicans voting no.

"This bill does nothing except make it look like we're doing something when we're really doing nothing," Jacob said.

Northwest Indiana lawmakers supporting the plan were state Reps. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point; Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie; Hal Slager, R-Schererville; and Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso.

Region Democratic state representatives were uniformly opposed, along with state Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron.

The legislation now faces an uncertain fate 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 influential state 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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Batelco, Bahrains leading telecom provider, has marked another milestone in its digital transformation journey with the launch of three new independent digital companies that are set to operate in Bahrain and beyond.

The new companies provide state-of-the-art solutions that cater to the emerging needs of todays business in areas such as ICT, cloud computing, cyber security and digital communications, said the company.

The announcement of the three brands - BEYON Cyber, BEYON Solutions, and BEYON Connect which augment the BEYON portfolio -- was made during a press conference today (January 19) at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.

The event was opened with a speech by Batelco Chief Digital Growth Officer Shaikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and was followed by an introduction to the companies from BEYON Cyber CEO Dr Shaikh Khalid Al Khalifa, BEYON Solutions CEO Saad Al Rashed and BEYON Connect CEO Christian Rasmussen.

Batelco Chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa stated: We are extremely delighted with the progress weve accomplished in turning our long-term digital transformation strategy into reality. Today, were witnessing the outcome of three years of strategic planning and hard work.

The newly launched companies are independent entities that are positioned to cater for emerging business needs in todays corporate world. Innovative digital solutions and cyber security are key requirements for any business today, he added.

This is an ideal time to launch our new digital brands, in line with the Kingdoms vision for the digital economy under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, he said.

BEYON Cyber is a provider of advanced end-to-end cyber-security solutions, providing managed services and advisory to organisations across Bahrain and beyond. Equipped with a team of highly skilled professionals, the company leverages on an exclusive network of global partnerships to provide simple, cost-effective, world-class security services to customers, and enable them to accelerate their digital potential.

BEYON Solutions caters to the full range of technology needs of the public and private sectors. Capitalising on its partnerships with ICT providers from across the world, BEYON Solutions is an agile IT and digital transformation consultancy offering cutting edge system integration solutions to businesses of all sizes, to help them build a scalable, efficient, and secure IT landscape.

BEYON Connect is focused on delivering new technologies with great innovation potential, Software-as-a-Service platforms, and advanced IT solutions to both the public and private sectors in the MENA region.

Batelco Chief Digital Growth Officer Shaikh Mohamed Khalifa Al Khalifa said: We have been motivated by the positive response weve received since the launch of BEYON Money back in December, and accordingly, we have accelerated our efforts to launch our new digital brands and establish our presence in different verticals.

The new companies will be positioned as key players in the digital solution space across the region and bring to market innovative products and services that respond to the needs of the public and private sector, addressing challenges they are facing in the evolving digitising economy, Shaikh Mohamed concluded. TradeArabia News Service
Merrillville-based Centier Bank and Summit Technology Group, a company that helps local and regional banks modernize their operations, recently donated $15,000 to charities in Northwest Indiana.

The companies teamed up to give to True North, Hilltop Neighborhood House of Valparaiso and Family House of Porter County.

Centier Senior Vice President Anthony Contrucci of Centier Bank said the hope was to help provide services to families and children in Lake and Porter counties.

Perhaps no time of year highlights the strength of communities more than the holidays, Contrucci said. As a community-first financial institution, were inspired by the generosity of our neighbors and always eager to lend a hand. Were grateful for the professional and charitable partnership with Lenders Cooperative that made this program possible.

Hilltop Neighborhood House Director of Development Michelle Michaels said the donation would help its food pantry clients during a time of need. Demand surged during the coronavirus pandemic with lines down the street at some Northwest Indiana food banks early on during COVID-19.

We will be able to purchase food for those who are food insecure, Michaels said. Donations like this allow us to continue to sustain our Valparaiso community by feeding approximately 1,800 individuals per month. Our community members who rely on Hilltop Neighborhood House year-round benefit greatly from the nourishment we are able to provide them, and this is a fantastic way to kick off 2022.

Benjamin Wallace, the CEO of Summit Technology Group's Lenders Cooperative, said the aim was to do something to benefit the community.

Were thrilled to partner with another values-driven business to help propel the missions of these wonderful nonprofit organizations forward, Wallace said. The impact that True North, Hilltop Neighborhood House, and Family House have on the community is significant, and we are honored to give to them.

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The Indiana Senate has unanimously agreed to fix a quirk in the state's turn signal statutes that puts just about every motorist at risk of being pulled over by police at just about any time.

Under current law, drivers in Indiana are required to use a turn signal every time they're about to make a turn or change traffic lanes.

The law also mandates the turn signal begin at least 200 feet prior to the turn or lane change, or 300 feet if the vehicle is traveling in excess of 50 mph.

State Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, observed the second provision is impossible to comply with in most urban and suburban areas where streets often intersect less than 200 feet apart.

In addition, he said there's no practical way for a driver to signal for 200 feet before, for example, pulling out of a parking lot or making a quick lane change due to a traffic hazard ahead.

"Anybody who has ever pulled out of the Senate parking lot at the Statehouse, turned right onto Ohio Street and turned right onto Capitol Street has violated the law," Freeman said. "It's impossible to comply with because it's only 170 feet."

Under Freeman's Senate Bill 124, which now goes to the House, the 200 feet (or 300 feet) minimum turn signal distance would be deleted and replaced with a statutory directive that motorists signal all turns and lane changes "a reasonable time" before completing them.

Signaling a turn still would be required every time a motorist is about to make a turn or change traffic lanes.

If the proposal next is approved by the House, and signed into law by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, it would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2023, to give the Bureau of Motor Vehicles sufficient time to revise its driver's guide and license test.

The measure additionally clarifies where a motorist whose driving privileges are suspended in Indiana must file a petition for specialized driving privileges, if the person is interested in seeking permission to drive again on a limited basis under court supervision.

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LAKE STATION  The city court judge cleared Hobart Township Trustee Thomas Silich on Tuesday of charges of impaired driving.

Roy Dominguez, Silichs defense attorney, said the court dismissed the misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and three other traffic infractions after the Lake County prosecutors office said it cannot prove Silich committed those violations.

City Judge Josh Matejczyk also ordered Silichs driving records expunged. That will erase any official records of the charges and of Silich refusing a breath test.

Dominguez said the expungement will give Silich back his driving privileges as well as lift the cloud that has been over Silichs political career for the past six months.

Dominguez claims that Silichs arrest last summer was part of a conspiracy by Silichs political opponents to ambush and politically embarrass the retired steelworker, who has administered poor relief to needy township residents since he was first elected trustee in 2010.

Dominguez added that he is sending the evidence he collected in this case to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine whether Lake Station police were abusive to Silich and possibly others.

Lake Station police stopped Silich around noon on July 20, 2021, as he was driving home for lunch from his township trustee office on Ridge Road.

Police claimed Silich was speeding, had unsafe lane movement and failed to signal a turn.

Silich faced headlines and public criticism about his arrest and charges and about use of his publicly owned vehicle.

Dominguez is threatening to sue over allegations that the arrest was a set up engineered by Fred Williams, a Lake Station city councilman and Democrat running for township trustee in the May 3 primary.

Dominguez said he questioned Williams, township employees and Lake Station police about the arrest and presented his evidence and conclusions to Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Barbara L. McConnell, who petitioned the court to dismiss the charges against Silich.

McConnell stated in the dismissal notice she signed Dec. 23, After receiving the Indiana Department of Toxicology report and review of reports and depositions in this matter, the State of Indiana cannot prove this matter beyond a reasonable doubt.

Dominguez said that while he and his client are pleased to be cleared of these allegations, this case has taken a toll on him."

He doesnt know if he wants to run for reelection, Dominguez said.

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PORTAGE  A driver was killed late Monday night after rolling a vehicle along U.S. 20 in the area of Jensen Drive, police said.

Officials have identified the crash victim as Joe White III, 41, of Gary, the Portage Police Department said. White's family has been notified and toxicology and autopsy reports are pending.

The single-vehicle crashed temporarily shut down the immediate area of the highway, Portage police said.

Officers responding to the crash at 11:33 p.m. Monday found the driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and was deceased upon their arrival, police said.

The Portage Police Department Crash Reconstruction Team was on scene Monday night investigating.

Preliminary reports show that White was driving eastbound on U.S. 20 when, for unknown reasons, he drifted to the left and crossed both westbound lanes. He then drove off the northern edge of the road and struck a snow mound that was next to a private drive.

After striking the snow mound, White's car went airborne and rolled over several times before it came to a rest, police said.

Portage officers and firefighters were assisted by Burns Harbor Police Department, Porter County coroner's office and Precision Towing.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact the Portage Police Department Crash Reconstruction Team at 219-762-3122.

Times staff writer Anna Ortiz contributed to this article.

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EAST CHICAGO  A man was taken to a hospital after he drove his vehicle into a river near the Indiana Toll Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Around 2 p.m. first responders were called to the Grand Calumet River where it crosses paths with the Indiana Toll Road, near Knights of Columbus Drive and Roxana Drive, in East Chicago.

A black SUV was in the river near the toll road overpass, submerged up to the front bumper in a few feet of water. The vehicle was about 200 feet from the shore in about three feet of water, confirmed East Chicago Fire Department Deputy Chief Marc Escobedo.

One elderly male was transported from the scene and it is unknown if he suffered any injuries, said East Chicago Police Department Chief Jose Rivera.

Escobedo said the man did not appear to have any serious injuries. He said it appears the man drove south on White Oak Avenue and into the river.

Medics were able to reach the man, who appeared to be disorientated, and get him to shore as police and firefighters arrived, Escobedo said. Boats were requested initially but were not needed.

The cause of the incident is not known and remains under investigation.

East Chicago police, firefighters, Hammond first responders and a tow truck company were working at the scene Tuesday afternoon. The Department of Natural Resources also responded to the scene, Rivera said.

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CROWN POINT  When Jessica Abel's son first started attending Crown Point preschool he was nonverbal; after just a year in the program he was talking and even able to write his name.

"Being a mom of a kid who did not talk at all at 3 years old, I was very hesitant of sending him anywhere without me," Abel said. "But I will tell you it [preschool] was such a godsend.

After two years in the program Melissa Pineda's eldest son, who has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), was "drastically prepared" for his first day of kindergarten. That is why when Pineda heard the preschool program would be accepting children without IEPs, or "general education students," she "jumped" at the chance to enroll her middle son.

it was just a beautiful program led by people who specialized in special needs and knew what these kids need for academic success, Pineda said. "They used activities to bring the academics into light for these kids with the structure and routine they need.

The inclusive program expanded outside the Learning Center under the title "Bulldog Buddies." One semester into the new program, some families have noticed little change, while others say the curriculum has lost all structure, driving several parents to remove their children from it.

Right to learn

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, students with disabilities are entitled to receive special education services, at no cost to the family, through the public school system beginning at age 3 and ending at 22. For years, children with IEPs attended the Crown Point Learning Center for preschool, where classes were taught by instructors licensed in special education.

In August of 2019, the Crown Point Community School Corp. requested the Indiana University Institute on Disability and Community conduct an external review of its Exceptional Learners program, what Crown Point calls its department dedicated to addressing the functional needs of students with disabilities.

The audit gave Crown Point the lowest ranking  a one out of five  in the "area of Pre-K outcomes." The report recommended creating an inclusive preschool, where general education students and students with IEPs learn side-by-side. The report cited research showing inclusive classrooms help children with literacy, language, social interactions and the transition into kindergarten. From the recommendation, the district's new "Bulldog Buddies" program was born.

First announced in January of 2021, parents were sent a letter about the program that spring. Parents were told the program would be expanding to Douglas MaCarthur, Winfield and Eisenhower elementary schools. Students with IEPs still attend the program for free, while general education families pay a monthly fee.

The only difference in the program that we were aware of was that gen-ed kids were going to be included and I was completely for that," Abel said.

Because general education students were now enrolled, the classes had to be led by instructors who have an associate-level degree from an accredited institution in the area of early childhood education. The program has three instructors licensed in special education called "resource instructors," who support students in the classroom and work with them individually during pull-out sessions as designated by their IEPs.

However, some parents, like Pineda, began to notice other changes as the semester went on. Her son was not bringing home class activities or daily notes, and the weekly letters sent by the teacher updating parents dropped off at the end of October. When asked what he did at preschool, her son would respond, "just play."

The Bulldog Buddies program emphasizes its play-based approach, using hands-on activities that incorporate letters and numbers, Preschool Coordinator Christy Terrill said. Play-based education also existed in the previous program, Crown Point Chief Academic Officer Jim Hardman explained. While the creation of Bulldog Buddies did include some changes to the curriculum, Hardman said the shift was not "as big of a change as people might perceive it to be."

The curriculum still follows the Indiana Early Learning Foundations. Standards such as being able to count to 20 and draw letters are incorporated into activities "all day long," children identify their names when they arrive, craft letters with shaving cream, count the cars they play with, track days with linear calendars and more, Terrill said.

Educational activities are presented throughout the classroom and children are invited to participate, Hardman explained.

"It's not necessarily that we are directing the instruction, but we're allowing the environment to create the instruction for the children," Hardman said. "When you are working with children at this level, you don't tell them what to do, you let them grow into where they are at ... where students enter into the activity is where they want to be and then it is up to the teacher to provoke that student by asking questions to get them to move to the next piece."

Nicole Lavin's son's language abilities have taken off since being in the Bulldog Buddies program, she said. While all children learn differently, Lavin said her son "shuts down" if he is forced to do something and learns better if he is actually interested in an activity.

However, Abel said the changes to the program have had the opposite impact on her son. During a recent reevaluation, tasks he used to complete "with ease" such as identifying colors and numbers, now trip him up.

Behavioral regression at home is a huge thing for us," Abel said. "We were in such a good routine, but now if he hears the word 'no' at home he is stomping his feet because he is not getting his way and he is used to getting his way at school."

Lauren Carney, whose son was enrolled in the Crown Point preschool for about a year-and-a-half, said the individual educators have always had her child's "best interest as heart." However, she believes the teachers are being limited by what the curriculum allows.

Kindergarten ready?

A big concern for Alyse Scholl, who pushed for an inclusive preschool program when her daughter was enrolled, is that children will not be prepared for the "structure and routine" present in Crown Point kindergartens. Sharing similar concerns, both Pineda and Abel unenrolled their children, scrambling to find other preschools for the spring semester.

Carney reduced her son's time at Bulldog Buddies and enrolled him in a community-based preschool, where she has already found that her child is "severely behind" his classmates. Carney, and other parents, felt like valuable "time was taken" from their children in the fall.

Next year he has no option but to go to kindergarten," Abel said. "That is one of the main reasons we chose to put him into a new preschool, he is nowhere near where he needs to be to enter kindergarten."

Crown Point provides a list of skills students entering kindergarten should have for the "most successful transition," which includes following directions and adhering to classroom rules.

Hardman said he promotes inquiry-based instruction across all grades, where students "engage in the curriculum at their level." However, Scholl said her daughter's kindergarten class is "very structured."

I know that over time, sending him to school with it being just play is giving him the wrong idea of what school is," Pineda said, adding that she does not want to send her son to a "glorified daycare."

Over the years, an increased emphasis has been placed on early childhood education. Lavin said preschool has gone from something "that was completely optional," to "the new kindergarten." Some parents are concerned about their children falling behind, but Lavin does not want to put too much pressure on her son. While the approach used in Bulldog Buddies has benefited her son, Lavin said a "mix of techniques" may be more beneficial because children's learning styles vary.

Pineda and Carney both said they wish the program changes had been clarified early-on so they could have made alternative arrangements.

Children with IEPs also have fewer schooling options than their general education peers. Community-based and private preschools are not required to accommodate IEPs or offer special education services. While her son is enjoying the new program thus far, Carney said "he is in an environment that was not designed for him."

"By law my son has a right to a free and appropriate education within our public school system. He was receiving a wonderful education in years past that were meeting all of his needs socially, academically, and emotionally," Carney said. "This year his needs are currently not being met due to a drastic change in approach in teaching all learners. Unfortunately, the ones mostly effected are the little ones who have the most to lose."

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CROWN POINT  Demolition is on the horizon for a vacant, graffiti-ridden property located at 312 Oak Circle.

The Crown Point Board of Public Works and Safety approved a demolition bid for an unsafe property Wednesday. Attorney Joe Irak said an unsafe emergency order was issued for the property in April 2021. Over the summer the dilapidated garage and several overgrown trees were removed, but the house remains.

During a Jan. 12 meeting, a demolition order was issued, meaning the city can demolish the building in 30 days. Also during the Jan. 12 meeting, the board approved a motion to have the city's legal team work with the Building Department to collect three proposals for a tear down. The property owner is trying to sell the land and is also seeking demolition proposals.

The city received two bids: one for $12,395 from Austgen Equipment and another for $4,800 from Ziese and Sons Excavating. The board unanimously approved the bid from Ziese and Sons. Crown Point Mayor David Uran called the bid "the lowest and most reasonable offer."

I think it is a good price and it shows the neighborhood that we are taking the property seriously and that help is on the way," Uran said.

Irak said he will discuss the approved bid with the property owner. If the owner cannot find a buyer interested in demolition, the city will proceed with Ziese and Sons and a lien will be placed on the house. The city will recoup the cost of demolition through the lien.

During the meeting, Assistant City Attorney Alex Kutanovski informed the board that an unsafe building located at 133 S. Indiana Ave. had been demolished.

"There is no further action necessary by the city on that project," Kutanovski said.

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CHESTERTON  The Chesterton Police Department has sworn in two new officers, both hired away from the Michigan City Police Department.

Officer Arwen LaMotte has over eight years of experience with the MCPD, as well as several years of part-time police experience with the Indiana University Police Department, Police Chief Tim Richardson told the Town Council recently.

During her tenure in Michigan City, she worked in patrol and, for the past several years, was assigned to the investigative division. As a detective, she investigated myriad crimes, from property crimes to sex offenses, shootings, stabbings and homicides.

LaMotte holds a masters degree in criminal justice. In 2021, she was named Michigan Citys police officer of the year.

Her husband is a supervisor with the Valparaiso Police Department.

Officer Justin Frever has over 16 years of law enforcement experience, including 13 years with MCPD and three years with the Scottsdale, Arizona, police department. He has worked in patrol both as an officer and as a supervisor.

Frever has been assigned to the investigative division, where he worked five years with the drug task force.

He studied criminal justice at Ball State University. Frever was twice honored as a DUI enforcement leader in Michigan City. In Scottsdale, he was named officer of the year in the McKellips District in 2016.

In other business, the Town Council paid Assistant Police Chief Daniel Rocha for 60 hours of unclaimed vacation time in 2021. Rocha had given up his time off during the transition to interim chief Robert Byrd and new chief Richardson.

The council also rescheduled a presentation on the proposed quiet zone, in which trains would stop blowing whistles in town in exchange for railroad crossing safety improvements. The discussion is set for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14.

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Thirteen investment agreements covering areas of strategic interest such as clean energy, manufacturing, smart infrastructure and digitalization, capacity building, SMEs, healthcare and life sciences were signed at the Saudi-Korean Business Forum that ended yesterday (January 18).

Organised by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), the forum was attended on the Korean government's side by Moon Sung Wook, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea; Chung Eui Yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Inaugurated by Moon Jae In, President of the Republic of Korea, as part of his official visit to the Kingdom, the forum culminated in several busines-to-business, government-to-business and government-to-government agreements, further solidifying cooperation across strategic sectors.

Among the agreements signed were:

* The Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia's agreement with Samsung C&T to help it develop and localise industries related to construction technologies and green products and around investing in building and financing infrastructure projects;

* Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF) signed an MoU with Korean firms POSCO and Samsung C&T to study and develop a green hydrogen production project in KSA for export purposes, while MISA signed a joint cooperation with Samsung C&T in the field of green hydrogen for pre-cast concrete blocks and infrastructure;

* Saudi Aramco signed an MoU with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) for a pre-feasibility study on blue ammonia and blue hydrogen for investment, production, logistics and sales, an agreement with POSCO regarding investment in blue ammonia and blue hydrogen and a basic terms agreement with Export-Import Bank of Korea for framework agreements that include a credit limit of up to $6 billion. Saudi Aramco also signed a series of agreements with S-Oil around areas including research and development, blue hydrogen and technology development;

* The Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company (Dussur), Saudi Aramco and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction signed an agreement to establish a high-efficiency factory in iron molding and forging in Ras Al-Khair, with a production capacity of 83,000 tons annually. The deal is expected to attract foreign investment, transfer quality technology to Saudi Arabia and localize supply chains for strategic sectors in the equipment industry for the oil and gas, water, energy and marine industries;

* ROSHN and Samsung C&T agreed to establish a non-exclusive framework to jointly explore opportunities in housing development and pre-cast concrete blocks;

* The Korean Intellectual Property Office and the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) signed advanced partnership arrangements for bilateral cooperation, including the secondment of Korean experts to SAIP;

* The Ministry of National Guard signed a letter of intent agreement with EzCaretech to jointly provide and implement Dr Answer  an artificial intelligence-based medical solutions tool  within targeted hospitals;

* Kumho Tire and Al-Sahm Al-Usud for Tires signed a technical partnership agreement to establish a factory for tire production. The factorys production capacity will reach 15 million tires annually, and production is expected to start in the third quarter of 2023.

Coinciding with the business forum was the fourth ministerial meeting of the Saudi-Korean Vision 2030 Committee, formed to deepen and widen policy and economic ties between the two countries. Co-chaired by Khalid Al Falih and Moon, the committee was created in 2017 to harness complementary resources to generate economic benefits and business opportunities in line with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 and Koreas Five-Year (2017-2022) Plan for the Administration of State Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and South Korea have a long history of partnership, beginning with the establishment of diplomatic relationships 60 years ago. This relationship has benefitted both countries economically, with bilateral trade increasing from $3.9 billion in 1980 to $25.5 billion in 2019. - TradeArabia News Service
This story was originally published on Dec. 17, 2019 on NYT Parenting.

You would think that after 40 years, we would know what the long-term effects are for the women who undergo I.V.F. and similar procedures to promote pregnancy. In the United States, more than 55,000 women give birth to a baby conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (A.R.T.) every year. Twelve percent of American women age 15 to 44  7.3 million of them  have received medical care for infertility. A third of American adults now say that they have used fertility treatments or know someone who has. But there are still large gaps in our knowledge about how these procedures affect women years down the road. Why?

[What to know about I.V.F.]

Part of the problem is a dearth of follow-up data, especially in our fragmented American health system, which lacks national medical records. Most existing research has been able to compare only the postpregnancy health of women who have conceived using fertility treatments with that of those who did not. But, of course, that crude comparison is not comparing apples to apples, says Dr. Natalie Dayan, an obstetric internist and assistant professor of medicine at McGill University. Its comparing women with infertility who have tried multiple times and then became pregnant through A.R.T. and women who conceived naturally. So its all but impossible to know which observed health risks are due to the fertility treatments and which are a result of the underlying cause of the infertility itself.

Assisted reproduction is also constantly evolving. By the time you go years out from the procedure, the procedures have changed, dramatically, says Judy Stern, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and pathology at Dartmouth. For example, in the last few years, there has been a shift toward trying to implant embryos that were previously frozen (rather than never frozen), after data emerged showing that babies born from frozen transfers had higher birth weights. But Sterns team found an increased risk of respiratory, blood-related and brain abnormalities for the children when frozen embryos are used, and other researchers have found higher risks of pre-eclampsia for the women. Its also not yet well understood how the health outcomes associated with traditional I.V.F. methods compare with those related to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in which a single sperm is injected into an egg. ICSI was intended to be used only in cases of male-factor infertility but is now used in two-thirds of I.V.F. cycles in the United States.

Another difficulty arises when subsets of patients are treated alike even when theyre not. The health risks to women who freeze or donate their eggs has been extrapolated from research on I.V.F. patients  but egg donors are young and healthy, unlike most women undergoing I.V.F., who tend to be much older. Egg donors are also typically given higher amounts of hormones to stimulate the production of eggs, and some undergo the procedure several times. We have no idea what this level of hormonal stimulation at this time in a womans life might be doing to her body, says Linda Kahn, a postdoctoral fellow in pediatrics at the New York University School of Medicine.
HONG KONG  With each passing day, the boundary between Hong Kong and the rest of China fades faster.

The Chinese Communist Party is remaking this city, permeating its once vibrant, irreverent character with ever more overt signs of its authoritarian will. The very texture of daily life is under assault as Beijing molds Hong Kong into something more familiar, more docile.

Residents now swarm police hotlines with reports about disloyal neighbors or colleagues. Teachers have been told to imbue students with patriotic fervor through 48-volume book sets called My Home Is in China. Public libraries have removed dozens of books from circulation, including one about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
At one point in this episode Alina is approached by a fan because, as it happens, shes an author, of an acclaimed short story collection called Italian Studies. Alina goes to a library to confirm this. There, she signs her own book. That she does this rather than use her discovery to find out where she ought to be may confound some viewers.

But Italian Studies is not, despite its often documentary-style location shooting, a realistic story. Its idea of time is multidimensional, as is its idea of form. Several sections of the film feature talking-head interviews with its characters, or maybe with the performers playing them. Its hard to be sure. If the movie sometimes feels as if its premise is Renowned British Actress Vanessa Kirby Wanders Into an Adam Leon Movie, that could be entirely deliberate.

Italian Studies

Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 21 minutes. In theaters and available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators.
Ms. Mimieux was a child bride in Toys in the Attic (1963), based on the Tony Award-winning Lillian Hellman play. Mr. Crowther declared her performance showy but without plausibility in his Times review, which was not much nicer than what he said about her co-stars Geraldine Page and Dean Martin.

In 1964, Ms. Mimieux turned her role as a doomed surfer with epilepsy on the television drama Dr. Kildare into a starring movie role with the shows star: She was Richard Chamberlains too-nice-for-sex new bride in Joy in the Morning (1965). She also reputedly became the first actress to show her navel on television.

Then her career took a downward turn. After a foray into series television, solving murder cases as Ralph Bellamys bright young criminologist partner in The Most Deadly Game (1970), she appeared in a string of television movies  Hit Lady (1974), from her own script; The Legend of Valentino (1975); Snowbeast (1977); Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978)  and in films like Skyjacked (1972), Jackson County Jail (1976) and The Black Hole (1979).

Ms. Mimieux was not immune from sniping. It was said that the people casting The Time Machine were impressed not only by her beauty but also by her talent for delivering a good blank expression, as The Irish Times observed in a profile of her in 2002. In 1979, The Globe and Mail, the Toronto newspaper, found her more complicated: She occupies some vague region far west of Bardot, a reporter wrote, referring to Frances most famous sex symbol, Brigitte Bardot, and just east of Tuesday Weld.

But overall the critics were not unkind. Pauline Kael once called her a much better actress than the parts she gets. Roger Ebert, the Chicago Sun-Times critic, agreed. Miss Mimieux is better than I imagined she could be, he wrote when reviewing Three in the Attic, a dark 1968 sex comedy. She gets stuck in a lot of hopeless roles.

The 1980s found her guest-starring on The Love Boat (1984) and playing a department store executives glamorous merchandising-manager mistress in the short-lived series Berrengers (1985). Then, in her 40s, she gave it all up. Years later, however, she came out of retirement to play an Ivana Trump-like character in a television movie based on Jackie Collinss novel Lady Boss (1992).
Vishal Garg, the Better.com founder, who fired roughly 900 of his workers via Zoom last month and then took time off, is returning to his position as the head of his mortgage lending company.

As you know, Betters C.E.O. Vishal Garg has been taking a break from his full-time duties to reflect on his leadership, reconnect with the values that make Better great and work closely with an executive coach, Better.coms board said on Tuesday in an email to the staff, which was reviewed by The New York Times. We are confident in Vishal and in the changes he is committed to making to provide the type of leadership, focus and vision that Better needs at this pivotal time.

Better.com, which is backed by SoftBank and was ranked last year as LinkedIns top start-up, had announced last month that Mr. Garg would take time off from his leadership role after he faced a backlash over his firing of about 9 percent of his staff in a Zoom call. Several top employees resigned shortly afterward.

If youre on this call you are part of the unlucky group that is being laid off, Mr. Garg told his workers, in a recording later shared widely online. Your employment here is terminated effective immediately.
The staff of The A.V. Club, the Chicago-based pop culture website published by G/O Media, was given a choice: accept a relocation to Los Angeles or leave the publication with a severance package. On Tuesday, seven people on the staff said they had decided to stay put  and give up their jobs.

The group of employees, which includes editors and a senior writer, represents nearly half of The A.V. Clubs editorial team, according to its online masthead. The seven who refused the move are among the publications longest-tenured journalists.

The A.V. Club got its start in 1993 as a supplement of The Onion, the satirical newspaper founded in Madison, Wis., in 1988. For most of the last two decades it has been based in The Onions Chicago office.

In a time when employers have become increasingly flexible about where their employees live and work, G/O Media forcing workers to relocate to one of the most expensive cities in the world without proper compensation  and during one of the pandemics worst surges  is mind-boggling at best, the Onion Union, which represents A.V. Club employees, said in a statement. At worst, it is shortsighted and cruel.
An Italian-style coffee roaster has come to East Harlem. Michele Maturo, a native of Milan and a coffee aficionado, is consulting with Jake Leonti, a professional roaster, to process green beans from various countries into blends, both Italian and American style, to sell retail and wholesale. Beyond the handsome dark navy brick facade punctuated with a glass garage door is a huge blue roaster resembling a 19th-century locomotive. Coffee is brewed and served using assorted systems at the food counter that also sells excellent housemade breakfast pastries, ciambelli doughnuts, cakes, panini, salumi and gelati. There is seating for about 25 at marble tables. A training lab for baristas, and classes for SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) and MuMac Academy of Milan certifications are coming. Vintage coffee machines will also be on display. Mr. Maturo said he selected the location as a nod to the Italian history of the neighborhood; it seems to be catching on as a gathering place.

DellAria Coffee Roasters, 232 East 111th Street, 212-534-8400, dellariacaffe.com.

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Avani Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch of Avani Muscat Hotel, its newest property in the Middle East and the brands first property in Oman.

Located in Seeb, a prime residential area in Muscat, the new property benefits from an airport and city access, making it a convenient base for business travellers, digital nomads and leisure travellers alike.

Blending heritage-inspired touches and sleek contemporary style, the propertys 161 guest rooms are a masterclass in subtle design.

Soothing, yet stimulating environments, empathetic to the needs of todays hyper connected traveller, have been created with natural materials, bespoke decor and Omani tones. In response to global travellers evolving working behaviours, in-room workspaces feature flexible configuration options and easy access to the smart power panel outfitted with multiple plugs and USB ports, Avani said.

On the residential side, 45 studios and one, two- and three-bedroom serviced apartments bring Avani's fresh, forward-looking aesthetic to one of Muscats most dynamic neighbourhoods. At 128 sq m, the three-bedroom apartments are the largest in the inventory and are suited for long-stay guests and families with children who can take full advantage of AvaniKids, the hotels kids club and pool, it said.

Dining options include Trisis, a nature-inspired all-day dining restaurant with indoor tree features and specialising in Omani, Arabic and international cuisines, and Avani's easy gourmet grab-and-go concept Pantry, known for its nutritious meals and specialty coffee.

The alfresco Patio Bar offers refreshments. Dedicated exercise and health club amenities are available at AvaniFit.

Avani Muscat is adjacent to the Al Araimi Boulevard Mall and is just a five-minute drive from the Mall of Muscat.

Avani Muscat is well positioned to become one of the citys leading conference and event venues, with a spacious and stylish ballroom able to accommodate large-scale social celebrations such as weddings and banquets, and boasts high ceilings, an outdoor pre-function area, a private Majilis and plenty of parking, Avani added.

As well as being one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing hotel brands, Avani Hotels and Resorts is well-established in the Middle East with three properties in Dubai. The brand recently announced further expansion of its footprint in the region into Bahrain with Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort scheduled for a 2024 opening.  TradeArabia News Service
Why is Vladimir Putin threatening to take another bite out of Ukraine, after devouring Crimea in 2014? That is not an easy question to answer because Putin is a one-man psychodrama, with a giant inferiority complex toward America that leaves him always stalking the world with a chip on his shoulder so big its amazing he can fit through any door.

Lets see: Putin is a modern-day Peter the Great out to restore the glory of Mother Russia. Hes a retired K.G.B. agent who simply refuses to come in from the cold and still sees the C.I.A. under every rock and behind every opponent. Hes Americas ex-boyfriend-from-hell, who refuses to let us ignore him and date other countries, like China  because he always measures his status in the world in relation to us. And hes a politician trying to make sure he wins (or rigs) Russias 2024 election  and becomes president for life  because when youve siphoned off as many rubles as Putin has, you can never be sure that your successor wont lock you up and take them all. For him, its rule or die.

Somewhere in the balance of all of those identities and neuroses is the answer to what Putin intends to do with Ukraine.

If I were a cynic, Id just tell him to go ahead and take Kyiv because it would become his Kabul, his Afghanistan  but the human costs would be intolerable. Short of that, Id be very clear: If he wants to come down from the tree in which hes lodged himself, hes going to have to jump or build his own ladder. He has completely contrived this crisis, so there should be no give on our part. China is watching  and Taiwan is sweating  everything we do in reaction to Vlad right now.
Ms. Lindo said she had immediately called her mother to ask if she had already ordered the tests. She had not, but an upstairs neighbor had, they learned.

They havent been able to get tests, they are sold out everywhere, Ms. Lindo said. I know its probably a line in the code on the USPS website that needs to be changed, but I really do hope that they change it quickly so that we can order the tests.

Her mother teaches English as a second language at a senior center once a week, she said, and wants to test regularly for that reason. She and Ms. Lindos father, who are both in their 70s, also hope to take home tests before their grandsons upcoming 16th birthday party, and before upcoming appointments with their doctors.

Mr. Biden has experience with fumbled website rollouts. When he was vice president, he and President Barack Obama presided over the disastrous launch of healthcare.gov, the online health-insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. Jeff Zients, who is now Mr. Bidens coronavirus response coordinator, was brought in to rescue the troubled site, which crashed repeatedly under a crush of early users. The U.S. Digital Service was created in its aftermath.

Visitors to covidtests.gov, which is also available in Spanish, can click through to a Postal Service web page where they can order four tests per household, free of charge. Orders will usually ship in seven to 12 days, the website says.

We cant guarantee there wont be a bug or two, Ms. Psaki said, but the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service are working hard to make this a success.

Matching testing supply with demand has been a persistent challenge for both the Trump and Biden administrations, and Mr. Biden has come under criticism for not ramping up the supply of rapid at-home tests quickly enough as Americans struggled to get tested amid the emergence of the Omicron variant.
WASHINGTON  Democrats pushed forward on Tuesday with what appeared to be a futile bid to enact voting rights protections over Republican opposition, taking up legislation that they said was urgently needed to counter widespread balloting suppression efforts and laying out a plan to try to steer it around G.O.P. obstruction.

Using a procedural shortcut, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, avoided a Republican blockade that has stalled the legislation for months to force it to the floor. But Democrats were far short of the votes needed to win its passage over Republican opposition, and lacked the votes needed in their own party to change Senate rules and enact it unilaterally.

Still, they announced that they would mount a long-shot effort to establish an exception to the filibuster for voting rights bills, requiring opponents to hold the floor for an old-style talking filibuster that would allow a final, 51-senator majority vote  instead of the 60 now needed  to move forward after all senators had exhausted their opportunities to speak.

If the Senate cannot protect the right to vote, which is the cornerstone of our democracy, then the Senate rules must be reformed, Mr. Schumer said.
WASHINGTON  One of the largest contributors to Senator Kyrsten Sinemas political rise announced on Tuesday that it would cut off its financial support if the senator continues to refuse to change the Senates filibuster rules to allow for passage of far-reaching voting rights legislation.

Emilys List, the largest funder of female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights, made the extraordinary announcement as the Senate barreled toward votes this week on a bill to reverse restrictions on voting passed by a number of Republican-led state legislatures.

If, as expected, Republicans block the bill with a filibuster, Democratic leaders plan to try to change the Senates rules to overcome the minority partys opposition. To do that, Democratic leaders would need all 50 members of their caucus on board. But Ms. Sinema, Democrat of Arizona, has said she will not vote to change the rules, making her  along with another holdout from her party, Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia  a target of liberal activists ire.

Understanding that access to the ballot box and confidence in election results are critical to our work and our country, we have joined with many others to impress upon Senator Sinema the importance of the pending voting rights legislation in the Senate, Laphonza Butler, the president of Emilys List, said in a statement. So far those concerns have not been addressed.
We know there have been protests, particularly in Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria. How widespread is the feeling that the governments Covid policies have gone too far?

There are certainly some Australians who have been frustrated by moments of heavy-handedness. At one point in Melbourne, Victorian state authorities closed outdoor playgrounds even though there was little risk there. That really angered a lot of parents. The border closures also really made a lot of people furious, especially Australians living overseas who were trying to get home.

But Australians are also extremely proud of how theyve handled the pandemic. The country has had fewer deaths per capita than just about anywhere. And while the lockdowns were hard, there was a lot of government aid to help workers and businesses. Most Australians, in polls and in interviews Ive done all over the country, will tell you that, despite the problems, its been worth it.

Are Australians aware of what conservative commentators in the United States are saying about them? What do they make of hearing that theyre living in a dystopian police state?

The Australians who are aware  including many conservatives  find that both odd and insulting. They tend to think its absurd for those conservatives to be attacking Australias policies from a country where 800,000 people have died from Covid, thanks in part, Australians argue, to Americas obsession with individualism and freedom rather than a respect for collective sacrifice.

So there are federal elections coming up this year, right? Are we going to see critics of the government running against incumbents on Covid?

There will be criticism of the government for going too slowly and not doing enough to get people what they need, with vaccines early on and with rapid antigen tests now. But generally, theres a pretty broad consensus in Australia: What theyve done since 2020 has mostly worked, and now its time to transition out of restrictions, carefully, while continuing to encourage vaccination.
For months, the Justice Department has provided little public indication of whether, or how seriously, it is investigating the role played by former President Donald J. Trump in the violent attack on the Capitol last Jan. 6.

But on Tuesday, for the first time, evidence emerged in court papers that prosecutors have posed questions to at least one Jan. 6 defendant that were focused on establishing an organized conspiracy involving Mr. Trump and his allies to disrupt the work of Congress.

The papers were filed by a defense lawyer in the case of Brandon Straka, a former hair stylist who founded a group called the Walk Away Foundation, which seeks to persuade Democratic voters to leave the party.

On the day before the Capitol was stormed, Mr. Straka spoke at a pro-Trump rally in Washington with prominent right-wing figures like the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Mr. Straka was also at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
LONDON  Esteemed ballerina. Experienced artistic director. Skilled fund-raiser. In Tamara Rojo, who was announced last week as San Francisco Ballets next leader, American dance has tapped a woman of many talents. Still, the San Francisco company may want to hold off on adding choreography to her list of duties.

On Tuesday, at the London Coliseum, Rojo unveiled her final major project for English National Ballet, the ensemble she has led for 10 years, and her first as a choreographer and stage director: a reworking of Marius Petipas 1898 ballet Raymonda, set during the Crusades. Unlike Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty, it has been a work of niche appeal in Britain and the United States, mainly performed in Russia and in France, where Rudolf Nureyevs version has endured. (Dutch National Ballet will also tackle Raymonda later this season.)

English National Ballets Raymonda is the first full production of the ballet by a British company, and Rojo, who relocated the plot to 19th-century Crimea and Britain, tries very hard to make it all things to all people  at the expense of integrity.

Raymonda, formerly a French countess, has been refashioned as a young English nurse serving during the Crimean War (1853 to 1856). Her beau, Jean de Brienne, is a soldier instead of a knight and is now called John de Bryan. The duos romantic connection is thwarted by a prince from the allied Ottoman Empire, Abdur Rahman (an irresistible Jeffrey Cirio on opening night), a less offensive successor to Petipas menacing Saracen knight, Abderakhman.
It was past midnight when a crane descended on the imposing bronze statue of Theodore Roosevelt, lifting his upper body from the pedestal where it has presided at the American Museum of Natural History since 1940. The remainder of the sculpture, now surrounded by scaffolding, is scheduled to leave in pieces through the week. Flanked by representations of a Native American man and an African man on foot, the shadow of the president on horseback is diminishing by the day.

A spokeswoman for the institution said that the approximately $2 million removal process was conducted with historic preservation specialists and several dozen workers. It was approved by multiple New York City agencies.

The New York City Public Design Commission voted last June to remove the statue; in November, its destination  the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, N.D.  was announced. The statue is moving to storage and will be shipped to the presidential library within a few weeks.
Lipstein seems ambivalent, as he must be, about the compromises required of anyone who wants to earn money selling words. Its hard to skip innocently into a professional writing career. The pool of aspirants is too large and the quantity of jobs too small, and of those jobs only a teaspoonful are remunerative enough to pay for such things as rent. But Lipstein isnt implying that a person must either be celestially lucky or satanically unprincipled or both in order to make it.

Caleb, for one thing, is not an evil genius. An evil genius wouldnt send self-incriminating text messages (first rule of being evil: put nothing in writing), nor would he fail to change the names of the people hes novelizing. What type of doofus fails to cover his tracks in such obvious ways? Well, exactly the type of doofus who is Caleb. His hackiness as a writer is a reflection of his hackiness as a moral agent  or maybe it runs in the opposite direction. Caleb is blithe about his shortcomings, admitting that Im not the type to dot my is or even fully dry my back after a shower.

In addition to a blithe streak, Caleb has a cruel streak, a petty streak and an intemperate streak, and Lipstein milks the comedy of these traits almost as well as Kingsley Amis did in Lucky Jim. Caleb observes that Avi looked like James Dean if James Dean was a bit inbred. A Nissan Altima is the color of a wet dog. The Muzak pumped through his co-working space consists of Top 40-esque tracks seemingly gutted of choruses, bridges and memorable hooks, played at a volume that might be described as enough. Lipstein even turns out an Amis-level observation on the topic of intoxication: I was at the stage of drunkenness when certain footsteps surprise you.

Its a little obvious to locate the underlying anxieties of Last Resort  fraudulence, vanity  in the well-documented and rapidly growing unwillingness of readers to ascribe credibility to the media. Novelists are not the media. (Thank God.) But it is true that authors of nearly every kind are engaged in a losing skirmish to retain status, and that their authority is so reduced that we should probably come up with another name for them.

The coexistence of The Plot and Last Resort could be a random incident  the way that Armageddon and Deep Impact both popped up in the summer of 1998  or it could mark the advent of a whole genre that allegorizes the professional writers suspicion that he might be a scammer. The major narrative distinction between the novels lies not in whether the scheming writers are punished for their sins  they are, they are  but in how. For one author, stealing someones story is an unforgivable desecration. For the other, a petty crime.
U.S. warns Russia could invade Ukraine on very short notice

Before a meeting tomorrow with Russias foreign minister in Geneva, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia could attack Ukraine on very short notice and warned of confrontation and consequences for Russia if it does.

Blinken made the remarks in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he landed Wednesday morning to meet with Ukraines president in a show of support.

Russia has positioned around 100,000 troops along its western border with Ukraine, although estimates vary. We know that there are plans in place to increase that force even more on very short notice, Blinken said, and that gives President Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine.

No to Russian demands: Blinken said he would not provide Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov with a written response to Russias demands on Eastern European security. The meeting in Geneva may be one of the last chances for a diplomatic path to averting what U.S. officials fear is an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine.
A mask rollout

The Biden administration announced today that it was making 400 million nonsurgical N95 masks available, free of charge, at community health centers and retail pharmacies across the U.S.

The move comes just days after the C.D.C. updated its mask guidance to acknowledge that cloth masks do not offer as much protection against the virus as surgical masks or respirators. N95 respirators, so named because they can filter out 95 percent of all airborne particles when used correctly, offer the highest level of protection, according to the C.D.C.

The White House said that the government would begin shipping N95 masks to pharmacies and health centers at the end of this week, and that the masks were expected to be available to the public at the end of next week. The program should be fully up and running by early February.

The masks will come from the Strategic National Stockpile, the nations emergency reserve. The stockpile was badly depleted at the outset of the pandemic, leaving health care workers without personal protective gear essential to fighting the first wave of the coronavirus. As late as December 2020, the U.S. was still facing alarming shortages of personal protective gear.
A typical 65-year-old American woman  to take one example  is five foot three inches tall and weighs 166 pounds. If she had been vaccinated and did not have a major Covid risk factor, like an organ transplant, her chance of dying after contracting Covid would be 1 in 872, according to the calculator. For a typical 65-year-old man, the risk would be 1 in 434.

Among 75-year-olds, the risk would be 1 in 264 for a typical woman and 1 in 133 for a typical man.

Those are meaningful risks. But they are not larger than many other risks older people face. In the 2019-20 flu season, about 1 out of every 138 Americans 65 and older who had flu symptoms died from them, according to the C.D.C.

And Omicron probably presents less risk than the British calculator suggests, because it uses data through the first half of 2021, when the dominant version of Covid was more severe than Omicron appears to be. One sign of Omicrons relative mildness: Among vaccinated people in Utah (a state that publishes detailed data), the percentage of cases leading to hospitalization has been only about half as high in recent weeks as it was last summer.

For now, the available evidence suggests that Omicron is less threatening to a vaccinated person than a normal flu. Obviously, the Omicron wave has still been damaging, because the variant is so contagious that it has infected tens of millions of Americans in a matter of weeks. Small individual risks have added up to large societal damage.

3. Effective boosters

The final major piece of encouraging news involves booster shots: They are highly effective at preventing severe illness from Omicron. The protection is remarkably high, as Dr. Eric Topol of Scripps Research wrote.

Switzerland has begun reporting Covid deaths among three different groups of people: the unvaccinated; the vaccinated who have not received a booster shot; and the vaccinated who have been boosted (typically with a third shot). The first two shots still provide a lot of protection, but the booster makes a meaningful difference, as Edouard Mathieu and Max Roser of Our World in Data have noted:
Russia and U.S. to meet in effort to break deadlock

Seeking to head off a potential assault on Ukraine, Antony Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, will meet with Sergey Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, in Geneva on Friday as the two sides explore whether there is still a diplomatic path to avoiding a conflict in Eastern Europe.

Negotiating sessions last week ended in an impasse, with talks deadlocked over Russias demand that NATO pledge not to expand eastward. Russian officials said they expected a written article-by-article response from the U.S. to their proposals, which would effectively restore Russias sphere of influence to close to Soviet-era lines. It is unclear whether Blinken will provide such a response.

A State Department official warned that Russia  which has assembled as many as 100,000 troops along Ukraines border  could launch an attack at any time. But in a call with Blinken, Lavrov rejected the idea that Russia was planning to do so and insisted that it was up to Ukraine to calm tensions, according to Russian officials.

Deterrence: The U.S. and its allies have promised to impose punishing sanctions if Russia attacks Ukraine. Germanys chancellor, Olaf Scholz, warned Russia of high costs in the event of military action, which some have speculated could involve the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
The employee who answered the phone told me that the doctors there had yet to conduct their own medical review of Paxlovid and, as a matter of policy, could not yet prescribe it. Moreover, the employee told me, my mother would need an appointment to speak to a doctor, and there were no slots until a week later.

I began hunting for another doctor who would promptly write a prescription.

I tried scheduling visits with several telemedicine providers, including CVS and Teladoc, but I kept seeing a similarly worded notification on the intake forms: They were not writing prescriptions for Paxlovid or molnupiravir, a similar antiviral pill from Merck.

(Later, I asked both companies about these policies. A CVS spokeswoman said providers were prescribing the antiviral pills to patients they saw in person at some stores but not via telemedicine. A Teladoc spokesman said the company believed at this point that its most appropriate for the antiviral pills to be prescribed in person.)

I started calling urgent care clinics and health systems near my mother to see if they would write her a prescription. At one point, we even got her on a video call with a doctor at a nearby health system.

Maddeningly, we were repeatedly told the same thing: Their doctors couldnt write prescriptions for Paxlovid during virtual appointments. My mother would have to be evaluated in person  seemingly defeating the purpose of a remote doctors appointment.

In any case, this was a nonstarter, because my mother lives alone and doesnt drive, and the clinics werent within walking distance. She would not consider taking a taxi or a bus and risk exposing others to the virus. In this regard, my mother isnt alone. Tens of millions of Americans rely on public transportation. And those with cars risk spreading the virus while seeking prescriptions in person.

Other medical facilities I called that afternoon provided me with information that was just plain wrong. One person told me that no monoclonal antibody treatments were available in California. Another insisted that Paxlovid was only for hospitalized patients.
Laurel Cutler was a rare female advertising executive in the testosterone-driven Mad Men era of 1960s New York. And yet she thrived.

I was more Don Draper than Peggy Olson, Ms. Cutler wrote in an unpublished memoir in 2016, referring to the creative force at the center of the television series Mad Men and his female underling, who struggled to be taken seriously.

During her five-decade career on Madison Avenue, Ms. Cutler was indeed a force. She was the only woman on Fortune magazines list of 11 seminal thinkers of the 1980s. (Others included Milton Friedman, Peter Drucker and T. Boone Pickens.) Ladies Home Journal called her one of the 50 most powerful women in America in 1990, noting that she was not just a figurehead but also someone who left a lasting impression and could get her phone calls returned.

The Advertising Federation of America (now the American Advertising Federation) named her Woman of the Year in 1985. And in a sly twist, 10 years later she was the first woman to be named Man of the Year by the federation. She was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in 2011.
Amazon Prime Videos long-gestating Lord of the Rings series, which will make its debut on the streaming platform in September, officially has a name: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

In addition to revealing the title on Wednesday, Amazon announced that the series would take place thousands of years before the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy of films adapted from J.R.R. Tolkiens novels by the director and producer Peter Jackson.

The streaming series, more than four years in the making, represents the most ambitious effort since Amazon began investing in original programming.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, at the request of President Biden, had issued its so-called emergency temporary standard in November. It told businesses with 100 or more workers to require employees to be vaccinated or test weekly.

John Culver, the chief operating officer at Starbucks, said in his memo Tuesday announcing the change in the companys plans that more than 90 percent of Starbucks workers in the United States had disclosed their vaccination status and that the vast majority were fully vaccinated.

I want to emphasize that we continue to believe strongly in the spirit and intent of the mandate, Mr. Culver wrote.

The companys move comes as it faces a growing effort among its work force to unionize. Two weeks ago, employees at a unionized Buffalo-area store walked out, protesting what they said were unsafe working conditions. Some said they were dismayed to see the vaccine rule dropped.

Starbucks Workers United, a union that represents two Buffalo-area stores, expressed frustration that the decision was made without their comment.

Starbucks reversed their vaccine mandate without discussing the issue, or negotiating about it, with the unionized partners, the union said in a statement.

For its part, Starbucks maintained that its vaccination requirement had been introduced only because of the federal governments standard, which the Supreme Court then blocked.
After a year that included one of the largest wildfires in California history and ended with an unseasonably late blaze that became the most destructive ever seen in Colorado, the Biden administration on Tuesday announced a 10-year, multibillion-dollar plan to reduce the fire risk on up to 50 million acres that border vulnerable communities.

The federal Agriculture Department said in a statement that it would take measures to reduce the danger of catastrophic fires in dozens of spots in 11 Western states by thinning overgrown trees and using controlled burns to get rid of dead vegetation. The plan, detailed in a report, would quadruple the governments land treatment efforts.

Its the time to act, Tom Vilsack, the agriculture secretary, said at a news briefing on Tuesday, adding that the government needed to change the trajectory of our wildfires.

The goal, he said, is to make forests more resilient and fire-adaptive.

In the past decade, the number of fires each year in the West has remained fairly consistent. What has changed is their scale.
While residents of Tonga struggle to recover from a devastating volcanic explosion that smothered the Pacific island nation with ash and swamped it with water, scientists are trying to better understand the global effects of the eruption.

They already know the answer to one crucial question: Although it appeared to be the largest eruption in the world in three decades, the explosion of the Hunga volcano on Saturday will very likely not have a temporary cooling effect on the global climate, as some past enormous eruptions have.

But in the aftermath of the event, there may be short-term effects on weather in parts of the world and possibly minor disruptions in radio transmissions, including those used by global positioning systems.

The shock wave produced by the explosion, as well as the unusual nature of the tsunamis it generated, will have scientists studying the event for years. Tsunamis were detected not just in the Pacific, but in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Mediterranean as well.
The mammoth, ethereally beautiful glaciers of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, near the North Pole, bear the scars of climate change more than almost anywhere else on the planet.

Over the past three decades, Svalbard has warmed twice as quickly as the rest of the Arctic region and seven times the global average. That is causing the islands glaciers to melt at an alarming rate, threatening polar bears and other wildlife, and adding to rising sea levels around the globe.

For a long time, though, predicting how quickly future warming might cause the ice to retreat took guesswork. In Svalbard and other places, most field measurements started only in the mid-20th century, and satellite observations even later.

Now, advances in computing are helping scientists bring old ice back to life in astonishing detail. Using black-and-white photos taken during mapping expeditions nearly a century ago, they are creating three-dimensional digital models of how the glaciers looked before modern record-keeping, and illuminating the ways they have changed over a longer stretch of time.
When the Hunga volcano in the Pacific island nation of Tonga erupted with a huge explosion on Saturday, climate scientists took notice. Eruptions emit sulfur dioxide gas, and if enough of it is shot high enough into the atmosphere, it can have a cooling effect on the Earth.

But eruptions that are big enough to do that are rare. The last one was at Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which pumped about 20 million tons of the gas into the air when it erupted in 1991. That led to global cooling of about 1 degree Fahrenheit, or half a degree Celsius, for nearly two years.

If the eruption of the Hunga volcano was anything like Pinatubo, climate scientists would have a lot to study about natural influences on climate. NASA has even developed a rapid-response program to quickly deploy balloon-laden instruments to gather data after such a large eruption.

From satellite pictures of the Hunga eruption, it seemed like it might be another Pinatubo-like event. But looks turned out to be deceiving. Satellite sensors measured a relatively small amount of sulfur dioxide, about 2 percent of Pinatubos output. Not enough to provide a temporary respite from the inexorable march of global warming.
Answers to your questions about writing, judging, the rules and teaching with this contest. Please read these thoroughly and, if you still cant find what youre looking for, post your query in the comments or write to us at LNFeedback@nytimes.com.

QUESTIONS ABOUT PODCASTING

What is a podcast?

Simply put: Podcasts are audio programs that can take almost any form. They can be a news report or a one-act play; a formal interview or a friendly conversation; a personal narrative or a book review. Some podcasts are informative, others are entertaining, and others try to persuade. They can be funny, serious, thought-provoking or emotional. In short, your podcast can be pretty much whatever you want it to be.

How can I make my podcast stand out?

We are primarily looking for thoughtful pieces with a clear beginning, middle and ending. Here are a few tips to get your podcast noticed by our judges:

Choose a topic that matters to you. Not only will your passion sustain you during the creative process, but it will shine through in the final product. Remember, though, you have only five minutes, so make sure you choose something that you can do justice in that time. For example, you probably wont be able to take on all of climate change, but you can focus on a small aspect of it, like food waste in your community.

Use a format that brings your topic to life. Ask yourself: What is the best way to tell this story? Is it appropriate to tell the story from your own point of view or should you conduct interviews? Does it make sense for the podcast to have a rigid structure or should it be more of a free flowing conversation? Should it be a nonfiction account or could a fictional story be more entertaining or meaningful?

Prepare. Before recording your podcast, create an outline or a script. Having a plan will both help you make the most use of your five minutes, and make it easier for your listener to follow along.

Make sure your audio is clear. You dont need to have high-grade recording equipment to make a great podcast, but do be mindful to speak clearly and to eliminate background noise as much as possible.

Use sound thoughtfully and intentionally. Spoken word, music, sound effects and environmental noise can all make for a compelling listening experience. Consider how you might use them strategically to provide context, create structure for your podcast and engage your listeners emotions.

How do I come up with a topic for my podcast?

Your podcast can be about anything. To get ideas, start by browsing our list of 1,000 writing prompts, which includes questions on everything from video games and fashion to smartphones and parenting. Try responding to a few prompts that interest you. Then, you might choose one you enjoyed writing about as inspiration for your podcast.

If youre thinking about sharing a personal story, take a look at these prompts for personal and narrative writing. If you want to assert an opinion or engage in a debate, look at this list of prompts for argumentative writing.

Can someone else produce or edit my work?

You are welcome to get feedback on and suggestions for your podcast, but the work you submit, including the editing and production, should be fundamentally your own.

Where can I find examples of podcasts in The Times?

You can find all New York Times podcasts in the Podcast column. Here are a few of our favorites:

The Daily, a 20-minute morning news program powered by New York Times journalism.

Still Processing, a weekly show about all things culture, from television and music to dating and the internet.

Modern Love, stories that explore the complicated love lives of real people.

Popcast, a podcast by the The Timess pop music team on music news, new songs and albums, and artists of note.

But remember, youre not limited to The Times for inspiration. You can find other podcast recommendations in the Arts section, such as this list of suggestions from 36 podcast personalities.

_________

QUESTIONS ABOUT JUDGING

How will my podcast be judged?

Your work will be listened to by producers and journalists on The New York Times podcast team as well as by Learning Network staff members, professional podcasters and educators from around the United States. We will use this rubric to judge entries.
In Hawaii, I grew up on a street named after a fish  ulua, the biggest of the jacks, a blunt-headed silver bruiser, sometimes weighing more than a hundred pounds, that glowers along the reef. It is caught with tall poles anchored in the sea cliffs and baited with eels or octopus sewed to the hooks. Mahimahi, a neon blur in the deep, was the next street over.

We were surrounded by ocean, yet my family ate seafood only under duress, as dutiful Catholics on Fridays during Lent, tidy golden-battered fillets of perch  a fish of the mainland  from the freezers at Safeway. I had my education in local waters later in life, as a hostess at a restaurant, eavesdropping on the servers who patiently described to tourists the species on the menu: meaty ahi (yellowfin tuna); creamy opah (moonfish); delicate, whiskered moi (threadfin), once reserved for royalty; lean, long-bodied ono (wahoo) that races, jags and dives, tormenting its hunters; and the hierarchy of snappers, from ehu to opakapaka and, above all, onaga, with its ruby sheen.

It is onaga that I look forward to all year, that is the centerpiece at the Christmas Eve potluck next door, to which Stella Chang, my mothers neighbor of close to 50 years, graciously invites me, the prodigal from New York. The table is crowded, or as we say, kapakahi (mixed up)  rice in a 10-cup cooker, stuffed cabbage, glossy lo mein, a great ham under halos of pineapple, king crab legs with a little hotpot of melted butter, pink-hearted roast beef to be sluiced with jus  but onaga is the prize, the whole fish buried under a thatch of scallions, cilantro, carrots and celery, only showing its frilly tail and one pearl eye.

The flesh lifts straight off the bones.

Glenn Yamashita  Uncle Glenn to the young people who wander the house, regardless of actual relation  has been making this dish for some 25 years. Its his variation on a local specialty, a Chinese-style steamed fish, salty-sour from a stuffing of preserved vegetable and faintly sweet from the flesh of the fish itself. Skeins of Japanese somen noodles are tucked beneath and hot oil poured over at the end. Done right, it crackles.
And unlike a prison, a mink shed has no plumbing. We focus a lot on the respiratory transmission among people, Jonathan Epstein, a zoonotic-disease ecologist, says, but its important to remember that this is also a GI-tract virus, and its shed in the stool. While we flush our own infected excreta down porcelain toilets, the excreta of mink collects under their cages in dank mounds in which coronavirus can remain infectious for days, long enough to be aerosolized when farmworkers shovel it away.

Its probable that the factory-farm conditions that minks are subjected to make them especially susceptible to microbial pathogens. Notwithstanding their undeniably adorable exteriors  alert, wide-set eyes, dainty, partly webbed paws and long furry bodies  mink are not sociable herd animals like cows, sheep, chickens and pigs, who have been under human domestication for thousands of years, exchanging microbes back and forth with one another and with us. They are solitary, meat-eating predators, unaccustomed to life in intimate proximity to other individuals. Just how the stress of crowding affects mink is unknown, though it is thought to suppress their immune systems. Farmed mink are famously vulnerable to pathogens such as distemper and influenza. Mink farmers must pump them up with vaccinations to keep them alive for the handful of months it takes for them to grow thick fur.

I was told by Michael Whelan, then a mink-industry spokesman, that farmers in the United States had developed strict biosecurity measures to prevent microbial transmission between humans and animals on mink farms. Livestock operations  such as poultry farms, for example  often require that workers wear Tyvek suits, masks and bootees and shower-in and shower-out of the fully sealed sheds where captive animals are kept. And yet many of the mink farms I visited in Utah didnt even have adequate fencing around their borders. The rickety perimeter gate around one farm I saw was open to passing traffic, including the cows in an adjacent clearing, the deer of which nearby roadway signs warned and a band of feral cats that slinked onto the farms gravel lot just yards from the doorless mink sheds.

Unlike in Europe, health officials in the United States did not conduct active surveillance on mink farms for coronavirus, relying instead on mink farmers to self-report outbreaks. Publicly, industry representatives said they took the risk of coronavirus incursions seriously, but privately, many were almost dismissive about the threat the virus posed. One mink farmer, Joe Ruef, described coronavirus in mink as a nonevent when we spoke by phone. The industry trade group, Fur Commission USA, called it a supposed public health threat, in an email to its members that was leaked to activists and shared with me. And when word got out that I was visiting Utah mink farms, Fur Commission USA sent out a security alert to its members, with a photograph of my rental car and its license plates. DO NOT let her on to your property, and under no circumstances allow her near the mink sheds, it read, because any pictures or documented cases of ranches that are not following the recommended biosecurity protocols could damage our efforts to defend the US producers.

As a relatively small industry that sells most of its animal products overseas as garments rather than as food, mink farms have escaped most regulatory oversight. Federal laws that pertain to animals  like the Animal Welfare Act and the Humane Slaughter Act  do not cover animals on fur farms. Few states require mink farms to be licensed or inspected; none require veterinary oversight. Like most states, Utah has no regulations on fur farming at all. Even the minimal containment strategies devised for infected mink farms proved difficult to implement. In Utah, mink farmers were fairly resistant to having anyone come onto their facilities, the Utah state veterinarian Dean Taylor told me. In internal correspondence acquired through public-records requests, Utah health department officials discussed an infected farm that the department was not permitted to access even for testing. Unregulated, secretive mink farms, Han says, are not that different, if you think about it, from these captive wildlife farms that we hear about in Asia.

On the 12 mink farms that reported outbreaks, health officials implemented quarantines, testing protocols and trapping programs to capture and test nearby animals. Unlike in Europe, there were no culls of susceptible or infected mink. While in 2014 and 2015 the U.S.D.A. paid $200 million to compensate farmers for culling 50 million farmed birds to short-circuit an outbreak of avian influenza, the agency had no budget to do the same to prevent coronavirus from exploding on mink farms.
Shot in Algeria on the eve of independence, The Olive Trees of Justice is the only fiction film by the American documentarian James Blue and, based on a novel by the French Algerian writer Jean Pelegri, one that acknowledges colonial oppression as well as post-colonial displacement.

Blues movie, which had its United States premiere in 1963 as part of the first New York Film Festival, has been revived at Metrograph, newly restored and still resonant.

Unsurprisingly, Olive Trees has a strong neorealist component. A pre-credit statement announces it as a movie without professional actors. The protagonist Jean (Pierre Prothon) is a young pied-noir  a settler of European descent  who has returned to Algiers from France to be with his dying father (played by Pelegri, who also wrote the screenplay). Some of the strongest scenes follow him through the citys barricaded streets, hillside slums and bustling markets. In a moment that feels more stolen than staged, French soldiers shut down traffic to check an abandoned shopping bag for explosives. Evidently, the production was itself targeted by right-wing settlers.

The movie also has an existentialist aspect. Like the antihero of Camuss The Stranger, also set in Algiers, Jean experiences the death of a parent and views himself as a foreigner in his native land. Prothon has the anguished blankness of a Robert Bresson principal. (Not coincidentally Pelegri had just played the police detective in Bressons Pickpocket.) Maurice Jarres solemn, modernist score adds the underlying angst, as do the helicopters hovering over the city, which, midway through the film, shuts down for Ashura, an Islamic day of mourning.
The mayor said that he trusted his brother far more than any Police Department official, saying that Bernard Adams knows his brother, and hes going to keep his brother safe.

Mr. Adams is certainly not the first mayor in New York to give people from his family influence in his administration; his predecessor, Bill de Blasio, had his wife, Chirlane McCray, run an ambitious mental health initiative, though she was unpaid.

But Mr. Adamss appointments show a clear preference for hiring allies, even when he knows that he could face blowback, his critics say.

Everyone expected him to bring in some loyalists, but his cabinet and senior positions are almost all loyalists, said John Kaehny, executive director of the good-government group Reinvent Albany.

The pace of Mr. Adamss appointments has slowed in the last week, and City Hall officials recently put in place an enhanced vetting process that delayed at least one announcement, according to a person familiar with the matter. Mr. Adams had planned to name Jessica Katz, the executive director of a nonprofit group, to a top housing post last Wednesday, but canceled the event that morning, according to another person who was familiar with the plans, because all candidates are now getting extra vetting.

Mr. Adams has argued that many of his predecessors had not faced similarly harsh scrutiny over hiring allies, saying that he believed he was being unfairly targeted because he was hiring blue-collar people.
The court has been extraordinarily protective of the jury as a black box, said Richard L. Jolly, a law professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles who has written extensively about the jury system.

We really dont want a court to scrutinize every jurors considerations, he said. We dont want the court to dig in and start policing how the jury is reaching its verdict.

These 12 people show up, they do their job, they go home, he added.

The jurors in the widely watched Maxwell trial heard testimony over three weeks showing that Ms. Maxwell had helped the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein entice, groom and sexually abuse teenage girls.

The jurors, whose names were not made public by the court, deliberated for five full days. They sent out a series of notes with questions for the judge and requests for copies of transcripts before announcing their verdict on Dec. 29.

A few days later, Juror 50 revealed in an Instagram post that he had participated as a juror in the trial. (The post has since been taken down.) In interviews with several news outlets, Juror 50 said he was proud of the verdict and that he had found the four women who testified about being childhood victims of Ms. Maxwell to be credible.

He also revealed that during deliberations, he had disclosed that he had been sexually abused as a child and had not revealed that abuse until years later. He also explained to his fellow jurors that he could not remember every detail of his abuse, but that did not mean it had not occurred.

The jury room went silent as he told his story, Juror 50 said in an interview with DailyMail.com.

A second juror, in an interview with The New York Times, also described being sexually abused as a child and discussing that experience during jury deliberations. The juror, who requested anonymity, said the disclosure appeared to help influence the jurys discussions.
Echoing the calls of many law enforcement officials, the mayor, a former police captain and transit officer, implored state legislators to do what they could to stem the tide of violence among young people.

We need help, Mr. Adams said, speaking in somber tones. We need our lawmakers to look at this.

Police officials gave the following account of the events that led to the shooting:

At around 9:30 p.m., a group of six uniformed officers in two unmarked police cars were patrolling near Lorillard Place and East 187th Street in the Belmont section. The area is close to the Little Italy neighborhood known for the shops and restaurants that line Arthur Avenue.

Noticing a loud group of about a half-dozen people gathered outside a building that the police consider a locus of drug and gang activity, the officers approached. As they did, the 16-year-old suspect shoved his hands in his pockets and moved toward a car parked nearby.

The officers told the teenager to take his hands out of his pockets, and he refused. After he ignored several more orders to show his hands, one of the officers began to scuffle with him. In the skirmish, the gun went off once, with the bullet striking the teenager in his groin and then hitting the officer in the right leg below the knee.
The many mysteries surrounding Robert A. Durst, the onetime real estate scion who died last week while in custody following his murder conviction in California, started with his first wife, who vanished from a cottage in a small town in Westchester County, New York, in 1982.

Kathie McCormack Dursts disappearance would become one of the countrys most notorious cold cases, after multiple investigations by various agencies failed to uncover what had happened. It was nearly four decades before Mr. Durst was finally charged with her murder in November.

Mr. Dursts death Jan. 10 scuttled chances that a trial would offer a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Dursts disappearance and presumed death. But on Wednesday, Miriam E. Rocah, the Westchester district attorney, released a report on the investigation that led to Mr. Dursts indictment.

The 12-page report shed little new light on the exact circumstances of Ms. Dursts death. It is silent on the last moments of her life, how Mr. Durst was responsible for her death, and exactly where she died. Her body was never found.
Were entering our third year of Covid, and Americas nurses  who we celebrated as heroes during the early days of lockdown  are now leaving the bedside. The pandemic arrived with many people having great hope for reform on many fronts, including the nursing industry, but much of that optimism seems to have faded.

In the Opinion Video above, nurses set the record straight about the root cause of the nursing crisis: chronic understaffing by profit-driven hospitals that predates the pandemic. I could no longer work in critical care under the conditions I was being forced to work under with poor staffing, explains one nurse, and thats when I left. They also tear down the common misconception that theres a shortage of nurses. In fact, there are more qualified nurses today in America than ever before.

To keep patients safe and protect our health care workers, lawmakers could regulate nurse-patient ratios, which California put in place in 2004, with positive results. Similar legislation was proposed and defeated in Massachusetts several years ago (with help from a $25 million no campaign funded by the hospital lobby), but it is currently on the table in Illinois and Pennsylvania. These laws could save patient lives and create a more just work environment for a vulnerable generation of nurses, the ones we pledged to honor and protect at the start of the pandemic.
To the Editor:

David Leonhardt (The Morning, Jan. 16) correctly describes Justice Neil Gorsuchs lack of a mask in the Supreme Court hearing on vaccine mandates as risky and disdainful of his colleagues. As Mr. Leonhardt notes, the court asked that all reporters and lawyers appearing in the courtroom wear medical masks.

Justice Gorsuchs action is also a public display of bias: He was wearing his opinion on his sleeve. His maskless appearance at a hearing about mandates  in this case vaccines, but similar issues have arisen around mask mandates  disrespects the notion of impartial justice. By his action, Justice Gorsuch advertised that he was unwilling to listen to other views, in which case he should have disqualified himself from sitting in judgment on a case involving mandates.

At the very least, he should have been the one to stay in chambers and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who participated remotely because of her diabetes, should have had the option of appearing in person at the hearing.

Julian L. Seifter

Wellesley, Mass.

The writer is a nephrologist at Brigham & Womens Hospital.

To the Editor:

I am disappointed in Justice Neil Gorsuch. While I dont agree with how he was placed on the court or with his conservative ideology, I had previously considered him a man of integrity. That belief has been challenged by his apparent disregard for the feelings of his work family.
Data from scientists in Britain and South Africa suggest that the more experience peoples immune systems have in handling the coronavirus, the better protected they are.

Every exposure, whether to the virus or a vaccine, reduces the likelihood of severe illness on subsequent ones. Thats because each time our immune systems see the spike proteins on the outside of the coronavirus, which is the target for all the vaccines in use, they get better at responding to them. Infections get less severe, on average, over time not just because the virus is changing but also because our bodies are getting better at handling it.

Theres no guarantee that this pattern will continue. Immunity can wane, and the virus can evolve to sidestep protection. But all the evidence scientists have seen to date indicates that the protection against severe illness is holding up. If that continues, the next round with the virus (and there will be a next round) could be blunted, meaning the impact will be less significant for health care.

Some of this effect is already in play. You might have heard that Omicron is less severe than Delta. That looks to be correct, but once the role of immunity in preventing severe illness is accounted for, it is not that big a difference. The gap between cases and deaths during the Omicron surge in the United States and elsewhere is likely because of protection from prior immunity. People in South Africa, for example, likely experienced less severe illness from Omicron because so many had been infected with Delta.

Not everyone is equally protected. While immunity gained from prior infection is beneficial for preventing illness, it is not as beneficial as when combined with vaccination. For unvaccinated people with no immunity to the virus, Omicron can still cause severe disease. Too many people in the United States are unvaccinated. The number of Americans who have received booster shots is also far smaller than it should be, especially for older vulnerable people. This may be in part why the situation in the United States appears worse than in countries like Britain.
PENZANCE, England  Prince Andrew is in internal exile in Windsor, 20 miles west of London. Last week a judge in Manhattan ruled that a lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, a woman who accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her in 2001, when she was 17 and was, she said, trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, could proceed. (Andrew has denied the accusations.) A day later, Buckingham Palace issued a statement effectively banishing him from royal life.

It was done with economy  just 42 words: 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. He has lost the right to use the special abbreviation H.R.H. (His Royal Highness) in an official capacity, and he will not appear this summer on the Buckingham Palace balcony to celebrate his mothers Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years as queen.

As he sits in front of the TV  hes apparently fond of TV  jobless and divorced and with a collection of carefully arranged cuddly bears, I wonder if Andrew should watch The Crown. Specifically, the scene in the first season when Queen Mary tells her granddaughter Elizabeth II what to do when her private and public selves conflict: The crown must win, says the old queen to the young. Must always win. Or, as pertinently, he could turn over and watch The Godfather, in which Michael Corleone (Prince Charles?) tells his brother Sonny (Andrew?): Its not personal, Sonny. Its strictly business. He could also watch The Godfather: Part II, in which Michael (Charles) tells Fredo (Andrew again): Youre still my brother! We know what happens next.

The members of the royal family call themselves the Firm. It is a joke masking a truth. The crown is a business. That is why the queens second son has been exiled without trial or conviction: for the business. They may have a mid-20th-century bourgeois glamour  hats, flowers, doilies  but that is icing sugar, mere mirroring of their most devoted fans. Their business is power, and they have soaring archives and long memories.
Lane Cuthbert, along with his UMass colleague Alex Theodoridis, asked in an op-ed in The Washington Post:

How could the big lie campaign convince so many Republicans that Trump won an election he so clearly lost? Some observers wonder whether these beliefs are genuine or just an example of expressive responding, a term social scientists use to mean respondents are using a survey item to register a feeling rather than express a real belief.

In their own analysis of poll data, Cuthbert and Theodoridis concluded that most Republicans are true believers in Trumps lie:

Apparently, Republicans are reporting a genuine belief that Bidens election was illegitimate. If anything, a few Republicans may, for social desirability reasons, be using the Im not sure option to hide their true belief that the election was stolen.

Al-Gharbi sharply disputes this conclusion:

Most Republican voters likely dont believe in the big lie. But many would nonetheless profess to believe it in polls and surveys and would support politicians who make similar professions because these professions serve as a sign of defiance against the prevailing elites. They serve as signs of group solidarity and commitment.

Poll respondents, he continued,

often give the factually wrong answer about empirical matters not because they dont know the empirically correct answer but because they dont want to give political fodder to their opponents with respect to their preferred policies. And when one takes down the temperature on these political stakes, again, often the differences on the facts also disappear.

One way to test how much people actually believe something, al-Gharbi wrote, is to look out for yawning gaps between rhetoric and behaviors. The fact that roughly 2,500 people participated in the Jan. 6 insurrection suggests that the overwhelming majority of Republicans do not believe the election was stolen, no matter what they tell pollsters, in al-Gharbis view. He continued:

If huge shares of the country, 68 percent of G.O.P. voters, plus fair numbers of independents and nonvoters, literally believed that we were in a moment of existential crisis and the election had been stolen and the future was at stake, why is it that only a couple thousand could muster the enthusiasm to show up and protest at the Capitol? In a world where 74 million voted for Trump and more than two-thirds of these (i.e., more than 50 million people, roughly one out of every five adults in the U.S.) actually believed that the other party had illegally seized power and plan to use that power to harm people like themselves, the events of Jan. 6 would likely have played out much, much differently.

Whatever the motivation, Isabel V. Sawhill, a Brookings senior fellow, warned that Republican leaders and voters could be caught in a vicious cycle:

There may be a dynamic at work here in which an opportunistic strategy to please the Trump base has solidified that base, making it all the more difficult to take a stance in opposition to whatever Trump wants. Its a Catch-22. To change the direction of the country requires staying in power, but staying in power requires satisfying a public, a large share of whom has lost faith in our institutions, including the mainstream media and the democratic process.

Jake Grumbach, a political scientist at the University of Washington, noted in an email that the big lie fits into a larger Republican strategy: In an economically unequal society, it is important for the conservative economic party to use culture war politics to win elections because they are unlikely to win based on their economic agenda.

There are a number of reasons why some Republican elites who were once anti-Trump became loyal to Trump, Grumbach said. He continued:

First is the threat of being primaried for failing to sufficiently oppose immigration or the Democratic Party, a process that ramped up first in the Gingrich era and then more so during the Tea Party era of the early 2010s. Second is that Republican elites who were once anti-Trump learned that the Republican-aligned network of interest groups and donors  Fox News, titans of extractive and low-wage industry, the N.R.A., evangelical organizations, etc.  would mostly remain intact despite sometimes initially signaling that they would withhold campaign contributions or leave the coalition in opposition to Trump.

Frances Lee, a political scientist at Princeton, took a different tack, arguing that Republican members of Congress, especially those in the Senate, would like nothing better than to have the big lie excised from the contemporary political landscape:

I disagree with the premise that many senators buy into the big lie. Congressional Republicans stance toward the events of Jan. 6 is to move on beyond them. They do not spend time rebuking activists who question the 2020 outcome, but they also do not endorse such views, either. With rare exception, congressional Republicans do not give floor speeches questioning the 2020 elections. They do not demand hearings to investigate election fraud.

Instead, Lee argued, Many Republican voters still support and love Donald Trump, and Republican elected officials want to be able to continue to represent these voters in Washington. The bottom line, she continued, is that

Republican elected officials want and need to hold the Republican Party together. In the U.S. two-party system, they see the Republican Party as the only realistic vehicle for contesting Democrats control of political offices and for opposing the Biden agenda. They see a focus on the 2020 elections as a distraction from the most important issues of the present: fighting Democrats tax and spend initiatives and winning back Republican control of Congress in the 2022 midterms.

Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist, argues that

Trump lives by Machiavellis famous maxim that fear is a better foundation for loyalty than love. G.O.P. senators dont fear Trump personally; they fear his followers. Republican politicians are so cowed by Trumps supporters, you can almost hear them moo.

Trumpism, Begala wrote in an email, is more of a cult of personality, which makes fealty to the Dear Leader even more important. How else do you explain 16 G.O.P. senators who voted to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act in 2006 all refusing to even allow it to be debated in 2022?

Begala compares Senator Mitch McConnells views of the Voting Rights Act in 2006  Americas history is a story of ever-increasing freedom, hope and opportunity for all. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 represents one of this countrys greatest steps forward in that story. Today I am pleased the Senate reaffirmed that our country must continue its progress towards becoming a society in which every person, of every background, can realize the American dream  to McConnells stance now: This is not a federal issue; it ought to be left to the states.

Republican politicians, in Begalas assessment,

have deluded themselves into thinking that Trump and the big lie can work for them. The reality is the opposite: Republican politicians work for Trump and the big lie. And they may be powerless to stop it if and when Trump uses it to undermine the 2024 presidential results.

It is at this point, Begala continued, where leadership matters. Trump stokes bigotry, he sows division, he promotes racism, and when other G.O.P. politicians fail to disavow Trumps divisiveness, they abet it. What a contrast to other Republican leaders in my lifetime.

Like Begala, Charles Stewart III, a political scientist at M.I.T., was blunt in his analysis:

Theres generally a lack of nuance in considering why Republican senators fail to abandon Trump. Whereas Reagan spoke of the 11th Commandment, Trump destroyed it, along with many of the first 10. He is mean and vindictive and speaks to a set of supporters who are willing to take their energy and animus to the polling place in the primaries  or at least, thats the worry. They are also motivated by racial animus and by Christian millennialism.

These voters, according to Stewart,

are not a majority of the Republican Party, but they are motivated by fear, and fear is the greatest motivator. Even if a senator doesnt share those views  and I dont think most do  they feel they cant alienate these folks without stoking a fight. Why stoke a fight? Few politicians enter politics looking to be a martyr. Mainstream Republican senators may be overestimating their ability to keep the extremist genie in the bottle, but they have no choice right now if they intend to continue in office.

Philip Bobbitt, a professor of law at Columbia and the University of Texas, argued in an email that Republican acceptance of Trumps falsehoods is a reflection of the power Trump has over members of the party:

Its the very fact that they know Trumps claims are ludicrous  that is the point: Like other bullies, he amuses himself and solidifies his authority by humiliating people, and what can be more humiliating than compelling people to publicly announce their endorsements of something they know and everyone else knows to be false?

Thomas Mann, a Brookings senior fellow, made the case in an email that Trump has transformed the Republican Party so that membership now precludes having a moral sense: honesty, empathy, respect for ones colleagues, wisdom, institutional loyalty, a willingness to put country ahead of party on existential matters, an openness to changing conditions.

Instead, Mann wrote:

the current, Trump-led Republican Party allows no room for such considerations. Representative Liz Cheneys honest patriotism would be no more welcome among Senate Republicans than House Republicans. Even those current Republican senators whose earlier careers indicated a moral sense  Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Richard Burr, Roy Blunt, Lisa Murkowski, Robert Portman, Ben Sasse, Richard Shelby  have felt obliged to pull their punches in the face of the big lie and attempted coup.

Bart Bonikowski, a sociologist at N.Y.U., describes the danger of this political dynamic:

In capturing the party, Trump perfectly embodied its ethnonationalist and authoritarian tendencies and delivered it concrete results  even if his policy stances were not always perfectly aligned with party orthodoxy. As a result, the Republican Party and Trumpism have become fused into a single entity  one that poses serious threats to the stability of the United States.

The unwillingness of Republican leaders to challenge Trumps relentless lies, for whatever reason  for political survival, for mobilization of whites opposed to minorities, to curry favor, to feign populist sympathies  is as consequential as or more so than actually believing the lie.

If Republican officials and their voters are willing to swallow an enormous and highly consequential untruth for political gain, they have taken a first step toward becoming willing allies in the corrupt manipulation of future elections.
To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.

Andre Leon Talley, the larger-than-life fashion editor who shattered his industrys glass ceiling when he went from the Jim Crow South to the front rows of Paris couture, parlaying his encyclopedic knowledge of fashion history and his quick wit into roles as author, public speaker, television personality and curator, died on Tuesday in White Plains, N.Y. He was 73.

His death, in a hospital after a series of health struggles, was confirmed by his friend Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation.

Andre Leon Talley was a singular force in an industry that he had to fight to be recognized in, Mr. Walker said, calling him a creative genius and noting his ability to shape a persona for himself out of a deep academic understanding of fashion and design.
The phrase crop top was not in Laken Brookss vocabulary before March 2020. Months of working from home at the start of the pandemic, though, gave the 27-year-old Ph.D. candidate a chance to re-evaluate her fashion choices.

So when the chance to own a cropped T-shirt  short sleeved and charcoal gray with images of wildflowers on the chest  presented itself, she took it. While for many people, style has been, at best, a secondary concern during the pandemic, some, like Ms. Brooks, found their personal style.

Before the pandemic, Ms. Brooks mostly wore business-casual wear to teach her students at the University of Florida in Gainesville. A couple of weeks into working from home, she decided to step out of her comfort zone and ordered a pair of leggings, having previously sworn them off lest they be considered too unprofessional.

She realized that she didnt feel confident in her clothes from pre-lockdown life. Ms. Brooks has health issues that create intense bloating but wore clothes that were uncomfortable for the sake of appearing professional. I was just kind of trying to ignore what I was wearing and focus on my work, she said.
As Broadway continues to reel from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to expand and extend a pandemic tax credit intended to help the commercial theater industry rebound.

Ms. Hochul on Tuesday proposed budgeting $200 million for the New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit, which provides up to $3 million per show to help defray production costs.

They were starting to recover before Omicron, and then, as you have all seen, a lot of these performance venues had to shut down again, and those venues are critical for the economy, the state budget director, Robert Mujica, told reporters.

The tax credit program, which began last year under Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was initially capped at $100 million. Early indications are that interest is high: Nearly three dozen productions have told the state they expect to apply, said Matthew Gorton, a spokesman for Empire State Development, the states economic development agency.
The idea of a stand-your-ground defense or immunity makes absolutely no sense based on the facts in this case, he added.

A spokesman said on Tuesday that Mr. Bennett would have no further comment.

In his report, Mr. Bennett explained the robustness of the states stand-your-ground law. Kansas appellate courts, he wrote, have held that people have the right to shoot an unarmed assailant who was punching them in the face; stab an unarmed neighbor with a sword after being threatened and followed into ones own garage; and shoot an unarmed man in the back based on the belief that he was running to a car to retrieve a gun.

Mr. Bennett wrote that there was no evidence that throughout the struggle, which lasted 35 minutes or so, workers had discerned that Mr. Lofton was in physical distress. The evidence suggests that Mr. Lofton continued to resist throughout the struggle, meaning that the staff members could continue to lawfully apply restraint, Mr. Bennett wrote.

Mr. Lofton continued to make statements that led staff to believe he was either under the influence of drugs or having a mental health crisis, Mr. Bennett wrote. Staff members reported that no ones full weight had been placed on Mr. Lofton as he lay prone, and video shows the adults appearing to kneel or lie down next to Mr. Lofton, Mr. Bennett wrote.

The employees in the county Corrections Department who were involved in the encounter had been placed on paid administrative leave while the results of the district attorneys investigation were being awaited, Sedgwick County officials have said. The employees status has not changed, a county spokesman, Akeam Ashford, said late Tuesday. Mr. Ashford said there had been no disciplinary action related to the death of Mr. Lofton.

A medical examiner determined that the cause of death was homicide. In my opinion, the medical examiner, Dr. Timothy S. Gorrill, wrote last month, Cedric Lofton died as a result of complications of cardiopulmonary arrest sustained after physical struggle while restrained in the prone position.

That finding came several months after Jeff Easter, the county sheriff, said in September that a preliminary autopsy had found that Mr. Lofton did not experience life-threatening injuries at the center.
Railway theft is a problem as old as the railroads themselves, though many thieves now concentrate on regional hubs like Southern California. Jessica Kahanek, a spokeswoman for the Association of American Railroads, said companies nationwide were increasing steps to combat the thefts, which have been a persistent challenge particularly in the Los Angeles area.

In the densely populated Lincoln Heights area, a general increase in crime and police staffing levels strained by the pandemic have made matters worse, Captain Hurtado said. We have the perfect storm of crime with Covid, he said. People are losing their jobs. There is a lot of homeless right now.

The strains of the pandemic, the uncertain economy, persistent inequality and a sense of falling behind make for ripe conditions for some of these effects to emerge, said Eesha Sharma, an assistant professor of marketing at the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University.

A lot of individuals are facing financial challenges, said Professor Sharma, who co-wrote a 2013 paper on the relationship between inequity and theft. And these effects are not relegated to people who have the least amount of resources.

Union Pacific said that it had started using drone surveillance, specialized fencing and trespass-detection systems in Los Angeles County, and that its agents had made hundreds of arrests.

Mr. Guerrero, the companys spokesman, has called for more aggressive prosecution of railroad thefts. He said in his December letter to Mr. Gascon, the district attorney, that people caught by agents, when turned over to the Los Angeles County authorities, often had their charges reduced to lesser offenses and were then quickly released.

Alex Bastian, a special adviser to the district attorney, said that charges had been filed for burglary and grand theft in some of the Union Pacific cases, but that others were declined because of insufficient evidence.
A Kentucky man who was pardoned by the states former governor in 2019 was sentenced to 42 years in prison this week on federal charges for the same murder, the Justice Department said.

Federal officials were able to put the man, Patrick Baker, 43, on trial for a second time under the dual sovereignty doctrine, which allows defendants to be prosecuted for the same crime in both federal and state court.

The case came under scrutiny after The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., reported that Mr. Bakers brother had hosted a fund-raiser at his home for the governor, Matt Bevin.

The judge found that the separate-sovereigns doctrine applied to this case, Gabrielle Dudgeon, a spokeswoman for the U. S. attorneys office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, said on Wednesday, a day after Mr. Baker was sentenced. Very basically, it states that the state government and federal government are separate sovereigns, each with their own laws and ability to prosecute.
Follow our live coverage of Antony Blinken and Sergey Lavrovs meeting on the Ukraine crisis.

KYIV, Ukraine  Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Wednesday said that when he meets with his Russian counterpart on Friday, he would not provide the written response to Russias demands on Eastern European security that the Kremlin says it expects.

At the same time, Mr. Blinken warned that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia was poised to strike quickly against Ukraine.

We know that there are plans in place to increase that force even more on very short notice, he said, and that gives President Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine.

The written response has been one of Moscows central requests, and the failure to provide one on Friday could frustrate Russia as Mr. Blinken sits down in Geneva with Russias foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov. The meeting may be one of the last chances for a diplomatic path to averting what U.S. officials fear is an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine.
WASHINGTON  This past Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with a fight for voting rights again at the center of the political agenda, one quotation from the slain civil rights leaders vast repertoire dominated liberals calls to action.

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, ran the quote circulated on Monday by many Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, who openly called it a jab.

The contemporary targets of those words Dr. King wrote from a Birmingham jail in 1963 were two particular white moderates, Senators Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin III of West Virginia. They were singled out not because they oppose the far-reaching voting rights bill that was before the Senate on Wednesday  they and 48 other senators who caucus with the Democrats support it  but because they refuse to obliterate the Senates filibuster rule to pass it over the opposition of all 50 Republicans.

The remarkable vitriol Democratic activists are training on two members of their own party has largely given Republicans a pass for blocking the bill and standing by new state laws devised to limit access to the ballot box and empower partisan actors to administer elections and count votes.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused a request from former President Donald J. Trump to block the release of White House records concerning the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, effectively rejecting Mr. Trumps claim of executive privilege and clearing the way for the House committee investigating the riot to start receiving the documents hours later.

The court, with only Justice Clarence Thomas noting a dissent, let stand an appeals court ruling that Mr. Trumps desire to maintain the confidentiality of internal White House communications was outweighed by the need for a full accounting of the attack and the disruption of the certification of the 2020 electoral count.

In an unsigned order, the majority wrote that Mr. Trumps request for a stay while the case moved forward presented weighty issues, including whether and in what circumstances a former president may obtain a court order preventing disclosure of privileged records from his tenure in office, in the face of a determination by the incumbent president to waive the privilege.

But an appeals courts ruling against Mr. Trump did not turn on those questions, the order said.

Because the court of appeals concluded that President Trumps claims would have failed even if he were the incumbent, his status as a former president necessarily made no difference to the courts decision, the order said.
Floridas top public health official in Orlando has been placed on administrative leave after sending an email to his employees noting their lackluster coronavirus vaccination rates and urging them to get the shots.

The official  Dr. Raul Pino, the administrator for the Florida Department of Healths office in Orange County  sent the email on Jan. 4, in the thick of a surge in cases caused by the Omicron variant.

In the email, Dr. Pino said that he had asked a staff member to pull out the vaccination rates for the office, and that the figures were alarming: Of the offices 568 employees, only 219  fewer than half  had completed a full vaccination series, and just 77 of them had received a booster shot, a number he called SUPER LOW.

I am sorry, but in the absence of reasonable and real reasons, it is irresponsible not to be vaccinated, Dr. Pino wrote in the email, which was first reported by WFTV, the local ABC News affiliate. He called the offices vaccination rate pathetic.
McALLEN, Texas  After thousands of migrants crossed into Del Rio, Texas, last year and overwhelmed the authorities, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered thousands of National Guard troops to the border, sharply expanding their role in a mission known as Operation Lone Star.

For most of those called up, the service was mandatory, came on short notice and went from a tour of a few months to a yearlong deployment for a mission that Mr. Abbott has said is necessary to deter illegal migration, human smuggling and drug trafficking.

But many ordered to the border have complained of poor planning, pay problems and a lack of basic equipment, like winter gear for the cold or stethoscopes for medics. There have been Covid outbreaks on hastily created bases, where dozens of soldiers crowd together in mobile quarters so tight that commanders call them submarine trailers.

Hundreds sought waivers, because of the missions uncertain length and the disruptions it would create for their families, and were denied. In some cases, arrest warrants were issued for those who failed to report for duty.
LOS ANGELES  Two million. Thats the number of unvaccinated people in Los Angeles County  more than three times the population of Wyoming, and a commentary on the sheer scale of the county, the nations most populous by far. Its also an indicator on how vulnerable Los Angeles remains to the coronavirus.

Vaccine skepticism in Los Angeles County, where 72 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated, is bipartisan. Vaccination rates are markedly lower in both more conservative areas like Antelope Valley, on the edge of the Mojave Desert, where they go as low as 34 percent, and in solidly Democratic neighborhoods like Watts, in south-central Los Angeles, where 56 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.

When the history of the pandemic is written, lets hope the author comes to the gymnasium turned vaccination center on the corner of Success Avenue and East 103rd Street in Watts and meets the staff members who applaud each time someone walks in to get a shot. The stories that the staff of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health tell after seven months in the gym are vital to understanding how mistrust lies at the heart of vaccine hesitancy  and how it can be overcome with enormous dedication and judgment-free persistence.

Its a very grinding, slow process, said Dr. David Bolour, a pediatrician who wears sweatshirts and comfortable shoes in his job as chief vaccine evangelist.
ROME  Early this month, Silvio Berlusconi sat at a dining room table in his mansion with his girlfriend, more than a half-century younger, and an old political ally. As they feasted on a pumpkin souffle and truffle tagliatelle, the 85-year-old Italian former prime minister and billionaire made hours of phone calls, working his way down a list of disaffected lawmakers he hoped to persuade to elect him president of Italy next week.

We are forming the Bunga Bunga party and we want you with us, Cristian Romaniello, a lawmaker formerly with the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, recounted Mr. Berlusconi as saying, referring to the sex-fueled bacchanals that Mr. Berlusconi has deemed merely elegant dinners. According to Mr. Romaniello, Mr. Berlusconi then added, But Ill bring the ladies.

The Italian presidency, the countrys head of state, is a seven-year position usually filled by a figure of unimpeachable integrity and sobriety whose influence flows from moral authority. The current holder, Sergio Mattarella, is a quiet statesman whose brother was murdered by the mob. Another contender is Mario Draghi, the prime minister and a titan of European politics who has led the country to a period of unusual stability.

Then there is Mr. Berlusconi, who despite his recent bad health, waxen appearance and weakened political standing, is making an unabashed push to win a career-culminating position that he hopes will wash away decades of stains  his allies say unjustly thrown mud  and rewrite his legacy.
Dozens of theaters and museums in the Netherlands planned to open as hair salons and gyms on Wednesday in what was billed as a playful protest over a continued nationwide lockdown in the arts sector even as restrictions on some businesses were reduced.

The country entered a full lockdown in December, fearing that a rise in cases would overwhelm its relatively small intensive care capacity. And although the government relaxed some of the measures last week  reopening nonessential shops until 5 p.m. as well as gyms, hairdressers, nail salons and brothels  Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that cinemas, museums, theaters and concert venues would remain closed.
BRUSSELS  A court in Belgium found a 45-year-old Vietnamese man guilty of people smuggling, alongside more than a dozen associates, in connection with the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants whose bodies were discovered in a truck in Britain, the courts spokesman said in a statement on Wednesday.

The verdict comes more than two years after the 39 were found dead in a refrigerated truck near a ferry terminal in Essex, east of London. They had crossed the English Channel from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, which has been used by smuggling gangs as an entry point into Britain for decades.

The tragedy opened a window into the murky world of people smuggling and the trial shed light on international networks exploiting thousands who aspire to a better life in Europe.

The 31 Vietnamese men and eight women who were killed two years ago were traveling along the so-called CO2 route, a perilous journey across the English Channel to Britain in poorly ventilated trucks or containers at the end of a 6,000-mile passage from Southeast Asia into Europe.
The Syrian doctor tortured detainees  opponents of Syrias president, Bashar al-Assad  by beating them with sticks and kicking them, and even set one on fire, German prosecutors say. In one instance, they allege, he killed a prisoner with a lethal injection.

The accusations against Dr. Alaa Mousa  at least 18 charges of torture and one of murder committed between April 2011 and the end of the 2012  amount to crimes against humanity, German prosecutors will seek to prove in Dr. Mousas long-awaited trial, which began on Wednesday in Frankfurt. The proceedings started less than a week after German prosecutors won a guilty verdict in the worlds first trial prosecuting state-sponsored torture in Syria.

Dr. Mousa is accused of targeting Assad opponents in military facilities.

According to one charge, he doused the testicles of a teenage boy with alcohol and set him ablaze in a military hospital in the summer of 2011.

With this and other cases, Germany has emerged at the forefront of prosecutions against Syrian government officials.
Iran, its economy already strangled by U.S. sanctions, is involved in delicate negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear accord. Mr. Raisi nevertheless voiced tacit support for Mr. Putin in Ukraine, and Irans foreign minister emphasized that the two presidents had agreed on the framework of an agreement governing increased economic and military cooperation.

No deals were signed publicly, however, and the extent of the Kremlins willingness to sell to Iran more of the modern Russian weaponry that Tehran has long sought remained unclear. But along with an upcoming naval exercise combining warships from Russia, Iran and China, the Kremlin appeared intent on sending a message that it was continuing to foster new ties that could serve as a counterweight to the West. Iran, too, is signaling that it also has alternatives if Western sanctions are not lifted.

On the international arena, we are cooperating very closely, Mr. Putin told Mr. Raisi, noting the crises in Syria and Afghanistan, and pledging to bring Iran closer to the Russia-led trade bloc known as the Eurasian Economic Union.

Russia and Iran still have a host of differences. Despite years of sanctions, Russias economy, unlike Irans, remains closely integrated with the West. Mr. Putin has worked to foster close ties with Israel, which Iranian leaders see as an enemy. And in Vienna, Russia has been working with the United States and Europe to try to resuscitate faltering negotiations over restoring the deal restricting Irans nuclear program.
TAHICHE, Spain  Coronavirus infections were soaring in Spain, causing caseloads previously unseen in the pandemic. Intensive care unit beds were filling up in hospitals.

But that didnt stop Tatjana Baldynjuk and Timur Neverkevits, a couple from Estonia, from buying plane tickets so they could visit the island of Lanzarote, a sunny outcrop dominated by volcanoes on the eastern edge of Spains Canary Islands archipelago.

It was 100 percent easier to come here than many other countries, said Ms. Baldynjuk, who works in freight logistics in Estonia.

More than half the people of Europe could be infected with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus by early March, according to the World Health Organization, and fear of its wild spread has led governments to differing responses. The Netherlands turned to a lockdown, which it has only now begun to ease slightly. Italy went as far as banning unvaccinated people from bars and public transport.
KYIV, Ukraine  A court in Ukraine ruled on Wednesday that a former president and opposition politician, Petro O. Poroshenko, could await trial while released on his own recognizance, in a positive sign for domestic political stability in the country.

Prosecutors in President Volodymyr Zelenskys government had asked the court to arrest Mr. Poroshenko pending trial on charges of treason and supporting terrorism. Western diplomats view the case as influenced by domestic political considerations, but it has proceeded despite their pleas that Ukraines leaders set aside internal feuds, at least while Russia masses troops at the border.

Arresting Mr. Poroshenko on Wednesday would also have put a damper on Secretary of State Antony J. Blinkens visit to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. Mr. Blinken was in Kyiv to show support from the Biden administration for Ukraine.
Approved for public release. All withheld information exempt under b(1) and b(3) unless otherwise noted. TOP SECRETHEOMINTHNOFORN determine the active user's location. Nevertheless, NSA asserted that it had no basis to believe any of these 224 MCTs contained wholly domestic communications. (TSHSINF) present within Except as noted below, in analyzing each single, discrete communication within these 224 MCTs to determine whether any were wholly domestic, NSA's team of experienced analysts considered all technical data (such as the MCTs, performed the same sort of technical analysis NSA would perform before tasking an electronic communications account/address/identifier in accordance with its section 702 targeting procedures, and scrutinized the content of each discrete communication for any information which would be indicative of the location of the communicants (such as :). Despite this exhaustive review, NSA was unable to positively determine whether any of the remaining 224 MCTs contained wholly domestic communications. However, based upon the totality of the information reviewed, NSA analysts had no analytical basis to believe that any of the 224 MCTs contained wholly domestic communications. FTSHSIHNT) More specifically, in addition to the content analysis described above for all 224 MCTS, NSA analysts performed the same sort of technical analysis NSA would perform before tasking an electronic communications account/address/identifier in accordance with its section 702 targeting procedures for all available accounts/addresses/identifiers included in the MCT for each discrete communication within the MCT for 183 of the 224 MCTs referenced on pages 7-8 of the August 16th Submission (i.e., In all instances where location information was available for such accounts/addresses/identifiers, NSA analysts assessed that at least one communicant of each discrete communication within these MCTs was located outside of the United States. (TSHSHAF) . Despite this intensive review, NSA was unable to conclusively determine whether any of the 224 MCTs contained wholly domestic communications. However, based upon the totality of the analysis described above and in the Government's August 16th and August 30th Submissions, NSA assesses that it is highly likely that each discrete communication included in these MCTs includes foreign communicants, although given the absence of certain technical identifying data NSA cannot state this conclusively. Nevertheless, NSA believes that its manual review of the content of each discrete communication contained within these MCTs, at a 5 As previously explained to the Court, the same sort of technical analysis was not performed for 23 of the 224 MCTs because, although part of the sample drawn on July 14, 2011, these 23 MCTs had been purged and/or placed on NSA's Master Purge List subsequent to the date of the sample. As noted during the September 7 hearing, the majority of these 23 MCTs (19) had been purged subsequent to July 14 as part of the overcollection incident previously addressed in the Government's June 1 Submission. See also Government's August 16th Submission at 8. The technical analysis was, however, performed on each selector available within the 18 of the 224 MCTs that could not be further characterized by NSA analysts. See id. However, for these MCTs not all communicant account/address/identifiers were available because each of these MCTs contained corrupted data to varying degrees. (ISHSIAT) TOP SECRETHCOMINTIANOFORN 3 NYT v DOJ, 16 CIV 7020_000166
Once driven close to extinction, the blue cows of Latvia, a proud symbol of the Baltic country, have been making a comeback over the last couple of decades.

Originally found only on the Baltic coast in the Kurzeme region, cows with light blue or dark ultramarine hides can now be found grazing all over the Latvian countryside. In the Soviet era, they were rendered almost extinct, with only a few specimens surviving the culling. Even back in the year 2000 there were only 18 blue cows in Latvia, but today they number around 1,500. The unique breed is now considered a symbol of national identity.

Photo: Laime Gutmane/Wikimedia Commons

Legend has it that blue cows get their color from the sea, but the fact is that they are born almost beige, and gradually change color as time passes. The pigment that colors the cows fur a dark blue also affects the flesh of the animal, producing beef that is exceptionally dark and a bit offputting to some beef fans.

Latvian blue cows produced less milk than average cattle  5,000 liters per cow per year compared to 8,000 for the popular Holstein breed, for example  and even though it is considered healthier and more nutritious, the Soviets considered it a disadvantage.

Not ones to appreciate animals for their qualities rather than their shortcomings, the Soviets set out to replace the Latvian blue cow with more generic cattle breeds that yielded more beef and dairy. This caused the blue cow to almost go extinct. Luckily, the play was saved by a theater play.

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In the 1970s, Latvian playwright Gunars Priede launched the play The Blue One, a resounding success that brought the Latvian blue cattle back into public consciousness and became a symbol of vanishing national identity. By 2006, the Blue Cow Association was founded, with the main goal of saving the breed.

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Latvian blue cows not only look cool, but they are more resilient than most breeds, being able to live all year round outdoors, even during the winter frosts, which many other cattle breeds cant endure, according to AFP. It;s also apparently resistant to the bovine leukosis virus, which may help scientists identify a gene that might benefit other cow breeds in the future.
Jenny Pilewski, Brooke Goodwin-Fullerton

French/West/Vaughan promotes Jenny Pilewski to executive vice president and Brooke Goodwin-Fullerton to senior vice president at CGPR, the agencys Greater Boston office. Pilewski has been with FWV since 2004, most recently serving as senior vice president. She leads integrated marketing strategies across the agency for clients in the apparel, footwear and retail sectors, as well as overseeing campaigns for municipalities and governments, real estate developers, non-profits, and B2B and technology clients. Goodwin-Fullerton was previously a vice president at CGPR. She has also served as head of strategic partnerships and experiential marketing at the National Diamond Council and director of public relations at Garnier, a brand that is part of LOreal.

Joan Bosisio

BML Public Relations + Digital hires Joan Bosisio as vice president. Bosisio joins BML from JOLT Communications, where she was vice president of client services. She was previously a senior vice president at Stern Strategy Group, where she worked for 22 years. At BML, Bosisio will drive operational efficiencies, reinforce strategic programming practices and support business development. Ive come to know Joan as a strategic business catalyst, client advisor and effective team builder, said BML founder, president and CEO Brian M. Lowe.

Kimberly Ito

Mitsubishi Motors North America promotes Kimberly Ito to director of marketing. She was most recently senior manager, marketing communications. Before coming to Mitsubishi in 2016, Ito served as integrated marketing manager at Qantas and digital marketing manager at Tourism Australia. In her new post, she will oversee all marketing communications activities for MMNA in the United States, including print and digital advertising, creative development and deployment, strategic short- and long-range planning and integration of global marketing messages for the brands US market.

Fiona Hutton & Associates, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, promotes Dagny Ellenberg, Kendall Klingler and Rebecca Nicholas to partner. Ellenberg and Nicholas were previously vice presidents and Klingler was a senior vice president. The newly appointed partners will help lead the firms strategic vision and scale the company to drive growth. FHA president and founder Fiona Hutton described all three as exceptional practitioners, brilliant strategists and fiercely loyal."


Illinois Needs Outreach for Mental Health Parity Law Mon., Apr. 25, 2022 The Illinois Dept. of Insurance has issued an RFP to educate residents about their rights under the states mental health parity law. It has budgeted $1.2M for a
Ifac, the farming, food and agribusiness professional services firm, is encouraging Offaly farmers to complete its Farm Survey and have their say about whats important to them, their families and their farm businesses.

The online survey takes approximately four minutes to complete and closes on January 28, 2022. Additionally, all participants who complete ifacs survey will be entered into a draw for a 500 One4All voucher.

The findings of ifacs nationwide survey will be published in its Irish Farm Report 2022  it is one of the most comprehensive farm surveys undertaken in the state.

The Irish Farm Report 2022 will combine the results of this comprehensive farmer survey (1,700 farmers across the country participated in the survey in 2021) with emerging trends across all sectors. Ifacs Irish Farm Report 2021 revealed the true impact of COVID-19 on the farming community, from the accelerated adoption of technology on the farm to the rise in social isolation and loss of community engagement.

James Farrell, Partner at ifac's Tullamore office said: Our annual Farm Survey uncovers invaluable insights about farming in Ireland today. The findings help our clients to make well-informed and positive financial decisions, and they inform our business strategy and the products and services our financial experts offer all our Offaly clients to support their business goals, from budgeting and succession planning to structure reviews and looking after their farm team.

Last years Irish Farm Report (2021), containing our survey findings, highlighted the acceleration of technology usage across the farming community, prompted by the global pandemic. It also confirmed the sustained lack of succession planning for the third year in a row and revealed the true impact of the pandemic on farmer wellbeing across the country. It also provided evidence of the positivity and resilience still in Irish farming. We repeat our survey each year to ensure we can continue to support and meet the evolving needs of our farming clients, and help them with planning to enhance their profitability and secure their futures.

Participants can take ifacs online survey HERE.
A solicitor has asked that a benign approach be taken in the prosecution of a woman arrested last week during the Ashling Murphy murder investigation.

Neara Tanase (27), was charged with failing to leave her home in Tullamore when it was designated a crime scene on January 12.

Ms Tanase's brother, Radu Floricel (39), was arrested at the same residence that day and detained for questioning until his release the following night, Thursday.

Gardai said he had been eliminated from their enquiries and was no longer a suspect.

Earlier last Thursday, Ms Tanase appeared before Portlaoise District Court and was granted bail but was placed in custody because she did not take up the bail.

She was subsequently released from prison on bail following the release of her brother from Tullamore Garda Station.

At Tullamore District Court today (Wednesday, January 19) Ms Tanase's solicitor, Donal Farrelly, who had previously been assisting Mr Floricel, said the woman was pleading not guilty but he hoped the State would take a benign approach in view of the matters relating to her brother.

Sergeant James O'Sullivan, presenting the prosecution for the DPP, said his instruction "at the moment" was to pursue the charge before the court.

Sergeant O'Sullivan said that if he received other instructions he would alert the court.

Judge Catherine Staines adjourned the prosecution to April 6 next for a hearing.

Judge Staines made it clear that while it had been reported that Ms Tanase had been remanded in custody, the fact was that she had been granted bail and refused to sign the bail bond and ended up in custody.

The judge said she also refused legal aid on three occasions.

"Effectively she refused to recognise the court," said the judge.

Mr Floricel said at the weekend that he had been subjected to "degrading" comments on social media as a result of his arrest and also felt sorry for his solicitor who had been abused in the street on his way to the garda station.

Mr Floricel, who has been living in Ireland since he was 16, also stressed that he felt "terrible" for what the Murphy family were going through.

The gardai assisted him with safe accommodation in a hotel following his release.

Mr Farrelly said he believed Mr Floricel's life had been ruined by the reaction on social media.

Ms Tanase was not in court today and is understood to be at home with her family.

Ashling Murphy was killed at Cappincur, Tullamore on the bank of the Grand Canal on Wednesday afternoon, January 12.

One man was arrested yesterday and is being questioned by gardai in Tullamore, who suspect he committed the murder, while another man was arrested in the east of the country today.
Councillor John Clendennen has called for a masterplan to be developed for Offaly to maximise any funding under the Just Transition Fund. Otherwise he said "we will lose an opportunity that presents so strongly right now and we could really tap into a whole new opportunity for the county."

Cllr Clendennen made his comments following a presentation by Stephane Duclot, Director of Services Planning, Economic and Rural Development with Offaly County Council at the monthly meeting of the council.

Mr Duclot said to access the fund Ireland must prepare a territorial just transition plan for the European commission. He said this is a necessary document, outlining transition challenges. "Its a framework plan for the area."

The draft territorial plan was published before Christmas and public consultation has been open since December 20 and will run until February 14. Its purpose is to get stakeholders views on the plan and inform the final documents. The plan will unlock 84.5 million of funding from the EU Just Transition Fund

The public consultation is open to everyone but its especially focused on the counties of East Galway, North Tipperary, Longford, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and West Kildare.

Two workshops are being organised including one for young people aged 16 to 24, living, working or studying in the regions. The feedback from the workshops will form the draft territorial just transition plan. The plan will be submitted to the European Commission for comments and approval and will be the key documents for the EU Just Transition fund,

Councillors have also requested a meeting with Bord na Mona either at the end of February or at the beginning of March. Mr Duclot said he will give members a date at the next meeting.

Councillor Eamon Dooley said that the commission had identified the counties of Laois Offaly, Westmeath and Longford under the Just Transition Plan. He said consultants then added Roscommon and now the department has added more counties to it.

He said: "The Just Transition fund of 84.5 million will be divided between all the counties. It's not going to change the world, but it will position Offaly for future developments. We have to make our case strong in the submission to the department. So I would encourage all members with their communities to make their submissions."

He was also adamant that the government should not use the Just Transition Fund for projects which should be carried out by the exchequer. "We should make that point," he said.

Councillor John Leahy said he wants to believe that there is a cohort of people and decision-makers who believe Offaly is the epicenter of where the Just Transition Plan should focus. He asked Cllr Dooley if he would be open to meeting with community groups across Offaly.

Councillor Dooley said he had no problem meeting with community groups but insisted that submissions should be made as soon as possible.

Cllr Noel Cribbin said: "There are an awful lot of people who used to get their turf through Bord na Mona or through contractors who leased the land from Bord Na Mona. But there doesnt seem to be any money for those people that have to get out of turf cutting, Its mainly older people that are being affected as younger people have newer houses and they dont need turf anymore. To change from the range to a pellet stove costs between 6,000 to 7,000, So I am looking for members to support my submission for some sort of funding or grant to be given to those householders."

Councillor John Carroll said when funding of 84.5 million is divided "it will be a little bit for everybody and not a lot for anybody."

He said that Bord na Mona got 108 million for bog rehabilitation. "They are moving into profits using the land that they had for creating green energy; some of that money was to be used to meet their obligations," he said.

Cllr John Clendennen asked the executive to write to Bord na Mona in advance of the proposed meeting.

"I just feel we need to give this a sense of urgency if we are to push it on. I don't think its being taken as seriously as it needs to be right now. Not necessarily by Offaly County Council but by agencies within the county that are holding large pockets of land that could present huge opportunities and yet in the morning if the opportunity came to our doorstep how do we untap it," he queried.
VIOLENCE against women is at epidemic levels in Ireland and made even more precarious by the pandemic which saw thousands of women in lockdown with their perpetrators, Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS) said in a statement issued in the wake of the brutal murder of Ashling Murphy.

Violence in the community is very worrying, said Anne Clarke Manager with ODVSS. Every day we support women who are experiencing high levels of violence within a hair breath of losing their lives, women are living in fear in their homes , on the street and in work, she revealed.

The killing of Clodagh Hawe and her three children should have been a watershed moment, as should have been Anna Gregial and Nadine Lott. Women are already on high alert carrying their keys in their pocket, texting when they get home, surveying the area they walk for danger. It is time for men to come forward and call out the abuse, step up when they hear cat calls and put downs of women. A curtural shift is needed if we are to avoid losing another innocent life to violence.

She continued: We need a proactive response from Government where all interventions are preventative, breaches of domestic violence orders are acted upon, proper sentencing for perpetrator that are a deterrant. A whole of Government response is needed. At the moment violence against women is across several different departments, we need one unit in the department of An Taoiseach that will have an overarching responsibility of the safety of women and children in this country along with a national service plan and budget. It shouldnt be a post code lottery to avail of services depending on where you live.

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service has extended their deepest sympathies to Ashling Murphys parents Kathleen and Ray, her sister Amy, brother Cathal and partner Ryan.

The whole community is left shocked and numb by this brutal act of violence, stressed Anne Clarke.

ODVSS this years marks 25 years of supporting victims of domestic and gender based violence.

The service was founded by Pauline and Dolores Byrne, Joan Shanley, Ann O'Neill, Cassie Stauntion and Molly Buckley following the death of Paulines and Dolores niece Sylvia Ryan as a result of a domestic violence attack .

As we move into early 2022 to see another life taken twenty five years on is truly soul destroying. If you are experiencing domestic violence and in need of support, please contact our confidential line on 0579351886 or 0860419154. Website www.odvss.ie, said Ms Clarke.

Since 1996, 244 women have lost their lives to violence in Ireland.
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(The Center Square)  Seattle-based Starbucks announced this week that is dropping its policy requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The coffee giants move comes in response to last weeks United State Supreme Court ruling to block the Biden Administration from requiring businesses in the private sector to put vaccine mandates in place.

Justices voted 6-3 against the Biden administration, saying only Congress has the authority to give the Occupational Safety and Health Administration the authority to implement such a rule.

Starbucks on Jan. 3 announced it would require all employees to be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or face weekly testing. The company also required employees to report their vaccination status by Jan. 10. Some 90% had done so and the company said a majority were fully vaccinated by that time.

According to ABC News, a memo sent Tuesday to employees by Chief Operating Officer John Culver said, We respect the courts ruling and will comply.

Culvers memo also said the company continues to strongly encourage employees to be fully vaccinated and receive booster shots.

I want to emphasize that we continue to believe strongly in the spirit and intent of the mandate, Culver wrote. Thank you to the 90% of partners who have already disclosed their vaccination status, and to the vast majority who are now fully vaccinated.

The company did not say how many of its 228,000 employees are not vaccinated.

Workers were also instructed to wear surgical masks while at work instead of cloth masks.

Employees at a Starbucks in upstate New York who voted to unionize last month walked off the job two weeks ago, citing a lack of staff and resources to work safely. The store was shut down for the day.

Starbucks has been operating its locations as carry out and drive-through only during the pandemic.

If the OSHA rule had been allowed to stand, businesses with more than 100 employees would have been forced to require vaccinations or weekly testing, affecting about 84 million Americans.

In a separate 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court upheld a Biden vaccine requirement for healthcare workers at providers receiving Medicaid or Medicare funding.
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Xiplomacy: Xi's remarks on economic globalization, joint efforts to tackle common challenges

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Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a special address at the 2022 World Economic Forum virtual session, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

At the 2022 World Economic Forum (WEF) virtual session, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday championed economic globalization and called for global cooperation to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a historic juncture where countries are struggling with unprecedented challenges, Xi has, in his past addresses at the WEF, expounded on China's stance over upholding economic globalization and multilateralism. The following are some highlights of his remarks.

Jan. 17, 2022

As COVID-19 is resurging with more variants and spreading faster than before, Xi again urged the world to "embrace cooperation and jointly defeat the pandemic" in his special address on Monday.

"Facts have shown once again that amidst the raging torrents of a global crisis, countries are not riding separately in some 190 small boats, but are rather all in a giant ship on which our shared destiny hinges," Xi said figuratively. "Small boats may not survive a storm, but a giant ship is strong enough to brave a storm."

Holding each other back or shifting blame would only cause needless delay in response and distract the world from the overall objective, Xi said, urging the world to strengthen international cooperation against COVID-19, carry out active cooperation on research and development of medicines, jointly build multiple lines of defense against the coronavirus, and speed up efforts to build a global community of health for all.

On economic globalization, the Chinese president called it "the trend of the times." Despite the countercurrents and dangerous shoals along the way, he said, economic globalization has never and will not veer off course.

"Countries around the world should uphold true multilateralism. We should remove barriers, not erect walls. We should open up, not close off. We should seek integration, not decoupling. This is the way to build an open world economy," Xi said.

In his address, Xi also urged the world to discard Cold War mentality and seek peaceful coexistence and win-win outcomes.

"Acts of single-mindedly building 'exclusive yards with high walls' or 'parallel systems,' of enthusiastically putting together exclusive small circles or blocs that polarize the world, of overstretching the concept of national security to hold back economic and technological advances of other countries, and of fanning ideological antagonism and politicizing or weaponizing economic, scientific and technological issues, will gravely undercut international efforts to tackle common challenges," Xi said.

Jan. 25, 2021

Noting that the problems facing the world are intricate and complex, Xi said in his special address at the WEF Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda that the way out of them is "through upholding multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for mankind."

"Multilateralism is about having international affairs addressed through consultation and the future of the world decided by everyone working together," Xi said.

"Decision should not be made by simply showing off strong muscles or waving a big fist," he said, adding that "selective multilateralism should not be our option."

Xi urged abandoning arrogance and isolation mindsets, saying that "we have been shown time and again that to beggar thy neighbor, to go it alone, and to slip into arrogant isolation will always fail."

In his speech, Xi also noted that multilateral institutions provide the platforms for putting multilateralism into action and are the basic architecture underpinning multilateralism, saying that their authority and effectiveness should be safeguarded.

He urged the international community to give full play to the role of the World Health Organization in building a global community of health for all, and to advance reform of the World Trade Organization and the international financial and monetary system in a way that boosts global economic growth and protects the development rights, interests and opportunities of developing countries.

Jan. 17, 2017

Though economic globalization has created new problems, this is no justification to write economic globalization off completely, said Xi at the 2017 WEF at Davos, Switzerland.

"Rather, we should adapt to and guide economic globalization, cushion its negative impact, and deliver its benefits to all countries and all nations," Xi said.

Stressing that "no one will emerge as a winner in a trade war," Xi said that any attempt to cut off the flow of capital, technologies, products, industries and people between economies, and channel the waters in the ocean back into isolated lakes and creeks is simply not possible.

The president called on the international community to face up to the problems caused by globalization instead of dodging them.
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Woodville, AL (35768)

Today

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Tonight

A few clouds with an isolated thunderstorm possible after midnight. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
New cargo train route between east China, Moscow opens

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A China-Europe freight train heading for Moscow departs from Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

A new cargo train, loaded with 445 tonnes of goods, departed from Quanzhou, east China's Fujian Province and headed for Moscow Tuesday morning.

This is the first China-Europe freight train route from Quanzhou, which is an important starting point on the Maritime Silk Road.

The train is scheduled to reach Moscow, Russia, via the border station of Manzhouli in about 20 days, saving 25 days compared with maritime shipping.

"The new train service will significantly lower our transport costs," said Chen Hanhe, chairman of Mega Soft (China) Co., Ltd, a hygienic product manufacturer.

As an export-oriented city, Quanzhou's export volume exceeded 200 billion yuan (about 31.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021, according to Zhang Xiaohong, director of Quanzhou's bureau of commerce.
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113th Mekong River joint patrol kicks off

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Law-enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand joined forces on Tuesday for the 113th Mekong River joint patrol.

Two Chinese vessels departed at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday from Jingha Port in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, for the patrol, said the Yunnan provincial public security department.

The vessels will navigate over 600 km in four days and three nights in the joint operation.

The Mekong River, or Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping.
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ELDON [mdash] A graveside memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Eldon Cemetery in Eldon, IA for Charles and Irene Stribling. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
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MANISTEE COUNTY  The Manistee County Board of Commissioners held its first monthly meeting of the year on Jan. 18. The meeting was held completely in person, a first since early on in the pandemic.

In addition to its other routine business, county board members took action on several items, including the following:

 Submitted a Michigan infrastructure grant application form worth $400,000 that would be used to study the feasibility of redirecting rail traffic to the west side of Manistee Lake.

"The reason for the county to be the fiduciary has the impact of possibly touching five jurisdictions, so it makes sense for us working along with the city manager," said Dontz.

Initial discussion to relocate the railroad dates back to 1989.

Officials stated that they hope to use the funding to finance an environmental impact study on the plan by the end of 2024.

It was reported in 2019 that the Manistee County Planning Department had drafted a preliminary railroad relocation plan.

"Dating back to the late 1980s, (local officials) identified rail relocation as an option and ultimately built it in as a priority to open up areas around the northern portion of Manistee Lake for development," said former planning director Rob Carson in a 2019 interview. "It would also remove the need for the maintenance of those three railroad bridges -- two over the Manistee River and one over the Manistee River Channel."

If the relocation occurs, the northern part of the track, which totals around 3.5 miles, would be converted into a nonmotorized trail system.

In addition, four at-grade road crossings and three over-water courses would be eliminated from the rail route, including the swing bridge over the Manistee River channel. The rail yard north of the Manistee River Channel and east of U.S. 31, near the Monroe Street intersection, would likely be available for redevelopment.

According to the plan: "(The urban rail yard) could be transformed into a mixed-use development with residential and commercial uses, increasing tax base and land values. The amount of water frontage on this parcel is nearly 2,500 feet while the U.S. 31 frontage is around 2,100 feet... the potential taxable value of the vacated parcels could equate upwards of over $3 million per year."

At the Jan. 18 meeting, Dontz said that launching the study was an important starting point for the project.

"At some point in time, those bridges are going to no longer be usable," Dontz said. "The question for all of us becomes what about the industries on the west side of Manistee Lake not having access to rail, and do they stay competitive?"

 Authorized board chair Jeff Dontz to appoint more than one at-large position to fill open seats on the 2022 Tax Allocation Board.

The Tax Allocation Board reviews and decides on the allocation of 7.3 mills available. There were no applications for one opening on the board.

These tax allocation boards can divvy up between the townships the county and the ISD, said Manistee County clerk, Jill Nowak. The schools aren't involved anymore because of Proposal A; they get their own set millage. So this board or commission will decide the divvy of that 7.3 mils.

In the past when this has occurred, the board chair was granted authority to appoint a member on behalf of the board of commissioners.

Dontz said that communications have been sent out to various individuals for their possible appointment to the allocation board.

Knowing we didn't get any applicants, I started scratching my head trying to figure out who to get, Dontz said. I do have a person possibly lined up that I think most everyone here will recognize but I don't want to name drop because they didn't say they would at this point in time.

 Appointed Mark Fedder to serve an unexpired five-year term on the Manistee County Library board. The term will begin immediately and is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2026.

 Approved a resolution of intent on behalf of Manistee County Transportation, Inc. to apply for state financial assistance for fiscal year 2023.

The resolution also reaffirms the countys intention to provide public transportation services and reappoints Richard Strevey as transportation coordinator for all public transportation issues in the county.

This resolution is required to be filed annually with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

 Authorized Eric Sullivan, Manistee County Veterans Affairs director, to send a letter of intent on behalf of the county to apply for additional grant funding available through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in the amount of $6,237.

 Renewed a three-year lease agreement with District Health Department #10 for use of the Manistee County services building located at 385 Third St. in Manistee.

Rent is valued at $18.50 per square foot for a total of $117,197.50 annually.

 Authorized payment not to exceed $22,500 to Gabridge & Company, PLC to conduct an annual countywide audit report, plus an additional $4,000 for a separate federal audit report.

County controller/administrator Lisa Sagala said that costs for the audits were unchanged from 2021.
Xi's WEF address shows China's commitment to true multilateralism -- Cambodian experts

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Chinese President Xi Jinping's special address at the 2022 World Economic Forum virtual session has reflected China's commitment to true multilateralism, win-win cooperation and peaceful development, Cambodian experts and scholars said on Monday.

"Countries around the world should uphold true multilateralism. We should remove barriers, not erect walls. We should open up, not close off. We should seek integration, not decoupling. This is the way to build an open world economy," Xi said in his speech.

"The right way forward for humanity is peaceful development and win-win cooperation. Different countries and civilizations may prosper together on the basis of respect for each other, and seek common ground and win-win outcomes by setting aside differences," Xi said.

Joseph Matthews, senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, said Xi's remarks showed China's efforts to promote multilateralism, international solidarity and cooperation to address global challenges for common interest and peaceful co-existence.

"President Xi's speech truly reflects China's unwavering commitment to upholding true multilateralism and free trade, which are the key to global peace, economic recovery and common development in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era," he told Xinhua.

The professor said that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, which came into force on Jan. 1, is a good example of true multilateralism, providing mutual benefit and win-win results for all participating countries.

"Cold war mentality, unilateralism, protectionism, hegemonism, and zero-sum games can only harm others," Matthews said. "Countries should coexist peacefully, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind."

In terms of the building of "a global community of health for all," he said that China has already proved its determination by providing 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations.

"Chinese vaccines have protected hundreds of millions of people around the world, including Cambodia, and also helped countries reopen their borders with confidence," he said.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that Xi's address has highlighted China's commitment to pursuing win-win cooperation and enhancing friendship with other countries around the world.

"China has always been ready to work with the international community to restore confidence in multilateralism and globalization, build an open and pluralistic world economy, and blaze a new trail in inclusive growth and sustainable development, so as to shape a brighter shared future," he told Xinhua.

Phea said China has been committed to its neighborhood policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, adding that "China has played a crucial role in the regional and global fights against the pandemic."

Thong Mengdavid, a research fellow at the Phnom Penh-based Asian Vision Institute, said that China has been actively contributing to the global economic recovery, promoting global governance, and working with other countries to cope with global challenges like COVID-19.
With new electoral districts comes a different political climate for Midland city and county.

After the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission approved new electoral district maps for Michigan, Midland County was cracked apart in two, politically speaking. With the city locked in more competitive districts, political representation will be more of a toss-up for the Chemical City during the 2022 elections.

New Michigan electoral maps were approved on Dec. 28, making many major changes for Midland-area districts. For the 8th U.S. Congressional District, the city of Midland and some Midland County townships join a district that includes Bay City, Saginaw and Flint. The rest of Midland County will join the 2nd District, which includes most of the mid-Michigan region.

For the state House, Midland County will be all in one district along with parts of Gladwin County. For the state Senate, the city of Midland and surrounding townships will be split from the rest of Midland County and will be joined with the Bay City and Saginaw areas.

Represented by Republicans in Congress since 1985, the city of Midland could now be represented by a Democrat for a while. Chairperson for the Central Michigan University Political Science Department, David Jesuit, said the new 8th District has incumbent Rep. Dan Kildee running as a tenured incumbent Democrat who is not a lightweight to run against.

Incumbent Rep. John Moolenaar, a Republican who currently represents Midland in Congress in the 4th District, is running for the new 2nd District, a district that is firmly Republican, Jesuit said.

On the other hand, Jesuit said the 8th District will be highly competitive between the Republican and Democratic candidates, but he gives the slight edge to Kildee.

We are going to see some campaigning in Midland that you haven't seen before, Jesuit said.

At first glance, Jesuit thinks the 35th state Senate District is still a solidly Republican district. However, he said the inclusion of Saginaw could make the district a little more competitive. Current state Rep. Annette Glenn has announced her campaign for this Senate seat.

While the 95th District may not change the political landscape much for Midland County, it does for neighboring Isabella County. Jesuit said some heavily conservative townships in Midland are joined with Isabella County in the current maps. But under the new maps, those conservative townships will join back with Midland County, giving the Democrats a better chance in Isabella County.

Both Bill G. Schuette and current Midland County Clerk Ann Manary have announced campaigns for the 95th House District as Republicans.

However, the new districts have caused some controversy within the county. Cathy Leikhim, chair of the Midland County Republican Party, said the state redistricting process was unfair, partisan, and gerrymandered in favor of the Democrats. The maps do prioritize political fairness over communities of interest, she said.

This commission was politically motivated to disenfranchise Midland voters, Leikhim said. Had the process been fair, at least one collaborative map would have been proposed by the commissioners to represent the many voices of this area who repeatedly requested that Midland stay whole and connected to Gladwin County. The local community of Midland was not listened to in this process.

However, Jesuit said he does not see the split as a drawback, but as a possible benefit.

"In my mind, that advantages citizens if they have two representatives, even if they are from two different political parties who are advocating for the (same) community, or a neighboring community," Jesuit said.

Jennifer Austin, chair of the Midland County Democratic Party, said she thought the process was fair and transparent and made the districts for the city of Midland more competitive for both parties. The county Democrats have already started working with Kildee on his campaign.

She is excited about an opportunity to try to get more moderate candidates to represent everyone in Midland County, but is worried about potential nastiness in campaigns for such competitive districts.

Democrats and independents alike in Midland County are very excited because they have an opportunity to vote for a candidate who represents their values, Austin said. That candidate has a legitimate chance to win. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and we understand that. (But) that is the way it should be.
Ammi Wright was a multi-millionaire and lived in Alma, Michigan, by the time he was 73 years old. Herbert Henry Dow was a struggling young chemist, looking for investors in a chemical plant to be located in Midland, Michigan. He was 29 years old.

In the late 1900s, fate put them together when the young Dow met Wright because his father, Joseph Dow, was a patient in the tuberculosis sanitarium that Wright had built in Alma.

Herbert Henry Dow was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, where his father had been transferred to work out a mechanical problem for a sewing machine factory. When that was finished, the family returned to Bermingham (now Derby), Connecticut.

When Herbert Henry was 12, Joseph Dow was transferred to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1878, where he worked for the Derby Shovel Company.

When Herbert Henry graduated from high school, he wanted to be an architect. But the Dow family couldnt afford to send him away to college. So Herbert Henry enrolled in a new school called the Case School of Applied Science. Graduating in 1888, he made his first trip to Midland, Michigan, to take samples from the brine sea that lay beneath the flatlands of this small village on the banks of the Tittabawassee River.

In August of 1888, Herbert Henry returned to Cleveland to work in the Huron Hospital College there. He used their lab to continue his experiments with brine.

In 1889, he formed the Canton Chemical Company to make bromine, but by April 25, 1890, the company was dissolved. On August 12, 1890, the Midland Chemical Company was formed to produce ferric bromide from brine. A new process developed by the young Herbert Henry Dow was to be used.

On April 14, 1890, Dow stepped off the train at the Ann Street Depot in Midland and began looking for a place to test his theory that bromine could be separated from brine by electrolysis. Dow rented a barn on West Main Street by the Upper Bridge and bought brine and power from the adjacent Evens Flour Mill.

On September 29, 1891, Dow got the patent for the process of extracting bromine from brine by electrolysis.

By now, Dow had met a young school teacher named Grace Ball, and they were married on November 16, 1892. The next year, the first sale of potassium bromide crystals took place. Dow and his new bride spent two days picking the spots out of the crystals.

Slowly, the Midland Chemical Company began making money.

Now that he had proven his theory on brine, Dow turned to what he called an enormously greater field" -- extracting chlorine from the waste products of the brine. In 1894, he built an electrolytic plant to extract the chlorine. But the plant exploded in its first hour of operation. The directors of the Midland Chemical Company felt that the explosion proved that the chlorine idea was too risky. They would stick with the production of bromine.

But Dow was adamant that his plan would work. He took his wife, Grace, and baby daughter, Helen, to Canton, Ohio. In six months, he was back in Midland to build a bleach and chlorine plant. He found some investors, and the Dow Process Plant was born in 1895.

On December 2, 1895, H.S. Cooper wrote Dow a letter on paper with the letterhead of the Midland Chemical Company. Cooper addressed Dow as Dear Sir. He stated that he was replying to a letter from Dow saying he found no mention of minutes from the last meeting. He also wondered about the date and time of the next meeting. Cooper also suggested that a meeting should take place so they may discuss a new contract and a conclusion.

There was no mention of Alma until the last paragraph. Cooper mentionsed a few improvements had been made and he anticipated they would be able to produce more pounds of KBr. He summed up the letter in the last paragraph, noting that since Dow personally knew Dr. Lancashire of Alma, he would be the logical one to talk to him, reminding him that nothing less than $25,000 would warrant the Midland Chemical Company moving to Alma.

On December 5, 1895, Dow took Coopers advice and wrote Dr. Lancashire in Alma. Dow prefaced his letter with the information that the Midland Chemical Company had patents that practically control the bromine industry. He then continued to tell Dr. Lancashire that extensive enlargements were being planned and that either Cleveland or Alma were being considered as new locations.

Dow continued with several sentences describing the sort of building he was thinking of and asking would it be beneficial to Alma. His company was looking forward to controlling the market of potassium bromide, and that would entail a more modern plant which would be made of brick, slate and iron. He wondered if an institution as large as they were contemplating would be of value to Alma. Would the reputation that the sanitarium would receive from having a prestigious supply of bromide be enough to warrant the bonus the chemical company required?

Dow ended the letter stating again that Midland had a brine strong in bromides and Cleveland had a stronger brine, but they would have to drill deeper to get it. Knowing that, would Alma be willing to pay a bonus of $25,000 for Dow to move the plant from Midland to Alma?

Dow signed the letter as being secretary of The Midland Chemical Company.

It was interesting to read the correspondence between Dow and Lancashire. Dow wrote in long hand, and if he made a mistake, he simply crossed it out and continued writing. Dr. Lancashire dictated his letters and they were typed.

Letters continued between Dow and Alma until December 1896. The last letter was from Dr. Lancashire, who assured Dow that Alma would always be ready to reconsider the offer for the Midland plant to move to Alma.

History is made by the decisions men make. Dow decided to stay in Midland, and it became the center of the worlds largest chemical conglomerate. Alma slowly slipped back to what it had been before Ammi Wright moved there.

The alliance between Ammi Wright and Herbert Henry Dow never came to fruition.

Someone once wrote that genius lights its own fire. The genius that was Ammi Wright burned brightly for 50 years, but his death in 1912 saw the ending of that genius.

The genius of Dr. Herbert Henry Dow survived his death in 1930. The chemical plant and the city of Midland remain a testament to a young man who stepped off the train on August 14, 1890, with two dollars in his pocket. The fire of his genius still burns.




Director of Content and Operations

Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The Biden administrations plans to announce Wednesday that it will send 400 million free nonsurgical N95 masks to community health centers and pharmacies across the country so more Americans can get the masks that are most protective against COVID-19.

The move follows updated mask guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late last week that acknowledged cloth masks do not offer as much protection as surgical masks or respirators.

N95 respirator masks, given that name because they filter out 95 percent of all airborne particles when used properly, were in short supply during the early days of the pandemic. According to the CDC's new mask guidance, well-fitting respirators, including N95s, offer the highest level of protection.

Along with the planned mask announcement, the administration on Wednesday officially launched its new website where Americans can order free at-home coronavirus tests. The website was quietly rolled out on Tuesday.

The White House has been criticized for not moving sooner to send both tests and masks to the public, especially as the Omicron variant fuels a huge spike in cases.

The White House said in a statement on Wednesday that the government would begin shipping the N95 masks at the end of this week, and they were expected to be available at the end of next week, The New York Times reported, with the program in full gear by early February

The masks will come from the Strategic National Stockpile, the nations emergency reserve, which was badly depleted at the start of the pandemic. As late as December 2020, the United States was still facing alarming shortages of personal protective gear.

At a Senate hearing last week, Dawn OConnell, the assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the stockpile now had 737 million N95 masks.

The government is also soliciting proposals from companies that have the ability to surge production to 141 million N95 masks per month in a crisis, so that the nation would never again be without masks in a public health emergency, OConnell said during the hearing, the Times reported.

The idea, she said, is for the stockpile to keep this capacity that we currently have going, even when demand diminishes.

More information

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

SOURCE: The New York Times
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
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya and Tunisia on Tuesday agreed to form a joint commission to resolve difficulties at their land and maritime borders, the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - More than a dozen humanitarian NGOs are warning that new sanctions against Mali could have a devastating impact on the country, where one in three people are already dependent on humanitarian aid
Photo: (Photo : Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Parents in the small town of Moline in Illinois have launched a protest against an after-school Satan club that was allowed to hold after-school meetings at the Jane Addams Elementary School.

Reports cited flyers of The After School Satan Club can be found around the campus, enticing the kids for a fun afternoon of activities for one Thursday of the month from January until May 2022. These activities include puzzles, games, science projects, arts and crafts, and nature exploration.

Parents said that some of the kids brought home the flyers; thus, they became aware that there is such a club in the school. One parent, however, said that none of the teachers passed the flyers around.

Read Also: Pennsylvania School District Amends 'Discriminatory' School Dress Code To Allow Satanic Clothing

Why the School Allowed the Satan Club

USA Today confirmed that the flyers are authentic and that the school authorities allowed The After School Satan Club to advertise on the campus. Candace Sountris, the spokesperson for the Moline-Coal Valley School District, also acknowledged the ire of the parents but stated that the district could not discriminate among groups, including those with religious affiliations, if they want to use the school facilities.

In a statement, Sountris said that the school district has always allowed groups to rent out school facilities for a fee. It has also allowed an "after-school child evangelism" from The Good News Club to use publicly-funded school property in the past. WQAD reported that the school approved The Good News Club to conduct bible programs in November 2021.

The flyers for the after-school activities, for both the Satan and the bible clubs, are not distributed. However, the kids, staff, or parents could pick up the advertising materials from the lobby if they choose to do so.

"Please note that the district must provide equal access to all groups," Sountris said, adding that the kids will still need to have parental permission if they want to join the after-school clubs.

Why The Satan Club is in School

June Everett, the campaign director of The After School Satan Club, also spoke with USA Today and said they want to provide school kids an alternative to The Good News Club. Everett clarified that, unlike the bible study program, theirs is not religious indoctrination. He also clarified that the school or school district does not sponsor the club's activities.

The After School Satan Club promotes "self-driven activities" that don't make kids feel it's a schoolwork add-on. Everett said that even parents might join the activities that focus on problem-solving, critical thinking, benevolence and empathy, creative expression, and personal sovereignty.

The club is under The Satanic Temple, which has chapters nationwide. Part of its mission statement read that they are not about converting or recruiting people into their organization. Their focus is on "free inquiry and rationalism." The Satanic Temple also stated that they reject a belief in a supernatural figure but uphold "scientific rationality" in their thinking.

Related Article: Iron Maiden Principal Keeps Her Job Despite 'Satanism' Allegations from Angry Parents
Photo: (Photo : Emma Jean)

Bestselling author of three popular children's books, loving mom, and trained counselor Emma Jean is launching an online Academy to allow any young person to publish their own book. I'm An Author Academy will provide the full outline to the publication from the very beginning to holding your book in your hand!

Jean is passionate about helping children, but she didn't start her career writing books. Her first career began as a counselor in a school, but she found the work disheartening because she didn't feel empowered to actually make a difference in the lives of the children at her school.

She realized she would rather be a source of light for as many children as possible, and rather than needing to feel empowered herself, she wanted to give the gift of self-empowerment.

This thought process sparked Jean's passion for writing. She began her journey to find a personal voice that spoke to children and painted an escape to help them thrive in our oppressive world.

This endeavor started with the goal of enabling children to find their own inspiration and voices by speaking up for them in her writing. Now, she hopes to transform high school students into authors with her new I'm an Author Academy initiative.

Dream and Take Action

"All authors are dreamers, you have to be. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to visualize your story in your mind," said Jean. "That's why the hardest step for writers is to separate from the best part of themselves. Writers have to stop being the dreamer who came up with the stories in the first place and become the person who will start doing the remarkably hard work of making a name for yourself and building a brand."

From her experience, Jean has learned that one can be the creator of their own success while also needing the push from an outside source, like a dedicated mentor, to bring a vision to fruition. There is a balance within this combination that begets the success of the next generation's empowerment and dream fulfillment.

"Many authors, myself included, waste so much time believing that the beautiful stories they tell will be enough to get them their dream agent and a million dollars in the bank," she said. "It's like the author's version of trying to win the lottery; you have to stop dreaming about getting discovered and instead start doing the uncomfortable work of putting yourself out there if you want to make it in the literary world, or in any creative world, for that matter."

Finding the Path to Publishing

Through I'm An Author Academy, Jean strives to help young people find their own path to getting their work published by helping them learn from her experiences. Her journey was a long, difficult one, and she emphasizes this point while maintaining that she believes children and young adults with a passion for writing can discover and harness their creativity to publish a book of their own.

"Creativity can't be taught," said Jean. "It must be practiced."

Her Childhood Creativity Guide, which is free to download on her website, is a tool to do just that. Children can engage in creative writing and drawing prompts, dance, storytelling, and cooking projects. Included throughout the Guide are various prompts for long- and short-form story writing, and the entire Guide as a whole is geared towards becoming a vehicle for honing a creative writing mindset.

Everyone Can Find Meaning

Once a student begins to explore their creative process, I'm An Author Academy assists them in becoming fully-fledged authors.

One of Jean's published books, "Sleeping Beauty and the Cursed Code," is a novel about female empowerment with a technology-centric twist. In it, the heroine must defeat her adversary by writing a special computer code. This story perfectly illustrates where Jean's mindset comes from. She wants every person who joins the I'm An Author Academy to be their own hero.

"To read is to escape," said Jean. "To create is to be set free."

No matter what obstacles a person faces, Jean hopes to be a guiding force for inspiration, dreams, joy, and positive action through her I'm An Author Academy program. For those who have feelings of no control over their lives, she wants to spread the message that we all do, even if in small ways. Those small ways, over time, create big meaning.

About Emma Jean

Emma Jean is one of America's most popular children's best-selling authors. She has written 2 best-selling books and has created the I'm An Author Academy to transform students into authors. She was featured in Next On Scene Media, Indie Book Talk, and the Brainwave Podcast. Click here to join her I'm An Author Academy: https://imanauthor.com
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The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has confirmed the dismissal of two employees who presented "fake certificates" to gain employment at the central bank.



In a press statement issued Tuesday evening [January 18, 2022], the BoG said reports suggesting that 90 percent of recently recruited staff were found to have presented fake certificates was "not true."





It said, "the statement circulating on social media is twisted to misinform the general public. It is not true that 90 percent of recently recruited staff were found to have presented fake certificates." Rather, "the incident being referred to involves two (2) members of staff whose appointments were terminated for providing fake certificates as part of their employment documentation."



"As part of due diligence processes during and post recruitment, those found to have presented forged documentation (including academic and professional certificates) are either dropped from the recruitment process or their services terminated if already on-boarded and on probation.



Below is a copy of the statement



The Bank of Ghana has taken note of a news item circulating on social media on recent dismissals by the Bank of Ghana.



The statement circulating on social media is twisted to misinform the general public. It is not true that 90 percent of recently recruited staff were found to have presented fake certificates.



The incident being referred to involves two (2) members of staff whose appointments were terminated for providing fake certificates as part of their employment documentation.



As part of due diligence processes during and post recruitment, those found to have presented forged documentation (including academic and professional certificates) are either dropped from the recruitment process or their services terminated if already on-boarded and on probation.



The Bank of Ghana wishes to put on record that dismissals are a regular Human Resources management function for staff whose conduct is unsatisfactory or have committed an offence, as stipulated in the Banks handbook on Human Resource Policies.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The central bank has directed all financial institutions to only accept Ghana Cards for all transactions.



The Bank of Ghana (BoG) says this order takes effect from July 1, 2022.



This is pursuant to Regulation 7 of the National Identity Register, 2012 (L.I. 2111).



A January 19 statement signed by BoG Secretary, Sandra Thompson said with effect from July 1, 2022, the Ghana Card shall be the only identification card that will be to undertake transactions at all Bank of Ghana licensed and regulated financial institutionsThe Public is to note that no other form of identification will be accepted for financial transactions in Bank of Ghana after the effective date stated above.



Specific institutions to be affected include banks, Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions, Non-Deposit-Taking Financial, Institutions, Payment Service Providers and Dedicated Electronic Money Issuers, Forex Bureaus and Credit Reference Bureaus.



Customers of Bank of Ghana regulated financial institutions are therefore entreated to update their records with their respective financial institutions with the Ghana Card in line with this Notice.



For KYC purposes, the National Identification Authority verification transaction platform will be integrated into the Bank of Ghanas financial monitoring platform. This is to ensure that all financial transactions performed within the ecosystem are linked to one identity and information, and unique codes for the transactions shared with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to facilitate the identification of initiators/beneficiaries for track and trace purposes. This will include but not limited to transactions by Banks; Non-bank Financial Institutions; and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs).



The statement also said BoG is working to integrate the NIAs verification transaction platform into its monitoring systems for Know Your Customer purposes.



This is to ensure that all financial transactions performed within the ecosystem are linked to one identity and information, and unique codes for the transactions shared with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to facilitate the identification of initiators/beneficiaries for track and trace purposes, portions of the release read.

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

Source: UTV/GNA









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The Reverend John Ntim-Fordjour, the Deputy Minister of Education, says parents have no excuse not to send their children to school.



He said because Government had made education free from pre-school to Senior High School.



The Deputy Minister said this on Tuesday when he toured the Sakumono School Complex in Accra to observe the annual "My First Day in School" and to welcome the newly admitted pupils to the learning environment.



The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service have collaborated to establish My First Day At School, to complement the efforts of school leaders to facilitate childrens entry into the education system at the beginning of the academic year.



The Minister presented the pupils with learning materials, including books, pencils, erasers, crayons, and sanitizers to enhance learning and make them feel welcomed in their new environment.



The Rev Ntim-Fordjour said the Government had repositioned the educational system to ensure quality teaching and learning in schools.



The Government, he said would work assiduously to meet the Sustainable Development Goals four-to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.



That, he explained was necessary because education was the bedrock to the socio-economic development of every country.



"Government will continue to invest in education and ensure that all children have access to quality education and produced responsible professionals for the country's development," he said.



The Rev Ntim-Fordjour advised the pupils to learn hard to become responsible citizens, saying "we will continue to equip the pupils with the requisite knowledge, skills and aptitude to compete with the best in the world."



Ms Monica Ankrah, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, commended teachers for their efforts and urged them to teach and mentor the pupils to become responsible leaders.



She advised the teachers to initiate innovative ideas that would ease learning in the classroom, especially at the Creche and lower Primary levels and appealed to them to make the teaching environment home for the kids.



Ms Anna Adukwei Addo, the Municipal Chief Executive for Tema West, assured stakeholders that the environment was safe for the resumption of school activities.







Source: GNA









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Osafric Ventures Ltd., a mining and construction company has donated some teaching and learning resources worth GHC7000 (Seven Thousand Ghana Cedis) to the Gyampomani Presby Primary School located in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region.



The items were presented on behalf of the company by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Osafric Ventures, who prefers to be addressed as the main servant of the company, Mr. Oscar Sarfo Adu, and his company delegation.



According to the CEO, the donation formed part of the companys Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).



Mr. Sarfo Adu reiterated that education was key to the development of the country and it must be a collective responsibility of all in order to complement governments efforts to improve upon the system.



Also, Osafric, with the motto; service, our pride, takes delight in helping the less privileged in society so as to bridge the poverty gap, the CEO emphasized.



On his part, Hon Maxi Kwadwo Appiah who represented the Fanteakwa South District Chief Executive, Hon. Ernest Ofosu expressed his profound gratitude to Osafric for the kind gesture to the school and the entire Gyampomani community.



He assured the team that he will task the teachers to handle the teaching and learning resources with care as well as ensuring fair and equitable distribution of the items to all beneficiary pupils.



In a remark, the Head Teacher of the School, Mr. Jonas Modzaka, expressed his deepest appreciation to the community and company.



We are indeed grateful for this gesture done us by Osafric and like Oliver Twist we further appeal that the company comes to the aid of the community to help repair computers in the Schools ICT Lab which has stalled the teaching of ICT in the school.



The Liaison Officer of Osafric, Hon. David K. Amponsah explained to the community that the Osafric Mining is a small scale-mining company but the company has been the pacesetter in terms of CSR.



I would like to also appeal to small-scale mining companies to take their CSR seriously since it brings good relationships between communities and mining firms, he said.



The Chief of Gyampomani, Barima Boama Darko III, who graced the presentation ceremony also thanked the company for such an unprecedented gesture and tasked others in the District to emulate what Osafric Mining and Constructions Ltd. has done.



OSAFRIC Ventures is a well-established freight forwarding company founded by Mr. Oscar Sarfo Adu and Mr. Francis Sarfo Adu.



They both have more than ten (10) years of experience in the transport and freight industry. Through their expertise, they have been able to bring the operations of the business to profitability within its first year of operation.



From its humble beginning in the year 2013, the company started out with a home base office located in Tema, community four (4).



Today, OSAFRIC is a well-recognized freight forwarding company in Ghana, registered under the Companies Code of Ghana (1964), Act 79. The company currently deals in clearing and forwarding, warehousing, import and export, consolidation, haulage, and general merchant.



OSAFRIC is a registered company in Ghana, a member of FIATA, Customs Brokers Association of Ghana (CUBAG) as well as Customs House Agent with Ghana Ports and Harbor Operating licenses.



Osafric ventures Ltd was awarded an honorary award as a promising freight forwarding and logistics service provider at the 9th AGI GHANA INDUSTRY & QUALITY AWARDS 2020.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/ghana









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Ghanas economic fundamentals remain strong with improvement in its debt and liability management, the Ministry of Finance has assured the countrys investors.



It said in spite of the global challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the country does not face any imminent external imbalances or reserves shortfall, contrary to media reports.



A statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry, yesterday described the Bloomberg article captioned  Ghana Debt Moves Deeper into Distress as Investors lose Patience as misleading.



Despite the global challenges that exists on the back of the covid-19 pandemic and especially in emerging markets, with risks such as financial stress and sluggish progress on vaccination as recently cited by the World Bank, the Ministry would like to reassure all its investors that Ghanas fundamentals remain strong.



[It is] attested to by: our growth in Q3-2021; the Ghana Revenue Authority exceeding its target in 2021; and our strong reserves position. Ghana will continue to show leadership in these difficult post-Covid era to build a sustainable, entrepreneurial nation while ensuring that growth, job creation and fiscal consolidation are not compromised, in line with the Presidents vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid, it said.



Correcting the serious factual errors in the article, it said contrary the 81.5 per cent mentioned as the countrys end of year debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio, the provisional nominal debt to GDP, as at the end of November 2021 was 78.4 per cent , which is the latest data available.



He said the Ghanas debt to GDP figures a decade ago were 39.67 per cent and 47.80 per cent for 2011 and 2012, respectively, and not 31.4 per as stated in the Bloomberg publication.



For the period prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, it said Ghana experienced an average debt-to-GDP ratio of 56.4 per cent from 2015 to 2019 while in 2020, Ghanas GDP grew by 0.4 per cent because of the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the economy.



It explained that financing of the additional Covid-19 related expenditures, in addition to revised revenue targets, due to the impact of the pandemic, led to an increase in debt-to-GDP from 62.4 per cent in 2019 to 76.1 per cent in 2020.



The current 78.4 per cent debt-to-GDP ratio as at the end of November 2021 indicates rather a reduction in the rate of debt accumulation (i.e. declined by a half to 18 per cent as at November 2021 from 34% per cent in 2020).





This attests to an improvement in our debt and liability management, contrary to what the article seeks to suggest. Furthermore, with the positive Primary balance target for 2022  one of the key fiscal anchors in 2022  Ghana should see improved stability and reduction in the debt to GDP ratio in 2022 and through the medium term, it said.



The statement said it was unfortunate that foreign investors and market participants were on edge following the impasse in Parliament, in relation to the passage of the E-levy Bill.



The market seems to now be pricing into our bonds the perceived risks of having a slim majority in Parliament and the consequences thereof. The markets also seem to be concerned that this might impact the governments ability to successfully pass and implement some of its major revenue policy measures as presented in the 2022 Budget.



 The Ministry would like to state that a healthy debate in a vibrant Parliament is a critical part of Ghanas growing democratic credentials and by no means should it be deemed to be a fiscal risk, it said.



The statement expressed the governments confident that when Parliament resumes sitting this month, the E-Levy Bill, which has already been discussed and approved by the Finance Committee of Parliament, would be passed.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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The funeral rites of the former Mayor of Accra, Nat Nunoo Amarteifio, have been slated for January 21, 2022, the family has said.



The Head of the Amarteifio family, Retired Major Amarkai Amarteifio, on Wednesday, told a delegation led by the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Madam Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, that: "The late Nunoo Amarteifio will be interred on Friday, January 21 and the body will be laid in state for filing past at the Lashibi Funeral Home."



He said an interdenominational church service would be held after interment at the Ridge Church on January 23, 2022, at 7 am.



Mrs Sackey was accompanied by the former mayor of Accra and MP for Ablekuma South Constituency, Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije and Chief Executive of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib.



The delegation also included some Assembly Members as well as Heads of Departments of the AMA.



Mrs Sackey eulogised the late former Mayor and expressed her condolence to the bereaved family and pledged support for a befitting burial.



A giant has fallen, a mighty man is gone, oh my Uncle, my Daddy, my friend, my counsellor, so soon you have left us, well God knows why, and we cannot question Him... Daddy Rest in Peace," she wrote in a book of condolence.



The late Nat Amarteifio was an architectural historian and a writer.

.

He worked in the United States of America, Canada before returning to Ghana as an architect and consultant.



He served as the Mayor of Accra between 1994 and 1998 under the erstwhile late Jerry John Rawlings administration and passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021, in Accra after a short illness.





Source: GNA









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An Adentan Circuit Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mark Okraku-Mantey, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, for failing to appear before it.



The Deputy Minister has been charged for allegedly violating Section 7 (1) and (2) of vigilantism and related offence and forcibly entering the land of one Alhaji Tony Baba.



Mark-Okraku was to appear in court today for the continuation or completion of case management conference for the trial to commence but failed.



His lawyer was also absent, but he sought permission from the court.



Prosecuting, Superintendent of Police Patience Mario, prayed the Court for a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused person.



The Court presided over by Mrs Sedinam Awo Balokah, issued the warrant, and adjourned the matter to February 8.



The case of the prosecution was that the complainant, Alhaji Tony Baba, was an Estate Developer residing at North Legon, Accra.



It said the complainant was developing a parcel of land at Oyarifa, High Tension, which the accused person was allegedly claiming ownership for.



The prosecution said on March 3, last year, the accused person went to the site with three thugs two of whom were on a motorbike and another in his (Deputy Ministers) car.



The prosecution said on March 9, last year, the accused person visited the site a few hours after, which

the thugs he previously visited the site with went back to the site and attacked the workers and caused damage to parts of the building allegedly.



It said the complainant reported the matter to the Police and mentioned the accused person as the one behind the unwarranted attacks and damages.



The prosecution said during interrogation, the accused person was contacted to report at the Police to assist in investigations.



It said while the Police was waiting for the accused person, more damages were allegedly caused to the three-bedroom building on March 10, last year, and he was identified as the one who brought and ordered the thugs to cause the damage.



The prosecution said on April 3 last year, the complainants workers were allegedly attacked gain and two persons sustained injuries.

It said the injured were issued with Police medical forms to seek treatment.



On March 20, last year, extensive damage was allegedly caused to the building, which was at lintel level and valued at GHC63,700.





Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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What the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said in relation to recent historical narratives by the Dormaahene, Oseadeyo Agyeman Badu II, and the paying of allegiance to Asanteman and the Golden Stool by various chiefs in Bono East, Bono and Ahafo Regions has been published in the video below.



The Asantehene speaking at the first Asanteman Council meeting for 2022 in Kumasi also gave hints of plans to elevate some chiefs and towns to the status of paramount chiefs in Bono East, Bono and Ahafo Regions.



He, has, subsequently charged the Mamponghene and occupant of the Silver Stool, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II to spearhead the reconstitution of the various standing committees for Asanteman and consider the newly created regions and how towns and chiefs deserving elevation would be granted that status for representation at the various Regional House of Chiefs.



The Asantehene spoke in the Twi language at the meeting which was held at the Manhyia Palace [Watch video attached below produced and published by Opemsuo FM].



Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said the political regional demarcations for political administration by the central government does not necessarily mean that chiefs located in different regions will no longer pay allegiance to Asanteman and the Golden Stool, neither will Asanteman force or coerce any chief to pay allegiance.



He said his intention was to give a facelift to those willing to work under the Asanteman umbrella and there were no plans to enslave anyone.



He said chiefs willing to continue to pay allegiance to Asanteman and gain the needed development and progress in their respective areas should not be discouraged by other chiefs who have no impact on them.



He said the then Dormaahene, Agyeman Badu for instance, paid allegiance to his uncle, the then Asantehene, Nana Kwame Kyeretwie before he became chief of Dormaa while he was still a teacher at the Government Boys School in Kumasi and that it was only recently that the Dormaahene, has decided not to pay allegiance to the Golden Stool and Asanteman.



But even with that, no one will attempt to coerce the Dormaahene to do so.



That, should however, not mean that there should be an attempt to change historical narrative.



That, should not also mean that other chiefs in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo areas wanting to continue to pay allegiance to the Golden Stool and Asanteman should be disturbed in anyway.



The Asantehene said that is why plans were underway to elevate such chiefs to the status of paramount chiefs.



Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said he will not engage in unnecessary debates and that all towns in Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions deserving elevation will be granted that status.



He mentioned that Mo, Banda, Bomaa all pay allegiance to the Golden Stool.



He said there were enough paramount chiefs paying allegiance to the Golden Stool and that if Dormaa decides not to pay allegiance, the chief will not be coerced in anyway.



The video below was produced and published by Opemsuo FM.



Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has said a lot ought to be done in developing the tourism value-chain to appreciable standards for Ghana to make the most out of the industry.



He stressed the need for the country to pay particular attention to uplifting tourism attraction sites, build the capacity of stakeholders and develop the infrastructure of the sector.



Tourism was one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy, generating substantial jobs and wealth for the people, he said.



The tourism industry, if well packaged, could bring multiplying benefits to the country even more than cocoa, the Asantehene said when the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.



He said it was important that the Ministry took the training of stakeholders in the industry seriously to improve practices and efficiency for accelerated growth.



The Asantehene called on the Minister to work assiduously to bring his expertise to bear in the discharge of his duties for comprehensive development of tourism.



He charged the staff to support Dr Awal as he sought to spearhead the vision of the Government regarding tourism.



Dr Awal indicated that the Ministry had resolved to work in partnership with the traditional authorities to achieve governments mission.



He said the Government was investing the necessary resources to uplift tourism, thereby creating jobs for the people.



Our aim is to ensure that the sector contributed significantly to the Gross Domestic Product, he said, and with the objective to increase tourism arrivals to about two million by 2024.







Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central Constituency in the Upper East Region has mocked the economic management prowess of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, cautioning him to be wary of borrowing to eat kenkey and fish.



According to Mr. Isaac Adongo, the Walewale Adams Smith referring to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia seems to have abandoned the sinking economic management ship and found solace in the digitalization ship.



The Vice President has shifted gears into digitalization leaving economic management on the shoulders of the incompetent Finance Minister, Mr. Adongo mocked.



Since the Vice President jumped ship, he has turned himself into a Yahoo boy whose only concern is how to fidget with the internet in the name of digitalization, he said.



Mr. Adongo said these in reaction to Bloombergs statement on how the economy has been run down on the evening news segment on Accra 100.5FM on Monday, January 17, 2022.



According to the NDC MP, with Ghanas economy on the edge, the country can no longer go onto the international borrowing market only to come and eat Kenkey and fish like the Finance Minister used to do since he assumed office in 2017.



Im surprised the President is still keeping Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta at post even in the wake of glaring evidence that the economy is not in good shape.



With the penchant for spending as a private person and a public officer, in other jurisdictions, Mr. Ken Ofori- Atta would not have come near the position of a deputy Minister, he argued.



He pointed out that what Bloomberg said about the debt levels of the country, is something he [Adongo] said a year ago.



Bloomberg is just reiterating the concerns Ive raised a year ago, with government communicators raining all manner of insults on my person as the MP for the people of Bolgatanga Central, he noted.



The lawmaker said the bleak situation of Ghanas economy cannot be saved by the controversial E-levy, adding that if GHS20 billion could not save the situation what then will GHS9 billion do.



The situation, he said, can only be saved if the President stops his extravagant expenditure on needles things like his comfort.





Source: class fm









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is currently in the United Arab Emirates seeking medical review.



He is expected back in the country on Sunday 23rd January 2022 to preside over the opening of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament on Tuesday 25th January 2022.



In a letter dated 6th January 2022, to the Presidency, the speaker said that he was traveling to the UAE on 7th January 2022 for a medical review.



It is the second visit of the Speaker to Dubai for medical attention in less than two months where collosal amount of money is spent.

He has occasionally been traveling to Dubai for medicare since he was elected speaker with large retinue of personal and domestic staff following him.



The Speaker was recently in Dubai for similar medical review after creating confusion in Parliament over the Electronic Levy controversy.



He had allegedly presided over the rejection of the budget after the majority walked out.



In a letter issued and signed on behalf of the Clerk of Parliament to the Head of Mission of Ghana Embassy in UAE, it stated that I have been directed by the Clerk to Parliament to inform you about the arrival of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in Dubai to undergo a medical review.



The speaker stormed Dubai with his wife and other family members as well as staff of Parliament.



The statement said that the Speaker will be accompanied by the following: Alice Adjua Yornas, his wife, Dr. Prince Kofi Pambo, head of medical at Parliament house, Patience Bagbin, speakers secretariat and Justice Norvor, his aide.



It added that Mr. Speaker and his delegation will depart Accra on Saturday, 27 November 2021 at 18.50 hours and arrive in Dubai at 6.20 hours on flight EK788 the next day.



They departed for Dubai on Tuesday, 14 December 2021 at 7.35 hours and arrive in Accra the same day at 12.05 hours on flight EK787.







Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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STC Boss, Nana Akomea has called on both the Majority and Minority to cease politicizing the withdrawal of Speaker Alban Bagbin's Military protection.



The Speaker has been stripped of his Military protection after four soldiers who were guarding him were recalled to their base.



A letter dated 11th January, 2022, cited by Peacefmonline and signed by Major General Nicholas Peter Andoh, the Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters of GAF, ordered the soldiers to return by January 14, 2022; saying they were "attached to the Office of the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament without the proper procedure."



It is humbly requested that the personnel are withdrawn with effect from 14 January 2022 while efforts are made to regularise their attachment, the letter further said.



But the Majority and Minority have been arguing about government's action.



To the Minority, the withdrawal is politically motivated since, to them, ''the only reason given for the shameful withdrawal of Mr Speakers security detail is that the attachment was done without following the proper procedure'' and to the Majority, there are no political under-dealings.



The statement from the Speaker's office emphasises that the withdrawal of the military personnel is an attempt to gag Mr. Bagbin. It is difficult to comprehend the meaning of this. Speakers are supposed to be neutral umpires or referees in Parliament. They are supposed to listen to Members in silence and not participate in debates.



They make rulings when called upon to do so by Members. The rulings must conform to the Rules of Procedure of the House otherwise referred to as Standing Orders. In that regard the Speakers lose their persona whilst presiding. Therefore, what voice does the Speaker have that is being muted or gagged? portions of Majority's statement read.



Nana Akomea, in his submissions on the issue, condemned the partisan nature of the discourse and asked both sides in Parliament and all politicians to discuss it without reading political meanings into it.



To him, the Military is one of the most disciplined security services and so using it to score political points could have grave repercussions for the country's democracy.



''When you do that, you discourage the Military. You reduce them to politicians. You're harming the Military when they take action and you mix it with politics'', he said on Peace FM's morning programme ''Kokrokoo''.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information, has cautioned that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will succeed at breaking the eight years of political rule based on how well members interested to lead the party play their roles.



The overall performance of the government in its second term will be key to breaking the eight and continuing to govern after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has left the reins of government.



The two most important issues which will determine who our flagbearer is will be how well this government performs and how well those who are interested function in their roles effectively and efficiently and if this administration does not perform well, nobody cares about your presidential ambition then we are all going down so you have to be interested in helping us perform well for you to handle your portfolio well, Mr Nkrumah pointed out.



He explained that the president has had cause to remind persons interested in the flagbearership of the NPP to remain focus and steadfast to push the partys agenda for the second term in office but he could not tell whether the president would sack ministers who did not give off their best due to divided attention.



Mr Nkrumah reiterated President Akufo-Addos calls for hundred percent commitment, dedication and determination to his agenda and averred that the country had not seen harder working president within the current age bracket of him who is even keener on executing his agenda despite winning re-election and thus not subject to another vote.



This is a president whose agenda on his second term is clear cut, keen on executing it, I have never seen a harder working president even at this age, tell me a harder president who was working at this age literally crisscrossing the country, the president is in Kumasi to attend to business of the state, this is not a president who is relaxed after he has won a second term, Mr Nkrumah touted.



Under the Fourth Republic, the late Jerry Rawlings of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), handed over to Agyekum Kufuor of the (NPP) in 2001, he handed over to the late Atta Mills in 2009 and John Mahama handed over to Nana Akufo-Addo in 2017.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A former New Patriotic Party(NPP) Member of Parliament(MP) for Ejisu and aspiring regional chairman, Owusu Aduomi has said emphatically that he cannot defend the President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo for certain statements he made during the campaign ahead of the 2016 general elections.



According to him, its only fair that the president defends his own statements.



On Oyerepa television in Kumasi, the regional chairman hopeful told the host of the morning show:



Youll do me no good by asking me to defend statements and comments I didnt make. Its Akufo-Addo who said Ghanaians are starving in the abundance of money, I didnt say that. And so let him defend that when you meet him,- I cant do that for him. Of course theres enough money in the country but its about how you manage it, he said emphatically.



Speaking on the economy, the former MP said he has no basis to defend the economy and can only leave that the countrys economic managers.



Im not an economist so I cant defend that. On what basis will I even the economic situation in the country.? If youre taking about the current hardship in the country, then Ill say yes, i hear people complain everyday. We all feel the pangs of hardship. However, if the economists claim theyve managed the economy well, thats up to them. But for Kofi Job, I wont even survive," he added.



It was the first media appearance for Mr Owusu Aduomi since he declared intentions to contest the chairmanship race in the Ashanti.



The leadership of the NPP is yet to set an official date for the polls at the polling station level through to the National level and later elect the partys flagbearer for the 2024 elections.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Veteran Ghanaian actor, Psalm Adjeteyfio popularly known as TT has come out to accuse his mother as the cause of the financial woes he is experiencing currently.



According to the actor, his mother initiated him at a shrine during his birth which was a contributing factor to his misfortunes.





He noted that his stepmother cared about his welfare, and took him to a spiritual lady where he found out his mothers actions .



The latest development follows the leakage of an audio, allegedly the voice of Psalm Adjeteyfio, in which he is heard begging for leftovers, after receiving over GH90,000 from different well wishers.



Speaking on Joy Prime TV, he said, My stepmother did something good. She took me to a spiritual lady and after praying, thats where all these revelations came up



According to him, the spiritual lady advised him to seek answers from his biological mom. He said his shocked mother who was startled exclaimed Did I forget to show gratitude? He then said his mother revealed; "You were a baby when I got you initiated into the Tigare shrine.



Tigare shrine is one of the most popular traditional shrines in Ghana.





Source: Joy Prime TV









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
An urgent investigation of the most underreported, seismic consequence of climate change: how it will force us to change where - and how - we live



We are facing a species emergency. With every degree of temperature rise, a billion people will be displaced from the zone in which humans have lived for thousands of years. While we must do everything we can to mitigate the impact of climate change, the brutal truth is that huge swathes of the world are becoming uninhabitable. From Bangladesh to Sudan to the western United States, and in cities from Cardiff to New Orleans to Shanghai, the quadruple threat of drought, heat, wildfires and flooding will utterly reshape Earth's human geography in the coming decades.



In this rousing call to arms, Royal Society Science Book Prize-winning author Gaia Vince describes how we can plan for and manage this unavoidable climate migration while we restore the planet to a fully habitable state. The vital message of this book is that migration is not the problem-it's the solution. Drawing on a wealth of eye-opening data and original reporting, Vince shows how migration brings benefits not only to migrants themselves, but to host countries, many of which face demographic crises and labour shortages. As Vince describes, we will need to move northwards as a species, into the habitable fringes of Europe, Asia and Canada and the greening Arctic circle.



While the climate catastrophe is finally getting the attention it deserves, the inevitability of mass migration has been largely ignored. In Nomad Century, Vince provides, for the first time, an examination of the most pressing question facing humanity.

Read more
In this photo provided by Ukrainian National Guard Press Office Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, right, greets Ukrainian soldiers during her visit to the National Guard base close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ukrainian National Guard Press Office via AP
A man walks past a parked school bus in the deep snow after a major storm in Mississauga, Ont., on Monday, January 17, 2022. The Toronto District School Board said last night that classes were set to go ahead after a snowstorm disrupted those plans on Monday and Tuesday. The city's Catholic school board also said it would open for in-person learning but warned that buses may be delayed due to cleanup from the storm. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
In a satellite photo by Planet Labs PBC, Abu Dhabi International Airport is seen Dec. 8, 2021. A suspected drone attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting a key oil facility in Abu Dhabi killed three people and sparked a separate fire at Abu Dhabi's international airport on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, police said. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a press conference in Victoria on May 25, 2021. Henry said Tuesday, she is taking the "cautious step" of lifting COVID-19 restrictions for gyms and other exercise facilities, allowing them to reopen. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Newman, CA (95360)

Today

A clear sky. Low around 50F. W winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low around 50F. W winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
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Residents line up at a FEMA-operated COVID-19 testing site at Cibotti Recreation Center in Southwest Philadelphia. The city is in discussion with FEMA to open another site here. TRIBUNE PHOTO/ABDUL R. SULAYMAN
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Photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows tourists walking at Dead Vlei of Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. Namibia recorded an increase of 37.81 percent of tourists arrivals in the country from January to December 2021, when compared to 2020 figures, an official said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

WINDHOEK Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Namibia recorded an increase of 37.81 percent of tourists arrivals in the country from January to December 2021, when compared to 2020 figures, an official said Tuesday.

"Country arrivals were 354,508 in 2021 as compared to 192,026 in 2020. This is an important achievement for the sector," Namibia's Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said in a statement on Tuesday.

Namibia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda told Xinhua that so much has been lost in terms of income, revenue and employment in the tourism industry due to the ripple effects of COVID-19. The sector will need to move slowly towards recovery and this will require them to be innovative in their product offering and put in measures to prepare them for similar occurrences.

According to Muyunda, Namibia's government interventions like relaxing some restrictions to allow for tourists to visit the country and initiatives also aimed at developing the confidence of tourists to visit Namibian as a safe destination.

Lin Bo, a manager of China Travel Agency, who has been deeply involved in Namibia's tourism market for 12 years, told Xinhua that Namibia's tourism industry developed rapidly in the first few years before the epidemic.

Based on her long-term optimism about the tourism market in Namibia, her company has increased investment since 2015, building a boutique hotel in Walvis Bay, a popular tourist attraction, and a wildlife park in Sossusvlei. But the sudden outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 has hit the entire tourism industry hard, and like other peers, they are also experiencing considerable financial difficulties.

But they have always had confidence in the future, and persisted until now through salary reductions and living allowances without laying off staff. During the nearly two years of the epidemic, all employees have continued to further their studies through online training and online learning to improve their business capabilities and more diversified skills, and fully prepare for the recovery of the market after the epidemic.

"The epidemic will pass, and the recovery of tourism will eventually come," said Lin.

"Namibia's rich natural and cultural resources have attracted tourists from all over the world. However, it can also be clearly felt that the proportion of Chinese tourists is increasing year by year. If there are more convenient visa policies, such as visa-free, visa-on-arrival and resource guarantee for tourist flights, Chinese tourists will show an explosive growth after the epidemic is over," she said.

Gitta Paetzold, CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia, told Xinhua that 2021 has been a very tough year, the third wave outbreak in Namibia in mid-2021, and then the global travel ban on southern Africa in late 2021 due to the Omicron variant.

"This puts the entire travel industry in a difficult situation. But I believe there will be a slow and steady recovery and it is hoped that by mid-2022, tourism flow from international markets will pick up again," said Paetzold.

Tourism in Namibia is one of the pillar industries and is the key to improving people's living standards, especially in remote areas, where it solves a lot of employment and livelihood problems. 

Photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows two tourists looking at warthogs at Agama Lodge in Namibia. Namibia recorded an increase of 37.81 percent of tourists arrivals in the country from January to December 2021, when compared to 2020 figures, an official said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows a tourist visiting Dune 45 of Sossuvlei at the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. Namibia recorded an increase of 37.81 percent of tourists arrivals in the country from January to December 2021, when compared to 2020 figures, an official said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows tourists visiting Dune 45 of Sossuvlei at the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. Namibia recorded an increase of 37.81 percent of tourists arrivals in the country from January to December 2021, when compared to 2020 figures, an official said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Admission at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant is now free for families who receive food assistance.

The state-owned tourist attraction has become a member of Museums for All, a national program that allows families who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to gain free access to all kinds of museums across the country.

As of Jan. 19, a family that receives SNAP benefits can get free general admission for up to four at Patriots Point.

Eligible families will need to present an Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, card at the ticket window.

Museums for All is an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C. On its website, the program's goal is described as encouraging "individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits."

Admission at participating museums can range from free to $3.

Any kind of museum can join the program, including children's museums, zoos and aquariums, history museums and science centers. About 800 museums in the U.S. offer reduced or free admission through Museums for All, including 16 others in South Carolina, along with Patriots Point.

Patriots Point is the third site in the Lowcountry that's joined the program. The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry and the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston are listed members of Museums for All.

Other participating museums in the Palmetto State include the Columbia Museum of Art, the Children's Museum of the Upstate and the EdVenture Children's Museums in Columbia and Myrtle Beach.

Rorie Cartier, Patriots Point's executive director, said that making the museum "more accessible" will allow Patriots Point to have a "lifelong positive impact on the community."

Every child should have the chance to come aboard our historic ships regardless of their familys financial situation, Cartier said in a written statement.

Cartier took the helm at Patriots Point last summer. At the time, he told The Post and Courier that expanding the museum's audience was one of his top priorities. He spoke about reaching more people in terms of all kinds of demographics, including age, race, gender, interests and connections, or lack thereof, to the military.

Admission at Patriots Point is $27 for adults, $19 for seniors, $16 for children ages 6-11 and free for all children under age 6. Discounts are offered to first responders, veterans and active duty and retired military with ID.
A downtown Charleston women's apparel retailer recently bought an adjacent building that once housed another clothing shop and now has a satellite operation on the upper peninsula as part of its expanded footprint.

An affiliate of Hampden Clothing, owned by Stacy Smallwood, purchased the former Anne's women's clothing shop at 312 King St. for $3.25 million in November, according to Charleston County land records.

It serves as an extension to Hampden's flagship store at 314 King and its counterpart shoe store James next door.

The apparel store has been growing its presence on the peninsula in recent years. It now occupies more than 10,000 square feet of retail space on middle King, including Small by Hampden at 324 King.

The retailer also recently leased the former Barrie Newman Building at 747 Meeting St., according to the commercial real estate firm NAI Charleston.

The retailer will use the 7,200-square-foot rental space as an e-commerce and distribution office to focus on the company's growing online business. Special events, such as partnerships with brands, also are planned at the site for shoppers.

The newly leased property in the area called NoMo, for North Morrison, backs up to the planned Lowcountry Lowline linear park that will run along the peninsula's spine. The site also is close to Interstate 26 and offers on-site, off-street parking.

"The iconic building is a perfect fit for the internationally recognized boutique," said Sarah Shelley, of NAI Charleston, who represented Hampden Clothing LLC as the tenant.

Jack Owens, also of NAI Charleston, represented the building owner, AD Meeting LLC, which paid $2.25 million for the property in December 2020, according to land records.

What's cooking?

A new dessert-type eatery is in the works for West Ashley.

Big Dough Daddy LLC recently leased 1,581 square feet at 3863 West Ashley Circle, off Bees Ferry Road, according to the commercial real estate firms Avison Young and Bridge Corporate Solutions.

The venture will be called Cookie Dough Bliss & Creamery and will offer cookies, cookie dough, ice cream and other treats, according to owner Jason Keyser of West Ashley.

An opening is tentatively planned for April or May. His partner, Kitty McDowell, will be the general manager. She previously worked at the creamery's location in North Carolina.

The Concord, N.C.-based company has 11 locations in eight states. The West Ashley site will be its first in South Carolina.

On the way

A five-building commercial complex is the newest proposal for a developing area in Cainhoy.

The planned Foundation Place at Point Hope on Clements Ferry Road north of the Publix-anchored Point Hope Commons Shopping Center will include 38,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space on about 4.5 acres.

Plans call for 22,000 square feet of office, retail and fast-casual restaurant space, including a coffee shop with a drive-thru, as well as a 16,000-square-foot, two-story medical office building, according to site plans.

Three buildings are slated to be 6,000 square feet each while another with the drive-thru window will be 4,000 square feet.

The developer is listed as Vulcan Property Group of Fort Mill, which is building the new 25,000-square-foot Serendipity Labs co-working structure in Nexton in Summerville. The co-working space is expected to open during the summer.

Stretching out

The Charleston franchise owner of a new Chicago-based fitness firm is planning four more locations across the Lowcountry after launching his first operation earlier this month in southern Mount Pleasant.

Franchisee John Youngblood said he plans to open Spenga fitness sites in northern Mount Pleasant, James Island, the Summerville area and West Ashley. Specific locations and opening schedules have not been determined.

Youngblood opened the initial Spenga site in a 4,000-square-foot space at 996 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. in the Publix-anchored Queensborough Shopping Center in Mount Pleasant on Jan. 8. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Jan. 18.

Spenga combines spin, strength training and yoga.
Santee Cooper is suing Charleston County's zoning board after a ruling that could snarl a major power line project planned for Johns Island.

In a complaint filed Jan. 13, the utility is challenging whether the county has the authority to require a state agency that is "acting within its statutory responsibility" to provide a government service to go through various local land-use reviews.

The dispute arose last August. Joel Evans, the county's zoning and planning director, notified Santee Cooper at that time that it must comply with certain development regulations before moving ahead with the Johns Island/Queensboro transmission project.

Santee Cooper challenged the decision in September. The Board of Zoning Appeals rejected the move last month, saying the utility must go through the reviews to obtain permits because variances could be required to remove large trees that aren't dead or dying.

Moncks Corner-based Santee Cooper said the 5-mile transmission line is critical piece of infrastructure. The project will benefit residents and businesses on Johns, Seabrook, Wadmalaw and Kiawah islands by providing stability and increasing the reliability and resiliency of the electric system that serves them, the utility added.

Johns Island currently has only one line of the size needed to serve the area reliably, Santee Cooper said. If it goes down, residents will be without power until it can be repaired.

Because the utility is building the line as a government service, that negates the county's authority over the project, it said.

Santee Cooper said in a Jan. 18 statement that it has asked the judge presiding over the case for "an expedited appeal in an attempt to minimize disruptions to our planned schedule. We anticipate the project could be completed by mid-2022."

Affected residents and commercial customers in the sea islands are served by Berkeley Electric Cooperative, which buys its power from Santee Cooper.

The line already has been approved by the S.C. Department of Health Environmental Control, the Office of Coastal and Resource Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The project has been in the works since 2017. Along the way, Santee Cooper revised its plans by eliminating about 1.2 miles of the original route, from Maybank Highway to the new starting point farther north on Rushland Landing Road.

The utility has started the condemnation process to obtain right-of-way easements from property owners for the transmission poles. Santee Cooper said the total cost of the project will be determined once construction contracts are finalized.
It starts the same way every year.

South Carolina lawmakers promise big things are coming when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. It might be prison reform or, often, education reform  that old chestnut. And well always have tax reform.

For the 2022 session, the dueling mantras are election reform and ethics reform.

Yep, those folks at the Statehouse are running a regular reform school.

When these big pronouncements are made, anyone paying attention probably hears the strains of Sonny and Cher belting out I Got You, Babe.

Because this is South Carolinas real Groundhog Day. And none of that stuff is going to happen. Not in this reality, anyway, or not enough to prompt great change.

To be fair, not even the Dutton "Yellowstone" ranch hands could herd 170 lawmakers in the same direction. They all have their own agendas, and rarely do their interests collide into a workable majority on those stretch issues.

Except for this: No one wants to do anything that inspires some extremist challenger in the next election, so the best option is to not do anything too big or that involves too much change.

Especially in a year when all 124 House members face June primaries.

So theyll spend weeks shoring up their bases by debating increasingly ridiculous proposals on hot-button issues  abortion and gun rights are favorites  and then get hung up on their heavily promoted big-ticket items, complaining they just cant reach a consensus.

Republicans will rail about how governments broken (conveniently ignoring the fact that theyve had complete control of it for two decades), and Democrats will grouse that they cant win elections because too many districts are gerrymandered.

All of which is true, but that doesnt matter. This is professional wrestling: highly entertaining (to reporters and other nerds), painstakingly choreographed and reflecting little passing resemblance to reality.

It goes something like this:

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In January, neither chamber has many bills coming out of committee (well, at least not bills that lawmakers actually want to vote on), so theyll come in mid- to late-morning and adjourn by lunch. In the afternoon, lawmakers will sit on their phones through committee meetings. Its OK; plenty of time left.

The biggest fight the first month will come when the Legislature passes a law to stop cities, counties and school districts from mandating masks or vaccines or virtual schools because, freedom.

Someone will ask why Upstate schools can have virtual classes because of the weather, but not COVID, since such a policy deprives citizens of their freedom to prove they cant drive in the snow.

In February, the General Assembly will shut down for a week after COVID infections soar at the Statehouse. Because, although staff are required to wear masks, lawmakers arent. And most dont, because they cant have some future opponent taking a photo of them looking like sheep.

Then, in March, someone will come up with the brilliant idea to address the states teacher shortage by raising their salaries 2%. Which is exactly what all other state employees will get, but nobodys crazy enough to point that out.

By April, after they've killed medical marijuana again, lawmakers will come to an agreement on an ethics reform bill. And, boy, will it be tough: Incumbents with outstanding fines of more than $20,000 will not be allowed to run for reelection  until they pay the state $50, and agree to some sort of payment plan.

At the same time, all that promised federal cash will quietly get earmarked for important infrastructure projects in districts conveniently represented by the most powerful lawmakers.

Charleston wont get much of anything.

In May, legislators will suddenly be in a rush to pass a budget because the end of the session has snuck up on them. Republicans, however, will find time to order an audit of the 2020 election, which they won, because they need some red meat for the primary.

Finally, lawmakers will announce that they must return in June because they just didnt have enough time to pass a budget  and change election laws to purge voter rolls of anyone who skipped a single municipal election, even if there was only one uncontested city council race on their ballot.

The General Assembly will declare victory on election and ethics reforms, claim theyve made strides to improve education and ensure everyones freedom. Especially their freedom to, again, avoid doing much of anything.

But hey, they got you, Babe.
GEORGETOWN  Georgetown County students could see more days off in the future, but they start school earlier under proposed changes to the district's academic calendar for the next two years.

District Human Resources Director Chelice Waites told the school board at the Jan. 18 meeting that the committee in planning the calendar saw that other school districts in South Carolina were moving to a modified year-round format and wanted to follow suit.

A modified year-round calendar still allows for an eight-week summer break and would still require students to attend 180 days of class, but the days would be more spread out over the year.

A main difference between the two calendars is that students would have a week off every quarter. Traditionally students have a week for Thanksgiving, two weeks for Christmas and a week for spring break.

Students would now have a week off in October, November and April, plus the usual two weeks for Christmas in the modified year-round version.

Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, teachers would start on July 26 and students would go back on Aug. 2. The last day of the semester would be Dec. 20 and the school year would end on May 24.

This school year, teachers went back on Aug. 11 and students started on Aug. 18. Traditionally, the first semester has ended after the Christmas holiday break in mid-January. School ends June 3.

To transition to the new schedule, the district plans a bridge year in 2022-23 that would look more like a traditional calendar, but with teachers and students returning to school earlier than in the past.

Next school year teachers would start Aug. 1 and students would return to class on Aug. 8. The last day of the semester would be on Dec. 16, 2022, instead of this year when it ended on Jan. 13.

I like the idea of the semester ends in December, school board member Bill Gaskins said about the proposed changes. Instead of chopping up that time period, between the time our students come back and the second semester begins.

School in 2023 would end on May 25, just before Memorial Day weekend.

Waites said one of the committees goals is for classes to end before Memorial Day in the future.

The proposed new calendar will now go to district employees and the public for feedback, with the first reading expected at the Feb. 1 school board meeting.
File photo taken on Nov. 3, 2015 shows Hunga Ha'apai island in Tonga. The Tonga volcanic eruption is not likely to cause global climate change, while the volcanic ash and acid rain may damage crops and water supply, a leading New Zealand volcanologist said on Jan. 17, 2022. (Photo by Shane Cronin/Xinhua)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Tonga volcanic eruption is not likely to cause global climate change, while the volcanic ash and acid rain may damage crops and water supply, a leading New Zealand volcanologist said Monday.

Professor Shane Cronin of the University of Auckland, who visited the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano in November 2015, has explained the uniqueness of the volcanic event and its impacts.

According to the professor, the most significant impact so far has been the tsunami generated at the beginning of the eruption.

"Thankfully, the tsunami in Tonga was not so big," said the professor.

All the homes on one of Tonga's small outer islands were destroyed in the massive volcanic eruption and tsunami, with three people confirmed dead so far, the government said on Tuesday in its first update since the disaster hit.

"But mostly the damage is not so far from the coast and especially confined to a few very low-lying areas. Thankfully, most people were able to get away from those waves," he said.

The other impacts locally in Tonga are from the ashfall. "Thankfully again, the ashes mostly fell into the ocean. On the Tongatapu island, there were reports of two centimeters of ash. This ash will impact water supply and some broad-leaf crops like corn, banana and squash, but unless there are more eruptions, this effect should allow a quick plant recovery."

Professor Cronin noted that most of the volcanic plumes from Saturday's eruption were in the troposphere or lower part of the atmosphere, below 25 km. Along with this short eruption means that there is not much aerosol to reflect sunlight and cause global cooling.

"Most of the ash plume and gas plume that went into the air contains gases like sulpha dioxide. The rain will wash them down. There was not too large a volume of particles and aerosols high enough in the atmosphere to cause global cooling," he said.

But the impact from acid rains for the affected areas such as Tonga and parts of eastern Fiji could be real. Should there be many more eruptions to come, and the acid rain continues, it could be more damaging for crops and water supply.

The longer-term effects of the volcanic eruption on marine life could be significant, he said.

On the downside, the local fishing and marine life will experience many changes as part of the volcano is destroyed. But there is some bright side along with the volcanic ashes in the longer term.

"Because when ash falls into the ocean, it brings with it nutrients. For example, It can bring iron, which is usually quite low in the ocean. It can suddenly create a bloom of plankton, which then go through the food chain, creating a population boom later on the fish and other lives too," said Professor Cronin.

According to the professor, a series of more minor eruptions happened in the submarine volcano in 1998, 2009, 2014, 2015 and perhaps even earlier than that. Saturday's eruption was so severe because a lot of the magma in the volcano had been building up for at least 10 years, or maybe longer.

"The magma accumulates to a large size inside the volcano. The pressure of the magma, built up to a point that the top of the volcano can no longer hold it. At this point cracks start to happen, until suddenly the magma is released. The magma is full of gas and it expands extremely rapidly," said Professor Cronin.

The central part of the Hunga volcano is about 150 meters to 300 meters below sea level. The amount of water that went into the crater was just big enough to fuel the big explosion that has sent waves of air pressure traveling around the world.

"Also, tsunami waves were generated by the initial expansion as well as by changes in the surface on the top of the volcano," Professor Cronin said.

"The maximum power of this eruption was very strong, equivalent to the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 in the Philippines. However, the Saturday eruption was a very short one. It lasted less than 10 minutes for its main active phase. In contrast, the Pinatubo lasted for many hours," he said.

The short period means that the overall amount of materials released from this eruption was relatively small. "We think around 0.5 cubic kilometers of materials was ejected into the air," Cronin said.

The professor's best guess is the lower level of the VEI 5 range. "Which is roughly one per 10 years around the world for such a size," he said. "It may be more sort of normal mid-scale large eruption volume."

However, it is very difficult to predict what might happen next.

"I would suggest that the eruption may be less violent from now on because the beginning of this eruption was all these pent-up magmas with a lot of trapped gas in it," Professor Cronin said.

He also warned of future tsunami events. "This volcano is shallow and still have seawater on top. So any further eruptions or any collapse from the volcano can cause a tsunami in the local region. Probably there will be less wide-spread tsunami." 

File photo taken on Nov. 5, 2015 shows Hunga Ha'apai island in Tonga. The Tonga volcanic eruption is not likely to cause global climate change, while the volcanic ash and acid rain may damage crops and water supply, a leading New Zealand volcanologist said on Jan. 17, 2022.(Photo by Shane Cronin/Xinhua)
As many Northeastern states are reporting signs of a plateau in omicron cases, health officials from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control say the state has a ways to go before we see a peak in COVID-19 cases.

"Currently, we are still seeing weekly increases in the number of cases and hospitalizations across the state," said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC's public health director. "Cases, hospitalization and deaths will likely have receded substantially from the peak by the time we get to the end of the current projection period, which ends in mid-March."

State health officials are also urging residents to get vaccinated in the wake of the state's sobering milestone  surpassing 15,000 deaths due to the virus.

"Unfortunately, not enough people have received their vaccines since they've become widely available," Traxler said. "It continues to be paramount that we all get vaccinated."

According to the S.C. Children's Hospital Collaborative, 52 children are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19. 13 are in critical care and four are on ventilators.

Data from SCCHC shows just two of the children hospitalized due to the virus are fully vaccinated.

Physicians at Prisma Health say the omicron variant is still causing significant disease in children who are not currently eligible for the vaccine and urged all eligible residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"Many of them are too young to mask," said Dr. Robin Lacroix, medical director for Prisma Health Children's Hospital. "It really is reliant on the adults and older children to help protect them by doing things we know work."

The latest data from the state health agency shows over 10,000 newly confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases and 14 new deaths related to the virus Jan. 19.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 8,440 confirmed, 2,304 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 976,704 confirmed, 260,028 probable.

Percent positive: 33.4 percent.

New deaths reported: Nine confirmed, five probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 12,966 confirmed, 2,063 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 76.88 percent.

S.C. residents vaccinated

In South Carolina, 61.7 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 52.7 percent of eligible residents have completed their vaccinations.

This number reflects newly eligible residents in South Carolina, including young children. The latest data from DHEC shows 16 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose.

Hardest-hit areas

Greenville (1,347), Spartanburg (972) and Richland (607) counties saw the highest total numbers of new cases.

What about tri-county?

Charleston County had 502 new cases, while Dorchester had 281 and Berkeley had 446.

Deaths

DHEC releases county-level data regarding COVID-19 deaths and the ages of those who have died from the virus on Tuesdays. According to the latest data released Jan. 18, at least 181 people in South Carolina died from the virus Jan. 9-15, and their ages ranged from young adult (18-34) to elderly (65 and older).

Greenville County recorded 31 COVID deaths that week  the highest number of any county in the state.

Hospitalizations

Of the 2,322 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Jan. 19, 393 were in the ICU and 206 were using ventilators.

What do experts say?

As more schools across the state transition to virtual learning due to an uptick of COVID-19 cases, state health officials say the best way to keep South Carolina children in school is by adhering to the recommendations for curbing the spread of the virus.

"The best way to keep our students in the classroom continues to be to have our staff, teachers and children who are 5 and older vaccinated, boosted as they're eligible and consistently wearing masks that fit well," Traxler said.

Go to https://vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov to find a vaccine clinic near you.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.
The Lowcountry was spared from the snow and ice that blanketed other parts of the state over the weekend, but the area could get in on the action later this week when an expected cold front moves in, potentially causing snow, sleet or freezing rain.

In a briefing Jan. 18, National Weather Service meteorologist Emily McGraw said a storm system could affect southeastern South Carolina the night of Jan. 20 through the morning of Jan. 22. Temperatures could become cold enough to produce frozen precipitation.

It is still unclear what type of precipitation to expect. McGraw, who works in the NWS' Charleston office, said there could be some brief periods of snow or sleet, but rain and freezing rain is most likely.

"There is a potential for a short period of freezing rain Thursday night through Friday morning across inland South Carolina, then potentially a more widespread freezing rain event Friday night across more of the area, southeast South Carolina and Georgia," McGraw said.

Meteorologists expect a higher threat of precipitation, and potentially some accumulation, Friday night into Saturday morning. Average rainfall totals are forecast to reach between a half-inch and full inch Thursday through Saturday. The chance for accumulation is highest in inland areas, McGraw said.

This system could impact flights and small-craft users. NWS is likely to issue small-craft advisories as early as late Thursday night and continuing through Saturday. Periodic flight restrictions are likely throughout the same time period as the system passes by.

On Jan. 16, a dangerous winter storm dumped more than an inch of snow per hour in some parts of the Carolinas, according to the NWS. High winds and ice swept though South Carolina's Upstate, knocking out power and coating roads with ice.

The Upstate's snow totals ranged from 1 to 4 inches, and some areas saw more. Nearly 100,000 residents in the Upstate, Midlands and Pee Dee regions lost power by midafternoon, according to poweroutage.US.

Two South Carolina residents died in North Carolina when their car veered off the road and into trees in a median east of Raleigh. A Greenville spokeswoman told The Post and Courier that 20 cars were stuck in the snow on the Church Street Bridge downtown. The S.C. National Guard made 14 vehicle recovery teams available for assistance during the storm.

Between 5 a.m. Jan. 16 and noon Jan. 17, the S.C. Highway Patrol and State Transport Police responded to 1,315 calls for service. No weather-related traffic deaths occurred during the storm.

Charleston has not seen a significant amount of snow since Winter Storm Grayson the first week of 2018. Most of the coast was blanketed with snow and ice, and the Charleston International Airport was shut down for days.

Mount Pleasant improvised by spreading sand with machinery normally used on playing fields. And after that storm, the town spent more than $370,000 to buy new dump trucks with attachments for plowing snow and spreading salt or sand.

This week, with potential freezing rain in the forecast, the town readied those trucks for action.

"The equipment is set up and ready for use," town spokeswoman Martine Miller said. "Two trucks with a plow and a spreader on each are staged with over 100 tons of sand at the ready."

In January 2014, a storm dropped frozen precipitation on the Lowcountry, resulting in the closure of the Arthur Ravenel J. Bridge for 43 hours because of slick conditions. As the temperatures rose afterward, ice pieces up to 10 feet long, 1 foot wide and three-quarters of an inch thick broke from the bridge and fell into traffic lanes.

Ice chunks smashed windshields and vehicles had to swerve to avoid them.

Witnesses said smaller pieces floated through the air and pelted the mainland in Mount Pleasant.

David Slade contributed to this report.
COLUMBIA  Earlier this month, South Carolinas top judge made waves when he rolled back protections that ensure lawyers who also serve as state legislators cant be compelled to appear in court while the General Assembly is in session.

Prosecutors and victims advocates praised the move, having complained bitterly in recent years that defendants and corporations who hire lawyer-legislators can use them to stall their cases indefinitely. The new order from Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty appeared tailored to quickly resolve cases that had dragged on for years.

But then, a day after issuing his ruling, Beatty quietly backtracked.

In an email obtained by The Post and Courier, one of Beattys deputies on Jan. 12 advised the states judges not to act on the order he had just publicly announced.

The Chief Justice has now asked me to reach out to you and advise you that you should refrain from calling these cases for trial for the immediate future and until further notice, read the email, which appeared in the inboxes of more than 40 judges. If you have any questions concerning this, feel free to reach out to the Chief Justice directly.

The U-turn has become a source of consternation and confusion in legal circles over the past week, including among advocates who have long pushed to limit the broad protections that lawyer-legislators now enjoy.

That seems like a direct contradiction, said Laura Hudson, executive director of the S.C. Victim Assistance Network. Gosh, thats really unsettling.

In a Jan. 19 statement to The Post and Courier, Judicial Branch spokeswoman Ginny Jones said Beatty still believes those long-lingering legal cases should be resolved. But, Jones said, he issued his follow-up directive in response to a flood of concerns from lawyers and court officials about trying to hold trials during an omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge.

This operational directive does not diminish the urgency with which all attorneys and courts in our state should approach their collective responsibility to resolve all pending cases, Jones wrote in a statement.

Beatty, a former lawyer-legislator himself, and his predecessors at the Supreme Court have long excused lawyers who serve in the General Assembly from appearing for depositions, trials and court hearings while the Legislature is in session. That gives those lawyers a get-out-of-court-free card from January through July 31, a month after the General Assembly typically finishes most of its work for the year.

Lawyer-legislators also cant be called into court during special offseason sessions, such as the redistricting hearings held late last year.

House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, a Columbia Democrat and trial attorney, on Jan. 19 defended those protections.

I think its a recognition of the fact that while were in session, its virtually impossible to try a case, Rutherford said.

Still, the protections have delayed everything from criminal trials to divorce proceedings. Prosecutors say it has also made it extremely difficult to get bail revoked for some defendants who commit new crimes while out on bond awaiting trial.

First Solicitor David Pascoe, who led the Statehouse corruption probe, took direct aim at the practice on Jan. 6 during a wide-ranging speech before the Greenville County GOP.

Pascoe, a Democrat who serves as the top prosecutor for Dorchester, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties, told the crowd he had a domestic violence case delayed indefinitely after a lawyer-lawmaker was added to the case a week before it was to go to trial. More recently, he said, a complex drunken-driving case was delayed just before trial in Charleston County after a lawyer-lawmaker joined the legal team as the legislative session was about to begin. In another case, a defendant dodged a January hearing to revoke his bond by hiring a lawyer-legislator who was protected from having to appear in court, Pascoe said.

Yet the same legislator can come and go as they please from court and choose whatever cases they want to handle, Pascoe said. So, in essence, they control their docket for most of the year.  Its unfair.

Beatty issued his order five days after Pascoes speech, surprising many in the legal community. The Jan. 11 order still held that lawyer-legislators are generally immune from being called into court during the Legislative session. But it allowed for exceptions, such as bond revocation hearings, cases that are more than three years old and emergency family court hearings involving children.

But those changes barely had time to take effect before the courts issued the follow-up directive the next day, telling judges to disregard Beattys order until further notice.

In a Jan. 19 interview, Pascoe said he had been pleased to learn of Beattys order curbing the protections and had praised the chief justice to other members of the bar. They told him he was naive, Pascoe said, and that it was only a matter of time before the order was rescinded.

Unfortunately, they turned out to be right and I was wrong, Pascoe said. Its very disappointing.

Hudson, who leads the victim advocacy group, similarly said Beattys previous order had been encouraging.

Defendants have a right to a speedy trial, but so do victims, Hudson said.

Its difficult for them to understand why somebody else has the right to delay and delay and delay, Hudson said. There are a lot of advantages (to defendants) to delaying. Witnesses die. People move out of state. Law enforcement officers are transferred.

Hudson said she wasnt sold on Beattys stated reasoning for backtracking.

That sounds like a flimsy excuse.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The former Piggly Wiggly site on Sumar Street in West Ashley needs to be marketed and sold to the private sector.

The city of Charleston has spent millions on both the property and removing the structure.

The property now sits vacant with trash and the occasional broken-down car.

The city contracted with a developer to remake the property, but it has been stuck in a bottleneck since.

The project has a goal of bringing in a mix of retail and restaurants to fill these newly created private business spaces.

The Orange Grove area has a multitude of empty properties such as the former Burlington Coat Factory, Bi-Lo, NAPA Auto Parts, the previous Hess gas station and other smaller units in Ashley Landing.

And recently, the Amish Furniture store moved to a stand-alone building farther along Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.

Charleston is booming with cranes and new projects while this areas growth is being hindered by the citys interest in real estate as opposed to the interest in improving the quality of life for citizens.

The area already seems to struggle with filling storefronts, which negates any logic that city-sponsored development would be any different.

Charleston relies on so many outside variables to balance its budget, but COVID-19 proves that tourism dollars do not always flow.

JACOB LONG

Charleston

Vaccine is personal

A Jan. 7 letter writer suggested that those who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine be refused hospitalization, or agree to waive access to hospitals for their personal decision not to be vaccinated regardless of an individuals reason.

Using the writers logic, cigarette smokers should not be allowed to use hospitals because they chose to smoke cigarettes, which contain a known carcinogen.

Alcoholics shouldnt be allowed, or drug users or overeaters.

I support getting the vaccine for me and those who have health risks or otherwise want it for preventive measures.

I do not support mandates.

We all are not the same height or weight. We do not wear the same shoe size, have the same faith or the same health issues.

It seems naive to suggest we treat nonvaccinated people as a single group of malcontents.

I contend many are like me: people who do not trust the government in many ways, the large social media entities, a good many of the TV and print media outlets, any more than I do a telemarketer.

And can we get the TV news outlets to stop showing needles going into arms during televised reports of COVID?

There are plenty of us who have issues with needles. Those news items are not encouraging people to get the vaccine.

RICK GAYLARD

Charleston

Healing divisions

Since the turn of this century, we have experienced three issues that concerned most of our population:

1. The possibility of a serious computer glitch ruining our entire network when the calendar switched from 1999 to 2000.

2. The Sept. 11, 2001, attack by terrorists.

3. The growing fear of the abrasive split between Republicans and Democrats, which is threatening the survival of our democracy.

Our computer and military strength are more advanced than in previous years.

A new political group, a Unity Party, might provide healing to the present conflict.

Pessimists might conclude that we may never come close to achieving the third item, but I want to be on the side of the optimists.

JOHN WINTHROP

Charleston

Use nuclear energy

I join syndicated columnist Llewellyn King in his call for rescuing nuclear energy.

There is no practical, reliable or affordable alternative to the use of increased nuclear generation of electricity as the nation shifts to electric vehicles.

Only nuclear energy will permit the replacement of fossil fuels as the major source of electricity.

As Mr. King points out, new nuclear technology minimizes the problem of the generation and disposal of nuclear waste.

Nuclear energy can be produced in smaller, localized units, as is safely done in nuclear submarines and surface ships.

Use of localized units would obviate the necessity for expensive and unattractive high-voltage transmission systems necessary to convey electricity from large, central sources.

Avoidance of wind and solar power also will eliminate unattractive wind farms and solar arrays and the need to dispose of waste from worn-out solar arrays and windmills.

EUGENE J. ZURLO

Charleston
COLUMBIA  A Republican-led redistricting committee has advanced a proposal for new congressional district lines that, if passed, would assure conservatives an overwhelming advantage in South Carolina's congressional delegation for the next decade.

But a Democratic proposal in the Statehouse remains alive, giving the Senate two options to debate on the floor as part of the Legislatures efforts to redraw congressional boundaries following the 2020 census.

Democrats in the House and Senate have been critical of the Republican-led proposals, which they say pack large, minority populations from the competitive and fast-growing Charleston area into an uncompetitive Black majority inland district held by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a Democrat from Columbia.

Members of the Republican-dominated Senate Judiciary Committee voted on party lines Jan. 19 to advance their favorable map by a 13-8 margin.

The result means that under maps favored so far in both the House and Senate, Republican incumbents would have a 6-1 advantage among the state's seven seats in Congress, with no districts seen as competitive.

The Republican-majority seats would include the 1st Congressional District currently held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of Charleston.

Democrats are already preparing for a legal challenge, contending the lines are racially drawn and legally skewed.

I think a three-judge panel is going to look at this, look at what we do, and decide whether or not it was motivated by race or partisan rancor, or whether it was a conscious effort to try to develop a map that benefited the people of South Carolina by creating competitive districts, Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia, said.

Some Democrats have favored proposals to keep all of Charleston County within a single congressional district, instead of dividing it between Mace and Clyburn.

Politicians should not be choosing voters and rigging the system to win, Michelle Brandt, a Charleston resident and a Democratic candidate for a House District 114 seat currently held by Republican Lin Bennett, said at a Jan. 13 subcommittee hearing on the maps. We the voters of a united community choose our elected officials.

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Because of high rates of growth in the Lowcountry, Republican map-drawers have argued the regions voters needed to be divided between multiple districts in order to maintain a continuity of service between members of Congress and their constituents in more rural, sparsely populated areas.

Their proposed maps, Republicans say, keep district lines similar to what they are currently, and adhere closely to past redistricting plans that had already passed muster with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Opponents of the Republican plan openly contemplated the possibility of litigation to overturn the maps during the Jan. 13 and Jan. 19 hearings on the maps, arguing the maps were drawn along racial and political lines. Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union have already filed a lawsuit against Republican leadership in the Statehouse for similar reasons.

Republicans have rejected those arguments, stating that Republicans growing advantage there was relatively minor, and that the overall Black population of Clyburns district was set to decline from 51.4 percent to 45.9 percent under their proposal, Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, said.

The Senate has not yet performed an analysis of racial voting blocs for any of its plans, Campsen said during the hearing, and likely would not until the maps are litigated.

We dont want to draw districts on the basis of race, Campsen said. We want to draw it on other principles.

I want to be colorblind, he added.

But the new district lines, Democratic organizer and attorney Joseph Oppermann argued on Jan. 13, could only be reasonably explained by an overarching racial or predominant overarching racial policy to concentrate Black voting power in a single district.

Race is the only plausible explanation for that, he said. Which is, of course, unconstitutional.

A vote on the maps by the full Senate will likely take place later this month.
JERUSALEM, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Israel's cultural sector will receive a 94-million-shekel (30 million U.S. dollars) aid package to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, the ministries of finance and culture said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The package includes support for actors, stage workers and artists, as well as cultural institutions and halls.

According to the statement, 50 million shekels will be transferred to local authorities for cultural activities, and 28 million to cultural institutions for salaries.

The remaining 16 million shekels will be used to assist actors in economic distress, including those who have been severely affected by the decline in activities and shows for children. 
SPARTANBURG  Road conditions have improved in Spartanburg County following the winter storm that brought a mixture of sleet, freezing rain and snow, but driving conditions aren't clear yet.

Some secondary roads remained covered with snow and ice on Jan. 18 with freezing conditions expected overnight into Jan. 19. Spartanburg County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Bryson told The Post and Courier driving conditions, especially in shaded areas, might remain hazardous.

"We have had some clearing, but shady spots will still be icy," Bryson said. "We are asking people to use extreme caution in areas of shade that might not melt for some time. People should be careful and allow more time for driving."

Bryson said there were no reports of significant property damage in the county because of the winter storm.

The cold weather shelter at Miracle Hill Rescue Mission Spartanburg at 189 N. Forest Street has extended its hours after seeing an increase in overnight guests.

Paul Napier, Miracle Hill Rescue Mission spokesman, said the cold weather shelter will be open from 6 p.m. through 7 a.m. The shelter normally doesn't open for guests until 8 p.m.

"We will keep the extended hours open until the last snow is melted," Napier said.

The winter storm on Jan. 16 blanketed Spartanburg County with snowfall totals between 4 and 8 inches, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Doug Outlaw. Outlaw said the City of Spartanburg received 5 inches of snowfall accumulation in most areas. Chesnee received 7 inches of snow while Duncan received 5.2 inches.

Areas in Cherokee County received up to 5 inches of snowfall with 4.5 inches reported in Gaffney and 3.5 inches of snowfall accumulation reported in Blacksburg, Outlaw said. More winter weather could be headed to the Upstate on Jan. 21.

"Right now we are thinking it will be in the form of snow," Outlaw said. "There is a lot of uncertainty with this system."

Outlaw said a cold front is forecast to move into the area on Jan. 20 with freezing rain and sleet possible. Spartanburg County could receive up to 1.5 inches of snowfall accumulation on Jan. 21 before the wintry precipitation ends that evening, he said.
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
Glenn Youngkin won election as Governor of Virginia in considerable part because he championed the right of parents to be involved in their childrens education. His opponent, Terry McAuliffe, struck the opposite note when he told an interviewer that Im not going to let parents come into schools and actually take books out and make their own decisions. I dont think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.

This was widely viewed as a gaffe, but McAuliffe declined more than one subsequent opportunity to walk back or soften his comments. He meant what he said.

Why did McAuliffe stick to his anti-parent guns? Because what he said, is what the Democrat base believes. A large majority of Democrats, especially activist Democrats, really do think that parents should be excluded from a meaningful role in public education.

We saw evidence of this when Governor Youngkin addressed the Virginia legislature on Monday. He said that his administration would protect the rights of parents with regard to their childrens education, upbringing and care. This was greeted with a standing ovation from Republicans, and stony silence from Democrats. The video below is all good, but the relevant portion begins at 6:56:

You might think that Democrats, stung by electoral defeat, would at least pay lip service to parents rights. But they dont. Why?

Because the belief that teachers and administratorsi.e., the teachers unionsshould control public education to the exclusion of parents and other interested parties is fundamental to the Democrats worldview. In September, my organization asked Minnesota registered voters the question: Who do you trust the most to decide what gets taught to our children in Minnesotas public schools? Potential answers were a) Parents, b) Teachers and principals, c) School boards, and d) Elected officials at the state level.

Republicans and independents trust parents: 69% of Republicans and 44% of Independents said they trust parents the most, while only 16% of Republicans and 40% of Independents place their confidence in teachers and principals. But Democrats see education issues from a very different perspective. Only 18% of Democrats told our pollster that they trust parents, while 54% said that teachers and principals should decide what is taught in the public schools.

That stark contrast69% vs. 18%explains much about the current divisions in our politics. Parental involvement in education is a winning issue for Republicans, as we saw in Virginia and are likely to see in more states in 2022. But the Democrats are locked in: beholden to the teachers unions more than to any other constituency, except perhaps tech billionaires, they are committed to an anti-parent ideology. This is why Terry McAuliffe refused to back down, and this is why Democrats in Virginias legislature cant clap for parents rights even after suffering a stinging electoral defeat.

Watch for the battle over parents rights to be a defining issue in the 2022 midterms, with the Republicans holding a decisive edge if, like Glenn Youngkin, they are smart enough to use it.
BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday sent a message of condolence to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over the passing of Toshiki Kaifu, the country's former prime minister.

In his message, Li expressed deep condolences over Kaifu's death and offered sincere sympathies to the bereaved family.

Kaifu was a veteran Japanese statesman who made important contributions to the improvement and development of China-Japan relations and will be remembered by the people and history of the two countries, Li said. 
Eric Zemmour, the right-wing pundit, author, and candidate for president of France, has been found guilty of inciting racial hatred. He was fined $11,400 for the offense and faces imprisonment if doesnt pay.

According to the Washington Post, during a 2020 debate Zemmour described unaccompanied child migrants to France as thieves, killers, and rapists. Apparently, he forgot, or saw no need, to drop the Donald Trump footnote that some, I assume, are good people.

Thats unfortunate. Without at least that qualification, the statement is unwarranted and does tend to arouse racial or ethnic hatred.

But its also unfortunate that in France, Zemmours comment is a crime, and that he has reportedly been tried 15 times and convicted three times now for remarks that, if one believes in free speech, he should be able to make without going on trial.

Zemmour, who is Jewish, was tried for arguing in a 2019 television debate that Marshal Philippe Petain, head of Vichys collaborationist government during World War II, saved Frances Jews from the Holocaust. He was acquitted because the court found he made the comments in the heat of the moment. Zemmours take on Petain and the Jews is preposterous, but he should be free to state it, whether in the heat or after much deliberation.

Zemmour is competing with Marine Le Pen for the anti-immigration vote, a considerable portion of the French electorate. His extreme statements may win him some support with that cohort, but preclude him, I think, from ever being elected president of France.

In my view, Zemmour disserves the anti-immigration cause when he defames without qualification a whole category of children.
Tomorrow jury selection is set to commence in the federal trial of Derek Chauvins three former fellow Minneapolis police officers before senior Minnesota federal district judge Paul Magnuson in St. Paul. The three officers are Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao. They are charged with violating the civil rights of George Floyd in the arrest that resulted in his death.

As everyone knows, Derek Chauvin was convicted of the related state criminal charges in state court last year and pleaded guilty to the federal civil rights charge last month. I covered the December 15 federal plea hearing here and added 10 thoughts on Chauvins plea the following day.

Chauvins federal prosecution had little justification beyond politics. The government has identified no separate federal interest in the civil rights case against Chauvin. It didnt even try. It was simply silent on this point.

The Department of Justice Manual devotes a section to principles of federal prosecution. The subsection on Initiating and Declining Charges  Prosecution in Another Jurisdiction takes up the issue. The factors stated suggest why the government has remained silent on this point.

The issue returns in spades in the case against Chauvins fellow officers. The federal case has disrupted the trial of the state case. But for the federal charges, the case would already have been tried to completion. As it is, the trial of the state criminal charges has been postponed and has yet to be rescheduled.

Yesterday the Star Tribune published a long backgrounder purporting to explain What you need to know about the federal trial of three ex-Minneapolis police officers in George Floyds death. It doesnt even raise the question of the rationale for the federal case in the context of its disruption of the state prosecution. It circles around it, but doesnt land on it. That is pathetic.

Judge Magnuson is an elderly gentleman. He will turn 85 on February 9. He was appointed to the bench by President Reagan in 1981. Mary Devine wrote a long-profile of Magnuson for the St. Paul Pioneer Press last month to recognize his 40th year on the bench.

Judge Magnusons appointment derived from his association and friendship with former Minnesota Senator Dave Durenberger. Durenberger was elected along with (my friend) Rudy Boschwitz in the 1978 Minnesota massacre. This is ancient Minnesota political history. A liberal Republican, Durenberger proved to be a persistent thorn in President Reagans side. Out of office he has frequently joined Democrats to support the Democratic cause of the moment in order to make it bipartisan.

Judge Magnuson has limited in-court coverage of the trial to four reporters plus a sketch artist and a video feed for accredited media in the Jury Assembly Room on the first floor of the courthouse. I covered the Chauvin plea hearing from that room and I am accredited to cover the trial from it as well but am unsure how much time I can devote to it. Some 40-seats are available on a first-come/first-served basis. Apart from the in-house video feed for the press, there is no live audio or video from the courtroom.

Representatives of the big media interested in covering the case have objected to the restrictions imposed by Judge Magnuson. They characterize the restrictions as an unconstitutional closure of the courtroom. The courthouse will close for everything but the trial. The APs Steve Karnowski covers the media objection to Judge Magnusons restrictions here.

Judge Magnuson is also concerned that Covid may disrupt the trial. He has instructed federal prosecutors to streamline their case. They arent happy about it. They want to put on the full show.

Streets around the courthouse have already been closed. Skyways into the courthouse will be shut off. The courts January 6 press release announcing the closure of the courthouse for the trial is embedded below.

News Release  St Paul Courthouse Closure by Scott Johnson on Scribd
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), until February, after the secessionist was re-arraigned on fresh charges filed against him by the Nigerian government.

The federal government filed an amended 15-count charge against him on Monday.

Mr Kanu was accused of various offences, including treasonable felony and terrorism, offences he allegedly committed in the course of his separatist campaigns.

He was initially scheduled to be re-arraigned before the court on Tuesday, but the judge, Binta Nyako, had to adjourn the case after the defence team complained about the late service of the amended charges on them.

Mr Kanu pleaded not guilty to all 15 counts read to him on Wednesday.

After the plea taking, the prosecutor, Shuiabu Labaran, urged the trial judge, Mrs Nyako, to order the trial to commence.

The Nigerian government lawyer said there were two prosecution witnesses in court on Wednesday for the trial to begin immediately.

But Mr Kanus lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), objected to the commencement of trial, arguing that his clients two pending applications challenging the validity of the charges must first be taken and determined.

I am surprised that the prosecution was telling the court that it was ready to go on with the trial, Mr Ozekhome said.

He argued further, We have served the prosecution with two fundamental documents. We have generated a preliminary objection. We urge the court to discharge and acquit the defendant because there is no basis for the charge to stand.

We cannot go into trial without addressing the pending applications.

The very applications are fundamental and intrinsic to the hearing and determination of the 15-count charge.

Responding, Mr Labaran said he had just been served on Wednesday with the applications seeking to quash the charges as well as the defendants bail.

You cannot file a process on the same day and it will be heard. Constitutionally, we have a right to look at the court papers and see whether to reply or not, the government lawyer argued.

But the judge was not disposed to entertaining Mr Kanus bail application, saying, I cant hear the bail application for now.

Mrs Nyako, however, agreed with the defence lawyer that his application must be heard and determined first, whether the charges are defective or not.

She then adjourned the case until February 16.

History of charges amendment

The Biafra nation agitator who was first arrested in 2015 over his separatist activities has been re-arraigned before different judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja after the first set of charges were filed against him and his former co-defendants on December 18, 2015.

Mrs Nyako took over the case in 2016 after three judges  Ahmed Mohammed, and John Tsoho (the current Chief Judge of the Federal High Court)  had previously handled it.

The previous judges withdrew from the case at different times following Mr Kanus allegation of bias against them.

The charges were later amended after Mrs Nyako, who took over the case after Mr Tsoho, struck out six of the 11 counts on March 1, 2017.

Mrs Nyako later granted bail to Mr Kanu in April 2017. But months later, the defendant fled the country after soldiers invaded his home in Abia State in September 2017.

On March 28, 2018, following Mr Kanus continued absence from court, the judge separated his trial from that of his four other co-defendants.

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Exactly a year after, on March 28, 2019, the judge ordered Mr Kanus arrest and directed that his trial on charges of treasonable felony would proceed in his absence.

The case against Mr Kanu comprising seven charges did not make any progress until he was arrested abroad and returned to the country by the federal government in June 2021.

The federal government filed amended charges raising the number of counts from seven to 15 to incorporate terrorism offences he allegedly committed through broadcasts while he was abroad.

Amended charges

The Nigerian government served the amended 15-count charge on Mr Kanus legal team on Monday.

The charges centre on Mr Kanus separatist activities.

In the court document signed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, the IPOB leader was accused of making a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria and in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria.

The said broadcast, according to the prosecution, was intended to destabilise the fundamental political and economic structures of Nigeria.

You incite the members of the public to stop the Anambra State Elections, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013, Count nine of the charge read.

In count 10, the charge said, between 2018 and 2021, that you Nnamdi Kanu of Afara-Ukwu Ibeku, Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on diverse dates, made a broadcast received and heard in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this court, in furtherance of an act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you incite members of the public to destroy public facilities and you thereby committed an offence punishable under the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Similarly, in count five, the IPOB leader was accused of inciting members of the public in Nigeria to hunt and kill families of Nigerian security personnel and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (2) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday reconsidered the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and passed it after expunging the mandatory use of direct primaries by political parties to elect candidates to stand for elections.

It adopted the use of both direct and indirect mode of primaries by parties for nominating candidates for election.

The Senate had earlier reversed itself by also inserting other modes of primaries in the Electoral Bill.

The motion in the House to recommit the bill was moved by the Chairman Committee on Rules and Business, Hassan Fulata (APC, Jigawa).

President Muhammadu Buhari had rejected the bill in December, citing disagreement with Section 84(2) of the bill.

It is my considered position that the political parties should be allowed to freely exercise right of choice in deciding which of the direct or indirect to adopt in their primary elections as their respective realities may permit, Mr Buhari had said in the letter.

In his letter to the House and the Senate, the president listed financial, security and legal reasons for rejecting the direct mode of primary election.

He however had promised that he would sign the bill if the controversial section is removed.

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday, while announcing that the House will recommit the bill, said the lawmakers had two options  veto the president or remove the controversial clause.

We have to choose between sticking to our guns regarding the provision to mandate direct primaries for political parties or reworking that provision to save the rest of the bill.

Rowdy session averted

A rowdy session was averted during plenary session on Wednesday while the lawmakers were in search of how to respond to Mr Buharis position on the bill.

Midway into the plenary, Mr Gbajabiamila had separate meetings from the chair with some principal officers and members.

Among those the Speaker met with were the Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, Majority Leader, Hassan Ado Doguwa, the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, James Faleke and Babajimi Benson.

Although, their discussions could not be heard, when their argument got to a boiling point after about 17minutes, the speaker called for a closed-door session.

Upon resumption, some members, led by the Minority Leader were heading toward the door apparently staging a walk out. With the intervention of some members, they returned to the chamber.

But the plenary stalled for another 15 minutes even as the Deputy Chief Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, tried to restore calm.

Fulatas motion

Mr Fulata moved for the suspension of the Order 7 rule 2 of the Standing Rules, to allow the Speaker to preside over the committee of the whole.

Order 7 rule 2 states, The deputy speaker shall be the chairman of the Committee of the Whole, save when the House goes into committee of Supply or ways and means.

Following the motion by Mr Fulata, the House dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the bill.

However, it was unclear why the rule was suspended because the deputy speaker, who statutorily presides over the committee, did not do so. Instead it was the Speaker who took the seat.

Shortly before the consideration, Mr Gbajabiamila said the procedure for the reconsideration of the bill was based on Order 12 rule 20 of the standing rules.

Order 12 rule 20. (1) Any Bill referred to the House by the President withholding assent may be reconsidered through a Substantive motion by the House.

(2). The Motion shall include all the clauses objected to by the President Which shall be reconsidered in the Committee of the Whole.

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(3) If necessary, the House may rescind its decision(s) on the affected clauses and reconsider the Bill in the Committee of the Whole.

During the consideration of the bill, Awaji Abinate (PDP, Rivers) raised concerns over section 84(4) of the bill.

He alleged that the section 84 (3,4,5) was an attempt to bring back the mandatory direct primaries clause. He pleaded that the bill should be subjected to clause by clause consideration.

Reading from section 84, Mr Abiante said A political party that adopts the system of direct primaries for its primaries shall adopt the following procedure outlined below. In the case of nomination into the position of Presidential candidate, a political party shall hold special conventions in each of the 36 states of the federation and FCT, where delegates shall vote for each of the aspirants at designated centres in each capitals on specified days.

He explained that, A national convention shall be held for the ratification at the later convention. The election of presidential candidates shall be done at state level, that is what this English is saying. This is not the way primaries have been held. This is not the intent of the Electoral Act that was passed, that was referred back to us to consider the inclusion to give Nigerians the option of direct and indirect primaries.

This thing negates the principle of what we have always done here. It is my suspicion, Mr Chairman, that it is intended for this Electoral Act not to be signed. These are all obstacles that have been put in the ways of Nigerians to actually determine who governs them so that they can provide effective leadership. Mr Chairman, we have to take all these clauses one after the other. And allow members to make input.

In his response, Mr Gbajabiamila said the House was operating within standing rules, hence, it was constrained to discuss the clause raised.

As a seasoned legislator, I have read the rules to you to let you know that we are confined to the observations made by the president. We have a near perfect document.

I need to state categorically that what was considered and adopted by the House was only one clause, and that was clause 84(2). That has to do with direct and indirect primaries. No other clause in the bill was considered. The bill sent to the president abinito is the same bill as it is, the only change is 84(2) where we have included indirect primaries, the Speaker said.

The report of the committee was adopted after the House reverted to plenary.
When the conflict among heterogeneous groups in Plateau State began to worsen, the groups devised a means to protect themselves: partition their settlements.

Because the houses of minority groups are almost always prime targets, it was a way of forging a common front when hostilities broke out, residents said.

Moving in unfamiliar zones is not what many residents do, much less living among opposite parties.

But Juliana Alao, a Christian from Oyo State who had stayed with her younger sister for over 25 years in Gangare, a Muslim-dominated ward in Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, is defying that safety measure.

Aunty Mai Allura (nurse), as she is called in the area, had resisted persuasion by her friends and family to leave the area, some offering to house her to rescue her from the risks of living in a Muslim-populated area.

When her relatives or friends visit, they would rather wait to be collected by the roadside, she said.

Everybody would say leave Gangare. Why I didnt leave is that they didnt touch me. They didnt do anything to me. Even when I am in the church and there is a crisis, they will call me to wait for them to come and pick me up, she said.

You, a Christian, alone will pass through Gangare? she recalled being told after service one Christmas.

Because of the way they honour me when I am with them, I have peace. Just leave me, she would tell them.

When I was coming, I saw guys who said you know aunty must go to church, shes from church, adding that the cutlass-wielding youth hailed her as she passed.

Her influence has also saved others. One of such cases was when a petrified Yoruba woman, although a Muslim, was spotted in the area and asked whom she sought, if it was Aunty, to which she said yes.

When the woman was brought to her house, her guest praised her for her bravery in defying the risks.

Home of Peace and Tourism!!!

This story of Ms Alao would not have sold years back. Despite its diverse ethnic and linguistic makeup, for years since the post-independence era, Plateau State thrived as a leading bastion of peace in Northern Nigeria, earning the motto, Home of Peace and Tourism.

While Kano, Borno, Kaduna, the defunct Gongola and Bauchi states had suffered at least one heavy casualty bout as of 1985, Plateau was safe from ethnicity or religious strife.

This was to be undone by the September 1991 Decree No 2 of the military junta of Ibrahim Babangida, which created (alongside 88 others across the country) Jos North Local Government Area at the insistence of the Hausa-Fulani community.

The decision was a watershed in the politics and governance of Jos as it fundamentally altered the dynamics of the citys control.

First, it weakened the dominance of the Berom, Anaguta and Afizere ethnic groups in Jos North. Second, it also meant the groups no longer have total control over the palace of their paramount ruler, the Gbong Gwom. Third, the creation gave the Hausa-Fulani community, as Crisis Group puts it, the space for group expression that they had always clamoured for.

Angst spiked among the Beroms, and they subsequently boycotted the chairmanship election, inadvertently playing into the hands of their Hausa-Fulani neighbours as Samaila Mohammed, who they see as a settler, coasted to victory as the first chairman of the Jos North local government.

The then newly elected chairperson may have added to the tension as he was accused of issuing indigeneship certificates to the so-called settlers and appointing them to sensitive positions in the council.

The seething rage between the parties boiled over three years later after the states new military administrator, Muhammed Mana, an army colonel; and then-head of state, Sani Abacha, appointed another Muslim Hausa-Fulani, Aminu Mato, as chairman of the caretaker management committee of the LGA.

Pent-up anger quickly turned into violent attacks from September 7, 2001, after a Christian woman was attacked for attempting to cross a barricade outside a mosque during Friday prayers.

This laid the foundation for the two-way intercommunal aggression in Plateau State, with subsequent brutal ones occurring in 2004, 2008, 2010 and recently in 2021.

One of these crises reached the doorstep of Mrs Alao.

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Ill never forget the second crisis in Gangare when some youth wanted to burn my shop. Two old men laid in front of the shop, saying before they burn it, they had to kill them, the nurse told PREMIUM TIME last December.

Later in the afternoon they said anyone that touches her will see the wrath of God. She served our people, she served our parents.

After the crisis of 2001 in Gangare, one of the 14 wards in Jos North LGA, she planned to leave the area but could not secure another apartment and shop.

Not that she does not hear taunts sometimes, where some youth would tell her she should not be staying among them because she is arnai (non-Muslim), but there are always others who rebuke whoever does that.

Who are the actors behind this peacebuilding effort?

Fostering peace

On one hand is Gangare Youths Forum, a group fostering peace, empowering the youth in the area and making violence less attractive to them.

The groups secretary-general, Yahaya Muhammad, said they have been able to convert youth energy into social benefits through empowerment, thereby shielding the environment and not allowing our youth to go out and make destruction.

When there is tension in town, we ensure that nobody in the community is harmed, especially those of the Christian faith who come to trade and hawk their wares, he said.

Two years ago, a skirmish happened within Jos. We the youth, together with community leaders, ensured that both the students and staff of the institution (University of Jos) were secured, he recalled.

The British Council recognised the efforts of the group and in September organised training on organisational capacity building for delegates of the group.

This was corroborated by the ward head of Gangare, Umar Aliyu, who believes the Gangare template should be replicated elsewhere.

Our neighbours can learn many things from Gangare, he said.

Gangare has become a refugee for the people when there is a crisis. For instance, the people of Dilimi and Tundu Wada.

On another hand is the religious group Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI), whose Gangare branch uses collaboration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve conflict.

Between 2017 and 2020, the organisations secretary-general in Gangare, Muawiyah Tafinta, said, it resolved over 400 cases.

Mr Tafinta said due to youthful restiveness sometimes during leisure and years of mutual mistrust, agitations and retaliation could turn awry and take a sectional outlook quickly.

In trying to resolve it, we bring the parties together and where we cannot handle it, we hand it over to the police, he told PREMIUM TIMES, adding that issues they resolve ranged from marriage, inheritance to communal disputes, all under Islamic law.

Mr Tafinta said by doing this, they were looking to institutionalise peaceful coexistence among groups.

We dont show any kind of bitterness. Christians are free. We know them. They grew here. We are all together. Some of them are parents to our friends, he noted.

Crossing the divide

On at least three occasions, some parts of the gigantic Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral in the Ali Kazaure area of Jos North LGA were burnt during interfaith crises.

This has, however, not stopped the church from catering for a Muslim family opposite it, whose patriarch had been sick for over five years.

His hospital bills, everything is from the church, the assistant cathedral administrator, James Umoh, said, noting that it was a way of fostering peace in the community. The whole sermon we preach here is peace.

When a new archbishop came into Jos, he was introduced to the family just for them to continue to help them, the priest added.

This bond has made sharing of food and gifts every Christmas a routine of the church. The family too reciprocate this during salah. The church has become its haven.

Off the road to the church is a Muslim-owned school which had been inviting the priest (who has a degree in Arabic) for their programmes for peace and reconciliation not only within Jos but also in neighbouring Bauchi.

Peace is what everybody needs. We encourage them to be at peace with one another. We must do the right thing, Mr Umoh told PREMIUM TIMES.

Path to peace

Since he lost his first cousin to an attack by cattle herders in 2009, the family of Sylvester Dachomo has been displaced from their ancestral farmland in Kassa area of Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau.

He went to see what they did (to the farm) and he was ambushed and killed. His first daughter is with me now. Nobody can go there again. It has become the enclave of the Fulanis in Barkin Ladi LGA, Mr Dachomo said.

Despite this, the senior pastor at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) headquarters whose church was attacked in 2012, is championing a peacebuilding initiative.

The Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace is the platform under which Mr Dachomo is engaged in many projects, one of which is the Love Language Vision inspired by the Bible verse in John 8:31-47.

The aims of the initiative include helping Christian express love to Musilims and transforming the relationships between members of both communities, Mr Dachomo said, as he also detailed in his book, A Biblical Response to Violence.

We have insisted that Christians must be Christians and they must speak Gods language which is love, he said.

Led by New Life For All, an interdenominational fellowship consisting of 14 denominations across northern Nigeria, the initiative involves mobilising gatekeepers to the grassroots with the message of hope under Christianity doctrine.

Members of the board, some of whom are Muslims, from time to time, assist in providing conflict parties with critical skills for peacebuilding and conflict management.

For Mrs Alao, living with people with different beliefs peacefully was a familial trait she learnt from her late mother, Iya Granma as she was popularly known, whom she lived with at Ile Shehu area of Olomi in Ibadan.

All the Imams came to her burial. If they say they will start fasting tomorrow, my mum will take food from house to house. During Sallah, she would go from house to house to wish them joyous celebrations.

For us it is heritage. They taught us. We dont know Muslims, we dont know Christians, she said.

Unstable Plateau is a three-part series. This is the second in the series. You may read the first here.

(Support for this story was provided by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), under its Strengthening the Delivery of Peace and Security (SDPS) project).
The Senate has amended and passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The lawmakers rescinded their decision on a clause in the bill.

Clause 87, deals with the mode of primary election to be used by political parties to select candidates for elective offices.

In the bill earlier passed by the National Assembly, the lawmakers prescribed that political parties use only a direct mode of primary.

But President Muhammadu Buhari had in December, rejected the bill, making his reservations on Clause 87.

The president had cited insecurity, the cost of conducting direct primaries and infringement on the rights of Nigerians to participate in governance as his reasons for declining assent.

He, however, said he would sign the bill if changes are made to the Clause, to include the addition of consensus candidates and indirect primary options to the mode of selecting a candidate for an election.

At the plenary on Wednesday, the lawmakers amended the bill.

The motion

In a motion to recommit the bill to the Committee of the Whole, the Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya, prayed that the Senate rescind its decision on the affected Clause of the bill as passed and recommit same to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

He recalled that the president withheld assent to the bill based on his observation in Clause 84.

Mr Yahaya also said there was a need to address the observation by Mr Buhari and make necessary amendments in accordance with Order 87(C) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2022 (as amended); and also relying on orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the same Orders.

This Order allows the Senate to reconsider the substantive motion for rescission.

In the Committee of the Whole, the lawmakers adopted Clause 84 of the bill, which reads A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold direct or indirect primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which may be monitored by the Commission.

Clause 84(2) of the report recommended direct, indirect primaries or consensus as procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions.

The Senate adopted Clause 84(3) which states that a political party that adopts the direct primaries procedure shall ensure that all aspirants are given equal opportunity of being voted for by members of the part.

While Clause 84(4) now provides that a political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall adopt the procedure below;

 In the case of nominations to the position of Presidential candidate, a political party shall hold special conventions in each of the 36 states of the federation and FCT, where delegates shall vote for each of the aspirants at designated centres in each State Capital on specified dates.

The Clause also provides that a national convention shall be held for the ratification of the candidate with the highest number of votes.

There was no reaction or contribution from any lawmaker as the senators unanimously adopted the recommendations.

The amended Clause in the bill will be harmonised with the House of Representatives and afterwards, transmitted to the president for assent.

The Senate President assured on Tuesday that the National Assembly will amend and pass the bill on Wednesday.

He spoke after a meeting with Mr Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

This is the second time the Senate will reverse itself on major provisions of the Electoral Bill.

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In July, it had empowered the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Assembly to determine the use of electronic transmission of results in an election.

In October, the upper chamber revisited the bill to approve electronic transmission of election results apparently due to public outcry.

The Senate adopted the version of the bill passed by the House and changed the clause from: The Commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable to: The commission may consider electronic transmission provided the national network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the Nigerian Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.
A State High Court in Umuahia, Nigerias South-east, has ruled that the Nigerian government violated the fundamental human rights of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, when the military invaded his home in Abia State in September 2017.

The court handed down the ruling, Wednesday, in a fundamental human rights suit filed by Mr Kanu through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor.

The court said the invasion was a violation of Mr Kanus right to life, dignity of his human person, his personal liberty and his privacy.

The court, which rejected the governments objection to the suit, said the government should pay N1billion as damages to the IPOB leader and publicly apologise to him.

The court, however, refused to nullify the ongoing trial of Mr Kanu for alleged terrorism, saying it lacked jurisdiction over the matter.

Mr Ejimakor, nevertheless, said the ruling would have an impact on Mr Kanus criminal trial.

If your fundamental rights were violated, then it means that legally, you cannot be said to have jumped bail because the idea of jumping bail and the rendition are all related to what happened (the military invasion) in 2017.

So if what led to his inability to face his trial in 2017 was a violation by the government of Nigeria, then legally speaking you cannot say that he jumped bail, Mr Ejimakor said.

People are celebrating, my client is celebrating. I am happy with the ruling, he added.

The lawyer said the court most importantly recommended a political solution to the Biafra agitation.

Apart from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the respondents in the suit included the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Army Staff, Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade Ohafia, and the Inspector General of Police.

Others were the Commissioner of Police, Abia State, the Director-General of the SSS, and the Abia State Director of the SSS.

IPOB, which is leading the agitation for an independent republic, Biafra, which they want to be carved out from Nigerias South-east and parts of South-south, has been accused of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the South-east and South-south.

Mr Kanu was previously arrested and released on bail. He had jumped bail in 2017.

He was intercepted in Kenya in June, last year, by Nigerian security agents and brought back to Abuja.
A senator assaulted and stripped in public in Abuja over an alleged adultery scandal was set up for humiliation by a political rival, the police have said, almost three years after the incident.

The police said this in response to a letter by PREMIUM TIMES requesting the outcome of investigation into the case.

Godiya Akwashiki, at the time the deputy speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly and senator-elect for Nasarawa North, was assaulted on March 1, 2019 by amob for allegedly seducing the wife of another politician from Nasarawa State, Danladi Envulanza.

The incident, which video recording immediately went viral, occurred at the Abuja residence of Mr Envulanza where the mob had taken Mr Akwashik after abducting him near Exclusive Stores, a popular supermarket in Abuja.

Mr Envulanza, a former official of the National Judicial Council (NJC), had run unsuccessfully for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. He is from the same Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area as Mr Akwashiki and both are members of the APC.

After his assault on March 1, 2019, Mr Akwashiki was taken to the Maitama Divisional Police headquarters in Abuja where Amina Danladi Halilu, the wife of Mr Envalunza, lodged a complaint of seduction against him.

However, following the failure of the police to arraign the senator for the alleged offence, or make any public statement on the issue, PREMIUM TIMES in December wrote a letter to the FCT Commissioner of Police seeking to know the outcome of police investigation of the case.

Following a reminder to the letter, the commissioner, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department of the FCT Police Command, Fom Pam Joseph, responded to the request in a letter dated January 12.

According to the police chief, police investigation did not establish the allegation by Mrs Envulanza that she was seduced. To the contrary, the investigation established defamation of character and some criminal offences against her husband.

After a detailed and extensive investigation, the offence of inciting (seducing) a married woman contrary to section 389 of the Penal Code Law could not be established against Senator Godiya Akwashiki, Mr Joseph stated in the letter.

The police official further stated: From investigation and findings available, a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, abduction, voluntarily causing hurt, assault, defamation of character and wrongful restraint contrary to sections 96, 272, 242, 264, 391 and 254 of the Penal Code Law, respectively were established against Danladi Halilu Envulanza m, Jamilu Halilu m and Abdullahi Aliyu Ogah m.

On why those indicted by the investigation have not been prosecuted, the police official said the case was dropped at the instance of Mr Akwashiki after the parties reached an out-of-court settlement.

However, during the pendency of this case, parties indicated their desire to settle out of court and on the strength of which the then Inspector-General of Police availed them the opportunity.

Parties therefore settled amicably and a letter dated 08/04/2019 requesting for the withdrawal of the case was submitted by the Distinguished Senator Godiya Akwashiki.

Mr Joseph in his letter provided the trend of events in the case from the first report to the police in Maitama on March 1, 2019.

The case reported was that of inciting (sic) a married woman, criminal conspiracy, joint act, abduction, voluntarily causing hurt, assault, deformation (sic) of character and wrongful restraint contrary to sections 389, 96, 79, 272, 242, 264, 391 and 254 of the Penal Code Law, respectively. Initially reported at Maitama Divisional Police Headquarters by one Amina Danladi Halilu f on 1st March 2019 at about 0130 hrs against the then Senator-Elect Godiya Akwashiki m. The case was later transferred from the Division to the Command Criminal Investigation Department.

The complainant, Amina Danladi Halilu f alleged that Senator Godiya Akwashiki m had demanded of her the phone number of her husband, Danladi Halilu Envulanza m looking for assistance in furtherance of his ambition of seeking the senatorial seat but later decided not to collect the number as the elections were close. That the senator then started making advances at her and she turned it down, but that when he kept on insisting, she informed her husband Danladi Halilu, and her children.

Upon receipt of the complaint at Maitama Divisional Police Headquarters, the statement of the complainant, Amina Danladi Halilu f was recorded. The Senator Godiya Akwashiki m gave his voluntary statement under caution and was granted bail on the same day i.e. 1st March, 2019 before the case was transferred to the Command CID where statements were recorded.

A letter was sent to the Chief Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia  Nasarawa State where the Senator Godiya Akwashiki claimed he received treatment following the beatings he received. The response from the hospital confirmed that he was assaulted physically.

Investigations further revealed that the suspect was lured by the 1st complainant Amina Halilu Danladi f to a location at Exclusive Supermarket, Wuse, from where the senator was abducted to the residence of the said Danladi Halilu where they jointly, in furtherance of a common intention, wrongfully restraint and assaulted the Senator, leading also to the loss of his Samsung Phone.

PREMIUM TIMES on Monday asked Mr Akwashiki for corroboration of the account provided by the police on the matter and why he agreed to an out-of-court settlement of the case.

In a telephone interview, the senator confirmed that he wrote a letter for the withdrawal of the case.

READ ALSO:

Following the intervention of our governor, our traditional rulers and the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who is also from Nasarawa State, we agreed to settle the matter amicably, Mr Akwashiki confirmed.

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After I wrote a letter for the withdrawal of the case, the police invited me and in the presence of the former FCT Police Commissioner, Bala Ciroma, who is now an AIG of Police, I confirmed that we had settled the case.

Asked whether he obtained a public apology from Mr Envulanza, the senator said he did not.

I decided to leave everything to God. Our leaders intervened and since I have been absolved of the accusation, I could not see what more can be added to it.

We are from the same local government area and ethnic group so I decided to accept the well-meaning intervention of our leaders and move on, Mr Akwashiki said.

Mr Envulanza did not respond to calls and a text message to his known telephone number requesting his comment for this report.
Commentators are demanding an investigation of the relationship between some governors and notorious banditry kingpin, Bello Turji, after pictures of the governors and a confessed associate of the bandit emerged on social media.

In the picture with Musa Kamarawa are the governors of Zamfara and Sokoto, Bello Matawalle and Aminu Tambuwal, and the deputy governor of Sokoto, Mannir Dan Iyya.

Zamfara and Sokoto are two of the North-west states under attacks by bandits in which hundreds of people have been killed and thousands displaced.

According to a Daily Nigerian report, Mr Kamarawa was arrested in Abuja last year alongside one Bashar Audu, a Nigerien who was caught with a consignment of Indian hemp he was allegedly taking to Mr Turji and his men.

Mr Kamarawa was arrested in September but the video of his questioning by the police only appeared online a few weeks ago.

Under interrogation, Mr Kamarawa said he had known Mr Turji for long.

Turji is my bosom friend, we are always in touch and we seek each others advice on our operations most of the time, the suspect said.

He said the notorious banditry kingpin has over 100 armed guards around him and named those supplying Mr Turji with shoes, military camouflage uniforms, drugs and other materials.

Relations with Bafarawa

Checks by PREMIUM TIMES in Sokoto revealed that Mr Kamarawa is a nephew of a former governor of the state, Attahiru Bafarawa.

Mr Bafarawa, who is a political kingmaker in Sokoto, has been vocal in lambasting bandits and had urged the federal government to renew its strategy in the fight against insecurity.

Mr Kamarawas mother is the elder sister of the former governor.

Matawalle and Kamarawa

Mr Kamarawa, who is from Isa local government area of Sokoto State, has extensive knowledge of communities and forests in Sokoto East and Zamfara North, especially villages bordering Shinkafi (in Zamfara) and Isa (in Sokoto).

Investigations made by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that Mr Kamarawa was among those first contacted by Mr Matawalle after he was declared governor in 2019, to facilitate a peace accord with bandits.

A source at the Zamfara Government House, who is also a Special Adviser to the governor, said Mr Kamarawa was referred to the governor when the peace accord was being initiated.

Though Bello Turji didnt accept the peace accord, there were a lot of bandits who turned in their guns and ammunition through Musa (Mr Kamarawa).

We didnt know he had interest in them and was working for them because he was always advising us to expand our peace talks. You can attest to the fact that several weapons and bandits were here (Gusau) and we witnessed peace for some time, said the official who requested not to be named because he did not have permission to speak to journalists.

However, he could not confirm whether a letter circulating on social media, notifying Mr Kamarawa of his appointment as Special Assistant to the governor, is real or fake.

I cant confirm. But like you, I also saw the letter. Assuming it is true, does that invalidate the efforts he made in bringing to the table the bandits that accepted the peace accord? Even if it is true, Matawalle did it with good intention, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES also gathered that it was Mr Kamarawa who received Mr Turjis father from security agents and handed him to the outlaw in July when the banditry kingpin abducted 50 residents in retaliation for his fathers arrest by the police.

In an audio recording listened to by this reporter last year, Mr Turji told a governors aide: I promise you, if Musa (Mr Kamarawa) can bring my father to the riverside, let him just call me and hand over my father to me, Wallahi I will release all the people in my camp. What would I even do with them?

Mr Kamarawa took Mr Turjis father to the riverside and the captives were released to him, this newspaper learnt.

Backlash

A senior lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto who is from Shinkafi in Zamfara, Tijjani Salihu, said the pictures show that Mr Kamarawa is not a normal criminal.

We have raised our concerns regarding banditry in the Northwest. It is clearly showing that the highly celebrated young man, Musa Kamarawa, is well connected in his business. I request the concerned security agencies to interrogate him further and bring to book anyone associated with him in his business, no matter how highly placed they are, Mr Salihu said.

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A popular Islamic scholar in Sokoto State who has been vocal against banditry, Murtala Assada, said he was surprised that someone like Mr Kamarawa is now being investigated.

He said there are many influential people supporting bandits who at the same time are enjoying government support.

I dont know why people are afraid of releasing the whole video clip. They should release it and let whatever will happen to happen. If as is being said, why is Musa Kamarawa not being allowed to talk? Musa Kamarawa is a messenger of the city Turjis to the real Turji; there are a lot of them out there and we know they exist.

We will keep praying for the security agents to succeed but we also want them to fear God and release everything that he (Kamarawa) told them, the cleric said in one of his sermons released Monday morning.

Responses

Responding to PREMIUM TIMES inquiry on the photo, Governor Matawalles spokesperson, Zailani Bappa, said the uproar is unnecessary because the pictures were taken during the peace accord with bandits.

First, I think the uproar is not worth response but it is okay to respond. His Excellency engaged in dialogue with the bandits with good intentions because he was disturbed by the incessant killing of innocent people. Bandits were reached out to for dialogue and they answered. Guns and ammunition were turned in by the bandits. Not only the man in question, but a lot of bandits and their collaborators were invited for discussion and most of them were seen by the public, he said.

Mr Bappa said even another notorious banditry kingpin, Auwalun Daudawa, was part of the peace accord and his pictures were taken.

It doesnt mean Governor Matawalle has anything to do with Musa Kamarawa or any bandit collaborator because what he did was with the best of intentions and when he found out that they (bandits) were not serious about it, he backed out. I am sure you journalists can bear witness to the fact that we are no longer involved in the peace accord, he said.

On his part, Muhammadu Bello, Mr Tambuwals media aide, said there is no relationship between his principal and Mr Kamarawa.

There is no relationship between them. The picture was taken at the Sokoto State liaison office in Asokoro, Abuja. Kamarawa might have visited him like many Sokoto indigenes sometimes do at home, in Sokoto or elsewhere. I do not, however, know when exactly that picture was taken, he said.
A salesperson shows a customer the limited edition launched by a cosmetic brand to welcome the Year of the Tiger at a duty-free store in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Huimin)

HAIKOU, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- As the Chinese Lunar New Year approaches, global luxury brands are launching limited edition products to welcome the Year of the Tiger.

Most of the limited edition items highlight the image of the tiger, one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals, and some others feature Chinese elements like the color red and Peking Opera.

At the duty-free stores in south China's island province of Hainan, tiger elements and red can be seen almost everywhere. Limited edition luxury Lunar New Year items are a big hit, covering cosmetics, clothing, bags, watches, and wine, among others.

"For the upcoming Year of the Tiger, Armani has launched limited edition products including jackets and woolen sweaters, which are selling well," said Yang Qiulin, a salesman of Emporio Armani in a duty-free store in Haikou, capital of Hainan.

The stock of down jackets has already started to dwindle after hitting the shelves only a few days ago, he added.

Li Chao, a tourist from east China's Zhejiang Province, bought a limited edition eye cream with red packaging featuring a tiger at the Estee Lauder counter.

"It looks very festive, and conveys a feeling of the Chinese Spring Festival," she said, noting that the launching of limited editions will meet the demands of Chinese consumers.

China is an increasingly important market for global luxury brands, especially when they suffered unprecedented difficulties due to the pandemic.

The Bain & Company Luxury Study 2021 showed that since 2019, the Chinese mainland's share of the global market has almost doubled, reaching 60 billion euros in 2021.

Zodiac elements are an important part of traditional Chinese culture. The deep exploration of Chinese traditional culture by international luxury brands reflects that they try to cater to Chinese consumers' demand and integrate into the huge Chinese market, said Liu Feng, a researcher with Hainan Normal University.

The duty-free market is an important market for luxury goods consumption. Hainan reported 49.5 billion yuan (7.8 billion U.S. dollars) of offshore duty-free shopping in 2021, up 80 percent year on year.

More than 81 million domestic and overseas tourists visited Hainan in 2021, up 25.5 percent year on year, data shows.

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 salesperson shows the limited edition launched by Emporio Armani to welcome the Year of the Tiger at a duty-free store in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhou Huimin)
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Taiwo Adebowale, has written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, asking him to intervene in the feud between the two leaders of the ruling party in Osun State.

Gboyega Oyetola, the incumbent Osun governor, and Rauf Aregbesola, his predecessor and current interior minister, have been at loggerheads since the latter assumed office about three years ago.

Both men were allies with Mr Oyetola serving as Mr Aregbesolas Chief of Staff when the latter was in office as governor. Mr Aregbesola also staved off opposition to ensure Mr Oyetola succeeded him in office.

Mr Aregbesola was recently seen on video addressing a gathering in Osun where he told them that the APC in the state had split into two and he controlled one of them.

In his open letter to Mr Buhari, Mr Adebowale, who described himself as a dedicated member of the APC, said, the unhealthy rivalry playing out today between two leading stakeholders in the state, if not quickly addressed by way of amicable resolution, will have negative impact on the governing APC, and ultimately for the state in the long run.

He warned that the APC risks losing the governorship seat to the opposition party, PDP, if the feud between Mr Aregbesola and Mr Oyetola is not resolved.

That the opposition is already warming up to exploit the disunity in our party to supplant us and install themselves in power in the July election is no longer in doubt. Mr President, sir, you must not allow this to happen, Mr Adebowale said in the letter copied to other APC leaders including ex-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu and ex-Osun governor Bisi Akande.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the governorship election in Osun holds in July and Mr Oyetola is expected to seek a second term in office.

Read Mr Adebowales full letter below.

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

RE: OSUN STATE APC CRISIS

Your Excellency,

First, I wish to express my deep appreciation for the outstanding leadership you are providing not only for our great country but also for our durable and vibrant party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the midst of a multitude of seemingly daunting challenges besetting us on all sides. To say you have more than enough headache to deal with on your us plate is an understatement. We appreciate the enormity of the difficulties and pay homage to your diligence in striving to get the best results for us as a people.

However, Mr President, in imposing perspectives to the challenges confronting us today, I wish to respectfully draw your attention to the worsening crisis in our party, APC, the ruling party in Osun State, which is my state of origin. For the avoidance of doubt, I am a loyal and dedicated member of the party in my state and that makes me, with all sense of humility, a deeply concerned stakeholder in the affairs of my state.

Considering this established connection, it is incumbent upon me to point out with humility that the unhealthy rivalry playing out today between two leading stakeholders in the state, if not quickly addressed by way of amicable resolution, will have negative impact on the governing APC, and ultimately for the state in the long run.

It is for this reason, Your Excellency, that I passionately appeal for your most urgent and profound intervention  in the interest of our party and for the continued development of Osun State  in the very disturbing dispute between the immediate past governor, His Excellency, Rauf Aregbesola, now Minister of Interior, and his successor, His Excellency, Governor Gboyega Oyetola. These two distinguished and highly respected sons and leaders of our party in Osun State have been squabbling for some time now. Now, Your Excellency, is the time to step in and bring lasting peace as the pre-eminent leader of the party and father of the nation.

Your urgent intervention is imperative, Mr. President, in view of the Osun State gubernatorial election scheduled for July 16, 2022. Time is not on our side, sir. The crisis in the ruling APC in Osun State manifested in two leaders who are more like brothers but now at daggers drawn, is clearly in the best interest of the opposition party. Remember, Mr. President, that Osun State is naturally a progressive state, like its counterparts in the southwest zone. But the state is unique in the sense that it is the only state in the zone won by the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2011 presidential election. Incidentally, the ACN turned out to be a highly valued forebear of the APC, and significantly, its candidate in that sweet victory in Osun was none other than the beloved Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who is today an eminent and hugely treasured member of our party.

To that extent sir, we cannot afford to toy with such a state whose people so much cherish progressive politics that they cannot contemplate embracing retrograde conservatives in government. That the opposition is already warming up to exploit the disunity in our party to supplant us and install themselves in power in the July election is no longer in doubt. Mr President, sir, you must not allow this to happen.

If we allow the crisis to fester, the supporters of our leaders will turn against each other as they are already doing, and destruction of lives and property will intensify in the state. Fathers are turning against mothers, brothers against brothers, sisters against sisters and friends against friends and no one can predict where the cycle of violence will end. And much worse should it persist, the opposition will take over Osun, and the remarkable achievements of former governor Aregbesola and the consolidation of those achievements by the incumbent governor Oyetola will be reversed in a most disastrous manner and the good people of Osun and our party will be the worse for it.

Mr President, this is the predictable outcome of not acting now, sir. As our leader and our father, I beg you in the name of Almighty Allah to please act now by calling the two leaders to a table and resolving the quarrel once and for all.

Thankfully, neither Aregbesola nor Oyetola has said he is leaving the party. So, that makes the task of reconciliation a warm possibility.

I thank you immensely, sir, for all you have done so far to change our country, Nigeria, for the better. I look forward to your earnest intervention in the Osun APC crisis.

I am your loyal compatriot,

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Taiwo Adebowale (Jante)

taijantee@gmail.com

cc:

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, GCON

General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, former Head of State

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, The Ooni of Ife

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, RCCG

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader, APC

Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun State

Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, former Chief of Defence Staff

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, pioneer chairman of EFCC

Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, Chairman National Hajj Commission
Vehicular movement in and out of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, was on Tuesday disrupted as protesting students of the institution locked the universitys entrance gates over what they described as the refusal of the university management to meet their demands for improved hostel facilities, among other demands.

The protesters, who were led by the public relations officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B, Utibe Ekanem, grounded activities at the universitys campus in the states capital and caused gridlock along Ikpa road in the capital city.

Mr Ekanem said the action was necessitated by what he described as the refusal of the university management to respond to the students unions demands, saying the management turned deaf ears to the students pleas.

He said; We wrote a letter to the vice-chancellor after a tour of the university facilities on the January 4, 2022, and we requested the renovation of hostels, fumigation, provision of mosquito nets for students and the suspension of the use of the Skyline platform for payment of faculty and departmental dues.

The management has refused to respond to these demands. None of these things have been done since that day up till now. Its been two weeks.

He said another letter was sent to the vice-chancellor, Ndaeyo Nyaudo, as a reminder and with a five-day ultimatum to attend to the demands.

As a union, if in the next five working days the above demands of ours are not met, we shall be left with no other option than to seal up your facilities as the welfare of our members is paramount at resumption of school activities, the letter, which was dated January 10, 2022, and a copy of which PREMIUM TIMES obtained, reads in part.

University pleads for understanding

Meanwhile, addressing the protesting students, the vice-dean of students affairs, Essien Akpanuko, said the management has noted the demands and appealed for the reopening of the locked gates to allow vehicular movement.

He promised that all the identified issues would be addressed.

The official said; I agree that some of these things raised ought to be done and can be done without the gates locked. My only request at this moment is that you open these gates so that people can go about their legitimate businesses. We will begin to address the issues practically.

He noted that the students had not exhausted the available measures of negotiation.

The locking of these gates or all the other gates here does not address any of these issues. I think we should outgrow this approach of getting things done. There are better ways to get things done, by talking to A, B and C. The vice chancellor has been committed to students welfare, especially hostels, Mr Akpanuko noted.

You can see that he facilitated the construction of two hostels when he came into office. The NDDC hostel has also just been recently inaugurated, he added.

This newspaper gathered that Mr Nyaudo had ordered the demolition of old wooden hostels and the construction of new ones, and that they were commissioned within his first month of assumption of office in December 2020.

In December 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated 1,050-bed hostel built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at the universitys main campus located at Nwaniba area of Uyo.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has ordered officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service to shoot to kill anyone who attempts any attack on the facility, stressing that the facility should be regarded as a dangerous zone.

He said this while inspecting the facility at the Agodi Custodial Centre, Ibadan on Monday.

At least 5,238 inmates escaped from various prisons across Nigeria in 2021. On October 22, some 837 inmates escaped from the Oyo facility, but the interior ministry said 262 had been recaptured.

Any effort to breach our facility is not acceptable. Dont shoot to injure, shoot to kill. Dont shoot to disable, shoot to kill.This facility is a total embodiment of the authority of the Nigerian state to guarantee the security of the people, the minister said according to a statement by his spokesperson, Sola Fasure.

Mr Aregbesola asked the officers to make it difficult for anyone to penetrate the facility because it is a red zone. He said any attack on any correctional centre is an attack on the Nigerian state and must never be allowed again.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Correctional Service strengthens security in Oyo facilities

It is a red zone, a dangerous zone. Whoever attempts to breach the security here is already dead. He must not live to tell the story. Other people will tell his or her story, he said.

He said the facilities need to be decongested to achieve their objectives of reforming those being held there. He also lamented the huge cost of feeding the inmates, saying state governments also needed to cooperate with the federal government on efforts to decongest the facilities.

He said the government is compiling lists of inmates with the inability to pay their fines as he hopes to appeal to willing and able Nigerians to raise the fines to free the inmates.

There are other inmates who have spent far beyond the limits of their sentences should they be found guilty of the offences against them. The total number of convicts at Agodi is less than 400 and we have 1001 inmates there, which means about two thirds of the inmates are awaiting trial, he said.
A Nigerian consumer store, Ebeano supermarket, has opened a branch in Canada.

Peter Ityohuna, the co-founder of Ebeano Canada, confirmed this to PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday in a telephone interview. According to Mr Andokari, the store was officially opened on December 3, 2021.

According to the supermarkets website, the store is located on 358-360 Ontario street, St Catharines.

Chris Bittle, a member of the Canadian parliament, for St. Catherines, was present at the opening.

Congratulating the supermarket on its opening, Mr Bittle wrote on his Facebook page, Ebeano Supermarket officially opened their doors on Ontario street in St. Catharines today with 25 employees, nearly all of whom are full time.

He described Ebeano as a true global market where food from around the world can be found.

It was exciting to see so many happy faces shopping this afternoon for products that may be difficult to find elsewhere. Congratulations to Peters Andokari Ityohuna and the entire team at Ebeano Supermarket on your grand opening!

According to the companys website, in 2019 David Ojei and Peters Ityohuna thought it was time to bring the Ebeano concept to Canada and offer something for everyone.

Mr Ityohuna started as a cashier at one of Ebeanos first stores in the early 2000s. From there he quickly grew to understand the grocery business and helped in developing more stores until he finally reached the position of General Manager.

In 2014, Mr Ityohuna migrated to Canada and he, like many others who are newly migrated, had difficulty finding the comforts of home in his new country.

When Mr Ojei, his boss and co-founder of the original Ebeano supermarkets in Nigeria came to Canada for a visit, the two businessmen created the concept for a Canadian version of Ebeano.

By offering a variety of products from around the globe, they created what they called the first Global Food Market. From there, the idea took hold and the next two years were spent finding the right location and preparing for the launch on December 3, 2021.

Ebeano supermarket has about six outlets in Nigeria, including in Abuja and Lagos. It lost its Abuja outlet last year in an unfortunate fire incident that razed the one stop shop to the ground.
The Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, has criticised those declaring presidential ambition without considering zoning.

He also said he is capable of ruling Nigeria come 2023 but not desperate to become the president.

He stated during an interaction with journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The lawmaker, who announced his intention to run for the office of the president in the 2023 general elections, had said he will only do so if his party, the All Progressives Congress zones the position to the South-east.

The APC had on Tuesday fixed February 26 for its national convention, where such positions will be zoned.

Mr Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, however, said even though other aspirants have commenced underground campaigns, he is not desperate and is willing to wait for the party.

He said those already pushing are not being fair to the feelings of Nigerians.

They are not serious. They are pushing but they are not serious. A serious minded person will like to be fair to Nigeria, to be fair to the society and be fair to the atmosphere because this party is not owned by me or by you the media. It is only APC people that can decide where the party ticket will go to.

This party is owned by Nigerians and the APC members. It is only APC that can decide, like at the forthcoming convention, where the presidential ticket will be zoned to.

The lawmaker also said he does not believe in Igbo presidency but a president of Igbo extraction.

I dont believe, I believe in Nigerian President of Igbo extraction. It is overdue, I believe that we should produce the next President and it is going to happen.

I dont need to push, I have to push along with the other regions.

Speaking on his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari last night, he said his mission was not about his rumoured presidential ambition.

This is not the first time I go to see the president. Presidency is place where people go in the afternoon, I went in the night to avoid the media.

I go there regularly. It is a family affair and I went there to discuss national issues, issue of security, issue of well being of our country and issue of the Electoral Act.

He said he had not officially informed the president of his ambition because he awaits the decision of the party.

Did the party zone the 2023 presidency to the South-west? I told you before that when the party zones it officially to the SouthI told you the only two zones that have not tasted the presidency are the South-east and the North-east.

Once they zone it to anyone of them, I have the capacity and the capability, I will roll and I will rock like a hurricane.

Besides Mr Kanu, APC chieftain, Bola Tinubu, has also declared his intention to contest for the office of the president in 2021.

The governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, had also met with Mr Buhari to inform him of his ambition to run for the office under the APC platform.
The suspended chairperson of Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhuyi Magaji, has sued the state government over his suspension.

Mr Magaji filed an application for the reversal of his suspension before the National Industrial Court in Abuja.

He was in July, 2021 asked to step aside for a month over his alleged opposition to the posting of an accountant to the agency from the Office of the Accountant-General of the state. He has not been recalled since.

The states House of Assembly gave the order following a recommendation from the executive arm of government.

The suspension, according to the state assembly, followed a letter of complaint sent to the house over the matter by the Office of the Accountant-General of the state.

Mr Magajis suit has the state government as the first defendant while State House of Assembly, the Accountant-General, Mahmud Balarabe, state commissioner of police as the other defendants.

The plaintiff also prayed the court to determine:

Whether having regards to the circumstance of this case, Sections 8,15(i),(g), & (h), Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission law 2008 (As Amended), 36(1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999( as amended), the 1st Defendant can cause the 3rd Defendant to determine the petition of the 4th Defendant by suspending the Claimant from his statutory position of the Executive Chairman Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission without having recourse to the Claimants right to a fair hearing.

Whether the 1st Defendant can suspend the Claimant indefinitely and without the payment of his entitlement as the Chairman of Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Whether the involvement of the 6th Defendant into the purely administrative issue through targeted investigations does not amount to the abuse of office and enforcing double jeopardy on the Claimant.

He also wants the court to declare that:

The fourth defendant erred by causing the suspension of the Claimant without first having heard from the Claimant by according him the opportunity of defending himself.

A declaration that the purported suspension of the claimant as a result of the 3rd and 4th Defendants actions is malicious, ultra vires, null and void, thereby infringing on the Claimants fundamental right of fair hearing.

A declaration that the 5th Defendant parading himself as an acting Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is illegal, ultra vires, and unlawful.

A declaration that the Claimant is the substantive Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission and therefore entitled to all the benefits of his office.

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A declaration that the 6th defendant has no business in this matter which is within the exclusive competence of this court to decide, and

An order of this Honorable Court declaring the purported suspension of the Claimant as the Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void.

Mr Magaji also prayed the court for an order of the court restraining the 6th Defendant perpetually from meddling in the affairs of the Claimant on any matter affecting his workplace, and such further order(s) as the court may deem fit and appropriate to make in the circumstances.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Nigerian Air Force man for allegedly spending N20 million that was inadvertently credited to his account.

The serving airman, Haruna Samuel, a lance corporal, of the Nigeria Air Force Base, Kaduna, was arraigned on Tuesday before the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna, EFCC said in a statement on Wednesday.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCCs spokesperson, who signed the statement, said Mr Samuel was arraigned before on a one-count charge bordering on theft and criminal misappropriation.

The defendant, who has denied the charge, allegedly committed the offence on December 3, 2020 after receiving the N20, 014,300 said to have been erroneously transferred by his employer into his bank account.

Without expecting any payment of such magnitude from his employer, EFCC alleged, Mr Samuel failed to report the issue to his bank or employer, and went ahead to withdraw part of the fund for personal use, including settling debts.

After carrying out the alleged fraudulent act, the defendant allegedly absconded from his duty post to Plateau State where he was eventually arrested by EFCC operatives.

Charge

EFCC charged the defendant with criminal misappropriation under section 293 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.

The charge reads: That you, Haruna Samuel sometime in December 2020 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N20, 014,300.00 (Twenty Million and Fourteen Thousand, Three Hundred Naira), property of NAF Ground Training Centre which was erroneously sent to your Zenith Bank account No. 2189705893 which said sum you dishonestly converted to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 293 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 294 of the same Law.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Precious Onyeneho, prayed the court to fix a date for trial.

But the defence counsel, S.A Yahaya, applied to the judge orally to grant his client bail.

The trial judge, Darius Khobo, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N5 million and a reliable surety in like sum.

The surety must be an owner of property in Kaduna backed with a Certificate of Occupancy, which should be verified by both the EFCC and the registrar of the court, the judge ruled, giving conditions the defendant must meet before he would be released on bail.

The judge adjourned the case until March 10.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N1.4 billion for the procurement of equipment and agricultural inputs for the National Youth Farmers Scheme.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that four contracts were awarded for the scheme and expressed optimism that the projects would encourage youths to go into agriculture.

The other memo on behalf of the president is that seeking approval for the award of contract for the provision of various agricultural inputs and equipment for the National Youth Farmers Scheme.

We have the National Farmers Scheme under National Agricultural Land Development Authority( NALDA); here, four contracts were awarded in the total sum of N1.4 billion with various completion periods.

According to him, the first is provision of farmer inputs such as seeds, cottons, planting materials, agro-chemicals, fertilizer, and growth enhancers, for 3000 hectares in Abia, Adamawa, Borno, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Osun, Yobe and Enugu States.

He said the first contract was for N313 million for a period of two weeks.

He said the second was the supply of tractors, ploughs, ridgers, disc arrows, hydraulic tipping trailers, logistics and deliveries to selected states such as Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Osun and Jigawa States.

The third is purchase of land preparation equipment; this involves 11 massive Ferguson tractors, 11 disc ploughs, 11 three disc ploughs, 11 four disc ridgers , 11 twenty disc arrows and 11 hydraulic tipping trailers for Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Osun, Jigawa and Gombe states.

While logistics and deliveries to selected states such as Abia, Ogun, Ekiti, Katsina and Ebonyi States will gulp another N2.5million.

The last contract under this paper is the professional and technical enhancement for the National Youth Farmers Scheme Enugu, Ekiti, Abia, Imo, Adamawa, Cross River, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Borno and Rivers, for the sum of N213million for a completion period of one week, totalling N1. 4 billion.

The significance of these contracts is that the Federal Government is once again reiterating the emphasis it put on agriculture and how we want agriculture not to be for just big land owners or big farmers, but to encourage even our youths to go into agriculture.

Mr Mohammed said the rice pyramids recently inaugurated by the president and the Anchor Borrowers Programme relied heavily on small farm holders rather than big companies as the programme had benefitted no fewer than three million small farmer holders.

He said the nations food security depended on stepping up local food production.

 The Federal Government is not just promoting or investing in rice; it is promoting 23 other crops.

 This is another example of how we are trying to encourage young people to own land; we give them land and prepare the land for them.

We also give them equipment and fertilisers and other agric inputs to ensure that we have food security, he said.

On his part, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said FEC approved contract for clearing of equipment for the deep blue project which would facilitate sitting of some of the projects in the coastal towns for the sum of N2.8 billion.

Another one that was approved is the licensing of Oracle E Business Suite in the sum of N955.5 million. Thats for NPA.

The first one, the deep blue project is for NIMASA.

The minister said that another approval was for N214 million as variation for the initial contract of N3.5 billion for the purchase of one railway crane of 450 tons capacity for emergency recovery on standard gauge.

Finally, contract for the reconstruction of the narrow gauge track from Minna to Barrow, he said.

Also, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, said that the council approved award of contract for the full scope development of FCT Highway number 105, popularly known as the Kuje road.

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According to him, that is the road that links Kuje satellite town with the interchange and has been approved at the sum of N54.9 billion with a completion period of four years.

The second one is the road leading to one of the rail stations along the Abuja city rail systemand that is the station at Gbazango. Gbazango is a community within Bwari, FCT.

The intention of the project is to complete that road so that the station will be functional.

It was awarded at the contract sum of N1.3 billion, he said.

(NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, interrogated a former attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Lagos State, Olasupo Shasore, over his involvement in the P&ID $9.6billion judgement saga.

A source at EFCC, who asked not to be named because the commission frowns on public disclosure on such matters without authorisation, said Mr Shasore, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, arrived EFCC headquarters in Abuja in the afternoon on Tuesday.

As of 9.17p.m. on Tuesday when this newspaper got to know of the development, the source confirmed that Mr Shasore was still being grilled by operatives of the commission.

Mr Shasore, who was appointed as Nigerias lawyer in the P&ID case in 2012, was accused of compromising the countrys defence at a British arbitration tribunal, contributing to the humongous award issued against Nigeria by the panel.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported Mr Shasores only public statement on the matter in which he denied any wrongdoing and insisted on defending Nigerias interest in the case to the best of his ability with little or no cooperation from the government.

It could not be immediately confirmed if Mr Shasore was released to go home on Tuesday.

Backstory

The Process & Industrial Development (P&ID), a British Virgin Island firm, was issued the arbitral award which subsequently rose to $9.6billion as compensation for Nigerias alleged breach of a Gas Supply Process Agreement (GSPA).

The GSPA was signed between the representatives of the Nigerian government on January 11, 2010.

P&ID, in 2012, commenced the arbitration proceedings against Nigeria in the United Kingdom for allegedly breaching its part of the GSPA.

Mr Shasore, who was the Lagos State attorney-general between 2007 and 2011 during the first term of the then Governor Babatunde Fashola in office, was appointed as counsel for Nigeria in the arbitration proceedings in 2012.

Nigeria was held liable by the arbitration tribunal in 2015.

In August 2019, P&ID obtained a ruling of a High Court in London authorising it to begin to seize $9.6billion worth of Nigerias assets to enforce the arbitral award.

But the Nigerian government appealed the decision in September 2019, after missing an earlier deadline to do so.

The British court gave Nigeria leave to appeal the decision, and also, issued an order for stay of execution provided it made a $200 million security payment.

In September 2020, the British Commercial Court granted Nigeria more time to prepare its challenge with new evidence.

In the decision, the court revealed that

despite receiving $2million in fees from Nigeria, Mr Shasore worked against the interest of his client.

The Nigerian government, in its case presented before the United Kingdom court, said Mr Shasore did not give his best to defend the countrys interest. Instead, the government said he rather kept pushing for settlement, suggesting that he was compromised.

Mr Shasore was also specifically accused of failing to disclose his involvement in the case to members of his law firm and running it through a different firm.

He was also said to have failed to cross-examine Michael Quinn, the founder of P&ID, on the matter, a lapse that was believed to have strengthened the firms case against Nigeria, thereby sabotaging the interest of the country.

The Nigerian government also noted that Mr Shasore, for more than a year, failed to cooperate in handing over necessary materials to Bolaji Ayorinde, the senior lawyer who replaced him.

Nigerias legal team added that in the first two stages of the arbitration, Mr Shasore deliberately defended the case thinly.

The former Lagos State attorney-general was also accused of making suspicious payments to some government officials.

Sashores defence

In a statement in September 2020, Mr Shasore described the federal governments position as spiteful personal attacks on his professional conduct and reputation.

Although he was silent on the suspicious payment he allegedly made to some government officials, he reaffirmed his commitment and professional integrity to always act in the best interest of Nigeria, victimized by fraud and corruption.

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He said he did his best to defend Nigeria in the case even when the Nigerian government failed to supply necessary documents.

He also said he represented Nigeria up until the liability stage in the arbitration, and had left the defence when the humongous award was issued against Nigeria.

I was instructed in this matter and accepted the instructions on behalf of my firm and to the knowledge of my partners in late 2012 and I made every effort to defend and vindicate my client at every stage with very few tools and with minimal support from within the government itself, Mr Shasore said.

I represented Nigeria up until the liability stage in the arbitration. I did not represent Nigeria in the damages stage of the arbitration. Which means I was not involved when the huge sum of damages was awarded against Nigeria. The complete records will show the series of steps that I took to defend Nigeria and the several results, which I secured in that effort at various stages.

He added, I filed a jurisdiction objection that potentially could and should indeed have terminated the case in favour of Nigeria because it was clear to us from the beginning that the contract was a scheme against Nigeria.

When the then Nigerian officials failed to supply documents or any witness to defend their case, I fought liability by enlisting the support of the legal adviser of NNPC who gave evidence to the best of his knowledge when everyone else with knowledge, refused to do so.

Mr Shasore also said he obtained an injunction restraining the parties and the tribunal from proceeding with the arbitration then.

On the issue of of $2million legal fee Nigeria was said to have paid him, he stated that it was payment to two law firms and not exceptional or unusual in the context of such a dispute.

In fact, in order to extract the best possible case for Nigeria, it was from these fees that expenses were paid to ensure attendance at hearings and meetings in the UK by witnesses for Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Health in Plateau, Nimkong Lar, says the state has recorded one confirmed case of Lassa fever in the state.

Mr Lar said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos that eight suspected cases were taken to the laboratory for confirmation but one tested positive to it.

The commissioner noted that the patient was responding to treatment.

He advised that people should report immediately to the nearest health facility when they have malaria fever, noting that Lassa fever presents symptoms similar to those of malaria fever.

Mr Lar said that prompt intervention is key in reducing the mortality rates associated with the disease.

He expressed concern that on many occasions, patients came to the hospital late, in spite of campaigns against the disease.

Mr Lar also called on health workers to make referrals to other health facilities such as the tertiary health facilities, when they are unable to handle such cases presented for prompt medical attention.

The commissioner advised that people should learn to keep their environment clean and rodent-free.

(NAN)
Photo taken on Jan. 19, 2022 shows the debris of a demolished house in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police on Wednesday evicted a Palestinian family and demolished their home in East Jerusalem's flashpoint neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

At least 18 people were arrested, according to a statement issued by the Jerusalem police.

The eviction of the Salhiyeh family began on Monday, but residents and human rights activists refused to leave the house and declared a standoff. After people took to the roof of the house and threatened to blow it up with cooking gas tanks, police officers withdrew from the scene.

The police returned early Wednesday morning and evicted the inhabitants, according to the police. The building was later demolished by a bulldozer. On social media platforms, images and video footage show a mound of concrete rubble mingled with clothes and furniture.

Several people were arrested "on suspicion of disobeying a court order, violent fortification, and disturbing public order," the Jerusalem Municipality and Israeli police said in a joint statement.

According to the Hebrew-language Ha'aretz newspaper, activists and witnesses said Israeli police used excessive force and stun grenades to evict the residents.

The Jerusalem Municipality said it expropriated the plot where the house stood, in an area of East Jerusalem that Israel seized in a 1967 war and later annexed, to build a school for East Jerusalem children with special needs.

The house "has been blocking the construction of a school that would benefit the children of the entire Sheikh Jarrah community," said a statement from the Jerusalem Municipality.

The eviction order, which was first issued in 2017, was challenged by the Salhiyeh family, but their appeals were rejected by several Israeli courts including the Jerusalem District Court.

The Salhiyeh family claimed to have lived in the property for decades and had bought it prior to Israel's 1967 capture.

Dozens of other families in East Jerusalem are facing similar eviction to make way for Israeli settlements.

East Jerusalem is seen by Palestinians as the capital of their future state. Following the 1967 war, Israel annexed East Jerusalem and considers it part of its capital. Most of the international community has never recognized the annexation and considers the Israeli settlements in this area a violation of international law.

In 2017, then U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, sparking a deadly wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. 

Members of the Israeli border police stand guard near a demolished house in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, Jan. 19, 2022. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua)

Members of the Israeli border police stand guard near a demolished house in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, Jan. 19, 2022. (Photo by Muammar Awad/Xinhua)
A group of more than 100 millionaires from nine countries along with international organisations and Oxfam on Wednesday called for wealth tax on the world rich.

The groups Patriotic Millionaires, Millionaires for Humanity and Tax Me Now called on governments to tax us, the rich, and tax us now.

Oxfam said revenue from the tax would help reduce extreme inequality and fund basic social services such as public health care, education and emergency aid.

The Patriotic Millionaires published their letter to coincide with the World Economic Forums Davos Agenda series of events.

The signatories reportedly include U.S. film producer and heiress Abigail Disney, Danish-Iranian entrepreneur Djaffar Shalchi, American entrepreneur and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer, and Austrian student and BASF heiress Marlene Engelhorn.

A wealth tax that starts at only 2 per cent per year for millionaires and increases to 5 per cent per year for billionaires could raise 2.52 trillion U.S. dollars per year worldwide, according to data cited by Oxfam.

In the letter they said as millionaires, we know that the current tax system is not fair.

Most of us can say that, while the world has gone through an immense amount of suffering in the last two years.

We have actually seen our wealth rise during the pandemic yet few, if any of us can honestly say that we pay our fair share in taxes. (dpa/NAN)
Despite the order issued on Tuesday by a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja directing the State Security Service (SSS) to allow the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to change his clothes, the secessionist appeared in the same dress for his trial on Wednesday.

Mr Kanu, who is on remand in SSS custody, has been wearing the same clothes since he was rearrested and brought back reportedly from Kenya to Abuja in June last year.

The separatist appeared in court in court in the same clothes for his trial on terrorism and treasonable felony charges on Tuesday.

The Tuesdays sitting was stalled due to late service of the amended charge of 15 counts on the defence barely 24 hours to the scheduled proceedings, prompting the judge to postpone the case until Wednesday.

While adjourning the case on Tuesday, Mrs Nyako restated her earlier orders, directing the SSS to give Mr Kanu the maximum comfort that is available.

She ordered that Mr Kanu should be allowed take his bath, change clothes, eat well, and practise his faith as he wished.

Despite the order, however, Mr Kanu wore the same Fendi designers clothes to court on Wednesday.

But shortly after announcing appearance, the prosecutor, Shuaibu Labaran, informed the judge, that Mr Kanu refused to change his clothes.

The defendant (Mr Kanu) refused to change his clothes, Mr Labaran told the judge, adding that the IPOB leader said he prefers wearing the Fendi designers clothes.

The government lawyer, said in compliance with the order for provision of possible maximum comfort for Mr Kanu, The State Security Service (SSS) has procured an orthopedic mattress, pillows and beddings for the defendant (Mr Kanu).

Defence lawyer counters claim

But Mr Kanus counsel, Mr Ozekhome, disagreed with the prosecuting lawyers position that Mr Kanu refused to change his clothes.

Mr Ozekhome explained that his client donned the same dress because there was no other clothes for him to wear.

Since the courts order on Tuesday, we havent visited the defendant (Mr Kanu), because the day doesnt fall within the visiting days, Mr Ozekhome said.

Thereafter, the judge directed the defence team to make clothes available to the SSS operatives in court, to enable Mr Kanu change his clothes.

Get the new set of clothes and pass them to the SSS operatives, the judge told Mr Ozekhome.

Kanus toddler niece attends court proceedings

Meanwhile, Mr Kanus little niece whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, was in court on Wednesday as part of the IPOB leaders family members who witnessed the court sitting.

Upon arriving at the courtroom at about 10:09 a.m., Mr Kanu was greeted by the toddler and her mother.

The IPOB leader kissed the little girl and exchanged pleasantries with his younger brother, Emmanuel, and other family members before taking his seat.

Mr Kanu is being tried on a fresh 15-count charge bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism, which pleaded not guilty to on Wednesday.

He was rearrested and returned from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021, and has since remained in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja.

The prosecution rearraigned him on the newly filed amended 15-count charge bordering on terrorism, and treasonable felony, on Wednesday.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges which centre on separatist activities. The judge adjourned trial till February 16.
If the Federal Government will genuinely put politics aside, prosecute and possibly jail anyone whose hand has been soiled in the blood of innocent people, directly or indirectly, that could help arrest the ugly descent, but only if the political calculations of 2023 is not in the mix.

For almost two decades now, Zamfara State has been in the news; sadly, for all the wrong reasons. If it is not politicised sharia law today, it is lead poison tomorrow, which killed children and adults; or the dog-eat-dog combustible political rivalry of the elites. The only culprit of the sharia implementation is poor Jengebe, who stole one cow and was made to bear the insignia for the sins of all Zamfara people.

However, cattle rustling, which persists today, ensures the stealing of hundreds of cows, that could be herded to as far as Central African Republic. By far, the greatest threats to Zamfara State today is the elites lust and fight for power  political banditry as the governor called it, and violent crimes  now renamed terrorism, making it arguably the most imperilled State in the North-West. Bandits regularly take over roads and forests. They are a government unto themselves; they collect tolls and even hold party-like merriments and taunt the authorities with the video. This week, bandits in Gando forest in Bukkuyum Local Government wrote missives to nine communities demanding for different amounts of money, ranging from N5 million to N500,000, perhaps for their safety and protection. In some parts of Katsina and Niger States, farmers pay for access to their farms, so that of Zamfara is not new. The bandits are that bold, daring and seem unstoppable.

But the latest attacks in Bukkuyum and Anka local governments that ended the lives of about 200 people (Governor Bello Matawalle put the number at 58) typifies the extent of the the misery occasioned by insecurity in Zamfara State. 58 precious Nigerian lives wasted just like that, in peace time?

The massacre also reinforced another kind of war among the States influential personalities. To begin with, whats the offence of these villagers that led to their merciless killing? For standing up to bandits in defence of their communities. That fateful night of January 4th to 5th, the bandits were fleeing from a military operation with about 3,000 rustled cattle and in the process visited mayhem on anybody and anything on their way; they killed, maimed, and set houses on fire. Since then, and even before the latest crime, the politicians have been trading blames  accusations and counter-accusations about who did what or failed to do what took centre-stage. Banditry is now an extension of Zamfaras dirty politics, and there is virtually no VIP that has not been accused of associating with it, as if it is now their pastime, even though there has not been any incontrovertible evidence helpful to our combat soldiers  the military and other security agencies in the frontline fighting to combat the menace.

At the last count, the deputy governor, Mahdi Aliyu, who refused to decamp with his principal, Governor Bello Matawalle from the Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC); his father, General Aliyu Gusau, a former minister of Defence and National Security Adviser; controversial and hard-talking Senator Kabiru Marafa; former Governor Abdulaziz Yari and other political bigwigs have all been accused by the governors camp of sponsoring banditry, which is now second nature to the State, just as allegations of not being proactive and financial impropriety have also been levelled against the governor.

Such is the ugly face of Zamfara politics, manifesting in many ways in over 20 years of this republic. If only Zamfaras big men could convert their energies, influences, and goodwill to intangible wealth, the State will be the better for it. How about the States natural resources (gold, lead, etc.) contributing the tangibles to its economic development?

Only this last Monday, the governor said there was no end in sight for banditry in the State because of the powerful forces collaborating in the heinous crime, while he vowed to expose them. So, you see, with the kind of people we have in Zamfara, I dont think this issue of banditry will end very soon. Because already some people are behind it. Some people are using it. And all they need is at least to show Nigerians that both the federal and Zamfara state governments are not serious on the issue of insecurity, despite the fact that some of them are involved in the crisis.

After the Bukkuyum and Anka attacks, Governor Matawalles commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Dosara told the press that we have a lot of informants getting information to those people (the bandits). The moment you strategise, the moment the enemies also strategise. How could he be so sure? He who alleges, as the saying goes, must provide facts. Besides as a government official, why not share intelligence, through the governor, to those in charge of Zamfara military operations, than come on air to make allegations. Except to gain sympathy or incite, what can the public do with such information. And if this is not about the 2023 election, I wonder how else it should be classified.

Such is the ugly face of Zamfara politics, manifesting in many ways in over 20 years of this republic. If only Zamfaras big men could convert their energies, influences, and goodwill to intangible wealth, the State will be the better for it. How about the States natural resources (gold, lead, etc.) contributing the tangibles to its economic development? The state would have been a goldmine. Intangible wealth is classified by the World Bank as factors such as the trust among people in a society, effective government, value of education and social institutions, among other things. All these factors are certainly absent in Zamfara State, and the rest is chaos.

Take, for example, the unthoughtful introduction of the politically motivated sharia law by the government of Ahmed Sani Yeriman Bakura and some other Northern states. Though it should encompass Islamic legal system like the sharia commission, zakat commission and hisbah, that of Zamfara was so politicised, such that it focused on petty stealing and the morality or otherwise of women. Under this law, only one man got his limbs severed. All the pen robbers and corrupt politicians went unpunished. The Sharia law and attendant controversies have since fizzled out in Zamfara.

After Jengebe, has stealing stopped? I doubt if its implementation, which led to religious riots across Northern states and death of hundreds, made us better Muslims, nor did it sanitise the society. And, of course, it did not bring any intangible wealth to Zamfara State.

The Zamfara woes was compounded in 2010 by the led poison fiasco. At least 163 people, including 111 children, lost their lives. There is also the issue of illegal gold mining fuelled by locals in Zamfara. Just like oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, the struggle for political control in Zamfara State is intertwined with the control of gold.

The Zamfara woes was compounded in 2010 by the led poison fiasco. At least 163 people, including 111 children, lost their lives. There is also the issue of illegal gold mining fuelled by locals in Zamfara. Just like oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, the struggle for political control in Zamfara State is intertwined with the control of gold. At an annual lecture series on Anti-money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism held at Nile University, Abuja in November last year, ICPC chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye attributed violent crimes in Zamfara to illegal gold mining. According to him, it is difficult to divorce the raging violent crimes in Zamfara from the illegal gold mining by Nigerians and collaborators from West African region and beyond, which had gone on for years unabated, he said.

Not forgetting the intense and incessant political bickering by their politicians, who have constituted themselves into a cabal deciding the fate of Zamfara people. The last three years or so when APCs victory was legally upturned and given to PDP, the subsequent volte face of Governor Matawalle in his cross-carpeting back to APC is upsetting the two camps  APC leaders eyeing the governorship seat (whose ambition may been truncated) and PDP members angry that the governor has turned their short-lived victory into a mirage and a possible repeat of Edo, where a sitting governor Obaseki decamped from APC to PDP and still won the election. Governors are that powerful because the states treasury, which they control, is also used as slush fund to procure electoral victory.

This toxic admixture of violent crime and political gamble has turned Zamfara State into a theatre of the absurd, where innocent people lose lives and livelihoods in a meaningless fight they know nothing about, other than bearing the burden of victimhood.

If the Federal Government will genuinely put politics aside, prosecute and possibly jail anyone whose hand has been soiled in the blood of innocent people, directly or indirectly, that could help arrest the ugly descent, but only if the political calculations of 2023 is not in the mix.

zainabsule@yahoo.com
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

Aristotle, Greek Philosopher

The utility of the above summation by the great Aristotle emphasizes the need for political leaders to, above all, recognize the prime essence of performance and excellence for posterity while in public office rather than being consumed by the flame and obsession of politics. This is indeed the disposition of Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya ( Dan Majen Gombe)

It is a well-known fact that everywhere in the world, awards are given to individuals who have distinguished themselves either as leaders or professionals in their chosen fields of endeavours. These recognitions or awards as the case may be, are usually conferred on personalities not just for the fun of it but as a means of encouraging them in what can best be described as To whom much is given much is expected.

Since coming into office more than two and half years ago, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has received so many awards, accolades and recognitions from different reputable national and International bodies, including some famous national dailies such as Business Day, Blueprint and Daily Independent newspapers among others. The list of these awards is endless.

However, two of the most recent awards bestowed on Governor Inuwa Yahaya readily come to mind. These awards are the ones by Leadership newspaper which recognised the Gombe State Governor as the 2021 Leadership Governor of the Year and Vanguard newspaper which declared Inuwa Yahaya as its 2021 Personality of the Year under governors category. Both high profile recognitions came almost in quick succession in brazen admittance of Governor Inuwas giant strides in the social, economic and infrastructural development of the State.

So what are these clinical deliverables that the two National Dailies saw in Governor Inuwa Yahaya to warrant the honours? For Leadership newspaper, the award was premised on the governors leadership acumen which has always been tailored towards repositioning Gombe State on the path of sustainable economic growth, rebuilding the states decrepit infrastructure, constructing roads with spread across the state, providing job opportunities for youths and women as well as empowering the people of the state with his agricultural transformation agenda. Leadership newspaper recalled that on assuming office on May 29, 2019, Governor Inuwa Yahaya (Dan Majen Gombe) was not new to the challenges facing the now 25-year-old state, having meritoriously served as the states commissioner for finance and economic development. He left no one in doubt that he already had his job well cut out for him: to propel Gombe State towards the path of rapid development. The accountant and pragmatic leader was burning in an unquenchable desire to deliver on his campaign promises. The national tabloid remarked that true to the peoples hopes, the governor has not disappointed them.

Governor Yahaya, according to the national daily, has brought his vision, passion, humanity, pedigree, and above all, his dexterity and Midas touch to bear on governance in the states socio-economic landscape. Across the 11 local government areas of the state, there is a congruence of opinion that Governor Inuwa is indeed the right man for the job. He has so far met the expectations of the people through his visionary leadership. Within two and half years of his being in office, even his staunch critics would not hesitate to disavow their rather ill-informed criticisms of the Gombe State government on his watch. The cumulative effect of Governor Yahayas prudence, leadership character and credibility is the coming of various development partners to the state, and the results are so far remarkable. Gombe is now the best state in the ease of doing business in Nigeria and has been adjudged the safest and most peaceful state in the North-East geopolitical zone of the country.

As for Vanguard newspaper, the tabloid recalled that after about 25 years of existence, Gombe State, the Jewel in the Savannah, is now clearly set on the path of a new dawn under a transformational leadership of Governor Yahaya. The current administration which ushered in the new era is barely two and half years old when the impact of transformational leadership began to gain traction while Vanguard Newspapers findings show the strong foundation for sustained growth across the socio-economic landscape of the state in the medium to long term. Vanguard maintained that most governance analysts have often excused many governments failures on the premise of the impact of COVID-19 on the national and sub-national economies, but Gombe seems to have created a different narrative; that challenges berth creativity and ultimately superlative performance. According to Vanguard Newspaper, Governor of the Year awards go to a few selected state governors that managed to distinguish themselves in the circumstances of the operating environment.

For Gombe, the environmental circumstances were even more daunting, judging from the obviously difficult financial and socio-political liabilities inherited by the Inuwa Yahaya administration. Vanguard Newspaper findings show that upon assumption of office, the administration was confronted with a treasury in distress, burdened with about N124 billion in Loans/Bonds, Pension/Gratuity arrears and contractors liabilities.

The fiscal stress could be gleaned from the recurrent obligations amounting cumulatively to about N900.4million monthly to service the liabilities. But the administration has gone ahead to demonstrate a determination to achieve positive results. It is the usual practice for new administrations in Nigerias governance space to abandon uncompleted projects inherited from the previous administration, especially if the new administration is not an extension of the previous. But Mr Yahaya chose the road less travelled. Determined to salvage and possibly turn around the taxpayers money into viable assets, the administration embarked on completing those projects.

Already, the Mega Motor Park is costing the state about N3 billion to complete and when Vanguard Newspaper visited the location, extensive work was ongoing to get the park ready for commissioning. The project was one of the several of such that compelled the current administration to draw up a well thought out robust financial plan to deal with the fiscal implications. Prior to the advent of the current administration, the 11 local government areas of the state had to borrow N1.3 billion monthly to pay salaries. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya administration had, within the first three months of its coming into office, stabilised the LGAs financially and are now able to pay their salaries and pensions as at when due on their own. At the backdrop of the foot-dragging that has marked the implementation of the minimum wage.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya also believes a good network of roads is critical to the economic revival and development of the state. Being an agrarian state in spite of the ongoing ambitious work to industrialize the state, we have come to see a new Gombe where the various parts are now well linked up via good roads, starting from the initial Network 11-100 Project, (100 kilometres of roads in each of the 11 local governments) to the mega revolution in the construction of over 150 other strategic roads across the state till date.

Some of the road projects include the 25km Billiri-Gujba road, the 15km Sabonlayi-Ayaba road, the 15km Ladongor-Fubawure road, the 17km Kumo-Kalshingi road, the 10km Kutare- Mona road, the 10km Kundulum-Mallam Inna- Kurba road and the16km Marraraban-Jarkwami- Daniya roads as well as the Industrial Cluster road networks. These projects, Vanguard learnt, have since been completed and are being enjoyed by the people. Other road projects being completed by the present administration under the same funding arrangement include Dukku-Kalam-Dokoro, Dukku-Jamari, Bambam-Tula-Yiri, Kwanar-Rugaji- Kuka-Bakwai-Galgaldu and Bajoga township roads, among others. The Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya administration also initiated and completed the 15.2km Jabba- Garin Wada, the 21km Degri-Talasse and 16km MalalaDukkuyel regional roads with the same funding. These are aside from the township road projects in Gombe metropolis. Vanguard also learnt that over 340 classroom blocks have either been constructed or renovated and equipped with modern teaching and learning materials. The government has also succeeded in ensuring the total overhaul of our 114 Primary Healthcare Centres, PHCs, across 114 wards in the state. So also the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project/ World Bank, NEWMAP/WB, erosion control project for N2.9 billion has already been completed and has greatly assisted in reducing the menace of erosion and flooding in the state capital especially in the Gombe State University to Mallam Inna area. The provision of ultra-modern solar-powered street lights on all roads  both double and single lanes  covering over 114km of roads, is another giant stride by the Inuwa Yahaya led administration.

At present, a new N1.8 billion General Hospital is under construction in Kumo, while three other hospitals are being renovated and upgraded. These include those in Bajoga, Kaltungo and Kuri. It is the desire of the Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya administration to bequeath a better and more economically viable state.

The justification by the two national dailies to have the name of the Gombe State Governor engraved in their respective halls of fame is not only systematic but pragmatic given the Governors legendary leadership disposition to place Gombe State on the path of sustainable social economic and infrastructural development.

Ismaila Misilli is Director-General (Press Affairs) Government House, Gombe
A Borno indigene, Peter John, has reunited with family and friends after spending 15 months in prison, his lawyer, Fetus Ogun, told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday.

He was released on Tuesday, almost a month after Robert Kpanou, a Benin Republic national, was freed.

The lawyer said Mr Johns family reached out to him shortly after the matter was struck out in court on December 17.

He was the last defendant in that matter who was left in custody. And ever since the court resumed, we have been on it since the beginning of this year. And he was out yesterday, he said.

When this newspaper contacted Mr John through his brother Hosea, he said he (Peter) wasnt with him at the moment. He asked this reporter to call back Thursday to speak with Mr John.

Ordeal

According to the Punch newspaper, the 23-year-old was arrested on October 23, 2020, on his way to work by the police

I had a horrible experience in prison. I was arrested for what I didnt do. I was not arrested at any riot venue. I was arrested days after the riot on my way to work at Lekki new market, he told the newspaper.

They told me that I was part of those that caused riots in Lagos State. They also said I was part of those that burnt government properties. These are lies.

Mr John described his prison experience as a painful one.

I really suffered there. It was a very painful experience. I almost died of hunger. A lot of people die of hunger there.

Prisoners cannot even consume the kind of food they give to us. They give us food two times a day. In the morning, they give us beans and if you dare eat the beans, you will fall sick and suffer diarrhoea. After the beans, they will give us garri in the evening.

He said he got seriously sick in prison adding that he was beaten by his fellow prisoners called the seniors.

Mr Ogun told this newspaper that there is a need for urgent reform in the judicial system.

Backstory

The violence that ensued after the protest against police brutality left many parts of the state with burnt buildings including the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), TVC, police stations, and others.

Following the incident, many young Nigerians were picked randomly and taken to prison on allegations that they took part in the mayhem that trailed the largely peaceful protest.
Budding trees and blooming flowers.

The return of robins, loons and other migrating birds.

The return of bees, butterflies and frogs.

Melting snow and lake ice.

Longer days and light in the evening.

Shedding the winter garments.

The myriad scents of flowering trees and plants.

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SINGAPORE, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- A weather and climate expert said on Tuesday that so far he did not expect a substantial impact on the global environment from the recent volcano eruption in Tonga.

The eruption in Tonga is quite sizable, with dust and gases that came out of the volcano reaching up to 30 km, according to data from NASA sources, said Koh Tieh Yong, associate professor with the School of Science and Technology at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

"When you inject a substance into 30 km high, it has gone beyond the layer of the troposphere where you have all the weathers going on into the next layer of the atmosphere known as the stratosphere," he said in an interview with Xinhua.

When the gases entered the stratosphere, there are two possible effects of sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.

After the sulfur dioxide gases caused by the eruption entered the stratosphere, they would have been converted into sulfur crystals. As sulfur crystals scatter sunlight, hence less sunlight reaches the earth's surface, which theoretically might cool the earth's surface.

The NASA data seems to suggest that up to now, the amount of sulfur dioxide ejected is about 400 million kg, about 50 times less than the very famous volcanic eruptions by the Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991.

"The Pinatubo eruption brought about 0.6 degrees Celsius of cooling on the earth's surface, and this one in Tonga with 50 times less sulfur dioxide will not have a substantial impact on the global surface," he said.

Secondly, people might worry about the carbon dioxide that is ejected into the atmosphere, because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.

As the amount of carbon dioxide is also much smaller compared to the amount of which emitted by the industries and transport, the carbon dioxide ejection by this volcano is negligible.

"So one can be assured that not much global impact will be seen," he said. However, local impacts still exist, he noted.

Obviously, winds will carry the dust from the volcano around the world before the dust eventually settles down, particularly in the area around Tonga. The dust would cover the plants and buildings, etc.

That would have an impact on the local environment, but this would occur over one week or two weeks, then it will be over, he said.

"So there are no long-term impacts to the environment, but the volcano would have other effects quite apart from the atmospheric aspect," he pointed out.

It can be possible an eruption can be followed up by smaller eruptions, and it finally depends on altogether how much of the gases and dust are ejected by the volcano, he said.

"Since this event is new and it is hard to say what would happen in the coming days, we still need to keep a watch on it," Koh said. 
Southbury, CT (06488)

Today

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Cloudy skies with periods of rain late. Low 49F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
The theme for this year's Catalyst Awards is "The Great Reimagining: Making Work Work for Women." Tweet this

Hundreds are expected to attend the in-person event, with thousands joining virtually, including the Catalyst Board of Directors and Catalyst CEO Champions For Change. Executives from top global corporations, professional firms, governments, NGOs, and educational institutions will convene at the 2022 Catalyst Awards Conference, as well as the Dinner chaired by Dow CEO Jim Fitterling and Supporting Dinner Chair and Flex CEO Revathi Advaithi.

The organizational initiatives receiving this year's Catalyst Awards are:

Boston Scientific: Accelerating Progress for Women by Creating Equal Opportunities for Growth

Enbridge: Informed Insights and Inclusion

Parexel: Leveraging Gender Partnership to Advance Women in Leadership

Boston Scientific: Accelerating Progress for Women by Creating Equal Opportunities for Growth

In 2017, Boston Scientific asked employees globally, "Do men and women with equal ability, education, and experience also have equal opportunities for promotion at our company?" The results were telling: Women answered 14 percentage points less favorably than men. Similarly, Black women and men in the US and Puerto Rico responded with lower ratings toward career opportunities compared to their peers of other racial and ethnic identities.

At Boston Scientific, advancing science to bring meaningful innovations to patients around the world requires the diversity of thought, skill, and experiences of every employee. The company's Creating Equal Opportunities for Growth initiative was a global effort to support the acceleration of career advancement and address barriers that women and multicultural talent faced at the start of the initiative. The multifaceted initiative ignited a cultural shift that continues to this day.

Core elements include making progress over time to increase workplace diversity, improve diversity awareness and inclusion competency skills for all employees, and expand opportunities for sponsorship and mentoring. The company also increased transparency, accountability, and communication about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and progress.

All employees are responsible for promoting DEI across the organization. Regardless of role or level, they contribute to the betterment of their workplace and communities. The initiative extends into customarily-left-out functions such as sales, clinical trial, and manufacturing teams, who are trained to discuss and understand the impact of racism and other barriers to equitable health care.

Employees serve as leaders of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and members of Inclusion Councils, helping elevate employee voices to enact change. ERG leaders meet regularly with Executive Committee sponsors who provide strategic partnership and guidance, and those ERG leaders receive visibility to top senior leadership as part of their role. Both senior leaders and employees also promote DEI through their involvement on the Global Council for Inclusion.

Between 2017 and 2020, women in executive leadership roles increased from 12.5% to 26.7% (14.2-point increase). Women at director and vice president levels increased from 27.6% to 33.4% (5.8-point increase). Women of color (US/Puerto Rico) in manager and supervisory roles increased from 7.5% to 9.3% (1.8-point increase). The Board of Directors has had three women (30% of the Board), two of whom are women of color, since 2017.

Enbridge: Informed Insights and Inclusion

Enbridge's initiative can be summed up in one word: transparency. In 2016, Enbridge acknowledged employee demand for greater transparency about gender representation. This resulted in the creation of the Gender Dashboardan interactive online tool showing gender representation across all levels. In 2019, Enbridge expanded transparency to include additional dimensions of diversity, such as people with disabilities, veterans, and people from underrepresented ethnic and racial groups.

Enbridge shares its Diversity Dashboard with all employees, with the ability to segment the data by job level, functional area and geography, including trending information on hiring, promotion, and turnover rates. Enbridge further shares its representation goals publicly and reports on progress against them. Within the energy industry, this level of transparency is groundbreaking.

While there is a strong support structure in place, embedding inclusion as the fourth pillar to their organization-wide values (along with Safety, Respect, and Integrity) has codified the organization's dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The initiative was driven by an executive-level Enterprise Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, with the Human Resources specialists in Diversity, Talent, and Analytics enabling its implementation.

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) make it possible for many employees to lead, engage in, and benefit from the initiative, with the support of ERG executive sponsors who are very involved and committed to their groups.

Since launching the initiative, Enbridge has already exceeded their 2022 goal of 30% women in manager-and-above positions. Enbridge's representation of women in Canada increased between 2017 and 2021: 25% to 33% at the vice-president and senior vice-president levels, 24% to 31% at the director level, and 27% to 35% at the manager level. Enbridge's representation of women of color in Canada increased between 2017 and 2021 from 2% to 8% at the manager level and from 2% to 5% at the vice-president and senior vice-president levels. At present, Enbridge's board is comprised of four women (36%), three of whom are chairs of board committees and one of whom is a woman of color.

Parexel: Leveraging Gender Partnership to Advance Women in Leadership

In 2014, Parexel leadership realized that despite having healthy representation of women at the manager-and-below level, women were not progressing from the senior-director to vice-president level at the pace they would like. One of the actions the company took in response was to hire its first Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Aida Sabo. Under Ms. Sabo's leadership, the company launched an initiative aimed at increasing its representation of women leaders at the highest levels by building a culture of inclusion from the top down.

Oversight of Parexel's Women in Leadership initiative sits with the company's Diversity Executive Committee (DEC), which includes several members of the Parexel Executive Leadership Team and the DEI department. This group meets quarterly to review goals, activities, and leadership representation data. Information from the DEC is funneled down to companywide committees, which prioritize activities based on the organization's strategic goals. These companywide committees are sponsored by designated leaders and cover a range of subject matters, functions, and regions to address the unique needs of each.

CEO Jamie Macdonald and Parexel's executive committee continue to lead a profound change in senior leadership culture by bringing in high-profile external speakers and providing unconscious bias training for the senior leadership team. These efforts have enabled leadership to recognize their own biases in a safe and supportive environment. The culture change at the senior-leadership level has permeated throughout Parexel across regions, functions, and levels.

The representation of women globally among senior leadership ranks has increased across each job-band level between 2014 and 2021. Particularly noteworthy are the increases at the senior vice-president level from 13.3% to 38.8% and from 32.3% to 50.3% at the vice-president level during this timeframe. In addition, in the United States, representation of women of color in Parexel's workforce increased across several job levels, including an increase from 0% to 10% (10 percentage points) at the SVP level and 3.3% to 14.8% (11.5 percentage points) at the VP level. Parexel's new board is comprised of 57% women and 29% women of color.

"The initiatives from Boston Scientific, Enbridge, and Parexel are stellar examples of using data and transparency to build a more inclusive organizational culture for women and everyone," said Lorraine Hariton, President & CEO, Catalyst. "Their leadership and employees understand that increasing representation in their leadership ranks and building a culture of inclusion within their organizations is the true measure of success."

Catalyst will also commemorate its sixtieth anniversary at the annual Awards and signature fundraiser, featuring keynote presentations, learning sessions and activities, extensive networking, and a diverse resource library.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka are among this year's confirmed keynote speakers.

Target Corporation is the Awards' presenting sponsor.

Learn more about registration for the 2022 Catalyst Awards. For specific questions, please contact [email protected].

Join the 2022 Catalyst Awards conversation by following Catalyst on Facebook.com/CatalystInc, Instagram.com/CatalystInc, and Twitter.com/CatalystInc, using the hashtags #TheGreatReimagining and #CatalystAwards2022.

# # #

About Catalyst

Catalyst is a global nonprofit supported by many of the world's most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. Founded in 1962, Catalyst drives change with preeminent thought leadership, actionable solutions, and a galvanized community of multinational corporations to accelerate and advance women into leadershipbecause progress for women is progress for everyone.

Media Contacts:

Naomi R. Patton

Vice President, Global Communications

Catalyst

[email protected]

Stephanie Wolf

US Communications Consultant

Catalyst

[email protected]

SOURCE Catalyst
Subscribers with a basket subtotaling at least $10 will receive additional benefits including the option to select a free product, such as a free small Slurpee drink. Better yet, members of 7Rewards the loyalty program in the 7-Eleven app where customers can earn and redeem points on most purchaseswill unlock double the rewards when they order delivery using the 7NOW Gold Pass service. Need we say more? Experience 7-Eleven convenience like never before at no cost for the first 14 days. "Our 7NOW Gold Pass subscription delivery service brings convenience to a whole new level, giving our customers the ability to order what they want, when they want it  and now as often as they want without an added delivery fee," said Raghu Mahadevan, 7-Eleven SVP and Chief Digital Officer. "Whether our customers are ordering their favorite snacks and drinks for a fun night in with friends and family, or keeping their home stocked with everyday essentials, they can have it all with the 7NOW Gold Pass service."

7-Eleven launched delivery in 2018 via 7NOW, and the introduction of new offerings  like the 7NOW Gold Pass subscription delivery service  is part of a company-wide commitment to bring value and delight to every customer experience both in and out of the store.

All items available for order through the 7NOW app will be available through the 7NOW Gold Pass service throughout the U.S. and real-time tracking lets customers know when to expect their orders. Look for the 7NOW Gold Pass banner on the 7NOW app home screen to sign up.

The 7NOW app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play , or by visiting 7NOW.com .

*By joining you will be signing up for a recurring monthly subscription to the 7NOW Gold Pass. After the 14 day free trial period ends, your payment method on file will be charged $5.95 plus applicable taxes and your subscription will automatically renew monthly until you cancel through your account page. Delivery fee will be waived on delivery orders, other fees may apply. For additional terms and more information, please see the 7NOW Gold Pass Program terms and the Gold Pass FAQs in the 7NOW App.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7Eleven, Inc. is the premier name in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 14,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to 7Eleven stores, 7Eleven, Inc. operates and franchises Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits locations. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites at an outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards loyalty program with more than 50 million members, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in over 2,000 cities, or rely on 7Eleven for bill payment service, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7Eleven.com.

SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.
The Altos executive team will be composed of Hal Barron, MD (incoming CEO), Rick Klausner, MD (Chief Scientist and Founder), Hans Bishop (President and Founder), and Ann Lee-Karlon, PhD (Chief Operating Officer). Hal Barron is currently President of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at GSK and will join Altos as CEO and Board co-chair effective August 1, 2022. Klausner was former director of the National Cancer Institute and entrepreneur, Bishop was former CEO of GRAIL and Juno Therapeutics, and Lee-Karlon was former Senior Vice President at Genentech.

Altos will be initially based in the US in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, and in the UK in Cambridge. The company will also have significant collaborations in Japan. Set within these geographies, activity will be organized across the Institutes of Science and the Institute of Medicine. The Altos Institutes of Science will pursue deep scientific questions and integrate their findings into one collaborative research effort. The Altos Institute of Medicine will capture knowledge generated about cell health and programming to develop transformative medicines.

The three Altos Institutes of Science will be led by Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, PhD, Wolf Reik, MD, and Peter Walter, PhD. Thore Graepel, PhD, will serve as global head of computational science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Prior to joining Altos, Izpisua Belmonte was professor and chair at the Salk Institute, Reik was director of the Babraham Institute and is an honorary professor at the University of Cambridge, and Walter was professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Graepel previously served as research lead at Google DeepMind and professor at University College London. Within the Institutes of Science, an extraordinary group of Principal Investigators (PIs) will collaboratively pursue the many aspects of cell health and programming. A full listing of PIs is found at altoslabs.com .

The Altos Board of Directors and advisors include Nobel Laureates and scientific leaders. The Board will be co-chaired by Rick Klausner, Hans Bishop, and Hal Barron (current director and incoming co-chair) and includes the following Board directors: Frances Arnold, PhD (Linus Pauling Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering and Biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology and Nobel Laureate), Hal Barron, MD (Chief Scientific Officer and President, R&D, of GSK), Jennifer Doudna (Li Ka Shing Chancellor's Chair and Professor of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, President of the Innovative Genomics Institute, and Nobel Laureate), Maria Leptin, PhD (President of the European Research Council), Robert Nelsen (Co-founder and Managing Director of ARCH Venture Partners), Rajiv Shah, MD (President of the Rockefeller Foundation), and David Baltimore, PhD (President Emeritus and Judge Shirley Hufstedler Professor of Biology at the California Institute of Technology and Nobel Laureate), as lead independent director. Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD (Director of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University and Nobel Laureate), will serve as senior scientific advisor to Altos without remuneration, overseeing research activities in Japan.

"I am deeply honored to have been offered this once in a lifetime opportunity to lead such a unique company with a transformative mission to reverse disease," said Hal Barron. "It's clear from work by Shinya Yamanaka, and many others since his initial discoveries, that cells have the ability to rejuvenate, resetting their epigenetic clocks and erasing damage from a myriad of stressors. These insights, combined with major advances in a number of transformative technologies, inspired Altos to reimagine medical treatments where reversing disease for patients of any age is possible."

Altos is designed to integrate the best features of academia and industry -- from academia the freedom to pursue the most challenging problems in biology, and from industry the focus on a shared mission, ability to foster deep collaborations, and the passion and commitment to transform science into medicines.

"Altos seeks to decipher the pathways of cellular rejuvenation programming to create a completely new approach to medicine, one based on the emerging concepts of cellular health," said Rick Klausner. "Remarkable work over the last few years beginning to quantify cellular health and the mechanisms behind that, coupled with the ability to effectively and safely reprogram cells and tissues via rejuvenation pathways, opens this new vista into the medicine of the future. Altos begins with many of the leading scientists who are creating this new science. Together, we are building a company where many of the world's best scientists can collaborate internally and externally and develop their research with the speed, mission, and focus of private enterprise. Our success will depend upon a culture of intense collaboration, enthusiasm, and openness."

"Building a company with extraordinary ambition requires extraordinary people," said Hans Bishop. "It will also require building an innovation culture that brings out the best in people from very diverse backgrounds. We aim to amplify the best attributes of academia and companies with the goal to accelerate problem solving. I'm excited to be joining a team with such an inspiring mission and the internal ambition of building a company where all of us can say that we are doing our very best work."

Frances Arnold, Board member and Nobel laureate, believes that "Altos offers a whole new research and development model targeted to the oldest of human problems, slowing and even ultimately reversing the effects of disease. This remarkable team is poised to discover secrets of cellular health and transform the way we think about disease. Now more than ever is the time to restructure our approach to health by understanding, slowing, and even reversing the processes that lead to illness and death."

"As a geneticist and developmental biologist, I find great promise in the emerging recognition that the metabolic control of cell health contributes decisively to the ability of an organism to tolerate major systemic insults from congenital and infectious disease to stress and aging," said Maria Leptin, Board member and ERC president. "As a committed believer in curiosity-driven research, I welcome a broad approach to trying to understand the fundamental cellular principles involved in returning the stressed organism to a healthy equilibrium state."

Shinya Yamanaka, senior scientific advisor and Nobel laureate, said, "I am delighted to be a part of Altos and believe it to be one of the most important and exciting new global scientific endeavors. The possibility of rejuvenation programming has only recently become a scientific reality and has the potential to enable us to approach human disease in an entirely new way. I am glad that I will help scientists in Japan to work in this exciting field."

"I am honored to serve as the lead independent Director of the newly formed Altos Labs," said David Baltimore, Board member and Nobel laureate. "Altos will build on the remarkable developing understanding of the alterations of cells as they participate in the myriad processes of the human body over its lifespan. The goal of Altos will be to reverse the ravages of disease and aging that lead to disability and death, reinvigorating and extending the quality of life. Altos will provide an unparalleled environment for collaborative discovery and has already attracted a most impressive group of investigators to the daunting task of reversing ill health and taking medicine in a new direction."

About Altos Scientific Leadership

The Altos Bay Area Institute of Science will be led by Peter Walter, PhD, whose research has focused on developing molecular understanding of how cells control the quality of their proteins and organelles during homeostasis and stress. Dr. Walter is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Shaw Prize, the Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, the Vilcek Prize for Biomedical Science, and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Inventors. Prior to joining Altos, Dr. Walter was professor in the Department of Biochemistry/Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

The Altos San Diego Institute of Science will be led by Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, PhD. Dr. Izpisua Belmonte is a pioneer in the field of regenerative medicine. He has developed numerous strategies to improve health, including tissue and organ regeneration and cellular and organismal rejuvenation. He was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Creativity Award, a National Institutes of Health Director's Pioneer Award, the William Clinton Presidential Award, the Pew Scholar Award, the Gold Medal of Castilla-La Mancha, and the Roger Guillemin Endowed Nobel Chair. Prior to Altos, Dr. Izpisua Belmonte was professor in the Gene Expression Laboratory and the Roger Guillemin chair at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California.

The Altos Cambridge (UK) Institute of Science will be led by Wolf Reik, MD. Dr. Reik is a leader in epigenetic reprogramming of mammalian cells, honorary professor of Epigenetics at the University of Cambridge, and served most recently as director of the Babraham Institute in Cambridge. He is the recipient of the Wellcome Prize in Physiology and is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation and the Academia Europaea, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and of the Royal Society.

Altos will also support activities in Japan, guided by Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, who will serve as Altos senior scientific advisor without remuneration. Dr. Yamanaka is among the world's leading authorities on stem cell science and is a recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells. He currently serves as the director of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University and a senior investigator at the Gladstone Institutes.

Across all aspects of Altos will be a commitment to computational science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with activities led by Thore Graepel, PhD. Graepel was most recently research lead at Google DeepMind and chair of Machine Learning at University College London and is one of the foremost minds on how to build more intelligent systems and agents that learn from experience.

About Altos Labs

Altos Labs (Altos) is a biotechnology company focused on cellular rejuvenation programming to restore cell health and resilience, with the goal of reversing disease to transform medicine. The company comprises a community of leading scientists, clinicians, and leaders from both academia and industry working together towards this common mission.

Altos has operations in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, and in Cambridge, UK, with significant collaborations in Japan.

Visit www.altoslabs.com to learn more about Altos, including a full list of our senior scientists and leaders.

Media Contacts

Morgan Warners

Finsbury Glover Hering

[email protected]

Kim James

Finsbury Glover Hering

[email protected]

SOURCE Altos Labs
"Amber Group Becomes World's First Digital Asset Platform To Achieve SOC 2 Compliance." Tweet this

An independent review and affirmation of security controls is critical to industries where trust and regulation are essential. This comes at a crucial time when cybersecurity incidents remain a prevailing concern in the industry, keeping pace with the uptick in cryptocurrency and digital asset adoption. As a leading global digital asset platform with both retail and institutional heritage, Amber Group actively sought to attain SOC 2 compliance to test the strength and rigor of its information systems and internal controls, bolstering trust among its clients, investors and regulators.

"Providing our customers and partners with the assurance that Amber Group operates at the highest level of security and compliance, has always been a key priority for our organization. To that end, we are laser focused on holding ourselves accountable to the highest security standards that are practised in highly regulated industries, as we pursue continuous innovations in an ever-evolving financial ecosystem. Achieving SOC 2 compliance not only demonstrates our long-standing commitment to these principles; this milestone also marks a significant acceleration point for the digital asset sector," said Amber Group's Global Chief Executive Officer, Michael Wu.

"Security and privacy is at the core of user trust and confidence in digital assets. As the first digital asset platform to achieve SOC 2 compliance, we plan to continue building trust in digital assets among users and regulators. Amber Group will become synonymous with the gold standard in security and compliance in the digital asset space and beyond. We want to continuously move the needle to cement industry recognition of digital assets as a viable asset class and investment decision. This will go a long way in driving the acceptance and adoption of digital assets in the mainstream and we are proud that Amber Group is now leading the charge for this movement," he added.

About Amber Group

Amber Group is a leading digital asset platform operating globally with offices in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The firm provides a full range of digital asset services spanning investing, financing, and trading. Amber is backed by prominent investors including Paradigm, Dragonfly, Pantera, Polychain, Sequoia and Tiger Global.

For more information, please visit www.ambergroup.io.

SOURCE Amber Group
Thierry Ehrmann, CEO and Founder of Artmarket.com and its Artprice department: "The disruptive NFT technology escapes the 'standard' segmentation of the art market, traditionally organized into periods, mediums, movements, etc. Coving a multitude of extremely innovative initiatives, the NFT phenomenon is spreading into numerous intermingling areas. But, looking ahead, Artprice is working on a framework that will inform players in this market about what is exchanged and about what creates value; in short, a clear and objective way of presenting the information relating to NFTs (origin, edition, supply, demand, use, etc.), information that is necessary to reassure the market" .

The best and the not so good

For its Natively Digital: A Curated NFT Sale, which closed on 10 June 2021, Sotheby's brought together items as diverse as creations by the collective Art Blocks, a reinterpretation of Claude Monet's Meules painting by the artist digital Matt Kane, and a conceptual work by Rhea Myers aptly titled Secret Artwork (Content), about which the artist said "there is nothing rarer than something that doesn't actually exist".

Today, it is clear that NFTs represent a market that is open to all forms of hybridization, that of art and gaming, design and sport, etc.. Even if certain distinctions seem to have become obsolete, Sotheby's still chose to sell CryptoPunk #7523 separately (it fetched $11,754,000) which suggests that some NFTs still deserve specific treatment. Such a separation, based solely on demand, would obviously benefit from an accentuation of the homogeneity of the sessions.

This does not necessarily imply excluding CryptoPunks from digital art sales just because they are profile pictures (PFPs) rather than actual works. But it should be recognized that CryptoPunks, generated by random combinations, fall better into the category of Collectibles, however unattractive this rubric may sound.

Confusion, paradoxes and limits

The confusion between the Collectibles and Art categories is partly based on price because a profile photo purchased for several million dollars is perhaps an artwork as well. Similarly, when Sina Estavi acquired Jake Dorsay's first tweet for $2.9 million in March 2021, he compared this piece of code to the world's most famous work of art, da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

The NFT market is therefore still peppered with ambiguity and paradox. Clearly on the side of decentralisation and transparency, the NFT market still harbours numerous anomalies, which Financial Times journalists Hannah Murphy and Joshua Oliver have listed in a somewhat alarmist article entitled "How NFTs became a $40 bn market in 2021":

The unregulated space is also plagued by fraud, scams and market manipulation, especially because the real-world identities of buyers and sellers is difficult, if not impossible, to discover. Analysis by Nansen found $2 million of suspicious activity across the CryptoPunk and Bored Ape collections in the 30 days to mid-December. Some NFTs, for example, were sold at a 95 per cent discount to the average sale price, either because of mistakes by buyers and sellers, tax write-offs or some other scam exploiting unskilled users. Researchers have also warned that the market is likely being inflated by wash trading  when a trader takes both sides of a trade in order to give the false impression of demand.

Towards greater transparency

So far, there are not enough clear and transparent results to placate such suspicions. In 2021, Artprice databases listed just under 300 NFT lots sold at public auction for a total of $228 million, representing just 1.5% of the global secondary art market. Among the 100 best auction results of the year 2021 for NFTS, Artprice counted 65 digital artworks, 32 'collectibles', 2 'digital zones' and 1 film sequence.

But this is only the emerging part of a market that is growing at an exponential rate. The sooner the NFT marketplaces allow users to navigate with confidence by providing objective and useful information, the sooner they will reassure collectors and art professionals, and open the world of NFTs to new players.

According to thierry Ehrmann, CEO and Founder of Artmarket.com and its Artprice department: "All in all, NFTs have successfully triggered a genuine art market revolution in just a few months by flooding it with new works and providing a new sales channel. Initially by attracting young collectors and tech and cryptocurrency enthusiasts, but subsequently by attracting traditional collectors. Because, today, everyone wants to try the NFT experience. Like any revolution, this one is jerky with a lot of volatility that will attenuate over time. It is indeed perfectly natural for a new virgin space to experience a form of 'Gold Rush', with ingenuity and excesses at the same time. But as a Leader in Art Market Information, Artmarket.com will provide pragmatic solutions for NFT Marketplaces in order to establish the trust that is the driving force behind any exchange on the Internet, especially during this new phase of 'art market dematerialization'. Indeed, this has always been Artmarket.com's principal added-value: making the art market an efficient market over the years thanks to its compilation and exploitation of the most comprehensive art-focused databases in the world, providing sellers and buyers with the essential data they need for engaging in transactions with complete confidence".

Sotheby's has clearly understood that the Art Market is entering a new phase of very strong growth with NFTs and the metaverse. That's why Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are preparing Sotheby's return to the Stock Exchange via an IPO. Sotheby's has already taken the plunge by opening the Sotheby's Metaverse https://metaverse.sothebys.com/.

Furthermore  and this is indeed irrefutable confirmation of the paradigm shift that is occuring  Sotheby's has just announced it will accept bids in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USD Coin (USADC) cryptocurrencies with Coinbase Commerce for the 555-carat black diamond!

Image: [https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2022/01/image1-alchemical-fractal-NFT.jpg]

Copyright 1987-2022 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com

Don't hesitate to c ontact our E conometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: [email protected]

for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo

Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription

About Artmarket:

Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF.

Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video

Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987.

See certified biography in Who's who :

Biographie_thierry_Ehrmann_2022_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf

Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 770,000 artists.

Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform.

Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.

Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 5.4 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code).

Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art.

Artprice's 2020/21 Contemporary Art Market Report by Artmarket.com:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2021

Artprice by Artmarket's 2020 Global Art Market Report published in March 2021:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2020

Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department:

serveur.serveur.com/Press_Release/pressreleaseEN.htm

Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 5,4 million followers)

twitter.com/artmarketdotcom

twitter.com/artpricedotcom

Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013

L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o

www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (4.4 million followers)

https://vimeo.com/124643720

Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: Thierry Ehrmann, [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729845/Artmarket_com.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1009603/Art_Market_logo.jpg

SOURCE Artmarket.com
BISQUIT & DUBOUCH E X JILLIAN MAYER Founded over 200 years ago, Bisquit & Dubouche embodies the fearless artistic and entrepreneurial spirit of its two French founders, Alexandre Bisquit and Adrien Dubouche. The brand was acquired by Campari Group in 2018, heralding in an exciting new chapter of luxury cognac-making, complete with a global brand relaunch and the introduction of a completely reimagined design across the entire range. Unique within the category, Bisquit & Dubouche audaciously relies on the double distillation technique developed by its founders  a bespoke approach that is both delicate and time-consuming as it relies on instinct to identify when the cognac has reached its ideal aromas and taste. This means distilling longer than is customary in the quest for flavors, an unconventional method that sets it apart from all other cognacs. An intrepid innovator in her own right, Jillian Mayer was chosen to pay tribute to this rich heritage of rule-breaking and artistic intuition that the cognac Maison is rooted in.

Drawing inspiration from the hypnotic ritual of swirling Bisquit & Dubouche in a snifter, Mayer's installation invites visitors to step inside her vision of amber, burgundy, and sepia hues. A commentary on transformation, "Glass Room" highlights the amorphous nature of an oft overlooked material that dominates our everyday.

"As I learned more about the process of distilling cognac, I was excited to find out that copper is a key component of Bisquit & Dubouche's provocative distillation process, just as glass is integral to the final presentation of the master distiller's art. Glass, heat, copper  all these raw materials that are employed through the process of creating cognac are the same materials I'm utilizing in my work. In fact, the only metal that I use with glass is copper, as it does not impact or influence the color of the glass. This special relationship between copper and glass, flowing together as compatible materials, felt like the perfect homage to Bisquit & Dubouche," said Mayer.

As an artist, Jillian is constantly pushing boundaries through new mediums  glass being her latest  and exploring how the physical world around us affects our lives, bodies, and identities. Her latest work utilizes techniques and materials that have long histories, but giving them a modern expression.

"When I saw the rich colors of Bisquit & Dubouche cognac swirling elegantly in the glass, I instantly felt a connection: to the materials, to that world, and to the colors themselves. I wanted to be surrounded by that warm color palette of ambers, sepias, coppers, and rich burgundies that cognac inhabits and inspires. Then I started to think about what it would be like to have a room of these materials and it became the impetus of my design. There was never a moment where I felt unsure of this concept. I felt it, I saw it, and I knew what it should be," said Mayer.

BISQUIT & DUBOUCHE AND ART

At the heart of any creative practice is an appreciation for the craftsmanship behind it  whether it's a radical approach to cognac-making perfected over the past 200 years, or an immersive art installation that requires endless hours over a 1500-degree kiln. Both are led by intuition, instinct, and the human touch. Dating back to Bisquit & Dubouche founder Adrien Dubouche, a devoted art collector who himself designed the first Bisquit & Dubouche logotype, and original brand devotees like musical artist Josephine Baker, creativity has always been at the heart of this cognac Maison. Partnering with an innovative artist like Jillian Mayer is a natural extension of a historic brand that has always valued artistic vision and an avant-garde approach to time-honored materials.

BISQUIT & DUBOUCHE AT-A-GLANCE

Bisquit & Dubouche (Bis-keet n(d) Dey-boo-shey) was founded over 200 years ago by Alexandre Bisquit and Adrien Dubouche, but was only recently launched in the U.S. market.

and Adrien Dubouche, but was only recently launched in the U.S. market. The historic Maison was acquired by Campari Group in 2018 and is part of their luxury offerings.

Bisquit & Dubouche's radical double distillation technique differs from all other cognacs. Relying on intuition and experience over conventional methods, the brand's master distiller looks for esters that contain richer aromas and distills longer than is customary in the quest for a more robust bouquet of flavors that will make Bisquit & Dubouche unique. This handcrafted approach creates Bisquit & Dubouche's distinctive taste - smooth and mellow with an everlasting finish.

The flagship V.S.O.P. (SR $59 ) is beloved by cognac connoisseurs and novices alike  its subtle interplay of fruity and floral aromas garnering "VSOP of the Year" 2021 at the New York International Spirits Competition. The range also includes high-end expression X.O. (SRP $180 ).

) is beloved by cognac connoisseurs and novices alike  its subtle interplay of fruity and floral aromas garnering "VSOP of the Year" 2021 at the New York International Spirits Competition. The range also includes high-end expression X.O. (SRP ). The inimitable cognac is renowned for its smoothness and bouquet, which boasts nuanced floral and fruity aromas. The taste features a seductive blend of vanilla and caramel, with a subtle smoothness led by notes of honey, fig and dark fruits.

@bisquitdubouche @jillian_mayer_ @friezeofficial

ABOUT BISQUIT & DUBOUCHE

Established in 1819 by Alexandre Bisquit, the Bisquit & Dubouche cognac brand is renowned for its excellence, thanks to its unique distillation method that allows a superior concentration of aromas and smoothness. The brand offering includes a classic range of cognacs: V.S., V.S.O.P., and X.O., characterized by craft and unique features. Bisquit & Dubouche is crafted with a distinctive distillation method, distinguished by intuition, experience, continuous tastings and ability to "listen" and identify the exact moment to cut, when the aroma and body of the eaux de vie match the strong floral and fruity concentration that is the signature profile. As a result, Bisquit & Dubouche unveils a smooth aromatic bouquet, with floral notes of rose, dried apricot, muscat grape; followed by a persistent taste broadly described as fruity with subdued smoothness to its profile and with specific notes of honey, fig and dark fruits; all forged in a disruptive packaging that underlines the brand character, always challenging the status quo. Since the foundation, 200-years ago, Bisquit & Dubouche embodies the ambitious and charismatic spirit of its two French founders. Bisquit & Dubouche became part of the Gruppo Campari portfolio in 2017.

ABOUT THE CAMPARI GROUP

Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities. Global Priorities, the Group's key focus, include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey and Grand Marnier. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group's growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses.

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 22 countries. The Group employs approximately 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM) have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com/en. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

ABOUT FRIEZE LOS ANGELES:

Frieze is the world's leading platform for modern and contemporary art for scholars, connoisseurs, collectors, and the general public alike. Frieze comprises three magazines  frieze, Frieze Masters Magazine and Frieze Week  and five international art fairs  Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Frieze New York, Frieze Los Angeles and Frieze Seoul (launching September 2022). In October 2021, Frieze launched No.9 Cork Street, a hub for visiting international galleries in the heart of Mayfair, London. Frieze is part of the IMG network.

SOURCE Jillian Mayer x Bisquit & Dubouche
"Carbs aren't just in junk food or sweets," says Jonathan Davis, artisan baker and culinary innovation leader, La Brea Bakery. "Healthy foods have carbs, too, from whole grains to vegetables to beans. Somehow the message about vegetables and fruits being healthy has sunk in, but the myth about carbs being bad persists. That's a carb contradiction!"

Many nutritious foods are high in carbohydrates  including beans, vegetables, and fruits. Of course, many not-so-nutritious food are also high in carbs. Not surprisingly, confusion persists about what kind of carbs to eat, if any!

"The key to any food is that specific food itself, not the label we give it, like 'carbs,'" adds Davis. "You need to look at the label instead  consider the nutritional information as well as the ingredients. What's in the bread, like whole grains, and what's not in it, like artificial preservatives, are equally important. With any food, the more you know about how it was made, the better choices you can make."

One example of a bread with multiple health benefits is La Brea Bakery's sourdough loaf. (Fun fact: it uses the same sourdough starter created 30 years ago by the bakery.)

This ancient and tasty bread:

Contains antioxidants, beneficial in many diverse ways

Acts like a prebiotic for a healthy digestive system

Has a low glycemic index, which keeps insulin levels steadier

Makes its nutrients (like folate, potassium, and magnesium) easier for the body to absorb

"We believe healthy bread like sourdough or whole grain has a place at everyone's table," says Davis. "That's why we focus on the ingredients as well as the process. From our Take and Bake whole grain breads to our sourdough, bread can be an important part of your daily nutrition."

La Brea Bakery, a premier artisan bread brand, crafts hearth-baked, handcrafted breads sold at online retailers and grocery stores. In 2016, La Brea Bakery introduced the first nationally sold farm-to-table artisan bread  La Brea Bakery Reserve  delivering transparency, taste, and quality. La Brea Bakery operates a flagship store in Los Angeles and a second one in Anaheim, California. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for recipe ideas and more. La Brea Bakery is owned by Aspire, a leading manufacturer and distributor of bread, buns, cookies, and other premium baked goods in North America.

SOURCE La Brea Bakery
TOKYO, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Japan declared a COVID-19 quasi-state of emergency for Tokyo and 12 other prefectures on Wednesday, as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been spreading rapidly in these areas.

The targeted regions include Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa in the metropolitan area, Aichi, Gifu and Mie in central Japan, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Miyazaki in the country's southwest region, as well as Niigata, Gunma and Kagawa Prefecture.

Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Okinawa have already been placed under a quasi-emergency since early this month. The new measures will mean about a third of Japan's 47 prefectures are subject to stricter curbs.

Under the quasi-state of emergency, restaurants and bars will be asked to close early and stop or limit the serving of alcohol.

The restrictions will take effect from Friday to Feb. 13.

The governors of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo in western Japan are planning to discuss whether to ask for quasi-emergency curbs at a virtual meeting on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has taken COVID-19 response as the top priority since taking office in October last year, and his government is faced with the task of striking a balance between imposing anti-virus measures and keeping the economy going.

"I think we don't need to have eateries closed if people dine in a group of about four and speak quietly while wearing face masks," said Shigeru Omi, the government's top COVID-19 adviser.

Japan has been seeing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases since early January amid the spread of the Omicron variant, with the nationwide figure of daily cases rising nearly 200 times to 32,197 on Tuesday from around 150 in the previous month.

The number of new cases in Tokyo stood at 7,377 on Wednesday, over 1,000 more cases than the previous record of 5,908 registered in August last year.

The daily count of new cases in the capital had remained under 100 from October last year to Jan. 2.

Japan has started its booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine program, which began with inoculation for medical staff in December 2021, followed by senior citizens from February this year and then people in general.

The vaccination rate of Japanese who have finished the full two shots totaled 79.9 percent, while the rate of those who have received the booster dose was 1.3 percent, according to government data on Wednesday. 
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America reported its fourth-quarter 2021 financial results today. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed at Bank of America's Investor Relations website at https://investor.bankofamerica.com/quarterly-earnings.

Investor Conference Call information:

Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick will discuss the financial results in a conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET today. For a listen-only connection to the conference call, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international), and the conference ID is 79795.

Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. Investors can also listen to a live audio webcast of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the Events and Presentations section of the company's Investor Relations website.

Replay information for Investor Conference Call:

Investors can access replays of the conference call by visiting the Investor Relations website or by calling 1.800.934.4850 (U.S.) or 1.402.220.1178 (international) from noon on January 19 through 11:59 p.m. ET on January 29.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 41 million active users, including approximately 33 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for email news alerts.

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.388.6780

[email protected]

Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)

Phone: 1.212.449.3112

[email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Jerry Dubrowski, Bank of America

Phone: 1.646.855.1195 (office) or 1.508.843.5626 (mobile)

[email protected]

Christopher P. Feeney, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.386.6794

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As Omicron continues to escalate, the San Francisco Unified School District is facing teacher shortages, lack of rapid testing options and top of the line PPE, and the daunting task of keeping schools open for its 52,000 students. To support our schools, the local business community rallied together over the past two weeks to provide around 4,000 critically-needed tests and 120,000 masks. Working in conjunction with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews and community volunteers, tests were distributed to the community as well as every teacher in the district last week.

Spearheaded by Twitter CFO and Tipping Point Board Member, Ned Segal, a broad coalition of businesses have contributed over $300,000 to respond to the pressing demands. Contributors to date include:

AirBnB

Golden State Warriors

JPMorgan

San Francisco Giants

Twilio

Twitter

Visa

"The business community wants to do everything we can to keep our teachers, staff, students, and families healthy," said Segal. "We will come together to partner with the SFUSD to keep students and teachers in the classroom at this unprecedented time."

Lucira  a Bay Area company that provides rapid at-home molecular tests with PCR-accuracy  and Co-Protect  an L.A.-based distributor of COVID testing  reprioritized the distribution of the tests, making the product immediately available to the San Francisco community.

SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews oversaw the distribution over the weekend to students and families. "This is an all hands on deck moment," said Dr. Matthews. "We anticipate a continued need for high-quality masks and rapid tests over the weeks and months ahead. We are deeply grateful for the business community's support as we navigate this crisis together."

Tipping Point Community  a nonprofit organization that fights poverty in the Bay Area  is serving as the philanthropic partner to help collect and distribute donations. "When our region is in crisis, our community steps up," said Daniel Lurie, Tipping Point Founder and Board Chair. "We now know that distant learning has devastating impacts on families, particularly those who are low-income. We are grateful for the generosity of the community  teachers, parents, and business leaders  who are coming together at this critical moment."

About Tipping Point Community

Tipping Point's mission is to break the cycle of poverty for people in the Bay Area who don't have the resources to meet their basic needs. Since 2005, Tipping Point has invested more than $300 million for housing, early childhood, education, and employment solutions in the region. Our board covers 100% of our operating costs, so every dollar donated goes where it's needed most. Last year, our grantees provided life-changing services to more than 500,000 of our neighbors across the Bay Area. Visit www.tippingpoint.org to learn more.

SOURCE Tipping Point Community
The foundations call on world leaders to support the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to help end the COVID-19 crisis, prepare for future pandemics, and address epidemic threats.

SEATTLE and LONDON, Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome each pledged US$150 million for a total of US$300 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership launched five years ago this week by the governments of Norway and India, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the World Economic Forum. The pledges come ahead of a global replenishment conference in March to support CEPI's visionary five-year plan to better prepare for, prevent, and equitably respond to future epidemics and pandemics.

"As the world responds to the challenge of a rapidly evolving virus, the need to deliver new, lifesaving tools has never been more urgent," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "Our work over the past 20 years has taught us that early investment in research and development can save lives and prevent worst-case scenarios. Five years ago, following the Ebola and Zika epidemics, our foundation helped launch CEPI. Today, we're increasing our commitment and pledging an additional $150 million to help CEPI accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines against emerging variants of the coronavirus and to prepare for, and possibly even prevent, the next pandemic."

Since its inception, CEPI has played a central scientific role in curbing epidemics around the world, overseeing a number of scientific breakthroughs and putting pandemic preparedness at the center of the global health R&D agenda. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, CEPI responded immediately, building one of the world's largest and most diverse portfolios of COVID-19 vaccine candidates14 in all, including six of which continue to receive funding, and three of which have been granted emergency use listing by the World Health Organization (WHO).

CEPI made early investments in the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is now saving lives around the world. Last month, Novavax's protein-based COVID-19 vaccinefunded largely by CEPIreceived WHO emergency use listing and is poised to help efforts to control the pandemic globally. More than 1 billion doses of the Novavax vaccine are now available to COVAX, the global initiative co-led by CEPI that aims to deliver equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. CEPI also continues to work on next-generation COVID-19 vaccines, including "variant-proof" COVID-19 vaccines and shots that could protect against all coronaviruses, potentially removing the threat of future coronavirus pandemics.

"The overriding lesson from this pandemic is the need for effective organizations and systems to be in place and ready before a crisis, as well as acting rapidly based on well-established science when such crises inevitably occur," said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, director of Wellcome. "Wellcome proudly founded CEPI in 2017 along with partners from Norway, India, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Economic Forum following the devastating 201416 Ebola epidemic. We learned the importance of conducting high-quality research during a crisis. Since then, CEPI has worked tirelessly, and by fostering global collaboration, it has played a truly integral role in the global pandemic response from early January 2020 onwards."

"Our new commitment of $150 million recognizes the enormous potential CEPI has to protect lives against emerging infectious diseases," Dr. Farrar continued. "The effects of COVID-19 have been sobering. We urge leaders to provide their support and ensure that CEPI reaches its funding target. It is in the world's collective interest to avoid repeating mistakes and to help future generations prevent epidemics."

Beyond COVID-19, CEPI has filled a vital gap in supporting vaccine equity alongside R&D. CEPI is currently supporting the research and development of accessible vaccines against other infectious diseases, including the first-ever vaccines to reach clinical trials against the deadly Nipah and Lassa viruses. The organization has also played a critical role in efforts to end Ebola, including supporting the development of a second Ebola vaccine by Janssen. In addition to advancing the science underlying vaccine development and new vaccine platforms, CEPI is focused on dramatically reducing the time it takes to develop lifesaving vaccines against any new viral threat (referred to as "Disease X")to within 100 days of a pathogen being sequenced. This represents a combination of scale and speed that could save millions of lives and trillions of dollars.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how inequitable access to vaccines can put the entire planet at risk and disrupt decades of global health progress," said Awa Marie Coll Seck, minister of state to the president of the Republic of Senegal. "Innovative global partnerships like CEPI play a critical role in advancing the R&D needed to prevent future pandemics. Importantly, those investments in vaccine technology, particularly in Africa, can also help accelerate progress against other diseaseslike HIV, TB, and malariathat still affect the world's most vulnerable populations."

The pandemic has rebounded in waves around the world, highlighting the important role of international organizations like CEPI that put equitable access at the core of their mission. Recent data from Northeastern University show that had the availability of vaccines in lower-income countries like Kenya been akin to that in high-income countries like the UK or the U.S., 70 percent of COVID-19 deaths to date would have been averted.

"The world must do better at protecting everyone, everywhere against the greatest health threatsfrom COVID-19 and beyond," said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "CEPI's investments in groundbreaking R&D, commitments to equitable access, and cooperation across the public and private sectors are vital in this effort. We call on global leaders to help CEPI reach its funding target of $3.5 billion."

The United Kingdom will host CEPI's replenishment conference on March 8, 2022, in London. The fundraising event will convene governments, philanthropists, and other donors to support CEPI's five-year plan to tackle the risk of pandemics and epidemics, potentially preventing millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all peopleespecially those with the fewest resourceshave access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.

Media contact: [email protected]

About Wellcome

Wellcome supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. We support discovery research into life, health and well being, and we're taking on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, global heating and infectious diseases.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg and Grayscale Investments today announced the launch of the Bloomberg Grayscale Future of Finance Index, tracking the rapidly evolving digital economy  specifically the confluence of technology, finance, and digital assets.

The index is built using Bloomberg Intelligence's proprietary theme basket methodology, coupling a rigorous data-driven and transparent build process with the market expertise of Bloomberg and Grayscale. It includes companies that Bloomberg Intelligence analysts have projected will contribute significantly to the growth of the digital economy and its overall revenue within the next two years. Companies that represent the "Future of Finance" in the final basket are categorized by three key pillars: financial foundations, digital asset infrastructure, and technology solutions. Concretely, this may include payments, exchange, asset management, hardware, blockchain/tech, or miners.

"As transformative technologies continue to develop and revolutionize financial markets, we expect investor interest in those innovations will increase rapidly," said Dave Gedeon, Global Head of Multi-Asset Indices at Bloomberg. "With the launch of the Bloomberg Grayscale Future of Finance Index, investors now have a best-in-class benchmark to measure the performance of their current and potential investments in the space."



The index currently tracks 22 companies and will be rebalanced quarterly. Bloomberg clients can access the index using the ticker BGFOF Index and access historical data through December 2020.

"The Bloomberg Grayscale Future of Finance Index was uniquely designed as the first structure leveraging analyst oversight to track companies and technologies shaping the future of financial services," said Michael Sonnenshein, CEO of Grayscale. "We're excited to partner with Bloomberg for the launch of this future-forward index, offering investors a seamless way to track the advancements of companies that are building the infrastructure underpinning our digital economy."

Bloomberg provides an independent, transparent approach to indexing for customers across the globe. For more information, please visit Bloomberg Indices .

About Bloomberg Index Services Limited

Bloomberg's index team has a proven track record in creating industry-standard and bespoke indices across asset classes, including market-leading fixed income and commodity indices. Bloomberg Index Services Limited (BISL) takes an innovative approach to delivering strategic benchmarks that help market participants address their evolving needs. As an integral part of Bloomberg, BISL has access to an unparalleled breadth of trusted data and reliable technology for calculations, analytics and workflow automation, along with distribution capabilities that can help amplify the visibility of our customers' products.

About Bloomberg

Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, gives influential decision makers a critical edge by connecting them to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas. The company's strength  delivering data, news and analytics through innovative technology, quickly and accurately  is at the core of the Bloomberg Terminal. Bloomberg's enterprise solutions build on the company's core strength: leveraging technology to allow customers to access, integrate, distribute and manage data and information across organizations more efficiently and effectively. For more information, visit Bloomberg.com/company or request a demo .

About Grayscale Investments

Founded in 2013, Grayscale Investments is the world's largest digital currency asset manager, with more than $38.2B in assets under management as of January 18, 2022. Through its family of investment products, Grayscale provides access and exposure to the digital currency asset class in the form of a security without the challenges of buying, storing, and safekeeping digital currencies directly. With a proven track record and unrivaled experience, Grayscale's products operate within existing regulatory frameworks, creating secure and compliant exposure for investors. Grayscale products are distributed by Genesis Global Trading, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC, MSRB Registered). For more information, please visit grayscale.com and follow @Grayscale.



SOURCE Bloomberg
SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BrightPlan , a leader in Total Financial Wellness, today unveiled its strategy and first phase of new solutions for addressing four top challenges business and HR leaders continue to face in 2022: attracting and retaining talent, driving employee experience and engagement, supporting employees' holistic well-being and fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). BrightPlan's integrated strategy encompasses new and enhanced product capabilities including the Total Rewards Statement , financial wellness check-up and data and insights that support employer DE&I efforts.

Close to two years into the pandemic, the war for talent rages on as a substantial number of workers continue to fuel the Great Resignation. In November 2021, a record number of 4.5 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs. Lack of engagement and burnout is common: 67% of employees are disengaged at work and 85% say their well-being has declined. Inclusion is also important in this mix with 51% of employees who quit did so because they did not feel a sense of belonging. At the heart of these issues is the employee experience: talent acquisition, engagement, wellness and DE&I challenges all stem from disconnected or unhappy employee experiences that impact the way we work.

"The long, anticipated future of work is now," said Marthin De Beer, founder and CEO of BrightPlan. "By supporting our customers, listening closely and responding to their evolving needs, we are providing tangible solutions that enable them to address these business challenges, further establishing our commitment as a trusted partner to employers and HR leaders nationwide."

BrightPlan's multi-phased strategy outlines the company's approach to solving four pressing challenges faced by businesses today:

Attracting & Retaining Talent : To win in this competitive talent market, employers need to create a reputation for stellar culture and a great place to work. In the quest for hiring top talent, recruiters aren't always well-equipped to sell the value of an employer's Total Rewards offering and current employees may not fully understand the benefits that are already available to them, putting employers at a disadvantage in competing for top talent. BrightPlan's new Total Rewards Statement , is an easy-to-use tool customized by company and job candidate that explains the value of total rewards. Additionally, BrightPlan is developing more financial education courses integrated with employer benefits that are relevant to different life stages, like Investing 101 and BrightPlan Guides to getting married, buying a home and more.





To win in this competitive talent market, employers need to create a reputation for stellar culture and a great place to work. In the quest for hiring top talent, recruiters aren't always well-equipped to sell the value of an employer's Total Rewards offering and current employees may not fully understand the benefits that are already available to them, putting employers at a disadvantage in competing for top talent. BrightPlan's new , is an easy-to-use tool customized by company and job candidate that explains the value of total rewards. Additionally, BrightPlan is developing more financial education courses integrated with employer benefits that are relevant to different life stages, like Investing 101 and BrightPlan Guides to getting married, buying a home and more. Employee Experience & Engagement : In our new work reality, employers need to provide their people with the services and support they need to be well, engaged and productive by bringing empathy, care and a more human experience into the workplace. This is core to the employee experience as workers increasingly demand support from their employers. For example, the employee experience is compromised when benefits are inconsistent across geographies and spread across multiple, disjointed platforms . With BrightPlan's recently announced global support for employees of US-based companies working in Canada , the U.K., Australia and New Zealand , as well as expanded services for tax planning and preparation, estate planning, student loan optimization and investing enhancements, BrightPlan's Total Financial Wellness solution helps create a more cohesive experience that addresses all aspects of employees' financial lives.





In our new work reality, employers need to provide their people with the services and support they need to be well, engaged and productive by bringing empathy, care and a more human experience into the workplace. This is core to the employee experience as workers increasingly demand support from their employers. For example, the employee experience is compromised when benefits are inconsistent across geographies and spread across multiple, disjointed platforms With BrightPlan's recently announced for employees of US-based companies working in , the U.K., and , as well as for tax planning and preparation, estate planning, student loan optimization and investing enhancements, BrightPlan's Total Financial Wellness solution helps create a more cohesive experience that addresses all aspects of employees' financial lives. Holistic Well-Being : Holistic well-being recognizes the need to care for the "whole person," including their physical, mental, financial and social well-being, but many employee wellness programs are incomplete, generic and obscured. They ignore the top cause of employee stress  finances. Nearly 65% of workers reported they were stressed about finances, leading to worsened mental and physical health. With BrightPlan's new financial wellness check-up a series of questions to gauge employees' financial wellnessemployers receive aggregated insights on the financial well-being of their employees. In addition, BrightPlan provides quarterly reports and dashboards that bring clarity into the adoption and success of employee holistic well-being initiatives.



"Supporting employee holistic well-being means meeting people where they are physically, mentally and financially," said Lindsay Madaras , Living Well manager at Alliance Data . "BrightPlan helps us empower our associates to bring their best selves to work. We are excited they continuously listen to our feedback and develop capabilities to further support our associates in achieving their financial goals."





Holistic well-being recognizes the need to care for the "whole person," including their physical, mental, financial and social well-being, but many employee wellness programs are incomplete, generic and obscured. They ignore the top cause of employee stress  finances. Nearly reported they were stressed about finances, leading to worsened mental and physical health. With BrightPlan's new a series of questions to gauge employees' financial wellnessemployers receive aggregated insights on the financial well-being of their employees. In addition, BrightPlan provides quarterly reports and dashboards that bring clarity into the adoption and success of employee holistic well-being initiatives. "Supporting employee holistic well-being means meeting people where they are physically, mentally and financially," said , Living manager at . "BrightPlan helps us empower our associates to bring their best selves to work. We are excited they continuously listen to our feedback and develop capabilities to further support our associates in achieving their financial goals." Diversity, Equity & Inclusion : Fostering a culture of inclusiveness and belonging where every individual feels welcome can be challenging. There is no one-size-fits-all solution and many employer programs do not adequately address the unique needs of underrepresented groups. Financial wellness is key to DE&I since true diversity, equity and inclusivity in the workplace is about recognizing each employee's unique background and supporting them in their well-being journey. Due to the wealth gap for underrepresented groups, inclusion in the workplace should also focus on fostering a sense of financial security through equal pay, equal opportunity and access to resources such as financial wellness benefits. BrightPlan partners with HR teams to address the unique needs of different employee populations through employee resource groups (ERGs). In addition to providing quarterly engagement reports and dashboards, BrightPlan's strategy includes working with each employer to bring DE&I-specific insights into the equation, enabling HR leaders to drive customization and improved decision-making. Further, BrightPlan is adding Spanish-speaking financial advisors to make financial wellness more accessible to diverse employee populations.

Amid continued accelerated change in the workplace and in employees' lives, BrightPlan's strategy is a blueprint equipped with tangible solutions for addressing key challenges faced by businesses today and provides takeaways for shaping the future of work. For more information on BrightPlan's strategy and solutions in these four areas, please visit this link .

About BrightPlan

BrightPlan is a leader in Total Financial Wellness. BrightPlan provides a comprehensive solution that addresses all aspects of employees' financial health at every stage of life, and empowers HR teams to enhance the employee experience and better attract, retain and engage talent. Its unique combination of digital platform and human advisors enables employers to deploy at scale while delivering personalization for employees. The company is the first financial wellness solution certified for fiduciary excellence by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX). For more, visit brightplan.com .

Media Contact: [email protected]

Disclosures:

This press release includes statements about BrightPlan made by a current client. BrightPlan did not provide any compensation in exchange for this statement.

Estate planning document preparation, student loan optimization, and tax filing services are made available through third party service providers and, as such, are not included in any fees payable to BrightPlan, are subject to approval by the third party service provider and are subject to additional applicable terms and conditions. Any future services described herein are subject to change and provided on a "when and if" available basis.

Financial advisors available through BrightPlan in Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand are provided by third party service providers certified by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) and audited annually to ensure adherence to best practices.

SOURCE BrightPlan
HONOLULU, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Local Oahu law firm Bronster Fujichaku Robbins Attorneys at Law (BFR), in partnership with mainland environmental and catastrophic personal injury law firm McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP (MWA), is set to bring a class action against the United States Navy over the severe water contamination at Pearl Harbor-Hickam base on Oahu. The two firms will be holding a press conference at BFR in Honolulu, HI, on January 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. HST to discuss this suit. The press conference will be livestreamed online on YouTube, Zoom, and Facebook Live.

The combination United States Navy and Air Force military base at Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu has been the site of a jet fuel and marine diesel leak which has leeched at least 14,000 gallons into the Red Hill Well. This well supplies drinking water for 93,000 people living on and around the base. The leak was also situated a mere 100 feet from the Moanalua-Waimalu aquifer which supplies the water for thousands more. Residents who live on or near the base report drinking water that smells like jet fuel and severe side effects from ingesting the water, including several hospitalizations. Many are concerned the pollution may affect much of the island. Although the military has been tasked with cleanup, thousands of locals may still have been inadvertently ingesting, bathing in, or cooking with polluted water before the cleanup efforts began. The Navy has not yet been held accountable for claims of severe medical concerns that have arisen as a result of drinking contaminated water.

The press conference hosted by BFR will discuss alleged claims and answer questions regarding potential water contaminants on Oahu. Speakers for this press conference include BFR Founding Partner and former State of Hawaii Attorney General Margery Bronster and MWA Partner and retired Marine Corps Major Cory R. Weck, as well as the claimant. Emergency physician and healthcare CEO Dr. Larry McEvoy and public health expert Dr. Dora Barilla will also discuss the health consequences of consuming contaminated drinking water on the individual and the impact of this event on public health overall.

"Unlike other firms, we are seeking to hold the United States Navy, and not the base landlords, accountable for their negligence in this matter," commented Margery Bronster. "The military must strive for a relationship with the State of Hawaii built on trust and goodwill." BFR has provided responsive, dedicated legal representation to people of Hawaii for more than 20 years in commercial litigation, estate and trust litigation, professional malpractice and antitrust matters, and more.

MWA supports BFR with Cory Weck's background in the Marine Corps and its expertise in environmental law. The Environmental Practice Group of MWA is designed to address concerns surrounding the health of our natural environment in the United States and the communities that live in them.

About Bronster Fujichaku Robbins Attorneys at Law: Bronster Fujichaku Robbins (BFR) is a Hawaii-based boutique litigation firm staffed by legal professionals ranging from a former judge to former Attorneys General. BFR has handled a wide variety of litigation such as commercial, estate, consumer rights, and civil rights matters since 1999.

About McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP: McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP has a deep history of success for its clients, including a $203 million verdict against Wells Fargo Bank, recovery of over $1 billion for its clients, and over 100 contingency cases with recovery of $1 million or more. For over 30 years, MWA has successfully represented clients involved in general complex and commercial litigation, as well as personal injury and class action matters.

Media Contact:

Devin Texeira

[email protected]

SOURCE McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - CoinPayments, the world's largest cryptocurrency payments processor, is excited to announce Kalin Kalinov as the company's new Chief Marketing Officer.

The appointment comes as CoinPayments continues to experience significant growth and demand increases for alternative payment solutions. In 2021 the company saw global transactions totaling over $7 billion, increasing more than 100% from the previous year.

"We are excited to have Kalin lead and expand our global marketing efforts. We are aiming to grow exponentially and provide merchants an easier way of conducting business and reaching a wider consumer base," said CoinPayments' CEO Jason Butcher. "Kalin is a strategic and creative thinker, and his extensive industry knowledge and strong digital asset experience will be instrumental in our continued growth. We are delighted to add him to our all-star line-up," he added.

Kalinov was most recently the Director of Global Digital Operations for GardaWorld, the world's largest privately-owned security services company. As part of the corporate marketing team, he was responsible for overseeing the company's digital operations for all business units worldwide.

Prior to joining GardaWorld, Kalinov led the marketing operations for Kitco's media division. He was an integral part of the team that established Kitco as one of the world's leading news and data outlets dedicated to the economic and precious metals sector. Kalinov also oversaw the marketing efforts for Kitco VaultChain Gold, one of the first precious metals trading platforms using blockchain technology, and Kitco Gold, one of the first stablecoins backed by physical gold.



"I am thrilled to be joining the world's leading cryptocurrency payment processor and working with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Most importantly, I am here to help the team achieve its goals, deliver results for the business and continue to expand our global footprint," said Kalinov. "Demand for alternative payment solutions will continue to grow, and cryptocurrency is now part of the mainstream financial landscape," he added.

About CoinPayments

CoinPayments is the easiest, fastest, and most secure way for merchants worldwide to transact in cryptocurrencies. It is the first and largest cryptocurrency payment processor, supporting more than 2,100 coins on its platform. It is the preferred crypto payment solution for merchants and eCommerce platform providers worldwide. Founded in 2013, CoinPayments is dedicated to providing clients with fast, secure, and user-friendly crypto payment APIs, shopping cart plugins, digital wallets, and a host of other solutions supporting cryptocurrency payment applications. Learn more at: https://www.coinpayments.net/

SOURCE CoinPayments
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To kickstart 2022, Datatron is offering five companies the chance to take part in a hyper-accelerated program that guarantees their AI models will be deployed or governed in less than two weeks, the company announced today.

Click to tweet: @datatron offers unique opportunity for 5 companies looking to supercharge their AI deployments and governance https://datatron.com/mlops-now #MLOps

The biggest problem in companies adopting AI is the lack of expertise to tackle the complexity of the machine learning development lifecycle. It's common to hear even the largest enterprises take nine to 12 months to deploy an AI model once the data scientists have completed their models. According to IDC, an estimated 28% of AI/ML projects fail, in part due to lack of staff with the necessary experience.

Furthermore, having a black-box AI running in production and making decisions that are hard to comprehend elicits fears and concerns on whether these AI models could make judgements that would have negative consequences for the enterprise. Therefore, enterprises need proper monitoring and governance to not only ensure the AI models are performing as intended, but also to gain trust in the effectiveness of AI initiatives.

This contest removes these roadblocks to AI success, and leverages the expertise of Datatron founder and CEO, Harish Doddi. As an early AI/ML pioneer, he worked on Snapchat's highly profitable "stories" and Lyft's "surge" model to use a proven playbook to profitability and deliver return-on-investment from AI/ML.

The five selected companies will receive:

Top tips for generating revenue and profit with AI/ML

Dedicated Datatron and industry expertise to integrate toolsets in the enterprise

An on-premises or cloud instance delivering one model into production in seven days

Industry-leading MLOps , governance and operationalization functionalities

, governance and operationalization functionalities Best practices to monitor and govern AI models for performance and compliance

To apply, companies must complete a brief questionnaire by midnight, Jan. 31, 2022 to gauge fit, contingencies and commitment. Winners will be awarded by Feb. 15, 2022. Those interested should apply at: https://datatron.com/mlops-now.

Harish Doddi, CEO, Datatron, said: "We want to show once and for all how our solution, tested and proven by a Super Bowl sponsor, stands head and shoulders above any other MLOps solution in the market. Over the years, there have been a lot of solutions and tools in the marketplace that do not offer real business benefits. We are taking a stance to cut out a lot of the noise and confusion that prevents most companies from being successful with AI."

About Datatron

Datatron provides an enterprise-grade, cloud-native Reliable AI platform that enables businesses to easily, accurately and rapidly operationalize AI and ML models in production. Its centralized AI ModelOps and Model Governance platform helps organizations in diverse global environments streamline and standardize changes, monitor model performance, and correct for model degradation or decay. Industry leaders such as Domino's Pizza and Comcast rely on Datatron to operationalize and govern AI solutions at scale, producing predictable, rapid and reliable business outcomes. Founded in 2016, Datatron is a privately held, venture-backed company headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. For more information, please visit www.datatron.com or follow on Twitter @datatron .

SOURCE Datatron
DeFi Technologies is committed to building a sustainable future for its investors, the decentralised finance ecosystem, and beyond

Joining the Crypto Climate Accord is part of DeFi Technologies overall ESG goals

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - DeFi Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "DeFi Technologies") (NEO: DEFI) (GR: RMJR) (OTC: DEFTF), a technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralised finance, announced today it has joined the Crypto Climate Accord ("CCA").

The CCA's overall objective is to decarbonise the global crypto industry by prioritizing climate stewardship and supporting the entire crypto industry's transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The CCA has two specific interim objectives:

Objective 1: Achieve net-zero emissions from electricity consumption for CCA Signatories by 2030.

Objective 2: Develop standards, tools, and technologies with CCA Supporters to accelerate the adoption of and verify progress toward 100% renewably-powered blockchains by the 2025 UNFCCC COP30 conference.

As a CCA supporter, DeFi Technologies has committed to supporting the CCA's objectives and to helping advise, develop, and scale solutions in support of the CCA.

"We are proud to join the Crypto Climate Accord as a Supporter, as part of our overall ESG strategy," said Diana Biggs, Chief Strategy Officer at DeFi Technologies. "Decentralised finance is all about building for the future, and the industry's commitment to decarbonization and clean energy are essential to making that happen. It's fantastic to see what the crypto community with CCA have achieved to date and we're looking forward to being part of that."

Learn more about DeFi Technologies at defi.tech .

About DeFi Technologies

DeFi Technologies Inc. is a technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralised finance. Our mission is to expand investor access to industry-leading decentralised technologies which we believe lie at the heart of the future of finance. On behalf of our shareholders and investors, we identify opportunities and areas of innovation, and build and invest in new technologies and ventures in order to provide trusted, diversified exposure across the decentralized finance ecosystem. For more information or to subscribe to receive company updates and financial information, visit https://defi.tech/.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company joining the CCA; the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by DeFi Technologies and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited to acceptance of the growth and development of DeFi and cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to DeFi and cryptocurrency; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

THE NEO STOCK EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

SOURCE DeFi Technologies, Inc.
The masks, bought from BYD Co., will fill more than one hundred 40-foot shipping containers.

"Direct Relief continues to do everything it can to mobilize private support and respond to the still-urgent need to protect health workers and members of the public as Covid infections rage, particularly in areas of the US that have had limited access and neighboring countries where public funding is overstretched," said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. "We're deeply thankful for the public support that has enabled this large-scale infusion of high-quality PPE at this critical time."

Direct Relief has built strong working relationships across Latin America with national health ministries, multilateral organizations and local health organizations.

In Ecuador, Direct Relief is shipping three containers to the Ministry of Public Health, which has informed Direct Relief of plans to use them in vaccination campaigns in rural areas where vaccine hesitancy is higher than in cities.

"The support of your organization has been enormous for us throughout the pandemic," said Luis Armijos of the National Directorate of International Cooperation and Relations at Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health.

In Panama, some of the masks will support vaccination campaigns for students and school staff, according to Fundacion Unidos por Panama, Direct Relief's in-country partner.

In Mexico, 20 million masks have been allocated to INSABI, which provides health care to about 33 million people who fall outside of the country's Social Security system.

Funding for the 89 million mask purchase came from private donors, including The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company.

In addition to PPE, Direct Relief is helping transport Covid-19 vaccines to Mexico and other countries throughout the Americas, the most recent delivery of which was a 2.7 million-dose donation from Moderna to the Government of Mexico. In total, Direct Relief has helped ship more than 12 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to the Americas.

Direct Relief is also reserving 10 million masks for US safety-net health facilities, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Free and Charitable Clinics.

Another six shipping containers with 5.3 million masks have been allocated to Indonesia. Other shipments are planned for health care providers in Armenia, Fiji, Jordan, Lebanon and the West Bank.

Once the latest round of mask deliveries is complete, Direct Relief will have donated nearly 300 million PPE units since the pandemic began.

This includes 228 million protective masks, 93 million of which were donated through CAF-Africa, an initiative supporting community health workers on the frontlines of Africa's Covid response.

It also includes 950 tons of PPE sent to Brazil  specifically, nearly 9 million Level 1 medical isolation gowns requested by the Brazilian Ministry of Health for facilities nationwide  part of a larger donation of 80 million gowns from McKesson to Direct Relief.

About Direct Relief

A humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies, Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources throughout the U.S. and world to communities in needwithout regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. For more information, visit https://www.DirectRelief.org.

SOURCE Direct Relief
Workers assemble engines on an assembly line at a workshop of the Weichai Group in Weifang City, east China's Shandong province, April 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

JINAN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The gross domestic product (GDP) of east China's Shandong Province in 2021 surpassed 8 trillion yuan (about 126 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time, up 8.3 percent year on year when calculated at comparable prices.

The total yield of vegetables last year in Shandong was 88 million tonnes, ranking first in the country, Cui Jianhai, spokesperson of the Shandong provincial government, told a press conference on Wednesday.

Cui also noted that the added value of the high-tech manufacturing industry increased by 18.5 percent in 2021, and the total profits of major industries reached 514.7 billion yuan from January to November, a year-on-year increase of 36.3 percent.

The province saw its foreign trade surge 32.4 percent year on year to 2.93 trillion yuan in 2021, with exports and imports hitting 1.76 trillion yuan and 1.17 trillion yuan, respectively. 
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans ages 15 to 24 are twice as likely to die as their peers in France, Germany, Japan and other wealthy nations, while the infant mortality rate is up to three times higher in the United States. That's according to a new report released today by PRB that cites violence, poverty and racial disparities as the primary drivers of high death rates and lower life expectancies among children and young people in the United States.

Dying Young in the United States: What's Driving High Death Rates Among Americans Under Age 25 and What Can Be Done? provides the most comprehensive look at deaths among young Americans before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report finds that injuries, suicides and homicides are the leading causes of death among children and young adults, and premature birth and congenital abnormalities are the top causes of infant mortality.

In 2019 alone, nearly 60,000 people under age 25 died in the United States, including almost 21,000 infants. Poverty, race/ethnicity, gender, parental education, family structure and regional location are important factors in mortality risk among young Americans, with children and young people in southern states at greater risk for early death, the report finds.

The research team was led by Richard G. Rogers, professor of sociology and fellow of the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Robert A. Hummer, professor of sociology and fellow of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health.

"The death of a child or young adult is a tremendous tragedy for parents, for families and for our society," Hummer said. "As the report shows, a significant number of young lives could have been saved through policies and interventions addressing safety and social and economic inequities, making these losses even more tragic."

"We are publishing this report to inform policymakers and provide the data and evidence needed to prioritize social, economic and health policies and programs that could reduce the number of preventable deaths among young Americans" said Linda Jacobsen, vice president of U.S. Programs for PRB, a nonprofit that analyzes and publishes data on population and health trends.

While it's too early to fully assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality patterns, the authors warn that growing mental health and substance abuse problems experienced by young Americans during this period could contribute to rising death rates in the wake of the pandemic.

Other key findings include:

While mortality rates for young people have been steadily declining in other wealthy nations, including Canada , Japan and the United Kingdom they've remained stagnant or risen in the United States among every age group under 25.

, and the they've remained stagnant or risen in among every age group under 25. Six of the 10 states with the highest age-adjusted death rates for ages 1 to 24 are in the South: Alabama , Arkansas , Louisiana , Mississippi , South Carolina and Tennessee .

, , , , and . Despite having one of the world's highest income levels, the United States has one of the highest infant mortality ratesabout three times as high as Finland , Japan , and Slovenia , largely because it has higher percentages of preterm births.

has one of the highest infant mortality ratesabout three times as high as , , and , largely because it has higher percentages of preterm births. Economic and racial disparities are drivers of higher infant mortality rates among Black mothers compared with white mothers, with the death rate for Black infants twice that of infants born to non-Hispanic white mothers.

Black and Mexican American children and young adults face higher death rates than their white peers.

Living in a low-income household or with parents who have low education levels increases the risk of death before age 25.

Suicides and homicides account for 40% of deaths among young people ages 15 to 19. Suicide is the second leading cause of death between the ages of 10 and 24.

The United States has disproportionately high numbers of firearm-related deaths compared with most of its peer countries. Gun violence killed 7,580 U.S children and young adults under age 25 in 2019; 39% of these deaths were suicides, 61% homicides. Almost a third of Americans who died from homicide by firearm in 2019 were under age 25.

has disproportionately high numbers of firearm-related deaths compared with most of its peer countries. Gun violence killed 7,580 U.S children and young adults under age 25 in 2019; 39% of these deaths were suicides, 61% homicides. Almost a third of Americans who died from homicide by firearm in 2019 were under age 25. Boys are more likely to die at a young age than girls, largely due to greater risk-taking behavior among adolescent and young adult males.

To reverse these trends, the authors recommend reducing child poverty through direct payments and expanded tax credits, alongside funding for child care, preschool, housing, nutrition and health care. They also call for addressing racial and ethnic barriers to improve access to quality health care and reproductive health programs. Improving treatment for and prevention of mental illness and substance abuse, as well as enacting broad safety measures related to guns and gun ownership, could also save many young lives.

"Immediate and aggressive action is needed at both the federal and state levels to stem death rates among those under the age of 25 in the United States," Rogers said. "More purposefully supporting infants, children, young adults and young families is an essential way to ensure a brighter future for all Americans."

About PRB: PRB promotes and supports evidence-based policies, practices and decision-making to improve the health and well-being of people throughout the world. Find out more at www.prb.org. Follow us on Twitter @PRBdata .

Contacts:

Liselle Yorke

[email protected]

202-939-5463

Ami Neiberger

[email protected]

703-887-4877

SOURCE Population Reference Bureau
In addition to its role as a presenting sponsor at VISION, EarthDaily Agro hosted a virtual media roundtable to share the news and discuss how decision-makers in the AgTech industry can use the new platform to tackle some of the world's most challenging and dynamic issues in real-time.

EarthDaily Analytics Chief Executive Officer Don Osborne told attendees that the new name reflects the agricultural and food systems division's essential role within the larger EDA business, with the agricultural service offering positioned to benefit from EDA's rapid expansion and unmatched scalability and capability within the value-added geoanalytics sector.

"We're excited because EarthDaily Agro's dramatically strengthened service offering for our agricultural customers epitomizes what's next for our entire EarthDaily Analytics business, moving far beyond bulk images and data to incorporate our value-added geoanalytical insights and solutions into customers' workflows in a way that helps them mitigate risk and make the best possible decisions every day," Osborne said. "We are especially proud to share this announcement at VISION, where leaders on the forefront of agriculture and technology integration come together to connect and push the envelope for the benefit of people and businesses the world over."

The well-known Geosys brand will live on as the name of EarthDaily Agro's next-generation software platform  a platform that is easier to use and offers more flexibility, faster speed and greater scale  to provide more customers with more data in more markets in agriculture. The new platform will be rolled out over the course of the first quarter 2022.

"Geosys has been a pioneer in the agriculture data and analytics space for more than 30 years," said Dave Gebhardt, General Manager of EarthDaily Agro. "The new Geosys platform is just as visionary  it's unlike anything else out there right now in terms of data, speed, reach and ability to fully integrate customized scientific-grade data and insights directly into customers' systems and workflows. By combining satellite imaging and advanced analytics to effectively mitigate risk and increase efficiency, we are enabling more sustainable outcomes for the organizations and people who feed the planet."

Fabricio Pezente, CEO of agriculture credit provider Traive, shared how the ag-fintech company benefits from EarthDaily Agro's unparalleled data technology and machine learning to disrupt agriculture lending in Brazil.

Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer of agribusiness and food company Land O'Lakes, discussed how real-time, actionable insights help to evaluate and assess conservation impacts at the field level  balancing the farmer's need to be profitable while being a good steward of natural resources.

Osborne also noted to attendees that the EarthDaily Agro rebranding and new Geosys platform, combined with the ongoing construction of the Company's latest satellite constellation, all contribute to realizing the Company's commitment to delivering a highly differentiated and increasingly value-added service that sets its customers meaningfully apart from the competition.

About EarthDaily Agro

EarthDaily Agro uses satellite imaging to provide advanced analytics to mitigate risk and increase efficiencies  leading to more sustainable outcomes for the organizations and people who feed the planet. Formerly known as Geosys and established 30 years ago, EarthDaily Agro is the first global digital agriculture company founded by agronomists. A division of EarthDaily Analytics, EarthDaily Agro is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, with offices in Europe, Australia and Brazil. For more information, visit www.earthdailyagro.com.

About EarthDaily Analytics

EarthDaily Analytics, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, observes, verifies, and predicts changes to the Earth's surface to help people understand those changes and take action to deliver sustainable outcomes for their organizations and the planet. Our evidence-based, actionable insights help address some of the world's greatest challenges, from sustainable agriculture and disaster management to climate change monitoring and forestry protection, among many others. For more information, visit www.earthdaily.com

About the VISION Conference

The VISION Conference is the only platform that convenes leadership across industry sectors with aligned partners to shape a forward-looking, strategic roadmap for integrating innovations. VISION takes a focused look at ways data and tech trends will change our operations in the near future. Importantly, VISION engages voices from across the food value chainfrom allied constituents to other industry representatives, and early-adopting agribusiness professionals. The VISION Conference is the only event in the world that leverages Meister Media Worldwide's global agriculture and horticultural market experience and legacy of leadership in precision agriculture. This is North America's definitive precision agriculture and digital farming event.

About Meister Media Worldwide

Meister Media Worldwide offers business solutions designed to cultivate a sustainable world through the power of knowledge. It accomplishes this through a host of integrated print, digital and data product offerings, and a variety of in-person events with a singular focus: to further specialized agriculture globally. In addition, its business services division utilizes Meister Media's wealth of knowledge, combined with the latest technology, to develop strategic business services from concept planning through development and delivery. An industry leader, Meister Media's mission is to be your trusted partner, empowering the business of global agriculture to grow a better world. With headquarters in Willoughby, Ohio, Meister Media Worldwide was founded in 1932 and operates out of offices throughout the United States and around the world. MeisterMedia.com

MEDIA CONTACTS

Linnihan Foy

Elizabeth Costello

[email protected]

Tyler Coleman

[email protected]

SOURCE EarthDaily Analytics
DUBLIN, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Debt Collection (European) - Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Debt Collection (European) Analysis provides a detailed overview of the Debt Collection (European) market and delivers a comprehensive individual analysis on the top 240 companies, including Accountor Credit As, Argus Kreditt As and Axactor Capital As.



This report covers areas such as debt, finance, collection, collect, repayment and includes a wealth of information on the financial trends over the past four years.



A quick glance of this Debt Collection (European) report will tell you that 36 companies have a declining financial rating, while 51 have shown good sales growth.



Each of the largest 240 companies is meticulously scrutinised in an individual assessment and analysed using the most up-to-date and current financial data.

Debt Collection (European) analysis is ideal for anyone wanting to:

See the market leaders

Identify companies heading for failure

Seek out the most attractive acquisition

Analyse industry trends

Benchmark their own financial performance

Every business is examined on the following features:

The Publisher's Chart: A graphical assessment of a company's financial performance

Four year assessment of the profit/loss and balance sheet

A written summary highlighting key performance issues

Subsequently, you will receive a thorough 100-page market analysis highlighting the latest changes in the Debt Collection (European) market.



This section includes:

Best Trading Partners

Sales Growth Analysis

Profit Analysis

Market Size

Rankings

The publisher provides busy managers with a set of tools to monitor the financial welfare of their company, their rivals, or those they wish to acquire. The reports are used to assess the attractiveness of potential acquisitions, gain better understanding of a market and identify sound companies with whom to trade.



Key Topics Covered:



The report is split into two sections and uses both a written and graphical analysis - analysing the 240 largest Debt Collection (European) companies.



The Debt Collection (European) report contains the most-up-to-date financial data and the publisher applies these figures to create their unique and authoritative analysis.



Indeed, the first section thoroughly scrutinises the market and this section includes the following:

Best Trading Partners: These are companies that are winning in both sales and financial strength - for example Kruk ESPANA Sl. has been ranked as a best trading partner in the industry.

Sales Growth Analysis: This section reviews the fastest growing and fastest shrinking company - for example FINANS2 As is among the fastest growing.

Profit Analysis - Analysis of gross profit and pre-tax profit over the last ten years and a profitability summary comparing profits in the industry against small, medium and large companies.

Market Size: Based on the largest 240 companies, this is a comparison between last year's market size and the most current figure.

Rankings: The top 50 companies ranked by: Market Share, Sales Growth, Gross Profit and Pre-tax Profit.

The next section focuses on company analysis and provides an in-depth analysis of the largest companies within the Debt Collection (European) industry.



Each business is analysed using the publisher's unequivocal model and culminates in the production of The Publisher's Chart. The Publisher's Model uses a series of charts to graphically analyse an individual company and measure its ability to achieve sales growth while maintaining financial strength.



The Publisher's Chart is a quick and dependable method of analysing a company's financial well-being. It's simple to understand: a rising line is good news and a falling line is bad news.



Therefore, this company analysis will tell you if a company is:

Strong or heading for failure

Utilising their investments

Becoming burdened by debt

Getting the most from their resources

The Debt Collection (European) analysis also provides you with full business name and address, name and ages of directors and registration address.



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/44kbtz

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
CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FairySwap, a new type of privacy-preserving decentralized exchange (DEX), launches with a radical focus on community empowerment. The first DEX on Findora, it combines privacy protection through zero-knowledge proofs with radically democratic tokenomics to give users a truly safe and open platform.

In what's being called a "fair-launch initiative," no tokens are unfairly saved for venture capitalists, insiders, early investors or team members. Instead, 97% of all FAIRY tokens will be distributed to the community through liquidity mining, ensuring they're held by those who actually use the network. The remaining 3% are being used in their Pixie Drop event to launch the product. This approach balances a broad distribution of governance tokens for fair representation with widespread market utilization to maintain the value of $FAIRY.

It's typical for new DEXs and protocols to allocate ~55% of tokens to the community even while claiming to be community-governed; by allocating fully 97% of its total supply to the community, FairySwap puts its tokens where its mouth is.

What are "Tokenomics?"

"Tokenomics" is a portmanteau of "token" and "economics," describing how a project will create, distribute, and manage its currency. Tokenomics are important in determining the long-term viability of a project and what its values truly are. It's a key point of interest in investor research.

FairySwap proves its commitment to community-governance with its tokenomics. Those who hold $FAIRY, which are earned through liquidity mining, will determine the future of the protocol, voting on policies like adding and removing trading pairs, adjusting fee parameters, and integrating with new L1 and L2 ecosystems.

There are also built-in deflationary mechanisms to secure the long-term sustainability of the project. For example, a share of each swap is taken by the DEX, half of which goes to the treasury, and half burned. The community could adjust these amounts as needed. Early adopters will receive lucrative rewards that will taper off in exchange for securing and promoting the network.

About FairySwap

FairySwap is a next-generation DEX, powered by zero-knowledge proofs, that is focused on privacy, front-running resistance, and community participation. It uses Findora's powerful EVM to provide fast trades with low fees with currencies on different chains and ecosystems. In the future, FairySwap will create its own metaverse environment where identities can be minted into FairyNFTs both to facilitate private trading and act as a foundation for play-to-earn games.

To learn more, visit https://www.fairyswap.finance/about

Join our communities to learn more and stay up to date:

Telegram: Community Channel

Twitter Handle: @fairy_swap

Website: https://www.fairyswap.finance/about

Github: https://github.com/Fairyswap

Medium: https://medium.com/@fairyswap

Discord: https://discord.gg/wUT7DmRRs4

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12901557

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE FairySwap
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gov. Lee has issued a proclamation declaring Jan. 23-Jan. 29 Tennessee School Choice Week. In doing so, he joined a growing number of state and local leaders who have taken pen in hand to officially recognize the importance of every child receiving an effective education during National School Choice Week.

The governor's proclamation follows a historic year of school choice expansions across well over a dozen states. The proclamation highlights the importance of Tennessee's diverse educational environments, dedicated teaching professionals, and commitment to continuously improving the quality of K-12 education.

Families and teachers will celebrate Tennessee School Choice Week with more than 440 events and activities, including an educational day at the capitol in Nashville. Diverse celebrations across the state will echo the diverse learning needs of Tennessee students.

Nationwide, more than 26,000 events have been independently planned for Jan. 23-Jan. 29, which will be the twelfth annual National School Choice Week. The goal of the Week is to raise awareness about educational opportunities, bringing parents from every background and income level clear information and stress-free support about their learning options.

"We look forward to seeing the hard work of Tennessee teachers, parents, and other event planners shine during this national celebration," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "We thank Gov. Lee for issuing the proclamation and we encourage all parents to use this time to explore school options for next year."

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week focuses equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of events and activities  such as school fairs, open houses, and student showcases  to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. Year-round, National School Choice Week develops resources and guides to assist families searching for schools or learning environments for their children. The effort is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation.

For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/tennessee.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport has launched FLITE to develop + test high-tech air travel solutions Tweet this

Aurrigo: Auto-Sim  software platform to create a "digital twin" of airside operations

software platform to create a "digital twin" of airside operations WHILL: Autonomous mobility device

Sunflower Labs: Remote autonomous drone-in-a-box security system

"The Ford International Airport has long been an economic catalyst for West Michigan," said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. "FLITE enables us to harness that power and partner with entrepreneurs and established companies focused on developing innovative new products and services to improve air travel and foster a statewide ecosystem for innovation, entrepreneurship and tech-sector growth.

"We can now offer this select group of companies the invaluable opportunity to test their products in the real-world airport environment. Successful products, as we saw last year with the UV disinfecting robot, can scale up to meet the demands of larger airports while improving the overall experience for our guests."

Grand Rapids-based Seamless, an innovation facilitation organization with vast experience aiding global enterprises in maximizing projects and partnerships with leading startups, is providing proof of concept coordination for grantees.

Stantec Generation AV(R), the autonomous vehicle practice of Edmonton, Canada-based global design firm Stantec, is providing world-class experience in AV planning and deployment, including safety verification. The firm has also established an advisory committee of airport subject matter experts to provide guidance and evaluation of the technology applications.

FLITE's new advisory committee will provide feedback on the applications and pathways to scale proven and successful projects beyond Ford International Airport. They were chosen based on their commitment to innovation, industry leadership and technology solutions. Members include: Edmonton (Canada) International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, San Antonio International Airport, San Diego International Airport, Tampa International Airport, the U.S. Air Force and Vantage Airport Group.

The MEDC is committing an initial $150,000 to FLITE through the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, which is working closely with Ford International Airport officials to ensure a successful launch. More than 20 businesses submitted grant applications for the first rounding of funding. Interested parties for the second round of grants, which will be awarded in June, can get more information and apply here.

Ford International Airport hopes to expand the financial support of FLITE by adding sponsors and other supporters, including venture capital firms, interested in investing in the technology being developed.

Last year, the MEDC awarded a grant to Pratt Miller to test its Large Area Autonomous Disinfecting, or LaaD, vehicle at the Ford International Airport, which was the first location in the world to pilot this new technology. This first-of-its-kind robot dispenses an FDA-approved disinfecting solution on high-contact surfaces, including seating, gates and vending machines.

The success of this test encouraged Ford International Airport officials to begin discussions with MEDC and Michigan's Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, which led to FLITE.

"Michigan is and always has been a home for innovators, where next-generation mobility technologies can be developed, tested and deployed to address real-world challenges," said Trevor Pawl, chief mobility officer for the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. "We are proud to continue that rich legacy today through this innovative partnership with Ford International Airport and Southwest Airlines and congratulate the first cohort of FLITE for helping us shape the future of mobility as we know it here in Michigan."

The Ford International Airport has identified six core focus areas for new technology advancements through FLITE:

Security: Enhancing the guest experience while strengthening safety and security throughout the campus.

Automation: Optimizing workforce resources to operate more efficiently, enhancing safety for freight and the movement of goods through distribution hubs.

Smart infrastructure: Deploying new technologies to optimize infrastructure resources.

Data analytics: Providing timely, accurate data to decision-makers.

Hold room of the future: Improving the experience during the time prior to boarding.

Safety: Improving safety of employees and equipment on the ramp, enhancing safety audits and real-time notification.

"FLITE's focus areas provide a great opportunity to gain key insights into modernizing and improving operations for the airline and travel industries," said Kevin Kleist, emerging trends advisor at Southwest Airlines. "We're excited to partner with FLITE to support these high-potential products and services that can enhance Southwest's mission to connect people to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable and low-cost air travel."

FLITE has established a review committee to evaluate applications and award grants that includes: the MEDC, Michigan Department of Transportation, The Right Place, Inc., the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Ventures and Gentex Corp.

"We are honored to partner with the MEDC and Southwest Airlines on this unique venture, which is one of the first of its kind in the country," said Dan Koorndyk, board chair of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. "We also appreciate the support of our review committee. We look forward to working more closely with our airport counterparts to enable companies to dream bigger  and to be successful in doing so."

What other partners are saying:

Seamless: Matt Benson, director: "FLITE provides world-class innovators unique access to the airport's real-world environment to implement and test solutions in a controlled and thoughtful way. Working through the challenges of deploying at the airport, the partners will benefit from the learning and insights gained as they work on scaling their solutions."

StantecGeneration AV: Corey Clothier, founder and director: "AV technology has the potential to make our communities safer, more resilient and more sustainable. Airports have a proud history of transportation innovation and provide an ideal environment to launch the next generation of mobility. We are excited to be a sponsor of FLITE and to invest our time, resources and expertise into new technologies applied to airport operations."

About the Ford International Airport

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the second busiest airport in Michigan, serving business and leisure travelers with nonstop and connecting flights on six airlines. The Ford Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. For more information, visit www.flyford.org or follow the airport on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram @FlyGRFord.

SOURCE Gerald R. Ford International Airport
SAN LEANDRO, Calif, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage Robotics , the leading dual-use unmanned aircraft system (UAS) company, today announced that it has received support from JobsOhio , Ohio's private nonprofit economic development corporation with a mission to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. Under the agreement, Vantage Robotics will help stimulate Ohio's economy through job creation and retention.

"We are honored that JobsOhio is supporting Vantage and we look forward to expanding our operations into Ohio," stated Tobin Fisher, co-founder and CEO of Vantage Robotics. "There is an enormous reserve of military and defense talent in Ohio, which will be a huge advantage for expanding our existing top-notch team. As the demand for our trusted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drone continues to grow year after year, we must fulfill the demand while continuing to drive industry innovation. Our partnership with JobsOhio is key to making this possible and we look forward to creating a positive impact on the Ohio economy."

JobsOhio plays a leading role in Ohio's economic development. The nonprofit serves as a catalyst in accelerating economic growth by investing in communities, helping local businesses expand and attracting new companies to the state, all of which contributes to job creation, greater payrolls and more investment. This is made possible through strong partnerships with regional and local economic development partners, elected and appointed officials, the business community, public and private institutions, the state of Ohio, and countless others.

"Over the past year, Ohio has passed several pieces of legislation to make the state the most military-friendly in America, and we've seen record employment growth within the military and federal sector," stated J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO at JobsOhio. "We are thrilled to welcome Vantage to Ohio and are committed to supporting the company's growth through our industry specific resources and expansive network."

Vantage builds drones and critical drone components for private and public organizations, including the FBI, DEA, United States Armed Forces, Union Pacific Railroads and CNN, among others. Vesper, the company's flagship product, is a light, rugged and portable ISR drone that is easy to use and has been thoroughly tested with thousands of hours of flight. Vesper provides field operators with American-made ISR, extended flight time, unmatched low light performance and 3-axis stabilized tri-sensor payload. Vesper's modular design and uncompromising build quality meets the needs of a range of mission-critical operations at a moment's notice.

Leading up to receiving support from JobsOhio, Vantage has reached several corporate and product milestones further validating the company's leadership position and setting the stage for an exceptional 2022. Highlights include:

Raised $17 million from Refinery Ventures and veteran Silicon Valley investors and entrepreneurs.

from Refinery Ventures and veteran Silicon Valley investors and entrepreneurs. Awarded $16 million in R&D contracts from Department of Defense (DoD) Innovation Unit, The United States Army and The United States Air Force.

in R&D contracts from Department of Defense (DoD) Innovation Unit, The United States Army and The United States Air Force. Selected by the United States Army to develop the next generation nano drone for the $100M Soldier Borne Sensor program.

"Not only are we beyond excited to add Vantage as one of our first Fund II investments, we're thrilled to contribute to innovation and economic growth in Ohio," stated Tim Schigel, managing partner of Refinery Ventures. "As dual-use technologies become increasingly important to national competitiveness, we want to be at the forefront of providing the smart capital necessary to help them grow. We look forward to working with JobsOhio and Vantage through the company's next phase of growth."

SOURCE Vantage Robotics
DUBLIN, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market By Component, By Organization size, By Deployment, By Application, By Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market size is expected to reach $928.76 million by 2027, rising at a market growth of 24.2% CAGR during the forecast period.

A healthcare customer data platform is just like a customer data platform, in which a wide range of data within the healthcare continuum is gathered automatically, and is safely stored & accessed from one centralized location. This platform accumulates data from various healthcare analytics sources including claims data, survey data, and more.

The collected data across various systems via a healthcare data platform help companies to better understand their patients and also make them focal point of their healthcare analytics initiatives. The Healthcare customer data platform assists companies to streamline clinical workflow along with gathering unified data about their patients.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected various industrial verticals of the business domain. The healthcare customer data platform provides possible solutions for the companies to get back to the state of the pre-COVID phase. The pandemic has also motivated consumers to develop more interest in information technology solutions to properly supervise all the patient data.

There is a shift in the requirements and behavior patterns of the patients due to the pandemic. Due to this, companies are majorly re-evaluating their data analytics practices to cope up with the ever-changing business landscape. The healthcare sector has been under immense pressure owing to the pandemic, which has made it important for healthcare companies to adopt advanced technologies and solutions.

Market Growth Factors:

Rising investment by the healthcare companies in marketing and advertising activities

With the strengthening digital space, digital marketing has become one of the crucial aspects of the operations of the companies. In addition, healthcare companies are heavily investing in different marketing and advertising activities to improve their returns, boost sales, and gain more competitive edge in the market. Since healthcare customer data platform helps in coping up with constantly changing business dynamics and initiate various programs, companies are inclining towards the adoption of the platform to understand and utilize the full potential of digital medium for their purpose.

Increasing technological advancements and rapid pace of digitalization

With the advancements in technology and evolving digital landscape, companies and customers are enhancing their ways to interact with each other to enhance the customer journey. There are several digital touchpoints between organizations and their clients, which makes it important for companies to understand and evaluate customer preferences and behavior to gain a more competitive edge in the market.

Market Restraining Factor:

Scattered and fragmented data across different patients' touchpoints

Medical data are either structured data in databases & spreadsheets or scanned paper documents, digital documents, images & video files, or could be stored in some specific formats like the DICOM format utilized for MRI scans. Along with that, patient data is majorly copied, gathered various times, and stored in distinct versions by public health organizations, healthcare providers, pharmacies, insurance bodies, and patients themselves.

Component Outlook

Based on Component, the market is segmented into Software and Services. Based on Organization size, the market is segmented into large enterprises and small & medium-sized enterprises. Services help in managing financial, clinical, and business data from several EHR software companies and from ERP, human resource, accounting, and other system kinds, which can store and/or provide distinct data images, scanned documents and blobs, in any of the virtual formats.

Deployment Outlook

Based on Deployment, the market is segmented into on-premises and cloud-based. Several healthcare organizations prefer on-premise healthcare customer data platforms as patients' data is highly sensitive and are more prone to security threats. By opting on-premise healthcare customer data platform, companies can reduce their chances of data breaches and security issues, which is expected to further contribute to the growth of the segment.

Application Outlook

Based on Application, the market is segmented into predictive analytics, marketing data segmentation, personalized recommendations, security management, customer retention & engagement, others. The personalized recommendations segment is estimated to showcase the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The distribution of customized, meaningful, and appropriate insights from customer data is important for companies to thoroughly know about their customer preferences.

Regional Outlook

Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. The Asia Pacific is estimated to display the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. It is due to the growing adoption of advanced healthcare IT solutions by the companies operating in this region.

Cardinal Matrix - Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market Competition Analysis

The major strategies followed by the market participants are Product Launches. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix; Microsoft Corporation is the major forerunner in the Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market. Companies such as Adobe, Inc., Reltio, SkyPoint Cloud, Inc.are some of the key innovators in the Market.

The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Microsoft Corporation, Salesforce.com, Inc., Adobe, Inc., Reltio, SkyPoint Cloud, Inc., Treasure Data, Inc. (Softbank Vision Fund), Innovaccer, Inc., Tealium, Inc., Mercury Healthcare, Inc., and Solix Technologies, Inc.

Unique Offerings from the Publisher

Exhaustive coverage

The highest number of market tables and figures

Subscription-based model available

Guaranteed best price

Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology



Chapter 2. Market Overview

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Overview

2.1.1.1 Market Composition and Scenario

2.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market

2.2.1 Market Drivers

2.2.2 Market Restraints



Chapter 3. Competition Analysis - Global

3.1 Cardinal Matrix

3.2 Recent Industry Wide Strategic Developments

3.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations and Agreements

3.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions

3.2.3 Acquisition and Mergers

3.3 Top Winning Strategies

3.3.1 Key Leading Strategies: Percentage Distribution (2017-2021)

3.3.2 Key Strategic Move: (Product Launches and Product Expansions: 2017, Apr - 2021,Dec)Leading Players



Chapter 4. Global Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market by Component

4.1 Global Software Market by Region

4.2 Global Services Market by Region



Chapter 5. Global Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market by Organization Size

5.1 Global Large Enterprises Market by Region

5.2 Global Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises Market by Region



Chapter 6. Global Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market by Deployment Mode

6.1 Global On-Premise Market by Region

6.2 Global Cloud Market by Region



Chapter 7. Global Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market by Application

7.1 Global Predictive Analytics Market by Region

7.2 Global Marketing Data Segmentation Market by Region

7.3 Global Personalized Recommendations Market by Region

7.4 Global Security Management Market by Region

7.5 Global Customer Retention and Engagement Market by Region

7.6 Global Others Market by Region



Chapter 8. Global Healthcare Customer Data Platform Market by Region



Chapter 9. Company Profiles

9.1 Microsoft Corporation

9.1.1 Company Overview

9.1.2 Financial Analysis

9.1.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

9.1.4 Research & Development Expenses

9.1.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.1.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.1.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.1.6 SWOT Analysis

9.2 Salesforce.com, Inc.

9.2.1 Company Overview

9.2.2 Financial Analysis

9.2.3 Regional Analysis

9.2.4 Research & Development Expense

9.2.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.2.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreement:

9.2.5.2 Acquisitions and Mergers:

9.2.5.3 Product Launches and Product Expansion:

9.2.6 SWOT Analysis

9.3 Adobe, Inc.

9.3.1 Company Overview

9.3.2 Financial Analysis

9.3.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

9.3.4 Research & Development Expense

9.3.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.3.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreement:

9.3.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansion:

9.3.6 SWOT Analysis

9.4 Reltio

9.4.1 Company Overview

9.5 SkyPoint Cloud, Inc.

9.5.1 Company Overview

9.5.2 Recent strategies and developments:

9.5.2.1 Acquisitions and Mergers:

9.5.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.6 Treasure Data, Inc. (Softbank Vision Fund)

9.6.1 Company Overview

9.7 Innovaccer, Inc.

9.7.1 Company Overview

9.7.2 Recent strategies and developments:

9.7.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.7.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.8 Tealium, Inc.

9.8.1 Company Overview

9.8.2 Recent strategies and developments:

9.8.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.9 Mercury Healthcare, Inc.

9.9.1 Company Overview

9.9.2 Recent strategies and developments:

9.9.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.9.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.10. Solix Technologies, Inc.

9.10.1 Company Overview

9.10.2 Recent strategies and developments:

9.10.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/m044l0

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
"The initial Resource Estimate which we released December 7, 2021 was a point in time and represented the results of the first 100,000 metres of drilling at Los Ricos North. The additional post data cut-off drilling will contribute to a future Resource update in Los Ricos North," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We have embarked on the next 100,000 metres of drilling which is primarily focused on continued resource expansion and look forward to many more excellent drilling results such as these at El Favor East. We anticipate that in 2022 we will continue to grow the ounces in the Los Ricos district significantly as we did in 2021."

Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections

Hole ID Area / Vein From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2



(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) LRGF-21-090 El Favor East 201.7 255.7 54.0 0.15 63.8 1.00 75.0

including 229.7 235.0 5.3 0.44 161.9 2.59 194.6 LRGF-21-091 El Favor East 242.9 251.5 8.6 0.15 66.8 1.04 77.8

including 245.7 248.9 3.2 0.27 113.0 1.78 133.2 LRGF-21-096 El Favor East 63.9 75.6 11.7 0.41 128.7 2.12 159.2

including 67.7 68.3 0.6 1.36 1,218.4 17.60 1,320.0

and 284.5 310.0 25.5 0.07 60.1 0.87 65.1

including 285.3 287.3 2.0 0.24 498.6 6.89 516.6 LRGF-21-098 El Favor East 196.2 210.3 14.1 0.35 95.1 1.61 121.0

including 196.2 196.9 0.7 3.63 1,114.4 18.49 1,386.4 LRGF-21-099 El Favor East 287.4 315.6 28.3 0.46 154.4 2.52 188.9

including 300.8 302.1 1.4 5.24 1,309.6 22.70 1,702.7 LRGF-21-100 El Favor East 267.6 302.7 35.1 0.23 87.1 1.39 104.6

including 267.6 270.9 3.3 0.70 261.9 4.19 314.4

including 284.8 293.0 8.3 0.61 200.6 3.28 246.1

including 287.8 288.4 0.6 4.86 985.5 18.00 1,350.2 LRGF-21-101 El Favor East 233.6 244.2 10.6 0.95 201.9 3.64 273.3 LRGF-21-103 El Favor East 61.9 69.1 7.2 0.27 61.5 1.09 81.5

including 64.6 67.2 2.6 0.63 141.2 2.51 188.4

and 346.6 366.0 19.4 0.06 55.0 0.80 59.7

including 357.1 358.5 1.4 0.23 298.7 4.21 315.9 LRGF-21-105 El Favor East 241.3 293.3 52.0 0.18 60.6 0.99 74.5

including 245.2 246.3 1.1 2.52 838.7 13.70 1,027.7

1. Not true width 2. AqEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1 at recoveries of 100% 3. Holes LRGF-21-102 and 104 are pending assays.

The exploration team has been moving east of El Favor with drilling stepouts in the eastern end of El Favor, beginning with discovery hole 48, and continuing to intersect wide strong mineralization. This area is known as the El Favor East zone, and a mapping and drilling program has extended the presence of mineralization 900m to the east of hole 48 (El Favor East zone discovery hole), as shown in Figure 2. To date, approximately 800m of El Favor East has been drilled showing the strong mineralization. The drill holes in this release were not included in the initial Mineral Resource Estimate for Los Ricos North released on December 7, 2021, hole LRGF-21-094 was the final drill hole included in that resource.

In September, the company commissioned TMC Exploracion to complete an IP survey using the Pole:Dipole array on the El Favor property. The grid consists of a network of 28 N/S profiles spaced every 100 m from L-2W to L-25E ranging in length from 0.85 to 2.0 km. The survey outlined several high chargeability anomalies representative of the sulphide mineralization along the El Favor  El Favor East zone. A geophysical map showing anomalies and drilling targets is included as Figure 3 below.

El Favor is located approximately 800 meters along strike to the east of the El Orito deposit. The longitudinal section below shows that the combined systems cover approximately 2.9km in mineralized strike length over a 3.7km distance. At El Orito, wide zones of precious and base metal mineralization were cut by drill holes at El Orito at elevations between 600 to 900m. The drill holes at El Favor have cut primarily silver-gold mineralization with trace to minor amounts of base metals at a higher elevation in the system, between 1,050m to 1,400m, compared to the semi-massive to massive base metal sulphide mineralization seen deeper in the El Orito deposit.

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGF-21-090 586407 2336751 1317 180 -45 255.7 LRGF-21-091 586277 2336762 1385 180 -45 283.0 LRGF-21-096 586752 2336750 1282 180 -45 338.5 LRGF-21-098 586202 2336763 1363 180 -45 283.2 LRGF-21-099 586452 2336783 1309 180 -45 356.1 LRGF-21-100 586401 2336782 1323 180 -50 354.0 LRGF-21-101 586202 2336793 1358 180 -45 315.3 LRGF-21-103 586727 2336750 1287 180 -45 382.5 LRGF-21-105 586602 2336751 1349 180 -45 431.5

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for GoGold can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/decks/10437 and on the Company's website at: www.gogoldresources.com.

Los Ricos District Exploration Projects

The Company's two exploration projects at its Los Ricos Property are in Jalisco state, Mexico. The Los Ricos South Project began in March 2019 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on July 29, 2020 which disclosed a Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 63.7 million ounces AgEq grading 199 g/t AgEq contained in 10.0 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 19.9 million ounces AgEq grading 190 g/t AgEq contained in 3.3 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on January 20, 2021 indicating an NPV 5% of US$295M.

The Los Ricos North Project was launched in March 2020 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on December 7, 2021, which disclosed an Indicated Mineral Resource of 87.8 million ounces AgEq grading 122 g/t AgEq contained in 22.3 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 73.2 million ounces AgEq grading 111 g/t AgEq contained in 20.5 million tonnes. The Company has a drill program for an additional 100,000 metres of drilling for 2022 in place.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ActLabs facility in Zacatecas, Mexico. ActLabs crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 50-gram charge by fire assay (Code 1A2-50) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 1A3-50). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code 1F2 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 8-Ag FA-GRAV Ag).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed GoGold's QA/QC protocols.

Mr. David Duncan, P. Geo. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release.

About GoGold Resources

GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Los Ricos South and North projects, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, including the intention to undertake further exploration at Los Ricos North, and the prospect of further discoveries there, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release.

SOURCE GoGold Resources Inc.
TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Golden Star Resources Ltd. (NYSE American: GSS) (TSX: GSC) (GSE: GSR) ("Golden Star" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has been advised by Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining Co., Ltd. (SHSE: 600988) ("Chifeng") that Chifeng and its subsidiary Chijin International (Hong Kong) Limited ("Chijin"), and Chijin's assignee Kefei Investment (BVI) Limited (the "Assignee") have received one of the three required regulatory approvals from the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), namely approval from the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC"), with respect to the previously announced plan of arrangement under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "Transaction"), involving the Company, Chifeng, Chijin and the Assignee, pursuant to the arrangement agreement dated October 31, 2021, as amended by an amending agreement dated November 24, 2021 and an assignment and assumption agreement dated December 21, 2021 (collectively, the "Arrangement Agreement").

The approval from the NDRC is the first of three PRC approvals required for the Transaction. The second PRC approval process, from the Ministry of Commerce ("MOFCOM"), is in progress. On receipt of MOFCOM approval, Chifeng will submit an application to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange ("SAFE") for the third and final PRC regulatory approval required as a condition for closing of the Transaction.

The Transaction

Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, Chifeng, through Chijin and the Assignee have agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Golden Star (the "Golden Star Shares"). Pursuant to and upon completion of the Transaction, holders of Golden Star Shares will receive total consideration, payable in cash, of US$3.91 (equivalent to approximately C$4.85 as of October 31, 2021) per Golden Star Share, which equates to a total Transaction value of approximately US$470 million on a fully-diluted, in-the-money basis. Upon completion of the Transaction, the Golden Star Shares are expected to be delisted from the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Ghana Stock Exchange. In addition, it is expected that Golden Star will cease to be a reporting issuer or its equivalent under U.S., Canadian and Ghanaian securities laws following the completion of the Transaction.

The Transaction is expected to be completed later in January 2022, subject to, among other things, receipt of all regulatory and stock exchange approvals, including in the People's Republic of China and in Ghana, and the satisfaction or waiver of conditions precedent as set forth in the Arrangement Agreement.

Advisors

Golden Star has engaged Canaccord Genuity Corp. as its exclusive financial advisor as well as Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP and Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP as its respective Canadian and United States legal advisors. Canaccord Genuity Corp. provided a fairness opinion to Golden Star's Board of Directors. Chifeng has engaged Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. and First Asia Group Ltd. as its financial advisors as well as Goodmans LLP as its legal advisor.

Golden Star Profile

Golden Star is an established gold mining company that owns and operates the Wassa underground mine in the Western Region of Ghana, West Africa. Listed on the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Ghanaian Stock Exchange, Golden Star is focused on delivering strong margins and free cash flow from the Wassa mine. As the winner of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada 2018 Environmental and Social Responsibility Award, Golden Star remains committed to leaving a positive and sustainable legacy in its areas of operation.

Chifeng Profile

Chifeng is an international gold mining company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of approximately US$4.0 billion. It operates five mining assets, including the world-class Sepon gold mine in Laos. In 2018, Chifeng acquired Sepon before undertaking significant capital expenditures to redevelop the gold processing facility in order to double its future gold production.

Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Some statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases (including negative or grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation thereof. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause facts to differ materially. Such statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Golden Star will operate in the future.

Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to, statements related to the Transaction; the anticipated timing for and the completion of the Transaction; the timing for and receipt of all required regulatory and stock exchange approvals; the anticipated and timing of delisting of the Golden Star Shares; the reporting issuer status or its equivalent of Golden Star; the ability of the parties to satisfy other conditions to, and to complete, the Transaction; and the closing of the Transaction including the acquisition of the Golden Star Shares and payment in respect thereof.

In respect of the forward-looking statements and information concerning the anticipated completion of the proposed Transaction and the anticipated timing for completion of the proposed Transaction, Golden Star has provided them in reliance on certain assumptions and believes that they are reasonable at this time, including the assumptions as to the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner, the necessary regulatory, stock exchange and relevant authority approvals; and the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Transaction. These dates may change for a number of reasons, including the inability to secure necessary approvals in the time assumed or the need for additional time to satisfy the other conditions to the completion of the Transaction. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Golden Star to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, without limitation: risks associated with the Transaction and acquisitions generally; the Arrangement Agreement may be terminated in certain circumstances; there can be no certainty that all conditions precedent to the Transaction will be satisfied; Golden Star will incur costs even if the Transaction is not completed and may have to pay a termination fee or expense reimbursement if the Arrangement Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances; and all necessary approvals may not be obtained. Additional risks, uncertainties and factors include, without limitation: gold price volatility; discrepancies between actual and estimated production; mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries; mining operational and development risks; liquidity risks; suppliers suspending or denying delivery of products or services; regulatory restrictions (including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability); actions by governmental authorities; the speculative nature of gold exploration; ore type; the global economic climate; share price volatility; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; risks related to streaming agreements and joint venture operations; the availability of capital on reasonable terms or at all; risks related to international operations, including economic and political instability in foreign jurisdictions in which Golden Star operates; developments in Ghana that may have an adverse impact on Golden Star and/or the Transaction; risks related to current global financial conditions including financial and other risks resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic; actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold; possible variations in mineral reserves and mineral resources, grade or recovery rates; mine development and operating risks; an inability to obtain power for operations on favorable terms or at all; mining plant or equipment breakdowns or failures; an inability to obtain products or services for operations or mine development from vendors and suppliers on reasonable terms, including pricing, or at all; public health pandemics such as COVID-19, including risks associated with reliance on suppliers, the cost, scheduling and timing of gold shipments, uncertainties relating to its ultimate spread, severity and duration, and related adverse effects on the global economy and financial markets; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; litigation risks; the quantum and timing of receipt of the proceeds from the sale by the Company of its interest in Bogoso-Prestea; risks related to indebtedness and the service of such indebtedness; and general business, economic, competitive, political, health and social uncertainties.

Although Golden Star has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management. Please refer to the discussion of these and other factors in Management's Discussion and Analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in our annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2020 as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forecasts contained in this press release constitute management's current estimates, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered thereby. We expect that these estimates will change as new information is received. While we may elect to update these estimates at any time, we do not undertake any estimate at any particular time or in response to any particular event, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to their inherent uncertainty.

SOURCE Golden Star Resources Ltd.
HARBIN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- An ice sculpture featuring the famed pyramid of Kukulcan in Mexico was inaugurated Wednesday at China's largest ice-themed park in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Expanding 440 square meters, the ice sculpture is 9.5 meters tall and 20.9 meters in length and width. More than 500 sculptors worked a week on the sculpture, which consumed 1,100 cubic meters of ice.

The inauguration at the 23rd Ice and Snow World in Harbin forms part of the series of events that mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mexico.

Cheng Xiaoming, deputy mayor of Harbin, said via video link at the inauguration ceremony that the city is willing to take this opportunity to carry out cooperation in various aspects with different regions in Mexico.

Jesus Seade, the Mexican ambassador to China, said via video link that the inauguration showcases the friendship and cooperation between people and governments of both countries, which will become even closer with frequent exchanges. 
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) today announced that the GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder has achieved 10 years of clinical use, treating patients through clinical studies and commercially in approved indications globally.*, With more than 50,000 devices sold and zero reported cardiac erosions, (Data on file. July 2011-November 2021; W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.) this innovative technology from Gore offers physicians a safe option to treat patients with atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO).

GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder

The device is backed by the Gore REDUCE Clinical Study, a groundbreaking study in which 664 patients were enrolled to evaluate whether PFO closure with the GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder or the GORE HELEX Septal Occluder plus antiplatelet therapy significantly reduces the risk of stroke compared to antiplatelet therapy alone. The REDUCE Study is the only U.S. Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study that achieved its primary endpoint and over five years showed a significant reduction in recurrent ischemic stroke across all PFO anatomies compared to medical therapy alone. The study also demonstrated Gore's legacy of safety.,1,2 At a median follow-up of 3.2 years, the study showed only 0.5 percent device- or procedure-related serious atrial fibrillation (AFib), and at a median follow-up of five years, no new serious AFib cases were reported.,1,2 No new cases of AFib were associated with the device or procedure.,2 Furthermore, the extended follow-up demonstrated no issues related to frame fractures, thrombosis, embolization or erosion.,1,2

Now, after 10 years of clinical use, with zero reported cases of cardiac erosion, and clinical data published in more than 250 publications,II the GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder has continued to demonstrate its well-established safety profile and exceptional clinical performance.

"The impact and longevity of the GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder illustrate Gore's ongoing commitment to helping patients," said Jens Erik Nielsen-Kudsk, cardiology department clinical professor at Aarhus University Hospital in Aarhus, Denmark, investigator for the Gore REDUCE Clinical Study and consultant for Gore. "Gore engineers worked closely with health care professionals to understand what patients need and created a device that conforms to the individual anatomy."

"This major milestone shows that the GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder is meeting a recognized unmet need. We continue to see health care providers around the globe trusting and choosing this device for their patients," said Jake Goble, Innovation Leader, Medical Products Division at Gore. "We are grateful to see how our unique design has played an impactful role in the improvement of patients' lives. We remain excited about future opportunities to extend the reach of this technology benefitting underserved patient populations."

The GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder is a permanently implanted device approved in the United States and European Union for the percutaneous, transcatheter closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects up to 17 mm. The device received U.S. Food and Drug Administration premarket approval for the percutaneous closure of PFO in 2018. It is also approved in the European Union for percutaneous closure of PFO. For more information about the GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder, please visit https://www.goremedical.com/products/cardioform/septal-occluder.

* Beginning in June 2011.

 For complete indications and other important safety information for Gore commercial products referenced herein, refer to the applicable Instructions for Use (IFU).

 Reported incidence rate of device-related cardiac erosions for GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder and GORE CARDIOFORM ASD Occluder. Data from CATSWeb Product Surveillance Tracking System (PSTS).

 The REDUCE Study determined safety and efficacy of PFO closure with the GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder or GORE HELEX Septal Occluder plus antiplatelet medical management compared to antiplatelet medical management alone in patients with a PFO and history of cryptogenic stroke. All PFO anatomies were incorporated into this study within indicated sizing parameters of the Instructions for Use.

II W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. GORE CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder Complete Bibliography. Flagstaff, AZ: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.; 2020. [Bibliography].

1. Sondergaard L, Kasner SE, Rhodes JF, et al.; Gore REDUCE Study investigators. Patent foramen ovale closure or antiplatelet therapy for cryptogenic stroke. New England Journal of Medicine 2017;377(11):1033-1042.

2. Kasner SE, Rhodes JF, Andersen G; Gore REDUCE Study investigators. Five-year outcomes of PFO closure or antiplatelet therapy for cryptogenic stroke. New England Journal of Medicine 2021;384(10):970-971.

Gore engineers medical devices that treat a range of cardiovascular and other health conditions. With more than 50 million medical devices implanted over the course of more than 45 years, Gore builds on its legacy of improving patient outcomes through research, education and quality initiatives. Product performance, ease of use and quality of service provide sustainable cost savings for physicians, hospitals and insurers. Gore is joined in service with clinicians, and through this collaboration, we are improving lives.

About Gore

W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments  from outer space to the world's highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With more than 11,000 associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $3.8 billion. For more information, visit gore.com.

Products listed may not be available in all markets.

GORE, Together, improving life, CARDIOFORM and HELEX are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.

21384814-EN JANUARY 2022

Media contact

Lisa Henry

W. L. Gore & Associates

+1 480 338 4540

[email protected]

SOURCE W. L. Gore & Associates
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed a proclamation officially declaring Jan. 23-Jan. 29 to be "Indiana School Choice Week." His proclamation coincides with National School Choice Week, an annual celebration of K-12 learning that seeks to spread education information and support families and school communities.

In signing the proclamation, Gov. Holcomb joined more than 300 state, city, and local leaders around the country who have recognized the Week and the impact of personalized education options. As learning disruptions remain top of mind for parents, the proclamation highlights the importance of Indiana's diverse educational environments, dedicated teaching professionals, and commitment to continuously improving the quality of K-12 education.

Indiana School Choice Week will feature more than 600 events and activities across the state, each independently planned by a parent, school, or community organization. These open houses, rallies, contests, meet-ups, and more make up some of the 26,000 celebrations taking place nationwide.

All the events aim to foster positive conversations about education and bring encouragement to families, whether they love their current school or are searching for a new fit.

"We're grateful to Gov. Holcomb for highlighting how children learn differently and how they all deserve access to great school fits," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "We wish Indiana families all the best as they celebrate the Week and share about learning opportunities."

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week focuses equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of events and activities  such as school fairs, open houses, and student showcases  to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. Year-round, National School Choice Week develops resources and guides to assist families searching for schools or learning environments for their children. The effort is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation.

For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/indiana .

SOURCE National School Choice Week
SOMERVILLE, Mass., Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Greentown Labs , the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, today announced the addition of four new members to its board of directors, Gilda A. Barabino , President of Olin College of Engineering and Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering; Nidhi Thakar , Senior Director of Resource and Regulatory Strategy and External Engagement for Portland General Electric ; Leah Ellis , Co-Founder and CEO of Sublime Systems (community board member); and Nisha Desai , Founder and CEO of Intention (community board member).

As community board members, Leah Ellis and Nisha Desai both represent current Greentown Labs startups and will act as a liaison between the board and the Greentown Labs entrepreneur community. Together, these four leaders enhance the collective expertise of Greentown's Board of Directors as the incubator works to expand its reach and climate impact.

"It is important for a startup incubator to have leadership and insight from stakeholders including the public and private sector, academic and university communities," said Greentown Labs CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. "These leaders bring a wealth of knowledge relevant to not only climatetech but to our continued growth as an organization. Their voices will be important to have at the table as Greentown charts its course for the next decade of climate action."

Dr. Gilda A. Barabino is President of Olin College of Engineering, and Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering. She previously served as Daniel and Frances Berg Professor and Dean at The City College of New York's (CCNY) Grove School of Engineering. Dr. Barabino is president-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest interdisciplinary scientific society. She is also an active member of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine and chairs the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine's Committee on Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine. Dr. Barabino also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub. She consults nationally and internationally on STEM education and research, diversity in higher education, policy, faculty development, and workforce development.

"Greentown Labs' mission to design a more sustainable world closely aligns with Olin's mission to graduate engineers who have the skills and desire to make the world a better place," said President Barabino. "Over the years, our students have benefitted from their experience as interns at Greentown Labs, and now I am looking forward to a closer relationship with this vital startup incubator."

Nidhi Thakar is the Senior Director of Resource and Regulatory Strategy and External Engagement for Portland General Electric, where she leads cross-functional efforts to advance the company's priorities related to rapid decarbonization and electrification, resiliency and reliability, business model innovation, and customer products. In this role, she manages the Regulatory Strategy and Integrated Resource Planning teams, and supports the company's work at the federal level. Prior to her role at Portland General, Ms. Thakar served in the administration of Governor Brown as Chief of Strategy and External Affairs to President Michael Picker of the California Public Utilities Commission. Ms. Thakar also served in the Obama administration as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, where she was part of the executive team responsible for managing a $32 billion portfolio of loans and loan guarantees and for financing innovative, clean energy and advanced vehicle technologies. Ms. Thakar holds a J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School, where she was a member of the Law Review, and a B.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a citation for the Scholars Program, and also sits on the boards of Clean Energy for America, Gridworks, and E4TheFuture.

"We are at a pivotal moment in our fight against climate change where we need to ideate, innovate, and move faster than we ever anticipated. Entrepreneurs will be critical to developing the next wave of technologies to mitigate the climate crisis, and Greentown Labs is uniquely situated to accelerate this clean energy transition," said Ms. Thakar. "In my time at the U.S. Department of Energy and California Public Utilities Commission, I have seen firsthand the need to support technologies at all levels of the government to achieve proof of concept and eventual commercialization. And my work at Portland General has highlighted how these technologies can provide equitable and cost-effective solutions for customers. Greentown Labs is a recognized leader in bringing new solutions to market, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my private and public sector experience to its board as Greentown drives the next big leaps for our energy evolution."

Dr. Leah Ellis is Co-Founder and CEO of Sublime Systems, a company that has developed a breakthrough process to produce carbon-neutral cement. The technology replaces the industry's legacy fossil-fuel intensive thermal calciner with an electrochemical process that produces carbon-neutral lime at ambient temperatures with renewable electricity. Sublime's technology was co-invented by Dr. Ellis and Sublime's co-founder, Professor Yet-Ming Chiang, at MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering during Dr. Ellis' tenure as NSERC/Banting Postdoctoral Fellow. Prior to working on cement at MIT, Dr. Ellis earned her PhD in chemistry with Professor Jeff Dahn at Dalhousie University, Canada, where she worked on optimizing lithium-ion cell lifetime in partnerships with 3M and Tesla. Dr. Ellis is an Activate Boston Entrepreneurial Fellow and was recently named among MIT Technology Review's 35 Innovators under 35.

"Greentown fosters a vibrant community of inventors and innovators. The atmosphere of continual change and improvement encourages every member to change the world by changing themselves: we inspire each other to adapt and grow, personally and professionally, to combat the climate crisis. While scaling my own startup, I can think of no better way to contribute to the climate movement than by supporting the Greentown Labs community," said Dr. Leah Ellis.

Nisha Desai is the Founder and CEO of Intention, a startup company creating a climate impact platform for retail investors. As an entrepreneur and executive, she has a long track record of innovation and change in the energy industry. She has previously worked at six energy-related startups including Ridge Energy Storage, Tessera Solar, and ActualSun, where she was co-founder and CEO. Ms. Desai's previous corporate roles include serving as the Vice President, Distributed Generation for NRG Energy and several years as a management consultant with the energy practice of Booz Allen Hamilton (now Strategy&, a PWC company). She is a former board member of the Puerto Rico Public Power Authority (PREPA) and the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Alliance. She currently serves on the boards of Pythias Inc. and BikeHouston, and on the Advisory Council of HARC.

"I'm honored to join the board of Greentown Labs as a representative of the startup community," said Ms. Desai. "This is a pivotal time for climate and energy transition. I look forward to working with the rest of the board to expand the collective impact of the Greentown Labs ecosystem."

Dr. Barbarino, Ms. Thakar, Dr. Ellis, and Ms. Desai join seven existing board members:

Alicia Barton , CEO of FirstLight Power (Board Chair)

, CEO of FirstLight Power (Board Chair) Katherine Hamilton , Chair of 38 North Solutions

, Chair of 38 North Solutions Dawn James , Director of US Sustainability Strategy and Environmental Science at Microsoft

, Director of US Sustainability Strategy and Environmental Science at Microsoft Matthew Nordan , Co-Founder and Managing Director of Prime Impact Fund and General Partner at Azolla Ventures

, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Prime Impact Fund and General Partner at Azolla Ventures Kathleen Theoharides , Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Mitch Tyson , Principal at Tyson Associates and Co-Founder of the Northeast Clean Energy Council

, Principal at Tyson Associates and Co-Founder of the Northeast Clean Energy Council Dr. Emily Reichert , CEO of Greentown Labs

About Greentown Labs

Greentown Labs is a community of climate action pioneers working to design a more sustainable world. As the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, Greentown Labs brings together startups, corporates, investors, policymakers, and many others with a focus on scaling climate solutions. Driven by the mission of providing startups the resources, knowledge, connections, and equipment they need to thrive, Greentown Labs offers lab space, shared office space, a machine shop, an electronics lab, software and business resources, and a large network of corporate customers, investors, and more. With its headquarters in Somerville, Mass. and a recently opened incubator in Houston, TX, Greentown Labs is home to more than 180 startups and has supported more than 400 startups since the incubator's founding in 2011. These startups have collectively created more than 8,400 jobs and have raised more than $2.2 billion in funding. For more information, please visit www.greentownlabs.com or Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

Greentown Labs Media Contact:

Julia Travaglini

[email protected]

603-867-3657

SOURCE Greentown Labs
Toyota of Bristol is the 29th Toyota dealership the Haig Partners team has bought or sold since 1996. Tweet this

"I've had the honor of working with the team at Toyota of Bristol over the past several years and am proud of the brand and reputation we have built. I wish the team at Tal Vickers much success and continued growth," commented JR Reihl, Operating Partner of Toyota of Bristol.

"I am grateful to the Mitchell Family for their trust in Haig Partners to help them accomplish their strategic goal of selling at a time when they can maximize the return on their investment," shared John Davis, Managing Director with Haig Partners. "Dealers are experiencing record-breaking profits, which I believe will remain strong into 2022 and beyond. Many dealers today are increasingly convinced that you need to have significant scale to compete over the long-term. This growing "get big or get out" belief is causing some dealers to sell while values are high. At the same time, other dealers are opting to get bigger so they can increase their scale and enjoy attractive returns on investment."

"I am excited for the opportunity to expand our dealership group with this acquisition. As a long-time Toyota Dealer, I look forward to being a part of the Bristol community and representing the Toyota brand," said Tal Vickers.

Logan Parker and Robert Bass of Bass Sox Mercer provided legal representation for the seller. David Porteous of Evans Petree P.C. provided legal representation for the buyer.

Toyota of Bristol is the 29th Toyota dealership the Haig Partners team has bought or sold since 1996.

About Haig Partners

Haig Partners LLC is the leading buy-sell advisor to owners of higher value retail dealerships. The team at Haig Partners has represented 20 of the Top 150 dealership groups on the Automotive News Top 150 list, more than any other buy-sell advisory firm. Since 1996, they have advised on over 290 dealership transactions, comprised of more than 550 dealerships totaling $8.4 billion. Haig Partners has unmatched auto retail experience with backgrounds in executive leadership and corporate development roles for AutoNation, Asbury, Bank of America's Dealer Financial Services team and DHG's Dealership Practice. Haig Partners authors the Haig Report, the leading industry quarterly report that tracks trends in auto retail and their impact dealership values, and are co-author of NADA's Guide, "Buying and Selling a Dealership." For more information, visit www.haigpartners.com.

Transaction Contact:

John Davis, Managing Director

Haig Partners

e: [email protected]

p: (404) 406-7110

Press Contact:

Aimee Allen, Director of Marketing and Business Development

Haig Partners

e: [email protected]

p: (603) 933-2194

SOURCE Haig Partners
FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Higginbotham, one of the largest independent insurance firms in the U.S., and The Underwriters Group, Inc., a U.S. Top 100 Broker in Louisville, KY, have joined forces. Both firms provide full-scale commercial and personal insurance, employee benefits and human resource solutions. The deal adds additional states to Higginbotham's expanding presence across the southeast region of the U.S.

Higginbotham is strategically growing by partnering with independent insurance firms that complement its service model and add scale to its operation, which now spans 13 states. With 75 employees, The Underwriters Group, Inc. services the insurance, risk management and employee benefits needs of customers and brings expertise in construction, architects and engineers, dealerships, finance and insurance, distilleries, captives, manufacturing, employee stock ownership plans, excess workers' compensation and self-funded benefit plans to the Higginbotham platform.

Founded to serve the underground mining industry, today The Underwriters Group, Inc. is a leader in complex and high hazard risk exposures, prioritizing customer service and innovative solutions in risk management and loss prevention. Joining forces with Higginbotham and gaining access to its expanded loss control and employee benefit support services gives The Underwriters Group, Inc. even more horsepower to serve its clients, employees and community.

The Underwriters Group, Inc., insurance agency is one of three subsidiaries included in the transaction. Also joining Higginbotham are Underwriters Services Corporation, a third party administrator for self-funded benefit plans, and Employment Dispute Resolution Systems, LLC, a provider of alternative dispute resolution programs for employment agreements. The privately held firm principals are brothers Stuart and Scott Ferguson and the late Bruce Ferguson Sr, who represent the third generation of management of the 80-year-old firm. The brothers spun off their managed care and workers' compensation TPA subsidiaries in a separate transaction.

In a joint statement, Stuart and Scott Ferguson said, "The similarities in our core values and the commitment to both client services and employees brought us together. We like the 'can-do' attitude and the inclusiveness of all employees being eligible to participate in ownership and be rewarded by the firm's growth. We are pleased to merge our equity with Higginbotham and are excited about the future for our clients, our associates and our combined firm. The Underwriters Group and Higginbotham match up well and the future is bright."

Higginbotham Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid said, "This partnership brings together two insurance brokers listed among the top 100 in the nation, and our combined strength will give us an even greater competitive advantage as we make our foray into Kentucky with such a well-established local firm. But more than size and competency, it's their culture of service that makes us a good match. We put people first, whether it's our customers, employees or communities."

Higginbotham named Stuart Ferguson a managing partner and Scott Ferguson and Bruce Ferguson, Jr managing directors, and they will continue leading their existing offices as The Underwriters Group, Inc., A Higginbotham Partner, while forging growth opportunities in the Southeast region with Higginbotham.

About The Underwriters Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Louisville, KY, The Underwriters Group, Inc. is a privately owned, independent insurance agency founded in 1941. Offering a comprehensive suite of commercial and personal insurance and employee benefit solutions to protect businesses and individuals, the Underwriters Group, Inc. has become a leader by providing innovative solutions and superior customer service. It operates from offices in Louisville, KY and Dayton, OH. Business Insurance ranks The Underwriters Group, Inc. as one of the 2021 Top 100 Brokers of U.S. Business (Business Insurance, July 2021). Visit www.uscky.com for more information.

About Higginbotham

Employee owned and customer inspired, Higginbotham is a single source solution for insurance, financial and HR services that brokers business and personal insurance, employee benefits, retirement plans, executive benefits and life insurance. It supplements coverage with in-house risk management and benefit plan administration services. The firm was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, with more than 60 offices in 13 states serving domestic and international customers. Higginbotham ranks by revenue as the nation's 20th largest independent insurance firm, making it the largest Texas-based broker (Business Insurance, July 2021). Visit www.higginbotham.com for more information.

SOURCE Higginbotham
TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoyer Law Group is proud to announce that MD Labs, Inc., along with two of its owners, will pay up to $16 million to settle allegations that MD Labs submitted false laboratory claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs.

According to the settlement agreement, MD Labs and its owners regularly billed federal health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug testing (UDT). MD Labs performed two types of UDT: presumptive testing, a relatively inexpensive test providing quick qualitative results, and confirmatory testing, an expensive test designed to confirm quantitatively the results of presumptive UDT. MD Labs performed both types of tests at approximately the same time and then simultaneously submitted the results to health care providers. The settlement highlights that the presumptive UDT results were frequently useless and the confirmatory UDT results typically baseless.

"MD Labs billed Medicare and other federal health care programs for wasteful urine drug testing," said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. "They diverted valuable resources away from federal health care programs for expensive testing that was unnecessary. That kind of behavior will always get our attention."

"The American people reasonably expect our government to be good stewards of taxpayer funds, including investigating those who try to defraud taxpayer-supported public health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid," said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hoyer Law Group partner Jesse Hoyer Estes said she was "honored to represent courageous whistleblowers who defend society against taxpayer fraud. Our firm is privileged to be a part of the return of millions of dollars to the United States Treasury to be used for consumer protection and restitution, as well as furthering a better society."

Under the settlement, MD Labs and its owners will pay no less than $11.6 million and no more than $16 million depending on certain financial circumstances. The False Claims Act's qui tam provisions permit Hoyer Law Group's whistleblower client to share in this recovery.

Hoyer Law Group thanks the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice for assisting its brave whistleblower client reach a successful resolution.

Hoyer Law Group is based in Tampa, FL with offices in Washington, D.C., and Michigan. The firm specializes in False Claims Act, employment, and business litigation.

Media Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE Hoyer Law Group, PLLC
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Port and rail truck drivers working for XPO Logistics across Southern California filed for an election to form a union Wednesday, setting up the first-ever National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election involving misclassified port and rail truck drivers.

The drivers seeking to form a union at XPO Logistics have long been misclassified as independent contractors, a legal designation that denies them basic rights and benefits including health insurance, paid sick leave, a guaranteed minimum wage and overtime pay. Because federal labor law prohibits independent contractors from forming a union, companies like XPO purposefully misclassify workers as independent contractors to deny them that right.

In filing for union election, the XPO drivers are challenging their misclassification head on, arguing that they should be properly considered employees with the right to join together in a union.

"My fellow drivers and I are proud of the work we do every day to keep the supply chain moving and provide for our communities. Today, we're proud to take the next step in forming a union to give us a voice on the job and fight for better pay and benefits," said Domingo Avalos, an XPO driver at the company's facility in Commerce. "Our company, XPO Logistics, tries to silence us by ignoring our demand for a union and by keeping us misclassified as independent contractors. But when we win our union, we will force XPO to listen  because we know together our voice is more powerful than any big corporation."

Drivers also filed an unfair labor practice charge Wednesday alleging that XPO's practice of misclassifying drivers as independent contractors  when, in fact, they are employees  interferes with those drivers' right to organize and therefore violates federal labor law.

The union election comes as XPO Logistics recently agreed to pay close to $30 million to settle two class-action lawsuits filed on behalf of hundreds of misclassified port and rail truck drivers working at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach alleging the company paid them less than a minimum wage. Across the globe, XPO is notorious for maintaining poor working conditions, engaging in wage theft and fostering a culture of pregnancy discrimination, gender discrimination and sexual harassment. In Europe, some drivers have been forced to live out of their trucks for months on end.

Last week, XPO drivers seeking to form a union sent a letter to their employer demanding recognition of their union. XPO Logistics, a company with a long history of exploitation and union-busting, has so far failed to voluntarily recognize drivers' demand. The unfair labor practice charges against XPO also allege that the company has violated its federally imposed duty to bargain by refusing to recognize and bargain with the union its drivers have chosen.

The XPO port and rail truck drivers seeking to form a union represent essential links in the nation's supply chain, moving goods out of railyards, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. Drivers based at XPO's Commerce and San Diego facilities are seeking to join the Teamsters through Teamsters Local 848, headquartered in the greater Los Angeles area, and Teamsters Local 542, headquartered in San Diego.

"For years, XPO has led the race to the bottom we've seen across the trucking industry, skirting or outright ignoring the law in the name of corporate profits and shareholder dividends," said James P. Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. "The only way to stand up to a lawbreaking company like XPO is to bargain with the strength of a union. The Teamsters are proud to stand with brave drivers across California who are coming together to demand the respect, pay and dignity on the job they deserve."

About The International Brotherhood of Teamsters :

The Teamsters is America's largest, most diverse union. The Teamsters are known as the champion of freight drivers and warehouse workers, but have organized workers in virtually every occupation imaginable, in the private and public sector. For more than a century, the Teamsters have been a public voice for the rights and aspirations of working men and women and a key player in securing them.

Contact: Dean Pearce, [email protected], (630) 723-7490

Kristal Romero, [email protected], (209) 401-1708

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary - Fluorspar's uses have grown and changed in the last 100 years; today, the most important markets are fluorochemical production, aluminum refining and steelmaking. Fluorspar is the business name of mineral fluorites. Fluorite minerals are made out of calcium fluoride-containing 51.1% calcium and 48.9% fluorine. The metallurgical evaluation fluorspar is fundamentally utilized in the creation of metals where it's anything but a transition to eliminate pollutants like sulfur and phosphorous from liquid metal and accordingly improves the smoothness of slag. Fluorspar lumps are also mostly used in metallurgy. A report from Market Research Future said that the developing interest for steel and aluminum from the development business is relied upon to be the critical driver in the development of the worldwide Fluorspar Market Size over the estimated time frame (2030). Developing lithium-particle batteries over ordinary batteries is likewise expected to significantly drive the Fluorspar Market over the estimated time frame. Besides, developing optics, earthenware production, and individual consideration industry in arising economies because of rising discretionary cash flow and changing way of life are further expanding the Fluorspar Market over the estimated time frame 2030. The report continued: "One of the effective challenges in the development of the Worldwide Fluorspar Market Share is the tight stockpile of fluorspar. The marked-down supply of fluorspar is relied upon to lessen the creation of hydrogen fluoride, which thusly is required to build the cost of hydrogen fluoride during the estimated time frame. The Fluorspar Market Price is relied upon to develop at a CAGR of more than 5% during the conjecture time frame." Active stocks in the mining markets this week include Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (OTCQB: ARSMF) (TSX-V: ARS), Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF), Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS), Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA), Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE: HBM) (TSX: HBM).

Market Research added: "Developing interest for steel and aluminum from the development business is relied upon to be the vital driver in the development of the worldwide Fluorspar Market over the estimated time frame. Developing notoriety of lithium-particle batteries over traditional batteries is additionally expected to drive the Fluorspar Market over the estimated time frame significantly. Besides, developing optics, ceramics, and individual consideration industry in arising economies by virtue of rising discretionary cashflow and changing way of life are further expanding the Price of Fluorspar over the estimated period. The Middle East and Africa (MEA), Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and North America are the primary districts considered during the aggregation of the Fluorspar Market Report. The APAC locale is projected to display the quickest development rate during the gauge time frame attributable to interest for the mineral in different end-use ventures. China being one of the primary makers and exporters of the mineral and its subordinates, can drive the local market development till 2023. The fast industrialization and urbanization, developing disposable pay levels of clients, and the resurgence of the car area are different drivers of the district."

Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (OTCQB: ARSMF) (TSX-V: ARS) BREAKING NEWS: Ares Strategic Mining Completes Lumps Plant Steel and Infrastructure Fabrication - Ares Strategic Mining ("Ares" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the fabrication of its recently ordered steel has been completed and the Company has taken possession. The Company has now begun arranging to ship the steel to the United States, where it will be integrated with its recently shipped lumps plant in the Company's production construction project.

The steel structure will provide a 3-storey structure, which will house the Company's plant, allowing workers to optimally adjust the plant as it manufactures metallurgical fluorspar lumps. The plant will be the only one of its kind in the United States, so Ares has arranged for experienced international operators to accompany the plant to Utah, where they will assist with the construction and optimization of the plant.

Metallurgical fluorspar lumps are an extremely in demand upgraded industrial product used in the steel industry, and which the Company is looking to supply internally within North America as part of its role as the only domestic U.S. producer. In 2018 the U.S. government classified fluorspar as a Critical Mineral, "deemed critical to U.S. national security and the economy". Fluorspar remains the only non-metallic Critical Mineral which is 100% imported in the entire country. Fluorspar's classification as a Critical Mineral in the United States translates to a faster permitting period, enabling mining operations to initiate more quickly than operations for conventional minerals.

James Walker, President and CEO of the Company said, "The Company was faced with a steeply increasing steel price, and backlogged orders, but navigated the problems quickly to source a reputed supplier with a proven track record that could supply Ares with steel products within a reasonable cost and timeline. Our metallurgical tests have demonstrated a high-quality product which has garnered interest amongst manufacturers, and we have elicited the assistance of experienced groups to assist us in the installation of our facility. This was an important step towards becoming part of the United States' industrial base, and we will keep everyone abreast of developments as we continue to advance in that direction." CONTINUED Read this full release for the Ares Strategic Mining news at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-ars/

Other recent developments in the mining industry include:

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS) recently announced that it has acquired Rotax Metals, Inc. ("Rotax"), a metals service center specializing in copper, bronze and brass alloys. Founded in 1947 and located in Brooklyn, New York, Rotax services a diverse customer base including distributors, manufacturers and the commercial and residential construction markets, emphasizing local customer relationships and next-day delivery. For the twelve months ended July 31, 2021, annual net sales for Rotax were approximately $14 million. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Rotax will operate as a subsidiary of Yarde Metals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance.

"Rotax's specialty products and excellent customer service align with both Reliance's business model and our acquisition strategy of acquiring immediately accretive, high quality, high margin businesses," commented Jim Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of Reliance. "This acquisition supports Reliance's product diversification strategy by expanding our portfolio of specialty bronze, brass and copper product offerings. By operating through our subsidiary Yarde Metals, a metals service center with sixteen locations throughout the Northeast, we expect Rotax will benefit from Yarde's relationships with mill suppliers and leverage its back-office services to streamline operations and promote continued growth. We are very pleased to welcome Rotax to the Reliance Family of Companies."

Alcoa Corporation (NYSE: AA) and the workers' representatives at the Company's San Ciprian aluminum plant in Spain have recently reached an agreement aimed at resolving ongoing challenges that stem from exorbitant energy prices.

The agreement, which was signed on December 29, 2021, calls for a two-year curtailment of the smelter's 228,000 metric tons of annual capacity, and a commitment by the Company to begin the restart of the smelter in January 2024.

"With this agreement, we now have a path to resolve the significant challenges that the facility has faced and can begin to build a stronger smelter in two years," said Alcoa President and CEO Roy Harvey. "This has been a challenging road for everyone involved, and we look forward to the future, working constructively with our employees and stakeholders to implement the agreement we reached."

Curtailment activities will begin on January 1, 2022, with the goal of completion before the end of January 2022. During the curtailment period, Alcoa will seek to secure as soon as possible long-term power purchase agreements, beginning from 2024. Also, the Company has committed $68 million for capital investments and $35 million for restart costs. As part of the agreement, workers will immediately cease a strike action that has affected both the aluminum smelter and the alumina refinery.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF) recently announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Ferrous Processing and Trading Company, including certain related entities ("FPT"). The final necessary regulatory clearances in connection with the transaction were obtained on November 17. FPT is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

FPT, which was recently awarded Fastmarkets' 2021 Scrap Company of the Year, is a leading prime ferrous scrap processor in the United States. FPT currently processes approximately three million tons of scrap per year, approximately half of which is prime grade. Cliffs expects to grow its prime scrap presence through its existing relationships with industrial steel consumers.

Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE: HBM) (TSX: HBM) recently released its third quarter 2021 financial results.

Third Quarter Operating and Financial Results Were: Generated $359.0 million in revenue, $103.5 million of operating cash flow before change in non-cash working capital and $119.3 million of adjusted EBITDAi in the third quarter of 2021 from higher realized base metals prices and higher gold sales volumes, partially offset by lower base metals sales volumes; Consolidated copper production in the third quarter was 23,245 tonnes; quarterly consolidated gold production increased by 35% to 53,872 ounces in the third quarter, compared to the second quarter in 2021, a record for Hudbay; Consolidated cash cost and sustaining cash cost per pound of copper produced, net of by-product creditsi, were $0.62 and $1.97, respectively, an improvement of 26% and 12% compared to the second quarter of 2021; Third quarter Peru production was boosted by significantly higher gold grades from Pampacancha and record gold recoveries, leading to record quarterly gold revenue. Pampacancha production continues to ramp-up, achieving a 109% increase in ore production quarter over quarter; Third quarter Manitoba production benefited from higher throughput and higher gold grades at Lalor but was negatively impacted by lower zinc grades and zinc recoveries, limiting overall zinc concentrate feed to the zinc plant. Manitoba results included initial gold production from New Britannia's gold circuit; On track to meet annual production guidance for copper, gold, zinc and silver in concentrate and dore, consolidated sustaining capital expenditures, and Manitoba unit operating cost in 2021. After adjusting for unbudgeted COVID-related costs in Peru, full year unit operating costs for Peru are expected to be around the top end of the 2021 guidance range; and Cash and cash equivalents increased during the third quarter to $297.5 million as at September 30, 2021, mainly as a result of $139.8 million of cash generated from operations, partially offset by $89.1 million of capital investments primarily for the construction of the New Britannia project and sustaining capital expenditures and $33.6 million of interest paid on the company's senior unsecured notes.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Ares Strategic Mining Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

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Contact Information:

Media Contact email: [email protected] - +1(561)325-8757

SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com
CHICAGO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Insurance Navy launched its Spanish-translated website. The site features a quote calculator, specialized coverage pages, location listings, and all the features of the original site. Spanish-speaking policyholders can also use the site to make payments, file claims, and handle renewals.

"Translating our site into Spanish and giving it its own web page was a move that was entirely inspired by our customer base," says Insurance Navy CEO Fadi Sneineh, "Our locations in Little Village and Back of The Yards are the go-to places for insurance in those communities. Communities like these are driven by Spanish speakers and make up a huge part of our policyholders."

Insurance Navy has been providing low-cost insurance all over the Chicagoland area for over a decade and has become the fastest-growing insurance agency in Illinois. They opened a new location in Berwyn. Insurance Navy's bilingual agents have been at the forefront of helping Hispanic communities find affordable basic and SR22 coverage.

As previously mentioned, current policyholders will have 24-hour access to their auto, renters, motorcycle, or homeowners policy and premium payments. Interested visitors to the site can view their wide range of products beyond car insurance, like life, boat, Mexico travel. They can also stay informed with the Insurance Navy blog.

"Another aspect of a Spanish website is the abundance of content that our Spanish-speaker policyholders will now fully understand. Some customers using the map may be surprised to find out that they live close to one of our locations. It's also all about communication, which is key in the insurance world so that everything goes smoothly," Sneineh said.

You can visit the Insurance Navy Spanish Language website at https://www.insurancenavy.com/es/

About Insurance Navy :

Insurance Navy is a provider of non-standard auto insurance, selling products in over 30 storefronts, a call center, and online (www.insurancenavy.com) in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Texas, and California. In addition to auto insurance, the company sells other financial products and services, including homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and roadside assistance.

SOURCE Insurance Navy
ABERDEEN, S.D., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Land O'Lakes, Inc. and the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) today announced the launch of the first American Connection Community in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Under the new joint project, Aberdeen will be the first of a set of rural communities to benefit from several months of strategic planning and engagement through CORI's Rural Innovation Initiative to help them create innovation hubs, assist with applications for state and federal funding and gain access to digital skills and tools. CORI will also educate, train and assist local residents in learning digital skills necessary to compete in today's employment landscape and gain access to jobs in their hometowns. The initiative, with Aberdeen as its first pilot community, aims to unlock the potential of broadband access in rural communities, and to bring economic prosperity and high-skilled jobs to reinvigorate rural communities.

"We know how critical the need for broadband access is and how mentorship and training programs have measurable, positive impacts for skill-building and job growth in local communities," said Tina May, vice president of rural services for Land O'Lakes, Inc. "American Connection Communities, starting in Aberdeen, will demonstrate for leaders and policymakers how new, effective and transformational models for rural development can be implemented and scaled at the state and national level."

"For too long, rural Americans have been told the jobs of the future are not for them," commented CORI Founder and Executive Director Matt Dunne. "The Center on Rural Innovation is thrilled to be partnering with Land O'Lakes and CoBank to pilot and scale new models for growing inclusive digital economies in rural communities  because we believe the future is rural."

The American Connection Communities location in Aberdeen is jointly funded by Land O'Lakes and CoBank, a founding member and dedicated partner of the American Connection Project (ACP) Policy Coalition.

"Equipping our local community for the future cannot be successful without connectivity and digital skills," said Chris Pearson, CEO of Agtegra (a Land O'Lakes member-owner headquartered in Aberdeen). "Agtegra is happy to support this effort by Land O'Lakes, CORI and CoBank that will help support jobs of the future and the health of the Aberdeen community that we call home."

The ACP has demonstrated success across rural communities nationwide through the opening of more than 3,000 free, public Wi-Fi locations and the creation of the American Connection Corps, to name a few. This next endeavor under the ACP umbrella will expand opportunities for direct investments in rural communities and support rural economic development via a dynamic, high-return technical assistance program that can be replicated at the national level.

Land O'Lakes and CORI plan to expand American Connection Communities in other locations across the U.S. in the coming months. For general information on the ACP, please visit: americanconnectionproject.com.

About the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI)

Established in 2017, CORI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization at the heart of a dynamic social enterprise focused on closing the rural opportunity gap. CORI partners with rural leaders across the country to build digital economies that support scalable entrepreneurship and lead to more tech jobs in rural America. CORI is committed to advancing economic prosperity in rural America through a comprehensive range of expertise, programs, and partnerships that ensure all Americans, regardless of geography, are able to participate in our 21st-century digital economy. As part of that work, CORI has created the Rural Innovation Network, a nationwide community of change agents and local leaders working to advance the economic future of small-town America.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2020 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 219 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 99 years of operation, Land O'Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O'Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minnesota.

Media Contacts:

Center on Rural Innovation (CORI): Rebekah Collinsworth

Land O'Lakes, Inc.: Abby Rime

SOURCE Land OLakes, Inc.
This file photo shows a Nigerian farmer works at a farm during the training in Abuja, Nigeria, June 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhang Baoping)

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the country's rice production has increased to over 7.5 million metric tons annually, a significant rise from average production of less than 4 million metric tons in about 22 years.



ABUJA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the country's rice production has increased to over 7.5 million metric tons annually, a significant rise from average production of less than 4 million metric tons in about 22 years.

Buhari disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday while speaking at the official commissioning ceremony of the sky-high rice paddy pyramids organized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Nigerian leader urged Nigerians to exercise some patience as the growing food production in the country, especially expansion in rice farming, will eventually bring down prices of food, making it more affordable for all.

He noted across Nigeria, more than 4.8 million smallholder farmers had been supported by the Anchor Borrowers' Program (ABP), an initiative through which the CBN supports local farmers to increase the production of 23 agricultural commodities including maize, rice, oil palm, cocoa, cotton, cassava, tomato, and livestock.

"I am aware that the bags of paddy will be moving straight from here to rice milling plants across Nigeria, which lead to the release of processed rice to the markets by the rice millers. The measure will aid our efforts at reducing the price of rice in Nigeria," Buhari said.

With the ABP initiative which was launched by his administration, the president said, Nigeria now has over 50 standard and integrated rice mills creating jobs and reducing unemployment, adding there would be an additional significant output when two new mills are started in Lagos, the country's economic hub, and Katsina in the northwest region.

The large margins in the business of rice had also encouraged more people to show interest in investing in agribusiness, noting the mega rice pyramids were part of the government's commitment to achieving national food security and economic diversification through home-grown policies targeted at securing food for all Nigerians.

"As a critical policy of the government, the ABP is expected to catalyze the agricultural productive base of the nation, which is a major part of our economic plan to uplift the economy, create jobs, reduce reliance on imported food, and industrial raw materials, and conserve foreign exchange," he said.

"This has resulted in bridging our rice consumption gap, a significant reduction in rice imports, and saved us foreign exchange," he added.
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of Michigan students and educators will flock to the State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 27 to celebrate the life-changing power of education. The event will be the flagship celebration in the state during National School Choice Week.

The capitol celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. as students and educators set up display tables highlighting what makes their school unique. Families will have a chance to explore schools, share school choice stories, meet legislators and supporters, enter to win prize packs, and more.

At noon, attendees will gather in the capitol rotunda for a group celebration and remarks from special guest speaker Corey DeAngelis, national director of research at the American Federation for Children.

The celebration will continue with lunch at Freedom Hall in the Louie Building at 123 W. Allegan St.

This event is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week 2022, which will feature more than 26,000 school choice events across all 50 states.

"School choice is important every day, not just one week a year," said Amy Dunlap, outreach director at Parent Advocates for Choice in Education. "The COVID-19 pandemic has only emphasized how crucial it is for students and parents to have meaningful education options. It is time that we raise our voices collectively to share how school choice has impacted our families and to make sure we let all Michigan kids learn."

Event planners include Parent Advocates for Choice in Education and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

The State Capitol is located at 100 N. Capitol Ave. For families unable to attend in person, the celebration will be livestreamed at facebook.com/miedchoice .

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children, focusing equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of celebrations  such as school fairs and open houses to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. School Choice Week also develops resources and guides to K-12 education for families. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation. For more information visit schoolchoiceweek.com.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
In the newly created role, Vega will lead Motif's food applications, culinary design, sensory, and packaging teams. It's a unique role and approach for Motif, as the company's technology development work does not stop at discovery. As part of its holistic approach to food design , Motif employs a multidisciplinary team of scientists and innovators to better understand how its emerging technologies can make plant-based foods such as alternative meat and dairy, and plant-based sports nutrition productstruly craveable. This includes in-depth consumer centric design and sensory testing, as well as working with customers that use Motif's food technologies to optimize their plant-based products for taste, texture and nutrition.

Vega joins the company from Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, where he served as Director of R&D Innovation for the Americas. Prior to that, he held various leadership positions at Mars, Inc. across different geographies. Vega holds a culinary degree and is a globally recognized authority in the area of the science of cooking. He was an expert reviewer of Myrhvold's Modernist Cuisine, consultant for Jose Andres' ThinkFoodGroup, and co-editor of The Kitchen as Laboratory.

"I am excited to join Motif during a time of immense innovation," said Cesar Vega. "I believe in 'falling in love with consumer problems,' and I'm excited to bring my experience in user-centric design to the company."

In addition to his longstanding career, Vega dedicates his time to educating others on the intersection between science, design, and the culinary arts. He has led lectures and seminar series at universities in Spain, Belgium, Canada, the U.S. and Chile. He also served on the advisory board at ERGO Biosciences SAS.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Cesar to our team," said Michael Leonard, CTO of Motif FoodWorks. "When we created this role, we knew we needed an innovator with a strong background in R&D with the capability to understand the demands and challenges of pioneering the development of new products, partners, and category segments within the food industry. We are excited by what Cesar brings to the table - both literally and figuratively."

Vega joins the team during a time of massive growth, most notably the company's historic $226 million in Series B funding. Over the past year, Motif has unveiled innovative plant-based technologies, including meltable cheese, as well the commercialization of their first technology, HEMAMI, that improves the taste and aroma of plant-based meat. Motif announced in late 2021 their plans to open a new market development center. The company also undertook a series of academic research projects with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, University of Guelph, University of Queensland, King's College, Imperial College, and the University of Illinois, collaborating with leading food scientists and industry experts to uncover new insights and solutions to long-standing food challenges.

About Motif FoodWorks

Motif FoodWorks is a food technology company working to make plant-based foods better tasting, more nutritious and so desirable that people actually crave them. The company's mission is to unleash the promise of plant-based foods by taking a new, holistic approach to ingredient development that combines science and technology  merged with sensory fundamentals  to reveal totally new answers. By changing our understanding of plant-based food, Motif will enable crave-worthy products that exceed taste and experience expectations, unlocking benefits for people and our planet. For more information, visit www.madewithmotif.com.

Media Contacts

Julia Dacri

[email protected]

SOURCE Motif FoodWorks
SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dan Bessesen, MD, FTOS, a nutrition and obesity expert who has conducted research into nutrient metabolism and the regulation of body weight for the National Institutes of Health is the new president of The Obesity Society (TOS), the organization announced today.

"I am enthusiastic about and deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve The Obesity Society (TOS) over the coming year. TOS has been my academic home since I joined as a junior faculty member in 1995," said Bessesen after accepting his new role from outgoing TOS President Catherine Kotz, PhD, FTOS, professor and director of graduate studies at the University of Minnesota's Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology. Kotz is also associate director of research at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center in Minneapolis.

Bessesen is professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also the director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado and the Anschutz Foundation Endowed Chair in Health and Wellness. Bessesen is also the Fellowship Program Director for the University of Colorado Obesity Medicine Fellowship Program. He practices endocrinology at the Denver Health Medical Center.

The key areas of focus for Bessesen are to facilitate the transition of the TOS Annual Meeting back to an in-person format with virtual enhancements. In addition, he will work towards facilitating relationships between TOS and other sister societies, and continue efforts to help the Society's flagship journal Obesity adapt to the evolving environment of journals focusing on the problem of obesity.

Bessesen will continue Kotz's efforts to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into TOS and to support this in the field of obesity. He will begin a new initiative to begin to identify and address barriers to the delivery of evidence-based treatments to people living with obesity. To accomplish this goal, he will convene a task force to address this issue, explore the role that clinical practice guidelines or position papers might play in advancing this initiative, work with the TOS Education Committee on new clinical education activities and strive to foster greater collaboration with the Obesity Action Coalition.

"I hope to take advantage of the insights and wisdom of the members of TOS working through the committees and sections to make sure our Society is providing services to our members that are of value to them and help them achieve their own professional goals," he said.

Before being elected as president, Bessesen served as a vice president of TOS. Jamy Ard, MD, FTOS is the new vice president. Ard is professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention in the Division of Public Health Sciences, co-director of the Weight Management Center and medical director of medical weight management at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC.

Five new members were elected to the Society's Council.

Molly Bray, PhD, FTOS and Jaime Almandoz, MD, FTOS are the new Council members At-Large. Bray is professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Texas, Austin, and Almandoz is associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UTSouthwestern Medical Clinic in Dallas. Sean Wharton, MD, PharmD, was elected as the Council member At-Large Canada. Wharton is the medical director at the Wharton Medical Clinic in Burlington, Ontario. Jeffrey Zigman, MD, PhD, FTOS, was elected as Council member Basic/Experimental/Pre-clinical. Zigman is professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UTSouthwestern Medical Clinic in Dallas. Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, FTOS, is the new Council member for Advocacy/Public Affairs/Regulatory. She is an obesity medicine physician scientist, educator and policymaker from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. The new council members will serve until 2024.

Jessica Alvarez, PhD, RD, assistant professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids of the Department of Medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.; Marci Gluck, PhD, FAED, director of Behavioral Sciences at the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Digestive and Diabetes and Kidney Diseases Obesity and Diabetes Clinical Section, Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch; Kristina Henderson Lewis, MD, MPH, associate professor of public health sciences at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC; and Marc-Andre Cornier, MD, FTOS, professor of medicine and associate division head at the University of Colorado in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, associate director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, medical director of the Lipoprotein Apheresis Program and director of the Lipid Disorders Clinic were all elected to the Society's Nominating Committee.



The officers and nominating committee members started their new roles following the Society's annual Business Meeting held in November 2021.

The Obesity Society (TOS) is the leading organization of scientists and health professionals devoted to understanding and reversing the epidemic of obesity and its adverse health, economic and societal effects. Combining the perspective of researchers, clinicians, policymakers and patients, TOS promotes innovative research, education and evidence-based clinical care to improve the health and well-being of all people with obesity. For more information, visit www.obesity.org.

CONTACT:

Chanel Carrington

(formerly known as Kristin D. Collins)

Director of Communications and Media Relations

The Obesity Society

240.485.1950 (o) or 301.708.8418 (c)

[email protected]

SOURCE The Obesity Society
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rapacke Law Group, PA announces that webinar.net, Defendant in a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, will challenge the validity of ON24, Inc.'s U.S. Patent 9,148,480 B2 directed to a "communication console with component aggregation" at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in an inter partes review (IPR) trial proceeding conducted at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

ON24 filed suit against webinar.net in the Northern District of California alleging intentional interference with contractual relations, unfair competition, false advertising, and infringement of the '480 patent. webinar.net recently filed its Answer in the case and is now in the final stages of preparing its petition for IPR for filing at the USPTO on the basis that the '480 patent claims were unpatentable over the prior art.

ON24 is a publicly-traded software company headquartered in San Francisco, California that provides cloud-based digital platforms and software products to clientele in numerous sectors. ON24 specializes in webinars, webcasting, virtual events, and multimedia content. The company has recently found itself embroiled in legal controversy as it is subject to a class-action lawsuit by its shareholders for an allegedly misleading prospectus.

webinar.net is a privately owned software company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, and offers the first marketing, training, and corporate communications platform fully hosted in the cloud that enables organizations to connect, engage, and interact with one another. webinar.net, Inc. is represented by the Rapacke Law Group, P.A.

About The Rapacke Law Group, P.A. is a fixed-fee patent and trademark prosecution and litigation law firm representing clients throughout the United States in complex patent and trademark matters. Rapacke Law Group attorneys have obtained favorable outcomes in numerous federal courts and at the United States Patent and Trademark Office's Patent and Trial and Appeal Board. Please visit https://arapackelaw.com for more information.

SOURCE The Rapacke Law Group, P.A.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past year, NASA has made valuable contributions to Biden-Harris Administration's goals  leading on the global stage, addressing the urgent issue of climate change, creating high paying jobs, and inspiring future generations.

"Since President Biden and Vice President Harris were sworn in one year ago, their administration has made generational progress for Americans  and made NASA a priority. This spring, as Artemis I lifts off from Kennedy Space Center, the world will once again witness America's unrivaled ingenuity and inspiration as NASA prepares the next generation to return to the Moon and on to Mars," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "I am proud of the work the agency has done to support this administration's priorities on climate change, global leadership, diversity, equity, STEM education, and so much more. And we all should look forward to an even more robust future as NASA continues to explore the heavens and benefit life here on Earth."

Highlights of NASA's efforts are below.

NASA Missions:

Since its inception, NASA has led the world in space, both in human spaceflight and science.

Mars: Perseverance and Ingenuity

The Perseverance Mars rover landed on the Red Planet in February 2021 where it is studying the rock and sediment in Mars' Jezero Crater and aiding in the search for signs of ancient microbial life.

where it is studying the rock and sediment in Mars' Jezero Crater and aiding in the search for signs of ancient microbial life. Perseverance collected its first rock core into its sampling tube. The core is enclosed in a sample tube, and available for retrieval on a future Mars Sample Return mission.

Ingenuity became the first aircraft to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet, successfully logging 18 flights and completing more than 30 minutes of cumulative flight time.

Perseverance, first funded and approved under the Obama-Biden Administration, is made possible by thousands of scientists and engineers from countries and organizations around the world.

James Webb Space Telescope

Webb launched from Kourou, French Guiana Dec. 25th , in partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies.

, in partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies. In an incredible feat of engineering, the team has successfully completed the most critical and complex deployments, and the spacecraft now is on its way to its future home, nearly a million miles from Earth.

Webb will explore a wide range of science questions to help us understand the origins of the universe and our place within it. It will peer back to reveal the first stars and galaxies that formed about 13.5 billion years ago in the aftermath of the Big Bang.

International Space Station Extension

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced its commitment to extend International Space Station operations through 2030, and to work with our international partners in Europe (European Space Agency), Japan (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Canada (Canadian Space Agency), and Russia (State Space Corporation Roscosmos) to enable continuation of the groundbreaking research being conducted in this unique orbiting laboratory through the rest of this decade.

(European Space Agency), (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), (Canadian Space Agency), and (State Space Corporation Roscosmos) to enable continuation of the groundbreaking research being conducted in this unique orbiting laboratory through the rest of this decade. Over the past two decades, the United States has maintained a continuous human presence in orbit around the Earth to test technologies, conduct scientific research, and develop skills needed to explore farther than ever before. The unique microgravity laboratory has hosted more than 3,000 research investigations from over 4,200 researchers across the world and is returning enormous scientific, educational, and technological developments to benefit people on Earth.

Humans in Space: NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Astronaut Candidate Announcement

NASA and SpaceX successfully launched eight astronauts to the International Space Station in 2021. NASA's Commercial Crew Program, a cornerstone of private-public partnership passed into law under the Obama-Biden administration, has brought value to the American taxpayer and enabled incredible growth in the commercial space sector, all while providing safe, reliable transportation to the space station on American rockets from American soil.

Nelson introduced the members of the 2021 astronaut class, the first new class in four years Dec. 6 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston . Ten new astronaut candidates were selected from more than 12,000 applicants. The astronaut candidates recently began two years of training at Johnson and have the potential to walk on the Moon as part of Artemis.

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)

DART, the world's first full-scale mission to test technology for defending Earth against potential asteroid or comet hazards, launched in November.

DART will test whether a spacecraft can autonomously navigate to a target asteroid and intentionally collide with it in a method of deflection called kinetic impact.



The test in the fall of 2022 will provide important data to help better prepare for an asteroid that might pose an impact hazard to Earth, should one ever be discovered.

Moon to Mars

NASA took critical steps in 2021 to prepare for the historic launch of Artemis I, an uncrewed flight test of NASA's powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft in Spring 2022, including the green run engine test and completing assembly of SLS and Orion for the first time.

NASA will land the first woman and person of color on the Moon as part of the Artemis program  missions that will help the agency in preparation for human exploration of Mars.



SLS is the most powerful rocket NASA in the world  and the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and supplies 239,000 miles to the Moon in a single mission.

Addressing Climate Change and Natural Disasters:

NASA unequivocally provides the most comprehensive data in the world on the Earth's systems and is the only space agency in the world providing end-to-end research on our home planet to analyze and understand the processes involved.

National Climate Task Force

NASA joined the National Climate Task Force established by President Biden and released a climate action plan aimed at averting mission impacts due to climate change, ensuring the resiliency of facilities and assets, and providing the nation and world unique climate observations, analysis, and modeling through scientific research.

Senior Climate Advisor

NASA established the new position of senior climate advisor to the administrator to ensure effective fulfillment of the Biden Administration's climate science objectives for NASA. In January, NASA hired Dr. Katherine Calvin to serve a dual role as both the climate advisor and agency's chief scientist.

Earth System Observatory

NASA announced a new Earth System Observatory, five integrated satellites that will provide key information to help mitigate and guide efforts related to climate change, disaster mitigation, fighting forest fires, and improve real-time agricultural processes.

Landsat 9

In September, NASA and United States Geological Survey launched Landsat 9, an Earth-observing satellite that will build on the most advanced measurements made in the program's history.

The Landsat Program represents the longest, continuous, global satellite record of the Earth's surface, allowing us to track the impacts of climate change.

These satellites have documented Earth's changing landscape, helping farmers and scientists understand and manage land resources needed to sustain human life, like food, water, and forests.

INCUS

NASA selected a new Earth science mission that will study the behavior of tropical storms and thunderstorms, including their impacts on weather and climate models.

The mission will be a collection of three SmallSats, flying in tight coordination, called Investigation of Convective Updrafts (INCUS), and is expected to launch in 2027 as part of NASA's Earth Venture Program.

INCUS fills an important niche to help understand extreme weather and its impact on climate models  all of which serves to provide crucial information needed to mitigate weather and climate effects on our communities.

TROPICS

To bring more data to forecasters and have a more consistent watch over Earth's tropical belt where these storms form, NASA launched a test satellite, or pathfinder, ahead of a constellation of six weather satellites called TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats).

Planned for launch in 2022, the TROPICS satellites will work together to provide near-hourly microwave observations of a storm's precipitation, temperature, and humidity  a revisit time for these measurements not currently possible with other satellites.

National Space Council:

Vice President Kamala Harris Chairs First National Space Council Meeting

The vice president leads the National Space Council, and she announced a new, whole-of-government framework to ensuring that space activities create opportunities that benefit the American people and the world, and enhances our ability to maintain a vibrant space sector across civilian, commercial, and national security.

The Vice President charged the Council with an initial focus on the rules and norms governing space, leveraging space to tackle the climate crisis, and building a diverse space and STEM workforce.

In conjunction with the Vice President leading her first National Space Council meeting, President Biden also signed a new Executive Order that addresses the membership, duties, and responsibilities of the Council. The Order added five new members to the Council: The Secretaries of Education, Labor, Agriculture, and the Interior, as well as the National Climate Advisor. These new members demonstrate the Administration's emphasis on ensuring the benefits of American space activities are applied broadly throughout society and employed to solve the toughest challenges, including addressing the climate crisis and building a vibrant workforce for the future.

At the meeting, Nelson highlighted the breadth of NASA's STEM engagement, from the more than 6,400 internships, fellowships, and other direct student higher education awards, to the $35 million in direct financial support to students enrolled in higher education programs.

Vice President Harris Tours NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

During the visit, the Vice President got a first-hand look at NASA's Earth science missions and presented the first images from the Landsat 9 satellite.

While chairing her first National Space Council meeting, she highlighted the opportunities that the aerospace sector offers  for science, the economy, national competitiveness, STEM education, and more.

International Collaboration:

NASA is a global leader in space and here on Earth. International partnerships play a key role in achieving mission success  from collaboration on climate, to planetary science, and human exploration.

Ukrainian President Visits with NASA Administrator

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in Washington .

met with NASA Administrator at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in . They two discussed a renewed commitment to partnership in space, shared interest in exploration and discovery, and the importance of international cooperation for achieving mutual ambitions in space.

Artemis Accords

Several nations joined a growing list of countries in signing the Artemis Accords, principles that will help establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space.

COP26

NASA expanded its presence at COP26 , a global summit brings parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. The NASA Hyperwall served as the main attraction at the U.S. Center.

Partnered with ESA on Climate

Formed a strategic, first-of-its-kind partnership with ESA to observe Earth and its changing environment.

The partnership was formalized through a joint statement of intent, signed Tuesday, which outlines how the agencies will collaborate to ensure continuity of Earth observations; advance understanding of the Earth System, climate change and application of that knowledge; and collaborate on an open data policy that promotes open sharing of data, information, and knowledge within the scientific community and the wider public.

Lead Multilateral Meeting with Nearly 30 Space Agencies

Hosted a multilateral event with nearly 30 space agencies around the world at the International Aeronautical Congress to discuss the future of space exploration and underscore the importance of the safe, sustainable use of outer space.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility:

NASA is entirely committed to the full participation and empowerment of a wide variety of people, organizations, capabilities, and assets because we know this best enables the workforce to accomplish our missions.

Mission Equity

In response to Executive Order 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government), NASA rolled out "Mission Equity," held a public meeting to solicit feedback, and is reviewing public comments to a request for information.

Mission Equity is a comprehensive effort to assess agency programs, procurements, grants, and policies, and examine what potential barriers and challenges may exist for communities that are historically underrepresented and underserved.

NASA Headquarters Officially Named for Mary W. Jackson

NASA celebrated the agency's first African American female engineer, Mary W. Jackson , with a ceremony to formally name the agency's headquarters building in Washington in her honor.

Dual Anonymous Science Grant Proposal System

NASA is experimenting with changing its science grant proposal system to a dual anonymous system  one where names of reviewers and proposers are both kept hidden  which has been proven to increase fairness and reduce hidden biases for research awards.

NASA has pilot programs underway and used this method to choose the recently announced set of first research projects for the James Webb Space Telescope.

STEM Education:

NASA STEM education and engagement is critical to our nation's goal of building a diverse future STEM workforce and engages students in authentic learning experiences that spark interest and provide connections to NASA's missions.

NASA 2021 STEM-a-Thon

NASA hosted STEM-a-Thon with a series of activities and engagements for students with more than 6,600 registrants from across the globe. NASA's STEM-a-Thon is aimed at sparking interest in careers and broadening student participation in STEM. This year's event highlighted paths to careers at NASA and encouraged students to pursue their interests in STEM.

NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP)

NASA awarded grants to MSIs to support Artemis Space Technology. $3.5 million will be distributed to selected universities over two years. NASA's MUREP called upon Minority Serving Institutions to develop proposals for how they could use NASA funding to strengthen their support for underrepresented communities.

will be distributed to selected universities over two years. NASA's MUREP called upon Minority Serving Institutions to develop proposals for how they could use NASA funding to strengthen their support for underrepresented communities. NASA chose six MSIs to receive the MUREP INCLUDES award. Each award provides up to $1.2 million for a three-year period to implement the institution's proposal.

EPSCoR

In fiscal year 2021, NASA's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) conducted five competitive awards processes aimed toward increasing research and development capacity and improvement, while enabling valuable contributions to NASA mission needs and challenges. These five competitive solicitations yielded 94 selected proposals for a total of over $45 million in awards to institutions.

Space Grant

In fiscal year 2021, Space Grant awarded $42 million in cooperative agreements to institutions in all 50 states, Washington DC & Puerto Rico , resulting in over 3,700 Significant Student awards. FY21 also saw the expansion of the Space Grant Consortia to include over 1,100 partner institutions throughout Academia, Industry, State/Local Government, and non-profit organizations.

in cooperative agreements to institutions in all 50 states, & , resulting in over 3,700 Significant Student awards. FY21 also saw the expansion of the Space Grant Consortia to include over 1,100 partner institutions throughout Academia, Industry, State/Local Government, and non-profit organizations. In addition to direct awards made to Higher Education students, the program had over 193,000 student participants, 16,700 faculty participants, and over 400 peer-reviewed manuscripts with another 180 pending.

Next Gen STEM

In FY21, Next Gen STEM, OSTEM's K-12 project, reached 467, 805 students and 35,562 educators through various events, activities and STEM learning.

Million Girls Moonshot

NASA partnered with Million Girls Moonshot's Reach for the Stars Downlink Event, part of the Million Girls Moonshot, a five-year partnership designed to cultivate an engineering mindset within one million girls by 2025. Over 24,000 students registered for the event.

Internships

NASA nearly doubled the number of participants in its internship program over the fiscal year, and both the fall and spring intern cohorts were NASA's largest to date for those sessions.

Statistics:

NASA activities supported more than $60 billion in total economic output and supported more than 300,000 jobs nationwide.

in total economic output and supported more than 300,000 jobs nationwide. NASA grew the agency's social media following to 277 million in 2021  up 14% from 240 million in 2020.

4.2 million viewers watched live as Perseverance landed on Mars. Currently, the landing broadcast is the most-watched video of all time on NASA's YouTube channel with almost 24 million views.

NASA also conducted its first live Spanish language broadcast for the Mars Perseverance landing, which received more than 2.6 million views.

More than 1 million students participated in NASA's Mission to Mars Student Challenge.

More than 7.7 million viewers tuned into the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. The launch broadcast is now among the top 20 videos of all time on NASA's flagship channel.

The YouTube NASA en espanol broadcast of the Webb Telescope launch, "Desplegando el universe," reached 465,000 views.

For more information about NASA's missions, research, and people, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov

SOURCE NASA
LA FARGE, Wis., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With regional and multi-national dairy corporations reneging on commitments to family dairy farmers in the Northeast, farmer-owned cooperative Organic Valley is doubling down on its mission to do the exact opposite: save small, organic family farms throughout the US.

For five small, organic family farms in the Northeast, the new year begins with a fresh start: joining Organic Valley. Dropped by Maple Hill at the end of 2021, these five organic dairy farms needed a market to continue organically caring for their animals and delivering fresh organic milk to the Northeast. Organic Valley representatives visited each farm and offered membership to five farms that no longer had a place to send their milk.

"This is just the beginning: we are looking forward to offering a home to more farm families in the Northeast." Tweet this

This is the first step in what Organic Valley says will be a yearlong campaign to save small, organic family dairy farms of the Northeast. This is yet another step the farmer-owned cooperative is taking to uphold its decades-long mission to sustain small, organic family farms.

"We are excited to bring these five family farms into our cooperative. This is just the beginning: we are looking forward to offering a home to more farm families in the Northeast," said Bob Kirchoff, Organic Valley CEO. "We want to help family farms in the region throughout 2022 by providing membership options. And, in turn, we're excited to be giving consumers a real choice to support farmers and their neighbors through the products we make as Organic Valley. We believe we can sustain small organic family farms in America for the next generation and reverse climate change through organic agriculture."

Organic Valley representatives have been visiting more than 130 Northeast farms that other companies have decided to drop in the coming year. To join the cooperative, organic farms are required to meet the elevated animal care, quality standards, and pasture expectations of Organic Valley. While not every farm is a fit, Organic Valley maintains open lines of communication and provides farm strategy consultation to those adapting to the high-quality standards of the cooperative.

Organic Valley is joining other like-minded organizations to offer recommendations for building a bright future for small, organic family farms through a USDA convened Northeast Dairy Task Force. As discussions with family farms progress and visits continue, Organic Valley will release more information throughout 2022 on efforts to save the small, organic family dairy farms of the Northeast.

About Organic Valley

Organic Valley is passionate about doing what's right for people, animals, and earth and is committed to bringing ethically made organic food to families everywhere. Organic Valley is the largest farmer-owned organic cooperative in the U.S. and one of the world's largest organic consumer brands. Founded in 1988 to sustain family farms through organic farming, the cooperative represents approximately 1,700 farmers in 34 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit ov.coop/impact. Organic Valley is also @OrganicValley on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contact:

Joshua Fairfield

[email protected]

608-632-9157

SOURCE Organic Valley
LEHI, Utah, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consensus, the leading intelligent demo automation platform, today announced its product integration with Outreach, the largest and fastest-growing sales engagement platform. The integration of these two category leaders enables Presales and Sales teams to better align in delivering interactive video demos, automate organic stakeholder discovery, and use stakeholder insights to deliver a better buying experience. Outreach users can now embed Consensus interactive video demos into Sequences, Templates and Snippets, and see analysis on views, shares and in-app preference selections in order to guide the buying process and dramatically shorten sales cycles.

Consensus integrates Intelligent Demo Automation into Outreach to empower sales.

"The combination of Consensus and Outreach helps sellers connect with, and deliver a better buying experience for, their buyers in all buying stages," said Garin Hess, Founder and CEO of Consensus. "A key element of buyer enablement is a rep's ability to share the right content at the right time. Incorporating demo automation into prospecting and selling efforts builds on existing capabilities in Outreach to reinforce trust with champions and close deals faster."

As B2B buying becomes more complex with asynchronous individual buying journeys and an expectation for a better experience  guided, on-demand, interactive  adoption of Consensus has surged. The problem is most sellers still hold their buyers hostage to their own calendars because they think they close deals. But as Garin says, "Sellers can't close deals, only buyers can." Teams are embracing a buyer-enabled approach as the only way forward. Consensus users share interactive video demos that provide an on-demand, customized experience for each viewer. This forms the backbone of the Demo Qualified Lead (DQL) strategy that has resulted in a 95% qualification rate for Presales teams, versus the median qualification rate of 50% reported in the industry.

Clients of both Outreach.io and Consensus can access a library of interactive video demos directly from their Outreach instance and share them with prospects within Sequences, Templates, and Snippets. Interactive video demos are shareable and help convert champions and teams to the value of your solution, with insights into their priorities and pains, even before your first meeting with them. As buyers spend less than 15% of their entire buying time in direct contact with all vendors, this kind of automation gives sellers the ability to effectively continue selling between meetings.

Phillip Friedman, Head of Developer & ISV Ecosystem at Outreach said, "Outreach and Consensus both deliver solutions to help sales reps be more effective and to deliver the best possible buying experience for customers. With this new integration, reps are able to easily add demos from within Outreach to keep prospects informed and engaged at all stages of the pipeline, making it easier to close deals faster."

For more information on the Consensus plugin for Outreach please see this blog post.

ABOUT CONSENSUS:

Consensus, the Intelligent Demo Automation Platform, scales presales instantly with interactive video demos. Presales and technical sales teams automate repetitive product demos which allows them to reallocate that time to higher value activities. Buyers get a better experience one that guides them with digital, interactive and on-demand video demos. This uncovers stakeholders automatically and eliminates unqualified demos, which in turn dramatically shortens sales cycles by 29% up to 68% and improves close rates by up to 44%. Market leaders like Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, Autodesk, Sage, Trintech, Coupa and many others trust Consensus to scale. For more information, visit www.goconsensus.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

ABOUT OUTREACH.IO

Outreach is the largest and fastest-growing sales intelligence and engagement platform provider that helps companies dramatically increase productivity and drive smarter, more insightful engagement with their customers. Outreach is the only solution provider to integrate sales engagement, conversation intelligence, and revenue intelligence into one platform. The only sales engagement and intelligence platform to make the Forbes Cloud 100, Outreach was also the fastest-growing vendor in the category on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500. More than 4,800 companies such as Adobe, Tableau, Okta, Splunk, DocuSign, and SAP depend on Outreach's enterprise-scale, unparalleled customer adoption, and robust AI-powered innovation. Outreach is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington. To learn more, please visit www.outreach.io.

Contact:

Aaron Janmohamed

VP of Marketing at Consensus

[email protected]

940-231-1856

SOURCE Consensus
The craftsmanship, creativity, and talent of the legendary PATRON production team has allowed PATRON to constantly experiment, explore and create bold innovations - like PATRON Chairman's Reserve - while staying committed to its handcrafted production process. Aged to its full potential in a combination of Sauternes (80%) barrels and barrels made from both French Limousin and New American Oak in the Barrel Room at Hacienda PATRON, this tequila features an incredibly unique finish that creates a remarkable wine-like quality to complement the agave notes. This special release has a truly one-of-one formula with tasting notes of honey, butter and caramel followed by citrus touches of orange and tangerine.

The limited-edition Chairman's Reserve blend is bottled in a handmade crystal decanter, hand-numbered by the PATRON familia, and beautifully packaged in a dome-shaped box with front-opening double doors featuring laser-cut panels that allow light to illuminate the liquid inside. The stunning packaging artwork is inspired by PATRON tequila's birthplace in Atotonilco el Alto, Mexico with imagery evoking the Jalisco highlands, the PATRON Hacienda and agave fields. Constructed of dark, polished hard wood, hammered metal and luxurious engraving and inlays, the package itself is an object of art and desire.

"We're thrilled to be working with BlockBar as the first tequila brand on the platform and for PATRON Tequila's first-ever foray into the NFT market with the launch of PATRON Chairman's Reserve. As one of the few brands that still makes tequila by hand, it's exciting to be able to bring our passion and dedication to perfection and craftsmanship into the digital realm to a new audience of NFT collectors," shares Kathy Parker, President and Global Chief Marketing Officer for PATRON.

The exceptional PATRON NFT with BlockBar.com bridges the physical and digital marketplace, whether it is acquired for personal enjoyment, investment purposes or securing a rare and unique item for tequila connoisseurs and NFT collectors. The cryptographic version will be held securely by BlockBar, with a record of authenticity held on the blockchain as a digital certificate of ownership. The buyer may choose to redeem the physical product and have it delivered from BlockBar's secure storage facility, safely trade its NFT version within the BlockBar.com marketplace, keep in their virtual bar or gift it through BlockBar's new gifting offering on BlockBar.com

"We're excited to be a part of this innovative milestone for both PATRON Tequila launching its first NFT, and BlockBar teaming up with PATRON  the number one ultra-premium tequila  as the first tequila brand on our platform," comments Dov Falic, co-founder and CEO of BlockBar.

The first-ever tequila NFT from PATRON will drop on https://blockbar.com/brands/Patron at 10AM EST on Tuesday 25th January, first come first served. The NFT priced at 1.5 ETH (approx. $4,500) may be purchased from BlockBar with Ethereum (ETH) or by credit card.

For more information, please contact [email protected] for BlockBar or [email protected] for PATRON tequila.

About PATRON Tequila: From hand-harvesting the highest-quality 100 percent Weber Blue Agave, to the traditional, time-honored distillation process and individual labeling, numbering, and inspection of each bottle, PATRON tequila is crafted with meticulous precision and care. Though PATRON has grown to become one of the most recognized and respected luxury spirits brands in the world, it is still exclusively produced in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, in the same small batches and with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship. PATRON is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. THE PERFECT WAY TO ENJOY PATRON IS RESPONSIBLY. 2022 PATRON, TEQUILA PATRON LOGO AND PATRON BEE LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS.

About BlockBar

www.BlockBar.com

Founded in October 2021, BlockBar is the world's first NFT DTC marketplace that connects consumers and collectors with the owners of luxury wine and spirits brands by providing the opportunity to exchange NFTs for unique products. Having been in the spirits industry for many years co-founders Dov and Sam Falic noticed the issues consumers and brands were facing in the world of wine and spirits, so launched BlockBar to provide transparency, authenticity, quality assurance and storage. BlockBar's proprietary platform allows consumers to purchase asset backed NFTs directly from the brand owners themselves. BlockBar's proprietary smart contracts verify authenticity, and its partnership with top cyber- and crypto-security firms ensures that transactions are fully protected and transparent. Consumers are able to transact directly with the brands and no longer have to worry about authenticity or storage. The physical bottles are stored in a secure facility in Singapore with 24/7 security, motion sensors, and temperature control. Buyers can pay for products via credit card or Ethereum and have the option to either burn the NFT to redeem the physical product or resell the product through the BlockBar.com marketplace.

SOURCE Patron Tequila
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Key takeaways from Police and Military Simulation Training Market study

Police and Military Simulation Training Market size to increase by USD 3.65 billion at a CAGR of 5.41% between 2020 and 2025

billion at a CAGR of 5.41% between 2020 and 2025 3.96% year-over-year growth in 2021

36% market growth to originate in North America during the forecast period

during the forecast period Dominant vendors include Arotech Corp., Ascent Flight Training Holdings, BAE Systems Plc, CAE Inc., Cubic Corp., and others

Police and Military Simulation Training Market: Revenue Generating Segment

The police and military simulation training market share growth by the flight segment will be significant for revenue generation. To train pilots of military aircraft, flight simulators such as full-flight (FFS) and flight simulation training devices (FSTD) are used. These are the replica of the airplane cockpit and controls inside the cockpit respectively, which enhances training and the pilot's flying and cueing skills. The rising procurement of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and up-gradation of existing fleet and delivery of military aircraft will drive the growth of this segment of the market in focus during the forecast period.

To gain further insights on the market contribution of various segments - Download a free sample now!

Police and Military Simulation Training Market: Growth Drivers and Restraints

Cost-effective virtual training is one of the primary factors leading the global police and military simulation training market growth. The growth is attributed to virtual training as it reduces the supplementary cost of resources including the costs associated with fuel for military platforms, procurement of training ammunition, and operational costs. The minimization of risks associated with real-time training ( personnel, equipment, and devices ) and increased budget allocation for defense and law enforcement will further stimulate the demand for innovative simulation training systems. Moreover, the utilization of an architecture based on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components will reduce the development costs of customized equipment, which, in turn, will boost the growth of the market in focus.

However, the major challenge to the global police and military simulation training market will be the high investment required for simulation systems. Lack of well-developed infrastructure and space for simulators installation, trained personnel, maintenance staff, and other overhead expenses will impede the growth of the market in focus. The simulator units are expensive, costing a few million, excluding the certification cost for which training academies have to apply individually. Moreover, the cost of movement of trainees and the requirement of network and communication technology are other challenges to the vendors. The complicated certification process and heavy costs may also obstruct the growth during the forecast period.

The Police and Military Simulation Training Market report answers questions such as:

Is the market structure fragmented or concentrated?

What was the market size in 2021 and the forecast of the Police and Military Simulation Training Market through 2025?

Which are the best segment areas to invest in over the forecast period?

What is the market share of dominant and strong vendors in the Police and Military Simulation Training Market?

What are the latest trends and regulatory frameworks in the Police and Military Simulation Training Market?

Get all your questions answered in our full report.

For additional insights on the Police and Military Simulation Training Market - Download Our Free Sample Report

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Police And Military Simulation Training Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.41% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 3.65 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.96 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 36% Key consumer countries US, UK, China, Germany, and Canada Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Arotech Corp., Ascent Flight Training Holdings, BAE Systems Plc, CAE Inc., Cubic Corp., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Meggitt Plc, Northrop Grumman Corp., and Raytheon Technologies Corp. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and 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
When asked about the intentions behind his naming gift, Klotz credits the success of his career to EMU: "Eastern Michigan University equipped me with the tools to be successful in life," he said. "We're born with relatively similar skills and abilities; it's education that makes the difference." That's precisely why his gift will Give Rise to exciting opportunities for students in the College of Business and the Financial Learning Center named in his honor.

In addition to his role as Huizenga CEO, Klotz also serves on the Executive Advisory Board for the College of Business. According to Dean Ken Lord, "Klotz's gift is one of the largest ever received by the College of Business."

Eastern Michigan University President James Smith said, "Business leaders such as Steve Klotz make an invaluable impact on Eastern Michigan University. This gift will go a long way to paving the way for the success of current and future students  and the development of future business leaders. We are so grateful for his gift, and for his strong support of his alma mater."

The gift is part of the University's current comprehensive fundraising campaign, Give Rise: The Campaign for Eastern Michigan University. With a goal of $100 million, Give Rise is Eastern Michigan's largest campaign goal to date. The campaign is nearing the $86 million mark. Launched in March, 2021, Give Rise will support student success, advance EMU's programs of distinction, and help students excel beyond the classroom. To learn more about the Campaign for Eastern Michigan University, visit emugiverise.com.

During Klotz's recent campus visit, he was honored by President Smith, Dean Lord, College of Business faculty member Dr. Karen Craig, and staff member Cheryl Kernander. The event concluded at the Stephen J. Klotz Financial Learning Center where the campus community came together for an opportunity to thank Steve Klotz and speak with him about his experience at EMU.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences, and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors, and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

SOURCE Eastern Michigan University
BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The ecology of China's wetlands of international importance has been improving in the wake of better water quality and biodiversity, said a white paper issued by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Wednesday.

China now has 64 wetlands of international importance, including 63 on the mainland and one in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The white paper surveyed the wetlands on the mainland.

The 63 wetlands covered 3.73 million hectares in 2021, up from the size registered in 2019. They are home to 2,258 species of wetland plants and 260 species of wetland birds, according to the white paper.

Despite progress in conservation, the wetlands face threats from alien plant invasion, environmental pollution and overgrazing.

In the future, China will continue to boost conservation of the wetlands of international importance, carry out wetland ecological restoration, strengthen the prevention and control of alien species and improve wetland management capacity, said Wu Zhimin, an official with the administration.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of China joining the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. The convention, which took effect in 1975, aims to provide the framework for international cooperation for the conservation of wetland habitats.

Wetlands include marshes, beaches and lakes, which in many cases are the natural habitats of waterfowl, particularly migratory birds which move across borders. 
The full agenda, launched today, also includes successful business owner and Instagram star, Sarah McAllister of GoCleanCo, presented by Visa

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Jobber, the leading provider of home service management software, today released the full agenda for the second annual Jobber Professional Development Day, a free virtual conference for home service pros taking place on February 16. Jocko Willink, Navy SEAL veteran, best-selling author and entrepreneur, joins a packed lineup of mall business experts including ABC's Shark Tank star Daymond John, who will kick-off the event. Sarah McAllister, founder, director and CEO of GoCleanCo and social media influencer with more than 2.2 million Instagram followers, has also been added to the roster.

Registration for the event is now open: jobberpdday.com. Jobber PD Day 2022 will feature live sessions and networking opportunities, organized into three tracks: People; Profit, presented by Visa; and Process, presented by NiceJob. Attendees will gain practical tips from industry experts and other home service professionals on how to strengthen their businesses, overcome common day-to-day challenges, and boost their leadership skills.

"Jobber PD Day is built around providing useful and actionable advice for home service business owners, regardless of their size, industry, or where they are in their entrepreneurship journey," said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder of Jobber. "Attendees will learn from a diverse and powerful lineup of inspiring speakers with very different backgrounds and paths that all led them to become leaders in their fields."

Jocko Willink will deliver Jobber PD Day's closing keynote session, "Lessons from a Navy SEAL," that explores the Extreme Ownership Leadership Principles every business owner and team leader can use to achieve success in business and in life. Willink is the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller "Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win" and "Dichotomy of Leadership." He also hosts the top-rated Jocko Podcast and co-founded Echelon Front, a premier leadership consulting company, where he serves as CEO, leadership instructor, speaker, and strategic advisor. His session will draw on his 20 years of experience as a Navy SEAL and outlines the four laws of combat and how a victory mindset can help you achieve your goals.

Sarah McAllister is a serial entrepreneur committed to creating forward-thinking, female-led businesses. McAllister has been running her own businesses since she was 20 years old. As founder, director and CEO of GoCleanCo, she has invaluable real-world experience building and marketing a successful home service business from the ground up and leading the BleachPrayLove #CleaningArmy of social followers. Sarah is often featured in publications such as Business Insider, Parade, The Globe and Mail, Bustle, and more. Her Jobber PD Day session, "How to Build a Strong, Business-Winning Brand," presented by Visa, will explore the impact of brand on a service business, tips for working your brand into marketing and day-to-day operations, standing out and connecting with customers, and more.

Jobber PD Day will feature 20+ speakers that include a variety of subject matter experts and entrepreneurs across an array home service industries, including:

Sara Bendrick , landscape designer/contractor, TV host, and STIHL spokesperson

, landscape designer/contractor, TV host, and STIHL spokesperson Chant Singvongsa of Chant's Daily Hustle

Timisha Porcher , founder of ToolBox Diva

, founder of ToolBox Diva Katrina Teeple , founder and CEO of Operation Organization

, founder and CEO of Operation Organization Mike Coffey , owner of Coffey Custom Builds

To register for Jobber PD Day and to see full agenda, visit: https://www.jobberpdday.com/

About Jobber

Jobber is an award-winning business management platform for small home service businesses. Unlike spreadsheets or pen and paper, Jobber keeps track of everything in one place and automates day-to-day operations, so small businesses can provide 5-star service at scale. Jobber's 100,000+ home service professionals have served over 12 million households in more than 47 countries. The company continually ranks as one of Canada's fastest-growing and most innovative companies by Canadian Business and Macleans, The Globe and Mail, Fast Company, and Deloitte. For more information, visit: https://getjobber.com/.

Media contacts

Sean Welch

PAN Communications for Jobber

[email protected]

+1 407-734-7330

Elana Ziluk

Public Relations Manager, Jobber

[email protected]

+1 416-317-2633

SOURCE Jobber
FLINT, Mich., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyPoint Ventures, the Michigan-based venture capital and commercial real estate firm led by Founder and Owner Phil Hagerman, RPh, welcomes Dan Farrell as its new Vice President.

In this role, Dan will oversee the direct investments of SkyPoint Ventures and its continued growth with early-stage companies in multiple disciplines that are developing industry-leading processes and technology.

"With Dan as the new vice president of SkyPoint Ventures, I am thrilled that we're getting the next generation involved in the family business," said Phil Hagerman, Founder and Owner of SkyPoint Ventures. "Dan's combined experience in finance and startups will help us continue to grow the vision for SkyPoint and oversee its direct investments. He also brings a level of professionalism that is crucial to this role and a different perspective given his financial background."

Dan Farrell attended Grand Valley State University where he received a Bachelor's in Business and Economics. He went on to join Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor, from there he worked in startups including in the role of director of analytics. Dan has an active real estate license and has also served on the board of a local Flint non-profit for six years.

Dan grew up in Grand Rapids, MI and owns Clean Juice franchises in Grand Rapids and Birmingham. He resides in Linden with his wife Jennifer and their four children.

SkyPoint Ventures is the umbrella company under which its enterprises operate, such as Forum Health a nation-wide network of functional and integrative medicine practices; and Divide By Design that offers sustainable, reconfigurable, demountable wall systems.

For more information on SkyPoint Ventures, visit www.skypointventures.com .

About SkyPoint Ventures:

SkyPoint Ventures is more than a venture capital and commercial real estate firm, we are connectors of people, philanthropists to worthy causes, and investors in business enterprises with a desire to do good and to do well. SkyPoint Ventures strives to have a positive impact on Flint and beyond by supporting small-business growth and innovation through investments in start-up companies. SkyPoint Ventures focuses on early-stage companies in multiple disciplines and engaging the entrepreneurial spirit. Its enterprises work under the umbrella of SkyPoint Ventures to build entrepreneurial success - to uncover, enhance, accelerate, and make visions into reality. SkyPoint. No limits. Ever. To learn more, visit www.skypointventures.com .

Media Contact

Dylan Straka

[email protected]

SOURCE SkyPoint Ventures
BOSTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- STRM.BIO, a pre-clinical, VC-backed biotechnology company that is leveraging extracellular vesicles (EVs) to deliver gene therapies, and developing new therapeutics for rare blood diseases, announced today that Sadettin Ozturk (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadettinozturk/) has been named the company's Chief Technology Officer. As a proven leader with more than 30 years of process development and cGMP manufacturing know-how, Sadettin will oversee STRM.BIO's efforts to shape regulatory and manufacturing infrastructure.

Sadettin Ozturk, Ph.D.; CTO at STRM.BIO

"Sadettin is an outstanding addition to our executive leadership team as CTO, and really lets us take the Ferrari on the highway to see what it can do." said Jonathan Thon, CEO and Founder of STRM.BIO. "Sadettin's hands-on experience in cell culture manufacturing, deep technical knowledge, and proven expertise adds important value to our established executive team and marks an exciting new stage for the company."

Sadettin brings extensive experience, including with biologics and gene therapy, both in big pharma companies (J&J, GSK, Bayer) and biotechnology startups (Myeloid Therapeutics, Ring Therapeutics). He has prepared regulatory submissions for more than 20 investigational new drugs, as well as Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls sections of multiple Biologics License Applications. Known as a talented mentor, scientific collaborator, and technical guru, Sadettin joins an accomplished team of visionaries, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

Sadettin shared his own excitement upon joining the STRM.BIO team: "STRM.BIO's unique approach represents a vital new era in the delivery of gene therapy. I'm thrilled to join this veteran team, and contribute towards a goal of bringing innovative therapies through studies, and to patients."

About STRM.BIO

Based in Boston, MA, STRM.BIO is a pre-clinical, VC-backed biotechnology company that is leveraging extracellular vesicles (EVs) to deliver gene therapy in a better way: simpler, safer, practical. Our work will open the door to the future of medicine for patients living with rare diseases worldwide.

STRM.BIO is committed to bringing gene therapy to life.

Please visit strm.bio to meet our growing team of partners and collaborators and stay up to date on our progress.

SOURCE STRM.BIO
In 2021, Arelion commissioned a strategic transformation consultancy to survey top wholesale operators and enterprise customers about their key business drivers that impact connectivity partner selection. The results found that key decision-makers at large enterprises and service providers rated high quality, prestige, and trustworthiness as the most important buying criteria. Wholesale and enterprise customers ranked the operator highest in these three categories, and way ahead of its competitors. After conducting rigorous internal and external research, the new brand was created.

"We live in the age of connectivity where people and businesses interact in real-time, all the time  wherever they are. As we move forward as Arelion, one thing that won't change is the core of our business: the people, our customers and partners that bring us together," said Staffan Gojeryd, CEO of Arelion. "Arelion will continue to support the mission that has resulted in 30 plus years of success and will continue to execute on our mission to connect the world to a brighter future and deliver the highest quality of services to our customers. That's all possible thanks to our investors at Polhem Infra, who share the same focus and vision for us."

As a new independent company backed by Polhem Infra, an investment company jointly owned by some of the largest Swedish Pension Funds, Arelion is poised to keep the world connected for a brighter and more sustainable future. Arelion will continue to expand its global network to provide the network connectivity that people and businesses rely on more than ever to keep societies moving forward. The goal for the future is to remain focused on growth through market enablement, cost and speed. Arelion will continue to capitalize on the shift to buying Wavelength and Ethernet services, enabling service providers and large enterprises to take full advantage of the company's high-speed network infrastructure. Customers can rely on Arelion's network diversity, resiliency, scalability and security with native DDoS protection and state-of-the-art routing security to connect everything that matters.

As part of the rebranding, Arelion has completely redesigned its brand identity. Visit the new Arelion here: www.arelion.com

Resources

Watch New Brand Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBIPHSXXuMo

: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBIPHSXXuMo Media Kit: Images of spokespeople, new logo and more can be downloaded here.

Important Facts

Phonetic Pronunciation: Ah-ray-li-yon

Definition: Arelion is a reflection of the power, agility and passion we bring to the world. At its heart lies the English adjective 'reliable', and it takes inspiration from the strength, beauty and light of the names given to stars and constellations such as Aldebaran, Sirius and Orion. Arelion is a guiding light in connectivity.

History: Telia Carrier was founded in 1993 as a part of Telia Company. In 2020, Telia Company announced the divestment of Telia Carrier to Polhem Infra, jointly owned by some of the largest Swedish Pension Funds, whose goal is to lay the best possible foundation for long-term investments in infrastructure to meet society's long-term needs, including sustainability. As of June 1, 2021 Telia Carrier, now Arelion, has been a standalone company.

Network: Arelion is the world's best-connected network spanning Europe, North America, and Asia with over 70,000 km of optical fiber and 1,700 MPLS endpoints, connecting customers in 125 countries worldwide. Arelion operates more than 300 PoPs and a unique ecosystem of network service and cloud providers, including:

Presence in 35 countries, and in 30 states in the US.



Points of Presence (PoPs) in 120 datacenters in the US and 200 datacenters in Europe .

.

Collaborations and partnerships with leading datacenter providers, including Digital Realty Trust, Equinix, Iron Mountain, Interxion, QTS, CoreSite, Cologix, Flexential, EdgeConneX and more.

Network Security: Arelion uses cutting-edge security to ensure scalable worldwide protection including DDoS mitigation technology across our global IP backbone. Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) for security in Internet routing infrastructure and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).

About Arelion

Formerly Telia Carrier, Arelion is a leading light in global connectivity services. We've been keeping the world connected since 1993 and today our global IP backbone, AS1299, is ranked number one in the world. Our network spans Europe, North America, and Asia with 70,000 km of optical fiber and 1,700 MPLS endpoints. Our award-winning customer service team supports our expansive customer base, who rely on us for their business-critical services. Discover more at www.arelion.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

###

Contacts

Arelion

Martin Sjogren, Senior Manager PR and Analyst Relations

+46 (0)707 770 522

[email protected]arelion.com

Media Contact US

Jeannette Bitz, Engage PR

+1 510 295 4972

[email protected]

Media Contact UK

Lorena Duke, Ascendant Communications

+44 (0) 20 8334 8041

[email protected]

SOURCE Arelion
NEW YORK and DARIEN, Conn., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten Coves Capital, LP ("Ten Coves"), a growth equity firm with an exclusive focus on investments in FinTech companies, announced today the closing of its third fund, Ten Coves Capital III, LP ("Fund III") with total commitments of $293 million. The fund was oversubscribed and closed at its hard cap.

Ten Coves Capital was formed in December 2020 in connection with the spinout of the growth equity team from Napier Park Global Capital, and included the assumption and management of the first two growth equity funds. With Fund III, Ten Coves now manages more than $600 million in aggregate committed capital, and will continue its strategy of partnering with exceptional, rapidly growing companies across the FinTech ecosystem.

"The past few years have been incredibly exciting and rewarding for the Ten Coves team; a period during which we completed the transition to a fully independent platform, maintained a very active investment and value-realization pace, and now, closed our third fund. We are particularly grateful for the commitment and continued support from our existing and new investors, which include corporate and public pension plans, endowments, fund-of-funds, insurance companies, family offices and a number of leading industry executives and advisors," said Steven Piaker, Ten Coves Managing Partner.

The Ten Coves partners have invested in over forty FinTech companies; select Fund I and II companies include 7shifts, Bill.com, Bluefin Payments, DadeSystems, HealthEquity, Jefferson National (sold to Nationwide), Lendio, Nvoicepay (sold to FLEETCOR), Point Predictive, Q4 Inc., Quovo (sold to Plaid), Reval (sold to ION Trading), Roostify, Softgate/TIO (sold to PayPal), TouchBistro, and TrueMotion (merged with Cambridge Mobile Telematics).

"We've been investing in FinTech before FinTech was a coined term, and today, leverage over two decades of experience and deep industry networks to help build leading, strategically significant companies. The tremendous support from our investors, including a number of entrepreneurs with whom we've partnered, has allowed us to grow our team and re-double our efforts to back the next generation of innovative FinTech companies, all at a time of unprecedented growth in our market," said Dan Kittredge, Managing Partner of Ten Coves.

"Fund III is off to a strong start with five exciting portfolio companies: Boosted.ai, Canopy Tax, Cassini Systems, Sentieo, and TealBook," noted Ned May, Managing Partner of Ten Coves. "COVID-19 has served as an accelerant, dramatically increasing the pace of innovation and adoption of next-gen FinTech platforms; as a growing, independent firm, we've never felt better about our ability to support our partner companies and capitalize on the tremendous opportunity ahead."

Forum Capital Securities LLC served as placement agent to Ten Coves and Proskauer served as legal counsel for Fund III.

About Ten Coves Capital

Ten Coves Capital invests in innovative, high growth FinTech companies. Ten Coves seeks to partner with talented, passionate entrepreneurs where its capital, network and decades of experience can help accelerate growth and value creation. The Ten Coves team has helped scale numerous strategically significant companies solving industry pain points, enabling workflows, and providing critical infrastructure to help re-wire the financial ecosystem. For more information, visit tencoves.com .

Contact: Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

914-834-4334

SOURCE Ten Coves Capital
NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new issue brief, Testing as an Alternative to Quarantining: Key Considerations and Best Practices for Implementing Test to Stay, from the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, shows that school Test to Stay programs, when implemented correctly, can reduce tens of thousands of unnecessary student quarantines while keeping children safe in schools.



Complementing guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this issue brief highlights case examples from Illinois, Massachusetts, and North Carolina's Test to Stay programs, which allow students who are close contacts of positive cases for Covid-19 to stay in school and undergo repeated testing, instead of quarantining at home. The brief shares ways to design and implement Test to Stay programs that are effective in keeping classrooms open and reducing longstanding inequities, especially for working parents. These findings draw on interviews with state and school leaders, along with leaders at ABC Science Collaborative, African American Covid Taskforce (AACT+), and Latinx Advocacy Team & Interdisciplinary Network for Covid-19 (LATIN-19).



"Keeping kids at school and in-person safely is vital to their mental health and educational well-being and, importantly, minimizes disruption to families, especially for parents or caregivers who cannot work remotely" said Dr. Mark McClellan, Director of Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy. "It is critical that policymakers implement strategies that overcome the potential technical and equity gaps in their Test to Stay programs, if they want to fully harness the benefits of Test to Stay."



The issue brief details key takeaways from early data on Test to Stay programs. Test to Stay can safely increase in-person school days for students who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 by allowing the student to stay in school while being repeatedly tested as an alternative to quarantining at home. For example, the Illinois' Test to Stay program allowed more students to stay in school as they did not have to quarantine. Researchers found that of the 6,600 students identified as close contacts, only two percent (139 students) tested positive for Covid-19 and had to quarantine. That's 6,461 students that were able to safely stay learning in-person rather than missing school and thousands of families who didn't need to scramble to make unexpected childcare arrangements.

"The data is clear: Test to Stay programs mean that more kids are safe and in school, parents face fewer quarantine disruptions, and everyone  including teachers and staff  feels safer with in-person learning," said Leah Perkinson, Manager of Pandemics at The Rockefeller Foundation. "But the potential for success hinges on the technical and equity considerations outlined in today's brief, including test supply. If school officials don't think through all the challenges in advance, they risk overburdening weary staff and alienating concerned parents, especially in school districts that are already underfunded."

Researchers also recommend Test to Stay be used as part of a layered Covid-19 safety plan and combined with other strategies like physical distancing, improved ventilation, masking, and school-located vaccinations to create a safer school environment.

"Test to Stay implemented alongside other Covid-19 mitigation strategies offers a powerful tool to facilitate safe, in-person instruction," said Andrea Thoumi, Health Equity Policy Fellow, Duke-Margolis. "Efforts centering just and equitable strategies are needed to ensure all children, educators, and school staff, especially those from marginalized and minoritized communities, can access Test to Stay."

The brief also identifies four keys to success to help state- and local officials overcome the challenges of Test to Stay programs:

Fund and Staff Adequately : successful schools received funding quickly and efficiently hired appropriate staff members to help administer their programs.

: successful schools received funding quickly and efficiently hired appropriate staff members to help administer their programs. Give More to Existing Underfunded Schools : states reallocated funds and staff to ensure that traditionally underfunded schools had adequate funding and staffing.

: states reallocated funds and staff to ensure that traditionally underfunded schools had adequate funding and staffing. Help Parents and Students Understand : successful schools prioritized communicating their Test to Stay program to parents and students, including its benefits, how it would work and why it is safe.

: successful schools prioritized communicating their Test to Stay program to parents and students, including its benefits, how it would work and why it is safe. Consider Cultural Differences: successful schools developed culturally appropriate responses that account for local contexts and parental views.

Today's report is the latest in The Rockefeller Foundation's ongoing efforts to provide America's educators and policymakers with the tools they need to reopen their schools safely and effectively, including real-world research and operational guidance. Find a compilation of resources here.

About the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy

The mission of the Robert J. Margolis, MD, Center for Health Policy at Duke University is to improve health, health equity, and the value of health care through practical, innovative, and evidence-based policy solutions. For more information, visit healthpolicy.duke.edu and follow us on Twitter @DukeMargolis.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation to enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We work to promote the well-being of humanity and make opportunity universal. Our focus is on scaling renewable energy for all, stimulating economic mobility, and ensuring equitable access to healthy and nutritious food. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @RockefellerFdn.

SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the US Navy Veterans Lung Cancer Advocate, "We are appealing to the family of a Navy Veteran or person who has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer anywhere in the USA to please call attorney Erik Karst of the law firm of Karst von Oiste anytime at 800-714-0303 if before 1982 they had significant exposure to asbestos in the navy or at work. Financial compensation for a person like this might exceed $100,000 and it does not matter if the person smoked cigarettes. What does matter is the person can recall some of the specifics of how, where and when they were exposed to asbestos as attorney Erik Karst is always happy to discuss.

Asbestos Exposure Lung Cancer USA

"Most people who had heavy to extreme exposure to asbestos in the navy or at work in the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s and then develop lung cancer never get compensated-even though many to most should. What people like this do not realize is the $30 billion dollar-asbestos trust funds were set up for them too. If your husband or dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer within the last twelve months and he had substantial exposure to asbestos in the navy or at work anywhere in the United States before 1982 please call attorney Erik Karst of Karst von Oiste at 800-714-0303 to discuss compensation. We think you will be glad you did." www.karstvonoiste.com/

High-risk workplaces for asbestos exposure include the US Navy, shipyards, power plants, public utilities, manufacturing factories, chemical plants, oil refineries, mines, smelters, pulp and paper mills, aerospace manufacturing facilities, offshore oil rigs, demolition construction work sites, railroads, automotive manufacturing facilities, or auto brake shops. With lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure the lung cancer may not show up until decades after the exposure. https://USNavyLungCancer.Com

States with the highest incidence of lung cancer include Kentucky, West Virginia, Maine, Tennessee, Mississippi, Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Alabama, and Delaware.

However, a US Navy Veteran or person with mesothelioma or asbestos exposure lung cancer could live in any state including New York, Florida, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, Oregon or Alaska. www.karstvonoiste.com/

For more information about asbestos exposure please visit the NIH's website on this topic: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet.

Contact:

Michael Thomas

800-714-0303

[email protected]

SOURCE US Navy Veterans Lung Cancer Advocate
WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Theromics Inc., a medical device company pioneering novel technologies for interventional radiology and drug delivery, has closed a $2M seed equity financing to advance the development of HeatSYNC, a thermal accelerant gel for optimizing and augmenting soft tissue thermal ablations.

Participants in the round include Maroon Venture Partners, Beacon Angels Boston, STARmed Co. Ltd, and individual investors. Theromics will use the financing to advance HeatSYNC through the FDA-required testing for regulatory clearance. The studies are currently underway or planned to occur at distinguished research institutions, including Dartmouth College, Brown University, Purdue University, and Kansas State University.

"Theromics has developed a simple, unique approach to making soft tissue ablation more effective. The closing of our initial funding validates clinicians' opinion that additional tools are needed to elevate thermal ablation to front-line therapy," stated Theromics CEO Ronald Murphy.

The Company has also announced that John L Brooks III will be joining the Theromics Board of Directors. John L. Brooks III is the Managing Director of Healthcare Capital LLC, which advises early-stage life sciences companies. He is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Joslin Diabetes Center and has co-founded seven life sciences companies, including Insulet (PODD), a disruptive insulin delivery company. In addition, he was a co-founder of Prism Venture Partners, a $1.25B venture capital firm, and currently sits on the investment team at Maroon Venture Partners.

Mr. Brooks noted, "Theromics is developing an exciting new platform with multiple applications in the growing fields of soft tissue ablation and locally directed drug delivery. We are excited to be partnering with the team and supporting UMass-trained entrepreneurs like Dr. Damian Dupuy, one of the Company's founders."

About HeatSYNC

Theromics has developed a simple, cost-effective tool to address the unmet medical need to create more effective ablation zones during Image-Guided Thermal Ablation of soft tissue. HeatSYNC Gel is a novel biopolymer thermal-accelerant that amplifies the movement of heat energy in soft tissue and bone. The gel is made from a naturally occurring protein and delivered via a syringe, laparoscope, or bronchoscope. In addition, all standard microwave, RF, and Irreversible electroporation (IRE) devices can use HeatSYNC, and its chemical properties augment the energy generated from the ablation system. This augmentation is controllable, customizable, and creates larger ablation volumes in a shorter treatment time. HeatSYNC also blocks complete energy penetration, mitigating the effects of heat sinks and protecting critical tissue. As a result, HeatSYNC gel has multiple liver, lung, orthopedic pain, and uterine fibroid treatment applications. After successful animal trials, the Company is now positioned for formal GLP gel testing, leading to an FDA submission.

About Theromics Inc.

Theromics is developing a next-generation thermal accelerant technology for soft tissue ablation procedures and combination therapy. The Company's proprietary HeatSYNC gel is based on a protein naturally found in the body and may increase cost-efficiencies and improve outcomes through more focused and patient-centric delivery. The Company will first focus on tumor ablations and then expand into additional applications, including pain and abnormal uterine bleeding. Longer-term, Theromics plans to apply its thermal technology for use as an oncolytic intratumoral drug/immunotherapy delivery platform with the potential to enhance efficacy and improve safety profiles of currently approved medicines. For more information, visit www.theromicsinc.com.

Contact Information:

Theromics Inc.

Ronald Murphy CEO

(508) 942-8477

SOURCE Theromics Inc.
COLUMBUS, Ga. and TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical research leaders IACT Health, LMC Manna Research and True North Clinical Research  which joined forces last month  today proudly announced their new name is Centricity Research.

What began in November 2021 as a strategic alliance between Columbus, Georgia-based IACT Health and Toronto, Ontario-based LMC Manna Research continued with the merger of True North Clinical Research in December of 2021. These integrations  under the new company name Centricity Research  have created the largest consolidated research network across North America. Centricity Research boasts more than 40 sites, access to over 1.6 million patients, and more than 150 active investigators.

"Our new name, Centricity Research, was purposefully chosen," said Karri Venn, COO. "It signifies that we are customer-centric. Our patient volunteers, sponsors, CROs, and physicians are the cornerstone of our business."

Dr. Jeff Kingsley, CEO, stated: "The name Centricity Research also highlights the fact that our organization is in a massive position of prominence and importance within the industry. We build and nurture strong, trusting relationships with all audiences, whereby customer-centric thinking and practices are embedded within our company culture."

The newly formed Centricity Research now has sites stretching across the United States and Canada, and covers diverse therapeutic areas such as Infectious Disease, Neurology, Endocrinology, Oncology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Women's Health, Vaccines and more.

"Centricity Research is excited to bring more opportunities for clinical research in terms of geography and therapeutic areas to patients throughout North America," said Venn. "Together, we also offer sponsors and CROs multi-site, multi-provincial and stateside access to clinical research centers and experienced investigators who can perform trials across any therapeutic specialty."

About Centricity Research

Centricity Research is an integrated research organization (IRO) with more than 40 wholly owned and integrated clinical research offices across North America. The company conducts Phase I-IV clinical research in over 35 therapeutic areas: inpatient and outpatient; pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device trials. For more than 25 years, the organization's founders have worked to revolutionize research by investing in the people and technology needed to deliver outstanding clinical trial experiences, earning numerous awards including "Best Places to Work" and recognition for "Outstanding Diversity in Clinical Research."

Media Contacts:

Nancy Teitelbaum

Centricity Research, Director of Marketing

762-261-0993

[email protected]

Gail Bergman

GBPR

877-986-1340

[email protected]

SOURCE Centricity Research
In response to the announcement, David Botte, NHA, administrator of The Meadows Health Center , praised The Meadow's long-standing commitment to excellence in care and staffing. "Edgewood has a very special culture of caring and the people who work here share our excitement about making life the best it can be for every senior we serve. Every day our staff members work to make a difference and live out our values of compassion, respect, integrity, professionalism, and teamwork. The past couple of years have been challenging, but The Meadows staff have risen to the challenge and provided the best possible care to every resident. Their dedication has been remarkable to witness."

U.S. News  widely considered a global authority in health care rankings  awards the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those nursing homes that satisfy U.S. News' assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures. For its 12th edition, covering 2021-2022, the organization combined comprehensive information about care, COVID-19 vaccination requirements for residents and staff, flu and pneumonia vaccination rates, and any infection control violations listed on the resident safety summary. The methodology also placed emphasis on nursing homes meeting certain standards of patient safety, among other criteria.

About The Meadows Health Center at Edgewood

The Meadows Health Center on the campus of Edgewood Retirement Community in North Andover, MA, offers long-term skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation (inpatient and outpatient), advanced memory support, respite stays and hospice care. To learn more or to inquire about admission for yourself or someone you love, visit their website or call 978-725-4116.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: Kathleen Damico,[email protected]

SOURCE Edgewood Retirement Community
RAMALLAH, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday was unanimously supported by the Fatah party's central committee to continue as chairman of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Fatah Movement, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

During a meeting held in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Abbas gained the full confidence of the Fatah central committee to take the helm of the state of Palestine, WAFA said.

Abbas, 86, is the chairman of the PLO executive committee, chairman of the Fatah central committee, and the president of the state of Palestine. He was elected in January 2005 as the chairman of the Palestinian Authority.

The decision will be presented for voting before the PLO Central Council, which is scheduled to be held in Ramallah during the first week of February.

Meanwhile, an official statement said that the Fatah central committee nominated Rawhi Fattouh, a member of the committee, to be the speaker of the Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the PLO.

Fattouh will succeed Salim Za'noon, 88, the current speaker. 
VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard today filed an initial registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to introduce Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund, which is designed to meet the needs of investors seeking actively managed global equity returns along with measurable impact on environmental and social challenges. The fund is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2022 and subsequently seek to adopt the existing Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund, contingent upon shareholder approval. Vanguard expects to make the combined fund available for public investment in the third quarter.

"We'll continue to thoughtfully expand our ESG lineup, introducing funds and ETFs with enduring investment merit that reflect clients' needs and preferences," said Vanguard Chairman and CEO Tim Buckley. "The new Global Positive Impact Stock Fund will tap Baillie Gifford's significant expertise in fundamental equity research and impact analysis, helping our clients to achieve both their impact and investment goals."

Impact investing is a dual-mandate investment strategy in which portfolio managers target companies that will generate returns as well as positive social and/or environmental impact. Vanguard believes an active approach to impact investing enables skilled managers to better navigate the complexities of identifying companies driving positive change and build a portfolio with the potential to deliver on both excess return and impact objectives.

Vanguard's new fund will seek to adopt the existing Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund. Introduced in 2017, Baillie Gifford's fund employs a consistent framework to identify high-quality growth companies driving solutions to global challenges. Its portfolio managers expect these companies to achieve strong long-term returns. The fund's global mandate provides clients with the broadest exposure to companies that meet both excess return and impact objectives.

In the second quarter of 2022, Baillie Gifford will conduct a proxy vote for approval from the Positive Change Equities Fund's existing shareholders to undergo a tax-free reorganization into the new Vanguard fund. Vanguard and Baillie Gifford are confident that this approach serves both existing and prospective investors, as the new fund is expected to have lower shareholder costs. If the reorganization is approved, current shareholders of the Positive Change Equities Fund are expected to realize an expense ratio reduction of approximately 0.06%. With an estimated expense ratio of 0.59%, the new Vanguard fund will be favorably priced compared to similar funds in its category, which have an average expense ratio of 1.49%.1

Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund will maintain the investment objectives and portfolio management team of the existing Baillie Gifford fund, ensuring consistency upon reorganization. Furthermore, Baillie Gifford will continue to produce an annual impact report using robust, bottom-up research that complements its investment analysis.

"We hope that this fund adoption will broaden access to impact investing at a very competitive cost," said Andrew Telfer, Baillie Gifford Joint Senior Partner. "As a result, it should help to channel more capital towards companies driving positive change."

A growing ESG lineup

Vanguard has offered ESG funds to U.S. investors for more than two decades and continues to broaden its lineup with solutions that enable investors to better align investment objectives with personal values and ESG considerations. Vanguard has grown its ESG lineup to reflect the evolving investment goals of investors. Vanguard's exclusionary-screened equity and fixed income ETFs serve investors who want to reflect certain values or prefer to avoid certain sectors or ESG risks in their portfolio. The firm's existing active ESG mutual fund is designed for clients who want to invest in companies with leading ESG practices and strong business fundamentals. The new Global Positive Impact Stock Fund will broaden Vanguard's overall ESG product suite and expand the firm's active ESG offerings.

About Vanguard

Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies. As of November 30, 2021, Vanguard managed $8.2 trillion in global assets. The firm, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, offers 421 funds to its more than 30 million investors worldwide. For more information, visit vanguard.com.

About Baillie Gifford

Baillie Gifford is an independent investment partnership founded in Edinburgh in 1908, focused on long-term growth investing in some of the world's most exciting companies. With 1,576 staff and assets under management of $468 billion, it has offices in Edinburgh (HQ), Dublin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Krakow, London, New York, Shanghai, Toronto and Zurich. Baillie Gifford has worked with Vanguard since 2003 and manages $69 billion of assets on behalf of the Pennsylvania-based firm.

Asset figures as of November 30, 2021, unless otherwise noted.

1 Sources: Morningstar, Vanguard.

Registration statements relating to Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) but have not yet become effective. The SEC has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of either fund's preliminary prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is considered a criminal offense. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statements become effective. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

Where to find additional information

In connection with the proposed reorganization, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be filed with the SEC. All shareholders are advised to read the definitive proxy statement/ prospectus in its entirety when it becomes available, because it will contain important information regarding the fund, the reorganization, the board's considerations in recommending the reorganization, the persons soliciting proxies in connection with the reorganization and the interest of these persons in the reorganization and related matters.

Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC, including the fund's most recent annual report to shareholders, on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of all of these documents, once available, also may be obtained upon request without charge by visiting bailliegifford.com OR directing a request to Baillie Gifford at 1-844-394-6127.

For more information about Vanguard funds, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

ESG funds are subject to ESG investment risk, which is the chance that the stocks or bonds screened by the index provider for ESG criteria generally will underperform the market as a whole or, in the aggregate, will trail returns of other funds screened for ESG criteria. The index provider's assessment of a company, based on the company's level of involvement in a particular industry or the index provider's own ESG criteria, may differ from that of other funds or of the advisor's or an investor's assessment of such company. As a result, the companies deemed eligible by the index provider may not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor and may not exhibit positive or favorable ESG characteristics. The evaluation of companies for ESG screening or integration is dependent on the timely and accurate reporting of ESG data by the companies. Successful application of the screens will depend on the index provider's proper identification and analysis of ESG data. The advisor may not be successful in assessing and identifying companies that have or will have a positive impact or support a given position. In some circumstances, companies could ultimately have a negative impact, or no impact.

Investments in securities issued by non-U.S. companies and governments are subject to risks including country/regional risk and currency risk. These risks are especially high in emerging markets.

Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable with the issuing Fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. Instead, investors must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares in the secondary market and hold those shares in a brokerage account. In doing so, the investor may incur brokerage commissions and may pay more than net asset value when buying and receive less than net asset value when selling.

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor

SOURCE Vanguard
NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals that business holds onto its position as the most trusted institution with even greater expectations due to government's failure to lead during the pandemic. By an average of five-to-one margin, respondents in the 27 countries surveyed want business to play a larger role on climate change, economic inequality, workforce reskilling and addressing racial injustice. All stakeholders want business to fill the void, with nearly 60 percent of consumers buying brands based on their values and beliefs, almost 6 in 10 employees choose a workplace based on shared values and expect their CEO to take a stand on societal issues, and 64 percent of investors looking to back businesses aligned with their values.

"Business must now be the stabilizing force delivering tangible action and results on society's most critical issues," said Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman. "Societal leadership is now a core function of business."

Business further distanced itself from government, outscoring it by 53 points on competence and 26 points on ethics. More than 8 in 10 respondents want CEOs to be the face of change, leading on policy, not on politics.

There is a risk for business in being so involved in societal issues. For the first time, Democrats (55 percent) are more trusting of business than Republicans (48 percent), who suffered a massive 12-point drop in trust. More than half of respondents (52 percent) say capitalism does more harm than good in its current form and there is now a record 15-point trust gap between high-income (Trust index of 62) and low-income individuals (Trust index of 47).

This year's report reveals a vicious cycle of distrust fueled by government and media. Globally, a majority of people believe they are being lied to by journalists (67 percent, up 8 points) and government leaders (66 percent, up 9 points), and nearly one out of every two respondents view government (48 percent) and media (46 percent) as divisive forces in society.

"This vicious cycle of distrust threatens societal stability," says Edelman says. "It's a death grip where media is chasing clicks and government is chasing votes, both feeding a cycle of disinformation and division and exploiting it for commercial and political gain."

Government was the most trusted institution in the May 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer: Spring Update. It was expected to lead during the height of the pandemic but has since suffered a dramatic fall, dropping 13 points from 65 percent to 52 percent. There's been a collapse of trust in developed democracies; many failed to reach a score of 60 on this year's Trust Index, including Australia (53), France (50), Germany (46), UK (44) and the U.S. (43), which has dropped 10 points since 2017. Contrast that to the trust jumps in non-democratic countriesChina (83) and the UAE (76), which saw increases of 11 and 9 points respectively. The disparity is highlighted by the record 40-point gap between China and the U.S. The explanation: Respondents in every developed country studied believe they will be worse off financially in five years and 85 percent fear they will lose their jobs to forces including automation.

Distrust has become the default, with most respondents (59 percent) saying they tend to distrust until seeing evidence that something is trustworthy, and 64 percent believe people in their country lack the ability to have constructive and civil debates.

"Restoring trust is going to require business to continue its societal role," said Dave Samson, vice chairman of Corporate Affairs. "But even more, it will require all institutions to demonstrate tangible progress and restore belief in society's ability to build a better future for all, focus on long-term thinking over short-term benefits and provide trustworthy, fact-based information."

Other key findings from the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer include:

Over the last decade, trust in all news sources has dropped, except for owned media (43 percent), which rose one point. Social media (37 percent) experienced the sharpest decline at eight points followed by traditional media (57 percent) at five points and search engines (59 percent) at three points. Concern over fake news being used as a weapon has risen to an all-time high of 76 percent. The most believable source of information is communications from 'my employer' (65 percent).

Government officials (42 percent) and journalists (46 percent) are again the least trusted societal leaders, while my coworkers (74 percent) and scientists (75 percent) are most trusted.

The political chasm in the U.S. shows every sign of widening, with trust overall among Democrats (Trust index of 55) 20 points higher than Republicans (Trust index of 35). The widest gaps are found in trust in media (a 31-point divide, with Democrats at 55 percent versus Republicans at 24 percent) and Government (24 points, with Democrats at 53 percent versus Republicans at 29 percent).

Technology (74 percent) was the most trusted sector, followed by education (69 percent) and healthcare (69 percent). Social media (44 percent) continued its decline with a 2-point slide, solidifying its spot as the least trusted sector.

Germany (65 percent) and Canada (65 percent) remained the most trusted country brands, followed by Japan (59 percent) and the UK (58 percent). India (36 percent) and China (34 percent) remain the least trusted.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Edelman
Eric Biegeleisen, who joined 3EDGE in 2017, has been promoted to Partner. Eric serves as the firm's Deputy Chief Investment Officer and is responsible for the research operations at 3EDGE. His research focuses on discovering and exploring the interconnectedness of global capital markets through quantitative and qualitative analyses. Under Eric's leadership, 3EDGE has made significant enhancements to its proprietary global capital markets model. He will continue to steward 3EDGE's relationships with ETF managers to help bring new products to market, leveraging his extensive industry and investment modeling experience. Eric serves as a member of the Investment Committee and as Portfolio Manager for a number of the firm's offerings. He is also a member of 3EDGE's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, a strategic priority for the firm.

Lawrence Jules

Lawrence Jules has joined 3EDGE as Vice President, Head Trader and will oversee all trading functions. He will also serve on the firm's Investment Committee. Lawrence joins 3EDGE with over 25 years of hands-on investment management, research, and trading experience, including 20 years overseeing and implementing large portfolio rebalances. His background includes credit-market analysis and collaborating with investment research teams to analyze and develop new ETFs. Lawrence joins 3EDGE from Charles Schwab Investment Management, where he served for over 13 years, most recently as Director, Head Trader of SMA Products. Previously, he served as a Senior Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Lawrence has a Master of Arts in Government from Harvard University, an MBA with Honors from Solvay Business School, University of Brussels, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Boston University. Actively engaged in philanthropic efforts, Lawrence is a member of the Finance Committee for Boston Foundation's Haiti Development Institute dedicated to the economic development of Haiti's rural sector.

Ashley Koed

Ashley Koed has been promoted to Vice President, Operations & Client Service. Ashley joined 3EDGE in February 2016, shortly after the firm's inception. Ashley leads a team that works closely with various groups inside 3EDGE and several external partners to manage all aspects of client servicing, facilitating trade execution, reporting, billing, and other operations functions. She has continually leveraged technology and refined 3EDGE's processes to deliver clients and business partners the best service experience. Ashley is a 3EDGE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council member.

"Eric and Ashley inspire us with their hard work and dedication to our company, clients, and business partners," said Monica Chandra, president of 3EDGE Asset Management. "They embody our mission of operating with excellence while embracing integrity and humility and strengthening our community. I am thankful for their many contributions to 3EDGE's growth and look forward to their continued success."

Chandra added, "I am equally thrilled to welcome Lawrence Jules to 3EDGE. He is a recognized industry expert, and we will benefit from his leadership experience, industry knowledge, and passion for technology. These announcements are a testament to our commitment to nurture internal talent and add the best possible talent to our team to support 3EDGE's ambitious growth plans."

3EDGE Asset Management LP is a multi-asset investment management firm serving institutional investors, the advisor marketplace, and private clients. 3EDGE has over $1.5B in assets, with $1.36B in AUM and over $150M in assets under advisement, including non-discretionary assets managed by other registered investment advisers using 3EDGE's model portfolios. 3EDGE strategies act as tactical diversifiers, seeking to generate consistent, long-term investment returns, regardless of market conditions, while managing downside risks. The firm's proprietary global capital markets model drives the investment research process. It is tested over the widest variety of economic and market conditions, leveraging the team's decades of research and investment experience.

For more information, please visit the 3EDGE website at 3edgeam.com .

Media Contact:

Hampton Bates Public Relations

Sylvia Hampton

O 603.570.4816

M 617.413.6764

E [email protected]

SOURCE 3EDGE Asset Management
CALABASAS, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) (the "Company") today announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of 20,000,000 of its Class A common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share ("Class A common shares"), of which 10,000,000 shares will be offered directly by the Company, and 10,000,000 shares will be offered, at the request of the Company, by the forward purchasers (as defined below) or their respective affiliates in connection with the forward sale agreements described below. The underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase an aggregate of up to an additional 3,000,000 Class A common shares.

In connection with the offering of the Class A common shares, the Company expects to enter into a forward sale agreement with each of Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association or their respective affiliates (who are referred to in such capacity individually as a "forward purchaser" and collectively, the "forward purchasers"), with respect to 10,000,000 Class A common shares covered by the offering. The forward purchasers or their respective affiliates are expected to borrow from third parties and sell to the underwriters 10,000,000 Class A common shares in connection with the forward sale agreements (or an aggregate of 13,000,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

Pursuant to the terms of the forward sale agreements, and subject to the Company's right to elect cash or net share settlement under the forward sale agreements, the Company intends to issue and sell, upon physical settlement of such forward sale agreements, 10,000,000 Class A common shares to the forward purchasers (or an aggregate of 13,000,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full) in exchange for cash proceeds per share equal to the applicable forward sale price per share, which will initially be the public offering price per share in the offering, less underwriting discounts and commissions, and will be subject to certain adjustments as provided for in the forward sale agreements. The Company expects to physically settle the forward sale agreements in full and receive proceeds no later than approximately twelve months following the completion of the offering.

The Company will receive proceeds from the sale of the Class A common shares offered by it in the offering, but will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of the Class A common shares offered by the forward purchasers or their respective affiliates to the underwriters, except in certain circumstances described in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering (i) to repay indebtedness it has incurred or expects to incur under its revolving credit facility, (ii) to develop new single-family properties and communities, (iii) to acquire and renovate single-family properties and for related activities in accordance with its business strategy and (iv) for general corporate purposes.

BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification thereof under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and only by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the offering and the final prospectus supplement, when available, may be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or from BofA Securities, Inc., NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department or by email at [email protected]; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attn: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at 1-866-803-9204 or by email at [email protected]; Citigroup, Attn: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at 800-831-9146 or by email at [email protected]; or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014.

About American Homes 4 Rent

American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high-quality, good value and resident satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of September 30, 2021, we owned 56,077 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that relate to beliefs, expectations or intentions and similar statements concerning matters that are not of historical fact and are generally accompanied by words such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "potential," "plan," "goal," "outlook," "guidance" or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to complete the offering and the intended use of net proceeds. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Company's management considers these expectations to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These and other important factors, including "Risk Factors" disclosed in, or incorporated by reference into, the prospectus from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021, and in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Contact:

American Homes 4 Rent

Investor Relations

Phone: (855) 794-2447

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent
"The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery has literally been a lifelong professional dream which has finally come true." Tweet this

With this move, the Clayman Thyroid Center joins the surgeons of the Norman Parathyroid Center, Scarless Thyroid Surgery Center and Carling Adrenal Center at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery for the first time. Combined, these specialized centers make up the highest volume endocrine surgery practice in the world by almost two-fold.

"I have always dreamed of a true center of excellence in thyroid surgery," said Dr. Gary Clayman. "From my earliest days dedicating my career exclusively to thyroid surgery, I became known as the person to "fix" what others had failed to do. At the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, we provide our patients premier care from the moment they step through the doors all the way through to recovery."

Dr. Gary Cayman was Chief of Thyroid Surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center for 17 years prior to founding the Clayman Thyroid Center in Tampa, which just celebrated its five-year anniversary.

Other thyroid surgeons on staff include Dr. Hyun Suh, America's highest volume robotic thyroid surgeon, Dr Nate Walsh, a thyroid cancer specialist, and Dr. Rashmi Roy, who is an expert at goiter surgery, including massive and sub-sternal goiters, many of which other surgeons refuse because of their complexities.

"I often hear from patients struggling with extreme symptoms like difficulty swallowing, speaking, and breathing almost to the point of suffocation, who were turned away by other surgeons because of the size of their tumor," said Dr. Rashmi Roy, Goiter Guru on YouTube and TikTok. "It's become my passion to give these patients a new lease on life through a safe and straightforward procedure. I expect this amazing new hospital to attract many more patients who are suffering from large goiters. They don't have to continue living with these symptoms."

The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is the first of its kind and the only hospital in the world dedicated to thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal cancers and tumors. This brand-new hospital, which opened January 3 in Tampa, Florida, is a 75,000 sq. ft. campus of HCA South Tampa Hospital.

The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery will offer endocrinologists and other physicians a single center where they can refer their patients with endocrine tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands for surgery, regardless of the complexity. With close proximity to Tampa International Airport, the campus is expected to attract patients from across the state, nation and the globe for inpatient and outpatient procedures.

"The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery has literally been a lifelong professional dream which has finally come true," said Gary Clayman. "Everywhere patients turn, they will be treated like family, not like an incident or a number. Where not only your surgeon is a world leader, but your pathologist, radiologist, anesthesiologist, nurses and staff are all at the same level of excellence. Where endocrine surgery is all that we do and all that our hospital is missioned and visioned to do."

The hospital features beautifully appointed private patient rooms and eight ultra-modern operating rooms. Significant infrastructure upgrades support specialized thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgery, including radiology, nuclear medicine, laboratory, and pathology  all with an emphasis on endocrine tumor diagnosis and treatment. Advanced treatments such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of thyroid tumors, minimally invasive scarless robotic thyroid surgery and single visit adrenal vein sampling and curative surgery will be offered.

About the Clayman Thyroid Center: Founded by one of the nation's best-known thyroid surgeons, the Clayman Thyroid Center is the highest volume thyroid cancer referral center in the United States. The Center boasts the most experienced thyroid surgeons in the US who provide personalized care allowing the greatest opportunity for cancer cure, wellness, and cosmetic and functional outcomes via all types of thyroid surgery from minimal incision to scarless thyroid surgery to advanced cancer care.

www.thyroidcancer.com | (813) 940-3130

About the Norman Parathyroid Center: Located in Tampa, Florida, the Norman Parathyroid Center is the leading parathyroid gland tumor treatment center in the world, performing nearly 3,800 parathyroid operations annually. Well known for cure rates over 99% via an operation that typically lasts about 20 minutes, the Norman Parathyroid Center's success centers on a teamwork approach by the most experienced parathyroid surgeons in the world.

www.parathyroid.com | (813) 972-0000

About the Carling Adrenal Center: Founded by Dr. Tobias Carling, one of the world's leading experts in adrenal gland surgery, the Carling Adrenal Center is a worldwide destination for the surgical treatment of adrenal tumors. Dr. Carling spent nearly 20 years at Yale University, including 7 as the Chief of Endocrine Surgery before leaving in 2020 to open to Carling Adrenal Center, which performs more adrenal operations than any other hospital in the world.

www.adrenal.com | (813) 972-0000

Contact: Julie Canan, Director of Marketing

(941) 468  3002

[email protected]

SOURCE Clayman Thyroid Center
POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Anago Cleaning Systems is once again recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The 43rd annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. This is the publication's most prestigious ranking, recognizing the top 500 franchises that continue to evolve and maintain relevance with the latest trends, while reporting the greatest growth. This year, Anago Cleaning Systems  backed by decades of brand power and reputational integrity  ranks 34 as it continues to demonstrate financial strength and stability for potential franchisees.

"Anago Cleaning Systems is proud to be recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine for the quality and dynamic franchise growth of our innovative franchise model," said Adam Povlitz, CEO & President of Anago Cleaning Systems. "Commercial cleaning continues to be called upon as a frontline operational necessity, and our franchisees across the U.S. and Canada are proud to do their part keeping businesses, hospitals, and schools clean and disinfected." "Anago Cleaning Systems is a pioneer of the master franchise system, which allows successful mid-career professionals to operate their own exclusive regional franchises, while allowing small businesses to invest in their success," said Povlitz. "Both levels simply focus on running their business while we provide assistance, guidance, and critical tools to grow. As an industry, we expect to see continued growth and expansion in 2022 and beyond."

"Anago Cleaning Systems is proud to be recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine for the quality and dynamic franchise growth of our innovative franchise model," said Adam Povlitz, CEO & President of Anago Cleaning Systems. "Commercial cleaning continues to be called upon as a frontline operational necessity, and our franchisees across the U.S. and Canada are proud to do their part keeping businesses, hospitals, and schools clean and disinfected within their communities as we learn to live with the daily challenges of the ongoing pandemic."

Anago Cleaning Systems relies on the brand's core values to navigate the changing landscape, implement strategies to foster continued growth, while implementing new and innovative technologies at every opportunity. Because of this strong business ethic, Anago has been consistently recognized within Entrepreneur's suite of ranking systems, earning top rankings throughout the past several years, and in all the magazine's main ranking systems. These include fastest growing franchise, top-ranked franchises under $50K, top home-based franchise, and top global franchise. Anago Cleaning Systems' continued inclusion within these rankings demonstrates the brand's rising popularity with both franchisees and customers.

"Anago Cleaning Systems is a pioneer of the master franchise system, which allows successful mid-career professionals to operate their own exclusive regional franchises, while allowing small businesses to invest in their success," said Povlitz. "Both levels simply focus on running their business while we provide assistance, guidance, and critical tools to grow. As an industry, we expect to see continued growth and expansion in 2022 and beyond."

In Entrepreneur's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company's 43-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Over its 43 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Anago Cleaning System's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

About Anago Cleaning Systems

Anago Cleaning Systems is an international commercial cleaning franchise brand. Utilizing the Master Franchise System, Anago supports over 45 Master Franchisees and over 1,700 Unit Franchisees. Founded in 1989, Anago has set the worldwide standard in business support and structure for local and regional companies to provide unparalleled cleaning services to businesses of all kinds. Anago was ranked #34 overall by Entrepreneur magazine in its latest Franchise 500 ranking. For further information, visit its website at AnagoMasters.com.

Press Contact: Perry Athanason/TopFireMedia/ [email protected] / 917-319-2126

SOURCE Anago Cleaning Systems
AnDAPT, a provider of highly integrated and programmable Power Management IC (PMIC) products (built on its proprietary and disruptive mixed-signal FPGA platform), has employed its signature AmP PMIC and proprietary software including WebAmp and WebAmp R.D. to generate power management solutions for PolarFire FPGA SKUs, both for 12 V and 5 V inputs.

The PolarFire "Ease-of-use" and "Performance-optimized" use-cases can require up to 9 power rails. In contrast AnDAPT provides system solutions using up to 2xAmP PMICs, thus affording a more compact solution saving PCB area, alleviating supply chain issues while meeting or exceeding PolarFire power performance specifications. All AnDAPT power management solution PMICs use the same silicon which can be configured to support the customer's design requirements. Using one configurable device to support multiple designs simplifies customer inventory management.

The products speed up design development for a wide range of applications within wireline access networks, cellular infrastructure, as well as industrial automation, datacenters, computing, and IoT markets. These ready-to-use programmable products provide easy and reliable solutions to power the entire PolarFire FPGA product lines while taking care of complexities such as rail consolidation, sequencing, and disparate power requirements.

The designs are bench-tested and validated, with the "Ease-of-use" use-case available to order on AmP8MEB1 evaluation board (Picture 1).

"The benefits of these ready-to-use programmable products include faster time-to-market, reduced complexity, and greater reliability through fewer ICs. These solutions can be used as-is or further modified with our software design tools to create custom solutions tailored to customer specific requirements," said Bill McLean, AnDAPT CEO. "The goal of these solutions is to enable faster product development, thus drastically reducing time to market, while ensuring high reliability and performance," Bill continued.

AnDAPT WebAmP R.D. (Reference Design) Software Tool

AnDAPT has created an intuitive software tool, WebAmp R.D., to provide ready-to-use PMIC solutions with optimum flexibility. These solutions are based on both Microchip PolarFire and various Xilinx FPGA family part numbers and use-cases. Customers can utilize these PMIC solutions as-is or modify rail sequencing, revise output voltages, alter maximum current per rail, or disable unused rails if desired. WebAmp R.D. provides all the necessary design documentation including design files, reference schematics, datasheets, BoM, and layout guides. If additional functionality is desired, such as system rails or glue logic, the generated design files can be used on AnDAPT's WebAmP software tool for further modifications.

AnDAPT Power Management Solutions

The AmP IC uses a compact 5mm x 5mm package and a high level of integration to provide a best-in-class system power solution. Each PMIC incorporates a single or two phase DrMOS controller (up to 70A), multiple buck converters (10A/6A), high current LDOs (up to 2A) or load switches (LDSW), 4 general purpose LDOs (200mA) and power management features including fault protection and sequencing.

These PMIC solutions are available on the "PMIC solutions" page on the AnDAPT website. The designs make it remarkably simple for the designer to pick and choose a solution and get it up and running within minutes for evaluation. Further, the WebAmP R.D. tool enables designers to scale a solution both up and down quickly depending on the design requirements. In addition, these products can be used in the WebAmP tool for further customization including addition of other systems rails. This makes the AnDAPT AmP IC solution ideal for PolarFire FPGA applications and other system power requirements.

About AnDAPT

A privately held fabless Power semiconductor company, AnDAPT Holdings Ltd, designs, manufactures and markets On-Demand and programmable pre-defined power management solutions. Incorporated in 2014 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the company is funded by Intel, Cisco, Atlantic Bridge, Vanguard and has pioneered a new genre of adaptive analog technology. AnDAPT offers AmP Adaptive multi-rail power platforms, cloud-based software tools such as WebAmP and WebAmP R.D.TM, and AmP power components targeting applications in medical, industrial, enterprise, server/client, storage, communications, IoT, drones and telematics applications. Visit the company website (AnDAPT.com) or call for more information.

Contact:

Ajit Narwal

Director of Marketing, AnDAPT

+1 919 675 9272

[email protected]

SOURCE AnDAPT
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: ATI) will host a virtual Investor Day from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM ET on Thursday, February 17, 2022.

Topics covered will include ATI's strategy, markets, operations, and long-term financial outlook. Company presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

Presentations will be made by:

Bob Wetherbee , Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer

Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer Kim Fields , Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Don Newman , Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Kramer , Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer

LOG-IN INFORMATION:

The live webcast and a replay of the session will be available on the ATI Investor Relations website.

Solving the World's Challenges through Materials Science

ATI (NYSE: ATI) is a $3 billion global manufacturer solving the world's most difficult challenges through materials science; advanced, integrated process technologies; and relentlessly innovative people. We serve customers whose demanding applications need to fly higher, dig deeper, stand stronger, and last longer anywhere on, above, or below the earth. We partner to create new specialty materials in forms that deliver ultimate performance and long-term value in applications like jet engine forgings and 3D-printed aerospace components. We produce powders for forging and additive manufacturing; rolled materials, and finished components. Our specialty materials withstand extremes of temperature, stress and corrosion to improve and protect human lives every day. Learn more at ATIMetals.com .

SOURCE Allegheny Technologies
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Atmofizer Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "Atmofizer") (CSE: ATMO) (Frankfurt: J3K) issues this news release at the request of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada ("IIROC"). Statements made in the news release issued by the Company earlier today, January 19, 2022, indicated that the Company had been made aware of potentially manipulative trading activity in its common shares. The news release issued on January 19, 2022 was not reviewed by IIROC prior to dissemination.

While the Company and its advisers have analyzed trading activity in the period leading up to the issuance of the news release on January 19, 2022, conclusive evidence has not been uncovered to confirm the manipulative activity.

The final report of the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce, an independent taskforce established by the Province of Ontario, concluded that the current regulatory regime in Canada surrounding short selling is not stringent enough to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to confirm that adequate securities are available to settle short sale orders. A copy of the final report is available for here.

About Atmofizer Technologies Inc.

Atmofizer's consumer and industrial solutions are based on its patent-protected and patent pending technology for ultrafine particle agglomeration and neutralization. This capability creates a revolutionary and more efficient method for addressing the wide range of dangerous nano-scale particles, viruses and bacteria that are too small to be effectively managed by conventional HEPA filters and ultraviolet lights. Atmofizer plans to disrupt the air treatment industry by improving air safety and purification efficiency while lowering customers' operational costs.

Atmofizing air refers to the process of using ultrasonic acoustic waves to agglomerate (cluster together) small particles into a larger target that is then radiated by ultraviolet light to neutralize their harmful properties, making the air you breathe less hazardous to your health. Using units that atmofize air in tandem with HEPA filters can make the HEPA filters work more efficiently, enable the use of a less-powerful filter and result in a cleaner and longer-lasting filter that reduces operating costs and is less of a health hazard to clean or replace.

Atmofizer is patent-pending and patent-protected sole source of technology to atmofize air and is applying its proprietary technology in consumer and industrial air purification products currently manufactured under the Atmofizer brand, as well as in retail and commercial devices produced by other companies that integrate Atmofizer technology into their own products under license. Atmofizer's owned and licensed product lines include wearable, portable and mobile use for personal air treatment, as well as larger systems to handle higher air volumes for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential applications.

SOURCE Atmofizer Technologies Inc.
NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New year, stronger ambitions. Barabino & Partners (B&P), the leading Italian communications group with fully owned subsidiaries in London, Berlin and New York, today announces the completion of the acquisition of B2P Communications Consulting (B2P), a Franco-German consulting firm specialised in strategic communication and media relations, with offices in Paris, Berlin and Munich.

The move will enable B&P and B2P to support their clients across Europe while having a bridgehead across the Atlantic, thanks to approximately 130 professionals in eight offices.

The deal strengthens both firms' competitive positioning as Public Relation, Public Affairs and Communications Advisors to European and non-European businesses operating in a wide range of key industrial sectors as well as in financial markets.

During an initial transition phase, B2P will remain independent and will continue to be led by its founder Benedicte de Peretti alongside Federico Steiner, Managing Director and Equity Partner of B&P. Philipp Lehmann will progressively take over the responsibility for B2P's German and international activities, while Frank Paul Weber will lead the team in Paris.

The German subsidiary of B&P, Barabino&P. Deutschland GmbH, founded in 2009, will continue to be managed by Partner Laura Bruzzone, with the aim of progressively strengthening group synergies, including those already in place with B&P UK Plc., headed in London by Pietro Como, and B&P USA LLC, led in New York by Marco Lastrico.

"When approaching B2P we were first of all attracted its distinctive positioning on the Franco-German axis, i.e. two of the most important European markets and two key countries for the European Unions - said Federico Steiner, Equity Partner and Managing Director at Barabino & Partners. We will build on this angle by adding our strong capabilities in other significant countries such as Italy, UK and USA, thus strengthening our mutual capabilities to serve clients in key-markets".

"Almost 9 years after founding B2P, it was crucial for me to enter the next level and expand our service offering to Europe", said Benedicte de Peretti, founder of B2P. "Today, we are glad to join Barabino & Partners in order to strengthen our positioning as part of a leading group with great ambitions and resources, offering tremendous assets and prospects for our further development. In this framework, I am delighted with the arrival of Frank-Paul reinforcing the new ambitions of B&P."

"My first thank goes to Benedicte de Peretti and Federico Steiner who imagined and bravely executed this business combination despite the uncertainty linked to the coronavirus outbreak, said Luca Barabino, Founder and CEO at Barabino & Partners. I am happy to welcome the new colleagues of B2P GmbH into Barabino & Partners Group, a company that has been able to grow in 35 years becoming market leader firstly in Italy and then at international level in the PR Industry, through an independent and entrepreneurial approach driven by ethical values, social commitment and internal cohesion."

According to one of the most qualified PR advisors rankings, Acuris' Mergermarket, B&P ranked 5th in Europe and 8th in the world for volume of M&A and extraordinary finance transactions last year, confirming a growth trajectory that has placed it at the top of national and international rankings for over a decade.

B&P currently employs around 110 people in six offices: Milan, Rome, Genoa, Berlin, London and New York. Together with B2P, the group grows to approximately 130 people with revenues exceeding $ 20.5 million (18 million Euro).

Earlier this year, B&P announced that it begun its B Corp certification process.

Advisors to Barabino & Partners on the transaction were Cattaneo dall'Olio Rho & Partners (strategic and financial advisor), Eversheds Sutherland (legal, tax and labour advisor), TCF - Team Corporate Finance Consult GmbH (Financial Due Diligence) and Anwaltskanzlei Dona Viscardini (Administration advisor).

SOURCE Barabino & Partners USA
BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- It has been 73 years since Taiwan and the Chinese mainland were separated in 1949, due to the civil war in China and the interference of foreign forces.

As the evolution of cross-Strait relations attests, the country must be reunified, and will surely be reunified.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has put forward a series of important ideas and major policy propositions on Taiwan-related work, thus developing the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era.

Xinhua has compiled a list of keywords that shed light on the essence of the policy.

NATIONAL REUNIFICATION & REJUVENATION

Wang Yingjin, director of the cross-Strait relations research center of the Renmin University of China, said that pursuing the complete reunification and rejuvenation of China is undoubtedly at the core of the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era.

"The Taiwan question arose out of the weakness and chaos of our nation, and it will be resolved as national rejuvenation becomes a reality," Xi once said.

Xi's remarks struck a deep chord with Zhuang Chuanhong, 91, whose family moved to Shanghai from Taiwan in 1938 as his father was unable to tolerate Japan's colonial rule. It was not until the early 1990s that Zhuang was able to revisit his hometown of Tainan in southern Taiwan because of decades of isolation on both sides.

"Many of my relatives in my hometown are looking forward to the realization of a real reunion of both sides of the Strait at an early date," Zhuang said.

TERMINATING POLITICAL CONFRONTATION FOR LASTING PEACE

"The longstanding political differences between the two sides are the root cause affecting the steady growth of cross-Strait relations, but we should not allow this problem to be passed down from one generation to the next," Xi said in 2019.

Xi reiterated a willingness to engage in broad exchanges of views with all parties, groups, or individuals in Taiwan regarding political issues between the two sides, and the promotion of China's peaceful reunification, in order to forge social consensus and advance political negotiations.

From the perspective of Liu Guoshen, head of the Collaborative Innovation Center for Peaceful Development of Cross-Strait Relations, peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" is the best approach to realizing national reunification.

He said that the approach maximizes the immediate interests of the people in Taiwan with due regard to the political demands of the Taiwan authorities, and embodies the long-term interests of the Chinese nation and the overall interests of the country.

Provided that China's sovereignty, security, and development interests are ensured, after peaceful reunification, Taiwan's social system and its way of life will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs, and lawful rights and interests of compatriots in Taiwan will be fully protected.

PLACING HOPE ON TAIWAN PEOPLE, OPPOSING "TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE"

Secession aimed at "Taiwan independence" is the greatest obstacle to national reunification and a grave danger to national rejuvenation. The CPC remains committed to the principle of placing hope on the people of Taiwan.

The mainland has been consistently upholding the principled position of the 1992 Consensus, promoting people-to-people exchanges, delivering benefits to Taiwan people and placing hope on them, said Wang Kun-Yih, a professor at Tamkang University, adding that this is in the spirit of abiding by goodwill and sincerity.

In contrast, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authority has been seeking "Taiwan independence" since it took power in 2016, instigating confrontation and using foreign forces to resist reunification, posing a serious threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Zhu Songling, a Taiwan studies professor at Beijing Union University, said that opposing "Taiwan independence" is integral to the overall policy of the CPC to resolve the Taiwan question in the new era. "National reunification and the downfall of 'Taiwan independence' are irreversible trends in history."

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT IN SHARED MARKET

"It is the best of times for Taiwan entrepreneurs to accomplish something on the mainland, as cross-Strait trade, which has grown from nothing, now is booming under the mainland's preferential policies benefiting people in Taiwan," said Wu Chia-ying, director of the Taiwan chamber of commerce in the coastal Xiamen City, who has spent the past three decades doing business on the mainland.

The mainland continues to share development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots and enterprises, ensure that they receive the same treatment as those from the mainland, and expand cross-Strait economic and trade cooperation.

Integrated development on both sides of the Strait has been promoted.

The national plan for social and economic development in the 2021-2025 period outlines efforts to strengthen cross-Strait industrial cooperation and build a common cross-Strait market to grow a stronger Chinese economy, and to encourage Taiwan entrepreneurs and enterprises to take part in the Belt and Road Initiative and the country's coordinated regional development strategy.

"With more detailed measures and policies -- from enabling Taiwan compatriots to enjoy the same healthcare and housing purchasing treatment as mainlanders, to supporting Taiwan companies in participating in new infrastructure construction and seeking listings on the mainland -- we are feeling more and more at home," Wu said.

CLOSER BONDS WITHIN THE SAME CULTURE

The closeness between people across the Strait is rooted in blood, history and culture, Xi has said on several occasions.

Chiang Ming-shyan, a renowned Taiwan artist who held a solo exhibition on the mainland in 1988, has printed one of the paintings he co-created with artists from the mainland on his name card. Chiang was among the first to bring his works to the mainland since the restoration of cross-Strait contact in 1987.

"To me, the co-created painting serves as the best footnote to the fact that people across the Strait share the same culture and blood," he said.

Past years have witnessed cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan on a variety of topics, including Chinese characters and cultural heritage preservation.

Just as Xi once said, "Between loved ones, there is no knot of perception that cannot be untied. With perseverance, we are sure to forge closer bonds of the heart and mind between the people on both sides." 
DANBURY, Conn. and TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Bedoukian Research, Inc. ("BRI") and Ardra Inc. ("Ardra") announced the signing of a collaboration agreement to develop synthetic biology-based, natural flavor and fragrance ingredients. Under the terms of the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate to produce and market natural ingredients within the family of green leaf volatiles, with uses in food and perfumery.

Consistent, high-quality production of natural ingredients is a significant challenge in the flavor and fragrance industry. Synthetic biology-based production has great potential as a foundational platform for sustainable biomanufacturing of natural aroma and flavor ingredients. Collaboration between BRI and Ardra focuses on developing biomanufacturing processes with the goal of leading to commercial scale production.

The process for producing natural green leaf volatiles was developed using Ardra's synthetic biology platform for designing and constructing novel biochemical pathways. "Ardra's proprietary pathways are more suitable for industrial processes and enable more sustainable production of food and flavor ingredients, in contrast to harvesting them from botanicals," said Pratish Gawand, CEO of Ardra. "BRI's contributions prior to this formal agreement have been tremendously helpful. They provided critical feedback on our process, evaluated sensory qualities of our product, and advised on purification processes to yield food-grade final products. We look forward to the next evolutionary step in our relationship with BRI."

"Green leaf volatiles are an important class of ingredients that are used in numerous flavor and perfumery formulations to provide green notes," said Robert Bedoukian, President of BRI. "Ardra has made significant progress developing its synthetic biology platform, and we look forward to working with Ardra's team to advance the process further towards commercial-scale production of these ingredients."

About Ardra Inc.

Ardra Inc. is a synthetic biology company based in Toronto, Ontario and Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. Ardra makes high-value natural ingredients using synthetic biology, and is developing a broad portfolio of natural ingredients used in food, flavor and perfumery. Learn more at ardrabio.com

About Bedoukian Research Inc.

Bedoukian Research Incorporated (BRI) has been the leader in innovative, high-quality, multi-synthesis, specialty flavors and fragrances for fifty years. BRI offers unique, high-impact synthetic and natural flavor and fragrance molecules as ingredients in food, beverage, home and personal care products throughout the world. BRI can be counted on to create the aroma and flavor product additives wanted by today's consumers. Learn more at Bedoukian.com

SOURCE Ardra Inc.
"Safety is the cornerstone of autonomous vehicle operations. I am excited to bring my expertise in public safety to ensure our organization continues and builds upon its excellent safety record and leadership in making autonomous mobility solutions a practical reality today. Beep's robust safety protocols, which includes training for first responders and Beep Command Center (BCC) remote monitoring, help ensure our shuttles operate as safely as possible as they navigate along public roadways, in real-world environments with complex testing scenarios. I look forward to further expanding public trust of autonomous mobility across the country."  Beep CSO, Stephen Berry

As senior director of transit operations, Rodriguez will leverage nearly 15 years of experience to manage several different aspects of Beep's shuttle deployments, including operational and route planning, attendant staffing and training, first responder training and maintenance of the autonomous fleet. He works closely with autonomous shuttle suppliers to ensure the safe deployment and testing of each project. Prior to joining Beep, Mr. Rodriguez was the transit director at Council on Aging of St. Lucie  the public transit authority for St. Lucie County in Florida.

"With my background in fleet operations and maintenance, I am very excited to join the Beep team as part of the company's rapid expansion into new markets  especially as it continues to build upon the success of its mobility-as-a-service model. What sets Beep apart from other autonomous mobility providers is its deep involvement in all phases of a deployment  from advancing policy and regulation, integration into communities, the onboard experience, the development of new safer technologies and beyond. My team and I can ensure our clients receive the highest levels of service through sound operational planning and execution."  Beep Senior Director of Transit Operations, David Rodriguez

Both Berry and Rodriguez's appointments happen as Beep celebrates an extremely successful year of growth including the opening of its new headquarters in Lake Nona, Fla., its latest autonomous mobility project with the National Parks Service at Yellowstone National Park, the deployment at one of the country's premier 5G-powered smart city environments, Peachtree Corners in Georgia and the selection by Jacksonville Transportation Authority to deliver Phase I of JTA's Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) in Downtown Jacksonville.

"Stephen and David bring a tremendous amount of public transit experience to Beep, which is invaluable as we expand our leadership in advancing real-world autonomous mobility testing in the United States. With the public still learning what true autonomous mobility is, we've been educating communities across the country and earning trust alongside some of the most forward-thinking transit authorities this past year with successful and safe service implementations. Our new team members will allow us to further advance our objective of providing mobility for all while addressing the complex needs of communities and regions we serve."  Joe Moye, CEO, Beep

Beep offers turnkey managed autonomous mobility services unlike any other entity in the industry by leveraging years of experience as operators and managers of the largest and most tenured autonomous shuttle network in the United States in Lake Nona, an advanced district in the City of Orlando.

Setting Beep apart from other AV companies are their innovations in technology development and implementation of planning and managing AV fleets

Beep is also closely engaged with first responders and key community groups, including disabled and underserved citizens, in each of its projects to ensure vital community engagement, mobility equity for all and autonomous first and last mile solutions to activate and revitalize communities

For more information, or to schedule a briefing with Beep senior executives, contact [email protected].

About Beep

Beep delivers the next generation of mobility services utilizing driverless, electric, multi-passenger vehicles. By specializing in planning and managing advanced autonomous shuttles for both private and public communities, Beep safely connects people, places and services in first-mile, last-mile mobility networks. Beep also leverages the data and learnings from its public road projects to produce vehicle agnostic, edge solutions meant to enhance safety, access, artificial-intelligence and driverless operating capabilities of autonomous platforms. Beep delivers on a primary goal of enabling mobility-for-all with the services and software they provide. For more information visit: www.ridebeep.com

Contact: Beep Corporate Communications

310.374.6177

[email protected]

SOURCE Beep, Inc.
ZUG, Switzerland, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bitcoin Association, the Switzerland-based global industry organisation that works to advance business with the Bitcoin SV (BSV) blockchain, today announces that it has appointed Marcin Rzetecki as a Technical Outreach Specialist for Central Europe. Rzetecki will be based out of Poland, where he will work to further improve understanding and uptake of BSV across Central Europe.

In this role, Rzetecki will work to build connections with enterprises and software developers across Poland and Central Europe, as well as to foster the BSV developer community and blockchain development knowledge in this region. Business outreach is a key pillar of Bitcoin Association's work, as it works to foster the development of a vibrant, regulation-friendly ecosystem for blockchain technologies and digital assets.

The move comes as interest and uptake of Bitcoin SV continues to grow globally. As the only blockchain protocol which adheres to creator Satoshi Nakamoto's original design and vision for Bitcoin - both as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system and global data ledger for enterprise - Bitcoin SV is fast becoming the distributed data network of choice for businesses and developers alike. With the ability to scale unbounded and support huge volumes of transactions, in addition to its micropayment, smart contract, tokenization and data functionalities, Bitcoin SV is the only blockchain capable of serving as the world's public data ledger for payments and enterprise data applications.

Europe is one of the many regions where the BSV blockchain is gaining significant traction as an enterprise transaction and data management infrastructure, with leading cloud accounting software solutions provider VISMA | yuki recently announcing a partnership with mintBlue to integrate their BSV-based software development kit (SDK) into their platform.

Rzetecki brings a wealth of blockchain experience to his new role with Bitcoin Association. He is a computer scientist and experienced full stack developer. He has also served as Vice President of the Polish Blockchain Association since 2018, where he works to improve the advancement of blockchain technologies in the country. He is a veteran speaker at blockchain conferences across Europe and has extensive experience as a blockchain consultant and lecturer.

Speaking on today's announcement, Bitcoin Association Managing Director Patrick Prinz commented:

'Bitcoin Association is committed to growing adoption and improving understanding of the transformational potential that the BSV blockchain represents. Central and Eastern Europe are key markets for enterprise software development houses and companies which build efficient and scalable blockchain solutions, making Marcin [Rzetecki]'s hire a timely one. His extensive blockchain-related experience will be invaluable as he connects with software developers, enterprises and decision-makers across the region and demonstrates the capabilities of BSV as the only public blockchain that can scale unbounded and meet the demands of both enterprise and government.'

Commenting on his hire, Marcin Rzetecki said:

'I am excited to join Bitcoin Association, as I see tremendous potential for blockchain technology and for BSV. I have been working as a Technical Blockchain Consultant since 2018 and I have had a huge problem finding a blockchain that works  one that is fast, cheap and secure. Having analysed BSV for many months, my conclusion is that it best fulfils these properties, making it well suited to a variety of use cases from both a technical and business perspective. I'm looking forward to working with both business and governments in my new role to demonstrate these capabilities and contribute to the development of the blockchain industry in Europe.'

About Bitcoin Association



Bitcoin Association is the Switzerland-based global industry organisation that works to advance business on the Bitcoin SV blockchain. It brings together essential components of the Bitcoin SV ecosystem  enterprises, start-up ventures, developers, merchants, exchanges, service providers, blockchain transaction processors (miners), and others  working alongside them, as well as in a representative capacity, to drive further use of the Bitcoin SV blockchain and uptake of the BSV digital currency.





The Association works to build a regulation-friendly ecosystem that fosters lawful conduct while facilitating innovation using all aspects of Bitcoin technology. More than a digital currency and blockchain, Bitcoin is also a network protocol; just like Internet protocol, it is the foundational rule set for an entire data network. The Association supports use of the original Bitcoin protocol to operate the world's single blockchain on Bitcoin SV.

SOURCE Bitcoin Association
RYE, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, leading home and apartment rental developer Elk Homes announced that the Australian-inspired specialty coffee roaster, cafe, and lifestyle brand Bluestone Lane will be a first-floor, mainstreet tenant in Centro Larchmont , a Westchester waterfront community located only 18 miles north of mid-town Manhattan.

Best known for its premium coffee and healthy meals, Bluestone Lane is a popular cafe that has been rapidly expanding across the country and particularly New York, with the company listed among Inc. 5000's fastest-growing private companies based in NYC .

From its original conception in 2019, Centro Larchmont has been designed to complement its superior and distinctive location in the heart of Larchmont, one of Westchester's premier communities. With the development nearing completion in the second quarter of 2022 and availability opening shortly, both Centro Larchmont residents and other local residents will have convenient access to Bluestone Lane, which is scheduled to open in summer 2022.

"Bluestone Lane's combination of sophistication and healthful focus makes it the perfect tenant for Centro Larchmont, and we're sure the community will find the cafe a valuable addition to what is already one of Westchester's finest communities," said Gary Hirsch, co-founder of Elk Homes.

"At Bluestone Lane, we are intentional about where we open new locations and select areas where we can be embedded in the community to provide our locals with the first-class service, premium coffee and delicious, healthy food we are known for," said Nick Stone, Founder and CEO of Bluestone Lane. "We are very excited to open in Centro Larchmont and look forward to a long and successful relationship with Elk Homes."

In addition to Bluestone Lane, Centro Larchmont residents can enjoy building and service amenities such as a resident-only fitness center, private roof deck with a grill, dedicated pet bath for exclusive use, and more. Other community features include water views and convenient access to the metro and stores. Bluestone Lane was represented by Dan Bodner at Alvarez & Marsal Property Solutions in the transaction.

About Elk Homes

Based in Rye, New York, Elk Homes has more than two decades of experience in both single-family home and apartment rentals. The Elk Homes reputation for providing the highest quality residences and its commitment to tenant service is earned every day.

With more than 50 properties, Elk Homes can be found in high-end communities including Rye, Larchmont, Scarsdale, Irvington and Greenwich, CT.

About Bluestone Lane

Bluestone Lane is a New York-born Australia lifestyle and hospitality brand, currently operates 55 premium coffee shops and cafes across the United States. Named as one of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing private companies based in NYC, Bluestone Lane has enjoyed rapid adoption from consumers looking for superior coffee, an elevated experience and healthier menu options. The brand is leading the movement to modernize US coffee culture with its emphasis on the quality of its coffee and menu items and a hyperfocus on offering a world-class hospitality experience to serve its locals, not customers. Nick Stone founded Bluestone Lane to infuse a personal connection into the American cafe experience, making it feel more like personalized daily-ritual, and less like a transaction. Bluestone Lane also offers a broad suite of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), whole bean coffee, coffee pods, teas, sparkling waters and cold-pressed juices. Visit us at www.bluestonelane.com and on Instagram.

SOURCE Elk Homes
MIAMI, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BNY Mellon Wealth Management expands its Miami office with five new additions including Gina Smurro as senior client strategist, Sebastien Gault as family wealth advisor, Tamara Oswald as associate wealth manager, Jessica Diaz as analyst, global insights lab and Francesca Tabak as analyst, private banking. They are all based in Miami and report to Laura Kaplan, market president, Miami.

"While Miami has always been a perennial travel destination with its amazing beaches, diverse culture, thriving restaurants and burgeoning art scene, it has become a magnet since the pandemic for ultra-high net worth families and institutional clients leaving New York, Boston and California permanently for a better quality of life and more favorable tax and business climate," said Kaplan. "As this wonderful city has evolved, we have positioned our Miami office to mirror the influx of diverse residents with the addition of Gina, Sebastien, Tamara, Jessica and Francesca, as we support the delivery of our Active Wealth framework with existing and new clients in the Miami and South Florida area."

Gina will work with ultra-high-net-worth families, including business owners, corporate executives, private equity and hedge fund principals, as well as foundations and endowments on their comprehensive wealth needs.

Sebastien will work with ultra-high-net worth clients and prospects to advise on their overall wealth strategy, provide investment insights and optimize their asset allocation and investment selection.

Tamara will work with new and existing high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients to help them achieve their wealth goals.

Jessica will assist with research and analytics for existing and prospective clients, as well as strategy development, portfolio construction and client retention.

Francesca will work with the banking and lending team to assist with credit analysis, lending facility implementation as well as banking transactions.

Gina joins BNY Mellon Wealth Management from Citi, where she served as a private banker and advised ultra-high-net-worth clients and their family offices. Prior to that, she held various roles at J.P. Morgan including associate private banker and private banking analyst. Gina earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. She also holds a Series 7 license, Series 63 license and Series 65 license.

Sebastien has over 20 years of financial services experience. Before joining BNY Mellon Wealth Management, he was a senior vice president and portfolio manager at Bank of America Private Bank. Prior to that, Sebastien held various leadership roles including chief investment officer of a prominent family office, CNL Financial Group/JMS Holdings LLC and Management Consultant/Private Equity Advisory Team Leader at McKinsey & Company. He earned a bachelor's degree from Eckerd College and a Master of Business Administration from New York University. Sebastien is an active member of his community and currently serves on the board of the MILA Group.

Tamara brings 15 years of wealth management experience to her new role. She joins BNY Mellon Wealth Management from United Financial Consultants where she worked as a financial consultant and provided risk management planning, estate and wealth management solutions for family businesses and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Tamara also held a variety of roles at Privatised Banking, RBC Wealth Management, TD Investment Services and TD Asset Management. She earned a bachelor's degree at York University in Toronto. Tamara also holds a Series 6 license and is a CPFA professional.

Jessica joins BNY Mellon Wealth Management from Bessemer Trust where she was an associate client advisor and provided personalized advice across investment management, wealth planning, trust administration and family office services. Prior to that, she served as a registered client associate at Morgan Stanley. Jessica earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami. She also holds a Series 7 license, Series 63 license and Series 65 license.

Francesca recently completed BNY Mellon Wealth Management's 2021 summer analyst class program where she had an opportunity to work closely with wealth managers to support client relationships. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami.

ABOUT BNY MELLON WEALTH MANAGEMENT

For more than two centuries, BNY Mellon Wealth Management has provided services to financially successful individuals and families, their family offices and business enterprises, planned giving programs, and endowments and foundations. It has $321 billion in total client assets, as of December 31, 2021, and an extensive network of offices in the U.S. and internationally. BNY Mellon Wealth Management, which delivers leading wealth advice across investments, banking, custody, and wealth and estate planning, conducts business through various operating subsidiaries of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. A line of business within Wealth Management, BNY Mellon Investor Solutions includes the firm's institutional multi-asset solutions business. For more information, visit www.bnymellon.com or follow us on Twitter @BNYMellonWealth.

Media Contact:

Ben Tanner

212-635-8676

[email protected]

SOURCE BNY Mellon Wealth Management
SHANGHAI, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boqii Holding Limited ("Boqii" or the "Company") (NYSE: BQ), a leading pet-focused platform in China, today announced that it will extend the record date for its annual general meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") to close of business on January 24, 2022 (Eastern Standard Time).

For additional details of the AGM, please refer to the Company's announcement made on January 13, 2022 Boqii Holding Limited to Hold Annual General Meeting on February 28, 2022.

About Boqii Holding Limited

Boqii Holding Limited (NYSE: BQ) is a leading pet-focused platform in China. We are the leading online destination for pet products and supplies in China with our broad selection of high-quality products including global leading brands, local emerging brands, and our own private label, Yoken and Mocare, offered at competitive prices. Our online sales platforms, including Boqii Mall and our flagship stores on third-party e-commerce platforms, provide customers with convenient access to a wide selection of high-quality pet products and an engaging and personalized shopping experience. Our Boqii Community provides an informative and interactive content platform for users to share their knowledge and love for pets.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.boqii.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports 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 the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding such risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Boqii Holding Limited

Investor Relations

Tel: +86-21-6882-6051

Email: [email protected]

DLK Advisory Limited

Tel: +852-2857-7101

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Boqii Holding Limited
HOUSTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL), the leading global provider of vertical flight solutions, announced that the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has awarded Bristow their prestigious contract to provide search and rescue helicopter capacity to the Netherlands Coastguard.

The 10-year contract, with two one-year extension options, will commence on November 4, 2022 and involves providing the permanent availability of dedicated SAR equipped AW189 helicopters and highly qualified crews from two operational bases in the Netherlands. Bristow will also introduce new technologies such as mission management and data-link systems, enhancing the interoperability of the service with all Netherlands SAR stakeholders.

Under the contract, Bristow will provide a 24/7 all-weather search and rescue service and will be tasked by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Den Helder. In addition, the service will aid with secondary tasks as required by the coastguard such as dealing with the aftermath of disasters, incidents, and transportation of the Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG).

"We are honoured the DMO has placed their trust in Bristow with the award of this prestigious contract. We look forward to our return to the Netherlands and providing this valuable service for the Netherlands Coastguard," said Alan Corbett, Senior Vice President for Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Search and Rescue. "As the leading provider of government SAR services, we will provide a modern fleet of helicopters along with highly experienced aircrews and engineers to provide an unmatched, life-saving capability as the best value to the government."

"We look forward to re-establishing our vast SAR experience, efficiencies and leading Target Zero safety culture to the Netherlands," said Bristow President and CEO Chris Bradshaw. "This award confirms the differentiating value proposition we are able to bring based on our proven experience, commitment to innovation and sustainability, and enhanced capabilities that we deliver to our clients worldwide."

Bristow's expansive SAR operations include Guyana, Norway, Suriname, Trinidad, and the United States. Bristow also operates the HM Coastguard helicopter search and rescue service for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of the UK Government.

About Bristow Group

Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. Bristow provides commercial search and rescue (SAR) services in several countries and public sector SAR services in the United Kingdom (U.K.) on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Additionally, the Company offers ad hoc helicopter and fixed wing transportation services. Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the U.K. and the U.S. To learn more, visit our website at www.bristowgroup.com.

SOURCE Bristow Group
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Braun Intertec is pleased to announce Timothy Tonyan, Ph.D. has joined the company as vice president for the building and structure sciences (BaSS) group. With nearly 40 years of experience as a forensic consultant and operations leader for consulting engineering firms, Tonyan will lead a team of building envelope and forensic consultants, structural engineers as well as firestop inspectors for the 100% employee-owned geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and testing firm.

"I am pleased Tim is joining Braun Intertec to lead our building and structure sciences group," said CEO Jon Carlson. "As a seasoned operations leader and forensics expert, he will play a pivotal role in developing day-to-day operational efficiencies and upholding Braun Intertec standards for technical excellence as we work to be the consultant of choice for our clients."

As a vice president, Tonyan will leverage his skill for operational and technical leadership at engineering consulting firms. Specifically, Tonyan will make use of his extensive technical experience in forensic investigations on building materials, building envelope, construction scheduling and delay claims analysis as his team expands their expertise and geographic footprint.

Prior to Braun Intertec, Tonyan served as a chief operations officer and a vice president of forensics at engineering, architecture, and materials science consulting firms based in the Chicago, Illinois area. He holds a doctorate in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Tonyan is a member of both the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the Scientific Research Honor Society, Sigma Xi.

About Braun Intertec

Based in Minneapolis, employee-owned Braun Intertec is a premier engineering, environmental consulting and testing firm with more than 1,000 employees located in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.

SOURCE Braun Intertec
Said Tsutsumi, "Calbee America, Inc. is primed to develop a bigger footprint in the mainstream salty snacks category, and I'm proud to be at the helm of us continuing to build our flagship brands, while advancing our plant-based product development and upgrading our production capabilities to launch new products with an increased speed to market."

Added Sakata, "In his previous role heading up Calbee's Overseas Company, Ryo Tsutsumi has been instrumental in building up our U.S. operations, accelerating the growth of our business, and driving manufacturing efficiency. This re-organization strengthens our leadership team and places greater focus on the North American business, setting the stage for further growth."

Calbee, which is the largest and most respected snack company in Japan, expanded to North America in 1970 with Saya and Shrimp Chips. The team pioneered the plant-based snack category with its launch of Harvest Snaps, the first snack to be sold in the produce aisle, and recently introduced new San Joaquin Almond Nut Chips to market, offering health-conscious consumers a grain-free free alternative to conventional corn chips.

About Ryo Tsutsumi

In his previous position as executive officer of Calbee's Overseas Company, Americas Group, Tsutsumi was responsible for managing Calbee's U.S. operations, initiating investment to build U.S. operations, and exploring business opportunities. Tsutsumi brings to his new role as CEO of Calbee America, Inc. over 20 years of experience in U.S.-based packaged consumer goods companies. Earlier in his career, he worked at Johnson & Johnson in sales and marketing roles across Japan and Singapore. At PepsiCo, he worked as a Country Manager for Japan, managing business partnerships in beverages and snacks. Tsutsumi spent his younger years growing up in Southern California and is happily married with two grown children.

About Calbee America, Inc.

Since expanding from Japan in 1970, the Calbee team has been passionate about making plant-based, nutritious snacks from quality ingredients that bring a smile to your day. Their mantra is to "Harvest the Power of Nature," which is demonstrated by their flagship Harvest Snaps brand made from veggies as the #1 ingredient. Producing its products in Fairfield, CA, Madera, CA, and Senatobia, MS, the company continues to innovate with new red lentil Crunchy Loops and San Joaquin Almond Nut Chips. Visit https://calbeena.com/ for more information. Also visit HarvestSnaps.com and follow @harvestsnaps on social media.

SOURCE Calbee America, Inc.
Davis served for 35 years in the Naval Service as a Royal Marines Officer. His distinguished career included serving as the 63rd Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces and as the Deputy Commander of NATO Land Command Headquarters. Retiring from the UK Armed Forces in the rank of Lieutenant General, he transferred to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and was appointed, by Her Majesty The Queen, as the 67th Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar in January 2016. He completed his tenure as Gibraltar's Governor in February 2020.

Davis spent his early years in the Naval Service at regimental duty in the UK, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Norway, and Belize. He commanded a Specialist Military Unit from 2002-2004, which included Operation TELIC 1 in Iraq, and subsequently commanded 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines from 2010-2011, during which he deployed to Afghanistan as Commander Task Force Helmand on Operation HERRICK 14. He was appointed the 63rd Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces in December 2011. His last Naval Service appointment was as the Deputy Commander of NATO Land Command Headquarters in Izmir, Turkey, from July 2014 to January 2016.

"Ed's significant leadership experience as the Governor of Gibraltar, his vast expertise in international governance, and his extensive tenure serving as a military leader with our allies in the UK is invaluable," said Gregory Bloom, CEO of Capewell. "Our global team has gained immeasurable strength with his addition."

"Set against the enduring challenges of our dynamically changing world," said Davis, "I particularly relish the opportunity to contribute to Capewell's strategic ambition of becoming the aerial and life-support system provider of first choice across the UK, Europe and the Commonwealth. It is an ambition that I have no doubt Capewell will achieve, given its 140 years of success in innovative, agile, and dependable engineering for mission and life. It is indeed a proud moment for me to be joining Capewell."

About Capewell:

Founded in 1881, Capewell is the global leader in the custom engineering and manufacture of critical aerial delivery systems and combat water survivability solutions for the United States government and its partner nations. Capewell's foundational mission  to protect people who operate systems in dangerous environments in support of national security  continues to this day. Operating out of South Windsor, Conn., and Meadows of Dan, Va., the company offers four core product segments of mission-critical components and systems: Aerial Delivery & Parachute Systems, Aerial & Marine Life Support & Safety Hardware, Operator and Maintainer Training and Logistics, and Engineering Services.

SOURCE Capewell
TEHRAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian ambassador to Iran said Iran has made "reasonable" demands for guarantees and verification of lifting U.S. sanctions in the ongoing talks on restoring the 2015 nuclear deal, official IRNA news agency reported Tuesday.

"Do you remember that European and Asian companies came to Iran after the JCPOA agreement, but they fled Iran because of the threats of the U.S. government," Levan Dzhagaryan told IRNA in an interview.

Formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal was signed between Iran and the world powers in July 2015. However, the U.S. government under former President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Iran.

"Therefore, Iran's demands for guarantees and verification of the lifting of sanctions are natural and based on a bitter historical experience," Dzhagaryan was quoted as saying.

Regarding the talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna over the revival of the deal and lifting U.S. anti-Iran sanctions, he said Iran's positions are "very positive," adding that he is "optimistic" about the future of the negotiations.

His remarks came one day ahead of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's planned visit to Moscow for talks on bilateral and international issues.

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to the international organizations in Vienna, tweeted on Monday that Iran is "absolutely right" to ask for guarantees from Washington after the latter's unilateral withdrawal.

"Some people don't want to learn lessons from the failed maximum pressure policy. Iranians are absolutely right when they ask for guarantees against a repetition of this catastrophic adventure," Ulyanov said. 
The definitive agreement was reached after a non-binding letter of intent was signed in the spring and a subsequent due diligence period. The due diligence process evaluated how to best enhance capabilities and fulfill the organizations' shared mission to serve the City of Trenton, surrounding communities, and their residents. The agreement will now move through required state and federal regulatory approvals, a review process that can take more than a year.



"Capital Health and St. Francis Medical Center have had a shared mission to support our community for more than a century," said Al Maghazehe, President and CEO of Capital Health.



"Over the last several years, as Capital Health has continued to grow and expand its geography, one thing I have been very clear on is our enduring commitment to Trenton. This undertaking demonstrates that and will be complemented by other significant investments Capital Health will make to develop programs focusing on the broader needs of our neighbors, bringing a holistic approach to their well-being. We are truly excited for this next chapter in health care for our region."



"In completing the due diligence process, we have concluded months of planning and discussion and can now start a plan to bring our organizations together with a goal of greater care options for the community," said Daniel P. Moen, President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Francis Medical Center. "Serving our community is at the heart of each of our organizations, and it is through this shared mission and aligned approach to care that residents will receive improved access to high-quality care."



As a result of the definitive agreement, Capital Health plans to offer an enhanced complement of integrated services with community and tertiary levels of care to more efficiently meet the needs of area residents. Preserving and strengthening healthcare services in Trenton will be a priority. Capital Health's acquisition of St. Francis will combine St. Francis' specialized cardiac services with Capital Health's specialized service lines including neuroscience, trauma, cancer, maternity, and orthopedics, as well as preserving other critical programs in the areas of emergency and behavioral health services. It will also align all of these complementary services with Capital Health Medical Group, which includes more than twenty primary care practices and dozens of specialty practices throughout the region. In addition to St. Francis Medical Center, the acquisition will include related operations, including LIFE St. Francis, St. Francis Medical Associates, its Schools of Nursing and Radiologic Technology, and internal medical residency program.



"The City of Trenton and the surrounding communities are a critical part of our shared mission to care for the underserved and I am extremely excited by what this agreement means for residents in the immediate community and the larger region," said Samuel J. Plumeri Jr., Chairman, Capital Healthcare Inc., Board of Trustees. "The comprehensive model of care achieved will have a significant, positive impact on the health of our community."



"This definitive agreement demonstrates our steadfast commitment to provide area residents, including the underserved, with high-quality, comprehensive care," said Joseph Youngblood, II, J.D., Ph.D., chairman, Board of Trustees, St. Francis Medical Center. "The Trustees of St. Francis Medical Center spent countless hours identifying the best solution to continue the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis to provide health care in the City of Trenton. Our strengths, coupled with those of Capital Health, a regional health care leader, will improve services for residents by offering a fully integrated network of services in the City of Trenton. The result will be improved access and delivery of care for area residents."



Both hospitals are known for providing advanced care and for ensuring local access to high-quality, affordable health care services.



Throughout the regulatory process, Capital Health and St. Francis remain committed to sustaining and advancing the comprehensive, high-quality services they provide to residents of the greater Trenton area.



ABOUT CAPITAL HEALTH

Capital Health is the Central New Jersey/Lower Bucks County region's leader in providing progressive, quality patient care with significant investments in physicians, nurses and staff, as well as advanced technology. Comprised of two hospitals (Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton and Capital Health Medical Center  Hopewell), a Hamilton outpatient facility, and an extensive network of primary and specialty care practices across the region, Capital Health is a dynamic health care resource accredited by DNV.



A four-time Magnet-designated health system for nursing excellence, Capital Health serves as a Level II regional trauma center, regional perinatal center (including a Level III NICU), and emergency mental health screening center. Capital Health also offers the region's first and most experienced Pediatric Emergency Department and most recently, New Jersey's first Autism- Friendly Pediatric Emergency Department. Capital Health also provides innovative programs such as Capital Institute for Neurosciences including its certified Comprehensive Stroke Center; nationally accredited Center for Comprehensive Breast Care; Center for Digestive Health; Marjorie G. Ernest Joint Replacement Center of Excellence; award-winning Cancer Center; and the Heart & Vascular Institute, which includes the region's first accredited Chest Pain Center.



For more information, visit www.capitalhealth.org.



ABOUT ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER

Accredited by The Joint Commission, St. Francis Medical Center has a long history of providing care to the community, having served Central Jersey residents for nearly 150 years. As an acute-care teaching hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, a member of Trinity Health, is known as the region's Heart Hospital. St. Francis is the only facility in Mercer County with a state- issued certificate of need to perform cardiac surgery, including open-heart surgery as well as minimally invasive, robotic heart surgery. The Center of Excellence for Heart Health also provides high-level cardiac catheterization, angioplasty services, sophisticated ablation and heart arrhythmia treatments and advanced diagnostics. St. Francis regional services also include its award-winning Stroke Program, as well as Emergency Services, Sleep Disorder Center, Behavioral Health Inpatient Service and HIV Program. It is a teaching hospital offering an internal medical residency program through Jersey Shore University Medical Center, as well as a School of Nursing and a School of Radiologic Technology. St. Francis' partner in care is LIFE St. Francis (Living Independently For Elders), a program for the all-inclusive care of the elderly based in Bordentown, NJ. For more information, visit www.stfrancismedical.org.



ABOUT TRINITY HEALTH

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic health care systems in the nation, serving diverse communities that include more than 30 million people across 25 states. Trinity Health includes 88 hospitals, as well as 125 urgent care locations, 131 continuing care locations that include PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly) programsoffering the second largest PACE program in the country, senior living facilities, home care and hospice, and many other health and well-being services. Its continuing care programs provide nearly 2.5 million visits annually. Based in Livonia, Michigan, and with annual operating revenues of $20.2 billion, the organization returns $1.2 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. The Trinity Health family includes about 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians. Committed to those who are poor and underserved in its communities, Trinity Health is known for its focus on the country's aging population. As a single, unified ministry, the organization is the innovator of Senior Emergency Departments, the largest not-for-profit provider of home health care services  ranked by number of visits  in the nation, as well as the nation's leading provider of PACE based on the number of available programs. For more information, visit trinity-health.org. You can also follow Trinity Health on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.



SOURCE Capital Health
MONTPELIER, Vt., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As school fairs, rallies, and student showcases take place across the nation, Vermonters will join in celebrating School Choice Week 2022 with their own celebration at the capitol.

Private school and homeschool students, teachers, and legislators will gather at the capitol on Thursday, Jan. 27 to call attention to the impact of school choice. The event will kick off with a group photo wearing School Choice Week's signature yellow scarves and a press conference at 11:20 a.m. at the Vermont Capitol Plaza. At noon, attendees will share a community lunch and hear a school choice story from featured speaker Hera Varmah, a Florida Tax Credit Scholarship recipient and recent high school alumna.

Retta Dunlop, who champions homeschooling in Vermont, will speak to the incredible rise in homeschooling across the state. Additionally, students from Vermont utilizing school choice options will share their experiences with school choice options and how these options have changed their lives.

This event is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week Jan. 23-29, 2022, which will feature more than 26,000 school choice events across all 50 states.

"Many may not know it, but Vermont actually pioneered the concept of school choice more than a century and a half ago," said Brad Ferland, one of the lead organizers of the event. "The town tuitioning program, created in 1869, allows families living in towns without public schools to select other schools, whether public or private."

"More, and better, quality educational options will encourage families to move from urban centers to Vermont  or will keep families thinking of moving elsewhere to maintain their roots in the Green Mountain State," ," said Ferland. "Here in Vermont, school choice will not only brighten individual children's future  it can help to brighten our economy as well. Let's work to bring the hope of school choice  the hope that Vermont created over 153 years ago  to every family and child in our state."

The event is organized by a coalition of citizens, stakeholder groups, schools and students.

The Capitol Plaza is located at 100 State St.

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children, focusing equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of celebrations  such as school fairs and open houses to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. School Choice Week also develops resources and guides to K-12 education for families. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation. For more information visit schoolchoiceweek.com.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
HOUSTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CEMEX USA started the new year by reaffirming its longstanding safety goal of Zero4Life, hosting Safety Week 2022, the company's annual initiative intended to get all employees laser-focused on the company's core value, Health & Safety.

Safety Week 2022 began at all CEMEX USA plants and facilities on Monday, Jan. 10, with safety activities and messages delivered by local leadership to all employees aimed at refocusing them on safety for the new year. Employees attended socially distanced or virtual meetings that followed the company's Behaviors That Save Lives, guidelines that encourage vaccination, the identification and reporting of symptoms, personal hygiene and physical distancing, all designed to stop the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the week, employees also participated in exercises that encouraged them to use important safety tools like hazard recognition, hazard control and risk assessment while emphasizing accountability aimed at preventing unsafe behavior.

"Safety is a team effort, and at CEMEX, we encourage our employees to contribute and build on our strong safety culture by looking for opportunities to improve the health and safety for everyone each day," said CEMEX USA President Jaime Muguiro. "We strive to work together and utilize our company's health & safety management system tools to identify and mitigate hazards, so we all can go home safe to our families every day."

During Safety Week, employees across CEMEX USA operations were encouraged to reflect on their safety performance in 2021, examine their actions and seek opportunities to improve. They were encouraged to make use of CEMEX's safety tools including Take 5 assessments, which aim to get them to stop, think and act when approaching jobsites, guidelines that can be utilized to help mitigate hazards. Meetings throughout the event also focused on strengthening a culture of personal accountability to identify and prevent any unsafe behaviors.

"Our employees are empowered to take action when it comes to safety, and they are encouraged to follow these well-established tools and guidelines in an ongoing effort to create an injury-free workplace," said Alan MacVicar, CEMEX USA Vice President of Health & Safety. "Safety is a core value at CEMEX, and we expect each of our employees to become safety leaders and hold each other accountable to prevent injuries and create a sustainable, injury-free environment."

Since 2016, CEMEX USA has hosted Safety Week each January to promote a renewed commitment to safety throughout the new year.

CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high-quality products and reliable services with a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements and sustainability efforts. Its U.S. network includes 10 cement plants, close to 50 strategically located cement terminals, nearly 50 aggregate quarries and more than 280 ready-mix concrete plants. CEMEX USA has been repeatedly recognized for its efforts in sustainability and energy management, including earning U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

SOURCE CEMEX USA
ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centennial Yards Company has announced the addition of three new hires to its continuously expanding leadership team, including Brandon Sutton as VP of Marketing and Communications, Keith Mack as VP of Development and Brandon Dexter as VP of Construction.

"Hiring these three accomplished professionals marks an important step in further developing our existing talent among our Atlanta-based leadership team," said Brian McGowan, President of The Centennial Yards Company. "Sutton, Mack and Dexter all bring incredible experience to these vital roles that are fundamental in implementing this project."

In their new roles, all three will lead key initiatives for the $5 billion mixed-use destination in Downtown Atlanta.

Sutton brings more than two decades of marketing and communications experience to the role, having previously served as President of a boutique insights and strategy firm that provided brand and product innovation consulting for major brands, including Reebok, Coca-Cola, Sprite and SunTrust. Throughout his career, Sutton has lent his marketing expertise to Atlanta-based organizations such as the Metro Atlanta Chamber and is active in the local non-profit community having served 13 years on the Advisory Board of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, including two years as Board Chair.

Mack offers nearly three decades of project management and development service expertise as one of Atlanta's most prominent directors of development, with responsibility for all aspects of construction, design, procurement and communications. Mack has executed a dozen successful projects, including directing the 250,000 square-foot Hyatt House in Charleston, along with the 50-story Sovereign Condominiums in Atlanta, made up of residential, retail and office space. Mack is one of the founders of Circle of Trust Real Estate Network and served as a Board Member and Membership Chair of Rebuilding Together Atlanta.

Since 2005, Dexter has supervised the construction processes for large community projects across the Southern U.S., including a $20 million addition to Atlantic Station, one of Atlanta's top upscale shopping areas, and the execution of Drewery Place in Houston, Texas, a $110 million, 372-unit multifamily high-rise development. Dexter is an avid believer in bettering his community, with over eight years of volunteer service with Houston organizations including the Houston Food Bank and Rebuilding Together Houston.

"We're excited to continue to grow our leadership team as we ramp up work to build a new exciting city center that everyone can enjoy," said McGowan.

Centennial Yards is seeking to build on its momentum in 2022 with several new openings, tenants and key milestone announcements on the horizon as it aims to bring 24/7 living to the heart of downtown Atlanta.

ABOUT CENTENNIAL YARDS:

Centennial Yards is a $5 billion mixed-use destination in the Southeast's biggest, most influential market. As one of the largest and most ambitious city-center developments in the country, Centennial Yards will transform 50 acres in Downtown Atlanta to connect surrounding communities and destinations, while creating several new city blocks. Designed by Foster + Partners and Perkins&Will, Centennial Yards offers 12 million square feet of world-class opportunities for dynamic retail, entertainment, commercial office, residential and hotel, as well as a vibrant public realm that will offer open spaces and outdoor gathering spaces to all Atlantans and visitors of Centennial Yards. Anchored by major Downtown sporting and entertainment attractions, including State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as well as several MARTA stations connecting the campus with the rest of the city, Centennial Yards will bring increased connectivity, walkability, and 24/7 living to the heart of the city. The Centennial Yards Company serves as the master developer of Centennial Yards and consists of a partnership between an affiliate of CIM Group and a group led by Tony Ressler. For more information visit centennialyards.com .

SOURCE Centennial Yards Company
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development (CDICD), managed by National Disability Institute (NDI), announced today the three winners and their partners of its Second Annual Inclusive Community Development Awards: True Link Financial and Sunrise Banks; Life Asset, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI); and Goodwill Industries of East Texas and Prosperity Bank. The purpose of the awards is to raise the visibility of financial institutions' and community-based organizations' activities that are promising and exemplary in support of low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals with disabilities to improve their financial stability and health and be more active participants in adding value to our nation's economy.

"CDICD is proud to announce the Second Annual Inclusive Community Development Award winners. Each of our winners have created unique initiatives that support people with disabilities in low- and moderate-income communities," said Michael Roush, Director, Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development. "All of our winners demonstrated innovation, impact and inclusiveness that contributed to the vibrancy of their communities, including economic and employment opportunities for people with disabilities."

True Link and Sunrise Banks created the ABLE Visa Prepaid Card with the view that high-quality spending tools are particularly critical to maximizing the benefits of ABLE accounts. The partnership shares a common goal: to increase the independence and financial capability of ABLE account holders by ensuring more account holders have a card in their name to make day-to-day purchases using their ABLE funds.

"True Link is committed to offering high quality financial services built for people with disabilities and their loved ones," said Kai Stinchcombe, CEO, True Link. "We're proud to serve thousands of ABLE beneficiaries and to promote their autonomy and financial well-being through our services. National Disability Institute is a true leader in identifying initiatives that positively affect the futures of people with disabilities and their families, so it is an honor for True Link's efforts to be recognized through the Inclusive Community Development Awards."

"We're excited to partner with True Link to help provide greater financial independence for consumers," said Bryan Toft, Chief Revenue Officer, Sunrise Banks. "The ABLE Visa Card is a product we're proud to support."

Life Asset enables low-income entrepreneurs in the greater Washington, D.C. area to start or expand a business by providing microloans (a loan less than $5,000) and financial training to those unable to access loans elsewhere. By coupling microloans with comprehensive financial training and peer support, Life Asset equips clients with the tools they need to overcome barriers to economic opportunity, create jobs for themselves and others and become financially self-sufficient. Approximately 12 percent of Life Asset's clients are people with disabilities.

"Life Asset is grateful for this recognition because it inspires us to continue our work providing microloans and business training to help people with disabilities create jobs and build their financial resilience through small business ownership," said Markus Larsson, Founder and Executive Director, Life Asset. "There are many others who deserve to share in this award  primarily the many hard working entrepreneurs with disabilities who provide invaluable products and services through their businesses. We look forward to continuing working with NDI and our partners to ensure that the needs of entrepreneurs with disabilities are included as we work to expand access to small business loans and training in the Washington, D.C. area."

Goodwill of East Texas provides job training resources and wraparound support services, including programming strategically designed to increase independence and financial stability for individuals with disabilities. Prosperity Bank began partnering with the organization in January 2017 to provide financial educational workshops to Goodwill staff and program participants, many of whom were underbanked and lacked basic banking skills. More than 200 Goodwill of East Texas staff and program participants are served annually through this unique partnership.

"Receiving this award from the Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development validates the work that our committed staff perform daily," said Kimberly B. Lewis, CEO, Goodwill Industries of East Texas. "Serving and working in an inclusive community breathes life into everyone involved. A diverse and inclusive community equates to more dollars in the community by 30 percent annually, as people with disabilities contribute as both employees and customers at local businesses. Socially, an inclusive community means that people have a sense of belonging. We all need that now more than ever."

"Community involvement has always been a core value at Prosperity Bank, and it is an honor to be recognized for our efforts in this way," said Scott Voland, Director of Sales Development, Prosperity Bank. "We are grateful for Goodwill Industries of East Texas and all the other organizations that have joined us in giving back to our community last year. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those around us."

Nominations were evaluated on innovation, responsiveness, collaboration and impact in building a better financial future for people with disabilities and their families. Focus areas included: workforce development, affordable and accessible housing, small business development, financial literacy and counseling, adaptive technology, digital literacy and digital access.

The Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development works to improve the financial health and well-being of low- and moderate-income individuals with disabilities and their families to reexamine the approaches, roles and responsibilities of stakeholder to proactively address financial access and economic opportunity needs of people with disabilities through community development. A key component is increasing awareness and usage of the opportunities and resources available under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

Launched in 2019, the Center is focused on the importance of inclusive community development activities. These include improving how the financial, community development and disability communities can work more closely together to respond to current financial and economic challenges and bringing attention to positive examples of CRA investment, lending and service that support financial resilience for LMI people with disabilities and their families. In the next year, the Center's work will remain focused on improving the financial health and well-being of LMI individuals with disabilities and their families by increasing awareness of community development opportunities and usage of the resources available under the CRA.

National Disability Institute is the first and only national organization exclusively focused on the financial health and wellness of people with disabilities and their families. With an emphasis on poverty reduction, financial capability and financial inclusion, NDI continues to build extensive relationships between the disability and financial communities to focus on systems change.

To learn more about the Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development and its activities, visit www.cdicd.org.

About the Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development

The Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development is focused on improving the financial health and well-being of low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals with disabilities and their families by increasing awareness and usage of the opportunities and resources available under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The Center creates an opportunity to reexamine the approaches, roles and responsibilities of regulated financial institutions to proactively address the financial access and economic opportunity needs of people with disabilities through CRA. To learn more about the Center for Disability-Inclusive Community Development and its work, visit www.cdicd.org.

About National Disability Institute

National Disability Institute (NDI) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better financial future for people with disabilities and their families. The first national organization committed exclusively to championing economic empowerment, financial education, asset development and financial stability for all persons with disabilities, NDI affects change through public education, policy development, training, technical assistance and innovative initiatives. To learn more, visit www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org. Engage with NDI on Facebook: @NationalDisability or follow NDI on Twitter: @NatDisability.

Contact: Kathleen Brannigan, [email protected], 917-647-4430

SOURCE National Disability Institute
LANCASTER, Pa., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicco USA today announced that six new and soon-to-be released Chicco products have earned UL GREENGUARD Gold certification, expanding its line of essential baby gear made from materials that help to create a healthier environment surrounding baby by reducing the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Spanning car seats to bassinets and strollers, Chicco products that have earned the respected certification now include the OneFit ClearTex All-in-One Car Seat, KeyFit 30 ClearTex Infant Car Seat, KidFit ClearTex PLUS 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster, LullaGo Anywhere LE Bassinet, Corso Primo ClearTex Travel System and Bravo LE ClearTex Stroller (coming soon).

Chicco OneFit ClearTex All-in-One Car Seat

To earn GREENGUARD Gold certification, Chicco products were scientifically proven to meet a rigorous third-party chemical emissions test that measures the level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that may be present in indoor environments. Developed with at-risk groups in mind, such as children and the elderly, the GREENGUARD Gold standard means products have been tested to meet low chemical emissions, contributing to healthier air quality around baby.

"We are extremely pleased to be among the first juvenile product brands to earn UL's rigorous GREENGUARD Gold certification across multiple product categories," said William Hasse, Vice President of Marketing for Chicco USA. "We recognize that sometimes children spend significant time in car seats, strollers and bassinets, so we're proud to offer a range of products that provide a healthier air quality to their occupants. Through our Sustainable Parenting Initiative we continue to innovate with the aim of providing parents with better solutions for their families."

Newest Chicco GREENGUARD Gold Certified Products

OneFit ClearTex All-in- One Car Seat : The first Chicco all-in-one car seat to feature ClearTex fabrics with no added flame-retardant chemicals, the OneFit ClearTex is designed to fit your child, vehicle and life, from birth to booster. A slim, space-saving design means the car seat fits easily in your vehicle, while top-rated installation features make it the easiest to install correctly, every time. Parents can scan the QR code on the side of the seat for easy access to installation resources.

The first Chicco all-in-one car seat to feature ClearTex fabrics with no added flame-retardant chemicals, the OneFit ClearTex is designed to fit your child, vehicle and life, from birth to booster. A slim, space-saving design means the car seat fits easily in your vehicle, while top-rated installation features make it the easiest to install correctly, every time. Parents can scan the QR code on the side of the seat for easy access to installation resources. LullaGo Anywhere LE Portable Bassinet : For parents looking for a convenient and elegant sleep space that offers healthier air quality around baby, the upgraded LullaGo Anywhere LE is just the right fit offering a compact footprint, light weight at only 13 pounds and a carry bag. The new LE version of the travel-friendly bassinet features a contemporary design with stylish wood-grain finish legs and a canopy. The LullaGo Anywhere LE is also equipped with a flat sleep surface with a waterproof mattress and mesh side panels for visibility and air flow. All bassinet fabrics zip-off and are machine washable.

For parents looking for a convenient and elegant sleep space that offers healthier air quality around baby, the upgraded LullaGo Anywhere LE is just the right fit offering a compact footprint, light weight at only 13 pounds and a carry bag. The new LE version of the travel-friendly bassinet features a contemporary design with stylish wood-grain finish legs and a canopy. The LullaGo Anywhere LE is also equipped with a flat sleep surface with a waterproof mattress and mesh side panels for visibility and air flow. All bassinet fabrics zip-off and are machine washable. Corso Primo ClearTex Travel System: Available in February, the Corso Primo ClearTex is the first Chicco Travel System to offer ClearTex fabrics and be GREENGUARD Gold certified. The parent-loved Corso Primo stroller offers premium details such as an organic cotton infant insert for use in carriage mode, as well as both parent-facing and forward-facing modes to fit your needs. The stroller is paired with the KeyFit 35 Zip ClearTex infant car seat for use as a travel system.

To learn more about the entire line of Chicco GREENGUARD Gold certified products, visit https://www.chiccousa.com/shop-our-products/greenguard-gold-certified.

Committed to Sustainable, Stress-Free Parenting Solutions

The Chicco Sustainable Parenting Initiative supports today's parents by offering products that are CLEAR of added chemicals; provide COMFORT with breathable, humidity-regulating fabrics; and make it easy for parents to keep CLEAN the products they rely on most. The Sustainable Parenting Initiative encompasses Chicco ClearTex and Adapt line of products, as well as existing best-sellers.

About Chicco Products and Artsana USA

Artsana Group, maker of Chicco Products, is a leading European company with global headquarters in Como, Italy and worldwide expertise in everything for baby. The Chicco brand was founded over 60 years ago and is now in 120 countries. Chicco has become a household name for parents across the United States thanks to products like our #1-rated KeyFit Infant Car Seat, which has been recognized as the very best for safety, performance and style. Visit www.ChiccoUSA.com for more.

SOURCE Chicco
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Circumference Group , a unique, operationally-focused investment firm led by former Endurance International CEO Jeff Fox, today announced the appointments of Christine Timmins Barry and Kim Simone as Senior Advisors as the firm continues expanding its investment platform and further strengthens its bench of talented professionals and advisors.

In their advisory positions, Ms. Barry and Ms. Simone will leverage their extensive business and operations experience to support Circumference Group's partner companies as they build successful, sustainable businesses. They will also help Circumference Group identify promising early stage organizations that would benefit from both long-term capital and Circumference Group's proven ability to provide operational insight at various stages of growth. Ms. Barry and Ms. Simone will work across Circumference Group's investment platform, including its venture studio, CG Ventures .

"Our focus at CG is to bring strategic and operational value to our investments and partners. I am confident that Christine's and Kim's experience building and scaling businesses will be invaluable for our current and future partners," said Mr. Fox, CEO and Founder, Circumference Group.

Christine Timmins Barry has held multiple senior leadership roles throughout her career, responsible for growing long-term, sustainable businesses and successfully creating shareholder value. She recently served as Chief Operating Officer for the Endurance International Web Presence division, where she successfully oversaw its simplification and return to organic growth.

Prior to her roles at Endurance, Ms. Barry served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Windham Professionals, a privately held financial services firm. She spent much of her career at Convergys, where she held numerous senior leadership positions culminating in her role as Chief Operating Officer. She holds a B.S. from Northeastern University and an MBA from Bentley University.

Kim Simone brings to Circumference Group extensive operational expertise with a focus on customer value, revenue growth, and bottom-line performance of multimillion-dollar organizations. Kim most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of Constant Contact, a leading email marketing provider, leading it back to subscriber and revenue growth. Constant Contact was part of Endurance International prior to it spinning off as a private entity under Kim's direction.

Before Endurance, Ms. Simone held multiple positions at Verizon, including Vice President, IT Sales Support Organization for Verizon Enterprise Solutions; Vice President, IT Customer Service and Prepaid for Verizon Wireless; and SVP at Alltel, which was acquired by Verizon in 2009. She holds a B.A. from The University of Michigan.

About Circumference Group

Circumference Group is an investment firm designed to deliver superior risk-adjusted performance for its capital partners. The firm leverages the broad and deep operational experience of its team to thoroughly understand a target investment's current competitiveness and performance and the execution risks that may prevent it from reaching its performance potential. Circumference Group invests when its organizational insight, operational intelligence and strategic perspective identify pathways to significant value creation with mitigated risk.

Circumference Group was founded in 2009 by a team of veteran business operators and investors led by Jeff Fox, a proven executive who has served in multiple leadership roles including CEO of Endurance International Group, CEO of Convergys Corp. and COO of Alltel Wireless. For over a decade, Circumference Group has successfully invested in the public and private markets utilizing its Core Value Assessment (CVA), a proprietary framework that evaluates a company's growth and cash flow potential, as well as its organizational and operational strengths and weaknesses. The CVA underpins all of Circumference Group's investment strategies. For more information please visit www.CircumferenceGroup.com .

SOURCE Circumference Group
"Jennifer's career path with our company is a true reflection of dedication and growth from within." said Jennifer Porter, chief operations officer of Commonwealth Hotels. "She will be integral in ensuring the Embassy Suites continues to remain on the forefront of hospitality in the Canton market."

Jennifer began her career at Commonwealth as the opening general manager for the Fairfield Inn and Suites Canton South and was promoted in 2019 to the regional general manager role where she transitioned two Columbus based hotels in to the Commonwealth organization; leading both in culture, performance, and service. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Jenn served as the general manager with Pillar Hotels & Resorts and Alliance Hospitality. In addition to her hotel responsibilities, Jennifer serves on the OHLA Women in Lodging advisory council and the executive board of Visit Dublin. Ruiz is a graduate of Youngstown State University.

About Commonwealth Hotels, LLC

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC was founded in 1986 and is a proven partner in providing hotel management services with superior financial results. The company has extensive experience managing premium branded full service and select service hotels. Commonwealth Hotels currently manages 61 properties with nearly 7,600 rooms. Additional information may be found at www.commonwealthhotels.com.

Contact

Barbara E. Willen

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC

[email protected]

859.392-2254

SOURCE Commonwealth Hotels, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global companion animal medicine market size is anticipated to reach USD 32.8 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2021 to 2028. The key factors driving the market for companion animal medicine include the rising pet population, the prevalence of diseases, and the availability of pet insurance. In Canada for example, 58% of households owned at least one dog or cat in 2020, according to the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI). CAHI also reported a surge in feline vet visits following the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

The market was valued at USD 15.8 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period

Growing R&D initiatives by major companies is estimated to be a key driver for the market

For instance, Dechra pharmaceuticals commercialized 15 products from its Le Vet R&D pipeline in 2019

Pet humanization is further contributing to increased expenditure on pets including pet medicines

According to APPA U.S. citizens spent about USD 31.4 billion on vet care and products in 2020. The category included expenditure on routine veterinary care, surgical procedures, and pharmaceuticals

The hospital pharmacy segment dominated the market by distribution channel in 2020. The factors contributing to the large share include higher patient footfalls at hospitals and the convenience of buying the necessary medications as soon as the pet is diagnosed

North America held the largest share of about 36% in 2020 owing to well-established veterinary healthcare facilities, rising pet expenditure, and humanization of pets

In Asia Pacific , the market is expected to grow at the fastest rate of over 10% due to the rising pet population and pet health awareness

Read 150 page market research report, "Companion Animal Medicine Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Animal Type (Dogs, Cats, Horses), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

The COVID-19 pandemic notably affected the market for companion animal medicine. The impact included dampened sales, supply chain challenges, operational hurdles, fall inpatient visits, and reduced demand. Elanco for instance reported a 20% decline in revenue during Q2 2020. The company's companion animal segment, in particular, was adversely impacted by the fall in brands in international markets and those administered in the clinic e.g. vaccines. The company reported a recovery in sales during H2 2020. Vetoquinol on the other hand reported an increase in sales, driven by its essential portfolio including veterinary drugs in 2020 despite limited access to vet clinics and hospitals due to lockdown protocols. Boehringer Ingelheim too registered increased sales in the companion animal segment.

With the rising number of pets across the globe, the trend of pet humanization has gained traction in several key markets. Pet parents are becoming increasingly aware of their pet's health, treatment, and wellbeing. This has increased the adoption of pet insurance to reduce the financial risks for pet parents. Petplan- the largest pet insurance provider in the U.K. offers insurance policies for various species including dogs, cats, horses, small mammals, birds, reptiles, rabbits, and multi-pet owners. These policies provide coverage for physical and online consultations, prescription medicine, diagnostic tests, surgery, dental injury, cancer treatment, and more.

The rising prevalence of diseases in pets is another key driver expected to contribute to market growth. Parasitic infections from internal and external parasites for example, commonly affect pets. Antibiotics and topical therapies are often prescribed in the case of pyoderma. However, further testing and routine bathing with medicated shampoos may be prescribed in case of chronic or recurring pyoderma. Viv Silky Shampoo by Vivaldis for example is indicated for a range of fungal and bacterial infections including superficial and deep pyoderma.

Market Segmentation:

Grand View Research has segmented the global companion animal medicine market on the basis of animal type and region:

Companion Animal Medicine Animal Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Dogs

By Product



Biologics





Vaccines







By Type









Attenuated Live Vaccines











Inactivated Vaccines











Recombinant Vaccines











Toxoid











Others









By Indication









Distemper











Kennel cough (Parainfluenza)











Parvovirus











Canine herpes











Lyme Disease











Rabies







Others





Pharmaceuticals





Parasiticides







Anti-infectives







Anti-inflammatory







Analgesics







Others





Medicated Feed Additives



By Indication



Infectious Diseases





Dermatologic Diseases





Pain





Orthopedic Diseases





Behavioral Diseases





Other Indications



By Distribution Channel



Retail





E-Commerce





Hospital Pharmacy

Cats

By Product



Biologics





Vaccines







By Type









Attenuated Live Vaccines











Inactivated Vaccines











Recombinant Vaccines











Toxoid











Others









By Indication









Distemper











Kennel cough (Parainfluenza)











Parvovirus











Canine herpes











Lyme Disease











Rabies







Others





Pharmaceuticals





Parasiticides







Anti-infectives







Anti-inflammatory







Analgesics







Others





Medicated Feed Additives



By Indication



Infectious Diseases





Dermatologic Diseases





Pain





Orthopedic Diseases





Behavioral Diseases





Other Indications



By Distribution Channel



Retail





E-Commerce





Hospital Pharmacy

Horses

By Product



Biologics





Vaccines







Attenuated Live Vaccines









Inactivated Vaccines









Recombinant Vaccines









Toxoid









Others







Others





Pharmaceuticals





Parasiticides







Anti-infectives







Anti-inflammatory







Analgesics







Others





Medicated Feed Additives



By Indication



Infectious Diseases





Dermatologic Diseases





Pain





Orthopedic Diseases





Behavioral Diseases





Other Indications



By Distribution Channel



Retail





E-Commerce





Hospital Pharmacy

Companion Animal Medicine Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

Germany



U.K.



France



Italy



Spain



Russia

Asia Pacific

China



India



Japan

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina

MEA

South Africa



Saudi Arabia

List of Key Players of the Companion Animal Medicine Market

Merck & Co., Inc.

Ceva

Vetoquinol S.A.

Zoetis

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Elanco

Virbac

Bimeda, Inc.

Norbrook

Calier

Check out more studies related to companion animal health & treatment, published by Grand View Research:

Companion Animal Health Market Report | 2021-28  The global companion animal health market size was valued at USD 18.67 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2021 to 2028. A rise in the initiatives by the government and private sectors to help promote animal health is anticipated to drive market growth during the forecast period.

 The global companion animal health market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2021 to 2028. A rise in the initiatives by the government and private sectors to help promote animal health is anticipated to drive market growth during the forecast period. Companion Animal Postoperative Pain Management Therapeutics Market Report | 2021-26  The global companion animal postoperative pain management therapeutics market size was estimated at USD 228.90 million in 2018 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. The rise in pet surgical procedures, especially orthopedic and dental surgeries is propelling the demand for postoperative pain relievers.

 The global companion animal postoperative pain management therapeutics market size was estimated at in 2018 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. The rise in pet surgical procedures, especially orthopedic and dental surgeries is propelling the demand for postoperative pain relievers. U.S. Companion Animal Health Market Report | 2021-26  The U.S. companion animal health market size was valued at USD 5.5 billion in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. The market is primarily driven by growing adoption of companion animals in the country, coupled with increasing awareness among pet owners regarding animal diagnostics.

Browse Through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Animal Health Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cooper Housing Institute, a nonprofit organization that supports research and programs that address housing affordability and homelessness in the United States, announced today that it has awarded South County Outreach (SCO) a $100,000 grant to enhance SCO's continued effort to prevent homelessness in Orange County in connection with its local, county and state partners focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has added further strain to the nationwide housing crisis and is pushing more Americans into homelessness," said Cooper Housing Institute's Co-Founder, Wilfred Cooper Jr. "Now more than ever we must support groups like South County Outreach and their important efforts to mitigate the growing threat of homelessness as they assist those most in need and most at-risk."

South County Outreach is an Irvine-based nonprofit corporation whose mission is to prevent hunger and homelessness in Orange County, California. For more than 30 years they have sponsored programs to prevent homelessness and provide rental, utility and food assistance to at-risk residents. South County Outreach owns 17 condominiums that provide affordable housing, and offers the financial assistance required for rehousing families facing imminent homelessness. The organization distributes more than 700,000 pounds of food per year. They are dedicated to helping not only the homeless, but the underemployed, unemployed, seniors, veterans, and other at-risk Orange County residents.

"At South County Outreach we want to create a community where everybody has a place to call home," said SCO's President and Chief Executive Officer, LaVal Brewer. "The COVID-19 pandemic has led to greater need for the types of services provided by South County Outreach, and this generous grant from the Cooper Housing Institute provides vital financial assistance that will help us continue to pursue our mission to prevent hunger and homelessness throughout Orange County."

About Cooper Housing Institute

The Cooper Housing Institute is a private 501(c)(3) foundation founded in 2018 by the Cooper family. They have spent the past 50 years bringing awareness to the nation's housing challenge. The foundation strives to make housing a priority in the United States by supporting research and programs that address housing affordability and homelessness. The organization supports research that focuses on the causes behind the shortage of affordable housing and chronic homelessness across the nation, and aims to focus on objective, fact-driven research that brings often divergent groups together to embrace common sense solutions. The Cooper Housing Institute was formed by Will N. Cooper Sr. and Will N. Cooper Jr., leaders of Irvine, California-based WNC, a leading provider of investment, asset management and development services in the affordable housing industry. To learn more, visit https://cooperhousinginstitute.org/.

Contact: Julie Leber

Spotlight Marketing Communications

949-427-1391

[email protected]

SOURCE Cooper Housing Institute
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet (left on screen) speaks via a video link during a Security Council open debate on women, peace and security at UN Headquarters in New York on Jan. 18, 2022. Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday called for strategies and investment to ensure women's full and meaningful participation in peace processes. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday called for strategies and investment to ensure women's full and meaningful participation in peace processes.

Between 1992 and 2019, only 13 percent of negotiators, 6 percent of mediators and 6 percent of signatories in major peace processes worldwide were women, she said.

And that was before the pandemic struck and before a wave of intensifying conflicts, undemocratic political transitions and disastrous humanitarian crises took hold in many societies, further reducing women's rights. The situation that now faces women human rights defenders, and prospects for women's full participation in shaping and building peace are vastly worse, she told a Security Council open debate.

"This harms all of us. Women's safe and meaningful participation is necessary to ensure a fuller range of action to bind society together, and address not only the root causes of conflict but also its full impact, including gender-based violence and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war."

The implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security requires consistent policies for public recognition, effective protection and vastly increased strategic, flexible, sustainable and targeted financing for women's civil society organizations, including women human rights defenders. And it requires action to end the violence that so frequently targets women and girls who seek to lead movements for change, said Bachelet.

In reality, barely 1 percent of funding in fragile or conflict-affected countries goes to women's rights organizations. The enabling environment that lies at the heart of the women, peace and security agenda is also largely absent, she noted.

"At the heart of Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions by this (Security) Council is the need for strategies that create inclusive and safe participation channels for women from all backgrounds, movements and communities. Protection of their work, lives and rights is central to this effort," she said. "The international community must stand united and push back against attempts to attack, silence and criminalize women's rights to defend rights, participate in decision-making and express dissenting opinions."

Decisions on peace that do not reflect women's voices, realities and rights are not sustainable. There must be clear advocacy for and significant investment in women human rights defenders and peacebuilders: removing obstacles such as the digital divide; expanding financial support; and significantly increasing accountability for attacks and intimidation. The work of addressing discrimination, inequality, denials of women's civic space and gender-based violence should also be viewed as a priority for building peace, she said. 
Sugemalimab is the world's first PD-L1 monoclonal antibody that when administered along with chemotherapy improved overall survival of first-line metastatic squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful manner

Survival benefits across all the subgroups including different tumor pathology type and PD-L1 expression levels

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China has approved sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous and non-squamous NSCLC

has approved sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous and non-squamous NSCLC The updated data from the GEMSTONE-302 study, together with clinical data in other indications will be used to support new drug applications for sugemalimab in this indication in multiple countries and regions outside of Greater China

SUZHOU, China, Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CStone Pharmaceuticals ("CStone", HKEX: 2616), a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on research, development, and commercialization of innovative immuno-oncology therapies and precision medicines, today announced that the GEMSTONE-302 registrational clinical study of sugemalimab for the first-line treatment of metastatic (stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) met the overall survival (OS) endpoint. The results demonstrated that sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful OS improvement in patients. Based on the previously reported impressive progression-free survival (PFS) data, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China approved sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous and non-squamous NSCLC in December 2021. A detailed presentation of the OS analysis will be reported at an upcoming international academic conference.

Professor Caicun Zhou, Principal Investigator of the GEMSTONE-302 registrational clinical study of sugemalimab and Director of the Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, said, "Globally, the mortality of lung cancer ranks first among all malignant tumors. The goal of first-line treatment for advanced lung cancer is to maximally prolong survival benefits for patients and to delay disease progression. The prespecified OS analysis data further confirmed that sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy provided durable survival benefits to patients. Sugemalimab has the potential to reshape the first-line treatment landscape of advanced NSCLC and could become the preferred immune-oncology therapy for the treatment of advanced NSCLC."

Dr. Jason Yang, Chief Medical Officer of CStone, said, "We've had exciting news about sugemalimab successively in recent days. After being approved in China last month and with the first batch of prescriptions issued recently, now the OS analysis of the GEMSTONE-302 study demonstrated that sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy brought significant improvement to the overall survival of patients even with high percentage of patients in the chemotherapy control group received subsequent PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, including crossover treatment based on the protocol design, after disease progression. As OS represents the gold standard efficacy endpoint in cancer clinical trials, the achievement of the OS endpoint further demonstrates the important value of sugemalimab in the first-line treatment of NSCLC. Sugemalimab is a PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibody addressing both stage III and stage IV NSCLC in all comer settings, and the new drug application of sugemalimab in stage III NSCLC is under regulatory review and a pivotal phase II trial just met its primary endpoint of overall response rate in patients with relapsed and refranctory natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. In addition, we are advancing the registrational studies of sugemalimab in gastric cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and lymphoma, so as to enable sugemalimab to benefit a broader population of cancer patients."

About Sugemalimab

The anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody sugemalimab was discovered by CStone using OmniRat transgenic animal platform, which allows creation of fully human antibodies in one step. Sugemalimab is a fully human, full-length anti-PD-L1 immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibody, which may allow a reduced the risk of immunogenicity and toxicity for patients, a unique advantage over similar drugs.

Currently, the NMPA of China has approved sugemalimab (Cejemly) in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC, lacking EGFR and ALK genomic tumor aberrations; and in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC. In addition, sugemalimab is being investigated in a number of ongoing clinical trials, including one Phase 2 registrational study for lymphoma and four Phase 3 registrational studies in stage IV NSCLC, stage III NSCLC, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer, respectively.

CStone formed a strategic collaboration agreement with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) that includes the development and commercialization of sugemalimab in mainland China, and a framework to bring additional Oncology medicines to the Greater China market.

About the GEMSTONE-302 study

The GEMSTONE-302 study (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT03789604; drug clinical trial registration number: CTR20181452) is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 study, designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment patients with stage IV NSCLC as compared to placebo in combination with chemotherapy. The primary endpoint of the study was investigator-assessed PFS. Secondary endpoints included OS, BICR-assessed PFS and safety

In August 2020, the GEMSTONE-302 study met its primary endpoint of significantly prolonged PFS, with the risk of disease progression or death reduced by 50% with sugemalimab combined with chemotherapy, as compared to placebo combined with chemotherapy, as assessed by the independent data monitoring committee (iDMC) at the planned interim analysis. PFS data were presented in a Proffered Paper Oral Presentation (Late-Breaking Abstract) at the ESMO Asia 2020.

In July 2021, the final analysis of PFS from the GEMSTONE-302 study showed that sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated further improvement in PFS, with the risk of disease progression or death reduced by 52%, together with a trend toward improved OS. Data were presented in a Mini Oral Presentation (Late-Breaking Abstract) at the IASLC 2021 World Conference on Lung Cancer. The results of the GEMSTONE-302 study were published in The Lancet Oncology in January 2022.

About CStone

CStone Pharmaceuticals (HKEX: 2616) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on researching, developing, and commercializing innovative immuno-oncology and precision medicines to address the unmet medical needs of cancer patients in China and worldwide. Established in 2015, CStone has assembled a world-class management team with extensive experience in innovative drug development, clinical research, and commercialization. The company has built an oncology-focused pipeline of 15 drug candidates with a strategic emphasis on immuno-oncology combination therapies. Currently, CStone has received five drug approvals in Greater China, including three in Mainland China, one in Hong Kong, and one in Taiwan. CStone's vision is to become globally recognized as a world-renowned biopharmaceutical company by bringing innovative oncology therapies to cancer patients worldwide.

For more information about CStone, please visit: www.cstonepharma.com.

Forward-looking statement

The forward-looking statements made in this article only relate to events or information as of the date when the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or publicly revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. All statements in this article are made on the date of publication of this article and may change due to future developments.

SOURCE CStone Pharmaceuticals
WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced a collaboration with Uber Health, Uber's healthcare arm, to provide critical transportation support at no cost to people who need it most when seeking access to medical care, work or educational programs.

The relationship is part of Health Zones, CVS Health's new initiative that provides concentrated local investments designed to reduce health disparities and advance health equity in high-risk communities across the country. Health Zones is an integrated approach to addressing six key social determinants of health: housing, education, access to food, labor, transportation, and health care access. The Health Zones initiative is now active in five markets nationwide: Atlanta, GA; Columbus, OH; Fresno, CA; Hartford, CT; and Phoenix, AZ with plans to expand into more cities later this year. Working with trusted national and local partners, CVS Health is addressing community health care needs, ensuring at-risk communities have access to resources and opportunities that can help them thrive.

CVS Health and Uber Health will help eliminate a critical barrier to care and overall well-being  transportation  which can limit a person's ability to receive medical care, to get to work or to job trainings and can ultimately lead to adverse health outcomes. Rides with Uber Health will be available to a target population living in three of the five Health Zones: Atlanta, GA; Columbus, OH; and Hartford, CT with plans to enter additional cities later this year.

"Our Health Zones initiative allows us to make a real impact on the health of communities across the country by working closely with organizations that share our commitment to addressing social determinants of health," said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility & Philanthropy and Chief Sustainability Officer, CVS Health. "With the Uber Health platform, we'll provide critical transportation to people within communities who need it most, giving them access to health care services so they can live healthier lives and to jobs and educational programs that can help them reach their full potential."

"We've long known that access to reliable transportation can help address critical gaps in care that often disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. With the past two years of the pandemic only further highlighting today's health inequities, it's more important than ever for communities to have the tools they need to bridge care gaps and achieve better patient and population health outcomes," said Caitlin Donovan, Global Head of Uber Health. "Uber Health is proud to be a part of CVS Health's new Health Zones initiative and encourages community organizations to address transportation as a key social determinant of health, while improving health outcomes in a scalable way."

For Uber Health, the relationship with CVS Health is a natural extension of its broader commitment to improving population health care management, so more people can achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles. Its HIPAA-supported solution is utilized by more than 2,000 health care organizations across the U.S.

Health Zones is part of CVS Health's overall commitment to advance health equity in America. In 2021, CVS Health invested $185 million in affordable housing nationwide and $1.3 billion over the past 20 years. Through these investments, CVS Health has been able to provide underserved communities with quality housing, economic support, and educational training opportunities based on the unique needs of the population.

CVS Health continues to help ensure equitable access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations across the country. Approximately 40 percent of vaccines have been provided to underserved communities and more than 50 percent of CVS Health's testing sites have also supported these communities.

To learn more about CVS Health's new Health Zones initiative and the collaboration with Uber Health, please visit www.CVSHealth.com/HealthZones.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and approximately 300,000 dedicated colleagues  including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health  whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system  and their personal health care  by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com.

About Uber Health

Since 2018, Uber Health's HIPAA-supported solution has become the logistics platform of choice for healthcare organizations focused on population health management. From non-emergency medical transportation, nutritional meals to prescription delivery, Uber Health can help connect millions to the care they need. Over 2,000 healthcare organizations like ALC Solutions, Cerner, Boston Medical Center, and ModivCare trust Uber Health to provide access to stress-free transportation for those they care for. By tapping into Uber's logistics expertise, Uber Health's API is able to facilitate everything from mobility solutions to critical deliveries, streamlining population health management and supporting better patient outcomes. For more information, visit uberhealth.com.

Media contact

Eva Pereira

781-686-4200

[email protected]

SOURCE CVS Health
MIAMI, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dinerazo, a financial services and educational platform for the Hispanic community in the United States and Latin America, announces the launch of its Investment Robo Advisor - a fully automated service where the Hispanic community can passively invest in the U.S. stock market in their own language starting with as little as $100 - and begin creating their own stock portfolio.

It is no secret that the Hispanic community in the U.S. has been left behind when it comes to personal investment and financial services. According to a Pew Research Center study, only 28% of Hispanic households in the U.S. have some form of investment in the stock market. To complicate matters further, according to Data USA, as of 2019 only 1.32% of Financial Advisors were Hispanic. Simply put, for Hispanics, investing in the stock market is oftentimes inaccessible, whether due to minimum net worth requirements, lack of financial education or language barriers.

Dinerazo aims to increase the Hispanic community's participation in the stock market, and the financial world in general with a simple concept- Education and Implementation. First, by offering free financial education and tools in Spanish, Dinerazo seeks to break down personal finance and investment concepts for the Hispanic community so that they can best take advantage offered by the financial markets. Second, by making investing accessible, easy, and affordable through our automated Robo Advisor platform, Spanish speakers in the US will have the ability to implement such education and enter the stock market without needing much money or an expensive financial advisor. Traditionally in Latin America, investing in the stock market is seen as something only available to millionaires. Dinerazo is changing this taboo by helping our community invest with a small amount of money, in investments suitable for their risk tolerance and with a long-term outlook.

Dinerazo was created by Hispanics for Hispanics. Together, Dinerazo is changing the narrative that investing is intimidating, inaccessible or complicated, and encouraging our community to be active and take control of their finances. While the automated investment advisor is the first of Dinerazo's products, be on the lookout for new products and services that we will be releasing in 2022 that will help the Hispanic community create wealth, save for retirement, understand their credit and more. "We want the Hispanic community to identify Dinerazo as their one-stop-shop for financial services in our language, and by leveraging technology we make the process as easy and inviting as possible," said Mr. Israel Hernandez, one of the founders and CEO of Dinerazo.

About Dinerazo Inc.

Dinerazo is a financial education platform that offers free, easy to digest personal investment education and financial literacy to the underserved Hispanic market domestically and internationally. Our mission is to educate and foster financial success in the Hispanic community, and enable Spanish speakers everywhere to save, invest and secure their financial freedom! Our mission is to educate and foster financial success in the Hispanic community. Available at the Apple Store and Google Play.

Learn more at www.dinerazo.com

IG: dinerazo.app

FB: dinerazo

Media Contact:

Israel Hernandez

3059753124

[email protected]

SOURCE Dinerazo
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ellen M. Stein is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Gastroenterologist for her work in the Medical field and in acknowledgment of her past work at Johns Hopkins University and her present practice at Rutgers Health - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Ellen M. Stein

Practicing medicine since 2010, Dr. Stein is a respected researcher, associate professor, and Gastroenterologist. Dr. Stein knew from a young age that she wanted to be a doctor, and was inspired by her father's optometry practice. To begin her education, Dr. Stein attended the George Washington University School of Medicine in 2004. She then completed an Internal Medicine residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in 2007. Dr. Stein pursued Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA, in 2010.



During her training, she worked with the esteemed Dr. Philip Katz, studying Esophageal Motility. She is now deeply involved with research and clinical care in this area of study. Dr. Stein is board certified in Gastroenterology through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), and she has been actively maintaining her certification. The ABIM is a physician-led non-profit organization created by doctors who aim to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.



She was previously a Motility faculty member at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland and the Clinical Director of Johns Hopkins Bayview Gastroenterology Division as well as a leader in Informatics for her Division. She joined Johns Hopkins in 2010 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018. She conducted research on the post-operative recovery of motility functions, specifically for patients after pancreas auto islet cell transplant. She also completed research with a grant from the ROME Foundation in building patient-physician communication and relationships. Her research interests include dysphagia (swallowing disorders), gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal motility, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), constipation, and other types of gastrointestinal motility disorders.



In her current role, she serves as Director of Motility for the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, the academic hub of Rutgers University and Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Their active motility laboratory has a full complement of motility testing options. She is building a Motility Center for care of patients with motility disorders.



To remain knowledgeable and connected to colleagues in the field, Dr. Stein has been a member of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), and the American Foregut Society (AFS). She was elected to Fellowship status in the ACP, ACG and AGA. She currently serves on the Clinical Practice Committee of the American Foregut Society and was recently featured as a lecturer at their annual meeting.



On a personal note, Dr. Stein has a new hobby of cooking with her two children, and she has recently found nature walks and practicing yoga to be a good balance to her busy clinical schedule.

For more information, visit https://rutgershealth.org/.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]



SOURCE Continental Who's Who
ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ELLKAY, LLC, a leader in healthcare interoperability for over 19 years, announced the release of added functionality to its LKCOVID-19 Platform to support labs assisting large employers with employee COVID-19 testing. The platform is built on CareEvolve, ELLKAY's industry-leading end-to-end ordering and resulting solution. The new release of the LKCOVID-19 Platform addresses the needs of COVID-19 testing and was further adapted to support the additional needs of labs working with large employers.

Through the LKCOVID-19 Platform, labs can now offer customers an employer dashboard, employee self-scheduling, direct-to-employee results, reports for compliant employees, pooled testing, and employee self-service for registration. Whether employers choose onsite testing, take-home kits, pooled testing, or rapid antigen testing, the platform gives laboratories the flexibility to support all possible COVID-19 testing workflows without adding to the workflows of an already burdened staff.

Kamal Patel, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ELLKAY, said, "We are proud the LKCOVID-19 Platform now supports our existing partners in achieving employee safety so they can meet the needs of their customers with new employee testing requirements. Since March of 2020 when this pandemic began, ELLKAY has processed more than 75 million COVID-19 test results through our platform. Last fall, we played a part in getting students back onto university campuses through regular testing, and today we are glad to play a part in ensuring a safe workplace for American workers."

The LKCOVID-19 Platform offers flexibility to support multiple testing workflows. If an employee completes rapid antigen testing, results can be automatically generated and sent directly to the employee. If an entity would rather complete pooled testing, the software tracks the test back to the source and communicates results, creating reflex testing for positive patients. ELLKAY supports various direct-to-consumer models, including the ordering of test-at-home kits, and supervised testing at home. There is also an employee portal for reporting, providing easy access to results when returning to work. Finally, the platform can provide an employer dashboard, showing which employees are complying and which are not.

ELLKAY has assisted more than 250 universities, 100 hospitals, and added more than 100 new laboratories to their laboratory network. Additionally, ELLKAY executed connectivity to state agencies in all 50 states and US territories for seamless result reporting. ELLKAY services labs in all 50 states and will soon have over 5,000 collection sites.

Laboratories interested in learning more about this new functionality should attend a webinar, Thursday, January 20, at 12 P.M ET "Make your lab part of the testing solution for employers with the LKCOVID-19 Platform" with speakers Marci Dop, Strategic Advisor to ELLKAY, and Philippe Flamant, Vice President of Solutions Engineering at ELLKAY. Registration is at www.ELLKAY.com/events.

Laboratories interested in learning more can contact Team ELLKAY at [email protected] for more information.

About ELLKAY

ELLKAY is a recognized healthcare connectivity leader, providing solutions and services nationwide for over 19 years. ELLKAY empowers diagnostic laboratories, hospitals and health systems, healthcare IT vendors, payers, and other healthcare organizations with cutting-edge technologies and solutions. The ELLKAY Laboratory Network is the largest lab network in healthcare. ELLKAY's Laboratory platform saves labs on labor needs with automated pre-accessioning, patient self-service, and a comprehensive connectivity solution for registration, ordering, resulting, and state reporting in all 50 states and US Territories.

SOURCE ELLKAY
CALGARY, AB, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Enbridge Inc. (Enbridge or the Company) (TSX: ENB) (NYSE: ENB) today announced the following executive leadership changes.

Bill Yardley, Executive Vice President and President, Gas Transmission and Midstream, has decided to retire on May 31, 2022. Al Monaco, President and CEO, said "Bill has led a top-notch gas transmission business, significantly expanded our franchises, and executed our LNG gas pipeline export strategy. Equally important, he's advanced our mission to bring the gas business to the forefront of safety, reliability, and customer service. It's been an honor to work alongside Bill; we've appreciated his principled leadership, collaborative style, and dedication to Enbridge and his team."

Cynthia Hansen, Executive Vice President and President, Gas Distribution and Storage, has been appointed Executive Vice President and President, Gas Transmission and Midstream, to succeed Mr. Yardley, effective March 1, 2022. Ms. Hansen brings a wealth of experience in the natural gas industry and a long track record of accomplishments at Enbridge. Under Ms. Hansen's leadership the utility has generated tremendous rate base growth, combined our two Ontario utility franchises, and advanced our low carbon energy strategies. Mr. Yardley will support the transition until his retirement. Ms. Hansen will move from Toronto to Houston.

Michele Harradence, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Gas Transmission and Midstream and has been appointed Senior Vice President and President, Gas Distribution and Storage, to succeed Ms. Hansen effective March 1, 2022. Ms. Harradence brings 25 years of engineering, legal and business experience from across the energy value chain. She will report directly to the President and CEO and move from Houston to Toronto.

Vern Yu, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been assigned expanded accountability for Corporate Development and Energy Services and has been appointed Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Financial Officer, effective March 1, 2022. Mr. Yu is based in Calgary.

"These key appointments once again reinforce the effectiveness of our executive development and succession program at Enbridge and advancing internal talent," said Monaco.

About Enbridge Inc.

Enbridge Inc. is a leading North American energy infrastructure company. We safely and reliably deliver the energy people need and want to fuel quality of life. Our core businesses include Liquids Pipelines, which transports approximately 25 percent of the crude oil produced in North America; Gas Transmission and Midstream, which transports approximately 20 percent of the natural gas consumed in the U.S.; Gas Distribution and Storage, which serves approximately 3.8 million retail customers in Ontario and Quebec; and Renewable Power Generation, which owns approximately 1,766 megawatts (net) in renewable power generation capacity in North America and Europe. The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Media

Toll Free: (888) 992-0997

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SOURCE Enbridge Inc.
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Energy as a Service Market by Type (Energy Supply Services, Maintenance & Operation, Energy Efficiency & Optimization and Others), End User (Industrial and Commercial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report, the global energy as a service industry generated $54.4 billion 2020, and is expected to reach $112.7 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.6% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Rise in energy efficiency, availability of finances and subsidies, and adoption from the residential sector drive the growth of the global energy as a service market. However, high technological costs and information barriers and uncertainties hinder the market growth. On the other hand, integration of renewable energy and electrification of transportation and commercial buildings present new opportunities in the coming years.

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Covid-19 Scenario

The demand for energy as a service reduced considerably from the commercial sector, while increased from the residential sector. There were restrictions in providing energy supply services and maintenance activities due to lockdown restrictions.

As companies were struggling to keep up with fixed costs and striving to lower down the impact of Covid-19, the huge capital investments have been put off, cancelled, or delayed. This led to the negative impact on the EaaS market.

The energy supply services segment to continue its lead position during the forecast period

Based on service, the energy supply services segment accounted for the highest share in 2020, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the global energy as a service market, and is expected to continue its lead position during the forecast period. This is attributed to rise in electric-driven heavy manufacturing and transportation equipment. However, the maintenance & operation segment is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 8.0% from 2021 to 2030.

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The commercial segment to continue its leadership status during the forecast period

Based on end use, the commercial segment contributed to the largest share in 2020, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global energy as a service market, and is estimated to continue its leadership status during the forecast period. This is due to requirement of continuous and stable electricity supply for continuous operations from commercial complexes, shops, malls, data centers, and other industrial applications. However, the industrial segment is projected to portray the largest CAGR of 8.0% from 2021 to 2030, owing to deployment of distributed energy generation, adoption of automation technologies, and development of local energy resources.

Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, to continue its dominance in terms of revenue by 2030

Based on region, Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for around one-third of the global energy as a service market, and is expected to continue its dominance in terms of revenue by 2030. Moreover, this region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. This is due to Rapid growth of smart energy infrastructure, adoption of green building models, and rise in government support toward achieving sustainability goals. Moreover, rapid adoption of energy as a service model in developing countries such as China, Japan, India, and Australia with rapid expansion of distributed energy generation, renewable energy, electric vehicle, smart grid, and other sectors supplement the growth. Other regions discussed in the report include North America, Europe, and LAMEA.

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Leading Market Players

 Veolia

 Honeywell International Inc.

 EDF Renewables

 Enel X

 Schneider Electric SE

 Engie SA

 Johnson Controls International

 WGL Energy

 Alpiq

 General Electric

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NEW DELHI, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global engineering services outsourcing (ESO) market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 17.7% and record an opportunity of US$ 2,372.5 Billion during the forecast period of 2021 to 2027.

The increasing trend of digitalization, automation, and robotics with use of AI and big data analysis in various industries with the integration of Industry 4.0. Further, the government investments encouraging the adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions along with rising penetration of machine learning technology in industrial sector with the help of industry 4.0 is creating a lucrative opportunistic growth for the ESO market. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the Canada projects spending on IoT will achieve as high as US$ 6.5 billion and European region will surpass US$ 241 billion by 2022, as in 2019 Germany spent US$ 35 billion in IoT followed by France and UK.

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Despite of expected covid-19 impact and other hinderance such as loss of managerial control over connected outsourcing companies, the ESO market is projected to grow with a CAGR of 17.7% during the forecast period.

Global Engineering Services Outsourcing Market by Location

The global engineering services outsourcing market is segmented into various categories such as by type, by location, by pricing module, and by industry.

On the basis of location, the market is further segmented into onsite, on shore, and offshore locations. As per the research report by Astute Analytica, Offshore segment holds the highest market share of 49% in 2021 and is expected to generate a revenue of up to US$ 1,870.83 Bn by the end of the year 2027. The reason behind highest market share is major engineering outsourcing demand comes from offshore segment. Labor cost is very high in developed countries; hence companies prefer outsourcing segments to offshore destinations. The increasing demand from the automotive sector will be a significant factor that will contribute to engineering services outsourcing market growth in this region.

As per the study of ESO market, on-site segment has the highest annual growth rate of 20.1% during forecast period, as companies are increasingly focusing on the continuous upgradation of their engineering capabilities to reduce its time and improve efficiency. Furthermore, it helps in business engineering or project management team will work with company and according to its need to find best solution for the company.

Global Engineering Services Outsourcing Market by Region

As per the research analysis, the global engineering services outsourcing market size was valued at US$ 1,430.7 Bn in the year 2021. The market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.7% during forecast period 2021-2027.

Geographically, North America and Europe hold the highest share in the global engineering services and outsourcing market of 33% each in 2021. As adoption of cloud services and R&D investment on new technology are the major factor for its future growth. The Europe engineering services and outsourcing market for software development services is growing owing to shortage of skilled software developers and increasing demand for digital transformation in the region.

As per the research analysis, Asia Pacific engineering services and outsourcing market is projected to growth at a fast annual growth rate of 19.9% as the region have emerging local outsourcing demand, strong manufacturing base, and cost arbitrage in developing countries such as China and India are the major growth drivers of the APAC engineering services outsourcing market.

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Covid  19 Impact on Global Engineering Services Outsourcing Market

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns in various countries across the world on the engineering services and outsourcing market varied depending on the end-use industries and industry verticals, resulting incumbents of industries and industry verticals, such as automotive and construction, had to confront a downturn in demand.

The impact of the pandemic was moderate on the automotive engineering services market but most automakers have resumed vehicle manufacturing with limited capacity and the safety measures in place. However, the global marketplace is expected to grow positively during the forecast period as economies are slowly recovering from the post-pandemic period.

Competitors Landscape

The threat of entering new players in the global marketplace ranges between low to moderate considering the initial capital investment to build the infrastructure, to process high volumes of transactions effectively and efficiently. Hence, the global ESO market is projected to shift towards high/perfect competition nature in the forecast period, however, the market is currently observed to be monopolistic in nature.

Top companies in the global marketplace hold around 90% of the market share. These top players include Capgemini, Alten, HCL Technologies, AVL. The cumulative ratio of four players is around 28.7%. Rest market share is captured by other local players.

Segmentation Overview on the Global Engineering Services Outsourcing Market

The production designing segment, categorized under type of outsourcing is estimated to have the highest market share of 22% in 2021. The Production Designing segment was valued at US$ 311.8 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach a market size of US$ 779.2 billion by the end of the year 2027, by exhibiting the growth at a CAGR of 16.5% during the forecast period. As new technologies and creative methods together is transforming product design. Small business and new age startups with limited expertise strongly rely on outsourcing product development in emerging sectors like automotive, electronics which is key factor for the growth of the particular segment in the future.

The global engineering services outsourcing market is segmented into following categories:

By Type

Product Designing

Prototyping

Process Designing

System Integration

Testing

Quality Control

Product Lifecycle Management

Plant Automation & Enterprise Asset Management

By Location

On-Site

Onshore

Offshore

By Pricing Module

Staff Augmentation (FTE based)

Time and Materia

Fixed Price Projects

Services

Risk/Rewards

By Industry

Aerospace

Automotive

Computing Systems

Construction

Consumer Electronics

Energy

Heavy Machinery

Healthcare

Industrial

Medical Devices

Semiconductors

Telecom

Others

By Region

North America

The U.S.



Canada



Mexico

Europe

The UK



Germany



France



Italy



Spain



Poland



Russia



Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China



India



Japan



Australia & New Zealand

&

ASEAN



Rest of Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

& (MEA) UAE



Saudi Arabia



South Africa



Rest of MEA

South America

Brazil



Argentina



Rest of South America

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ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global metal and ceramic injection molding market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period of 2021 to 2031, according to a study by Transparency Market Research (TMR).

The metal and ceramic injection molding market is anticipated to gain lucrative avenues in Asia Pacific, as automakers from several emerging economies of the region are increasing investments in researches focused on the metal injection molding, or MIM, technology.

Rising use of the MIM technology in automotive and aerospace sectors for the development of complex, high performance, and intact metal parts is translating into prominent sales avenues in the global metal and ceramic injection molding market.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted negatively on the growth of the global metal and ceramic injection molding market. Players operating in this market are utilizing different schemes offered by the BSFI sector and financial support provided by government authorities in order to stay sustained in the crucial situations due the pandemic.

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Metal and Ceramic Injection Molding Market: Key Findings

The MIM technology is gaining impetus in the automotive industry, owing to its ability to offer several advantages such as dimensional accuracy, material performance capabilities, and design flexibility. Hence, rise in the adoption of this technology across the automotive industry is creating profitable prospects in the global metal and ceramic injection molding market.

Demand for high complexity and high strength metal injection molded components is increased in recent years, owing to their use in gearboxes, engines, locking mechanisms, turbochargers, electronic systems, and steering systems of vehicles. This factor is propelling the global metal and ceramic injection molding market.

In the medical sector, the metal and ceramic injection molding technique is being utilized by medical device manufacturing companies for the production of a large number of precision components. It is also used for developing high-performance sophisticated geometric components and parts of surgical instruments. Hence, rise in the adoption of high-end equipment in the healthcare industry is generating ample opportunities in the global metal and ceramic injection molding market.

Increase in the prevalence of different health disorders, including cardiovascular diseases and rise in R&D activities in the healthcare industry, is anticipated to boost the sales growth of the global metal and ceramic injection molding market during the forecast period

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Metal and Ceramic Injection Molding Market: Growth Boosters

Rising number of automotive sales globally, owing to improving spending power of people in developed and developing nations is resulting into significant revenue gains for companies operating in the market

The global metal and ceramic injection molding market is being driven by increasing industrialization globally and use of technologically advanced equipment in the healthcare industry

Metal and Ceramic Injection Molding Market: Competition Landscape

Companies in the global metal and ceramic injection molding market are using strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, and joint ventures to expand their businesses

Several players in the metal and ceramic injection molding market are increasing cash in-flow toward R&D projects in order to advance the quality of existing products and launch new products

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Metal and Ceramic Injection Molding Market: Key Players

The report profiles following key players of the market:

CMG Technologies

ARC Group Worldwide Inc

INDO-MIM

Epson Atmix Corporation

AMT Pte Ltd

PSM Industries

Plansee SE

NIPPON PISTON RING CO., LTD.

Smith Metal Products

OptiMIM

PTI

Greene Group

Metal and Ceramic Injection Molding Market Segmentation

Application

Automotive

Aerospace

Medical & Heath Care

Industrial Machinery

Consumer Products

Others (including Defense and Electronics)

Regions

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

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Chemicals & Materials Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals & Materials Market:

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LONDON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra is supporting National Bank of Greece (NBG) with its transition to the new ISO payments standard, due to come into force from November 2022. The bank is upgrading to the latest version of Finastra's Fusion Global PAYplus payments hub.

Fusion Global PAYplus will enable NBG to fully harness the richness of the new ISO 20022 standard  improving the efficiency of screening, reconciliation and payment processing, and enabling a richer customer experience for domestic as well as cross-border transactions.

"Finastra's Fusion Global PAYplus payments hub is already playing an integral payments processing role at the National Bank of Greece," explained Tal Weiser, Managing Director Sales, Global Services Payments, Finastra. "With the ISO 20022 regulatory mandates just around the corner, NBG needed the assurance they were collaborating with a partner able to successfully support their transition. Finastra's Fusion Global PAYplus will help expedite their modernization journey, giving them the tools they need to address future challenges and meet all critical deadlines."

NBG is already using Fusion Global PAYplus to process mass payments, high value payments and real-time payments and will be adopting the ISO 20022 standard across all three rails, as and when applicable. Fusion Global PAYplus supports MT to MX processing, transforming SWIFT's MT messages into ISO 20022 compliant XML-based message formats and vice versa. This will give NBG the flexibility to take a phased approach to migration, allowing them to send and receive both MT and MX formatted messages during the transition phase, and to switch to the fully-fledged MX format once they're ready to do so.

"As a long-term Finastra partner, and user of Fusion Global PAYplus, we know that we are in expert hands and that Finastra will help us meet all regulatory requirements and address new customer needs as they arise," said Babis Ermidis, Payments Sector Head at NBG. "We look forward to a seamless and successful migration to the new standard and to delivering the benefits of ISO 20022 to our customers, as well as optimizing our internal processes."

Fusion Global PAYplus has proven inbuilt transformation mechanisms to accelerate integration with other key partner systems within the bank such as Compliance and Core Banking systems. The product also offers a number of value-added services based on the ISO 20022 catalogue which can be easily integrated with the bank's customer facing channels utilizing out-of-the-box APIs.

For further information please contact:

Caroline Duff

Global Head of PR

T +44 (0)7917 613586

E [email protected]

finastra.com

About Finastra

Finastra is building an open platform that accelerates collaboration and innovation in financial services, creating better experiences for people, businesses and communities. Supported by the broadest and deepest portfolio of financial services software, Finastra delivers this vitally important technology to financial institutions of all sizes across the globe, including 90 of the world's top 100 banks. Our open architecture approach brings together a number of partners and innovators. Together we are leading the way in which applications are written, deployed and consumed in financial services to evolve with the changing needs of customers. Learn more at finastra.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/967510/Finastra_Logo.jpg

Corporate headquarters

4 Kingdom Street

Paddington

London W2 6BD

United Kingdom

T: +44 20 3320 5000

SOURCE Finastra
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the group leading the promotion of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, chairs a meeting of the group, Jan. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng has called for new strides in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta in the new year.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the group leading the promotion of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the group on Tuesday.

Han called for the thorough implementation of the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. He said stability should be prioritized while pursuing progress, and that the new development philosophy should be fully and faithfully applied in advancing the region's integration.

Work should focus on stabilizing economic growth, pushing forward the implementation of the major projects listed in the 14th Five-Year Plan, and strengthening scientific and technological innovation, according to the vice premier.

He also stressed the need for efforts in the areas of high-level opening-up, the integration of key sectors and regions, and institutions and mechanisms.

Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui are under the ambit of the Yangtze River Delta region. 
TEL AVIV, Israel and NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Five Sigma, a cloud-native Claims Management solution provider, today announced an extension of its Series A round from Aquiline Technology Growth (ATG), bringing the company's total funding to date to over $20 million. The company's Series A funding was initially announced in September of 2021.

Five Sigma is an industry disrupting, cloud-native, data-driven Claims Management Solution (CMS) with embedded AI and machine learning capabilities to allow intelligent claims processing for the insurance industry. Five Sigma optimizes claims management by adding automated claims processing workflows, using data modeling and AI to provide smart recommendations, resulting in increased operational efficiencies, an enhanced customer experience, accelerated times to resolution and the amelioration of the claims management process. Current customers include INSHUR, Hippo, Marshmallow, Qover and others.

"Aquiline's backing is a major acknowledgment of the strength of Five Sigma's technology and proven ability of delivering best-in-class solutions," said Oded Barak, Five Sigma CEO and Co-founder. "The insurance claims landscape is changing, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this transformation. The investment from Aquiline will further position us to execute on our vision to drive the claims industry into the future through agile, fully-digital and data-driven claims solutions."

"Five Sigma's digital claims management platform will disrupt legacy providers and enable the company's clients to have a modern and efficient solution," said Jeff Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aquiline Capital Partners. "We look forward to partnering with Oded and his team to share our knowledge, experience and network and help drive the company's next phase of growth."

About Five Sigma

Five Sigma was founded in 2017. It is developing and delivering an end-to-end claims management platform for the P&C personal and commercial market. The platform addresses all aspects of claims management including claim intake/First Notice of Loss (FNOL), coverage, liability, financials (reserving and payments), recovery and quality assurance - all designed to improve claims accuracy, enhancing policyholders' experience, ensure compliance and operational productivity and making claims-data readily available within an insurer's ecosystem for AI/ML, risk selection & other purposes.

Five Sigma collaborates directly with its clients to align Five Sigma CMS capabilities to their specific initiatives, delivering speed to market with desired business outcomes.

For more information visit https://fivesigmalabs.com

About Aquiline Technology Growth

Aquiline Technology Growth (ATG) seeks to invest in early- and growth-stage technology companies that are bringing innovation to the insurance and financial services ecosystems. ATG is managed by Aquiline Capital Partners, a private investment firm based in New York and London investing in companies across financial services and technology, business services, and healthcare industries. The ATG team has experience in technology and financial services and is supported by its colleagues at Aquiline, strategic partners, and an active group of industry Executive Advisors. For more information on ATG, visit http://www.aquiline.com/atg .

For Media Inquiries

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Five Sigma
ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gulf Data International (gDi) has been a trusted MENA tech integrator and solutions provider for nearly 40 years, and now in partnership with biometrics technology leader FaceTec, announces the launch of Liveness Detection and 3D Face Authentication software at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), after a successful rollout for the class-leading solution.

FAB has chosen gDi to integrate their digital security solution, which is powered by FaceTec's 3D Liveness Detection and 3D Face Matching software. The system provides unparalleled security during user onboarding while providing an interface that is fast and intuitive for everyone, regardless of their device.

Sunil Dixit, Head of Digital Banking, Consumer Banking Group, at FAB, said: "FAB consistently works to apply innovative technologies to deliver a simpler, more convenient and smarter customer experience, at every step in the banking relationship. FaceTec offers us a valuable tool towards achieving this objective, with their solution allowing us to conduct liveness checks quickly and seamlessly, without the customer needing to do anything other than look into the camera. Their 3D matching capability is unique and is widely adopted by leading companies worldwide, with local support through their channel partners. It was a pleasure for us to work with gDi on the implementation of this cutting-edge solution, which will enhance the overall experience customers have with us."

Based in Abu Dhabi, FAB is the UAE's largest bank and one of the world's largest and most trusted financial institutions, offering an extensive range of personal solutions, products, and services that provide a tailored customer experience. The addition of 3D Liveness Detection and 3D Face Matching now provides unprecedented security while onboarding new users and verifying existing customers from any smart device. A two-second video selfie proves the user's Liveness, matches the user's 3D FaceMap to their official photo ID, and sets up their new account. Every time the user returns, the ongoing authentication checks again for Liveness and then compares their new 3D FaceMap to the one acquired during enrollment. If the correct user is present, they get instant access. All onboarding transactions are processed via the FAB platform "Payit," which has now expanded to many other applications within the Bank's portfolio.

The implementation of 3D Liveness Detection and 3D Face Matching has enabled higher levels of security for Payit, the UAE's first all-in-one digital wallet. Created by FAB, Payit was built with a vision to help the UAE evolve into a cashless society.

Omar Atta, gDi's CCO, explains: "This project was implemented together with our partner, FaceTec, who also helped us tailor the product to the specific requirements of the UAE market. The rollout was well prepared beforehand so that we were able to execute it entirely without delay. A quick and effective rollout has resulted in FAB expanding the solution through its network of bank-wide applications in Q4, 2021."

"We are honored to be working with both gDi and FAB on such an important and forward-thinking project in the UAE," said Kevin Alan Tussy, CEO of FaceTec. "Working with such talented, smart people resulted in a seamless rollout of critical biometric cyber-security technology that will provide a foundation for the ambitious and progressive programs at FAB, and setting an example for the rest of the world."

About Gulf Data International

gDi is a pioneer in digital transformation and automating businesses in the MENA region since its establishment in the UAE in 1983. This IT solutions provider and systems integrator identifies advanced technology opportunities using AI and other emerging technologies for regional organizations in verticals like the public sector, banking, healthcare, and oil & gas, to better their functional capabilities. It delivers solutions in systems integration, enterprise resource planning, corporate performance management, and systems development. It also delivers vertical solutions in transport management, manufacturing, asset management, and waste management.

Having successfully implemented hundreds of projects all over the Middle East, their team of consultants, project managers, and developers are experienced professionals who combine a solid technology foundation with an in-depth understanding of business processes. gDi services are dedicated to 100% customer satisfaction. It does this through a series of full project life-cycle services including project management, planning, analysis, design, construction testing, deployment and post-deployment support.

For more information and business inquiries, please visit www.gdi-me.com. For inquiries, please contact gDi at [email protected]

About FaceTec

Founded in 2013, with staff in the United States, Brazil, Portugal, Mexico, and Singapore, FaceTec is the leading provider of 3D Face Verification and Authentication software. FaceTec's patented, industry-leading Certified 3D Liveness Detection, face matching, optical character recognition, Barcode/NFC Chip scanning, and age estimation technology binds a unique, live user to their digital accounts with a proprietary biometric modality, creating a secure chain of trust for mobile and web applications.

For more information and business inquiries, please visit FaceTec.com . For media inquiries, please contact John Wojewidka at [email protected] .

About FaceTec 3D Face Authentication

FaceTec's pioneering 3D Face Authentication is fast becoming the global standard in onboarding, KYC, and ongoing authentication, and stops ID fraud and unauthorized access for tens-of-millions of users on six continents for many of the world's leading organizations in IAM-IDV, financial services, mobile payments, border security, connected transportation, blockchain, e-voting, online dating, and many more.

FaceTec's 3D Face Authentication Platform features:

100% software, for all modern smartphones, tablets, and PCs with webcams

World-leading 3D Face Matching rate of 1-in-12.8M FAR at less than 1-percent FRR

Patented UI generates data-rich 3D FaceMaps  from standard 2D cameras

from standard 2D cameras Unshareable, unphishable 3D FaceMaps ensure trust without creating a honeypot

IDV dashboard with integrated 1-to-N de-duplication & fraudulent user lists

World-leading 1-in-500,000 FAR 3D FaceMap-to-2D-photo-ID matching

Free anonymous age estimation and age checks with every 3D Liveness Check

Free 2D single-frame Liveness Checks for semi-supervised scenarios

Fast, intuitive interface with 98-99% first-time, real-world user success rates

Easy to integrate, customize, deploy, and manage

$100,000 Spoof Bounty Program + Levels 1 & 2 Certified Liveness Detection

Anyone can try the FaceTec Demo Apps at FaceTec.com for iOS, Android and any PC with a webcam, and free FaceTec Developer Accounts are available at dev.FaceTec.com .

About Liveness.com

An educational resource for biometrics users, vendors, analysts, media, and regulators, Liveness.com provides a comprehensive history and explanation of Presentation Attack Detection, Camera Bypasses and Template Tampering, as well as methods and means for evaluation, certification testing, and bounty programs.

About FAB

FAB is the UAE's largest bank and one of the world's largest and safest financial institutions. FAB's vision is to create value for its employees, customers, shareholders and communities to grow stronger through differentiation, agility and innovation.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the bank's international network spans five continents, providing global relationships, expertise and financial strength to support local, regional and international businesses seeking to do business at home and abroad. FAB is a trusted adviser and regional partner to major institutions, emerging companies and individuals seeking to do business in the UAE, the MENA region and beyond. As an engine of growth for the region, it helps customers to thrive and grow stronger by managing risk, providing access to capital and facilitating trade flows across developed and emerging markets.

SOURCE Gulf Data International (gDi)
ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For the ninth time in eleven years, the last week of January is being officially recognized as Georgia School Choice Week by the state's governor. Gov. Brian Kemp has joined leaders across the country who have officially recognized Jan. 23-29 as School Choice Week.

The proclamation of Georgia School Choice Week comes on the heels of historic school choice expansions nationwide, including an expansion of Georgia's Special Needs Scholarship Program.

In Georgia, parents, schools, and other organizers have planned more than 1,000 activities for School Choice Week, including a virtual statewide informational panel for parents. As Gov. Kemp's proclamation puts it, the events take place "for the purpose of raising public awareness of the importance of effective education options for children."

Around the country, schools of every type  traditional public, public magnet, public charter, private, online, and homeschool  will be participating in the twelfth annual National School Choice Week. More than 26,000 events will take place nationwide, encouraging families to celebrate K-12 school options and play an active role in their children's education.

"This is a Week to celebrate how school choice allows families to find learning environments where their children are challenged and inspired," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "We wish Georgia community members all the best as they celebrate their options, and we're grateful to Gov. Kemp for recognizing the Week."

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week focuses equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of events and activities  such as school fairs, open houses, and student showcases  to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. Year-round, National School Choice Week develops resources and guides to assist families searching for schools or learning environments for their children. The effort is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation.

For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/georgia .

SOURCE National School Choice Week
BOSTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, today announced the acquisition of Project Beacon COVID-19 LLC (Project Beacon), a Boston-based social benefit organization focused on helping to increase the capacity, availability, accessibility and affordability of COVID-19 testing. Under the terms of the deal, Ginkgo acquired Project Beacon's assets and will assume responsibility for Project Beacon's ongoing operations, providing COVID-19 monitoring tools to communities in Massachusetts and other areas.

"As we embark on a new wave of the pandemic and grapple with the spread of the Omicron variant, large-scale testing will be critical to help keep kids in schools and mitigate the spread of COVID-19," said Matt McKnight, Chief Commercial Officer at Ginkgo Bioworks, who is leading Ginkgo's public health and biosecurity efforts. "Integrating Project Beacon's capabilities with our Concentric by Ginkgo offering will enable us to further empower communities in Massachusetts and beyond with the tools they need to make important public health decisions."

Throughout the pandemic, Ginkgo has supported widespread COVID-19 monitoring through its biosecurity and public health initiative, Concentric by Ginkgo. Today, Concentric provides COVID-19 monitoring services for over 280,000 individuals per week through its programs in K-12 schools, correctional facilities, airports, and other community settings. Concentric conducted over 3 million tests in the second half of 2021.

Concentric and Project Beacon share a common goal of making COVID-19 testing accessible to the communities that need it the most. With this acquisition, Concentric will integrate Project Beacon's partner and customer relationships, digital platform, and several key personnel into its broader efforts.

Project Beacon was launched by F-Prime Capital, GV, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to help organizations in Massachusetts and its surrounding areas implement affordable and accessible COVID-19 testing, with a focus on serving public needs and promoting equitable access. Since then, Project Beacon has partnered with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Health, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Executive Office of Technology Services and Security to serve the state's residents through its Express COVID-19 Testing Sites, K-12 testing platform, and online service that lists COVID-19 vaccination sites throughout Massachusetts. Project Beacon has also supported testing efforts for dozens of other organizations, including schools, universities, congregate care providers, and employers. In total, Project Beacon has completed more than 1.5 million tests for members of its community.

"The mission of Project Beacon has always been to support Massachusetts residents by providing low-cost, convenient testing," said Muz Mansuri, Executive Director of Project Beacon and Venture Partner at F-Prime Capital. "We have no profit motive, and we didn't seek capital return in this transaction. We supported this combination with Concentric by Ginkgo because we believe it will allow us to serve more people around the state and nation. We are excited to continue providing these critical services to all those we currently work with and hope to further expand community access with the added reach of Concentric."

Concentric is building a next-generation biosecurity and public health platform with the aim of providing pathogen biomonitoring at scale. This acquisition is an important step towards that goal. Concentric's lab network currently has enough contracted and validated labs to serve tens of millions of individuals with pooled tests every week, and Concentric stands ready to further invest to expand its biosecurity and public health efforts.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Ginkgo is building a platform to enable customers to program cells as easily as we can program computers. The company's platform is enabling biotechnology applications across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to industrial chemicals to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo has also actively supported a number of COVID-19 response efforts, including K-12 pooled testing, vaccine manufacturing optimization, and therapeutics discovery. For more information, visit www.ginkgobioworks.com.

Ginkgo Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the potential of Ginkgo's biosecurity capabilities and acquisition of Project Beacon COVID-19 LLC. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "potential," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: (i) the effect of the business combination with Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. ("Soaring Eagle") on Ginkgo's business relationships, performance, and business generally, (ii) risks that the business combination disrupts current plans of Ginkgo and potential difficulties in Ginkgo's employee retention, (iii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Ginkgo related to its business combination with Soaring Eagle, (iv) volatility in the price of Ginkgo's securities now that it is a public company due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo's business and changes in the combined capital structure, (v) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the business combination, and identify and realize additional opportunities, and (vi) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of Ginkgo's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 15, 2021 and other documents filed by Ginkgo from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ginkgo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Ginkgo does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

GINKGO BIOWORKS INVESTOR CONTACT:

[email protected]

GINKGO BIOWORKS MEDIA CONTACT:

[email protected]

SOURCE Ginkgo Bioworks
Ziad Sawalha joins TSLC from Klarna, a leader in Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) and brings over 20 years of global leadership experience, driving innovation and leading technological transformation. At TSLC, he will focus on delivering on the Group's tech vision, strategy and implementation, help build the foundational pillars of data science, credit-decisioning, R&D, engineering, solution architecture and patents with the overarching purpose of building a cutting-edge, global financial wellness platform for underserved consumers.

Deepak Saluja, Co-Founder, Group CEO & Board Member, TSLC said: "Ziad's tech-leadership experience will now be our tailwind as we embark on a global expansion drive. He started with us as an investor, and I am delighted to have him as our Group CTO and on the global executive team. He's a rare combination of acumen par excellence, a high-performance team builder with all the technological, product and business skills and experience we were looking for in a Group CTO and most importantly, he shares our vision for the future."

Ziad Sawalha said: "Deepak and his teams have an ambitious agenda to be at the forefront of the disruptive, FinTech-led distributed banking phenomenon. I'm energised by our mission to usher in a new era of hyper-inclusive, honest, and affordable financial services for underserved digital natives. With the power of its in-house technology, TSLC will be able to make financial inclusion possible and scalable. I'm delighted for the opportunity to join TSLC as a member of the exceptional leadership team already in place."

Shagorika Heryani is a multi-disciplinary marketer with over 18 years of experience building culturally relevant brands that are a catalyst for business growth. She joins from Grey Worldwide, where she was Regional Head of Strategy. At TSLC, she will be responsible for delivering a global impact brand designed to empower digital natives, one that symbolizes the confluence of consumer motivation, technology, and cultural shifts.

"Shagorika's multi-geography and multi-disciplinary experience and her proven track record in building leading brands and customer experiences speaks volumes," said Saluja. "She's a unique talent who combines business savvy and operational excellence with a deep understanding of consumers and what motivates them. With our world-class product-team supporting her, she will help us extend and deliver on the purpose, positioning and promise of our brand. I am proud and excited to have her join my global leadership team."

Heryani added "I am thrilled with the opportunity to create and scale a purpose-led brand driven to make financial freedom a reality for millions globally. The quality of thinking and leadership within TSLC are so inspiring and I am excited to work alongside Deepak and the team to build a marketing ecosystem that's relentlessly innovative and customer-obsessed."

Saluja added, "We have raised over $100M in strategic equity and debt capital since our inception in 2016 and are at an inflection point of breakaway growth, expanding across APAC, Middle East, LATAM and Sub-Saharan Africa. We have secured balance sheet commitments from well-established banking partners and are in an enviable pre-launch stage in markets as diverse as Bangladesh, MENAT and Mexico. We are committed to tech-based, globally scalable, data-driven financial wellness, and are attracting exceptional global talent who are leaning into our mission. I am privileged to see top talent join us, further reinforcing our culture of purpose-orientation, obsession with sustained execution and a drive to create positive impact. Our journey has only just begun!"

About The Social Loan Company (TSLC)

The Social Loan Company (TSLC) is a global AI-powered credit-lead full-stack digital lending platform on a mission to expand credit access by simplifying loans and providing hyper-personalised and affordable financial solutions to underserved mainstream consumers in core emerging and frontier markets across the world.

The company is on a global expansion drive and determined to execute on its vision of making a significant financial inclusion impact by developing and deploying ground-breaking, sophisticated technologies that leverage machine learning and behavioural sciences to enable credit mobility and unlock financial opportunities for middle-income everyday consumers.

Founded in Singapore in 2016 and currently operating as CASHe in India, TSLC is on a mission to deliver inclusive financial services, redefine the financial landscape in the markets it enters, transform the world of online lending, and change the way consumers interact with money and credit in their everyday lives.

For more information about TSLC, please contact Joanna Andrews, Chief Communications Officer, TSLC: [email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729591/Ziad_Sawalha.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729590/Shagorika_Heryani.jpg

SOURCE The Social Loan Company (TSLC)
NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly published report titled "Global Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market By Trends, Industry Competition Analysis, Covid-19 Analysis, Revenue (US$ Billions) and Forecast Till 2030." of InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. features detailed industry analysis and an extensive study on the market, exploring its significant factors.

According to the latest market intelligence research report by InsightAce Analytic, the global Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol market size was valued at US$ 32.94 Billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach US$ 85.5 Billion in 2030, record a promising CAGR of 11.2% from 2022 to 2030.

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Alcoholic beverages are playing an increasingly important role in the emerging global economy as the number of consumers of spirits and innovation in alcoholic brands is proliferating. The number of premixed, fruit-flavored, and spirit-based low alcoholic soft drinks and premixed cocktails has increased significantly worldwide. These products are known as alcohol-based Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs), which refers to any drink that contains an alcoholic beverage and a mixer that is retailed premixed in bottles or cans. These drinks create a "grab and go" culture similar to cans and bottles of soft drinks.

Robust demand for flavored alcoholic beverages and the adoption of low alcohol content beverages are predicted to fuel the RTD alcohol industry. The market is further driven by the consumption of RTD alcoholic beverages, including hard kombucha, hard seltzers cocktails, flavored alcoholic beverages, and wine spritzers, which have increased in developing countries because of rising disposable income, raised health consciousness, and the easy availability of international brands. Over the forecast period, the RTD Alcohol market is expected to be fueled by a Changing shift in consumption patterns towards healthier drinks across the globe. However, The Covid-19 outbreak has changed drinking habits and created immense growth opportunities for the alcohol eCommerce industry. The eCommerce business is seeing significant growth from a vast base, with online sales of beverage alcohol taking place all around the world.

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The prominent players in the Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol industry include:

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, Bacardi Limited, Carlsberg Breweries A/S, Suntory Holdings Limited, Brown-Forman, Heineken N.V., Diageo plc., Boston Beer Company, Manchester Drinks, Loverboy, Served hard seltzer, Wild Drum, White Claw, Carlsberg A/S, Nauti Seltzer, Oskar Blues, Truly Hard Seltzer Beverage Company, LLC, Henry Seltzer, Polar Beverages, Bon & Viv, GiG Hard Seltzer, Corona Seltzer, Founders Brewing Co., Lone River Beverage Company, MIKE'S HARD SELTZER, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Monster Beverage Corporation, Phusion Projects LLC, Sun King Brewing, Eau Petillante Alcoolisee, Spoetzl Brewery, Blue Norther Hard Seltzer, Future/Proof, The Gambrinus Company, Jose Cuervo, NATRL Drinks, Nude Beverages, Blue Norther, Natural Light, STELZ, Bodega Bay Drink, SAVIS Craft Brewery, Austin Eastciders, Kombrewcha, GT's, Boochcraft, KYLA (Full Sail Brewing), Flying Embers, Reed's Inc., Wild Tonic, New Holland Brewing, Unity Vibration, June Shine and Other Prominent Players.

The company's growing focus on new brand propositions, such as Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) (RTD) bottled cocktails with organic ingredients, to boost the visibility and demand for this alcoholic beverage is boosting the market demand. Moreover, New product development and the introduction of new flavors and blends of premixed drinks with innovative packaging will positively impact the market's growth.

Key Industry Developments from Leading Players:

In Nov 2021 , Pure Pirana, HEINEKEN'S hard seltzer brand, announced expansion into the cruise market. The development also follows the domestic market launches in Mexico and New Zealand and the gradual rollout in several European countries, including the UK, Ireland , Portugal , and Austria , of the new hard seltzer brand

Pure Pirana, HEINEKEN'S hard seltzer brand, announced expansion into the cruise market. The development also follows the domestic market launches in and and the gradual rollout in several European countries, including the UK, , , and , of the new hard seltzer brand In Sept 2021 , Reeftip, a beverages brand that helps to regenerate coral reefs, was launched by Diageo with a line of Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) (RTD) spiced rum cocktails. There are three Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) variants in the Reeftip line: ginger, lime and soda, pineapple, lime and soda, mango, coconut, and soda

Reeftip, a beverages brand that helps to regenerate coral reefs, was launched by Diageo with a line of Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) (RTD) spiced rum cocktails. There are three Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) variants in the Reeftip line: ginger, lime and soda, pineapple, lime and soda, mango, coconut, and soda In July 2021 , Suntory Holdings added a cola flavor to its range of Jim Beam' highball' premix RTDs in Japan . Following this, Suntory Spirits released a 'chu-hai' RTD containing half the sugar of a regular alcoholic canned cocktail

Suntory Holdings added a cola flavor to its range of Jim Beam' highball' premix RTDs in . Following this, Suntory Spirits released a 'chu-hai' RTD containing half the sugar of a regular alcoholic canned cocktail In June 2021 , Bacardi added three new flavors to its range of Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) (RTD) cocktails. In 2020, Bacardi entered into the RTD trend with the launch of its Real Rum Canned Cocktails range, featuring flavors Bacardi Lime & Soda, Limon & Lemonade, and Rum Punch. By introducing a new product line, the brand has expanded its offering with a trio of unique flavors

Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Regional Analysis:

North America led the market in 2021. In North America, U.S. accounted for a significant revenue share in the regional market due to the high demand for on-the-go items in various flavors. Changing consumer preferences for flavored beverages, rising demand for Hard Seltzer and the presence of several producers with large production volumes and diverse product portfolios are all projected to contribute to market expansion. For instance, in 2019, White Claw the Hard Seltzer Brand was the number one seltzer in U.S. with sales of about $1.5 billion. In Europe, The U.K. is one of the chief manufacturers and users of alcoholic beverages. The drift of low alcoholic beverage consumption has had a significant impact on the expansion of the regional RTD Alcohol market.

Moreover, the growing demand for low-alcohol, convenient alcoholic beverages has led to an increase in RTD alcoholic beverage consumption. In 2021, The Asia Pacific accounted for a significant share of the global market share in the revenue. The Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at the fastest rate throughout the projection period due to developing countries like China, Japan, and India improving the standard of living and increasing population.

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The Global Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Segments

The Global Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Estimates (Value US$ Million) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2019 to 2030 based on Type

Hard Kombucha

3 to 5 % Alcohol



6 to 8 % Alcohol



Others

Hard Seltzers

1.0% to 4.9% Alcohol



5.0% to 6.9% Alcohol



Others

Cocktails and Long Drinks

Flavored Alcoholic Beverages

Hard Coffee

Hard Tea

Wine Spritzers /Coolers

Other Types

The Global Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Estimates (Value US$ Million) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2019 to 2030 based on Distribution Channel

Other

Hypermarkets & Supermarkets

Specialty Stores

Other Distribution Channels

The Global Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Estimates (Value US$ Million) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2019 to 2030 based on Region

Europe

North America

Latin America

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

North America Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2019 to 2030

U.S.

Canada

Europe Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2019 to 2030

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2019 to 2030

India

China

Japan

South Korea

Australia & New Zealand

Latin America Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2019 to 2030

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

The Middle East & Africa Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) Alcohol Market Estimates Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2019 to 2030

GCC Countries

South Africa

Rest of the Middle East & Africa

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Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic:

Global Low & No Alcohol Beverages Market

Global Organic Wine Market

Global Functional Beverages Market

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SOUTH COAST METRO, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden State Equity Partners ("Golden State") is excited to announce another new partnership with Jon Larsen of Hidden Peak Investments located in Holladay, Utah. His newly formed firm marks the first DBA for Golden State in the state of Utah. Jon boasts over 22 years of market and industry experience with 15 years focused on portfolio management. His keen understanding of the financial markets allows him to seek the best possible options for the portfolios he manages. With a thorough planning approach, he is committed to providing his clients with sound investment advice. Jon and his firm are supported by the powerhouse team of Golden State through compliance, technology, marketing, and asset management.

"With thorough due diligence, it became apparent that Golden State could provide the support mechanisms I needed to get Hidden Peak Investments up and running. I am thrilled to be launching an independent firm and having a close partnership with Golden State helped make this happen," said Jon Larsen, Wealth Manager of Hidden Peak Investments.

"As Golden State grows and expands its footprint across the country, adding a firm like Hidden Peak Investments and an experienced advisor like Jon Larsen, broadens the depth and breadth in the community of financial professionals we have come to grow at Golden State. We are thrilled to partner with him," said Daniel R. Catone, Founder and CEO of Golden State.

About Golden State

Golden State is an investment adviser dedicated to financial professionals and their clients. The firm's initial company was founded in 2013 by a group of executives who collectively contribute over 50 years of industry experience and has partnered with advisors serving over $1.3 billion in advisory assets. Golden State's infrastructure provides an extensive support network through succession planning, compliance oversight, dedicated transition support, and a Turnkey Asset Management Program. The Golden State family of companies maintain business alignments with LPL Financial, the nation's largest independent broker/dealer, Raymond James, TD Ameritrade Institutional and Charles Schwab, some of the nation's largest independent custodians, who provide comprehensive tools and research necessary in today's complex markets.

Recognized as one of Orange County's largest RIAs, Golden State's flagship office is located in South Coast Metro, California, with a second location in Powell, Wyoming. With a goal to continue expanding offices across the country, Golden State is committed to creating an atmosphere that benefits both advisors and their investors. For more information about Golden State, visit www.teamgoldenstate.com.

1As of April 2021.

2As reported in Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2021, based on total revenue.

3As reported in Orange County Business Journal, June 1, 2021, based on assets under management.

The Golden State family of companies is comprised of Golden State Wealth Management, Golden State Equity Partners ("GSEP"), and Golden State Asset Management, collectively referred to as "Golden State." Hidden Peak Investments is a DBA of GSEP. All firms are federally registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For information pertaining to the registration status of our firm, you may refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure web site (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).

Media Inquiries

Jennifer Nahas

CMO, Golden State

[email protected]

949-433-6860

SOURCE Golden State Equity Partners
The signature offering of the Golub Capital Lab, scheduled to launch this year, will be IGNITE, a Golub Capital Nonprofit Leadership Program. IGNITE will combine world-class educational content, coaching, peer mentorship, consulting assistance, and community networking for nonprofit leaders serving the Black community, incorporating both the hard and soft skills that are essential for nonprofit leaders to thrive.

"We are proud to partner with the University of Chicago and the Chicago Urban Leagueand build upon their commitment to communities of color in Chicagoto create this multi-faceted program. We believe this is an outstanding opportunity to offer resources specifically tailored to help nonprofits strengthen and scale their impact," said David Golub, President of Golub Capital.

To develop, market, and grow IGNITE, Booth will partner with the Chicago Urban League, a leading nonprofit in Chicago dedicated to achieving equity for Black families and communities through social and economic empowerment. The Chicago Urban League will offer a connection to its network of accomplished nonprofit leaders, as well as an opportunity to scale the program to other National Urban League affiliates throughout the country.

"There is no shortage of resourceful and capable leaders working to address critical needs in communities of color, but far too often, these individuals have limited access to resources to strengthen their leadership capacity and increase their impact," said Karen Freeman-Wilson, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. "IGNITE can be a game changer for these nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve in Chicago and across the nation. We're incredibly excited to be part of the new Golub Capital Social Impact Lab and to expand our partnership with Booth."

The Golub Capital Lab and IGNITE will live within the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, Booth's social impact hub. George Wu, the John P. and Lillian A. Gould Professor of Behavioral Science at Booth, will serve as the faculty director. Wu is also a faculty lead for the IMPACT Leadership Development program, developed by the Chicago Urban League and Booth in 2014 to prepare up-and-coming professionals for leadership positions in Chicago's for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors.

"I'm delighted to serve as the inaugural faculty director of the Golub Capital Lab and see it as another opportunity for Chicago Booth to partner with the Chicago Urban League to support leaders and organizations dedicated to our city," Wu said. "IGNITE will help equip the next generation of nonprofit leaders with the tools, frameworks, and resources they need to tackle systemic issues and drive social change."

Golub Capital is a market-leading, award-winning direct lender and credit asset manager with more than 325 employees based in Chicago. The company chose to invest in Chicago Booth because of the school's world-class content on leadership and business, vast network of corporate leaders and alumni, expertise in social sector innovation, and its infrastructure that will allow it to build and scale IGNITE.

"We are thrilled that Chicago Booth is the home of the newest Golub Capital Lab," said Madhav Rajan, Chicago Booth Dean and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting. "The university and Booth are dedicated to investing in our community, and Golub Capital's gift allows us to continue to expand our impact in meaningful ways."

The growing network of Golub Capital Social Impact Labs is designed to engage the next generation of business leaders and academics at leading business schools to accelerate progress across the nonprofit ecosystem. In 2019, Golub Capital established its first lab at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and in 2021, it announced the creation of a second Golub Capital Lab at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

About Golub Capital

Golub Capital is a market-leading, award-winning direct lender and credit asset manager, with over $45 billion of capital under management. Golub Capital specializes in delivering reliable, creative and compelling financing solutions to companies backed by private equity sponsors. The firm's sponsor finance expertise also forms the foundation of its Late Stage Lending, Broadly Syndicated Loan and Credit Opportunities investment programs. Across its activities, Golub Capital nurtures long-term, win-win partnerships that inspire repeat business from private equity sponsors and investors. Founded over 25 years ago, Golub Capital today has over 600 employees and lending offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and London. For more information, please visit golubcapital.com.

About the Chicago Urban League

One of the oldest and largest affiliates of the National Urban League, the Chicago Urban League works to achieve equity for Black families and communities through social and economic empowerment. Since 1916, through collaborative community, corporate and civic relationships, the organization has helped people find jobs, secure affordable housing, enhance their educational experiences and grow their businesses. For more information about our programs, visit www.chiul.org. Follow us on Twitter at @ChiUrbanLeague, Instagram at @thechiurbanleague, and Facebook at @ChicagoUrbanLeague.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Golub Capital

Aleka Bhutiani, Director of Strategic Communications

[email protected]

Chicago Urban League

Quinton R. Arthur, External Affairs Manager

Main: 773.285.5800

Direct: 773.451.3508

[email protected]

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Marielle Sainvilus, Director, Public Relations and Communications

773.531.2894

[email protected]

SOURCE Golub Capital
BISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jan. 23-Jan. 29, 2022 will officially be North Dakota School Choice Week, thanks to a recent proclamation from Gov. Doug Burgum. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Week has been formally proclaimed in the state.

Gov. Burgum joins more than a dozen other governors and more than 300 local leaders around the country who have issued proclamations to coincide with the twelfth annual National School Choice Week, a yearly celebration to raise awareness of K-12 education options.

Gov. Burgum's proclamation highlights the importance of North Dakota's diverse educational environments, dedicated teaching professionals, and commitment to continuously improving the quality of K-12 education.

More than 40 events have been planned around North Dakota for the Week, including school open houses, rallies, online celebrations, and more. These events aim to celebrate the school choices available to families and spark conversations about how parents can find the best educational fit for their children. Nationwide, more than 26,000 events will take place for the Week.

"We are grateful that Gov. Burgum has issued this proclamation," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "We invite parents to use this week to celebrate their school choices, as well as to start evaluating options for next school year. North Dakota parents, and parents in every state deserve access to diverse, effective education options for their kids."

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week focuses equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of events and activities  such as school fairs, open houses, and student showcases  to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. Year-round, National School Choice Week develops resources and guides to assist families searching for schools or learning environments for their children. The effort is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation.

For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/north-dakota .

SOURCE National School Choice Week
PHOENIX, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gov. Doug Ducey has officially declared Jan. 23-Jan. 29 to be School Choice Week in Arizona. In doing so, he joined more than 250 state, city, and county leaders nationwide who have formally called attention to the importance of families having effective, customizable education options.

Gov. Ducey's proclamation comes on the heels of a year of historic school choice expansions nationwide, including the expansion of Arizona's Lexi Law Tax Credit Scholarship Program. The proclamation highlights Arizona's leadership in offering families open enrollment and scholarship opportunities, and marks the tenth consecutive year that School Choice Week has been named in the Grand Canyon State.

"Arizona School Choice Week" is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week, a weeklong national celebration of K-12 education that takes place during the last week of January.

For the week, parents, schools, and other organizers have planned 735 activities across the state of Arizona  rallies, in-school celebrations, and even a Western-themed family day in Chandler  all of which aim to spark conversations about the opportunities parents have, or want to have, for their children's education.

More than 26,000 events have been independently planned for the week nationwide, raising awareness about school choices of every type.

"Arizona continues to shine with its enthusiasm and devoted commitment to expanding opportunities for children," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "Gov. Ducey's proclamation recognizes how important options are to families across the state, and we are grateful for his support."

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week focuses equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of events and activities  such as school fairs, open houses, and student showcases  to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. Year-round, National School Choice Week develops resources and guides to assist families searching for schools or learning environments for their children. The effort is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation.

For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/arizona.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
Palestinian thalassemia patients Sawsan (L2), Falastin (L1), and Mohammed al-Masri (R1) are seen at their house, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

In Israel-blockaded Gaza, over 300 patients of thalassemia, transmitted genetically from parents to children, have been suffering from severe medicine shortage for at least 6 months. "At times I felt I would soon lose my life," a patient laments.



GAZA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- For several months, Mahdy Abu Harbid, a thalassemia patient from the Gaza Strip's northern town of Beit Hanoun, has been in a desperate plight as a result of insufficient medicine.

Born with the disease, the 22-year-old man has to take at least four doses of deferoxamine, or desferal, on a daily basis to lead a normal life. However, his treatment has been suspended for at least six months since the health ministry told him the medicine was not enough.

Palestinian thalassemia patients Sawsan (R1), Falastin (C), and Mohammed al-Masri (L) are seen at their house, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)



Over the six months, with the interruption of desferal treatment, Abu Harbid has been suffering from an enlarged liver, the weak heart muscle, osteoporosis, and a change in skin color as a result of an increase in the iron content in his body.

"I went to hospitals to get treatment for thalassemia, but I got nothing," the young man told Xinhua, adding the interruption of the treatment caused "blackness in the face, a bleeding nose and tooth loss."

"At times I felt I would soon lose my life," Harbid lamented.

His situation was not much different from that of Sawsan al-Masri, a 30-year-old woman from the same town in Gaza. Like three of her siblings suffering from thalassemia since birth, she had to receive special treatment, but her health deteriorated following the shortage in the needed medicine.

Palestinian thalassemia patient Sawsan al-Masri (R) helps her sister Falastin (L) with her medicine at their house, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)



Noting the cut-off of treatment for thalassemia patients in Gaza, al-Masri called on the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in the Palestinian enclave to provide necessary therapies.

Abu Harbid and al-Masri are among more than 300 thalassemia patients in Gaza whose lives are in danger.

According to doctors, people are infected with thalassemia due to a genetic mutation in the DNA of the cells that make up hemoglobin. The disease, transmitted genetically from parents to children, causes disruption of the production of natural hemoglobin, a decrease in its percentage, and a high rate of red blood cell damage.

Alaa Helles, director of the department of pharmacy in the health ministry's hospitals, told Xinhua that 317 patients, including children, suffer from a lack of treatment and medical supplies.

The ministry classifies thalassemia patients as "fragile segments," requiring continuous and permanent treatment, he noted.

Palestinian thalassemia patient Falastin al-Masri takes her medicine at her house, in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)



According to the official, medicine is mainly provided from three sources, 20 percent from the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, 40 percent from medical institutions, and 20 percent from the health ministry in Gaza.

However, the medicine treating thalassemia patients has run out from the ministry's warehouses, Helles said, adding the crisis will probably continue until the end of next month with the lack of supply. 
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HappyCo, the number one residential operations platform for real-time rental property condition data collection and utilization, closed $52M in funding to expand its platform and add new services. Led by Camber Creek, the fundraise included venture capital investors and HappyCo customers. Investors include The BAM Companies, Berger Rental Communities, Bonaventure, CA Ventures, Continental Realty Corporation, Embrey Partners, Klein Enterprises, Koman Group, Mark-Taylor, Masco Ventures, Pier 88, Standard Communities, Strata Equity Group, Vesta Ventures, and Wermers Companies.

HappyCo

With in-unit data on over 3.5 million multifamily and single-family rental homes  notably one out of every eight professionally managed units in the US  HappyCo is the leading source of condition assessments and workflow tools. HappyCo provides vital underwriting information to lenders, investors and asset managers, and empowers property managers with real-time operational tools and reporting. In 2021, HappyCo data were relied upon to transact approximately 26% of all US sale transactions of multifamily units.

Current HappyCo customers include Freddie Mac; lenders such as Walker & Dunlop, Berkadia, and Greystone; real estate investors, including CA Ventures and Maxus Properties; and property managers such as Cushman & Wakefield and AMC.

Founded in Australia in 2011 by Jindou Lee and Andrew Mackenzie-Ross, HappyCo was designed to automate, simplify and protect data collected during residential rental property inspections and has grown to become a trusted multi-faceted solution for property management, due diligence and underwriting globally.

"HappyCo delivers on its promiseand its nameby providing powerful but easy-to-use products to help our partners perform routine onsite tasks, including maintenance requests and property condition assessments. We then make these data accessible across the industry to drive important decisions about underwriting, investment strategies and management," said CEO Lee. "We're excited to continue developing new products and innovative solutions for our customers to solve the challenges they face as they grow their organizations. Our team is passionate about creating exceptional solutions that make our customers happy, and we're committed to forging long-lasting partnerships to provide the information they need to make key investment and property-level decisions."

Assessment data, including property- and unit-level photographs, are required for every property loan and are valuable in underwriting investments. Gathered by inspectors and underwriters utilizing HappyCo's technology and stored on its platform, the images and data for millions of residential units are easily available to lenders, investors and property managers.

"Camber Creek partnered with HappyCo because they are the market-leader with scale, vision, and a track record of success," said Camber Creek Managing Partner Casey Berman. "This investment gives them the resources to move the industry status quo away from static snapshots of buildings towards dynamic insights that inform more precise valuations, inspire plans for how to reposition assets, drive down insurance costs, and identify modifications that provide the greatest return on investment. Billions of dollars in annual transactions will benefit from the three-dimensional perspective HappyCo will provide."

For lenders, HappyCo provides the richest view of property and unit conditions with tools to streamline onsite and virtual inspections. Importantly, the platform seamlessly integrates with the Freddie Mac Multifamily platform. HappyCo works with all Freddie Mac Optigo lenders across the US.

"Freddie Mac was thrilled to work with HappyCo to develop our digital inspection tool, Optigo Happy," said Lauren Garren, Chief Business Officer for Freddie Mac Multifamily. "HappyCo also supported the rapid development and deployment of a new virtual inspection feature that proved essential throughout the pandemic when traditional in-person inspections were not feasible. We look forward to leveraging our work with HappyCo well into the future."

Investors and asset managers such as CA Ventures and GID utilize HappyCo to elevate their operations with real-time data and visibility into property conditions and operations for streamlined and cost-effective due diligence. HappyCo's platform also offers access to best-in-class intelligence to increase occupancy, improve oversight, increase margins and maximize revenue for each property.

Real estate investment management company CA Ventures, with assets in more than 100 markets, is a longtime HappyCo client. Mark Zikra, Senior Vice President for Technology and Innovation at CA Ventures said, "HappyCo enables CA to perform quarterly inspections of the assets in our buildings. By leveraging the data we aggregate during that process, we have saved hundreds of hours of work for our teams during disposition and capital improvement planning. Having a one-click database of a building's inventory enables our team members to focus on impactful, human-centric interactions with our residents and guests."

HappyCo also serves property managers, offering a complete suite of apps to simplify processes, drive better performance and generate comprehensive views of assets within a portfolio. The tools and services are designed to help managers create "sticky" communities with high occupancy rates and frictionless operations. The industry's premier property management firms, including Cushman & Wakefield, AMC and CA Ventures are HappyCo customers.

"Operationally, HappyCo enables our team members to shift focus from the minutiae of property management and spend more time building relationships with our residents and guests. When all aspects of maintenance, inspections, workflows, and tasks just work, we can get back to what really matters: our residents," said CA Ventures' Zikra. He also reflected on his company's relationship with HappyCo, adding, "We value the relationships we've built with our partners beyond the tangible products or services. The entire team at HappyCo embodies the truest definition of a partner and working with them continues to be an outright pleasure. Their relentless passion shines through in every interaction, and we are overwhelmingly excited for HappyCo's future and the next iteration of industry-shifting products and services they will develop."

Says HappyCo's Lee, "It's gratifying to witness the realization of our vision for HappyCo, the customer loyalty and experience, the value we're creating, and the runway for growth in adding new tools and finding new ways to make the data useful for our customers. The Series B funding will help HappyCo continue to raise the quality of living."

About HappyCo

HappyCo is a real estate software company that develops mobile and cloud solutions to enable real-time operations data for property managers, asset managers, lenders and investors. Its software suite includes market-leading condition assessment and workflow tools with in-unit data on over 3.5 million rental homes. Founded in 2011, the company is privately held with offices in San Francisco, California and Adelaide, Australia.

About Camber Creek

Founded in 2011, Camber Creek is an institutional venture capital firm investing in and scaling companies that are transforming the real estate industry. Over the past 11 years, the firm established itself as the premier real estate technology venture firm by consistently delivering industry-leading returns to investors, driving value for its portfolio of start-ups, and generating successful company exits. Today, Camber Creek has more than $500 million in assets under management with offices in New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Media Contact:

Great Ink  [email protected]

Roxanne Donovan, Eric Nizguretsky, Lindsay Church, Tom Nolan

212-741-2977

SOURCE HappyCo
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DevOps teams seeking a world-class Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) platform now have an open source and source-available option in the Harness CI/CD platform. The company today announced that it is opening the CD component of its DevOps platform, which is now free and accessible under a source-available license, complementing its CI platform, which is already available under an open source license.

100% of the Harness CI/CD source code is now available in public repositories at no cost. Users can now quickly and easily get started with Harness CI/CD to build an agile software delivery solution, without license or usage fees. Scaling to additional enterprise-grade features and SaaS plans is a straightforward upgrade path.

"We opened our source code and product roadmaps to the community to simplify adoption for teams that want a globally adopted and category-leading CD platform, one with AI-powered intelligence that automates deployments and rollbacks so they can get back their nights and weekends," said Jyoti Bansal, founder and CEO of Harness.

With today's announcement, Harness is opening its CD service in a Community Edition under the free and source-accessible Polyform Shield license. This user-centered choice of license empowers Harness users with free and open accessibility to the code, including the right to use, modify and distribute, but not use it to launch a competitive offering.

The Harness CD Community Edition joins Harness CI Community Edition (formerly known as Drone Open Source), the massively popular open source, cloud-native CI solution available under the Apache 2.0 license.

The move comes at a period of rapid growth at Harness. The company now has more than 500 employees and continues to add enterprise users of its CI/CD platform, as well as individual services in its product portfolio.

"At present, the market tends to regard software licensing in a binary fashion, as either open source or proprietary, attaching something of a stigma to source-available licenses," said Steve O'Grady, principal analyst at Redmonk. "This is unfortunate and shortsighted, because source-available licenses are a legitimate alternative to both. The problem with these licenses is not that they are not open source, but rather that they are periodically represented as such by parties with little regard for industry-standard definitions. While materially distinct from open source and not granting the same breadth of permissions, source-available licenses can nevertheless offer tangible benefits to users and enterprises alike. Harness' decision to be clear about the differing licenses applied to its CD and CI components, therefore, is welcome."

Resources

About Harness

Harness is the only end-to-end platform for complete software delivery. It provides a simple, safe and secure way for engineering and DevOps teams to release applications into production. Harness uses machine learning to detect the quality of deployments and automatically roll back failed ones, saving time and reducing the need for custom scripting and manual oversight, giving engineers their weekends back. Harness is based in San Francisco.

Twitter: @harnessio

harness.io

SOURCE Harness
DALLAS, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hedera Governing Council has voted to purchase the intellectual property rights to the hashgraph consensus algorithm from Swirlds, Inc., the original creator of the hashgraph consensus algorithm and founding member of the Hedera Governing Council. The Governing Council members further made a commitment to make the code open source under Apache 2.0 license in 2022. The Governing Council members have voted to take this step to enable broader community participation. In addition, Hedera believes technical controls are in place to ensure that the Hedera network state cannot split, so the hashgraph patents are no longer needed to be able to be used defensively to protect Hedera ecosystem participants. The open sourcing of the consensus layer will serve to further accelerate its development and expand the number of contributors. The Council members also announced that the network code will be out of beta with the next mainnet upgrade.

The Governing Council members are a diverse group of leading enterprises and organizations that collectively promote the advancement of the Hedera network technology and determine allocation of the Hedera treasury, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the allocation of 10.7 billion hbars (approximately 20% of total supply) towards the expansion of the Hedera ecosystem and hbar economy. Governance has continued to grow from the original five members to the current 25, with these diverse, distributed Council members participating in running the network nodes, governing the network, and recruiting new Council members.

"The vision has always been for Hedera to be a council-member driven organization, enabling the most decentralized governance and therefore broadest-reaching public network on the market," said Scott Thiel, Partner at DLA Piper, one of the original Governing Council members. "We believe now is the time to enable the fastest adoption possible of the Hedera network, to capitalize on growing demand for public DLT."

As such, the Council members have also made decisions that enable broader market participation by both startups and enterprises. The development and management teams and related personnel currently employed by Hedera Hashgraph, LLC will move to Swirlds. Mance Harmon,CEO of Hedera Hashgraph, and Dr. Leemon Baird, Chief Scientist of Hedera Hashgraph, will leave those positions, which are being dissolved, and will continue to participate in the Hedera ecosystem as peer members of the Governing Council through Swirlds, where they are CEO and CTO, respectively. In addition, Dr. Leemon Baird will continue to serve as Co-Chair of the Hedera Council's Technical Steering & Product Committee, which is responsible for technical and roadmap decisions affecting the Hedera network, and Natalie Furman, who is resigning from the position of General Counsel at Hedera Hashgraph to lead legal efforts at Swirlds, will continue to participate as one of the member representatives in the Council's Legal & Regulatory Committee. Tom Sylvester is being promoted from Associate General Counsel to General Counsel at Hedera Hashgraph.

"From day one, I have had a vision to enable 'Shared Worlds', where anyone can gather, collaborate, conduct commerce, and control their own online footprint," said Dr. Leemon Baird, CTO of Swirlds and Co-Chair of the Hedera Council's Technical Steering & Product Committee. "With the completion of V1 of the network code, open sourcing of the hashgraph algorithm, and an engaged Council making key decisions about the future of the network, the foundation of that vision is complete. The next challenge is for the broader community to develop products and services beyond the Layer 1 protocol, to deliver products and services that enable others to leverage the power of the Layer 1 protocol to create value. Swirlds is the best place for us to work on that, while fostering an ecosystem where all can participate equally."

"Under high uncertainty and growing complexity economies, knowledge- and technology-intensive industries can maintain sustainable growth only by promoting open models of highly interactive and collaborative, multidisciplinary and multidirectional innovation. Innovation ecosystems are generally difficult to build because they are characterized by open non-linear dynamics, high receptivity to feedback loops, and persistent structural transformations," said Prof. Paolo Tasca, Executive Director University College London, Centre for Blockchain Technologies, the first academic partner to join the Hedera Governing Council members. "I believe in non-hierarchical governance models which enable self-adaptability to rapid change via multilateral cooperation between innovators, developers, industry and academia. Therefore, I praise the Hedera team for their majestic work towards the broadening of the Hedera innovation ecosystem through open sourcing the consensus layer and further governance decentralization."

The Hedera Governing Council has also entered into an agreement to outsource several essential services to Swirlds for the foreseeable future as the Council focuses on core network governance, industry standards, public policy, and treasury management.

"Achieving V1 of the Hedera network code is an important milestone for the Council and community, providing a robust network for anyone, anywhere in the world to build and deploy decentralized applications," said Saiprasad Raut, Chief Technology Advisor, Crypto & Emerging Business for Worldpay from FIS, and Co-Chair of the Hedera Council's Technical Steering and Product Committee. "And purchasing and making open source the underlying hashgraph algorithm will ensure that network development continues to be collaboratively produced, shared freely, published transparently, and developed for the good of the community. The ongoing collaboration between members of the Council, including Swirlds, gives us the best structure to facilitate exponential growth of the world's most advanced public ledger infrastructure."

"The towering importance of trust & transparency has become more critical than ever as digital technologies prodigiously tether us all with each other & our items," said Pradeep Iyer, Ph.D, Research Fellow, Materials Group for Avery Dennison. "Recent pivotal organizational changes within Hedera hold the promise to seamlessly scale & secure a public DLT platform, catalyzing ubiquitous adoption. I see exciting opportunities to provide trusted tethers between physical items & their digital identities, for example, to accurately measure & mitigate environmental impact and help achieve ESG goals."

The Council is also pleased to announce that Brett McDowell was unanimously elected by the Board of Directors for a two-year term effective January 1, 2022, as the first Chair of Hedera Hashgraph after serving ex officio in that capacity since the founding of the Council in February of 2019.

"It is an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility," said McDowell. "The Governing Council has made meaningful progress over the past three years, growing from the initial five members, to now, twenty-five members across different industries, and geographies. I am excited about the changes being made by the Council at the beginning of the year, positioning the Hedera network for unprecedented growth in 2022."

Dr. Leemon Baird, Mance Harmon, Saiprasad Raut, and Brett McDowell will host a webinar on Wednesday, January 26th at 8am PT/11am ET to further detail the Shared Worlds vision to be built on the Hedera network. Participants can join at: Hedera - YouTube .

About Hedera

The Hedera network is the most used, sustainable, enterprise-grade public ledger for the decentralized economy. The platform is governed by a council of the world's leading organizations, including Avery Dennison, Boeing, Chainlink Labs, Dentons, Deutsche Telekom, DLA Piper, EDF (Electricite de France), eftpos, FIS (WorldPay), Google, IBM, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), LG Electronics, Magalu, Nomura Holdings, ServiceNow, Shinhan Bank, Standard Bank Group, Swirlds, Tata Communications, University College London (UCL), Wipro, and Zain Group.

For more information, visit www.hedera.com, or follow us on Twitter at @hedera, Telegram at t.me/hederahashgraph, or Discord at www.hedera.com/discord. The Hedera whitepaper can be found at www.hedera.com/papers .

Contact:

Zenobia Godschalk

[email protected]





SOURCE Hedera
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As landlords accelerate their adoption of technology, fast-growing technology company Hemlane continues to drive this trend to lower operating costs and increase efficiency. The all-in-one property management platform announced today that it closed $9 million in funding co-led by Asymmetric Capital Partners and Prudence, with participation from Aglae Ventures and State Farm Ventures. The round took place at a material increase from the prior investment's valuation.

Hemlane leverages software, a tech-enabled operations team, and a local marketplace of brokerages to provide landlords with a flexible solution to (in some cases) fully manage their assets from anywhere in the world. "The challenge with traditional property management is that landlords were forced to choose between either full service or do-it-yourself; both are inherently flawed," says Dana Dunford, Co-Founder and CEO of Hemlane. "Through technology, we offer an alternative that preserves the advantages of full service at a previously unavailable price point. Our tiered system allows landlords to select their level of involvement while tapping into licensed professionals for everything else. We've seen validation of our business model as we take share from traditional property management and attract landlords who have yet to find an attractive property management solution."



The software platform provides best-in-class workflows to mitigate risk and automates the rental lifecycle from finding a tenant to managing repairs. Upgraded packages allow landlords to use Hemlane's network of local licensed agents and managers, chatbots for troubleshooting repair requests, and 24/7 maintenance coordinators.

With more than 14,000 rentals on the platform, the company has partnered with top nationwide brokerages, such as Keller Williams and RE/MAX, to provide a property management solution to their brokerages and their clients. Additional relationships with leading associations, partners and affiliates have fueled the company's impressive growth.



"Hemlane is defining and leading a new category in remote property management, enabling the full suite of features landlords crave at a price point unmatched by other full-service solutions across the industry," says Sam Clayman, Partner at Asymmetric. "Their platform approach, core product quality, and efficiency of customer acquisition and retention create true differentiation in a crowded market. Perhaps more importantly, Dana and her team are best-in-class and relentless in their drive to build a category champion. We are thrilled to partner with her and the broader Hemlane team in accelerating their next phase of growth."



Rated #1 in property management by Gartner last year, the company is currently processing nearly $200 million in annualized payments. Hemlane has rental properties in all 50 states and plans to use its latest funds to further extend its partnership strategy and expand services for its users.



About Hemlane

Hemlane is an all-in-one rental management solution. Hemlane's technology empowers rental owners to manage their properties remotely with a transparent platform that offers online tools, connections to local licensed agents, and coordination of property maintenance. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Learn more at https://www.hemlane.com/, Twitter @hemlane, and Facebook at @hemlane.



Press Contact

Chanelle McLeod

E: [email protected]

P: 415-226-9221

SOURCE Hemlane
Under the Flexible Cancellation Plan, which was originally offered for cruises departing through the end of April, guests who make a new booking by March 31, 2022, for itineraries that depart on or before Sept. 30, can cancel for any reason and receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of any cancellation fees that normally would be incurred. Cancellations must be made up to 30 days before departure. Additionally, final payments for cruises through May 31, 2022, are due at 60 days instead of 75 or 90.

"We want our guests to feel confident when they book a cruise," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "We've seen so much excitement from guests who have cruised with us since our return. We want everyone who is looking forward to that next adventure to feel comfortable making those plans, and our 'Worry-Free Promise' offers that comfort."

For additional reassurance, Holland America Line's Cancellation Protection Program can be purchased for new cruises or Alaska Cruisetour bookings or existing bookings as long as it is purchased before the date cancellation fees begin to accrue. Offered as a Standard or Platinum plan, guests can cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before cruise departure with Standard and right up to departure under Platinum and receive refunds between 80% to 90% of eligible amounts paid. The cost varies by cruise fare and is nonrefundable.

Cruise Healthy and Safe with TravelWell

Holland America Line will continue to operate with health and safety protocols for COVID-19 guided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and the company's medical team and health experts.

"By operating our cruises with protocols that are based on the latest advice and guidance of our global experts, we have seen a very low rate of cases, and in almost all instances, with mild or no symptoms," Antorcha said. "We will keep these best practices in place because we know they are working to protect our guests, our crew, our homeports and the communities we visit."

Those protocols include:

Guests must have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and bring proof of vaccination; Holland America Line is strongly encouraging all eligible guests to receive COVID-19 boosters.

Guests must show proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within two days of embarkation.

Guests are required to wear masks in indoor areas, except when eating or drinking or in their stateroom. Holland America Line is recommending the use of higher-grade masks indoors (surgical or KN95).

is recommending the use of higher-grade masks indoors (surgical or KN95). Crew members are vaccinated for COVID-19 and are receiving a booster when eligible; KN95 masks are worn by shipboard teams at all times.

Holland America Line returned to cruising in July 2021 following the industrywide pause with ships in operation in the Caribbean, Mexico and California coast, having successfully completed seasons in Alaska and the Mediterranean. The remaining ships will restart cruising in spring 2022.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in July 2021.

The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.

CONTACT: Bill Zucker, Erik Elvejord PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: [email protected]

SOURCE Holland America Line
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hope Health Supply, an online marketplace offering genuine, FDA-registered KN95 masks that consumers can trust, today penned an open letter to the Biden Administration, to offer its support in the fight against COVID-19 with the donation of over 500,000 FDA-Registered KN95 masks. The letter reads as follows:

Dear Mr. President,

We commend the CDC and members of your Administration for such strong and direct guidance on the importance of employing masks as one of the most efficacious mitigation measures for COVID-19. In addition, we wholly support the recommendation in favor of N95 or KN95 masks as a more optimal choice over surgical masks or cloth face coverings, considering the Omicron variant is, quite possibly, the most easily transmissible respiratory pathogen in modern history.

Over the long course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all seen the concern and confusion among the American public over the use and effectiveness of available PPE. We recognize the dearth of certified, quality products that exist in the PPE marketplace and how this circumstance hinders our ability to fight this terrible disease.

Since our company's inception, our mission has been to help and support Americans as we continue to navigate through this crisis. We firmly believe that the public, corporate citizens, and Government must join forces to help stop COVID-19 from taking more of our family, friends, and neighbors. We value that your Administration is considering making higher quality masks more readily accessible to Americans.

We currently produce genuine, 5-layer foldable, FDA-registered KN95 masks that are made in accordance with industry standards with up to 95% filtration efficiency of non-oily suspended particles of 0.3-micron levels. Masks of this caliber have proven to be an invaluable tool in the fight against COVID-19 and have become even more important with the circulation of the Omicron variant.

As we are in the midst of this current wave and, with our principles in mind, we feel compelled to take action. To that end, we would like to assist your Administration's efforts toward providing quality, affordable masks to Americans by donating over 500,000 KN95 masks toward this honorable goal.

Sincerely,

Hope Health Supply

For more information on Hope Health Supply please visit https://www.hopehealthsupply.store/.

About Hope Health Supply

Hope Health Supply is an online marketplace delivering the highest-quality health supplies from certified manufacturers directly to consumers. Due to price gauging, fraudulent products, and supply chain issues at the start of the pandemic, Hope Health Supply was created to provide an accessible platform to buy from where families could trust the quality of the essential products with the quality and certifications people can rely on. From affordable prices, supply to meet the demand and the testing, certifications and quality products that have been lacking, Hope Health Supply is a site that consumers can trust.

SOURCE Hope Health Supply
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Internet for Growth, a rapidly expanding coalition of more than 280 creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses from across the country, launched to advocate for the ad-supported internet, to continue growth in the important economic sector.

In addition to these creators and small businesses, more than 700 members of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), including marketers, agencies, publishers, platforms, and ad tech firms, are supporting Internet for Growth to raise the voice of Main Street in the data protection and privacy debate. The coalition's long-term goal is to ensure any legislation or regulation affecting the technologies they use incorporates their experience and perspective.

The nationwide community of innovators behind Internet for Growth will illustrate to policymakers and the public how the ad-supported internet helps bridge Main Street to the new information economy. By opening access for local businesses to a wider audience, spurring competitiveness, and expanding choice for consumers, the internet serves as an essential resource to even the smallest storefronts across America.

"The ad-supported internet plays a critical role in enabling competitiveness and empowering entrepreneurialism in communities across America," said IAB CEO David Cohen. "More internet jobs were created by small businesses and individuals than by the largest internet companies, yet their voices often go unheard. Internet for Growth will inject creators' and small businesses' vital perspectives into the discussion."

The internet has redefined how small businesses operate. Internet for Growth's digital channels, multi-media content, and events will offer opinion leaders and lawmakers the expertise of a vast network of technologists and their users working together to expand creativity, jobs and economic growth. While U.S. GDP has hovered around three percent recently, the internet economy has reached an average 22 percent growth rate over the last four years, according to IAB's latest study of the market-making internet.

"This is the 15-year anniversary of Bilingual Birdies," said Sarah Farzam, Founder and CEO of Bilingual Birdies. "The internet and related services have been critical in every phase of my business growth. When I was building my business, I relied on the internet to find business related services and was able to work with suppliers and vendors from around the world. As my business grew, online marketing was essential to help me develop lead generation, and now I utilize social and video sharing platforms to connect with our network of instructors and reach out to potential new partners who are interested in starting their own Bilingual Birdies program in their community."

"Youme Healthcare's business model is 100% telehealth," said Hafeezah Muhammad, CEO of Youme Healthcare. "Our unique behavioral and mental healthcare model gives children, teens and their families greater access to care by making intervention faster. Our practice is based on telehealth, because we believe it works best for children and their families. Patients are more comfortable with sessions conducted from the comfort of their home. Many adolescents fear their friends will find out they go to therapy, so telehealth eliminates this barrier. The younger generation has grown up with technology, and with telehealth it's like talking to a friend. Appointments are faster and easier to schedule, making care more accessible. My business model would not have been possible if it weren't for the internet."

About Internet for Growth

Internet for Growth, an initiative of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, supports the transformative role the advertising-supported internet plays in empowering America's small businesses, helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. Supported by a diverse community of over 700 IAB members including marketers, agencies, publishers, platforms and ad tech providers, as well as hundreds of small businesses and creators, we highlight the benefits the internet delivers to local economies, expanding opportunities for innovators to reach markets far beyond their neighborhoods. Our work ensures people understand the limitless opportunity the internet provides for creativity and commerce, fair competition, and connecting with consumers on mutually shared values and interests, no matter the background or geography.

For media inquiries please contact:

Brendan Thomas

[email protected]

SOURCE Internet for Growth
YARDLEY, Pa., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Intraprise Health, a leader in healthcare cybersecurity, information risk management and compliance, today announced that George Pappas has joined the company as Chief Executive Officer. The company also announced a strategic growth investment from Health Enterprise Partners and Bluff Point Associates  two private equity firms that invest in healthcare companies.

Pappas, a healthcare technology veteran, most recently served as Chief Customer Officer and Chief Operating Officer at DrFirst, a medication management company. Prior to his time at DrFirst, Pappas served as Chief Operating Officer of Motionsoft, a fitness industry software company.

According to Pappas, "I'm thrilled to be joining Intraprise Health as it continues its upward growth in the healthcare risk management arena. The company's deep roots in healthcare security services make their integrated risk management software compelling for organizations that struggle with the cost and effort needed to safeguard their operations from cyber attacks. I am excited about our wide-reaching security solutions portfolio and the investment from both HEP and Bluff Point which will help lay the foundation for continued growth and innovation."

Healthcare organizations have increasingly become the target of malicious actors  resulting in threats to patient care, loss of revenue, massive business interruption and regulatory penalties. Cybersecurity is a top priority for the entire healthcare sector  from business associates to health plans to hospitals and provider practices.

Kevin Fahey Managing Director of Bluff Point Associates, said, "Intraprise Health has all the necessary ingredients to continue to lead the market in software-based security and privacy solutions; our investment supports that belief. Intraprise Health is uniquely positioned to become the leading provider of healthcare security solutions enabled by a team of experienced cybersecurity professionals. We are excited to support George as he leads Intraprise Health forward."

Pappas is active in CHIME and is a member of their CFCHE program. He holds a patent in sales risk management and is a graduate of Boston University.

About Intraprise Health

Intraprise Health provides a full range of scalable cybersecurity software products and services that automate risk management and compliance, enabling organizations of all sizes to stay ahead of growing cybersecurity risk. Customers have the flexibility to augment their expertise with Intraprise Health cybersecurity consultants while leveraging the company's product family to protect their organizations and meet industry and regulatory requirements. Intraprise Health is one of the longest tenured HITRUST Assessors in the industry and has a team of professionals with deep healthcare cybersecurity experience. Visit www.intraprisehealth.com for more information.

About Bluff Point Associates:

Bluff Point Associates is a private equity firm based in Westport, Connecticut. Bluff Point actively invests in the healthcare information services sector as well as information services companies supporting the accounting, banking, trust, securities, retirement and wealth management sectors of the financial services industry. Bluff Point's team collectively has decades of experience in recognizing a company's growth potential and working with its management to reach that potential. For more information regarding Bluff Point, visit www.bluffpt.com.

About Health Enterprise Partners

Health Enterprise Partners provides expansion capital to innovative healthcare services and healthcare information technology companies. Central to HEP's strategy is its unique and extensive hospital system and health plan network, 36 members of which are investors in HEP's funds. HEP seeks to invest in companies that improve the quality of the patient experience, expand access, and reduce the cost of healthcare. For more information about HEP, visit www.hepfund.com.

For More Information, please contact:

Siobhan Carroll

Intraprise Health

[email protected]

SOURCE Intraprise Health
DALLAS, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) was selected by Johns Hopkins Medicine to provide project management services for the redevelopment of laboratory space on its medical campus in Baltimore, Maryland.

Plans are to renovate The Johns Hopkins Hospital's existing Children's Medical and Surgical Center (CMSC) and construct a new 12-story North Tower addition. The CMSC Building, originally built as the home for Johns Hopkins Children's Center, a 200-bed hospital, has been used for research labs and offices since 2012. The new project will provide innovative spaces for wet and computational laboratories, as well as collaborative spaces for investigators, clinicians and students.

"Jacobs values the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of research for Johns Hopkins Medicine and continue our relationship with one of the premier medical institutions in the world," said Jacobs EVP and President of People & Places Solutions Patrick Hill. "We are committed to supporting the organization's mission of improving the health of the community and the world through setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care."

The contract includes project management services for 531,609 square feet of renovations and additions for the CMSC North Tower project, as well as replacement of the existing facade, construction of research laboratories, and a new entrance to The Johns Hopkins Hospital from Monument Street.

Construction is estimated to be completed in the summer of 2026.

Johns Hopkins Medicine is an integrated global health enterprise based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Ranked No. 1 in health care facilities design by Engineering News-Record in 2020, Jacobs is a leader in project management and construction management founded on the successful delivery of some of the world's premier healthcare facilities in the world.

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $14 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence and spread of variants of COVID-19, the efficacy and availability of vaccines and treatments, and the related reaction of governments on global and regional market conditions and the company's business. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.

For press/media inquiries:

Kerrie Sparks

214.583.8433

SOURCE Jacobs
CHANGSHA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Every winter, Cao Jianjun waits for his "friends" at a national wetland park in central China's Hunan Province.

In 2013, Cao caught the Chinese merganser, an endangered bird species under class-one state protection for the first time in the province's Shuangpai County. Since then, his camera lens has captured more and more of the beautiful birds.

"I did not know the birds when I first caught them, but I realized they were different from other birds that I usually saw," said the 61-year-old photographer. "So I was quite excited when experts told me they were one of the oldest species in the world."

The Chinese merganser, dubbed "the giant panda in bird species" or "ecological test paper" of water environment, has high requirements for its habitat and water environment.

Over the past eight years, Cao has taken more than 60,000 pictures of the birds in the county, which has become a major habitat for the merganser and other migratory birds.

"Cao often squats alone on the bank of the river for a whole day with food and a tent in order to take perfect pictures," said Jiang Yanbin, a staff member of the wetland park.

The county has made a lot of efforts to address the ecological problems in recent years. With the improving environment, the county is not only a habitat for migratory birds but a hot tourist destination featuring bird watching and leisure activities.

China is creating a better environment for migratory birds. Nets and other fishing gear were a huge threat to the birds along the Yangtze River, but the threat is vanishing as the country has launched a complete 10-year fishing ban in the key waters of the Yangtze since the beginning of 2021.

Besides photography, Cao also volunteers to patrol the habitat for the purpose of protecting the birds.

"More volunteers, including villagers and retired teachers, join us to guard them," said Cao. "Protecting their habitat is also to protect our home." 
The Committee commended Dr. Bourla for his leadership, determination, and especially for his willingness to assume great risks. Unlike CEOs of most other major companies working on developing COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Bourla declined billions of dollars in US federal subsidies in order to avoid government bureaucracy and expedite development and production of the vaccine. As a result, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine was ready in record time: months instead of years.

The annual $1 million Genesis Prize, dubbed the "Jewish Nobel" by TIME Magazine, honors extraordinary individuals for their outstanding professional achievement, contribution to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values. Dr. Bourla becomes the ninth Genesis Prize Laureate. He follows filmmaker and philanthropist Steven Spielberg, who was awarded the Genesis Prize in 2021, and the legendary human rights activist Natan Sharansky, the 2020 Laureate.

The President of Israel Isaac Herzog will present the Genesis Prize to Dr. Bourla at a ceremony in Jerusalem planned for June 29.

In line with the tradition established by the inaugural Laureate Michael Bloomberg, all Genesis Prize honorees have chosen to forgo the monetary award to philanthropic causes. Dr. Bourla has asked The Genesis Prize Foundation to direct his $1 million prize award to projects aimed at preserving the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, with a particular emphasis on the tragedy suffered by the Greek Jewish community.

Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Dr. Bourla was raised in a family that knew the horrors of the Holocaust first-hand. His parents were among only 2,000 survivors out of a once-thriving, ancient Jewish community of 50,000, almost completely wiped out by the Nazis.

"I am delighted to welcome Dr. Albert Bourla to the distinguished family of Genesis Prize Laureates," said Co-Founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation Stan Polovets. "Dr. Bourla personifies two of the most fundamental Jewish values: the commitment to the sanctity of life and to repairing the world. And while the pandemic is far from over, millions of people are alive and healthy because of what Dr. Bourla and his team at Pfizer have accomplished."

Dr. Albert Bourla said: "I did not set out to live a public life, and I never could have imagined that I might one day receive the profound honor of the Genesis Prize and stand alongside my extraordinary fellow nominees. I accept it humbly and on behalf of all my Pfizer colleagues who answered the urgent call of history these past two years and together bent the arc of our common destiny. I was brought up in a Jewish family who believed that each of us is only as strong as the bonds of our community; and that we are all called upon by God to repair the world. I look forward to being in Jerusalem to accept this honor in person, which symbolizes the triumph of science and a great hope for our future."

In announcing the selection of Dr. Bourla, The Genesis Prize Foundation noted the wide-ranging contribution of numerous Jewish scientists, doctors, and healthcare officials in helping to save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation specifically highlighted the contributions of the following individuals:

Dr. Drew Weissman , Professor of Vaccine Research at the University of Pennsylvania , whose discovery of a novel nucleoside-modified mRNA platform enabled the creation of pioneering mRNA vaccines;

, Professor of Vaccine Research at the , whose discovery of a novel nucleoside-modified mRNA platform enabled the creation of pioneering mRNA vaccines; Dr. Mikael Dolsten , Chief Scientific Officer, Pfizer, who guided the development of the Pfizer vaccine in record time;

, Chief Scientific Officer, Pfizer, who guided the development of the Pfizer vaccine in record time; Dr. Tal Zaks , Chief Medical Officer of Moderna during the development of the successful mRNA 1273 vaccine;

, Chief Medical Officer of Moderna during the development of the successful mRNA 1273 vaccine; Dr. Joanne Waldstreicher , Chief Medical Officer of Johnson & Johnson, which delivered a successful COVID-19 vector vaccine;

, Chief Medical Officer of Johnson & Johnson, which delivered a successful COVID-19 vector vaccine; Academician Alexander Gintsburg , Director, Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, which developed the Sputnik vaccine;

, Director, Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, which developed the Sputnik vaccine; Dr. Anatoly Altstein , Chief Scientist, Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, who led the development of the Sputnik vaccine;

Chief Scientist, Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, who led the development of the Sputnik vaccine; Dr. Rochelle Walensky , Director, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which coordinates the US public health response to the pandemic;

, Director, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which coordinates the US public health response to the pandemic; Jeffrey Zients , the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, who oversees the US federal government response to the pandemic, including vaccine distribution.

Genesis Prize Chairman Stan Polovets said: "This is a very proud moment, not just for Dr. Bourla, but for the entire Jewish community. A people so small in number are having such an outsized impact on this global effort to save lives."

Polovets added: "Dr. Bourla is a bright star in the constellation of outstanding Jewish scientists and doctors at the forefront of fighting the pandemic. We hope that these extraordinary individuals, and their colleagues, join us in Jerusalem to further unite in our common resolve to save lives and honor our heritage."

BACKGROUND

The Genesis Prize is a global award that celebrates Jewish achievement and contribution to humanity. Launched in 2013, the Prize is financed through a permanent endowment of $100 million established by The Genesis Prize Foundation.

Previous Genesis Prize laureates are former New York City Mayor and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg (2014); actor, producer and peace activist Michael Douglas (2015); Itzhak Perlman, virtuoso violinist and advocate for individuals with special needs (2016); sculptor and advocate for the rights of refugees Sir Anish Kapoor (2017); Oscar-winning actress and social activist Natalie Portman (2018); owner of New England Patriots and founder of a new foundation to combat antisemitism Robert Kraft (2019); legendary Jewish leader and human rights activist Natan Sharansky (2020) and filmmaker Steven Spielberg (2021). In 2018, The Genesis Prize Foundation honored U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to social justice and equal rights. In 2021, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was honored with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his illustrious life-long work as a teacher of Jewish values and proponent of inter-religious and intercultural dialogue.

All previous Laureates have re-gifted their monetary awards to philanthropic causes about which they are passionate. Since inception, The Genesis Prize has leveraged the annual $1 million award into philanthropic initiatives totaling $45 million, with grants going to 197 nonprofit programs in 31 countries, directly impacting the lives of tens of thousands of people.

SOURCE The Genesis Prize Foundation
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National Retail Properties, Inc. (NYSE: NNN) today announced that Julian E. ("Jay") Whitehurst, President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), will retire and step down as a member of the Board of Directors effective April 28, 2022. Stephen A. ("Steve") Horn, Jr., currently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of President and CEO as of April 29, 2022.

Mr. Whitehurst has served as a director of the company since February 2017, as Chief Executive Officer of the company since April 2017, and as President of the company since May 2006. Previously, Mr. Whitehurst served as Chief Operating Officer of the company from June 2004 to April 2017, as Executive Vice President of the company from February 2004 to May 2006, and as General Counsel and Secretary of the Company from 2003 to 2006.

Mr. Whitehurst stated, "There is no better choice than Steve Horn to lead National Retail Properties as CEO. Since joining our company in 2003, Steve has filled a variety of roles, while always concentrating on growth and acquisitions. Steve understands our people, strategy, culture, tenants and investors. He brings a long-term mindset, with a focus on consistent, steady per share growth and a commitment to our safe and growing dividend. As we thoughtfully considered leadership succession, it was an easy decision for our board to elevate Steve to the CEO role upon my retirement. He is absolutely the right person to take NNN to the next level in the years ahead."

As a part of the company's long-term executive succession planning process, and upon Mr. Whitehurst's recommendation, the company's Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Mr. Horn President and CEO effective April 29, 2022. Mr. Horn joined the company in July 2003, was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Acquisition Officer in January 2014 and has served as Chief Operating Officer since August 2020. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions from 2008 to 2013 and as Vice President of Acquisitions from 2003 to 2008. Prior to 2003, Mr Horn worked in the mergers & acquisitions group at A.G. Edwards & Sons in St. Louis, Missouri. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Windermere Preparatory School.

Mr. Horn commented, "I am grateful to the Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve as the next CEO of National Retail Properties. I'm thankful to Jay for his support and advice over the last two decades. It is an exciting time to be part of National Retail Properties. I look forward to continuing with the team to execute and advance our multi-year strategy focusing on per share results and delivering long-term value for our stakeholders."

Steve Cosler, Chairman of the Board, said, "Jay has been an integral part of the growth of National Retail Properties over the last 30 years while serving in a variety of roles. We are grateful for his steady hand as CEO over the last five years, including the outstanding leadership he provided while navigating the company through the pandemic, and most importantly guiding the company's stable cash flow and consistent, multi-year per share growth. As part of this announcement, the board is excited about the promotion of Steve Horn to be the next CEO at the time of Jay's retirement in April. In his roles as Chief Acquisition Officer and then Chief Operating Officer, Steve has overseen the growth of the portfolio to approximately 3,200 properties. NNN has developed an outstanding culture and built an exceptional team. As the board considered its long-term succession plan, Steve was the obvious choice to lead the company."

National Retail Properties invests primarily in high-quality retail properties subject generally to long-term, net leases. As of September 30, 2021, the company owned 3,195 properties in 48 states with a gross leasable area of approximately 33.0 million square feet and with a weighted average remaining lease term of 10.6 years. For more information on the company, visit www.nnnreit.com.

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking" statements. These statements generally are characterized by the use of terms such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "may," "estimated," or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause the company's actual future results to differ materially from expected results. These risks include, among others: the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company's business operations, financial results and financial position and on the world economy; general economic conditions; local real estate conditions; changes in interest rates; increases in operating costs; the preferences and financial condition of the company's tenants; the availability of capital; and, risks related to the company's status as a REIT. Additional information concerning these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") filings, including, but not limited to, the company's report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as well as company press releases. Copies of each filing may be obtained from the company or the Commission. Such forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as reflections of the company's current operating plans and estimates. National Retail Properties, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date these statements were made.

SOURCE National Retail Properties, Inc.
Global experts, government officials, and leading Israeli technology companies took part in IMPROVATE Cyber-Tech conference and discussed a wide range of issues, including how to combat cyber-threat scenarios and fake news, and legislative frameworks for fighting cybercrime.

Representatives from several countries including Bulgaria, Romania, and Ethiopia took part in the conference, alongside leading Israeli technology companies Cyberint, Protex, and Zimperium.

IMPROVATE advisory board member and former Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said that European countries were looking to Israel's experience and technology to protect themselves in the cybersphere. "Every 30 seconds we have a cyber attack being launched in the world, no-one is immune, no-one is safe, and that is why we need to bring solutions that work. And that is why we have so many regions today from Southeast and Central Europe, and other regions in the world listening to the world-leading industry, the one of Israel, and hoping to cooperate so that we could benefit together."

Former Romanian prime minister, Victor Ponta told the conference that national governments need to understand that there is no greater risk to their national security or easier cross-border crime than cybercrime. "We need more cooperation at the national level," Ponta said. "I strongly believe, now that I am in the private sector, but having previously worked for 20 years in the political area, that cooperation between public institutions, law enforcement, and private companies is the key to success in fighting cybercrime."

Ethiopian Ambassador to Israel, H.E. Reta Alemu Nega said Africa presented a huge opportunity for the Israeli tech sector in general and in particular for cyber-tech companies. "African countries have now come to adapt to technologies, and have started using cyberspace for different aspects of life - education, health, telecommunications, and so on. In that context, there is huge potential for Israeli company companies to invest in the high-tech sector, and also to invest in the cybersecurity sector. One area of focus of investment could be building the necessary infrastructure for countering cyber-attacks, while another could be creating manpower. For instance, taking Ethiopia as a case in point, we have young, highly trained manpower, we have over 45 universities, focusing on teaching the young generation in the tech sector, where there is huge potential for Israeli companies to use that manpower to deploy in various parts of Africa."

Dr. Nimrod Kozlovski, a law professor, venture capitalist, and cybersecurity consultant, and a partner at the law firm Herzog, Fox & Neeman said that while Israel has a very strong cybersecurity industry, with strong practices for cyber investigation and cyber litigation, its regulation had failed to keep pace with technology. Kozlovski said that international cooperation requires an agreed valid regulatory framework, and said that the "EU has done tremendous work in putting together the GDPR, which is the privacy regulation that regulates how you deal with private information, how you protect it, how you notify a breach, what's the right of the data subject... I think the EU is really setting a kind of example to the world of how you do solid regulation."

Gilbert Ohana, a co-founder and managing partner at FinTLV Ventures, and a cybersecurity advisor to financial companies said that with growing risks from cybercrime financial companies needed to invest more in their response and recovery procedures to build their resilience capabilities. He also called on companies to conduct "training for top management and board of directors, executing breach, detection and response simulations. These have great value because they can expose the procedures that companies are missing and enable participants to get accustomed to the stress involved in decision making when there is a breach happening."

IMPROVATE board member Maj. Gen (ret) Amos Gilead, Executive Director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy at IDC Herzliya, said cyberattacks were one of the major threats faced by states as they are invisible and therefore deniable. "You need to know your enemy, to follow their systems and models, and to be able to protect yourself and to retaliate in ways that will share with them a real message of deterrence, and it must rely on cost-effective capabilities."

IMPROVATE Co-founder and CEO Ronit Hasin-Hochman said the conference showed how Israel was a world leader in cyber technologies. "We saw today that while Israeli technology in the cyber field is highly sought-after and Israeli companies enjoy huge success, there are still many untapped markets and opportunities for them to explore."

Cyberint provides actionable intelligence and insights into the threats that are most relevant and important to proactively protect organizations from cyber-attacks beyond the perimeter. Cyberint CEO Yochai Corem explained: "Every organization has digital assets, be they domain IP addresses, and today very common cloud assets that are very widely used. And if it's a large organization, it's very hard to manage, and understand what are those assets, actually, the organization holds. What Cyberint does is to discover those assets. We scan the entire internet a few times a week, we try to associate between a name of an organization which the only thing we need is a starting point to all the different cloud assets and IP addresses and domains, etc. And then once we have this attack surface mapping, which is a very sophisticated task for many organizations today, we're continuously scanning those for any misconfigurations problems, or what is called in the industry shadow IT."

Asaf Peleg is Vice President of Strategic Projects & Director of Business Development at Zimperium. a global leader in mobile security and the only mobile security platform purpose-built for enterprise environments. "Mobile phones are a very easy gateway for an attacker to jump from the mobile endpoint to the desktop or laptop or servers or anything else within the organization. What organizations need to keep in mind is the need to secure their mobile devices and mobile applications, and have the visibility as to what's going on on these devices."

Arie Frenklach, the founder of Protex, the industry's first security platform for B2C communication, said his company was unique due to its model, which he said provides a SAS solution. "The customer doesn't need to install anything on their site. They just need to use our technology. And actually, we cover all three major elements, the three major risks of the telecom industry: one is authentication, the second is data integrity and data protection, and the third is the customer doesn't need protection."

For upcoming conferences visit www.improvate.net

SOURCE IMPROVATE
MEMPHIS, Tenn. and TULSA, Okla., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kele, Inc., a portfolio company of The Stephens Group, LLC, today announced that it acquired A-tech, Inc., a distributor of industrial automation products. The acquisition expands Kele's breadth of products and services in the industrial automation market. The new entity will become an add-on to Lesman Instrument Company, which was purchased by Kele in December 2020.

Kele President and CEO Richard Campbell said, "A-tech is a well-established, authorized distributor and manufacturers' representative for process measurement and control instrumentation. We're excited about adding another well-respected brand in the Industrial automation space to the Kele Companies."

"The opportunity to join forces with Kele and Lesman will greatly enhance A-tech's offerings. Our customers and employees will benefit from enhanced support and efficiency, while also strengthening our channel partners and supplier relationships," said A-tech President Clay Hodgens.

A-tech Inc., distributes products used to measure, analyze, control, and automate a wide range of factory and industrial processes. The company serves customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, and Wyoming. This marks Kele's fifth acquisition in the last five years.

Campbell will serve as president and CEO of the combined company. Clay Hodgens will remain president of A-tech and report to Mike DeLacluyse, president of Lesman.

About Kele, Inc.

Kele, Inc. is a leading distributor of Commercial and Industrial Automation products and controls solutions globally. Kele serves the $275+ billion Commercial and Industrial Automation markets with more than 300 brands and 1.8 million parts in stock, including sensors, transmitters, switches, gauges, valves, actuators, relays, and more. Value-added services include custom panel assembly, specialized sourcing, and technical support. Kele is a portfolio company of The Stephens Group, LLC of Little Rock, Ark. To learn more about Kele, visit kele.com.

About A-tech, Inc.

A-tech Inc., is an established, authorized distributor and manufacturers' representative for process measurement and control instrumentation. They distribute products used to measure, analyze, control, and automate a wide range of factory and industrial processes. Since 1977, it has grown into a nation-wide distributor. A-tech prides itself on lasting customer relationships, impactful industry knowledge, and their ability to be innovative on behalf of their customers when it comes to parts. For more information, visit atech-inc.com.

About The Stephens Group, LLC

The Stephens Group, LLC is a private investment firm that partners with talented management teams to help build valuable businesses. Backed by the resources of the Witt Stephens and Elizabeth Campbell families, the firm combines the operational expertise of a private equity firm with the flexibility provided by long-term capital. With nearly $2 billion of private equity assets under management, the firm has a long history of providing informed, sophisticated expertise and working with owners and managers to help them successfully achieve their strategic visions and build long-term value. Since 2006, The Stephens Group has invested in 49 companies, targeting investments in industries across the U.S., including industrial and commercial products and services, specialty distribution, B2B food, technology infrastructure and tech-enabled services.

CONTACT:

John Strawn

[email protected]

901-359-4012

SOURCE Kele, Inc.
BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Khronos Group, an open consortium of industry-leading companies creating advanced interoperability standards together with the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) announces the formation of a new Khronos Working Group to develop an open, royalty-free API standard for controlling camera system runtimes in embedded, mobile, industrial, XR, automotive, and scientific markets. Over 70 companies participated in an EMVA/Khronos-hosted Exploratory Group during 2021 to develop a Scope of Work document that will guide the direction of the API design. Design work is expected to start in February 2022, and any organization is invited to join Khronos to participate.

The Need for Embedded Camera API Standards

Cameras are increasingly critical in diverse markets, motivating the development of increasingly sophisticated optical systems, image sensors and vision processors often utilizing machine learning technology. However, the lack of interoperable camera API standards increases application development time and maintenance costs while reducing portability and opportunity for code reuse, resulting in unnecessarily high integration costs for camera technologies.

"The Embedded Camera API Exploratory Group followed the Khronos New Initiative Process with invaluable cooperation from the EMVA. Over seventy companies worked together from March to December 2021 to forge strong industry consensus on the need, terminology, scope, requirements and design methodology for a new open standard camera system API," said Neil Trevett, Khronos president. "Now, we warmly invite any interested companies, vendors and developers to bring their voice and their expertise to the design phase of this important work."

The Camera API will be designed to provide applications, libraries and frameworks low-level, explicit control over camera runtimes, with a low-level of abstraction that still provides application portability over a wide variety of camera systems with effective, performant control to generate streams of data for consumption by downstream applications and clients.

"The close and productive collaboration between the EMVA and Khronos has been very effective in enabling a broader industry participation and diversity of perspectives at the Embedded Camera Exploratory Group than either organization could have achieved working alone," said Chris Yates, EMVA president. "EMVA will continue to work closely with Khronos under our new liaison agreement to ensure that the interests of both the EMVA membership and the wider industry are represented at the new Camera API working group."

The Camera API Working Group will start meetings in February 2022 and is expected to be of particular interest to sensor or camera manufacturers, silicon vendors, and software developers working on vision and sensor processing. Any organization is welcome to join Khronos and participate in this global initiative under the consortium's multi-company governance process. Please visit the Khronos membership page or contact Khronos Membership Services for more details.

Industry Support for the Camera API Working

Over 70 companies participated in the Camera Exploratory group and the following companies support establishing the Camera API Working Group: Adimec, Almalence Inc., Analog Devices Inc., Basler AG, Baumer Optronic GmbH, Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Collabora, Digica, Digital Air Technologies, Euresys, European Machine Vision Association, FLIR Integrated Imaging Solutions, Google, Groget, Holochip Corporation, Ideas on Board Oy, LunarG, Inc., MATRIX VISION, MM Solutions, MVTec Software GmbH, NVIDIA, Perey Research & Consulting, Phil-Vision, Pleora Technologies, Raspberry PI Ltd, STEMMER IMAGING, Texas Instruments, VeriSilicon, Vision Components.

About EMVA

The European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) is a non-for-profit and non-commercial association representing the Machine Vision industry in Europe that is open for all types of organizations having a stake in machine vision, computer vision, embedded vision or imaging technologies: manufacturers, system and machine builders, integrators, distributors, consultancies, research organizations and academia. The EMVA hosts four international vision standards, and all members  as the 100% owners of the association  benefit from the dedicated networking, standardization, and cooperation activities of the EMVA.

About Khronos

The Khronos Group is an open, non-profit, member-driven consortium of over 180 industry-leading companies creating advanced, royalty-free, interoperability standards for 3D graphics, augmented and virtual reality, parallel programming, vision acceleration and machine learning. Khronos activities include 3D Commerce, ANARI, glTF, NNEF, OpenCL, OpenGL, OpenGL ES, OpenVG, OpenVX, OpenXR, SPIR-V, SYCL, Vulkan, and WebGL. Khronos members drive the development and evolution of Khronos specifications and are able to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge platforms and applications through early access to specification drafts and conformance tests.

Khronos and Vulkan are registered trademarks, and 3D Commerce, ANARI, glTF, KTX, NNEF, OpenVG, OpenVX, SPIR, SPIR-V, SYCL, and WebGL are trademarks of The Khronos Group Inc. OpenXR is a trademark owned by The Khronos Group Inc. and is registered as a trademark in China, the European Union, Japan and the United Kingdom. OpenCL is a trademark of Apple Inc. and OpenGL is a registered trademark and the OpenGL ES and OpenGL SC logos are trademarks of Hewlett Packard Enterprise used under license by Khronos. All other product names, trademarks, and/or company names are used solely for identification and belong to their respective owners.

Khronos Group Press Contact:

Caster Communications Inc.

[email protected]

+1 (401) 792-7080

SOURCE The Khronos Group
KAWASAKI, Japan, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Latest news from institutes affiliated with K awasaki IN novation G ateway at SKYFRONT (KING SKYFRONT) with Genopole (France) and Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion holding an online event; an interview with Mr Ryuta Nomura of the Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA) at KING SKYFRONT about "Real-world applications of 70 years of creative research are contributing to human healthcare worldwide"; and research news from SBI Pharma.

Details

https://tonomachi-ksf.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/ennewsletter/

France and Japan Collaboration Pitch on Synthetic Biology and Health

Genopole (France) and Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion held an online meeting on 26 November 2021 to share innovative ideas and technology for future collaboration.

The meeting was organized to promote business exchanges in health and welfare based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced on 5th February 2021 between Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP) and MEDICEN PARIS REGION (MPR) for "facilitating industry-industry and industry-academia partnerships."

KIIP is responsible for promoting the activities of the Kawasaki INnovation Gateway (KING SKYFRONT)an open innovation hub that creates new industry from the world's highest standard R&D; it is one of the most advanced R&D zones for life science and environment fields, which is expected to grow globally.

Proceedings of the meeting can be viewed at the KingSkyFront Lifescience Portal YouTube site here.

https://youtu.be/35vBN6uVN80

The France and Japan Collaboration Pitch program started at 17:00 JST the followed this agenda with three speakers from each side during the two pitch sessions.

Start

17:0017:05 Dr. Pepin (Genopole)

17:0517:25

1. Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion

2. Genopole

Pitch Session

17:2517:55 Moderator: Dr. Pepin (France side)

1. Abolis (Speaker: Dr. Gwenael Servant)

2. Eukarys (Speaker: Dr. Philippe Jais)

3. Hybrigenics Services (Speaker: Dr. Marie-Edith Gourdel)

17:5518:25 Moderator: Dr. Kono (Japan side)

4. Elixirgen Scientific (Speaker: Dr. Kazuhiro Aiba)

5. Gene Therapy Research Institution (Speaker: President Katsuhito Asai)

6. Knowledge Palette (Speaker: Dr. Hiroki Danno)

18:2518:30 Dr. Kono (KIIP)

Further details

1. MoU

https://tonomachi-ksf.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/pdf/2021120702.pdf

2. YouTube video recording of the proceedings

https://youtu.be/35vBN6uVN80

3. Genopole

https://www.genopole.com/

4. KIIP (in Japanese)

https://www.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/

5. Kawasaki SKYFRONT

https://www.king-skyfront.jp/en/

6. KING SKYFRONT iNewsletter

https://tonomachi-ksf.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/ennewsletter/

Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA) at KING SKYFRONT

Real-world applications of 70 years of creative research are contributing to human healthcare worldwide

"My father, Tatsuji Nomura established the Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA) in 1952 with the aim of contributing to medical care and medical science based on high quality animal experiment systems," says Ryuta Nomura, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CIEA. "His pioneering research laid the foundations for our global reputation as one of the world's leading institutes focused on the development and commercialization of advanced laboratory animals and germ-free animal technology."

Indeed, over the last 70 years scientists at CIEA have played pivotal roles in a wide range of international projects including WHO programs on eradicating polio; developing therapeutic solutions for muscular dystrophy; establishing protocols to validate the safety of regenerative and cellular medicine; and development of drugs for cancer and other diseases.

"The CIEA is a private and independent non-profit institute," explains Nomura. "We must raise funding for our research. We do this by commercializing the results of our research by licensing our technology. This approach is at the heart of our business model. We think that real-world applications of our research are the ultimate way of contributing to the health of human beings all over the world."

Unique animal model systems created by CIEA

Research at CIEA is conducted at four departments.

Department of Basic Research for Laboratory Animals

The Immunology Laboratory is developing severely immunodeficient mice such as NOG and next generation NOG mice also referred to as 'humanized mice' for drug discovery and safety studies.

Department of Applied Research for Laboratory Animals

Research in this department covers topics including the development of (1) human disease model mice for studying such allergies, infections, and autoimmune diseases; (2) humanized liver mice for studying diseases such as hepatitis virus and malaria for drug development; and (3) xenograft models for screening of anticancer drugs.

Department of Marmoset Biology and Medicine

Researchers of the CIEA developed for the first time in the world genetically modified marmoset in 2009 and are now producing immunodeficient marmosets exhibiting symptoms similar to X-linked immunodeficiency for use in studies on genetically modification human diseases models and new therapies and rugs.

Research at the Molecular Embryology Laboratory is focused on the use of genetically modified technology to transfuse "genes that cause Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease into fertilized eggs of marmosets through viral vectors to generate human disease models in marmosets".

Notably, scientists at the Reproductive Engineering Laboratory are also developing reproductive engineering technology, such as micromanipulation instrumentation, for the "creation of new laboratory animals".

Live Animal Imaging Center

State of the art technology at this center includes MRI, micro X-ray computed tomography (CT) and in vivo fluorescence imaging. This technology is a powerful approach for Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement ("3 Rs") for laboratory animal science, enabling non-invasive observation of temporal changes in-vivo.

International collaboration and expansion overseas

"Currently, approximately 30% of our royalties are from licenses with overseas partners," says Nomura. "We are planning to increase this by expanding collaborations with overseas institutes by opening up our facilities and technology on a global scale."

Specific examples of new areas of expansion include 'research inbound' projects, that is, undertaking experiments at the CIEA in Japan that cannot be carried out by partners in their own countries due to changes in regulations or laws; and conducting experiments that can only be done at CIEA such as using its unique MRI and egg fertilization technology.

"We also planning to push ahead with the creation of even more advanced forms of humanized mice models," explain Nomura. "Examples include multi-organ/multi-tissue mouse models and reproducing human pathology, where there is interaction and feedback between the two areas."

Specific examples for multi-organ/multi-tissue models are functional human blood immune systems; and human liver human lungs; ES/iPS derived tissues (nerves, liver, intestines, lungs, thymus, lungs). And examples for reproducing human pathology are cancer immunity; enrichment of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models; autoimmune disease infection; and iPS cells derived from patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Synchronizing CIEA's research activities with new trends in medical health and research

"Research at CIEA is continuously evolving to satisfy the needs of modern society," says Nomura. "For example, we want play a central role in finding solutions to new medical challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, creating animal models with marmosets to treat disease such as depression that is associated with side effects of COVID-19."

Other projects include diversifying CIEA technology, for example, using CIEA's highly reproducible, semi-automatic 3D system for artificial insemination. "This technology has great potential for tackling declining birthrates," says Nomura. "The success rate of human-operator based artificial insemination is only between 20 to 60%. Our technology is semi-automatic, thereby reducing human errors during the process of fertilization of eggs. This could be a major contribution to medical health globally."

Thoughts about KING SKYFRONT at Tonomachi, Kawasaki City

"CIEA was the first institute to locate at the KING SKYFRONT," says Nomura. "We decided to move to KING SKYFRONT in 2008 and opened the new research facilities in 2011. I wanted the institute to be visible from any angle, including from the sky, so I insisted on painting our CIEA logo on the roof of our facilities360 degree visibility!"

Nomura is also the President of the KING SKYFRONT Networking Council, and plays a central role in organizing outreach events to improve the visibility of the 70 or more institutes located at KING SKYFRONT, both within Japan and globally. Examples of events include "children's summer research gatherings" where school children and their parents participate in activities organized by institutes located at KING SKYFRONT; seminars and symposia with invited speakers from all over the world with emphasis on networking sessions during the events; and smaller gatherings focused on people based at KING SKYFRONT.

"Regular networking and interaction between people from diverse backgrounds and expertise is paramount for maintaining a dynamic and creative KING SKYFRONT," says Nomura. "Significant developments within the next few years include opening of the Tamagawa Sky Bridge in March 2022 that will connect Haneda Airport with KING SKYFRONT and enable easier interaction with people both in Japan and overseas.

"I hope that this bridge will offer new business opportunities such as medical tourism and infertility treatment as part of collaborations between CIEA and health institutes located nearby including Fujita Health University. I am confident that KING SKYFRONT will continue to be one of the world's leading research hubs in the life sciences."

Further information

CIEA website

https://www.ciea.or.jp/en/

SBI Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

Publication of a Research Paper on 5-ALA from Tokyo Metropolitan University in FEBS Open Bio

Read the press release here

https://tonomachi-ksf.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/pdf/2022011104.pdf

About KING SKYFRONT

The Kawasaki INnovation Gateway (KING) SKYFRONT is the flagship science and technology innovation hub of Kawasaki City. KING SKYFRONT is a 40 hectare area located in the Tonomachi area of the Keihin Industrial Region that spans Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo International Airport (also often referred to as Haneda Airport).

KING SKYFRONT was launched in 2011 as a base for scholars, industrialists and government administrators to work together to devise real life solutions to global issues in the life sciences and environment.

Further information

KING-SKYFRONT iNewsletter Publishing Team

TONOMACHI LifeScience Cluster Division, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion Life Science & Environment research center (LiSE) 1F,

3-25-10, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi,

Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, 210-0821

Email: [email protected]

Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion (KIIP)

Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion was established in 1988 funded 100% from Kawasaki City for the purpose of coping with the hollowing out of industry and changes in the demand structure. In order to realize a higher level of market development, transforming R&D type companies, training technological capabilities to support it, human resources development, understanding market needs, etc., by utilizing the functions of the Kawasaki, KIIP has been contributing to revitalize the local economy by promoting exchanges of local industry information, advancing technology and corporate exchanges with establishment of a R&D institutions, developing creative human resources through workshops and promoting businesses such as expanding sales channels through exhibition business.

https://www.kawasaki-net.ne.jp/

SOURCE KING SKYFRONT
Galactic Black Wet Shine not only offers a offers a deep, dark galactic shine that lasts for months, but it also helps protect your car's tires from deteriorating signs of aging. The oil-based formula contains water resistant polymers and enhanced resin technology that repels rain, as well as outside elements like UV rays to prevent fading, and grime, dust and dirt to keep your tires cleaner for longer. It's also dry to the touch and won't sling when applied properly.

"We are so excited to give our customers exactly the deep shine they have been looking for."

"Our greatest asset is our customer," says Jennifer Olvera, Chemical Guys Brand Director. "Listening and learning from our tremendous global family helps us develop the best industry-leading products that customers love because they helped create them. Our products are formulated by our team and specifically tailored by the requests and requirements of our customers. The release of Galactic Black Wet Look Tire Shine Dressing has been much anticipated and we are so excited to give our customers exactly the deep shine they have been looking for."

Whether you're looking for an ultra-high shine, new car shine or just a medium shine, Galactic Black Wet Shine allows you to easily decide. The longer you leave the spray on your tires, and the more layers you use, the more shine you'll see. To use, clean the tires or trim and allow them to dry. Then spray onto an applicator before applying evenly across the surface. For an extreme shine, allow the product to air dry and for a new shine look, wipe off with a clean microfiber towel after ten minutes.

You can find Galactic Black Wet Look Tire Shine Dressing available for $9.99 on Chemical Guys' website or at the Detail Garage nearest you.

ABOUT CHEMICAL GUYS

Driven by adventure, a passion for shine, and a love for the road ahead, Chemical Guys is a worldwide leader in automotive detailing products for car care enthusiasts and professionals. From exclusive small-batch waxes to cutting edge ceramic coatings, and specialty cleaners for exteriors and interiors, Chemical Guys sets the industry standard when it comes to product innovation, technological advancement and education. Based in Southern California, Chemical Guys has evolved from a handful of passionate car fanatics to a global lifestyle brand with the largest digital library of automotive detailing "how to" content available. Learn more and join the Chemical Guys family at ChemicalGuys.com.

ABOUT DETAIL GARAGE

Detail Garage is the country's fastest-growing car care superstore. The nationwide retail franchise is the ultimate destination for auto detailing supplies, equipment, car care accessories and training. By combining the highest-quality products with educational detailing classes, Detail Garage has become the country's go-to retail store for car care enthusiasts, passionate car owners, and detailing professionals. After launching its initial location in Southern California, the brand has quickly expanded to over 80 locations over the last 6 years throughout the US and Canada. To find a Detail Garage near you or for more information on products, training or franchising opportunities visit www.detailgarage.com.

SOURCE Chemical Guys
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mathnasium The Math Learning Center, North America's leader in supplemental math-only education, has partnered with National PTA to provide $35,000 in funding to U.S. schools and PTA organizations for Math Night events to be held during the 2021-2022 school year.

Math Night, one of Mathnasium's mechanisms for delivering math in a fun and engaging way, uses hands-on learning experiences and delightful games to inspire students' interest in math, promote STEM literacy, and empower families to be actively involved in their children's math education.

Math Night events were created in support of National PTA's STEM + Families Initiative, of which Mathnasium is a founding sponsor. The initiative's educational programs and financial assistance have contributed to more than 100,000 STEM experiences for students and families across the United States. And the STEM + Families Math Night Math Grants Sponsored by Mathnasium have played a critical role in increasing math and STEM engagement overall.

"We have partnered with National PTA for more than five years and are proud of what we have accomplished together with the STEM + Families Initiative," said Shant Assarian, Mathnasium CEO. "Mathnasium's mission of teaching children math so that they understand it, master it, and love it is accomplished through these activities, and it is our pleasure to help fund and support them."

Those interested in learning more about Mathnasium's Math Night, partnership with National PTA, school and community outreach efforts, and live, face-to-face instruction, can learn more by visiting them at www.mathnasium.com.

About Mathnasium

Mathnasium is North America's leading math-only supplemental education franchise. Since 2002, the Mathnasium Method  the result of decades of hands-on instruction and development  has been transforming the lives of children in grades K-12, helping them understand, master, and love math. Mathnasium changes the lives of more than 100,000 children in neighborhood learning centers on five continents. To learn more, go to: www.mathnasium.com

Press Contact:

Kari Keller, Mathnasium Learning Centers

[email protected]

323.421.8000

SOURCE Mathnasium Learning Centers
Sikorski is a 15-year veteran of McCann Worldgroup's leadership team. Previous to his role as COO for Craft, he served as CEO for McCann Worldgroup Canada. He moved back to his native Canada in 2019 as part of organizational changes made as McCann elevated the country to global Strategic Market status. Sikorski previously served as Chief Client Officer at Craft for seven years, and as a Global Business Leader at McCann, having started as a Managing Partner of McCann EMEA, based in London.

Clark joins McCann Worldgroup's European and UK operations to spearhead regional production for McCann and Craft and further drive creative excellence across the region. Clark joins from Deloitte Digital, where he was a director and founding partner of Acne London, a global creative consultancy, acquired by Deloitte Digital in 2017.

The moves represent an ongoing investment and strategic focus on strengthening McCann Worldgroup's production capabilities, on the back of significant growth over the past 3+ years. Clark will work closely with global and regional leadership to develop production strategies across the entire portfolio of clients and champion the development of new production capabilities, taking advantage of innovations in the market.

Chris Macdonald, Chairman & CEO of McCann, said: "Simon has proven himself to be a world-class leader and has an incredible depth of experience across McCann Worldgroup's agencies and our geographic regions. He has proven in each role that he is capable of building great teams, driving creative excellence and delivering strong growth for our clients and our business. I am excited to see how he will continue to build Craft to support our agencies and our clients."

"Ben brings with him a passion for creativity in production that is at the core of what we believe at Craft. I'm excited to bring his experience developing authentic and engaging content to our clients as they look for innovative ways to connect with their audiences," said Sikorski.

"Ben brings great expertise in multi-dimensional creative solutions combined with an acute understanding of clients' business and strategic challenges and the role production can play in solving these. Critically, Ben will play a key role in bridging the creative and production communities and enabling us to continue to lead in both creativity and production excellence across this region," said Mark Lund, President, Europe & UK, McCann Worldgroup.

"McCann Worldgroup is consistently recognised as one of the most creative and effective marketing companies in the world. This is a fantastic opportunity to partner with the incredible creative talent at McCann, and its impressive roster of clients, to bring new creative ideas to life, but also to deliver on the Craft promise  crafting content that works, beautifully, intelligently, efficiently and responsibly across all platforms. I am thrilled to be joining such an exceptionally talented community," said Clark.

ABOUT McCANN WORLDGROUP

McCann Worldgroup, part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), is a creatively driven global marketing company whose professionals are united across 100+ countries by a single mission: To help brands earn a meaningful role in people's lives. McCann Worldgroup was named "Global Agency of The Year" by Adweek magazine, "Network of the Year" by the Cannes Lions, the world's most creatively-effective marketing services company by the Effie Awards (for three consecutive years), "Global Network of the Year" by Campaign Magazine and "Network of The Year" by The Webby Awards two years in a row. The network comprises McCann (advertising), MRM (science/technology/relationship marketing), Momentum Worldwide (total brand experience), McCann Health (professional/dtc communications), CRAFT (production), Weber Shandwick (public relations) and FutureBrand (consulting/design).

About Craft

Craft Worldwide is a global, industry-leading creative production agency of 1,300+ creative makers and problem solvers in 120 countries specializing in content creation and transcreation across all channels. Craft's approach to content creation is informed by data and powered by emerging production technology, driven by one value: to responsibly produce and create beautiful, intelligent and efficient content that drives business results. Craft's work has been recognized with awards such as Cannes Lions, D&AD, Effie Awards and Gerety Awards.

SOURCE McCann Worldgroup
PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Technology Associates, Inc. (MTA) is pleased to announce the acquisition of GasMedix, LLC headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. Founded in 2003, GasMedix is a leader in the Midwest market for medical gas services, equipment, and compliance testing with a strong, proven track record of service excellence.

"We are thrilled and honored to have GasMedix join the MTA team. GasMedix is a great strategic fit, both culturally and geographically," said Val Marks, CEO of MTA. "The management team and employees have grown an exceptional business and fostered a culture of patient life safety and outstanding customer service," Marks said. "We look forward to building an even brighter future together!"

Jim Quirk, founder and president of GasMedix, stated, "I want to thank our entire dedicated team for building GasMedix into the company that it is today. I'm incredibly excited about MTA's shared values and commitment to GasMedix employees, our engineer partners, mechanical installer partners and our medical facility clients. With MTA's robust infrastructure and support team, GasMedix, as a division of MTA, is well positioned to be unparalleled in the medical gas sales and service industry."

GasMedix will deepen MTA's Midwest presence and extend the team's ability to deliver standardized medical gas testing to the largest of Healthcare Systems. Leveraging MTA's infrastructure, GasMedix will now have access to MTA's very robust and flexible reporting software platform for the benefit of employees and customers. "Together, we will broaden Gas Medix's service offerings, expand their footprint and leverage technology to drive customer success," Marks said. "It's a real win/win for the customers and the employees."

MTA is a national leader in the Medical Gas and Controlled Environment industries providing compliance solutions for patient life safety across the U.S. As a single source provider, MTA delivers a wide range of Medical Gas, Environmental Monitoring and Controlled Environment testing and equipment solutions to healthcare facilities centered on service excellence.

GasMedix operates a world-class medical gas service organization with a laser focus on patient safety and facility compliance, serving national hospital groups, regional medical centers, and surgery centers throughout Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company's key management team will continue in their current roles, and founder Jim Quirk will remain active through the transition. Wes Reed and Don Baer remain the key contacts for the region.

Media Contact:

Valeri Marks

Medical Technology Associates, Inc.

727 548-8600

[email protected]

SOURCE Medical Technology Associates
NAIROBI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged his government would step up multilateral initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change and spearhead regional peace and security while hosting a banquet for visiting Hungarian President Janos Ader in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Monday evening.

"Mitigating climate change is an imperative of our times and my government's commitment to this noble cause extends to the United Nations Security Council where climate and security is an important focus during our term," said President Kenyatta according to a statement issued Tuesday by the presidency.

The president reiterated Kenya's commitment to multilateralism, saying the country fully supports the United Nations system.

According to Kenyatta, as a strong advocate for multilateralism and a rule-based international order, and home to the only UN headquarters in the global south, Kenya, like Hungary, is fully committed to supporting the work of the United Nations.

"It is our desire to maintain Nairobi's position as the central hub of the United Nations system in the developing world," he said.

Kenyatta said Kenya will continue to utilize its experience as a peace mediator to champion for sustainable stability on the continent particularly in the Horn of Africa region.

"Kenya will continue to leverage on her experience as a mediator and guarantor of peace processes to advance the agenda of sustainable regional peace and security in the Horn of Africa and beyond, and seeks the global community's support through multilateral fora," he said. 
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual school families from across Missouri will celebrate the life-changing impact of online learning at a rally in the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, Jan. 27. The upbeat celebration is one of the featured events in the state during National School Choice Week 2022.

Teachers, students, and families impacted by school choice will have a presence at the Missouri capitol two days in a row: Before the online learning rally, private school students will rally at the capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

Both events are planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week 2022, which will feature more than 26,000 school choice events across all 50 states.

"Virtual learning works for many families, and we're excited to join with families to celebrate this important option," said Letrisha Weber, Board President at National Coalition of Public School Options. "We hope the personal stories and energy from the event will demonstrate to lawmakers the importance of passing policies that empower families to choose this educational option if it works best for their child's educational needs."

The Missouri State Capitol Rotunda is located at 201 W. Capitol Ave.

The Missouri Capitol Rally is planned by the National Coalition for Public School Options, a national alliance of parents that supports and defends parents' rights to access the best public school options for their children.

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children, focusing equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of celebrations  such as school fairs and open houses to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. School Choice Week also develops resources and guides to K-12 education for families. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation. For more information visit schoolchoiceweek.com.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Car Wash Advisory, a leading M&A advisor to privately owned car wash businesses, is pleased to announce the successful sale of its client Mr. Magic Car Wash ("Mr. Magic"), a Pennsylvania-based car wash brand with five locations in the Pittsburgh market, to Incline Equity Partners.

Mr. Magic Car Wash

Mr. Magic has been owned and operated by the Tiano family as an institution in the Pittsburgh car wash community. Justin and Alan Tiano commented "We are proud of the deal that was made and excited to begin this new chapter of our lives. We are thankful to have had Harry and the CWA team on our side through this process. Their involvement as our advisor resulted in achieving significantly more value for us and our families and their experience was priceless."

To learn more about car wash industry M&A trends, or for a free no-obligation expert valuation of your car washes  inquire at www.carwashadvisory.com"

"This transaction exemplifies the efficiency and execution that can be accomplished when all parties stay in sync and work in tandem towards the common goal at hand" said Harry Caruso, Founder and CEO of Car Wash Advisory. "I am so proud of CWA for the level of performance and results we were able to achieve for Justin and Alan. And to be able to provide such for a truly industry renowned and long-standing multi-site operation such as Mr. Magic, it was both an honor and pleasure."

Colin May, Managing Director at Car Wash Advisory added: "Mr. Magic and the Tiano family are another entrepreneurial success story in the car wash industry. They built a great family business over multiple decades and generations and capitalized on an opportunistic market. Car Wash Advisory is lucky to have worked with Justin and Alan and play a small part in that outcome. It was also a pleasure to work with Incline Equity Partners and would welcome the opportunity to work with them again."

About Mr. Magic

Known as Pittsburgh's premier car wash, Mr. Magic has been in business for over 50 years. With owners who have cared for, maintained and dedicated years to progress - they have been able to achieve exponential growth due to their commitment and resilience. Mr. Magic operates in five locations across the Pittsburgh area offering unlimited membership wash clubs, digital fast pass prepaid washes, and notable detailing services. For more about Mr. Magic Car Washes visit www.mrmagiccarwash.com

About Car Wash Advisory

Car Wash Advisory is a leading nationwide investment banking and brokerage firm based in New York City specializing in and focused solely on the car wash industry. Founded by CEO Harry Caruso, Car Wash Advisory's team of financial professionals provides sellside M&A advisory and debt and equity capital raising services to car wash owners and operators across the United States. To learn more or reach out to the CWA team, visit www.carwashadvisory.com

About Incline Equity Partners

Incline Equity Partners, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a private equity firm investing in manufacturing, distribution and business services companies. Incline is generally seeking growing companies with enterprise values of $25  $750 million. Incline's typical investment types are ownership transitions for privately held businesses, buyouts and corporate divestitures within the U.S. and Canada.

Disclaimer

The principal Harry H. Caruso of Car Wash Advisory is a registered representative offering securities and investment banking services through Britehorn Securities, a registered broker- dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Britehorn Securities and Car Wash Advisory are not affiliated entities.

Contact:

Robin Sisk

347-893-7358

[email protected]

SOURCE Car Wash Advisory
KANSAS CITY, Kan., Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Easy Ice, a nationwide commercial ice machine lease and service provider, will hold a job fair January 20th from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at their branch in Lenexa, Kansas. Easy Ice seeks to fulfill numerous positions during the event. Open positions include technical, dispatch, inventory management, and inside and outside sales roles.

Easy Ice invests in employees' professional growth through in-depth, industry-leading training and the ongoing support of a best-in-class technical services team. Easy Ice employees receive competitive wages and paid training and are eligible for outstanding benefits, including tuition reimbursement, health, vision, and dental insurance, generous paid time off, paid holidays, and a 401k retirement plan.

"Easy Ice is an exciting place to work! We're fast-growing, technologically advanced, and agile," says Matt Weir, Branch Operations Manager. "Easy Ice offers the stability and growth opportunities of a large company and the family atmosphere of a smaller company."

The commercial ice machine industry is evolving toward more affordable, lease-centric business models. Easy Ice continues to experience meteoric growth as the first to offer an all-inclusive ice machine subscription with a lifetime performance guarantee.

Easy Ice acquired Ice-Masters in 2017, delivering advanced training, innovative technologies, and a structured, nationwide support system to the successful local company. As operations continue to expand, Easy Ice will bring more jobs to Kansas and Missouri markets.

The job fair will be held in the company's brand new 32,000-square-foot facility, featuring a branch office, warehouse, and 2,000-square-foot training center, so applicants can see the work environment. The state-of-the-art training facility is utilized for local technicians as well as Easy Ice teams from across the country.

Interested candidates should bring a copy of their resume to the job fair. Hiring managers will be onsite conducting interviews with candidates and will be prepared to make job offers immediately. Visit Easy Ice and select Lenexa from the location drop-down list to see more details on the available positions.

Attend the job fair at:

9800 Britton St, Lenexa, KS 66219

About Easy Ice

Easy Ice, co-headquartered in Phoenix, AZ and Marquette, MI, is the national leader in the full-service ice machine subscription industry with warehouse and distribution facilities in Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, and Orlando. Since its founding in 2009, the company has rapidly grown its ice machines under management to 25,000 units across 47 states. Easy Ice's commercial ice machine subscription programs include installation, cleaning, preventive maintenance, repairs, and backup ice. For more information, please visit www.easyice.com.

SOURCE Easy Ice
EXTON, Pa., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh USA, Inc . today announced RICOH Claims Management Services, a purpose-built integrated service that solves a top challenge for insurance providers: expediting claims resolution to improve customer satisfaction and retention. This scalable-as-a-service offering accelerates and automates the intake and validation process of all inbound claims  in both digital and print  while delivering robust analytics, service-level agreement (SLA) reporting, hosting and managed services. Suitable for dispersed workforces and agents in the field, it makes information available anywhere at any time through its secured PCI-certified platform.

Three out of five insurance claims will be triaged through automation by 2025, according to the LexisNexis Future of Claims 2021 Report. A driving factor of this push for automation is customers' current expectations for speed in the claims process. An Accenture study also uncovered that 95% of customers maintain speed of settlement is the most important factor in determining satisfaction. RICOH Claims Management Services leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intelligent Document Processing and human-in-the-loop processes to address each of these drivers to enhance data accuracy within the claims, ultimately delivering a compressive solution that enables pain-free customer experiences.

RICOH Claims Management Services is built on RICOH's Intelligent Business Platform, a workflow and process automation ecosystem that enables business insights through one consumer-grade digital experience. It leverages Ricoh's years of experience offering claims management services from its new Digital Services Center team of experts.

"Organizations are pressed with customer demands for faster results, which can be challenging for strained IT departments. Without the right level of expertise and automation, meeting customer calls for speed can be extremely challenging," said Bob Lamendola, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Services Center, Ricoh North America. "RICOH Claims Management Services not only leverages advanced AI-powered Computer Vision for accurate results, but also offers access to a dedicated team of experts, ready to build, deploy, maintain and continually optimize a solution built specifically for an individual organization. This combination helps ensure all compliance and security boxes are checked, while tapping innovative technologies to maintain customer satisfaction with claims processing."

RICOH Claims Management Services rapidly digitizes, automates and accelerates claims intake processes while delivering the reliable accuracy that's critical to driving efficiency across the entire claims process. Seamlessly able to integrate with company systems and workflows, it increases throughput and accuracy for faster processing with assured precision thanks to the use of Computer Vision. The service is PCI-certified to safeguard critical data and help prevent downtime associated with data loss. It can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively thanks to its consumption-based, as-a-service model.

For more information on RICOH Claims Management Services, click here, or follow along with Ricoh on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

| About Ricoh | Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services that enable individuals to work smarter from anywhere. With cultivated knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-years history, Ricoh is a leading provider of digital services and information management, and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation and optimize business performance. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group has major operations throughout the world and its products and services now reach customers in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2021, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,682 billion yen (approx. 15.1 billion USD).

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

###

 2022 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are

the trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc.
Ray was instrumental in designing the firm's integrated operating model that brings together our transformation solutions in the context of our client's industries. This approach provides superior expertise for clients and resulted in higher client satisfaction scores and a growth rate for North Highland that is double the industry average.

"If there's one way to sum up Barbara's impressive contributions, it's that she brings a growth mindset to everything she does and sets a compelling example to inspire others," said Alex Bombeck, CEO. "She has been extraordinary in leading our change and transformation consultancy, embracing our internal transformation along the way."

Ray commented, "It's a huge honor for me to be recognized within our industry. Especially in today's environment of complex business challenges, innovation is critical for planning and executing the kind of transformation our clients need to succeed. This is an exciting time for me to collaborate with the talented team at North Highland  to help our clients grow and propel our firm and people forward."

Currently, Ray leads all industries and portfolios across the firm. She joined North Highland as a business partner in 2005 and has served as global public sector leader, managing director and was promoted to company president in 2020.

Prior to her career at North Highland, Ray served as deputy secretary in the Florida Department of Management Services and was an attorney at Bryant Miller Olive. She holds a JD from the Florida State University College of Law and a BA in psychology from Rollins College.

In March, honorees will be recognized at a Global Leaders in Consulting dinner and award ceremony in London.

About North Highland

North Highland makes change happen, helping businesses transform by placing people at the heart of every decision. It's how lasting progress is made. With our blend of workforce, customer and operational expertise, we're the world's leading transformation consultancy. We break new ground today, so tomorrow is easier to navigate.

Founded in 1992, North Highland is regularly named one of the best places to work. We are a proud member of Cordence Worldwide, a global network of truly connected consultancy firms with the ability to think and deliver together. This means North Highland has more than 4,500 experts in 60+ offices around the globe on hand to partner with you.

For more information, visit http://www.northhighland.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Media Contact:

Lucia Gomez, North Highland Public Relations

O: 404-975-6445

[email protected]

SOURCE North Highland
The acquisition follows the company's Series E, reaching a $1.1b valuation in 2021

NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenWeb, the premium audience relationship platform , today announced it has acquired Hive Media Group , a digital publisher and engagement platform that builds proprietary and world class publisher technologies. Hive Media Group was founded in 2016 by Daniel Sagis, Guy Yeshua and Stacy Abraham. The acquisition of Hive Media was made by OpenWeb for a mix of cash and stock with a total value of $60M.

"We are thrilled to welcome Hive Media to the OpenWeb team," said Nadav Shoval, CEO and co-founder of OpenWeb. "Right now, publishers are looking for the best technology available to improve revenue and own the relationships with their audiences. With this acquisition, we're doubling down on these efforts, building even greater capacity for innovation and value to our publishing partners, who aim to have more connection with their audiences."

Hive is well-established in the online media landscape, and will enable OpenWeb to provide more value to publishers. The acquisition brings on board Hive's team of over 60 employees including product and engineering. This additional expertise and resource will enhance OpenWeb's ability to build and test innovative products for publishers to power audience relationships, particularly as it pertains to enabling first-party data relationships, building more impactful editorial tools, and increasing the long term value for publishers. Hive's team brings best in class expertise in session optimization, user acquisition and SEO tools that will be tested on OpenWeb partner websites and then formally rolled out after the initial transition.

"We have known and admired OpenWeb and their leadership team for many years," said Guy Yeshua, at Hive Media Group. "Our missions are alignedcoming together only makes our efforts to improve digital experiences for publishers and users that much stronger. As we forge a new path together with OpenWeb, we look forward to creating new, powerful tools that empowers publishers."

As the integration begins, Hive Media Group will operate as an independent business unit within OpenWeb. Guy Yeshua and Stacy Abraham will remain as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. Guy Yeshua will join Openweb's executive leadership team. With the acquisition, OpenWeb's global headcount will reach over 225.

To learn more, visit OpenWeb's blog .

About OpenWeb

OpenWeb's mission is to improve online conversation. As a product company, OpenWeb partners with publishers and brands to build strong, direct relationships with their audiences. OpenWeb's technology empowers its partners to build vibrant communities rooted in healthy conversations and robust social experiences. OpenWeb works with more than 1,000 top-tier publishers, hosting more than 100 million active users each month.

Founded in 2012, OpenWeb has over 150 employees in New York City, Tel Aviv, and Kiev and is backed by world-class investors including Insight Venture Partners, Georgian, Entree Capital, AltaIR Capital, New York Times, Samsung Next, Dentsu, Norma Investments, and ScaleUp. To date, the company has raised $223 million in funding and is currently valued at over $1 billion. To learn more about OpenWeb's platform visit OpenWeb.com, or follow @OpenWebHQ on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Hive Media Group

Hive Media Group was founded in 2016 with the goal of redefining what it means to be a data-driven digital publisher. Hive Media Group's technology powers over 50 million sessions per month across dozens of web properties.

SOURCE OpenWeb
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global nonprofit Operation Smile announced a 10-year commitment today to increase access to care for 1 million patients who need cleft care and other essential surgeries. Entering its 40th anniversary year, the organization will scale up its investments in underserved remote areas around the world.

The announcement marks an evolution for Operation Smile, which will continue to work as the leading global nonprofit specializing in expert cleft surgery and care and will focus more intensely on transforming local health systems. The organization's new vision includes creating expanded opportunities for women in medicine, investing significantly in research, innovation, surgical education, and youth empowerment, all of which are factors that impact cleft care.

"As we enter our organization's next decade, we are deeply focused on increasing the number of high-quality cleft surgeries, which requires strengthening local health systems," said Operation Smile Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Bill Magee. "We're committing today, to transforming lives by challenging inequities in the health system head-on to serve a million people who need care."

Founded in 1982, Operation Smile has provided free, life-changing surgical and dental care for more than 326,000 patients, enabling them to eat, breathe, speak, and live healthier lives. With each surgery, the organization has seen how gaps in health care infrastructure create barriers to access and perpetuate inequities in health care systems.

"Our experience has shown us that long-term investments in health care infrastructure and partnerships with local medical leaders are critical to serve children with cleft conditions, and that our work and presence in a country provides greater access to high-quality care," said Kathy Magee, Co-Founder and President of Operation Smile. "Our focus will always be on cleft care, but we are also empowering our world-class medical teams fueled by 6,000 global volunteers to provide comprehensive care for patients autonomously."

Over the next 10 years, Operation Smile will collaborate with local partners, including ministries of health, donors, corporations and academic institutions to bolster in-country health systems to reach its goal of increasing access to care for 1 million patients.

Initial investments as part of the organization's next decade of commitments include:

$8 million investment in Guatemala over five years, which will support five hospitals across the country to provide cleft surgery for 1,200 patients and comprehensive care for 3,400 patients

investment in over five years, which will support five hospitals across the country to provide cleft surgery for 1,200 patients and comprehensive care for 3,400 patients $10 million investment over five years to support a network of hospitals and care providers across seven geographic areas in Mexico , which will provide care for 4,500 patients

investment over five years to support a network of hospitals and care providers across seven geographic areas in , which will provide care for 4,500 patients $9 million investment over five years to support patient care in Colombia , including in Riohacha Hospital, a public hospital located at the border with Venezuela where indigenous communities and migrants receive care

investment over five years to support patient care in , including in Riohacha Hospital, a public hospital located at the border with where indigenous communities and migrants receive care $6 million investment over five years to support the CHUK Hospital hub in Rwanda and outlying locations, including surgeon and clinical support, patient nutrition, dentistry and more

To ensure the long-term success of these investments, Operation Smile is partnering with local stakeholders to revolutionize how health systems deliver surgical care in underserved areas around the world.

For media inquiries please contact Tabresha Langham at [email protected].

Operation Smile is a global nonprofit specializing in expert cleft surgery and care. We provide medical expertise, research and care through our dedicated staff and medical and student volunteers around the world, working alongside local governments, nonprofits, and health systems, and supported by our generous donors.



For more information about Operation Smile, please visit: https://www.operationsmile.org/

SOURCE Operation Smile
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle today announced the availability of its first cloud region in Africa to meet the rapidly growing demand for enterprise cloud services on the continent. The Oracle Cloud Johannesburg Region will boost cloud adoption across Africa while also helping businesses achieve better performance and drive continuous innovation. The opening marks Oracle's 37th cloud region worldwide with plans to have at least 44 cloud regions by the end of 2022, continuing one of the fastest expansions of any major cloud provider.

"The fourth industrial revolution, which is powered by cloud-led technologies, has significantly accelerated in South Africa and the wider African continent. In recent months, cloud technologies have played a vital role in helping African public and private sector organisations ensure business continuity, deliver essential services, and meet evolving customer expectations. The Oracle Johannesburg region offers a next-generation cloud to run any application faster and more securely for less, helping businesses build resilience, agility and achieve improved ROI," said Richard Smith, executive vice president, EMEA, Oracle.

The Johannesburg region is built on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), which enables customers to easily migrate IT workloads and data platforms to the cloud or build new cloud native applications. In addition, Oracle offers a wide range of application modernisation and cloud strategies to help African organisations operate with global competitiveness.

Customer, Analyst, and Partner Commentary

African organisations are using Oracle to manage their mission-critical workloads and take advantage of cloud economics. Customers will benefit from significant performance improvements and reduced operational costs.

Airports Company South Africa owns and manages a network of nine airports in South Africa, including the three main international gateways: O.R. Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International, which together process more than 40 million passengers annually.

"Airports Company South Africa is mandated to advance South Africa's national agenda of economic growth and development while delivering a sustainable and profitable business. Cloud-led digital transformation is vital for us to maintain an agile and profitable business model. The Oracle Cloud Johannesburg Region will offer us the flexibility to explore the latest technologies that can support our digital roadmap," said Mthoko Mncwabe, CIO, Airports Company South Africa.

The Government Pensions Administrative Agency (GPAA) ensures the effective, transparent and accountable administration of pension funds on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GPEF) and the National Treasury of South Africa.

"GPAA is in the process of replacing legacy applications and refreshing its IT infrastructure. The timing of the Johannesburg region opening is perfect to enable us to lift and shift our existing and future Oracle deployments to the cloud. This will enable us to cut down on on-premises infrastructure and assist with the management of Oracle services, cybersecurity and disaster recovery," said Meiring Coetzee, CIO, Government Pensions Administrative Agency.

Telkom is Africa's largest telecommunications company.

"Telkom plays a leading role in South Africa's digital revolution, providing the latest converged ICT solutions for a range of business and residential customers. The Johannesburg region will boost the local infrastructure capability of South Africa and the wider continent, and help organisations kick-start their digital transformation journeys," said Reubin Layman, CIO, Openserve, Telkom SA.

"Our deep partnership with Oracle has always been one of Accenture's most strategic and important initiatives to help our clients leverage the cloud and thrive in a cloud-first world. In this era of rapid transformation, cloud has proven to be a powerful tool for organisations to master change  in fact, we have found that cloud-focused organisations in Africa and Asia Pacific were able to achieve 1.5 times more cost reduction and were reported to be 3.7 times more likely to innovate as compared to their competitors. We have seen the benefits Oracle Cloud Infrastructure brings to our clients and know that the Oracle Cloud Johannesburg Region will further accelerate organisations' cloud adoption and their ability to become agile, intelligent and digital businesses," said Kgomotso Lebele, Technology Lead, Accenture Africa.

"Public cloud services adoption is accelerating at CAGR of 25 percent year on year between 2020 and 2025 in Sub-Saharan Africa and IDC projects that the growth momentum will continue. The role of cloud in enabling innovation is underscored by the priority organisations have given to it as part of their digital transformation initiatives. Cloud-based technologies have helped organisations weather the COVID-19 crisis and cloud is now helping them build resilient organisations that can withstand uncertainties. Our survey of CIOs in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria highlights that an in-country data center is an important factor for 60 percent of organisations that are planning to adopt cloud over the next 12-18 months. The Johannesburg region will boost regional cloud infrastructure availability. IDC believes that cloud has become an inseparable element of an organisation's digital transformation and innovation roadmap," said Mark Walker, associate vice president, Sub-Saharan Africa, IDC.

"Supply chain is mission critical. Krber's unrivaled portfolio of supply chain software, spanning WMS, voice, robotics and beyond, empowers businesses to turn what were once warehousing and logistics challenges into strategic differentiators. Our work with Oracle takes this to another level, enhancing our capabilities with the power of the cloud. We look forward to the possibilities our solutions and the Oracle Cloud together will bring the industry in South and Sub Saharan Africa and globally," said Joe Couto, executive vice president, robotics and 3PL at Krber Supply Chain Software.

Preparing Africa's Next Generation for the Digital Economy

In South Africa, Oracle has initiated an annual "Graduate Leadership Program" to address the skills gap in the local ICT industry and creating employment opportunities for South Africa's youth. The program focuses on equipping disadvantaged South African students with specialised technology and leadership skills that prepare them for a career in the IT industry. Since its inception in 2014, more than 200 graduates have completed this program with several securing permanent employment with Oracle partner companies and other organisations.

High Availability and Disaster Protection

Oracle's strategy is to meet customers where they are, enabling customers to keep data and services where they need it. Customers can deploy Oracle Cloud completely within their own data centers with Dedicated Region and Exadata [email protected], deploy cloud services locally with public cloud-based management, or deploy cloud services remotely on the edge with Roving Edge Infrastructure.

OCI's next-generation architecture provides a high-performing, resilient foundation for cloud services, while its physical and virtual network design maximizes performance and security. For example, each Oracle Cloud region contains at least three fault domains, which are groupings of hardware that form logical data centers for high availability and resilience to hardware and network failures.

Sustainability

Oracle is committed to sustainability and has pledged to power all Oracle Cloud regions worldwide with 100 percent renewable energy by 2025. Several Oracle Cloud regions in North America, South America, and Europe are already powered by 100 percent renewable energy, and all Oracle Cloud regions use state-of-the-art energy management and cooling technologies to minimize their impact on the environment. As part of its clean Cloud initiative, Oracle reused or recycled 99.6 percent of its retired hardware in FY21 while strictly adhering to Oracle's data privacy and security practices.

Cloud Regions Deliver All Cloud Services and Multicloud

Oracle Cloud regions support every Oracle service and feature and are available to customers anywhere in the world. This includes Oracle Autonomous Database, Oracle Container Engine for Kubernetes, Oracle Cloud VMware solution, and Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite.

OCI's extensive network of more than 70 FastConnect global and regional partners offer customers dedicated connectivity to Oracle Cloud regions and OCI services  providing customers with the best options anywhere in the world. FastConnect provides an easy, elastic, and economical way to create a dedicated and private network connection with higher bandwidth, lower latency, and more consistent performance versus public Internet-based connections. Partners available at launch for the Oracle Cloud Johannesburg Region include Colt, Telia, Equinix, and Megaport.

In addition, OCI and Microsoft Azure have a strategic partnership that enables joint customers to run workloads across the two clouds. This partnership provides a low latency, cross-cloud interconnect between OCI and Azure in ten regions (San Jose, Phoenix, Ashburn, Toronto, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Tokyo, South Korea and Vinhedo), federated identity for joint customers to deploy applications across both clouds, and a collaborative support model. Customers can run full stack applications in a multi-cloud configuration, while maintaining high-performance connectivity without requiring re-architecture. They can also potentially migrate existing applications or develop cloud native applications that use a mix of OCI and Azure services.

Oracle Cloud's Expanding Global Footprint

As part of Oracle's planned expansion of its cloud region footprint to support strong customer demand for Oracle Cloud services worldwide, over the next year, Oracle will open seven additional cloud regions in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, France, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Oracle plans to have at least 44 cloud regions by the end of 2022.

Currently available Oracle Cloud regions:

Asia Pacific : Tokyo ( Japan ), Osaka ( Japan ), Seoul ( South Korea ), Chuncheon ( South Korea ), Mumbai ( India ), Hyderabad ( India ), Sydney ( Australia ), Melbourne ( Australia ), Singapore ( Singapore )

Tokyo ( ), ( ), ( ), Chuncheon ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ) Americas: San Jose ( United States ), Phoenix ( United States ), Ashburn ( United States ), Toronto ( Canada ), Montreal ( Canada ), Sao Paolo (Brazil) , Vinhedo (Brazil), Santiago ( Chile )

San Jose ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), Sao , Vinhedo (Brazil), ( ) Europe : Frankfurt ( Germany ), London ( United Kingdom ), Newport, Wales (United Kingdom ), Zurich ( Switzerland ), Amsterdam ( The Netherlands ), Marseille ( France ), Stockholm ( Sweden ), Milan ( Italy )

Frankfurt ( ), ( ), Newport, ), Zurich ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ) Middle East : Jeddah ( Saudi Arabia ), Abu Dhabi and Dubai (U.A.E), Jerusalem ( Israel )

Jeddah ( ), and (U.A.E), ( ) Government: Two general U.S. Government regions, and U.S. National Security regions, three U.S. Department of Defense specific Government regions, two in the United Kingdom ( London and Newport, Wales )

Additional Resources

Learn more about the Oracle Cloud Regions

Learn more about Oracle Cloud Infrastructure

Learn more about how OCI is enabling customers in South Africa

OCI is enabling customers in Read more about the Oracle and Orange collaboration in West Africa

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.

SOURCE Oracle
Pantaloons is the first ABFRL brand to deploy personalization and will be followed by other brands. ABFRL will use Algonomy's flagship products Recommend , Engage , Find  and Discover  to leverage not just real-time shopper behavior, but also store data to holistically personalize end to end omni channel experience for each shopper.

In addition to product recommendations based on regional top sellers, local festivals that help with cold start scenarios, Pantaloons is also leveraging advanced merchandising to deliver complete-the-look recommendations, and products to complement a customer's past purchases. The leading retailer has also launched a Style Finder that lets shoppers specify their categories and occasion and allows them to see either personalized products or try something new.

Algonomy Xen AI, the patented Composite AI decisioning engine, selects the most optimal experience for every interaction in real time, considering the shopper's profile, stage in the buying journey and Pantaloon's goals, around engagement, conversion or revenue. In addition to popularity, individual behavioral data is also used to influence a shopper's search and browse results, making online shopping cohesive and frictionless.

"Customers today expect the very best and completely seamless shopping experience from store to digital, and our partnership with Algonomy, will enable us in delivering on these expectations by personalizing across the digital channels, without any experience fragmentation," said Praveen Shrikhande, Chief Digital and Information Officer, ABFRL.

"For us, it's important to understand each customer, their intent and context in real time and personalize their experience at a 1:1 level. Manual merchandising and segmentation cannot handle the scale, and as a result eCommerce suffers from low conversions. AI driven, real-time tailoring of our webstore is here and now - and with Algonomy, we get an integrated suite that meets our future needs as well," said Varun Rajwade, AVP - Product & Digital CX, ABFRL.

"As a strategic partner in ABFRL's Digital transformation journey, we are excited about delivering integrated online experiences across recommendation, search, and content for ABFRL. It is an honor and responsibility to be able to positively influence the experience for ABFRL's millions of customers," said Amit Agarwal, SVP - Sales & Business Development, Algonomy.

About Algonomy

Algonomy (previously Manthan-RichRelevance) empowers leading brands to become digital-first with the industry's only real-time Algorithmic Customer Engagement (ACE) platform with built-in customer activation and analytics for the retail industry. With industry-leading retail AI expertise connecting demand to supply with a real-time customer data platform as the foundation, Algonomy enables 1:1 omnichannel personalization, customer journey orchestration & analytics, merchandising analytics and supplier collaboration. To learn more, visit www.algonomy.com .

About Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited

ABFRL is part of a leading Indian conglomerate, The Aditya Birla Group. It is one of India's largest pure-play fashion powerhouse with an elegant bouquet of leading fashion brands and retail formats.

As of 30th September 2021, The Company has a network of 3,264 stores across approximately 26,841 multi- brand outlets with 7,094+ point of sales in department stores across India.

It has a repertoire of market leading brands such as Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England established for over 25 years. Pantaloons is one of India's largest value fashion retail brand. The International Brands portfolio includes - The Collective, India's largest multi-brand retailer of international brands, Simon Carter and select mono-brands such as Forever 21, American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker and Fred Perry. Additionally, the company has also made a foray in branded ethnic wear through the acquisition of Jaypore brand and partnerships with India's leading designers Shantanu and Nikhil, Tarun Tahiliani and Sabyasachi.

Media contact:

Amit Jain

[email protected]

SOURCE Algonomy
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PayrHealth today announced that it has acquired SilverCreek RCM, a Pittsburg, Kansas based full-service revenue cycle management (RCM) company serving healthcare providers across the country and continuum  supporting clients' revenue growth and minimizing their administrative burdens so they can focus on patients. https://silvercreekrcm.com.

SilverCreek founder and CEO Rebecca Light said, "This is a partnership of two highly compatible companies. We hold similar values and philosophies on doing business: producing a high-quality service for our clients, an emphasis on honesty and integrity, and the importance of bringing positive outcomes in the highly complex business of healthcare. I am enthusiastic to join the PayrHealth executive team and continue to be a shareholder in our great company." Rebecca Light will transition to the President of Revenue Cycle Management, leading the combined company's RCM division and global strategy.

PayrHealth can now offer this proven RCM solution with 15+ years' experience delivering operational excellence and outcomes to its clients. PayrHealth CEO, Armando Cardoso, said, "We are thrilled to welcome this talented team to the PayrHealth family. Rebecca Light is an RCM industry thought leader who has achieved industry topping service levels at SilverCreek. We plan to advance our joint offerings even further through strategic investments in technology and people."

Ben Moe, Managing Partner at Osceola Capital Management, said, "This acquisition combines industry leading payor contracting and revenue cycle experts to deliver lasting value to clients. This will serve as a dynamic platform to pursue other strategically aligned acquisitions and RCM tuck-ins."

Thanks to the similarities in culture, processes, and values, this integration is on track to be completed by the end of January 2022.

About PayrHealth

Founded in 1994, PayrHealth provides analytical, contracting, negotiation, credentialing, and revenue cycle solutions to healthcare organizations across the United States. PayrHealth is an all-in-one payor relationship and network development solution - strategically modeling and proactively managing contracts, strengthening payor-provider relationships, and optimizing revenue cycle management to help safeguard the best partnerships between healthcare providers and payors. PayrHealth is an Osceola Capital Management portfolio company. To learn more, visit www.payrhealth.com.

About Osceola Capital Management

Osceola Capital is a Tampa-based private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market services companies, typically with EBITDA of $2 million to $10 million. Osceola has extensive experience partnering with management teams to execute buy-and-build strategies and drive long-term value creation. To learn more, visit www.osceola.com.

Contact: Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

914-834-4334

SOURCE PayrHealth
MOGADISHU, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and ten others wounded in a suicide bombing in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Tuesday evening, the police said.

The police said a suicide bomber wearing explosive vests wrapped around his waist blew himself up at a restaurant located near a military training camp in the restive city.

"We can confirm that six people were killed and ten others wounded in the suicide bombing," a police officer who requested anonymity told Xinhua on the phone.

Witnesses said rescue operations are underway to rush the wounded to the hospital, adding that the explosion ripped off the roof of the restaurant.

"I have seen heavily armed security forces arriving at the scene," Mukhtar Mohamed, a witness, said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack. 
SUZHOU, China, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Peijia Medical Limited (HKEX: 9996) is pleased to announce its strategic investment and exclusive in-licensing agreement with JenaValve Technology, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Peijia has made a cash and equity investment in JenaValve and will commit additional capital based upon development milestones in exchange for exclusive rights to develop and commercialize JenaValve's innovative TrilogyTM transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) systems in the Greater China region to treat patients suffering from aortic regurgitation (AR) or aortic stenosis (AS). JenaValve will also be eligible for future royalty payments on sales.

JenaValve Technology, Inc., is headquartered in Irvine, California, with additional locations in Leeds, U.K., and Munich, Germany, is a pioneer in the TAVR field. Its patented locator technology is designed to align the valve with the native anatomy and secure the valve by clipping onto the native valve leaflets, minimizing the potential for valve migration. The company received a CE Mark in May 2021 for the treatment of both aortic regurgitation (AR), and aortic stenosis (AS) the first and only transfemoral TAVR device in the world approved for AR. Additionally, JenaValve has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which allows for priority review of the ALIGN-AR Clinical Trial for the treatment of symptomatic, severe aortic regurgitation (AR) who are at high risk for open heart surgery.

"With the addition of the TrilogyTM Heart Valve System, Peijia will have a more comprehensive product portfolio to better serve patients with aortic valve diseases in China," said Dr. Yi Zhang, Peijia's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Currently, there are no transfemoral TAVR devices approved for aortic regurgitation in China; however, some patients with severe aortic regurgitation have to be treated by off-label use of TAVR devices as they are not eligible for open heart surgery. The Trilogy TM System provides a new treatment option to doctors and brings hope to aortic regurgitation patients. The investment in and collaboration with JenaValve solidifies Peijia's commitment and market-leading position in the structural heart field in China," said Dr. Yi Zhang. According to Frost & Sullivan, there were approximately 3.9 million patients in China in 2020 suffering from aortic regurgitation.

"We are excited to find the right partner and look forward to working with Peijia to bring the Trilogy TM heart valve system to China as soon as possible," said John Kilcoyne, JenaValve's Chief Executive Officer. "We could not be more pleased to collaborate with such an innovative company and with an established track record of successful technology transfer. We are very excited to work with our new partner to potentially benefit millions of patients in China with the Trilogy TM Heart Valve System."

About Peijia Medical

Peijia Medical was founded in 2012, and its headquarters is based in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. It was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in May 2020. Peijia is dedicated to the innovation, R&D, and production of high-end medical devices for structural heart disease and cerebrovascular interventions -- covering aortic valve, mitral valve, tricuspid valve, interventional accessories, and diseases related to hemorrhage, ischemia, and pathways in cerebrovascular intervention. It has built a relatively comprehensive array of product and solution portfolios in the field of structural heart disease and cerebrovascular interventions for use throughout China.

About JenaValve

JenaValve Technology, Inc., is headquartered in Irvine, California, with additional locations in Leeds, U.K., and Munich, Germany, develops and manufactures transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) systems to treat patients suffering from aortic valve disease. JenaValve is backed by Bain Capital Life Sciences and Cormorant Asset Management as well as European and Asian investors, including Andera Partners, Gimv (Euronext: GIMB), Legend Capital, NeoMed Management, RMM, Valiance Life Sciences, VI Partners and Peijia Medical Limited (HKEX: 9996).

US: CAUTION  Investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use.

SOURCE Peijia Medical Limited
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pierce Washington, LLC, a leading software system integrator executing enterprise-level configure-price-quote ("CPQ") and digital commerce implementations, has been recapitalized for growth. The investment group included Kidd & Company, a family office doing direct thesis-driven equity investing in the lower middle market, as well as Ignite Labs, Spring Capital and Southfield Mezzanine.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Pierce Washington has built a reputation for customer focus and delivery excellence. The recapitalization will accelerate Pierce Washington's growth and expansion, specifically in offering its customers a "total commerce" solution across the quote-to-cash business process.

Pierce Washington will continue to be led by its Partners: John Carey, Faris Yamini, and Rob Watters. Founding Partner John Carey commented, "This investment validates the brand we've built and the work that we've done for our Enterprise clients over the last 17 years. Accelerating our growth will enable Pierce Washington to better support the digital transformations our B2B customers are embarking upon."

Marc Murphy from Ignite Labs will serve as Chairman of Pierce Washington. Marc has known and worked with the Pierce Washington team in his previous roles and stated, "This investment is aimed at accelerating Pierce Washington's growth in a high demand and exciting market space. I'm looking forward to building on the success of the founding team and continuing the company's focus on customers and delivery."

Kidd & Company's investment process was led by its Partner, Gerry DeBiasi, who commented, "I am truly excited to be partnering with the Pierce Washington team, as well as Ignite Labs, Spring Capital, and Southfield Mezzanine, to accelerate the growth of Pierce Washington. John, Faris, and Rob have built a great company with great people and great customers, and this transaction will allow the company to continue this path but with more resources behind it."

About Pierce Washington

Founded in 2005, Pierce Washington assists companies with the digital transformation of their Quote-to-Cash process. We help organizations connect their customers, channel partners, and internal sales teams with the information they need to increase revenue and improve margins. Our clients understand that achieving the benefits of a digital transformation strategy requires knitting together a patchwork of customer information that lives across the enterprise. Pierce Washington was founded in 2005. Our founders, who came from the global system integrators, saw an opportunity to bring the experience of larger consulting firms but with more focused teams and a more flexible approach. For more information, visit www.piercewashington.com .

About Kidd & Company

Kidd & Company is the private equity arm of the Kidd Family Office. It develops thesis-driven investment strategies in the lower middle market and invests its capital in these strategies. Its focused, non-traditional approach to private equity investing has allowed the firm to grow and prosper for more than 45 years. It invests in companies that are growing and profitable but where it can help accelerate the companies' growth into the future. For more information, visit www.kiddcompany.com .

About Ignite Labs

Ignite Labs is an investment consulting firm that partners with founders and private equity investors to drive thesis-based investments in the enterprise software and tech-enabled services sector. We provide years of industry experience in creating process driven approaches to implement the shared vision and accelerate company growth.

About Spring Capital

Spring Capital Partners was founded in 1999 to provide mezzanine capital to growing small and medium sized businesses. The firm has managed over $600 million of capital and is currently investing out of its fourth fund, Spring Capital Partners IV, a $250 million SBIC. Investments are made in the form of subordinated debt and minority equity, typically in the range of $2 million to $20 million per investment. In addition to investing in change of control/buyout transactions with committed private equity funds and independent sponsors, Spring Capital also provides capital to privately held businesses to support acquisitions, growth, and minority recapitalizations. For more information, visit www.springcap.com.

About Southfield Capital/Southfield Mezzanine

Southfield Capital is a lower middle market investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, operating both control-focused private equity funds and non-control, debt-oriented mezzanine funds. Southfield Mezzanine, the firm's dedicated SBIC strategy, focuses on unitranche, subordinated debt, and non-control equity co-investments in US-based businesses generating $3-15MM of EBITDA. This industry-agnostic strategy looks to partner with private equity funds, independent sponsors, as well as directly with experienced management teams. For more information, visit www.southfieldmezz.com.

Contact: Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

914-834-4334

SOURCE Kidd & Company, LLC
View FREE Sample: to know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years.

Vendor Insights

Global railway maintenance machinery market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic strategies to compete in the market.

The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as electrification and remote monitoring of trains and infrastructure to improve the business opportunities and focusing on fast-growing segments. Some vendors are also adopting inorganic growth strategies such as M&As to remain competitive in the market.

The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including:

Alamo Group Inc.

American Equipment Co.

China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd.

GEATECH Group Srl

Harsco Corp.

Loram Maintenance of Way Inc.

Plasser and Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH

ROBEL Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH

Speno International SA

Strukton Groep NV

Find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings, Read Free Sample Report.

Geographical Market Analysis

Europe will provide maximum growth opportunities in the railway maintenance machinery market during the forecast period. According to our research report, the region will contribute to 44% of the global market growth and is expected to dominate the market through 2025. Europe will generate growth across all the years of the forecast period between 2021 and 2025. The year-on-year growth during this period will vary between 5.75% and 10.32%.

The UK, Germany, and France are the major markets for railway maintenance machinery in Europe. The availability of a large number of railway routes in the region is boosting the railway maintenance machinery market in the region. In addition, the European countries are estimated to witness a growth in rail passenger transport during the forecast period.

On the other hand, governments in developing countries are undertaking initiatives to encourage environmental concerns and switch the railways services towards electrification.

Key Segment Analysis

Track motor vehicles is one of the prominent sections of the global railway maintenance machinery market for the past few years. These are equipment are used for track maintenance because even a small disruption in the railway track can lead to hindering the railway services or the work progression on the work sites.

These types of track maintenance works are used for various maintenance activities such as removing obstacles and cleaning vegetations in the track and area of clearance gauge, fixing minor damages to the fasteners.

Know more about this market's geographical distribution along with the detailed analysis of the top regions. https://www.technavio.com/report/railway-maintenance-machinery-market-industry-analysis

Key Market Drivers & Challenges:

The rise in the number of railway electrification projects is one of the key drivers for the railway maintenance machinery market share growth. Electronic trains are considered economically more viable and sustainable than fuel-powered engines. Moreover, governments of various countries are planning to boost the electrification as there is a significant reduction in the emission while transit compared to the diesel engines while faster acceleration and deceleration. Therefore, the massive surge in electrification and upgradation projects in the railways services is estimated to elevate the global railway maintenance machinery market during the forecast period.

The increased cost of equipment and availability of refurbished products is a key challenge for the global railway maintenance machinery market growth. There are multiple types of railway maintenance machines tamping machines, rail handling machines and stabilizing machines. Each of the machines has different price variants depending on their usage and efficiency. Therefore, the preferences of most of the countries towards manual inspection and maintenance of railway networks is expected to hamper the railway maintenance machinery market during the forecast period.

View free sample for highlights on market Drivers & Challenges affecting the railway maintenance machinery market.

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Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and know more insights about this market report. Our analysts can also help you customize this report according to your needs. Our analysts and industry experts will work directly with you to understand your requirements and provide you with customized data in a short amount of time.

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Railway Maintenance Machinery Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 2.56 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.80 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution Europe at 44% Key consumer countries UK, US, Germany, France, China, and India Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Alamo Group Inc., American Equipment Co., China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd., GEATECH Group Srl, Harsco Corp., Loram Maintenance of Way Inc., Plasser and Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH, ROBEL Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH, Speno International SA, and Strukton Groep NV Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us:

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
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Take a Look at the List of Top Web Hosting Service Providers for Various Hosting Needs for Businesses:

Best Web Hosting Companies:

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Internationally recognized B2B GoodFirms is a maverick research, ratings, and reviews platform. It aims to assist the service seekers in making it effortless for them to associate with the best partners that fit in their budget and needs.

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About GoodFirms:

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SOURCE GoodFirms
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The creators of SafetyNet will debut a potential game-changer in the fight to stop sexual assault and human trafficking at a charity gala in downtown Los Angeles on February 12, 2022.

SafetyNet provides a cup or stir stick that, upon introduction to "designer" drugs like GHB, rohypnol, and ketamine, changes in color from translucent to purple, alerting the drinker that a drug has been placed in their drink.

"The goal is to make it known that an attempt has been made to drug the beverage, reducing the chances of a sexual assault or abduction," said Reena Sehgal, a Los Angeles-based attorney representing SafetyNet. "People can rest easier knowing their drink is going to notify them if someone makes an attempt to violate their rights."

An American is subject to rape or sexual assault roughly every 68 seconds, according to the anti-sexual assault organization RAINN, with five percent of reported sexual assaults classified as drug-induced.

The product, which has been approved by John Hopkins, will be demoed at the gala. Tickets for the event - a red carpet event hosted at the luxurious Los Angeles Mayfair - can be purchased at http://www.experiencesafetynet.com .

SafetyNet cups and stirrers will be commercially available once funding has been secured. The products are currently expected to hit shelves at grocery stores, liquor stores and elsewhere by May 2022.

"SafetyNet itself will reduce sexual assaults by detecting these drugs, but perhaps even more importantly, its very existence will serve as a deterrent," Sehgal said. "Rapists and human traffickers will think twice if there's a readily available product that will catch them in the act."

Proceeds from the charity event will benefit RAINN, Love Fearless, and other non-profits dedicated to stopping sexual assault and human trafficking.

SafetyNet is sponsored by Sehgal Law PC, Lastine Impressions, and Broken Vase Productions. Its goal is to greatly reduce those numbers and bring a product to market that will allow people to rest easy knowing their drink is safe to consume. Find out more at http://www.experiencesafetynet.com

SOURCE Sehgal Law PC
MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandi Britton, a 22-year veteran of talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half, has been promoted to executive director, overseeing the company's contract finance and accounting practice group. In this role, she will lead global operational strategy for the placement of highly skilled finance and accounting professionals on a contract basis, for short- and long-term assignments.

Brandi Britton, executive director for Robert Half's contract finance and accounting practice group

Since joining Robert Half, Britton has held several leadership positions with the company, most recently serving as district president for professional talent solutions in Southern California. During her tenure, Britton has achieved companywide recognition for outstanding leadership and production.

"The current employment market demands flexibility, and hiring contract talent is one strategy companies have adopted to stay nimble and keep critical projects moving," said Paul F. Gentzkow, president and CEO of talent solutions at Robert Half. "As Brandi is one of our most tenured and celebrated company leaders, I am confident in her ability to implement innovative strategies to grow this critical business unit, and I look forward to her continued success."

About Robert Half

Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm that connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. Robert Half offers contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Visit roberthalf.com and download our award-winning mobile app.

SOURCE Robert Half
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IPX1031, the national leader in 1031 Exchange services, announces that Certified Exchange Specialist (CES) Ross Fong has rejoined IPX1031 in a dual role as Senior Exchange Officer and Co-Account Executive with James Callejas in San Francisco. Together they bring the most comprehensive 1031 knowledge, tools, and solutions that the 1031 industry can offer.

Fong brings more than 24 years of 1031 industry experience, including personally completing over 20,000 tax deferred exchanges.

"The depth and scope of Ross' expertise ranges from the intricacies of complex 1031 transactions to the nuances inherent in simple structures," said EVP and Western Regional Manager, Jennifer Keen. "Ross will be an enormous asset for our Northern California operation and his return speaks to the company's top-tier reputation with commercial brokers, attorneys, tax advisors and investors. We are thrilled to welcome him back to IPX1031."

Ross Fong can be reached at (415) 291-5145 or via email at [email protected].

About IPX1031

Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031) is the largest and one of the oldest Qualified Intermediaries in the United States. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF), a Fortune 500 company, IPX1031 provides industry leading security for exchange funds as well as expertise and experience in facilitating all types of 1031 Exchanges. IPX1031's nationwide staff, which includes industry experts, veteran attorneys and accountants, are available to provide answers and guidance to clients and their legal and tax advisors. For more information about IPX1031 visit www.ipx1031.com.

For more information, contact:

Jennifer Keen, EVP, Western Regional Manager

[email protected]

(760) 672-5368

SOURCE IPX1031
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MountainWest Capital Network (MWCN) announced that Sam and Kacie Malouf have been named Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2022. For the past 34 years, MWCN has recognized Utah entrepreneurs who build industry-leading companies, inspire others to pursue their own entrepreneurial visions, and give back to the community.

Sam and Kacie Malouf are the co-founders of Malouf Companies, a vertically integrated business with operations in consumer products, technology, retail, logistics and venture. Headquartered in Cache Valley, Malouf Companies is a significant driver of economic growth in northern Utah, employing over 1,600 people across a network of 55 brands and businesses. Companies in the Malouf family of brands include Malouf Home, Dr. Oz Good Life, Downeast, Impact Suite and Tamarak Capital.

In 2016, the Maloufs founded the Malouf Foundation to fight against child sexual exploitation, specifically sex trafficking and online abuse and most recently announced a partnership with the Elizabeth Smart Foundation to further that goal. Revenue generated by the Malouf network of brands and businesses helps to fuel the efforts of this foundation. In addition, Malouf Companies is Utah's largest Certified B Corporation, dedicating its business success to benefit social and environmental performance.

"The Maloufs are an ideal choice for our Entrepreneur of the Year award, as they embody everything we look for in candidates," MWCN's Entrepreneur of the Year Chair Jake Kastan said. "Alongside the outstanding success and growth of their brands, they embrace giving back to the community and seeding entrepreneurship in others. Their commitment to the Malouf Foundation goes above and beyond what we typically see among corporate philanthropy."

In 2003, Sam and Kacie Malouf founded the small business that would grow into Malouf Companies, now operating in three corporate offices and seven distribution centers in six states. Kacie, a native Utahn, serves as the board chair of the Malouf Foundation. Sam is the CEO of Malouf Companies and president of the Malouf Foundation.

"The secret to our success isn't really a secret. It's our amazing people. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of all of our teams across the country and at our headquarters in Logan," said Sam Malouf. "Since the early days, we've purposefully invested in the wellbeing of our employees. When people like coming to work, and connect with company values and the work we do through the Foundation, Kacie and I know we're doing things right."

The MWCN Entrepreneur of the Year luncheon honoring Sam and Kacie Malouf will be held on February 15, 2022 in the Grand Ballroom of the Little America Hotel. Speakers this year include Elizabeth Smart on behalf of the Malouf Foundation and others.

Since its founding in 1983, MWCN has been committed to recognizing entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneur of the Year is a key feature of MWCN's outreach to foster business relationships and recognize outstanding members of Utah's business community.

The Maloufs join other entrepreneurial giants and pioneers who have also been named Entrepreneur of the Year since 1983. Honorees in the past decade include Hanko Kiessner, Dr. Steve Neeleman, Fred Lampropoulos, Ryan Smith, Jeremy Andrus, Aaron Skonnard, Peter and Nicole Mouskondis, Tom Dickson, Todd Pedersen and Josh James.

To register to attend the luncheon, visit: https://www.mwcn.org/event-registration/

About MountainWest Capital Network

MountainWest Capital Network is Utah's first and largest business networking organization devoted to supporting entrepreneurial success and dedicated to the flow of financial, entrepreneurial and intellectual capital. Learn more at www.mwcn.org or connect on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn .

About Malouf Companies

Malouf Companies spans 18 years, six states and multiple industries. Headquartered in Cache Valley, Malouf brings high-quality jobs and economic stimulus to northern Utah, employing over 1,600 people and operating in three corporate offices and seven distribution centers. Notable companies in the Malouf family include home furnishings innovators Malouf Home, Lucid, Linenspa and Dr. Oz Good Life; Utah retail company Downeast, which includes home and apparel divisions; technology and app pioneer Impact Suite; and venture-focused family office Tamarak Capital. The Malouf network of over 55 brands and businesses generates revenue that fuels the Malouf Foundation's fight against child sexual exploitation. As Utah's largest Certified B Corporation, the company focuses on using its business as a force for good by serving a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profits. Learn more at maloufcompanies.com .

SOURCE MountainWest Capital Network
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsara Inc. ("Samsara") (NYSE: IOT) announced today that the underwriters of the company's initial public offering ("IPO") exercised their previously disclosed over-allotment option and have purchased 3,546,882 shares of Class A common stock (the "Additional Shares"). The net proceeds to Samsara from the sale of the Additional Shares were approximately $77.9 million. After giving effect to the sale of Additional Shares, the total number of shares sold by Samsara in the IPO was 38,546,882 and net proceeds of the IPO were approximately $846.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and before estimated offering expenses.

Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan, and Allen & Company LLC acted as lead book-running managers for the IPO. RBC Capital Markets, Wells Fargo Securities, Evercore ISI, and William Blair acted as book-running managers for the IPO. Cowen, Wolfe | Nomura Alliance, Academy Securities, Loop Capital Markets, R. Seelaus & Co., LLC, Ramirez & Co., Inc., and Siebert Williams Shank acted as co-managers for the IPO.

A registration statement relating to the sale of these securities has been filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The IPO was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus related to the IPO may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, by telephone at (866) 471-2526 or by email at [email protected]; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at (866) 803-9204, or by email at [email protected]; or Allen & Company LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 711 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (212) 339-2220 or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Samsara

Samsara is the pioneer of the Connected Operations Cloud, which allows businesses that depend on physical operations to harness IoT (Internet of Things) data to develop actionable business insights and improve their operations. Samsara operates in North America and Europe and serves tens of thousands of customers across a wide range of industries including transportation, wholesale and retail trade, construction, field services, logistics, utilities and energy, government, healthcare and education, manufacturing, and food and beverage. The company's mission is to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy.

SOURCE Samsara
BOSTON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, has been named a 2021 SEAL Sustainable Product Award winner for its Ultracast Viva casting and release paper.

Ultracast Viva was also selected by the International Design Awards Jury for an Honorable Mention for textile design.

Ultracast Viva is the new standard for high-fidelity casting and release papers, offering compatibility with solvent-free casting systems, serving as the mold for coated fabrics by transferring texture and gloss to create authentically pleasing synthetic leathers and other coated materials. The textured surfaces are then used for end products people use every day, such as shoes, car seats, handbags, apparel and more. After use, the release paper is stripped away and can be reused multiple times.

The SEAL Awards celebrate the companies and leaders across the globe that make measurable contributions to sustainability and develop innovative initiatives that will positively impact the environment for centuries to come. The International Design Awards recognize, celebrate and promote exceptional design visionaries and discover emerging talent in architecture, interior, product, graphic and fashion design worldwide.

"Sustainability and innovation are what drives Sappi North America, and it is the inspiration for each of our products," said Mark Hittie, Director, Release Business Strategy, Sappi North America. "We launched Ultracast Viva with a commitment to environmentally-friendly manufacturing to help our customers reduce their own environmental footprint. We're thrilled that it is getting the recognition it deserves as the first high-fidelity textured release paper line compatible with solvent-free systems, and we look forward to the progress this innovative and technologically advanced release paper will spur."

Ultracast Viva is a first-of-its-kind product that sets the standard for sustainable casting and is designed for companies dedicated to using sustainable alternatives when creating high-quality coated fabrics and textured materials. Ultracast Viva was developed proactively to align with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Program, and it answers a long-standing call for a release paper that enables production via solvent-free manufacturing systems.

To see the full list of 2021 SEAL Sustainable Product Award winners, please visit: sealawards.com.

To see the full list of 2021 IDA winners, please visit: idesignawards.com

To learn more about Sappi North America's sustainability efforts, please visit: sappi.com.

About Sappi North America, Inc.

Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our three diversified businesses  high-quality graphic papers, pulp and packaging and speciality papers  is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high-quality graphic papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerse, and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of dissolving pulp with our Verve brand, a sustainable fiber, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable packaging and specialty papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands, Spectro and Proto, and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers, LusterPrint and LusterCote. We are also one of the world's leading suppliers of casting and release papers with our Ultracast, PolyEx and Classics lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit.

Sappi North America, Inc. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries.

About The SEAL Awards

SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards is an environmental advocacy organization that honors leadership through our business sustainability awards & environmental journalism awards while funding research and pursuing our own environmental impact campaigns.

SOURCE Sappi North America, Inc.
NAIROBI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will soon commence exporting avocado to China amid growing bilateral trade between the two countries, an executive said on Tuesday.

Okisegere Ojepat, the chief executive officer of the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC Kenya) said at a briefing in Nairobi that discussions are ongoing to approve export of avocado to China.

Ojepat said that Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service and its Chinese counterpart is expected to conduct inspection and address some technical issues to ensure that avocado meant for export meet quality and safety threshold.

"We are currently selling frozen avocados to the Chinese market and this new agreement is most welcomed as it will help increase the country's export earnings," said Ojepat. 
Search Discovery is now among a small group of Google Marketing Platform Sales Partners certified to sell both media and analytics products. Certification across the full stack of Google Marketing Platform solutions ideally positions Search Discovery to provide end-to-end solutions across Google Marketing Platform's products to advance marketer maturity.

Search Discovery offers comprehensive, integrated services across data strategy, data engineering, business intelligence, analytics, optimization, and digital marketing. It also develops breakout SaaS technologies like Apollo , the world's first tag management system.

Empirical Path, rebranding as Search Discovery, partners with industry-leading analytics providers and delivers enterprise-grade engagements, focusing on web and mobile analytics, tag management systems, and attribution.

"Our goal is to be a top Google Marketing Platform Sales Partner in the U.S.to provide clients with exceptional training, strategic guidance, and technical product integration and support," said Search Discovery President Mike Gustafson. "Adding Empirical Path's experience and expertise expands our capabilities, deepening our ability to help marketers solve complex measurement problems. Our clients will gain a competitive advantage and meaningful business results."

Empirical Path Cofounder Peter Howley, Search Discovery's new Emerging Partners Business Lead, agrees. "Our goal has been to meaningfully help clients solve interesting challenges alongside colleagues who we learn from and trust. This opportunity benefits our team and clients, who will enjoy a deeper bench of capabilities and services to leverage data to drive business outcomes." Howley's cofounder Jim Snyder will serve as Senior Analytics Architect at Search Discovery.

"We're excited that this expansion and sales partner status will create additional data and media opportunities to further drive business impact for our company," said Bryan Huber, Worldwide VP, Digital Marketing for Comfort Keepers, which has worked with Search Discovery for seven years.

With 173 employees, offices in Atlanta and Cleveland, and a 200-client portfolio, Search Discovery delivers data solutions for leading brands, including GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Chase, Google, Shell, Hilton, DHL, and others. The merger expands the company's certifications across digital platforms and marketplaces, including Google, Amazon, Facebook, Adobe, Salesforce, Domo, The Trade Desk, Azure, and more.

SOURCE Search Discovery
Orozco's practice focuses on white collar criminal defense and corporate investigations, as well as government contracts matters. His background as a federal prosecutor and government contracts attorney positions him to be an effective strategist for clients on matters at the intersection of government contracts and white collar. Orozco's practice will focus in particular on representing companies and individuals in litigation and counseling related to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), False Claims Act (FCA), Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and alleged violations of Title 18 of the United States Code, specifically matters involving allegations of corruption and bribery.

"We are so pleased to welcome Agustin back to Crowell & Moring and to our partnership. He left as an associate in our Government Contracts Group and gained valuable government and trial experience as an Assistant U.S. Attorney investigating and prosecuting white collar crime," said Philip T. Inglima, chair of Crowell & Moring. "Agustin is a skilled criminal and civil litigator whose focus on investigations and commercial disputes will bring strategic value to our clients."

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Central District of California, Orozco led investigations into public corruption matters at both federal and local levels. He represented the government in over 100 matters, including criminal investigations, prosecutions, appeals of public corruption, bribery (both domestic and abroad), conflicts of interest, honest services fraud, procurement fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, obstruction of justice, money laundering, and tax evasion. In 2019, Orozco was assigned to the Public Corruption & Civil Rights Section, where he focused on investigations into allegations of corruption and fraud, trying high-profile cases, such as a re-trial of a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy, and the prosecution of complex white collar cases, such as the prosecution of a real estate developer who defrauded creditors through complicated business transactions and an attorney who defrauded clients by forging court orders and misappropriating client funds. He has tried six cases to verdict, briefed several appeals, and argued successfully before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In addition, during his tenure at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, Orozco served as the chair of the Diversity-Mentorship Subcommittee, civil rights crimes coordinator, and the Office's first-ever pro bono coordinator.

"Agustin adds to our powerful bench of former government prosecutors  including more than 20 DOJ and SEC attorneys  and really strengthens our investigative and trial prowess on the West Coast," said Daniel L. Zelenko, chair of the firm's White Collar & Regulatory Enforcement Group. "With several years of DOJ experience under his belt, Agustin brings in-depth, first-chair trial experience to offer clients in white collar criminal defense matters."

"Agustin's government contracts capabilities, combined with his experience prosecuting procurement fraud matters while at the USAO, make him a strong addition to our already deep bench," said Daniel R. Forman, co-chair of Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Group. "He is a differentiator for the firm, both in Los Angeles and nationally, and will play a key role in helping our clients navigate what we expect will be a ramp up by the Biden administration of investigations and enforcement actions against government contractors."

Orozco earned his law degree from Loyola Law School and his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego. He serves as a commissioner on the California State Bar's Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and is a board member of For People of Color, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on diversifying the legal profession.

"I am thrilled to return home to Crowell & Moring and reunite with several of my former colleagues," Orozco said. "The firm has an outstanding reputation in the white collar and government contracts bars. I look forward to drawing on my federal service and private practice experience to help clients with their most pressing investigations, and continuing to build out the firm's white collar presence on the West Coast."

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia that represents clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, and transactional and corporate matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation and government-facing matters, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Media Contact:

An Pham

Senior Communications Manager

+1 202.508.8740

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Crowell & Moring LLP
IRVING, Texas, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shawarma Press, the rapidly expanding franchise leader in authentic Mediterranean cuisine, announced the grand opening of its second location within Walmart stores in Arlington. Following a successful opening in San Antonio earlier this month, the Arlington location is the second of seven Shawarma Press restaurants planned for operating in Walmart stores throughout Texas in 2022. Additional restaurants planned at Walmart stores include locations in Plano, Georgetown, Lufkin, Temple and Wichita Falls.

Shawarma Press, the rapidly expanding franchise leader in authentic Mediterranean cuisine, announced the grand opening of its second location within Walmart stores in Arlington, Texas. Located at 4801 S. Cooper Street in Arlington, the newest Shawarma Press franchise is operating in Walmart with a spacious 2,500 square foot restaurant and a roomy dining area that is perfect for groups, meetings, parties, and family gatherings. Catering options are also available upon request.

"We are excited that Walmart's curated food service will result in more people experiencing our authentic Mediterranean cuisine," said Sawsan Abublan, CEO and Co-Founder of Shawarma Press. "Our first customers are already raving about our delicious, made from scratch menu items."



Located at 4801 S. Cooper Street, the spacious 2,500 square foot restaurant features a colorful, inviting, and roomy dining room perfect for groups, meetings, parties, or family gatherings. Catering options are available for groups upon request, and include a wide selection of attractive appetizers, wraps, and dessert platters.



Guests with diverse palates and a desire to try something new can often find it at Shawarma Press. The menu includes an assortment of appetizers such as grape leaf rolls, falafel bites, seasoned french fries, homemade cheese and spinach pastries as well as fresh salads, soups, wraps, bowls, baklava and ice cream. However, since the first Shawarma Press debuted in Irving in 2017, the star of the menu continues to be shawarma. The popular Mediterranean wraps are prepared with thin slices of all-natural chicken or premium beef stacked in cone-like shapes, then slowly roasted in juices on a rotisserie that tantalizes new and returning customers.



Abublan noted that customer favorites include authentic beef, and chicken shawarmas, as well as the original "fusion" offerings such as the spicy Tandoori Press and Tex-Mex Press Shawarmas. Vegan options include a "secret-recipe" falafel and hummus as well as a wide variety of salads and bowls.



"Our guests say they appreciate that our dishes are made from scratch, including our famous hummus, falafel, and sauces that are available for take-out or dine-in at Walmart," Abublan said. "We also use only high-quality ingredients, including 100% natural chicken and premium beef raised with no hormones, steroids, or antibiotics, and everything is prepared and humanely handled according to Halal guidelines."



Abublan added that finding traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes was challenging when she first arrived in the states from Jordan.



"When my family moved to Texas 25 years ago, it was impossible to find shawarma and the beloved Mediterranean foods we craved," explained Abublan. "We identified a need, and we are now pleased to be the first to offer authentic, fast casual Mediterranean food to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and to have the opportunity to expand throughout Texas and eventually to other states."



For more information or media inquiries, contact Rhonda Price, TopFire Media, at (561) 371-9407 or [email protected].



ABOUT SHAWARMA PRESS

Proudly serving made from scratch, authentic Mediterranean cuisine, Shawarma Press incorporates shawarma into a variety of wraps, bowls, and platters, with additional homemade staples like falafel, hummus, and pastries. Shawarma Press serves up a diverse menu that bursts with authentic and fusion flavors to please a wide variety of palates from the conservative to the adventurous. The company stands true to its core values of Social Responsibility, Integrity, Trustworthiness, and Excellence. These values are also extended to its customers and community. The business engages with local charities to ease families' hunger and give back to the community, something that started locally, but one day will expand globally.



Customers can learn more, view the menu, or place orders online at https://shawarmapress.com. With its headquarters located at 400 East Royal Lane in Irving, Shawarma Press is rapidly expanding with 10 locations planned throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida. For franchising information, visit https://shawarmapressfranchise.com/



SOURCE Shawarma Press
"As a company, we remain focused on sustainability and innovation that supports our purpose, create a world without waste to preserve our planet," said Alistair Field, Sims Limited's group chief executive officer and managing director. "We are extremely proud to have these efforts recognized by Corporate Knights in our best-ever ranking on the Global 100 list of sustainable companies. Our businesses enable a sustainable future. Metal products made with recycled materials are lower in embodied emissions, and they are a key building block for technologies, including electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure, that are essential to realizing a sustainable, low-carbon economy."

The Global 100 list is an annual ranking of corporate sustainability performance compiled by Corporate Knights, an independent consultancy, based on a rigorous assessment of 6,914 companies with more than US$1 billion in revenues. Corporate Knights considered 23 key environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance indicators, including the development of innovative sustainability solutions. This is a priority for the company as evidenced by the establishment of Sims Resource Renewal which will use state-of-the-art technology to create a pathway for diverting millions of tonnes of material from landfill and create useful products, such as hydrogen fuel.

Sims Limited has been on a 104-year sustainability mission, and the company is now operating in an environment where the timelines for circular, low carbon solutions are more urgent than ever before. In addition to offering solutions that help customers achieve their decarbonisation and waste diversion goals, the company is taking action to reduce its own carbon footprint.

"Our largest site in Jersey City, New Jersey recently joined 30 other Sims Limited sites across the world that procure 100% renewable electricity," said Blaise Porter, director corporate sustainability and corporate responsibility. "This will reduce emissions by more than 9,400 tonnes annually, which is the equivalent of the electricity generated from the use of 1,700 households. The Corporate Knights ranking is a great recognition of our people, partners, value chain and community, all of whom contribute to our sustainable success."

Companies that are ranked on the Global 100 List show a continued correlation between higher investor returns and strong ESG performance. According to analysis by S&P Capital IQ, the Corporate Knights Global 100 Index is the best performing global sustainability equity index since its inception in 20051, and it is also ahead of its blue-chip benchmark with the performance gap widening in favour of the Global 100 markedly after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic as large recovery programs were adopted.

Global 100 companies represent the top one percent in the world for sustainability performance. For the complete 2022 Global 100 List of the most sustainable companies in the world, visit www.corporateknights.com/global100.

1 Analysis included all global ESG and sustainability equity indices (TR NET-USD) with at least a 10-year history.

About Sims Limited

Founded in 1917, Sims Limited is a global leader in metal recycling and providing circular solutions for technology, and an emerging leader in municipal recycling and renewable energy. Our 3,880 employees operate from more than 260 facilities across 15 countries. The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: SGM) and its American Depositary Shares are quoted on the Over-the-Counter market in the United States (USOTC: SMSMY). Our purpose, create a world without waste to preserve our planet, is what drives us to constantly innovate and offer new solutions in the circular economy for consumers, businesses, governments and communities around the world. For more information, visit www.simsltd.com .

SOURCE Sims Limited
GENEVA, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Geneva, New York, a city with a population of less than 13,000 people, has become a hotbed of food and beverage innovation with a pioneering program entitled Geneva Made. The initiative brings together the public, academic and private sectors to support industry startups and growing food and beverage brands.

Currently, close to 100 food and beverage organizations are based in Geneva, and the Geneva Made initiative is aggressively recruiting other companies across the country to move to the city.

As a result of being part of this thriving ecosystem, three Geneva Made companies have been finalists over the last three years in the prestigious Grow-NY Food and Agriculture competition , which this year drew 330 startups from 32 countries.

In 2019, RealEats Meals , a premium prepared meal delivery service, claimed the coveted first-place prize of $1 million. The Geneva-based company recently raised $16.3 million in a Series A funding round. In 2020, Leep Foods , a grower of premium organic mushrooms, won $250,000. In 2021, Nutreat , a creator of low glycemic, healthy sweet snacks, was one of 20 finalists.

"We believe in Geneva. It has been an instrumental location as we continue our fast growth trajectory," says Dan Wise, RealEats Founder and CEO. "We couldn't have found a better home to grow from than Geneva and are beyond proud to be part of such a progressive business community."

Driven by the City of Geneva and the New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech, Geneva Made's goal is to establish Geneva as New York State's home of food and beverage innovation.

Catharine Young, Executive Director of the Center of Excellence and a former New York State Senator, sees Geneva Made as a place where experienced food and beverage innovators can solve their biggest challenges. "We are here to make dreams come true for food and beverage brands. As you collaborate with us in Geneva, we welcome you to stay and grow here."

Sage Gerling, Geneva City Manager Sage Gerling agrees with Young's perspective. "We can't think of a better place for food and beverage businesses to grow than right here in Geneva. By collaborating with other leaders representing the dynamic ecosystem, we can collectively demonstrate and elevate everything this area has to offer."

Geneva Made was built upon already strong relationships between the City and academia including Cornell University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and Finger Lakes Community College. Together, the organizations bring research, innovation, entrepreneurial skills, workforce development, infrastructure advancement, and funding opportunities to the food and beverage industry.

Learn more about Geneva Made at www.genevamadeny.com .

Contact: Maureen Ballatori

(315) 332-1717

[email protected]

SOURCE Geneva Made
ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates confirmed today that the Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show is on for February 28-March 2, at the Omni in Fort Worth, TX.

The show is designed to address the business-critical needs of the specialty chemical supply chain, and optimism is high for this first in-person event of 2022.

"With increasing interest in North American chemical manufacturing, it is more vital than ever for SOCMA to provide a venue for networking and meeting with multiple customers and suppliers under one roof," said Jennifer Abril, SOCMA President & CEO. "Companies are seeking new manufacturing partners, as well as solutions to transportation issues and packaging shortages, among a host of other business objectives. At the Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show, they will find a unique variety of problem-solving companies ready to meet those needs."

The Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show features:

165+ exhibitors representing:

representing: Toll/Contract Manufacturers



Chemical Distributors



Formulation



Blending



Synthesis



Service providers for



Equipment





Transportation





Packaging and much more

39 Exhibitor Showcases highlighting chemistries, capabilities and equipment

highlighting chemistries, capabilities and equipment Educational and General Sessions on the latest topics facing the industry

Find SOCMA's current Health & Safety plan here and stay tuned in to SOCMA for additional updates as the show date nears.

About SOCMA

Solely dedicated to the specialty and fine chemical industry, SOCMA focuses on building commercial connections, supporting manufacturing and operations, and advocating for regulatory and legislative policies. www.socma.org

SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates
CHICAGO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Spaulding Ridge, global cloud advisory and implementation firm, announced today that it's expanding its cloud advisory practice with the additions of cloud experts Ron Dimon, Partner, Head of the Spaulding Ridge Cloud Advisory Practice, and Rick Cadman, Associate Partner, Head of Strategy and Outcomes.

Under the leadership of Ron and Rick, the Spaulding Ridge Cloud Advisory Practice will help align organizational needs with best practices to maximize their cloud investments. The practice is centered on helping organizations accelerate growth rapidly through strategic and practical advancement of digital transformation. Using cloud road mapping strategies like value engineering and deep diagnostics, along with advanced data and analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), the pair brings decades of experience working with enterprise organizations on strategy transformation, innovation, and outcomes.

"We saw our clients accelerating their cloud application adoption in 2020 and 2021. Now leaders are stepping back, evaluating their investments and asking themselves how they can hyper automate their systems and processes for maximum growth and operational resiliency," says Sarah Katz, President, Spaulding Ridge. "Rick and Ron have delivered cloud advisory to some of the world's largest organizations and all have seen significant process and operational efficiency improvement. We can't wait to offer these services to our clients."

"It used to be that organizations adopted the cloud to move IT expense from capex to opex. Now many of them see the cloud as a competitive advantage for better growth and agility. Said another way, we've gone from bottom-line cloud to top-line cloud. We can't wait to bring the full digital transformation capabilities of Spaulding Ridge and the cloud to our clients," states Ron Dimon, Partner, Head of the Spaulding Ridge Cloud Advisory Practice.

"Organization have to move quickly in a digital-first economy. Our goal is to fast-track clients using the right tools, processes, and technologies  to have full value chain integration and optimization  so that our clients continue to be first in the marketplace," says Rick Cadman, Associate Partner, Head of Strategy and Outcomes. "Our number one focus is to ensure our clients are future-ready."

Ron Dimon, Partner, Head of Cloud Advisory Practice

Ron is the leading cloud advisor for enterprise organizations across the globe. For over 30 years, Ron has been designing and building Finance and Enterprise Performance Management systems and processes. He has helped organizations across a wide variety of industries become more agile, more insightful, and drive more material value. As a Spaulding Ridge Partner, Ron will lead the Cloud Advisory Practice.

A former Deloitte global finance and analytics executive, Ron has served hundreds of Fortune 100 organizations to co-create solutions and methods to solve difficult challenges and take advantage of new opportunities. Ron is also a recognized Enterprise Performance Management author, with his latest book, "Connected Planning," published in 2021 by Wiley. He is the co-founder of stratuum, a strategy design company.

Rick Cadman, Associate Partner, Head of Strategy and Outcomes

Rick is a veteran in business transformation with 30+ years of consulting and developing a toolbox that helps organizations collaborate to design the future. A former GE Digital leader, Rick has spent the past six years traveling the globe, designing and delivering business transformation solutions for the C-suite.

As the Head of Strategy and Outcomes in the Cloud Advisory Practice at Spaulding Ridge, Rick will work directly with CXOs to solve business problems and create 360-degree alignment to help organizations scale rapidly.

Prior to Spaulding Ridge, Rick co-founded a strategy design company, stratuum, which is also the name of the framework he and Ron designed for accelerating outcomes using roadmaps and proving out value.

About Spaulding Ridge

Spaulding Ridge is a global cloud advisory and implementation firm that helps leading companies deploy Best-in-Cloud solutions. 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, and deliver superior customer service experiences.

To learn more, visit spauldingridge.com.

Cloud Advisory Announcement

SOURCE Spaulding Ridge, LLC
BANGOR, Maine, and TRUE BLUE, Grenada, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, St. George's University announced a new direct-admission partnership with Beal University in Bangor, Maine. The new program establishes a pathway for qualified Beal graduates to gain immediate entry into the St. George's Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine .

"We're excited to team up with Beal University to educate new doctors and veterinarians at a time when these professions are in such high demand," said Dr. G. Richard Olds, president of St. George's University.

The partnership establishes a "3+4" program that enables students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in just seven years. Students who wish to qualify must express their interest when they apply to Beal University, where they will complete a three-year bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences.

To ensure they can proceed to St. George's, students must complete all undergraduate coursework, meet minimum grade point averages, and score competitively on requisite graduate entrance exams. Veterinary students should also have completed the recommended 500 hours of animal experience. St. George's University will waive application fees and fast-track students in the combined degree program for application review, interviews, and admission decisions.

Those who enter St. George's University School of Medicine will be eligible to complete their first two years of study in Grenada, or they can complete their first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and second year in Grenada. The following two years of clinical rotations will take place at St. George's-affiliated hospitals in the United States or United Kingdom, with elective opportunities available in Canada. Veterinary students will be eligible to complete three years of study in Grenada and their final clinical year within SGU's network of 30-plus affiliates located in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, or the Netherlands.

"We take pride in preparing students for both U.S.-based and international careers," Olds said.

"Our new partnership with St. George's gives Beal students a tremendous opportunity," said Sheryl DeWalt, president of Beal University. "It puts them on an accelerated career path and ensures a smooth transition from undergraduate work to medical training."

About St. George's University

St. George's University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. St. George's is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The university's over 20,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. Its programs are accredited and approved by many governing authorities. For more information, visit www.sgu.edu .

Media Contact

Joe Timm

(202) 471-4228 ext. 130

[email protected]

About Beal University

Beal University, founded in 1891, has evolved into a comprehensive university with diverse academic offerings including degrees in biomedicine, nursing, health sciences and information technology, and business. Beal's strong academic programs, experienced faculty and commitment to experiential learning continues to be the strength of the university. Beal offers programs from diploma to graduate level degrees facilitating all levels of academic pursuits to be achieved as well as enabling graduates to continue to complete advanced degrees. Its programs are accredited and approved by many regulatory agencies. For more information, visit www.beal.edu.

Media Contact

Jeff Burbine

207-307-3900

[email protected]

SOURCE St. George's University
DUNCANSVILLE, Pa., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stuckey Automotive, the area's largest automotive group, announces an open job fair on February 1st and 2nd, 4  7 p.m., at the all-new Stuckey Ford Bellefonte located at 2892 Benner Pike in Bellefonte in Centre County. The job fair will resume on February 10th, 4  7 p.m., at the Stuckey Automotive Headquarters located at 899 Plank Road in Duncansville in Blair County. The dealership is seeking to recruit skilled individuals to secure available positions in sales, administrative support, business development, customer care, reconditioning and detail, parts and service, and collision repair. All positions are full-time with an immediate start date.

Matt Stuckey, President of Stuckey Automotive

"Each year, we set our horizon toward achieving lofty goals. I suppose one could say it's become our signature," laughs Matt Stuckey, President of Stuckey Automotive. "We've only been able to realize our goals because of the skilled men and women who make Stuckey Automotive the organization it is today. We plan to do a lot in 2022, but we can only get there by recruiting even more talent."

Matt Meiser, General Manager at Stuckey Automotive, adds, "The talent pool is rich and deep and it's right here in our backyard. We're inviting everyone to be part of a culture that believes recruiting talent is second to retaining talent. This job fair is our invitation to be part of our next chapter."

Stuckey Automotive offers full-time employees a healthy work / life balance, a competitive medical insurance package, a generous PTO policy, and an attractive compensation structure. Job seekers may request a scheduled onsite interview when submitting their resume to [email protected]. Stuckey Automotive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please contact Karen Beauchamp, Marketing Director, at 814.693.4866 or [email protected].

About Stuckey Automotive:

Stuckey Automotive, established in 1959 with the founding of Stuckey Ford in Hollidaysburg, is a Duncansville-based dealership that proudly serves the communities in Blair and Centre counties and throughout central Pennsylvania. Collectively, the Stuckey Automotive dealerships serve the Ford, Subaru, GM, Mitsubishi, commercial vehicle, and used vehicle markets. A solution for all automotive needs, each dealership offers a complementary service and parts center and access to the Stuckey Automotive Collision Center. For more information, visit StuckeyAutomotive.com.

SOURCE Stuckey Automotive
DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Iowa private school students will gather for a celebratory breakfast at the State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 27 to celebrate School Choice Week and educational opportunity.

Students from Dowling Catholic High School and Des Moines Christian School, as well as homeschool students, will kick off a Day at the Capitol with a special breakfast marking the Week. The early morning event will take place 7-8:30 a.m. in the State Capitol's Legislative Dining Room.

This event is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week 2022, which will feature more than 26,000 school choice events across all 50 states.

"During School Choice Week we are very excited to celebrate the variety of educational options available in our state," said Trish Wilger, executive director of Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education. "Iowa has many quality options for educating students, and we hope this celebration highlights the benefit of providing all parents access to all options."

The state capitol is located at 1007 E. Grand Ave.

The event's host, Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to expanding school choice options in Iowa. Its mission is to promote educational choice so that all children and parents in Iowa can access and afford their school of choice.

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective K-12 education options for children, focusing equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of celebrations  such as school fairs and open houses to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. School Choice Week also develops resources and guides to K-12 education for families. As a not-for-profit effort, the Week is nonpolitical and nonpartisan and does not advocate for legislation. For more information visit schoolchoiceweek.com.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
JUBA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Some 505,511 South Sudan refugees have voluntarily returned home since October 2018 after the signing of the revitalized peace deal, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said 37 percent of the refugees have cited an improved security situation in South Sudan as the reason for their return.

The UN agency which conducted an in depth household-level survey of returnees across the country on the challenges they face and their plans said 22 percent of the refugees said they returned to unite with their families.

"From Oct 2018 to date, 505,511 spontaneous refugee returnees have arrived to South Sudan after signing of the revitalized peace agreement," UNHCR said in its latest survey.

UNHCR and partners on quarterly basis collect information on refugee returns through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and partner monitoring reports.

Jointly with the government's Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, UNHCR said it validates the reports by interviewing randomly selected returnee households in areas of return during the period.

There are more than 2.2 million refugees from South Sudan hosted in the Eastern Africa region, and another 1.7 million displaced in the country, according to the UNHCR. 
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More than three-quarters (76.6%) of Californians oppose the state Legislature's plan to spend $1.4 billion in taxpayer dollars to demolish the historic Capitol Annex and build extravagant new legislative office spaces, a visitor center, and an underground parking garage. The December 2021 poll of likely voters, commissioned by Save Our Capitol!, found opposition to the plan includes a strong majority of Democrats, Decline-to-state, and Republican voters alike, spanning regions throughout the state.

Californians Oppose the Capitol Annex Project

"The results from this survey validate our major concerns with this project: the residents of California do not support the California Legislature spending $1.4 billion to decimate Capitol Park and demolish the historic Capitol Annex to build expanded new office spaces, a visitor center, and an underground parking garage, particularly when rehabilitation is feasible and cost-effective," said Richard Cowan, former chair of the Historic State Capitol Commission.

The historic Capitol Annex, which is a recognized state and national landmark, is a 70-year-old addition to California's Capitol building. It has housed the Legislature and the Governor's office since its completion in 1952. Since then, the Annex, designed by architect Alfred Eichler, has been largely neglected by the Legislature and now needs major upgrades. The Governor recently directed his Department of General Services to rehabilitate instead of destroy three other historic state buildings. However, the decision to demolish the Annex was made before an analysis was done to determine whether it could be feasibly rehabilitated to meet the Legislature's needs and comply with historic building codes. Such analysis is mandated by law based on its status as a nationally registered historic building and a mid-century modern architectural icon. Multiple lawsuits have since been filed by several organizations challenging the Capitol Annex Project.

"There's no question the Annex needs to be modernized and upgraded," said Susan Brandt Hawley, an attorney for "Save the Capitol, Save the Trees." "Our lawsuits seek to enforce laws ensuring that the historic Capitol Annex will not be needlessly demolished to make it safe for state officials and their staff."

Rather than rehabilitating the historic Capitol Annex for approximately $450 million, the Legislature intends to move forward with their $1.4 billion plan to raze the existing Annex building and erect an elaborate new one, surrounded by soaring glass walls that concern some security experts. In the process, more than 100 historic trees in Capitol Park, some rare and more than a century old, would be uprooted. More than 76% percent of voters oppose the Legislature's plan to destroy the Capitol Park lands that have been part of California's history since 1874.

Voters also are unhappy that the Legislature kept details of their ostentatious plan not only from the public but also from California's Historic State Capitol Commissionthe body created in 1976 to ensure the historical and architectural integrity of the Capitolas well as the fact that the Legislature secretly moved oversight of the project from the California Department of General Services to a legislative committee, in an undisclosed 2018 MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). More than 68% of voters oppose this shocking lack of transparency around the Legislature's Capitol Annex plan.

Poll Summary:

76.6% of California voters oppose the Legislature's $1.4 billion plan to destroy the historic Capitol Annex to build an elaborate new office space for themselves.

of voters oppose the Legislature's plan to destroy the historic Capitol Annex to build an elaborate new office space for themselves. 71.2% of California voters oppose the Legislature uprooting 100 trees, many rare and historic, to make way for their more than billion-dollar office building.

of voters oppose the Legislature uprooting 100 trees, many rare and historic, to make way for their more than billion-dollar office building. 68.8% oppose the Legislature's lack of transparency surrounding the Capitol Annex Project.

oppose the Legislature's lack of transparency surrounding the Capitol Annex Project. 65.5% oppose the Project knowing that the Legislature chose to neglect maintenance of the Capitol Annex and ignored the prospect of rehabilitating the historic building for half the cost.

oppose the Project knowing that the Legislature chose to neglect maintenance of the Capitol Annex and ignored the prospect of rehabilitating the historic building for half the cost. More than 61% said they support rehabilitating the historic Capitol Annex, saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

"These are some of the strongest opposition numbers I've ever seen in response to a state-funded project," said Justin Wallin, CEO of J. Wallin Opinion Research. "For a multitude of reasons, it's clear that California voters do not approve of the Capitol Annex Project as currently planned even after hearing arguments in support of the Project."

Despite the overwhelming opposition to the Legislature's extravagantly wasteful plan to demolish the historic Capitol Annex and instead construct a costly glass office space for themselves, legislators and their staff have already vacated the Annex in preparation for its proposed destruction in 2022. A diverse coalition of environmentalists, preservationists, taxpayer organizations, small businesses, current and former lawmakers, and good government advocates is calling for the Capitol Annex Project to be halted and for transparent and collaborative discussions about the fate of the historic Capitol to proceed.

Survey Methodology

From Friday, December 17 to Monday, December 20, 2021, J. Wallin Opinion Research conducted a telephone survey of likely November 2022 General Election voters throughout California. 800 respondents were interviewed using live, professional interviewers, speaking Spanish and English languages, and calling both mobile and landlines. 82% of this survey was completed on mobile phones. A survey of this size yields a margin of error of +/-3.5% (95% confidence interval). Our sample is stratified, meaning that the demographic composition of our results matches the demographic composition of the region that we surveyed.

About Save Our Capitol!

The purpose of Save Our Capitol! is to preserve the site of the historic Capitol and its surrounding historic Park as the center and symbol of Californians' right to truth, transparency, and trust in self-governance. Follow Save Our Capitol! on Twitter and act to #StopTheDemolition by visiting www.saveourcapitol.org.

SOURCE Save Our Capitol!
BEACONSFIELD, Iowa, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- If you're ready to join a community of thousands of likeminded individualsthen take a journey into the world of NFTs with Crep Chief NFT, a one-of-a-kind platform, founded in the United Kingdom. From beginners to old pros, Crep Chief NFT is the best NFT group for any skill level.

It's time to buy smarter and sell smarter, with the smart way of investing time and money with Crep Chief NFT.

Not familiar with NFTs or looking to break into the industryno problem. Crep Chief NFT provides comprehensive, in-depth information regarding NFT tokens, how they're used to represent ownership of unique items, including collectables, or even real estate. Every expert can help guide any client through the complex world of how NFT tokens are owned and secured by the Ethereum blockchaineven guiding users through the reselling industry, to help purchase products that are often hard to acquire.

And no client ever has to navigate the platform alone. Crep Chief NFT staffs only the highest skilled experts, ready to help get anyone started. Developed and maintained by a team of in-house developers, this is an opportunity to become one of the first to benefit from these groundbreaking developmentsputting any client ahead of the competition, by being the first to know about the latest updates.

And even for those with prior experience with NFTs, we all know the world of NFTs is constantly changing and evolvingbut each expert staff member is always ready before those changes even happen. With new projects launching every day, the opportunities are endlessand continue to grow. Navigating the complex world of NFTs can seem overwhelming and like stepping into the unknown, but with Crep Chief NFT, every client is covered, every step of the way.

Getting started is simple and easy, and users can choose their own commitment level and pick from a wide range of membership options to fit any level of interest.

With Crep Chief NFT, the opportunities are endless. No matter how much time someone wants to put in, they can achieve their desired results. And the more time and effort exerted, the more profitable purchases can be securedearning clients more money.

About Crep Chief NFT

Crep Chief NFT is a one-of-a-kind NFT selling group in the United Kingdom. This paid monthly service provides access to an in-depth notification system that allows people to purchase the next big NFT project, before the public ever hears about it. Utilizing the professional expertise of a highly skilled team, and a uniquely designed, state-of-the-art platform, Crep Chief NFT selling group is the only place to go, whether clients are taking up a new hobby or are looking to get involved full time. To learn more, visit the Crep Chief NFT Selling Group online.

https://thenewsfront.com/take-a-journey-into-the-world-of-nfts-with-crep-chief-nfts-one-of-a-kind-platform/

Contact Data

Crep Chief NFT

68A Burkes Road

Beaconsfield

HP9 1EW

United Kingdom

https://crepchiefnft.com/

SOURCE Crep Chief NFT
GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) announced today that its 2021 dividend distributions should be treated as follows for income tax purposes.

Common Shares: 100% as return of capital

Detailed information regarding each distribution for 2021 is below. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of the Company's dividend distributions.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. - Common Stock (Symbol SKT) (CUSIP No. 875465106)











Totals % of Annual Total Record Date 1/29/2021 4/30/2021 7/30/2021 10/29/2021

















Ex-Dividend Date 1/28/2021 4/29/2021 7/29/2021 10/28/2021

















Payable Date 2/12/2021 5/14/2021 8/13/2021 11/15/2021

















Total Distribution

Per Share $0.1775 $0.1775 $0.1775 $0.1825 $0.7150















Amount Included In Shareholders'

2021 Income $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000















Box 1a

Total Ordinary Dividends $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 0%













Box 3 Non Dividend Distributions $0.1775 $0.1775 $0.1775 $0.1825 $0.7150 100%













Box 5 Section 199A Dividends $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000



About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) is a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers that owns, or has an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 36 centers. Tanger's operating properties are located in 20 states and in Canada, totaling approximately 13.6 million square feet, leased to over 2,500 stores operated by more than 500 different brand name companies. The Company has more than 41 years of experience in the outlet industry and is a publicly-traded REIT. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the Company's website at www.tangeroutlets.com .

Contact: Cyndi Holt

SVP, Capital Markets

336-834-6892

[email protected]

SOURCE Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.
Vendor Landscape

The market structure is expected to remain fragmented during the forecast period. Vendors are deploying different organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market.

Amazon.com Inc., Ashley Furniture Industries Inc., Bed Bath and Beyond Inc., Inter IKEA Holding BV, Herman Miller Inc., Urban Outfitters Inc., LaZBoy Inc., Wayfair Inc., Walmart Inc. and Williams-Sonoma Inc. among others are some of the few key vendors competing to maintain their market position in the market.

Various players in the market are engaging in strategic partnerships and joint ventures coupled with launching differentiated products to enhance their game in the online home decor industry.

View more about the market's vendor landscape highlights with a comprehensive list of vendors and their offerings.

Key Market Segmentation

Segmentation by Product:

Online Home Furniture:



The rise in the preference of online shopping is significantly driving the online home furniture market share growth.





The online channel enables the manufacturers to partner with other third-party e-retailers and expand their distribution network or even to establish their own online shopping portals. Also, this has allowed the manufacturers to ensure that the products sold offline are made available online too. Moreover, Tier I and Tier II cities are the targeted markets mainly for the furniture manufacturers because the vendors in these cities provide access to all the requirements of operating their online distribution channels such as logistics and e-retailers.



Online Home Furnishing



Other online home decorative products

Request a FREE Sample of this report for more highlights into the market segments.

Regional Market Outlook

Europe will contribute to 42% of the market growth during the forecast period. The growth of this region can be attributed to increase in residential construction projects due to the expansion of urban population base. This region is expected to witness faster growth than the other market regions such as North America, South America, and MEA.

Apart from regions, if we look at the country-wise market growth, Germany and UK are the key markets driving the online home decor in Europe.

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 Online Home Decor Market

Market Driver:

The increase in online spending and smartphone penetration:

The rise in internet penetration and online shopping through smartphones is one of the key drivers for the global online home decor market share growth. As websites provide more detailed information about the product quality, user guidance, safety measures which, in turn, is rising the demand for e-retailing. Moreover, consumers are a lot more comfortable purchasing on-the-go, along with the inclusion of secured payments, free delivery, and improved user interface. Therefore, rising online retail is a key driver for the growth of online home decor market during the forecast period.

Market Trend:

Growing demand for eco-friendly home decor:

The rise in consciousness for a healthy environment is another key driver enhancing the online home decor market share growth during the forecast period. Moreover, the stringent government regulations for monitoring the usage of non-recyclable components is forcing the brand owners to opt for eco-friendly furniture and other-furnishing products. This has motivated various home decor manufacturers to go green and provide eco-friendly home decor items. Therefore, the increased environmental concerns resulting in the use of eco-friendly manufacturing material is positively impacting the global online home decor market.

Find additional information about various other market drivers & trends mentioned in our FREE sample report .

Need More? Are You Looking for Information Not Covered in This Report?

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Related Reports:

Online Furniture by Market Application and Geography  Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

Home Furnishing Market by Product and Geography  Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Online Home Decor Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 52.95 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 7.30 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution Europe at 42% Key consumer countries US, UK, China, Germany, Canada, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Amazon.com Inc., Ashley Furniture Industries Inc., Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., Herman Miller Inc., Inter IKEA Holding BV, LaZBoy Inc., Urban Outfitters Inc., Walmart Inc., Wayfair Inc., and Williams-Sonoma Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and 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
Sandblasting machines find usage in tasks like rust removal, paint removal, and domestic civil repair works. Increasing demand for sandblasting machines is primed to enhance sandblasting media consumption. Mounting adoption of sandblasting media in the metalworking, construction, and automotive sectors is calculated to drive market growth over the forecast timeline.

Request for Sample Report: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/514

Aluminum oxide is commonly used as a blasting media on glass, wood, and metal, among other materials owing to its aggressive nature. Driven by prevalent adoption of aluminum-oxide media in the construction industry, the aluminum oxide product segment is projected to register solid growth through the study timeframe.

Key reasons for sandblasting media market growth:

Surging demand in metalworking sector. Increasing adoption in construction industry. Prominent usage in automotive applications.

2027 forecasts show 'automotive' segment retaining its dominance:

With respect to end-user, the automotive industry segment is anticipated to exhibit stable development at approximately 7% CAGR over the estimated timespan. Sandblasting can easily remove rust, powder coating, paint, body filler, and chrome. Thus, it is utilized in automotive restoration for removing rust and repainting to obtain high-quality finish on vehicles, such as cars, among other applications. Soaring uptake of automotive sandblasting is expected to bolster the segmental growth through the forecast period.

Europe to maintain top status in terms of revenue:

The Europe sandblasting media market is set to attain more than 15% share in the overall industry revenue by the end of 2027, showcasing steady growth through the assessment timeframe on account of the proliferating domestic metalworking and automotive industries. Germany contributes to a major portion of the regional market. Widespread presence of companies in Germany that offer sandblasting services is likely to positively impact the product landscape. Additionally, the growth of countries, viz., Russia, France, and others, would boost construction and metal working activities, which is primed to fuel regional market development.

Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific sandblasting media market is anticipated to progress at a strong CAGR over the review timeline. Technological innovations, along with the expanding metalworking sector in APAC, are foreseen to foster regional market outlook in the future.

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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on sandblasting media market:

The COVID-19 outbreak adversely impacted various industries, including metalworking, aerospace, automotive, construction, and marine. Due to stringent government restrictions, raw material and labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions, there was a steep decline in construction & manufacturing activities in the initial stages of the pandemic. However, with rising focus on accelerating economic recovery and vaccination drives across the globe, the market has been regaining its pre-COVID momentum in recent years.

Leading market players:

Some key companies operating in the global sandblasting media industry are ATI Black Diamond Granules Inc., Abrasives Inc., Barton International, Opta Minerals Inc., Cym Materiales S.A., Eisenwerk Wurth GmbH, Prince Minerals LLC, GMA Garnet, Harsco Metals & Minerals, Crystal Mark Inc., The Chemours Company, Blastech, and U.S Minerals Inc, among others.

Related Reports:

Silicone Elastomers Market Strategies and Revenue Impact Analysis  2027

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PET Spunbond Nonwoven Market Trends and Competitive Analysis - 2027

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DUBLIN, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Healthcare Consulting Services Market by Type of Service (Digital Health, IT, Operations, Strategy, Financial, HR & Talent), End User (Government Bodies, Healthcare Providers, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies), and Region - Global Forecasts to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global healthcare consulting services market is projected to reach USD 41.2 billion by 2026 from USD 23.9 billion in 2021, at a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period.

Healthcare consulting firms specialize in providing business consulting services to the healthcare industry in areas such as finance, accounting, marketing, insurance, healthcare management, billing, coding, regulations & compliance, healthcare standards, and many other similar areas. Growth in the healthcare consulting services market can be primarily attributed to the growing budget cuts, increasing pricing pressure, changing healthcare policies/regulations, and rising technological disruption across the healthcare industry that has resulted in a partnership between the healthcare providers, payers, and life science companies with the healthcare consultancy firms.

However, hidden costs of consulting services and concerns regarding data confidentiality are likely to challenge market growth in the coming years.

Operations consulting segment to hold the largest share of the healthcare consulting services market

Based on the type of service segment, the healthcare consulting services market is segmented into digital health consulting, IT consulting, strategy consulting, operations consulting, financial consulting, and HR & talent consulting. The operations consulting segment accounted for the largest market share of 22.8% in 2020. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the transition of the healthcare industry from fee-for-service to coordinated care model, resulting in an increased dependency on operations consultants.

Healthcare providers to be the fastest-growing end user segment in the healthcare consulting services market

Based on the end user segment, the healthcare consulting services market is segmented into government bodies, healthcare providers, health insurance payers, pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, and medical device companies. The healthcare providers segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 12.2% during the forecast period. The healthcare industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with constantly changing regulatory guidelines and technological advancements, which is a prominent factor driving the demand for healthcare consultants among hospitals and physician groups.

The US to be the most prominent country for healthcare consulting services in North America

North America is expected to account for the largest share of 46.8% of the global healthcare consulting services market in 2021, followed by Europe (27.3%) and the RoW (17.5%).The US healthcare provider industry is constantly challenged by industry-wide reforms. In order to achieve the clinical, financial, and operational return on investments, health organizations need to be strategic in their selection, implementation, and utilization of digital and IT systems. This has caused various healthcare organizations to partner with healthcare consulting firms for the implementation, maintenance, and training of such systems/solutions for improving organizational performance and driving business growth.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

4.1 Healthcare Consulting Services: Market Overview

4.2 North American Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by Type of Service, 2020

4.3 Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by End-user, 2021 Vs. 2026

4.4 Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by Region

5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Growing Rate of Digitization in Healthcare

5.2.1.2 Increasing Adoption of Big Data Analytics, Iot, and Cloud Deployment in the Healthcare Industry

5.2.1.3 Changing Healthcare Landscape with Respect to Regulatory Compliance and Technological Evolution

5.2.1.4 Decreasing Number of In-House Experts in the End-Use Industries

5.2.1.5 Rising Level of Government Support for Hcit Solutions

5.2.1.6 Rising Need for Structural Changes and New Business Models in the Healthcare Industry

5.2.1.7 Increasing Number of Patients Suffering from Various Chronic and Infectious Diseases

5.2.1.8 Rising Need for Data Security

5.2.1.9 Increasing Pressure to Reduce the Rising Healthcare Costs

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 Rising Number of Concerns Regarding Data Confidentiality

5.2.2.2 Increasing Number of Hidden Costs of Consulting Services

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Growing Demand for Cloud Consulting

5.2.3.2 Increasing Potential for Healthcare Consulting Services in the Emerging Markets

5.2.3.3 Increasing Consolidation in the Healthcare Industry

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Rising Number of Multi-Sourcing Approaches

5.3 Impact of COVID-19 on the Healthcare Consulting Services Market

5.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.5 Pricing Analysis

5.6 Technology Analysis

5.6.1 Machine Learning

5.6.2 Artificial Intelligence

5.6.3 Internet of Things

5.6.4 Blockchain

5.6.5 Cloud Computing

5.7 Regulatory Analysis

5.7.1 North America

5.7.2 Europe

5.7.3 Asia-Pacific

5.7.4 Middle East & Africa

5.7.5 Latin America

5.8 Ecosystem Analysis

5.9 Value Chain Analysis

5.10 Case Study Analysis

6 Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by Type of Service

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Digital Health Consulting

6.2.1 Digital Health Consulting to Gain Importance on the Back of Technological Innovation

6.3 It Consulting

6.3.1 Challenging and Time-Consuming Nature of Formulating Hcit Strategies to Drive Market Growth

6.4 Operations Consulting

6.4.1 Transition from Fee-For-Service to Coordinated Care Model to Boost the Demand for Operations Consulting

6.5 Strategy Consulting

6.5.1 Multiple Disciplines of Strategic Consulting Services to Increase the Demand for Organizational Improvement

6.6 Financial Consulting

6.6.1 Demand for Risk Management, Compliance, and Corporate Finance to Grow During the COVID-19 Pandemic

6.7 Hr & Talent Consulting

6.7.1 Demand for Hr Transformations to Boost Processes and Organizational Efficiency to Drive the Segment Growth

7 Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by End-user

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Government Bodies

7.2.1 Growing Investments in the Modernization of Digital and Technology Infrastructure to Drive Market Growth

7.3 Healthcare Providers

7.3.1 Increasing Pressure to Curb Rising Healthcare Costs to Drive Market Growth

7.4 Health Insurance Payers

7.4.1 Growing Stringency of Regulations for Payers to Positively Impact the Demand for Healthcare Consultants

7.5 Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

7.5.1 Wide Range of Services Offered by Healthcare Consultants to Drive the Demand in the Coming Years

7.6 Medical Device Companies

7.6.1 Increasing Adoption of Healthcare Consulting Services to be Competitive in the Medical Device Industry to Drive Business Growth

8 Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by Region

9 Competitive Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Market Ranking Analysis (2020)

9.3 Key Market Players, by Type of Consulting Services

9.4 Company Evaluation Quadrant

9.4.1 Stars

9.4.2 Emerging Leaders

9.4.3 Participants

9.4.4 Pervasive Players

9.5 Competitive Scenario

9.5.1 Product/Service Launches & Approvals

9.5.2 Deals

9.5.3 Other Developments

10 Company Profiles

10.1 Key Players

10.1.1 Accenture

10.1.2 Cognizant

10.1.3 Deloitte

10.1.4 Mckinsey & Company

10.1.5 Pwc

10.1.6 Ey

10.1.7 Huron Consulting Group, Inc.

10.1.8 Kpmg

10.1.9 Boston Consulting Group (Bcg)

10.1.10 Bain & Company, Inc.

10.1.11 Iqvia, Inc.

11 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ynobrc

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SAUSALITO, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brompton has reinvented every millimetre of its iconic design to create its lightest bike ever, weighing in at 7.45kg.

The product of three years of research and development, Brompton has brought its fold to life in titanium by forging new construction techniques, designing over 150 components and building a dedicated factory in order to create the ultra-light Brompton T Line.

This is Brompton. Reinvented. Introducing T Line

At the new facility in Sheffield, the frame is precision-engineered in titanium, then orbital and tig-welded for strength. In Brompton's London home, the T Line is finished with new componentry and tuned for the city, setting a new benchmark for folding bikes in lightness, ride performance and robustness.

Ultra-light. As strong as steel.

37% less than the original all-steel equivalent and is just as strong. At 7.45 kg in total, the T Line is comparable to a carbon road bike. Yet, it can be comfortably ridden by a 110kg rugby player and withstand the punishing impact of the city.

Compact drivetrain, designed ground-up.

Nothing rides like itthe entirely new, patent-pending drivetrain, designed ground-up to sit inside the fold, to be as light as possible and for optimal city performance.

The carbon crankset gives greater power transfer. The 60-gram derailleur delivers smooth shifting in a small package. The new gear-ratio, tested from Amsterdam to San Francisco, perfected for city roads.

Pioneering Carbon Seat Post.

The first bike in the world with a steel-armoured carbon seat post. Ordinary carbon seat posts are stiff, strong and lightweight, but they can't stand up to the daily use of a folding bike. Brompton's design engineers have developed a new process to reinforce the limitations of carbon with 0.3mm steel armour. The result is a superlight seat post that can take the abrasion of the fold, 110kg load and all-weather riding.

Every detail sweated

Faster to fold, easier to carry. Every interaction with the folded bike was studied and improved. New: self-aligning hinges, always set-to-go. A spring-loaded handlebar catch that effortlessly clicks. Larger diameter rolling wheels go with the flowan easy-grab carbon saddle with an integrated nose handle. Nothing folds like this Brompton, not even other Bromptons.

A seriously fun ride

Brompton ride dynamics have always made owners smile, and now they're elevated in every way. Carbon cranks and cast Ti bottom bracket shift your power for a faster ride. Naturally, shock-absorbing titanium smooths out the road. The one-piece carbon fork and wider carbon handlebars make it stiffer and even more responsive. This is a serious machine that's seriously fun to ride.

Commenting on the breakthrough launch, Will Carleysmith, Chief Design and Engineering Officer at Brompton said: "The only thing that has been carried over from our classic model is the brake system. Everything else has been finessed, pared back, upgraded. We have gone over this entire product in the minutest detail, looking for every single gram we can find to save on weight. What we've ended up with in T Line is the sense that when you leave the house you can go anywhere. All of those shared environments you experience when exploring a city, the bike is not going to be a burden, and you can do whatever you want with ease. That's a pretty amazing feeling!"

Paul Williams, Chief Operations Officer explained the challenges Brompton overcame to create T Line: "Whilst Titanium ore is a relatively abundant material, turning it into something usable for bike manufacture takes an extraordinary amount of effort. It proves worth it though, as it has the highest strength to density ratio of any metallic element, along with great impact strength and corrosion resistance, making it the perfect material to create the ultimate lightweight folding bike, able to withstand the punishing impacts of the city.

He continued: "Working with Titanium takes a high level of knowledge, experience and diligence, so finding the right partner who shared our vision and belief in what could be achieved with Titanium was critical. Our relationship with C W Fletcher, based in Sheffield started over 7 years ago and they have a long history in manufacturing going back over 100 years. With them we built Brompton Fletcher, a dedicated company with a purpose-built production facility and skilled team able to work with this demanding material and fabricate these fantastic titanium frames."

The new Brompton T Line is exclusively available via a ballot system on Brompton.com and through selected Brompton Junction stores in London, New York, Shanghai, Singapore and Paris. The bike will be available in two specifications, each with the option of a low and mid-rise handlebar fit:

T Line One  RRP: 3,750 / $4,795 / 4,360 / 7,465 SGD / 34,550 CNY

The lightest Brompton ever made. T Line in its purest form, the single-speed machine. Masterfully built to deliver an ultra-light, agile and responsive ride. This is the benchmark for freedom in the city.

T Line Urban  RRP: 3,950 / $4,995 / 4,590 / 7,865 SGD / 37,000 CNY

A complete ultra-lightweight performance package built to move around the city and beyond. The all-new compact 4-speed gearing system optimised for city riding.

Faster, smoother folding mechanisms, with 110kg load carrying for you and your luggage.

To sign up to be notified first when T Line is available, and view exclusive content, visit www.brompton.com/tline, or follow @bromptonbicycle on Instagram and Facebook.

Notes to Editors

High res and social assets available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ilffbv8b6ceskr6/AAB7lcAfblASQ4ledFFbGmtUa?dl=0

For more information, please contact:

Deena Gregory | [email protected] | 619.820.5005

Full specifications

Bike Specification  T Line One

The lightest Brompton ever made. T Line in its purest form, the single-speed machine. Masterfully built to deliver an ultra-light, agile and responsive ride. This is the benchmark for freedom in the city.

Part Description Main frame and front frame Grade 9 titanium large diameter tubes, orbital and tig welded main frame with cast titanium bottom bracket manifold. Headset and Stem Grade 9 titanium diameter tubes with integrated headset and spring loaded steerer catch hinge. Rear Frame Advance Superlight rear frame with replaceable hanger, redesigned suspension block and new 54mm roller wheels. Fork One piece carbon fork and steerer with magnetic pedal holder. Handlebar 31.8mm Superlight carbon handlebar in 560mm width, available in low and mid heights. Grips Superlight lock-on foam grips Seatpost Superlight seatpost with carbon core and 0.3mm steel armour. Standard length for up to 33" inside leg with extended version available in store. Saddle Superlight saddle with oval carbon rails and carbon reinforced base, lightweight padding, integrated carry handle and light mount. Seat clamp Machined aluminium seat clamp and rear frame clip in anodized matt black finish Chainset Superlight carbon crankset with hollow BB30 axle, integrated spider, 50T chainring and chainguard BB FSA Mega Exo BB Pedals Superlight cnc aluminium pedal set with left hand QR pedal Sprockets 12 tooth Chain tensioner Advance chain tensioner with replaceable hanger mounting Hinge Clamps Machined aluminium self-aligning hinge clamp levers and plates anodized matt black finish Front wheel Lightweight rim, double butted spokes and aluminium hub body with sealed bearings and allen key axle. Rear wheel Lightweight rim, double butted spokes and aluminium hub body with sealed bearings, newly developed 4 speed cassette and allen key axle. Tyres Schwalbe ONE with Addix race compound and v-guard puncture protection Tubes Tubolito S-tubo 34g tube with presta valves Front carrier Large diameter front carrier block adaptor for all types of Brompton luggage Lighting (France only) Brompton 500 lumen USB rechargeable front light and fixed rear battery lamp.

Bike Specification  T Line Urban

A complete ultra-lightweight performance package built to move around the city and beyond. The all-new compact 4-speed gearing system optimised for city riding.

Faster, smoother folding mechanisms, with 110kg load carrying for you and your luggage.

Part Description Main Frame, front frame Grade 9 titanium large diameter tubes, orbital and tig welded main frame with cast titanium bottom bracket manifold. Headset and Stem Grade 9 titanium diameter tubes with integrated headset and spring loaded steerer catch hinge. Rear Frame Advance Superlight rear frame with replaceable hanger, redesigned suspension block and new 54mm roller wheels. Fork One piece carbon fork and steerer with magnetic pedal holder. Handlebar 31.8mm Superlight carbon handlebar in 560mm width, available in low and mid heights. Grips Superlight lock-on foam grips Seatpost Superlight seatpost with carbon core and 0.3mm steel armour. Standard length for up to 33" inside leg with extended version available in store. Saddle Superlight saddle with oval carbon rails and carbon reinforced base, lightweight padding, integrated carry handle and light mount. Seat clamp Machined aluminium seat clamp and rear frame clip in anodized matt black finish Chainset Superlight carbon crankset with hollow BB30 axle, integrated spider, 50T chainring and chainguard BB FSA Mega Exo BB Pedals Superlight cnc aluminium pedal set with left hand QR pedal Derailleur Patent pending direct mount 4 speed derailleur Sprockets 11-13-15-18 tooth Chain tensioner Advance chain tensioner with replaceable hanger mounting Shifter 4 speed trigger shifter Hinge Clamps Machined aluminium self-aligning hinge clamp levers and plates anodized matt black finish Mudguards Curved profile mudguards with titanium stays and rubberized flap Front wheel Lightweight rim, double butted spokes and aluminium hub body with sealed bearings and allen key axle. Rear wheel Lightweight rim, double butted spokes and aluminium hub body with sealed bearings, newly developed 4 speed freehub body and allen key axle. Tyres Schwalbe ONE with Addix race compound and v-guard puncture protection Tubes Tubolito S-tubo 34g tube with presta valves Front carrier Large diameter front carrier block adaptor for all types of Brompton luggage Lighting (France only) Brompton 500 lumen USB rechargeable front light and fixed rear battery lamp.

About Brompton Bicycle:

Made for cities, Brompton bikes are sold in 47 countries around the world and over 70% of production is exported. The company produces over 70,000 bikes a year and over 500,000 have hit the roads since the first bike was made in 1975 by the inventor Andrew Ritchie.

A Brompton bike is perfect for those that live, work or play in cities: The bike folds up to a third of its size, and weighs from just 7.45kg and from 13.7kg for the Brompton Electric, which means a Brompton is suitable to take on all forms of transport  perfect for commuting on trains, popping in the boot of the car and taking out of the city for some fresh air, hailing a taxi when the weather changes or you want to get home late at night. One Brompton bike takes 6.2 tonnes less carbon than a car to make and 42 folded Brompton bikes can be parked in the space it takes to park one car.

Brompton products are available to buy from Brompton.com, 1,500 accredited retailers worldwide and 15 flagship Brompton Junction stores in London, New York, Singapore, Paris, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Kobe, Milan, Hamburg, Munich, Valencia, Melbourne and Tel Aviv.

SOURCE Brompton Bicycle
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tower Arch Capital, LP ("Tower Arch"), a Salt Lake City, Utah-based lower middle-market private equity firm, announced two promotions after a banner 2021, completing nearly $1.2 billion in total transaction value throughout the year across seven transactions, including new platform acquisitions, add-on acquisitions, and divestitures.

Tower Arch also announced two significant promotions:

Aubrey Burnett has been promoted to Partner.

Aubrey Burnett has been promoted to Partner effective January 1, 2022. Aubrey joined the firm in 2016 as a Vice President and was promoted to Principal in 2018. Previously, he held positions with HIG Capital in San Francisco, Charlesbank Capital Partners in Boston, and with The Parthenon Group in Boston. Aubrey currently serves on the Board of Directors at Lifeport and was a former Director at KNS International. Additionally, he has been involved in Tower Arch investments in Corbett Technology Solutions, Inc., OSM Worldwide, SnugZ USA, and Softvision. Aubrey received an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts in Government.

Christian Little has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer (CCO).

Christian Little has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer effective January 1, 2022. Christian joined Tower Arch in 2020 as a Tax Manager and will continue to serve in that capacity in addition to his new CCO responsibilities. Previously, he was a Senior Tax Manager at PwC and was a Tax Manager with Deloitte, where he spent ten years combined supporting private equity and venture capital clients in the Bay Area in areas of compliance, fund structuring, and domestic and international tax reporting and withholding. Christian received a Master of Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Utah.

David Topham, Partner at Tower Arch Capital said, "We are excited to announce these promotions for both Aubrey and Christian in recognition of their extensive and impressive contributions to our firm. Their promotions demonstrate our commitment to growing talent from within and position us for continued growth as we serve our investors, portfolio management teams, and our marketplace and community partners. Please join us in recognizing their achievements."

About Tower Arch Capital

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Tower Arch Capital is a lower-middle market private equity firm with over $750 million under management. Tower Arch seeks to partner with and grow high-quality family and entrepreneur-owned companies to deliver long-term value for their management teams and investors. Tower Arch brings operational, consulting, and financial expertise to small and mid-sized companies to help them scale and improve their operations. Target investments include control positions in entrepreneur and family-owned businesses with revenue between $20 million and $150 million or EBITDA between $5 million and $25 million. For more information, please visit www.towerarch.com.

SOURCE Tower Arch Capital
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Signant Health, the leader in evidence generation for modern clinical trials, announced today that it has been selected as a technology vendor for the [email protected] consortium. This landmark, five-year research project aims to reshape clinical trials in the European Union (EU) by developing and piloting standards, tools, and best practices for decentralized clinical trials (DCTs). Funded by the EU/EFPIA's Innovative Medicines Initiative [2] Joint Undertaking (H2020-JTI-IMI2), the project is split into six focus areas led by different consortium members who span academic, commercial, and governmental organizations.

As the only member selected to provide technology solutions for two of the consortium's Pilot Basic Building Blocks categories, Signant will deliver a direct-to-patient (DtP) model of its industry-leading Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) solution as well as its Telemedicine platform for a 12-month, pan-EU proof-of-concept study, called the RADIAL trial.

This trial aims to include 800 patients with type 2 diabetes across 63 sites in eight countries. The RADIAL trial will compare the scientific and operational quality of fully decentralized and hybrid models to a conventional trial in order to evaluate the feasibility of such approaches. Results will help define legal, regulatory, ethical, and operational challenges and corresponding solutions, as well as be incorporated into recommendations for technologies that underpin successful DCTs.

The [email protected] consortium selected Signant's SmartSignals RTSM and Telemedicine solutions based on their ability to facilitate fully remote and hybrid clinical trials as well as to integrate with the complex vendor ecosystem supporting the study. Additional award criteria included the company's clinical research experience in Europe and operational successes in high-profile, decentralized COVID-19 clinical trials.

"We're proud to be selected for this important research project which will help lay the groundwork for new study conduct options in Europe," said Jason Martin, Signant's chief operating officer. "The recommendations and best practices that we will establish in collaboration with [email protected] consortium partners will allow medical researchers in Europe to take advantage of exponential digitalization to accelerate and streamline clinical development processes."

"DCTs have been widely recognized as a vehicle to address many of today's most pressing challenges in clinical development in Europe," added Rebecca Jackson, senior manager, clinical R&D innovation IT at Janssen and [email protected]'s tech focus area co-lead alongside Sten Hanke, associate professor at Joanneum. "Benefits include the potential for recruiting and retaining representative participant populations, expanding trial access and diversity of participants, and improving speed and efficiency of clinical trials. Carefully selected research partners like Signant play a critical role in the development of new standards for clinical trial design and conduct that will ultimately help eliminate traditional barriers to research participation."

The RADIAL trial is scheduled to launch in 2022, with results, recommendations, and tools expected in 2024.

About Signant Health

Signant Health is the evidence generation company. We are focused on leveraging software, deep therapeutic and scientific knowledge, and operational expertise to consistently capture, aggregate, and reveal quality evidence for clinical studies across traditional, virtual, and hybrid trial models. For more than 20 years, over 400 sponsors and CROs of all sizes  including all Top 20 pharma  have trusted Signant solutions for remote and site-based eCOA, eConsent, RTSM, supply chain management, and data quality analytics. Learn more at www.signanthealth.com.

Contact:

Heather Bilinski

[email protected]

+1 610.400.4141

SOURCE Signant Health
SUVA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Fiji will send military personnel to help Tonga where the violent eruptions of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano over the weekend has caused damages and casualties.

According to a Fijian government statement on Wednesday night, Fiji's Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that Fiji has formally written to Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni to assure that Tonga has Fiji's support as his government looks to respond to their people's immediate needs and, eventually, mount their recovery.

He said that Fiji is working closely with the Australian and New Zealand governments to coordinate a regional relief effort due to Tonga's volcanic eruptions.

Australia has established a communication channel with Tonga's capital city of Nuku'alofa and is preparing to dispatch the HMAS Adelaide frigate to Tonga's shores.

Fiji has offered to airlift disaster-ready Fijian military personnel to ship out with the contingent of Australian troops. These Fijian military personnel are currently in isolation and will be tested prior to departure, he said.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Jone Kalouniwai, Fiji's military commander, said on Wednesday night that the Fijian military contingent is on standby to assist the Tongan government.

The commander said he can confirm that the Australian Defense Force has made available a strategic lift cap to take Fijian troops across to Tonga. However the Tongan government's approval for any deployment to the island nation is still pending.

The Tongan government has so far confirmed three deaths in relation to Saturday's volcanic eruption and all houses on the island of Mango were wiped out.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano is part of the highly active Tonga-Kermadec Islands volcanic arc, a subduction zone extending from New Zealand north-northeast to Fiji. Over the past decades, the volcano has erupted several times. 
STAMFORD, Conn. and HOUSTON and LONDON and MILAN and LA SPEZIA, Italy, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective today, we are excited to announce that Trillium Flow Technologies ("Trillium") and Termomeccanica Pompe S.p.A. ("Termomeccanica Pompe") have signed a joint agreement that will bring the Termomeccanica Pompe, Gabbioneta Pumps, and Begemann brands together under the Trillium umbrella in Italy. Due to customary regulatory approvals, we anticipate the transaction will close in approximately three to four months. Following the transaction, Termomeccanica will concentrate its activities on developing the ecological and gas compression sectors, where its subsidiaries TME and TMIC operate.

Operating for over one hundred years, Termomeccanica Pompe is a world-leading pump manufacturing company that provides innovative engineered pumps and global service solutions for Power, Desalination, Water Transmission, and Oil & Gas markets. In addition, Termomeccanica Pompe has robust after-sales service capabilities that offer end-users reliable, efficient, responsive, and all-encompassing rotating equipment assistance.

Trillium Flow Technologies, a First Reserve portfolio company, is focused on its mission to passionately assist our customers by providing performance-engineered products and services to help meet the mission-critical needs of today's ever-challenging world. Termomeccanica Pompe's products and services combined with our Gabbioneta, Floway, WEMCO1, WSP, and Roto-Jet Pump offerings uniquely position Trillium to provide customers with an extensive range of complementary pump products, related engineering support, and aftermarket services.

Paolo Macchi, Managing Director of Gabbioneta Pumps, said: "The acquisition will create a much larger Italian engineered pump manufacturer by combining two strong legacy brands with a highly complementary product portfolio, installed base, and service capabilities. The joint entity will be best positioned to support our local and international customers in a more comprehensive and impactful way."

Edoardo Garibotti, Managing Director of Termomeccanica Pompe, declared: "I fully support the project that brings together some of the best skills in the sector."

David Paradis, CEO of Trillium Flow Technologies, added: "Termomeccanica Pompe and Gabbioneta have incredibly talented people, highly engineered, yet different, offerings and extensive manufacturing and testing capabilities. Bringing these businesses together will create significant value for our customers and other stakeholders. Further, joining these two businesses aligns perfectly with our M&A strategy and demonstrates our ongoing efforts and commitment to building a leading flow technology company that offers highly engineered products and provides extensive aftermarket support and solutions."

About Trillium Flow Technologies

Trillium Flow Technologies is a global designer, manufacturer, and aftermarket services provider of engineered valves and pumps used in critical infrastructure, energy, and broader industrial applications. Its established portfolio of brands serves customers in the water and wastewater, global power generation, oil and gas, mining, and general process industries. Learn more at: www.trilliumflow.com

About First Reserve

First Reserve is a leading global private equity investment firm exclusively focused on energy, including related industrial markets. With 35+ years of industry insight, investment expertise, and operational excellence, the Firm has cultivated an enduring network of global relationships, raising USD $32 billion of capital. Its portfolio companies have operated on six continents, spanning the energy spectrum from upstream oil and gas to midstream and downstream, including resources, equipment and services, and associated infrastructure. Learn more at: www.firstreserve.com

1 WEMCO is a registered trademark of FLSmidth

Contacts

Media:

Chris Molineaux

Global Marketing and Communications Manager

[email protected]

+1 (832) 691-9238

Related Links

https://www.trilliumflow.com

SOURCE Trillium Flow Technologies
So far, the Flex Fund has provided over $27.5 million in low-interest loans to 330 small businesses and nonprofits. Tweet this

Since launching in June, the Flex Fund has provided over $27.5 million in low-interest loans of up to $150,000 each to 330 small businesses and nonprofits in need. The Flex Fund works with and through local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which serve under-resourced communities and underbanked businesses the Small Business Flex Fund aims to help.

Speaking about the impact that Umpqua Bank's contribution will have, Lisa Brown, Washington State Department of Commerce Director said, "Our Small Business Flex Fund is an innovative tool for providing much-needed growth capital to smaller businesses and nonprofits looking at mid and long-term recovery from the pandemic. We appreciate Umpqua's generous support and belief in the Flex Fund. Their contribution will help ensure this opportunity is available to businesses throughout the state, particularly in communities that have historically struggled to access traditional sources of financial assistance."

"Few priorities are more critical to the economic recovery and long-term health of our communities than ensuring equitable access to capital for small business owners and entrepreneurs," said Umpqua Bank President Cort O'Haver. "Washington's new Small Business Flex Fund represents the kind of innovative, private-public partnership needed to ensure that small businesses, especially those in underserved communities, have the critical financial support and opportunities essential for success. We're thrilled to partner with the State and other financial institutions to advance this terrific program."

The Small Business Flex Fund is administered by the National Development Council with funding arranged by Calvert Impact Capital. It was founded with the goal of helping Washington's smallest businesses and nonprofits get back on their feet post-pandemic and plan for the future. Businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 50 employees and annual revenues of less than $3 million can pre-apply online and, if qualified, will be matched with a lender. Once matched, the participating lender will assist the business owner throughout the application process and provide additional advisory support.

The Flex Fund's target is $100 million in raised capital to support the recovery of small businesses and nonprofits throughout the state - meaning it is now just $14.5 million away from reaching its goal.

For more information and to apply, visit SmallBusinessFlexFund.org.

For interview requests or questions, contact Annie Blake-Burke | [email protected].

About the Small Business Flex Fund

The Small Business Flex Fund provides access to flexible, low-interest loans and business support services to small businesses and nonprofits across Washington. Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Fund is a collaborative partnership of local and national community finance organizations created to support Washington's smallest businesses and address the needs of historically under-resourced and underbanked communities. The Fund includes leaders from across sectors, including local community lenders, national and state-based nonprofit organizations, corporations, philanthropic donors, and investors  all of whom are passionate about an equitable recovery across the state.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, and has locations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for eight years in a row on FORTUNE magazine's list of the country's "100 Best Companies to Work For," and was recently named by The Portland Business Journal the Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon for the 16th consecutive year. In addition to its retail banking presence, Umpqua Bank owns Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., a nationally recognized commercial finance company that provides equipment leases to small businesses.

SOURCE The Small Business Flex Fund
SCHENECTADY, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A partnership between Union College and the Schuler Education Foundation will invest $42 million to enroll significantly more low-income students.

Union is among the first five schools selected to participate in the Schuler Access Initiative , which aims to enroll more underserved students at the nation's top liberal arts colleges.

Jack Schuler, co-founder of the Schuler Education Foundation , will spend $500 million over the next 10 years as part of the initiative. He wants to include up to 20 liberal arts schools that will match the funds, for a potential nationwide investment of $1 billion.

In addition to Union, the other schools chosen to date include Bates College, Carleton College, Kenyon College and Tufts University.

Union originally planned to raise $20 million over five years. However, nearly 200 donors helped the College hit its $20 million fundraising goal years ahead of schedule.

By reaching its $20 million goal, the College will receive a $22 million match from the Schuler Foundation.

"I'm excited that we have done it," said President David R. Harris. He and his wife, Anne, made a gift to establish the Harris Family Endowed Scholarship.

"Not in five years. Not in one year. This community stepped up and said we care so much about creating opportunity, we can achieve this goal in six or seven months. So thank you, Union College, for everything you have done and thank you for everything you will do for students for years to come."

One of the donors was Dr. Estelle Cook-Sampson, a member of Union's Class of 1974.

"It behooves us to have a social conscience about how we use the financial resources we have at hand," said Cooke-Sampson. A radiologist, she retired last year as director of the Women's Imaging Center at Howard University Hospital.

"I believe in the mission of the Schuler Foundation, and I feel a tremendous sense of honor that Union was chosen as one of the institutions. I think this scholarship opportunity will help toward obtaining equity for all."

The $42 million will benefit students who qualify for a Pell Grant, the federal program that provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students.

Currently, Union supports an average of 75 students with Pell Grants in every newly-enrolled class. Most Pell Grants are awarded to students with a total family annual income below $20,000.

At Union, Pell students are typically among the highest achieving students in the classroom and are leaders across campus.

Beginning with next fall's class, the Schuler grants will allow the College to add nine students who are eligible for Pell Grants. Ultimately, the number of Pell Grant students will increase at Union by 13 percent for 40 additional students across all four years.

"Pell students are good students on their own merit," said trustee David J. Breazzano '78, a donor to the Schuler initiative. "The only challenge they have is their families are unable to pay the sticker price. We're giving opportunities to people who otherwise wouldn't have those opportunities."

Founded in 1795 as the first planned campus in the country, Union is an independent four-year liberal arts college with engineering. Located in Schenectady, N.Y., the College, with 2,200 full-time undergraduates, is consistently ranked among the nation's top liberal arts institutions.

SOURCE Union College
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Willow Biosciences Inc. ("Willow" or the "Company") (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQB: CANSF), a leading biotechnology company that manufactures pure, consistent and sustainable cannabinoids via yeast biosynthesis, is pleased to announce the results of its in vitro analysis and the first to be reported topical clinical study on cannabigerol ("CBG"). In collaboration with Signum Biosciences, Willow's FutureGrownTM CBG, produced using its proprietary yeast platform at multi-kilogram scale, demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin health-boosting activity in lab assays, and provided similar benefits when applied topically to human skin. A single-blind clinical study in 20 healthy male and female volunteers conducted at Princeton Consumer Research (the "Willow Study") showed Willow's FutureGrownTM CBG clinically reduces skin inflammation, the appearance of redness, and improves barrier function. The results of the Willow Study were published in Molecules, a leading international, peer-reviewed, open access journal that can be found here at https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/2/491/htm .

"Willow's FutureGrownTM CBG continues to exhibit great promise as an exciting new skincare ingredient", said Trevor Peters, Willow's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to share the results of our in vitro and clinical work with our stakeholders and proud to have it published in a peer reviewed scientific journal, the first of its kind for CBG. As the market for CBG and CBGA continues to develop, key studies such as this help to define the potential these ingredients have in the health and wellness space."

The Willow Study reports that biosynthetically produced CBG possesses a broad range of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin protecting properties to help slow inflammation, aging, and boost skin barrier function. Gene array analysis of CBG and cannabidiol ("CBD") applied topically to a 3D human skin model demonstrates that CBG outperforms CBD, selectively targeting collagen, elastin and other key skin health and hydration genes. Moreover, in vitro studies in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) show that CBG and CBD both possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with CBG demonstrating equal if not better activity than CBD. Lastly, the Willow Study is the first to report the clinical effectiveness of topically applied CBG, demonstrating that a 0.1% CBG serum reduces inflammation, redness, and improves the skin barrier significantly better than a placebo.

Learn more about Willow's FutureGrownTM CBG: www.willowbio.com/#products

Request samples of Willow's FutureGrownTM CBG: [email protected]

About Willow Biosciences Inc.

Willow is a leading biotechnology company that develops and produces high-purity, plant derived ingredients for the consumer care, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. Willow's FutureGrownTM biotechnology platform allows scale production of pure, consistent, and sustainable product to benefit both B2B and B2C customers. Willow's R&D team has a proven track record of developing and commercializing bio-based manufacturing processes and products for both the consumer and pharmaceutical industries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements including opinions, assumptions, estimates and the Company's assessment of future plans and operations, and, more particularly, statements concerning: the results of the Willow Study, including the clinical benefits of CBG for skincare; Willow's FutureGrownTM CBG; and the business plan of the Company, generally, including cannabinoid research and production. When used in this news release, the words "will," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intent," "may," "project," "should," and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are founded on the basis of expectations and assumptions made by the Company and, with respect to the Willow Study, Signum Biosciences which include, but are not limited to: the expectations and assumptions set forth in the published results of the Willow Study; the success of Willow's strategic partnerships, including the development of future strategic partnerships; the financial strength of the Company; the ability of the Company to fund its business plan using cash on hand and existing resources; the market for Willow's products; the ability of the Company to obtain and retain applicable licences; the ability of the Company to obtain suitable manufacturing partners and other strategic relationships; and the successful implementation of Willow's commercialization and production strategy, generally. Forward-looking statements are subject to a wide range of risks and uncertainties, and although the Company believes that the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Any number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, risks associated with: the cannabinoid industry in general; the success of the Company's research and development strategies; infringement on intellectual property; failure to benefit from partnerships or successfully integrate acquisitions; actions and initiatives of federal and provincial governments and changes to government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies; import/export and research restrictions for cannabinoid-based operations; the size of the medical-use and adult-use cannabinoid market; competition from other industry participants; adverse U.S., Canadian and global economic conditions; adverse global events and public-health crises, including the current COVID-19 outbreak; failure to comply with certain regulations; departure of key management personnel or inability to attract and retain talent; and other factors more fully described from time to time in the reports and filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities. Please refer to the Company's most recent annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for additional risk factors relating to Willow, which can be accessed either on Willow's website at www.willowbio.com or under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Willow Biosciences Inc.
CHENGDU, China, Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the past two years, the development of the new energy automotive industry chain has been in full swing, which is predicated on the support of policies. For example, in the past few years, policies have rendered assistance to new energy automotive enterprises in terms of credit allocation and tax subsidies.

Today, the policy tailwind is equally sweeping the property management services industry. According to Shengang Securities, in the first half of 2021 alone, the policies favoring the diversified development of the property management services industry have added up to four.

In response to the call of national policy, the property management services industry will usher in an era of diversified development. In this process, the exploration of diverse businesses will also play a pivotal role in the competition of property management service companies.

In fact, a parallel trend has been accentuated in some companies. One such example is Desun Real Estate Investment Services Group Co., Ltd. (Desun Services), which recently made its debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX).

Over the past few years, Desun Services has been vigorously developing its residential and non-residential value-added service business and commercial operational service business. At the data level, the results are remarkable. Up to the end of May 2021, the revenue generated from the value-added services of Desun Services accounted for a whopping 48.4%, holding up almost half of the company's revenue.

In the long run, the prospect of the property management services industry is promising. However, dragged down by the overall Hong Kong stock market, the current performance of the property sector is not so impressive, albeit the decline is relatively small compared to other sectors. A number of property management service companies have also initiated buybacks due to their share prices not reflecting the value of the company.

Against this backdrop, Desun Services announced on January 6 that the over-allotment option was partially exercised. This also indicates to some extent that investors acknowledge the value of the company.

Intensive introductions of supportive policies paves the way for the long-term development of the property management industry

In 2021, the Ministry of Housing and UrbanRural Development (MOHURD), the Ministry of Commerce and other authorities put in place various policies to support the accelerated development of the property management services industry.

On January 5, the MOHURD and other ten ministries jointly issued a Notice on Strengthening and Improving the Administration of Residential Properties, which encourages qualified property management service companies to explore the "property service + living service" model.

On February 21, the No. 1 Central Document titled Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Comprehensively Promoting Rural Revitalization and Accelerating Agricultural and Rural Modernization was officially released. The document establishes a series of policies to promote the shift of public management services towards a socialized, market-oriented and professional direction.

On March 12, Xinhua News Agency was authorized to release the Outline of the People's Republic of China 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives for 2035, in which the property sector is mentioned six times, covering quality development of living service industry, improvement of urban governance, improvement of community management and service mechanism, and construction of digital China.

On May 31, the Ministry of Commerce, the MOHURD, and other 12 departments jointly issued the Opinions on Promoting the Building of 15-Minute Urban Community Life Circles, which aims to serve community residents and to satisfy their basic consumption and quality consumption in their daily lives, thereby building community business circles formed by multi-industry clusters.

The aforesaid policies indicate that the government is encouraging property management service companies to expand into the field of non-property management services. It is not much of a stretch to figure out the reason behind this. As the per capita income in the country keeps climbing, it is imperative to improve the quality of people's lives.

Statistically, the annual per capita disposable income of domestic residents reached RMB32,189 in 2020, twice as much as that in 2010. In the context of growing per capita income, people demand more personalized services from property management service companies in addition to the management services of communal areas, for instance, door-to-door cleaning, pet-sitting services, dry cleaning, and so on.

Taking a glance at the entire industry, Desun Services is undoubtedly taking the lead in the exploration of value-added services. In the past few years, boosted by the value-added service business, Desun Services has achieved rapid growth in its performance.

According to the data, between 2018 and 2020, the revenue of Desun Services increased from RMB63.964 million to RMB127.922 million, representing a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 41.4%. In particular, between 2018 and 2020, the company's value-added service business grew from RMB33.811 million to RMB66.487 million, making it the main force driving the surge in the performance of Desun Services.

With the intensive introduction of policies to bolster the development of the property management services industry, which has guided the direction for the long-term development of the property management services industry, Desun Services has been making active exploration in the field of non-property management services in the past few years, which has also laid a solid foundation for its long-term development.

With a focus on value-added services, Desun Services keeps pace with policy

In the past few years, by focusing on value-added services, Desun Services has gained the upper hand in the subsequent competition. To date, Desun Services has proven to be successful in both value-added services and commercial operations.

In terms of value-added services, Desun Services has established corresponding service systems tailored to each scenario.

As an example, in the residential property sector, Desun Services provides users with value-added services such as property condition inspection, commissioned maintenance, property sale, and domestic services. Additionally, the company offers renovation services to property developers, including sales office renovations.

In the non-residential property sector, Desun Services is committed to delivering branding and positioning consulting services across commercial promotion, sales agency and marketing for its clients. Subsequently, the company plans to promote value-added services for industrial parks and office buildings, such as leasing services, interior rentals and displays, conference hosting, and reception services.

In terms of commercial operational services, thanks to the long-term coordinated development with Chengdu Desun Property Co., Ltd and its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated companies (Desun Property Group), Desun Services has successfully established a commercial operational service system across the entire industry chain.

Up to date, the commercial operational services provided by Desun Services encompass multiple aspects ranging from planning, tenant sourcing services to operation and sales.

In terms of planning, Desun Services is able to render services such as preliminary planning, commercial planning, and assistance in market expansion planning; in terms of tenant sourcing services, the company provides a variety of services such as tenant sourcing management and preliminary participation for its own commercial projects and expanded commercial projects respectively; in terms of operation, the company provides various services such as operations management and preliminary participation for its own commercial projects and expanded commercial projects respectively; in terms of sales, the company owns a sales team with omnichannel sales capability, allowing it to replace the traditional role of second-hand housing sales.

Furthermore, in the building of the commercial product model, Desun Services has also gradually formulated its own differentiated approach. For example, unlike other commercial operational service companies, Desun Services devotes more attention to customer segmentation and precise positioning, focusing on the creation of scenes that are scenario-based, sociable, thematic and with shopping streets.

As of now, Desun Services has created an impressive list of success stories. Taking the youth trendy play center as an example, the main target group of Huahuo Community (meaning Flowery Times, Lively Atmosphere in Chinese) aims at the Generation Z youth clientele. As for product form, Huahuo Community takes the form of themed shopping streets, with large stores matching with small stores + plaza as the carrier, fashion trends and niche socialization at its core, supplemented by basic living services, aiming to create themed commercial products characterized by folk culture and the hustle and bustle of the marketplace.

In conclusion, Desun Services has amassed a wealth of experience in value-added services and commercial operational services. Over the long term, this will also enable the company to gain a head start in the subsequent development of non-property management services.

Synergy with Desun Property Group emerges to anchor long-term growth

While embracing the policy benefit, Desun Services enjoys the potential resources from Desun Property Group, which is an essential guarantee for its subsequent growth.

According to the official website of Desun Property Group, the company was founded in 1999 and is a residential developer specializing in mid- to high-end housing. Up to date, Desun Property Group, whose asset size reaches RMB40 billion, has developed and served more than 200 investment projects with business coverage across more than 30 cities. The development area exceeds 10 million sq.m. and the land reserve amounts to 4 million sq.m..

In terms of its industry position, Desun Property Group is ranked among the top 100 real estate companies in China and the top 10 real estate companies in Chengdu, and has been awarded honors such as 2021 Top 10 Chinese Real Estate Residential Development Companies with Leading Brand Value, Annual Valuable Real Estate Enterprise in the 2021 Chinese Valuable Real Estate Overall Ranking, and Top 100 Chinese Real Estate Enterprises with Product Power in 2020.

Since 2010, Desun Services has forged a close and long-term relationship with Desun Property Group, and both companies are well versed in their specific needs and expected deliverables to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. Specifically, Desun Property Group supplies a steady stream of projects to Desun Services, which in turn continues to enhance the brand image of Desun Property Group and the value of its property development projects through quality services.

According to the data, as at December 31, 2020, three of the properties under the management of Desun Services were mid- to high-end residential properties in Chengdu; seven of the contracted projects were mid- to high-end residential properties in Chengdu, all of which were mainly mid- to high-end projects developed by Desun Property Group. As at May 31, 2021, the residential properties developed by Desun Property Group under the management of Desun Services constituted a total GFA (gross floor area) of 1.1 million sq.m..

When reflected in the financial data, for FY2018, FY2019, FY2020 and 5M2021, the company's revenue generated from Desun Property Group accounted for 53.4%, 51.0%, 47.3% and 38.8%, respectively. In addition, 100%, 100%, 68.8% and 43.4% of its revenue from property management services was generated from properties developed by Desun Property Group for the said periods.

In the extended cycle, as the number of projects developed by Desun Property Group keeps increasing, a steady stream of the GFA under management will be provided to Desun Services for the subsequent years.

According to CRIC's data, between 2019 and 2021, Desun Property Group recorded sales of more than RMB10 billion for three years in a row and ranked fifth in Chengdu in terms of sales in 2021. Bearing in mind that it generally takes two to three years for real estate companies to progress from sales to delivery, the projects sold by Desun Property Group in the past three years will gradually be converted into the GFA under the management of Desun Services in the next three years, thus facilitating the sustained growth of the company's performance.

Given that most of the residences developed by Desun Property Group target the mid- to high-end market, the customer base has a high level of spending power in general, and these high-income customers often tend to have personalized consumption needs. Over the long term, this will also further spur the revenue from the company's value-added services to grow at a high rate.

Backed by the multiple incentives, Desun Services is poised to make further progress and deliver substantial returns to investors who have been with the company all along.

SOURCE Desun Real Estate Investment Services Group Co., Ltd.
LONDON, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Speaking at the Fitur trade fair in Madrid Spain, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said:

"While we welcome the expiration of the CDC's conditional sail order, its decision to continue elevated travel health notices is nonsensical.

"The cruise industry has proven time and again that its enhanced health and safety protocols consistently achieve significantly lower rates of COVID-19 occurrence than onshore.

"WTTC calls upon the CDC to stop singling out the cruise industry with harmful and unnecessary measures. Cruise lines have an excellent record for health and safety, and cruising continues to offer extraordinary travel experiences."

SOURCE World Travel & Tourism Council
JD Wetherspoon Plc (LSE:JDW) warned it will make a loss in the first half as sales were impacted by the UK governments Plan B Coronavirus (COVID-19 restrictions.

In the 12 weeks to 16 January 2022, like-for-like sales slumped 15.6% and total sales by 16.6% compared with the same period last year, the pubs group said in a trading update.

In the 25 weeks to 16 January, like-for-like sales decreased 11.7% and total sales by 13.3%.

"As mentioned in our update on 13 December 2021, the uncertainty created by the introduction of plan B COVID-19 measures makes predictions for sales and profits hazardous, said Wetherspoon chairman Wetherspoon Tim Martin.

"The company will be loss-making in the first half of the financial year, but hopes that, with the ending of restrictions, improved customer confidence and better weather, it will have a much stronger performance in the second half."

Commenting on the revelations that a number of parties were held at 10 Downing Street during lockdown in 2020, Wetherspoon said these parties highlighted the consequences of lockdowns and pub closures and that it would have been better if the No 10 partygoers had been able to visit pubs instead.

For example, Londons highly trained and experienced staff would have easily dealt with the high jinks alleged to have occurred at No 10, the pubs group said.

The company also criticised the recent move by fund manager BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), which holds a 3.51% interest in Wetherspoon, to vote against reappointing Wetherspoon's non-executives at the AGM in November.

It said it complied with the comply or explain provisions of the corporate governance code and believes BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) has not taken account of Wetherspoon's explanations, as it is bound to do by the code.
European Metals said an update on its pre-feasibility study for the Cinovec lithium project in the Czech Republic had increased its potential value by 75%.

Incorporating changes to the mining process into the 2019 PFS had increased the estimate of annual production by 16% to 29,400 tonnes of lithium hydroxide, while the value (NPV) rises to US1.94bn from US$1.1bn.

Project operator Geomet changed the planned mining method for the Cinovec orebody from open stoping to longhole stoping with backfill using paste backfill.

This change, together with other changes to the material assumptions outlined in this update, increases the Cinovec mine's proposed ore extraction from 34.5mt up to 54.5mt enabling an increase in the annual processing rate by approximately 33% per annum over the previous 21-year life of mine, from 1.69mtpa to 2.25mtpa over a now 25-year life of mine, sain EMH, which owns 49% of Geomet.

Upfront capital cost will rise to US$644mln by using the new mining method, but payback would be just 2.5 years from the start of production, said the statement.

Keith Coughlan, EMHs executive chairman, added: The results of the study are very positive for the overall economics, resulting in a far greater amount of the ore resource being utilised for production of lithium and increasing the after-tax NPV8 from USD1.1B to USD1.94B.

The increased NPV assumes a long-term price for lithium hydroxide of US$17,000 per tonne. An increase in the lithium hydroxide price by 30% to USD 22,100 would increase the NPV8 (post tax) to over USD 3Bn.

Given the current price of lithium hydroxide is in the vicinity of US$40,000 per tonne it is clear that that the Cinovec Project will be critical to European battery self-sufficiency.

"The use of approximately 54% of the plant tailings for backfill will result in a far smaller environmental impact, with much smaller dry stack tailings storage required, further enhancing the already strong ESG credentials of the Project.

"The significant increase in lithium produced will further add to the supply security of the European battery industry. Importantly, even at this increased production rate, the resource is nowhere near fully utilised - paving the way for future assessment of further production increases.
Proactive is pulling out all the stops to bring you some of Britains most innovative and exciting growth companies in one bumper event.

In partnership with Cenkos and sponsored by Primary Bid, the aptly named Growth & Innovation Forum will also feature expert commentary from those deeply ingrained in the sector.

So, well hear from Paul Stevens, whose company BGF is at the sharp end of helping finance up-and-coming new businesses.

Paul will be joined by Premier Mitons Gervais Williams, one of the Citys best-known fund managers and a small-cap guru.

Streamed online from 9 am on Tuesday, February 8 , the event will kick off with a keynote address from Julian Morse, chief executive of the Cenkos.

Our companies represent more or less every sector but share these attributes in common  they are disruptors and pioneers with impressive growth ambitions.

Remember this is one of the very few opportunities this year to see the cream of the crop of Britains small-cap sector.

So far, we have 20 confirmed attendees. They are:

Brave Bison Brickability Creo Medical Duke Royalty Duke Royalty Intelligent Ultrasound One Media IP OPG Power Ventures Rosslyn Data Technologies RUA Life Sciences XLMedia ValiRx Venture Life 600 Group Inspiration Healthcare Lords Group Eden Research HEIQ Getech FRP Advisory

Each company will make a 10-minute presentation followed by a five-minute Q&A session.

Dont worry if you miss your favourite company, well have a replay of the entire event ready to go very shortly after its close.

For more information, including the event running order, registration details and link to the Growth & Innovation forum click here.
KABUL, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people, including three children, have been killed and 10 others wounded in three separate incidents of landslide and avalanche in Afghanistan, multiple sources said on Wednesday.

In western Ghor province, a child was killed and five people were wounded when a landslide hit a house in Bayydan valley in Shahrak district on Tuesday night, Abdul Hai Zaheem, director of provincial information and culture directorate, told Xinhua.

The house was destroyed and the wounded were shifted to a district hospital, he said.

In northern Badakhshan province, three people were killed and five others wounded after an avalanche hit Khmbyal village late Tuesday, Mahzuddin Ahmadi, director of provincial information and culture directorate, told Xinhua.

The wounded were rescued and transported to a hospital by local villagers and district security personnel in the mountainous region, the source added.

In addition, a father and three of his children lost their lives following an avalanche in Lolash locality, Kohistan district of northern Faryab province Monday afternoon, Shamsuddin Mohammadi, director of Faryab information and culture directorate, told Xinhua.

According to said sources, local officials were trying to deliver assistance to affected families.

Heavy rains and snow had been pounding most Afghan provinces for the last few weeks. 
Revolut, the London-based digital banking app, unveiled share trading without commission in the US today.

Britains second most valuable fintech company intends to become a superapp, which allows customers to manage their financial facets in one place, it said.

"This to us was just the next logical step," said Gabe Vallejo, Revolut US head of wealth and trading.

The unicorn company, which already offered payment services, crypto trading, and savings accounts in the US, introduced zero-commission in the UK and Europe in 2019.

This launch comes amid a broader surge in retail trading, which escalated last year as investors caught onto meme stocks including GameStop and AMC, Reuters said, which will allow Revolut to compete with the likes of Robinhood.

US customers can trade fractional or full shares of over 1,100 securities, as well as more than 200 exchange-traded funds.

Revolut, which was valued at US$33bn in an investment round in July, launched as a US banking app in March 2020 and secured a US broker-dealer license in September.

Like Robinhood, Revolut relies on payment for order flow to generate revenue on commission-free trades, which is when brokers route trades to market makers in return for a fee.

US financial regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission is worried this form of trading entices investors to trade more, even when its not in their best interest.

Shares in Robinhood have tumbled since their listing at US$38 in July on a drop-off in crypto trades, regulatory probes, and a string of lawsuits and now trade at US$14.40.

Revolut finance chief Mikko Salavaara said last year the company planned to eventually become a public company, but there are no immediate plans to list.
The UKs Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed tighter restrictions as it seeks to curb potentially harmful high-risk investing among consumers, including bets on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.

It comes as the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak highlighted plans to clamp down on unregulated and potentially misleading advertising for crypto products and services.

Sunak, on Tuesday, said that FCA should have oversight of such advertising which should be held to the same standard as the financial promotion of share trading, investment products and insurance.

The FCA today issued its own statement which went further. The Watchdog is recommending changes so that firms that promote financial marketing demonstrate their expertise, whilst suggesting a ban on investment incentives and a strengthening on risk warnings.

Crypto would no longer be outside the FCAs jurisdiction in regards promotion and marketing, it proposed, due to its increasing attractiveness to retail investors looking to make a quick buck.

FCA research has also identified that one in 20 adults own, or have owned, a crypto-currency, as the high-risk, high-reward opportunities presented have force the Treasury to intervene to protect those looking to get involved.

Cryptos popularity has yet to be held back by a lack of a regulator. Indeed, most trades or investments reside in something of a regulatory, legal and fiscal black-spot.

So, what does the FCAs latest proposals actually mean for people with crypto assets?

These changes, including other changes being consulted on by the Treasury, will hit providers of cryptoassets with a whole range of new costs as the new requirements seek to ensure the appropriateness of investors investing in these assets, said Adam Soilleux, senior manager and financial services advisor at BDO

The investment in compliance upgrades will be significant, he noted.

When it comes to advertising specifically, the FCAs regulations will only cover adverts created and marketed by providers of crypto assets.

The FCAs own research meanwhile says advertising has only a limited impact in reaching and informing retail investors to tempt them into the digital assets market.

Data from the Watchdog claimed that only 2% of the people questioned would buy crypto from an advert when they previously hadnt planned to, and only 5% of those who were thinking about buying made the leap because of an advert.

On the other hand, 39% of investors were said to get their information from social media, whilst a further 13% got their insights from traditional sources of news.

Laura Suter, head of personal finance at AJ Bell, reckons new rules wont stop the outright scams that have exploded off the back of Bitcoin and other cryptos soaring in price.

A number of schemes and scams have made headlines in recent months, other controversial crypto ventures had certain potentially harmful stipulations coded in by their developers.

The Squid Game crypto, for example, saw the creators earn more than US$3mln, as the price surged from a cent to US$2856 a week before the system collapsed.

Pump and dump, and other schemes, are said to be more prevalent in crypto markets which are without the same regulations as stock markets, derivatives or foreign exchanges.

Suter blames social media as being a greater concern than fintech marketing.

What would have a far bigger impact is cracking down on social media accounts where people claim to have made their millions from buying Bitcoin, most of which are ultimately scams or glorified pyramid schemes, Suter added.
As crude oil prices continue to soar, hitting US$90 earlier this week, theres a chance that investing oil company shares may prove popular again.

Fast shifting public opinion put oil and other carbon-based energy investments on the naughty step through 2021, and, whilst the era of ESG is certainly still very much upon us, the value proposition is becoming harder to ignore.

It is easy to see BP PLC (LSE:BP.) and Shell Plc as Londons big winners, as they rake in billions in additional revenue without producing any extra barrels of oil that may ire the environmental brigade.

Nevertheless, oil prices holding in the US$80 to US$100 range could prove game-changing for a handful of London-listed shares that have (just about) survived a tough few years.

Tullow and Harbour

A mid-tier producer like Tullow Oil PLC (LSE:TLW) could improve its fate greatly if it can accelerate debt repayment whilst crude prices are so buoyant.

Then theres Harbour Energy (LSE:HBR) Plc - the reboot of Premier Oil, which was crushed beneath by its debt pile in 2020 - it not only has the benefit of rising revenue but also has a catalogue of tax losses to cash in.

In the previous cycle of crude price rises they invested vast sums, borrowed from the debt markets, as they built out their oil fields. The sharp downturn put them such companies under intense pressure, and plunged management teams into negotiations with debt holders over covenants and terms.

Refinancing and rescue deals allowed the trio to survive but ambitions were stifled and the prospect of meaningful growth off the agenda.

Higher crude prices are can potentially be a difference maker.

Tullow, example, forecast it would US$100mln of free cash remaining in 2021 when it modelled based on US$60 crude with an extra US$50mln pencilled as upside if the price could average US$70 in the second half  with operating costs of around US$13 per barrel and output of around 60,000 barrels per day, a windfall of surplus cash could instead accelerate debt repayment to more quickly de-monkey the companys back.

Harbour produces some 170,000 to 180,000 barrels per day, with operating costs of around US$15 to US$16 per barrel. At the end of June, it had around US$2.45bn of debt.

Hurricane

Soaring oil prices couldnt be more timely for anybody other than Hurricane Energy.

The crestfallen small-cap has in the very recent past appeared doomed, seen by many as a dead cert backet case.

Lumbered with a seemingly insurmountable debt pile and unable to refinance the writing was on the wall for the group. Hurricane was able to cling on to a producing asset which, whilst diminished, still yields a material volume of oil and amid soaring oil prices could be a saving grace.

The Lancaster field  which is host to a comparatively small portion of the billions of barrels estimated by the former executives  has been producing around 10,000 barrels per day.

The company is staring down a debt deadline, with convertible bonds due to mature in the first half of this year.

Its plan (or hope) was that it could produce and sell enough oil to either fully repay or at least bring under control its debts.

Only a few months ago this could perhaps be put firmly in the Lloyd Christmas (so youre telling me theres a chance) basket of trading ideas. Nevertheless, recent updates from the company have provided genuine rays of optimism.

Buoyed by stronger oil prices through the second half of 2021 Hurricane was able to repay US$151.5mln of bonds, leaving US$78.5mln of total debt at the end of December.

Investors will pin hopes on the company keeping its crude flowing and that prices will stay stronger as Hurricane races to repay the remaining funds.

I3 Energy

This small-caps oiler pivoted to pick up oil producing assets in Canada, after North Sea venture failed to take off.

I3 is now producing around 20,000 boepd from its projects and in December the company greenlit a US$47mln programme to participate in seventeen new production wells.

Stockbroker WH Ireland this week repeated a 35p per share fair value estimate for firm, as analyst Brendan Long updated commodity price assumptions in his model  the 35p is tied to US$80 oil.

The bullish view on the share, which is presently trading at 14.5p, comes as the stockbroker describes I3 as exposed to a long-term structural bull market in energy commodities.
WTI $85.43 +$1.61, Brent $87.51 +$1.03, Diff -$2.08 -58c, NG $4.28 +2c, UKNG 184.5p -5.5p

Oil price

Oil is up again today after the Opec report, whilst still fairly reserved, showed that despite 1Q and 2Q will show call on Opec of 27.89m b/d in Q1 and 28.3m b/d in Q2. Proof that the market remains tight is in the Christmas pudding, December output was 23.67m b/d still 660/- b/d light of quotas in the deal.

Gasoline prices have yet to go up, a gallon of Exxons finest will rush you an average of $3.306 which is up around a cent on the week and the month but sleepy Joe should be very afraid as $85 WTI will soon find its way to the pump and the SPR has already been raided and dont forget it was only loaned out

Advance Energy

Advance has provided the following update on the Buffalo-10 well. The Operator, Carnarvon Petroleum Timor, Lda., has advised that, since the last announcement on 14 January 2022, the 9 5/8 casing has been successfully cemented in place and drilling has reached total depth of around 3,415 metres Measured Depth (MD) in the 8  hole section.

Observations from Logging While Drilling (LWD) tools have identified that the primary reservoir has been intersected, with indications of hydrocarbons as anticipated in the Elang. The top Elang reservoir was intersected at a depth of around 3,338 metres MD, which was approximately 80 metres low to prognosis and outside the pre-drill range of expectations.

The interpretation from the LWD tools and drilling information is that an approximate 12 metre gross oil column was encountered. Wireline logging results will be used to determine the reservoir properties (porosity, net to gross) and to confirm a net oil column.

The information to date indicates that the seismic processing techniques employed on this project have not resolved the underlying seismic velocities or imaging resolution issues that are present in this field.

The Buffalo-10 well is being drilled offshore Timor-Leste in the TL-SO-T 19-14 PSC in which Advance Energy holds a 50% interest.

The update on the drilling of B-10 well and the results are clearly not what was hoped for from this much anticipated well. The drilling operations are ongoing so its too early to definitively know what has happened, but the update today indicates that the well clearly encountered a significantly deeper reservoir than was expected. The principal challenge with the field was choosing the well location based on the fields production history and the seismic data.

The JV will likely run further testing activities, including logging to get a picture of exactly what has happened and will provide an update in due course, however the market reaction clearly indicates that this is a very disappointing result for Advance.

Despite the disappointment, Advance remains a high-quality team with a strong industry reputation and, within the Interim results issued yesterday, they acknowledged the inherent risks associated with all drilling activities, but more importantly it provided an update that the team is actively progressing a pipeline of compelling business development opportunities which, if they come to fruition, can reinvigorate the story. And as demonstrated by the recent Savannah deal, the right teams are able to access highly value accretive deals with limited equity financing required.

Union Jack Oil/ Egdon Resources/Europa

Egdon, Union Jack and Europa provide a summary of the results of the analysis of the downhole hole pressure data acquired in the Wressle-1 well during December 2021. The interpretation was carried out by ERCE, an independent energy consultancy, on behalf of the Wressle joint venture partners.

Egdon holds a 30% interest and is operator of the field, Union Jack hold 40% and Europa 30%.

Highlights

 The results demonstrate the significant potential of the Wressle-1 well and the production rates that could be achieved once the surface facilities are optimised and a gas utilisation scheme is in place

 Based on the current reservoir pressure and a flowing tubing head pressure of 400 pounds per square inch gauge (psig), ERCE estimates that a rate of 1,216 barrels of oil per day (bopd) would be achievable, whilst maintaining a flowing bottom hole pressure above the oil saturation pressure (bubble point)

 At 300 psig flowing tubing head pressure, ERCE estimates the well could flow at a rate of 1,543 bopd whilst at the oil bubble point

 ERCE estimates a reservoir permeability of 80 millidarcies, and the analysis also confirmed the effectiveness of the proppant squeeze in reducing the skin factor from 107 to 0.2. (The skin factor is an estimate of the impairment to flow within the reservoir caused during drilling, completion or the original testing operations.)

Mark Abbott, Managing Director of Egdon, commented:

The conclusions of this work clearly demonstrate the significant potential of the Wressle-1 well and the possible production rates that can be achieved from the Ashover Grit reservoir interval.

We continue to work to realise the full commercial potential of the Wressle field. This will be achieved through optimising the production facilities, progressing options for gas monetisation and advancing the development plan for production from the Wingfield Flags and Penistone Flags reservoirs. In the meantime, the asset continues to generate material cash flow that has transformed the Companys financial outlook.

Executive Chairman of Union Jack, David Bramhill, commented:

The conclusions of the ERCE interpretation demonstrate the material potential of the Wressle-1 well and the flow rates that could be achieved from the Ashover Grit reservoir interval.

Apart from the reserves within the Ashover Grit reservoir as currently accessed by Wressle-1, there remains a significant resource volume identified in the separate Wingfield Flags and Penistone Flags reservoirs which await development and the progression of the proposed gas monetisation scheme which offers an additional revenue stream.

The Joint Venture partners look forward to unlocking the full potential of Wressle-1 and to making further announcements in respect of progress in due course.

Simon Oddie, CEO of Europa, said:

This result clearly demonstrates the significant potential of the Wressle well and the rates that can be achieved from the Ashover Grit reservoir alone. The Operator is now advancing plans to allow production of the well to meet its full potential as soon as possible and also with the development of further resources in the Wingfield Flags and Penistone Flags reservoirs, which underpins our excitement on Wressle.

As can be seen from the similar comments from the company bosses, this work by ERCE is of significant interest to them all in different ways. Whatever they all decide to do though there is an immediate uplift in production and at record oil prices into the bargain.

The potential increase in revenue terms is substantial and also makes for a material rise in the asset value of Wressle, even a few weeks ago the idea of 1,500 b/d + would have been fanciful, now it can transform the profit and loss accounts of each company. Whatever they decide to do, the appeal to a larger entity may lead to Wressle being the target a la Angus of a potential bidder for the asset is a possibility, although Wressle means different things to each of the owners. For example after its good news from West Newton earlier in the week the Union Jack portfolio is bulging with upside.

Either way this ERCE valuation is a significant boost to the value of all three companies not yet in the price in the market but the accumulation of its stake in Wressle is a standout success for UJO.

Longboat Energy

Longboat has announced the award of a licence under the Norwegian APA licensing round. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has offered Longboat Energy Norway AS a 25% interest in Production Licence, PL 1049C, covering a possible extension of the Cambozola prospect towards the north.

Cambozola will be drilled back-to-back following the PL 293B Kveikje well (Company 10%) which in turn is expected to spud at the end of Q1 22. Equinor Energy AS is the Cambozola operator with a 35% working interest; the other licensees are Spirit (20%) and Petoro AS (20%).

Helge Hammer, Chief Executive of Longboat Energy, commented:

I am pleased that we have been awarded an extension to the Cambozola licence which is one of the most exciting prospects in our portfolio.

We are in an active period of drilling with the Ginny Hermine well currently underway and with each well in our 2022 programme having the potential to create very significant shareholder value.

Longboat are now kicking on with not only the drilling programme but the addition of acreage in licensing rounds available to it. This process is part of the building of Longboat and is one that I am sure will make the company a great success. That doesnt mean that I would also like to see the company making a bigger stride through an acquisition either corporately or of acreage, I would very much welcome such a move should it be possible.

And finally

Last night in the Prem Chelski dropped more points by drawing 1-1at the Seagulls. Tonight The Foxes host Spurs and the Red Devils go to the Bees.

In his announcement of the England squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship Eddie Jones in picking super star Marcus Smith says that he needs Owen Farrell outside him to help him run the game, what a load of tosh
Jindalee Resources Ltd (ASX:JRL) is trading higher after confirming the continuity of mineralisation beyond the measured resource at its McDermitt Lithium Project in Oregon, US, with an infill and extensional drilling program completed late last year returning broad mineralised intersections.

This program was designed to increase confidence in areas of inferred mineral resource immediately adjacent to the areas classified as indicated.

The strong broad results returned have been welcomed by investors with shares as much as 9.5% higher in early trade to A$3.23.

Three holes were drilled to the north of the current indicated mineral resource boundary, with highlights including:

MDRC018:

13.7 metres at 1,168 parts per million (ppm) lithium from 3.1 metres; and

10.7 metres at 2,354 ppm from 21.4 metres (hole ends in mineralisation).

MDRC019:

13.7 metres at 1,041 ppm lithium from 9.2 metres;

13.7 metres at 1,084 ppm from 44.2 metres;

24.4 metres at 2,173 ppm from 71.7 metres, including 3.1 metres at 3,425 ppm; and

38.1 metres at 1,407 ppm from 105.2 metres, including 3.1 metres at 2,765 ppm.

MDRC020:

13.7 metres at 2,142 ppm lithium from 22.9 metres, including 7.6 metres at 2660 ppm; and

12.2 metres at 1133 ppm from 45.8 metres.

Forward outlook

Jindalee has already planned and permitted a 2022 drill program which will use reverse circulation (RC) drill rigs to investigate untested mineral potential across the western tenure.

This program is expected to begin in July 2022, conditions permitting.

The company will continue to advance the project during the first half of the calendar year, undertaking baseline environmental studies from February, in line with Jindalees application for an Exploration Plan of Operations (EPO).

These studies are being coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI).

In addition, a 200-kilogram sample from the 2020 drill program has arrived in Perth with metallurgical test-work to commence at Nagrom this week.

About Jindalee Resources

Jindalee Resources is an exploration company with direct and indirect exposure to lithium, gold, iron ore, uranium and magnesite through projects generated by its technical team.

The companys strategy is to acquire prospective ground inexpensively, add value through low-cost exploration and introduce partners to assist in funding further progress, or fund this activity via a dedicated company in which Jindalee retains a significant interest.

Jindalee owns 100% of the flagship McDermitt Lithium Project which is spread over 34 square kilometres and has the potential for long-life, low-cost mining operations.
Elixir Energy Ltd (ASX:EXR) is very well placed to benefit from Mongolias and Chinas decarbonisation policies as it ramps up plans to set up Mongolias first gas-fired generation plant in the South Gobi region using natural gas, and at the same time develop the regions first green hydrogen project.

The gas exploration and development company has already achieved progress on multiple fronts for its green hydrogen project  Gobi H2  including the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support project finance with the Mongolia Green Finance Corporate, a joint-public-private sector body.

It has also submitted a detailed analysis of the legal issues surrounding a potential green hydrogen project in Mongolia to the Ministry of Energy, which concludes that no new major legislation is needed for the development of green hydrogen projects in Mongolia.

Elixir is also confirming the bankability of the renewable power inputs for green hydrogen production and has procured expert water advisory services, with potential water sources for the pilot H2 project already identified.

The company recently lodged plans for its long-term coal-bed methane (CBM) pilot production testing project with the Mongolian petroleum regulator as part of the mandatory annual budgetary approval process.

Elixir Energy is currently primarily focused on an exploration and appraisal program in Mongolia targeting natural gas in the form of CBM, also known as coal seam gas (CSG) in Australia. More recently it has developed the Gobi H2 green hydrogen project, in the same area of operations as its CBM business.

First mover advantage

Elixir Energy has named the green hydrogen project the Gobi H2 project and is applying for a Mongolian trademark for the name.

Elixir managing director Neil Young said: All the work we are doing on our Gobi H2 project serves to reinforce our original starting concept: the country is a potential tier-one location for large scale hydrogen exports.

Elixirs first-mover advantages are being progressively locked in and it is fantastic to see the rapidly growing interest in this future-facing industry from multiple local and international stakeholders.

Investor of the Year for second consecutive year

Elixir Energy bagged the Investor of the Year 2021 award by Mongolias Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry, making it the second year in a row the company has been recognised for its efforts.

Elixirs Young said: It is a great tribute to our local staff and contractors that we have yet again been formally awarded as The Investor of the Year by the Mining Minister.

This recognises their great resilience in not just maintaining, but in fact greatly increasing, our exploration and appraisal efforts, notwithstanding all COVID has thrown at them.

We look forward to even more growth in 2022 as we undertake Mongolias first sustained production pilot program and continue our rinse & repeat model of adding new coal- bearing sub-basins to our inventory.

2021 drilling program wrapped up

The companys 2021 drilling program has been wrapped up, with the following results:

 The Nomgon-7S well has been successfully drilled and suspended as a pressure monitoring well for next years production pilot in the Nomgon sub-basin;

 The Richcairn-4 appraisal well reached a total depth of 560 metres and encountered 20 metres of coal and 6 metres of silty coal. Further appraisal work will be undertaken in the Richcairn sub-basin in 2022; and

 The Bag-1S exploration well reached a total depth of 779 metres but did not intersect coal.

Elixirs final 2021 drilling program comprised 17 wells of which 65% successfully intersected coals in the CBM window.

Seismic acquisition program

Elixirs 2021 2D seismic acquisition program in the South Gobi has been wrapped up as planned.

A total of 528 kilometres was acquired in a two-stage program that required 123 days of field operations  a program of record size for the region.

The data is now being processed and interpreted and is feeding into lead generation for 2022s drilling program.

Nomgon CBM project

Elixir Energy is primarily focused on its 100%-owned Nomgon IX CBM production sharing contract (PSC) project in the South Gobi region of Mongolia.

The Nomgon Project licence area covers around 30,000 square kilometres and is on the Mongolian Chinese border, with excellent infrastructure, mines and planned pipelines. It is around 400 kilometres north of Chinas main gas transmission grid.

This very large area has been independently certified to contain a giant CBM risked recoverable prospective resource of 7.6 Tcf (best case).

2022 forward program

After nearly 300 days of non-stop drilling undertaken in 2021, there will be a short hiatus in the field, whilst the mandatory annual regulatory processes for the 2022 program are underway.

These include:

 The companys exploration drilling tendering process has closed and a number of bids are currently being evaluated.

 The pilot drilling tender is still open and to date a number of companies have informally expressed their interest. The award of the contract, which will involve the regulator, is expected to be handed out next month.

 The companys currently open seismic tender has also attracted multiple informal expressions of interest. The tender will close imminently and is expected to be awarded next month.

 Standard discussions are underway with the petroleum regulator over the formal 2022 budget.

 Key long lead items for the pilot production program have recently been ordered.

Approvals from the petroleum regulator are expected to come through in February, followed by annual sign-offs from the Environment Ministry.

Final approval, depending on developments on the COVID-19 front, should be forthcoming in the first half of March.

Chinese gas markets

The company noted that the de-carbonisation efforts in China are real and realistic, with the security of supply arguably even more important than the price, as shown by the current exceptionally high Asian gas prices being paid by China.

China has already been actively reducing the carbon intensity of its economy, with the neighbouring province of Inner Mongolia changing its coal-heavy energy mix.

China has been accelerating its own hydrogen developments and in the long term is likely to turn to imports.

Furthermore, Russias increasing gas supply leverage over Europe has not gone unnoticed by China, Elixir noted.

Competitive advantage

Around two-thirds of the cost of producing green hydrogen is the cost of renewables.

Shipping hydrogen by boat costs multiples of shipping the same energy as methane.

The delivered cost of hydrogen is, therefore all about the quality of renewable energy and the cost of delivery.

Access to markets by pipeline is massively advantaged over seaborne supplies and Mongolia can supply hydrogen to the Chinese markets this way.

New business opportunities

Like many other oil and gas companies, Elixir has carefully considered what new business opportunities the energy transition might offer it that take advantage of its existing skillsets and do not present a value destructive distraction.

As the first mover in this area, the company signed a MoU with Mongolias Ministry of Energy to work with it in exploring hydrogen opportunities and other stakeholders are also being progressively engaged.

In the meantime, it is garnering bankable quality renewable resource data in the region from its SODAR equipment.

Its desktop analysis has concluded that the combination of wind and solar resources in the Gobi region is exceptional  and the locational advantages this region brings in terms of immediate proximity to Chinese steel mills, for example, should place green hydrogen produced in the globally lowest delivered cost category.

Expert water advisory services

Elixir has worked with Mongolian drilling company ErdeneDrilling LLC for a number of years on the CBM drilling front.

Although water is not a large part of the cost structures of producing green hydrogen, it is a vital input and the social issues surrounding it are a key priority.

Elixirs CBM business, where producing water is a necessary part of gas production from coal seams, provides complementary areas of expertise and even potential H2O feedstock for the Gobi H2 project.

Elixir and Mongolian drilling company ErdeneDrilling LLC have recently formalised their relationship over procuring water for hydrogen through an agreement for the provision of water advisory services.

The parties are currently planning field-based water exploration and appraisal activities for later in the year.

Renewable resources

Other than water, the other key input for a green hydrogen project is high-quality renewable power sources, which desktop analysis indicates are of globally very high quality in the Gobi region.

On this front, Elixir is currently:

 Measuring wind and solar resources to a bankable standard through its Australian sourced SODAR unit imported to the country last year and deployed in the South Gobi region; and

 Importing a solar focused measurement tool (from the same Australian firm who supplied the SODAR  Fulcrum3D) to be deployed at its recently acquired Solar Ilch solar farm.
Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, OTCQB:NVAAF) is gearing up to kickstart further resource development drilling at its flagship 9.6-million-ounce Estelle Gold Project in Alaskas prolific Tintina Gold Belt after geophysics confirmed further continuous zones at the RPM deposit.

Nova recently doubled down on a magnetic anomaly during a regional geophysics campaign at RPM, which served to further confirm a mineralised intrusive contact zone at the gold deposit.

This contact zone was pinpointed by a drill hole last year, which intersected 132 metres at 10.1 g/t gold and returned an average grade of 3.5 g/t gold over 400 metres from surface.

Whats more, the anomaly correlates directly with the high-grade mineralised intrusive contact and is further supported by drill hole structural data and surface geological observations.

Looking ahead, Nova plans to complete more than 23,000 metres of drilling across RPM in the new year as it works to prove up and extend the deposits gold resource.

Building on gold resources

Nova Minerals chief executive Christopher Gerteisen said the latest result strengthened his confidence in the size and tenor of RPM, which remains open in all directions.

Over 20,000 metres of diamond drilling is planned in RPMs northern area to extend strike up to 1 kilometre to the west of RPM005 as confirmed by magnetic anomaly.

Dense drill spacing around the existing resource area is aimed at proving up a significant portion of the RPM resource to higher confidence indicated status.

With support infrastructure in place, and several rigs now gearing up, our corporate goal is to expand the existing 1.5-million-ounce inferred resource at RPM, and in turn, build Estelles current 9.6-million-ounce estimated total gold resource in 2022.

Resource development drilling

Speaking on the gold deposits prospects, Gertesein said the untested southern areas of RPM also showed considerable potential.

Over 3,000 metres of diamond drilling is also planned to intersect and define additional resources in RPMs southern area, which shows a much larger surface sample mineralised footprint and a high-grade gold zone similar to what weve found in RPMs northern areas.

The surface footprint in RPMs south as defined by surface rock samples is actually much larger than what we encountered in RPMs north.

The Nova CEO said the company would continue to progress its Korbel deposit towards production, with ongoing studies and drilling in concurrence with drilling at RPM.

Next up

Nova has closed the books on program planning and design activities as it prepares to continue drilling at RPM.

At least two drill rigs will come on board to kick off the resource development drilling programs, which aim to expand and prove up the 1.5-million-ounce gold resource.

More than 20,000 metres of diamond drilling is pencilled in at RPM North in a bid to extend the strike up to 1 kilometre to the west, as confirmed by the magnetic anomaly.

Simultaneously, dense drill spacing around the existing resource area is designed to prove up a substantial portion of the RPM resource to the higher confidence indicated status.

In addition, more than 3,000 metres of diamond drilling is planned to intersect and define additional resources at RPM South, which shows a much larger surface sample mineralised footprint.

Finally, Nova plans to complete ground and/or drone detailed IP geophysics surveys across RPM to further identify additional mineralised zones.

About Nova Minerals

Novas vision is to develop North Americas next major gold trend.

The company is focused on exploration in Alaskas prolific Tintina Gold Belt, a province that hosts a 220-million-ounce documented gold endowment and some of the worlds largest gold mines and discoveries, including Victoria Golds Eagle Mine and Kinross Gold Corps Fort Knox Gold Mine.

Hosting a total, JORC-compliant gold resource of 9.6 million ounces, the companys cornerstone Estelle Gold Project is a 35-kilometre corridor made up of 17 identified gold prospects.

Its bracketed by the Korbel deposit to the north and the RPM deposit in the south  both of which are subject to extensive resource development programs.
Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) has raised a $3.553 million war chest from sophisticated investors to develop its existing precious metals and heavy mineral sand assets and take advantage of new gold opportunities in Nevada.

The multi-element explorer will issue 838.3 million shares at $0.004 apiece, with each security accompanied by two attaching options that can be exercised at $0.01 before April 21, 2022.

Major shareholder Holdmark Property Group will retain its 19.9% shareholding after subscribing for a further 202 million shares, reinforcing its ongoing support for the company.

Once the offer settles  expected no later than January 28  Astro will have slightly more than 4.7 billion shares on issue, as well as just under 1.1 billion options.

ARO shares are up 25% in intraday trade, priced at $0.005 apiece.

Proposed use of funds.

Funding to buoy exploration strategy

Speaking on the capital raise, Astro Resources chair Jacob Khouri said: We are delighted with the overwhelming interest and outcome of this capital raising by existing Astro shareholders and sophisticated investors, which allows us to continue our strategy developing our portfolio of projects, having secured the $3.553 million capital raising.

The board is extremely pleased that our largest shareholder, Holdmark Property Group, continues to support the company by maintaining its 19.9% holding.

The funds raised will enable Astro to continue with its Needles Gold Project drilling program and to further advance the Governor Broome HMS Project towards commercialisation.

In addition, the raising allows us to further explore the proposed joint venture in Nevada with Pediment LLC, which includes significant project generation opportunities in Nevada.

We are optimistic that positive news flow will continue across our dynamic portfolio of projects.

Use of funds

With a cash injection under its belt, Astro is primed to prove up its exploration portfolio in Nevada and Western Australia.

The explorer is focused on developing its Needles Gold Project in Nevada, an asset with numerous old gold workings on epithermal gold veins.

A geophysics campaign has identified a large, strong chargeability anomaly at the property that warrants further exploration.

As a result, an initial diamond drilling program to test the anomaly is underway, with the first assays from the initial two holes anticipated mid-February 2022.

In WA, Astro is prospecting for heavy mineral sands at the Governor Broome asset.

The project carries 52 million tonnes of ore at 4.6% heavy minerals (HM) in the indicated category, as well as 66 million tonnes at 4.0% HM in inferred resources.

Astro has proposed an infill drilling campaign to upgrade resources at the recently acquired Jack Track deposits from the inferred to the indicated category.

With plans for a scoping study down the track, Astro believes Governor Broome has the potential to generate strong cash flows, with only modest capital required.

Beyond its current portfolio, the explorer has plans to expand its project base.

Astro is in joint venture negotiations with a North American company over a series of epithermal gold assets in northwest Nevada.

By expending $2 million into the special joint venture company, Astro can earn up to 70% of the projects.
Archer Materials Ltd (ASX:AXE, OTC:ARRXF)s critical minerals spinout, ChemX Materials Limited, has joined the local share market under the ticker CMX.

ChemX made its ASX debut after completing an oversubscribed $8 million initial public offering (IPO) late last year, offering investors a chance to subscribe for 40 million shares at $0.20 apiece.

As a public company, ChemX is focused on developing critical materials like high purity alumina (HPA), kaolin, halloysite and manganese for the new energy markets.

With the IPO funding runway under its wing, ChemX intends to build a pilot-scale high purity alumina plant and advance exploration over its newly acquired Eyre Peninsula assets, which it picked up from Archer in June last year.

CMX by the numbers

ChemX joined the local share market on January 18 with an implied market capitalisation of roughly $18 million.

Thanks to the pioneer offer, slightly less than 91 million CMX shares are now on issue.

With the IPO cash in hand, CMX believes it has enough of a funding runway to complete its main listing objectives.

Its proposed use of funds is varied, but more than a quarter of the funding is earmarked to develop the HPA pilot plant in Perth, Western Australia.

Targeting global energy market

Archers critical minerals spinout is developing materials to support a revolution in the energy market, spurred on by the rise of electric vehicles and the push for decarbonisation across the world.

Speaking to the movement in a prospectus letter, ChemX non-executive chair Kristie Young said: The global energy sector continues to transition from fossil fuel-based systems of energy supply to renewable energy sources.

There is an ever-increasing demand for the environmentally sustainable development and supply of materials that feed into the renewables sector.

To capitalise on growing demand, ChemX is firming up a portfolio of critical material opportunities.

Its currently developing its HiPurA processing technology, which is able to produce HPA and HPA cathode precursor salts for lithium-ion batteries.

Importantly, the process is low in energy consumption compared to alternative technologies and isnt tied to any mine production, allowing for a quick construction time.

Following the listing, CMX is working on a product development program, which will initially focus on:

Investigating the uses of HPA in the lithium-ion battery anode and cathode;

Investigating the use of lower carbon-intensive materials and processes in existing industrial processes; and

Producing a manganese sulphate product for use in battery technology.

The company is also actively looking to collaborate with other entities and research institutions in a bid to generate the materials needed to develop its technology.

Outside of its HPA opportunities, two of ChemXs key prospects come from parent company Archer Materials.

Up until mid-last year, the materials technology company owned two Eyre Peninsula properties  the Kimba Kaolin/Halloysite Project and the Jamieson Tank Manganese Project  but recently passed them on to ChemX.

Thanks to that transaction, Archer landed 9.25 million ChemX shares and was entitled to a further 2.32 million securities once the company completed its IPO.

Eligible Archer shareholders were also able to access the ChemX raise under a priority offer.

The ChemX team

ChemX is chaired by Kristie Young, an executive who brings more than 20 years of experience across mining, engineering, project evaluation and professional services.

Young also brings expertise across the executive search, business development & advisory and technology sectors to the CMX team.

She currently serves on the boards of Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT, OTC:LMMFF), Tesoro Resources Ltd, Wesley College WA & Energy Club WA.

Commenting on the ASX listing, Young said: It is a fantastic day for ChemX as we commence trading on the ASX.

Id like to personally welcome all shareholders to the register and thank them for their support as we set about increasing shareholder value by growing a company focused on materials technology with sustainability at our core.

Manganese, kaolin, HPA for lithium-ion batteries - all valuable commodities. Id also like to acknowledge the hard work of our board, executive and advisors to deliver this IPO.

ChemX managing director David Leavy joins Young at the helm, bringing more than 25 years of experience in commodity markets to the role.

Leavy previously held executive roles with a number of advanced mining companies across varying commodities and jurisdictions.

In the last four years, his work has been focused on HPA production technologies and markets.

Leavy commented: Our ability to achieve this fantastic result speaks to the outstanding growth potential inherent in our assets, the exceptional work our team has done to date, and confirms our view of the significant opportunities in the transformational markets we are targeting.

ChemX is well-funded to execute its strategy to develop its HPA technology and explore the Kimba Kaolin/Halloysite and Jamieson Tank Manganese projects in South Australia with the aim of supplying materials to the energy transition and decarbonization markets.

We have hit the ground running and expect to deliver a solid amount of news flow in advancing the development of our HPA business and exploration from the Kimba Kaolin/Halloysite and Jamieson Tanks exploration projects in CY22.
Kavango Resources PLC (LSE:KAV, OTC:KVGOF) Ben Turney joins Proactive London after announcing the recommencement of drilling operations on Hole KSZDD002.

Earlier the firm reported completing the first downhole electromagnetic survey on hole KSZDD002 at KSZ in Botswana to a depth of 350m with strong indications of electrical conductivity.

He says now now have the clearest indication yet that Hole KSZDD002 is 'on course to intercept a major conductor'.
JAKARTA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Bornean orangutan baby was born in the Lamandau Wildlife Reserve on Indonesia's second-largest island of Kalimantan, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry said on Wednesday.

The baby, a female, was later named Mely. Her mother, Max, found pregnant last December, was seen holding the baby on Jan. 4 around the Gemini Camp in Central Kalimantan province.

"The authorities are still following them to monitor the condition of Max and her baby for the next few weeks," said Nunu Anugrah, the ministry's spokesperson.

This is Max's second child after giving birth to a daughter named Monti in 2018.

Mely's birth also marks the 100th baby orangutan born in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve since 2003.

The Bornean orangutan is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. 
At the porphyry copper target, highlights included 130.5m at 0.13% copper, including 6m at 1.17% of the red metal, the firm said.

Golden Minerals Company (NYSE-A:AUMN, TSX:AUMN, ETR:7GB) unveiled encouraging results from the first ever drill program at the 830 hectare (Ha) Sarita Este gold-silver-copper project in Salta Province, Argentina.

The company said over 2,500 metres (m) were sunk in ten diamond drill holes, which had identified shallow, oxide-gold, epithermal-style mineralization at the Sico target and oxide and supergene enriched copper-porphyry style mineralization at the Kachi prospect.

At the epithermal target, highlights included an intercept of 9.9m at a grade of 1.91 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 5 g/t silver.

At the porphyry copper target, highlights included 130.5m at 0.13% copper, including 6m at 1.17% of the red metal, the firm said.

"The gold results at the Sico epithermal target are very encouraging, as this is the first ever drilling on the property and the discovery of the shallow oxide gold shows widths and grades that are potentially economic," said Warren Rehn, Golden Minerals CEO in a statement.

"We are additionally encouraged by the results at the Kachi porphyry target which indicate the potential for a newly identified copper porphyry system that may be similar to the adjacent Taca Taca world class copper deposit," he added.

The Sarita Este project sits in the Argentina porphyry belt, next to the Taca Taca copper porphyry deposit owned by major First Quantum Minerals (TSX:FQM).

Golden Minerals holds an option agreement to acquire rights to 51% of the 830 Ha property from Cascadero Minerals Corp, a company controlled by Cascadero Copper Corp, by spending $2.5 million over four years.

The company has spent around $1.4 million since entering into the agreement in December, 2019.

Golden Minerals is focused on producing gold and silver from its Rodeo mine and advancing its Velardena properties in Mexico and, through partner funded exploration, its El Quevar silver property in Argentina, and acquiring and advancing selected mining properties in Mexico, Nevada and Argentina.

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
Arizona Silver Exploration Inc told investors it remains focused on exciting results that are emerging from its Philadelphia project in Arizona and plans to resume drilling on February 1, 2022.

In an open letter to shareholders, CEO Mike Stark said following the discovery of gold in multiple zones at the project, the exploration company looks forward to drilling the depth extent and linkages between the zones.

Importantly we have demonstrated potentially economic grades, not only in the primary vein target but in the surrounding rocks, Stark said, noting that the company now controls the entire 3,000-metre (m) strike length following agreements reached over the past two years.

The company is anxious to resume drilling, not just on the Gap Zone, but on the entire strike length up to and including the Shark Fin and Rising Fawn areas, Stark continued.

Stark said the company has established multiple gold-bearing zones that simply need to be linked with drilling. Given the 3,000m length of the vein system and the low-grade envelope demonstrated on the Perry claim, he said the project offers significant tonnage potential.

Arizonas three other properties remain under care and maintenance, Stark said. A drilling permit with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at its Silverton property allows for 12 holes. The property has already been approved and bonded and has large scale potential, with comparisons to the Long Canyon gold deposit currently in operation by Newmont.

The Ramsey property is permitted for eight more holes. Drilling pads are complete on the patented ground, with the property showing good silver values in the holes completed to date and warranting much more drilling, Stark said.

We believe we have just scratched the surface of this opportunity, he said. The Sycamore Canyon property has tried our patience for sure due to permitting delays. I hope to share news in 1Q 2022 on permitting developments.

In summary, we remain committed to Philadelphia simply because it has shown the highest value to shareholders, with our results speaking for themselves, Stark concluded.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
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Rumble Resources Ltd (ASX:RTR) is moving to expand on discoveries at the Chinook, Tonka and Navajoh prospects of the Earaheedy Zinc-Lead-Silver-Copper Project in Western Australia with two new tenement acquisitions, increasing the companys adjoining land fourfold.

Rumble believes the Earaheedy Project is emerging as a world-class base metal system, speculating that the known mineralisation discovered at Chinook, Tonka and Navajoh may be an outer metal halo zone of a deeper, massive base metal system.

The newly granted tenements have doubled the strike length of the highly prospective Navajoh Unconformity Unit (which all three prospective deposits are situated on) to more than 42 kilometres.

Navajoh Unconformity Unit

Rumble now holds in excess of 15 kilometres of mineralised strike potential to the west and northwest, with only two historical drill holes completed in this area, which importantly intersected zinc-lead mineralisation at the Sweetwater Prospect 12 kilometres to the west.

Additionally, there is more than 8 kilometres of strike potential to the southeast of the Tonka-Magazine-Navajoh zinc-lead-silver prospect zone, which combined represents a mineralised footprint of 6 kilometres by 1.2 kilometres, open in all directions.

Next steps

Rumbles immediate priority will be extensional drilling to the west and northwest of the Chinook Prospect, the primary focus being on defining the limits of this potentially very large base metal discovery.

Recently acquired airborne magnetics data has undergone initial processing and interpretation, identifying similarities in the Sweetwater trend and Chinook prospect, specifically inferred magnetic features and contrasts identical to the features seen at Chinook.

The data has also identified several first order litho-structural targets, which will be followed up with a large surface geochemical survey, designed to assess the entire Sweetwater trend.

Rumble expects that the airborne magnetics coupled with surface geochemical surveying will aid in identifying new drill targets across the Sweetwater trend.

About Rumble Resources

Rumble Resources is an exploration company with a strategy to generate and drill test a pipeline of Western Australian projects, with the capability to make multiple discoveries.

The company critically reviews each project against stringent criteria and has assembled a portfolio of eight highly prospective base and precious metal projects located in Tier 1 regions in Western Australia.

Rumbles focus is on rapidly advancing the major zinc-lead-silver sulphide Tier 1 potential discovery at the Earaheedy Project.
Washington, Jan 19 : The US takes very seriously the threat posed by North Korea's "improving" missile programs, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby has said.

He, however, said the US is still assessing the nature North Korea's recent missile launches, apparently to learn their exact capabilities, Yonhap news agency reported.

"We will continue to take this threat and this improving program of Pyongyang's very, very seriously," he told a press briefing when asked about North's recent missile launches.

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles on Monday (Seoul time), marking its fourth missile launch since the start of the new year.

Citing photos of the launch released by North Korea, Seoul officials have said the missiles fired Monday appeared to be the KN-24, which are said to be a North Korean version of the US' Army Tactical Missile System or ATACMS that fly a complicated trajectory, making them hard to intercept.

"We've assessed them as ballistic missiles, and we're still running the traps on that. So I don't have more detail on that," Kirby said when asked about the nature of the missiles involved in the latest North Korean launch.

North Korea fired what it claims to be a newly developed hypersonic missile on January 5 and January 11 before launching two short-range ballistic missiles on Friday.

Kirby noted the US has clearly and repeatedly called the North Korean missile launches a threat to US allies and partners in the region.

"We're not devaluing anything. Not at all," he said when asked if the US was downplaying the threat posed by the North Korean missile launches since they did not pose immediate threat to the US homeland.

"We have, as an administration, condemned these missile launches and called them out for what they are, clearly violations of various UN Security Council resolutions and dangerous to the region, certainly dangerous to our allies and partners, and we're taking that very seriously. There's no devaluing of any," he added.
Riyadh, Jan 19 : South Korean President Moon Jae-in held talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday and agreed to work together in areas related to the hydrogen economy.

After holding the talks at the Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh, the two nations signed preliminary deals to jointly develop green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind, and jointly build a hydrogen ecosystem, Yonhap news agency reported, citing a statement by Moon's office.

Under the deals, South Korea can secure a supply of carbon-neutral hydrogen and ammonia from Saudi Arabia. In return, Seoul can help Riyadh operate hydrogen-powered cars and hydrogen fueling stations, according to the statement.

During the talks, Moon took note of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" policy of reducing the Arab nation's dependence on oil and developing its public service sector.

Moon also affirmed that the two nations have expanded cooperation beyond construction, infrastructure and energy into fields such as hydrogen, defense, intellectual property and medicine.

Saudi Arabia is South Korea's largest trading partner in the Middle East. The kingdom is also the biggest supplier of crude oil to South Korea.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman voiced support for Moon's efforts to bring peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to the statement.

Moon was in Dubai on Monday, when an attack claimed by Houthi rebels triggered a blast at a construction site in Abu Dhabi that killed three people. Yemen's Houthi rebels also recently seized a UAE-flagged vessel in the Red Sea.

During the talks, Moon said that he "strongly condemns" the seizure and any activity that "threatens peace and stability in the Middle East," according to Moon's spokesperson Park Kyung-mee.

Moon told the crown prince that he hopes the ship and her crew will be freed and return home safely.

Moon and the crown prince also discussed potential deals on defense and weapons systems as well as Korea's nuclear fusion reactors, Park said.

South Korea has been in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to sell advanced weapons to Riyadh. Moon told the crown prince that he expects positive results from the negotiations, Park told reporters.

Moon also expressed his confidence that South Korea will become an "optimal partner" for Saudi Arabia's plans to build nuclear power plants, Park said.

After the talks, Moon delivered a keynote speech at a business forum.

"Saudi Arabia, which has the potential to produce clean hydrogen such as green and blue hydrogen, and South Korea, which has strengths in hydrogen utilization based on hydrogen-powered cars and fuel cell technology, must closely cooperate to lead the global hydrogen economy," Moon told the forum.

Moon urged Saudi Arabian business leaders to expand business cooperation with South Korea into sectors related to public health and digital technology as a way to cope with a post-pandemic era.

Moon also met with Yasir al-Rumayyan, chairman of Aramco, the kingdom's state oil giant. The Aramco chairman also heads Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, known as the Public Investment Fund.

Moon told the Aramco chairman that cooperating with South Korea's hydrogen-related companies would present investment opportunities for Saudi Arabia.

The trip to Saudi Arabia followed a four-day visit to Dubai that included the signing of a preliminary deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to sell midrange surface-to-air missiles in the latest sign of deepening defense cooperation between the two nations.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : A man was allegedly stabbed to death in the national capital by three men for interacting with the sister of one of the accused, an official said here on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Salman, 29, a resident of Trilokpuri in East Delhi.

According to the official, the incident took place on Monday around 10.00 p.m. when a woman named Heena called Salman near her house and was talking to him.

The complainant, who is the mother of the deceased, has said that her son Salman used to talk to Heena, even as both the families objected to their friendship.

On the day of the incident, when Salman was talking to Heena, they were spotted by Heena's sister named Fareena, who started shouting at them. After this, Fareena called her brother named Fardeen alias Addu who reached there along with 2-3 people and started abusing and beating Salman.

As per the complainant, Fareena and her mother Nazma then instigated Fardeen and his associates to teach a lesson to Salman. With tempers already running high, Fardeen took a knife and stabbed Salman.

"Seeing this the complainant raised an alarm after which Fardeen and his associates fled from the spot," the police said.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case under sections 302, 201 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code at the Mayur Vihar police station and took up the investigation.

Meanwhile, the police said they have apprehended the two accused ladies while searches are on to catch the remaining three male accused.The official said they have zeroed in on the accused's location and they too will be nabbed soon.
Kanpur, Jan 19 : In a first of its kind incident, a family in New Jersey in the US managed to thwart a burglary attempt in their house in Kanpur by watching the CCTV footage in which miscreant's were seen trying to break into the house.

The family immediately informed the Kanpur police that reached the house and caught the burglars while they were at work.

It was late on Monday night when Vijay Awasthi, 38, a software engineer in New Jersey, received an alert on his mobile phone. The signal was from the CCTV cameras and sensors he had installed at his ancestral house in Shyam Nagar under Chakeri police station.

As he watched the live footage of miscreants breaking into his house, he informed the police. Vijay also used the mic option to warn the intruders but the warning had no impact on them. Instead, they broke the CCTV cameras.

When the police reached the house, the burglars opened fire and one of them was injured in retaliatory firing and caught. The others managed to escape.

The arrested person has been identified as Sonu, a resident of Hamirpur district.

Vijay's two sisters Poonam and Preeti live in the Barra area of the city. The keys of the house remain with both of them. The police called them immediately to cross-check the belongings.

DCP, East, Pramod Kumar, said that as a precautionary measure, police force has been deployed at the house. The condition of the injured miscreant is improving.

"We will interrogate him and find out about his accomplices who will be arrested soon," he said.

Police said a tenant and caretaker were also living in Vijay's house. But the tenant had gone to his village a few days ago.
January 19 is not just another date on the calendar. It is an occasion to remind ourselves of a bitter truth that exposes the hypocrisy of India's secular politics and polity.

The day is observed globally as the Holocaust Remembrance Day by the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community every year, a day of mourning the loss of lives, homes, livelihoods, language, culture, Kashmir and Kashmiriyat. It is also a day to remember the failure of the administration and civil society.

Thirty-two years ago, what happened in Kashmir on the night of January 19 has been chronicled by members of the community as a period of complete horror and hostility not seen before anywhere. An entire population slept or kept its eyes and ears shut even as fanatics danced on the Valley streets and roads, roared from loudspeakers atop mosques, threatening to rape and kill the 'kafirs' if they failed to leave Kashmir.

There was no one to stop the mobs that had taken over everything in the Valley; none to put an end to the venomous speeches. The administration had withered away; the police had become non-functional. There was no one the minority community could turn to.

All those leaders -- Farooq Abdullah, the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Saifuddin Soz, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and others -- who claim to be votaries of secularism, were nowhere to be seen. Farooq Abdullah was the Chief Minister of J&K in 1986-1990. Mufti Mohd Sayeed was the Union Home Minister (1989-1990). It was under their watch that terrorism flourished in Kashmir.

The maximum number of targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and all those who were seen as 'pro-India', brutal gang-rapes and killing of Pandit women, desecration of temples, kidnappings, attacks and harassment of the Valley's minority were happening when the two were at the helm.

Life in the Valley had been completely overwhelmed by terrorism propagated and sponsored by Pakistan, targeting anyone who was seen to be 'pro-India'. None of the 'secular' leaders dared to raise their voice against the sinister violence and the targeting of the minorities.

When warnings were pasted on the doors and walls of KP homes, open threats were published in local newspapers, messages were conveyed to targeted people to leave or die, none from the majority community, no civil society member and none of the political leaders, either in the erstwhile state or in New Delhi, stood up.

There was no human rights organisation talking about the plight of the community, which was left to perish or flee. A community that gave the country its first Prime Minister and many top bureaucrats, diplomats and intellectuals was left to fend for itself.

January 19 also exposes the hollowness of the country's top constitutional institutions, which failed to take note of the atrocities, investigate and prosecute all those involved in the persecution and exodus of their fellow citizens.

Three decades after the mass exodus, none of the successive governments at the Centre or in the state, set up a commission or formed an SIT to probe the exodus. When over five lakh people are forced to leave their land, isn't it the natural course of action for any government or top legal institutions to investigate the matter and punish the perpetrators? Unfortunately, in this case, no probe has ever been ordered, no commission ever set up, and no sincere effort made to deliver justice to the persecuted.

For the past 30 years, KP community leaders have been demanding justice. But their tragic stories of killings, brutalities, torture and harassment have not moved anybody. Even their plea to declare the community 'internally displaced' has been continually ignored by successive governments.

In fact, in 2014, the Centre refused to grant the status of 'Internally Displaced Persons' to Kashmiri Pandits, despite it being the recommendation of Parliament's Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

The closest that any organisation came to describe the plight of the community was the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Under the leadership of Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, who headed the NHRC in 1996-98, the commission ruled that the "systematic ethnic cleansing" inflicted on KPs by terrorists, forcing them to exit their homeland, was akin to genocide.

In 2019, for the first time in three decades, the Centre agreed that genocide had take place in the Valley while imposing a ban on the JKLF. The then Union Home Secretary, Rajiv Gauba, had said: "JKLF chief Yasin Malik was the mastermind behind the genocide and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits." Gauba also noted, strengthening the case against the JKLF: "Murders of Kashmiri Pandits by the JKLF in 1989 had triggered their exodus from the Valley." This was the closest that any government came to describing the tragedy that befell the community. Even the number of those killed and those who fled the Valley is disputed, while rape and gang-rape numbers are not even recorded. In many cases of murders, FIRs were never filed and even in those instances where cases were lodged, the movement has been a near nil.

The community says that around seven lakh KPs were forced to flee, and the number of those killed was more than 700, but no J&K administration, or the Centre, has done anything to get the actual figures.

The community leaders have been pleading for a probe to unravel the faces behind the holocaust, but successive governments have not paid any heed.

Their plight has become a stick for the Centre to beat Pakistan with; for some parties, it is an issue to whip up passions, but for the community, it is a holocaust. It is a tragedy that has not got the wheels of justice moving, reducing it to a pain that KPs have been left to endure by themselves.

(Deepika Bhan can be reached at deepika.b@ians.in)
KABUL, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's caretaker government on Wednesday called on the international community to formally recognize the Taliban administration.

"Afghanistan has met all criteria and conditions needed for recognition of a government, therefore I am calling upon the world countries to dare and recognize the legitimate government (of) the Islamic Emirate and extend support to Afghans," Mullah Hassan Akhund, acting prime minister of the caretaker government, said here during an economic conference.

This is the first time that Akhund made major public appearance since he assumed the role in September last year.

Meanwhile, Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the caretaker government, said during the conference that the government invites "leading international companies, governments and investors to invest in various sectors of Afghanistan."

In 2001, U.S.-led military forces invaded Afghanistan under the pretext of searching for Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Twenty years later, the last batch of U.S. troops left Afghanistan at midnight on Aug. 30, 2021, hastily putting an end to the prolonged invasion war, which has caused more than 40,000 civilian deaths, and turned about 11 million people into refugees.

The Taliban took over Kabul in mid-August, and announced in early September the formation of Afghanistan's caretaker government and some important personnel arrangements. 
Lucknow, Jan 19 : A man allegedly murdered his wife and then tried to commit suicide by hanging himself in his residence in Alambagh in Lucknow.

Thereafter, he called the emergency helpline UP 112 and said that he has killed his wife and was going to commit suicide.

The Alambagh police immediately reached the spot and arrested Yadav before he could end his life.

The accused, meanwhile, has been hospitalised since he tested Covid-19 positive in a rapid test during routine medical examination before being sent to jail. Sushil's samples have been sent for confirmatory RT-PCR test and further action will be taken after the report arrives.

According to the police, the accused, Sushil Kumar Yadav, 40, is a cab driver and killed his wife, Meera, 35, by hitting her with an iron rod on the head on Tuesday.

Brijesh Yadav, a relative of Meera, told police that the couple got married in 2009, but had no child from the wedlock.

He said that Sushil's mother used to force him to divorce Meera and marry another woman. He said that Meera had lodged a complaint of harassment against her husband with the police earlier, but later compromised and the case was settled.

Shobhawati Yadav, mother of the deceased, told police that Sushil was also flirting with the widow of her son Daya who had died six months ago.

When Meera objected to this relationship, Sushil got enraged and took this action, she alleged.

Station house officer (SHO) Alambagh, Anil Kumar Singh, said that a case of murder has been lodged against Sushil.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav is likely to join the BJP. Sources in the BJP said that Aparna is in touch with the party's top leadership and is likely to join the party on Wednesday.

It is learnt that she is seeking a ticket from Lucknow Cantt Assembly seat, however, the BJP leadership has clarified that there will be no pre-condition for joining.

"Aparna has contested the 2017 Assembly polls from Lucknow Cantt Assembly constituency and this time also she has expressed her desire to contest from the same seat. However, the BJP leadership has clarified that there will be no pre-condition and Aparna ticket will be decided like any other only on the criteria of winnability," a senior BJP leader said.

Aparna, wife of Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Pratik Yadav, had unsuccessfully contested the 2017 polls against BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Lucknow Cantt.

BJP Lok Sabha member from Prayagraj, Joshi, meanwhile, has on Tuesday offered to resign from Parliament if the party is ready to give ticket to her son Mayank Joshi in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

In the past Aparna lauded the several initiatives of the Narednra Modi government like 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' and others. She also donated for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10. Counting of votes will be held on March 10.
Bahraich : , Jan 19 (IANS) Two children were killed by leopards in separate cases in villages near Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS), a forest department official said.

The half-eaten bodies of the kids were recovered on Tuesday after a massive search operation by the locals along with a forest team and police.

Divisional forest officer (DFO) Akash Deep Badhawan said one Ramtej, 9, was attacked and dragged by a leopard from village Rikkha Pakadiya Deewan under Motipur police station area on Monday evening.

A joint team of police and forest department combed the adjoining forest and spotted the half-eaten body in the bushes in Ghusri in Motipur forest range on Tuesday.

In the second attack, Aditya, 4, of Jhala village under Matera police station area, who had come to his maternal uncle's house in Maiglapurwa village, was attacked by a leopard on Monday evening.

The DFO said only the head of the boy could be recovered on Tuesday from a spot about 2 kilometres from where the leopard had attacked him.

It is not yet known whether the attacks were by the same leopard or two leopards.

"It is unlikely that the same leopard would attack within a matter of hours," said a wildlife expert.

Akash Deep said forest employees and a police team have been deployed in the area to prevent any recurrence of the incident.

The local people have been asked not to venture out during night and move around only in groups.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) executive officer Dabeer Hasan said compensation of Rs 10,000 has been provided to both the families and further assistance would be provided by the forest department after findings of the post-mortem report.

The forest department has also started preparations to install cages to trap the leopards.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) is meeting on Wednesday to finalise candidates for Goa, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The CEC will be held in a hybrid mode and Prime Minister Narednra Modi is likely to attend the meeting virtually.

It is learnt that the CEC will give approval to the names of party candidates for Uttarakhand and Goa, and more names for the remaining phases of Uttar Pradesh.

"Meeting will start from 11.30 a.m. and Prime Minister Modi is likely to attend it virtually," a party functionary said.

Last Thursday, the BJP CEC meeting was held in a hybrid mode as few of the CEC members, including party chief Nadda, had tested positive for Covid-19. Nadda, however, recovered from the infection and attended meetings on Monday at the party headquarters.

The BJP has announced 109 candidates for 403 member-Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The party on Saturday released its first list of 107 candidates. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will contest from Gorakhpur (Urban) Assembly constituency and deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya from Sirathu Assembly seat in Prayagraj district. The BJP has denied tickets to 20 sitting MLAs in its first list.

On Tuesday, the saffron party released the names of two candidates for Uttar Pradesh. A meeting of the BJP core committee on Uttar Pradesh was held to discuss candidates' names and seat sharing with the alliance partners.

BJP chief J.P. Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior leaders from the state were present in the meeting held at the party headquarters here.

It is learnt that the names of probable candidates for the remaining phases were discussed and seat sharing with alliance partners Apna Dal and Nishad Party was also discussed. A similar meeting of the BJP core committee on Uttar Pradesh was held on Monday evening. Apart from candidates, campaign plans were also discussed.
Washington, Jan 19 : The US has unveiled a new privacy bill that would ban targeted advertising on digital platforms by social media giants like Meta (formerly Facebook), Google and others.

The bill allows users to sue platforms like Facebook and Google if they break the law, granting up to $5,000 in relief per violation.

Titled 'The Banning Surveillance Advertising Act', the bill seeks to limit the ways that Big Tech serve ads to their users.

It, however, makes some small exceptions, like allowing for "broad" location-based targeting and "contextual advertising", reports The Verge.

"The 'surveillance advertising' business model is premised on the unseemly collection and hoarding of personal data to enable ad targeting," Anna Eshoo (D-CA), the bill's lead sponsor, said in a statement.

"This pernicious practice allows online platforms to chase user engagement at great cost to our society, and it fuels disinformation, discrimination, voter suppression, privacy abuses, and so many other harms. The surveillance advertising business model is broken," Eshoo said late on Tuesday.

Any targeting based on "protected class information, such as race, gender, and religion, and personal data purchased from data brokers" would not be allowed.
Dharamsala, Jan 19 : Agreeing that the Tibetan struggle is far more deep rooted and complex and historically resilient than other issues that confront China, French Senate Tibet Support Group President Jacqueline Eustache-Brino said France should lead the EU on the question of Tibet.

In an interaction with Tashi Phuntsok, representative of Bureau du Tibet in Brussels, on Tuesday, Jacqueline felt that as diaspora Tibetan communities in the West are becoming larger there was a need to strengthen and robustly support them.

She promised that the group would work on all the issues that Phuntsok had brought out in his address.

Besides Eustache-Brino, the interaction was attended by Senators Annick Billon, Bernard Fournier, Olivier Rietmann, Loic Herve and Andre Gattolin.

As France has assumed the Presidency of the EU, representative Phuntsok felt that France should lead the EU in promotion of European culture and protection of democracies as mentioned in President Macron's priorities.

Chinese encroachments on these areas in Europe are substantive and aggressive and the very fiber of the EU is threatened.

According to a Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) post, Phuntsok requested that Tibet issues be stridently brought out in the EU-China annual summits and human rights dialogues with China.

President Eustache-Brino said because of the pandemic the meeting could not be held for some time. She, however, listed a number of activities carried out by the group, including meetings with Michel van Walt, Tibetan Parliamentarian Thupten Gyatso, and former political prisoner Dhondup Wangchen, etc.

She requested the representative to convey the group's sincerest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Phuntsok began by informing the meeting of His Holiness' good health and how grateful he was once again to meet with the group in the Senate.

He recalled the long association of the group since 1988 with Tibet, including with Senator Louis de Brossia in the Senate and MP Lional Luca in the National Assembly.

He described the situation in Tibet as being a vast prison and Tibet being the least free country in the world. The bondage of Tibetans in Tibet under China is best imagined when Tibetans say that it is easier to go to heaven than to obtain a passport to travel outside Tibet.

In this, therefore, he requested the group to work for reciprocal access and travel in Tibet in lieu of the freedom that Chinese diplomats, tourists, students, etc., enjoy in the West.

As His Holiness is most respected leader around the world and particularly for the Buddhist world and as the institution of the Dalai Lama is significant for protection of his legacies, he requested the group to request France to announce its position on the succession of the Dalai Lamas like the German, Belgian, the Netherlands and the US.

He further stated that pressure on China to resume contact with Tibetans for negotiation is as important as the recognition of the Central Tibetan Administration to carry forward the legacies of the Dalai Lama.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan government-in-exile, now called the CTA, is headquartered in this Himachal Pradesh hill town.
Los Angeles, Jan 19 : Actors George Clooney and Julia Roberts-starrer romantic comedy titled 'Ticket to Paradise' has halted filming in Australia due to a serious Covid outbreak in Queensland state, according to sources close to the movie.

Because of the production pause, stars Clooney and Roberts have reportedly flown back to the US, reports variety.com.

'Ticket to Paradise' began production last year in multiple locations in Queensland and had been only two weeks from completion. Local reports say the film will be shut down for three months, but it's not clear exactly when cameras will be able to roll again.

Directed by Ol Parker of 'Mamma Mia' fame, 'Ticket to Paradise' follows two divorced parents who rush to Bali to stop their teenage daughter from rushing into an unwise marriage, like their own.

The production would make use of the Whitsunday Islands, standing in for Bali, while other locations would include Brisbane and the nearby Gold Coast.

According to Daily Mail Australia, Clooney had shaved off the beard that he had grown specially for the movie, departed on a flight for Honolulu and later caught another plane to California.

Universal had initially scheduled 'Ticket to Paradise' to release in theaters on September 30, 2022, but the studio has since moved it to October 21, 2022. However, a three-month production halt could put the new date in doubt.

'Ticket to Paradise' is produced through the UK-based company Working Title, Roberts' Red Om Films and Clooney's Smokehouse Pictures. It is financed with support from the Australian Federal Government, Screen Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy and the City of Gold Coast.

At the time the state financing and Queensland locations were announced in March last year, international film and TV production was booming in Australia.

The country had been quick to put in place financial and workplace measures that allowed the screen production industry to get back on its feet. Strict border controls had also kept at bay the earlier variants of the coronavirus.

Now, however, the easily transmissible Omicron variant has caused case numbers in Australia to spike upwards again, though the impact varies from state to state. Queensland reopened its internal borders in mid-December, a move which was followed by a sharp increase in infections.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 19 : With three Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant from Kerala in April, the ruling CPI-M in Kerala is mulling to send a leader with a "national" face to the Upper house.

Currently, there are six CPI-M MPs in the House which includes four from Kerala and one each from West Bengal and Tripura.

Those retiring from Kerala are: Somaprasad of the CPI-M, Congress veteran A.K.Antony and media baron M.V.Shreyams Kumar of the Left ally Loktantrik Janata Dal.

With the present strength of the ruling CPI-M-led LDF in the Kerala Assembly, they will be able to send two to the Rajya Sabha, with the other seats going to the Congress-led UDF.

A Left source on condition of anonymity said they are looking for a national face to be present in the Upper house and it could well be someone like general secretary Sitaram Yechuri or even Brinda Karat.

"While Yechuri has by now had two terms, Karat had one term in the Upper house in the past and had excelled. At the moment, the CPI-M feels that the paucity of a national face who can make forceful interventions. If they are unable to do it now, then they will have to wait until 2024 to get in someone through Kerala," said the source.

Since the party's position is not good in West Bengal and Tripura, Kerala is the only state where major decisions can be taken.
Bengaluru, Jan 19 : Hinting at easing curbs imposed due to surge in Covid-19 cases in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that a decision on lifting of weekend curbs and night curfew will be taken on January 21 after consulting the experts.

"There is a discussion among people that the Covid during the third wave is causing fever and cough and they are getting cured without hospitalisations. They are of the opinion that they could carry out their daily business by following Covid guidelines. The sentiment of people has been communicated to the experts committee," he explained.

The committee has been asked to look into the demand and they are analysing the Covid situation in the state. "We will get a complete picture in the meeting held by the experts on Friday. A decision would be taken as per the suggestion of the experts," he said.

"It is our duty to save lives and strict measures are being taken keeping this factor in mind. Though, Covid numbers are surging there is no load on hospitals as such. We directed hospitals to focus on OPD treatments," he said.

CM Bommai reacting on Congress charges that no action is being initiated on BJP leaders for Covid guidelines violations, said, there is no need of Congress leaders to lodge complaints in this regard. "I have instructed Chief Secretary P. Ravikumar to initiate action against all including BJP leaders for Covid guidelines violations." Meanwhile, Health Minister K. Sudhakar speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday also echoed the same opinion on the issue of lifting of weekend curfew. "The weekend curfew will come into force only by the evening. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is holding a meeting of experts on Friday morning. This is a pro-people government. Pro-people decisions would be taken. However, the first priority is saving lives. Everything would be discussed in the expert committee meeting and a decision will be announced," he explained.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, Jan 19 : The DMK seems to be plagued by dynasty politics with the party appointing the son of T.R. Baalu, TRB Raja as the new IT wing secretary.

He will replace the state finance minister PTR Thiagarajan who has stepped down recently from the post citing work pressure as state finance minister, the party said in a press statement on Tuesday.

TR Baalu is the party's treasurer as well as the floor leader in the Rajya Sabha and has been a Union Minister during the party's representation in coalition governments of both NDA and UPA.

TRB Raja is incidentally a third-term legislator from the Mannargudi Assembly constituency. The party also appointed Rajya Sabha MP Dr.M.M. Abdulla as it's NRI wing state secretary.

DMK has several heirs holding crucial party posts with the son of Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, Udayanidhi Stalin holding the post of youth wing secretary, and MLA. Chief Minister's sister Kanimozhi is a Lok Sabha deputy leader as well as the woman's wing secretary.

Higher education minister K. Ponmudi's son P. Gowtham Sigamani is the Kallakuruchi MP of the party while Kathir Anand is the son of senior party leader and waterworks minister, S. Duraimurugan is the Vellore MP of the party.

There are several other DMK leaders who have anointed their sons, daughters, nephews, and nieces as their heirs in the party and DMK is turning into a political party with allegiance to dynasty politics, a move that was strongly opposed by its founder, C.N . Annadurai.

It was the party patriarch and former Chief Minister, late M. Karunanidhi who brought in both his sons, M.K. Stalin and M.K. Azhagiri, and his daughter Kanimozhi to politics providing them prominent positions. Azhagiri later fell out with his father and his younger brother Stalin and was stripped of his party positions and is now in political silence.
MANILA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines reported 22,958 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, raising the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 3,293,625.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the number of active cases or patients sick of the disease dipped to 270,728 from Tuesday's 284,458. The country's positivity rate slightly rose to 43.5 percent, from 43.4 percent the previous day.

The DOH reported the highest single-day tally on Saturday with 39,004 new cases.

According to the DOH, 82 more people died from COVID-19 complications, pushing the country's death toll to 53,044, with six laboratories failing to submit data. Of the 82 deaths, 56 died this month while the rest died in previous months.

The Philippines continues to detect more Omicron and Delta variants in communities and returning overseas Filipinos.

The DOH confirmed 492 more Omicron cases and 115 Delta cases in the latest batch of 714 samples sequenced on Jan. 13-14, indicating that the Omicron is infecting more people. At least two Omicron-infected patients have died.

The government has put in place new measures to curb the spread of the deadly virus and keep the hospitalization rate low.

To mitigate the risks of the Omicron variant, the DOH shortened the intervals for booster shots, childhood vaccination and quarantine periods for fully vaccinated health care workers without symptoms, as well as targeted testing.

"The public is strongly encouraged to comply to ensure the safety and protection of the entire community," the DOH said.

The government urges the public, particularly the senior citizens with underlying health conditions and children, to complete their primary and booster shots.

The Philippines has fully vaccinated over 56 million people since the rollout in March last year.

The Philippines, with a population of around 110 million, has tested more than 24 million people since the outbreak. The number excludes the rapid antigen tests results. 
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Delhi government has decided to deploy senior nursing officers from state government-run hospitals as nodal officers in the private healthcare facilities to monitor the Covid situation and vaccination at private facilities.

The government-run hospitals have been asked to find suitable replacement for retired and transferred nursing personnel.

"The competent authority is pleased to deploy senior nursing officers as nodal officers in various private health care facilities from Delhi government hospitals to monitor management of Covid-19 patients along with monitoring of Covid vaccination," read an order issued by the Delhi health department on Tuesday late night.

The letter states that these senior nursing officers stand relieved from their respective hospitals with immediate effect, with the directions to report to their place of posting in private hospitals without waiting for any formal relieving orders form their hospitals. The order has been directed to all medical directors and medical superintendent of state government-run hospitals.

Meanwhile, the national capital on Tuesday reported 11,684 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours. The fresh Covid infection has pushed the total tally at 17,34,181. In the same time, 38 deaths have also been reported in the city, pushing the death toll at 25,425.

Delhi's positivity rate has also declined to 22.47 per cent, a substantial downward from Monday's 27.99 per cent. Reporting a decline of over 5,000 cases, the active caseload in the city stands at 78,112 as per the Delhi health department on Tuesday.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav on Wednesday joined the BJP just three weeks ahead of the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh.

She joined the BJP in presence of Uttar Pradesh state unit president Swatantra Dev Singh, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, BJP media department head Anil Baluni, at party headquarters here.

Welcoming Aparna in the party, Singh said that Mulayam Singh Yadav's 'Bahu' (daughter-in-law) is joining BJP and she will work to strengthen the party.

Deputy chief minister Maurya said, "Despite being Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law, she always spoke in favour of BJP's work.

Taking a dig at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Maurya said, "Akhilesh was not successful in managing family, as chief minister and also as a Member of Parliament. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and my name were announced in the first list of BJP. Akhilesh, who always tried to take credit for BJP government's work have no courage to contest assembly polls from anywhere in the Uttar Pradesh." Aparna thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Adityanath for giving an opportunity to join the BJP.

"I am always influenced by the Prime Minister and spoke about Swachh Bharat Mission or works done to empower women. For me nation is priority and now started a journey on the path of nation building," Aparna said.

It is learnt that she is seeking a ticket from Lucknow Cantt assembly seat, however, the BJP leadership has clarified that there is no pre-condition for joining.

Aparna, wife of Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Pratik Yadav, had unsuccessfully contested the 2017 polls against BJP Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Lucknow Cantt. BJP Lok Sabha member from Allahabad Joshi, meanwhile, offered to resign from parliament if the party is ready to give ticket to her son Mayank Joshi in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

The Uttar Pradesh assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10. Counting of votes will be held on March 10.
Chennai, Jan 19 : Well-known Tamil and Malayalam actress Amala Paul says Pushpdeep Bharadwaj, director of the Hindi web series, 'Ranjish Hi Sahi', is someone who embodies his art. Paul plays the character inspired by yesteryear's Bollywood heroine Parveen Babi in the series.

Taking to social media to pen a long, heartfelt note to her 'Ranjish Hi Sahi' team, Amala Paul said: "It is not every day that you meet someone who embodies their art, but I was fortunate enough to meet one, and that was Pushpdeep Bhardwaj -- the director and screenplay writer of 'Ranjish Hi Sahi'.

"What followed the four hours of intense narration from Pushpadeep was a girl who was reminded why she chose to be an actor all over again. Every word that came from him was art in its best form. All I knew at the end of this narration was that I had to do this. I had to be Amna Parvez," the actress said, sharing a clip of her screen test.

"This footage is a scene from the screen test -- I knew I had to bag this character from the word go.

"As I type this, all I can think of are the memories that come along like a breath of fresh air. Right from my audition to the scene test to the very end of this project, my director Pushpadeep has been there and how." The actress concluded by noting that 'Ranjish Hi Sahi' and Amna Parvez "would not be what they are today without him (the director)". She signed off with: "I owe you all BIG."
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Taliban regime in Afghanistan on Wednesday will be discussing the economic situation of the country.

A one-day conference 'Economy of Afghanistan' is being convened in Kabul, Khaama Press reported.

This is the first time the government will be discussing the economy after the Taliban captured power on August 15 last year.

The conference is said to be headed by the acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund and will be broadcast live on the state-run RTA channel.

A statement reads that the 'conference will be opened by second Deputy PM Abdul Salaam Hanafi and will be concluded by a speech of first Deputy PM Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar'.

The acting PM is not likely to speak.

It is not clear who else will be attending the conference and whether foreign people are invited or not, previously it was said that foreigners will also take part in the conference.

The economic conference comes as Afghanistan is potentially on the brink of economic collapse and the country is going through the worst humanitarian crisis on earth.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 19 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, presently undergoing treatment in the US at the Mayo Clinic, on Wednesday morning presided over the weekly cabinet meeting virtually.

Vijayan informed the cabinet that with the Covid scenario in the state undergoing a rapid change, strict protocols should be adhered to.

He said he will be taking part in the Covid review meeting on Thursday when the present rapid surge would be discussed in detail.

During the online cabinet meeting, his colleagues enquired about his treatment and he said things are all fine, according to a source in the know of things.

Vijayan left for the US from here on January 15 and is expected to arrive on January 29.

Contrary to the general norm, when he left for the US, he did not handover charge to any of his colleagues, unlike in his first term (2016-21) when he handed over charge to E.P. Jayarajan, the then Industries Minister, after he went for treatment.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The hope of stitching an MVA like alliance in Goa has not taken off as Congress is unwilling to ally with the Shiv Sena and NCP. The three parties have formed Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra but in Goa the Congress is already in alliance with Goa Forward Party.

The Congress is not willing to concede more seats to the allies and sources say it thinks that the NCP and the Shiv Sena in the fray will split BJP votes.

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP said, "NCP and Shiv Sena tried to form an MVA like alliance in Goa but did not get positive response from the Congress." The Shiv Sena leader in the past had met Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the same but things did not work out as Congress assessment is that people will vote for a change. NCP leader Praful Patel has said that his party will contest with Shiv Sena in the state.

The Congress had alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Trinamool Congress were contesting in Goa to split the opposition vote and help the BJP.

Congress Senior observer of Goa, P. Chidambaram said the people are voting either for the BJP or for a regime change.

Chidambaram in a statement said, "My assessment that the AAP (and the TMC) will only fracture the non-BJP vote in Goa has been confirmed by Mr Arvind Kejriwal. The contest in Goa is between Congress and BJP".

"Those who want a regime change (after 10 years of misrule) will vote for the Congress. Those who want the regime to continue will vote for the BJP. The choice before the voter in Goa is stark and clear. Do you want a regime change or not? I appeal to the voters of Goa to vote for a regime change and vote Congress," he added.

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."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Pakistan has decided to compensate the 36 Chinese nationals, who died and were injured in a terrorist attack last year -- aimed at removing a major irritant in bilateral relations, Express Tribune reported.

A total of 10 Chinese national lost their lives and another 26 were hurt in a suicide attack on a bus that was carrying them to the work site of the Dasu Hydropower Project in July last year.

The Pak government has worked out four different compensation amounts ranging from $4.6 million (Rs 810 million) to $20.3 million (Rs 3.6 billion), sources told The Express Tribune.

Pakistan has decided to make the payment despite there was no legal or contractual obligation on the government, the report said.

The Dasu Hydropower Project is funded by the World Bank and does not fall in the scope of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Four Pakistani nationals had also died in the attack.

After the government tried to downplay the terrorist attack as an accident caused by gas leakage, China immediately retaliated and cancelled a scheduled meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the CPEC, the report said.

The Chinese contractor had also stopped the work on the project and demanded a compensation of $37 million.

The compensation that the contractor had claimed was over 500 per cent more than what a Chinese national's heirs would have received if killed in a similar attack in their own country, according to government sources.

The 4,320MW Dasu Hydropower Project is being constructed by China Gezhouba with funding from the World Bank.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed discontent over delay in payment of compensation to families of those who succumbed to Covid-19, and ordered personal appearance of chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar at 2 p.m.

A bench comprising Justices M.R. Shah and Sanjiv Khanna said the court has issued directions repeatedly to the state governments to not delay compensating the victim families, yet there is delay, which shows the concerned authorities are not taking its directions seriously.

In the context of Andhra Pradesh, the bench said the state government received over 36,000 applications for Covid compensation, but only 11,000 applicants have received compensation so far.

The bench said: "Not making payment to the eligible claimants would tantamount to disobedience of our earlier order...". The bench told the Andhra Pradesh counsel to inform the chief secretary to appear before it at 2 p.m. and show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated.

The bench said it is not ready to accept that only 12,000 people have died due to Covid in Bihar.

"We want real facts. In all other states the number has increased after our order, except in Bihar," the bench observed.

The top court asked the state government counsel to ask the chief secretary of the state to be present.

The top court will continue to hear the matter at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The top court was hearing a plea by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, where it is monitoring the disbursal of compensation to families of those who died due to Covid. The Supreme Court has approved the compensation of Rs 50,000 to victim families.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
San Francisco, Jan 19 : Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has slammed the United Nations (UN) once again, saying that there are "not enough people" in the world and one should be more worried about population collapse.

In a latest tweet, Musk posted, "UN projections are utter nonsense. Just multiply last year's births by life expectancy. Given downward trend in birth rate, that is best case unless reversed." "We should be much more worried about population collapse," Musk wrote.

Musk said that if there aren't enough people for Earth, "then there definitely won't be enough for Mars." The SpaceX CEO's theory believes that when an increasingly-elderly global population clashes with declining birth rates around the world in the near future a 'population bomb' would go off.

Musk first broached the topic back in 2017 when Musk replied to a publication saying, "The world's population is accelerating towards collapse, but few seem to notice or care." Tim Peake, a British astronaut earlier said that Musk's prestigious SpaceX project could accelerate time to help man walk on Mars in just another 20 years or so by 2040.
Mumbai, Jan 19 : Actress Vaani Kapoor, who recently essayed a trans woman in 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui', is consciously working on shaping up her filmography by choosing scripts and characters that are different from the league.

She hopes that her work in 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui' and her upcoming release 'Shamshera' where she will be seen opposite Ranbir Kapoor, will incite the confidence in film-makers about her craft.

Talking about the same, she says, "I would like my filmography to be as diverse as possible and after showing my range as an actor in 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui' and 'Shamshera', I can only hope that filmmakers would feel extremely confident to approach me with any challenging role. I have always wanted to win over their trust and be a part of interesting cinematic visions of powerful film-makers." She adds, "I know that I will give it my everything to pull off any character that I'm approached with to play on screen." Stating her opinion on the best thing about the profession of acting, the actress says, "The best thing about our profession is that one can get to become so many characters and live so many lives. I want my journey in cinema to be filled with varied films and genres and characters that light up the screen to entertain audiences."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
MADRID, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Six people have died and 15 have been taken to the hospital with several reported to be in serious condition from a fire that broke out late Tuesday night at a residential care home in eastern Spain.

Emergency services said the fire started at around 11:20 p.m. (2220 GMT) in the building situated on the Calle Mayor street of Moncada town, which is close to Valencia in eastern Spain.

They confirmed that five residents had died in the building while another passed away in the hospital.

The victims have been confirmed as three men aged 67, 79 and 85 and three women aged 78, 89 and 95 respectively.

Seventy people were also evacuated with the help of care home staff, the local police and Civil Guards with four fire engines and two Basic Life Support vehicles.

The fire was brought under control at around 1:20 a.m. local time (0020 GMT) on Wednesday morning.

Most of those taken to the hospital suffered from smoke inhalation. The fire brigade said the fire was fully developed when they arrived and had affected a wing of the building.

They also said that the large amounts of smoke complicated the work of evacuating residents, especially from the upper floor of the building.

Investigations into the cause of the fire have started. Early indications showed it began in one of the beds. 
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Sarajudin Haqqani, who is the acting interior minister of Afghanistan, has ordered the Taliban commanders in Kabul to not seek revenge on previous Afghan government's security officials and abide by the general amnesty of supreme leader Mullah Hebtullah Akhundzada.

Anyone who seeks revenge spoils the current system which is not acceptable, said Haqqani while speaking at a capacity-building conference of Kabul police districts commanders, The Khaama Press News Agency reported.

He further said that he met the previous leaders and officials who have assured him that no one will harm them unless they commit a crime.

"I direct you to investigate cases of prisoners, release them if they were imprisoned for no crime and felony. Incarcerate those who have put innocent people at jails." Haqqani said.

Black listed by the US, Haqqani, asked the head of the PDs to only serve people, The Khaama Press News Agency reported.

According to him, support from common people has made the Taliban government successful. Therefore, they should be taken care of.

Haqqani is not the only high-ranking official of Afghanistan reiterating the general amnesty to be obeyed, as per reports of The Khaama Press.
Chennai, Jan 19 : Fishermen in Tamil Nadu who had rescued people stranded during the floods in October, November 2021, are yet to receive the compensation they were promised.

Fisheries department officials, while speaking to IANS said that the compensation was delayed due to some minor glitches in tallying according to the government norms.

Owners of fishing boats who had arranged men for rescue missions along with boats are waiting for the promised compensation. M. Karuppuswamy, a fishing boat owner who had arranged and sent 31 boats for rescue operations is one among them.

While speaking to IANS, he said: "I am waiting for the compensation as the fishermen who had gone for the rescue mission is expecting money and we thought that they will settle it before Pongal but it did not happen. However I am not disappointed, the government will definitely honour the commitment soon." While the fishing season was hit due to heavy rains and warnings from the meteorological department, the fishermen were expecting the compensation promised by the government before the Pongal.

Around 250 fishermen were deployed for the rescue operation and fisheries department sources told IANS that they were yet to sanction the amount as Greater Chennai Corporation has to transfer the compensation money which they have not.

However, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) officials told IANS that they had paid advance money of Rs 2.5 lakh per village before the fishermen were engaged and that the rest of the amount would be paid after the final settlement bill is received from the fisheries department.

Fisheries department officials said that the bill amount is approximately around 1.25 crore and that the final payment would be dispatched to the respective district headquarters for distribution once they get a clearance from the Greater Chennai Corporation.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 19 : V.D. Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly, on Wednesday visited the house of a couple in the state capital, who for more than a year, were harassed by a police investigation team over the death of their adopted daughter. Satheesan has demanded adequate compensation for the couple and action against the erring police officials.

The Opposition leader after visiting the couple at their house told the media that this was the real face of the Kerala Police which has lost its credibility when it harassed the couple for no fault of theirs.

"Acting on a statement from a woman, the police investigation team probing the death of their 14-year-old adopted daughter last year harassed this couple and a nephew of theirs implicating them in the murder of their 14-year-old adopted daughter. The horror of the police probe team surfaced, when without any scientific investigation, the husband was beaten black and blue and the wife harassed emotionally, as part of the investigation," said Satheesan.

Incidentally, the couple last week got relief when a woman, her son and another person were arrested in a murder case, spilled the beans and it was testified by them that they murdered the girl.

"Is this the way the Kerala Police conducts probes. There's no difference between the goons and the Kerala Police as both do the same thing of harassing and attacking innocent people. The Congress party will extend all legal help to the couple and will prevail upon Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to get them adequate compensation besides see that the erring police officials who did this dastardly act are taken to task," added Satheesan.

The anguished wife said finally their prayers have been answered. "Ever since the death of our daughter we were ostracised by the society and I was harassed and my husband was badly beaten. Now that the truth is out, we are happy that at least our neighbours will understand that we are innocent. We underwent hell," said the wife.

With the truth coming out, the police officials had come and apologised to the couple and said there was an error of judgment.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Airbnb is looking for the right person to host a decayed-turned-designer Italian heritage home and live rent-free for a year. With the ability to live and work remotely, one person will be chosen to relocate to Sicily with their family, spouse or friend, and live in this beautifully renovated home.

"The beauty of this campaign is that it gives a second chance not just to an abandoned heritage home in the heart of our village -- it's also a second chance to the person who moves into it. We see it as a designer makeover for the house and the host. We're looking for someone who wants to live with the local population and participate in all the important moments of the community, from the grape harvest to olive picking and we can't wait to welcome whoever gets selected!" said Leonardo Ciaccio, Mayor of Sambuca di Sicilia.

Candidates should be enthusiastic about hosting and participating in village life. Their stay in Sambuca will last a year, starting on June 30, and the successful candidate will keep all proceeds from hosting on Airbnb.

The House What makes this '1 Euro House' truly unique is that it has been completely remodelled by a designer. Airbnb collaborated with Studio Didea, an Italian architectural firm, to renovate the home using materials and colours that complemented the surrounding environment. The structure is representative of Sicily's attractive architecture, combining contemporary design with hand-made and local handicraft features.

The spacious building spans three floors, with plenty of room to work remotely and host on Airbnb.

The ground floor comprises a small living room, master bedroom with king-size bed and en-suite bathroom.

The first floor includes a living room, kitchen, working space, bathroom and mezzanine bedroom with a king-size bed.

The upper floor includes an additional living space with a queen-size sofa bed.

The successful applicant gets first dibs on the bedroom that best suits their needs with the second bedroom to be listed on Airbnb.

The Location Sambuca is a tiny rural village in Sicily with a unique blend of Italian and north African cultures and architectural styles. It has a population of about 6,000 people. The chosen candidate will join a burgeoning international community, with many millennials coming from larger local cities to the rural town in search of a calmer pace of life, thanks to its '1 Euro House' marketing.

How it works To apply, visit airbnb.com/1eurohouse and complete the application form. Before applying, carefully read the selection terms available on the website.

Candidates must be over 18, available to move to Sambuca for at least three consecutive months, starting from June 30, 2022, and be able to speak conversational English(Italian a plus!). The selected participant will be given the opportunity to take part in a mentorship program: learning Italian and attending Italian cooking classes. Candidates will need to demonstrate a commitment to hosting one room in the house for a minimum of nine months.

The successful participant may bring their partner, friend or family (maximum of two adults and two children in total). The successful participant will live rent-free and will retain all Airbnb Host earnings over the course of their residence.

This opportunity in Sambuca, Sicily, highlights the potential economic benefits for rural communities as a result of changing travel trends on Airbnb driven by the pandemic. In Q3 2019, just four Italian cities accounted for over 26 per cent of all travel: Rome, Venice, Milan and Florence. In Q3 2021, however, those same four cities accounted for under 17 per cent of travel, and one of the top visited areas in Italy was Sicily. Airbnb aims to support this demand by working with villages like Sambuca to help restore them to their former glory.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Bengaluru, Jan 19 : Ahead of Karnataka attaining its Covid-19 third wave peak, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has made arrangements for 28,067 beds in private and government hospitals.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has stated that the third Covid wave would reach its peak in February end or in the beginning of March.

According to Health Minister K. Sudhakar, the experts have predicted as many as 1.2 lakh cases per day or 80,000 cases during the peak.

Hence, the authorities are taking no chances though the symptoms and consequences are less in the third wave when compared to the previous two Covid waves. The authorities explain that they want to be prepared to face any eventuality. If there is a sudden rise in demand for hospitalisation, the system will be unable to organise medication facilities which will lead to chaos, sources explain.

The cases have crossed the 40,000-mark in a day in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Considering this factor and as the peak period is nearing, the authorities have identified 28,067 beds in Bengaluru alone.

A total of 3,237 beds are identified in government hospitals and 13,540 beds are identified in private hospitals. 2,696 beds are identified in hospitals attached to government medical colleges and 8,594 beds are identified in hospitals attached to private medical colleges.

The portal is also activated for the management of allotment of beds. Presently, 6,407 beds are ready for allotment in Bengaluru, sources in the health department explained. The government has specified Rs 10,000 for general beds, 15,000 for ICU beds, 25,000 for ICU with ventilator per day. Two helplines have also been set up to look into the issues of overcharging by the private hospitals.

Sources explain that as more than 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated and with people recovering at home and hospitals within seven days, there is absolutely no pressure on hospitals. However, necessary arrangements have been made for any eventuality, sources said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Bhopal, Jan 19 : Three siblings have been booked on the charges of cow trafficking in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district, police said on Wednesday.

A group of people (all belonging to Hindu community) were found transporting nearly six cows in a vehicle. The vehicle carrying cows was spotted by a group of locals at a village under Baikunthpur police station in Rewa district. Noticing that locals have cornered them, cow traffickers stopped the vehicle and fled from the spot.

Shivanand Dwivedi, a local activist told IANS that legs of cows were tied with ropes. "Leg of a cow was chopped off. The injured cow was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. However, when locals informed the police about the incident, police refused to register a case." Dwivedi further claimed it's not the first such incident of cows smuggling in the district.

"A similar case had occurred two years back in the same Baikunthpur area but no action was taken by the local police. This incident had occurred on the intervening night of January 13-14, however, the case was registered on January 17 after the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India informed the wildlife department and the Superintendent of Police, Rewa," he further said.

FIR copy available with IANS stated that three persons involved in alleged trafficking and cruelty of cows have been booked under Sections 411, 414, and 429 of the IPC, Section 11(1)(d) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and Sections 4 and 9 of the Madhya Pradesh Govansh Vadh Pratishedh Adhiniyam, 2004.

All three accused in the case have been identified as Ashok Gupta, Prince Gupta and Dashrath Gupta, residents of Baikunthpur area.

Now, activists alleged that the local police have not arrested any of the accused involved in the matter.

However, Town Inspector (TI) Baikunthpur police station told IANS over phone on Wednesday: "Action has been taken as per the Madhya Pradesh Govansh Vadh Pratishedh Adhiniyam, 2004, according to which, offence liable to punishment less than seven years will be issued notices and will not be arrested. Therefore, we have issued notices to them and the case will be heard in the district court."
Mumbai, Jan 19 : Actor Vinit Kakar, who is currently seen as demon Mayasur in mythological series 'Baal Shiv', finds it a unique experience to shoot fight scenes with child artiste Aan Tiwari, who essays the role of young Shiva.

Vinit says: "Till date its for the first time when I'll be shooting for a fight sequence with a child artiste. Aan is very cute and adorable. And it is quite a pleasant and unique experience for me while shooting for the upcoming track in which audience will see a huge fight between the lord and Asurs." Vinit says he is very careful on sets while shooting as he is fond of kids.

"Off screen I'm being very careful while shooting. As Aan is just around 5 years old. So making him comfortable on the sets while shooting with me is all my duty. So, I will be very careful as I know kids do have mood swings. And I must say he is such a talented kid that I can asure you he is future star of our industry. And not just me anyone knows him will agree with me." Vinit, is known for featuring in mythological shows like 'Radhakrishn', 'Devi Adi Parashakti', 'Vignaharta Ganesh' among others, He is currently also seen playing the role of antagonist 'Chirag' in 'Ziddi Dil Maane Na'.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the state governments to reach out to the families who lost their loved ones to Covid-19, and emphasised, the governments should not wait for them to file applications to claim compensation.

A bench comprising Justices M.R. Shah and Sanjeev Khanna told the Kerala government counsel to send out its officers to those families, where it has recorded a Covid death. "Officers must go to them. We don't have to tell you... Deaths already registered. They must be paid. Let your officers go to districts..." The Kerala government has recorded over 40,000 Covid deaths and it has received over 23,000 claims so far.

During the hearing, Justice Shah, expressing discontent at the delay in Covid compensation by various states, said: "States believe people are at their mercy..." Justice Khanna noted that the gap between the Covid deaths recorded and the number of applications received, is a matter of serious concern.

The bench noted that the number of applications seeking Covid compensation claims is less than registered death cases in many states, yet governments failed to take proactive steps.

The bench asked the Gujarat government to produce the documentation sample, stating the procedure followed while rejecting compensation claims. The Haryana government counsel informed the top court that state officials are already reaching out to families, where it has recorded Covid death.

The top court said it will take the help of the State Legal Services Authority to reach victim families for disbursement of compensation. The top court will pass the order later in the day.

Earlier in the day, the top court expressed discontent over the delay in payment of compensation to families of those who succumbed to Covid-19, and ordered personal appearance of chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar at 2 p.m Wednesday.

The top court was hearing a plea by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, where it is monitoring the disbursal of compensation to families of those who died due to Covid. The Supreme Court has approved the compensation of Rs 50,000 to victim families.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Karnataka Iron ore industry continues to face the brunt of a 10-year-old mechanism imposed on the local mining industry which is also restricting the socio-economic development of the state.

Karnataka is the only state in India to impose such restrictions on the exports of iron ore from the state or sell iron ore freely to all buyers in India. This is causing sub-optimal growth of the local iron-ore industry as selective buying by consumers impacts the overall economy of the state.

At a time, when India can benefit hugely by being competitive in the world trade as demand for iron ore surges globally commanding a price of $122 per tonne, NMDC, a government of India owned mineral producer, has cut down its iron ore price by Rs 500 per tonne (Rs 300 per tonne in Karnataka and Rs 200 per tonne in Chhattisgarh). This has reduced the iron ore price in Karnataka to Rs 3,233 per tonne for Fe 62.5 grade iron ore. At the same time, miners operating in Odisha have hiked their iron ore price by Rs 250 per tonne owing to the market condition and are selling their ore at Rs 7,183 per tonne.

Mineral-rich states like Odisha are driven as per the market conditions as it has open trade practices that are not dominated by domestic buying patterns. This leads to fair competition and appropriate revenue to the exchequer. On the other hand, the iron ore sector in Karnataka is majorly impacted by the iron ore major NMDC's pricing pattern.

Karnataka is the only state in India that has restrictions on exports without any alternate avenues for miners to sell their iron ore. This forces them to sell the mined ore only domestically as per the pricing pattern set by the major iron ore producer NMDC which captures the largest market share with almost 14 Mt per annum. The irony of the whole thing is that the buyers in Karnataka are free to import iron ore or buy from other sources including from captive mines.

Due to the one-sided opening of the Karnataka market, there is an inflow/import of around 3.2 Mt of iron ore in the state. This is creating an artificial oversupply and pressure on the private miners to reduce prices beyond market levels. Currently, the unsold iron ore stocks lying in Karnataka is to the tune of around 4.25 Mt.

Karnataka, which already is losing heavily to the tune of Rs 8,000 crore per annum because of the disparities, is now staring at a further loss of Rs 700 crore per annum due to restrictions on the trade of iron ore and price reduction by NMDC. Given the demand and supply scenario of iron ore, there is no reason for such price cut by NMDC, but its actions raise questions on whether the mining major which is under the Ministry of Steel has taken such a step under the influence of the steel sector.

The state of Karnataka has an annual demand of 37 MT of iron ore while the production in the state is 42 MT, which is already in surplus to the state demand. If NMDC keeps up with the same price, the other miners in the state will have no option but to reduce the price of iron due to a conditional restriction of the export ban imposed by the honorable Supreme Court on the state's iron ore sector almost a decade ago.

When will the state government acknowledge this issue and take a strong step to safeguard its interest? Imagine the day when the loss incurred to the state exchequer from the iron ore industry will rise multi-fold, impacting Karnataka's vast numbers of unemployed and impoverished mining dependents; and the price of iron ore in Karnataka is 110-120 per cent lower than the international iron ore prices.
Phnom Penh, Jan 19 : The World Bank has approved new financing to help Cambodia improve equitable access to basic education, according to its press release on Wednesday.

The World Bank will provide a $60 million credit through its International Development Association to Cambodia, the release said.

The funding will support the five-year General Education Improvement Project, which seeks to establish and develop human resources and a knowledge-based society in the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Cambodia has certainly made great achievements in expanding access to education, but equitable access to education for certain groups of children, such as those living in remote areas, coming from poor families or ethnic minority communities, and those living with disabilities, remains an issue," said World Bank country manager for Cambodia Maryam Salim.

"Further, student learning outcomes have been greatly affected by the prolonged school closures caused by the Covid pandemic. We strongly hope that the project will address these challenges and build back better," she said.

The project's key activities will include implementing a school-based management programme, providing capacity development to school leaders, teacher trainers, and educational staff, and improving learning environments, the press release said.

The project calls for construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, science laboratories, teacher training institutions, dormitories for teachers, and special education schools, purchase of education technology equipment, as well as support for students with disabilities, it added.
SOFIA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Wednesday called for efforts to tackle corruption and demographic decline in an address to the people and the National Assembly.

After taking the oath for his second term as President, Radev said his first presidential term took place at a dramatic time when the old, authoritarian model of governance reached its apogee, while public resentment grew against corruption and lawlessness.

Distrust in institutions, unpunished corruption, abuse of power and dramatic social stratification would be among the challenges in the coming years, said Radev, who will begin his second five-year term on Saturday.

"I am convinced that there is an anti-mafia consensus in Bulgaria. It unites the vast majority of respectable Bulgarians," Radev said.

"Corruption must be crushed in order to survive as a state and society," he said.

Meanwhile, Radev called for efforts to deal with the demographic crisis.

It's time for long-term, financially secured policies on increasing the birth rate with a focus on responsible parenting, reducing mortality and limiting immigration, he said. 
New Delhi, Jan 19 : In a first, the 'Daredevil' bikers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will showcase 10 kinds of formations at Rajpath on the Republic Day Parade-2022, the force officials said on Wednesday.

The Daredevil teams will display the Lotus Formation, Border Man's Salute, Fly Riding, Pawan Chakki, Horizontal Bar Exercise, Six Man Balance, Arrow Position, Jaguar Position, Sentinels of the Himalayas and the theme based Pyramid on 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' on the 75th Anniversary of India's Independence. These acts will be showcased as formations on the moving bikes by the Himveers of the ITBP.

Ahead of the R-day, the Daredevils (Janbaz) team of ITBP which was formed in 2017, is practising hard at Rajpath every day for their proposed demonstrations on January 26. A total of 146 personnel and 33 Bullet Motorcycles of ITBP will participate in the Mission 'Daredevils'.

This is for the first time that an ITBP motorcycle contingent will showcase its skills at Rajpath at the Republic Day Parade.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force's (BSF) all-women biker team 'Seema Bhawani' is also practising at Rajpath to display their daredevil stunts on Republic Day on January 26. This is a second time in a row the adventurous Seema Bhawani team will put forth their stunts on Republic Day.

Seema Bhawani bikers contingent was raised at Central School of Motor Transport, BSF Academy in Tekanpur on October 20 in 2016. This group has been specially handpicked by BSF trainers and are in the age group of 25-30 years.

Raised in 1962, the ITBP guards the icy frontiers of the nations in the Himalayas while the BSF guards the western and eastern border with Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively.
Panaji, Jan 19 : Describing Amit Palekar as a "fresh, committed face", Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday nominated this 46-year-old lawyer as the party's chief ministerial candidate for the 2022 state assembly polls in Goa.

Kejriwal, who is in the coastal state on a two-day visit, said that Palekar would be contesting from the St Cruz assembly constituency in North Goa.

"We said we will give a Goa CM face whose heart beats for Goa and who is willing to give his life for Goa, who can take everyone along in Goa irrespective of religion, caste. And most importantly, he should be an honest man. That man is Amit Palekar," Kejriwal told reporters.

Palekar joined the party a few months ago but was indirectly thrust with high profile political and activism-linked assignments. Palekar belongs to the Bhandari samaj, one of the largest non Brahmin caste groupings in Goa.

Kejriwal last year had promised that the party would field a Chief Ministerial face from the Bhandari samaj, a caste grouping which the Delhi Chief Minister said had been largely deprived of political representation at the very top.

"You have seen the dirty politics of the last five years and in the last two months you have seen it fall at such a level that the Goans have begun to feel ashamed. We have entered politics to change this and are asking for one chance to bring a change," Palekar said soon after accepting the mantle.

"I was a victim of scams. Despite being a state ranker, because my father had no money I didn't get a government job. And I decided that one day I will fight against this injustice. I want to thank Arvind Kejriwal for this opportunity," he also said.

The AAP is contesting the state assembly polls in Goa under its own steam and has steered clear of alliance offers from the Trinamool Congress, Congress and other regional parties.
Bengaluru, Jan 19 : The Karnataka High Court has issued notice to the Central government over the issue of privatisation of public sector company Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) located in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The notice has also been served to BEML.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi on Tuesday issued notices after taking up the petition filed by BEML Employees Association General Secretary N. Rudraiah questioning the privatisation.

The senior counsel for the petitioner Prof. N. Ravi Varma Kumar explained that the decision of the Central government to privatise one of its major defence sector industry is not tenable.

In spite of this, the process of privatisation has begun. The process of evaluation of interested bidders had been going on. A memorandum in this regard has been submitted to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, but in vain, he informed the court.

Since it is a defence sector industry owned by the Central government, it should not be privatised. The court should issue an interim stay on the privatisation process. Otherwise, the court should at least issue an order stating that any decision made regarding privatisation of BEML should be subject to the final order of the court, the counsel requested.

Responding to the demands of the counsel for the petitioner, the bench said that let the notices be issued to the parties. Once they clear their stands before the court, the issue of an interim stay could be taken up.

The court has adjourned the matter to February 10.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 19 : Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday warned that the present Covid scenario in the state is getting serious and it appears to have become a super spreader, while the Congress party blamed the state government and the CPI-M for failing to rise to the occasion.

In the past one week the Covid cases have been zooming at a high rate and the test positivity rate in the state jumped to 35 per cent with a staggering over 28,000 new cases on Tuesday taking the total number of active cases across the state to 1,42,512 cases.

Clusters have appeared at educational institutions, State Secretariat, police stations and even at health centres, which have created a huge scare and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is away in the US for medical treatment.

But putting a brave face George said that everyone has to cooperate to see that this phase passes through safely.

"The situation is serious and the spread is really high and to tackle this phase all will have to work together keeping aside all other thoughts away. The need of the hour is to ensure that all adhere to the directions with utmost caution and follow the guidelines. Wearing of N95 masks is a must and there should be no violation of the basics," said George.

George was asked about the ongoing CPI-M meetings and the way guidelines were violated by holding dance and musical programmes, she said, whosoever violated the rules is wrong and it should not have happened.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said the Vijayan government and his party have scant respect to the needs of the people and they are continuing to go forward by holding their party meetings.

"Four legislators who took part in their meeting held here a few days back have turned positive and so have many others who took part in the meeting. They say they will go forward with holding the meetings (three more district party meetings are to be held). The government failed to act in advance and it has left many hospitals with no medicines and even the former State Health Minister is also not getting medicines. Things are in bad shape," said Satheesan.

Congress veteran legislator Ramesh Chennithala said authorities are helpless seeing the Covid crisis worsening.

"The government has to act swiftly and we hear there is a meeting only on Thursday to discuss this spread. George has proved to be a miserable failure and where is Vijayan who was always seen on TV giving Covid directions in the past. People have been left to fend for themselves and are resigned to their fate. The CPI-M is primarily responsible for this. To hold their party meetings, everything was kept under wraps and very few tests were conducted," Chennithala said.

But George said there is no shortage of medicines, all the facilities are there to handle the situation.

And to make things worse, calls have started to bring back K.K. Shailaja, the former Health Minister who handled the first and second wave but was surprisingly dropped when Vijayan assumed office in 2021 May.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said that Delhi's positivity rate has come down from 30 per cent to 22.5 per cent but it is not low enough to ease the restrictions in the national capital.

"We will observe the positivity rate for three to four more days as it has started coming down to take any decision on the restrictions," Jain said.

About the Covid beds occupancy in the city, Jain said that there is not much occupancy in hospitals and beds are lying vacant. He said that around 13,000 beds are still unoccupied in the city.

"We have released around 15,600 Covid beds in the city out of the total 37,000 prepared beds. But only 17 per cent of total released beds are occupied in Delhi's hospitals," Jain said.

He added that the hospital admissions are also stable from the last one week which is a clear sign that the positivity rate is declining in the city.

Delhi is likely to report around 13000 Covid cases on Wednesday. "We are doing more testing in Delhi. Today, around 24 per cent test positivity rate will be registered with around 13,000 Covid cases", Jain added.

Delhi on Tuesday recorded 11,684 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hrs. The fresh Covid infections have pushed the tally to 17,34,181. In the same time, 38 deaths were reported, pushing the death toll to 25,425.

Delhi's positivity rate stood at 22.47 per cent on Tuesday. The active caseload in the city stands at 78,112, as per the Delhi health department.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Jammu, Jan 19 : Startling revelation came to light on Wednesday about the Lucknow family allegedly missing during their travel to Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier reports had said that three members of a family from Lucknow -- Mehmood Ali Khan, his wife Darakshan and their son, Shavez -- had gone missing in Ramban district while they were on way from Jammu to Srinagar.

Police sources said according to Salim Khan, brother-in-law of Mehmood Ali Khan, all 3 members were murdered by elder son, Sarfaraz Khan on January 5, the day they were leaving towards Jammu by train.

"After disposing of their dead bodies, he meticulously planned to mislead the relatives and police. He clandestinely visited Jammu and Kashmir and messaged via whatsApp from his father's mobile phone on 14th January morning in which he posed as his younger brother, Shavez and said that they are stuck on the highway due to landslides.

"He even posted some pictures of the highway," said the sources.

The details of the case came to light when the J&K police traced the phone in Lucknow that was used to send WhatsApp message.

Police said Sarfraz had murdered his father, mother and brother in Lucknow itself. On January 6 the body of a youth with slit throat was found Lucknow's Mall Road in the Itaunja area.

Police were unable to identify the body. After this, two more bodies with slit throats were found in the Malihabad area in Lucknow.

After the photographs of the three persons allegedly missing in J&K's Ramban area were published, police in Lucknow were able to identify all the three.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the eldest son of the family, Sarfraz had murdered them. Sarfraz has been taken into custody.

Police said other contacts of Sarfraz are also being questioned. The motive of the gruesome crime is still not known.
San Francisco, Jan 19 : Google and Apple have expressed displeasure over an upcoming legislation in the US that would give more power to consumers and third-party developers.

While the American Choice and Innovation Online Act would prevent platforms like Amazon, Apple, and Google from using their dominance to hamper other companies and competitors that use their platforms, the Open App Markets Act aims to promote competition on app stores.

The US Senate Judiciary Committee is inching towards passing the legislation, which has been hailed by startups and smaller tech companies.

According to The Verge, Apple has criticised the legislation, particularly the Open App Markets Act, saying that it would be detrimental to the safety of the App Store.

Kent Walker, President Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer of Google and Alphabet, said in a blog post that the legislation could break popular online services, making them less helpful and less secure, and damaging American competitiveness.

"These bills would impose one set of rules on American companies while giving a pass to foreign companies. And they would give the Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies unprecedented power over the design of consumer products," he said on Tuesday.

"These bills could prevent us from securing our products by default, and would introduce new privacy risks for you," Walker added.

The bills would also harm small businesses if tools like Gmail, Calendar and Docs were not allowed to be integrated or work together seamlessly, he argued.

Like Apple, Google also charges developers a 15 to 30 per cent commission on apps and in-app purchases.
Hyderabad, Jan 19 : Biophore India Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced that it developed and started manufacturing the key intermediates of Nirmatrelvir, one of the active ingredients of Paxlovid, the latest anti-Covid therapy, approved by US authorities.

The anti-viral pill developed by Pfizer recently received emergency use authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Hyderabad-based Biophore said the manufacturing of key intermediaries of Nirmatrelvir is being done in collaboration with Rakshit Group. This is expected to greatly reduce the dependence on imports, mainly from China, from where these intermediates are being procured currently.

Biophore is also manufacturing Nirmatrelvir in a FDA compliant facility and has announced that it will be filing for approval with Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) soon.

Paxlovid's breakthrough approval was given by the FDA in December 2021 and is indicated for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Covid-19 in adults and paediatric patients as well and in those who are at high risk of progression to severe levels. It was the first oral pill that has been approved by FDA and with a better safety profile than subsequently approved oral therapies. It is available in a co-pack of Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir tablets.

"The development and manufacturing of these intermediates is extremely complex and is significantly more challenging than earlier antivirals that have been indicated for Covid. We have developed the intermediates that are required for the manufacturing of this product from basic raw materials and have the manufacturing capabilities in place to produce high volumes, to the scale of multi tons, catering to Indian as well as global markets," said Dr Jagadeesh Babu Rangisetty, CEO, Biophore.

"As and when the product gets approved in India, we can ensure that the manufacturers of this product can be self-reliant from within India itself and not be dependent on imports, which can be tricky in terms of control of quality and supply," he added.

Rameswara Rao Chandana, Chairman of Rakshit Group, said their Sainor Laboratories, is the largest manufacturer of Lithium HMDS in India with a capacity of 500 tonnes per month and has the facilities to handle cryogenic reactions.

"Manufacturing of these intermediates require extreme temperatures and large volumes of Lithium reagents and with the above infrastructure that we have, we are well placed to ensure that the requirements for the market can be met locally. With a strong partner such as Biophore, we believe this is a perfect synergy to get these products to the market quickly," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
London, Jan 19 : Creator and screenwriter Julian Fellowes has suggested that a third 'Downton Abbey' movie could follow after the release of the sequel.

The hit period drama returns to the big screen with the sequel 'Downton Abbey: A New Era' which is slated for release in March and the show's creator Fellowes claims that another movie could follow, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The 72-year-old screenwriter told the Radio Times magazine: "We were lucky to reassemble our cast. I think for them it's become a sort of club. They say goodbye, everyone cries and two years later, we're back at it!" Julian added: "I think each time it's goodbye, but whether it is or not, who knows?"

The first 'Downton Abbey' film was released in 2019 and proved to be a box-office hit and stars Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Dame Maggie Smith are all reprising their roles in the latest project.

The movie was filmed at Hampshire's Highclere Castle last year and was originally scheduled for release, last month before the pandemic led to a delay. It was previously reported that a much-loved character would be killed off in this movie and the scenes would be tear-jerking for fans.

The insider added to The Sun newspaper: "Those who have seen the scenes said they are so emotional. They will really leave fans in floods. It's heartbreak at Highclere Castle and there won't be a dry eye in cinemas."
Lamu, Jan 19 : Kenyan security forces have killed 15 al-Shabab militants following a successful operation in the Bodhei area within the vast Boni forest in the coastal county of Lamu.

The Kenya Defense Force (KDF) commander involved in the operation said on Tuesday that an unknown number of militants were also injured in the raid after their camps were bombed on Monday evening.

The KDF official who declined to be named revealed that the ground troops were supported by attack helicopters and artillery fire to raid the militants' bases which were located just about 40 kms from a local shopping centre, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said some of the slain militants are suspected to be part of the gang behind the recent attacks in the Lamu region that left over 15 people dead.

"We believe the militants were part of those who attacked villagers here recently. Our officers have successfully conducted a raid and destroyed two al-Shabab command and logistics bases in Bodhei," the KDF commander said.

The militant group is believed to have fighters operating in the area's Boni forest that has a poor communication network and terrain slowing down police operations.

The security forces involved in the overnight raid are part of the multi-agency team conducting the Operation Amani Boni that was launched in 2015 with the major objective being to flush out al-Shabab militants believed to be hiding inside the Boni forest.

Security sources privy to the operation said improvised explosive devices (IEDs), communication equipment, several uniforms, AK 47 rifles, two machine guns and bullets were recovered during the raid.

The killings come barely a week after the terror group in collaboration with a local militia killed 15 people in Lamu west.

Another group of security teams has been deployed in Taksile, Mangulo, Hadhi and across the border in pursuit of 10 militants who escaped after the raid.

The Boni forest has been used as the perfect hideout by the militants whenever they launch attacks in Lamu. The police said the militants are even reported to have a well-equipped base deep inside the forest.

Lamu County has been in the spotlight for some years now owing to increased attacks by the militants that have killed a number of security officers and civilians.
COPENHAGEN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Several employees in Denmark have been fired or sent home without pay due to a lack of a valid corona passport that documents vaccination or a negative test, the national broadcaster DRTV reported on Tuesday.

Since Nov. 26, 2021, when coronavirus was again officially classified as a socially critical disease in Denmark, employers have had the authority to demand a valid corona passport from their employees.

Employees without a valid corona passport, can be terminated or sent home without pay until they obtain the necessary documentation.

According to DRTV, punitive action has become widespread throughout the "public sector as well as the largest unions and private businesses."

Peter Hummelgaard, minister of employment, told DRTV that despite the dismissals and other sanctions, the corona passport is an important tool for workplaces.

"Employers determine the sanction. However, we believe it is reasonable to provide companies with an opportunity to ensure that their employees do not bring infection into the workplace," Hummelgaard said.

There are several ways to obtain a corona passport in Denmark. The document is valid for five months if the individual is over the age of 18 and fully vaccinated, or for 72 hours for holders of a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test and 48 hours with a negative quick test.

The Epidemics Committee of the Folketing (Parliament) determines when coronavirus ceases to be classified as a socially critical disease. The current target date is Feb. 5.

The Statens Serum Institue (SSI) on Tuesday reported 33,493 new coronavirus cases of infection in the past 24 hours, the highest number yet, and 14 new deaths, bringing the national totals to 3,519 deaths and 1,193,479 cases since the pandemic began.

Additionally, the SSI reports that 80.2 percent of the population, or 4,709,586 people, have been fully vaccinated, and 3,382,251 people, or 57.6 percent, have been re-vaccinated. 
Seoul, Jan 19 : The South Korean police on Wednesday said that they were looking into the case of an Ethiopian man found dead in the western part of the Han River here.

According to officials, a witness discovered the body of the 37-year-old man floating near the northern foot of the Han River Bridge at 1.40 p.m. and reported it to the police, Yonhap news agency reported.

Authorities said a passport was found with him, and there were no visible signs of a crime being committed. The body was transferred to a hospital, they added.

Officials are investigating the cause of death without excluding the possibility of suicide, they added.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the first dose of vaccination of over 50 per cent of youngsters between the age group of 15 and 18 years.

In response to a tweet by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Prime Minister tweeted, "Young and youthful India showing the way! This is encouraging news. Let us keep the momentum. It is important to vaccinate and observe all COVID-19 related protocols. Together, we will fight this pandemic." Over 50 per cent of adolescents of 15-18 age group have been vaccinated with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Since the beginning of inoculation drive for this age bracket, a total of 3,81,26,520 teens have received their first dose as per the CoWIN portal.

Union Health Minister had called it "Big day for India's fight against Covid-19" as India achieved the milestone of administering over 50 per cent adolescents of this age group with first dose of vaccines on Tuesday night.

"Big day for India's fight against COVID-19! Over 50 per cent of our youngsters between 15-18 age group have received their 1st dose of COVID19 vaccine. Well done, my Young Friends! Your enthusiasm for vaccination is inspiring people all over India", he had said in a tweet.

As Covid-19 cases began to surge in India, the nationwide drive to vaccinate teenagers in this age group of 15-18 years began on January 3. As of now only Bharat Biotech's indigenously-made Covaxin is available for vaccinating this age bracket.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chandigarh, Jan 19 : In what could snowball into a major political controversy before the assembly polls in Punjab, Justice Ranjit Singh (retd), who headed the commission into the alleged incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the subsequent police firing on protesters in 2015, on Wednesday placed then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, 94, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch, and then DGP Sumedh Singh Saini in dock.

Also, he castigated the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, whose chief and self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence for raping two of his disciples and a life term for a journalist's killing, for the incident of sacrilege.

Justice Singh made these comments here on the release of his 423-page book 'The Sacrilege' based on his inquiry when he was heading the current Congress government set up commission.

"Inference on the basis of material and evidence is against both then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and then Director General of Police (DGP) Saini for not playing active role (with the subsequent police firing on protesters after the sacrilege incident)," Justice Singh told IANS at the book launch.

The incident of sacrilege took place in Behbal Kalan village of Faridkot district and the subsequent police firing on protesters that claimed two lives was raked up by the Congress against the SAD-BJP combine government in the 2017 assembly polls.

Even in 2022 polls, the incidents continued to rock the state's political sphere as the successive governments are under fire for failing to deliver justice in the cases.

Expressing surprise that the sacrilege and police firing cases have failed to reach any logical conclusion, the former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court said DGP Saini had not played an "active role" on controlling the (tense) situation.

The judicial commission was mandated to inquire nearly 160 cases of sacrilege.

Justice Singh said the commission completed the inquiry into all the cases in record time of nearly 12 months and submitted its report in four parts running into 544 pages.

"Since the report of the commission was debated in the Punjab assembly and was accepted by the House unanimously but did not come in the public domain.

"Effort has been made in the book to bring various facts and the truth before the public which led to the sacrilege incidents hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community and the nation leaving indelible scars." At the book launch, Justice S.S. Sodhi (retd) said various investigations by the Special Investigating Teams (SITs) into these cases of sacrilege have made little headway, leaving the public clamouring for justice.

He said the commission headed by Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) carried out the investigation without bias.

On the timing of the book release coinciding with the polls in the state, Justice Ranjit Singh said he has no political agenda behind its release.

"It's a sheer coincidence that the book is launching now owing to administrative reasons," he said, also blaming "extraordinary interferences" by the high court regarding petitions relating to the case.

He said the book did not talk about investigations conducted by the police as it was not in his domain to comment.

"The book is an eye-opener with startling revelations, unfolding the tragedy of sacrilege incidents that occurred," he said, adding the public at large carry a grouse against the power for not doing enough to bring the real culprits before justice despite investigations by several SITs and two inquiry commissions.

The incidents included tearing and scattering of the holy pages from the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and also pasting posters threatening the peace in the state.

In the upcoming assembly polls, political parties have already started raising their pitch for justice of the 2015 victims. In fact, this was one of the key issues that enabled the Congress to replace its Chief Minister Amarinder Singh just ahead of the polls as he had promised timely justice in 2017 and amid charges for "going soft" towards the Badals.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Ramallah, Jan 19 : Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas was unanimously supported by the Fatah party's central committee to continue as chairman of Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Fatah Movement.

During a meeting held in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday, Abbas gained the full confidence of the Fatah central committee to take the helm of the state of Palestine, Xinhua reported citing the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.

Abbas, 86, is the chairman of the PLO executive committee, chairman of the Fatah central committee, and the president of the state of Palestine. He was elected in January 2005 as the chairman of the Palestinian Authority.

The decision will be presented for voting before the PLO Central Council, which is scheduled to be held in Ramallah during the first week of February.

Meanwhile, an official statement said that the Fatah central committee nominated Rawhi Fattouh, a member of the committee, to be the speaker of the Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the PLO.

Fattouh will succeed Salim Za'noon, 88, the current speaker
San Francisco, Jan 19 : Chip-maker Qualcomm has demonstrated a working smartphone featuring the next-gen integrated SIM (iSIM) technology in partnership with Vodafone and Thales.

The iSIM, which complies with GSMA specifications, embeds the SIM functionality into the device's main processor, allowing for greater system integration, higher performance, and increased memory capacity, the company claims.

"Some of the areas that will benefit most from iSIM technology include smartphones, mobile PCs, VR/XR headsets, and industrial IoT. By engineering the iSIM technology into the SoC, we are able to create additional support for OEMs in our Snapdragon platform," Enrico Salvatori, Senior Vice President and President, Europe/MEA, Qualcomm Europe, said in a statement.

This technology is the latest evolution of SIM technology in which 'eSIMs' are embedded into devices. However, eSIM requires a separate chip: with iSIM, this is no longer necessary and removes the need for dedicated space assigned to SIM services.

"The iSIM, combined with our remote management platform, is a major step in this direction, allowing devices to be connected without a physical SIM or dedicated chip, making connectivity to many objects - the promise of the connected IoT world - a reality," Alex Froment-Curtil, Chief Commercial Officer, Vodafone added.

iSIM technology is a significant evolution on existing eSIM solutions and delivers wholesale benefits to both consumers and telecommunications operators, further paving the way for mobile services to be integrated into devices beyond the mobile phone, taking the mobile experience to laptops, tablets virtual reality platforms, IoT devices, wearables, and more.
Belagavi, Jan 19 : Belagavi District Commissioner M. G. Hiremath on Wednesday said that he had submitted the preliminary investigation report to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in the case of the death of three babies after receiving measles-rubella vaccines in the district.

"The discussion is on providing compensation for the families who have lost the babies," he added.

Speaking to the media, he said the report has been sent to the Chief Minister which has been submitted by the Belagavi Immunization Monitoring Officer, Eshwar Gadad.

Hiremath said that the details of the report can't be made public and further investigation is being taken up.

"Vials have been sent to the manufacturing unit as well as to laboratories. Once they give the report, there will be more clarity. There is no provision of compensation for deaths due to vaccinations but there is one under the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for which there are certain criteria." "We will recommend to the Joint Secretary for compensation," he said.

An initial probe into the death of the three babies has revealed that the nurse who had obtained the vaccination vials on Tuesday from the pharmacist had kept them in a hotel fridge along with food items, violating all protocols.

This led to bacterial infection and after the administration of these vaccines the three babies died due to aseptic shock syndrome. Two deaths were reported after being vaccinated at Bochagala camp on January 12 while one death was reported from Mallapura camp on January 11 in Ramdurg taluk.

As many as 17 babies were vaccinated at Bochagala and four babies had received vaccine jabs at Mallapura. Two girls, one 18-months-old and another 12-months-old, are recovering in hospital.

Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar had given orders to suspend nurse Salma and pharmacist Jayaram.

Eshwar Gadad said that as per the protocol the vaccination vials have to be taken from the primary health centre (PHC) to vaccination camps and must be returned to the PHC.

"Nurse Salma should not have carried the vials and kept them in a hotel fridge. All vials obtained by her have been taken back and sent for tests. This is an unfortunate incident. The health department has taken care of it and parents can come forward for vaccination of their babies," he added.

Pavithra Halagur, a 13-month-old baby girl died on the same day after being administered the first dose of the vaccine after developing nausea and vomiting a few hours after the vaccination.

Umesh Karagundi, a 14-month-old child, though shifted to Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences, developed convulsions in the ICU and died on January 15.

Chetana, a 15-month-old baby who got the vaccine jab in Mallapura camp also died on January 15.

Children below the age of 15 months are given the first vaccine dose against measles-rubella and above 15 months are given a second vaccine dose.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Amid a planned anti-Pakistan protest in Kabul, the Pakistan National Security Adviser (NSA) has quietly scrapped his trip to Afghanistan, Pajhwok News reported.

Moeed Yusuf was scheduled to arrive in Kabul on Tuesday at the head of a high-level delegation for talks on humanitarian aid for the Afghans and other issues of bilateral importance.

However, the NSA had to cancel his two-day visit as a massive protest against Pakistan was planned at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, the report said.

A well-placed diplomatic source confided to Pajhwok Afghan News, Yusuf decided against visiting Afghanistan capital to escape embarrassment.

Hundreds of Afghans carrying anti-Pakistan banners marched near the airport to protest what they called Pakistan's two-faced policy, the source said.

He claimed tensions were rising between the neighbours over fencing of the British-era Durand Line, which Kabul does not recognise as a formal international border.

Meanwhile, a Kabul-based social media user wrote that the Taliban had detained human rights activist Azim Azimi for organising the anti-Pakistan demonstration.

On the other hand, Pakistan officials say the NSA's visit had been postponed due to bad weather. They dismissed the impression that there are differences between the Taliban and Islamabad.

"We have been in contact with Kabul both on Durand Line fencing and the presence of Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan," one official said, denying rifts between the two sides.
Reas : , Jan 19 (IANS/ 101Reporters) In Bhaga village in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district, 17-year-old Shilpa Singh has taken it upon herself to earn for her family after the coronavirus pandemic washed out her father Mangal Singhs job.

"When the pandemic hit the country, several labourer families like ours were left in the lurch as our fathers, who until then were the lone breadwinners of our families, lost their jobs," she said.

To avoid a financial crisis at home, she decided to become a member of the local self-help group (SHG). "And I'm happy that the income from the products sold by the self-help groups sustained my family in the pandemic," Singh said.

These SHGs that have given hope to several women today, did not have many takers before 2019. Women from Bhaga village did not work outside their homes and instead depended on their husbands for almost all their requirements.

The scenario changed in January 2019 when Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) officer, Indu Kanwal Chib, who was posted as the then deputy commissioner Reasi, intervened. She gently coaxed the women to join Jammu and Kashmir State Rural Livelihood Mission (JKSRLM) - a programme aimed at alleviating poverty in the Union Territory - to earn a guaranteed monthly income and afford a better life.

When the Bhaga women joined the self-help groups under JKSRLM in 2019, they had no inkling of the mission. "Following a brief about the initiative and a recollection of success stories by then deputy commissioner, we dared to start by making lentil papads. And this continued for several months," Jyoti Sharma, a self-help group member said.

Initially, money was hard to come by. Sharma said that a woman earned about Rs 25 per day by making and selling papads to shopkeepers. That made for a monthly income of Rs 750.

The coronavirus pandemic, however, changed their fortunes.

'Pandemic brought in more work opportunities' Two months after the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, the women from Bhaga self-help group were approached by Chib with an offer - making face masks for the district administration.

"Since most of our village women were already adept in tailoring, we accepted the offer," Sharma said, adding, "To meet our targets, hundreds of women self-help groups worked day in and day out to prepare and provide one lakh masks to the district administration." The women in Bhaga sold a mask for Rs 20 and ended up earning Rs 2 crores within 2-3 months. "With this, the average monthly income of an SHG member rose to Rs 4,500-5,000 during those months," claimed Sharma.

Current Deputy Commissioner of Reasi, Charandeep Singh, said that the average income of some individuals from the SHG amounts to Rs 7,000-8,000 per month.

Singh said that the traditional craft materials made by Reasi women SHGs have been listed as "success stories" under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. "And this is a major achievement for our women self-help groups," the officer said.

A better life According to the director of the JKSRLM, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, there are 48,423 women self-help groups that provide livelihood opportunities for 4,16,037 women in the Union Territory currently. In Reasi town alone, 15,402 women are associated with 1,854 self-help groups.

Arif Mohammad, the professional resource person of JKSRLM in Bhaga, said there are 125 women self-help groups only in his cluster - the Prerna Mahila Cluster Level Federation. Around 1,200 women work in these groups.

The SHGs in Bhaga village also make various products like jute bags, traditional ornaments, paper plates, disposable leaf plates and bowls, teddy bears, spices, pickles, embroidery items, masks, cheese, kaladi (traditional cheese) and sandals among others.

The JKSRLM in collaboration with other government departments conduct exhibitions throughout the Union Territory and sell the products made by these SHGs.

As far as other marketing avenues are concerned, the deputy commissioner of Reasi, Charandeep Singh, said that his administration has opened sales outlets for some units while commercial websites are also being designed to help the women sell their products online.

For instance, to benefit pickle manufacturing SHGs from Reasi, an outlet has been opened in Pouni area of the district. Around 500 hoteliers in Katra and other areas near the Katra-Shiv Khori shrine have been requested to purchase pickles exclusively from these outlets by women SHGs.

For other traditional items like Chabhari, Bina (made using wild grass), he said, "At our request, the Katra hoteliers have agreed to present these traditional crafts as souvenirs to the visiting tourists and guests." The hoteliers, according to him, have been carrying a retail display of these products made by the women SHGs.

"Meetings with e-commerce giants like Amazon are also underway to help the women SHGs market their products online," Singh added. "My administration is also planning to sell the products made by women self-help groups through some websites that would be named after them." (The author is a Jammu-based freelance journalist and a member of 101reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Wednesday expressed his unwillingness to contest the Assembly polls and has written a letter to BJP national president J. P. Nadda in this regard.

In the letter to Nadda, Rawat said: "Leadership has changed in the state and the party got a youth leader Pushkar Singh Dhami. In the changed political scenario, I should not contest the 2022 Assembly polls." He said that he had earlier also conveyed his intent not to fight the 2022 polls.

"As per responsibilities extended to me by the national secretary and party in the past, I have done election related work in Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh," the letter read.

"I want to work wholetime so that the BJP government is formed under Dhami's leadership. Therefore, I request you to accept my request of not contesting so that I can do my best for the formation of the BJP government in the state again," it added.

In 2017, Trivendra Singh Rawat became chief minister after winning from Doiwala constituency. In March 2021, the BJP high command removed him from the chief minister's post and made Tirath Singh Rawat the Chief Minister of the hill state. Sensing that Tirath Singh Rawat may not get elected as MLA within six months, the saffron party handed over the reins of the state government to Dhami.

The state is slated to go to the polls on February 14.
Seoul, Jan 19 : The South Korean government has completed preparations for Saudi Arabia to resume its procedure for a nuclear power project, a Seoul minister said on Wednesday.

Moon Sung-wook, South Korea's minister of trade, industry and energy, told reporters that "no visible progress" has been made in Saudi Arabia's nuclear power project since the kingdom selected five countries -- South Korea, the US, France, Russia and China -- as preferred bidders in 2018, Yonhap news agency reported.

The industry minister, who is accompanying President Moon Jae-in on his weeklong trip to the Middle East, said South Korea has emphasised its technology on nuclear plants "in preparation for the Saudi nuclear power project to be proceeded at any time." President Moon Jae-in held talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday.

During the talks, Moon expressed his confidence that South Korea will become an "optimal partner" for Saudi Arabia's plans to build nuclear power plants, according to Moon's spokesperson Park Kyung-mee.

Oil-rich Saudi Arabia has planned to build two nuclear reactors by 2030.

If won, it will be the second chance for South Korea to tap into the Middle East market following a $20 billion contract with the UAE in 2009.
by Martina Fuchs

GENEVA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The topic of fighting against COVID-19 has dominated the Davos Agenda 2022 of the World Economic Forum (WEF), with participants across the world calling for vaccine equity and international cooperation to tame the spread of the virus.

The contagious Omicron variant and the reintroduction of national lockdowns, travel bans and quarantines around the world have "reinforced the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic," the Geneva-based forum said on its website.

The five-day online event, kicking off on Monday, provides an opportunity for world leaders, chief executives and experts to reflect on the state of the world and shape solutions to critical challenges in the year ahead, the WEF said.

CALL FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION

In his special address at the WEF virtual session on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for solidarity and cooperation of the international community amid the global COVID-19 crisis, saying that "small boats may not survive a storm, but a giant ship is strong enough to brave a storm."

"We need to embrace cooperation and jointly defeat the pandemic. Confronted by the once-in-a-century pandemic, which will affect the future of humanity, the international community has fought a tenacious battle," Xi said.

"Facts have shown once again that amidst the raging torrents of a global crisis, countries are not riding separately in some 190 small boats, but are rather all in a giant ship on which our shared destiny hinges," he said.

Other leaders and experts at the event also stressed the importance of a unified international response to the ongoing pandemic.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his address on Monday that confronting the pandemic with equity and fairness is urgent, adding that "the last two years have demonstrated a simple but brutal truth -- if we leave anyone behind, we leave everyone behind."

Citing the World Health Organization (WHO)'s goal of vaccinating 40 percent of global population by the end of 2021 and 70 percent by the middle of 2022, Guterres said the world was nowhere even close.

Anthony Fauci, U.S. top infectious disease expert, said at the online event that "we don't want to get into the whack-a-mole approach towards every new variant, where you have to make a booster against a particular variant. You'll be chasing it forever."

"We should have had a much more coordinated global response, as I've said so many times. A global pandemic requires a global response, and we have to keep in mind the issue of equity all the time because you can't have a situation where you have virus circulating freely in one part of the world," Fauci said.

VACCINE EQUITY

Addressing the "Meeting the Challenge of Vaccine Equity" panel on Tuesday, Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, said that "there is no way out of this pandemic right now without vaccines as the central strategic pillar."

"Being able to use those vaccines equitably is not only a fair and important humanitarian objective, it's the best way for us all to get out of the pandemic phase that we're currently in right now," Ryan said.

WHO, along with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Vaccine Alliance GAVI, and partners, has led the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history with deliveries to 144 countries to date, said a UN press release, noting that the UN-backed COVAX mechanism has delivered 1 billion shots to poorer nations.

"We expect right now the next billion to take somewhere between four and five months versus a year, and so we're on our way," said Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. "The new challenge here is making sure that every country is ready to receive them."

Berkley mentioned that countries have tripled their absorption capacity, while around 20 to 25 countries still have problems with absorption.

"We have been working to try to make sure that we can create bespoke plans for these countries to help them with their absorption capacity," Berkley said.

Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, a global vaccine partnership, said "the major thing that the world is going to need to do is to make vaccines available to everyone who wants it, which I think is an achievable goal in 2022 with the vaccine production that we have."

To ensure vaccine equity, Guterres called on countries and manufacturers to prioritize vaccine supply to the global program COVAX and to support the local production of tests, vaccines and treatments around the world.

He also asked pharmaceutical companies to stand in solidarity with developing countries by sharing licences, know-how and technology to find a way out of the pandemic.

ENDING TO PANDEMIC REMAINS UNKNOWN

Fauci said it was too early to tell whether the Omicron variant will herald a shift from the COVID-19 pandemic to an endemic, though Omicron is apparently not as pathogenic for example as Delta in spite of its high infectivity.

"That would only be the case if we don't get another variant that eludes the immune response to the prior variant," he said.

Annelies Wilder-Smith, a professor of emerging infectious diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also said that it is too early to call the outbreak an endemic.

"Omicron will not be the last variant clearly with such high viral circulation as we are seeing now. There's a high probability that we will have another variant coming up. The question is, where and when, and will it be more dangerous or less dangerous than the current variant of concerns?" Wilder-Smith said.

"The world needs to be prepared for the worst-case scenario," she said. "Our healthcare systems are still overwhelmed. We still need to continue our public health and social measures."

"The key message remains: the vaccines still really work very well against severe disease. The primary objective is we want to avoid deaths and protect healthcare systems," she added.

"One of the most scarce commodities in this whole pandemic response has been trust. Trust between communities and governments, trust between countries, trust between manufacturers. Trust has been the missing magic that makes everything work in life," Ryan said. 
New Delhi, Jan 19 : A woman and her four children were found dead in the national capital's Shahdara area, an official said on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara district), R. Sathiyasundaram, said that a PCR call was received at around 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday, stating that four to five people are lying unconscious on the fifth floor of a building in Old Seema Puri area.

On reaching the spot, the police found four persons dead -- the woman and her three kids.

As the police inquired, it was found that six persons -- Mohit Kalia, 35, his wife Radha, 30, two daughters aged 11 and 4 and two sons aged 8 and 3 -- had shifted to the one-room rented accommodation just a day ago.

When Mohit woke up in the morning, he found his wife and the three kids dead after which he rushed his youngest son to a nearby hospital where he was also declared brought dead.

The officials told IANS that prima facie it looks like the cause of the deaths was due to suffocation as a fireplace was found just next to the dead bodies.

"There was no ventilation inside the room," said the officials.

A forensic team has reached the spot to collect crucial evidences.

"Further probe is on," the police said.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and the actual cause of the deaths can be ascertained once the reports are received, the DCP informed.
Gandhinagar, Jan 19 : The Task Force constituted by the Gujarat government to monitor Covid situation, on Wednesday expressed apprehension that in the third wave the state may witness 50,000 to 1,00000 cases a day by January end or the start of February if Covid protocols are not properly followed.

After Tuesday's spike of over 17,000 cases in Gujarat, Health Minister Hrishikesh Patel met the experts of the Task Force and then addressed the media, appealing to the people not to disregard the threat of Omicron.

Patel said, "The government has continued the current guidelines and right now there's no need to change it, but if circumstances demand, there will be changes." "We appeal to the people that please register yourself when you get tested positive in a private lab, so that the government gets the correct figures and gauge the situation," added Patel.

The minister also informed that at present the state had a capacity of manufacturing 1500 metric tonne of oxygen, whereas the current daily requirement was 70 metric tonne.

"The eligible people for the second dose have received 9,60,702 doses of the vaccine per 10 lakh people in the state. The state is in a leading position among the large states of the country considering the same," informed the minister.

"It is apprehended that the possible third wave might have its peak effect in Gujarat around January end and February beginning. If people are not careful and cautious, the daily spike can reach up to fifty thousand or even one lakh cases in Gujarat," said Dr V.N. Shah, a member of the task force and the MD of Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad.

"Around 60 to 70 per cent of Covid cases are of the Omicron variant, which is very infectious and it shouldn't be taken lightly. There is right now no cure for Omicron and drugs effective on previous cases of Corona are reported to be ineffective on it. The unvaccinated persons and children should be very cautious regarding this. And then there's also the Delta variant which damages body organs. So, this is very serious and people should not be negligent," said Dr Sudhir Shah.

As of January 18, a total 4,81,43,082 people above 18 years of age have received the first dose which is equal to 97.6 per cent of the eligible people. Total 4,42,92,717 people above 18 years of age have received the second dose which is equal to 94.6 per cent of the eligible people. Total 23,07,645 teens (64.9 per cent) from the age group of 15 to 17 years have received the first dose. Total 6,70,025 people have received the precaution dose of the vaccine.

Total 9 districts and all the 8 corporations have achieved 100 per cent vaccination of the eligible people with the first dose of the vaccine. Over 35.50 lakh teenagers of 15 to 18 years of age are vaccinated in the state.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 19 : India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has commenced investigation into an alleged incident of "mid-air near miss" involving two IndiGo flights.

The purported safety related lapse occurred on January 9 after the two flights took-off from Bengaluru airport.

"Post the alleged safety breach, an investigation was launched by the DGCA," said a senior official with the regulator on Wednesday.

The two IndiGo flights were headed for Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, respectively.

According to industry insiders, the two aircraft had allegedly breached separation limits.

Under safety regulations, aircrafts in Indian air space must maintain a distance of 5 nautical miles between them.
Paarl, Jan 19 : Fighting centuries by Temba Bavuma (110 off 143) and Rassie van der Dussen (129 not out off 96) helped South Africa post a challenging 296/4 against India in the first ODI of the three-match series at Boland Park, here on Wednesday.

The hosts were in a spot of bother at 68-3, but Bavuma and Dussen stitched a huge 204-run stand for the 4th wicket to bail out Proteas from a tricky situation and propelled them to a competitive total at the sluggish Paarl pitch.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, South Africa didn't have a great start as they lost the wicket of Janneman Malan (6) in the 5th over of the innings. Malan, whose feet stayed glued to the crease, played a loose shot, with the ball taking a faint edge and Rishabh Pant made no mistake behind the wickets.

Skipper Temba Bavuma then joined Quinton de Kock at the crease and they negotiated India's new-ball bowlers, who were spot on with the line and length and also managed to get some movement in the air. The duo batted cautiously and took South Africa to 39-1 at the end of the first 10 overs.

With a partnership building, Rahul introduced R Ashwin into the attack. The spinner, playing his first ODI since June 2017, nearly struck in his first over but Shreyas Iyer dropped the catch. The ball was tossed up outside off from Ashwin and de Kock sliced it towards wide of point, where Iyer moved to his right and dropped the catch after getting both hands to it.

However, it was eventually Aswhin, who ended De Kock's (27) struggle and gave India the second wicket of the day. The left hander went for the cut on a flatter delivery by Ashwin but he missed it and was bowled and his 39-run stand with Bavuma came to an end.

Thereafter, Aiden Markram, who came to bat next, played many dot deliveries and a desperate attempt to get off the strike cost him his wicket. He played a drive to mid-off, called for the run but he couldn't make it as debutant Venkatesh Iyer smashed a direct hit on the stumps, leaving South Africa to 68-3 after 17.4 overs.

From there on, Rassie van der Dussen and Bavuma mixed caution with aggression and got their partnership going, taking Proteas to 118/3 at the half-way stage.

Bavuma, who came out with a positive approach and stayed patient during a tough phase, got off to his third ODI fifty off 76 balls and continued the rebuilding job with his partner.

KL Rahul made several bowling changes to break the stand but Proteas batters -- Dussen and Bavuma played with great determination and brought up a wonderful 100-run stand in the 34th over of the innings. Soon, Dussen also completed his half-century to peg the visitors back and keep the scoreboard ticking.

An overthrow by an Indian fielder took South Africa past 200 in the 39th over as Proteas batters looked to put their foot on the accelerator. The momentum was completely in South Africa favour and carrying his brilliant form from the Test series, Bavuma reached his second century of his career off 133 balls in the 45th over.

With five overs to go, the pair of Dussen and Bavuma looked to put India under a lot of pressure as Dussen got to his century in just 83 balls. But the likes of Bhuvi and Bumrah pulled things back by using yorkers and slower deliveries perfectly and didn't allow hosts to score freely.

The accuracy by Indian bowlers in the death overs brought them success as Bavuma finally got out to Bumrah in the 49th over of the innings. After playing a captain's knock of 110 runs, Bavuma holed out to India skipper KL Rahul at long on and his mammoth 204-run stand for the 4th wicket with Dussen came to an end.

However, Dussen along with David Miller (2) hit a boundary and a six off Shardul Thakur in the last over and took hosts to 296/4 in 50 overs.

Brief scores: South Africa 296/4 in 50 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 129* off 96, Temba Bavuma 110 off 143; Jasprit Bumrah 2/48, Ravichandran Ashwin 1/53) vs India
Chandigarh, Jan 19 : In the run-up to polls, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi on Wednesday said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in a sand mining case were happening due to political rivalry.

He said the BJP was using central forces before polls as they did in West Bengal.

Responding to the raids in which the ED seized unaccounted Rs 10 crore cash, including Rs 8 crore from the premises of the nephew of Channi in a 2018 sand mining case, Channi said the BJP government at the Centre was using central investigating agencies against the political rivals.

Citing instances of raids at relatives of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and in Tamil Nadu, at M.K. Stalin's relatives, he said it was the BJP's 'old tactics' to use ED and IT and bring distractions during the time of elections.

A total Rs 10 crore in cash was seized in the two-day raid that ended on Wednesday. About Rs 8 crore from the residence of Bhupinder Singh Honey, the nephew of Channi, who floated a firm -- Punjab Realtors -- to get sand mining contracts, an official said.

Media reports said gold worth Rs 21 lakh was also recovered from the nephew of Channi.

The raids were conducted at least a dozen places in the state under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Apna Dal and the Nishad Party on Wednesday officially announced their alliance to contest the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls together.

Addressing a joint press conference with the alliance partners, Apna Dal president Anupriya Patel and Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad, BJP chief JP Nadda said: "BJP, Apna Dal and Nishad Party will jointly contest Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in all the 403 seats." "In the last two days, we had discussions with our NDA alliance partners and it has been decided to jointly contest all 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh. We all came together in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and in the 2022 assembly polls also," Nadda said.

Nadda said PM Modi's vision of ;Sabka Sath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas' has been followed in letter and spirit in Uttar Pradesh by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"The double engine government in Uttar Pradesh has given a new momentum to development by taking along all sections of the society. A lot of work has been done in the state for improving connectivity, health, education including medical education, public and social welfare by Chief Minister Adityanath with the blessings of Prime Minister Modi," Nadda said.

He further pointed out that the law and order situation has improved in the state in the last 5 years and the mafia raj has ended.

"Five years ago, the situation was completely different. People were scared of going out after 5 p.m. but today, everything has changed under the BJP government," Nadda said.

Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel said the NDA government is committed for development and social justice for which the party is fighting.

She listed the union government policy and initiatives for the backward classes.

Patel also mentioned that the Narendra Modi government will also fulfil the long pending demand of a separate ministry for backward classes in future.

Nishad Party's Sanjay Nishad said: "Together we won the 2019 general election and once again together we will win the 2022 assembly polls." Nishad said that the people are with NDA as BJP always does what it says.

"Whatever time it takes, the BJP will do what it says. The BJP has removed Article 370 and started construction of Ram Temple. People are with the NDA and we will contest the 2022 polls," Nishad said.

Before the press conference, a meeting between leaders of three parties was held at the BJP headquarters.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both the Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh and leaders of Nishad Party and Apna Dal were present in the meeting.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Doctors at Delhi's GB Pant Hospital have successfully removed a mobile phone from the stomach of a Tihar inmate who had swallowed it in a bid to hide it from the authorities during a surprise check.

Director General (Prison), Sandeep Goel, told IANS that the mobile phone was removed via endoscopy and the prisoner has been sent back to the jail.

The incident took place on January 5 when the inmate lodged at Jail No. 1 swallowed a mobile phone to hide it from the staff while he was being searched.

The inmate was immediately taken to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in the city from where he was referred to the GB Pant Hospital.

Doctors at the GB Pant Hospital, who performed the endoscopy, told IANS that it was not the first time that they performed the procedure of removing a foreign object from a person's stomach.

"It was probably the tenth time we were doing such a procedure," said Siddharth Srivastava from the Department of Gastroenterology, GB Pant Hospital.

He said that the presence of the mobile phone was established with the help of an X-Ray and later on they performed an endoscopy and removed it through the patient's mouth with the help of a snare.

He further said that in 2021, the doctors at the hospital had published a case study in a gastro journal based on such a procedure.

Notably, the inmate had swallowed the mobile phone on January 5 and the procedure was done on January 15, which meant that the inmate was carrying the mobile phone in his stomach for exactly 10 days.

"He was admitted to the hospital for over a week and was under constant medical observation," the DG Prison added.

The Tihar Jail authorities have been strengthening the security arrangements in the prison following the major backlash they received over jail officials being caught providing facilities to the inmates, including cellphones.

Over 40 officials at Tihar Jail have been booked by various law enforcement agencies during the past six months for extending benefits to the prisoners in one way or the other.

Goel, in an earlier interview with IANS, had said that the Tihar Jail will soon have two X-ray based human body scanners that can prevent infiltration of illegal articles and gadgets inside the prison premises.

Goyal said they are installing three new towers inside the jail premises that would confine the mobile signals emanating from the prison.

"All these measures are steps in the right direction and can prove beneficial in the future," he added.

(Ujwal Jalali can be reached at ujwal.j@ians.in; Mohammad Suaib Khan can be reached at mohammad.k@ians.in)
Vijayawada, Jan 19 : Police in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district have ordered a probe into a casino that was set up at Gudivada on Sankranti.

Krishna district superintendent of police Siddharth Kaushal directed Nuzvidu deputy superintendent of police Srinivasulu to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. The SP gave the direction after some leaders of opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) called on him and submitted a representation.

The TDP leaders including former MP Konakalla Narayana and member of Legislative Council B. Arjunudu alleged that state civil supplies minister Kodali Nani backed the organisers of the Goa-style casino and demanded that a case be booked against him.

The TDP leaders alleged that Gudivada has become a hub of anti-social activities and the casino was organised in the guise of festival celebrations.

A row erupted over the casino organised at K Convention Centre reportedly owned by the minister on Sunday. The videos of the casino went viral on social media.

Opposition TDP and BJP have slammed the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government for bringing in casino culture into the state.

TDP politburo member Varla Ramaiah said that when the Telugu people were celebrating Sankranti in a traditional manner, the ministers themselves were encouraging casinos.

"Hundreds of crores of rupees were exchanged during the Sankranthi festivities at the convention hall belonging to a minister. What action will Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy take against him," asked the TDP leader.

Varla Ramaiah on Wednesday urged the DGP not to delay action any more against the culprits who held the casino.

He wrote a letter to the DGP, asking why no case has been filed so far against the organisers of the illegal casino and cheer girl dances despite social media videos available as evidence. Even the local public had raised strong objections but no action was taken to nab the guilty persons behind these obscene dances and gambling during the sacred festival.

The TDP leader alleged that no less than a minister and his henchmen organized these unlawful events at K. Convention Hall for three days in Gudivada. He said Andhra Pradesh lost its prestige at the national level because of these gambling activities. The civil society is hanging its head in shame on hearing about these highly objectionable activities.

Ramaiah deplored that the kind of obscene dances and gambling held in Gudivada was not conducted even in metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.

BJP state president Somu Veerraju criticized the government for its silence over the illegal activity. He said it was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the traditional Sankranti festival.
Chennai, Jan 19 : Non-life insurer ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd closed the nine month period, ended December 31, 2021, with a net profit of Rs 958.50 crore, said a top company official.

The net profit was down from about Rs 1,127.37 crore posted during corresponding period the previous year, Bhargav Dasgupta, Managing Director & CEO told reporters.

ICICI Lombard had earned a total premium of about Rs 13,561 crore during the period under review, up from about Rs 10,760 crore earned for the period ended December 31, 2020.

The company's combined ratio for the period under review stood at 111 per cent up from 99.1 per cent registered during the previous year's corresponding period.

According to him, the Covid-19 related claims for the nine months ended December 31, 2021 was about Rs 530 crore.

While Dasgupta wanted the insurance regulator to revise upwards the premium rates for motor third party premium, when queried on detariffing of the rates, he said it should be accompanied with the implementation of the amended Motor Vehicles Act.

He said the benchmark rates proposed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is not going back to the administered pricing regime, but an advisory based on the reinsurer's views.
Punjab, Jan 19 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED), on Wednesday finally confirmed that they carried out search operations at the business and residential premises of Kudratdeep Singh, Pinjore Royalty Company, Providers Overseas Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and others at Mohali, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Pathankot in the illegal sand mining case.

They conducted a raid at the house of Bhupinder Singh Honey, the nephew of the Punjab Chief Minister, too. However, his name was not taken by the officials.

The ED on Wednesday recovered more cash during the ongoing raids.

The ED team seized Rs 3.9 crore more from Bhupinder Singh's residence. With this the ED has recovered Rs 10 crore so far while the raids are still going on.

"We have recovered around Rs 10 crore cash so far. The team has also found a few documents which connect Bhupinder Singh Honey to shell companies," said a source.

Sources in the ED have claimed that Honey has alleged connections with the sand mafia in Punjab. The ED has recovered a few documents during the raid on Wednesday. A source said that the documents recovered by them have confirmed that Kudratdeep was running two firms and Bhupinder Singh was joint director in them. The firms are basically shell companies but the ED has found a lot of money transactions.

The ED had on Tuesday recovered Rs 6 crore in cash during the raids.

Rs 4 crore was recovered from the house of Bhupinder singh Honey while Rs 2 crore was recovered from the house of one Sandeep Kumar.

On Tuesday, the raids were conducted by the ED at more than ten locations including Honey's home.

On Wednesday the ED team again started conducting raids in Punjab. The ED officials were tight lipped about it.

As of now they have not shown the arrest of anyone in the case.

The ED case is on the basis of a two-year-old FIR wherein the ED conducted raids at ten different locations.

The Punjab Police had on March 7, 2018, lodged a case against more than ten accused.

The ED initiated a money laundering probe on the basis of this FIR pertaining to illegal sand mining in Punjab.

The FIR has been accessed by IANS which was filed under several sections of the IPC.

The ED found that money was being laundered by the accused and they started probing the matter. The raids started on Tuesday morning.

A source said that the raids at different premises including the residence of Bhupinder Singh Honey at Homeland Heights, went on till late Tuesday evening.

The ED team reached several premises early on Tuesday morning. At Honey's home no one was allowed to leave or enter the premises. The ED scanned various documents and computers.

During the raid the ED recorded the statements of those who were present in Honey's house.

A large number of people had gathered outside the house and the local police were called to prevent any untoward incident.

The raids also created a political uproar in poll bound Punjab. The political parties had already accused the Punjab CM many times over illegal mining in his own constituency. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had tweeted several times regarding the ongoing illegal sand mining. He had tweeted that Punjab CM Channi was not doing anything to stop it.

The police were looking into the matter for more than two years and on the basis of the local police probe the ED initiated its money laundering investigation.
WUHAN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- A China-Europe freight train loaded with decoration items such as red lanterns and paper cuttings departed from Wujiashan Station in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, for Malaszewicze in Poland on Wednesday.

Hu Yiqiang, director of the station, said that the goods will herald a festive aura of the Chinese Spring Festival for the Chinese students abroad as well as overseas Chinese and allow more countries and regions in Europe to feel the ambiance of the Chinese New Year.

Liu Fangzhi, an official with the China Railway Wuhan Bureau Group Co., Ltd., said Germany and Poland have greatly increased their demands for epidemic prevention materials.

Wuhan has launched 11 China-Europe freight trains this year, transporting a total of 921 tonnes of epidemic prevention goods so far, Liu added. 
An Uttar Pradesh BJP functionary said that in elections, winning everything including the perception battle is also important.

New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS) By inducting Mulayam Singh Yadav<sng-qts>s daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav into the party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) believes that it has won the <dbl-qts>perception battle<dbl-qts> against the Samajwadi Party (SP) ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

An Uttar Pradesh BJP functionary said that in elections, winning everything including the perception battle is also important.

"Recently, a perception was built that everyone is deserting the BJP after a few leaders including some ministers in Uttar Pradesh government resigned and joined the Samajwadi Party. But Aparna Yadav's joining will help us in building a perception that 'all is not well' in the Samajwadi Party including Yadav's family affairs," he said.

Another BJP leader said that earlier, Akhilesh Yadav had an edge on perception battle but now, the saffron party has gained the lost ground after Aparna Yadav joining the party.

Aparna Yadav joined the BJP on Wednesday in presence of Uttar Pradesh state unit president Swatantra Dev Singh, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, and media department national head Anil Baluni at party headquarters here.

Everyone, while introducing Aparna Yadav, mentioned her as "Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter in law.

Singh said: "Neta ji's (as Mulayam Singh Yadav is popularly addressed) 'bahu' (daughter-in-law) is joining BJP." Maurya also referred to her as the 'putrvadhu' (daughter-in-law) of Mulayam Singh Yadav and called Akhilesh Yadav a failed family man and failed chief minister.

"Neither is she a mass leader nor crowd puller, but Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law joining BJP is itself a victory ahead of election even before the first phase of polling. Her joining doesn't benefit electorally but hugely helps in the perception building in our favour," another BJP leader said.

Aparna Yadav, the wife of Mulayam Singh Yadav's son Pratik Yadav, had unsuccessfully contested the 2017 polls against BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Lucknow Cantt.

After joining the BJP, she said whatever the party decides, she will abide by it.

The Uttar Pradesh assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10. The counting of votes will be held on March 10.

--IANS ssb/pgh

</dbl-qts></dbl-qts></sng-qts>
Chennai, Jan 19 : Political parties in Tamil Nadu have urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct single-phase elections to the urban local bodies.

A meeting of chaired by State Election Commissioner, V. Palanikuamr, and the representatives of different political parties was held here on Wednesday. The 11 parties that took part in it, including DMK, AIADMK, Congress and BJP, urged the SEC to hold the polls in a single phase.

Tamil Nadu will go for urban local body elections in February after a gap of six years.

The state is going for elections to 21 corporations, 138 municipalities and 498 town panchayats.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Municipal Administration and senior DMK leader K.N. Nehru told mediapersons that the state government had already communicated the possible dates for conducting the elections to the SEC.

Meanwhile, the AIADMK and its alliance partner BJP urged the SEC to draft central paramilitary forces for the smooth conduct of the elections and for the strict implementation of law and order in the state.

AIADMK leader Pollachi V. Jayaraman told the media after the meeting, "We have urged the SEC to deploy central paramilitary forces at the sensitive booths for the smooth conduct of the elections. We have also requested the commission to take into account the campaign timings as it would be difficult for workers to return home after 10 pm due to the pandemic restrictions."
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Col Vijay Rawat (retd), younger brother of India's late first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday.

He joined the saffron party in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, state in-charge and BJP national general secretary Dushyant Gautam, national media in-charge Anil Baluni and Uttarakhand BJP president Madan Kaushik.

According to sources, Col Rawat might contest the upcoming assembly elections in Uttarakhand.

Speaking to the media after joining the BJP, Col Rawat said after retiring from the Army, his father also joined the BJP, and he decided to join the party as he was influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programmes and policies.

Rawat also had words of praise for Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami, saying the latter is working with a vision for the development of the state. "Therefore, it is necessary for him to come to power again." Welcoming Col Rawat to the BJP, Dhami said Uttarakhand was the birthplace of the country's first CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, and the top army officer also wanted to do a lot for the state. However, the CDS' departure has left behind a feeling of emptiness, the CM added.

Saying the BJP is the only party that respects soldiers, the Chief Minister claimed that the party would be strengthened with the joining of Col Vijay Rawat.

Describing Rawat's family as a family of patriots and those who sacrificed for the country, Anil Baluni said Col Rawat has served in the army for 34 years, and currently, his son is also in the army.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on petitions challenging the one-year suspension of 12 BJP MLAs from the Maharashtra Assembly for their alleged misconduct and misbehaviour in the House.

After hearing arguments in the matter, a bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari, and C.T. Ravikumar, reserved the judgment.

A battery of senior advocates -- Mahesh Jethmalani, Mukul Rohatgi, Neeraj Kishan Kaul, and Siddharth Bhatnagar -- argued for the suspended legislators. The senior advocates were assisted by advocates Siddharth Dharmadhikari and Abhikalp Pratap Singh.

The counsel argued that suspension with the intent to discipline cannot go beyond the session of the House.

Senior advocate C.A. Sundaram, representing the Maharashtra government, argued the act of suspending a member from the Assembly for one year is not barred by the Constitution.

On the other hand, the petitioners' counsel contended that merely exercising inherent power can the House act contrary to the Constitution, and no preliminary power can go beyond the Constitution or fundamental rights. They argued that there is no justification of suspension, which affects the right of the constituency. Rohatgi emphasised that the decision of 1 year suspension is grossly irrational, as there is non-compliance with natural justice.

During the hearing on the matter on Tuesday, Justice Khanwilkar told Sundaram that the suspension of the MLAs should not be greater than the session of the House, and anything other than this would be irrational. "Your decision of 1 year is irrational because of the deprivation of the constituency being unrepresented for more than 6 months..", noted the bench.

Justice Ravikumar said: "Another is danger to democracy.... Suppose there is a slender lead of the ruling party (in the Assembly), and 15 or 20 people are suspended, what will be the fate of democracy?" The bench queried Sundaram: "Suspension up to what period and for what purpose?"

Justice Maheshwari said the House meets in sessions and the rationale is, when a new session begins, new business begins. He further queried "A particular session, he may be suspended but beyond that time the rationality question comes." On January 11, the court observed that suspension of 12 BJP MLAs in July, for a year, for misbehaving with the presiding officer in chair, both inside and outside the Assembly, was "worse than expulsion".
Amaravati, Jan 19 : Andhra Pradesh Joint Action Committee (AP-JAC) of government employees on Wednesday ruled out talks with the government on pay revision and decided to serve strike notice on January 21.

While Chief Secretary Samir Sharma tried to pacify the employees saying the state lost huge revenues due to Covid-19 pandemic, the employees intensified the protest demanding the state government to roll back the Government Order (GO) relating to implementation of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) recommendations.

The employees on Wednesday attended the offices wearing black badges while some protestors set afire the copies of GO at various places.

Leaders of AP-JAC on Wednesday set afire copies of GO at NGO office in Vijayawada.

AP-JAC chairman Bandi Srinivasa Rao told reporters that there will be no further talks with the government. The JAC executive council resolved at its meeting that the employees will never accept PRC.

He alleged that with the implementation of GO, each employee will lose Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 every month.

He said the strike notice would be submitted to the chief secretary on January 21. This will be 15-day notice. The employees' associations will chalk out protest programmes for this 15-day period on Thursday.

Stating that the pay revision announced by the government is far below the Interim Relief (IR), AP JAC chairman Srinivasa Rao and AP-JAC Amaravati chairman Bopparaju Venkateswarlu demanded that the government continue paying IR and also release the arrears of Dearness Allowance (DA).

They said there is no instance in the state's history of a pay revision being lower than IR.

Following the announcement made by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy early this month, the government on Monday issued a GO for 23 per cent hike in the basic pay. The employees had been receiving 27 per cent IR for last few months.

"Let the government continue paying earlier salaries with 27 per cent IR along with DA. We don't want pay revision,a said Srinivasa Rao.

Both Srinivasa Rao and Venkateswarlu made it clear that their protest will continue till the government rolls back the GO. The government would be responsible for the inconvenience caused to the public, they said.

They said the chief minister had promised 23 per cent fitment and Das but the salaries were far below the IR. A Central government scheme was introduced doing away with the House Rent Allowance (HRA).

The government had promised five DAs, but while implementing the same, it had done away with other benefits, they said.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Samir Sharma tried to pacify the employees. He told reporters that this is the best pay revision the government could offer in the present situation.

He appealed to employees to understand the circumstances in which the government had to take this decision. He said the state's revenues have slumped to Rs 62,000 crore from Rs 98,000 crore due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The chief secretary the employees need not have any apprehensions. He claimed that justice has been done to all and denied that there will be decrease in salary He hoped that all issues will be resolved soon.

Stating that the government was spending Rs 17,000 crore on IR, the chief secretary said employees also know that IR can't be treated part of salary. He pointed out that the government has also issued DA arrears and extended many other benefits.

Secretary general administration Sashibhushan Kumar said the implementation of PRC will impose an additional burden of Rs 10,247 crore on state exchequer. He said the PRC implementation will lead to substantial increase in the salaries of all employees from January.
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 19 : On day two of the ICC Commonwealth Games Women's Qualifier 2022 at the Kinrara Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Bangladesh and Scotland registered wins. While Bangladesh romped to an 80-run victory over Kenya, Scotland overcame Malaysia by 31 runs.

Bangladesh were aided by an unbeaten partnership of 75 for the seventh wicket between Salma Khatun (33 off 32 balls) and Ritu Moni (39 off 34 balls) to reach 125 before Player of the Match Nahida Akter broke the back of the Kenyan run chase with impressive figures of 5/12, the best by a Bangladesh bowler in women's T20Is.

After Kenya won the toss and elected to bowl, Lavendah Idambo leaked 16 runs in an expensive opening over, including two boundaries and three wide deliveries. However, she bounced back with the wicket of opener Shamima Sultana before Mercyline Ochieng trapped Nigar Sultana in front and dismissed Rumana Ahmed first ball.

Murshida Khatun struck a few boundaries to the off-side fence before getting a leading edge to Queentor Abel who made no mistake, taking the catch off her own bowling. In her very next over, Abel picked up the scalps of both Sobhana Mostary and Fargana Hoque to leave Bangladesh reeling at 50 for six at the end of nine overs.

A period of consolidation followed as Ritu and Salma opted to rotate the strike and play out Abel's remaining overs. After getting their eye in, they accelerated the run rate with Ritu lofting Sarah Bhakita into mid-wicket for a boundary. They picked up 30 runs in the final three overs to lift Bangladesh to a respectable 125.

In reply, Kenya's innings never got going. Veronica Abuga edged Salma Khatun through to keeper Shamima Sultana in the first over. Bowling the second over, Suraya Azmim trapped Queentor Abel in front for nine. A brilliant direct hit from Murshida Khatun caught Sylvia Kinyua short of her crease before Kenyan skipper Margarte Ngoche was trapped in front by a Nahida Akter arm ball.

Akter was able to extract turn from the wicket squaring up Venasa Ooko with a delivery that spun in before straightening to clip her off stump. Amidst the chaos, Sharon Juma's 24 off 20 balls was the only resistance of note from Kenya's batting line-up as they fell 80 runs short of Bangladesh's total.

In the second match, Kathryn Bryce's unbeaten 62 helped Scotland post 148 before Katherine Fraser took four for 19 to deliver a 31-run win over Malaysia. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sarah Bryce clipped a couple of boundaries off her toes with fellow opener Abbi Aitken-Drummond joining in the party. However, left-arm spinner Arianna Natasya dismissed Sarah in her very first over to put a lid on the scoring.

Bryce then walked in at three, putting on a 63-run partnership with Aitken-Drummond. Just as it looked like Scotland was pushing a total in the region of 160, they lost four quick wickets. Nik Atiela had both Aitken-Drummond and the aggressive Katie McGill stumped before Mas Elysa chipped in with a pair of wickets for herself.

Bryce, however, held strong, and continued to pepper the leg side boundary. Her seventh delivery came off the final delivery of the innings as Malaysia were set a target of 149. In reply, Malaysia came storming out of the blocks. Three cover drives from Winifred Duraisingam set the tone for the innings with Wan Julia joining in the fun, walloping left-armer Rachel Slater for four down the ground.

However, the tide turned when off-spinner Katherine Fraser was introduced into the attack. Wan Julia chipped a catch to Aitken-Drummond before Duraisingam played inside one to lose her off stump in the very same over.

Soon after, Yusrina Yakoop was trapped in front before Mas Elysa lobbed a catch to Kathryn Bryce for Abtaha Maqsood's first wicket. Leg-spinner Maqsood grabbed her second wicket when she trapped Nur Ilya in front for a duck.

When Ainna Hamizah was dismissed by Hannah Rainey, Malaysia were reeling at 69 for seven. However, Intan Jaafar and Nur Zulaika would put on a 45-run partnership with every one of their scoring shots cheered by a vociferous Malysia dugout. The hosts ended on 117 for eight.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a PIL against the validity of a provision of the Representation of People Act, which led to the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), replacing ballot papers, for elections in the country.

Advocate M.L. Sharma submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana that the matter requires urgent listing against the backdrop of polls scheduled in five states - Goa, Punjab, Manipur, and Uttar Pradesh. The elections will be held between February 10 and March 10.

Sharma, who filed the petition in his personal capacity, submitted that the Section 61A of the Representation of People Act, which allowed the use of EVMs, was not passed by the Parliament. He added that this cannot be imposed, and his plea sought declaration of the provision as void, illegal, and unconstitutional.

After a brief hearing in the matter, the Chief Justice said: "We will see it...". He said that he may list the petition before some other bench.

Sharma said: "I have filed the petition which is supported with the evidence on the record." He emphasised that judicial note can be taken note of the case. The petition has made the Law ministry as a party in the matter.

"Let the election be held through ballot papers," he said.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday confirmed that it carried out search operations at the business and residential premises of Pinjore Royalty Company, Providers Overseas Consultants Pvt Ltd and others at Mohali, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Pathankot in connection with an illegal sand mining case.

An ED official said that during the raids, the agency seized incriminating documents pertaining to sand mining, property transactions, cellphones, gold worth over Rs 21 lakh, Rs 10 crore in cash apart from a luxury watch worth Rs 12 lakh.

As per sources, the ED raided the house of Bhupinder Singh Honey, who is the nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, on Tuesday and Wednesday, seizing around Rs 10 crore in cash from his premises.

"The ED has recovered around Rs 10 crore in cash so far. The team has also found few documents which connect Bhupinder Singh Honey with shell companies," said a source.

The sources in ED have claimed that Bhupinder Singh has alleged connection with the sand mafia in Punjab.

The ED recovered a few documents during the raid on Wednesday, which confirmed that a person named Kudratdeep Singh ran two firms in which Bhupinder Singh was the joint director. The firms are basically shell companies and the ED has seized monetary transaction details in connection with them.

On Tuesday, the ED had seized Rs six crore in cash during the raids. Of this, Rs 4 crore was recovered from the house of Bhupinder Singh, while Rs 2 crore was seized from the house of a person named Sandeep Kumar.

On Wednesday, the ED team continued with the raids though the officials were tight-lipped over the search operations.

The ED case is based on a two-year-old FIR filed by the Punjab Police on March 7, 2018, naming more than 10 accused for their alleged involvement in illegal sand mining.

The ED initiated a money laundering probe on the basis of the FIR, which has been accessed by IANS.

The raids have also led to a political debate in poll-bound Punjab, with some factions accusing Chief Minister of being involved in illegal sand mining after the premises of his nephew was raided. The ruling Congress has, however, accused the BJP-led Centre of using the financial probe agency as a tool to score political points.
Mumbai, Jan 19 : The ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies trumped the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by unitedly bagging a majority of the 1,649 seats in the crucial Nagar Panchayat held in 32 of the state's 36 districts, officials said here on Wednesday.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party bagging 384 seats against the MVA tally of 944 comprising Nationalist Congress Party's 344, Congress' 316 and Shiv Sena's 284 seats.

The counting for 163 seats in 9 Nagar Panchayats of Gadchiroli district, which went to the polls, shall be conducted on Thursday.

Besides the four major parties, the CPI-M bagged 11 seats, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Bahujan Samaj Party got 4 each, other parties secured 85 seats and a chunk of 206 seats were won by independents.

The election results evoked sharp reactions from both the MVA and the BJP as they could have ramifications in the upcoming local bodies and major civic corporations.

The NCP termed the outcome as the BJP's "rejection" by the people of the state, Congress expressed immense "satisfaction" while the Sena also made "inroads" into newer territories.

NCP National Spokesperson and Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said that the "people of the state have rejected the BJP" and the MVA allies who fought separately, jointly or unitedly in different areas have been accepted by the masses.

Congress state President Nana Patole said the party was extremely satisfied especially as it has bounced back massively in the Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena Transport Minister Anil Parab said the results prove that the party has made inroads all over the state and has performed well even in its traditional bastions like coastal Konkan region.

Farmers' leader Kishore Tiwari -- accorded an MoS status, said the polls results are an obvious indicator that the three parties unitedly can overthrow the BJP at any level.

"The framework has been prepared by the Nagar Panchayat election result. It will have serious repercussions for the Opposition parties in the other future local elections and the upcoming dozen-odd major civic corporations. Given the current trends, the BJP is all set to be decimated," Tiwari said.

State NCP President and Minister Jayant Patil expressed gratitude to the voters in the semi-urban centres for supporting the party with 344 seats.

BJP state president Chandrakant Patil said the party will analyse the Nagar Panchayat results carefully and review its strategy for the upcoming elections.

Slamming the Shiv Sena, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said that though the party has its own Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, it was relegated to the fourth position.

Some MVA leaders countered this by saying the BJP's tally has confirmed that in the past it had taken advantage of the Shiv Sena's partnership to build itself, but now that benefit is lacking.

Invigorated by the results, the MVA leaders indicate that they will make efforts to contest all future elections as a powerful alliance to bag the maximum number of seats compared with the Opposition.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed Andhra Pradesh for delaying paying compensation of Rs 50,000 to the families of those who succumbed to Covid-19, and asked the Chief Secretary and state's counsel "why they are not sensitive to the cause".

The Chief Secretary of Bihar also appeared personally in the matter, after the top court refused to accept the state's figure of Covid deaths.

Taking exception to Andhra Pradesh's record, a bench of Justices M.R Shah and Sanjiv Khanna said: "Why you only work when the court directs you to work. Why are you not sensitive to the cause?" During the pre-lunch hearing, the top court had sought the personal presence of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary to explain the delay in compensating families who have lost their loved ones to the viral infection.

"Every time we have to tell you... told 10 times already to Andhra Pradesh", said Justice Shah.

As the Chief Secretary apologised to the court, the bench told him that the record maintained by the state government in connection with Covid deaths is faulty.

Senior advocate R. Basant, representing the state government, urged the court to give seven days to the government to rectify the errors. The court was informed that the state has received over 40,000 applications for Covid compensation and it has been found that over 34,000 applicants are eligible for the compensation. However, the state government has registered 14,471 deaths so far.

As the bench queried whether the authorities concerned have cross-checked that the name of the claimant, for deaths recorded so far, appear on the list of total claim applications received, the Chief Secretary submitted that all the errors will be removed from the Covid deaths data.

"Our only anxiety is that the money should reach the people. Please reach out to the people whose applications have been rejected," Justice Shah told the official.

During the pre-lunch hearing, the governments of Gujarat, and Maharashtra informed the court of the number of claims they had received, and the number approved and payments disbursed.

The Bihar Chief Secretary was also present during the hearing after the bench told the state's counsel that it is not ready to accept that only 12,000 people have died due to Covid in the state. The bench noted that the Bihar government had reported 11,000 claims for compensation so far, which, when compared to other states' applications, seem to be on the lower side. It said the state government should make more effort to reach the eligible people for Covid death compensation.

Concluding the hearing, the top court said it will pass a detailed order to state and district legal services by Thursday. The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing in the first week of February.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The British Sikh Association said on Wednesday that the BJP-led government at the Centre has done more than most governments for the welfare of Sikhs.

"BJP Govt is not responsible for the massacre of innocent Sikhs. BJP Govt had done more than most for the Sikhs, Kartarpur Corridor, Baal Veer Diwas, repeal of the farm bills. Sikhs can be against a Govt but not against India the Motherland of the Sikhs and their Gurus," the British Sikh Association said in a tweet.

Amid heightened activities by Khalistanis, the UK Sikh community has started to push back against anti-India forces.

At the heart of this push back is Southall in London, which remains among the largest hubs of the Sikh community in the UK and has a distinction of hosting UK's largest and most prominent gurdwaras.

Earlier, in an unprecedented move, the community leaders gathered at Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Park Avenue, and challenged the prevailing anti-India narrative propagated by Khalistanis and their backers.

They passed a resolution thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his current government for doing so much for the Sikh community and helping to bridge the misunderstandings. They especially thanked the PM for announcing December 26 as Bir Bal Divas and declaring it as a public holiday.

In a congregation, community leaders and gurdwara committee office-bearers challenged those who are pushing factually incorrect t narrative about India and its current govt under Narendra Modi. They also challenged them to disprove their views, which have no political agenda or motive.

The local community in the UK considers this as a bold step from within the community, which had so far kept silent and chose to not to confront a handful of Khalistanis propagating anti-India narrative without any consequences from the local agencies.

The community, which is broadly fed up with Khalistani lies, has been fearful of bullying by Khalistanis and was desisting from speaking up openly against them.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has commenced investigation into an alleged incident of "mid-air near miss" involving two IndiGo flights.

The purported safety related lapse occurred on January 7 after the two flights took-off from Bengaluru airport.

"Post the alleged safety breach, an investigation was launched by the DGCA," said a senior official with the regulator on Wednesday.

The two IndiGo flights were headed for Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, respectively.

According to industry insiders, the two aircraft had allegedly breached separation limits.Under safety regulations, aircrafts in Indian air space must maintain a distance of 5 nautical miles between them.

In its preliminary report, the DGCA noted that on January 7, two IndiGo flights 6E 455 (Bengaluru to Kolkata) and 6E 246 (Bengaluru to Bhubaneswar) were involved in breach of separation at Bangaluru airport.

In Bangaluru, there are two runways, namely North and South, with the first used for departures and the second for arrivals.

On the morning of incident both runways were in use.

"Later shift Incharge (WSO) decided for single runway operations i.e. North runway for arrival and departure. South runway was closed but it was not communicated to South Tower controller. South Tower controller gave departure to '6E 455' and at the same time North Tower controller gave departure to '6E 246' without coordination," the report said.

"As both aircraft, after departure, were on converging heading or moving towards each other, the approach radar controller gave diverging heading and avoided mid-air collision." In addition, the report said that incident was "not recorded in any of logbook and also AAI has not reported this incident".
New Delhi, Jan 19 : A bomb threat call received by the Delhi Fire Service stating the presence of a bomb at the Central Reserve Police Force headquarters in the national capital turned out to be a hoax call, an official said here on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South District), Benita Mary Jaiker, confirmed that nothing suspicious was found at the spot.

The CRPF headquarters are located at the CGO Complex on Lodhi road in the national capital.

"The teams of Delhi Police, CISF and CRPF thoroughly checked the place, but nothing suspicious was found," said the official.

The DCP further said that bomb disposal squads along with dog squads were also deployed to check the possibility of a bomb, however, they also didn't find anything suspicious.

Earlier in the day also, an unattended bag triggered panic in eastern Delhi, five days after an IED was timely defused from the same part of the national capital.

However, this time the bag did not contain any explosives, the police confirmed to IANS.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate the India-assisted Social Housing Units project in the Indian ocean island nation virtually on Thursday.

The two dignitaries will also launch the Civil Service College and 8 MW Solar PV Farm projects in Mauritius that are being undertaken under India's development support. An Agreement on extending a $190 mn Line of Credit (LoC) from India to Mauritius for the Metro Express Project and other infrastructure projects, and MoU on the implementation of Small Development Projects will also be exchanged, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

In the last five years, India has been among the leading trading partners of Mauritius. In 2020, India represented 10 per cent share of Mauritian total imports and ranked 3rd in their main countries of import. The volume of exports from India to Mauritius was $1,027 million in 2018, $776 million in 2019, and $396 million in 2020. The value of Mauritian exports to India in 2019 was $24 million and $32 million in 2020.

Cumulative FDI equity inflows from Mauritius to India during the period April 2000-March 2021 amounted to $148.35 billion (28 per cent of total FDI inflows over this period). Mauritius was the third-largest source of FDI into India during 2020-21, with FDI equity inflows amounting to $5.63 billion.

Many prominent Indian Public Sector Enterprises are currently functioning in Mauritius, and besides their core activities, have also contributed to various activities in Mauritius under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has urged the Centre for level playing field with British players under the proposed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The CIABC has written to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry requesting it for a staggered reduction in effective Customs duty on spirits and wines under the proposed FTA.

The current Customs duty on white and brown spirits and wines is 150 per cent, it said.

The confederation wants that if needed, duties should be brought down gradually in a staggered manner so that Indian manufacturers' interests are safeguarded.

Gradual reduction in duties will provide a "level playing field" to the Indian alcoholic beverage producers, the confederation said in the letter to the Centre, which was reviewed by IANS.

"(We urge the government to ensure) The Indian alcoholic beverage industry is permitted a truly level playing field by way of an effective customs duty that is reflective of the higher cost of production driven by the regulatory restrictions and capital cost in India," the letter read.

Besides, it requested the Centre to bring in measures which would prevent dumping or predatory price exports to India. Also, the beverage producers must be given equal opportunities for exports from India -- particularly to the UK.

Further, it suggested the Centre should allow selling Indian whiskies in the UK as 'Indian Whisky', irrespective of whether they were made from malt, grain spirits or molasses-based spirits. Same must be the case for all other alcohol categories.

"We reiterate that the domestic alcoholic beverages industry only seeks just and fair level playing field for Indian producers and helps them achieve global scale and success. Today India produces internationally acclaimed single malt whisky brands such as Paul John, Amrut, Rampur, Solan Gold, gins such as Jaisalmer, and wines like Sula which are being exported across the globe," it said.

"These products confidently and proudly showcase their Indian heritage to the world. Back home, the alcoholic beverages industry contributes Rs 2.5 lakh crore annually in taxes to the states, employs 20 lakh people and supports 50 lakh farmers," it added.

It is vital for the greater interests of the domestic industry and will thereby create opportunities for Indian products to mark their presence globally, the confederation said.
Guwahati/Shillong, Jan 19 : With recommendations of the ministerial committees, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma are expected to meet Union Home minister Amit Shah on Thursday in a bid to resolve the six of the 12 inter-state border disputes.

Sarma and Sangma after the cabinet meetings of the two states told the media separately on Wednesday that they would apprise Shah about the recommendations of the ministerial committees and their perspectives about the inter-state border disputes between the two northeastern states.

Sarma on Tuesday held an all-party meeting and discussed the inter-state border disputes with the different political parties and organisations on the reports.

Sangma said in Shillong that the meeting with the Union Home minister would be held in Delhi on Thursday evening.

"The recommendations of the ministerial committees of Assam and Meghalaya would be placed before Shah for further action. The recommendations of the two states are more or less common," the Meghalaya Chief Minister said.

He said: "Apart from historical facts, we have to consider the sentiments of the bordering people. We have to keep in mind the ethnic issue. Both the state governments also sincerely felt that one cannot force anyone to forcibly come to a particular state." The ministerial committees of the two states had visited 36 villages in six of the 12 disputed areas during the past four months.

Sangma said that the boundary demarcation would be conducted after the due procedure in Parliament.

"The officials of the Survey of India along with the officials of the two states have to undertake joint inspections before a possible Bill can be moved in the Parliament," he said.

Meanwhile, the Assam Chief Minister said that a roadmap for amicable settlement has been prepared based on the recommendations of three regional (ministerial) committees with representatives from both the states.

On January 12, Assam and Meghalaya have in principle reached an agreement on border disputes on at least six of the 12 places.

Recently, the two states exchanged reports submitted by their respective regional (ministerial) committees.

The Opposition Congress in Assam has threatened to move court if Assam's land is parted away with.

According to the Assam Chief Minister, of the 12 locations along Assam's Cachar, Kamrup and Kamrup (metro) districts and Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and East Jaintia Hills districts, six disputed locations with lesser complications were taken up first.

To settle the border disputes, Assam and Meghalaya in August last year had formed various regional (ministerial) committees led by Ministers and officials of the two states to focus on five aspects -- historical facts, ethnicity, administrative convenience, contiguity of the land, willingness and people's sentiments.

Assam has border disputes with Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Assam's border dispute cases with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are before the Supreme Court but there are no cases on the inter-state disputes with Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Recently, Assam and Nagaland had signed an agreement to remove state forces from the disputed locations.

Sarma recently discussed an out-of-court settlement of the boundary disputes with his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu.

The worst-ever violence along the Assam-Mizoram border on July 26 last year left six Assam Police personnel dead and nearly 100 civilians and security personnel of the two neighbouring states injured.

The trouble between the states is due to conflicting interpretations of their territorial position. While Mizoram says the boundary line is the one laid down in the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1875, Assam backs the 1933 demarcation.

The Chief Ministers of Assam and Mizoram met in New Delhi on November 26 last year in presence of the Union Home Minister and discussed the ways and means to resolve their border issues amicably.
Patna, Jan 19 : Notorious 'supari' (contract) killer Chiku Pandey alias Chiku Baba were arrested from a guest house in Bihar's Bodh Gaya on Wednesday, police said.

"We have received a tip-off that Chiku Pandey is staying with two call girls in Mahima guest house located at the tourist destination Bodh Gaya. Accordingly, a raid was conducted by a team headed by DSP Ghuran Mandal. During the raid, Chiku was arrested with two call girls who were especially brought for him from Sonagachi red light area of Kolkata," Superintendent of Police, City, Rakesh Kumar said.

"During investigation, it also appeared that the manager of the guest house used to arrange call girls for customers. We have also detained him and his questioning is currently underway," he said.

Chiku Pandey is wanted in over a dozen cases, with five of them registered only in the district's Mufassil police station. He recently killed a youth named Prince Kumar, a resident of Patwatoli locality of Gaya.
Jaipur, Jan 19 : Rajasthan has accomplished the task of 100 per cent vaccination in eight districts of the state, officials said on Wednesday.

The state shall touch the 100 per cent vaccination target soon, said Rajasthan Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena adding that 100 per cent vaccination target has been achieved in districts including Jaipur I and II, Hanumangarh, Chittorgarh, Sikar, Udaipur, Pratapgarh and Bundi districts of the state.

In 14 districts including Tonk, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Jhalawar, Rajsamand, Jodhpur, Baran, Churu, Sriganganagar, Ajmer, Alwar and Sawai Madhopur districts of the state, vaccination has been done ranging from 90 to 99 per cent.

Instructions have already been given to the medical officers across the state for 100 per cent vaccination by January 31, said Meena.

He further said that more than 60 per cent vaccination took place in 17 days for the adolescent group.

Youngsters in the age group of 15 to 18 showed tremendous enthusiasm towards vaccination and in just 17 days, more than 60 per cent of the youth got the first dose of the vaccine, he added.
Chennai, Jan 19 : Madras High Court's retired judge, Justice C.T. Selvam will head the fourth Police Commission constituted by the Tamil Nadu government, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office on Wednesday said.

Retired IAS officer, K. Alauddin, retired IPS officer K. Radhakrishnan, Dr. C. Ramasubramaniam, and retired professor Nalini Rao are the other members and ADGP, Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, will be the member secretary of the Commission, will examine in detail various aspects of policing as well as the measures towards the welfare of police personnel.

The panel will recommend measures to improve policing, to make the Tamil Nadu Police a better police force, improve cyber policing, policing with a humanitarian approach, and getting the police to have a better relationship with the general public.

The DMK had, in its election manifesto, promised the constitution of the fourth Police Commission.
Colombo, Jan 20 : The Sri Lankan government on Wednesday criticised minority Tamil parties for writing to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking Indian intervention to implement 13th Amendment and find a lasting solution to the long-standing Tamil issues.

Energy Minister and Cabinet spokesman Udaya Gammanpila complained that if Tamil parties have concern about the implementation of the 13th Amendment,they should have gone to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instead of going to the Indian Prime Minister.

"If our Tamil parties have a concern or a worry with regard to the implementation of the 13th Amendment, they should have conveyed their concerns to our President instead of Indian Prime Minister," he said in response to a question raised by a journalist during a briefing on Cabinet decisions.

"We are a sovereign country, not a part of the Indian Union," said Gammanpila, who is also the leader of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (Pure Sinhala Heritage Party), one of the allies of the Rajapaksa government He said that "if our Tamil brothers have any issues with regard to implementation of the 13th Amendment they should have talked to our elected government, instead of outsiders." However, another Cabinet Spokesman Minister Ramesh Pathirana said that the Sri Lankan government has fully implemented the 13th Amendment and Rajapaksas have conducted election after the war

On Tuesday, leading Tamil political parties representing Northern Tamils handed over a 7-page letter addressed to Indian PM Narendra Modi to Indian High Commissioner, Gopal Baglay.

Led by senior Tamil politician and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) head R. Sampanthan, leaders of North-based political parties working under TNA and two other political party representatives including former Northern Province Chief Minister Justice C.V. Vigneshwaran met the Indian envoy in Colombo.

Highlighting various instances where Indian leaders talked about the issues of Tamils in Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan leaders, the Tamil legislators stated: "The Government of India has actively engaged in this pursuit for the past 40 years and we are grateful for the firm commitment expressed by India to find a just and lasting solution that satisfies the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil speaking peoples to live with dignity, self-respect, peace and security." On July 29, 1987, the India-Sri Lanka Accord was signed and the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution was introduced, establishing a provincial council system to have devolution of powers to the Provinces as a solution to the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.

The letter stated that successive Sri Lankan governments on multiple occasions have promised to fully implement the 13 Amendment and given a specific undertaking to "build upon the 13th Amendment so as to achieve meaningful devolution:.

The group of MPs also reminded that it is with India that Sri Lanka has signed an international bilateral agreement, the Indo-Lanka Accord, in which these ideals were set out.

"However, successive Sri Lankan governments have not only failed in the full implementation of the provisions in the Constitution with regard to devolution and parity of status to the Tamil language, but have unilaterally reacquired powers and institutions from the provinces, which continues to date. In addition, lands belonging to the Tamil-speaking peoples are continuing to be grabbed by the State under various pretexts, with a view to radically alter the demography of the North and East. This must be halted immediately, or else the provisions of the Indo-Lanka Accord will be rendered nugatory," the Tamil legislators told PM Modi in their letter.
New Delhi, Jan 20 : Products by grassroots innovators, outstanding traditional knowledge holders, as well as student creativity-based innovative products will be available to millions of customers by virtue of a new partnership between NIFientreC and Amazon India launched on Wednesday.

An MoU was signed between NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council (NIFientreC), a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) hosted by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, and Amazon India for online distribution of such ready to market products.

NIFientreC was established in 2015 with the financial support from the Department for incubation and commercialisation of technological ideas and innovations of innovators, traditional knowledge holders and students across the country.

This MoU between Amazon, and NIFientreC, follows just a couple of days after the declaration of January 16 as the National Start-up Day by the Prime Minister.

The MoU, signed by Executive Director, NIFientreC, Rakesh Maheshwari and Director, Amazon Seller Services Private Ltd (ASSPL), Sumit Sahay, will help strengthening the commercial dissemination of the innovative products from local startups and boost India's startup culture in line with these announcements, a release from the Ministry of Science and Technology said.

Chairperson, NIFientreC, Dr Gulshan Rai said: "With the fast-paced digital transformation that's happening in the country right now, there could not be a better time for grassroots entrepreneurs to consider taking their innovations directly to the consumers all over India." Vice President, Amazon India, Manish Tiwary said the partnership with the NIFientreC is aimed at bringing the benefits of digitisation and ecommerce to grassroot entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs and taking forward the student innovations from rural areas to sell to millions of Amazon customers in India and across the globe.

"It is a milestone in India's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and grassroots innovators will be brought closer to the consumer than ever before. This is an inclusivity paradigm that the rest of the world may want to replicate," said Director, NIF, Dr Vipin Kumar.

The MoU will accelerate the grassroots innovation delivery to the common people of the country, boosting the local economy and creating livelihoods. It will empower innovators from the deepest pockets of the country to leverage the benefits of inclusive e-commerce.
Bengaluru, Jan 20 : Taking a serious note in the lapse into the investigation into the case of arrest of two policemen on charges of drug peddling in Bengaluru, the Karnataka police department has suspended a police inspector, and a sub-inspector, while issuing notices to two Deputy Commissioners in the city.

Two police constables Shivakumar and Santhosh attached to Koramangala police station were arrested for possession of ganja near the residence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Both the accused were deputed as security officers at the R.T. Nagar residence of CM Bommai in Bengaluru.

R.T. Nagar police inspector Ashwath Gowda and sub-inspector Veerabhadraiah have been suspended by the police department for not conducting proper inquiry.

Sources said the police personnel who turned into drug peddlers managed to obtain bail due to slack investigation just two days after their arrest, sources explain.

South-east DCP Srinath Mahadev Joshi has been served with a notice for clearing the deputation of accused cops without proper background check to the Chief Minister's residence.

VVIP DCP Manjunath Babu has also been issued a notice on failing to keep the proper vigilance on Chief Minister's security and also failing to monitor the staff deputed on the security duty of the Chief Minister, police sources confirmed.

The police had taken the accused cops into custody on January 13.

The police had arrested five persons in connection with the case. The accused obtained drugs from drug peddlers and sold it in Bengaluru.

The accused cops have received drugs through a delivery service near the residence of CM Bommai to avoid any suspicions.

At the time of receiving drugs, they had an argument with the drug peddlers over the issue of payments.
New Delhi, Jan 20 : Airline major IndiGo on Wednesday urged the Centre to reduce central excise on jet fuel to 5 per cent from 11 per cent in the Union Budget FY23, to be tabled in the Parliament on February 1.

According to Ronojoy Dutta, Whole Time Director and Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, civil aviation provides efficient infrastructure critical for economic growth and employment in the country.

"Yet civil aviation pays 21 per cent of its revenues to the government in indirect taxes with very little input credit. It is an unreasonable proposition to expect that the industry should earn a 21 per cent margin just to pay taxes to the government," Dutta said.

"This unreasonable proposition is resulting in an industry that is chronically ill and is unable to live up to its true potential of boosting commerce and employment," he added.

Besides, Dutta requested the Ministry of Finance to take immediate action to address the problems faced by the sector.

"Central excise taxes on fuel should be reduced from 11 per cent to 5 per cent, ATF should be brought under GST, Customs duty on repair parts should be eliminated.

"A rationalisation of taxes will result in explosive growth for aviation, which will have multiplier effects throughout the economy, stimulating commerce and employment and integrating the different regions of our diverse country closer together," Dutta said.
Patna, Jan 20 : BJP leader Neeraj Kumar Bablu, a cabinet minister in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has dared the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief to part ways with the NDA.

"Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar is not dependent on three MLAs of VIP. If he (Mukesh Sahani) wants to step down from the government, no one is stopping it. BJP never invited him and his party to come with it during the previous assembly election in 2020. He came on his own," Bablu said.

"Currently, the NDA government is running in a coalition with four parties. Hence, it is obvious that their ideologies would not be the same. If he has any problem in staying in NDA, he can leave it immediately," Bablu said.

Bablu's statement came at a time when Sahani who is testing his luck in Uttar Pradesh assembly election, alleged that Ajay Nishad abused him a few days ago on the direction of top leadership of BJP.

Sahani and Nishadh represent the Mallah community in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and the BJP does not want Sahani to "enter" Uttar Pradesh and split the Mallah vote bank.

Mukesh Sahani had alleged that BJP wanted to weaken the VIP.

Currently, BJP has 74 MLAs, JD-U has 45, HAM has 4 and VIP has 3 seats.

Besides, one independent candidate is also supporting the NDA government in Bihar having 243 assembly seats. The NDA currently has 127 MLAs.
Jaipur, Jan 20 : Rajasthan police on Wednesday arrested a man from Udaipur for allegedly duping a woman of Rs 41,590 through a Youtube channel on pretext selling her a few expensive dresses.

Accused Mohan Singh, resident of Bikaner, allegedly collected the payment from the woman after showing her an advertisement for the dresses on a Youtube channel and later switching off his phone.

Barmer Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepak Bhargava said that one Ganpat Singh filed complaint on January 4, claiming that his daughter selected a few 'Rajputi' dresses on a YouTube channel and paid Rs 41,590 in Paytm account of an unknown person. Later the person switched off his phone, complainant said.

The SP added that a special team was constituted and thorough searches were initiated to find the accused.

The team connected the links and arrested Mohan Singh alias R.B. Banna from Udaipur.

On questioning, he admitted that he duped the girl and collected the said amount from her.

Meanwhile, investigations are on to know if he has committed other such offences, said Bhargava.
New York, Jan 20 : Air India joined at least nine other international airlines that have modified or cancelled flights to the US amid conflicting reports on what new 5G cell phone services can do to critical airplane technologies.

Carriers are taking a variety of approaches to the spiraling crisis. Air India, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways have announced changes to some of their flights.

Air India said it would suspend the service between Delhi and San Francisco, Chicago and JFK as well as a Mumbai to Newark flight. It will continue to fly into Washington Dulles.

Both ANA and Japan Airlines said they cancelled some flights scheduled to use Boeing 777 aircraft, but will operate some flights using Boeing 787s instead.

Emirates suspended flights into Boston, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Seattle.A Emirates continued flying into New York's John F. Kennedy airport, Los Angeles International and Washington Dulles.

Lufthansa cancelled a flight between Frankfurt and Miami and said it would swap Boeing 747-8 aircraft for 747-400s on flights from Frankfurt to Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.

CNN Business quoted a British Airways spokesman that the airline "had to make a handful of cancellations" because a decision by telecom operators to delay activating the new 5G service at some locations didn't cover all the airports the airline serves.

Virgin Atlantic and Air France-KLM said they had not cancelled any flights but were monitoring the situation.

Delta Air Lines said it is planning for the possibility of weather-related cancellations as early as Wednesday due to the new 5G service in the vicinity of dozens of US airports.

US air transport regulator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been concerned that the version of 5G that was scheduled to be switched on could interfere with some airplane instruments. Some aviation industry groups shared those fears. This is despite reassurances from federal telecom regulators and well as wireless carriers.

Specifically, the FAA has been worried that 5G cellular antennas near some airports - not air mobile devices - could throw off readings from some aircraft equipment designed to tell pilots how far they are from the ground.

The systems, radar altimeters, are used throughout a flight and are considered critical. (Radar altimeters differ from standard altimeters, which rely on air pressure readings and do not use radio signals to gauge altitude.) In December, the FAA had forbidden pilots from using the potentially affected altimeters around airports where low-visibility conditions would otherwise require them.

That new rule could keep planes from getting to some airports in certain circumstances, because pilots would be unable to land using instruments alone.

"We are frustrated by the FAA's inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it to do so in a timely manner," an AT&T spokesperson said.

Earlier this week, mobile carriers AT&T and Verizon agreed to pause the rollout of the new high-speed 5G wireless service near major airports.

The Biden administration welcomed the halt, saying this "will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90 per cent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled." "While this is a positive development toward preventing widespread disruptions to flight operations, some flight restrictions may remain," Delta said.

In a Tuesday letter, CEOs from some airlines told the Biden administration to push back the already-delayed rollout.

Airlines estimate 1,000 flight disruptions per day because of possible interference with radar altimeters that pilots use to land in low visibility conditions.

The telecom industry has not commented on the CEOs letter, but has said fears are unfounded since there have not been problems in other countries where 5G is already deployed.

According to a service map by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), areas in California, Florida, New England, Texas and the midwest will gain 5G coverage. But aviation groups warn that it could jeopardize some of the largest airports, including in Los Angeles, New York and Houston.

The 5G signals will travel over radio frequencies that are collectively known as the C-Band. This band of airwaves is attractive to wireless carriers because it offers a good balance between cellular range and capacity - two key features of any wireless network. (Other sets of airwaves besides the C-Band are also used to carry 5G, but the current debate focuses on just the C-Band frequencies.) On the spectrum of radio frequencies used for wireless communications, the C-Band sits right next to the band of frequencies used by the aircraft altimeters. The two are intentionally separated by a so-called guard band - essentially "blank" airwaves - to safeguard against interference.

To further address any aircraft risks, Verizon and AT&T have offered in November to limit the power of their 5G antennas and to take other precautionary measures.

But that hasn't been enough to allay the concerns of the FAA, whose 11th-hour order would have "an enormous negative impact on the aviation industry," the CEOs of Boeing and Airbus wrote in a letter Monday to the Department of Transportation.

The CEOs added: "We agree that 5G interference could adversely affect the ability of aircraft to safely operate." The letter cites an estimate published by the industry group Airlines for America, which predicts the FAA restrictions will disrupt 345,000 passenger flights, 32 million passengers and 5,400 cargo flights. The FAA's own order estimates that 6,800 US airplanes could be affected by the plan, along with 1,800 helicopters.

Technology experts say that while 5G antennas could theoretically lead to interference around airports, the potential for interference is an ever-present feature of all wireless communications - not just 5G - and that so far regulators around the world have done a good job of handling it.

(Nikhila Natarajan writes on big tech and tweets @byniknat)
Medical Devices and remedies for combatting the spread of Covid-19

Zollaris laboratories Corporation is working with Canadian and USA Health Authorities (applying for authorizations) and both the Ontario & Quebec Health Departments to help contribute to supplying of medical devices and soon remedies for combatting the Covid-19. Strategically placed in Hawkesbury Ontario with 15,000 sq/ft of clean rooms with double HVAC Systems (HEPA and UHEPA). High-end laboratories - Cameras and security 24/7 18,000 sq/ft warehousing space.

"We are here to help and support our fellow Canadians and American (USA) in this time of need," says Pascal Houde companies Chief Communication Officer.

About Zollaris Laboratories Corporation:

Zollaris Laboratories just finished the construction of a state of the laboratory which has the following licenses:

Representative of three medical devices to combat the covid-19 spread

Cannabis R&D activities, since 2019

Cannabis Testing/Analytical Facility, since 2020

Health Canada Site License. since 2021

3 Patents and PCT/USPO and direct collaboration on other 5 WIPO

Upcoming licenses in 2022

Application done for Narcotic Dealer for Psilocybin and Psilocin

Application done for DEL API Testing

Application done for MDEL Class I to Class IV

To inform about the product portfolio ready-to-launch

15 NPN HC Listed + upcoming 18 NPN dedicated to medical mushroom

CADO Cosmetics: Lipstick and Sunscreen

Liquid Gold by Bruny Surin: Collagen-based products and work-out recovery

Distribution of Test Kit for COVI-19 (medical device license class I & class II)

Looking for distributors and commercial synergy

http://www.zollaris.com
Cincinnati area business owners and leaders are invited to participate in one of two virtual public hearings to provide feedback on their experiences in contracting, or attempting to contract, with the City of Cincinnati. The hearings will be held on Wednesday, January 26, Noon-1:30 p.m., and Thursday, January 27, 5-6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Advanced registration is recommended by not required.

The City of Cincinnati has partnered with Grin and Strong, P. C. (GSPC) to complete a Disparity Study. The Study will evaluate and make improvement recommendations for contracting and procurement policies and practices with regard to minority- and women-owned businesses. GSPC is conducting the virtual hearings and encourages all businesses to provide input on how the City of Cincinnati government can better promote diverse representation in public contracting.

All feedback will provide valuable information for the City and help to update policies, practices, and procedures addressing the needs of our business community. All comments will be part of the public record, recorded, and potentially used for the 2022 Disparity Study.

Registration is now open via the following links: January 26, noon-1:30 p.m. (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIufu6urz8rHtX6rjWJ6Hj0hSAuBfMwnPg0) or January 27, 5-6:30 p.m. (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoc-GhpjwqH9LGMPMU8bsLgV0_ArwJ73F_)

For more information on the Study, visit http://www.cincinnatidisparitystudy.com.

Griffin & Strong, P.C. is a law and public policy consulting firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 1992, the firm has represented individual clients, small businesses, corporations, and government entities in public policy consulting, legislation, contract compliance, supplier diversity consulting, and disparity studies.
Martin Del Rio, a 35-year-old combat veteran and regional coordinator for the Warrior Care Transition Program, has announced that he will be running in the caucus to fill retired Indiana Senator Frank Mrvans seat and seek the Democratic nomination for the newly redrawn State Senate District 1.

The simple fact is that Hoosiers deserve honest, hardworking state senators that not only understand their values and beliefs, but their struggles and their motivations as well, Del Rio said. We have made great strides in advancing dialogue in previous years; however, if we want to see a positive impact, then we have more work to do. More work to do for our teachers who are still in need of resources to guide our children to broader horizons; more work to do for our unions, and small business owners, and LGBTQ+ community. We have more work to do in keeping Hoosier jobs from going overseas and more work to do for our healthcare workers, first responders, and veterans. Senator Mrvan has been a terrific role model and leader in the district and dedicated his life to serving the people honorably. Filling his shoes will have its fair share of challenges, but we have more work to do. That is why I am seeking the honor of becoming the next state senator for District 1.

In a race to represent the newly redrawn Senate District 1, Del Rio brings a powerhouse of advocacy and policy experience. He served as the state Wounded Warrior advocate where he worked up close in the fight against veteran homelessness, opioid addiction, education benefits, and unemployment, and then joined the Department of Defenses Soldier and Family Readiness Program (SFRS) assigned to the six counties of Northwest Indiana.

From 2008-2009, Del Rio deployed to Iraq as an Infantryman and Turret Gunner with the 76th Infantry Brigade conducting Combat Logistics Patrols in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Del Rio now serves as the Regional Coordinator overseeing the National Capitol Region for the Wounded Warrior

Program.

Del Rio resides in Highland, Indiana with his wife Marisol Del Rio, a Chemist with Munster based Community Hospital, and their son, Xavier. Del Rio is a member of Whiting Masonic Lodge #613 and attended Indiana University (where he met his wife) and received his BA in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State University.
Coast to Coast Accents I am extremely excited to lead the efforts to unleash the full potential of digital across Coast to Coast."

Coast to Coast Accents announced today the addition of Jesse Akre as the companys Chief Digital Officer. Jesse joins Coast to Coast this week leading the Company's omnichannel, ecommerce and digital vision and strategy. Jesse will report directly to Andy Stein, Chief Executive Officer.

In this role, Jesse will lead the development of a new omnichannel strategy that will enable the company to deliver the most desirable customer experience, whether it is ecommerce or digitally influenced omnichannel through innovative technology and initiatives. To enable this strategy, Jesse will also lead the ongoing modernization of Coast to Coasts information systems that support all business and retail operations.

The creation of this new role and focus is part of the companys efforts to, among other things, overhaul its operating model and provide a better foundation for the omnichannel future.

We are extremely excited to have Jesse join the Coast to Coast Team and take charge of all things retail technology and omnichannel. As fast as things are changing in the industry - his deep knowledge of omnichannel and how all the tech and data dots need to connect is exactly what Coast to Coast needs, said Andy Stein, CEO of Coast to Coast Accents. Jesses unique background that spans ecommerce, retail, supplier, and retail tech will makes him an instrumental addition to our team. We are very excited about where we are going - and Jesse will be a big part of leading the charge in getting us there!"

"As Coast to Coast continues to grow, I am thrilled to join the Company at such an exciting time," said Jesse Akre. I am extremely excited to lead the efforts to unleash the full potential of digital across the company. Coast to Coasts strong team, tremendous product offerings, together with its appetite for innovation are key assets for any digital transformation journey and are many of the reasons I joined the Coast to Coast journey. I look forward to building upon this momentum and leading the next generation of digital and omnichannel innovation.

Jesse has more than twenty years of experience leading omnichannel and data initiatives within the home furnishings industry. Most recently, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer at RetailSystem.com, a leading Epos provider to home furnishings retailers, where he led all aspects of the global RetailSystem brand portfolio. Prior to RetailSystem.com, he held leadership roles with industry leaders Amber Engine, MicroD, Channel Redefined and Edenvale Shoppes.

--Company Background

Coast to Coast Imports, LLC is an international manufacturer and wholesaler of quality accent furniture, seating, casual dining, and occasional tables. With over 100 years of combined experience in the furniture industry, we have developed partnerships with manufacturers abroad to bring affordable quality accent furniture to every home. The Coast to Coast family includes hundreds of team members in Memphis TN, Asia, and India along with over 100 sales representatives globally. Our operations include a 300,000 square foot distribution facility in Memphis, TN. Fifteen talented factory partners in China, Vietnam, and India. We have B2B showrooms in High Point and Las Vegas. We have talented staff members on the ground in all our source countries. Our international team is focused on the highest level of quality control, support for product development, factory compliance, and timely shipping. The mission of Coast to Coast is simple: to deliver quality furniture for the home at the greatest value. Our proprietary brands include Coast to Coast Accents, a collection of affordable home accent furniture; The Andy Stein Collection, higher styled home accents with a designer's touch; Pieces in Paradise, a collection inspired by the island lifestyle featuring iconic patterns and coastal finishes, and Jadu Accents, a collection of beautiful exotic rustic and industrial accent furniture from India. Learn more at https://www.coasttocoastaccents.com/ or visit us in our Las Vegas Showroom World Market Center - BUILDING A Space: 316.
Celebrating the Sketchfab Store anniversary The Sketchfab Store is unique in the industry for allowing potential buyers to inspect model geometry, textures, and more via their model inspector

The Sketchfab Store, the go-to destination for content creators who need high-quality 3D models for their projects, is marking its 4-year anniversary on January 17, 2022. To celebrate, they will be forgoing their commission on 3D model sales for a four-day period, allowing all Store sellers to receive 100% of revenue from their sales. The event will begin on January 17, 2022 at 12 AM EST and end on January 20, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST.

2021 was a record-setting year for the Sketchfab Store, with over $1 million paid out in seller commissions and double the amount of sales that they had in 2020. After joining Epic Games in July 2021, the Sketchfab Store increased its seller commissions to 88%, bringing creator revenue share to an industry high and allowing every seller to earn more from each sale.

The Sketchfab Store is unique in the industry for allowing potential buyers to inspect model geometry, textures, and more via their model inspector. This focus on transparency and quality has driven an increase in loyalty buyers over the Stores lifetime.

Sketchfabs download API is integrated into over 100 applications and creation tools, allowing buyers access to their store purchases directly from their software of choice. And Sketchfabs automatic glTF and USDZ file conversion powers the creative projects of those who use engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.

For those who are not yet selling on the Sketchfab Store but would like to, Sketchfab invites creators to submit seller applications.

About Sketchfab, Inc.

Sketchfab is empowering a new era of creativity by making it easy for anyone to publish and find 3D content online. With a community of millions of creators who have published millions of models, we are the largest platform for immersive and interactive 3D.

Sketchfabs technology is integrated with every major 3D creation tool and publishing platform, and is compatible across every browser, operating system, desktop and mobile. Sketchfab also supports VR and AR on compatible hardware.

For more information: press@sketchfab.com
McGrory Glass Partners with Forster to Offer Exceptional Steel Fire-Rated Framing Systems

McGrory Glass, one of the largest family-owned architectural glass companies in the country, will now offer Forsters line of sustainable steel fire-rated framing systems along with its existing range of fire-rated glazing and butt-glazed systems. A single-source, cross-sector solutions provider, McGrory Glass combines innovative systems and comprehensive architectural capabilities with high-quality performance and life-safety products.

A global leader in framing systems with 150 years of experience, Forster passionately develops high-quality steel profile systems for energy-efficient doors, windows and facades. Proudly Swiss-made, approximately 1,860 miles (3,000 kilometers) of steel profiles are manufactured in Arbons 150,000 ft (14,000 m) production area annually, and shipped all over the world.

Were honored to partner with Forster. Their values align closely with our own: respect for others, innovation, passion, and excellent customer service, said CEO and President Chris McGrory. As a solar-powered company, were also strongly committed to protecting the environment, and admire Forsters commitment to preserving natural resources and reducing their ecological footprint throughout the entire supply chain.

Forsters parent company, Reynaers Group, is active in more than 70 countries worldwide. They are a leading specialist in the development, distribution and commercialization of innovative and sustainable architectural applications in aluminum and steel. Together for Better is the corporate motto of the Reynaers Group and reflects the identity of this Belgian family company.

During the contract negotiations, we felt that this partnership between the two-family businesses will become a success story. There was a lot of positive energy and commitment on both sides. We are happy to have found a future-oriented partner in McGrory with whom we can increase the availability of our innovative steel systems in this market, said Willi Luchinger, CEO of Forster Group.

Forster provides energy-efficient, durable steel solutions for interior and exterior doors, windows, and curtain walls. Their framing systems make buildings safe, attractive, and comfortable for the people who live and work within.

North America is an important market for Forster and we believe that the partnership with McGrory will contribute significantly to our success story. The McGrory family and their team impressed me with their great enthusiasm and passion for our joint product offering, said Angelo Azzolina, Head of Sales International at Forster Profile Systems Ltd.

McGrory will now offer full fire-rated glass assembly systems and fire doors that allow for tremendous design freedom, while simultaneously meeting stringent building code requirements. Profile steel tubes are an optimal construction element for doors, windows, and curtain walls for structural reasons. Forster can produce large-surface elements with extremely narrow face widths from steel, often not possible with other materials.

Everyone at Forster is very excited about this new partnership, said Arndt Broecker, Head of Sales North America at Forster Profile Systems Ltd. The collaboration of McGrory and Forster gives customers access to an exceptionally innovative product offering. McGrorys technical expertise in glass and Forsters comprehensive steel portfolio will enable sustainable, safe, and energy-efficient designs. Sleek frames combined with large glass sizes allow for more natural light inside buildings without compromising safety or style. We are particularly excited about the option to combine various safety applications like fire protection, school safety, and bullet resistance.

Were thrilled to announce our partnership with Forster Profile Systems, says Ben Haigh, Director of the Fire-Rated Division at McGrory Glass. Their narrow profile framing is a perfect complement to our fire-rated glazing options, allowing us to provide true system solutions with the best possible clarity and thin sightlines.

On the design side, steel profile systems offer elegant, slim, constructions that support impressively large glass lites, letting in profuse amounts of daylight and delivering superior sightlines. Steel is a forward-thinking material that combines elegance, strength and timelessness.

Steel profile systems offer amazing sustainable benefits beyond safety, stability, and durability, Haigh says. The strong, yet narrow framing requires less material. Steel systems are also ideal for projects that take high stress levels or constant use. With steel, its not necessary to treat the surface, reducing maintenance time and costs. Then, at the end of the product life cycle, the steel elements can be 100% recycled and reused.

McGrory Glass is proud to offer North American customers the following Forster fire-rated steel frames:



forster presto: Fire-rated framing systems with superior sightlines for protective applications like doors, windows, and walls. Fire-rated for 20 to 90 minutes, this rigorously tested, UL/ Intertek Classified and Labeled, complete profile system is designed for flush-mounted single or double-leaf doors, windows, and glazed closures. forster presto is available with SCHOTT PYRAN Platinum Fire-Rated Glass Ceramic by McGrory Glass and AGC Pyrobel Fire-Resistant Safety Glass by McGrory Glass.

forster fuego light: Fire-rated framing systems with superior sightlines for resistant, barrier-to-heat applications like doors, windows, and walls. Fire-rated for 60 to 120 minutes, this rigorously tested, UL/ Intertek Classified and Labeled, complete profile system is designed for flush-mounted single or double-leaf doors, windows, and glazed closures. forster fuego light is available with AGC Pyrobel Fire-Resistant Safety Glass by McGrory Glass.

forster thermfix vario: Fire-rated framing systems with narrow facing widths for a wide range of barrier-to-heat applications, including interior/exterior curtain walls with security options. Fire-rated for 60 to 120 minutes, this rigorously tested, UL/ Intertek Classified and Labeled, complete profile system is designed for interior/ exterior multi-story curtain walls, and is based on a proven mullion/transom construction. Framing with very narrow facing widths from 45mm permits a wide range of applications, including security. Superior sightlines deliver multiple-story glass walls with maximum daylighting. forster thermfix vario is available with AGC Pyrobel Fire-Resistant Safety Glass by McGrory Glass.

About McGrory Glass

Founded in 1984, McGrory Glass is still family-owned after over three decades of growth. With three facilities spanning 200,000+ square feet, the management team is committed to the environment and sustainability. The 2.2-acre solar-paneled roof of the main warehouse brought McGrory recognition as one of the first major glass fabrication companies to hit net-zero energy consumption. The company offers comprehensive architectural and life-safety glass solutions, including the patented CaptiveHook Glass Wall, Seismic, & Ceiling Mounting System, as well as an in-house Print Division specializing in innovative structural interlayers and custom decorative films.

To learn more, please visit: https://mcgrory.com/

About Forster

At Forster, our hearts beat for steel; steel is our passion because it combines elegance and strength, durability and timelessness like hardly any other material.

We hold steel in our hands every day. We are experts when it comes to steel; we are familiar with its advantages and enthusiastic about the possibilities that building with steel opens up today and in the future.

The demands on buildings have not diminished: technical and social developments that have brought us digitisation, drive urbanisation and demographic changes, alter our working behaviour and continue to shape the awareness of an ecological way of life as well as health and safety aspects. They all influence the design of our spatial environment, which must be implemented in a simultaneously functional and visually appealing architecture.

This is exactly where Forster comes in. For us, building with steel means building for life: building in the service of the diverse needs of people and future generations as well as building with respect for the environment and natural resources.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.forster-profile.ch/gb-en/

About Reynaers Group

Together for Better is the corporate motto of the Reynaers Group and reflects the identity of this Belgian family company. Driven by innovation and entrepreneurship, the international group is always focusing on partners to realize sustainable growth together.

The Reynaers Group, active in more than 70 countries worldwide, is a leading specialist in the development, distribution and commercialization of innovative and sustainable architectural applications in aluminium and steel.

To learn more, please visit: https://company.reynaers.com/reynaers-group
Abiyah Lynch, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a bilingual emphasis, a substitute teacher at Denver Public Schools for many years, a godly wife to a godly man; has completed her new book A Journey of Faith: a soul-rejuvenating piece meant to encourage readers to walk with Jesus and established a strong bond with the Father. Found within the pages are the revelations and prophecies she has received from the Creator. She believes that the Holy Spirit comforted, encouraged, and guided her to bring love, hope, and healing to anyone who gets to read her work.

Lynch shares, Prophecy is not new. It has always been with us. This gift from the Holy Spirit is still working today; however, we must be careful to confirm it with the Word of God (the Bible). His Word will always confirm it in our minds and hearts. A few years ago, I was called to be a street preacher and to reach people for Christ. I also visited churches to share the messages I had received with pastors and Christians wherever I went. Gods Word is true, and God is always faithful to his Word. My Father Yahweh is always good, perfect, and just. He seeks to have a closer relationship with each one of us. I encourage you to grow closer to him by praying, reading the Bible, and listening to him. Know that God still speaks to us today, as he did long ago through the prophets. I encourage you to grow in Christ, for he offers us salvation and a bright and glorious destiny. God bless you and thank you for your interest in prophecy.

Published by Page Publishing, Abiyah Lynchs meaningful testimonial is a solid proof of God being faithful and true at all times, even if she was not obedient to His calling at first. Her spiritual growth is utterly enlivening and she hopes to ignite the will of her readers to finally know more of God intimately.

This profound journey is designed to lead believers and non-believers to a whole new world of faith.

Readers who wish to experience this inspiring work can purchase A Journey of Faith at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Congratulations to Apollo for being awarded an Innovative Technology contract. Our member council recommended arcc for Pathology for this contract based on the efficiencies it offers and its potential to make an incremental difference in health care.

Apollo, the leading provider of enterprise imaging and clinical multimedia management solutions, today announced it has received an Innovative Technology contract from Vizient, Inc., the nations largest member-driven health care performance improvement company. The contract was awarded based on the recommendation of Apollos enterprise imaging solution, arcc for Pathology, by hospital experts who serve on one of Vizients member-led councils, and it signifies to Vizient members unique qualities that potentially bring improvement to the health care industry.

Innovative Technology contracts are recommended after review and interaction with products submitted through Vizients Innovative Technology Program. Vizient member-led councils identify technologies that have the potential to enhance clinical care, patient safety, health care worker safety or improve business operations of health care organizations.

We are honored and excited to be awarded a Vizient Innovative Technology contract, offering Vizient members access to arcc for Pathology at contracted pricing, said Mark Newburger, Apollo President and CEO. As the Apollo Repository for Clinical Content, arcc, provides health systems, Pathology labs and clinicians with access to its enterprise imaging solution, arcc, to support the workflows and management of Digital Pathology imaging to deliver positive care outcomes in a more efficient manner.

Congratulations to Apollo for being awarded an Innovative Technology contract, said Debbie Archer, director of procurement and Vizient Innovative Technology Program leader. Our member council recommended arcc for Pathology for this contract based on the efficiencies it offers and its potential to make an incremental difference in health care.

arcc for Pathology includes a focused workflow solution for Pathology to centrally and securely manage pathology images and their associated metadata. arcc provides a secure, web-based platform for remote telepathology consultations including live, remote microscopic viewing, multi-specialty collaboration, and enables device acquisition flexibility.

Vizient represents a diverse membership base that includes academic medical centers, pediatric facilities, community hospitals, integrated health delivery networks and non-acute health care providers and represents approximately $100 billion in annual purchasing volume. Through its Innovative Technology Program, Vizient works with member-led councils and task forces to review potentially innovative products. Vizient works with member-led councils and task forces to review potentially innovative products. Vizient may award a contract to products deemed worthy of the Innovative Technology designation outside of the competitive bid cycle.

If you are a Vizient member, you can email Apollo at sales@apolloei.com to learn more.

About Apollo

Apollo is a healthcare IT company with a reputation for delivering quality Enterprise Imaging solutions that address both clinical multimedia workflow management needs and vendor neutral storage requirements. Apollos Enterprise Imaging solution, arcc, provides a holistic longitudinal view of all patient data and focuses on clinical workflows, interoperability, and connectivity so that every department throughout the entire enterprise can acquire, view, manage, store, and securely access all clinical content. arcc is the industrys only mature enterprise imaging solution that provides direct device integration, clinical content management, reporting, workflows, and modules for 45 specialty-specific departments throughout the health system. Used successfully in hospitals across the United States and Canada for 28 years. Visit https://www.apolloei.com/.
Auspicious Opportunities The Fund shall invest in both Commercial Real Estate and high-value QOZB startup businesses with proven leadership, producing attractive investment income through distributions to its Investors from Cash Inflows combined with tax-free return of capital plus interest.

Auspicious Opportunities OZ Fund launches seeking accredited investors for Commercial Real Estate and Startups. The Fund is raising a Series A Round of $25,000,000.

Auspicious Opportunities: Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund

The Fund shall invest in both Commercial Real Estate and high-value QOZB startup businesses with proven leadership, producing attractive investment income through distributions to its Investors from Cash Inflows combined with tax-free return of capital plus interest.

Executive Summary

The fund is designed to incubate and accelerate an Opportunity Zone-focused Construction Development Company headquartered in the heart of Greenville, SCs central Opportunity Zone within a modern campus, thus ensuring performance for investors, successful nationwide OZ project fulfillment, and maximized societal benefit.

OUR MISSION

Auspicious Opportunities OZ Funds mission is to wisely invest in Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses (QOZBs) that will simultaneously create jobs, promote avenues for practical vocational training, and provide top tier construction development services for all QOZFs, positioned within properties that provide both great present and future value throughout project execution.

Operation: Developing the Dream

Investment Thesis

The Fund intends to balance risk by virtue of underpinning its investments with income-producing Real Estate assets (both pre-and-post substantial improvements) whilst simultaneously ensuring that funded QOZBs are materially underwritten by tangible assets, such as Heavy Equipment. In addition, the fund shall only work with highly experienced, top performers in their respective fields with strong past performance in regards to the leadership and operation of their companies.

-High Financial Returns

-Diversification of Risk Across Portfolio

-Establishes an Ecosystem of Supportive Services

-Predictable Portfolio Cash Flows

-Maximized Tax Efficiency

-Impact in the Immediate Zone(s) and Elsewhere

-Resilient Market Growth

-Balanced Distribution and Exit Strategy

-Capability to Execute

-Trustworthy, Seasoned Management

Investment Projects

1) ZEN Building Development

The Zen Building is a currently existing, income-producing real estate asset located in a Qualified Opportunity Zone within the limits of Greenville, SC. It will be acquired at a lower-than-market rate and immediately house a Qualified Opportunity Zone Business as its anchor tenant whose intended business purpose is to provide top-tier Commercial Construction Development services and technologies to the Opportunity Zone sector. The proposed substantial improvement involves full demolition of the existing structure and new construction of a fourteen-story, 306,000 square foot AAA office building complete with parking garage, orchestrated by the very QOZB incubated within from the inception of the project.

This will create hundreds of jobs whilst simultaneously stimulating real-world, practical vocational training across dozens of sectors, resulting in tremendous net societal and financial benefit for the OZ Ecosystem and our investors, respectively.

2) Divine Group

Divine Group is a top-tier, turn-key, full-stack Commercial Construction Development Agency led by experienced, proven, and sophisticated management that has a pipeline of several prescient and immediate deals to capitalize on as soon as is practicable. The business focus is on providing services and solutions to the Opportunity Zone Ecosystem, comprising a vertical that encompasses all avenues necessary for successful execution of projects for Opportunity Zones across the country from inception to fruition (and beyond!), helping to bring OZ visions to life in ways that assure maximum benefit to both the private participants and the general public.

3) Startup Combinator

Incubating and potentiating economic and societal benefit via QOZBs that will have tenancy in the primary projects building post-improvement.

Fund Vision & Value

Create a Full-Service Construction Development Company within the bounds of an income producing asset located in a geographically strategic QOZ in order to bring future OZ projects to life. The fund is committed to investing in QOZBs that stand to offer reciprocal help and mutual benefit to the OZ ecosystem at-large, especially those with high ESG metrics in addition to standalone economic viability.

Fund Impact

These investments will create hundreds of jobs within the home QOZ whilst simultaneously offering real world, on the job vocational training that will then carry forward into other QOZs across the country, including Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. These endeavors plant a seed whose fruits will support natural and sustainable momentum to scale ecosystem-wide, thereby planting more seeds and bringing dreams to life along the way.

Why Auspicious?

Our Fund is committed to delivering both excellent returns to investors and significant benefit to society, building a self-fulfilling and fully reciprocative vertical in a sector that has tremendous present and future potential for stable growth. Strategic insight combined with a balanced portfolio of Real Estate and Business Assets sets Auspicious Opportunities apart, in addition to an actively generated pipeline of new projects in the now and immediate future both in and outside Opportunity Zones.

-Balanced portfolio.

-Strong growth forecast with a currently prospected pipeline of projects.

-Dynamic, experienced, successful executive-level leadership.

Opportunity Zone Funds - OZ Advantage

Opportunity Zones are designed to spur economic development by providing tax benefits to investors. First, investors can defer tax on any prior Capital Gains deposited into a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund (QOF) for up to FOUR YEARS. Then, after four years they will ONLY be required to pay taxes the original amount. Additionally, those deferred taxes will only be assessed at the CURRENT rate of 23.5% and therefore are likely to avoid far higher future capital gains tax rates. Finally, after a required ten-year minimum term, the initial amount deposited PLUS all of the accrued interest derived from QOF property (real estate and business stock) can then be withdrawn from the QOF entirely TAX FREE.

Investor Opportunity

Today 0% Tax Due - One million dollars invested today will appreciate tax free for four years.

10 Years Tax Free - If Opportunity Zone investment generates another 9 million in profit over the ten-year term the entire 10 million can then be withdrawn tax free.

Qualified Opportunity Zones

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) to provide potentially significant tax benefits to investors who re-invest capital gains into long-term investments into communities designated for economic development. There are over 8,500 QOZs across all US states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico. They offer investors the ability to positively impact communities struggling to attract capital to generate sustainable economic opportunity for their community.

Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds

A Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund (QOF) is an investment vehicle which is organized as a corporation or partnership for the purpose of investing (at least 90% of its assets) in qualified opportunity zone assets or businesses.

A qualified opportunity zone asset/property can be (so long as acquired after December 31,2017):

-Stock in a domestic corporation that is a QOZ business

-Any capital or profits interest in a domestic Partnership that is a QOZ business

-Tangible asset used in the trade or business of a QOZ business, where the QOF substantially improves the asset

QOZF Benefits to the Taxpayer / Investor

Taxpayers may defer paying tax on capital gains, if such capital gains are invested in a QOF, within 180 days from the gain. The deferral period ends the earlier of when the taxpayer sells its interest in the QOF or 2026. Any taxpayer that holds its investment for a minimum of 10 years, can achieve no capital gain tax on the appreciation of its investment.

Fund Terms & Teams

Sage Alexander - Fund Manager

Both an intuitive, autodidactic polymath and ardently dedicated practitioner, Sage Alexander is committed to virtuously improving the health and wellbeing of organisms and organizations via ancient wisdom wed to modern science. Prescient skills and formal training in finance, accountancy, analysis, technology, and the law combined with classical education in economics and the applied metaphysical sciences afford unique and powerful perspectives to clients of all stripes and types.

Sage has overseen the growth of millions of dollars and dozens of employees while iterating, evolving, and implementing business efficiencies as a industry-fluid fractional CEO, CFO, and COO with a focus on sustainable, regenerative, and self-fulfilling systems that naturally and simultaneously support the enterprises leadership both personally and professionally.

Alexandar Thomson - Fund Manager

Alexandar Thomson has spent the last 15+ years putting his degrees in Psychology and Business Administration to good use. Alexandar has focused on working with a multitude of businesses in various industries in order to learn the strategies needed to develop a truly conscious company. Since 2010 he has been applying the knowledge gained to help develop, implement, and train business owners on methods of efficiency, efficacy, and equality.

In 2014, Alexandar developed a system of community integration and networking through education and empowerment. It is the plan over the next few years to develop into a practical system of Global community integration and evolution, birthing several health product-based companies, which are still thriving. Now Alexandar has focused on developing a system for turn-key support of Opportunity Zone Funds, OZ business startups, and conscious companies looking to create a positive change in the world.

Status: Open to Investors

Type of Fund: LLC

Asset Classification: Multiple Assets

Active Potential Investments: 2

Fund Administration: OZInvested.com

Anticipated Returns: +20%

Series A Round: $25,000,000

Total Fund: $108,000,000

Minimum Subscription: $100,000

Contact:

Auspicious Opportunities LLC

Sage Alexander  Fund Manager

Alexandar Thomson  Fund Manager

Phone: (828) 275-7977

Email: inquiries@AuspiciousOpportunities.com

For more information, please visit https://www.AuspiciousOpportunities.com

DISCLAIMER:

Articles featured on this page are for informational purposes only. This is not an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy Auspicious Opportunities Fund, LLC. That can only be done by our current Confidential Private Placement Memorandum (CPPM). Securities offered by Auspicious Opportunities Fund, LLC. For accredited Investors only. Limited liquidity. The shares being sold in this offering have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any states securities division. Nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities department passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the CPPM or the disclosures provided therein. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Auspicious Opportunities Fund, LLC and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.


Terence M. Dorn, Ph.D., Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army, has completed his new book Quotes: The Famous and Not So Famous: a collection of wisdom centuries in the making. 

Dr. Dorn was born in Ankara, Turkey. As the son of an Air Force chief master sergeant, he traveled worldwide and eventually attended college in Nebraska. He joined the Army in 1985, excelling in the Armys Air Defense branch, and was deployed multiple times to various combat zones. Dr. Dorns civilian honors include induction into the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Alpha Phi Sigma, Iota Pi; the National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi; and the International Business Honor Society, Delta Mu Delta. Dr. Dorns military awards and honors include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (1OLC), Bronze Star (1OLC), Purple Heart, Office of the Secretary of Defense Badge, Joint Staff Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge. Dr. Dorn is married to the former Nicole D. Holda, a retired Army Major who served in the Military Intelligence Corps for over twenty years. They have two sons: Alan and Calvin.

Published by Page Publishing, Dr. Dorns absorbing collection of more than 400 pages of quotes includes pearls of wisdom from throughout the ages. Quotes were collected from ancient sources like Aesop and Alexander the Great and modern voices like Edward Abbey and Muhammed Ali.

The project began when he served the Army chief of staff as a speechwriter. Looking for relevant quotes each day was an essential task associated with his duties; disseminating the quotes to friends, colleagues, and family was not. Dorns father had been a stalwart supporter of Dorn all his life and encouraged Dorn to continue to distribute the quotes long after he left his speechwriter position.

Readers who wish to experience this illuminating and enjoyable work can purchase Quotes: The Famous and Not So Famous at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
After the tremendous success of the inaugural event, we are thrilled to return to the United States with the second edition in Los Angeles this year, said Matteo Ascheri, President of the Consortium.

The Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, the association representing over 500 wineries in Piedmont, Italy, is pleased to announce the second annual edition of Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening in Los Angeles. The upcoming event will feature the most recently released vintages of Barolo and Barbaresco, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening is a unique occasion to learn more about the two iconic red wines of Piedmont. Through this comprehensive event, the consortium aims to increase awareness and build excitement in the United States market by providing direct encounters with the most influential wines of these famous appellations.

BBWO 2022 will begin on April 28th with a preview tasting for Master of Wine, critics, sommeliers and journalists from Europe and the United States to analyze the overall quality of the 2018 and 2019 vintages. The tasting will be followed by an exclusive gala reception in Hollywood at Paramount Pictures Studios, featuring a celebration of Piedmontese food and wine culture.

On April 29th, at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, over 150 producers will present their Barolo and Barbaresco wines to press, trade, and consumers with a walk-around tasting. Both the Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG appellation wines will be poured during the tasting, as well as select single-vineyard labels.

After the tremendous success of the inaugural event, we are thrilled to return to the United States with the second edition in Los Angeles this year, said Matteo Ascheri, President of the Consortium. The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening is an incredible opportunity to present our wines, our traditional food and our culture to the most influential wine personalities in the United States, our highest-volume export market.

The renowned Barolo and Barbaresco wines, often called the "king and queen" of the Langhe region where they are made, are produced from 100 percent Nebbiolo grapes. Age-worthy and complex, these wines have a long history of production in Piedmont and express the nuances of the region's microclimates. In addition to the Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG appellations, producers may use the term MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive) on qualifying labels to indicate single-vineyard bottlings. The Grand Tasting will feature an area dedicated to these MGA wines.

The Langhe region, situated in the southern part of the Piedmont region between the Alps and the Apennines mountains, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the cultural history of its vineyard-covered hills, a manifestation of wine traditions that have evolved since pre-Roman times, yet remain central to the daily economic activity and social life of the region. The region's distinctive microclimates and unique geological soil types can be tasted in the glass year-after-year, making the Langhe home to some of the world's most respected wines, among them Barolo and Barbaresco. To uphold the quality of these wines and its land, the Consortium maintains strict agriculture guidelines, such as the yield per hectare planting regulations set in 2011.

The event will also include cheeses of Fontina Valle dAosta PDO, and rice of Biella and Vercelli Barraggia PDO. Over two days, participants will have the chance to take a culinary journey to Italy, tasting Barolo and Barbaresco wines paired with Fontina PDO cheeses and risotto prepared with Baraggia rice. The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening event is part of the European campaign "Top Tales: A piece of Europe on your table," created to increase awareness of these three PDO products in the United States market.

For more information about the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening events, contact BBWOevents@colangelopr.com, for media inquiries contact merland@colangelopr.com.

# # #

About Top Tales: Top Tales is a project supported by the European Union aimed at promoting Fontina DOP from Valle dAosta, Rice di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese DOP, as well as the DOCGs Barolo and Barbaresco. The European communication campaign Top Tales: A piece of Europe on your table, is designed to increase the awareness of the three DOP products in the United States market.

About the Consorzio Di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe E Dogliani: Founded in 1934 and representing 537 wine producers across multiple appellations, the Consortium is committed to the management, protection, and promotion of the Langhe, Alba, and Dogliani wine denomination. The Consortium ensures high quality by a set of formal production guidelines for the entire winemaking process, from agronomy to market surveillance. The Consortium continues to perform periodic sampling of wine products on the market to prevent fraud and to protect the wines authentication and reputation. Barolo & Barbaresco are registered trademarks in many countries throughout the world.

About Consorzio Tutela Fontina: The Consortium was created in 1957 to protect Fontina DOP, its production and distribution. The entity releases the Fontina DOP trademark on every wheel of Fontina produced following the Consortiums rules.

About Consorzio Tutela Riso di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese: the rice from Biella and Vercelli was awarded the PDO status in 2007 after the European Union verified its unique quality and nutritional characteristics. Today, the denomination covers 22,000 ha of paddy fields across 28 communes.

Media Contacts:

Michelle Erland

merland@colangelopr.com

Carlotta Ribolini

cribolini@colangelopr.com

The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA)do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
L-R: Jeffrey Lewis, Kevin Wiles, Chris McNelis, Jessica Holt, Katherine Woods, Terri Bracciale Were extremely proud to partner with such a respected company as PenFed Realty. Chris McNelis

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, one of the countrys fastest-growing brokerages, with 2,000 agents and $8 billion in annual sales, today announced a merger with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices McNelis Group Properties of Solomons, Md.

Led by founder and Principal Broker Chris McNelis, The McNelis Group Properties opened its doors in 2006 with one office on Solomons Island. In 2016, the company joined the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, then opened a second branch office in Dunkirk in 2018. This merger expands PenFed Realtys geographic footprint into Calvert County, Md. and strengthens the brand in Saint Marys County, Md.

I am honored to welcome the agents and employees of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services McNelis Group Properties, said PenFed Realty President Kevin Wiles. Chris McNelis is a beloved and highly-respected member of the Solomons Island community, and her firm enjoys an outstanding reputation far and wide because of her leadership, success and vision. The company attracts sales professionals with the highest levels of integrity, expertise, and ambition, and we at PenFed Realty are extremely fortunate that they have made the choice to align with us.

Since its founding, The McNelis Group Properties has been among Calvert Countys real estate market leaders. With a roster of more than 40 agents, the firm is especially known for their expertise in helping buyers navigate the purchase of waterfront, farm and luxury properties, as well as second homes, while serving all consumers in need of expert real estate services.

Were extremely proud to partner with such a respected company as PenFed Realty, said McNelis. From the start, our focus has been to provide exceptional home buying and selling experiences to our clients. With PenFed Realtys commitment to becoming the premier provider of real estate services in all their markets, its the perfect alignment with our own vision.

Starting February 1, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices McNelis Group Properties will be rebranded as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty. The company will continue to operate their offices on 14488 Solomons Island Road in Solomons, and 10109 Ward Road in Dunkirk.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty (http://www.penfedrealty.com) is a full-service real estate company with an annual sales volume of over $8 billion. The company has over 2,000 agents and almost 60 offices, providing complete real estate services nationwide. PenFed Realty is a wholly owned subsidiary of PenFed Credit Union and is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerage network, operated by HSF Affiliates LLC. Membership with PenFed Credit Union is not required to conduct business with BHHS PenFed Realty. We are proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. Equal Housing Opportunity.


Its always an honor to see our brand listed among the top franchises in the country, said Ashley Gundlach, President of British Swim School.

British Swim School, the nations leading learn to swim provider, is thrilled to announce its recognition as a leading franchise in Entrepreneurs Franchise 500. British Swim School was recognized at number 352 in the new report, widely considered an invaluable resource for potential franchisees. This marks the brands ninth consecutive year on the acclaimed list.

Its always an honor to see our brand listed among the top franchises in the country, said Ashley Gundlach, President of British Swim School. Rankings like these are a testament to the hard work our franchise owners put in every day to build businesses that keep the community safe.

Taking advantage of pent-up demand, British Swim School has added 38 new units across 11 states to its franchise roster, nine of which are current franchise owner expansions into new territories. Even though 2020 included the shutdown of all schools, 2021 proved to be the rebound needed  British Swim School had its strongest year ever grossing over $32 million, with the majority of owners also enjoying their best year ever in revenue and profitability.

The past year has been one of the most challenging for businesses in recent memory, which made putting together our 43rd annual Franchise 500 list more enlightening than ever, says Entrepreneur Editor in Chief Jason Feifer. The companies named to this years list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship.

The Entrepreneur Franchise 500 ranking is compiled after analysis of more than 150 data points, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength and financial strength and stability. The 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores in those areas earn their ranking on the list.

To view British Swim School in the full ranking, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands now.

###

About British Swim School

British Swim School offers swimming lessons for babies, children, and adults, focusing first on water survival skills needed to survive a water accident before moving onto stroke development and more advanced skills. British Swim School was founded in 1981 using the unique and highly effective teaching methods that are a recognized trademark of the brand today. Acquired by Buzz Franchise Brands in early 2019, British Swim School is the latest addition to the Buzz Franchise Brands family, which includes Pool Scouts, a pool cleaning and maintenance company, and Home Clean Heroes, a residential cleaning company. British Swim School currently operates over 200 schools across the United States and Canada. For more information about British Swim School, visit http://www.britishswimschool.com. To learn more about the benefits of British Swim Schools franchising opportunities, visit https://britishswimschoolfranchise.com/. For more information about Buzz Franchise Brands, visit https://www.buzzfranchisebrands.com/.
C.A. Rose, an avid world builder, has completed her new book Return of the Black Rose: a riveting second installment to C.A. Roses intrepid trilogy. Aton and Carmens relationship turned sour when the former ruined their missions plan by attacking a priest. Despite their fall out and Carmen dating another man, her heart still longs for one man; a man whose life she must save.

Rose shares, Return of the Black Rose is the second novel in The Black Rose Trilogy. It continues the quest of Carmen, Sister-heir, and Aton, the mutant outlaw, to defeat the priesthoods bid to create a theocracy in both their lands. Returning to the Imperium on a Robin Hood mission, Aton deviates from the plan and attacks a priest. This results in his expulsion.

Carmen is hurt and angry that hes sabotaged their future together. Convincing herself to move on, she dates another, but her heart remains Atons. Through family connections, she joins a conspiracy within the Imperium Great Houses. This Civilist movement works legally to strip the priests of their power to enforce the law, collect taxes, and indoctrinate young schoolchildren. The priesthood strikes back.

Aton becomes a notorious outlaw, declared an enemy of the Church punishable by execution. She must save him.

Published by Page Publishing, C.A. Roses heart-pounding quest is a beautiful portrayal of love; a romantic one and a love for the fellow people. Carmens pursuit to eradicate the priests who use their authority to abuse the people will make the readers root for her.

Dont miss the second part of this action-packed trilogy!

Readers who wish to experience this compelling work can purchase Return of the Black Rose at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Cara Arlene Bolton, a passionate storyteller from the Sacramento Valley, has completed her new book Halcyon: The Chronicles of the Great Galactic War: an exciting quest of Commander General Raric Mizel and Princess Yuelene Verumlen as they travel to Earth to recruit competent individuals who will help them subdue the cause of their realms disturbance.

Bolton shares, In the Belnine System, life is peaceful, idyllic. Life is the same as it was for the past Age. Princess Yuelene, the oldest child of the King and Queen, marries a Military commander, Raric Mizel. Shortly after, a prisoner from the only hard labor camp in the System, escapes with disastrous results. It is a race against time to stop him. With the help of the Hatayan Military, they wage an assault on Thozen Orekran and his followers. Running out of options, Commander General Raric Mizel and Princess Yuelene Verumlen travel to Earth to get help.

In 2030, the world is voting to create a single government. At Pearl Harbor, Alessandra Bailey and Marcus Hunter, Lieutenants in the United States Coast Guard, are recruited to help Yuelene and Raric. With the help of a Marine Private, an Army Private, a Technical Sergeant, and a Chief Petty Officer, can they stop him in time?

Published by Page Publishing, Cara Arlene Boltons compelling tale opens the door to Hatay, its people, and its system. Boltons first book in the series comes out strong and will surely delight the readers of fantasy and science fiction.

Join Commander Mizel and Princess Yuelene as they race against time.

Readers who wish to experience this beguiling work can purchase Halcyon: The Chronicles of the Great Galactic War at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
CollegeSource is pleased to announce that it has received Veracode Verified Standard Status. Students can trust that Transferology is a safe and secure way to explore their college transfer options, - CollegeSource SVP of Product Development Dale Peters

CollegeSource, the higher education industrys most trusted SaaS provider of transfer and degree achievement solutions, today announced that Transferology has successfully attained Veracode Verified Standard Status, a designation that confirms the safety of a company's software development procedures. With vulnerability at the application layer responsible for an increasing number of security breaches, software customers are seeking greater transparency into the security of the software they are purchasing.

CollegeSource can now certify that their Transferology student transfer solution has undergone extensive security testing of their development process as part of the Veracode Verified program. Their participation in the program also ensures that the software meets a greater standard of application security, minimizing customers risk.

CollegeSource is pleased to announce that it has received Veracode Verified Standard Status, indicating that Transferology's application development methods are up to top security standards. Students can trust that Transferology is a safe and secure way to explore their college transfer options, said Dale Peters, senior vice president, product development, CollegeSource.

Organizations whose secure development practice has been validated, and whose application has been accepted into the Standard Tier, have demonstrated that the following security steps have been implemented into their software development practice:



Assesses first-party code with static analysis

Documents that the application does not allow Very High flaws in first-party code

Provides developers with remediation guidance when new flaws are introduced

CollegeSource is proud to achieve Veracode Verified Standard status for Transferology, a cloud-based solution that provides students access to millions of course-to-course transfer equivalencies. This data aids college advisers, students and parents in making well-informed decisions about transferring higher education credit. Every year, Transferology helps hundreds of institutions and hundreds of thousands of students in 140 countries make more informed decisions. CollegeSource places high value on application security to protect a large amount of student and institutional data.

About CollegeSource

CollegeSource is the higher education industrys trusted provider of transfer and degree achievement solutions. For 50 years, CollegeSource has led market-changing transformation by inventing and investing in technology solutions that aid the staff and students of higher education in their quest to plan and complete academic careers. As the archiver of the nations extensive higher education course catalogs, CollegeSources degree audit, academic planning, and transfer credit evaluation solutions are depended on by more than 2,000 institutions and millions of individuals worldwide. Founded and led by higher education and technology veterans, CollegeSource is a privately-held company based in San Diego with offices in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, please visit collegesource.com.
Its been an extraordinary year for our firm, and we could not have achieved it without the efforts of our exceptionally talented and hardworking colleagues, said Mark Gensheimer, President of CS McKee.

CS McKee capped off its 90th anniversary year in 2021 with new products, new additions to its investment management team and record growth in assets under management.

At year end, CS McKees assets under management stood at $9.9 billion, a 38% annual increase which was powered largely by strong organic flows and supplemented by a strategic acquisition which significantly boosted its multi-asset capabilities.

Its been an extraordinary year for our firm, and we could not have achieved it without the efforts of our exceptionally talented and hardworking colleagues, said Mark Gensheimer, President of CS McKee. As we start 2022, we believe we have never been in a better position to meet the investment needs of our consultant partners and institutional clients, he said.

Through its relationship with parent North Square Investments, McKee also made a successful entry into the retail market by sub-advising the North Square McKee Bond Fund (NMKBX) which completed its first full year of operations while surpassing over $100M of assets - a key milestone.

McKee also entered the fast-growing ETF arena, partnering with AdvisorShares to bring two strategies to market in this increasingly desirable product format. Following on its becoming a recent signatory to the UNPRI in 2020, McKee agreed to sub-advise the AdvisorShares North Square McKee ESG Core Bond ETF (NYSE Arca: MENV). Given its significant expertise in shorter duration fixed income strategies, McKee also agreed to sub-advise the AdvisorShares North Square McKee Core Reserves ETF (NYSE Arca: HOLD).

In connection with parent North Squares acquisition of $760M of mutual fund and separate account assets from Stadion Money Management in June, the portfolio management team of Paul Frank, Brad Thompson, CFA, and Clayton Wilkin, CFA, joined CS McKee where they assumed responsibility for managing these alternative and asset allocation strategies and augmented a broader McKee investment team who now collectively manage more than $2.0 billion in multi-asset portfolios as of year-end.

We are delighted to congratulate our CS McKee colleagues for an outstanding year, and to once again gratefully acknowledge the exceptional value they have provided to clients, said Mark Goodwin, Co-Founder and CEO of North Square, the parent company of CS McKee. We look forward to CS McKees continued success in the years to come.

About CS McKee

CS McKee is an institutional investment management firm based in Pittsburgh, PA with over $9.9 billion under management as of December 31, 2021 in taxable fixed income, equity and multi-asset portfolios. The firm was founded in 1931 and became a Registered Investment Advisor in 1972. CS McKees business was acquired by North Square in 2020. McKees clients include pension funds, profit-sharing plans, reserve funds, operating funds and other financial assets for states, counties, municipalities, unions, financial service companies, corporations, endowments and foundations, hospitals, universities, religious organizations and other institutions. Learn more about CS McKee at csmckee.com.

About North Square

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, North Square Investments is an independent, multi-boutique investment firm dedicated to delivering differentiated active investment strategies to the market. North Square has an experienced senior management team comprised of seasoned professionals, a board composed of industry veterans including John Amboian, Neil Cummins and Brian Gaffney, and is backed by Estancia Capital Partners. As of December 31, 2021, North Square had over $1.2 billion of assets under management in 12 mutual funds. With North Squares ownership interests (majority and minority, respectively) in the distinctly branded firms of CS McKee and Oak Ridge Investments, collective assets under management and advisement totaled over $12 billion. Learn more about North Square Investments at northsquareinvest.com.

Before investing you should carefully consider the Funds investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which must accompany precede this commentary. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

CS McKee and North Square Investments, LLC are investment advisers registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about the companies investment advisory services can be found in their respective Form ADV, which are available upon request. Past performance is not indicative of future results.


"ABScan is AlphaBravos flagship cybersecurity solution and has the potential to be broadly adopted throughout the public and private sectors. It will significantly reduce cyber threats, in turn strengthening our countrys critical infrastructure", says Chase Austin, AlphaBravos, COO

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $35 million in funding for diverse small businesses to pursue scientific, clean energy, and climate solutions. The funding will support 158 projects across 29 states that will aim to develop an array of clean energy technology, from climate research tools to improved batteries for electric vehicles.

This funding is administered by DOEs Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs which support a diverse portfolio of small businesses, including startups, across technology areas and markets relevant to DOEs missions to stimulate technological breakthroughs, meet federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase commercialization by transitioning R&D into deployment. For more information about DOEs SBIR and STTR programs, visit the Programs Office at https://science.osti.gov/sbir.

AlphaBravo identified high performance computing (HPC) cybersecurity as a critically relevant topic and one that AlphaBravo is uniquely qualified to support. Chase Austin, AlphaBravos Chief Operating Officer (COO):

ABScan is AlphaBravos flagship cybersecurity solution and has the potential to be broadly adopted throughout the public and private sectors. It will significantly reduce cyber threats, in turn strengthening our countrys critical infrastructure.

Our selection is a testament to our skilled engineers and the companys dedication to innovation. Our team is agile, thorough, and embraces the challenges of modern cybersecurity. AlphaBravo will continue to push the limits and support the United States in its modernization efforts. 

AlphaBravos Principal Engineer, Ed Engelking, and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Mike Johnson, incepted ABScan based on their extensive experience over a combined 40+ years of experience developing and securing software and infrastructure. Engelking discusses:

ABScan will provide an automated, full-scope, platform scanning, reporting, and remediation service that is the first of its kind. The ABScan tool greatly enhances cybersecurity in HPC systems by pushing security left, scanning for vulnerabilities at unprecedented speeds, and automating remediation to reduce vulnerabilities for attacks. This is accomplished while aggregating data to inform sound decision-making and identifying counter-cyberattack opportunities for the future.

About ABScan (Provisional Patent # 63/282,342)

The purpose of ABScan is to provide an automated, full scope, Open Container Initiative (OCI) compatible platform scanning, reporting, and remediation service. With its ability to evaluate infrastructure and software, ABScan is designed to meet the needs of any organization, large or small. The service provides a streamlined path to ATO by both ensuring and maintaining the security posture of cloud and bare-metal infrastructure, as well as software repositories and container images. Additionally, ABScan provides real-time data and metrics, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions and speed up the process of ATO approvals.

About AlphaBravo.

SDVOSB Headquartered in Frederick, Maryland. AlphaBravo believes in removing blockers for our service members so they can access cutting-edge technology necessary for national security. We offer end-to-end cybersecurity and engineering services. Our team focuses on Human-Centered Design (HCD) and supporting the current real-world needs of customers endeavoring to maintain, upgrade and expand their systems. For more information visit our website https://alphabravo.io


Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that Edward A. Imperatore has joined the firm as a partner in its Investigations + White Collar Defense Group, based in the New York office. Mr. Imperatore joins Morrison & Foerster from the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), where he has served as Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) since 2012 and a senior member of the Offices Securities & Commodities Fraud Unit. Mr. Imperatore brings to the firm nearly a decade of experience investigating, prosecuting, and trying cases involving securities and accounting fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, corporate fraud, cybercrime, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

During his career at the United States Attorneys Office for the SDNY, Mr. Imperatore tried more than a dozen jury trials to verdict, all of which resulted in convictions. Among them were 10 complex, multi-week white-collar trials, including six trials in the Securities & Commodities Fraud Unit. He also argued 11 Second Circuit appeals.

Mr. Imperatores arrival follows the addition of dozens of top former U.S. law enforcement and regulatory agency officials to the firm in recent years, including William Frentzen, Adam L. Braverman, Brian K. Kidd, Brandon Van Grack, Katherine Driscoll, and Nathan Reilly in just the past year. These additions underscore the strength of Morrison & Foersters expanding multijurisdictional Investigations + White Collar Defense practice and ability to meet the growing client demand for defense of securities fraud, FCPA matters, and cybersecurity incidents as well as increased demand for white-collar investigative teams comprised of multiple former prosecutors, including from the SDNY.

Ed is a highly regarded and accomplished prosecutor with an exceptional track record of investigating and trying some of the most sophisticated and high-profile white-collar cases at one of the top United States Attorneys Offices in the country, said Carrie H. Cohen, an alumna of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the SDNY and co-chair of Morrison & Foersters Investigations + White Collar Defense Group. Eds addition to our partnership further deepens our already impressive strength in investigations and white-collar defense at a time of increasing government enforcement, particularly in relation to securities and accounting fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and other financial crimes. His prosecutorial experience involving parallel investigations by the SDNY and the SEC, CFTC, and other regulators will be invaluable to our clients.

Mr. Imperatore most recently served as a senior member of the SDNYs prestigious Securities & Commodities Fraud Unit. Prior to that, he worked in the Offices Complex Frauds & Cybercrime Unit. During his almost 10-year tenure as an AUSA, Mr. Imperatore investigated and prosecuted several high-profile corporate fraud and FCPA cases, including three of the 10 largest FCPA criminal resolutions, resulting in nearly $3 billion in penalties, and a $900 million criminal resolution with a major automotive company relating to a vehicle ignition switch defect. He also led numerous prominent white-collar prosecutions and trials, including an investigation and month-long accounting fraud trial during the COVID-19 pandemic of the CEO and COO of a public biomedical company for fraudulently inflating revenue, an investigation and three-week-long accounting fraud trial of the CFO of a public real estate investment trust for manipulating non-GAAP earnings metrics, an investigation and month-long trial of a film producer for a complex securities fraud and investment advisor fraud involving a New York hedge fund, and the investigations and multi-week insider trading trials of a Wall Street analyst and an investment fund owner.

Morrison & Foerster is known worldwide for its stellar reputation, international expertise, and outstanding group of lawyers and clients, said Mr. Imperatore. I am thrilled to join the firms renowned litigation and white-collar practices and look forward to using the experience and skills I have developed as an SDNY prosecutor and litigator to help our clients navigate their most complex matters.

Mr. Imperatore earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as senior editor of the Georgetown Law Journal, and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Amherst College. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Robert A. Katzmann, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and before that, for the Honorable Lewis A. Kaplan, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Earlier in his career, he also served as a litigation associate at two leading New York law firms. Mr. Imperatore is admitted to the New York State and New Jersey Bars.

ABOUT MOFO

Morrison & Foerster is a global firm of exceptional credentials. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, consulting and accounting firms, investment banks, and Fortune 100, technology, and life sciences companies. Highlighting the firms commitment to client service and leadership in impact litigation and market-changing deals, MoFo was recognized as one of the top 10 firms on The American Lawyers 2021 A-List. Year after year, the firm and the lawyers in its Investigations + White Collar Defense Group receive significant recognition from Chambers and The Legal 500, including Global, USA, Asia-Pacific, Europe, UK, Latin America, and FinTech Legal. Our lawyers are committed to achieving innovative and business-minded results for our clients, while preserving the differences that make us stronger. MoFo has a long-standing commitment to creating a culture that respects and celebrates differences, while providing an inclusive environment. The firm has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus since 2018 as a result of successfully reaching at least 30 percent women, communities of color, and LGBTQ+ lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles and committees. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education for poor children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, winning asylum for the persecuted, and safeguarding the environment.

Morrison & Foersters internationally ranked and repeatedly recognized Investigations + White Collar Defense Group includes former federal and state prosecutors, senior government regulators, White House and Federal Bureau of Investigation counsel, national security and privacy specialists, and veteran defense lawyers. This diverse team is made up of more than 100 attorneys around the globe handling a broad range of high-profile, complex, multijurisdictional matters across a variety of industries and before numerous federal, state, local, and international prosecutors and regulators. Our team of experienced, practical, and discreet attorneys have counseled clients, conducted investigations, and worked with partners around the globe, including in some of the worlds most challenging markets in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Russia.
We are excited to be kicking off 2022 by participating in our first trade show of the year. It will be a great opportunity for professional development and to build relationships with others in our industry.

Educational Services & Consulting (ESC) will be attending the Windstorm Insurance Network Conference in Orlando, Florida from January 24th  27th. This years conference will be hosted at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort. This Clermont, Florida based company has been offering the Accredited Claims Adjuster designation course for over 20 years. To expand their network, the company will be hosting a booth at this annual conference. As a proud member of the Windstorm Insurance Network, ESC is a regular attendee at their events. This four-day conference is designed to offer education and insight for the insurance claims industry through professional development, trainings, certifications, networking opportunities and more.

Co-owner and Chief Strategy Officer, Natalie Zimmerman, stated "We are excited to be kicking off 2022 by participating in our first trade show of the year. It will be a great opportunity for professional development and to build relationships with others in our industry. With more than 1,000 property/windstorm insurance claims professionals all gathered, it will be a terrific time! We are very much looking forward to the show."

During those four convention days, you can find team members from Educational Services & Consulting in the Expo Hall at booth #81. The Expo Hall will be open Monday, January 24th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, Tuesday, January 25th from 9:45 am until 4:00 pm, as well as being open on the 26th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. For the full conference agenda visit online at https://windnetwork.com/.

ESC offers an online course to obtain the 6-20 Accredited Claims Adjuster (ACA) designation. The course is designed for flexibility, allowing participants to study at their own pace. With ESCs designation, no state exam is required to obtain the ACA license.

Those passing ESCs Accredited Claims Adjuster course, are qualified to assess home and property damages, provide a fair value for repair and replacement costs, and expedite claims to help policy holders get their claims settled quickly. Once passing the ACA designation course and receiving their license, individuals can work as an independent adjuster or by working for a larger insurance company. The types of claims that an Accredited Claims Adjusters might work on include wind, fire, and hurricane damages to homes, vehicles and other building structures. Those desiring to learn more about obtaining the ACA designation through Educational Services & Consulting are encouraged to stop by booth #81 in the Expo Hall at the Windstorm Insurance Network Conference.

This trusted agency in Florida has also reached students in 46 of the 50 United States, with over 13,000 students being registered for Educational Services & Consultings courses in the past six years. In Florida, there is 1,960 job openings projected annually in the industry for Accredited Claims Adjusters. With courses offered at the lowest price compared to others in the industry, ESC offers students a way to boost their earning potential upon completion of their courses.

Educational Services & Consulting also offers a course to become a Registered Customer Service Representative (RCSR). Much like the Accredited Claims Adjuster course, the state exam is waived upon completion of ESCs Registered Customer Service Representative designation course. RCSR's are key individuals in the insurance claims process. With an RCSR designation, one may perform tasks such as preparing documents for contracts and transactions, reviewing data for errors, calculating costs of goods and services, and facilitating financial transactions. For more information on the Registered Customer Service Representative course, visit: https://escconnected.com/registered-customer-service-representative/

Educational Services & Consultings corporate office is located at 4327 South Highway 27, Suite 204, Clermont, Florida 34711. For more information on the courses they offer, visit online or call (800) 309-2549. Those planning on attending the Windstorm Insurance Network Conference, ESC team members will be available in person at the Expo Hall in booth #81.
An interesting element to how professional services providers approach employee well-being is what we call the living laboratory effect, said Tomek Jankowski, Director, ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research.

New analysis from ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research shows that the pandemic has seriously disrupted the workplace. Still, it has also laid bare several festering problems that have long gone unaddressed in the process. These problems had become serious enough even before the pandemic to attract some attention, such as a 2016 ABA study that found alarming rates of burnout, substance abuse, suicide, and other mental distress symptoms among lawyers. Before the pandemic, with a few notable exceptions, the crisis in employee well-being tended to be treated with the equivalent of bandaids in the form of under-utilized employee health awareness programs buried in benefits packages. The pandemic forced employers to confront their employee problems head-on.

An interesting element to how professional services providers approach employee well-being is what we call the living laboratory effect, remarked ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research Director Tomek Jankowski. The pandemic forced all employers - everyone, providers and their clients - to fundamentally rethink their workforce model in 2020, and that led to some experimentation that the more innovative providers were then able (once they worked the kinks out) to share with their clients.

What Innovators and Pacesetters brought to the equation was the realization (some before the pandemic) that there was a measurable link between optimizing the employee experience (EX) and improving the customer experience (UX). The elements that shape the employee experience are woven together like the threads in a Persian rug, and span the employer organization  and beyond  which means that the employee experience is no longer just an HR concern. Leading innovators and Pacesetters help clients create long-term, actionable strategies for their employees experience that have a measurable impact on the bottom line.

In ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research: Employee Well-being 2022-2023, the Pacesetter Advisory Council assessed seventeen providers strategies and service offerings identified as Innovators for their ability to deliver client impact in todays ever-shifting employee well-being markets. Additionally, the research and analysis provide insights into the competitive dynamics and service delivery trends driving convergence across insurance & benefits, legal, management consulting, and multi-service providers.

Research Highlights:



The pandemic has rapidly accelerated existing trends around employee well-being in a way that has fundamentally changed the dynamics of employee-employer relations

In recent years some innovative providers have been focusing on the employee experience (EX), recognizing the link between that and enhancing the end-user customer experience (UX)

Professional services providers tend to fall starkly into one of a few service approach categories: compliance, benefits/rewards, workforce management, and holistic solutions

Employees often cite the intangible elements as at least as important, if not more important than just compensation in the employee experience, like feeling valued by both the employer and fellow employees or work-life balance

A consistent theme is that providers now expect to work with the C-Suite or the board (not just HR) and must address the needs of a much broader group of client stakeholders

ALM Intelligence evaluated the employee well-being capabilities and offerings of the following providers: Allen & Overy, Aon, Bain & Company, Borden Ladner Gervais, Boston Consulting Group, Buck, Deloitte, Eagle Hill Consulting, EY, Korn Ferry, KPMG, Mercer, North Highland; Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart; Oliver Wyman, PwC, and Willis Towers Watson.

ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research provides independent, objective research to providers and buyers of professional services, coupled with practical insights that inform the decision-making process for strategic planning and procurement professionals.

To learn more about the Employee Well-being research or obtain the full version of the report to go:

https://www.alm.com/intelligence/pacesetter-research-2/employee-well-being/.

For more information or to obtain the full version of the ALM Intelligence Pacesetter Research series, visit: https://www.alm.com/intelligence/pacesetter-research/ or contact us at almintelligence@alm.com.

About ALM Intelligence

ALM Intelligence provides proprietary data, analysis, tools, and knowledge that empower our clients to succeed. The product suite and vast data repository arm professionals with the critical business information required to make the most impactful and informed decisions possible. The exhaustive data repository and product functionality enable professionals to combat competitive challenges head-on with the confidence to remain ahead of the field. The depth of ALM Intelligences expertise across the benefits, insurance, consulting, and legal industries provide a broad spectrum of actionable intelligence to facilitate and execute strategy. Visit https://www.alm.com/intelligence/ for more information.

About ALM Media, LLC

ALM, an information and intelligence company, provides customers with critical news, data, analysis, marketing solutions, and events to successfully manage the business of law. ALM serves a community of over 6 million business professionals seeking to discover, connect, and compete in highly complex industries. Please visit http http://www.alm.com for more information, and visit http://www.alm.com/events/ to learn about our upcoming events. Please follow us on Twitter at @ALMMedia.


"State lawmakers should eliminate youth work permits to end the influence given to school administrators and restore the decision-making rights to students and their parents," said Lauren McCarthy a Research Analyst at FGA.

Yesterday, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) identified a barrier to work that many states have created by using youth work permits to determine a teenager's eligibility to participate in the workforce.

FGA researchers explain that the health and safety of children are already protected under the Fair Labor Standards Acts to ensure that those under the age of 18 can participate in the workforce without jeopardizing their well-being. In comparison, state-created youth work permits are certifications issued by school administrators that grant teenagers permission to work. Over the years these certifications have become an unnecessary attempt to extend bureaucratic oversight and may have disincentivized or delayed teenagers from seeking employment opportunities. In the process, school administrators have been given priority in decision-making rights compared to parents and guardians.

Findings further show that the teenage workforce participation rate increased dramatically in the early summer of 2021 with nearly one-third of teenagers employed. At this time, nearly 11 million jobs remained available as a result of the labor crisis. This labor shortage shed light on teenagers' eagerness to join the workforce and likely led to the unemployment rate reaching less than 10 percent for teenagers aged 16 to 19, the lowest since 1953. States that delay the hiring process for teenage workers with youth work permits may be unintentionally cutting off a critical source of their workforce.

"States are creating unnecessary hurdles for teen job seekers by requiring them to receive the approval of school administrators before accepting a part-time job or volunteer opportunity. If the school refuses to issue a work permit, then a young person cannot workeven if parents believe a job is in the best interest of their child," said Lauren McCarthy a Research Analyst at FGA. "State lawmakers should eliminate youth work permits to end the influence given to school administrators and restore the decision-making rights to students and their parents."

State lawmakers can make a significant and immediate impact on their local communities and economies by removing unnecessary red tape with the removal of your work permits.

###

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that promotes public policy solutions to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
Fort Morgan Housing Authority joins the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System The Fort Morgan Housing Authority invites all potential vendors to register online.

The Fort Morgan Housing Authority has officially joined the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, one of bidnet directs regional e-procurement solutions, providing vendors throughout Colorado and Wyoming easy online access to its upcoming solicitations. The Fort Morgan Housing Authority invites all vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/fortmorganhousingauthority.

The regional purchasing group connects local governments with vendors looking to do business with public agencies. On the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, vendors seeking business with over 325 participating agencies can register online to gain access to a single point of entry for opportunities throughout Colorado and Wyoming. By posting upcoming bids and RFPs on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, the Fort Morgan Housing Authority ensures an entire community of vendors can view their solicitation, download documents, and receive notification of addenda. The vendors self-register and ensure their contact information is up to date.

Because we arent the only agency posting and distributing bids, the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System provides us with more vendor competition, which we hope will help cut costs said Executive Director, Nancy Hosier, of the Fort Morgan Housing Authority when asked why they decided to join the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System. We also like that it can help our current vendors expand their business opportunities.

The Fort Morgan Housing Authority invites all local vendors to visit http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/fortmorganhousingauthority and register to receive access to its upcoming solicitations as well as the upcoming bids and RFPs from 330 other public agencies participating on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System. Registered vendors have the option to upgrade their service to receive customized bid alerts, notification of term contract expiration, and notification of a real-time addendum.

About the Fort Morgan Housing Authority:

The Fort Morgan Housing Authority oversees public housing for elderly and disabled persons. The Housing Authority owns and manages 1 facility which totals 86 units across the city. Public housing agencies, including the public housing agency in Fort Morgan, are required to submit and receive approval from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Colorado State Office every 5 years. They detail the housing authority's strategy, outreach programs, operations, and policies so information can change. The Fort Morgan HA code is CO011, and it's part of the Colorado State Office.

About bidnet direct:

bidnet direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. bidnet direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers
The consortium will continue its efforts in finding ways to maintain medical care systems that enable medial institutions to accept many patients smoothly and effectively, streamline operations for healthcare professionals, and address their long working hours.

A four-party consortium composed of transcosmos inc. (transcosmos), St. Marianna University School of Medicine (St. Marianna University), NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO), and Kawasaki City hereby announces that the consortium will begin a demonstration experiment of emergency medical care (the experiment) with the use of 5G at the St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital (St. Marianna University Hospital) on Monday, December 6, 2021. The experiment has been chosen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for its public appeal for The fiscal 2021 development demonstrations for realizing local 5G services to solve issues.

Given an increasing aging population and other factors, the need for emergency medical care has risen sharply in recent years. In order to address such a need as well as to manage mass-casualty incidents and prevent the spread of emerging contagious diseases, it has become a pressing task to further strengthen the emergency medical service system to promote the development of sustainable community health and medical services. In addition, some reports have pointed out that doctors tend to work long hours in medical institutions that accept many emergency patients including St. Marianna University Hospital, which calls for an appropriate allocation of medical resources.

With the aim of solving such challenges that community and emergency medical services face, and to streamline emergency medical care and address the long working hours, the four-party consortium will develop and experiment the following systems using DOCOMOs 5G services that enable medical institutions to realize real-time communication between doctors and hospitals through many-to-many high-definition video transmission, transmit large-volume video data from medical equipment, and assess the position of medical equipment with the use of AI.

1. Share comprehensive visual information by using 360 cameras and other tools. Share visual information of doctors hand movements with the use of smart glasses

2. Share visual information of a patient who is on a transfer on a stretcher in the hospital

3. Share remote CT images

4. Transmit mass X-ray video data

5. Assess the position of endotracheal tubes and other medical tools with the use of AI

Based on the results of the experiment, the four-party consortium will first discuss systems operational challenges and solutions, and implement the systems to St. Marianna University Hospital in full-scale. The consortium will continue its efforts in finding ways to maintain medical care systems that enable medical institutions to accept many patients smoothly and effectively, streamline operations for healthcare professionals, and address their long working hours.

Also, the consortium will report the findings of such initiatives to the Japanese government, and will strive to apply and spread the systems to community health and medical services.

Media Contacts:

transcosmos inc.

Public Relations & Advertising Department

Email: pressroom@trans-cosmos.co.jp

St. Marianna University of Medicine

Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine/Digital Health Co-creation Center

TEL: +81-44-977-8111 (Extension: 3931/3619)

NTT DOCOMO, INC.

Corporate Sales and Marketing Department, Kanagawa Branch

TEL: +81-45-226-8041

KAWASAKI CITY

Healthcare Policy Office, Health and Welfare Center

TEL: +81-44-200-2420

Demonstration Experiment Overview

1. Demonstration Experiment Overview

(1) Place

St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital (Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki city, Kangawa prefecture, Japan)

(2) Start Date

Monday, December 6, 2021

2. Abstracts (refer to the reference sheets for images and details of the experiment)

Themes

Points to be verified

Main equipment and technologies

(1) Share comprehensive visual information by using 360 cameras and other tools. Share visual information of doctors hand movements with the use of smart glasses

Verify the feasibility of sharing information appropriately by sharing videos that livestream treatments carried out in the emergency room.



5G network

360 cameras

Smart glasses

(2) Share visual information of a patient who is on a transfer on a stretcher in the hospital

Verify the feasibility of checking patient conditions whilst on transfer inside the hospital on a stretcher in real time.



5G network

Webcams

(3) Share remote CT images

Verify the feasibility of performing diagnosis by taking the images of CT scans with 4K videos and sending the images to doctors tablets.



5G network

4K real-time video transmission system

(4) Transmit mass X-ray video data

Verify the feasibility of performing diagnosis by transmitting high-definition X-ray video data to designated PCs in real-time.



5G network

(5) Assess the position of endotracheal tubes and other medical tools with the use of AI

Verify the feasibility of browsing the results of AI-based analysis on tablets by uploading X-ray images taken with 4K cameras on cloud.



5G network

Cloud

AI

3. Main Roles and Responsibilities of Each Party

Company/Organization

Main Roles and Responsibilities

transcosmos

Overall management of the demonstration experiment

Create a report on the demonstration experiment

St. Marianna University

Setting up and providing a demonstration experiment field (on the university campus)

DOCOMO

Build systems for solving problems

Offer DOCOMO 5G services (5G base stations)

Perform technology demonstration

Kawasaki City

Assist in sharing the results of the demonstration experiment to hospitals in the city

Attend the demonstration experiment and exchange opinions from the perspective of an organization responsible for emergency transportation.

Demonstration Experiment Details

1. Share comprehensive visual information by using 360 cameras and other tools. Share visual information of doctors hand movements with the use of smart glasses

Current Status

Although many doctors and medical staff are called to attend patients when accepting severe trauma patients or following mass casualty incidents, many of the doctors cannot treat the patients swiftly. There is room for improvement in operational procedures.

Experiment Details

Experiment will be conducted assuming two cases. One is to remotely observe and grasp the situation of emergency treatment performed on severe trauma patients, and the other is to remotely observe and grasp the situation of doctors examination on multiple patients following mass casualty incidents. Video images of a doctors surgical procedures and the condition of affected areas will be shared by the use of a smart glass. In addition, vital sign monitors, whiteboards on which patients complaints, the course of events, and any other information are described, as well as medical staff attending the patient, will also be shared using 360 cameras and other equipment.

Expected Benefit

Doctors will be able to remotely check and grasp a patients condition without being on a medical site, which enables them to go to the site when necessary. Therefore, it is expected that the process will reduce the duration of doctors being on site, as well as decrease the number of doctors on site. In addition, this enables more doctors and medical staff to share information about the situation at the medical sites. The ability to share information between the medical sites, a control room, and areas where patients are transferred (operating room, hospital laboratory) in real time will optimize and streamline the procedures for deciding a therapeutic approach based on the severity and required treatment of each patient, triage, and the time for doctors to move to designated areas for treatment and examination.

2. Share visual information of a patient who is on a transfer on a stretcher in the hospital

Current Status

In case of a sudden change in a patients condition, many doctors and nurses currently attend an emergency patient on transfer on a stretcher in a hospital which requires a lot of manpower and man-hours.

Experiment Details

In the experiment, videos of an emergency patient on transfer on a stretcher inside the hospital will be livestreamed to remote doctors tablets using 5G. This enables doctors to grasp the patients condition who is on transfer from ICU to the angiography suite or other areas where less doctors are present, which is a common case for severe patients.

Expected Benefit

It is expected that by enabling doctors to remotely grasp patients conditions, they will be able to attend the patients in case of emergency even if staff in charge of transfer are not qualified for medical treatment. Therefore, it is expected that this will reduce the number of staff responsible for transferring patients as well as their mental burden.

3. Share remote CT images

Current Status

Although novel coronavirus and other infection as well as traumatic changes must be tested and detected immediately, it currently takes time to carry out a diagnosis due to the long lead-time required for generating and transmitting images to a dedicated image distribution system. In addition, since the diagnosis needs to be performed with the dedicated image distribution system, it takes additional time for doctors to move to a diagnostic room and wait in the room.

Experiment Details

In this experiment, a 4K camera takes CT images that appear on a monitor after taking a CT scan, and then shares the images in real-time with medical image diagnosis specialists so that the specialists can confirm the images on their tablets. By sharing real-time, high-definition images using 5G, this allows the specialists to perform diagnosis based on the shared images without waiting for the images to be sent to an image viewer.

Expected Benefit

By sharing CT images in real-time, it is expected to save doctors travel and wait times. In addition, time-effective image diagnosis is expected to increase operational efficiency as well as quality of diagnosis as it can be performed by multiple doctors at the same time.

4. Transmit mass X-ray video data

Current Status

In order to transmit X-ray video data, X-ray specialists need to take X-ray videos in ICU and other areas where patients are treated, and move to a separate area where a dedicated server terminal for generating images is located. Thus, it currently takes more than one hour from taking X-ray videos to performing image diagnosis.

Experiment Details

The experiment will verify the feasibility of wireless mass video data transmission using unique features of 5G technology that is otherwise difficult.

Expected Benefit

Once medical equipment becomes more mobile in the future, the wireless mass video data transmission will enable doctors to analyze real-time image data (X-ray dynamic images) regardless of their locations. With this technology, there is no need to transfer patients, therefore, it is expected that burden on patients as well as manpower of medical staff for transferring patients will be reduced.

5. Assess the position of endotracheal tubes and other medical tools with the use of AI

Current Status

Severe and critical patients are intubated to endotracheal tubes and other medical equipment that assist breathing and support life. In order to confirm that such equipment is placed at the proper position of the patients body, X-ray radiography is required. In most cases, however, X-ray images are taken for other diagnostic purposes, and therefore doctors currently are required to perform diagnostic imaging to confirm the position of endotracheal tubes on top of other diagnosis.

Experiment Details

In the experiment, 4K cameras will take images of the X-ray images that appeared on monitors, and upload the mass video data on cloud using 5G. Once the upload process is completed, AI will be used to conduct an assessment, and the results of image analysis will be shown on tablet and other browsers in real-time.

Expected Benefit

5G enables the transmission of high-definition video data, which in turn secures the level of resolution required for AI-based analysis. With the use of 4K cameras and other portable equipment, the system is highly flexible, and not restrained by existing image distribution systems installed in hospitals. With this system, it is expected to save doctors working hours whilst ensuring relevant diagnoses.
Leonard (Ram Lev) Perlmutter Leading a Guided Meditation A daily meditation practice is a dire necessity. It not only relieves stress, it also trains the mind to be one-pointed, reduces reactionary responses, enhances creativity, and builds the muscles of will power. - Leonard Perlmutter (Ram Lev)

This coming Sunday morning, January 23rd, The American Meditation Institute founder Leonard Perlmutter (Ram Lev) will lead a free, live Guided Meditation and interactive group discussion designed to relieve stress, enhance creativity, and strengthen the bodys immune system. Available to the general public (regardless of experience), this unique Guided Meditation on Zoom will run from 9:30-11:00am ET, and all registrants, regardless of their attendance, will receive a free recording of the service.

This special Guided Meditation will be scheduled as follows:

9:30  9:35am ET Welcome and announcements

9:35  10:10am ET Guided meditation by Leonard (Ram Lev)

10:10  10:30am ET Leonard (Ram Lev) will share a reading

10:30  11:00am ET Satsang (a practical, interactive discussion led by Leonard (Ram Lev) and Jenness Perlmutter

This seated meditation practice presented live on ZOOM is known as mantra meditation. In the comfort of their own home, each attendee sits in a straight-back chair with their head, neck and trunk straight, or sits cross-legged on the floor if that posture is more comfortable. Leonard Perlmutter then presents precise instruction during the entire meditation.

If any attendees have not received a personal mantra from a qualified teacher before the service, it is suggested that they choose one from the following list from various spiritual traditions:



Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ

Ave Maria

Barukh Attah Adonai

Allah

Rama

Om Namaha Shivaya

Om Mani Padme Hum

Leonard Perlmutter (Ram Lev) is the founder of The American Meditation Institute and originator of National Conscience Month. Mr. Perlmutters books, YOUR CONSCIENCE, as well as The Heart and Science of Yoga have been endorsed by medical pioneers Dean Ornish MD, and Bernie Siegel MD. Leonard has taught workshops on the benefits of the conscience, meditation and Yoga Science at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Kaiser Permanente, numerous medical schools, The New York Times forum on Yoga, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Association of Graduates. Since 2009, Leonards Foundation Course on Yoga Science has been certified for continuing medical education credits by the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association.

About the American Meditation Institute

The American Meditation Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization devoted to the teaching and practice of Yoga Science, meditation and its allied disciplines as mind-body medicine. In its holistic approach to wellness, the AMI combines the healing arts of the East with the practicality of modern Western science. The American Meditation Institute offers a wide variety of classes, retreats, and teacher training programs. AMI also publishes Transformation a quarter journal of Yoga Science as Mind-Body Medicine. Call 518.674.8714 for a mail or email subscription.

Leonard Perlmutter is available for interviews by contacting:

Media Contact

Robert Washington

60 Garner Road

Averill Park, NY 12018

Tel: 518-674-8714

Fax: 518-674-8714
Finance and Insurance Department makes financing easy at Freeman Motor Company

Freeman Motor Company is an automotive dealership in Salem and Portland, Oregon. The dealership has a dedicated Finance and Insurance Department for the financing needs of customers. The qualified team makes the process of getting a car loan easy for buyers and saves time. Individuals buying a vehicle from the Freeman Motor Company have the advantage of completing all financing needs in one place. The dealership has good connections with banks so customers will get a range of options.

Customers can start the process by filling the online finance application form. After selecting the vehicle from inventory, buyers select the Start Credit Application option. The dealership will evaluate options, and a finance manager might contact potential buyers for more information. The credit application will be submitted to the bank, and after getting the final approval from the lender, the finance officer might get in touch with customers to go over the terms. Buyers will get all documentation of their records. The process is easy and transparent.

Freeman Motor Company has an inventory packed with some great models. The dealerships website has a model research page to give detailed information to customers. The dealership also offers vehicle maintenance services. Customers can wait in the dealerships lounge and utilize free Wi-Fi or television during their vehicle maintenance.

To learn more, potential buyers can visit the website or call 503-310-5555. Freeman Motor Company is located at 7524 S. Macadam Ave.
Through our latest testing, we were able to demonstrate that the yields were higher than expected for solids, liquids and gases and that the technology is financially viable.

Frontieras North America, a subsidiary of Frontier Applied Sciences, today announced the validated yields of FASForm, its patented clean Solid Carbon Fractionation hydrocarbon processing technology. Working closely with the esteemed engineering company JoB Industrial Services, Inc., Frontieras has validated the FASForm product yields as liquids, high-value carbon (coke) product and hydrogen-rich gas. The results indicate a profitable technology that is not reliant on government subsidies, as well as an environmentally cleaner energy product which is poised to change the North American coal, oil and steel industries.

Frontieras technology unlocks a new source of valuable petroleum products from unconventional sources such as coal, lignite, oil sands and waste plastic. Specifically, the report validated FASForms ability to delineate high-quality, market -ready products suitable for sale as transportation fuels or chemical feed stocks. With this data and the validation of its previously designed and engineered process, which was confirmed utilizing FAS Process Demonstration Unit, Frontieras can move forward with a commercial capital raise to fund the development of its first large scale commercial plant that is expected to process 2.7 million tons of coal per year.

JoB Industrial Services is actively engaged in working with the Frontieras team to both test and bring this transformative technology to market, said Jason Job, CEO at JoB Industrial. Engaging with Frontieras along every step of the way has allowed us to validate the engineering and the yields that are produced with FASForms Solid Carbon Fractionation. Through our latest testing, we were able to demonstrate that the yields were higher than expected for solids, liquids and gases and that the technology is financially viable.

FASForm expands the application of hydrocarbons as an energy source and changes the conversation surrounding coal. FASForm deploys a phased refining process for coal and other solids that uses continuous heat and pressure to reform, refine and liberate the constituents of solid carbonaceous materials that contain volatile compounds. Specifically, FASForm separates out components to produce and separate valuable gas products such as hydrogen and methane, as well as high-value liquid products such as naphtha, jet fuel and diesel. In addition, FASForm produces an upgraded solid carbon product superior to current metallurgical coke since it is moisture free, devoid of volatiles and nearly sulfur-free. FASForms unique refining process, recognized as Solid Carbon Fractionation (SCF), delivers several competitive and environmental benefits, including:



Economic Viability: FASForms higher yields allow Frontieras to be highly profitable and in great demand because of its cleaner and more efficient product offering. Frontieras plans to develop a large-scale production unit that does not rely on government subsidies that will bring economic growth and job opportunities to its targeted states.

Market Impact: FASForms production of higher yields allows supporting industries to compete with the delivery of a superior product. Frontieras allows for other industries to benefit from the more cost-effective energy source to produce stronger and more affordable offerings.

Positive Environmental Impact: When processing coal, FASForm removes nearly all sulfur, mercury and arsenic, as well as the moisture, which upgrades the thermal value of the final carbon product. This lowers the carbon footprint and allows a reduction in CO2 emissions. Additionally, rather than ending up in landfills, waste plastics can be co-fed and converted fully to oil products.

Todays announcement builds on Frontieras earlier engagement with JoB to validate the engineering associated with the processing technology, said Matthew McKean, CEO and Co-Founder of Frontieras. The speed at which Frontieras has been able to move from a development stage, that included the creation of a product test unit, to now the validation of processed yields, is a testament to Frontieras use of advanced technology to streamline the process. Frontieras will provide an abundant and affordable supply of energy with a clean carbon footprint that is highly profitable.

With these results, Frontieras is poised to file for Regulation D and continue Phase III engineering progress. Frontieras filling of the Regulation D provides for accredited investors the opportunity to invest in Frontieras. The capital raise will play a key role in accelerating the purchase of the designated lot and the development of Frontieras first large scale commercial FASForm plant. To learn more about Frontieras, visit us at frontieras.com

About Frontieras

Frontieras North America, a subsidiary of Frontier Applied Sciences (FAS) is a privately held entity formed in 2010 as a private company. FAS holds patents on 5 continents that cover more than 3.3 billion people in 9 countries including the United States and Canada. Frontieras FASForm streamlines the processing of solid hydrocarbonaceous materials and maximizes the energy output in each of its three forms: solids, liquids, and gas. FASform is extremely efficient, and products can be delivered to market at or below market comparable prices without relying upon any government subsidies or carbon credits.
Golden Bridge Awards by GLOBEE All organizations operating anywhere in the world  large to small and startups, government, public and private, for-profit and non-profit are eligible to submit nominations to the 2022 Golden Bridge Awards in a wide range of categories honoring achievement in every aspect of business + work life.

The Globee Awards organizer of the worlds premier business awards programs and business ranking lists is now accepting nominations and entries for the 2022 Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards. To celebrate achievements Globee Awards has introduced new commemorative items.

The Golden Bridge Awards is the worlds premier business awards program honoring achievements in every industry around the world. Everyone deserves commendation for job well done. Identify, recognize, and nominate executives, professionals, and employees for their achievements no matter how small or large. There are many categories in which your organization, products and services, and the people behind their success can be nominated. Categories are classified under the following groups:



People | Innovator, Lifetime Achievement, Maverick, and Women Awards Categories Group

People | Entrepreneur Awards Categories Group

People | Executive, Management, and Professionals Awards Categories Group

People | Professional and Staffer (non-executive) of the Year

New Product & Service Innovation | AI, Information Technology & Cyber Security Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Content Technologies and Information Management Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Education Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Energy/CleanTech Industry Awards categories

New Product & Service Innovation | Health Care Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Industry and Vertical Markets Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Best New Product or Service Awards Categories Group

Product & Service Development | People Awards Categories Group

Product & Service Development | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group

Company | Innovative Company of the Year Awards Categories Group

Company | Best Company Awards Categories Group

Company | Startup Awards Categories Group

Corporate Communications and PR | People Awards Categories Group

Corporate Communications and PR | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group

Creative | App & Mobile Website Awards Categories

Creative | Live Events Awards Categories

Creative | Publications and Print Awards Categories

Creative | Digital and Online Campaign Awards Categories

Creative | Video, Commercial, Advertising, and Film Awards Categories

Creative | Web, Social Media, and Online Presence Awards Categories

Creative | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group

Customer Service & Support | People Awards Categories Group

Customer Service & Support | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group

Customer Success of the Year Awards Categories Group

Human Resources | People Awards Categories Group

Human Resources | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group

Information Technology Users | People Awards Categories Group

Information Technology Users | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group

Marketing | People Awards Categories Group

Marketing | Campaign, Outstanding Achievement, Project or Initiative, and Team-Department Awards Categories Group

Milestone of the Year Awards Categories Group

COVID-19 Business Response Awards Categories Group

All new products and services nominated in the new product awards categories of this years Golden Bridge Awards will be eligible to participate in the Peoples Choice Globee Awards for Favorite Product-Service of the Year.

Learn more about the 2022 Golden Bridge Awards and how to nominate here: https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/

Winners of previous years are listed here: https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/winners/

Stay posted and read success stories of organizations by subscribing to the Globee Newsletter: https://globeeawards.com/subscribe/

The coveted annual Golden Bridge Awards program recognizes and honors the worlds best in organizational performance, products and services, innovations, executives and management teams, women in business and the professions, case studies and successful deployments, public relations and marketing campaigns, product management, websites, blogs, white-papers, videos, advertisements, creativity, partner programs, and customer satisfaction programs from every major industry in the world.

A worldwide judging panel of executives and professionals representing a wide spectrum of industries will determine the winners. Winners will be presented and honored in a virtual ceremony attended by the finalists, winners, judges, and industry peers from all over the world. Industry experts and end-users or consumers of products and services can participate in the judging process. More details to register as an industry expert and help as a judge are available at https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/judges/

About the Globee Awards

Globee Awards are conferred in ten programs and competition: the American Best in Business Awards, Business and Communications Excellence Awards, CEO World Awards, Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards, Disruptor Company Awards, Golden Bridge Awards, Information Technology World Awards, International Best in Business Awards, Sales, Marketing, & Service Excellence Awards, and Women World Awards. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com

All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
HHAeXchange worked hand-in-hand with us to achieve broad public support, timely implementation, and CMS certification," said Jennifer Langer Jacobs, Assistant Commissioner of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the New Jersey Department of Human Service.

HHAeXchange, the leading provider of homecare management solutions for payers, providers, and state Medicaid agencies, today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted certification of the HHAeXchange Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system as the State of New Jerseys EVV aggregator.

CMS conducted a comprehensive review and assessment of New Jerseys EVV system and functionality on July 21, 2021, issuing full certification retroactive to the States implementation date of December 14, 2020. With CMS certification, New Jersey is now eligible for a potential 75% Federal Financial Participation (FFP).

HHAeXchange has a long history of leading the home and community-based services industry with comprehensive tools that serve payers and providers. Im very grateful to our partnership with the state of New Jersey, and am proud that HHAeXchange achieved CMS EVV certification, while helping New Jersey MCOs and providers streamline their processes, improve communication, and empower their caregivers with time-saving tools, said Greg Strobel, CEO of HHAeXchange.

New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) selected HHAeXchange as its EVV aggregator in August 2020 and fully implemented an open-vendor EVV model on December 14, 2020. HHAeXchanges EVV solution supports New Jerseys open EVV model by consolidating all visit data, regardless of whether the Provider is using the states EVV system or a third-party system, for all Personal Care Services (PCS) across five managed care organizations (MCOs) in the New Jersey FamilyCare Program.

It was important to New Jersey that we implement EVV in compliance with federal requirements, and that we do so with a strong and enthusiastic stakeholder process, said Jennifer Langer Jacobs, Assistant Commissioner of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the New Jersey Department of Human Services. HHAeXchange worked hand-in-hand with us to achieve broad public support, timely implementation, and CMS certification.

As an industry-leading provider of homecare management solutions, HHAeXchange has helped dozens of states and MCOs manage billions of dollars in Medicaid claims while achieving a new level of oversight, transparency, and efficiency that hasnt previously existed in the marketplace. On an annual basis, HHAeXchange confirms more than 125 million visits and bills nearly $18.5 billion in Medicaid claims for more than 6,300 homecare agencies.

For more information on HHAeXchange and its platforms, including its EVV software, please visit hhaexchange.com.

About HHAeXchange

Founded in 2008, HHAeXchange is the leading technology platform for homecare and self-direction program management. Developed specifically for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), HHAeXchange connects state agencies, managed care payers, providers, and caregivers through its intuitive web-based platform, enabling unparalleled communication, transparency, efficiency, and compliance. For more information, visit hhaexchange.com or follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Everything we do is driven by customers needs. Its our mission to provide the most flexible cybersecurity education platform with unmatched white-glove service so every client succeeds in building strong security cultures

Infosec Institute, a leading cybersecurity education company, today announced that TrustRadius recognized Infosec with 2022 Best Relationship and Best Feature Set Awards for its security awareness training software. More than 1 million business technology buyers look to TrustRadius authentic, unbiased customer feedback every month to make better product decisions.

Everything we do is driven by customers needs. Its our mission to provide the most flexible cybersecurity education platform with unmatched white-glove service so every client succeeds in building strong security cultures, said Jack Koziol, Infosec CEO and founder. Were proud to be recognized by our user community and TrustRadius for Infosecs IQ industry-leading client support and security awareness training features.

Infosec IQ has won two awards for Best Relationship and Best Feature Set in the Security Awareness Training software category, said Megan Headley, VP of Research at TrustRadius. These awards are based entirely on feedback from their customers. 96% of reviewers said they were happy with Infosec IQs feature set. Reviewers give Infosec IQ an 8.7/10 for customer support.

These TrustRadius awards recognize companies that went above and beyond to provide clients outstanding customer service and deliver features that delighted their users in 2021. To win, each nominated organization must receive 10 TrustRadius reviews specifically mentioning their products customer support, likelihood to buy again or quality of the feature set. Winners also had to rank in the top three positions of their category in terms of the percentage of positive responses earned. The TrustRadius research team also uses textual review analysis to vet submitted customer feedback.

Infosec IQ reviews provided through TrustRadius include:



I deeply recommend Infosec IQ, especially if you are just starting your efforts [with] security awareness. It is super user-friendly, has a lot of content resources like video modules, posters, infographics, newsletters and assessments, so you can create whole security awareness programs and engage your learners in different communication channels throughout your organization. Their customer service is a differentiator that we really appreciate.  Information security lead, Inflection Point Systems

Infosec IQ has been a great investment. In fact, given the opportunity to do the purchase again, I would not even hesitate to choose Infosec IQ. I will be renewing our organizational training when it is time to renew. As an organization, the training has been easy, professional and overall outstanding.  General manager, Nevada special utility district

I love Infosec IQ for their customer support and its ability to run reports to determine who needs extra training activities. It has made a difference in the mindset of our users.  Technology coordinator, McComb School District

Once it is set up, it requires very little maintenance as it automatically grades users based on their phishing click rate and response to learning activities so you can focus on analyzing the results. The support team at Infosec is extremely responsive and answers your questions immediately. We noticed an immediate drop in the click rate of phishing emails.  IT Professional, renewables and environment company

Infosec IQ security awareness and training empowers employees with the knowledge and skills to stay cyber-secure at work and home. The platform includes over 2,000 awareness and training resources to equip organizations with everything they need to prepare employees to detect, report and defeat cybercrime.

Read what verified Infosec IQ clients have to say on TrustRadius.

About Infosec

Infosec is a leading cybersecurity education company helping IT and security professionals advance their careers and empowering employees to be cyber safe at work and home. Its mission is to equip individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills to confidently outsmart cybercrime. More than 70% of the Fortune 500 have relied on Infosec Skills to develop their security talent and teams, and more than 5 million learners worldwide are more cyber-resilient from Infosec IQs security awareness and phishing training. Follow Infosec on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Infosecs Resources Blog for the latest news, or visit infosecinstitute.com for more information.

About TrustRadius:

TrustRadius helps technology buyers make better decisions and helps vendors tell their unique stories, improve conversion, engage high-intent buyers, and gain customer insights. Each month over 1 million B2B technology buyers, over 50% from large enterprises, use verified reviews and ratings on TrustRadius.com to make informed purchasing decisions. Headquartered in Austin, TX, TrustRadius was founded by successful entrepreneurs and is backed by Mayfield Fund, LiveOak Venture Partners, and Next Coast Ventures.
InScribe is a digital student support platform that leverages the power of community and artificial intelligence to connect students with the answers, resources, and individuals they need to succeed. "Weve always imagined a new era in which ALL people have equal access to the future, and this years Elite 200 companies are emblematic of that vision," said Deborah Quazzo, managing partner of GSV Ventures.

InScribe Education (InScribe), which delivers game-changing digital community solutions, has been selected to The Elite 200, the acclaimed list of semifinalists in The GSV Cup, the worlds largest pitch competition for EdTech startups run by female-led, multi-stage venture capital firm GSV Ventures. Companies selected to The Elite 200 represent the top pre-seed and seed-stage startups in digital learning across the Pre-K to Gray space. InScribe will have the opportunity to compete for up to $1M in cash and prizes in San Diego this April at the ASU+GSV Summit, the annual education technology event hosted by Arizona State University and GSV Ventures.

InScribe was selected from a global applicant pool of 750+ companies, the largest application pool for the GSV Cup yet. More than 175 judges from leading venture capital firms and strategic partners in digital learning like Accel, General Atlantic, Reach Capital, and Owl Ventures, among others, used rigorous criteria to determine the 200 most promising companies.

At InScribe, we believe in the power of community to give every student the knowledge and confidence they need to thrive. We are thrilled to have our work recognized by GSV Ventures and the incredible team of judges for this years GSV Cup, and to stand alongside the other Elite 200 companies who share our vision for equitable access to quality education for all learners, said Katy Kappler, Co-Founder and CEO of InScribe.

Were at a critical and exciting time for the future of society, said Deborah Quazzo, managing partner of GSV Ventures. The pandemic has made it increasingly clear that Ed is on The Edge  on the edge of innovation, transformation, globalization. Weve always imagined a new era in which ALL people have equal access to the future, and this years Elite 200 companies are emblematic of that vision. Were proud to name the 200 semifinalists in the GSV Cup competition and look forward to having them pitch live at the ASU+GSV Summit.

The Elite 200 companies serve learners from Pre-K to Gray, with companies well-distributed across the following categories: Early Childhood, K-12, Higher Education, Adult Consumer Learning, and Adult Enterprise Learning. The 2022 Elite 200 continue to break barriers, comprised of an increasingly diverse and global group:



58% of companies have female founders

51% of companies have founders that identify as people of color

44% of companies are based outside the United States

The GSV Cup is powered by Google Cloud, HubSpot for Startups, HolonIQ, and GSV Ventures.

See InScribe and the rest of the companies selected to the GSV Cup Elite 200 at https://www.asugsvsummit.com/gsv-cup-elite-200.

ABOUT INSCRIBE

InScribe is a digital student support platform that leverages the power of community and artificial intelligence to connect students with the answers, resources, and individuals they need to succeed. InScribe's digital communities cut across the traditional support silos in higher education, giving students a single place to turn when they need helpno matter the topic or time of day. Students benefit from on-demand, peer-to-peer, and student-to-expert collaboration that helps them feel more connected, increasing student engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Learn more about InScribe at https://www.inscribeapp.com/take-action.

ABOUT GSV VENTURES

GSV Ventures is a female-led, multi-stage venture capital firm focused on the $7+ trillion education sector. The fund is currently investing out of GSV Ventures Fund III and backs innovative entrepreneurs around the world in the "Pre-K to Gray" Arc of Learning. GSV manages over $675 million in global EdTech investments. Portfolio holdings include Andela, Class Technologies, ClassDojo, Coursera, Course Hero, Degreed, Guild, MasterClass, Outlier, Photomath, Quizizz, Lead School, Brightchamps, and ClassPlus, among others.
INTELITY Hospitality Tech Platform is Now Mobile Responsive This update not only benefits hotel staff in terms of GEMS usability, especially while they may be juggling multiple tasks, but also provides broad support for any mobile device staff members may use.

INTELITY, the provider of hospitalitys most comprehensive guest experience and staff management platform, has today announced the latest update to GEMS (Guest Experience Management System), the back-end to its proprietary platform. The patented GEMS system is used by hotels around the world to manage the many guest services offered by INTELITYs cloud-based platform, but also for general ticketing, staff-to-staff work orders, device management and business intelligence. The new GEMS update includes several improvements to drive operational efficiency, as well as a redesign for mobile responsiveness.

There are so many INTELITY-driven guest facing features where GEMS is a single destination for staff to view the digital guest experience, our 2022 and 2023 roadmaps are focused on giving staff members even more tools to even better understand and connect with the guest throughout their stay, commented Matt Lynch, VP of Product. This update not only benefits hotel staff in terms of GEMS usability, especially while they may be juggling multiple tasks, but also provides broad support for any mobile device staff members may use.

The new features in the GEMS update include a vastly improved filtering system to make finding a specific guest or staff request easier than ever. A redesigned service request and work order user interface and supporting workflow is also included in the update. The new look and feel focuses on a summary card view with easy-to-digest information to enable staff members to quickly engage as appropriate, even during busy periods. Additionally, the new update supports a completely mobile responsive user interface for use on tablets and mobile devices without the need for a dedicated app download, giving hoteliers the same information across teams, whenever and wherever needed. At a time when hotels are dealing with staff shortages, GEMS enables staff to work more efficiently, allowing many time sensitive requests to bypass a busy front desk and be sent directly to the back of house personnel.

Our platform has always been about not just making life more seamless and elegant for guests, but also for hotel staff, both guest-facing team members and those operating behind the scenes, said Robert Stevenson, INTELITY CEO. These enhancements to GEMS are just another step in supporting the frontline teams at our hotels on the INTELITY platform, helping to make them the stars of the show.

Moving forward, INTELITY will continue to leverage its hospitality tech expertise to deliver best-in-class mobile capabilities for guests and staff. For a more in-depth look at the full INTELITY platform or to request a demo, visit http://www.intelity.com/demo.

About INTELITY

INTELITY is the global leader in contactless guest experience technology, uniting mobile, in-room, and operational tools into one fully integrated hospitality platform. Built for the hotel, casino, and luxury residential markets, INTELITY has been named the Official Mobile and In-Room Technology Provider by the distinguished Forbes Travel Guide for five consecutive years and is in use at boutique properties, casino-resorts, and global hotel brands, including Marriott, Fairmont, Hard Rock, and more. For more information, visit http://www.intelity.com.
How dare our FBI attempt to portray taking Jewish hostages in a Jewish Synagogue as not specifically related to the Jewish community? Has cancel-culture taken such a firm grip on our nation that it is no longer acceptable to call a terrorist a terrorist? Or an anti-Semite, an anti-Semite?

InVest USA CEO Michael Letts of Columbia, SC, a police officer from Columbia, SC, has decried the FBIs initial characterization of the hostage crisis at a Texas Synagogue as not specifically related to the Jewish community, as reported by Breitbart News.

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.

InVest USA contends that when Police have adequate chest protection, it empowers them to better rescue hostages in such terror attacks.

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.
To learn more about tinyML, reserve a seat for a Klika Tech LinkedIn Live event on January 27 at 1:00 pm EST. See https://bit.ly/klikatech_tinyml for details

Klika Tech, an award-winning IoT and Cloud-native product and solutions development company, has joined the tinyML Foundation as a Strategic Partner to provide technical, cross-industry expertise as the organization advances Machine Learning for on-device data analytics and decision making at the edge.

The tinyML Foundation and its over 60 sponsor companies are the primary force behind the rapidly expanding field of ML technologies and applications that help businesses shift data analytics from the cloud to the edge using hardware, software, and ML algorithms to perform decision making. Klika Tech joins the organization as a Platinum Sponsor as the demand for dynamic tinyML use cases emerge with a focus on memory constrained devices for equipment level decision making. Among the primary drivers for deploying tinyML are enabling businesses to overcome decision latency, strengthen data privacy, and reduce data transfer costs at the edge.

We are excited about Klika Tech, with its multidisciplinary experience in solving real business problems with integrations of hardware, software, and custom ML models, joining us as a Strategic Partner. Small machine learning models, hardware, and software co-design and integration is at the heart of tinyML. We are looking forward to collaborating with the Klika Tech team on accelerating tinyML ecosystem growth and the ongoing popularization of tinyML, said Evgeni Gousev, chair of the tinyML Foundation Board of Directors.

The tinyML Foundation, since its inaugural tinyML Summit in March 2019 has rapidly grown as a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of tinyML technologies and innovations. The organization now counts 7,000+ tinyML-oriented professionals world-wide and a roster of 25 Strategic Partners.

We are only at the beginning of realizing the full potential of tinyML and the full business value of facilitating ML inference close to where data originates, said Klika Tech Co-CEO and President Gennadiy M Borisov. We are excited to join the tinyML Foundation at the forefront of AI/ML revolution where tinyML can empower resource-constrained devices to be better, smarter, and more responsive elements of operations.

To learn more about the emerging impact of tinyML for business, join Klika Tech January 27th at 1:00 pm EST for a LinkedIn Live discussion surrounding the shift of compute intensive ML functions from the cloud as tinyML pulls it closer to where data originates. Reserve a seat today at: https://bit.ly/klikatech_tinyml.

ABOUT KLIKA TECH

Klika Tech is a global IoT and Cloud-native product and solutions development company headquartered in the U.S. with operations and offices across North America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 2013, the company co-creates end-to-end hardware, embedded, and cloud solutions for a range of industries including smart home / building / city platforms, connected healthcare, smart retail, connected agriculture, asset tracking and logistics, automotive / smart mobility, and edge to cloud integrations. Klika Tech is an Advanced Consulting and IoT Competency Partner in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN) with AWS Service Delivery designations for AWS IoT Core Services, AWS IoT Greengrass, Amazon API Gateway, AWS CloudFormation, and AWS Lambda. For more information visit http://www.klika-tech.com

ABOUT tinyML FOUNDATION

Headquartered in Silicon Valley (Los Altos, California), tinyML Foundation (http://www.tinyml.org) is a non-profit organization with the mission to accelerate the growth of a prosperous and integrated global community of hardware, software, machine learning, data scientists, systems engineers, designers, product, and business application people developing leading edge energy efficient machine learning computing. The goal is to connect various technologies and innovations in the domain of machine intelligence to enormous product and business opportunities to drive value creation across the whole ecosystem.
National public accounting and consulting firm Novogradac welcomes a paid intern who is part of the Open Access Fellowship 2022 program, which works to increase the representation of Black and Latinx professionals working to improve health, education and wealth outcomes in low-income communities across America.

Bianca Cole starts an internship with Novogradac this week as part of a collaboration between Real Estate Associate Program (REAP), the nations leading and most successful initiative connecting professionals of color to commercial real estate for more than two decades, and Open Access, a group of executive-level community development finance professionals.

Novogradac is pleased to continue advancing community development education and looks forward to another successful experience with our Open Access fellow, said Michael J. Novogradac, CPA, managing partner of Novogradac. We believe community development finance can lead to even better outcomes with participation from a diverse and representative professional community.

Across multiple companies, 24 internships are offered. Novogradacs fellow has been matched with a mentoring trained professional and will work a minimum of 16 hours a week. I am excited to be working with the public policy and government relations team to further my understanding of tax credit policy, Cole said. Currently pursuing her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at Georgetown University, Cole is passionate about equitable and inclusive communities.

All Open Access Fellowsincluding those working outside of Novogradacwill receive 10 hours of virtual education in community development through Novogradac and the opportunity to attend a 2022 Novogradac conference in person or virtually.

Novogradac is honored to have the opportunity to share our educational resources and experience through this program, said Amy Hook, Novogradacs Chief Social Impact Officer. We are well positioned to provide mentorship and an inside perspective, but were also eager to learn from Biancas experiences and perspective.

To be eligible for the Open Access Fellowship, applicants are required to have a four-year college degree. There is no fee to participate.

About Novogradac

Novogradac began operations in 1989 and has grown to more than 600 employees and partners with offices in more than 25 cities. Tax, audit and consulting specialty practice areas for Novogradac include affordable housing, opportunity zones, community development, historic rehabilitation and renewable energy.
Providing exceptional care for our valued patients is our top priority, and we are so thrilled to be once again recognized by Find Local Doctors, says Dr. Sanil Patel.

Pure Smiles Dentistry provides the very best in comprehensive dentistry for families in Marietta, GA. This well-established clinic has recently earned the title of 2021 Top Patient Rated Dentist by Find Local Doctors. Find Local Doctors is a trusted online directory that helps consumers easily locate exceptional, reputable dentists and physicians in their area. Pure Smiles Dentistry makes the dental experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Positive patient reviews and testimonials have helped the practice earn the distinction of being recognized as a 2021 Top Patient Rated Marietta Dentist.

This modern, state-of-the-art clinic is led by Dr. Sanil Patel and is located at 2655 Dallas Hwy #510 in Marietta, GA. Dr. Patels vast knowledge and talent are well-known throughout the greater Atlanta area. Pure Smiles Dentistry provides cutting-edge, quality care for patients of all ages in a comfortable, relaxing environment. The dental practice delivers advanced procedures within pediatric, cosmetic, restorative and emergency dentistry, even offering the latest orthodontic solutions. The skilled dental professionals at this practice can handle all types of preventive needs, routine dental care and advanced procedures, using the latest in cutting-edge technology. They consider it a privilege to protect, maintain and repair patients smiles. The clinic offers kid-friendly and comfort amenities, budget-friendly payment options and convenient scheduling opportunities to ensure dental care for the entire family is as stress-free as possible.

Providing exceptional care for our valued patients is our top priority, and we are so thrilled to be once again recognized by Find Local Doctors, says Dr. Sanil Patel

More about Pure Smiles Dentistry

Dr. Sanil Patel earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech and attended the University of Detroit-Mercy Dental School in Detroit, Michigan. He completed his dental residency in New York before entering private practice in Georgia. At Pure Smiles Dentistry, Dr. Patel and his staff go above and beyond to make each patient feel welcome. The clinic is designed to help patients feel relaxed with comfortable treatment rooms that are equipped with advanced dental tools and technology to maximize efficiency. This practice offers comprehensive dentistry, including general, restorative and cosmetic dental care for the entire family. For more information about Pure Smiles Dentistry, please visit http://www.puresmilesmarietta.com or call (770) 422-8776.


Our customers will be the biggest benefactors of this change

Minnesota Title, a leader in the real estate industry, announced today the promotion of Brittany Faith McGaughey as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). McGaughey brings more than 22 years of industry experience with her to her new role.

Minnesota Title currently services real estate owners, buyers, and sellers throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The company is positioned for even more growth in 2022, with additional expansion plans already taking shape.

Brittanys servient leadership style, experience as a top performing real estate professional, and most importantly her customer-first commitment to our clients, will no doubt differentiate us from the competition, said Nick Dreher, Director of Series Development at ITS. The external factors effecting change throughout the real estate industry require a new approach to old problems, Brittany is poised to take on these challenges.

Laura Sinkfields acquisition of Minnesota Title has helped the company reach new heights in just four short years. Under Sinkfields tutelage, the company has turned red numbers into black numbers, setting new growth records each quarter. She believes the time is right to add top talent to Minnesota Titles leadership team.

Our customers will be the biggest benefactors of this change, said Sinkfield. Brittany is a rising star and is well respected by her peers which is very important.

For McGaughey, the transition to COO of Minnesota Title will not be a difficult transition.

Advancing my career to a leadership position will allow me to apply my experience, vision, and passion in a new and fulfilling way. I feel humbled and honored to have been chosen to lead Minnesota Title into our next chapter of growth and excellence, she said. Now more than ever, its so important to work with an experienced, trustworthy, direct/local contact for your real estate transactions. Minnesota Title is committed to providing the ultimate title experience for our clients and our customers.

McGaughey said that the real estate industry has changed significantly due to the pandemic and that it is imperative for successful businesses to lead with communication and transparency.

Several of these changes have allowed us to increase our efficiencies and productivity. The Minnesota nice closings, where all parties in the transaction gather together for the closing, are now a thing of the past, said McGaughey. Sellers now pre-sign days or weeks in advance and wait for funding until the official closing date when the buyer signs. In addition to our quest for convenience, we have adopted Remote Online Notary (RON) as an additional option for safe closing transactions. Being able to close on your home virtually has been a welcomed change for many of our busy customers and clients. We are proud to say that we are one of the first title companies to offer a 100% remote closing, upon underwriter approval.

Its these changes, that most in the industry believe will be permanent, and has propelled Minnesota Title to the forefront of Minnesotas title landscape.

About Minnesota Title: Minnesota Title with office locations across the metro area, provides closing and abstracting services for new construction, existing residential properties, land development, and commercial transactions to individuals, real estate agents, investors, lenders, and builders. With experienced professionals that have been in the title industry for more than 30 years, the knowledge and expertise that we uphold at Minnesota Title is unsurpassed. The staff at Minnesota Title is a highly experienced and diligent group of individuals, dedicated to providing steady and smooth service to all our customers and clients across the state. Title insurance may be an unfamiliar option to most homebuyers, but not to us. We know it. We believe in it. We are proud to provide the best of it. Put your trust in Minnesota Title for the peace of mind you deserve in owning, investing, and enjoying your new home. For more information, please visit http://www.minnesota-title.com.
Some of the best months for weddings on Californias Central Coast are all twelve months.

WeddingWire, a popular global marketplace for connecting engaged couples with wedding planning resources, reports that top months for weddings are September, October, June, May and August, but these are based on national surveys and not necessarily specific to the unique micro-climates in California. The team from All About Events, a wedding rental service in San Luis Obispo County, California, has wedding planning tips that include the leading months for taking advantage of the best California wedding-friendly climates.

Located in the heart of Californias Central Coast, the team from All About Events is uniquely qualified to advise brides and grooms and wedding planners with the best choices for having a wedding anytime of the year.

Some of the best months for weddings on Californias Central Coast are all twelve months. The region is a classic example of micro-climates that, in spite of intermittent heat waves in the summer, cold Decembers and winter rains, are pretty much in the mild-to-moderate range year around. Each micro-climate brings its own attractions and All About Events can equip any wedding or other event with the best tents and other wedding rentals tailored to San Luis Obispo County to make every wedding a success.

For the most part, the mildest months are April, May, June, October and November, although June may experience some mystical, romantic fog along the coast. The temperatures are mild, the sun is shining, wild flowers are in bloom, and the landscape is filled with newly born foals, calves, lambs, fawns, fox and coyote cubs and a wealth of colorful birds and their songs.

July, August and September bring bright, clear skies. Even though some of the inland micro-climates may be hot, the afternoon breeze starts cooling things down creating lovely mild evenings. Micro-climates along the coast are lovely, sunny and breezy sometimes leading into chilly evenings.

In good years, from a vineyard, farming and ranching perspective, the rainy months of December through March, have a unique beauty that can be exquisite backdrops to very romantic weddings. Some mornings, wedding guests can awaken to the famous Central Coast deep mystical fogs when trees appear to be marching forward like gentle giant sentinels. Other mornings dawn bright and sunny filled with singing birds.

Regardless of the time of year, the Central Coast is filled with such a variety of scenery and activities that offers the perfect location for a couples special taste for their special day. All About Events, the San Luis Obispo wedding rental company is in the unique position to help make sure that the wedding and reception are as perfect as the couple imagines.

There are very few reasons to let climate dictate your wedding day. All About Events can supply:



Tents that provide shade, climate control and shelter for a wide range of situations.

Mobile groom and bridal suites that include amenities such as running water, bathroom, shower, AC and heating, electricity, kitchen, surround sound, TV and much more. You can even include concierge services such as massages, barbers, hair and make-up stylists and a bartender.

A full selection of table and serving ware, furniture, lighting and climate control.

Catering

A dance floor

All About Events is the trusted Central Coast source for party, event and tent rentals and more. The award-winning company provides quality wedding and event rentals and exceptional customer service. The staff is pleased to offer advice and suggestion based in years of experience and to make every effort to help create a successful event.

All About Events

198 Cow Meadow Place,

Paso Robles, CA 93446

(805) 239-7777
ScannX Book ScanCenter, CZUR ET18 Pro, and Zeutschel scanners "ScannX consistently scores high each year because they obviously know and work with their customers directly to ensure they are happy and getting the most from their scanning systems." - Jenny Newman, publisher and MLA program manager

ScannX, the leading developer of cloud-based document scanning and delivery solutions for libraries, today announced that it received three platinum awards in LibraryWorks eighth annual Modern Library Awards (MLAs.) The awards were for the ScannX Book ScanCenter, which marks the eighth consecutive year it received platinum honors; and both the Zeutschel 15000 Comfort and the Zeutschel 16000 Comfort, each powered by ScannX software.

"We have received top honors from the Modern Library Awards for many years, and it is something we never take for granted. Because these awards are judged by the librarians that own and use these products, they demand critical attention," said Murray Dennis, CEO of ScannX. "Combining intuitive software with the most professional hardware available is what ScannX is about, and it is humbling to be reminded once again that we are doing well by the people who are most important to us. It also helps guide how we bring new products to libraries, such as the CZUR ET18 Pro Scanner by ScannX, to ensure we can deliver exceptional quality and service at every price point."

"ScannX consistently scores high each year because they obviously know and work with their customers directly to ensure they are happy and getting the most from their scanning systems," said Jenny Newman, publisher and MLA program manager. "You don't win awards year after year like ScannX if you aren't making the right moves and paying close attention to your customers."

The MLAs were created to recognize the top products and services in the library industry in a truly unbiased format. In Fall 2021, products and services were presented to targeted groups across more than 80,000 librarians at public, K-12, academic, and special libraries. Only customers with hands-on experience with these products/services in their facilities were permitted to judge the products/services, resulting in a truly unbiased score on a series of questions such as functionality, value, and customer service. It was this process through which librarians determined that ScannX continued to provided platinum level products and support.

A Broad Range of Scanning Solutions

ScannX offers a broad family of document scanning systems, ranging from entry-level overhead and book-edge scanners designed for use by library patrons, to the industrys most advanced A2 and A3+ preservation systems for archival-quality document retention. All ScannX library systems are designed to protect libraries investment in their books, while delivering superior ease-of-use that allows unsupervised patrons to complete their own scans. Recently, ScannX launched the CZUR ET18 Pro Scanner by ScannX, which redefines the standard for affordable overhead scanning for libraries, and delivers unparalleled ease of use.

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.

About the Modern Library Awards program

The Modern Library Awards (MLAs) is a program designed to recognize elite products and services in the library market which can help library management personnel enhance the quality-of-experience for the library user and increase the performance of their library systems.

About ScannX

ScannX is the leading developer of cloud-based document scanning and delivery solutions for libraries. ScannX markets ScannX Book Scanning Solutions and Zeutschel book scanning systems powered by ScannX software. The companys systems provide powerful, yet extremely easy-to-use, copier-replacement solutions for scanning books, documents, and photos; and instantly store scanned content in the widest range of digital options. ScannX reduces operating costs, makes printed information instantly accessible, and expands the range of services libraries can offer their patrons. ScannX users have scanned over 200 million pages to date. For more information, visit http://www.scannx.com.

Follow ScannX

Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scannx

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScannX

Media Contacts

ScannX, Inc.

Contact: Murray Dennis

email: murray@scannx.com

ScannX and the Scannx logo are registered trademarks or trademarks or ScannX, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Since taking office in April 2021, Chair Gary Gensler has made cryptocurrency enforcement a key priority.

Under the new administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission has continued its role as one of the main regulators in the cryptocurrency space, bringing 20 enforcement actions against digital asset market participants in 2021, according to a Cornerstone Research report released today.

The report, SEC Cryptocurrency Enforcement: 2021 Update, found that the SEC brought 14 litigation actions in U.S. federal courts and six administrative proceedings in 2021. Of the 20 total enforcement actions, 70% were related to initial coin offerings (ICOs). The SEC also issued four delinquent filing orders, brought two follow-on actions, and filed an action seeking compliance with investigative subpoenas during the year.

Since taking office in April 2021, Chair Gary Gensler has made cryptocurrency enforcement a key priority, said Simona Mola, the reports author and a senior manager at Cornerstone Research. SEC enforcement in this area was notably high between the end of May and mid-September, when the SEC brought some first-of-a-kind actions against a crypto lending platform, an unregistered digital asset exchange, and a decentralized finance (DeFi) lender. It also imposed one of the largest monetary penalties we have seen in an ICO-related enforcement action after Telegram.

Of the 20 enforcement actions in 2021, 65% alleged fraud under Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and/or Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act; 80% alleged an unregistered securities offering violation under Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act; and 55% actions included both allegations.

Since its first cryptocurrency-related enforcement action in 2013, the SEC has brought 58 litigation actions and 39 administrative proceedings against digital asset market participants. Over the same period, the agency has imposed approximately $2.35 billion in total monetary penalties.

Under the new administration, the SEC has continued to bring ICO-related enforcement actions based on its implementation of the Howey test, which determines whether a transaction qualifies as an investment contract subject to SEC regulation, said Abe Chernin, a Cornerstone Research vice president and cohead of the firms fintech practice. Given the SECs continued focus on this space, in 2022 we may see further scrutiny of certain market participants such as DeFi platforms.

Highlights



In addition to its enforcement actions, the SEC has issued 20 trading suspension orders and 10 delinquent filing orders since 2013.

In 40 of the 58 litigations the SEC has brought since 2013, the defendants were a mix of individuals and firms. In the remaining 18 litigations, the defendants were individuals only (15 actions) or firms only (three actions).

In 23 of the 39 administrative proceedings since 2013, the respondents were firms only. In the remaining 16 administrative proceedings, the SEC charged individuals only (six actions) or a mix of individuals and firms (10 actions) as respondents.

Half of the 58 enforcement actions litigated in U.S. courts since 2013 occurred in the state of New York, with 23 in the Southern District and six in the Eastern District.

About Cornerstone Research

Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial consulting and expert testimony in all phases of complex litigation and regulatory proceedings. The firm works with an extensive network of prominent faculty and industry practitioners to identify the best-qualified expert for each assignment.

Cornerstone Research has earned a reputation for consistent high quality and effectiveness by delivering rigorous, state-of-the-art analysis for more than 30 years. The firm has over 700 staff and offices in Boston, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington.

See Cornerstone Researchs website for more information about the firms capabilities in economic and financial consulting and expert testimony.

https://www.cornerstone.com

Twitter: @Cornerstone_Res
Governments are in your data, and if you dont comply with their mandates, they can shut you down.

Global tax software leader Sovos today released its 13th annual Trends report, the industrys most comprehensive study of global value-added tax (VAT) mandates and compliance controls. The report is a comprehensive look at the worlds regulatory landscape, highlighting how governments across the world are enacting complex new policies and controls to close tax gaps and collect the revenue they are owed. These policies and protocols affect all companies conducting business on a global scale no matter where they are headquartered.

This years Sovos report examines how large-scale investments in digitization technology in recent years have enabled tax authorities in much of the world to move away from legacy reporting and ad hoc audits to real-time data analysis and always-on enforcement. Empowered by new technology and capabilities, government authorities have inserted themselves into every aspect of business operations and are ever-present in company data.

Through new, government mandated e-invoicing laws, tax administrations are increasingly requiring businesses to send them what amounts to the entire content of their accounting systems, on demand as part of an audit or as a periodic report. This level of access to company finance ledgers creates unprecedented opportunities for tax administrations - and other parts of government, including law enforcement and competition authorities - to triangulate a companys transaction source data with their accounting treatment.

Governments increasingly have all the evidence and capabilities they need to drive aggressive programs toward real-time oversight and enforcement, said Christiaan van der Valk, lead author of the report and vice president of strategy and regulatory at Sovos. We have already seen these programs envelop most of South and Central America and are quickly spreading across countries in Europe, such as France, Germany and Belgium, as well as Asia and parts of Africa. We are seeing firsthand the pace at which governments are establishing and operationalizing new standards of oversight and just how quickly they are moving to enforce these standards.

With always-on enforcement, data contained in systems such as ERPs, accounts payable/receivable, procure to pay, order-to-cash, supply chain and logistics, and HR and payroll have to comply with local standards and mandates as the information traverses IT infrastructure. Failure to comply may lead to business disruptions or even stoppages.

This new level of imposed transparency is forcing businesses to adapt to how they track and implement government mandated e-invoicing changes all over the world. To keep pace, companies need an IT centric strategy that enables centralized control, no matter how many countries they conduct business in, said Steve Sprague, chief strategy officer and general manager of global VAT at Sovos. Bottom line: governments are in your data, and if you dont comply with their mandates, they can shut you down.

To download your complimentary copy of the report, click here.

About Sovos

Sovos was built to solve the complexities of the digital transformation of tax, with complete, connected offerings for tax determination, continuous transaction controls, tax reporting and more. Sovos customers include half the Fortune 500, as well as businesses of every size operating in more than 70 countries. The companys SaaS products and proprietary Sovos S1 Platform integrate with a wide variety of business applications and government compliance processes. Sovos has employees throughout the Americas and Europe, and is owned by Hg and TA Associates. For more information visit http://www.sovos.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Todd Strong, Peoria injury attorney, is excited to announce the launch of a newly designed website on behalf of Strong Law Offices. The law firm represents victims of workplace injuries, medical malpractice, and car accidents, in addition to practicing other areas of personal injury law. Strong Law has fought for injured victims throughout Illinois for more than 25 years, helping them become financially whole after an accident. Whether victims are hurt at work, in a car accident, or injured due to another form of negligence, Strong Law Offices has the skills needed to help them recover.

Strong Law Offices partnered with Market JD, a law firm marketing agency based out of Chicago, to create an innovative, client-focused new design. With the launch of the new site, the firm empowers injured Illinois victims with up-to-date information about the workers compensation and personal injury claims processes right at their fingertips. Individuals throughout the Chicagoland area can seamlessly expand their understanding of law-related topics by browsing a continuously updated blog that further contributes to consumer knowledge of injury law. Created with accessibility in mind, the site is responsive and optimized for desktop, tablet, and mobile viewing.

In addition to serving as a resource through which community members can gain an understanding of their legal systems, the new site affords potential clients with the opportunity to get to know the firm ahead of time. Personalized about pages provide individuals with information regarding the attorneys who would represent them. Details such as bar admissions, litigation percentages, areas of practice, education, and associates and memberships are available here. In addition, clients can see how long an attorney has practiced with the firm.

The American legal system is complex, and it can be difficult for injured persons to navigate alone. Retaining an injury attorney can make all the difference for financially burdened victims struggling through the claims process. In addition to serving as a knowledge center, the new site helps injured victims connect with experienced attorneys for a free case evaluation. Victims who retain an attorney with Strong Law Offices wont pay attorney fees unless we collect on their behalf. For injured Illinois victims in the Chicago area, representation is just a click away at http://www.stronglawoffices.com/.

About Todd Strong

Todd Strong is an Illinois attorney representing victims in workers compensation and personal injury claims. Strong founded his firm, Strong Law Offices, in 1999 with a goal of being working lawyers for working people. He has curated a team of dedicated, hard-working attorneys who approach each case with a compassionate and personalized perspective.
Our focus is to provide the best educational outcomes for all students through access to high-quality teachers utilizing purpose-built technology, says Henry Hsiao, CEO of Teachers1on1.

Teachers1on1, a new on-demand performance learning platform, launches today to provide one-on-one live online lessons to K-12 students via highly accredited teachers. The platform, which caters to students of all learning levels and across a range of academic subjects, comes as the demand for one-on-one support continues to rise from families experiencing long-term learning disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as many students nationwide return for winter instruction from the holiday break.

We are excited to officially launch Teachers1on1 during such a pivotal moment for education and technology. Whether your child wants to further explore specific subjects or needs additional learning, our team of caring, vetted educators give you the peace of mind you need to know that the most important people in your life are getting the support they need to succeed, says Henry Hsiao, CEO of Teachers1on1. Our focus is to provide the best educational outcomes for all students through access to high-quality teachers utilizing purpose-built technology.

Teachers1on1 empowers students to achieve their full potential, offering access to top-quality, certified educators, and superior technology. While Teachers1on1 serves all students in grades K-12, its primary focus is to expand academic opportunities, equity and learning outcomes within grades 3-8a demographic often underserved by tools to improve academic performance. Teachers1on1 aims to redress educational inequity by increasing access to high-quality teachers for all students, grounded in the belief that students can achieve dramatic improvement when provided with personalized academic support by qualified teachers.

The Teachers1on1 platform is launching at a moment when so many schools and families are concerned about stanching Covid-associated learning loss, says Christopher Lohse, Teachers1on1 Chief Academic Officer and former teacher. Research strongly suggests replacing the average tutor with a trained, qualified teacher will cut the requisite tutoring time for student catch-up early in half. We strongly believe in the power of teachers to help improve learning efficacy for all students, both immediately and over time.

Beginning with a platform-based quiz designed to collect key insights on educational needs, Teachers1on1 matches students with certified instructors across a range of disciplines, including subjects within Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Sciences, History and Foreign Language. Students will receive personalized sessions, expert academic support and access to the full suite of proprietary tools and key features, including an interactive virtual whiteboard with integrated video chat to facilitate sessions and review assignments, screen-sharing to collaborate in real-time, file-sharing, chat, and the ability to revisit lessons at any time with lesson replay, which provides a full video recording of every session. Students can also download files that were marked up during lessons, or upload completed homework assignments post-lesson. Additional features include:

1.) Secure & Accessible Classroom: Offering a safe and secure way to connect with live video for face-to-face learning, this flagship feature is loaded with powerful real-time collaboration tools, accessible from any browser on desktop, laptop or tablet.

2.) Explore & Discover: Parents can browse the Teachers1on1 network of first-class teachers to review credentials, verified reviews, intro videos, chat with teachers for free, and search to filter by grade level and subject matter, availability, budget, and top-ratings.

3.) Trust & Transparency: The platform offers simple pay-as-you-go pricing for high-dosage tutoring that fits a x range of budgets and needs. Each teachers rates are clearly posted to their profiles to eliminate guesswork and ensure the right fit.

Teachers1on1 creates a seamless experience for teaching, offering an organized and easy-to-use classroom environment that allows teachers to effectively interact with students in a one-on-one virtual setting, says Lauren Del Luca, an educator on Teachers1on1. For kids who might be struggling in school, Teachers1on1 is the best option for academic success, making learning a fun and interactive experience for all students who need the supplemental support.

Unlike existing tutoring services on the market, Teachers1on1 educators are all accredited and licensed teachers, endorsed by teachers unions, districts and governments, and who have passed an extensive vetting and interview process. These certified educators have the proper training, tools, frameworks and subject matter expertise to quickly identify and adjust for knowledge gaps and areas of struggle for students, while peer tutors often lack the experience and skills to course correct with a student in real-time.

Teachers who are approved and onboarded to the platform can determine their preferred offerings including, length of session (30 or 60-minute), subject matter, grade level, schedules and rates, from $30 per 30-minute session.

Teachers1on1 is guided by an experienced team of advisors who are deeply committed to improving the academic success of students through teacher expertise, with members including John Danielson, former Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Education; State Teacher of the Year Award Winners Dr. Cicely Woodard (Tennessee) and Dr. Richard Warren, Jr. (Maryland); Katherine Merseth, former Executive Director of Harvard Teacher Education Program; and former Seattle School Superintendent Denise Juneau.

About Teachers 1on1

The Teachers1on1 performance learning platform sets the standard for measurable academic results. Give your student the 1on1 advantage, with live online lessons from our community of first-class, accredited teachers.

Teachers1on1 offers a diagnostic approach to accelerate student learning, with high-dosage 1on1 tutoring in a dynamic virtual classroom environment, led by rigorously qualified teachers.

We are committed to expanding access to quality K-12 education and improving long-term learning efficacy for all students. Our comprehensive, hybrid learning solution is powered by data-driven insights and designed for maximum impact.

Learn more at http://www.teachers1on1.com
31 Prayers for 31 Days: an encouraging arrangement of prayers written in hopes of encouraging others. 31 Prayers for 31 Days is the creation of published author Thomas Anderson, a loving husband, father, and grandfather who retired after forty-four years of service to a civic career in the United States Postal Service. Anderson is also a United States Army veteran after serving for three years prior to being honorably discharged.

Anderson shares, Thirty-one prayers, in as many days, began with apprehension concerning retirement. Working had grown into my hobby. Each morning, I looked forward to going into the main post office on Brook Road, standing behind the counter, and asking the customers, May I help you, please? Such joy came from serving the public.

Now I stood perplexed with indecision about my continued futurewhich drew me into continual prayer. In fact, each time I logged into the computer with my password, LORDhelpmetoholdout66, the Lord was invoked. Before leaving home, I read devotionals, then I prayed. One morning, I typed a prayer in text form. I took a chance and sent it to a couple of friends. Their responses empowered me to do it the next day, and soon it became my morning ritual.

My son, Thomas, and his family presented me a book of my prayers as a Christmas gift in 2019. Then my daughter, Teah, saved each one daily beginning 2020. So I told her I think I should become published. She had saved thirty-one prayers. Thus, the title was born.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Thomas Andersons new book will inspire and challenge readers in their faith.

Anderson shares in hopes of empowering others who seek a deeper connection to their faith on a daily basis.

Consumers can purchase 31 Prayers for 31 Days at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about 31 Prayers for 31 Days, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Rahul Nirula, CPO, Vetster The modern pet owner seeks on-demand, convenient solutions. Veterinarians seek ways to improve access to care while building out their practice with high-value solutions. Vetster sits at that intersection.

Vetster.com, the worlds fastest growing veterinary telehealth and pet care marketplace, today announced two new members to its executive team as part of its efforts to ready the company for rapid growth and international expansion. Cerys Goodall is promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Rahul Nirula joins the company as its Chief Product Officer. Together Goodall and Nirula will steward the companys growth, building a deeper connection between veterinary professionals and pet owners through the companys five-star rated telehealth marketplace.

Vetster is experiencing explosive growth as pet owners connect online with licensed veterinarians across the US, Canada and UK, said Mark Bordo, CEO and coFounder, Vetster. Cerys and Rahul have a deep understanding of how to build and grow industry-transforming companies in emerging markets. They are instrumental in setting the foundation we need to scale while improving pet health outcomes for pet owners around the world.

Goodall, who joined the company in June 2021 as its VP of Operations, brings nearly 20 years of experience dedicated to building the brands of early stage and high-growth startups including LEAGUE, Kobo and InnerSpace.io. Goodall is responsible for improving Vetsters business operations, establishing and expanding its processes, programs and resources, while also leading the companys marketing and communications efforts.

Were committed to our mission of connecting millions of pets and their owners with digital-first veterinary and pet care solutions through our top-rated marketplace platform., said Goodall. Im looking forward to delivering unprecedented value for our stakeholders while helping veterinary professionals and pet owners improve pet health outcomes on a global scale.

Nirula, a seasoned product leader, has successfully grown notable global tech brands including OpenText, Blackberry, Polar and Volaris Group. Before joining Vetster, Nirula led product management and design at virtual care platform Wello. Working closely with Vetsters engineering and marketing teams, Nirula will lead product management, design and development to build industry-changing solutions for veterinarians, pet owners and their pets.

The modern pet owner seeks on-demand, convenient solutions to meet their unique pets needs, said Nirula. At the same time, veterinarians seek ways to improve access to care while building out their practice with high-value solutions. Vetster sits at that intersection and is uniquely positioned to become the worlds preferred telehealth solution for pet care.

About Vetster

Vetster is the leading veterinary telehealth platform connecting pet owners with top-rated veterinary professionals. Pet owners use Vetster to speak to veterinary professionals online through video, text or audio chat. Vetsters award-winning marketplace and mobile app empower pet owners to speak with a veterinarian from the comfort of home or while traveling, scheduling appointments any time - 24/7. Create a free account today at vetster.com.
Wilhelm Haberkorn, a German native who came to the US as part of an engineering team to create a new synthetic fiber plant, has completed his new book Dreaming of Nirvana or The Next Peaceful Revolution: a pondering read that calls out the attention of the citizens to the poor state of the country. The topics tackled in this book is meant to spark discussions on Americas most significant fiscal and social problems.

Haberkorn shares, Your country needs your help, not physically or monetarily but intellectually. The attacks of 9/11 required the physical volunteering of many young, concerned citizens to defend the nation. And volunteering they did, even though many of them returned in body bags and as mutilated bodies in huge numbers.

Now we have a different threat, a threat that destroys our country from the inside out. Now its your turn to help and heal the country and decrease the race, religion, and national origin biases. So everybody can be part of it. But more so, you can help define and provide solutions to our nations problems. If you are like most US citizens, you must be concerned about our countrys direction. We spend trillions of dollars on questionable public initiatives and expect future generations to pay the bills. We have college graduates with thousands of dollars in debt and virtually no job prospects. We have structural budget deficits and trade deficits. We collect record tax revenues but are unable to cover our expenses. And the list goes on and on! We have a political establishment on both sides of the aisle that fights for power and not for the people who elected them. That said, if you are a conservative or progressive, young or old, gay or straight, Black or White, male or female, or any other classification you might fall into, the book Dreaming of Nirvana or the Next Peaceful Revolution is for you. It addresses the nations most pressing problems and offers viable solutions as a starting point for a nationwide discussion. You can be part of it by contributing your ideas and bringing our country back to sanity.

Published by Page Publishing, Wilhelm Haberkorns provocative work is determined to open the eyes of the people and be aware of their reality. The country is in dire need of salvation and the author aims to use his talent to save the country before its too late.

This is not the time to turn a blind eye, everyone should unite and save the country from its downfall.

Readers who wish to experience this intriguing work can purchaseDreaming of Nirvana or The Next Peaceful Revolution at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
An airplane passenger is accused of attacking a flight attendant and breaking bones in her face. Three New York City tourists assaulted a restaurant host who asked them for proof of vaccination against the coronavirus, prosecutors say. Eleven people were charged with misdemeanors after they allegedly chanted No more masks! and some moved to the front of the room during a Utah school board meeting.

Across the United States, an alarming number of people are lashing out in aggressive and often cruel ways in response to policies or behavior they dislike.

I think people just feel this need to feel powerful, in charge and connected to someone again, said Jennifer Jenkins, a school board member in Brevard County, Fla., who said she has faced harassment.

The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated over 1,000 unruly-passenger investigations this year, more than five times as many as in all of 2020. Health and elections officials have expressed fear for their safety amid public vitriol. As school board meetings have become cultural battlegrounds, Attorney General Merrick Garland has asked the Justice Department to investigate what he called a disturbing spike in threats against educators. Some American shoppers, long used to getting their way, have unleashed their worst behavior in recent months.



Read the whole story: The Washington Post
Literati, the Austin, Tex., subscription book box and online book club company, has purchased Follett Book Fairs. The fairs will be rebranded Literati Book Fairs and will continue to service PreK-8 schools around the country.

The fairs first launched in 2017 with 180 fairs and then quickly expanded. For its most recent year of operations, the 2019-2020 school year, Follett had some 5,700 fairs booked. But by the end of March 2020, 2,000 of those fairs had canceled because of the spread of Covid-19. Last September, Follett announced it was closing the business because it couldn't sustain the losses caused by the pandemic and would not hold any fairs after November 15, 2021. Overall, Follett Book Fairs hosted 7,500 events.

Along with the acquisition of the brand, Literati is acquiring inventory, the use of three existing fulfillment centers  in Dallas, Redlands, Calif., and Elgin, Ill. -- and retaining 23 people, including key management staff.

The appeal for us was the high quality of the product, said Jessica Ewing, founder and CEO of Literati. Their product was really high quality and I liked that the focus of the fair was on books and not on non-book products or toys.

Ewing said Literati will be merging the two cultures of the companies, including inventory. Follett's titles are more geared toward popular books for mainstream reader than Literati, which has focused on offering a widely diverse selection of childrens titles, often from smaller publishing houses. Well bring the best of both worlds to the fairs.

The business is already up and running and schools in select cities in the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin) as well as in Texas, and Southern California may immediately begin booking a Literati Book Fair for the spring 2022 semester. Schools in the Southeast can also book now for the 2022-2023 school year. Schools will be given multiple incentive options, including Follett School Solutions most popular profit option: Titlewave gift certificates.

Ewing noted that one attraction of the Follett fairs for Literati is the ease of set up, which can be done by two people in 30 minutes. The fairs are not labor intensive, she said. Ewing also believes Literatis expertise in its existing business will be felt in the production of digital book fairs for schools, which have become a necessity during the pandemic. Online sales and interaction has been our core business, so we feel we can really make an impact there and create an even better eFair experience for students, parents and teachers, Ewing said.

With Covid still raging across much of the country, schools may be reticent to hold in-person events, but Ewing noted that the fairs follow CDC protocols and all required protective measures, from social distancing to disinfection of high-touch surfaces.

Ewing and her team put together the deal to purchase the book fair business quickly, closing it in just three months. Its a natural expansion of our mandate, which is to support literacy and the education of young readers. This is a great way for us to uplevel our business and show educators what we can do. Ewing cited the PW article about the closing of the fairs and the circulation of a Change.org petition to save Follett Book Fairs as inspiration for her initial interest in acquiring the business.

The time could be right for Literati to enter the book fair business; market leader Scholastic recently reported that sales in its book fair business rose faster than expected in the quarter ended November 30.

On behalf of Follett, Britten Follett, CEO of Follett Content Solutions, said, We are proud of the book fair business we built in such a short period of time, especially in spite of the setbacks caused by the pandemic. We are thrilled to pass the torch to Literati for the team to build upon what we started. Literatis commitment to fostering a love of reading in children makes it the perfect company to take the reins, especially as they grow into the book fair space. Its a natural progression of what Jessica and her team have built over the past five years.
Sourcebooks has inked a deal with Ebony Magazine Publishing to create a list of Ebony-branded adult books. Sourcebooks said four to eight books a year will be released under the partnership, which will feature a mix of fiction and nonfiction titles. The first books books in the list will be released this fall.

This collaboration will celebrate the broad spectrum of Black voices through powerful fiction and nonfiction stories with authors who represent and speak to the full spectrum of our culture, Lavaille Lavette, president and publisher of Ebony Magazine Publishing, said in a statement. Lavette will oversee the project along with Walt Jones Jr., Ebony senior v-p for marketing and partnerships; Dr. Elinor Jackson, Ebony senior v-p/editorial director; and Voltaire R. Jackson, Ebony director of strategic development and communications. Todd Stocke, senior v-p and editorial director, will be the point person for Sourcebooks.

According to Sourcebooks, the list will feature titles that originate from both Sourcebooks and Ebony. The first nonfiction title in the deal is Black Hollywood: Reimagining Iconic Movie Moments by photographer Carell Augustus. Set for release in October, Black Hollywood features dozens of prominent Black actors and artists.

The first novel to be published under the deal will be book one in the Martyr Maker crime thriller series, which is set for release in November. The series is written by actor, director, producer, and author Eriq La Salle, and follows two New York detectives and an FBI agent as they investigate slayings by a serial killer. La Salle self-published the first two books (Laws of Depravity and Laws of Wrath); and the third title in the series, Laws of Annihilation, will be new.

Calendars will also be included in the publishing program, starting with the 2023 This Day in Black History wall and boxed calendars, publishing in August 2022.

All titles will be released with the Ebony Magazine Publishing logo on the jacket or cover. Sourcebooks said it is working with Ebony to create a range or marketing campaigns, including special author events, community events, social media, virtual events and corporate tie-ins.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Ebony to showcase the extraordinary work of Black authors and celebrate Black stories, Dominique Raccah, Sourcebooks publisher and CEO, said in a statement.
College of Engineering student Robert Zheng adjusts the path of a laser beam in a Zucrow Lab research and testing bay. Photo for Imprints magazine.
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Accidental Theatre began in 2011 as a touring arts company and evolved into taking over and converting venues into performance spaces. In 2017, it took over the current space it occupies, an old bank, and redeveloped it as a venue for people to try things and to grow what they do, explained Richard Lavery, artistic director.

Lavery added: We had always designed this building to be very internet accessible. Prior to the pandemic we were already streaming a couple of shows a month, usually in quite a low-key way, in terms of both promotion and the technology we used. Then the pandemic hit and we, of course, had to close every in-person aspect of our business. When we realised this would be for longer than we initially thought, we started to reach out to festival organisers, other artists and businesses to explain what we were planning to do in terms of live streaming and new possibilities.

Lavery and his team created a small control room and editing space in the theatre and two small studios in what were the bank vaults. They also installed a Blackmagic Atem production system and moved from a two-camera setup to a six-camera, including multiple PTZ cameras.

Lavery said: External requests grew, and we were increasingly working not only in our venue but also from other venues and outside spaces around the city. Sometimes this meant multiple spaces in a day. We knew we needed a system that would allow us to do all of this without the client worrying about live streaming reliability and audiences knowing that the stream would be high-quality and reliable. The system also had to be compact and portable. Thats where the LU800 comes in.

LiveU's LU800 production-level field unit is at the core of the live streaming setup and is connected to three PTZ cameras that can either be controlled on-site or remotely from the control room back at the Accidental Theatre venue. On top of that they use an audio interface that takes a mix out of the desk  or they can build their own mix  into an audio embedder into one of the camera feeds that then comes back to a LiveU server in the control room where they do the final mix. They have one or two operators onsite and one or two in the control room. The LiveU Solo is used to provide ultimate redundancy for the final stream.

Malcolm Harland, country manager, UK, LiveU, said: This is a really interesting use of our technology, opening up new creative and revenue possibilities for performers and performance spaces. Were very impressed with the way Richard and his team have approached this and developed their system. And, of course, the fact that they can create such exciting content so reliably really says it all.
In Million Dollar Island, one hundred people are dropped on an uninhabited tropical island, where they need so survive for two months. Upon arrival, each contestant is given a numbered bracelet worth $10,000 so the 100 bracelets together are worth $1 million. The contestants gain and lose bracelets by playing duels and challenges - and by receiving them from those who quit. Contestants can quit at any time. When they do, they must give their bracelet, or bracelets - and therefore the value - to one of the remaining contestants. Friendship and competitive skills will determine who ends up with the most bracelets and the chance to win most of the prize money. Talpa added that the original Dutch version of the new format has just completed shooting in the Philippines and will air in the Netherlands on SBS6 in March. Amazon Prime in Holland will have a day-and-date SVOD second window.Million Dollar Island is a fascinating game of alliances, close friendships, secret pacts and other social strategies, said de Mol. We were confident the format would work, but the intrigue, emotion and drama of the first episodes exceeded our expectations. We believe audiences in many territories will be compelled by the stories the format generates and we know Stephen and his colleagues will do a brilliant job of making the show for both the American and British audiences.John has created several of the worlds biggest and most successful formats, from Big Brother to The Voice, and were hugely excited about the prospect of making the first English language versions of what we believe will be his next global hit, added the Studio Lambert founder.
Andre Leon Talley, a fashion icon who served as an editor and creative director for Vogue, has died at the age of 73.

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Talley's official Instagram account confirmed his death on Wednesday. Talley died in New York City on Tuesday. A cause of death was not disclosed.

The Instagram post features a black and white photo of Talley and lists his accomplishments. Talley was a close confidant of Yves Saint Lurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso, Diane von Furstenberg, Bethann Hardison and Manolo Blahnik.

"Another LEGEND gone. Not to be duplicated," Oprah Winfrey commented under the Instagram post.

"We did paint the town back in the day. Whatever town. Paris or London or new York. He was a great. Soothing and so much fun. Oh Andre. Love. Big love," Selma Blair commented.

Talley joined Vogue in 1983 as news director before he was promoted to creative director in 1988. He later became the editor-at-large and remained at the publication until 2013, however, he continued to contribute to Vogue afterwards.

Talley released a memoir in 2020 titled The Chiffon Trenches and was the subject of 2017 documentary The Gospel According to Andre.

The fashion icon additionally appeared as a judge on America's Next Top Model and was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for his contributions to the fashion industry.

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Talley's byline appeared in Vanity Fair, HG, Interview, Ebony and Women's Wear Daily and he penned other books such as Valentino, A.L.T.: A Memoir and more.

"Good bye darling Andre. No one saw the world in a more elegant and glamorous way than you did. No one was more soulful and grander than you were. The world will be less joyful now. I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years. I will miss your loud screams and your loyal friendship. I love you soooo much," Furstenberg said about Talley on Instagram.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/18/2022



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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.

Black houseguests from seasons past, American and Canadian versions of the show, have gathered in Arizona to connect and celebrate having made history.alums from the U.S. version united with several Canada alums in Phoenix, AZ, this past weekend and tagged the event #BlkBBWeekend on social media, Us Weekly reported The event was designed to celebrate Xavier Prather winning Season 23 of last summer.While he became known as the first Black winner of , Tamar Braxton had won Season 2 of Celebrity in 2019 and Tychon Carter-Newman had been crowned winner of Canada 9 in early 2021.The party included 6 alum Beau Beasley , Season 9 alum Parker Delon, Season 13 alum Lawon Exum, Season 14 alum Jodi Rollins, Season 21 and 22 alum David Alexander , and Season 23 alums Tiffany Mitchell, Kyland Young, Azah Awasum and Hannah Chaddha.The following Canada houseguests also traveled for the gathering: Season 6 alum Andrew Miller, Season 8 alum Angie Tackie, and Season 9 alum Breydon White.Xavier won a huge grand prize of $750,000 and made history last year after joining a people-of-color alliance called "The Cookout" that helped him get to the end and was comprised of Tiffany, Azah, Hannah, Kyland and Derek Frazier."This was a special weekend because we were able to personally thank the previous Black BB alumni players for opening up, not only their arms to welcome us in the community, but opening the door for The Cookout to make history," Tiffany told Us."It is their years of struggling to be accepted and represented that fueled our desire to ensure a Black winner for Season 23."Tiffany, who was voted America's Favorite Houseguest for Season 23, compared the bash to popping a bottle of champagne."This weekend allowed us to share our experiences and bond together," Tiffany told the magazine."As a fan of the show I am honored to be accepted into the BB community as not just a player or a friend, but as family."18 houseguest Zakiyah Everette said getting together with former Black BB players had been on her mind "for a while," and so she was naturally disappointed to not be able to participate in the Phoenix event."I know my fellow African American brothers and sisters on the show have too," Zakiyah told the magazine."After seasons and seasons of and after the amazing win (finally) of a first ever African American contestant, we knew we had to celebrate each other."She elaborated, "Each AA houseguest has had a very similar experience, one that only we truly understand. It was time to connect and show one another love and appreciation. Above all this celebratory trip was for us and I'm glad we were able to make it happen."Many of the former cast members gushed about being able to bond on their own terms and feel an immense sense of inclusion, peace, pride and inspiration during this "epic" celebration."This weekend was a beautiful experience," Kyland shared."As a Super Fan, connecting with the Black alum who came before us was fun and exciting. Still, the most significant part of the weekend for me was hearing from some of the past players about how watching The Cookout succeed in the way we did was helpful and healing in an almost therapeutic way for them."He added, "That was beyond touching for me, and made my own experience on the show even more fulfilling!"And Hannah said the weekend was very "special" to her."We were able to honor the Black houseguests that came before us. I can't even begin to imagine what their BB experience was like due to their lack of support systems on their respective seasons," Hannah explained."So, it was amazing to hear that, for them, watching us was very therapeutic and rewarding."Hannah also shared how her favorite memory from the weekend happened to be their nightly dance and karaoke parties."[We were] just celebrating what it means to be Black. Everyone in the community is part of The Cookout including the Black houseguests that have come before us and those that will come after," Hannah said.
Hilary Duff said she relates to her character on How I Met Your Father, premiering Tuesday, even though they are in different life situations. Duff plays Sophie, a woman dating in New York City.

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"Even though I'm in a totally different place in my life, I just felt like I was drawn to Sophie and that we had a lot in common," Duff said in a Television Critics Association Zoom panel. "She doesn't give up. She's kind of struggling. Odds are kind of against her in her career."

Duff has been acting since she was a child, and she is the mother of three. Sophie is a birthday party photographer who dreams of being a street photographer.

Duff has 10-month-old Mae James and 3-year-old Banks Violet with her husband, Matthew Koma, and 9-year-old Luca with her first husband, Mike Comrie.

Sophie still is going on Tinder dates, none of whom seem like the potential father of her future children until she meets Ian (Daniel Augustin).

How I Met Your Father is a follow-up to the CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother, which ran from 2005 to 2014. Duff said her series addresses the dating landscape of 2022 in which using apps is more common than it is "to meet someone face-to-face," Duff said.

Like the main character on Mother, Sophie has a group of friends who support her romantic pursuits, and have their own. Duff said she hopes viewers who relate to Sophie's problems finding love also can relate to her friendships.

"They are not alone," Duff said. "It's brutal out there."

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Sophie's friends include her roommate Valentina ( Francia Raisa ), her Uber driver Jesse ( Chris Lowell ) and his passenger Sid (Suraj Sharma). Sid proposes to Hannah (Ashley Reyes) the night Sophie shares his ride, and all five remain friends through the series.

Duff said it is important for anyone to have "the support system of your friends."

Even though Duff is married with children, she said she still relies on her friendships during challenging times.

"It's really fun for me to play because I'm in a completely different space, flailing somewhere," Duff said.

Before How I Met Your Father, Duff was developing a modern-day reboot of her Disney sitcom, Lizzie Maguire, which would have picked up her teenage character as an adult. Disney decided not to proceed with the show.

Duff said Sophie is not the grown-up Lizzie who Disney kiboshed.

"Comparing it to the Lizzie that never was, I think she's a totally different character," Duff said. "We get to, obviously, have a lot more fun with what people are doing in their 30s."

Even though Sophie hits it off with Ian, the show throws roadblocks in their way. Ian accepts a job in Australia, but Sophie keeps in touch with him.

On How I Met Your Mother, it took Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) nine years to meet his wife, largely because of the success of the show. Father inherits some of the format of Mother, including combining sitcom footage filmed in front of an audience and location footage shot outside the studio.

How I Met Your Father also includes Easter eggs fans of Mother will spot. However, Duff said they are not trying to redo the previous show.

"This is its own show," Duff said. "We are trying to create something original by stealing a few things from them that worked really well."

New episodes of How I Met Your Father premiere Tuesdays on Hulu.
The planet is dying and Aloy is searching for answers in the new story trailer for upcoming PlayStation exclusive title, Horizon Forbidden West.

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Humanity faces extinction once again as an unstoppable blight sweeps across Aloy's post-apocalyptic world bringing with it starvation in the clip released on Wednesday.

The brave warrior journeys to the west, a dangerous frontier dominated by war and towering robot dinosaurs.

Aloy then encounters a rebel leader known as Regalla who is slaughtering anyone who gets in her way.

Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to 2017's Horizon Zero Dawn from developer Guerrilla Games, is coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on Feb. 18.

Sony recently announced a new virtual reality headset for the PlayStation 5 named PlayStation VR2 alongside a new virtual reality game set it in the world of Horizon titled Horizon: Call of the Mountain.
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
LANSING, Michigan  A Michigan Office of Auditor General report, using data from five state and federal sources, has identified 2,386 COVID-19 deaths among residents of long-term care facilities which were not included in state health department totals.

The state Department of Health and Human services, which tallies self-reported numbers from nursing homes, shows 5,675 residents of such facilities have died of the disease, while the OAG found 8,061 total deaths, records show.

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

The report, released Monday, was addressed to state Rep. Steven Johnson, R-Wayland, and analyzes deaths of long-term care facility residents between Jan. 1, 2020 and July 2, 2021.

State Sen. Curt Vanderwall, who chairs the Health Policy Committee, last week said having an accurate number and reporting it to the public was a crucial element of fighting the disease.

We need to know where we are with this pandemic and this virus, Vanderwall said. We also need to know where our weaknesses are so we can correct them in the future.

Auditor General Doug Ringler in June announced his office would review the states accounting of COVID-19 deaths among residents of long-term care facilities, including small AFCs and exempt HFAs.

Ringlers announcement came on the heels of a state House Oversight Committee hearing last spring, where policy experts testified, warning of a possible undercount.

News last week of the reports imminent release prompted Elizabeth Hertel, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services, to pre-empt its findings in a letter questioning how the data was compiled and included.

Hertel said MDHHS disagreed with including 1,511 of the additional deaths in the total, because the OAG used what she said could be inaccurate address information.

Hertel also said by comparing different data sets the OAG was creating the impression of a larger undercount than was warranted.

(L)ong-term care facilities were only required to report COVID-19 deaths within the definition provided by CDC, Hertel said, of state reporting requirements which mirror that of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stating that long-term care facilities that did not report deaths in the above categories underreported deaths is simply not accurate.

In Michigan, licensed small AFC homes with fewer than 13 beds as well as certain homes for the aged, are exempt from reporting COVID-19 deaths and other data to DHHS, which does require this information from larger facilities.

MDHHS spokesperson Lynn Sutfin said last year there was no undercount, since small AFC homes were required to report deaths to their local health department.

An investigation by the Record-Eagle, which involved sending Freedom of Information Act requests to every local or regional health department in the state, however, found these records did not exist.

Ringlers office performed a two-step analysis, the report states, looking at deaths in both reporting and non-reporting facilities, records show.

The OAG report states the analysis found the 2,386 additional deaths included 1,335 deaths of residents in long-term care facilities which were required to self-report their data to the state, 923 deaths among facilities without those same reporting requirements and 128 deaths in uncategorized facilities, records show.

The OAG analysis looked at deaths among residents of nursing homes, adult foster care homes, homes for the aged and skilled nursing facilities.

Michigan is one of few states which does not require assisted living facilities to be licensed, so no data on resident deaths of these facilities was available to review, according to the OAG report.

The OAG did not find misconduct or intentional underreporting, though did state DHHS could have used data available from the states Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to augment minimum federal reporting requirements.

LARA licenses small AFC homes and homes for the aged, and maintains a publicly searchable, robust database of addresses, contact information and license status.

This LARA database was used by the OAG to compile its report, in addition to data collected by MDHHS, the Michigan Disease Surveillance System, a state assistance database and Medicaid.

MDHHS is reviewing the OAGs findings, the report states.
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.
People gathered in Harmony Parking lot in Brattleboro on Friday, April 22nd for a street festival and parade in celebration of Earth Day. According to Nancy Braus of 350 Brattleboro, the goal was to celebrate the ways in which the community is working towards climate justice and to empower 
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

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Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

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Vermont is in the process of rolling out the retail cannabis market, but no nonmedical licenses have yet been issued, the state cannabis board chairman said Monday.
Beckley, WV (25801)

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Thunderstorms - a few could contain very heavy rain, especially overnight. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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Thunderstorms - a few could contain very heavy rain, especially overnight. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Shelters around Connecticut joined the fundraising social media movement #bettywhitechallenge in honor of late actress Betty White on Jan. 17  which would have been her 100th birthday.

White, who died on Dec. 31, was most known for her role on Golden Girls, but also for her support of organizations such as the American Humane Association and the Fund for Animals, according to the New York Times.

The challenged originated after a Twitter user named Lisa Powell said people should donate to a local shelter on White's honor, according to CBS News. Soon after, the hashtag began trending on Twitter and local shelters started to open fundraising campaigns.

Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS) received more than $20,000 in donations thanks to the challenge.

"We didn't have any expectation we just wanted to be part of something on a national level and paid tribute to such a wonderful woman who was an animal advocate," said Aline Meenan, Director of Development and Marketin at DAWS.

More than 500 people donated to DAWS via online and mail donations, according to Meenan.

Other animal shelters such as the Connecticut Humane Society and the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter have also raised thousands of dollars in donations. Dan Crosgrove Animal Shelter has received more than $8,000 in donations, which surpassed its $5,000 goal, according to its donation website. Protectors of Animals, based in East Hartford, raised more than $16,000 on its campaign, also surpassing the original goal. The movement was also celebrated in Canada, according to CBC News.

While challenge has ended, DAWS is offering state residents a $100 discount on pet adoptions until Jan. 31 in honor of White.

"We are humbled and blown away by the generosity bestowed to DAWS," said Meenan.

Here are some shelters around the state that participated in the #bettywhitechallenge

Danbury Animal Welfare Society Bethel One of the dogs available for adoption at DAWS, Danbury Animal Welfare Society, which is looking to renovate its facility. Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Bethel, Conn. H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media Donation website

Pet Animal Welfare Society of Norwalk Norwalk

Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter Branford

Connecticut Humane Society Newington

The Animal Heaven North Haven

Protectors of Animals East Hartford
MIDDLETOWN  The city and school district have at least a total of $2,000 in unclaimed funds due to them, according to the CT Big List, and residents might be surprised to find they do as well.

The Office of the State Treasurer maintains a database of unclaimed property, which includes funds from savings or checking accounts, uncashed checks, matured certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds or mutual funds, as well as proceeds from life insurance policies. These assets are held by the treasurers office until they are claimed by the person or entity entitled to them.

According to the list, thousands of dollars are available for the city of Middletown and the school district to claim.

The list only labels assets available as Over $100 or Under $100, so exact amounts are not known, and the Under $100 category does not show owed funds below $50.

The city can collect over $100 from Insurance Auto Auctions, Volkswagen Credit, Staples, Honeywell International, Metropolital Life Insurance Co., Humana Inc. & Subsidiaries, Tronc, Wesleyan University and Cummins Inc., which appears twice. There are also funds available between $50 and $100 from Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Co. and the Hartford Insurance Company.

It appears that the city currently has a minimum of $1,100 available to claim, but that number could be much higher.

Mayor Ben Florsheim said the finance department submitted claims on outstanding properties in June, and personnel were in touch with the state as recently as earlier this month.

A healthy general fund has been whats allowed us to maintain our AAA bond rating and make smart investments when theyre needed without raising taxes. Making sure we get these funds recovered is one part of doing that, Florsheim said.

Its a long and complex process, but its something the finance office checks on a semi-regular basis to ensure the city is being kept whole, Florsheim said. Hard to say what exactly it can be used for, not knowing amounts or exact time frames  but the money does go back into the citys general fund, or our savings account.

The database goes back decades.

The school district has funds to claim as well. Some are due to the Board of Education, while others for Middletown High School specifically.

The district can currently collect over $100 from Otis Elevator Corp., Citizens Financial Group, Society for Savings, Webster Bank, Citizens Bank of Connecticut, Community Health Centers and AFLAC of Columbus, which appears three times.

Between $50 and $100 is available from Brinker Restaurant Corp, the list shows.

At minimum, the district has $950 available to it, with one claim dating back as far as 1982.

Its not just businesses or organizations that have assets held by the state. Individuals can find out for themselves if they have property to claim by searching their name on the big list.

Phil Devlin, a former teacher living in Haddam, recently claimed assets for himself and other members of his family. Since then, hes been telling as many people as he can about the big list.

Especially in December, I was playing Santa Claus, he said.

He told one friend of his who works for Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service about the list. The organization was then able to claim a big chunk of funds.

They were very thankful, Devlin said. Theres other charitable organizations like the ambulance service that could really benefit.

Devlin said he feels the state could do a better job of promoting the list. Its definitely something that should be publicized more, he said.

A recent article from the CT Mirror reported that the state is making it difficult to claim assets, especially if those assets total less than $50.

According to the article, more than $40 million of unclaimed property collected through 2015 was valued at less than $50, and all of that money is not made public on the big list.

The CT Mirror created a database that works like the big list, but for funds available under $50.

Connecticut residents can search their name at tabsoft.co/3FFw3x7 to see if they have claims.
One day after the White House launched an initiative to deliver at-home COVID tests to all Americans who want them, some Connecticut residents of multi-unit dwellings say they were blocked from getting any kits.

The White House on Tuesday launched COVIDtests.gov, which allows users to request four free at-home rapid COVID tests.

There were, at one point, about 700,000 people using the site the day before its official launch. As of Wednesday morning, there were more than 167,000 users on the site.

The effort to get test kits comes as Connecticut still sees high levels of COVID-19 transmission. On Wednesday, the state reported a positivity rate of 16.55 percent. Hospitalizations also remain high, despite a net decrease of 14 patients for a total of 1,805.

As testing demand has surged in recent weeks, the White House launched the initiative to send the kits directly to peoples homes.

However, not everyone has had an easy time ordering them.

In particular, people who live in multi-unit buildings have had difficulty, and the United States Postal Service, which is coordinating distribution of the test kits, acknowledged that there have been some issues.

The postal service is seeing very limited cases of addresses that are not registered as multi-unit buildings, which could lead to COVID test kit ordering difficulties, USPS spokesperson Dave Partenheimer said Wednesday by email. This is occurring in a small percentage of orders.

Marie Avellani, of Oakville, for example, said she ordered kits for her elderly aunt who doesnt have a computer.

Since we live in a multi-unit complex, Im told theres only one allowed per address, she said.

Westport resident Evin Dubrow said, there is more than one family living at my current address.

The other family has already ordered the COVID test kits, leaving me with getting a message saying, four kits per household and this address has been used, she said.

New York state Rep. Carolyn Maloney said on Twitter that she heard reports of error messages for folks in multi-dwelling buildings such as apartments, and suggested using the USPS ZIP code lookup tool to find out how your residence is listed.

Users on Twitter noted that some had success including apartment numbers in the first line of the address field, rather than separating it out into the second line.

The system is registering identical street addresses as single households, one user said.

Not everyone had a hard time ordering the free kits. Marion Percy, of Stamford, said her experience had been quite the opposite of difficult.

If and when I receive more test kits, I will donate them, she said. I live alone. I don't need five, and possibly more, test kits.

Sue Sweeney, also of Stamford, said she did not have any trouble at all.

I ordered around 4 p.m. yesterday  no problem, she said Wednesday. In fact, I could not believe how fast and smooth it went.

Questions have been raised about the postal services ability to send four test kits to millions of residences. In the run-up to the 2020 election, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, among others, complained of mail delivery delays.

Partenheimer did not respond to questions about USPS capacity, and suggested that anyone having difficulties can contact USPS.

For help in the ordering process, the USPS recommends filing an online service request or contacting its help desk at 800-ASK-USPS.
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Tens of thousands are moving to the democratic island amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent in their hometown.

Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents have been emigrating to the democratic island of Taiwan since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed a draconian national security law on the city in July 2020, ushering in a crackdown on public dissent and political opposition.

The process isn't without its limitations, according to many recent migrants, but those who were born in China, whose government has repeatedly threatened to annex Taiwan in recent years, are finding it tougher than most.

A recent investigation by RFA revealed at least 40 applicants from Hong Kong who want to move to Taiwan, but are facing hurdles due to their place of birth and a lack of clear communication from the island's labrynthine immigration bureaucracy.

Some have complained that being born in China under CCP rule wasn't something they chose, and won't protect them if they are pursued alongside native Hongkongers for crimes like sedition, subversion and "collusion with foreign powers" if they run afoul of the authorities there.

While Taiwan formally amended its immigration rules in 2020 to allow those born in China to apply alongside other residents of Hong Kong and Macau, many are still being rejected.

One applicant surnamed Lee said he and his wife applied for investment immigration to Taiwan in 2019 to run an online retail outlet, but were rejected for a residence permit in October 2021. Lee's birthplace in mainland China was cited as one of the reasons for the decision.

"They are a government, and they need to follow the rules, not be capricious and keep moving the goalposts," Lee told RFA. "People are planning their whole lives around this stuff, and it's a huge disruption."

He brushed aside the authorities' fears that CCP agents might infiltrate Taiwan under the guise of investors, as has previously happened, saying he was miserable during the 30 years he spent living in China "being persecuted by the CCP."

Lee applied amid the 2019 mass protest movement against extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China and its calls for fully democratic elections, knowing that "this time, the CCP wasn't going to go easy" on the city.

Now that his investment visa has fallen through, Lee is back in Hong Kong, trying to find another way to leave.

A fellow Hongkonger surnamed Mak, a teacher who was also born in China, said she has tried to take the same immigration route as Lee.

Like Lee, she started making plans to move to Taiwan around the time of the 2019 protest movement, but never thought she would run into so many obstacles.

"I chose to move to Taiwan, because I like it there," Mak told RFA. "But I feel like I was accused of being a spy, and I'm innocent."

Mak said she hasn't been granted any right of reply to the opaque immigration decision-making process, unlike someone accused openly of a crime.

"If you want to find someone guilty, you should have to provide evidence," she said. "They seem to be saying that we're spies just because we were born in China, but is everyone who was born in Hong Kong a safe bet?"

"This rule is ridiculous."

'Asking myself who I am'

Mak said she is also regarded as a mainlander in Taiwan, despite having no household registration in China any longer, and has been educated in Hong Kong since the second year of primary school.

"I only lived in the mainland for seven or eight years, but I have lived in Hong Kong for more than 40 years, so where would you say my home is?" she said.

"I would never have even thought of myself as a mainland Chinese if I hadn't come to Taiwan," Mak said. "Now I'm even asking myself who I am."

A Taiwan interior ministry official told RFA said people are generally turned down if they haven't lived long in Hong Kong as permanent residents, they have a mainland Chinese spouse, or their investment plan doesn't closely match their actual business activities.

Rejected applicants can appeal to the Executive Yuan, but publicly available statistics show that no appeal has ever been successful.

Immigration consultant Chang Hsiang-liang said she was unaware that China-born applicants are still being turned down.

"A lot of people were affected by this [at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021] when they were still revising the law, but now maybe they might review those decisions and grant residency," Chang said.

"It could take six or nine months or even a year for the whole process to happen," she said. "I think if [these applicants] want to reapply for settlement, they will need to redo their business plans and put in a lot more work over the next year or two."

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said applicants should be given permission to immigrate as long as there were no national security concerns, and that those rejected could consider reapplying.

More than 11,000 people traveled to Taiwan for the purposes of settlement in 2021, compared with around 10,800 in 2020, according to immigration statistics.

But while around 1,600 Hong Kong residents were granted residency in each year, neither the MAC nor the immigration authorities would respond to requests for the number of applicants rejected for the scheme who were born in China.

Current immigration rules allow for former CCP members, officials or members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to be barred from residency.

Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Leung is under a 'supervision order' requiring him to delete his social media account and not talk to the media.

Edward Leung, a prominent Hong Kong politician who advocated "separation" between the former British colony and mainland China, has been released at the end of a six-year jail term for "rioting" during 2016 unrest in Mong Kok.

A former spokesman for the now-disbanded group Hong Kong Indigenous, Leung was released from Shek Pik prison on Lantau Island at around 3.00 a.m. on Wednesday.

"I was released this morning and am back home safe with my family," Leung said in a post to his Facebook page.

"As required by law, I am subject to a supervision order upon release," he wrote. "I must keep a low profile and deactivate my social media accounts."

His family later posted a warning to supporters not to try to visit Leung, and announced the deletion of Leung's Facebook account, which was unavailable on Wednesday evening local time.

Leung was sentenced to six years in prison in 2018 for "rioting" and "assaulting a police officer" during the 2016 "Fishball Revolution" clashes in Mong Kok.

Hong Kong barrister and former lawmaker Siu Tsz-man said supervision orders are sometimes issued to released prisoners involved in violent crimes, including murder and manslaughter, and require the former prisoner to maintain contact with supervision officers and remain at a stable residence.

But Siu said the order to stay away from the spotlight was unprecedented.

"I have never heard of this happening before," Siu said. "My staff have never heard of a supervision order under which the person isn't allowed to give interviews to the media."

Siu declined to comment on whether the order was appropriate without knowing the details of the case.

"The point of a supervision order isn't to confine someone at a certain location and not let them leave," he said.

Some drew parallels between Leung's release and the continuing controls on released political prisoners in mainland China.

Hong Kong current affairs commentator Johnny Lau said the treatment of prominent Chinese dissidents has varied greatly in the past, depending on the level of political sensitivity of their cases, as viewed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Stability maintenance

Mainland Chinese rights lawyer Wang Yu said the mainland Chinese authorities often negotiate terms with released dissidents, including telling them to stay quiet after their release.

"This can be done through the detention center, through the courts, or the local police department or state security police, or even neighborhood committees," Wang told RFA. "Anyone can be pressed into service as a stability maintenance officer."

"These deals may or may not involve something in writing."

Fellow rights attorney Bao Longjun said Leung's experience shows that Hong Kong has gradually moved away from the rule of law.

"The Hong Kong government's continual expansion of the way it interprets and implements [existing laws] has seriously violated the rule of law and the interpretation of the freedom of speech as granted by the constitution," Bao told RFA.

Video footage of the riots showed a large crowd throwing bricks and other objects at riot police, who fought back with pepper spray and batons, injuring an unknown number of people. Others set fire to debris in the street, while business owners reported damage to property.

Judge Anthea Pang said while passing sentence that "political pleas" could never justify violence. Leung, a by-election candidate for the localist group Hong Kong Indigenous at the time, said he went to the scene to try to act as a buffer zone in the clashes, but later admitted giving in to anger.

Former colonial Hong Kong governor Lord Patten of Barnes criticized Leung's sentence as politically motivated at the time, saying public order legislation was being used politically under CCP rule to hand out extreme sentences to democratic politicians and other activists.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The missiles are likely for precision strikes, not destroying whole cities with nuclear warheads, experts say.

A tactical guided missile is launched, according to state media, at an undisclosed location in North Korea, in this photo released January 17, 2022 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea conducted its fourth missile test this month on Monday when its military fired two short-range ballistic missiles at an island about 236 miles northeast from the capital Pyongyang.

Experts said the missiles would probably be armed with conventional, not nuclear, warheads in an attack, but their launch is likely to ratchet up tensions in the region as both the U.S. and South Korea governments promptly criticized North Koreas latest action.

The state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported that the two tactical-guided missiles hit their objectives. Experts said these missiles were more accurate than other missiles that North Korea tested recently. Based on photos in the newspaper, the fired missiles were similar to the KN-24, which Pyongyang tested on multiple occasions in 2019 and 2020.

South Koreas defense ministry has said that the KN-24 missile resembles the U.S. MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and has been designed to avoid missile defense systems and perform precision strikes.

Mondays test followed a test of two ballistic missiles on Friday, which came after North Korea warned of a stronger and certain reaction if Washington were to authorize more sanctions in response to the test Pyongyang conducted days before.

The Pentagon was not able to confirm that the missile was a KN-24 or any other missile resembling ATACMS, press secretary John Kirby said in a news briefing Tuesday.

We've assessed them as ballistic missiles, and we're still we're still running the traps on that, Kirby said.

When asked if the U.S. was downplaying the missile launches because they do not pose a threat to the U.S. mainland, Kirby reaffirmed Washingtons commitment to the defense of South Korea.

We have as an administration condemned these missile launches and called them out for what they are, clearly violations of various U.N. Security Council resolutions and dangerous to the region certainly dangerous to our allies and partners and we're taking that very seriously, Kirby said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through spokesman Stephane Dujarric, on Monday repeated calls for a diplomatic solution, referring to North Korea by its acronym.

"There haven't been that many periods, I think, in recent time where we have seen so many launches from the DPRK," Dujarric said. "And for us, it is just another reminder of the need for the DPRK, and all the parties engaged to involve themselves, engage themselves in diplomatic talks so we can get what the United Nations would like to see, which is a very verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and, in the more immediate term, a lowering of tensions."

Nevertheless, the missile tests are a direct and serious military threat, Boo Seung Chan, a spokesman for South Koreas Defense Ministry said.

South Koreas main opposition People Power Party released a statement condemning North Koreas many missile provocations and called on the ruling party to do the same.

Several U.S.-based analysts told RFAs Korean Service that the KN-24 missiles were likely conventional-only systems for North Korea. Joshua Pollack, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California, noted that the KN-24 and the KN-23 before it were introduced as tactical weapons.

[That implies] that they would be intended to carry conventional warheads only. But that picture was muddied in January 2021, when Kim Jong Un introduced the subject of tactical nuclear weapons, Pollack told RFA.

For now, at least, I think they are meant to be conventional precision-strike weapons. They appear to be North Korea's response to similar missiles developed in South Korea in previous years, he said.

Bruce Bechtol Jr., professor of political science at Angelo State University, agreed that it was unlikely that weapons would be used to deliver nuclear warheads.

My best guess would be it's likely going to be used as a tactical support system for ground maneuver forces in any conflict, Bechtol said.

That would probably be more of a conventional warhead  because, in a combat situation, ground forces want to take and hold ground. So, if they put a nuclear warhead on that thing, they're not going to be able to hold that ground because it's going to be contaminated, he said.

Michael Duitsman, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, told RFA that the KN-24s higher accuracy might even decrease incentives for Pyongyang to use nuclear weapons for short-range missions.

Precision strike weapons like the KN-24, U.S. ATACMS, and South Koreas Hyunmoo-2 can accurately hit high-value targets with single, conventionally-armed missiles. Hitting these targets with older, less accurate missiles could require several missiles, or one missile with a nuclear warhead, Duitsman said.

North Korea has, however, been able to produce the KN-24 in significant numbers, Ian Williams of the Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies told RFA.

We've seen them in the parades they have done. We've seen a good number of them  and just the number of times they have fired particularly the KN-23, we've seen them test launch this now multiple times, typically firing them in pairs. So that suggests they've got a fairly good production capacity for them, Williams said.

Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
The trio signed on to be saleswomen but after weeks of not working, their debts are piling up.

Three Lao women say they are being held against their will in the Chinese-run Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in northwestern Laos, where they went to find work as chat girls in a call center for Kings Romans Casino.

When they arrived in mid-December at the SEZ, the women were first quarantined for about 14 days to ensure they did not have COVID-19, they said. The quarantine was extended to almost a month, even though none of them tested positive.

Now they say they are being confined against their will.

The women said that they want to return to their home provinces, but each owes 10,000 yuan ($1,600) to their employers plus expenses for food and accommodations. Their employers will not let them leave the premises until they repay their debts, they said.

Chat girls talk to casino customers by texting them over web applications like Line, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, and have to meet a sales quota determined by their employer. But there are hundreds of Lao women doing the same job, which makes it hard for any one of them to meet the targets they are given.

Faced with debts they cant pay many are at risk of being forced into prostitution.

The first woman, a 32-year-old from Vientiane, told RFA on Tuesday that said she and the others will be confined to the Kings Romans Casino until another employer buys them. One inquired but thought the price was too high.

We have no choice but to be confined here and waiting to be called to work, said the woman, who requested anonymity for safety reasons.

The woman said the trio wants to be rescued, but Lao authorities cannot easily enter the Chinese-run SEZ, which operates largely beyond the reach of the Lao government.

RFA reported in December that many of the workers are pressured to work as prostitutes to pay off their debts. Others get stuck waiting for months confined to small living quarters, including large truck containers.

Nevertheless, poor Lao women flock to the zone in hopes of a making a good living due to a dearth of jobs in other provinces.

A middleman, who arranges for women to move to the SEZ for jobs, said workers who fail to meet their customer quotas typically receive 3,000 yuan (U.S. $475) a month, while those who succeed receive 5,000 yuan (U.S. $790) a month plus a 15% commission.

The woman who spoke with RFA said she applied to an online job ad for positions that paid well and included free accommodations, food and medicine.

But in practice at the Kings Romans Casino, everything is the opposite, she said. If I am hired, I dont even know how much Im going to make.

We want to go home

A second woman who is 21 and arrived at the SEZ from Pakse said she applied for a position in December because her family was experiencing financial difficulties, with her mother ill and her four younger siblings attending school.

When I arrived, I saw a woman in the room waiting to be hired, and then another woman joined us later from capital Vientiane, she told RFA. Now, because of the rising debt, we dont want to work here anymore. We want to get out of the SEZ.

Their employer in the meantime continues to charge them for housing, the use of a teapot, food, bedsheets, and medicine, she said.

Our parents cant help us either because they have their own expenses, so we dont want to be trapped here any longer, the woman said.

The third woman, a 35-year-old also from Vientiane, told RFA that the trio were told they would be tested again for the COVID-19 virus by Jan. 20. If the results are negative, they may be hired to work as chat girls.

But we dont want to work anymore, she said. We want to go home because its not as expected. We cant afford being quarantined any longer. We cant wait anymore. All daily living expenses keep pushing our debt to the roof.

We want to be rescued by the Lao authorities, said the woman. We cant escape because all of our passports and our personal identity documents have been confiscated by the employer.

The Golden Triangle casino has not responded to efforts by RFAs Lao Service to seek comment on the chat girl program.

An official at the Labor and Social Welfare Department of Bokeo province, where the SEZ is located, said many Lao women have been trapped there and that officials have rescued some, though he did not explain why Lao authorities were allowed to enter the China-controlled zone in these instances.

But the Chinese dont want them to leave because they owe a lot of money, the official said. The employer has paid a lot of money to get them here, including their bus fare from their villages.

The provincial official suggested that the three women submit a well-documented complaint with evidence to the department stating why they want to return home.

For example, their parents are sick, the official said. In that case, they may be allowed to leave.

Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Residents of western Myanmars Rakhine state say they are concerned over possible armed clashes in Maungdaw township along the countrys border with Bangladesh amid a recent uptick in activity in the area by the outlawed Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

ARSA, which has joined Myanmars shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and other armed ethnic groups in fighting the junta following its Feb. 1 coup, has been moving aggressively to establish control over sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, where three-quarters of a million Rohingya fled during a crackdown by Myanmars military in 2017. The crackdown came in response to ARSAs attack on Rakhine police posts.

A rival group, the Buddhist Arakan Army (AA), agreed to a ceasefire with Myanmars military in late 2020, and ARSA now appears to be taking advantage of the relative calm, residents of Maungdaw told RFAs Myanmar Service.

In November, clashes broke out between ARSA and the military in Maungdaw. Last month a man from the townships Khonedaing village was injured when ARSA gunmen opened fire on a group of 20 people who had gone to collect bamboo in the jungle.

Earlier this month, several photos and videos appeared on social media purporting to show an armed exercise by more than 50 ARSA troops and their leaders. Maungdaw residents said they are now afraid of renewed violence in the area.

The ARSA fighters look like a revolutionary group in guerrilla uniforms, and sometimes we see four or five of them in civilian clothes, said Maung Hla, the administrative officer of Khonedaing village.

We are afraid to go to the western part of the hills. If we need to go, we must go in groups of about 20 people, not in small groups. And we dare not go into the deep jungle.

According to Maung Hla, ARSAs Myanmar branch is based in the Wela Hills, about 20 miles north of the seat of Maungdaw and only around two miles from his village. Its presence has greatly disrupted the lives of local community members, who rely on natural resources for their livelihoods, he said

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told RFA that ARSAs position in Maungdaw lies directly between a group of military and AA units.

ARSA cannot move around as freely as it did before [the 2017 crackdown] with two adversaries on either side, he said. People living near the border areas will have to be careful about their movements.

Repatriation stalled

Other sources told RFA that a planned repatriation of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh had stalled in part due to reports of ARSA militants within their ranks.

While Bangladesh denies that ARSA operates in the refugee camps, last month, Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, told reporters that he had credible information about the group being involved in kidnapping, abusing, and even killing fellow Rohingya at the facilities.

Mohammad Shari, a Muslim resident of Maungdaw, told RFA that while ARSA remains active, the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh will refuse to return home.

As long as these ARSA elements are present, it is impossible for us to bring back our refugees from Bangladesh and there will be no peace and security for us who are now living in northern Rakhine state, he said.

Last time, we had to flee to Bangladesh because of these people [ARSA]. And now, with all these pictures and video files appearing on Facebook, we are worried we might have to flee again.

In addition to ARSA, residents told RFA that other militant groups, including the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and the Rohingya Army, have infiltrated the Maungdaw side of the Myanmar-Bangladesh border in Rakhine state.

Junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun was not immediately available for comment when contacted by RFA.

Dil Mohammad, a Rohingya leader in Bangladesh, told the RFA-affiliated BenarNews agency that fighting had already broken out between ARSA and the AA in the no-mans land along the shared border.

The fighting between ARSA and the Arakan Army occurred after a reported incident about the abduction of a Rohingya person, Mohammad said.

But he said that while fighting has broken out in the area, the real reason Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have not returned home is owing to the reluctance of the Myanmar government.

Myanmar is still reluctant to accept us, so the repatriation is not taking place, he said.

Shah Rezwan Hayat, Bangladeshs Refugee Relief and Repatriation commissioner, downplayed the presence of ARSA in the Rohingya refugee camps to BenarNews.

We hear from the media and other sources about the presence of ARSA at the camps. But the armed groups inside and around the camps only use the ARSA name to enhance their importance. We will not allow any armed groups to create anarchy at the camps, Hayat said.

If Bangladesh and Myanmar could reach a diplomatic agreement, either with the facilitation of any other country or without, the violence at the border would not hinder the repatriation process.

Brother of ARSA leader arrested

The increased presence of ARSA in the border area comes amid reports on Tuesday that the brother of ARSA leader Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi was arrested in a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar.

Mohammad Shah Ali, 50, was taken into custody on Jan. 16 by police who discovered him carrying a Bangladeshi national ID card, weapons and drugs, Inspector (Investigation) Gazi Salah Uddin, who oversees the Ukhia Police Station, told BenarNews.

Chittagong District Election Officer Jahangir Hossain told local journalists that if the identity card is genuine, it will be investigated, and action will be taken against those involved.

Naimul Haque, a captain of the Armed Police Battalion Coxs Bazar, told BenarNews that Shah Ali was staying in a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar on the instructions of his brother Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service, with additional reporting by BenarNews. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
One critic says the effort is part of a push to diminish Tibetan culture.

Chinese police raise China's flag over discarded Tibetan prayer flags on a hilltop in Qinghai's Matoe county in an undated photo.

Authorities in Chinas Qinghai province are forcing Tibetan nomads to replace the prayer flags they set up near their camps with Chinas national emblem in what critics see as an example of the governments effort to wipe away Tibetan cultural and religious practices.

The campaign was launched at the beginning of the year in Matoe (in Chinese, Maduo) county in Qinghais Golog (Guoluo) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a Tibetan living in exile told RFA, citing contacts in the region.

Nomads living scattered around Matoe are being forced to attend political education sessions, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. And the Chinese government is putting up the national flag in places where Tibetans usually perform traditional religious ceremonies.

They are also removing Tibetan prayer flags hung on the hilltops, saying they are not environmentally friendly, and are demolishing the furnaces used to perform smoke offerings used in purification ceremonies, he said.

Chinas campaign in Matoe follows the destruction of visible symbols of Tibetan culture and religious belief reported by sources in other Tibetan areas, including Tibets regional capital Lhasa, where China in November 2020 banned fragrant smoke from the burning of juniper boughs at the citys iconic Jokhang Temple.

Also speaking to RFA, Pema Gyal  a researcher at London-based Tibet Watch  called Chinas new drive in Matoe a politically motivated effort intended to monitor and control the thoughts of local Tibetans.

There are huge concerns regarding how the Chinese government conducts these political education sessions for Tibetan nomads, forcing them to raise the Chinese flag and place portraits of Chinese Communist leaders in their homes, Gyal said.

The destruction of prayer flags and the restrictions at the Jokhang and other religious sites signal a growing pattern of Chinese control over traditional Tibetan religious practice and increasing attempts by Beijing to recast Tibetan Buddhism as a Chinese faith, experts and observers say.

Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force 70 years ago.

Tibetans living in Tibet and in Tibetan areas of western Chinese provinces frequently complain of political, economic and religious discrimination as well as human rights abuses and say they fear Beijing is pursuing ever more aggressive policies aimed at eradicating their national and cultural identity.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFAs Tibetan Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Tashi Wangchuk was jailed for 5 years before he was let go last January.

A Tibetan activist is again speaking out against language restrictions after spending five years in prison for discussing the issue with Western media, RFA has learned.

Tashi Wangchuk, a resident of Yulshul municipality in western Chinas Qinghai province, was released on Jan. 28, 2021, after completing a prison term for inciting separatism and is now subject to near-constant monitoring by authorities.

Wangchuk, who is around 35 years of age, called this month on Chinese authorities to allow the use of Tibetan in schools, government jobs and other sectors of Tibetan public life, but was summoned and questioned on Jan. 17 by local police, the language rights advocate said on his social media Weibo account next day.

One of the questions I was asked under interrogation was who had given me the responsibility to advocate for use of the Tibetan language, Wangchuk said.

I think that the officials in Yulshul city and the police bureau are just using their power to stop the public from addressing these problems and advocating for the use of their own language.

This is how the Tibetan language has been endangered, and this is how I am raising awareness among government officials of the language rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Peoples Republic of China, he said.

With no exams allowed in the Tibetan language for Tibetans applying for government jobs, young Tibetans have no choice but to study Chinese in their schools and ignore their own language, Wangchuk wrote on his Weibo account on Jan. 3.

The situation has become so bad that some of them later cant even read or write in Tibetan, he said.

Wangdhen Kyab  a senior researcher at London-based Tibet Watch  told RFA that it had once been required that officials in government offices in Tibet learn and understand the Tibetan language.

But now the situation has completely changed, and the Tibetan language has become increasingly marginalized under Chinas so-called Bilingual Education Policy, he said.

Even after spending five long years in a Chinese prison, Tashi Wangchuk continues to advocate and fight for the Tibetan language, which shows that this is not a matter of concern only for an individual or his family, but for the long-term protection and survival of the Tibetan language.

Tashi Wangchuk has spoken up fearlessly about this, and we can see that he will continue to do so despite the Chinese governments constant harassment and warnings, Kyab said.

While China claims to uphold the rights of all minorities to access a bilingual education, Tibetan-language schools have been forced to shut down, and school-age children in Tibet regularly receive instruction only in Mandarin Chinese.

Similar policies have been deployed against ethnic Mongolians in Chinas Inner Mongolia and Muslim Uyghurs in northwestern Chinas region of Xinjiang.

Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force 70 years ago.

Language rights have become a particular focus for Tibetan efforts to assert national identity in recent years, with informally organized language courses in the monasteries and towns deemed illegal associations and teachers subject to detention and arrest, sources say.

Reported by RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney.
The chief of the General Staff of the Armenian military, General Artak Davtian, former Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan, and several other officials went on trial on January 19 on fraud and embezzlement charges related to purchases of faulty weaponry and ammunition for the armed forces.

The defendants also include businessman David Galstian, who owns several firms that have supplied weapons and ammunition to the military for many years.

The National Security Service arrested Tonoyan, Galstian, and two other senior defense officials in September for allegedly defrauding the state of some $4.7 million.

The case involves the purchase of thousands of air-to-surface missiles that a company owned by Galstian delivered to Armenia's military in 2011.

The Defense Ministry initially refused to buy most of them at the time, saying that they were faulty and unusable. But the ministry went ahead with the purchase after Tonoyan became defense minister in 2018.

Investigators claim that Tonoyan and the two other officials arranged the deal for personal gain. The defendants deny the charges. Tonoyan served as defense minister until 2020.

Prosecutors revealed last week that Davtian was also charged with abuse of office as part of the criminal case. Davtian has not been dismissed from his post despite the indictment.

Davtian was absent from the opening session of the high-profile trial.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to choose a "diplomatic and peaceful path" and said Washington continues to pursue diplomacy with Moscow as long as it can to avoid aggression in Ukraine amid mounting fears that an invasion could be imminent.

Alarms are sounding throughout Western capitals about the danger of a new major conflict after Russia massed an estimated 100,000 troops along Ukraine's borders and deployed a sizable force in Belarus for what Moscow and Minsk say are snap military exercises.

"We've made it very clear to Moscow that if it chooses to renew aggression against Ukraine, it will mean that it will face very severe consequences -- and again, that's coming not just from the United States but from countries across Europe and beyond," Blinken told a joint news conference in Kyiv with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

"Our strength depends on preserving our unity, and that includes unity within Ukraine. I think one of Moscow's long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within countries, and quite simply we cannot and will not let them do that," he added.

Blinken, in Kyiv as part of a European tour before he meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on January 21, said that, if Russia carries through with any aggressive moves against Ukraine, Washington is prepared to provide additional materials to Kyiv to help it defend itself.

Blinken did not provide any details but earlier a senior U.S. official said President Joe Biden's administration last month approved the provision of $200 million in additional defensive security assistance to Kyiv. The official, who spoke under condition of anonymity, also did not detail the contents of the aid package.

In an interview with Voice of America in Kyiv, Blinken voiced hope that despite indications that Russia continues massing troops near Ukraine, his upcoming talks with Lavrov will show "that diplomacy remains an open possibility."

"Unfortunately, we continue to see Russia having amassed very significant forces on Ukraine's borders. That process seems to continue. On the other hand, the fact that we are meeting in Geneva, the fact that we will be discussing the conversations and exchanges that we've had over the last 10 days, also suggests to me that diplomacy remains an open possibility," Blinken told VOA on January 19.

Echoing earlier remarks that he made at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, the chief U.S. diplomat said the path to a peaceful solution ultimately rests with Putin since it was the Russian leader who prompted the West to beef up its defenses in the aftermath of Russia's annexation of Crimea almost eight years ago.

"When you think about it, President Putin, going back to 2014, has managed to precipitate what he says he wants to prevent, because, among other things, NATO had to reinforce itself after Russia invaded Ukraine, seized Crimea, the Donbas, after that happened," Blinken told VOA.

"So, we've laid out the consequences for Russia but also the far-preferable path of resolving differences diplomatically and we'll see which path President Putin decides to take."

Kuleba also said after meeting with Blinken that he hoped talks later in the week in Geneva between the United States and Russia would be "successful in changing Russia's behavior to be less aggressive and more constructive."

While in Kyiv, Blinken also met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who thanked the United States for increasing military assistance to Ukraine during these "difficult times."

In response to the beefed-up aid, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called on the West to stop supplying Ukraine with weapons while describing the situation around European security as "critical."

Blinken is set to travel to Berlin for four-way talks with Britain, France, and Germany on January 20 as he looks to ensure Western unity before heading to Geneva to meet Lavrov after the two spoke by phone on January 18.

The meetings will focus on "joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine" including the allies' "readiness to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia," according to State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Russia's deployment of forces along Ukraine's border, and in occupied Crimea, is one of the largest unscheduled massing of forces since March 2014. Russia is also backing separatist fighters in an ongoing war in eastern Ukraine that has claimed more than 13,200 lives since April 2014.

Moscow has denied any plans to attack Ukraine and accused NATO of planning to admit the country as a member of the alliance, as well as deploy offensive weaponry there.

Last week, Russian diplomats met with top officials from the United States, NATO, and European countries to discuss the sweeping demands Moscow has made, which amount to a major restructuring of Europes security architecture.

The talks yielded no breakthroughs, and that, plus belligerent rhetoric from Moscow, has alarmed Western officials.

In an interview with RFE/RL on January 19, Czech Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil said any withdrawal of NATO forces "would mean weakening the defense abilities of the democratic world."

"Totalitarian powers would start to gain more influence. If a totalitarian power starts to gain influence and an opportunity that democracy makes concessions...it leads to them increasing their demands. So a policy of concessions, a policy of seeking compromise, in the case of Russia's aim of expanding its territory and its power, is absolutely the wrong policy," he said.

Russia maintained a tough posture on January 19, with Ryabkov saying there can't be any meaningful talks on possible further talks on arms control and confidence-building measures if the West doesn't heed the Russian demands.

"For us, the matter of priority is achievement of watertight, bulletproof, legally binding guarantees" that Ukraine and other ex-Soviet republics will not join NATO.

Blinken said that Washington has no plans to present a formal response to Russia over its demands, adding that "we need to see where we are and whether there remain opportunities."

He also warned that Moscow is trying to sow panic and destabilize Ukraine and that "we must make every effort to prevent Russia from achieving this goal without even taking weapons out of our pockets."

There is growing concern in Washington that a possible Russian attack could come via Belarus, where strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka is clinging to power with the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin following large-scale popular protests against his brutal 27-year rule.

Lithuania's Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas tweeted on January 19 that his country, a former Soviet republic and a current NATO member, considers the Russian troop deployment in Belarus "not only as a destabilizing factor of the security situation, but also as an even greater direct threat to Lithuania."

With reporting by AFP, AP, Interfax, Reuters, and Ukrainian Service
SOFIA -- Ivaylo Ivanov was thumbing through a folder of documents at his spartan doctor's office in Novo Selo, a sleepy village in northern Bulgaria, when he got an unexpected visit on January 17.

With his camera on, one of the country's most notorious anti-vaxxers, Ventsislav Angelov, stormed in, followed by a woman whose husband -- with a history of heart issues -- had died after apparently being vaccinated against COVID-19 by Ivanov.

"I'm going to kill you, I'm telling you! Hey, you bastard!" Angelov, who also goes by the nickname "Chicago," can be heard yelling in the video broadcast live on his Facebook page.

Angelov, who has dabbled in right-wing politics and is a conspicuous crusader against coronavirus lockdown measures and vaccinations, was later arrested amid an outpouring of support for Ivanov, who was bloodied in the attack, as was Angelov.

The mayor of Novo Selo, Mareila Yordanova, told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service that Ivanov was shaken by the incident and had given testimony to police. "Right now, several villages don't have a doctor because of this case," Yordanova said on January 18.

The incident has again shined the spotlight on Bulgaria, an EU country of some 7 million where less than 30 percent of the population has been vaccinated and is struggling to contain a fifth wave of the pandemic.

Bulgaria reported a record 11,181 coronavirus infections in a single day on January 18, official data showed, dominated by the more contagious omicron variant.

Bulgaria's tally of infections exceeds 840,000, with 32,332 deaths since the pandemic began.

It's unclear what, if any, charges Angelov could face, but the Bulgarian Medical Union (BLS) has urged police to prosecute the case to the fullest. "The BLS will not tolerate doctors being humiliated, harassed, and attacked while trying to do their job," it said.

Conspiracy-Spinning Agenda

It's one of two attacks on medical personnel reported in Bulgaria in recent days.

Relatives of a patient in a COVID-19 ward barged into a hospital in Ruse, a city in northeastern Bulgaria, claiming he did not have the virus and demanding he be moved, Bulgarian National TV reported on January 18.

In the wake of the two incidents, Health Minister Asena Serbezova has come to the defense of the country's health workers, saying they deserve respect and not violence, in a Facebook post.

The new centrist government led by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has repeatedly appealed to Bulgarians to get inoculated, so as to avoid pressure on hospitals that could force tougher curbs.

Much of the anti-vaccine skepticism in Bulgaria is fueled by disinformation dispensed across social media platforms by the likes of Angelov and other prominent individuals and politicians, most notably, but not limited to, members of the ultraright Revival party with its anti-NATO, anti-EU, and COVID-19 conspiracy-spinning agenda.

Revival members, led by party leader Kostadin Kostadinov, who has described COVID-19 vaccines as an "experiment," were out in force as a large crowd gathered outside parliament in Sofia on January 12. Up against a cordon of riot police, they were protesting vaccines and other COVID-19 measures, including possible vaccine mandates or so-called vaccine passports.

However, the party suffered a bit of embarrassment recently after Bulgaria's private and independent bTV reported that four of Revival's 13 lawmakers in parliament -- Nikolay Drenchev, Ivo Ruschev, Stoyan Taslakov, and Daniel Petrov -- had apparently ignored the party line and gotten the jab. Like the others questioned by bTV, Ruschev denied he was opposed to the COVID-19 vaccinations, but cast it as a question of personal choice.

"The fight at the moment is not for vaccinated or not vaccinated people. We are not fighting for that. We are fighting for people's rights. I have made my own choice and have been vaccinated," Ruschev said.

Widely Quoted Disinformation

To back up their claims, Drenchev and other anti-vaxxers in Bulgaria often quote Atanas Mangarov, a Sofia-based pediatrician and infectious-diseases specialist.

Mangarov is widely quoted in Bulgarian media and has millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where he cites his own refusal to get vaccinated and shares stories about vaccine setbacks and opposition to vaccine mandates.

He rejects the kind of immunity that comes with vaccination in favor of natural immunity through infection, which he says is the only guarantee against new coronavirus variants.

Amid the disinformation spun by Mangarov and others including Angelov, the Bulgarian Health Ministry was moved to issue a statement on January 18 stressing that there was no scientifically backed link between COVID-19 vaccinations and any deaths from inoculation.

"In Bulgaria, there is no case of a proven causal link between the COVID-19 vaccine and death," the Health Ministry said in a statement quoted by RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service.

After the fracas in Novo Selo, RFE/RL tried unsuccessfully to contact both Angelov and Ivanov.

The BLS said it would stand by Ivanov, offering legal assistance to him as well as any other "doctor who has been subjected to violence."

It was unclear what charges, if any, Bulgarian prosecutors might level against Angelov, who has had several run-ins with the law in the past.

In September, a group of anti-vaxxers confronted a medical team at a vaccine center in the Black Sea port city of Varna, hurling verbal abuse at the doctors, demanding they stop administering the shots.

Yordanova, the mayor of Novo Selo, said Ivanov was shaken by the incident but was relatively OK, "as far as one can be well in such a situation."

She also added details about the local man who had died days after being inoculated. According to Yordanova, the family of the dead man has been living in Germany for at least 10 years and the man had had several heart surgeries abroad.

"He just had heart problems. They didn't tell the doctor about it," the mayor said, who stressed that Doctor Ivanov was valued in the village and others nearby. "The doctor has been serving us for years and doesn't deserve this treatment at all."

Based on reporting by Polina Paunova and Damyana Veleva of RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service and written by Tony Wesolowsky
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Violent unrest in Kazakhstan, coupled with a Russian-led military intervention to prop up Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, the country's embattled president, has already left its mark on the country and Central Asia as a whole.

The crisis is also reshaping Beijing and Moscow's relationship with each other, highlighting the lengths they are willing to go to accommodate one another, as I reported here.

Finding Perspective: By intervening militarily and throwing its support behind Toqaev, the Kremlin signaled that it is still the leading security provider in a region that it views as its strategic backyard. At the same time, it also boosted its already sizable political influence.

An alleged coup attempt that sparked a purge of the Kazakh elite could also undercut some of China's sway in the country, with many of its former interlocutors sidelined.

Despite these potential points of tension, Beijing and Moscow have used the crisis in Kazakhstan to increase their support for one another.

Beijing took a wait-and-see approach in the early days of the crisis, but Chinese officials and the country's state-run media have since thrown their weight behind Russia's intervention and the somewhat suspect official narrative from Kazakh authorities that the unrest was the result of foreign-backed "terrorists."

Why It Matters: While China and Russia have been growing closer in recent years, Central Asia was seen as a region of competition between Beijing and Moscow. But their reaction to events in Kazakhstan shows they're learning to work together and respect each other's interests, even when they might conflict.

China watched the violence in Kazakhstan warily and certainly had a close eye on the arrival of Russian troops through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-led military alliance. But Beijing was keen to let Russia take the lead and ultimately boost its influence in Kazakhstan.

China has a pragmatic approach to Central Asia and shares Moscow's overriding concern about keeping the region stable.

Beijing was also not willing to let events in Kazakhstan get in the way of the wider China-Russia relationship, which is becoming increasingly important for both governments as they spar with the United States.

Read More

 Nursultan Nazarbaev, Kazakhstan's influential former president, appears to be brushed aside as his family is being removed from high-ranking roles in the country. My colleague Bruce Pannier explains the shake-up under way in the country's shadowy world of elite politics.

 What's behind Beijing's cautious approach to the unrest in Kazakhstan? I took a look here.

 For a better understanding of where popular anger in Kazakhstan was coming from, the Financial Times' Tom Burgis took a deep dive into the astounding scale of corruption in the country over the last 30 years.

Expert Corner: The Limits Of Chinese Influence In Central Asia

Readers asked: "What does China's reaction to the unrest in Kazakhstan tell us about its influence in Central Asia?"

To find out more, I asked Haiyun Ma, an associate professor at Frostburg State University in Maryland, who studies China's presence in Central and South Asia:

"This type of crisis obviously makes China nervous as Kazakhstan has become China's most important partner for the [Belt and Road Initiative] in Central Asia. In the aftermath of this elite infighting, Beijing will have to remake many of its networks of influence, a lot of which flowed through [Karim] Masimov's circle, the former head of the domestic intelligence agency who was arrested on treason and accused of plotting a coup. So, China loses some levers of influence in Kazakhstan for now.

"If you think about Russia, you don't only have a military or security presence, but you also have all sorts of sectors from business to culture that are very closely and personally tied to Moscow. Chinese economic dominance is there for sure, but if you look at the elite circles, I don't think that's quite as true. Investment alone doesn't lead to the same type of influence."

Do you have a question about China's growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org and I'll get it answered by leading experts and policymakers.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. The Serbian Connection

Serbia is quietly financing an effort to install advanced and largely unregulated Chinese surveillance tools in Kosovar communities that are partly outside Pristina's control, RFE/RL's Balkan Service reported.

What's At Stake? Kosovo risks becoming a reluctant laboratory for invasive Chinese surveillance technology at the hands of neighboring Serbia.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade is still influential within the country, whose independence Serbia does not recognize.

Pristina has largely spurned Chinese products like this and pledged support for Washington's "Clean Network" initiative meant to block advanced Chinese-made technology.

A predominantly Serb provisional authority in southeastern Kosovo signed a deal last month to purchase tens of thousands of euros' worth of small surveillance cameras, digital recorders, and other equipment from the U.S.-blacklisted company Zhejiang Dahua Technologies to monitor schools in a dozen communities, according to publicly available documents.

The documents said that a Serbian government office that steers relations with the former province provided the funding.

Central Kosovar authorities including the government, police, and customs office have not responded to requests for comment or said they have no information about the Serbian plans.

The Serbian government has close ties with Beijing and, should the deal go ahead, it would contribute to a Chinese foothold in facial-recognition and other artificial-intelligence-based technologies in Kosovo.

2. Middle East Diplomacy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi took some big swings at the United States during a meeting in Wuxi with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, his Iranian counterpart. The two discussed reviving a nuclear deal and furthering a 25-year cooperation pact that Beijing and Tehran signed in March 2021.

The Details: Beijing publicly supports efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal between major powers and Iran, which the United States withdrew from in 2018.

Washington reimposed sanctions that badly damaged Iran's economy after the Trump administration left the nuclear pact, saying the terms did not do enough to curb Tehran's nuclear activities, ballistic-missile program, and regional influence.

Talks are moving slowly and China is keen to hang the diplomatic troubles around the neck of the United States and boost Beijing's own standing in the region.

China has become a lifeline for Iran's economy and ties between Beijing and Iranian political leaders have warmed in recent years, as both have grappled with intensified diplomatic and economic confrontations with the West.

Beijing is walking a fine line in the Middle East and around reviving the Iran nuclear deal. China wants to preserve the pact and prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program, but is also aiming to undercut Washington's efforts to keep Iran isolated and better position itself in the process

While feasibility questions still surround the 25-year deal China signed with Tehran, it sent a powerful signal of support.

It's also partly behind why Beijing is taking aim at U.S. sanctions. Should the nuclear agreement remain stalled or worse, Chinese firms could face secondary sanctions from Washington for doing business in Iran.

3. Beijing's Big Lens

Kazakhstan's crisis has been revealing about China in a number of ways, showing where its priorities and blind spots in Central Asia truly are.

In particular, two main areas continue to pop up on Beijing's radar: fears of Western influence and anxieties about Islamic extremism in Central Asia bleeding over into neighboring Xinjiang.

What You Need To Know: Even before Beijing offered more full-throated support for Toqaev in the face of protests, Chinese officials, its state-run media, and leading pundits all centered on warning about a "color revolution" in Kazakhstan.

The color revolution narrative is in reference to the wave of popular protests that removed pro-Kremlin leaders from Georgia in 2003 and Ukraine in 2005 and both Beijing and Moscow see them as Western-backed and -funded.

Beijing has beat this drum in the past when it comes to popular protests, but it's interesting to watch it unfold in Kazakhstan, where there is no evidence that the West played a role in the unrest and the United States, in particular, has had strong working ties with both Nazarbaev and Toqaev.

Yet some of China's most prominent Central Asia watchers, such as Fudan University's Shen Yi, have said unequivocally that Kazakhstan's unrest is the result of U.S.-backed efforts.

While Moscow also spoke about an attempted color revolution in Kazakhstan, Toqaev and his officials have not used this narrative, instead focusing on the role that unspecified foreign-backed "terrorists" played in an alleged coup attempt.

Beijing has also run with this focus on terrorism and used the Kazakh government's official explanation to call for greater cooperation on counterterrorism in the region.

China is hyper-fixated on its own stability and has long seen events in Central Asia as connected to Xinjiang, where Beijing is running an internment camp system aimed at Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities over alleged extremism concerns.

Across The Supercontinent

Election Day: The Hungarian opposition has gathered nearly 100,000 signatures to hold a referendum on election day in April over whether taxpayers should fund controversial plans to build a campus for China's Fudan University in Budapest, RFE/RL's Hungarian Service reports.

Calling Beijing: Ever since it swept to power in August 2021, the Taliban has had limited control over its embassies around the world and its government is not recognized by other countries.

Now, its leaders are calling on China to back it in a campaign to gain international recognition.

On The Border: Kyrgyzstan's State Customs Service chief, Adilet Kubanychbekov, was arrested on accusations of corruption, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Kubanychbekov was only appointed in October 2021 and his short tenure came following a corruption scheme involving the former deputy chief of the customs service, Raimbek Matraimov, who transferred hundreds of millions of dollars out of Kyrgyzstan with a Chinese-born Uyghur businessman who was subsequently assassinated in Istanbul in November 2019.

New In Town: Zhang Ming, until recently China's ambassador to the European Union, will take over as secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the China-led Eurasian security bloc, the South China Morning Post reports.

One Thing To Watch

As tensions continue to rise over Ukraine and the potential of another Russian invasion, all eyes are on a crisis that could be a defining test for Europe, the future of American power, and Moscow's wider ambitions.

The military buildup and diplomatic tensions are also being closely watched by China, which shares a similar goal for Taiwan as the Kremlin's in Ukraine: to rectify what it sees as its own geopolitical wrong.

For Beijing, it's a test of American resolve. And how the United States and its allies will be able to deter Russia (or not) will have far-reaching consequences not just for Europe but also for China's own plans in Asia.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your in-box on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
French President Emmanuel Macron says EU countries need to build a new "security and stability framework" that would require "strategic rearmament," as well as "frank and demanding" talks with Russia.

"We need to build it between us Europeans, share it with our allies in NATO, and propose it for negotiations with Russia," Macron told the European Parliament in Strasbourg as France starts its presidency of the EU amid growing fears of a new Russian invasion of Ukraine.

An estimated 100,000 Russian troops have been deployed near Ukraine's borders, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, visiting Kyiv, said Moscow had plans to beef them up "on very short notice."

Moscow denies it is planning to invade neighboring Ukraine and says it may move troops anywhere it wants when they are on Russian soil.

Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 and is also backing separatist fighters in an ongoing war in eastern Ukraine that has claimed more than 13,200 lives since April 2014.

Referring to "destabilization efforts" in Europe, Macron said Europe wants to find a political response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Separately, the French president said the EU must review its relationships with the Western Balkans and offer them "sincere" prospects of joining the bloc.

Six Western Balkan countries are seeking to join the EU, but they are at different stages on the path to membership.

Serbia and Montenegro are the most advanced, having opened accession negotiations and several chapters on bringing local policies in line with EU norms.

Membership negotiations for North Macedonia and Albania have been delayed.

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo are listed as potential candidate countries.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
The Hungarian opposition's joint candidate for prime minister says he has tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of general elections in April.

Peter Marki-Zay said on his official Facebook page on January 19 that he had begun to quarantine, though he was feeling fine with only mild symptoms resembling a common cold.

Marki-Zay said he has received three vaccination shots against COVID-19 and was hoping to get back on the campaign trail in five days if he has a negative test.

Hungary will hold elections on April 3 in what is expected to be a tough test for Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been in power since 2010, and his right-wing government.

Recent polls suggest a close race against Marki-Zay, behind whom multiple opposition parties agreed to unite.

Marki-Zays announcement comes as Hungary's daily tally of new COVID-19 infections jumped to a record 14,890.

As many as 40,686 people have died of the disease in the country of 10 million and currently there are 2,645 coronavirus patients in the hospital, including 208 on ventilators.

The percentage of the population that has received two vaccine doses is 61.5 percent, compared to 69.4 percent for all EU states.

There are only limited restrictions in place and schools are operating normally nationwide, though the wearing of protective masks is mandatory in some indoor places and on public transport.

With reporting by Reuters and RFE/RL's Hungarian Service
Former U.S. diplomat Barry Rosen was among the 52 Americans held hostage by a group of hard-line students who stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran following the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

On the 41st anniversary of his release and the end of the 444-day hostage crisis, Rosen has gone on hunger strike to push for the release of what he calls other hostages: dual nationals and foreign citizens jailed in the Islamic republic.

Rights groups have accused Iran of holding them as bargaining chips for money or influence in Tehrans dealings with the West.

Rosen, 77, launched his hunger strike on January 19 in the Austrian capital, Vienna, the venue of indirect talks between the United States and Iran aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.

In 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the deal and reimposed crippling sanctions against Iran. President Joe Biden said he was willing to rejoin the pact if Iran returned to full compliance. But negotiations between Tehran and world powers that started in April in Vienna have been protracted and inconclusive.

Rosen, a senior advisor to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a U.S.-based lobbying group that opposes the nuclear agreement and has pushed for tougher sanctions against Tehran, says Washington should not strike a deal with Iran if the country holds foreign nationals in prison.

My message is simple: no deal with Iran unless the hostages are free, and this message is a message [that] I will deliver both to the Iranian and to the American delegations in Vienna, Rosen said in a January 17 video announcing his decision to stage a hunger strike.

"The hostage crisis hasn't ended for many others, Americans and Westerners, who are now being held as bargaining chips in Iran, he added.

Rosen said he was concerned about his health. But he added that refusing to eat was the least he could do to raise awareness about the plight of foreigners imprisoned in Iran.

'More Than Symbolic'

In an interview with RFE/RLs Radio Farda on January 18, he said he wanted to dedicate myself to the safety of hostages and I want them released as soon as possible.

I feel its more than symbolic, said Rosen, who did not say when he plans to end his hunger strike.

He said he would like to talk to members of Irans delegation in Vienna. But he said it was unclear if they would meet him.

Rosen said that he believes pressure could compel Iran to free the dual nationals and foreigners currently held in the Islamic republic.

If theres a deal with Iran, and if Iran does take hostages again, then the deal should be off, he added.

Rosen said that Tehrans detention of foreign nationals violated the longstanding tradition of hospitality in Iran, where guests are honored and treated with utmost respect.

Theyre destroying the name of Iran and Iranian civilization and culture, he said. Iran has a long and great history and theyve been destroying it for the last four decades. You dont take people hostages.

There are currently more than a dozen dual nationals and foreigners held in Iran. They include at least four Americans who have been imprisoned on espionage and security charges.

Western governments and rights groups have accused Iran of detaining foreign nationals on dubious charges to extract concessions.

The United States has demanded that Iran release the American citizens, saying they were illegally detained.

A 'Strong Message'

U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley, the chief U.S. negotiator in Vienna, has made several calls for the release of dual Iranian-American citizens. Iran, however, does not recognize dual nationality.

U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan said in February 2021 that the Biden administration had "begun to communicate with the Iranians" on the issue of detained Americans.

Sullivan said Washington's "strong message to the Iranians will be that...we will not accept a long-term proposition where they continue to hold Americans in an unjust and unlawful manner."

In 2016, Iran released four Americans as part of a prisoner swap. In return, Washington dropped charges against seven Iranian nationals who had been convicted of sanctions violations. The Americans freed included Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini, and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari.

The swap was reportedly discussed on the sidelines of the talks over the nuclear deal.

The four Americans still held by Iran include Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi, his father Baqer Namazi, and environmentalist and businessman Morad Tahbaz.

In 2019, a prisoner swap involved American graduate student Xiyue Wang, detained in Iran on alleged spying charges, and imprisoned Iranian stem-cell researcher Massud Soleimani, accused by the United States of sanctions violations.
Troops of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have completed their withdrawal from Kazakhstan, where they were invited by the Central Asian nation's government in the wake of deadly protests in the country's largest city, Almaty, in early January.

Russia's ambassador to Kazakhstan, Aleksei Borodavkin, and General Andrei Serdyukov, who led the CSTO mission in Kazakhstan, said on January 19 that the "peacekeeping operation" was over and that "all" troops had left the former Soviet republic.

Russian, Armenian, Kyrgyz, and Tajik troops were sent to Kazakhstan after small protests against a fuel-price increase in the remote town of Zhanaozen sparked mass anti-government protests across the oil-rich country and led to deadly clashes in Almaty and elsewhere.

Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev said at the time that "20,000 terrorists trained abroad" attacked Almaty, and invited troops from CSTO member states to the country to "stabilize" the situation.

Toqaev has not revealed any evidence of "terrorists" being in the country or of fomenting the protests.

Kazakh officials said that 227 people, including 19 law enforcement officers, were killed during the protests.

Human rights activists say the number of dead may be much higher as scores of people have been missing since the unrest.

On January 19, Almaty authorities beefed up security in the city, increasing the number of police in the streets, as exiled opposition politician Mukhtar Ablyazov called on Kazakh citizens to hold protest rallies on that day in Almaty and other towns and cities.

Based on reporting by TASS, Interfax, and RFE/RL's Kazakh Service
NUR-SULTAN -- Kazakhstan's leaders have taken further steps to replace government officials and concentrate the powers of President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev by stripping former President Nursultan Nazarbaev of lifetime posts a week after deadly protests swept across the Central Asian country.

Toqaev also fired Defense Minister Murat Bektanov on January 19 and immediately appointed Ruslan Zhaqsylyqov, formerly the deputy interior minister, to the post.

Parliament's lower chamber, the Mazhilis, approved a motion by several lawmakers to deprive the former Kazakh president of his right to be lifetime chairman of the influential Security Council and the Assembly of Kazakhstan's People.

After announcing his resignation in March 2019 and leaving Toqaev in his stead, Nazarbaev retained large political influence in the oil-rich country with almost limitless powers as "elbasy" (leader of the nation) and lifetime leadership of the Security Council and the Assembly of Kazakhstan's People.

Protests in the remote town of Zhanaozen in early January over a sudden fuel-price hike quickly spread across Kazakhstan and led to violent clashes in the country's largest city, Almaty, and elsewhere.

Toqaev said in the wake of the protests that he took over the Security Council, without giving any comment.

Much of the protesters' anger appeared directed at Nazarbaev, who had ruled Kazakhstan since 1989 before handing over power. However, he was widely believed to remain in control behind the scenes.

In his first-ever public criticism of Nazarbaev, Toqaev said last week that under his predecessor's leadership, many lucrative businesses and extremely rich people had appeared in Kazakhstan and it was now time for the ordinary people to receive what they deserved.

Meanwhile, a growing number of Nazarbaev's close relatives have lost their official posts, suggesting that the government was moving to purge or squeeze members of the ex-president's extended family.

Nazarbaev, who kept silent during the protests, issued a heavily edited video statement on January 18, confirming that he is no longer in charge of the Security Council. He also denied any rift between him and Toqaev.

An online petition has been launched by a group of Kazakh citizens demanding Nazarbaev's immunity guaranteed by law be cancelled. As of January 19, nearly 7,000 people had signed the petition.

Kazakh authorities say that 227 people were killed during the unrest, including 19 law enforcement officers, and 12,000 were detained.

Human rights groups say the number may be much higher, and that scores of people remain missing.
More than 100 people who were evacuated from a steel plant in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol have arrived in Zaporizhzhya, the Mariupol city council said, as Russian forces resumed their assault on the complex.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

The council said in a statement that the people who arrived in Zaporizhzhya -- a city about 230 kilometers northwest of Mariupol -- were receiving assistance after emerging from weeks in the bunkers of the sprawling Azovstal plant.



Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said 156 people were evacuated. She said several hundred more people remained inside the plant and tens of thousands of women, children, and elderly remain in Mariupol.



"There is no medicine, water, or communication services," she said at a briefing on May 3, adding that the authorities needed to rescue everyone who wants to escape.



The United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross coordinated the evacuation of women, children, and the elderly from the steel works.

"We would have hoped that many more people would have been able to join the convoy and get out of hell. That is why we have mixed feelings," Pascal Hundt of the ICRC told journalists on a video conference call.



Osnat Lubrani, UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said that 101 women, men, children, and older people could finally leave the plant, and several dozen more joined the convoy in a town on the outskirts of Mariupol. Some evacuees decided not to stay with the convoy and headed to destinations other than Zaporizhzhya, Lubrani said.



A few women who arrived in Zaporizhzhya held up handmade signs calling on the Ukrainian authorities to evacuate soldiers still holed up in the plant and their relatives and loved ones who are trapped.



UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he hoped the continued coordination with Kyiv and Moscow will lead to more humanitarian pauses that will allow civilians safe passage from the fighting.

WATCH: Current Time reporter Borys Sachalko comes under fire as he accompanies a Red Cross team attempting to evacuate a village that lies between Russian-occupied Kherson and Ukrainian-held Mikolayiv in southern Ukraine.

Despite the calls for additional evacuations, Russian troops began to storm the plant soon after the latest group of people got out, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications under the National Security and Defense Council said in a statement on May 3.



According to the Vereshchuk, Russia purposely resumed the assault after some civilians got out.



"This was their plan: to allow some civilians to leave and then continue bombing. However, civilians remain there, there are people who did not have time to get out from under the rubble because the blockages were so heavy that in two days they simply could not lift them physically. We need to continue the humanitarian operation, including Azovstal," Vereshchuk said.

French President Emmanuel Macron also urged that evacuations from the steel plant be allowed to continue.



Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on May 3, calling on Russia to rise to the level of its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council by ending its devastating aggression, an Elysee statement said.



The storming of the plant comes days after Putin said he had called off plans for such an operation. Putin instead said he wanted Russian forces to blockade the sprawling plant "so a fly can't get through."

Later on May 3, Russian strikes began targeting the western city of Lviv. The strikes happened just before 8:30 p.m. local time. It wasnt immediately clear what was targeted.



Mayor Andriy Sadoviy wrote on social media that people in the city should take shelter. Train service out of Lviv was suspended.



Sadoviy acknowledged in another message that the attacks had damaged power stations, cutting off electricity in some districts.



The governor of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine said Russian troops shelled a coke plant in the city of Avdiyivka, killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 more.



"The Russians knew exactly where to aim -- the workers just finished their shift and were waiting for a bus at a bus stop to take them home," Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. "Another cynical crime by Russians on our land."

Kyrylenko said 11 more people were killed in the shelling of four towns in the region. The number includes five killed in the town of Lyman and four in Vuhledar.



Kyrylenko said the death toll on May 3 was the highest on a single day since a Russian strike on a train station in the city of Kramatorsk killed 57 people on April 8 and injured 109 others.

WATCH: Ukrainian troops southeast of Kharkiv survey heavy damage to a community cultural center, reflecting on the impact on locals, now all but gone.

Ukrainian officials say the Russian military also struck railroad infrastructure across the country on May 3.



Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of the state-run Ukrainian railways, said the Russian strikes hit six railway stations in the countrys central and western regions, inflicting heavy damage.



The governor of the Dnipro region, Valentyn Reznichenko, said Russian missiles struck railway infrastructure in the area, leaving one person wounded and disrupting train service.

Earlier on May 3, in a video address to the parliament in Kyiv, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 300 million pounds ($376 million) worth of extra military aid for Ukraine.

Britain has already sent military equipment, including missiles and missile launchers, to Ukraine. The new aid will consist of electronic warfare equipment, a battery radar system, GPS jamming equipment, and thousands of night vision devices.



In his speech, Johnson referred to a 1940 address by World War II leader Winston Churchill as Britain faced Nazi Germany's aggression.

"The British people showed such unity and resolve that we remember our time of greatest peril as our finest hour," Johnson told the Verkhovna Rada. "This is Ukraine's finest hour, an epic chapter in your national story that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come."

"We will carry on supplying Ukraine...with weapons, funding, and humanitarian aid, until we have achieved our long-term goal, which must be so to fortify Ukraine that no one will ever dare to attack you again," Johnson said.

In Brussels, the EU's executive indicated it was prepared to propose another sanctions package to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine. But Slovakia and Hungary will not support sanctions against Russian energy, including on oil imports.



The two countries say they are too reliant on Russian oil and there are no immediate alternatives.

The sanctions will also target the Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, which will be excluded from the global banking communications system SWIFT, unnamed diplomats said.

Fighting also raged in the strategic port city of Odesa and across Ukraine's east. A 15-year-old boy was killed in a fresh Russian strike on Odesa, the city council said.

Ukraine's second-biggest city, Kharkiv, was under shelling, the military said on May 3, while the General Staff said Ukrainian forces were defending the approach to Kharkiv from Izyum, some 120 kilometers to the southeast.



Since Russia launched its unprovoked war on February 24, its troops have failed to completely take over any major Ukrainian city.

On the diplomatic front, Germany's conservative opposition leader traveled to Kyiv on May 3 for meetings with Ukrainian officials, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz made clear that he wouldn't be visiting Ukraine any time soon.

Friedrich Merz, who heads former Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Union bloc, visited the town of Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, which has been heavily bombarded by Russian forces.

Scholz refused to go to Ukraine because of Kyiv's refusal to invite Germany's head of state, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whom Ukrainians accuse of cozying up to Russia during his time as foreign minister.

"It can't work that a country that provides so much military aid, so much financial aid...you then say that the president can't come," Scholz told public broadcaster ZDF late on May 2.

The United States warned that Moscow was planning to formally take over regions in Ukraine's east.



Michael Carpenter, the U.S. ambassador to the OSCE, said Russia is planning to imminently annex the territories of Luhansk and Donetsk in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, using referendums after failing to overthrow the government in Kyiv.



Russia encountered surprisingly staunch resistance in the north around the regions of Kyiv and Chernihiv, which forced it to redeploy its troops in the south and east, where fighting has intensified in recent days.



Ukraine's east and south are seen as key strategic goals for Russia, allowing it a land link to Crimea.

Separately, Russia's state news agency TASS quoted the Defense Ministry on May 3 as saying that more than 1 million people, including nearly 200,000 children, had been taken from Ukraine to Russia in the past two months.



Defense Ministry official Mikhail Mizintsev said those civilians "were evacuated to the territory of the Russian Federation from the dangerous regions" of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, and from other parts that came under Russian control.

No details were provided on the location or circumstances of the moves.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, BBC, and dpa
Turkey's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure says flights to and from Armenia will resume next month as the two neighbors continue discussions aimed at normalizing bilateral ties after years of animosity.

The ministry on January 19 said Turkish budget carrier Pegasus Airlines will operate three flights per week between Istanbul and Yerevan, while Fly One Armenia will schedule three flights between Yerevan and Istanbul.

"According to the agreement reached, the first flights will start mutually on 2 February," the ministry said in a statement.

The announcement comes after the first round of talks in Moscow last week on renewing ties. Further discussions are planned, both sides said after the initial meeting.

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 normal 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 war 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.
What does the future have in store for Kazakhstan, its people, and its politics?

Protests that first broke out on January 2 over a hike in fuel prices in western Kazakhstan quickly spread across the country as Kazakhs -- hungry for change -- took to the streets in nationwide protests.

But the unrest quickly took on new dimensions with a turn toward violent attacks and riots in what many eyewitnesses describe as the result of groups hijacking what began as peaceful protests. Elite infighting also hangs over the events, with it increasingly looking like Kazakhstans shadowy politics, which normally takes place behind closed doors, played out on the streets.

The crisis also took on a geopolitical element with an intervention by the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military alliance, effectively allowing the Kremlin to prop up President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, which could have far-reaching implications for the country.

Understanding whats next for Kazakhstan after a week that changed the country forever was the focus of a live Twitter Spaces discussion hosted by RFE/RL on January 13.

Joining as guests were Raushan Zhandayeva, a Kazakh-born researcher at George Washington University; Alimana Zhanmukanova, a Kazakh-born expert on Central Asian politics based in Tblisi; and RFE/RL's Bruce Pannier, author of the Qishloq Ovozi blog.

The discussion was moderated by RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish.
KYIV -- A Ukrainian court has rejected a prosecutor's request to arrest Petro Poroshenko in a treason case that the former president rejects as politically motivated.

Poroshenko appeared in Kyiv's Pechersk district court on January 19 while hundreds of his supporters demonstrated outside, chanting and waving flags and briefly scuffling with police before the hearing.

Inside, a judge said that Poroshenko did not need to be remanded in custody, though he should appear before prosecutors and investigators when requested to do so. He was also ordered to stay in Kyiv and had to hand over his passport.

Poroshenko announced he would appeal the ruling, saying it "hinders" his political activity.

"This is not yet a victory, this is the first step in the right direction," the 56-year-old said.

After the hearing, Poroshenko joined his supporters outside the court, and a crowd then began marching toward the president's office.

The prosecution had requested bail of 1 billion hryvnyas ($37 million) as a condition for the release of the ex-president, one of Ukraine's richest businessmen.

The case has raised international concern, with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appealing to Ukrainians to "stick together" as the country "faces the possibility of renewed Russian aggression."

"I think one of Moscow's long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions, between and within countries, and quite simply we cannot and will not let them do that," Blinken said while meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on January 19.

The accusations against Poroshenko are linked to the alleged sale of coal that helped finance Kremlin-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014-15, while he was in office.

The billionaire businessman has already had his assets frozen as part of the investigation. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Poroshenko, who is now a lawmaker and the leader of the opposition European Solidarity party, accuses his successor, Zelenskiy, of political persecution.

The former president and his allies say the case was cooked up by allies of Zelenskiy, and accuse him of promoting political division at a time when the country is bracing for a possible Russian military offensive.

Poroshenko was elected as head of a pro-Western government after popular protests ousted pro-Russiam former President Viktor Yanukovich in 2014.

Zelenskiy crushed Poroshenko in the 2019 election on pledges to fight corruption and curb the influence of oligarchs.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
What to know about workers compensation in your state
Richmond, KY (40475)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 55F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 55F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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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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The New Richmond City Council held its monthly meeting Monday night, Jan. 10.

Beebe demolition scheduled

The summer of 2018 was anything but comfortable for city of New Richmond officials. City officials repeatedly denied speculation that a deal had been struck in private with Beebe Building namesake and owner Jim Beebe to purchase the property.

When the city stepped in to coordinate the relocation of 46 people living in the Lowry Hotel at the time just ahead of the hotels lease ending in August, suspicion persisted. Then in December, the city purchased the property from Beebe for $300,000, about half of the assessed value.

After four years off the tax rolls, all the frustration and questions will be buried in a cloud of dust and debris as the next chapter for the property at 307 S. Knowles Ave. begins when the Beebe Building finally comes down in February.

If an attempt to qualify for tax credits had succeeded in 2019, Gerrard Corporation, chosen to partner with the city to redevelop the Beebe property, would have been preparing for the grand opening of 40 living units this spring in 2022.

Instead, Plan B.

Quick hits... New Richmond City Council Jan. 10 Council members approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance pertaining to short-term rentals. The amendment puts in place a licensing process whereby applicants would pay a $50 annual fee. The fee would cover administrative costs to insure that the applicant has proof of licensure through St. Croix County. The county has an extensive licensing process in place that ensures compliance with both county and state statutes pertaining to short-term rentals.

Council members approved a design and construction agreement with SEH Inc. for 2022 street and utility projects in the amount of $155,100. Projects include reconstruction of Oak Avenue (from East Third Street to East Fifth Street) and North Fourth Street (from CTH K to approximately 44 feet east of Brigetta Drive).

In November 2020, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago awarded $1.5M in two $750,000 loans through its Affordable Housing Program to acquire and construct 100 units of new rental housing in New Richmond. 50 of those units belong to the Dakota Meadows development and the other 50 to the Beebe Building development, both are being constructed and managed by the Gerrard Corporation.

Monday night, Council members approved Resolution #012201 creating Tax Increment District No. 11.

Tax Increment District 11 encompasses the property that we refer to as the Beebe Building. The TID is being created to help support the redevelopment of this area that would build a 50 unit age 55 plus housing complex downtown, said Assistant City Administrator and Finance Director Rae Ann Ailts.

The two primary reasons for creating the tax district are to reimburse the city for the purchase of the property including interest (2.50%) and to pay for costs associated with the development of the new property.

Ehlers representative Sean Lentz explained that because the tax district is being created several years after the city had already purchased the property, a unique solution had to be created in order to reimburse the city for its purchase.

Weve put together a strategy where we involve the Community Development Authority in the development agreement. Through a process, they will acquire the property from the city. Then using the tax increment revenue in the future, we will ultimately be able to reimburse the city for the original cost it outlayed to acquire the property initially, explained Lentz.

The Contribution to the Community Development Authority of $350,000 will be executed with an advance from other city funds in 2022. The advance will be repaid over the life of the tax increment district with interest estimated at 2.50%.

In addition to reimbursing the city for its purchase of the property, the development agreement will specify that tax increment revenue will be used to make annual payments to the developer to assist them in recouping costs associated with making this development successful. Categorized as development incentives, these will be allocated on a pay-as-you-go basis from 70% of the available increment revenues generated by the Beebe Building redevelopment for an amount not-to-exceed $1,550,000.

Development Incentives will begin in 2025 as the first revenues become available from the project.

The term of Tax Increment District 11 is projected to be 27 years, closing in 2050.

The tax district must still be approved by the Joint Review Board consisting of the other taxing authorities, St. Croix County, New Richmond School District and Northwood Technical College. The physical demolition of the building is scheduled to begin in early February. Weeks leading up to the razing will be used to address buried tanks, asbestos abatement and any remaining salvage operations. Street closures are not expected; however, sidewalks will be impacted by a 6-foot-high chain link fence being erected as a protective barrier. Demolition is expected to be completed by March.

Dairy Queen site proposal

Following the closed session at the Jan. 10 council meeting, City Administrator Noah Wiedenfeld announced the council had approved a proposal by the New Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce to acquire and develop the former Dairy Queen property.

Forward New Richmond reviewed two proposals in response to the citys request for proposals and recommended moving the Chambers proposal forward.

The Chamber is seeking to build a small office building on that site. They are proposing to have multiple tenants or condos that would be owned. One issue that will need to be addressed in the developer's agreement is that the city wants to see some tax revenue generated from that site, Wiedenfeld said.
Kaliningrad Amber Combine receives high state award The staff of the Kaliningrad Amber Combine (part of the Rostec State Corporation) was awarded the badge of honor "For success in work" by the Decree of the Russian Federation President released on April 29, 2022.

De Beers Forevermark upbeat about a sparkling Akshaya Tritiya De Beers Forevermark is upbeat about the upcoming festive season. The brand is positive about strong sales volumes and owing to the quick economic recovery and the ongoing rise in consumer demand, says a press release from the company.

India-UAE CEPA comes into force with first consignment of G&J from New Delhi to Dubai The flagging off ceremony of India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was held on May 1, 2022 at Customs House/Cargo Complex, New Delhi International Airport.

The first meeting of the St. Petersburg Juniors Council St. Petersburg Exchange held the first meeting of the "St. Petersburg Juniors" Council, which is the exchange's advisory body for developing proposals and recommendations on listing (delisting) securities in this segment. The participants...
Rutland, VT (05701)

Today

Periods of rain. Low 49F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

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Periods of rain. Low 49F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Vietnam is an important partner of the UK, especially in the post-Brexit context, Speaker of the House of Commons of the UK Lindsay Hoyle told a Vietnamese diplomat.



During a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long on January 18, Hoyle expressed his delight at Vietnam's impressive development achievements, as well as the fruitful development of the bilateral relations in recent years, stressing that the two countries are promoting the implementation of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).



He highly valued the role of the National Assembly of Vietnam as well as the Southeast Asian nations contributions at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).



He congratulated Vietnam on the successful completion of its term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in 2020-202, while praising Vietnams role in ASEAN.



The speaker also affirmed that his country always supports Vietnam's position on solving disputes in the East Sea on the basis of respect for law.



For his part, Ambassador Long emphasised that the bilateral relations is in the best stage of development and there are many opportunities for the two countries to enhance cooperation across fields.



The diplomat expressed his belief that trade ties between Vietnam and the UK will continue to be promoted, bringing benefits to businesses and people of the two countries in the coming time.

Ambassador Long suggested that the Speaker of the House of Commons of the UK to assist Vietnam in developing renewable energy. (Photo: VNA)



He suggested that the Speaker of the House of Commons of the UK facilitate the exchange of delegations between the two parliaments in the near future, and assist Vietnam in effectively implementing the UKVFTA and cooperation projects and programmes, especially in improving the legal capacity, education-training, finance, science and technology, and renewable energy.



Hoyle affirmed his willingness to support Vietnam and the embassy in deploying activities to promote the friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations, including delegation exchange and cooperation activities through the parliamentary channel.



The same day, the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos Graham Stuart also received Ambassador Long, during which the host expressed interest in Vietnam's trade and investment promotion activities in the UK market.



Stuart said that these activities have helped promote opportunities for Vietnamese goods and services in the UK market, as well as strengthen mutual understanding and trust, thus contributing to promoting effective cooperation between the two parties.



The Vietnamese diplomat said the UKVFTA is opening up new opportunities in the field of economy and trade, bringing practical benefits to businesses and people of the two countries.



Long expressed his belief that trade ties between Vietnam and the UK will be strongly promoted in the coming time, affirming that Vietnam supports the UKs participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).



The two sides agreed on priorities to be promoted in the coming years, including activities to connect partners and businesses of the two countries in areas where the UK has strengths and Vietnam has great potential for development such as education, finance, renewable energy, and green transition.



Long took the occasion to ask the UK parliamentarian to support Vietnam in connecting with localities and economic regions of the UK in order to further bolster cooperation opportunities between businesses and localities of the two countries.



According to the ambassador, two-way trade between Vietnam and the UK rose 17 percent from 2020 to 6.6 billion USD in 2021.
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Just under 83 years ago, the U.S. Congress repealed Prohibition, immediately putting thousands of underground speakeasy bars around the country out of business.

But for nostalgia-lovers who never got a chance to visit the clandestine cocktail clubs, a new speakeasy has quietly opened in an unmarked corner of an Oceanside restaurant.

On Oct. 27, the 101 Proof speakeasy debuted at the Urge Gastropub and Whiskey Bank at 2002 S. Coast Highway. The upscale 35-seat bar is accessed via a slotted metal door on the north side of the building, but only to patrons with a reservation and an old-fashioned key they collect at the reception desk inside Urge.

The 101 Proof club is one of four speakeasy-style bars around San Diego that are accessed via hidden portals and sometimes secret passwords.They include Noble Experiment, hidden behind a door made from beer kegs in downtowns Neighborhood restaurant; False Idol, the new tiki oasis accessed through a walk-in refrigerator in Little Italys Craft & Commerce; Prohibition, an underground bar downtown accessed via a fake law office door; and the temporarily shuttered Charles Kenneth, a concrete bunker underneath Carlsbads Land & Water Co. restaurant, which really was used as a speakeasy during the Prohibition era.

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Laura Leon, one of four bartenders at 101 Proof, said speakeasies have resurged in popularity in recent years because bar-goers are looking for something different.

Its an escape from the normal bar experience, said Leon, whose natty period uniform includes a brocade vest and bow tie. When people come in here, its a different reality. People say its like theyve entered Disneyland.

The 101 Proof club is the latest project for 3 Local Brothers (or 3LB), a hospitality company started in 2007 by Grant Tondro and siblings Zak and Nate Higson. Their businesses include Brothers Provisions, the Barrel Room wine bar, Mason Ale Works and Urge gastropubs in Rancho Bernardo and Oceanside.

The Oceanside Urge eatery opened in January in a building formerly occupied by an Adventure16 outdoor goods store, and before that, Bank of America. The speakeasy was built inside the old bank vault, which had been used as a storage area for many years.

The vaults steel safe door is one of many vintage decorations inside the month-old speakeasy. Theres a stamped copper ceiling, antique-style lamps, a replica Victrola and leaded-crystal decanters on the bar, antique spirits bottles on the walls and a section of hand-laid floor made entirely of pennies. Diners can sit at low and communal tables or belly up to the bar for an up-close look at old-fashioned cocktail-making.

There are 22 custom cocktails, priced from $11 to $16, that include modern takes on the Old Fashioned, Sidecar and even a tiki drink. Most incorporate sweet liqueurs and bitters, which Prohibition-era bartenders used in mixed drinks to mask the acrid flavor of the raw moonshine. There are also more than 100 whiskeys as well as beers on tap, and a limited menu of gourmet dishes like scallops, duck confit, roasted bone marrow and lamb chops, priced from $20-$22.

Even without advertising, 101 Proof has drawn a steady and growing clientele. Bartender Chad Lee said the club was filled to capacity on its third weekend. The customers, he said, range from their mid-20s to late 60s and are split evenly between men and women.

To re-create the authentic feel of a speakeasy, 101 Proof has a list of house rules, including no cell phones, no selfies, no public displays of affection and low speaking tones. Patrons can send a drink to someone theyre interested in, but cant hit on them. And theres a dress code, including no flip-flops, ripped jeans, T-shirts or ball caps.

Lee said that so far, patrons have been very respectful of the rules and some have arrived dressed to the nines in suits and flapper dresses.

Its been a lot of fun and theres so much good energy, he said. Some people nerd out on the cocktails and some just want to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, which isnt crowded or noisy. It keeps the vibe nice.

Among the patrons one night last week was April Williams, who with a friend had ordered an Old Fashioned and the top-selling Boom Tiki Tiki, which is served aflame.

I think this is a cool concept, she said. I like that its small and creatively designed and they have really good cocktails.

Leon said 101 Proof hosts dinners every month with cocktail and beer pairings and a ticketed party is planned on the Dec. 5 anniversary of Prohibitions repeal. Fans who cant get enough of the experience can buy annual memberships at $500 and $1,000 levels, with privileges that include a private booze locker, front-of-the-line privileges and more.

Hours at 101 Proof are 6 p.m. to midnight, Thursdays-Saturdays (closed on Thanksgiving). To make a reservation, visit 101proofoceanside.com, or ask at the Urge front desk about getting on the list. When 101 Proof reaches capacity each night, patrons can wait in the Urge bar for an opening.

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pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
DALLAS (AP)  Southwest Airlines said Monday it is expanding its all-Boeing fleet with an order for 100 Max jets instead of buying planes from Europe's Airbus.

Southwest ordered the 150-seat 737 Max 7 and expects the first 30 to show up next year. It is also converting orders for 70 Max 8s to the smaller model.

The Dallas-based airline publicly mused about buying the Airbus A220 instead, sending executives on a scouting trip to Europe. It would have been a huge blow to Boeing  in money and pride  if Southwest, its biggest customer, had gone with Airbus. However, CEO Gary Kelly said sticking with Boeing was our preference all along.

Financial terms of the deal were not announced. The Max 7 lists for $99.7 million, although airlines routinely receive huge discounts.

MORE TRAVEL NEWS: Houstonian Hotel unveils new oasis of soaking pools and tranquil garden

The new Max 7s eventually will replace Southwest's aging fleet of 143-seat Boeing 737-700s while providing better fuel mileage.

Combined with past orders, Chicago-based Boeing is in line to build more than 600 Max 7 and Max 8 jets for Southwest through 2031. Southwest expects to spend about $5.1 billion on aircraft through 2026.

Southwest is also taking options for 155 more jets, both Max 7s and 8s.

Kelly said Mondays announcement came on the 50th anniversary of the airlines agreement with Boeing for its first three planes. Most big airlines operate several plane models from more than one manufacturer, but Southwest has turned its reliance on the 737 into an advantage, simplifying maintenance and pilot training and scheduling.

That loyalty was put to the test, however, when the Max was grounded worldwide in March 2019 after two crashes that killed 346 people. The grounding forced Southwest and other airlines to cancel thousands of flights in all. Last year, Southwest disclosed that it received $428 million in initial compensation from Boeing.

Regulators in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Brazil and other countries cleared the plane to resume flying after Boeing changed an automated flight-control system that played a role in the crashes. Southwest resumed passenger flights with its Max 8 jets on March 11. American and United had already resumed Max flights, and Alaska Airlines began using the plane too.

Earlier this month, Boeing Co. reported its first positive net orders for commercial airplanes in 15 months. The orders could indicate that airlines are starting to feel more optimistic about a rebound in travel, which has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Boeing shares gained about 2% in late-morning trading.
A Place for All

Wildfire seasons are becoming longer and more destructive. The 2021 fire season in Oregon began in May, a month early, due to drought conditions resulting in low fuel moistures and a light snow pack. Typically, fire seasons come to a close in mid to late fall when we see our first snows. As climate change impacts regional weather, we are seeing devastating events like those in Superior and Louisville, Colorado, where 30,000 homes were evacuated on Dec. 30 , 2021 due to a wind-driven wildfire. These catastrophic wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains give us an idea of what may become the new normal as we face a changing climate.

The Rice Ridge fire in 2017 was surely a wake-up call for the Seeley Lake community and has raised landowners' awareness of the risks of wildfire and the benefits of preventative measures.

The Seeley-Swan Fire Plan outlines several strategies to reduce wildfire impacts in the Seeley Lake area as we work to adapt to a changing climate and the increasing threat of fires in our wildland urban interface. Among those strategies are fuels reduction and prescribed fire.

Fuels reduction decreases the amount of flammable vegetation available to a wildfire. In the wildland urban interface (WUI), where many of us live, reducing fuel loading can make a significant impact on a structure's survivability in the event of a fire. Preventative fuels mitigation measures also give fire personnel a fighting chance of containing or even pushing back wildfires that occur in the WUI.

Ryan Bell, CRC Community Forester A log deck created through fuels mitigation on the Double Arrow Ranch.

The Clearwater Resource Council is working to connect landowners with grant funding for fuels reduction projects and providing educational resources for the community. We are seeing more landowners take initiative to mitigate wildfires on their private properties and protect their homes by utilizing the resources available through CRC - specifically grant funding for thinning projects and implementing Firewise policies.

The Big Sky Lake Fuels Reduction Project serves as an example of such a stewardship effort. The project began in December 2020 and now includes over 40 landowner participants with a shared goal of creating defensible space around their properties. At the conclusion of this project, 2/3 of the properties on Big Sky Lake will have had some form of fuels mitigation work completed.

It is CRC's hope to continue facilitating these landscape-sized projects in the Seeley Lake community by partnering with other homeowner associations. If you are interested in fuels reduction work within the greater Seeley Lake area or would like more information on the resources available to you, please reach out to CRC's community forester Ryan Bell at commforester@crcmt.org.
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Portsmouth Square in the heart of San Franciscos Chinatown was aglow with candlelight Tuesday evening as about 100 mourners gathered to remember Michelle Go, a woman with Bay Area roots who was killed in New York City on Saturday.

Go, 40, was standing on a Times Square subway platform waiting for her train to arrive when she was apparently shoved onto the tracks by a stranger, according to New York police. Go was Asian American and New York police said her death  and whether it was a hate crime  was under investigation, though officials said the attack appeared to be random. A homeless man, 61-year-old Simon Martial, was charged with second-degree murder after turning himself in to police.

For Asian Americans in the Bay Area and across the country, Gos death was a harsh reminder and the latest example of the ongoing wave of violent attacks against members of their community.

We will likely never know why this happened, but ... we are here today because we have to come together to say, This has to stop, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu told those gathered in the square.

We have to ensure that she did not leave us, that we are going to take the spirit of her brilliance and her kindness and her desire to serve and were going to use that to continue to fight for a better day, because we have to, because the violence has to end, Chiu said.

Stephen Lam / The Chronicle

Go was born in Berkeley in 1981 and graduated from American High School in Fremont in 1998. She was a cheerleader and a member of the Honor Society, according to a statement from her family members, who still live in Fremont.

She earned degrees from UCLA and New York University and was working for Deloitte in New York City when she died, her family said.

Tuesday nights vigil was organized in response to and in solidarity with a similar vigil happening around the same time in Times Square, said Amy Lee, an organizer and founder of Dear Community, a local group that advocates for community engagement among San Francisco Asian Americans.

Even though this happened in New York, its not like (we havent) had similar incidents out here in the Bay Area and San Francisco, said Brian Quan, a city resident who attended the vigil. The Asian community is always coming together to make sure that everyone is aware that were still here.

A San Francisco artist named Son of Paper recited a rap song about loss, and several people who knew Go spoke about her caring nature and aptitude for helping and supporting others.

She lit up every room that she was in, said Garry Tan, a former classmate of Go at American High School. She showed what it meant to be alive and be human.

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.

A statement from Gos family was read at the vigil: We hope Michelle will be remembered for how she lived and not just how she died. She was a beautiful, brilliant, kind, and intelligent woman who loved her family and friends, loved to travel the world and to help others.

Lee and other speakers urged those at the vigil to keep Go and other Asian American people who have been the victims of crimes in their thoughts. Lee asked them to stay active in their communities and to try to uplift and protect one another.

I want to tell Michelle Im sorry that that day it had to be you, Lee told The Chronicle. And I dont want you to be another statistic. And Im not going to forget about you.

The Associated Press

contributed to this report.

Andy Picon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon
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Mayor London Breed on Tuesday filed a ballot measure that will ask San Franciscans to expand and clarify the circumstances under which police can monitor surveillance cameras in real time, advancing a key element of her plan to crack down on crime in the Tenderloin and citywide.

Her proposal was cheered by police officials who said the footage was necessary for swiftly responding to violent crimes and property crimes, but blasted by privacy advocates who say the plan resembled the building blocks of a surveillance state.

The measure is twofold: One portion seeks to broaden the instances in which police can access live feeds, adding certain property crimes like organized retail theft, looting and rioting to a list of critical events that qualify. Current law, under a 2019 ordinance that limits city use of surveillance technology, states that only emergencies that involve danger of death or serious injury can bypass an approval process with the Board of Supervisors.

The second portion would allow police camera access in public safety crisis areas, which would include spaces known for open-air drug markets or where there has been a documented spike in violent crimes. The measure involves privately owned security cameras placed throughout the city.

The criminal activity at issue is not victimless, Breed said in a statement. We are talking about violent crimes, including property crimes that are being perpetrated more frequently with the use of guns, getaway vehicles, and other weapons that can seriously injure or even kill innocent bystanders.

The proposal comes nearly two months after a series of flash-mob-style robberies in San Franciscos Union Square and other nearby cities drew national attention to the Bay Area. City officials said that because of the current law, police commanders were forced to instruct officers not to monitor live camera feeds while the crimes were under way.

Saira Hussain, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation  a San Francisco-based nonprofit that focuses on privacy protections  said she believes the proposal was poorly drafted, and introduces a loophole large enough to render the surveillance technology ordinance meaningless.

The ordinance as it stands allows for exigency when there is a danger to life or serious physical harm to a person, Hussain said. What the mayors proposal tries to do is expand that to the point (that) basically exigency can mean almost anything.

Hussain is the lead attorney in a lawsuit against that city that alleges police have violated the surveillance technology ordinance.

Tracy Rosenberg, advocacy director for regional privacy group Oakland Privacy, said the proposal sought a troublingly unfettered and unregulated use of technology.

Rosenberg said the existing ordinance does not prevent police from real-time access to private camera networks. The police are, however, required to submit a policy explaining how they plan to use surveillance technology equipment prior to deploying it, and submit it to the Board of Supervisors for review.

Such usage, Rosenberg said, doesnt require changing the law, it just requires reasonable paperwork.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who wrote the citys 2019 surveillance camera legislation, said Wednesday that he and fellow supervisors Hillary Ronen, Gordon Mar, Connie Chan and Shamann Walton have filed a competing ballot measure that would affirm the ordinance as it was written three years ago.

The police department, Peskin said, has never submitted a surveillance camera policy to the Board of Supervisors.

Peskin said hes open to conversations with the police chief, mayor and Board of Supervisors to try to resolve the matter before going to the ballot.

If not, the voters will have a choice between two different versions, he said.

The ballot measure will be up for a vote in June, mayors officials said.

Officials at the Mayors office said the mayors plan includes oversight from the Police Commission and the Department of Police Accountability, and they stressed that the policy would not allow police monitoring of peaceful protests or lawful assemblies.

Breed announced her intent to introduce a camera ordinance last month, and details of the proposal were made public Tuesday with her filing of the ballot measure. The mayors camera ordinance will be introduced at the Board of Supervisors meeting next Tuesday.

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.

Mayors officials said the 2019 ordinance lacked clarity and hindered polices ability to effectively deter, respond and investigate criminal activity, and that nearby jurisdictions already allowed live monitoring of cameras.

We can give our law enforcement the tools they need, while also maintaining strong oversight and safeguards to ensure these tools are used appropriately to address dangerous criminal activity, Breed said.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott praised Breeds proposal, saying police are currently hamstrung without access to certain technologies.

We cant continue to put the San Francisco Police Department at a disadvantage by prohibiting or needlessly complicating our access to industry-standard police technology when necessary, Scott said in a statement. Without the commonsense amendments Mayor Breed is proposing, San Francisco will become an increasingly easy target for organized criminal activities.

Most of the media attention surrounding the 2019 surveillance ordinance centered on a provision that barred city officials from using facial recognition technology. That portion of the ordinance would stay in place under the mayors revamp, mayors officials said.

The police department already has come under fire for what civil rights organizations say was a violation of this law following protests over the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. In a lawsuit against the city, plaintiffs attorneys claim that San Francisco police accessed real-time surveillance footage from private cameras in the Union Square area without first obtaining necessary approval from the Board of Supervisors.

Activists suing the city are represented by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.

City Attorney David Chiu argued that that the plaintiffs sued to enforce a far more restricted (and imaginary) version of that legislation than plaintiffs evidently wish the Board had enacted.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
State officials said Wednesday theyve begun an investigation into possible civil rights violations at the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office tied to conditions inside jail facilities, the offices resistance to lawful oversight and other alleged misconduct.

Public safety is built on trust, Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release. However, it is clear that there is a lack of trust in Santa Clara County as a result of deeply concerning allegations around county jail facilities and other misconduct. These concerns have been repeatedly voiced by elected leaders, editorial boards, community members, and more.

The investigation comes five months after San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo called for Sheriff Laurie Smith to step down on charges ranging from brutal treatment of prisoners at the county jail to a pay-for-play scheme uncovered during Smiths 2018 campaign for re-election. Smith has been sheriff for 23 years, with a series of problems uncovered during the past six years of her tenure.

In a statement released late Wednesday afternoon, Smith said she welcomed the investigation and would make all records available to investigators.

More for you San Jose mayor calls on sheriff to resign amid accusations of corruption, incompetence

I have great confidence in the Attorney Generals Office and I believe they will provide the expertise for a fair and impartial investigation, Smith said. We remain focused on our mission, which is to continue to provide the highest level of public safety services.

There have been reports of several high-profile beatings in the jail, and in calling for her resignation, Liccardo alleged that Smith required police officers from other agencies to turn off their body cameras when delivering prisoners.

Liccardo also cited lawsuits against the county for civil rights violations of prisoners that have cost tens of millions, two consent decrees that have resulted in the infusion of $450 million in public funds to improve jail conditions, and a criminal bribery charge that led to the indictment of two of Smiths top aides and a campaign official.

Bonta would not cite specifics about the direction of the investigation but noted that jail conditions and in-custody deaths were a major concern.

These concerns have been repeatedly voiced by elected officials. It is time that the truth come to light, said Bonta. In the days and months ahead, we promise that our investigation will be thorough and impartial. We will go where the facts and the law take us.

Bonta said similar investigations were also under way at police departments in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Vallejo among six or seven cases. A recent investigation of the Bakersfield Police Department (Kern County) resulted in court-enforced oversight and an independent monitor to make sure terms of the judgment are enforced, Bonta 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.

Major brutality problems at the Santa Clara County jail were revealed in 2015, after three sworn correctional officers beat 31-year-old Michael Tyree to death in his sixth-floor cell. The guards were convicted of second-degree murder two years later, and the county settled a lawsuit from Tyrees family for $3.6 million.

Smith vowed to use the episode as a catalyst for reform, saying at the time it had tarnished the reputation of her agency. But the brutality continued. In 2018, the county paid a $10 million settlement to a mentally ill man who suffered a traumatic brain injury while in custody. In 2019, an inmate suffered a spine injury after allegedly running head first into the door of his cell, apparently while suffering a psychotic episode. That lawsuit is pending.

Bonta was not specific about which complaints or allegations would be investigated.

We will be thorough and impartial in our efforts to ensure that the civil rights of the people of Santa Clara County are respected, Bonta said. Strengthening trust is part of my broader effort to ensure public safety and equal protection for every family.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @samwhitingsf
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Supervisor Matt Haney barely sleeps these days.

He usually starts his day at a coffee shop in the Tenderloin neighborhood he calls home, often meeting a constituent or someone whos reached out on Twitter. Then he aims to get in 10,000 steps before 10 a.m., walking and talking on the phone past high-rise tech offices in SoMa and tents in the Tenderloin, both part of his district and some of San Franciscos most diverse and challenging areas.

Those areas are also at the center of recently intensified controversies over how to address some of San Franciscos biggest problems: homelessness and the drug overdose crisis.

The debate has put his district under the spotlight just as hes running for State Assembly District 17 representing the eastern side of San Francisco. If no candidate wins a majority in the Feb. 15 primary, a runoff election will be held April 19. Whoever wins will have to run again in the June 7 regular statewide primary election, followed by the Nov. 8 general election.

Theres too much work to do to worry about sleeping, Haney said in an interview. Im energized by public service, and I will use every waking minute I have to engage in it.

Political consultants note the 39-year-old legislator rose in a decade from school board to supervisor and now state Assembly candidate. Constituents and colleagues call Haney affable and energetic, a voracious campaigner and avid legislator. Critics accuse him of talking more than taking action, but supporters say his track record speaks for itself.

Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Why hes running

Candidate profiles The Chronicle is running profiles this week of the candidates for state Assembly district 17, representing the eastern side of San Francisco. Voters will get vote-by-mail ballots this week or can vote in person for the Feb. 15 election. See More Collapse

Now, before his first term is over, Haney is seizing the chance to fill the Assembly seat vacated by now-City Attorney David Chiu. He said hes running because many of the issues hes tackled in San Francisco need solutions at the state level. He wants to prioritize housing, union jobs, mental health and drug addiction treatment, clean energy and public transportation to address the two greatest threats he sees facing California: climate change and inequality.

My approach to politics is doing my best to bring people together to solve problems, he said.

Hes racked up endorsements from a host of unions, who have been his biggest donors, leading him to outraise his three opponents with more than $675,000, according to his campaign finance records. Notably, Haney has been endorsed by only two of his colleagues  Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton and Supervisor Ahsha Safai. Six have gone for former supervisor David Campos, which political consultant David Ho called a punch for Haney.

Walton, who also served on the school board with Haney, compared his friend to the Energizer Bunny, working 24/7 to address issues, and praised him as thoughtful and progressive.

He listens to all sides and tries to understand the point of view of someone else, he said.

Background

Haney grew up mostly in the East Bay, moved to San Francisco in 2008 and earned four higher education degrees by the time he was 28. He worked as a state Assembly legislative aide, a campaigner for former President Barack Obamas first race and as head of political advocacy organizations. He spent six years on the San Francisco school board before jumping to the board of supervisors in 2019.

He hit the ground running when he joined the board. Only one other supervisor introduced more legislation than Haney did during his first year. Along with Supervisor Hillary Ronen, he created MentalHealthSF to make behavioral health services more accessible, efficient and cohesive, although implementation has been slow.

He also passed two ballot measures  one to tax CEOs who make 100 times more than their average employee and the other to split Public Works into two departments. But Haney failed in his efforts to create a homelessness commission and require a navigation center in every district.

During the pandemic, he gained a reputation on Twitter connecting San Franciscans to vaccines. He touts successes that include getting more public bathrooms, pumping budget money into recovery and pushing to open hotels to house homeless people.

As a new supervisor, Haney frequently clashed with Mayor London Breed and her department heads, but hes tempered his tone, leading some political observers to say hes becoming more moderate, although he has defended his progressive credentials.

Last year, Haney led negotiations with the mayor on the $13 billion budget, fashioning a compromise to increase both investment in police and alternative responses.

Haney also stood by Breeds side when she announced the Tenderloin emergency because of overdose deaths, after calling for a similar declaration. He was careful to distance himself from Breeds call for policing drug users, though he supports more officer foot patrols and high-level investigations to tackle dealing and supply.

Consultants also pointed to Haneys vote in support of constructing a nearly 500-apartment building on a SoMa parking lot. A majority of Haneys colleagues didnt support his stance, but he was hailed a pro-housing hero. It differentiated him from Campos, who didnt support the project.

Haney said hes supported scores of shelter beds and housing units, such as pushing for a controversial navigation center at the Embarcadero, but he hasnt always voted for residential projects. He joined a recent unanimous board vote against a group housing project in the Tenderloin, which is under state scrutiny.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2021

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.

Policy positions

Haney is making housing a marquee campaign issue. He would push San Francisco to exceed its state-mandated housing requirements  the city must build 80,000 more units by 2031  and increase production statewide with funding and zoning changes.

He believes dense housing near jobs and public transit is critical. He wants to fund and streamline clean energy technology and public transportation.

To tackle inequality, he wants to raise the minimum wage, push to make and fill good-paying jobs and create universal health care, tuition-free college and guaranteed income programs. He wants to replicate his overpaid CEO tax, using that money to hire more health care and social workers, and create mental health and substance use treatment. He would also advocate for counties to meet a mandated number of treatment and shelter beds, invest statewide in rental vouchers and buy more hotels to house homeless people.

What critics say

Those on the board supporting Campos over Haney include Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who said Campos has best demonstrated his ability to grapple with the minutiae of complex policy matters.

Supervisor Connie Chan said she supports Campos for his civil service experience, advocacy and lived experiences as a gay Latino immigrant because representation matters. Haney is straight and white. She said Haney is great but we need him in San Francisco.

Political consultant Jim Ross said a common criticism of Haney from City Hall is that he will be the loudest voice on issues, but not always the person who does the work behind the scenes.

Randy Shaw, a longtime Tenderloin advocate, said Haney is often unfairly blamed for conditions beyond his control in the neighborhood. He called him a highly visible dedicated public servant and hard worker.

Haney said that people in our city want someone who can go to Sacramento and solve problems and take on tough issues. ... I think Ive proven myself to San Franciscans.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench
The effort to stifle the teaching of race and racism in schools has prompted 54 bills in 24 states in the past year, while nearly 900 school districts nationwide serving 17.7 million students have grappled with similar bans on race-based instruction in public classrooms.

California, with 70 of those districts, has in no way been immune, according to a report by UCLA researchers with the universitys Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access.

The numbers offer the first look at how public schools at a local level have responded to the conflict over critical race theory  a broad law-school concept that opponents have used to describe many race-related issues. Critical race theory has now become a symbol of what the right has described as left-wing overreach, and Republicans are likely to use it as a symbol and a key message in the 2022 and 2024 elections.

We all know the issue took off, but it took off more profoundly than any other education issue in recent history, said John Rogers, co-author of the study and a UCLA education and information technology professor. I do think this will continue to be an issue.

While the Bay Area has seen fewer such debates, districts here have been drawn into the discord, including San Ramon, which saw public outcries and accusations of critical race theory over approved books on the origins or racism and how to address it, including Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism, and You, and This Book is Anti-Racist.

In Piedmont, a community group has formed reportedly of parents, teachers and community members concerned about efforts to promote diversity and equity, according to local media reports.

The researchers found that communities experiencing the most rapid demographic change, including a decline of white student enrollment by at least 18% since 2000, were three times more likely to be among the 894 districts grappling with the issue.

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images 2021

Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County) saw a 35% decline in white students in the past two decades. It banned the teaching of specific race-based concepts in August, including that the preservation of slavery was a material motive for independence from England.

Many parents vocally supported the ban.

I find critical race theory to be just an absolutely disgustingly racist ideology that has been developed with the intention of really driving a wedge between various groups in America, various ethnic groups, and to use that to absolutely ruin our nation, Paso Robles school board president Chris Arend told Fox News at the time.

Critical race theory, or CRT, landed in the national consciousness following the 2020 protests over the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and calls for schools to play a leading role in teaching race and historic and ongoing racism in society.

The issue also evolved out of questions related to the New York Times 1619 Project, which some districts incorporated into instruction, despite some questions of historical accuracy.

By the summer of 2020, then President Trump said that American children were learning to hate their country and that schools lacked a patriotic education. Within months, television pundits, Trump and conservative think tanks were decrying critical race theory, which culminated in a federal order prohibiting federal funds from being used for trainings that assign fault, blame, or bias to a race or sex, or to members of a race or sex because of their race or sex.

School districts across the country started drafting policies to ban CRT, including Paso Robles, as communities staged protests and signed petitions against it, in some cases calling for the resignation or recall of school board members who questioned whether the concept was being taught in schools.

Unlike ethnic studies or teaching the role of race in American history, CRT asserts that racism is embedded in American systems and institutions and part of everyday life, so people can perpetuate and benefit from racism through their normal, everyday existence, even if they do so unintentionally, according to the California School Boards Association.

It is often a law school topic related to how historic racism affects the justice system.

The UCLA study analyzed CRT campaigns, social media groups and media reports to examine what they found to be shared language tactics and logic  finding what the authors call a manufactured conflict, a purposeful campaign to sow discord and restrict teaching related to race, racism, bias, or equity and diversity.

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.

Those involved try to scare people, predominantly white people, into seizing more complete power over school boards and systems and banning discussions of race and diversity that they fear, according to the researchers. They also try to scare educators away from teaching children facts about our actual multiracial democracy, warts and all, as one teacher put it.

A recent poll from Monmouth University found that 46% of Republicans disapprove of educators teaching students the history of racism.

Rogers said he believes that while critical race theory has fallen off front pages given the omicron surge, he believes the debate is only on pause and will return in full force as the 2022 election approaches, with school boards a key part of gaining political power.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has specifically said the battle is now running through school boards, Rogers said.

More importantly, Rogers fears teachers  worried about their safety  will simply stop teaching history and current events related to race and racism.

Its pretty clear this is going to be a core issue, he said. If teachers dont get a clear message that they should be teaching the standards and they should be addressing issues of race and equity in a truthful and caring manner, theyre likely to engage in self-censorship.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker
Which job is harder to fill in the Bay Area right now, software engineer or deli worker? According to data from job search site Indeed, both take about the same amount of time, pointing to how huge numbers of workers quitting to seek out new jobs and better pay could be reshaping the local labor market.

The figures looked at job titles that have the highest percentage of still being open after 60 days, both nationally and in the Bay Area, on Jan. 12. The snapshot found many jobs requiring technical know-how remained open for more than two months, while jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry were being filled more quickly.

Some jobs like meat carver and coder also appeared to take longer to fill in the Bay Area than nationally, in what could be a symptom of Californias slow pace of economic recovery during the pandemic.

Thats consistent with what were continuing to see since June of 2021, said Michael Bernick, an attorney with the law firm Duane Morris and a former director of the states Employment Development Department.

Bernick said the difficulty filling jobs statewide in a range of professions hasnt let up since last year, even after expanded federal unemployment benefits expired. He said health concerns about the virus, child care responsibilities and uncertain school openings could all factor in.

A higher percentage of some postings  like deli associate, baker and barista  are remaining open for much longer on the site in the Bay Area when compared to jobs in other parts of the country.

A smaller percentage of jobs in restaurants and bars posted on the site are staying open for more than 60 days locally and nationwide, according to the data set.

Some of that could be further evidence of what has been dubbed the Great Resignation, a trend during the pandemic which has seen millions of Americans quit their jobs each month in search of better opportunities.

That phenomenon has also seen huge levels of hiring as well, however, as businesses desperate for workers have increased pay and benefits to try to compete for willing hands, particularly in hospitality jobs.

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.

Sean Randolph, the senior director of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, said the data from Indeed were somewhat limited but still surprising. What I would expect to see is that it would still be very hard to hire people, he said.

Many (businesses) are offering better pay or benefits, Randolph said. With a shortage of particularly restaurants and service workers, it could be that workers are able to be more choosy about where they work with so many openings.

Randolph said it could be that people are seeing some of those improved benefits and taking them.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
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In a simple world, making cities click should be a breeze. Planners decide on what works, rule out what doesnt and write down guidelines. Presto! Another urban oasis blooms.

But if recent history has taught us anything, its that few things go according to plan  including the definition of standards that will stand the test of time.

The evidence is as plain as the edicts that have fallen out of favor in past San Francisco urban plans, those seemingly absolute truths that now seem wrongheaded or naive. They may have been presumptuous to begin with; they may have been reactions to political battles at the time. In either case, black and white blur into a murky gray.

Daily life is more nuanced than a planning code, said Laura Crescimano of Sitelab Urban Studio, an urban design firm in San Francisco. You cant regulate a city into being successful.

Here are five examples of how the pendulum swings  and how one eras decree can become another eras shrug.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Pedestrian bridges: Planners and developers in the 1960s were all in favor of pedestrian bridges that would let people cross a street without encountering the cars below. Then multi-block complexes like Embarcadero Center and Golden Gateway got built, and the segregated skywalks proved to be dull up high and deadening down low.

News flash: People like to feel like theyre part of the action.

Since then, at least locally, overhead connections have fallen out of favor. But lately weve seen several new ones, such as the glass bridge that spans Howard Street to link the two sides of the rebuilt Moscone Center. Another is proposed by UCSF between the hospital it wants to build on Parnassus Heights and an existing medical building on the other side of Parnassus Avenue. Well see what happens next.

Behind the wheel: San Franciscos urban design plan from 1971 is a document that mostly still rings true, but get this: It restricts heights along elevated freeways because views ... from major roadways should be protected.

Thats no longer the case, as anyone who has been engulfed by glassy 21st century shafts after crossing the Bay Bridge can attest. The idea of privileging the views for people in private automobiles would be about as popular in todays San Francisco as a mayoral bid by Devin Nunes. Thin residential towers began jabbing upwards on Rincon Hill more than a decade ago, the idea being that housing close to jobs is a greener way to grow. Nor is Rincon Hill the exception to the rule: The city in 2018 approved plans that allow more high-rises on blocks to the west.

Photos by Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Tailored towers: Speaking of tall buildings, the citys Downtown Plan in 1985 emphasized that they shouldnt be too tall. Or too flashy. Or look too new, even if they were newly built.

The intent is to return ... to the complex architectural qualities of older San Francisco buildings, the plan declares.

This translates into pronouncements like As buildings increase in height, they should be sculptured or shaped to appear increasingly slender and delicate. Or, When designing the facade pattern for new buildings, the pattern of large nearby existing facades should be considered to avoid unpleasant juxtapositions.

Those words are still in the citys general plan. But the eras emphasis on historically influenced architecture faded here after a wave of high-rise buildings that looked like cheap knockoffs of olden days.

Im less concerned than I used to be about the notion of contextual design, said John Rahaim, San Franciscos planning director from 2008 to 2020. Modern design in a traditional (city) block can be a jewel box.

Crescimano is happy for the shift in styles: The idea that all buildings should step back uniformly was simplistic. What we want to think about are elegant proportions, and how to break up the scale of things.

But one longtime planner points out that the Downtown Plan  which also protected hundreds of small older buildings and emphasized features like pedestrian-friendly alleyways  emerged when overscaled towers such as the ones along lower Market Street were fueling ballot initiatives to bring nearly all growth to a halt.

Did we second-guess too much at times? Perhaps, said Larry Badiner, who was with the planning department from 1982 until 2010. But we got a contrast to the refrigerator boxes that had gone up, and people appreciated that.

Ground-floor living: During the 1990s, urban designers increasingly stressed the importance of making neighborhoods feel like neighborhoods. One way to do this? Require new residential buildings to have ground floor units that opened directly to the sidewalk as a way to enliven the pedestrian experience (and) foster a sense of community and safety.

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That language is from 1998s Mission Bay development guidelines. And if youve walked past the early residential blocks in that part of town, where sad-looking apartments with the blinds pulled down line many sidewalks, you can see how well that worked out.

Its always in the details, isnt it?, mused John Ellis, an urban designer and consulting principal at Mithun in San Francisco. Eyes on the street only work when you also provide privacy for the residents.

Ground-floor retail: If any rule of urban planning stayed in favor over the decades, it was the need to have storefronts along downtown streets. Spaces filled with shops and cafes would serve nearby workers and residents while conjuring up a livelier, more compelling urban environment.

Then came competition from big-box retail outlets. And online shopping. Meanwhile, national owners of local high-rises didnt care whether or not those ground-floor retail spaces insisted on by planners ever filled up.

Mix the ongoing scourge of COVID into all this, and today we have scenes like the forlorn procession of for-rent signs in San Franciscos once-mighty Union Square.

Even before the pandemic, city planners were wrestling with how to loosen zoning controls so that storefronts could be used in more varied ways.

Obviously, you cant have retail operations in every space on the ground floor of every new building, Rahaim said. I dont know how, but we planners need to get to a place where were far more flexible about what is allowed inside a storefront.

He makes another observation, one that applies to planning in a broader sense.

You can get everything right, and the result still feels sterile, Rahaim said. Sometimes, things need to be a lot messier.

John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron
Two people were arrested in San Ramon this week on suspicion of stealing peoples jewelry using a sleight-of-hand scam technique.

The pair, both from Fullerton (Orange County), were arrested during a traffic stop Monday afternoon near Crow Canyon Road and Reedland Circle, San Ramon police said in a news release. They were facing several felony charges, including grand theft, theft from an elder/dependent adult and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Police said they believe the two suspects were involved in jewelry theft in San Ramon and other cities across the Bay Area by luring victims with costume jewelry and then using confusion and sleight-of-hand techniques  replacing real jewelry with fakes  before fleeing in a vehicle.

In Union City, police recently warned residents of two individuals who were allegedly using the same technique to steal jewelry from people and said they were searching for them.

It was unclear if the two suspects arrested in San Ramon are the same individuals that Union City warned about. San Ramon police were not immediately available to provide further information.

During the arrest Monday, police said the suspects 2-year-old child was in the vehicle when they were stopped and later released to a family member.

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The suspects were allegedly involved in a jewelry theft incident Sunday in San Ramon, which police say was the 10th quick-change jewelry robbery reported to the Police Department.

Anyone with information may contact Detective Mike Wickman at mwickman@sanramon.ca.gov.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
The Oakland City Council voted Tuesday to ban the possession, sale, transfer and manufacture of ghost guns  making it the latest Bay Area city to take up the issue of untraceable weapons.

The ordinance, introduced by Council Member Dan Kalb, can result in a misdemeanor charge that could lead to a maximum of six months in county jail or $1,000 fine for the first violation. A second violation could cost $2,500, and $5,000 or more for each violation after.

According to the Brady Campaign, Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. They are often sold in kits, which include all of the parts and whats needed to build the weapons. Ghost guns appear to be contributing to the surge in shootings in Oakland.

This effort will give the City of Oakland a new tool to remove these untraceable, dangerous firearms from our streets to fight the scourge of gun violence that is ripping the fabric of our communities apart, Kalb said in a statement last week.

We are thankful for the hard work and consideration of colleagues supporting this critical legislation banning ghost guns and ghost gun kits, he said in a statement Tuesday.

The ordinance comes as the city grapples with a surge in violent crime and shootings. In 2021, Oakland recorded the highest number of homicides, 129, in nearly a decade. The police department recovered 1,200 firearms from city streets in 2021  272 of which were ghost guns, or nearly 22%, according to the Oakland Police Department. That number is much higher than 2020 when 16.5% of all firearms confiscated were ghost guns, and about 7% were ghost guns in 2019.

Oakland is the latest city to take on ghost guns. In September, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to prohibit the sale and possession of ghost gun kits and parts in the city.

The Oakland legislation, similar to the one in San Francisco, has limitations, and its unclear how much of a difference it will make in removing ghost guns entirely. Buyers can send their ghost gun parts to an address in a neighboring city and not be subject to the same rules.

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Anyone can get a ghost gun and have them delivered almost anywhere in the U.S. Background checks arent required. Ghost guns dont often have serial numbers since they are shipped in pieces. The lack of a serial number can hinder police from tracing them back to an owner.

AB879, which goes into effect in July 2024, requires the sale of firearm parts to be done through a licensed firearm vendor but does not require vendors to include serial numbers on parts.

The legislation was also sponsored by Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan and Council Member Noel Gallo.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
Oakland officials are considering a November ballot measure that could add an extra $32.7 million to the citys coffers by increasing taxes for larger companies  a move that the citys finance director cautioned could result in the loss of more than 2,000 jobs. At the same time, the measure would cut taxes for small businesses, many of which have struggled during the pandemic.

The proposal would restructure the citys gross-receipts tax system  which currently differs by industry, but is the same regardless of the size of the company  and replace the existing payroll tax for large companies with a new administrative headquarters gross receipts tax. A gross receipts tax applies to a companys gross sales, without deductions for business expenses, while a payroll tax is paid on the wages and salaries of employees.

The additional $32.7 million would go into the citys general fund, which pays for fire, police, human services, parks and recreation, and other departments.

If Oakland moves forward with the new tiered tax structure and its approved by a majority of voters, it wouldnt be the first Bay Area city to do so. San Francisco and Richmond have tiered business tax structures.

The Oakland City Council initially planned to put a ballot measure on the November 2020 ballot to restructure the business tax system, but was a vote short in approving it and created a task force to study the issue instead. The task force included owners and representatives of small and large businesses.

Its really high time for Oakland to update this outdated regressive tax structure and make sure that we have the revenue that we need and deserve to provide essential city services, said council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, who has been working for a more progressive business tax structure.

On Tuesday, two members of the 11-member Blue Ribbon Equitable Business Tax Task Force presented its findings to the council. Their proposal mostly relies on an increase of taxes for about 1,500 companies, which represent 3% of all businesses in the city.

Erin Roseman, director of the citys finance department, urged the council to thoroughly vet the proposal for unintended consequences, in particular how changes due to COVID might affect the tax revamp, since companies may shift workers out of the area now that its easier to have employees telecommute. She said the proposal could result in a net decline of more than 2,000 jobs in the city, cautioned against any major changes to the tax structure and suggested phasing in tax changes over a number of years.

The extent to which pandemic-induced economic changes will persist is still unknown, Roseman wrote. Many businesses have found that they can remain productive with a remote or partially remote workforce. This change has already resulted in increased office vacancies in Oakland and in other cities throughout the country, with more potentially on the horizon as office leases come up for renewal and businesses reassess their needs.

Ari Takata-Vasquez, chair of the task force, said Tuesday that projections show any change to the business tax would lead to a loss in jobs.

The task force presented a plan that requires larger businesses to pay a higher rate than smaller businesses in the same category.

The task forces proposal also creates a new administrative headquarters tax of $15 per $1,000 in gross receipts for large national companies that have administrative functions in Oakland. Its unclear how many companies this would apply to.

The new tax tier would be in lieu of the existing payroll-based administrative headquarters tax for companies that have more than 1,000 employees and $1 billion in revenue, according to the proposal. On average, headquarters firms could see a tax increase of more than 760%.

At Tuesdays council meeting, many residents and representatives from labor groups called in support of the proposed business tax structure and said large corporations need to pay their fair share while taxes are cut for smaller businesses.

This revenue is critical to protect our public services, one speaker said.

But several spokespeople from large companies called in opposition.

A spokesman from PG&E said the proposal puts the burden on large companies and could lead them to leave the city. Jackie Ray, a spokesperson from Clorox, said the company previously has supported updating the tax structure, but doesnt support this proposal.

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Barbara Leslie, CEO of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, said she is deeply concerned about the severity of the proposals and the threat of lost jobs.

In Oaklands current business tax structure, tax rates vary from 60 cents to $13.95 per $1,000 in gross receipts. Retail, restaurants and other businesses pay $1.20 per $1,000 in gross receipts, and business and personal services firms and contractors pay $1.80 per $1,000 in gross receipts. Residential and commercial landlords pay the most: $13.95 per $1,000.

The same rate applies to all businesses within a given sector, regardless of the size of the business.

If the city adopted a payroll-based administrative headquarters tax, it would increase the citys dependency on a limited number of very large businesses that have the means to move their workforce away out of Oakland to avoid the new tax, Roseman wrote in her report. That could make the citys business tax structure less diverse and less resilient.

The proposal has to get a majority of council votes to be placed on the ballot. A vote on the proposal has not yet been scheduled.

Bas, Councilmember Carroll Fife and several labor groups also launched a parallel campaign Tuesday to restructure the business tax in a slightly different way, with details to be released later this month.

This proposal could also be placed on the November ballot if it gets more than 25,000 signatures.

Bas and Fife said their involvement in the campaign is as private citizens and not part of their work on the council.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
The Stinking Roses over-the-top garlicky fare is making a comeback.

The 30-year-old North Beach restaurant first shut down during March 2020s shelter-in-place orders. With uncertainty about the restaurant industry coinciding with the end of their lease, owners Jerry Dal Bozzo and Dante Serafini put the business up for sale.

They figured the restaurant was permanently closed, the days of their famous 40-clove garlic chicken over.

But a few weeks ago, they had a change of heart. They decided to reopen the Stinking Rose, beloved by tourists and locals for its kitschy interior and nonstop garlicky dishes, down the street at 430 Columbus Ave., San Francisco. Itll take over one of their other restaurants, the eclectic 35-year-old Calzones Restaurant.

The transition will take a few weeks. Starting Monday, fans will be able to find Stinking Rose classics like the garlic roasted prime rib at 430 Columbus Ave. By mid-February, the opening should be official, with a new sign, awning and coat of paint.

Dal Bozzo said the refreshed Stinking Rose will have a shorter menu but still offer the most popular items, including the 40-clove chicken and the Chianti-glazed Silence of the Lamb Shank with fava beans.

Jen Fedrizzi/Special to The Chronicle 2016

Unlike the original Stinking Rose, the new location benefits from abundant outdoor seating.

We garlic-ized it, Dal Bozzo said. We brought some of the decor from the Stinking Rose, so its a different garlic restaurant. ... Hopefully people will like it.

The new Stinking Rose will also serve a few favorites from Calzones. Dal Bozzo said he feels a little sad to say farewell to that North Beach staple.

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We were one of the new California cuisine restaurants when we opened, he said. Now were old.

The Stinking Rose. Reopening Jan. 24. Noon to 8:30 p.m. daily. 430 Columbus Ave., S.F. https://thestinkingrose.com

Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker
Boichik Bagels, the Berkeley phenomenon named among the best bagels in the country by the New York Times, is bringing its highly acclaimed bagels to the Peninsula.

Boichiks second location will open at Town & Country Village in Palo Alto this summer. Owner Emily Winston has taken over a small space in the center of the El Camino Real shopping center between CVS and the future home of Wildseed (the former Mayfield Bakery & Cafe).

Winston has a loyal fan base on the Peninsula and in Palo Alto in particular  customers who frequently order Boichik bagels for delivery or drive for more than an hour to the Berkeley store to get their fix. Palo Alto, a university town with plenty of East Coast transplants looking for a quality bagel, feels similar to Berkeley, she said.

Theres huge demand there, Winston said.

The Palo Alto Boichik will serve the same array of fresh New York-style bagels and bagel sandwiches that people line up for on College Avenue in Berkeley, from poppy to onion bagels filled with chive cream cheese and lox. (The store also will be certified kosher.) There wont be any indoor seating, but customers will be able to sit outside at a few tables or grab one of the benches available at Town & Country.

All of the bagel dough will be made at the Berkeley shop and delivered to Palo Alto daily to be baked there. It will be a small-scale test of how Winstons massive new bagel factory, set to open this fall in Berkeley, will operate. She plans to move all dough production to the 18,000-square-foot warehouse, which will supply retail stores and wholesale accounts throughout the Bay Area.

Boichik has been a local hit since it opened in 2019. National attention, thanks to a March 2021 New York Times article, propelled even more growth last year.

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Boichik is among several new food businesses set to debut at the upscale Palo Alto shopping center this year. Wildseed, the popular vegan San Francisco restaurant, is opening next door to Boichik. Around the corner, Manresa Bread, the bakery spinoff of the Michelin-starred Manresa, is setting up shop this spring. Town & Country is already known as a food draw, with outposts of Teleferic Barcelona and Gotts Roadside as well as longtime local favorites like Deuce France and Kirks Steakburgers.

Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
One of the wine worlds most watched industry reports just delivered a dire message: If wine cant attract more Millennial consumers soon, the consequences for California and other wine regions could be insurmountable.

But the report, released Wednesday, aims to offer a solution: A group of wine industry executives are working on a plan to try to give wine its Got Milk? moment to ramp up interest.

The analysis comes from Silicon Valley Banks 2022 State of the Wine Industry Report, a 66-page document based on an industry-wide winery survey and data from multiple sources including the Wine Institute. Though the annual report has warned of waning sales among Millennials for years now, this years data was more alarming, according to Rob McMillan, the reports author.

In 2021, wine consumption in the U.S. did not grow. Wine lost market share to spirits, taking a nosedive into the negative for sales growth at liquor and retail stores, restaurant and bars, while spirits growth increased from 2020. Total wine sold wholesale, such as to supermarkets, also declined throughout most of the year. According to the Wine Institute, California produces an average of 81 percent of total U.S. wine production, valued at $40 billion.

Thats notable because restaurants and bars reopened last year, which should have been a boon for wine, McMillan said.

(Restaurants) werent really as interested in wine as spirits, reinforcing that thats what consumers are saying, said McMillan. The wine list has become a beverage page, and you have to share it with beer, cocktails and even spiked seltzers.

The report found data thats especially concerning for Napa and Sonoma wineries. Several of the regions major wine varietals are in decline, including Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, which each had a negative growth rate of roughly 7% in 2021, followed by Pinot Noir, which clocked in at nearly negative 6%. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 40% of Napa Valley production, and Chardonnay is the regions second-most planted grape variety. In Sonoma County, Chardonnay accounted for 32% of grapes grown in 2018, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir at 21% each.

McMillan predicts that wine consumption could drop by 20% in volume in the next decade, primarily due to trends in how Millennials drink. Baby Boomers, who are largely responsible for the industrys success over the past two decades, will inevitably consume less wine. But Millennials, who are entering their best buying years (ages 35 to 55), are choosing to split their allegiance between wine, beer and spirits.

Youre looking at a cliff, he said of wine sales.

There are also other industry challenges, such as drought, supply chain issues and labor shortages.

But marketing may be the solution to drawing in younger wine drinkers, the report argues. Four wine industry executives and analysts  McMillan, Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting owner Danny Brager, Customer Vineyard founder and CEO MJ Dale, and Wine Market Council President Dale Stratton  have formed a group called WineRAMP (the Wine Research and Marketing Project) and are suggesting a solution: a USDA National Research and Promotion order, the same kind of nationwide marketing campaign that milk used for the Got Milk? campaign. Memorable campaigns for other agricultural products include the dancing raisins from the 1980s and the Incredible, Edible Egg from the 1970s; past organizations have reported an industry return more than 10 times for every dollar invested.

The Research and Promotion order will cost $1 million to execute over the course of two years, though roughly $650,000 has already been secured from a group of supportive wineries, distributors, importers, vendors and a bank. To move forward, WineRAMP needs to secure the additional funding and submit an application with the Food and Drug Administration. The initiative is also dependent on a majority vote from the nations wineries in favor of the initiative, which will include a yet-to-be-determined assessment, such as a tax based on either sales dollars or production volume. If approved, the group will need to hire a marketing consultant and fill various administrative positions.

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Currently, WineRAMP wants to highlight some of wines origins as a local, agricultural product  a way to appeal to the younger generations interest in social values. We have to be more transparent about whats in our wine, McMillan said. I would think it would be appealing to consumers to drink a locally sourced product thats plant-based.

The report did look at some positive notes: 29% of surveyed wineries considered 2021 their best year ever, following a demoralizing 2020 due to both COVID and major fires; the 2021 harvest went swimmingly by comparison. Luxury wine sales are also showing growth. In 2021, the category of small production wines  which generally cost more than $50  grew at 21%, its highest rate since 2007. The statistic is good news for the majority of Napa and Sonoma wineries, which fall into the premium category.

Still, McMillan cautioned that a steady decline in lower-priced, entry-level wines will have a ripple effect later, as the industry needs a reliable on-ramp for consumers. The report noted that 42% of surveyed wineries said they plan to make a price increase in 2022, and that could be yet another factor that turns off younger consumers. In a restaurant, the cost of wine is 72% more expensive than spirits, according to Nielsen.

McMillan believes the industrys best shot at survival is marketing to younger consumers. Weve ridden the 65-plus-year-old for too long, he said. Theres a saying in Texas. When the horse is dead, get off.

Jess Lander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jess.lander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesslander
The Bay Areas postholiday omicron surge may be tapering off, but health officials remain on high alert as hospitalizations continue upward  San Francisco is on the cusp of its COVID patient record  and Californias infection rate hovers in reach of the all-time high.

As of Monday, the state has passed the 7 million mark for the number of Californians who have been infected by the coronavirus in the two years since the pandemic began. California reached the milestone barely a week after crossing the 6 million-case threshold in cumulative infections.

We are not out of the woods, Contra Costa Countys health services director, Anna Roth, declared on Tuesday.

Even as some positive indicators  including the latest virus-testing samples from a number of Bay Area sewage plants  seem to show coronavirus infections slowing in some places, public health officials are warily eyeing a continued rise in hospital cases.

San Francisco had 256 COVID-positive patients on Monday, just three fewer than its all-time high recorded just over a year ago when vaccines were only beginning to roll out. Marin Countys 44 patients with the coronavirus on Monday marked the highest number the countys hospitals have recorded, though the health officer noted that half of those patients who tested positive were being treated for other medical conditions and did not have COVID symptoms.

Across the Bay Area, the 1,881 hospital patients infected with the virus as of Monday  with 309 in intensive care units  remained below the Bay Areas pandemic high of 2,210 patients, which was reached in January 2021 before vaccines were widely available. But with the seven-day rolling average for daily new cases in the Bay Area at 235 per 100,000 residents, it could soon top that number.

This is a tough moment for our health care system, Dr. Ori Tzvieli, public health director for Contra Costa County, told the Board of Supervisors in a Tuesday update. Referring to the hospitalizations, he added, Thats a number were watching more closely than our case numbers.

We know those admissions to the hospital are three weeks behind increases in cases, Roth told the supervisors. We still have a lot of work to do. We still need to be very diligent in protecting ourselves.

Californias rate of positive coronavirus test results attest to that: State health officials on Tuesday reported the latest rate of positives at 21.1%, not far below the states highest to date  23.5% reported last week.

With the Bay Areas high vaccination rates affording considerable community protection, recent weeks have not seen the COVID-19 death rates follow the steep upward trend in case counts. While furiously transmissible, the now-dominant omicron variant appears to cause less severe illness and death than was seen during last winters deadly surge.

And despite some muddying of the picture due to variation among counties, case numbers across the Bay Area indicate the surge appears to be slowing down after several weeks of explosive growth.

A few counties may have already peaked, though that wont be clear for another few days, health experts said. And other counties are definitely still seeing large daily increases in cases.

My impression is that we have leveled off, though its really hard to know in the moment if youve peaked, said Dr. Nicholas Moss, the Alameda County health officer. I think well look back at the first half of January and see a peak somewhere in there.

Cases are leveling off and possibly dropping in Santa Clara County, and hospitalizations arent rising quite as quickly as they were a week or two ago, said Dr. Ahmed Kamal, the countys COVID-19 director of health care preparedness. He added that hospital staffing has improved somewhat, too, as fewer nurses, doctors and other providers are out sick with COVID.

Were continuing to see that rise (in hospitalizations), but not as steep as before, Kamal said Tuesday. At this point, I think we are seeing a little glimmer of hope, because case counts are going down a little now.

There are also hopeful signs in the Bay Areas sewers.

A wastewater surveillance tool created by researchers at UC Berkeley, which measures levels of COVID-19 genetic material in sewage systems, shows a sharp decline in the concentration of coronavirus RNA in the effluent in parts of San Francisco, Marin and Contra Costa counties.

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Even though it is dropping off dramatically, its still at a much higher level than it was at the beginning of December. Its about six times as high, said Dr. Sasha Harris-Lovett of the Berkeley Water Center, which analyzes the data, referring to samples taken from San Francisco's Southeast Treatment Plant.

Alameda Countys sewage samples conversely show that cases are still rapidly on the rise. The same is true for the West County Wastewater District plant in Contra Costa County, which serves Richmond and El Sobrante, and plants in Novato and San Rafael in Marin County.

Tzvieli said that the wastewater samples are promising but do not show a clear trend.

Its a little early to tell, he said. That data can be a little noisy. It goes up and down a little bit, but Im really hopeful.

Harris-Lovett said the data would be updated on Wednesday and may provide a better indicator of virus trends in the region.

What I would take from it is keep up with your social distancing and masking for a few more weeks, she said. Lets see if we can get the amount of virus circulating down to a manageable level.

Chronicle data reporter Susie Neilson contributed to this report.

Aidin Vaziri and Erin Allday are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com, eallday@sfchronicle.com
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Maria Vega made the financially tough choice to leave her fast-food job and become a stay-at-home mother in October 2020, in the middle of a global health pandemic and the parallel economic crises it unleashed.

The fact that Vega was pregnant with her third child helped make her decision a little easier.

I found out I was pregnant in August of 2020, the 33-year-old Half Moon Bay resident said through a Spanish translator. As an essential worker, Im happy I made the decision to stay home because I wanted to limit my interactions with people and be healthy.

New research suggests Vega was right to lean on her instincts.

A Sutter Health study released last month found that Latinas were more than twice as likely than their white counterparts to contract COVID-19 during pregnancy, increasing their risk for premature deliveries, stillbirths and even dying in childbirth. While the study was conducted from May 2020 to December 2020, it remains relevant as the highly contagious omicron variant continues to surge in the Bay Area and across the country, its lead author says.

Although the coronavirus had not yet mutated into the omicron variant during the time of the data collection, the results of the study are still relevant, and if not more important, given how contagious and transmissible this variant is, Alice Pressman, research director at the Sutter Institute for Advancing Health Equity, told The Chronicle in an email.

Pressmans team of researchers conducted coronavirus testing on 17,446 women who delivered babies at Sutter Healths 18 birthing centers in Northern California. The testing, which was conducted before and at delivery, showed that 460 women, or 2.6% of the screened patients, were infected with COVID-19 at the time they gave birth.

Latinas were 2.4 times more likely than white women to have had active COVID infections, the study found.

The factors researchers observed were all about contact with other people  questions ranged from how many people patients lived with to whether or not they had to go to work.

Latino patients were much more likely to self-report living in households with more than five other members, and more likely to report having been exposed or thinking that they had been exposed to someone who had the coronavirus probably because of essential work, Pressman said.

Research shows that COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect communities of color in multiple ways.

An earlier study that UC Davis released in January 2021 found that more than half of Latina moms in Yolo and Sacramento counties cut back on food purchases and missed rent payments during the pandemic, exacerbating their struggles. Researchers surveyed 70 Latina mothers from March 18 to June 5, 2020, after the shelter-in-place orders first took effect in California.

Latino families are fighting the pandemic on multiple fronts, as systemic oppression has increased their likelihood of contracting the virus, having complications from the virus and having significant economic hardship due to the virus, Leah C. Hibel, associate professor of human development and family studies at UC Davis and the studys lead author, said in a statement when the study was released.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

This was true for Vega. Her family shares their crowded home with four relatives, she said. Her husband continued with his restaurant job and, while shelter-in-place rules limited his interactions with customers, he couldnt avoid interacting with his co-workers.

Even though they were following strict social distancing rules, I was stressed out, Vega recalled. What if he caught the virus, and what if I caught it?

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That didnt end up happening. Vega gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Estrella, in April 2021 at Stanford Childrens Health in Palo Alto. Vega was unvaccinated at the time, mostly because the vaccine wasnt widely available then, she said, but she got both doses soon after. She considers herself lucky for not contracting COVID-19.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined the vaccine is safe for pregnant women and protects against serious coronavirus infections and adverse birth outcomes, only 42.2% of pregnant people, or 2 in 5 pregnant Americans, were fully vaccinated during pregnancy or before getting pregnant as of Jan. 8. For pregnant Latinos, the vaccination rate was lower  37.7%.

Today, Vega stays home caring for her three children while her husband works in various roles in the restaurant industry. If it wasnt for Bay Area nonprofits including Ayudando Latinos A Sonar, or ALAS, which operates a food pantry and provides other resources, Vega said her family would have had a harder time getting by.

She often tunes into a weekly support group on Zoom, joining her fellow Latina mothers in the Half Moon Bay area for counseling, resources and a sense of community amid a pandemic that has disproportionately afflicted them. The mothers support group that ALAS started in September 2020 out of a shared sense of isolation now has up to 40 participants.

I dont know what Id do without them (ALAS). They help with food, mental health services and most importantly community  creating a sense of belonging for us, Vega said. My family could not have managed without them.

Shwanika Narayan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: shwanika.narayan@sfchronicle.com Twitter and Instagram: @shwanika
Regarding Obscenities mark emails by Vallejo official (Front Page, Jan. 18): Thank you to The Chronicle and Rachel Swan for daylighting the disturbing behavior of Vallejo City Council Member Hakeem Brown.

However, it is crucial to add the context of Browns documented history of violence against women. The article quotes Browns self-described scuffle with a domestic partner and admission to having served jail time. This conceals the truth: that Browns jail time was due to domestic violence cases spanning more than decade, as reported by Open Vallejo and subsequently The Chronicle in October 2020. Since those revelations, Brown has evoked racism in attempt to intimidate and silence critics.

Unfortunately, although Brown lost the mayoral race, he remains on City Council until his term expires in January 2023. Perhaps having the truth in The Chronicle will persuade other public officials, as well as the Democratic Party, to join Vallejoans in calling for his resignation.

Melissa Swift, Vallejo

Democracy is under fire

Regarding Democracy was fine before mail-in voting (Letters, Jan. 17): The author implied that reverting to past voting practices by recent laws passed in many states will not have a big effect on democracy. This doesnt take into account the real voter suppression happening in states such as Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Texas that are cutting back the number of polling sites, which creates long lines to vote, reducing voting hours, voter ID requirements and purging of voter rolls, that all largely impacted minority communities.

Studies have shown that Black and Latino voters spend far more time in line waiting to vote than their white counterparts. A Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies report estimated that long lines deterred at least 730,000 Americans from voting in November 2012.

Voter suppression in other states has an impact on all of us, since elections for Congress and the presidency are a result of varying state voting laws. While Joe Biden won by the popular vote by 7 million, key states to his Electoral College win were decided by a narrow margin.

Michael McNally, Concord

Access to JFK needed

As a docent for the Access Program at the de Young Museum and an educational therapist working in the differently-abled community, I speak on behalf of the many people who will be significantly impacted by the loss of accessible parking due to the closure of John F. Kennedy Drive.

Opponents to reopening JFK Drive argue public transportation and shuttles within Golden Gate Park will sufficiently accommodate the differently-abled. This shows a lack of understanding. Disabilities can include sensory overstimulation accompanied by meltdowns, compromised immune systems, anxiety in crowded spaces and extreme fatigue. All of these conditions prohibit riding public transportation.

We have a responsibility to accommodate everyone, regardless of race, gender, religion and ability. To create an accessible environment, we must proactively remove any barriers, including physical access, which includes parking.

Denise Cartmill, San Francisco

Some progress on race

Regarding Rallys theme: Still Seeking the dream (Bay Area, Jan. 15): I offer this one bit of optimism. On MLK Day 2022, for those who say we have made little progress in civil rights, consider that when my white younger son was born, his marriage to a Black person some 26 years later would have been illegal in the state where they met while attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Twenty-eight years later, their marriage has contributed two West Pointers to our national defense and a budding epidemiologist, who is pursuing a doctorate at UCLA, to the war against COVID.
The omicron variant continues its rapid spread in California, tearing through vaccinated and unvaccinated populations alike and sending hospitalizations spiking. An unprecedented number of essential workers, including doctors and nurses, have been exposed and are becoming ill from COVID-19  more than ever before during the pandemic.

This rash of infections has left Californias hospitals once again in crisis. While they are not currently facing shortages of personal protective equipment or ventilators, like they were early in the pandemic, hospitals are staring down an even more dire resource strain: health care providers.

As staff shortages rock the health care sector, hospitals are scrambling to fill vacant shifts and meet staffing demands for increasingly busy emergency departments and wards. Reminiscent of the first wave of the pandemic, frontline providers are again being asked to sign up for emergency on-call shifts and put their familial obligations on hold in the name of patient care. But these shortages belie the fact that more health care providers than ever before are likely to become infected.

Most glaringly, however, omicron has revealed more starkly than ever our state governments failure to provide needed sick leave, basic support and protection for frontline health workers.

When Californias COVID-19 supplemental sick leave law, SB95, expired in September, many essential workers went from being protected to having insufficient paid sick leave to make it through even the shorter, newly instituted five-day quarantine period when they fell ill. With the return to pre-pandemic California law, many essential workers in the state are now left with only 24 hours of guaranteed paid sick leave per year.

This gap between quarantine mandates and guaranteed sick leave creates a moral and financial dilemma for health care providers. They want and are expected to support our collective well-being by risking exposure to COVID-19. However, if they become ill during the course of this work, many will have to individually bear the cost of lost wages.

As practicing emergency physicians, we have heard pleas for sick leave support from our colleagues across the state for almost two years. Many of us spent the early months of 2020 staying in hotels or separate rooms from our loved ones simply to safeguard our families from infection. Throughout the pandemic, we have made countless personal sacrifices to support our communities. Now, as the pandemic once again surges, the frontline workers protecting our communities are being forced to choose between their wages and their health without adequate government support.

And were not alone.

From transportation to food services, there are reports of the ongoing impacts of COVID-related labor shortages. The lack of guaranteed paid sick leave is likely to have a disproportionate effect on lower-income members of our community. Not only are workers in lower wage jobs less likely to have financial reserves from which to draw, they also are less likely to have supplemental job benefits. For example, data suggests that 60% more private-sector workers in the top 10% of income-earners have access to paid sick leave as compared to the lowest 10%.

When people are living paycheck-to-paycheck, their likelihood of attending work sick increases dramatically. In states that implemented extended paid COVD-19 sick leave through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a federal program that provided tax credits for employers, there was noted to be a significant decrease in infections compared to states who did not implement this program.

This program, however, expired Sept. 30, along with Californias SB95. This expiration returned our maximum guaranteed sick leave days to the woefully insufficient status quo.

This reduction in paid sick leave not only hurts individual workers, disproportionately impacting communities of color and low-income households, but it also serves to accelerate the spread of COVID-19 and further strain our already overburdened health care system.

UC Berkeley health policy Professor William Dow spoke to the danger of this lapse, telling CalMatters that given the ongoing COVID threat, it is premature to sunset the supplemental paid sick leave.

California State Assembly Member Evan Low argued for the expansion of these programs but stand-alone sick leave legislation was not introduced before last years session ended.

Complacency and inexpediency left California unprepared for the realities of an all-too-predictable winter surge. And it left the state completely blindsided by a highly transmissible variant like omicron.

This lack of vision and urgency from state leaders is compounding feelings of helplessness and defeat that many health care providers are experiencing. Nearly 1 in 5 health care workers have already left the medical field entirely during the pandemic.

The California Legislature has yet to recognize the necessity of guaranteed paid sick leave and take immediate action.

Allowing extended paid sick leave programs to lapse during an ongoing pandemic seemed short-sighted in September. Now, as omicron surges throughout the state, this continued lapse is openly negligent.

California needs to recognize its obligation to address the glaring gap between current state policy and federal recommendations. Our state Legislature must immediately and permanently extend COVID-19 sick leave to meet federal quarantine guidelines for all workers.

Michael Losak is a clinical assistant professor, and Christian Rose is an assistant professor and informaticist in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.
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In 2021, 650 people died of drug overdoses in San Francisco, a nearly 9% dip over the prior year, according to new data released Wednesday by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Its the first time the number of lives lost to drugs in the city fell year-over-year in a decade, but it follows an unprecedented spike in deaths the year before  from 441 in 2019 to 711 in 2020. Officials, advocates and residents agree that the death toll is an unacceptable public health crisis and that the city needs more strategies to address it, including treatment and prevention.

The unfolding crisis  driven by a rise in the powerful opioid fentanyl  pushed Mayor London Breed to declare an emergency last month in the Tenderloin, the hardest-hit neighborhood. The sharp rise of overdose deaths, leading to the highest per-capita death rate in California and one of the highest among major U.S. metro areas, has brought national attention and intense pressure on elected officials.

We know that every overdose death is preventable, and we know that we still have a long way to go, but we must act aggressively to ensure that every resident receives the support and services they so desperately need, Breed said in a statement Wednesday.

Advocates and experts were grateful fewer people died last year, but Vitka Eisen, president and CEO of treatment provider HealthRight360, said the number of lives lost is still astronomically large.

Every single person is somebodys child or parent or someones beloved, she said.

That year-end toll amounts to nearly two people a day dying in San Francisco because of overdoses. By contrast, 430 people in the city died of COVID-19 in 2021.

The number of overdose deaths could change: Last year, the death toll rose after the medical examiner closed more case investigations.

Many overdose deaths occurred in dense neighborhoods downtown. In 2020 and 2021, about 23% of the overdose deaths occurred in the Tenderloin and about 18% in SoMa.

The number of fatal overdoses in the city has skyrocketed in recent years, fueled by fentanyl, which can be up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Fentanyl was a factor in nearly 3 in 4 overdose deaths in 2021, most often mixed in with other drugs. Experts say the pandemic also exacerbated the crisis, isolating people and reducing access to treatment and support.

While slightly fewer people may have died of overdoses, that doesnt necessarily mean the number of overdoses has gone down  instead, the overdose-reversing medication naloxone, most commonly in the form of nasal spray Narcan, could be saving more lives.

In 2021, the DOPE Project, which keeps data for the city, tracked 8,200 overdose reversals. Thats up from about 4,300 in 2020. The number nearly doubled because of more word-of-mouth partnerships with grassroots groups and coordination with the health department, said Laura Guzman, senior director of capacity building and community mobilization at the National Harm Reduction Coalition.

Its unknown whether every person given naloxone would have died of an overdose without it, but it undoubtedly helps.

Guzman said her group wasnt surprised to see a dip in the death toll, but said systemic factors such as homelessness, poverty and street conditions that are the major drivers of overdoses havent changed.

In announcing the slight drop in deaths, the city highlighted investments in substance use treatment, mental health, housing and other services that officials argue have helped. The city launched a street overdose response team and an overdose prevention program inside single-room-occupancy hotels. The health department also trained city workers in how to use naloxone, created a clearinghouse to track and give out the tool to more partners in October, and set up more than 150 stations in 30 shelter-in-place hotels where people could come in and grab naxolone off the wall.

We shifted culture, said Eileen Loughran, the health departments coordinator of community drug user health strategy, noting that the city planned to set up the same low-barrier access in some shelters with services.

With the unregulated drug supply, theres always going to be substances in drugs that we have no control over, she said.

Laura Thomas, director of harm reduction policy at the AIDS Foundation, said it was too soon to see the impact from the overdose response team, which started halfway through the 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.

Instead, she attributed the drop in deaths to community groups getting out more Narcan. (Her organization alone counted 7,197 overdose reversals in 2021 that are not included in the citys data.) She also said the end of lockdown allowed programs to operate in person again and meant people were not using alone as often.

Its good to see these numbers going down, Thomas said. Im really grateful for all the people who use drugs who have been saving lives day in and day out.

Breed is pushing forward initiatives to tackle the crisis. In addition to the Tenderloin emergency declaration, she says she plans to crack down on drug dealing and use.

Some advocates and officials have criticized the mayors rhetoric and approach, arguing that including law enforcement as part of her response to a public health crisis will be ineffective and counterproductive. Thomas cited studies showing that increased policing in other places has actually led to a rise in drug overdoses. Others say the city needs to do more to tackle the drug supply and hold dealers accountable.

Breeds emergency does include public health interventions such as opening a linkage center where people on the streets can drop in to get help and filling 200 vacant positions in behavioral health.

The city is also working on adding more treatment beds for mental health and substance use. As of Wednesday, 88 out of 400 additional beds planned under behavioral health reform legislation have opened.

Breed plans to open a drug sobering center and a site where people can use drugs under medical supervision later this year. Advocates have been pushing for years to create a supervised drug consumption space where the chances of people dying of overdoses will be reduced.

Mallory Moench and Yoohyun Jung are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com, yoohyun.jung@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench, @yoohyun_jung
As half of San Francisco gets ready to choose its representative in the state Assembly  in the first vote of a bizarre four-election obstacle course  constituents are searching for what separates the four candidates.

I found some answers when I moderated a candidate forum last week. While the candidates differ somewhat on several big issues, in this debate, they clashed the most over what to do about the Tenderloins infamous open-air fentanyl market. That market fueled the overdose deaths of 592 people in the city in 2021 through November  in addition to the 711 who lost their lives in 2020. Thats about twice as many San Franciscans as have died of COVID-19.

It seems painfully obvious the city cant address the fentanyl crisis alone and will need help from the state. But ideas there, too, have stalled.

A proposal to warn drug dealers upon their first arrest that they could be subject to manslaughter charges akin to drunken drivers if their drugs kill someone has gone nowhere. Another proposal to allow San Francisco and other cities to open safe injection sites is back on the table after several failed attempts. Parents of children whove died of drug overdoses have demanded more attention from the state, but say theyre not making much progress.

The forum was held by Together SF, a civic engagement nonprofit, and Rescue SF, a coalition of residents advocating for compassionate, effective ways to address the homelessness crisis.

The candidates are vying to replace David Chiu, who resigned from the assembly to become San Franciscos city attorney. Theres a Feb. 15 primary and April 19 general election to replace him. And since his term was up early next year anyway, theres another June primary and November general election to hold the seat through 2024.

All four candidates spoke highly of Mayor London Breeds emergency declaration in the Tenderloin, saying the miserable conditions there cannot continue to be ignored. David Campos, on leave from his job as chief of staff to District Attorney Chesa Boudin to run for the assembly seat representing the eastern part of the city, said one aspect of Breeds plan he disagrees with, however, is flooding the neighborhood with more police. Campos likened that to re-fighting the war on drugs and said it wouldnt work.

The mayors controversial pledge for more police in the neighborhood hasnt yet happened because of budget and staffing shortages, but a widely supported new linkage center to connect people to housing and drug treatment opened Tuesday at U.N. Plaza.

Like most San Franciscans, the four candidates support making it easier to access drug treatment, expanding outreach and opening supervised consumption sites where people can use drugs inside and under the care of medical professionals. Campos first proposed opening a safe consumption site six years ago, a proposal reiterated last year by San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney, also running for the assembly seat. Still, none exist in the city. A big reason for the inertia has been lack of state approval.

Where the candidates differ is what to do about those selling fentanyl  a cheap, synthetic opioid thats so poisonous, just trace amounts can kill people. Tenderloin police seized 25.5 kilos of fentanyl in 2021, five times more than they seized in 2020 and enough to wipe out the entire population of the Bay Area.

Campos said enforcing the law is important  and that the District Attorneys Office is prosecuting 70% to 80% of drug dealing cases presented to it by police.

But that prosecution usually amounts to releasing people quickly with stay-away orders from certain blocks that are regularly ignored or on probation. Police arrested 65 adult repeat offenders for drug dealing in 2021, and their average time in custody per arrest was just 5 days, according to the Police Department.

Campos said jailing drug dealers just means new dealers appear on the same corners and called for the city to team with state and federal agencies to cut the fentanyl supply. He dinged Haney, chair of the boards budget committee, for not fighting for a special fentanyl unit in the District Attorneys Office. Haney said the mayor opposed the idea, and he instead fought to get the office additional funding through the regular budget process.

Haney, who lives on Hyde Street in the thick of the misery, called the status quo when it comes to readily available fentanyl completely unacceptable. He said there need to be effective consequences for people who are arrested for dealing drugs.

We cannot allow fentanyl, which is killing people unlike anything weve ever seen, to be sold with such ease and accessibility on our street corners, he said.

Boudin has long talked about opening a special court for victims of human trafficking, including drug dealers he says are trafficked from Honduras, to help pull them out from under the control of their traffickers.

A spokesperson for the San Francisco Superior Court said hes unaware of any formal attempt to open such a court, and Matt Dorsey, a spokesperson for the Police Department, said police have been unable to substantiate claims that drug traffickers in the Tenderloin are victims of trafficking themselves.

It would be unusual to see human trafficking victims armed to the extent weve found Tenderloin drug dealers to be, especially in recent months, Dorsey said.

Thea Selby, a City College trustee and assembly candidate, said she appreciated the question about prosecution because thats often left out of debates about the overdose crisis. She said Boudins concern that prosecuting dealers could put their families back in Honduras at risk of violence from traffickers was shocking. Boudin said that at a town hall in the summer of 2020.

I think we have to worry about ourselves first, Selby said. Think of all the immigrant families who are in the Tenderloin who are having to deal with these crimes on a daily basis.

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.

Bilal Mahmood, running for the assembly position as a newcomer to politics with a background in business and science, dismissed progressives concern that prosecuting fentanyl dealers would be a repeat of the failed war on drugs.

Fentanyl is a completely different drug. Its effectively a loaded weapon, he said. When people are dealing fentanyl illegally, its effectively manslaughter.

He said people arrested for dealing fentanyl should receive a warning the first time, but be subject to guaranteed prosecution the second time.

Haney, Selby and Mahmood agreed with Campos that officials should also curb the supply of fentanyl flooding into California from Mexico.

It was clear during the forum that Haney is the middle-of-the-road punching bag taking hits from both sides. Campos slammed him from the progressive end of San Franciscos tiny political spectrum, while Mahmood went after him from the moderate side. Selby mostly avoided the scrum.

For example, Campos said, If you want to see the kind of work the supervisor does, look at what has happened to the Tenderloin under his leadership  if you can call it that.

Mahmood pointed out the Tenderloin has seen skyrocketing drug overdose rates and attacks against Asian Americans  while, unfortunately, Supervisor Haney has been running the district.

Haney countered that he has never seen Bilal or David here even though I think its Davids job as the D.A.s chief of staff to keep this neighborhood safe.

Well, at least everybodys talking about the Tenderloin, its struggling families and its deadly drug markets. Theyve been bypassed for way too long.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf
An "aggressive" mountain lion was seen walking a residential street in Belmont after killing another lion early Wednesday morning.

According to the Belmont Police Department, the animal was seen on the 2500 block of Hastings Drive between Carlmont High School and Waterdog Lake and Open Space.

"The fight between the lions was heard only by the reporting citizen," Belmont police Lt. Pete Lotti told SFGATE over email. "The deceased lion was later located in the 2500 block of Hastings Dr. by the responding officer, and ultimately collected by the Department of Fish & Wildlife. The location of the remaining mountain lion is unknown at this time."

The police advise the public to use caution in the area.

The U.S Forest Service states that, territorially, mountain lions "maintain spatial separation between each other, thereby assuring each individual has the resources necessary to survive," adding "if these separations are not maintained, mountain lions will kill each other."

A lion was seen in another Peninsula neighborhood in Daly City last week. It's not clear if this is the same mountain lion spotted in Belmont.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife states on its website that in recent years there has been "ever-increasing interactions between people and mountain lions."

The wild cats, also know as pumas and cougars, call more than half of California home. Mountain lions tend to live wherever deer are found. "They are solitary and elusive, and their nature is to avoid humans," the CDFW says. If you live in mountain lion country, which includes much of the Bay Area, the agency advises deer-proofing yards, setting up motion sensitive lighting and avoiding letting pets out when mountain lions are most active at dawn, dusk and night.
The unprecedented surge of COVID-19 that has slammed the Bay Area in recent weeks may finally be on the downswing, according to both city and state data.

While some of the apparent plateau may be the result of delayed reporting, many experts believe case numbers really are starting to level off here, as they have in some other parts of the country.

"City cases plateaued," Dr. Bob Wachter, the chair of the department of medicine at UCSF, wrote on Twitter on Monday.

His UCSF colleague Dr. Peter Chin-Hong concurred. "While some may call it an early victory call and wait for a few more data points over the next few days, it does appear real," Chin-Hong, who is an expert in infectious diseases, told SFGATE.

Dr. George Rutherford, also at UCSF, isn't ready to officially call it the peak, but did say the timeline matches models that have been predicting California cases will peak in mid-January.

"Youd expect it to peak earlier in San Francisco than in other places in California," Rutherford told SFGATE. "After all, we were where the first case was identified in the U.S."

Rutherford said the hospitalization peak usually lags about one to one and a half weeks behind the peak in cases. However, while the number of people testing positive in the hospital has continued to climb in both state and city data, UCSF hospital cases have been flat for a week.

"At UCSF, we have been holding steady with COVID hospitalizations since Jan. 11 with no major increases," Chin-Hong said.

Some experts have warned that hospitalization data exaggerates the severity of the current wave, as it includes both those who were hospitalized for COVID-19 and those who were hospitalized for other issues and then tested positive for COVID-19, but might have only mild or no symptoms.

Dr. Jeanne Noble, the head of COVID response for UCSF's emergency department, told SFGATE last week that after reviewing the charts of every COVID-positive patient at UCSF hospitals on Jan. 4, she determined 70% of COVID-19 cases were "incidental positives," patients who tested positive after being admitted to the hospital for reasons such as such as a hip fracture or a bowel obstruction.

Her data suggests that in January 2022, fewer people are being admitted to hospitals because of severe COVID illness than in the winter of 2021. That conclusion is supported by data showing that, in San Francisco, fewer COVID-19 patients have required admission to intensive care units.

"The 2022 hospitalization peak and curve will look very different in 2022 compared to 2021  significantly lower use of mechanical ventilation, shorter hospital stays, a higher proportion of people admitted with COVID (incidentally  these are folks who were screened positive for infection when they were admitted with something else) rather than because of COVID," Chin-Hong said. "The lower rate of severe illness is part omicron related, but certainly and substantially helped by the high vaccination rate  very different from one year ago when they were just beginning to be rolled out."

This trend can also be seen elsewhere in the Bay Area. At the start of the month, Marin County recorded a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations. But of the 19 people hospitalized in the county, at least 42% were incidental cases, including five patients in a psychiatric ward who had no symptoms of the virus. That number rose to 48% this week.

On Jan. 11, SF Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax said while hospitalizations had been increasing in the city, the "numbers are not climbing nearly at the level that they would have if we didn't have such great coverage with vaccines." In San Francisco, 85% of the eligible population (residents 5 and over) is fully vaccinated.

"We are optimistic that because of our city's high vaccination and booster rates, we will get through this omicron surge without running out of those all-important intensive care unit beds," Colfax said.

Wastewater samples may also provide a clue that the omicron surge has peaked. Santa Clara County is seeing a decline in the amount of virus found in such samples, as are San Francisco and some parts of Marin County.

"Across the Bay Area, the epidemiology has mostly been shared," Marin County health officer Dr. Matt Willis said. "As a region, we've traveled together through most stages of the pandemic; we've moved together on the timing and scale of waves we've experienced. So when Santa Clara is seeing evidence of a plateau, that can be reassuring for the Bay Area as a whole, but it's too early to tell."

Rutherford cautioned that even if we have hit the peak, the virus will continue to be present in the community for several weeks.

"Half the cases will occur in the downslope. There are a lot more cases to come," he said.

Last week, Colfax said the peak is in sight and he expects the city to turn the corner soon, but he emphasized that people should still get vaccinated if they haven't already.

"If you are up to date on your vaccinations, it is extremely unlikely you would be hospitalized due to COVID," Colfax said.
On the last day of 1914, the Trinidad Head Lighthouse keeper Fred Harrington was preparing to wipe down some windows in the lantern room when he noticed something terrifying. The biggest wave he had ever seen was coming toward him.

Harrington had maintained the cliff-top lighthouse, which stands 175 feet above the sea and 300 miles north of San Francisco, since 1888. In the days leading up to 1915, a massive storm had been battering the region, with plenty of large swells rolling in. But this one was different.

I observed a sea of unusual height, Harrington wrote in an understated logbook entry.

Ashley Harrell

The red brick and stucco lighthouse is 25 feet tall, with its light shining from 196 feet above sea level. So the wave had to have been about 200 feet high, local historians reason, which would make it the largest known wave to ever crash over Californias coast.

As the story goes, Harrington watched from the tower as the sea struck the bluff and doused the lighthouse. The solid sea seemed to me to be on a level with where I stood, he reportedly told a newspaper.

When the water receded, the lens had ceased to revolve and the tower shook for several seconds from the impact. Harrington worked quickly to restore the operation of the lens, and it took about a half-hour, he reported in the logbook.

During the 26 years that I have been stationed here, there has at no time been a sea of any such size as that of the 31st experienced here, he told a newspaper.

Courtesy of Trinidad Museum Society

It certainly was the largest event of that nature thats ever occurred here, said Patricia Fleschner, president of the Trinidad Museum Society, who ran an information booth during the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse last month.

Fleschner emphasized that the wave was not caused by an earthquake or volcano, and therefore was not a tsunami (like the wave that recently devastated Tonga and flooded parts of Pacifica and Santa Cruz). Instead, it was a rogue wave, generated by high winds and strong currents.

Amazingly, the nearby enclave of Trinidad remained intact, according to Fleschner, though there was serious damage to a dock attached to Trinidad Head. It was a place where the shingle mills shipped out their shingles and wood for many years, but it was pretty much destroyed, she said.

By way of comparison, the most devastating tsunami in United States history was a 1964 wave of just 21 feet, and it wreaked havoc on Crescent City some 60 miles north of Trinidad. The difference with tsunamis, of course, is that they are powered by geologic forces and can contain massive amounts of water moving across the ocean like ripples in a pond.

Triggered by a 9.2 earthquake off Alaska, the 1964 tsunami crashed into Crescents Citys downtown, killing 11 people and damaging 289 structures.

Ashley Harrell

But how, you may be wondering, does the 1914 wave stand up to other swells of its kind? Surfers catch waves at Mavericks range from 25 to 60 feet tall, and the largest wave ever measured off the coast of California was a 75-footer. That wave was documented in 2019 by a coastal buoy installed by scientists with UC San Diegos Scripps Institute for Oceanography. It occurred off Cape Mendocino, just 50 miles south of Trinidad.

"Waves of that size usually only occur far out at sea where the wind has been blowing across a big area," James Behrens, program manager for Scripps' Coastal Data Information Program, told SFGATE. "The only other station in the network that measured a wave this large is deployed 800 miles off the coast of Washington."

Ashley Harrell

When large waves do occur closer to the coast, though, they stand up taller as they encounter shallow water before becoming unstable and breaking, Behrens said. He couldnt say for sure what the maximum coastal breaker height would be in extreme conditions, but noted that there would be a long statistical tail.

If you wait 1,000 years, you might get some extraordinary waves, he said.
Fresno County Sheriff's Office

The body of a 30-year-old Fresno woman was recovered from the bottom of the California Aqueduct near Huron on Tuesday, five days after her boyfriend was charged with her murder, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office said. The sheriff's office said it presumed Missy Hernandez died under suspicious circumstances.

Investigators said Hernandez was last seen on the night of Dec. 7 after leaving an art show in downtown Fresno with her 41-year-old boyfriend Ramon Jimenez. Concerned friends, who considered it unusual for Hernandez to not respond to calls, contacted police. A deputy went to her house, made contact with Jimenez and recognized him "as a person wanted for domestic violence against Missy in October 2021 at this same address," the sheriff's office said.
At first nothing seemed amiss when the retired professor showed up at the high-end consignment shop in Georgetown, bringing with him clothing that the shop owner says he described as belonging to his wife, a wine expert who had recently died of heart failure.

Lawrence E. Gray even took along Jacqueline Quillen's obituary, which included details such as her attendance at Radcliffe and fondness for hosting dinner parties. But, as Krista Johnson, the owner of Ella Rue, said she later noticed, there was no mention of the professor or their purported marriage.

Now, questions about the true nature of Gray and Quillen's relationship - whether he stole tens of thousands of dollars in jewels and other valuables from the late socialite - are at the core of a lawsuit roiling wealthy circles from D.C. to the Hamptons and Newport, R.I.

"It's dark," Johnson said in a telephone interview. "It's like a really bad Netflix series."

The lawsuit - filed in D.C. Superior Court by one of Quillen's sons, Parker - alleges that Gray stole art, jewelry and other finery from Jacqueline Quillen. The trove included what the lawsuit lists as a $17,000 diamond ring, a $10,000 Patek Philippe watch and $4,700 diamond earrings.

Quillen, whose grandfather was a legendary Wall Street tycoon, was 77 when she died in October 2020. While she and Gray, 78, were never married to each other, they were romantically involved for more than a decade and lived together in a Georgetown house she owned.

Although a judge ordered the sections stricken from the lawsuit for being irrelevant, Parker Quillen's attorneys also asserted that Gray and Jacqueline Quillen were guests on nine occasions in the homes of her mother and friends when valuable jewels and art as well as cash vanished.

"Wherever Defendant Lawrence 'Larry' Gray goes, the discovery of theft often follows," Quillen's attorneys wrote in their original complaint.

Gray, who taught political science at John Cabot University in Rome before retiring in 2011, declined to comment when he answered the door for a reporter at Quillen's R Street NW home, where her son's lawsuit claims he still lives despite her family's objections.

"It's not the right time," he said.

Gray's attorney, Jonathan Windle, also declined to comment. In a court filing, Windle described Parker Quillen's lawsuit as "hyperbolic fiction," akin to "To Catch a Thief," the 1955 thriller starring Cary Grant as a jewel-pilfering grifter.

Parker Quillen's complaint, Windle wrote, "candidly admits that at each alleged crime were several (often many) persons other than Gray who had direct, and in some cases, unfettered access to the allegedly stolen property."

"With nothing more than his imagination, his personal disdain for Gray, and perhaps a love for Alfred Hitchcock movies," Windle wrote, Parker Quillen "points his accusing finger" at the professor "as the mastermind behind these thefts."

In his own counter-complaint, Gray accused Parker Quillen of taking a $160,000 engagement ring that Gray had once intended to give Jacqueline.

Parker Quillen, who has denied the allegation through his attorneys, declined to speak on the record about the lawsuit, which he filed a year ago in his role as trustee of the Jacqueline Quillen Living Trust.

His complaint alleges that Gray stole from Quillen before and as her health deteriorated. Parker Quillen's lawsuit also alleges that after Quillen died, Gray sold dozens of her paintings and other valuables to a Georgetown antique dealer, and sought to auction and consign her jewelry and clothing.

The lawsuit also asserts that Parker Quillen "discovered only recently" that his mother kept "a written record" of her "suspicions" that Gray was stealing her jewels as early as four years before her death. But she did not report him to police for fear he would blame "her maid or one of Ms. Quillen's friends," according to a legal memorandum that Parker Quillen's attorneys filed, seeking to amend the complaint and add his mother's writings.

In October, a Rhode Island judge, acting on a request from prosecutors, issued a warrant for Gray's arrest on a charge that he stole a diamond and sapphire brooch valued at $32,000. The brooch belonged to Nannette Herrick, at whose Newport home Gray and Jacqueline Quillen stayed while attending a wedding in 2016.

Police allege that Gray had consigned the brooch to Doyle Auctions, which sold it in 2016 for $22,500, according to a Newport police report. Gray received $19,871, a police affidavit states. The brooch was among "approximately 25 jewelry and art items Gray consigned" to Doyle from 2015 to 2020, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit also states that Gray's signature on a Doyle consignment agreement "matches" his handwriting in the wedding guest book. "Thank you ever so much for the wonderful time," the entry read. "Looking forward to a repeat with more stories."

Gray pleaded not guilty. A judge released him on his own recognizance and allowed him to return to Washington. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Feb. 2.

Kevin Hagan, Gray's attorney in Rhode Island, declined to comment. A spokesperson for Doyle also declined to comment.

Herrick, in a brief telephone call, said that Gray "must be stopped."

"The story is about the Cary Grant who wasn't - who was just a creep," she said, declining to elaborate.

- - -

Jacqueline Quillen and Gray met in D.C. in 2004, when he was on a sabbatical at Georgetown University, according to an account of their relationship in Gray's counter-complaint. At the time, Gray had tenure at John Cabot University, and he traveled back and forth between Rome and Washington as his relationship with Quillen deepened.

Quillen came from a family steeped in Ivy League schools and finance. After amassing a fortune on Wall Street, her grandfather, Alfred Lee Loomis, devoted himself to science, starting a laboratory that helped develop radar technology, an advance cited as a key to the Allied victory in World War II. His associates included Albert Einstein, who described Loomis's lab as a "palace of science."

Quillen was born in Washington and attended the prestigious Madeira School in McLean, Va., according to her obituary. A divorcee with three sons, she owned a wine and cheese business in New Orleans before Christie's Auction House hired her to start a wine department in North America. In the 1980s, the National Trust for Historic Preservation retained her as a consultant on the restoration of James Madison's Montpelier estate in Virginia.

With Gray, she attended dinner parties and classical music concerts, vacationed at her family's East Hampton retreat and traveled extensively.

"Whenever we traveled together, we would start off in the morning reading the papers and conversing and exchanging ideas, which was interesting and wonderful," said Rupert Sparks, 76, a retired dealer in classic cars who lives in Texas and has known Gray for two decades. "They were both very intelligent, and inquisitive. They enjoyed being in each other's company."

Still, there were apparent signs that their relationship was souring as early as 2016, when, according to the complaint, Quillen "suspected Gray was stealing from her." Three typed pages of writing attributed to Jacqueline Quillen are included as an exhibit with Parker Quillen's amended complaint.

"I can't imagine life without him," she is said to have written, apparently referring to Gray. "It's so rich when it's good. I would be very sad to not have him as my companion for cooking, making dinner, watching the news, traveling."

Jacqueline Quillen also purportedly wrote that Gray had "no moral compass." The lawsuit claims she described opening her safe where she kept her jewelry and finding "12 items missing," a cache worth $72,000. "The only person who knew the numbers to open my safe besides me was Larry," she wrote, according to the lawsuit.

"The stealing has been going on a long time," she wrote, her son's lawsuit claims.

Gray's attorney, in a court filing, contended that the writing is an "unsigned computer produced document" that does not identify the author.

In June 2020, after her health had started to deteriorate, Quillen told Gray she was ending their relationship when she became convinced that he had stolen her $9,500 diamond, sapphire and ruby brooch and three sets of earrings worth $5,750, according to Parker Quillen's lawsuit.

Jacqueline Quillen had left the jewelry in a bathroom drawer and gone out. Gray, according to the complaint, "was the only person in the home that day - and the only person who could have stolen the items."

Still, she agreed to allow Gray to stay in her home for another six months, until Jan. 1, 2021, even though a cohabitation agreement they had signed allowed her to give him "two weeks' notice before he would have to move out," according to the lawsuit.

Quillen died Oct. 1, 2020, after which Gray continued to live in the house, despite what her son's lawsuit describes as the family's requests that he leave.

"He is squatting," the lawsuit claims.

Windle, Gray's attorney, has contended in court filings that the professor and Jacqueline Quillen had a $2,500-a-month lease agreement and that he continued to write rent checks after her death. Parker Quillen is using "defamatory allegations" to unlawfully evict his client "in the midst of a national pandemic," the attorney wrote.

- - -

On nine occasions from 2013 to 2020, according to Parker Quillen's lawsuit, his mother and Gray were guests in homes where art, jewelry or cash disappeared.

Herrick's home was one example the lawsuit cites. Another was a 2019 cocktail party the couple attended at the East Hampton, N.Y., home of Richard Tutino, a managing director at the investment firm Lazard Asset Management.

The next morning, Tutino said in a telephone interview, he and his wife discovered that $50,000 of heirloom jewelry was missing from her bathroom. When the couple questioned the 60 or so guests, they learned that "an older guy, in his 70s" was seen upstairs, near their bedroom, Tutino said. The man "said he was admiring the woodwork."

Tutino acknowledged that he and his wife have no evidence that Gray stole the jewels. "It's all supposition," he said. "It's totally frustrating."

Windle, in a court filing countering Parker Quillen's complaint, dismissed the sections about the alleged thefts as "immaterial and scandalous."

In June, D.C. Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow, responding to Windle's objections, ordered references to other alleged thefts stricken from Parker Quillen's complaint. The judge ruled that those incidents, while "creating an aura of suspiciousness," did not directly relate to the lawsuit's focus - the allegations that Gray stole from Jacqueline Quillen.

Four months later, after Herrick contacted police in Newport, the warrant was issued for Gray's arrest.

- - -

After Jacqueline Quillen's death, when he went to the Ella Rue consignment shop in Georgetown, Gray said he needed "to be a minimalist and get rid of everything," Johnson, the shop's owner, recalled. She said Gray told her, "I need to move on."

Over time, as he lingered at the shop and collected consignment checks, Johnson said his behavior began to strike her as odd. Her wariness grew when she looked up Quillen's obituary, which she had never read, and saw "there was no mention of him."

At one point, a close friend of Jacqueline Quillen's spotted Gray at the store and greeted him, Johnson said. "He pretended not to know who she was. She's like, 'That was weird,' " Johnson said. The woman called Quillen's sons, Johnson said. The Quillens then got in touch with Ella Rue. In March 2021, Johnson obtained from the D.C. police a barring notice prohibiting Gray from entering her store.

"Suspected theft" was the reason cited on the notice.

Gray's attorney, in a court filing responding to Parker Quillen's complaint, denied the lawsuit's claims that his client had sold Jacqueline Quillen's belongings to Ella Rue and L'Enfant Gallery, a Georgetown antiques shop.

Store owner Peter Colasante said in an interview that Gray brought bags of glassware into his shop soon after Quillen died. He also said Gray invited him to what he "claimed was his home" on R Street, creating the impression that he and Jacqueline Quillen "were married and he was the survivor."

In a declaration attached to Quillen's amended complaint, Colasante said he paid Gray about $25,000 for dozens of pieces, including paintings, etchings, statuettes, Persian rugs, glassware, Tiffany plates and a Hamilton watch.

Colasante, in the interview, said he first heard from the Quillen family after he posted on his shop's website photos of a dozen or so Steuben martini glasses he had purchased from Gray. Parker Quillen, he said, told him the 1920s-era glasses had once belonged to Loomis, his great-grandfather.

The dealer said he provided Quillen with a list of the items he had purchased from Gray, most of which are now being stored until the resolution of the lawsuit.

Parker Quillen, Colasante recalled, asked only to buy back his great-grandfather's martini glasses, saying he couldn't bear the thought of anyone else owning them.
RTHK: UK MP defects to opposition over Boris Johnson

British Conservative MP Christian Wakeford on Wednesday defected to the opposition Labour party, after a slew of lockdown-breaching "partygate" revelations engulfed Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Wakeford said in a message to Johnson that "you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves".

Wakeford represents the seat of Bury South near Manchester in northwest England, one of many that the Tories under Johnson captured from Labour in the 2019 general election.

As a Conservative, he was one of seven MPs who had publicly called for a no-confidence vote in Johnson after the allegations that Downing Street staff had held parties during Covid lockdowns.

Labour leader Keir Starmer welcomed Wakeford to the fold as he pointed to him sitting with other MPs on his side in the House of Commons Wednesday.

"As Christian said, the policies of the Conservative government are doing nothing to help the people of Bury South and, indeed, are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse," he said.

"I'm determined to build a new Britain which guarantees security, prosperity and respect for all, and I'm delighted that Christian has decided to join us in this endeavour." (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-01-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Press Release

January 18, 2022 Bong Go welcomes gov't efforts to fast-track vaccination efforts, conduct house-to-house jabs Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher "Bong" Go expressed support for the government's recent initiative to increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly among senior citizens and persons with comorbidities. On January 14, acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced simplified vaccination procedures that will help ensure qualified Filipinos receive the vaccine as quickly and as efficiently as possible. The procedures include allowing walk-in admissions and dropping of the medical clearance requirement. House-to-house inoculations will also be conducted for those who are unable to travel to a vaccination site due to health or mobility issues. "Matagal na akong umaapela na pabilisin pa lalo ang pagbabakuna at kung maaari ay dalhin mismo sa bahay ang bakuna ng mga willing maturukan pero hindi kayang pumunta sa vaccination sites," Go said. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa gobyerno sa pagtugon sa ating apela na padaliin ang proseso ng pagbabakuna. The vaccine is the key to us achieving herd immunity, returning to normalcy, and overcoming the pandemic at the soonest possible time," he added. As of January 16, nearly 55.2 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated, according to the Department of Health. About 58.8 million individuals have obtained their first dose while 4.9 million have received a booster shot. The government has administered a total of 118.9 million COVID-19 doses since rollouts began last February. "I am calling on my fellow government workers, especially local chief executives, to ensure the continuous deployment of the vaccines. Let's take it upon ourselves to bring the vaccine rollout closer to those who may have trouble getting them, including persons with disabilities and those who live in rural and hard-to-reach areas," he appealed. Secretary Nograles explained in an interview that medical clearances will only be required of vaccinees with comorbidities, such as cancer and chronic diseases. Blood pressure screenings will no longer be necessary unless requested by the attending physician. To help accelerate the vaccine program, the senator had issued several appeals to the public and private sectors to come up with incentives to encourage those who remain hesitant to get their shots. "Kung ma-rerelax natin ang mga restrictions at ibang protocols, inaasahan natin na mas maraming sektor ng ekonomiya ang mabubuksan. Mas marami sa ating mga kababayan ang makakapaghanapbuhay at makakabalik sa kanilang mga trabaho muli. Ibig sabihin, mas maraming pamilya ang makabangon mula sa hirap na dulot ng pandemya," explained the lawmaker. "Subalit dahan-dahan nating gawin ito. Maingat nating balansehin ang buhay at kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino. Huwag nating biglaing buksan lahat at mahihirapan na naman ang ating healthcare system. Ayaw nating mag-back to zero tayo ngayong dumadami ang bilang ng mga kaso," he cautioned. "Kaya kung maraming mababakunahan, mas maaaring luwagan ang mga patakaran dahil mas maraming protektado mula sa sakit. Nasa datos naman na karamihan ng severe cases ay mga hindi bakunado," he added. The government aims to vaccinate 77 million Filipinos and complete the 12 to 17 age group before the end of the first quarter of 2022. It is also targeting to fully vaccinate 90 million Filipinos and provide 72.16 million individuals with booster shots by the second and third quarter, respectively. To do so, the government will seek to inoculate three million senior citizens and all remaining unvaccinated adults, the 25 million eligible for boosters, and minors at the soonest possible time. Following the entry of the Omicron variant late last year, the country experienced a sudden surge in COVID-19 infections. Health authorities reported 37,070 new infections on January 17 which brings the total number of active cases to 290,938. The tally shows a record high of active cases.
Historians have spent almost 80 years puzzling over how Jewish teenage diarist Anne Frank and her family were discovered by Nazi authorities in the Netherlands. Now, a group of researchers led by a former FBI agent say they may have identified the individual who betrayed them.

The most likely scenario, according to the cold case team, was that Arnold van den Bergh, a Jewish notary, tipped off authorities to the Frank family's hiding place in a secret annex of a building in Amsterdam.

Though they didn't present any direct evidence, the researchers suggested that van den Bergh may have been privy to lists of addresses where Jewish people had been hiding through his work on a Jewish council, and that he may have divulged the information to protect his own family.

The researchers also identified a typed copy of an anonymous note sent to Otto Frank, Anne's father, overlooked in previous investigations, that named the Franks' betrayer as Van den Bergh.

The Frank family hid alongside a handful of others, concealed behind a bookcase for about two years, to protect themselves from persecution. They were discovered in a police raid on Aug. 4, 1944. Anne was taken to Auschwitz and later to the Bergen-Belsen camp, where she and her elder sister Margot died in 1945 - just months before World War II ended.

Otto Frank was the only member of the family still alive when Auschwitz was liberated by Soviet troops. He later published his daughter's chronicles, which have since been translated into more than 70 languages.

Like millions of Americans, Vincent Pankoke read Anne's diary as a middle school student. He went on to work as a career investigator with the FBI, uncovering Colombian drug cartels and retracing the movements of the 9/11 hijackers. Now in retirement in Florida, he has been trying to crack the historic Frank case. Since 2016, he has looked for clues in the Netherlands, using modern artificial intelligence software to cross-reference millions of documents - police reports, lists of Nazi spies, investigative files - to find connections and new leads.

In an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" show on Sunday, he called the secret annex "the most visited crime scene in the world," with millions trying to learn more about the Holocaust and Anne.

"The team and I sat down and we compiled a list of ways in which the annex could have been compromised," he said. They considered more than 30 suspects in 20 different scenarios before focusing on Van den Bergh as the most likely culprit.

Pankoke acknowledged to CBS it was a "circumstantial case," but nonetheless added, "with all the evidence that we obtained, I think it's pretty convincing."

He said it was unlikely Van den Bergh knew the Franks personally or meant to out them in particular.

"There's no evidence to indicate that he knew who was hiding at any of these addresses. They were just addresses that were provided where Jews were known to have been in hiding," Pankoke said.

He suggested that Van den Bergh possibly gave up the Franks and others to save his own family from being transported to concentration camps, a difficult position.

"I'd call him a chess player," Pankoke said. "He thought in terms of layers of protection."

Van den Bergh died in 1950.

Otto Frank worked for years to find out who had betrayed his family - and may have found the answer before he died in 1980. But he never divulged it publicly. Pankoke's team suggested he may have decided to keep quiet about the note to avoid stoking anti-Semitism.

Details of their investigation were published Tuesday in a book, "The Betrayal of Anne Frank A Cold Case Investigation," by Canadian author Rosemary Sullivan. The investigation is also the subject of a documentary by filmmaker Thijs Bayens.

Sullivan told The Post on Tuesday from Toronto it was "likely" Van den Bergh was the "informant" but added that history shouldn't judge him too harshly, calling him a "victim" of war who was "put into such a terrible corner."

"I see Van den Bergh as a tragic figure," Sullivan said. "Look to the Nazis who set up the bureaucracy of control of the Jewish population  that's where the real evil lies."

With witnesses long dead and evidence lost, many experts say the mystery of the Franks' betrayer can never be conclusively solved. And while some historians welcomed the new findings, others criticized the investigation, saying it lacks evidence.

Dutch historian Bart van der Boom, of the University of Leiden, told The Washington Post by email on Tuesday that he was skeptical. He said Otto Frank's note was only "one piece of evidence" and that the idea that the Jewish Council had access to lists of addresses was a "very serious accusation," for which there was "virtually no evidence."

"In the end, the accusation is based solely on this anonymous denunciation. The rest is speculation," he told The Post. "Arnold van den Bergh will now probably forever be known as the man who betrayed Anne Frank," he added. "A bit sad, is it not?"

Johannes Houwink ten Cate, a professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at the University of Amsterdam, told Dutch media the team's conclusions were too speculative. "With great accusations comes great evidence. And there are none."

The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, a museum established in 1957 in cooperation with Otto Frank, said in a statement that although it was not involved in the cold case investigation, it did share its archives with the team.

"The Anne Frank House is impressed by the work that the cold case team has carried out. The investigation was carefully set up and performed," it said. Executive Director Ronald Leopold added that the investigation had "generated important new information and a fascinating hypothesis that merit further research."
By Keith Burbank

Bay City News

OAKLAND (BCN)

Oakland Unified School District officials are negotiating with students who walked out or stayed home Tuesday due to safety concerns around COVID-19 and feel they are meeting students' demands, a district spokesman said.

About 1,200 students signed a petition threatening to stay out of school Tuesday and until they get what they need to be safe, according to the petition. On Friday, they are planning to strike outside the school district's main office if their demands are not met by then.

The students said in their petition that the district must go back to distance learning until the number of COVID-19 cases goes down again. To ensure a safe learning space, the students also want KN95/N95 masks and weekly polymerase chain reaction, also known as PCR, testing. PCR testing is not a rapid COVID-19 test.

"We feel we have very robustly addressed their concerns," district spokesman John Sasaki said of the students demands.

Students previously demanded more outdoor spaces where they can eat safely when it rains.

Sasaki said district leaders have provided 200,000 masks in recent days. Work on the outdoor eating spaces is progressing and the district testing is as robust as any in the state. About 130,000 tests were performed by the district this past fall. Most of the testing is not PCR testing though.

Sasaki did not know how many students did not come to school Tuesday because of the boycott. The records were not immediately available.

Some students could not go to school if they wanted to because of a teacher "sickout." Enough teachers stayed home Tuesday to force the district to close Bridges Academy, an elementary school, Acorn Woodland Elementary School, and United for Success Academy, a middle school.

It's the third "sickout" by teachers at a variety of OUSD schools. The teachers, like the students, fear for their safety because of COVID-19.

Schools will not close because students walked out, Sasaki said.

The district believes school is the safest place for students who want to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Many people are vaccinated, masks must be worn, and the district has taken steps to create a safe environment through ventilation and air purification.

The district continues to follow all federal, state, and local public health guidance around the coronavirus, Sasaki said.

Students who walked out or stayed home Tuesday will be considered absent. But Sasaki said the district is "not looking to punish anybody."

Oakland Unified School District faces a loss of state funding because of the students' lack of attendance since funding is based on attendance.

Students organizing the boycott did not respond to a request for comment early Tuesday afternoon.

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By Sonia Waraich

San Jose Spotlight

A bill proposing a state single-payer health care system, which would be the first in the nation if passed, has a swell of public support. But it's unclear if that will be enough to make it over the finish line.

Assembly Bill 1400, also known as CalCare, would address issues such as the lack of transparency in medical billing and drug costs, advocates said. The legislation overcame its first major legislative hurdle last week when it passed the Assembly Health Committee on an 11-3 vote, with one abstention.

Salem Ajluni, a member of the Santa Clara County Single Payer Health Care Coalition, said it took a lot of public pressure to make that happen and the pressure hasn't stopped. AB 1400 needs to get out of the Assembly before the end of the month to make it to the Senate floor for discussion. It's set to be discussed by the Appropriations Committee on Thursday.

"It's going to be an uphill fight," said Ajluni, an economist who lives in San Jose and joined the coalition four years ago.

His interest was piqued after he had been turned down for health insurance while working as an independent consultant.

"Trying to find health care coverage and being denied, that wasn't an unusual occurrence before the Affordable Care Act," Ajluni said.

Even with the Affordable Care Act's passage, problems still lingered with the system. Navigation is still complicated and frustrating. Prescription costs are a mystery and medical procedures can run into the thousands of dollars, Ajluni said.

Ajluni and the single-payer coalition have been working with the California Nurses Association and a host of local groups to garner support for AB 1400, co-authored by local Assemblymember Ash Kalra.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the health care disparities in communities like East San Jose, which are among the hardest hit by the pandemic. In Western Santa Clara County, about 4,000 to 7,000 people out of every 100,000 are getting COVID-19, while in East San Jose it ranges from 14,000 to 18,000 infections per 100,000 people. A bill like this would ensure residents are better protected, Kalra said.

"Those workers that are suffering the most from COVID are also the ones that struggle the most with health care costs, whether they struggle with insurance or not," Kalra told San Jose Spotlight. "Ultimately health care is a human right and we've been denying health care to millions of Californians for many many years."

If approved, CalCare would replace and merge with other federal and state programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medi-Cal. It would get rid of copays, deductibles and premiums; expand coverage to all state residents regardless of citizenship status; and provide services above and beyond what's generally available through insurance, such as dental and long-term care.

Funding for state and federal programs would be redirected to CalCare, though the funding plan is in a separate bill. Kalra said that allows legislators to parse the details at a later time.

The heads of local health organizations aren't ready to speak in full support of the bill, though one is cautiously optimistic.

"Knowing who the authors are, they're all really good legislators," said Dolores Alvarado, CEO of Community Health Partnership, which serves about 225,000 low-income patients across 10 clinics. "So I can't believe that there's anything wrong with it. I just don't know yet."

Alvarado said she and others working in the health care space would like to see a town hall to address unanswered questions regarding AB 1400. On the same day the bill made it through the health committee, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan to build on Medi-Cal to provide insurance to more low-income undocumented immigrants.

Alvarado said it isn't clear if the two proposals are competing.

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With all but a few dozen decidedly nerdy states embracing legal cannabis, it looks as though were heading into a cultural renaissance with a big old dank nug at the helm.

As the stigma trailing weed continues to dissipate, a whole new generation of cannabis consumers is getting ready to acquaint themselves with a drug most grew up being told was pure evil by groups like D.A.R.E., the U.S. government, and those meddling kids from Bayside High. For the budding stoners, medical cardholders, and recreational users alike, this gear should help you master this misunderstood drug called cannabis.

Pardon the trite expression, but what youre shopping around for these days aint your grandpas weed. Weve entered a whole new phase in cannabis cultivation, extraction, and infusion technology that is totally changing the way we get high. Lets worry about that stuff later and stick to the methodology that has satisfied the human species for something like 2,500 years.

Lets start with the basics

Theoretically, the only tools you need to roll a great joint are your hands, some flower, and rolling ZIG-ZAGS. Grinding your weed into a uniform and even consistency not only improves the airflow within your joint (or bong or bowl) but promotes an overall cleaner smoking experience. Sackvilles 4-Tier Signature Grinder ($40) features diamond-sharp teeth that transform your bud into fluffy fresh cannabis while a mesh kief screen & bowl gives you something to stick into your bowl when youve run out of product.

A nice rolling tray keeps all your odds, ends, and stems in one place and can generally be found at any headshop across the country except maybe Utah? I get the impression they dont like weed. Zs Life Pearl ZTray ($100) is a bit pricier than the stuff youd find on Etsy, but its a lot more enticing than the infinite amount of Bob Marley-branded trays you see for a fraction of the price. LEUNEs bougie velvet toiletry bag ($18) and ceramic ashtray ($14) are a must-have if youre trying to escape that cringe-y 90s weed culture in lieu of one that has a bit more class.

Any indoor smoker can tell you that the smell of burning flower is hard to get rid of once you start puffing away. I keep this Cannabolish Cannabis Odor Removing Wintergreen Spray ($11.99) on hand so my wife doesnt think Im a cellar creature living in a den of smoke and gluttony.

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Skip Motsenbocker is the CEO of California cannabis company, Pacific Stone, which uses a large-scale greenhouse facility to cultivate more than a million square feet of marijuana for flower, pre-rolls, and cartridges. When it comes to dipping your toe into the vast green pond of pot, Skip thinks joints are a great way for newbies to test the waters.

Pre-rolled flower  its the original way to consume cannabis, says Skip, but the strain choice can be intimidating. Most dispensaries offer pre-rolls; joints that are pre-rolled for you that come ready to light up and puff. For those curious about the original experience, this is a great place to start, since you can consume a small amount, the effects are realized fairly quickly within minutes and the lasting effects tend to dissipate within an hour or so. Obviously, when you smoke more, the effects last, and you can safely choose your dosing and control the experience better.

Pacific Stone offers classic pre-rolls in both a two-pack tube and their best-selling 14-packs rolled from their greenhouse-grown flower.

If youve got the type of DIY or die mentality that accepts help from household appliances, Id highly recommend this old-school Powermatic Mini Manual Cigarette Injector ($22) or an all-in-one grinder/rolling machine Electric Smart Herb and Spice Grinder by Banana Bros for $149.

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Next-level smoking and vaping

As we venture into the world of concentrates where terms like dab, shatter, and wax dominate the conversation, getting to know your own preferences can really help you customize your experience.

I like to vape cannabis oils (as a distillate or live resin) because its smoother on the throat and all-around easier to do while going about my day. Kandypens slim, discrete, and freaking beautiful Special-K pen ($99.95) is compatible with most run-of-the-mill vape cartridges and wont make you look like some mall punk jerkoff with its compact size.

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If youre not one to limit yourself to one type of high, I highly recommend the dual-use PAX 3 ($250) which works with both herbs and concentrates.

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Vapes dose more consistently than flower with a rapid onset, continues Skip Motsenbocker, Think of this as an on-demand battery-operated joint; the difference is, this device is going to last quite a while and will be able to be used on many occasions. For beginners, Skip suggests an all-in-one battery/vape unit (like this Ooze pen) for easy, breezy, on-the-go vaping.

Ooze Ruby Red Quad 510 Thread 500 mAh Square Vape Pen Battery + USB Charger oozelife.com $24.99 Shop Now

When youre just getting started, adds Skip, lean-in with moderation, check your tolerance and proceed at your own comfort level. There are many companies offering a wide range of devices, with different strengths and strain choices. As with most things in life, moderation is key, so as you start your cannabis journey, moderate and enjoy!

People love Dr. Dabber because, well, they make it easy. I recently got my hands on their Stella Vape Pen ($99.95) which I then loaded up with some local Maine-cultivated "badder" for a high thats as strong as it is satisfying. A temperature range of 460 - 775 F heats that concentrate to the point of vaporization, which produces a highly potent product thats actually easier on the lungs than flower.

Omura, on the other hand, uses heat-not-burn technology with a dual-heat source oven inside that acts as the middle ground between smoking and vaping for a steady high thats easy to enjoy.

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"Omura is designed to create a buildable buzz where youre elevated but present, explains VP of Marketing at Omura, Shannon Reed. Each Omura Flowerstick is thoughtfully dosed to contain 150mg and lasts approximately three minutes per session.

With Omura, the risk of getting too stoned is replaced by the comfort of a carefully controlled buzz. Reed goes on to explain how the devices precision for a more controlled, consistent intake.

We suggest you start low and go slow, adds Reed, by starting with one Flowerstick and fine-tuning till it feels good."

Edibles & more!

Everyone either knows someone or is someone who, at one point or another, has had a bad time with edibles. Let me assure you that the edibles being sold these days are a completely different ballgame than the pot brownies your friends from high school ate. Valhalla, KIVA Confections, Kin Slips, Herve, and Dosist are just some of the companies producing delicious, interesting, and consistent products in the form of gummies, tinctures, chocolate, and sublingual strips that deliver a high you can play your day around.

Proper dose control and targeted formulas are essential for using cannabis as a powerful tool, says President and Chief Marketing Officer at dosist, Anne-Marie Dacyshyn. Pay attention to how your body responds when you opt for THC. Or, you can also start with the non-psycho-active cannabinoids, like CBD, CBG, and CBN, and work your way up to THC.

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For first-timers anxious about trying edibles, Anne-Marie suggests dosists Sleep gummies made with THC and CBN.

The formula is all-natural and helps you fall asleep and stay asleep longer, which makes everything better, says Anne-Marie.

You could always infuse your own oil, butter, or honey, with this LEVO ($289.99) for that extra bit of control over what you put in your body.

I think its important to first ask yourself what you want out of your cannabis experience, adds Anne-Marie, maybe you want to enjoy it recreationally or as a way to enhance overall health and wellness. If youre just starting out and have never consumed before, you absolutely should start low and go slow, which is one of the reasons I came to work at dosist. We pioneered a dose pen that vibrates and shuts off every time, after one microdose is released, to prevent over-inhaling, using formulas that target exactly how you want to feel.

In the low-stake journey that is enjoying cannabis, listen to body is one of the first steps in finding a way to experiment responsibly. And remember: try to have a good time.
Few celebrities have as complicated a legacy as Bill Cosby.

One of the most famous comedians of the 20th century, Cosby became an iconic father figure for many Americans during the eight-season run of "The Cosby Show." However, allegations of rape and sexual misconduct stretching back decades reached a head in 2018, when Cosby was convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault. He served three years of a three- to 10-year prison sentence but was released in mid-2021 after a court ruled that a previous "non-prosecution agreement" voided the verdict.

W. Kamau Bell, a Bay Area resident and host of the CNN show "United Shades of America," has directed a new four-part series for Showtime called "We Need to Talk About Cosby" that focuses on the comedian's place in pop culture. Like many, Bell saw Cosby as a hero when he was younger, but as accusations of sexual assault came to light, the actor's reputation as a role model was tarnished. A trailer released today shows Bell and other guests on the show unpacking clues that hinted at Cosby's alleged crimes early in his career.

The series is scheduled to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 22, then air on Showtime on Jan. 30, after which all episodes will be available to stream. Watch the trailer below.
Sharon, PA (16146)

Today

Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low near 55F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low near 55F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Sharon, PA (16146)

Today

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low around 55F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low around 55F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The Mason County Sheriffs Office is warning residents of a fraud/scam attempt that targeted a local person on Tuesday.

In a press release, Sheriff Kim Cole stated the scam involves a person claiming to be with Amazon, calling and asking individuals to verify a large purchase  $900 in the case of the Tuesday incident.

When told the purchase was not made, the caller asks the individual to hold in order to be sent to the fraud department, where someone will ask to verify personal information.

They actually do not have any of your information, but in the way they are asking you to verify, you are to assume they already have your information. This includes your full name, date of birth, Social Security number and banking information, Cole stated.

An email is then sent to the individual being targeted linking the Antitrust Commission to the so-called case in order to go after a criminal enterprise, which in this instance was a bank in Peru, according to Cole.

Cole said the caller will attempt to get people to transfer money into their checking accounts.

Know that during the verification process above, you unintentionally gave them your banking information. They will tell you they are using that money as bait money to catch the crooks in Peru but promise you all that money back, plus an additional 10% tax-free, Cole stated.

The email asks the recipient to keep the matter confidential.

The fraud attempt from Tuesday was unsuccessful, but Cole urged residents to never give personal information over the phone to people they dont know.

The attempted scam used run-on sentences, incorrect punctuation and bad grammar, which can be indicators of a fraud attempt. Cole also asked people to note the email address used, antitrust.gov.us@gmail.com.
Ludington, MI (49431)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 37F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 37F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
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As India renews its thrust on local manufacturing of electronics under the production-linked incentive scheme (PLI) with Union Budget 2022-23 around the corner, Apple and Samsung alone are expected to manufacture/assemble smartphones worth around $5 billion (nearly Rs 37,000 crore) in the financial year 2021-22.

The two giants are set to surpass the PLI targets set by the government by over 50 per cent, according to industry experts.

"The leading global value chains (GVC) firms have got off to a blazing start. Besides Pegatron and Bharat FIH which are now gearing up, the big three -- Wistron, Pegatron and Samsung -- will achieve significant production of $5 billion in 2022," Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), said.

Apple's contract manufacturers in India -- Foxconn and Wistron -- will avail the PLI incentives for the first time this year.

The iPhone maker's second biggest global manufacturer Pegatron is likely to commence operations in India this year.

Samsung, which has the world's largest mobile handset manufacturing factory in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, will avail the incentives under the scheme for the second year.

According to Mohindroo, Indian players like Lava, Padget Electronics (Dixon) and UTL also appear to be cracking the thresholds while "Opteimus and Bhagwati are gearing up".

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last year extended the PLI scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing with a focus on mobile phones by a year until 2025-26, though the base year of the scheme 2019-20 remains the same.

The PLI scheme provides an incentive of 4 per cent to 6 per cent on incremental sales of goods under target segments that are manufactured in India, for five years.

Apple and Samsung are also exporting locally-produced smartphones to the world like never before.

In 2021, the top countries that 'Make in India' iPhones were exported to include the UK (27 per cent), Japan (24 per cent), the Netherlands (23 per cent), Germany (7 per cent), Italy (4 per cent), Turkey (4 per cent) and the UAE (2 per cent), according to data by market research firm CMR.

The top countries that Samsung exported to from India in 2021 include the UAE (47 per cent), Russia (12 per cent), South Africa (7 per cent), Germany (5 per cent), Morocco (4 per cent) and the UK (3 per cent).

The introduction of the PLI scheme has given a positive thrust to India's participation and rise in the global value chains.

"With all the green shoots, the country expects exports from India to grow further in the coming years. Samsung and Apple's manufacturing partners have invested under the PLI scheme and both dominate mobile phone exports from India," said Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR.

For instance, Apple's share of iPhone exports from India stands at more than 4.6 million units in 2021, with exports to Europe, Japan and the Middle East, among others.

"Over the past four years, Apple's share of make-in-India iPhones has grown 15 times to reach 75 per cent in 2021," Ram said.

Apple has now started assembling its new flagship iPhone 13 in India. iPhone 13 is being assembled on trial basis at the Foxconn plant in Chennai, and will be available in the domestic market, as well as for exports from the country by early next year.

It is reportedly ramping up production of iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices in India and Vietnam to end its dependence on China.

The tech giant is already assembling its highest-selling models iPhone 12, iPhone 11 and XR in India, along with iPhone SE, 7 and 6S.

Apple started manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017 with iPhone SE.
Even as India has successfully handed over the BRICS Chair to China from January 2022, it will be hosting five international events through the year, it was decided at the 15th meeting of the BRICS Science Technology Innovation (STI) Steering Committee.

BRICS STI is a forum for the scientific community from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to discuss and deliberate on topics of common interest in the field of science and technology.

The calendar of BRICS STI activities and expected deliverables were discussed at the meeting organised virtually on Monday, a release from the Ministry of Science & Technology said on Tuesday.

The five high-level events that India will host are: BRICS Startups Forum's Working Groups meeting on Energy; Biotechnology & Biomedicine; ICT & High-Performance Computing and the STIEP (Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Partnership) Working Group Meeting, which will also witness the launch of BRICS innovation launchpad as a microsite (Knowledge Hub).

The BRICS STI Steering Committee meeting was attended by representatives from BRICS scientific ministries and foreign missions. The Indian delegation was led by Sanjeev Kumar Varshney, Advisor and Head, International Cooperation, Department of Science and Technology, the release said.

The Chinese side presented a broad outline of activities to be carried out during the entire year, which would mainly include thematic meetings, BRICS Young Scientist Conclave, senior official and ministerial-level meetings.

A total of 25 events have been planned, of which India will host five. The Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is the main executing agency for the BRICS Startups Forum and creation of innovation Knowledge Hub.

The BRICS Young Scientist Conclave will be held in September 2022 in a virtual format, and thematic focus areas will possibly be carbon peak neutralisation, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, material science and modern agriculture.

China has proposed to host the 10th BRICS S&T ministerial-level meeting and the Senior Official Meeting in September 2022. On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, an exhibition will be organised to showcase the outcomes of successful projects supported under the BRICS Framework Programme (2015-2022).
The government has started work on a new project that is likely to speed up delivery of myriad citizen services through the help of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), officials said.

The idea is to proactively take government services to citizens instead of waiting for them to pursue those services.

The project, called the Digital Government Mission, will break down silos and make government systems more intelligent, the officials said.

For instance, a student who qualifies for a government-funded scholarship scheme will get an automatic alert from the concerned department instead of making the student enquire about and apply for the same. Citizens will also have easier access to subsidised food grains through ration cards under the project, which is currently in advanced stages of talks within the Ministry of Electronics and IT. A proposal is likely to be drawn up soon, the officials added.

Currently, we are operating in silos. Many people are not aware of the benefits. This system will facilitate discovery of eligible people for the benefits and inform them proactively of the schemes for which they qualify, a senior government official stated.

The idea is that the benefits should be offered to citizens without them having to apply for it. This is the next phase of e-governance, the official said.

As per an interview , Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, had said that the ministry was creating a strategy note on digital government, which is in line with the Prime Minister's vision of accelerating the digitalisation of government.

In the last seven years, we have done a considerable amount of work on Digital India, and you've had successes like UPI, Aadhaar etc. But in the next three years, hopefully we will create a framework where we break down silos within the government. So, there is a digital government plan that is being architected and designed. It will become the next generation of e-governance, Chandrasekhar had said.

The overarching idea of trying to receive services without asking for them is the absolute need of the hour, and with AI and ML, the predictive part becomes easier, said Neel Ratan, former managing partner and head of government, at consultancy PwC. People should be able to get automatic renewals every time their driving licence or passports expire since all the data is already available with the government, he said.

At best, a message that seeks permission before someones passport is renewed or asks if changes need to be made, should be sent, while the rest of the process should be automatic, Ratan added.

Government should gradually extend this approach for getting all new entitlements as well. With the ability to interlink data, put AI, ML, the governance can become far easier. We can offer services in an integrated manner across services and departments because of which people will see tremendous benefits, he added.

The government launched the national e-governance mission over 15 years ago when it digitised scores of government services like passports, land records, certificates, income tax in mission mode.

Over the course of several years, almost all government services have been digitised.

However, there is a need for a common interface and make them interoperable.

We are also looking at platformization of the current projects. For instance, the health mission follows a platform approach where there is going to be one interface for all the major initiatives. Similar is the case for education, agriculture, transport, where we want to transform them into one domain, the government official said.

Currently, there are many applications, which have to be made seamless and features such as a single sign-in have to be introduced, the official added.

In 2020, the government released a discussion paper on a policy called National Open Digital Ecosystem (NODE).

This ambitious strategy is aimed at replicating the success of successful projects such as Aadhaar, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) and build platforms which not only help the government in improving governance and citizen delivery, but also enable private companies to build applications on top of such digital rails.

Preliminary estimates suggest that by 2030, NODEs have the potential to unlock over $500 billion in economic value together with tremendous societal and governance benefits. The time is truly ripe for India to take the lead and chart a course to unlock this potential, according to a discussion paper on the NODE policy.
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Michelle Grey is on a mission to solve one of the biggest problems in the burgeoning, hyperkinetic new world of NFTs: most of the actual art is rubbish.

As she puts it: NFTs get a bad rap because there is so much garbage.

Michelle Grey is co-founder of Culture Vault, a new NFT site.

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens  basically the cryptocurrency of art, where digital images or animations are linked to a unique, tradeable token  have had an explosion of interest and investment in the past year, pitched as revolution and democratisation in the hidebound, gatekeeper-replete visual art industry.

But works such as the Bored Apes, Cryptopunks and CryptoKitties that mostly seized the imagination of speculators and NFT pioneers are, to put it kindly, not exactly high art.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In the first episode of Wolf Like Me, Josh Gads Gary asks Isla Fishers Mary a question asked by many people throughout history: Why choose Adelaide? Its a question that might be posed to the show itself: precious few television programs have chosen the South Australian capital for their setting, especially those with this calibre of Hollywood firepower. I think it was the most isolated city they could think of to put these two human beings who are carrying all this baggage, says Fisher, which makes sense, given the answer to Garys question is that Mary has run as far away from her previous life as possible. If youre looking to leave the world behind, Adelaide seems like an ideal choice. Ironically, it was too far even for the production to go.I must confess I have never been to Adelaide, Fisher reveals. We shot it in Sydney! Sydneys impersonation is an admirable one, but the specifics of the city hardly matter: what shines through in Wolf Like Me  as one might expect from a show written and directed by local boy Abe Forsythe  is the pure Australianness of the setting. While Australian film and television history is rich with picturesque rural locales and stylish inner-city settings, the people who live here know that most of life in this country takes place in the sprawling suburbs, a truth recognised in Wolf Like Me. Isla Fisher says it was a gift to film in Australia. Credit:Joel Foffani Every Aussie will find striking familiarity in the humble suburban streets and slightly faded old houses in which much of the story takes place  while perhaps allowing themselves a swell of patriotic pride when the series finally broadens its horizons to the spectacular deserts at the continents heart. For Fisher, even though shes playing an American, the chance to return to her homeland to work was a gift. Its so nice, and I think its really important that we dont just shoot in Australia for other places  we do all these big films in Australia, but theyre set everywhere around the world.

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When you shoot something and you cast actual Australians and theyre doing their accent  Im not, but the rest of the cast is  you give an opportunity to show the rest of the world what Australia looks like. Obviously the outback is so legendary, but theres something about just showing a regular life in Australia that I think audiences will really connect to. [Mary is] the opposite of my personality. Im very gregarious, I love to socialise, I love to hang out with people. Of course, ordinary is a relative term. Wolf Like Mes lead characters may dwell humbly on quiet South Australian streets, but their lives are anything but average. Gary is a widower still crushed by grief and in despair at his inability to help his troubled daughter when he runs  literally  into Mary, a mysterious woman hiding a big secret that will make the couples blossoming relationship complicated, to say the least. It was Marys mystery that first attracted Fisher to the role. I read it and I thought wow, this is so weird and funny and cool and compelling. Anyone who knows me knows that I just love characters with a secret. Its just so much fun to play someone hiding something. In Mary she found a woman with a lot to hide: beneath a vibrant exterior, she carries around a wealth of pain, shame and regret. Gary (Josh Gad) and Mary (Isla Fisher) explore a blossoming romance in Wolf Like Me. Credit:Stan Wolf Like Me doesnt only examine the difficulties of a relationship between two people with loads of baggage, but also the question of how a person can live in the world when weighed down with guilt over past actions. Theres a depth to Mary that perhaps sets her apart from some of Fishers better-known comedic roles. I think drama and comedy kind of come from the same place from a performance perspective, because youre kind of trying to keep it real and grounded and present in the moment so you have access to your emotions. But I do feel like Mary is someone whos really grappling with shame in a really interesting way  and fear.

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I just really enjoyed playing someone who is so, so lonely  because thats the opposite of my personality. Im very gregarious, I love to socialise, I love to hang out with people. Marys someone who, because shes not really accepted herself and shes got all this shame and baggage, she has all these crazy eccentric hobbies that shes developed, but shes unable to communicate and be emotionally vulnerable and intimate. Its their respective baggage that first binds Gary and Mary together: the shared experience of living with the tragedy of their pasts leads the pair to recognise kindred spirits in one another, even if Gary has no idea just how different Marys traumatic history will turn out to be from his own. That guilt and shame is this heavy, heavy weight that she carries with her, that is in a way mirrored in Garys emotional baggage, says Fisher, who revelled in the fact that for all its mystery and strangeness, her role allowed her to portray something deeply relatable. I love that its a story that explores these modern messy relationships, and we all bring baggage into whatever relationship  whether it be romantic, a work relationship, friendships  we all come with our own experience. Its a romantic exploration of love and shame and fear  and then this really great crazy genre element. I hope people connect with it as much as I did because it was very creatively challenging working on this, and I loved it. Much of Wolf Like Me is set in suburbia, but the show comes into its own when the action moves to the outback. Credit:Stan When Forsythe flicks the switch, the show becomes much more than the sweet relationship drama. Its a white-knuckle ride for viewers.

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As noted below, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled the visa of unvaccinated tennis star Novak Djokovic on the basis he might pose a risk of stoking anti-vaccination sentiment in the community.

The world number ones lawyers argued in the Federal Court on Sunday that Mr Hawke had made a jurisdictional error because he was illogical, irrational or unreasonable in not considering whether cancelling Mr Djokovics visa may itself foster anti-vaccination sentiment in Australia.

The Federal Court  Chief Justice James Allsop and Justices Anthony Besanko and David OCallaghan  disagreed and said the decision was lawful.

The court said the Minister had no obligation to consider what would happen if Djokovic was expelled from the country, only what would happen if he remained in Australia.

It was not necessary for the Minister to consider and weigh in the balance the two binary choices contended for by Mr Djokovic.

The power to cancel relied upon by the Minister in this case arose once he was satisfied that the presence of [the visa] holder in Australia  may be  a risk to  the health, safety or good order of the Australian community.

No statutory obligation arose to consider what risks may arise if the holder were removed from, or not present in, Australia.

The court said, in any event, the Minister had been aware of any number of different consequences that might ensue if the visa were cancelled, including unrest, but hadnt regarded them as necessary to weigh in the balance.

In the courts final remarks, which are also noted below, it said that Parliament made clear in the Migration Act that the Minister may cancel a visa if he or she is satisfied that the presence of its holder in Australia may be a risk to the health or good order of the Australian community.

The Minister reached that state of satisfaction on grounds that cannot be said to be irrational or illogical or not based on relevant material, the court said.

Another person in the position of the Minister may have not cancelled Mr Djokovics visa. The Minister did. The complaints made in the proceeding do not found a conclusion that the satisfaction of the relevant factors and the exercise of discretion were reached and made unlawfully.
Twenty Australian Defence Force workers will drive ambulances in Victoria from Thursday, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the military is not equipped to prop up the states hospital system as it buckles from rising patient numbers and reduced staff due to COVID-19.

Victorias nurses union says hospitals need urgent military support to keep running, as the state enters an extraordinary statewide code brown emergency mode at noon on Wednesday.

Scott Morrison addresses the media at Parliament House. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

This is the first time a statewide code brown has been declared in Victoria for all major hospitals, signalling hospital and emergency services are at breaking point, with some medical wards losing up to half of their staff due to coronavirus exposures.

But Mr Morrison said the solution wasnt as simple as calling in the ADF.
Cian Buo-Jren Bowes father is Swiss and his mother is Taiwanese, so he spoke German and Mandarin before he encountered English at his Australian preschool. Ive always loved languages, he said. The patterns, the structures, understanding how they work.

His passion led the Sydney Grammar captain to a remarkable achievement: he was the only student to top the state in three subjects  French extension, German continuers and German extension  in the 2021 HSC.

Cian Buo-Jren Bowes from Sydney Grammar and Michelle Ung from Prairiewood High at the first in course awards Credit:Louise Kennerley

Like his peers, Cian spent a term of his final year learning remotely. It was tough, but he regarded it as enforced study. I had plenty of time on my hands, he said. I might otherwise have been tempted to go out with my friends.

Like Cian, Michelle Ung from Prairiewood High in Fairfield  the epicentre of last years devastating COVID-19 outbreak  drew on strength she did not know she had to stay motivated during her regions strict lockdown.
NSW has reported 30,825 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths as Premier Dominic Perrottet defends the governments management of the pandemic amid increased pressure on the states hospitals.

There are 2781 people in hospital with the virus, of whom 212 are in intensive care units.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says the government is confident it can manage the pressure on the healthcare system. Credit:Nick Moir

Of the new cases, 13,178 were detected from at-home kits and 17,647 from PCR tests.

The numbers are a decrease on the 32,297 infections and 2863 hospitalisations reported on Wednesday.
Charlise was on holiday at Mr Steins remote Mount Wilson family property, Wildenstein. She was visiting from Queensland, where she resided with her grandmother.

Mr Stein briefly appeared in Central Local Court on Wednesday morning where he was formally refused bail.

Charlises biological father Scott Hensby wrote in an emotional Facebook post to his daughter that he would get answers for you.

Goodbye you beautiful little girl. I love you so much. I miss you every day! You have captured the hearts of the nation and the world, and now those hearts are breaking, with mine. This doesnt happen! Kids need to be safe. What is wrong with you people???? We will get the answers for you baby, and we will honour you properly. This is not the end of you or your story Charlise, he wrote on Wednesday morning.

Police wish to speak to Ms Mutten, but have been prevented from doing so because she is in hospital.
International travellers arriving in Queensland are more likely to catch COVID-19 locally than bring it into the state, experts say.

The state government has announced it will allow fully vaccinated Queensland residents arriving from overseas to enter without the need for quarantine from 1am this Saturday.

The announcement came shortly after the federal government outlined its plan to entice international students and backpackers back to Australia with a rebate on their visa fees.

Coronavirus, particularly its highly contagious Omicron variant, continues to spread rapidly throughout Queensland since the state government opened domestic borders to vaccinated travellers in the lead-up to Christmas.
The Tongan government has released images showing the scale of the damage to the archipelago from a massive tsunami that swamped the islands after an undersea volcano erupted on Saturday.

The images, showing children among the debris, ash covering cars and homes ripped to the ground, were released as HMAS Adelaide was docked at Brisbane before heading to the battered island with supplies.

The Tongan consulate has released images of the damage to Nukualofa, the islands capital. Credit:Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga

A C-17 plane took off from Amberley, south-west of Ipswich in Queensland, on Thursday morning with humanitarian relief, and to assess damage to the runway, which was covered in ash.

The Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga released images online overnight of parts of Nukualofa severely damaged, saying the region was covered in volcanic ash from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano, just 65 kilometres from the capital, Nukualofa.
Removalists are cancelling hundreds of home moves due to worker shortages caused by COVID-19, with the situation plunging households into limbo and delaying settlement dates.

Tim Bishop, director of Man with a Van, said half his 150 employees were sick with COVID-19 or isolating. He has had to cancel about 100 moves over the past fortnight.

Tim Bishop, director of removalist company Man with a Van, says half his staff are out of action. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Its devastating, he said. Its the worst conversation to have. You have settlements that are falling through  most of the time when people are ready to move, they cant do it the next day or next week. Its all timed to that day.

Mr Bishop said most of his employees were in their 20s and 30s  a demographic hard hit by the virus.
We thank Victorians for their patience ... well keep working to have other services rostered as soon as we can. State orders 166 million more rapid antigen tests The Victorian government has placed an order for 166 million more rapid antigen tests and revealed it is investigating the possibility of manufacturing the sought-after kits in Victoria. What weve already received and had at the beginning is enough to get us through for a number of months, Mr Andrews said.

Were also working on whether we can manufacture and boost some of the local manufacturing thats already occurring. The order follows the arrival of 3 million kits last Sunday and 4.5 million additional tests earlier this week as part of an order of 44 million testing units. To date, 2.2 million of those have been distributed to health services and community groups working with at-risk Victorians. Mr Andrews said the order would be complemented by Victorias 2.5 million share of the national medical stockpile. There are two critical ways we can drive our COVID-19 numbers down  get your vaccine dose to better protect yourself and the community and isolate if you test positive on a rapid test or a PCR test, Mr Andrews said.

Loading It has never been easier to get your third dose. If you had your second vaccine dose in October you can now go and get your third dose at a state-run centre. Since the states RAT reporting system opened on January 7, almost 180,000 Victorians have lodged positive results. Classrooms will look different, but they will open: Andrews State and territory leaders met on Thursday to discuss a pandemic safety plan for schools ahead of the start of the 2022 school year.

The Omicron surge has forced politicians and health authorities to consider introducing new measures into schools to keep students and staff safe. Mr Andrews said on Thursday morning that he did not want to make an announcement ahead of national cabinet, citing ongoing discussions. However, he said Victoria was working with NSW to develop a shared back-to-school plan, which would focus on face-to-face teaching from term 1. We are doing our best to operate as close to normal as possible, but I foreshadow really clearly it may look different, he said.

Loading He said furloughed staff would strain many schools. We might see some people teaching classes that they wouldnt normally teach, but again, all of that is, I think, is secondary to the main aim, and that is to have our kids back in the classroom as safe as we can on day one. Speaking after the national cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the issue of schools had been discussed and that the overarching view was to get children into classes and keep them there. Vaccination program a three-dose project

Mr Andrews also indicated a third coronavirus jab could be upgraded from an optional booster to an essential requirement of being fully immunised. However, at his afternoon press conference, Mr Morrison said the issue of boosters was still under consideration. Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation was meeting weekly and third doses had been discussed on Wednesday. Professor Kelly reiterated the importance of getting a booster shot, but said there were a number of implementation issues that need to be considered ...  Provisional approval given to COVID-19s first oral treatments

Loading Australias drug regulator has granted provisional approval to two oral treatments for COVID-19. The Therapeutic Goods Administration says it has given the tick of approval to: Paxlovid, tablets produced by Pfizer; and

Lagevrio, capsules produced by American pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. This means both brands will provide the first oral treatments for coronavirus approved for use in Australia. However, the TGA says the pills and tablets are not substitutes for vaccines.

The treatments are designed for people who have coronavirus and are at risk of hospitalisation or death (but dont require oxygen). The TGA says either medicine should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis and within five days of the start of symptoms. In both cases, the treatment is taken twice a day for five days. Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday morning. Credit:Luis Ascui The TGA also approved the use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine as a primary, two-dose course for adults. Almost 1 million Australians  5 per cent of people aged over 16 years  are yet to receive a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Neither medicine is recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is recommended that people with childbearing potential use contraception during the course of their treatment. Paxlovid must also not be used with a number of other commonly used medicines, according to the TGA. The drug regulator says the federal government has secured 500,000 courses of Paxlovid and 300,000 courses of Lagevrio so far this year. The first shipments of both medicines are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Thousands of health workers furloughed

Almost 4000 Victorian healthcare workers are still unable to work due to testing positive for COVID-19 or caring for others infected with the virus. However, COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said the relaxation of quarantine exemption arrangements for people in critical industries had seen 500 workers return to work in the past 24 hours. Mr Weimar said the states testing numbers were also beginning to stabilise after a peak over the festive period that saw thousands of people line up for hours outside testing sites and long waits for test results. Were now seeing [coronavirus testing] waiting times well under half-an-hour, on average, across our entire network, Mr Weimar said. Thats getting into the zone that weve always been in, the zone we want to stay in.

There are approximately 200,000 COVID-19 vaccination appointments available across state-run clinics over the coming weeks, including 54,000 slots of children aged five to eleven. States active cases hit 246,894 There are now 246,894 active COVID-19 infections across Victoria. There are 1206 patients in hospital, with 122 in intensive care and 40 on a ventilator. The 15 people who died with the virus were aged in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Their deaths bring the total number in the state since the pandemic began to 1751.

Loading Of the new cases announced by health authorities on Thursday, 11,693 were diagnosed through PCR testing and another 10,273 were self-reported results from rapid antigen tests. Of the people who self-reported positive rapid antigen test results, about 63 per cent took the tests on Wednesday. About 19 per cent took the tests on Tuesday and the remainder of people took the tests over the previous five days. More than 22,266 Victorians received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at state-run sites on Wednesday, increasing the states vaccine coverage to more than 93 per cent for people aged 12 and over. To date, 27 per cent of eligible Victorians have received a booster shot. Victorians made 115,000 bookings to get a dose of the coronavirus vaccine over the past week. About 77,000 of those were for booster shots and 36,000 for children getting their first dose.
More than 100 GPs and pharmacies across the state will also provide additional appointments during the vaccine blitz. To date, almost half of Victorians aged 70 and over have received a third dose of the vaccine, compared with 37 per cent of those in their 60s and 33 per cent of those in their 40s and 50s. Professor Rhonda Stuart, an infectious disease expert who runs the Health Departments South Eastern Public Health Unit, said boosted patients were less likely to get infected with the virus and showed less evidence of symptomatic infection. Professor Stuart said fewer than 5 per cent of patients in intensive care units across the state had received a third dose.

Weve learnt a lot over the last two years. Weve learnt how to manage COVID and weve learnt a lot about how to control COVID, she said. I think the most important lesson that were here to discuss today is immunisation and the importance of booster vaccination. Professor Stuart also warned people against getting COVID and getting it over and done with saying immunity after infection waned quicker than that provided by vaccination. My advice would be that is not the way to go, she said. We are seeing young, fit, healthy people being admitted to hospital with Omicron, we are seeing people being admitted to ICU with Omicron.

Loading But also we are seeing people very sick in the community being bed-bound, having high fevers, shaking, chills, terrible muscle aches. I wouldnt wish that upon anybody. She urged people to get their booster shot as soon as they recovered from illness. We know now that Omicron is 10 times more likely to reinfect somebody than Delta. Victoria recorded 20,769 COVID-19 cases and 18 deaths on Wednesday as the states hospitals, buckling under the Omicron wave, activated code brown emergency protocols. The people who died were aged in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, and their deaths bring the total number in the state since the pandemic began to 1737.

The state government declared the emergency code on Tuesday morning after a record number of coronavirus patients and widespread furloughing of staff threatened to overwhelm Victorias struggling health system. Under the code brown alert  normally reserved for shorter-term emergencies like bushfires  hospitals can cancel the leave of healthcare workers to plug staff shortages. It will apply to all metropolitan hospitals and six regional hospitals. Premier Daniel Andrews providing a COVID-19 update Credit:Simon Schluter Acting Health Minister James Merlino said on Tuesday that hospitalisations would peak in the coming weeks, with more than 2500 patients expected to be in hospital at one time and up to 100 new admissions per day. Our hospital system is under extreme pressure, and the risks were now seeing in COVID hospitalisations is testament to that, Mr Merlino said.

Victorian Department of Health COVID-19 deputy public health commander Claire Boardman, who was intending to run as an independent candidate in outgoing Health Minister Greg Hunts seat of Flinders, announced on Wednesday she would not contest the upcoming federal election. Loading I believe I can better support the community in the Victorian Department of Health, working with all three levels of government to help Australians through these very fragile times, Ms Boardman said in a statement. There were about 800 Victoria Police officers isolating because of COVID-19 on Wednesday, although the force said the shortage was not affecting service delivery. While Victoria Police has received an initial supply of rapid antigen tests and more are expected shortly, we have not yet been able to source a consistent and reliable supply to cover the number that would be required to test all employees currently isolating, the force said in a statement.

It is hoped these supply chain issues will be resolved in the next few weeks. What is a code brown? Code brown is a measure to relieve pressure on hospitals.

The measure is typically reserved for sudden, short-term emergencies, such as a train crash or bushfire (for example, a code brown was called during the 2016 thunderstorm asthma event).

During a code brown, hospitals can cancel their staffs leave to ensure an adequate workforce is on hand.

They can also defer less urgent services.

This code brown starts at noon on Wednesday. Its expected to last for between four and six weeks.

It will apply to all metropolitan public hospitals. In regional Victoria, Geelongs Barwon Health and the Grampians, Bendigo, Goulburn Valley, Albury Wodonga and Latrobe Regional health groups are also included. Private hospitals have the option of calling their own code brown. There are now 253,827 active COVID-19 infections across Victoria. There are 1173 patients in hospital, with 125 in intensive care and 42 on a ventilator. Steven McGloughlin, intensive care director at The Alfred hospital, told radio station 3AW his ward was feeling the strain of the Omicron wave. Associate Professor McGloughlin said about half of the patients admitted to the unit had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and a small number of them were fully vaccinated against the virus.

There are people in intensive care that have had two shots, even a few people were three shots, he said. But when you look at the ... millions of people that are vaccinated in Victoria, and the proportion of people coming into ICU, its extremely clear that vaccination is protective. Loading Associate Professor McGloughlin welcomed the declaration of the code brown, saying it would help the system as a whole. But he added further action was needed to prevent the cancellation of surgeries in the future. This has gone on for a long time now, and we really need to address that. Of the new cases announced by health authorities on Wednesday, 10,726 were diagnosed through PCR testing and another 10,043 were self-reported results from rapid antigen tests.

Of the people who self-reported their positive result, about 62 per cent took their rapid antigen tests on Tuesday. About 19 per cent took their tests on Monday, while the remainder took them over the previous five days. The latest cases come as shortages of at-home rapid tests continue to pose a major challenge across the nation. A survey released by Professional Pharmacists Australia on Tuesday revealed more than 90 per cent of chemists were struggling to secure a steady supply of the sought-after kits. Meanwhile, Australias health watchdog is investigating reports retailers are selling repackaged rapid antigen kits for a premium, despite warnings of multimillion-dollar penalties for companies that breach labelling rules. The probe follows reports petrol stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets are selling the sought-after kits inside zip-lock bags, sometimes missing crucial components for their correct use. Readers who contacted this masthead reported instances where tests had been sold inside individual envelopes without the testing tube used to hold the chemical solution into which the swab should be dipped to obtain a result. Others spoke of purchasing kits inside sandwich bags and being asked to photograph the instructions.

More than 22,121 Victorians received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at state-run sites on Tuesday, increasing the states vaccine coverage to more than 93 per cent for people aged 12 and over. To date, 26 per cent of eligible Victorians have received a booster shot. Victorians made 115,000 bookings to get a dose of the coronavirus vaccine over the past week. About 77,000 of those were for booster shots and 36,000 for children getting their first dose. As of Tuesday, there were more than 175,000 vaccination appointments available across Victoria over the next month, including 44,000 slots for children. New regulations introduced on Wednesday mean crucial workers in the emergency services, education, critical utilities, custodial facilities, transport, and freight sectors no longer need to quarantine if they come in close contact with a confirmed virus case.
Dont go off to things that are people just rabbiting on Facebook and social media and all the rest of it, youre not going to find answers there, he said. Go to the credible sources information on vaccines, and George Christensen is not one of them. Dont listen to him. He is not a doctor, he cant tell you what to do with vaccines ... He is allowed to speak his mind, but Australians shouldnt be listening to it. Mr Morrison said people should not amplify Mr Christensens anti-vaccination views by drawing attention to them. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, the Nationals leader, told journalists in Brisbane he had spoken to Mr Christensen on Tuesday and Wednesday, but would not reveal details of the conversations.

I dont intend to go on a tirade about Mr Christensen because it serves no purpose, he said. The only thing that serves a purpose is to talk one-on-one with Mr Christensen. Mr Joyce said Mr Christensens views are not backed up by the medical evidence. Ive been double vaccinated, Mr Joyce said. Ive got no problems if children are vaccinated, because people who are vastly wiser than me and have studied immensely in that field have given me the confidence. Deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud labelled Mr Christensens comments irresponsible and inappropriate, tweeting: The only advice parents should take on vaccinating their children is from a doctor. Former Nationals leader Michael McCormack described Mr Christensen as a conspiracy theorist who should be pulled into line.

Darren Chester, the Nationals MP for Gippsland, tweeted: Mr Christensens comments are reckless, irresponsible and ill-informed ... just more of the same conspiracy theory crap. Loading The Queensland MP, who has announced he will not contest the next election, released a podcast on Tuesday under the title Do NOT vax your children, accompanied by an interview with Dr Robert Malone, whose views on COVID-19 vaccinations have been debunked. LNP Senator Gerard Rennick, who has said COVID-19 vaccinations amount to experimenting on children, is also on the joint standing committee with Mr Christensen. Before Mr Christensens announcement that he would step down from the parliamentary committee, opposition health spokesman Mark Butler said the MP and others, such as Senator Rennick and Alex Antic, were using government resources to promote these deeply dangerous and divisive messages.

George Christensen is the chair of a very important parliamentary committee, giving him status, giving him extra resources, extra salary, at the nomination of Scott Morrison, he told the ABC. Loading He continues to hold this position, he continues to be welcomed into the party room. Its time for some action, not just words from Scott Morrison. Labor frontbencher Katy Gallagher, whose daughter had COVID-19 last year, on Wednesday said it made her absolutely furious to see the government accepting Mr Christensens vote. She called on the Coalition to boot him out. He gets a bit of a slap down in terms of his comments, but then the government goes on as normal, Senator Gallagher told the ABC.

The vaccine is safe. Its been through all the processes it needs to go through ... Kids need it and parents should feel confident when theyre taking their children to get it, not scared by some of this misinformation. On Friday Mr Christensen is set to appear at an online event hosted by an anti-vaccination group alongside fellow Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan and South Australian Liberal Senator Alex Antic. Former government MP Craig Kelly and One Nations Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts are also due to attend. The Pray and Pushback online event series, organised by disgraced former Hillsong and C3 Churches pastor Pat Mesiti, promotes anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination propaganda. A spokesman for Senator Canavan confirmed the event was in the senators diary, but said he did not intend to push an anti-vaccination message, only stand up against vaccine mandates. He believes that he should be talking to everyone because if you ignore them, theyre never going to listen to you anyway, the spokesman said.

Mr Mesiti has posted on his Instagram account comparing Mr Morrison to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over his support of vaccine mandates. Labor seized on the participation of government politicians in the online forum as evidence the Prime Minister could not control his MPs. Mr Morrison cannot pretend that he is a wolf, tough on Novak Djokovic and his anti-vaccination views, but a lamb in front of his own party room, unwilling to tell George Christensen and senators Canavan and Antic to pull out of this event ... the Prime Minister is utterly spineless, Labor frontbencher Kristina Keneally said. This is a test for Mr Morrison  he is either on the side of the 92 per cent of Australians who have rolled up their sleeves and gotten vaccinated, or he supports his mates in his government spreading anti-vaccination propaganda on the taxpayer dime. While advising people to ignore Mr Christensen, Mr Morrison said on Wednesday: We cant go around locking people up for what they say as Australians. Im sure the media wouldnt be suggesting were doing that. He declined to comment further.
As many as 56,000 international students and 24,000 backpackers are expected to take advantage of a visa fee refund scheme in the coming months, as part of a federal government bid to lure them back to Australia to help revive the economy and plug critical worker shortages.

Overseas students and backpackers who arrive in Australia will be able to apply for the rebate scheme from Wednesday, which will be worth $630 for students and run for eight weeks and worth $495 for working holidaymakers, running for twelve weeks.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a visa rebate scheme to entice international students and backpackers back to Australia to help fill critical worker shortages. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Announcing the measure on Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison pitched the scheme as a thank you to students for coming back and continuing to choose Australia, and called for backpackers to come on down.

But we also want them to come here and be able to fill some of these critical workforce shortages, particularly those who are working and being trained in healthcare, aged care, those types of sectors, that will be incredibly helpful, Mr Morrison said.
Support for the state Labor government has lifted to near its highest level since the last election despite surging coronavirus case numbers and growing pessimism about the outlook for Victoria.

After a torrid two years punctuated by lockdowns, political turmoil and the Omicron surge, Labor has retained a strong election-winning lead over the Coalition as it gears up to fight for a third term at the November 2022 state election.

According to the latest Resolve Political Monitor, conducted exclusively for The Age, 46 per cent of Victorian voters surveyed said Premier Daniel Andrews had managed the pandemic well.

That was well down from the 57 per cent recorded in August last year  before the Omicron wave sent the state into what has been described as a shadow lockdown. However, in broad terms, it suggests Mr Andrews muscular approach to the pandemic has left him in a relatively strong position compared with other state and federal leaders.
Most Australians have probably not thought about the former Soviet republic of Ukraine since 2014 when Russian-backed separatists shot down a Malaysian Airlines jet over its territory, killing 298 passengers and crew, including 27 Australians.

The political instability which led to that tragedy has not gone away. The low level civil war between the Ukrainian government and the separatists in the countrys Donetsk region on Russias border has rumbled on and in the past month, Russia has amped up the tension.

While Russia has previously just sent volunteers and covert supplies of weapons into Ukraine, Western intelligence agencies say the regular Russian army is now holding threatening military manoeuvres on Ukraines borders. Russian diplomats are saying they cannot tolerate the status quo which leaves Ukraine as a pro-Western threat on its border. Russian media is inventing stories about atrocities against Ukraines large Russian-speaking minority.

Russias view of Ukraine is somewhat similar to Chinas claims on Taiwan. Russia, which dominated Ukraine for 250 years, has never fully accepted the independent status Ukraine achieved in 1991 and feels that the country should be part of its sphere of influence.

At talks between Russia, the US and its NATO allies over the past week, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he wants a veto on all NATO troop movements in Eastern Europe and on internal Ukrainian affairs which affect his interests.
Blinken did not elaborate, but Russia has sent an unspecified number of troops from the countrys far east to its ally Belarus, which also shares a border with Ukraine, for major war games next month. Blinken also reiterated Washingtons demands for Russia to de-escalate the situation by removing its forces from the border area, something that Moscow has flatly refused to do. And, Blinken said he wouldnt give Russia the written response it expects to its demands when he and Lavrov meet in Geneva. Meanwhile, a top Russian diplomat said Moscow would not back down from its insistence that the US formally ban Ukraine from ever joining NATO and reduce its and the alliances military presence in Eastern Europe. A convoy of Russian armoured vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea on January 18. Credit:AP Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow had no intention of invading Ukraine but that its demands for security guarantees were non-negotiable.

The US and its allies have said the Russian demands are non-starters that Russia knows they are and that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using them in part to create a pretext for invading Ukraine, which has strong ethnic and historical ties to Russia. The former Soviet republic aspires to join the alliance, though has little hope of doing so in the foreseeable future. The stalemate left little hope that Blinken and Lavrovs meeting, which follows a series of inconclusive talks last week, will ease tensions that have been rising since last year but have soared in the past weeks with increased Russian military activity. The US has not concluded whether Putin plans to invade or whether the show of force is intended to squeeze the security concessions without an actual conflict. In Kyiv, Blinken urged Western nations to remain united in the face of Russian aggression. He also reassured Ukraines leader of NATO support while calling for Ukrainians to stand strong.

Blinken told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the US and its allies were steadfast in backing his country and its democratic aspirations against Russian attempts to incite division and discord through relentless aggression. Our strength depends on preserving our unity and that includes unity within Ukraine, he told Zelensky. I think one of Moscows long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within our countries, and quite simply we cannot and will not let them do that. The Biden administration had said earlier it was providing an additional $US200 million in defensive military aid to Ukraine. Blinken said more assistance is coming and that it would only increase should Russia invade. French President Emmanuel Macron called on fellow members of the European Union on Wednesday to work together to draw up proposals for a new security deal with Russia in the coming weeks involving a frank dialogue with Moscow.

Macron did not spell out what the new stability and security order he is seeking could entail, but said it must ensure Europe defends its interests. We will make sure that Europe makes its unique and strong voice heard, he told the European Parliament as he laid out Frances priorities for its sixth-month EU presidency. French President Emmanuel Macron wants European-led peace talks. Credit:AP Some European states fear they are being bypassed and their security concerns ignored as Russia deals directly with Washington in security talks over the continent - with some coordination with the EU. It is good that Europeans and the United States coordinate, but it is necessary that Europeans conduct their own dialogue, Macron said. We must put together a joint proposal, a joint vision, a new security and stability order for Europe.

Europeans would share the proposal with NATO allies before discussing it with Russia, he said. A proponent of the EU having its own strategic autonomy in the field of defence, Macron added that the bloc must bring itself to a position to make sure it can be respected, including by making sure it is not too dependent on Russia for its energy supplies. Loading Macron, who faces an election in three months time, said that France and Germany want to continue seeking a solution to the tensions over Ukraine in talks with both Russia and Ukraine. A bid by Macron for better ties between the European Union and Russia in July 2019 failed as former Soviet Baltic countries feared a Russian trap to win concessions from the bloc.
Washington: People who had previously been infected with COVID-19 were better protected against the Delta variant than those who were vaccinated alone, suggesting that natural immunity was a more potent shield than vaccines against that variant, California and New York health officials reported on Wednesday.

Protection against Delta was highest, however, among people who were both vaccinated and had survived a previous COVID infection, and lowest among those who had never been infected or vaccinated, the study found.

SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, which cause COVID-19. Credit:AP

Nevertheless, vaccination remains the safest strategy against COVID-19, according to the report published in US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The results do not apply to the Omicron variant of the virus, which now accounts for 99.5 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the United States.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a plenary public session on Wednesday January 19, 2022.

The plenary public meeting is scheduled for 10.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Council of Ministers will be present.

The agenda points are:

1. Incoming documents

2. Ontwerplandsverordening tot vaststelling van de Begroting van het land Sint Maarten voor het dienstjaar 2022 (Landsverordening begroting 2022) (IS/352/2021-2022 d.d. 8 december 2021) (ZJ 2021-2022-152)

(Draft National Ordinance stipulating the Budget of the Country for the year 2022 (National Ordinance Budget 2022) (IS/352/2021-2022 dated December 8, 2021) (Parliamentary Year 2021-2022-152)

Due to measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the House of Parliament is only allowing persons with an appointment to enter the Parliament building.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 115, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and Parliaments Facebook page: Parliament of Sint Maarten.
Edith (Edi) Marie Smith, daughter of the late Glen Lester and Dorothy Jane Allison, was born in Youngstown, OH on Friday, October 11th, 1963, and she departed this life on Saturday, April 30th, 2022, having attained the age of 59 years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death b
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An artist's illustration of NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, the farthest human-built object from Earth, which launched in 1977 and reached interstellar space in 2012.

Voyager 1 is the first spacecraft to reach interstellar space. It originally launched (along with its twin, Voyager 2) in 1977 to explore the outer planets in our solar system. However, it has remained operational long past expectations and continues to send information about its journeys back to Earth.

The spacecraft entered interstellar space in August 2012, almost 35 years after its voyage began. The discovery wasn't made official until 2013, however, when scientists had time to review the data sent back from Voyager 1.

Voyager 1 was actually the second of the twin spacecraft to launch, but it was the first to race by Jupiter and Saturn. The images Voyager 1 sent back have been used in schoolbooks and by many media outlets for a generation. The spacecraft also carries a special record that's designed to take voices and music from Earth out into the cosmos.

Voyager 2 launched on Aug. 20, 1977, and Voyager 1 launched about two weeks later, on Sept. 5. Since then, the two spacecraft have been traveling along different flight paths and at different speeds. The Voyager missions took advantage of a special alignment of the outer planets that happens just once every 176 years. This alignment allows spacecraft to gravitationally "slingshot" from one planet to the next, making the most efficient use of their limited fuel.

Voyager 1's next big encounter will take place in 40,000 years, when the probe comes within 1.7 light-years of the star AC +79 3888. (The star is roughly 17.5 light-years from Earth.) However, Voyager 1's falling power supply means it will probably stop collecting scientific data around 2025.

Voyager at 40: 40 photos from NASA's epic 'Grand Tour' mission

Voyager 1 facts at a glance  Voyager 1's body is about the size of a subcompact car, though the boom for its magnetometer instrument extends 42.7 feet (13 meters).

 At launch, the probe weighed 1,797 pounds (815 kilograms). Its mass has decreased a bit over time as the probe has burned its fuel.

 It launched on Sept. 5, 1977, to study the Jupiter and Saturn systems in depth. Voyager 1 flew by Jupiter on March 5, 1979 and cruised past Saturn on Nov. 12, 1980.

 Voyager 1 entered interstellar space on Aug. 25, 2012, becoming the first human-made object ever to do so.

 As of January 2022, Voyager 1 is about 14.5 billion miles (23.3 billion kilometers) from Earth. That's roughly 156 times the distance from our planet to the sun.

The Grand Tour

NASA originally planned to send two spacecraft past Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto and two other probes past Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. Budgetary reasons forced the agency to scale back its plans, but NASA still got a lot out of the two Voyagers it launched.

Voyager 2 flew past Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, while Voyager 1 focused on Jupiter and Saturn.

NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft launched in August and September 1977. Aboard each spacecraft is a golden record, a collection of sights, sounds and greetings from Earth. There are 117 images and greetings in 54 languages on each record, with a variety of natural and human-made sounds like storms, volcanoes, rocket launches, airplanes and animals. (Image credit: NASA)

Recognizing that the Voyagers would eventually fly all the way to interstellar space, NASA authorized the production of two Golden Records to be placed on board the spacecraft. Sounds ranging from whale calls to the music of Chuck Berry were placed on board, as well as spoken greetings in 55 languages.

The 12-inch-wide (30 centimeters), gold-plated copper disks also included pictorials showing how to operate them and the position of the sun among nearby pulsars (a type of fast-spinning stellar corpse known as a neutron star), in case extraterrestrials someday stumbled onto the spacecraft and wondered where they came from.

Both spacecraft are powered by three radioisotope thermoelectric generators, devices that convert the heat released by the radioactive decay of plutonium to electricity. Both probes were outfitted with 10 scientific instruments, including a two-camera imaging system, multiple spectrometers, a magnetometer and gear that detects low-energy charged particles and high-energy cosmic rays. Mission team members have also used the Voyagers' communications system to help them study planets and moons, bringing the total number of scientific investigations on each craft to 11.

Eye on Jupiter

Voyager 1 almost didn't get off the ground at its launch, as its rocket came within 3.5 seconds of running out of fuel on Sept. 5, 1977.

But the probe made it safely to space and raced past its twin after launch, getting beyond the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter before Voyager 2 did. Voyager 1's first pictures of Jupiter beamed back to Earth in April 1978, when the probe was 165 million miles (266 million kilometers) from home.

To NASA's surprise, in March 1979 Voyager 1 spotted a thin ring circling the giant planet. It found two new moons as well  Thebe and Metis. Additionally, Voyager 1 sent back detailed pictures of Jupiter's big Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto) as well as Amalthea.

Like the Pioneer spacecraft before it, Voyager's look at Jupiter's moons revealed them to be active worlds of their own. And Voyager 1 made some intriguing discoveries about these natural satellites. For example, Io's many volcanoes and mottled yellow-brown-orange surface showed that, like planets, moons can have active interiors.

Additionally, Voyager 1 sent back photos of Europa showing a relatively smooth surface broken up by lines, hinting at ice and maybe even an ocean underneath. (Subsequent observations and analyses have revealed that Europa likely harbors a huge subsurface ocean of liquid water, which may even be able to support Earth-like life.)

Voyager 1's closest approach to Jupiter was on March 5, 1979, when it came within 174,000 miles (280,000 km) of the turbulent cloud tops. Then it was time for the probe to aim for Saturn.

Saturn's rings and moons

Scientists only had to wait about a year, until 1980, to get close-up pictures of Saturn. Like Jupiter, the ringed planet turned out to be full of surprises.

One of Voyager 1's targets was the F ring, a thin structure discovered only the year previously by NASA's Pioneer 11 probe. Voyager's higher-resolution camera spotted two new moons, Prometheus and Pandora, whose orbits keep the icy material in the F ring in a defined orbit. It also discovered Atlas and a new ring, the G ring, and took images of several other Saturn moons.

One puzzle for astronomers was Titan, the second-largest moon in the solar system (after Jupiter's Ganymede). Close-up pictures of Titan showed nothing but orange haze, leading to years of speculation about what it was like underneath. It wouldn't be until the mid-2000s that humanity would find out, thanks to photos snapped from beneath the haze by the European Space Agency's Huygens atmospheric probe.

The Saturn encounter marked the end of Voyager 1's primary mission. The focus then shifted to tracking the 1,590-pound (720 kg) craft as it sped toward interstellar space.

Two decades before it notched that milestone, however, Voyager 1 took one of the most iconic photos in spaceflight history. On Feb. 14, 1990, the probe turned back toward Earth and snapped an image of its home planet from 3.7 billion miles (6 billion km) away. The photo shows Earth as a tiny dot suspended in a ray of sunlight.

Voyager 1 took dozens of other photos that day, capturing five other planets and the sun in a multi-image "solar system family portrait." But the Pale Blue Dot picture stands out, reminding us that Earth is a small outpost of life in an incomprehensibly vast universe.

Entering interstellar space

Voyager 1 left the heliosphere  the giant bubble of charged particles that the sun blows around itself  in August 2012, popping free into interstellar space. The discovery was made public in a study published in the journal Science the following year.

The results came to light after a powerful solar eruption was recorded by Voyager 1's plasma wave instrument between April 9 and May 22, 2013. The eruption caused electrons near Voyager 1 to vibrate. From the oscillations, researchers discovered that Voyager 1's surroundings had a higher density than what is found just inside the heliosphere.

It seems contradictory that electron density is higher in interstellar space than it is in the sun's neighborhood. But researchers explained that, at the edge of the heliosphere, electron density is dramatically low compared with locations near Earth.

Researchers then backtracked through Voyager 1's data and nailed down the official departure date to Aug. 25, 2012. The date was fixed not only by the electron oscillations but also by the spacecraft's measurements of charged solar particles.

On that fateful day  which was the same day that Apollo 11 astronaut Neal Armstrong died  the probe saw a 1,000-fold drop in these particles and a 9% increase in galactic cosmic rays that come from outside the solar system. At that point, Voyager 1 was 11.25 billion miles (18.11 billion km) from the sun, or about 121 astronomical units (AU).

One AU is the average Earth-sun distance  about 93 million miles (150 million km).

Voyager 1's interstellar adventures

As of January 2022, Voyager 1 is roughly 156 AU from Earth  approximately 14.5 billion miles (23.3 billion km). You can keep tabs on the probe's current distance on this NASA website.

Since flying into interstellar space, Voyager 1 has sent back a variety of valuable information about conditions in this zone of the universe. Its discoveries include showing that cosmic radiation out there is very intense, and demonstrating how charged particles from the sun interact with those emitted by other stars, mission project scientist Ed Stone, of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, told Space.com in September 2017.

The spacecraft's capabilities continue to astound engineers. In December 2017, for example, NASA announced that Voyager 1 successfully used its backup thrusters to orient itself to "talk" with Earth. These trajectory correction maneuver (TCM) thrusters hadn't been used since November 1980, during Voyager 1's flyby of Saturn. Since then, the spacecraft had primarily used its standard attitude-control thrusters to swing the spacecraft in the right orientation to communicate with Earth.

As the performance of the attitude-control thrusters began to deteriorate, however, NASA decided to test the TCM thrusters  an idea that could extend Voyager 1's operational life. That test ultimately succeeded.

"With these thrusters that are still functional after 37 years without use, we will be able to extend the life of the Voyager 1 spacecraft by two to three years," Voyager project manager Suzanne Dodd, of NASA's Jet Propulsion , Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, said in a statement in December 2017.

Mission team members have taken other measures to extend Voyager 1's life as well. For example, they turned off the spacecraft's cameras shortly after the Pale Blue Dot photo was taken to help conserve Voyager 1's limited power supply. (The cameras wouldn't pick up much in the darkness of deep space anyway.) Over the years, the mission team has turned off five other scientific instruments as well, leaving Voyager 1 with four that are still functioning  the Cosmic Ray Subsystem, the Low-Energy Charged Particles instrument, the Magnetometer and the Plasma Wave Subsystem. (Similar measures have been taken with Voyager 2, which currently has five operational instruments.)

The Voyager spacecraft each celebrated 40 years in space in 2017, prompting celebrations from NASA and celebrities such as "Star Trek" star William Shatner. In September 2017, Shatner read out a message to the spacecraft originally crafted on Twitter by Oliver Jenkins: "We offer friendship across the stars. You are not alone." JPL engineer Annabel Kennedy then transmitted the message to Voyager 1; it was projected to reach the spacecraft in about 19 hours.

"None of us knew, when we launched 40 years ago, that anything would still be working, and continuing on this pioneering journey," Stone said in a NASA statement from August 2017. "The most exciting thing they find in the next five years is likely to be something that we didn't know was out there to be discovered."

Additional resources

You can learn much more about both Voyagers' design, scientific instruments and mission goals at JPL's Voyager site. NASA has lots of an-depth information about the Pale Blue Dot photo, including Carl Sagan's large role in making it happen, here. And if you're interested in the Golden Record, check out this detailed New Yorker piece by Timothy Ferris, who produced the historic artifact.




In this episode we get to explore the past and learn more about Dylan Scott, and also dive into looking at illegal back alley surgery and also the nepotism that can occur for famous people when it comes to healthcare and hospital image. It was a very busy episode, with many moving parts, and it is clear that our Med writers are continuing to constantly step up their game in terms of excitement and creating an action packed hour for Chi-hard viewers.



Dr. Scott, Carmen, Tyrrell and Dr. Archer



The episode opens with Dylan, who is walking up to a house where his sister Zorra has responded to a police call. She tells Dylan that they were called there for a noise complaint because of an argument over their sons injured arm, and you see her ask Dylan how long it has been since he has seen her. Then Carmen comes to door, and it is clear that she knows him. Dylan goes inside and meets Carmens son Darius, who has a hurt arm. When he asks Darius, he says his arm has been hurting for a few days and Dylan examines him and says Carmen was right and his arm might be broken and they should go to the hospital. She tells him that she told Tyrrell that he needed to be checked out but he was just laid off so was worried about the money.





Dr. Hammer, Dr. Halstead and Dr. Charles

Dr. Marcel and Dr. Blake

Maggie and Vanessa

Goodwin and Shentu



At the ED, Scott asks Maggie to take Darius to x-ray and Tyrrell, his father, arrives and you can see tension already between him and Scott as he calls him Officer Scott. Tyrrell wants to take Darius to xray, but Dylan says it is hospital policy and he cannot. Tyrrell starts to get upset but Carmen says that their son is hurt and to just follow the rules please. Archer approaches Dylan and asks what is wrong, and he explains that he has known the parents forever and there is history there, but it is complicated. Archer asks if he needs to take him off the case and he says no.They get back from xray, and Scott and Archer review the film. Darius has a two bone fracture, which is more complicated and needs surgery to repair it. Tyrrell wants to know why they cannot just do a cast, and asks Dr. Archer what he would do if it was his kid. Archer says that his son had a similar fracture, and he chose to do the surgery to save him a lifetime of pain and deformity, and Carmen and Tyrrell consent to the surgery. Dylan tells Carmen Dr. Archer is the best.While Dr. Archer is performing the surgery and preparing to attach the plates, he finds a synovial sarcoma tumor. Dylan wants to tell the parents and Archer says it is not necessary as it is now part of the surgery as he has to remove it to put in the plate, but he insists on going to speak to them and Archer says make it fast. Scott speaks to the parents and lets them know they found the tumor and they need to remove it. Tyrrell says that Darius is a kid and cant have cancer. He gets angry at Dylan and refuses the tumor removal and says he wants another doctor, and that Scott is done working on his son. Scott updates Archer, who says he is completing the other plate and he has twenty minutes to get consent so take off the white coat and get it done.Dylan goes to see Tyrrell to get consent. He is upset that Dylan watched him get busted years ago when Scott was a cop and they talk about what happened. Dylan says he is sorry but this is not about that and his son has cancer and he needs to do the right thing. Dylan says he can hate him all he wants but he will not walk away until he has consent for the surgery and Tyrrell finally says they can do it.Carmen is tucking Darius in and Dylan comes to see them. She thanks him for talking to Tyrrell. She asks him if Darius has a long way to go and he says yes but he can beat this. He tells her he will be here for them but Tyrrell arrives and says for him to stay away from his family.After shift, Dylan goes to Mollys for a drink and sees Archer. He tells him how he was with Dariuss mom Carmen and he screwed it up. Archer says he knows what that is like and that his son has not spoken to him in 15 years. This was a great moment as we are starting to have the chance to see Dr. Archer as a real person with a past and feelings, and not just the antagonist we have come to know him as so far this season. Perhaps it is how wonderful Dylan Scott is and that he just brings out the best in people, but between Dr. Scott and Dr. Charles, it is nice to finally get a glimpse of a completely different side of Dr. Archer.Stevie sees Will in the lobby and he is wearing a bowling shirt and she begins teasing him. She asks why he is here on his day off and he says he is catching up on doing paperwork, and Stevie agrees with him that it is so busy right now that she just started and is already behind. Suddenly a young woman comes in calling for help and collapses on floor (her name is Nadia). Stevie yells for a stretcher and Nadia passes out and Stevie sees she has fresh surgical wounds on her backside.Will comes down to the ED and asks her about the young woman who collapsed and she says that she recently had gluteal implant surgery but will not give her any details about it. Stevie asks Dr. Charles to speak with her to see if she can find out where she got her surgery, as she seems to be forthcoming about the other parts of her history, just not the surgery. They wonder if it is back-alley surgery. She will not tell Dr. Charles anything and he says she seems to be protecting someone, and then her father Gregor arrives. He asks what has happened, and Dr. Hammer tells him that she has an infection from the surgery that has now become sepsis.He asks if she is going to be okay, and he wants to know if something went wrong with the surgery. Dr. Charles asks if he can get more details of the surgery for them and he says he will try, but they have not spoken in a while. Daniel and Stevie seem to think how she reacted to him was odd, but since he said they have not spoken in a while, they are not sure if it is anything to be concerned about.Nadia suddenly gets SOB, and Stevie examines her to try to find the cause. Suddenly Gregor says it must be a silicone embolus and that the implant must have leaked and gotten into the vascular system. Stevie says that makes sense and she takes Nadia for an urgent CT/angiogram. Dr. Charles confronts Gregor and says he cannot go with her as he is not her relative, and that he is her surgeon.Daniel speaks to Gregor and he asks where he has practiced in the United States. Gregor tells Dr. Charles that he came as a refugee from Russia when he was forced to leave his country and he could not afford to spend 10 years doing another residency. Dr. Charles confirms that he never received a license to practice medicine in the USA. He was a doctor/surgeon in Russia, and when he came to this country, the people in his community came to him because they trusted him for earaches and sore throats, and Dr. Charles says this is much more serious than an earache. He says it was not the surgery, and it was the implants, which Dr. Charles said was faulty because he bought it on the black market because he does not have a license. Gregor said he operated on another young woman and Charles lets Stevie and Will know and Will heads out in the stroke truck to find her, as she is not answering her phone and they are worried she is also ill for the same reason. Daniel says he will take care of Gregor.Will arrives at the home of the other young woman and they see her collapsed inside the house so the fire department break in. Alexandra has collapsed on the floor and they begin bagging her and they get her into the truck and take a CT scan.Stevie is on videoconference from the hospital and is reviewing the scan they did in the truck. She tells Will that Alexandra has a silicone embolus in her right ventricle near her heart valve. Will wants to bring her to the hospital but Stevie says the slightest movement could cause it to move and block the valve and Stevie says that Will could remove it in the truck and she says she will guide him through removing it with serial CT scans. Will reminds her that he is not an interventional radiologist and he would be going in blind but she says she knows he can do it and it is the patients only chance to survive, and she will guide him because it is their only option and Will agrees to do it.Stevie is directing Will by viewing the serial CT scans they are taking in the van and he is doing the removal of the silicone. Right when Will is ready to remove the silicone, the truck runs out of power and cannot do any more images, but Stevie says to trust her and that he is right there in the correct place, so Will inflates the balloon and pulls it back and they get the silicone out of the valve. Will heads to the hospital with Alexandra.They get Alexandra to the hospital but Will is not sure she will survive. Dr. Charles confronts Gregor, and he says he knows he judges him but he was persecuted and had to flee his country, and Daniel says that did not give him permission to do surgery in a garage. Gregor says that they would have gone to someone else who just wanted their money and at least he knew what he was doing, and says he was a surgeon in Russia and asks Dr. Charles to show him some respect because he is a doctor and a surgeon. Dr. Charles says he was a surgeon in a hospital in Russia and he may have had to leave because he was being persecuted, but that did not give him the right to come here and do something illegal and practice without a license. Dr. Charles has called the police and they take him away and Gregor tells him he never meant to hurt anyone.Goodwin sees Will at the desk and asks why he is still there so late. He tells her that Shentu told him he needed to fill out all the paper work and liability release forms, because the hospital is under such scrutiny. Goodwin is upset and we see her go towards the board room where Avery Quinn is sitting.Will goes to talk to Stevie in the ICU for an update on the patients and asks her to go bowling with him. She agrees but then she gets a registered envelope. She opens it and it is divorce papers. Will says maybe they should go bowling another night and she agrees.This was such a great team during this episode and it is clear that the Chicago Med fandom is already starting to ship Hamstead. Their interaction was very sweet and it is clear that Will is concerned and cares about how Stevie is feeling, whether just as a friend or as something more. Only time will tellDr. Marcel is seeing a patient, Miles Shaw, who fell and has a sprained wrist and is experiencing anxiety. Marcel lets him know that all his tests were negative and the fall was not from a heart attack. Crockett asks him about if there is anything causing him extra anxiety and encourages him to follow up with his regular doctor to get ongoing care and long term support for his anxiety and panic attacks, and he thanks Marcel.Wes Tucker from the Hall of Fame is arriving via ambulance and Shentu is there to greet him, and direct them to a more private room. He has been vomiting for several days and is in liver failure. He gives Marcel a thumb drive with all his records and scans and Marcel pulls them up and says he has severe liver disease and scarring.Blake asks him how long he has been an alcoholic, and he comments on how she doesnt beat around the bush. He says he has been in and out of rehab for many years but it never seems to stick and he has been drinking his whole life for as long as he can remember. Dr. Blake says he likely will need a liver transplant.Shentu pulls Dr. Blake and Dr. Marcel to the conference room and tells them an organ is available for Wes Tucker and this would be great publicity for the hospital. Unfortunately they tell Shentu the transplant will not be possible and Wes tests show he has alcohol in his blood and you have to be 6 months sober to get an organ. Shentu pushes back to try to get them to change their minds, but they tell him it is UNOSs rules and not theirs and there cannot be a transplant with one of their organs.At this point, Wes Tuckers sister sets up a drive at the hospital to test people to find him a live donor and Shentu says this will be good publicity for the hospital to save Wes Tucker and great publicity for live donorship, so to him this is a win-win. Goodwin expresses her objections and supports the concerns that Marcel and Blake express, but Shentu insists on moving forward.Shentu says they have found a live donor match for Tucker and says that because of Blake and Marcels objections, they are assigning the transplant to another team (Dr. Jones). Blake asks what Goodwin thinks Shentu says she voiced her concerns strenuously but ultimately Goodwin was overruled by the board, despite her well reasoned objections. Marcel points out that Blake is the only person who is experienced in this type of transplant, but Shentu says the decision is made. Marcel voices his concerns to Blake, but she says there is nothing they can do and she only hopes Dr. Jones doesnt botch the operation.Marcel learns that the volunteer donor is his patient from earlier, Mr. Shaw, who suffers from anxiety and he is concerned he is not prepared for what the surgery involves. Crockett asks him if he really wants to go through with this and Miles says he did not realize what a big operation this was, but when Marcel says he can always back out, he says this is Wes Tucker and he will have a piece of him keeping him alive and that he has to do it. Crockett goes to Blake and tells her as the Chief of the Department she can take over any surgery she feels is necessary and Marcel says he is advocating for his patient and what is best for him and asks Blake to take over to do the transplant. She agrees and tells the team to prep the OR for them.During the transplant, Crocketts patient starts coding in the OR. They cannot seem to get his heart rate up and Marcel remembers that he takes beta blockers for his anxiety, and so he likely took one before the surgery. They get his heart rate back and the anesthetist puts in a temporary pacemaker while they wait the four hours for the drugs to wear off.It was a nice change of pace to see the Marcel/Blake partnership in action, without the underlying romantic notes this week. This dynamic between them, while interesting, feels a bit odd due to Marcels relationship with Avery. It will be interesting to see where the Med writers decide to go with this situation this season, and all of the Chi-hards will be waiting with baited breath for the next installment of this duo.Vanessa says she has been speaking to her parents and wants to invite Maggie to her parents home for dinner, because they want to get to know her. She says that she really wants them to meet. Maggie talks to Goodwin about her apprehension as she does not want to impose on them, and is worried what they might think of her. Finally, Maggie agrees to go and they all have dinner together. Ben is not able to join her so she goes alone and while it is awkward, it is clear that they are all trying. Perhaps this experience will allow everyone to move forward as they all continue to support Vanessa together.Shentu brings Goodwin a coffee and says that he wants to encourage her to meet with Avery Quinn about the Vascom lawsuit. Sharon is upset and does not think they should be so eager to meet with her as her firm has brought a class action lawsuit against the hospital and she has named every doctor associated with the Vascom in the suit, and they are not at fault in this situation and should not be punished. He says that these depositions are proforma to check all the boxes and they need to avoid an ugly legal battle that is played out in the media, because they are being judged in the court of puclic opinion. He tells her she needs to meet with Avery and to enjoy the coffee. She throws out the coffee.At the end of the episode, she goes to see Avery. She tells her to take all the doctors names off the lawsuit and put her name on it. Avery asks if the board approved this and she says no. Avery asks if she knows what she is getting into and she says yes and sits down at the table and says to ask her whatever she wants to know. One can only imagine the trouble that she will get into for this action, but I am sure that Goodwin knows she is already in hot water with the board, and she has always been the kind of woman that will do whatever is needed to protect her staff, so that is likely a driving force behind her actions.And so we close on another exciting week at Gaffney. This week we saw a collaboration of relationships past, present and future, and thanks to the Chicago Med team and Goodwin's leadership, we have patients who recieved the best possible care in Chicago. And this Chi-hard cannot wait until next week to see what our amazing writers bring us next.
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A Stamford nonprofit that supports the efforts of businesses owned by women announced Tuesday the organization has received a $300,000 investment from JPMorgan Chase for one of its programs.

The money from the New York City-based investment will go toward the Womens Business Development Councils Equity Match Grant Program, The program offers grants between $2,500 and $10,000 to fund projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability.

Laura Davis, managing director of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, said in a statement that unlocking the potential of women-led businesses is a direct path forward to creating greater economic equity, especially during this time of recovery from the COVID pandemic and given the critical role small businesses play in Connecticuts economy.

The Womens Business Development Council is a true partner in helping women, specifically women of color, access the resources and support needed to launch and grow their ventures, Davis said.

JPMorgan Chase invested is designed to increase the capacity of the organization to empower Connecticuts women entrepreneurs, especially disenfranchised populations and those in distressed communities. Fran Pastore, chief executive officer of the WBDC, said the investment by JP Morgan Chase brings the organization back to its roots.

WBDC is celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2022, Pastore said. Our first business checking account was opened at the Chase branch on Prospect Street in Stamford  with a $60 deposit. This is a meaningful way to celebrate this milestone with an organization that has been with us from the beginning.

The Equity Match Grant program was launched in August 2020 and since then, 98 grants worth $924,000 have been awarded to small businesses throughout the state. The grant recipients from the programs third funding round were announced last month and the organization began accepting applications for the fourth round this week.

Hosting Connecticut, a Windsor-based web design and hosting company, was one of the grant recipients and owner Paula Pierce said the money has allowed her to put in place systems that have streamlined and optimized our sales process.

Without the extra push of preparing to apply for this grant, I would have less specific financial data and fewer strategic plans to use to grow the business, Pierce said. I'm grateful for WBDC, not just for the funds, but for the extra motivation.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
Press Release

January 19, 2022 De Lima lauds House approval of HR defenders bill, urges colleagues to swiftly pass Senate counterpart measure Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima commended the House of Representatives for the passage on third and final reading of a measure seeking to promote and protect the rights of human rights defenders (HRDs) whose lives remain under threat, especially under the present administration. De Lima, author of its counterpart measure, or Human Rights Defender Protection Bill in the Senate, urged her colleagues to take the cue and recognize the urgency of passing into law her proposed Senate Bill (SB) No. 179, which has been pending at the Committee level since July 2019. "I congratulate my fellow Bicolano lawmaker, Rep. Edcel Lagman, for the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Bill in the House of Representatives," she said. "I call on my colleagues in the Senate, especially Committee on Justice and Human Rights Chairman Richard Gordon, to do our part. This bill has been languishing in the Committee long enough. Let us approve this measure that protects our HRDs. They are our partners in nation-building. It is time for us to give them the recognition and protection they deserve," she added. A total of 200 legislators reportedly voted to approve House Bill No. 10576, or the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act authored by Lagman, on third and final reading last Jan. 17. No one voted against or abstained on it. It can be noted that this is not the first time the House approved the bill protecting HRDs. In June 2019, legislators already passed a similar bill but did not prosper as Senate did not pass a counterpart. De Lima's Human Rights Defender Bill, initially filed in February 2018 during the 17th Congress, gathered dust in the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. It also remains unacted upon this 18th Congress. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, maintained that the continued red-tagging, demonization, abuse and attack by public officials and law enforcers on HRDs "diminishes us as a democracy and as human beings." "Human rights defenders are our advocates, community organizers, labor leaders, environmentalists, and in many instances, protectors of our people. Our HRDs serve our people directly. "Our HRDs listen to their grievances, address their concerns and take part in the solution," she said. "The HRDs serve the most marginalized and oppressed sectors in our society. They deserve our gratitude, our support, and, at the very least, our respect. They should never be met with disdain, much less hostility," she added. The lady Senator from Bicol aims to institutionalize and enforce state obligations to provide protection to HRDs, and to establish effective legal remedies for violations of their rights. Under SB No. 179, there will be an independent collegial body, to be known as the Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee, responsible for protecting human rights defenders from intimidation and reprisals and for ensuring accountability for acts of intimidation against them.
In an effort to reduce the number of uninsured residents in three of Connecticuts largest cities, officials Wednesday announced plans to train up to 100 licensed health insurance brokers to enroll people in coverage through the states health insurance marketplace.

The initiative, called Broker Academy, was announced by Gov. Ned Lamont and officials with Access Health CT, the states health insurance marketplace, during a virtual news conference Wednesday.

The academy will begin classes June 1 with classes of students from Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford, officials said.

Weve learned the hard way, I think these last couple of years, what disparities mean and what it means when you dont have health insurance, Lamont said. What it means if you dont get access to a test or a vaccine in this period of COVID, and that not just puts you at risk, it puts your community at risk.

Connecticut has one of the highest rates of health care coverage in the nation, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The nonprofits 2020 report found that 4.8 percent of Connecticut residents lacked health insurance, the 10th lowest of any state.

The cities targeted by the Broker Academy, however, have trailed the rest of the state when it comes to health care coverage, according to James Michel, the CEO of Access Health CT. Residents in those cities are more likely to have lower incomes, he said, with less access to health care through employer-sponsored insurance.

The goal of the Broker Academy, Michel said, was to increase the number of licensed insurance brokers working in those cities to enroll people through the public health care exchange.

Despite Connecticuts high ranking in wealth, there are substantial disparities in the health status and in the health care delivery to lower-income Connecticut residents, especially in communities of color, Michel said. By activating members of this community to become brokers, Access Health Connecticut can build trust by meeting members of the community where they are, and at the same time create an economic benefit in those areas.

The cost of the training program is estimated to be in the range of $230,000, Michel said, which will be paid for by Access Health CT with the help of outside grants. Applicants who are accepted into the Broker Academy will not have to pay for their training.

The first class of students is expected to be licensed by the end of July before taking part in a three-month apprenticeship program with an experienced broker, according to Tammy Hendricks, the director of health equity and outreach for Access Health CT.

Training will fully conclude by the start of the next open-enrollment period on Nov. 1, Hendricks said. The brokers will be paid by commission for every person they enroll through the exchange.

Currently, 400 are brokers licensed to sell insurance through the states health insurance marketplace.

Two insurance companies  Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and ConnectiCare  offer plans through the exchange. However, Michel said that once the brokers are licensed to sell insurance through the marketplace, they have to offer plans through both insurers.

The advice they give will be what is in the best interest of their customers, Michel said. That is their fiduciary responsibility and that is part of their training.

Residents who earn below a certain income are eligible for subsidies through Access Health CTs marketplace.

That amount was originally set at 400 percent of the federal poverty level, but was adjusted as part of the American Rescue Plan signed by President Joe Biden.
After two years of being able to cast absentee ballots for any reason in the COVID pandemic, voters in three upcoming special elections are limited to traditional reasons for mailing-in their choices for the state House of Representatives.

During its June 2021 special session, the General Assembly approved the extension for no-excuse absentee voting until Nov. 3, the day after the municipal elections. So now, voters can only claim illness, physical disability, active duty in the U.S. military, religious restrictions, absence from the town throughout the day of election or that they are poll workers.

During a virtual training session in December, town clerks throughout the state were informed by Secretary of the State Denise Merrill of the return to the old rules.

For local officials such as Stamford Town Clerk Lyda Ruijter, it means reminding voters that they can only obtain absentee ballots for the limited reasons that no longer include fear of COVID. Those sick with COVID can still vote by mail.

Ive been getting phone calls and emails all day about this, Ruijter said Wednesday.

She and other city officials are preparing for the Jan. 25 special election to fill the vacancy in the 144th House District, including the Turn of River and Belltown neighborhoods, after Mayor Caroline Simmons resigned from the General Assembly following her election victory.

House districts cover about 23,000 residents, and special elections usually attract a small percentage of voters. As of Wednesday afternoon, Ruijter had sent out 398 absentee ballots, with 115 returned. In the 2020 presidential election, during which the secretary of the state sent absentee ballot applications to all registered voters, Stamford led the state with more than 24,000 cast.

Berlin Town Clerk Kate Wall, president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association, said Wednesday its expected that voters will have questions, after two years of no-excuse absentee balloting.

I havent heard of any problems though, she said.

This is another example of why we need no-excuse absentee voting, said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, the voter-advocacy and elections watchdog organization.

Another special House election will be held Feb. 22 in the 71st House District, covering Middlebury and part of Waterbury, to replace veteran Republican state Rep. Tony DAmelio, who cited family and business reasons for his recent resignation.

A third upcoming special election will occur March 1 in the 5th House District of Windsor and part of Hartford, after Rep. Brandon McGee Jr. recently left to take a job with Gov. Ned Lamonts reelection campaign.

On Dec. 14, Democrat Trenee McGee won a special election in West Haven and part of New Haven to replace Michael DiMassa, who resigned after his arrest for alleged municipal corruption.

Quickmire said Wednesday that last year, the state had a chance to put a constitutional amendment supporting universal mail-in balloting on the 2022 ballot, but it did not get enough Republican support to reach the 75-percent super majority.

Since it passed with only a simple majority, the issue has to be approved again by the 2023-24 legislature, for possible inclusion on the 2024 statewide ballot.

A related amendment, to allow early voting, will, however, come before Connecticut voters this November, because it was initially approved during the previous legislatures biennial term.
Raul Pino, the former Connecticut Department of Public Health commissioner, has been suspended from his role in a Florida county where he is accused of compelling employees to get vaccination in violation of state law.

Pino, director of the Florida Department of Public Health in Orange County, was placed on leave after sending an email to staff that was critical of its vaccination rate, according to a report from WFTV in Orlando, Fla.

Florida Gov. Rick DeSantis had previously signed a law that barred government agencies from implementing vaccine requirements, and limited such mandates for private businesses.

A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Public Health told the Associated Press that an investigation was opened to determine if any laws were broken in this case.

The department is committed to upholding all laws, including the ban on vaccine mandates for government employees and will take appropriate action once additional information is known," Florida Department of Health press secretary Jeremy Redfern said in the email to the Associated Press.

In the email to staff, Pino wrote: I am sorry but in the absence of reasonable and real reasons it is irresponsible not to be vaccinated. We have been at this for two years, we were the first to give vaccines to the masses, we have done more than 300,000 and we are not even at 50 (percent) pathetic.

According to Pinos biography on the Florida Department of Public Health website, he was appointed the director in Orange County in May 2019 after leaving Connecticuts DPH.

Pino became a fixture in public health in Connecticut for years first as the city health director in Hartford before moving to the state DPH.

Pino served as a deputy commissioner in Connecticuts DPH before he was appointed to lead the agency by then-Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Earlier in his career, he was an epidemiologist for the agency.

An Associated Press report is included in this story.
Sometimes the government comes into possession of your money or property. Possibly its an old account or a reimbursement you never got paid.

So Connecticuts treasurers office made an online-accessible list, where all residents and business owners can find out what belongs to them and how to get it back. They call it the big list.

The bold logo, featuring a green outline of Connecticut, reads Youve got money.

Heres what you need to know about Connecticuts big list:

Where can someone find out about the big list?

The state maintains a website and database at ctbiglist.com. The site is maintained by the office of state Treasurer Shawn Wooden. It features a seal at the top acknowledging it is part of the states official websites.

What does the list entail?

The list includes financial property belonging to a resident or business that the state has come to possess.

According to the treasurers office, common property includes old checking and savings accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten utility deposits, unclaimed life insurance proceeds, or inactive stocks and bonds.

Officials said the property is considered unclaimed when it is held by someone other than who it belongs to and they have not been able to reach the owner.

How does someone find out if the state has possession of their property?

The website offers a comprehensive database of all the unclaimed property owed to residents in Connecticut. In order to determine if a resident or business owner has unclaimed property, they need to enter their name into the database.

While there is some overlap with names, the database allows people to narrow their search by including a city, zip code, or property ID  a unique identifier associated with the unclaimed property.

The treasurers office said the search is free and maintained by the offices unclaimed property division.

What does someone need to do to claim the property?

The site provides a form that a resident with unclaimed property needs to complete to start the process of getting the property back.

The process can also be started through the website, where users can fill out an online form.

According to the treasurers office: All claims require photo identification; an official document displaying claimants social security number; a signed and notarized claim form; and, all other documentation listed on the claim...

How long does it take to get the unclaimed property?

The treasurers office does not specify how long it takes for a resident or business owner to rightfully claim the property that the state is holding.

But it does offer a way for claimants to check the status of their claim by inputting the claim ID number into an online portal on the website.

Why is the state in possession of unclaimed property?

State law requires that unclaimed property be turned over to the state for safekeeping until the owner is able to then take possession of it, according to the treasurers office.

Typically, those holding unclaimed property are banks, credit unions, insurance companies, brokerage firms and utility companies, officials said.

The property is turned over to the state after a business loses contact with the owner of the property for three to five years, the treasurers office said.

What is not included in the database?

A recent article from the CT Mirror reported that the state does not provide a list of unclaimed property that is less than $50.

According to the article, more than $40 million worth of unclaimed property falls into this category.

The CT Mirror created a database that works like the big list, but for funds available under $50.
"There are a lot of people who are understandably very concerned about Mr. Epps. . . . Mr. Epps has not been charged with anything. No one's explained why a person videoed urging people to go to the Capitol, a person whose conduct was so suspect the crowd believed he was a fed, would magically disappear from the list of the people the FBI was looking at." - Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, remarks at a Senate hearing, Jan. 11

"Exactly how many of those present at the Capitol complex on January 6 were FBI confidential informants, agents or otherwise, working directly or indirectly with an agency of the United States government. People want to hear this. How about the one guy, 'Go in, go in, get in there, everybody,' Epps. 'Get in there, go, go.' Nothing happens to him. What happened with him? Nothing happened." - Former president Donald Trump, at a rally in Arizona, Jan. 15

- - -

The story of Ray Epps is a depressing chronicle of our times. Epps is a Trump supporter from Arizona who joined the crowd at the Capitol on Jan. 6 - and now is at the center of a baseless conspiracy theory promoted by lawmakers and the former president. In recent weeks, his lawyer tells The Fact Checker, he and his wife have received death threats. "He's very upset," said John W. Blischak, a Phoenix attorney.

This conspiracy theory follows a familiar path. Self-proclaimed Internet sleuths, seeking to prove the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was the work of federal agents, latch onto "clues." Partisan players weave the clues into misleading narratives. Then Fox News hosts such as Tucker Carlson elevate these claims, over and over. That catches the attention of lawmakers eager to win favor with the Trump base. Idle speculation becomes embraced as established fact.

Few of these actors feel compelled to do the basics of journalism and ask questions to try to explain what appears to be a mystery. Epps's attorney is remarkably easy to reach - he immediately picks up the phone. Experts on FBI procedure can be found as well. So let's dive into this.

James Ray Epps Sr., 60, and his wife, Robyn, run a business that hosts weddings and corporate events at a five-acre farm in Queen Creek, Ariz., near Phoenix, that features a rustic barn and "child-friendly goats." They had originally bought the farm to raise beef but switched to events after 2016, when "the bottom fell out of the American grass-fed beef market" because of foreign competition, according to the business website.

Epps has been photographed wearing a Marines cap, and a Marines spokeswoman said a service record exists for him.

In 2011, Epps was listed as president of the Arizona chapter of the Oath Keepers. The Oath Keepers, founded in 2009, is described by the Anti-Defamation League as "a large but loosely organized collection of anti-government extremists who are part of the broader anti-government 'Patriot' movement." Epps was the primary media contact for the group, granting interviews at the time.

In that same year, he appears in a photo with Stewart Rhodes, the national group's founder and leader, when Rhodes spoke at a dinner hosted by the chapter.

Rhodes was recently indicted on charges of seditious conspiracy related to Jan. 6. The Arizona chapter was believed to be the largest Oath Keepers organization, but a dissident faction in Arizona has since broken off relations with the national group and partially rebranded itself as the Yavapai County Preparedness Team.

Epps does not appear to have any recent association with the Oath Keepers. The digital trail runs cold after 2012 and James Arroyo, the head of the Yavapai chapter, said he had never heard of Epps until the Jan. 6 event. "He was only state chapter president approximately a year and a half, according to my source within the organization who did know of him," Arroyo told The Fact Checker. "We do not know why he left that position, but we can assume he left the organization somewhere in 2011 or 2012, since very few members we have ever met or even know who he is."

A few days after the Jan. 6 insurrection, Anne Ryman of the Arizona Republic identified Epps as appearing in a Jan. 5 video that had circulated widely on Twitter. "In fact, tomorrow, I don't even want to say it because I will probably be arrested. Tomorrow, we need to go into the Capitol," Epps says in the video, wearing a red Trump cap.

When Ryman read Epps the transcript of his comments, he replied: "The only thing that meant is we would go in the doors like everyone else. It was totally, totally wrong the way they went in."

"Other video taken the next day shows a man who resembles Epps outside the U.S. Capitol, wearing desert camouflage and an identical red Trump hat," Ryman wrote. "One video shows people in the crowd smashing police barricades and pushing past officers. The man resembling Epps stands among them, but does not appear to shove the barricades."

Ryman noted that an image of Epps appeared to be listed on an FBI website seeking the public's help in identifying people who may have entered the Capitol but that Epps declined to comment on whether he was the man in the photo.

The issue of Epps's involvement was dormant for months until a right-wing Twitter user (since suspended) on June 17 began a Twitter thread: "On Jan 5th, the night before the infamous Jan 6th Capital [sic] event, this Fed was caught on camera encouraging the crowd to raid the capital the next day. The crowd yells NO! We can't do that and he insists that everyone raids the capital. Who is Ray Epps?"

The tweet referred to a video that showed Epps surrounded by a much younger crowd. Epps declares, "Tomorrow, we need to go into the Capitol! Into the Capitol!"

Someone yells: "What? No!"

Epps responds: "Peacefully!"

In response, far-right social media personality Tim "Baked Alaska" Gionet - who had been interviewing Epps for a live stream - starts to lead the crowd in a chant of "Fed! Fed! Fed!"

Epps emphasizes, "Peacefully!"

Gionet has been charged with illegally entering a restricted building and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. He was found guilty last year of misdemeanor assault for pepper-spraying a security guard at an Arizona bar and sentenced to 30 days in jail. Gionet, who addressed the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, has also been charged with defacing a Hanukkah display at the Virginia Capitol.

On Oct. 21, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., picked up the thread and combined a bunch of videos featuring Epps, which he aired at a congressional hearing. Among the clips is one of Epps on Jan. 6, standing at the corner of 15th Street and Constitution Avenue and wearing Marine desert camo, signaling to people as they walked past: "As soon as our president is done speaking, we are going to the Capitol, where our problems are. It's that direction. Please spread the word."

Massie confronted Attorney General Merrick Garland and asked whether federal agents agitated the crowd to attack the Capitol. Garland responded that he couldn't comment on an ongoing investigation.

(Every lawmaker knows this will be the answer they receive. So it's catnip for those who want to suggest something nefarious is going on since they know that, under the rules of this Washington game, no matter what they allege, a Justice Department official is not going to contradict them as long as the investigation is not complete.)

Four days after Massie aired the video, the right-wing website Revolver published a long article on Epps (a "Fed-Protected Provocateur") by Darren Beattie, a former Trump speechwriter who had been fired because it was learned he had appeared at a conference with a white supremacist. He followed up with another lengthy article on Dec. 18, which claimed to expose a "massive web of unindicted operators."

The articles are filled with innuendo, leaps of logic and suspicion to create an impression of a massive federal conspiracy at the heart of the Jan. 6 attack. Beattie suggests that Epps led a "breach team" that set a "booby trap" for unwitting Trump supporters. "If Ray Epps is a Fed, the 'Insurrection' becomes the 'Fedsurrection' in one fell swoop," Beattie declared in the second article.

The Beattie articles were gobbled up in the pro-Trump echo chamber like cotton candy.

But the first article hung largely on two elements. First, that Rhodes had not been indicted and was thus "FBI-protected." (He's now indicted.) Second, that the Epps photo on the FBI website, photograph #16, had mysteriously disappeared. Beattie suggested a "panicked" FBI suddenly realized one of its operatives was in the public eye.

Blischak, Epps's lawyer, scoffed at the notion that Epps is working for the FBI, either as an agent or informant. He said Epps was interviewed by the FBI a couple of months after Jan. 6. "I can tell you with confidence he is not an FBI informant," he said. He confirmed Epps also spoke in November to the select congressional committee investigating the attack. The committee has issued a statement saying Epps denied acting at the directions of any federal agency.

The FBI, of course, declined to comment. But Mary McCord, a former acting assistant attorney general for national security, said the answer for why his photo was removed is simple. "The FBI no longer needs help identifying him," she said. "It also seems from his attorney that he has been cooperative, so the FBI isn't looking for him and has a way to reach him through counsel." (Blischak told Politico that Epps reached out to the FBI on Jan. 8.)

Blischak said he had asked Epps why he spoke of going toward the Capitol. "He admitted making that statement but he anticipated that it would have been peaceful," he said. "He's a straight-up guy. He made it clear he did not condone any type of violence."

The Washington Examiner has noted that a woman, Raechel Genco, seen in a video standing next to Epps has been charged with a count of trespassing on restricted Capitol grounds. Genco's boyfriend, Ryan Samsel, took part in a breach of a police barrier, just shorty after Epps is observed whispering to him. When the barrier fell, one video shows Epps jog past it toward the Capitol.

The charging documents include a still image of Genco on the steps of the Capitol building, well inside the restricted area. Epps, in one video, can be seen in the same area, telling another participant, "We're holding ground - we're not trying to get people hurt." But Epps has not faced similar charges.

Blischak said he was unaware that Epps was in a restricted area. As for Epps whispering to Samsel, "probably - and this is my surmise - he is trying to tell people to calm down," he said.

There is no evidence that Epps is a federal agent or informant. The available video evidence shows he was part of the crowd at the Capitol on Jan. 6 - a place where the day before he had said he would go - but no videos have emerged showing that he committed or urged acts of violence. He does not appear to have entered the Capitol building itself.

He has been interviewed by the FBI and his attorney says he has been cooperative. So there is no mystery why his photo is no longer on the FBI's website asking for his identification. Epps may yet be charged. But in an event of this magnitude - hundreds of criminal cases - investigators must make choices all the time about whether a prosecution is worth the effort.

The innuendo and speculation about Epps is worthy of Four Pinocchios.
STAMFORD  A 25-year-old New Jersey man will serve 90 days behind bars for sending sexually explicit pictures to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl.

Sean Rathfon, 25, of North Haledon, N.J., was sentenced to a five-year prison sentence suspended after 90 days by Judge John Blawie on Wednesday.

The sentencing comes four months after Rathfon pleaded guilty to a single count of risk of injury to a minor stemming from a September 2020 incident where someone later identified as Rathfon sent sexually explicit videos and pictures to a 15-year-old Greenwich youth who was pretending to be a 13-year-old girl, police said.

Im very remorseful, an emotional Rathfon said at Stamford Superior Court Wednesday as his family looked on.

Attorney Allan F. Friedmann, who represents Rathfon, said his client has sought out serious treatment since his arrest in September and has undergone intensive group therapy.

Assistant States Attorney Margaret Moscati asked the court to consider sentencing Rathfon to a year in prison. The maximum sentence for the risk of injury charge is up to 10 years in prison.

Blawie, however, noted Rathfons cooperation with police and what he said appeared to be his genuine efforts to seek help before sentencing him to 90 days. Blawie also effectively reduced that sentence to 76 days, to reflect the 14 days Rathfon has served in New Jersey detention while awaiting extradition to Connecticut.

According to an arrest affidavit, the 15-year-old Greenwich resident had seen documentaries like To Catch a Predator and was inspired to take action. With a friend, the teen then created an account on a website where they later made contact with Rathfon.

Police said Rathfon met the teenager online while they were on a gaming website. According to a statement from the authorities about the arrest, The Greenwich Police Department reminds all parents of the dangers that can take place in cyberspace. Many child predators use gaming applications, forums and websites to meet children.
Contributed Photo / Hartford Police Department

HARTFORD  A shooting Tuesday afternoon has led to the citys first homicide of the year, according to the Hartford Police Department.

Within three minutes, police said they believe a suspect shot three people in Hartford. Two of the victims were taken to the hospital while one victim, a 22-year-old West Hartford man, died from his injuries, according to Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert.
Milton, PA (17847)

Today

Periods of rain. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
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Improving animal welfare legislation was one of the topics discussed at the first Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting - AGRIFISH in 2022, in Brussels, where the Romanian Minister of Agriculture, Adrian Chesnoiu, said that in this field the specificity of each member state must be taken into account, and decisions with a strong economic impact on production must also consider providing the necessary compensations.

"It is very important for all of us to keep in mind that this transition to better animal welfare legislation must take into account the specificities of each member state. Making impactful decisions in production activity must also consider providing the necessary compensations so that transition should be useful for our farmers. Any provision that we will work on and agree on together should be easy for farmers and identify the best solutions to achieve our goals," said Adrian Chesnoiu in his speech at the AGRIFISH Council meeting.According to a press release of the Agriculture Ministry sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday, the French Minister of Agriculture and Food, Julien Denormandie, presented at the AGRIFISH meeting the priorities of the French Presidency in the field of agriculture and fisheries, given that France has taken over the presidency of this forum in January 2022.In this context, Chesnoiu underscored the need for implementing viable mechanisms to ensure predictability and sustainability in the agricultural sector."I congratulate you on the initiatives planned during your Presidency and I assure you of Romania's full involvement in improving European legislation. We need to identify mechanisms to support farmers to save their businesses so that we, the European citizens, will continue to have access to quality food. If we ask our farmers to apply higher and higher standards, we also need to take action when imports risk causing serious damage to European producers," he said.With regard to agriculture, the French presidency will focus on three main areas: mutual standards for EU and non-EU products, low-carbon agriculture and carbon sequestration in agricultural soils, and reducing the use of pesticides in agriculture, the MADR said in the same press release.The Minister of Agriculture, Adrian Chesnoiu, participated on Monday, January 17, 2022, in the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, which took place in Brussels.
The opposition Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) criticizes the measures announced by Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca in a bid to shield consumers from high energy bills and considers that the short-term solution to reduce household and company bills is the immediate return to the regulated market and the adoption of measures to increase the production capacities and enhance competition in the energy market in the medium and long term.

"Liberalization in any field makes sense when there is real competition in the market. For this to happen on the Romanian energy market, investments are needed in the exploitation of the Black Sea gas, the completion of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant reactors 3 and 4 and of other power capacities in various completion stages, as well as kicking off investments in new such facilities. This will take years or decades, but it should start as soon as possible. The timeliness of liberalization can only be raised for discussion when supply exceeds domestic demand. Until then, the right solution for Romania's population and economy is to return to regulated prices," AUR Co-Chairman Claudiu Tirziu said in a release on Wednesday.

According to Alliance Co-Chairman George Simion, about 70 percent of the profits made on the energy market go into the state coffers.

"Any compensation scheme actually transfers the money from one pocket to another, disguising the fact that the state and the companies it controls make huge profits at the expense of the population and private companies. The compensation scheme moves money from the state budget to state-owned energy companies which pay boards packed with Social Democrat and Liberal politicians," Simion said in the cited release.
The President of the Senate, the liberal leader Florin Citu, declared on Tuesday evening that the Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca informed him that he sent his doctoral thesis, for verification, to a commission to certify that it is not plagiarized.

"Today, the Prime Minister was in the meeting of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Executive Bureau and he himself took the floor and presented the situation. He told me that he had sent the work for verification, on his own initiative, to a commission to certify that it is not plagiarism," Citu said on the Digi 24 television station.Asked if this issue is not a vulnerability for the PNL, Citu answered no, but stressed that it is Nicolae Ciuca's duty to clarify this subject "very quickly".The Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca requested the analysis of his doctoral dissertation, presented in 2003, entitled "The dimension of the Romanian army's engagement in multinational joint operations", by the Ethics Commission of the National Defence University (UNAp), the institution organizing his doctoral studies where he presented the thesis.According to the Prime Minister, the choice of the doctoral thesis topic was predominantly based on personal experience gained in international missions in which he participated directly, individually or together with the 26th Infantry Battalion: UN peacekeeping mission in Angola (1996-1997), NATO mission within SACEUR Strategic Reserve for the Western Balkans (2000-2001) and the Coalition Mission in Afghanistan (2002).An investigation published by pressone.ro claims that Nicolae Ciuca's thesis, based on which he became a PhD in military sciences in 2003, includes plagiarized content in at least 42 pages out of a total of 138.
On Wednesday, Dacia announced that the threshold of seven million vehicles produced at the Mioveni plant has been exceeded.

"The Dacia vehicle with the number 7 million was been manufactured at the Mioveni plant on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. The vehicle is intended for a customer in Romania," a press release sent to AGERPRES by the manufacturer reads.According to the same source, the Mioveni plant, which was inaugurated in 1968, has produced six generations of models over time, from the Dacia 1100 to the new family vehicle, Jogger."The milestone of 1 million vehicles was reached in 1985, the milestone of 2 million in 1998 and the milestone of 5 million in 2014. Launched in 2010, the Duster SUV - now in its second generation - is the model with the largest number of units produced in the history of the plant, two million," the statement said.At present, more than 85pct of the production is meant for export, with vehicles reaching mainly markets in Europe but also in North Africa and the Middle East.
The Minister of Labor, Marius Budai, announced on Wednesday, at the end of the Government meeting, the adoption of the decision to establish December 2, 2022 a work-free day for the employees of public institutions and authorities.

It is a Friday that falls between a public holiday and a weekly rest day.

"It was approved. (...) We have a provision in the Labor Code that clearly tells us that, for the sake of predictability during the year, in January we should approve such a government decision. We have only respected the Labor Code today," the minister told a press conference at Victoria Palace of Government.

Budai estimated that no other "bridges" will be declared this year, linking days off.
Defense Minister Vasile Dincu had a meeting on Wednesday with Israeli ambassador David Saranga with whom he discussed the highlights of bilateral military cooperation and ways to step up military ties, as well as topical subjects on the current security agenda of the Middle East and Black Sea region, the Defense Ministry informs.

Minister Dincu expressed his appreciation for the two states' constant defense cooperation, including the modernization of the Romanian Army, and stressed the importance of Romanian and Israeli troops continuing to participate in bilateral and multinational exercises with a view to increasing interoperability between the two armies.

Evoking the additional security challenges posed by the current pandemic, the Defense Minister emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation on cyber defense and military medicine, the release said.

The two officials stressed the importance of maintaining a constant bilateral dialogue allowing the further implementation of joint defense projects.
President Klaus Iohannis sent a letter to Parliament on the forces and resources of the Romanian Army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) approved for 2022 to be made available with a view to participating in missions outside the national territory, from the budgets of the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) and MAI.

According to the document, as many as 3,273 forces of the Romanian Army and 2,536 belonging to the MAI will be sent this year on missions and operations outside the national territory.

"In a constantly deteriorating security environment, the Romanian armed forces are called upon to respond to increasingly diverse challenges, and there is an ever growing trend towards diversification of the manner, the areas of action and the level of the involvement. At present, Romania benefits from strong security guarantees offered by the membership in the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) and the European Union (EU), as well as the good relations with the neighboring countries and with its strategic partners," reads the president's letter.

The President states that our country will continue to rely, in addition to NATO and the EU, on the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America, which "ensures the optimal framework for strengthening relations between the armies of the two countries, in order to substantiate Romania's strategic position at the Black Sea".

In 2022, the forces and capabilities of the Romanian Army participating in missions and operations outside the territory of the Romanian state will be under NATO, EU, UN, OSCE leadership, as well as under the leadership of anti-ISIL/Daesh and within the Takuba Task Force.

"The main effort will be to increase participation in operations in the Western Balkans (KFOR, under NATO auspices and EUFOR ATHEA, under EU auspices), including by making available the reserve forces, on hold in Romania, while maintaining a significant contribution to NATO's rapid response forces and within the fighting group for ensuring NATO's enhanced forward presence in Poland," mentions the document.

The Romanian Army participates in the Takuba Task Force, under the leadership of France, throughout 2022, for "training, advising, mentoring and accompanying in combat the Malian and Nigerian armed forces, facilitating and coordinating the coalition's activities in order to identify and counteract the activities and actions of the extremist-violent and terrorist organisations in Sahel, according to the specific operational requirements," states the head of state.

In 2022, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will make available forces and resources for the EU, OSCE, NATO and UN missions, as well as within the leadership structures of these international organizations, to operational commands in mission areas and EU agencies, Iohannis said.
David Nicklaus David Nicklaus is a business columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow David Nicklaus Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Capacity, a University City firm that uses artificial intelligence to automate help-desk functions, has raised $38 million of capital.

The financing, a Series C venture capital round, includes $11 million that was announced in October. Capacity said the money came from previous investors, but did not list them.

A company statement quotes Jonathan Freed, of TMC Emerging Technology Fund in San Diego, as saying that Capacity "is part of the next evolution of mortgage technology." Several of Capacity's customers are mortgage companies that use its software to answer ' questions and automate support tasks.

Capacity, originally known as Jane.ai, has raised a total of $62 million since it was founded in 2017 by David Karandish and Chris Sims. The company said it would use the new funding to add staff and enhance product capabilities.

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The government website where you can order four free at-home COVID-19 tests and get them shipped to your doorstep is now live and available to use.

Starting today, Jan. 18, you can visit a new website run by the federal government, COVIDtests.gov, and order reserve free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will deliver them to your home, also for free. The website was scheduled to officially launch on Jan. 19, but it is up and running and accepting orders one day early.

The program is part of President Bidens efforts to procure and distribute 1 billion at-home coronavirus tests to the American public at no cost. So far, the White House has obtained contracts for 420 million tests and tens of millions are ready to ship immediately, senior officials said in a background phone call to reporters Jan. 14, ahead of the websites official launch.

Staying healthy has never been more important. Protect yourself and your loved ones with a comprehensive and affordable health insurance plan. Click your state to learn more.

How to order free at-home coronavirus tests from the government

Heres how to get your free at-home COVID-19 tests:

Visit COVIDtests.gov, the official federal government website for the program.

Press the order free at-home tests button, which will forward you to a separate site run by the USPS to place your order.

Input your name and residential address that will be used for shipping.

Follow the prompts to place your order, which includes four tests per address.

OPTIONAL: Put in your email address to track the shipment of the tests.

Folks who have difficulty accessing the internet or the website can order the tests by calling a forthcoming toll-free number. (We will update this article when the phone number is released.)

At-home COVID-19 tests will ship free starting in late January. USPS will only send one set of 4 free tests to valid residential addresses, states an order confirmation message from the USPS. We are unable to process duplicate orders for the same address.

Once your order is confirmed, the White House says the USPS will ship your tests in seven to 12 days via first class mail. Senior officials said they expect the shipment time to reduce as the program ramps up.

Every website launch comes with risks, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a press conference Tuesday. We cant guarantee there wont be a bug or two, but the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service are working hard to make this a success.

A quality Health Insurance Plan can cover most unexpected incidents. With a Health Insurance Plan that meets your needs while remaining affordable, you'll be good to go. Click below to find out more.

FAQs about free at-home COVID-19 tests

What kind of free COVID-19 tests are available delivery?

The White House says the tests are at-home rapid tests that have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. The exact brands arent clear, but the administration says the tests will only be rapid antigen tests, which are also called over-the-counter (OTC) or self tests or at-home tests. PCR tests, which require samples to be shipped to labs for results, arent a part of the program.

How long will it take for the tests to deliver?

Orders will ship between seven and 12 days, according to White House estimates.

Exact delivery time frames may vary. The USPSs website says first class mail typically delivers within five business days. And that may be in addition to the shipment processing time.

How many at-home tests can I get for free?

The current order limit is four per residential address. That number is regardless of how many people live in your home. The order limit is currently on the first 500 billion tests. The Biden administration is in the process of procuring another 500 billion, and officials have indicated the four-per-household limit may be revisited as more tests are available.

Do I need health insurance?

No. The tests available through COVIDtests.gov are available to anyone with a residential shipping address in the U.S. and its territories. No proof of residency or insurance is required to place an order.

I was able to order my tests before Jan. 19. Was this a glitch?

Psaki on Tuesday acknowledged the website was live and accepting orders before the official launch of COVIDtests.gov and special.usps.com/testkits as part of a beta test. Orders placed during the beta testing period will be honored.

How else can I get free at-home COVID-19 tests?

In addition to the four free tests available through COVIDtests.gov, the White House announced a free at-home testing program for people with private health insurance.

As of Jan. 15, private insurers are required to cover the cost of at-home tests, either by covering the costs upfront at pharmacies and retailers  similar to how prescription programs already work  or by reimbursing you the cost for tests that you paid for out-of-pocket.

Additionally, several states have been distributing their stockpiles of at-home tests through local libraries and community centers. In-person testing is also available for free at more than 20,000 testing centers or pop-up FEMA sites, according to the White House.

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ST. CHARLES  Online appliance retailer Goedekers said Tuesday it had added a new board member, fulfilling a bargain it made to get an activist investor to back off.

Jim Schneider, a bank executive in Austin, Texas, fills the second of two board seats the company said it would fill in consultation with David Kanen, a Florida-based investor, to head off his attempt to seize a majority of the board at last years annual shareholder meeting.

When the company announced the deal in October, it said it would appoint Alan Shaw, a former executive at appliance manufacturer Electrolux, and Selim Bassoul, former CEO at kitchen appliance manufacturer Middleby. But Bassoul backed out in November and became CEO of Six Flags shortly thereafter. Schneider replaces him.

Kanen, a former broker at St. Louis-based A.G. Edwards, declined comment Tuesday. Public filings show he sold close to half of his shares in the company in the month after the deal was announced.

Schneider, the new board member, began his career as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Big Four accounting firm, in 1974. In 1993, he left for communications company WorldCom, and three years later, he moved to computers giant Dell Inc., where he eventually became chief financial officer. He resigned from that position in 2007 amid an SEC investigation into Dells accounting practices.

The commissions probe centered on allegations top executives had failed to properly disclose large payments the company received from Intel Corp. that allowed it to meet Wall Streets expectations, among other accusations. The government eventually charged Schneider and other executives with failing to disclose material information and fraudulent accounting.

Schneider paid $3 million to settle the charges. Chairman Michael Dell and CEO Kevin Rollins paid $4 million each. The company itself paid $100 million. None admitted fault.

Schneider had little to add on Tuesday. It is an extremely old issue, he said.

In a news release, Goedekers said Schneider was qualified to serve on the board due to his extensive finance experience, his prior CFO experience at a public company and his background in accounting. A spokesman for Goedekers did not respond to a question about the SEC charges.

Since leaving Dell, Schneider has served as chairman of Austin-based Horizon Bank and as an operating partner at New York-based venture firm Lead Edge Capital. He has since left Lead Edge.

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The location of the national churrascaria chain Texas de Brazil at the St. Louis Galleria in Richmond Heights appears to have closed.

Boards now cover the restaurants exterior windows. The interior was dark on Tuesday morning, but much of the furniture looked to have been removed.

The restaurant is no longer listed among the locations on the Texas de Brazil website or on the Gallerias online directory.

An email to Texas de Brazils public address and a phone call to the restaurants corporate office in Dallas on Tuesday were not immediately returned.

More as Off the Menu learns it.

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D.J. Carusos historical drama/romance/morality play Redeeming Love opens with the Shakespeare quote all that glitters is not gold, and a pair of hands thrusting a pan into a river, searching for treasure. It sets the time and place in Gold Rush-era California, in the town of Pair-a-Dice circa 1850, but the quote has no bearing on the unfolding tale, based on the hit 1991 novel by Francine Rivers. There may be gold in them thar hills, but Redeeming Love doesnt yield any cinematic riches.

Our heroine in need of redeeming is Angel (Abigail Cowen), a sex worker and the hottest ticket in Pair-a-Dice, her time raffled off by the Duchess (Famke Janssen) to a frothing mob of men that gathers daily in front of the Palace brothel. As a child, Angel was trafficked into sex work by a smooth pimp named Duke (Eric Dane) after the death of her destitute mother (Nina Dobrev), who seems to waste away from shame after she and her daughter are rejected by Angels father, who is married to another woman. For her part, Angel doesnt seem to mind her life in Pair-a-Dice all that much, though a knight in dusty denim will soon shake things up.

Her redeemer is Michael (Tom Lewis), a folksy farmer who prays for a wife who likes to go fishing. When he lays eyes on Angel, he chuckles that God has a sense of humor, as his heaven-sent intended wife is the highest-priced prostitute in town. Nevertheless, he persists, much to Angels chagrin, showing up to chat as often as he can afford.

One could look at the plot of this film from two different perspectives: one Pollyannaish, the other deeply cynical. The filmmakers behind Redeeming Love want the audience to see Michael as a faithful farmer who falls in love at first sight with a local sex worker and rescues her from her life of exploitation, marrying her and bringing her to his farm and teaching her what it means to be loved, always offering forgiveness when she strays. On the other hand, one could see Michael as an isolated religious zealot who believes he receives a message from God that a local sex worker is intended to be his wife, spurring him to kidnap her from the brothel while shes in a weakened state, pressing her into a life of wifely duties though she attempts repeatedly to escape.

Every female character in Redeeming Love is a wife, a prostitute or dead, and the story lacks any imagination to envision a womans redemption (if she even needs that) outside of a heteropatriarchal family structure, arguing that what women need is for men to carry them off to the country to save them from themselves with some fresh air and brisk housework. It makes one wonder: Why adapt this source material now? Dig too deep and we might not like the answer.

Stuck in this largely infantilized role, Cowen imbues Angel with as much verve and spunk as she can; shes often funnier and darker than necessary, offering a refreshing dash of acid to temper the sickly sweetness. But its so hard to shake the lingering icky feelings about this text, which plays like tradwife fan fiction, the 19th-century setting protecting the story from the pesky womens lib movement, which would suggest that Angel have her own autonomy, that she might be redeemed by her own self-love. However, such radical concepts have no purchase here.

In theaters Jan. 21.

What Redeeming Love  1 stars out of four  Run time 2:14  Rating PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual content, partial nudity and strong violent content
It seems like its Ryan Hurds turn to step out front at last.

For the last decade or so, Hurd has been a Nashville songwriter, penning No. 1 hits for the likes of Blake Shelton (Lonely Tonight), Luke Bryan (Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset, Waves) and Lady A (What If I Never Get Over You). After a few tentative attempts at establishing himself as an artist in his own right, he released his debut album, Pelago, last October and in November scored a No. 1 single: the Grammy-nominated Chasing After You on which Hurd duets with his wife, Maren Morris.

He didnt write that one, however; Brinley Addington and Jerry Flowers did, and it has actually floated around Nashville for some time.

Its a song thats been held by other artists, and somehow it fell to me a couple years ago, Hurd says by phone from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he is kicking off his 2022 tour dates. We were waiting for the right time to put it out. We had to record it a handful of times to get it correct. You always hope a song will do really well, but you never expect it, and to have all the nominations for it has been really special. (The song and video also earned a handful of CMT and CMA nominations.)

Hurd and Morris met during a writing session in 2013 that resulted in the Tim McGraw hit Last Turn Home. Their friendship became a relationship, and the couple married in 2018.

The statistics on married people in country music having success on the charts are pretty wild, Hurd says. He and Morris are the third married couple to top the charts in this century, following McGraw and Faith Hill and Keifer and Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square.

Just the opportunity to have that little piece of country music history together is really crazy, he says. But we do love working together, and weve always had a creative partnership. This last year, between my album and her album (Morris Humble Quest is due in March), weve had lots of opportunities to dig in musically. Its been incredibly fun, and I think weve sort of rediscovered each other as creative partners.

In March 2020, the pair became parents, welcoming a son, Hayes Andrew. That, of course, was right when COVID hit, putting a halt to touring but offering a rare opportunity for the family to be together for an extended period.

I dont want to say it was great because it was a really difficult time for everybody, Hurd says. But I think for us as a family, it was the first time weve ever felt normal. Just getting that much time with Maren was really cool. And having the opportunity to see my sons first two years up close and not really missing anything is something that I am so thankful for. Not thankful for the reason, but thankful for the time.

Hurd was born in Chicago and grew up in western Michigan, not far from his tour stop in Grand Rapids. He always wanted to be a songwriter but went to Nashville with things in mind. Hurd holds a degree in sociology from Belmont University.

When I was in college, there were a lot of people in Nashville who were 18 to 22, trying to figure out how to break into the music business, he says. I sort of sat back and watched. I did more learning than I did singing and writing. But once I realized that I could be a writer, I dove in headfirst and found the people that I still collaborate with today.

The title of Hurds album  Pelago  has a bit of a backstory. Its a word that Hurd dropped into the track Coast.

When I was writing that song, I needed a word that sounded ocean-y, he says with a laugh. And I needed it to rhyme with Chicago. So I looked it up and I couldnt even believe it existed. In Italian, it means open sea or overwhelming passion, and all the songs on this record sort of fit one of those two categories. So it was the perfect umbrella for all these songs to live under.

Going forward, Hurd wants to continue to establish himself as an artist, but hell still be writing for others, including Morris. He shares a co-writing credit on her new single, Circles Around This Town.

Of course, one of the hazards of being part of a hit singing and songwriting couple, however, is knowing that something you do or say in private may end up in a chart-topping song.

Its hard, Hurd admits. I guess Im always asking myself, Is it cooler to have written the song or have the song written about me?

The best thing, perhaps, is having a partner who understands the ups and downs that artists go through. If you have a bad show or you havent written anything that you love, you start to get a little bit nervous, Hurd says. Its good to have that support system. Were lucky to have each other.

What Ryan Hurd, Morgan Wade  When 8 p.m. Jan. 23  Where Delmar Hall, 6133 Delmar Boulevard  How much $20-$25; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required  More info ticketmaster.com
Possibly under the theory that every generation entering its 30s will need the mirror of a situation comedy to recognize, admire or chuckle knowingly at itself, How I Met Your Mother, which ran on CBS from 2005 to 2014, has been rebooted by Hulu as How I Met Your Father. Like its structural model, it uses the framing device of a narrator from the future explaining what the title promises (Kim Cattrall in 2050, looking back on younger self Hillary Duff in 2022); is set in New York, in a world without COVID-19; and features a bar. (There is a hint at the end of the pilot that it occupies the same fictional universe as How I Met Your Mother, and a note to the press describes the new show as a sequel, but Im happy to stick with reboot.)

An earlier mooted reboot, How I Met Your Dad, from Mother creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and Saturday Night Live writer Emily Spivey, was set to follow hot on the heels of Mother but never made it past the pilot. And though I havent noticed the world clamoring these six years for someone to pick up that thread, it is not strange that Hulu, which streams How I Met Your Mother, might have seen the industrial wisdom in giving it this little sister. To be sure, the framing device is now just a gimmick to distinguish this ensemble fading-youth comedy, in which some characters live together and all of whom spend time in a place where drink and/or food is served, from other comedies whose characters do the same  while linking it to an earlier hit. But, after all, it has got our attention.

Duff plays Sophie, who, after 87 Tinder dates  this year  has made a love connection with Ian (Daniel Augustin), whom the script whisks out of the picture by the end of the pilot. (This does not count as a spoiler; boyfriends are always being whisked away in situation comedy, and he may be back.) Jesse (Chris Lowell) is internet famous for a rejected proposal (to Leighton Meester, in the briefest of cameos) caught on video.

Directed by Pamela Fryman, who helmed nearly every episode of How I Met Your Mother, its a looking-glass reboot. Sophies future self is onscreen, where, in Mother, narrator Teds was not; Teds future children were onscreen, where Sophies son is not. Where most of the main characters of Mother arrived with a long history together, the Father pilot is chockablock with new relationships. Sophie is picked up by Jesse in an Uber, in which his friend Sid (Suraj Sharma), who owns the series bar, is a passenger; her roommate Valentina (Francia Raisa) has returned from a trip to London with Charlie (Tom Ainsley), an aristocratic hunk, something like a cross between Bertie Wooster and Jethro Bodine, whom she has moved into their apartment; Ellen (Tien Tran), Jesses adopted sister, has moved to New York from Iowa to reconnect with him, but they are essentially strangers, having grown up separately after their parents divorce. (By the third episode, theyre cemented as a gang.) As a result, the pilot does a lot of heavy narrative lifting; subsequent episodes settle into more relaxed rhythms.

Not surprisingly  inevitably, even purposely  there is nothing particularly new here. Bays and Thomas were 29 when they wrote the Mother pilot, roughly the same age as their characters, and used themselves and their friends as models. Within the context of a network sitcom, it produced something that felt authentic and generationally fresh. Here, the pop cultural references feel like billboards.

The plots are the usual stuff of mainstream situation comedy  lies and misunderstandings, characters thrown into competition over this or that thing, or trying to seem something theyre not. There is a (double) spit take. That does not mean its difficult to watch; at worst, its pleasant, undemanding company that might ring some harmonious bells with viewers excited for a show that references Trains Drops of Jupiter, Pabst Blue Ribbon and 7th Heaven. Its funny at times, and when it isnt funny, it is usually at least sweet, which is no small thing.

Indeed, the series most appealing aspect  perhaps a legacy of its broadcast roots, or the fact that rebooters Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger were showrunners on NBCs soft-center This Is Us  is its unwillingness to decouple sex from love. Sophie, despite her many bad dates, still wants to find my person; Jesse, despite his carapace of cynicism, is an emotional marshmallow. As in the Mother pilot, there is an engagement and a climactic rom-com mission. The word monogamy is spoken in a positive light.

Not to take the series more seriously than it merits, or asks, but if it has a theme  and it does return to this point often and explicitly  its the fearful onset of maturity. Valentina fears becoming old and boring. Were young, says Sophie. We can still make bad choices for a few more years. Drew, a recurring character played by Josh Peck, is a relative grown-up: He takes taxis, specifies the year when he orders wine and, most importantly, understands when its time to let the wait staff go home, which attracts and muddles Sophie. Meanwhile, an even younger generation is represented by an NYU student who tends bar for Sid and says things like simping and thats fire.

The cast members sit comfortably in their parts. I particularly enjoyed Ainsley, who answers in the affirmative the question of whether a buff man can be funny; Peck, a former child star like Duff, whose innate gentleness I find most pleasing; and especially Tran, who never acts as if shes in a sitcom and, given a serious scene to play, pulls the show into a more naturalistic space  no mean trick.

The laugh track is a distraction for a while, because it is so obviously not the work of a studio audience. But this tends to fade into the background, like a not especially severe case of tinnitus.

What How I Met Your Father  When Tuesdays  Where Hulu  More info hulu.com
CLAYTON  A judge on Wednesday left in place a public masking requirement in St. Louis County, turning back a request for a temporary restraining order sought by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

Schmitt sued the county on Jan. 6 to block the latest mask order, which was passed the day before by the County Council on a 4-3 party-line vote. Democratic council members supported the order; Republicans did not.

Schmitt, a Republican, has contended the public orders violate state law, and has sued repeatedly to stop their enforcement  even as COVID-19 cases surged recently.

But on Wednesday, St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Richard M. Stewart denied Schmitts latest request.

The ruling allows the county to continue its mask requirement as the case proceeds.

Schmitt has also asked the courts for a preliminary injunction, an intermediate ruling that would bar the county from enforcing the mask requirement until a judge makes a final ruling in the case.

Stewart set a hearing on the motion for Feb. 8.

County Executive Sam Page, a Democrat, said in a tweet that his administration was pleased with the ruling.

Masks and vaccines together are the way out of this pandemic, he said.

Schmitt called the judges ruling purely technical.

Today, the Court issued a purely technical decision, he said. Weve won before, and we will win again.

The countys order requires masks in public indoor spaces for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people older than 5.

The move was meant to replace a mask order that had been issued by Page and Dr. Faisal Khan, acting health director, but was rescinded Dec. 9 after a Cole County judge presiding over a separate case struck down state regulations allowing local health departments to issue such orders. St. Louis County has appealed to intervene in the case and challenge the ruling, which did not explicitly bar orders approved by local politicians.

Schmitt, one of several GOP candidates running for U.S. Senate, has previously sued St. Louis County and other governments to challenge COVID-19 health measures.

In the current lawsuit, Schmitt argued the county could not yet issue another mask requirement because state law enacted in July prohibits such health orders to 30 days within a 180-day period. Schmitt cited a previous County Council vote, on July 27, to rescind a mask order issued the day before.

But in his ruling Wednesday, Stewart said Schmitts argument is unlikely to succeed because the vote did not constitute a prohibition on future mask orders.

Plaintiff equates a terminated order with one prohibited under state law, Stewart said. The two are not the same, and equating an order terminated by a vote of the County Council with an unlawful order, would deviate from the plain language used by the Missouri State Legislature.

Stewart also said the state law only limited public health officers from enacting orders past 30 days and did not require local politicians renew such orders before the 30-day time period expired.

The state legislature limited the authority of a health officer, local health agency, or public health authority to enact such orders indefinitely, however, it did allow a duly elected legislative body to act when it deemed necessary, Stewart said.

Updated at 6:50 p.m.

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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For many people undergoing total hip or knee replacement, same-day surgery is a safe option, new research shows.

Among folks in overall good health, the study of nearly 1.8 million patients found similar post-op complication rates among those who had outpatient joint replacement surgery compared to those who spent a night or two in the hospital.

"Careful patient selection is the key to success with outpatient surgery," cautioned senior study author Dr. Geoffrey Westrich, from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

For example, older age can increase the risk for any surgery, "and so monitoring patients overnight may be beneficial," noted Westrich, research director emeritus of the hospital's adult reconstruction and joint replacement service.

And those with underlying conditions like diabetes or lung disease may also face a higher risk for complications, the research team found. "Inpatient surgery in such patients is probably more safe," added Westrich.

But "there is no doubt that these findings are definitive, and that outpatient surgery is here to stay," he added.

During the 2010-2017 study period, outpatient hip and knee replacements grew by an average of 16% and 11%, respectively, each year, the authors found.

Still, inpatient surgery remains much more common, Westrich acknowledged.

Of the many patients the researchers followed, just under a third underwent total hip replacement, while the remainder had a knee replacement.

When averaged out, only about 3% of knee procedures and just over 2% of hip procedures were handled on an outpatient basis. (By 2017, however, those numbers approached 5% for both.)

Candidates for same-day discharge after knee and hip surgeries were about three and five years younger, respectively, than their inpatient peers. Those who went straight home also had fewer preexisting conditions.

Zeroing in on the risk for complications, researchers looked at adverse events requiring readmission to a hospital within three months after surgery. Potential complications included heart attacks, blood clots, infection, pneumonia, bleeding, and/or mechanical or breakage issues involving the hip or knee prosthetic itself.

Complication rates were essentially the same across all hip replacement patients, whether treated as inpatients or outpatients, the study showed.

Among knee replacement patients, a slightly higher complication risk was seen among those discharged the same day. But even so, the risk was pegged as very small -- less than 1% -- among both those who stayed at the hospital and those who didn't.

"The results are really interesting," said Westrich, "and basically demonstrate that with proper patient selection outpatient surgery can be done safely and can benefit the patient."

Same-day patients still need follow-up, he noted. "All patients at our hospital receive a telephone call the next day to see how they are doing and if they need any help with anything," he said.

But for young, healthy and "highly motivated patients," outpatient surgery can be a good fit, Westrich said.

That message is gaining traction, said Dr. Kanu Okike, an orthopedic surgeon with the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group in Honolulu.

"Over the past several decades, the amount of time that patients spend in the hospital following elective total joint replacement has gradually been decreasing," said Okike, who was not part of the study.

Increasingly, "forward-looking organizations have shown that same-day discharge is feasible and safe for the majority of patients undergoing elective total joint replacement," he said.

Okike echoed Westrich's call for careful patient selection and thorough patient education preoperatively, alongside safe post-op pain control and rigorous follow-up.

"As long as it can be performed safely, many patients prefer waking up in their own bed the morning after surgery," Okike noted. "This has been especially true over the past few years during the COVID-19 pandemic."

The findings were published recently in the Journal of Arthroplasty.

More information

There's more on outpatient joint replacement surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

SOURCES: Geoffrey H. Westrich, MD, orthopedic surgeon and research director, adult reconstruction and joint replacement service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City; Kanu M. Okike, MD, MPH, FAAOS, orthopedic trauma and total hip replacement specialist, Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, Honolulu; Journal of Arthroplasty, Nov. 19, 2021

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- No magic bullet exists for ending the U.S. opioid crisis, but there's hopeful news for one high-risk population: Providing addiction medication in jails reduces the odds of addicts being re-arrested after their release, new research shows.

"Studies like this provide much-needed evidence and momentum for jails and prisons to better enable the treatment, education and support systems that individuals with an opioid use disorder need to help them recover and prevent reincarceration," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

"Not offering treatment to people with opioid use disorder in jails and prisons can have devastating consequences, including a return to use and heightened risk of overdose and death after release," she noted in an institute news release.

People with opioid addiction are hooked on illicit drugs like heroin, powerful painkillers such as oxycodone (OxyContin) or synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

The study included 469 adults jailed in two rural Massachusetts jails, one in Franklin County (197 prisoners) and the other in Hampshire County (272 prisoners). Most were male, white and aged 34 to 35. All had opioid addiction, which is an epidemic in the United States, and left the jails between Jan. 1, 2015 and April 30, 2019.

During that time, the Franklin County jail began offering the opioid addiction medication buprenorphine to prisoners, while the Hampshire County facility did not.

An analysis of the jails' electronic booking systems showed that less than half of the participants from the Franklin County jail re-offended, compared with 63% of those from the Hampshire County jail.

New criminal charges were laid against 36% of participants from the Franklin County jail, compared to 47% of those from the Hampshire County jail. While about four out of 10 of those in the Hampshire County group ended up back in jail, the rate was just over 20% in the Franklin County group.

Overall, the Franklin County group had a 32% reduction in probation violations, re-incarcerations or court charges when they offered the buprenorphine treatment compared with when they did not offer the medication, the findings showed.

A large part of that difference was due to a decrease in property crimes, according to the NIDA-funded study. The results were published Jan. 18 in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

"A lot of data already show that offering medications for opioid use disorder to people in jail can prevent overdoses, withdrawal and other adverse health outcomes after the individual is released," said study co-author Dr. Peter Friedmann, of Baystate Health, in Springfield, Mass.

"Though this study was done with a small sample, the results show convincingly that on top of these positive health effects, providing these medications in jail can break the repressive cycle of arrest, reconviction and reincarceration that occurs in the absence of adequate help and resources," he said. "That's huge."

More information

There's more on opioid addiction medications at the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

SOURCE: U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, news release, Jan. 18, 2022

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis County man received a 14-year prison term Tuesday after admitting to fatally slashing a co-worker's throat in 2019 in the city's Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

Alipasha Ibragimov, 28, of unincorporated south St. Louis County, reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to charges of armed criminal action and a reduced charge of second-degree murder. Circuit Judge Theresa Burke accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Ibragimov.

Ibragimov admitted fatally stabbing his co-worker Steven Tyrell Hill, 20, of St. Louis about 4:20 p.m. Sept. 28, 2019, while working for the Two Men and a Truck moving company. Hill died at the scene.

The men were moving an equipment company out of a warehouse in the 400 block of Eichelberger Street at the time, authorities said. Surveillance video showed Ibragimov and Hill outside the warehouse, then Hill getting into the cab of the moving truck. The video then showed Ibragimov getting into the cab of the vehicle too, and Ibragimov running into the warehouse, covered in blood.

A motive is still unclear and the murder weapon was never found, said Steven Waterkotte, Ibragimov's lawyer. Ibragimov's trial had been set for Jan. 31.

"I think it was a fair resolution," Waterkotte said.

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ST. LOUIS  A notary from St. Louis pleaded guilty to a federal crime Tuesday and admitted ordering 989 fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards from China.

The cards ordered by Morgan Webb, 23, had fake insignia and seal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Labeled on a shipping manifest as "THANK YOU CARDS," they were intercepted in September at a DHL shipping hub in Kentucky by Customs and Border Protection officers, and later delivered to Webb at her apartment in the 1100 block of Washington Avenue.

Webb admitted intentionally buying the fake vaccination cards, her plea says. There was no mention of her motive and no indication she had sold any cards.

Both sides have agreed to recommend at Webb's sentencing April 20 that she get probation for the misdemeanor crime of possession of an imitation insignia of a U.S. agency. The maximum sentence is six months in prison.

Webb became a notary public in May, according to state records, and registered a notary business in July.

Webb's lawyer, Diane Dragan, declined to comment and said her client did not wish to comment.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Backers of a congressional map that would likely send six Republicans and two Democrats from Missouri to the U.S. House muscled the plan through the state House on Wednesday over opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.

The plan, which advanced to the Senate on an 86-67 vote, leaves intact the safe Democratic district of U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City, which some Republicans opposed. It also shores up Republican U.S. Rep. Ann Wagners GOP-leaning 2nd Congressional District in the St. Louis suburbs, which Democrats want to make more competitive for the next decade.

Even with the 6-2 plan advancing, supporters werent able to muster the 109 votes needed for the map to take immediate effect, with most Democrats withholding support and many Republicans breaking ranks to vote down an emergency clause. A vote on the emergency clause provision failed 95-55.

The map now moves to the Senate, where that chamber may make changes and place an emergency clause on the bill. Doing so would send the plan back to the House, where votes on the revised map and emergency clause would take place.

Conservative hard-liners in the Senate on Wednesday said they planned to block the plan; they want an aggressive gerrymander that would eliminate Cleavers safe Democratic district.

Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, said the GOP couldve approved a 7-1 map and that Wagners district could flip to the Democrats this decade, resulting in a 5-3 split between Democrats and Republicans.

Given the trends that we see in St. Louis County, thats going to be filled by a Democratic representative in the years to come, Eigel said. Weve got a real fight on our hands to fight for the Republican message here in the Senate.

Like Eigel, Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, said the possibility that Missouri could send three Democrats to Congress within a few elections would give President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi more votes to support a Democratic agenda.

Its bizarre in the extreme, Onder said.

The 6-2 map emerged from the House with few changes from an original draft unveiled in December. At the time, Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, the Republican chairman of the Senate Redistricting Committee, praised the House version.

This is a fair and constitutional map with common-sense boundaries that everyday Missourians can recognize, Bernskoetter said in December.

In the House, Democrats spoke against the 6-2 plan, even though the majority of Republicans have opted not to pursue a more aggressive 7-1 plan.

That fact appeared to draw complaints from Rep. Sara Walsh, R-Ashland, who is running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District.

We bend over backwards, Walsh said. We work with them all the time and they still vote against what we put forward.

Rep. Jerome Barnes, D-Raytown, said Missourians deserved a better map.

This map continues to ... not (be) reflective of Missouri, he said.

The map splits St. Louis County between the 1st and 2nd congressional districts like the system currently in place.

The 1st, represented by U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, would take in more Webster Groves-area precincts than it currently does. Democrats have unsuccessfully pushed a plan that would move these majority white, Democratic-leaning areas to the 2nd.

Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis, said her proposal to shift the boundaries of the 1st would strengthen its minority-majority status. Rep. Sarah Unsicker, D-Shrewsbury, said areas she represents would be better off in the 2nd.

CD 1 is a voting rights district and my district is working to reconcile with a history of racism, Unsicker said. I dont agree with that being part of a voting rights district.

St. Charles County would be divided between the 2nd and 3rd districts under the plan. The St. Charles County delegation has advocated for placing the entire county within one congressional district, so far to no avail.

Jefferson County, south of St. Louis, would be placed entirely within the 3rd Congressional District, represented by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, near Jefferson City, in mid-Missouri.

The county is currently split between the 2nd, 3rd and 8th congressional districts.

Lincoln County, north of St. Louis, would move from the 3rd District to the 6th District, covering northern Missouri.

Kurt Erickson of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri may be poised to embark on a major building spree using $2.8 billion in federal pandemic relief funds.

In outlining his budget plan Wednesday for the fiscal year beginning July 1, Gov. Mike Parson laid out dozens of major brick-and-mortar projects he wants to launch, arguing in a speech to lawmakers that spending the federal money on one-time expenses will not leave the state facing a financial cliff when the money runs out.

Providing essential services to Missouri citizens and businesses is the role of state government, budget documents noted.

Parson budget chief Dan Haug said most of the American Rescue Plan Act money must be spent by 2026, meaning there is a rush to get the money approved by the Legislature.

These are big projects that are going to take a while to get going, Haug said.

The projects represent a cross-section of state government, including:

 $27 million to partially reopen the flood damaged Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.

 $9.6 million to install Wi-Fi in state parks.

 Nearly $470 million for university building projects, including a new academic building at Harris-Stowe State University, an expansion of the Arnold campus of Jefferson College and upgrades at University of Missouri-St. Louis and St. Louis Community College.

 $250 million to expand broadband internet access and $30 million on the construction of 100 cell towers.

 $411 million on drinking water, stormwater and wastewater projects, including identifying water service lines containing lead.

 $250 million in matching funds to cities and towns for local development projects.

 $69.3 million to help build a 86-mile section of the Rock Island Corridor recreational trail from Eugene to Beaufort, including a bridge over the Gasconade River.

 $43 million to build a new arena and buy land for additional campgrounds at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia.

 $78 million for a public health lab in Jefferson City that will be used by four state agencies.

 $104 million for a public safety crime lab in Jefferson City.

The Missouri Budget Project, which tracks state spending, urged Parson to earmark the federal funds for a number of the same projects he outlined on Wednesday.

Every Missourian deserves the opportunity to thrive, with quality housing they can afford, a job that lets them provide for their families, and a strong community, said budget project director Amy Blouin. By investing in the things that help all of our families succeed, we can build a stronger foundation for our states economic prosperity.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Hospitals and nursing homes in Missouri would lose some of their ability to restrict visitors during a pandemic under legislation being considered in the Legislature.

Republican lawmakers have introduced at least four proposals designed to address concerns that patients and elderly residents lost valuable contact with their loved ones when the spread of COVID-19 triggered prohibitions on visitors.

Isolation kills. Human beings were created by God to interact with each other, said Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson. Only God can determine life or death.

Hospitals and nursing homes are against the changes, saying they need to have the ability to control what goes on inside their doors.

The push mirrors ongoing Republican attempts to end mask mandates, vaccination requirements and business closures and comes as hospitals across the state are again limiting visitors in response to the ongoing surge of cases.

At St. Lukes Hospital in Chesterfield, for example, patients are allowed one visitor per day in most circumstances. Exceptions are made in end-of-life situations. Two visitors per stay are allowed in obstetrics, labor and delivery, nursery, special care nursery and pediatrics.

BJC HealthCare, SSM Health and Mercy announced similar restrictions in December.

Democrats argued that now is not the time to increase risks at health care facilities.

We have to take in the strong reality right now that we have nursing shortages, said Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire.

I worry we are encouraging the spread of communicable disease, said Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City.

Seitz is sponsoring House Bill 2097, the No Patient Left Behind Act, which would require hospitals to allow patients to have visitors at any time. The proposed law also prohibits long-term care facilities from adopting policies during a health emergency that prevent family members, caregivers or public administrators from visiting residents.

Rep. Rusty Black, R-Chillicothe, wants to create the No Patient Left Alone Act. House Bill 2116 would require health care facilities to allow at least one person to be with the patient at all times during the patients stay in the hospital. It also would prohibit a hospital from requiring patients to have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as a prerequisite to receive treatment or to have visitors.

Rep. Mitch Boggs, R-LaRussell, has introduced House Bill 1690, which would prohibit hospitals and certain health care facilities from instituting policies that limit patients abilities to be visited by designated family members or friends during any hospitalization or treatment that lasts for a period exceeding 24 hours, including during a public health emergency as outlined in the bill.

And, Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, is sponsoring House Bill 2221, which would require health care facilities allow essential caregivers, as designated by patient family members, to conduct in-person visits with patients, and prevents long-term care facilities from adopting policies in response to an outbreak of a contagious illness.

Were not putting people in prison because they are sick, Lewis said.

The bills, which were discussed in a House committee Wednesday, come as visitation policies at hospitals and long-term care facilities again are being adjusted to deal with a surge of patients.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force said Tuesday that the seven-day average of new hospital admissions fell to 210 a day, from 219 on Saturday. It did not issue an update on Wednesday.

But doctors said its too soon to celebrate. Patients still at times are staying overnight, or even for multiple days in emergency rooms, waiting for care, said BJC Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Clay Dunagan, who co-leads the Task Force. Hospitals are unable to take as many patient transfers from outside the region.

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ST. LOUIS  Backers of a proposed intentional homeless encampment near the riverfront north of downtown may need to find a new site before it ever opens.

The project is on hold for now because of concerns raised by the areas alderman, James Page, about the location at First Street and Cass Avenue that was picked by St. Patrick Center.

St. Patrick, a well-known homeless services organization, was selected by the city for a $905,000 contract to manage the facility.

Anthony DAgostino, CEO of St. Patrick, and Page said they are in ongoing discussions about a potential location for the encampment, at which 40 tiny homes would be erected to house homeless people who choose not to go to more traditional shelters.

Special mental health, job training and other services would be provided for such individuals, along with ways to access transitional housing.

Page said he supports the general concept but worries that too many homeless facilities of various types are already located in his ward, which stretches north from the northern edge of downtown.

Were at or near or above saturation, he said.

He said while his first and foremost thought is on behalf of my housing-challenged constituents, he also has to consider the concerns of his areas other residents and its business owners.

Last summer, the Board of Aldermen exempted Pages 5th Ward and 11 other wards from being considered for encampments funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act and requested by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones administration.

Page and aldermen from those other wards specifically asked for their areas to be ruled out. But DAgostino said he has been seeking a special dispensation from Page for this facility. That could require passage of another ordinance.

In December, DAgostino had said St. Patrick planned to open the encampment at First and Cass, on a privately owned vacant lot, as soon as the end of this month.

Now, he said, the earliest something could begin operating would be in the spring, in part because Page has yet to sign off on the proposal.

DAgostino said while he still likes the First and Cass location, the main goal is to get a site somewhere in the ward.

He said thats because many of the people likely to live in the encampment would want to be relatively close to the services offered at St. Patricks headquarters on North Tucker Boulevard, which also is in the area.

If we create an encampment 3 to 5 miles away, its not going to work, DAgostino said, explaining that homeless people are unlikely to voluntarily go there.

We already have in the 5th Ward a large amount of people who are living in pop-up encampments with no services, he added.

The proposed encampment, which would be located about a mile from St. Patrick Center, would succeed an indoor intentional facility dubbed Camp Cole that closed in early November after running out of funding.

That was set up in August by St. Patrick and private donors in a warehouse at 14th and Cole streets.

Among the people housed there in tents were some who formerly stayed at an outdoor camp that sprang up next to St. Patrick Center and was shut down by the city after fights, drug use and a fatal shooting.

Page said he was supportive of Camp Cole, in part because it was staffed 24-7 to keep order. It wasnt covered by the aldermanic prohibition dealing with encampments set up with ARPA funds.

He said he worried that the 40 tiny homes St. Patrick wanted to put up for the new encampment at First and Cass wouldnt be enough to meet the need and that some people would still end up sleeping on the streets.

DAgostino said the space proposed would be adequate. He also said there would be 24-hour staff on site trained in de-escalating disputes as at Camp Cole.

He said Camp Cole was initially filled with 40 people and that as people were transitioned out to other more permanent housing, they werent replaced because organizers knew the facility would only be open temporarily.

We could have kept putting people in there had the facility stayed open longer, he said.

DAgostino said if a plan acceptable to Page cant be worked out in his ward, other locations likely would be sought. I have no doubts an intentional community will be in our city at some point this year, he said.

The proposed tiny home encampment would be different than an existing tiny home homeless community at a former RV park at Jefferson Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive because it will be for people who wont go to traditional shelters.

Another tiny home development is planned for an area off North Grand Boulevard to serve homeless veterans.

The Board of Aldermen last month passed a redistricting plan cutting the number of city wards in half and redrawing boundaries.

But because elections to pick aldermen from the new larger wards wont be held until next year, board leaders say theyll operate this year using the old ward lines.

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CLAYTON  The St. Louis County Council on Tuesday began revisiting more than $18 million in funding requests that it delayed last month during budget negotiations.

Facing a Dec. 31 deadline to approve the 2022 budget, a council majority last month stripped proposed new spending that relied on American Rescue Plan dollars, citing concerns that the county couldnt ensure the programs would comply with federal regulations. They pledged to approve most, if not all, of County Executive Sam Pages budget requests in January.

But during hearings Tuesday, Council Chair Rita Heard Days, D-1st District, and other council members raised concerns over a request from the Department of Public Health for $3.57 million and a request from County Counselor Beth Orwick for $240,000 to hire five new attorneys.

Days said she was reluctant to approve new funding requests without a plan to sustain them once the federal funding runs out.

Councilmen Tim Fitch, R-3rd District, Mark Harder, R-7th District, and Ernie Trakas, R-6th District, said they wanted to ensure that hiring additional staff attorneys would mean Orwick would use outside law firms less.

And Councilwoman Shalonda Webb, D-4th District, said she would rather the council seek out a comprehensive plan for the American Rescue Plan funding before approving requests by individual departments.

I cannot keep acting like this is a slush fund that we can just give and give and give, Webb said.

The council did, however, vote unanimously to approve spending $500,000 of the federal funds to continue contracting Deloitte, an auditing firm hired in 2020 to ensure federal aid spending meets U.S. Treasury regulations.

Of the health departments budget request, $2 million would be to fund contracts for clinicians and outreach workers focused on addressing health issues that are either considered comorbidities to COVID-19, such as diabetes and heart disease, or conditions that worsened during the pandemic, such as mental health and substance use disorders.

The American Rescue Plan funding would also include about $1 million for 13 new full-time positions that would help promote health education, violence prevention planning, and help enroll residents in Medicaid.

The services are meant to reach residents, most of them without insurance, who have delayed regular care at public health clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. Faisal Khan, acting health director.

Khan said the full-time positions were earmarked to last only as long as there is funding. Once the pandemic ends, such services could be rolled back under regular care at public health clinics, he said.

If we have to come to a place two or three years from now where we have to downsize, or consider other funding sources like grants, we will do that, Khan said.

The department would also use $100,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to provide free transportation for residents within about a 10-mile radius of the countys public health centers, and about $10,000 to pay for Narcan kits, which help treat opioid overdoses, that would be distributed for free.

Orwick has said her office of 35 employees is smaller than those of neighboring jurisdictions and needs more support to keep up with responsibilities including property tax appeals, lawsuits, contract negotiations, ordinance violations and preparing council legislation.

The office currently includes 30 attorneys, five administrative employees and two part-time retirees. Five of the attorneys were hired late last year after the council approved a request for the new positions.

Orwick said Tuesday that her office is starting to see the benefits of the recent hires.

Two new paralegals and an investigator would help free up time for attorneys by helping gather records and identify witnesses for each case, Orwick said.

The council also held a hearing with the Department of Information Technology, which requested about $1.26 million to make website upgrades meant to make it easier to process and track service requests from residents and county employees.

IT Director Chuck Henderson said the end goal was to automate about 65% of all customer-facing services done by the Department of Revenue, County Assessor, Division of Personnel and Division of Procurement.

The American Rescue Plan funding would pay for contracts for about 12 temporary employees including business analysts and web developers, Henderson said.

Days on Tuesday also requested legislation that would allow the council to give first-round approval to some requests as early as next week:

 $1 million for the Department of Transportation and Public Works for facilities maintenance

 $1 million for a comprehensive land use plan

 $500,000 for a comprehensive pay study across county departments

 $92,553 for the Department of Human Services to hire a new administrative services manager

 $807,857 to expand the municipal courts system by hiring 13 clerks and two court judges

Additionally, Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell has requested $2.1 million to hire 15 attorneys and 15 secretaries. The council is scheduled to hold a hearing with Bells office Thursday.

Virtual meetings

Tuesday was also the councils first virtual meeting since a COVID-19 surge led to record daily cases and hospitalizations. Days announced late last week that the council would meet by teleconference for at least three weeks to avoid gatherings in the council chambers in Clayton.

But Harder and Trakas on Tuesday said the council should have voted on the matter and called on Days to give the council a vote soon on whether to continue virtual meetings.

Webb and Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, D-5th District, said the decision should hinge on whether COVID-19 numbers have declined. The Department of Public Health advised the council last week to meet by teleconference until daily COVID-19 cases drop to a moderate level as defined by the CDC for at least 14 consecutive days.

Harder, in response, said he opposed basing the decision on anything other than a council vote.

Its up to this body to determine when and how we meet, Harder said.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Flags across the state of Missouri will fly at half-staff Thursday in honor of a firefighter who lost his life while serving the people of St. Louis.

St. Louis Fire Department Firefighter Benjamin James Polson responded to a fire in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood in St. Louis last week and was searching for victims and fighting the blaze when the building collapsed. Polson, 33, was the first St. Louis firefighter to die in the line of duty since 2002.

Gov. Mike Parson ordered all U.S. and Missouri flags at St. Louis government buildings, the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri and firehouses statewide to fly at half-staff in memory of Polson.

Firefighter Polson died in the line of duty, willingly taking on risks in a highly dangerous profession so that others in St. Louis could be safer, said Parson in a news release Wednesday. He will always be remembered as an honorable, dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice because of his commitment to the well-being of others.

Polson was a second generation firefighter, the son of a former fire captain, and had served in St. Louis since November 2019. Friends and family described him as a genuine person and a true friend.

Visitation will be held today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Road in the Affton area. Overflow parking will be available at Grants Farm.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Boulevard. Inurnment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 6901 Mackenzie Road in the Affton area.

The funeral procession will travel west on Lindell Boulevard, turn left on Kingshighway and head south to Chippewa Street. It will proceed west on Chippewa to Mackenzie to the cemetery. People are invited to line the route.

Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com
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Jeff Bezos will be flying to space on the first crewed flight of the New Shepard, the rocket ship made by his space company, Blue Origin. The flight is scheduled for July 20, just 15 days after he is set to resign as CEO of Amazon.

Blue Origin said Bezos' younger brother, Mark Bezos, will also join the flight.

"Ever since I was five years old, I've dreamed of traveling to space," Bezos, 57, said in a Monday morning Instagram post. "On July 20th, I will take that journey with my brother. The greatest adventure, with my best friend."

If all goes according to plan, Bezos  he world's richest person with a net worth of $187 billion  will be the first of the billionaire space tycoons to experience a ride aboard the rocket technology that he's poured millions into developing. Not even Elon Musk, whose SpaceX builds rockets powerful enough to enter orbit around Earth, has announced plans to travel to space aboard one of his companies human-worthy crew capsules.

British billionaire Richard Branson, whose own space company, Virgin Galactic, is planning on conducting flights to suborbital space for ultra-wealthy thrill seekers and competing directly with Blue Origin. Branson has long said he would be among the first passengers aboard Virgin Galactic's rocket-powered plane, but that flight is expected to take place later in 2021.

Blue Origin's flight crewed flight will see the company's six-seater capsule and 59-foot rocket tear toward the edge of space on a 11-minute flight that'll reach more than 60 miles above Earth.

After six years of extensive and often secretive testing of the rocket and capsule, called New Shepard, Blue Origin announced in May that it was preparing to put the first passengers in a New Shepard capsule.

Though the company has not announced how much it will sell regular tickets for, Blue Origin said one seat will be given to the winner of a month-long auction that's currently in progress. The bidding had reached $2.8 million as of Monday morning.

Blue Origin was founded by Bezos in 2000, and the company conducted more than a dozen test flights with no one on board at Blue Origin's facilities in rural Texas, about 70 miles from Marfa.

Bezos created Amazon in 1994, first as an online bookseller, with $250,000 from his parents. Over the following years it has grown to become one of the largest companies in the world, with business in everything from Amazon Web Services, a cloud computing services company that counts entities from Netflix to the CIA as customers; to owning MGM, the studio that makes James Bond; to holding a major stake in Rivian, an electric car company.

It has its own home security company, Ring, and its own grocery chain, Whole Foods. And that's before you get to the airline, Prime Air, with its own fleet of over Prime Air-branded 70 aircraft, shipping exclusively packages from Amazon around the world.

Amazon's explosive popularity helped grow Bezos' fortune to more than a billion dollars by 1999, when he was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. He founded Blue Origin in 2000, and said at one point that he was selling upward of $1 billion worth of Amazon stock each year to help fund the company's rocket development.

Bezos will remain involved in Amazon, though he will transition to the executive chairman role.

He will be succeeded as CEO by Andy Jassy, the head of Amazon Web Services.

Bezos' brother, Mark, formerly the owner of an advertising agency and is now a senior vice president at Robin Hood, a New York City charity.

In addition to New Shepard, Blue Origin is also working to develop a towering rocket called New Glenn, which the company hopes will be used to send US government and commercial satellites to orbit, as well as potentially make trips to deep space. Blue Origin also hoped to be involved in NASA's plan to return humans to the moon by 2024, though it was bested by SpaceX for a contract to build the lunar lander that would shuttle astronauts from the moon's orbit down to the surface. Blue Origin is protesting that contract decision, though NASA has also said that Blue Origin is still eligible to bid to work on future lunar missions.

Bezos has called Blue Origin "the most important work I'm doing," though he has not previously been open about whether he personally would like to travel to space.

"I'm interested in space because I'm passionate about it," Bezos, who also made a cameo in 2016's Star Trek: Beyond," said during an interview with Mathias Dopfner, the CEO of Axel Springer. "I've been studying it and thinking about it since I was a five year old boy  but that is not why I'm pursuing this work. I'm pursuing this work because I believe if we don't, we will eventually end up with a civilization of stasis, which I find very demoralizing."

***

With additional reporting by Rachel Crane.
Pulling a pistol from his waistband, the young man spun his human shield toward police.

"Don't do it!" a pursuing officer pleaded. The young man complied, releasing the bystander and tossing the gun, which skittered across the city street and then into the hands of police.

They soon learned that the 9mm Beretta had a rap sheet. Bullet casings linked it to four shootings, all of them in Albany, New York.

And there was something else. The pistol was U.S. Army property, a weapon intended for use against America's enemies, not on its streets.

The Army couldn't say how its Beretta M9 got to New York's capital. Until the June 2018 police foot chase, the Army didn't even realize someone had stolen the gun. Inventory records checked by investigators said the M9 was 600 miles away -- safe inside Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

"It's incredibly alarming," said Albany County District Attorney David Soares. "It raises the other question as to what else is seeping into a community that could pose a clear and present danger."

The armed services and the Pentagon are not eager for the public to know the answer.

In the first public accounting of its kind in decades, an Associated Press investigation has found that at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms were lost or stolen during the 2010s, with some resurfacing in violent crimes. Because some armed services have suppressed the release of basic information, AP's total is a certain undercount.

Keep scrolling to the end of this story for a guide to the military guns most often lost or stolen

Government records covering the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force show pistols, machine guns, shotguns and automatic assault rifles have vanished from armories, supply warehouses, Navy warships, firing ranges and other places where they were used, stored or transported. These weapons of war disappeared because of unlocked doors, sleeping troops, a surveillance system that didn't record, break-ins and other security lapses that, until now, have not been publicly reported.

While AP's focus was firearms, military explosives also were lost or stolen, including armor-piercing grenades that ended up in an Atlanta backyard.

Weapon theft or loss spanned the military's global footprint, touching installations from coast to coast, as well as overseas. In Afghanistan, someone cut the padlock on an Army container and stole 65 Beretta M9s -- the same type of gun recovered in Albany. The theft went undetected for at least two weeks, when empty pistol boxes were discovered in the compound. The weapons were not recovered.

Even elite units are not immune. A former member of a Marines special operations unit was busted with two stolen guns. A Navy SEAL lost his pistol during a fight in a restaurant in Lebanon.

The Pentagon used to share annual updates about stolen weapons with Congress, but the requirement to do so ended years ago and public accountability has slipped. The Army and Air Force, for example, couldn't readily tell AP how many weapons were lost or stolen from 2010 through 2019. So the AP built its own database, using extensive federal Freedom of Information Act requests to review hundreds of military criminal case files or property loss reports, as well as internal military analysis and data from registries of small arms.

Sometimes, weapons disappear without a paper trail. Military investigators regularly close cases without finding the firearms or person responsible because shoddy records lead to dead ends.

The military's weapons are especially vulnerable to corrupt insiders responsible for securing them. They know how to exploit weak points within armories or the military's enormous supply chains. Often from lower ranks, they may see a chance to make a buck from a military that can afford it.

"It's about the money, right?" said Brig. Gen. Duane Miller, who as deputy provost marshal general is the Army's No. 2 law enforcement official.

Theft or loss happens more than the Army has publicly acknowledged. During an initial interview, Miller significantly understated the extent to which weapons disappear, citing records that report only a few hundred missing rifles and handguns. But an internal analysis AP obtained, done by the Army's Office of the Provost Marshal General, tallied 1,303 firearms.

In a second interview, Miller said he wasn't aware of the memos, which had been distributed throughout the Army, until AP pointed them out following the first interview. "If I had the information in front of me," Miller said, "I would share it with you." Other Army officials said the internal analysis might overstate some losses.

The AP's investigation began a decade ago. From the start, the Army has given conflicting information on a subject with the potential to embarrass -- and that's when it has provided information at all. A former insider described how Army officials resisted releasing details of missing guns when AP first inquired, and indeed that information was never provided.

Top officials within the Army, Marines and Secretary of Defense's office said that weapon accountability is a high priority, and when the military knows a weapon is missing it does trigger a concerted response to recover it. The officials also said missing weapons are not a widespread problem and noted that the number is a tiny fraction of the military's stockpile.

"We have a very large inventory of several million of these weapons," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in an interview. "We take this very seriously and we think we do a very good job. That doesn't mean that there aren't losses. It doesn't mean that there aren't mistakes made."

Kirby said those mistakes are few, though, and last year the military could account for 99.999% of its firearms. "Though the numbers are small, one is too many," he said.

In the absence of a regular reporting requirement, the Pentagon is responsible for informing Congress of any "significant" incidents of missing weapons. That hasn't happened since at least 2017. While a missing portable missile such as a Stinger would qualify for notifying lawmakers, a stolen machine gun would not, according to a senior Department of Defense official whom the Pentagon provided for an interview on condition the official not be named.

While AP's analysis covered the 2010s, incidents persist.

In May, an Army trainee who fled Fort Jackson in South Carolina with an M4 rifle hijacked a school bus full of children, pointing his unloaded assault weapon at the driver before eventually letting everyone go.

Last October, police in San Diego were startled to find a military grenade launcher on the front seat of a car they pulled over for expired license plates. The driver and his passenger were middle-aged men with criminal records.

After publicizing the arrest, police got a call from a Marine Corps base up the Pacific coast. The Marines wanted to know if the grenade launcher was one they needed to find. They read off a serial number.

It wasn't a match.

***

Crime guns

Stolen military guns have been sold to street gang members, recovered on felons and used in violent crimes.

The AP identified eight instances in which five different stolen military firearms were used in a civilian shooting or other violent crime, and others in which felons were caught possessing weapons. To find these cases, AP combed investigative and court records, as well as published reports. Federal restrictions on sharing firearms information publicly mean the case total is certainly an undercount.

The military requires itself to inform civilian law enforcement when a gun is lost or stolen, and the services help in subsequent investigations. The Pentagon does not track crime guns, and spokesman Kirby said his office was unaware of any stolen firearms used in civilian crimes.

The closest AP could find to an independent tally was done by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services. It said 22 guns issued by the U.S. military were used in a felony during the 2010s. That total could include surplus weapons the military sells to the public or loans to civilian law enforcement.

MORE FROM THE AP INVESTIGATION:

Those FBI records also appear to be undercount. They say that no military-issue gun was used in a felony in 2018, but at least one was.

Back in June 2018, Albany police were searching for 21-year-old Alvin Damon. They'd placed him at a shooting which involved the Beretta M9, a workhorse weapon for the military that is similar to a model Beretta produces for the civilian market.

Surveillance video obtained by AP shows another man firing the gun four times at a group of people off camera, taking cover behind a building between shots. Two men walking with him scattered, one dropping his hat in the street. No one was injured.

Two months later, Detective Daniel Seeber spotted Damon on a stoop near the Prince Deli corner store. Damon took off running and, not far into the chase, grabbed a bystander who had just emerged from the deli with juice and a bag of chips.

After Detective Seeber defused the standoff, officers collected the pistol. A check by New York State Police returned leads to four Albany shootings, including one just the day before in which a bullet lodged in a living room wall. In another, someone was shot in the ankle.

At the request of Albany police, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced the gun's story. The ATF contacted Army's Criminal Investigation Command, and a review of Army inventory systems showed the M9 had been listed as "in-transit" between two Fort Bragg units for two years before police recovered it.

And the Army still doesn't know who stole the gun, or when.

The case wasn't the first in which police recovered a stolen service pistol before troops at Fort Bragg realized it was missing. AP found a second instance, involving a pistol that was among 21 M9s stolen from an arms room.

Military police learned of the theft in 2010. By then, one of the M9s was sitting in an evidence room in the Hoke County Sheriff's Department, picked up in a North Carolina backyard not far from Bragg. Another M9 was later seized in Durham after it was used in a parking lot shooting.

Another steady North Carolina source of weapons has been Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, where authorities often have an open missing weapons investigation. Detectives in Baltimore found a Beretta M9 stolen from a Lejeune armory during a cocaine bust. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service found in the 2011 case that inventory and security procedures were rarely followed. Three guns were stolen; no one was charged.

Deputies in South Carolina were called in 2017 after a man started wildly shooting an M9 pistol into the air during an argument with his girlfriend. The boyfriend, a convicted felon, then started shooting toward a neighbor's house. The pistol came from a National Guard armory that a thief entered through an unlocked door, hauling off six automatic weapons, a grenade launcher and five M9s.

Meanwhile, authorities in central California are still finding AK-74 assault rifles that were among 26 stolen from Fort Irwin a decade ago. Military police officers stole the guns from the Army base, selling some to the Fresno Bulldogs street gang.

At least nine of the AKs have not been recovered.

***

Insider threat

The people with easiest access to military firearms are those who handle and secure them.

In the Army, they are often junior soldiers assigned to armories or arms rooms, according to Col. Kenneth Williams, director of supply under the Army's G-4 Logistics branch.

"This is a young guy or gal," Williams said. "This is a person normally on their first tour of duty. So you can see that we put great responsibility on our soldiers immediately when they come in."

Armorers have access both to firearms and the spare parts kept for repairs. These upper receivers, lower receivers and trigger assemblies can be used to make new guns or enhance existing ones.

"We've seen issues like that in the past where an armorer might build an M16" automatic assault rifle from military parts, said Mark Ridley, a former deputy director of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. "You have to be really concerned with certain armorers and how they build small arms and small weapons."

In 2014, NCIS began investigating the theft of weapons parts from Special Boat Team Twelve, a Navy unit based in Coronado, California. Four M4 trigger assemblies that could make a civilian AR-15 fully automatic were missing. Investigators found an armory inventory manager was manipulating electronic records by moving items or claiming they had been transferred. The parts were never recovered and the case was closed after federal prosecutors declined to file charges.

Weapons accountability is part of military routine. Armorers are supposed to check weapons when they open each day. Sight counts, a visual total of weapons on hand, are drilled into troops whether they are in the field, on patrol or in the arms room. But as long as there have been armories, people have been stealing from them.

Weapons enter the public three main ways: direct sales from thieves to buyers, through pawn shops and surplus stores, and online.

Investigators have found sensitive and restricted parts for military weapons on sites including eBay, which said in a statement it has "zero tolerance" for stolen military gear on its site.

At Fort Campbell, Kentucky, soldiers stole machine gun parts and other items that ended up with online buyers in Russia, China, Mexico and elsewhere. The civilian ringleader, who was found with a warehouse of items, was convicted. Authorities said he made hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Often though, recovering a weapon can prove hard.

When an M203 grenade launcher couldn't be found during a 2019 inventory at a Marine Corps supply base in Albany, Georgia, investigators sought surveillance camera footage. It didn't exist. The warehouse manager said the system couldn't be played back at the time.

An analysis of 45 firearms-only investigations in the Navy and Marines found that in 55% of cases, no suspect could be found and weapons remained missing. In those unresolved cases, investigators found records were destroyed or falsified, armories lacked basic security and inventories weren't completed for weeks or months.

"Gun-decking" is Navy slang for faking work. In the case of the USS Comstock, gun-decking led to the disappearance of three pistols.

Investigators found numerous security lapses in the 2012 case, including one sailor asleep in the armory. The missing pistols weren't properly logged in the ship's inventory when they were received several days before. Investigators couldn't pinpoint what day they disappeared because sailors gun-decked inventory reports by not doing actual counts.

***

Room for discrepancy

Military officials shied from discussing how many guns they have, much less how many are missing.

AP learned that the Army, the largest of the armed services, is responsible for about 3.1 million small arms. Across all four branches, the U.S. military has an estimated 4.5 million firearms, according to the nonprofit organization Small Arms Survey.

In its accounting, whenever possible AP eliminated cases in which firearms were lost in combat, during accidents such as aircraft crashes and similar incidents where a weapon's fate was known.

Unlike the Army and Air Force, which could not answer basic questions about missing weapons, the Marines and Navy were able to produce data covering the 2010s.

The Navy data showed that 211 firearms were reported lost or stolen. In addition, 63 firearms previously considered missing were recovered.

According to AP's analysis of data from the Marines, 204 firearms were lost or stolen, with 14 later recovered.

To account for missing weapons, the Pentagon relies on incident reports from the services, which it keeps for only three years.

Pentagon officials said that approximately 100 firearms were unaccounted for in both 2019 and 2018. A majority of those were attributable to accidents or combat losses, they said. Even though AP's total excluded accidents and combat losses whenever known, it was higher than what the services reported to the Pentagon.

The officials said they could only discuss how many weapons were missing dating to 2018. The reason: They aren't required to keep earlier records. Without providing documentation, the Pentagon said the number of missing weapons was down significantly in 2020, when the pandemic curtailed many military operations.

The Air Force was the only service branch not to release data. It first responded to several Freedom of Information Act requests by saying no records existed. Air Force representatives then said they would not provide details until yet another FOIA request, filed 1.5 years ago, was fully processed.

The Army sought to suppress information on missing weapons and gave misleading numbers that contradict internal memos.

The AP began asking the Army for details on missing weapons in 2011 and filed a formal request a year later for records of guns listed as missing, lost, stolen or recovered in the Department of Defense Small Arms and Light Weapons Registry. Charles Royal, the former Army civilian employee who was in charge of the registry, said that he prepared records for release that higher ups eventually blocked in 2013.

"You're dealing with millions of weapons," Royal said in a recent interview. "But we're supposed to have 100% recon, right. OK, we're not allowed a discrepancy on that. But there's so much room for discrepancy."

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Brandon Kelley said the service's property inventory systems don't readily track how many weapons have been lost or stolen. Army officials said the most accurate count could be found in criminal investigative summaries released under yet another federal records request.

AP's reading of these investigative records showed 230 lost or stolen rifles or handguns between 2010 and 2019 -- a clear undercount. Internal documents show just how much Army officials were downplaying the problem.

The AP obtained two memos covering 2013 through 2019 in which the Army tallied 1,303 stolen or lost rifles and handguns, with theft the primary reason for losses. That number, which Army officials said is imperfect because it includes some combat losses and recoveries, and may include some duplications, was based on criminal investigations and incident reports.

The internal memos are not "an authoritative document," Kelley said, and were not closely checked with public release in mind. As such, he said, the 1,303 total could be inaccurate.

The investigative records Kelley cited show 62 lost or stolen rifles or handguns from 2013 through 2019. Some of those, like the Beretta M9 used in four shootings in Albany, New York, were recovered.

"One gun creates a ton of devastation," Albany County District Attorney Soares said. "And then it puts it on local officials, local law enforcement, to have to work extra hard to try to remove those guns from the community."

***

Hall reported from Nashville, Tennessee; LaPorta reported from Boca Raton, Florida; Pritchard reported from Los Angeles; Myers reported from Chicago. Also contributing were Jeannie Ohm in Arlington, Virginia; Brian Barrett, Randy Herschaft and Jennifer Farrar in New York; Michael Hill in Albany, New York; and Pia Deshpande in Chicago. ___ Contact Hall at https://twitter.com/kmhall; contact LaPorta at https://twitter.com/jimlaporta; contact Pritchard at https://twitter.com/JPritchardAP; contact Myers at https://twitter.com/myersjustinc. ___ Email AP's Global Investigations Team at investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/. See other work at https://apnews.com/hub/ap-investigations.
Many have said that Black people need to stop focusing on the past  slavery, Jim Crow laws, setbacks during Reconstruction; we must move forward. Even some pale people in my retiree groups have expressed that exact sentiment to me  me, usually the only Black person there. The only word I hear when they offer this opinion is: Remember.

Juxtaposed with the one-two punch of the current so-called Parents Bill of Rights offered up by our Republican legislators in Jefferson City, I have been watching the excellent documentary on ABC produced by Jay-Z and Will Smith called Let The World See. It follows a mini-series  Women of the Movement  detailing the events that led to the kidnapping and brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955.

One of the states pending bills proposes to ban schools from teaching anything that identifies people, groups or institutions as inherently, immutably or systematically sexist, racist, biased, privileged or oppressed. The intent is to legislate us to forget. I wish I could.

We cannot just stop talking about systemic racism because those of us who were alive before 1970 experienced this rancor and hatred in our own lifetimes. Furthermore, we are still witnessing it today more overtly than ever before. Discrimination wasnt something that happened long ago in our parents and grandparents times, it happened in ours and we remember.

If you were alive in the 1950s and, particularly, in the 1960s, many of the televised images captured the inhumanity that occurred when outsiders tried to help Black people register to vote. Young people of all races and religions were attacked, some even killed, just for that, much less for attempting to integrate the schools, the hotels or even St. Louis swimming pools.

I remember watching as buses carrying these crusaders to southern states were surrounded by armed mobs of white people and set afire. I remember the breaking news reports that interrupted television shows during those times: Activist Medgar Evers has been assassinated in Jackson, Mississippi (June 12, 1963). Four Black girls have been killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama (Sept. 15, 1963). President John F. Kennedy has been assassinated in Dallas, Texas (Nov. 22, 1963). Malcolm X has been gunned down (Feb. 21, 1965). Marchers crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge have been beaten, knocked down by water from fire hoses, and set upon by police dogs in Selma, Alabama (March 7, 1965). Dr. Martin Luther King has been assassinated (April 4, 1968). Sen. Robert F. Kennedy has been assassinated (June 5, 1968). On and on it went.

These two ABC programs not only detail Emmett Tills murder but also explain the state of America in those times and illustrate the regression that current Republican legislators are attempting to achieve today.

Till was neither the first nor the last young boy to be murdered in the South for some minor affront  in his case for allegedly whistling at a white woman. Being from Chicago, and unfamiliar with the racial culture that existed in Mississippi in 1955, his mother had given him strict instructions about how to behave once he arrived, just as my cousins gave the 6-year-old me the following year.

What brought his story to the forefront was that Tills mother, with assists from the NAACP and even Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daly, demanded that his body be returned to Chicago and, honoring his mothers wishes, displayed unretouched in his casket so all could see the brutality hed endured. Throngs came to his wake. Jet Magazine, a staple in Black homes then, was allowed to take his picture in his coffin and subsequently distribute it worldwide. Our copy may still be in this house.

I cannot fathom that our Republican legislators actually believe our kids will feel personally shamed about the sins of their ancestors if we teach actual history, regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation. Instead, the legislators are praying racial animus and fear will appeal to the parents who make up their base, thereby keeping them in power. Its disingenuous.

Teaching children about our past may inspire meaningful conversations with their parents, including explanations about the dangers facing our country today. Let the children remember that.

Janet Y. Jackson is a Post-Dispatch columnist and Editorial Board member.
The Republican National Committee says it will prohibit Republican presidential candidates from participating in future debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Some of the RNCs complaints about the commission may be at least, well, debatable. But at its core, this looks like an extension of a growing rejection in the GOP of the very concept that its candidates have an obligation to face tough questioning from political opponents and journalists.

Televised debates have been a staple of American presidential elections since 1960. Its true that too often today they produce more heat than light, incentivizing candidates to boil down nuanced or complex issues into bumper-sticker attack lines. But that legitimate beef doesnt override the towering argument for demanding that candidates engage in debates: The voters have a right to size up the men and women who would lead them, side by side, in a format that requires them to address substantive issues and answer direct questions not of their own choosing. Without that, presidential campaigns are nothing but tightly controlled marketing campaigns, which would be good for the candidates but not the country.

The Commission on Presidential Debates, which includes former Missouri Sen. John Danforth, was established in the 1980s by both parties to act as a nonpartisan organizer of the debates. The commissions decisions over the years have by no means always been perfect, giving both parties plenty to complain about. But the especially strenuous Republican complaints in the past two election cycles have reflected the imprint of former President Donald Trump, who is still the partys de facto leader and current favorite for the 2024 nomination, according to polls.

Trumps peevish approach to political discourse  any fact he doesnt like is fake, any argument he doesnt win is rigged  didnt serve him well in the debates of 2020, and his contempt for the whole debate process was evident.

In a recent letter to the debate commission, RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel laid out a litany of complaints, including allegedly partisan conflicts of interest by some commission members. But whatever reasonable arguments she makes dont justify the RNCs proposed remedy: It intends to prohibit future Republican nominees from participating in commission-sponsored debates.

The candidates themselves should make the ultimate decision as to whether to participate in a given debate. The RNC proposes to relieve Trump or some other future Republican nominee of that burden, giving them an excuse to dodge the debates without looking cowardly (currently a prime motivator to get them on stage).

If the RNC wants to continue pushing for changes in the commission, thats one thing. But abandoning the nonpartisan debate structure for some alternative seen as more Republican-friendly  or abandoning debates altogether  would add this important institutional norm to todays growing list of culture-war casualties.
Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA / Key word(s): Quarter Results

RICHEMONT ANNOUNCES FURTHER SALES GROWTH ACCELERATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021



19-Jan-2022 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Highlights Compared to the third quarter ended 31 December 2020: Strong sales, up by 32% at constant exchange rates and by 35% at actual exchange rates

Double-digit sales growth across all regions, channels and business areas

Strongest performance from the Americas and Europe, rebalancing regional sales mix

Retail and online retail, a combined 78% of Group sales, driving growth

Excellent performance from all three business areas: - Jewellery Maisons, with sales growth of 38% at constant exchange rates (+41% at actual exchange rates) - Fashion & Accessories Maisons, with sales growth of 37% at constant exchange rates

(+40% at actual exchange rates), sustained by Chloe, Montblanc and Peter Millar - Specialist Watchmakers, with sales growth of 25% at constant exchange rates (+29% at actual exchange rates) Compared to the third quarter ended 31 December 2019: Continued sequential quarterly growth acceleration, with third quarter sales up by 38% at constant exchange rates and 36% at actual exchange rates

Pre-pandemic levels substantially exceeded, with sales up double digits across all regions and business areas, as well as online and offline retail channels

Outstanding performance of the Americas, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa; Europe and Japan resuming growth, up double digits

Performance led by the Jewellery Maisons (+57% and +55% at constant and actual rates respectively) with other business areas growing at or close to 20% October-December 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 1 410 982 1 263 +42% +44% +12% +12% Asia Pacific 2 128 1 729 1 429 +18% +23% +47% +49% Americas 1 333 841 874 +55% +59% +59% +53% Japan 389 335 341 +22% +16% +23% +14% Middle East and Africa 398 299 249 +30% +33% +65% +60% By distribution channel Retail 3 400 2 288 2 212 +45% +49% +56% +54% Online retail 1 025 841 747 +19% +22% +40% +37% Wholesale & royalty income 1 233 1 057 1 197 +14% +17% +4% +3% By business area Jewellery Maisons 3 343 2 366 2 162 +38% +41% +57% +55% Specialist Watchmakers 977 758 818 +25% +29% +20% +19% Online Distributors 785 668 670 +15% +18% +19% +17% Other 610 436 522 +37% +40% +19% +17% Inter-segment eliminations (57) (42) (16) Total 5 658 4 186 4 156 +32% +35% +38% +36% Review of trading in the three-month period ended 31 December 2021 versus the prior-year period, at constant exchange rates Sales rose by 32% versus the prior year period driven by double-digit increases in all regions, channels and business areas, in a relatively supportive economic environment. The Americas led the growth with sales up by 55%, followed by Europe and Middle East and Africa, where sales grew by 42% and 30%, respectively. Japan and Asia Pacific saw sales increase by 22% and 18%, respectively, with China consolidating at a high level of +7%. Regional sales mix continued to be further rebalanced with Asia Pacific accounting for 38% of Group sales, followed by Europe and the Americas, at 25% and 23% of Group sales, respectively. Japan and Middle East and Africa each contributed 7% of Group sales. Retail generated the strongest channel performance, with sales up by 45%, followed by online retail sales up by 19% and wholesale sales up by 14%. Direct sales to consumers have further strengthened to reach 78% of Group sales compared to 75% in the prior year period. The Jewellery Maisons were the strongest performing business area, with sales increasing by 38%, immediately followed by the Group's Other business area (primarily our Fashion & Accessories Maisons) with sales up by 37%. The Specialist Watchmakers also performed markedly well with sales increasing by 25% while the Online Distributors posted 15% sales growth. Review of trading in the three-month period ended 31 December 2021 versus the three-month period ended 31 December 2019, at constant exchange rates On a two-year basis, sales exceeded pre-Covid levels across all regions, channels and business areas. The Americas, supported by strong local demand, saw sales rise by 59%, followed by Asia Pacific with a 47% sales increase. This commendable performance was driven by double-digit growth in most locations, notably in Australia, China and South Korea, notwithstanding renewed temporary public health protection measures. Europe, with sales up by 12%, reflected solid domestic sales across the region that more than compensated for lower tourism spend compared to two years ago, notwithstanding clients from the Middle East and the USA progressively returning to Europe, notably France. The strongest growth (+65%) was generated in the Middle East and Africa, which benefited from increased domestic demand and higher tourist spend driven by Expo 2020 Dubai and the year-end holiday season. In Japan, the surge in local demand led to a 23% sales increase after two declining quarters. All channels delivered growth, led by the offline and online retail channels that recorded sales growth of 56% and 40%, respectively. This outstanding performance was driven by double-digit growth across all business areas for retail, and increases of double to triple digits for the online retail channel, depending on the business area. Retail sales were particularly robust in China, Dubai, South Korea and the USA. Sales in the wholesale channel were 4% higher than in the comparative period in 2019, sustained by significant sales in China and the USA. The stellar 57% sales progression at the Jewellery Maisons, comprised of Buccellati, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, was broad-based across product lines and price points. Sales grew double digits in all regions and across all channels. Reaping the benefits of prior investments and client-centric activities, the Specialist Watchmakers saw sales increase by 20%, with double-digit growth in most regions and watch Maisons. At the Online Distributors, sales rose by 19% reflecting strong trading at YOOX and THE OUTNET as well as the solid performance of Watchfinder. The Group's Other business area, composed primarily of the Group's Fashion & Accessories Maisons, posted a 19% increase in sales. Excluding Delvaux for comparison purposes, growth reached 11%. This noteworthy sales performance was driven by Alaia, Chloe and Peter Millar. Trading in the nine-month period ended 31 December 2021 Sales over the nine-month period to December increased by 50% at constant exchange rates and by 51% at actual exchange rates compared to the prior year period, a further improvement over the strong performance in the first six months of the financial year. A quarter-by-quarter sales overview is presented in Appendix 1. The Group's net cash position at 31 December 2021 amounted to  4.9 billion (2020:  2.9 billion). Corporate calendar



The Group's results for the financial year ending 31 March 2022 will be announced on Friday, 20 May 2022. The Group's corporate calendar is available on https://www.richemont.com/en/home/investors/corporate-calendar/ About Richemont



At Richemont, we craft the future. Our unique portfolio includes prestigious Maisons distinguished by their craftsmanship and creativity, alongside Online Distributors that cultivate expert curation and technological innovation to deliver the highest standards of service. Richemont's ambition is to nurture its Maisons and businesses and enable them to grow and prosper in a responsible, sustainable manner over the long term. Richemont operates in four business areas: Jewellery Maisons with Buccellati, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels; Specialist Watchmakers with A. Lange & Sohne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin; Online Distributors with Watchfinder & Co., NET-A-PORTER, MR PORTER, YOOX, THE OUTNET and the OFS division; and Other, primarily Fashion & Accessories Maisons with Alaia, AZ Factory, Chloe, Delvaux, dunhill, Montblanc, Peter Millar, Purdey and Serapian. Find out more at www.richemont.com. Richemont 'A' shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, Richemont's primary listing, and are included in the Swiss Market Index ('SMI') of leading stocks. Richemont South African Depository Receipts are listed in Johannesburg, Richemont's secondary listing. Investor/Analyst and media enquiries



Sophie Cagnard, Group Corporate Communications Director

James Fraser, Investor Relations Executive Investor/analyst enquiries: +41 22 721 30 03; investor.relations@cfrinfo.net

Media enquiries: +41 22 721 35 07; pressoffice@cfrinfo.net; richemont@teneo.com Disclaimer The financial information contained in this announcement is unaudited. This document contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Richemont's forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's business and performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances and results. Our retail stores are heavily dependent on the ability and desire of consumers to travel and shop and a decline in consumer traffic could have a negative effect on our comparable store sales and/or average sales per square foot and store profitability resulting in impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced travel resulting from economic conditions, retail store closure orders of civil authorities, travel restrictions, travel concerns and other circumstances, including disease epidemics and other health-related concerns, could have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if such events impact our customers' desire to travel to our retail stores. As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Group's control. Richemont does not undertake to update, nor does it have any obligation to provide updates of or to revise, any forward-looking statements. (c) Richemont 2022 Appendix 1 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 Q1 (April-June) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 905 436 1 072 +108% +108% -15% -16% Asia Pacific 1 933 1 013 1 423 +95% +91% +40% +36% Americas 955 277 698 +276% +245% +47% +37% Japan 240 112 298 +138% +114% -14% -19% Middle East and Africa 364 155 249 +154% +135% +55% +46% By distribution channel Retail 2 421 1 052 1 851 +138% +130% +35% +31% Online retail 809 506 648 +67% +60% +29% +25% Wholesale & royalty income 1 167 435 1 241 +178% +168% -3% -6% By business area Jewellery Maisons 2 515 1 083 1 827 +142% +132% +43% +38% Specialist Watchmakers 849 359 823 +143% +136% +6% +3% Online Distributors 637 356 612 +86% +79% +8% +4% Other 440 204 493 +124% +116% -7% -11% Inter-segment eliminations (44) (9) (15) Total 4 397 1 993 3 740 +129% +121% +22% +18% 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 Q2 (July-September) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 1 104 798 1 149 +38% +38% -4% -4% Asia Pacific 1 856 1 543 1 306 +17% +20% +43% +42% Americas 971 623 649 +58% +56% +59% +50% Japan 286 253 349 +20% +13% -11% -18% Middle East and Africa 293 268 204 +10% +9% +49% +44% By distribution channel Retail 2 555 1 878 1 957 +35% +36% +33% +31% Online retail 824 702 612 +17% +17% +37% +35% Wholesale & royalty income 1 131 905 1 088 +25% +25% +7% +4% By business area Jewellery Maisons 2 582 1 978 1 909 +30% +31% +39% +35% Specialist Watchmakers 830 607 744 +35% +37% +13% +12% Online Distributors 641 578 567 +11% +11% +15% +13% Other 495 341 448 +45% +45% +14% +10% Inter-segment eliminations (38) (19) (11) Total 4 510 3 485 3 657 +29% +29% +26% +23% 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 Q3 (October-December) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 1 410 982 1 263 +42% +44% +12% +12% Asia Pacific 2 128 1 729 1 429 +18% +23% +47% +49% Americas 1 333 841 874 +55% +59% +59% +53% Japan 389 335 341 +22% +16% +23% +14% Middle East and Africa 398 299 249 +30% +33% +65% +60% By distribution channel Retail 3 400 2 288 2 212 +45% +49% +56% +54% Online retail 1 025 841 747 +19% +22% +40% +37% Wholesale & royalty income 1 233 1 057 1 197 +14% +17% +4% +3% By business area Jewellery Maisons 3 343 2 366 2 162 +38% +41% +57% +55% Specialist Watchmakers 977 758 818 +25% +29% +20% +19% Online Distributors 785 668 670 +15% +18% +19% +17% Other 610 436 522 +37% +40% +19% +17% Inter-segment eliminations (57) (42) (16) Total 5 658 4 186 4 156 +32% +35% +38% +36% 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 H1 (April-September) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 2 009 1 234 2 221 +62% +63% -9% -10% Asia Pacific 3 789 2 556 2 729 +47% +48% +41% +39% Americas 1 926 900 1 347 +123% +114% +53% +43% Japan 526 365 647 +56% +44% -12% -19% Middle East and Africa 657 423 453 +62% +55% +53% +45% By distribution channel Retail 4 976 2 930 3 808 +71% +70% +34% +31% Online retail 1 633 1 208 1 260 +38% +35% +33% +30% Wholesale & royalty income 2 298 1 340 2 329 +74% +71% +2% -1% By business area Jewellery Maisons 5 097 3 061 3 736 +69% +67% +41% +36% Specialist Watchmakers 1 679 966 1 567 +75% +74% +10% +7% Online Distributors 1 278 934 1 179 +39% +37% +11% +8% Other 935 545 941 +74% +72% +3% -1% Inter-segment eliminations (82) (28) (26) Total 8 907 5 478 7 397 +65% +63% +24% +20% 2021 2020 2019 % change 2021 vs 2020 % change 2021 vs 2019 YTD (April-December) m m m constant rates actual rates constant rates actual rates By region Europe 3 419 2 216 3 484 +53% +54% -2% -2% Asia Pacific 5 917 4 285 4 158 +35% +38% +43% +42% Americas 3 259 1 741 2 221 +90% +87% +55% +47% Japan 915 700 988 +39% +31% 0% -7% Middle East and Africa 1 055 722 702 +48% +46% +57% +50% By distribution channel Retail 8 376 5 218 6 020 +60% +61% +42% +39% Online retail 2 658 2 049 2 007 +30% +30% +35% +32% Wholesale & royalty income 3 531 2 397 3 526 +47% +47% +2% 0% By business area Jewellery Maisons 8 440 5 427 5 898 +55% +56% +47% +43% Specialist Watchmakers 2 656 1 724 2 385 +53% +54% +13% +11% Online Distributors 2 063 1 602 1 849 +29% +29% +14% +12% Other 1 545 981 1 463 +57% +57% +8% +6% Inter-segment eliminations (139) (70) (42) Total 14 565 9 664 11 553 +50% +51% +29% +26% Appendix 2: Foreign exchange rates Average exchange rates against the euro April-December

2021 April-December

2020 United States dollar 1.18 1.15 Japanese yen 131 122 Swiss franc 1.08 1.07 Renminbi 7.57 7.93 Actual exchange rates for the period are calculated using the average daily closing rates against the euro. In terms of sales at constant exchange rates, average exchange rates for the year ended 31 March 2021 are used to convert local currency sales into euros for all presented periods. Exchange rate translation effects are thereby eliminated from the reported sales performance.

End of ad hoc announcement
LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Looming US interest rate hike sees cautious close

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - 17:17

It was a mixed start to a shorter week for stocks in London on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 creeping into the green after the bank holiday weekend as traders pondered a bounce-back for stocks in New York overnight and sharp losses in Europe on Monday.

The mood was cautious heading into Wednesday's US Federal Reserve decision.

We currently expect 50 bp rate hikes at both the May and June FOMC meetings, before returning to a 25 bp rate hike per meeting pace of normalization...Altogether, the odds of adding more 50 bp rate hikes than we currently expect have risen in favor of extending the string of 50 bp hikes from a couple to three, or perhaps more, said economists at UBS.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 16.78 points, or 0.2%, at 7,561.33 on Tuesday. The FTSE 250 ended down 187.95 points, or 0.9%, at 20,520.76, and the AIM All-Share closed down 8.74 points, or 0.9%, at 1,013.52.

The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 751.59, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 0.7% at 18,145.74, and the Cboe Small Companies ended down 0.1% at 15,127.37.

Stocks in London finished Tuesday's session mixed with traders squarely focused on Wednesday's US interest rate decision.

Markets have a 50 basis point hike 99% priced in.

The Federal Reserve is scrambling to tighten policy amid soaring US inflation. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed consumer prices soared 8.5% in March on an annual basis, stepping up from the 7.9% increase seen in February.

Expectations of a chunky 50 basis point hike firmed up after Fed Chair Jerome Powell last month said such a move was on the table for May.

It is appropriate, in my view, to be moving a little more quickly. And I also think there's something in the idea of front-end loading whatever accommodation one thinks is appropriate, Powell said during a debate on the global economy hosted by the International Monetary Fund on the sidelines of its spring meetings.

The dollar was firm heading into Wednesday's decision. The pound was quoted at $1.2511 at the London equities close Tuesday, down compared to $1.2568 at the close on Friday.

The euro stood at $1.0535 at the European equities close Tuesday, down against $1.0547 at the same time on Friday. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP129.97, up compared to JP129.68 late Friday.

Gold was quoted at $1,873.30 an ounce at the London equities close Tuesday, down against $1,906.75 at the close on Friday.

Stocks in New York were higher at the London equities close, with the DJIA up 0.6%, the S&P 500 index up 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite up 0.5%.

In European equities on Tuesday, the CAC 40 in Paris ended up 0.6%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt ended up 0.7%.

Keeping the large-cap index in the green was oil major BP, which closed up 5.8% after reporting a surge in underlying profit and launching a $2.5 billion share buyback.

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.

The London-based firm attributed the loss to its decision to exit its 19.75% 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.

However, 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.

Brent oil was quoted at $106.12 a barrel at the London equities close Tuesday, down from $110.30 late Friday. However, the price of the North Sea benchmark remains 36% higher in the year-to-date.

Turning to shareholder returns, BP raised its first-quarter dividend by 4.0% to 5.46 cents from 5.25 cents the year before. It also announced a further share buyback. BP said it plans to execute a $2.5 billion share buyback before announcing its second-quarter results.

Peer Shell, which reports its own first quarter results on Thursday, advanced 2.0%.

This was helping to offset Segro's drag at the bottom of the FTSE 100 index, the stock shedding 10% after Kepler Cheuvreux downgraded the warehouse property investor to 'hold' from 'reduce'.

Avast tumbled 5.7% after posting lower revenue for the quarter that ended March 31, due to the sale of its Family Safety business a year ago and ahead of its proposed takeover by US peer NortonLifeLock.

Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell by 4.3% to $127.9 million from $133.7 million. The adjusted Ebitda margin was 54.5%, Avast said.

Avast guided that its adjusted Ebitda margin for the full year will narrow to slightly below 50%. This reflects 10 months with zero sales in Russia, the firm explained.

In the FTSE 250, Auction Technology rose 8.0% after JPMorgan raised the online auction operator to 'overweight' from 'neutral'.

Energean was the second-best mid-cap performer, closing up 7.6%. 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.

Wednesday's UK corporate calendar has full-year results from online clothing retail boohoo and trading statements from pub chain operator JD Wetherspoon and lender OSB Group. First quarter results are due from luxury car maker Aston Martin and Paddy Power owner Flutter Entertainment.

Headlining Wednesday's economic calendar is the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision at 1900 BST. Also in focus will be a raft of PMIs, due from Germany at 0855 BST, the eurozone at 0900 BST and the US at 1445 BST. The German trade balance is out at 0700 BST.

Financial markets in Japan and mainland China will remain shut on Wednesday.

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The U.S. has agreed to sell Taiwan 40 M109A7 155mm SP (self-propelled) howitzers. These will replace some, and eventually all the 146 M109A5s Taiwan received during the 1990s. Along with the M109s Taiwan will also receive twenty M992A2 ammunition resupply vehicles (each carrying about a hundred 155mm shells) and five M88A2 ARVs (armored recovery vehicle). These last two are built on the same chassis as the M109.

The M109A7 is a major upgrade and uses the same chassis as the M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle plus a new engine control system. Added to that is the cab and gun mounts from the original M109. The A7 also has an automatic rammer, but not a more complex automatic loader. Crews will still have to manually load the propellant and 41 kg (90 pound) shell, but the semi-automatic rammer will then push the propellant and shell into the firing chamber and close the breech. Automating this part of the process improves accuracy somewhat, because when troops manually shoved (rammed) in the propellant and shell, they often applied too much, or too little, pressure and left the shell out of position by a tiny bit, just enough to hurt accuracy. The A7 also got new electronics, and numerous small improvements, many based on user suggestions. Not all the proposed upgrades were implemented immediately, but enough of them were to satisfy M109 users. The M109A7 made Paladin competitive with some new European self-propelled 155mm howitzers. The A7 is also heavier, at 35 tons and the new chassis can support up to 50 tons. Even at that weight, A7 is as fast as the existing M-109 and more maneuverable.

The M109A7 is also referred to as the M106A6 PIM (Paladin Integrated Management program). The first M109 entered service in 1963 and it proved so successful that it was ultimately adopted by most NATO countries and dozens of other nations as well. Including the many foreign license-built models, about 9,000 have been built so far. About a dozen nations still use it, often as improved models that were only used by the nation that developed a particular upgrade.

Taiwan is also getting 1,698 M1156 PGK fuzes that screw into the front of a 155mm shell, replacing the normal fuze that ignites the explosives when the shell hits something. A PGK fuze contains a GPS and small fins to guide the shell to a precision hit. The PGK turns a shell into a GPS guided shell that lands within 10 meters (32 feet) of the GPS location and is over 90 percent reliable. The PGK is not as accurate as Excalibur, the original GPS guided shell that appeared five years before and costs more than twice as much. Excalibur has the GPS guidance built in and can put the shell within three meters of the GPS coordinates. Both these shells are combat proven but the ability to turn any shell into a guided one and lower cost (about $15,000 each) meant the cheaper but accurate enough approach was more popular. PGK shells were heavily used in the effort to defeat ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) in Syria and Iraq. In Syria a single battery of six towed 155mm towed howitzers, operated by American marines, fired so many PGK shells that the barrels of two of their guns wore out. This happens when a howitzer fires a certain number of shells. Only six guns were used to support the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces that took Raqqa, the ISIL capital. This was done with low attacker casualties because missile- armed UAVs or 155mm guns firing PGK shells were always available to deliver precision firepower against ISIL gunmen who said they would fight to the death. Most did, but without much success in injuring their attackers. The marines sometimes used unguided shells, which was easy to do by just not installing the PGK fuze. With the PGK fuze the longer range (rocket assisted) 155mm shell is still accurate at its 48 kilometers max range as it is with the regular shell range, which has half the range of the rocket assisted one.

Taiwan also has to worry about a Chinese invasion using GPS jammers but that is a known problem and most GPS guided weapons are upgraded with jam-resistant GPS as well as less accurate but unjammable INS guidance.
FILE PHOTO: A worker cuts a piece from a steel coil at the Novolipetsk Steel PAO steel mill in Farrell, Pennsylvania, U.S., March 9, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk

By David Lawder and David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States and Britain on Wednesday agreed to start talks aimed at resolving their trade dispute over U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, the countries said in a joint statement.

No specific date or timeline was given for the talks but discussions will address "global steel and aluminum excess capacity, including the United States' application of tariffs" on the metals from Britain.

"Both parties are committed to working towards an expeditious outcome that ensures the viability of steel and aluminum industries in both markets," the joint statement https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2022/01/joint-united-states-united-kingdom-statement-addressing-global-steel said.

They said the talks also will cover the UK's 25% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, which include whiskey, motorcycles, blue jeans and tobacco. Annual exports of U.S. whiskey to Britain have fallen by more than half since 2018, according to the Distilled Spirits Council, which welcomed the announcement.

A spokesperson for Britain's trade ministry said: "Until a deal is done we will continue to apply rebalancing measures on U.S. products, and wont hesitate to take any action necessary to defend our vital steel and aluminium industries."

The joint statement was issued after a virtual meeting between U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan to discuss the tariffs. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai also signed onto the joint statement.

U.S. STEELMAKERS WARY

Britain is keen to negotiate duty-free access to American steel and aluminum markets similar to that granted by Washington to the European Union on Jan. 1 as part of a quota deal https://www.reuters.com/world/us-eu-expected-announce-deal-ending-steel-aluminum-tariff-dispute-sources-say-2021-10-30 reached last October that took six months to negotiate.

The metals tariffs - 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum - were first imposed in March 2018 by former U.S. President Donald Trump under the "Section 232" national security law to protect U.S. producers from subsidized imports.

U.S. steelmakers cautioned against the UK negotiations and similar talks with Japan leading to substantial additional volumes after a nearly 50% jump in imports last year.

"We think it is essential that the administration ensures that the various new agreements it is considering do not result in a flood of imports," said American Iron and Steel Institute President Kevin Dempsey.

Philip Bell, who heads the Steel Manufacturers Association, said Britain's steel production is "highly export oriented" and dominated by Chinese and Indian ownership.

"The U.S. government should be concerned about any additional alternative arrangement that will lead to increased steel imports and support countries not committed to free and fair trade," Bell said in a statement.

Raimondo and Trevelyan agreed to work to address global excess capacity in steel and aluminum production largely centered in China - a goal included in the U.S.-EU agreement.

The announcement of talks coincides with a sensitive time politically for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose leadership is under threat after a series of revelations about COVID lockdown breaches at his residence.

If that crisis develops into a formal leadership challenge, it could paralyze decision making within government for several weeks and limit ministers' mandate to negotiate the concessions needed to reach a compromise with the United States.

(Additional reporting by William James in London; writing by David Lawder and Susan Heavey; editing by Alexandra Hudson, Marguerita Choy)
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Altos Labs (Altos) launched today as a new biotechnology company dedicated to unraveling the deep biology of cellular rejuvenation programming. Altos' mission is to restore cell health and resilience to reverse disease, injury, and the disabilities that can occur throughout life. The company launches with a community of leading scientists, clinicians, and leaders from both academia and industry working together towards this common mission.

The Altos executive team will be composed of Hal Barron, MD (incoming CEO), Rick Klausner, MD (Chief Scientist and Founder), Hans Bishop (President and Founder), and Ann Lee-Karlon, PhD (Chief Operating Officer). Hal Barron is currently President of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at GSK and will join Altos as CEO and Board co-chair effective August 1, 2022. Klausner was former director of the National Cancer Institute and entrepreneur, Bishop was former CEO of GRAIL and Juno Therapeutics, and Lee-Karlon was former Senior Vice President at Genentech.

Altos will be initially based in the US in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, and in the UK in Cambridge. The company will also have significant collaborations in Japan. Set within these geographies, activity will be organized across the Institutes of Science and the Institute of Medicine. The Altos Institutes of Science will pursue deep scientific questions and integrate their findings into one collaborative research effort. The Altos Institute of Medicine will capture knowledge generated about cell health and programming to develop transformative medicines.

The three Altos Institutes of Science will be led by Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, PhD, Wolf Reik, MD, and Peter Walter, PhD. Thore Graepel, PhD, will serve as global head of computational science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Prior to joining Altos, Izpisua Belmonte was professor and chair at the Salk Institute, Reik was director of the Babraham Institute and is an honorary professor at the University of Cambridge, and Walter was professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Graepel previously served as research lead at Google DeepMind and professor at University College London. Within the Institutes of Science, an extraordinary group of Principal Investigators (PIs) will collaboratively pursue the many aspects of cell health and programming. A full listing of PIs is found at altoslabs.com.

The Altos Board of Directors and advisors include Nobel Laureates and scientific leaders. The Board will be co-chaired by Rick Klausner, Hans Bishop, and Hal Barron (current director and incoming co-chair) and includes the following Board directors: Frances Arnold, PhD (Linus Pauling Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering and Biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology and Nobel Laureate), Hal Barron, MD (Chief Scientific Officer and President, R&D, of GSK), Jennifer Doudna (Li Ka Shing Chancellor's Chair and Professor of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, President of the Innovative Genomics Institute, and Nobel Laureate), Maria Leptin, PhD (President of the European Research Council), Robert Nelsen (Co-founder and Managing Director of ARCH Venture Partners), Rajiv Shah, MD (President of the Rockefeller Foundation), and David Baltimore, PhD (President Emeritus and Judge Shirley Hufstedler Professor of Biology at the California Institute of Technology and Nobel Laureate), as lead independent director. Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD (Director of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University and Nobel Laureate), will serve as senior scientific advisor to Altos without remuneration, overseeing research activities in Japan.

"I am deeply honored to have been offered this once in a lifetime opportunity to lead such a unique company with a transformative mission to reverse disease," said Hal Barron. "It's clear from work by Shinya Yamanaka, and many others since his initial discoveries, that cells have the ability to rejuvenate, resetting their epigenetic clocks and erasing damage from a myriad of stressors. These insights, combined with major advances in a number of transformative technologies, inspired Altos to reimagine medical treatments where reversing disease for patients of any age is possible."

Altos is designed to integrate the best features of academia and industry -- from academia the freedom to pursue the most challenging problems in biology, and from industry the focus on a shared mission, ability to foster deep collaborations, and the passion and commitment to transform science into medicines.

"Altos seeks to decipher the pathways of cellular rejuvenation programming to create a completely new approach to medicine, one based on the emerging concepts of cellular health," said Rick Klausner. "Remarkable work over the last few years beginning to quantify cellular health and the mechanisms behind that, coupled with the ability to effectively and safely reprogram cells and tissues via rejuvenation pathways, opens this new vista into the medicine of the future. Altos begins with many of the leading scientists who are creating this new science. Together, we are building a company where many of the world's best scientists can collaborate internally and externally and develop their research with the speed, mission, and focus of private enterprise. Our success will depend upon a culture of intense collaboration, enthusiasm, and openness."

"Building a company with extraordinary ambition requires extraordinary people," said Hans Bishop. "It will also require building an innovation culture that brings out the best in people from very diverse backgrounds. We aim to amplify the best attributes of academia and companies with the goal to accelerate problem solving. I'm excited to be joining a team with such an inspiring mission and the internal ambition of building a company where all of us can say that we are doing our very best work."

Frances Arnold, Board member and Nobel laureate, believes that "Altos offers a whole new research and development model targeted to the oldest of human problems, slowing and even ultimately reversing the effects of disease. This remarkable team is poised to discover secrets of cellular health and transform the way we think about disease. Now more than ever is the time to restructure our approach to health by understanding, slowing, and even reversing the processes that lead to illness and death."

"As a geneticist and developmental biologist, I find great promise in the emerging recognition that the metabolic control of cell health contributes decisively to the ability of an organism to tolerate major systemic insults from congenital and infectious disease to stress and aging," said Maria Leptin, Board member and ERC president. "As a committed believer in curiosity-driven research, I welcome a broad approach to trying to understand the fundamental cellular principles involved in returning the stressed organism to a healthy equilibrium state."

Shinya Yamanaka, senior scientific advisor and Nobel laureate, said, "I am delighted to be a part of Altos and believe it to be one of the most important and exciting new global scientific endeavors. The possibility of rejuvenation programming has only recently become a scientific reality and has the potential to enable us to approach human disease in an entirely new way. I am glad that I will help scientists in Japan to work in this exciting field."

"I am honored to serve as the lead independent Director of the newly formed Altos Labs," said David Baltimore, Board member and Nobel laureate. "Altos will build on the remarkable developing understanding of the alterations of cells as they participate in the myriad processes of the human body over its lifespan. The goal of Altos will be to reverse the ravages of disease and aging that lead to disability and death, reinvigorating and extending the quality of life. Altos will provide an unparalleled environment for collaborative discovery and has already attracted a most impressive group of investigators to the daunting task of reversing ill health and taking medicine in a new direction."

About Altos Scientific Leadership

The Altos Bay Area Institute of Science will be led by Peter Walter, PhD, whose research has focused on developing molecular understanding of how cells control the quality of their proteins and organelles during homeostasis and stress. Dr. Walter is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Shaw Prize, the Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, the Vilcek Prize for Biomedical Science, and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Inventors. Prior to joining Altos, Dr. Walter was professor in the Department of Biochemistry/Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

The Altos San Diego Institute of Science will be led by Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, PhD. Dr. Izpisua Belmonte is a pioneer in the field of regenerative medicine. He has developed numerous strategies to improve health, including tissue and organ regeneration and cellular and organismal rejuvenation. He was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Creativity Award, a National Institutes of Health Director's Pioneer Award, the William Clinton Presidential Award, the Pew Scholar Award, the Gold Medal of Castilla-La Mancha, and the Roger Guillemin Endowed Nobel Chair. Prior to Altos, Dr. Izpisua Belmonte was professor in the Gene Expression Laboratory and the Roger Guillemin chair at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California.

The Altos Cambridge (UK) Institute of Science will be led by Wolf Reik, MD. Dr. Reik is a leader in epigenetic reprogramming of mammalian cells, honorary professor of Epigenetics at the University of Cambridge, and served most recently as director of the Babraham Institute in Cambridge. He is the recipient of the Wellcome Prize in Physiology and is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation and the Academia Europaea, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and of the Royal Society.

Altos will also support activities in Japan, guided by Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, who will serve as Altos senior scientific advisor without remuneration. Dr. Yamanaka is among the world's leading authorities on stem cell science and is a recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells. He currently serves as the director of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University and a senior investigator at the Gladstone Institutes.

Across all aspects of Altos will be a commitment to computational science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with activities led by Thore Graepel, PhD. Graepel was most recently research lead at Google DeepMind and chair of Machine Learning at University College London and is one of the foremost minds on how to build more intelligent systems and agents that learn from experience.

About Altos Labs

Altos Labs (Altos) is a biotechnology company focused on cellular rejuvenation programming to restore cell health and resilience, with the goal of reversing disease to transform medicine. The company comprises a community of leading scientists, clinicians, and leaders from both academia and industry working together towards this common mission.

Altos has operations in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, and in Cambridge, UK, with significant collaborations in Japan.

Visit www.altoslabs.com to learn more about Altos, including a full list of our senior scientists and leaders.

Media Contacts

Morgan WarnersFinsbury Glover Hering[email protected]

Kim JamesFinsbury Glover Hering[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/altos-labs-launches-with-the-goal-to-transform-medicine-through-cellular-rejuvenation-programming-301463541.html

SOURCE Altos Labs
TICKERS: JEV; JROOF

Source: Streetwise Reports (1/19/22)

Jericho Energy Ventures' latest foray into the burgeoning hydrogen energy market is as the lead seed capital investor in a company with disruptive electrolyzer technology.



Jericho Energy Ventures Inc. (JEV:TSX.V; JROOF:OTCMKTS), once on the oil and gas side of the energy equation, has shifted to green energy, becoming an investor and incubator of companies involved with hydrogen energy production.

Jericho President Brian Williamson told Streetwise Reports that the company saw the world evolving and developing. And for us, what we found most interesting was hydrogen. And what was interesting to us about hydrogen was its ability to offer what the current renewable environment couldn't offer, which was: always available, storable, transportable energyso the equivalent of natural gas, but with the profile to be developed in a cleaner, green and sustainable way.

The transition began in June 2020 when the company raised CA$5 million through a fully subscribed non-brokered private placement of 50 million units at CA$0.10 each. One unit included one common share and one warrant exercisable for one common share at a price of CA$0.13, valid for 36 months.

In January 2021, Jericho announced the acquisition of Hydrogen Technologies, a company that has developed a "breakthrough high-temperature Dynamic Combustion Chamber (DCC) boiler that enables zero-emissions hydrogen to generate heat, hot-water, high-temperature steam, and Combined Heat & Power (CHP) through a closed-loop process" that emits no greenhouse gasses. The company noted that 37% of all fossil fuels used in U.S. industry are burned to produce steam.

Jericho's transition to clean energy continued in July with its co-lead Series A investment in H2U Technologies Inc., a company developing "proprietary ultrahigh throughput, AI-driven, electrocatalyst discovery process for electrolyzer and fuel cell applications" in partnership with Southern California Gas Co. The firm is commercializing technology developed by Caltech.

Ryan Breen, Jericho's head of corporate strategy, stated "H2U's catalyst discovery process is a distinct advantage over traditional catalyst companies looking to serve the hydrogen market. Driving down the cost of green hydrogen is of vital importance to its adoption and JEV seeks to play a market-leading role in that pursuit. Moreover, we are thrilled to be joined by like-minded investors in recognizing the value of H2U's proprietary technology and world-class Caltech team."

Earlier this month, Jericho closed a non-brokered convertible debentures private placement financing, raising CA$5.7 million in aggregate gross proceeds, at the price of CA$0.70 per debenture, a premium to the market. The debenture pays annual interest of 4%, and the principal is payable 36 months after closing. The debenture is convertible to one common share at CA$0.70. One share purchase warrant is included in each debenture, entitling the holder to acquire an additional common share at the price of CA$1.00.

The company noted that the proceeds from the financing will be used for "working capital as well as other growth-focused initiatives."

Jericho just announced what one of the growth-focused initiatives were with the lead seed series investment in Supercritical Solutions Ltd. The firm is developing a new class of water electrolyzer that will allow low-cost hydrogen production. Jericho is joined by Chris Sacca's Lowercarbon Capital and New Energy Technology in the investment and global mining company Anglo American and Deep Science Ventures are existing investors.

According to the company, one of the issues with hydrogen production is current electrolyzer technology puts out hydrogen at a lower pressure than what's needed for most uses, necessitating expensive compressors. Supercritical is working on electrolyzer technology that will allow hydrogen to be emitted at pressures high enough that the need for compressors is eliminated in many cases, streamlining and lowering the cost of hydrogen production.

Jericho's recent investments show that the company has transformed itself from a fossil fuel company to one that is meeting its goal of "developing high growth technology companies across the hydrogen value chain and searching for technologies to address industrys pain points."

Read what Technical Analyst Clive Maund and Penny Queen have to say about Jericho Energy Ventures.

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Disclosure:

1) Patrice Fusillo compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. She owns, or members of her immediate household or family own, securities of the following companies mentioned in this article: None. She is, or members of her immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

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4) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Jericho Energy Ventures, a company mentioned in this article.
A 19-year-old Marine has been charged in the rollover accident near Camp Lejeune that left two Marines dead and 17 others injured when the 7-ton tactical vehicle they were riding in rolled over on a highway near the North Carolina base.

Two Marines are in critical condition after the vehicle crashed near the intersection of North Carolina Highway 210 and U.S. Highway 17 at about 1 p.m., authorities said. The accident involved a medium tactical vehicle replacement, commonly referred to as a 7-ton, which is used mainly for transporting troops and equipment, the Marine Corps said in a statement.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the driver as Louis Barrera of Springfield, Tenn., saying he was charged with exceeding a safe speed and two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

The vehicle was making a right turn when it overturned, ejecting the Marines onto the road, highway patrol Sgt. Devin Rich told reporters in a news briefing.

A second military vehicle trailing behind the 7-ton truck did not stop in time and hit one of the ejected Marines, Rich said. The investigation is ongoing.

Two Marines airlifted from the scene were in critical condition at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, the Marine Corps said later. The other 15 were taken to the Navy hospital on the Marine base and were in stable condition, the Corps said.

All 19 casualties were active-duty Marines serving with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, the service said.

Our unit is grateful to all first responders that provided aid to our service members, the statement said.

The names of the dead were being withheld until 24 hours after notification of the next of kin, the Marine Corps said.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper expressed his condolences for the family and friends of the Marines who were killed.

We are so proud of our military heroes at Camp Lejeune and across North Carolina, Cooper said on Twitter. Our prayers go out to them.

I send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the U.S. Marines who lost their lives in a tragic accident today in Onslow County. We are so proud of our military heroes at Camp Lejeune and across North Carolina. Our prayers go out to them. - RC  Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) January 19, 2022

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he and his wife, Susan Tillis, founder of a nonprofit that provides assistance to military families and veterans, were praying for the families of the dead and for the recovery of the injured Marines.

God Bless our service members who put their lives at risk every day to protect our nation, Tillis wrote on Twitter.
The Navy has awarded a small New York firm a $20 million contract to develop a compact, next-generation mercury ion atomic clock, the Pentagon announced recently.

Frequency Electronics Inc., of Mitchel Field, N.Y., is developing the clock for Navy applications aboard ships, aircraft and spacecraft, CEO Stan Sloane told Stars and Stripes in an email Friday.

The Office of Naval Research issued the contract, according to a Pentagon announcement Jan. 10. The completion date is Jan. 11, 2024.

The contract calls for precision timepieces suitable for Navy platforms that require better clock performance in environments that include roll, pitch, yaw, heave and vibration, Sloane wrote.

The Mercury Ion technology is expected to improve clock stability by an order of magnitude or better over what is currently fielded in tactical platforms, according to Sloane.

Atomic clocks are considered the most accurate means for timekeeping, according to NASA. They measure very stable and precise frequencies of light emitted by specific atoms. An atomic clock loses one second every 10 million years.

NASA already employs mercury ion clock technology in a Deep Space Atomic Clock launched into Earths orbit in June 2019. The technology has applications for spacecraft navigation, radio science and GPS and is 50 times more accurate than today's best navigation clocks, according to NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The Frequency Electronics contract calls for a compact version of the 11-by-10-by-9-inch Deep Space clock, according to a NASA factsheet. Sloane said his companys version should measure 5-by-7-by-1.2 inches

Frequency Electronics designs, develops and manufactures high-precision timing, frequency generation and radio-frequency control products for space and terrestrial applications, according to the company website.

Its products are used in satellite payloads and in other commercial, government and military systems, including command and control, electronic warfare, missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft and wireless networks.

A team from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology developed the mercury ion atomic clock technology under the Defense Advance Research Project Agencys Atomic Clock with Enhanced Stability program, Sloane said.

The Office of Naval Research did not respond to an email from Stars and Stripes seeking further information.

We will be working in parallel with Jet Propulsion Laboratory to move the technology from experimental to production ready, Sloane said. We will eventually develop many varieties of these clocks that are tailored for various applications including for space, tactical military platforms and commercial use.
One of the United States last aircraft carriers powered by fossil fuels departed Washington state on Sunday, beginning its final journey before being scrapped.

Aided by tugboats, the decommissioned USS Kitty Hawk left Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton on a trip that will conclude at a ship-breaking facility in Brownsville, Texas, according to a Facebook post Monday from Navy Region Northwest.

Former Kitty Hawk crewmember Jim Jursinic, who served aboard the carrier between 1996 and 2000, said he was sad to see it go.

When you live and breathe this ship for four years, it becomes a part of you, he told Stars and Stripes over social media on Wednesday.

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The vessel will be delivered to International Shipbreaking Limited, which purchased the Kitty Hawk and another decommissioned carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy, in October for 1 cent each, according to an Oct. 3 report from USA Today.

Towing and ship-breaking are costly endeavors, and the Brownsville firm has in the past received large payments from the Navy to recycle its vessels, according to an Oct. 4 report by the Brownsville Herald.

"The contract values reflect that [International Shipbuilding Limited] will benefit from the subsequent sale of scrap steel, iron, and non-ferrous metal ores," a spokesman for the Naval Sea Systems Command, Alan Baribeau, said in the report.

Commissioned in 1961, the carrier was one of three Kitty Hawk-class carriers to serve in the Navy. The others were the USS America and USS Constellation, which went out of service in 1996 and 2003, respectively.

The Kitty Hawk was propelled by steam turbines powered by eight boilers that burned fuel oil, converted in 1973 to a lighter diesel fuel, according to Globalsecurity.org.

Coming into service during the Vietnam War, the ship participated heavily in the conflict.

Between 1965 and 1972, aircraft embarked on the carrier flew more than 41,000 strike, combat or support sorties, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command website.

In the span of just two months, between December 1967 and February 1968, the Kitty Hawks aircraft flew more than 5,000 sorties that ranged the length of North Vietnam, according to the website. The ship supported aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom II and F-8 Crusader fighter jets and the E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft.

The ships Vietnam War service record included conflict below decks. Between Oct. 11 and Oct. 13, 1972, strife between Black and white sailors erupted aboard the ship. Officially, 47 were injured, according to Naval History and Heritage Command.

In the decades following the Vietnam War, the Kitty Hawk deployed multiple times, including in support of Operation Restore Hope off Somalias coast.

In 1987, the ship returned to a Philadelphia drydock, where it underwent a $832 million life extension overhaul that kept it in service another 22 years.

In 1998, the ship relocated to Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, home of the 7th Fleet, where it remained for the next decade. The Kitty Hawk participated in Operations Freedom, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom during that period.

In 2005, the Navy announced that a nuclear-powered vessel, the Nimitz-class USS George Washington, would replace the Kitty Hawk at Yokosuka. The George Washington arrived in 2008, and the Kitty Hawk was decommissioned the following year at the Puget Sound Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton.
ADA, Okla. (Tribune News Service)  A Vietnam War-era Douglas A-26 Invader landed at Ada Regional Airport in Oklahoma Friday on the final leg of its journey to a new home in the Hoppe Aviation hangar.

"This airplane is owned by the Commemorative Air Force," Tom Parsons said Friday. "The group that this airplane is assigned to is Sierra Hotel, that's us."

Parsons said it has taken 22 years to bring this aircraft to airworthy status.

"It had a broken wing," Parsons added. "The group who previously had it had no way to repair it, so it was basically abandoned and neglected in a field over in Arkansas for several years. Our original group leader went over to Arkansas, assessed the damage, and determined it could be fixed."

That was 22 years ago. Since it was not airworthy, it had to be disassembled and trucked to Oklahoma City, where restoration efforts began.

"My background and experience working with airplanes is structural and sheet metal repair on B-52s at Tinker Air Force Base," Parsons added. "When I joined this group, I applied those skills to doing repairs on this airplane. But all of us have had to learn to do everything; hydraulics, fuel, flight controls, avionics. Each of us have become a 'jack of all trades.'

"This is our permanent home," Parsons said about Ada. "We've been in Guthrie for 13 years, and we lost our hanger lease. We had to find a hangar big enough to get the wings in and get the tail in."

The Invader is 50 feet long, 19 feet tall, and has a wingspan of 70 feet. The Hoppe Aviation hangar is a perfect fit.

"We're going to go out and 'bore holes in the sky' and go to air shows," Parsons said about the future of the aircraft. "We have restored this airplane to flying condition, and we will fly it as often as we can, when we can get gas money."

"It's very expensive to fly," Bruce Branson of the group said. "It's a high-maintenance bird. It's made for speed."

"This airplane you are looking at here had 18 months of combat service in Vietnam," Parsons continued. "So this is a true combat veteran."

Parsons said this particular aircraft was built new in the Douglas Plant in Tulsa.

"So we have a real veteran and a real piece of history here," Parsons said.

"We were looking not only for just a home," Branson said, "but we want to be part of community. We want community involvement. We have an open-door policy. When we're here, we'll have the doors open. We want the public to come by."

Branson said there is no fee to see the aircraft, but they welcome donations.

(c)2022 The Woodward News (Woodward, Okla.)

Visit The Woodward News (Woodward, Okla.) at woodwardnews.net

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Henry David Thoreau began most days the same way: with a brisk early morning swim. After he retreated to a cabin in the woods of Concord, Mass., in the mid-19th century, that ritual bath in Walden Pond became a fixture of his days, a "cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity."

For Thoreau, like many before and after him, the morning - and a morning routine - held a unique, almost mystical, power. "The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour," he wrote in "Walden," adding, "For an hour, at least, some part of us awakes which slumbers all the rest of the day and night."

Whether for health, wealth or beauty, a belief has persisted in American thought that what we do during the first hour we're awake determines much more than the rest of the day; it just might determine the course of our lives. It's an idea that originated before Thoreau, stretching back in the American context to some of the earliest thinkers, who believed the early morning hours were key to unlocking the American Dream.

This belief has only grown more entrenched in our culture in the past 100 years, as readers consume the routines of celebrities, writers, politicians and business leaders, with entire books and magazine columns devoted to the morning routines and daily habits of the nation's most successful people. Americans may not be the only ones who love New Year's resolutions and goal setting, but our collective fascination with the morning routine has come to embody a cultural obsession with productivity, wellness and the elusive promise that all that stands between us and achieving our wildest dreams is a 5 a.m. wake-up call.

Benjamin Franklin, for instance, believed that his success was due in part to his 5 a.m. start. As he wrote in his autobiography, from 5 to 7 a.m. every day he would "rise, wash, and address Powerful Goodness!" From there, he moved on to "Contrive day's business, and take the resolution of the day; prosecute the present study, and breakfast."

That 1793 account may have been the first recorded morning routine in U.S. history, and it set off an obsession with early rising (and reading about early rising) that has continued to this day. There is an inherent optimism to Franklin's routine, with his embrace of "Powerful Goodness!" While many present-day readers might not begin the day with this refrain (nor might they take naked "air baths" for their health, as Franklin did), there seems to be truth in the idea that a positive outlook in the morning can lead to a successful day.

Along with this spirit of American optimism and an emphasis on self-improvement, there are several enduring patterns across these routines, such as early rising, a healthy breakfast, a moment for prayer or reflection, and physical exercise.

Before becoming president, John Quincy Adams embodied all of these in his morning activities. He rose each day between 5 and 6 a.m. to take a skinny dip in the Charles River (good for circulation) and a two-hour walk. Adams attempted to reread the entire Bible every year, so he would then read or spend time with his family before eating breakfast at 9.

"It's prioritizing 101: What you do first in the day is your priority for the day and for your life, your career," said Mason Currey, author of "Daily Rituals: How Artists Work." He added, "You see over and over again writers carving out this time early in the morning to do the writing before all of the other interruptions and responsibilities of the day come crashing down."

Modernist painter Georgia O'Keeffe exemplified this dedication, rising at dawn to take a stroll near her home in New Mexico before heading straight to her studio. Armed with her walking stick to ward off rattlesnakes, she walked through the desert scrub and rocky mesas that became a fixture of her art. "Painting is like a thread that runs through all of the reasons for all the other things that make one's life," she said.

The relative solitude of the early morning has always been important for parents attempting to balance work and family life. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison said, "Writing before dawn began as a necessity," when she had to care for her children and balance a job as a book editor while working on her own creative projects. It was a habit that she continued after she'd quit her day job, still waking up before dawn, making coffee and beginning work as the sun came up.

This is a key aspect to how our routines take shape, according to Wendy Wood, a University of Southern California psychology professor and author of "Good Habits, Bad Habits." "Habits form just through doing," she said. "We don't do it by exerting self-control; we do it because we formed these habit associations in memory that we're not even aware of that get us to repeat behaviors that we've done."

In the 20th century, the proliferation of tabloids brought a new kind of nationwide fixation on morning routines: an obsession with celebrities' a.m. rituals. Where routines once emphasized reading the Bible or striving for moral improvement, accounts of the morning habits of celebrities (and female celebrities in particular) focused on attaining perfect skin or an ideal figure. Readers clamored for the regimens of everyone from Marilyn Monroe (who reportedly drank raw egg yolks in warm milk first thing in the morning) to Elizabeth Taylor (who swore by bacon, eggs and a mimosa).

Just as Franklin promised success to those Americans who could follow his virtuous advice, the underlying message in sharing Monroe or Taylor's beauty "secrets" seemed to tell women that these actresses' exceptional looks were not the product of good DNA and a fleet of stylists. Rather, they could be achieved by the average woman with a few additional egg yolks.

With the rise of self-help literature in the second half of the century, the morning routine was once again updated, paired with new language in the pursuit of old goals. Positive thinking became "self-affirmations," and Franklin's decree to "take the resolution of the day" became business guru Stephen Covey's "quadrant planning." Covey, author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," spent his first moments of the day reading the Bible on a stationary bike, followed by vigorous laps in a pool and a brief yoga session.

Today, the trend has endured, folding in the current fixation on "self-care," all while combining the aspects of self-help and celebrity voyeurism that have made morning routines popular since Franklin's time. At their worst, American morning routines can exemplify a punishing meritocracy, a push to always be achieving more. At their best, however, they provide a feeling of freedom and a rare moment for self-determination. We may not be able to write the Great American Novel or shrink our pores between 5 and 6 a.m., but we can all enjoy some expansiveness - or a frigid skinny dip - in an otherwise chaotic day.
As the nuclear negotiations between the world powers and Iran approach a denouement, the Biden administration is turning up the heat on  Donald Trump!? Facing a Republican clamor against reviving the 2015 deal, the White House is keen to reframe the discussion in Washington about the talks in Vienna by blaming the previous president for having ill-advisedly pulled out of the agreement.

Twice last week, State Department and White House spokespeople deflected journalists questions about the negotiations to whale on Trumps 2018 withdrawal from the accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Jen Psaki, the administrations press secretary, portrayed it as the root of all the Islamic Republics malign activities: None of the things were looking at now  Irans increased capability and capacity, the aggressive actions that they have taken through proxy wars around the world  would be happening if the former president had not recklessly pulled out of the nuclear deal with no thought as to what might come next.

As a Beltway political tactic, this is shrewd: It gives President Joe Biden a ready-made excuse for the two likeliest outcomes of the talks. If the administration makes significant concessions in order to revive the JCPOA  such as agreeing to lift some economic sanctions before Iran has returned to full compliance with its terms  then the White House can claim Trumps hasty pullout left it with no good options. If, as seems more likely, the talks fail and the Islamic Republic continues to enrich uranium toward weapons-grade levels, then it was Trumps fault for removing the restraints imposed by the original deal.

But as a foreign policy strategy, it is too clever by half: It gives the Iranians a ready-made excuse  Donald Trump  for their increasingly dangerous breaches of the JCPOA and their aggressive behavior in the Middle East. To American allies in the region, it signals that the administration has a blinkered view of the threat they face from Tehran.

There is certainly an argument that the regime might not have ratcheted up its nuclear program  not openly, anyway  had the 2015 deal still been in force. But as Israel and the Arab states of the Levant and the Persian Gulf know from painful experience, the Iranian threat long predates Irans nuclear capabilities.

The proxy wars referenced by Psaki have been raging since the creation of the Islamic Republic in 1979, when the new theocratic regime in Tehran began to support armed groups across the Middle East. Over the next three decades, it built a vast network of proxies and partners, ranging from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza to the Houthis in Yemen and several militias in Iraq. These were used as fifth columns to foment conflict within Arab societies as well as to menace Israel.

Even before the JCPOA was signed, a Houthi-instigated civil war in Yemen had drawn in a Saudi-led Arab coalition, Hezbollah and Iranian troops were slaughtering Syrian civilians to prop up the Syrian regime of dictator Bashar Assad, Hamas was at daggers permanently drawn with Israel and Irans proxies in Iraq had killed hundreds of American troops.

At home, meanwhile, the regime in Tehran was developing ballistic-missile technology as well as bulking up its military and paramilitary forces.

The 2015 agreement pursued by the administration of President Barack Obama was confined to one element of the Iranian threat: a nuclear program that Tehran claimed was entirely peaceful. The deal was meant to prevent the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons for a couple of decades, in exchange for a lifting of sanctions imposed by the United Nations and the U.S. But it didnt require Iran to renounce its destabilizing activities.

Critics of the deal worried that an unshackled Islamic Republic would grow more aggressive and assertive. They were right: In the two years that the JCPOA was in effect, Iran ramped up military spending at home, especially on its missile program, and increased support for its proxies.

Trumps critics are right to point out that his reckless abrogation of the deal didnt end these activities, but the reimposition of sanctions certainly curtailed Irans access to money and munitions. It isnt hard to imagine how much more harm Hezbollah or the Houthis would have done, or be capable of doing, if they had more cash and advanced weaponry from Tehran.

In any event, it is absurd to suggest that Trumps withdrawal from the JCPOA increased Irans aggression, much less caused it. While the Biden administrations new messaging might work in Washington, it wont wash in the Middle East.

Bloomberg Opinion columnist Bobby Ghosh writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and Africa.
(Tribune News Service)  Haitis investigative judge overseeing the inquiry into President Jovenel Moises assassination is being removed from the case after failing to meet a legal deadline on bringing formal charges, signaling a significant delay in the prosecution of dozens of suspects being held but not formally charged.

Judge Garry Orelien had three months to summon witnesses and investigate the facts in the July 7, 2021, attack that left Moise, 53, dead and his wife, Martine, seriously wounded. After failing to do either, Orelien earlier this month asked for an extension until Dec. 30. Bernard Saint-Vil, the dean of the Court of First Instance in Port-au-Prince and Oreliens boss, said no.

Saint-Vil said in a letter Tuesday that an extension will not allow the judge to complete his mission.

The highly unusual move by a judicial head comes amid doubts about Haitis ability  or even its willingness  to prosecute those responsible for the brazen crime and criticism that the investigation into who killed the countrys own president is stalled. After an initial arrest of 44 people, including 18 former Colombian soldiers, Haitian national police officers have made no new arrests despite the issuance of wanted posters for several key suspects.

Three out of four suspects who were picked up in connection with the assassination over the past three months were detained after spending months in hiding in Haiti  not by Haitian authorities but by foreign governments.

From the start of this investigation, he didnt really do anything, Pierre Esperance, the head of the National Human Rights Network, said about Orelien, who along with his clerk was the target of dismissal calls over allegations of unethical behavior.

Esperances human rights group had accused Orelien and his clerk of shaking down the owner of a company linked to the investigation and had demanded their removal from the case.

There was one important job for the judge to do and he didnt do it. He was supposed to ask [the police] to continue with their investigation. He didnt do it and blocked the investigation, Esperance said.

The same day that the dean of the courts wrote to Orelien that he will not extend his mandate on the case, Esperances group wrote to the Superior Court of Judges demanding Oreliens removal, providing a list of complaints.

While some are welcoming Saint-Vils unusual decision to transfer the case to a new investigative judge, who will be the third given the task, others fear it can further set back the Haiti probe just as a parallel investigation in the United States is gaining momentum with three recent arrests. U.S. authorities, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations in Miami, are developing a case built on the suspected collaboration between a South Florida-based security firm and a network of Haitians, Haitian Americans and Colombians who initially sought to overthrow Haitis president but are now suspected of conspiring in his assassination, according to authorities.

U.S prosecutors earlier this month brought the first formal criminal charges in the case, accusing a retired sergeant in the Colombian military of conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside of the United States, and providing material support resulting in death, knowing that such support would be used to carry out a plot to kill the Haitian president. According to an FBI criminal complaint, the ex-Colombian soldier, Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, said an entire group of Haiti-based co-conspirators prepared for the operation targeting the countrys president, including an initial plan to capture Moise at the Port-au-Prince airport upon his return from an official trip to Turkey in mid-June of last year.

That plan did not go forward, the FBI complaint says. However, Palacios admitted that, by at least as early as July 6, 2021, he was informed by some of the co-conspirators that the plan was to assassinate the Haitian president.

Palacios, 43, was intercepted by U.S. federal agents in Panama on Jan. 3 during the process of being deported to Colombia by Jamaica. After an initial appearance, he is preparing to head back to a Miami federal courtroom at the end of this month.

Another suspect, Rodolphe Jaar, a convicted drug trafficker, was detained in the Dominican Republic earlier this month and is expected to be brought to Miami any day, and a third, ex-Haiti senator John Joel Joseph, was arrested in Jamaica over the weekend and could soon be extradited to the United States as well.

Haitian authorities have said they plan to seek Josephs extradition from Jamaica, but the two countries do not have a treaty.

With fears mounting that Moises murder is headed to the files of unsolved assassinations in Haiti, the U.S. probe may be the last, best hope for getting to the truth of what happened, which is nothing to celebrate, say those who have been involved in efforts to help reform the Caribbean nations dysfunctional justice system.

Its a step backward for Haiti, when you think of all the time lost and all of that money that was spent on judicial reform, said William ONeill, a human rights lawyer who in the past had been involved in justice and police reform initiatives in Haiti. I think the international community has a lot to answer for; the Haitians obviously, too. But where are the donors, and what did they think was happening with all of this money?

U.S. law enforcement officials have based their case on a jurisdictional argument that a key part of the planning that led to Moise being held and slain inside his home in Haiti occurred in South Florida, according to information provided to federal authorities by Palacios and others. Federal prosecutors have also focused on violations of the Neutrality Act, which makes it illegal for an American citizen to wage war against any country at peace with the United States, including attempts to overthrow its government. Prosecutors have also considered potential violations of export laws regulating the shipment of weapons, ammunition and other military-like equipment, such as bullet-proof vests.

Meanwhile, the investigation in Haiti appears to have stalled if not unraveled.

The way the situation is, it could be difficult for this case to proceed in Haiti, said Esperance, noting that Haitis weak institutions, from its police to the judiciary, create obstacles. He has accused the current government of protecting some of the main suspect  accusations the government has denied  and raised questions about the relationships between some of the main suspects and current and former government officials.

At any moment there could be a prison break in Haiti, said Esperance, leading to the freedom of some, if not all, of the 39 suspects currently in custody. After six months, they have yet to be formally charged. Also, even if a judge is willing to take on the case, concerns about security could further disrupt the investigation. The first investigative judge assigned by Saint-Vil to oversee the probe quit less than week after taking on the role, citing safety concerns.

Brian Concannon, a U.S. lawyer who helped Haitian prosecutors try one of the few successfully high-profile criminal cases in Haitis recent history, said given the magnitude of the Moise whodunit and the cast of characters allegedly involved, he can understand a judge needing more time.

But he also understands Saint-Vils decision to remove the judge from the case.

No one goes to trial in Haiti in three months, said Concannon, who was part of an international team of legal experts who helped Haiti successfully prosecute 38 army and paramilitary leaders for their roles in a 1994 massacre. The countrys Supreme Court overturned the verdict.

Concannon said while he believes that despite its limited technical capacity and issues with a broken judiciary, Haiti has the ability to adjudicate the presidential assassination. But he questions whether leaders have the political will.

It seems to me that for months there has been no serious interest in getting to the truth in Haiti, at least by the people leading the country, Concannon said.

It would be good to see Haiti take the lead and prosecute its most high-profile murder in a century, Concannon said. But hes not optimistic.

The government has spent most of the last 10 years dismantling most of its accountability system, Concannon said. This is what you get when you do that along with politicizing the police and undermining the judiciary.

Miami Herald staff writer Jay Weaver contributed to this report.

2022 McClatchy Washington Bureau.

Visit mcclatchydc.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
TOKYO  Japans capital city reported a record-breaking 7,377 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, according to public broadcaster NHK, as much of the nation prepared for another round of emergency measures aimed at suppressing the coronavirus spread.

New case numbers in Tokyo have escalated from handfuls in late December to more than 1,000 by Jan. 8 and 5,185 on Tuesday, according to metropolitan government data online. The prior high mark  5,908 new cases  occurred Aug. 13, according to metro data.

The Japanese government was poised Wednesday to impose another round of pandemic restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 in 13 prefectures, including Tokyo and its neighbors.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was expected to announce a modified state of emergency, or quasi-emergency, recommended Wednesday by a panel of government experts, according to NHK.

The measures would take effect Friday and run through Feb. 13, according to NHK. Under an emergency, the prefectural governments urge restaurants and bars to close early and refrain from selling alcohol.

Japan reached another milestone Tuesday when it confirmed 32,197 individuals infected with the coronavirus, a one-day record exceeding the previous high in August, according to Kyodo News and the World Health Organization.

U.S. Forces Japan on Wednesday reported 331 new cases of the coronavirus at 16 installations.

Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa prefecture south of Tokyo reported the highest one-day total, 128 cases. The next highest report came from Yokota Air Base, USFJs headquarters in western Tokyo, with 34.

Camp Zama, the headquarters of U.S. Army Japan in Kanagawa, reported 33. Six Marine Corps bases on Okinawa accounted for 56 COVID-19 cases, according to USFJ.

On U.S. military bases throughout Japan, U.S. service members and civilians completed a ninth day under restrictions aimed at creating space between them and the Japanese population. The 14-day stay-at-home order, imposed by USFJ by agreement with Japans government, ends Monday.

The order followed Japanese concerns that Americans returning from holiday leave or reporting to new duty stations in Japan brought a new strain of the coronavirus, the omicron variant, with them.

Most new cases arising on U.S. installations now are locally generated.

Kadena Air Base said in a news release late Tuesday it had 663 active cases of COVID-19.

Okinawa prefecture, where Kadena is located, reported Wednesday another 1,433 people had contracted the virus, according to a daily update by the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care. The department said 3.3% of its COVID-19 patients are hospitalized.

Stars and Stripes reporter Mari Higa contributed to this report.
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TOKYO  The Sapporo Snow Festival has been canceled for the second year running due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases across Japan, organizers announced Wednesday.

Before the pandemic, the annual event attracted large crowds of visitors from all over the world to view snow and ice sculptures in Sapporos Odori Park. The city on Japans northernmost island, Hokkaido, will hold an online event in lieu of the festival.

The sixth wave of COVID-19 in Japan gained strength Tuesday, adding 32,197 new cases nationwide and exceeding the previous peak reached six months ago, according to Japanese media.

The countrys coronavirus situation is expected to worsen, making it difficult to hold a large event with visitors gathering from throughout the country, snow festival organizers said on the events website.

Teams from the U.S. Navy participated in the festival for 36 years before the pandemic. In 2019, 11 sailors from Naval Air Facility Misawa spent five days transforming a block of compacted snow into a frosty monument to the Navy that included a large eagle and an anchor.

The festival is a popular destination for troops and their families taking leave in Japan.

The Information, Tickets and Travel office at Yokota Air Base, home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo, posted a cancellation notice on its Facebook page Wednesday for two three-day snow festival tours planned for next month and offered refunds.

Sapporos online snow festival will take place Feb. 5-28 on the events website, officials said. It will feature a photo contest, videos of crews making snow sculptures and an online shop.

Stars and Stripes reporter Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report.
TOKYO  China may stir up trouble this year in the South China Sea but is unlikely to attempt an invasion of Taiwan, a Japanese foreign policy expert told reporters during an online seminar this week.

Concerns about an impending emergency on the island are illogical, University of Tokyo professor Shin Kawashima told journalists during the Tuesday seminar organized by the Foreign Press Center Japan.

I dont think there will be an emergency situation, said Shin, an expert in the history of Chinese diplomacy and international relations in East Asia. They may do something in the South China sea or a small island, but they wont invade Taiwan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping cant afford failures ahead of the Chinese Communist Party National Congress in fall, Shin said, and there is speculation that Xi may seek to stay on as party chief for a third term.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned last month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would be an emergency for the U.S.-Japan alliance.

A Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency. That is, its an emergency for the U.S.-Japan alliance as well, Abe said during a Dec. 1 video conference reported by the Financial Times. Its imperative that people in Beijing not misjudge that, and most especially President Xi Jinping.

Adm. Phil Davidson, the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told Congress last year he believed China could attempt to take control of Taiwan by the end of the decade.

And last week the vice chairwoman of the House Armed Services Committee said new legislation is needed to allow the U.S. to respond faster should China invade Taiwan.

Though the U.S. through its One China policy acknowledges Chinas claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, it maintains unofficial relations with the island, according to the State Department.

Japan has always placed importance on stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait, Shin said. Theres no change to that policy. Japan should be prepared to take action if necessary.

In an emergency, partnering and working with the U.S. is an option for Japan, he said.

The U.S. is looking for areas of cooperation (with China) while taking a hardline attitude to Taiwan, Shin said.

The administration of President Joe Biden is also at odds with China over human rights in Xinjiang and democratic rights in Hong Kong but is looking for areas where it can engage in dialogue with China, such as climate change, North Korea, Iran and Afghanistan, Shin said.

The Biden administration is looking at these things on a case-by-case basis, he said.

Despite a clampdown on sharing advanced technology with China, Americas economic relationship with its geopolitical rival is growing closer, Shin said.

Chinese exports to the U.S. rose 27.5% to $576.1 billion in 2021 despite tariff hikes by Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, that remain in place on many goods, The Associated Press reported Friday. Chinese imports of American goods rose 33.1% to $179.5 billion.

Its unclear what impact the coronavirus may have on next months Winter Olympics in Beijing or on feelings of nationalism among Chinese people, Shin said.
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CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  South Korean health officials are pressuring the U.S. military to increase its COVID-19 mitigation measures after weeks of record-high infection rates within U.S. Forces Korea.

USFK reported a pandemic record of 1,599 weekly cases between Jan. 4 and 10, more than twice the previous high of 682 cases the preceding week.

In its latest update Wednesday, USFK reported 566 infections between Jan. 11 and Monday. The command provided detailed information on its confirmed cases until late 2021, when it shifted to weekly case counts as a matter of policy.

South Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday entreated the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to urge USFK to provide daily public updates on its COVID-19 cases and to have its troops receive booster shots, a ministry official said in an email Wednesday on the customary condition of anonymity.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has stepped up its efforts to provide vaccine shots and raise awareness of the pandemic to foreigners living in South Korea. A ministry official told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday that it will inspect major airports and harbors around USFK bases that have reported increased caseloads until Feb. 11.

Pyeongtaek, where Camp Humphreys is located, reported that roughly 42% of the citys COVID-19 cases between Jan. 3 and 16 stemmed from people affiliated with the U.S. military, a public health official told Stars and Stripes by phone on Wednesday.

Humphreys is the largest U.S. military base overseas and is accessed by over 32,000 people on a daily basis.

The base and Pyeongtaek are both part of Gyeonggi province, which continues to report a higher number of daily infections than any other province, including Seoul, the capital city. The province reported 2,176 infections Tuesday, about 37% of South Korea's total caseload the same day.

The rise in positive cases prompted Pyeongtaeks government to administer mandatory COVID-19 tests for South Korean citizens who work at USFK installations in the city, as well as those working in local schools and gyms.

USFK, which is responsible for roughly 28,500 U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula, also employs around 12,500 Koreans, according to the Korean Employees Union.

The new tests must be conducted between Jan. 17 and 26, regardless of each workers vaccination status, according to a Pyeongtaek City press release on Wednesday.

Violators can be fined up to roughly $2,500 and can be charged for quarantine expenses due to the spread of infection caused by the violation against the order, the release said.

We implement the administrative order due to the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in Pyeongtaek City, Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon said in an accompanying statement. We entreat people to cooperate with us even if they feel inconvenience.

On Jan. 8, USFK responded to the surge of new cases by elevating its health-risk level to Bravo-plus, which curtails many off-base activities, including indoor dining at restaurants and visits to shopping malls, clubs and Seoul.

Eighth Army commander Lt. Gen. Willard Burleson met with Jung on Jan. 7 to discuss his commands pandemic response in relation to Pyeongtaek.

All members of the Eighth Army are aware of the critical situation and are operating [within] strengthened quarantine guidelines, Burleson said at the meeting.

The command maintains a very aggressive approach against COVID-19, USFK spokesman Col. Lee Peters told Stars and Stripes in an email Wednesday.

We can reassure our USFK and South Korean communities we remain at a high level of  readiness and can fulfill our obligation to protect and defend [South Korea] against any threat or adversary, he said.

Peters said the commands medical experts meet routinely with their counterparts from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in their efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
STUTTGART, Germany  U.S. special operators are continuing with a mission to build up an elite fighting force in Ukraine, military officials said, even as Russia threatens invasion with its thousands of troops, tanks and artillery massed along their borders.

The bottom line is that our training mission in Ukraine is ongoing, Lt. Col. Juan Martinez, spokesman for U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, said Tuesday.

Martinez said there are a ton of outside factors at work, but that the command hasnt stepped back from Ukraine.

We continue to view our mission in Ukraine as part of an ongoing effort in enhancing Special Operations Forces capabilities as a keystone for regional stability, he said.

The Stuttgart-based SOCEUR has quietly operated out of a training center outside of Kyiv for the past several years. The missions focus is assisting Ukrainian forces to defend more effectively against Russian aggression.

The presence of U.S. special operators is part of a small American military contingent that remains in Ukraine. There are also more than 100 Florida National Guard troops in Ukraine in an advisory role, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday.

Martinez declined to say how many special operators are now in Ukraine, citing security concerns.

Whether they would remain there in the event of invasion isnt clear, but the Biden administration has already ruled out the direct involvement of U.S. troops in any conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine. Still, there could be special implications for SOCEURs mission should a Russian invasion turn into an effort to occupy large parts of the country.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that the White House was considering a plan to fund, train and arm a resistance movement inside Ukraine in the event of an occupation. The plan could involve helping Ukrainian resistance fighters by providing training inside NATO countries such as Poland, Romania and Slovakia, the Times reported, citing administration officials.

For the Green Berets and Navy SEALs assigned to SOCEUR, that could mean a heavy focus on guerrilla warfare instruction, a specialty of such units.

During the Cold War, NATO created a network of clandestine, stay-behind units in many European countries. These consisted of troops tasked with conducting intelligence and reconnaissance operations, as well as guerrilla attacks, in the event of a Warsaw Pact invasion.

But Moscows military intentions remain unclear. A U.S. contingency plan to back an insurgency would be rendered moot if Russias aim is to dismantle Ukraines military rather than occupy territory.

And while some allies, including the U.S. and United Kingdom, have delivered anti-tank weaponry to Ukraine in hopes of giving Kyiv a boost in conventional combat capabilities, Russia still has the overwhelming military advantage.

In addition to curtailing Western military cooperation with Ukraine, some analysts say Russias interest appears focused on getting Kyiv to cease its efforts to develop longer range missiles that could eventually target Russia.

Moscows military objectives would focus on imposing unacceptable costs on Ukraine by destroying military units, inflicting casualties, taking prisoners of war, or degrading Ukraines ability to defend itself, wrote Russia expert Rob Lee in an analysis Tuesday for the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Russia could choose to seize territory to raise the costs on Kyiv, but this would likely not be the ultimate objective.

Lee said the message Moscow is signaling is that it believes the costs of inaction are higher than the costs of employing force now.
JERUSALEM  Israeli police demolished a Palestinian home in predominantly Arab East Jerusalem early Wednesday, after a surprise overnight raid and the arrest of family members and protesters. The action ended a standoff in which some family members at one point barricaded themselves on the roof and threatened to blow up the structure.

Foreign governments and human rights groups condemned the eviction, one of several proposed in the flash-point Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. Palestinians view the actions as an attempt to push them from the city that both Israelis and Palestinians consider their national capital. Violent demonstrations over planned evictions last year helped spark a two-week war between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.

The case is similar but unrelated to other pending evictions in the neighborhood, where Jewish groups are trying to exercise property ownership claims predating Israel's existence at the expense of six Palestinian families who have lived in the disputed houses for decades. Those cases are awaiting final rulings by Israel's Supreme Court.

In the case of the home demolished Wednesday, the property was appropriated by the city of Jerusalem five years ago to make way for a neighborhood school. The family claimed to have purchased the property in the 1960s but was unable to prove ownership after a court battle, according to media reports. An Israeli judge ruled a year ago that the city could take the property for public use if the family was compensated.

On Monday, protesters arrived to block the planned eviction, and members of the family took to the roof with gas canisters, threatening to destroy the house in an act of suicidal resistance. Police withdrew to prevent violence, they said.

But officers returned in darkness early Wednesday, quickly taking control of the property after reportedly cutting electricity to the area. Some witnesses said the forces used stun grenades in the raid. Police detained about 25 family members and other activists, according to Reuters. Israeli police said the arrests were for "suspicion of violating a court order, violent fortification and disturbing public order."

Almost immediately, heavy equipment moved in to demolish the structure.

"It was a brutal act," Walid Abu Thaya, a lawyer for the family, said in an interview with the Haaretz newspaper. "We were in the process of appealing to the courts, including the High Court, but the police in the service of the Jerusalem Municipality were determined to carry out their mission."

The municipality said the raid was carried out only after it became clear the family would not comply with court rulings.

"Since the ruling was handed down, the Salahiya family has been given numerous opportunities to transfer the property in an agreed-upon manner, but they have refused to do so," the city said in a statement.

The U.S. Embassy, in an emailed statement, said, "We believe it is critical for all sides to refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution. This certainly includes the evictions of families from homes in East Jerusalem in which they have lived for generations."

The British government, which maintains its Jerusalem consulate in the same part of the neighborhood, released a statement urging Israel not to engage in practices that threaten to "increase tension on the ground."

Some elected city officials had beseeched the government to delay the eviction until the family exhausted possible legal remedies.

Others said the city had a clear right to condemn the house on behalf of a public project. Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev said critics should welcome development that will serve Palestinian residents of Jerusalem.

"The site is designated for the construction of classrooms and kindergartens for special education that will benefit the Arab children of the neighborhood," Bar-Lev said in a tweet.
The Defense Department has agreed to spend about $52.5 million to operate and maintain observation blimps at the U.S. border with Mexico as part of an ongoing mission in the region.

The original request to support the blimps called for about 1,500 additional troops to deploy to the border mission that supports the Department of Homeland Security and began in 2018, according to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas.

About 2,400 troops are now deployed along the southern border, but up to 3,000 are authorized to deploy through the end of September, based on an agreement signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The service members are a mix of National Guard and active-duty personnel who work alongside Border Patrol agents in a variety of support roles that allow those federal agents to conduct direct border security.

But the DHS request approved Dec. 21 by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks only calls for the operation and maintenance of large blimps, known as aerostats or persistent threat detection systems, for assistance in detecting and monitoring drug-smuggling operations, said Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell, a Pentagon spokesman.

The Army will provide the support by contracting the work on six Border Patrol-owned 17-meter aerostats and up to 12 Defense Department-owned 22-meter aerostats, he said. The $52.5 million includes $22.5 million for the Border Patrols six aerostats and $30 million for those owned by the military.

Homeland Security had previously funded contracts for the aerostats, but the deals had gotten too expensive, Cuellar told reporters during a call in November. The department cut the blimps from its recent budget, but the south Texas congressman said he wanted to see their use brought back in some way.

The Pentagons approval to support six Border Patrol-owned aerostats was eligible to begin in January, with the additional Defense Department aerostats available starting in April, Mitchell said. Support for both types is slated to end in September, or at the end of fiscal year 2022.

The military used observation blimps in Afghanistan, and they can be outfitted with a variety of equipment to help observe ground, air and water traffic from up to 200 miles away, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Others can offer real-time imagery to agents on the ground.
Fort Braggs Longstreet Road, which runs through the center of the North Carolina Army post, has been renamed as part of an effort to rid the military of names associated with the Confederacy, post officials announced this week.

The road, which is often associated with Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, stretches from Fort Braggs gated garrison section westward along its wooded training areas and will now be known as Long Street, officials said in a statement. Workers began changing signs along the route on Jan. 8 and are expected to complete the process by the end of the month, according to the statement.

The name change comes as U.S. military officials across the nation scrutinize posts for names and relics honoring those who served the Confederacy in the Civil War. A commission to study Confederate-linked names across the military was established by Congress in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which sets annual spending and policy priorities for the Defense Department. The commission is charged with providing Congress recommendations for name changes by October.

The Long Street change reverts the road back to its original name, which might have been inadvertently changed about a century ago, and in the decades since has become incorrectly affiliated with Longstreet, Fort Bragg officials said. Longstreet was one of the most prominent military leaders of the Civil War, a West Point graduate who fought for the United States in the Mexican-American War, but joined the Confederate cause after the Battle of Fort Sumter. He served as one of Gen. Robert E. Lees closest confidantes, according to the American Battlefield Trust.

A recent look through historical records show Long Street was likely first identified as Longstreet Road in about 1918 or 1919 on installation maps of what was then Camp Bragg, likely due to U.S. Geological Survey map simplification efforts, post officials wrote in their statement.

Long Streets story is very interesting because it was originally named Long Street well before, then Camp Bragg, was built, said Army Col. Scott Pence, Fort Braggs garrison commander. Returning the street name to its original heritage ensures that the installations history is properly retained for those who live and work on Fort Bragg.

The naming commissions work has proven controversial. Then-president Donald Trump, who vowed U.S. bases named for Confederates would not be changed under his leadership, vetoed the 2021 NDAA, citing the commissions creation. Congress then overrode his veto, making it law.

Commissioners last year visited dozens of military sites across the United States to determine what changes they will recommended. They said they had received tens of thousands of suggestions for new names for posts.

Fort Bragg, named for Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, is among at least nine Army posts expected to be identified for a name change once the commission completes its work.

Military officials, however, do not have to wait to make some changes. Pence said Longstreet Road is among eight streets on Fort Bragg that will receive name changes in the coming months because of Confederate ties. He said McKellars Road will be the next changed, but he did not identify the other six expected to be renamed.

McKellars Road is named for a family who owned land in the Fort Bragg area before the Civil War, but who had a descendant, Capt. John McKellar, who served in the Confederate army, the Fayetteville Observer newspaper reported, citing Fort Bragg's curator and archaeologist Linda Carnes-McNaughton.
(Tribune News Service)  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to spend $1.1 billion on restoring and preserving South Floridas Everglades during the current fiscal year, the White House announced Wednesday.

The money comes through the infrastructure law President Joe Biden signed into law in November and represents the single largest investment in the Everglades in history, according to the White House.

Floridas congressional delegation split along party lines last year on the more than $1 trillion infrastructure package with only the states Democrats voting in favor of it.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Wednesday unveiled its plan for spending $17.1 billion in supplemental funding it received through the new infrastructure law for the 2022 fiscal year, which lasts through September.

At $1.1 billion for the year, the Everglades project is set to receive by far the most money from that funding pool than any other project listed on the corps 2022 construction work plan.

The funds for the Everglades restoration aim to increase the ecosystems resilience against climate change by storing surface water runoff and minimizing seepage losses during dry periods, according to the White House. Its one of several projects

This is enormous news, and allows us to set a course for quicker completion of the worlds largest ecosystem restoration project, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a South Florida Democrat, said in a statement. It will enable the construction of resilient and multi-benefit projects that will increase the carbon sequestration capacity of the ecosystem and protect our communities and local economies for generations to come.

Wasserman Schultz called the Everglades the lifeblood of South Florida.

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, another South Florida Democrat who supported the legislation, pointed to the Everglades as a crucial source of drinking water for the states residents.

The Everglades is a beautiful and delicate ecosystem that serves as drinking water for more than eight million Floridians and home to hundreds of endangered plant and animal species, Frankel said in a statement. This new funding will significantly boost efforts to make sure that this unique and vibrant environment is kept alive and thriving for future generations.

The Everglades project is one of several environmentally minded projects the corps will fund through the infrastructure law, which will also provide $163 million to restore the Cano Martin Pena urban tidal channel in Puerto Rico.

President Biden knows that down payments now to bolster the resilience of our infrastructure to climate change will save Americans money in the long run, the White House said in its announcement.

Although record-breaking, the $1.1 billion is still shy of the original bipartisan request for $1.5 billion co-signed by nearly all of Floridas Senate and House delegation members. This money comes from $1.9 billion allocated to the Corps through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act specifically for restoring aquatic ecosystems across the country.

The current total estimated cost for the largest part of everglades restoration, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, is $23.2 billion. When it was first approved in 2000, the price tag was $8.2 billion. As the cost of Everglades restoration balloons, federal spending has fallen behind state spending. Florida has spent about $5 billion on CERP projects, while the federal government has kicked in about $2 billion.

This new billion-dollar allocation would give a boost to a critical project: the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir. The cost to build the massive reservoir, which would contain more than 10,000 acres of water with 37-foot walls, is supposed to be split between the Corps and the South Florida Water Management District. The EAA reservoir is designed to hold and treat the nutrient-polluted water from Lake Okeechobee, allowing it to flow south toward the Everglades rather than be blasted down rivers to the east and west, where it triggers harmful algal blooms.

The announcement of the Everglades funding comes a day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis accused the Biden administration of short-changing Florida yet again under the infrastructure law because the state will receive less money to repair its bridges than other states, including New York and Pennsylvania, which have less population than Florida but a higher number of bridges in disrepair.

2022 McClatchy Washington Bureau.

Visit mcclatchydc.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
On Oct. 27, 2019, Seth Fishman, a veterinarian, was returning from a weeks-long junket in the United Arab Emirates when he was greeted at Miami International Airport by armed federal agents.

The agents pulled Fishman into a side room, where he explained his business in Dubai: As the chief research officer for the kingdom's camels, he said, his responsibilities included managing breeding and fending off the spread of "zoonotic diseases" and African sleeping sickness. And indeed, after agents across town seized hundreds of vials from Fishman's storage unit, a lawyer who said he represented Dubai's "Presidential Camel Department" sprung to action, arguing in U.S. court that the substances were tonics urgently needed while the beasts were in heat.

But the American authorities, who had been eavesdropping on Fishman's calls since that February, saw the drugs, as well as those seized in other raids, as yet more evidence of what they asserted was the vet's real stock-in-trade: illegally doping racehorses in the United States and overseas. Fishman left the airport in handcuffs.

Fishman had been accused of horse-doping before, but he always had avoided punishment, including by cooperating with investigators. He once helped the feds build a case against his CEO boss, who Fishman claimed had urged him to create a pill that would erase the memory of another potential witness.

He tried this time, too, meeting with agents after his arrest and counseling them on how they could, as he put it, "create a different mousetrap" to help clean up horse racing, a sport he agreed was rife with cheating and animal abuse. Fishman perhaps even saw a business opportunity in his arrest; he applied for a patent on a medical tracking device and other inventions he says can save the sport.

But Fishman suggested that the feds had a more traditional means in mind: wiring the veterinarian for sound to bring down his alleged horse-doping cronies. "To make them happy I would have had to violate two of the Ten Commandments," Fishman said in an interview with The Washington Post, referring to lying and bearing false witness: "Just say for biblical reasons I couldn't do it."

And so in March 2020, federal prosecutors for the U.S. District Court in Manhattan unsealed indictments against Fishman and more than two dozen others in the racing industry, including prominent trainers, accusing them of concocting and administering performance-enhancing drugs designed to evade regulators.

An indictment described Fishman as running a boutique doping operation since at least 2014 in which three subordinates, who were also charged, manufactured the drugs to his specifications and then helped distribute them. Among his alleged clients: Jorge Navarro, a top trainer whose horses earned roughly $35 million over the course of a decade. Prosecutors attributed that success to a ruthless cheating regimen they referred to as the "Navarro Doping Program."

After Navarro's horse X Y Jet won $1.5 million in a Dubai race, Fishman congratulated him via text message, court records show, to which Navarro responded: "Thank u boss u are a big part of it." X Y Jet dropped dead of an apparent heart attack the following year.

Other court filings referred to a powerful painkiller known as "Fishman Pain Shot." "Don't kid yourself: If you're giving something to a horse to make it better and you're not supposed to do that . . . that's doping," Fishman told a prospective client about his products in a wiretapped call, according to the indictment. "You know, whether it's testable, that's a different story."

The indictments generated national headlines. That made them a powerful political tool, just as some of the wealthiest people in the sport had envisioned when they hired private investigators to drum up criminal leads for federal agents to follow. Those power brokers were then able to secure congressional support for federal regulatory reform they had struggled to sell for years.

In the two years since, 10 of the defendants have pleaded guilty or had their prosecution deferred. Among them is Navarro, who was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to forfeit more than $25 million. But on Wednesday, the first holdouts against the government will go on trial: Fishman and his alleged distributor, Lisa Giannelli. Fishman is charged with two counts of conspiring to misbrand drugs. Each count carries a potential five-year prison sentence.

For the industry, the trial's stakes are also high. The state of racing has only gotten more chaotic since the indictments, with 2021's Kentucky Derby winner, the Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit, testing positive for a banned substance and later dying during a workout.

Meanwhile, the legislative reform partly spurred by the indictments appears to have stalled, with thoroughbred racing's newly formed governing authority failing to reach an expected agreement with the United States Anti-Doping Agency to provide enforcement.

Criminal defendants rarely speak to the press until after trial. But Fishman, 50, a part-time Bangkok fight promoter who vacillates between optimism that he could save the industry and extreme fatalism, doesn't have much use for convention. Against the advice of his attorney, he spent several hours on the phone with a Post reporter as his trial approached to refute prosecutors' portrayal of him as a ruthless horse doper obsessed with winning races.

He's an animal lover, he insisted. He maintained that his drugs are solely therapeutics and that the charges against him are trumped up, using obscure statutes criminalizing the administration of benign drugs needed to ease the suffering of animals used in a punishing sport.

Fishman claimed that the real motive of those seeking regulatory reform was to make the sport more palatable for bettors by eradicating any foreign substances - at the expense of the animals. "I don't think the veterinary world should have to answer to a gambling product that seems to be getting more and more corrupt, not less corrupt," Fishman said. "The animals' needs need to be put before the gamblers' needs."

And Fishman said that he and other defendants had been handpicked for sacrifice by racing's elite, who had spared others with more clout, to create an illusion of reform that can distract from more entrenched corruption.

Fishman said he has Stage 3 thyroid cancer and no children, which is why he feels comfortable rolling the dice at trial, declaring: "I'm going to take one for the team of veterinarians."

Always a caretaker for animals but not much of a studier, Fishman, who grew up in suburban New York, found that his only option for a veterinary degree was on the island of St. Kitts. Later court testimony would reference Fishman's cocaine habit around this time, which he downplayed in an interview.

"I was living in an island where it was legal," Fishman said. "Well, I shouldn't say legal, [but] if you want to get cocaine, you buy it from a police officer."

Upon graduation, Fishman headed to Florida, where he initially sought to rehabilitate racehorses. He connected with David H. Brooks, a body armor tycoon whose many expensive passions included harness racing, the niche version of the sport that uses Standardbred horses instead of thoroughbreds.

Brooks hired Fishman to care for his horses, and soon the vet got his first experience navigating a high-profile federal prosecution. Brooks was indicted in 2007 for fraud. Fishman flipped on his boss, court records show, telling authorities that Brooks urged him to use his pharmaceutical know-how to create a pill that would erase the memory of a potential key witness against him.

The Brooks investigation showed that the FBI had long had an interest in Fishman's treatment of racehorses. Agents in Miami had heard about him from a New Jersey state trooper who had investigated doping at the Meadowlands, a harness racing track there. According to an FBI report, Fishman admitted that he "sold drugs to David Brooks to be used in shots for 'prerace' doping."

Fishman now claims the agents misconstrued his words. "You don't hear me talking about drugs to enhance performance or anything," Fishman said. "I talk about medicine of therapeutic value."

Fishman ended up not testifying against Brooks, who was convicted anyway and died in prison. Brice Cote, the trooper who initiated the first investigation against him, retired from the state police and got a job leading security for Meadowlands. And that, Fishman claims, is how his current trouble began.

For years, horse racing has faced a growing existential crisis, threatened by a spate of high-profile horse deaths, dwindling receipts and growing disenchantment with the integrity of the sport. The 2020 indictments and congressional interest they triggered appeared to signal that the government had taken a spontaneous interest in cleaning up the sport.

But court filings show that federal prosecutors are prickly about the origins of the investigation.

Starting around 2015, the Jockey Club, the powerful thoroughbred group whose members include descendants of famous horsemen and the Sheikh of Dubai, hired a Miami-based private intelligence company called 5 Stones to target cheaters in the sport. The intelligence outfit is run by a former DEA agent and has millions of dollars in federal contracts, and Jockey Club leaders have acknowledged the goal from the beginning was to bring about indictments.

And though the private investigators started in thoroughbred racing, they found more business in harness racing. Several of those in harness racing who were eventually indicted were among targets of Meadowlands track owner Jeff Gural, who helped fund the 5 Stones doping probe, and Cote, his track detective.

Since The Post first reported on 5 Stones' involvement last year, several defendants have argued in court that the federal probe was guided by the industry's private investigators, records show. Lawyers have argued that 5 Stones investigators provided the FBI with confidential informants, joined agents for interrogations, and - in one alleged instance - threatened a potential witness to cooperate or face the revocation of their state lcense.

Fishman accused Gural of "selectively eliminating the competition" at his track. "His idea of a level playing field is that you level the field with all the people you don't want and then you just keep the people on the field that you want."

Joseph Faraldo, chairman of the U.S. Trotting Association, harness racing's version of the Jockey Club - and a longtime nemesis of Gural - said the close association between hired investigators and the government has meant that in practice, "Gural and minions will dictate who gets prosecuted."

In an interview, Gural disputed that claim, maintaining that he has insisted on being kept in the dark about who 5 Stones or federal investigators target. But he doesn't hide his pleasure at watching the indictments wreck former rivals. Gural laughed at Fishman's chances at trial, remarking of federal prosecutors: "I was told they lose about 3 percent of the time."

Gural also said he plans to attend the upcoming sentencing for Chris Oakes, a harness-racing trainer he has feuded with for years. "I'm probably going to go to the courthouse to hear that," Gural said, "because it's an individual I particularly dislike."

Neither Cote nor 5 Stones chief David Tinsley returned messages seeking comment. A representative for the Jockey Club declined to comment. Federal prosecutors have said in filings that though agents met with members of the Jockey Club "on occasion," the federal government "made investigative and charging decisions entirely independently of any nongovernmental source of information."

In filings in Fishman's case, his attorney previously argued that industry influence not only got him indicted but also tainted his shot at a fair trial. Fishman moved to have U.S. District Court Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, who oversees his and other horse-doping cases, recuse herself for past links to the racing establishment, including being a former member of a breeders association and having a former law partner who was in the Jockey Club. Vyskocil denied the motion as "patently frivolous," stating that her "impartiality is not in question."

Fishman's other legal arguments have fared similarly. The indictments rely on Depression-era statutes that address "misbranded" products, including substances that aren't otherwise illegal or even banned from racing. Fishman has pointed out in a wiretapped conversation cited by prosecutors, the impressive drug Navarro said Fishman gave him was "something with amino acid." Fishman's lawyer described that as an "organic substance," prescribed to treat Navarro's horse after it "clamped up."

In an interview, Fishman sought to distance himself from Navarro, saying he interacted with the trainer "for a total of less than one hour" and that he "was probably one of the least involved vets in the Navarro - whatever they want to call it - conspiracy."

Another wiretapped conversation quoted Fishman referring to a "mimetic" for Epogen, a banned performance-enhancer. In an interview, Fishman suggested he was looking after the welfare of the horse. "If I'm providing a safe alternative to what's in use - and will be used unless I provide a safe alternative - I believe I'm practicing sound medicine ... And the fact that they may or may not be able to test for it as easily, I don't know how that makes it a crime."

In decisions rejecting various of Fishman's motions, Vyskocil referred to such arguments as "unpersuasive" and stated: "The evidence of Fishman's criminal activity is extensive."

Fishman's depiction of himself as a sort of racetrack St. Francis of Assisi is strikingly at odds with the government's version. To prosecutors, he is a chemical tinkerer who has preyed on horse racing's ineffectual patchwork regulatory system.

That includes dodging a state investigation in Delaware after his drugs were alleged to have killed a racehorse, which Fishman denies. And though Fishman may pride himself on taking one for the team of veterinarians, court records show that a fellow vet in Kentucky was among the confidential sources who led to Fishman's indictment.

In December, as the trial approached, prosecutors attempted to have Fishman's bail revoked after they found drugs he had manufactured since his arrest, including batches of a substance called "HP Bleeder" that advertised that it had no "testable" ingredients. Fishman denied doing anything illegal and was ultimately allowed to remain free after agreeing no longer to manufacture any drugs and substances besides those he uses to treat his own health conditions.

Between the negative momentum in court and the feds clamping down on his revenue, Fishman at times swings into feelings of doom about his odds at trial.

In an interview Friday, the day before his flight from his home in Florida to New York to face trial, Fishman said he stopped corresponding with people he knows because he doesn't want to explain his predicament. "My number got punched," Fishman said. "So it's either real corrupt people trying to make an example out of me or God really hates me that much that it's, 'Hey, it's my lottery ticket to die.' "
(Tribune News Service)  A former Seattle man who for a time worked as an FBI informant, helping to foil a terror plot at the Seattle Military Entrance Processing Station, was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of release under the state's three-strikes law for raping a 12-year-old girl during Seattle's annual Torchlight Parade in 2006.

Robert Childs Jr., 45, wasn't charged with second-degree rape of a child until February 2019 because the original Seattle police detective who investigated the girl's rape closed the case about six weeks after the assault, without ever requesting that forensic evidence obtained during a sexual-assault examination be tested for male DNA, court records show.

Both of Childs' prior strike offenses are for third-degree rape convictions for sexual assaults committed in 1994 and 2000. His DNA would have already been entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a DNA database operated by the FBI, by the time of the 2006 rape.

But at that time, police officers and detectives had sole discretion to decide whether to send what are commonly known as rape kits to the State Patrol Crime Lab for DNA analysis and entry into CODIS for possible "hits" to offender DNA. Legislation that went into effect in July 2015 eliminated police discretion and required that all rape kits  including an estimated 6,000 kits that had sat untouched for years in police evidence warehouses across the state  be submitted for DNA testing.

Before the new law went into effect, Seattle police had already changed its policy and required testing of all rape kits. As of late 2016, there were 1,063 untested rape kits in evidence, the oldest dating to 1996, The Seattle Times reported at the time.

The 12-year-old girl's rape kit was one of them. It was sent for testing in 2018 and recovered male DNA was matched to Childs' DNA profile, the charges against him say. (In addition to the earlier rapes, Childs has convictions for third-degree child molestation and failure to register as a sex offender, but those crimes are not strike offenses.)

The girl had run away from her father's house in Everett and came to Seattle to look for her mother on July 29, 2006, the night of the Torchlight Parade, court records show. Near Yesler Way and Sixth Avenue, she asked a stranger if she could borrow his cellphone and the man pulled her into an alley, where he raped her, according to charging papers.

Following the sexual assault, the girl  who was crying and clearly distraught  got on a Metro bus and another rider accompanied her to the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct on Capitol Hill, where she reported the rape, say court records. The girl was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where she underwent a sexual-assault examination and described the assault to medical staff.

Though a police detective interviewed the girl and her father, he cleared the case as "inactive pending further investigative leads" on Sept. 11, 2006, the records show.

At that time, Childs was working at a Northgate gas station and was under supervision by the state Department of Corrections.

Several years later, in 2011, Childs assisted Seattle police and the FBI in stopping a terror plot directed at the Seattle Military Entrance Processing Station, where new Army enlistees report for duty, according to court records and news reports.

Two men  Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif, also known as Joseph Anthony Davis, and Walli Mujahidh, whose real name was Frederick Domingue Jr.  were ultimately sentenced to 18 and 17 years in prison, respectively, for conspiracy to murder officers and agents of the United States and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, court records say.

The FBI paid Childs $90,000 to lead the sting operation in which he recorded hundreds of hours of conversations and provided Abdul-Latif and Mujahidh with three assault rifles as part of their plan to attack the military recruiting station, the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting reported in late 2014.

According to the Florida nonprofit news organization, Childs moved to Key West, Florida, after his role as an FBI informant was made public while he was posing as a member of the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army, a Seattle activist group whose members dress like clowns. He was arrested in Key West in July 2014 for using a stolen credit card and failing to register as a sex offender, but it is unknown whether he was convicted of those crimes.

After Childs was charged in King County Superior Court in February 2019 for second-degree rape of a child in connection with the 2006 Seattle rape, he was arrested by sheriff's deputies in Okeechobee County, Florida, and was extradited to Washington, court records show.

A King County jury found him guilty in July.

(c)2022 The Seattle Times

Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com

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WASHINGTON  House lawmakers unanimously voted to bestow a Congressional Gold Medal to a secret U.S. military unit that fooled German troops with inflatable tanks, audio recordings and other methods of military deception during World War II.

The Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act to award the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Service Company  colloquially known as the Ghost Army  with the top award of appreciation from Congress passed the House on Wednesday and it will now go to President Joe Bidens desk to be signed into law. The bill passed the Senate on Dec. 15 unanimously.

What made the Ghost Army special was not just their extraordinary courage, but their creativity, Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., said on the House floor. Their story reminds us that listening to unconventional ideas like using visual and sound deception can help us solve existential challenges like defeating tyranny.

The Ghost Army was kept secret for more than 50 years until its existence was declassified in 1996, according to the Ghost Army Legacy Project, a nonprofit organization that has been advocating for the units national recognition for seven years.

The tactical deception unit staged more than 20 operations often dangerously close to the front, in France, Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany, according to a statement by the project. The Ghost Army is credited with saving approximately 30,000 lives with its tactics that diverted enemy attention from actual U.S. military advances.

The 1,100-person unit took creative risks, faking Army convoys, headquarters and whole divisions, deceiving the Germans to believe its small unit was one of more than 20,000 troops, according to the project.

Their tactics included playing recordings of moving armored vehicles to simulate the sound of operations at night, spoofing radio stations and sending out false Morse code so that the enemy would never catch on that the real unit and its radio operator were long gone, according to the projects website.

In some cases, Ghost Army soldiers would trick adversary spies by spinning stories in local cafes in hopes that they would believe the false intelligence, according to the website.

One of their more notable operations in the final days of the war helped the 9th Army safely cross the Rhine River in a ruse that led Germans to believe false intelligence about when the U.S. troops would do so, according to the website.

One of the nine remaining Ghost Army veterans in the United States, 98-year-old Pfc. Bernie Bluestein, called the decision Wednesday by Congress an honor.

I never in my lifetime expected anything like this. It completely blasts me, Bluestein said in the statement. Im just sorry that there are not more of my fellow soldiers still alive that can be enjoying this as much as I do.

The Ghost Army Legacy Project said it expects Biden to sign the bill into law within the next two weeks.

Todays vote was a big moment for us, said Rick Beyer, president of the project. But the real celebration will come when President Biden signs the bill and later when the [medal] is actually placed in the hands of the Ghost Army veterans.
A court in New York has ruled that the family of deceased American student Otto Warmbier, who was detained in the secretive state, should be awarded more than $240,000 to be seized from North Korean assets.

Warmbier, a University of Virginia student, was 21 years old when he traveled with a tourism group to Pyongyang at the end of 2015 on his way to a study-abroad program in Hong Kong. He was arrested at Pyongyang's airport at the end of his trip and later convicted on charges stemming from pulling down a propaganda poster in a hotel in the early hours of Jan. 1, 2016 - considered a "hostile act against the state" by North Korea.

A month later, a tearful Warmbier appeared at an orchestrated news conference in North Korea and "confessed" to the "preplanned" crime of trying to steal a propaganda sign during the trip. He fell into a coma for unknown reasons in March 2016, on the same night he was sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labor.

Following diplomatic wrangling by the Trump administration, he was evacuated to the United States in 2017 while still in a coma and died six days later at a Cincinnati hospital.

Warmbier's brain damage while in North Korea and subsequent death caused widespread shock in the United States at the time. His father, Fred Warmbier, accused North Korea of beating and torturing his son in detention, a claim Pyongyang denied. North Korea insisted that Otto Warmbier became sick after eating pork and spinach and that he had a severe allergic reaction to sedatives he was given.

His parents sued North Korea over their son's death. In 2018, Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that North Korea was liable for $501 million in damages, adding that the award was "appropriate to punish and deter North Korea" for the "torture, hostage taking and extrajudicial killing of Otto Warmbier." North Korea ignored the order.

Last week, the Northern District Court of New York approved a seizure of funds from the country's Korea Kwangson Banking Corporation (KKBC) on Jan 12., in an "unopposed motion" after both North Korea and the bank failed to respond to court orders and notices - including those filed at North Korea's mission to the United Nations in New York. The latest missed deadline was Jan. 10, the court documents showed.

"Neither North Korea nor KKBC has appeared in this action or filed any objections or responses to the petition for turnover within the applicable time periods," Judge Lawrence Kahn said in the order.

The court found that the bank was an "agent" of the North Korean state and directed New York's Office of the State Comptroller to turn over the funds in its possession to Otto Warmbier's estate "on a final basis."

The New York court's ruling comes as plaintiffs in South Korea and Japan are pursuing similar legal avenues to hold North Korea liable for damages.

In South Korea, former prisoners of war who escaped the North are seeking damages that would be paid with money held in an inter-Korean cooperation fund. The fund holds copyright fees that are collected on behalf of North Korean broadcasters, and plaintiffs are seeking payments for their damages out of those funds. On Monday, a South Korean court ruled that the judgment could not be enforced against the fund, and the case is now headed to an appeal.

In Japan, a group of ethnic Korean residents are suing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, claiming violations of their human rights when they participated in a repatriation program to North Korea that ran from 1959 to 1984. The plaintiffs were among thousands of ethnic Koreans living in Japan who moved to North Korea, and they accuse the regime of "false advertising" about living conditions there. The plaintiffs are among those who subsequently managed to defect, fleeing to Japan or South Korea. A judgment in the case is expected this spring.

While it is an uphill battle to recoup damages from North Korea through legal systems outside the country, advocates say the lawsuits are an effective tool to raise awareness about the authoritarian nation's record on human rights.

"It generally makes life a little more difficult for Kim Jong Un and other leaders in North Korea. Some justice is probably better than none," said Ethan Hee-Seok Shin, a legal analyst with the Transitional Justice Working Group, a Seoul-based nongovernmental organization founded by human rights advocates.

"It's unlikely that we will be able to, in the near future, investigate or prosecute these human rights violation cases from North Korea," Shin said. "Having these civil lawsuits and being able to actually have these punitive damages or other financial penalties imposed on North Korea from a human rights angle, I think that's pretty important."

Donald Trump, who became the first sitting U.S. president to set foot in the isolated state in 2019, caused consternation when he said he believed Kim's claims that he did not know about the American student's treatment.

"I don't believe he would have allowed that to happen," Trump said in Hanoi after his second summit with Kim. "He tells me he didn't know about it, and I take him at his word." He added that he had spoken to Kim about the death of Warmbier and that Kim "feels badly about it."

___

The Washington Post's Min Joo Kim in Seoul contributed to this report.
Press Release

January 19, 2022 Dispatch from Crame No. 1207:

Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the Passage of the Human Rights Defender Bill in the House of Representatives I congratulate my fellow Bicolano lawmaker, Rep. Edcel Lagman, for the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Bill in the House of Representatives. The Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are our advocates, community organizers, labor leaders, environmentalists, and in many instances, protectors of our people. Our HRDs serve our people directly. Our HRDs listen to their grievances, address their concerns and take part in the solution. The HRDs serve the most marginalized and oppressed sectors in our society. They deserve our gratitude, our support, and, at the very least, our respect. They should never be met with disdain, much less hostility. It diminishes us as a democracy and as human beings that HRDs in our country are being red-tagged, demonized, abused, and attacked by our public officials and law enforcers. Let it not be forgotten that, aside from their personal commitment to advocate for others and for causes bigger than their own personal concerns, they are, in all other respects, exactly like every one of us. They are sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, spouses, and friends to people who value their life as much as our loved ones value ours. Attacks on them can happen to any one of us - which, ironically, is precisely what they are being targeted for: for defending us; for defending our rights. So an attack on them is an attack against us, our loved ones, and all the things we value in this life. So I call on my colleagues in the Senate, especially Committee on Justice and Human Rights Chairman Richard Gordon, to do our part. This bill has been languishing in the Committee long enough. Let us approve this measure that protects our HRDs. They are our partners in nation-building. It is time for us to give them the recognition and protection they deserve. Access the handwritten copy of Dispatch from Crame No. 1207, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_1207


EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Tribune News Service)  A growing new group is working to get approval to resettle several Afghan refugee families in Eau Claire.

The group's name  Welcoming New Neighbors-NW WI Refugee Resettlement  demonstrates what its members are all about. They want to offer a helping hand and some Wisconsin hospitality to three to five Afghan refugee families now housed at Fort McCoy.

Welcoming New Neighbors is pursuing multiple refugee families so the folks can support each other and benefit from having others around who understand their native language and culture.

"We've come to believe that we are one world and everybody is our neighbor, so we need to reach out and welcome our neighbors wherever they're from and whoever they might be," said Ginny Close, a leader of the interfaith effort.

Nearly 13,000 Afghan refugees were temporarily housed at Fort McCoy after their country fell to the Taliban following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August after a 20-year military presence. The Military Times reported in December that the number of refugees at the base near Sparta had fallen to around 7,000 as evacuees have been resettled across the United States.

Six refugee assistance agencies are handling the resettlement efforts in Wisconsin, including Milwaukee-based Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan  the agency from which the Eau Claire group is seeking approval. The agency must be granted an exception from the federal government to approve resettlement to a community more than 100 miles from its home office.

In the meantime, Welcoming New Neighbors is pressing ahead with optimism that its bid will be approved, Close said.

That means the group is seeking financial pledges to help support the families for their first few months in town as well as furniture and clothing donations. A high priority is to identify available housing options  a major challenge in a tight housing market with limited affordable options.

"Our plan is to line up five homes or apartments so we're ready to welcome the families," Close said, noting that a local real estate agent temporarily has pulled a three-bedroom house off the market in anticipation of offering it to an Afghan family.

Welcoming New Neighbors also is looking for volunteers to handle tasks ranging from meeting refugees upon arrival and delivering first meals to offering translation services and providing help with finances, transportation and employment.

"The goal is that they will be able to hit the ground running as soon as we can get them connected," Close said. "There is an urgency to get these people out of these military bases."

Shortly after the refugees began arriving at Fort McCoy in late summer, several area residents involved with immigration issues began discussing ways they could offer support, but the effort gained momentum in December when organizers learned that it might be possible to gain approval to resettle refugees in the Chippewa Valley.

The Eau Claire group already has attracted more than 50 people representing multiple faith-based organizations to its email list and has secured financial pledges to cover the first two months of rent and security deposits for a couple of refugee families, Close said.

Another member of the coordinating team, Bea Evans of Rice Lake, heard about the group through her work on the justice team for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. She was immediately interested based on her past experience working to resettle refugee families from Bosnia and Afghanistan when she lived in Waukesha.

"It was a really rewarding experience and one that I grew so much from," said Evans, who has been impressed by the enthusiasm of Eau Claire area volunteers.

"People in Eau Claire really have a heart for this," she said. "I want to support and champion what they're doing and help get others involved."

Similarly, Eau Claire County Supervisor Don Mowry got involved with the latest resettlement effort after a mutually beneficial experience mentoring a Hmong refugee family that moved to Eau Claire in the late 1980s. The families became close friends and remain so today.

"This is just a new chapter for a new set of refugees, and think the whole community will benefit," Mowry said.

The refugees at Fort McCoy reportedly include mostly people who worked with the U.S. government in Afghanistan and others whose jobs put them at risk if they had stayed.

"They had to escape for fear for their lives," Close said. "They did all they could to support us in helping the United States in Afghanistan and we owe them a debt for doing that."

(c)2022 the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.)

Visit the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.) at www.leadertelegram.com

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Tribune News Service)  Four people in Anchorage were convicted of defrauding the federal government in a scheme that involved illegal bribes for contracts reserved for veteran-owned businesses.

The crimes took place between 2014 and 2016, and involved a local business owner giving nearly $30,000 in kickbacks to a Veterans Affairs employee who then doled out preferential contracts.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's office in Alaska announced sentences in the case. Anchorage residents Donald Garner, 50, Richard Vaughan, 74, Yalonda Moore, 52, and Dale Johnson, 50, all pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the case. Garner and Vaughan were both sentenced to a year in federal prison with three and five years of supervision after release, respectively, along with $347,000 in restitution owed to the federal government. Johnson will spend five years on probation, and Moore three years.

Vaughan worked as a contract officer representative at the VA and oversaw awards. According to a federal plea agreement, Garner met with Vaughan at a Muldoon parking lot in 2014 and paid him a cash bribe of $10,000 for a guarantee that his business, Veteran Ability, would be granted government contracts through the VA.

Under U.S. law, the Small Business Administration reserves a portion of federal prime and subcontracted awards for businesses primarily owned and operated by military veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Garner's company was not certified in that program, but according to prosecutors, he made an arrangement for Dale Johnson's company, Adaleco, to bid on contracts and act as a "pass through" entity. Adaleco would apply for the special veteran-owned small business contracts, Vaughan would award them, then Garner's company would carry out the services and collect most of the money, in the process paying Johnson $54,302 in kickbacks, according to court documents.

From 2015 to 2017, according to the plea agreement, Garner paid bribes amounting to $29,235 directly to Vaughan. One of those was related to a multi-year contract for snow removal at VA facilities. The two men pleaded guilty to knowingly submitting fraudulent invoices, some of them for work described as "unnecessary or never performed."

Yalonda Moore, who worked as a bookkeeper for both the businesses, pleaded guilty to tipping off Garner that the FBI was monitoring a phone call between them by using a codeword, "baby," to alert him not to say anything incriminating. According to prosecutors, that amounted to "intentionally obstructing a federal investigation with which she was purporting to cooperate."

According to his sentencing document, Garner escaped a troubled childhood by enlisting in the military in 1990, eventually joining the elite Army Ranger program before being honorably discharged after a service-related injury. Afterward, he struggled with a range of health issues, from diabetes and chronic pain to diagnoses for depression and alcohol-use disorder.

In a sentencing memorandum filed on behalf of Garner, defense attorney Rex Butler argued that his client admitted he had erred, but that the government's case that taxpayers were defrauded out of $347,000 as a result of the scheme was drastically overvalued and belied legitimate work carried out under the contract.

Butler portrayed Garner as having been largely duped by Vaughan and Moore, who played more sophisticated roles in brokering the initial bribery arrangement.

"(Vaughn) was the conductor. He was the architect and builder. Everyone else was just a pawn," Butler wrote in the memorandum.

The plea agreement also cites a contract awarded by Vaughan to Garner's business in 2016 for housekeeping work at VA facilities worth more than $5 million. That contract was terminated for cause less than a year later after paying more $776,272, and is not part of the final convictions or sentences.

(c)2022 the Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, Alaska)

Visit the Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, Alaska) at www.adn.com

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(Tribune News Service)  Tuskegee Airman and Columbia College alumnus Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, who died Sunday at age 102, was acknowledged for his extraordinary life by college President David Russell and as the school's Martin Luther King Jr. Service Awards were announced Monday.

"I am saddened to share the news that one of our greatest alumni and a true national treasure, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, passed away peacefully at the age of 102 at his home in Maryland," Russell wrote Sunday to the college community. "He lived a life of dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force, the Boy Scouts and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity among many other organizations.

"We are proud to call him one of our own."

Joining what was then the Army Air Corps in 1942, McGee trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield and joined the first African American military aviators who would become the Tuskegee Airmen.

He flew fighter planes during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, with more than 6,000 flight hours. When he retired, he held Air Force records for most combat missions with 409 and combat hours flown with 1,151.

His honors include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters and the French Legion of Honor.

When serving as director of Wheeler Airport in Kansas City, he earned his bachelor's degree in 1978 from Columbia College-Kansas City.

Columbia College in 2014 presented him with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. The Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee '78 House was established on the Columbia campus in 2020 to enhance the student experience for its military and veteran community.

He was given the honorary promotion to brigadier general in December 2019, with former President Trump pinning his stars in an Oval Office ceremony on Feb. 4, 2020. He was a guest at the State of the Union later that day.

He tossed the coin at the 2020 Super Bowl along with three fellow 100-year-old World War II veterans.

"Please join me in remembering Gen. McGee's contributions to our community and college and keep his family in your thoughts and prayers," Russell wrote.

Another McGee legacy at Columbia College is the Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee Scholarship, established by McGee in 2009 to help qualified veteran students achieve their education goals.

rmckinney@columbiatribune.com

2022 www.columbiatribune.com.

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Stillwater Police Chief Jeff Watts (left) , Stillwater Emergency Management Director Rob Hill (center) and Payne County Sheriff Joe Harper (right) talk with a representative from Motorola (far left) after the Dec. 20 Stillwater City meeting. Payne County is considering using part of the county's $15.9 million in ARPA funding to buy a countywide system estimated at $10 million. Michelle Charles/Stillwater News Press
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.
One new case of Covid-19 is being reported in the Bay of Plenty today.

Today's new community case follows two days of zero new cases in the region.

The Ministry of Health says the case is in Tauranga.

"Investigations are ongoing to determine a link to any known cases.

"The case is isolating at home."

Nationally, there are 24 new community cases and 56 new cases identified at the border.

The Ministry reports there are 24 Covid cases in hospital; six in North Shore, 11 in Auckland, six in MIddlemore and one in Tauranga.

Regional updates

The Ministry is 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.

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 at Contact tracing locations of interest.

Northland

There is one case in Kaikohe, Northland.

The case is a close contact of a previously reported case and was already isolating when they tested positive.

Auckland

There are 14 cases to report in Auckland.

Health and welfare providers are now supporting 865 people in the region to isolate at home, including 140 cases.

Waikato

There is one new case in the Waikato. The case is in Hamilton and is being investigated for a link to a previously reported case.

Pop-up testing sites are operating Otorohanga,Te Kuiti, Ngaruawahia, Morrinsville, Huntly, Taumarunui, Tokoroa, Putaruru and Hamilton today. For details of all dedicated testing sites including other general practices, visit Healthpoint, the Waikato DHB website or the DHB Facebook page.

There were 1186 tests processed in Waikato yesterday and 4899 vaccinations given.

In the Waikato, Public Health, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 19 cases to isolate at home.

Lakes

There are five new cases to report in the Lakes DHB region today, all in the Rotorua District.

Four of todays cases are linked to previously reported cases, one case is still being investigated to determine any links.

All cases are isolating at home or in managed accommodation.

Bay of Plenty

There is one new case to report in Tauranga today, investigations are ongoing to determine a link to any known cases.

The case is isolating at home.

Hawkes Bay

The Ministry of Health can confirm a further two Covid-19 positive tests have been returned for Hastings residents, taking the total number of active cases in the region to four.

One of these cases was notified after the daily reporting cut-off and will be included in tomorrows official case figures.

Both cases are linked to a location of interest previously reported at Tu Step Fitness Class at the Ascende Global Church, Hastings.

The cases were already isolating when they tested positive, with health and welfare support.

Public health officials are continuing to investigate the cases movement and contacting any close contact.

Any new locations of interest associated with these cases will be published at Contact tracing locations of interest.

Wellington

There is one case to report in Hutt Valley today.

The case is a contact of a previously reported cases and was already isolating when they tested positive.

The Wellington region has 12 active cases.

Canterbury

Today we are announcing a new case in Canterbury.

This case is linked to a previously reported case and was already isolating at home when they tested positive.

This case was notified after the daily reporting cut-off and will be included in tomorrows official case figures.

See below for a full breakdown of today's numbers:

COVID-19 vaccine updae

Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,991,612 first doses (95%); 3,901,726 second doses (93%); 36,029 third primary doses; 828,215 booster doses

Vaccines administered yesterday: 1,222 first doses; 2,318 second doses; 579 third primary doses and 38,606 booster doses.

Maori (percentage of eligible people): 507,347 first doses (89%); 477,447 second doses (84%).

Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 274,821 first doses (96%); 265,700 second doses (93%).

Vaccination rates by DHB with active cases (percentage of eligible people)

Northland DHB: First doses (89%); second doses (86%)

Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)

Waikato DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (92%)

Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%)

Lakes DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (89%)

Hawkes Bay DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (93%)

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 (99%); second doses (97%)

Hospitalisations

Cases in hospital: 24; North Shore: 6; Auckland: 11; Middlemore: 6; Tauranga: 1.

Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (8 cases / 38%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (3 case / 14%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (9 cases / 43%); unknown (1 case / 5%).

Average age of current hospitalisations: 57

Cases in ICU or HDU: 2; Middlemore: 1; Tauranga: 1

Cases

Seven day rolling average of community cases: 21

Seven day rolling average of border cases: 35

Number of new community cases: 24

Number of new cases identified at the border: 56

Location of new community cases: Northland (1), Auckland (14), Waikato (1), Lakes (5), Bay of Plenty (1), Hawkes Bay (1), Hutt Valley (1).

Number of community cases (total): 11,360 (in current community outbreak)

Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8655

Number of active cases (total): 507 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)

Confirmed cases (total): 14,874

Contacts

Number of active contacts being managed (total): 4,813

Percentage who has received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 79%

Percentage who has returned at least one result: 79%

Tests

Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 16,823

Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 13,956

Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 8,756

Wastewater

No unexpected results.

NZ COVID Tracer

Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,352,443

Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 43,010

My Vaccine Pass
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Re: Hon'ble Minister Nitin Gadkari: "6 airbags compulsory" I would support this move from the minister. He makes what may sound unrealistic and audacious suggestions, but I actually think most are quite futuristic ideas, which will help our transportation sector leap frog ahead of developed countries.



For example, while the High court of Madras wanted to bring down the speed limit on our national highways to 80 km per hour and take us back to the 1970s, the minister wanted to increase it to 140 km per hour. Many of our Highways in states like TN, AP etc. are well capable of speeds like that, if other safety issues like poor lane discipline and traveling on wrong side are addressed.



By elevating safety standards of cars, we not only reduce accident rates but also make it easier to improve speeds on our highways. Each 1% improvement in speed of road freight traffic adds multiple percentage points in value of output realisation of the product transported, due to increase in freshness, lower level of inventory locked up in transportation, premium commanded for faster deliveries, reduction in need for air freight etc. Ultimately, higher speeds mean fewer cars on the road, as people reach their destinations faster and don't have to spend so much time en-route.



However, his safety uplift plan should not be limited to just airbags. Having a National Crash Test system similar to NCAP that every new car should be mandated to clear with a minimum number of stars is required. This will ensure that manufacturers do not game the system by simply providing more airbags but cost-compensate by cutting corners on strength of chassis, using cheaper materials and thinner sheet metal. Also, electronic stability control should be made mandatory. These steps would make for a more holistic approach towards safety.



However, the move towards 6 airbags, if actually mandated by the government, will pose massive short and medium term issues to the industry. Many of the current cars are not designed to accommodate 6 airbags, especially the ones from Maruti Suziki. Even their top end variants do not have 6 airbags.



I expect the routine rant from RC Bhargava complaining about this idea and why it is so anti-industry and anti-consumer, why India does not need this with our low speeds etc very shortly. The Japanese bosses at Suzuki must be worried sick about their bottomline impact of a change like this and would have probably rung Mr. Bhargava many times already on how to nip this crazy idea of Mr. Ghadkari in the bud. In fact, Mr. Bhargava may already be preparing his speech, copy-pasting from all his previous speeches and interviews, against any and every piece of progressive legislation introduced for the automotive industry, whether it be BS6 transition or when front airbags were made compulsory.



But the fact remains it will be massive rework for many of our popular car models. The chassis and roof design would have to be modified to accommodate sensors and airbags. This will be a big makeover for B-segment car makers. Even other manufacturers like M&M would lose a factor they use today to differentiate their higher variants from lower variants. For example, only the AX7 variants of the XUV700 get 6 airbags and now this will need to be provided right from MX upwards! Last edited by 84.monsoon : 15th January 2022 at 09:27 .
News Editor

I am a third-year studying English with a minor in biology. I joined Technician in the fall of 2020 as a correspondent and am now working as the News Editor. I plan to graduate in the spring of 2022.
Why it matters: We've seen quite a few claims recently that this year will see the nightmarish graphics card situation improve, but prices returning to pre-chip-shortage levels might be further away than hoped. According to a new report, TSMC has already raised its quotes by 10 - 20% for both its 7nm and 5nm processes, and that will impact GPUs, CPUs, and ASICs.

According to DigiTimes (via Tom's Hardware), TSMC's rising foundry costs will have an impact on all processors made using its 7nm and 5nm process nodes. It will hit AMD the hardest as team red's product line includes the 7nm Zen 2 and Zen 3 architectures, while this year's Zen 4 is built on the 5nm process.

Although Intel will be less affected, the chips it already relies on TSMC to manufacture could get more expensive for consumers due to the Taiwanese firm's price hike. Team blue could also make its products more expensive to cover the company's own fab development and expansion; Intel plans to spend $25 billion to $28 billion on chip manufacturing in 2022.

It's not just CPUs that could feel the consequences of TSMC's rising quotes. All but one of AMD's current RDNA 2 consumer graphics cards are manufactured on 7nm, while RDNA 3 is expected to be built on 5nm. Even the rumored refresh of the Radeon RX 6000-series is said to use 6nm, so they could also be impacted.

Nvidia, meanwhile, uses the Samsung 8N node for the consumer Ampere line, but the upcoming RTX 4000 series is expected to be another built on TSMC's 5nm process. Nvidia recently said the supply of its cards would improve in the second half of the year---i.e., when the RTX 4000 series gets here---so while availability might be better, MSRPs could be a lot higher than expected.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. TSMC is spending $44 billion on upgrading capacity this year; card shipments are predicted to increase 10%; and mining demand should fall due to Ethereum's upcoming shift from a proof-of-work mechanism to proof-of-stake. And if you want to buy a card from eBay, the good news is that their average price has fallen over the last few weeks.
In brief: The entire video games industry is feeling the shockwaves from Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, including the Redmond firm's console rival, Sony. The Japanese company's shares fell 13% following the announcement of yesterday's deal, wiping $20 billion off its valuation in a single day.

Microsoft shocked the industry with what would be the Windows-maker's largest deal to date, beating the $26.2 billion it paid for LinkedIn in 2016, the $19.7 billion Nuance Communications deal, and nearly ten times the $7.5 billion it paid for Bethesda parent company ZeniMax.

For consumers, the acquisition will see many of Activision's current and future games come to the Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass subscription services, though not until the deal completes in 2023. Some of Activision Blizzard's best-known IPs include Diablo, Overwatch, and the incredibly popular Call of Duty series.

The move has led to fears among PlayStation owners that Call of Duty will become an Xbox/PC exclusive. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer tried to lay those concerns to rest by saying, "I'll just say to players out there who are playing Activision Blizzard games on Sony's platform: It's not our intent to pull communities away from that platform and we remained committed to that."

However, Spencer made a similar promise when Microsoft acquired Bethesda, and while the likes of Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo kept their PlayStation 5 timed exclusivity, Starfield is going to be an Xbox/PC exclusive, as is Elder Scrolls 6. Spencer did say Microsoft would continue to develop "some of Activision's games" for PlayStation consoles; we'll have to wait and see if Call of Duty is one of them.

Whatever happens with game exclusivity, the Microsoft deal has certainly worried Sony investors. Bloomberg reports that the company's shares fell 13% in Tokyo on Wednesday, wiping $20 billion off its value and marking their biggest drop since October 2008.
Astronauts from the International Space Stations or ISS are now testing 3D printed bandages, which could produce it from their own skin cells.

Astronauts Test 3D Printed Bandages

As per the news story by ZME Science, the 25 years of existence of the ISS has been relatively safe for the astronauts it houses as there were no major catastrophic accidents inside the orbiting space station.

However, that does not automatically mean that the astronauts are free from any risks of getting into accidents or other medical emergencies while orbiting the Earth.

It is worth noting that going out of our home planet would also mean that the ISS astronauts do not have access to the modern health equipment that the state-of-the-art hospitals on Earth would readily have.

It is the primary reason why even civilians going to space have to pass a stringent medical examination and training before leaving Earth. That said, astronauts staying for a much longer time on the space station need this the most.

Space exploration has massively advanced over time already. Thus, the medical infrastructure needs to follow the influx of space missions of astronauts as well.

Read Also: YouTuber Designs One-Handed PS5 DualSense Attachment For Players Who Want to Eat Snacks Without Hitting the Pause Button

3D Printed Bandage for Space

As such, astronauts from the space station are now testing a bioink 3D printer, which carries the same design as a tape dispenser.

The handheld 3D printer produces bandages, which are made from the own skin cells of the person who will be using them.

According to the news story by 3D Printing Industry, the German Space Agency or the DLR launched the ISS experiment in the latter part of December 2021.

DLR launched the 3D printer to space via the 24th resupply mission of Elon Musk's space firm, SpaceX.

The commercial resupply mission of SpaceX brought the 3D printer that goes by the name BioPrint FirstAid Handheld Bioprinter to the ISS.

The bandages that are made from the cells of the astronauts could further help their skin to heal in space at a faster rate.

The project manager of the German Space Agency, Michael Becker, told ZME Science in the same report that skin injuries of astronauts on space missions "need to be treated quickly and effectively."

The German Space Station project manager further claimed that "mobile bioprinting could significantly accelerate the healing process." He added that the handheld 3D printer could also be useful on Earth.

In the meantime, the 3D printer is still in its testing phase. Therefore, it is not yet using the skin cells of the astronauts.

Related Article: Scientists Successfully 3D Print Human Corneas; This Breakthrough Can Be the Solution for Transplant Shortage

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The free COVID-19 rapid test kit orders started a day early. Recently, the U.S. administration promised that Americans would be able to order four rapid antigen tests per household as a part of its effort to battle the global pandemic.

Now, sources confirmed that if you visit the COVIDtests.gov website, the platform will direct you to the United States Postal Service to start placing your orders.

"Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. If you need a COVID-19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area," explained COVIDtests.gov.

Free COVID-19 Rapid Test Orders Now Available

According to Engadget's latest report, those people who have already placed their COVID-19 antigen rapid test kits orders can have them around February since it will take 7 to 12 days upon ordering.

Also Read: Enhancing Your PPE This COVID-19 Pandemic Without Spending Too Much Money! Here are Experts' Suggestions

The current Chief White House Correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, confirmed that the website went live a day early as a part of its beta phase.

She added that they hope to troubleshoot the platform soon so that the official launch can go smoothly on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

On the other hand, some U.S. residents said they were having some issues with the website, preventing them from placing their orders. But, the issue is expected to be fixed soon.

Currently, the COVIDtests.gov platform offers the needed details for those interested in ordering the free COVID-19 rapid test kits. These include the suggested testing period and other steps.

How to Order Free COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits

For those who want to have the free antigen test kits, all you need to do is visit the official COVIDtests.gov website. You can either search its name on your browser or click this link.

Once you are there, you need to click the "Order Free At-Home Tests" option. You will be redirected to the USPS website and provided with the needed steps so that your orders can be processed properly.

The Supreme Court blocked the suggested COVID vaccine mandate for workplaces in other news. Meanwhile, Google employees are now required to provide their weekly COVID-19 test results.

For more news updates about COVID-19 and other related health topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: U.S. Army COVID-19 Vaccine Completes Phase 1 Trial | How Effective is SpFN Vax Against Coronavirus Variants?

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
BMW is going all out this 2022, and this is the last time that the company will do this as the Final V12 engine for production cars will don the new M760i 7-series sedan. The German automaker said that this last release of the massive V cylinder engine would only feature 12 models for sale in the US, a limited release for the country.

BMW's M760i: Last V12 Production Car in the Automaker's Lineup

BMW's press group released a new vehicle, and it will be the final lap for the car, as the Last V12 is coming with the M760i sedan from the German automaker. The popular 7-series sedan from BMW gets a one-of-a-kind pair with the V12 engine, which is rarely used now in the automotive world.

Nowadays, V-engine cars use V6 or V8 engines, which is also a rarity among trims.

The Final V12 featured 6.6 liters displacement paired with a BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology. It can produce 601 bhp between 5,500-6,500 rpm and go from zero to 60 mph in under 3.6 seconds. It pairs with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission from BMW's engineering.

The M760i will feature the final V12 engine from BMW, featuring the unique badge on its rear end.

The famous luxury sedan will also have a 20-inch style 760M double-spoke light-alloy wheels with custom paint jobs.

Read Also: BMW Starts Production of 75MPH CE 04 Electric Motorcycles | Up to 31Mph in 2.6 Seconds

BMW M760i: Only 12 Production Cars for the US

The Final V12 on the BMW M760i will only have 12 units available for the United States alone, and that will be sold in a limited time only, with no announcements of its arrival yet. BMW said that the car would cost $200,000 with a $995 destination charge for all its buyers.

The price will be subject to the many add-ons and customizations the customer may choose from, including custom paint and accessories.

BMW Cars: Going Electric Soon?

The German automaker is famous for still not looking into electric cars despite the many changes within the industry, especially as competitors like Volkswagen, Mercedes, and other massive names are already transitioning.

BMW's last known take on electric cars is with the i8, and it is a plug-in hybrid that still features a three-cylinder gas-powered engine that undergoes combustion.

However, that does not stop the BMW group from launching EVs for other brands, including that of the famous Electric MINI that will feature a "John Cooper Works" track-ready. Nevertheless, people are still hopeful for an electric take on the popular car series in BMW's production like the M-series or X-series vehicles.

For now, the V12 is coming to an end of an era, resigning the massive engine that is usually powering muscle and performance cars. The BMW M760i's iconic release of the V12 surprisingly comes at a not so premium price but still is an expensive vehicle to boot for people.

Nevertheless, this car will be priceless as it will be a collector's item soon, a particular commemorative vehicle for BMW's last V12.

Related Article: CES 2022: BMW Unveils Theatre Screen With Amazon Fire OS | Next-Level In-Car Cinematic Experience

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The United States' Free COVID-19 Rapid Test Website recorded a massive wave of visitors since it first opened its operations, and it garnered more users than other ".gov" platforms. Many people around the country want to test themselves with the at-home testing kit, which would take more than two weeks for its delivery.

With the millions already visiting the website, will there be enough supplies to distribute to them all?

US' Free COVID-19 Rapid Test at Home: Website See Plenty of Visitors

COVIDtests.gov is a highly-visited government website now, and that is because COVID-19 is rampant in public now, with different states reporting a surge from the virus. An analytics platform by the US government monitors the traffic in the said website, and it records massive visitors for the test kit order platform alone.

Two of the top websites most visited by the country are the COVID test kit home page and the USPS tracking service; both are concerned with delivering the public's testing kit. USPS said it would provide the first batch of orders from the website by the first week of February.

The website says that the orders will come to one's home in 7 to 12 days from confirmation of the order.

Read Also: US Army COVID-19 Vaccine Completes Phase 1 Trial | How Effective is SpFN Vax Against Coronavirus Variants?

COVID-19 Home Test Kit Website: Enough to Supply Whole Country?

For now, the test kits are enough to supply the whole country's demand for the at-home COVID rapid antigen tests that people can order free via the website. The US government has two billion test kits, with 500 million of its target deliveries offering four test kits per household.

It is unknown if the country will purchase more test kits once this first batch runs out in the future.

The website also says that if test kits run out, PCR test centers provide their services for free.

COVID-19 Home Test Kit: The Emergence of Need

A record number of cases emerged at the start of the New Year, and people feared for their lives as the Omicron variant spread its terror and disease throughout the country. In Washington, massive e-commerce company Amazon already helped the state distribute the rapid antigen COVID-19 home test kits as the surge in numbers peaked.

2022 also ushered in fear for new variants that combined old variants from coming together, including Flurona, Influenza, and Coronavirus in one; and the Deltacron, or the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 together.

The massive cases early in the year demanded the need for COVID test kits at home as people worried that going out might cause them to spread more of the virus or get one in public.

The goal of the country and its government is to help people determine if they need further care, especially when testing positive for COVID-19 after exhibiting symptoms. The authorities did this by distributing the COVID-19 at-home test kits via its website, and while supplies are still available now, the massive demand for them might indicate it would not last long.

Related Article: COVID-19 Home Test Kits Available for Free Starting Jan. 19 for US Citizens-Where to Order?

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Zoom might not be the safest video conferencing tool after all since cybersecurity researchers recently found out two bugs that attack its servers. According to the experts, these vulnerabilities target both clients and MMR servers, in particular. However, just recently, the company activated the ASLR after patching.

'Zero-Click Attack' Bugs on Zoom

According to an analysis conducted by Project Zero's Natalie Silvanovich, the video calling platform contains security flaws. Based on the probe, they were inspired by zero-click exploitations during the Pwn2Own demo.

Silvanovich disclosed that the two vulnerabilities targeted Zoom Multimedia Routers (MMRs) and Zoom clients. There was another one in the form of an MMR server data leak.

"In the past, I hadn't prioritized reviewing Zoom because I believed that any attack against a Zoom client would require multiple clicks from a user," Natalie explained.

She added that it's not that difficult to carry out an attack that would convince a user to join a Zoom video conference that requires many clicks. These open some possibilities for the organizations that often use the platform for meetings.

As such, the researcher noticed that the Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) was missing. This important security component will shield the system against memory interruptions.

Moreover, Silvanovich wrote that ASLR is very important in stopping the potential exploitation of memory corruption. She also concluded that there was no clear reason why it should be disabled in the first place.

Silvanovich admitted to not completing the full attack chain on Zoom. Regardless, she was highly suspicious that it's possible to happen in the hands of a "determined attacker" who has more time and "sufficient investment" in his/her hands.

Related Article: Google Bans Zoom App Over Security Vulnerabilities: Why Is It Not Safe To Use Zoom?

Security Vetting on Zoom is Difficult

Per ZDNet's report, Zoom activated ASLR after it patched the said vulnerabilities last November 24, 2021. However, there's another thing that worries the Project Zero team.

According to the security experts, Zoom has a "closed" nature, which makes them more difficult to conduct security vetting. This is because the videoconferencing tool excludes WebRTC and other open-source components.

Silvanovich pointed out that these challenges posed on Zoom hinder their investigation of these bugs. She believed that the platform could improve its accessibility for security analysts who want to check its security flaws and other aspects.

Why Zoom Poses Dangers to Users

In 2020, Tech Times reported that the New York authorities probed the teleconferencing app following reports that it allegedly sold users' details to third-party platforms. In addition, Zoom also faced allegations regarding the presence of trolls and strangers during meetings.

At that time, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan responded to these accusations and stated that they were aware of the complaints. After noting the importance of customer privacy, he wrote that they were thinking of eradicating FB SDK in their Apple-based client.

Last year, we also wrote that some cybersecurity consultants were worried about Zoom's screen-sharing feature. According to them, this feature could leak users' confidential information without them knowing.

Read Also: VPNLab.net Seized For Allegedly Helping Hackers Distribute Ransomware, Says Europol

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
techUK responds to DWPs consultation on enabling investment in productive finance

techUK has responded to the Department for Work and Pensions consultation on enabling investment in productive finance. The main rationale behind this consultation is to gather input on removing performance-based fees from the charge cap on Defined Contribution (DC) pension schemes in order to lower investment barriers and encourage performance fee innovation and competition.

DC schemes are workplace pension plans in which both employee and employer contributions are invested and the results are used to purchase a pension and/or other benefits at retirement. Although DC Schemes can afford to take a long-term approach to investment, current allocations to alternative assets such as Venture Capital are relatively low, as these schemes' allocations have traditionally been focused on listed equities and bonds.

An explanation of the low allocation of these schemes in VC or Private Equity can be found on the regulation regarding charge caps. The current charge cap prevents DC schemes from imposing charges of more than 0.75% annually on a members pot. However, techUK members have stated that variable fees (like performance-based fees), are not suitable for regulation through a flat cap, and that this charge restriction imposed on DC schemes is regarded as limiting schemes' ability to engage in long-term, illiquid assets such as venture capital and other kinds of private equity.

As a result, techUK supports the DWPs proposal of removing performance fees from the charge cap for DC pension schemes. If implemented, it would give DC pension scheme trustees more leeway to focus on generating returns for their members rather than concentrating only on the costs. This has the potential of increasing the return on people's savings, while at the same time boosting investment in the tech sector from UK pension funds.

Unlocking the full potential of DC pension schemes

techUK members believe this consultation responds to a real and measurable problem: UK pension savings are being underutilised. This is a problem that many experts believe was inherited from pre-Brexit regulations. Only 0.018% of European assets under management by pension funds schemes (including the UK) are allocated into VC.

However, even within Europe, data from Atomicos State of European tech 2021 shows that UK and Irish pension funds are the most underinvested in the continent, accounting for only 6% of overall pension fund investments into European VC and representing only 2% of total VC investment raised by UK and Irish VC.

Other countries have taken active action in the use of their pension funds; for example, in the United States, 9 percent of pension assets are directed into private equity, funding companies all over the world. Australia's pension system, which is similar to that of the UK and one of the largest of the world, has 4% of its assets invested in private equity, compared to 0.3% in the UK.

We believe these proposals allow pension scheme trustees to invest in areas where they believe they can provide better value to members, while also encouraging genuine fee innovation and competition. The evidence is compelling in this regard; according to research conducted by the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, these kinds of assets have generated 14.2% of average annual returns for pension funds and other investors over the last ten years, outperforming other asset classes.

Unlocking this potential entails increasing investment in highly productive businesses, as well as in companies that will tackle future challenges and provide jobs to the UK economy, while also allowing more citizens (members of DC schemes) to benefit from our high-tech economy's achievements.

This regulation change will be an essential step towards that goal, but we also advise the DWP on the promotion of a cultutal shift that encourages funds to invest in asset classes that support the tech economy. techUK will continue to work with the Government in achieving this goal, as well as to provide feedback on technical consultations such as this one.

techUKs complete submission on enabling investment in productive finance can be found here.

Pablo Derpich Pablo Derpich is the Policy Manager for Economy and Innovation at techUK. Before joining techUK, Pablo worked in Economic Policy research on the topics of innovation and development for governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Latin America and the United Kingdom. Pablo has a degree in Economics (BSc) from the University of Chile and an MPA in Digital Technologies and Policy at UCL Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP). Email: [email protected] Twitter: @PabloDerpich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pabloderpich Read lessmore
Microsoft is poised to become the third largest global gaming company after revealing it will purchase Activision Blizzard in a $68.7 billion deal. The announcement comes as Activision has been under fire for months over sexual harassment claims.

The buyout represents a giant push into the gaming sphere for Microsoft, which will rank only behind Tencent and Sony when the deal is finalized. Activision counts titles like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush among its holdings. Microsoft said it will offer as many Activision Blizzard games as possible within its Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass once the deal closes.

Microsoft acquired Bethesda (ZeniMax Media) for $7.5 billion last March, providing a major boost to the Xbox Game Pass, which now has 25 million subscribers.

Were investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all, said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.

Activision has been plagued for months by allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, beginning in July when it was sued by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing for promoting a culture of "constant sexual harassment." Additional employees have made allegations of sexual misconduct since the lawsuit, with Activision reaching an $18 million settlement with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September. The settlement is being appealed, and close to 40 employees have exited the company since July.

Microsoft has not disclosed how it will handle the misconduct issues, but said current Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will continue in his role for the time being. Once the acquisition is finalized, the business will report directly to Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming.

As a company, Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players, said Spencer. We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment. Were looking forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the great teams across Activision Blizzard.

Activision Blizzard operates in numerous global markets, which may make regulatory approvals complex for Microsoft. The company anticipates the deal will be finalized in 2023 because of those hurdles.

Edited by Luke Bellos
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
Lafayette Parish Councilman A.B. Rubin drives every night from Lafayette to New Orleans for his job with UPS. But he also flies out of Lafayette quite often.

So the new terminal at the Lafayette Regional Airport, to him, is a sight to behold. With its canopied entrance that lets in natural light to the windows throughout the building, comparing it to the current terminal is, well, like night and day.

Ive been to many airports, and this one here is state of the art, you know what I mean? Rubin said after Wednesdays ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new terminal, which will open to passenger traffic Thursday morning.

Spacious. A lot of windows. Overall, I see growth, and weve got room to grow. Thats the main thing Im looking at.

The new terminal was officially unveiled Wednesday as Gov. John Bel Edwards joined FAA deputy associate administrator Winsome Lenfert and state and local elected officials cut the ribbon on the 120,000-square-foot building the day before the first planes fly out.

It marked the end of a seven-year journey that began with voters in Lafayette Parish approving a 1-cent sales tax in December 2014 to replace the aging 60,000-square-foot current terminal just to its south. The tax, a temporary one that ran from April 1 to Nov. 30 in 2015, generated $33 million to help fund the $155 million project along with state and federal dollars.

The best part about that shiny new building with wider walkways and modern technology? It comes with no debt.

I will tell you  Im excited about the fact that so many different groups came together, including the taxpayers here in Lafayette Parish, to support this undertaking, Edwards said. You got it done. I think that thats a model not just for you all but local government going forward all over the state of Louisiana.

That local pot of money, as it turned out, was what may have moved the project ahead in the line in terms of getting federal assistance. Airport director Steve Picou recalled a meeting with FAA officials, in which airport officials put forth the revenue raised locally through the tax  which, as history indicates, came at a time when the Lafayette economy hit the skids when the energy industry slumped.

Most airports, Picou noted, seek federal help with their pockets hanging out saying we need help. The Lafayette airport also mapped out a funding plan combining federal and state funding sources to pay for the project.

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I actually do remember that meeting, Lenfert said. When that project was first brought to my attention, it was a very aggressive construction but it had the communitys full support. It is so impressive how the community has rallied behind this project in support of the terminal program. You know, I am particularly pleased that this airport will be debt-free once the project is completed.

The FAA awarded more than $59 million in assistance, she said, including upgrading the air traffic systems, adding aprons and improving land side access. The state contributed funding through capital outlay funding and through the Department of Transportation and Development, Edwards noted.

+23 The most interesting feature of the new Lafayette airport terminal? It may be the smart windows The rotunda area on the second floor of the new terminal building under construction at the Lafayette Regional Airport will offer a scenic vie

The investment, Edwards noted, made the airport another jewel in the system of Louisiana airports. LFT is one of seven commercial airports in the state to complement the 62 general aviation airports and over 800 registered landing sites.

But it is also an economic generator for the area, Edwards said. It supports about 3,500 jobs with an estimated payroll of nearly $72 million. The economic output is about $311 million for the local community.

This was no small project, he said. So many people had to work together for a very long time to make it happen. Its truly a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together.

The first passengers will notice the new details: wider concourses, two TSA security checkpoint lines with a room for a third, an additional 199 parking spaces.

The restaurant in the old terminal, Acadiana Tap Room, will move over to the new one. The rental car lot will be covered.

Its a transformative project, said state Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, and one that will eventually benefit from the Interstate 49 connector that will make it easier for passengers to get to the airport.

Its a sign of growth and prosperity in our community, he said. I think it will fit in perfectly with the work thats currently underway with I-49 because thatll get the people directly here. When you look at the work thats done on I-10, were sitting right on the cusp to attract new businesses and new opportunities for our community to continue to grow.
Discount grocer Aldi, which will open its first of three stores planned for Lafayette next month, was ranked in the top 10 of most popular grocers in America in an annual customer survey.

The fifth annual U.S. Grocery Retailer Performance report released earlier this month from British global customer data science Dunnhumby ranked Aldi sixth overall and ahead of other popular retailers such as Trader Joes, Sams Club, Walmart Neighborhood market and Target.

Brookshires, the parent company of Super 1 Foods and its 13 stores in Acadiana, was ranked 20th overall but also earned a higher ranking for its digital efforts.

The survey ranked retailers based on how well they perform on shopper needs that matter most for driving financial performance and emotional connection with shoppers. It also revealed the latest trends in the industry, which has soared in revenue during the pandemic with more people spending more time at home.

Amazon topped the list for the second year in a row, ahead of Texas-based H-E-B and Market Basket. Brookshires was just behind The Fresh Market, which also has a Lafayette store near River Ranch, and ahead of Winco, Sprouts and other regional chains.

Due to the pandemic, the report indicated, the center of gravity has shifted for customers with price and quality no longer the main driver for sales. Its all about price now, and digital services sat even with quality for the first time and near price in its ability to drive retailer success.

Retailers who invested in digital channels tended to have the best year-over-year short term momentum, the report indicated. Digitals share of total grocery sales grew from 5% to 10% of all sales during the pandemic and is now at 10% of all sales.

Yet half of the U.S. grocery shopping population does not buy groceries online and has no plans to do so. Also, nearly all online shoppers indicated they still buy items inside stores.

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Consumers are now more empowered than ever to choose how they want to shop for each particular shopping mission, the report indicated.

Grocery stores, like other retailers during the pandemic, have struggled with retaining employees. Turnover rates, which were 40-45% prior to the pandemic, have surged to 60%, which has put a strain on employees as stores have become more crowded with customers.

Aldi will open its store at 4510 Ambassador Caffery Parkway Feb. 10. Other stores are planned for 3120 Louisiana Ave., which will open this summer, and the 3100 block of Ambassador Caffery Parkway.

The New Iberia store will open this spring, said Heather Moore, Loxley division VP for Aldi.
Police said they made an arrest in a fatal shooting that erupted after an argument outside a Lobdell-Woodale apartment in Baton Rouge more than a month ago.

Jecody Spann, 26, of Baker, was booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Tuesday on second-degree murder and illegal use of weapons in the Dec. 8 killing of 25-year-old Baton Rouge resident Brandon Williams.

BRPD said detectives caught Spann with help from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Murder victim in Lobdell Boulevard shooting ID'd as 25-year-old Baton Rouge man, BRPD says A person who was shot to death after a verbal argument outside a Lobdell-Woodale apartment complex Wednesday morning was identified as a 25-ye

Detectives say the shooting happened by the victim's home on North Ardenwood Drive the morning of Dec. 8 after an argument turned physical.

Spann fled before police arrived, officials said. Williams died at the scene.
A Zachary man who was high on synthetic marijuana when he fatally beat, stabbed and shot his 11-month-old son in 2017 was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday after the child's mother said her husband isn't a "monster" and pleaded for leniency.

Iesha Tolbert, who has been married to Fabian Smith for eight years, said she and her children still love Smith, who faced a prison term of 15 to 40 years after pleading guilty in November to manslaughter in the killing of Jericho Smith.

+3 Accused of fatally beating, stabbing, shooting his 11-month-old son, Zachary dad pleads guilty A Zachary man who claims he was under the influence of synthetic marijuana when he fatally beat, stabbed and shot his 11-month-old son in Octo

Tolbert said "we've all suffered tremendously" and suggested a 10-year sentence would be appropriate. She said she hopes Smith can get the help he needs.

"I still have kids with Mr. Smith. I know the man that he is. He's not a monster," she testified shortly before state District Judge Eboni Johnson-Rose sentenced Smith to 15 years.

Tolbert said justice for Jericho would be for his brothers and sisters to still have their father in their life.

"It was a mistake. It was an accident. He was a loving dad. They still love him. I still love him," she added.

Johnson-Rose, who gave Smith credit for the time he has spent behind bars since his arrest in October 2017, called Tolbert's testimony "extremely profound" and noted that synthetic marijuana played a role in Jericho's tragic death.

"That is not an excuse for your actions. You made a decision to take that Mojo," Johnson-Rose told Smith, 37. "There are better ways to handle life than going to an alcohol bottle and going to dope."

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Jericho died Oct. 14, 2017, of multiple gunshot and stab wounds and blunt force injuries, coroner's officials have said.

+4 Slain Zachary infant had gunshot residue on his head, detective testifies at Fabian Smith's bond hearing An 11-month-old Zachary boy allegedly shot, stabbed and beaten to death by his father in October had gunshot residue on his head when police f

Sgt. Enoch Sims, the lead Zachary police detective on the case, testified Wednesday that a revolver and knife were found in the master bedroom where the toddler was discovered.

Smith was the only adult in his Hancock Street home at the time of Jerichos death, Sims said. The babys mother was at work.

Zachary detectives believe Smith could have been under the influence of some type of substance because he said he could not remember what happened and the last thing that he could recall was picking up food from Burger King for the children, a search warrant stated.

Sims testified at a previous hearing that Smith told a neighbor, I messed up, I messed up, I messed up.

Voluntary intoxication is not a legal defense to a crime in Louisiana.

Dr. Jose Artecona, a psychiatrist who examined Smith for the court, testified Wednesday that Smith was known to abuse alcohol and also used synthetic marijuana significantly and regularly.

I do believe that intoxication played a big part in what happened, he said.
Federal agencies have reached an understanding, which will kick off a $4.7 billion campaign to clean-up orphaned oil and gas wells that were abandoned years ago by the energy industry, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who now is the presidents infrastructure czar, said during a White House press conference Tuesday.

Millions of us, millions, live within a mile of hundreds of thousands of orphan wells that leak and spew. These wells jeopardize public health and safety by contaminating ground water, seeping toxic chemicals, emitting harmful pollutants including methane, Landrieu told reporters. Cleaning it up will take an all-government approach.

He was named Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator by President Joe Biden to handle the roll-out of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that is spending more than has been spent in a generation to fix and upgrade roads, bridges, airports and other pieces of the nations long neglected infrastructure.

The law includes $4.7 billion to cleanup orphan well sites, plugging remediation and restoration activities. But the first step was to work out a memorandum of understanding between the federal Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission that would detail how the work that would be done and identify which agency responsible for what tasks.

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I have seen firsthand how the orphaned oil and gas wells left behind by extractive industries lead to hazardous pollution, water contamination, and safety hazards for our communities, said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said Tuesday in a press release. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is poised to make critical investments to help clean up this legacy pollution  and it will take an all-of-government approach to implement the program.

Louisiana is one of 26 states that requested funding. In the energy industry, wells that produce oil and natural gas are often sold from one firm to another over time. Many  4,605 in Louisiana  have been abandoned and their last owners unfound or unable to afford the clean up. Some of the wells have been threatening the woods and streams around them. Louisiana is seeking a grant to help pay the estimated $401.7 million cost of plugging the orphaned wells.

The Interior Department estimates that the 26 states seeking grant money reported a total of more than 130,000 orphan wells. Based on the states estimates, it would be asking an average of $87,000 for each well it has listed as orphaned. However, the money set aside in the infrastructure bill would only be enough to pay an average $36,000 per well, if all 130,000 abandoned wells identified by Interior were funded.

States applying for funding included Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming, according to the memo.
Christopher Dassau's unexpected death on Sunday has prompted a special election to be called Nov. 8 to fill the remainder of the 19th Judicial District judge's term.

Dassau, 37, a former prosecutor for the city of Baker, was elected in the fall of 2020 and was sworn in as a state district judge on Jan. 7, 2021.

+2 Prosecutors Christopher Dassau, Will Jorden prepping for new roles as 19th JDC judges Newly-elected 19th Judicial District Court Judges Christopher Dassau and Will Jorden won't take the bench until early January, but they haven'

His term does not expire until the end of 2026.

Qualifying for the Division G seat that Dassau held will run from July 20 to July 22.

Baker police Chief Carl Dunn said officers went to Dassau's home on Sinbad Street in Baker on Sunday morning to perform a welfare check, after a concerned family member called.

"We didn't get a response at the door and called the fire department to breach the door," Dunn said. "We found him inside, unresponsive."

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Foul play is not suspected in Dassau's death, authorities have said.

An autopsy conducted Tuesday did not reveal any trauma. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office said more testing will be necessary to determine the cause of death.

Dassau's judicial portrait and a wreath were stationed outside his courtroom Wednesday.

It will be up to the Louisiana Supreme Court to appoint a judge to temporarily fill Dassau's seat until a permanent replacement is elected.

Other 19th JDC judges and commissioners will handle Dassau's criminal docket for the time being.
The four members of the Revenue Estimating Conference decides how much money is available for state spending. In this file photo are, from left to right, Stephen Barnes, professor at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, who serves as an independent economist; Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, who represent the Louisiana Legislature; and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, who represents the governor.
The Resolve polling shows roughly the same proportion of people undecided about him in the big states  NSW (23 per cent), Victoria (21 per cent) and Queensland (21 per cent)  and an even higher proportion elsewhere. A third of those surveyed in the rest of Australia (34 per cent) did not have a view on Albanese. People who subscribe to the idea that governments lose elections, oppositions dont win them, would say this isnt necessarily a problem and might even be a good thing, especially if the opposition leader is not a raging vote-magnet. The corollary is that Albanese has to remain unobjectionable the way John Howard did as opposition leader in the run-up to his 1996 election win. Just dont give voters a reason not to give an unpopular incumbent the heave-ho is the essence of the strategy. Another approach is to see this as a baseline proposition on which, if possible, an opposition leader can positively build.

This is the path Albanese has taken. Dont give the voters a reason to hate you. Try to help them get to know you. Try to be broadly appealing. And when youve got their attention, promise them positive policy. The pandemic has made it hard for Albanese to get out and about over the last two years. In that time hes worked on himself steadily and lifted his presentational game. Albo got fit, started dressing well, and got some seriously good face-furniture in the glasses department. Anthony Albanese Albo got fit and started dressing well in an effort to appeal to voters. Credit:Brook Mitchell He has two remaining chinks requiring attention. One is the hat. The idea is good, the execution not so much. Albaneses hat is at least a size too big. When tilted back on his head, it makes him look like a boy in a mans hat the way former Labor leader Bill Shortens tendency to wear suit coats a size too big made him look like a boy on a mans mission. The other is Albaneses slight lateral lisp. This is something even his best friends would understandably not want to raise  and Im not enjoying doing so now  but its adversely mentioned by swinging voters of the kind Labor needs to come through for it on election day.

The tweaking of voices is unsurprising to those involved in the theatre of politics, especially in opposition when eliminating obstacles to voter support is crucial. Margaret Thatcher arguably wouldnt have become UK prime minister had she not dropped the tone of her voice, nor Joe Biden US president had he not conquered his stutter. Albaneses issue isnt nearly as serious but is noticeable. It can be remedied with daily speech exercises every bit as boringly effective as the treadmill workouts hes diligently done to get fit. Its worth fixing these two things because the blitzkrieg on Albanese is coming. He wont want to allow Morrison to set up this proposition in swinging voters minds: better to vote for the bullish, BS-spouting PM you know than for the guy you dont with the lisp and the hat thats too big. It shouldnt come down to that, of course. That it could is a travesty. Its also politics.

Albanese has a potential ace with the womens vote. Polling commissioned by Save The Children Australia highlights the high proportion of women voters (20-45 years old) in Australias 20 most marginal seats. Loading Given Morrison ditched free childcare as the governments first policy move out of lockdown in 2020, was repeatedly weak on the issue of sexual harassment in 2021, and literally couldnt give a RATs in 2022, plenty of women are mad at him. Albanese could help move more of the 29 per cent of women voters the Resolve survey shows are still undecided about him into his camp with just a little further polishing of his vastly improved personal performance.
Almost one in three secondary school teaching jobs in Melbournes north and west are going unfilled and teachers warn the situation will grow worse amid expected staffing shortages forced by the Omicron wave.

Less than two weeks before the start of term 1, national cabinet is due to reveal details on Thursday on how schools should manage staff absences caused by COVID-19 and access rapid antigen tests.

National cabinet will finalise return to school plans including on testing and mask wearing for students on Thursday. Credit:iStock

But a new report shows staffing shortages are already a concern.

The Department of Education and Training report reveals specialist subjects including languages and technology are chronically short of qualified teachers, with roughly three in 10 advertised roles resulting in no appointment, while 20 per cent of advertised maths and science roles go unfilled.
The Western Sydney airport will have that too, thanks to a serious roads infrastructure spend. It will also be close to existing logistics centres and the surrounding land is zoned for more. It will be adjacent to an agribusiness precinct (as well as an advanced manufacturing, research, medical and commercial hub). Just by being located in the middle of the Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne golden triangle, it will have a major geographic advantage over Tullamarine. Melbourne Airport currently bills itself as the freight hub for Australasia. Credit:Paul Rovere But wait, theres more. Nancy-Bird Walton is also set to have a rail link from its opening date. Whos paying for all this? Victorians are  at least in part.

The airport is being developed by a federal government-owned entity, with the Commonwealth committing more than $5 billion. Canberra and the NSW government are also jointly funding the connecting railway line. This should come as no surprise. Dominic Perrottet and Scott Morrison at the Western Sydney Airport construction site in November. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer For decades NSW has been better than Victoria at getting cash out of Canberra under both Labor and Coalition governments, not only because it has more seats but because many more of them are marginal. There is no doubt over the medium-term our share of the freight market and consequently the Victorian economy is going to take a hit, with the employment impact likely to be felt strongly in the northern suburbs.

To get an idea of the scale of the economic threat, you only have to look at the volumes of freight Nancy Bird is aiming at handling. In 2016-17 Melbourne Airport handled 277,000 tonnes of international freight. The first stage of the new Sydney airport is set to process 220,000 tonnes a year, with the ability to scale up to 1.8 million tonnes as demand grows. And it will. Artists impression of designs for the Western Sydney International airport passenger terminal. The freight industry is deeply committed to the project. It has been a part of the airport design process since 2019, with 12 of the key players including Qantas Freight, Toll and Australia Post, now signed up to a memorandum of understanding with Western Sydney Airport. As the then federal Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said, The airport is being built not just for 2026 but for the next century.

Given all this, you have to wonder why the Victorian government hasnt said a word about how it will stem the flow north. The lack of plan to date suggests a deep complacency about our northern neighbour. Its easy to see why. From the corruption of Eddie Obeid to its struggles with privatisation and local government reform, successive NSW governments appeared incapable of state shaping reform. The decades taken to get the second Sydney airport underway is another example. Loading But it has become clear in recent years, that when it comes to state government we have lost our competitive advantage. Having finally sold a majority stake in electricity assets for close to $23 billion, NSW is comparatively cashed up and is, as then premier Gladys Berejiklian said, poised to enter a new golden age of infrastructure delivery. While Victorias Big Build is about meeting the needs of a growing population, Restart NSW is all about improving the states economic growth and productivity. Dominic Perrottet has made clear not only is he an Infrastructure Premier but he is deeply focused on improving productivity and growing the NSW economy.
Good plan, but it needed a fair bit to go right. Loading In the week leading up to our departure I had been informally straw-polling various contacts in government, the public service and industry. How confident out of 10 are you that Mark McGowan will stick to the plan to open on February 5? The consensus was 7ish, though no one I spoke to went higher than 8.

Im not that much of a risk-taker, and those odds of being excluded from your home indefinitely arent awesome. Worse still would be if NSW and Victoria got cold feet on their open borders to the rest of the world, which might leave us stuck in the US. I was reassured at the 11th hour that NSW did not intend to turn back on international arrivals. Pensacola has a regional population of about 500,000 people in the north-west panhandle of Florida. Its economic engine is traditionally the Naval Aviation base, home of the Blue Angels demonstration flying squad, but in the past decade has become home to thriving healthcare and property sectors too.

And tourism, which in ordinary times drew visitors to its sugar sandy beaches and warm Gulf of Mexico waters. Loading It is a politically conservative part of a traditionally swing state whose Republican Governor Ron De Santis has stridently rejected COVID lockdowns, vaccination and mask mandates. From what I could tell, its citizens are mostly delighted about that, relishing the freedom to make their own decisions about their own health. Ive been visiting the US near enough to annually for 15 years and this is the first time I have been the object of pity from Americans.

It started as I walked into an elevator at an airport hotel in Los Angeles on our en route stopover, small talk and my accent led to a polite inquiry about where I was from, from my fellow (masked) occupant. Australia? How did you get out of there? Its like a prison! We busted out, I joked as my companion asked with concern whether the toddler in my arms would be the subject of mandatory vaccination. Masks are mandated on planes, at airports, and at public buildings in California (a waiter asked to see our vaccination ID cards when we sat down for dinner at the airport hotel) but were cast aside on arrival in Florida. No one gives a shit here anymore, one extended family member remarked as we stepped out of the airport.

Indeed day-to-day life largely looked like I remembered it from all those previous visits: restaurants out on the beach were full, retail appeared buzzing, as families enjoyed their unseasonably warm Christmas vacations. Loading Not everyone went maskless and behaviour was different in different settings. Across several trips to supermarkets and Target I observed that every staff member was masked (in what appeared to be employer policy) and perhaps one in five customers wore masks, the proportion tending to be higher among older folks. Certainly no one seemed able to tell me  or even care  what daily case numbers in Florida were and there was no notion of exposure sites, or a daily press update from the governor or any other public health official.

In fact that was a line of political attack from Democrat opponents, that De Santis had gone missing as Omicron numbers surged, though no one I spoke to seemed to care or even be aware of his absence. Its not that COVID was ignored exactly, but it was not a first, second or even third order issue. Florida Governor Ron De Santis has opposed mask and vaccination mandates in his state. Credit:Getty Images There were no government pronouncements, rather people using their own judgment, manners and common sense to get by based on their own perceptions of their individual risk. Friends of my parents-in-law, a couple we love dearly who threw us an engagement party at their home years ago, drove by the house the day after we arrived but they didnt get out of the car.

Real estate agents, they had attended a settlement the day before and subsequently learned the lawyer doing the paperwork was a positive case, so out of prudence and good manners (not because of any health department edict) they kept their distance. Another dear friend, the mother of one of my wifes childhood besties, came by the house to visit one morning. Immunocompromised with a health condition, she wore a mask for our entire visit, explaining that in her judgment it was how she felt most comfortable outside her own home. I feel like I am in the luckiest place in the world, she offered, because we are able to make our own decisions about whats best for our health. This in a state that has recorded more than 64,000 COVID-related deaths since the pandemic began.

My favourite encounter was with an uncles mother-in-law, age 91, who was getting a plane to go to Miami, on her own, to catch up with her old girlfriends. What is life for if not living? was her attitude. Loading As our visit progressed we heard about more and more friends and family people who had tested positive over the holidays, in a sort of unison with the reports I was getting from friends from Sydney and Melbourne and reading online. On New Years Eve my wife and I decided out of prudence to eschew any of the public gatherings in a restaurant or bar downtown and instead had dinner with five other couples at the home of her best friend. On January 2, I saw this friend again at her brothers house and gave her a big hug as we chatted.

On January 3, she and her husband tested positive after feeling crummy; on January 5 another woman at the New Years Party tested positive. Double-vaccinated and fortunate to be in pretty good health, going into the trip I decided I was not personally concerned about the health consequences of catching the virus. I was deeply concerned, however, about being able to return the required negative PCR test within 72 hours of my departure, without which I could not fly back to work and Sydney. As it transpired I never had symptoms and recorded the negative PCR on January 10 before flying to Sydney on January 13. Within an hour and a half of my arrival at Mascot on January 15, I was in my Airbnb in Pyrmont with a negative RAT (that I brought with me after reading the news) and at liberty to wander Sydney.

Given 48,000 cases were recorded in NSW that day, I didnt feel like I was any particular health risk to anyone, and so in compliance with NSW Healths rules, I caught the ferry to Manly for lunch and a swim. Loading At home in WA we have told ourselves for the past two years that we live a lifestyle freer than anywhere in the world, yet my lived experience was that this isnt quite true. There has been safety of a sort and a freedom from COVID that has meant the state government has not imposed restrictions on life and the economy like other Australian governments have. But after two years of being thinking and talking (professionally) about COVID every day - and a family situation that has meant the hardship of forced separation  the freedom to ignore it came as an enormous psychological relief.

Freedom, of course, comes with significant risks and potential perils, the responsibility to look after your own affairs. What I found personally freeing, in our own individual circumstances, was the right to exercise that judgment. I believe Mark McGowan will stick to his plan for a controlled border reopening on February 5, but if he does not and we get stuck, be clear that it was our decision to leave, made on our best judgment at the time. The time with family after so long has been priceless. I am trying hard not to make a value judgment about which is better or worse, knowing that such comparisons are dependent entirely on ones own circumstances and values. If I was elderly and in poor health I know I would feel differently.

But as I have watched the intensity of the anxiety rise in my home state from afar ahead of the scheduled reopening of borders on February, there is a sense that there is only one way to get through a pandemic, and thats to get through it. Loading WA arguably starts from as good a position as anywhere. There will be problems but they should be dealt with on their merits and not catastrophised. As I write, Australia has recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic, 75 deaths, despite our world-leading rates of vaccination and Omicrons lower virulence but higher transmissibility. That number is set to rise in coming weeks as deaths lag cases, though there is hope the wave may have already peaked in NSW and Victoria.
As Western Australia prepares to burst its COVID-free bubble, concern is growing in the education sector with teachers calling for clearer instructions on what will happen in schools and childcare centres if an outbreak hits.

WA Primary Principals Association president Niel Smith said he hoped schools would be informed soon, to give staff time to prepare.

West Australian Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson. Credit:Peter de Kruijff

School principals are working closely with the Department of Education to ensure there are COVID plans in place for things like curriculum delivery and staffing, he said.

We do think school is the best place for children to be, and we want to make sure the environment is safe for students to be there and that we can provide quality education.
About 2000 hamsters will be killed after traces of COVID-19 were found on 11 linked to the Little Boss pet shop. Hong Kong authorities claim the imported hamsters could have led to the infection of two employees of the store. All the other animals in the shop will also be euthanised as a precaution. At a government-run animal centre the AFP spoke to a man named Hau whose 10-year-old son was said to be deeply distraught about culling his pet hamster Pudding. I have no choice  the government made it sound so serious, Hau said. There has been little research done on the transmission of COVID from hamsters to humans, although findings in the Science Journal found that humans had introduced COVID to minks in Denmark, which then may have been transmitted back to humans. 17 million minks were killed for being receptive to the disease in November 2020. But more than a year on from the mink cull, the hamsters doom, perhaps more than any other recent example, has highlighted a growing divide between China and the rest of the world on strategies for managing COVID-19.

In Hong Kong and eight of Chinas largest cities, Delta and Omicron are on the rise and authorities are resorting to more extreme measures to keep the virus at bay. Its largely successful management of the virus to date has meant it is now dealing with two variants, not one, in a population that is heavily immunised but with less effective vaccines. Chinese President Xi Jinping at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing a month before the start of the Winter Olympics. Credit:AP Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore, said China could maintain COVID-zero, but at an incredible price. If they lock down the cities and force everyone to do swabs routinely two times per week, they will reduce it to zero, he said. The question is, is it sustainable? Leong said opening up was also potentially a disaster in the making because Omicron causes a vertical rise of cases in all countries it enters and Hong Kong University data shows the Chinese-made vaccines offer minimal protection against the variant.

It will be seen as an ultimate failure of the pharmaceutical deliverables. China wants to play ball with the big pharma boys. And the rhetoric that their vaccines work has been touted aggressively by the government, he said. It may just fall flat on their face. Loading That has left Chinese authorities determined to maintain Chinas COVID-zero by effectively sealing its borders and taking increasingly extreme measures to shut down any local transmissions while the rest of the world is learning to live with the virus. In Beijing on Tuesday, Pang Xinghuo, a senior health official told residents to stop buying goods or receiving letters from overseas after authorities claimed that a person was infected after receiving a letter from Canada. We come to the conclusion that the possibility of virus infection through inbound objects cannot be ruled out, said Pang.

In Guangxi, along Chinas border with Vietnam, fruit imports have been banned after traces were found on dragon fruit packaging, leading to trucks laden with rotting fruit piling up along the border. Health experts, including the World Health Organisation, say it is unlikely that people could catch COVID from food packaging. Alina Chan, a Canadian molecular biologist, said on Wednesday that the chances of catching the disease this way were near impossible unless recipients were aerosolising and inhaling their letters. If scientists are too fixated on mythical SARS-CoV-2 transmission via international mail, they might miss the actual community transmission of the virus, she said on Twitter.

For Beijing, each theory represents part of a narrative that China has fuelled from the beginning of the pandemic: COVID was imported into China from overseas before the first cases were discovered in Wuhan in December 2019. The framing has helped convince residents that the pandemic is defeatable as they endure months of snap lockdowns, compulsory mass testing, and up to 21 days of isolation. So far, Chinas sharp restrictions have netted some results  Tianjin, which went into lockdown on January 8, on Sunday said that most new infections had been confined to quarantine. But in other parts of the country, the virus is continuing to spread. There have been more than 1000 new domestically transmitted infections in the past two weeks  Chinas highest number since March 2020 and the timing could not be worse.

The Beijing Winter Olympics are now only a fortnight away, and they will coincide with the largest annual migration in the world  the Spring Festival for the Lunar New Year. The annual festival will see more than 1 billion trips taken across the country as workers return to their home towns from the major cities. That leaves authorities treading a fine line between allowing some residents freedom to travel home while putting them under the constant threat of being stuck under harsh restrictions. Economists have warned that strategy is leaving it exposed. The blame can be laid on Omicron restrictions crimping domestic economic activity, said OANDA senior Asia Pacific analyst Jeffrey Halley. Cases are quietly climbing in mainland China and Hong Kong, along with widening restrictions, and with COVID-zero policies in place, Omicron presents a serious growth risk to China if it fully jumps the fence.

Business is growing increasingly anxious. A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong on Wednesday found that 30 per cent of respondents had delayed investments in the city because of travel restrictions, while another 30 per cent had struggled to fill senior executive roles. More than 40 per cent of foreign individuals surveyed and 25 per cent of companies in the city said they were more likely to leave because of the restrictions. The economy may be struggling, but Chinas President Xi Jinping shows no signs of letting up on his pursuit of conquering COVID as he moves towards securing a third term in power in the second half of 2022. He told the World Economic Forum on Tuesday that this Lunar New Year will bring in the year of the tiger. To meet the severe challenges facing humanity, we must add wings to the tiger and act with the courage and strength of the tiger to overcome all obstacles on our way forward, he said. Xi said governments must do everything necessary to clear the shadow of the pandemic.
Most Australians have probably not thought about the former Soviet republic of Ukraine since 2014 when Russian-backed separatists shot down a Malaysian Airlines jet over its territory, killing 298 passengers and crew, including 27 Australians.

Yet, the political instability that led to that tragedy has not gone away. The low-level civil war between the Ukrainian government and the separatists in the countrys Donetsk region on Russias border has rumbled on, and in the past month Russia has amped up the tension.

A Ukrainian soldier walks along a line of separation from pro-Russian rebels in Ukraines Donetsk region this month. Credit:AP

While Russia has previously sent volunteers and covert supplies of weapons into Ukraine, Western intelligence agencies say the regular Russian army is now holding threatening military manoeuvres on Ukraines borders. Russian diplomats say they cannot tolerate the status quo, which leaves Ukraine as a pro-Western threat on Russias border. Russian media are inventing stories about atrocities against Ukraines large Russian-speaking minority.

Russias view of Ukraine is somewhat similar to Chinas claims on Taiwan. Russia, which dominated Ukraine for 250 years, has never fully accepted the independent status Ukraine achieved in 1991 and feels the country should be part of its sphere of influence. At talks between Russia and the US and its NATO allies over the past week, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he wants a veto on all NATO troop movements in Eastern Europe and on internal Ukrainian affairs that affect his interests.
Audible Inc. will produce a return off-Broadway engagement of Coal Country, a Public Theater production written by Drama Desk winners Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen with original music written and performed by three-time Grammy Award winner Steve Earle.

Coal Country  a documentary play that explores the aftermath of the West Virginia mine explosion of 2010  will run at the Cherry Lane Theatre, with previews beginning March 4 ahead of a March 10 opening. Opening night will mark two years to the day that the original production shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed by Blank, the play celebrated the opening of its world premiere at the Public Theater on March 3, 2020, and in September 2021, Audible recorded and released the play, with the majority of the original cast, as an Audible Original (available here).

"We are thrilled to be able to give Coal Country another run and for audiences to get to see this incredible play," said Kate Navin, artistic producer of Audible Theater. "It was heartbreaking to see this show close at the start of the pandemic. To then to have been able to share it with audiences through the audio release was incredible and to now be bringing it back to the stage, just feels right."

The cast of Coal Country will feature Mary Bacon (Patti), Amelia Campbell (Mindi), Ezra Knight (Roosevelt), Thomas Kopache (Gary), Michael Laurence (Tommy), and Deirdre Madigan (Judy), with two additional actors to be announced. Steve Earle returns to perform his original score, with select performances by Joe Jung.

Update (2/8/2022): Kym Gomes (Judge) and Carl Palmer (Goose) join the cast.

Reuniting for the return engagement, Coal Country's creative team includes Richard Hoover (scenic design), Jessica Jahn (costume design), David Lander (lighting design), Darron L West (sound design), and Adesola Osakalumi (movement director). Janelle Caso serves as production stage manager, with Andy Jones and Dylan Pager as general management (Baseline Theatrical).

To read TheaterMania's review of Coal Country, click here.
IonQ and Hyundai Motor Partner to Use Quantum Computing to Advance Effectiveness of Next-gen Batteries

COLLEGE PARK, Md. & SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IonQ , a leader in trapped-ion quantum computing, and Hyundai Motor Company today announced a partnership to develop new variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) algorithms to study lithium compounds and their chemical reactions involved in battery chemistry.

Quantum-powered chemistry simulation is expected to significantly enhance the quality of next-generation lithium batteries by making improvements to the devices charge and discharge cycles, as well as their durability, capacity and safety.

The partnership pairs IonQs expertise in quantum computing and Hyundais expertise in lithium batteries. Together, the teams are creating the most advanced battery chemistry model yet developed on quantum computers, measured by the number of qubits and quantum gates.

IonQ and Hyundai are laying the foundation to create better quality batteries by more precisely simulating and controlling their chemical reactions. This research has the potential to lead to new types of source material that save time, cost and effort in the years to come  a critical advancement as batteries are typically the most expensive component of an electric vehicle (EV).

This creative collaboration with IonQ is expected to provide innovation in the development of basic materials in virtual space for various parts of the future mobility, said TaeWon Lim, Executive Vice President and Head of Materials Research & Engineering Center at Hyundai Motor Group. Were excited to step into the upcoming quantum era and take advantage of the opportunities that await with more effective battery power.

Todays collaboration is a crucial component of Hyundais Strategy 2025 goals, which include the sale of 560,000 EVs per year and the introduction of more than 12 battery electric vehicle (BEV) models to consumers. Moreover, the partnership is also an important milestone for combating the threat of climate change as EVs play a critical role in meeting global sustainability targets.

We at IonQ believe in our mission to solve the worlds most complex problems through the ongoing development of our quantum computers, and we see global climate change as one such problem that we can help to tackle with quantum chemistry solutions, said Peter Chapman, President and CEO of IonQ. Battery efficiency is one of the most promising emerging areas where quantum computing can make a difference. We are thrilled to be working with Hyundai Motor Company on this project to make EVs a primary mode of transportation across the globe.

This partnership is the latest in IonQs continued efforts in the field of quantum chemistry. Previously, IonQs computers were used to demonstrate an end-to-end pipeline for simulating large molecules, such as those present in fertilizer creation. IonQs quantum computers have also been used to simulate water molecules, one of the first demonstrations of the potential for quantum computing to tackle quantum chemistry applications.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. is a leader in quantum computing, with a proven track record of innovation and deployment. IonQs next-generation quantum computer is the worlds most powerful trapped-ion quantum computer, and IonQ has defined what it believes is the best path forward to scale.

IonQ is the only company with its quantum systems available through the cloud on Amazon Braket, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as through direct API access. IonQ was founded in 2015 by Christopher Monroe and Jungsang Kim based on 25 years of pioneering research. To learn more, visit www.ionq.com.

About Hyundai Motor Company

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company offers a range of world-class vehicles and mobility services in more than 200 countries. Hyundai Motor sold more than 4.4 million vehicles globally in 2019, and currently employs some 120,000 personnel worldwide.

The company is enhancing its product lineup with vehicles designed to help usher in a more sustainable future, while offering innovative solutions to real-world mobility challenges. Through the process Hyundai aims to facilitate ?Progress for Humanity with smart mobility solutions that vitalize connections between people and provide quality time to its customers.

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:

http://worldwide.hyundai.com or http://globalpr.hyundai.com
Several members of the Office of the Provost are being shifted to new roles to focus on student's academic success, according to a Jan. 18 email from the Interim Provost Timothy Scott.
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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.
Press Release

January 19, 2022 Stop penalizing the unvaccinated; resolve gaps in unequal access to vaccines instead - De Lima Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima bewailed the recent implementation of the "no vaccination, no ride" policy in Metro Manila's public transportation which has generated other problems affecting commuters, drivers and even authorities. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, maintained that the government should spend its energy in solving the problem of unequal access to the vaccine and addressing vaccine hesitancy instead of focusing in penalizing the unvaccinated. "Simply put, a government that has failed to deliver enough vaccines for the people at this point has no business demanding that everyone should already be vaccinated by this time," she said. "Government efforts have to be devoted more to initiatives aimed at achieving maximum vaccination rate and other pandemic-related responses. "Instead of coming up with policies that divide the populace between the vaxxed and unvaxxed, the government should step up on its vaccination information drive and solve the major problem on vaccine accessibility," she added. Last January 17, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) started the implementation of its "no vaccination, no ride" policy in Metro Manila's public transportation to further restrict the movement of unvaccinated individuals. Public transport commuters are required to present their vaccination cards, vaccination certificates, as well as government-issued IDs as supporting documents before they are allowed inside public transport vehicles. While the PNP claimed that the first day of implementation of the "no vax-no ride" policy have gone smoothly, De Lima stressed that certain commuters who have been barred from public transportation have a different story. "They were prevented from riding public transportation not because they refuse to be vaccinated. Several are still waiting for the date of their second dose. Some have medical reasons for their hesitancy to get vaccinated. Many simply have no access to the vaccine up to this time," she said. "Most of them come from the lower classes who, vaxxed or not, have no monthly salary and have to eke out a living every day, where a single day that they are refused access to public transportation means another day where their family has to starve," she added. According to Reuters, the Philippines has administered at least 118,944,887 doses of COVID vaccines so far, which is enough to have vaccinated only about 55% of the country's population. The other 45% are still waiting for their first or second dose. "When several, if not many, have already been boostered while many are still waiting for their first dose, there is unequal access. Government must first solve this problem of access to vaccines before it starts penalizing the unvaccinated," she maintained. De Lima lamented that the "no vax, no ride" policy also burdens jeepney drivers who are tasked to inspect the vaccination card of each passenger, as well as barangay officials who are threatened with harsh penalties, including termination, by the government. She further lamented how "it is even unfair to the PNP, whose time and energy are better spent on more pressing law enforcement matters, other than inspecting commuters' vaccination cards." "Most of all, it is unfair to the unvaxxed who, due to no fault of their own, remain to be without access to the vaccine, or who have been bombarded with anti-vaccine propaganda by an anti-vaxxer public official since the start of the Duterte administration. Let's not forget that the Filipino's distrust of vaccines started with her, as tolerated by this government during its politically-motivated Dengvaxia witchhunt," she added.
In this aerial photo taken with a drone, flood waters surround storm damaged homes, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Lafourche Parish, La., as residents try to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ida.
The Maryland General Assembly meets for 90 days each year between January and April.
Regional Editor

Brett Rowland has worked as a reporter in newsrooms in Illinois and Wisconsin. He most recently served as news editor of the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He previously held the same position at the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb.
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.
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COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits are given away during a drive-thru event at the Hollywood library on Dec. 30, 2021, in Hollywood, Florida. A website for ordering free at-home test kits from the federal government launched on Tuesday. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/TNS)
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Joshua F.J. Inwood is Associate Professor of Geography Senior Research Associate in the Rock Ethics Institute, Penn State. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
Meet Trooper! Trooper is 5-years-old. His favorite activities include sleeping, going on walks and sticking his head out of the car sunroof. T
More groups and organizations are bringing back their special events, so the newspaper has restarted its weekly calendar of events listing to help readers find things to do in the community. The Events Hub will be featured each Friday in The Derrick and The News-Herald.
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Turkish archaeologists have unearthed evidence of an imperial Roman garrison in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, near modern-day Eskipazar in the northern Turkish province of Karabuk, producing a fragment of an iron mask believed to have been worn by cavalry in the Roman army some 1,800 years ago.

Excavation of the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, begun in 2003, has uncovered 14 distinct structuresincluding two church structures; two baths; rock tombs; a theater; an arched, domed structure; city walls; villas; a monumental niche and other monumental buildings; and the squared, defensive structure in which the mask was found.

An ancient Roman cavalry mask dating back to the third century was found in a squared defensive structure in the city of Hadrianopolis, near modern-day Eskipazar. (Courtesy of Ersin Celikbas)

Archaeologists work at an excavation site at the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, near modern-day Eskipazar in the northern Turkish province of Karabuk. (Courtesy of Ersin Celikbas)

Excavation lead Dr. Ersin Celikbas, of Karabuk University, explained that the structure where the mask fragment was located is believed to have been used for military defenses by a Roman garrison. We guess from the fortification wall in the building that this is a military structure, he told Turkish news outlet Gazette Global. An iron mask was uncovered during the excavations here.

The piece is from the imperial period, he added. It is most likely from the 3rd century when we look at similar examples and stratification.

The head piece appears to follow the contours of the wearers face, with openings sculpted for the wearers eyes. Similar Roman cavalry headgear has been found previouslysuch as the Nijmegen helmet on display in the Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Rather than being used in battle, though, such helmets would have been worn for cavalry sporting events called hippika gymnasia, the Daily Mail reported, where cavalrymen would hone and showcase their skills.

Hadrianopolislocated in the northern Turkish province of Karabuk, bordering the Black Seawould have been a position of significant strategic importance to the Romans. A military presence there would have helped defend against incursions from the Black Sea. The ancient city was first settled in the first century B.C. and remained one of the largest settlements in the area until the 8th century A.D.

Dr. Ersin Celikbas, head of the Hadrianopolis excavation, holding the Roman cavalry mask. (Courtesy of Ersin Celikbas)

A researcher holding the Roman cavalry mask. (Courtesy of Ersin Celikbas)

The history of the inner regions of the western Black Sea region has not been fully elucidated yet, Celikbas explained. We continue to illuminate the history of the region with our studies.

During our excavations, we obtained important data showing the existence of the Roman Empire in the region.

This mask also belongs to a Roman soldier, a face mask belonging to a Roman cavalry, a piece of helmet.

Rome planned to make its defense at the periphery [regions of the empire] by building bases against all kinds of dangers that may come to its geography from the Black Sea region, he added. We think that Hadrianopolis is one of these defensive military cities.

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Navient Settlement Raises Issue of Student Loan Responsibility

A Jan. 13 settlement between student loan servicer Navient and 39 states will cancel $1.7 billion in student loans, but the agreement has raised questions about the issue of student loan accountability.

The settlement resolved a long-standing lawsuit that alleged that Navient, previously known as Sallie Mae, engaged in unfair practices by steering student loan borrowers into forbearances and away from federal student loan relief programs.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a press conference: This settlement isnt just a step towards accountability for these unscrupulous actions. In addition to monetary relief and debt cancellation my colleagues discussed, todays settlement also includes significant injunctive terms to prevent Navient from engaging in future misconduct.

Per the terms of the settlement, Navient agreed to cancel loan balances for approximately 66,000 borrowers with certain qualifying private education loans originating between 2002 and 2010. The company will notify qualified borrowers in the coming weeks pending final court approval.

Navient was more focused on money, not serving the people that they were trusted to help. Sallie Mae was given a special mission to help Americans finance their education and launch a career. Instead, their practices burdened hundreds of thousands with debt, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said during a press conference.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a similar lawsuit in 2017, also claiming Navient encouraged student loan borrowers into forbearances and inflating financial burdens.

In a 2019 audit [ pdf ], the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Inspector General concluded that Navient representatives often placed borrowers in long-term forbearances instead of offering income-driven repayment plans or Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

However, despite the lawsuits and settlement, Navient denies all charges, insisting there is no evidence to substantiate the allegations.

This is really about eliminating a time-consuming, distracting and costly process, Jack Remondi, Navients chief executive, said in an interview with The Washington Post. With the ability to explicitly deny the claims that were made in these cases and borrower harm, I think its noteworthy that were not giving up on our defense here. Were just agreeing that its time to move on.

On Twitter, student loan borrowers with Navient expressed differing experiences.

One man wrote: I just paid off an old student loan after almost 17 years. No government help whatsoever.

Another person wrote: Navient I pay you $1000/month and yet my balance only goes down $94. Youre crooks and I hope you all get what you deserve. Ive been paying on these loans for over 10 years and my balance has more than doubled.

Jonathan Madison, a civil rights attorney, told The Epoch Times that this settlement comes at an interesting time, given President Bidens multiple student loan repayment pauses.

President Joe Biden has increasingly sort of pushed this idea of forgiving student loans, and now we have a settlement with Navient for loans that its predecessor actually undertook. It wasnt even Navient. So now all of a sudden we have 1.7 billion in student loan relief.  Its really interesting, the timing of this, said Madison.

He predicts that this might not be the last lawsuit seeking to investigate student loan servicers.

Decisions like this sort of open up the floodgates, right? People are looking at this and saying, Well, you know, I have student loans from the past, or Im thinking of acquiring student loans in the future, and Id like an opportunity like this, Madison theorized.

Students at a graduation ceremony. Many graduate with unpayable, crippling student debt. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Two-Way Accountability

The lawsuits and investigation concluded that Navient engaged in unfair practices, but Madison described student loan servicing as a two-way relationship with accountability on all sides.

He said students should take out loans with the mindset of repaying them, and loan servicers and the government can negotiate with students to temporarily defer loan repayment in cases of real financial stress.

He advises students and families seeking to take out loans to take their time to carefully read the fine print and understand what types of loans they may be signing up for. Madison compared the current sentiment among student loan borrowers to the housing bubble.

He said: You have the same issue that sort of arose in the 2008 housing bubble and crash. Theres a lot of people out there who feel theyre being taken advantage of, and some of them were taken advantage of perhaps. But you also have people who had an opportunity to read the fine print, and they just didnt [feel they were taken advantage of]. So its not enough to rely on the student loan servicer to provide you with all of the high-level information or all of the detailed information.

However, cases of fraudulent lending practices, subprime lending practices, scams, and crimes do exist.

In 2020, five south Bay Area residents faced criminal charges for their alleged roles in a student loan assistance scam. The individuals illegally created and accessed the U.S. Department of Educations computer systems and personal account records without authorization and defrauded student borrowers out of funds.

In December 2021, the California Attorney General sentenced four of the individuals for accessing and disrupting student loan borrower account data and creating new student borrower accounts while posing as loan borrowers.

If theres evidence that the loan was serviced in a fraudulent way or the information or disclosures are controversial, the loan servicer was pushing a kind of agenda on the student, I think it should be evaluated to determine how unfair the practice was and whether the student or former student could have picked it up just by reading the fine print. Because there are some cases where people are taken advantage of, Madison said.

He believes that cases of actual fraud or scams should be investigated to hold lending companies accountable for their practices, and borrowers are equally accountable for taking the time to understand the loans they take out.

I dont think it necessarily warrants a cancellation if people took out the loan and theres no agenda and they just dont want to pay it, he said.

Navient and the California Attorney Generals office did not return requests for comment.
A Rabbi, a Terrorist, and the FBI

Commentary

Is a terrorist a terrorist only when a law enforcement officer or politician says he is?

Malik Faisal Akram entered a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, held four hostages, including the rabbi, and expressed support for Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who was sentenced to 86 years in prison for attempting to murder and assault members of the U.S. military in Afghanistan. If some people refuse to acknowledge these related incidents as terrorism, they are in deep denial, which does not change what happened. Even President Biden called the incident what it was an act of terror.

Initially, an FBI spokesman claimed Akrams motive was not specifically related to the Jewish Community. Really? Then why didnt he visit a Baptist church?

After an outcry from Jewish and non-Jewish sources, the FBI reversed itself and admitted the obvious: it was an act of terrorism. Fortunately, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three other hostages escaped unharmed. Akram was reportedly killed in a standoff with police.

Kenneth Marcus, founder and chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, said the incident goes far deeper than what happened in Texas. Marcus said it was obviously a matter of antisemitism and a failure of the FBI to understand this is something of a pattern with law enforcement in the United States and frankly in Europe. The initial comment by FBI Special Agent Matt DeSarno denying a connection between the incident and the Jewish community was not a mere slip-up, said Marcus. It is symptomatic of a widespread failure with law enforcement to understand the problems of antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

Sarah Stern, president of The Endowment for Middle East Truth, responded to my request for a statement: Unfortunately, despite the fact that there has been a huge thawing of relations between Israel and many of the Sunni Arab nations, in far too many pockets of the Muslim population, the old prejudices and conspiracy theories of the past are lingering. According to the investigative journalist Steve Emerson, In rallies and seminars throughout the past year, groups including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Council for Social Justice demanded that Siddiqui be freed.

Akram, a British citizen, had entered the United States late last month and allegedly bought a gun off the street. How did immigration officials not flag him? Britain apparently knows something as authorities in Manchester, England, arrested Akrams two teenage sons late Sunday.

The Texas synagogue incident should not be seen as separate from the general lawlessness sweeping the country. From shootings in New York, to the stabbing of a young woman in Los Angeles, to looting and unprovoked attacks on the streets in some of our major cities, increasing numbers of the public are fearful about their safety. When I was in school, a visit by the police indicated something serious had occurred. Today, police cars are parked outside schools during the entire school day. The church I attend feels it necessary to place a security guard at the entrance. Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, says people have been trained to spot potential threats from people entering the building and that Dallas police are also on hand.

All of this is a reflection of the decadence now gripping our society. If people cant feel safe in their houses of worship, schools and while walking down a street, then we have a problem that is deeper than terrorism and lawlessness. It is a problem of the spirit, which even government cant reach or control.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Airlines Across US Cancel, Reschedule Dozens of Flights Amid 5G Wireless Technology Rollout Concerns

Multiple airlines across the United States have been scrambling to reschedule or cancel flights to the country ahead of a planned 5G wireless technology rollout on Jan. 19 that has sparked safety concerns among officials.

The cancellations come as Verizon and AT&T are finally set to roll out their next-generation 5G wireless technology despite ongoing concerns as to how the technology could affect flights.

Air India on Jan. 18 announced on Twitter that four flights scheduled for Jan. 19 and departing from India and arriving at U.S. airports including the John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, OHare International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport would be canceled.

Due to deployment of the 5G communications in USA, we will not be able to operate the following flights of 19th Jan22, the airline stated, listing four India-to-U.S. flights.

In a statement, Dubai-based Emirates airline said it was also suspending flights to nine U.S. destinations from Jan. 19 due to operational concerns associated with the planned deployment of 5G mobile network services in the U.S. at certain airports.

The airline said the affected destinations were Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, and Seattle, and the flights would be suspended until further notice.

Emirates flights to New York JFK, Los Angeles (LAX), and Washington (IAD) will continue to operate as scheduled.

We are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and the relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns, and we hope to resume our U.S. services as soon as possible, Emirates stated.

Atlanta-headquartered Delta stated it was planning for the possibility of weather-related cancellations caused by the deployment of new 5G service in the vicinity of dozens of U.S. airports, starting as early as Wednesday.

The FAA [Federal Aviation Administration], which regulates airlines, has issued numerous notices that restrict flight activity near airports where this new deployment of 5G service in the C-band spectrum could cause limited interference with altitude instruments on aircraft under various weather conditions that aircraft safely operate in today. As such, Delta is taking the necessary steps to ensure safety remains the priority in compliance with FAA guidelines, the company stated.

A contract crew for Verizon works on a cell tower to update it to handle the new 5G network in Orem, Utah, on Dec. 10, 2019. (George Frey/AFP via Getty Images)

A Dreamliner 787-10 arriving from Los Angeles pulls up to a gate at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, on Jan. 7, 2019. (Seth Wenig, File/AP Photo)

Meanwhile, Japans All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd. said in a statement that the FAA has indicated that radio waves from the 5G wireless service may interfere with aircraft altimeters.

Boeing has announced flight restrictions on all airlines operating the Boeing 777 aircraft, and we have canceled or changed the aircraft for some flights to/from the U.S. based on the announcement by Boeing, the company stated.

The company canceled 20 flights to the United States including to the cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

Of particular concern in the 5G rollout appears to be the Boeing 777.

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. similarly stated that it had been informed by Boeing that 5G signals for U.S. mobile phones, which will begin operating in the U.S. on January 19, may interfere with the radio wave altimeter installed on the Boeing 777.

The company had canceled some flights to the United States on Jan. 19, but after receiving confirmation from the FAA that there is no longer a problem with the operation of the Boeing 777 it would resume service to the United States with the Boeing 777 starting Jan. 20.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and if there is any impact on our flight operations, we will promptly announce it on our website, the airline stated.

Multiple other companies including Korean Air, Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific, and German airline Lufthansa stated they had switched some of their Boeing 777s scheduled to fly into the United States for other aircraft.

The Epoch Times has contacted Boeing for comment.

It comes after CEOs from some of the biggest airlines in the United States warned of potential flight issues to air passengers if 5G C-band technology isnt deployed in a safe manner around airports.

In a letter to White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the CEOs warned that the nations commerce could essentially grind to a halt and there could be significant operation disruptions.

The letter was signed by the chief executives of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others.

On Jan. 18, both AT&T and Verizon agreed to temporarily delay their 5G rollouts near certain airports amid ongoing flight safety fears.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our nations airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries, Verizon said in a statement.

AT&T told The Hill in an email that it had temporarily deferred turning on C-Band transmitters within a two-mile radius of the airport runways specified by the FAA, but didnt state which airports were affected.

On Jan. 16, the FAA stated that it had cleared an estimated 45 percent of the U.S. commercial airplane fleet to perform low-visibility landings at many airports where 5G C-band will be deployed on Jan. 19.
Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in New York, on May 4, 2009. (Evan Agostini/AP Photo)

Andre Leon Talley, Former Vogue Editor-at-Large, Dies Aged 73

Former Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley died on Tuesday at the age of 73.

The towering former creative director and editor-at-large of Vogue died at a hospital in White Plains, New York, according to TMZ. His literary agent David Vigliano confirmed Talleys death to USA Today late Tuesday, but no additional details were immediately available.

A post on Talleys Instagram account announced his passing with great sadness.

Mr. Talley was the larger-than-life, longtime creative director during its rise to dominance as the worlds fashion bible, his representatives said.

Talley was an influential fashion journalist who worked at Womens Wear Daily and Vogue and was a regular in the front row of fashion shows in New York and Europe. At six feet six inches tall, Talley cut an imposing figure wherever he went, with his stature, his considerable influence on the fashion world, and his bold looks.

In a 2013 Vanity Fair spread titled The Eyeful Tower, Talley was described as perhaps the industrys most important link to the past. Designer Tom Ford told the magazine Talley was one of the last great fashion editors who has an incredible sense of fashion history.  He can see through everything you do to the original reference, predict what was on your inspiration board.

Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue and European editorial director of Conde Nast, remembered Talley in a post on Instagram.

R.I.P dearest Andre. Without you, there would be no me. Thank you for paving the way, he wrote.

Designer Diane von Furstenberg praised Talley on Instagram, writing, No one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did  no one was grander and more soulful than you were.

The world will be less joyful now, she said, adding, I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years. I will miss your loud screams and your loyal friendship.

Raised in Durham, North Carolina, Talley worked assorted jobs before arriving in New York in the 1970s.

He worked as a park ranger in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, where he told visitors about slaves who built Fort Washington and dressed up like a Civil War soldier, he told The Associated Press in 2003.

After stints with Interview magazine and Womens Wear Daily, Talley was hired at Vogue in 1983 by Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and was appointed its creative director in 1988.

There was no higher accolade she could give me, as the masthead portrayed. Anna Wintour made me the highest-ranking black man in the history of fashion journalism, Talley wrote in his 2020 memoir The Chiffon Trenches.

A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Moments before being shot to death, Ashli Babbitt confronts three police offers for not stopping the vandalism outside the U.S. House. (Video Still / Tayler Hansen)

Ashli Babbitt Pleaded With Police to Call for Backup Moments Before She Was Shot and Killed

Trump supporter jumped up and down, waved hands in frustration at motionless officers: "Call...help!"

Just moments before she was shot and killed, Ashli Babbitt confronted the police officers guarding the doors to the Speakers Lobby at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, blasting them for allowing rioters to smash the windows and not calling for backup, an analysis of a journalists video shows.

The analysis comes on the heels of recent disclosures that Babbitt tried at least four other times to stop the assault on the Speakers Lobby. It shows her desperation when the rioters were left unchecked, even smashing a window just inches from a police officers head.

In the videoshot by independent journalist Tayler HansenBabbitt, 35, is seen trailing rioter Zachary Alam, attempting to get between him and one of three police officers at the Speakers Lobby double doors.

Alam, who was arrested by the FBI on Jan. 30, 2021, bashes the window in the double doors twice.

The first time, he grabs one police officers shoulder with his left hand, then punches between him and another officer, striking the window, the video shows.

Chill out! Chill the [expletive] out, bro! someone shouts. Hey! Chill out!

These guys work for us! someone in the crowd interjects.

You gonna shoot him? another person asks.

A bearded man in a red Trump cap complains that they are not being allowed into the Speakers Lobby. Mother [expletive]! We dont want to hurt nobody. We just want to go in the House.

Tried to Dissuade Rioter

Babbitt tries to get in between Alam and one of the officers. She says something to Alam, but he brushes her off. Alam then cranks up his right arm and punches the window next to the officer. Within a few seconds, Babbitt blows up at the officers for allowing the violence and vandalism.

Call [expletive] help! Babbitt shouts, jumping up and down in front of the officers. Were allowed to be here!

Babbitt takes a couple steps back. There was no visible reaction from the officers, sparking her anger. Youre a fraud! she shouts. Youre a [expletive] fraud! Youre wrong!

After walking away, Babbitt can be heard screaming just off camera: Take it down! Hansen said he believes she meant for the crowd to calm down.

Ashli Babbitt watches as rioter Zachary Alam punches the glass in the door of the Speakers Lobby at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Video Still / Tayler Hansen)

You could tell that she was definitely getting upset, Hansen said while reviewing the video with The Epoch Times. She was calm when she first got there. Then as the destruction continued and as more people started to fill in and it got more dangerous, thats when you can tell she was getting really upset.

Babbitt served as a police officer in the U.S. Air Force during her 14 years of military service. Her husband, Aaron, said her law enforcement experience likely told her something was wrong.

I believe she saw their inaction as odd or off, and was ultimately confused as to what was happening, Aaron Babbitt told The Epoch Times. She was a take-charge kind of person. Her frustrations show that the cops who shouldve been taking chargewerent.

Id only seen bits and pieces and never fully put together, Aaron Babbitt said of the video. I can hear the confused panic in her voice.

He said the video makes him sad, since his role as a husband is to protect his wife. He stayed in San Diego to run the couples small business while Ashli attended the Trump rally in Washington. She was trapped in the hallway, and claustrophobic.

She had no friends in that room, Babbitt said. I always go back to no one wouldve ever watched out for (her) like I always did. Very helpless.

Babbitt said he hopes the video analysis gives the public a better understanding of the chaos in the hallway.

Ive known something was off with the whole situation from day one, Babbitt said. Hopefully this gives other people a different perspectiveor at a minimum makes someone take a second look with a different mindset.

Ashli Babbitt pleads with police to call for backup at the Speakers Lobby doors at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The man at right complains the crowd is not being let into the House of Representatives. (Video Still / Tayler Hansen)

What I think it was from reviewing the footage and just from knowing what I know about Ashli from the family, is she probably got claustrophobic, Hansen said, because more people and more people kept pouring in and she realized she was in a bad situation. So then she pushed her way over to the window area.

Once that window broke, I think she realized this was going to be bad for the people inside if they were actually able to breach these doors entirely, Hansen said. I think she wanted to be the first one through that window so she could kind of safeguard it, honestly. If she can get to the other side of the window where officers are, in her mind she would be safe.

Hansen said he just discovered an Instagram live-stream video he shot on Jan. 6 that shows Babbitt as she first turned the corner into the Speakers Lobby hallway. He said it confirms what he told The Epoch Times on Jan. 17, that Babbitt was friendly with the police officers when she first approached the doors.

Ashli just walks right up to them and just seems super happy; doesnt know what shes about to walk into. She was joking with the cops right before Byrd put a bullet into her.

Hansen said he first encountered Ashli in the Capitol Rotunda as she entered the building by herself. He next saw her as he emerged from a room with George Washingtons portrait on the wall, then followed her to the Speakers Lobby hallway. They were the first two to reach the double doors.

Encounter Started with Calm

It shows her and me just walking right up to the door with Officer Yetter and all the other cops and she starts talking to them.

Hansen also captured the moment Lt. Michael Byrd shot Babbitt as she stepped up into the open window frame to the right of the double doors. The bedlam in the hallway quickly turned to panicand anger.

Theres an active shooter here! Get her down! Hansen shouts.

She needs help! She needs [expletive] help! someone screams.

A man off camera reaches in at the 38-second mark of the video and checks Babbitts neck for a pulse. Shes gone, guys.

We cant [inaudible] if youre here! a police officer shouts at the crowd. Weve got to get EMS here!

Back up guys, back up!

An officer leaning over the stairway railing, shouts, Shes going to [expletive] die! You want to be next? he says

Go, go! Everyone get the [expletive] away!
A temporary, mobile surveillance tower is surrounded by a wood fence as it stands on the east side of the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 19, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

25 Federal Agencies Tracking Employees With Religious Exemption Requests

At least 25 federal agencies have implemented a system to track religious exemption requests for mandated vaccines, according to a review of Federal Register notices by The Epoch Times.

The agencies include the departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, the Treasury, the Social Security Administration, the Federal Election Commission.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative group, earlier this week found that 19 agencies were either considering or have already implemented the tracking system. The group warned that the system may be a test pilot plan to monitor all federal workers.

An Epoch Time review of Federal Register notices identified six additional agencies and confirmed that a total of 25 are actively tracking religious exemption requests from employees of federal agencies along with any contractors, consultants, interns, and volunteers associated with them.

Due to the Biden administrations choice of the little-known Pretrial Services Agency to implement the database, The Heritage Foundation called the system a test run for a nationwide database of all religious exemption requests made by federal workers. The Pretrial Services Agency gathers information and makes recommendations about newly arrested defendants in the federal criminal system.

President Joe Biden receives a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the South Court Auditorium in the White House September 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

It is likely the Biden administration is using these agencies to stealth test a policy it intends to roll out across the whole government, attorneys for the foundation wrote in an analysis of the tracking system.

Notices of the new tracking system were only made public in the Federal Register, the daily journal of the federal government. News of the system drew criticism from conservative officials.

The Biden Administration must immediately dismantle the Orwellian Database, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt wrote in a public comment he posted on regulations.gov. There is no freedom under our Constitution more sacred than the freedom of religious expression and practice.

He called the move alarming and said it had a chilling effect on a citizens exercise of religion. The attorney general directed his comments specifically to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

Rather than give the public ample time to weigh in on the advisability or legality of collecting such personal information, the Department of Transportations database, in particular, became effective on the day it was published, Schmitt said.

Agencies announcing the implementation of the tracking system didnt return requests for comment.

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)

None of the notices published in the Federal Register announcing the tracking systems state why the religious exemptions were being tracked or what the Biden administration plans to do with the information collected.

Descriptions of the religious exemption tracking system dont specifically name the COVID-19 vaccination as one of the mandates. However, the notices do state that the new system is in response to guidelines issued by the newly created Safer Federal Workforce Task Force under Bidens executive order that established the nationwide COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

This system of records maintains personal religious information collected in response to religious accommodation requests for religious exception from the federally mandated vaccination requirement in the context of a public health emergency or similar health and safety incident, such as a pandemic, epidemic, natural disaster or national or regional, one of the notices reads.

The tracking system will include names and personal religious information, according to the notices.

As the nations largest employer, with over four million civilian and military employees, the federal government has received tens of thousands of religious exemption requests, The Heritage Foundation wrote in its updated report.

It now appears that an increasing number of federal agencies are keeping and preserving those individuals names, religious information, personally-identifying information, and other data stored in lists across multiple government agencies.

Last week, the Supreme Court struck down President Joe Bidens executive order that mandated a COVID-19 vaccine or weekly testing workers at private businesses with more than 100 employees.

The court didnt overturn the vaccination mandate for health care workers or military members. Those employees can only avoid the COVID-19 vaccine by applying for a religious exemption.

Correction: a previous version of this article incorrectly described the scope of the Supreme Court decision concerning President Bidens vaccine mandate.
Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne speaks during the 2+2 meeting with Australia's Defence Minister Peter Dutton, South Korea's Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and South Korea's Defence Minister Suh Wook at the Foreign Ministry in Seol on September 13, 2021. (Photo by Jung Yeon-Je - Pool/Getty Images)

Australia Sends Aid to Tsunami-Ravaged Tonga

Australia is deploying aircraft and a naval vessel to bring much needed humanitarian and disaster-relief aid to Tonga after a tsunami lashed the islands on Saturday.

HMAS Adelaide will feature in the relief effort, bringing engineering and medical personnel and equipment, as well as helicopters to assist with logistics and distribution of humanitarian aid, Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne told 2GB on Tuesday.

This comes after an undersea volcanic eruption, which occurred approximately 65km (40 miles) north of the capital, Nukualofa, triggered a tsunami that inundated much of the island nation, causing widespread damage and three confirmed deaths.

According to a United Nations report on Tuesday, on the main island of Tongatapu, around 100 houses have suffered damage, with 50 completely destroyed.

Also of concern are the Mango and Fonoi islands, where surveillance flights have shown significant damage to buildings, and on one island, in particular, Nomuka, 41 of the 104 visible structures have been damaged, and all are covered in ash.

The volcano has also blanketed the islands in ash, which may render water supplies undrinkable, so it will be a focus for Australias humanitarian aid workers.

We will ensure that we have water purification supplies provided in our humanitarian assistance, she said.

She also said that water could be flown in, but not in huge quantities, so establishing water purification ability on the ground is the priority. This will include establishing desalination equipment to purify seawater.

Another issue is communication, as a major communication cable was severed during the eruption, rendering phone and internet services unreliable.

It may take several weeks to repair the cable. Meanwhile, Payne said that Australia is assisting in setting up satellite communication in Tonga, but its proving difficult due to lingering ash clouds.

Humanitarian aid workers will also have to adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols as Tonga has remained virtually COVID-19-free since the start of the pandemic, and there are concerns the influx of humanitarian aid personnel could carry the virus to the island nation.

Payne said that Tonga has a very strict and consistent approach to letting outsiders enter Tonga, and the Australia Government will be working closely with their counterparts there to keep the island nation COVID-19-free.

Weve had support in Fiji, for example, weve had support in Papua New Guinea, in Vanuatu post-cyclone as well, she said.

Weve done that successfully, and I touch wood every day because we know how hard COVID is to manage, but successfully in terms of ensuring any defence personnel, any medical assistance personnel, are able to engage in these countries and support their COVID-free status where thats the case.
In this photo illustration a man uses a COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit at home in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2021. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australian Man Steals Over 40,000 Rapid Antigen Test Worsening Supply Issues

Australias COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) supply problems have intensified after around 42,000 RATs were stolen from an Australian freight depot during a countrywide shortage.

New South Wales (NSW) police were called to a Sydney depot on Tuesday, Jan. 18, after a man allegedly walked in and seized around 42,000 tests, worth more than $500,000 (US$360,000).

A spokesperson for the NSW police said that their inquiries are continuing.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has said that the culprit should expect a visit from the police shortly.

At a time when everyone across our state has made incredible efforts in keeping people safe, in making sacrifices, what a disgraceful act, Perrottet said. The police will catch you.

The theft comes at a difficult time, as Australia is struggling with an Omicron outbreak which has been made more challenging to manage by a RAT shortage.

Australian retailers, especially smaller outlets, have been overcharging people for their rapid antigen tests.

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)

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have received reports of retailers selling the tests at prices significantly higher than the wholesale price. Currently, the wholesale prices for RATs only go up to $11.45 (US$8.23) per test. However, the ACCC has said that they have had reports tests are often selling for up to $20 to $30 (around US$14 to $22).

At the extreme end, we have received reports or seen media coverage of tests costing up to $500 for two tests through online marketplaces, and over $70 per test through convenience

stores, service stations and independent supermarkets, which is clearly outrageous, ACCC Chairperson Rod Sims said.

South Australia Wants Claims RATs Requisitioned Investigated

The theft comes amidst allegations that rapid antigen tests bound for South Australia were diverted to NSW and Victoria.

Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall, has said that although the NSW and Victorian governments had denied requisitioning RATs at airports in Sydney and Melbourne, he had taken the reports seriously and had written to the ACCC chair, Sims, asking him to investigate.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall stands behind Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he speaks to the media during a visit to the Osborne Naval Shipyard on September 26, 2020, in Adelaide, Australia. (Kelly Barnes/Getty Images)

If these allegations prove correct, its quite possible that they are illegal, anti-competitive and, of course, theyre a massive kick in the guts for South Australia, Marshall said. If they (the tests)

have been taken by another state, thats outrageous.

The Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, also addressed the allegations on Wednesday, saying that the federal government had not diverted any rapid antigen tests. He also described the allegations as absurd.

The allegations that the Commonwealth has redirected supplies of rapid antigen tests, or indeed that the Commonwealth has impounded private supplies or sought to frustrate private

supplies. None of this is true, Morrison said.

I have no idea where thats coming from, and you know, it just floats around on social media and then it gets reported, he said. I mean, something happening on social media isnt a story. Its

usually just rubbish.
Australian Navy to Train in Virtual Reality

The Australian government has awarded $5 million for the development of an advanced cyber training system that will mimic real life naval firefighting scenarios and boost the capability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Australian Defence Force personnel during an early stage virtual reality training program. (Deakin University)

The grant will allow Victorias Deakin University to continue the development of its high-tech system, which combines virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to offer a more immersive training experience.

Deakin Universitys new system will provide the ADF with a more diverse and realistic range of naval firefighting and training options that could significantly improve learning outcomes and safety, said Defence Industry, and Science and Technology Minister Melissa Price.

This investment highlights the innovative research and development that Australias sovereign industry is capable of producing and exporting.

Deakin University has already completed 165 contracts for Australia, such as a driving simulator for Australias armoured combat reconnaissance vehicles, and has cemented a long-standing reputation as a defence technology developer for the ADF.

Price highlighted the move as one of several already unveiled which have strengthened Australias military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

This contract follows the signing of the $1 billion agreement between Hanwha Defense Australia and the Morrison Government to produce Howitzers for the Australian Army, cementing our regions position at the forefront of Australias defence industry for decades to come, Price said.

Over the last year, the Australian government has spearheaded the upgrade of its military arsenal. The $1 billion (US$718.7 million) weapons contract with South Korean defence giant Hanwha follows the announcement of a historic deal that will see Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines in the future.

More recently, Australia has also splashed $3.5 billion on more than 100 United States tanks and armoured vehicles, while at the same time working to fast track future projects by rapidly accelerating the rate at which these projects receive approval.

Australias increasing military prowess comes amid escalating regional tensions brought on by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

HMA Ships Sirius and Stuart sail in company with RSS Supreme, KDB Daruleshan, and JS Ashigara through the Pacific Ocean as they prepare to take part in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 20 on Aug. 17, 2020. (Australian Department of Defence)

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton had previously called out Beijing for acting aggressively despite espousing words of peace.

By now, we are all familiar with the frequent claims of the Chinese government that it is committed to peace, cooperation, and development, Dutton said. And yet we bear witness to a significant disconnect between words and actions, between rhetoric and reality.

Steps taken by the CCP that have received backlash include the 20 man-made outposts located in the South China Sea in violation of international agreements, the increasing numbers of Chinese military jets in Taiwans air defence identification zone, the use of militia-crewed fishing vessels to intrude in the Philippines exclusive economic zone, escalating tensions on Chinas border with India and in the East China Sea with Japan, and the cyber activities against foreign governments and institutions.

Beijing has also been criticised for its continued rampant human rights abuses, including the persecution and forced organ harvesting of Falun Dafa practitioners, the detention of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the murder of more than a million Tibetans, the stripping of Hong Kongs democracy, the arrests of human rights lawyers and pro-democracy activists, and more.

In light of Beijings aggression, Australia has strengthened dialogue with Chinas neighbours in the Indo-Pacific, as well as participating in numerous war-game exercises in the region, including with India, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, the U.S., the UK, Canada, and Germany.
Australian Robots To Revolutionize Renewable Solar Industry

An Australian company looks set to revolutionise the renewable energy industry with its game-changing development for solar farming.

Solar Company, 5B, from New South Wales (NSW), has developed revolutionary portable robot solar farms which they call Mavericks that deploy 10 times faster than conventional solar and generate twice the amount of energy on the same amount of land.

No matter what side of politics youre on, were talking about the next industrial revolution, Chief Operating Officer at 5B, Nicole Kuepper-Russell, said.

The Morrison government agrees; with the federal Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reductions, Angus Taylor, announcing on Jan. 18 that it would be providing the company with $14 million (around US$10 million ) to support 5Bs $33.4 million strategic technology innovation project at its headquarters in Mascot, Sydney.

The project will help provide Australia with low-cost solar panels, a reliable renewable electricity system that will help lower emissions.

The 5B Maverick solar arrays manufactured in Sydney will not only reduce power costs but also improve speed and ensure reliability and safety for solar energy consumers, Taylor said.

The funding will also help 5B overcome its current difficulties with the speed of manufacturing the Mavericks, which consists of up to 90 solar panels mounted on uniquely designed racks.

It takes two people about a day to assemble a Maverick block or unit, Kuepper-Russell said.

5b hopes to address the assembly issue with a new tech innovation program that will help them construct an automated Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Line (AMPL), which will be able to assemble 40 Mavericks a day and by 2030 produce them for as little as 30 cents (20 cents) per watt.

The world needs massive scale, ultra-low-cost solar power fast, and this funding will accelerate the delivery of that, Kuepper-Russell said.

5B is also looking to develop a GPS guided deployment for the solar robots, which will automate the Mavericks installation. So although three people and a forklift will be required to deliver an array of Mavericks, the manual work of alignment will be eliminated.

This technology will be a game-changer in the industry, said Taylor.

The funding injection by the Australian government will be supplied through a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Advancing Renewables Program (ARP) and will help ARENA achieve its ambitious target to improve solar efficiency by 30 percent and reduce the cost of solar to 30 cents (US 20 cents) per watt by 2030.

ARENA CEO Daren Miller said.

While solar PV and wind are recognised as the lowest cost form of generation in Australia today, further cost reductions are required to optimise Australias transition to renewable electricity and to enable emerging industries such as renewable hydrogen and low emissions metals, Miller said. 5B is an Australian success story at the forefront of solar innovation. Having started in 2013, they are now becoming leaders in locally manufactured ultra-low-cost solar products that could reshape our solar industry and achieve our important aim of 30 cents per installed watt at utility-scale by 2030.

Additionally, ARENA said that 5Bs innovations will help the agency to fulfil its ultimate goal of zero net emissions by 2050, which will require a solar energy output that is 300 times Australias

current output.

Federal Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson noted that the investment by Arena was another example of how the federal government was pursuing its decarbonisation strategy through technology.

Scalable ultra-low-cost solar technology is critical to Australias future carbon-neutral economy to deliver competitiveness and cut emissions, Wilson said.

5Bs pilot deployment system will cut the cost of solar, increase scalable solar solutions and drive uptake. 5B will support heavy industries produce and use low emission materials such as green steel and aluminium.

At present, 5B has installed robot solar farms or Mavericks in Australia, Latin America, the United States and India, with Kuepper-Russell noting that the company has already put 32 megawatts on the ground and have lots in production.
A nurses fills up syringes for patients as they receive their COVID-19 booster vaccination during a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination clinic in Southfield, Michigan, on Sept. 29, 2021. (Emily Elconin/Reuters)

Australian States Reduce Booster Interval to 3 Months

Australians in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria can now receive COVID-19 booster shots three months after the second dose, both state governments announced on Wednesday.

The two states, representing over half of all Australians, once again shortened the booster interval to curb the spread of Omicron, allowing millions more people to be eligible for the shot.

We currently have capacity for around 250,000 vaccinations every week in our 40 hubs across NSW, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet told reporters. Todays decision will enable over three and a half million more people from our state to be able to be eligible for that booster shot.

Federal government rules for GPs and pharmacies will drop the booster interval to three months on Jan. 31, but Perrottet said those who are now eligible and looking to get their booster can go to state-run vaccination hubs.

Weve seen very clearly through the numbers in ICU that vaccination is key in terms of reducing symptoms and keeping people safe, he said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet speaks to the media during a press conference outside the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 19, 2021. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the booster interval had been shortened effective immediately based on the advice of the states public health team, increasing the number of eligible Victorians by 1.2 million.

It will help us get more people third-dose boosted quicker than would otherwise be the case, he said.

Andrews particularly thanked the NSW government for their close cooperation to prepare settings that are as close to each other as possible.

A vaccination blitz in Victoria to begin on Friday was announced as part of efforts to encourage booster numbers, where some state hubs will be open for longer hours and receive walk-ins.

So this weekend will be a big weekend for boosters, Andrews said while urging Victorians to book booster appointments.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews addresses the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, intensive care nurses in Sydneys Westmead hospital, led by the states nurses union, walked off the job over the levels of understaffing and excessive workloads.

The NSW Premier and Health Minister Brad Hazzard thanked health workers across the board for their sacrifices and hard work.

Hazzard said the government was working to employ 5,000 more nurses over the current four-year term to help relieve pressure off the frontline nursing staff.

The news of the strike comes after the Victorian health minister announced on Tuesday a code brown across all metropolitan public hospitals in Melbourne, meaning hospital staff can be reassigned or brought back from leave if absolutely necessary. It came into effect midday on Wednesday.
Baerbock: Over 100,000 Russian Troops Near Ukraine

Germanys foreign minister on Tuesday said that Russia in recent weeks has amassed more than 100,000 troops with guns and tanks near the Ukraine border without an understandable reason.

Its hard not to understand that as a threat, Annalena Baerbock told reporters during a briefing with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

Diplomatic talks between Moscow and the West in Europe last week failed to resolve stark disagreements over Ukraine and other security matters.

The U.S. administration has accused Russia of preparing a false flag operation to use as a pretext to invade Ukraine. Russia has angrily denied the charge.

Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the United States and its allies to Moscows request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet nations or station its forces and weapons there.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscows demands during last weeks RussiaU.S. negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels.

But Baerbock on Tuesday said that Russia has demanded security guarantees that have once again been made clear. We are prepared for a serious dialogue on mutual agreements and steps to bring everyone in Europe more security.

She said it is important that we come back to the negotiating table in the Normandy format, which involves her country, France plus Russia and Ukraine for talks aimed at ending the conflict.

The White House said Friday that U.S. intelligence officials had concluded that Russia had already deployed operatives to rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine to carry out acts of sabotage there and blame them on Ukraine to create a pretext for possible invasion.

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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will take unspecified military-technical measures if the West stonewalls its demands.

Asked about Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline, built and being filled with natural gas to flow to Western Europe, Baerbock said Right now the certification process for this pipeline is currently suspended.

We have stressed repeatedly at various levels of this government that, if energy were used as a weapon, this would have corresponding effects with a view to this pipeline, she added.
Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a press conference at the Legislature in Victoria on Jan. 22, 2021. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)

BC Teachers Vaccine Status Disclosure Requirement Prompts Mixed Response

VANCOUVERBritish Columbias Provincial Health Officer announced a new mandate on Jan. 18, giving the provinces school districts legal authority to require staff to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. The order has generated a mixed response.

During a press conference with provincial Health Minister Adrian Dix, Dr. Bonnie Henry said concern from several school districts heightened her need to create a legal tool allowing the collection of the information.

She said whether schools will mandate vaccination is a decision the school districts will have to make individually, but that the districts need information about the vaccination status of staff to make an informed decision.

According to Henrys new health order, medical health officers can work with school districts and demand employees confirm whether they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

We know that several school districts had challenges in obtaining this important information over the last few months, Henry said.

Concerns were expressed from unions and others about the legality of obtaining this information. So this is to make it very clear.

At least one superintendent agrees. Kevin Kaardal, the superintendent of schools and CEO of Central Okanagan Public Schools, tried collecting vaccine status data from its employees, but couldnt spur enough response. The new Provincial Health Order could change that.

Our Board of Education issued verification requirements a couple of months ago and did a survey as part of a five-step process, Kaardal told The Epoch Times.

And then we tried to find out how many of our staff are vaccinated for assessed risk. We got about a 60 percent response, which wasnt enough. And so this health order certainly helps with that process.

However, the B.C. Teachers Federation (BCTF) and the Central Okanagan Teachers Association (COTA) have expressed about privacy implications if school employees are compelled to provide their personal vaccination information.

In a letter sent to their members in December, BCTF president Teri Mooring and COTA president Susan Bauhart said they consider a request by employers for vaccination information a breach of privacy rights.

As there is not yet a mandatory vaccination policy in place, the employer does not need proof of vaccination from individual employees, said the letter. It is unfair to ask employees to provide proof of vaccination prior to being told what will happen if they do not provide that proof.

Mooring says, however, that itll be a different situation if a mandatory vaccine policy were introduced, which she is in favour of.

Weve been calling on the provincial government or the provincial health authority to do this. The government says they cant because theyre not the direct employer, and thats true. But the Provincial Health Officer absolutely could do this, and its frustrating that its not happening, Mooring told The Epoch Times.

However, B.C. school districts are split on the issue of mandatory vaccines. Twenty-five of the provinces 60 school districts have stated they are opposed to the measure.

Action4Canada, a grassroots activist organization opposed to vaccine mandates who canvassed the school districts to obtain their position on the matter, says opposing school trustees are concerned about personal liability.

Charlene Le Beau, a lawyer working with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, says Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has a provision to protect people from disclosing information that could jeopardize their right to security of the person.

When the government compels a person to do or disclose something against his or her will, Section seven of the Charter may be engaged, Le Beau said in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.

Section seven protects personal autonomy involving inherently private choices that go to the core of what it means to enjoy individual dignity and independence.

Still, Le Beau cautioned anyone who would argue this issue is settled. She notes that disclosing vaccine status was also the initial step Henry imposed on B.C. health care workers before eventually locking non-vaccinated staff out of medical facilities and making vaccination against COVID-19 a condition of employment.

She added Henry said non-vaccinated school staff would pose a health hazard to students and other employees as defined in the Public Health Act.

This gives her substantial powers under sections 30-32 and 39 of the Public Health Act to make various orders against those unvaccinated school staff, Le Beau said.

The order may well be the provinces way of getting around those school districts who refuse to impose a vaccine mandate on their staff.

B.C.s largest school district voted against imposing a vaccine mandate last year and its superintendent said they intend to uphold that decision.

Our Board of Education has made a decision not to pursue the proof of vaccine status unless directed to by health, Surrey school district superintendent Jordan Tinney said in a video message posted on the Surrey Schools website on Jan. 18.

We have not been directed by health. We checked in with our medical health officer yesterday. There is no change.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a press conference at the Legislature in Victoria, on May 25, 2021. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)

BC to Reopen Gyms, Extends Gathering Restrictions

British Columbia will take the cautious step to reopen gyms and fitness centres with a capacity limit on Jan. 20, the provincial health officer says.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a Jan. 18 press conference that individual and group exercise in gyms and fitness facilities will be allowed to resume with capacity limited to seven square metres for each person.

The B.C. Vaccine Card will also be required, while masking is encouraged for people exercising and required for personal trainers and instructors at all times.

The province will extend COVID-19 restrictions on other gatherings until Feb. 16, including the closure of bars and nightclubs and maintaining a 50 percent capacity limit for theatres, stadiums, and other venues.

I think theres a narrative around right now that Omicron is mild, Henry said.

It may be most people are not becoming seriously ill, ending up in hospital. But with the high rates of transmission there are still lots of people who do get seriously ill and even those people who arent in hospital. This is not an innocuous illness.

Henry said the decision to reopen gyms and other fitness facilities was worked out with a group representing the fitness industry, which welcomed the announcement. Carl Ulmer, a board member of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada, said the group has been concerned about saving the industry, which was forced to close in December 2021.

We are business owners, and the last few weeks have been incredibly hard for all of us, Ulmer said.

During the Jan. 18 press conference, Henry also noted that the province is expecting 4,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 oral antiviral pill Paxlovid in the next few weeks.

On Jan. 17, Health Canada gave emergency-use authorization for the drugs use in adults with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of becoming more seriously ill.

It includes those people in our community who are older, over age 70, clinically extremely vulnerable, immune-compromised, and for younger people who have additional medical conditions and dont have the protection of vaccines, Henry said.

The drug must be started within five days of onset of COVID-19 after its diagnosed through testing. Henry said while the province currently has a limited supply of it, preference will be given to those most at risk due to underlying illnesses, vaccination status, and age.

She added that Health Canada is also reviewing two other COVID-19 vaccines from Medicago and Novavax for potential approval.

On Jan. 17, Henry directed the provinces 60 school districts to collect information on the staffs vaccination rates, which she said was aimed at supporting districts in making decisions about vaccine mandates.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Because the N95 mask is used in professional settings such as hospitals, construction, and industrial sectors the specifications for N95 masks is very high. (Jonathan J. Castellon/Unsplash)

Biden Admin to Distribute 400 Million Free Masks

The White House announced on Jan. 19 that it will make 400 million N95 masks free to the American public starting next week.

This comes days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced its preference for N95 masks over cloth masks, saying they provide more protection.

Studies have shown masks to have varying levels of effectiveness both as protection for the wearer and to stop infected individuals from spreading the virus.

Studies have shown cloth masks to be much less effective than the N95s and KN95s.

The best mask is the one that you will wear and the one you can keep on all day long, that you can tolerate in public indoor settings, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on Jan. 12.

The free masks will come from the federal governments Strategic National Stockpile, which totals more than 750 million masks. The masks will be shipped out this week for distribution at pharmacies and community health centers starting late next week, the White House stated.

President Joe Biden first announced the plan in a Jan. 13 speech.

So, next week well announce how we are making high-quality masks available to the American people for free, Biden said.

The White House stated that to ensure broad access for all Americans, there will be three masks available per person.

The CDC recommends limited reuse of N95 masks for health care workers.

Details as to what kind of masks the government will provide werent immediately clear.

Between April and September 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) distributed 5.1 million adult and 7.4 million childrens sized washable cloth masks to health centers.

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that N95 respirators arent designed for children or people with facial hair.

The CDC counted more than 66 million new COVID-19 cases and 850,000 new deaths nationally over the past 30 days as the more contagious but apparently less deadly Omicron variant continues its surge.

The Biden administration also launched a new website on Jan. 19 for Americans to order COVID test kits and have them shipped to their homes for free.
President Joe Biden holds a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Jan. 19, 2022. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Biden Says Midterm Elections May Not Be Fair If Democrats Bill Doesnt Pass

President Joe Biden cast doubt on the legitimacy of the upcoming midterm elections during a press conference on Wednesday.

Biden, a Democrat who is about to hit one year in office, was asked whether the upcoming election will be conducted fairly and the results legitimate if the Democrats bill attempting to federalize elections isnt passed.

It all depends on whether or not were able to make the case to the American people that some of this is being set up to try to alter the outcome of the election, Biden said.

Biden noted that voter turnout hit record highs for the 2020 presidential election and then claimed that some states were trying to make it hard for minorities to vote.

I think, if in fact, no matter how hard they make it for minorities to vote, I think youll see them willing to stand in line and defy the attempt to keep them from vote. People will show up and make the sacrifice that needs to be made in order to change the law back to what it should be, Biden said.

But its going to be difficult. I make no bones about that. Its going to be difficult. Were not there yet. We have not run out of options yet and well see how this moves, he added.

Pressed on the point later, Biden said the elections easily could be illegitimate.

Congressional Democrats have been trying to pass a bill that would move some election oversight to the federal government. The House of Representatives approved the measure last week, but there isnt enough votes in the 50-50 Senate because several Democrats opposite it in addition to virtually all Republicans.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), one of the detractors, told reporters this week that federal law already protects voters rights and that the government will make sure voters have a right to vote.

Some states have passed laws on voting since the last election. The laws are primarily aimed at making sure votes are cast legitimately, but have been panned by critics as adding barriers.

The Georgia election bill, for instance, required the creation of a hotline where residents can report suspicious election activities and voter suppression while mandating dropboxes be secured inside buildings.

Biden, who has described such laws as racially discriminatory, drew quick criticism from Republicans with his comments casting doubt on the upcoming elections.

Joe Biden dangerously claiming results of 2022 elections will be illegitimate unless Congress passes his election power grab, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said on Twitter.

President Biden continues to make baseless claims about voter suppression conspiracies across the country. The facts DO NOT back him up! Turnout in Atlantas 2021 mayoral election INCREASED 17% after the enactment of the new Georgia voting law compared to 2017, added Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.).
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the press at the State Department in Washington on Jan. 5, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Blinken to Meet With Senior Russian as Ukraine Tensions Soar

WASHINGTONSecretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with his Russian counterpart in Switzerland this week as tensions between the United States and Russia escalate over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, the State Department said Tuesday.

The State Department said Blinken will travel to Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, move on to Berlin and then meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday. The hastily arranged trip aims to show U.S. support for Ukraine and impress on Russia the need for de-escalation.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki underscored the urgency. Were now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine. And what Secretary Blinken is going to go do is highlight very clearly there is a diplomatic path forward, she said.

Psaki said Russian President Vladimir Putin created the crisis by massing 100,000 troops along Ukraines borders and it is up to him and the Russians to decide whether to invade and then suffer severe economic consequences.

The United States has not concluded whether Putin plans to invade or whether the show of force is intended to squeeze security concessions without an actual conflict. Russia has brushed off calls to withdraw its troops by saying it has a right to deploy its forces wherever it likes on its own territory.

Blinkens meetings follow inconclusive diplomatic talks between Moscow and the West in Europe last week that failed to resolve stark disagreements over Ukraine and other security matters.

Instead, those meetings appear to have increased fears of a Russian invasion, and the Biden administration has accused Russia of preparing a false flag operation to use as a pretext for intervention. Russia has angrily denied the charge.

From Kyiv, Blinken will travel to Berlin, where he will meet with his German, British, and French counterparts to discuss a possible response to any Russian military action. In Geneva on Friday, Blinken will be testing Lavrov on Russias interest in a diplomatic off-ramp for the crisis, a senior State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Blinkens travel and consultations are part of the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tension caused by Russias military build-up and continued aggression against Ukraine, the State Department said in a statement.

Blinken will meet with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday to reinforce the United States commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, the State Department said.

The trip follows extensive diplomacy with our European Allies and partners about a united approach to address the threat Russia poses to Ukraine and our joint efforts to encourage it to choose diplomacy and de-escalation in the interests of security and stability, it said.

CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv last Wednesday to consult with his Ukrainian counterparts and discuss current assessments of the risk to Ukraine, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Burns schedule, which is classified. While there, he also discussed the current situation with Zelenskyy and efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Blinken spoke by phone Tuesday with Lavrov, discussing the diplomatic talks and meetings held last week. The State Department said Blinken stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine situation and reiterated the unshakable U.S. commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On Monday, Lavrov, Russias top diplomat, rejected the U.S. allegations that his country was preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, he dismissed the U.S. claim as total disinformation.

Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the U.S. and its allies to Moscows request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet countries or station its forces and weapons there.

Blinken underscored to Lavrov on Tuesday that any discussion of European security must include NATO Allies and European partners, including Ukraine, the State Department said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov emphasized in the call with Blinken the key aspects of Russian draft documents envisaging legally binding guarantees of Russias security in line with the principle of indivisibility of security approved by all countries in the Euro-Atlantic. It said Lavrov stressed the importance for Washington to quickly deliver a written response to the Russian proposals.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscows demands during last weeks Russia-U.S. negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels.

The White House said Friday that U.S. intelligence officials had concluded that Russia had already deployed operatives to rebel-controlled eastern Ukraine to carry out acts of sabotage there and blame them on Ukraine to create a pretext for possible invasion.

Ahead of Blinkens visit to Kyiv, a delegation of U.S. senators was visiting Ukraine to emphasize congressional support for the country.

Our bipartisan congressional delegation sends a clear message to the global community: the United States stands in unwavering support of our Ukrainian partners to defend their sovereignty and in the face of persistent Russian aggression, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, said in a statement.

Speaking Monday on a visit to Kyiv, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that any further escalation would carry a high price for the Russian regimeeconomic, political, and strategic, and she emphasized the need to continue negotiations.

We are prepared to have a serious dialogue with Russia, because diplomacy is the only way to defuse this highly dangerous situation at the moment, she said.

Russia in 2014 seized the Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of Ukraines Moscow-friendly leader and 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.

Putin has warned that Moscow will take unspecified military-technical measures if the West stonewalls its demands.

By Matthew Lee
Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) stands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before their meeting at the Bankova, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 19, 2022. (Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters)

Blinken Vows Relentless Diplomacy to Avert Russian Attack on Ukraine

KYIVU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Russia could launch a new attack on Ukraine at very short notice but Washington would pursue diplomacy as long as it could.

On a visit to Kyiv to show support for Ukraine, Blinken said Ukrainians should prepare for difficult days. He said Washington would keep providing defense assistance to Kyiv and renewed a promise of severe sanctions against Russia in the event of a new invasion.

The Kremlin said tension around Ukraine was increasing and it was still waiting for a written U.S. response to its sweeping demands for security guarantees from the West.

The pessimistic statements highlighted the gulf between Washington and Moscow as Blinken gears up for a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday that a Russian foreign policy analyst called probably the last stop before the train wreck.

Blinken promised relentless diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed aggression and to promote dialogue and peace. He said a Russian build-up of tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border was taking place with no provocation, no reason.

We know that there are plans in place to increase that force even more on very short notice, and that gives President (Vladimir) Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine, he said.

He did not spell out how quickly Russia might move. Independent security analysts say they do not believe Moscow has so far assembled the logistics and medical units it would need to launch an immediate attack.

Russia has also moved troops to Belarus for what it calls joint military exercises, giving it the option of attacking neighboring Ukraine from the north, east and south.

It continues to deny any such intention. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, military maneuvers, and NATO aircraft flights were to blame for rising tension around Ukraine.

Snipers take part in military exercises at a firing ground of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Anna Kudriavtseva/Reuters)

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Russia of trying to sow panic in Ukraine. He said diplomacy offered the only way out, and it was an indestructible principle that no decisions about Ukraine could be taken without its involvement.

The basic principle is simple: a strong Ukraine is the best instrument to restrain Russia, he said.

Hopes Are Dim

The United States says Russia is threatening its post-Soviet neighbor and may be poised for a new invasion, eight years after it seized Crimea and backed separatist forces who took control of large parts of eastern Ukraine.

Russia says it feels menaced by Kyivs growing ties with the West. It wants to impose red lines to prevent Ukraine ever joining NATO and to get the alliance to pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe. Washington says these demands are non-starters.

Vladimir Frolov, a former Russian diplomat who is now a foreign policy analyst, said Moscow would not be appeased by a U.S. and NATO offer of arms control talks and was pursuing a much more sweeping rearrangement of the European security order.

The Lavrov-Blinken meet is probably the last stop before the train wreck. But hopes are dim, the positions are incompatible, he said.

Describing Russias military deployment in Belarus as a huge escalation, Frolov gave a dire assessment of the crisis.

I think barring a U.S. surrender and their delivering Ukraine to Russia, some kind of a military option is all but inevitable now.

Blinken said he would not be presenting a written response to Lavrov in Geneva on Fridaysomething that Russia has repeatedly demanded.

He said both sides needed to take stock of a series of diplomatic meetings on the crisis last week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Blinken in Kyiv: I would like to thank you personally and President Biden and the U.S. administration for military support for Ukraine, for increasing this assistance.

President Joe Bidens administration last month approved the provision of an additional $200 million in defensive security assistance to Ukraine and gave more such aid last year than at any point since Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014.

On Monday, Britain said it had begun supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons to help it defend itself.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called on the West on Wednesday to stop supplying Ukraine with weapons and described the situation around European security as critical, the Interfax news agency reported.

By Simon Lewis
A group of illegal aliens is apprehended by law enforcement on a ranch in Kinney County, Texas, on Jan. 14, 2022. (Courtesy of Kinney County Sheriff's Office)

Border Sheriff: Extremely Organized Large Groups of Illegal Aliens Sneaking Through Texas County

KINNEY COUNTY, TexasTraveling at night with backpacks and dark clothing, large groups of up to 50 illegal aliens, mostly young men from Mexico, are clandestinely traversing this small Texas county doing everything possible to avoid getting caught.

While small groups have been crossing the U.S.Mexico border into Kinney County, Texas, for years, now its large, well-organized groups that have law enforcement worried.

Its extremely organized, Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe told The Epoch Times on Jan. 18.

And the groups are getting bigger. Even if you run a group of 25 and they get caught, youre tied up, so you can run your group of 50 and 60 somewhere else. Or you can run your drugs through.

The sheriff said the groups converge on a gas pipeline that guides them northeast until theyre clear of the bulk of law enforcement and the Border Patrol highway checkpoint. Its unforgiving terrainscrubby, thorny, and full of rattlesnakes. The illegal aliens often have bulbs of garlic in their backpacks in the hopes that itll ward off the snakes.

Coes deputy charged with gathering intel on the smuggling routes has found a small area by the Rio Grandewhich is the international boundarywhere at least 1,100 illegal aliens come through every month. But thats just one area of the countys 16-mile border with Mexico.

Its nuts down there. And the only reason they apprehended 16 is because the ranch owner bumped into them. And we managed to get Border Patrol down there, because I didnt have anybody, Coe said.

Border Patrol got in there and caught 16 of them. The group was possibly 50-plus.

Coe said the illegal aliens have taken to burying their trash or carting it out with them in order to keep their tracks more hidden.

In the past, foot traffic didnt pick up until late January up through March and April, he said.

It never slowed down this year, he said.

Halfway through January, his deputies had already apprehended twice the number of illegal aliens and twice the number of smugglers than in the full month of January 2021.

He said his deputy, working with the Texas Department of Public Safety, will often place a new trail camera in the county, and within an hour, itll pick up a group.

Most everything were seeing right now is Mexican. The smuggling stuff were catching [in vehicles] is a lot of Hondurans and Guatemalans. But everything thats on foot seems to be Mexican, Coe said.

Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith is in the process of prosecuting more than 2,000 illegal aliens for trespassing on local ranches under the states Operation Lone Star initiative, which Gov. Greg Abbott launched in March 2021.

I still dont think were touching more than 5 percent of the illegal aliens coming through Kinney County, he said.

We caught six groups last night and two smuggling loads.

Coe said the scary part is that county residents are getting used to it.

Its become the new norm, Coe said.

This shouldnt be the new norm. The federal government needs to step in, secure the border, and go from there.

You should never get used to the crime rate going up. You shouldnt get used to seeing a group of 30 or 40 walking through your backyard.
A young boy holds a sign during a rally against vaccine mandates at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif. on Nov. 11, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

California Missed a Chance to Protect Pandemic-Era Human Rights 4 Years Ago

Commentary

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled justly when it stated that businesses with more than 100 employees do not have to mandate taking vaccinations. Most Americans do not believe that businesses should be implementing mandates on their workers. And there are a significant number of individuals who are very uncomfortable about having to take the jab.

Four years ago, I introduced a rather novel bill. Now, in hindsight, it appears that it was rather profound. Senate Bill 1325 was titled Peaceful and Natural Dignity Act: the right of self-quarantine. It was meant to prepare for addressing a pandemic, and the title played on the theme.

The text now appears very prescient, as the bill, if passed, would have permitted an individual to exercise the right of self-quarantine in lieu of compliance with an otherwise mandatory medication. With a nanny state more determined to rule every aspect of our lives, in a safety for all mindset, providing an opt-out provision seemed most necessary.

SB 1325 would have protected the rights of families who, in times of crisis, would prefer to preserve their individual liberties and not be coerced into their medical care choices.

I guess my legislative efforts were premature. But it did have supporters.

The California Naturopathic Doctors Association wrote that the California Constitution states that everyone has the right to pursue and obtain privacy, and this legislation upheld that principle. Health care choices are personal, and making private decisions for treatment is a principle that does not change, even when an emergency strikes.

The National Vaccine Information Center stated that California residents deserve the freedom to protect themselves from the harmful side effects of biological or pharmaceutical-based public health measures while still obeying public health orders for quarantine in the safe environment of their own residence.

Those opposed to the bill wanted to control the population during a pandemic.

I had opposed Sen. Richard Pans recent legislation, Senate Bill 277 (2016), mandating vaccines. It passed, despite thousands of California parents visiting the Capitol in Sacramento to register their dissent.

At the Senate Health Committee hearing when I presented my bill, Sen. Josh Newman thought that the acts acronym, PANDA, was some sort of slight directed at fellow committee member Sen. Pan. He was rather rude in sharing his incorrect assumptions.

I felt that some form of legislation had to be introduced to provide a safe haven for those needing it, should the time ever come.

The Health Committee Chair, Sen. Ed Hernandez, would not permit my key witness to respond to Sen. Newmans inappropriate charges.

The bill did not fare well. I couldnt even get fellow Republican colleagues on the committee to vote for it.

Now, weve been in a pandemic for a couple of years and were fighting about the concern of being mandated to possibly take a medication (vaccination), just as SB 1325 addressed.

Fast forward and we have the recent and tragic demise of Orange County resident and former California State Assembly candidate Kelly Ernby. Many have publicly blasted her opposition to mandates. Sen. Pan, who is also a pediatrician and did not have Ernby as a patient, wrote on Twitter about his disdain for someone who fought for personal liberty and the freedom to choose whether they would take the jab or not.

Eric Weigand, a Newport Beach planning commissioner, recently pointed out in an editorial the Goldwater Rule, under which its unethical for physicians to publicly comment on the health of politicians not their patients.

One could make a legitimate case that the jab would address the COVID-19 spread, but those that have received the vaccinations and booster shots are also contracting this virus. Weve come to the point where almost everyone has now had COVID, vaccinated or not, and they should rely on and appreciate their natural immunity. For someone to shame a nonvaccinated person for getting the coronavirus seems arrogant and controlling.

Its time to act like mature adults. Life is about assessing risks, making decisions, and living with the consequences. Maybe its time to remember to be sensitive to the privacy of the medical status of individuals. Take your vitamins. Stay safe. Follow your conscience. Respect others. Implement the proper protocols. Get vaccinated if that is your wish. And self-quarantine when necessary.

Please dont gloat that youve been vaccinated when you are still potentially fully susceptible to getting sick and can still transmit the virus. Shaming those who arent vaccinated due to their making a personal choice about their own bodies, something liberals diligently fight to the death over, is hypocritical at its worst and ignorant of the science and data at best.

Lets hope, as this surge continues, that we can peacefully, and with natural dignity, get through this time in history with less acrimony. We should strive for herd immunity and not herd mentality.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Cambodia's opposition leader and President of the National Rescue Party (CNRP) Kem Sokha talks during an interview with Reuters in Prey Veng province, Cambodia, on May 28, 2017. (Samrang Pring/File Picture/Reuters)

Cambodia Resumes Treason Trial of Former Opposition Leader Accused of US Plot

A Cambodian court on Wednesday resumes a treason trial against former opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was accused of plotting with the United States to topple the government, two years after the trial was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kem Sokha, a former leader of the now-outlawed Cambodia National Rescue Party, was arrested in 2017 over an alleged conspiracy with the United States to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for nearly four decades.

He has vehemently denied the allegations and called for the charges to be dropped.

I hope the court will decide to drop the charges against me so that we can reach national reconciliation and national unity to develop our country, he told reporters on Wednesday before arriving at Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Speaking to Radio Free Asia on Wednesday, government spokesman Phay Siphan said that Kem Sokha could be released after the trial ends, but only if Hun Sen requests amnesty from Cambodias king.

There are several other options the government can take to release Kem Sokha after his trial ends, political analyst Seng Sary told the publication.

These include having the court acquit Kem Sokha before politically rehabilitating him, or having the court convict him and then release him at Hun Sens request.

Kem Sokha, 68, was freed from house arrest in 2019 but remained banned from political activities.

The U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh has called on the government to end its politically motivated trials, including that of Kem Sokha and other political opposition members, journalists, and labor and environmental activists.

Promoting democracy and respect for human rights is central to U.S. foreign policy in Cambodia and around the world, embassy spokesperson Chad Roedemeier said.

In response, Cambodias justice ministry said that the trials were not politically motivated and urged the U.S. embassy to provide evidence to support its claim and not to interfere.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has also urged the government to drop its ill-founded and politically-motivated charges against Kem Sokha, condemning his continuing legal harassment.

The charges against Kem Sokha are wholly unsubstantiated. They should be dropped, and the trial discontinued in the accordance with his right to a fair trial, Frederick Rawski, ICJs Asia-Pacific director, said in a statement last week.

According to the ICJ, the Cambodian government continues to systematically repress and persecute its perceived critics through the abuse of legal and judicial processes, after the ruling party won the 2018 election in a landslide.

More than 100 members of the political opposition in Cambodia faced politically-motivated charges in 2019, more than half of whom were detained by the authorities, it added.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole speaks during a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 6, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Canadas Next China Ambassador Must Be a Professional Diplomat, OToole Says

The federal government's approach to China has been 'completely naive and completely behind,' the Conservative leader says

Conservative Leader Erin OToole says Canadas next ambassador to China must be a professional diplomat who is capable of safeguarding Canadian interests and standing up to the Chinese communist regime.

I think we need a professional diplomat that can be in Beijing to assert our interests, to make sure that our voice is heard, and that our voice is heard as a country, OToole told The Epoch Times in an interview.

OToole stressed having the right candidate to represent Canada, saying the two latest ambassadors, John McCallum and Dominic Barton, were not effective in the position due to their friendly terms with Beijing.

McCallum accepted over $73,000 in trips to China sponsored by the regime or pro-Beijing business groups between 2008 and 2015 during his time as a Liberal MP, according to a 2018 Globe and Mail report.

McCallum later became the minister of immigration, and then Canadas ambassador to Chinaa post he was removed from in 2019 after providing arguments for the defence of Huawei CFO Meng Wangzhou, who was facing extradition to the United States for fraud and was under house arrest in Vancouver at the time.

Barton, who succeeded McCallum, was an executive with managing consulting firm McKinsey & Company which had extensive dealings with China. During his term as ambassador, Barton drew criticism for championing closer Canada-China ties despite Beijings arbitrary detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in retaliation for Canadas arrest of Meng.

Following the release of the two men in September, Barton called for a rekindling of the Canada-China relationship in an exclusive interview with the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) propaganda mouthpiece Global Times, saying that the major emotional issue is now off the table.

Canadas Ambassador to China Dominic Barton waits to appear before the House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations, in Ottawa on Feb. 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Weve seen now [Prime Minister] Justin Trudeau pick two friends in a row, Mr. Barton and Mr. McCallum, both of whom were not successful as our ambassador, said OToole, adding that Beijings actions in recent years have made the relationship between Canada and China more complicated.

New Strategy to Meet New Threats

OToole said the federal government has been completely naive and completely behind when it comes to creating a modern China strategy that serves Canadian interests.

Weve always been very clear: there are incredible opportunities to trade and to build commercial ties with China, and those are important for our exports, but we shouldnt be doing that at the complete expense of our interests and values as a country, he said.

Specifically, in Parliament his party has raised the issues of the Uyghur genocide happening in Xinjiang, Huaweis threat to Canadas 5G network, and protecting democracy in Hong Kong, he said.

In an interview on Global News The West Block Program on Jan. 9, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canada is developing a new China strategy and she urged other countries to reassess their relationships with Beijings growing influence.

We need to be able to have a clear strategy in the region when it comes to trade, when it comes to also our relationship economically speaking, but also on human rights and democratic values and issues, she said.

OToole said he has yet to see Trudeau or any of his ministers express that balance in an appropriate way.

OToole added that Ottawa should be clear that Beijing-linked Huawei cant be part of Canadas 5G infrastructure.

Because that 5G infrastructure is so critical to our national security and our economic well-being, we need absolute certainty with respect to the security of that system, he said.

He added that Huawei cant be considered to be a regular company due to its ties to the communist regime.

Canada remains the only country in the Five Eyesan intelligence alliance between Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealandthat hasnt banned or planned to phase out Huaweis products from its 5G network.

Its been over three months since Trudeau promised a decision on the ban will be made in the coming weeks.

Winnipeg Lab Controversy

OToole said the conduct of the Trudeau government is very concerning regarding the refusal to release documents in the case of two Chinese scientists fired from the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Canadas highest security lab, and the related transfer of deadly viruses to Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2019.

The National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg on May 19, 2009. (The Canadian Press/John Woods)

A lot of people have questions about what happened in the Winnipeg lab, and how particularly scientists with very significant ties to the Chinese military gained access and could send samples from that laboratory, he said.

He added that the Liberal governments decision to take Speaker of the House Anthony Rota to court during the last Parliament for ordering them to present the unredacted documents related to the case only breeds more public distrust.

The more the Trudeau government covers this up, the more that there is misinformation out there, he said.

The Conservative leader also noted concerns over the latest foreign takeover of Canadian lithium mining company Neo Lithium by Chinese state-owned enterprise Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd which was permitted without a national security review by the federal government.

These types of transactions, for a state-owned enterprise from China or a state-owned enterprise from other countries, they should not be approved because its not in our national interest as a country to let those resources go into the hands of others, he said.

Election Interference

OToole also expressed concern about the issue of foreign interference in Canadian elections, saying that some Conservative MPs such as Kenny Chiu lost their seat in the last election in part because of some interference.

A 2020 report published by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians identified China and Russia as primary culprits undertaking espionage and foreign interference activities in Canada.

Though the effects of espionage and foreign interference are not as readily apparent as those of terrorism, they are the most significant long-term threats to Canadas sovereignty and prosperity, the report says.

OToole pointed out though his party has not shied away from criticizing the CCP, that criticism is not directed to the people of Chinaa point that the misinformation campaigns spread by pro-Beijing groups deliberately blurred during the federal election.

We have to make sure that when we criticize the communist regime in Beijing, that Canadians dont see that as criticism of Chinese Canadians, he said. Weve got a lot of work to do to make sure that we prepare the next time better so that we dont have any interference.

Canada-China Committee Revival

While OToole said his party will continue to stand up for Canadians, they have been criticized by pundits and groups representing the Chinese and Hong Kong diaspora in Canada for not reviving the Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (CACN) in the new Parliament.

CACN examined a range of topics and issues related to China, including Beijings influence operations in Canada, human rights violations, among other topics.

OToole, who called for the creation of CACN while he was the shadow minister of foreign affairs, said the committee will likely return after the work on Afghanistan is completed.

The new special committee for Afghanistan was created to examine what happened in Kabul and how to get Canadians, translators, or contractors that are still at risk from the Taliban, out of the region.

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa on Nov. 26, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

But the return of CACN may now come sooner according to Tory MP Garnett Genuis.

Genuis, a former member of the special committee in the last Parliament, said on Twitter on Jan. 17 that after much reflection he decided to speak with The Globe and Mail last week to advocate for the return of the committee.

Since that interview, Ive been told that Conservatives will now work to bring the committee back. This is good news, Genuis said.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Prime Ministers Office for comment but did not hear back by the time of publication.

Noe Chartier, Andrew Chen, Vivian Yu, Omid Ghoreishi and Rahul Vaidyanath contributed to this report.
Capitol Report (Jan. 18): 5G Technology Poses Safety Concerns Near Airports

AT&T and Verizon agree to delay a scheduled 5G rollout for the third time after safety and security concerns from airlines.

Senators are back on Capitol Hill this weekand Democrats are doubling down on efforts to sidestep the filibuster in order to pass their voting rights bill. There are a few paths Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer could take, but which one is he choosing and will they have a chance to change the Senates rules to pass a national voting law?

The pandemic has had minimal impact on some states throughout the country, yet they have been subject to one-sized fits all mandates. One of those states is Alaska, which is still reporting under 1,000 total deaths since the start of the pandemic. We have Alaska candidate for the United States Senate Kelly Tshibaka here to discuss.

Republicans gained a large number of voters in 2021, President Joe Bidens first year in office. How might the upcoming midterms make his term more challenging?

The Golden State Warriors co-owner Chamath Palihapitiya is facing backlash after saying that nobody cares about persecuted Uyghurs in China.

North Korea has increased its missile launch activity. How to handle North Korea could be the next big test for the Biden presidency.

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Staff members prepare chocolate at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney, on March 20, 2015. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Chocolate-Maker Lindt Sees Slower Growth After Bottlenecks Bite

ZURICHSwiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli expects sales of its upmarket chocolates to grow less in 2022 than last year, it said on Tuesday, and blamed supply chain bottlenecks for a slowdown in late 2021 in North America.

The maker of the best-selling Lindor chocolate balls, which has maintained spending on advertising and new products throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, said market share gains boosted organic sales by 13.3 percent last year.

Lindt, along with other chocolate makers, saw a dip in demand in 2020, but sales recovered strongly in 2021 as people ate more treats and bought gifts for friends and relatives they had been unable to see at the height of the pandemic.

Major European markets as well as the online business recorded double-digit growth, but North America slowed to 10.7 percent in the full year, from 18.8 percent in the first half, Lindt said.

The slowdown was partly due to temporary supply chain bottlenecks caused by a lack of labour and materials at Russell Stovers three production sites, a spokeswoman for the Swiss chocolate maker said in an emailed statement, referring to a U.S. brand the group owns.

The groups participation certificates, which are more liquid than its shares, have fallen more than 10 percent so far this year, and on Tuesday shed 4.5 percent by 0921 GMT.

Analysts said expectations were very high for the company.

Bernstein analyst Bruno Monteyne said the performance was driven by a very strong premium chocolate market and market share gains, with beats in Europe and the rest of the world offsetting the miss in North America.

Looking ahead, the company based in Kilchberg on Lake Zurich said it expected its organic sales to grow 5 percent7 percent this year, in line with medium to long-term guidance.

The company confirmed it expects to post an operating margin of around 14 percent for 2021 when it releases full results on March 8.

The margin is expected to reach 15 percent next year and then rise by 2040 basis points per year from 2023, Lindt said.

Full-year sales rose to 4.59 billion Swiss francs ($5.01 billion), ahead of a 4.55 billion franc estimate in a Refinitiv poll.

($1 = 0.9154 Swiss francs)

By Silke Koltrowitz
Coalition Pushes Back Against Californias New Single-Family Housing Laws

SACRAMENTO, Calif.A grassroots coalition is seeking to have California voters decide if two new laws related to single-family zoning have gone too far. The coalition is currently gathering signatures to potentially put the issue on the November 2022 ballot.

The laws in question are Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 10, which both went into effect Jan. 1, and allow duplexes and apartment buildingsup to 10 unitsto be built in what was formerly zoned only for single-family homes.

According to the group, which calls itself Our Neighborhood Voices, the laws, as enacted, could be the total elimination of single-family homes, Peggy Huang, a Yorba Linda city councilwoman and co-author of the possible ballot measurewhich is formally called the Tripartisan Land Use Initiativesaid on Epoch TVs California Insider.

Yorba Linda City Councilwoman Peggy Huang in an interview with EpochTVs California Insider on Jan. 12, 2022. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Leaders behind the push are now in the process of gathering upwards of 1 million signatures by April to place the issue on the November 2022 ballot.

According to organizers, their effort is to give cities the power back to make such zoning laws for themselves.

What Sacramento and the legislature have done is create a Sacramento city-state, Huang said. We [all] live in Sacramento at this point because [our] cities and counties have no ability to decide these things themselves.

But some are happy with the new laws.

According to a recent poll from the Los Angeles Business Council Institute and the Los Angeles Times, 55 percent of Californians surveyed said they support SB 9, while 68 percent showed favor for SB 10. The poll surveyed 906 voters and was conducted Oct. 27, 2021, through Nov. 3, 2021.

And when California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the laws into effect, the California Association of Realtors said both were a move in the right direction.

Today, California took an important step toward solving our states housing supply crisis. [The new laws] are prudent, reasonable actions in the path forward to helping the state reach its housing goals and create greater homeownership opportunities for working Californians, Dave Walsh, president of the association, said in a statement.

But proponents of the ballot initiative said they believe the laws are essentially a blank check for developers to take over the average California neighborhood without ensuring infrastructurelike roads, schools, or transitcan absorb the growth.

They also say that with the new laws, developers are not required to consider potential impacts on the environment or add more parking spaces to accommodate more people.

But most importantly, initiative organizers say, the new laws remove any chance for residents to fight back.

That is truly a centralized government saying everything must be done in Sacramento, Huang said. To me, this is very close to socialism. If we give up on this nowour homes and our property rights to Sacramentowhat do you think theyre going to ask for next?

Although state legislatures branded the laws with good intentions such as affordability, social justice, and combating climate change, Huang said the legislation is full of contradictions.

Not only will gentrification flood suburban neighborhoods, she said, but both laws will drive up costs on housing.

Additionally, Huang said, the laws could potentially hurt more people than they help.

If you speak to any individual, they want to own a home with land, she said. We all know land is what creates generational wealth. It brings people out of poverty.

Homes await buyers in the city of Irvine, Calif., on Sept. 21, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Lynetta McElroy, a Leimert Park resident in South Los Angeles and supporter of the ballot initiative who has owned her home since the 1980s, said that without local control of private land use, her neighborhood would cease to exist under Californias latest housing legislation.

The narrative says there is a need for affordable housing, McElroy told The Epoch Times. But the apartments that are built will sell at market rate and destroy the homes of the working class.

According to a 2018 U.S. Census study, as of that year, there were 1.2 million vacant properties in California.

Nearly 100,000 of those properties sat empty in Los Angeles, according to a 2020 UCLA study (pdf).

This is the problem, McElroy said. You have a lot of vacancies. A lot of the homelessness comes from the people who own the apartments with the rent so high. These large conglomerations and investors, theyre buying apartments, they quickly evict the family, and then they put the rent so high no one can afford it.

When John Heath founded in 2016 the United Homeowners Association, a nonprofit organization representing over 11,000 residents in unincorporated communities in Los Angeles, California ranked 49th in homeownership and last place in overall affordability.

Heath, who has been a resident of View Park in South Los Angeles since the mid-1960s, said that whats happening now is that well-heeled developers target low-hanging fruit neighborhoods, or cheap land, only to buy low and sell high.

Now, youre not even competing with other normal human beings, Heath said. Youre competing with Wall Street. People that can just outbid you and can show up with cash. They dont need financing. Theyre not regular people like you and me.

As a proponent of the ballot initiative and the voice for his homeowners association, Heath said he, too, is worried.

When you have people coming in basically scraping everything off the table and leaving a few crumbs for everybody else, that usually doesnt work out so well, Heath said. And thats exactly what these policies are going to facilitate.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks at a press briefing at the White House in Washingtonon Jan. 14, 2022. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo)

Concern Over Possible Russian Invasion of Ukraine Still High After Last Weeks Talks: White House

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday that the Biden administration continues to view tensions between Russia and Ukraine as an extremely dangerous situation.

This after three rounds of high-level talks last week that included the U.S., Russia and several European countries and were meant to deescalate the situation and find a diplomatic path forward.

Russia has amassed roughly 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine and in Russian-annexed Crimea in recent weeks. Most recently Russia announced joint military exercises with neighboring Belarus which also shares a border with Ukraine.

Were now at a stage where at any point Russia could launch an attack on Ukraine, said Psaki on Jan. 18.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on Tuesday and the two have agreed to meet in Geneva, Switzerland later this week.

Blinken will travel to Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and then move on to Berlin before meeting Lavrov Friday, according to the State Department. Officials say the trip is meant as a show of U.S. support for Ukraine and to make another call for Russia to de-escalate and pursue diplomacy.

This will follow a U.S. bipartisan congressional delegation that traveled to Kyiv to meet with Zelensky on Monday to reaffirm U.S. support for Ukraine.

President Joe Biden has spoken directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks. During the calls, Biden said that the United States and its allies would impose severe sanctions against Russia if it further invades.

A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, on Jan. 18, 2022. (AP Photo)

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock traveled to Washington on Jan. 5 to present a unified front with Blinken in saying Russias military buildup near Ukraines border poses an immediate and urgent challenge to European security and that any intervention would draw severe consequences.

Germany has suspended the certification process of the yet-to-be-approved Nord Stream 2 pipeline that would carry 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia to Germany every year if approved by regulators.

Blinken has said gas wont likely flow through Nord Stream if Russia invades Ukraine.

U.S. officials have also accused Russia of enacting a false flag operation and social media campaign to use as pretext for a Ukrainian invasion. Russia has denied this.

Ukrainian officials said Sunday that Russia was behind a cyberattack that defaced Ukrainian government websites.

Last month, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back its military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.

On Monday, Lavrov, Russias top diplomat, rejected the U.S. allegations that his country was preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, he dismissed the U.S. claim as total disinformation.

Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the United States and its allies to Moscows request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet countries or station its forces and weapons there.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 2018 arrive at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, April 12, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

Construction on Fuel Storage Facility in Northern Territory to Service U.S. Defence Operations Begins

Preliminary works have begun to construct the Northern Territorys (NT) largest fuel storage facility, which will play a key role in U.S. defence operations in the region.

According to an NT Government media release on Tuesday, the facility will be located at East Arm in Darwin and hold up to 300 million litres (approx. 80 million gallons) of fuel.

At the cost of $270 million (US$194.1 million), the infrastructure is to be used for the transfer, management, and storage of military specification jet fuels.

In September 2021, the U.S. Government awarded Crowley, a U.S.-based company providing global energy and logistics services, the tender to provide fuel storage and management to support the U.S. military.

Then in December, the Northern Territorys Land Development Corporation and Crowley Australia, the Australia-based subsidiary, agreed on where the infrastructure should be located, subsequently signing a long-term lease.

Crowley Australia will manage the development and operations of the facility, while Saunders International will design and construct the 11 jet fuel tanks required, as well as provide engineering, procurement, and construction management services to Crowley.

These collective efforts will allow Crowley to provide important fuel storage and management services to the U.S. military, as well as strengthen our growing presence within Australia and the Northern Territory, Crowley Solutions Vice President Sean Thomas said.

The NT Environmental Protection Authority has given the project the green light, and initial works will include clearing the site and establishing vehicle access ahead of construction commencing.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said this investment would mean hundreds of jobs for Territorians close to Darwin CBD, with local businesses also reaping benefits.

The Territory is becoming a leading hub for defence and national security because of our strategic location and capabilities and because of our can-do attitude, he said.

This comes after the first four of a new fleet of F-35A Lightning ll fighter jets landed at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory on Dec. 13, 2021.

The fighters will be permanently based in the Territory and replace the ageing F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets that have been in operation for 33 years.

The new fleet of aircraft is part of the Morrison governments ongoing investment in the Tindal base to boost the Australian Defence Forces capacity, as well as strengthen the nations Air Force capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, which includes India, Japan, the U.S., Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, and New Zealand.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton said that the No.75 Squadron, which had previously operated the Classic Hornet aircraft, would operate the new multi-role fighter jets from the Top End because it is a strategically important location for national defence and regional engagement.

By the time the Air Force is scheduled to declare F-35A Final Operational Capability in December 2023, sixteen of the fifth-generation multi-role fighters will be based at Tindal, and they will be well practised at operating with our partners in the region, he said.

The F-35A-equipped 75 Squadron will capitalise on frequent opportunities to bolster interoperability with U.S. rotational aircraft deployments and other Enhanced Air Cooperation activities that will take place in the Top End as announced at this years AUSMIN.

AUSMIN stands for Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations and is the primary forum for bilateral consultations with the U.S. These consultations are held regularly in the U.S. and Australia, providing opportunities to discuss perspectives and approaches on regional and global issues to deepen bilateral foreign security and defence cooperation.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) talks to reporters following the weekly Senate Republican caucus luncheon in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 16, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Democrats Thundering Against Filibuster They Used Just Last Week: McConnell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) blasted Democrats for their inconsistent attitudes toward the filibuster during the opening rounds of debate on two federal elections bills that Democrats are trying to pass by overturning the filibuster.

The Senate is scheduled to debate two elections bills, including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, into Tuesday evening. The most significant aspect of these bills would be a return to an archaic federal statute requiring states to get federal approval before changing their election laws, a measure that critics say would effectively federalize elections.

Democrats say the bill is necessary to respond to the new Jim Crow of stricter voting laws passed in state legislatures across the nation in response to concerns over the 2020 election.

To address this alleged crisis, Democrats have tried to pass a slew of election bills since summer 2021, but all have faced death by filibuster due to almost-unanimous GOP opposition.

Now, in response to what they say is Republican obstruction, Democrats have formulated a new strategy: the weakening or abolition of the filibuster in order to pass bills that cannot get through the Senate under its normal rules. Technically, they can do this through the use of the so-called nuclear option, a parliamentary procedure that allows tweaks to Senate rules to be passed by a simple majority vote, but this is a course that lawmakers have long been loathe to take.

While nuking the filibuster or other rules can indeed allow a majority party to pass more partisan legislation, the decision can come back to haunt them when their opposition takes the majority.

Recently, Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) announced their opposition to the scheme, citing long-held concerns that nuking the filibuster will change the identity of the deliberative upper chamber too dramatically.

Even after the two moderates announced their opposition to the move, Democrats decided to move ahead with the scheme anyways, and are holding a floor debate Tuesday before an expected Wednesday vote.

In one of the first speeches of the day, Leader McConnell blasted the majority party for their inconsistent attitudes toward the filibuster.

McConnell noted that despite their efforts to paint the filibuster as a Jim Crow relic, Democrats used the process as recently as last week, when they used it to stop a Republican bill that would put sanctions on Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which Republicans have argued would help stall or halt altogether Putins territorial ambitions in Eastern Europe.

But Democrats blocked it by denying 60 [votes], observed McConnell. He continued, Now many of these same colleagues have spent weeks thunderingliterally thunderingthat the 60-vote threshold is an offensive tool of obstruction, a Jim Crow relic, [and] declaring that simple majorities should always get their way.

Ah, but late last week they literally wielded the 60-vote threshold themselves, McConnell said.

The scene, McConnell judged, was a useful reminder of just how fakefakethe hysteria has been.

We already knew that Washington Democrats dont have any principled opposition to Senate rules, the GOP leader continued, noting that Democrats used the filibuster often under former President Donald Trump.

In fact, Democrats broke records with their use of the filibuster under Trump.

During Trumps four years as president, Democrats used the filibuster a total of 314 times, equating to 78.5 filibusters per year. In contrast, during the entirety of President Barack Obamas eight-year tenure, Republicans used the filibuster 175 times, equating to roughly 21.9 filibusters per year.

While they were in the minority, Democrats were silent about the process. Only upon taking the majority have Democrats turned on the system, and only after it prevented them from passing partisan legislation over the objections of one-half of the U.S. Senate.

You only have to go back a few years to read vigorous defense[s] of the filibuster from our Democratic colleagues and their allies, McConnell continued.

McConnell pointed to remarks by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) as a case in point.

While Democrats were in the minority, McConnell noted, Durbin said, We need to protect the right of debate in the Senate, preserve checks and balances so that no one party can do whatever it wants, we need to preserve the voice of the minority in America.

In 2017, then-Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was quoted as saying, We need to find a way to build a firewall around the legislative filibuster.

The same year, McConnell added, 32 Senate Democrats in a letter demanded that the filibuster threshold remain at 60 votes.

So until the last couple years, Senators on both sides have understood [that] the Senate is not here to rubber-stamp massive changes by thin majorities, McConnell argued. This institution exists to do exactly the opposite.

McConnell wrapped up his floor speech with a plea to Democrats not to change the fundamental character of the Senate, which he noted was intended to be a more deliberative body designed to ensure that only bills with staying power were passed.

Tuesdays debate is only the latest scene in a drama that has steadily unfolded since summer 2021, when Democrats made their first concerted push to pass election legislation.

One of the first and most controversial bills put forward by Democrats was the For the People Act, a bill which would have forced states to allow convicted felons and those actively on probation or parole to vote, and which critics say would have effectively legalized voting by illegal aliens.

That bill, the most wide-ranging of all the election bills that Democrats have proposed, was shot down after Sen. Joe Manchin announced his opposition to the legislation.

Since then, Democrats have offered several bills with a more limited scope, but these have all been derailed by GOP opponents, who have argued that the bills are designed to unfairly benefit Democrats. Republicans have almost unanimously voted to filibuster each bill that has been brought to the floor.

Only one bill received any Republican support. That bill, a compromise bill authored by Sen. Manchin, received the support of Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), but she is at the time of publication the only Republican to have given any support to any of the Democrats election bills.

On Wednesday, Democrats will bring the two bills to a floor vote, where they are widely expected to fail, before moving to attempt a rule change vote.

Given Manchins and Sinemas opposition to a filibuster carve out, this effort too is likely to fail. While the scheme could still pass with the support of GOP swing voters like Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Susan Collins (R-Maine), or Lisa Murkowski, these have given no indication that they will flip.

Even Romney, who Democrats have eyed as a potential defector, criticized Democrats for their all-or-nothing attitude toward election legislation, leaving little chance for either of the bills being debated Tuesday to make it to President Joe Bidens desk.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) questions witnesses on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 24, 2021. (Michael Reynolds/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

DirecTVs Plan to Remove One America News Faces Pushback From Senators

DirecTVs plan to drop One America News Network (OAN) from its channel offerings is facing pushback from Republicans in Congress.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) announced this week that he canceled his subscription to the satellite-TV provider.

Why give money to people who hate us? he said in a statement.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), meanwhile, sent a letter (pdf) to DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow calling for the company to halt its plans to remove OAN from its lineup when the television networks contract expires.

There has not been sufficient justification from DirecTV as to why OANs contract was not renewed by your company, the letter reads. A vague routine internal review and the lack of transparency with the viewers of OAN in Montana in your decision-making process is unacceptable and has the appearance of targeting supporters of former President Donald Trump.

He asked Morrow to reevaluate the decision in light of DirecTV being the only option for live television in many parts of Montana.

It is important to have a range of media outlets in todays political atmosphere and by removing conservative content such as OAN on your platform; you are hindering Montanans ability to view their preferred outlet, Daines wrote.

DirecTV, which has about 15 million subscribers, hasnt responded to requests by The Epoch Times for comment.

A spokesperson for the company told Bloomberg that a routine internal review led to the decision not to renew its contract with OAN after the current one expires in April. Bloomberg reported that DirecTV is OANs largest distributor.

While OAN officials declined to comment, in a post on its website that has since been taken down, they urged supporters to call DirectTV to demand OAN remains on your channel lineup.

Join the movement and stand up for freedom of the press! OAN said, listing phone numbers for the company.

OAN was launched in 2004 in California. It describes itself as a family owned and operated, independent media company focused on providing high quality national television programming to consumers via its national cable networks.

Verizon FiOS also carries OAN, as do other some other television providers.

Other lawmakers weighed in against DirecTVs plan, including Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

DirecTV cutting OANN is latest example how corporate leftist media is silencing conservative voices in direct response to Biden administration & democrats smear campaign on allowing [people] to hear different viewpoints that are critical of the administration, Grassley wrote on Twitter.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) added: The Lefts purge continues: YouTube demonetizes Dan Bongino. DirectTV drops One America News. Twitter suspends Dr. Malone. Whos next?

No Democrats have appeared to comment, but some last year pressured television carriers to stop hosting OAN, Fox News, and Newsmax.
A gas meter is pictured in the cellar of a home in Bad Honnef, near Bonn, Germany, on Jan. 4, 2022. (Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters)

Euro Zone Consumers in for a Shock as Power Bills Soar

FRANKFURTWhen Christian Hurtz opened his electricity bill just before New Year, his jaw dropped: it had more than trebled from the rate he signed up for.

The 41-year-old software developer from Cologne, Germany, is one of millions of Europeans who have seen their energy costs balloon as providers go out of business because of soaring gas prices or pass them on to customers.

Spending more on heating, lighting or running a car is straining many households budgets and shaking expectations that a consumer-led economic boom will follow pandemic-era restraint.

At first I thought that was the amount for three months, said Hurtz, whose bill came from the provider of last resort after his own energy company stopped supplying.

When I realised they wanted it every single month, my jaw dropped. It spoiled my Christmas break a bit, he told Reuters.

In 2020, euro zone households spent an average of $1369 dollar (1,200 euros) on electricity and gas. That figure is set to swell to $2110 dollar (1,850 euros) this year, according to analysts at BofA, as geopolitical tensions push up natural gas prices which the scarce supply of energy from renewable sources cannot offset.

Hurtz and hundreds of thousands of other customers of private energy firms that went out of business or stopped supply last yearincluding 39 in Germany alonehave found themselves paying two or three times the rates they thought they had secured.

Consumer Boom?

This year was meant to see consumer spending drive growth after two years of COVID-19 lockdowns and layoffs.

The European Central Bank said in December it expected the eurozone economy to expand by 4.2 percent in 2022, driven by a 5.9 percent surge in private consumption.

But higher energy costs hitting households at home and at the petrol pumpwith oil rising by half and wholesale prices for natural gas quadrupling in a yearare throwing those forecasts into question.

Energy typically accounts for slightly more than 6 percent of private consumption in the eurozone but this could rise to 810 percent as a result of higher prices, according to INGs estimates, reducing what is available to spend on other goods.

This would also be in line with previous episodes of higher energy prices, in which almost all countries saw other expenditures dropping, INGs economist Carsten Brzeski said.

The hit to growth is likely to be significant.

In Italy, for example, gas and electricity prices will shave 2.9 percent off household consumption this year and 1.1 percent off GDP if they stay close to their current levels, according to consultancy firm Nomisma Energia.

The weakness of Italian consumption has always been one of the main impediments for stronger GDP growth and 2022 levels will further worsen the problems, Nomisma Energias chairman Davide Tabarelli said.

The picture is even more severe in Spain, where economists at BBVA put the hit to growth at 1.4 percent for this year in estimates published in December, and based on market prices that are below current levels.

If price increases come from higher demand, they are less damaging, Miguel Cardoso of BBVA Research said. The current situation is not like that. We are seeing a negative supply shock.

In Germany, the RWI Institute estimated consumer spending would probably not exceed pre-crisis levels again until the second quarter of 2022 and said rising prices were likely to deter people from making major purchases.

France was a partial exception as the government of President Emmanuel Macron, who is seeking re-election in May, has capped electricity price increases at 4 percent.

Other governments too are taking steps, ranging from cutting taxes on energy to giving subsidies to poorer households.

But these will offset only about a quarter of the 54 percent increase in energy bills from 2020, according to BofA estimates.

Some people have already started tightening their belts.

One must really cut down, Hurtz said. Its come to the point when one needs to wonder if they can still afford that cheese or if they should buy one from the lower shelf.

By Francesco Canepa
FDNY Lieutenant Shares Subway Safety Tips After Woman Is Pushed to Death in Front of Train

A lieutenant with the New York City Fire Department has shared subway safety tips with members of the public after an Asian woman was pushed to her death in front of an oncoming train in the city on Saturday.

Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, was waiting on the southbound platform inside Times Square subway station on Saturday morning when Simon Martial, 61, who has mental health issues, pushed her onto the train tracks and she was struck by an R train, officials said.

A candlelit vigil was held in her honor on Tuesday on the Red Steps at Father Duffy Square in Times Square. It was attended by NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Congresswoman Grace Meng, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and other elected officials as well as Gos family and friends, the non-profit organization Asians Fighting Injustice said.

Her senseless murder has shaken the city and has seeded more sorrow, fear, and anger in the Asian community, the organization said.

Police said an investigation into the incident is still ongoing but that they believe the attack was unprovoked.

As the investigation gets underway, FDNY fire lieutenant Sarinya Srisakul has taken to TikTok to share her tips on subway safety and what to do if you find yourself on the tracks as a train approaches.

I hate talking about this, Srisakul begins the video, but lets talk about how to survive getting pushed on the subway. First of all your best defense is self-defense.

The lieutenant then recommends that people try to take trains at times where there are other people around in the station and that while waiting for the train to arrive, they wait by the wall, preferably with others, and not near the train track.

If you do get pushed on the tracks from the platform, it is a five-foot wall so the only way you can get back up is if people on the platform are there to help you up, Srisakul explained. If you cant get pulled up, walk to the end of the tunnel and you should see a ladder that you can climb up to the platform.

At the end of the platform, there will also be blue lights where individuals will find a push-to-talk phone that allows them to speak to the dispatcher for the subway, Srisakul said.

The most critical thing to know is that the third rail in between the tracks is an extremely high voltage rail and must be avoided at all costs as it can kill a person if they come into contact with it. The lieutenant said there is a button along the tracks that will take the power out of the third high voltage rail.

A subway train at a Brooklyn station in New York City on Nov. 18, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

People use the New York City subway in New York City on June 3, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

If a person is unable to get back onto the platform in time before a train arrives, there are also notches in between the train tracks that serve as clearances for workers, allowing them to stand within them while the train goes past. However, she noted that if there are red and white lines visible on the wall of the track, this indicates that there are no clearances.

Srisakul went on to give advice for bystanders who witness someone falling onto the tracks, advising them to check to see if there is an oncoming train and, if they have time to safely do so, try to pull the person up from the tracks, noting that two people working to help pull the person up would be faster.

Bystanders should also get other people on the platform to alert workers about the incident so that they can inform the conductor of the train to stop it before it approaches the tracks.

If you are inside the subway, there are these emergency breaks, they do not make the train stop on a dime, it does take a while for the train to stop and sometimes they do coast but its something that you can do to try to help the person, Srisakul said.

I hope these tips help you feel more confident taking the train in New York. We have to help each other during these crazy times, Srisakul concluded her video.

During a press briefing in Times Square subway station on Saturday, police said they were alerted to the attack at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time and upon attending the incident, they found Go with severe trauma to her body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

This incident was unprovoked and the victim does not appear to have any interaction with the subject, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said late afternoon.

Sewell said Martial fled the scene immediately after pushing Go but handed himself into police a short while later. Police said that it is unclear whether Go was targeted because of her race.

Police later charged Martial with murder in connection to the assault.
A student skateboards to campus at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2020 (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Fighting the Good Fight: Small Wins Against Radical Feminism

Commentary

Theres been an exciting outcome to a seven-year battle against an Australian university in Victoria that torpedoed a mans Ph.D. This tenacious manIll call him Philiphas just achieved a confidential settlement, which is a tribute to his fighting spirit but also a lesson to us all about the importance of fighting back against anti-male prejudice.

All was looking good in March 2014 when Philip submitted his Ph.D. on workplace male age discrimination. It was a solid piece of work, nothing remotely inflammatory and included information about discrimination against both older women as well as men.

Phillip was a mature student who had already spent years teaching in Japan and in Australian universities prior to spending 7 1/2 years doing the Ph.D. research part-time.

After all that hard work, he thought it would be smooth sailing. But then the trouble started. Somehow his research school failed to submit the thesis for over four months, then finally did so using a version with a distorted format that apparently screwed up when the supervisor added some last-minute changes.

This mangled version of the thesis was submitted to poorly qualified examiners unfamiliar with key aspects of the methodology, who then failed itsomehow claiming the format problems amounted to plagiarism.

The saga continued over two years with all sorts of anomalies in the way examiners were selectedwith a total of seven being brought in before the university reached their final decision.

The person pulling the strings during this whole process was a self-described feminist professor who claimed she had the discretionary power to make the final decision, overriding all the problems which had emerged during the long ordeal. She ultimately failed the thesis.

Protesters attend the Womens March 4 Justice Rally in Canberra, Australia, on March 15, 2021. (Jamila Toderas/Getty Images)

Throughout this process, Philip desperately tried to alert university authorities to what was going on. He contacted the universitys ombuds, all the relevant complaints bodies, wrote to politicians, higher education complaints bodiesall to no avail. There was an appeal, but the result remained unchanged.

Eventually, he applied to another university and completed the Ph.D. there submitting virtually the same thesis, and this went through without a hitch. But as a result of the whole fiasco, he lost two overseas teaching jobs hed been offered and his health suffered. It all took a huge toll.

Hes spent the last four years trying to take action against the university for the way he was treated. Lawyers told him it was all too hard, far too expensive but he did his own homework, dug up relevant legal precedents and ended up achieving court-ordered mediation which led to a confidential settlement with the university. Sadly, this now prevents Philip from talking about his story.

But whats been obvious to me from the start was the key role played by a feminist academic who appears to have misused her position of power to destroy work that challenged her ideological view of the world.

On the other side of the world is another man, also a former Ph.D. student, who has taken many of them on. This is Kursat Christoff Pekgoz, now back in his native country, Turkey, after six years of fighting anti-discrimination cases against American universities. Ive just made a YouTube video with Kursat about his extraordinary battle.

Heres a young man who launched complaint after complaint against American universities, exposing their blatant anti-male policies, the billions of dollars spent on affirmative action promoting women throughout the universities, despite females outnumbering males in almost every course and department.

He challenged Harvard over the inclusion in the curriculum of poisonous masculinity guidelines which classified traditional masculinity as harmful.

He recruited 192 leading scholars, including Jordan Peterson, Christina Hoff Sommers, and Warren Farrell, to join a complaint about the immense resources Cornell University invests in womenlike 390 female-only scholarships, with none dedicated only to men.

A student walks on campus at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 3, 2020. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

American colleges discriminate against men in every area possible: college admissions, recruitment and employment preferences, women-only dorms and study spaces, affirmative action for women in STEM, Womens Centres, Womens Studies.

Kursat conducted a very serious hunger strike, lasting over 32 days, which ended up persuading the Department of Education to investigate Yale for their abundant, exclusively female programs and scholarships.

Interestingly, Kursats coalition used the argument that men are a minority in colleges, which shifts the logic of affirmative action. The result set a precedentthe first time the department had taken action against an Ivy League institution over discrimination against men.

The publicity surrounding Kursats hunger strike also led to him challenging the allegedly anti-male civil rights attorney, Laura Faer, who headed up the San Francisco Office of the Education Department, which had never resolved a single complaint from a male student. Faer was fired from her job.

Kursat was having some serious wins, but that made him a target and he suddenly was faced with a ludicrous sexual harassment charge, when a fellow student he had turned down romantically accused him of manipulating her emotions and lying by saying he was not attracted to her.

The college investigation into the charge clearly didnt take this very seriously, sentencing him to a single counselling session.

During all of this Kursat was working on his Ph.D. in the English Department at the University of Southern California, an epicentre of campus wokedom.

The women in charge started firing missiles in his direction, trying to get him removed from the graduate program, working to sabotage his dissertation, cutting off his stipend, and eventually failing his Ph.D. Hes back in Turkey, now applying to return to America to study law. Hes not giving up.

Kursat is an inspiration to us all. Now what we need is thousands like himand Philipbrave, tenacious men and women prepared to start challenging this bias against men that is currently disseminating through our universities and societies.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Germany Could Halt Pipeline If Russia Attacks Ukraine, Scholz Signals

BERLIN/MOSCOWGermany may consider halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia attacks Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz signaled on Tuesday, as pressure grew on his government to take a more hawkish stance on the Kremlin.

Scholz met NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Berlin to discuss the next steps after talks between Russia and Western states on the Kremlins deployment of troops along Ukraines border ended without a breakthrough last week.

Scholz has previously said Germany is open to sanctions in the event of a Russian attack on Ukraine, with everything on the tablewhich would include the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany which is intended to bring more Russian gas to Western Europe.

Some observers say he is sending mixed signals by calling the pipeline, which has already been built but not yet approved for operation, a private commercial project that should not be singled out for sanctions.

His Social Democrats, the senior partner in a three-way government coalition, have historically been closer to Russia than other German parties, and Berlin is under pressure to find a way to fill its energy gap as it withdraws from coal and nuclear power production and becomes more green.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (L) speaks during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, on Jan. 18, 2022. (Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters)

Opponents of Nord Stream 2, including Ukraine and the United States, say it will make Europe too dependent on Russia for energy supplies.

Responding to a question on Nord Stream 2, Scholz told reporters it was clear that there will be a high price to pay and that everything will have to be discussed should there be a military intervention in Ukraine.

The fate of the project could ultimately be out of Germanys hands as it is subject to the approval of European Union regulators. The EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said last week that approval was tied to any potential conflict with Russia over Ukraine.

More NATO-Russia Talks

Stoltenberg said he had invited NATO allies and Russia to a further series of meetings at the NATO-Russia Council to discuss ways to improve the security situation, after an inconclusive first round of talks in two years last week.

NATOs allies are prepared to discuss concrete proposals on how to reduce risks and enhance transparency regarding military activities and how to reduce space and cyber threats, he told a joint news conference with Scholz.

We are also prepared to resume the exchange of briefings on exercises and our respective nuclear policies.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a news conference in Moscow, on Jan. 18, 2022. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

Russia denies plans to attack Ukraine. But Moscow says it could take unspecified military action if its demandsincluding a promise by the NATO alliance never to admit Kyivare not met.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said earlier on Tuesday during a visit to see Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow that it was difficult not to assess Russias military build-up near Ukraines borders as a threat.

Lavrov suggested Nord Stream 2 would add to both German and European energy security, saying Moscow drew the attention of our German colleagues to the counter-productiveness of attempts to politicize this project.

By Sabine Siebold and Alexander Ratz
Supporters of jailed activist Edward Leung, gather outside the High Court as Leung appeals against his conviction and sentence, in Hong Kong, China, October 9, 2019. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

Hong Kong Activist Edward Leung Released From Prison

Hong Kong activist Edward Leung has been released from prison, the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department (CSD) confirmed on Wednesday.

Principal Information Officer Rita Ma of the CSD approached reporters outside Shek Pik prison on Hong Kongs Lantau Island early on Wednesday morning and asked: Why are you still here, hes already gone around 3am.

Leung inspired strong support for ideas about Hong Kongs identity and autonomy, which Chinas Communist Party does not tolerate.

Edward Leung arrives at the High Court before facing rioting charges in Hong Kong on Jan. 18, 2018. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)

He was jailed in 2018 for offenses related to clashes in 2016. His early release for good behavior was expected on Wednesday.

Leung is famous locally for having popularized the phrase Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times which was prominent during protests in 2019.

Attendees raise a flag that reads Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution Of Our Times during a candlelit remembrance in Victoria Park in Hong Kong on June 4, 2020. (ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2021, Hong Kong authorities criminalized the use of this phrase in the first trial against another young man, Tong Ying-kit, under the territorys new National Security Law imposed by Chinas Communist Party government in Beijing.

On Tuesday, the day before his release, Leungs social media sites called for people to stay away from the remote prison where he has been held.
The members of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1937. Front row (L-R) Associate Justices Louis Brandeis and Willis Van Devanter; Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes; Associate Justices James Clark McReynolds and George Sutherland. Back row (L-R) Associate Justices Owen Roberts, Pierce Butler, Harlan Fiske Stone, and Benjamin Cardozo. (MPI/Getty Images)

How the Supreme Court Rewrote the Constitution: 19371944

Part II: The Stage Is Set

Commentary

The first installment in this series described Americas limited and frugal federal government from 1789 until the 1930s. This second installment explains how the stage was set for radical change.

Crisis and Depression

In October 1929, a financial bubble broke. As always happens when financial bubbles break, people lost a great deal and hardship ensued. But bubbles had been breaking for centuries. Wise people knew that in financial panics, most government intervention does more harm than good. They had learned that the best solution was for government to assist private charity in relieving the destitute, but otherwise allow the economy to reorganize and recover naturally.

However, most people arent wise. In times of hardship, they insist that government do something. Officeholders respond according to a classic political syllogism:

We must do something!

This is something.

Therefore, we must do this!

Unfortunately, this almost always exacerbates the damage or, at best, comes too late to be of much (or any) benefit.

Theres a common belief that President Herbert Hoover did relatively little to respond to the Depression but that President Franklin D. Roosevelts bold action largely cured it. This is untrue.

Hoover approved a steep tariff to protect American producers, and the Federal Reserve tightened credit. Hoover also approved massive federal spending. Conditions kept getting worse, and in 1932, Roosevelt defeated Hoovers bid for reelection.

As a candidate, Roosevelt had campaigned against Hoovers profligacy, but once elected, he spent even more. His New Deal featured huge expenditures on work projects, some of real value but many wasteful. Roosevelt manipulated the currency, adopting contradictory policies. Rather than allowing prices to drop to the point at which the market would clear, he tried to raise prices by curbing business competition. New Deal programs destroyed surplus agricultural goods while many around the world were starving.

Far from curing the Depression, the Hoover and Roosevelt policies aggravated it. The stock market crash of 1929 should have triggered only a sharp but short recession. Under federal mismanagement, it initiated the Great Depression. A halting recovery stalled in 1937, and the economy collapsed again. Living standards remained low until economic restrictions were lifted after World War II.

This wasnt the first time federal politicians had responded to bubble-breakage with bubble-headed ideas. But before the 1930s, their limited constitutional powers curbed their ability to wreak havoc. Beginning in the 1930s, the Supreme Court allowed them to wreak havoc unimpeded.

The Supreme Court in 1934

In 1934, as now, the Supreme Court comprised nine justices. The chief justice was Charles Evans Hughes.

Hughes was one of Americas most respected statesmen. He had served as governor of New York, then as an associate justice on the Supreme Court. He resigned from the court to accept the Republican nomination for president in 1916, losing narrowly to Woodrow Wilson. He served as secretary of state in the HardingCoolidge administration (192125) and then returned to the private practice of law. In 1930, Hoover sent him back to the court as chief justice.

In those days, many Republicans were of the progressive Theodore Roosevelt variety. While governor of New York, Hughes proved himself a progressive. By the 1930s and 1940s, progressives were calling themselves liberals, so we shall use both terms.

Associate Justice Owen Roberts, another Republican Hoover appointee, was a fluctuating vote, somewhat like our present Chief Justice John Roberts. Overall, however, Owen Roberts moved left over time.

Commentators frequently divide the other seven justices into two camps. The names they apply to the two camps reflect the liberal bias of the chattering classes. They call the three most progressive justices The Three Musketeersa name suggesting a jolly set of fellows. The Three Musketeers were Louis Brandeis (nominated by Wilson), Benjamin Cardozo (by Hoover), and Harlan F. Stone (by Calvin Coolidge). Brandeis and Cardozo were the courts first Jewish members. All three are much admired among academics.

The remaining four justices were more conservative. Liberal commentators call them the The Four Horsemen, a phrase suggesting apocalyptic disaster. One of the four, however, compiled a mixed rather than a purely conservative record. George Sutherland (nominated by Warren G. Harding) had a progressive background, and in 1923, he authored a decision making it difficult to challenge the constitutionality of federal spending programs (pdf). In 1936, he wrote an opinion claiming the federal government could exercise foreign policy powers beyond those authorized by the Constitution (pdf). In 1937, he joined a Cardozo opinion lifting almost all constitutional restraints on federal spending (pdf).

The other three Horsemen were James McReynolds, a Democrat and nasty anti-Semite who had been nominated by Wilson; Pierce Butler, a Democrat nominated by the Republican Harding; and Willis Van Devanter, a Republican nominated by Republican William Howard Taft.

McReynolds, Butler, and Van Devanter were the last conservative activists to serve on the Supreme Court. By conservative activist, I mean a judge willing to manipulate the Constitution to achieve conservative political goals. As I have explained elsewhere, there are no conservative activists on the present bench, although there are three liberal activists.

In sum, the 1934 Supreme Court contained three conservative activists (McReynolds, Butler, and Van Devanter), two justices with mixed tendencies (Sutherland and Roberts), a moderate liberal (Hughes), and three staunch liberals (Stone, Brandeis, and Cardozo).

The Liberal/Progressive Philosophy

The liberals of the 1930s didnt display the quasi-totalitarianism that mars the current progressive crowd. However, they did believe in a centralized scientific government by experts. That belief put them in tension with American constitutional principles of limited government and judicial neutrality.

In 1934, the court decided Home Building & Loan Assn. v. Blaisdell (pdf). In that case, the court weakened (at least temporarily) the Constitutions ban on state laws impairing the Obligation of Contracts (Article I, Section 10, Clause 1). The vote was 54.

In his majority opinion, Chief Justice Hughes used the occasion to outline liberal/progressive attitudes toward government and the Constitution. Here is an excerpt:

There has been a growing appreciation of public needs and of the necessity of finding ground for a rational compromise between individual rights and public welfare. The  pressure of a constantly increasing density of population, the interrelation of the activities of our people and the complexity of our economic interests, have inevitably led to an increased use of the organization of society in order to protect the very bases of individual opportunity. Where, in earlier days, it was thought that only the concerns of individuals or of classes were involved and that those of the state itself were touched only remotely, it has later been found that the fundamental interests of the state are directly affected. If by the statement that what the Constitution meant at the time of its adoption it means to-day, it is intended to say that the great clauses of the Constitution must be confined to the interpretation which the framers, with the conditions and outlook of their time, would have placed upon them, the statement carries its own refutation. It was to guard against such a narrow conception that Chief Justice Marshall uttered the memorable warning: We must never forget, that it is a Constitution we are expounding.'

What Hughes was saying was:

Government must balance individual rights against the general welfare.

Life is a lot more complicated and interrelated than formerly. Only the government can untangle this complexity.

The Founders understanding doesnt bind our interpretation of the Constitution. The claim that it does carries its own refutation.

Traditional constitutional interpretations are narrow. (Progressives also called them mechanical and formalistic.)

Chief Justice John Marshalls views justify progressive reinterpretations.

Of course, all those ideas are subject to intelligent challenge.

One last point: Hughes badly misrepresented the views of Marshall. When Marshall wrote We must never forget, that it is a Constitution we are expounding, he wasnt saying a judge should ignore the Constitutions original meaning. He was explaining how to use a common rule of interpretation to find the Constitutions original meaning.

Later installments in this series explain how the courts progressives continued to misrepresent Marshall when they dismantled constitutional restraints on federal power. The misrepresentation of Marshall continues among liberal academics even today (pdf).

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
In this screenshot taken from a video, smoke rises from an oil pipeline near the town of Pazarcik in the Kahramanmaras Province, Turkey, on Jan. 18, 2022. (IHA agency via AP)

Huge Explosion Hits Key Iraq-Turkey Oil Pipeline, Sending Oil Prices to 7-Year-High

A huge explosion hit a key oil pipeline in the city of Kahramanmaras in southeastern Turkey late on Tuesday evening, officials said, sending oil prices to a seven-year-high.

Turkeys state pipeline operator Botas said in a statement that it had cut oil flow at the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline following the explosion and that firefighters and emergency personnel has been working to put out the blaze.

The explosion occurred near the 511th kilometer (318th mile) of the pipeline in Kahramanmaras provinces Pazarck district at around 19.30 local time. It is not yet known what caused the eruption.

Botas said the companys emergency teams, Kahramanmaras municipality officials, Gaziantep municipality officials, and firefighters were working together to get the situation under control and that the fire had been put out.

The oil pipeline will be back in operation as soon as possible after the necessary measures have been taken, the company said.

Kahramanmaras Mayor Hayrettin Gungor told Ihlas News Agency on Tuesday that there had been no reported injuries from the blast and that authorities were working to contain the fires.

Thankfully, there have been no casualties after the explosion, Gungor said. Our efforts to put out the fire are ongoing.

Despite reports that the explosion may have affected some residential areas located near the explosion zone, Kahramanmaras Governor Omer Faruk Coskun said this was not the case.

A highway near the explosion was temporarily closed, local news outlet The Daily Sabbah reports. Authorities also closed a nearby highway connecting Kahramanmaras to neighboring metropolis Gaziantep as the fire has spread to those areas.

The Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline, also known as the Iraq-Turkey Crude Oil Pipeline, is a 970-kilometer-long pipeline that transports crude oil from Kirkuk in Iraq to export facilities in southern Ceyhan in Turkey and is Iraqs largest crude oil export line. The pipeline moved more than 450,000 barrels a day last year, Bloomberg reports.

The Epoch Times has contacted Botas for further comment.

This is not the first time that the Kirkuk-Ceyhan has suffered difficulties, having previously come under attack from terrorists, including Daesh, and being the subject of alleged planned bombings.

Tuesdays explosion sent oil prices soaring, up for a fourth day to a seven-year high at a time when global crude inventories are at their lowest level since October 2019.

Brent crude futures rose $1.04, or 1.2 percent, to $88.55 a barrel at 0351 GMT. The benchmark contract climbed to as much as $89.05, its highest since Oct. 13, 2014.

Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed $1.15, or 1.4 percent, to $86.58 a barrel, adding to a 1.9 percent gain on Tuesday. WTI earlier jumped to a high of $87.08, its highest since Oct. 9, 2014.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive to attend a meeting with Russian and Indian officials and businessmen in the Kremlin in Moscow, on Dec. 24, 2015. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP/Getty Images)

India Wants Both Russia and the US as Allies Against China

But Moscow is just as aggressive as Beijing against democracy

News Analysis

Russia is an unreliable, autocratic, and pro-China country. Yet India, the worlds biggest democracy, is aligned with the East European country due to a historical relationship and an Indian desire to maintain both Russian and American friends for any potential fight against China.

At a summit in December with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed to cooperate with India on military-technical matters like with no other country. Putin cited the development of high-technology military equipment and production processes, most notably within India itself.

India has a long history of friendship with what is probably best, but rarely in contemporary times, described as an East European empire. On Aug. 9, 1971, the Soviet Union and India signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation in New Delhi, but the relationship extends back much further into history.

Today, the old Soviet Union has crumbled. Russia is economically impoverished due in part to its territorial aggression in Ukraine and the resulting Western sanctions.

China is rising into the worlds wealthiest, most militarily powerful, and territorially-aggressive dictatorship. Russia has little of value to sell internationally, other than oil, gas, and wheat. And it has military technology developed during the Cold War, which it leverages for political power. India wants to buy in order to indigenize its own military production for the increasingly hot fight against China in Indias northern border regions.

But some cooperation with Moscow on military production will destroy existing indigenous capabilities. Moscow and New Delhi plan to produce over 600,000 Russian AK-203 assault rifles over 10 years in India, for example. But they will replace indigenously-developed and manufactured INSAS light arms, which the Indian military has used for three decades. The new Indian-Russian AKs would not initially be 100 percent Indian-produced, and some parts would be made in Russia.

Other paradoxes and fissures in the Russia-India relationship are tangible.

Former ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar noted in New Delhis Sunday Guardian on Jan. 15 that Indias growing relations with the US and Russias expanding ties with China and Pakistan are issues on which there can be conflict of interest between India and Russia.

Sajjanhar is also the president of New Delhis Institute of Global Studies. His comments appeared in a review of Achala Mouliks latest book, Commemorating 50 Years of India-Russia Relations.

This relationship is important to global politics, including the U.S. conflict with China, as democracy advocates around the world should want the best for Indianot a risky relationship with a territorially-aggressive Russia, aligned with an even more dangerous foe: China. If India weakens because of a Russian double-cross, for example, then democracy weakens globally.

There are plenty of opportunities for such a double-cross. In December, India and Russia pledged military cooperation, including on the new BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, for another decade. This is the latest step in highly-technical, and thus fragile, defense cooperation between the two countries, which includes Indias planned purchase of S-400 surface-to-air missiles.

Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems move through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2021. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

America thinks such purchases are unwise. When Turkey bought the S-400 system, the U.S. sanctioned it under the 2017 Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Washington is threatening the same against New Delhi, along with a downgrade to U.S.-Indian cooperation more generally.

Moscows continued hold on India distances the South Asian country from far better opportunities for defense cooperation with the United States and Europe, with whom it shares values of democracy and freedom.

The most high profile of the Moscow-Delhi collaborations, the BrahMos missile deal, is about India trying to become an arms exporter, wrote Joyeeta Basu, editor at the Sunday Guardian in New Delhi. Its about giving a push to indigenous industry, which is a priority for the present government.

Basu wrote in an email: Successive governments had ignored this aspect and kept India dependent on arms imports. Things have started to change now.

Exporting arms, such as the recent Indian sale of the BrahMos to the Philippines, would immeasurably increase Indias diplomatic and military influence globally, along with its foreign exchange reserves and economic growth.

According to Basu, getting an order for Brahmos missiles from a foreign country is very significant for India. Its the first big order coming from abroad.

Basu and another Indian defense expert, Subir Bhaumik, hinted that Vietnam and Indonesia also want to buy the BrahMos system.

The sale of Brahmos marks an important landmark for India in its effort to become an exporter of military hardware, Bhaumik wrote in an email. So far [India] is one of the highest importers of military hardware but the Brahmos sale to Philippines is a noteworthy game-changer.

Indias military sales will increase the massive South Asian countrys military diplomacy in Asia and if Vietnam and Indonesia follow the Philippines in buying Brahmos, it surely helps Delhi develop strong military relations with these countries who have given enough indication to stand up to China, Bhaumik wrote.

That these countries are close to Chinas nightmare, the Malacca chokepoint, is significant, not  least because the Indian navy is getting a base in Sabang, Indonesia fairly soon, he said. It has been training Vietnamese submariners.

Sajjanhar noted that Indias Quad security relationship with the United States, Japan, and Australia, along with Indo-Pacific issues more generally, and China in particular, has led to Russo-Indian tensions.

India has tried to explain to its Russian interlocutors that Indias growing relations with the US or its membership of the Quad or Indo-Pacific are not in any way directed against Russia, wrote Sajjanhar. They are an insurance against the aggression and expansionist policy of China.

That Russia has not supported India in its relationship with the United States and allies is difficult for the Russo-Indian relationship.

It is a matter of regret that Russia has failed to fully appreciate the threat that India faces from China on its land borders, particularly because there is no lessening of Chinas intimidating actions in sight, Sajjanhar wrote.

What is more, India dislikes that Russia adopts language supportive of China. Some Russian officials  sing paeans of praise for Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, fully realising that its flagship project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through territory illegally occupied by Pakistan, wrote Sajjanhar.

It would be reassuring if these Russian officials were to simultaneously criticise China for its aggression against India, for unilaterally violating all the agreements signed between the two for maintaining peace and tranquility on their border and for constructing the CPEC through territory belonging to India.

Sanjahar argued that Russia would not wish to see a China-dominated Asia or a China-dominated world. In pursuit of a multi polar world, India is its most viable partner.

India is an important balancing partner against Beijings growing economic and military power, and its goals of global hegemony. But Moscow, aligned as it is with Beijing, poses the risk of a double-cross, and the distancing of India from true friends of democracy in Europe and North America.

Lets hope that India can wean itself, with the help of other world democracies and allies, from reliance on an alignment with Russias unreliable technology and illiberal influence.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Irvine Asphalt Plant Cited Twice in One Week for Odor: Authorities

IRVINE, Calif.An asphalt plant that residents say has been causing odor for years received Jan. 18 its second violation in a week, authorities say.

All American Asphalt, located in Northeast Irvines Loma Ridge foothills, was cited by the air pollution agency, called South Coast Air Quality Management District, for discharging  air contaminants which cause nuisance to a considerable number of persons or to the public.

Local residents, some of whom live less than a mile away from the plant, say the odors and accompanying toxins in the air have been causing itchy eyes, headaches, and more.

Residents are frustrated because were three years in and were still trying to encourage residents to make complaints because its the only legally enforceable process to deal with All American Asphalt, Kim Konte, a resident who lives within the affected area and founder of community group Non-Toxic Neighborhoods, told The Epoch Times.

An earlier Jan. 13 citation by the air pollution agency came after it received 14 complaints in one day about the bad air quality coming from the plant. After receiving the complaints, inspectors were dispatched to the scene and were able to trace the odors back to the plant.

All American Asphalt was not available for comment by press time.

The roadway to the entry of All American Asphalt in Irvine, Calif., on Dec. 9, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Irvine Councilman Larry Agran, who has been a supporter of the community groups quest to find a solution to the odors, said the plant needs to be shut down so residents can breathe fresh air again.

The violations are just a part of the larger, now well-documented problem, Agran told The Epoch Times, describing how residents have been dealing with the odors for years. The only reliable solution to this problem is the plants shut down and removal, something that needs to happen right away. The continuing assault on folks is intolerable and needs to stop immediately.

According to the air pollution agency, the asphalt company has received six violations and has received over 1,200 complaints from residents since 2019.

In response, according to the pollution agency, the plant installed new equipment to reduce the odors, which resulted in a significant decrease in complaints over the past year.

But Konte, the local resident, said she disputes that claim and said air quality has never been worse.

According to Konte, air quality control has been slow to issue violations, and the issue has only worsened since last August. It was at that time, she said, that the asphalt company received a permit for a new piece of equipment that creates asphalt out of discarded scrap rubber.

According to the air pollution agency, the asphalt company has, thus far, $53,000 in fines.

Thats not nearly enough, Konte said.

[Theyve] exposed our community to over a year of those toxins, with zero consequences, she said. $53,000 is such a slap on the wrist. Its a joke, they laugh all the way to the bank.
Israel's Iron Dome aerial defense system is launched to intercept rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, above the southern Israeli city of Sderot, on May 18, 2021. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel Says It Successfully Tests Long-Range Missile Defense

JERUSALEMIsrael said Tuesday it has successfully tested a system designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the earths atmosphere.

The Arrow Weapon System is part of an array of missile defenses Israel has developed in recent years to protect itself in any future conflict with archenemy Iran or regional terrorist groups, such as the Lebanese Hezbollah or the Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip, both allies of Iran.

The Defense Ministry said the system detected the target and fired two Arrow 3 interceptors at it, calling the mission a success.

With every step forward, with every development, we equip the state of Israel with the capabilities to defend itself against developing threats, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement. Our systems provide Israel with the freedom to maneuver strategically.

The system was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, a state-run defense firm, in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

This test was designed to challenge every element of the Arrow Weapon System, and it performed beautifully, said Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director of the agency. MDA remains committed to assisting the government of Israel in upgrading its missile defense capability against current and emerging threats.

Israels shorter-range missile defenses were on vivid display during last years 11-day Gaza war, when the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas fired over 4,000 rockets at Israel. The military says it intercepted around 90 percent of the rockets it targeted, with the others mostly falling in open areas.
President Donald Trump attorney and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani speaks at a press conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington on Nov. 19, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Jan. 6 Panel Subpoenas Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Others

The House committee probing the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol issued subpoenas on Jan. 18 to former President Donald Trumps personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, attorneys Sidney Powell and Jenna Ellis, and former campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn.

The three attorneys and Epshteyn have been ordered to hand over documents by Feb. 1 and sit for depositions on Feb. 8. Its unclear at this stage whether theyll comply with the subpoenas.

The four individuals advanced unsupported theories about election fraud, pushed efforts to overturn election results, or were in direct contact with the former President, the House panel wrote on Twitter on Jan. 18.

We expect these individuals to join the nearly 400 witnesses who have spoken with the Select Committee as the committee works to get answers for the American people about the violent attack on our democracy, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the panel, said in a statement.

Robert Costello, an attorney for Giuliani, said in an interview that the subpoena is political theater and that his client is constrained by the legal doctrines of attorney-client privilege and executive privilege.

I dont think theres anything here he can testify about, Costello said.

Powell, Giuliani, and Ellis jointly spoke at a Trump campaign news conference on Nov. 19, 2020, when they vowed to overturn the results of the November 2020 election.

Epshteyn, who held a senior adviser position for Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, was a member of a command center team based in Washington in the lead-up to the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol, The Washington Post reported.

In his letter to Epshteyn, Thompson noted a report that said he had participated in a phone call with Trump on the morning of Jan. 6, and delaying the certification of election results was a topic that was discussed.

The chairman made reference to Elliss involvement in the preparation and circulation of two memos purporting to analyze the constitutional authority for the Vice President to reject or delay counting electoral votes from states that had submitted alternate slates of electors.

You actively promoted claims of election fraud on behalf of former President Trump and sought to convince state legislators to take steps to overturn the election results, the panel wrote to Giuliani, who served as the lead Trump campaign election attorney.

Powell is accused of encouraging Trump in December 2020 to seize voting machines and find evidence that foreign adversaries had hacked those machines and altered the results of the election.

Officials with the Jan. 6 panel didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for additional comment by press time.

Reuters contributed to this report.
LA City Clerk: Bonin Recall Campaign Signatures Insufficient

LOS ANGELESThe efforts to recall Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin screeched to a halt after the city clerk announced on Jan. 18 the verified signatures filed by the campaign are insufficient.

City Clerk Holly Wolcott said in a press release that the petition was found to have a total of 25,965 valid signatures1,352 less than the 27,317 required.

Venice Beach residents Nico Ruderman and Katrina Schmitt initiated the recall campaign in June and submitted in November 39,188 signatureswell over 27,400, the number required to trigger a recall election.

This means that about 13,223 signatures were not verified by the city clerk.

In December, the city clerk confirmed that enough raw signatures were collected for the petition to proceed to the verification stage, and the city clerks office must verify and announce the results within 30 days after the submission of signatures.

Bonin responded to the recalls failure in a tweet thread on Jan. 18.

Today is the end of a wasteful, distracting abuse of the electoral process. But its nowhere near the end of attacks on our progressive values and solutions to homelessness, he tweeted.

The councilman went on to call recalls a right-wing tactic to undermine progress in California.

[The recalls] exploit frustration and organize it into campaigns in favor of failed, expensive responses to homelessness & crime. Those issues (and how we respond)  will shape every race in LA this year, Bonin tweeted.

Bonin was elected to District 11s council seat in 2014 and reelected in 2017 by winning 71 percent of the vote. During his election campaign, Bonin promised to address crime, safety, and homelessness in the district.

However, Recall Bonin 2021s website claims Bonin failed to address these issues as homelessness and crime have been growing in the area.

In 2020, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported more than 3,200 homeless people living on the streets in Bonins districtup from the previous years 2,339 unhoused.

Under Mike Bonins watch, the humanitarian crisis of the homeless population is growing exponentially. Tax-payer money is squandered. Fires. Struggling local businesses. Crime is rampant and rising. Neighborhoods and schools are unsafe. We feel afraid to visit public beaches and community parks, the recall campaigns website stated. After seven years of this self-serving incumbent career politician, we have had enough, and we cant wait any longer.

Nico Ruderman, one of the recall campaign organizers, was not immediately available for comment.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 22, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Lawmakers Urge FDA to Explain Unusual Decision to Clear Booster Shots for Children

Twenty-five members of Congress are asking U.S. drug regulators to explain why they cleared COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for 12- to 15-year-olds without consulting a panel of expert advisers.

The population is at little risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this month authorized a booster of Pfizers shot for the age group.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and the 23 other lawmakers in a new letter asked the FDAs acting director, Dr. Janet Woodcock, to identify all individuals who provided input into the agencys decision not to convene Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, which last year rejected an effort to authorize boosters for all adults 16 and older.

They also asked for an explanation of why the panel was not convened before the unusual decision, including what factors were utilized and what scientific materials the FDA relied upon.

We owe it to Americans to stand up against bureaucrat-driven policies that take away power and information from parents to make good choices for their children. The FDAs unusual decision to bypass their normal committee approval process puts children at risk. The accumulation of mistaken federal policies carried out by executive fiat in response to the pandemicfrom lockdowns, to perpetual masking, and rushed vaccine policiesdeeply concern me, Roy told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement.

Democrats from [President] Joe Biden all the way down to county and city officials have spent the last two years trying to stop parents from choosing whats best for their children by closing schools, imposing authoritarian mandates, and selectively enforcing lockdowns. These petty tyrants have shamefully vilified and persecuted the parents who dared to challenge them. Parents are right to stand up for the kids and demand answers and accountability, and Im proud to fight for them, Cruz added.

An FDA spokeswoman confirmed receipt of the missive and said the agency would respond directly to Congress.

All three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States were originally declared highly effective against both infection and severe disease by federal officials, but their effectiveness, particularly against infection, was shown to wane considerably over time against the Delta virus variant, triggering a push for boosters.

Before the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decided on whether to clear and recommend boosters, top Biden administration officials in the fall said boosters were needed for all 16 or older, citing the weakened protection.

But the FDAs expert panel rejected the effort, advising the agency to narrow which Americans could get a booster.

Panel members didnt see a clear benefit and were concerned about post-vaccination heart inflammation, Dr. Paul Offit, one of the members, told The Epoch Times in a recent interview.

The FDA agreed, but the agency in November decided to clear boosters of all three vaccines, only consulting the panel before clearing an additional dose of the Johnson & Johnson jab.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, testifies to Congress in Washington on Jan. 11, 2022. (Shawn Thew/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

It has since avoided convening the committee on decisions to authorize boosters of Pfizers shot for 12- to 17-year-olds and immunocompromised children as young as 5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on the other hand, convened its panel before recommending boosters for all children 12 to 17.

An FDA spokesperson told The Epoch Times previously that the agencys review of data on boosters does not raise questions that would benefit from additional discussion by the members of the committee.

Regulators relied heavily on data from Israel when authorizing a Pfizer booster for kids as young as 12, alleging data from the country revealed no new safety concerns in this population because there were no new cases of myocarditis or pericarditis reported to date in these individuals.

However, an Israeli health official told a CDC meeting in early January that two cases of post-vaccination heart inflammation were detected out of some 41,610 booster doses administered to the age group.

The FDAs data review also included trial data on 78 16- or 17-year-olds, some of whom received a placebo, and no trial data on how boosters affect children 12- to 15-years-old.

Some international experts have said theres no evidence that many adolescents need booster shots, including the World Health Organizations chief scientist.

The decision to authorize boosters for teenagers is misguided and not based on any science, Dr. Paul Alexander, a former senior pandemic adviser to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told The Epoch Times in an email last month.

The U.S. lawmakers pointed out that few youths have died from COVID-19 during the pandemic, and that risks associated with vaccines are higher in children and teenagers, with several studies finding the risk of certain side effects is actually higher following vaccination than following COVID-19 infection or hospitalization.

The FDA has a responsibility to work to protect our nations children by ensuring the data and science show this booster vaccine is safe for 12- to 15-year-olds, they said. Children are still growing and developing, and these are relevant factors for consideration to ensure that this additional vaccine dosage is appropriate, especially as early teens in the 12 to 15 age group are at extremely low-risk for death and hospitalization from COVID-19.
Man Charged with Attack at Vaccine Clinic in Tustin

SANTA ANA, Calif.A 44-year-old man was charged Jan. 18 with an attack on health care workers at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Tustin after they asked him to don a mask.

Thomas Apollo of Poway was told to leave Families Together clinic at 621 W. First Street just before 10 a.m. on Dec. 30 when he refused to wear a mask, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office and police. He allegedly called the workers there murderers and cursed at them as they told him to don a mask or go outside, prosecutors said.

Apollo allegedly punched a medical assistant five times and another one twice, prompting staffers and bystanders to struggle to hold him down as police arrived, prosecutors said. Officers eventually subdued him with a Taser, prosecutors said.

Later, when he was taken to OC Global Medical Center to be treated for minor cuts and scratches, he allegedly grabbed and bent a nurses finger and groped her breast.

Apollo is charged with a count of battery on a nurse as well as two counts of battery and a count of resisting arrest, all misdemeanors. He could face up to three years in jail if convicted at trial.

Apollo is scheduled to be arraigned March 30 in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

Families Together is a nonprofit that has been one of the top administrators of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, regularly listed in the top 10 in terms of doses. Families Together has doled out 45,116 doses of vaccines, or 1.01% of the amount in the county.
Man Guilty on All Counts in Wisconsin Shooting That Killed 3

KENOSHA, Wis.A man accused of killing three people and wounding three others in an April shooting at a bar in Wisconsin was found guilty on all charges Tuesday.

The jury came back with the verdict less than two hours, including a break for pizza, after the closing arguments in the trial of Rakayo Vinson, 25, who was charged in the deaths of 24-year-old Cedric Gaston; 26-year-old Atkeem Stevenson; and 22-year-old Kevin Donaldson, all of Kenosha.

Authorities said Vinson and Donaldson exchanged punches earlier in the evening at the Somers House Tavern in the village of Somers. Surveillance video later shows Vinson walking to the patio of the bar and opening fire before fleeing. He exchanged gunfire outside tavern with Donaldson, who later died at a hospital.

Vinson was convicted of three counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, the Kenosha News reported. Each count carries a mandatory life prison sentence.

Its three (life sentences) and three 60-year sentences, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said after the verdict was announced. From my perspective, the jury made the right decision based on the facts we have.

Members of the victims families sat teary-eyed in court as the verdicts were read. Outside the courtroom after the trial, they thanked Graveley and his team for successfully prosecuting the case.

Graveley said he will request that Vinson never be released from prison. A sentencing hearing is set for March 28.

Graveley said during his closing argument Tuesday that Vinson was out for revenge. He said Vinson delivered the first punch.

The pattern of his decisions throughout this night are to be as aggressive as possible, to have every slight be a fight or combat and every combat to be escalated by the defendant, Graveley told the jury.

Vinsons attorney, Donald Bielski, said in his 30-minute closing that Vinson was not the aggressor and that he fired his weapon in self-defense.

On the evening of April 17 and 18, he did not set to or commit first-degree intentional homicide, Bielski told the jury. But for their own actions, Cedric Gaston, Atkeem Stevenson, and Kevin Donaldson would be alive today.

Justin Haymond, Jordan Momani, and Kevin Serratos were wounded but survived. Vinson was arrested in Mount Pleasant after he stole a car from friends, who turned him in after he returned the vehicle.

Vinson repeatedly argued with Judge Bruce Schroeder during the trial about Bielski and demanded a new attorney. Vinson was removed from the courtroom on Thursday for disruptive outbursts. He later changed his mind and opted to be represented by Bielski.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), leaves his office after speaking with President Joe Biden about his long-stalled domestic agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 13, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite, File/AP Photo)

Manchin on Election Legislation: The Law Already Protects Voting Rights

While speaking to reporters on Jan. 18, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) rejected his partys notion that tougher state-level election laws would obstruct voting rights, a bad sign for Democrats hoping to sway Manchin into weakening the filibuster.

After a string of policy failures for President Joe Biden before Congresss winter recess, Democrats, looking for some victory in advance of a midterm season thats expected to go in Republicanss favor, made a frantic push to finally approve election legislation.

Because all 50 Senate Republicans have opposed Democratic election proposals, the majority party has little hope of approving any partisan elections measure through the normal processes of the Senate. To get the legislation through the Senate without Republican support, Democrats would have to weaken or abolish the filibuster.

After a week of what filibuster-proponent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) described as harried discussions on how to achieve this end, Sinema and Manchin announced their unilateral opposition to such a plan. Manchin and Sinema, two moderates who have often allied against the rest of their caucus, both defended the filibuster in statements.

While I continue to support these [elections] bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division affecting our country, Sinema told her colleagues on the Senate floor.

In his own statement on the debate, Manchin wrote, Allowing one party to exert complete control in the Senate with only a simple majority will only pour fuel onto the fire of political whiplash and dysfunction that is tearing this nation apart. Especially when one party controls both Congress and the White House.

As such, and as I have said many times before, I will not vote to eliminate or weaken the filibuster.

While Sinema made clear that she supported election reform if handled through the normal Senate processes, Manchin indicated in a Jan. 18 statement that he was far less certain about the need for such wide-reaching reform.

A reporter asked Manchin how he would respond to claims that some have made that hes threatening peoples right to vote by opposing a filibuster carve-out. The West Virginia Democrat vigorously refuted the charge, saying that federal laws are already in place to protect the right to vote.

The law is there, the rules are there, and basically the government, the government will stand behind [eligible voters] and make sure they have a right to vote, Manchin said.

He also noted that recent litigation has shown that the law still works to correct genuine problems.

The things theyre talking about now are in court. The courts have struck down [violations of voting rights].  Like in Ohio, they struck down gerrymandering, Manchin said, referencing a decision by Ohios Supreme Court to strike down a newly defined district that the court ruled as gerrymandering. Things are happening, okay? We act like were gonna obstruct people from voting. Thats not gonna happen.

Through 2021, many states across the United States approved laws to strengthen their elections, driven by concerns over widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Most commonly, these laws included provisions to require voter ID or to institute stricter absentee balloting requirements, as the latter was considered to have been especially vulnerable to fraud.

According to some Democrats, these new measures constitute a new Jim Crow, as theyve alleged that the laws are intended to disproportionately affect minority voters.

The Supreme Court heard this claim in March 2021, when the Democratic National Committee (DNC) alleged that Arizonas newly-approved election laws targeted minorities and were thus illegal under the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich successfully convinced the Supreme Court otherwise, but Democrats have persisted in the claim.

For many Democrats, tougher state election laws have brought voting rights to the point of crisis, and they contend that this crisis demands federal action. Democrats have put forward many election laws that they say would meet the alleged crisis, but these have all faced death by filibuster from Senate Republicans, who make up one-half of Congresss upper chamber.

Republicans have said that many of the measures, particularly voter ID requirements, have been shown to have bipartisan support in public opinion polls and that the state measures are entirely legal under the Constitution and the VRA. Republicans have also accused Democrats of trying to use the law to unfairly benefit their party and have criticized the efforts as federalizing elections.

Due to these concerns, Republicans have, with only one exception, voted unanimously to filibuster each elections measure that Democrats have brought to the floor. Even swing-vote Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who has suggested that hes open to minor election law tweaks, has criticized the legislation put forward by Democrats for their all-or-nothing, radical measures.

Since their failure to sway their Senate caucus to vote for Bidens now-defunct $1.85 trillion social spending legislation, Democrats in the Senate have turned their attention to election law once again.

But now that Manchin has rejected the claim that theres a major problem, its even more unlikely that Democrats will be able to sway the West Virginia maverick, leaving little hope that the party will be able to approve any monolithic elections measure.

Still, despite these quickly-slipping hopes, Democrats have decided to move ahead with a floor vote on two elections measures anyway, which theyre expected to vote on around 6:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 19. Short of a major change of policy by Manchin and Sinema or a string of Republican defections, these bills, and the corollary effort to change Senate rules, cant pass.
Mandates Are About Political Control, Not Health

Commentary

For two years, the political classs ineptitude has been on full display.

School shutdowns, business closures, and endless mask mandates have all proven to be relatively ineffective at stemming the spread of COVID-19 (never mind reducing hospitalizations and deaths). Yet, politicians have continued instituting these harmful and useless measures in a desperate attempt to be perceived as doing something.

But over the past month or so, it has become inescapable that sheer incompetence and ignorance can no longer be the sole explanation for two years of bungled policies. Rather, the craven mindset of many of our leaders in both of our political parties (albeit primarily Democrats) is manifest. Theyre using our bodies to score cheap political points, impervious to the injury that theyre inflicting upon us.

Worst of all are the vaccine mandates, which come in countless forms. Universities, including public ones, are requiring faculty, staff, and students to vaccinate against COVID-19 in order to remain employed or enrolled. Many universities, including Washington and Lee University in Virginia; Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; and CUNY and SUNY in New York, are now requiring vaccine boosters.

As an attorney who has filed a number of lawsuits challenging vaccine mandates coming from both public university employers and the federal government, Im contacted every day by myriad students, faculty, and employees at these universities. Many are now double-vaccinated and COVID-19 recovered. A significant number of them have had recent bouts with COVID-19, which is unsurprising given that the Omicron coronavirus variant has swept across much of the nation in a very brief time period. Yet, for students to continue their education at the universities they may have already invested significant time, emotional energy, and resources into attending, theyre being coerced into getting a useless medical procedure that many legitimately fear could harm them.

Consider the data on myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), especially for men younger than age 30. In a cynical attempt to push their blanket vaccine mandate agenda, agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration have dismissed these concerns, claiming that myocarditis is extremely rare and almost always resolves quickly. However, cardiologist Anish Koka says that this isnt an accurate assessment of either the risk or the severity of the condition.

Multiple independent data sets actually suggest that COVID-19 vaccine-induced myocarditis occurs at rates that are much higher than the CDC estimates and may in fact be higher than the rates of COVID-related complications in healthy young men. Moreover, as Koka has said, the notion that myocarditis can be described as minor is absurd. Not only does one suffer chest pain and leak cardiac enzymes from the damaged heart muscle, but a third of patients are found to have fibrosis and scarring in the heart that has an uncertain long-term prognosis.

Valid concerns about the health risk of repeated COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are also arising. EU regulators have just rung an alarm bell, noting that evidence indicates that such a practice could actually deplete ones immune system long-term, leading to all sorts of health problems, including greater susceptibility to COVID-19. In short, for manyespecially young COVID-19-recovered peoplethe risks of COVID-19 vaccination, especially a second dose or a booster shot, might outweigh any benefit.

Furthermore, theres no societal-wide justification for these mandates. Many epidemiologists and experts in vaccine safety believe that these particular products didnt stop transmission from the start. They unquestionably dont stop the transmission of new variants of the virus, such as Omicron. Even CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, whos relentlessly pursuing a blanket vaccine mandate approach, has admitted as much.

Where no coherent claim can be made that vaccination is for the greater good, to remove personal choice from the equation by premising employment upon taking a medically unnecessary and possibly injurious vaccine is unconscionable.

Yet, instead of revisiting their vaccine requirements, some employers are doubling down, and mayors and governors are taking a page out of their books. Democratic strongholds across the country are implementing passport programs, meaning that one must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter places of public accommodation, such as restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and gyms.

Essentially, participation in public life isnt possible in these blue bastions unless one gets vaccinated and is willing to show proof of it or take the legal and reputational risk of using a counterfeit vaccination card. Although New Yorks proof of vaccination requirement has been a colossal failure, other blue cities such as Washington, Chicago, Boston, and Minneapolis are emulating the program. Politicians such as former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser appear to believe that getting people vaccinated, the justification for these requirements, is an end in and of itself, regardless of whether it does anything to reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, not to mention improve public health overall.

Mask mandates fare no better. For two years, study after study has confirmed what couldnt escape the objective, casual observer: that community masking with cloth and surgical masks does nothing to slow the spread of COVID-19, despite the attempts of politicians and compromised scientists to twist the results of this research to claim otherwise.

Rather than admit the obvious policy failures, those who have been insisting upon masking are making the ludicrous claim that the Omicron variant somehow circumvents these barriers while Delta and original COVID didnt. And contrary to the contentions of these experts, who are somehow still considered experts despite being wrong time after time, masking is harmful, especially for children.

The commonsense points many of us have been makingthat children need to see facial expressions and be free to make such expressions themselves in order to develop socially, cognitively, and linguisticallyare now being borne out by research. Masking is harmful to adults as well. Reading facial expressions is one way in which we connect with each other, and its important for our psychological well-being.

While the average member of the Zoom class doesnt have to spend the majority of the day in a mask, most members of the working classservers, bartenders, and uber drivers, for exampledo. Masking for hours each day causes pain behind the ears and reduces oxygen intake. Its also hard to escape the dehumanization attached to servers and bartenders having their faces covered, while the patrons remain mask-free from the moment they sit down.

Yet every time cases rise in a blue jurisdiction, one can be relatively certain that the mayor or governor will weaponize this pointless measure in order to appear as though theyre doing something.

In 2022, mask and vaccine mandatesand many other COVID-19 mitigation measures such as arbitrary restrictions on gathering size and social distancinghave nothing to do with our well-being and everything to do with the Bowsers of the world scoring political points, which becomes yet more obvious when these same politicians dont follow their own rules.

Mandates that serve no legitimate public health purpose and are instituted merely to punish the noncompliant should have no place in a civilized or democratic society. Its time that Americans wake up and realize that theyre being used as pawns in a game of politics.

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.
In this photo illustration a man uses a COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit at home in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2021. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

More RAT Stock to Come in February When Omicron Cases Already Peaked

Pharmacists are reporting that while more rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be coming next week, the real jump in supply is not expected until February after COVID-19 hospitalisations are estimated to have already reached their highest level.

Australias biggest pharmacy distributor, Sigma Healthcare Sigma told The Epoch Times on Jan. 17 it was currently transporting rapid tests, which can detect COVID-19 within 20 minutes, to its stores as demand for RATs soared.

Sigma is progressively accessing supply of RATs to distribute to its pharmacy customers and expects supply to accelerate over the coming weeks to help meet public demand for tests, a company spokesman said.

While Sigma expects supply to increase from next week, the real jump in RATs supply will come in early February.

The news of the arrivals comes as RAT supply shortage continues to strangle Australias testing regime, leading to retailers often charging between $20-30 per test and sometimes over $70 per test at smaller outlets, despite wholesale costs ranging between $3.95 and $11.45 per test.

Rod Sims, chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), said on Monday the consumer watchdog had received over 1,800 reports of price gouging, a practice considered illegal by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

We have also had reports that look as if people have bought the goods  and then on-sold them at more than 20% markup, and that is illegal under the governments recent announcement, and we are referring anything that looks of that nature to the Australian federal police, Sims told The Guardian.

If we found large stores and chains engaging in this sort of behaviour, we wont hesitate to take action, and the penalties will be very large.

Meanwhile, state and federal governments and large corporates were reportedly procuring kits in massive numbers, leaving online retailers and pharmacies short of stock.

Pharmacy Guild national president Trent Twomey told Sky News on Tuesday while 200 million rapid antigen tests were currently on order, people should not expect them to be equally accessible by everybody.

He also said it was more attractive for suppliers to prioritise big orders from governments that were worth millions, while some retailers were struggling to secure stock despite having paid for it in full and having confirmed delivery dates, The Guardian reported.

Whats happening is that its much easier for suppliers to deal with one customer who wants 100,000 tests than 1,000. So what we are seeing is manufacturers [and suppliers] preferencing larger clients over smaller clients, Twomey added.

His comment came after the NSW government announced 100 million RATs, which would be used in healthcare, education, vulnerable communities and social housing, with authorities already distributing the at-home tests to remote communities.

The commonwealth last week also said it had ordered $62 million worth of the tests due to extreme urgency or events unforeseen.

Health Minister Greg Hunton Monday rejected the claim that the federal government was requisitioning supplies of RATs, calling it a plain lie.

I have written to suppliers to say that was not the Australian governments position, Hunt said of the allegations.
Heavy vehicular traffic is seen in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego, Calif., ahead of the Fourth of July holiday on July 3, 2020. (Bing Guan/Reuters)

Murder Conviction in Road Rage Stabbing of Father of 5 Upheld

SAN DIEGOAn appeals court panel on Jan. 18 upheld the murder conviction of a motorist who stabbed another driver seven times on a South Bay street following a road rage dispute.

Rickey Vernon Smith was convicted by a Chula Vista jury and sentenced to 16 years to life in state prison for the Nov. 27, 2018, slaying of 36-year-old Horace Williams Jr., a father of five. The jury found Smith not guilty of first-degree murder, but convicted him of second-degree murder, plus an allegation of using a knife in the killing.

According to trial testimony, the two drivers got into an argument that continued as they traveled along a series of southern San Diego County roadways, in which Williams threw a soda cup at Smiths pickup truck and Smith rammed Williams minivan.

Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey told jurors that after cutting Williams off for the final time, Smith got out of his truck, walked up to the motorists drivers side window, and punched him.

He then walked away, pulled out a knife from a holster strapped to his hip, walked back to the minivan, and stabbed Williams multiple times, with the fatal blow puncturing Williams heart, the prosecutor said. Williams also sustained stab wounds to his arms and legs.

Witnesses saw Williams get out of his van and collapse in the roadway, bleeding heavily. Paramedics took him to Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, where he was pronounced dead.

Defense attorney Brian Watkins told jurors in his closing argument that Williams was the aggressor and that he punched Smith twice in the face when Smith approached his window. Only after Williams began reaching for something near the center console did Smith produce his knife as a last resort, Watkins said.

Jurors heard the 911 call Smith made shortly after the stabbing, in which he said Williams cut him off and threw a drink at his truck. Smith told the dispatcher that he followed Williams to find out why he did so, and later admitted to punching and stabbing Williams. Smith said in the call that it was Williams who did the punching and that he stabbed Williams in self-defense, to prevent further attacks.

Smith also said that Williams threw a drink at his vehicle for no reason at all.

I was just minding my own business, he told the dispatcher. It wouldnt have happened if he wouldnt have been bothering me.
Natural Immunity Superior to Vaccination Against Delta Virus Variant: Study

Protection from prior COVID-19 infection was better than the protection from COVID-19 vaccines against the Delta virus variant, according to a new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Researchers analyzed health records from California and New York that were entered between May 30 and Nov. 20, 2021. They separated COVID-19 patients into four groups: unvaccinated with no previous COVID-19 diagnosis, unvaccinated with a previous COVID-19 infection, vaccinated with no prior COVID-19 infection, and vaccinated with prior COVID-19 infection.

Those who had not received a COVID-19 vaccine but were infected previously with the illness were much less likely to test positive for COVID-19 when compared to vaccinated people who had not gotten COVID-19, according to the study, which was published Wednesday in the CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

People who had not gotten a vaccine but did have a prior infection, also known as natural immunity, were also less likely to land in a hospital than the vaccinated without natural immunity, according to hospitalization records from California.

The unvaccinated without prior infection were by far the most likely to contract COVID-19 and require hospital care, the study found.

These results suggest that vaccination protects against COVID-19 and related hospitalization and that surviving a previous infection protects against a reinfection. Importantly, infection-derived protection was greater after the highly transmissible Delta variant became predominant, coinciding with early declining of vaccine-induced immunity in many persons, researchers, including Tomas Leon with the California Department of Public Health, wrote.

Because the time period studied only went through late November, more research is needed to examine whether vaccination and prior infection protects as well against the Omicron virus variant, which became dominant in the United States last month, the researchers said.

They also encouraged people to get vaccinated even if they have natural immunity, pointing to the finding that the vaccinated with prior infection were the most protected against infection and hospitalization, according to the health records.

Experts are divided as to whether the naturally immune should get a jab, with some noting studies that indicate the protection increases but others highlighting how the elevation is, in many cases, minimal, and pointing to other research that suggests side effects are more likely among naturally immune getting a vaccine.

Limitations of the report include the potential for bias related to unmeasured confounding and the analysis not including information on the severity of infection.

Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a clinical professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California who was not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times in an email that the findings strongly support the need to update our vaccination policy, work and school requirements, with those who can demonstrate they have natural immunity being given equal access as those who are vaccinated.

Vaccination is a much, much, safer pathway to immunity than getting infected, but in an otherwise healthy person who has recovered, they should have confidence that they [have] protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death, he added.

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report is a weekly publication from the CDC. Most studies are not peer-reviewed but the articles are reviewed by CDC officials before being published and the content, by the time its published, constitutes the official voice of the CDC, the agency has said (pdf).
Nurse Ellen Quinones prepares a dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine at the Bathgate Post Office vaccination facility in the Bronx, N.Y., on Jan. 10, 2021. (Kevin Hagen/Pool via Reuters)

Nearly Half of Democrats Would Back Temporary Detention for Unvaccinated: Poll

Nearly half of Democrat voters would back measures requiring that the unvaccinated live temporarily in designated facilities or locations for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, a recent poll has found.

A national telephone and online poll from the Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports, which surveyed 1,016 likely U.S. voters, found that 45 percent of likely Democratic voters would support such measures for unvaccinated Americans.

The poll, conducted on Jan. 5 and released on Jan. 13, also found that 59 percent of respondents who said they were Democrats would favor a government policy requiring that citizens remain confined to their homes at all times, except for emergencies if they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The margin of error is 3 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence.

Almost half of Democratic voters think federal and state governments should be able to fine or imprison individuals who publicly question the efficacy of the existing COVID-19 vaccines on social media, television, radio, or in online or digital publications, the survey found.

Meanwhile, 29 percent of likely Democrat voters who participated in the survey said they would favor temporarily removing parents custody of their children if parents refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

No such penalties have been rolled out for the unvaccinated in the United States, however, elsewhere, some are set to face fines if they havent been vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Greece has imposed a vaccination mandate for people aged 60 and older. Older people failing to get vaccinated will face penalties, starting at a 50-euro ($57) fine in January and followed by a monthly fine of 100 euros ($114) after that.

Health minister Thanos Plevris said the fines would be collected through the tax office with the money going to help fund state hospitals.

The age factor is important because of its impact on the public health service, Plevris told private Open TV on Sunday.

In Austria, the health minister announced last month the government plans to impose fines of up to 3,600 euros (around $4,000) on people who flout a COVID-19 vaccine mandate it aims to introduce in February for all residents aged 14 and over.

In Canada, Quebec province is set to fine unvaccinated residents who do not have a medical exemption from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

The French-speaking provinces Premier Francois Legault announced on Jan. 11 that adult residents who do not qualify for medical exemptions will be charged a financial penalty. He said he believes that refusing to get vaccinated leads to consequences for the health care system.

Last weeks announcement marked the first time a government in Canada has announced a financial penalty for people who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Those who refuse to get their first doses in the coming weeks will have to pay a new health contribution, Legault said. The majority are asking that there be consequences.  Its a question of fairness for the 90 percent of the population that have made some sacrifices. We owe them.

Legault didnt elaborate on the details of the financial penalty, but said it would be significant.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A worker stands near the chimney stacks of a neighboring factory at IceStone, a manufacturer of recycled glass countertops and surfaces, in New York City, N.Y., on June 3, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

New York State Factory Activity Slumps in January Amid Omicron Surge

Factory activity in New York state slumped in January amid a surge in COVID-19 infections, but manufacturers remained upbeat about business conditions over the next six months.

The New York Federal Reserve said on Tuesday its Empire State index on current business conditions plunged 32.6 points to a reading of -0.7 this month. This was the first negative reading since June 2020.

A reading below zero signals a contraction in the New York manufacturing sector.

New York has been slammed by a vicious winter wave of COVID-19 infections, driven by the Omicron variant, which has severely disrupted business activity. The survey offered an early read of Omicrons impact on the economy.

Manufacturers reported a sharp decline in orders. The surveys new orders index tumbled 32 points to a reading of -5.0. There were also decreases in shipments and unfilled orders measures, though not on the same magnitude as the plunge in new orders. Factories continued to wait long periods for supplies to be delivered, keeping prices elevated.

But manufacturers were generally optimistic about the outlook for the next six months. The index for future business conditions dipped 1.3 points to a reading of 35.1 this month.

The capital expenditures index climbed two points to 39.7, a multi-year high, suggesting that firms plan significant increases in both capital spending in the months ahead.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during a news conference in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Dec. 14, 2021. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

New York Sued for Using Race to Help Determine Who Receives Crucial COVID-19 Treatment

A legal group has filed a lawsuit against the state of New York for refusing to stop using race to help determine which people should receive monoclonal antibodies, a crucial treatment for COVID-19 that has been rationed by the federal government.

America First Legal lodged the suit after the New York State Department of Health ignored a warning over the policy.

New Yorks racist COVID decrees dispense lifesaving medicine based on the race or ethnic background of the patient. New York is deciding questions of life and death based on a New Yorkers ancestry. This is outrageously illegal, unconstitutional, immoral, and tyrannical. And that is why we are suing the statebecause right and justice and morality urgently demands it, Stephen Miller, the groups president, said in a statement.

In a Dec. 27, 2021, directive, New York officials highlighted the severe shortage of monoclonal antibodies and other COVID-19 treatments and instructed providers that non-white race or Hispanic/Latino ethnicity should be considered a risk factor, as longstanding systemic health and social inequities have contributed to an increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.

In the class-action suit, filed recently in federal court in Binghamton, plaintiff William Jacobson said the result of the directive is that white people are ineligible for the treatments unless he or she demonstrates a medical condition or risk factor that increases their risk for severe illness from COVID-19, which is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Using a patients skin color or ethnicity as a basis for deciding who should receive lifesaving medical treatment is appalling. And directing medical professionals to award or deny medical care based on immutable characteristics such as skin color, without regard to the actual health condition of the individual who is seeking these antiviral treatments, is nothing more than an attempt to establish a racial hierarchy in the provision of life-saving medicine. Worse still, New Yorks racial preferences ignore the obvious race-neutral alternative policy of making antiviral treatments available to patients of any race who can demonstrate risk factors, such as advanced age, obesity, a compromised immune system, or other medical conditions, the suit says.

The New York State Department of Health and the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, have not responded to requests for comment.

The Food and Drug Administration, which says that race and ethnicity are factors in determining which patients get treatments, has been urged to amend the racist and un-American guidance.

At least two other states had imposed policies similar to New Yorks and were threatened with legal action by America First Legal.

Dr. Aldo Calvo, Medical Director of Family Medicine at Broward Health, shows a Regeneron monoclonal antibody infusion bag during a news conference at the Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Aug. 19, 2021. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, File)

Minnesota is using a risk score calculator that includes the same racial preferences as New York to determine which patients should get treatments in short supply.

Officials there on Jan. 11 said they were re-evaluating the calculator but defended the racial aspect, saying research indicated that Hispanic/Latinx people are 35 to 50 percent more likely to be hospitalized.

A day later, the state received notice that it may face a suit if the policy isnt amended.

Minnesota officials, meanwhile, changed how it prioritizes treatments after Miller appeared on Fox News and said his group may sue the state.

Minnesota had been using a monoclonal antibody screening score that used BIOPOC status as a factor. BIPOC stands for black and indigenous people of color.

Officials removed mention of race from the screening score but the updated guidance says providers may consider whether a patient has heightened risk of progression to severe COVID-19 associated with race and ethnicity when determining eligibility for mAbs, or the antibodies.

Minnesotas Department of Health acknowledged receipt of emailed questions about the policy but have not given answers four days later.
World Health Organization Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan attends a press conference organised by the Geneva Association of United Nations Correspondents at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, on July 3, 2020. (Fabrice Coffrini/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

No Evidence Right Now Healthy Children Need COVID-19 Boosters: Top WHO Scientist

World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said there is no evidence currently available to support giving COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for healthy children or adolescents.

Theres no evidence right now that healthy children, or healthy adolescents, need boosters. No evidence at all, she said at a WHO media briefing on Tuesday.

Swaminathan, an Indian pediatrician and clinical scientist, acknowledged there is evidence of waning immunity overtime against the Omicron COVID-19 variant, which is highly contagious but has been less severe than previous variants. More research needs to be done to establish who needs booster doses, she said.

WHOs advisory group, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), will meet later this week to discuss how countries should provide COVID-19 vaccine boosters, she told reporters.

The aim is to protect the most vulnerable, to protect those at highest risk of severe disease and dying. Those are our elderly populations, immunocompromised, people with underlying conditions, but also healthcare workers, she said, adding later, Our focus, considering that we still have so many unvaccinated people in the world, is to vaccinate, provide primary doses to those who have not been vaccinated so far.

Countries that have begun offering boosters to children or adolescents include Israel, the United States, Germany, and Hungary.

Israel in August 2021 started offering boosters to children as young as 12 years old. Germany on Jan. 13 recommended children aged 1217 receive COVID-19 booster shots.

The United States drug regulator, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in early January 2022 authorized a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTechs COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 1215 for emergency use.

Meanwhile, the FDA is delaying a decision on whether to grant Moderna an emergency authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 12 to 17, having said in October 2021 it needs more time to further review the vaccines risk for myocarditis in this population.
Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik arrives in court, on the first day of a hearing where he is seeking parole, in Skien, Norway, on Jan. 18, 2022. (Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB scanpix via AP)

Norwegian Mass Murderer Appears Before Parole Hearing

SKIEN, NorwayAnders Behring Breivik, the right-wing extremist who killed 77 people in bomb-and-gun massacres in Norways worst peacetime slaughter in 2011, appeared Tuesday before a court for a parole hearing.

The Telemark District Court must rule whether Breivik is still so dangerous that society needs extra protection against him. and keep him behind bars A decade ago, the Norwegian mass killer was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the terrorist acts on the island of Utya and in the government quarter in Oslo. It can be extended indefinitely.

Under Norwegian law, Brevik, 42, is eligible to seek parole after serving the first 10 years of his term.

Breivik, sporting a stubble beard and a two-piece suit, walked into the court room with white supremacist message pinned to his blazer, his bag and also held up a sign with the same message.

He made Nazi salutes as he entered the court and presented himself as the leader of a Norwegian neo-Nazi movement, suggesting he would use the parole hearing as an opportunity to manifest his white supremacist views rather than make an earnest attempt for an early release.

Prosecutor Hulda Karlsdottir started the hearing by saying the imprisonment conditions of Breivik, who legally changed his name to Fjotolf Hansen in 2017, will have no influence on the matter of parole.

They are completely subordinate. The main topic here is the danger associated with release, she told the court.

Families of the victims and survivors had feared Brevik would give a platform could inspire likeminded ideologues and grandstand his extreme views during the hearing, which experts say is unlikely to deliver him an early release.

The only thing I am afraid of is if he has the opportunity to talk freely and convey his extreme views to people who have the same mindset, Lisbeth Kristine Ryneland, who heads a family and survivors support group, said ahead of the hearing.

She pointed to the case of Norwegian shooter Philip Manshaus who, inspired by the 2019 New Zealand terror attacks, murdered his stepsister and attempted to storm a mosque.

It was July 22, 2011, when, after months of meticulous preparations, Breivik set off a car bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens. He then drove to the island of Utya, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labor Partys youth wing. Sixty-nine people there were killed, most of them teenagers, before Breivik surrendered to police.

Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik, center, adjusts his tie as he is flanked by his defense lawyer Oystein Storrvik, right, on the first day of a hearing where he is seeking parole, in Skien, Norway, on Jan. 18, 2022. (Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB scanpix via AP)

The court that convicted him in 2012 found him criminally sane, rejecting the prosecutions view that he was psychotic. Breivik didnt appeal his sentence.

During his 2012 trial, he entered the courtroom daily flashing a closed fist salute and telling grieving parents that he wished he had killed more. He has been trying to start a fascist party in prison and reached out by mail to right-wing extremists in Europe and the United States. Prison officials seized many of those letters, fearing Breivik would inspire others to commit violent attacks.

He has shown no remorse and experts say the hearing is unlikely to deliver him an early release. It is being held at the gymnasium of the Skien prison100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Oslowhere Breivik is held. He has always been isolated from other inmates.

The court is set to sit until Thursday and a ruling is expected later this month.

Ahead of the hearing, Randi Rosenqvist, the psychiatrist who has followed up Breivik since his 2012 jailing, said she could not detect great changes in Breiviks functioning, since his criminal trial when he bragged about the scale of his slaughter, or his 2016 human rights case, when he raised his hand in a Nazi salute.

In principle and practice someone seeking parole would have to show remorse, and to show that they understand why such acts cannot be repeated, she said.

By David Keyton and Jan M. Olsen
People look towards a nursing home after a fire in the municipality of Moncada just north of Valencia, Spain, on Jan. 19, 2022. (Alberto Saiz)

Nursing Home Fire Kills 6 in Eastern Spain

MADRIDSix residents of a nursing home in eastern Spain perished after a fire broke out in the night, authorities said Wednesday.

Valencias regional head, Ximo Puig, said that 17 more residents were hospitalized, with three in serious condition.

Firefighters said that they rescued 25 residents out of a total of 70 that were evacuated from the nursing home in the municipality of Moncada just north of Valencia.

Firefighter chief Jose Basset told Spanish news agency EFE that the fire appears to have started in a bedroom on the second floor. He said that when the firefighters arrived there was a large number of people asking for help who were trapped by the smoke.

Puig said that Spains Civil Guard police force were investigating the cause of the fire, but that investigators believe it could have been caused by a short-circuit in a mechanism linked to an oxygen tank.

A man inspects a nursing home after a fire in the municipality of Moncada just north of Valencia, Spain, on Jan. 19, 2022. (Alberto Saiz/AP Photo)

The most important thing now is the recovery of those who have been injured, Puig said.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sent his condolences to the families.

Sanchez said on Twitter in Spanish that he was following the tragic news from Moncada. My condolences to the families of the victims. We are watching with concern the evolution of the injured. All our support for the families and the town.

Municipal authorities in Moncada have called for three days of mourning, with flags flying at half-staff on the town hall building. Officials called for a minute of silence at noon local time.

Spains nursing homes, like in many other countries, were particularly hard-hit during the worst months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Omicron Peak Is Yet to Come, Says Australias Chief Medical Officer

Australian Chief Medical Officer (CHO) said that although daily COVID-19 Omicron case numbers are decreasing, the worse has yet to come.

CHO Paul Kelly stated that it would be several weeks before deaths and hospitalisations from the Omicron variant reach their peak, despite plateauing COVID-19 cases.

We expect death and hospitalisations to continue to rise over the next couple of weeks as we are about to peak in terms of caseloads, particularly in the eastern states, Kelly told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

We know from international experience that Omicron rises quickly, it plateaus and then falls quickly, and I fully expect that this will be the experience here in Australia.

Australia had its highest one-day death toll from the pandemic on Jan. 18, with 77 fatalities reported.

On Tuesday, there were 36 deaths in New South Wales (NSW), 22 in Victoria, 16 in Queenslandmore than double its previous high of 7two in South Australia and one in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

When asked about a possible second peak of Omicron cases, Kelly said that it was possible. But he noted that under the current projections, based on the case numbers, the recent outbreak is showing the typical Omicron curve that most other countries had already seen.

I expect we will continue to see cases of Omicron right throughout the next few months, but it will be at a much lower level than it is now, Prof. Kelly said.

As of Jan. 18, the Australian federal government will mobilise 57,000 nurses and 100,000 health workers from the private sector in its fight against the Omicron strain of COVID-19.

The agreement was made in April 2020 and makes available private health workers in the event of a critical shortage during the pandemic.

Its a workforce which is skilled, planned, appropriate and available, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters on Jan. 18.

The states and territories will where necessary work directly with the staff and with the hospitals themselves, whether its the large part of the private hospital networks and it will be up to the states and territories to activate those, but we have activated them at the Commonwealth end, he said.

Hunt said the national medical stockpile, including PPE, will also be made available.

However, the CEO of the Australian Private Hospitals Association, Michael Roff, said that the private hospital sector was not informed of this change and still was uncertain of the practical implications of this agreement.

Kelly said that whilst he was not involved in this matter, the announcement Hunt made was absolutely clear that the private hospitals and their staff under the agreement that had been signed in 2020 are available and assisting right now in both the aged care issue, as well as the public hospital system and backing up those capabilities.
OToole and Singh Oppose Quebecs Tax on the Unvaccinated

Conservative Party Leader Erin OToole and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said this week that they oppose Quebecs planned financial penalty on those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, citing the need to preserve the universality of the health-care system.

Our health-care system is universal, its for everybody, and I think its unjust to target a small number of Canadians with such a measure, OToole said at a press conference on Jan. 17 in Ottawa.

However, OToole said he respects the provinces prerogatives and he wouldnt hold back federal health transfers to Quebec over the measure if he were prime minister.

The Conservative leader said that rather than resorting to such measures, encouragement and education should be key, especially for vulnerable populations, for minorities, for indigenous communities.

Quebec announced on Jan. 11 that it plans to impose a significant health contribution on the unvaccinated, who Premier Francois Legault blames for the provinces overflowing hospitals.

As of Jan. 17, Quebec data showed those who received one or two doses of vaccines count for 73 percent of hospitalizations in the last 28 days, if removing from the equation the 0- to 4-year-olds not eligible for vaccination. Quebec has a vaccination rate of 82 percent for those aged 5 and over.

During a virtual press conference on Jan. 18, Singh raised the specific issue of Canadas health-care system being regularly under strain.

Why are we in this position that our health-care system continually seems to be at the brink of collapsing? asked Singh, who proposed as solutions increasing federal health transfers to provinces, recognizing the qualifications of internationally trained medical personnel, and fixing the long-term care system.

On Quebecs planned tax on the unvaccinated, Singh said he would defend the universality of the system.

We all contribute and pay taxes so that we can all have access to health care when we need it, he said.

This particular measure seems to be eroding the universality and that, to me as a New Democrat who believes firmly in a system thats there for everyone when they need it, is something that I am concerned about.

The NDP leader said the measure will have a disproportionate impact on those with lower income.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not voiced opposition to Quebecs planned measure, saying he needs more details on its application before taking a stance.

Other provinces like British Columbia and Alberta have said they wont follow in Quebecs footsteps.

I can say definitively we will not be proceeding with a similar measure, said B.C.s health minister Adrian Dix, reported CTV News.

If we go down that road, we are completely rubbishing the whole principle of universality of health care, which is why Alberta absolutely will not follow the decision of Quebec, said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, reported The Canadian Press.
Flowers are placed outside Croft House furniture store in memory of graduate student Brianna Kupfer. Kupfer was stabbed to death by an unknown assailant while working in the store on January 13 in Los Angeles. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Over $200,000 Raised to Find Suspect Who Killed UCLA Grad Student at Furniture Store

LOS ANGELESLos Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz asked city leaders on Jan. 18 to add $50,000 to the more than $200,000 from private donations raised for a reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of a man who fatally stabbed a 24-year-old UCLA graduate student in the Hancock Park boutique furniture store where she worked.

Brianna Kupfer of Pacific Palisades was found dead inside Croft House in the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue at about 1:50 p.m. Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. She died at the scene.

Kupfer, who was studying design, was working alone at the time of the attack.

We will find this vicious criminal, we will arrest him and we will get him prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Koretz said. He introduced a motion at Tuesdays City Council meeting to create a $50,000 reward from the city.

But we must fight for justice for her even though nothing will bring her back. Our mission and my objective is that the perpetrator that took away Brianna from her beloved parents, colleagues, friends and our community will be permanently locked away, constantly reminded of his horrible, ugly and senseless murder of an innocent young woman who had endless potential, Koretz added.

Police released a video on Tuesday from a 7-Eleven store, showing the alleged stabber casually shopping 30 minutes after he killed Kupfer. He was also shopping at other stores before and after the killing, police said.

This individual responsible for this vicious, senseless, and brutal crime walks amongst us. I am convinced of that, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said. I am convinced of it because of the reports of his activities prior to and in the aftermath of this brutal homicide, where he visited businesses up and down La Brea and on the Beverly corridor as well. Businesses large and small.

The man was believed to be homeless and was described as 6 feet to 6-feet-5 with a thin build and short dreadlocks, according to police. He was wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses, a white, painters-style mask, dark skinny jeans, and dark shoes. He was carrying a dark backpack.

We do believe that the suspect is homeless, and thats in part because he came on foot, he left on foot. Hes carrying a backpack, which is consistent with homeless people carrying extra clothing with them and sleeping out on the streets. Theres some additional information that I cannot share with you at this point, Lt. John Radke said.

At 1:36 p.m. in the afternoon, Brianna was working in the store all by herself. She sent a text to a friend letting her know that there was someone inside the location that was giving her a bad vibe. Regrettably, that person did not see the text immediately, Radke added.

Kupfers body was found in the store by a customer about 15 minutes after the text was sent.

The officers met with the reporting party, a customer who had entered the store and discovered the victim deceased on the floor, police said in a statement last week.

Detectives have determined the suspect was not known to the victim and was a random walk-in to the store, police said. The suspect attacked the victim with a knife and fled the scene through the back door.

The suspect was last seen on video surveillance, northbound in the alley to the rear of the crime scene.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the crime should contact West Bureau homicide investigators at 213-382-9470, 877-LAPD-247, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
A transgender high school student (C) and classmate (L) visit the Children's Hospital Los Angeles booth during a college and career convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on December 8, 2010. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Parents of Gender Dysphoric Teens Oppose Proposed Standards of Care for Minors

Some parents of gender dysphoric children are outraged over proposed new standards of care that push for the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender reassignment surgery for minors.

In the past, the minimum age requirement for these treatments has been 18, but some activist groups and medical professionals have recommended lowering the age requirement to 14 or younger.

The parents are concerned that new standards of care proposed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) reflect the wishes of certain transgender activists and affiliated doctorsnot the concerns of most medical professionals.

WPATH standards of care are widely used as accepted guidelines in California, sources told The Epoch Times. Public comments were allowed on the new Version 8 of their standards of care until Jan. 16, according to the organizations website. The final document is expected to be released in the spring.

One parent, who goes by the pseudonym Charlotte Jacobs to protect the identity of her gender dysphoric daughter and her own, told The Epoch Times she opposes WPATHs proposed guidelines and the gender-affirming philosophy the medical community and schools have adopted.

Theres been a 5,000 percent uptick in girls saying that theyre transgender. So, instead of being curious about that giant leap, theyre lowering the ages and making it easier for these kids to get medicalization and irreversible surgery, Jacobs said.

Referrals to the Tavistock and Portman Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) in England have surged in the United Kingdom since 2015.

TransgenderTrend.com, a network of parents, academics and childcare professionals who support the idea that no child is born in the wrong body, reports that the number of referrals in England alone in 2018-19 was 624 boys and 1,740 girls.

In less than a decade, there has been a 1,460-percent increase in referrals of boys and a staggering 5,337-percent increase in girls, according to Tavistock.

In her book, Irreversible Damage, author Abigail Shrier writes that in the mid-2000s there was a sudden spike in the number of teens in the U.S. and Western world claiming they were gender dysphoric.

Cover of Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier. (Courtesy of Abigail Shrier)

Between 2016 and 2017, the number of gender surgeries for natal females in the U.S. quadrupled, with biological women suddenly accounting for  70 percent of all gender surgeries. In 2018, the UK reported a 4,400 percent rise over the previous decade in teenage girls seeking gender treatments. In Canada, Sweden, Finland and the UK, clinicians and gender therapists began reporting a sudden and dramatic shift in the demographics of those presenting with gender dysphoriafrom predominantly preschool-aged boys to predominantly adolescent girls, Shrier writes in her book.

Both parents of gender dysphoric children and adolescents and some medical professionals are concerned that too much credence has been given to WPATH guidelines. They say WPATH is an advocacy group pushing a gender-affirming philosophy and shouldnt been seen as a credible.

WPATH is an activist group, first and foremost, and should not have any influence in the medical field, regardless of how many medical associations support it, Jacobs wrote in a statement. WPATH presents only the studies that support its desired conclusion and ignores the fact that none of the cited studies have controls, have extremely high losses and are biased.

Meanwhile, WPATH Executive Director Blaine Vella said in an email to The Epoch Times WPATH is not able to comment on anything related to the proposed standards of care until they are finalized and published.

Proposed Standards of Care

Jacobs is most concerned with the adolescent chapter that advocates for gender reassignment treatments and surgery for teens under the age of 18. She believes the proposed standards, composed of 19 chapters and hundreds of pages, are unethical.

WPATH states in draft standards of care, that previous guidelines have recommended that initiation of partially reversible gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT) could begin at about 16 years of age.

More recent guidelines suggest that there may be compelling reasons to initiate GAHT prior to the age of 16, though there are limited studies on youth who have administered hormones prior to 14, WPATH states.

The association cites a Dutch approach in which pubertal suppression was considered at age 12, GAHT at age 16 and surgical interventions after age 18, with exceptions in some cases.

The group states gender-affirming surgeries among adolescents have increased since 2000 and there has been an increase in the number of diverse youth seeking vaginoplasty. The organization cites a 2017 study of 20 WPATH affiliate surgeons in the United States and claims that more than half reported they have performed vaginoplasty surgery on minors.

WPATH states that although the sample sizes of studies are small, some indicate improved psychosocial functioning and decreased gender dysphoria in adolescents who have undergone vaginoplasty. It suggests some adolescents may benefit from getting these surgeries before they turn 18. Some factors may include the increased availability of support from family members, greater ease of managing post-operative care before entering going to college or getting a job.

Factors that may support pursuing these procedures for youth under 18 years of age include the increased availability of support from family members, greater ease of managing post-operative care prior to transitioning to tasks of early adulthood, such as entering college or the workforce or facing transphobic violence in public spaces, according to WPATH.

Students wait in line to pick up school resources at Hollywood High School in Hollywood, Calif., on Aug. 13, 2020. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

WPATH does not recommend phalloplasty for patients under 18 because of current rates of complication with this surgery.

The child chapter recommends social transitioning for prepubescent children.

Dr. Miriam Grossman, a child-adolescent psychiatrist, told The Epoch Times its outrageous that studies on the effects of social transitioning are not included in the WPATH guidelines.

Grossman urged physicians, policymakers and parents to approach WPATHs guidelines with skepticism to avoid being hoodwinked.

WPATH is an activist group that is essentially advocating for any child of any age, who voices confusion about their gender identity  be placed on an assembly line towards dangerous and experimental medications and surgery, she said.

Its a deception to present these standards of care, as if they were coming from a legitimate medical organization that bases its guidance on high quality evidence, Grossman said.

Grossman, author of Youre Teaching My Child What?: A Physician Exposes the Lies of Sex Ed and How They Harm Your Child, said almost all children put on puberty blockers eventually go on to hormone therapy.

A boy whos on estrogen could be sterilized in four months, she warned.

Risk of Regret

Jacobs and other parents warn that gender-affirming therapists are influencing gender dysphoric children to pursue treatment and eventually gender reassignment surgeries they may deeply regret later in life.

Though activists often refer life-altering surgeries as top and bottom procedures, the surgeriesdouble mastectomies and phalloplasty for girls who want to fully transition, and castration, vaginoplasty and mammoplasty for boys who want to become womenare complex, risky and costly. The surgeries also mean patients must receive post-operative care and hormone therapy for the rest of their lives, Jacobs said.

Dr. Ken Zucker, a psychologist, told The Epoch Times that 88 percent of 2- to 12-year-old in two separate studies of boys and girls clinically referred as experiencing gender dysphoriawho were not socially transitionedlater reported as adolescents and young adults that they no longer suffered from the condition and were comfortable with their birth genders.

If you combine his findings with other studies, the desistance rate is generally about 80 percent, Zucker said.

Children socially transitioned long before puberty is something that has evolved  over the past 15 to 20 years, he said.

Nowadays, children as young as five, for example, will show up to a gender identity clinic, and a lot of them have already socially transitioned, he said.

My own prediction is that  if one does long term follow-ups of children who socially transitioned before puberty, its very unlikely that they will change their mind and decide, No, Im not trans. Im going to go back and live as a boy or live as a girl, Zucker said.

A person holds up a transgender flag at Washington Square Park in New York City on Oct. 21, 2018. (Yana Paskova/Getty Images)

Children who have socially transitioned and continue to feel like theyre the other gender will require lifelong biomedical treatment in terms of hormone therapy, and many of those kids will likely request some form of gender-affirming surgery, he said.

Many skeptics believe gender-affirming therapy may steer children towards surgery and hormone therapy by mere power of suggestion.

Jacobs thinks it does. Once these kids are socially transitioned, they are pretty much sunk, she said.

But, in Zuckers medical opinion, the answer to that question is a subject of great debate in terms of what are the origins of gender dysphoria? he said. To what extent does the social environment accentuate or attenuate the gender dysphoria? How much of it is coming from external factors, versus how much of it is coming from internal factors in the child?

In that respect, clinicians as well as parents hold a wide range of different philosophical and theoretical perspectives. Many clinicians who work in the field say there are both biological and psychosocial factors that might lead to gender dysphoria, Zucker said.

The Gender Dysphoria Alliance (GDA), an advocacy group for adults whove experienced gender dysphoria whether transitioned, desisted or de-transitioned, issued a statement to WPATH.

We consider it negligent that the global clinical authority on transgender medicine has abandoned all evidence-based understanding of this condition in favour of an activist narrative, the alliance states.

Trans people have many advocacy organizations around the world. This is not what we need WPATH for. We need WPATH to set evidence-based clinical standards and provide clear definitions of the condition we seek/sought treatment for, to instill confidence in our system of care. We are concerned about the future of transgender medicine and mental health care if our clinicians do not retain any understanding of what this condition is, it states.

The group recommends that WPATH:

Provide analysis of the etiological studies and theories, and clear definition of terms

Create a chapter dedicated to the needs of those who detransition

Extend the requirements described in the Adolescent chapter to age 25

Add desistance studies to Child Chapter in order to protect GNC [Gender non-conforming]/gay children

A person holds a transgender pride flag in New York on June 28, 2019. (Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)

Big Business

The gender reassignment surgery market is expected to be a $1.5 billion industry by 2026, according to Global Market Insights, Inc., which reported in March 2020 the number of such patients has increased nearly four times in the past years.

Male-to-female gender reassignment surgery was valued at $184.6 million in 2019, the report states.

The segmental growth is attributed to the increasing insurance coverage for male to female sex reassignment surgical procedures and growing expert opinions on the medical necessity of gender transition, states the report.

Global Market Insights lists Sava Perovic Foundation Surgery, Yeson Voice Center, Transgender Surgery Institute of Southern California, Bupa Cromwell Hospital, Rumer Cosmetics Surgery, Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, Phuket International Aesthetic Center, and Chettawut Plastic Surgery Center as the major players operating in the sex reassignment surgery market.

These service providers focus on innovative surgery offerings and state-of-the-art facilities to increase their market presence. This will in turn trigger the industry growth, thereby attracting a large patient pool, the report states.
Chinese Communist Partys head Xi Jinping (center) and lawmakers stand for the anthem during the closing session of the rubber-stamp legislatures conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11, 2021. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Political Instability Awaits the CCP

Commentary

In 2022, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be plagued with internal political instability as its leader, Xi Jinping, tries to secure a thirdif not lifelongterm at the 20th Party Congress this fall.

Such a move violates the CCPs tradition of upholding the two-term limit (each lasting for five years) of the presidency, which was stipulated in Article 79 of the 1982 version of the Chinese constitution. In 2018, however, Xi amended the constitution to delete this clause, which removed the legal barrier to his bid for perpetual power. Naturally, Xi is sure to meet stiff resistance from various quarters within the Party.

Several events suggest that 2022 is likely to be a turbulent one for Xi and the CCP.

The first such event is the mysterious absence of Xis right-hand man, Li Zhanshu, at a tea gathering on New Years Eve, a traditional occasion in which members of the countrys top leadership showcase their solidarity. Although Li reappeared on Jan. 11, proving that hes politically safe, his absence still caused speculation that Xi is facing strong opposition.

Li ranks third in the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, the supreme governing body in China. As chairman of the National Peoples Congress (NPC), Chinas rubber-stamp legislature, he was instrumental in amending the Chinese constitution to delete Article 79, the clause that set the presidential term limit to two.

Lis absence wasnt caused by illness. Under normal circumstances, when a senior official is unable to attend an important meeting because of an illness, a communique stating that he applied for sick leave is released so that the absence doesnt lead to speculation. However, there was no such announcement on Lis absence.

Lis absence could be the result of the anti-Xi faction trying to dislodge him, since he was the chief lawmaker who helped paved the way for Xi to retain power. Pressure against Li could have grown to the extent that Xi had to make some sort of compromise, leading to Lis temporary absence. This is a plausible explanation since during Lis absence, there was an article from Chinas top watchdog, the Central Disciplinary Commission (CDC), pointing obliquely at him when it mentioned that a former leader of the Guizhou Province had helped one of his family members subdue a business rival.

Lis reappearance on Jan. 11, sitting right next to Xi during a high-level meeting, suggests that the latter had somehow overcome pressure to unseat his protege.

Another anomaly was the recall of Wang Shaojun from retirement to serve as chief of the Central Security Bureau (CSB), his previous post. The CSB is responsible for guarding all of the senior members of the Party and, therefore, its head must be someone who Xi totally trusts. At the same time, anyone trying to stage a coup detat has to rely on the CSB, just like what happened in 1976 when the so-called Gang of Four was arrested. Wang had already retired in 2019, but his reappearance at a Jan. 11 conference of senior leaders suggests that he was reinstalled as chief of the bureau.

When Wang retired in 2019, Zhou Hongxu, deputy chief of staff of the Northern Theater Army, took over as CSB director. By tradition, this post was usually taken up by people from within the bureau. The only exception was in 1963, when CCP founder Mao Zedong ordered a field army general to head the CSB after he was forced to claim responsibility for his failed policy in 1962, the Great Leap Forward, leading to mass deaths from starvation. The move showed that Mao was afraid of being dethroned after he was forced to recede from the forefront of the political stage.

Thus, when Xi ordered a field army general to head the CSB, it showed that he didnt trust the bureau. However, after a short while, the former CSB chief was recalled from retirement to head the same bureau again. Wang, 67, is obviously past the retirement age of 60. Xis decision puzzled everyone and indicated that theres some sort of uncertainty at the core of the CCP.

Then came the indictment of former public security chief Sun Lijun on Jan. 13. One of the three charges against him was illegal possession of a firearm. As the deputy head of the police, possession of a gun isnt illegal, except in some very specific circumstances, such as in highly confidential senior conferences or in very close proximity to top leaders. In such situations, gun possession has to be pre-approved. Thus, charging a police head with illegal possession of a gun suggests that Sun could be suspected of trying to make an attempt on Xis life.

Sun owed his political rise to former CCP leader Jiang Zemin. Sun was the deputy director of the notorious 610 Office, a Gestapo-like agency under the Public Security Ministry that was created for persecuting the spiritual group Falun Gong. He was promoted to deputy-ministerial rank when Zhou Yongkang, a powerful member of the CCPs Politburo Standing Committee (the top decision-making body), was secretary of the CCPs Central Political and Legal Affairs, which controls the countrys police, procuratorate, and court systems. Shortly after Xi gained power, Zhou was sentenced to life in prison for his alleged attempt to stage a coup detat against Xi. This close connection with Jiang and Zhou made Sun an obvious target of Xi.

Five sacked 610 Office directors/deputy directors. (The Epoch Times)

This is highly plausible when one takes into consideration that the communique issued by the CDC on Suns arrest on Sept. 30, 2021, enumerates his crimes such as the following:

Betraying the two safeguards and disregarding the four awarenesses. The two safeguards refer to safeguarding Xis position as the core leader of the CCP and safeguarding the centralized authority of the Party. The four awarenesses refer to political awareness (which means putting politics above all things else), awareness of the overall situation, awareness of Xi as the core of the Party, and awareness of the need to align oneself with Xi. These are the political slogans put forward by Xi as the standard for loyalty among CCP cadres. In the specific CCP lexicon, Suns political crime was his disloyalty to Xi.

Seriously endangering political security and seriously undermining the unity of the Party. In the CCP context, this could mean an attempted coup detat.

Manipulating power to achieve personal political gain, including engaging in factional politics.

If the CDC found Sun guilty of these political crimes, then his illegal possession of a firearm suggests that he might have tried to assassinate Xi. In this regard, its noteworthy that the CDC admitted publicly that there was a plot against Xi. On Sept. 13, 2021, two major media outlets in China published the same article that recapped a CDC morning brief, which disclosed that a sinister gang within the Public Security Bureau tried to make an attempt on Xis life.

Its no wonder that in his 2022 No. 1 Command for the Military Forces, a decree issued by Xi in his capacity as the supreme head of the military, he urged the military to prepare for a successful convening of the Partys 20th Congress. Xi ultimately has to rely on the military to make sure that his ambition to perpetuate power wont be dashed.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Press Release

January 19, 2022 Drilon: Malacanang, DOJ should not allow unvaxxed PAO chief to report to work

'Hindi ba sampal iyon sa gobyerno?' Drilon says Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon urged Malacanang and the Department of Justice (DOJ) not to allow Public Attorneys Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta to report to work, saying that the PAO chief's continued refusal to get vaccinated undermines the government's COVID-19 vaccination campaign. "Acosta is putting the life, health and safety of her co-workers in danger and that should be dealt with accordingly and decisively," Drilon said in a statement on Wednesday. Drilon said the government will be accused of double standards if it allows Acosta to report to work while it restricts the movement of unvaxxed ordinary Filipinos. "If the government is serious about its 'no vax, stay at home; no vax, no ride policy,' it should apply it to all. Otherwise it will not work," Drilon said. "The government should take the same hardline stance against their own officials. Set an example with Acosta," he stressed. Drilon added that barring Acosta from reporting to work is consistent with the President's pronouncements that he will restrict movements of unvaxxed individuals "for common good." The former justice secretary said that the government may impose restrictions for unvaccinated Filipinos to contain the further spread of the COVID-19 virus and promote the general welfare and public health. Acosta's boss, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, also said the same, saying in an interview that while there is no law making anti-COVID vaccination mandatory, the PAO chief has to obey government regulations restricting the movement of unvaccinated individuals in the interest of public safety. It is well within the power of the State to restrict the movement of unvaccinated individuals, according to Drilon. "It is a valid and reasonable exercise of police power to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people. The general welfare clause also provides sufficient authority to the State to implement measures for the 'maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare,'" Drilon said. "The State may also interfere with personal liberty to promote the general welfare as long as the interference is reasonable and not arbitrary," he previously said. In the United States, Drilon said the exercise of police power in promoting public health and safety has long been upheld. In 1905, the US Supreme Court in Jacobson v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts [197 U.S. 11 (1905)] upheld the compulsory vaccination of persons over the age of 21 against smallpox. It ruled that the vaccination program had a "real and substantial relation to the protection of the public health and safety." Drilon also cited Zucht v. King [260 U.S. 174 (1922)] wherein the parents of an unvaccinated child excluded from school challenged the ordinance requiring vaccinations for schoolchildren as violative of the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses. The Court held that "it is within the police power of a State to provide for compulsory vaccination" and that the ordinance did not bestow "arbitrary power, but only that broad discretion required for the protection of the public health." Drilon said that he finds it "unacceptable" that while the government is persuading people to get their COVID-19 shots, Acosta remains unvaccinated. 'Hindi ba sampal iyon sa gobyerno?" Drilon said, "I hope it is not deliberate but Acosta's recent statements can fuel vaccine hesitancy that we are trying to address." While vaccine acceptance has improved in the country, Drilon said the number of Filipinos unwilling to get vaccinated remains a cause of concern. "One of them, unfortunately, is a member of the administration. Acosta can make a good case study for the government. If you can convince Acosta to get vaccinated, then the government has a better chance of persuading every Juan dela Cruz to get vaccinated," Drilon said. "But until she gets vaccinated, she should be barred from reporting to work" he said.
Putting Children and Their Social Interactions First Will Be Key to Mental Health Recovery in a Post-Pandemic World

The pandemic and associated mandated restrictions have damaged the mental health of children and adolescents enormously.

There was a time, not too long ago, when educated, civilized societies felt that putting children first was a good idea. They felt that this idea was so sensible and good that they enshrined it in a global declaration: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child. Posters about it were displayed in classrooms around the world which teachers and pupils would discuss it together. The declaration declares that no right should be more special than another  so rights to play and rights to education have equal status.

During the pandemic, nations have turned a blind eye to this declaration  in fact, some have pretty much ripped it up. Indeed, I think most nations are guilty of this.

One section has played on my mind throughout the pandemic. I have felt all along that we should have put children first, as Article 3.1 of the convention states. We have totally and utterly failed to do this on a global scale with a few exceptions, such as Sweden.

Findings show increases in anxiety, stress and worry, depression, helplessness, risky behavioral problems during the pandemic.

Lockdowns and school closures have been devastating for our children. Face-to-face social interaction is important for all of us  we crave it when we are starved of it. It is particularly important for children and adolescents. A key finding from an early and important Rapid Systematic Review was that in children and adolescents, the mental health impacts of loneliness can be felt up to nine years later.

Now Prof Carl Heneghan and his CEBM colleagues Jon Brassey, Tom Jefferson have conducted an important review of reviews in the sphere of child and adolescent mental health. The results are utterly damning and must be acted on urgently. They note that, Eight out of ten children and adolescents report worsening of behavior or any psychological symptoms or an increase in negative feelings due to the covid pandemic. School closures contributed to increased anxiety, loneliness and stress; negative feelings due to COVID-19 increased with the duration of school closures. Deteriorating mental health was found to be worse in females and older adolescents.

Moreover, this review also shows us what was protective for young people and their mental well-beingno surprises given what I have written above. Socialization is key. The authors note that socialization includes  positive interactions and benefits for other people (prosocial behaviors), along with social connectedness based on experiences of feeling close and connected to others.

The results of 17 systematic reviews interrogating children and mental health were reviewed and taken together. These studies led the authors to conclude that the impact of the pandemic and associated restrictions to be severe and consistent across many studies now. Findings show increases in anxiety, stress and worry, depression, helplessness, risky behavioral problems during the pandemic.

Moreover, school closures and social distancing may be associated with significant harm to the mental well-being of children.

The authors recommendations from this review are stark and clear.

Put children first in all we do. In all actions concerning children undertaken by public institutions, the childs best interest shall be a primary consideration (Article 3.1 of the convention of human rights for children).

We must carefully consider mental health when deciding whether to increase social isolation for young people in future.

We need to keep our eye on the ball and monitor the long-term impact. For me, this will include monitoring rates of suicide since we know that whilst suicides may decrease during times of societal upheaval (though we do not have concrete data for children and adolescents yet), they increase after disasters and when economic downturns occur.

So, the results are in. The pandemic and associated mandated restrictions have damaged the mental health of children and adolescents enormously. Social isolation and social connectedness appear to be key risk and protective factors, as many experts warned would be the case.

In June 2020, I wrote a blog on the potential impact of the pandemic and mandated restrictions on the mental health of young people. I (nervously, as so few academics had said anything negative about lockdowns at this point in the pandemic) concluded that I felt we should release young people from lockdowns as soon as possible. I feel at once angry, vindicated, and heartbroken that this assertion stands up. Children and adolescents must be put first moving forward  we adults need to make sure that they are.

Ellen Townsend is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. She specializes in self-harm, suicide prevention, and mental health and is a member of Collateral Globals Scientific Advisory Board.

This story originally published on Collateral Global.
Queensland to Lift International Arrival Restrictions

The Australian state of Queensland will open its borders to international travellers from 1 a.m. on Saturday as it is due to reach a vaccination rate milestone of 90 percent in the coming days.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she convened a meeting of the states COVID-19 task force where they decided to set a firm date to allow double-dose vaccinated travellers unrestricted entry to Queensland.

This gives certainty to the airlines, it gives certainty to incoming travellers, Palaszczuk told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.

From 1 a.m. on Saturday, you can come into Queensland, and you will no longer have to doif youre vaccinatedyou will not have to do our quarantine. You are free to come in, she said.

However, Palaszczuk said travellers would be required to do a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk gestures as she speaks during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct.3, 2021. (Dan Peled/Getty Images)

This is consistent with other states. If the national cabinet decides to change that down the track, so be it, but we do believe that now is the right time with our vaccination rates so high, she said.

The latest figures show 91.65 percent of eligible Queenslanders have had one dose of a vaccine, while 88.82 percent have had two.

Queenslands international airports are in Brisbane, the capital, as well as Cairns and Townsville in the north and the Gold Coast in the southeastall popular tourist destinations.

The premier also pointed out her concern that vaccination rates on the Gold Coast were not as high as shed likethey are over 90 percent single-dose.

If you look at the scheme of things in terms of where people are going to be traveling, can I please give an added push for the Gold Coast region, please come and get vaccinated, she said.

The border opening comes as another 11 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in Queensland on Wednesday, taking the states pandemic death toll to 63.

Queensland authorities have also recorded another 19,932 new virus cases after 41,293 tests over that period.

There are 835 people being treated for COVID-19 in Queensland hospitals and another 52 in ICU, and 34 on ventilation.
Religious Liberty No Longer an American Priority

Commentary

The Declaration of Independence is Americas charter. Its the foundation on which our republic rests, which is why its most critical assertion remains relevant to every American.

That assertion is that our essential rights, rights from which we cant be separated, as theyre intrinsic to our very humanity, come from God, not the government. And the implication of this claimthat our Creator has endowed us with those rightsis as powerful today as it was in 1776: The primary allegiance of every individual must be to God, not to any government.

This is why religious liberty is so vital. If we cant practice our most deeply held convictions, beliefs that determine how we live and what we value, then were merely wards of the state, hoping for an authoritarian governments mercy.

Thats true not just for Americans, but for all people everywhere. Its why religious liberty is critical to the way our country relates to the rest of the world. Nations that dont honor religious liberty impose a grave threat to their own people, as well as a risk to the rest of the world. This religious intolerance leads to unrest and violence, which in turn lead to the kind of chaos that creates groups such as the Taliban or brutal crackdowns on disfavored religions.

Its in this context that the way the Biden administration is approaching international religious liberty is so troubling. Human rights are  co-equal, intoned Secretary of State Antony Blinken in March of last year. There is no hierarchy that makes some rights more important than others. He said this after eliminating the State Departments Commission on Unalienable Rights, claiming that the commissions focus on religious liberty was unbalanced.

The reality is that around the world, no human right is under such broad and sustained assault as the right to live out ones faith. To say that our previous emphasis on international religious liberty was unbalanced is like saying that since a mosquito bite and stage 4 cancer are both threats to health, they should be given equal treatment.

Over the past year, President Joe Biden has consistently downplayed the brutal religious persecution of our time. Consider Nigeria, where in 2020, more Christians were murdered for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country, according to Open Doors. Yet in November, the Biden State Department intentionally removed Nigeria from the list of nations identified for their religious intolerance when they didnt redesignate Nigeria a country of particular concern. Instead, the Biden administration plans to treat Nigeria as a country with no severe religious freedom violations.

Then there was the humiliating U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. American Enterprise Institute scholar Hal Brands writes that the collapse of that country is a tragedy for many Afghans consigned to Taliban rule. It will also leave a dark legacy, moral and strategic, that the U.S. will not soon escape.

Brandss prophecy is already proving true: The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reports that Afghans who do not adhere to the Talibans harsh and strict interpretation of Islam, as well as those who follow other faiths or beliefs, face grave threats in the current environment. These include such things as executions, disappearances, evictions, desecration of houses of worship, [and] beatings. And as reported by Open Doors, since leaving Islam is considered a sign of insanity, [Afghan] Christians from a Muslim background can even be sent to a psychiatric hospital for life.

Its difficult to navigate the waters of foreign policy. Our national security and vital interests sometimes require hard choices. For example, the president, to his credit, recently signed bipartisan legislation that bans imports from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) of  China and imposes sanctions on foreign individuals responsible for forced labor in the region.

Yet, on balance, the Biden record so far indicates that the president has little interest in advancing religious liberty around the world. This cant help but embolden those who would crush religious liberty, perhaps most especially among Christians. According to the respected Open Doors anti-persecution ministry, Around the world, more than 340 million Christians live in places where they experience high levels of persecution, just for following Jesus.

Of course, America cant defend abroad what it refuses to defend at home. Whether it be through its support for federally funded abortion or its insistence that persons of faith be required to provide services to activities that run counter to their beliefs, this administrations hostility to religious liberty is extensive.

The principles of the Declaration are enduring. Their erosion by Biden within our borders offers a strong explanation for why he is, at best, tepid in fighting for them abroad.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Remember US Energy Independence Day?

Commentary

Once, during a meeting with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump inside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York, we discussed energy policy. I told Trump that if we went all out to produce Americas abundant supply of oil, gas, and coal, the United States could be energy independent in four years.

Trump looked at me from behind his desk and shook his head.

I dont want America to be energy independent. I want America to be energy dominant.

There are few issues where Trump and President Joe Biden have differed more broadly on policy than on energy production. Trump went full speed on fossil fuel production. He lifted drilling restrictions, especially in states such as Alaska and on federal lands in the continental states. He gave the green light to vitally needed pipelines. He blocked new extreme environmental regulations that were intended to choke off our oil and gas supplies. He recognized the shale oil and gas revolution as an unparalleled opportunity to reduce reliance on foreign oil.

The Trump energy policy was an astonishing economic success story. By January 2021, exactly a year ago and Trumps last month in office, for the first time in nearly 50 years, the United States was producing more oil than we were consuming. We imported no net oil from Saudi Arabia and the OPEC cartel nations. We were also producing more oil and gas than the Russians and the Arabs.

Free at last.

Biden has come into office, and after one year, we have seen a 4 percent surplus of domestic oil and gas production fall to a 4 percent oil and gas deficit. We have gone from energy independence back to energy dependence. This is because Biden has declared war on U.S. energy. He has killed pipelines and reversed almost all of Trumps pro-drilling policies. In early January, Biden stopped drilling on hundreds of thousands of potentially prime oil fields in Alaska. He is obsessed with climate change, so he loves wind and solar power, and electric cars that dont use gasoline. But under even the most optimistic assumptions, we will be getting the majority of our electric power, heating oil, and transportation fuels from fossil fuels for at least the next 25 to 30 years.

The only question is whether we will get our fossil fuels to keep the lights on and the cars running from states such as Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, or whether we will get it from the Arabs, the Russians, the Iranians, and the Mexicans. Since the United States has much stricter environmental standards than these other oil-producing nations, any move to lower U.S. production and import the fuels from abroad adds to greenhouse gas emissions. Its lousy economics, a danger to our national security, and isnt even green.

The economic cost of moving away from energy independence is already about a $1 billion loss of economic output each week and about $50 billion a year down the drain.

What is worst of all (and a pitiful and embarrassing turn of events), now that oil production has fallen due to Biden edicts, this president goes to the Saudis and the OPEC nations and begs them to increase their output. Its a black eye for America. It makes us look weak, and it has made us weaker.

The two biggest winners from Bidens war on U.S. energy have been Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. These leaders of nations that are clearly enemies of the United States cant believe their good luck that Biden is president. He has made western and northern Europe dependent on Putin for reliable energy. Meanwhile, in China, Xi pats Biden on the head and pledges that he will reduce the Chinese pollution levels while building scores of new coal plants that burn dirty, not clean, coal.

Does any of this make even one iota of sense? Does any of this strategy put the United States first? And by the way, the consumer price index numbers just came out for Bidens first year in office. Gasoline prices at the pump are up 52 percent in 12 months.

Thanks, Joe.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Syringes with Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine sit on a tray in a vaccination center in London on Dec. 4, 2021. (Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images)

Researcher Calls Out Censorship After Journal Pulls COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Events Analysis

Jessica Rose didnt ask for any of this. She started to analyze data on adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccines simply as an exercise to master a new piece of software. But she couldnt ignore what she saw and decided to publish the results of her analysis. The next thing she knew, she was in a bizzarro world, she told The Epoch Times.

A paper she co-authored based on her analysis was withdrawn by Elsevier, the company publishing the academic journal that ran the article, under circumstances that raised eyebrows among her colleagues. The publisher declined to comment on the matter.

Rose received her PhD in computational biology from the Bar-Ilan University in Israel. After finishing her post-doctoral studies on molecular dynamics of certain proteins, she was looking for a new challenge. Switching to a new statistical computing software, she was looking for an interesting data set to sharpen her skills on. She picked the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a database of reports of health problems that have occurred after a vaccination and may or may not have been caused by it.

She said she wasnt looking for anything in particular in the data.

I dont go in with questions, she said.

What she found, however, was disturbing to her.

VAERS has been in place since 1990 to provide an early warning signal that there might be a problem with a vaccine. Anybody can submit the reports, which are then checked for duplicates. They are largely filed by health care personnel, based on previous research. Usually, there would be around 40,000 reports a year, including several hundred deaths.

But with the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccines, VAERS reports went through the roof. By Jan. 7, there were over a million reports, including more than 21,000 deaths. Other notable issues include over 11,000 heart attacks, nearly 13,000 cases of Bells palsy, and over 25,000 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis.

Rose found the data alarming, only to realize authorities and even some experts were generally dismissing it.

Clearly, theres no concern [among these authorities and experts] for people who are suffering adverse events, she said.

The usual arguments against the VAERS data have been that its unverified and unreliable.

Rose, however, sees such arguments as irrelevantVAERS was never meant to provide definitive answers, its meant to give early warning and, as she sees it, its doing just that.

Its emitting so many safety signals and theyre being ignored, she said.

She teamed up with Peter McCullough, an internist, cardiologist, and epidemiologist, to write a paper on VAERS reports of myocarditis in youthan issue already acknowledged as a side effect of the vaccination, though usually described as rare.

As of July 9, they found 559 VAERS reports of myocarditis, 97 among children ages 1215. Some of them may have been related to COVID itself, which can also cause heart problems, but there were too many cases to dismiss the likelihood the vaccines were involved, according to the authors.

Within 8 weeks of the public offering of COVID-19 products to the 1215-year-old age group, we found 19 times the expected number of myocarditis cases in the vaccination volunteers over background myocarditis rates for this age group, the paper said.

After two weeks, on Oct. 15, the paper disappeared from the publishers website, replaced by a notice of Temporary Removal. Not only werent the authors told why, they werent informed at all, according to Rose.

Its unprecedented in the eyes of all of my colleagues, she said.

When they brought up the issue with the publisher, they were first told the paper was pulled because it wasnt invited, Rose said. That was shot down as irrelevant by McCullough, who threatened to sue for breach of contract. The publisher then turned to its terms of use, saying it has the right to refuse any paper for any reason.

Its still not clear why the paper was pulled.

I do apologise, but Elsevier cannot comment on this enquiry, said Jonathan Davis, the publishers communications officer, in an email to The Epoch Times.

In late November, the paper was replaced by a notice that the article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor.

It just feels like weird censorship that isnt really justified, Rose said.

The papers conclusions are not necessarily controversial. A recent Danish study concluded, for example, an elevated risk of myocarditis for young people following the Moderna COVID vaccine.

Its common, however, even for papers that examine potential issues with the vaccines to frame their results in a way that still endorses vaccination.

Thats what you have to say to get your work published these days, Rose said.

Her paper did no such thing.

As part of any risk/benefit analysis which must be completed in the context of experimental products, the points herein must be considered before a decision can be made pertaining to agreeing to 2-dose injections of these experimental COVID-19 products, especially into children and by no means, should parental consent be waived under any circumstances to avoid children volunteering for injections with products that do not have proven safety or efficacy, the paper said.

The paper also called the vaccines injectable biological productsa reference to the fact that they are distinct from all other traditional vaccines.

A traditional vaccine uses whole live or attenuated pathogens while the COVID vaccines use mRNA in lipid nanoparticles, Rose explained via email. She said the lipid nanoparticles include cationic lipids which are highly toxic. Pfizer, the manufacturer of the most popular COVID-19 vaccine in many countries, addressed the issue by saying the dose is sufficiently low to ensure an acceptable safety margin, according to the European drug authority, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (pdf).

Rose also noted that the COVID-19 vaccines havent gone through the 10-15 years of safety testing that vaccines have always had to go through  for obvious reasons.

By this point, Rose is no longer a dispassionate observer. Reading through countless VAERS reports gave her a window into the hardships of those who believe theyve been harmed by the vaccines.

I speak for all of those people, she said.

In the past, 50 reports of deaths in VAERS would prompt authorities to hit the brakes and investigate, Rose said. In her view, that should have happened with the COVID-19 vaccines a year ago.

Not only has that not happened, but it isnt even clear what would be enough to convince the authorities to do so.

Whats the cut-off number for the number of deaths? Rose asked.

The counterargument is that the vaccines save more lives than they cost. But in Roses view, this logic is flawed since the vaccines havent been around long enough and studied thoroughly enough to tell how many lives they may cost.

It is known, however, that VAERS understates adverse events following vaccinationby a factor of anywhere between 5 and as much as 100, based on some estimates.

Submitting a VAERS report takes about 30 minutes and many medical practitioners simply dont have the time, Rose said. Some may feel that filing the report may get them labeled as anti-vaxxers. Some may simply not associate whatever health issue theyre facing with the vaccination. Some may not even be aware VAERS exists.

Its unlikely that any significant number of the reports would be fraudulent, she suggested, noting its a federal offense to submit a false report.

Rose has now joined the ranks of dissident doctors and researchers skeptical of the official line on the vaccines and the pandemic in general. She described it as something shes compelled to do despite the disincentives involved.

We dont want to be doing this. But it is our duty. Doctors swore an oath to do no harm. And researchers with integrity cannot look away from this, she said via email.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Elsevier as an academic journal. Elsevier is a company specializing in publishing scientific literature. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Russia Moves More Troops Westward Amid Ukraine Tensions

MOSCOWRussia is a sending an unspecified number of troops from the countrys far east to Belarus for major war games, officials said Tuesday, a deployment that will further beef up Russian military presence near Ukraine amid Western fears of a planned invasion.

Amid the soaring tensions, the White House warned that Russia could attack its neighbor at any point, while the UK delivered a batch of anti-tank weapons to Ukraine.

Russias Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said the joint drills with Belarus would involve practicing a joint response to external threats.

Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia could launch an attack on Ukraine from several directions, including from its ally Belarus.

The United States again stressed its concern Tuesday, with White House press secretary Jen Psaki describing the Russian forces move into Belarus as part of as extremely dangerous situation.

Were now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine, she said.

A series of talks last week between Russia, the U.S. and NATO failed to quell the tensions over Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday in another attempt to defuse the crisis.

Ukraines Defense Ministry said Tuesday it has received a shipment of anti-tank weapons from the UK, noting that they will help strengthen our defense capability.

Russia already has started moving troops for the war games in Belarus. Fomin said it would take through Feb. 9 to fully deploy weapons and personnel for the Allied Resolve 2022 drills, which are expected to take place Feb. 1020.

Fomin didnt say how many troops will be involved, but mentioned that Russia will deploy a dozen Su-35 fighter jets and several air defense units to Belarus. The deployment would bolster an estimated 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and other heavy weapons who are already amassed near Ukraine.

Russia has denied that it intends to attack its neighbor but demanded guarantees from the West that NATO will not expand to Ukraine or other former Soviet nations or place its troops and weapons there. Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscows demands during Russia-U.S. negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels last week.

Fomin said the drills in Belarus, which involve an unspecified number of troops from Russias Eastern Military District, reflect the need to practice concentrating the countrys entire military potential in the west.

A situation may arise when forces and means of the regional group of forces will be insufficient to ensure reliable security of the union state, and we must be ready to strengthen it, Fomin said at a meeting with foreign military attaches. We have reached an understanding with Belarus that its necessary to engage the entire military potential for joint defense.

Belarus authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, said the joint maneuvers will be conducted on Belarus western border and in the countrys south, where it borders Ukraine. Lukashenko, who has edged increasingly close to Russia amid Western sanctions over his governments crackdown on domestic protests, has recently offered to host Russian nuclear weapons.

A senior Biden administration official said the Russian troop deployment to Belarus raises concerns that Moscow may be planning to stage troops there to stretch Ukraines defenses with an attack from the north. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issues, noted that the movement may also indicate Belarus willingness to allow both Russian conventional and nuclear forces to be stationed on its territory.

Amid the tensions, Ukraines Defense Ministry said Tuesday that it was speeding up efforts to form reserve battalions that would allow for the rapid deployment of 130,000 recruits to expand the countrys 246,000-strong military.

The United States and its allies have urged Russia to deescalate the situation by calling back the troops amassed near Ukraine.

In recent weeks, more than 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and guns have gathered near Ukraine without an understandable reason, and its hard not to understand that as a threat, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters Tuesday after talks in Moscow with her Russian counterpart, Lavrov.

Lavrov responded by restating Moscows argument that its free to deploy its forces wherever it considers it necessary on its territory.

We cant accept demands about our armed forces on our own territory, Lavrov said. We arent threatening anyone, but we are hearing threats to us.

Baerbock emphasized that the West was ready for a serious dialogue on mutual agreements and steps to bring everyone in Europe more security.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Tuesday. He said the main task now is to make progress on the political way forward to prevent a military attack against Ukraine.

NATO allies are ready to meet with Russia again, and today I have invited Russia and all the NATO allies to attend a series of meetings in the NATO-Russia Council in the near future to address our concerns but also listen to Russias concerns, Stoltenberg said.

He added that NATO in the near future will deliver its written proposals in response to Russian demands and hopefully we can begin meeting after that.

We need to see what Russia says, and that will be a kind of pivotal moment, the NATO chief said.

Lavrov, meanwhile, reaffirmed that Russia wants a quick Western answer to its demand for security guarantees that would preclude NATOs expansion to Ukraine and limit its presence in Eastern Europe. He repeated that in a phone conversation with Blinken, who will visit Ukraine on Wednesday and meet with Lavrov on Friday.

Speaking on a visit Tuesday to Ukraine, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly denounced the Russian troop buildup as unacceptable. She noted Canadas efforts to help train Ukraines military, adding that its currently considering Ukraines demand to provide it with military equipment and will make a decision in a timely manner.

Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 after the ouster of Ukraines Moscow-friendly leader and also threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency that took over large sections in eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have been killed in nearly eight years of fighting there.

By Vladimir Isachenkov
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, left, and the committee's ranking member Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. talk on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, during the committee's hearing on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Senate Judiciary Republicans Laying Groundwork for Wider Probe of School Board Letter Scandal

Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, led by Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, are asking many detailed questions concerning the federal targeting of parents who voice their opinions at local school board meetings.

The extensive details being sought from Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Education Michael Cardona could result in a minority report on the issue during the 2022 midterm congressional election, as well as lay the groundwork for a much deeper probe in 2023 if the GOP regains control of the Senate.

The 11 Republican lawmakers on the committee told Cardona in a Jan. 18 letter: We recently learned that you may have requested that the National School Boards Association (NSBA) send to President Biden its September 29, 2021, letter, which compared concerned parents speaking out at local school boards to domestic terrorists.

That letter was the proximate cause of Attorney General Garland issuing a memorandum on October 4, 2021, directing the FBI and the various U.S. Attorneys to focus on harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence directed at school officials. That action by Attorney General Garland has created a dramatic chilling effect on parents throughout the country and is an inappropriate deployment of federal law enforcement.

It appears that you, the Secretary of Education, instructed a trade association to write a letter to the President of the United States so that the Attorney General might have the requisite cover to deploy federal law enforcement in a manner so as to scare American parents out of speaking freely at school-board meetings and petitioning their local governments.

The signers in addition to Grassley, who is the ranking Republican on the committee and a past chairman of it, and Blackburn, include Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Michael Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

The trade association involved in the controversy is the National School Boards Association (NSBA), which asked President Joe Biden to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to use federal intelligence resources under the Patriot Act to monitor alleged threats of violence against local school board members by parents protesting the inclusion of critical race theory (CRT) and related materials in public school curriculums.

The NSBA request caused an outcry as soon as it became public because the Patriot Act was enacted to deal with international terror threats in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Garlands directive to the FBI elevated the issue as a factor in the Virginia governors race won by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who actively supported parents protesting the Loudoun County school board, which is now being investigated by the states new attorney general, Jason Miyares.

Documents leaked to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, disclosed that the FBI created an official file dubbed EDUOFFICIAL to collect intelligence on the protesting parents.

The Republicans asked Cardona whether he or anyone else at the Department of Education (DOE) requested that the NSBA write its Sept. 29, 2021, letter to Biden. They also want to know how Cardona learned of the issues raised in that letter, whether the White House communicated with the DOE about the letter, and whether the DOE communicated with DOJ, among other issues.

A DOJ spokesman didnt respond to a request for comment.

The Secretary did not solicit a letter from NSBA, a DOE spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email. To understand the views and concerns of stakeholders, the Department routinely engages with students, teachers, parents, district leaders and education associations.
Breathing tubes hang next to a man with COVID-19 on a ventilator at a Stamford Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Stamford, Conn., on April 24, 2020. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Severely Ill COVID-19 Patient Moved 1,000 Miles After Doctors Threaten to Turn Off Ventilator

A Minnesota man battling COVID-19 has been transferred to a Texas hospital after a judge ruled that he cannot be taken off life support.

Scott Quiner, 55, a father-of-three, contracted COVID-19 in October and was put on a ventilator at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, in November. His wife, Anne Quiner, was reportedly told by doctors that his ventilator would be switched off on Jan. 13 after he suffered lung failure.

According to Fox 9, Quiner, who is unvaccinated, was put on a ventilator after his oxygen levels dropped drastically.

Anne Quiner sought a restraining order from Anoka County court, claiming that Allina Health, which operates Mercy Hospital, told her that her husbands life support would be turned off.

She wrote in a petition that my husband will die, without a judges decision.

I have advised the doctors that I vehemently disagree with this action and do not want my husbands ventilator turned off, she said, the Star Tribune reported citing court papers.

She was granted a temporary restraining order against the hospital on Jan. 13. The order blocked the hospital from switching off Quiners ventilator while his wife found a new hospital to treat him.

Quiners family lawyer, Marjorie J. Holsten, told ABC News in a statement on Monday that Quiner was relocated to a Texas hospital, where he remains on a ventilator.

A doctor evaluated him and determined that he was severely undernourished. Scott has been receiving much-needed nourishment and hydration and medications that were not given by Mercy, Holsten said.

He is being weaned off of the sedating drugs and has already been able to follow with his eyes movements the doctor made with his hands. He is making progress in the right direction, though he has a long road ahead of him and continued prayers are appreciated.

Holsten separately told the Star Tribune that Quiners doctor said that he was the most undernourished patient he has ever seen.

The last update I got was yesterday afternoon after some tests had been run. All organs are working except his lungs, she added.

The Epoch Times has contacted Allina Health for comment.

The group told several news outlets in a statement that it has great confidence in the exceptional care provided to our patients, which is administered according to evidence-based practices by our talented and compassionate medical teams.

Due to patient privacy, we cannot comment on care provided to specific patients, the health system wrote. Allina Health continues to wish the patient and family well. Any information regarding the patients on-going care should be directed to his current medical provider.
South Korea's President Moon Jae-in attends the first joint repatriation ceremony for Korean War remains at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam near Honolulu, Hawaii, on Sept. 22, 2021. (Marco Garcia/Reuters File Photo)

South Korea Signs Missile System Export Deal With UAE Amid Stronger Cooperation

South Korea has signed a preliminary deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to sell Seouls mid-range surface-to-air missiles worth 4 trillion won ($3.36 billion), as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation, according to local media outlets.

Seoul is set to export its Cheongung II missile system to the UAE in what is believed to be its largest export deal, which was signed on Jan. 16 after President Moon Jae-in met with Emirati Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai earlier in the day, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The deal comes two months after the Emirati Ministry of Defense wrote on Twitter that it planned to buy South Koreas M-SAM, another name for the Cheongung II, saying that the missile system would constitute a qualitative addition to the capabilities of the national air defense.

Maktoum posted photos of the meeting on Twitter on Jan. 16 and said his country seeks a comprehensive strategic economic partnership with South Korea, referring to the UAE as Seouls top regional trade partner.

According to South Koreas Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Hanwha Defense, Hanwha Systems, and LIG Nex1 had each exchanged contracts with the UAE for the acquisition of Cheongung II in the presence of both leaders.

Minister of Defense Acquisition and DAPA chief Kang Eun-ho said the Cheongung II is an advanced air defense system designed to intercept hostile missiles coming in at altitudes below 40 kilometers (25 miles) and has hit-to-kill technology, the Korean Times reported.

While Cheongung was developed to intercept aircraft, Chenogung-II is capable of intercepting both aircraft and ballistic missiles, Kang told reporters. I can proudly assure the capability of the system.

Apart from the missile system deal, South Korea signed several other agreements with the UAE to bolster their bilateral defense cooperation.

Moon also stressed the two efforts for reciprocal defense cooperation, which results in joint research, development, manufacturing in the UAE, and joint export to third countries, presidential spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee said.

The two countries have strengthened their defense cooperation over the past decade, with South Korean elite special forces even traveling to the UAE to train Emirati troops in an unprecedented years-long deployment for the Asian country.

The UAE has hosted hundreds of North Korean laborers in past years who provide a key revenue stream for Pyongyang. But under pressure to enforce U.S.-led sanctions over North Koreas nuclear program, Abu Dhabi has recently moved to choke off the network and stopped renewing North Korean work visas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A file photo shows police officers opening security gates at Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid, on Aug. 6, 2013. (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Spanish Police Break up Chinese Prostitution Ring After Tip

MADRIDSpanish police have broken up a human trafficking ring that forced Chinese women into prostitution in Spain.

The gang approached the women in China and promised them well-paying jobs in Europe, Police Commissioner Carlos Rio-Miranda Iglesias said Tuesday.

Each woman paid the gang between 8,000 and 10,000 euros ($9,100$11,400). After being flown to Spain, however, they were told they had a debt to the gang, held in unhygienic conditions in apartments, and forced to work as prostitutes 24 hours a day, Rio-Miranda Iglesias told a press conference.

The gang took away the womens passports and anyone who opposed the gangs demands was drugged, he said.

The apartments were in the Spanish capital of Madrid and the northern Spanish cities of Zaragoza and Bilbao.

Police acted on a tip-off and arrested 63 people, including 60 Chinese citizens, two Spaniards, and a Pakistani.

The alleged ringleader in Spain was a Chinese woman, although the gangs true bosses are believed to be in China, police said.
A sign bearing the corporate logo hangs in the window of a Starbucks in Denver on April 26, 2021. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)

Starbucks Ends COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate After Supreme Court Ruling

Starbucks Corp. has ended its COVID-19 vaccine mandate following a Supreme Court ruling that found the Biden administrations attempt to force workers to get a vaccine or wear a mask and be tested weekly was an overstep of its authority.

We respect the courts ruling and will comply, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer John Culver wrote in a memorandum to workers.

In a 63 ruling handed down on Jan. 13, the nations top court stated that the Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration likely didnt have the authority to issue a vaccine mandate, which was set to apply to all businesses with 100 or more workers. While the administration argued that the Occupational Safety and Health Act enabled such a mandate, the courts majority ruled that the act doesnt plainly authorize the vaccination requirements.

The Act empowers the Secretary to set workplace safety standards, not broad public health measures. Confirming the point, the Acts provisions typically speak to hazards that employees face at work. And no provision of the Act addresses public health more generally, which falls outside of OSHAs sphere of expertise, the majority opinion reads.

Following the decision, which blocked the mandate, some companies dropped vaccination requirements, but others have kept them in place, including Starbucks until this week.

Starbucks had said on Jan. 3 that it would comply with the mandate by forcing employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or to get tested weekly for the disease.

This is an important step we can take to help more partners get vaccinated, limit the spread of COVID-19, and create choices that partners can own based on whats best for them, Culver wrote in a letter to workers at the time.

In the new memo, the company said more than 90 percent of its workers already have disclosed their vaccination status, with a vast majority of them being fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated means that a person has received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or a single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Culver also wrote in the memo that Starbucks strongly encourages vaccinations and boosters, as well as the disclosure of vaccination status. Starbucks has about 220,000 employees in the United States.

General Electric Co. is among companies that have suspended their vaccination mandates after the Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration rule, while Citigroup and workwear maker Carhartt are businesses that have kept the mandate in place.

Allen Zhong and Reuters contributed to this report.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Jan. 6, 2022. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)

Strong Case for Surveillance Testing Regime for Teachers: Aussie PM

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the Commonwealth would support the states and territories if they pursue a COVID-19 surveillance testing regime for school teachers, but not so much for students.

I think there is a very strong case about surveillance testing for teachers, Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

Just like we do with healthcare workers. The predominant way, Im advised, the virus comes into a community like that is actually through the teachers, not through the students.

The premiers and chief ministers of Australias states and territories, together with the prime minister discussed the matter at a recent National Cabinet meeting.

There was a strong view about teachers, Morrison said, adding that the Commonwealth would support any jurisdiction that made their own call to do that.

However, he stopped short of supporting daily rapid antigen testing for students.

There is mixed medical advice on this when it comes to surveillance testing of students, to be clear, he said. And the medical advice that weve received, I couldnt say is strongly in favour.

Morrison noted that it could give parents and teacher confidence in the education system if a daily surveillance testing regime were implements.

It would also benefit the economy to have parents and teachers back to work, with the prime minister describing it as being in the national interest and in each jurisdictions interest.

This comes after The Sydney Morning Herald reported, based on anonymous government sources, that the states of New South Wales and Victoria were working on a shared back-to-school plan to be presented to National Cabinet this week that includes surveillance testing for students with rapid antigen tests.

Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus said it was essential for students and teachers to be provided with two free rapid antigen tests per week.

It will be the same for the teachers too. If you are taking those tests at home and you know youre positive, then you can stay at home and youre not spreading it to everyone else, she told Nines Today program.

Meanwhile, a Brisbane school teacher, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has said the governments measures were incredibly insulting and indicated that teachers should be trusted to take precautions if they become unwell.

If people were dropping dead left, right, and centre, [then] I completely understand how they (bi-weekly rapid antigen tests) may be necessary, the source told The Epoch Times. However, this is just for a flu and a cold, I dont understand the need to do this.
A new report shines the spotlight on Dr. Anthony Fauci. The White Houses chief medical adviser is now accused of holding significant investments that were poured into Chinese companies.

Chinas virus death toll may be over 300 times higher than official figures claim, according to a new machine learning program developed in the UK. 

Countries in the Indo-Pacific region are teaming up. The United States and Japan agree to stockpile munitions, focusing on the area around Taiwan, while the Philippines buys new weapons from India to discourage would-be foreign intruders.

Beijing has been eyeing a key port in the Indo-Pacific region. But what makes it different from the rest? We look at its strategic implications and how the regime has gained control.

Chinas real estate crisis is still plaguing the countrys economy. Now, its hit sales numbers for Chinas biggest home builder.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
Supreme Court Appears Receptive to Ted Cruzs Lawsuit Against Campaign Finance Rule

The Supreme Court was skeptical of Biden administration arguments that striking down a campaign finance rule regulating the repayment of loans by a candidate to his own campaign would open the door to bribery in elections.

The case arose after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) lent his campaign committee money and the committee deliberately failed to categorize the unrepaid part of the loan as a campaign contribution in order to launch a First Amendment-based challenge to the rule.

The appeal to the Supreme Court was brought by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) after a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia unanimously ruled against the agency last year.

The case grows out of the 2018 election cycle that culminated in the Republican U.S. senators victory over Beto ORourke, a Democrat, by 2.6 percentage points. ORourke raised more than twice as much money as Cruz in the high-profile, record-breaking $115 million Senate race.

The day before the election, Cruz personally lent $260,000 to Ted Cruz for Senate, his principal campaign committee, which is $10,000 above the maximum amount that the loan-repayment provision in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) allows to be repaid with post-election contributions. The committee had $2.2 million in cash after the election but opted not to use those pre-election contributions to repay Cruz within the 20-day deadline set by FEC regulations. The regulations required that the $10,000 debt be recharacterized as a contribution from Senator Cruz to his campaign, according to an FEC brief.

Cruz and his committee acknowledge deliberately not recharacterizing the $10,000 to establish the factual basis for this challenge.

Cruz argues in a brief (pdf) that Section 304 of the BCRA unconstitutionally deters candidates from lending money to their campaigns by restricting the campaigns ability to repay.

The $250,000 repayment limit by substantially increasing the risk that any candidate loan will never be fully repaidforces a candidate to think twice before making those loans in the first place. As the district court found, this limit burdens a candidates right to speak freely in favor of his own election and runs afoul of the First Amendment.

In recognition of the centrality of free speech to our democracy, the Supreme Court has consistently held that the First Amendment has its fullest and most urgent application to speech uttered during a campaign for political office, the district court stated (pdf). Protections for political speech extend to campaign financing because effective speech requires spending money.

In oral arguments before the Supreme Court on Jan. 19, Deputy Solicitor General Malcolm Stewart said Cruz and his campaign committee lacked legal standing to challenge the loan repayment limit.

Cruzs deliberate self-infliction of injury for no purpose other than to facilitate litigation severed the causal link between the challenged laws and his claimed injury, Stewart said. The limit itself imposes insubstantial burdens on the financing of electoral campaigns and targets a practice that has significant corruptive potential because a post-election contributor generally knows which candidate has won the election.

The conduct the statute regulates implicates the same concerns that underlie limits on gifts to federal officials, Stewart said.

Justice Clarence Thomas said Stewart said a number of times that self-inflicted injuries cant be a basis for standing. Thomas brought up the infamous 1896 Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson that institutionalized Jim Crow laws by finding racial segregation laws were constitutional if facilities for each race were equal in quality, a doctrine later known as separate but equal. The high court overturned the precedent in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

What would you say about Plessy sitting in the wrong car? Thomas asked, referring to Homer Plessy, a light-skinned man deemed to be black, who sat in a first-class train car, contrary to Louisiana law at the time. Plessy was posthumously pardoned by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards two weeks ago.

Stewart replied that the government would not say that that is self-inflicted in the relevant sense.

Thomas retorted: Well, why not? I mean  all he has to do is go to another car.

Stewart said, in the Cruz case, the plaintiffs did something they would not otherwise have done solely for the purpose of being injured and then filing a suit.

Responding to a question from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who participated remotely in the hearing, Stewart offered the example of someone buying a cup of hot coffee from a McDonalds restaurant and pouring it on himself so he could sue.

I think wed all have the strong reaction that suit cant go forward, he said.

Justice Samuel Alito took issue with Stewarts explanation of why the repayment of this loan is a gift when the repayment of other loans is never considered a gift.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett said Cruz says that this doesnt enrich him personally because hes no better off than he was before. Its paying a loan, not lining his pockets.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh said a candidate may be reluctant to lend money to his campaign out of fear he wouldnt get it back.

That seems to be  a chill on your ability to loan your campaign money, Kavanaugh said.

Cruz attorney Charles J. Cooper denounced the governments arguments against standing as meritless.

It doesnt matter whether Cruzs $10,000 injury was self-inflicted. At least since Mr. Plessy sat down in the train car reserved for whites, this court has repeatedly held that a plaintiff who deliberately subjects himself to the injury of unconstitutional government action for the admitted purpose of challenging it has created his standing, not defeated it.

Justice Elena Kagan told Cooper the standing argument was weird and interesting because the regulation authorizing the limit doesnt seem to have all that much to do with the statute.

In other words, the regulation imposes its own requirement thats separate and apart from what the statutory requirement is. And usually where we see something like that  we say, well, the regulation went beyond the bounds of the statute, thats its own legal problem.
Flowers are placed outside Croft House furniture store in memory of graduate student Brianna Kupfer in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2022. (Alice Sun/The Epoch Times)

Suspect Identified in Fatal Stabbing of UCLA Grad Student at Furniture Store

LOS ANGELESThe Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has identified a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old UCLA graduate student in the Hancock Park boutique furniture store where she worked.

Shawn Laval Smith stands 6-feet-3 inches tall, weighs 190 pounds, and is 31 years old. He should be considered armed and dangerous. If seen, people should not approach him and instead call 911, police said.

(Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department)

Smith is highly likely to be using public transportation. Special attention should be given to bus stops and train platforms, according to police.

Smith has been in Pasadena, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Covina, and several other locations in Southern California along with San Diego and San Francisco, police said.

Brianna Kupfer of Pacific Palisades was found dead inside Croft House in the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue at about 1:50 p.m. Thursday, the LAPD reported.

Flowers placed outside Croft House furniture store in memory of graduate student Brianna Kupfer are seen in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2022. (Alice Sun/The Epoch Times)

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz asked his council colleagues earlier Tuesday to add $50,000 to the more than $200,000 from private donations raised for a reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the man who fatally stabbed Kupfer.

We will find this vicious criminal, we will arrest him and we will get him prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Koretz said.

But we must fight for justice for her even though nothing will bring her back. Our mission and my objective is that the perpetrator that took away Brianna from her beloved parents, colleagues, friends and our community will be permanently locked away, constantly reminded of his horrible, ugly and senseless murder of an innocent young woman who had endless potential, he added.

Police released video Tuesday from a 7-Eleven store, showing the alleged stabber casually shopping 30 minutes after he killed Kupfer. He was also shopping at other stores before and after the killing, police said.

This individual responsible for this vicious, senseless, and brutal crime walks amongst us. I am convinced of that, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said.

I am convinced of it because of the reports of his activities prior to and in the aftermath of this brutal homicide, where he visited businesses up and down La Brea and on the Beverly corridor as well. Businesses large and small.

The man was believed to be homeless and was described as 6 feet to 6- feet-5 with a thin build and short dreadlocks, according to police. He was wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses, a white, painters-style mask, dark skinny jeans and dark shoes. He was carrying a dark backpack.

We do believe that the suspect is homeless, and thats in part because he came on foot, he left on foot. Hes carrying a backpack, which is consistent with homeless people carrying extra clothing with them and sleeping out on the streets. Theres some additional information that I cannot share with you at this point, Lt. John Radke said.

 At 1:36 p.m. in the afternoon, Brianna was working in the store all by herself. She sent a text to a friend letting her know that there was someone inside the location that was giving her a bad vibe. Regrettably, that person did not see the text immediately, Radke added.

Kupfer was working alone at the time of the attack. Her body was found in the store by a customer about 15 minutes after the text was sent.

The officers met with the reporting party, a customer who had entered the store and discovered the victim deceased on the floor, police said in a statement last week.

Detectives have determined the suspect was not known to the victim and was a random walk-in to the store, police said. The suspect attacked the victim with a knife and fled the scene through the back door.

The suspect was last seen on video surveillance, northbound in the alley to the rear of the crime scene.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the crime should contact West Bureau homicide investigators at 213-382-9470, 877-LAPD-247, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
Flowers placed outside Croft House furniture store in memory of graduate student Brianna Kupfer, in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2022. (Alice Sun/The Epoch Times)

Suspect in Fatal Stabbing of UCLA Grad Student Arrested in Pasadena

LOS ANGELESThe man suspected of fatally stabbing a 24-year-old UCLA graduate student in the Hancock Park boutique furniture store where she worked was arrested on Jan. 19 in Pasadena.

Shawn Laval Smith, 31, was arrested after Pasadena police received a tip from a caller of a possible sighting, Lt. William Grisafe of the Pasadena Police Department told City News Service.

Los Angeles police officer Lizeth Lomeli told City News Service the arrest was made at 11:50 a.m. near Fair Oaks and Colorado Boulevard.

Smith was arrested without incident and was transferred to the Los Angeles Police Departments (LAPD) custody, Grisafe said.

The LAPD had identified Smith as a suspect the night of Jan. 18 and released photos.

Smith is suspected in the killing of Brianna Kupfer of Pacific Palisades, who was found dead inside Croft House in the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue at about 1:50 p.m. on Jan. 13.

LAPD Lt. John Radke said on Jan. 18 that Kupfer was alone in the store when she was attacked.

At 1:36 p.m. in the afternoon, Brianna was working in the store all by herself, Radke said. She sent a text to a friend letting her know that there was someone inside the location that was giving her a bad vibe. Regrettably, that person did not see the text immediately.

Her body was found in the store by a customer about 15 minutes after the text was sent.

We do believe that the suspect is homeless, and thats in part because he came on foot, he left on foot, Radke said. Hes carrying a backpack, which is consistent with homeless people carrying extra clothing with them and sleeping out on the streets. Theres some additional information that I cannot share with you at this point.

Police said the attack appeared to be completely random, and the suspect didnt know the victim. The suspect was seen on video surveillance, walking northbound in the alley to the rear of the crime scene.

Police released a video on Jan. 18 from a 7-Eleven store, showing the alleged stabber casually shopping 30 minutes after he killed Kupfer. He was also shopping at other stores before and after the killing, police said.

The killing set off a massive manhunt, with authorities offering $250,000 in reward money for information leading to Smiths capture. Private donations amassed $200,000, while Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz asked his council colleagues on Jan. 18 to add $50,000 to the amount.

We will find this vicious criminal, we will arrest him and we will get him prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Koretz said.

We must fight for justice for her even though nothing will bring her back. Our mission and my objective is that the perpetrator that took away Brianna from her beloved parents, colleagues, friends, and our community will be permanently locked away, constantly reminded of his horrible, ugly, and senseless murder of an innocent young woman who had endless potential.

Flowers placed outside Croft House furniture store in memory of graduate student Brianna Kupfer, in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2022. (Alice Sun/The Epoch Times)

Fox11 reported that Smith has an extensive criminal history dating back more than a decade, with more than a dozen arrests in three states.

According to the station, Smith had nearly a dozen arrests between 20102019 in Charleston, South Carolina, including a pending case for allegedly discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. His other arrests included allegations of trespassing, disorderly conduct, littering, marijuana possession, and unlawful entry.

Smith was also suspected in a rash of bicycle thefts in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to Fox11. He also allegedly assaulted a police officer in San Mateo, California.

Smith was arrested in Los Angeles County in October of 2020 on an unspecified misdemeanor charge, according to jail records.
Suspects Who Abducted Woman in Wasaga Beach, Ont, Claimed to Be Police

Three suspects who abducted a woman in Wasaga Beach, Ont., last week were dressed in police gear and claimed to have a warrant to arrest her, investigators said on Tuesday.

Ontario Provincial Police Det.-Insp. Matt Watson said Elnaz Hajtamiri, 37, was abducted from a home last Wednesday evening by three men wearing police gear, but not actual police uniforms.

He said the suspects claimed to be there to arrest the victim, but when the homeowner became suspicious and tried to call 911, the trio overpowered the owner and abducted Hajtamiri.

He said the suspects then fled the house in a vehicle described as a white SUV, believed to be a Lexus RX.

Her family (members) are very concerned for her safety, he told reporters in Orillia, Ont., on Tuesday.

The OPP is deploying all available resources to help locate Elnaz. We want to bring her home.

The force has established a dedicated tip line for the case and is asking the public for any information that could help locate Hajtamiri.

Hajtamiri, who also goes by the last name Tamiri, is described as five feet three inches tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length black hair.
Travelers walk at Arlanda International Airport following the coronavirus concern and canceled flights, in Stockholm, Sweden, on March 12, 2020. (TT News Agency/Fredrik Sandberg via Reuters)

Sweden Scraps Demand for Negative COVID-19 Test to Enter Country

STOCKHOLMTravelers to Sweden will no longer be required to show a negative COVID-19 test before entering the country, the government said on Tuesday.

Sweden introduced rules for a recent negative COVID-19 test on Dec. 28 last year in a bid to slow the spread of the more contagious Omicron variant. Since then, Sweden has repeatedly set new daily case records with Omicron now the totally dominant variant.

Travelers are no longer considered to pose a particular risk of affecting the spread of Omicron in Sweden, the government said in a statement.

Sweden has recorded more than 20,000 new daily cases over the past few days, roughly double the previous record from earlier waves.
Congregation Beth Israel Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, left, walks into a healing service with an unidentified man, at Whites Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Yffy Yossifor/Star-Telegram via AP)

Texas Synagogue Hostage-Taker Had Stayed in Area Shelters

COLLEYVILLE, TexasAn armed man who took four people hostage during a 10-hour standoff at a Texas synagogue had spent time in area homeless shelters in the two weeks leading up to the attack, and was dropped off at one by someone he appeared to know.

Malik Faisal Akram, a 44-year-old British national who authorities identified as the hostage-taker, was brought to the shelter in downtown Dallas on Jan. 2 by a man who hugged him and had conversations with him, said Wayne Walker, CEO and pastor of OurCalling, which provides services to homeless people.

He was dropped off by somebody that looked like he had a relationship with him, said Walker, who said theyd turned photos and video over to the FBI.

An FBI spokeswoman said late Monday that they did not have any information they could confirm regarding Akrams stay at the OurCalling facility. The agency has said there was no early indication that anyone else was involved in the hostage-taking.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker told  CBS Mornings that hed let Akram into Congregation Beth Israel on Saturday morning because he appeared to need shelter. The synagogue is in Colleyville, a city of about 26,000 people located 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Dallas.

Cytron-Walker said the man wasnt threatening or suspicious at first, but later he heard a gun click as he was praying.

The rabbi and three other men were participating in the service that was being livestreamed when they were taken hostage. The first hostage was released shortly before 5 p.m. Cytron-Walker and two others escaped around 9 p.m., when Cytron-Walker threw a chair at the gunman.

The exit wasnt too far away, Cytron-Walker said. I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door. And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired.

Akram was killed after the hostages ran out. Authorities have declined to say who shot Akram, saying it was still under investigation.

Video of the standoffs end from Dallas TV station WFAA showed people running out a door of the synagogue, and then a man holding a gun opening the same door just seconds later before he turned around and closed it. Moments later, several shots and then an explosion could be heard.

The FBI on Sunday night issued a statement calling the ordeal a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted and said the Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating. The agency noted that Akram spoke repeatedly during negotiations about a prisoner who is serving an 86-year sentence in the U.S. The statement followed comments Saturday from the special agent in charge of the FBIs Dallas field office that the hostage-taker was focused on an issue not specifically related to the Jewish community.

Akram could be heard ranting on a Facebook livestream of the services and demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaida who was convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan.

The last hour or so of the standoff, he wasnt getting what he wanted. It didnt look good. It didnt sound good. We were terrified, Cytron-Walker told CBS Mornings.

At a service held Monday evening at a nearby Methodist church, Cytron-Walker said the amount of well-wishes and kindness and compassion has been overwhelming.

Thank you for all of the compassion, from the bottom of my heart, Cytron-Walker said.

While very few of us are doing OK right now, well get through this, he said.

The investigation stretched to England, where late Sunday police in Manchester announced that two teenagers were in custody in connection with the standoff. Greater Manchester Police tweeted that counter-terrorism officers had made the arrests but did not say whether the pair faced any charges.

Police stand in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 16, 2022. (Brandon Wade/AP Photo)

British media, including the Guardian, reported Tuesday that Akram had been under investigation by the domestic security service, MI5, as a possible terrorist threat in 2020. The investigation was closed after authorities concluded Akram posed no threat, the reports said.

Britains Home Office did not immediately comment on the reports.

President Joe Biden called the episode an act of terror. Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Sunday, Biden said Akram allegedly purchased a weapon on the streets.

Federal investigators believe Akram purchased the handgun used in the hostage-taking in a private sale, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Akram arrived in the U.S. at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York about two weeks ago, a law enforcement official said.

Akram arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa from Great Britain, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was not intended to be public. Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement that its counter-terrorism police were liaising with U.S. authorities about the incident.

U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel told the House of Commons on Monday that she had spoken to her U.S. counterpart, Alejandro Mayorkas, and offered the full support of the police and security services in Britain in the investigation.

After staying at the OurCalling facility on Jan. 2, he stayed in another Dallas homeless shelter.

Akram stayed three nights between Jan. 6 and Jan. 13 at Union Gospel Mission Dallas, the homeless shelters CEO, Bruce Butler, told CNN. According to their records, Akram left there for the last time on Jan. 13two days before he took the hostages at the synagogue.

Akram used his phone during the course of negotiations to communicate with people other than law enforcement, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

It wasnt clear why Akram chose the synagogue, though the prison where Siddiqui is serving her sentence is in Fort Worth.

An attorney in Texas who represents Siddiqui said Monday that Siddiqui had no connections to Akram.

She said from the beginning when she was sentenced that she does not want any violence done in her name and she doesnt condone any type of violence being done, said attorney Marwa Elbially.

Akram, who was called Faisal by his family, was from Blackburn, an industrial city in northwest England. His family said hed been suffering from mental health issues.

We would also like to add that any attack on any human being, be it a Jew, Christian or Muslim, etc. is wrong and should always be condemned, his brother, Gulbar Akram, wrote.

By Jamie Stengle, Jake Bleiberg and Eric Tucker
Texas Synagogue Hostage-Taker Raised No Red Flags: White House

The man accused of taking hostages in a Texas synagogue over the weekend was screened before entering the United States, but the screenings raised no red flags, according to the White House.

Our understandingand, obviously, were still looking into thisis that he was checked against U.S. government databases multiple times prior to entering the country, and the U.S. government did not have any derogatory information about the individual in our systems at the time of entry, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington on Jan. 18.

Malik Faisal Akram, 44, has been identified by law enforcement as the armed man who ended up dead after U.S. authorities rushed into Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 15.

Malik Akram, a British national, was on the watchlist of MI5, the UKs security service, according to reports from UK media outlets. Those reports stated that he was probed by MI5 as a possible terrorist threat in 2020, but the investigation was closed after officials determined that he wasnt a threat.

Gulbar Akram, Malik Akrams brother, told media outlets that he believes his sibling never should have been allowed to get a visa, citing the mans mental health issues that he said were widely known.

Malik Akram should never have been able to get through immigration, Gulbar Akram told Sky News. Someone helped him. He shouldnt have been able to board a plane without any stringent checks.

Gulbar Akram also commented on the situation to The New York Times.

How had he gotten into America? he asked. Why was he granted a visa? How did he land at J.F.K. airport and not get stopped for one second?

Police stand in front of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 16, 2022. (Brandon Wade/AP Photo)

Asif Mahmud, a community organizer and a friend of the family, also said Malik Akram had clearly suffered from mental health issues for a number of years.

The UKs Home Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security didnt return requests for comment and the White House didnt provide more information regarding the situation.

Were certainly looking back, as I referenced, at what occurred to learn every possible lesson we can to prevent attacks like this in the future, Psaki said.

Also on Jan. 18, UK officials released two teenagers who were arrested in England following the hours-long standoff in Texas.

The pair, reportedly relatives of Malik Akram, werent charged, counter-terrorism officials said.

Dominic Scally, one of the officials, said UK law enforcement had been in touch overnight with its U.S. counterparts. The UK officials promised to support U.S. authorities with their investigation and continue to engage in a local probe.

Few details have been released by U.S. authorities on the matter, though FBI officials said on Jan. 16 that it was investigating the incident as a terrorism-related matter and that Malik Akram had demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist whos serving an 86-year prison sentence after being convicted for attempting to murder and assault Americans in Afghanistan.
The New COVID-Inspired Underground RailwayInterview With A.J. DePriest

Commentary

It almost seems sacrilegious to compare whats going on today with COVID-19 with the Underground Railway that freed many of our fellow humans from the unconscionable condition of slavery. But our fellow humans are dying now in serious numbers, whether actually from COVID-19 or not.

A great percentage of mortalities are happening inside the hospitals, the very bastions of our medical system, where patients are only allowed to have the care the government decrees, which often has the most negative result.

This has given rise to a modern underground thats doing many things, including getting people forbidden medications that actually save them, and even liberating the patients from the hospitals by methods some of which will only be hinted at here.

This movement has developed its own Harriet Tubmans of all colors who are popping up in different parts of the country.

One of the more prominent is A.J. DePriest who has appeared recently on The Highwire with Del Bigtree discussing her analysis of why the treatment of the pandemic has turned into the travesty that it has. (Hint: Follow the money.)

I sat down with A.J. near our homes in Middle Tennesse to interview her on another matterthe nuts and bolts of whats shes doing on the ground to help people.

What follows has some redactions to allow courageous individuals who prefer not to be identified to keep their jobs and for brevity.

I asked her first to describe generally what she was doing.

A.J. DePriest: We have two organizations: the TN Liberty Network, a small think tank, and the Adam Group that has a website, TheAdamGroup.net. On that website, we have information about how to prevent COVID, which everyone should know, because it is preventable. And we have information about how to treat COVID at home with the help of primary care physicians. And because people also dont know that you can treat COVID at home very well, even if you have comorbidities. And with the help of a primary care doctor, which we will help you find, you dont have to go into a hospital, which involves the third part of the Adam Group, which is the advocacy network we have across the state, and now in a couple of other states, to not only help people get out of hospitals whove been medically kidnapped, and to help families get in to COVID patients who have been isolated.

Roger Simon: Were familiar with the protocols at The Epoch Times and have interviewed Drs. McCullough, Malone, and others deeply involved with the issue. But medically kidnapped? We have never had an interview with anybody who is playing, lets say, the Harriet Tubman role of our time. Lets start with how you determine who is in a hospital illegitimately or shouldnt be there.

DePriest: The family usually contacts us either through our website or through word of mouth now, mostly, and they let us know that someone they love, family member, friend, is in the hospital, that they have not been allowed to see them. Theyve had phone calls and videos saying they want to leave, but the hospital wont let them, although they are able to. And so the family calls us for how.

Simon: What do you do next?

DePriest: Well, if theyre not on a ventilator, it makes it a lot easier. Because, you know, some people are really, by the time they get on a ventilator, its almost too late for us to help. But usually theyre not on a ventilator. Theyre usually in either the COVID ICU, or in the COVID unit of just the regular part of the hospital. And the first thing we do is we look up the hospital visitation policy. And since Tennessee isnt under a state of emergency anymore, theres no reason why hospitals cant abide by their pre-COVID hospital visitation rules. But theyve been excluding the family, violating their own visitation policy, which is usually on their website. So thats the first thing we do. And then we print out that and the order from Governor Lee that stated when the state of emergency ended. Then we track down their patient bill of rights from their website and we go over with the family and instruct them about how their rights have been violated. And we tell them how to go to the hospital and put together a meeting with the risk manager, even the CEO if necessary, the charge nurse, nurse supervisor, the patients doctors, and just confront them and say, Here is your patient bill of rights. Here are the rights that youve violated. Here is your patient visitation policy. Here is the release from the state of emergency. Im going in now to see my family. Do you need me to wear a mask? Do you need me to take a COVID test to prove that Im okay?

Simon: Are you with the family at this point?

DePriest: So far, they havent needed me personally to be there. But if they need it, we have advocates all over the state now.

Simon: I imagine that could be the case. Many people are not used to confronting authority, particularly medical authority.

DePriest: I know. Before COVID who ever questioned going to the hospital or firing your doctor in a hospital? I mean, it was just unheard of for you to even question the medical authority. But now you have to, because there is one protocol used in the hospital. And that protocol will kill you. If you dont question it.

Simon: I wrote a column for Epoch Times recently, Do You Trust Your Doctor Anymore? In the comments, no one said yes. So getting backsuppose this doesnt work? What happens next?

DePriest: A couple of things. If the family has a power of attorney, thats very helpful. So everyone, before they go into a hospital should assign their power of attorney or their designated advocate. And that person can then call the county sheriff, and seek help that way. Now, we have had great success in some counties in Tennessee, with the county sheriff helping families get in to to see their loved ones. And its not, you know, its not Gunsmoke, guns blazing, you know, comes in and takes over. Its not like that. The sheriff and the deputies are very pleasant. They go in and they talk to the ICU doctors, or the ER staff. And they just explain that theyre violating this persons constitutional rights, and its worked.

Simon: Are there other methods you use?

DePriest: Weve had luck with threatening to file complaints with the Joint Commission, the Joint Government Operations Committee, and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare [Services], because they dont want complaints. But other times people have called me and theyve had loved ones in the hospital and they said, you know hes, hes still in the emergency room. They wont let us in. They wont let him out. And I just tell them, get three or four of your big friends, go in and get him out. And they have, and theyve had the hospital people screaming at them.

Simon: Tell us some of the stories of how you work with doctors and nurses and others who prefer to remain anonymous in this situation to preserve their jobs.

DePriest: When all of this COVID business started, and we started helping people either get into hospitals to see family or get out, weve found out that having primary care physicians on the outside was very helpful to keeping people out of the hospitals, but also for lining them up to take care of patients that we basically jailbreak from hospitals. They have to go immediately under a doctors care to be treated at home.

Simon: How successful have you been?

DePriest: I love saying that for every person whos contacted us for preventive treatment, and every person whos contacted us for treatment afterwards, we have a 100 percent survival rate. But if they are in hospitals, and theyre on Remdesivir, and ventilators, they have about an 84 percent chance of death. So I think our winning streak is a little better. When we started looking for doctors to treat these patients we were getting out of hospitals, they needed to be doctors that we knew would prescribe the right medications to actually help people get better.

Simon: What are the basics of the protocol that youve been using for at home?

DePriest: The Frontline Doctors FLCC protocols. Thats our standard. We also use Dr. Richard Bartletts protocols. Dr. Bartlett is the Dallas, Texas, doctor who saved so many people using his protocol that particularly helps with active COVID. And so we use a number of different protocols. But the doctors that we line up for patients, they really decide what the patient should be on thats best for them. And we dont interfere with that doctorpatient relationship. We just simply make the introduction, and then the doctors take over care for them.

Simon: As of now, I gather youre Tennessee centric. But have you expanded beyond our borders here?

DePriest: Yes, since our website has been up, weve had phone calls from all over the country, people who need our help. Trying to find advocates in these different states has been hard. But we built a network and now we have a group up in Indiana and another one in Kentucky. Theres one in North Carolina. They all use our website. And theyre building their own advocate networks in these different states. And I know that there are lots of other states who have very similar groups and hear from them all the time. The doctors who contact us or we find, we have to keep them firewall protected. Doctors who even talk about ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine and the FLCC protocols, anyone who doesnt push the COVID shot, are at risk of having their licenses threatened by the board of examiners in the different states. And I know in Tennessee, weve had our Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners threaten doctors licenses for going outside of what they tell them to do, think, and say, and theyve been scolded by our legislature. But they continue to do it. So we just protect our doctors privacy and their identities, so that they can treat their patients.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Attorney General Merrick Garland looks on as President Joe Biden speaks about crime prevention at the White House in Washington, on June 23, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The Wolves Will Become Sheep

Commentary

When some people get power, they become like wolves. They take whatever savage actions are needed to win and dominate. They turn their opponents and critics into sheep who learn to be quiet or face vicious attacks and destruction.

Think of Joseph Stalin killing his rivals. Think of the Castro brothers torturing, imprisoning, and exiling opponents. Consider the decay of Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe as political opponents were imprisoned, killed, and exiled. Recall the ruthlessness of Hugo Chavez in taking over Venezuela. He destroyed or exiled middle class opponentswho relied on demonstrations while confronting the dictatorships militia. Meanwhile, the militia was cheerful about using force to destroy the class which had created a successful, wealthy Venezuela.

The United States has had relatively few experiences of wolf-like behavior, because the separation of powers within the federal government and between the federal and state governmentscombined with the Constitutional limits on government powerhave made it impossible to sustain wolf-like behavior. The American people routinely reject overreaching politicians. The U.S. Supreme Court limits the ability of the executive branch to overreach. The states retain so much power and independence that their leaders can limit the ability of Washington wolves to overreach.

We are currently living through a moment of delusion among Democrats, who seem to think they can behave like wolves and destroy and intimidate their opponents. The wolves who currently dominate the Democratic Party think they will permanently be wolves. They are wrong. The 2022 election will turn the Democratic wolves into sheep, and the power to shear them will be handed to the House Republicans.

Watching the increasingly vicious and destructive actions of the House Democratsalong with the handful of Republican enablers on the January 6 Committeecombined with the astonishing viciousness of President Joe Bidens speeches at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and in Atlanta on Jan. 11, and Atty. Gen. Merrick Garlands speeches and actions has been the most sobering period in my more than 60 years in public life.

We now have a president and an attorney general who see at least half the country as their enemies. They are focused on attacking, smearing, and defaming fellow Americans with whom they disagree. More frighteningly the attorney general has the power to direct the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office to frame people and put them in jail on the most trivial of charges.

The House Special Committee on January 6 is in the process of potentially bankrupting scores of Americans who worked for or supported President Trump. They face financial ruin defending themselves against the committees attack. The legal costs of fighting subpoenas and the further cost of legal counsel if put under oath by a hostile congressional committee creates a real burden. That financial burden is compounded by the psychological stress of being under assault by the Democrats in the Houseand potentially the FBI.

House Republicans owe it to the Constitution and the American people to defeat the wolves and return them to sheep status.

This is not about revenge. This is about reinforcing the principle that in America, political wolves who viciously destroy their fellow Americansand violate the rule of law to do sowill not be tolerated. This is about restoring the core principles of American self-government.

First, Leader Kevin McCarthy and his leadership team should send a letter to every member of the Select Committee, the staff of that committee, the staff of House Administration, and the staff of Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This letter should warn them that they must keep all emails, notes, records of all meetings, and communications, so that on Jan. 4, 2023, they can all be reviewed by the new Select Committee on Congressional Dishonesty and Abuse of Power.

Second, Leader McCarthy and his leadership team should send a letter to the Attorney General, select U.S. attorneys, the head of the FBI, and such other executive branch officials engaged in persecuting Americans for their political views. This letter, too, should lay down the same marker of keeping all records and being prepared to answer for their behavior on Jan. 4, 2023.

Third, Republicans should take note of Speaker Pelosis extraordinary, tradition breaking assumption of control over Republican committee membership. In the same tradition, Republicans should prepare a wolves-to-sheep committee as a holding pen for vicious, dishonest smear artists such as Congressman Adam Schiff, whose willingness to lie and deceive the American people extends from the Russian dossier to the present. After years of lying to everyone while serving as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee (and thereby having the presumption of secret knowledge to back up his lies) Schiff should not be allowed to serve on any committee with legislative jurisdiction. He and a handful of destructive, dishonest members should be bundled into a new committee with no staff, legislative jurisdiction, or honor. It would be the equivalent of the ancient Greek punishment of ostracism.

Now, let me be clear: House Republicans should devote 90 percent of their energy to hearings and legislating on positive, historic efforts which will guarantee Americas safety, prosperity, and freedom (see my previous column on this).

However, House Republicans owe it to the defense of the Constitution, our freedoms, and the integrity of the House to have a wolf-to-sheep conversion projectfor the House itself, the Justice Department, and any other agency which has threatened innocent Americans in an effort to censor and destroy their political views.

From Gingrich360.com

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A satellite image shows the main port facilities after the main eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, on Jan. 18, 2022. (Satellite Image 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters)

Tsunami Wiped Out Entire Villages on One Island, Killed 3 People: Tonga Govt

Entire villages on one of Tongas small outer islands have been wiped out by the tsunami that followed Saturdays massive volcanic eruption, which killed at least three people, the Tongan government said on Tuesday in its first update since the tragedy struck.

The three known fatalities from the tsunami are a 65-year-old woman on Mango Island, a 49-year-old man on Nomuka island, and a 50-year-old Briton identified as Angela Glover on Tongatapu Tongas main island, whose body was found on Monday. Glover was reported missing after being swept away by the tsunami while attempting to rescue her dogs.

The tsunami destroyed all homes on Mango Island, leaving only two on Fonoifua, while Nomuka sustained extensive damage, the government said in a statement released by its Consulate on Twitter.

In some areas, the tsunami wave reached a height of 15 meters, the statement added.

The Kingdom of Tonga is made up of more than 170 islands, many uninhabited.

On the western side of Tongatapu, 56 houses were damaged in some areas. Several houses on Kolomotua and Eua islands were also damaged.

The Tongan Maritime Force had been deployed with health teams to deliver water, food, and tents to the islands. It stated that more aid was dispatched on Tuesday due to the severity of damage observed on Mango, Fonoifua, and Namuka islands.

Evacuations have been carried out on the affected islands, including Atata and parts of Tongatapu islands, with a number of injuries reported, the government said.

Communication lines with outer islands were only restored on Monday after the Australian and New Zealand governments dispatched surveillance flights to the Pacific island.

Local phone systems have mostly been restored on Tongatapu and Eua islands, but communications with residents on Vavau and Haapai islands remain limited, while internet services remain down, the Tongan government said.

There has been no communication with the Niuas as yet. The Niuas are considered low risk because of their relative distance to the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano, it added.

Meanwhile, the United Nations on Wednesday said that it will conduct relief operations remotely and may not send personnel to Tonga to avoid a coronavirus outbreak there.

Tonga is one of the few countries that are free from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. The country reported only one case of infection since the beginning of the pandemic, which involved a traveler from New Zealand.

We believe that we will be able to send flights with supplies. Were not sure that we can send flights with personnel and the reason for this is that Tonga has a very strict COVID-free policy, Fiji-based U.N. co-ordinator Jonathan Veitch said in a press briefing.

The tiny island nation of just over 100,000 people has 90 percent of immunization coverage both in adults and also younger people over the age of 12, Veitch said.

Theyve been very cautious about opening their borders like many Pacific islands, and thats because of the history of disease outbreaks in the Pacific which has wiped out societies here, he added.

Parliament Speaker Lord Fakafanua said via satellite phone on Monday that Tonga is in need of COVID-safe support to ensure enough fresh drinking water and food. He said that details about Tongas official disaster relief fund would be announced soon, with all relief funds to be verified to ensure the help kindly offered reaches those in need.

Reuters contributed to this report.
UK COVID-19 Skeptic Fined Over Confrontation With NHS Workers

An English woman who filmed empty hospital corridors while questioning wheres all the people dying from the second wave in December 2020 was convicted on Wednesday.

Debbie Hicks, 47, was found guilty of a charge under the Public Order Act of using threatening words or behaviour likely to cause harassment over a brief confrontation with two NHS workers.

The former psychologist and teacher received a fine of 120 ($164). She was also ordered to pay 775 ($1,056) prosecution costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a victim surcharge of 34 ($46).

In a video posted on Facebook, Hicks characterised the court decision as beingpolitical, adding she will appeal and take this to the top if necessary. She also asked her followers to share her crowd-funding page to help raise legal fees.

Hicks went to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester, England, both on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, 2020, when parts of England, including Gloucester, were put under tier three restrictions over the emergence of the Alpha CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variant.

In a video shared online, Hicks was heard saying Wheres the second wave? Wheres [sic] all the people dying from the second wave? Where are they while filming the mostly empty hospital grounds and corridors.

She went on to say it was proof that people are under lockdown for this, for an empty hospital.

All the people in our country desperately waiting for treatment, cancer treatment, heart disease. Look at this, she said, adding she was angered by the scene.

The hospital later said parts of the areas were closed over Christmas, and that it was treating 200 patients with COVID-19 at the time.

Hicks was confronted on a stairwell in the hospital during her second visit by occupational therapist Katie Williams and senior physiotherapist Sophie Brown, who recognised her voice from the video she recorded on the previous day and live-streamed on Facebook.

After a brief confrontation, Hicks left after security was called, and she was arrested from her home the following day.

Brown has told the court that Hicks behaved disrespectfully and violated her personal space.

We worked so hard so to say that what we were doing was a sham put us all on edge, Brown told the court, which also heard that the staff were aware of the comments on Hicks video by anti-vaxxers online.

During a trial earlier this month, Hicks had denied using threatening and abusive words towards the women.

She told the court she was attempting to demonstrate to the public that government restrictions were disproportionate, and the hospital was not overflowing with patients.

Lawyers representing Hicks argued her conduct was reasonable in the circumstances and that she had a right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

They also suggested the prosecution was not proportionate in interfering with Hicks rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

District Judge Nicholas Wattam said Hicks did not seek confrontation, but confrontation did develop.

He also said Williams and Brown had given evidence that was cogent, credible, and without exaggeration and that he had no doubt the pair felt threatened by Hicks words and behaviour.

She was aggressive and dismissive of them and tried to record a non-consenting interview of them while holding a mobile phone, the judge said.

They were distressed by her and both told me that they were intimidated by her and that they were frightened they would be streamed online.

He added that the therapists were aware of the footage the previous day and found her running commentary distressing.

Taken together, Mrs Hicks behaviour did amount to harassment and the words used were threatening and abusive, he said.

He also told Hicks that there were other ways to express your views, and said Williams and Brown did not deserve to be molested by Mrs Hicks when at work and should be protected by the law.

In mitigation, Barrister Merry Van Woodenburg said the registered psychologist and teacher does not have a job and lost any opportunity of employment, and that her defence was funded by others who have similar public concerns.

Hicks told the court shes living on her husbands salary and the couple is in debt and struggling.

PA contributed to this report.
American Airlines and American Eagle planes sit at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 18, 2022. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

AT&T, Verizon Delay 5G Rollout Near Some Airports After Airlines Warn of Safety Concerns

AT&T and Verizon on Tuesday agreed to temporarily delay its rollout of 5G service near some U.S. airports after airlines warned the rollout would cause flight cancellations.

Both AT&T and Verizon still plan on deploying their 5G networks on Jan. 18, aside from a limited number of 5G towers within two miles of some runways.

AT&T and Verizon did not say how many airports were affected and how long the delays in service would last, but said that they would work with federal regulators to settle the dispute.

The decision to delay comes as the Biden administration tries to broker a settlement between the telecom companies and the airlines over a rollout of 5G service.

The airlines want the new service to be banned from two miles of airport runways, as it may interfere with flight electronics.

The new high-speed 5G C-Band service sits next to frequencies used by key instruments on standard commercial aircraft, which the FAA warned could interfere with key systems, such as radio altimeters.

Radio altimeters are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground and are a vital tool to help pilots land when visibility is poor, and they also link to other systems on planes.

Having 5G signals near airports could interfere with the altimeters pilots use to measure how close they are to the ground, according to an FAA study last year.

In December, the FAA ordered many commercial and commuter aircraft not to rely on them when experiencing 5G interference.

AT&T and Verizon deny that their equipment will interfere with aircraft electronics and that the technology is being safely used in many other countries.

However, Emirates, Air India, All Nippon Airways, and Japan Airlines have announced they would cancel some flights to the United States due to uncertainty about 5G rollouts.

At our sole discretion we have voluntarily agreed to temporarily defer turning on a limited number of towers around certain airport runways as we continue to work with the aviation industry and the FAA to provide further information about our 5G deployment, since they have not utilized the two years theyve had to responsibly plan for this deployment, said AT&T in a press statement.

The telecom company said it was frustrated by the FAAs inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it do so in a timely manner.

We are launching our advanced 5G services everywhere else as planned with the temporary exception of this limited number of towers.

Verizon also said it would voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports, but would still continue with its plans to launch the network.

Verizon blasted the Federal Aviation Administration and the airlines saying that they have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries, the company said.

Airline industry executives issued a dire warning about the impact that the new 5G service would have on flights.

The CEOs of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, and seven other aviation companies said that interference with aircraft systems would be worse than they originally thought, making many flights impossible.

To be blunt, the nations commerce will grind to a halt unless the service is blocked near major airports, the CEOs said in a joint letter on Jan. 17 to federal officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has previously taken the airlines side regarding 5G.

The ripple effects across both passenger and cargo operations, our workforce, and the broader economy are simply incalculable, they said.

Aircraft could be grounded, they warned, causing catastrophic disruption to travel and subjecting up to 100,000 passengers a day to cancellations or delays if 5G networks are deployed without accommodations for safety.

Some airlines have considered canceling international flights scheduled to arrive in the United States on Jan. 19, according to Reuters.

The Federal Communications Commission does not share the FAAs misgivings about 5G.

The FCC argued last year 5G signals did not appear to interfere with airplane altimeters, pointing to several studies from Europe.

President Joe Biden hoped that the agreements by AT&T and Verizon will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90 percent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled.

Biden said his administration will keep working with both sides to reach a permanent solution around key airports.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is sworn into office in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Virginia Parents Sue New Governor Over Banning School Mask Mandates

A group of 13 Virginia parents sued new Gov. Glenn Youngkin this week over his executive order banning schools from requiring children wear masks.

In the suit, filed with the Virginia Supreme Court, the parents allege Youngkins order violated a state law passed and signed by former Gov. Ralph Northam last year.

The law, Senate Bill 1303, says that school boards must offer in-person instruction in a manner that adheres to mitigation strategies to curb the transmission of COVID-19 as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.

The CDC recommends universal indoor masking in primary schools.

Plaintiffs also say Youngkins order runs afoul of the Virginia Constitution, which says that supervision of schools is vested in school boards.

Nowhere in Article VIII of the Constitution of Virginia is the Governor of Virginia vested with the type of authority that would be required to lawfully enact Executive Order Number Two and impose the requirements stated therein, they wrote.

They are asking the court to declare the order unenforceable before it takes effect on Jan. 24.

We will continue to protect parents fundamental right to make decisions with regard to their childs upbringing, education, and care, Macaulay Porter, spokesperson for Youngkin told The Epoch Times in an email.

Some lawmakers dont agree with the arguments outlined in the suit.

State Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, a Republican and one of the sponsors of Senate Bill 1303, said in a statement this week that the risk of COVID-19 to children does not justify the universal need for masks in school, nor does SB1303 mandate the use of masks.

It is time for our governing bodies, including school boards, to develop achievable off-ramps for the Covid-19 protocols, based on sound scientific principles. The default option should always be normalcy for our children unless there is evidence or metrics to back up the protocol, Dunnavant said.

Multiple districts have already signaled they will not comply with Youngkins order.

Arlington Public Schools will continue to require all staff and students to wear masks inside on school grounds and on buses, as part of our layered approach to safety, the school system said in a statement.

Others, though, rescinded mandates ahead of the orders deadline.

Per the Governors Executive Order Number Two, masks covering the nose and mouth are optional for students, staff, and visitors, Culpeper County Public Schools said.

Youngkin, a Republican, was elected in part because of his stances on schools, including opposing the teaching of critical race theory and protecting parents ability to make key decisions for their children.
Virginias Youngkin Weighs Options as School Districts Insist on Mask Mandates

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is exploring options to respond to school districts defying his executive order, which gives parents the final say on whether their children wear a mask at school.

Less than a week into Youngkins first term as governor, several major public school districts have already announced that they will not allow parents to opt their children out of mask requirements in schools. Just hours after the Republican governor signed the executive order, school district officials in Arlington and Fairfax counties and the city of Alexandria sent messages to families, saying there will be no change to their mask policies.

Although Youngkin said that he hopes the school districts will spend this next week reconsidering their decisions, he also told them to be prepared in the meantime for the pushback from his administration.

Get prepared, Youngkin said over the weekend, because we granted parents the option to decide whether they want their child to wear a mask or not, and were going to protect that right.

In a statement to The Epoch Times, Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said, The governor will consider all options available and all tools at his disposal to ensure parents can make decisions about their childrens upbringing, education, and care.

While the statement didnt specify what options are currently being weighed, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsom Sears has signaled on Monday that school districts that refuse to go mask-optional might see their funding withheld by the state.

In an interview on Fox News America Reports, Sears was asked about how the Youngkin administration plans to enforce the order regarding school mask mandates. She emphasized that the order is meant to give the power back to parents.

Imagine that parents get to decide about their own children, said Sears, the first black woman elected to a statewide office in the commonwealths history. By the way, parents are their childrens first teachers, and secondly, who do these children belong to? They dont belong to the state, they dont belong to the school board, they belong to their parents.

There are certain combinations of money that we send to the state, to the local school boards, and he can withhold some of that, and he could possibly, if the law allows, even give the parents the ability to decide what schools their children should attend, she said.

What Sears described has already taken place in Florida. In October 2021, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran imposed financial sanctions on eight school districts found not compliant with the states mask policies, holding back monthly salaries of school board members as well as any amount of federal grant funds awarded to those districts by the Biden administration.

In December 2021, the Florida Department of Education returned a total of $877,851 that was withheld from the eight sanctioned counties during the period of non-compliance.
A workers stand on a rock covered with oil as other help with the clean up at Cavero beach in Ventanilla, Callao, Peru, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Martin Mejia/AP Photo)

Waves From Eruption in Tonga Cause Oil Spill in Peru

LIMA, PeruUnusually high waves attributed to the eruption of an undersea volcano in Tonga caused an oil spill on the Peruvian coast, but authorities said Monday the spill was controlled within hours and theres an ongoing process to clean the area.

The Peruvian Civil Defense Institute said in a press release that a ship was loading oil into La Pampilla refinery on the Pacific coast on Sunday when strong waves moved the boat and caused a spill.

The government didnt say how many gallons were spilled only that local and federal authorities were working to clean the coast.

La Pampilla refinery, in the province of Callao near Limas capital, belongs to the Spanish company Repsol. Its considered the main oil processing plant in Peru. Local authorities had closed area beaches to the public since Sunday.

The eruption on Saturday caused waves that crossed the Pacific. In Peru, two people drowned off a beach and there were reports of minor damage from New Zealand to Santa Cruz, California.
What Can Russia Achieve in Ukraine?

Commentary

Another build up of Russian troops on Ukraines borders has caused its customary alarm, and more worryingly resulted in the deaths of two Ukrainian soldiers in isolated skirmishes. Yet what Russia hopes to achieve by its latest vulgar display of power remains a matter of speculation.

Most predictions fall within two camps: those who believe that this is the prelude to a general invasion of greater Ukraine, to be followed by the countrys occupation, and others that assert this is simply how Vladimir Putin conducts diplomacy in the near abroad.

Those in the latter category point to President Putins innate caution, and indeed theres enough prior form to support their viewpoint; Putin has not built his base of power by indulging in mercurial impulses. For instance, after defeating Georgias army in the field and forcing a general retreat to Tbilisi during the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, the Russian forces withdrew from the country after moving within 12.5 miles of the capital. Perhaps the Kremlin could see that a fight for Tbilisi may have gone against them, or at least resulted in heavy losses. Furthermore, Putin had already achieved the objectives he set out to accomplish by assuring South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence after a bare week of fighting, as well as showing Georgia that its Western friends were partners, not allies.

Likewise, despite the thinly disguised (and then publicly admitted) presence of Russian regulars in Eastern Ukraine in 2014, Russia didnt launch a broader invasion of Ukrainian territory after wrenching the Donbas and Crimean territories from Kyiv. Granted, this was a broader, lengthier deployment than that of Georgia six years earlier, but not the grand operation to militarily reassert control over the whole country that was initially feared.

It can be deduced, therefore, that Putins military ambitions have steadily grown in scope and scale, but not yet to the point that hes confident of successfully invading another state without repercussions. Of course, the Wests responses to his actions in Georgia and Ukraine have hardly dissuaded him, but given his cautious approach, an invasion of Ukraine proper is unlikely to be attemptedRussia doesnt have the economic resources to fight a protracted war against an adversary with land, numbers, and international support, especially as any casualties sustained may galvanize (and spread) support for Alexei Navalny.

The events of recent days in Kazakhstan have shown that Russia is not frightened to deploy its troops abroad; indeed, the Kremlins decisive action in sending its own forces to Almaty are undoubtedly intended to serve a secondary purpose in demonstrating to the West that Russia is serious in its consideration of appropriate military-technical measures. What, then, might Putin attempt to realistically achieve?

Mariupol is arguably the most logical target. Although part of the largely occupied Donbas region, this port city remains under Ukrainian control, and three earlier Russian attempts to take it have failed. In addition, the population is seen as being largely sympathetic to the Russian cause, which in the past has been an important factor in justifying military intervention from the Kremlin.

Capturing the city would also result in Russia having an important point of connection between its captured territories of Donbas and the Crimea. Mariupol sits on the north Black Sea coast, and as a land power Russia would benefit from having a direct link with the Crimean Peninsula.

Of course, this would not be an easy fight for Russia, but Mariupol could be taken with the overwhelming superiority Russia seems to be building on Ukraines borders. Add to this the improbability of a defeated Ukrainian army subsequently retaking the city, as well as Kyivs political unwillingness to engage in a drawn-out conflict, a campaign to claim Mariupol and roll up the coast to the Crimea seems a strong possibility.

Naturally, the political consequences of a Ukrainian military defeat would be disastrous for both Kyiv and the West. President Zelensky, who can charitably be dubbed a political amateur, would face the pressure that always accompanies military catastrophe in the former Soviet Union (as witness Georgias Mikheil Saakashvili in 2008 and Armenias Nikol Pashinyan in 2020), and any domestic turbulence of a pro-Western politician naturally suits the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, the EU and NATO would face difficulties of their own. The West has been badly split over dealings with Russia, with Germanys unwillingness to confront the Kremlin due to its reliance on Russian gas putting Berlin at odds with Poland and the Baltic states, whose fears over military aggression are grounded in the experience of recent history. For its part, while America has generally taken a harder line against the Kremlin, its own domestic issues have taken political priority; whenever foreign policy has come to the fore, greater focus is on China.

A rapid, aggressive assault against Mariupol could achieve all that Russia is likely to aim for. While this falls short of the cataclysmic expectations of those who warn of an assault on Kyiv, even a comparatively small-scale campaign in sovereign Ukrainian territory wouldlike every regional conflict in the former Soviet Unionhave disastrous results for Europe and the United States. Attempting to forcefully discourage Russia naturally stokes fear of escalating tensions, and while this in itself is hardly desirable, the argument can certainly be made that it might yield better results than the Free Worlds current way of dealing with the Kremlin. In short, what the West is doing now simply isnt working.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
President Joe Biden speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 13, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

White House Defends Not Releasing Visitor Logs From Delaware, Where Biden Spends a Quarter of His Time

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has again defended the administrations decision to not release visitor logs from President Joe Bidens homes in Delaware.

A New York Post reporter asked Psaki at a White House press briefing Tuesday if the administration would reconsider its policy to not release visitor log information from the presidents Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach residences where he regularly spends his weekends.

Well, the President goes to Delaware because its his home, responded Psaki. And its also where his son and his former wife are buried. And its a place that is, obviously, close to his heart.

Biden is one year into his presidency and has spent at least part of 99 days in the First Statemore than a quarter of the whole year.

Wilmington, Delaware is just under 100 miles from Washington D.C. as the crow flies and the president often rides Air Force One home.

A lot of presidents go visit their home when they are President, Psaki continued. Weve also have gone a step further than the prior administration and many administrations in releasing visitor logs of people who visit the White House, and well continue to do that.

The White House visitor logs are available online. The Biden administration reinstated the policy of identifying visitors to the White House after President Donald Trumps administration moved to end the practice in the spring of his first year in office, citing national security.

Psaki also stated in August that the administration would not be releasing Delaware visitor logs saying:

I can confirm we are not going to be providing information about the comings and goings of the presidents grandchildren or people visiting him in Delaware.

Biden has used his time in Delaware to conduct presidential duties. He, for example, conducted a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin from Wilmington last month.

This Biden administration has repeatedly pledged to bring back truth and transparency to government.

But Biden will be giving only his second formal press conference Wednesday on the eve of his first year in office.
Maria Van Kerkhove, World Health Organizations technical lead officer on COVID-19, speaks during a press conference in Geneva on Jan. 22, 2020. (Pierre Albouy/AFP via Getty Images)

WHO Says Pandemic Not Over Yet, Omicron Wont Be Last Variant of Concern

The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over as new variants of the novel coronavirus are likely to emerge given current high levels of transmission, World Health Organization (WHO) officials said on Tuesday.

The Omicron variant, which is highly transmissible, is unlikely to be the last strain of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, as the virus is still circulating at a very intense level worldwide, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHOs technical lead officer on COVID-19, said at a briefing in Geneva.

Were hearing a lot of people suggest that Omicron is the last variant, that its over after this. And that is not the case, she said.

Van Kerkhove said countries must keep up measures to curb the transmission of the virus to reduce severe disease and deaths, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowded areas.

Researchers and health experts are hopeful that the Omicron variant, while highly transmissible, is less severe, and poses milder symptoms in infected people, compared with other strains such as the Delta variant.

Many have questioned in recent weeks whether the variant heralds the end of the pandemic.

Bruce Aylward, senior adviser at the WHO, said that if countries are lax in their handling of the virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, therell be more transmission, more infections, more mutations and more risk in terms of variants.

There are consequences, additional risks if you throw in the towel. We dont understand all of the consequences of letting this thing run, so we really want to reduce transmission as much as possible, he said.

Aylward added, Most of what weve seen so far in areas of uncontrolled transmission has been we paid a price for the variants that emerge and new uncertainties we have to manage as we go forward.

Van Kerkhove said she believes the Omicron variant wont be the last variant of concern.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 11, 2021. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via AP)

On Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said its too early to tell whether the Omicron variant will bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end.

Its an open question as to whether or not Omicron is going to be the live virus vaccination everyone is hoping for, Fauci said at the World Economic Forums Davos Agenda virtual event.

Because you have such a great deal of variability with new variants emerging, he said, casting doubt that the variant spells the endgame for the pandemic.

I would hope that thats the case. But that would only be the case if we dont get another variant that eludes the immune response of the prior variant, Fauci said when asked whether the virus may become endemic this year.

Fauci, President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser, said research efforts should focus on COVID-19 vaccines that can provide broad protection against new strains.

We dont want to get into a whack-a-mole for every variant, where you have to make a booster against a particular variant, said Fauci. Youll be chasing it forever.
Xu Na and the Million Souls

A poet, imprisoned in China, speaks of genocide

Commentary

A woman, nameless and faceless to most, has been swallowed by the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) prisons. This woman is a poet and a painter. She has a name.

Xu Na.

But the world is largely silent about her suffering. The same prisons in China that opened their doors to her include the concrete cells in which over 100 prisoners of conscience were tortured and killed last year, and over 5,000 arrested.

These prisons hold millions of Uyghurs, Falun Gong adherents, Tibetans, and Chinese human rights advocates. They might soon hold millions of Christian prisoners of conscience. There are 44 million Christians at risk today in China.

Like all prisoners of conscience, Xu Na has principles. She believes in truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.

These values are universal to most religions.

But they are illegal in China. They are the main tenets of Xu Nas Falun Gong spiritual practice that, like Islam and Tibetan Buddhism, is being outlawed and wrongly maligned to the point of what officials and scholars are only slowly acknowledging is a form of genocide.

Xu Na describes her persecution from her own lived experience. She compares her personal experience to genocide.

After being sentenced to five years in prison in 2001, Xu Na was tortured and subjected to forced labor.

How I wish I had been imprisoned in Auschwitz instead of a Chinese prison, she wrote. Because in the Nazi gas chambers, one could die quickly, while in the Beijing womens prison, it made living worse than dying.

A reenactment of torture called the splits used by Chinas prisons or labor camps targeting Falun Gong practitioners. (Courtesy: Minghui.org)

Xu Na described a torture called the splits, in which the legs were pulled apart at 180 degrees and three prisoners were ordered to sit on the legs and back of the tortured person and pressed repeatedly. The police were proud of this invention: This is good, because the pain is unbearable, but it does not hurt the bones.'

An unspeakable atrocity against a woman, which splits the body but also the morality and ethics of the prisoners forced to execute it, is the kind of torture that Xu Na could now be experiencing in prison, again.

Yet Xu Na experienced her persecution with the clarity that many in the free world do not have.

My homeland represents the mountains and rivers of the land and the thousands of years of traditional Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, she wrote after her last imprisonment.

But a hundred years ago a ghost floating over Europe came to scourge the land of China, making the people profit-oriented, speaking of national profit, family profit and personal profit.

Xu Nas ghost sounds like the state capitalism that the Chinese Communist Party forces upon the citizens of China, and which is expanding from Tibet and Xinjiang to Hong Kong, and is now a direct and imminent threat to Taiwan as well.

This ghost is not accepted willingly, but forced upon entire nations at the point of Mao Zedongs gun and Xi Jinpings nuclear weapons.

The whole country crossed up and down to conquer profits and abandoned the five virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith, wrote Xu Na.

It battles the heavens and the earth, so that mountains and rivers are no longer. Now even the green water and green mountains are to be squeezed out of the golden and silver mountains.

Xu Na is a poet who can eloquently describe her experience. Millions of others who have undergone similar kinds of persecution in China after 1949 remain entirely voiceless.

They suffer in unknown silence.

The world ignores their plight.

Instead, we plan to play Olympic games in Beijing, where the tortures of Xu Na could be taking place just across the street. Perhaps her screams will join the screams of cheering fansoblivious to the blood and death upon which their games depend.

The screams could become louder, the torture of the splits much worse for Xu Na. We could never see her again, free to ponder the mountains and rivers of the land of China.

The torture is perhaps even worse for other prisoners, including guards and regular citizens who are in truth prisoners of the system, and forced by that system, or their own corrupted minds, to impose the torture upon her.

The world, by ignoring Xu Nas screams, is complicit. We who are silent are all those prisoners and guards, simultaneously forcing an injustice on Xu Na, ourselves, and the future.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.  The Westchester District Attorney on Wednesday released a comprehensive report into the murder case against recently deceased New York real estate tycoon Robert Durst in the decades-old disappearance of his first wife, Kathie Durst.

The report provides the first in-depth look into law enforcements 40-year investigation into Kathie Dursts disappearance. Robert Durst, who divorced Kathie while she was still missing, has long been suspected of killing her and hiding her remains. But much of the evidence remains shrouded in secrecy because it was part of a grand jury investigation.

Among the evidence highlighted in the report was references to notes that Kathie Dursts friends found in the garbage of the South Salem home. One of which, referred to as the dig note in the report, contained the words: town dump, bridge, dig, boat, other, shovel, car or truck rental, records show.

Kathie Durst, a Western Connecticut State University graduate, disappeared in 1982. She was later declared legally dead.

Robert Durst, 78, died earlier this month while serving a life sentence for another murder, the killing of his friend and confidant Susan Berman. During the Los Angeles trial, prosecutors claimed Berman helped cover up Dursts role in Kathies disappearance. He was indicted in November in connection with Kathie Dursts death.

District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah said the report, which summarizes law enforcement's investigation into Kathie Durst's disappearance, was being released in "an effort to provide as much transparency as possible," because "a public trial is no longer possible due to Mr. Durst's death.

The 12-page report does not include material subject to grand jury secrecy.

As for why the report was being released at this time, Rocah said her office has a "window" now that Durst has died to issue it before the case is dismissed and sealed once the office receives Durst's death certificate.

Dursts alleged crimes garnered widespread notoriety in 2015 when he was the central focus of The Jinx, an HBO documentary series. During an interview for the series, Durst was caught on a live mic seemingly admitting to the killings when he got up to go to the bathroom.

He was arrested by law enforcement before the final episode of the special aired.

Dursts conviction in Bermans murder provided Westchester authorities with a legal theory to get statements made by Durst into evidence and charge him in Kathies killing, Rocah said.

She cited two key pieces of evidence namely, that he had directed her to make that ruse phone call to the medical school shortly after her disappearance to misdirect the investigation; and that Durst had in fact admitted to Susan Berman that he had killed Kathleen, Rocah said.

To date, Kathie Dursts remains have never been located, though officials said Wednesday they have ideas as to where her body may be located.

We have theories based on some of the evidence, Laura Murphy, bureau chief of the district attorneys cold case unit said during the press conference. We cant really comment on what the evidence is, because of the grand jury investigation, she added.

Despite Durst dying before he could be brought to trial in Kathie Dursts death, Rocah said she hoped the fact that he was charged brought them some closure.

Joseph Beccera, a retired New York State Police investigator who reopened the case in 1999, said he got to know Kathies family during that time.

You could tell the heartbreak they had after all those years not knowing what happened to Kathie, he said, adding that he made the family a promise that he would see the case through.

Im a little disappointed in the end that we couldnt bring him to trial, and the fact that we dont know where Kathie is, but Im hoping they appreciate all the work that went into this case and it will bring them some closure, he added.

An attorney for the surviving members of Kathies family said they were not informed of Rocahs press conference ahead of time.

Had the McCormack family been invited to todays press conference, they would have explained not only the impact that Kathies murder has had on their lives, but also the damage that has resulted from law enforcement's failure to treat the victims of this crime as equal before the law, Attorney Robert Abrams, the familys lawyer, said in a statement.

Abrams has claimed members of the Durst family were involved in a criminal conspiracy to keep Durst from facing charges in connection with Kathies disappearance.

Today, the Westchester County District Attorney has sanctioned those illegal acts and attempted to explain away how money, power, and influence allowed a killer to escape justice, he said, calling for her resignation.

Rocah said Wednesday her office had no evidence to start an investigation into members of the Durst organization.

The vanishing of Kathie Durst

Kathleen Durst disappeared the night of Jan. 31, 1982.

Five days later, Robert Durst reported his wife as missing to the New York City Police Department, claiming he had driven her from their home in South Salem to the train station in Katonah, where she boarded a train bound for the city.

Durst, the scion of an immensely wealthy New York real estate family, also told investigators that he called his wife from a pay phone to confirm she had arrived at their Riverside Drive apartment.

Rocah said the day Kathie Durst disappeared, Robert Durst made "a number of statements" that were contradicted by evidence. This evidence included multiple reports of domestic violence by Durst against Kathleen, including with a gun, Rocah said.

A neighbor to the couples Riverside Drive apartment told investigators that Kathie Durst had at one point climbed across to her neighbors balcony scared and hysterical, knocking on the window to get in, according to the report. She told the neighbor Durst had beaten her, that he had a gun, and that she was afraid that he would shoot her, the report reads.

Police also located "physical evidence" in the Durst's South Salem, N.Y., home and collected statements by witnesses, which Rocah said cast doubt on Durst's supposed whereabouts after his wife's disappearance.

A cleaning woman at the Dursts South Salem home showed police what she described as a small amount of blood on the dishwasher, when police visited the home in the days after Kathie went missing, the report reads.

The cleaning woman also recalled telling police that she noticed a wood panel askew in the dining room, as well as the presence of grimy fingerprints in that area, the report reads. She also recalled telling police that Durst instructed her to dispose of many of Kathleen's belongings soon after her disappearance.

A worker at another of the Dursts apartments on East 86th street also encountered a clogged trash compactor that contained Kathie Dursts personal items, including medical books marked with Kathleen Durst's name, the report states.

Despite that evidence, investigators efforts focused on the possibility that Kathie Durst was in New York City, because workers at the Riverside Drive building claimed to have seen her in the building the night she disappeared. The report also references a phone call to the medical school in the Bronx allegedly made by Kathie after she disappeared.

But prosecutors now claim that phone call after Kathie disappeared was made by Berman. Berman, Robert Dursts close friend and unofficial spokesperson, was a well-known author who issued statements suggesting Kathie Durst had run off with another man, the report states.

After the Manhattan-centric investigation failed to locate Kathleen or her body, the investigation went cold, the report states.

1999: The investigation reopened

Becerra, the New York State Police investigator, reopened the case in 1999 after a tip came in from a person facing charges in another case about the location of Kathie Dursts remains.

The tip led investigators nowhere, but it did inspire Becerra to go back and re-interview witnesses who spoke to police around the time of Kathies disappearance nearly 20 years earlier. The renewed investigation included a search of the couples former home, by then no longer owned by Robert Durst.

The new investigation was reported in the media in October 2000.

Shortly thereafter, Robert Durst fled to Galveston, Texas, where he disguised himself as a mute woman, the report read.

Becerra planned to interview Berman, but before he could do so, Berman was shot and killed in her Los Angeles home, records show.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles said Durst carried out that killing to preserve Bermans silence in Kathies murder.

Durst was also implicated in a third killing  the shooting death of a neighbor, Morris Black. Durst admitted to killing Black during a fight at an apartment in Galveston, Texas, before chopping up Blacks body and throwing him in the bay. He was later acquitted of the killing after pleading self defense.
EDWARDSVILLE  Not many ninth-graders can say they have published a book, but Mariam Quaizar has written a story that is an inspiration to young Muslim Americans.

Donut Day in Ramadan, a childrens book written by Quaizar, a freshman at Edwardsville High School, tells the story of Zehra, a Muslim American girl in middle school.

It is Ramadan and Zehra is fasting the entire month, but Zehra has a major dilemma.

Donut Day is coming up and Zehra is faced with the ultimate choice  should she fast or should she eat donuts with her friends?

The story, which is set in Glen Carbon and Edwardsville, is based on real-life events.

This started as an extra-credit opportunity in my seventh-grade language arts class with Ms. (Cynthia) Hoxsey at Lincoln Middle School, Quaizar said. After I submitted it, my story was picked for the Illinois statewide Young Authors Conference.

I wanted to write a story about something that I had been through and it wasnt actually about donuts, but it was something along the lines of missing out. Since the book has been published, so many other Muslim kids have told me they can really relate to the difficulty of explaining fasting to their friends.

As noted on the books back cover, Dont Day in Ramadan is about Zehra navigating her friendships and her faith.

Zehra has a major dilemma and its important to understand why its a dilemma, Quaizar said. No matter what she does, its going to feel like shes missing out on something important. People around her may not understand what shes going through and thats what really motivated me to write this book.

Quaizar added that she was encouraged by parents, Dr. Huzaifa Quaizar and Saba Fatima (an associate professor of philosophy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville), to write about her experiences and turn them into a childrens book.

They motivated me so much and I dont know what I would have done if they didnt do that, Quaizar said.

A family friend, Zahra Alebooyeh, did the illustrations for Donut Day in Ramadan.

Shes a friend of my moms sister and shes an artist, and she agreed to illustrate the book for me, Quaizar said. It was nice to have someone who was connected to my family be able to do that.

Once Quaizar started turning her story into book form, she went through a long editing and revising process before she completed the final draft.

I started about a month in advance before the deadline was due, and through that one month, I had many revisions, Quaizar said. When writing this book, because its based on real events, you have to make sure that the wording is proper, so nobody misunderstands something.

Donut Day is Ramadan available online through Amazon at Donut Day in Ramadan - Kindle edition by Quaizar, Mariam, Alebooyeh, Zahra. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. The cost is $7.99 on Kindle or $9.99 on paperback.

Early online reaction to the book has been positive, with three readers giving it a five-star review:

This story is fun, well written, and informative. It is relatable not only to Muslims, but also anyone who feels they are different from everyone else in their own way. Would highly recommend this to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

The story is well thought of and relatable for kids. The story from children's perspective and follows their experience of living in the west. I would highly recommend this book to all Muslim children.

A wonderful book for Muslim children growing up in western countries.

Quaizar, meanwhile, noted that the book includes some phrases in Arabic or in Urdu. Urdu is the official national language of Pakistan and has 70 million native speakers.

In the back of the book, there is a glossary of some of the language terms that are used in Muslim households in reference to fasting, in both Arabic and Urdu. It explains all of those things in a little more detail," Quaizar said.

Ramadan, for example, is the name of the Islamic month when Muslims fast, and while its origins may lie in Arabic language, it is a term used by all Muslims. So many of the terms in the book are Arabic, but theyre basic terms that every Muslim knows and uses."

Having the book set in Glen Carbon and Edwardsville is especially meaningful to Quaizar, who was born in New York and lived briefly in Kentucky before calling Edwardsville her home.

My husbands family is from New York and I am originally from Pakistan , .  said Saba Fatima, Quaizar's mother.

In addition to the five-star reader reviews on Amazon, Quaizar is equally pleased with the reception the book has gotten on a local level.

It makes me happy that a lot of people, Muslim kids especially, can relate to this, Quaizar said. I think its a big accomplishment for me in general. This book makes me want to write a second book about my experiences.

In addition to her writing talents, Quaizar is also an athlete and competed for the EHS girls cross country team last fall. She had hoped to go out for the girls track and field team this spring, but a hip injury will prevent her from running.

Hopefully, when I recover from this, Ill do cross country again next fall, Quaizar said. I love to read, and I just found out that I rank first out of 608 freshmen in my grade (academically), which is really surprising for me.

I also do martial arts. Im a brown belt now and Ill be testing for a black belt soon.

If Quaizar does write a second book, she will have no shortage of inspiration.

A lot of Muslim kids go through things because they feel different, Quaizar said. During cross country season, there was an experience that I want to write about. I hope that my first book inspires a lot of Muslim kids to speak out about their experiences as well.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 City of Edwardsville Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Charles Bolinger Show More Show Less 3 of 3





EDWARDSVILLE  Denise Arendell and Sarah Rankin are the latest winners in the citys Excellence in Edwardsville Awards, which were given Tuesday during city council. Alderwoman Janet Stack attended the meeting virtually.



James Arnold, the citys economic and community development director, read a narrative before the women received their award, copies of the citys official coin.



Arendell and Rankin are the co-directors of 100+ Women Who Care from the 618, Arnold said. These Edwardsville residents joined forces in the summer of 2019 to bring to our community a simple concept with a huge impact.



To date, the members have donated more than $350,000.



They gathered like-minded women to meet and donate quarterly to collectively give to local nonprofits, he said. Their mission is to use the power of collective giving to make a big difference in our very own community.



Founding members include City Clerk Michelle Boyer and Alderwoman Elizabeth Grant.



These women, their steering committee and the dedicated members have truly redesigned giving in our community. All of the members are so deserving of this recognition. This effort exemplifies and embodies the true meaning of the Excellence in Edwardsville Award, Arnold summed up.



After having their photos take, the latest winners made some remarks.



In the summer of 2019, we decided to board a train to nowhere and asked women to hold our hands and come with us and boy, did they ever, Arendell recalled. These are the pillars of our community [who] really support this organization.



Rankin agreed.



Denise and I feel strongly that we would not be anywhere without the 300-plus women who have joined us on this amazing journey, she noted. This is really a tribute to the community and the spirit of giving that we see throughout, not only Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, but Madison County.



The next city council meeting is Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at city hall, 118 Hillsboro Ave.
EDWARDSVILLE  At-home tests for COVID-19, which had become scarce in recent weeks due to the highly infectious Omicron variant, are now available for free home delivery through the United States government.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.

The free tests are now available at a new website, COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests. People are encouraged to order their tests now so that they have them when they need them.

According to the website, the tests available for order:

Are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR

Can be taken anywhere

Give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)

Work whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms

Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines

Are also referred to as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests

To place an order, all you need is your name and residential address. No ID, credit card, or health insurance information is required. You may also share your email address to get updates on your order.

To promote broad access, the initial program will only allow four free individual tests per residential address.

Tests will have instructions on how to use them.

The website also notes that other resources are available for people who are looking for another kind of COVID-19 or need more than four tests.

At-home tests are available for sale around the U.S. Check with local retailers and pharmacies to see where at-home tests are available.

Your health insurance company will pay you back for eight at-home tests per month for each person on the plan.

No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at more than 20,000 sites nationwide. To find test locations in Illinois, visit Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19 | HHS.gov.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you take an at-home test:

If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or

At least five days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, or

When youre going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.

For more on when to use at-home tests, see the latest CDC self-testing guidance.
The company that owns The Heights Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 1  nearly five months after its doctors, nurses, support staff and even patients were locked out of the building because of alleged financial delinquency.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. Low around 35F. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low around 35F. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
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The messengers of doom have besieged Nigeria. And they have started manifesting their catastrophic missions and operations in the country. Day in, day out, they wreak havoc on Nigeria's territory without caution. The hapless and powerless Nigerians are on a daily basis, weeping, suffering, toiling and dying from the waged war back and forth. Even, the stability of the sovereignty of the country is at stake and in a state of jeopardy.

Mind you, the guerillas who have been responsible for this pandemonium, mayhem and chaos bewildering the country have been well-known invincible agents of evil. Collectively and individually, we have nurtured them from infancy till they become tormentors threatening the progress of our dear nation. These forces of damnation: the likes of corruption, insecurity, injustice, ethnic and religious jingoism and many other vices have not come in short thwarting and frustrating our systems of governance. As a matter of concern, they have declared unending war, and we, the people; the masses, the middle class and the government must reciprocate in the same tone, the rhetoric of war. And the battle should start now!

While many may be indifferent whenever Nigeria is described as a failed State; yet, not many may disagree that the country is suffering from the chronic and contagious fragility virus. In short, Nigeria, undoubtedly, is a "fragile state", the reports of Oxford University and The London School of Economics, affirm that. The rationale behind the consistent downgrading state of our Nation - State has been a power force of corruption, nepotism, ethnic prejudice, insecurity, injustice which all gave birth to their Kingpin, poor governance. Sixty-one years of Independence from colonial rule, thirty-three years of military rule and twenty-two, so far, of democratic system. Yet, it is still evident that various succeeding leadership of the country have yet to get the governance right and workable in the best interest of the masses. Though, these problems and issues burning in the national discourse did not start today neither during the tenure of present administration. But, it is disheartening that each time different government take over power, even in the face of their rigorous promises during campaigns, these prevailing problems still persist and continue escalating.

Sadly, it is even now widely assumed that only divine intervention from above could bring almighty resolutions to our man-made and human-motivated challenges confounding our country. However, while I will not buy into the notion of the foregoing, even though I believe very much in the utmost omni-potency of God, I still regard it as fallacy because the problems are generated by both the people and the government who are the sole stakeholders and partakers in our social, political and economic vices.

Is it the cankerworm of corruption which has eaten deep into the fine fabric of almost every sector in the country? Is it insecurity? Tyranny? Lack of infrastructures? poor governance? Or religious and ethnic classes? All these and more are the handiwork of we, the common people, and the leaders. We are our self- enemies and destroyers of the image of our noble country.

But, one thing is presumed to be certain in the continuous of this ugliness. It is either our past and current political elites lack the political competence to tackle these obvious forces of doom, or that they, the leaders, are just too callous to take radical measures to save the dignity of our country from the horrible shambles of fragility, because of their self-interest and selfish and voracious desire to our common wealth. Either of the two or both could be true without any iota of doubt.

Nevertheless, we can still triumph over the anomalies of leadership deficit, poor governance, corruption economy turndown, insecurity, among others only if we, the people and the government start doing the right things. Simply put, we must declare war against these forces at all levels and fight them severely by words and action. Not with guns, rifles, arms or ammunition. But with change of attitude and true patriotism!

I do not agree that the Constitution is the root of our problems. Neither will I concur that our socio-political and economic systems are totally faulty as some persons claim. The nexus of the rotten systems are the human beings. So, before we clamour for any revolution, how do we plan to sanitize the minds of humans who will also take charge when the country is revolutionalised? If you talk about restructuring, how do I and you strongly determine to reform our nonchalant character and attitude! Nigeria is not a bad country; but the people within the territory are. It is not always good enough to blame the country for its misfortunes when we know that the country cannot operate itself.

To wrap up this piece, to achieve a peaceful and conducive country, it a collective task of everybody. If we truly want good and patriotic leaders, we must first be reserved against crooked politicians who do not mean well for the country but for themselves and their immediate families and cronies. We must also be compatriots who will never compromise the political and economic stability with these agents of doom who have nearly hijacked our territory. We need to act now; delay is very dangerous!

Damilare Adeleye is a content writer and an undergraduate in Lagos State University. Can be reached via; 09063561152
New York, January 18, 2022  Angolan authorities should ensure the safety of journalists covering protests and investigate recent incidents of assault, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

On January 10, six reporters working for news outlets TV Zimbo and TV Palanca were assaulted by unidentified people and forced to flee to safety while reporting on a nationwide strike by taxi drivers in the capital Luanda, according to media reports and the journalists, who spoke to CPJ by telephone.

The nationwide strike was in protest of COVID-19 restrictions, poor state of roads, demands for social security benefits, and a call for the end to alleged extortion by police, according to media reports.

TV Zimbo reporter Telmo Gama and his cameraman Justino Campos, and TV Palanca reporters Anselmo Nhati and Orlando Luis and cameramen Antonio Luamba and Daniel Lutaka, were covering the protest when some people among the protestors turned on the journalists and called the TV Zimbo crew sellouts, the journalists told CPJ. The protest quickly turned violent, and they were forced to leave.

The secretary general of the Journalists Syndicate, Teixeira Candido, told CPJ over a phone call that public media journalists are increasingly becoming the targets of peoples anger because of the perceived bias toward the government and ruling party. TV Zimbo and TV Palanca were nationalized by the Angolan government in mid-2020, as documented by CPJ.

As shown by the recent attack on the TV Zimbo and TV Palanca news crews, reporters appear to be scapegoats for some citizens perceived anger toward the state, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. CPJ is increasingly concerned that the environment for media freedom in Angola is deteriorating as the country approaches elections later this year. The press should be allowed to do its work free from intimidation and risk of assault, so that all Angolans can enjoy their right to a diversity and plurality of news and information.

Around 7 a.m. on January 10, Campos was first to arrive at the main taxi rank in Luandas suburb of Benfica, as the drivers began preparations to block roads, he told CPJ. Initially, demonstrators welcomed the media attention, saying they should report on what was happening, however, attitudes changed when he began filming the vandalism and arson attack on a building owned by the ruling Peoples Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party.

Someone started to shout that we were sellouts, Campos said, adding that he and Gama left the scene to try and find a safe spot to do their reporting. Gama told CPJ that he was holding a microphone with the Zimbo TV logo while Campos held the camera when they were again confronted by protesters and street vendors who joined them in pushing the journalists and yelling insults.

Protestors set documents and equipment from the trashed office on fire; Campos was punched at least four times on his left shoulder and a burning MPLA T-shirt was thrown at him, according to Campos.

I wasnt seriously harmed physically, but I feared for our lives when I realized petrol was thrown at our backs, as we were rushing towards the nearby police station, Gama said.

About five protestors tried to protect them by escorting Campos and Gama to the police station, just a few meters away, while telling the other protestors that the journalists were merely doing their jobs, the journalists told CPJ. Campos and Gama said there were no police at the scene of the protest.

Around 9 a.m., Luis and his Palanca TV crew arrived at the scene and positioned themselves to film the burning office and vandalism, Luis told CPJ. People in the crowd of protestors began throwing rocks at a Ministry of Health bus before setting it on fire, forcing passengers to flee for their lives, he said.

Luis and his crew were punched by people who tried to take their equipment, Luis said, adding that someone soaked him with petrol and when he turned around, he saw someone lighting a match. I was lucky the match fell to the floor when someone bumped into him, and before he could throw it at me, Luis told CPJ.

Nhati told CPJ that he was grabbed from the back, had an arm wrapped tight around his neck for about 30 seconds, and was kicked in the legs by an unidentified man who tried to take him to the ground. Nhati tried to flee but became entangled in his microphones long cable. Luis grabbed the mic while Nhati tried to pull free, and when one of the attackers tripped and fell, Nhati was able to escape, he told CPJ.

Luis said he was saved by a transit policeman who put his arms around the reporters head, as seen on video footage reviewed by CPJ. The policeman escorted him and Nhati to the police station as bottles and other debris were thrown at them.

Luamba and Lutaka told CPJ they saw their colleagues pelted with bottles and petrol, so they ran for safety to a nearby petrol station with private security guards, in the opposite direction, adding that they were unharmed.

Luamba and Lutaka joined Nhati and Luis at the police station, where they for around two hours before returning to their office to work on their reports, according to Nhati.

Luis said he covered the taxi drivers strike the week before, interviewed the organizers, and did not believe the taxi drivers were to blame for the violence, but instead politically motivated people who were taking advantage of the protest. Manuel Faustino, president of the Luandas Taxis Association, agreed on a phone call with CPJ, adding that the strike was about workers rights, and the association vehemently condemned the violence.

The National Police said the moral instigator of the vandalism and assault of a Palanca TV journalist is in detention, according to a news report. None of the journalists laid charges with the police, who have arrested at least 29 protesters accused of vandalism and damage to property, according to news reports.

Contacted by telephone, Nestor Goubel, spokesperson for the national police in Luanda, declined to comment on CPJs request for information on the demonstrators who attacked the journalists, instead referring CPJ to his earlier interviews on the subject before hanging up.
If Russia feels threatened by the expansion of the West, NATO, and the European Union, President Putin could take a portion of the 100,000 troops deployed on the border of Ukraine to create a powerful and profound global influence of peace that very few may have anticipated. We urge President Putin to use these troops to establish what is called in military circles a Prevention Wing of the Military by immediately training them in Invincible Defense Technology (IDT).

This powerful brain-based IDT technology operates on the level of what physicists call the unified field of all the laws of naturea level a thousand million million times more powerful than the nuclear force. IDT supersedes all other defense technologies. However, the IDT system cannot be used for nefarious purposes against any country, as it creates a demonstrable and measurable effect of calm, order, and social harmony. Therefore, any country that deploys IDT on a global scale will benefit ALL countries, including Russia. We urge any and all countries to deploy IDT to create lasting world peace.

The reason for this outcome is that any military properly deploying IDT gains the ability to prevent enemies from arising, thus creating victory before war. An online video, "An Important Message for All Military Leaders" by John Hagelin, a Harvard-trained Ph.D. quantum physicist, explains in detail how IDT accomplishes these goals.

What is IDT? IDT involves large groups practicing the non-religious Transcendental Meditation (TM) and advanced TM techniques that harness group brain power. This approach is a scientifically verified and field-tested means to defuse societal tensions by producing a coherent super-radiance field effect that radiates orderliness and harmony in the proximity of the group.

Currently tensions between Russia and the US are highand are simultaneously rising between the US and other countries such as North Korea, Iran and China. This high level of international tension could quickly escalate into global catastrophe for all sides.

However, deployment of IDT on a sufficiently large scale (by training several thousand to ten thousand troops) by the Russian military would defuse societal stress and enhance social orderliness social orderliness. As research has confirmed, national leaders within its global field effect would find a greater ability to work together harmoniously to find solutions to otherwise insoluble problems, such as civil and global conflict, crime, and terrorism.

Extensive scientific research indicates that deployment of IDT by either a military or civilian group (such as the one being established in Cambodia: Google "Group practice of Transcendental Meditation dramatically reduced violence in Cambodia, new study shows") can create the conditions for all people to enjoy peace. An article by Lt. Gen. Clarence E. McKnight Jr. (U.S. Army, Ret.), Dr. David Leffler, Duncan Brown, Dr. Carla Brown, and Arlene J. Schar, titled A Humane Approach Towards Peace and published by OpEdNews,explains this peer-reviewed research in more detail and lists 19 studies conducted on IDT.

The most difficult and costly step in deploying IDT on a global level is assembling a large group of military personnel in one place prior to training. That step has already been accomplished by President Putin; in fact, the troops stationed at the Ukraine border far surpass the minimum number of personnel necessary to create a global super-radiance effect.

A study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Offender Rehabilitation documents the super-radiance effect occurring when three large groups of IDT experts gathered together. This study shows the effects of large groups of advanced meditators meditating twice a day in unison, with the largest group being 7,000 participants. Terrorism-related casualties decreased 72%, international conflict decreased 32%, and overall global violence was reduced.

Higher numbers of participants have been shown to produce greater results. With the worlds population currently at 7.846 billion, a group of even 9,000 advanced TM meditators (representing the square root of 1% of the worlds population) would be able to produce profound positive effects on a global scale. If all of Putins troops stationed at the Ukraine border were trained in this technique, the positive global impact would be enormous.

IDT is currently in various stages of deployment worldwide, but as of this writing no national leader has yet demonstrated the intelligence, foresight and courage to deploy a large enough, fully operational IDT group capable of creating a positive global impact. (See Google search on "New Solution for Latin America: Transforming Lives and Changing Nations" and a short online video "Creating Peace in Ukraine on Vimeo.")

Traditionally the military is the most disciplined and organized aspect of society. By assembling Russia's large military force, President Putin now has the strategic opportunity to utilize IDT to create a permanently established coherence-creating group to foster world peace, a goal never before accomplished by any other nation. Even if other nations were to decide today to deploy IDT on a global level, it would be difficult to quickly gather such a large group in one place, even though this approach is highly cost effective: less than the cost of 2-3 modern fighter jets.

President Putins highly trained and committed Russian troops would certainly be capable of using their efficient and orderly brain power to create perpetual peace for the entire global community. President Putin now has the unique opportunity to bring honor to Russia by being the first to deploy IDT on a global scale. The Nobel Peace Prize and the gratitude of all humanity awaits whoever brings perpetual peace to our troubled planet. If President Putin were to act quickly, history would record him as a visionary leader, and a peaceful human civilization will be assured for generations to come. As the supreme commander of all Russian forces, President Putin has the ability to deploy IDT immediately for all his troops. The time is right to do so - the fate of our planet is in his hands.

About the Authors:

Captain Raymond E. Seebald, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.) During his 26 years of service as a recognized expert in the fields of maritime port safety and environmental preparedness, prevention and response, Capt. Seebald's achievements include the establishment of a new United Nations office in Curacao, where he developed national contingency plans for the countries and islands comprising the wider Caribbean. Seebald served a military aide to President Ronald W. Reagan and President George H. Bush while assigned to White House duty from 1986-1990. Captain Seebald served as a consultant to the Panama Canal in 1999 and 2000 during the sensitive transfer of the Canal to Panama. As Captain of the Port in Chicago, Illinois, and Savannah, Georgia, and Alternate Captain of the Port in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he was responsible for the development and deployment of more restrictive post-9/11 vessel and port facility security requirements for both the Great Lakes and the Caribbean. Seebald graduated from the USCGA in 1977 and is one of eight siblings that all served in the United States Coast Guard. Capt. Seebald continues to safeguard Maritime Security interests in the United States as an advisor and consultant for the preeminent Maritime Security firm in the United States. Seebald coauthored an editorial published by The Day about Invincible Defense Technology. The Day is published in New London, Connecticut USA, which is the home to the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). In 2012 Seebald spoke about Invincible Defense Technology during the second Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) at the Seoul Press Center in Seoul, South Korea.

Col. (Ret.) Jitendra Jung Karki was the Liaison Officer at "Sainik Awashiya Mahavidhyalaya," Army Residential High school of Nepal before his retirement from the Nepal army. Previously he served as commanding officer of Shreenath Battalion. Karki now lives in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. Karki has a master's degree in public administration and is a graduate of the Nepalese Army Command and Staff College. He commanded an independent company in Nepal during the insurgency period from 2004-06. Col. Karki received five UN medals and participated in five UN peacekeeping missions: UNIFIL: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, ONUB: United Nations Operation in Burundi, UNAMSIL: United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, MONUC - United Nations Mission DR Congo (2 times). Col. Karki successfully applied Invincible Defense Technology for sustainable peace while serving in the UN mission in DR Congo. He is an alumnus of The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies at National Defense University, Washington DC, USA. NESA promotes itself as "the preeminent U.S. Government institution for building relationships and understanding in the NESA region."

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gunter Chasse  decorated with the Honorary Cross of the Bundeswehr in Gold  served in the German Air Force mainly in the Integrated NATO-Air Defense and alternately in command and staff positions, and also was employed in Home Defense with territorial tasks. He is the author of the pioneering IDT alternative white paper On the New Security and Defence Policy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Future of the Bundeswehr: Indomitable Strength through a PREVENTION WING of the Military.

Dr. David Leffler has a Ph.D. in Consciousness-Based Military Defense and has served as an Associate of the Proteus Management Group at the Center for Strategic Leadership, US Army War College. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director at the Center for Advanced Military Science (CAMS) and lectures and writes worldwide about IDT. Dr. Leffler's editorial "Creating an Invincible Military" was featured in Fox News. He is available on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
The debate on the interrelatedness of equity, justice; peace and development is among the most presently discussed topics on the surface of the earth. The reason for this unending debate stems from the time-honored belief that without equity and justice, there will be no peace. And without peace, no society, group or nation should contemplate development.

For Nigeria to achieve the above feat there exists the need to think over the marriage of two unwilling brides who had no say in their forced and ill-fated union- amalgamation of the northern and the southern protectorates on the 14th February 1914, by Sir Lord Luggard- as well as the pre- and post-independence political structure of Nigeria.

The British colonial overlords probably intended the protectorates to operate in a symmetrical manner with no part of the amalgam claiming superiority over the other. And at independence in 1960, Nigeria became a federation, resting firmly on a tripod of three federating regions-Northern, Eastern and Western Regions. Each of the regions was economically and politically viable to steer its own ship, yet mutual suspicion among them was rife. In fact, regional loyalty surpassed nationalistic fervor with each of the three regions at a juncture threatening secession.

On the reason for amalgamation, two economic reasons/objectives going by reports were documented. First, the supply of primary raw material (agriculture and mineral) for which Nigeria as a large Nation was abundantly endowed to the British home industry, and to secure Nigeria as a large market for the industrial goods (capital and consumer items) and professional technological services of the British home industry and personnel.

The second and most serious reason for amalgamation according to one of Nigerias foremost Lawyers, late Richard Akinjide, is found in Fredrick Lugards Book, titled The Dual Mandate of Europe in Tropical Africa London, 4th Edition, 1929. Where, Lord Harcourt, the British Colonial Secretary, after whom Port Harcourt (PH) was named, clearly stated the Purpose of Amalgamation of the Entities named Nigeria as follows, We have released Northern Nigeria from the lending Strings of the Treasury (British Government Treasury). The promising and well conducted Youth is now on Allowance on his own and is about to effect the Alliance with a Southern Lady of means. I (Lord Harcourt) have issued the special License and Sir Fredrick Lugard will perform the Ceremony. May the Union be fruitful and the Couple constant.

Now, this is foundation of the nations crisis. Unfortunately, it is rather one of leadership, management and perennial egotism.

The late Premier of the Western Region once described Nigeria as mere geographical expression and later threatened we (Western Region) shall proclaim self-government and proceed to assert it, a euphemism for secession.

In the same vein, the Northern Region under the Premiership of the late Ahmadu Bello never hid its desire for separate identity. Just before independence, the region threatened to pull out of Nigeria if it was not allocated more parliamentary seats than the south. The departing British colonial masters, desirous of one big entity, quickly succumbed to the threat. In fact, the north at that time did pretend it never wanted to have anything to do with Nigeria. For example, the motto of the ruling party in that region at that time was One North, One People, and One Destiny. And the name of the party itself Northern Peoples Congress, NPC, was suggestive of separatist fervor, distinct identity.

However, of all the secession threats since independence it was the one issued by the Eastern Region in 1966-67 following the bloody counter-coup of July 1966 and subsequent genocide by northern soldiers and civilians in which thousands of easterners living in the north lost their lives or maimed, and the failure of Gowon to implement the Aburi Accord which was aimed at settling the crisis, that was much more potent because it was actually carried out. The result was the declaration of Eastern Region independent country with the name, Biafra on May 30, 1967 by the then Military Governor of the Region, the late General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

The Proclamation ended with emotional Biafra Anthem The Land of the rising Sun rendered in beautiful tune of Finlanda by Sibelius, symbolizing the end of the struggle to assert the self-determination of a new nation. The scene was set for confrontation between the new state of Biafra and the balance of the ethnic nationalities that made up the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to resolve the question of the unity of the Nigerian states by use of force (see the report titled; Scientific and Technological Innovations in Biafra)

Looking at the above tragic developments/ accounts, the question may be asked; could the civil war have been avoided? In the same vein, from the present spiraling demand in some quarters for marriage of 1914 be ended as the basis for its continued existence has severely been weakened, coupled with the current wave of secessionist sentiments sweeping across the country with restive youths in the north and south east particularly the very vociferous agitation for Biafras restoration by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by youthful Nnamdi Kanu, another question that is as urgent as the piece itself is; did Nigeria and Nigerians truly learn any useful lesson from the experience of the Nigerian civil wars? Are those factors that set the stage/fueled Nigerias civil war still alive and active in the nations political geography?

Again, here is another affirmation that we did not learn any lesson.

Currently, a wave of secessionist sentiments is sweeping across the country with restive youths in the north and south east as the main gladiators. Some groups in the southwest and south-south have also joined the fray to demand the marriage of 1914 be ended as the basis for its continued existence has severely been weakened. However, the very vociferous agitation for Biafras restoration by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by youthful Nnamdi Kanu has been the loudest of the separatist movements.

Though separatist bug has also caught some sections of the country, there is no denying the fact that even with the defeat of the Igbo in the Nigeria/Biafra civil war, the majority of the people, especially those born after the war harbor immense sentiment for separate political and cultural identity for the Igbo nation in the mold of restoration of the short-lived Republic of Biafra.

For example, at the return of democracy in 1999, Ralph Uwazurike , an Indian-trained Lawyer, from Imo State ignited a passion for Biafra among south east youths via his separatist platform  Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). MASSOB and its founder enjoyed a tremendous following and respect among mostly youths of the region that it almost became an alternative government in the south east. The groups sit-at- home orders were religiously obeyed just as the one declared by IPOB on May 30th was a monster success.

Uwazuruikes support base has since drastically waned following dissent in MASSOB. But from the ashes of MASSOBs bye-gone years of strident pro-Biafra agitation came Kanu and IPOB, a much more vitriolic but charming personality and organization.

Kanu happened on the national and international limelight through a pirate radio Biafra which he used as a vehicle to promote the agitation to actualise the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) quest for independence. Two factors have so far worked for Kanu in his separatist agenda: His long incarceration by the Buhari government over Biafra and the recent quit notice given to the Igbo residing in the north by Arewa youths. Both factors, apparently unknown to President Buharis handlers, have helped and still helping IPOB and Kanus cause. One, his incarceration for almost two years helped to project him to his supporters, a mass of Igbo youths, and the international community as a prisoner of conscience and freedom fighter.

Random sampling of opinion of pro-Biafra supporters indicates that they have rock-solid belief in their cause and are even prepared to give their lives to actualise it. They also believe that in no distant future, Biafra will be realized and point to the total compliance by the entire south-east and some parts of the south-south states like Delta and Rivers to IPOBs sit-at-home order as evidence of the justness of the Biafra cause and unstoppable progress of their dream.

While those of us who believe in the unity of Nigeria may not agree with Kanus campaign or campaign of any group or ethnic nationality to dismember Nigeria, the truth must be told to the effect that the whole gamut of restiveness of youths, whether in the south-east, south-south, north or south-west, and resurgent demand for the dissolution of Nigeria stem from mindless exclusion, injustice and economic deprivation.

I believe that the likes of Kanu would instantly fizzle away and their cause dies naturally, if Nigeria is restructured to ensure more inclusiveness. But agitations for the death of Nigeria cannot go way when nepotism and sectionalism continue to be evident in the manner of political patronage and distribution of our common patrimony as currently obtained.

It is a barefaced truth that the Nigerian state has not treated the Igbo, one of the three tripods on which the federation of Nigeria stands, fairly since the war ended. The situation is exacerbated by the current government with its mindless near-exclusion of that zone in government appointments.

And specifically to the governors of the south-east states, they are not expected to support a group that is advocating the dissolution of Nigeria but as at this material time, Biafra agitators are still their subjects and citizens of this great country. That alone qualifies them to be listened to.

Finally, the Igbo, especially its youths, should allow sanity prevail over emotion. I hold the opinion that if by omission or commission this agitation is allowed to sail through, Kanu may not be the messiah they lost their limbs for. Chances are that, Kanu, from the character he exudes, may want to establish what Niccole Machiavelli called the hereditary principalities. For example, he now parades himself as the supreme leader of Biafra with his supporters equating him with God.

As I usually quote, The destiny of the ship is not in the harbor but in sailing the high sea and so shall our collective responsibility be, not to destroy this great nation but join hands to nurture and sustain it . If we are able to manage this situation and other social menace effectively and navigate out of dangers of disintegration, it will once again, announce the arrival of a brand new great nation where peace and love shall reign supreme. But, then, no nation enjoys durable peace without justice and stability without fairness and equity!

Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), A Lagos-Based Non Governmental Organization (NGO). Hecould be reached via [email protected] /08032725374.












President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja today for Banjul, Republic of The Gambia, to attend the inauguration of Gambian President, Adama Barrow, following his re-election for a second term.

On the invitation of his host, President Buhari will be Special Guest of Honour at the ceremonies to be attended by other African leaders at the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

Buhari, along with other ECOWAS leaders, played a leading role in the restoration of democratic rule in The Gambia in 2017 after the former President, Yahya Jammeh, refused to surrender power after losing the election.

The Nigerian leader will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai, and other top government officials.

The President is expected back in the country at the end of the inauguration ceremonies.
If there are marvels in Nigerias politics that have since the last few weeks increasingly been making headlines on the news media landscape, they are unarguably the baggage of skeletons that were literarily found in various cupboards of some politicians who have individually and publicly indicated their interests to contest in the forthcoming 2023 general elections. The marvels are kaleidoscopically emerging like the rerun of an old Nollywood movie in which the actors remain the same, and so does the plot which twists and turns to an unsurprising end.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing view, it is not an exaggeration to say that the various skeletons that were emblematically found in the cupboards owned by various political hopefuls, and which were reported in the media cut across age falsification, questionable source of wealth, pending cases with crime fighters, and some dubious claims, or rather incongruities found in their Curriculum Vitae (CV) were unprecedented in Nigerias political history, and that they have to a large extent been heating the polity. This is as the discoveries, which are mouth gaping, are fast shaping the political landscape. The issues of age falsification and false claims about educational and professional qualifications have familiar echoes of the past.

Given the title of this piece, Need for politicians to expose the skeletons in their cupboards before a Journalist does, it is expedient to say that it is unarguably problematic for a politician to expose himself or herself before his or her traducers, hence it is advisable that people should always be circumspect about how they throw out information to the public, particular on virtual space in this internet age.

The propriety of the foregoing view cannot be farfetched when analyzed from the perspective of the fact that the ubiquity of technology and social networking web sites like Facebook that allows and compels young people to document themselves drinking, wearing little clothing or putting themselves in otherwise compromised positions, among other smidgeons of showoff on virtual space will unarguably serve as damaging tools for their traducers to fight them in future whenever some of them decide to jump into the murky waters of politics. After all, there is an admonition that says The Internet never forgets, so be careful of what you put on it.

There is no denying the fact that a generation of politicians would someday find themselves confronted with digital evidence of their more immodest and imprudent moments. Not few people reading this piece would ask, Who says I will become a politician? In as much as many would always say they are averse to politics, they always forget Aristotles saying that Man is by nature a political animal. This is perhaps one of Aristotle's most famous sayings, which is motivated by his claim that every man, by nature, has an impulse toward a partnership with others. In a similar vein, those in politics today never knew their traducers would expose them this quickly.

Politics today is rife with examples of candidates having to explain how they were so rich, why they look older than their age, and even to explain why group photographs with their classmates or joint photographs with their friends were not taken throughout the period spent in secondary or tertiary institution. To aptly put it, the water that surrounds politics is truly murky as the sages have unanimously posited.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to advice those that carelessly paved the way for traducers and opponents to be interrogating their pasts and the propriety of their candidatures to respond through press conferences and by hiring professional Public Relations practitioners to do that for them. Era of relying on political urchins and appointment seekers to respond to the public on matters that relate to scandals has gone, and not doing the needful can rob any scandalized aspirant his or her victory at the poll.

The expediency of an aspiring politicians to figuratively wash his or her dirty hands before embarking on political campaign cannot be dismissed as frivolous given the battered image of the politician in the eyes of the public. The way the politician is perceived is no doubt worrisome that not few people resist the callings to become one. Those that are not in politics see politicians as good deal worse, morally worse, than the rest of us (it is the wisdom of the rest of us). Without either endorsing it or pretending to disbelieve it, it is expedient everyone keep his or her house in order before becoming a partisan politician.

Given the scandalous milieu wherein partisan politics thrives, the fact cannot be denied that it is good for the youths of today who aspire to become politicians in the future to have it at the back of their minds that the dilemma of dirty hands is a central feature of political life, and that it arises not merely as an occasional crisis in the calling of a politician or that unlucky politician but systematically and frequently.

In fact, politics may look like show business to some people, particularly the youths, but that does not justify a situation where some politicians in Nigeria have turned themselves to stand-up comedians. One of them is even notorious of doing funny video skits and posting them on social media platforms. That alone, in advanced democracies, is enough to deny him of victory at the poll whenever he decides to contest again.

To a serious-minded politician, the truth is, you do not have to engage in any kind of wild or outlandish behavior to become the talk of the town and that of the social media platforms. People are already prepared to think the worst of you, so any minor indiscretion is likely to turn you into a laughingstock. That is why you have to be careful. Without any iota of exaggeration, there are a lot of land mines and social pitfalls you have to avoid.

At this juncture, it is expedient to say that the chaotic state of political affairs, particularly on social media communities, in the last few days is a good reminder that skeletons in the closet have a nasty habit of popping their heads out of the door.

The situation, no doubt is worrisome. It is bothersome because cupboard skeletons are a dimension of crisis preparation that is frequently overlooked in the mistaken judgment that what happened long ago will never be uncovered. As presidential aspirants that have explanations to give their opponents and the rest of Nigerians, it is expedient that those whose skeletons have escaped from their cupboards and ran into various gossip mills, should not in any way be arrogant and offended when the issues become objects of damaging campaign strategies to the benefits of their opponents, conversely to their own detriments as long as they refused to literarily tame such wild skeletons by telling the world the true stories as to why they have too many skeletons in their cupboards.
Cabinet approves B14.67bn to build Patong Tunnel

PHUKET: The Cabinet has approved a budget of B14.67 billion to build the Kathu-Patong Expressway, also commonly called the Patong Tunnel project.

patongtransportVaccineSafety

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 19 January 2022, 01:56PM

The Patong tunnel road will have a toll gate on the Kathu side. Image: Radio Thailand Phuket

Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana announced the news in Bangkok yesterday (Jan 18).

The Kathu-Patong Expressway Project aims to increase travel between the east side of Phuket to Patong Beach for locals and tourists, Mr Thanakorn said.

The expressway would prevent traffic accidents caused by steep and curving roads and can be used as an evacuation route in the event of a calamity like a tsunami," he said.

The Phuket News notes that although the 2004 tsunami caused horrific devastation along the Patong beachfront, due to the concentration of buildings already standing at that time the waves never reached Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd at the inland end of Bangla Rd, just under 400 metres from the beach.

However, during the tsunami scare in April 2012 panic sent local residents and tourists fleeing into the hills. The road over the top of Patong Hill became jammed with vehicles loaded with people trying to evacuate the town. (See reports here and here.)

The Kathu-Patong Expressway Project of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) will be operated under the form of a joint investment between the public and private sectors, Mr Thanakorn explained.

The EXAT will announce the invitation for private sector participation in May-June, with construction starting in 2023 and service scheduled to start in July 2027, he said.

The expressway will be built as an elevated road construction project, which will be 3.98 kilometres long, with a tunnel through the hills behind the town, Mr Thanakorn said.

The expressway will have four traffic lanes in each direction, he continued.

The road project will connect Phra Metta Rd, which runs behind Jungceylon in Patong, and Kathu, with two elevated sections of road leading up, through and down the hills. A toll gate will be located on the Kathu side, he added.

"The Kathu-Patong Expressway Project is expected to take a total of five years to complete. The locals and tourists will benefit from this route, " Mr Thanakorn said.

It is also the development of the countrys transportation infrastructure in line with supporting the development of Phuket Province under the concept of Smart City development, he added.
Phuket cheap essentials markets launched, call for reports on price gouging

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Commercial Office has launched a series of 10 markets selling red pork, eggs and chicken at cheap prices to help counter rising prices for the fresh produce across the island.

economicsCOVID-19

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 19 January 2022, 04:12PM

The list of CPI goods prices issued earlier today by the Phuket office of the Department of Internal Trade.

Local residents flock to take advantage of the cheaper prices. Photo: Department of Internal Trade, Phuket office

Local residents flock to take advantage of the cheaper prices. Photo: Department of Internal Trade, Phuket office

Local residents flock to take advantage of the cheaper prices. Photo: Department of Internal Trade, Phuket office

Local residents flock to take advantage of the cheaper prices. Photo: Department of Internal Trade, Phuket office

Local residents flock to take advantage of the cheaper prices. Photo: Department of Internal Trade, Phuket office

Local residents flock to take advantage of the cheaper prices. Photo: Department of Internal Trade, Phuket office

Local residents flock to take advantage of the cheaper prices. Photo: Department of Internal Trade, Phuket office

Local residents flock to take advantage of the cheaper prices. Photo: Department of Internal Trade, Phuket office

Woranit Aphiratjirawong, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office, is also calling on people to report any price gouging in their areas.

The cheap-price markets are being held under the Thong Fah (Blue Flag) project, coordinated by the Ministry of Commerces Department of Internal Trade, Ms Woranit explained.

The campaign began after the announcement by Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, who also serves as a Deputy Prime Minister, on Jan 10, she added.

The markets will continue until at least Jan 31, Ms Woranit said.

Of note, the Cabinet yesterday approved the budget to support broadening the campaign to provide a range of essential household goods at cheap prices through the Blue Flag markets as part of the B1.48 billion relief scheme to help those suffering deep financial hardship due to the ongoing economic crisis.

Discounted items will include farm products, chicken, eggs and other essential goods from retail and wholesale suppliers. They will be available at community centres, convenience stores, fresh markets, local department stores, markets, petrol stations and mobile groceries, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said.

In Phuket, local residents have already been queuing up to take advantage of the markets, where red pork is sold for 150 baht/kg, No 3 size eggs sold for B88 for a tray of 30, and chicken sold at B150 baht/kg.

The markets are open daily only from 10am to 3pm at the following locations:

Thalang District (4 points)

Wanida Fresh Pork, Sakhu

SuperCheap, Laguna branch, Cherng Talay

Go Na Fresh Pork Shop (New City Market), Thepkrasattri

SuperCheap, Baan Porn, Thepkrasattri

Kathu District (2 points)

SuperCheap, Nanai Branch, Patong

Supercheap, Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus, Kathu

Mueang District (4 points)

SuperCheap, Main Branch, Raasada

Phuket Grocery, Phuket Town

Phuket Provincial Commercial Office, Phuket Town

The Pork Shop, Rassada

The Phuket Provincial Commercial Office continues to support the government policy under the Ministry of Commerce and Phuket to stimulate the fundamental economy to help reduce the burden of living expenses and alleviate the suffering of the people during the COVID-19 outbreak, Ms Woranit said yesterday (Jan 18).

The Phuket Provincial Commercial Office was also continuing its campaign against price-gouging and rip-offs, she added.

Any person who sees someone taking advantage of the situation to unfairly increase prices or who have not received a fair trade can report or make a complaint at the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office by calling 076-219586 or or the 24-hour hotline 1569, Ms Woranit said.

The move to ramp up measures to protect Phuket consumers follows Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew announcing on Monday that he had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with local agencies to do what they can to help relieve poverty across Phuket.

The Phuket Provincial Office had established a Center for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development of People of All Ages, Governor Narong announced.

The centre is to target three key areas of concern: health, well-being and education; income; and access to government services.

Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput has already expressed concern about soaring energy and food prices adding to the cost of living.

The Phuket News last week contacted the Phuket office of the Department of Internal Trade, which is responsible for monitoring Phuket provinces consumer price index (CPI), for any information regarding how much consumer prices had risen over the past month. An officer who asked not to be named replied, That information is not available.

However, the office today issued its report showing prices of CPI goods from Jan 13-19, showing that prices either already stabilised or had fallen slightly.
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An Apache AH-64E Version 6 helicopter is rolled off an Air Force C-17 at Osan Air Base, South Korea, in December bound for the 4th Battalion (Attack), 2nd Aviation Regiment at Camp Humphreys. The aircraft is among the initial batch delivered to the 4-2 Attack Battalion, the first overseas unit to receive the Armys latest version of the aircraft.
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RIDGEFIELD  Singing, dancing and heartfelt speeches made up Ridgefield Playhouses 26th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day Jr. celebration Monday afternoon.

At the free, 90-minute event, Rabbi Emeritus Jon Haddon of Temple Shir Shalom in Ridgefield referenced King as someone with a deep selflessness who had a cause and dream about all people.

Haddon said King lived a life dedicated to giving to others in the same way Ridgefield Playhouse Executive Director Allison Stockel  who was honored at the event  leads her life.

For you, too, have had a cause and a dream, to bring culture and joy and some of the greatest talents in the world to a little town called Ridgefield, America, Haddon said to Stockel, who is a Ridgefield resident.

The celebration and tribute was attended by about 150 people in person with another 250 people watching on YouTube.

Stockel received the Playhouses annual Spirit of Dr. King Award for her commitment to service.

Aside from her position at the Playhouse, Stockel has been involved with many other local nonprofits including The Women's Center the Ridgefield Rotary Club, The Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club, and The Ridgefield Guild of Artists.

The event featured performances by actress Kimberly Wilson, The Ridgefield Chorale, The Ridgefield Diwali Committee, Ridgefield A Better Chance students, and a reading by Ridgefield's poet laureate Barb Jennes. Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray provided a rendition of Your World Fulfilled.

In his speech, Mark Robinson, founder of Ridgefields MLK Spirit Day event, spoke about the importance of doing good deeds for others  as King did in his lifetime.

The thing may or may not be in your own personal self interest but is intended to help someone else, Robinson said.

He added no society anywhere can survive without its members helping one another.

Addressing the audience, he asked, Are you ready, willing and able to do something for others? For someone you may have never met or never meet?

He added doing a good deed should not just be done on Martin Luther King Day, nor should it be a one and done.

This is our way of living, he said. This is every day.

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi referenced Kings I have a Dream speech, asking those in attendance if they thought Kings hope for equality and prosperity for people of color has been fulfilled.

Have we as Americans erased the presence of inequity and opened the roads to prosperity for all? Marconi said.

He added that he doesnt think so.

Have we in Ridgefield done our part? I dont think we have, he said.

Marconi said one way for Ridgefield to become less racially segregated pertains to the topic of education, and specifically the Open Choice program.

This program allows students from city schools to attend suburban schools. Its meant to address increasing enrollment in Danbury and Norwalk schools and declining student population in nearby towns.

Open Choice would allow children from neighboring Danbury to attend Ridgefield schools, Marconi said.

He added while the practice of segregation is illegal, schools right here in Connecticut are still incredibly segregated. We can play a positive role by participating in Open Choice with our neighbor, the city of Danbury.

He added a social education is as valuable as an academic education.

This is what Dr. Kings dreams are all about, he added.

In her speech, Stockel said she looks at the Martin Luther King award as a paying it forward award.

She said there are many people in Ridgefield who embody the spirit of King, in that they volunteer so much of their time and energy towards others.

They care so much about others that they dont take into account how much time or energy taking care of others or committing to a certain nonprofit or nonprofits will take away from their lives  because doing this work is their lives, Stockel said.

She said honoring those people encourages others to follow in their example.

If you think of little Ridgefield and of how much giving we have here and if you can replicate that around the country, around the world, think of how much better a world this would be, she said. We honor Dr. King by honoring those in this community who do his work and by doing so, we encourage others to do the same.

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From an office in the Press Corps of the Indiana Statehouse, 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 daily content for this website and 35 professional media partners around the state.
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BELLEVILLE  Caritas Family Solutions will host its 9th annual Heart & Soul Gala, presented by Federico Kia, virtually on Feb. 5.

The live stream video will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the program which begins at 6:30. Guests can register for free for this years Heart and Soul Gala by going to CaritasFamilySolutions.org/gala.

Founded in 1947, Caritas Family Solutions strengthens the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families to create healthy relationships, loving homes and strong communities. It provides services across Southern Illinois from offices in East Alton, Belleville, Carterville, Mount Vernon, Olney and Effingham.

The gala is its largest fundraising event. Because this years event will be virtual, registration is free and guests are invited to attend from wherever they are. This years one-hour production will be emceed by WSIL-TVs Brooke Schlyer and will include a silent auction, engaging videos about Caritas mission, as well as special appearances from local celebrities such as KSDKs Rene Knott.

Caritas Family Solutions CEO Gary Huelsmann said the goals for the event are to raise awareness about all of the services Caritas currently provides to more than 6,500 people including 1,700 foster children, throughout the Southern Illinois region and raise funds to support the agency and its services.

This years event will highlight Caritas Community Integrated Living Arrangements program. At this years gala, Caritas will also unveil plans for its 75th anniversary celebration which will begin this summer. Sponsors for this years event include Federico KIA,

Kennedy Capital, Barbara & Jim Calandro, Contegra Construction Company, Cardinal Buick GMC, Edward Jones, The Gori Law Firm, Performance Roofing Inc., Thompson Coburn LLP and Dave and Jill Wenzel.
WOOD RIVER  Fourteen COVID-19 deaths have been reported by the Madison County Health Department for Jan. 15-18.

The MCHD on Tuesday reported that the deceased included a man in his 20s, two women in their 60s, three men in their 60s, three men in their 70s, a woman in her 70s, a woman in her 80s, two men in their 80s and a man in his 90s.

For January, the MCHD has reported 38 COVID-19 related deaths and a total of 684 deaths to date. MCHD recorded 33 deaths in December 2021; the most deaths in any month was 120 in December 2020.

As of Tuesday afternoon there were 123 COVID-19 patients in Madison County hospitals, the highest single-day hospitalization number for the pandemic. Of those, 14 were on ventilators.

The news came as the federal government announced that every home can now receive four free at-home COVID-19 tests through the mail. The free tests are available at a new website, COVIDtests.gov. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days and will include instructions on how to use them.

Dr. Clay Dunagan on Tuesday also said so many people are testing positive that it's having a huge impact on businesses, schools, and, particularly, on hospitals' ability to deliver health care.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force's four major health systems  BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health and St. Lukes Hospital  reported 1,392 COVID-19 patients on Tuesday, down slightly from Monday's total of 1,444.

"We have more people in the hospital now than we have had at any other point in the pandemic," Dunagan said. He added that, while the number of cases appears to be leveling off, "there are hundreds of people in the hospital and will be for weeks to come as we get down the back side of this.

"We have a long way to go before we get back to something that feels more normal," he said. "The pressure on the health system is unprecedented."

The MCHD on Tuesday reported 399 new confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases. Of those cases, 92 or about 24 percent involved patients younger than 20. The MCHD on Tuesday reported 59 new cases in Alton and 46 each in Granite City and Edwardsville.

Unofficially, COVID-19 cases in the county now total more than 13,000 for January; for all of December the MCHD recorded 6,289 cases. According to the MCHD Tuesday, the total number of cases to date in the county is 61,269. The total number of tests to date is 686,554.

On Tuesday the three-day positivity rate for Madison County was 27.35 percent. The seven-day rate was 22.2 percent and the 10-day rate was 21.83 percent.

On Sunday, the Macoupin County Health Department reported an additional COVID-19 related death, a woman in her 80s. To date the county has recorded 116 deaths and 11,198 cases. No additional COVID-19 related deaths were reported since Friday in Calhoun, Greene and Jersey counties.

Madison County has extended COVID-19 vaccinations to kids 5-11 years old at its office, 101 E. Edwardsville Road in Wood River. Vaccinations for all ages are by appointment only; people can visit www.madisonchd.org and click the green Appointments for Vaccines are Open button, or call 618-692-8954, Ext. 2. No vaccinations are planned Monday, Jan. 17, because of the Martin Luther King holiday.

The CDC has a vaccine finder that lets people select which vaccine they are looking for and provides the locations that currently have it. For details visit www.vaccines.gov, call 800-232-0233 or text your ZIP code to 438829.

According to COVIDtests.gov, the free COVID-19 tests available by mail are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR. They can be taken anywhere with results within about 30 minutes; no lab drop-off is required. Federal officials said the tests work whether or not a person has COVID-19 symptoms or are up to date on with COVID-19 vaccines.

The tests are also referred to as "self-tests" or "over-the-counter (OTC)" tests. To order them, people need to go to the website and list their name and residential address; no ID, credit card or health insurance information is required.

The site also allows people to share their email address to get updates on their test order. The site also includes other resources for people seeking another kind of COVID-19 or needing more than four tests.

No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-19 tests also are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at more than 20,000 sites nationwide. To find test locations in Illinois, visit Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19 at HHS.gov.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people take an at-home test:

 If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell.

 At least five days after coming into close contact with someone with COVID-19.

 When they are gathering with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
Press Release

January 19, 2022 'Give to HCWs what is due them' says Bong Go as he lauds approval of additional funds for their special risk allowance Senator Christopher "Bong" Go welcomed the recent approval of additional budget to cover the payment of the COVID-19 Special Risk Allowance to healthcare workers (HCWs) who are yet to receive the benefit. President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the release of PhP1.185 billion charged against the 2021 Contingent Fund to cover the SRA of eligible private HCWs and non-Department of Health plantilla personnel who are directly catering to or in contact with COVID-19 patients. "Nararapat lamang na mabigyan sila ng dagdag na kompensasyon bilang pagkilala sa kanilang sakripisyo. Kailanman ay hindi sila pababayaan ng gobyerno," the senator said. "Ang ating mga medical frontliners ay ang mga sundalo sa gyerang ito. Sila ang tinuturing nating bayani sa laban kontra COVID-19. Bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, ipaglalaban ko ang karapatan at kapakanan nila palagi," he added. The Department of Budget and Management has previously released PhP8.189 billion for SRA benefits which covered 497,043 HCWs. Earlier, Go urged concerned authorities to exercise flexibility in implementing the terms of the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, which serves as the legal basis for the SRA. "Bigyan natin ng sapat na suporta ang medical frontliners. Bawat araw ay nasa panganib ang kanilang buhay. Siguraduhin nating mabibigyan ang lahat ng qualified healthcare workers ng Special Risk Allowance at iba pang insentibo o benepisyo na naaayon sa batas," appealed Go. "Kaya ako umaapela na maging flexible tayo sa pag-iimplementa ng nakasaad sa batas at kung kakayanin ng pondo ay bigyan na ang lahat ng qualified ng fixed na amount ng SRA kaysa bilangin pa natin ang kanilang pag-duty bawat araw," he added. To guarantee that their contributions are adequately recognized, Go also expressed his support for extending the SRA to all HCWs working in hospitals. Given the significant number of COVID-19 cases admitted in the country's healthcare institutions, he pointed out that practically all HCWs are entitled to the benefit. "Lahat naman ng health workers na naka-duty ay maituturing na exposed sa banta ng COVID-19. Hindi nakikita ang kalaban na ito kung kaya't mahirap paghiwalayin pa kung sino ang exposed at sino ang hindi," noted Go. "Pagdating mo sa ospital, 'di mo naman masasabi. Once nasa loob ka na, prone at maituturing na exposed ka na rin. Hindi mo masabi na walang virus sa dinaanan mong floor dahil dito lang ang virus kasi hindi nga natin nakikita ang kalaban," he explained in an earlier interview. Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2421 which will provide health workers with a fixed monthly COVID-19 Risk Allowance for the duration of the current State of Emergency in lieu of the special risk allowance and other financial compensation granted under the Bayanihan 2. Under the measure, those eligible for the benefits will include all healthcare workers and other necessary personnel assigned in health facilities. Go also successfully pushed for the allocation of PhP51 billion in the 2022 budget for the compensation of COVID-19 HCWs. He went on to stress that the government should do everything possible to help HCWs, considering their critical role in fighting the pandemic and preserving lives. "As much as possible, kung kakayanin naman ng pondo, ibigay na natin lahat ng suportang pwede nating ibigay sa medical frontliners dahil sila naman ang maituturing na mga bayani sa laban na ito," Go stressed. In 2019, Go was also instrumental in the enactment of the Salary Standardization Law 5, as its author and co-sponsor. The law gives civilian government employees, including nurses, their fifth round of salary increases broken down in tranches. In the same year, he also ensured that sufficient funding was allotted for the implementation of a Supreme Court decision upholding Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, some 18 years after the law was enacted. The law increases the minimum salary grade of the Nurse I position to SG-15. The ruling was implemented the following year.
As the warmth of the holiday season ebbs, Americans are taking a cold look at their Christmas gifts. Many don't like what they see.

One in four Americans expects to return at least one holiday gift by next weekend, according to a report by UPS. That's at least 60 million packages in a single returns season for the world's largest package shipper alone, and a 10% increase over 2020 holiday returns. As the costs of shipping and handling those returns increases, retailers and consumers are facing an expensive and unsustainable shopping future.

For generations, savvy retailers adopted lenient return policies as a way to project reliability and retain customers. They knew perfectly well that unscrupulous customers could exploit no-questions-asked or receipt-optional refund policies. But the success of retailers like Nordstrom Inc. and Target Corp., both of whom have famously permissive return policies and loyal customers, highlighted the countervailing benefits. In a recent survey of apparel companies, 86% of respondents agreed that returns are a necessary evil.

Online retailers recognized the necessity early, adopting lenient return policies and free return shipping to build trust and loyalty with consumers new to e-commerce. Perhaps the most aggressive proponent was Zappos, the online shoe retailer now owned by Amazon.com Inc. Early on, the company encouraged customers to order shoes in multiple sizes and then return the ones that don't fit  and paid for the shipping. As far back as 2010, Zappos was happily telling reporters that its best customers are the ones who return the most products.

It's an expensive way to gain market share. In 2020, U.S. consumers returned around $428.6 billion in merchandise, or 10.6% of total retail sales. Now online retailers, buffeted by picky COVID-era consumers, face return rates between 15% and 30%.

Refunds are just the start of a retailer's costs. According to a recent analysis from companies involved in the returns industry, it costs $33 for retailers to process a $50 return item in 2021, a 59% increase over the previous year.

Several familiar factors figure into those rising costs during the COVID-19 era, especially for e-commerce retailers. Rising transportation costs have made it more expensive to move returned goods to specialized processing centers and then to their final destinations. Rising labor costs have pressured retailers in need of employees to open, assess and route returned products.

But the biggest costs, by far, are related to write-downs and liquidation of returns (on average, between $6.50 and $35.25 per $50 product). Few returned products are rerouted back into a retailer's inventory. The flood of returns is so heavy (and growing) that it's simply impossible for retailers to assess whether each individual pair of jeans, porch furniture combo or Lego set is in resellable condition.

To manage the volume, retailers rely on a byzantine network of brokers, resellers, liquidators and  sometimes  themselves to wring value out of returns. For example, Home Depot Inc. hosts online liquidation auctions of returned products with lot descriptions like "Truckload (18 pallets) of Outdoor Power Equipment, Vanities & More." Winners sort and  hopefully  resell the products. But there's no guarantee that everything will work (it's a return, after all), and thus the reseller also takes on the burden of disposal.

That can be a heavy burden. In 2020, retail returns produced nearly 6 billion pounds of waste. Some of that is packaging. But much of it is returned product that cant be resold. In those cases, resellers and retailers, faced with an unmanageable flood of returns, are known to incinerate returned inventory or dump it in landfills. Retailers who fail to address the problem not only bear responsibility for the waste, but risk alienating customers.

The financial burdens are just as serious. Last month, the U.K. online fashion retailer boohoo Group PLC cut its sales forecast due, in part, to a ruinous 12.5% surge in returns over December 2020.

They're not alone. In recent years, venerable retailers, including Nordstrom, have tightened up their once-liberal return policies in the face of rising costs. So-called free returns are being scaled back and consumers are being encouraged to deliver unwanted products to brick-and-mortar locations.

Solutions that avoid alienating consumers accustomed to free returns remain scarce. For example, many online apparel retailers have invested in virtual fitting rooms to assist online shoppers in purchasing right-fitting clothes. So far, the fitting rooms don't seem to have had much of an impact on returns.

A better approach might be a retail industry campaign that outlines the environmental and financial costs associated with product returns. At a time when consumers and retailers are keen to burnish their sustainability credentials, an honest acknowledgment of what happens when consumers buy more than they need (or want) could benefit everyone.
ALTON  The Sierra Club Piasa Palisades Group will offer a zoom meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 8 on Exploring Ancient New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

The New River is believed to be the oldest river in North America with a much more fascinating route to the Mississippi River in pre-Pleistocene times. Long-time Piasa Palisades Group member Rich Keating is featured in the meeting.
To the Editor,

On Sunday, January 16, my wife and I attended Mass at Saint Marys Catholic church in Alton. Following Mass, the priest eulogized Martin Luther King, a leader in the American Civil Rights Movement and one of the most intellectually gifted men in American history.

Following Mass, the eulogy made me think of the fallacious movement in America, that we are a nation of systemic racism. In 1960 the Civil Rights Act was passed. It prohibited Discrimenation and Segregation. The Whites only Signs were ordered to come down.

In 1955 a young black woman named Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. She was arrested and fined. In 1961 the U.S.Congress honored her as The First Lady of Civil Rights and the Mother of the Freedom Movement.



In 1930, the song Georgia On My Mind was written. 92 years later, it is still being sung. Eight days ago President Biden gave a speech in Georgia that will be politically scrutinized forever.

His speech was directed at The Voting Rights Act in Georgia, which are more expansive than Bidens home state of Delaware. Biden said: This is Jim Crow 2.0. Its the kind of power you see in totalitarian states, not in democracies. In research I learned that the name Jim Crow was created by an actor named Thomas Rice in 1830. Rice would blacken his face to present a mocking exaggeration of an African American. He portrayed the character as a dim-witted buffoon to rationalize the denial of equity and access that was at the heart of Segregation.

Biden went on to compare the Georgia Voting Rights Act to the political actions of three other people:

George Wallace, four year governor of Alabama, who famously stated in 1963 - Segregation now! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever!

Bull Connor, for two decades was the Public Safety Commissioner in Birmingham Alabama, who let the Ku Klux Klan beat up civil rights activists and who fought integration.

Jefferson Davis served as President of the Confederate States and was the primary person responsible for the 620,000 deaths in the Civil War.

Using the names of George Wallace and Bull Connor to make a point is not new. In 2020, President Obama, referred to both names. He said: Bull Connors may be gone, but today we witness with our own eyes, police officers kneeling on the neck of a Black American. George Wallace may be gone, but we can witness our federal government sending agents to use teargas and batons against peaceful demonstrators.

Possibly, one of the most fallacious statements ever made by a sitting president of the greatest country in the world was President Bidens speech in Georgia. The smartest decision Biden could make in his first year in office is to fire his speech writers.

H. C. Crowson

Godfrey


Scranton, PA (18503)

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Businesses that pursue goals beyond profit are not 'woke' or promoting a political agenda but are essential features of a capitalist system, BlackRock's chairman has asserted.

In his annual letter to corporate bosses, Larry Fink wrote that it has 'never been more essential' for leaders to have a clear purpose and strong relationships with their stakeholders as it is crucial for their long-term success.

Los Angeles-born Fink, 69, has been pushing the financial sector to place more emphasis on environmental, social and governance issues when making decisions on where to put their money.

Backlash: 'Stakeholder capitalism is not about politics. It is not a social or ideological agenda. It is not 'woke.' It is capitalism,' Larry Fink remarked in his letter to corporate bosses

This has led to accusations from some conservative politicians and pressure groups in the United States that Blackrock, which is the world's largest asset manager, has been advancing a progressive policy agenda at investors' expense.

But he insisted that since setting up BlackRock more than three decades ago, he finds 'truly great companies' to be those that work with their stakeholders, whether they be employees, customers or the communities they serve.

'Stakeholder capitalism is not about politics. It is not a social or ideological agenda. It is not 'woke.' It is capitalism,' Fink remarked in the letter, which is entitled The Power of Capitalism.

He added: 'Putting your company's purpose at the foundation of your relationships with your stakeholders is critical to long-term success.

'Employees need to understand and connect with your purpose; when they do, they can be your staunchest advocates. Customers want to see and hear what you stand for as they increasingly look to do business with companies that share their values.'

Given that BlackRock manages more than $10trillion, Fink's words wield hefty influence within the business world.

Influential: As BlackRock is the world's largest investment manager that looks after assets worth more than $10trillion, Fink's words wield hefty influence

He has been pivotal in pushing firms to prioritise tackling climate change, calling on them to publish net zero plans and lobbying the US authorities to implement rules that will make businesses disclose how much carbon they emit.

'We focus on sustainability not because we're environmentalists, but because we are capitalists and fiduciaries to our clients,' the billionaire chairman remarked.

In his letter, Fink predicted that the next 1,000 unicorns - privately-held startups worth at least $1billion - would not be search engines or social media companies but firms who provide products and services that are both eco-friendly and affordable.

While he has urged major action to combat global warming, Fink said that the transition to net zero will still necessitate the use of natural gas in some regions to ensure energy remains affordable and reliable.

Last month, the asset manager was the joint leader of an investor consortium purchasing a 49 per cent stake in a natural gas pipelines operated by Saudi Aramco.

BlackRock also holds tens of billions of dollars of investments in the fossil fuel industry, including coal mining. It has pledged to only divest from groups that earn over a quarter of their revenues from thermal coal production.

Ben Cushing, the manager of Sierra Club's Fossil-Free Finance Campaign, described Fink's letter as 'just another rehashing of the same vague rhetoric, without any meaningful new commitment to actually help lead the necessary transition to a climate-safe future.

'Fink is insisting on continuing to prop up dirty fuels like fracked gas and peddling the outdated and dangerous view that gas has a place in the energy transition, despite the scientific consensus that we need to stop expanding fossil fuels immediately.'
Luxury brands are roaring back to life as they put the pandemic behind them.

In separate bullish updates to investors, the British fashion house Burberry and Swiss giant Richemont have reported soaring sales in the run-up to Christmas.

The figures sent shares in Burberry 6.3 per cent higher in London while Richemont, whose brands include Cartier, and Montblanc, was up 5.1 per cent in Zurich.

British fashion house Burberry said sales before Christmas were 5% higher than a year earlier as 723m of bags, hats, scarves, coats and other clothing flew off the shelves

Chris Beauchamp, the chief market analyst at IG Group, said: 'The chasm in the global economy is clearly illustrated here, as the luxury goods sector makes headway while everyone else seems to worry about the rising cost of daily essentials.'

Burberry said sales before Christmas were 5 per cent higher than a year earlier as 723million of bags, hats, scarves, coats and other clothing flew off the shelves.

Full-price sales jumped 26 per cent reflecting its move away from offering discounts, and demand for leather goods was especially strong.

The fashion house also said profits for the year to April 3 would be 35 per cent higher than last year, well ahead of City expectations of 472million.

Finance chief Julie Brown said stores were attracting a new generation of customers, adding: 'The brand is stronger, the product is stronger.

'The key product categories, leather goods and outerwear, are performing very strongly.'

In Switzerland, Cartier-owner Richemont reported its fastest Christmas sales growth in more than a decade

Burberry shares rose 111p to 1866.5p. AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said: 'It appears the wealthy are lapping up luxury items.'

Burberry chairman Gerry Murphy said the boom would continue and its incoming chief executive Jonathan Akeroyd would inherit an 'excellent' position to build from.

Akeroyd will join in April, having run Versace since 2016 and could take home 11million in his first year.

His predecessor, Marco Gobbetti, the mastermind of the multi-year plan to reposition Burberry, jumped ship to Ferragamo this year.

Mould said: 'Akeroyd will want to put his own stamp on the business, but he may want to consider an 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' approach given the progress under Gobbetti.'

In Switzerland, Richemont reported its fastest Christmas sales growth in more than a decade.

The firm, which is looking to give up control of fashion website Yoox Net-a-Porter, said sales in the three months to December 31 were 32 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier, at 4.7billion.

Jewellery sales jumped 38 per cent, fashion sales were up 37 per cent and watch sales rose by a quarter.
Conviviality owned Bargain Booze and supplied drinks to restaurants and pubs. At its height it was worth 500m

KPMG has apologised after being fined 3million for botching Convivialitys audits.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said there were serious failings in reviews of the hospitality groups accounts.

Conviviality owned Bargain Booze and supplied drinks to restaurants and pubs. It was once worth 500million  but collapsed after an accounting blunder led to a fatal profit warning.

The FRC said KPMG failings in 2017 and 2018 were serious, spanned several significant areas of financial statements and related to a number of fundamental auditing standards.

Jon Holt, UK chief executive of KPMG, said: Im sorry our work wasnt good enough in this instance.
The top scientist at pharma giant Glaxosmithkline has jumped ship to run a Silicon Valley start-up focused on anti-ageing technology.

In a setback for chief executive Emma Walmsley, veteran drug developer Hal Barron will step down as chief scientific officer in August.

He will become chief executive and co-chairman of Altos Labs, which is backed by billionaires including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and is hiring scientists around the world to explore how to reverse the ageing process.

Veteran drug developer Hal Barron will step down as Glaxosmithkline's chief scientific officer in August to become chief executive and co-chairman of Altos Labs

Barron, 59, will remain on the board as a non-executive director for three years, supporting the firms research and development efforts.

Tony Wood, GSKs senior vice-president of medical science and technology, will take over as chief scientific officer having joined the company from Pfizer in 2017.

Wood has worked on the launch of several key medicines including asthma treatment Nucala and HIV drug Cabenuva.

Altos, which has operations in Silicon Valley and San Diego in California, and Cambridge in the UK, is aiming to develop technology that can rejuvenate the bodys cells and extend lives.

Backers are said to include Bezos as well as Russian billionaire venture capitalist Yuri Milner.

Aside from Barron, the firm has attracted other top talent including Nobel Prize-winning stem cell researcher Shinya Yamanaka, who sits on its scientific advisory board.

Barron said: I am deeply honoured to have been offered this once in a lifetime opportunity to lead such a unique company with a transformative mission to reverse disease.

Walmsley, 52, said the Altos opportunity was unique for Barron, and that GSK was pleased that it will continue to benefit from his expertise at the board.

She added that Wood was an outstanding scientist who is highly respected and that he was perfectly placed to build on Barrons progress.

Setback: The departure of Barron will be a heavy blow for boss Emma Walmsley (pictured)

Alistair Campbell, an analyst at broker Liberum, said the exit was a surprise given Barrons importance. But he added Wood was very closely aligned with Barron so the transition was likely to be seamless without any serious strategic implications.

The sentiment was shared by analysts at Bank of America, who said Wood was a continuity candidate but did little to address their concerns over the lack of progress in GSKs drug pipeline.

The companys shares, which were this week boosted by news of a 50billion bid from Unilever for its consumer healthcare arm, fell 2.1 per cent, or 348p, to 1666.4p.

Barrons departure will be a heavy blow for Walmsley, who once joked that she spent more time choosing him as chief scientist than she did picking her husband.

She went to great lengths to accommodate the California-based scientist during his tenure, including opening a small office in Barrons home of San Francisco when he agreed to join the company so he could stay there with his wife and two children.

Barron was even paid more than Walmsley in 2020, receiving a package of around 8.2million compared to her 7million, according to the latest annual report.

At the time, Barrons hiring was seen as a major coup shortly after she took over running the group.

However, his exit is likely to increase concerns from shareholders who have questioned her lack of a scientific background.

It will also provide ammunition to activist investors Elliott Management and Bluebell Capital, who have been pushing for Walmsley to reapply for her own job while also criticising her strategy of splitting off the consumer healthcare business, which includes brands such as Sensodyne toothpaste and Panadol painkillers, into a separately listed company later this year.

The remaining part of the business will then turn its focus toward improving its pipeline of drugs and vaccines.

However, there are fears this strategy could be imperilled by Barrons departure.
SPARKS [mdash] Mrs. Mattie L. Clements Martin, 93, of Sparks, Georgia, passed away at her granddaughter's home on April 25, 2022. Mrs. Martin was born on January 17, 1929 in Colquitt County to the late Ivey Lane Hart and Ola Gay Hart. She lived most of her life in Cook County and was of the 
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Russia could launch a new attack on Ukraine at very short notice but Washington would pursue diplomacy as long as it could.

On a visit to Kyiv to show support for Ukraine, the top U.S. diplomat said Ukrainians should prepare for difficult days. He said Washington would keep providing defence assistance to Kyiv and renewed a promise of severe sanctions against Russia in the event of a new invasion.

The Kremlin said tension around Ukraine was increasing and it was still waiting for a written U.S. response to its sweeping demands for security guarantees from the West.

The pessimistic statements highlighted the gulf between Washington and Moscow as Blinken gears up for a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday that a Russian foreign policy analyst called probably the last stop before the train wreck.

Blinken promised relentless diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed aggression and to promote dialogue and peace. He said a Russian build-up of tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border was taking place with no provocation, no reason.

We know that there are plans in place to increase that force even more on very short notice, and that gives President (Vladimir) Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine, he said.

He did not spell out how quickly Russia might move. Independent security analysts say they do not believe Moscow has so far assembled the logistics and medical units it would need to launch an immediate attack.

Russia has also moved troops to Belarus for what it calls joint military exercises, giving it the option of attacking neighbouring Ukraine from the north, east and south.

It continues to deny any such intention. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, military manoeuvres and NATO aircraft flights were to blame for rising tension around Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Russia of trying to sow panic in Ukraine. He said diplomacy offered the only way out, and it was an indestructible principle that no decisions about Ukraine could be taken without its involvement.

The basic principle is simple: a strong Ukraine is the best instrument to restrain Russia, he said.

HOPES ARE DIM

The United States says Russia is threatening its post-Soviet neighbour and may be poised for a new invasion, eight years after it seized Crimea and backed separatist forces who took control of large parts of eastern Ukraine.

Russia says it feels menaced by Kyivs growing ties with the West. It wants to impose red lines to prevent Ukraine ever joining NATO and to get the alliance to pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe. Washington says these demands are non-starters.

Vladimir Frolov, a former Russian diplomat who is now a foreign policy analyst, said Moscow would not be appeased by a U.S. and NATO offer of arms control talks and was pursuing a much more sweeping rearrangement of the European security order.

The Lavrov-Blinken meet is probably the last stop before the train wreck. But hopes are dim, the positions are incompatible, he said.

Describing Russias military deployment in Belarus as a huge escalation, Frolov gave a dire assessment of the crisis.

I think barring a U.S. surrender and their delivering Ukraine to Russia, some kind of a military option is all but inevitable now.

Blinken said he would not be presenting a written response to Lavrov in Geneva on Friday  something that Russia has repeatedly demanded.

He said both sides needed to take stock of a series of diplomatic meetings on the crisis last week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Blinken in Kyiv: I would like to thank you personally and President Biden and the U.S. administration for military support for Ukraine, for increasing this assistance.

President Joe Bidens administration last month approved the provision of an additional $200 million in defensive security assistance to Ukraine and gave more such aid last year than at any point since Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014.

On Monday, Britain said it had begun supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons to help it defend itself.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called on the West on Wednesday to stop supplying Ukraine with weapons and described the situation around European security as critical, the Interfax news agency reported.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Two New Zealand navy vessels will arrive in Tonga on Friday carrying critical water supplies for the Pacific island nation reeling from a volcanic eruption and tsunami and largely cut off from the outside world.

Hundreds of homes in Tongas smaller outer islands have been destroyed, with at least three deaths after Saturdays huge eruption triggered tsunami waves that rolled over the islands, causing what the government calls an unprecedented disaster.

With the nations airport smothered by volcanic ash and communications badly hampered by the severing of an undersea cable, information on the scale of devastation has come mostly from reconnaissance aircraft.

The Red Cross said its teams in Tonga had confirmed that salt water from the tsunami and volcanic ash were polluting the drinking water sources of tens of thousands of people.

Securing access to safe drinking water is a critical immediate priority  as there is a mounting risk of diseases, such as cholera and diarrhoea, Katie Greenwood, a Pacific official of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said in a statement.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano erupted with a blast heard 2,300 km (1,430 miles) away in New Zealand and sent tsunami waves across the Pacific Ocean.

James Garvin, chief scientist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, said the force of the eruption was estimated to be the equivalent of five to 10 megatons of TNT, or more than 500 times that of the nuclear bomb the United States dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima at the end of World War Two.

New Zealands foreign ministry said Tonga had approved the arrival of its ships, the Aotearoa and the Wellington, in the COVID-free nation, where concerns about a potential coronavirus outbreak are likely to complicate relief efforts.

Simon Griffiths, captain of the Aotearoa, said his ship was carrying 250,000 litres of water, and had the capacity to produce another 70,000 litres a day, along with other supplies.

For the people of Tonga, were heading their way now with a whole lot of water, Griffiths said in a statement.

THURSDAY FLIGHTS?

The Polynesian archipelago of 176 islands, 36 of them inhabited, has a population of about 105,000. Its Fuaamotu International Airport was not damaged by the tsunami but it was covered in ash, which has had to be cleared manually.

Aid flights from New Zealand and Australia could begin on Thursday, a Tongan official said, depending on the clear-up.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said two Hercules aircraft were ready to go with humanitarian supplies and telecommunications equipment as soon as conditions allow.

HMAS Adelaide is also preparing to depart from Brisbane with water purification equipment and additional humanitarian supplies, Morrison said on Facebook after he spoke with Tongas prime minister, Siaosi Sovaleni.

As well as emergency supplies, Australia and New Zealand have promised immediate financial assistance. The U.S. Agency for International Development approved $100,000 in immediate assistance.

The Asian Development Bank was discussing with Tonga whether it would declare a state of emergency to draw on a $10-million disaster funding facility, senior bank official Emma Veve told Reuters.

Other countries and agencies, including the United Nations, are drawing up plans to help. China will send help, including water and food, when the airport opened, a spokesperson of its foreign ministry said.

Waves reaching up to 15 metres (49 feet) hit the outer Haapia island group, destroying all the houses on the island of Mango, as well as the west coast of Tongas main island, Tongatapu, the prime ministers office said.

Residents of Tongatapu were being moved to evacuation centres as 56 houses were destroyed or seriously damaged.

CAUTIOUS AID

New Zealand said power had been restored and Tongan authorities were distributing relief supplies.

But the country is largely offline since the volcano damaged the sole undersea fibre-optic communication cable and it would probably take a month or more to fix, its owner said.

A specialist ship should embark from Port Moresby on a repair voyage on the weekend, said Samiuela Fonua, chairman of cable owner Tonga Cable Ltd, but with up to nine days sailing to collect equipment in Samoa, he said it would be lucky if the job was done in a month.

International mobile phone network provider Digicel has established a 2G connection using a satellite dish, the New Zealand foreign ministry said, but it is patchy and amounts to about 10% of usual capacity.

Tongan communities abroad have posted images from families on Facebook, giving a glimpse of the devastation, with homes reduced to rubble, fallen trees, cracked roads and sidewalks and everything coated in grey ash.

The United Nations and aid agencies were preparing relief flights to Tonga but without personnel who disembark, so to avoid introducing the coronavirus, said Fiji-based U.N. co-ordinator Jonathan Veitch.

Tonga is one of the few countries free of COVID-19 and an outbreak there would disastrous, he added.

SOURCE: REUTERS
SCHENECTADY - General Electric Co. has named a new CEO of its software technology business, GE Digital.

Although many have likely never heard of him, the man they named to the job, Scott Reese, could become important to GE Energy's Schenectady operations, where thousands of GE employees work.

That's because GE's digital business is being integrated into GE Energy as part of GE's plans to spin off GE Energy as its own public company that will trade on the stock market separately from GE and GE's health care division, which is also being spun off under a plan by CEO Larry Culp Jr.

Reese was hired from a California software company called Autodesk, where he was executive vice president of product development and manufacturing solutions.

The former GE Digital head, Patrick Byrne, will become CEO of GE's onshore wind business, which will be rolled into GE Energy as part of the spinoff.

GE's software business is part of GE's energy business because software and artificial intelligence, which GE Digital works on, is essential to energy companies to forecast and predict how power plants and renewable energy sources like wind farms and solar farms operate during the night, as well as during certain weather events. Unlike fossil-fuel power plants, wind and solar farms vary in their output based on weather.

GE Digital is a critical part of the new energy company planned to spin off from GE in 2024," said GE Energy CEO Scott Strazik, who lives in the Capital Region. "I am thrilled to have Scott Reese join this mission with his track record of transforming software businesses and driving growth. His deep software industry experience makes him the ideal fit to partner with our customers and the GE Digital team to accelerate the energy transition.
Five months after his resignation, former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo still has more than $16.4 million in available campaign cash, according to a Board of Elections filing released Tuesday evening.

Over the six months since mid-July, Cuomo spent $2.1 million and raised $224,000.

The remaining campaign cash  built up during a decade as New Yorks most powerful elected official  will likely fuel continued speculation about whether Cuomo will again run for office.

Cuomo has faced investigations in recent months, which have been the primary drain on a prior balance of $18.2 million six months ago. Since then, Cuomo spent nearly $900,000 on the law firm of attorney Rita Glavin, a former federal prosecutor who has taken the leading role in Cuomos attacks against the credibility of the Aug. 3 state attorney general's report that found Cuomo sexually harassed or acted inappropriately with 11 women. Cuomos campaign also paid $800,000 to Sullivan & Cromwell, another firm that represented Cuomo in the harassment probe.

After the report was issued by state Attorney General Letitia James, large donations from Albany interest groups dried up. But after his Aug. 10 resignation announcement, Cuomo received hundreds of small donations, many $100 or less. Cuomo had built a national audience through televised briefings early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who as the former lieutenant governor succeeded Cuomo in August, has raised $21.6 million since August, which her campaign called the "largest contribution total for any single filing period" in New York history.

One Hochul challenger for governor running to her political left, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, reported raising only $222,000 and has $189,000 in remaining cash. The filing raises questions about Williams' viability in the race, but on the other hand, he wouldn't have to give up his current job to run in the June Democratic primary for governor.

That's not the case with U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island, a Democrat running for governor who would have to give up his congressional seat if he stays in the race and lands on the Democratic primary ballot for governor. According to the New York Post, Suozzi has over $5 million to spend and raised $3.3 million since formally launching his bid in late November. He has also transferred $2.1 million from a congressional account.

Joshua Solomon contributed reporting
The Hudson area has historically been a destination for second homeowners and weekend getaways from New York City. But during the pandemic, urbanites moved north to settle in Hudson at an unprecedented rate, with a 204 percent spike in the number of people who changed their address from New York City to Columbia County  from 412 in 2019 to 1,254 in 2020.

The transition to remote work has altered the local fabric of Hudson and towns across the region. New residents are enjoying more space for work and family, the fresh air and rolling hills of Columbia County. Long-term residents are facing a changing downtown and the citys largest population growth in decades. All are dealing with rising housing costs.

In interviews with over a dozen people in this city of 6,000, new and seasoned residents shared their personal experiences of a changing Hudson.

Dennis McEvoy, owner of Rogersons Hardware

Jessica Chappe

Dennis McEvoy, a born-and-raised Hudson resident, is the fourth-generation owner of Rogersons Hardware on Warren Street and has been a practicing attorney in Hudson for 35 years.

The store originally opened in 1832 and was bought by McEvoys family in the 1870s. Were the new owners. My family has only been here since the 1870s. We took down the under new management sign a couple of weeks ago.

Over his lifetime, McEvoy has watched Warren Street transform. In the 1960s and 70s, he says, We closed at noon on Saturdays during the summer months, and by one oclock, you could shoot guns up our street and you wouldnt hit anybody. It was just absolutely dead.

Now, Warren Street attracts visitors year round. You never know where people are from. A couple summers ago, I dont think a week went by where we didnt have visitors from Australia.

McEvoy remarked that Warren Street used to be a place where people bought things they needed, but its become a place where people buy things they want. Do I wish that there was more traditional retail down here? Yes, he says. But am I complaining? No, because theres traffic and the folks that come here are very gracious, overwhelmingly. They appreciate good service. And they spend money.

Dustin Duncan, epidemiology professor at Columbia University

Jessica Chappe

I think I was meant to be here, says Dustin Duncan, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University.

On Friday, March 13, 2020, Duncan left his primary residence in Harlem to travel upstate to his second home in Hudson, which he purchased in 2019, thinking he would stay there temporarily in lockdown. Unbeknownst to me, that became a full-time move, says Duncan, who has made Hudson his primary residence since then, with an occasional commute to the Columbia campus in New York City.

I didnt anticipate leaving New York City. Never. When I moved here, I just felt like it was the place I wanted to be.

When he visited Hudson for the first time in 2018, he says, I remember people being exceedingly friendly, which I didnt feel in other towns. I remember my mom asking me, How do you feel up there? And what she was trying to say was, As a Black person, how do you feel? I was like: I feel fine. Everyone was waving at me and being really friendly.

Barnfox, a coworking space on Warren Street, has become one of Duncans primary sources of community.

When deciding between Hudson and other towns in the region, Duncan factored in his Caribbean heritage and noticed that Hudson is one of the only towns where hes seen a Jamaican store in the town center. I go to Paulette [at West Indies Natural Food and Grocery]. Another reason that I feel exceedingly comfortable in Hudson is this resource.

Carla Perez-Gallardo, owner of Lil Debs Oasis

Jessica Chappe

When Carla Perez-Gallardo founded Lil Debs Oasis with Hannah Black in 2016, they named their project in honor of Debbie Fierro, the previous owner of the building and former eatery for 26 years, then called Debbies Little Restaurant.

We wanted to honor the history that had come before us, and not just come in, erase it, and put a new stamp on it, even though what were doing is so different, says Perez-Gallardo.

Perez-Gallardo, now the restaurants sole owner, moved to Hudson in 2010 after growing up in Queens and attending Bard College. As a first-generation U.S. citizen with Ecuadorian and Argentinian roots, Perez-Gallardo also wanted the menu to reflect her culinary origins and for the restaurant to resonate with Hudson residents. Tropical comfort food is served in an eclectic interior filled with art from the community.

Perez-Gallardo attributes the restaurant's philosophy to Debbie, who hosted Lil Debs earlier pop-ups before it was a restaurant: Debbie was flipping pancakes and having people pour their own coffee. There was this super intimate interplay between who was a customer and who was a community member.

Since COVID, Lil Debs Oasis has added 69 cents to every menu item  because 69 represents reciprocity and the act of giving and receiving, she says playfully  with the proceeds donated to various community projects at the end of the month, such as Kites Nest, Hudson Area Library and the Parole Preparation Project. By the end of 2021 they raised over $30,000 within 7 months of reopening. The restaurant also added a Community Tab credit system, where any customer can add $10 increments to their bill to help others with less money lower their tab. Those who want to use the tab can put in a request for it when they place an order.

Perez-Gallardo has noticed the impact of the population influx on Lil Debs staff. Because of rising housing costs, she says, This is the first year my entire staff doesnt live in Hudson. Mostly everyone has lived within 10 or 15 minutes. [Staff] are commuting 40 minutes or more to get here now.

Austin Urban, real estate agent

Jessica Chappe

Austin Urban, a real estate agent originally from Poughkeepsie, bought a home in Hudson and moved in when the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States. He saw opportunity in the emerging market for the crowd coming from New York City who could work from home.

You dont have to have a finance job on Wall Street and work on Wall Street, he says. You can sit in your three-bedroom farmhouse in Chatham while you fix it up and make it really cute and work from there.

Urban sees the difficulty in pleasing all residents, new and old, in Hudson. A lot of people think that the heavy amounts of tourism are bad for housing, and are pushing locals out of Hudson, which in some cases, they probably are. But I dont think youre ever going to get a scenario in a small economy like [Hudson], where it benefits 100 percent of the people.

He grew up spending family vacations in nearby Copake Lake; now its the regions culture that he appreciates. I love showing this place off, says Urban. Now, theres so much going on: new businesses, new restaurants, orchards, clothing companies. You really cant get bored here.

As housing continues to be a hot topic in Hudson, Urban sees the citys growth as a positive. I think that all boats rise  if businesses are opening, employments going up and people are coming to the area, he says, I do think its mostly for the better.

Jacqueline Salvatore, undersheriff for Columbia County

Jessica Chappe

Jacqueline Salvatore has been a Hudson resident her entire life, working as a New York State Trooper for 20 years before retiring in 2016. In January she was sworn in as the first female and woman of color undersheriff for the Columbia County Sheriffs Office.

Salvatore recalls shopping on Warren Street in her childhood, when everybodys family seemed to have good jobs and were employed, she says. It went from that to the Urban Renewal Project. Then you started to see a few antique stores and different people moving into the area and buying up the properties.

She says she loves some of the new businesses on Warren Street, but its difficult for a lot of local people to be able to [afford to] go to some of the restaurants and eat.

Though the reasons people come to Hudson are clear, the impact on the community is less straightforward. This is a gorgeous county, and I think its evident by the number of people who have moved here, Salvatore says. But just dont try to change it into something that you escaped from. Leave the Hamptons in the Hamptons. Leave Columbia County, Columbia County.

Salvatore urges newcomers to consider the perspective of Hudsons long-term residents. Some Hudson locals are unable to afford the cost of living when transplants, many with urban-based salaries, drive those living costs higher.

If you own multiple properties, consider making somebody a super of one of those properties so that their family can live and have a decent place. If you own a business, take somebody in on an internship and offer them a job with a living wage so that they can [afford to] stay here. Invest in this community that you love so the people that you want to help can still live here and be a part of it.

In addition to supporting Don Krapf and the men and women of Columbia County Sheriffs office, Salvatores plans as undersheriff include hiring people in policing and corrections who reflect the communities they represent, and supporting prison programming to reduce recidivism in Hudson.

Jason Denton, owner of Feast & Floret

Jessica Chappe

In March 2020, Jason, Jennifer, Jack, and Finn Denton migrated to the Hudson Valley from New York City to quarantine for two weeks with some friends. They never left, becoming Hudson renters by June 2020.

We always planned on living up here when the boys got out of college, says Jason. But obviously things moved a little quicker than we anticipated.

Jason has worked in the restaurant business in New York City for decades, and ran a series of acclaimed Italian restaurants, the last of which closed in 2019. Feast & Floret opened in the space formerly occupied by Fish & Game, a high-end restaurant in Hudson run by Zakary Pelaccio.

Their eldest son Jack is a sophomore at McGill University living in Montreal; Finn, their younger son, has returned to New York City to finish high school after a year at Hawthorne Valley High School, just outside of Hudson. Jennifer works remotely for a digital media company in the city, and commutes back and forth with Finn.

Feast & Floret has a staff of 16. We have a lot of local people who have lived here for years who work here, Jason says. (Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatores daughter is one of the restaurants servers.) Having a lot of people that work here who are from the area  it helps because theres a direct connection to their families, and their families families.

When Jason isnt at the restaurant, he says, I work on field journals and study mushrooms. Im in the woods pretty much every morning, clearing my head, getting involved with the forest and what it has to offer.

He says hes found community from the guests and staff at Feast & Floret. I couldnt be more appreciative for all the support from everybody around here. It kind of solidified what I always thought about this area.

Ishaan Smith, owner of Aikonyc Cutz

Jessica Chappe

Ishaan Smith, known locally as Canary Cheez, is a licensed barber and musician who grew up on Allen Street and is a third-generation Hudson resident. His grandmother came to Hudson from New Jersey in the 1950s.

When the pandemic hit, Smith had to close a shop he co-owned in Albany after three and a half years. I knew I had to continue to pay to feed my family, he says. So I had to cut hair out of my car.

In December 2021 Smith opened a new barber shop, Aikonyc Cutz  Aikonyc blends the first letters of his three kids and their mother's first names  on Columbia Street.

He sees the effects of rising costs on his community. They dont know where their next meal is gonna come from because the paycheck that they got yesterday gotta go straight to the rent that just got increased by $240 by this new guy that just bought their building.

He continues: If you want to talk about the new Hudson with the new Warren Street, I cant name a person [I know] in Hudson thats walked in those stores and spent money in there. Were not draping our house in antique stuff, because we cant even pay the rent ... Im speaking for the people that I know. It doesnt add up.

A solution, Smith suggests, is more communication  and opportunities for work  between business owners and longtime residents of Hudson.

To support his community, Smith has offered his storefront as a place for kids and teens in Hudson to do homework, watch movies, and play video games. He also runs an annual back-to-school haircut event. Ive given these kids in my community free haircuts to go back to school, not looking for a dollar for it. I just want to be the connector who helps people. Thats free.

Brittany Clarke, student, and Alexei Topounov, photographer

Jessica Chappe

Brittany Clarke and Alexei Topounov, originally from Toronto, moved to Philmont, eight miles east of Hudson, in July 2020 from their Brooklyn apartment. We had always thought about moving upstate and being some place where theres more nature  but we could just never pull the trigger on it, says Topounov. Clarke adds, And we always wanted a dog, but never could get one.

When the pandemic hit, it was like  lets think about this one more time, says Topounov.

Clarke and Topounov opted for a rental just outside of Hudson after recognizing the competitive market in the area during the first few months of the pandemic. At that time, a lot of places were being snatched up, so we applied for this one farmhouse that had like 70 applications within the first day. It was very competitive, says Topounov.

Clarke, who is pursuing a degree in human sciences to become a licensed counselor, traded the perks of city living for more space. I didnt realize until we moved up [to Philmont] how impactful living in a dense area was on my own mental health, she says, Coming up here, it was like a breath of fresh air literally and figuratively, for me. And we got a dog.

Topounov, a photographer, has found inspiration and collaboration among the landscape and the creative community in the Hudson area. I didnt realize how many artistic people have moved here. This area offers a new kind of perspective on things. Theres a nice balance between concrete and grass, he says.

Clarke and Topounov spend time outside of work canoeing and hiking with their German Shepherd, Uma Vom Kugelblitz.

Along with access to nature, Clarke and Topounov say another perk of living in this area is getting to know their neighbors. Living in the city for as long as we did, we were just used to having our guard up. But now, I have someone from up the street coming by later to borrow our food processor. We know everybody, Clark says.

When asked about the dynamics between long-term and new residents, Topounov says, I feel like most people are happy about new people coming into the area. For example, this house was in really bad shape. A lot of people would talk about how terrible it looked and how happy they are that someone not only renovated it, but that someones living in it now and enjoying the space.

Claudia Bruce and Linda Mussmann, founders of Time and Space Limited

Jessica Chappe

In 1991, Claudia Bruce and Linda Mussmann moved to Hudson to create a home for their avant garde theater project, Time and Space Limited (TSL). Its now a nonprofit community space, which includes a performance venue, movie theater, a gallery, and antique and used book shop.

Mussmann and Bruce have watched the cost of living in Hudson rise in general, and particularly over the course of the pandemic. Claudia and I would have never been able to open TSL today in Hudson, said Mussmann. Its unaffordable. There is no room for those kinds of dreams. So I think for younger people with less money and less opportunity, the doors are closing.

When Mussmann and Bruce found the space in 1993, they were able to take out a mortgage at the local Hudson River Bank for $150,000.

The scope of TSL expanded in the beginning to meet the needs and artistic interests of the Hudson community. We provided music and art programs, there were cooking classes, theater, and a circus  there was an endless stream of things. That spirit of community served them during the pandemic as they began distributing 6,000 meals from their theaters certified kitchen to Hudsons homeless population, the elderly, and other neighbors and families in need.

TSL slowly began to reopen in April 2021. We are thinking about the future here and whats next  still thinking, says Mussmann.

---

Jessica Chappe is a Hudson-based documentary photographer, writer and multidisciplinary artist who focuses on how people find belonging through community, place and the self. You can contact her at jessica.chappe@gmail.com. Annie Reynolds is a Hudson-based writer, multidisciplinary artist, and oral storytelling enthusiast with a bachelor's degree in anthropology. She is originally from San Francisco. You can reach her at annieclairereynolds@gmail.com.
A massive new mixed-use development is coming to Poughkeepsie, intended to create a live-work-play destination downtown, with an enormous food hall and event space being the first pieces to launch this spring.

The Academy will blend restaurants, retail, apartments, and coworking and event spaces across two buildings at 33 and 35 Academy Street in the citys central business district.

People know this property very well, said Ron Hicks, Assistant County Executive for Economic Development. It [was] a visible dead space in the heart of the City of Poughkeepsie  now that this property is being repurposed, it sends a significant message that things are happening in the city  you see light and investment.

Baxter Building Corporation, the developers behind the mixed-use project, invested more than $13 million to renovate the formerly underutilized commercial spaces, which were purchased in 2018 and 2019. Since then, the project has received a $1.2 million Empire State Development grant.

I was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, said Eric Baxter, Vice President of Baxter Building Corporation, who works with his sister Amanda, who is company president. Im passionate about the city and trying to assist with its revival. Trying to come up with a concept thats going to attract individuals to visit the city, and other amenities for the locals to enjoy, and additional apartments for people to live in, goes with that live-work-play model where people can live downtown, work in the building and enjoy themselves as well.

Related: Ambitious urban rail trail project is coming to Poughkeepsie

The Academy combines under one roof a food hall with a produce market, a bar, small bistro and different food concepts including barbeque and Asian cuisine. The food hall will be operated by Christian Palikuca, and Baxter says they may bring in guest chefs.

This project will provide an opportunity for low-cost startup incubation, a market that will offer fresh foods to low-income families that would otherwise not have access, job opportunities in the agricultural and food and beverage industries and will draw tourist traffic from the Walkway Over the Hudson into downtown Poughkeepsie, said Kristin Devoe, Senior Director of Communications, Upstate for Empire State Development in an emailed statement.

We are excited about how The Academy will contribute to our goal of transforming our urban centers, enhancing the region as a tourist destination, and attract of businesses to locate, grow, and start their businesses in New York State.

Upstairs will feature a brewery and an 8,700-square-foot private event space called Keepsake at The Academy featuring a reception room, courtyard and bar.

Both the food hall and event space will open first in the spring, becoming the regions second food hall after Beacons Hudson Valley Food Hall, which opened in 2019.

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An adjacent 28-unit apartment building will feature affordable studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, with the rents for each unit varying depending on income levels. The residential and coworking spaces are slated to open in July, after the food hall and event space.

The projects architect is MASS Design Group.

Baxter Building Corporation is also behind other Hudson Valley developments, including 289 Main Street, a residential and business collective, and Maple Street Apartments  both in Poughkeepsie. The developer has also constructed and/or developed other local restaurants and hospitality projects including Heritage Food + Drink and Ready Coffee in Wappingers Falls, Mill House Brewing and Hudson & Packard in Poughkeepsie, and Scribners Catskill Lodge in Hunter.

This is something I love to do and enjoy doing, said Baxter. I want to raise money and jobs into the City of Poughkeepsie, bring these two buildings back to life, and help increase the tax base and produce economic development in the area.
WASHINGTON  As the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates supply chain backlogs and global computer chip shortages, Democratic leaders in Congress as well as President Joe Biden want Congress to fast track a $250 billion bill to develop American independence from China and other competitors in chip manufacturing.

The Capital Region  home to Albany Nanotech Complex, the only publicly owned 300-millimeter semiconductor research and development center in the U.S.  stands to reap significant benefits from the enactment of Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumers multi-billion dollar bill, which he envisions as a direct investment in his home states economy.

Sen. Schumer wrote this legislation with upstate New York always at the forefront of his mind, Schumer's spokeswoman Allison Biasotti said. We are already seeing the excitement in major employer expansions and thousands of jobs on the horizon from GlobalFoundries planned expansion (in Malta) and (his) push for Albany Nanotech to be a hub for the National Semiconductor Technology Center.

A focal point of the bill, which the New York Democrat co-sponsored with Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., is a historic $52 billion investment in stateside semiconductor research and development to address a global chip shortage plaguing the automotive industry.

Lawmakers began to focus more on the low domestic production of semiconductors when the COVID-19 pandemic cut off supplies from overseas. Without access to chips, several automakers shut down their production lines, and manufacturers of essential medical devices and consumer electronics struggled to meet increasing demand.

Roughly 12 percent of the world's semiconductors are manufactured in the United States, down from 37 percent in 1990, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Though the Senate passed the five-year investment plan 68-32 in June, the House version of the bill stalled last year when lawmakers clashed over provisions tacked onto the measure. Opponents criticized its high price tag and inability to generate immediate economic improvements.

Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced in November a plan to use a conference committee after House approval to reconcile differences in the two versions.

As the House and Senate have geared up after the holiday break, House Democratic staffers as well as some experts say House leadership is on track to act on the bill soon.

It seems like this week there's finally been some movement, said Jake Harrington, an intelligence fellow at the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies who has studied U.S. semiconductor policy issues. It sounds like the House is going to pass through a bill and then, if that happens in the next couple weeks, probably February for a final package.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who introduced the measure in the House, said he is thrilled party leaders are prioritizing the bill.

We need the House to pass its version of the package so we can get this bill to President Biden's desk as quickly as possible, Khanna said. By advancing research and development and investing in training programs and regional technology hubs, the bill will ensure the U.S. continues to outcompete China and give every American a shot at a good paying job, without having to leave their hometown.

The semiconductor investment provision, which includes incentives to invest in new manufacturing facilities and would establish a National Semiconductor Technology Center, will likely survive the conference process, Harrington said.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in November that Biden considers the legislation key to competing with China.

It would be an important step forward, an important opportunity, perhaps in a bipartisan manner, to send the message about our commitment to, you know, helping industries and make us more competitive, Psaki said.

While the House is finalizing its version of the bill, Schumer is already pitching Albanys robust technological infrastructure to the Department of Commerce. The majority leader recently invited Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to tour Albany Nanotech for a second time, building on his years-long campaign for Albany Nanotech to house the National Semiconductor Technology Center outlined in his bill.

Chief Operating Officer Paul Kelly of NY CREATES, the state-run nonprofit that operates Albany Nanotech, anticipates a job boom in Albany if Schumers bill becomes law.

While $52 billion would be the largest U.S. investment in semiconductor research to date, Kelly said, it still pales in comparison to the investments made by other nations.

Foreign parties are also investing and have been investing for years, Kelly said. In the grand scheme of things, that number needs to grow in order to really support the manufacturing of semiconductors in the U.S. and give us a competitive edge.

About 80 percent of semiconductor manufacturing facilities are based in Asia with lower costs of production than U.S. facilities, the Semiconductor Industry Association said.

That reliance from overseas is going to be detrimental should we have another COVID-like event or any other events that really would impact the supply chains ability to keep going, Kelly said. We need to ... have a domestic supply that is cost-effective so that we don't have to then pass on the costs to the end consumer.

Hannah Schoenbaum is a reporter for Medill News Service.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has welcomed the news that nurses and midwives are to receive a 1,000 Pandemic Bonus but has called for more detail on how it will be applied.

Cabinet signed off on the bonus on Wednesday, while they also agreed on a new Bank Holiday for Ireland, starting on March 18 this year and then moving to February 1 every subsequent year.

INMO General Secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: The decision by Government to grant a 1,000 tax-free payment to nurses, midwives and student nurses is the right thing to do.

It's a small thank you but it's very welcome. The INMO first lodged a claim for special recognition for healthcare workers in November 2020.

Healthcare workers have given their all in the fight against COVID. They have adapted rapidly, worked far beyond their normal responsibilities, and thousands have caught the virus in the line of duty.

The decision to hold a commemorative event in March is also very appropriate to honour the lives lost during the pandemic and the way our healthcare workers. In a recent INMO survey, 62% of the members indicated that they had cared for patients that died as a result of COVID-19, and while nurses and midwives deal with and care for dying patients normally, the level of death in this short period far exceeded previous levels in circumstances that were far from ideal in many instances.

The INMO Executive will consider the details of the pandemic bonus in full when we receive them from Government.
Tonight we finish with a roundup of police reports, court cases and a vast array of nasty allegations which hint at our ongoing Kansas City crime crisis.

As always, we try to finish with just a bit of hope . . .

Check the TKC collection . . .



Kansas City police investigating after 1 critically injured in shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in Kansas City, Missouri, are investigating after one person was critically injured in a shooting on Tuesday night. Officers responded to the area of east 27th Street and Prospect Avenue at around 6:30 p.m. There they located the victim who was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Authorities looking for stolen Charger in connection with fatal shooting on Amtrak train LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (KCTV) -- The authorities are looking for a stolen vehicle that they believe could be connected to the fatal shooting on an Amtrak train that happened last Friday. The Lee's Summit Police Department is looking for a stolen, gray 2015 Dodge Charger sedan.

Prosecutor: No charges in Black Kansas teen's custody death A Kansas prosecutor said Tuesday that he won't file criminal charges over the death of a Black 17-year-old who became unresponsive while being restrained facedown for more than 30 minutes following an altercation with staff at a Wichita juvenile center in September.

KCK man charged in woman's fatal beating, assault of 4-year-old child Jackson County prosecutors announced Tuesday that a Kansas City, Kansas man has been charged in the fatal beating of a woman and the assault of a 4-year-old.Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said that Jose E. Escalante-Corchado, 29, was charged with first-degree murder, assault, two counts of armed criminal action and endangering the welfare of a child.Kansas City police were called about 5:45 p.m.

KCK man charged in deadly beating of woman and assault of 4-year-old girl KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 29-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man is facing charges in connection to the deadly beating of a Kansas City, Missouri woman and the assault of her 4-year-old daughter. Jose E. Escalante-Corchado was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Man charged in connection with woman's death, 4-year-old's hospitalization JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- A man is facing several charges after a woman was found dead and her daughter was hospitalized for critical injuries this weekend. According to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office, 29-year-old Jose E. Escalante-Corchado of KCK has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Kevin Strickland, released from prison 43 years after wrongful conviction, suing alleging poor medical care A Kansas City, Missouri, man recently released from prison 43 years after a wrongful conviction has filed a lawsuit alleging poor medical care behind bars left him dependent on a wheelchair. Kevin Strickland and his attorneys have filed a lawsuit against Corizon LLC, the company contracted to handle medical care for the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Kansas City doesn't run criminal background checks on board appointees Delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning A donation to The Beacon goes beyond the newsroom. We amplify community voices, share resources and investigate systems, not just symptoms. The Beacon in your inbox. In-depth reporting delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

Bipartisan group of Missouri lawmakers hope to close domestic violence gun loophole State Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance. // Photo by Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications Marsha Keene-Frye grew up around guns, going hunting with her family from a young age near her home in Mississippi County. To this day, she still regularly carries a firearm and considers herself a supporter of the Second Amendment, just like most of her neighbors in southeastern Missouri....

Young Kansas City mother dies in New Years Eve shooting, family want answers KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The family of a young woman killed on New Year's Eve wants answers in her death. The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department said it is investigating and waiting on information from the Jackson County Medical Examiner. Now, Tera Williams' parents are waiting too and hoping to understand why their daughter is no longer with them.

Keith Carnes' mother hopeful he will be released following judge's findings in 111-page report KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A mother believes her son is one step closer to being released from prison for a murder he has fought to prove he did not commit. Keith Carnes, 51, is serving a life sentence for the 2003 murder of Larry White.

Family, advocates react to judge's findings in Keith Carnes case KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The findings from a judge appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court doesn't make any recommendations on the fate of Keith Carnes, but it details how he didn't get a fair shake during his original trial in Jackson County. This is something that his family and advocates have been saying all along.

Developing . . .
Here are the latest news reports from an afternoon ruckus wherein, thankfully, nobody was killed.



Check the TKC collection . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .

Police shoot one person in east Kansas City; highway patrol investigating Temperatures for the rest of the day will hang around the low 20s and upper teens by this evening, as the stronger north wind continues, so it's an inside day today for sure! Wind gusts of 20-25 mph stretch into the overnight hours, so expect a bitter start tomorrow because it'll feel like -10 to -15 degrees for most!

Authorities investigating officer-involved shooting in KCMO KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- The authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, that happened on Wednesday. According to the KCPD, the incident happened in the 4300 block of E. 25th St. In the tweet, the KCPD said, "Preliminary information is one person has been struck by gunfire from police."

MSHP investigating shooting involving Kansas City, Missouri police An investigation is underway for a shooting that took place Wednesday afternoon involving a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer. The incident occurred in the 4300 block of E. 25th Street in Kansas City, Missouri near Jackson Ave.

KCMO police officer involved in Wednesday afternoon shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A shooting took place Wednesday afternoon involving a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer in the 4300 block of East 25th Street in Kansas City, Missouri. Both the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived to investigate the scene.

Developing . . .


Showing that they're COMPLETELY out of touch with their neighbors, the former "paper-of-record" for the metro castigates voters who dare to speak up at public meetings.



Here's their overly dramatic money line . . .



But the real winner is the virus, since the vocal minority pressuring county legislators to say no to mandating masks, and those refusing to get vaccinated, are on the wrong side of efforts to stop COVID-19 from spreading.



Jalen Anderson, 1st District at-large member of the county legislature and a co-sponsor of the ordinance, said it was withdrawn because he and the two other sponsors, Crystal Williams and Scott Burnett, worried that with only eight of the nine legislators present, they did not have the support needed for it to pass.

The lack of respect for the democratic process is surprising.

For the record, TKC thinks masks are a good idea even for youngsters but there is simply no denying that dress codes are unpopular.

What's astonishing is that so many of our progressive friends can't understand the justifiable resistance COVID restrictions and orders imposed on youngsters.

More importantly . . .

It's a stretch to say that opponents of mask mandates are part of a vocal minority. A trip to the gas station should inform most voters that people simply aren't wearing masks.



And so . . . Once again, Kansas City's newspaper seems isolated, dispassionate and removed from the community they serve . . . And just like the last remaining progressive supporters of the current White House administration, they shouldn't be surprised when people turn away from their leadership or lack thereof . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
The consequences of racially charged riots continue to resonate in Kansas City today.



Deets . . .



The teen and her father, Tarence Maddox, filed a civil suit against KCPD in August 2020 for damages suffered when police used pepper spray on a crowd gathered at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City, Missouri protesting police brutality.



In the original petition, Maddoxs attorneys claimed the officers' action demonstrated use of force without just cause  which, the suit claims, constitutes assault, battery and false imprisonment  in a Petition for Damages filed Monday in Jackson County Circuit Court.



The incident was caught on cell phone video, which now has amassed 8.6 million views.

As the two-year anniversary of the incident approaches, the Kansas City Police Department has agreed to pay the teenager $110,000 to settle a lawsuit. A judge still needs to sign off on that agreement. The minor will receive $70,000 with the other $40,000 allocated for fees and expenses, including attorney fees.



Here's what the reports don't mention . . .

Mr. Maddox served as one of the most truly awful politicos in Kansas City history.



Close news watchers might remember him from a temper tantrum he threw at Lego-land.



And now, right or wrong . . . His fam is going home with a nice chunk of change courtesy of Kansas City taxpayers.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .

KCPD reaches settlement with teen pepper sprayed in 2020 police protests KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department has agreed to a $110,000 settlement with a then-15-year-old girl that was pepper sprayed during protests in May 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City police reach settlement with teen pepper-sprayed at protest KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A lawsuit over a 15-year-old girl who was pepper-sprayed by a Kansas City police officer has reached a settlement. The incident happened on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City during May 2020 protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd.

You decide . . .
Brevard, NC (28712)

Today

Some clouds early with showers likely late, and a thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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Some clouds early with showers likely late, and a thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Johnstown, PA (15901)

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Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

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Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
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Voters headed to the polls Tuesday, May 3, to cast their ballots for county races, including choosing their next sheriff, circuit court clerk, general sessions and circuit judges, county trustee and county commissioners, among many others. Most races will be decided tonight, as the bulk of t
Associate Professor of Art Education Christopher Schulte is working to finish developing the Center for the Study of Childhood Art, a first-of-its-kind research center for which he serves as director. Schulte hopes to establish the UA School of Art as a global destination for the study of early childhood art and art education, he said.
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
A batch of international technical assistance from Great Britain to the Armed Forces of Ukraine  anti-tank weapons  arrived in Ukraine.

Ukraines Deputy Defense Minister for European Integration Anatoliy Petrenko stated that the provided assistance would strengthen Ukraines defensive capabilities and would be used exclusively for self-defense, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

"Undoubtedly, this will strengthen our troops, enhance our defensive capabilities. And I want to emphasize that this assistance will be used exclusively for self-defense purposes, to protect our troops, to protect critical infrastructure, and to protect civilians from any manifestations, any actions that could lead to escalation," Petrenko said.

The deputy defense minister thanked the people and the Government of the United Kingdom for their support and expressed hope for further cooperation.

On January 17, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told the House of Commons that the United Kingdom would supply Ukraine with light anti-armor defensive weapon systems.

"We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light anti-armor defensive weapon systems. They are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia. They are to use in self-defense," Wallace said.

The decision to send weapons, according to the British Defense Secretary, was made in response to "increasingly threatening behavior from Russia." And a "small number" of British personnel will train Ukrainian troops to use the weapons.

Photo credit: mil.gov.ua

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Energy Minister of Ukraine German Galushchenko discussed energy security at a meeting with a bipartisan delegation of the U.S. Senate on January 18.

On January 17, Minister Galushchenko met with a bipartisan delegation of the U.S. Congress consisting of Senators Robert Portman, Chris Murphy, Jeanne Shaheen, Amy Klobuchar, Richard Blumenthal, and Roger Wicker, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine posted on Facebook.

In addition, the meeting was attended by Deputy Energy Minister of Ukraine Yulia Pidkomorna, Director General of Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine Serhiy Makohon, Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, and Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz of Ukraine Yuriy Vitrenko.

"The parties discussed the energy challenges facing Ukraine and the world in connection with the escalation of tensions by Russia. In particular, special attention was paid to the Russian gas supplies to the EU and the impact of the Nord Stream 2 project on continental security," reads the statement.

During the meeting, Ukraine's initiative to introduce the Regional Energy Security Partnership (RESP) as a tool to strengthen the security of European countries amid the existing threats in the area of natural gas supply was touched upon.

The Energy Ministry notes that the parties pointed out the issues of synchronization of the Ukrainian energy system with the European ENTSO-E and the priority areas of the Ukrainian energy development.

As reported, the Biden administration has been working closely with the new German government, as well as the European Union, to delay the launch of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

During a visit to Washington last week, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed that the suspension of the Nord Stream 2 certification process was due to the pipeline's non-compliance with EU requirements. In addition, she confirmed that the current German government was ready to put on hold the Nord Stream 2 project if Russia used gas as a weapon or intensified its aggression against Ukraine.

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Russia continues to raise tensions despite calls for de-escalation and has created in recent days an extremely dangerous level of threat of a new large-scale offensive against Ukraine.

This was stated during a telephone briefing on Tuesday by a high-ranking U.S. State Department official on Tuesday, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports.

"President Putin has created a crisis by concentrating an army of 100,000 troops along the border with Ukraine, which also includes the transfer of Russian troops to Belarus over the weekend," the State Department spokeswoman said.

This was neither a military exercise nor a usual movement of troops, the official noted.

It is a show of strength designed to cause or give false pretext for a crisis as Russia plans for a possible invasion, she stressed.

The senior State Department spokeswoman stressed that the United States would continue its diplomatic efforts with Ukraine and other European allies and partners. Both personal meetings, phone calls and video conferences are in plans.

In addition, new diplomatic rounds will be held with the Russians in order to de-escalate the situation.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on Tuesday the U.S. Department of State said Antony Blinken would be traveling to Kyiv and Berlin on January 18-20 to discuss the latest escalation from the Russian side. In addition, on January 21, Antony Blinken will meet with Russian Foreign Minister in Geneva.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to end the military escalation around Ukraine and continue the diplomatic process.

Thats according to an official statement released by the U.S. State Department following a phone call of the two top diplomats, Ukrinform reports.

"The Secretary stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions surrounding the deeply troubling Russian military build-up in and near Ukraine," the State Department said.

It is reported that the parties discussed the January 10 Strategic Stability Dialogue, January 12 NATO-Russia Council, and January 13 OSCE Permanent Council meetings.

Blinken also reaffirmed the unshakable U.S. commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and underscored that any discussion of European security must include NATO Allies and European partners, including Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on Tuesday the U.S. State Department announced Antony Blinken would meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on January 19.

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Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has urged Ukrainians not to succumb to panic over the looming threat of Russian invasion.

He stated this at a joint press conference with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in Kyiv on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The Foreign Minister noted that multiple international contacts are underway, the purpose of which is to deter Russia from implementing its aggressive plans.

"Our conversation today with Melanie (Joly) confirmed that we are really a united diplomatic front here and together we are mobilizing Ukraine's international support in this difficult situation. The situation is under control, so I ask everyone not to panic. Always remember that Ukrainians win with a cool head and a warm heart, Kuleba said.

Later on Twitter, Kuleba reiterated his call to Ukrainians: Years of Russian aggression have taught us one thing: escalations are always accompanied by heating up the information space. The aim is to weaken us from within. Dont buy scaremongering. Army & diplomacy are protecting Ukraine. Ukrainians win with a warm heart and a cool head.

Years of Russian aggression have taught us one thing: escalations are always accompanied by heating up the information space. The aim is to weaken us from within. Dont buy scaremongering. Army & diplomacy are protecting Ukraine. Ukrainians win with a warm heart and a cool head.  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) January 18, 2022

During the press conference, the Ukrainia006E top diplomat said he had discussed with his Canadian counterpart the development of military-technical cooperation, as well as further steps to mobilize support for Ukraine and deter Russia.

"The conversation was very substantive. From Kyiv, the Minister will fly to other European capitals, where she will hold relevant talks, for which I am grateful to her, because the topic of Ukraine will be one of the highest priorities," said the head of Ukraines diplomacy.

Kuleba also thanked Canada for its work in Ukraine as part of the UNIFIER training mission.

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Ukraine has the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and NATO supports that right.

This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference in Berlin following talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"I think that the important thing is that Ukraine has the right to self-defense. () And then NATO provides support to Ukraine to help them to uphold that right," Stoltenberg said in response to a question about Britain's decision to provide defensive weapons to Ukraine.

He noted that such a right is enshrined in the UN Charter.

According to the Secretary General, NATO as an alliance supports Ukraine in various ways.

The bloc provides primarily political, but also practical support  by supporting defense and security institutions in matters of capacity building, training, and developing naval capabilities. In this context, Stoltenberg recalled his recent visit to Odesa, where he witnessed how NATO helps at the Naval Academy.

He acknowledged that different members of the alliance have different approaches to providing lethal and defensive weapons. Some of them do provide such support, Stoltenberg stressed.

Among those who have no plans to provide arms to Ukraine is Germany.

Berlin has been pursuing a "parallel strategy" for years, with the federal government not exporting lethal weapons to Ukraine. With the appointment of the new German government, nothing has changed in this regard, said Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

As Ukrinform reported, Britain will supply Ukraine with new security-enhancing equipment to help increase defense capabilities in the face of the threat of Moscow's invasion. According to Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, these are light anti-tank systems.

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The United States is preparing financial sanctions on pro-Russian agents in Ukraine as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Europe for meetings in Kyiv and Berlin to show the support of European allies amid Russian aggression.

That's according to an article published in The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, January 18, Ukrinform reports.

"The pending sanctions, which will freeze the assets of at least four individuals, could be announced as early as Thursday," the media outlet said, citing sources in the U.S. administration.

The restrictions could be imposed under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden last April that aim to punish individuals associated with Russia's foreign aggression.

"We have been taking every effort to bring to light pro-Kremlin disinformation efforts and undermine Russia's ongoing destabilization efforts in Ukraine," a U.S. official said was quoted as saying.

According to him, "Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating a pretext for invasion, including through sabotage activities and information and influence operations."

The State Department and Treasury Department declined to comment.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday, January 19.

CNN correspondent Jennifer Hansler announced this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"Secretary Blinken has arrived in Kyiv," she wrote, posting a photo of him near the plane.

Blinken is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to "reinforce the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

He will also meet with the employees and families of the U.S. Embassy to communicate the State Department's efforts "to plan for contingencies, should Russia choose to escalate further."

On January 20, Blinken will travel to Berlin, Germany, to discuss recent diplomatic engagements with Russia and joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine. There he will meet with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

On January 21, in Geneva, Blinken will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Blinken last visited Kyiv on May 6, 2021, when he met with the Ukrainian leadership, politicians and civil society representatives.

Photo: Jennifer Hansler

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Canadas government will endorse a decision to supply defensive weapons to Ukraine in accordance with the current legislation.

Canadas Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly made a corresponding statement at a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on January 18, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

As for military equipment, we have heard from many Ukrainian officials about the need for it. It is important for us to play our part, and we will also endorse this decision, Joly said when asked if Canada plans to start supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine after the United Kingdom.

Canadas foreign minister also noted that Russia had launched a disinformation and propaganda campaign against Ukraine.

"Our message is very clear: Russia's build-up of armed forces around Ukraine is unacceptable, Russia is the aggressor, and we stand side by side with the Ukrainians," Joly stressed.

Photo credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS / Adrian Wyld

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Gordon urges gov't to reconsider 'no vaccine, no ride' policy, pushes for amplified vaccination coverage

Senator Richard J. Gordon has urged the government to reconsider its 'no vaccine, no ride' public transportation policy as majority of Filipinos have yet to be fully vaccinated.

Gordon, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman, instead pushed to intensify the vaccination drive as many of the unvaccinated are from the lower income classes.

"Hindi ako masyadong pabor diyan. Pinagaaralan ko pa. I'll tell you at the outset. Pero kontra mahirap iyan. Dahil kung ang tao natin ay 108 million, ang nabakunahan, 54 million. Papaano ang balance noon?" said Gordon during a radio interview.

"Di pa nababakunahan, 54 million pa ang hindi pa natin nababakunahan. Paano iyon? Ang dapat gawin ay lawakan ang pagbabakuna," he added.

It may be recalled that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) implemented its policy on Monday, where many were left inconvenienced with the constant inspection of state implementors.

Scores of unvaccinated and people jabbed with just one dose were turned away and ejected from public transportation after failing to provide proof of complete vaccination.

Gordon previously mentioned that people cannot be forced to get vaccinated, but establishments could enhance policies that would protect their vaccinated patrons.

The PRC, the country's largest humanitarian organization, remains a driving force in augmenting the government's desire to fully vaccinate around 70 million Filipinos to achieve herd immunity.

"We have 19 [Red Cross mobile] buses na umiikot sa buong bansa. Eh kung minsan, nagkakasakit rin ang mga 'yan. So ang dapat gawin talaga, ang gawin ng gobyerno ay magbigay ng face masks, dahil yun talaga ang unang depensa," remarked Gordon.

"'Yun talagang health protocols, dapat sundin  yung tinatawag natin sa mga tao na maghugas ng kamay madalas, makakatulong 'yan," he pointed out.

Gordon continued that minimum health protocols, such as frequent handwashing and keeping their distance must remain to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Per the health department, the country has conducted 119.7 million doses, as 55.58 million now considered as fully vaccinated, 59 million receiving their first dose, and 5.1 million getting a booster dose.

Based on the latest figures of the PRC, they have administered 861,506 doses, with 319,656 achieving two doses through its two Bakuna Centers, and two Bakuna Bus deployments.

It also remains as the country's largest testing facility, conducting about 5.7 million swab and saliva samples, amounting to about 19 percent of the country's testing capability.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in Turkey to discuss differences and resolve problems.

That's according to Erdogan's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, who spoke during a discussion at the Circle Foundation think tank, according to the TRT Haber news outlet.

"Turkey is ready to play any role it can play to reduce tensions between Russia and Ukraine. We are doing this both as a friend of Russia and Ukraine and as a NATO ally," Kalin said.

He said that President Erdogan had invited Zelensky and Putin to come to Turkey and hold a meeting "to resolve problems and differences."

Kalin also said that in a few weeks, Erdogan will visit Ukraine and meet with Zelensky.

"At the same time, we will be in close contact with the Russians to avoid any military action that would have serious consequences," Kalin said.

He stressed that Turkey supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Erdogan has repeatedly stated that Turkey is ready to take part in resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine as a mediator, as it maintains good relations with both Ukraine and Russia and hopes for a peaceful settlement.

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If the actions of the Russian authorities in their aggression against Ukraine go with impunity, this will untie the hands of other autocracies around the world, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.

According to Ukrinform, he said this on the Pod Save America podcast.

"You've got one country, Russia, by its actions, saying that it can just change the borders of its neighbor by force, saying it can decide for its neighbor what its decisions are going to be, with whom it may choose to associate -- not the people of that country through their elected government. You have a country saying that it's fine to have a sphere of influence where we basically bend neighbors in our area to our will, not their own choices. If we let that go with impunity, then I think we open a huge Pandora's box where it's not just Ukraine," he said when asked why Ukraine is so important to the United States.

According to Blinken, then other autocratic countries around the world, like Russia, will say: "We're going to do this too."

"And that is a recipe for conflict. It's a recipe for chaos. It's a recipe for human suffering and it's a recipe for undermining democracy," he added.

Blinken arrived in Ukraine on January 19 and is expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to "reinforce the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

He will also meet with the employees and families of the U.S. Embassy to communicate the State Department's efforts "to plan for contingencies, should Russia choose to escalate further."

On January 20, Blinken will travel to Berlin, Germany, to discuss recent diplomatic engagements with Russia and joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine. There he will meet with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

On January 21, in Geneva, Blinken will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

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Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, in a phone call with Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Foreign Affairs and Defense Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine, the President's Office has said.

According to the report, Zhovkva briefed van Leeuwen on the current security situation in the east of Ukraine and Russia's ongoing growing military presence along Ukraine's borders. He emphasized the importance of a decisive and coordinated position of the international community, especially the EU and NATO, in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and noted the firm position of the Netherlands on this issue.

Both parties discussed the next NATO summit in Madrid in 2022, primarily in the context of the invitation for Ukraine to participate in the event, and its expected results.

Special attention was also paid to the implementation of Ukraine's European aspirations. Zhovkva informed van Leeuwen about practical steps being taken by the country to achieve this strategic goal.

Both parties also discussed the epidemiological situation in Ukraine and the Netherlands, as well as steps taken by the two countries to counter the spread of COVID-19.

Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov said on December 22 that 122,000 Russian troops were deployed at a distance of 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and 143,500 troops at a distance of 400 kilometers.

Blinken arrived in Ukraine on January 19 and is expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to "reinforce the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

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German diplomats believe that conditions are currently in place to hope for a meeting in the Normandy format in the foreseeable future.

German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Andrea Sasse said this at a briefing on Wednesday, January 19, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"It's not just a wish," Sasse said when asked if such a meeting was just a wish.

She noted that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her visit to Kyiv and Moscow this week discussed the resumption of talks in the Normandy format and heard "clear signals and clear commitments on the Normandy format."

Berlin thus plans to continue working on the basis of these positions. However, the diplomat could not say anything about the specific dates and level of the meeting.

Baerbock visited Kyiv on January 17 and Moscow on January 18. In recent weeks, Berlin has been actively pushing for a revival of the Normandy format in order to return to the implementation of the Minsk agreements. German and French political advisors held separate meetings with negotiators in Russia and Ukraine. The Normandy summit was last held in December 2019.

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Ukraine will present to the European Court of Human Rights evidence of Russias complicity in human rights violations in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Thats according to an op-ed by Deputy Minister of Justice for European Integration Valeria Kolomiets, published by the European Pravda online newspaper, the ministrys press service reports.

On January 26, the delegations of Ukraine and the Kingdom of the Netherlands will meet with representatives of the Russian Federation at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France, at a hearing on the admissibility of the Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia case (on claims No. 8019/16, No. 43800/14, and No. 28525/20). It is unofficially referred to as the Donbas case, concerning human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the statement said.

The Ukrainian side aims to bring Russia to justice for mass human rights violations in eastern Ukraine and do its utmost to make these violations stop. In addition, the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in this case will have consequences for Russia that go beyond legal ones.

"It could be used for diplomatic pressure on the aggressor power, for imposing additional sanctions at various levels. It will provide Ukraine with a powerful weapon for further negotiations with our international partners, as well as for proving Russia's responsibility for human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and, as a result, for having the aggressor pay compensation to those whose rights have been violated. And it is a question of compensation both within the limits of the interstate claim, and within the limits of numerous individual suits concerning the events in Donbas," Kolomiets noted.

According to the official, the admissibility consideration stage is important because after that, the European Court will be able to consider on the merits the claim over Russia's crimes against human rights in eastern Ukraine and that of the Kingdom of the Netherlands over the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight killing 298 people.

The Ukrainian side has submitted thousands of pages and huge stocks of video, audio, and other material evidence to the ECHR, which shatter counter-allegations voiced by Russian propaganda.

According to Kolomiets, Ukraine is ready to defend its position in court.

We will prove that in Russia has existed a so-called administrative practice regarding violations of the Convention on Human Rights and its Protocols throughout the period of occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions since April 2014. Ukraine will present facts to confirm that the Russian Federation was directly involved in the occupation of this territory of our state and human rights violations in that territory. We will present evidence that the Russian Federation has exercised de facto control (or, in the language of the Council of Europe, effective control) over the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions since April 2014. Moreover, we will prove that the occupation of Donbas has a direct connection with Russia's occupation of the Crimean peninsula," said the deputy minister of justice.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the European Court of Human Rights had postponed the hearing in the case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia from November 24, 2021, to January 26, 2022.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes Russia will understand it is better to choose cooperation with Europe over a war with Ukraine.

The Chancellor made the relevant statement in a video address to the Davos Economic Forum 2022, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to Scholz, it is too early to say whether the Russians are ready for de-escalation as more than 100,000 soldiers have been pulled close to Ukraine's borders.

"But after years of rising tensions, staying silent is not a sensible option," the Chancellor said. That is why, he added, Berlin is talking to Moscow in a range of different formats about our commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity and about a key principle of our common European peace order.

"Borders must be moved by force," Scholz underscored.

The Chancellor noted that the Russian side is aware of Germanys position, as well as that of the wider West, and expressed hope that Moscow itself is aware that the gains of cooperation outweigh the price of further confrontation.

The Davos World Economic Forum is taking place this year in a virtual format due to the pandemic restrictions.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and said he hopes that economic and financial cooperation between Ukraine and the United States will strengthen.

The head of state stated this on his Twitter account, Ukrinform reports.

"Ended negotiations with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. I appreciate personal involvement in the de-escalation of the situation around Ukraine. Grateful for the U.S.' political & security support. Count on enhancing economic & financial cooperation. I'm sure there will be no decision about Ukraine without Ukraine," Zelensky said.

According to Blinken's schedule, after talks with Zelensky, he is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and hold a joint press briefing.

Blinken arrived in Ukraine on January 19 to "reinforce the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

On January 20, Blinken will travel to Berlin, Germany, to discuss recent diplomatic engagements with Russia and joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine. There he will meet with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

On January 21, in Geneva, Blinken will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Photo: @ZelenskyyUa

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a phone call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss stability in Europe and Ukraine's participation in the military alliance's summit this June.

The head of state announced this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"Had a phone conversation with Jens Stoltenberg. Exchanged information and views on the diplomatic efforts needed for stability in Europe. Discussed preparations for the NATO Summit in June and Ukraine's possible participation in it. The open door policy remains unchanged!" Zelensky wrote.

Earlier, Russia demanded that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization break its promise made at the Bucharest Summit in 2008 that Ukraine and Georgia would one day become members of the military alliance.

At the same time, after recent talks with Russia, Stoltenberg said that NATO would not give up its open door policy to other nations.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ukraine to reaffirm the support for the Ukrainian people amid Russian aggression, discuss a week of U.S.-Russia diplomatic talks, and a forthcoming meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"Kyiv may be the most popular destination in the world right now," Blinken said at the beginning of a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, livestreamed by Channel 24, Ukrinform reports.

The U.S. Secretary of State noted that there were some 100,000 Russian soldiers near Ukraines borders, posing an unprecedented threat to Ukraine.

Blinken added that he had arrived in Ukraine at the request of U.S. President Joe Biden to underscore U.S. support for the Ukrainian people. He emphasized that "now as ever it is up to Ukrainians and no one else to decide their own future and the future of this country".

The Secretary of State also called the purpose of his visit to Kyiv to discuss the results of last week of U.S.-Russia diplomatic talks and issues before his meeting with the Russian foreign minister on January 21.

Across all of our engagements, we have made clear the clear preference for finding a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and to de-escalate the situation. That is the clear preference. At the same time, weve made it very clear to Moscow that if it chooses to renew aggression against Ukraine, it will mean that it will face very severe consequences  and again, thats coming not just from the United States but from countries across Europe and beyond, Blinken stressed.

According to him, meetings today in Kyiv and tomorrow in Berlin with European partners are aimed at assuring that we are speaking clearly and with one voice to Moscow.

Our strength depends on preserving our unity. I think one of Moscows longstanding goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within countries, and quite simply we cannot and will not let them do that. So our message to all of our friends here and to all of Ukraines global leaders, to its citizens alike, is to stick together and to hold on to that unity, to strengthen it. Its never been more important, particularly as the country faces the possibility of renewed Russian aggression, the U.S. Secretary of State said.

Today, January 19, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to "reaffirm the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

On January 20, Blinken will travel to Berlin to discuss recent diplomatic contacts with Russia and joint efforts to curb further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

On January 21, Blinken will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva.

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Russia's further aggression against Ukraine will lead to "crippling costs" on Russia's economy, increased defensive assistance from the United States to Ukraine and reinforced NATO presence in its eastern flank.

That's according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of State following a meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on January 19, Ukrinform reports.

"In light of Russia's ongoing and unprovoked military build-up in and around Ukraine, Secretary Blinken emphasized again that if Russia chooses the path of further aggression against Ukraine, the United States, together with our Allies and partners, will impose crippling costs on Russia's economy, reinforce NATO's presence in frontline Allied states, and increase defensive assistance to Ukraine above and beyond what we are already providing," the statement said.

Read also: Blinken calls Kyiv most popular destination in the world

In addition, both parties discussed U.S. and international security and economic assistance to Ukraine, and the Secretary expressed appreciation for Ukraine's continued calls for a diplomatic solution, stressing the need for Ukrainian unity in the face of the Russian threat, the State Department said.

"He [Blinken] emphasized the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterated the principle of nothing about Ukraine, without Ukraine," the statement read.

Zelensky met with Blinken in Kyiv on Wednesday, January 19. The Secretary of State is scheduled to meet with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin on Thursday and with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday.

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January 17, 2022



Dear UMB Community,

Lifes most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?   Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today, as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) reflects on the question he posed as we seek to improve the human condition and serve the public good of Maryland and society at-large through education, research, clinical care, and service. We must keep at the forefront how our actions impact those around us and how we might more actively live out our values as a university. What are we doing  individually and collectively  for others? How are we advancing the causes of justice and equality for which Dr. King stood?

The COVID-19 pandemic and our ongoing social challenges continue to remind us of how our lives and actions are interrelated and how much work we still have to do to address racism, injustice, and oppression. UMB remains steadfast in our commitment to this important work. As an anchor institution in West Baltimore, we remain committed to our community's well-being and work to leverage the economic power of this big university to benefit the community, help wealth grow, and promote health equity. We also have to address issues of structural racism and inequality directly through educational programs, with our community engagement work, and in our academic pursuits.

Dr. King also spoke of the fierce urgency of now and the importance of not giving in to complacency and apathy. Although so much of what we do serves others and advances justice and equity, there is still much more we can do. UMB must be unafraid to confront what might be uncomfortable or inconvenient, to speak up for what is right, and to work for justice  this Martin Luther King Jr. Day and every day.

Sincerely,



Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS

President

Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA

Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Vice President






Milledgeville, GA (31061)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.
Like all great things, the 2021-22 editorial boards term has come to an end. Read more
The World Health Organization has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, as France, Germany and Brazil posted new records of infections in the past 24 hours

Geneva, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2022 ) :The World Health Organization has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, as France, Germany and Brazil posted new records of infections in the past 24 hours.

The highly transmissible Omicron strain has spread unabated around the world, pushing some governments to impose fresh measures while speeding up the rollout of vaccine booster shots.

"This pandemic is nowhere near over," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Tuesday from the agency's headquarters in Geneva.

Europe is at the epicentre of alarming new outbreaks, with Germany's cases soaring past 100,000 and France reporting nearly half a million cases on Tuesday.

The UN health chief warned against dismissing Omicron as mild, as the dominant Covid strain continues to flare new outbreaks from Latin America to East Asia after it was first detected in southern Africa in November.

"Omicron may be less severe, on average, but the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading," he said.

- European surge - Five millions cases were reported in Europe last week and the WHO has predicted Omicron could infect half of all Europeans by March, filling hospitals across the continent.

Germany on Tuesday recorded 112,323 coronavirus cases and 239 deaths, officials said, with Omicron found in more than 70 percent of the infections.

The surge has pushed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to seek compulsory vaccinations to ramp up the immunity of the population in Europe's biggest economy.

Other European countries are also battling soaring Omicron rates, with neighbouring France recently averaging around 300,000 cases daily.

The latest data issued by Public Health France showed that there were 464,769 new cases in the last 24-hour period, a record number.

The record cases come days after the two-year anniversary of the announcement of the first person dying of a virus in China only later identified as Covid.

Since January 11, 2020, known fatalities in the pandemic have soared to more than 5.5 million.

Hopes for Europe's tourism recovery remain bleak with the World Tourism Organization saying Tuesday that foreign arrivals will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 at the earliest, despite a rise of 19 percent last year compared to 2020.
New York, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2022 ) :AT&T and Verizon agreed Tuesday to a partial delay in activating their 5G networks following an outcry from US airlines, who said the rollout could lead to travel chaos.

The latest delay came after the chief executives of the largest airlines in the United States warned the day prior of a "catastrophic disruption" to travel and shipping operations if the rollout set for Wednesday went as planned.

Aviation industry insiders expect there could still be some flight cancelations and other impacts in the coming days, but the measures announced by AT&T and Verizon are expected to prevent the worst problems.

Telecom giants spent tens of billions of Dollars to obtain 5G licenses last year, but as the launch date approached, aviation industry groups raised concerns about possible interference with airplanes' radio altimeters -- which can operate at the same frequencies.

AT&T described its latest delay as voluntary and temporary, with a spokesperson saying it is working with the airline industry and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "to provide further information about our 5G deployment, since they have not utilized the two years they've had to responsibly plan for this deployment." "We are launching our advanced 5G services everywhere else as planned with the temporary exception of this limited number of towers." A Verizon spokesperson said it would begin 5G service on Wednesday for some 90 million Americans, but the firm has "voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports." "The Federal Aviation Administration and our nation's airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries," the spokesperson said.

The announcements were welcomed by President Joe Biden, who said in a statement they "avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90 percent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled.

" Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, "We recognize the economic importance of expanding 5G, and we appreciate the wireless companies working with us to protect the flying public and the country's supply chain." Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel welcomed the agreement, adding that 5G can safely coexist with the aviation industry in the United States "just as it does in other countries around the world," she said in a statement.

"The FAA has a process in place to assess altimeter performance in the 5G environment and resolve any remaining concerns," she said. "It is essential that the FAA now complete this process with both care and speed." Verizon and AT&T have already twice delayed the launch of their new C-Band 5G service due to warnings from airlines and aircraft manufacturers concerned that the new system might interfere with the devices planes use to measure altitude.

The FAA said Sunday it had approved some transponders to be safely operated within areas where 5G will be deployed, clearing "as many as 48 of the 88 airports most directly affected by 5G C-Band interference." But the airlines are worried that the remaining limitations at those airports, as well as a large amount of equipment still uncertified, could trigger a crisis that would ground thousands of flights.

The airline executives called on authorities to "take whatever action necessary to ensure that 5G is deployed except when towers are too close to airport runways until the FAA can determine how that can be safely accomplished without catastrophic disruption." The letter was signed by CEOs of major airlines including American, United, Delta and Southwest, as well as the leaders of shipping giants FedEx and UPS.

US air carriers also have protested against the potential costs incurred.

In a letter to employees prior to the Verizon and AT&T announcements, an American Airlines executive had warned of "major operational disruptions" due to the 5G rollout.
(@FahadShabbir)

Madrid, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2022 ) :Five people have died and several were injured after a fire early Wednesday morning at a retirement home in eastern Spain, emergency services said.

The fire broke out around midnight Tuesday at the facility in Moncada in Valencia, with six fire engines deployed, the region's firefighters tweeted.

They said "five people are dead", while 11 people were taken to hospital because of smoke inhalation.

Firefighters had to rescue 25 people from the blaze, and all 70 remaining residents were evacuated.

The fire had been brought under control and firefighters were ventilating the premises, they added.

Local media quoted witnesses who described how nursing home workers, together with firefighters and police officers, rescued the elderly through one of the staircases of the two-storey building.

According to the local press, initial investigations indicate the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in an oxygen unit.
(@FahadShabbir)

New Delhi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2022 ) :Three Indian naval personnel were killed in an explosion on one of the country's oldest destroyers at a naval dockyard in Mumbai, authorities said.

The blast occurred Tuesday in an internal compartment on the Soviet-built INS Ranvir, commissioned in 1986, according to the Indian Navy.

"No material damage has been reported... (A) board of inquiry has been ordered to investigate into the cause," the navy said in a statement Tuesday.

Broadcaster NDTV quoted sources saying the explosion did not involve weapons or ammunition.

Media reports said 11 people were also injured and were being treated at a navy hospital.
Madrid, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2022 ) :Tourism arrivals around the world are not expected to return to their pre-pandemic levels until 2024 at the earliest, the World Tourism Organization said Tuesday.

The highly contagious Omicron variant, though mild, will "disrupt the recovery" in early 2022 after last year saw four percent growth over 2020, according to the Madrid-based UN agency's World Tourism Barometer.

Tourism revenue in 2020 was 72 percent down on the previous year -- which closed with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The pace of recovery remains slow and uneven across world regions due to varying degrees of mobility restrictions, vaccination rates and traveller confidence," the UNWTO said in a press release.

In Europe and the Americas, foreign visitor arrivals surged by 19 percent and 17 percent, respectively, last year over 2020.

In the middle East, however, arrivals declined by 24 percent in 2021, while in the Asia-Pacific region they were 65 percent below 2020 levels, and 94 percent down on pre-pandemic levels.

The statement said tourism professionals "see better prospects" for this year after turbulence in the early months because of the Omicron wave.

The agency predicts a 30 to 78 percent rise in international arrivals this year over 2021, while remaining far below 2019 levels.

Most experts say they do not foresee a return to pre-pandemic levels until at least 2024, it said.

Many countries are highly dependent on tourism and are eagerly awaiting a return to normal.

"The economic contribution of tourism in 2021 (measured in tourism direct gross domestic product) is estimated at $1.9 trillion (1.68 trillion Euros), above the $1.6 trillion in 2020, but still well below the pre-pandemic value of $3.5 trillion," the statement noted.
(@FahadShabbir)

The security forces on Tuesday killed two terrorists during an Intelligence Based Operation being conducted on reported presence of terrorists in Thal, North Waziristan District

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jan, 2022 ) :The security forces on Tuesday killed two terrorists during an Intelligence Based Operation being conducted on reported presence of terrorists in Thal, North Waziristan District.

The terrorists were identified as Ghayoor and Bahauddin who got killed during intense exchange of fire, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release.

During the IBO, a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the killed terrorists.

The slain terrorists were involved in terrorist activities against security forces, target killing and kidnapping for ransom.
(@FahadShabbir)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to choose the "peaceful path" on Ukraine, as he visited Kyiv to show support before crunch talks with Russia later this week

Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2022 ) :US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to choose the "peaceful path" on Ukraine, as he visited Kyiv to show support before crunch talks with Russia later this week.

Blinken, who is due to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday, said he would not present a formal response to Russian proposals at the talks, despite Moscow's demands.

He said the onus was on Putin to dispel fears that Moscow is planning an invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.

"I strongly, strongly hope that we can keep this on a diplomatic and peaceful path, but ultimately, that's going to be President Putin's decision," Blinken said on a day-long visit to Ukraine.

With tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the Ukrainian border, tensions between Moscow and the West have reached a post-Cold War high and there are growing fears of a major conflict in Eastern Europe.

Moscow insists it has no plans to invade, but is demanding wide-ranging security guarantees -- including a ban on Ukraine ever joining NATO -- in exchange for deescalation.

Days of talks between Western and Russian officials in Geneva, Brussels and Vienna last week made no headway in resolving the crisis.

Blinken's arrival Wednesday in Europe upped the diplomatic stakes, and after Kyiv he was headed to Berlin for four-way talks on Thursday with Britain, France and Germany to seek Western unity, and to Geneva the next day for the meeting with Lavrov.

As well as a permanent ban on Ukraine joining NATO, Moscow is demanding measures that would limit military activities in former Warsaw Pact and ex-Soviet countries that joined the alliance after the Cold War.

- Kyiv seeking 'less aggressive' Russia - Russia is insisting on a written response to its proposals, but Blinken said that would not happen on Friday.

"I won't be presenting paper at that time to Foreign Minister Lavrov," he told reporters after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

"We need to see where we are and see if there remain opportunities to pursue the diplomacy and pursue the dialogue which, as I have said, is by far the preferable course," he said.

Kuleba said Kyiv hoped the talks in Geneva would make Russia "less aggressive and more constructive".

He also insisted that Ukraine is "not planning any offensive operations" against pro-Russian separatists that could spark a response from Moscow.

Kyiv has been battling Moscow-backed forces in two breakaway eastern regions since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine, with more than 13,000 people killed so far.

On the streets of the separatist-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, residents said they hoped a broader conflict could be avoided.

"Talks are good, at least it's not war," Alexei Bokarev, a 77-year-old retired miner, told AFP in the city, where signs on Soviet-era buildings read "Glory to the Warriors of Liberation".

"The guns are quiet and negotiations are going on, it means that there is some kind of a search for a solution. How will this end? Nobody can say," he said.

Blinken told reporters in Kyiv that Moscow had the capacity to move more forces close to Ukraine "on very short notice" and was looking "to challenge some very basic principles that undergird the entire international system".

- New US military aid - Washington has rejected Moscow's demands as "non-starters" and warned that any invasion of Ukraine would be met with severe economic counter-measures.

A senior US official confirmed during Blinken's visit that the United States had authorised an additional $200 million (176 million Euros) in security aid to Ukraine, on top of $450 million already delivered by President Joe Biden's administration.

Tensions increased on Tuesday with the launch of joint military drills between the forces of Russia and ex-Soviet Belarus, which also neighbours Ukraine.

A US official said the exercises could presage a permanent Russian military presence involving both conventional and nuclear forces in Belarus.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that the Kremlin was still waiting for written answers to its proposals, but described Friday's talks in Geneva as "extremely important".
Poland and the Czech Republic are close to putting an end to the dispute over the Turow coal mine with a draft agreement providing for the withdrawal of the Czech complaint against Poland from the EU court, Polish Minister of Climate and Environment Anna Moskwa said on Wednesda

WARSAW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) Poland and the Czech Republic are close to putting an end to the dispute over the Turow coal mine with a draft agreement providing for the withdrawal of the Czech complaint against Poland from the EU court, Polish Minister of Climate and Environment Anna Moskwa said on Wednesday.

The Czech Republic filed a complaint over the Polish coal mine with the European Union court in May, 2021, saying that the mining works affects the quality of water in Czech regions across the border from the mine. In May, the court ordered Poland to immediately stop the mining, but Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki refused to comply. In September, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Poland pay 500,000 Euros ($585,000) every day until the coal mine stops operating.

"Part of the agreement provides for the immediate withdrawal of the complaint from the EU Court of Justice after it is signed, and thus the end of the dispute," Moskwa told Radio Poland.

She added that this fact was established and confirmed by both parties. However, the minister noted that the agreement still needs to be approved by the Czech government.

"We are ready to sign it today. If the Czech government reconfirms our agreements with the minister, then we will immediately sign the agreement," she said.

Moskwa added that if the agreement is signed, the Czech side will immediately send an application to the court that the dispute is closed and withdraw its complaint.
The experience of interaction between Russia and Iran in Syria can create prerequisites for its application in other areas, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) The experience of interaction between Russia and Iran in Syria can create prerequisites for its application in other areas, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We have a very good experience of cooperation with Russia in Syria, and this is cooperation in the fight against terrorism in the region, in the Syrian Arab Republic. Such a very good experience can create the preconditions for us to apply this experience in many other areas," Raisi said.
The French Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that Mali has requested that France review bilateral defense agreements

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th January, 2022) The French Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that Mali has requested that France review bilateral defense agreements.

On Sunday, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop told the France 24 broadcaster that the African country had officially requested Paris to reevaluate their bilateral defense pact.

"We have received a request of that sort, (and) are considering it," a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a briefing when asked by Sputnik.

At the same time, the ministry did not reveal what exactly Mali wants to review.

Mali has experienced two military coups over the past two years. The first coup, which took place in August 2020, resulted in the ousting of former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the appointment of Ba N'daw as interim president.

Ba N'daw was arrested by soldiers on May 24, 2021. The Military Council, led by Vice President Assimi Goita, took over the country and announced presidential and parliamentary elections next year. The constitutional court of Mali declared Goita president of the transitional period.

In November, Diop said that the general election, which was supposed to end the transition period, will have to be postponed from February 2022 to 2025 due to the volatile security situation.

In 2013, France and Mali signed defense agreements after Paris launched a military operation to counter Islamist militants. The deal provides legal grounds for French troops to operate in the country.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to personally turn down a job offer at one of UN agencies, German news agency DPA reported on Wednesday, citing Merkel's office

BERLIN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to personally turn down a job offer at one of UN agencies, German news agency DPA reported on Wednesday, citing Merkel's office.

Merkel called the UN secretary general, thanked him for the offer and said she could not accept it, the office was cited as saying.

Earlier in the day, DPA reported, citing sources, that Guterres had invited Merkel to head a high-level UN advisory body on global public goods, such as health, nature conservation, global peace and economy. Guterres reportedly made the proposal in a letter sent to the ex-chancellor. However, many UN representatives were confident that Merkel was unlikely to accept the job offer, the news agency said.

Merkel, 67, retired from politics in late 2021 after 16 years of service as Germany's head of state.
(@FahadShabbir)

Hong Kong will cull hundreds of hamsters after some tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Tuesday, as the city pushes to maintain its strict "zero-Covid" strategy

Hong Kong, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jan, 2022 ) :Hong Kong will cull hundreds of hamsters after some tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Tuesday, as the city pushes to maintain its strict "zero-Covid" strategy.

The Chinese territory's staunch adherence to the mainland's "zero-Covid" policy has kept the number of cases low, but maintaining it has cut the finance hub off from the rest of the world for the last two years.

The decision to cull about 2,000 hamsters and other small animals comes after health officials recorded Covid cases at a Hong Kong pet shop.

Health secretary Sophia Chan said the move will protect public health after a pet shop employee and a customer handling hamsters tested positive.

The employee was found to be infected with the Delta variant, which has become rare in Hong Kong.

"Internationally, there is no evidence yet to show pets can transmit the coronavirus to humans, but... we will take precautionary measures against any vector of transmission," Chan said during a press conference.

Eleven preliminary positive samples were found on hamsters for sale at the Little Boss pet shop in the bustling shopping district of Causeway Bay.

Officials believe they were imported from the Netherlands and urged anyone who bought a hamster after December 22 to give up their pet for culling.

About 1,000 animals from Little Boss and its warehouse will be seized and put down, while staff and customers have been sent for testing.

Health officials also issued quarantine orders for around 150 people who visited the pet shop as well as more than 20 warehouse employees.

The shop was shuttered Tuesday.

- Avoid kissing pets call - Another 1,000 hamsters from dozens of other pet shops across Hong Kong will also be killed and the businesses have been ordered to close temporarily.

Imports of small mammals will be suspended, officials added.

Deputy agriculture chief Thomas Sit defended the cull as a precautionary measure when asked why the decision was made without a clear scientific basis.

"The public should avoid kissing their pets and keep their homes clean," added agriculture director Leung Siu-fai.

"They should not abandon their pets on the streets under any circumstances." Reaction from hamster lovers in Hong Kong was swift -- and angry.

"Is there anyone who can save the hamsters and other small animals?" said one person in a Facebook group called Hamster Blog HK -- which boasts more than 10,000 members.

Another ridiculed officials over the cull, telling them to "go to Wuhan and help the bats there wear two masks", referring to the Chinese city where Covid-19 first emerged two years ago.
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The last four military transport aircraft with Russia's peacekeepers from the forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) took off from Kazakhstan to Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) The last four military transport aircraft with Russia's peacekeepers from the forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) took off from Kazakhstan to Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Four Russian military transport aircraft with peacekeepers on board took off from the airports of Nur-Sultan and Almaty of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the ministry said in a report.

According to the ministry, the aircraft will carry home the last units of Russian peacekeepers and the command of the peacekeeping contingent headed by Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov.

The ministry noted that the peacekeeping contingents of Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan also returned home by Russia's military transport aircraft. Kyrgyz peacekeepers returned by land.
(@FahadShabbir)

The European Union launched on Wednesday a new asylum agency, which will replace the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and work with member countries to improve the bloc's asylum procedures, EU spokesman Adalbert Jahnz announced

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) The European Union launched on Wednesday a new asylum agency, which will replace the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and work with member countries to improve the bloc's asylum procedures, EU spokesman Adalbert Jahnz announced.

In December, the Council of the European Union adopted a regulation establishing the bloc's asylum agency that will build upon the the EASO. The move aims to improve the functioning of the common European asylum system. As such, the new agency will have the right to deploy experts and technical means to member states that have requested operational support, according to the council.

"This morning saw a start of the work of the new European union agency for asylum. The new agency expands on the responsibilities of the former European Asylum Support Office.

It will work in support of national authorities towards fast and fair asylum procedures and consistent reception standards across the EU," Jahnz said during a briefing.

In late 2020, the EU began discussing a new migration agreement. The document, which still has to be approved by member countries, calls for stronger border control and quicker review processing of asylum claims. It also stipulates joint responsibility for acceptance and repatriation of migrants, which should lessen the burden on countries like Greece, Italy and Malta.

After a migrant crisis emerged in 2021 on the border between Belarus and eastern EU members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania made the need to reach an agreement on the new migration framework even more urgent.
New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday filed a motion to obligate former US President Donald J. Trump, his son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughter Ivanka Trump to appear for sworn testimony under an ongoing civil investigation into alleged fraudulent activities of the Trump Organization

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday filed a motion to obligate former US President Donald J. Trump, his son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughter Ivanka Trump to appear for sworn testimony under an ongoing civil investigation into alleged fraudulent activities of the Trump Organization.

In December, the New York attorney issued subpoenas to Trump and his children, requesting them to testify not later than January 7. Trump rejected the appeal, filing a motion to quash the subpoenas as being improper, given that James's office is cooperating with the Manhattan District Attorney in a criminal inquiry in connection with him.

"The motion to compel filed today seeks a court order enforcing testimonial subpoenas issued to Donald J. Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., and Ivanka Trump, as well as the production of documents held by Donald J. Trump.," the Attorney General statement read.

James argued that these individuals were "directly involved in one or more transactions under review."

"Thus far in our investigation, we have uncovered significant evidence that suggests Donald J.

Trump and the Trump Organization falsely and fraudulently valued multiple assets and misrepresented those values to financial institutions for economic benefit," James said, stressing that the Trumps are bound to comply with lawful subpoenas for documents and testimony.

She added that the office will continue the investigation and "ensure that no one is above the law."

James initiated the investigation in March 2019, following the testimony of Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, before Congress, in which he accused the ex-president of exaggerating his fortunes for more advantageous loan and insurance conditions while understating his assets' value to lower real estate taxes.

The Trump Organization and the former president himself have repeatedly denounced the investigation as a "witch-hunt." A Trump Organization spokesperson said earlier that James's investigation was driven by her political ambition to run for governorship, calling the inquiry a "political persecution" that is "illegal and unethical."
Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik, who was behind the attacks in Oslo and Utoya, is likely to pose a danger to society if released on parole, psychiatrist Randi Rosenqvist said at Breivik's parole hearing

MURMANSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik, who was behind the attacks in Oslo and Utoya, is likely to pose a danger to society if released on parole, psychiatrist Randi Rosenqvist said at Breivik's parole hearing.

"Statistically, the possibility of new acts of violence in the case of his parole is very high," the psychiatrist, who was a key witness in this hearing, said, as quoted by local television company NRK.

Rosenqvist said that it was impossible to predict what Breivik would do do if he were released from prison now.

"At any moment, he may decide that he is attracted to militaristic ideas again. He does not have a realistic understanding of his situation," the psychiatrist added.

According to the psychiatrist, Breivik has traits of autism, with a personality type that can be described as "antisocial and narcissistic.

"

In July 2011, Breivik detonated a bomb in Oslo, killing eight, and shortly thereafter carried out a mass shooting at a youth camp in Utoya, killing 69. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison, which is the maximum prison term in Norway.

Soon after his arrest in 2011, Breivik acknowledged committing the attacks but did not plead guilty. At a parole hearing on Tuesday, he argued that internet radicalization was responsible for the attacks.

The court will decide on Thursday whether to grant Breivik parole.

Under Norwegian law, a prisoner has the right to apply for parole after 10 years of imprisonment. If a person has served the maximum sentence and is still considered dangerous, a court can extend the sentence by five years at a time.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) The role of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is to accompany Libyans in the process leading to democratic elections in the country, Stephanie Williams, the UN Secretary General's special adviser for Libya, said in an interview with Sputnik.

"I believe that the role of the UN is to help the Libyans to come together in a fully inclusive process, and that's a process, like the process that we ran that resulted in the approval of the road map that designated December 24th (2021) as the elections' day," Williams said.

She said the process did not aim to marginalize or exclude any particular important constituency in the country.

"So that's what we certainly encourage, and we are more than happy to accompany the Libyans in their own process, and to assist them to come to this. Really what's necessary is a fully consensual way forward," Williams said.

"What the Libyan people need to be able to do is to go to the polls and select a fully representative, democratically elected government that has full sovereignty and helps in this process of unifying institutions and bringing the country together," she said.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) US mobile carriers AT&T and Verizon said they have delayed introduction of their 5G network near some airports due to airlines' concerns about flight safety from the deployment of the technology, and expressed frustration with aviation authorities over the matter.

"At our sole discretion we have voluntarily agreed to temporarily defer turning on a limited number of towers around certain airport runways as we continue to work with the aviation industry and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to provide further information about our 5G deployment, since they have not utilized the two years they've had to responsibly plan for this deployment," AT&T said in a statement.

AT&T also criticized the FAA's processes that had contributed to the decision and called for quick remedial action.

"We are frustrated by the FAA's inability to do what nearly 40 countries have done, which is to safely deploy 5G technology without disrupting aviation services, and we urge it to do so in a timely manner," the carrier said.

It added that it is launching "advanced 5G services everywhere else as planned with the temporary exception of this limited number of towers."

Verizon issued a similar statement that it had "voluntarily" limited 5G deployment near airports.

"As the nation's leading wireless provider, we have voluntarily decided to limit our 5G network around airports," the carrier said. "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and our nation's airlines have not been able to fully resolve navigating 5G around airports, despite it being safe and fully operational in more than 40 other countries."

The 5G C-Band service used by US carriers is close to frequencies used by key instruments of modern aircraft and the FAA had expressed concerns that it could interfere with aviation systems such as radio altimeters.
(@FahadShabbir)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday he expects that the ambassador to Ukraine will be nominated soon

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2022) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday he expects that the ambassador to Ukraine will be nominated soon.

"I would anticipate that the nomination will be forthcoming very shortly," Blinken said during his visit to Kiev.
Lincoln, RI (02865)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 46F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 46F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
China health authorities have said that the first case of Omicron in Beijing may have been transmitted via a parcel mailed from Canada  a claim that Canadian experts said has no scientific grounding.

Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), said on Monday, Jan. 17, that a woman tested positive after opening up a piece of mail from Canada that had traveled through the U.S. and Hong Kong.

Other items shipped with the parcel had also tested positive for the COVID-19, Pang said. Jiang Chu, head of the Haidian District CDC in Beijing, added that the local case of Omicron was the first to appear in the Chinese capital.

I find this to be, lets say, an extraordinary view, Canadian Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters at a press conference later in the day, Canadas CBC reported.

Dr. Anna Banerji, an associate professor of pediatrics and infectious disease at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, told CBC that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 would never survive on an envelope shipped across the world.

I dont think any of thats based on science, she said, referring to the Beijing CDCs statements.

As reported by Chinas Sohu News, Jiang Chu said that while coronavirus had previously been detected in mail packages, the virus density was so low that it became inactive after two or three days of exposure to the outside environment.

But the concentration of the virus found on the package from Toronto and the amount of time it survived exceeded our expectations, Jiang claimed.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Omicron variant primarily spreads through airborne human-to-human transmission.

While mail may be contaminated, the risk of COVID-19 infection when handling paper mail or cardboard packages, including international mail, is extremely low, the agency said in an emailed statement.

Imported cases

The Chinese regime declared victory in the peoples war against COVID-19 early on in the global pandemic, and often claims that sporadic outbreaks of the disease in China are due to imported cases.

Many of these imported cases are allegedly spread via frozen food, but international experts doubt Beijings story.



READ MORE:

Chinas Latest COVID Claim: Virus Originated From Maine Lobsters

Echoing their Canadian counterparts, U.S authorities including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC agree that COVID-19 does not transmit via food or food packing.

Its particularly important to note that COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is spread from person to person, the FDA stated on Feb. 18 last year.

In addition to blaming imported food, Beijing has suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, did not originate in Wuhan, but in the U.S. or other Western countries.

China-watchers note that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a strong desire to cover up the origins of the pandemic, as well as the true figures of dead and infected in the country.

According to the CCP mouthpiece Peoples Daily Online, on Jan. 12, the Shaanxi Market Supervision Administration released a consumer alert via its official account on social media platform WeChat, saying that recently imported dragon fruit had tested positive for COVID-19 in various parts of China.



Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province, has been under various forms of lockdown since mid-December, with measures implemented there being some of the strictest since the initial outbreak in Wuhan, central China. Thousands of cases have been officially admitted to in the city of 13 million.

In Beijing, when an outbreak broke out in June 2020, the authorities blamed imported salmon as the source of infection; in Shenzhen, when confirmed cases appeared in August 2020, officials blamed Brazilian frozen chicken wings; in Qingdao, when confirmed cases appeared that October, they blamed frozen cod; in Tianjin, when confirmed cases appeared in November, Tianjin officials blamed German frozen pig feet and North American pig heads.

By the end of 2020, confirmed cases emerged in Shanghai, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Henan, and Shandong, China, at which point officials blamed Ecuadors frozen pomfret, Brazilian pork products and halibut, Argentine pork, Indian fish, and imported beef from New Zealand.
On Tuesday, Jan. 18, hundreds of people gathered in Times Square to honour the memory of subway-shove victim Michelle Alyssa Go.

Kim Garnett, a personal friend of Gos, told the New York Post, She loved New York. We would talk about it in the pandemic that we would rather be nowhere else, adding that, She loved Central Park. She loved living on the Upper West Side.

Another friend of hers, Rakesh Duggal told The Post, She loved to travelWe must have done a dozen trips together, adding, She was a glass ceiling breaker. No challenge was too big or scary for her. She always wanted to work on the biggest and most challenging things.

Go, 40, a Vietnamese-American who was working on her MBA at NYUs prestigious Stem School of Business and who was a senior manager at Deloitte was pushed into an oncoming train by a deranged homeless man on Saturday, Jan. 15 while waiting for a southbound R train around 9:40 in the morning in New York City. Go was pronounced dead at the scene.

This incident was unprovoked, and the victim does not appear to have had any interaction with the subject, NYPD police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said following the tragedy.

Witnesses told police that 61-year-old Simon Martial, who shoved Go, was observed fleeing the scene but later turned himself in to transit police.

Martial, is being held at the Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan where he awaits arraignment on murder charges.

The man has served two stints in state prison on robbery and attempted-robbery convictions and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The mans sister told The Post that her brother has been in and out of mental hospitals for more than 20 years.

Following the incident it emerged that Go was an active advocate for the homeless and spent time over the past decade volunteering to help the less fortunate.

No easy solution

The incident has prompted the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to explore the possibility of installing platform barriers; however the potential solution would not be easily implemented in the New York subway system.

Acting MTA Chair Janno Lieber told reporters on Tuesday, Platform doors are an idea that works in many places, but there are special complexities in New York, adding, That said, were always looking for ways that we can make the system safer.

Lieber said the age of the system is a reason why barriers may not be a viable solution adding that station ventilation and maintaining platform accessibility were primary concerns.

Operational concerns including train door misalignment and column placement were also cited.

The solution would also come with a hefty price tag. MTA leaders have previously knocked platform screen doors as a prohibitively expensive and complicated multi-billion dollar solution, The Post reported.

The MTA recently formed a track trespass working group tasked with exploring the barriers feasibility, among other initiatives, in response to an increase in subway track intrusions with experts saying that the investment is worth it.

Eric Goldwyn, a NYU transit researcher, speaking to the proposed barriers told The Post, Im sure it is feasible. They are already retrofitting stations. If you throw platform doors in, does that cost much more?

Currently, barriers are only installed on the JFK Airport AirTrain. Goldwyn noted that numerous other international cities have succeeded in retrofitting ageing systems with platform screens including Paris, Hong Kong and Sofia, Bulgaria.

Installing barriers in the New York subway system has been considered on several occasions over the years.

On Monday, Former MTA President Andy Byford said in an email to The Post that in the past signal modernization, implemented to speed up service, was prioritised over barriers.

The cost to retrofit platforms in NYC (and in London) would be very high. The platforms were in most cases, not designed to carry the weight of the doors, even half height versions. Add into the mix the fact that a fair number of NYC platforms are curved and you have even more of a challenge  youd be looking at a lot of platform rebuilds, Byford wrote.
The U.S. government Wednesday formally launched its website where Americans can request free rapid COVID-19 test kits.

The site was quietly soft-launched the previous day and as word spread, Covidtests.gov quickly became the most accessed federal government website as millions of households began placing orders for the kits.

This reporter mid-Tuesday was able to complete an order within about a minute after clicking on the link that connects to a U.S. Postal Service form.

Some occupants of apartments and other multi-unit dwellings, however, complained on social media that the websites address verification tool was enforcing the four-per-person household, only allowing one family per building to request the tests.

A member of Congress from the state of New York, Carolyn Maloney, tweeted advice on how apartment residents might avoid the glitch.

Every website launch, in our view, comes with risk, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters during Tuesdays White House briefing. We cant guarantee there wont be a bug or two, but the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service are working hard to make this a success.

An administration official last week promised reporters, were ready for this, explaining that four individual rapid antigen tests would be shipped in seven to 12 days via the Postal Service after a completed online order.

The 650,000 women and men of the United States Postal Service are ready to deliver and proud to play a critical role in supporting the health needs of the American public, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a statement last week. We have been working closely with the Administration and are well prepared to accept and deliver test kits on the first day the program launches.

President Joe Biden last week announced the government will purchase another 500 million at-home tests for the public, in addition to the order made last month for half a billion tests.

The Biden administrations plan is a classic case of big government seeming to be needed because it is difficult for private forces to address the problem, according to Jeffrey Miron, director of economic studies at the Cato Institute and a Harvard University economist.

Americans have the option to purchase tests at pharmacies and other stores. New federal rules went into effect Saturday requiring private medical insurance companies to cover the cost of those at-home tests, but insurers say it could take weeks to sort out the reimbursement procedures, adding another headache to the process.

This federal intervention would never have been necessary had the private sector been free to develop, test, and sell test kits without interference from the Food and Drug Administration or Centers for Disease Control, Miron told VOA. Other countries had rapid tests widely available many months ago; so, the technology was clearly available.

Given the existing rules and regulations about private production and sale of test kits, however, federal distribution is perhaps a useful step that will reduce the delays and bottlenecks that many people are experiencing in purchasing kits from private suppliers, Miron said.
On a visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reassured the people of Ukraine that the United States stands with them in the face of a potentially imminent Russian invasion. After meeting with Ukraines foreign minister Wednesday, Blinken spoke with VOA in Kyiv about the U.S. diplomatic effort to calm the situation. VOAs Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports. Producer: Rob Raffaele.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke in Kyiv Wednesday with VOA's Eastern Europe bureau chief Myroslava Gongadze about his talks with Ukrainian leaders and the prospects for heading off a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. The following is a transcript of that interview. It has been edited for clarity. Watch the video here.



QUESTION: "Good afternoon. Today we are in Ukraine. It's been invaded and threatened by Russia. Putin is demanding the West to leave Ukraine for its Russian sphere of influence. Today, we have a chance to talk about the crisis with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity and for your time"



U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN: "It's good to be with you."



Q: So, your administration said that Russia can invade at any moment. What is your administration ready to do to defer Russian aggression? And what would be the three major steps you're ready to do if Russia will invade tomorrow?"



BLINKEN: "Well, first, we've, we've offered Russia a clear choice, a choice between pursuing dialogue and diplomacy on the one hand, or confrontation and consequences on the other hand. And we've just been engaged in an intensive series of diplomatic engagements with Russia, directly between us through the strategic stability dialogue at NATO, with the NATO Russia Council at the OSCE, the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe, and my hope remains that Russia will pursue that diplomatic path. It's clearly preferable."



Q: "Still, what are US"



BLINKEN: "But, but to your point, we've also - we've equally made clear that if Russia chooses to renew its aggression against Ukraine, we  and not just we, the United States, we, many countries, throughout Europe, and even some beyond - will respond very forcefully and resolutely and in three ways. First, we've been working intensely on elaborating extensive sanctions, financial, economic, export controls, and others."



Q: "Doesn't that include"



BLINKEN: "I'm not going to get into the details what they are, but we're doing that in very close coordination with European allies and partners. A second consequence would almost certainly be further assistance, defensive military assistance, to Ukraine. And third, it's almost certain that NATO would have to reinforce its own defenses on its, on its eastern flank. And you know, what's so striking about this is that, when you think about it, President Putin, going back to 2014, has managed to precipitate what he says he wants to prevent, because among other things, NATO had to reinforce itself after Russia invaded Ukraine, seized Crimea, the Donbass after that happened. So, we've laid out the consequences clearly for Russia, but also, also the far preferable path of resolving differences diplomatically. And we'll see which path President Putin decides to take."



Q: "It's still the question of, is the Swift  cutting Russia from Swift is on the table, and personal sanctions against, personally, Putin and his family is on the table?"



BLINKEN: "What I can tell you is this, and it's not just me saying this. The G7, the leading democratic economies in the world, the European Union, NATO have all each declared as institutions, as a collection of countries, that there will be and I quote, 'massive consequences' for Russia, if it renews its aggression against Ukraine. We've also said that the measures that we're looking at go well beyond steps that we've taken in the past including in 2014. I'm not going to detail them here or telegraph the steps we take. But I can tell you, the consequences will be severe. But again, I want to insist on the fact that it would be far preferable not to have to go down that path. We're fully prepared to do it. But the preference is to see if we can resolve differences, address concerns in both directions through diplomacy."



Q: "Russia asked for a written response to demand never to accept Ukraine into NATO,  are you preparing such a written response, and what kind?"



BLINKEN: "So, we had the last week of these important engagements, as I, as I noted, and we now have an opportunity, both Russia and, and all of us - the United States our European partners - to take back what we heard from each other. The Russians have gone back and, presumably, are consulting with President Putin. We've done the same, in my case, with President Biden. The Europeans have done the same with their leaders. And the next step in this process is for me to have a chance to meet with Foreign Minister (Sergey) Lavrov in Geneva on Friday, and to see what how, how Russia has responded to what's already been, been discussed. They'll hear, they'll hear from us. Before that though, I was determined to - President Biden's instruction to come here to Kyiv, to consult with our Ukrainian partners. And then tomorrow in Berlin to meet with some of our closest European partners. That's exactly how we proceeded all along. We've done everything in very close consultation before and after any of our engagements with Russia.



Q: "However, you didn't answer my question about, are you preparing the written response to Russian?"



BLINKEN: "Right now the next step is to meet with Prime Minister Lavrov. Let's see where, where we are after Friday, and we'll take it from there."



Q: "And I had that question about Mr. Lavrov, you're, you're scheduled to meet him. Did you see any signs that the Kremlin is changing its position at this point?"



BLINKEN: "I can't say that I see any, any direct evidence of that? Unfortunately, we can see, we continue to see Russia having amassed very significant forces on Ukraine's borders, that process seems to continue. On the other hand, the fact that we are meeting in Geneva, the fact that we will be discussing the conversations and exchanges that we've had over the last 10 days, also suggests to me that diplomacy remains an open possibility, one that we're determined to pursue as long and far as we can. We want to leave no diplomatic stone unturned, because, again, that's just a much better and more responsible way to deal with these problems."



Q: "The Minsk agreement is seen as the only valuable solution for this crisis. However, Russia and Ukraine have a different reading of the agreement. What has to be done to implement the agreement or is it time to renegotiate?"



BLINKEN: "I don't think there's any, any need to renegotiate, because, as you say, there's an agreement. In fact, there are actually three of them because Minsk evolved 2014-2015. And there are a number of very clear steps that both of the parties have to take. I think it's fair to say, looking back that many of those steps Ukraine has either implemented or begun to implement, there are some that hasn't yet tackled. I think, unfortunately, it's equally fair to say that Russia has done virtually nothing in terms of the steps required in the Minsk agreement. So, the first question is whether Russia is serious about resolving the Donbass through the Minsk process, if it is, I agree with you, I think that's the best and right now really the only way forward. France, Germany, are an important part of this so-called Normandy format. And they're supposed to be upcoming meetings in that process. And, again, it's a test of whether Russia is serious about it. The one positive sign that we've seen in the last few weeks when it comes to Minsk is a loose ceasefire that is clearly an improvement over where things were, that takes us back to where we were in 2020. But the real question is, is Russia serious about implementing Minsk? If it is, we're prepared to facilitate that, we're prepared to support that, we're prepared to engage in that but in support of this Normandy process that France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine are engaged in."



Q: "Since you mentioned Germanyyou mentioned Normandy Format. There's a lot of talks about U.S. joining that, that Normandy Format, is there any reconsideration of U.S. doing so?"



BLINKEN: "I don't think it's a question about us joining the format, the question is whether it's useful for us to try to facilitate things, to support it in any way that we can. If the answer to that is yes, we're fully prepared to do that. And we, of course, shared that with our allies and partners France and Germany. But we've also said that to Russia, and of course to Ukraine."



Q: "The U.S. National Security Advisor recently said that if Russa wants Nord Stream to start operating, it will have to stop aggression in Ukraine. Is the United States ready to accept the completion, and activation of the pipeline for Russia to withdraw troops from the borders?"



BLINKEN: "We continue to oppose the pipeline for reasons that are well known and long known. We think that it actually undermines Europe's energy security and obviously does tremendous potential damage to Ukraine, including giving Russia the option to avoid the existing pipeline through Ukraine. That results in a lot of transit fees for Ukraine, and the list goes on. Having said that, the pipeline is actually complete, the construction has been completed. It's not operational, and to Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor's point, right now that pipeline is as much, if not more leveraged, for us as it is for Russia because the idea that if Russia commits renewed aggression against Ukraine, gas would flow through that pipeline is highly, highly improbable. So that's an interesting factor to see whether it affects Russia's thinking as it's deciding what to do. "



Q: "And I have two questions on domestic agenda, Ukraine's domestic agenda if I may. President Zelenskiy promised President Biden personally to fight corruption. He promised to appoint the special anti-corruption prosecutor before the end of 2021. However, many Ukrainians argue that there is sabotage, of anti-corruption reform. Is the United States as a Ukraine strategic partner satisfied with the reform progress in Ukraine? And is Ukraine at risk of losing the U.S. support if the government does not meet its commitment to reform?"



BLINKEN: "I had a chance to spend time with President Zelenskiy today, we had a very good conversation about virtually all of these issues, including the question of reform, and President Zelenskiy has been pursuing reform, including most recently, judicial reform. But there are other things that need to happen, including, finally the appointment of this Commissioner, that should and could take place anytime, so we are looking for that to see that happen. It's challenging, there are external pressures, there are internal pressures, but he has been on the path of reform. And ultimately, Ukraine's progress, which we are determined to support, is contingent on reform so we look to the president to continue those efforts, we very much support him in those efforts, and will continue to support Ukraine as it makes those efforts."



Q: "Thank you so much. They're showing me that I have to cut. I have one more question. Across from the building where we're doing this interview today, on the court hearing treason charges brought against the former President Poroshenko, many experts, and former Russian politicians expressed their concern, and some say the charges are politically motivated. Do you think these charges and the process is justified at the time?"



BLINKEN: "Well, I can't get into the details of this, of this particular case. All I can say is this. It's very important that in any proceeding, whether it's this one or any other, that things go forward through an independent judiciary, pursuant to the rule law, and as we would say, without fear or favor, no selective prosecutions. That's a general rule that we would apply anywhere and everywhere. Second, this is a time where there's a premium on national unity precisely because of the threat that Russia is posing. And it's important for Ukrainians to come together, whatever political differences they may have. One of Russia's methods is to try to divide, to create divisions, to create distractions. And it's important for Ukrainians to come together to resist that and to deal with the challenge posed by Russia as one, as one country with an incredible future that the United States strongly supports but one that's being challenged."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Berlin for consultations with key allies Thursday about the situation along the Russia-Ukraine border as he prepares for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Blinken is meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Minister for Middle East and North Africa James Cleverly, before delivering an address about the crisis in Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden said at a news conference Wednesday that he thinks Russia will invade Ukraine, reiterating warnings to Russian leader Vladimir Putin that such actions would be met with consequences such as economic sanctions.

Russia has denied it has intentions of invading Ukraine, and is seeking security guarantees such as Ukraine not joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Blinken is due to discuss the situation with Lavrov in Geneva on Friday, the third stop in a quickly arranged trip during which he has expressed a strong U.S. preference for finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

WATCH: VOA interviews Sec. Blinken

The transcript of the interview can be found here

Blinken delivered that message Wednesday in Kyiv, telling VOA that the United States and its allies will respond forcefully and resolutely to further Russian military aggression against Ukraine but hopes Moscow will pursue a diplomatic path.

Weve offered Russia a clear choice, a choice between pursuing dialogue and diplomacy on the one hand, or confrontation and consequences on the other hand, Blinken said during an interview with VOA Eastern Europe Bureau Chief Myroslava Gongadze.

Earlier at a joint news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken said Russia has ratcheted up its threats and amassed nearly 100,000 forces on Ukraines border, which it could double on relatively short order. Blinken added that U.S. material assistance deliveries to Ukraine were ongoing, with more scheduled in the coming weeks.

Should Russia carry through with any aggressive intent and renew its aggression and invade Ukraine, we will provide additional material beyond whats already in the pipeline, said Blinken.

Kuleba said a strong Ukraine is the best tool to deter Russia, adding it is critical to tell Russia every single day that it will face very strong sanctions should Moscow choose further aggression against its neighbor.

A senior State Department official told reporters Wednesday the White House last month approved $200 million in additional defensive security aid to Ukraine.

Grateful for USs political & security support. Count on enhancing economic & financial cooperation. Im sure there will be no decision about Ukraine without Ukraine, wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a tweet.

Earlier on Wednesday, Blinken reiterated U.S. support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity in a meeting with Zelenskiy, adding, It is up to Ukrainians and no one else to decide their own future and the future of this country.

The buildup of Russian troops along Ukraines eastern border has raised concern Moscow is planning military action against its neighbor, which was once part of the Russia-led Soviet Union. Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.

Blinkens trip follows talks in Geneva last week between Russian and U.S. officials aimed at settling differences over Ukraine and other security issues. No progress was reported.

VOAs Eastern Europe Chief Myroslava Gongadze reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. VOAs State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching reported from Washington. VOAs Chris Hannas and the Ukrainian service contributed to the report. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.
Britain is ending COVID-19 restrictions, including mask mandates, working from home and vaccine passports, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday.

The measures had been introduced to slow the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant of the virus.

"Many nations across Europe have endured further winter lockdowns ... but this government took a different path," Johnson told lawmakers, citing a decreasing number of people being admitted to intensive care because of the virus.

"Our scientists believe it is likely that the omicron wave has now peaked nationally ... because of the extraordinary booster campaign," Johnson said, adding that restrictions also had slowed the spread.



Some scientists disagree with the move.

"Removing (the) measures in the face of extremely high levels of infection is a risk," University of Warwick virologist Lawrence Young said.

"Perhaps it would have been wiser to wait for another couple of weeks before removing the advice to work from home and the face coverings mandate. There's no guarantee that infection levels will continue to fall."

Britain has seen 152,513 deaths since the virus emerged from China in early 2020.

Johnson is currently facing a political crisis, including criticism from his own party, for hosting parties during the peak of lockdowns in the country.

Some say the easing of restrictions is an attempt by Johnson to shore up support among conservatives who disagreed with them.

Johnson said despite the moves, "We must all remain cautious during these last weeks of winter," adding that hospitals still could see increased cases.

"The pandemic is not over," he cautioned.

Some information in this report comes from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Cambodia resumed the treason trial of banned opposition party leader Kem Sokha on Wednesday after a two-year delay due to the pandemic, in a case the United States has condemned as politically motivated.

Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017, and his opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was banned ahead of a 2018 election that was swept by the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

CNRP has since been decimated, with many of its members arrested or fleeing into exile in what activists say is a sweeping crackdown designed to thwart challenges to CPP's power monopoly.

"I hope ... the court will decide to drop the charges against me so that we can reach national reconciliation and national unity to develop our country," Kem Sokha told reporters from his home before arriving at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Kem Sokha was freed from house arrest in 2019 but remains banned from political activities.

His daughter Monovithya Kem on Tuesday had also urged the court to drop the charges, adding that her father was in "strong spirits."

The treason charges stem from accusations he was conspiring with the United States to overthrow self-styled strongman Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades.

Kem Sokha denies the charges, and the United States has dismissed the allegations as "fabricated conspiracy theories."

The U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh urged authorities to stop "politically motivated trials," including that of Kem Sokha and other members of the political opposition, journalists, and labor and environmental activists.

"Promoting democracy and respect for human rights is central to U.S. foreign policy in Cambodia and around the world," embassy spokesperson Chad Roedemeier said.

Cambodia's Justice Ministry has said the trials were not politically motivated and urged the U.S. embassy to provide evidence to support its claim and not to interfere.

"This allegation is legally baseless," ministry spokesman Chin Malin said.
The Biden administration is urging a 77-year-old former U.S. hostage in Iran to call off a hunger strike in Vienna aimed at pressing for a U.S.-Iranian deal to free Americans and other Westerners of Iranian origin detained in Iran.

Barry Rosen said in a Twitter video that he began the hunger strike Wednesday outside Vienna's Palais Coburg hotel, the main venue for separate U.S.-Iran indirect talks about reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The JCPOA is a 2015 deal in which Iran promised to constrain its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief from the U.S. and other world powers.

Rosen had arrived in Vienna Wednesday morning local time on a flight from New York. He was among 52 Americans taken hostage in Tehran by Islamists who seized the U.S. embassy in 1979, when the country's Islamic Revolution overthrew a U.S.-backed monarchy.

Rosen started the hunger strike a day before the 41st anniversary of his and other American hostages' release on Jan. 20, 1980. His protest aims to raise awareness about the plight of at least a dozen Iranians with dual nationalities, four of them Americans, who are detained in Iran or barred from leaving the country.

In an email sent to VOA on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department praised Rosen and the other U.S. embassy hostages as heroes and said it was moved by his commitment to the release of wrongfully detained Americans in Iran. U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley would meet with Rosen in Vienna, the email continued, and tell him he does not need to go on a hunger strike because the Biden administration shares that commitment.

"We strongly discourage him from doing so in the interest of his health," a State Department spokesperson wrote.

Detainees in limbo

In the United States' view, the American and other Western detainees of Iranian origin are hostages. Washington believes Iran has falsely accused them of security offenses so it can use them as bargaining chips to extract diplomatic concessions from the West. Iran insists any dual nationals whom it releases should be part of a prisoner swap, including for Iranians charged with or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and other offenses.

"Special Envoy Malley speaks regularly with the families of [detained Americans] Emad Shargi, Siamak and Baquer Namazi, and Morad Tahbaz, who is also a U.K. citizen, and continues to pursue efforts to secure their release and reunite them with their families," the State Department spokesperson said.

In a Tuesday interview with VOA Persian before departing for Vienna, Rosen said he would try to meet U.S. and Iranian officials in the Austrian capital to urge them to change their approach to indirect prisoner swap talks that began last April in tandem with the JCPOA talks. Mediators from European powers, Russia and China have been exchanging messages between the two sides.

For the United States, Rosen said a new approach would mean telling Iran to release the detainees before any agreement to revive the JCPOA was reached. "And [if] there is a [nuclear] deal, I want to make sure that Iran knows that if they take hostages again, whatever is negotiated is over completely," he said.

Rosen said such an approach would honor President Joe Biden's pledge to make the promotion of human rights a priority in American foreign policy.

In one of several Twitter videos posted Wednesday by Rosen, he said he met with Malley in Vienna for about an hour and had a "very good" talk, but the details were confidential. "I do think that there is a lot of support for the hostages who are being held in Iran. And I think we'll know more as the days progress," he said.

US decouples the goals

In its statement Wednesday to VOA, the U.S. State Department reiterated its opposition to making the release of the detainees a condition for a JCPOA deal.

"We have made it clear to the Iranians, and clear to the families, that seeking the release of our wrongfully detained citizens in Iran is a priority and that talks on their release should proceed regardless of what happens with respect to the JCPOA," the State Department spokesperson said.

A spokesman for the government of former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who left office in August, had said the previous month that Tehran was willing to exchange prisoners with the United States as a humanitarian gesture, provided that such a swap includes the release of Iranians detained in the U.S. and in unspecified other countries "at the behest of America."

Barbara Slavin, an Iran analyst at the Washington-based Atlantic Council and an advocate of reviving the JCPOA, told VOA she sympathized with Rosen but did not believe the United States should condition a JCPOA deal on Iran releasing the Western dual nationals.

"The nuclear talks are difficult enough. Also, Iran should release these people whether the Vienna negotiations succeed or not," she wrote in a Tuesday message.

In his VOA interview, Rosen said he also would try to press Iranian negotiators in Vienna to change their approach to a prisoner swap by urging them to return to Iran's cultural tradition of being hospitable toward guests and visitors.



"Iranians know how important it is to think of the connectivity between them and other people in the world," Rosen said. "This is a culture that is over 2,500 years old. But under this regime, Iran is acting as if it were a country of wild animals. Iranian leaders should be ashamed of themselves."

Rosen said he had not heard from any Iranian officials about whether they would accept his request to meet with them.

The best way to persuade Iran to change course, Slavin said, is to show it hurts itself by scaring away dual nationals, who fear that if they visit the country, they will not be able to leave. "Iran will never reach anything close to its potential while it continues to alienate much of its diaspora and remains estranged from the U.S.," she said.

This article originated in VOAs Persian Service. Click here for the original Persian version of the story. VOA State Department Correspondent Nike Ching contributed to this report, in which some information came from Reuters
President Joe Biden put the full weight of his presidency behind voting rights action last week, heading to Capitol Hill to push Democrats to change Senate rules to pass legislation.

Vice President Kamala Harris  whom Biden tapped to take the lead on passing voting rights legislation in June  wasn't there.

Both White House press secretary Jen Psaki and Harris aides had no clear answer when asked why the vice president hadn't joined Biden in the meeting.

It was yet another example of the difficulty Harris has faced throughout her first year in office, as she's struggled to define herself and her role.

Harris has grappled with an expansive portfolio of difficult assignments, fielded questions about her relationship with the president, and faced what allies say is unprecedented scrutiny for a vice president  without, some worry, adequate support from the White House.

And she's navigated all that within the constraints of a global pandemic and a duty to act as the tiebreaking vote in an evenly divided Senate, both of which have restricted her ability to travel beyond Washington.

"It's tough for any vice president to shine  even in the best of times. And these aren't the best of times," said Roy Neel, who served as chief of staff for former Vice President Al Gore. "You not only serve at the pleasure of the president, for any public activities, but there's a limit to how much you can do to take the lead role on the major issue of the day, whatever that is, and to go out and look like you're killing it."

Supporters frustrated

Indeed, Harris' aides say privately that the vice president is careful not to get ahead of the president, never wanting to take credit for the administration's successes. She will also often say that while she offers her frank opinions to the president privately, her public role is to ensure he is successful.

But that's left some Harris supporters, who warmed to her as an outspoken progressive voice in the Senate on issues ranging from police reform to voting rights, frustrated at what they see as her absence on key issues. During a recent interview with media personality Charlamagne Tha God, when Harris dropped her typically pleasant demeanor and sharply defended Biden, Charlamagne took note.

"That Kamala Harris? That's the one I like," he said. "That's the one I'd like to see out here more often in these streets."

Many of the issues on Harris' plate have no clear solution or immediate payoff. She's been tasked with pushing broadband access, leading the Space Council, driving for passage of the voting rights bill and addressing the root causes of migration to the U.S. southern border. Republicans in particular have targeted Harris for her work on immigration, charging she hasn't done enough as a significant increase in migrants at the border has bedeviled the administration.

She has also drawn criticism from the left for her work on immigration. "Do not come" to the U.S., she told migrants during her trip to Guatemala and Mexico last year. In response, progressive Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted that Harris' comments were "disappointing to see."

Domingo Garcia, the national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said he wanted to see more from the former progressive senator during that trip, calling it "a day late and a dollar short."

"She went to Central America; she took no meetings with community groups or civic groups involved in the issue. And so it's almost like they don't have a sounding board, and they're groping around in the dark for a solution," he said.

Harris, who declined to be interviewed for this story, has dismissed questions about the difficulty of her portfolio, insisting she relishes taking on difficult assignments. But privately, some of her allies have complained that not only does the vice president have some of the administration's most thankless tasks, but that she also has not been given enough support or resources from the White House to deliver on them.

And the grind of the office has clearly taken its toll. Harris has drawn negative headlines in recent weeks for an exodus of top aides, including her former communications director and former chief spokesperson, with anonymous aides complaining of a difficult work environment and an overly tough boss.

Factors limit activities

Still, some of Harris' biggest constraints are out of her control: the pandemic, and the demands on her time as a tiebreaking vote in the Senate. Harris has not been able to do as many in-person public events as she and her aides would like because of the pandemic, and she has done only a fraction of the international travel typical of a vice president, which has reduced her diplomatic engagements to virtual meetings or phone calls.

She is also tethered to Washington because of the unpredictability of the Senate schedule. Harris has cast 15 tiebreaking votes so far, the most of any modern vice president, and must stay in Washington most weeks in case a nomination comes up for a vote.

"It really isn't a source of power or influence, because really, all she's doing is voting the administration line," said vice presidential historian Joel Goldstein. "It's really a constraint, because it restricts her ability to do other things."

Early in the year, it seemed like Harris was a bigger target for Republicans than Biden. Now that's less so. A Gallup poll in December showed that 44% of Americans said they approve of how Harris is handing her job as vice president, and 54% disapprove. That was similar to Biden's rating in the survey.

Harris' aides say that she has played an active role in some of the president's toughest policy choices, including his decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.

They also argue that some of her diplomatic work hasn't gotten the credit it deserves, pointing to early investments she secured from companies in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as part of her work there, as well as a gaffe-free trip to France aimed at smoothing over relations with the nation earlier this year.

They tout the ways in which her perspective as the first woman and first Black and Indian American person in the role has helped elevate issues they say wouldn't typically draw the attention of the White House, such as maternal mortality. And they say she also was helpful in keeping key Congressional Black Caucus members on board during the infrastructure negotiations.

But allies say her historic position has also brought her outsized scrutiny and at times distorted the coverage of her accomplishments.

"There has been an unprecedented level of interest in her and excitement about her as a historic first. She's the first vice president to have such a large press corps," said Democratic strategist Karen Finney, a Harris ally.

Finney, who is Black, said there is a level of "sexism and racism" to coverage of Harris, pointing in particular to stories focused on times Harris has laughed when asked questions in interviews.

"The coverage focuses on style over substance," she said.
Prominent Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung was released from jail Wednesday after serving a four year sentence for taking part in a 2016 protest.

The 30-year-old activist posted a message on his Facebook page that he was released from Shek Pik Prison before dawn and was home with his family.

After four years, I want to cherish this precious time to reunite with my family and resume a normal life with them, he wrote while also expressing his thanks to his supporters for their concern and love.

Leung first came to prominence in 2016 as the spokesman of Hong Kong Indigenous, a group that called for maintaining a distinct identity for Hong Kong and a total break from mainland China. He took part in the so-called Fishball Revolution protest against a police crackdown on unlicensed street food vendors in the citys Mong Kok district that turned violent.

Leung was convicted in 2018 of assaulting a police officer and taking part in a riot in connection with the Mong Kok incident and sentenced to six years in prison. Local news outlets say the sentence was reduced by two years for good behavior.

He coined the slogan Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times for his campaign for a seat in the citys legislature in 2016 that was cut short when he was disqualified due to his pro-independence stance. The slogan has since been outlawed under the draconian national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 in response to the massive and violent protests the previous year.

Hundreds of pro-democracy activists have been convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms under the law, which outlaws succession, subversion, terrorism and foreign collusion.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse.
Analysts increasingly fear that Beijings national security law, initially aimed at quelling dissent in Hong Kong, may be used to target people of any nationality or ethnicity who offend Chinese leaders.

The law took effect in June 2020 after a year of sometimes violent Hong Kong pro-democracy protests against the government. The measure prohibits acts of separatism, subversion, terrorism, and colluding with foreign forces.

At least 117 people have been arrested and 60 charged in the former British colony and world financial center in the 13 months since the law took effect.

Violations carry a sentence of up to life in prison.

But experts say the laws open-ended wording, along with the Chinese governments wider ambitions, leaves open the possibility that it will be used against anyone with known anti-China or pro-Hong Kong independence sentiments who sets foot in a Chinese territory such as Hong Kong or the former Portuguese colony of Macao.

As long as China can execute their jurisdiction within Chinese territory, Hong Kong and Macao, people who violate (the) national security law could be extradited to China for the trial, even if just transferring at Chinese airports, said Chen Yi-fan, assistant professor of diplomacy and international relations at Tamkang University near Taipei.

Taiwanese scholar under fire

Wu Rwei-ren, a research fellow at Taipei-based Academia Sinica, last year became the first Taiwanese person to be accused of breaking the law. A Beijing government-backed media outlet, Takungpao, called out the 60-year-old scholar over an article advocating for Hong Kong independence.

University officials could not be reached for comment.

People in Taiwan will be particularly suspected as time goes on, analysts say.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory despite the islands sometimes defiant self-rule of 80 years and has not ruled out using force to reunite it with the mainland.

Democratic Taiwan has an independent media scene and according to a National Chengchi University Election Study Center survey, more than half of Taiwans residents want to keep the status quo indefinitely or decide later on the question of unification with China.

Beijing regularly flies military planes into Taiwans airspace.

Usually moves like these are meant to send a message, said Sean Su, an independent political analyst in Taiwan. It could be used as sort of a weapon in order to try to intimidate people in Taiwan, but I think the after effect, I think is going to be negative.

Broad language

Wording of the law covers residents of Hong Kong as well as people who have never visited, according to New York-based advocacy group Amnesty International.

Amnesty said in July 2020 that anyone on Earth, regardless of nationality or location, can technically be deemed to have violated this law and face arrest and prosecution if they are in a Chinese jurisdiction, even for transit.

China says its Hong Kong policy is aimed at protecting the territorys stability and legal system. Anti-China forces who seek to destabilize Hong Kong must be resolutely excluded from any positions of power in Hong Kong, said Xia Baolong, head of the State Councils Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office.

Hong Kong residents abroad

Hong Kong native Joey Siu, who works in Washington, assumed she would be arrested immediately if she showed at the airport in the former British colony. She hasnt been back to Hong Kong since the law took effect. Siu works for the UK-based human rights group Hong Kong Watch, organizing protests and rallies while doing international advocacy work.

Since the law was implemented in 2020, I have felt that I am no longer safe in Hong Kong, because I figured that I was being followed by people who I dont know if they are security guards or they are Hong Kong police officers, so I felt like my personal safety is no longer guaranteed in Hong Kong and obviously my international advocacy effort is going to lead me to being charged under the name of colluding with foreign forces, Siu told VOA.

At least four other Hong Kong activists are now staying in the United States and Europe for the same reason, she said.

Siu says writing about dissent will also lead to arrest, although the law lays down no solid red line about whats criminal. The law may extend as well to people who support the political causes of disenchanted Tibetans and Uyghurs, two Chinese ethnic minority groups that have clashed with Beijing's objectives, she said.

Wider reach?

China has extradition treaties with 37 countries and uses them. The government in Beijing has requested the extradition of ethnic Uyghurs in Malaysia  a request that was denied  for example, according to the Washington-based Center for Advanced China Research.

An offender of the national security law who is based in a China-sympathetic country such as Cambodia would face high odds of extradition, said Stephen Nagy, senior associate professor of politics and international studies at International Christian University in Tokyo.

Individuals who use Mandarin or Cantonese to spread their ideas counter to the Communist Party narrative are more likely to be targeted, Nagy said.

Retroactively charging an (overseas-based) Hong Kong (native), or a Taiwanese scholar, or actions they may have done is very worrisome because its an extension of domestic law, and its not recognizing the various identities that exist in the Chinese, greater China sphere, he said.

For this reason, Nagy says, foreign governments are warning their citizens to avoid visiting China, including Hong Kong. The U.S. Department of State, for example, urges U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland because of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Germany is under mounting pressure from European allies to drop its long-standing refusal to supply weapons to Ukraine to help the country to defend itself from a Russian attack.

Britain flew short-range anti-tank missiles to Ukraine on Monday, avoiding German airspace. British Defense Minister Ben Wallace indicated to lawmakers that more military aid and extra security assistance will likely be forthcoming in light of Russia's increasingly threatening behavior on Ukraines borders, where the Kremlin has amassed more than 100,000 troops.

Wallace said there is a legitimate and real cause for concern that Russia is planning an invasion. Russian officials have denied they have any such plans, but U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Wednesday, ahead of talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, that the sense of the threat to Ukraine is unprecedented.

Ukraine has become increasingly frustrated with Germany on the issue of military supplies. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov complained last month that Berlin had vetoed the purchase of anti-drone rifles and anti-sniper systems from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, calling the action "very unfair.

Later, Berlin relented on blocking the purchase of anti-drone rifles after concluding they were non-lethal weapons. Kyiv has been scrambling to plug shortages in military equipment and capabilities, but Berlin worries that supplying arms may be seen by Moscow as provocative and could trigger a Russian escalation.

Reznikov has warned that fears of confronting Putin from a position of strength were misguided.

Not provoking Russia  that strategy does not work and will not work, he said last month.

Ukraine has been buying arms through deals with the United States, Britain, Lithuania, France and Turkey, which has been supplying armed drones.

Anti-missile and anti-aircraft systems, electronic warfare kits and cyber defense equipment are high on Ukraines shopping list. Ukraine is also eager to buy surface-to-surface missiles that can strike swarms of targets simultaneously.

The Biden administration last month approved $200 million in additional defensive security aid to Ukraine and American officials Wednesday said the White House was weighing new supply options to try to raise the costs for Russian President Vladimir Putin should he decide to attack. With fears mounting that Russia is intent on major aggressive action, the administration is considering providing the Ukrainian army with more Javelin anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missile systems.

The anti-tank missiles that Britain flew to Ukraine this week are shoulder-held weapons capable of taking out a tank from 800 meters away. They are lighter than Javelin anti-tank missiles and can be used in much tighter spaces. The British anti-tank missiles were flown to Ukraine via Danish and Swedish airspace and not on a more direct route over Germany, according to British newspaper reports, prompting speculation that this was done to avoid protests from Berlin.

Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the defense committee of the British parliament, said he hopes other European allies will follow our lead before the temperature drops and the freezing conditions make an invasion operationally possible.

But while NATO allies are unanimous in rejecting Russian demands for Ukraine never to join the Western alliance, divisions among them extend also to what Western sanctions should be imposed on Russia if an invasion is launched.

Current and former Western diplomats say that while there is broad agreement among Western powers about sanctioning Russia in the event of a military incursion, there is no final accord on the details.

German officials told the business newspaper Handelsblatt on Wednesday that they are opposed to Russian banks and financial institutions being cut off from the SWIFT global money transfer system, which is used by more than 11,000 banks and financial institutions to make and receive cross-border payments. They say they want targeted economic sanctions against large Russian banks rather than Russia being excluded from using the transfer system.

Germanys fear is that excluding Russia from SWIFT will backfire and encourage Russia and China to develop a rival network. They also fear such a move would cause considerable economic harm to European companies that trade with Russia. Russia is the European Unions fifth largest trading partner, and European assets in Russia are valued at about $350 billion.

U.S. officials, who have raised the possibility of excluding Russia from SWIFT, maintain that no sanction options are off the table.

As Western allies continue to debate about what military supplies they should be sending to Ukraine and what sanctions to implement, anxiety is mounting in Baltic nations about Russias planned military drills with its ally Belarus.

Russian troops and military hardware, including S-400 surface-to-air missiles, have been arriving in Belarus in the past week. The drills pose a direct threat, according to Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas.

In the current situation, we see the entry of the Russian military into Belarus not only as a destabilizing factor in the security situation but also as a more direct threat to Lithuania, Anusauskas said in a Facebook post.

I will shortly be meeting the ambassadors of nine NATO countries that are actively contributing to strengthening Lithuanias security, he said.
Telephone service between Tonga and other countries was partially restored Wednesday, according to mobile phone network provider Digicel, but the company that provides cable service said full internet connectivity will probably take at least one month.

Communications with the island nation of about 100,000 people were cut off Saturday when an underwater volcano exploded, releasing what New Zealands National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research said was a supersonic pressure wave that apparently severed an undersea cable that connects Tonga with the rest of the world.

While Digicel announced international call service is back up, Tonga Cable Ltd. Chairman Samiuela Fonua said network services would not be fully restored until the undersea cable is repaired.

Fonua said a repair ship plans to depart Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, this weekend. Fonua warned the company and those affected would be lucky if repairs are completed within a month, noting it would take up to nine days to sail to Samoa for equipment before embarking on an uncertain trip to the eruption area.

He also said it was unclear when the repair ship could safely venture near the undersea volcano to begin the work.

Tongas government and its Tonga Communications Corp. did not immediately comment on the countrys communications status.

The volcanos explosion killed at least three people, officials said, and contaminated much of the countrys drinking water with ash.

New Zealand said Tuesday it would send water and essential supplies to Tongo by air, but ash covering the main runway at Tongas airport delayed the shipment by at least a day.

The pressure wave from the explosion of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano swept over much of the planet at supersonic speeds of 1,230 kilometers per hour, according to New Zealands National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. The volcanos blast could be heard in Alaska and triggered tsunami waves across the Pacific.

Despite the violent explosion, Tonga appears to have avoided widespread devastation that was initially feared, officials said. But because communications were cut off, the government said assessing the damage has been more difficult.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.
Kenyan police say they are sending investigators to the Yala River in western Kenya, where locals have been finding bodies tied up in sacks.

The Yala River in western Kenya has become the center of attention for human rights workers and families of missing persons.

Local residents say five bodies have been found in the river this month alone, including one discovered Wednesday.

Nicholas Okero is among the divers who have retrieved bodies from the river.

"The bodies are tied up tightly, like a parcel, in a sack. And since July, weve got nobody from our area who has reported a missing person," he said. "Just the other day, I retrieved the bodies of two Somali men again and those people do not reside here. I dont know where they were killed."



Okero said he identified the two bodies as Somali based on their physical features. Authorities have yet to determine the identities of any of the people found.

In a statement, local police said the five bodies are among 19 discovered in the river over the last two years. Police say no one has come forward to claim the bodies.



Salome Nduta is the director of Haki Africa, an organization working to promote human rights and justice in Kenya. Her organization visited River Yala and the Yala hospital mortuary Monday.



When we got to Yala, we went straight to the morgue where we discovered 21 unknown bodies. Most of the bodies were tied up, others were found in sacks and others seemed to have deep cuts. Still, we had some bodies which had polythene on their heads, she said.



On Wednesday, after the discovery of the five bodies, dozens of family members of missing persons trooped to Yala in Siaya County.



Ismail Okumu, 55, a farmer from Mumias town in western Kenya, is one of them. He is looking for his brother, who was abducted by armed men 18 months ago.



"I am at Yala mortuary searching for my brother's body. He was arrested on August 10, 2020, at 1 pm. I have never found him. I have searched in all mortuaries but I never found him. Whenever I hear there are bodies found somewhere, I go there," he said.

Bodies have turned up in other Kenyan rivers under mysterious circumstances. Last September, 11 bodies were recovered in the Tana River in Garissa County.
Fire officials in Spain say six nursing home residents died and at least 17 were injured in a fire at a retirement home in a suburb of Valencia early Wednesday.

The Valencia regional fire department said the fire started late Tuesday at a publicly-owned senior residence in the town of Moncada, about 12 kilometers north of Valencia. The fire department said on Twitter it took two hours to bring the fire under control. Several area fire departments responded.

Valencia fire chief Jose Bassett told Spanish media flames and smoke affected an entire wing of the residence, He said officials believe the fire has started in a room on the first floor, where two residents were found dead.

Fire fighters say about 25 of the at least 70 residents of the facility had to be rescued. Regional health officials say five the victims died at the scene and a sixth died at the hospital. They say at last 17 residents were hospitalized with injuries, two of them in serious condition.

Bassett said officials believe a faulty electrical mechanism with an oxygen tank may have started the fire, but the exact cause is under investigation.

Moncada city officials called for a moment of silence and three days of mourning for those who died in the fire.

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez tweeted he heard news of the fire and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and his concern for the injured.

Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press and Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
For almost half a century, Spains EFE news agency has reported from Cuba, covering everything from the historic visit by President Barack Obama to the death of Fidel Castro.

But its independent coverage in one of the worlds most censored societies could be about to end.

In an interview with VOA, EFEs president said the network may leave the island within weeks, citing visa delays and restrictions imposed on staff since protests last year.

We don't want to leave Cuba. The problem is that they are kicking us out of Cuba. We only have two accredited journalists there and one of these has to renew their visa every month, said Gabriela Canas, during a phone call in Madrid.

We are not going to leave out of our own choice. We are the international media which reports the most from Cuba. The [Cuban government] wants to force us out, she said, adding that EFE would have to decide its future within weeks.

The news agency is looking for solutions, and it has hopes that new Cuban Ambassador to Madrid, Marcelino Medina, could act as an intermediary.

Medinas office did not respond to VOAs request for an interview.

Typically, the EFE news agency has seven journalists reporting from Havana, but currently only two have permission to work.

In November, Havana revoked the press credentials for three editors, a camera operator and a photographer. No reason for the decision was provided.

At the time, EFE had been covering protests and the lead-up to the Civic March for Change, as dissident groups called for greater civil rights. Havana issued a ban on the march taking place.

Its actions against EFE drew complaints from the Spanish government and criticism from the international community. In response, Havana restored credentials for one editor and a photographer.

The agencys new bureau chief has still not been granted a visa, however, even though the application was submitted in July.

Canas believes EFE was singled out by the Cuban government because of its reach.

Practically half the news in Latin America about Cuba comes from us, but I do not have the answer. You will have to ask [the Cuban government], Canas said.

The Cuban Embassy in Madrid did not reply to VOAs requests for comment.

The Cuban government's International Press Center, which controls accreditation for foreign media organizations, did not respond to a request for comment from VOA.

Historic relationship

EFE has an illustrious history covering events in the Caribbean island since 1975.

Its journalists reported on three papal visits; the 1989 visit of then Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev; the 1996 Helms Burton Act, which strengthened U.S. sanctions against Cuba; Raul Castro taking over from his ailing brother Fidel Castro as head of state in 2008; the first visit by a U.S. president in 88 years; and the death of Fidel.

Canas said if EFE had to leave, it would be a blow to the agency, which is state-run but independent from the Spanish government.

It will be terrible. It will leave us without eyes and ears, and we cannot report in the same way. Cuba has a historic relationship with Spain and vice versa. We can report from outside, but it will not be the same, Canas said.

It will also be bad for the Cuban society and for the freedom of expression.

EFE is one of a handful of independent media outlets that broadcast from Havana. In Latin America, EFE has 332 media clients and 168 companies that take its news from Cuba.

Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence-France Presse also have bureaus in Cuba and Radio and Television Marti  which like VOA is part of the U.S. Agency for Global Media  broadcasts to Cuba from Miami.

Cubas own press is tightly regulated and state-controlled, and the few independent local journalists risk harassment and arrest for their coverage. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders says the country has continued year after year to be Latin Americas worst media freedom violator.

Cuba ranks 171 out of 180 countries, where 1 is freest, on the RSF press freedom index.

Atahualpa Amerise, who was EFE deputy bureau chief in Cuba for over three years, told VOA that reporting from Havana enabled the agencys journalists to provide in-depth coverage.

He believes the government targeted EFE because it was viewed by authorities as the "media of reference."

"EFE also reported extensively on political prisoners and on opposition protests, Amerise said. I believe the Cuban government became quite nervous about the agency.

In Cuba, EFE's reports are taken by the country's state-run Prensa Latina agency and On Cuba, and the Hungarian Embassy.

Many Cuban media in exile in Miami and elsewhere turn to EFE for coverage of their home country.

Spains Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said the government is working behind the scenes to help EFE, but he declined to disclose details of diplomatic discussions with Cuba.

I have been very clear about the accreditation of EFE journalists in Cuba and I have communicated this to my [Cuban] counterpart on several occasions, he told El Diario, a Spanish news website, in an interview published Sunday.

It would be very sad if the EFE agency had to reconsider its presence in Cuba, a country to which Spanish society feels very close and vice versa, he said. What we all want is for them to stay on the island, but they must have the means to be able to work freely.

Carlos Jornet, president of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information for the Inter American Press Association, said Cuba played games with independent media like EFE.

They grant visas to make it seem like they allow some form of free speech but then they take them away. They play games with the independent media to try to make their image look better, he told VOA from his office in Miami.

If EFE were to leave the island it would harm the international community's ability to know what was really happening inside one of the world's least open societies, Jornet said.

The presence of a respected media like EFE on the ground in Cuba is the best way we have to know what is really happening, Jornet added. It would silence this independent voice inside Cuba forever.
Here's a look at what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats have been doing this week:

US, Russia, Ukraine

The United States will continue relentless diplomatic efforts to prevent Russia from further military aggression against Ukraine while providing defensive security assistance to Kyiv, Blinken said Wednesday.

"We've offered Russia a clear choice, a choice between pursuing dialogue and diplomacy on the one hand or confrontation and consequences on the other hand," Blinken told VOA in an interview.

Standing with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at a press conference, Blinken added that U.S. security assistance deliveries to Ukraine were ongoing and that more were scheduled "in the coming weeks."

VOA Interview: Blinken Warns Russia of Action Should Moscow Invade Ukraine

After Ukraine, Blinken heads to Berlin on Thursday and then to Geneva, where he will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday. Blinken will urge Russia to "take immediate steps to de-escalate" tensions along its border with Ukraine. The hastily arranged trip for the top U.S. diplomat comes one week after U.S.-Russia talks in Geneva reached an impasse.

Blinken, Lavrov to Meet in Geneva Friday to Continue Diplomacy Over Ukraine

US-North Korea

In response to North Korea's recent missile launches, the United States called on Pyongyang to "cease its unlawful and destabilizing activities."

In a call with South Korean and Japanese officials, Sung Kim, the U.S. special representative for North Korea, "expressed concern" about the missile launches and urged Pyongyang to return to dialogue "without preconditions."

North Koreas launch on Monday, which South Korea said involved short-range ballistic missiles, marked North Korea's fourth weapons test this month as Pyongyang flexes its military muscle while ignoring the United States' offers of talks.

North Korea Confirms Latest Missile Test

US-Iran

U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley will meet with Barry Rosen, an American who was taken hostage in Iran in 1979, while giving "full attention" to and seeking the release of all wrongfully detained American citizens in Iran, a State Department spokesperson told VOA.

Rosen began a hunger strike in Vienna on Wednesday to press U.S. and Iranian officials to come to an agreement about the release of Americans and other Westerners of Iranian origin jailed by Tehran. He hopes the move will help to break a monthslong stalemate in indirect talks between the two sides.

Former US Hostage in Iran to Begin Hunger Strike to Press for Prisoner Deal

Humanitarian assistance to Afghans

The United States said it would continue to support the people of Afghanistan, as Washington delivers more doses of COVID-19 vaccine and provides humanitarian funds.

He highlighted the United States' latest contribution of more than $308 million toward humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people during a virtual meeting with U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths. The U.N. said it is "in a race against time" to prevent millions of Afghans from falling deeper into a severe economic and humanitarian crisis.

UN Chief: Race Against Time to Save Afghan Economy
Human rights activist Azeem Azeemi and three other activists were detained by the Taliban for organizing a protest against Pakistani national security adviser Moeed Yusuf's visit Tuesday to Kabul.

Yusuf's visit was subsequently postponed due to weather conditions, according to the Pakistani embassy in Kabul.

Azeemi publicized the scheduled demonstration Monday on Twitter, asking Taliban leaders to provide them with protection.

The three activists who were detained with Azeemi are Ahmad Shah, Abdul Karim Bilal and Hayatullah Raufi.

"Our friends saw (the) Taliban arresting and assaulting Azeem and other activists in Shash-Darak district 2 Kabul," activist Inayatullah Qazizada told VOA Deewa in a phone interview.

General Mobin Khan, media chief of the Taliban's police headquarters, responded on Twitter to VOA Deewa, saying, "I will gather information and get back to you." No further response has been provided.

Habib Khan, head of Afghan Peace Watch, told VOA Deewa that he was in contact with Azeemi and his friends moments before their arrest.

"We are calling on (the) Taliban to release the arrested human rights activists," Khan said in a phone interview. "Azeemi had made it clear that the protest was not against the Taliban; it was against Pakistan. But because (the) Taliban are Pakistan's proxies, they cannot tolerate these kinds of protests."

The top trending hashtag and topic on Twitter in Afghanistan was #releaseAzeem.

On Twitter, protest organizers said more than 150 people were ready to protest the Pakistani delegation's visit to Kabul in front of the international airport.

More Afghan protests

Afghan women protested on January 15 the killing two days earlier of 25-year-old Zainab Abdullahi, an employee of international microfinance nonprofit organization, as she returned home from a wedding. They also protested the disappearance of Alia Azizi, a former Afghan government police officer, demanding her release. According to the protesters, Azizi has been in the Taliban's custody about four months.

Mohammad Abdullahi, Zainab's brother, told VOA that his sister was shot during a search at a security checkpoint in western Kabul's Dasht-e-barchi area.

"We were all in the car with family and kids when the Taliban stopped us at a security checkpoint. We were told to move on, and then they fired a bullet that went straight through my sister's heart," Mohammad Abdullahi said.

Afghans have held anti-Pakistan protests and condemned senior Pakistani officials' frequent visits to Kabul, calling them an intrusion in Afghanistan's internal affairs. Pakistani officials have denied any involvement in Afghanistan's affairs or providing support to the Taliban.

In December, Pakistan hosted an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in which humanitarian aid for Afghanistan was mobilized.

Human rights breaches in Afghanistan have been repeatedly highlighted in recent reports by the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the description of Zainab Abdullahi's occupation. She was an employee for FINCA International, a non-profit microfinance organization.

This story originated in VOA's Deewa Service.


A 19-year-old British-Belgian pilot landed her plane on Wednesday at an airstrip near Frankfurt, Germany, one stop away from becoming the youngest woman to fly around the world solo.

Zara Rutherford told reporters she wanted to "sleep for a week" after she climbed out of the single-seat Shark ultralight aircraft at Egelsbach airfield a few kilometers from Frankfurt. If all goes as planned, Rutherford will land Thursday in Kortrijk, Belgium, where her journey began August 18.

The nearly 51,500-kilometer journey took her across the Atlantic Ocean, over Iceland and Greenland, and into New York City. Down the U.S. East Coast and the Caribbean to Columbia then back up through Central America and up the U.S. West Coast to Alaska and across the Bering Strait to Russia, south to South Korea, Indonesia, India, the Mideast and back to Europe.

The trip was all the more challenging as she flew without the aid of flight instruments or a pressurized cabin.

Weather, minor equipment issues and visa problems in Asia set her back from her schedule by several days. But at this point, Rutherford told reporters she is glad to be almost done.

She said her big goal is to use her experience to encourage other young women to go into flying or study science, technology and mathematics "and other fields they might not have thought about."

Rutherford plans to go to college next September in either Britain or the United States to study engineering.

If she lands in Belgium as planned Thursday, Rutherford will have broken a record set by American aviator Shaesta Waiz, who was 30 when she set the existing record for the youngest woman to circumnavigate the world solo in 2017.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.


Two Uyghur men detained in Saudi Arabia are facing the prospect of being sent back to China while a human rights organization is working to stop that possibility.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says it is urging Saudi Arabia to refrain from "imminent" deportation of two Uyghur men held "arbitrarily" in the country.

HRW's Middle East/North Africa (MENA) Division deputy director, Adam Coogle, encourages countries to pressure Saudi Arabia not to send Uyghurs back to China. He said Saudi Arabia has "frequently and flagrantly violated" the human rights principle of nonrefoulement, the idea that countries should not return refugees to a place where they face a well-founded fear of persecution or torture.

"If Saudi Arabia deports these men, it is likely upon a request from China  unfortunately Saudi Arabia has no asylum system nor is there any way for these men to legally challenge their deportations," Coogle told VOA in an email.

The two Uyghur men have been held in al-Dhahban prison in Jeddah, a city in Saudi Arabia, since November 2020.

Some of the Uyghurs following this case believe one of the Uyghur men detained by Saudi police, 53-year-old Hemdullah Abduweli, also known as Aimidoula Waili on his Chinese passport, was taken into custody at the request of the Chinese embassy in Saudi Arabia to be deported to China. They think this happened after Abduweli gave a speech condemning China for its persecution of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region to other Uyghurs in his community, said Abduweli's daughter, Nuriman Hemdullah, in Istanbul.

A father in hiding

"My father went to Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage, Hajj, on February 3 of 2020," Nuriman Hemdullah told VOA, adding that she and her father had sought refuge in Turkey since 2016.

"But when he finished his pilgrimage, borders closed due to COVID-19 pandemic, and he was forced to stay there longer," she said.

Later that year, Abduweli went into hiding, she said.

"Other Uyghurs told my father that he was being searched by the Saudi police," Hemdullah said, adding that her father went to hiding in another Uyghur man's residence in the country.

In November 2020, Saudi police detained Abduweli and another Uyghur man, 45-year-old Nurmemet Rozi, who is also known by his Chinese name, Nuermaimaiti Ruze, who helped hide Abduweli in his home.

The Chinese embassy in Saudi Arabia has not responded to VOA's repeated requests for comment on this case.

'Mentally prepared' for China

After 14 months in prison, on January 3, these two Uyghur men were told by Saudi authorities to be "mentally prepared" to be sent back to China, according to Abduweli Ayup, a human rights activist and founder of Uyghur Hjelp, a human rights organization based in Norway.

A "Uyghur source" told Ayup that she got the news from the detainees directly, he said.

"The source is afraid to speak to the media directly, because she also lives under immense threat of being caught or even deported back to China," Ayup told VOA.

"Since 2017 there were five Uyghur men deported to China from Saudi Arabia," Ayup said, adding that the fate of Abduweli and Rozi will be the same if there's no help from rights organizations and Western democratic countries.

The United States, along with other countries and human rights organizations, condemns China's treatment of Uyghurs as genocide and crimes against humanity, saying Beijing has put more than 1 million of the Turkic Muslim group in internment camps in the Xinjiang region.

China defends its actions as measures of counterterrorism and extremism in the region by saying that the facilities are not internment camps but only "vocational and educational training centers" where people learn to understand "the law, vocational skills and deradicalization," according to state media China Daily.

In 2019, Saudi Arabia and 36 other countries signed a U.N. letter that commended China's policies and treatment of Uyghurs as "remarkable achievements" in the field of human rights.

When Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Muhammed bin Salman, visited Beijing in 2019, he defended China and said it is the country's right to fight anti-extremism and struck a $10 billion deal between China and his country.

VOA sent questions regarding the detention of these two Uyghur men to the embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C., but has not received a response.


The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine:

* Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba calls for more sanctions against Russia: Now the pressure needs to step up to stop Putin. Hit his economy and cronies. Hit more. Hit hard. Hit now.

* Ukraines military reported shelling from pro-Russian separatists killed one Ukrainian soldier and injured six others in Luhansk.

* The Ukrainian security council approved a national state of emergency set to last for 30 days, subject to parliamentary approval.

* Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is always open to diplomacy but will not negotiate on the interests of Russia or the security of its citizens.

* Australia announced sanctions against members of Russias security council, while Japan halted the issuance of Russian bonds.

* U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said planned talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were off, after Russia made clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy.

* U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday cut off the Russian government from international financing and imposed sanctions on two large banks, declaring that its invasion of Ukraine was a flagrant violation of international law.

* Biden also ordered the movement of infantry troops and air support from elsewhere in Europe closer to Russias borders, as the region girds for possible confrontation.

* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday he is conscripting reservists for a special period but ruled out a general mobilization.

* The West is demanding that Russia pull its troops and weapons from Ukraines border, while Moscow is pushing for NATO to curtail its operations in eastern and central Europe. Russia also maintains that the Western defensive alliance should reject Ukraines NATO membership bid, a move the United States calls a non-starter.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency is appealing for $1.6 billion to provide life-saving assistance for more than five million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and countries across the Middle East.

The request covers the increased needs of Palestinian refugees in the face of skyrocketing unemployment and poverty. U.N. officials say an estimated 2.3 million refugees across the Middle East are living in poverty, with many struggling to survive on less than $2 a day.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic is posing serious health risks and worsening the economic hardships.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the agency's humanitarian operations are a lifeline for the most destitute.

"UNRWA prevents them from falling deeper into poverty and from resorting to negative coping mechanisms, such as child labor, early marriage, migration through dangerous routes or, at times, radicalization," he said. "It is also an investment in regional stability."



The Palestinian refugees are one of the most vulnerable communities in a highly volatile region, Lazzarini said, adding that UNRWA is, at times, the only predictable and reliable source of basic services for the refugees.

The agency provides education to a half-million girls and boys, and primary health care for two million people. In addition, Lazzarini said, millions of refugees suffering from the ongoing humanitarian crises in the Palestinian territories, in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon receive cash and food assistance.

However, Lazzarini warned, these vital services are hanging by a thread. Over the last decade, UNRWA has been expected to deliver services to millions of refugees, while the resources needed to do so have been withering away.

"We have been able to handle this tension first by using our financial reserves, then through austerity measures and finally through increased liabilities," he said. "Today, we have reached our limit. If this tension is not addressed, the agency faces the risk of collapsing like a 'house of cards.'"

UNRWA has enough money to operate for the next two to three months, Lazzarini said, after which its ability to provide essential relief to millions of Palestinian refugees will be open to question.


U.S. news outlets said Wednesday that the Biden administration will distribute 400 million high-quality face masks free of charge to the American people beginning next week.

A White House official, speaking anonymously, said the N95 masks will be shipped to thousands of local pharmacies and community health centers across the United States beginning later this week, with three masks available per adult. The program will be fully operational by early February.

The N95 masks are part of the 750 million masks housed in the federal governments Strategic National Stockpile, which stores critical medicines and medical supplies for use during a public health emergency. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently advised that N95 masks, which are designed to fit tightly on a persons face, offer the highest level of protection against COVID-19, compared to other face masks.

The officials say the distribution of the N95 masks will be the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in U.S. history.

Announcement of the free N95 face masks comes on the same day as the official debut of the federal governments new website that allows Americans to request free rapid coronavirus test kits. Millions of households began placing orders for the test kits Tuesday during a soft launch of Covidtests.gov. The website allows each household to order a maximum of four tests after clicking on a link that connects to a U.S. Postal Service form.

Some occupants of apartments and other multi-unit dwellings, however, complained on social media that the websites address verification tool was enforcing the four-per-person household, only allowing one family per building to request the tests.

The two programs are part of an aggressive new effort by the Biden administration to combat a surge of new COVID-19 infections largely driven by the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus.

A high-ranking official with the World Health Organization says the world could turn the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic this year through a more equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments.

Dr. Michael Ryan, the director of WHOs health emergencies program, told the World Economic Forum Tuesday that COVID-19 may never be eradicated, but stressed the current public health emergency could finally come to an end if more vaccines finally reach the worlds poorest countries.

The U.N. health agency has repeatedly criticized the worlds richest countries for building up huge stockpiles of COVID-19 vaccines and using them to administer booster shots to its citizens, while poorer nations have barely received even a first dose of a vaccine.

More than 334,469,000 people around the globe have been sickened since COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan, China in late 2019, according to figures compiled by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The center reports more than 5.5. million deaths globally.

Germany announced Wednesday that it had recorded 112,323 new COVID-19 cases, the countrys highest-ever daily figure and the first time it had broken the 100,000 mark for a single day. The Robert Koch Institute, Germanys disease control and prevention agency, said 70 percent of the new cases were driven by the highly-contagious omicron variant. The surge of new infections has prompted the government of new Chancellor Olaf Scholz to consider imposing mandatory vaccinations.

Tokyo and 12 other Japanese prefectures will be placed under new COVID-19 restrictions effective Friday as Japan struggles with an omicron-driven surge. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters Wednesday in the Japanese capital the new decree will allow local governors to limit the operating hours of bars and restaurants and ban the sale of alcohol. The restrictions will remain in effect until February 13.

Some information for this report came from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse.
More than 1,000 U.S. military veterans and family members of those killed or wounded in attacks by Iran and its proxies are calling on President Joe Biden to compensate the victims of Iranian attacks before releasing frozen funds as part of nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

In a letter to the president obtained by VOA News, veterans and military family members wrote late last week that while they share Bidens view that Iran must never be allowed to develop and acquire nuclear weapons, they feel that releasing frozen funds should not be an option until all of the estimated $60 billion of outstanding terrorism judgments against Iran and its proxies are fully satisfied.

In our view, Irans frozen funds should go first to the regimes American victims before a single dollar goes to the regime itself, they wrote.

The letter asks Biden to meet with some of those directly affected by this issue and support their efforts to hold Iran responsible for the deaths and maiming of thousands of Americans.

U.S. officials have said Iran-backed militias killed hundreds of U.S. troops in the Iraq war, a claim Iran has denied.

Iran claimed responsibility for a 2020 attack on an Iraqi base hosting international forces that wounded more than 100 American troops, and Iran-backed militias continue to target U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria with rockets and armed drones.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on CBSs Face the Nation Sunday the administration is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and believes diplomacy is the best way to do that, but time is running short.

U.S. and European powers are currently in talks with Iran in Vienna over reviving a 2015 nuclear deal designed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the accord and reimposed economic sanctions on Iran, blocking Tehrans access to assets abroad.

Iran has asked the U.S. to unblock billions of dollars frozen by U.S. sanctions as a sign of goodwill. Last week, the U.S. Treasury allowed South Korea to send at least $63 million in overdue payments to an Iranian company, releasing a small portion of the Iranian assets frozen there by the sanctions.

The move appeared to be a step forward in nuclear negotiations in Vienna to rebuild trust between Iran and world powers and restore the 2015 deal.

South Koreas Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun had visited the Austrian capital to meet with the U.S. special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, earlier this month.
At his first news conference of 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged Wednesday that his first year in office has seen challenges such as rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic, as well as enormous progress.

Speaking at the White House to mark his one-year anniversary in office, Biden began by touting some of the successes his administration has seen in the past year. But once he took questions from the White House press corps, many pertained to rising tensions with Russia and its troop buildup on its border with Ukraine.

Biden said he doesn't believe Russian President Vladimir Putin wants full-blown war in Ukraine.

"I'm not so sure that he is certain what is he going to do," Biden said, adding, "my guess is he will move in."

Biden warned, however, that if Putin moved forward with a military action, he would pay a "dear price."

Biden's comments regarding Russia and Ukraine came hours after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv.

The president also said a summit with his Russian counterpart was a "possibility."

"What I'm concerned about is this could get out of hand, very easily get out of hand, because of ... the borders of Ukraine and what Russia may or may not do," he said. "I am hoping that Vladimir Putin understands that he is, short of a full-blown nuclear war, he's not in a very good position to dominate the world."

Domestically, Biden cited as successes of his first year as president the increased number of Americans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. He also noted the number of unemployed Americans has greatly decreased.

Watch related video by Patsy Widakuswara:

Biden said more COVID-19 testing should have been done earlier in the pandemic, "but we're doing more now."

Wednesday marked the day Americans could begin ordering free, at-home COVID-19 tests.

The news conference comes as two key parts of Biden's agenda stalled in Congress and with the COVID-19 pandemic still wreaking havoc at home and abroad. His standing in voter opinion surveys has steadily fallen since the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan last September. His average approval ratings have been stuck just above 40%, with a poll released last week by Quinnipiac University giving him a dismal 33% approval rating.

The president's low approval ratings have been aggravated by perceptions of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which is heading into its third year, despite the administration's intense vaccination campaign. Public health experts have criticized the administration for failing to anticipate the emergence of the delta and omicron variants of the coronavirus, as well as failing to increase COVID-19 testing capacity, including making rapid testing kits available for all Americans.

Although Biden managed to steer a massive $1 trillion package to shore up the nation's crumbling infrastructure through Congress, his attempts to secure final passage of his $1.8 trillion Build Back Better social safety net and climate change package in the U.S. Senate has been opposed by a member of his own Democratic Party  moderate Joe Manchin, who holds a critical vote in the evenly divided Senate.

Reuters is reporting the White House is preparing a new stripped down version of Build Back Better that may cut some items such as the child tax credit and paid family leave in order to gain Manchin's support.

Manchin and moderate Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema are also blocking Senate passage of two voting rights bills supported by Biden, because of their opposition to changing the long-standing Senate rule that requires 60 members of the 100-member body to vote to advance the bills to a final vote.

Wednesday's news conference is just the 10th of Biden's presidency, far less than his most recent predecessors going back to George H.W. Bush, according to data compiled by the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.


A group of Republican U.S. senators called on the Biden administration Wednesday to adopt a tougher response to Russian President Vladimir Putins threats to invade Ukraine.

Historically, wars are easy to start, and they're hard to finish. That's why this threat of sanctions after the fact is not alone enough to deter (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and to prevent him from invading  further invading Ukraine, Senator John Cornyn said in a Capitol Hill press conference on Wednesday.

Neither are the promises of financial assistance to the Ukrainians sufficient to deter Putin. And make no mistake about it  our goal on a bipartisan basis should be to stop Putin and to make him think twice about invading Ukraine, Cornyn continued.

The group includes Republicans from the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees.

Three of those members  Kevin Cramer, Roger Wicker and Rob Portman  were part of a bipartisan congressional delegation that traveled to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian officials this week to reinforce U.S. support for Ukraine and its defensive needs.

A bipartisan group of senators also met virtually with President Biden Wednesday morning to discuss U.S. policy in Ukraine. In a readout of the meeting released afterward, the White House said, President Biden commended the strong history of support for Ukraine from both sides of the aisle, and agreed to keep working closely with Congress as the Administration prepares to impose significant consequences in response to further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Russia has anywhere from 70,000 to 100,000 troops on the Ukraine border, according to U.S. estimates. Earlier this week, Russia withdrew personnel from its embassy in Kyiv, a possible sign an invasion may be imminent. Several rounds of talks in Brussels between Russia, the U.S. and its European allies stalled last week, with the U.S. and its allies refusing to guarantee that Ukraine will never be allowed to join the trans-Atlantic alliance.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who was also on the trip, told reporters Monday after the lawmakers met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the United States was ready to impose economic sanctions on Russia and provide additional arms to Ukraine.

But Republicans said the failure last week of Senator Ted Cruzs legislation sanctioning the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was a major setback to deterring Putin from invading Ukraine. The bill failed to reach the 60-vote threshold last Thursday, with a vote of 55-44.

This was actually a gift to Putin  their actions, Republican Senator Joni Ernst said, describing the largely Democratic vote against the bill. Allowing the completion of the Nord Stream pipeline gives Russia a very powerful means to isolate our democratic partner Ukraine. It's more of the Biden foreign policy doctrine which is appeasement of our adversaries. And I've consistently urged the Biden administration to prevent completion of Nord Stream 2 and actively support and bolster Ukraine's military.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio introduced legislation in December that if passed would provide weaponry, training and more than $450 million in military aid to Ukraine and designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism if it carried out the invasion.

President Bidens willingness to make concessions to Putin not only endangers Ukrainians, but also welcomes the Kremlins aggression in the region at large. Unfortunately, this pattern of appeasement isnt new  its the same failed strategy used by the Obama administration, Rubio said when introducing the Guaranteeing Ukraines Autonomy by Reinforcing its Defense Act.

Democrats introduced their own response to the Russian troop buildup earlier this year, with the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez, co-sponsor of the bill, said, This legislation makes it absolutely clear that the U.S. Senate will not stand idly by as the Kremlin threatens a re-invasion of Ukraine.

If passed, the bill would immediately trigger financial sanctions on Russia upon its invasion of Ukraine, including sanctioning the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Democrats bill would also authorize $500 million in emergency security assistance to Ukraine.

Republican Senator Kevin Cramer said he would be open to compromise legislation to get the Senate to act quickly in response to the Russian buildup.

He added, While we certainly have some honest policy disagreements, particularly with regard to the Nord Stream sanctions, that should not be mistaken by Vladimir Putin or Russia as disunity in our resolve to stand with the people of Ukraine and to stand with freedom.
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To quell widespread protests, Kazakhstan sought military help from Russia. Why did it turn to Moscow?
South Africas opposition Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, started engaging some restaurant owners on Wednesday, saying he wants to correct local and foreign employment ratios and bring to an end the exploitation of immigrants.

According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Malema visited Kream Restaurant at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg where he quizzed the owners about the hiring of more foreigners than locals.

The SABC reports that initially the restaurant owners refused to hold a meeting with Malema saying he has no authority to assess employment ratios in the country.

Malema, reports the SABC, threatened to camp at the restaurant unless the Kream Restaurant management engaged him.

He was quoted as saying, If they cant meet me, they cant operate. Ill stand here. Im not [a] fool. They said to me we are ready to meet you, come today [Wednesday]. Why would South Africans run away from the conversation? Im not fighting. No one has brought masses here. I came with the leadership  He [the business owner] operates in South Africa, and therefore by virtue of operating in the public space hes got the responsibility to be answerable. The targeting of foreigners is misleading. We are going to the real people who want to cause xenophobia in South Africa.

Malema has in the past complained about the exploitation of foreigners by employers, who normally pay them low wages.

He said his mission is not to shutdown shops and other businesses but to address many anomalies, including employment ratios of foreigners and locals.

But critics like Professor Ricky Mukunza told VOA Livetalk that Malemas visits may spark xenophobia.

A local organization, South Africa First, has already started evicting so-called Zimbabwean illegal immigrants from rented houses and market places in an effort to create jobs for local people.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, is expected to visit restaurants in Midrand, South Africa, on Wednesday to check the employment ratios of foreigners and locals, in what appears to be an onslaught on foreigners, especially Zimbabweans.

In a tweet, EFF said, The visit will consist of an interaction between Julius Malema and the management of these restaurants, to check their labour policies, staff compliment and ensure that our fellow Africans are not exploited and locals are employed to a satisfactory level.

The visit will be conducted  in Kreme Restaurant, Mall of Africa, Midrand.

His visit comes at a time when an organization calling itself South Africa First is already evicting some Zimbabweans from houses and markets selling an assortment of wares.

The South African government recently launched a crackdown on Zimbabwean illegal immigrants and sent back home soon after their arrest in the Musina area.

Thousands of Zimbabweans have been deported since the crackdown closely monitored by Home Affairs Minister Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi.

The Zimbabwean government has not yet reacted to the deportations.
Robert Lee Stier, age 86 of Alexandria, died on Sunday, May 1st. A visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 4th from 5 to 8 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and then continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. A Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 5th at 1 
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

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The Islamic Republic of Iran has just reopened its office at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). For several years, Iran and Saudi Arabia have mutually anathematized each other, thus dividing the Middle East into two camps, Shiite and Sunni. But this has not always been the case, notwithstading the historical roots of the antagonism between the two Muslim denominations.

Thus, during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Iranian Pasdarans (and members of the Lebanese Hezbollah) fought alongside the Muslim Brotherhood and the Arab Legion of Osama Bin Laden, financed by Saudi Arabia. At that time, all Islamist fighters were deployed under US/NATO command.

Iran and Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations in 2016, following the execution  ordered by the Saudi monarchy  of Sheikh Nimer el-Nimer, a peaceful Shiite leader who led the fight against the discrimination targeting the Shiite minority in the kingdom. 

The OIC currently has 57 member states and is the only faith-based intergovernmental organization in the world. 
Photo: Mario Perez/HBO

Despite the inevitably negative Tripadvisor reviews that probably followed the incidents of season one, more and more people are checking in to The White Lotus. Variety reports that four new actors have joined the cast: Theo James, Meghann Fahy, Will Sharpe, and Leo Woodall. The Hollywood Reporter previously reported that actors F. Murray Abraham, Adam DiMarco, Tom Hollander, and Haley Lu Richardson joined the cast of the HBO shows second season as series regulars. It was also previously reported that Michael Imperioli and Aubrey Plaza will also be joining the ensemble, and Jennifer Coolidge will be making her rightful return. After it was previously rumored that season two of The White Lotus will take place in Italy, a source has confirmed to Variety that yes indeed, the shows second season will film in the Sicilian resort town of Taormina. Like the season before it, a Four Seasons hotel will serve as the stand-in for the fictional luxury-resort chain, and we can assume filming begins shortly, because the hotels website states that its closed to guests until April 1. How do you say eating ass in Italian? We even got character descriptions for the new recruits that led us to believe the second season will keep exploring themes like intergenerational masculinity crisis and the dark truths of girlbossery:

Fahy and James will star as husband and wife Daphne and Cameron Babcock.

Sharpe will play Ethan Spiller, a man on vacation with his wife Harper (Plaza) and the Babcocks.

Woodall will be Jack, described as a magnetic guest staying at the White Lotus.

Abraham will play Bert Di Grasso, an elderly man traveling with his son and grandson.

DiMarco will be said grandson, a recent college grad (Imperioli was previously announced as the middle generation in this lineup).

Hollander will be Quentin, an English expat who is vacationing with his friends and his nephew.

And Richardson will play Portia, a young woman who is traveling with her boss.

Its all so delightfully murder-mystery party, is it not?

This post has been updated.
Press Release

January 19, 2022 Lacson: DA's Plan to Import Galunggong Threatens to 'Kill' Our Fishermen

More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-das-plan-to-import-galunggong-threatens-to-kill-our-fishermen With its decision to import some 60,000 metric tons of fishes such as galunggong and mackerel, the Department of Agriculture may well be "killing" our fishermen. On this note, Partido Reporma Chairman and standard-bearer Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson questioned the need to import fish when our waters are full of such natural resources. "Import pa more! After killing our farmers by importing vegetables and fruits, it is the turn of our fishermen to die," he said on his Twitter account Wednesday. He was referring to the DA's reported decision to import 60,000 metric tons of small pelagic fishes supposedly because local supply has yet to normalize from the devastation brought by Typhoon Odette. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources reportedly projected a fish shortfall of 119,000 metric tons in the first quarter of 2022. Worse, Lacson noted the DA has a history of allowing potential corruption in importing agricultural products such as pork, poultry and fish and seafood products. In April 2021, he cited data obtained from his office indicating that the Philippines lost more than P1 billion yearly in foregone revenues from 2015 to 2020, on imported fish and seafood alone. He also questioned the huge discrepancies between the records of the World Trade Organization and the Philippine Statistics Authority in terms of fish and seafood importation from the top 15 exporting countries from 2015 to 2020. "If corruption infects the Department of Agriculture that should be at the forefront of food security efforts, it goes beyond human conscience," he said. Earlier, Lacson took up the cudgels for Filipino farmers threatened by the importation of agricultural items that we are capable of producing - such as strawberries and carrots. "The worry of farmers is not just the influx of smuggled agricultural products. They are also concerned about agricultural pests that manage to slip past our authorities' inspection," he noted at a Senate hearing on agricultural smuggling last December. On the other hand, Lacson said it is revolting that the Philippines has to import galunggong from China, whose vessels have bullied our fishermen in the West Philippine Sea. "Because of the incursions of Chinese vessels, we are denied 300,000 metric tons of fish... If you divide 30 million kilos of fish by 40 kilos, that would translate to 7.5 million Filipino families who have to buy fish from sources other than the Philippines. That's unacceptable," he said.
A judge in Elmore County has granted a protection order to Mayor John Hammock's wife. Mayor Hammock remains in the Baldwin County Jail. He's charged with with domestic violence.
Malkovich in Venice to shoot TV series Ripley.

Hollywood star John Malkovich was turned away by a top Venice hotel last week as his covid Green Pass certificate had expired, according to Il Gazzettino newspaper.

The 68-year-old actor and director, who had booked a luxury suite overlooking the Grand Canal, was refused by the five-star Hotel Danieli as he did not have a valid Super Green Pass, the digital certificate that can only be obtained by those who are vaccinated or have recovered from covid-19.

Under the country's latest covid restrictions, hotels and accommodation facilities oblige all guests over the age of 12 to meet Italy's Super Green Pass requirements.

After Malkovich was sent away by Hotel Danieli, his production team had to scramble to find alternative accommodation for the actor.

With other hotels out of the question, Malkovich was reportedly hosted by a nearby private residence.

Malkovich will stay in the lagoon city for about a month, reports newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano, to film the American TV series Ripley, based on the crime novels by Patricia Highsmith.

Photo credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com.
Airbnb offers a chance to live rent-free as a host in Sicily for one year.

Airbnb, the online short-term rental platform, is offering a free one-year stay in a newly-refurbished property in the small rural village of Sambuca in Sicily.

The winning applicant, who can take up to three family members or friends with them, must rent out one of the house's rooms on Airbnb but they can keep the profits.

Awarded the title of "the most beautiful Italian village" in 2016, Sambuca di Sicilia has around 6,000 inhabitants and is located about 80 km south of Palermo.

The formerly abandoned property was bought by Airbnb as part of Sambucas 1 house campaign, launched in 2018 to address the village's declining population by promoting cultural heritage and sustainable tourism.

The Airbnb property is available from 30 June

The campaign has breathed new life into the village which has become a multi-ethnic community, with 143 properties sold (by both local authorities and private individuals) to families from 38 countries around the world, reports Italian news agency ANSA.

Airbnb says the refitted home "combines the needs of contemporary living with the charm of Sicilian architecture."

The fully furnished three-storey house is located near the Belvedere di Sambuca, which overlooks the Belice Valley.

Those interested must apply by 18 February

"The beauty of this initiative is that it gives new life to an abandoned heritage home in the heart of our village as well as a second chance to the person who will move here, the mayor of Sambuca di Sicilia, Leonardo Ciaccio, told ANSA.

The mayor said the successful applicant should want to immerse themselves in the local culture, customs and language of the community, including taking part in the grape harvest and picking olives.

The house will be available from 30 June and applicants must apply by 18 February via the Airbnb website, which contains full details of the offer.

Applicants will be asked to attach a short essay outlining how they would organise their life in Sicily and how they would see themselves as a host, "sharing a private room of your Sicilian house with guests coming from all around the world."

Cover photo: Temple of Concordia, Agrigento, Sicily.
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The biotech sector is more than 40% down from its high last February, while the major pharmaceutical firms are flush with cash. That sounds like the ideal condition for dealmaking. But what if biotech boards and shareholders want takeover bids at yesterdays sky-high prices? Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight A 2020 study by JP Morgan Chase & Co. analysts found that when markets fall, a takeover targets one-year share-price high is a stubborn benchmark for pricing a deal. So it can take more than a year from a market correction until buyers and sellers align. Those dynamics may now be at work.

The first year of the pandemic saw a surge in stock-market enthusiasm for biotechnology as investors correctly bet that science would lead the world out of the pandemic. Moderna Inc.s vaccine provided vindication. But the sector has now given up all its outperformance, and the market is looking beyond Covid-related breakthroughs. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts also point to concerns about drug-pricing pressure as well as a string of regulatory setbacks as factors damaging sentiment.

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Could the global M&A boom bail out biotech investors with some juicy takeover offers? So far, M&A has benefited health-care investors pretty selectively. Last year saw a surge in deals for firms involved in medical equipment and services  diagnostics, face masks, hospitals and health insurance. One deal, the $34 billion leveraged buyout of family-owned Medline Industries Inc., represented a big chunk of the total. At the weekend, it emerged that Unilever Plc wants to buy GlaxoSmithKline Plcs consumer-healthcare business to get hold of brands like Sensodyne toothpaste.

The absence of a single really big transaction in pharmaceuticals and biotech in 2021 has created the impression of a lull when it comes to M&A in actual drug discovery. By contrast, the 2019 deal data in pharma and biotech were boosted by the $84 billion purchase of Allergan Ltd. and the $88 billion acquisition of Celgene Corp. In 2020, biotech Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. agreed to be bought for $39 billion. And 2018 saw the $81 billion bid for Shire Plc.

In reality, recent deal flow is stronger than it seems: The number of transactions over $1 billion has been pretty steady in pharma in recent years and has been growing in biotech. The question is whether biotech M&A could now markedly accelerate.

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Falling share prices should tempt bargain hunters and deals are certainly affordable. Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG is looking for purchases up to around $10 billion. Pfizer Inc. is enjoying the revenue boost from its Covid vaccine. Sanofi has traditionally been a busy acquirer.

But biotech investors should temper their optimism. The message telegraphed by potential acquirers at JP Morgan Chases annual healthcare conference last week was that buyers and sellers were some way apart on price.

Thats more than just talking their own book. Buyers can afford to be picky. After a deluge of recent listings, its far from clear that biotechs can now raise capital in public or private markets so easily. Those that need cash face a reckoning. Buddying up with big pharma may be the only way to fund their ongoing R&D. Elsewhere, acquisitive bosses may find decent opportunities among unlisted biotechs that may now struggle to do an initial public offering or blank-check merger. After all, without a quoted share, they are less likely to be hostage to an unrealistic anchor price.

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More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Unilever Must Bid Again Despite Glaxo Rejection: Chris Hughes

 Take-Twos $11 Billion Zynga Deal Is a Game Changer: Tae Kim

 The Everything Crackdown Reaches Private Equity: Paul J. Davies

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Chris Hughes is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals. He previously worked for Reuters Breakingviews, as well as the Financial Times and the Independent newspaper.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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The Trump family has run-ins with law enforcement almost as frequently as other families go grocery shopping. Those confrontations often produce court filings loaded with salacious details about the clans machinations  but whether these facts add up to the crimes prosecutors are trying to prove is less clear. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight On Tuesday New York Attorney General Letitia James disclosed some of the evidence her office has gathered in its fraud investigation of the Trump Organization. Among the nuggets: During a six-hour deposition with prosecutors, Eric Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself more than 500 times. For good measure, he also invoked his rights under the First, Fourth, Sixth and 14th amendments.

Eric Trumps knowledge of constitutional law may be a bit shaky. But he did help the former president manage the properties James is examining, and Donald Trump himself has routinely signed documents that wildly inflated (or deflated, depending on what the situation called for) property valuations. James is scrutinizing the paperwork of at least six of Trumps holdings to see if it helped his family illegally secure bank loans or lower their tax bills. One of the properties in question is Trumps storied triplex in Trump Tower; James says Trump signed documents saying it was 30,000 square feet and worth $327 million, when it was actually 11,000 square feet and worth $116.8 million (maybe).

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The Trumps appear to have managed their accounting in the metaverse, using values from an alternate reality. When outside advisers such as Cushman & Wakefield PLC appraised Trumps properties at what Jamess office suggests were already inflated valuations, that wasnt good enough: The Trumps pushed them to add hundreds of millions of dollars of extra value.

And so on. The whole episode has a grifty air that is very on brand for the Trumps. But does it amount to fraud? To meet that bar, James will need to show that the three eldest Trump children and their father knew what they were doing was wrong  and did it anyway. Thats why the more mundane disclosures in Jamess court filing could also be the more damning.

In several instances, according to the court filing, Trump himself approved documents that were used to arrange financing for his companys holdings  documents that appear related to properties with inflated values. In one instance, Trump initialed an OK on an email about a refinancing that allegedly relied on an exaggerated valuation.

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This helps tie Trump to the schemes James is examining, and may be a reason he has resisted sitting for a deposition. In her filing, James also notes that she believes that the Trump Organization may still be withholding documentation involving the former president. Its also still unclear how much evidence of intent James has gathered involving Trumps three eldest children; Ivanka and Donald Jr. are also resisting subpoenas to testify.

There are other gaps to be filled. Jamess filing makes much of the cartoonish statements of financial condition the Trumps provided to lenders and the media. But its unclear whether the banks actually relied on those documents when they loaned the Trumps money. When Trump unsuccessfully sued me for libel in 2006, my attorneys dug up bank documents from two of Trumps lenders that indicated they had done their own research  and they discounted his self-proclaimed net worth of $6 billion by 83% to 88%.

Tax authorities, by contrast, usually dont have the resources or time to do their own due diligence when assessing valuations offered by wealthy filers such as the Trumps. So the Trumps obligation to provide accurate records to the government is arguably greater.

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James still has work to do, but her court filing shows she has already done plenty. That may explain why the Trumps continue to go to such great lengths to avoid her  and why they continue to cite Jamess injudicious flaunting of her animus toward them. In his deposition, Eric Trump said he considered the investigation a fundamental violation of my rights as a citizen.

Nobody has a fundamental right to break the law, but that nuance seems to have been lost on the Trumps. And if the Trumps really want to fashion themselves as constitutional scholars, they should realize that there is no provision of the Constitution that protects citizens from a prosecutor with political biases. In the pursuit of justice, a prosecutor should have the freedom  and an obligation  to go wherever the facts may lead her.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

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 Trump Criminal Probe Could Backfire on Prosecutors: Noah Feldman

 The Trump SPAC Pitch Is Weird: Matt Levine

 Who Just Gave Trump $1 Billion? Lets Find Out: Timothy OBrien

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Timothy L. OBrien is a senior columnist for Bloomberg Opinion.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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The recent hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in suburban Fort Worth, Texas, is a reminder that antisemitism is a growing and global scourge, one that has forced synagogues across the U.S. and Europe to post armed guards and bar their doors. The idea that members of Congress would block any efforts to combat it is shameful.

Yet thats arguably what Senate Republicans are doing. Among the hundreds of administration nominees awaiting a confirmation vote is Deborah Lipstadt, a renowned Holocaust scholar and President Joe Bidens pick to helm the State Departments office for combating antisemitism. Republicans on the foreign-relations committee appear piqued by a tweet Lipstadt wrote in March, criticizing Republican Senator Ron Johnson for saying he wouldve been more afraid of the Jan. 6 rioters if they had been Black Lives Matter supporters. According to the New York Times, Republicans are considering demanding a public apology before advancing Lipstadts nomination.

The position of antisemitism envoy, established under President George W. Bush, has stood empty for a year now; Lipstadts nomination has languished for nearly half that time. Meanwhile, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. stand near record highs by some measures. At home and abroad, the Covid-19 pandemic has fueled a host of new anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, while the May 2021 fighting in Gaza led to a spate of ugly incidents in the U.S. and Europe.

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The U.S. has a critical role to play in combating this menace globally. Envoys have the power to name and shame, to highlight abuses, and to offer a degree of protection to vulnerable Jewish communities. Among other accomplishments, they have pushed several nations to adopt a working definition of antisemitism and successfully advocated for changes in biased Saudi textbooks. Their work has helped inspire similar efforts by other governments, especially in Europe.

No one doubts Lipstadts qualifications for the role. An author of six books on antisemitism and the Holocaust  not to mention the subject of a 2016 feature film about her legal victory against a British Holocaust denier  she would bring to the position a gravitas and public profile unmatched by previous envoys. More than 20 Jewish organizations have enthusiastically backed her candidacy. If her tweets have been forthright, shes been admirably evenhanded in her criticism of politicians on the left as well as the right.

The special envoys role has traditionally been nonpartisan  Lipstadt only requires Senate confirmation because the position has been newly elevated to the level of ambassador  and its important that it remain so. Former President Donald Trump provoked controversy by leaving the post unfilled for two years and then appointing an envoy accused of focusing more on anti-Israel activism on U.S. campuses than antisemitism abroad. Allowing domestic political considerations to color this issue any further will only make it harder to rally the kind of full-throated consensus the battle against antisemitism deserves.

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Republicans have delayed long enough. They should allow Lipstadts nomination to move to a vote. If shes confirmed, the White House should give her the staff and resources she needs to be effective. Most important, Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken should reaffirm that they view the struggle against antisemitism as a top U.S. priority  not just for this envoy, but for the entire State Department.

Filling one position wont eliminate a millennia-old problem. Leaving the post empty for partisan reasons, however, would be indefensible.

Editorials are written by the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Its difficult not to write satire, observed Juvenal, one of the arts greatest practitioners. If he were alive today to parody German foreign policy instead of Roman imperial politics, he might sound like Marcel Dirsus, a scholar at Kiel University. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight This week, Germanys new foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, was in Kyiv and Moscow, trying to talk Russia out of attacking Ukraine. Before she left, her government had, of course, consulted with Germanys allies in NATO and the European Union. Here, via Dirsus, is how that dialogue could have gone:

Germany: We need to defend the liberal international order. Human rights!

Allies: Im with you! Russia is redrawing borders in Europe by force. Could you deliver weapons to Ukraine or maybe train their military if Russia keeps threatening them?

Germany: You know Id love to, but because of history we have a complicated relationship to the military so we cant do it. You get that, right? Happy to help in any other way, though.

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Allies: Yeah, I get it. Okay, so would you be willing to, I dont know, not build that pipeline with Russia while [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is holding a gun to Kyivs head?

Germany: That definitely wont work for me because of reasons. Dialogue and stuff.

Allies: Okay, could you at least tell Putin that youll cancel Nord Stream 2 if he attacks? That could make a difference.

Germany: I could do that, but I dont want to, so I wont. If you really think about it, a pipeline that helps Putin while hurting Ukraine really isnt linked to Putin or Ukraine. Best I can offer are vague speeches calling on both sides to de-escalate. As you know, the most important thing to us are human rights and the liberal international order. We love dialogue. Dialogue is the best!

Like all good fiction, this exchange is the closest you can come to truth. Allies, led by the U.S., have for decades been frustrated by Germanys habit of ducking its responsibilities. Some even wonder whether Germany would be a reliable partner if push ever came to shove  if Russia or China, say, tore up whatevers left of that ballyhooed liberal international order and went to war.

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One expression of Germanys longstanding ambivalence is its notorious refusal to acknowledge that hard power is a legitimate and necessary instrument in the toolkit of diplomacy. This mentality originated in atonement for the Nazi past. But its long since become a convenient excuse to skimp on military spending and hang back when the alliance needs to send troops into harms way.

Mixed into this faux-pacifism is a bizarre strain of Russophilia, usually accompanied by thinly disguised anti-Americanism. This phenomenon is strongest at the political extremes  within the populist Alternative for Germany on the far right and the post-communist Left Party. Both are disproportionately popular in the former East Germany.

But Russophilia is also widespread among the center-left Social Democrats, which now run the government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In their mythology, the Cold War was won not because the West stared down an evil empire, but because German Social Democrats initiated rapprochement with the communist bloc, meaning Moscow. Their mantra: Talk to the Russians long enough, and everything will be fine.

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Something curious happened to this Ostpolitik (Eastern Policy), as its called. Somehow the Germans who invoke it today mean accommodating only Russia. At the same time they have a tin ear to the anxieties of all their other partners in Eastern Europe, who have historical traumas about both the Germans and the Russians. These include the Ukrainians and EU members such as Poland and the Baltic states.

Deaf to their concerns, Germany  at the prodding of Social Democrats  agreed to build a gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. Almost as one, the allies pointed out that this link  Nord Stream 2  is a geopolitical project by Putin to allow him to cut off the gas flowing to western Europe through Ukraine, Poland and other countries.

In reply, successive German governments, including Scholzs, keep intoning that the pipeline  which is still waiting for regulatory approval  is a private business deal that has nothing to do with Putins other designs. Thats why Dirsus satire above is so biting.

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Foreign Minister Baerbock bears no blame for any of this. Shes a co-leader of the Greens, one of the junior partners in Scholzs government. Her party has in recent years edged away from its traditional anti-Americanism and become more Atlanticist. During last years election campaign, she called out both Russia and China for their aggression and demanded that Germany side firmly with the West. She also wants Nord Stream 2 stopped.

But now her Greens are members of Scholzs government and must keep the peace. How Germany would respond to a renewed Russian invasion of Ukraine is, therefore, unclear. The West has promised to answer with sanctions. Of these, one of the toughest would be nixing Nord Stream 2. But to take that step, the Greens and the third coalition partner, the Free Democrats, would have to prevail over the Social Democrats.

How Germanys governing coalition overcomes this rift may determine whether the West will indeed speak as one against Putins coming provocations or attacks. Allies should pay close attention. Nobody anywhere is suggesting that talking or dialogue should ever cease. But the Germans must accept that there are times in history when jaw-jaw alone wont do  because whats required is action.

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More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion:



Could Putin De-Escalate Even If He Wanted To?: Andreas Kluth



Russias Winter Generals Have Yet to Show Up at the Gas War: Javier Blas



Putin Is Only Pretending to Be Crazy on Ukraine: Eli Lake

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Andreas Kluth is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. He was previously editor in chief of Handelsblatt Global and a writer for the Economist. Hes the author of Hannibal and Me.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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One of the most abundant and essential ingredients in electric vehicle batteries is beginning to experience demand pressures, showing how supply chain troubles are getting deeper and the value chain even more expensive. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Tesla Inc. last week signed a deal with Australian mining company Syrah Resources Ltd. to procure materials from the firms Louisiana operations, with the raw inputs coming from Mozambique. Meanwhile, South Korean firm POSCO, the largest natural graphite anode maker globally, bought a 15% stake in Chinas Inner Mongolia Sinuo New Material Technology Co. Hong Kong-listed Graphex Group Ltd. recently set up a U.S. subsidiary and is looking to build a plant there. It also inked an agreement with German firm Desatec GmbH for processing and selling graphite materials and established a local manufacturing arm. Other, smaller firms are only now building facilities in North America.

This flurry of early  and prescient  moves by some manufacturers to get their hands on materials as basic as graphite make it clear: This is no longer just about higher-value and harder-to-get metals like lithium and cobalt. Supply shortages are coming for the entire EV battery supply chain, just as firms like Tesla are selling record numbers of green vehicles. From lithium compounds and spodumene to PVDF(1) all raw components for batteries  prices over the last year have risen by as much as threefold. Now, graphite is beginning to see the surge too.

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A form of carbon, graphite is indispensable for making the anode, or the negative terminal, in powerpacks and is also used in steelmaking and the nuclear industry. Almost 90% of production is concentrated in China, meaning yet another key part of the battery is made in the country thats already experiencing disruptions due to outbreaks of omicron in key industrial regions like Tianjin. Most new graphite electrode capacity is also produced in the worlds second largest economy, according to BloombergNEF data, followed by Japan, India and the U.S.

Until now, much of the focus in next-generation batteries has been on the cathode material side of things  nickel cobalt manganese, lithium iron phosphate and so on. Few have focused the anode chemistry mix, with graphite expected to remain the dominant material until at least 2035, according to BloombergNEF.

With demand for batteries continuing to rise on the back of electric vehicle excitement, capacity in this part of the supply chain will need to increase as well. Most of it will be for passenger cars.

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The material occurs naturally but is also produced synthetically. It isnt easily replaceable, though, which places further pressure on costs. Over the past year, prices for synthetically built graphite have increased between 6% (for the high-end variety) to around 40% (mid-range). Thats even as producers in China have been able to bring down the cost of graphitization  a key process that accounts for around half the cost of an anode  by as much as 15% to 20%. A quarter of the price is raw materials. If manufacturers arent able to keep prices down while they try to expand capacity, battery costs will only keep rising. That will make it tougher to build out supply chains  even globally.

At this point, stakeholders in the electric vehicle market that have been slow to catch up, including automakers and battery manufacturers, cant just begin to lay claim to future supply  they may get left behind. Theyll have to think years ahead and start investing way down the value chain, not just in fancy tech gadgets and batteries as a whole.

In the past, investing in, and planning for, core materials like graphite seemed unnecessary  the availability was taken for granted. Now, with the shortages and supply chain snarls here to stay, it just seems like a realistic and prudent business strategy.

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(1) Spodumene is a lithium compound, used to procure the metal. Polyvinylidene fluoride, or PVDF, is a synthetic compound.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Anjani Trivedi is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies in Asia. She previously worked for the Wall Street Journal.

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Indonesia is the top exporter of coal for power stations and the biggest palm oil producer in the world. It also holds a quarter of all nickel reserves. So policy shifts in the Southeast Asian archipelago -- such as new restrictions on coal shipments or a proposed nickel export tax -- often reverberate across global commodities markets, roiling trading and pushing up prices for other countries that need the supplies. President Joko Widodo is nevertheless forging ahead with whats known as resource nationalism, policies designed to get more benefit from the countrys natural riches for its 273 million people by restricting exports and encouraging more value-added processing at home. The going has been slow but there are signs the strategy is having an effect.

1. Whats in the spotlight now?

Coal and nickel.

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 A surge in global coal prices in 2021 prompted miners to shun the domestic market, despite rules that specify a quarter of output should be sold to local buyers. Shipments by sea of so-called thermal coal, used for power plants and other furnaces, surged to more than $246 a metric ton in October, according to China Coal Resource. That compares to a price cap of $70 a ton for sales by Indonesian producers to domestic power plants, which still rely mainly on coal. State-owned power company Perusahaan Listrik Negara was grappling with a dwindling stockpile, risking blackouts that could have affected millions of residents. So the government last year temporarily banned 34 exporters from shipping coal abroad, followed by a more drastic halt on all exports in January 2022. The Philippines and Japan were among the major importers to protest to Indonesia.

 Meanwhile, to encourage investment in Indonesia, the government said in January it could impose a new export tax on nickel pig iron (a lower grade of pure nickel) and ferronickel (a semi-refined product) as soon as this year. The president, known as Jokowi, said in November that Indonesia could generate about $35 billion of added value by refining more nickel domestically rather than shipping raw material overseas for such things as stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries.

2. Whats the background?

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Indonesia has a long history of being plundered, since the Dutch began collecting nutmeg and cloves from what they called the East Indies 400 years ago. Even in modern times, changing the dynamic hasnt been easy. Indonesia banned metal ore exports in 2014 to encourage local smelter construction, arguing that too much wealth was shifting to refineries overseas and to foreigners. It later relaxed some of those rules partly in an effort to help producers cover the cost of constructing new refineries. A decision in 2019 to bring forward the date of curbs on sales of nickel ore overseas by two years -- to early 2020 -- sent global prices of the metal surging again, as consumers including China rushed to secure supplies. But after the initial jump, the market adapted quickly -- helped by those preparations and weaker demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

3. Whats the ambition?

Jokowi, whose second and final term ends in 2024, has repeatedly said he wants to eventually stop exports of all raw commodities in favor of producing refined goods that would create more jobs and improve the nations trade position. Indonesia wants to be a global player in EV batteries and a regional player in the production of electric cars, with a target to be a supplier of key products like nickel sulfate, battery precursors and cathode materials by 2025. The government has said it will halt bauxite and copper ore shipments, with the ultimate goal of producing all EV components onshore. For coal, the target is to accelerate development of a coal-to-chemicals industry and to begin coal gasification projects that could offer an alternative to costly liquefied petroleum gas imports.

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4. Is it working?

Somewhat. Exports of higher-value nickel pig iron rose after the curbs on lower-cost nickel ore shipments, indicating some success. And investments in Indonesia are accelerating. Chinese nickel producers like Tsingshan Holding Group are adding projects, including in the key producing regions of Sulawesi and Maluku. From 19 mineral smelters now, a total of 53 are expected to be operating in 2023, including new plants for Vale SAs local unit and Antam, the Indonesian state miner. The South Korea conglomerates Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution held a virtual groundbreaking in October on a $1.1 billion EV battery plant, with commercial production expected to start in 2024, according to the companies. Chinese giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. has expressed interest, while Foxconn Technology Group discussed investments with Indonesias government in October. In the coal sector, U.S.-based Air Products Inc. is partnering with state-owned PT Bukit Asam and PT Pertamina on a gasification project.

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Two years into the pandemic, weary governments are hoping the fast-spreading but less severe omicron variant marks a turning point, a shift toward a more predictable and manageable phase. Determined to escape the crisis and avoid more restrictions, officials in some countries suggest its approaching time to treat Covid as an endemic disease, like seasonal flu. World Health Organization experts say thats premature. With omicron ripping through populations and vast parts of the planet still unvaccinated, the pandemic isnt over. The bottom line: the path to reaching that endemic stage is full of uncertainties, posing tough questions for policymakers everywhere.

1. What does endemic mean?

In an epidemic, a disease spreads rapidly and unexpectedly in a given location; it becomes a pandemic when it spreads globally, or over a very wide area. A disease thats endemic is continuously present in a given population at a lower and more stable level, even if cases spike under certain conditions. Scientists expect that when enough people gain at least some protection from the coronavirus through vaccines or prior infections, it will blunt the spread of the virus and reduce hospitalizations and deaths, so that over time Covid will pose less of a threat. The virus wont go away entirely, however, and endemic diseases can still take a serious toll. Tuberculosis and malaria, which are endemic in some parts of the world, claimed an estimated 1.5 million and 627,000 lives, respectively, in 2020. Endemic in itself does not mean good. Endemic just means its here forever, said Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHOs health emergencies program.

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2. When might Covid become endemic?

In mid-January, Covid was taking about 50,000 lives a week globally. Learning to live with the virus shouldnt mean enduring that much death, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Countries are likely to start considering Covid endemic at different points in time, based on their levels of immunity. While two-thirds of people in wealthy countries had received at least one dose of vaccine as of Jan. 12, just 11% had in low-income nations. In Portugal, where 89% of the population is fully vaccinated, Covid already looks like an endemic illness. In Africa, about 85% of people have yet to receive a single dose. China, the worlds most populous country, is in a category of its own: It has stuck to a zero-Covid strategy, using strict lockdowns and extensive quarantines to quell outbreaks. So infections are few, but natural immunity is also scant. While 87% of the population is fully vaccinated, its unclear how effective Chinas shots are.

3. Whats the role of the omicron variant?

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Data show the latest iteration of the coronavirus is less virulent than previous variants, which means its less likely to cause hospitalizations and deaths. Because omicron is also more transmissible, its creating surges in infections. But that feature could also mean it could speed a transition to an endemic stage by outcompeting the more harmful delta variant, which became dominant worldwide in mid-2021. Theres an important caveat, however. Its not yet clear whether omicron is spreading so quickly because its inherently more fit than delta or whether its just better at evading the immunity some have from vaccination and previous infections. If its the latter, as some populations build up immunity to omicron, it may lose its advantage, allowing delta to resurge.

4. What else could complicate the path?

Its impossible to know what the next variants will look like, and how infectious and virulent they may be. The slow rollout of vaccines among poor countries raises the risk that shot-evading variants could emerge. Another unknown is how durable immunity will be. The coronavirus may prove to be similar to the flu virus, which produces a relatively steady number of cases annually but also has the potential to cause epidemics and even pandemics when it mutates sufficiently to evade the immunity large numbers of people have from vaccination and prior infections.

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5. Which countries are re-evaluating their view of Covid?

Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said its time to think about new ways of living with Covid given that the rise in omicron cases hasnt led to an equivalent surge in hospitalizations and deaths. U.K. cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi hopes his country will become one of the first major economies to show the world how you transition from pandemic to endemic, adding that testing, vaccines including boosters, and antiviral drugs will be key parts of the strategy. U.S. President Joe Biden said he believes the virus can be managed with new tools. Its important to remember, however, that leaders have underestimated Covid throughout the pandemic. Last July, Biden declared that the U.S. was close to achieving independence from the coronavirus. Researchers warn that rapidly lifting Covid countermeasures could contribute to a rise in cases.

6. What might living with the virus look like?

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Waning immunity, pockets of unvaccinated people and variants could drive future outbreaks. Countries might respond with regular boosters, careful tracking of mutations, ongoing surveillance and better ventilation in buildings. Most infections could be relatively mild, like the flu, but a small fraction resulting in severe illness would add up. Endemic Covid could mean 40,000 to 100,000 deaths per year in the U.S., Trevor Bedford, a specialist on viral evolution at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, estimated in October. By comparison, the flu kills from 12,000 to 52,000.

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As tensions grow between Russia and Ukraine, so does the importance of understanding the mindset of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Two questions are of particular concern: Is he rational? And can he be deterred? Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight As I like to say sometimes, its time for some game theory. The answers, unfortunately, are: Yes and no. That is, he is probably rational and cannot easily be deterred.

Economists typically define rationality as the effective use of means to achieve ends  spending your money for maximum enjoyment, for example. That is fine for some purposes, but it fails when it comes to understanding those political leaders, Putin included, who are obsessed with power.

The economic framework doesnt work well when power is the end itself. While no one can truly know whats in the mind of Putin, he has ruled Russia for 22 years, a pretty good sign that he cares about power. Putin also grew up in an era  as a KGB agent behind the Iron Curtain  when power was the currency of status.

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So how does the quest for power make Putin difficult to deter?

Deterrence, by its nature, attempts to limit the power of the deterred person. If a person cares about many things, not just power, they will respond to deterrence by seeking less power and spending more on other things, such as quiet contemplation or time with family. If a person cares mainly about power, however, the induced response to deterrence is to try to seize back more power.

In other words, trying to make power more expensive for Putin is not guaranteed to work. The price of enjoying power might go up  say, because of threatened sanctions  but the thirst for renewed power goes up too, precisely because some power has been taken away.

Deterrence does not always work in international affairs, or in other situations with power-mad individuals. Napoleon and Hitler faced high costs from their blunders, but still they proceeded with ambitious and ultimately foolish military plans. Many revolutionaries try to seize power and die doing so.

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An ideal method of deterrence would be to threaten Putin with penalties for attacking Ukraine, while giving him a corresponding increase in power somewhere else. Where might that be? The U.S. does not want trouble in the Baltics, nor does it want Russia to have a stronger military presence in Venezuela and Cuba, as Putin has threatened. Over time, there will be fewer and fewer acceptable ways of distracting him from the larger and more dangerous prizes.

Threatening Putin with nuclear annihilation would, in principle, stop him. But that is not a credible punishment, given the collateral costs.

One implication of this understanding is that Putin is currently a threat to more than just Ukraine. He could boost his own power destructively any number of ways, for instance by creating trouble in the Baltics. Or Russia could assert itself in Kazakhstan instead of Ukraine. That would be good for some countries, with uncertain broader consequences.

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Putins audience is often a domestic one, and it is no accident that over the last year the Russian government has done so much to crack down on dissent at home. With Covid still an issue and Russian living standards stagnating or falling, Putin needs a series of victories somewhere.

Another implication of this model of power is that Putin may look crazy to Western leaders when he is not. Many Western leaders may be obsessed with a certain feeling of power when, because of various systemic checks and balances, they cannot exercise much actual power at all. They may find Putin difficult to understand and predict.

It is probably also wrong to suggest that Putin cannot feel threatened by NATO because NATO would never invade Russia. A stronger NATO with more members, especially in the East, would make Putin look and feel more constrained, so Putins anti-NATO demands shouldnt be seen as a sheer lie or manipulation. Maybe it is too late, but NATO could have signaled earlier that membership for Ukraine was unlikely.

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It is a common economic trope to insist that incentives matter. While true, it does not necessarily follow that deterrence therefore works. Putin isnt looking to retire and spend more time on one of his luxurious yachts. The full consequences of that fact are just now becoming clear.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 The West Is Right to Deny Russia a Sphere of Influence: Andreas Kluth

 The West Needs to Think Beyond Vladimir Putin: Leonid Bershidsky

 The Putin Doctrine Becomes Clear in Ukraine and Kazakhstan: Hal Brands

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of economics at George Mason University and writes for the blog Marginal Revolution. His books include Big Business: A Love Letter to an American Anti-Hero.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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What happens when physicians are employed by hospitals, rather than working independently? Over the past decade, the share of doctors practicing on their own has declined markedly. Many antitrust advocates are concerned that nothing good will happen as a result, and the Federal Trade Commission is studying the situation. But new research suggests that the shift may bring more benefits than expected, at least for specialist doctors.

A broader debate is raging over the costs and benefits of vertical integration, which in health care means a single entity exercising more financial and operational responsibility for care. In 2020, when I and my colleague Rahul Rekhi laid out the case that such integration might help lower costs and improve the quality of care, we did not specifically examine doctors working for hospitals or groups owned in part or whole by hospitals. And concern has grown about that type of vertical integration in particular.

According to the American Medical Association, the share of doctors working in wholly owned private practices declined to 49% in 2020 from 60% in 2012. (This change is split roughly evenly between an increase in the share of doctors working directly for hospitals and a rise in those working for entities owned by hospitals.)

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In congressional testimony last May, Martin Gaynor of Carnegie Mellon University summarized the existing research on the effects of this trend.(1) Hospital acquisitions of physician practices result in significantly higher prices and more spending, he said, and there has been no evidence of improved quality. Similarly, a 2020 report from the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee said, The literature suggests that the net results of increases in hospital-physician integration have been higher physician prices, higher spending for commercial payers, and higher spending for Medicare. The Federal Trade Commission, for its part, is currently studying the impact of physician consolidation  including physician practice mergers and hospital acquisitions of physician practices.

All of which makes a new working paper on the subject more noteworthy. Researchers William Encinosa of the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Avi Dor of George Washington University, and PhuongGiang Nguyen of the Rand Corporation are skeptical about the existing evidence that spending goes up when doctors are integrated into hospitals. They assess doctor-practice integration when patients move from one region of the country to another  an approach that has been deployed successfully in assessing other health-care questions.

The researchers looked at the data for 415,000 people, and their analysis focuses on those who moved for work from 2012 to 2014 and others who didnt move. (By analyzing those who moved while remaining employed by the same company, the researchers limited the possibility that anyones move was motivated by a health condition.) They examined the share of doctors in groups owned by hospitals in the workers new homes compared with their old ones.

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This analysis found that the integration of specialist doctors into hospitals drives large reductions in spending and that moving to a more integrated market  leads to a positive transformation in the patients care. However, the lower spending they found was associated only with specialist doctors, and while it appeared to be triggered by less fragmentation of the care delivered, they were not able to assess whether the drop in spending was due to a reduction in its quality. Nevertheless, their findings are interesting because they are somewhat at odds with other research.

The precise effects of doctor-hospital integration thus remain murky. A definitive moment in the debate will come when the FTC finishes its report  which presumably will inform what action the FTC then takes. In the meantime, this new evidence adds uncertainty to the debate.

(1) Most of his testimony focused on the effects of hospitals combining with other hospitals, but he also addressed hospitals acquiring doctor practices.

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Peter R. Orszag is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is the chief executive officer of financial advisory at Lazard. He was director of the Office of Management and Budget from 2009 to 2010, and director of the Congressional Budget Office from 2007 to 2008.

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It has the feel of a surrealist watershed, the moment that brought home the nature of Hong Kongs dystopian journey more vividly than any other. Perhaps we will look back one day, when this is all over, and remember where we were when they decided to kill the hamsters. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The scientific basis for the governments decision to euthanize 2,000 of the small mammals appears questionable, at least. It follows the discovery that 11 of the creatures were infected with the delta variant of Covid-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of animals spreading the virus to people is low. A Hong Kong-based health academic called the cull unjustified and excessive. Animal welfare workers are outraged.

Ridicule was swift, with hamster memes and emojis quickly multiplying on social media. Parents can be forgiven for thinking they are living through a Kafkaesque nightmare. Kindergartens and primary schools are already closed, and playgrounds roped off, as the government hews to its zero-Covid policy and tries to contain an outbreak of the omicron strain. Some parents now face the task of telling their little ones why a pet has to be dispatched to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for some humane treatment, as one official described it.

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The episode is something of a perfect singularity for Hong Kong, fusing together the absurdity, arbitrariness and rigidity of policies that have characterized the governments public health and political programs since the onset of the pandemic. In both cases, the approach has been driven by one overriding imperative: ever-closer alignment with mainland China. After two years of enforced isolation, its a policy that has put the long-term future of Hong Kong as a business hub and international financial center increasingly into question.

Would Hong Kong officials really have taken such a rapid and draconian step were they not adhering to Chinas own strategy for keeping Covid at bay? This relies on strict policies aimed at stamping out infection clusters wherever they occur, enforced without compromise and with scant regard for the effect on those caught on the wrong side of such measures. We have no choice, we have to make a firm decision, Thomas Sit, an assistant director at the agriculture department, said Tuesday. No choice, really? Officials examined hamsters at the Little Boss pet store after a worker tested positive, and found them infected with delta. But there is no evidence that the animals can spread Covid to humans, and health experts remain dubious.Hong Kong has carried out mass slaughters before to contain disease outbreaks. But the animals in question were chickens and pigs rather than cuddly rodents that are favorite household pets of small children. There appears to have been no awareness of how this announcement would look to the public and the outside world  something thats perhaps a hazard for an unaccountable administration keen to show its capable of tough and decisive action.

In a government press release, a spokesman defended the hamster cull by referring to the Netherlands and Denmark, which in 2020 killed millions of mink  one animal that has been confirmed to be capable of spreading Covid to humans. Its not a comparison that Hong Kong would be wise to dwell on. The slaughter of 17 million mink in Denmark provoked an outcry, and proved illegal. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was questioned by a parliamentary commission last month, and could face impeachment if it finds that she didnt tell the truth.

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Hong Kong government officials, who are appointed by Beijing, dont face such accountability. Neither do lawmakers, who are put in place by a committee or elected by a much smaller voter base after China overhauled the system to exclude the pro-democracy opposition. Earlier this month, dozens of officials and legislators attended a 200-strong birthday party in defiance of the governments own warnings. None have resigned or been fired, though they were sent to a quarantine camp. Even that had a silver lining, though: The government reduced the mandatory quarantine period to 14 days from 21 days, enabling Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui and Director of Immigration Au Ka-wang to leave early.

It turns out that there is a choice, and flexibility is possible, in matters of public health policy. The hamsters may not be so lucky.

More From This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion:

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 How Covid Widens the Gap Between Hong Kong and China: Shuli Ren

 How Hong Kongs Covid Strategy Has Failed: Anjani Trivedi

 Hong Kongs Media Squeeze Looks Far From Over: Matthew Brooker

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Matthew Brooker is a columnist and editor with Bloomberg Opinion. He previously was a columnist, editor and bureau chief for Bloomberg News. Before joining Bloomberg, he worked for the South China Morning Post. He is a CFA charterholder.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The United States will stand by Ukraine against mounting Russian pressure, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told officials in Kyiv on Wednesday, as the Biden administration redoubles its efforts to avert a military attack. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The top U.S. diplomat promised continued American support, including the prospect of increased military hardware in the event of a Russian assault during a hastily arranged visit that underscored spiraling concerns in Western nations that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to use force to reassert Moscows dominance in the former Soviet sphere.

Now as ever, it is up to Ukrainians and no one else to decide their own future, and the future of this country, Blinken told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before a bilateral meeting.

The discussions in Kyiv, the first in a series of European crisis talks that will also include a meeting Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, come amid what U.S. officials have described as a growing list of destabilizing actions by Russia. Those include what officials say are potential false flag operations in eastern Ukraine, live-fire exercises near the Ukraine-Russia border and, this week, the movement of Russian troops into Ukraines pro-Moscow neighbor, Belarus.

The Kremlin, which sent troops into Ukraine to seize Crimea in 2014, has denied any plans for another invasion and instead accused NATO of threatening its security by expanding to the east.

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The Biden administration in recent days has added urgency to its warnings about Russias military plans, as officials cautioned ahead of Blinkens departure that an attack could come at any time. On Wednesday, Blinken said that Moscow could double its force of about 100,000 troops deployed around Ukraine in relatively short order.

But Blinken also described a larger threat, telling U.S. Embassy employees that the implications of Russias actions were bigger than Ukraine, challenging global principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

If we allow those principles to be violated with impunity, then we will open a very large Pandoras box, Blinken said. The entire world is watching what is happening here.

To help Ukraine defend itself, the Biden administration is providing the country with an additional $200 million in military assistance, including Javelin missiles, anti-armor artillery and heavy machine guns. While the United States has so far declined to provide air defense systems and more significant offensive weapons, Blinken said more arms would be approved if Russian troops roll across the border.

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Should Russia carry through with any aggressive intent and renew its aggression and invade Ukraine, well provide additional material beyond [what] is already in the pipeline, he said in remarks to the news media alongside Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. He provided no details about what kind of weaponry that might include.

Ukrainian officials in turn described the United States as a key security partner. I am grateful to the U.S. for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine at this time and working together on the comprehensive deterrence package, Kuleba said.

Blinkens trip to Europe this week will culminate with his meeting with Lavrov in Geneva, an encounter that U.S. officials suggested might indicate an openness among Russian leaders to a peaceful resolution of the standoff.

But ahead of the talks, Russian officials have continued to blame the West for stoking fears about further conflict in Ukraine.

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We see weapons shipments there; we see various maneuvers; we see NATO and Western European countries flying over, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in Moscow. This all just leads to tension around Ukraine.

While Moscow in recent weeks has put forward proposals to impose formal limits to NATOs eastward enlargement and alliance activities in Eastern Europe, European and U.S. officials have dismissed those ideas, saying NATOs open door to potential members, including Ukraine, cannot be altered.

Washington instead has proposed measures on arms control and military exercises, which so far appear to have gained little traction on the Russian side.

Peskov, like other Russian officials, said that Russia would require written U.S. answers to Russian proposals to move the diplomacy ahead, something he said he hoped would occur in the next few days.

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But Blinken suggested that the United States was not ready for such a step.

I wont be presenting a paper at that time to Foreign Minister Lavrov, Blinken said. We need to see where we are and see if there remain opportunities to pursue the diplomacy and pursue the dialogue, which again, as I said, is by far the preferable course.

In a sign of the quick pace of events, Blinkens meeting with Lavrov was announced on Tuesday just hours before his departure from Washington, only after his travel to Ukraine and a subsequent stop in Germany were made public.

Speaking in Moscow on Wednesday, Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov suggested that Washington should unilaterally agree to refrain from voting to eventually admit Ukraine into NATO  a step he said would be easier than securing agreement from all 30 NATO members.

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He said that Russia could not wait indefinitely for a resolution to its security demands and said the ball was on Washingtons side.

Asked whether he saw room for compromise on Russias demand to limit NATOs presence in Eastern Europe, Blinken said that some of the demands were absolute nonstarters.

So again, I think through these conversations that weve already had, its a way of refining whats really at the heart of this, and seeing if there are grounds for dealing with those, he said.

While the Biden administration and European partners have promised to apply severe economic pressure, including sanctions and potential steps to exclude Russia from the global financial system, former officials and experts doubt that will significantly influence Putins decisions.

U.S. officials say they also fear that Russia could increase its use of methods short of outright invasion to further destabilize Ukraine, including what they allege are disinformation and digital warfare activities. On Friday, a significant cyberattack disrupted Ukrainian government websites. Russian-backed separatists have also been fighting Ukraines forces in its eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions since 2014.

Khurshudyan reported from Moscow. David L. Stern in Kyiv contributed to this report.

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Several Ukrainian government agencies had their data wiped in a cyberattack that was coordinated with another attack that defaced government agency websites in recent days, according to the Ukrainian government and other individuals familiar with the incident. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The actor behind those attacks has not been officially determined, although the Ukrainian government has said it believes Russia is responsible.

The cyber aggression comes as Kyiv braces for a potential invasion by Russia, which has close to 100,000 troops massed on its border with Ukraine.

The presence of destructive malware on dozens of computers belonging to several Ukrainian government agencies was first reported by Microsoft in a blog post late Saturday. That malware, which Microsoft dubbed WhisperGate, has been recorded in several institutions that have become victims of the attack, the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine said in a statement on Tuesday.

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Thus with a high probability it can be argued that the defacement of the websites of the attacked government agencies and the destruction of data using a wiper are components of one cyber attack aimed at as much damage as possible to the infrastructure of state electronic resources, the agency said.

On Sunday, Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation issued a statement on the website defacements. To date, it can be said that all the evidence points to Russia being behind the cyberattack, the statement said. Moscow continues to wage a hybrid war and is actively building up its forces in the information and cyberspace.

The hack that defaced Ukrainian government agencies and other organizations websites Friday came with the ominous message: Be afraid and expect the worst.

The agencies whose computer disks were wiped provided critical executive branch or emergency response functions, Tom Burt, Microsofts vice president for customer security and trust, said in a separate blog post Saturday.

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The malware is not known to have infected energy grids or other critical infrastructure, or military command and control systems. But losing the use of computer systems in a security crisis is a concern, said the officials, who have yet to determine how the malware was deposited on the systems.

Microsofts Threat Intelligence Center said in its blog post that once the malware is activated, it overwrites the contents of the computers master boot record, or the portion of the hard drive without which the operating system will not work.

Once that happens, the computer is essentially inoperable. Restoring functionality can be costly and time-consuming.

WhisperGate masqueraded as ransomware. Once it was activated, and once the computer was turned off and on again, a fake ransom note appeared, warning that the users hard drive had been corrupted and demanding $10,000 via bitcoin to restore it.

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But the ransom note was a ruse, Microsoft said.

Yurii Shchyhol, head of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, said in an interview Tuesday that he expects the agencies will be able to restore their data from backups. The work should be completed by Wednesday, he said.

One of the agencies affected, he said, was the Motor Vehicle Insurance Bureau.

Shchyhol said that Ukraines Cyber Emergency Response Team swung into action on 3:50 a.m. Friday when the website defacements were first detected.

He said the team has coordinated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Stern reported from Kyiv.

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As the Fed raises interest rates, experts say there are some signs the market is responding. But theres a long way to go.
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Former FARC captive to run for president Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Ingrid Betancourt, a politician who was held captive by Colombias largest guerrilla group for more than six years, announced Tuesday that she will compete in the presidential election this year. The last time Betancourt ran for president, in 2002, she was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and held hostage in the jungle. She became one of the highest-profile captives during the countrys 52-year conflict with the FARC.

Despite the horrors she endured  at times being chained by the neck  Betancourt supported Colombias 2016 peace deal with the FARC.

On Tuesday, she launched a second bid for the presidency, billing herself as a centrist focused on tackling corruption and unemployment in a country where historic protests over inequality erupted last year.

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Betancourt is entering a crowded field at a relatively late stage ahead of the May election. Leftist senator Gustavo Petro is leading in the polls. Betancourt will first have to win the centrist coalitions primary in March.

 Samantha Schmidt and Diana Duran

Far-right killer gives Nazi salute at hearing

Anders Behring Breivik, the man responsible for one of Norways most heinous crimes in recent memory, gave a Nazi salute as he entered court Tuesday to argue for early release from his 21-year prison sentence.

In July 2011, Breivik killed 77 people by setting off a bomb in Oslo and opening fire at a youth summer camp. He was given the maximum prison sentence permitted under Norwegian law.

At the time, the judge ordered preventive detention, reserved for criminals seen as a danger to society beyond the length of their sentence. That makes it unlikely that Breivik will ever be released, though he became eligible for parole after having served a decade in prison.

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On Tuesday, Breivik carried signs into the hearing that read Stop your genocide against our white nations and Nazi-Civil-War.

Since Breiviks incarceration, he has argued before Norwegian and European courts that his isolation in a three-room cell violated his rights. His case against Norwegian authorities was shot down by a top European human rights tribunal. But his post-incarceration hearings have also been opportunities for him to trumpet his far-right leanings.

 Amy Cheng

Parliament approves capital's relocation

Parliament on Tuesday approved a bill to relocate Indonesias capital from Jakarta to a site deep within the jungle of Kalimantan on Borneo island, the most significant advancement of an idea the countrys leaders have been toying with for years.

The new state capital law, which provides a legal framework for President Joko Widodos megaproject, stipulates how development of the capital will be funded. The initial relocation will start between 2022 and 2024, with roads and ports prioritized, the Finance Ministry said.

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Plans to move the government away from Jakarta, a megacity of 10 million people that suffers from chronic congestion, floods and air pollution, have been offered by multiple presidents, but none has made it this far.

Jakarta will remain the capital until a presidential decree is issued to formalize the change.

 Reuters

Hong Kong to kill 2,000 hamsters over virus fears: Hong Kong has asked pet shops and owners to hand over close to 2,000 hamsters for culling, after 11 of the small rodents tested positive for the coronavirus in a pet store. The territory has also suspended the import of small animals. Authorities announced the decision after health experts found two groups of hamsters, which originated in the Netherlands and arrived in Hong Kong on Dec. 22 and Jan. 7, to be "high risk" for carrying the virus. Officials said hamsters turned over by owners will be killed to "cut the transmission chain."

 From news services

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A trio of Supreme Court justices Wednesday tried to dispel accounts of strife at the high court over covid-related masking, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. saying they did not ask Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to wear a face covering while on the bench. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The rare statements from the justices seemed aimed at knocking down reporting that Sotomayor, who has health reasons to be especially worried about contracting covid-19, was participating remotely in oral arguments because she was uncomfortable that Gorsuch was not wearing a mask.

The statements did not directly address that, but did dispute some elements of an NPR report that raised the issue.

Reporting that Justice Sotomayor asked Justice Gorsuch to wear a mask surprised us. It is false. While we may sometimes disagree about the law, we are warm colleagues and friends, said a joint statement from Sotomayor, one of the courts most liberal members, and Gorsuch, one of its most conservative.

But the report from longtime Supreme Court correspondent Nina Totenberg did not say Sotomayor had made the request. It said that the chief justice, in some form or other asked the other justices to mask up. It said Gorsuchs continued refusal since then has also meant that Sotomayor has not attended the justices weekly conference in person, joining instead by telephone.

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So several hours after the statement from Sotomayor and Gorsuch, Roberts issued his own through the courts public information office.

I did not request Justice Gorsuch or any other Justice to wear a mask on the bench, it said. The release said Roberts would have no additional comment.

NPR said it stands by Totenbergs reporting. In a segment Wednesday afternoon, Totenberg stressed that she said the chief justices request had come to the justices in some form.

Sotomayor was diagnosed with diabetes as a child, and her condition makes her especially vulnerable to the dangers of covid-19. Since the court returned to the bench in the fall, she has been the most cautious of the justices, all of whom are vaccinated and have received boosters, according to a court spokeswoman.

In the courts previous rounds of oral arguments, she wore a mask on the bench, while the rest of the justices did not. All of the justices are tested before they gather, and Justice Stephen G. Breyer last week participated in arguments from his chambers after he received a false positive on a test. He returned the next day after subsequent tests showed him negative for the virus.

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In the new year, since the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant, Sotomayor has participated in oral arguments via speaker from her chambers. The rest of the justices at least enter the courtroom with masks on, with the exception of Gorsuch, who sits between Sotomayor and Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Totenberg reported: Sotomayor did not feel safe in close proximity to people who were unmasked. Chief Justice John Roberts, understanding that, in some form or other asked the other justices to mask up. They all did except Gorsuch, who, as it happens, sits next to Sotomayor on the bench. His continued refusal since then has also meant that Sotomayor has not attended the justices weekly conference in person, joining instead by telephone.

On the bench Wednesday, all of the justices except Gorsuch again were masked, although a few took their face coverings off for brief periods. Sotomayor again participated remotely.

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Although journalists often ask, it is rare for justices to respond to media coverage or issue statements such as those released Wednesday.

But the nine justices often resemble a squabbling family that unites when the criticism comes from others. And seatmates Sotomayor and Gorsuch seem personally close despite their ideological differences. They often chat and joke with each other on the bench. On Jan. 7, the first hearing at which she participated remotely from her chambers, Sotomayor referenced a question from Neil, before correcting herself to say Justice Gorsuch.

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In the final days of the 2018 election, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) loaned his campaign $260,000, specifically so he could challenge an obscure campaign finance restriction that only $250,000 in personal loans can be repaid with money raised after an election. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated Cruz is in position to collect on his investment.

Only the courts three liberal justices seemed receptive to the Justice Departments argument that the restriction was a legitimate way to keep politics just a little bit cleaner that meets constitutional muster.

It targets a practice that has significant corruptive potential, said Justice Department lawyer Malcolm L. Stewart. A post-election contributor generally knows which candidate has won the election, and post-election contributions do not further the usual purposes of donating to electoral campaigns.

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He compared it to limiting gifts to federal officials, saying both reflect the insight that we worry about corruption at a much lower monetary level when the money is going into the candidates pocket.

The government was appealing a unanimous decision for Cruz by a three-judge district court panel.

But Stewart was facing a conservative Supreme Court majority that over the past decade or so has been eager to trim back the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, more commonly known as the McCain-Feingold Act. The most recognized of such moves is the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to remove limits on the money corporations and union can spend on electioneering.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett wondered how repayment of loans could be seen as giving a gift to the winner.

Senator Cruz says that this doesnt enrich him personally because hes no better off than he was before, she said. Its paying a loan, not lining his pockets.

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Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh said it was clear under Supreme Court precedent that the First Amendment allows candidates to spend their own money or lend it to the campaign to advance their political speech.

The restriction at issue makes a candidate hesitate before loaning more than $250,000, for fear it would be lost. That seems to be, therefore, a chill on your ability to loan your campaign money. Why is that not right? Kavanaugh asked.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. lamented the justices balancing the benefits of the restrictions with the possible incursion on constitutional rights.

How are you supposed to weigh such imponderables such as the marginal burden on the exercise of First Amendment rights against the marginal assistance in preventing corruption? he asked.

Several of the conservative justices posed hypotheticals about limiting the influence of media outlets.

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If the government determined that certain media outlets had an outsized influence on an election, could it similarly limit the amount that they spend on editorials to equalize the influence? Justice Clarence Thomas asked.

Stewart said no.

The lawyer most strenuously advanced the argument that Cruz did not have legal standing to challenge the law because it would have been easy for him to be repaid by 20 days after the election, a limit set in the regulation.

The campaign intentionally missed the deadline so that it could challenge the law, a self-inflicted injury that should not win Cruz standing, Stewart said.

But Cruzs lawyer, Charles J. Cooper, said the senator was following in the footsteps of civil rights activists who have violated laws to prove in court they were unconstitutional.

At least since Mr. [Homer] Plessy sat down in the train car reserved for Whites, this Court has repeatedly held that a plaintiff who deliberately subjects himself to the injury of unconstitutional government action for the admitted purpose of challenging it has created his standing, not defeated it, said Cooper. He was referring to Plessys unsuccessful challenge of segregation in the landmark 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson.

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Coopers most relentless interrogator was Justice Elena Kagan, who in the past has been an ardent defender of campaign finance laws.

The candidate can spend all the money he wants of his own money. . . . He can spend a gazillion dollars of his own money if he wants to on his campaign, right? Kagan asked. So this restriction, which is a restriction on loan repayment, is really a restriction on how a candidate can use third parties to finance his speech, isnt it?

What jumps off the page, she said, is the potential for contributors to find a way to put money not in the campaign but into a candidates own personal pocket.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, participating remotely from her chambers as she has during the omicron variant outbreak, said Congresss concern about corruption was clear.

Why do you give after an election to a candidate whos not going to spend it on getting elected? she asked. Hes going to spend it on something in the past but certainly nothing with respect to the actual election and his getting his post. And to me, thats a natural quid pro quo.

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But Cooper pointed out a successful candidate can begin fundraising for the next election immediately after winning. The curb on currying favor is in the individual contribution limit, he said.

Cruz, formerly a Supreme Court clerk and Texas solicitor general, has argued nine cases at the high court. But the courts coronavirus restrictions have closed the courtroom to the public, and he was not at the argument.

The case is Federal Election Commission v. Ted Cruz for Senate.

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The year-long Democratic push for federal voting rights legislation died in the Senate on Wednesday night, after Republicans blocked an elections bill for the fifth time in six months and Democrats failed to unite their caucus behind a plan to rewrite the Senates rules and pass it anyway. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The final clash, which has been brewing since Democrats won congressional majorities a year ago as Republican legislatures in 19 states embarked on a campaign to roll back election access, began with an evening vote to close debate on a sprawling voting rights bill. That vote, at the Senates traditional 60-vote margin for legislation, failed on party lines.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) then moved to reconsider the legislation to propose a rules change allowing for the bills advancement with a simple majority of 51 votes. The Senate rejected that maneuver 52 to 48, with two Democrats, Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), joining all 50 Republicans in opposition.

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Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) confirmed his intention to oppose the filibuster rules change in a floor speech on Jan. 19. (Video: The Washington Post)

The late-evening vote amounted to a bitter but unsurprising finale for the Democratic voting rights effort on Capitol Hill, a campaign backed by top party leaders and pushed by key elements of its coalition even as Manchin and Sinema repeatedly made clear they would not weaken the 60-vote rule, defending it as a tool to protect minority-party rights and promote bipartisanship in U.S. democracy.

But Schumer and other top Democrats were determined to push forward with a floor confrontation regardless, even as it promised to expose bitter divisions inside their own party rather than amplify a GOP blockade that they have described as an existential threat to democracy.

In the final hours of debate, Democrats pressed the need for action  including a rare rules change that threatened to upend decades of Senate procedure  in lofty terms couched in the preservation of democracy, while Republicans angrily countered with accusations that the maneuver amounted to nothing more than a partisan power play.

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Shall we see American democracy backslide in our time, grow feeble in the jaws of its adversaries, and ultimately succumb to the cancer of voter suppression? Schumer said Wednesday. The answer, in a large sense, could depend on how we move forward this evening.

Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.), who faces reelection this year in one of the states subject to new GOP voting laws, compared the vote to late activist and congressman John Lewiss bloody trip across a Selma, Ala., bridge during a 1965 voting rights march.

Were talking about a procedural bridge, he said. Im still praying that we will cross that bridge. But if not tonight, we will come back again and again and again.

At a news conference earlier in the day, President Biden acknowledged the looming setback but said Democrats were not out of options and that the fight over changes to voting laws would continue to the midterm elections and beyond.

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Ive been engaged in a long time in public policy, and I dont know many things that have been done in one fell swoop, he said, adding that he believed voters would turn out in coming elections and force action in Congress. But its going to be difficult. I make no bones about that. Its going to be difficult, he said.

Republicans have shown little hesitation in marshaling opposition to the Democratic voting legislation, which combines an effort to restore portions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that have been struck down in recent years by the Supreme Court with a broader effort to establish new national standards for federal elections, including minimum requirements for early voting, vote by mail and other methods of making it easier to vote.

In final remarks before the vote, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) accused Democrats of seeking to shatter the soul of the Senate for short-term power.

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When our country needs leaders to fight the fires of factionalism, almost half the Senate over here wants to literally dump more gasoline right on top of our institutions, he said. Thanks to the courageous position of at least a few of their members, they will not succeed.

Democrats contend the legislation is needed to counter changes made in several states by GOP legislatures that they argue will make voting more difficult, particularly in minority communities. Republicans have dismissed the Democratic criticism of these laws as overblown and have described the legislation in Congress as an effort to rig state elections in Democrats favor.

In four Senate votes held since June on various voting bills, only one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), cast one vote on one bill to proceed with debate. Other Republicans have rallied around a position staked out early last year by McConnell, holding that the federal government should have no additional role in regulating state elections, despite the Constitutions clear reservation of a federal role in elections for federal office.

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In a bid to overcome Republican opposition, Democrats coalesced around a plan this week to modify the Senates debate rules only for the pending voting rights legislation. While current rules require 60 senators to vote to close debate and move to a final vote, Schumer proposed enforcing an existing two-speech-maximum rule for each senator. Once debate is fully exhausted under those terms, the Senate could move to a final vote at a simple majority threshold.

But the two holdout Democrats and scores of Republicans warned that there could be no simple exception for the pending bill and that any attempt to exempt legislation from the 60-vote rule would inevitably lead to the permanent end of the Senate filibuster as it currently exists.

Manchin confirmed his intention to oppose the rules change in a floor speech Wednesday afternoon, when he accused fellow Democrats of misrepresenting the history of the filibuster, which has evolved over the Senates 232-year history but has generally served to protect the rights of the minority party.

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In recent decades, it has become a tool of routine legislative obstruction utilized by both parties, but Manchin argued that did not necessitate fundamentally changing the nature of the Senate along party lines. Any such move, he warned, would only exacerbate poisonous political divisions among Americans.

I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation when elected leaders are sent to Washington to unite our country, not to divide our country, he said. Were called the United States, not the divided states, and putting politics and party aside is what were supposed to do.

Sinema did not speak on the floor Wednesday, but she made her position clear in a speech last week, delivered just before Biden arrived on Capitol Hill to lobby Democrats at a private Senate lunch. She sat at her desk on the Senate floor for much of Wednesdays debate, listening to speakers of both parties.

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Both Democrats views have remained firm as numerous other Senate Democrats have changed their views on the filibuster, backing the need for changes after defending the rule earlier in their careers  including during the Trump administration, when Republicans held unified control of the White House and Congress from 2017 to 2019.

The final push for action on voting rights legislation has included a major Atlanta address last week from Biden, a former six-term senator, who threw his support behind changing the filibuster after concluding, he said, that democracy was at critical risk.

On Wednesday, Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Christopher A. Coons (Del.) became the latest Democrats to publicly back a rules change after keeping mum for months on the question. Coons, a Biden confidant, said he backed a narrow and temporary filibuster exception aimed at upholding fundamental rights, while Kelly, who faces reelection later this year, said his constituents deserve a Senate that is more responsive to the challenges facing our country.

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Protecting the vote-by-mail system used by a majority of Arizonans and getting dark money out of our elections is too important to let fall victim to Washington dysfunction, Kelly said, outlining a position that notably breaks with Sinema, his fellow Arizona Democrat.

But Manchin and Sinema have resisted a blitz of political pressure from political organizations, civil rights groups and their own colleagues, who have all made the case that the threat to democracy posed by a spate of Republican-passed state voting restrictions outweighs the need to preserve the filibuster.

On Tuesday, for instance, a key fundraising group backing Democratic women who favor abortion rights, Emilys List, announced it would not support Sinema in a future Democratic primary should she oppose the rules change. The NAACP also made a final appeal to Senate Democrats to support what may be our last hope to save our democracy.

In an interview Wednesday, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said the failed vote marks a sad day for our democracy and criticized lawmakers, such as Manchin and Sinema, who said they supported the underlying voting legislation but opposed changing Senate rules to pass it.

Its almost like saying that youre half-pregnant. You are [for passing the bill] or youre not, Johnson said, adding that individuals who relied on the African American vote, in particular, or the Latino vote to be elected to office have turned their backs on the very community that allowed them to be in the Senate.

Manchin, meanwhile, insisted the Democratic proposal amounted to an attempt to break the rules to change the rules.

Manchin said Democrats could opt to keep the voting rights legislation on the Senate floor for days or weeks longer, working to invite amendments and build GOP support that has been elusive over months of back-channel negotiations.

Weve wasted a year behind the scenes, he said. Talking through each other, around each other, but not to each other. Lets have the debate.

The suggestion mystified several of Manchins colleagues, who said Republicans have been uninterested in having any kind of debate on voting rights.

While defeat appeared assured, Democrats on Wednesday moved forward with a day-long final debate on the issue. Party leaders encouraged Democratic senators to remain at their desks on the Senate floor through the day as the final vote approached to emphasize the gravity of the issue. While GOP attendance was more sparse, more than a dozen Republican senators delivered floor speeches rebutting the Democrats throughout the day.

There were moments of strong words and pointed emotion, as well as occasional exchanges between members of opposite parties that resembled the sort of bygone, freewheeling debates that many senators say should be a more routine feature of an institution that was once deemed, in seriousness that has evolved into sarcasm, the worlds greatest deliberative body.

In one notable speech, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) accused Democrats of peddling a negative, false narrative of what is happening to America by referring to the new state laws as Jim Crow 2.0 and making comparisons to the depravities suffered by Black Americans before and during the civil rights era.

As I keep hearing the references to Jim Crow, I ask myself how many Americans understand what Jim Crow was, said Scott, the Senates only Black Republican, calling the comparison offensive not just to me or Southern Americans, but offensive to millions of Americans who fought, bled and died for the right to vote.

That drew a response from Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a fellow Black senator, who countered that Democrats were simply dealing with the fact that it is more difficult for the average African American to vote than the average White American.

Dont lecture me about Jim Crow, he said later. I know this is not 1965. Thats what makes me so outraged  its 2022 and theyre blatantly removing more polling places from the counties where Blacks and Latinos are overrepresented. Im not making that up. That is a fact.

Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report.

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Town of Boone reaches climate neutrality in municipal operations eight years ahead of its goal

File photo The Town of Boones sustainability office oversees projects, programs and policies related to sustainability in the community.

BOONE  The town of Boones municipal operations will use 100% renewable energy by February, which is eight years ahead of the towns goal.

The Boone Town Council voted during its Jan. 12 Town Council Meeting to allot $60,290 to purchase renewable energy.

Boone is the first municipality in North Carolina to achieve 100% renewable energy in municipal buildings, according to a Jan. 12 Town of Boone press release.

Blue Ridge Energy and New River Light and Power are supplying the energy, 75% from BREs solar arrays and 25% from NRLPs hydroelectric power through its Green Power Program. The divide, according to town sustainability manager George Santucci, is based on the energy consumption of the municipal buildings on each companys grids.

Both companies have made the power available to us much sooner than I thought, Santucci said, and ultimately the quick adoption has put Boone far ahead of its goal to have municipal operations climate neutral by 2030.

In 2019, the town of Boone established a timeline for three sustainability goals, the first to reach climate neutrality, meaning net-zero greenhouse gas emission, in municipal operations by 2030, the second to transition municipal operations to 100% clean renewable energy by 2040 and the last to transition the entire town of Boone to 100% clean renewable energy by 2050.

The opportunity is immediate. We felt strongly that we should lead the way and take advantage of this opportunity, Santucci said.

Investing in renewable energy not only means the town will have access to new renewable infrastructure, like Blue Ridge Energys new Brighter Future Solar array, but Santucci said it also is signaling to the communitys energy providers that there is a market for renewables and the companies should continue investing in that infrastructure.

According to Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations for BRE, the newly built solar array, located in the Grace Chapel area of Caldwell County, will be up and running soon and is the biggest renewable energy project BRE has been involved in to date. The solar array will produce more than 19 million kilowatts of clean energy per year and a new rate Rider has been developed to allow local government members and institutions of higher education to receive the benefits of this green energy.

By agreeing to purchase blocks of kWh from the solar array through the Rider in order to offset the consumption at their facilities with traditionally-generated energy, the Town of Boone and other participating members will be receiving the renewable energy credits directly from the array, helping them work to achieve their individual sustainability goals, Whitener said.

BRE is selling the solar power to Boone in 100kWh blocks for $1.90, which the town plans to buy 4,600 per month and NRLP is selling 250kWh blocks for $5, which the town plans to buy 553 of the blocks per month.

Over $60,000 sounds like a big investment, Santucci said  because it is. Municipal operations in Boone use a lot of energy, around 5 gigawatt hours of energy per year. In perspective, Santucci said the average house uses somewhere around 750 to 1,200 kilowatt hours of energy a month, whereas the Town of Boones municipal operations use five million kilowatt hours per month.

Boones municipal operations include facilities such as the towns wastewater treatment plant and water intake system which use most of the electricity the town buys annually. Switching these to renewables is a big win, Santucci said, but he isnt taking a vacation quite yet.

Many facets of municipal work in Boone still arent electric: cars still use fuel and a lot of heating in buildings is not electric, for example. Santucci said the next steps for his office are to improve electric vehicle charger availability in Boone and to electrify the towns fleet of vehicles over time.

Thats going to be a long term process, thats not something I can knock out in a year like we did moving municipal operations to renewables, unfortunately, Santucci said.

This year, Santucci said the town is going to install 10 new electric vehicle chargers around town, some available to the public, some for municipal operations and some which will be shared. The 10 chargers will be able to service 15 cars, which is a large increase from the two electric vehicle chargers the town has now.

Santucci said another big project this year will be developing a Community Climate Action Plan to lay out next steps for how the community can become more sustainable. The emphasis here, Santucci said, is on long term progress.

Residents will be invited to public meetings and to give feedback and input on the plan, strategizing what kind of incentives people feel like they need to pursue goals like increasing electric vehicle adoption, making homes more energy efficient and other sustainable actions.

While energy and fossil fuel elimination is the biggest priority for the town, Santucci said, these other practices the community can participate in are an important piece of the puzzle to a sustainable community and will help the community imagine its future collaboratively.

Marisa Mecke is a Report for America corps member covering the environment for Mountain Times Publications. Report for America is a national nonprofit service program which places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under covered issues.
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In 32 years helming the Bangarra Dance Company, Stephen Page admits to being more nervous than he has ever been ahead of an opening night.

Its not only that the pandemic has played havoc with rehearsals. Its that Wudjang: Not The Past, is Pages last production as Bangarras creative force and his most ambitious to date - akin in scale to an opera, no less - featuring 17 dancers, four musicians and five actors.

Bangarras artistic director Stephen Page with performers of Wudjang. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The landmark collaboration between Bangarra and the Sydney Theatre Company comes from a deeply personal place for Page.

The Mibinyah language from Pages fathers home on Yugambeh Country features alongside poetry, and prerecorded music written by his late brother David. The music laments the sons lost opportunities to share in the stories and cultural practices of their father before his death in 2010. We could have all learned from my father, Page says.
Frank Magree had a lot weighing on his mind when a hand pulled back the chair next to him at a busy Canggu cafe. The AK-47s hadnt arrived and he still needed to cast one of the main characters in his film, a wet-behind-the-ears GI. Hed exhausted local modelling agencies. In desperation, he was about to start dropping flyers at local hostels.

Close enough.

Oleg Dovsky is a photographer living in Bali with his model girlfriend, and has done a bit of modelling and TV commercials himself. Id gone to grab a coffee, Dovsky recalls of the chance meeting. There was one free seat, next to a very questionable-looking fella wearing dirty clothes with mud in his hair. Well, this is Bali, I thought to myself.

Run South, filmed on a budget in Indonesia.

In a matter of days, Dovsky would be chest-deep in filthy water on the nearby set built on farmland ($800 plus $100 to a local official), running from the Viet Cong (local shop workers and plasterers, paid $150 a day) before bleeding to death in a bamboo cage (built by Magree). He also found himself in an unscripted scene with an island pit viper. I knew they were dangerous because Id read those articles about What might kill you when you travel to Bali, he says.

The resulting 29-minute film, Run South, showcased at the 2021 LA Shorts International Festival and will make its Australian premiere at Flickerfest on January 26. The Melbourne-based team of Magree (whose previous short, Sengatan, also shot in Indonesia, was nominated at Flickerfest in 2017 for Best Australian Short Film), co-director David Cleeve and co-producer/actor Paul Henri made it for $40,000 over three weeks. As you might imagine, that budget requires hustling and imagination in equal parts.
Confidential text messages between West Australian Premier Mark McGowan and Attorney-General John Quigley about Clive Palmers border challenge will be aired publicly at trial after the state government lost its legal bid to keep the communications secret.

The defamation trial between the mining billionaire and Premier, in which they are both suing each other, is due to start in the Federal Court on January 31, with Mr McGowan ordered to attend the Sydney hearings in person, despite WAs border closures.

Texts between Mark McGowan and the WA Attorney-General regarding Clive Palmers border challenge will be aired in court. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen/Trevor Collens

Mr Palmer claims WAs leader brought hatred, ridicule and contempt and hurt his feelings during public commentary about him in 2020, including when Mr McGowan referred to him as the enemy of the state.

Meanwhile, Mr McGowan is alleging his reputation was damaged by advertisements Mr Palmer paid for claiming he had abused the parliamentary system and lied to the people of WA.
Western Australia has recorded two new local cases of COVID-19 overnight including a mystery case who was detected after a man presented at an emergency department.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the man, aged in his 60s, lives with four other men and was believed to be linked to the massage parlour cluster.

Authorities are working with the man on his whereabouts to understand how he may have contracted COVID-19, she said.

My understanding is he did present [to Fiona Stanley Hospital] with some symptoms that were not related to COVID and it came through he was positive.
On the banks of the Colo River on Sydneys north-west fringe, with 100 kilograms of sand and an empty barrel, Justin Stein allegedly attempted a brazen cover-up.

Police say that, between last Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Mr Stein allegedly murdered his fiancees nine-year-old daughter, Charlise Mutten, who was visiting the lavish grounds of his familys remote Blue Mountains estate, Wildenstein.

Charlise Mutten was found dead in the Colo River in the Blue Mountains on Tuesday night. Credit:Facebook

To hide what he had allegedly done, Mr Stein towed a boat from the Mount Wilson property and tried to dump the schoolgirls body in the Hawkesbury River, but was unable to start the vessel.

So he drove his ute to the Colo River, where he allegedly planned to cast Charlise into the water inside a barrel filled with the sand he had bought from a Bunnings hardware store last Thursday afternoon. But it was all too heavy for him to shift, forcing him to allegedly leave it on the waters edge.
Salisbury, MD (21801)

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Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 53F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

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Cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 53F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Wilmington, DE (19810)

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Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low near 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low near 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Correction This article previously referenced the act of medically assisted aid-in-dying as "medically assisted suicide," which is a term no longer preferred by proponents of the process. The former is how the act is described in the bill. The latter, per Compassion and Choices Action Network President and CEO Kim Callinan: "The American Association of Suicidology emphatically states that aid-in-dying is distinct from the behavior that has been traditionally and ordinarily described as suicide. If you look at the option of medical aid and dying, the person is terminally ill; imminent death is their reality. And people request medically dying so that they can maintain some control and comfort over their final days. It's a very rational and logical and thought through decision. They don't have other options. In contrast, suicide is preventable if an individual is able to access appropriate suicide prevention resources. So equating medical aid-in-dying with suicide is both irresponsible and it does a disservice to both the people who are impacted by suicide as well as to those who already are terminally ill and want to use the option of medical aid-in-dying."

"The reason I got involved in this effort for the passage of this choice for dying patients is my own personal experience of sitting by the bedsides of two close family members who literally screamed themselves to death," said Dr. Anna Marie D'Amico during Wednesday's House Health & Human Development Committee meeting.

An obstetrician gynecologist who has practiced in Delaware for 45 years, D'Amico spoke during public comment on a controversial bill, HB140, which details the protocols for medically assisted aid-in-dying--pejoratively referred to as "medically assisted suicide" to denote negative stereotypes--in Delaware for individuals with disabilities or facing terminal illness diagnoses and was ultimately released from committee, squeaking by on a vote of 8 in favor, 7 against.

The hearing lasted a full three hours, and in addition to the several individuals who provided expert testimony to the panel, more than 61 other individuals signed up to provide their own take on the issue, though not all of them had the opportunity to speak in-person as the committee bumped up against it's end time.

Both sides of the issue were thoroughly represented during the hearing, but while several individuals who stand in opposition to the bill spoke out Tuesday at a pre-hearing press conference, Wednesday gave supporters significant opportunity to defend their position before lawmakers. HB140's primary sponsor Rep. Paul Baumbach (D-Newark) called upon Christopher Riddle, Director of Ethics at Utica College, who said one of the most problematic stances by those who oppose the legislation is the suggestion that said individuals aren't capable of making such a decision on their own.

"I'm deeply concerned about perpetuating stigmatization. I'm deeply concerned about the effects that we might have on promoting the value of people with disabilities' lives. But I want to suggest to you that if we allow people to say that people with disabilities are more likely to hasten their death experience because they're easily coerced, because they're not capable of making decisions pertaining to their own care. I think that's perpetuating stereotypes pertaining to people with disabilities. That causes harm," he said. "If we suggest that people with disabilities are people who need to be protected against themselves, I find that to be remarkably stigmatizing and undermining of the autonomy that everyone should have, including people with disabilities. So no, I don't think [the bill] stigmatizes people with disabilities. And I think if we take this overly paternalistic attitude, that causes significant harm."

Compassion and Choices Action Network President and CEO Kim Callinan said, if anything, Delaware's lack of options for those seeking aid-in-dying is what makes the state more inequitable than those that offer such options, and that opponents who argue against such treatment based on a fear of a "suicide contagion" are making strawman arguments.

"[Not having the option] certainly wouldn't feel equitable to me if I was a Delaware resident, and we do hear that from our supporters quite a bit, that it doesn't feel right that a zipcode should determine and dictate the number of end-of-life options that you have available," she said. "There is absolutely no evidence that medical aid in dying impacts suicide rates in any way, and I actually think it's really irresponsible for us to continue to link the two issues together."

There were also people on the call like Vickie George, who spoke during the hearing and with WDEL beforehand. George is co-founder, president, and CEO of Yes You Can USA. She's also a 66-year-old woman with progressive MS, a diagnosis she received 27 years ago .

She took issue with Tuesday's press conference where individuals with disabilities presumed to be speaking for the community as a whole, and said the case for passing the legislation is "simple."

"People just want the choice. They want to be able to choose what they do. It's simple," George said. "My god, you should be able to choose how you want to live out those last six months of your life, not have it taken away from you. That's exactly what this message is from those who want to choose. And I'm not just talking about the disability community, I'm talking people in general."

She said there's no way that any person could know the circumstances of any other person or what drove them to make the decision to seek out aid-in-dying, and therefore, no one should stand in the way of them making such a choice if that's what's best for them.

"You can't live the life of the person that's going through whatever they're going through. There's no way anybody could ever--ever--be in my shoes and figure out how the heck I got through my life as a quadriplegic. I mean, my life is extremely challenging, let me tell you, but I drive forward because that's the way I am," she said. "[But ] they can't decide for somebody else what the challenges have been for that person, and then decide whether it's okay for them to...accept medical aid in dying."

For now, the committee agreed in majority with George's opinion, which she spelled out for legislators, a message she said was one she heard regularly from those supportive of these kinds of legislation, and one she described as:

"Legislators, please listen to your constituents. Don't take the options away for those who want to choose medical aid in dying," George said. "We are not telling the people who oppose it that they must choose it...but don't take it away from those that want to; They just don't speak for us."

The bill, which passed committee 8 to 7--Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha the only Democrat voting against the measure--has been to the House floor before. Since at least 2014, Baumbach has been talking about the issue.
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Blockchain Co-Inventor to Speak at Weber State

January 19, 2022

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State Universitys John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics will host the co-inventor of blockchain, W. Scott Stornetta, who will speak to students Jan. 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at WSU Davis Building D2 Rooms 110/111 (2750 N. University Park Blvd., Layton). The public is invited to register in advance for the limited seating at this link.

Blockchain, which laid the foundation for Bitcoin and other digital currencies, is a database storage technology that collects information in groups with defined capacities, called blocks. Once a block is full, it is irreversibly set in the timeline and then a new block is added, forming a chain. This groundbreaking technology guarantees the accuracy and security of data because it is irreversible, uneditable and independently verified, making it inherently trusted.

Stornetta will take students, business leaders and faculty on a journey from the birth of Blockchain to how this ground-breaking technology is uprooting the basis of business, technology and finance both now and in the future.

Matt Mouritsen, dean of the Goddard School of Business & Economics, said Stornetta's visit will have a lasting impact on students and the school. Having Scott Stornetta, the co-inventor of Blockchain, on our campus is an incredible opportunity, he said. Not only will learning from Scott enable us to ensure our curriculum is aligned with the most-advanced technological concepts, but also by having him visit one-on-one with students, industry leaders and faculty, we are building connections between curriculum and communities that are invaluable.

Dating back to 1991, Stornettas pioneering series of papers and patents, written with co-author Stuart Haber at Bell Communications Research, received the 1992 Discover Award for Computer Software.

Stornetta is currently a partner at Yugen Partners, a blockchain and AI-focused venture capital firm and consults for governments on blockchain policy.

Visit weber.edu/goddard for more information about the Goddard School.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
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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
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Pangilinan: Use P7.5B Pantawid Pasada Program for libreng sakay for unvaxxed, partially vaxxed

THE national government should go after Covid fund vampires in overpriced Pharmally contracts, not ordinary citizens who are unvaccinated due to various reasons including inaccessibility of vaccines, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said Wednesday.

Pangilinan said the P7.5 billion Pantawid Pasada Program in this year's budget can be used to provide free rides to the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, especially essential workers.

"Merong P7.5 billion na pwedeng gamitin para magkaroon ng libreng sakay para sa mga unvaxxed o partially vaxxed, lalong-lalo na ang mga essential workers," said Pangilinan, who increased coverage for the 2022 national budget during deliberations last year.

The senator made this suggestion on the third day of the national government's implementation of its "no-vaccination, no-ride" policy, which Pangilinan earlier described as targeted harassment against the poor.

"Lalo lang nating pinaparusahan ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan sa patuloy na pag-impose nitong no-vaccination, no-ride scheme na klarong-klaro kontra-mahirap," Pangilinan said, even as he welcomed the exemption of workers from the policy.

"Dapat habulin ang mga mala-bampirang sumisipsip sa pondo natin sa pamamagitan ng mga overpriced contracts tulad ng sa Pharmally. Malala ang nakawan, pati maysakit ninanakawan," he added.

The lawmaker is referring to anomalous contracts signed between the national government and Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation in 2020.

Based on the investigation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Pharmally sold overpriced thermometers, goggles, and face shields to the Department of Transportation. The price range was on average 62% to 68% higher than the company's price catalog.

Pangilinan said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings last year uncovered how a small and newly created company like Pharmally amassed billions from the government's pandemic funds by selling overpriced products.

"Imagine selling thermometers at P3,200 per unit, goggles at P212.50 per unit, and face shields at P179.50 per unit when your company's price catalogue of the same only range at P1,999, P149-159, and P95 to P109, respectively? Halang ang bituka," Pangilinan said.

"Ang dapat pinagtutuunan ng pansin ay ang mga taong nakinabang sa korapsyon na ito at hindi ang ordinaryong mamamayan," he added.

As the national government remains deaf to the clamor of ordinary citizens, Pangilinan continues to call for effective Covid response, which includes conducting free testing and making vaccination convenient for people who might have difficulty accessing the same.

"Uulitin ko lang muli, kung talagang seryoso ang gobyerno sa pag-resolba ng Covid, dapat mayroong free testing, epektibong contact tracing, at madaling access sa bakuna para sa mga hindi pa bakunado. At huwag nakawan ang maysakit," Pangilinan said.

Earlier, Pangilinan said free-vaccination hubs must be set up in strategic places like bus terminals and other public places to make inoculation accessible especially to those who cannot afford to be absent from work.
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Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 43F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
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Four Wilson County Commission members decline to run for re-election

Stafford

Reich

Bishop

Vanatta

The 25-member Wilson County Commission will lose at least four incumbents with nearly 70 years of combined commission experience this year.

Commissioners Sue Vanatta, Annette Stafford, Joy Bishop and Kenny Reich said they would not seek re-election.

Stafford has 24 years on the Wilson County Commission and said she felt it was time to move on from the commission as the 20th District (Lebanon, including downtown business area) representative.

I just decided I dont want to be a part of that anymore, said Stafford, who cited changes to her district and the countys political landscape, as well as fatigue as reasons for her exit. Twenty-four years is enough. Its just time to live my life for me and do things different.

Stafford said she has accomplished a lot of her goals for the commission and county.

I think Ive achieved some of the things Ive set out to achieve. I wanted a new Lebanon High School. We got that. There are several other smaller things that Ive wanted that weve got. Our fund balance is up between $18-$20 million. Im OK with that, she said. I thank all of those who voted for me to represent them.

Stafford has voiced her displeasure with the redistricted maps for her ward, which she said could hinder voter turnout and representation. She also said she disagreed with the newly implemented local primaries in which candidates can declare a political party affiliation.

I dont believe that Wilson County is the place for that. I think that should only be on state and national elections. I dont think you should have to declare in local elections, she said.

Bishop, who represents District 24 (western part of Lebanon), has served a combined 20 years on the commission in two separate stints and said she felt it was time to pass responsibility to someone else.

I just feel like people can go and stay too long, and I feel like I need to come to the house. Age is one factor, and I just dont have the enthusiasm that I once did. I just made the decision. Its hard because it kind of gets in your blood and you just want to help the county as much as you can, she said.

Bishop said she hopes someone enthusiastic about serving the county takes her seat, but said she believed the task of managing the county could be difficult for the new member and the entire body.

Its not going to be easy to be a commissioner next time. The county is growing so much and there are so many things we cant do, and people think we have all of this money coming from everywhere. That has stipulations on it and its hard to raise money. No one wants to raise taxes, she said.

Reich has spent 16 years as the District 6 (northern Lebanon) representative and as a road commissioner.

Ive had 16 years. Thats enough, Reich said. Ive enjoyed it. Ive really enjoyed it.

Reich also said he hopes someone with the right intentions and passion secures his seat.

I just hope its somebody thats going to represent this district as elected, he said.

Reichs son, Jeremy, has filed a petition for the District 23 (area west of Lebanon) seat, which Vanatta will vacate after eight years.

I started my journey as a commissioner with a clear understanding I needed to be involved. It is a commissioners responsibility to attend meetings throughout the month and, especially, the monthly meetings, Vanatta wrote in a social media post, noting she attended 146 meetings last year for the county and city.

I feel very honored to have been elected and had the opportunity to work with 24 county commissioners these past eight years and I know together we have made a difference, she wrote.

Commissioner Terry Ashe has not picked up a petition for his District 12 seat, but said he is undecided about running for re-election.
NORWALK  The school districts superintendent topped the list of highest-earning Norwalk employees for 2021, with a salary of more than $300,000, according to salary information shared by the city.

Dr. Alexandra Estrella earned $301,475 in 2021. In 2020, Estrella earned $156,154 as she began the role midyear following the retirement of Steven J. Adamowski.

Estrella is the sixth-highest paid superintendent in the county, behind the superintendents of New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, Weston and Westport, according to a Hearst Connecticut Media review.

The average salary for full-time superintendents in Fairfield County was $253,312, as of June.

More Information Top salary earners for 2021: 1. Schools Superintendent Alexandra Estrella: $301,475 2. Officer George Daley: $291,238 3. Officer Russell Ouellette: $288,649 4. Officer Mark Suda: $285,011 5. Sgt. Gregg Scully: $272,608 6. Officer David Nieves: $272,380 7. Officer Javier Mogollon: $267,490 8. Lt. Thomas Mattera: $267,184 9. Officer Hector Delgado: $248,677 10. Lt. William Lowe: $235,248 See More Collapse

Norwalk is among the top three largest school districts, along with Hartford and Stamford, with the superintendents overseeing more than 10,000 students, according to the review.

Aside from Estrella, the top 10 highest earners were all Norwalk Police Department employees, according to the city. Estrella and school officials did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Eight of the nine highest-earning officers were also in the top 10 earners for 2020.

Officer Russell Ouellette, who was the highest-earning city employee in 2020, was the third-highest earning employee last year, behind Estrella and police officer George Daley.

In 2021, Daley and Ouellette earned $291,238 and $288,649, respectively, according to the city. Both officers rank in the top 10 for seniority among Norwalk police officers, according to the department.

Daley, who joined the force in 1992, was honored in February 2020 as one of two officers who talked a distressed individual considering suicide down off the Interstate 95 overpass. Ouellette joined the force in 1991.

For extra shifts assigned by the city, such as conducting traffic flow at the Veterans Park COVID-19 testing site, officers receive time and a half pay, Sgt. Sofia Gulino said.

Police salary range is $73,581 to $106,704, depending on salary grade, Gulino said. There are six levels. The top earners include all salary benefits.

The departments ranks, from lowest to highest, are patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and inspector, according to the police department.

Norwalk police officers routinely rank among the citys top earners, largely due to overtime shifts and extra traffic jobs, police spokesperson Lt. Joe Dinho has said.

Alongside regularly scheduled shifts, any officer, aside from the two deputy police chiefs and the chief of police, can pick up an unlimited number of extra shifts, Dinho said.

Following Estrella and 17 police officers, the school districts Chief Financial Officer Thomas Hamilton was the next highest paid city employee, with annual earnings of $212,237, according to city documents.

All the top 10 highest paid employees for 2021 earned more than $235,000. Earnings for 2021 were up, as the top 10 earners for 2020 were all above $210,000.

However, Mayor Harry Rillings earnings went down over the last year. Rilling earned $159,071 last year compared to $161,025 in 2020, the documents showed.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
TORONTO - Carol Off, the co-host of CBC Radio One's "As It Happens," is leaving the show to develop new projects for the public broadcaster.

A man leaves the CBC building in Toronto on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Carol Off, the co-host of CBC Radio One's "As It Happens," is leaving the show to develop new projects for the public broadcaster. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO - Carol Off, the co-host of CBC Radio One's "As It Happens," is leaving the show to develop new projects for the public broadcaster.

Off estimates she has conducted 25,000 interviews during her 15 years on the show, which ranged from talking to a man who spent years in prison for a murder he didn't commit to a woman who knits sweaters for her chickens.

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Susan Marjetti, general manager of CBC news, current affairs and local, called Off "one of the best interviewers in the country" and an "incredible person."

Before she began hosting "As It Happens," Off was an international correspondent for CBC covering the Middle East, the Balkans, Afghanistan, the United States, the former Soviet Union among other places.

She won numerous awards for her work including a silver medal for best radio personality last year from the New York Festivals Radio Awards.

Off's last day on the show will be Feb. 25.

---

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2022.
Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company's lab, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2020. Prince Edward Island is imposing new public health restrictions to deal with the growing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

CHARLOTTETOWN - Prince Edward Island is shutting gyms, closing in-person dining and restricting private gatherings amid rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

"Right now, each of these are trending in the wrong direction," Premier Dennis King said Tuesday, referring to the number of new infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in the province.

As of midnight Tuesday, personal gatherings will be limited to a single household plus two support people, such as home care workers or relatives who provide care. Funeral and wedding ceremonies, meanwhile, will be restricted to a maximum of 10 people.

Gyms and recreation facilities will be closed and in-room dining at restaurants won't be permitted. The new restrictions, including continued online learning for schools, will be in effect until at least Jan. 31. Retail stores can remain open but with a maximum of 50 per cent capacity and physical distancing.

"We cannot stop Omicron," chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison told a news conference in Charlottetown about the new mutation of the novel coronavirus. "The best thing we can do is to slow it down and try to flatten the curve.

"We need time to reverse some of the trends we are seeing and we can do that by limiting our contact with others."

Morrison reported 407 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and 2,214 active cases. She said eight people were hospitalized with COVID-19, including four in intensive care.

Schools shouldn't reopen to in-person learning while the number of infections in the province is on an upward trend, she said.

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"There will be a few more bumpy weeks of intense COVID activity," she said. "I am optimistic that once we get through the next few weeks things will be better and after a tough winter, we will have a better spring."

The latest wave of COVID-19 has put pressure on hospitals and led to shortages of health-care staff, who are isolating after testing positive. The government has said that 50 people had been recruited from various provincial departments, including the departments of Justice and Public Safety, to help out in the health-care system and replace isolating workers.

King said it's an "all-hands-on-deck approach" and the response has been overwhelming.

"It started with getting nurses from (Veterans Affairs Canada) to help us with our vaccine clinics and was extended to those retired nursing staff who were at home and came back to help," King said Tuesday. "It's not just a shortage in long-term care of nurses  it's also kitchen staff and cleaning staff. We are responding any way we can."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2022.

 By Kevin Bissett in Fredericton.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Albert Bourla, chairman and chief executive of global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., was awarded on Wednesday the prestigious Genesis Prize for his efforts in leading the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

JERUSALEM (AP)  Albert Bourla, chairman and chief executive of global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., was awarded on Wednesday the prestigious Genesis Prize for his efforts in leading the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The $1 million award is granted each year to a person for their professional achievements, contributions to humanity and commitment to Jewish values. The Genesis Prize Foundation said Bourla had received the largest number of votes in an online campaign in which some 200,000 people in 71 countries participated.

It commended him for his "leadership, determination, and especially for his willingness to assume great risks." It cited Pfizer's decision to turn down U.S. government funding early in the pandemic, a decision that helped the company reduce bureaucracy and expedite development of the vaccine.

Its partner, BioNTech, received funding from the German government, and Pfizer later signed a large supply contract with the United States. The strategy put Pfizer at the forefront of global efforts to fight the coronavirus, with its vaccine the first to be authorized for use in the U.S. and Europe.

The Greek-born Bourla, the son of Holocaust survivors, plans to donate his prize to projects aimed at preserving the memory of Holocaust victims, especially in Greece, the foundation said. Bourlas parents were among the few survivors of Thessalonikis Jewish community, which was all but wiped out by the Nazis during World War II.

In a statement issued by the foundation, Bourla said he was accepting the prize "humbly and on behalf of all my Pfizer colleagues who answered the urgent call of history."

"I was brought up in a Jewish family who believed that each of us is only as strong as the bonds of our community; and that we are all called upon by God to repair the world," he said.

Pfizer's vaccine was the first to win U.S. approval for emergency use in December 2020, and Israel quickly became one of the first countries to inoculate its population with the vaccine. It later struck a deal with the drug maker to exchange vast troves of data with the company in exchange for continued supplies of what was then a hard-to-get vaccine.

The deal helped turn Israel into an early global leader in the fight against COVID-19 and has provided valuable data for researchers  though it also was criticized by some on privacy grounds and for shining a light on disparities in access to vaccines between rich and poor countries.

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Bourla joins a list of business leaders, artists and entertainers to win the prize. Last years winner was Hollywood mogul Steven Spielberg.

Previous winners have included businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Michael Douglas, violinist Itzhak Perlman, sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor, actress Natalie Portman; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former Soviet political prisoner Natan Sharansky.

In 2018, Portman snubbed the prize ceremony because she did not want to appear to be endorsing then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The same year, the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was granted a special lifetime achievement award.

The prize was inaugurated in 2014 and is run in a partnership between the private Genesis Prize Foundation and the chairmans office of the Jewish Agency, a nonprofit group that has close ties to the Israeli government. It is funded by a $100 million endowment established by the foundation.

The prize is usually awarded in Jerusalem each June at a dinner attended by Israels prime minister. But the ceremony has been called off the past two years due to the pandemic.

Bourla said he hopes to travel to Jerusalem this summer for the event.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Airlines across the world, including the long-haul carrier Emirates, rushed Wednesday to cancel or change flights heading into the U.S. over an ongoing dispute about the rollout of 5G mobile phone technology near American airports.

FILE - An Emirates jetliner comes in for landing at the Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 11, 2019. Airlines across the world, including the long-haul carrier Emirates, rushed Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2021 to cancel or change flights heading into the U.S. over an ongoing dispute about the rollout of 5G mobile phone technology near American airports. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell, File)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Airlines across the world, including the long-haul carrier Emirates, rushed Wednesday to cancel or change flights heading into the U.S. over an ongoing dispute about the rollout of 5G mobile phone technology near American airports.

The issue appeared to particularly impact the Boeing 777, a long-range, wide-body aircraft used by carriers worldwide. Two Japanese airlines directly named the aircraft as being particularly affected by the 5G signals as they announced cancellations and changes to their schedules.

Dubai-based Emirates, a key carrier for East-West travel, announced it would halt flights to Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, New Jersey, Orlando, Florida, San Francisco and Seattle over the issue beginning Wednesday. It said it would continue flights to Los Angeles, New York and Washington.

In its announcement, Emirates cited the cancellation as necessary due to operational concerns associated with the planned deployment of 5G mobile network services in the U.S. at certain airports.

We are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and the relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns, and we hope to resume our U.S. services as soon as possible, the state-owned airline said.

The United Arab Emirates successfully rolled out 5G coverage all around its airports without incident, like dozens of other countries. But in the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration worries that the C-Band strand of 5G could interfere with aviation equipment.

Of particular concern in the 5G rollout appears to be the Boeing 777, a major workhorse for Emirates, which only flies that model and the Airbus A380 jumbo jet. Its Mideast competitor, Qatar Airways, anticipates minor delays on return flights from the U.S. but says otherwise its dozen U.S. routes are operating as scheduled.

Japan's All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd. said in a statement that the FAA has indicated that radio waves from the 5G wireless service may interfere with aircraft altimeters. Altimeters measure how high a plane is in the sky, a crucial piece of equipment for flying.

Boeing has announced flight restrictions on all airlines operating the Boeing 777 aircraft, and we have cancelled or changed the aircraft for some flights to/from the U.S. based on the announcement by Boeing, ANA said. It cancelled 20 flights to the U.S. over the issue to cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. similarly said that it had been informed that 5G signals may interfere with the radio altimeter installed on the Boeing 777.

We will refrain from using this model on the continental United States line until we can confirm its safety and we regret to inform you that we will cancel the flight for which the aircraft cannot be changed to the Boeing 787, the airline said. Eight of its flights were affected Wednesday  three passenger trips and five for cargo.

Chicago-based Boeing Co. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Air India also announced on Twitter it would cancel flights to Chicago, Newark, New York and San Francisco due to deployment of the 5G communications equipment. It said it would try to use other aircraft on U.S. routes as well.

Korean Air, South Koreas biggest airline, switched four passenger planes from Boeing 777s to 787s and two cargo planes from 747-8s to 747-400s overnight, and will continue to avoid operating 777s and 747-8s at affected U.S. airports, spokeswoman Jill Chung said.

Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific said it is deploying different types of airplanes where necessary to the affected airports and that its flights to the United States have not been affected so far. Taiwan's EVA Air also said it had taken contingency measures to ensure flight safety, without elaborating.

The cancellations come even after mobile phone carriers AT&T and Verizon will postpone new wireless service near some U.S. airports planned for this week.

The FAA will allow planes with accurate, reliable altimeters to operate around high-power 5G. But planes with older altimeters will not be allowed to make landings under low-visibility conditions.

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Choi Jong-yun, a spokeswoman of Asiana Airlines, another South Korean carrier, said the company hasnt been affected so far because it uses Airbus planes for passenger flights to the U.S. and doesnt use the affected Boeing planes to transport cargo.

However, Choi said airlines have also been instructed by the FAA to avoid automatic landings at affected U.S. airports during bad weather conditions, regardless of plane type. Asiana will redirect its planes to nearby airports during those conditions, she said.

___

Associated Press writers Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo, Ken Moritsugu in Beijing and Isabel DeBre in Dubai contributed to this report.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
Construction will soon begin on the second commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project to gain approval in the United States, the developers said.

Construction will soon begin on the second commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project to gain approval in the United States, the developers said.

The U.S. Department of the Interior approved it in November, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued its approval letter for the constructions and operations plan Tuesday, a major step in the federal process before construction can start.

Orsted, a Danish energy company, is developing the South Fork Wind project with utility Eversource off the coasts of New York and Rhode Island. They now expect the work onshore to begin by early February and offshore next year for as many as 12 turbines.

President Joe Biden has set a goal to install 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030, generating enough electricity to power more than 10 million homes. In November, work began on the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the United States, the Vineyard Wind 1 project off the coast of Massachusetts.

Those developments, along with last week's announcement that the Biden administration will hold its first offshore wind auction next month, show there's a lot of excitement, energy and progress in the U.S. offshore wind industry, said David Hardy, CEO of Orsted Offshore North America.

The auction is for nearly 500,000 acres off the coast of New York and New Jersey for wind energy projects that could produce enough electricity to power nearly 2 million homes.

There's a lot of activity, at the same time its still a nascent industry," Hardy said Tuesday. So there are still a lot of unknowns and a lot of risk, quite frankly, to getting this started and getting it right and in achieving the full opportunities of the industry.

The offshore wind industry is far more advanced in Europe, where the first offshore wind farm opened in 1991, Hardy added.

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Were jumping in and leveraging what they've started," he said. "And I like to say that we dont plan to play catch up for long. We may be behind for awhile on the volume, but we can bring U.S. innovation and U.S. technology to this industry, and hopefully be able to export that in the relatively near term.

Eversource President and CEO Joe Nolan said the introduction of the offshore wind supply chain in the United States will create jobs, revitalize dormant ports and displace fossil fuels by providing a clean, carbon-free energy source.

The first U.S. offshore wind farm opened off Rhode Island's Block Island in late 2016. But at five turbines, its not commercial scale. Orsted acquired the developer, Rhode Island-based Deepwater Wind, and now operates that wind farm.

Some commercial fishing groups have complained that wind projects off the East Coast could interfere with efforts to catch seafood species such as scallops, clams and sea bass. A group representing fishing associations and companies, Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, has said the Biden administration has been moving forward on such projects at a staggering pace with insufficient environmental reviews or public comment.

The Interior Department said it consulted with commercial fisheries and other stakeholders before moving forward with the upcoming lease sale, resulting in a 72% reduction in the size of the proposed lease area off the coast of New York and New Jersey.

The South Fork Wind project will be about 19 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of Block Island and 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of Montauk Point, at the eastern tip of New York's Long Island. Its expected to provide roughly 130 megawatts, enough power for about 70,000 homes, when it begins operations, which is currently expected at the end of 2023. Its transmission system will connect to the electric grid on Long Island, making it the states first offshore wind farm and jumpstarting the offshore wind industry there.
BRUSSELS (AP)  European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday became the second top-level European Union official who has had to pull out of the blocs parliament session because of contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.

European flags are pictured outside the European Parliament Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022 in Strasbourg, eastern France. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

BRUSSELS (AP)  European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday became the second top-level European Union official who has had to pull out of the blocs parliament session because of contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen already canceled her attendance on Monday.

Michel said I have been informed that I was in close contact with someone who tested positive, Michel said. Therefore I will not be able to attend the parliamentary session, where he was to brief legislators on the EU summit in December and issues like the pandemic and the standoff in Ukraine.

He didn't provide details. Von der Leyen canceled her in-person appointments at the European Parliament after her driver tested positive for COVID-19.

Both were supposed to be in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, as President Emmanuel Macron would address the plenary on the plans during France's tenure of the EU presidency, which runs through June.

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  A Florida man convicted of fraudulently collecting more than $1.3 million in COVID-19 relief funds has been sentenced to five years in prison.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  A Florida man convicted of fraudulently collecting more than $1.3 million in COVID-19 relief funds has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Johnson Eustache, of Palm Bay, was sentenced Tuesday in Orlando federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud and aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. He must also forfeit approximately $700,000 seized from several bank accounts, as well as real properties in Palm Bay and Poinciana.

According to court documents, Eustache submitted 13 different fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program applications to the Small Business Administration and other lenders from March 2020 to April 2021. In total, he sought more than $2.1 million in pandemic-related emergency benefits, according to the documents.

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Eustache included false statements in the applications regarding criminal history, number of employees and total payroll, prosecutors said.

Lenders approved four PPP loans and four EIDL loans, totaling more than $1.3 million, officials said. Eustache used the money to make personal financial investments, to purchase real estate and to build residential properties.

Beside the pandemic-relief fraud, Eustache, while working as a tax return preparer, filed 28 returns for taxpayers from 2017 to 2021 containing false adjustments, false income amounts or false deductions, investigators said. Eustache included these false items fraudulently to inflate the amount of the taxpayers refunds, and the total loss to the IRS was $87,044, officials said.

The Paycheck Protection Program represents billions of dollars in forgivable small-business loans for Americans struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's part of the coronavirus relief package that became federal law in 2020.

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GATINEAU, Que. - Hexo Corp. says it expects its new strategic plan to reduce selling, general and administrative expenses by about 30 per cent by the end of fiscal 2023.

A flowering cannabis plant is seen during a tour of the Hexo Corp. facility in Masson Angers, Que., on October 11, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

GATINEAU, Que. - Hexo Corp. says it expects its new strategic plan to reduce selling, general and administrative expenses by about 30 per cent by the end of fiscal 2023.

The Gatineau, Que.-based cannabis company says its plan, which was unveiled last month after its debts mounted and founder left the businesses, will deliver about $175 million in cash over the next two fiscal years.

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The company says the plan will generate incremental cash flow of about $37.5 million in fiscal 2022 and an additional $135 million next year.

Hexo plans to achieve these goals by moving away from co-packaging agreements and toward using its in-house production capabilities.

Hexo intends to reconfigure its network of facilities to uncover greater efficiencies and will move vape and distillate production to a site it recently acquired, when it purchased Redecan for $925 million.

The company says it has also sold its 25 per cent interest in the Belleville Complex Inc. to Olegna Holdings Inc. for about $10.1 million, but will continue to lease the facility.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 19, 2022.

Companies in this story: (TSX:HEXO)
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Doctors and medical workers in Poland fear the country's health care system may not be able to cope with the latest surge of COVID-19 infections.

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Doctors and medical workers in Poland fear the country's health care system may not be able to cope with the latest surge of COVID-19 infections.

More than 30,000 new cases in 24 hours were reported Wednesday in this nation of 38 million people and health authorities are expecting the figure to almost double in the next week, reflecting the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant.

Poland has about 31,000 hospital beds for COVID-19 patients, and the current infection rate poses a great risk to the efficiency of the health care system, Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said.

Medical staff are exhausted and overworked and stress that dedicated hospital beds and equipment alone cannot care for the patients. Nurse Gilbert Kolbe, a spokesman for protesting medics, says Polands health care system is not prepared for the fifth wave.

"Whatever happens during the fifth wave, if no radical steps are taken by our government, will, unfortunately, have influence on the number of deaths, Kolbe told The Associated Press.

It is really a great problem that we are simply exhausted," with people working huge hours every month, Kolbe said, adding that the situation is worsened by the hateful comments and death threats that some medical workers are receiving.

Even politicians are saying that the pandemic has saved the medics because it allows them to earn better money! he said. "But we dont want that money anymore but want the pandemic to be over.

Milosz Jankowski, the deputy head of the Anesthesiology Clinic at the government hospital in Warsaw, where the most serious COVID-19 cases are treated, noted the importance of getting vaccinated.

Perhaps if our society took (the pandemic) more seriously, maybe the authorities would have been more inclined toward more restrictive steps as regards people who are not vaccinated, he said.

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The health minister on Wednesday backed a draft regulation that would require workers to show proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 to their employers. The right-wing government of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also backs the plan. Niedzielski said the certificates, coupled with people working remotely when possible, were seen as a better option for fighting the pandemic than a lockdown.

In Jankowski 's opinion, the health system will survive (this surge) but will be offering less to patients with other medical issues and that will have a price for these patients.

Some 56.6% of Poland's population is fully vaccinated and almost 9 million people have received booster shots. Since the start of the pandemic, the country has reported over 103,000 deaths.

I think we will manage, because we managed to go through the previous waves, Jankowski told the AP. Certainly, everyone is really tired, tired with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP)  Slovakia on Wednesday limited access to what the government considers the most risky events and public gatherings as the country gets ready for the highly infectious omicron coronavirus variant.

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP)  Slovakia on Wednesday limited access to what the government considers the most risky events and public gatherings as the country gets ready for the highly infectious omicron coronavirus variant.

To attend weddings, parties, discotheques and other venues like wellness and swimming centers, people need to receive a booster shot, or be vaccinated with two shots and additionally get tested for or be recovered from COVID-19.

The number of people at those events and venues will be limited. All bars, restaurants and various services will also have to be closed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than the previous delta variant, according to studies. Omicron spreads even more easily than other coronavirus strains, and has already become dominant in many countries. It also more easily infects those who have been vaccinated or had previously been infected by prior versions of the virus.

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Slovak authorities have been expecting the omicron variant to become dominant in January after delta caused a record surge in infections late last year.

In the nation of 5.5 million, more than 2.6 million people are considered fully vaccinated while almost 1.3 million have received a booster shot.

Meanwhile, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was declining despite a steep growth of new infections, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.

But the number of people needing hospitalization dropped to 1,643 on Tuesday, about 2,000 less than in early December. Slovakia has reported more than 890,000 COVID-19 cases and 17,459 deaths.

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Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck welcomed the appointment of Brandon West MLA Reg Helwer as minister of labour, consumer protection and government services, noting the creation of the portfolio was long past due.

Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck welcomed the appointment of Brandon West MLA Reg Helwer as minister of labour, consumer protection and government services, noting the creation of the portfolio was long past due.

Manitoba has been an outlier for nearly six years without a dedicated labour minister, he said in a statement. We are glad to finally have someone to work with on important issues that matter to working people in our province.

Rebeck said the minister must focus on fixing chronic labour shortages in health care and the public sector, introducing permanent paid sick leave and increasing minimum wage.

Manitoba Government and General Employees Union president Kyle Ross said the appointment of a labour minister is a good first step to show front-line employees the government is committed to resetting its relationship with workers.

The new minister will know there is a lot of work to do to restore confidence in this government after years of cuts, privatization, wage freezes, strikes, and contracts that have been ignored for years, Ross said.

  

Manitoba Teachers Society president James Bedford congratulated Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko on his appointment as minister of education and early childhood learning.

As a former teacher, the minister knows that teachers are the biggest advocates for public education, Bedford said in a statement. It is my hope that minister Ewasko will make it a priority to ensure that the voices of teachers are heard and reflected in the decisions made about the future of public education.

  

Long Term & Continuing Care Association of Manitoba executive director Jan Legeros gave credit to the province for establishing a ministry dedicated exclusively to seniors and long-term care.

Legeros said the sector is a critically important and complex program requiring a provincial lens and dedicated portfolio.

We look forward to working closely with (Assiniboia MLA Scott Johnston) the minister of seniors and long-term care, Legeros said.

Larry Baillie, a member of the Families Voices Coalition, said he hopes the new minister will be willing to sit down with families of long-term care residents to discuss concerns. The coalition was formed in the wake of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak in Winnipeg at Maples Personal Care Home, where Baillies father died, in late 2020.

However, he does not expect substantive changes to conditions in long-term care any time soon.

Its the same old, same old, Baillie said.

  

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said he was reassured to see some continuity in cabinet following the shuffle, and welcomed the return of Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke (minister of municipal relations) to the executive council.

MKO had a productive relationship with Clarke in her past role as minister of Indigenous and northern relations, Settee said in a statement. As we have ongoing concerns with the provision of health services in the municipality of Leaf Rapids, my office will be reaching out to her to seek assistance on this matter.

  

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Wilderness Committee Manitoba field office director Eric Reder said regular changes to the environment and climate file amounts to the Tory government using the portfolio as a training gig for rookies.

The government is six years old and this is our fourth minister on conservation, its our third name change for the ministry, and its our fourth minister with zero background on the file, Reder said of the appointment of Red River North MLA Jeff Wharton as minister of environment, climate and parks.

  

The association representing Manitoba pork producers congratulated Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson on his new role in cabinet as minister of agriculture, while commending former minister Ralph Eichler.

It cannot be overstated when it is said that minister Eichler is a champion for agriculture, both here in Manitoba and across the country, and his commitment to the agriculture industry is something that all Manitobans should be proud of, a statement from Manitoba Pork read.

Keystone Agricultural Producers president Bill Campbell also congratulated Johnson and wished Eichler well: Minister Johnson understands the challenges facing Manitobas agricultural industry and we look forward to working with him.
The Sandy Bay residential school was destroyed by fire decades ago, but its tragic legacy lives on.

The Sandy Bay residential school was destroyed by fire decades ago, but its tragic legacy lives on.

Now, the local Manitoba First Nations community wants to know if any missing children remain at the site.

An agreement has been signed between the federal government and Dakota Tipi First Nation to guide potential unmarked gravesite investigations into five former residential school sites: Sandy Bay, Portage la Prairie, Assiniboia, Brandon, and Fort Alexander (Sagkeeng).

The agreement will create a survivor-led steering committee to search each of the sites, but also to do research at various places, including church and Hudson Bay Co. records, St. Boniface Archives and the Winnipeg-based National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation, to determine how many students attended the schools.

Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation Chief Trevor Prince said he never attended a residential school  and his grandparents hid his father and two aunts from having to go  but members of the community tell him there were some students who never came back, even though the building (closed in 1970) was located on the reserve.

"Im hoping they dont find anything," Prince said Tuesday.

"But I have been hearing they will find something. People are saying a kid would enter the school and, all of a sudden, they were gone."

Last year, news that more than 200 potential unmarked gravesites had been found at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School in B.C. shocked Canadians. In its wake, hundreds of such sites have been flagged at other former residential schools.

In response, the federal government earmarked about $320 million in support for Indigenous-led, survivor-centric and culturally informed initiatives to help respond and heal from the impacts of residential schools. So far, about $116 million has been committed.

Regarding efforts in Manitoba, a spokesperson said Tuesday evening that the federal government has committed $353,320 over three years from the Residential School Missing Children'sCommunity Support Funding Program.

In a statement Tuesday, Chief Eric Pashe called the announcement "a historic time for the Dakota people."

"The time has now come for our history to be properly told," said Pashe. "We have an initial commitment to help engage with our survivors to determine how they would like to proceed.

"As you can imagine, there is significant trauma and, as stories are coming forward, we want to make sure we listen to our survivors in what they would like to see happen. The funding will also help us do that and scope the initiative properly," the chief said.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Canada to discuss the project and ensure we can do this right."

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller credited First Nation leadership who "worked tirelessly to ensure that the community is in a good position to begin the important and difficult work of searching archival records and undertaking fieldwork to investigate five former residential schools in Manitoba."

"The government of Canada, and all Canadians, support the residential school survivor project, which will be guided by a survivor-led steering committee, to contribute to the healing of survivors and community of Dakota Tipi First Nation."

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Prince said while it has been decades sinceSandy Bay residential school closed, many residents are still dealing with the negative effects.

"A lot of our people are still experiencing the traumas from back then," he said. "It is a touchy subject for me. I get emotional when talking about it. And its not just my parents and grandparents  its the entire realities of First Nations across Canada."

Prince said researchers from the University of Manitoba came to the site last summer with ground penetrating radar equipment, but are still analyzing the results.

"If they do find something, then there will be big decisions to make: whether we dig them up and give them a proper burial or leave them there and have some type of memorial right there. As chief, I wont make the decision on my own, Id have to bring the community together," he said.

"But I say these kids are lost and want to be found."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson has rebuilt her cabinet, adding a third health department and bringing back into the fold a popular former minister.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson has rebuilt her cabinet, adding a third health department and bringing back into the fold a popular former minister.

"Weve seen through the pandemic that there is a need for more emphasis on health care in the province," Stefanson told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony Tuesday.

The overwhelmed health portfolio has been split among three ministers, keeping Audrey Gordon as main health minister in charge of managing the COVID-19 pandemic, clearing the massive surgical backlog and improving quality of life for Manitobans.

"The premier has a lot of confidence in Audrey Gordon," said University of Manitoba political studies Prof. Christopher Adams. As a former health minister, Stefanson knows what that department needs, he said.

Stefanson promoted backbencher MLA Scott Johnston (Assiniboia) to oversee the new department of seniors and long-term care. Johnston, who told reporters he is himself a senior, is tasked with implementing all recommendations of the Stevenson report, ordered after the deaths of several residents at the Maples Personal Care Home in 2020.

"I think there needs to be more of a focus on seniors," the premier said.

Sarah Guillemard was moved from conservation and climate to the new department of mental health and community wellness. She is expected to work with community groups to better address addictions and mental health issues made worse by the pandemic.

CP Premier Heather Stefanson (centre) at a press conference following a swearing-in ceremony for her cabinet with Andrew Smith (from left), Scott Johnston, Eileen Clarke and Doyle Piwniuk. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press)

Eileen Clarke, who was Indigenous and northern relations minister before she quit then-premier Brian Pallisters cabinet last summer, is now municipal relations minister. The MLA for Agassiz resigned after Pallister appeared to defend the actions of colonial settlers. She later expressed frustration at the level of communication with the former premier.

"That changed 100 per cent the day this premier took office," Clarke told reporters Tuesday. "I have no regrets for my resignation. I did it for all the right reasons.

"For the premier to invite me back into cabinet was really a great day."

Two other new faces are joining cabinet: Doyle Piwniuk (Turtle Mountain) is minister of transportation and infrastructure; Andrew Smith (Lagimodiere) takes over as culture, sport and heritage minister.

Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere, who replaced Clarke last summer and immediately offended Indigenous leaders with ill-informed remarks about residential schools, is staying put, Stefanson said Tuesday.

"I think Al is doing a great job out there and hes going to continue in that role," the premier said, noting Lagimodiere redeemed himself by meeting with and learning from Indigenous leaders and communities.

MLAs Ralph Eichler and Cathy Cox were dropped from cabinet.

Eichler was replaced as agriculture minister by Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli). Cox was replaced by Smith, with Families Minister Rochelle Squires taking over the status of women file.

Premier Heather Stefanson leads new members of cabinet into the swearing-in ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Tuesday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

"There always is renewal in cabinet. Members move in and out of cabinet with different shuffles," the premier said, thanking Cox and Eichler (who was hospitalized for heart problems this summer) for their work, calling them "wonderful individuals."

Cox was seen leaving the legislature Tuesday carrying a box full of framed pictures. The Kildonan-River East MLA said she wasnt prepared to comment on her departure from cabinet.

Stefanson has resurrected the labour portfolio and given it to former central services minister Reg Helwer. He will be in charge of labour, consumer protection and government services, as well as minister responsible for the civil service and the Public Utilities Board.

After Pallister had battled the civil service at every turn, the new labour ministry aims to improve that relationship, the premier said.

"I think we need to take a collaborative approach moving forward."

Other major changes include shifting the finance portfolio to Cameron Friesen from Scott Fielding  who Stefanson said moves to the portfolio of natural resources and northern development.

Friesen was replaced as justice minister by Kelvin Goertzen, who remains government house leader. Goertzens former legislative and public affairs portfolio is no more.

The Crown services portfolio is being split up, with different agencies being handled by different ministers. Its former minister, Jeff Wharton, takes over the conservation and climate department.

CP Premier Heather Stefanson shuffled her cabinet Tuesday. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press)

Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet) is now minister of education and early childhood learning. That files former minister, Cliff Cullen, who had almost ushered in Bill 64 that wouldve eliminated most elected school boards, becomes deputy premier and minister of economic development, investment and trade.

Jon Reyes takes over from Ewasko in advanced education, skills and immigration.

Rather than promoting MLAs based on where votes are needed to win the 2023 election  such as among women and in the Winnipeg region  Stefanson is relying on experience and putting her most skilled stickhandlers in charge of critical portfolios, said Adams.

"Justice is often a lightning rod for big issues that hit the media," he said as an example. Goertzen is a lawyer and a skilled politician who can manage controversies that arise within law and MPI, his other area of responsibility.

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With an economy sideswiped by the COVID-19 pandemic, Friesen, whos held the finance minister role before, has experience to navigate the next provincial budget expected no later than April, Adams said.

The cabinet shuffle wont make a difference to Manitobans, the opposition said.

"As far as I can see, all the failed health ministers of the past still have a job in this cabinet and the person who brought you Bill 64 (Cullen) got a promotion today," said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. "Does that reflect the priorities of you and your family? No."

The shuffle was about optics, not action, Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said.

"Its really just putting a new gloss of paint on an old house."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Manitoba is sending some patients out of province and shifting thousands of cases to private clinics in an effort to reduce a massive surgical backlog amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manitoba is sending some patients out of province and shifting thousands of cases to private clinics in an effort to reduce a massive surgical backlog amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The province is finalizing an agreement with South Dakota-based organization Sanford Health to perform operations on patients who have spinal stenosis, chronic degenerative disc or who require other spinal surgery at its centre in Fargo, N.D.

A few hundred Manitoba patients could be eligible. However, referrals will only be made as capacity at Sanford Health allows as COVID-19 disrupts operations and staffing. No such surgeries were scheduled, as of Wednesday.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon.

"This is an interim measure while Manitoba builds its own capacity and a new option for patients who are willing to travel and have the cost of their care still covered by this province," Health Minister Audrey Gordon said during a news conference at the legislative building, alongside members of the newly minted diagnostic and surgical recovery task force.

Complex, outpatient or life-threatening cases will not be eligible and potential Fargo candidates will be asked if they want to undergo surgery south of the border. The cost to the province will be comparable to providing the operations in Manitoba.

This is an interim measure while Manitoba builds its own capacity and a new option for patients who are willing to travel and have the cost of their care still covered by this province.  Health Minister Audrey Gordon

"This is in no way a forced approach," the health minister said. "This is having discussions and reaching solutions that ensure the person doesnt continue to suffer or their case or their injury doesnt worsen."

There are no plans to send patients awaiting other procedures to Fargo, but that option hasnt been ruled out, officials said.

The task force also outlined three other initiatives developed since the committee was formally announced Dec. 8.

New initiatives Manitobas diagnostic and surgical recovery task force announced four new initiatives Wednesday to expedite care to thousands of people waiting for treatment. The new programs include:  Sending some patients requiring spinal surgery to a health centre in Fargo, N.D., for treatment; click to read more Manitobas diagnostic and surgical recovery task force announced four new initiatives Wednesday to expedite care to thousands of people waiting for treatment. The new programs include:  Sending some patients requiring spinal surgery to a health centre in Fargo, N.D., for treatment;  Referring an estimated 2,000 patients in need of gynecological surgery to the private Maples Surgical Centre in Winnipeg;  Using fecal immunochemical tests to screen for colon cancer (instead of endoscopy);  Hiring and training up to 13 anesthesia clinical assistants over the next three years to extend the number of patients that can be monitored by anesthesiologists. To date, 13.7 million has been spent or allocated to reduce the provinces surgical and diagnostic backlog. The province has budgeted $50 million to tackle the issue. Health Minister Audrey Gordon said the new initiatives will be covered by the previously announced budget. Close

Over the coming months, approximately 2,000 patients requiring gynaecological surgery will be referred to the Maples Surgical Centre in Winnipeg for treatment under a new agreement with the private facility.

An estimated 3,000 people are in need of gynaecological surgeries, with some waiting since 2019. About two-thirds can be performed as out patients.

Meanwhile, the province will change how it screens for colorectal cancer to reduce demand on endoscopy services.

Some 10,000 Manitobans were estimated to be waiting for an endoscopy, as of Wednesday; pre-pandemic, the wait list was about 1,500.

Fecal immunochemical tests will now be the primary screening tool. The change is expected to reduce the backlog by 10 to 15 per cent per year, the province said.

Up to 13 new anesthesia clinical assistants will also be trained and hired over the next three years to support operating rooms across Manitoba.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Dr. Peter MacDonald, chair, Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force Steering Committee.

Dr. Peter MacDonald, chairman of the task force steering committee, said the group has been focused on implementing short-term solutions to help patients needing care, while high-level planning continues to deal with systemic issues.

However, HR issues underscore many of the current challenges.

"Were sensitive to that, in having to train or come up with alternatives in terms of a human resources plan," MacDonald said. "Were looking at it actively. Its our biggest problem, it has many common threads, it overrides a lot of our wait-list issues, so we really want to concentrate on human resources."

No timeline has been established to clear the surgical and diagnostic backlog because the impacts of the pandemic on planning cant be predicted, MacDonald said.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Dr. Ed Buchel, provincial specialty lead, surgery.

Dr. Ed Buchel, head of surgery with Shared Health, said the task force has started recruiting new surgeons to the province, alongside the training and hiring of licensed practical nurses and anesthesia clinical assistants.

Buchel said the recruitment plan is focused on areas where services can be ramped up quickly and based on current case volumes and capacity. Hiring targets have been set in each surgical specialty.

"If youre looking at what were going to need, the wait list kind of tells you," Buchel said. "Theres an active recruitment because it takes months to recruit surgeons."

Buchel said he hopes to have an accurate surgical wait list as early as spring, following the implementation of a new information management system.

Doctors Manitoba president Dr. Kristjan Thompson said Wednesday he was encouraged.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Health Minister Audrey Gordon (centre), with members of the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force at the Manitoba Legislative building Wednesday afternoon.

The physicians advocacy association has been calling for the province to take action since June, and estimates nearly 60,000 surgical cases and more than 95,400 diagnostic cases have been delayed.

"Physicians top concern is seeing their patients get the tests and treatment they need as quickly as possible. Though we would like to see more capacity built here in Manitoba for local physicians to be able to meet the care needs of their patients close to home," Thompson said in a statement.

Uzoma Asagwara, health critic for the Opposition NDP, described the plan to send patients out of the country for surgery as unacceptable and called the task forces update a disappointment for many Manitobans.

"Yet again, another government announcement that was short on details, had no timeline, and no target date attached," Asagwara said. "What we were left with was many unanswered questions and again many Manitobans simply waiting."

 with files from Chris Kitching

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca

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Seniors and Long-term Care Minister Scott Johnston

First elected Assiniboia MLA in 2016. The former chairman of the St. James-Assiniboia School Board was a trustee for 25 years and worked at a private brokerage firm. He has served as legislative assistant for the minister of finance and special envoy for military affairs. Hes married and has three children and lives in his Winnipeg constituency.

/DAVID LIPNOWSKI / THE CANADIAN PRESS Scott Johnston, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, speaks to the media at a press conference after he is sworn-in at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

His first act as minister is to familiarize himself with the seniors strategy and implementation of recommendations of the Stevenson report on deaths of residents at Maples Personal Care Home during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He is both suited to the role and "comfortable taking on the challenge," Johnston said Tuesday.

"First and foremost, I am a senior," he said. "In my particular time in my life, Im going to be experiencing the things that many seniors are experiencing right now.

"Since Ive been elected to the legislature, Ive had to deal with a number of situations arising from seniors care."

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk

First elected Turtle Mountain MLA in 2014. He has served as deputy speaker of the legislature. Piwniuk worked as a pension fund accountant before moving to Virden to become a partner at an insurance firm. Hes married and has two children, and lives near Virden.

/DAVID LIPNOWSKI / THE CANADIAN PRESS Doyle Piwniuk, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, speaks to the media at a press conference after he is sworn-in at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

"Its exciting times, because the way that we can grow the economy is an investment in infrastructure and transportation," Piwniuk said of his cabinet post. "I think its vital that we get people back to work.

"Its a growing province. We want to make sure were ready."

Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Andrew Smith

First elected Lagimodiere MLA in 2016. Worked in marketing in the environmental sector before serving as a political staffer to a Manitoba MP. Since 2017, Smith was legislative assistant to the minister of sport. He lives in Sage Creek, with his spouse and son.

/DAVID LIPNOWSKI / THE CANADIAN PRESS Andrew Smith, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage, Minister Responsible for Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation and Minister Responsible for Travel Manitoba, speaks to the media at a press conference after he is sworn-in at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

Smith said hes honoured to serve as minister in a portfolio so important to Manitobans, tourism, and the economy.

"As a person whose been involved in amateur sport (particularly competitive weightlifting), I know very much what its like to be an amateur athlete and the challenges of competing in a sport and raising enough money for your team to be somewhat competitive in Canada," Smith said.
SAGKEENG First Nation will soon learn whether anyone will be criminally charged for abuse committed against children at the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School.

SAGKEENG First Nation will soon learn whether anyone will be criminally charged for abuse committed against children at the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School.

The decision will come 52 years after the school shut its doors, 12 years after the criminal probe began and roughly two years after the investigative file was sent to Crown attorneys for review.

Members of the Manitoba RCMP major crimes unit began investigating historic allegations of physical and sexual abuse at the former residential school in February 2010.

The investigation was long and sprawling, involving 80 police officers speaking to more than 700 people across North America. It was finalized in February 2020 when the Mounties sent the case file to Manitoba Prosecution Services for review.

Roughly two years after receiving the file, a spokesperson for Manitoba Justice says Crown attorneys are finalizing their review and a charging decision is "expected in the coming weeks."

Sagkeeng First Nation Chief Derrick Henderson told the Free Press he has been left in the dark on the case.

"They havent been in touch with me. Ive just been kind of wondering whats going on I know they take their time with a lot of situations," Henderson said.

"Its something thats kind of expected from our people now Were just kind of waiting. Its a wait and see game all the time. Its unfortunate, but thats the way the system is."

The existence of the RCMP probe came to light during a Free Press investigation into the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School in July 2021.

The Free Press spoke with two survivors who said widespread sexual abuse of students was an open secret at the school.

The investigation began in February 2010 with members of the RCMP major crimes unit travelling to Sagkeeng for "probative" inquiries, which included canvassing for alleged victims and witnesses.

Investigators later travelled to Ottawa for archival materials, collecting thousands of documents, including "student lists, employee lists and quarterly returns."

A formal criminal investigation was launched in 2011.

The Fort Alexander Indian Residential School operated on Sagkeeng First Nation, located 120 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, from 1905 to 1970.

It was one of 14 residential schools in Manitoba officially recognized by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The school was run by a Catholic religious order called the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Public revelations of abuse at the school first came to light during a historic 1990 interview that Phil Fontaine, then-Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, gave to the CBC.

During the interview, Fontaine revealed that hed been victimized while a student at the school. All told, children from 21 communities attended the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School.

No former staff have ever faced criminal charges. The RCMP said the criminal investigation into the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School is the only such probe underway in Manitoba.

In August, the Canadian Press reported that three other criminal investigations into former residential schools were in progress in Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.

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In 2021, Canada underwent a reckoning over its history of residential schools after ground-penetrating radar searches turned up the presumed unmarked graves of 215 children at the site of a former school in Kamloops, B.C.

The grim discovery sparked other communities to begin searching for unmarked graves at former residential schools sites, including in Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan, where the presumed unmarked graves of 751 people were found.

In July, Sagkeeng began ground searches near the site of the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School, as oral history in the community had long indicated there were likely unmarked graves.

Henderson told the Free Press the ground searches had to be temporarily suspended due to rising COVID-19 case counts, but would begin again in early February.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: rk_thorpe
This weeks heavy snowfall has prompted a safety warning for Manitoba snowmobilers itching to get out and ride.

This weeks heavy snowfall has prompted a safety warning for Manitoba snowmobilers itching to get out and ride.

After 10 to 15 centimetres fell in parts of the province Monday and Tuesday, the fresh covering could be obscuring hazardous debris or other objects, say the RCMP.

With the large amount of snowfall weve already received this winter, its extremely important that riders know the terrain they intend to travel on, as dangerous obstacles could be hiding under the snow, said spokesman Sgt. Paul Manaigre. Its best to stay on groomed trails or travel in areas which have already been used by other riders.

The RCMP also encouraged snowmobilers to ride within their ability and in groups, and to tell someone about their planned route and expected hour of return before they head out.

At least four people have been killed in snowmobiling incidents in Manitoba this season.

The latest involved a 72-year-old man, who died Monday after a snowmobile collided with a fence in the Rural Municipality of Springfield.

People were providing first aid to the Springfield man when RCMP arrived at the scene near a property on Pleasant Road, just east of Winnipeg, at about 2:30 p.m.

The RCMP said the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was not wearing a helmet and was snowmobiling alone.

Alcohol and speed are not believed to have been factors.

The fatal collision occurred before the recent snowstorm began.

Yvonne Rideout, executive director of Snowmobilers of Manitoba (Snoman), urged riders to use groomed trails.

Theyre a lot safer to ride, she said Tuesday. We stress for people to stay on the signed groomed trails and not to venture onto private property.

Snomans 53 clubs are responsible for maintaining a Manitoba-wide system with about 12,800 kilometres of trails.

Club volunteers were waiting Tuesday for skies to clear and winds to ease before beginning the task of grooming the network.

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The trails would be blown in, so were asking riders to give groomers the chance to clear them, said Rideout.

While many rural locations received plenty of snow, Winnipeg had the highest recorded total, as of Tuesday afternoon.

Environment Canada meteorologist Alysa Pederson said 15 cm fell on a stretch of Osborne Street. Other parts of the city had more than 10 cm.

Up to 12 cm blanketed the Dauphin area. Pinawa had about seven cm, and there was roughly six cm in the Brandon and Morris areas.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching
Mostly closed to the public because of COVID-19 pandemic measures, Winnipegs synagogues remain hyper-vigilant about their security after last weekends hostage incident in Texas.

Mostly closed to the public because of COVID-19 pandemic measures, Winnipegs synagogues remain hyper-vigilant about their security after last weekends hostage incident in Texas.

"Working in a synagogue, you are aware people would like to do this to you as well," said Ran Ukashi, executive director at Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Rabbi Allan Finkel in front of Temple Shalom in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

On Jan 15, an armed man demanding the release of an alleged terrorist from U.S. prison, took four people hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Tex., including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, after the rabbi offered a man shelter.

Three of the hostages escaped the day-long standoff after the rabbi threw a chair at the gunman, an action the rabbi credited to his security training. The fourth hostage had been released hours earlier.

The hostage taker was later shot and killed.

The incident feels too close for home for Rabbi Kliel Rose of Winnipegs Congregation Etz Chayim, who became friends with the Texas rabbi when both participated in a two-year leadership development program.

"If I know Charlie, he was there just being a pastoral presence to everyone, including the person who was holding him hostage. Thats just his personality," Rose told the Canadian Jewish News on Jan. 16.

Synagogues are constantly reassessing security needs, which include everything from surveillance cameras, locked doors and guards during major events such as the High Holidays, when services attract hundreds of people, said Ukashi.

Some measures remain private for obvious reasons, he added.

"Now you go to any synagogue and you expect to be buzzed in (at a locked door)," he said about common security measures.

Local Jewish organizations co-operate on security training, said Rabbi Allan Finkel, chairman of Winnipeg Council of Rabbis, as well as relying on international institutions such as the Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America.

"Theres a lot of quiet training that synagogues and staff can get on how to go through procedures," explained the rabbi at Temple Shalom.

Synagogues and other religious organizations at risk for hate crimes can also apply for grants of up to $100,000 through a security infrastructure program administered by Public Safety Canada. Applicants are responsible for half of the costs for security improvements.

Finkel said the Texas incident highlights the need to remain alert for copycat incidents or other hate crimes, but it also underlines the importance of interfaith connections and understanding.

Finkel said the gunman appeared to believe in the tired anti-Semitic trope that "Jews control everything" and thought by appealing to one Jewish community, his requests could be fulfilled.

"It doesnt appear he wanted to hurt the Jews," Finkel said of the hostage takers intentions. "He went in there to get them to do something."

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Mindful of the Jewish belief in providing hospitality to strangers, Finkel said between pandemic restrictions and the need to check identification to ensure congregants are vaccinated, a small congregation like Temple Shalom is less likely to open the door to strangers at this time.

The Grant Park-area congregation is currently only holding virtual services to limit the spread of COVID-19.

"The idea of being completely open to strangers is being set aside," Finkel said. "We have to be really careful but at the same time, balance vigilance and hospitality."

Although this recent incident occurred in another country, having an intruder in any Jewish synagogue feels personal to every Jew and increases anxiety about local risks, said Ukashi.

"We view an attack in the Jewish community somewhere else as an attack on us as well."

faith@freepress.mb.ca
Premier Heather Stefanson gave Health Minister Audrey Gordon a strong vote of confidence Tuesday, even as COVID-19 hospitalizations hit a new peak and Manitobas hospital system took another step toward utter collapse.

Premier Heather Stefanson gave Health Minister Audrey Gordon a strong vote of confidence Tuesday, even as COVID-19 hospitalizations hit a new peak and Manitobas hospital system took another step toward utter collapse.

She kept her on as health minister. It was a major mistake that could come back to haunt the rookie premier less than two years from now.

Stefanson announced her first major cabinet shuffle since becoming premier in November. She made changes to key portfolios, including in finance and justice. As expected, Stefanson brought back the labour portfolio (eliminated by former premier Brian Pallister), installing Reg Helwer as minister of labour, consumer protection and immigration. She also put a new face in education, appointing Wayne Ewasko as minister of education and early childhood learning.

Her fatal error was not replacing Gordon. Health is always the most important portfolio in cabinet. But its even more important for the Tories right now. Their performance in health over the next 21 months will likely make the difference between winning or losing the next provincial election, scheduled for October 2023.

Health Minister Audrey Gordon will keep her cabinet position. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Voters, especially in Winnipeg, have lost confidence in the Tories ability to manage the health-care system. After a bungled hospital consolidation plan that began in 2017, the Progressive Conservative government failed over the past two years to add enough capacity to the hospital system to handle the influx of COVID-19 patients. Instead, tens of thousands of surgeries have been cancelled to redeploy hospital staff, and patients are regularly shipped out of Winnipeg to remote communities because they cant be cared for in the capital.

Outside experts in infectious disease and medicine have repeatedly called on the government to bring in public health measures to protect hospital capacity, including over the past several weeks, yet the Tory government has refused.

When senior officials in public health were asked recently if they recommended more stringent public health measures, they declined to answer. Stefanson, during a news conference last week, attempted several times to prevent Dr. Jazz Atwal, the deputy chief provincial public health officer, from answering that question.

When asked a similar question three weeks ago during an online media briefing, Shared Health CEO Adam Topp also refused to answer. A government moderator abruptly ended the briefing when a reporter pressed for more answers.

Its pretty clear experts inside and outside government have urged the health minister in recent weeks to take steps to protect hospital capacity. She refused. We are now seeing the consequences of that inaction.

Under Gordons watch, Manitoba Health also refused to make vaccines mandatory for personal care home staff, mishandled the distribution of rapid antigen tests and failed to provide the public with accurate vaccine data to show the effectiveness of immunization.

Under Health Minister Audrey Gordons watch, Manitoba Health refused to make vaccines mandatory for personal care home staff and failed to provide the public with accurate vaccine data to show the effectiveness of immunization. (Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press files)

With COVID-19 patients piling up in hospitals and seemingly no plan in place to address it, no position in cabinet cried out for change more than the health portfolio.

Despite that, Stefanson stuck with the status quo. By doing so, she sent a clear message to Manitobans: she is satisfied with the way health care is being managed.

Stefanson had an opportunity to put her stamp on health care by appointing a new minister and taking a fresh approach to managing the system. Instead, she stuck with a minister who was appointed by her predecessor  an unpopular former premier whose handling of the health file was disastrous.

Stefanson had options. Tory MLA Eileen Clarke, one of the most respected members of caucus who returned to cabinet as municipal relations minister (not a major cabinet post), would have been a good choice.

Stefanson praised Clarke Tuesday as "one of the most capable individuals Ive met in my life."

Cabinet ministers Ewasko or Derek Johnson could have fit the bill.

When things arent going well in any area of government, premiers usually shuffle in a new minister to signal a change in direction. Clearly, things are not going well in health. Stefansons failure to recognize that will likely have long-term implications for her government and for Manitobans.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca
An unvaccinated City of Winnipeg councillor who recently tested positive for COVID-19 is now recovering  and suggests vaccines are not the only key to immune health.

An unvaccinated City of Winnipeg councillor who recently tested positive for COVID-19 is now recovering  and suggests vaccines are not the only key to immune health.

In an email to the Free Press and a similar social media post, Coun. Vivian Santos reveals she tested negative for the novel coronavirus Monday night, after four days of very mild symptoms.

Santos (Point Douglas) is the only council member to confirm she is not vaccinated against COVID-19, citing an unspecified medical reason.

On Tuesday, Santos said shes thankful to have a strong immune system she linked to a quick recovery, while urging others to respect individual health circumstances.

It is important to realize that we are all different individuals with our own individual health circumstances. Our bodies are binary, where all you need is one input or output to be successful. My personal daily preventative routine measures may work for some people, but I do suggest consulting with your health practitioner, first and foremost, wrote Santos.

The vast majority of medical experts have repeatedly stressed vaccines offer the best available protection against COVID-19. Health Canada and Manitoba Health have stressed vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from the virus, with the Manitoba government urging citizens to get their second and third doses as quickly as possible.

In light of key public health messages, public statements from politicians that focus on alternatives to vaccination have triggered plenty of criticism.

In an interview, Santos said she is pro vaxx, has received some immunizations in the past, and doesnt believe her comments should discourage others from getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Instead, she stressed it is not her place to provide medical advice.

I think the biggest key message that I want the public to understand is that we are all different individuals who do have different health circumstances and not one solution is going to work for everybody, said Santos.

I think its important for people to understand that, as a government official, I will never tell people what to do with their body. Im not a doctor.

In September, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman removed Santos from the role of acting deputy mayor. Bowman deemed her replacement, Coun. Markus Chambers, a better fit to help convince Winnipeggers to get vaccinated.

Bowman was not available for an interview Tuesday.

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In an emailed statement, spokesperson Jeremy Davis did not directly answer what the mayor thinks of Santos public comments about vaccination.

The statement did stress all politicians should lead the way in promoting immunization.

The mayor continues to urge all Winnipeggers to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as they are eligible. He also believes that elected officials at all levels of government should actively lead by example and promote the use of vaccines as urged by health-care professionals, including those from Manitoba Health, wrote Davis.

He noted municipal elected officials and political staff who dont provide proof of vaccination are expected to work remotely, instead of at city hall.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga
Manitobas premier says the Omicron variant  not her governments pandemic response  is to blame after the province landed in the top spot for COVID-19 hospitalizations in Canada.

Manitobas premier says the Omicron variant  not her governments pandemic response  is to blame after the province landed in the top spot for COVID-19 hospitalizations in Canada.

As of Tuesday, Manitoba had the highest per capita hospitalization rate of all the provinces and territories at 44.8 per 100,000, according to COVID-19 Tracker Canada. Quebec was second at 39.7 per 100,000.

Premier Heather Stefanson said her government continues to work with Shared Health to respond to the increasing number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital and defended the current level of restriction in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"We have among the most stringent restrictions in the country," Stefanson said Tuesday, following the swearing in of her new executive council. "Some of the larger gatherings are not happening here and thats where we know that the spread is, so we have reduced that."

When asked if the rate at which Manitobans are being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 shows the governments pandemic response has been inadequate, Stefanson said current figures have more to do with the highly infectious Omicron variant of concern and spread in the community.

"This is not unique to Manitoba. Its happening across the country and were all going through it at various different times," Stefanson said, noting neighbouring Saskatchewan was also hit hard by a Delta wave last fall.

"And our numbers are up as a result of Omicron," she said. "We will get through this. We will work with Shared Health, we will work with public health, we will work with Manitobans to ensure that we do what we need to get to the other side of this."

The premier also stood by her comments last week that "its up to Manitobans to look after themselves" and government cant protect everybody. She said she regrets the way her statements were reported in the media.

"Its certainly not at all what I meant  and I want Manitobans to know that we are here for them. We will work with them to ensure that we all get through this together," Stefanson said.

"It doesnt mean that were abdicating any responsibility, and we will continue to work with Manitobans to get Manitobans through this."

It doesnt mean that were abdicating any responsibility, and we will continue to work with Manitobans to get Manitobans through this.  Premier Heather Stefanson

According to the provinces pandemic dashboard, COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by 19 patients since Monday, bringing the total number of people requiring a hospital bed to 620, including 48 in intensive care.

That number has grown by 58 per cent in the past 10 days, or 228 people, as the provinces health system averaged 47 admissions a day.

About six patients have been admitted to intensive care for COVID-19 per day in the same period. As of Tuesday morning, there were 102 patients, including those without COVID-19, in ICUs.

Health officials have said the province can expand capacity to 116 ICU beds and no discussions have occurred with other provinces to provide critical care support, if required.

Critical care physician Dr. Eric Jacobsohn said at this point in the Omicron surge, ICUs are managing the influx of COVID-19 patients while also maintaining cardiac surgical slates at about 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Dr. Eric Jacobsohn noted it remains unclear if daily COVID-19 admissions to intensive care could climb even higher as Omicron spreads out of control in the community.

"Were coping right now. Were coping at the expense of everything else being stripped down," Jacobsohn said in an interview Tuesday.

However, it remains unclear if daily COVID-19 admissions to intensive care could climb even higher as Omicron spreads out of control in the community, he noted.

"Many of us are just guessing at this stage. The projections have been dire. There are some suggestions that Omicron really hasnt ripped through the unvaccinated community as yet and nobody in the province really has an idea of what numbers of people are being infected," he said. "Only time will tell."

Patients will continue to see significant delays to routine care while COVID-19 patients flood the system and cancer diagnoses are delayed, heart conditions deteriorate and Manitobans die on wait lists, Jacobsohn said.

"COVID triaging  thats the only thing were not doing. Were triaging every other aspect of health care," the doctor said. "Our health-care system unequivocally is failing many people and, unequivocally, I think is an embarrassment to Manitoba."

On Tuesday, the province reported the deaths of three more Manitobans due to COVID-19, bringing its pandemic death toll to 1,466. Thirty-seven Manitobans have died due to COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

As of Jan. 17, Manitoba had the second-highest COVID-19 death rate in Canada and the second-highest death rate due to the disease in the past 14 days, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca

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Opinion

In politics, a gaffe is when a politician accidently tells the truth.

"An election is no time to discuss serious issues," said former prime minister Kim Campbell to widespread controversy in the middle of her epic losing 1993 election campaign. Subsequent elections in Canada have not exactly proved her wrong, with last years being a prime example.

Enter Premier Heather Stefanson on COVID-19 last week. "The government cant protect everybody out there", she intoned. "People have to learn to protect themselves. We have to learn to live with this."

On any "gaffe-o-meter," this inadvertent honesty rates high. Telling people in the middle of a pandemic that the government you lead cannot do anything more to protect you and your family from catching the virus is a "courageous" political statement by any measure.

Truth be told, with Omicrons sweeping contagiousness, no government can truly protect everyone from catching COVID-19. Evidence shows that exercising personal responsibility, such as getting vaccinated and following public-health orders, remains the most potent individual antidote to the virus. If more people did so, then both personal and public-health risks would decline.

By any political measure, the premiers statement was indecorous at best, infelicitous at worst. It may well be judged stupid. But as Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does." Her statement needs to be judged by whats behind it. And whats behind it is a radical shift in the governments pandemic management policy and the role of public health.

How do we know? Because she also said this: "At the end of the day, well take advice from public health, but we will be taking advice from other Manitobans as well moving forward." If the first statement is politically toxic, the second is politically telling. The premier has allowed that public-health advice and recommendations will be considered, but not necessarily followed.

At one level, Stefanson has simply confirmed the primacy of cabinet as the ultimate decision-maker. Nothing controversial there; that is our system of responsible government. But until her accession, it was public-health advice that directed the scope and scale of pandemic policy decisions within the government.

A structured process for developing, presenting and vetting that advice on a whole-of-government basis, first through officials and then through cabinet, always took place. Rigorous questioning of public-health data, information and recommendations should and did occur. Any adjustments would have to be approved by public health.

But ministers are also MLAs, and have a formal role in a representative democracy to bring forward discordant views from their constituents. Again, the process accommodated this, as it should, hearing those views if not always concurring with them.

Ministers may have grumbled, stakeholders may have groused, but the premier of the day insisted that deviating from expert public-health advice in the midst of a public-health emergency was neither feasible nor wise. Staying aligned with public-health advice was deemed essential to ensuring public adherence to that advice. The reaction suffered by Stefanson suggests her predecessor was correct.

For this productive and necessary dynamic to work, public-health advice must first be trusted by the government. That no longer appears to be the case. Instead, the premier has signaled that public-health policy will be what she and her cabinet says it is. It appears they have substituted, and will substitute, their judgment for that of public-health experts.

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By doing so, Stefanson now "owns" the pandemic with all its consequences.

Manitoba has arrived at a uniquely clarifying moment in the provinces management of COVID-19. It has moved from actively mitigating COVID-19 transmission through new public-health restrictions to adapting to the inevitability of COVID-19 transmission, encouraged by the very lack of such new public-health measures.

"We know we cannot ease up yet on our fight against this deadly virus," stated the governments throne speech just before Omicron hit. If not actually hitting the brake, the premier has certainly eased her foot off the gas.

COVID-19 fatigue is endemic now, even if the virus isnt just yet. The government has given into that fatigue. It will not impose more public-heath restrictions on people, despite announcing flagship policies to reduce surgery backlogs and keep schools open that would actually benefit from such steps. Both of those policy goals are now at risk.

Make no mistake: there is a constituency of support for the governments new approach. But for the premiers political opponents, her statement is an advertising gift that will keep on giving. Manitobans will have it flung in their faces more times than her party will want to count before next years election is done. Justifying it then will be too late. After all, elections arent the time to discuss serious issues, you know.

David McLaughlin was Clerk of the Executive Council in the government of Manitoba in 2020-21. He was campaign manager for the PC Party of Manitoba in the 2016 and 2019 elections.
OTTAWA  A Winnipeg mail carrier is worried about infecting his vulnerable family members with COVID-19 due to a federal government policy that forces Canada Post staff to wear lower-quality masks at work.

OTTAWA  A Winnipeg mail carrier is worried about infecting his vulnerable family members with COVID-19 due to a federal government policy that forces Canada Post staff to wear lower-quality masks at work.

"I thought it was some kind of a joke at first," Corey Gallagher told the Free Press.

"Im just a little frustrated at how behind the company is."

Gallagher was sent home Tuesday after his Canada Post bosses refused to let him wear a respirator similar to an N95 mask while he was on the job.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Letter-carrier Corey Gallagher was sent home from his work at Canada Post because his boss said he couldnt wear a medical grade respirator, similar to an N95, to work.

Masks with a particle-filtration efficiency of 95 per cent, such as the gold-standard N95 or similar KN95 or KF94 masks manufactured in Asia are considered superior for preventing COVID-19 transmission when worn properly to create a seal.

The masks are called respirators because they prevent wearers from inhaling airborne particles, unlike blue surgical masks that only block the wearer from expelling droplets.

With a pregnant, immunocompromised wife and a child too young to get vaccinated, Gallagher wanted to do whatever he could to keep the virus out of his home, so he bought 95-grade masks from a medical supplier.

He wore one to work at the 400 McDermot Ave. mail depot Monday after a holiday break filled with news reports and warnings about the extremely contagious Omicron variant.

Gallaghers supervisors were unimpressed.

"It was the first thing in the morning, and the supervisors like, You cant wear that; you have to change," he said.

It was the first thing in the morning, and the supervisors like, You cant wear that; you have to change."  Corey Gallagher

"It was awkward, because I go in and sort my mail for a couple of hours, and its non-stop, like, five different supervisors coming up saying, You cant wear that mask, or Do you need a mask?"

The superiors said staff had to wear either the provided white cloth masks, which dont have any sort of logo imprinted on them, or a disposable surgical mask.

They said he could wear the higher-quality mask only while working outdoors. A few hours later, they said he could wear the cloth mask on top of the high-grade respirator.

Not only would that be uncomfortable, it could change the shape of the respirator, making it difficult to get a proper seal.

Others in the workplace have had the same concern, and asked the local health and safety committee and the union to get clarity on the Crown corporations policies.

Gallagher, who has worked at Canada Post for nearly 15 years, made it through his Monday shift, but was sent home Tuesday a few minutes after starting work, the head supervisor ordering him to use a personal day.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Letter-carrier Corey Gallagher holds the Canada Post provided cloth mask and the respirator he was initially wearing to work.

It turns out Ottawa wont let Canada Post staff wear anything but the lower-quality masks recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

"PHAC recommends the use of non-medical masks made of at least two layers of woven fabric with a third middle layer of filter-type fabric, for adequate protection," Canada Post spokeswoman Valerie Chartrand said in a statement.

"The company also follows the directive received from Employment and Social Development Canada, which requires employees to wear face coverings supplied by Canada Post to ensure they meet the PHAC requirements."

Chartrand confirmed that means staff can use only a reusable cloth face covering or a disposable surgical mask.

DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Canada Post staff can only wear lower-quality masks recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

"Canada Post will continue to monitor best practices and recommendations with respect to face coverings, and update our requirements accordingly," she wrote.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said an update cant come soon enough.

"CUPW is aware and concerned that Canada Post Corporation is refusing to allow some workers to wear N95 masks at work," wrote national president Jan Simpson.

She said shed prefer the Crown corporation provide high-quality respirators or, alternatively, allow employees to supply their own.

CUPW is aware and concerned that Canada Post Corporation is refusing to allow some workers to wear N95 masks at work."  Jan Simpson.

"Research on the new Omicron variant has established it is more transmissible through shared air than earlier variants. N95s offer more effective protection because they filter out more particles in the air than medical or cloth masks," she wrote.

"As COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly, Canada Post Corporation should be doing everything in its power to protect postal workers, who continue to help people stay home and stay safe."

The two federal ministers who handle labour issues referred afternoon queries late Tuesday to Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi.

In the fall, after sustained pressure from infectious-disease doctors, Canada became one of the last developed countries to recognize the coronavirus as airborne, meaning the pathogen spreads in shared spaces with poor ventilation.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Apparently everybodys going to get this thing, so Im trying my best not to, Gallagher said.

Gallagher fears Ottawas message isnt getting through to the workplaces it regulates, where the Omicron variant is causing a jump in absenteeism as people have to isolate.

"Were on a work shortage; were doing Saturday and weekend deliveries because theres no workers because of that. And they still dont seem to get the message," he said.

"The only reason why they wouldnt send me home (Monday) is because were so short-staffed."

The only reason why they wouldnt send me home (Monday) is because were so shortstaffed.  Corey Gallagher

At the chaotic start of the pandemic, Gallagher recalls Canada Post supplying staff with makeshift respirator-type masks that seemed to come from a hardware store.

Manitoba health officials recently said everyone will likely be exposed to the Omicron variant. The province has been distributing KN95 masks at liquor marts and casinos so members of the public can better protect themselves.

"Apparently everybodys going to get this thing, so Im trying my best not to," Gallagher said. "All to be told that I cant now."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca

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The Winona City Council held its second January meeting Tuesday night and had discussions on how to move forward in finding a permanent City Manager.

Currently, Chad Ubl has been in the position as the interim while council has been looking for options to replace Steve Sarvi.

At the meeting, Mayor Scott Sherman presented the council with several different options to move forward in this process.

Option one would be to offer Ubl the permanent position as City Manager. Option two would be to go through a process to review Ubls credentials and interview him as a council.

Option three would be to open the position internally to allow for applicants, while option four would be opening the position externally as well as internally. Option five would be to bring in a third-party search firm to conduct a search, and option six would be to assign individuals on an ad hoc basis, meaning when needed.

Council member George Borzyskowski made a motion for the council to move forward with the second option and interview Ubl and go through his credentials, which was seconded. Borzyskowski was then asked by council member Pam Eyden to clarify what he thought the process may look like, which he did stating that the process would also involve city administration.

Council member Eileen Moeller voiced her support for the third and fourth options, believing that while she had no doubts in Ubl and that he has done a great job in the interim, it would be prudent of the council to let others apply for the position.

After concerns were raised by Eyden about the quickness of this process, Sherman voiced that he had taken many different things into account when going through these options, including staff morale, Ubls experience, and potential financial aspects.

Eyden then voiced her concerns that the discussion had shifted to this issue becoming more about the budget, and she didnt want someone to be put into this role to help make up the budget.

After more discussion on the specifics of what the process of evaluating Ubl would look like, council member Aaron Repinski called to question, ending discussion and proceeding to a vote.

The motion to proceed with reviewing Ubls credentials as well as an in-depth interview with him was passed on a 6-1 vote. Moeller was the sole vote against.

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As the world of technology continues to progress, scammers have evolved as well.

Because of that, scams have become harder to decipher, and that is something that Winona Police Chief Tom Williams knows first hand. To prevent as many scams from being successful as possible, Williams is giving tips to the public about scams and what to look for.

The first thing Williams says to keep in mind is the phrase if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Usually, a lot of the phishing scams that are going on right now offer you the ability to basically get cash for nothing or for doing something very simple, Williams said.

One of the most common simple tasks he mentioned is cashing a check.

Youll get a percentage of money or a lump sum, payment of money that you get to keep. Again, you dont know who this person is. Theyre sending you a check out of the blue, you go and put it into your bank, Williams said. And then write a check back because you trust what the person is telling you is true, only to find out in seven to 10 days that check is counterfeit, or is fake. And now youre out the money that you just wrote the check back to the individual for.

Williams noted to be aware that if a bank or utility company sends correspondence looking for bank account numbers or PIN numbers, they will have that information accessible and shouldnt need to reach out for them.

Another common method used by scammers is iTunes gift cards.

Legitimate businesses are not going to ask for iTunes cards because they really are of no value to them, Williams said. So say that Im asking for $3,000 in iTunes cards, that should raise a flag immediately to say you know what, my power is not going to be shut off by Excel because what Xcel is going to do with iTune cards.

Phone calls are their own issue with the ability to change a number that a call is coming from. With calls, Williams says it is especially important to do due diligence.

Williams also warns that emails can look very official, but again it is important to dig into the email before committing to anything.

If someone falls victim to a scam, Williams says the most important thing, and the first thing, to do is to call the bank to stop any further transactions and document all the information. He also warns that lots of fraud cases can go unsolved.

From a law enforcement standpoint, these have gotten so sophisticated and they span so many jurisdictions and even out of the country that very infrequently are we able to investigate and actually bring charges, Williams said. Its been mentioned numerous times in the past, overseas is predominantly where these in our experience have been originating on them and obviously we cant go to Jamaica and do an investigation on a scam that took place here.

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MINNEAPOLIS  Gov. Tim Walz asked the Legislature on Tuesday to back a $2.7 billion "local jobs and projects" plan that's considerably larger than the record package that lawmakers passed two years ago.

The Democratic governor unveiled his wish list at a news conference outside the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development, which is getting a major rebuild thanks to money from the $1.9 billion package approved by the 2020 Legislature.

Walz used the construction site as a backdrop to highlight how 38% of his proposal, or more than $1 billion, is for asset preservation to maintain and upgrade properties that taxpayers already own.

Another 21%  more than $560 million  would go to various new infrastructure projects, including $120 million for local bridge replacements, $90 million for local road improvements projects, and $200 million for local water infrastructure.

Sixteen percent would go toward housing, including projects to combat homelessness. And 10% would go toward protecting the environment.

Public works borrowing packages, also known as bonding bills, are traditionally the centerpiece of Minnesota's legislative sessions in even-numbered years. Walz is unlikely to get everything he proposed. The final packages are usually the product of intense negotiations. Republicans who control the Senate, are expected to propose a smaller bill, while Walz's allies in the Democratic-controlled House may try to add additional projects.

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Photo by Alexandra Retter

Bluffview Montessori Head of School Henry Schantzen speaks about what the school means to him and the community during a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Bluffivew becoming the first approved charter school in the nation
A Baraboo man remains in custody after being charged with eight felony counts related to sexual assault of a child.

Robert Perkins, 50, has been charged with repeated sexual assault of a child, three felony counts of first degree sexual assault of a child, soliciting a child for prostitution, cause child to view/listen to sexual act and two felony counts of exposing genitals to a child.

Perkins remains in custody at Sauk County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond which was set by Sauk County Judge Patricia Barrett on Jan. 10 at Perkinss initial appearance. Assistant District Attorney requested cash bond be set at $500,000.

Barrett set standard felony conditions and that Perkins is to have no contact with a Baraboo Elementary School and no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

According to the criminal complaint, a Sauk County Sheriff Detective was contacted on Dec. 28 about possible child sexual assault in the town of Excelsior occurring between Aug. 1 and Dec. 25, 2021.

The detective spoke with a couple who was concerned about an 8year-old being abused. The couple had already met with Sauk County Department of Health Services. During the interview, police were told the child reporting playing a sex game with Perkins that involved both of them removing their clothes in a room with a locked door.

This allegedly happened many times with the last time occurring sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The child said Perkins said what they doing is called having sex. The child asked Perkins to stop but he did not. Perkins allegedly would show the child pornographic images and video on his cell phone.

On Jan. 5, sheriff officers went to Perkins residence and told him he was under arrest for sexual assault of a child. He was taken into custody at the Law Enforcement Center.

The complaint states Perkins was told specifics the child had told authorities and asked about things in the interview that no 8-year-old would ordinarily know. Perkins did not have an answer for why the child knew these things.

During the interview Perkins never said the child was lying and did not overtly deny the allegations, according to the complaint. The officer conducting the interview reported Perkins asked him to do a favor and shoot him in the head.

During a search of Perkins residence, officers found items the child mentioned during an interview.

Perkins is facing up to 60 years for each of the four class B felony counts if convicted. He could also be ordered to pay up to $145,000 and possibly 43 in prison if convicted on the remaining four felony counts.

Perkins case is scheduled to have a status conference on Jan. 28 with a pre-trial conference set for March 4.

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A Madison man allegedly smashed items in a Mauston business while trying to get free products and later told police he was an FBI agent, leading to felony charges.

Devin McGrane, 21, of Madison is charged with felony criminal damage to property and misdemeanors bail jumping, impersonating a police officer and disorderly conduct. If convicted he faces up to three years and six months in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for the felony charge.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 12:56 p.m. Dec. 20 Mauston Police Chief Mike Zilisch responded to a damage to property call for a business located on East State Street in Mauston. Officers arrested a fleeing suspect, Devin McGrane, who was traveling on State Street.

Zilisch responded to the business where he spoke with the staff member working during the incident. The employee said McGrane had been to the business previously and was told not to come back after several unwanted attempts to get free products the week prior.

According to the employee, McGrane entered the store on Dec. 20 and stated Are you going to comply now. He then grabbed a glass art piece and smashed it on the floor. The employee said they felt threatened by McGrane.

A customer in the store who witnessed the incident state McGrane came in the store saying I bet you will comply now, grabbed an art piece and smashed it then exited, after which the police were called and told McGrane was walking west down the street.

During a second phone interview with the employee, the employee stated they feared for their life during the encounter and believed McGrane would have attacked the employee if not for other customers being present in the store.

The employee estimated the art piece to be worth about $600. The value of the piece was later determined by the owner of the store to be $3,600.

After being transported to the Juneau County Jail an officer heard McGrane speaking with the booking deputy, who McGrane told he was an FBI agent when asked for his occupation. McGrane said he conducts criminal investigations. On McGranes booking sheet his employer is listed as the FBI, and when speaking with an officer McGrane said he worked for the federal government and was in Mauston on business doing the good work.

An officer looked up McGranes Facebook page, on which McGrane claims to work at The First Initiative Protocol. The address listed for the business is 303 Mansion Street, the address of Mauston City Hall and the Mauston Police Department.

McGrane is scheduled for an initial appearance Jan. 19 at the Juneau County Justice Center.

Reach Christopher Jardine on Twitter @ChrisJJardine or contact him at 608-432-6591.

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MINNEAPOLIS  First, it was Mohamed Noor  convicted of murder for shooting an unarmed woman who approached his police SUV. Then it was Derek Chauvin, found guilty of murder for using his knee to pin George Floyd to a Minneapolis street as he gasped for air. Last month, it was Kim Potter, guilty of manslaughter for shooting a young Black man after a traffic stop.

Three recent convictions of police officers, all in the Minneapolis area, raise the question: Has there been a shift in jurors' historic unwillingness to convict cops in on-duty killings?

As three more officers face federal trial this week in Floyd's death, the answer is: Maybe.

Legal experts say each case is different, and the quality of evidence  especially video evidence  is key. But some say a robust protest movement in some cities, like Minneapolis, may be raising awareness, which could lead to a jury pool that's more open to questioning officers' actions, and prosecutors who may be more willing to charge  and succeed in getting convictions.

"There was traditionally this aura of invincibility that men and women in blue had when they were doing their jobs," Alan Tuerkheimer, a Chicago-based jury consultant, said. "Jurors are living in a world now where police officers are held accountable."

But a professor who tracks prosecutions involving fatal on-duty police shootings in the United States says it's still rare for officers to be charged at all. Philip Stinson, a criminal justice professor at Bowling Green State University, said his data has remained fairly static.

Since 2005, Stinson said, 152 nonfederal sworn law enforcement officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter in shootings in the U.S. Only 50 have been convicted, many on lesser charges. Criminal cases for 46 officers are pending.

"What we're seeing are, the officers are convicted in cases where their conduct cannot be rationally explained," Stinson said. "That's what we're seeing time and again. But we're not seeing systemic changes as of yet."

Jury selection starts Thursday in the federal trial for Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao, who joined Chauvin in arresting Floyd on May 25, 2020. The fired Minneapolis officers are charged with violating Floyd's civil rights; Chauvin pleaded guilty in the federal case in December.

Floyd's death isn't reflected in Stinson's data because it wasn't a shooting. But Stinson said the case illustrates a change that may contribute to holding police officers accountable: Citizens are more willing to take action.

In Floyd's death, teenager Darnella Frazier took out her cellphone and began recording, later posting to Facebook a video that became a linchpin for convicting Chauvin of murder. It's also certain to be part of the federal case against the three other officers.

Michelle Phelps, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota, said cities with a more vocal activist community are more likely to elect leaders who will push for police accountability, and prosecutors who are willing to pursue officers in court.

And an electorate that's pushing for police reform could result in a jury pool that's more likely to second-guess officers, Phelps said.

The Minneapolis area has long had an active protest movement, which gained momentum after the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Local police killings of Jamar Clark in 2015 (in which no charges were filed) and Philando Castile in 2016 (in which the officer was acquitted) energized the movement further.

Then came Floyd's death.

"I think that the fact that we have been taking to the streets and demonstrating and raising awareness consistently since 2014 has made a huge difference," said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network.

Experts said the intense media coverage of the convictions in the Minneapolis area is unlikely to sway potential jurors on future cases. Tuerkheimer said it's OK if potential jurors know about a case  jury selection is designed to weed out those who have formed extreme opinions based on what they've heard. The goal is to find jurors who can render a fair verdict based only on the evidence in court.

Tuerkheimer said prosecutors also need to give jurors a compelling reason to convict. He added that if a gun is present, as in the Castile killing, jurors remain hesitant to second-guess officers.

In all three of the recent Minnesota cases where officers were convicted, the victims were unarmed.

In Noor's case, no video existed, but the facts weren't in dispute. Noor, who is Somali American, shot and killed Justine Ruszczyk Damond in 2017 after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault. Activists welcomed Noor's conviction, though some wondered if it was because he is Black and his victim was white. His murder conviction was overturned, but he remains convicted of manslaughter.

In Potter's case, the white former police officer said she mistook her gun for her Taser when she shot Duante Wright in suburban Minneapolis. Her body camera recorded the shooting.

It happened as Chauvin was on trial. His case had plenty of video  from bystanders, officers' body cameras and surveillance cameras. Numerous officers testified against him, which legal experts said marked a shift.

After Chauvin's conviction, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office handled that case, wrote an article for the Georgetown Law Journal Annual Review of Criminal Procedure, pondering whether the U.S. had reached an "inflection point" when it comes to killings by police.

Ellison's answer: "It depends."

The immediate and global reaction to Floyd's death was unlike any the country has seen since the 1992 beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles officers, he said in the article, published in September. He called it "a historic moment that had to be met."

Ellison wrote that real change in holding officers accountable depends on future action from prosecutors, lawmakers, police and the community. He said prosecutions must be vigorous, visible and swift.

"We cannot rely on one singular, though in many ways exceptional case, to carry the whole burden," Ellison wrote.

In the Potter case, prosecutor Pete Orput faced intense pressure from protesters, including Levy Armstrong, to charge the officer with murder. He resisted and ultimately gave the case back to Hennepin County, before it ended up in Ellison's hands.

Orput, who will retire at the end of this year, said what's changed is the "ubiquity of cellphone cameras," noting that prosecutors and jurors no longer have to rely on just an officer's word.

"It's not that we had a sea change of sensitivity toward holding cops accountable," Orput said. "I think what we have now is pretty good evidence being presented."

Phelps said it's hard to pinpoint whether Minnesota, or the U.S., is experiencing lasting change. But she said it's clear that citizens and government leaders are more attuned to potential misconduct by police  and are getting the message that officers aren't above the law.

Levy Armstrong credits consistent activism: "Some police officers might think twice about pulling the trigger or committing acts of violence now  knowing they might be held accountable by a jury of their peers."
Environmental advocates are challenging a pair of decisions by utility regulators they say are bad for consumers and the climate.

In a lawsuit filed in Dane County Circuit Court, the Sierra Club and Vote Solar are asking the court to review the Public Service Commissions recent approval of Madison Gas and Electric rates.

The groups say fixed charges  the minimum monthly fee every customer pays to have an account  included in the two-year rates authorized in November, are illegal and discriminatory.

In an agreement negotiated with consumer and environmental advocates, MGE agreed to shave $2 off its $17 fixed electricity charge, which was among the highest in the state.

But the Sierra Club argues the fee  along with a $21.88 monthly fee for gas service  discourage conservation and customer-owned solar panels, in violation of state law that prioritizes energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The complaint alleges the approved charges are roughly double the basic costs they are intended to cover, such as metering, billing and the cost of the wires and pipes that connect each customer to the system.

It argues the commission expanded the scope of fixed charges through a series of ad hoc orders between 2012 and 2014 rather than following the prescribed rulemaking process for such policy decisions.

The groups say the harm is not theoretical: high fixed charges create a greater burden for those who use the least energy, customers who are lower-income, non-white, and older, on average, already face many social and economic inequities.

By setting a relatively high fixed charge and lower consumption-based rates, the complaint says the commissions decision reduces the ability of customers to control their bills, lowers incentives to undertake conservation and efficiency, lowers incentives to self-generating energy with rooftop solar panels, and imposes higher relative bills for low use customers.

A PSC spokesperson said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

Agreement defended

The commission ordered MGE to submit an analysis of how it allocates basic customer costs, which could result in future reductions, but the Sierra Club argues customers will continue paying higher rates for the next two years.

The settlement will bring MGEs fixed electricity charges in line with the states other largest for-profit utilities, though still higher than the $13 national average, according to an analysis of OpenEIs utility rate database.

In a statement, MGE noted the PSC-approved rates were negotiated with consumer advocates and environmental groups including the Sierra Club, though the club objected to the final agreement.

We are sensitive to any rate impacts on customers, which is why we continue to work hard to contain costs, spokesperson Kaya Freiman said. We appreciate the PSCWs work to carefully review and approve the terms of the agreement consistent with the law.

The Citizens Utility Board, which has long fought for lower fixed charges, called the settlement a big step forward.

We see the reduced fixed charge as a clear win in the settlement, said executive director Tom Content. The settlement is a significant milestone that CUB members have been concerned about for almost a decade.

The Sierra Club and Vote Solar filed a similar lawsuit last year challenging a one-year rate freeze on the grounds that it perpetuated the fixed charge. Judge Jacob Frost put that case on hold in September pending the PSCs decision on the current rate settlement.

David Bender, an attorney representing the Sierra Club, said the groups will seek to have the two cases consolidated.

Gas storage

The Sierra Club has also asked the Commission to reconsider its approval of a $370 million natural gas storage project in southeastern Wisconsin designed to provide fuel when demand peaks.

The group faulted the commissions agreement with WEC Energy Groups load forecast and assessment that it wont be able to meet customer demands without the storage facilities in Jefferson and Walworth counties.

According to the Sierra Club, WECs growth projections are inconsistent with the 17% reduction in gas use that would be required to meet Gov. Tony Evers commitments to emissions targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement and the United States Climate Alliance.

To the extent the Commission concludes that Wisconsin is unlikely to meet the Governors commitments, it should say so explicitly and provide the evidentiary basis for that conclusion, the petition states.

The petition says WECs forecast double counted growth from commercial and industrial customers and inflated projections associated with Foxconns ever-changing plans for a manufacturing campus in southeast Wisconsin.

It also argues the commissions decision contained other legal errors, including putting the burden of proof on opponents to show the feasibility of alternatives.

Intervenors do not have the burden of proof in cases seeking certificates of authority, the petition states. The applicants do.

WEC filed a response Wednesday calling the petition legally and factually deficient and alleging the Sierra Clubs fundamental opposition to gas led it to ignore evidence supporting the project.

Sierra Club may be warmed by its strongly held beliefs, but (WEC) customers need a reliable supply of natural gas to stay warm when the temperature dips, the utility wrote.

A PSC spokesperson declined to comment on the petition.

The project consists of two storage facilities in Ixonia and Bluff Creek that could each hold up to a billion cubic feet of chilled natural gas for times of high demand, when it would be heated and vaporized.

The utilities say the facility will eliminate the need to contract additional pipeline capacity that would only be needed a few days a year or to pay a premium when demand is high, as it was during a cold snap last winter that caused spot prices to soar.
A Portage man has been charged with trafficking of a child and soliciting a child for prostitution. His girlfriend has also been charged in events that allegedly took place in December.

Robert A. Reick, 34, Portage, is charged with child trafficking, a class C felony, soliciting a child for prostitution, a class D felony, and exposing a child to harmful material, a class I felony, in Columbia County Court this month.

Reick is also facing four counts of felony bail jumping. He has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth degree sexual assault and one count of lewd, lascivious behavior in public. All ten counts have the repeater modifier attached which if found guilty could lead to a harsher sentence.

Nicole J. Brue, 38, Waunakee, is facing two felony counts of exposing genitals to a child along misdemeanor charges of fourth degree sexual assault and lewd, lascivious behavior in public. All four counts have the repeater modifier attached.

Online records show Reick remains in Columbia County custody on $200,000 cash bond. Judge Troy Cross set the bond amount at Reicks initial appearance on Jan. 7, he also set standard felony conditions including no contact with anyone under the age of 18 and is to have no contact with Brue.

According to the criminal complaint, on Dec. 30 a Columbia County Sheriff Detective spoke with a 16-year-old about an incident that occurred in the town of Arlington. The 16-year-old, identified as the victim, told the detective Reick showed them pornographic images that were on Reicks phone on Dec 19.

This including video and photographs allegedly of Reick having sex and the victim could see naked people. While the two were riding in a truck Reick played the video with the audio playing through the car speakers. The victim said this made them uncomfortable and asked Reicks to turn it down, but Reick did not.

The complaint states the victim told the detective of another incident on Dec. 21 with Reicks girlfriend, Nicole Brue. On Dec. 21 the victim along with Reick and another 16-year-old, identified as Victim 2, drove around Portage making a number of stops before going to Waunakee to pick up Brue.

The victims were allegedly left in a hotel and two hours later Brue and Reick returned. Victim 2 was taken home and victim 1 entered a hotel room with Reick and Brue.

The complaint states victim was in the room when Brue began masturbating and then Brue and Reick started having sex and allegedly tried to get victim 1 involved in the act. The victim said this went on for hours.

At one point the victim said they felt like they were going to have a panic attack. The victim eventually fell asleep but when they awoke Brue was rubbing the victims genitals.

Victim 2 was interviewed and said Reick had inappropriately touched them in the car. They also said Reick had encouraged both victims to have sexual intercourse with each other at the hotel with Reick and Brue were gone. Victim 2 also explained that if they had sex with victim 1 Reick would pay them back for it.

The detective confirmed Reick had rented a room at Comfort Suites in Caledonia on Dec. 21.

Brue is in custody in Dane County. Her initial appearance is scheduled for Feb. 1 in front of Judge Andrea Von Hoff.

Reick will be back in Columbia County Courthouse on Feb. 1 for his preliminary hearing in front of Judge Cross.

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The states system for diverting those with drug and alcohol addiction away from the prison system would be extended to some with mental illness  a group that makes up more than four in 10 of the states prisoners  under a bipartisan bill brought Tuesday before the Assembly Corrections Committee.

Unlike much of the contentious legislation advancing through the Republican-controlled Legislature, the bill has a chance of being signed into law by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has sought pathways to reduce Wisconsins prison population.

Under the bill, counties and tribes would be eligible to apply for treatment alternatives and diversion grants to create mental health courts, similar to drug courts and veterans treatment courts but addressing only people with mental illnesses.

Those mental health courts, which already exist in several Wisconsin counties, would be critical for alleged nonviolent offenders accused or convicted of low-level crimes who have mental health issues, bill co-author Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, said Tuesday.

We have not provided enough support to the Department of Corrections to best care for individuals with mental health conditions in custody, while at the same time the number of inmates with a mental health diagnosis is growing, Goyke said.

Money is already set aside for treatment alternatives and diversion programs  the bill would add mental health courts to the list of grant-eligible programs.

The bill has the backing of psychologists and criminal justice experts who said Tuesday that incarceration is typically more detrimental than restorative for people with mental illnesses.

Our ability to meet their treatment needs in prisons and jails is highly limited, Cecelia Klingele, a University of Wisconsin Law School professor who studies criminal justice policy, said in an interview Tuesday, adding that the restrictive and punitive nature of prisons sometimes exacerbates symptoms of some mental health conditions.

Prisons are disproportionately made up of people with mental health issues ranging from moderate to severe.

The largest mental health treatment facilities in our state are not in our mental health institutions, psychologist Dr. Bruce Erdmann said Tuesday. Its in our prisons.

The statistics say as much: Department of Corrections documents show 41% of people housed in state correctional facilities have mental illnesses. Experts say that number is probably low.

Although most people who struggle with mental health-related conditions arent involved in the criminal system, there are a disproportionate number of people in the system who do struggle with various mental health conditions, Klingele said.

And for those who do struggle with mental health, Klingele said, mental health courts would provide a promising and ethical solution.

Finding a way to hold people accountable for criminal behavior and help them receive treatment when its available is an important way to deal humanely with people who are struggling, she said.

Goyke co-authored the bill with Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, and Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc, whose written testimonies addressed the number of people who would be left out of the criminal justice system under the new bill.

Besides keeping peoples records clean, Wisconsin Department of Justice statistics show treatment alternatives and diversion programs could keep more money in the state coffers. National fiscal conservatives, including Grover Norquist, have advocated in recent years for reducing prison populations as a way to save taxpayer dollars.

Based on an analysis of treatment and diversion participants from 2014 to 2018, the state Department of Justice found Wisconsin saves more than $4 for every dollar invested in treatment courts and close to $9 for every dollar invested in diversion programs.

The governors office did not respond to a request for comment on the bill.
Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The New York Times Magazine and creator of The 1619 Project that has incensed some conservatives, will speak on the UW-Madison campus next week.

Hannah-Jones is this years keynote speaker for the universitys annual symposium celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 25. She will reflect on the civil rights leaders legacy through the lens of her work investigating racial injustice, according to an event announcement.

Hannah Joness best-known work, The 1619 Project, is a controversial examination of how slavery shaped Americas founding. Published in 2019, the series of essays has drawn praise as a long overdue correction that centers the experiences of Black Americans. But the work, which was also turned into a book released late last year, has also garnered criticism from some historians for inaccuracies.

Some Republicans have railed against the work, calling it propaganda intended to stoke racial divisions and rewrite history to fit a leftist ideology. GOP lawmakers in a handful of states have gone so far as to introduce bills that would cut funding for school districts or public universities that use The 1619 Project in its curriculum. And Donald Trump appointed a panel, the 1776 Commission, to write a report about the countrys patriotic history that refutes the narrative set forth in the series.

Becca Meltz, who chairs the College Republicans of UW-Madison, said the group didnt have a statement about the upcoming event. Speaking generally about speakers on campus, she said the group has always been and will continue to be advocates for free speech. Students should have the opportunity to be exposed to a diverse set of viewpoints, she said, and that can only happen when the university is accepting of any speaker regardless of their opinions and positions.

We just ask that conservative speakers are given the same respect and opportunity that liberal speakers are given, Meltz said.

Its unclear how often, if at all, The 1619 Project is taught in the classroom. The university does not have a centralized tracking system of whether a particular text is taught in a given semester, UW-Madison spokesperson Meredith McGlone said. Those decisions are left to individual instructors.

The speakers fee to bring Hannah-Jones to campus is $55,000, which is on par with past speakers for this event, McGlone said. Gift funds will be used to pay the speakers fee.

Hannah-Joness reporting has earned a number of prestigious awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a Genius grant. In 2016, she co-founded the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, which aims to diversify the journalism industry.

The free event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Shannon Hall in the Memorial Union. Doors open at 6 p.m. No ticket is required.

The event will also be livestreamed. Registration is required for those tuning in online and can be completed at go.madison.com/MLKevent.
A wide financial gulf separates both incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and GOP candidate Rebecca Kleefisch from the remaining candidates running for governor this fall, new campaign finance reports show.

Evers, who is seeking a second term, and former Lt. Gov. Kleefisch both announced their 2021 fundraising totals last week, with Evers holding more than $10 million at the close of last year, while Kleefisch raised more than $3.3 million in the first four months of her campaign, which she launched in September. Both fundraising totals have been touted as record-breaking by their respective campaigns and underscore what is expected to be an expensive gubernatorial race this year.

Whats more, both Evers and Kleefisch each received donations of $20,000, the maximum individual amount allowed for statewide candidates in Wisconsin, from about 60 individual donors, according to campaign finance reports filed this week with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Those large donations last year accounted for about one-third of the total funds raised by Kleefisch and about one-eighth of what Evers raised. Evers campaign reported receiving more than 32,000 individual donations last year, while Kleefischs campaign reported receiving donations from more than 7,000 individuals.

With the midterm election less than 10 months away, Matthew Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracks campaign finances, said Wisconsins gubernatorial race  in which Democrats are looking to stave off a Republican push to regain GOP control of the state by unseating the incumbent governor, who has blocked several bills passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature  could prove to be historically expensive.

I certainly wouldnt be surprised if this governors race breaks all of the old records, Rothschild said. To have this level of money pouring into Wisconsin already is a clear indication that the sky is the limit when it comes to this November election.

As was the case leading up to the 2020 presidential election, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has dramatically outraised the Republican Party of Wisconsin, with Democrats bringing in more than $2.25 million in the final five months of 2021, compared with about $322,000 raised by Republicans.

The Democratic Party raised more than $6.6 million last year, compared to less than $1.3 million raised by the Republican Party.

Other contests

In addition to the gubernatorial race, both state parties are gearing up for heated battles over the attorney generals seat, where Democrat Josh Kaul is seeking reelection, and the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who confirmed earlier this month he is running for a third term.

This November, were reelecting Gov. Evers and Attorney General Kaul and defeating Ron Johnson  and well have the resources to do it, Democratic Party of Wisconsin interim executive director Devin Remiker said in a statement.

The state Democratic Party donated more than $1.2 million in monetary and in-kind contributions to Evers campaign in the second half of 2021. Kleefisch raised more than $60,000 from committees, including a $50,000 donation from Huck PAC, a conservative political action committee created by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

In addition to Kleefischs campaign finance report, Middleton-based Freedom Wisconsin PAC, a political action committee created to help Kleefisch, reported raising $277,000. Of that, $200,000 came from billionaire and Republican donor Elizabeth Uihlein. Other donations to the political action committee last year included $75,000 from Virginia-based Right Direction America and $2,000 from Middleton real estate developer Terrence Wall.

Uihlein also donated $20,000 to Kleefischs campaign in September.

GOP primary

While Kleefisch has built a campaign directly targeting Evers, she first will need to go through her fellow GOP candidates in the Aug. 9 primary.

Kevin Nicholson, a former U.S. Marine who lost in the 2018 U.S. Senate Republican primary, plans to announce soon if he will launch his own gubernatorial bid. Nicholson previously said that he would run for governor if Johnson sought a third Senate term.

Madison businessman Eric Hovde said earlier this month he also is weighing a potential bid for the Republican nomination. Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, who will depart from his role as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System in March, also indicated he may be considering a gubernatorial run.

Kleefischs sizable fundraising effort should help ward off potential challengers, Rothschild said.

Of the other Republicans already in the race, business owner Jonathan Wichmann reported raising just over $42,000 in the second half of last year. Former police officer and businessman Adam Fischer raised a little over $28,000 in the last six months of 2021.

Independent candidate Joan Beglinger reported raising about $24,000 in the second half of last year, compared to about $850 raised by fellow Independent Jess Hisel.

Lt. governor

While Wisconsins lieutenant governor race hasnt drawn the level of spending as the gubernatorial ticket, Republican candidate Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, reported raising more than $200,000 in all of last year, including $20,000 from his Senate campaign.

Fellow Republican Ben Voelkel, a former senior aide to Johnson, reported raising more than $116,000. Republican Will Martin, who served under both Tommy Thompson and Scott Walker, raised about $42,000 last month, according to records.

Other Republicans running for the lieutenant governor seat include Lancaster Mayor David Varnam, who raised more than $26,000, David King, of Milwaukee, who raised about $4,000, and Army veteran Cindy Werner, who raised about $1,000.

The field of Democratic candidates vying for the lieutenant governor seat has also grown following current Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by Johnson.

State Reps. Sara Rodriguez, D-Brookfield, raised about $35,000 and David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, raised about $14,000. Peng Her, CEO of the Hmong Institute in Madison, reported raising almost $8,700 since declaring candidacy last month. Eau Claire resident Kyle Yudes raised more than $5,000 since October.

Secretary of state

State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, who is running for secretary of state this fall, reported raising more than $70,000 in the final six months of last year.

Democrat Doug La Follette, who has held the position since 1983, told The Associated Press last week he is preparing to run for another term this fall.

La Follette, 81, said he was motivated to seek another term in the largely powerless office following Loudenbecks interest in empowering the office to serve as a check on the states bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission, which administers elections.

Republican secretary of state candidates Daniel Schmidtka and Jay Schroeder both reported raising less than $1,000 in the second half of last year.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on how the states next legislative and congressional district maps should be drawn  a decision before the court that could have major implications for state elections over the next decade.

The court took arguments for more than six hours from attorneys representing the GOP-led Legislature, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, members of the Republican congressional delegation, Senate Democrats and several other groups that submitted map proposals. Republicans have said maintaining the core of existing boundaries disenfranchises the fewest number of voters, but Democrats and proponents of nonpartisan legislative boundaries have criticized the proposal as an attempt by Republicans to lock in GOP-friendly districts in the states next 10-year maps.

The states high court, which has already ruled it will follow a least change approach when drawing the states next maps, is expected to issue a final decision in the coming weeks. One of the key factors brought up by several justices focused on whether submitted maps adhere to federal requirements in the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

Part of that question focuses on whether Milwaukee should have seven legislative districts with a majority of Black and Hispanic voters, as proposed by the group Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, or the six districts proposed by others including the GOP-led Legislature. Another question raised by conservative and crucial swing Justice Brian Hagedorn, who has sometime sided with liberal justices in the past, is what percentage of voters meets the legal definition of a majority.

How are we supposed to figure out at what stage weve crossed a line? I feel like were trying to hug a water balloon here, Hagedorn said.

A pending federal lawsuit filed by Democrats also could be taken up following the state Supreme Courts decision, specifically if the chosen maps meet those federal requirements.

Mel Barnes, staff counsel with the liberal firm Law Forward, which is representing Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, described the Voting Rights Act as being the heart and soul of this case. Barnes also pointed to comments made during Wednesdays hearing by judges including conservative Justice Patience Roggensack, who questioned the significance of the federal requirement in light of Black officials winning elections in the past over white candidates.

You cant throw out this law just because its been working, Barnes said at a press event after Wednesdays hearing. These protections continue to be important and the VRA continues to be the law of the land.

The court received proposed boundaries from Evers, the GOP-controlled Legislature, members of the Republican congressional delegation, state Senate Democrats, a group of Democratic voters and groups including Citizen Mathematicians and Scientists, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and immigrant rights organization Voces de la Frontera.

Least change approach

In a 4-3 decision last year, the court sided with Republicans request that the next maps deviate as little as possible from the current GOP-drawn maps and any changes should be related to population shifts as a result of the census. The decision likely means any of the maps ultimately accepted by the court will provide an advantage to Republicans, who hold strong majorities in both chambers due in part to maps they drew 10 years ago.

The state Supreme Courts conservative majority also said last year it will not consider partisan balance when drawing legislative maps, and instead ruled that, like the U.S. Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has no standard to judge whether maps present an unfair partisan advantage.

The courts least change ruling dealt a major blow to Evers plan to submit boundaries drawn by the Peoples Maps Commission, which he created in 2020 to provide a citizen-led alternative to the Republican maps. Those maps deviated considerably from the existing maps, which Republicans drew in secret in 2011. Evers ultimately submitted new maps to the court.

Anthony Russomanno, an attorney with the Wisconsin Department of Justice who is representing Evers, said the governors maps are the best example of boundaries that follow the courts guidelines and the federal Voting Rights Act.

Taylor Meehan, the Legislatures attorney, said Evers legislative map should be deemed unconstitutional for moving around voters to create more districts with Black and Hispanic majorities.

Just because you can draw seven districts doesnt mean that its required, said Meehan.

However, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley questioned whether the Legislatures maps, which were vetoed by Evers last year, pass constitutional muster. Evers veto put the matter before the court.

Youre bringing to us maps it seems that didnt survive the constitutional process for passing legislation, Bradley said to Meehan.

Party in power

The Legislature must redraw political lines every decade based on the latest population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. The mapmaking process can allow a party in power, even without statewide majority support, to create or increase a legislative majority based on how district lines are drawn.

In 2011, Republicans controlled the Legislature and governors office during a decennial redistricting process for the first time in decades and drew the maps in secret conditions that excluded Democrats. By packing Democratic voters in cities into lopsided districts and spreading out rural and suburban Republicans into districts with solid, but narrower, majorities, the maps allowed the GOP to hold more than 60% of legislative seats, even when Democrats won all statewide elections in 2018.

Republicans hold a 61-38 majority in the Assembly and 21-12 majority in the Senate as well as five of the states eight congressional seats.

The U.S. Supreme Court has also issued a stay in the Democratic-backed case pending further action by the state Supreme Court. Whether the federal court takes up the case hinges on whether the maps drawn by the state Supreme Court comply with requirements in federal law, such as the Voting Rights Act.
LAKE DELTONA Sauk County Sheriffs Office sergeant and on-call firefighter for Delton Fire Department earned recognition after a serious accident four years ago helped to get a traffic law passed Dec. 6.

Wisconsin Act 115 creates defines an emergency or roadside response area as a portion of a road within 500 feet of an authorized emergency vehicle, which must give a visible signal, or a tow truck that has flashing red lights. It prohibits use of handheld devices in such areas and increase penalties for violations.

Joe Sabol was struck by a distracted driver on the morning of Feb. 3, 2018, at the Interstate 94 westbound exit at U.S. Highway 12 in Lake Delton. This incident, combined with a fatal incident in 2015, have been examples of a need to increase penalties for distracted driving, particularly when emergency vehicles are present.

I was very lucky, said Sabol. I just know that one minute, I was standing and the next minute, I wasnt. I dont dwell on it a whole lot. Just try to get that word out there for slowing down, moving over, being conscious that were out there.

Wisconsin State Assemblywoman Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) and State Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) were the two legislators behind Wisconsin Act 115 and stopped by the Lake Delton Police Department Monday to present a plaque of the law, which addresses distracted and careless driving in roadside emergency areas, to Sabol. The law is nicknamed Joes Law in honor of him.

Along with the nickname, the actual name of the law and date of passage are symbolic for Sabol, as he said 115 was his number as a Village of Lake Delton police officer and that Dec. 6 is the anniversary of his start date with the Sauk County Sheriffs Office.

For myself, who was on scene, and many others in our department that day, when we heard Joes voice over the radio that hes been hit, and he needs help, its something were not ever going to forget, said Delton Fire Department Fire Chief Darren Jorgenson. This bill helps, especially with the public education because we want to be proactive and not write tickets and put people in jail after the fact. Make people aware of the problem and heres a simple solution.

Lawrence Millard, a volunteer firefighter from town of Moundville, died in a similar incident on Interstate 39 in 2015. Ballweg said someone dropped their phone while videoing an accident scene and struck him while retrieving the phone.

I cant think of one person who wasnt on board with this law, just based on what it stands for, said Sabol.

The law doubles the fines for certain traffic violations. According to the law, if the violation results in bodily harm, the vehicle operator could face higher penalties.

It is in response to the hazards that our firefighters, our law enforcement, our EMS and tow truck drivers come into play when theyre at an accident scene, said Ballweg. What the law does is provide an emergency zone. If you see those flashing red lights within 500 feet of the front or the back, (the law) encourages folks to slow down, cant use any handheld devices.

Loudenbeck has been a volunteer firefighter and her husband is currently a firefighter.

Rep. Loudenbeck led on this particular bill last year when it didnt get done, said Ballweg. By moving over to the Senate, we got to be partners on the two houses.

Once we put the bill out, there were a lot of people that wanted to be involved, said Loudenbeck. These incidents happen far too often.
Response to JICS findings on solitary confinement

Statement from the Detention Justice Forum in response to the findings of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Service on solitary confinement

The Detention Justice Forum (DJF), a coalition of civil society organisations and activists, welcomes the findings by the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) on practices amounting to solitary confinement in a number of South African correctional centres.



Under international law, the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (UNSMR) reflect as follows on solitary confinement: "... solitary confinement shall refer to the confinement of prisoners for 22 hours or more a day without meaningful human contact. Prolonged solitary confinement shall refer to solitary confinement for a time period in excess of 15 consecutive days".



The UNSMR further notes that "[I]n no circumstances may restrictions or disciplinary sanctions amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," thereby specifically prohibiting prolonged solitary confinement. The initial phase of confinement at two super-maximum security facilities (C-Max in Pretoria and Ebongweni in Kokstad) entails a minimum period of six months of effective solitary confinement. This is in violation of the UNSMR, as well as the right to be free from torture and other ill treatment guaranteed by South Africa's Constitution.



The detention regimes practiced at the two super-maximum prisons have been criticised over the years by rights advocates. The criteria for selecting certain incarcerated persons to be held in super-maximum facilities have also been the subject of criticism as far back as 2006 by the Jali Commission.



The Correctional Services Act was amended in 2008 to remove, in name, solitary confinement from the statute. The result was that solitary confinement can still be practiced under the euphemistic term "segregation" but important protective measures under "solitary confinement" were removed. Previously, solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure could only be implemented with approval of the Inspecting Judge. This ensured effective monitoring and oversight. Subsequent to the amendment, a prisoner in segregation must be informed that they "may refer" the matter to the Inspecting Judge. The result is that very few such appeals have been lodged with the Inspecting Judge.



We accept that some prisoners can be extremely disruptive and pose a threat to others and the good order of a facility. The administration should therefore have a clear mechanism to deal with such individuals but such a mechanism remains subject to obligations under international law, the Constitution and domestic law. Where there is reason to believe that torture or other ill treatment have taken place, there is a duty on the state to conduct a prompt, effective and impartial investigation.



The DJF therefore calls upon the government to:

Ensure that the detention regimes at the super-maximum facilities are compliant with the UNSMR and that it fulfils its obligations under the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and the Prevention of Combating and Torture of Persons Act; and

Address the shortcomings in the legal framework and restore the protective measures that were there.

For more information, please contact:

Lukas Muntingh at lmuntingh@uwc.ac.za

About the Detention Justice Forum:

The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) is a civil society coalition, comprising of non-governmental organisations and individuals seeking to ensure that the rights and well-being of those who are detained are respected as enshrined under the South African Constitution, laws, and international human rights norms and standards.

The following DJF members endorse the above statement:
Indiana Donor Network Transplants More Organs in 2021 Than Ever Before
Wang Xudong (far right), director of the Palace Museum, and invited guests at the launch ceremony of the children's musical Luduan on Thursday. [For China Daily/Jiang Dong]

For visitors, the Palace Museum in Beijing, China's former imperial palace also known as the Forbidden City, is a perfect place to glimpse the country's rich history and cultural splendor.

Nevertheless, this compound, which witnessed the rise and fall of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and many historic events, may also be stereotyped for its solemn atmosphere. How to attract and better inform younger visitors has been a question museum operators have been trying to solve.

Many ideas have been suggested and implemented: Tailored websites for teenagers, various entertaining apps for mobile devices, animation books. Now, yet another plan has been drafted in the museum.

The Palace Museum announced last week it was going to produce its first original musical specifically for children, and the performance will tour nationwide after a Beijing premiere.

The upcoming musical, Luduan, will feature an auspicious animal in traditional Chinese mythology with that name.

Luduan, also a unicorn, is said in myths to be able to travel 9,000 kilometers within a day and speak many languages. Consequently, it is often honored as a guarding deity for wise rulers during the time of imperial China.

A pair of Luduan statues in front of the throne in the Taihe Dian (the Hall of Supreme Harmony), the highest-level architecture in the Forbidden City, are chosen as protagonists in the show, but their images are also seen elsewhere across this former imperial palace.

"It stands for not only knowledge, and wisdom, but also hope for favorable weather and prosperity," Yan Hongbin, deputy director of the Palace Museum and chief producer of the musical, says. "Like the Chinese dragon and phoenix, Luduan is a remarkable symbol co-created by mythology and history. It demonstrates Chinese people's ethos to respect nature, pursue beauty and their eagerness to keep moving."

Although the detailed story of the musical has not been released, Yan reveals some other representative cultural elements in the Forbidden City will also be part of the musical.

They include Hangshi, a deity to keep off thunderstorms appearing as a roof decoration on Taihe Dian, the "gold chalice of eternal stability", a key artifact in Qing Dynasty emperor Qianlong's study, and even the cats wandering around today's Palace Museum, widely favored by tourists.

According to Yan, knowledge of cultural relic conservation and historic events concerning the Palace Museum are also mixed into the story to improve children's consciousness of heritage protection. For example, the musical will also tell of the 1930s' painstaking effort to move some collections southward when the front line of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) approached Beijing.

A pair of enamel Luduan statues in Shoukang Gong, or Palace of Longevity and Health, in the Forbidden City. [For China Daily/Wang Kaihao]

In the Palace Museum, home for 1.86 million cultural relics and the world's largest surviving palatial architecture compound, successful trials have recently been undertaken to better explain its cultural troves through stage performances.

For instance, The Legend of a Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, a dance drama coproduced by the museum and the Beijing-based China Oriental Performing Arts Group last year, won overwhelming praise among viewers. It was inspired by A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, a 12th century milestone scroll painting, which is now housed at the Palace Museum.

In experts' eyes, such works tailored for children may unlock a new terrain of public education.

"Cultural heritage composes a core part in aesthetic education for children," Wang Dengfeng, an official in charge of fine art department under the Ministry of Education, says. "It needs more such creative ideas to explain the value of heritages and thus promote their lasting development."

Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum, also says Luduan is far more than just a show.

"It'll be a teaser for upcoming projects, which can guide the young generation to nurture righteous attitudes toward history and culture," he says. "It's also our social responsibility. With our academic support and open mind, more art troupes are welcomed in follow-up programs."

About 20 "charity shows" free of charge are planned when the production of Luduan is finished and performances begin.

(Source: China Daily)
Foreign experts get a hands-on experience on paper-cutting at Guangxi International Paper Arts Center in Nanning, capital of the South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday. [For chinadaily.com.cn]

Some 20 foreign experts from seven countries, including the United States, France, Indonesia, Thailand, were invited to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year with paper-cutting in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday.

In China, pasting paper-cuttings, an intangible heritage of China, on windows or doors is an tradition during the festival.

Foreign experts get a hands-on experience on paper-cutting at Guangxi International Paper Arts Center in Nanning, capital of the South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday. [For chinadaily.com.cn]

Pattama Surit, an professor from Thailand who now works at Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, said, "This would be my first Spring Festival in China. I have learned many traditional custom this time besides the paper-cutting, which makes me feel warm and happy."

Foreign experts get a hands-on experience on paper-cutting at Guangxi International Paper Arts Center in Nanning, capital of the South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday. [For chinadaily.com.cn]

According to the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of Guangxi, the organizer of this activity, Guangxi is seeing more and more foreign experts as it speeds up opening-up. In order to attract more outstanding foreign talents , the government has constantly launched actions to facilitate their settlement since 2017, including offering cultural experience and building information platforms for consultancy.

Foreign experts get a hands-on experience on paper-cutting at Guangxi International Paper Arts Center in Nanning, capital of the South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday. [For chinadaily.com.cn]

Foreign experts get a hands-on experience on paper-cutting at Guangxi International Paper Arts Center in Nanning, capital of the South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday. [For chinadaily.com.cn]

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 18, 2022. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

 Xi notes several daunting tasks in the battle against corruption.

 Serious potential dangers in the Party, the country and the military have been rooted out: Xi

 Xi calls for CPC members' concrete actions to implement the principle of being loyal to the Party and the people.

 "We should be aware that the fight against corruption is still raging," Xi warns.

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua)  Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday stressed rigorous and unswerving efforts in further promoting full and strict Party governance.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, vowed to maintain a zero-tolerance stance on corruption while addressing the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting.

Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CCDI, presided over the meeting.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 18, 2022. [Xinhua/Yao Dawei]

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has improved Party conduct, upheld integrity and combated corruption with unprecedented courage and resolve, Xi said.

"Certain unhealthy tendencies that hadn't been curbed for a long time have been reined in, many problems that had long plagued us have been remedied, and serious potential dangers in the Party, the country and the military have been rooted out," Xi said.

The problem of lax and weak governance over Party organizations has been addressed at the fundamental level, and a successful path to breaking the historical cycle of rise and fall has been blazed through the Party's self-reform, Xi added.

Stressing staying true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission more firmly and consciously, Xi called for CPC members' concrete actions to implement the principle of being loyal to the Party and the people.

The whole Party should act consistently with the CPC Central Committee at every turn and implement the Party Central Committee's decisions and policies with solid efforts, Xi said.

Xi urged continuous efforts to achieve the strategic goal that officials do not dare, are not able, and have no desire to be corrupt.

"We should be aware that the fight against corruption is still raging," Xi stressed.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 18, 2022. [Xinhua/Yao Dawei]

He noted several daunting tasks in the battle, including guarding against the unwarranted influence of all sorts of interests groups, preventing officials from falling prey to erosion behaviors, identifying and dealing with furtive forms of corruption that employ upgraded methods, eliminating the breeding grounds for corruption, being free of systemic corruption, and defusing risks and hidden dangers.

The practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism are the arch enemies of the cause of the Party and the country, Xi stressed.

He asked officials to make more solid efforts to work for the people's well-being and guard against massively launching flashy programs for appearance's sake.

Education, management and supervision of young officials must be strengthened to ensure they are loyal and reliable to the Party and the people, Xi said.

Xi also demanded that Party committees at all levels strengthen the oversight over the "key few," particularly those in command and the leading bodies, he said.

Presiding over the meeting, Zhao Leji said Xi's speech has made the strategic plans clear to deepen strict Party governance in all aspects and prepare for the opening of the Party's 20th national congress.

(Source: Xinhua)
Photo by Ernest A. Brown

All Saints Church, located at 323 Rathbun St., Woonsocket, will close and its parish will merge with St. Josephs Church in East Woonsocket.
Tallulah Falls is a tiny town located in the US state of Georgia. It is situated among several natural attractions, most notably the Tallulah Gorge and the Tallulah Falls for which it is named. The town and its vicinity have been popular with tourists since the mid-19th century. The town itself was born in the late 19th century when a railroad network made getting there easier and cheaper. In the early 20th century, Tallulah Falls began emerging as a hydroelectricity powerhouse when several dams were built in the area. In the 1990s, the Tallulah Gorge State Park was created, attracting even more tourists to the region.

Geography Of Tallulah Falls

Tallulah Falls, Georgia, USA overlooking Tallulah Gorge in the autumn season.

Tallulah Falls is located in Georgia's northeast corner, close to Georgia's border with South Carolina. It is about one and half hours northeast of Atlanta, Georgia's state capital, and two hours southwest of Asheville, North Carolina. The center of the village is located adjacent to Tallulah Falls Lake, which was created by the damming of the Tallulah River. The Tallulah Falls Dam itself is also situated adjacent to the center of the village. The city limits of Tallulah Falls include the famous Tallulah Gorge, which is a one thousand foot chasm that was carved over millions of years. Also included within the city limits is the Tallulah Falls, for which the village is named. These are a series of six waterfalls that cascade through Tallulah Gorge. In addition, the Tallulah Gorge State Park is located within the village's northern city limits. The total area of Tallulah Falls is 22.1 sq. km.

Population Of Tallulah Falls

Tallulah Falls has a population of just 169 residents. About 73% of these residents are white, while approximately 14% are Asian, 10.66% African American, and 2.46% from other racial backgrounds. Over three-quarters of Tallulah Falls' residents speak only English, 13.9% speak Asian languages, and 6.6% speak Spanish. Approximately 88.5% of residents in Tallulah Falls were born in the United States, while 45.9% were born in the town itself. The entire foreign-born population of Tallulah Falls was born in Asia.

Economy Of Tallulah Falls

Aerial view of the Tallulah Falls school in Tallulah Falls, Georgia. Image credit: TallulahFallsSchool via Wikimedia Commons

The average household income in Tallulah Falls is $63,608. None of the village's residents are registered as living in poverty. According to US government statistics, the economy of Tallulah Falls employs only 39 people, 9 of whom work in educational services, 8 in public administration, 5 in accommodation & food services, and the rest in other sectors.

History Of Tallulah Falls

Before the arrival of Europeans, the mountainous area of what is now northeastern Georgia, including present-day Tallulah Falls, was inhabited by several Native American peoples, the most notable of which were the Cherokee. The Cherokee, however, generally avoided the Ugunyi, which was their name for the Tallulah Gorge. The Europeans, who arrived in the early 19th century, were awe-inspired by the beauty of the falls and the gorge. They shared their experiences in newspapers and travel books. Word of the majestic beauty of the Tallulah Falls area quickly spread, drawing more people of European descent to the region. By the mid-19th century, Tallulah Falls was a popular tourist attraction.

In 1882, the railroad's arrival significantly shortened the travel time between Tallulah Falls and Atlanta, which meant that more Georgians could afford to make the journey between the two locales. As a result, several hotels and boarding houses were built in Tallulah Falls to accommodate the growing number of visitors. The town of Tallulah Falls was incorporated in 1885. In addition to multiple lodgings, the new town consisted of three churches, a railroad depot, a post office, a telegraph office, a bar, and a newspaper for a brief time in 1897, all of which was largely supported by the tourism industry.

In 1909, Tallulah Falls would change forever, as the Georgia Power Company purchased land in the town and began to build a dam on the falls. The dam, which was completed in 1913, was 116 feet tall and 400 feet long. It created a lake with a surface area of 63 acres, which is now known as Tallulah Falls Lake. This dam was actually the first in a series of dams built on the Tallulah and Tugaloo Rivers, which provided hydroelectricity for Atlanta and the rest of northern Georgia.

In 1921, a fire destroyed most of Tallulah Falls, ending its era as a tourist destination. The tourist industry in the area was rekindled again, however, when the government of Georgia, in partnership with Georgia Power, created Tallulah Gorge State Park in 1992. In 1999, a trail around the gorge was named after Helen Dortch Longstreet. She had led a group of conservationists in opposition to the dam's construction between 1909 and 1913.

Attractions In Tallulah Falls

Whitewater rafters on the Tallulah River during the autumn water release at the Tallulah Gorge State Park. Editorial credit: JayL / Shutterstock.com

Tallulah Falls is perfect for anyone looking for an outdoor adventure. Visitors who want to get a good look at the gorge and falls, for example, would be advised to try hiking or biking on the North and South Rim Trails. These are two trails in Tallulah Falls State Park that follow the gorge's rim. They also offer spectacular overlooking views into the gorge and views of the falls. Other trails each offer different views of the falls and the gorge. One includes a bridge that is suspended above one of the falls, known as Hurricane Falls. There is also a trail that follows the Old Tallulah Falls Railroad bed. Rock climbing in the gorge is possible for more daring visitors, though a permit must be obtained, and no rock climbing is allowed during Peregrine Falcon nesting season.

Many visitors to Tallulah Falls enjoy camping in the area. The Tallulah Gorge State Park contains a fifty-site campground. Backcountry camping is also available. The Tallulah Falls area is also a great place for people who enjoy water-based activities. Visitors to the area can enjoy swimming in the gorge at a place called Sliding Rock. Swimming is also available in the state park and on a public beach at Georgia Power's Tallulah Lake. Other popular water-based activities in the Tallulah Falls area include fishing, boating, and white water kayaking.
The Trinity River is a major river in the northwest of California in the United States of America and is the principal tributary of the Klamath River. It is initially called the Hoopa or Hupa by the Yurok and hun' by the Natinixwe/Hupa people. The Trinity River travels 266 km through the Klamath Mountains and Coast Ranges, with a 7800 square km of watershed area near Humboldt and Trinity Counties. Designated a National Wild Scenic River, it flows through tight canyons and mountain meadows along most of its course.

The Course Of The Trinity River

White water rafting on the rapids of river Trinity on July 13, 2001 in Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, California, USA. Editorial credit: Pecold / Shutterstock.com

The Trinity River begins deep in the Scott Mountains at the confluence of Chilcoot Creek and High Camp Creek in Trinity County. The river travels south through a deep valley between the Salmon Mountains to the west and the Trinity Mountains to the east, joining the Coffee Creek before reaching Trinity Lake, a large reservoir created behind the Trinity Dam.

Both Stuart Fork and the East Fork also flow into the reservoir. As part of the Central Valley Project, a smaller dam, Lewiston Dam, located just below Trinity Dam, diverts part of the Trinity River through a hydroelectric plant to the Sacramento River Basin. It provides irrigation water to California's Central Valley.

Below Lewiston Dam, the river crosses the towns of Lewiston and Douglas City. It turns west, passing a few kilometers of Weaverville, the main population center of the area and the seat of Trinity County. Trinity River then turns northwest, past Junction City, and meets the North Fork Trinity River at Helena. It continues west, passes Big Bar's former mining settlement, and enters a deep gorge. At Burnt Ranch, the Trinity River receives the New River from the North, and its main tributary enters from the south at Salyer the South Fork, nearly doubling the river's flow.

Children playing barefoot in water, South Fork Trinity River, Northern California.

The Trinity River turns sharply north at the confluence of the South Fork and enters Humboldt County. The river flows through Hoopa Valley Reservation, past the towns of Hoopa and Willow Creek. It meets the Klamath River at Weitchpec above the mouth of the larger river on the Pacific Ocean. The confluence shows the point where the Klamath changes course from its generally southwesterly route to flow north towards the sea.

Geology Of The Trinity River Basin

During the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods, mountains have been formed at a higher altitude than those found in the area today. Today, the terrain that makes up the Trinity River basin began to take form over 200 million years ago due to the collision of several exotic terranes with the North American Plate. This collision caused uplift of the seafloor under what is nowadays northwestern California.

A wide variety of rocks can be found in the Trinity River area. It includes chert, gabbro, diorite, granite, limestone, sandstone, serpentine, schist, and marble. Gold-bearing quartz veins are common in local metamorphic rock formations.

Brief History

South Fork Trinity River, Humboldt County, California.

The Wintu people were the first indigenous people to inhabit the Trinity River area. There were nine major groups of them and spread across the Trinity, Upper Sacramento, and McCloud River valley, in addition to some parts of the South Fork Trinity River and its tributary Hayfork Creek. Other indigenous people lived around the Trinity River including The Hupa , The Tsnungwe people, and The Chimariko people.

The Wintu people lived in villages along the Trinity River. Each village was independent and led by a chief of around 150 people. The villagers interacted through trade with each other and other neighboring tribes, including Shasta, Nomlaki, and Achomawi.

The Wintu people came into frequent contact with European explorers, settlers, and traders as they were near the trade routes in and around the Central Valley. Those encounters were initially peaceful, but a malaria epidemic in the 1830s was accidentally caught from the Hudsons Bay Company fur trappers, which led to the decimation of the Wintu population in addition to many other Central Valley tribes. This peaceful contact did not last long as the following decades witnessed major conflicts between the remaining Wintu and settlers as more settlers moved into the area and occupied many of the Wintus traditional lands. In 1846, one of the deadliest massacres occurred when soldiers led by John C. Fremont killed 175 people who belonged to Wintu, Yana, and Maidu. Later in 1850, 100 of the Trinity Wintu indigenous people perished after being given poisoned food by white settlers. By 1910, the Wintu population declined to a mere 1000 from an estimated 12000 prior to European contact.

In 1828, Jedediah Smiths expedition to northwestern California were some of the first Europeans to explore the Trinity River county. The expedition departed from Sacramento Valley Smith passed over the Klamath Mountains, and arrived at what is now Hayfork Creek on April 18. The expedition followed the creek to the South Fork and then to the Trinity River and the Klamath River.

After James Marshall discovered gold at Sutters Mill, which started the California Gold Rush, Major Reading discovered gold on the Trinity River in July 1848. The find attracted thousands of miners who moved to the area and created boomtowns such as Francis, Douglas City, Lewiston, and Lake City. The mining activity was initially concentrated in the upper eastern valleys of the Trinity River around Weaverville because the hostile Native Americans prevented transporting equipment and supplies to places further west.

Fisheries In The Trinity River

The Trinity River is famous for its salmon and steelhead fishing by drift boat or walk-in riverside spots. The most sought-after gamefish in the river's system is the Chinook salmon. Spring-run salmon enter the river in May, providing trophy fishing through November. Although not being native, brown trout were heavily stocked until the late 1970s. Today, a self-sustaining population remains in the upper river, providing fly and bait fishing opportunities.
Ghislaine Maxwell will no longer fight to keep secret the names of eight 'John Does' as part of a defamation lawsuit.
CCTV footage released after opportunistic thief stole a parcel containing a birthday gift

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 19th, 2022

Police have released CCTV footage after an opportunistic thief stole a parcel containing a birthday gift for the resident.

The footage was captured at an address on Prices Lane, Wrexham at around 5:15pm on January 18.

A statement by NWP Wrexham Town said: It shows an opportunistic thief taking a parcel left outside the property and making off with it.

The wrapped parcel contained a birthday gift for the resident of this address.

Do you recognise this male or his distinctive red Adidas jacket?

If you can assist with our enquiries, please use our online reporting service or call 101 quoting incident reference B008036.
Images released of man wanted in connection with theft of cash box from St Giles

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 19th, 2022

Images of a man who police say is wanted in connection with a theft from St Giles Church has been released.

A blue metal cashbox was stolen from the church on November 28 2021.

Police say the box contained hundreds of pounds.

Officers are now appealing to the public to help identify the male pictured, who they say is wanted in connection with the theft.

You can contact North Wales Police either through the online reporting system or by calling 101 and quoting

21000827504.
The campaign to reopen Australias schools later this month and in early February is being actively supported by the Australian Education Union (AEU) and all of its state affiliates.

Since the very beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, the teacher unions have collaborated with state and federal governments, Labor and Liberal, to implement the various official diktats.

The refusal of the union bureaucracy to defend the basic rights of teachers and school workers, however, has never been as stark as it is now. In the next weeks, tens of thousands of educators and hundreds of thousands of their students are to be herded into overcrowded and poorly ventilated classrooms, with only around three-quarters of 1216 year olds double vaccinated (none boosted, because they remain ineligible) and not a single 511 year old having received more than one jab.

The reopening of the schools in such conditions will inevitably trigger a further wave of infections, causing serious illnesses and deaths. This entirely preventable scenario represents an enormous social crime.

HSC students sitting exams before the pandemic [Credit: NSW Education Department]

In response, the teacher unions only substantive complaint is that the federal government is not working as closely with them as it could to organise the schools reopening.

On January 7, the federal AEU leadership issued a statement directed to the federal government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. It emphasised that the AEU is ready to work with governments, and called for clear guidelines and protocols that school communities can easily understand and have confidence in ready to go for the start of the school year.

In other words, schools can and should reopen, so long as the messaging is properly developed to minimise and suppress opposition from parents, students and teachers.

On January 13, the AEU reacted nervously to Morrisons unveiling of the so-called national plan for the school reopening. The prime minister notably made no pretence that the reopening had anything to do with childrens learning or wellbeing, instead bluntly explaining that students had to be in school so their parents could be at their workplaces, for the good of the economy (see: Australian prime minister demands schools reopen to maintain workforce for corporations).

This, the AEU complained, was deeply offensive to teachers and amounted to saying schools must be open to provide a babysitting service for the broader workforce.

The union expressed concern over the governments revised isolation guidelines for teachers who are close contacts of a COVID infected person. In an attempt to minimise the looming staffing crisis, the government now insists that teachers who are close contacts must isolate for a week in their homes, not seeing family and friends and not shopping for groceries or other necessitiesbut they can and must go to their classrooms to teach, provided they are cleared by an unreliable rapid antigen test (RAT).

The AEU warned that the isolation guidelines will exacerbate the health and safety concerns that are already being expressed by our members. It advised teachers to use their leave instead of going into school, if they feel vulnerable as a close contact or they are worried about the potential risk to others.

These mealy mouthed statements were driven by fear that the governments provocative moves will trigger opposition from teachers and school workers.

The AEUs January 13 statement requested a clear path forward, based on three things: guidelines for the reopening of schools, priority access to RATs and PCR tests, and funding to accommodate social distancing, hygiene, ventilation and any other public health measures. These policies will not be implemented. Even in the event they were, however, such minimal mitigation measures would not resolve the inherently unsafe practice of crowding dozens of people together within a room in conditions of large scale spread of a dangerous airborne pathogen.

The AEUs real concern was reiterated in the concluding sentence of its statement: We stand ready to work constructively with all governments.

The unions position was denounced by several teachers on social media. One wrote: Is the AEU going to do anything? How many fellow teachers need to be martyred for the economy before you do something? Is this a union or a government focus group? Call a goddamn strike.

All the AEU state affiliates know they are sitting atop a powder keg.

In New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, which have the highest daily COVID infections, the union bureaucracy is attempting to stifle all discussion. The NSW Teachers Federation Facebook page does not allow any comments on its posts. This follows the Teachers Federations organisation of a strike last month involving 50,000 teachers over working conditions, in which no union official at the official rally once mentioned COVID.

The AEUs Victorian branch has not blocked teacher comments on Facebookbut instead effectively pretends that there is no pandemic. There has not been a single post on the explosion of Omicron infections, nor on the pending school reopening. To find any reference whatsoever to COVID, one needs to scroll back to November last year for a post about childrens outdoor learning that included a passing reference to the pandemic.

The unions in these states have remained silent on the close collaboration of Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews and his NSW Liberal counterpart Dominic Perrottet, while these figures jointly insist that schools must reopen at the beginning of term as scheduled.

In Queensland, the state Labor government has postponed the start of school by two weeks. This will only postpone and not prevent an upsurge in infections. The Queensland Teachers Union has nevertheless boasted of securing a major victory with this measure, as it has over yesterdays government announcement that the school year will not be extended in December by an equivalent two weeks to compensate for the delay. Teachers again responded on social media to the unions self-congratulations with demands for remote learning.

In South Australia, the state Liberal governments plan involves beginning the school year as scheduled on February 2 for only some year levelsreception (foundation) and Years 1, 7, 8 and 12. Other year levels are to do remote learning for two weeks and then return to their classrooms on February 14. The AEUs state branch is this week balloting the membership for a one-day strike on February 2. The union has called on the government to postpone for a fortnight the start of the school year for all year levels. If this is conceded, the bureaucracy has explained, the strike will be called off.

As elsewhere, the South Australian AEU opposes remote learning to keep teachers and students safe during the pandemic.

Its posturing over possible limited industrial action is directed towards containing opposition from below. Across Australia, the pandemics impact on teachers and school workers is intersecting with longstanding workplace pressures, including crushing workloads, teacher shortages, and inadequate salaries. The South Australian AEU rammed through the last enterprise bargaining agreement in 2020, which involved a real wage cut and the maintenance of poor working conditions, in the face of enormous opposition. A narrow 54-46 percent vote ratified the agreement.

The teacher unions role in the pandemic, including their lockstep support for the looming reopening of the schools, is an expression of the material interests of the bureaucracy. Through industry superannuation funds, the unions are tied to the stock market and the interests of finance capital.

The upper echelons of the bureaucracy comprise an immensely privileged, upper-middle class stratum, whose personal incomes place them comfortably within the top 1 percent of earners. AEU federal president Correna Haythorpe receives nearly $275,000 annually in salary and benefits, while outgoing NSW Teachers Federation secretary John Dixon receives $320,000.

These privileges are dependent upon the unions collaboration with the state, against the interests of teachers and school workers.

The Committee for Public Education (CFPE) has called on educators to form rank-and-file safety committees, independent of the union bureaucracy, to take forward the fight for the suspension of normal school operations amid the pandemic. Remote learning needs to be organised for all students, except as required for the children of emergency workers and of vulnerable families, as part of an emergency suite of measures including 100 percent income protection for all affected workers and small business owners and a massive increase in spending on the necessary resources to support children and their teachers.

These political issues will be discussed at the important upcoming online public meeting organised by the CFPE, No to Australian school reopenings amid record COVID infections! Educators, students, parentsjoin the fight for rank-and-file safety committees! It will be held online on January 23 at 11 a.m. (AEDT). We encourage all teachers, school workers, parent, students, and working people to register in advance.

Contact the CFPE:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: @cfpe_australia
More than a month after Australian governments unleashed a massive surge of Omicron on the population, and weeks after reports first emerged of rampant workplace transmission, Australias trade unions held a meeting to discuss the crisis.

The gathering, convened by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) on Monday, had nothing to do with fighting to protect the safety of workers. The unions have and will continue to enforce dangerous workplace conditions contributing to the spread of the virus and threatening the health and lives of the workers they falsely claim to represent. The privileged union bureaucracy fully defends capitalist interests, including the profits before lives pandemic policies.

The unions were compelled to call the meeting because working-class anger over the disastrous situation threatens to get out of control.

ACTU National Secretary Sally McManus (Photo: Facebook / Sally McManus)

Every day doctors and nurses are speaking out about the horrific conditions they confront in hospitals that have reached a breaking point. The situation in factories, warehouses and throughout logistics resembles a war, with the virus sweeping through and decimating entire workforces.

There is mass opposition among teachers and parents to the planned resumption of in-person teaching at the end of this month and early next, under conditions in which the reopening of the schools is sparking mass spontaneous walkouts in the US and other countries.

Under these conditions, the aim of the ACTU meeting was to put on a show of concern, cover up the responsibility of the unions for what has taken place, and prevent the eruption of independent action by the working class. Inevitably the anger would be directed not only against corporations and governments, but the unions themselves.

The statement issued by the meeting demonstrated the close integration of the unions into the political and corporate establishment that is responsible for the mass infections and rising death toll. To the extent that it criticized governments and businesses, it was from the standpoint that their policies risks disrupting the profit-driven reopening of the economy.

Chief among the unions complaints was the the failure of the Morrison Government to respond to our requests to work with us during this crisis. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, together with the state and territory leaders, most of them from the Labor Party, has overseen the dismantling of safety measures, insisting every day that people must live with the virus.

Last week, ACTU secretary Sally McManus wrote a polite open letter to Morrison, pleading with him to work with the unions. The letter harkened back to the early stages of the pandemic, when Morrison and the unions formed a de facto partnership. This involved daily collaboration aimed at keeping a lid on mass anger over policies that allowed the spread of the virus.

McManus presented her offer to the Morrison government, as it, along with the entire political establishment, confronts an unprecedented political crisis in the face of mounting popular opposition.

Their advances going unrequited at this point, the ACTU and its affiliates determined that despite the Prime Minister not acting to keep working people safe, the union movement will.

What followed in Tuesdays union statement was indistinguishable from the toothless, cosmetic advisories of government health and safety bodies. Accordingly, the meeting today resolved to write to all employers reminding them of their obligation to do all that is reasonable and practical to keep workers safe, it declared.

The ACTU would request that individual businesses undertake a new risk assessment for Omicron in consultation with unions. The unions only concrete proposals were limited to one sentence: For workplaces where working from home is not an option, the provision of free RATs by employers to all workers will be necessary once supply is resolved, alongside upgraded masks and improved ventilation.

The economy has been fully opened. Governments and the corporations have determined that all industries are essential to profit. The mealy-mouthed reference to workplaces where working from home is not an option underscores the fact that the unions have no opposition to the continued operation of non-essential businesses, including those with high transmission, something they have already demonstrated in practice.

As the union statement itself notes, rapid tests are in short supply, rendering the call for their universal provision meaningless. Tests, moreover, do not prevent infection in the first place, merely showing that a worker has already contracted the potentially-deadly virus.

The advocacy for expanded RAT testing dovetails with the dismantling of more effective PCR testing. It echoes calls from business for the rapid tests to be used to minimise workplace disruptions. The references to improved ventilation and masking are as vague as possible.

Notably, the statement says nothing about one of the most significant attacks on workplace rights over recent weeks. The state and federal governments have repeatedly altered the definition of a close contact. That term, which used to mean someone exposed to the virus, now applies only to an individual who lives with a confirmed COVID-positive case. A host of industries have now been provided with exemptions to even that limited definition, allowing businesses to force workers who are likely infected to remain on the job.

The failure of the statement to even mention this issue underscores the unions support for the program of keeping the economy open at all costs.

In its most widely-cited section, the statement declared: Where employers do not fulfil their obligations, the union movement determines to do everything within its power to ensure the safety of workers and the community. This may include ceasing work or banning unsafe practices.

Draconian Fair Work industrial legislation, supported by the unions, does include clauses allowing for workers to walk off the job if they have a reasonable concern about an imminent risk to their health or safety, despite banning virtually all other industrial action.

The statement makes clear that any such action would only come about if a business failed to draw-up a new risk assessment, meaning stoppages are contingent on a breakdown of backroom talks between the union bureaucrats and company executives. In practice, the risk assessments will serve as a mechanism to diffuse anger over workplace conditions and to deepen the collaboration between unions and company management.

Extensive internet searches, moreover, indicate that there is not a single documented instance of any union in the country previously invoking the safety provisions to organise or even attempt to organise industrial action during the Omicron surge thus far. This is under conditions in which there have been more than 1.5 million confirmed infections in less than three weeks in a country of 25 million people, and anecdotal reports indicate that transmission has occurred at virtually every workplace.

To the extent that businesses have temporarily shut, it has not been the result of union-organised industrial action. Instead, transmission has been so high that some businesses have run out of workers who are not sick. The unions are continuing to keep workers on the job across the country, and are preparing to enforce the reopening of schools.

Despite this, there have been a number of articles in the financial press, warning that the union meeting could herald the beginning of a wave of COVID-related strike activity. Over the past week, other articles have appeared predicting an uptick of industrial action.

One in the Australian stated that some unions were preparing an industrial campaign to fight for higher wages. McManus immediately took to Twitter, angrily declaring that any suggestion she was about to fight for improved pay for workers was made up by the Murdoch media.

The incident highlighted the dynamic underlying the press coverage. The ruling elite knows the unions as its trusted servants who have imposed sweeping attacks on jobs, wages and conditions over the past 40 years, and have implemented the profits before lives program during the pandemic.

The real concern is not with the union bureaucracy, but the mounting opposition in the working class, and the prospect that it will break out of the framework that has been used to suppress the class struggle for decades.

This found striking confirmation in an article in the Australian Financial Review, headlined Union militancy is a major threat to the recovery in 2022.

The mouthpiece of finance capital stated: It is revealing that the left-wing leadership of the ACTU is facing criticism from the further left. In accusing the MUA [Maritime Union of Australia] of a blatant sell-out in a recent waterfront dispute, the World Socialist Website said workers must maximise their current leverage and fight for their interests by the construction of new organisations of struggle, totally independent of the corporatised trade unions. This includes the establishment of rank-and-file committees at every work site across the waterfront and the entire logistics sector and beyond.

For all the guff about McManus and the ACTU being left-wing, the article pinpointed what both the unions and the ruling elite fear most: an independent political movement of the working-class.

Such a movement is the only means of fighting for the measures required to end the pandemic and save lives, including an immediate shutdown of non-essential production, with full compensation for workers, and online learning for the schools and universities. These policies must be part of a broader struggle in Australia and internationally for the elimination of the virus and for a socialist perspective, aimed at reorganising society to meet the needs of working people, not the profits of a tiny corporate elite.
The current surge of COVID-19 in Australia is having a devastating effect on workers. Throughout transport, warehousing and manufacturing, masses of workers are becoming infected with the deadly virus. Australia Post is no exception.

The Communications, Electrical and Plumbers Union (CEPU) is doing everything it can to keep this quiet to prevent posties from seeing the true extent of the crisis and recognising the growing danger they confront each day at work. This is because the union bureaucracy is in complete agreement with the demands of management that there must be no disruption to business (and profits) as usual.

In opposition to the silence of the union and management on what is literally a life or death question, the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC) is working to collect and share reports from postal workers about COVID-19 outbreaks in their facilities.

***

Australia Post delivery van (Photo: Wikimedia/Orderinchaos)

One worker, a parcel delivery driver in southwest Sydney, said: I got infected with COVID, even though I have had my third (booster) vaccination and was wearing an N95 mask.

The week before I tested positive, four drivers in my team were out sick or were covering for sick workers in other areas. This left me and one other driver to cover an area three times larger than before.

Management and the unions dont announce how many staff are away because of COVID. We dont get a full picture of what is happening in the facility. I only found out I had been exposed at the end of the weekend when another person in my team sent me a text notifying me he was positive for COVID.

My son caught COVID from me. He was due to receive his first vaccination the day after I tested positive. It was only by sheer luck that my wife, daughter and in-laws did not get infected as well.

The first four days I had fever, headaches, a runny nose and was so tired I slept for about four hours during the day.

Where I work some people arent vaccinated at all and wear poor-quality cloth masks or surgical masks, often incorrectly fitted. I dont blame them; the problem is the confusion created by governments and the media, who say Omicron is mild, and will become endemic.

Endemic doesnt mean not dangerous. Smallpox was endemic for thousands of years and killed countless people until a cure was found. Malaria is endemic and still kills a lot of people around the world.

I think the policy of letting the virus rip and forcing workers to go back when they are asymptomatic is very dangerous for the working class and should be opposed.

A worker from another facility said: Management at Australia Post has used the low bar and shifting of the goal posts by governments to erode the few in-house precautions against contracting COVID and now Omicron.

The new benchmark of four hours to count as a close contact means that there will rarely be a situation where posties are required to isolate. Although we work within a few metres of each other in facilities that are crowded with workers, parcels and machinery, most posties spend less than four hours putting up their beats before they deliver.

The union is notable for its silence. The latest union magazine says virtually nothing about the health crisis. Inside the facilities and when delivering to shopping malls, medical facilities and houses, we are constantly in close contact with different people. Workers and customers are at risk in these interactions.

At the outset of the pandemic, the union ensured that postal workers fell under the category of essential workers and therefore had to work while others isolated. The union has yet to explain how delivering letters that could be emailed or junk mail that goes straight in the bin is an essential service.

More and more we have become a parcel delivery service as a consequence of a boom in online shopping, but it isnt food or medical packages we are delivering, it is just stuff.

I agree with the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee statement opposing the let it rip, live with death, profit-driven agenda of the government.

A third worker stated: Since the government removed the restrictions the situation has steadily deteriorated at our facility. Last week I heard there were 20 workers off with COVID and another 15 who were waiting for test results. That is at least a quarter of the staff.

Management have told us that if we get a positive test result and have to take time off, we have to use our regular sick leave and wont get paid pandemic leave until it is used up.

There is a lot of anger with the government for getting rid of the restrictions and deliberately allowing the virus to rip through the work force.

When the New South Wales government removed the mask mandate, Australia Post followed suit and a lot of people took their masks off. This took place right at the time the surge of Omicron cases started. A lot of people must have picked up the virus then as it is airborne and very infectious. Now with the numbers so high and a lot of workers getting sick, theyve had to reinstate the mask mandate.

We still have to use the QR code system at work and I am always getting notices from the Service NSW app that I have been in contact with the virus.

But we are not being properly informed of infections in the facility; its just keep going, nothing to see here. This is what they mean by living with the virus.

The union has said nothing, its like they dont exist. They agree with this policy and the fact they have said nothing means they are complicit. They know there is growing anger and I think they will do everything in their power to stop workers taking any action against this disaster we confront.

The union says they support the health advice from the government as they have always done. But the advice is to let the virus rip, let workers get sick and spread the virus to their coworkers and families.

With their complicity, the union is proving the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee correct. We can only defend our basic interests, including to health and safety, by organising independently. We need to be able to discuss the situation we face, free from management and union interference, link up workers from facilities across the country, share information, and plan what action needs to be carried out, including possibly strikes, to protect our health and lives.

The PWRFC urges all Australia Post and other delivery workers to contact us to report workplace infections and share their experiences.
While health authorities and government figures continue to insist the Omicron variant is mild, Australia yesterday recorded its worst daily death toll during the pandemic.

Across the country, 77 COVID-19 deaths were reported yesterday. This included record highs of 36 in New South Wales (NSW), and 16 in Queensland.

The toll yesterday provoked widespread anger. Port Arthur was a trending topic on Twitter in reference to a 1996 mass shooting in Tasmania in which 35 people were killed, fewer than died of COVID-19 in NSW yesterday.

That horrific incident was viewed as a national crisis requiring immediate action to prevent similar tragedies, including sweeping changes to Australias gun-control laws. By contrast governments present the mounting COVID-19 death toll as minor news while declaring that they will continue the profit-driven policies responsible for the tragic fatalities, ensuring there will be many more.

Ambulances lined up outside Sydneys Westmead Hospital in August 2021 (Source: Australian Paramedics Association NSW Facebook)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared at a press conference this morning, as we face Omicron, we must respect it, but we should not fear it.

A further 67 deaths were reported Australia-wide today, with 32 in NSW, 18 in Victoria, 11 in Queensland and 6 in South Australia. Government representatives and their lackeys in the corporate media noted the good news that this was slightly fewer than died yesterday.

In just the first 19 days of this year, the country has recorded 604 deaths from the virus, more than 21 percent of the total since the start of the pandemic.

Clearly indicating that the toll will continue to grow, an unprecedented statewide code brown has been declared in the Victorian health system. The emergency order came into effect from midday today and affects all public hospitals in metropolitan areas and six regional areas.

Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino said yesterday: Weve reached a point in our healthcare system where its juggling extreme workforce shortages alongside a vast number of patients with COVID-19 who require hospitalisation.

As of Tuesday, 4,067 Victorian health workers were furloughed due to COVID-19 infection or exposure. There are currently 1,173 COVID-19 patients in Victorian hospitals, including 125 in intensive care and 42 on ventilators.

Under a code brown, hospitals can cancel workers leave, reassign staff to priority areas and postpone supposedly less urgent care. This includes category one procedures, which are meant to be performed within 30 days, such as lumpectomies, cancerous skin lesion removal and certain types of heart surgery.

The code brown designation is normally applied to a single hospital or region in response to a transport accident, chemical spill, fire, flood, or other sudden emergency, and is only in effect for hours or days. By contrast, the current emergency declaration is expected to be in place for four to six weeks.

Some indication of the parlous state of Victorian hospitals can be found in an Age article by Erin Pearson, who described her experience as a patient on a COVID-19 ward.

She wrote: COVID-positive patients were experiencing hours-long delays in receiving time-sensitive medications; the elderly were left cold and hungry, patients unshowered, rooms in filthy conditions. Medication was lost, corners cut and dressings unchanged.

Pearson reported that, with senior nursing staff seconded to the ICU, junior nurses were left in charge of COVID-19 wards staffed by a handful of graduate and trainee nurses. Basic items, such as drinking cups and blankets were in desperately short supply.

Monash Health Nursing Coordinator Mel Hyde told the Sunday Age the situation in Victorian hospitals was the worst she had seen in her 15-year career. We are in such a crisis now, she said. I dont think people understand how horrific it is.

Hyde said that, even with nurses working double shifts and overtime, shortages were common. On one night last week, the hospitals emergency department had only half the usual staff, meaning patients waited in ambulances outside for up to eight hours.

Emergency doctor Simon Judkins told the Sunday Age: I cant remember any time working in the public health system for the last 30 years that we have felt this much pressure and this much stretching of resources and compromising of care. Were not able to maintain any level of the patients respect or just humanity.

According to a report in the Guardian this morning, paramedics in Sydney are regularly being asked to drive ambulances home after their shifts, in order to remain on call.

Chris Kastelan, NSW president of the Australian Paramedics Association said: People will have done a 12- or 13-hour shift and then theyll go home on call, so theyll take an ambulance and equipment home.

Kastelan continued: Then theyve got to go straight back out and theyre out for another four or five or six hours doing multiple calls.

A spokesman for NSW Ambulance confirmed the practice, telling the Guardian, as we continue to respond to the surge in cases associated with the Omicron variant of COVID-19, opportunities for on-call rostering have been offered to staff in metropolitan areas.

In an indication of mounting anger among health workers, around 60 intensive care nurses rallied today outside major Sydney hospital, Westmead, saying they were at breaking point, due to the surge of COVID-19 cases.

Registered nurse Amy Halvorsen, who resigned earlier this month in protest because she could not continue working under chaotic and dangerous conditions, told Australian Associated Press: Were not OK and were being told just to get on with it.

The protesting nurses reported working 18-hour days, and long stretches without breaks.

While the demonstration reflected widespread anger, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association sought to confine discussion to plaintive appeals to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet who has presided over the catastrophe. The union, like its counterparts, has collaborated with the government throughout the pandemic, enforcing the dangerous conditions.

Moreover, union-brokered enterprise agreements have gutted the wages and working conditions of nurses and other health staff. The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association and the other unions have worked hand-in-glove with Labor and Liberal governments that have decimated public health through decades of funding cuts.

Health Minister Greg Hunt announced yesterday that the federal government would invoke its private hospital agreement to make more than 100,000 health workers, including up to 57,000 nurses available to public hospitals.

NSW Australian Medical Association president Danielle McMullen noted, here in NSW, weve had that arrangement on foot for a number of weeks already.

Amid the clearly mounting health system crisis in Victoria and around the country, Morrison blithely claimed in a press conference today, our health system, despite a lot of pressure, is holding up.

Undeterred by rising hospitalisations and deaths, Morrison reiterated his commitment to not shutting Australia away, not locking ourselves up, not destroying peoples livelihoods and bringing our society to a halt.

In fact, the let it rip policies of Morrison and the Labor-dominated National Cabinet, under which virtually all public health measures have been removed, have decimated the workforce. With whole sections of workers infected with or exposed to COVID-19, the countrys supply chains have broken down, leading to widespread shortages of fresh food and other essentials.

To the extent that they have a choice, many workers are indeed locking themselves up, avoiding non-essential shopping and cancelling social outings to minimise their exposure to the virus.

According to an ANZ-Roy Morgan survey, consumer confidence declined 7.6 percent last week, to its lowest January level since 1992. ANZ debit and credit card spending dropped 27 percent in the first half of January, 610 points lower than the usual post-Christmas decline. These economic figures are an indication of the growing divide between public sentiment and the reckless profit-driven reopening drive of the Australian ruling elite.

When they completed the lifting of restrictions and allowed Omicron to circulate last month, governments claimed infections were irrelevant, only hospitalisations and deaths were of significance. Now, with record fatalities and the hospitals filled to the brim, the very same governments tout fluctuations in daily infection numbers, amid a complete breakdown of the testing system, as proof that the peak is near.

When the self-contradicting lies and obfuscations are stripped away, all that remains is the determination of governments, Labor and Liberal-National, to ensure corporate profits, whatever the consequence in mass infection, illness and death.

This demonstrates that the only way forward is for an independent political struggle of the working class, against the entire political set-up. The alternatives are the forever COVID program of the ruling elite, and a scientifically-grounded fight for the elimination of the virus. The latter course must involve the closure of non-essential businesses and other measures that impinge on profit. It is not only a struggle against a virus, but against capitalism.
Social care services have all but collapsed amid a preventable wave of coronavirus, which the Westminster government and its counterparts in the devolved administrations have allowed to spread uncontrolled through workplaces and the general population.

As recorded daily cases surged to over 200,000 in early January, residential care homes and domiciliary care services have been hit by acute staff shortages, with large numbers infected and forced to self-isolate. The sector is also seeing high rates of long-term sickness due to staff burnout and mental health problems related to the pandemic. Thousands of care workers are leaving the sector for better paid and less stressful jobs at supermarkets and warehouses.

In this April 20, 2020, photo, nurses guide a resident at Wren Hall nursing home in the central England village of Selston. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

A total of 122 care home operators in England declared a red alert due to staffing shortages last week, with 13,500 workers off with COVID. Staff absence rates in some hotspots in the north of the country and parts of London were as high as 22 percent. Similar figures were revealed by a survey of the not-for-profit sector conducted by the National Care Forum (NCF), which found coronavirus-related absences running at 14 percent on top of staff vacancies of 18 percent.

A growing number of care homes have declared COVID outbreaks, forcing them to limit new admissions and visits. In Scotland, where 150 residential care workers are testing positive for coronavirus every day, a third of care home facilities (933) are now restricting visits due to positive cases among staff and residents. The number of care homes declaring emergency outbreak measurestightly restricting visits to end-of-life scenarios and other emergencieshas quadrupled in a week from 45 to 181.

The ability of the Omicron variant to more effectively evade immunity means COVID-19 deaths have begun to rise again in care homes despite high levels of vaccination. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 122 residents died of the virus in England and Wales in the week ending January 7almost double the 65 deaths in the preceding week.

Reports of neglect due to the staffing crisis are widespread as staff shortages mean some residents receive inadequate support for their basic needs such as personal care, drinking and eating.

Yesterday, the Guardian reported that one in five homes specialising in dementia care are rated either requires improvement or inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.

Stephen Chandler, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, warned Even before Covid-19 and Omicron, adult social care was struggling with severe funding and workforce challenges Every day we are rationing care in ways that we never have before with obvious concerns that this will lead to people becoming isolated and, ultimately, to the loss of lives.

The situation in domiciliary or home care is equally devastating.

Nearly 9,000 people are presently waiting for home care services across 96 local councils in England, according to a Freedom of Information request by the Observer. The number of unmet home care hours has risen from 15,905 in April 2021 to 60,664 in December. Two-thirds of providers are presently refusing new requests from eligible families as they are unable to find staff to fulfil them. Thousands of existing contracts have been handed back to local authorities by private providers, leaving masses of vulnerable individuals and their families without home support for months.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UKs charity director, told the Guardian, This inevitably means that growing numbers of older and disabled people are going without the care and support they need, and that where unpaid carers are helping their loved ones, they are being forced to do more for longer, unaided and with no chance of a break.

The prospects for anyone who is waiting for care and on their own, without family or other support, are extremely grim, she continued, one has to wonder how some of these people are managing to carry on at all.

How many may have already died due to inadequate home care services is not yet known, but ONS data reveals that there were more than 70,000 excess deaths in private households in England and Wales over the 18 months between March 7, 2020, and September 17, 2021, compared to the previous five years.

The profound dislocation of social care is heightening the already unsustainable pressure on overwhelmed National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. As many as 90 percent of patients eligible for discharge are unable to secure appropriate intermediate or long-term care services, and thus thousands cannot be discharged to residential care or their own homes. This is preventing new hospital admissions and means that the huge backlog of deferred treatments due to the pandemic has continued to grow, reaching an unprecedented 6 million in England alone.

In response, the Conservative government has pursued a range of inadequate measures which will in fact exacerbate the crisis.

These include the relaxation of outbreak management rules for care homes from 28 to 14 days, allowing care homes, as well as hospices, to open to new referrals earlier following a declared outbreak. The government has also reduced the quarantine period for infected people to just five days, which will inevitably lead to people reporting for work in care homes and hospitals while still infectious.

Several NHS trusts are now discharging patients into makeshift care facilities in local hotels. These are being staffed by private healthcare companies, which have poached scarce health workers from Spain, Greece and Africa after the Johnson government belatedly added care workers to the Shortage Occupation List in December. This provides a temporary exception to Britains draconian immigration regime, allowing foreign nationals to work in the sector for up to 12 months. It is doubtful, however, whether this will do anything to relieve the severe staffing crisis as most social care providers pay far lower than the income threshold required for entry into the country.

Meanwhile, local authorities are appealing to untrained council workers in noncritical services to volunteer to relieve care homes. Criminal record and background checks have been waived by council chiefs, who have promised only that volunteers will always be supervised by qualified staff members.

There is a growing concern among public health experts that alongside frequent spikes in deaths due to COVID-19, the disintegration of health and social care services will begin to mount up an even greater death toll than the virus itself.

As the BMJ (formerly, British Medical Journal ) reported January 14: With the current surge of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, we have again acted with too little control, too late. That large parts of the health and care system will be overwhelmed is now inevitable, and in this wave particularly, covid deaths may only be a lesser part of the subsequent avoidable mortality.

The current overwhelming of the health and care system, and the further disruption to come, as cases and staff absences rise potentially into late January and early February 2022, is now likely to generate more avoidable deaths from non-covid causes than from covid. The risk and reality of this effect is not being clearly communicated in the public domain as part of the UKs pandemic related mortality reporting.

Like the crisis in the NHS, the calamity unfolding in the social care sector must be laid at the door of the Johnson government and its herd immunity policy, whose actions earlier in the pandemic turned care homes into killing fields. Its Health and Social Care Bill currently going through parliament will meanwhile ensure that poorer pensioners bear a greater cost of their care than the wealthy. The elderly, disabled, and those in need of long-term care are regarded by the ruling elites everywhere as a drain on resources and profits for which the pandemic offers them a remedymass death.
Nearly one million US children were infected with COVID-19 last week, according to statistics released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Tuesday. The 981,488 new pediatric cases shatters previous records. It is four times higher than the number recorded at last years winter peak, triple the number of new cases from two weeks prior, and a 69 percent increase over the week ending January 6, when cases leaped by a then-staggering 580,000.

The exponential leap in pediatric cases was accompanied by nearly 2,000 new child hospitalizations last week, double the growth in the number of children now fighting for their lives in hospital beds from the week prior. As students were forced back into school buildings following the Christmas holidays, cases predictably skyrocketed, but the unprecedented scale has crushed healthcare systems nationally. During two short weeks, the US has experienced 11 percent of all child COVID-19 infections to date.

The death of a child is the most unspeakable horror, one that is now striking several American families every day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the pediatric death total is now 1,127, while the AAP has a significantly lower count of 762. Data sets from the CDC and AAP suffer due to the deliberate lack of reporting by state and local health departments and the refusal of the Biden administration to make these numbers mandatory.

AAP data showing drastic growth of child cases

In response to the horrific reality they confront in overcrowded, poorly-ventilated schools that are now hotbeds of infection, students have organized in an effort to save their lives and those of their families, teachers and communities by walking out across the US, from New York City to Chicago to Boston to Oakland and Redondo Beach, California over the last week.

Following the remote work action by courageous Chicago teachers, educators are likewise increasingly demanding the closure of unsafe schools and building Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committees throughout the country. Growing numbers are seeking to break the straitjacket of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Educators Association (NEA), which have demanded passive compliance with the Biden administrations school reopening policies.

Among the children whose lives were prematurely cut short last week was 17-year-old Taigan Bradford. A senior at Kalamazoo Central High School, she died on Tuesday, January 11, after a nearly two-month fight against COVID-19. Taigan had plans to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College for nursing after graduating.

Taigan Bradford

After her death, Taigans mother Omeka urged the district to close buildings and return to synchronous virtual learning. She related to local news media MLive that her daughter told her frequently about other students not wearing their masks properly in school or on the bus. Omeka Bradford pointed out that schools cannot keep up on the number of positive cases or properly keep buildings clean. Kalamazoo Public Schools reported 64 new student and 13 staff cases on January 17, bringing the total cases to 875.

In South Dakota, a second child died from COVID-19 in the last two weeks. A boy between zero and nine years old from Minnehaha County succumbed on Tuesday, January 18. The previous week, a baby less than one year old from Pennington County died. The state has only recorded 27 cases of Omicron, yet has already lost two young souls.

Some of the faces of children #SoulsLostToCovid

Not only is there a chronic underreporting of cases and deaths across the US, but these deaths are often acknowledged only weeks or months later. Among those reported last week was the October death of a Houston child, listed as under 10 and the citys youngest virus victim. She is one of 4,000 Houstonians who have died from COVID-19.

Just reported was the passing of Stephen Wagner, 10, a Maryland fourth-grader who played the viola in his elementary schools Strings and Chorus group, and enjoyed trucks, fishing and bowling. Stephen died December 27 from COVID-related complications. He made friends very easily, had a lot of friends. [He was] very well-liked by all of his teachers and the staff at the school, Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesman Bob Mosier said.

Stephen Wagner, 10

The family, like so many others, struggled to pay hospital and funeral expenses and posted an appeal for help on GoFundMe. According to the Maryland Department of Health, there have been four COVID-19 deaths in children ages zero to nine, and nine deaths in children ages 10 to 19. Over the past month, COVID-19 cases in children aged zero to nine increased by 40 percent, with 17,379 cases in that period, and cases of children aged 10 to 19 increased by 38 percent to 25,102 cases.

On Tuesday, the Erie, Pennsylvania, Department of Health also announced that a teenage boy died from COVID-19, the countys first COVID-19 pediatric death. The hospital which treated the unnamed teenager has admitted 13 children with COVID-19 so far in January, more than in previous months, while Erie County hospitals overall are treating more COVID-19 patients now than at any time during the pandemic. The countys 14-day moving average of daily COVID-19 hospitalizations set a record on Wednesday at 126.1.

The Erie teenagers death follows that of Pennsylvania high school student Alayna Thach, 17, who died December 13, sparking a sickout among educators in the Philadelphia area.

The surge of child infections and hospitalizations is now taking place throughout the US, with the West seeing the most dramatic rise in cases last week. According to CALmatters, California has now tallied nearly 850,000 cases of COVID among kids ages zero to 17 since the beginning of the pandemic. Of those, 44 have died, equivalent to an entire school bus filled with kids. Pediatric hospitalizations have surpassed records set during last winters surge, reaching a high of 90 pediatric admissions in one day on January 4, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Child deaths are also on the rise internationally. A child from Calgary, Canada between five and nine years old with no pre-existing conditions was one of 23 COVID-19-related deaths over the past three days reported by the province of Alberta, where hospitalizations have soared to over 1,000. Physicians there say the highly infectious Omicron variant is sending more children to hospital than in previous waves. UNICEF has posted a total of 12,300 worldwide pediatric deaths, acknowledging the vast undercount due to a widespread lack of reporting around the world.

It is both callous and criminal that the Biden administration, the unions and the media offer the public endless lies about safe schools, mild disease, and the claim there is no money to financially support the population during a lockdown to stop the spread of the virus.

The need to expose the truth was highlighted by Dr. Mark Kline, a physician-in-chief at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans, who told NBC news, It seems like people have tried to downplay the significance of the disease in children. Weve spent two years rebutting myths pertaining to COVID and children, that its harmless for children. Its not.

According to a recent study which Kline co-authored, roughly half of children hospitalized with COVID-19 needed help breathing, and nearly a third were placed in intensive care. The study also noted that a third of the 915 patients were otherwise healthy, without any underlying health problems that would have put them at greater risk.

Long-term health degradation associated with Long COVID is estimated to affect up to one in seven infected children. On January 14, the CDC additionally published a study on the increased risk of diabetes for child COVID-19 survivors, which found, The increased diabetes risk among persons aged less than 18 years following COVID-19 highlights the importance of COVID-19 prevention strategies in this age group. This is an ominous warning because of the long-term implication of diabetes to overall health.

Physicians across the country are raising the alarm bells. The brief statements which follow paint a picture of the prevalence of the disease and the intensity of the struggle by healthcare workers to save lives against many odds:

Dr. David Kimberlin, a co-director of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told NBC News, The rate of cases in my portion of Alabama is like a rocket ship. It reflects how much virus is out there in the community. With that, were going to see increasing hospitalization numbers. The number of children being hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alabama continues to set new records, as cases in K-12 schools have been skyrocketing. There were 16,035 new cases in Alabama schools last week, a 445 percent increase from the previous week.

at Birmingham, told NBC News, The rate of cases in my portion of Alabama is like a rocket ship. It reflects how much virus is out there in the community. With that, were going to see increasing hospitalization numbers. The number of children being hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alabama continues to set new records, as cases in K-12 schools have been skyrocketing. There were 16,035 new cases in Alabama schools last week, a 445 percent increase from the previous week. Dr. Chethan Sathya, a pediatric surgeon at Cohen Childrens Medical Center in New York , told NBC that literally every child whom he and his team operated on or treated otherwise over the weekend was COVID-19-positive.

, told NBC that literally every child whom he and his team operated on or treated otherwise over the weekend was COVID-19-positive. At Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, positive cases among patients went from zero in early December to 70 a month later, pathologist-in-chief Dr. Jim Versalovic told the Texas Tribune. He added that child hospitalizations broke all previous pandemic records and at breakneck speed. He cautioned against assuming that omicron is less serious for children, stating, We cannot say that this is milder for children because it is, frankly, early.

The fight to close schools and save lives is now at the center of the class struggle in the US and internationally. The unions have proven to be faithful accomplices of the Democrats and Republicans in overseeing the homicidal school reopening campaign. To stop the needless infections, hospitalizations and deaths of children, educators, their families and their communities, the growing network of rank-and-file committees built independently of the unions and capitalist political parties must be expanded into every school and district. Sign up below to get involved.
In the Seattle metro area, 330 concrete workers across six companies are entering their third month on strike as negotiations remain stalled.

On November 19, 34 workers at Gary Merlino Construction Co. went on strike followed by workers at Stoneway Concrete, Cadman, CalPortland/Glacier, Salmon Bay Sand, and Gravel and Lehigh Cement.

The workers for these six companies started their strike based on the companies refusal to bargain in good faith after the Teamsters Local 174 contract expired on July 31, 2021.

The striking workers are demanding improved contract language and economic packages already agreed to by all the other construction companies covered by the regional AGC Agreement, such as increases in wages and a new retirees health plan that the employers pay into.

Striking concrete workers in Seattle area (Teamster Local 174 Facebook)

The Microsoft Redmond, Washington campus modernization project is one of the construction sites impacted by the strike, as well as several smaller projects.

Four Sound Transit light rail projects in Lynnwood, Federal Way, East Link and downtown Redmond have been shorted about 8,900 cubic yards of concrete over the last month. This is equivalent to about 890 truckloads of cement, which was to be used in the construction of guideways, retaining walls, stations and garages.

John Gallagher, the public information officer for Sound Transit, said, Sound Transit has joined with Washington State Department of Transportation, King County and the City of Seattle in calling for the parties to return to the negotiating table immediately with the help of an unbiased mediator so that a mutually acceptable agreement can be reached that moves our projects and our region forward. Gallagher also said that contractors have laid off over 40 workers due to the lack of work caused by the strike.

Rick Hicks, secretary-treasurer for Teamsters Local 174, said in a statement, We have major construction projects halted, affordable housing projects losing money they cannot afford to lose and laid-off families growing more desperate by the day.

Hicks went on to say that the union had not heard anything from the spokesman of Gary Merlino Construction, Charlie Oliver, for almost six weeks. The arrogance from the employers in this case is absolutely astounding and cannot be allowed to continue unchecked. Hicks asked for a fair deal that treats our members with the same respect already shown to other construction trades when negotiating their contracts earlier this year.

Despite Hicks claims that the union is seeking a contract that treats our members with respect, when the Teamsters cement workers contract expired in July, the union did everything it could to avoid going on strike at the same time as the carpenters, who walked out in September. A joint, coordinated strike would have immeasurably strengthened both carpenters and cement workers.

The Northwest Carpenters Union (NWCU) held back its own strike by having the membership repeatedly vote on a sellout contract. Only after it became clear the membership would not accept it did they call the strike action starting on September 6.

Even after being forced to call a strike, the NWCU only called 2,000 of its 12,000 carpenters to picket, citing Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and sweetheart deals that prevented their most lucrative sites from being shut down.

The carpenter strike ended in mid-October after the fifth TA was sent for ratification, again after rank-and-file workers had been paid starvation strike pay for weeks, forcing them to reconsider the same sellout they had previously voted down.

Even though the Teamsters Local 174 contract expired on July 31 and members voted unanimously on August 1 to authorize a strike, the concrete strike did not begin until months later when Gary Merlino Construction workers set up pickets on November 19 and other concrete workers joined the strike in the following days.

The striking concrete workers must learn the lessons of the carpenters strike sellout. It is clear the unions were determined to prevent the 12,000 carpenters and 330 cement workers from joining forces and striking simultaneously, although this would clearly be in the best interests of the workers. However, the unions were determined to prevent militant action by workers that might disrupt their cozy relations with the bosses, who favor them with perks of all kinds, legal and illicit.

As the W orld Socialist Web Site reported in October, approximately one out of five on-the-job deaths in the United States are in the construction industry. Almost 60 percent of construction workers are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 due to age, medical conditions and other risk factors, such as a high rate of smoking. Construction workers also have a high incidence of chronic pain, substance abuse and suicide due to the greater risk of injury, job strain, long work hours, limited family time, social isolation and employment uncertainty.

In order to win their demands, concrete workers along with all construction trades workers must form a network of rank-and-file committees independent of the pro-management unions that are seeking to undermine and isolate their struggles. These committees will allow rank-and-file workers to organize a fight for better pay, benefits and workplace conditions based on the principle that workers' livelihoods and lives are more important than private profit.
The coronavirus incidence rates in Germany are higher than ever. On Monday, the seven-day incidence (cases per 100,000 people) reached a new all-time high of 553.2. In Germany alone, 116,448 COVID-19 patients have died; no fewer than 1,620 coronavirus deaths have accrued in the last seven days.

The incidence recently exceeded 500 for the first time since the pandemic began. In just one week, more than five of every thousand residents have become infected with SARS-CoV-2.

A year ago, even the administration Angela Merkel declared a seven-day incidence of 50 people infected per 100,000 population to be a critical threshold, because at higher incidences, public health departments could no longer reliably track chains of infection. Such considerations are long out of date. Levels have increased tenfold and continue an exponential rise due to the Omicron variant. But the federal coalition and state governments still see no reason to employ effective public protections.

People in the center of Essen, Germany, on Jan. 12 (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

In a dozen days, the seven-day incidence has more than doubled. And in a number of counties and cities it has passed the 1,000 mark. In Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, it is just under 1,600; in Bremen, 1,477; in Frankfurt am Main, 1,080; and in Hamburg, 1,056.

This mass infection is deliberate, open and ruthlessly enacted. Governments at the federal and state levels are responding to the explosion in case numbers not with the necessary protective measures, but by doubling down on the policy of contagion. They expect the working population to bear the consequences.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (Social Democratic Party, SPD) summed up these consequences in Bild am Sonntag, saying, We are facing very difficult weeks in Germany. He warned that the situation in clinics would worsen, and pointed out that although it was now mainly the younger people with many contacts who were falling ill, once more older people become infected the number of admissions would increase, not only in intensive care units but throughout hospitals as well. There is a threat of entire departments closing, Lauterbach said. Mass infection means that hundreds of thousands will become seriously ill and we will again have to mourn many thousands of coronavirus deaths.

Lauterbach describes the consequences of his own policy. Already, hospitals and ICUs are facing massive overload as rising patient numbers coincide with high absenteeism due to infections among hospital staff. More and more nurses are deciding to leave the profession because of the constant overwork and poor pay.

On Monday, state health ministers decided to change the coronavirus testing strategy in response to the high incidence rates. They no longer want to make the PCR tests available to everyone. Only symptomatic individuals and, where appropriate, vulnerable groups are to get them, according to minutes of the decision.

At Fridays press conference, Lauterbach and the leader of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, explained that health authorities were in some cases so overtaxed that they could keep up neither with testing nor reporting. Instead of massively expanding laboratory capacity, testing is being restricted. In the future, even if Germanys coronavirus app signals red (contact with the virus), only the less reliable rapid antigen test will be used, if any test at all.

The governments reaction is telling. On January 7, federal and state governments decided to adapt quarantine regulations to the high incidence figures, in other words, to shorten them dangerously. They did so in response to committees of experts that predicted that the explosive spread of the pandemic could cripple the functioning of society as a whole. They anticipate that staff at hospitals and nursing homes, schools and public transportation, garbage collection, energy plants, etc., could be absent en masse due to COVID infections.

In practice this policy means sending sick and/or contagious people and their contacts to work. Colleagues dad is positive. Colleague, because boosted, is not allowed to quarantine. Colleague works with us in confined space for four days. Colleague becomes positive. We are not allowed to go into quarantine because we are boosted. Why is our health care system so screwed! writes a user on Twitter.

To help impose this criminal policy on the population in the midst of the pandemic, the media has been claiming for days that the Omicron variant, while highly contagious, is less dangerous, and even mild. It is the long-awaited opportunity that will allow society to live with the virus.

This propaganda has even been taken up by Charite virologist Dr. Christian Drosten, part of the governments expert committee, who is succumbing more and more to political pressure. When asked by the Tagesspiegel am Sonntag, We all will and must be infected with SARS-Cov-2 sooner or later? Drosten replied, Yes, we have to pass through this straight, there is no alternative. Omicron has reduced disease severity, he said. More vaccination is still needed, he said, but, Now would be a chance, assuming broad immunity.

In contrast, US epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding issued a firm warning about the dangers of the policy of living with the virus. On Twitter, Feigl-Ding wrote: #Omicron is a potentially really dangerous Trojan horse. It lulls people into complacency but eventually hits them hard with #LongCovid!!!

Feigl-Ding participated in the World Socialist Web Sites global webinar in October, where leading scientists argued for the elimination of the coronavirus. Feigl-Ding condemned private-sector control of vaccine production and distribution, as well as governments overall response to the pandemic. We now know well, Feigl-Ding said, that the political forces that are for the policy of opening up the economy, for the spread of the virus, the mass infection and living with the virus, obviously dont give a damn about scientific arguments. He concluded that, as a result, around the world we will still be counting bodies for months to come.

A recent study at Mainz University Hospital demonstrated the long-term effects the coronavirus can have on those infected, including children and adolescents. According to the study, up to 40 percent of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 will still suffer six months later from symptoms such as fatigue, disturbed sense of taste and smell, exhaustion, poor concentration and poor performance. This gives a sense of the consequences that the current deliberate mass infection in schools will have on the entire younger generation.

In the third year of the pandemic, it has become clear that the lives, health and well-being of the working population count for nothing to those in power. The pandemic cannot be defeated without taking up the struggle against the prevailing social system, the capitalist profit economy.

Just recently the latest Oxfam study confirmed that profits and stock prices are rising in parallel to counts of deaths and infections. For billionaires, the pandemic is a gold rush, writes the Tagesschau. The social divide is wider than ever.

Resistance is growing to the deliberate infection of the population. Greek students occupying their schools inscribed on their banners, We will not allow you to play with our health and lives as if they dont count! Hundreds of schools are occupied in Greece. At the same time, students and teachers are protesting in U S cities. For the first time, elementary school teachers in France have organized a national strike, and students in Austria called for a school strike on January 18.

Resistance is also growing in Germany. The courageous protest of a 13-year-old schoolgirl in the city of Hagen has triggered a wave of solidarity across the country. On Twitter, the hashtags #Nichtmituns (not with us) and #Wirstreiken (we are striking) are trending. Medical students in several cities have called for Impfen-statt-Schimpfen (vaccination instead of complaining) rallies against the right-wing walks, i.e., unregistered protests. Demonstrations in solidarity with nursing staff have taken place in Dresden, Hildesheim, Karlsruhe and elsewhere just in recent days.

The WSWS, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP) and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) call on workers, teachers, educators, parents and students to consciously organize this resistance.
On Tuesday, the House Select Committee charged with investigating Donald Trumps attempted coup on January 6, 2021, announced four new subpoenas, all targeting lawyers close to the would-be dictator. Among those subpoenaed were former New York City mayor and personal lawyer to Trump, Rudolph Giuliani; Giulianis protege, Jenna Ellis; former federal prosecutor turned fascist Q-Anon conspiracy theorist, Sidney Powell; and former special assistant in the Trump administration, Boris Epshteyn.

All four of the individuals subpoenaed by the committee are required to provide records and documentation to the committee by February 1, 2022, and appear for deposition by February 8, 2022.

Following his election loss to Joe Biden, Trump promoted Giuliani, Ellis and Powell to lead his efforts to find the fraud that did not exist, in order to overturn the election result. The lawyers filed dozens of lawsuits in states closely won by Bidenincluding Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Nevadaalleging a litany of supposed deficiencies and malpractices such as vote harvesting and vote dumps, with no evidence to back up the charges.

Rudy Giuliani (Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

All of the lawsuits filed by Trumps lawyers were rejected by Republican- and Democratic-appointed judges alike. Giuliani personally appeared before Republican-controlled legislatures in some of these states, urging them to override the verdict of their voters and appoint pro-Trump electors.

Despite their central role in Trumps fascist coup attempt, none of the lawyers is facing criminal charges, nor do they appear to be under investigation by the Department of Justice.

The lawyers operated out of a command center at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. Located less than a block from the White House, the hotel served as a nerve center of the fascist coup conspiracy, second only to the White House itself. There, high-level Trump advisers, including Stephen Bannon and Michael Flynn, conspired with Republican lawmakers, far-right media figures, fascist paramilitaries and Republican Party operatives to advance Trumps efforts to overturn the election.

In addition to creating their own conspiracies and promoting Trumps baseless claims of election fraud, the lawyers pressured Vice President Mike Pence to delay for 10 days the formal certification of the Electoral College vote by a joint session of Congress, set for January 6, 2021. They peddled the lie that the vice president, who by law presided over the ceremonial event, had unilateral power to throw out so-called disputed electors.

In letters sent to all four individuals, the chairman of the Select Committee, Representative Bennie Thompson (Democrat from Mississippi) wrote: The Select Committees investigation has revealed credible evidence that you publicly promoted claims that the 2020 election was stolen and participated in attempts to disrupt or delay the certification of the election results based on your allegations.

In the letters to Giuliani, Ellis and Powell, Thompson continued: Between mid-November 2020 and January 6, 2021 (and thereafter), you actively promoted claims of election fraud on behalf of former President Trump and sought to convince state legislators to take steps to overturn the election results.

In his letter to Epshteyn, Thompson cited a November 30 article from the Guardian, which revealed that Trump made several calls from the White House to top lieutenants at the Willard hotel in Washington and talked about ways to stop the certification of Joe Bidens election win from taking place on 6 January.

The article revealed that on the morning of January 6, a furious Trump was trying to find alternate methods to delay the certification that did not involve the arrogant Pence. The article claimed that Trumps lawyers advised leaning heavily on Republican members of Congress to raise a sufficient number of objections to allow Pence to adjourn the session before the certification had been completed, allowing time for Trump-aligned state legislatures to send alternate electors.

Of course, these pseudo-legal machinations were to be supplementedas all involved in the conspiracy were awareby a pro-Trump mob led by fascist paramilitaries storming the US Capitol in an effort to capture or kill key lawmakers, including Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It was assumedcorrectlythat had the insurrectionists succeeded in that aim, Biden and the Democratic Party would have entered into negotiations with Trump that would have allowed the defeated president to remain in power as de facto dictator.

In announcing the subpoenas, Thompson said he expected the four individuals to join the nearly 400 witnesses who have been interviewed by the committee.

In a poorly worded statement issued Tuesday night, Epshteyn, emulating Bannon and Trump, smeared the committee as a Stalinist witch hunt against President Trump and his supporters, and rejected the legal authority of the illegitimate January 6th Unselect Committee.

Epshteyn added that he would be happy to share with Democrats, RINOs [Republicans In Name Only] and anyone else is that [sic] of the overwhelming fraud that permeated the 2020 election in Arizona, Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania and beyond.

In a statement to CNN, Giulianis attorney, Robert Costello, claimed that the subpoena from the select committee was simply political theater. He said his client would not be providing testimony to the committee, claiming executive and attorney-client privilege. Costello is also the lawyer for Bannon, who is facing a criminal contempt charge for his refusal to cooperate with the committee.

Later on Tuesday, CNN revealed that in addition to subpoenaing Trumps inner circle of lawyers, the committee had already subpoenaed and obtained the phone records of one of Trumps children, Eric Trump, as well as those of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the fiancee of Donald Trump Jr.

Eric Trump and Guilfoyle, along with Donald Jr., participated in Stop the Steal rallies leading up to the attack on the Capitol.

During Trumps rally outside the White House on the morning of January 6, Eric Trump rhetorically asked the far-right crowd: Ive got a question for you. Is there any person here that actually thinks that Joe Biden won this election? I dont either, guys, I dont either.

Guilfoyle, who also spoke at the rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol, incited the crowd to violence, declaring: We will not allow the liberals and the Democrats to steal our dream or steal our elections.

The subpoenaing of Eric Trumps phone records marks the first time that any member of the Trump family, despite family members central role in advancing Trumps dictatorial efforts, has been subpoenaed by the committee, more than a year after the coup.

That it has taken this long for the committee to get around to obtaining the phone records of one of Trumps children speaks to the true purpose of the committeeto conceal, rather than reveal the full extent of Trumps coup, which had the support of a majority of the Republican Party, along with high-level elements in the police, intelligence and military apparatus.
To tell us about conditions at your plant, email autoworkers@wsws.org. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

The death of 32-year-old autoworker Caleb Dye from COVID-19 last week has evoked an outpouring of grief and anger from his coworkers at Fords Chicago Assembly Plant. Caleb died after a long battle against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, having been in the hospital since December 10.

This is only the latest tragic death from COVID in the auto industry. A full accounting of deaths and infections nationwide has never been published either by the United Auto Workers (UAW) or the Detroit automakers, who have systematically covered up the full extent of the spread. However, recent deaths reported by the World Socialist Web Site include:

Xavier Anderson, Kevin Railey and Omie Smith of Stellantis Sterling Stamping Plant, the fifth worker at the Detroit-area plant to die of COVID last year;

Monique Bowen, a worker at Sterling Heights Assembly, and her husband Anthony;

William Domitrovitsch Jr ., a worker at Mack Trucks Macungie, Pennsylvania plant.

Caleb Dye (Facebook)

Cases are also continuing to spiral out of control. At Warren Truck north of Detroit, an estimated 500 workers are out with COVID; at Sterling Heights, more than 1,000; at the Dana auto parts plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 140.

In response to the explosion of infections in plants and around the country, the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Safety Committee, a group of workers founded to oppose the joint management-union collusion to sacrifice health and lives for profits, has called for the shutdown of auto plants and other nonessential industrial facilities, with full support to laid-off workers, until the pandemic is contained and a program to eliminate transmission of the disease is put in place.

Autoworkers responded thoughtfully on Facebook after seeing the WSWS report on the death of Dye. Their comments not only express grief, but anger toward the unions, the auto companies and the profit system. RIP Brother! This should underscore how the system responds to such a thing as the pandemic, one worker wrote on Facebook. The system cant bear interruptions to the way that they who have set it up have designed it.

We live in a consumer-based society and as it is, any loss of public spending or large-scale losses of production can cause a chain of events that work against the profits of the rich that run things. Its their system...they have set it up this way.

We see in examples such as this how the system treats working people as expendable; how the rich and their system regards the non-wealthy. We as consumers have seen where we have been encouraged to continue to keep buying things as the lack of our consumption has resulted in losses in corporate profits.

Caleb Mateo Dye and his fellow workers all over the nation should not have to be expendable. When faced with such a thing as a worldwide threat to public safety emerges the system should work to protect the public instead of sacrificing the public by placing profits over people. In a time where we have lost more people than all the wars in history that we have ever fought there should be a better response than what we have seen  thats what the suits get the big bucks for  isnt it?

An autoworker from Ford Chicago Assembly Plant, where Caleb worked, wrote in to the Autoworker Newsletter a day after the article on his death posted to describe the conditions at the plant. Two weeks before this past Christmas, body shop B crew had seven positive COVID individuals on one line close to others on assembly, and not one UAW official came to the floor as we continued to work. As of right now, we probably have over 150 coworkers out because of COVID. We need a real hazmat team to come in and truly sanitize the whole plant for a couple days just to make our work environment safe for each other and our families at home.

Another one of Dyes coworkers wrote, He was a good man always, fun to joke with or talk Marvel stuff with; its crazy knowing I won't see him loading up my line ever again.

Another worker wrote: I work in a UAW auto plant, and we are never informed of COVID deaths by the company or the union. We are not given any statistics about the numbers of our members who have been sick or died. I believe the excuse given for this is privacy laws, which I think is a poor excuse.

A retired worker from the Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo told the Autoworker Newsletter, They shouldnt be running as much as they have with the Omicron. Of the young Ford worker who died, He was awfully young that was pretty sad.

Even the children of the workers at Jeep have had bad bouts with the virus, he said.

(UAW) Local 12 at Jeep hasnt had a meeting in a while. All the local and international unions havent had meetings, theyve shut their doors and wont let the workers in to save themselves from the virus, but the poor workers have to go into the plant.
Health care workers at MultiCare Health Systems in Washington state have been ordered by the hospital, clinic and urgent care network to resume working even if they are symptomatic. The Jason Rantz Show on radio station KTTH broke the story, publishing an internal memo from MultiCare dated January 6.

Claiming crisis levels of staffing, the memo asserts that the hospital system has changed its employee testing and return-to-work process to allow people to return to work more quickly than before. The memo continues, some staff may return to work even if they are experiencing mild symptoms, adding the caveat that employees are to return only if symptoms are improving.

A screenshot of the memo sent out by MultiCare informing its workers they are expected to work even while symptomatic with COVID-19. Screenshot of memo hosted by mynorthwest.com

Health care workers took to social media to express their outrage after the new policy was exposed. One nurse commented: Im an ICU RN. Ive known about this for about two weeks now as my employer has already showered us with emails about these new crisis-guidelines. This is the essence of Insult to Injury. As if we havent gone through enough trauma in these past two years, now they will allow us to also face the moral dilemma of coming to work at the cost of potentially (very likely seems to be a better choice of word) infecting our vulnerable patients and our colleagues. This is too much!!! Its inhumane! Not even soldiers at war are ever asked to harm their brothers and sisters at arms!

Another added, THIS IS CRAZY! Our health care system has become so overrun that now the nurses cant even stay home until they have a negative test, (and stop shedding the virus..........passing it around to patients!)

The immediate cause for the demand by MultiCare to its workers to return to work even while infectious stems from the skyrocketing hospitalizations in Washington state. The most recent figures reveal a daily average of about 2,200 hospitalizations statewide, well above the states previous record of 1,700. Washington State Hospital Association Executive Vice President Taya Briley told reporters last week, This is the worst situation hospitals in Washington state have been in compared to any prior point during the pandemic.

MultiCare's TacomaMary Bridge Hospital (Source: MultiCare)

The record hospitalizations being seen in Washington and other states are another nail in the coffin of the conception promoted by the media and political establishment that the Omicron variant is mild. Since it became the dominant coronavirus variant in December, the surge of cases is creating a severe health care crisis. The spread of Omicron has led to increased staff shortages and crushing caseloads at hospitals nationwide. The response by MultiCare is one of many desperate and criminal measures taken by private health care organizations to maintain staffing levels, regardless of the dangers of allowing infected nurses and other health care workers to continue working if they have mild to no symptoms.

The timing of the MultiCare memo is also significant. It was issued the same day that the Department of Health and Human Services issued new guidelines stating that hospitals no longer have to report the [p]revious days COVID-19 deaths to the federal government. That same day, Ezekiel Emanuel, a former Biden administration COVID-19 adviser, wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that governments should retire COVID-19 death reporting.

In other words, hospitals, as well as state health officials, are following the line set by the Biden administration, that Omicron is to be allowed to rip through society, no matter the mass deaths that will follow. Meanwhile, the government will seek to cover its tracks for this homicidal policy by obscuring the real death toll.

The impact of these policies has been felt in Washington state. Daily cases have spiked to nearly 16,000, and daily deaths have tripled from a low in early January to 31 a day now, with more than 10,000 total officially recorded deaths in the state since the beginning of the pandemic. Last week, Democratic Governor Jay Inslee reported that emergency rooms are full and called up 100 National Guard troops in order to help the hospitals deal with the unprecedented crisis.

Dr. Michael Anderson, chief medical officer for Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, told the Tacoma News Tribune, Our emergency departments are absolutely full and their treatment bays and therefore a lot of our care is being provided in the waiting areas and in additional tents that are spread across the system, he said. We probably currently have just over 100 patients in temporary bed locations across our eight hospitals right now, waiting for an inpatient stay.

Multicare Covington Health Center (Multicare Media)

In King County, the largest county in the state, COVID-19 hospitalizations are higher than they have been at any other point in the pandemic, according to Dr. John Lynch, medical director of Harborview Medical Centers infection control program.

Such high hospitalization rates will inevitably be followed by more deaths. With the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the coming months will lead to vulnerable patients getting infected by sick health care workers, the delay of needed procedures due to hospital shortages, and health care workers being threatened with legal action if they do not return to work despite infection status.

The only way forward for health care workers in their fight against being forced to work while infected is to turn to their fellow workers across Washington state and nationally. No confidence can be placed either in the Democratic Party or the unions, including the Washington State Nurses Association, which has limited its response to pleading with the state to ensure workers cannot be forced to return while sick. This is the same Inslee administration that has helped enforce the mass infection policy in the first place.

The fight to protect the health of caregivers as well as patients is a life-or-death issue. Nurses and other medical workers must turn to the formation of rank-and-file safety committees, independent of the pro-management unions, as part of a broader struggle to end the pandemic through the scientific policy of elimination and eradication. This involves a political struggle against a capitalist system that prioritizes the stock market and profits over human lives.
The strike of 8,400 King Soopers supermarket workers in Colorado is entering its second week today. The walkout of grocery workers, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7, has affected nearly 80 stores across the Denver metro area.

Contract negotiations between the union and the company resumed on Friday, but only lasted 68 minutes after King Soopers President Joe Kelley reportedly screamed at the union bargaining committee before storming out of the negotiations.

King Soopers workers on the picket line (source: Twitter/@MorePerfectUS)

Talks have continued over the weekend into the new week, with both the company and the union noting slow progress and that they are not close to an agreement yet. President of UFCW 7 Kim Cordova said that We have moved more than 12 offers back and forth with the company. The company continues to not address our issues. They have not agreed to anything in terms of safety, health care, wages.

So far, the strike has held strong against efforts by the company to break it with scab labor. Before the strike even began, King Soopers, which is owned by Kroger, attempted to hire scabs by offering $18 an hour for temporary workers.

Despite this, workers have reported since the beginning of the strike that stores have struggled to bring in replacements, resorting to flying in salaried workers from out of state to help prop up the understaffed stores.

Even with the reinforcements from Krogers administrative staff, though, stores remain largely empty. Photos and videos of King Soopers stores shared on social media show shelves unstocked and stores devoid of customers as a highly supportive community refuses to cross the picket line.

One worker who spoke with the WSWS said that store traffic had declined by 90 percent, and that among those that did cross the picket line, half turned around once they saw that shelves were bare.

Throughout the Denver area, parking lots at King Soopers stores are empty, with many people going out of their way to shop at other stores. Even though King Soopers is much closer to my house, I drove the extra miles to go to Safeway as to not cross the line, one worker said.

A worker for the Instacart delivery app said, I dont even feel right crossing the King Soopers picket line to work for Instacart, so Safeway and Sprouts only it is.

Empty shelves at a King Soopers location during the strike by grocery workers in the Denver, Colorado area (source: Twitter)

The increase in traffic to other stores has caused a strain on workers and supply lines. Reports from Safeway stores show that shelves are going bare, and many items are out of stock. Safeway typically takes in 20 percent of Denvers grocery sales, but with the community boycott of King Soopers, which controls a third of the citys grocery sales, the increased demand is too much to handle.

One Colorado Safeway worker said: [Im] not in Denver, but close enough to be affected by the ripples. Things are bad enough that theyre asking stores from the surrounding areas for help. Traffic is double what it normally is, apparently, and there is no department that is on top of it. Apparently, some of those stores down there were messes before the [King Soopers] strike and the problem is just exacerbated now.

The conditions at Safeway were made possible by the UFCWs decision to keep Safeway workers, whose contract expired shortly after King Soopers, on the job on a contract extension. The decision has caused frustration among some workers. One Safeway worker took to social media to demand of UFCW 7, What are we doing about the Safeway workers who are now working 10-14 hours a day with no help and lines down the aisle all day and being ignored when requesting breaks or lunches? Corporate big wigs have been here all day and helping grocery and letting us suffer.

Meanwhile, King Soopers is going on the offensive, attempting to secure an injunction limiting pickets at its stores. In its filing, the company calls upon the court to ban strikers from impeding entrance into the store and gathering in groups larger than five people. If the restraining order is approved, the legal definition of what constitutes impeding entrance will certainly be bent to the will of the company and used to attack workers most basic rights to assemble and picket.

Among the incidents alleged in the filing are that strikers told shoppers that the food inside was spoiled, that strikers played loud music fairly consistently throughout the day, and that a picketer commandeered a King Soopers motorized handicap accessibility scooter and used it to patrol the stores entrance while screaming at shoppers.

Meanwhile, picketers themselves have endured threats of violence, including one incident in which several picketers were shot with a BB gun last Friday.

Workers across Colorado and the country must be mobilized to oppose the attempts by management to break the strike. Only the broadest possible movement of the working class can bring down the Kroger machine, which is the largest supermarket chain in the country and the fourth largest private employer.

But the UFCW is working to isolate the strike. In addition to keeping Safeway workers on the job, it also canceled planned walkouts at King Soopers in Colorado Springs, the states second largest city, at the last second without notice, despite a near unanimous strike authorization.

Last year, the UFCW canceled strike action in Houston, West Virginia and Arkansas, and called off a strike in Portland after one day, celebrating a $1 raise as a significant win. One Arkansas worker said, We were supposed to strike last 4th of July and then just...didnt. After, Kroger stopped pulling union dues out automatically and forced the union to beg us to volunteer to pay them.

Another worker said, This legit just happened in Houston division too, literally the day of the strike, they basically just said lol jk, and nobodys heard anything since.

King Soopers workers must link up with Kroger workers around the country and with the developing movement of teachers and students who are walking out against unsafe conditions. It is the workers themselves, not the union bureaucracy, that has the power to act in their best self-interest.

We encourage all workers opposed to Krogers strikebreaking to contact us about building rank-and-file committees that will lead the growing movement of workers against the untenable pay and working conditions demanded by the bosses.
Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal; written by Gyllenhaal, based on a novel by Elena Ferrante

What does having children do to a woman? Is motherhood a curse to be escaped, rather than a blessing to be embraced? The Lost Daughter (2021), based on a novel by Elena Ferrante, poses such questions. Though actress Maggie Gyllenhaal shows skill in her directorial debut, the film fails to convince in important ways.

Leda (Olivia Colman) is a professor of comparative literature who has just arrived in Greece for a vacation. She is relaxing on the sunny beach, which she seems to have all to herself, when a large and noisy family invades the scene. Jolted out of her solitude, Leda observes the intruders and tries to learn what she can about them. Her attention is drawn to Nina (Dakota Johnson), a young mother, and her small daughter Elena (Athena Martin). As Nina and Elena quietly play together, Leda is moved, her face expressing sadness and regret.

Olivia Colman in The Lost Daughter

The very pregnant Callie (Dagmara Dominczyk) is Ninas sister-in-law. With more presumption than politeness, Callie suddenly asks Leda if she would move her chair so that the family could sit together. Leda coldly refuses, to Callies astonishment, and the men in the family gaze at her through narrowed eyes. This minor incident creates disproportionate tension that Callies subsequent apology fails to dissipate. It also shows us another facet of Ledas personality and raises questions about her history and motives.

Leda keeps most people at arms length. She accepts Callies apology but not her implicit offer of friendship. She behaves similarly toward Lyle (Ed Harris), the caretaker in charge of her rooms. Lyle sidles up to her as she is eating dinner one night, ostensibly to remind her to tell him if she ever needs anything. She tolerates him, politely and with little warmth, before asking him to allow her to finish her meal. He leaves her in peace and sits down with his friends. Yet, on a whim, Leda coquettishly whispers in his ear before walking out the door.

Nina is one of the few recipients of Ledas sympathy and kindness. But even with Nina, Leda is at first reticent about herself. One day, Ninas realization that Elena has gone missing from the beach throws the whole family into tumult. Leda calmly reassures Nina amid the confusion before going off in search of the little girl. She quickly finds Elena and brings her back, to the familys great relief. But another aspect of Ledas intervention, which soon becomes a new source of turmoil, has gone unnoticed.

Laced through this story are episodes from Ledas past. We see her (played in these scenes by Jessie Buckley) at the beginning of her academic career, raising two young daughters. The girls sometimes play with their mother, but more often they whine, misbehave and call for attention. Leda is impatient and exasperated; her daughters are an intolerable burden to her. She stubbornly tries to focus on her work, even refusing to kiss one daughters injured finger. Ledas husband Joe (Jack Farthing) is not of much help.

An unexpected invitation to a conference, with expenses paid, whisks Leda away from her domestic stress. Another surprise comes when the young but esteemed Professor Hardy (Peter Sarsgaard) praises Ledas work during his lecture, saying that Leda had anticipated a now-voguish perspective on literature. Hardy seems slightly silly and pretentious to us, but Leda is enchanted. By the end of the conference, Leda feels more restless than before.

Just as Leda found her daughters burdensome, Nina begins to be overwhelmed by Elena, who has become unrelentingly cranky over a lost doll. Nina nevertheless tells Leda that she is happy with every aspect of her life. She is clearly trying to convince herself, as much as Leda, that this is true.

Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson in The Lost Daughter

During a climactic scene, Nina confesses that she feels depressed and appeals for Ledas help. She feels hemmed in and cant see a way out of her crisis. Nina is describing, it would appear, what feminist Betty Friedan in The Feminine Mystique (1963) termed the problem that has no name, the generalized anxiety and unhappiness of middle class women, dissatisfied with husband and  children and  home. As a result, the scene feels glaringly anachronistic. One might as well be fleshing out a passage from Herbert Marcuses One-Dimensional Man, published the following year, which also focused on unfulfilled vital needs and the status quo of general repression.

The conditions of middle class women have undergone significant changes in the past 60 years. A thin layer of professional women has prospered beyond its wildest dreams. British economist Alison Wolf already noted in 2013 that year by year, decade by decade, more and more women have become highly educated professionals and managers. There are now more than 20 million such women in Europe alone, 80 million worldwide, and this is critical mass.  In the UK, the percentage of earnings going to the top female one per cent has doubled since the 1980s. In America, almost 200,000 women are earning a quarter-million dollars a year, or more: and the average income, within that group, is a breath-taking $475,000. This is the social basis for grasping gender politics.

On the other hand, millions of middle class women have joined the workforce and the vast majority of them, including teachers and other erstwhile professionals, have been proletarianized. The modern-day equivalents of Friedan have abandoned any pretense about being concerned with the conditions of working class women.

Ed Harris and Olivia Colman in The Lost Daughter

In short, to be frank, Ninas anguish seems both old-fashioned and out of proportion to her situation.

Similar criticisms can be made about the depiction of young Ledas frustration. The choices that she made in response to her situation (which she later divulges to Nina, and which are presented as scandalous) were not the only choices available to her. Leda began her career at a time when many professional women brought their young children to day care so that they could work. But this option does not exist in the movie, and Leda is consequently pushed into an act of rebellion. Had the movie been set decades earlier, this story would have been much more plausible.

But a more credible explanation for Ledas choices, in the past and in the present, is her egotism. When Leda describes herself as a selfish person and an unnatural mother, she is being honest. We see this selfishness emerge in her relationship with her husband and daughters and in her relationship with Nina. Are we intended to see this unpleasant trait, honestly acknowledged or not, as something positive?

Gyllenhaal may have intended to shine a light on aspects of motherhood and professional life often swept under the rug. In itself, this would be a legitimate goal. But her picture of the situation that contemporary middle-class women face (working-class women are absent from the film) is neither thorough nor convincing. As a result, Leda becomes less sympathetic.

Colman is wonderful playing a character who throws up impenetrable defenses, yet who also seems at times to be on the brink of a confession. Buckley, too, excels in her portrayal of the ambitious and capable young Leda. But the movie, though decently made, gives the impression of having fallen well short of its ambition. Either its ideas were not terribly important, or they have not been thought through.
Hundreds of students at up to 90 schools across the Canadian province of Manitoba walked out of class Monday to protest the dangerous conditions created by the governments insistence on a return to in-person learning at the peak of the Omicron wave of COVID-19.

The protest was organized by MB Students for Covid Safety, a grassroots group set up by high school students concerned about the lack of safety measures to protect them and their teachers from the potentially deadly virus.

The demands being advanced by the students are an option to enroll in remote learning along with the provision of N95 masks and rapid antigen tests. They are also calling for students to be given immediate access to booster shots and the right to be notified when there is a case reported in their school. We just want to be able to go to school without getting sick or spreading the virus, Eniola, a student involved in running the MB Students for Covid Safety Instagram account, told the World Socialist Web Site .

Students walking out of Winnipeg's Kelvin High School to protest the lack of COVID-19 safety measures. (Striking Students/Reddit)

Ava, a 15-year-old student from Kelvin High School in Winnipeg, one of the initiators of the walkout, was inspired by similar walkouts that took place a week ago in New York. Students at Grant Park High School and College Louis Riel have also been instrumental in organizing the walkout.

Protesters explained that they decided to take action in the face of the refusal of the Progressive Conservative provincial government to do anything to safeguard students and education staff from infection. Everyday of winter break we were waiting for restrictions and they never came, Piper, a student from Grant Park High School, told the WSWS.

Hallways are terrible, especially during class change, Eniola added. The lack of resources provided plus taking away contact tracing is looking like itll create some school outbreaks sooner or later (probably sooner). You can sort of feel peoples frustrations. Eniola stated on the removal of contact tracing, There wasnt any justification for why they got rid of it. It was one way that we were keeping ourselves protected.

Asked about conditions at their school, Eniola said, Conditions are stressful. Most classes are 30-35 organized into group seating of four to a table or in rows with students seated side by side in pairs.

Most schools have thousands of students, theres no way to social distance, the hallways are clogged full like sardines. My school has one hallway where all the paths intersect. Last year, we at least had cluster systems, where we were split into three different clusters.

Manitoba is currently facing its worst wave of the pandemic so far. Deaths per 100,000 of the population stand at 4.0 in Manitoba, second only to Quebec at 4.6 over the past week. In terms of hospitalization, Manitoba is currently leading the country, with 44.5 hospitalizations per 100,000. The Canadian average is 27.2. Hospitals are collapsing under the weight of the Omicron surge. As with other provinces and territories across the country, health care in Manitoba has been neglected for decades in favour of tax cuts for the wealthy. Health care worker burnout has also been a major issue.

The student walkout is an initial response to the disastrous handling of the pandemic by the PC government led by Premier Heather Stefanson. A recent Angus Reid poll showed that Stefanson has a 21 percent approval rating, the lowest for any premier in Canada.

Under these conditions, the student protest won widespread support. There has been so much support, so many other high school students reaching out, Piper told the WSWS. Even students as young as 9 years old have reached out! I am an elementary student can I still do this!

Many teachers expressed their support for the student walkout on the r/Winnipeg subbreddit. Typical comments included Im a teacher and Im with you 100%! and I hope the teachers walk with them! Some comments noted that binding arbitration prevents the teachers from striking in support of the students, prompting a poster to comment, but a wildcat strike would be very effective. Teachers hold so much economic power right now, and if they showed solidarity they would see results. The province doesnt run without them, and together, theyre irreplaceable.

Education Minister Cliff Cullen sought without success last week to urge the students to have a second thought about a walkout. He referred to the impact of remote learning on the mental health of students to justify reopening the schools.

Piper dismissed this claim. One of the most common lines from the government is that it (online learning) will affect our mental health badly and that we should be in school because we need the socialization and all that, Piper said. Our mental health isnt as affected by not being in schools as by the uncertainty of living in a global pandemic.

Turning to the decision to reopen after the winter break, Piper added, The thing that is the most annoying is that the government didnt even really look, things were getting worse. Two days after our week at home the government went youre going back to school.

The governments policy of prioritizing corporate profits over the protection of human life, which has been enforced by governments at every level across Canada from the Trudeau Liberals on down, also came in for condemnation from the student protesters. The focus is on the economy not on health and safety, said Piper. But people getting sick is also going to have an impact on the economy. When you look at governments its very, very rare that you see someone there who isnt rich.

Asked if they had a message for students and education workers fighting the reopening of unsafe schools across Canada and internationally, Eniola replied, Stand up for what you believe in, what you feel is safe. If you do not feel safe in a situation where you should, take action. Piper added, Make your voice heard!

We encourage all students looking for a way to oppose the murderous reopening of schools across Canada to join the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, which seeks to arm young workers and students with a socialist program to oppose the ruling class disastrous handling of the pandemic. We also appeal to students to attend the next public meeting of the Cross-Canada Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee (CERSC) on January 23 at 1 p.m. Eastern. Click here to register.

The CERSC is fighting for the establishment of rank-and-file safety committees in every school, university and college, to organize mass strikes to halt in-person learning and fight for a global program of COVID-19 elimination. We pledge to do all we can to assist educators and school support staff to build such committees and encourage everyone wishing to take up this urgent fight to contact us today by emailing the CERSC at cersc.csppb@gmail.com or visiting our Twitter or Facebook accounts.
New Jersey has been one of the hardest-hit states in the US during the initial weeks of the Omicron surge, with 747,687 people officially infected with COVID-19 since December 1. At one point, laboratories in the state were reporting a 100 percent test positivity rate.

In response to the catastrophic surge of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, including among children, Democratic politicians at the state and local level have followed the line of the Biden administration and adamantly refused to switch schools to remote learning or implement any public health measures to stop the spread of the virus.

In Edison Township Public Schools, the fifth-largest district in New Jersey with roughly 16,000 students, the start of the spring semester has been horrific, with mass infections at schools fueling a broader spread of COVID-19 in the surrounding community. In response, students, educators and parents have protested at recent school board meetings, demanding the implementation of strict safety measures in schools and a switch to remote learning. A student-initated petition calling for an indefinite switch to remote learning has now been signed by over 3,600 people in the city.

Pre-kindergarten teacher Sarah McCarthy works with a student at Dawes Elementary in Chicago, Jan. 11, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, Pool, File)

The World Socialist Web Site conducted the following interview with a clinical psychologist in Edison, who requested anonymity in order to avoid retaliation from the district.

Evan Blake: What has this semester been like in New Jersey, as schools have reopened during the surge of the Omicron variant?

Clinical Psychologist: We came back from break on January 3. During that week, two of my students contracted COVID-19 at school, as determined by contact tracing. They brought it to their separate homes and inadvertently infected their mom and grandma (who was the primary caregiver), both of whom died last week. Before break, both kids told me that their mom and grandma had been staying home, not even going out for groceries, because mom was immunocompromised, and grandma was elderly. The kids were extremely careful and nervous about being in school.

The conditions at the school are horrible. We had a teacher pass out during class. Administration first said she had COVID, then said it was due to stress. The children watched the EMTs give her oxygen on the floor in their class. That was during the first week of January.

EB: Thats really horrific, I cant imagine what those two children are going through. Are there other points youd like to make on this? Also, how did this impact you personally when you learned about it and began discussing it with them? The level of trauma this would inflict is unimaginable, and the fact that its the fault of those enforcing unsafe school reopenings is very significant. What does it say about our society that such a tragedy could take place that will scar these children for life?

CP: Looking at the larger picture, I think the student walkouts happening in Chicago, Oakland, NYC, etc. reflect the feelings of my students. They know those in power do not care about them. They know their lives are disposable in the view of administration. Neither student has returned to school, so I have not had the chance to talk to them yet.

Personally, I cry every day before and after work. I cant sleep at night because I am worried about these kids. I am angry. If I did not depend on this job for health care, I would leave. I did not sign up to be a grief counselor and to be told to lie to students about the buildings being safe. I have no idea how to help these kids. What do you say to a teenager who lost their mom by inadvertently infecting them with a virus that they tried so hard to avoid?

All I can do is sit with them and give them space to process their grief. I dont know what else to do. I am trained to provide therapy, but we never received training on how to assist in these situations. Every night, I lay awake and brainstorm something, anything, I could say to take even an ounce of pain away from them. And every night, I come up empty. This experience has been traumatizing.

EB: Edison Superintendent Bernard F. Bragen, Jr. recently stated, The 18 months of remote instruction, where 75 percent of our population chose remote instruction, had a significant negative impact on our children. And I dont just mean academicssocial emotional needs, the ability to solve and mitigate conflicts, depression issues across every spectrum of our students. What are your thoughts on this and the impacts of remote learning on students mental health?

CP: I have seen no data to support Bragens claims that mental health decreased due to remote instruction. I would argue that mental health has been compromised due to experiencing an ongoing collective trauma. There have been no studies in our district measuring mental health pre- and post-pandemic, and certainly no studies were done that examined mental health effects of remote learning. In fact, the only survey sent to students about their mental health this year was created and sent by a high schooler in my district, and over 90 percent of students said they felt unsafe in the buildings.

In my experience as a psychologist, students mental health has deteriorated from September to the present day. From a psychological perspective, we know that for someone to be mentally well, their physiological and safety needs must be met first. Right now, that is not happening, and the kids know this. Every day, I am seeing kids whose anxiety is debilitating because they are terrified to be in the buildings. Kids break down in my office. They dont eat or drink the entire day because they are packed like sardines (per one student) in the lunchroom. They ask me to buy them N95 masks. They tell me they see their teachers having mental break downs in their classrooms. These kids do not feel safe, and they are right to feel that way.

EB: I very much agree with those points. In particular, theres no real data supporting the claims that remote learning is more harmful to childrens emotional mental health than the collective trauma of the pandemic, as you note.

Can you comment more on the potential long-term trauma facing children who have lost parents or caregivers? And in particular those like the two students at your school, who inadvertently infected their at-risk family members?

CP: Children who lose their caregivers, specifically those who inadvertently infected them, are likely to experience survivors guilt, which is a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research shows that children who experience survivors guilt can live with feelings of shame and disentitlement to life, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and difficulties with relationships.

These children may also experience intrusive memories, night terrors, flashbacks, and difficulties managing emotions. Those who have trouble managing emotions may partake in maladaptive behaviors, such as isolating themselves, self-harm, or substance misuse. In addition to psychological issues, children who experience survivors guilt can face physical problems such as gastrointestinal problems, headaches, nausea, and issues with their immune systems.

EB: These very real long-term mental health problems are never discussed in the media; everything is always framed as the poor impacts on mental health from remote learning. What are your thoughts on the broader campaign to reopen schools before the pandemic is brought to an end and conditions are actually safe? What economic motives do you see driving this?

CP: I think the push to reopen schools is about funding, not students mental health or academic performance. If it was about academics, we wouldnt have over 100 classes canceled a day, where dozens of kids are sent to the auditorium or cafeteria to be watched by secretaries or security guards. Guidance counselors and secretaries wouldnt be covering classes where students are doing all of their work on google classroom anyway. If it were about mental health, mental health professionals who work with these kids every day would have been consulted.

Our superintendent, Dr. Bragen told us, I dont want to know how many cases there are or how many staff are out. He doesnt care about anyones safety or health, and Im afraid that his attitude is what we are seeing nationwide. Along with funding, workers cannot go to work without someone watching their kids. In that sense, schools are open so the economy can run. Profits for the upper class are being clearly shown as more important than the health and lives of students and school staff.

EB: Absolutely, those are critical points. Youve begun to describe what conditions are like in your school and district, but could you say a bit more on this? For the week ending January 2, with just half of schools reporting data, there were 28,399 confirmed cases in New Jersey schools, including 8,380 staff and 20,019 students. What are the figures like now in the district and at your school? Also, has there been any discussion of a temporary switch to remote learning, or are Bragen and the school board adamantly opposed to this?

CP: The school board is adamantly opposed to any remote option and clearly stated that during our last BOE meeting on January 3. Unfortunately, the district doesnt share data with us, so I dont know the case numbers. The website that lists case numbers has not been updated. I can tell you from observation that we are still combining classes and kids are still being watched by secretaries and guidance counselors.

I dont think we will ever know the real numbers since our district is now going with the If I dont test, I dont have it mentality. At least, that is what our director of special services said in a meeting last week when he was visibly sick. One of our Vice Principals knew he had COVID and came to work anyway, without a mask. Our teachers wear masks, but not all admin do. Students have also told me that they tested positive but didnt tell the school and come in anyway. Other students told me they were sick but couldnt get a test, so they just came to school.

Teachers and kids are being forced back after five days even when they have visible symptoms. If kids are out more than five days, they are being threatened with educational neglect claims. We also have parents who lie about results. Last week, my 11-year-old student needed a negative test to come back, but the parents sent in results for a 47-year-old. Admin said to let him back because they didnt want to fight with the parents. Because of these reasons, I doubt we will ever know how many cases are in our schools.

Our buildings had horrible ventilation prior to COVID, and this has been a fight with the NJEA union and the district for years. So naturally, teachers open windows for ventilation. Bragen said we can no longer open windows when its cold outside. Of course, people do it anyway, so teachers and kids are usually in winter coats and gloves.

There are no social distancing rules in place. Contact tracing is slowing down. A new rule in the district says that regardless of how many times you were exposed (e.g., once in the morning, once in the afternoon), you will only be notified once. Buses are late every day because drivers are out sick. In the first week of January, a bus full of young kids was missing for over an hour because the driver was a sub who didnt know the routes and ended up in another town.

EB: What youve described is really a criminal indifference to the health and well-being, including mental health, of children and educators. It also shows the de facto breakdown of the public education system due to these reckless policies of mass infection. I think the If I dont test, I dont have it mentality and cover-up of cases has become ubiquitous with Omicron, coming from the Biden administration and the CDC on down. Both the Democrats and Republicans are now pursuing a herd immunity strategy of mass infection, and the school reopening policies are critical for that. What are your thoughts on these issues, as well as the recent changes to CDC isolation/quarantine guidelines, and the Test to Stay program they recommend for schools?

CP: From what I understand, herd immunity is not possible due to the way that COVID-19 destroys T-cells. Instead of acting like other SARS viruses, COVID-19 is acting more like HIV in that the more often you are exposed, the weaker your immune system becomes. In addition, the herd immunity strategy, if you can call it that, does not take into account Long COVID. Every day, we are seeing more studies about the effects of even mild cases, ranging from kids being at 116 percent greater risk for developing diabetes to young people having strokes.

The CDCs change from 10 to 5 days of quarantine was a completely political decision that puts everyone inside schools at risk. We now have students and staff coming into the buildings while contagious. What does this do for these individuals mental health? It shows them that they are not valued, which can lead to an increase of depression, low self-esteem, and behavioral issues, which is what school districts claim to be protecting against.

Likewise, knowing that people around you are contagious increases students and staffs anxiety, the long-term effects of which can lower ones immune system and cause difficulties with concentration, with peer relationships, and cause avoidant behaviors, which again are what districts are claiming to protect against.

Test to Stay wont work due to the issues I discussed above. People lie. People purposely dont get tests. Parents send in results that dont belong to their child, and there is no way to ensure we are receiving the correct test results. Teachers who have already used their five days of COVID leave may decide to do this as well if they cannot afford to take time off. We also know that tests are not always accurate, especially the rapid tests for Omicron which I believe schools would be using.

We have been told since the beginning of the pandemic that children are not affected by this virus, and we now know thats not true. Unfortunately, I have yet to see the media or government admit that this original claim was false. In order to know how COVID-19 is affecting children, you need time and resources to do research, which many parents dont have. Without that research, and without the media and government offering information about the effects on children, some parents may not understand the dangers of their kids being infected.

In our society, its a privilege to have access to and to understand medical research. The capitalist class depends on people, specifically working class parents at the moment, to not have access to these privileges, and thus information. Those in power know that the working class doesnt have easy access to information, so they can get away with downplaying the dangers of COVID.

Thankfully, I do not know any children who developed Long COVID. However, I only know a few who were infected before December 2021. The majority of students that I work with were infected since coming back from winter break on January 3.

EB: The points youve made on the media and politicians downplaying the effects of COVID-19 on children are very important and its true that it continues today. The studies on Long COVID indicate that this will have massive societal ramifications for decades to come. The powers-that-be are willfully endangering an entire generation and allowing their families to become infected and many to die.

The WSWS has advocated for fully paid, temporary lockdowns, as part of a comprehensive program aimed at eliminating SARS-CoV-2 in every country, to stop the pandemic and save lives. This would include the closure of all schools and nonessential workplaces, mass testing, contact tracing, the safe isolation of infected patients, quarantining of exposed people, the provision of high quality N95 or better masks and ventilation at every truly essential workplace, and other public health measures.

What are your thoughts on this Zero COVID strategy and what impact do you think a temporary switch to fully remote learning would have on slowing and stopping transmission? How are schools central to the spread of COVID-19? Also, do you have any reflections on your experiences with remote learning and how this could be improved with ample funding and staffing?

CP: I am fully in support of that plan, and it seems like the only feasible way to limit infections. From the research Ive seen, almost half of the states outbreaks are traced back to schools. Based on this data, infections would decrease dramatically in schools and therefore in the community since the children and staff being infected visit other places. If we also closed nonessential businesses and provided contact tracing and tests, we could identify cases early on and prevent community spread. Essentially, this would be taking the World Health Organizations advice, and would imitate some East Asian countries protocols, which we know have substantially lower case rates than in the US and Europe.

I cant speak on reflections on remote learning since I am a psychologist, not an educator. From a mental health perspective, virtual sessions have been shown to be just as effective as in-person sessions. The psychological services provided in school can be easily switched to an online platform given that our district provides every student with a laptop.

EB: Do you have any closing thoughts on the broader situation and what youve experienced as an educator?

CP: These experiences make me think of a quote that I often tell clinicians during trainings: What is our job as psychologists? Is it to mold people into existing in a sick society, or to speak out about the harm our society does to our mental health?

Our society, at best, is ignorantly unaware of the ills caused by living in a culture that values profits over people. At worst, it is evil. The capitalist culture of the United States is crumbling, and I believe the youth, who have been clearly shown that their lives dont matter during the pandemic, will be the ones to dismantle it.

Watching our BOE meeting on January 3, I was struck by what one student said to Dr. Bragen. The student spoke after dozens of parents and other students begged for remote learning. He said, Is the point of these meetings to cause change, or are they theatrics under the disguise of democracy? The youth get it.
On Monday, the British charity Oxfam published a report documenting the extreme growth of social inequality during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It found that while the incomes of the bottom 99 percent of society fell, the wealth of the top 10 wealthiest men in the world doubled, even as millions died needlessly from infectious disease.

The charitys findings were summed up in the reports title: Inequality kills.

The Oxfam report expresses an undeniable reality: The COVID-19 pandemic is a malignant byproduct of the capitalist social order and the domination of society by a financial oligarchy. The report connects the deaths suffered by millions internationally from government policies that have allowed the conditions for the COVID-19 virus to dangerously mutate.

East Alabama Medical Center nurse Abby Smith works on a COVID-19 patient in the intensive care unit Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Opelika, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

At the same time, the report concludes, governments have created the conditions for an entirely new variant of billionaire wealth. This variant, the billionaire variant, is profoundly dangerous for our world.

Oxfam writes, A new billionaire has been created every 26 hours since the pandemic began. The worlds 10 richest men have doubled their fortunes, while over 160 million people are projected to have been pushed into poverty. Meanwhile, an estimated 17 million people have died from COVID-19a scale of loss not seen since the Second World War.

It continues, The worlds small elite of 2,755 billionaires has seen its fortunes grow more during COVID-19 than they have in the whole of the last fourteen yearsfourteen years that themselves were a bonanza for billionaire wealth.

Credit: Oxfam

Oxfam then places the unprecedented scale and scope of billionaire wealth accumulation in historical context: This is the biggest annual increase in billionaire wealth since records began. It is taking place on every continent. It is enabled by skyrocketing stock market prices, a boom in unregulated entities, a surge in monopoly power, and privatization, alongside the erosion of individual corporate tax rates and regulations, and workers rights and wages.

The report continues:

New figures and analysis released in December 2021 by the World Inequality Lab reveal that since 1995, the top 1% have captured 19 times more of global wealth growth than the whole of the bottom 50% of humanity. Inequality is now as great as it was at the pinnacle of Western imperialism in the early 20th century. The Gilded Age of the late 19th Century has been surpassed.

The pandemic has led to a sharp increase in poverty worldwide, Oxfam reports.

There are now 163 million more people projected to be living on less than $5.50 a day than there were when the pandemic began. The crisis has shown that, for most of humanity, there has been no permanent exit from poverty and insecurity.

Oxfam reports that projections from the World Bank, IMF and Credit Suisse show that

poverty levels will not return to their pre-crisis levels even by 2030. Poverty does not only create immense suffering. Poverty kills. It is very much a form of economic violence, perpetrated against billions of ordinary people all over the world each day. In every country, the poorest people live shorter lives and face an earlier death than those who are not poor.

Once again, the report says that the present catastrophe facing masses of people on a world scale is no accident but the product of conscious government policy. Huge amounts of public money, poured into our economies, have inflated stock prices dramatically and in turn boosted the bank accounts of billionaires more than ever before.

Credit: Oxfam

Referring to the unequal distribution of the vaccine on a world scale as a stain upon the history of our species, the Oxfam report states, The coronavirus pandemic has been actively made deadlier, more prolonged, and more damaging to livelihoods because of inequality. Inequality of income is a stronger indicator of whether you will die from COVID-19 than age.

The report also reveals the mechanism by which the financial elite have leveraged the pandemic into the greatest surge in billionaire wealth in history.

As COVID-19 spread, central banks injected trillions into economies worldwide, aiming to keep the world economy afloat. Much of that stimulus has gone into financial markets, and from there into the net worth of billionaires. Governments have pumped $16 trillion into the global economy since the start of the pandemic, and in large consequence, billionaires have seen their wealth increase by $5 trillion, rising from $8.6 trillion to $13.8 trillion since March 2021, as government intervention has driven up stock prices.

In July 2020, the World Socialist Web Site called COVID-19 the inequality pandemic. This analysis is now undeniable. The mass death from COVID-19 has been, in the words of Oxfam, death by inequality.

The pandemic is a trigger event  in history, embodying all of the underlying processes while massively intensifying them. The indifference to mass death on the part of governments and ruling elites is the outcome of decades of spiraling social inequality and the increasingly oligarchic character of society.

From the very beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, the response of governments throughout the world, led by the US, has consistently prioritized private profit over life. In early 2020 the Trump administration, together with both political parties, covered up the danger posed by the pandemic.

Once the reality became impossible to conceal and markets fell sharply, the Trump administration and Federal Reserve implemented a $6 trillion bailout program, the overwhelming majority of which was funneled into corporate profits and the stock market.

Credit: Oxfam

On an entirely bipartisan basis, states reopened schools and businesses, leading to wave after wave of the disease, culminating in the most massive wave to date caused by the Omicron variant.

While Biden won the 2020 election by pledging to follow the science, his administration has abandoned any pretext of containing, let alone eliminating, the virus, allowing it to infect nearly one million people day after day.

All of these decisions were guided by the single-minded effort to enrich the financial oligarchy at the expense of the working class. The Oxfam report makes clear that the pandemic has been massively profitable for the ruling elite. And this, above all, is why they have no intention of stopping it.

At the gathering of billionaires known as the World Economic Forum, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Chief Medical Advisor to US President Biden, was asked if 2022 was actually the year that we go from pandemic to endemic given the ability of the virus to spread and offer immunity through infection?

Fauci replied, I would hope that thats the case...

In other words, according to the leading US public health official, the best case is for COVID-19 to become endemic in the population, killing hundreds of thousands of people in perpetuity.

The inescapable conclusion is that the fundamental problem is that the capitalist social order is intrinsically hostile to the needs of society. What is necessary is a movement of the international working class in opposition to the social order, based on a fight to eliminate and eradicate the virus in every country through a Zero-COVID policy.

Such a struggle can only be mounted through the development of the socialist and internationalist political program fought for by the International Committee of the Fourth International and the World Socialist Web Site .
Snowstorms and tornadoes blasted through the southeast region over the weekend, leaving dozens of homes destroyed and hundreds of thousands without power in several states, including Florida, the Carolinas and Georgia. In Florida, officials reported more than 100 homes had been damaged while more than 200 people were displaced after multiple tornadoes ripped through the states southwest region.

In North Carolina, as much as 10 inches of snow fell in some areas along the states western region, with many roads in the central and western part of the state being covered with ice. A spokesman for the North Carolina highway patrol said that by mid-afternoon the agency had responded to 300 car crashes and nearly 800 calls for service. Two people died on Sunday when their car skidded off the road and into trees along a median east of Raleigh, North Carolinas capital. The driver and passenger, both 41-year-old South Carolina residents, were pronounced dead at the scene.

More than 260,000 residents were without power by mid-afternoon Sunday across the impacted states, according to poweroutage.us, which fell to about 150,000 residents by Sunday night and was largely restarted by Tuesday. In Tennessee, there were multiple reports of abandoned and wrecked cars on snow-covered roads.

Virginia Department of Transportation snowplows attempt to keep I-581 clear for motorists during a winter storm on Sunday Jan. 16, 2022 in Roanoke, Va. (AP Photo/Don Petersen)

In South Carolina, more than 90,000 homes and businesses statewide were reported without power Sunday afternoon. Derreck Becker, spokesperson for the South Carolinas Emergency Management Division, said Monday that while there were no reports of storm-related deaths, several traffic incidents had been confirmed and many of them included injured people who had to be sent to the hospital.

The counties that suffered the most from the weather disasters in Florida were Charlotte and Lee, which is home to Fort Myers. Tornado warnings had first been issued across Charlotte County just after 7:00 a.m. and continued until noon, moving south into Collier County and Lee County. In total, 21 emergency warnings were issued by the National Weather Service, which confirmed that at least five tornadoes had raced through the three counties, with the most destructive occurring in Fort Myers.

At a Sunday news conference, Cecil Pendergrass, co-chairman of Floridas Lee County Board of Commissioners, said at least 62 homes were currently unlivable. Approximately 7,000 homes were left without power throughout the states southwest region, and hundreds remained without electricity into Monday. At least 108 mobile homes were damaged, 30 which were completely destroyed, and another 51 homes sustained major damage. It is estimated that the storm caused $1.6 million worth of damage in all three counties.

Sundays storm contained one of the strongest tornadoes to hit Florida since 2016. An EF-2 tornado ran across Fort Myers at around 8:00 a.m. and mostly impacted the Iona McGregor Fire District area. From there, the tornado swiveled through three mobile home communities after moving northeast of McGregor Blvd. and Summerlin Road. The EF-2 cyclone carried wind gusts of 118 mph and stretched 1.8 miles.

The National Weather Service concluded that an EF-2 tornado had in fact touched down on the area after assessing the harm inflicted by the storm. Despite being on the lower end of tornadoes in regard to intensity, EF-2s are usually stronger than most tropical storms and can destroy relatively well-built infrastructure. Tornadoes of this magnitude are capable of tearing roofs off houses, destroying mobile homes, and lifting cars off the ground.

Numerous videos circulated on social media the past few days documenting the destruction wrought on hundreds of homes and buildings from the tornadoes, with pieces of rooftops and debris torn off and scattered around neighborhood streets. Many residents expressed shock at the approaching storm as it was happening, highlighting the obvious lack of forewarning to alert the public. One Twitter user noted they awoke in panicked alarm after receiving a tornado warning at 6:00 a.m. Sunday advising them to hide in a shelter, just hours before the tornado started circling.

In one ghastly eye-witness account, Edward Murray, a resident from one of the trailer parks in south Fort Myers, told Naples Daily News how close he and his family came to dying from the tornados. Murray mentioned their mobile home was lifted from its foundation when a tornado picked up the structure and tossed it on top of a neighbors home. Turning to his home he said: Thats my house thats turned upside down. The tornado took me off my feet, blew me toward the east wall and buried me under the sink, refrigerator, kitchen chairs and everything else.

Significantly, the agencies responsible for preparing for and responding to weather-related disasters have had their funding stripped to the bone in recent years. In the summer of 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a state budget that contained over $1 billion in vetoes for critical public programs, including emergency response units. Some $3.5 million was cut from the states Emergency Operations Center, which local agencies rely on heavily during hurricanes, storms, and other weather-related threats.

Police and other local officials made comments in the storms aftermath speaking positively about how no missing persons or deaths had been reported in Florida. However, this does not account for the fact that many residents are repeatedly left to fend for themselves against such deadly inclement weather. The inability of capitalism to protect the population from inclement weather is part of a broader failure, exemplified above all by the negligent and homicidal response of the political establishment to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest wave of destructive weather recalls the deadly winter storm that tore through Texas in February 2021 that drew national outrage over the massive failure of the states electricity grid to withstand the predictable inclement weather event. Texass winter storm Uri led to widespread blackouts and killed 700 people.

Compounding the failures to prevent such crises is the inability of capitalism to deal with and reverse the consequences of human-induced climate change. Moreover, even as severe winter weather becomes more common, utility companies and state regulators refuse to implement measures to plan for and prevent such catastrophes.

This is epitomized in Florida, where the official government response to storms, like the incredible spread of COVID transmission amid the Omicron wave, has been characterized by utter indifference. In the only official statement made on the weekends storms, Governor DeSantis made a short and hollow gesture of sympathy for those affected. Many noted that the tweet referred to the storms as hitting the day before when they had hit the day he tweeted, highlighting the meaninglessness of the gesture.

In the same tweet, DeSantis said that he had immediately sent a response team and that his administration will do all we can to provide resources to families. The bulk of the replies under the tweet were laced with scornful hostility, with many drawing a connection to the criminal response of DeSantis to the pandemic and the policy of letting the virus rip through the population without any regard for human life.

One reply said sardonically that if only there was an immediate response to a deadly pandemic how many Floridians could have been saved. Another reply lambasted the administration and the governors team of public health experts, many of whom are avid supporters of herd immunity and mass infection, for their refusal to provide masks, testing and vaccines to the population.

Responding to the point he was praying for the families impacted by yesterdays severe weather in SWFL, one Twitter user commented: It would be nice if you prayed for Floridians who lost family & friends, children, parents, teachersfrom covid. Never heard you mention them. Like nearly every other state, Florida is seeing an explosive growth of hospitalizations in recent days from the pandemic surge, which is straining health care systems and putting countless lives at risk, with both the Republican and Democratic parties washing their hands of mass death.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers and locations in Indiana... White River at Edwardsport and Elliston. 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. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/ind. This statement will be updated within the next 12 to 24 hours. && ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS 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 &&
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty

In his administration's starkest analysis yet of Russian President Vladimir Putins plans, President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he believes Russia will invade Ukraine.

My guess is he will move in, Biden said of Putin during his first press conference in roughly 10 months. He has to do something.

But Biden also reiterated that Russia would face steep economic consequences if Putin pressed forward with an invasion. "He's never seen sanctions like the ones I promised will be imposed if he moves," Biden said, though he also indicated that sanctions would vary on the level of attack Putin takes.

"It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and not do," the president said.

Bidens analysis comes after months of observations that Russia has been amassing hundreds of thousands of troops and equipment along its border with Ukraine.

An Aging Vladimir Putin Hopes War Can Make a Sagging Empire Rise Again

But administration assessments have largely wavered on whether Putin has actually decided to invade Ukraine.

A senior administration official told The Daily Beast this week that they expect action to take place between mid-January and mid-February. Putin, the official said, is planning to use Russian operatives to conduct sabotage against Russian forces in order to create a justification to attack Ukraine.

In recent days, the calculus for Russia appears to have shifted to some degreeRussia has deployed troops to Belarus, ostensibly as part of drills. But a senior State Department official said during a call Tuesday that Russia may just be using Belarus as a way to launch an attack on Ukraine from the north.

The timing is notable and of course raises concern that Russia could intend to station troops in Belarus under the guise of joint military exercises in order to potentially attack Ukraine from the north, the senior State Department official said.

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Given the sheer amount of troop movement towards Ukraine that Russia has coordinated in recent daysand the amount of expenditure that takesmilitary action looks extremely possible, said Larry Pfeiffer, a former senior director of the White House Situation Room and former CIA Chief of Staff.

The amount of military deployment thats going on is extremely large. Thats an incredible expenditure of money and resources on the part of the Russians, Pfeiffer told The Daily Beast. There can be an argument made that at a certain point, that kind of expenditure, youre going to move all that stuff there, youre going to go forward with the military action.

At this rate, Putin could attack Ukraine at very short notice, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Wednesday during a visit in Kiev, Ukraine.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Julia Garner, who is playing infamous scam artist Anna Delvey in Netflix's Inventing Anna, graces the cover of Town and Country. (Photography by Danny Kasirye)

For a while, it seemed you couldn't escape the headlines surrounding scam artist Anna Delvey, the fake socialite who tricked her way into the upper echelons of New York City's elite before being convicted of fraud in 2019.

Posing as a German heiress for nearly four years, Delvey (whose real name is Anna Sorokin) swindled more than $200,000 from banks, luxury hotels and restaurants around the world until she was exposed in a 2018 New York magazine article.

Now, Delvey's case is being reimagined in the Shonda Rhimes-produced Inventing Anna, a 10-episode series dropping on Netflix on Feb. 11, starring Julia Garner.

Tasked with the challenge of bringing the faux heiress to life, the Ozark star shared what lengths she went through in telling Delvey's story  which included visiting her in prison.

"She's actually really sweet. She was extremely charming. She's very gentle. But then her voice gets less soft-spoken when she wants something," Garner told Town and Country about visiting the con artist at Albion Correctional Facility just outside Buffalo, New York.

"I wanted to see if she had any remorse about what happened, or time to reflect," she said, adding that at one point during their visit, Delvey begged to hear the accent Garner had prepared to play her. "She's like, 'Please, let me hear it.'"

Anna Sorokin, better known as Anna Delvey, seen in the courtroom during her trial in New York in 2019. The self-titled German heiress was charged for fraud after scamming hundreds of thousands of dollars from businesses. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Delvey, who was born in Russia and grew up in Germany, learned British English before she began mimicking American English by watching television. That left a unique accent many people couldn't quite place.

Of course, as an actress, it made it more difficult for Garner to capture, especially since she was shooting Inventing Anna and Ozark at the same time. And going from one accent to another wasn't simple.

"I really made sure that the script supervisor had an eye on my accent during that period of time. Playing those two parts at the same time was probably the hardest thing I've had to do in my life. Those are not easy women," she explained. "They don't think and then act, they act and then think. [Ozark's] Ruth would see through Anna right away."

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"My tongue on Ozark is completely different from my tongue for Delvey," she explained. "Anna's tongue is kind of flat. It almost feels heavy and fat. I completely had to change how I moved my tongue in three weeks."

Tapping into Delvey, Garner said, required more than just diction.

"When I really know the character, I start feeling all their feelings," she explained. "My anxiety was through the roof, and I realized it was because Anna had really bad anxiety. My husband was like, 'This has gotten out of control.'"

During their meeting, Delvey told Garner that she didn't "really have that much time to think" about her crimes, saying that she was keeping busy doing "stupid culinary arts."

"I kind of love that about her, in a sick way," Garner said. She's in a full jumpsuit saying, 'I'm obviously not going to make myself food when I get out of jail.'"

"People don't necessarily have to agree with what she did, but I want to help people try to understand why she did it," Garner said. "She's a big dreamer, and I would consider myself a dreamer. In the business that we're in, you have to be."

Garner has been one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses since her breakout role on Ozark. Earlier this month, it was announced that she signed on to the psychological thriller Apartment 7A.

Moving forward, Garner wants "to continue playing strong, complex women," adding, "I love switching people's minds when they're going back and forth about a character."
The North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors gave contingent approval to an application submitted by Morgan and Sean Innocent, to house wild animals at a new business at the Lebanon Valley Mall.

In addition to displaying various types of reptiles, the Innocents will also sell certain animals such as baby bearded dragons, corn snakes, and geckos.

The application will be approved as soon as the Innocents provide a copy of a valid license to operate such a business from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and provide a certificate of liability insurance.

Morgan Innocent, a trained nurse, said she grew up spending time along and in the Swatara Creek, discovering small animals in the wild, some of which she took home to surprise her mother.

In addition to displaying animals that people keep as pets or typically avoid, the Innocents will occasionally display a 5-foot alligator, with the assistance of Joie Henney, who hosted an ESPN show called "Joie Henney's Outdoors" from 1989 to 2000.

Cornwall Borough: Cornwall Borough council requests traffic study on parts of Route 419

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Also, at the meeting the board approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance that prohibits the burning of motor vehicles in junkyards, to the section of the ordinance that already prohibits the burning of tires, oil, grease, gasoline and other materials that could cause noxious smoke or odors. That same amendment adds the cul-de-sac areas of Snapdragon Court, Loretta Drive, and Linda Drive, to the list of designated snow emergency routes.

Township solicitor Amy Leonard conducted an advertised public hearing during the meeting for an ordinance amendment that would make it "unlawful for any person...to operate or permit the operation of any ATV, dirt bike or similar type of motor vehicle for recreational use on private property" in any area zoned as Residential Rural. The existing ordinance prohibits such use in districts zoned Residential 1 and Residential 2.

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A farm owner at the hearing said people using snowmobiles drive onto his fields after light snowfalls without his consent, damaging his fields and then move onto to other areas before the police can apprehend the trespassers. He said he wondered if the proposed ordinance change would cause recreational vehicle users to migrate from the Residential Rural districts to the rural farm districts for their joy rides.

The board decided to table a vote on the proposed amendment for further consideration. After the discussion, supervisor Gary Heisey said he noticed earlier in the day that a snowmobile driver had done "doughnuts" on the baseball field next located next to Heisey's Diner during the night.

Township manager, Cheri Grumbine, reported that after the township received notification that it would receive a state grant for improvements to Lion's Lake Park, she received a recent letter from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources informing her the project is being submitted to the Land and Water Conservation Fund managed by the U. S. National Park Service because it is a "good candidate" for federal funding.

Glenn Lebanon Fire Chief Brian Vragovich reported that in 2021 the fire companies of North Lebanon Township responded to 149 fire calls, 156 rescue and EMS calls, 5 weather/disaster calls, and 117 false alarms. The volunteer fire personnel also gave a total of 1,372 hours of their time during the year for training.

Police Chief Tim Knight reported that in 2021 the department responded to 2,598 reportable incidents, made 52 felony arrests and 212 misdemeanor arrests, and issued 951 traffic tickets and 125 non-traffic tickets.

In other business the board:

-Approved the sale of sale of a 2013 Ford Police Interceptor sedan to a buyer in Kansas for $4,200.

-Approved the purchase of LED ceiling lights and two "automatic on" sensors for a storage building at the cost of $3,650. Heisey voted against the purchase explaining that it is "a 'want', rather than a 'need". "I guess it is just my business sense," he said.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: North Lebanon Township supervisors give contingent approval for a reptile population boom in Lebanon Valley Mall
The Think Loud building in York has a new occupant that brings more than 100 jobs with it.

York County Economic Alliance and financial technology company CampusDoor announced Tuesday the relocation of CampusDoors national headquarters from Carlisle to downtown York. CampusDoor is one of the nations largest third-party loan origination platforms and has over 100 full time employees, according to a press release.

This is a very exciting time for CampusDoor, CampusDoor CEO Steve Winnie said. As we looked around at communities for our companys headquarters, Downtown York is a perfect fit. Weve already developed a strong relationship with partners such as York College of PA, and the YCEA, and we look forward to making a meaningful impact here.

CampusDoor will occupy over 25,000 square feet of office space at 210 York St., located adjacent to PeoplesBank Park. To formally introduce itself to the York community, CampusDoor will make charitable contributions of $1,000 each to the York County Hispanic Coalition, the York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program and the United Way of York County.

More: Kinsley sells Think Loud building in York for $6 million to newly created Delaware company

More: Company that owns Think Loud building in York, tied to rock band Live, to exit bankruptcy

More: Kinsley now owns Think Loud building in York, tied to members of rock band Live, deed shows

Economic opportunity is integral to our companys core values, and that depends on a quality education for all. When we empower our friends and neighbors, everyone benefits. These three organizations were selected because of their commitment to education and the valuable services and support they provide, Winnie said.

We are ecstatic to welcome CampusDoor to the York community, president & CEO of the YCEA Kevin Schreiber said. We have spent this past year working closely with Steve Winnie and his team to find the right home for their company. During that time, we witnessed first-hand theyve made themselves quickly at home here in York. They are a welcomed addition to YoCos corporate community and we could not be more enthusiastic to join them in celebrating this exciting announcement.

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Think Loud building

Its unclear if the building still serves as the headquarters of United Fiber & Data, a telecommunications startup thats connected to members of the multi-platinum-selling rock band Live. The business built a 340-mile fiber-optic line connecting New York City to Ashburn, Virginia, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.

In 2020, Kinsley Construction obtained a $13.94 million judgment against 120 York LLC , which used to own the building. The limited liability filed for bankruptcy but later moved to dismiss the case.

Kinsley sold the building in November for $6 million to Invictus One LLC, a newly-incorporated Delaware company.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Carlisle business relocates to York, bringing more than 100 jobs
Politicians have been accused of blowing smoke when it comes to promises made to the voting public. However, U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers gave new meaning to the term by taking a toke of marijuana in a new campaign ad. Chambers, a Louisiana native, released the visual earlier this week that has since gone viral, bringing the conversation surrounding the criminalization of marijuana, particularly in the Black community, back to the forefront.

The clip, titled 37 Seconds in reference to how often an American is arrested for the possession of marijuana, centers the disparity in marijuana criminalization between Black people and other races. Since 2010, state and local police have arrested an estimated 7.3 million Americans for violating marijuana laws  over half of all drug arrests. Black people are four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana laws than white people, Chambers says while reeling off statistics about the disparity in the number of Black people impacted by marijuana-related offenses.

More from VIBE.com

A Democrat and social justice activist, Chambers, who is attempting to unseat Republican Senator John Kennedy in this years upcoming primary, revealed the inspiration behind his provocative political statement while unveiling the ad on social media. I hope this ad works to not only destigmatize the use of marijuana, but also forces a new conversation that creates the pathway to legalize this beneficial drug, and forgive those who were arrested due to outdated ideology, the rising political star wrote on Twitter.

My first campaign ad, 37 Seconds. #JustLikeMe I hope this ad works to not only destigmatize the use of marijuana, but also forces a new conversation that creates the pathway to legalize this beneficial drug, and forgive those who were arrested due to outdated ideology. pic.twitter.com/G0qKvmUGKD  Gary Chambers (@GaryChambersJr) January 18, 2022

In 2021, Chambers barely missed a runoff for a seat in the 2nd Congressional District.

Click here to read the full article.
Photo credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo - Getty Images

Megan Fox has been enjoying quite the trip to Italy over the last week and has served some serious looks during the get-away. Her most recent? The ultimate 90s accessory - a fuzzy bucket hat.

Snapped by her stylist, Maeve Reilly, enjoying lunch with her fiance, Machine Gun Kelly, at Crotto dei Platani, an Italian restaurant that overlooks Lake Como, the 35-year-old opted for a green and grey leopard version of the iconic fuzzy hat. She paired the accessory with the Harley Knitted Crop Top by Edikted which is currently still available in all sizes (XS/S and M/L) and on sale reduced from 49.28 down to 34.49.

Not the first to revive the fuzzy bucket hat trend, in recent years the accessory has been seen on the likes of EmRata, Hailey Bieber, Rihanna and Bella Hadid (spotted in an ASOS version nonetheless) but its the likes of Jamiroquai, Aaliyah and Pamela Anderson that we have to credit - remember the candy pink version she wore to the 1999 VMAs? Iconic.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Megan has been in Italy to support Machine Gun Kelly who was walking in the Dolce & Gabbana Fall Winter 2022 Men's Fashion Show over the weekend. On Monday (17th January 2022), the Transformers actress posted a carousel summary of her all-black outfits from the various D&G events and her followers went mad for them - particularly her bedazzled SEX dress and the lace-up leather trouser that were serving serious Noughties vibes.

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The UK government has revealed that it plans to update its laws in order "to bring the promotion of cryptoassets within the scope of financial promotions legislation." That will ensure any crypto promotion will be held to the same standards as promotion for stocks, shares and insurance products. It also has fall in line with the rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Governments have recently started cracking down on crypto ads in an effort to protect consumers from scams they may not be familiar with. The Spanish government is currently establishing rules on how influencers and their sponsors promote cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, Singapore's authorities asked crypto companies outright not to market their services to the public. One type of scam is the "pump and dump," in which fraudsters find ways to artificially inflate the value of a cryptocurrency and to get people to invest money in it. They then unload their shares while the value is high to make a lot of money, thereby lowering the coin's value in the process.

According to the UK government, approximately 2.3 million people in the country are now thought to own a cryptoasset. While cryptoassets' popularity is rising, the FCA's research suggests (PDF) that potential investors' level of understanding about them is on the decline. That means people may not be fully aware of the risks involved when it comes to investing in them, which further supports "the case for regulatory intervention to ensure that cryptoasset promotions are fair, clear, and not misleading. "
Robert Nicoson, an Onondaga native charged in a military court after U.S. troops exchanged gunfire with pro-Syrian regime forces in 2020, has been acquitted.

Nicoson, a sergeant first class, was the only U.S. service member who faced charges in connection with the Aug. 17, 2020, encounter at a pro-Syrian regime checkpoint.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson, who grew up in Onondaga and graduated from Springport High School in 2006.

Nicoson, who graduated from Springport High School in 2006, was charged with two violations for failing to obey an order or regulation, two violations for reckless endangerment, one violation for communicating threats and three violations for obstructing justice.

On Jan. 8, after a five-day trial, a jury of six command sergeants major and two lieutenant colonels found Nicoson not guilty on all counts, Phillip Stackhouse, Nicoson's attorney, said.

On Tuesday, Lt Col. Brett Lea, a public affairs officer for the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where Nicoson is stationed, confirmed Nicoson was acquitted of all the charges.

"Hes returned to regular duty," Lea said.

Encounter in Syria

Nicoson had been stationed in Syria for six weeks before the incident.

On the morning of Aug. 17, 2020, troops with Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve and Syrian Democratic Forces encountered the checkpoint while they were "conducting a routine anti-ISIS security patrol near Tal Al-Zahab, Syria" according to a statement Operation Inherent Resolve issued after the incident.

"After receiving safe passage from the pro-regime forces, the patrol came under small arms fire from individuals at the checkpoint," the coalition statement said. "Coalition troops returned fire in self-defense."

No coalition troops were killed, according to the statement, and the patrol returned to base. No airstrike was conducted at the checkpoint, according to the coalition statement.

But according to a report from CBS News, Syrian state media reported that shortly after the encounter, American forces called in helicopter gunships that fired on the checkpoint. At least one Syrian fighter was killed and two others were wounded, according to the report.

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Nicoson was charged eight months after the encounter.

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Verdict was 'just,' says attorney

Over 20 witnesses were called during the trial, Stackhouse said, and a portion "was closed due to the classified evidence being presented."

The jury deliberated for two hours, he said.

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson with his wife Beverly and their two children.

The verdict was just, Stackhouse said. "I'm very happy for Sgt. Nicoson and his family. It's very difficult being under charges and being under allegations, and especially these types that have very serious ramifications if he were to be found guilty."

Russell Nicoson, Robert Nicoson's father who lives in Onondaga and attended the trial, said the acquittal lifted a weight from his entire family.

"The judge just told him, 'You are free to go,'" he said. "Hopefully, he'll continue to move on because this does not stay in his permanent record. To me, that's a good thing because this will not follow him along for the rest of his career."

Nicoson joined the Army shortly after he graduated from high school. He and his wife, Beverly, have two children.

Lea said he does not know what Nicoson's next assignment will be.

Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Army sergeant Robert Nicoson not guilty of charges in Syria gunfight
Mother breastfeeding her son at home. Getty

Women with COVID-19 didn't pass the virus to newborns through breast milk, a small study suggests.

"Breastfeeding is not likely to be a hazard," Paul Krogstad, the lead study author from UCLA, said.

The study, published in Pediatric Research, a peer-reviewed journal, bolsters existing CDC guidance.

Breastfeeding while infected with COVID-19, or just after an infection, is unlikely to spread the virus from mother to child, scientists have said.

A small study from researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found the breast milk of mothers with COVID-19 didn't contain infectious virus particles and there was no "clinical evidence" of babies contracting the virus due to breastfeeding.

Paul Krogstad, study lead author and a professor of pediatrics at University of California, Los Angeles said in a statement that breastfeeding with COVID-19 was "not likely to be a hazard." He added: "Breastmilk is an invaluable source of nutrition to infants."

Other early research has found breastfeeding mothers that have had COVID-19 can pass antibodies to newborns, but it's not yet clear if they give the baby any protection.

The latest study, published in the Pediatric Research medical journal Tuesday, is the largest of its kind, according to the study authors, and bolsters existing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

Establishing the risk of infection transmission for COVID-19 could help allay concerns over breastfeeding as some viruses  such as HIV  can be passed on through breast milk.

Health officials in the US and UK have previously said that there was no evidence that COVID-19 can spread through breast milk, but  while the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risk of transmission of COVID-19 through breast milk or, more likely, close contact  it was ultimately an "individual decision".

Dr. Victoria Male, a researcher in reproductive immunology at Imperial College London, told Insider that the study meant people can be more confident in the message: "Milk does not seem to be a route of infection and you can continue to breastfeed."

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Male, who wasn't involved in the study, cautioned that it didn't look at whether the baby can breathe in virus particles during breastfeeding.

The CDC recommends women with COVID-19 that "choose to breastfeed" wear a mask and wash hands beforehand in order to prevent passing on infection via other means.

To reach their findings, the study's researchers analyzed the breast milk of 65 COVID-19-positive women. The breast milk of seven of them contained "genetic" material for a short period of time that wasn't infectious, the study authors said.

The researchers cautioned that the small sample size may not capture all the factors that mean there was genetic material in breast milk.

The UCLA study took place between March to September 2020 before the Omicron variant was circulating.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The attempt by the Louisiana Attorney General's office to delay the sexual battery lawsuit involving Cedar Creek School has failed.

Retired Judge Jimmie C. Peters, who is acting as an ad hoc judge for the lawsuit, has denied the attorney general's motion to pause civil proceedings. Depositions for the case will take place as scheduled this week.

The attorney general's office had filed a motion to stay the civil case until criminal proceedings were concluded.

More: Attorney General seeks to put Cedar Creek lawsuit on hold: 'We may be waiting until 2023'

Peters issued the decision on Friday. At the same time, he also issued a stipulation and protective order regarding confidential information. Under this order, information from the case is to remain confidential, and parties from the civil suit are instructed not to speak with the media.

Cedar Creek School in Ruston has been sued by parents of a student they say was bullied and sexually assaulted at the school.

Cedar Creek, a private school in Ruston, is being sued by parents who claim their son experienced repeated bullying and sexual battery over the course of the 2020 school year, and that the school did not effectively intervene to stop it. The lawsuit involves several defendants, including the school, insurance companies, the parents of nine juveniles and staff members.

The Ruston Police Department conducted an investigation in May 2021, and "upon information and belief, the minors whose parents are named as defendants in the civil lawsuit will be charged with misdemeanor offenses." The prosecution of these offenses was then transferred to the attorney general after the 3rd Judicial District Court judge recused himself from the case.

Follow Sabrina LeBoeuf on Twitter @_sabrinakaye and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3B8sgHo.

Support local journalism by subscribing at https://cm.thenewsstar.com/specialoffer.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Judge denies motion to pause Cedar Creek lawsuit, issues gag order
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Holbrook speaks during a Dec. 1, pre-trial hearing in the case of former doctor William Husel, who was indicted in 2019 on 25 murder counts related to patient deaths at Mount Carmel Health hospitals, where he worked as an intensive-care physician. Holbrook will preside over a Thursday hearing at which prosecutors are expected to seek the dismissal of some counts.

When a prosecutor decides to dismiss criminal charges against a defendant, a judge rarely stands in the way.

Franklin County prosecutors are prepared to make such a declaration regarding some of the 25 murder counts against former doctor William Husel during a Thursday afternoon hearing at which victims' family members will be permitted to comment.

Judge Michael J. Holbrook, who will preside over the hearing, said he can't recall ever denying a prosecutor's dismissal filing  known by the Latin term nolle prosequi  in his 17 years on the bench.

"In general, (prosecutors) have the discretion" to dismiss charges, Holbrook said.

Although prosecutors have declined comment on their plans, a source close to the case has told The Dispatch that 11 murder counts  nearly half the 25 total counts that Husel is currently facing  will be dismissed.

William Husel: Why would prosecutors want to dismiss some murder charges?

The reasons for dismissing a case or individual charges typically involve uncooperative or unavailable witnesses or new evidence favorable to the defendant. In this case, it would be to reduce an overwhelming number of counts to focus on the ones with the strongest evidence.

But victims must be given the chance to comment under provisions of Marsy's Law, a victim's rights amendment to the Ohio Constitution, approved by Ohio voters in 2017.

It is unclear how many family members might want to speak about any count that would be dropped involving the death of a relative.

Asked this week if she knew how many were interested in speaking, First Assistant Prosecutor Janet Grubb simply texted, "No."

But there are signs that the number might not be large. Gerald Leeseberg, whose Columbus law firm has represented 17 of the victims' families in civil lawsuits filed against Husel, said he doesn't know of any of his clients who want to speak.

Holbrook said there has been a suggestion that some family members may want to speak to him privately rather than in open court, and he must decide if that would be proper. He hasn't been told how many people have made such a request, he said.

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Former doctor William Husel, accused of intentionally prescribing fatal overdoses for 25 intensive-care patients at Mount Carmel Health hospitals, listens during a Dec. 1 pre-trial hearing in his murder case.

The dismissal of some counts likely would shorten what otherwise is expected to be a two-month trial.

Jury selection for Husel's trial is scheduled to begin with groups of 325 potential jurors summoned to appear either Feb. 2, 3 or 4 for questioning about their knowledge of the case and whether they would be available for a weeks-long trial.

The trial itself is scheduled to begin on Feb. 14.

Mount Carmel deaths: Why is William Husel charged with murder?

Husel, 46, is accused of intentionally killing 25 intensive-care patients at Mount Carmel Health hospitals from February 2015 through November 2018 by prescribing each of them at least 500 micrograms of fentanyl, a powerful opioid.

His defense team contends that he was providing comfort care to terminally ill patients in their final hours and not attempting to shorten their lives.

County Prosecutor Gary Tyack told The Dispatch in January 2021, shortly after taking office, that he favored dismissing some of the counts against Husel and proceeding "with a small number of cases."

The indictment was obtained in 2019 by his predecessor, Ron O'Brien, the county's longest-serving prosecutor, who was defeated by Tyack in the November 2020 election.

Investigators reviewed 35 cases of patients whose intensive-care deaths while under Husel's care during a four-year period were considered suspicious. O'Brien's office chose 25  one that occurred at Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital in Westerville and the rest at the former Mount Carmel West hospital in Franklinton  that were presented to a grand jury for indictment.

If Husel is convicted, Tyack told the newspaper, he "can only serve so many life terms ... We should not spend hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars in county money to incarcerate a man for more lifetimes than he has."

Each of the murder counts filed against Husel carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 15 years.

Tyack said he favored moving forward with "a small number of cases that are the best to make as the prosecutor and dismiss the rest because there is nothing to be gained other than turning it into a show."

Leeseberg, the attorney who represents more than half of the victims' families in civil cases, told The Dispatch at the time that he favored the strategy.

He called it "wise and prudent" to limit the number of criminal counts if getting convictions on them "won't result in any practical difference" in the sentence Husel gets.

On Tuesday, Leeseberg said he continues to support the idea of dismissing some counts and moving forward with the strongest cases against Husel.

"Our belief is, what's important is not a conviction on any particular case, but a just outcome in the criminal case," he said. "We respect the decision of the prosecutor's office."

jfutty@dispatch.com

@johnfutty

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: William Husel murder trial: Hearing set on dismissing some charges
(Adds context of conference, quotes from deputy prime minister)

KABUL, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's acting prime minister, Mullah Hasan Akhund, on Wednesday called for international governments to officially recognise the country's Taliban administration, saying at a news conference in Kabul that all conditions had been met.

"I ask all governments, especially Islamic countries, that they should start recognition," Akhund said, in his first major public broadcast appearance since he assumed the role in September.

Akhund was addressing a major economic conference in Kabul where senior administration officials gathered with representatives of 20 countries and the United Nations.

Foreign powers have been reluctant to recognise the Taliban administration which took over Afghanistan in August while Western nations led by the United States have frozen billions of dollars worth of Afghan banking assets and cut off development funding that once formed the backbone of Afghanistan's economy.

Akhund and other Taliban administration officials made an appeal at the news conference, also attended by United Nations officials, for a loosening of restrictions on money into the country, blaming its growing economic crisis on the freezing of funds.

"Short-term aid is not the solution; we must try to find a way to solve problems fundamentally," he said.

The international community has ramped up humanitarian aid, designed to address urgent needs and largely bypass official channels. But as the country faces a cash crunch and a deteriorating economy over the harsh winter, millions of people have plunged into poverty.

The UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons also spoke at the event, saying Afghanistan's economic crisis was a serious problem that needed to be addressed by all countries.

"The United Nations is working to revitalise Afghanistan's economy and fundamentally address Afghanistan's economic problems," she said.

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The country's Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar asked that more efforts be made to help Afghanistan overcome its economic crisis, including enabling its banking system to operate.

"Now the world and international organizations know about Afghanistan's problems, therefore we ask that the world especially the UN not wastes more time on doing their responsibility about Afghanistan," he said.

He echoed calls for economic solutions to go beyond humanitarian aid and emphasised the importance of the private sector.

"The private sector is very important. If this sector stands up, Afghanistan's economic problem largely will be solved," he said. "We want to make Afghanistan self-sufficient, and it is not possible without a private sector." (Reporting by Kabul newsroom; Writing by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Hugh Lawson)
The Taliban has introduced new restrictions on women's lives, including a strict dress code. Aref Karimi/Getty Images

An Afghan woman said a Taliban gunman struck her mom across the face after the group's takeover, leaving a bruise.

The two women were approached by the militants because they were outside without a male escort.

Under the Taliban, women across Afghanistan are severely oppressed and deprived of opportunity.

An Afghan woman said a Taliban gunman once struck her mom across the face and left a bruise because she was outside without a male escort.

A woman identified as Pahlawan said was walking with her mother in Kabul in November 2021 when a pickup truck pulled up next to them, the Washington Post reported.

Pahlawan told the Post through voice notes and phone calls that they were walking without a male escort, a practice discouraged by the militant group.

The gunman approached the duo and asked where they were going. Pahlawan told the gunman that her mom needed to take frequent walks to alleviate her high blood pressure, the Post reported. Then he told Pahlawan to follow him, the report said.

When one of the militants drew closer to Pahlawan, her mother raised a water bottle to try and stop him, the report said. The militant then struck her in the face, leaving a purple bruise.

"This should be the last time you roam around without a [male escort]," a fighter told Pahlawan after her mother begged the men to forgive the two women, she recounted to the Post. "Get lost."

The Washington Post investigation  which has spanned months  details the lives of four women living under the Taliban's second rule through phone calls and WhatsApp messages.

The Taliban reclaimed control of Afghanistan following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from the region. After its takeover, the Taliban renamed the country as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reverting back to the same name used during the last time the regime took power, in 1996.

Under the Taliban's rule at that time, women were severely oppressed, facing restrictions like being barred from working or attending schools.

Story continues

This time around, however, the militant group had promised to respect women's rights "within Islamic law." But human rights activists, Afghan women, and the White House were skeptical of the Taliban's vow.

Despite the promise that the Taliban will impose fewer restrictions on women compared to two decades ago, reports from the country indicate women are facing harsh consequences under their control.

Soon after their seizure of Afghanistan's government, for example, Taliban fighters reportedly set an Afghan woman on fire for feeding them "bad cooking," Insider's Joshua Zitser reported. Taliban fighters also instructed a reporter from CNN to step aside while reporting on camera because she's a woman.

One woman who was a judge in Afghanistan told Reuters in September after the Taliban's takeover that she was being hunted down by the same men she had once put in prison.

Read the original article on Business Insider
My grandfather loved the white Bally loafer, which is why I even made a white loafer to begin with, which is insane, said Ballys newly appointed creative director Rhuigi Villasenor, a Filipino immigrant who grew up in Southern Californias San Fernando Valley and without any formal training became a fashion go-to for celebrities and athletes such as Kyle Kuzma, Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z.

Villasenor (who has also been known to rock a white loafer) is set to meet the full Bally team for the first time this weekend, when hell travel to the brand headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland, and spend two weeks of every month there and two weeks in Los Angeles working on his own business, Rhude.

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He started Rhude in 2015, building a mens wear brand based on a casual formality epitomized by such pieces as the traxedo (a track pant with side taping), and expanding to a full range of clothing, footwear, accessories and eyewear, as well as newly into womens wear.

What does this mean as a Filipino? Oh my god, my dad called me in tears. He and his friends have zero to do with fashion, but they were like, what? That for me was an indication this is much bigger than myself and I have to use the responsibility for good, he said, reflecting on the moment.

He succeeds Pablo Coppola, who exited Bally in 2017 after three years, and was the last to hold the role.

Villasenors first collection for the Swiss luxury brand owned by JAB Holding Company will bow for spring 2023.

For me, when I design its always deeply rooted in my personal life so that was the defining factor with me choosing to go with Bally, Villasenor said. Also that they are giving me mens and womens because Im still proving to myself I can do both, he added, noting that in his own business, womens only represents 10 percent of sales.

The chance to work with Bally chief executive officer Nicolas Girotto, whom Villasenor calls a friend, was also a selling point. He told me a street-style photo of me was on the design teams mood board, and finally they said, Why is he on the mood board? Why dont we just get him?'

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Bally was founded as a shoe business in 1851 by Carl Franz Bally, expanding into ready-to-wear in the 1970s. The brand has roots in sport (the boots worn during the first ascent of Mt. Everest were Bally) and the arts, having tapped Charlie Chaplin for an advertising film, painter Otto Baumberger, architect Karl Moser and others as collaborators over the years.

The brands partnerships with artists, that they made the first shoe that landed on the moonwhere is that storytelling now that space exploration is such a thing in our culture? Villasenor said. (Perhaps todays billionaire space explorers might want a Bally moon boot?)

In terms of design vision, hes looking to explore the idea of Switzerland as a land of luxury, but through an L.A. guys eyes. And judging from how business titans, cigars and flashy cars have been part of the Rhude brand DNA, he will likely reflect on Switzerland as a financial center, too.

Im not classically trained, but I have a lot of curiosity which is going to push my ideas forward, Villasenor said.

But more than anything, hes going to rely on heritage and craft, starting with what he hopes will be a new It bag.

Bally is closest to Hermes in quality and heritage.They were formed a few years apart for each other, he said. Its about making sure that existing customer receives an update and creating my own realm within the company.

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BUSAN, South Korea, January 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Busan Metropolitan City is aspiring to host the World Expo 2030 at the Busan North Port which will run from May 1st to the end of October 2030 with the strong support of the Korean government.

By hosting the World Expo 2030 in Busan following the World Expo 2020 Dubai and the World Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, Korea will present a global vision for future paradigm shifts, under the theme of Transforming Our World, Navigating toward a Better Future, with three sub-themes such as a sustainable planet, technology for humanity and platform for sharing and caring.

Currently, the World Expo 2020 Dubai is taking place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, for the first time in the Middle East. The Korean Pavilion, decorated with 1,597 spinning cubes, symbolically demonstrates Korea's dynamism leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution and sharing the future vision with mankind as a whole under the theme of the Smart Korea, Moving the World to You.

Busan is well known as one of the worlds most dynamic cities, which draws attention for its history of transformation from the town of Korean war refugees to the vibrant hub of commerce and culture.

Currently, it serves as a transport and logistics hub having the worlds 2nd largest trans-shipment port which provides easy access thanks to its railways, roads, ports, and airport. At the same time, it is transforming into a global city boasting openness, broad-mindedness, and diversity on the basis of K-Pop, movies, and games, and in the near future, it will also be equipped with the infrastructure to become an eco-friendly smart city with digital technology.

Hosting the World Expo 2030 will make Busan as an inspiring city that leads the historical transformation of Korea once again.

The World Expo 2030 Busan will provide both the right time and the right place for global citizens to gather and start a discourse on grand transformations toward a better future for mankind.

Story continues

The World Expo has been spreading hope and vision to humanity, irrespective of race, region, generation, and gender.

In support of the World Expo 2030 Busan, please join our efforts for Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220116005095/en/

Contacts

Busan Metropolitan City

Minkyu Park

+82-51-888-1312

zenith712@korea.kr
A Central Bucks East senior is one of two Pennsylvania students wholl get to chat with President Joe Biden and learn more about the federal government.

Danika Grieser was chosen to represent the commonwealth in the United States Senate Youth Program alongside 104 delegates from across the country during the programs 60th annual Washington Week in March. The program will be held virtually this year.

The students also have a chance to interview a Supreme Court justice and speak with Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.

Danika, a Princeton University-bound student who plans to study political science, will receive a $10,000 college scholarship from the Hearst Foundations for her undergraduate studies.

Central Bucks East student Danika Grieser was chosen to represent the Commonwealth in the United States Senate Youth Program.

I strongly believe that elected officials should have a firm understanding of the versatility of laws and legislations before coming into office, so I plan on following in my parents' footsteps and attending law school, Danika said of her future plans.

After practicing as an attorney, I would like to run for public office at both the local and federal levels, she said.

State Department of Education Secretary Noe Ortega selected this years delegates.

During Washington Week, held from March 6-9, the student delegates will attend online meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court and leaders of cabinet agencies, among others.

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The students that are chosen rank in the top 1% of their states among high school juniors and seniors.

Danika has earned a 4.0 GPA while serving as her schools class council president, leading the world affairs club and establishing the National History Day club at Central Bucks East.

The daughter of two Army veterans also received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award for outstanding community service as president of Donation Nation and manager of Central Bucks Cares.

The United States Senate Youth Program was created by Senate Resolution 324 in 1962, and has had more than 6,000 delegates since then.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Princeton-bound CB East senior chosen for Senate youth program
RTHK: Blinken says US to pursue Ukraine diplomacy

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Russia could launch a new attack on Ukraine at very short notice but Washington would pursue diplomacy as long as it could.

On a visit to Kyiv to show support for Ukraine, the top US diplomat said Ukrainians should prepare for difficult days. He said Washington would keep providing defence assistance to Kyiv and renewed a promise of severe sanctions against Russia in the event of a new invasion.

The Kremlin said tension around Ukraine was increasing and it was still waiting for a written US response to its sweeping demands for security guarantees from the West.

The pessimistic statements highlighted the gulf between Washington and Moscow as Blinken gears up for a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday that a Russian foreign policy analyst called "probably the last stop before the train wreck".

Blinken promised "relentless diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed aggression and to promote dialogue and peace". He said a Russian build-up of tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border was taking place with "no provocation, no reason."

"We know that there are plans in place to increase that force even more on very short notice, and that gives President (Vladimir) Putin the capacity, also on very short notice, to take further aggressive action against Ukraine," he said.

He did not spell out how quickly Russia might move. Independent security analysts say they do not believe Moscow has so far assembled the logistics and medical units it would need to launch an immediate attack.

Russia has also moved troops to Belarus for what it calls joint military exercises, giving it the option of attacking neighbouring Ukraine from the north, east and south.

It continues to deny any such intention. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine, military manoeuvres and NATO aircraft flights were to blame for rising tension around Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Russia of trying to sow panic in Ukraine. He said diplomacy offered the only way out, and it was an "indestructible principle" that no decisions about Ukraine could be taken without its involvement.

"The basic principle is simple: a strong Ukraine is the best instrument to restrain Russia," he said.

The United States says Russia is threatening its post-Soviet neighbour and may be poised for a new invasion, eight years after it seized Crimea and backed separatist forces who took control of large parts of eastern Ukraine.

Russia says it feels menaced by Kyiv's growing ties with the West. It wants to impose "red lines" to prevent Ukraine ever joining Nato and to get the alliance to pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe. Washington says these demands are "non-starters".

Vladimir Frolov, a former Russian diplomat who is now a foreign policy analyst, said Moscow would not be appeased by a US and Nato offer of arms control talks and was pursuing a much more sweeping rearrangement of the European security order.

"The Lavrov-Blinken meet is probably the last stop before the train wreck. But hopes are dim, the positions are incompatible," he said.

Describing Russia's military deployment in Belarus as a "huge escalation", Frolov gave a dire assessment of the crisis.

"I think barring a US surrender and their delivering Ukraine to Russia, some kind of a military option is all but inevitable now."

Blinken said he would not be presenting a written response to Lavrov in Geneva on Friday - something that Russia has repeatedly demanded.

He said both sides needed to take stock of a series of diplomatic meetings on the crisis last week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Blinken in Kyiv: "I would like to thank you personally and President Biden and the US administration for military support for Ukraine, for increasing this assistance."

President Joe Biden's administration last month approved the provision of an additional US$200 million in defensive security assistance to Ukraine and gave more such aid last year than at any point since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

On Monday, Britain said it had begun supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons to help it defend itself.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called on the West on Wednesday to stop supplying Ukraine with weapons and described the situation around European security as "critical", the Interfax news agency reported. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2022-01-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Oscar-winning director Megan Mylans latest HBO documentary Simple as Water (on Crave in Canada), which has been shortlisted for the 2022 Oscars, tells stories of Syrian refugees in a more personal and intimate way than youve ever seen before.

The film consists of five stories of people in Turkey, Greece, Germany, Syria and the U.S., with a focus on displaced and separated Syrian families affected by the civil war who are trying to stay together and rebuild their lives.

What makes Simple as Water particularly unique is that there is no narrator, no footage of war-torn landscapes and it does not have a focus on politics. This is a completely and entirely human story about family.

Yasmin (right) with her daughter Faten (left) in the HBO documentary "Simple as Water" (Courtesy of HBO)

Mylan recalls watching the exodus out of Syria across the Mediterranean in 2015/2016. The situation made her question how, as human beings, we were allowing people who had just gotten themselves out of a war zone to be put in a position where they had to negotiate with smugglers and risk their familys lives to get to safety.

As the mother of a three-year-old at the time, it was seeing the injustices from the perspective of a parent that really touched her.

It was particularly that point of view of parents wanting to be able to sayto their children, everything is going to be OK, and that we should all have the right to be able to say [that] to our kids, but cant, Mylan told Yahoo Canada.

When [I saw] the photograph of Alan Kurdi, the young Syrian boy whose body washed ashore, I fixated on his shoes. He had these little velcro ties and that very morning I had tried to get my son to do his own velcro I learned that his father had survived and I thought, somebody put those socks and shoes on that child, and now someone has the pain of knowing that he said this is the right thing for us to do and it ended disastrously.

With these thoughts consuming the filmmaker, she saw a primal point of entry to the story, through the family experience.

Muhammad, Fayez, Samra in the HBO documentary "Simple as Water" (Courtesy of HBO)

The Syrian families in 'Simple as Water'

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First we see Yasmin, a young mother of four children who are living in a tent at the Athens port. She is trying to create a safe space for her kids as she attempts to reunite them with their father in Germany.

Samra is a widow who is grappling with the decision to leave her five children at an orphanage in Turkey so they have a chance to get an education and have a better life, but her eldest son in particular, who has taken on a lot of adult responsibilities, does not want to lose his mother.

Omar, 22, lives in Pennsylvania and has taken on the responsibility of the parent to his brother Abed, whose left leg was blown off in a rocket strike in Syria. Omar is trying to help his brother navigate high school while also waiting to hear if they will both be granted asylum in the U.S.

Diaa remained in Syria when others fled and is trying to search for her son who was sent to Egypt but went back to Syria without telling his parents. He has now forcibly disappeared and she is constantly checking social media hoping that he is still alive.

In Germany, Butzbach and roommate Abdullah live in temporary housing and connect over being away from their children, missing milestone moments, anxiously waiting for the day they can hopefully be reunited with their families.

HBO documentary "Simple as Water" (Courtesy of HBO)

'This is something more human'

What is particularly impactful in this documentary is Mylan leaning into the complexity and fragmented nature of story, with multiple stories that never come to a true, tied-up resolution, which is a far more honest depiction of the experiences of these families that do not unfold in a linear track.

For Syrian producer Hazem Obid, while he was happy to work with Mylan, he wasnt particularly excited about the topic of the documentary.

I wasn't really happy about it, my first reaction was, really, no not a film about refugees, Obid told Yahoo Canada. If you're sitting in Germany, back then, [it was] the only thing that you would hear about.

Then we had a conversation, a long conversation This is a film about family, this is something that I don't hear about, [it is] something beyond politics, this is something more human, and it took out my insecurity to talk about it, to work on it.

Yasmin (right) with her children Mohammad (left) and Faten (center) in the HBO documentary "Simple as Water" (Courtesy of HBO)

'It's our future unless things radically change'

Mylan also made the famed 2003 film Lost Boys of Sudan, which follows two Sudanese refugees on their journey to America. The filmmaker highlighted that what makes these stories so compelling is that while they may be complex, particularly politically, there is a basic idea that families should be able to stay together and that children should be able to slowly grow up, and should not be thrusted into adult responsibilities.

In 2000, there were less than 40 million people forcibly displaced globally and now that number has dramatically increased to more than 82 million, the most in history, which includes more than six million Syrian people currently living in exile.

This is our reality, this is our current moment and it's our future unless things radically change, Mylan said. As long as there are conflicts, and increasingly so with climate change, people are going to move to safety and it's going to increasingly be so.

The filmmaker added that we should be asking ourselves questions such as, are we going to demand that policies be put in place to prioritize getting children enrolled in school, even if they are waiting for asylum? Will we offer jobs, education and resources to people to allow them to rebuild their lives when they land?

That's in everybody's self interest, Mylan said. It doesn't even have to be altruistic, it's just how we will have a vibrant society.

I think there's no reason to believe that these trends of increasing displacement are going to diminish or go away, and so I really think it's a question of our priorities of offering safe passage when people are getting out of war zones.
Sam Waardenburg celebrates after sinking one of his five 3-pointers during Miamis blowout of North Carolina on Tuesday night at the Watsco Center.

No answers to be found on the court or solutions uncovered afterward for North Carolina.

Miami trampled the Tar Heels 85-57 in Atlantic Coast Conference basketball Tuesday night at the Watsco Center, the blowout marking North Carolinas worst loss in league play in 10 years, and leaving first-year coach Hubert Davis to sort through the devastation of another meltdown away from Chapel Hill.

The Tar Heels arrived with the chance to gain at least a share of first place in the conference  or sole possession of the top spot pending the Duke-Florida State outcome hours later  but quickly became no match for the league-leading Hurricanes, freefalling behind during a disastrous first half and face-planting into the depths of a 27-point hole by halftime. Miami rolled to its largest margin of victory ever against North Carolina.

We were prepared, Davis said, when asked if any ominous signs emerged in the Tar Heels preparation for the game. Everything that Miami did, it was practiced, it was drilled, it was talked about, it was scouted. We even talked about being in this position to take over first place in the ACC. That every game has major significance, but this one adds a little bit more.

We were prepared. We just didnt play, and thats the frustrating part. That we were prepared, and at this moment Im just not sure why we didnt play.

Isaiah Wong poured in 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Sam Waardenburg delivered a career-high 21 points, and Kameron McGusty supplied 20 points and 10 rebounds to spark the avalanche unleashed by the host Hurricanes (14-4 overall, 6-1 ACC). Wong and Waardenburg bombed away, connecting on a combined 10-for-14 from 3-point range.

Armando Bacot had 15 points and 12 rebounds for visiting North Carolina (12-5, 4-2), his eighth straight double-double, before a scary crash to the court knocked him out of the game with five minutes remaining and Miami on cruise control, leading 77-51. Davis said Bacot hurt an elbow and his hip in the hard landing on his back side after challenging Miamis driving Charlie Moore, but perhaps couldve returned had things not been so lopsided.

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Miami hit the Tar Heels with runs of 14-0 and 10-0 during the first half, and scored nine straight points to build its commanding 47-22 lead by halftime, North Carolinas largest halftime deficit in 12 years. Wongs four-point play  he drilled a 3-pointer, got fouled by North Carolinas Kerwin Walton and sank the free throw  put the Hurricanes ahead 62-30 six minutes into the second half.

We just have to change our whole mindset, Tar Heels guard RJ Davis said. Theres no walk-in-the-park kind of games. Theres no easy game for us. Thats our main thing moving forward, somethings got to change.

North Carolina coach Hubert Davis, left, looks on beside the teams director of recruiting Pat Sullivan on Tuesday night.

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North Carolina is 9-0 in home games this season. Combining neutral-site matchups and road assignments, the Tar Heels dropped to 3-5 away from the Smith Center. And the pounding Miami administered on this night in Coral Gables, Fla., registered on the same disturbing scale as jarring non-conference losses to Tennessee (by 89-72 in November) and Kentucky (by 98-69 last month).

RJ Davis said it kind of felt like the Tennessee and Kentucky beatings.

What must happen for North Carolina to fix these recurring nightmares?

Thats a great question, Hubert Davis said, shaking his head. At this moment, I dont know. At times throughout the year, I feel like there has been a change in mentality, in effort and in toughness. And then we have a game like this.

Just very disappointed. Very disappointed in our fight, competitiveness, our effort. Just very disappointed.

Here are more takeaways from Tuesday night:

UNC supporting cast shrinks

Coming off back-to-back 29-point performances in a pair of decisive victories, Bacot had more offensive fouls (two) than made baskets (one) on Tuesday night in the first half against Miami.

While it wasnt anything resembling a preferred start for North Carolinas chief weapon, the Tar Heels other main contributors mostly turned up missing. Remove Bacots 6-for-9 effort from the field, and North Carolinas shooting dipped from a season-low 33.8 percent to an even worse 28.6 percent (16-for-56).

North Carolina, the ACCs top-ranked team in 3-point shooting percentage, went just 6-for-30 from beyond the arc. Caleb Love, RJ Davis and Brady Manek, the Tar Heels most productive scorers behind Bacot on the season, combined on 7-for-30 shooting from the field.

I think we need, as a collective group, to bring our own energy and rely on each other, RJ Davis said.

Miamis Jordan Miller, bottom, draws an offensive foul on North Carolina forward Armando Bacot during Tuesday nights game.

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Surprise, its Sam Waardenburg

Miami features the ACCs best scoring duo in Wong and McGusty, the slashing guards whose big outputs against North Carolina didnt register as unexpected. The 6-foot-10 Waardenburg, a sixth-year senior forward, did prove to be a surprise, though.

He zoomed past his season average of 7.1 points per game during the games opening 8 minutes, and nearly eclipsed his previous career high of 18 points in the first half.

Waardenburg had 12 successful 3s in 15 games on the season entering Tuesday night. He erupted and went 4-for-4 from 3-point range in the first half against the Tar Heels, then nailed his fifth 3 without a miss 55 seconds into the second half. He finished 7-for-9 from the field, his other buckets two driving dunks after pump-faking Manek and Bacot off their feet near the 3-point line.

One of the things that we talked about is Miami does a really good job shot-faking, Hubert Davis said. We went for a number of shot fakes and allowed them to penetrate and get to the basket.

Miami guard Isaiah Wong glides to the basket against North Carolina on Tuesday night.

'Flat-out embarrassing': Armando Bacot frustrated, apologetic as UNC falls at Notre Dame

NFL exits: Joshua Ezeudu joins draft departures as UNC will have to retool offensive line next season

'Dear Carolina': Record-setting Sam Howell says goodbye to UNC, declares for NFL Draft

Plenty of NCAA tourney work ahead

While unranked in the Top 25 polls, North Carolina had climbed to No. 24 in the Pomeroy Ratings, an extensive college basketball database, and reached the No. 7 seed line in some projections for the NCAA Tournament field.

The blowout loss at Miami on Tuesday night clearly isnt helpful for the Tar Heels NCAA credentials, and turns Saturday nights visit to Wake Forest all the more important. North Carolinas home-and-away matchups against Virginia Tech (Jan. 24, Feb. 19) and Duke (Feb. 5, March 5), and home game against Florida State on Feb. 12, figure to be resume weighty, too.

Big Four and More: Subscribe to our newsletter that delivers ACC coverage from our USA TODAY Network team of reporters to your email

Adam Smith is a sports reporter for the Burlington Times-News and USA TODAY Network. You can reach him by email at asmith@thetimesnews.com or @adam_smithTN on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Times-News: UNC basketball: Miami leaves Tar Heels with worst ACC loss in 10 years
SOUTH KINGSTOWN  The University of Rhode Islands new president is asking the board of trustees to revoke the honorary degrees awarded to Michael Flynn and Rudy Giuliani because the two men no longer reflect the institutions values and standards.

The recommendation by URI President Marc Parlange, who arrived here in August, is an about-face from former URI President David M. Dooley, who did not forward a recommendation to the board of trustees regarding Flynns honorary degree.

At the time, URI spokeswoman Linda Acciardo said the trustees did not take a position on this issue.

He is not forwarding a recommendation to the trustees," Acciardo said last summer. "The degree stands.

Previously: URI lets Michael Flynn keep his honorary degree

Controversial comments: Michael Flynn is back in the news. Will URI repeal honorary degree it gave him in 2014?

In a letter to the trustees, who are scheduled to vote on the item Friday, Parlange wrote that the universitys honorary degree committee voted on Dec. 10 to revoke their honorary degrees based on their findings that General Flynn and (former New York City) Mayor Giuliani no longer represent the highest level of our values and standards that were evident when we first bestowed the degree.

Flynn, the former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was the national security advisor under Trump. He resigned in 2017 amid reports that he did not provide Vice President Mike Pence with accurate information about a conversation that he had with a Russian ambassador concerning sanctions against the country.

Giuliani was subpoenaed this week by the House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection because he and other members of Trumps legal team filed bogus legal challenges to the 2020 election that supported the lie that the presidential election was stolen.

In Congress: Rudy Giuliani, other Trump backers who pushed voter fraud claims subpoenaed by Jan 6 committee

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Why did URI's new president decide to recommend revoking Giuliani and Flynn's honorary degrees:

Rhode Island native Michael Flynn

Flynn pleaded guilty on two occasions to a felony count of willfully and knowingly lying to the FBI in exchange for a plea agreement. In June 2021 at a conference in Dallas, Flynn appeared to suggest that a military coup was needed. In November 2021 during a rally in San Antonio, Flynn called for the creation of one religion in the United States, which was widely condemned as a violation of the First Amendment.

Giuliani, Parlange wrote, participated in the Jan. 6 rally that led to the assault on the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Giuliani's words encouraged domestic terrorist behavior aimed at preventing Congress from certifying the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, Parlange wrote.

From 2017: Michael Flynn's guilty plea brings Mueller investigation to Trump inner circle

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Giuliani has been suspended from practicing law in both Washington D.C. and New York state over his unfounded claims of rampant fraud during the 2020 presidential election, Parlange wrote.

The letter to the trustees also says that the courts have found evidence that Giuliani has made false and misleading statements in connection with Trumps failed reelection efforts.

Jan. 6 timeline: A year ago, Americans stormed the US Capitol. How a horrific day unfolded.

As a civic institution, URI has the privilege and responsibility to sustain and preserve American democracy by insuring and modeling good citizenship, Parlange wrote. Revoking these honorary degrees reinforces our values and allows us to lead with truth and integrity.

URI honored Flynn in 2014, conferring upon him the Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa.

Giuliani was awarded the Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa in June 2003 in conjunction with a reception at the International Scholar Athlete Hall of Fame.

Linda Borg covers education for the Journal.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: URI president: Revoke Mike Flynn, Rudy Giuliani's honorary degrees
The yearlong quest to enact new voting rights legislation ended in the Senate on Wednesday, with Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) siding with the 50 Republicans against changing Senate filibuster rules to allow the bill to pass.

The failure of the bill marked a bitter disappointment for Democrats, who argued its passage was all that stood in the way of a new era of voter suppression laws in Republican-led states on the inspiration of ex-President Donald Trumps election lies. Those new laws amount to Jim Crow 2.0, President Joe Biden said on Jan. 11, with states making it harder to vote, and making partisan decisions about whether your vote counts at all.

With the Senates failure to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, those laws  limiting voting access and, in Georgia, enabling partisans to purge local election boards  will remain on the books for the foreseeable future.

The votes capped a long day of speeches that recalled an institution of yesteryear, with most senators physically in their seats, listening intently to colleagues on both sides of the aisle and even occasionally engaging in real debate with each other on a piece of legislation  a rare sight for the so-called worlds greatest deliberative body.

The House-passed version of the legislation is a combination of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It would have set federal guidelines for voter access requiring states to allow early and absentee voting, online and automatic voter registration, make Election Day a holiday and restore voting rights to ex-felons, among other things.

The bill also would have restored sections of the historic Voting Rights Act gutted by Supreme Court decisions in 2013 and 2021, and would have provided an affirmative right to vote and access to the ballot that could be enforced in court. In addition, the measure contained limits on partisan gerrymandering and a ban on undisclosed dark money in elections.

Story continues

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) promised that

Voting rights legislation was always going to clash with the filibuster when it came to the Senate. Filibuster rules require 60 votes to begin and end debate for most legislation before moving to a final vote. Since Democrats control just 50 votes and Republicans are almost universally opposed to voting rights legislation, the only way to win passage was to change the filibuster rules.

Early on, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) declared that everything is on the table in the effort to pass voting rights legislation. Schumer announced plans to use the so-called nuclear option of changing the Senate rules in the middle of a Senate session on a simple majority vote in order to alter the filibuster enough to allow voting rights to pass. This is what both the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell did in 2013 and 2017, respectively, to eliminate the filibuster for judicial and executive branch nominations.

Schumers proposed filibuster rule change would require the filibustering minority to actually talk to block a bill while holding a minimum of 41 senators on the floor at any given time. When they ceased talking or failed to hold 41 senators on the floor, a simple majority could vote to pass the bill under consideration. This change would only apply to this one vote only.

Isnt the protection of voting rights and preventing their diminution more important than a rule in the Senate? Schumer asked Wednesday in a speech aimed at Manchin and Sinema, with nearly every Democrat seated at their desks in a rare scene on the Senate floor.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), meanwhile, warned that a partisan filibuster rule change would break the Senate, dismissing Democrats calls to protect voting rights as fake hysteria. He went on to call Wednesday in all likelihood the most important day in the history of the Senate as an institution.

The proposed rules change was the closest Democrats got to Manchins supposed interest in restoring a talking filibuster, while providing a path for the bill to pass. However, Manchin drove the final nail in the coffin on that idea Wednesday after hours of lengthy speeches on the Senate floor, with many of his colleagues speaking passionately on behalf of acting to protect voting rights.

Eliminating the filibuster would be the easy way out, Manchin said, suggesting lawmakers focus on possible areas of agreement, such as reforms to the way electoral votes are counted. I cannot support such a perilous course. ... Its time we do the hard work to forge the difficult compromises that can stand the test of time.

Placing a hand on his heart, Manchin then turned to his fellow Democrats and asked them to respect his opinion against pushing through rule changes on a partisan basis.

Throughout 2021, Manchin and Sinema stated their opposition to eliminating or weakening the filibuster. Manchin even announced his opposition to the House-passed voting rights bill, the For The People Act, in June.

But Democrats continued holding hope after Manchin agreed to negotiate a compromise voting rights bill with seven other senators that he said could win Republican support.

After co-writing the bill, Manchin then tried to pitch it to Republicans with no success. He also tried to get Republicans to support the House-passed John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore the Voting Rights Act, but only gained one GOP co-sponsor, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) are set to side with all 50 Republicans voting against changing the Senate's filibuster rules to pass voting rights legislation they claim to support. (Photo: Kent Nishimura via Getty Images)

Manchins heavy involvement in crafting and selling the voting rights bills led Democrats to believe that he would be open to potential filibuster changes when the time came. He even engaged in extended conversations with Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) about possible reform options.

But, in the end, Manchin remained opposed to changing the Senate rules without Republican support. Sinema also doubled down by announcing her opposition to filibuster reform in a speech on the Senate floor just moments before Biden arrived to pitch the Democratic caucus on it.

This doomed the push for voting rights legislation and consigns voters in the GOP-run states that passed restrictive election legislation to jump through extra hoops to register to vote and cast their ballots.

After Wednesday night, Democrats will be left to hopelessly pray that a Supreme Court packed with Trump-appointed conservatives, who just months ago gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 for a second time in the past 10 years, strikes down these restrictive state election laws. Failing that, Democrats will have to out-organize those laws in 2022, 2024 and beyond.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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On view until 13 February 2022. Nine years after the hugely successful exhibition Cezanne and the Past: Tradition and Creativity, the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest hosts another show linked to Cezanne. It explores the connections between the uvre of the French master and French Avant-garde art from 1906 to 1930.

The exhibition takes a new approach to Paul Cezannes uvre by looking at points of connection between the French master and several important classical Avant-garde artists.



While Cezanne and the Past in 20122013 focused on the meeting points between the great predecessors (e.g., Michelangelo, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini and Nicolas Poussin) and Paul Cezannes works, the new exhibition examines the constructive artistic trends that emerged in the first half of the twentieth century.



Cezannes art has been attracting the attention of contemporary fine artists, writers, poets, philosophers and art historians ever since his first Parisian exhibition of 1895 and the monography exhibition organised after his death at the Parisian Autumn Salon of 1907.



Our present exhibition seeks to establish the extent of and reasons for the relevance of Cezanne and the art historical relations associated with him to the present time. Cezannes uvre is one of the pillars of modern art.



His lifes work in the areas of composition, visual effect and capturing reality served as the starting point for Avant-garde strivings after 1885.



The exhibition, which is emphatically not aimed at documenting the history of the masters impact  examines the multifaceted interrelations between the great master of Aix and Russian, Dutch, German and Hungarian Constructive/Concrete artistic trends manifest in the context of form, composition, structure and colour.



Besides works by Cezanne, visitors can see those by masters of De Stijl (Piet Mondrian, Theo van Doesburg and Vilmos Huszar), Russian Avant-garde artists (Kazimir Malevich, Aleksander Rodchenko, Antoine Pevsner and Mikhail Larionov) and artists who participated in the Bauhaus (Paul Klee, Lyonel Feininger, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and Sandor Bortnyik).



The exhibition parading some 120 paintings, sculptures, drawings, watercolours and prints displays works from the museums own holdings as well as loans by the worlds prominent museums and private collections.



The exhibited works are organised around several topics. Visitors can first learn about the role Cezannes native town of Aix-en-Provence played in his art, and then about his relationship with the Impressionists and about his circle of friends (Zola, Pissarro, Monet, Guillaumin and Renoir).



The section titled The Ways Have Parted explores the various interpretations of Cezannes uvre after the masters death, including landscape interpretations as well as the connection between Cubism (Picasso, Leger and Braque) and Cezanne, the development and trends of abstraction, as well as the links between Cezannes art and the Russian Avant-garde.



The works displayed alongside each other  in pairs and sequences  highlight the visual and intellectual junctures between works by Cezanne and those by Piet Mondrian, Paul Klee, Lyonel Feininger, Sandor Bortnyik, Vilmos Huszar, Mikhail Larionov, Kazimir Malevich and Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart.



Breaking with the previous spelling, the painters name is used without an accent both in the exhibition and in the catalogue. Cezanne was born in Provence, and in the Provencal language the letter e without an accent is pronounced in the same way as the one with an accent in French.



The artist himself used his name without an accent in his letters and when signing his works. The version with an accent  Cezanne  was only used by his wife, Hortense Fiquet, and his son, Paul Cezanne Jr. from the 1890s, most likely to leave no doubt as to the pronunciation of the name for Parisians and others not coming from Provence.



Source: Museum of Fine Arts Budapest

Address: 1146 Budapest, Dozsa Gyorgy ut 41.

Phone number: +36 1 469 7100





Photo: Paul Cezanne Aix-en-Provence, 1839  Aix-en-Provence, 1906
Lakmusz.hu, the first fact-checking website in Hungary, was launched last week as the result of an EU project with an initial duration of 15 months, according to a report by Euraktiv.com.

The European Commission awarded the project to France's state-owned AFP, Hungarian website 444.hu and the Media Universalis Foundation.



AFP will primarily provide training and know-how to a team of local journalists from an investigative background. In recent years, AFP has developed an international network of fact-checkers.



In Hungary, the agency is Facebook's leading partner in the fight against disinformation.
The European Unions decision to withhold Poland and Hungarys coronavirus recovery funding clearly is politically motivated, Hungarian Finance Minister Mihaly Varga said on the sidelines of a meeting of EU finance ministers (Ecofin) in Brussels on Tuesday.

Hungary was one of the first countries to submit a recovery plan last May, Varga noted. But after the Hungarian parliament passed amendments to its child protection law in June, which European Union institutions said was discriminatory against LGBTQ people, the European Commission judged the Hungarian plan on a political basis, he said.



Paolo Gentiloni, the EU Commissioner for Economy, said at the talks on Tuesday that the issue of discrimination in Hungarian public education was one of the main reasons to withhold Hungarian recovery funding, Varga said.



Hungary finds that unacceptable. The European Commissions actions are harming fair competition, he said.



The European Union has already disbursed 50 million euros to other countries, enabling them to put their own companies and other economic players at an advantage, and harming the interests of Hungarian companies in the process, he said.



Hungary is entitled to that money, and we see delays as a step against the Hungarian economy, Varga said.



At the same time, Hungary is now in a situation where it could avoid taking out loans from the International Monetary Fund or the EU, and is successfully financing itself, he said. This has boosted the countrys ratings, he added.



Regarding the ECs upcoming economic forecast in February, Varga said the forecast was likely to confirm that Hungary had returned to a trajectory of good, stable and balanced growth, he said.



At the same time, the state debt and deficit, albeit shrinking, are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, he said. Regarding the EUs corporate minimum tax, Varga noted Hungarys considerable achievements at the talks at the debate last year.



Hungary achieved that certain companies could fall under special taxing requirements, rather than a blanket implementation of the EU corporate minimum tax, he said. The countries would also have a ten-year transitional period, he said.



Currently, Hungary holds the view that the ruling on the corporate minimum tax should not be introduced in January 2023 as planned, he said. Speed cannot come before deliberation, he said.



After the implementation, Hungarian companies will face no tax raises, and will continue to pay the lowest corporate taxes in Europe, he said.





MTI Photo: Marton Monus
RTL and TV2 have not yet declared whether they will broadcast political ads during the campaign period, but several major media companies have already indicated that they will not.

This is presumably because, unlike in print and online media, they must either broadcast ads for free or not at all, notes HVG.



The press departments of both RTL and ATV said to HVG that they could only answer later on regarding broadcasting political ads, while several channels have already indicated that they will not run political ads.



HVG contacted the commercial director of HirTV, but did not receive a response.



State media is required by law to broadcast spots for all candidates.



After Janos Ader announced the election for April 3, the online and print media had to send their price list to the State Audit Office (ASZ) by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.



After a law passed by the Orban government, no national commercial channel wanted to provide campaign space free of charge in 2014. RTL Klub later became the only one to do so, remarks HVG.



This legal requirement is completely different for the online and print media, where the only condition is that none of the candidates can receive a discount from the list prices announced in advance to the ASZ, as that would constitute campaign financing.
Another delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 has arrived in Hungary, the local unit of Pfizer said on Tuesday.

The delivery  the fourth one of the vaccine for young children  was of 54,000 jabs.



Pfizer started delivering the jabs for young children to Hungary in the middle of December.





MTI Photo: Zoltan Mathe
YORK  Jeanette McLean was presented the Woman Owned Business Award by the York Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

This award is given annually to a business that is owned by a woman and is based on length of time in business.

Those who nominated McLean for this female-owned business award said, She has always had a passion for the beef industry ever since she met her husband, Max, back in 1977. Working as the bookkeeper for M Farm Inc., Jeanette began to hear from others the need for good quality beef. Through prayer and determination, Jeanette decided to take the leap and began offering locally raised Nebraska beef.

In 1999, Mclean Beef started with the mission to provide people with quality corn-fed dry-aged Nebraska beef, the nominators said. McLean Beef started as a small business selling only quarters, halves and wholes, and quickly grew to also selling individual retail cuts. The business kept growing. They created a website and soon after, shipping McLean beef all over the United States became a reality. This entire business took place right there at the family feedlot. Jeanette had freezers full of beef in the office that people could stop by and purchase. She picked up leftover dry ice from the local grocery stores early in the mornings so she could pack up McLean Beef boxes to be shipped, with the mailing labels printed right there at the office, they continued. Then every Monday and Tuesday, Jeanette would take those packages to a local UPS drop off-site in York.

In addition to the retail store at the feed yard, they said, Jeanette attended local farmer's markets. Continually educating the consumer about the beef industry is important to Jeanette. Fast forward to 2020 and a global pandemic. McLean Beef quickly realized beef demand was high but limited locker space was an issue. Jeanette became more passionate than ever to move forward with her dream of owning her own butcher shop/retail store. With the help of the York County Development Corporation and many others, Jeanette began to look for buildings. Through lots of prayers, God provided the place and the people. Jeanette had the vision and was instrumental in the entire planning process, from the commercial kitchen to the designing of the retail store to the beef vending machine.

The York location of McLean Beef was opened in September, 2021.
YORK  Each year, the York Area Chamber of Commerce gives the Outstanding Small Business Award to a local company that has shown longevity, growth, ingenuity and sustainability.

This years Outstanding Small Business Award has been given to JWs Catering in York.

The award was presented Tuesday during the York Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

Jerry and Melanie Wilkinson have been an important part of the York community for a number of years, said those who nominated the business. They have expanded their business over the past 20 years and are the perfect example of how a small business grows from the ground up.

Twenty years ago, Jerry Wilkinson started JWs Catering with a food truck and a small licensed catering kitchen, with the first location on North Division Avenue. He built his breakfast/lunch route by adding local manufacturing company clients over the years and at the same time expanded his reputation into the catering world.

Throughout the decades, JWs Catering has served huge crowds in many locations and for many events throughout the state, including Nebraska Cornhuskers Memorial Stadium and the Nebraska State Fair. And the catering bookings followed.

Three years ago, Jerry and Melanie decided they had well overgrown their location and facilities and decided to make a significant investment into the York community by purchasing a property on North Lincoln Avenue and building a large, new industrial catering facility that also includes a store front, explained Madonna Mogul, executive director of the York Area Chamber of Commerce. That store front (which was opened in 2019 as a venue for providing to-go meals, desserts and frozen JWs products) proved to be a saving grace during the first months of the pandemic in 2020, as their already existing carry-out business allowed them to continue creative ways to keep their business going during that trying time.

Despite the challenges in the last two years, JWs Catering continues to be very busy with bookings full through this year and moving into 2023.

Most recently, they decided to make another investment in York County, by purchasing the Stone Creek Event Center in McCool Junction. With a full slate of bookings handled by their marketer/manager, Sarah Naber, Stone Creek has become another important layer of their business and a wedding destination for couples throughout the state.

Along the way, JWs has been a strong supporter of local youth programs, including 4-H and FFA, as well as providing many food donations for community and private fundraisers, Mogul added. JWs has an amazing, professional staff, employing individuals from throughout the area, including from York, McCool Junction, Waco, Stromsburg and Bradshaw.
Sometimes, numbers are cold, cruel, impersonal. Other times, they are a measuring stick, telling a story of character, longing, a lifes work.

Both cases were true Friday in a Douglas County courtroom.

First, the cold and cruel facts: A 28-year-old Omaha man was driving 106 mph in a 45 mph zone on West Dodge Road when he crashed into a Toyota Camry driven by Jim Yungbluth  a 63-year-old husband, father, longtime Omaha musician and Nebraska Furniture Mart employee.

Yungbluth  described as one of the nicest men to walk the Earth in his obituary  died at the scene.

Driver John Caillaus blood alcohol content measured .41% about 45 minutes after the crash. That is five times the legal limit of .08% for driving.

Those numbers were so staggering that Judge Horacio Wheelock raised his voice as he repeated them.

The court cannot ignore the fact that Mr. John Caillau was driving at ONE HUNDRED SIX MILES PER HOUR on Dodge Street at 4:03 a.m. July 9, Wheelock said loudly.

Wheelock said he also could not ignore the staggering blood alcohol content. The first blood draw taken at the hospital was .41%. The second, hours later, measured .26%. Either one blew away Nebraskas legal limit, Wheelock noted.

Wheelock then delivered the cold, hard terms of Caillaus sentence: 16 to 20 years in prison, a term that is cut in half under state law. Twenty was the maximum the judge could give Caillau for motor vehicle homicide.

At that, Caillaus mom burst into tears.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, she said as her son was led away in handcuffs. I cant believe this.

One could have heard the same reaction from Yungbluths relatives the morning of July 9.

And that is where the numbers begin to tell a story of longing. July 9 was the 25th birthday of Yungbluths youngest daughter, Cassidy. It was two days shy of Jim and Becky Yungbluths 29th wedding anniversary. Nine months shy of when Jim Yungbluth would have walked his oldest daughter, Carey, down the aisle for her wedding. Of when father and daughter would have shared a dance to the song Jim Yungbluth sang his daughters before bedtime.

You are my sunshine, Carey said. It was his song for us.

Yungbluth had so much brightness left to give Omaha. The bandmate and music lover had a fitting nickname. Childhood buddies dubbed him Chunga because, they said, he looked exactly like the cover photo on Frank Zappas third album, Chungas Revenge.

Speaking of numbers, Chunga, a drummer and harmonica player, played in more bands than his wife could count. The bands spanned an assortment of classic names: The Eggmen, The Hornets, Jared and the Blues Teachers, The Good Guys, Front Porch Blues and OLUS (Old Like Us).

Like any good dad, he had nicknames for his daughters, eventually calling his oldest daughter by the name of a famous blues harmonica player.

She was Cass, Carey said of her little sister, and I was his Carey Bell.

Yungbluth also had a motto, passed down from his dad, Loyson Joe Yungbluth.

Be good, kind and careful. Sweet and lovable.

Joe Yungbluth lived that motto while a caretaker and property manager at Boys Town  where the Yungbluth children grew up.

Later, Jim Yungbluth had his childhood home moved, via stilts, down West Dodge Road to a lot he bought in Waterloo. He and Becky raised their two daughters there, and the Yungbluth home was the gathering place for family celebrations.

From Waterloo, Jim Yungbluth traveled Dodge daily, showing up for his 4 a.m. to noon shift to make sure delivery vans were loaded with Omahas furniture. He worked for 38 years at Nebraska Furniture Mart, the past several as a warehouse supervisor.

Becky said her husband had the countdown going. That Friday, July 9, he had 255 days until retirement. A long post-work life was a real possibility, too. Dad Joe died five years ago at age 96.

Then an aunt showed up at both Yungbluth daughters workplaces that morning. Cassidy said she had a horrible feeling but hoped against hope that she was just there to cart her away for a surprise 25th birthday party.

It was the wrong kind of surprise, she said.

That morning, Yungbluth was going east on Dodge at 90th Street, less than 2 miles from the Mart.

Caillau, meanwhile, had been out of work from his job at Oriental Trading Co. because of a foot injury. His attorney, Michael Fitzpatrick, said he had been reeling from a breakup with a fiancee of a couple of years.

Fitzpatrick repeatedly emphasized that Caillau had no adult criminal record. In November 2020, he was the subject of a police report that described him as being ejected from a vehicle that nearly hit a pedestrian and crashed into bushes in Sanibel Island, Florida. No arrests were made in that case.

In this case, Caillau drank at least a half-pint of vodka and blacked out, Fitzpatrick said.

Others questioned whether Caillau really blacked out. The cars internal diagnostics noted that it was going over 100 mph for a couple of miles before the crash.

Fitzpatrick said Caillau had no memory of the crash. He has been overwhelmed with grief, Fitzpatrick said.

For his part, Caillau turned to Yungbluths family in court and apologized: Theres nothing I can say to any of you to make any of this right. I completely understand if you guys hate me ... I just ask if you can find it in your hearts to forgive me ... I understand its not likely  If I were in your situation, I probably wouldnt either.

His voice trailed.

Ryan Lindberg, the prosecutor, said he wished he hadnt had to watch surveillance video that captured the devastating crash. At 106 mph  operating essentially as a missile, according to Lindberg  Caillaus 2018 Chevy Equinox vaulted Yungbluths 1998 Camry into the concrete barrier of a bus stop, flipping it on his roof.

By the time medics arrived, Yungbluth had died.

Its hard to understand how this loss has affected and will continue to affect this family, Lindberg said. As one of his sisters put it, it was the loss of a common man who was uncommonly good.

Brother-in-law Bud Sachs  one of more than 30 family members and friends who showed up for Fridays sentencing hearing  vouched for that. He called Chunga a true free spirit, a musician with a heart to match it.

Not a mean bone in his body, Sachs said.

He thumbed through his phone for a photo of Chunga, eventually settling on one. Standing next to Becky, Yungbluth had a slight grin between his salt-and-pepper mustache and beard. Crows feet framed his soft brown eyes.

Such a good man, Sachs said. God always takes the good ones too soon.
Two Omaha business owners were sentenced to prison on Friday for violating worker safety standards before a 2015 explosion that left two of their employees dead.

Brothers Steven and Adam Braithwaite and their company, Nebraska Railcar Cleaning Services, pleaded guilty in July to a litany of federal charges.

Steven Braithwaite, who served as president of NRCS, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating a worker safety standard causing a worker death and one count of knowingly endangering others by violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. He will serve 30 months in prison.

Adam Braithwaite, vice president of the company, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating a worker safety standard causing death, two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation and one count of perjury. He will serve one year and one day in prison.

NRCS pleaded guilty to all 21 of the counts with which it was charged.

The Braithwaites have each been ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. Additionally, the brothers and the company must serve five years of probation and pay a $21,000 fine.

According to a federal indictment, on April 14, 2015, workers were removing petroleum residue from inside a rail tanker car near First and Hickory streets in Omaha when a spark ignited and caused a deadly explosion.

Despite the fact that a safety data sheet identified the petroleum residue as highly flammable and containing benzene, a known carcinogen, workers were sent into the car without testing for benzene levels.

The tanker car had been tested for explosive gas levels prior to the employees entering. The test showed that the explosive gas levels greatly exceeded the acceptable levels established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to the indictment.

About an hour after the workers were sent into the car, its contents exploded, killing Adrian LaPour, 44, and Dallas Foulk, 40. A third man, Joe Coschka, was knocked off the car but escaped serious injury.

The companys troubles predated the explosion, according to the indictment. In 2013, OSHA completed an inspection of NRCS after receiving health and safety complaints from employees. One of multiple violations was a lack of monitoring of atmospheric conditions  such as the presence of benzene  while employees were in confined spaces.

Steven Braithwaite signed a corrective action agreement with OSHA in 2015, certifying that benzene tubes were being used to test tanker cars at least every hour while employees were inside and before their entry, according to the indictment. But when OSHA came back to conduct a follow-up inspection in March 2015, it was denied entry.

On the same day that OSHA was denied entry, Adam Braithwaite placed NRCSs first-ever order of benzene tubes, according to the indictment. OSHA then requested a plethora of records from NRCS, including invoices for benzene tubes.

A week before the explosion, Adam Braithwaite emailed OSHA falsified records that showed that the company bought benzine tubes in June 2014, according to the indictment. In an OSHA interview after the explosion, Adam Braithwaite falsely stated under oath that NRCS began using benzene tubes immediately after the 2013 OSHA inspection.

Tragically, two workers suffered preventable deaths because of the defendants failure to follow the law, Todd Kim, assistant attorney general of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division, said in a news release. Todays sentence provides a measure of justice for them and their families.
AT&T and Verizon Communications to pause 5G services that will bring faster wireless service to tens of millions of people. On January 18, the companies agreed to temporarily defer turning on some wireless towers near the key airports to avert significant disruption to U.S. flights.

President Joe Biden hailed the agreement, saying "it will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled." But airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that new restrictions would still prompt some flight disruptions as a result of the 5G service, which Verizon and AT&T are to launch on January 19. Delta Air Lines said while the wireless moves were a positive development, some flight restrictions may remain.

The FAA has warned that 5G wireless interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments such as radio altimeters and significantly hamper low-visibility operations. It further said it anticipated some impacts due to the limitations of some radio altimeters. As per sources, Verizon will temporarily not turn on about 500 towers near airports, or less than 10% of their planned deployment, while the carriers and the administration work on a permanent solution, sources briefed on the matter said. Details of the agreement, including the length of the pause, were not disclosed. Both Verizon and AT&T will launch 5G elsewhere in the country.

Read also: Be extra cautious while landing near 5G service airports, Boeing to airlines

Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement that "the FAA has a process in place to assess altimeter performance in the 5G environment and resolve any remaining concerns. It is essential that the FAA now complete this process with both care and speed." This is the third time that AT&T and Verizon agreed to delay the deployment of the new C-Band 5G wireless service. The companies in November postponed deployment by 30 days until January 5 and then agreed to delay deployment until January 19. Nearly all but a handful of the impacted sites are Verizon towers, officials said.

Despite the agreement, major foreign carriers including Air India and Japan's biggest airline, ANA Holdings, said they had canceled some U.S.-bound flights because of possible 5G interference. ANA on its website said it had canceled some Boeing 777 flights after Boeing "announced flight restrictions on all airlines operating the Boeing 777 aircraft." Boeing did not immediately comment.

Airlines are likely to cancel some additional flights in the coming hours as they wait for formal guidance from the FAA on the announcements from Verizon and AT&T. They warned Monday of "catastrophic" impacts. The chief executives of major U.S. passenger and cargo carriers said the new 5G service could render a significant number of widebody aircraft unusable, "could potentially strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas" and cause chaos for U.S. flights.

Read also: This Chinese electric car is has more sales than all of Tesla in China

The airlines asked "that 5G be implemented everywhere in the country except within the approximate 2 miles (3.2 km) of airport runways" at some key airports. Verizon`s rollout plan is much more aggressive than AT&T`s. It is significantly impacted by the Biden administration's request to delay using some towers near airport runways.

AT&T and Verizon won significant C-Band spectrum in an $80 billion auction last year. Verizon Chief Executive Hans Vestberg told employees on January 4 the carrier saw no aviation safety issue with 5G and had resisted prior delays, officials said.

With inputs from Reuters

Live TV

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New Delhi: Global tours and travel company Cox and Kings is yet again under the scanner for its alleged manipulation of the balance sheet that goes back to the year 2010.

As per a report published in the Indian Express, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police investigation has found that the travel firm had in 2010 created 15 fake travel agent companies. It also opened separate bank accounts for each of the 15 companies, obtained PAN numbers and sold tickets to them for two years.

However, all the transactions pertaining to the sale of tickets were only on paper to hide the financials of Cox & Kings and its subsidiaries, reported the paper.

The investigation has also reportedly found that these 15 fictitious customers were also used to rotate funds between Cox and Kings and Ezeego One Travels and Tours Ltd. Ezeego is an affiliate of Cox and Kings and its promoters.

The EOW investigation found that at least 5,911.32 crores were transferred from the travel firm to other companies between 2013 and 2019 where Kerkar has direct interest.

It may be recalled that in 2020, Cox and Kings Promoter Peter Kerkar was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged loan default and money laundering case pertaining to Yes Bank. The case pertains to the ED's money laundering probe in which the central probe agency had said it had found that Yes Bank had a total outstanding amount of 3,642 crore against Cox & Kings Group of Companies (CKG).

ED had also arrested the CFO and internal auditor of Cox & Kings Group in connection with the Yes Bank case. CFO Anil Khandelwal and Promoter Peter Kerkar are both behind the bars currently while the latest findings of the EOW forms a part of the 2020 case.

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New Delhi: Indians are celebrating the Life Insurance Nationalisation Day by trending the hashatg - #LICtheGREAT - on Twitter. For the unversed, the Indian government, on January 19, 1956, had natinolised the countrys life insurance sector, a move that subsequently led to the birth of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India, on September 1, 1956.

The step to nationalise the life insurance sector was taken by then Union Finance Minister, CD Deshmukh. 66 days years down the history lane, the countrys largest life insurance company is all set to launch its intial public offering (IPO).

On the Life Insurance Nationalisation Day, #LICtheGREAT has been trending on Twitter, in whatc could be a positive sign ahead of the largest IPO the country has ever witnessed.

Su Venkatesan, Member of Parliament from Madurai, said on Twitter, Jan 19  1956 Life Insurance Nationalisation day. The day Banyan seeds were sown 66 years ago. Grown very big with many Column roots shouldering the great nation. #LICtheGREAT

10 lesser-known facts about LIC:

LIC was established after the government merged 245 insurers, inlucing 154 life insurance companies, 16 foreign companies and 75 provident companies. The government had set up LIC as a statutory corporation under the the LIC Act, 1956. In 1959, LICs Chennai building was inaugurated. The tower was the tallest building in India at that time. LIC enjoyed the nationalisaton of insurers for 44 years. The Centra government finally allowed private life insurance companies to operate in India in 2000. The Central government owns a 100% stake in LIC. LIC is the largest institutional investor in the Indian share market. In the financial year 2021, LICs sale grew 299 per cent, as the insurer sold 2.1 crore policies till March 2021. LIC IPO is expected to open for subscription by March 2022 end. LICs slogan  '(yogakshemam vahamyaham) means, Your welfare is our responsibility Also Read: Good news for NPS subscribers! Soon, change investment pattern 4 times in a financial year The first woman Managing Director of LIC, Usha Sangwan, was appointed in 2013. Also Read: AGS Transact IPO: Retail quota fully subscribed on day one, check latest GMP, expected listing price

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New Delhi: India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day, a commemoration of the date of 26 January 1950 when the Constitution of India came into effect. This historic day is celebrated with great patriotism as Indians watch tableaux that honour the country's vibrant culture and its courageous military forces during the Republic Day parade.

To further celebrate these feelings of unity and patriotism, here are some of the best patriotic songs that you can tune into this Republic Day:

Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon (1963): This sentimental song, composed by C Ramachandra and voiced by the legend Lata Mangeshkar, is dedicated to Indian soldiers who died during the 1962 Sino-Indian war. This poignant piece of song is a great way to honour the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.

Kadam Kadam Baraye Ja from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004): This AR Rahman version of the marching song is inspired from Subhas Chandra Boses Indian National Armys song Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja. The encouraging beat of the song will certainly strengthen your love for the country.

Rang De Basanti title song (2006): This upbeat song by Daler Mehandi is a great way to begin this historic day and a strong reminder of the unity between us despite the diversity in our cultures.

Mere desh ki dharti from Upkar (1967): This is an evergreen patriotic song that is often sung together at Republic Day celebrations.

Chak De India title song (2007): This popular Bollywood track by Sukhvinder Singh, Salim Merchant and Marianne D'Cruz is a high-octane cheerful number, bound to give you goosebumps with its patriotic lyrics and optimistic beats.

There are several other songs such as Aye Watan Watan Mere' from the film 'Raazi', 'Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera' from the 2004 film 'Swades', 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' by AR Rahman and and 'Mera Rang De Basanti Chola' from 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh that you can add to your Republic Day playlist.

Happy Republic Day 2022 to all the countrymen!

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New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1, 2022. Micro, Small and Mid-size enterprises (MSMEs) are requesting the government to provide special focus to recover the sector, reduction in GST, relaxation in compliances, address the issue of delayed payments, and ease of access to capital, among others.

Rahul Raj, Founder & CEO FloBiz, said, We expect a special focus from the government to help MSME sector recovery and accelerate overall economic growth. This can come in the form of funding support to NBFCs to maintain liquidity & promote financial inclusion with a distinctive focus on MSMEs under priority sector lending. In addition, reduction in GST rates and relaxation in compliance burden for MSMEs around taxes, audits & loans will go a long way in helping this sector regain its lost momentum.

Dr Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun & Bradstreet, also listed out several demands of the MSME industry. While speaking on the issue of delayed payments, he said, Since the launch of MSME Samadhaan in Oct 2017, only 22% of the applications have been either disposed or mutually settled. While 21% of the applications have been rejected a whopping 57% of the applications are either currently under consideration or yet to be viewed by the council.

Singh also urged for ease of access to capital, saying that the government should take measures to operationalise the Fund of Funds scheme on a fast-track mode. He also suggested strengthening the export infrastructure. Exporters should be incentivised to use business information portal since the probability of a firm exporting to new markets increases by around 0.1% with each additional day of time spent on such portals, he added.

Meanwhile, Gunish Jain, CEO, BlueKaktus, said, "TDS has been a point of concern across the industry. Currently, a TDS of 10% assumes profitability of 40% which is generally not the case for corporations. With a major chunk of capital being held back in the form of TDS, maintaining big cash flow becomes a challenge. SMEs find it challenging to secure loans as most of their money is blocked by the government in the form of TDS. In my experience, the TDS needs to be trimmed down to 7.5% for all whereas for SMEs it should be further reduced to 2.5%.

He further adds, Amongst exporters too, the cash flow issue persists when it comes to GST refund. The current process of collecting and then refunding leads to massive cash flow issues in the industry. I believe that the government should revise the existing GST refund timeline and devise a mechanism to automatically refund the money within 45 days of a filed request. Moreover, fixing a date on the refunds can help companies align their business objectives accordingly.

Also, Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO at SPPL, Exclusive Brand Licensee of Blaupunkt in India, pointed out that As we are going through another wave, this is an indication of how important Atma Nirbhar Bharat is. To boost Indian manufacturing and MSMEs, we need a stable GST tax slab. No product should be above the 18% slab, and they must now encourage consumerism in order to improve market sentiment. Also Read: Budget 2022: Salaried class expect Rs 50,000 WFH bonus; tax slab, standard deduction changes

By doing this, India could become the worlds third-largest market for television. The market size could grow by 15% each year, reaching 16 million units. We urge the government to not change any customs duties for the time being, as the industry is moving towards stable conditions, Marwah added. Also Read: Digital payments record 40% annual growth at Sep-end 2021: RBI data

Pankaj Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Religare Finvest Ltd said that the Government must urgently take measures to meet MSME lending requirements, subsidizing the cost of funds to NBFCs (irrespective of their size and rating) that focus on lending to small merchants for loans as that will be a way to ensure easy access to credit.

He added that the government should also consider the demand of MSME sector to rationalize the GST rates across all essential goods, services and inputs to other critical items.

"Overall nominal incidence of GST on manufacturing may be rationalized from 18% to 12%. It will go a long way in giving inflation relief to MSME units and strengthening their balance sheets," said Rahul Garg, CEO and Founder, Moglix.

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New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved infusion of Rs 1,500 crores in Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), the PSU under Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

This will enable IREDA to lend Rs 12,000 crores to the renewable energy sector, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said.

In September last year, Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), IREDA highlighted that, despite the pandemic regime, IREDA completed the FY 2020-21 on second highest loan disbursements (since inception) amounting to Rs. 8,827 Crore, highest ever Profit Before Tax of Rs. 569.52 Crore with an increase of 136.20% over the amount of Rs. 241.11 Crore in the previous year and a net reduction in NPA from 7.18% in the previous year to 5.61% ending FY2020-21, which is a significant reduction of approx. 22% from the previous year.

IREDA is in the process of setting up a debt fund in the form of an Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) to tap large Institutional Investors such as Pension funds, Insurance Funds, Environmental, Social and Governance Funds, etc. AIF will also help IREDA in financing new projects of those borrowers who are nearing the exposure limit. The company is also planning to do Asset-Based Securitisation (ABS) by issuance of Pass-Through Certificates.

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New Delhi: The Union Cabinet had in 2016 decided to merge the Railway Budget with the General Budget, thus ending the 92-year-old tradition of having a separate Railway Budget.

A separate Railway Budget was started by the British in 1924. Even after the merger, the distinct entity and the functional autonomy of the Railways, as was envisioned, has been maintained.

Following the merger of Union Budget with Railway budget, the Railways does not have to pay dividend to the central government though it would still get gross budgetary support from the exchequer. As far as the salary and pension bill of Railway employees is concerned, it remains the responsibility of the national transporter as there is no change in the existing practice.

The merger of Rail and General Budgets does not impact the functional autonomy of the railways but help in enhancing capital expenditure.

The decision to merge the Railway Budget with the General Budget has also been seen as a significant one, as in recent years political heavyweights, particularly regional satraps, have used this occasion to nurture their constituencies in a big way.

Late BJP leader Arun Jaitley became the first Finance Minister in 2017, presenting the unified Budget for 2017-18.

Another change that the Union Budget 2017-18 saw was that for the first time the date of presentation was advanced by nearly a month, besides co-opting the Railway Budget into it. The government was in favour of advancing the Budgetary exercise so that it could be completed before March 31 and expenditure on public-funded schemes could begin from April 1.

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Hero Electric and Mahindra Group announced a strategic pact in the electric vehicle space on January 19. In a significant development, and as a part of the partnership, Mahindra Group will manufacture Hero Electric's most popular electric bikes - Optima & NYX - at their Pithampur plant, in Madhya Pradesh to meet the growing demands of the market, the companies said in a joint statement.

With this collaboration, along with the expansion of its existing Ludhiana facility, Hero will be able to meet its demand of manufacturing over 1 million EVs per year by 2022. "To further deepen its roots and strengthen the leadership, Hero Electric has announced a partnership with the Mahindra Group, which is leading the EV transition in the electric three and four-wheelers space," Hero Electric MD Naveen Munjal noted.

This coming together of two industry leaders is to further enhance the manufacturing capabilities to meet demand and utilize Mahindra Group's robust supply chain to reach newer centers in the country, he added. "The long-term partnership will also see both the companies make the most out of each other's deep knowledge of EVs and drive new product development in the next few years," Munjal said.

Read also: Germany retracts goal of putting 15 million electric vehicles by 2030, know why

He noted that the company looks forward to creating more synergies with the Mahindra Group shortly. "The joint development efforts will also be a key factor in developing the platform approach to help electrification of the Peugeot Motorcycles portfolio. This is expected to bring significant value to both parties through optimization of costs, timelines, and shared knowledge in this dynamic, fast-growing global EV environment," Munjal said.

"Peugeot Motorcycles has ambitious plans in the EV mobility space in several regions of the world and particularly in Europe. This strategic partnership will bolster these efforts through joint development and a platform sharing approach leveraging the combined strengths of the two businesses," said Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Auto & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra. Mahindra Group owns France-based Peugeot Motorcycles (PMTC).

The company's R&D Center in India will be integral to this arrangement as will the manufacturing facility at Pithampur, which already supplies Peugeot with EV products, he added. "I see significant value creation on a mutually beneficial basis and look forward to this partnership delivering on its obvious promise," Jejurikar noted.

Read also: Teslas $12,000 Full Self-Driving (FSD) slammed, called worst software by advocacy group

The two companies will create a seamless channel of communication to aid knowledge sharing among the R&D teams to build new products and technologies, the partners stated. This will be done keeping the Indian and global markets in mind that will not just further the growth of electric vehicles, but also go on to set benchmarks for faster adoption in the industry, they added.

With inputs from PTI

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Advocacy group The Dawn Project has slammed Teslas Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta software. A full-page advertisement in The New York Times (NYT) by The Dawn Project has called it "the worst software ever sold by a Fortune 500 company."

The ad was published as part of a campaign to remove Teslas FSD beta software from public roads until it has 1,000 times fewer critical malfunctions. "We did not sign up for our families to be crash test dummies for thousands of Tesla cars being driven on the public roads," the ad read.

Priced at $12,000, the FSD software enables Tesla vehicles to virtually drive themselves both on highways and city streets by simply entering a location in the navigation system. However, the software does not make Tesla vehicles fully autonomous.

Read also: This Chinese electric car is has more sales than all of Tesla in China

The NYT ad came just days after the California Department of Motor Vehicles told Elon Musk-run electric car maker that it would be "revisiting" its opinion that the companys test program doesnt fall under the department`s autonomous vehicle regulations.

US regulators have also begun to take some action against Tesla and its Autopilot and FSD beta software systems. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is also investigating a report from the owner of a Tesla Model Y, who reported his vehicle went into the wrong lane while making a left turn in FSD mode, resulting in the vehicle being struck by another driver.

Teslas Autopilot has already been involved in around a dozen crashes the world over. The EV maker in October last year temporarily pulled back the latest version of its FSD beta software, less than a day after its release owing to false crash warnings and other issues.

It has now brought new driver assistance features in its FSD beta, where the electric car will "not exit passing lanes" and "may perform rolling stops" at traffic lights. It is still not entirely clear whether cars will come to a full stop at stop signs or not. Performing a rolling stop instead of a complete stop at traffic lights is illegal in several countries.

With inputs from IANS

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New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, whose party on Wednesday (January 19) welcomed ex-Samajwadi leader and Akhilesh Yadavs sister-in-law Aparna Yadav ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Polls 2022, said that she was inspired by BJP's 'double engine work' and PM Modi's vision.

She (Aparna Yadav) liked BJP's 'double engine work' and PM Modi's vision. We welcome her to the party, ANI quoted UP CM Yogi Adityanath her joining BJP.

She (Aparna Yadav) liked BJP's 'double engine work' and PM Modi's vision. We welcome her in the the party: UP CM Yogi Adityanath on SP chief and former CM Akhilesh Yadav's relative Aparna Yadav joining BJP pic.twitter.com/03DwEYl69D  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 19, 2022

The CM in an apparent attack at Samajwadi Party chief said, They (Samajwadi Party) have given tickets to criminals be it Kairana, Bulandshahar (or other regions) this shows their criminals mentality. They want to bring in 'Maafiavad' in the state once again.

In 5 years rioters either left the state or were in jail...but as elections approached...Samajwadi Party's first list showed their criminal mentality. They want to bring in 'Maafiavad' in the state once again, he added.

One thing is clear that 'Samajwadi Party is on the back foot' after releasing their first list. Now they are apprehensive over releasing the second list, Adityanath added.

Talking about his partys work in the last 5 years, Adityanath said, We gave a better atmosphere in the last 5 years with no riots, no discrimination in jobs, women security and development work being accelerated.

The statements came ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Elections 2022, which is scheduled to be held from February 10 to March 7 in a phased manner.

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New Delhi: In what is perceived as a raging controversy, A BJP MLA in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district has landed the party in trouble after he allegedly said that "TMC goons will have to face police encounters" as and when his party comes to power in the state.

In a reported video clip, which is now viral and doing rounds on social media, Bongaon South MLA Swapan Majumder can be heard telling supporters at a meeting in the Gaighata area that his party members would give a "befitting reply to TMC goons if they do not stop carrying out attacks on them".

"We will not suffer silently if the harmads (goons) of Trinamool continue with the atrocities. Our Nadia district unit president was attacked by the goons in Gayespur, his car was damaged right in front of the police. We will not tolerate such attacks. The BJP has mass support, we will give them a befitting reply," he said in a meeting on Tuesday.

"Trinamool men who are carrying out Taliban-type attacks on our members will not be spared. When we come to power, they will have to face police encounters," he added.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has condemned the statement adding that the BJP will never get to carry out their sinister plans as they will never get power in West Bengal.

"This is the true face of the BJP, a party that doesn't believe in rule of law. They want to emulate the encounter raj of UP in Bengal. But their dreams of coming to power in Bengal will never be realised," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh asserted.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, when approached, said he was yet to find out what exactly the BJP MLA had said.

In response to Ghosh's remark, however, the state BJP chief claimed that "UP is far ahead on the development ladder when compared with Bengal".

"The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the state. Its activists have been attacking our men since May last year (following the declaration of assembly poll results). Not a single accused has been prosecuted thus far," he added.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: The daily number of Covid-19 cases continue to rise in India with the country reporting 2,82,970 new infections in the last 24 hours.

According to the Union Health Ministry, India on Wednesday (January 19, 2022) witnessed 44,889 more coronavirus cases than Tuesday and the daily positivity rate currently stands at 15.13%. With this, the number of active cases across the country has increased to 18,31,000.

Amid a sudden spike in daily cases, a new survey has found that 77% of Indians have one or more contacts who have tested positive in the last 30 days.

LocalCircles, one of India's leading Community Social Media platforms, conducted a survey that received more than 18,500 responses from citizens across 312 districts of the country. It was done to understand how the Covid-19 situation has changed in India since December 10 last year.

77% Indians have one or more contacts who have tested Covid-19 positive

The first question in the survey asked citizens, "How many individuals do you have in your close social network (family, friends, neighbours, colleagues) that tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 30 days?"

In response, 23% of citizens said they have "no one" who has tested positive in the last 30 days, 17% said they know "more than 10 individuals", 19% answered "6-10", 17% said "3-5", while 24% said they know "1 or 2" individuals.

On an aggregate basis, 77% of citizens now have 1 or more people in their close social network who have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 30 days. This question in the survey had received 9,153 responses.

Covid-19 prevalence in close networks has rapidly risen

A similar question when asked to citizens on January 3 had found out that 26% had one or more people in their close social network who had tested positive in the last 30 days. This percentage, however, has increased to 50% in the January 10 survey and is now at 77%, indicating that the spread prevalence of the virus in close networks has rapidly risen in the last two weeks.

36% Indians have over 5 or more contacts impacted by Covid-19

Breaking down the poll, the percentage of citizens who know over five individuals in their close network testing positive for Covid-19 in the last 30 days have shot up from nil on January 3, 23% on January 10 to 36% on January 17.

Further, the percentage of citizens saying they dont have anyone in their close social network who tested positive in the last 30 days continues to decrease from 69% on January 3, 48% on January 10 to 23% on January 17 during the period.

41% Indians have 1 or more contacts who didn't undergo Covid-19 test despite symptoms

Another question that was asked in the survey was "How many individuals in your close social network that in the last 30 days despite having Covid-19 symptoms did not get a RT-PCR test done and instead went into self-treatment/quarantine at home?"

In response, 39% of citizens said they have "no one in the last 30 days". There were, however, 18% who said they know "more than 10", 10% know "6-10", 5% answered "3-5", and 8% know "1-2" individuals.

On an aggregate basis, 41% of citizens surveyed say they have 1 or more individuals in their close social network who despite having symptoms in the last 30 days did not get a test done and went into self-treatment or quarantine at home. This question in the survey had received 9,523 responses.

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New Delhi: Over 80 doctors, paramedics and MBBS students have tested positive in a single day at the Government Medical College in Srinagar on Tuesday.

The total number of infected persons in the tertiary care institution has now risen to 546 in Kashmir.

"46 doctors, 22 MBBS students, 15 paramedics tested Covid-19 positive in one day in GMC Srinagar and associated Hospitals. The total count goes up to 546," Dr Salim Khan, Head of department community medicine, said.

Meanwhile, the health officials have urged the people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and other SOPs religiously. They have asked citizens to avoid gatherings and wear facemasks. Maintain

On Tuesday, 4,651 new coronavirus cases were reported in Jammu and Kashmir with 1,546 from the Jammu Division and 3,105 from the Kashmir Division.

Currently, the UT has 21,677 active infections, of which, 8,180 are in the Jammu Division and 13,497 in the Kashmir Division.

Three deaths were also reported in Jammu and Kashmir.

Seeing the sudden spike in positive cases, the health department has designated two hospitals exclusively for Covid-19 patients. The SKIMS Medical College Hospital Bemina Srinagar and Sub District Hospital Sopore District Baramulla are now dedicated hospitals for Covid-19 treatment in the Kashmir Valley.

Beside these two, the Chest Disease Hospital and Kashmir Nursing Home are already catering the positive patients.

"Of late, we have seen that there is an exponential rise in the Covid-19 cases in the Union Territory, the numbers used to be less than 200 a week back and they grew exponentially to reach around 5,000 cases a day. We are seeing a huge surge in cases and Omicron has been detected as well," Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, HOD, Chest Disease Hospital, said.

He added that the Omicron variant must already be in the community which is leading to such a huge surge in the number of cases.

"But we are not witnessing too many hospital admissions, which is a good sign," Dr Shah stated.

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New Delhi: The Delhi Police has cancelled the leave of its personnel, except for medical reasons, in view of Republic Day function, officials said.

The Delhi Police issued an order on Monday(January 17) which was signed by Special Commissioner of Police (HR Division) Sundari Nanda.

According to the order, "In view of Republic Day Parade arrangements, all kinds of leave to all ranks is henceforth stopped until further notice, unless in emergent medical conditions."

All senior ranks are hereby directed to ensure maximum mobilisation of staff for Republic Day Parade duties, it stated.

There is a three-layered security system in place for the Republic Day celebration and the force is always alert and undertakes anti-terror measures especially ahead of any event of national importance, the Delhi Police said.

Citing the recent security breach of Prime Minister Modi's convoy in Punjab, the Delhi Police officers said that the force is extra vigilant to ensure no such incident happens in the national capital.

The Republic Day celebrations will now begin every year from January 23 instead of January 24 to include the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subash Chandra Bose.

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Have you ever rented a hospital bed? It sounds like a strange thing to do, but it's entirely reasonable.

Some people need a hospital bed for reasons like home care after an operation or ease the discomfort of an injury or illness. It also helps in relaxing your muscles before surgery or other similar procedures.

A rental company will deliver the bed to your home, set it up properly, and take away all signs of their presence before you realize they've been there.

A hospital bed can provide a huge number of benefits, but if you don't know what to look for in an ideal bed, you might end up with a hospital bed for sale that turns out not to suit your needs.

In this article, we discuss the process of renting and returning a hospital bed.

How To Rent a Hospital Bed?

Here are the steps you need to go through to rent a hospital bed, including what you should look out for and how you can make the most of your rental experience.

1. Identifying Your Need for a Bed

The first thing you need to do is identify whether or not you require a bed at all. If this is for yourself, you can compare your needs with the features of each bed until you find one that's right for you.

If this is for someone else, like a family member or friend staying in your home, it becomes necessary to get opinions from them on what they need out of their hospital bed.

2. Looking at The Different Types of Beds

There are several beds available, each with its pros and cons. The type of bed also determines the hospital bed rental price. One of the main ones is the Semi-Electric Bed, which has a manual crank or gear system to raise and lower it (similar to how you would change gears in a car).

Then there's the electric bed, which has a power system to let you raise and lower it while semi-electric beds are the cheapest and most common.

3. Checking the Features of the Beds

Once you've identified your needs, it's time to check out the various features on offer.

There are some basic ones like adjustable mattress height and swivel bases, while others vary depending on the bed type.

For example, semi-electric beds have a headboard with storage space inside, while most electric beds have a detachable side-table instead. The features will enable you to determine which bed is best for your needs.

4. Taking Delivery of the Bed

Whatever bed you choose, it's essential to keep in mind that these types of equipment are heavy and difficult to handle alone. For this reason, it's best to ask for help when taking delivery of your bed so that everything arrives in one piece.

It's also a good idea to check out the warranty and return policy of your chosen bed, just in case anything goes wrong with it after you've received it.

How to Return a Hospital Bed?

If you've decided to stop renting your hospital bed, then there are a few things you need to know to return it correctly. Here's what you should do:

1. Contact The Company Directly

First, contact the company from which you rented your bed directly so that they can send a representative to collect it from your home. As expected, this will be a bit more expensive than if you were to return the bed yourself.

2. Clear Up the Bed of Any Personal Items

When the company arrives to pick up your rented hospital bed, they should also clear out any personal items that you have stored in it. If they don't, you'll have to do it yourself to avoid any charges or fines that the company might impose on you for this.

3. Check for Any Charges or Fines

Lastly, always check to see if there are any charges or fines against your account before you finalize the return of your rented hospital bed. If not, then you can officially say goodbye to your rented hospital bed and hello to your regular bed.

Is There Anything Else I Should Know About Renting a Hospital Bed?

It's important to remember that not all rental companies offer the same quality or range of products and services.

While some may only have a limited selection of standard beds available, others may have a more extensive range with a wider variety of features.

In any case, it's important to thoroughly go through the list before choosing to ensure that you're getting what you need.

(Brand Desk Content)
New Delhi: India on Wednesday (January 19) reported 2,82,970 new cases, which is 18% higher than yesterday's 2.38 lakh daily cases, the health ministry data showed. The country also reported 441 coronavirus related deaths taking the total death count in the country due to the infection to 487,202.

Currently, Indias total caseload stands at 3,79,01,241. This includes 8,961 cases of the Omicron variant. With todays addition, the active caseload stands at 18,31,000.

In a little relief to the Maharashtra government, Mumbai in the last 24 hours contributed 6,032 fresh COVID cases, marginally lower than yesterday dropping the states positivity rate to 10% from the previous 12.8%.

Meanwhile, West Bengal reported West Bengal reports 11,447 new COVID-19 cases, 15,418 recoveries and 38 deaths in the last 24 hours.

On the other hand, the trend of new Covid cases in Kerala has been on a high for the past one week and on Wednesday it recorded a staggering 34,199 cases taking the daily test positivity rate to 37.17 per cent, said a statement from Health Minister Veena George.

From the poll-bound states, Uttar Pradesh reported 17,776 fresh coronavirus cases on Wednesday that pushed its active infection tally to 98,238, while seven more fatalities raised the death toll to 22,990, an official statement issued here said.

Lucknow recorded a maximum of 3,516 new cases, followed by 2,003 from Ghaziabad, 1,403 from Gautam Buddh Nagar, 958 from Meerut and 570 from Varanasi, among other districts, it said.

With that, Indias active cases now comprise 4.83% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 93.88% in the start of the day.

The cumulative vaccination coverage across the country crossed 158 crore doses on Tuesday.

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New Delhi: Colonel Vijay Rawat, brother of India's first Chief of Defence Staff General and former Army Chief Bipin Rawat, who along with 11 others recently died in an IAF helicopter crash, joined the BJP on Wednesday (January 19) ahead of the assembly elections in his home state, Uttarakhand

According to PTI, the saffron party may field him as a candidate from Uttarakhand in the upcoming elections.

Colonel Vijay Rawat (retired), younger brother of Late CDS General Bipin Rawat joins BJP, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/JXzSr6RDMf  ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2022

Vijay Rawat, who is retired as a colonel from the army, joined the BJP in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni.

Noting that his father, also a former army officer, was associated with the BJP, Rawat expressed happiness at working for the party and lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has a unique vision and mindset.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks out of the box and all his efforts are directed towards the country's betterment, Rawat said.

I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to join BJP. My father was with BJP after retiring & now I've gotten a chance. PM Modi's vision & thinking is very wise and futuristic, ANI quoted Rawat as saying.

I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to join BJP. My father was with BJP after retiring & now I've gotten a chance. PM Modi's vision & thinking is very wise & futuristic: Colonel Vijay Rawat (retired), younger brother of late CDS General Bipin Rawat pic.twitter.com/kEndVstMm0  ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2022

Welcoming Rawat into the party, Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami said the late CDS wanted to work for the state after retirement and his younger brother will advance his vision.

The BJP is inspired by nationalist ideology and has always worked for security personnel's welfare, he said.

Harping on the fact that Rawats family has been serving the nation by joining armed forces for three generations, Dhami said that Colonel Rawats entry into BJP will only strengthen the party and its vision more.

CDS Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash in December 2021. The accident killed 10 others.

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New Delhi: In a world of politics where leaders constantly try to get their kids and family into the politics, we have brought to you the story of a leader who played an integral role in bringing Mulayam Singh Yadav, the current patron of the Samajwadi Party into the Indian politics but never allowed his children or any other family member to enter this arena.

This story is about Thakur Chhatrapal Singh, the first MLA of the Jewar Assembly seat, who won the Jewar seat even after the strong wave of Congress in 1957 when it came into existence.

Thakur Chhatrapal Singh was a prominent Samajwadi Party leader of that era and was close to Jayaprakash Narayan. However, in the year 1962, this seat of Jewar was reserved for the Scheduled Castes and despite repeated requests of the party leader, Thakur Chhatrapal, who was a leader with strong principles did not contest elections from any other seat again.

Thakur Karnesh Singh, the younger son of Thakur Chhatrapal Singh, told Zee News that in the 1967 elections, the Samajwadi Party had given the responsibility for the assembly seats of Etawah district to three leaders Karpoori Thakur, Thakur Chhatrapal Singh and Abbas Ali.

At the time, the MLA of Jaswantnagar assembly of Etawah district was Nathu Singh, a strong leader of the Samajwadi Party and thus, the first choice for the seat was Singh. However, Chhtrapal Singh chose a fresher, Mulayam Singh Yadav for the seat.

Thakur Chhatrapal Singh passed away in 2016. He has three sons. Elder son Thakur Krishna Pratap (72), Thakur Kishore Singh (67) and youngest Thakur Karnesh (63). All three of them not only obeyed their father's wishes of deflecting from Indian politics but also took up and expanded their family occupation of farming.

According to Thakur Chhatrapal Singhs son, their family never tried to go back against his fathers wish.

About the current political scenario in Uttar Pradesh, Karnesh Singh said that "Modi for the country and Yogi for UP is necessary at the time because the real socialism or Samajwad died with his father.

Singh further added that after his father, the Jewar constituency witnessed development only under the Yogi government in 2017.

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Lucknow: This is one domestic fight that will pique the interest of not just the neighbours and relatives, but the entire nation - a husband and wife are vying for the same seat in Lucknow, ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.

In Lucknow's Sarojini Nagar Assembly seat, the husband and wife are together staking their claim to the ticket in the BJP. The couple in question is Swati Singh, a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government, and her husband Daya Shankar Singh, vice president in the BJP's state unit.

Swati Singh is the sitting MLA from Sarojini Nagar and is keen to get the ticket for a second term. Voting in this seat will take place reportedly on February 23, in the fourth phase of elections in UP.

Swati's entry into politics was "accidental" in a way. Her husband Daya Shankar Singh was in the eye of a storm in July 2016 when he made some disparaging remarks against BSP president Mayawati. The BSP launched a major agitation against Singh and the BJP went on the defensive. Singh was arrested and the BJP expelled him.

However, weeks later, the BJP brought in Daya Shankar's wife Swati Singh, as the chief of its women's wing. Swati Singh, till then, was a homemaker and a complete novice in politics.

However, she learnt the ropes and won the 2017 election from Sarojini Nagar. She went on to become a minister of state in the Yogi Adityanath government. Her tenure as a minister has been mired in controversy - one of them being her inaugurating a beer bar soon after becoming a minister.

Also read: Assembly Polls 2022 - The trend of Bureaucrats turning into Politicians in Uttar Pradesh

Daya Shankar Singh's expulsion, meanwhile, was quietly revoked and he was appointed vice president of the state unit in February 2018. When asked to comment, Daya Shankar Singh said, "I did not get the ticket last time due to the controversy but my team worked hard to ensure Swati's victory. This time I would like to contest the elections but it is up to the party to take a call."

Swati Singh, on the other hand, refused to comment.

Sources said that both, husband and wife, are lobbying for their ticket through different leaders in the party. A BJP leader told the Indian Express, Dayashakars photograph is missing from posters of Swati Singh and similarly, her photographs are not on posters of Dayashankar. Ultimately, the party will take a decision based on winnability. But if Swati Singh is denied a ticket, that may send a wrong message among women voters.

(With IANS inputs)

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New Delhi: Zee News  one of the countrys biggest media houses - has conducted an opinion poll to predict the mood of voters in all five poll-bound states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa, and Manipur.

The Janta Ka Mood - billed as the biggest opinion poll ever - has received over 12 lakh responses from people of the five states.

The opinion poll, which has been jointly conducted by Zee News in association with Design Boxed - a political campaign management company, indicates that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may form the government in Uttar Pradesh for the second consecutive term.

According to the opinion poll results, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is most likely to win a clear majority of votes in the 403-seat assembly.

Region-wise vote prediction in Uttar Pradesh:

Western Uttar Pradesh

The Western Uttar Pradesh region may witness a neck and neck fight between the BJP and SP. While BJP+ may win 33-37 seats out of the total 71 seats, SP+ is also likely to bag 33-37 seats. BSP, on the other hand, may get 2-4 seats. Congress, however, is unlikely to open its account in this region.

Central Uttar Pradesh

Around 47-49 seats may go to BJP+ in Central Uttar Pradesh, while SP+ is likely to win 16-20 seats. BSP may not open its account in this region and Congress is likely to win 1-2 seats.

Ruhelkhand

In this region, BJP+ may bag 19-21 seats and SP+ is likely to get 3-7. BSP and Congress may not get any seats.

Awadh

The Awadh region may witness BJP+ getting 76-82 seats. SP+, on the other hand, is likely to win 34-38 and Congress 1-3. Mayawati's BSP may not get any seats.

Bundelkhand

The BJP+ is expected to get the majority of the seats in this region as well. While the saffron party may bag 17-19 seats, SP+ may get 0-1. BSP and Congress may not open their accounts.

Purvanchal

In the Purvanchal region, BJP+ is likely to secure 53-59 seats and SP+ may bag 39-45. BSP may win 2-5 seats and Congress is expected to get 1-2 seats.

How many total seats may BJP and SP win?

The opinion poll shows that the BJP+ is likely to get between 245-267 seats and SP+ may bag 125-148 seats.

Mayawati's BSP may win somewhere between 5-9 seats and Congress is likely to settle with just 3-7 seats. Others may get 2-6 seats.

What may be the total vote share for BJP and SP?

The Yogi Adityanath government is heading towards its second term with securing 41% of the total vote share, as compared to the Samajwadi Party's 34%.

While the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is expected to get 10% of the total vote share, Congress may receive just 6 per cent, three per cent less than Others.

Who is the most preferred CM candidate in Uttar Pradesh?

According to the Zee News opinion poll, Yogi Adityanath has emerged as the people's first choice for the chief minister post in Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath has been favoured by 47% of the total respondents, while 35% want SP chief Akhilesh Yadav as the CM.

9% have voted in favour of Mayawati and 5% want Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to be the next UP CM.

Narendra Modi still most popular in Uttar Pradesh?

The Zee News opinion poll also found that 72% of people still favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi as PM's face, while 28% want Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the PM.

Highlights of Zee News opinion poll for Uttar Pradesh:

Total seats

BJP+ 245-267

SP+ 125-148

BSP 5-9

Congress 3-7

Others 2-6

Vote share:

BJP+ 41

SP+ 34

BSP 10

Congress 06

Others 09

People's CM choice:

Yogi Adityanath 47%

Akhilesh Yadav 35%

Mayawati 09%

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra 04%

Others 05%

ALSO READ |Uttarakhand opinion poll 2022: BJP, Congress neck and neck; Harish Rawat most-favoured CM face

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New Delhi: Actor Varun Dhawan took to his social media handle on Wednesday and mourned the sudden demise of his driver of 26 years, Manoj Dada. He reportedly suffered a heart attack and despite rushing to Lilavati hospital, couldn't make it.

Varun shared an old video of him at the unveiling of his wax statue at Madame Tussauds where he acknowledged the efforts and love of Manoj Dada. The heartbroken actor wrote: Manoj has been in my life for the last 26 years. He was my everything. I have no words to express my grief but all I want is people remember him for his amazing wit,humour and passion he had for life . I will always be grateful I had u in my life Manoj dada

Several reports claim that Manoj drove Varun Dhawan to Mehboob studio in Bandra for an ad shoot and later, he suddenly complained of chest pain. He was rushed by the actors team to Lilavati hospital where he was pronounced dead. He reportedly suffered a heart attack.

Several celeb friends including Arjun Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, Kartik Aaryan, Sophie Choudry, Hakim Aalim, Anushka Sharma, Kriti Sanon and many others mourned Manoj Dada's demise and extended condolences to the family.

Manoj was reportedly working for Varun Dhawan for many years and the actor has said that he will take care of Dada's family.
New Delhi: Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi actor Shaheer Sheikhs father is on a ventilator as he is infected with a severe COVID infection. The actor took to Twitter to urge his fans and followers to pray for his dads health.

My dad is on a ventilator, suffering from a severe covid infection pls keep him in your prayers, Shaheer tweeted on Wednesday night.

My dad is on a ventilator, suffering from a severe covid infection pls keep him in your prayers .. pic.twitter.com/z83Y6tigMs  Shaheer Sheikh (@Shaheer_S) January 18, 2022

Various people responded to his tweet, including his industry friends. Actress, Hina Khan who has collaborated with Shaheer for music videos Baarish Ban Jaana and Mohabbat Hai asked him to stay patient and replied, Patience my friend, I told you, he will come home healthy and happy very soon.. Inshallah #SendDuaEveryone.

Patience my friend, I told you, he will come home healthy and happy very soon.. Inshallah #SendDuaEveryone https://t.co/49qLQqZSVy  Hina Khan (@eyehinakhan) January 18, 2022

Actor Vatsal Seth wrote, Prayers. Whereas actor Karanvir Sharma tweeted, Wishing him a speedy recovery. Please do let me know if you need anything.

On the work front, Shaheer will next be seen in the much-anticipated sequel of Pavitra Rishta 2 on ZEE5 from January 28. While Ankita Lokhande will reprise her role as Archana, Shaheer will step in Sushant Singh Rajputs shoes and play Manav. The second trailer of the show was recently released and also shows actor Vivek Dahiya as one of the characters.

Shaheer was last seen in the third season of Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi on television. The show had to go off the air because of low TRPs. Some fans also complained that it had lost the charm of the first two seasons.
New Delhi: Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, on Wednesday, paid his last respects to his driver Manoj, whose sudden demise has left the actor heartbroken.

Several pictures of Varun were doing rounds on social media in which he can be seen along with his brother Rohit, attending the last rites of "Manoj dada", who had worked for the Dhawan family for many years. The videos were shared by celebrity paparazzo Viral Bhayani on his Instagram handle.

Earlier today, Varun took to Instagram and penned an emotional note in memory of Manoj.

"Manoj has been in my life for the last 26 years. He was my everything. I have no words to express my grief but all I want is people remember him for his amazing wit and humour and passion he had for life. I will always be grateful I had you in my life Manoj dada," he wrote.



Alongside the emotional note, Varun shared an old video of him at the unveiling of his wax statue at Madame Tussauds where he acknowledged the efforts and love of his "Manoj dada".

Manoj passed away on Tuesday night after suffering a heart attack. Reports suggested that Manoj drove Varun to Mehboob Studio for an ad shoot and later complained of chest pain. He was rushed to the Lilavati Hospital immediately by the actor's team, where he was declared dead.
New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has cautioned Aadhaar cardholders against the use of PVC Aadhaar card generated from open markets. The authority has pointed out that such cards are not valid and only UIDAI issued cards will be recognised as valid.

In a tweet, UIDAI said, "#AadhaarEssentials We strongly discourage the use of PVC Aadhaar copies from the open market as they do not carry any security features. You may order Aadhaar PVC Card by paying Rs 50/-(inclusive of GST & Speed post charges). To place your order click on: eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/genricPVC."

#AadhaarEssentials

We strongly discourage the use of PVC Aadhaar copies from the open market as they do not carry any security features.

You may order Aadhaar PVC Card by paying Rs 50/-(inclusive of GST & Speed post charges).

To place your order click on:https://t.co/AekiDvNKUm pic.twitter.com/Kye1TJ4c7n  Aadhaar (@UIDAI) January 18, 2022

According to the UIDAI, Aadhaar Cards obtained from open market are not secure and thats why cardholders should order the document from UIDAI by paying a fee of Rs 50, which is inclusive of GST and speed post charges.

"#OrderAadhaarPVC To order #Aadhaar PVC Card online, follow the link- myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/genricPVC. The charge for this service is Rs 50, and it will be sent to you through Speed post. Aadhaar PVC Card will be dispatched in 5 working days & AWB will be shared on your mobile via SMS," UIDAI said in another tweet from its official Twitter handle.

#OrderAadhaarPVC

To order #Aadhaar PVC Card online, follow the link-https://t.co/G06YuJkon1.

The charge for this service is Rs 50, and it will be sent to you through Speed post.

Aadhaar PVC Card will be dispatched in 5 working days & AWB will be shared on your mobile via SMS. pic.twitter.com/EnVUy8QAj1  Aadhaar (@UIDAI) January 18, 2022

Heres how to order your PVC Aadhaar card:

Step 1: Visit the official UIDAI website: https://uidai.gov.in/

Step 2: Go to My Aadhaar section and click on Order Aadhaar PVC card.

Step 3: Enter 12 digital Aadhaar card number or 16 digits virtual ID or 28 digit EID.

Step 4: Verify details with OTP verification method.

Step 5: Check the preview of your Aadhar PVC card. Also Read: Post Office Scheme: Invest Rs 50 daily to get 35 lakhs on maturity; check details

Step 6. Pay Rs 50 to complete the order. Also Read: Budget 2022 shouldn't focus on fiscal consolidation alone: SBI economists

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New Delhi: In what be good news for subscribers of the National Pension Scheme (NPS), the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is soon going to allow the investors to change their investment pattern up to four times in a financial year.

According to PFRDA Chairman Supratim Bandyopadhyay, the subscribers have been demanding an increase in investment leeway. Till now, subscribers can change the investment pattern twice in a financial year under the NPS scheme.

PFRDA Chairman Supratim Bandyopadhyay had earlier said that, currently, subscribers can change the investment choice twice a year.

Now, in a very short period of time, we are going to increase it to four times because there are requests that you allow more number of times (to change the investment pattern)," he was quoted as saying.

PFRDA allows investors to allocate their NPS investments in a fixed ratio between investment opportunities such as government securities, debt instruments, short-term and long-term debts, and equities, among others.

However, there are terms and conditions to the allocation, depending on the type of subscribers. For example, employees working with central or state governments cannot allocate more funds to equities. On the other hand, employees of private firms are allowed to invest up to 75% of their NPS investments in equities. Also Read: Union Budget 2022: Experts urge govt to introduce permanent dispute resolution process on the lines of Vivad se Vishwas Scheme

Investors can change their investment ratios accordingly. According to the PFRDA chairman, NPS is a long-term investment product that can be used to build a pension corpus. Investors should not treat NPS as akin to other investment instruments such as mutual fund schemes, he was quoted as saying by Mint. Also Read: Better.com CEO who fired 900 staffers over Zoom call back at work, but employees reportedly unhappy

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New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present the Union Budget 2022 on February 1 with the experts seeking Universal health insurance in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis which has crippled all the sectors.

"Benefits and need of insurance (specially health insurance) was felt by every Indian during the pandemic. Government may aim for universal health insurance albeit through direct funding by incentivizing private insurance sector. Measures such an increase in the tax deduction limits and exemption from GST on insurance premiums, to improve social protection are expected" Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun & Bradstreet said.

Singh also stressed upon the need to enhance limit of 8 years for carry forward.

"The Insurance industry has suffered huge blows during the pandemic, with increasing a long gestation period, the limit of eight years for carry forward and set-off of losses may be enhanced for insurance businesses," he added.

Meanwhile, Suresh Agarwal, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra General Insurance said that the pandemic has taught us the importance of having a health insurance plan.

"My wish list from the budget is to see the health insurance sector receiving further impetus through boosters like a lower GST rate and higher exemption limits by the honble finance minister, Agarwal added.

Srinath Mukherji, Co-Founder, SANA Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd has urged the government to reduce GST on health insurance, since medical services have either Nil GST or at a lower rate.

"It is a disincentive for the customer to take much needed health insurance. That amount could instead be utilized for buying higher coverage, thus getting full value for money and making health insurance more affordable for buyers," he said.

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NEW DELHI: In the upcoming episode of Bigg Boss 15, the housemates can be seen performing a new task for which they have to collect colourful balls thrown by Rajiv Adatia.

In the beginning of the task, everything was going fine, later in the promo Tejasswi can be seen crying as her basket was getting snatched by the housemates during the task.

Later, in order to save her balls, Devoleena Bhattarcharjee can be seen running here and there in order to defend herself, while Abhijit Bichukale tries to snatch her balls, in defense she bit him on his hand.

Abhijit gets furious and asks Bigg Boss to eliminate her from the house as she violated the rules of the house.

Later, when he sees no action has been taken from the makers, he then runs towards the other side and shouts, Pathhar marunga.

Hearing this, Rashami Desai tries to stop him and shouts, Aray dada. Pratik Sehajpal comes in between and tries to calm Abhijit down.

Bigg Boss 15 is reaching to its last leg and soon well get to see another contestant who will be joining the VIPs for the Ticket To Finale race.

Who will be the next contestant to join the top contenders? Only time will tell. Till then keep watching this space for more updates related to Bigg Boss 15.
New Delhi: In todays episode of Bigg Boss 15, the housemates were seen playing a task which helped them in becoming the top 3 finalists among non-VIPs who will get the opportunity to fight for the Ticket To Finale task.

In the final round, Devoleena flipped due to which Rashami gave the opportunity to Abhijit. After which, Nishant, Tejasswi and Abhijit become the top three finalists for the Ticket to Finale task.

Now Bigg Boss asked them to collect the maximum number of sponge balls and whosoever will have the maximum number of balls will become the VIP of the house.

During the task, Rashami snatched Abhijits basket due to which he had less number of balls in the initial rounds. Later, in the last round, out of revenge, Abhijit snatches Tejas basket and she was left with very few number of balls.

She starts crying, while Karan tries to console her but she asks him to leave her alone.

Who will win the Ticket to Finale task? As far as the whole scenario is concerned, Nishant looks to be the next VIP of the house. But what will happen next? Only time will tell. Till, then keep watching this space for more updates related to Bigg Boss 15.
Geneva: The worst of the coronavirus pandemic - deaths, hospitalisations and lockdowns - could be over this year if huge inequities in vaccinations and medicines are addressed quickly, the head of emergencies at the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Tuesday.

Dr Michael Ryan, speaking during a panel discussion on vaccine inequity hosted by the World Economic Forum, said 'we may never end the virus' because such pandemic viruses 'end up becoming part of the ecosystem.'

But 'we have a chance to end the public health emergency this year if we do the things that we've been talking about,' he said.

WHO has slammed the imbalance in COVID-19 vaccinations between rich and poor countries as a catastrophic moral failure. Fewer than 10% of people in lower-income countries have received even one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Ryan told the virtual gathering of world and business leaders that if vaccines and other tools aren't shared fairly, the tragedy of the virus, which has so far killed more than 5.5 million people worldwide, would continue.

"What we need to do is get to low levels of disease incidence with maximum vaccination of our populations, so nobody has to die," Ryan said. "The issue is: It's the death. It's the hospitalizations. It's the disruption of our social, economic, political systems that's caused the tragedy, not the virus."

Ryan also waded into the growing debate about whether COVID-19 should be considered endemic, a label some countries like Spain have called for to better help live with the virus, or still a pandemic involving intensified measures that many countries have taken to fight the spread.

"Endemic malaria kills hundreds of thousands of people; endemic HIV; endemic violence in our inner cities. Endemic in itself does not mean good. Endemic just means it's here forever," he said.

Public health officials have warned it is highly unlikely COVID-19 will be eliminated and say it will continue to kill people, though at much lower levels, even after it becomes endemic.

Fellow panelist Gabriela Bucher, executive director of the anti-poverty organization Oxfam International, cited the 'enormous urgency' of fairer distribution of vaccines and the need for large-scale production. She said resources to fight the pandemic were being 'hoarded by a few companies and a few shareholders.'

The comments came on the second day of the online alternative to the annual World Economic Forum gathering, which was postponed over pandemic health concerns.

In a separate press briefing Tuesday, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the omicron variant "continues to sweep the world," adding there were 18 million new COVID-19 cases reported last week.

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London: The fugitive Kingfisher tycoon Vijay Mallya is facing the prospect of a humiliating eviction from the luxury Central London home he currently occupies after the UK High Court ruled against him in a dispute with the Swiss bank UBS.

Mallya held a mortgage obtained from UBS on the multi-million-pound property, located along Cornwall Terrace in one of the most sought after areas of the British capital, minutes from Regent`s Park and attractions such as Madame Tussaud`s wax museum.

It`s believed that Mallya has lived in the property along with his son Siddharth and his 95-year-old mother Lalitha.

A judge sitting in the chancery division of the High Court on Tuesday refused a request by Mallya`s lawyers for a stay on repaying the UBS loan after Mallya had failed to meet a previous repayment deadline in April 2020.

UBS however, were unable to evict the Mallyas due to COVID regulations. Today`s ruling paves the way for UBS to repossess the property.

It`s believed that Mallya and his family own numerous other properties in the UK and elsewhere, including a sprawling country home in Hertfordshire, north of London.

Mallya has been living in London since fleeing to the UK after being accused of a Rs 9,000 crore fraud relating to the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines.

He has consistently denied the charges. He was ordered to be extradited by the UK High Court after hearings lasting three years.

He remains on bail while the UK government considers what`s thought to be an asylum application.

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[January 18, 2022] ValueBlue Raises $11 Million to Fuel Agile Business Transformation Worldwide NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ValueBlue , a leading and innovative provider of SaaS solutions in the digital transformation market, today announced it has secured $11 million in Series B funding, led by Octopus Ventures and Newion. The funds will support ValueBlue's US, UK, and EMEA expansion, hiring top talent, and further developing the existing software platform supporting enterprise architecture (EA) use cases. ABN AMRO also participated in the round by providing additional growth funding. With authority and proven success in the field of EA, ValueBlue has not only earned a renewed commitment from previous investment partner Newion, but has also attracted UK-based Octopus Ventures, one of Europe's largest and most active venture capital firms. Paul Davidson at Octopus Ventures commented: "Organisations now recognize the benefits of more closely aligning business strategy with IT strategy as a key enabler of driving commercial value. Digital transformation is one activity borne out of this understanding. The pandemic has further exacerbated this perspective and we don't see that changing. ValueBlue's ability to coordinate the complexities of digital architecture and collaboration across departments has never been more important as business leaders look for a solution to manage and refresh outdated infrastructure and technology stacks." ValueBlue's collaborative EA platform provides unprecedented business insights that are crucial for planning and structuring as enterprises go digital. The cloud-native platform unlocks impactful and effective collaboration across all departments, not just CIOs and enterprise architects so that teams can stay aligned throughout the entire transformation process at every step. "We're beyond thrilled with the closing of our successful Series B round and the deep relationships we've forged with our investors," said Wilko Visser, CEO at ValueBlue. "The new investment signifies that we're on the right track and it will also strengthen our dedication to our customers. Businesses already face a multitude of challenges and agile transformation can be a daunting feat, but ValueBlue is here to simplify enterprise architecture and make the transition t digital feel exciting and seamless." ValueBlue has been addressing the growing need for agile business transformation since 2011 and the latest capital injection comes at a critical time. In a recent 2021 executive study from Deloitte , digitally mature companies perform better than their less digital counterparts: they are about twice as likely to generate net profit margins and annual revenue growth significantly above their industry average. With the coronavirus pandemic expediting the urgency for businesses to shift to the digital economy, it's now more important than ever for companies to implement digital transformation strategies in order to survive and flourish. "With this Series B round together with Octopus Ventures, we have a solid foundation to further accelerate ValueBlue's growth to market leadership for the next years", said Patrick Polak, Managing Partner of Newion and Board Member of ValueBlue. The company is currently hiring sales executives and a number of other roles based in the New York office. Job listings can be found at careers.valueblue.com . To learn more about ValueBlue and its SaaS platform, visit https://www.valueblue.com . About ValueBlue ValueBlue is the leading company behind the Enterprise SaaS tool that helps CIOs and Enterprise Architects plan, collaborate, and manage business transformation. The collaboration platform speeds up Agile Business Transformation for CIOs and Enterprise Architects across the globe. With BlueDolphin, 165+ customers like AS Watson, Randstad, and Wyndham Hotel Group plan and manage transformation based on data insights and business impact with offices in EMEA, the USA, and APAC. For more information, please visit: https://valueblue.com/ About Octopus Ventures

Octopus Ventures, part of the Octopus Group, is built to specialize in the four areas we believe will change the world for the better: health, money, deep tech, and consumer. The portfolio companies backed by Octopus Ventures have gone on to join forces with the world's largest businesses including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Twitter. Octopus Ventures is one of the largest and most active venture investors in Europe and is based in London and New York with a network that spans from San Francisco to China. For more information, please visit: https://octopusventures.com/ About Newion

Newion is a leading Amsterdam-based Venture Capital Firm, focused on earlystage European B2B SaaS companies with global ambitions. The company has invested in 70+ companies among which Collibra, Reasult, Nallian, Foleon, CustomerGauge, L1nda, Swipeguide, Deliverect, Passendo, MediaTool, Filestage Apicbase, Salonkee, and Objective Platform. Newion III is supported by InnovFin Equity, with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon 2020 Financial Instruments and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), set up under the Investment Plan for Europe. The purpose of EFSI is to support financing and implementing productive investments in the European Union and to ensure increased access to finance. Please visit www.newion.com for more information.

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New investigator appointed to take over criminal case against ToAZ beneficiaries

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

16:54 18/01/2022

MOSCOW, January 18 (RAPSI)  Investigation into a criminal case over organization of a criminal gang or participation thereof (Article 210.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) against beneficiaries of Togliattiazot OJSC Vladimir and Sergey Makhlai, Ameropa AG owner Andreas Zivy and TOaZ ex-CEO Yevgeny Korolev is in progress. On December 30, 2021, it was taken over by a new investigator of the Russian Investigative Committee General Roman Nesterov, according to sources close to the lawyers of the defendants.

Nesterov has been since long well known in the professional community as a skillful and experienced investigator from the Committee's "elite squad." Yet when taking a post in the city of Volgograd he distinguished himself by bringing to completion a case over extortion and fraud against ex-head of the Novoanninsky District Alexander Vanin and former head of the Novoanninsky District Department of Internal Affairs Keyrzhan Sadykov. The General could also prove that Judge of the Voroshilovsky Disrict of the city of Volgograd was involved in corruption.

In 2011, then President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev said that Nesterov was one of the most experienced investigators in the country and decorated him with the Order of Honor. In 2018, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding to Nesterov the second-class Medal of the Order of Merit for the Motherland for the successful completion of the investigation of a case against ex-Minister of Economic Development of Russia Alexey Ulyukayev.

Lawyers taking part in cases investigated by Nesterov tell that they remembered him as a principled officer unwilling to seek compormises. According to experts, with Nesterov taking over the case it is to be expected that the investigation of the Makhlais and other ToAZ owners will be given a new impetus. It needs to be reminded that these figures have been already sentenced in absentia under Article 159.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (especially large embezzlement committed by an organized group) for the crimes committed in 2008 through 2011.

A court ruling granted a 87.6-billion-ruble ($1.15 billion) civil claim of Uralchem; of the total amount 77.3 billion rubles ($1 billion) was due to Togliattiazot and 10.3 billion rubles ($135 million) to JSC Uralchem in compensation of damages suffered because of the fraud. The damages are to be compensated at the expense of the assets owned by ToAZ (JSC Tomet) beneficiaries, as well as in the framework of personal bankrutpcy of Sergey Makhlai, whose properties, including shares in ToAZ, has been seized and are to be sold to repay the debt.

Last December, Uralchem initiated a 53-billion-ruble ($700 million) civil lawsuit against ToAZ beneficiaries. Now, the total claimed amount makes over 141 billion rubles (about $1.9 billion at the current exchange rate). Besides, the company does not rule out that it will initiate new claims as to periods after 2013.

Experts believe that the claimants have very good chances to win the suit.

"In the framework of the new 53-billion-ruble ($700 million) suit there are available all legal options to secure the amount of the claim. Thus, foreign companies which are nominal owners of ToAZ shares belonging to Makhlai may be seized as an injunctive relief. For this purpose, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office may employ the existing international legal mechanisms, which in the present situation can be successfully applied," according to Maria Spiridonova, expert of the Association of Russian Lawyers, Managing Partner at Leges Bureau legal firm.

The expert reminded about a relevant precedent: in the framework of a criminal case over fraud investigated by the Investigative Committee a court seized the majority stake in and the property complex of Togliattiazot.

Moreover, even the funds stolen from ToAZ and moved overseas can be returned through courts. After the sentence of Togliattiazot beneficiaries became final in 2019, the U.S. Connecticut District Court granted an Uralchem petition for receipt of information on Nitrochems Distribution AG historical transactions through UBS Stamford. The court further granted the disclosure motion lodged by two related entities  UBS Financial Services and UBS Group AG. The information obtained from UBS has led to the identification of a number of highly suspicious money transfers between Nitrochem Distribution AG and foreign offshore companies with no apparent links to the chemical industry. Since the transfers were carried out through six banks in New York, Uralchem JSC also requested disclosure of information about those transactions from the New York banks. The Southern District Court of New York granted this motion on May 18, 2020.

There is a good chance that after the scheme employed to transfer ToAZ funds abroad via a system of offshore entities is revealed these funds will be returned to Russia, what is to have a positive effect as to the prospects of further development of the enterprise.
The streak from a Starlink satellite appears in this image of the Andromeda galaxy, taken by the Zwicky Transient Facility, or ZTF, during twilight on May 19, 2021. The image shows only one-sixteenth of ZTF's full field of view. CREDIT Caltech Optical Observatories/IPAC

Since 2019, SpaceX has been launching an increasing number of internet satellites into orbit around Earth.

The satellite constellation, called Starlink, now includes nearly 1,800 members orbiting at altitudes of about 550 kilometers. Astronomers have expressed concerns that that these objects, which can appear as streaks in telescope images, could hamper their scientific observations.

To quantify these effects, a team of researchers studied archival images captured by the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), an instrument that operates from Caltech's Palomar Observatory near San Diego. ZTF scans the entire night sky every two days, cataloguing cosmic objects that explode, blink, or otherwise change over time. This includes everything from supernovae to near-Earth asteroids. The Zwicky team members say they decided to specifically study the effects of Starlink satellites because they currently represent the largest low-Earth orbit, or LEO, constellation, and they have well-characterized orbits.

The findings, reported in the January 17 issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters, shows 5,301 satellite streaks appear in archival images taken between November 2019 and September 2021. The streaks are most apparent in so-called twilight observations, those taken at dawn or dusk, which are important for finding near-Earth asteroids that appear close to the sun in the sky. ZTF has discovered several asteroids of this nature, including 2020 AV2, the first asteroid spotted with an orbit that fits entirely within the orbit of Venus.

"In 2019, 0.5 percent of twilight images were affected, and now almost 20 percent are affected," says Przemek Mroz, study lead author and a former Caltech postdoctoral scholar who is now at the University of Warsaw in Poland.

In the future, the scientists expect that nearly all of the ZTF images taken during twilight will contain at least one streak, especially after the Starlink constellation reaches 10,000 satellites, a goal SpaceX hopes to reach by 2027.

"We don't expect Starlink satellites to affect non-twilight images, but if the satellite constellation of other companies goes into higher orbits, this could cause problems for non-twilight observations," Mroz says.

Yet despite the increase in image streaks, the new report notes that ZTF science operations have not been strongly affected. Study co-author Tom Prince, the Ira S. Bowen Professor of Physics, Emeritus, at Caltech, says the paper shows a single streak affects less than one-tenth of a percent of the pixels in a ZTF image.

"There is a small chance that we would miss an asteroid or another event hidden behind a satellite streak, but compared to the impact of weather, such as a cloudy sky, these are rather small effects for ZTF."

Prince says that software can be developed to help mitigate potential problems; for example, software could predict the locations of the Starlink satellites and thus help astronomers avoid scheduling an observation when one might be in the field of view. Software can also assess whether a passing satellite may have affected an astronomical observation, which would allow astronomers to mask or otherwise reduce the negative effects of the streaks.

The new study also looked at the effectiveness of visors on the Starlink satellites, which SpaceX added beginning in 2020 to block sunlight from reaching the spacecraft. According to the ZTF observations, the visors reduce the satellite brightness by a factor of about five. That dims the satellites down to an apparent brightness level of 6.8 magnitude (the brightest stars are first magnitude, and the faintest stars we can see with our eyes are about sixth magnitude).

This is still not dim enough to meet standards outlined by the Satellite Constellations 1 (SATCON1) workshop in 2020, a gathering sponsored by the NOIRLab (National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory) and the AAS (American Astronomical Society) to bring together astronomers, policymakers, and other experts to discuss the impact of large satellite constellations on astronomy and society. The group called for all LEO satellites to be at seventh magnitude or fainter.

The study authors also note their study is specific to ZTF. Like ZTF, the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory, under construction in Chile, will also survey the sky nightly, but due to its more sensitive imager, astronomers predict that it may be more negatively affected by satellite streaks than ZTF.

Other authors of the study, titled, "Impact of the SpaceX Starlink Satellites on the Zwicky Transient Facility Survey Observations," include Richard Dekany (BS '89), Matthew Graham, Steven Groom, and Frank Masci of Caltech; Dmitry Duev, a former Caltech postdoc now at Weights & Biases Inc.; Angel Otarola of the European Southern Observatory; and Michael S. Medford of UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

ZTF is funded by NSF and an international collaboration of partners. Additional support comes from the Heising-Simons Foundation and Caltech. ZTF data are processed and archived by Caltech's IPAC astronomy center. NASA supports ZTF's search for near-Earth objects through the Near-Earth Object Observations program.



Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
08:05 | Lima, Jan. 19.

In her speech, the Cabinet chief stressed the Government's efforts to fight COVID-19 and promote gender equality with measures based on human rights.

"The pandemic has harshly exposed the failures we still have in the protection of social rights, such as health, education, and work," Vasquez stated.

"For this reason, (...) the Peruvian Government sought to ensure free and equitable access to (COVID-19) vaccines, as well as health care for all citizens, in a clear commitment to the defense of human rights ," she added.
El jefe de Estado, @PedroCastilloTe, participo en la sesion plenaria virtual del Foro Economico Mundial (@wef) "Perspectivas de America Latina". En el encuentro tambien estuvieron los presidentes de Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador y Guatemala. #DavosAgenda#wef22 pic.twitter.com/od6luVTAy3
TB patients and those who are HIV-positive are included as well. Around 35,666 children between 5 and 11 years of age are estimated to have these comorbidities in Peru.

In addition to children with comorbidities and those who are immunosuppressed, children 10 and 11 years of age in the urban sector of the country are also eligible to get vaccinated.

Subsequently, vaccination will be open to 9-year-olds in urban zones and to children between 5 and 11 years of age in the rural sector.

Minsa has already confirmed that the first batch of the Pfizer vaccine which will be used to immunize this population group will arrive on January 21, so the vaccination process is expected to begin in the following days.

The guidelines for the vaccination of this population group state that only minors who do not show symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the last two weeks will be able to be vaccinated, as well as girls and boys who had no contact with COVID-19 positive patients in the last two weeks.

In the case of children in the same age group who fell ill with COVID-19, they may be vaccinated taking into account the following criteria: mild cases that did not require either oxygen or hospitalization can be vaccinated 14 days after the infected person's isolation period ends.

Severe cases requiring oxygen or hospitalization can be vaccinated 90 days after discharge.

?? ATENCION | En la vacunacion de los ninos y ninas de 5 a 11 anos se priorizara a los menores que presentan las siguientes comorbilidades segun la Resolucion Ministerial N 809-2021 MINSA ?? #ProtegeSuNinez ? pic.twitter.com/9c3Bww8wt7
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenian SPRING PR-company has been announced among the winners of WCFA Davos Digital PR Awards as the Best Digital PR Project for "Milk is Love" communication campaign carried out jointly with "Yeremyan Projects".

The aim of the campaign was to promote a culture of consuming milk among Armenians, to raise awareness on the benefits of dairy products and to spread a word on food security challenges, emphasizing the importance of purchasing natural products.

The "Milk is love" campaign was launched in May 2020, during the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, when people were isolated in their homes, many companies were temporarily closed, and the media moved to remote work. Consumer behavior as well as attitudes towards organizations, products and services in different industries, requirements and expectations were changing. At that very moment "Yeremyan Products" brand entered the mass market with the "Milk is love" campaign.

Tatevik Simonyan, the co-founder and director of the international projects of SPRING PR, underlining the characteristics of digital campaigns, notes, In times of crisis many organizations have undergone complex and important transformations abandoning tried and tested business approaches that have justified themselves for many years. Modern communication technologies, in their turn, faced radical changes by developing, becoming more complex and attracting new audiences. Communication professionals were among the first who responded to new circumstances, starting to look for new approaches, more efficient ways and formats of communicating with various target groups. We have implemented the Milk is love communication campaign by using several digital tools, innovative and interesting methods. The campaign was special as soon as people were seeking love, warmth and positive energy those days and our main goal was to deliver it to them. That is why we chose the warm slogan - Milk is love. The international jury approved the campaign, actively discussed it, and described it as a project with an interesting strategy that conveys care and warmth. We are grateful to our international colleagues for the high recognition.

The "Milk is Love" campaign was a new and unique approach of sustainable positioning in the context of the diverse and highly competitive Armenian dairy products market. "Milk is Love" campaign was inspired by the famous Got Milk? social campaign (USA, 1993).

Davit Yeremyan, Director General of Yeremyan Projects, says, In March, 2020, when restaurants were closed due to the pandemic, we used the window of opportunity and focused all our potential on agricultural projects. In a very short time, in just one month we entered a highly competitive market with our Yeremyan products brand presenting to our consumers high-quality and healthy dairy foods produced on our farms and primarily designed for our restaurants. Parallelly we successfully implemented a public awareness campaign on benefits of milk consumption. We got quite positive feedback from our consumers. And I am happy and proud that our joint effort with our long-standing partner - SPRING PR, has been highly appreciated by the international community. "

SPRING PR has also received the Communication 4 Future Davos Awards 2017 for the title "Pro Bono of the Future" for its Corporate Social Responsibility Project - "Lets Care, Armenia - World Water Day".

WCFA President Maxim Behar says: "This is the first edition of Davos Awards dedicated particularly on digital business and the competition was really very high. This is proof that all PR business goes online and I do believe that there will be no way back. WCFA Jury, headed by the well known social media expert Rui Martins, was combined of experienced professionals from all continents and it makes the win of SPRING PR much more valuable. I sincerely congratulate my Armenian colleagues and wish them many more wins of clients, projects, talents and - of course - awards.

The Davos Digital PR Awards recognize unique and valuable campaigns and exceptional professional work by public relations and communications professionals from around the world. Best Digital PR Project award gives a high recognition to the most memorable digital campaigns that are shifting consumers, and other key audiences' perspectives on the product, breaking stereotypes and forming new attitudes.

The most outstanding projects launched nationwide between January 2020 and July 2021 were considered in three categories - Best Digital PR Project, Best Digital PR Company, Digital PR Guru of 2021 - in the first edition of Davos Digital PR Awards. SPRING PR is the gold winner of the Best Digital PR Project. Entries were received from Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Georgia, Italy, Russia, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.

***

SPRING PR is an award-winning PR and research company founded in 2009 specializing in the spheres of strategic communications, reputation management, events organization and researches. The company cooperates with a number of local and international large, medium and small enterprises, state institutions, non-governmental and charitable organizations.

SPRING PR is a part of global PR community, with professional involvement in such reputable international organizations as the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

Over the years, SPRING PR and its team have received top awards and recognition, including C4F Davos Awards (Communication for Future Davos Awards), IPRA Golden World Awards, Eventiada IPRA Golden World Awards.

It is worth noting that in 2019, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of SPRING PR, Yerevan hosted the biggest event in the sphere of PR - Golden World Awards 2019 of the International PR Association (IPRA) and the Gala Dinner. About 120 experts, representatives of state agencies, executive officers of big companies, communication specialists from more than 50 countries arrived in Armenia.

In June 2020, SPRING PR signed two other memorandums of collaboration with its internationalpartners Stratcomm Africa, Jasper Alliance London Limited, European M3 Communications Group. Inc, and the GeorgianPR Consulting Group.

In 2021 for the first time in the history of Armenian PR companies, SPRING PR has been announced among the winners of IPRA Golden World Awards - 2021 which is considered the Oscar of the field.

***

WCFA is first about individuals who have the ability to think global, act global. Every such individual is an ambassador who not only represents her/his region or organization on this truly global platform but also aspires to be the frontrunner in the development of the global communication culture. WCFA aims to contribute actively to the development of the modern public communications worldwide.

Key areas of activity

 Forming a cross-border and cross-cultural community of professionals and increasing its strong global influence via an agenda focused on communications, media, public relations, branding and leadership.

 Proceeding from the idea of communication as a key factor in the development of the humanity and aiming to intensify the the research of future specifics: new behaviour models, educational models, recognition and influence.

 Supporting young professionals by financing cross-national internships for students from communications schools.

 Supporting the annual World Forum "Communication on Top" in Davos as a platform for discussion that shapes the global communications agenda and foresees the influence of different media channels on society, business and the communications industry.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Chairman of the State Revenue Committee Rustam Badasyan spoke in favor of the border with Turkey being opened, stating that an open border is better than a closed border.

We can speak with axiomatic truths, Badasyan told reporters. Naturally, a border being open is better than a border being closed. I think this is undisputable because you can never have the kind of economic activity and turnover during closed borders which you can have during open borders, he said.

Badasyan dismissed a reporters question on whether or not there is a risk of Turkish capitals inflow into Armenia. He said that this hypothetical scenario shouldnt be considered as a risk. Naturally, the representation of major economies in countries with smaller economies is more noticeable everywhere in the world, so what, should we live in fears? Badasyan said.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh has issued a statement on the 32nd anniversary of the anti-Armenian pogroms in Baku.

ARMENPRESS presents the text of the statement:

32 years ago, on January 13-19, 1990 a systematic and mass massacre of the Armenian population was carried out in Baku with apparent permission and support of the Azerbaijani authorities. Hundreds of Armenians were killed, dispossessed and hundreds of thousands of Armenians tortured during the week-long atrocities.

Armenian population of Baku and other cities were deported under the direct threat of physical existence, and found refuge in Artsakh, Armenia and other countries of the world without receiving international status and support. Over the years, Armenian cultural heritage in those areas was vandalized and desecrated, their historical value and significance were distorted by the Azerbaijani authorities being adapted to their political expediencies.

The realization, encouragement and glorification of the Armenian massacres by the Azerbaijani authorities and unfortunately by the Azerbaijani society is systematic, large-scale and has a clear chronology: in 1905 and 1918 - the massacres in Baku, February, 1988 - Sumgait and in November of the same year in Gandzak-Kirovabad,1990s - again in Baku, Maragha, 2004 - the glorification of Ramil Safarov who axed Gurgen Margaryan, the killings of civiliansand the torture of the Armenian military during April 2026 war, and Azerbaijani-Turkish aggressionof 2020, are undeniable evidence of the systematic policy of Armenian massacres and its consequences.

Due to the poisoning of the society by the authorities for years, intolerance, hatred against and murder of Armenians, vandalism against Armenian cultural heritage and desecration of monuments in Azerbaijan have become not only a state but a national policy. This is a fact against which the urgency of taking measures is also enshrined in the decision of the UN International Court of Justice.

Under the false slogans of peace building in the region, Azerbaijani authorities continue to commit widespread violations of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh creating an atmosphere of fear, despair, disrupting normal life in Artsakh, isolating the people of Artsakh from the world.

There is ample material documenting the crimes committed by Azerbaijan against the Armenians, it only takes an impartial and courageous eye to see it all and give a proper assessment. Unfortunately, these crimes have not received a clear legal assessment from the international community. This impunity is one of the focal reasons why Azerbaijan allows itself grossly violate the norms of international law, to speak with hatred about an entire nation without any fear it may be held accountable.

Guided by the most fundamental principle of the universality of human rights, pursuing the unconditional observance of this principle and restoration of justice, we will continue to demand the condemnation of the crimes against Armenians and the prevention of new crimes.
Longtime Ontario horseman Dave Garney Gibson passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Jan. 18. He would have turned 64 on Jan. 19, 2022.

Dave raced primarily at his home track of Kawartha Downs where he was the leading trainer on several occasions and was the horsepersons representative for the track for many years. He also served on the OHHA executive.

Dave was a leading advocate for keeping harness racing at the Fraserville, Ont., track and led the rallies when its future was threatened on more than one occasion. He was also an integral part of any fundraisers held for local horsepeople in need.

Gord Brown, Kawarthas leading driver for many years, raced alongside Garney for decades. He was always there for the horsepeople, he thought of them first. He was a real team player, he looked out for us. Its sad news, Gord said today.

Dave was extremely helpful when I was the marketing director at Kawartha, noted Heather MacKay. He went out of his way to provide information and guidance when I started for which I was very grateful.

Jessica Bailey worked for Dave for close to a decade. He nominated her as Kawartha's groom of the year which she subsequently won. "When I first asked him for a job he said 'Everything you ever knew about horses forget it right now. Were starting from scratch.' For my first pay cheque he had to ask me my first name because he just called me 'Red'.

Their relationship evolved to him being the Master of Ceremonies at her wedding and her daughters godfather. He always gave me credit. When the owners would compliment him on the horses he would always say thank Jess, shes done all of the work.

Dave garnered headlines two years ago when his horse Rustys Flying set a record for the number of wins by a pacing mare. Daves lifetime stats as a trainer show 3,146 starts and $3.7 million in earnings.



Rustys Flying and Dave Gibson

Dave had two starts to date in 2022, one at Mohawk and his final career start was on Thursday, January 13 at Flamboro. Both were with the pacing gelding Try Line. He had also purchased a yearling filly at last years Ontario Selected Yearling Sale, a Bettors Delight mare named Twin B Glory. Other horses associated with Dave include Midnite Romp, Sportster, Leonidas De Vie, Trouball, Professorsdapapers, Fergus, Vegas Rich and many more.

He will be missed by his sisters, Donna Wyse (Dave Lamont) of Airdrie, Alta., Kathy Edwards (Phil) of Windsor, Ont., and Carol Wyse of Calgary, Alta.

The family is planning a celebration of life later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart/Stroke Foundation. Further details will be posted at a later date.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dave Gibson.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. A bilateral commission on the delimitation and demarcation of Armenia  Azerbaijan border has not been formed yet, the conditions are being discussed, there are certain circumstances to be clarified, ARMENPRESS reports Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said in a parliament-Cabinet Q&A session, answering the question of MP Taguhi Ghazaryan from Civil Contract party if there are any concrete agreements on setting the commission.

"A delimitation and demarcation commission has not been formed yet, the conditions under which that commission can start working are being discussed. We are convinced that unless concrete mechanisms are put in place, concrete steps are taken to increase border stability and security, mechanisms to help prevent further collisions, intentional or sometimes accidental, for technical reasons, this commission will have difficulty to be formed and to work, Mirzoyan said.

There is no clarity on the specific dates of the establishment of the commission, but, according to the Minister, there is a perception that the process will start in the near future. There are certain circumstances to clarify and agree on. After that, the commission can be formed and work.

Last year, based on the results of the trilateral meeting in Sochi, an agreement was reached on the establishment of a bilateral commission with the consultative participation of the Russian Federation.
The Azerbaijani foreign ministry has fallen into hysterical rage by the statement made by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, in which he accused Azerbaijan of "violating diplomatic ethics."

January 19, 2022, 12:09 Azerbaijan MFA falls into hysterical rage by France FM statement

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: Answering the questions of the MPs in the French parliament, Le Drian had said that Paris considers unacceptable Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs statements in connection with the recent visit to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by French presidential candidate Valerie Pecresse.

"Le Drian called Ilham Aliyev's words regarding the illegal trip of French presidential candidate Valerie Pecresse to the Karabakh region unacceptable in form and content. The irresponsible and unacceptable comment of the French minister on the statement of the head of another state violates diplomatic traditions. We note with regret that the minister of foreign affairs of France, a country with a long tradition of statehood, does not understand this," as news.am informs, said Leyla Abdullayeva, spokeswoman for the Azerbaijani foreign ministry.
The Embassy and Consulates General of Russia in Ukraine are functioning smoothly, despite attacks from Ukrainian radicals and provocations from Ukrainian security forces, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel on Tuesday, Tass informs.

January 19, 2022, 10:17 Russian foreign mission in Ukraine works as usual despite provocations

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: "The Embassy and Consulates General of Russia work in a routine mode. They do it despite attacks on Russian foreign missions from Ukrainian radicals and provocations from local security forces," she said.

Zakharova added that Russian diplomats in Ukraine and their families, as well as employees of Russias foreign missions, receive individual threats. Notes of protests about all this are regularly sent to the Ukrainian side. "One of the recent examples  an attack on Consulate General of Russia in Lviv with the use of Molotov cocktails," the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman recalled.

Commenting on the article by the New York Times about the alleged evacuation of Russian diplomats from the embassy in Ukraine, Zakharova stressed that the US newspaper did not ask the Russian foreign ministry for comment. "If the American newspaper addressed us for a comment, it would know what was going on. But then the interest in publishing the article is likely to be lost altogether," she concluded.
NATO is ready to engage with Russia to exchange briefings on exercises, discuss arms control and reduce the threat from nuclear weapons, Jens Stoltenberg, the alliances secretary general said on Tuesday, Tass informs.

January 19, 2022, 10:27 NATO says its ready to resume briefings with Russia on exercises, nuclear policies

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: He on Tuesday invited all the members of the NATO-Russia Council to hold a series of meetings to discuss Ukraine and mutual security concerns, he said at a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that was broadcast online.

"We are also prepared to resume the exchange of briefings on exercises, and on our respective nuclear policies," he said. "And allies are prepared to discuss arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation and encourage Russia to engage seriously on reducing the threat from nuclear weapons and missile systems."

He also said that the alliance "will not compromise on core principles, such as the right for each nation to choose its own path and NATOs ability to protect and defend all Allies."

The statement effectively means the alliance wont give up a policy of expansion that aims to draw new member states into the group and create new military infrastructure and bases near Russian borders.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on January 14 said the US and NATO seek to procrastinate about providing security guarantees. He said the potential for conflict was building up and blamed the West for the negative developments.

Russia is demanding that NATO abandon plans for further expansion and deployment of conventional and nuclear weapons near Russian borders.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres offered Germanys former Chancellor Angela Merkel to start working as a high-level advisor in the United Nations, DPA reported citing sources in the organization.

January 19, 2022, 12:30 Guterres offers Merkel job at UN

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: Guterres sent a letter to Merkel with such an offer.

The former German Chancellor has not yet responded, but the UN is not sure that she will accept this offer.
The Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh has issued a statement on the 32nd anniversary of the anti-Armenian pogroms in Baku.

January 19, 2022, 15:31 We will continue to demand condemnation of crimes against Armenians  Artsakh Ombudsman

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: The text of the statement is presented below:

32 years ago, on January 13-19, 1990 a systematic and mass massacre of the Armenian population was carried out in Baku with apparent permission and support of the Azerbaijani authorities. Hundreds of Armenians were killed, dispossessed and hundreds of thousands of Armenians tortured during the week-long atrocities.

Armenian population of Baku and other cities were deported under the direct threat of physical existence, and found refuge in Artsakh, Armenia and other countries of the world without receiving international status and support. Over the years, Armenian cultural heritage in those areas was vandalized and desecrated, their historical value and significance were distorted by the Azerbaijani authorities being adapted to their political expediencies.

The realization, encouragement and glorification of the Armenian massacres by the Azerbaijani authorities and unfortunately by the Azerbaijani society is systematic, large-scale and has a clear chronology: in 1905 and 1918 - the massacres in Baku, February, 1988 - Sumgait and in November of the same year in Gandzak-Kirovabad,1990s - again in Baku, Maragha, 2004 - the glorification of Ramil Safarov who axed Gurgen Margaryan, the killings of civiliansand the torture of the Armenian military during April 2026 war, and Azerbaijani-Turkish aggressionof 2020, are undeniable evidence of the systematic policy of Armenian massacres and its consequences.

Due to the poisoning of the society by the authorities for years, intolerance, hatred against and murder of Armenians, vandalism against Armenian cultural heritage and desecration of monuments in Azerbaijan have become not only a state but a national policy. This is a fact against which the urgency of taking measures is also enshrined in the decision of the UN International Court of Justice.

Under the false slogans of peace building in the region, Azerbaijani authorities continue to commit widespread violations of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh creating an atmosphere of fear, despair, disrupting normal life in Artsakh, isolating the people of Artsakh from the world.

There is ample material documenting the crimes committed by Azerbaijan against the Armenians, it only takes an impartial and courageous eye to see it all and give a proper assessment. Unfortunately, these crimes have not received a clear legal assessment from the international community. This impunity is one of the focal reasons why Azerbaijan allows itself grossly violate the norms of international law, to speak with hatred about an entire nation without any fear it may be held accountable.

Guided by the most fundamental principle of the universality of human rights, pursuing the unconditional observance of this principle and restoration of justice, we will continue to demand the condemnation of the crimes against Armenians and the prevention of new crimes.
It has been quite a long time that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are not visiting Artsakh.

January 19, 2022, 15:42 Some political pressures on Azerbaijan will be required. David Babayan

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: The last visit took place at the end of 2019; then it was hindered by the pandemic, the war, and again the pandemic. But these are technical obstacles. The most important obstacle is Azerbaijan which is trying to ban or complicate their visit to the region.

Artsakhs Foreign Minister Davit Babayan said at a press conference today.

"In order for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to resume their work in the traditional way, some political pressure on Azerbaijan will be required, as that country hinders their activities. The Co-Chairs are ready to visit the region, including Artsakh. We have expressed our opinion and dissatisfaction, considering the policy of Azerbaijan unacceptable. We never leave such questions unanswered," Artsakh FM said.
Citing an increase in the demand for digital banking services over the in-person experience, KeyBank will close its downtown Auburn branch this spring.

The Cleveland-based financial services company said the branch at 115 Genesee St. will close on April 15, and accounts will be transferred to the company's branch on the city's west side at 355 Genesee St. The company will also continue to operate its branch on Grant Avenue and a drive-thru ATM on Dill Street.

"How clients interact with our branches continues to change at a rapid pace and we have seen a steady increase in client preference for digital banking," the company said in a statement. "For example, transactions via online and mobile banking were two times the number of transactions completed at a branch office. Since the pandemic began, those trends have increased at an even higher rate."

Key said its customers do not need to take any action in conjunction with the branch closure, and they can continue to bank at any branch. The company also operates branches in the Cayuga County area in Weedsport, Skaneateles and Marcellus.

When asked about the impact of the closure on employees at the downtown Auburn, Key said it is "working to assist them in pursuing opportunities within Key."

Key moved into the downtown branch in 2016, when it consolidated two offices after acquiring First Niagara. Previously Key had operated a branch across the street while First Niagara had an office at the 115 Genesee St. location.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Key holds the largest share of deposits among all the banks operating in Cayuga County, with 27.3% of total deposits in the county, or $453.6 million. The next largest competitor, Tompkins Financial Corp., holds 15.4% of deposits in the county.

KeyBank leases the building at 115 Genesee St., which is owned by Irma Straus Realty Corp. and Flambeau Realty Corp. in Yonkers. Those companies purchased the two-story, 17,636-square-foot building in 2017 for $1.93 million from a holding company owned by central New York developer Michael Falcone. First Niagara had sold the property to Falcone's holding company in 2008 for $925,000.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2022-23 executive budget includes more state aid for Cayuga County-area school districts.

Under Hochul's proposal, the state would provide $31.3 billion in aid to public schools, a $2.1 billion increase over the 2021-22 school year. Foundation aid, the main funding source for schools, would rise by $1.6 billion. That would fulfill the second year of a three-year phase-in to fully fund the foundation aid formula.

Auburn, the largest school district in Cayuga County, would get 9.77% more in overall aid and an 11.71% increase in foundation aid. The school district's foundation aid would increase from $32,967,312 in 2021-22 to $36,826,631 in 2022-23. Total aid would rise from $48.617,662 to $53,369,072.

Ian Phillips, president of the Auburn school board, said the aid levels, if approved by state lawmakers, would be one of the largest increases the district has ever received.

"That's really promising," he added. "It will allow us to keep the programs and supports for our students that we've been able to add through federal aid that was temporary. That the state is following through on their commitment to fully fund foundation aid is really very good news."

But Phillips is hopeful there will be more action taken to address the flawed state aid funding formula that has affected Auburn over the years. The "Fix and Fund It" campaign was launched several years ago to urge state lawmakers to revamp the formula to ensure the school district received its fair share of funding.

While state legislators representing Auburn have taken that message to Albany, there has been little done to change the formula. Phillips noted that several school districts in Onondaga County received larger state aid increases even though they spend more per pupil.

"We're underfunded compared to neighboring districts," Phillips said. "An increase in funding is certainly welcome for Auburn but when the increase in neighboring districts is greater it means that our students don't have the same resources as these neighboring districts."

For the remainder of the Cayuga County-area school districts, most would receive the minimum 3% increase in foundation aid. Moravia was an exception. The district in southern Cayuga County would get 6.44% more in foundation aid, from $9,221,585 in 2021-22 to $9,815,233 in 2022-23. Total aid would rise from $14,848,804 to $15,658,597, a 5.45% increase.

District 2021-22 aid 2022-23 proposal Percent change Cato-Meridian $15,453,493 $16,525,623 6.94% Jordan-Elbridge $18,895,206 $19,892,681 5.28% Port Byron $15,436,691 $15,604,022 1.08% Skaneateles $6,929,077 $7,114,289 2.67% Southern Cayuga $9,463,246 $9,879,914 4.40% Union Springs $10,571,951 $11,086,657 4.87% Weedsport $10,445,107 $11,012,123 5.43%

Hochul's budget will be reviewed by state legislators, with the goal of finalizing the budget before the start of the new fiscal year on April 1.

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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A select group of smaller communities in New York could benefit from a $100 million program proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in her 2022-23 executive budget.

Hochul wants to establish the New York Forward program, which would be modeled after the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The regional economic development councils would select the villages or hamlets to receive state funding. In the DRI, each winning municipality receives $10 million.

The goal of New York Forward, according to the budget briefing book released by Hochul's office on Tuesday, is to "advance the renaissance of our smaller downtowns."

"The state's investment in shovel-ready projects that demonstrate their ability to accelerate revitalization will strengthen the competitiveness of future community projects, overcoming barriers and closing the gap between the trajectory of New York state's small communities and larger urban centers," the book reads.

While any downtown area is eligible for a DRI prize, the awards typically go to cities. In central New York, past recipients include Auburn, Oswego and Syracuse. In other regions, there have been villages that won awards. Newark, in Wayne County, won $10 million in 2021.

But the New York Forward program would create an easier path for smaller communities to receive state funding for downtown areas.

"Governor Hochul knows the value of hamlets and villages as the connection that ties our rural communities together," the governor's office wrote in the State of the State book released earlier this month. "The successful DRI demonstrates that New York state's plan-then-build approach to downtown revitalization works, but more needs to be done to revitalize the burgeoning hamlets and villages of the state."

Along with New York Forward, Hochul also proposed the sixth round of DRI grants. The program would receive $100 million, with $10 million for each of the 10 regional councils.

Hochul's budget address on Tuesday was the official kickoff of budget season in Albany. There will be legislative hearings to discuss the executive budget and both houses will pass their own plans. That's when negotiations usually heat up between the governor and state legislative leaders, who hope to pass a new state budget before the start of the fiscal year on April 1.

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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Lamborghini sales in India rose in 2021 and while 69 units delivered may not appear too high a figure, it is a clear sign of possible things to come.

Lamborghini had a fantastic 2021, a year that saw the sportscar maker sell a record 8,405 cars delivered globally. While the Chinese mainland and the United States remain key markets, the contribution of the Asia-Pacific region as a whole was significant as well with 2,249 cars delivered all across here. India may have a tiny share in this but the market here is looking at more widespread supercar adoption.

Through the course of 2021, Lamborghini delivered 69 units to customers in India. This is up by 86% when compared to figures from 2020. In the overall schematics, the number may still be small - Lamborghini sold 354 cars in South Korea and 75 cars in Thailand - but there is a clear shift afoot.

Lamborghini Urus has been a gamechanger for the company in most markets and the SUV has been quite successful here in India as well. Lamborghini has also been rather quick to bring in models like Huracan Evo RWD Spyder, Huracan STO, Urus Pearl Capsule and the Urus Graphite Capsule.

Lamborghini India Head Sharad Agarwal recently told news agency PTI that the outlook for 2022 remains strong. "With all the efforts that we have put in the market, we also have a good order bank which is also giving us a good start to 2022," he was quoted as saying. (Read more here)

While the pandemic has delivered a big blow to the automotive industry at larger, the luxury and super-luxury car makers have mostly had it good. Analysts point to higher disposable incomes with the wealthy who are otherwise unable to splurge on factors such as travel and hospitality in Covid times as the main driving force for higher sales in the two passenger vehicle segments.

The road ahead for the overall passenger vehicle segment remains fraught with challenges galore but Lamborghini could be looking at another strong year across the world, and India included.

First Published Date:
A former U.S. Airman was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for the 2020 kidnapping and killing of Sasha Krause.

A jury found Mark Gooch, 22, guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping in October.

Coconino County Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols described it as one of the most senseless cases shes ever handled.

Both Krause and Gooch grew up as part of the Mennonite faith before Gooch left to join the U.S. Air Force at 18. Prosecutors argued that Gooch's disdain for the religion drove him to kill Krause.

Theres no indication Krause knew her killer before he kidnapped her while gathering supplies at the Farmington church for the next day's Sunday school. Her body was found in the Sunset Volcano Crater National Monument area outside of Flagstaff a month later. Her hands were bound by duct tape and a bullet fired into the back of her skull.

Investigators ultimately used cell phone and financial records to tie Gooch to the murder. His attorney, Bruce Griffen, called the evidence circumstantial and said Gooch maintains his innocence.

A 'calloused' killing

Griffen and Goochs family urged Brown Nichols to consider a lesser sentence of life where he could be eligible for parole after 25 years. But prosecutor Ammon Barker argued that Goochs actions were calloused and ensuring he would die in prison was the only way to keep the community safe.

Brown Nichols sided with Barker and was perplexed by the lack of motive.

Even if he knew the person, it wouldn't be justified, Brown Nichols said. But the fact that he didn't even know her was so very senseless and mindboggling. To wrap your head around what occurred in this case -- it just makes no sense why one human being would do this to another human being.

Brown Nichols also sentenced Gooch to an additional five years in prison for kidnapping to be served consecutively, as well as six more months in the Coconino County jail for a misdemeanor charge of theft related to Krause's belongings. He will receive credit for the 636 days hes been in custody.

Now, instead of honorably serving his nation, he is going to serve a humiliating life term in prison, Coconino County Attorney William Ring said in a statement. The victim's faith was important to her, so as guided by Proverbs, we all do right by caring that justice gets done for the vulnerable ones.

Gooch spoke briefly during Wednesdays sentencing to offered his condolences to Krauses family. He also thanked his own family for their love and support during this difficult situation.

He showed no emotion as the judge handed him a life sentence and appeared to look toward his parents in the courtroom gallery as sheriffs deputies escorted him out.

Goochs parents, Jim and Anita, declined to comment after the sentencing, saying only that they are praying for the Krause family.

A shared faith

More than a dozen friends and family members of Krause packed into the courtroom with many clad in traditional Mennonite garb and bonnets. Goochs parents sat on the other side of the courtroom behind their son. They too wore traditional Mennonite clothing.

Multiple people remarked on the civility and respect shown by both families during the trial and subsequent proceedings. Gooch and Krauses families spoke during the trial, Griffen said. He ascribed it to their shared beliefs.

Krauses parents did not attend the sentencing in person. A victim-witness representative read a letter from her mother, Laura. She remembered her daughter as conscientious, determined and a good sister who found comfort in God and in writing poetry. At 26, Krause moved to Farmington to work for Lamp & Light Publishers and taught English, Spanish and French. It was the work she was made for, her mother said.

Then, her daughter was kidnapped and murdered. She confessed in her letter that she doesnt understand why and likely never will, but she knew it had to be part of Gods plan.

God will use her death in his glory and Im convinced he has an eternal purpose for Sasha that we can only guess from here on out, she wrote.

James Gooch, the defendants father, said he hopes his son can one day be a contributing member to society again as he advocated for the more lenient sentence during a brief statement. Griffen and numerous letters submitted to the court by family and friends on Goochs behalf pointed to his lack of criminal history, strong family support and his young age. They described the murder as out of character for Gooch and both parents detailed in separate letters how their son has found his way back to religion while in custody.

But Barker questioned what hope Krause had as Gooch drove her hours away to another state in the dark of night. Did she wonder if she would get out of this situation or ever see her family again? Gooch forfeited his right to hope when he killed Krause, Barker said. He questioned if investigators with the Coconino County Sheriffs Office captured a serial killer at the beginning of his career when they apprehended Gooch.

Records presented during the trial show Gooch left his station at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix and drive to Farmington. Gooch admitted to taking the trip but said it was in search of the fellowship of Mennonites. Records show he tried to cover his tracks by having his car detailed, clearing the location history from his phone and asking a friend to hold a .22-caliber gun.

Barker argued that the seemingly random killing was motivated by Goochs disdain for the Mennonite faith, pointing to a text exchange with his two brothers.

Griffen said there was not enough evidence to support that. No one knows how much of a role the Mennonite faith had in the case, he added.

I call it the unanswered question, he said. I just still think it is a disconnect and I dont think anybody understands it at this point.

Reporter Bree Burkitt can be reached at 928-556-2250 or bburkitt@azdailysun.com.

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Wildfire management and restoration in the West is getting a little oxygen. On Tuesday, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited Arizona to announce a new 10-year strategy for confronting the wildfire crisis in the West.

Standing outside before a botanical desert backdrop, Vilsack took the podium between Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Forest Service Chief Randy Moore.

I've seen the exhausted look of firefighters who just can't get ahead of a fire that is out of control, Secretary Vilsack said to the small crowd. I've seen, and tried to console, those whose homes have been destroyed, those whose businesses have been disrupted. I understand the pain that a fire can create.

According to the USDA, wildfires burned more than 10 million acres nationwide in 2020, 2017 and 2015. The running 5-year average number of structures destroyed by wildfires each year jumped from 2,873 in 2014 to 12,255 in 2020  a fourfold increase in just six years.

Forest Service Chief Randy Moore helped to give a little understanding of how we got here. A combination of overgrown forest, a warming climate, and a broad number of home and wildland urban interface areas, followed by a century of rigorous fire suppression, has contributed to what is now a full-blown wildfire and forest health crisis, Moore said.

The new strategy centers research on what Forest Service scientists identified as high-risk firesheds  large, forested landscapes with high likelihood that an ignition could expose homes, communities, infrastructure and natural resources to wildfire  and calls for the Forest Service to implement or support treatment on 50 million acres of federal, state, tribal, private and family lands. Not only will this strategy encompass forest health treatments like prescribed fire and thinning to reduce hazardous fuels, it will be complemented by investments in fire-adapted communities and work to address post-fire risks, recovery and reforestation.

Once a fire is actually put out, that is just the beginning of the challenges a community faces, Vilsack explained. Were not going to stop fires. But what we can do is begin the process of reducing the catastrophic nature of these fires.

Much of the announcement focused on the idea that this new plan is a serious commitment. Its a promise to the people of Arizona, to the people of the Southwest, and the people for western U.S. in particular, Vilsack said. This is not a situation where we're going to wait a couple of years from now and you're going to see the impact. We're going to see the impact in 2022.

Its big talk, but it does comes with a big budget. This new strategy will receive funding from the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides nearly $3 billion specifically to reduce hazardous fuels, restore Americas forests and grasslands, and invest in fire-adapted communities and post fire reforestation.

That hearty allocation is in part due to the efforts of Arizona legislators, Vilsack said. He pointed to the budget for preventative treatments as example. With the funding that Senator Kelly, Representative O'Halleran and others have put in this infrastructure bill, we now will be able to do, over the next five years, around $650 million of additional work -- a 350% increase in the level of commitment, he explained. And thats just on the treatment side.

In Arizona, the Forest Service has had a tumultuous year for wildfire management. As of August 2021, over 550,000 acres, an area almost twice the size of Phoenix, had burned. In the fall, the agency came under fire for its fizzling Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), and by winter it declared the project reignited with an injection of $54 million from the federal budget.

But a new bill and a new strategy should help to strengthen 4FRI and Arizona fire management in a myriad of ways, Senator Kelly said.

It contains funding to accelerate work under for the Four Forest Restoration Initiative and to stand up the wood products and biomass industry in our state, Kelly said of the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill. It includes grants to help Arizona communities and homeowners build defensible space. It supports more hiring and higher pay for wildland firefighters. And it establishes a commission of wildfire experts to evaluate and develop new strategies for fighting and preventing wildfires, an initiative that Senator [Mitt] Romney and I worked on together.

Bipartisan as this infrastructure bill may be, it remains to be seen whether it will build a bridge between Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and the Biden administration. In June 2021, President Biden snubbed Ducey by failing to invite him to a meeting convened specifically to address the threat of wildfires. Governors from California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada were all in attendance. At the time, there were 14 fires burning in Arizona, and Ducey had just signed off on $100 million of emergency funding.

Moore seemed confident that with this bill, the Forest Service would be equipped to handle future challenges in Arizona and across the nation. We're ready to begin the work in a way that meets the urgency of the moment, he said.

Kelly stressed that urgency as well: We can't afford to have a fire or flood on Bill Williams Mountain. This could wipe out the city of Williams. Unmanaged fire in the Cragin Reservoir area may result in Payson losing its municipal water supply, he said. We can't keep doing the same thing under worse conditions and expecting better results. We need to be more proactive.

Vilsack agreed, saying that the program needed more resources, more commitment and more recognition that forests are infrastructure, but are also important beyond that.

Its fair to say that anyone in the West understands and appreciates the role that our forests play: not only as recreational opportunities, not only as woody biomass opportunities, not only as incredible sinks of carbon, but as majestic areas, Vilsack said. People who know the forest know that the time to act for significant improvement, to change the trajectory of our wildfires and their impact on people, communities, forests and firefighters, is long overdue.

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Here we go again: the Western media continues to dump its grime on Egypt. Yet another article published on Egypt by Agence France Press (AFP) has been circulating widely, its headline reading US arrests man for spying on opponents of Egypts Sisi.

The topic is factual, no doubt about it. The chances are that Pierre Girgis, the Egyptian man charged with spying in the US, may have gathered information on persons threatening Egypts security. We will delve into that issue later on. What is really bizarre and worth focusing on here is the wording of the headline and also the content.

Lets start with the headline. The phrase Egypts Sisi is intentional and calculated. It evokes a picture of an authoritarian regime in which a single person hovers over the whole nation. The article does not refer to the president of Egypt because that would come across as benign. Egypts Sisi is more deliberate and vehement.

But Western media, if the intention was to create a malign impression of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, and one in which Egyptians have lost their country to a single person, Im afraid your efforts have fallen on deaf ears.

The malice continues. The article refers to the US authorities having tracked and obtained information regarding political opponents of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. The latter phrase is hyperlinked, sending readers to a BBC article entitled Egyptian President Abdul-Fattah Al-Sisi: Ruler with an Iron Grip.

The issue of the spying charges is in no way directly connected to the president of our nation, and yet the Western media is very inventive in trying to implicate the president in any wrong-doing. This is premeditated but very apparent.

What about the political opponents? Are these only against Egypts president, or are they against Egypt in general? Again, the wording has been chosen to egg on those who are against Egypt and to incite others to follow the same route. Its a pattern that the Western media has been attuned to for so long that it has become almost nondescript.

The article continues by saying that Girgis had sent information about an anti-Sisi activist that he obtained from the Egyptian government to US law-enforcement officers. One might have thought that reporting such information to US law-enforcement officers would be a positive matter, but such officers do not see eye to eye with Egypt. One might also wonder if the anti-Sisi activist is against Egypt itself, since this would give Egypt the right to go after him wherever he is.

The article is careless and inconsequential. In trying to create a mountain out of a molehill, it has failed miserably.

Then we come to the notion of spying. Secret intelligence operations are conducted by almost all countries in an effort to protect themselves, their citizens, their economies, and their borders. However, if the Western media refers to Western spies, they are usually called members of the intelligence services, while in Egypts case, they are nothing but evil-spirited spies.

Spies have also been around for millennia. According to the Bible, the Lord said to Moses, send men to explore Canaan. So, at the Lords command, Moses dispatched men to explore the land of Canaan for 40 days.

While this does not always make spying morally justifiable, it does tell us that it has existed for centuries. Countries around the world even spy on their friends as well as on their embassies and agencies.

A report by the UN special rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression says that changes in technologies have also provided new opportunities for state surveillance and intervention into individuals private lives, for example. According to the US Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a growing number of states are deploying advanced Al surveillance tools to monitor, track, and surveil citizens.

The US itself has the most extensive and sophisticated intelligence network of all nations. In fact, as the BBC says, the US spies on the entire globe. Employing spying as a necessary tool in the fight against terrorism, the US has conducted mass surveillance of individuals and countries, friends and foes, and Americans and non-Americans. All these have been watched and spied upon. French delegates at the UN were under surveillance at one point, as was the mobile phone of former German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Another case in point is US national Edward Snowden, who worked as an IT expert for the American National Security Agency (NSA) before he let the cat out of the bag by releasing thousands of top-secret documents from the NSA indicating the amount of surveillance it conducts. Since 2013 when Snowden exposed the NSA actions, he has been in hiding, seeking asylum, or about to be extradited to the US. For the last few years he has been granted asylum in Russia.

Snowden said that they [the NSA] were not just collecting and intercepting communications from criminals, spies, terrorists, people of intelligence value  they were collecting on everyone, everywhere, all of the time, just in case, because you never know whats going to be interesting. And if you miss it when its passing by, you might not get another chance.

The issue reported by the AFP article is worth examining since the US is charging an Egyptian with dual citizenship with espionage. What isnt acceptable, however, is the intentional and unnecessary insertion of President Al-Sisi into this case, since this is irrelevant and beside the point.

Objectivity and non-partisan criticism are vital for the media to continue to play its fundamental role of informing readers. But if the information it provides is twisted and played with, the media becomes a divisive tool. It is then that readers disregard the media altogether because they consider it not to be worthy of their trust.

* The writer is the author of Cairo Rewind on the First Two Years of Egypts Revolution, 2011-2013.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
Christian Kids, Youth Cling to 'Digital Lifeline' in Afghanistan, Iran

'You're all we have,' brave children tell media ministry SAT-7 as Taliban threatens Christians





ALONE IN AFGHANISTAN, IRAN, KIDS RISK ALL TO 'MEET JESUS:' One girl in Afghanistan tells media ministry SAT-7 (www.sat7usa.org) she would be "cut to pieces" by the Taliban if discovered watching Christian children's shows broadcast in the local Farsi and Dari languages. Thousands of young children and teens in Afghanistan and Iran  many of them alone and in hiding  are using secure phone apps to watch live Christian shows and connect with other believers.



NEWS PROVIDED BY

SAT-7

Jan. 19, 2022



EASTON, Md., Jan. 19, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- Children as young as 4 are risking their lives in Afghanistan because they want to "meet Jesus" and talk to other Christians, even as they hide from the Taliban.



Desperate for hope, thousands of young children and teens  often the only Christians in their families  are turning to a Middle East media ministry on their secure phone apps, a "digital lifeline" for those who are alone.



One young viewer in Afghanistan said she would be "cut to pieces" by the Taliban if discovered watching Christian children's shows broadcast daily in the local Farsi and Dari languages.



"I am the only believer in my family, and I came to faith through your program," the girl told SAT-7 (www.sat7usa.org), which broadcasts live into Afghanistan, Iran and surrounding nations. Many believers there are forced to practice their faith in secret and often alone.



Some young viewers want to know if Jesus is in the network's studio and even ask if they can meet him.



Reading Bible Could Mean Death

If children are found with a Bible, Christian content on their phones or have any connection with Christians, they could be in danger.



"Please pray that the Lord will protect me," a young viewer said. "Every day, innocent people are killed here. We breathe, but we have forgotten how to live."



Staff members of the Middle East-based SAT-7 PARS channel have received hundreds of messages from children as young as 4, begging for help and prayer, says Director Panayiotis Keenan. The channel broadcasts 24/7 into Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan via satellite television, Facebook, Instagram and the ministry's own streaming service,



"Children in the mountains of Afghanistan are contacting us to say, 'You have shown us Christ. You are our voice; you are all that we have,'" he said. "For 10-year-old girls and boys to be calling us and saying, 'In all our suffering, in all we are going through, you are all that we have,' is a great responsibility for us."



'Virtually Uncensorable' Social Media

Children and youth in Iran are using secure social media apps like Telegram and WhatsApp to pray for their peers in Afghanistan during live children's shows. The authorities can't intercept or stop their calls and messages.



Ever since last year's Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, SAT-7's Middle East-based team continues to counsel traumatized viewers, including those who have nowhere else to turn for help. "For these people, it's very difficult," said Keenan. "They don't have a church to go to. They don't have a pastor. They're alone. They're in hiding."



Via Telegram, the ministry hosts prayer groups and uploads free resources, connecting pastors who speak Farsi and Dari with believers who are cut off from other Christians.



With teams of local presenters, SAT-7 has been broadcasting into Afghanistan and Iran for 15 years. "We believe the church in Afghanistan will continue to grow, just as the church in Iran is now one of the fastest-growing churches in the world," Keenan said.



About SAT-7

Launched in 1996, SAT-7 (www.sat7usa.org)  with its international headquarters in Cyprus  broadcasts Christian and educational satellite television and online programs to an estimated 25 million people in the Middle East and North Africa. Its mission is to make the gospel available to everyone and support the church in its life, work and witness for Jesus Christ. SAT-7 broadcasts 24/7 in Arabic, Farsi (Persian), Dari and Turkish using multiple satellite channels and online services.



SOURCE SAT-7



CONTACT: Matti Stevenson, 719-360-0586, mstevenson@inchristcommunications.com


Sometimes, numbers are cold, cruel, impersonal. Other times, they are a measuring stick, telling a story of character, longing, a lifes work.

Both cases were true Friday in a Douglas County courtroom.

First, the cold and cruel facts: A 28-year-old Omaha man was driving 106 mph in a 45 mph zone on West Dodge Road when he crashed into a Toyota Camry driven by Jim Yungbluth  a 63-year-old husband, father, longtime Omaha musician and Nebraska Furniture Mart employee.

Yungbluth  described as one of the nicest men to walk the Earth in his obituary  died at the scene.

Driver John Caillaus blood alcohol content measured .41% about 45 minutes after the crash. That is five times the legal limit of .08% for driving.

Those numbers were so staggering that Judge Horacio Wheelock raised his voice as he repeated them.

The court cannot ignore the fact that Mr. John Caillau was driving at ONE HUNDRED SIX MILES PER HOUR on Dodge Street at 4:03 a.m. July 9, Wheelock said loudly.

Wheelock said he also could not ignore the staggering blood alcohol content. The first blood draw taken at the hospital was .41%. The second, hours later, measured .26%. Either one blew away Nebraskas legal limit, Wheelock noted.

Wheelock then delivered the cold, hard terms of Caillaus sentence: 16 to 20 years in prison, a term that is cut in half under state law. Twenty was the maximum the judge could give Caillau for motor vehicle homicide.

At that, Caillaus mom burst into tears.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, she said as her son was led away in handcuffs. I cant believe this.

One could have heard the same reaction from Yungbluths relatives the morning of July 9.

And that is where the numbers begin to tell a story of longing. July 9 was the 25th birthday of Yungbluths youngest daughter, Cassidy. It was two days shy of Jim and Becky Yungbluths 29th wedding anniversary. Nine months shy of when Jim Yungbluth would have walked his oldest daughter, Carey, down the aisle for her wedding. Of when father and daughter would have shared a dance to the song Jim Yungbluth sang his daughters before bedtime.

You are my sunshine, Carey said. It was his song for us.

Yungbluth had so much brightness left to give Omaha. The bandmate and music lover had a fitting nickname. Childhood buddies dubbed him Chunga because, they said, he looked exactly like the cover photo on Frank Zappas third album, Chungas Revenge.

Speaking of numbers, Chunga, a drummer and harmonica player, played in more bands than his wife could count. The bands spanned an assortment of classic names: The Eggmen, The Hornets, Jared and the Blues Teachers, The Good Guys, Front Porch Blues and OLUS (Old Like Us).

Like any good dad, he had nicknames for his daughters, eventually calling his oldest daughter by the name of a famous blues harmonica player.

She was Cass, Carey said of her little sister, and I was his Carey Bell.

Yungbluth also had a motto, passed down from his dad, Loyson Joe Yungbluth.

Be good, kind and careful. Sweet and lovable.

Joe Yungbluth lived that motto while a caretaker and property manager at Boys Town  where the Yungbluth children grew up.

Later, Jim Yungbluth had his childhood home moved, via stilts, down West Dodge Road to a lot he bought in Waterloo. He and Becky raised their two daughters there, and the Yungbluth home was the gathering place for family celebrations.

From Waterloo, Jim Yungbluth traveled Dodge daily, showing up for his 4 a.m. to noon shift to make sure delivery vans were loaded with Omahas furniture. He worked for 38 years at Nebraska Furniture Mart, the past several as a warehouse supervisor.

Becky said her husband had the countdown going. That Friday, July 9, he had 255 days until retirement. A long post-work life was a real possibility, too. Dad Joe died five years ago at age 96.

Then an aunt showed up at both Yungbluth daughters workplaces that morning. Cassidy said she had a horrible feeling but hoped against hope that she was just there to cart her away for a surprise 25th birthday party.

It was the wrong kind of surprise, she said.

That morning, Yungbluth was going east on Dodge at 90th Street, less than 2 miles from the Mart.

Caillau, meanwhile, had been out of work from his job at Oriental Trading Co. because of a foot injury. His attorney, Michael Fitzpatrick, said he had been reeling from a breakup with a fiancee of a couple of years.

Fitzpatrick repeatedly emphasized that Caillau had no adult criminal record. In November 2020, he was the subject of a police report that described him as being ejected from a vehicle that nearly hit a pedestrian and crashed into bushes in Sanibel Island, Florida. No arrests were made in that case.

In this case, Caillau drank at least a half-pint of vodka and blacked out, Fitzpatrick said.

Others questioned whether Caillau really blacked out. The cars internal diagnostics noted that it was going over 100 mph for a couple of miles before the crash.

Fitzpatrick said Caillau had no memory of the crash. He has been overwhelmed with grief, Fitzpatrick said.

For his part, Caillau turned to Yungbluths family in court and apologized: Theres nothing I can say to any of you to make any of this right. I completely understand if you guys hate me ... I just ask if you can find it in your hearts to forgive me ... I understand its not likely  If I were in your situation, I probably wouldnt either.

His voice trailed.

Ryan Lindberg, the prosecutor, said he wished he hadnt had to watch surveillance video that captured the devastating crash. At 106 mph  operating essentially as a missile, according to Lindberg  Caillaus 2018 Chevy Equinox vaulted Yungbluths 1998 Camry into the concrete barrier of a bus stop, flipping it on his roof.

By the time medics arrived, Yungbluth had died.

Its hard to understand how this loss has affected and will continue to affect this family, Lindberg said. As one of his sisters put it, it was the loss of a common man who was uncommonly good.

Brother-in-law Bud Sachs  one of more than 30 family members and friends who showed up for Fridays sentencing hearing  vouched for that. He called Chunga a true free spirit, a musician with a heart to match it.

Not a mean bone in his body, Sachs said.

He thumbed through his phone for a photo of Chunga, eventually settling on one. Standing next to Becky, Yungbluth had a slight grin between his salt-and-pepper mustache and beard. Crows feet framed his soft brown eyes.

Such a good man, Sachs said. God always takes the good ones too soon.

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Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson expressed frustration Tuesday over the length of time before a court can hear his challenge of Omahas mask mandate.

He filed a lawsuit Thursday in Douglas County District Court. The case initially was to be heard Tuesday, but Douglas County District Judge Shelly Stratman set the matter for a hearing at 10 a.m. Jan. 24.

At a press conference Tuesday, Peterson said he understood the challenges of setting a court calendar. But he said the process can be frustrating because the mandate remains in effect until the judge rules otherwise or until Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse deems it no longer necessary.

In my mind, each day that that mandate is in effect, its in effect upon the citizens of Omaha without authority to do so, he said.

The lawsuit against Huse and other county and city officials alleges that she ordered the indoor mask mandate for Omaha in violation of state law. It asks the judge to enjoin the mandate temporarily and ultimately permanently and to bar Huse from ordering any other public health measures in violation of state law.

Other plaintiffs in the suit are the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Director of Public Health Dr. Gary Anthone.

Peterson said state law requires Huse, as county health director, to get state approval for public health measures such as a mask mandate. HHS officials, who are part of Gov. Pete Ricketts administration, have denied all requests for mask mandates. Ricketts opposes such mandates.

As an alternative, Peterson said, the Omaha City Council can vote to impose a mask mandate, which the council did in August 2020. That mandate was allowed to expire on May 25 last year.

This is not a legal battle on mask mandates, are they good or are they bad, he said. As attorney general, thats not my role. I have to make sure they dont abuse their authority, or misuse their authority.

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While the Lincoln Police Department searched Tuesday morning for a woman known only as Grandma Nancy after finding still-wrapped Christmas presents in a stolen car, Nancy Russell was not looking for the police.

Nor was she looking for the recovered Christmas presents, which she had wrapped and addressed to five of her great-grandchildren: Olivia, Eli, Christopher, Carissa and Snow.

"Grandma Nancy is the common denominator," Sgt. Chris Vigil said Tuesday morning. "We would love to get these presents back to whoever they belong to."

Police found the gifts inside a Honda Pilot, stolen Dec. 20 and recovered Monday afternoon near 16th and Washington streets. The presents had been stolen from a white Honda Accord six days later, Sgt. Chris Vigil said.

But Russell, 83, never knew. She gave the presents to her granddaughter around Christmastime, to be passed along to her 12 great-grandchildren.

"As far as I knew, everything was going along OK," Russell told the Journal Star on Tuesday afternoon.

Russell said she had been out of town around the holiday, traveling to Florida for her daughter's funeral. Her granddaughter, she guesses, didn't want to further upset her with news of the stolen gifts.

"They were being very protective of their grandma," she said with a laugh. "They didn't want me to get traumatized."

She said she didn't know the presents were missing until she got a voicemail from a reporter Tuesday afternoon looking for a Grandma Nancy. It's a name Russell is used to, she said. Between her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she said she's Grandma Nancy to 84 descendants.

On Tuesday morning, though, Russell was Grandma Nancy to much of Lincoln, her name broadcast in media outlets as the police department tried to track her down. Within five hours of LPD's announcement Tuesday morning, officers had found her.

For that, Russell said she's thankful.

"This is just a small thing in a day's work," she said. "It shows they're on the ball."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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A man has pleaded guilty to his role in a sex and drug trafficking scheme based out of Billings that spurred more than 30 initial charges against five men, all of whom have now pleaded guilty.

Dejon Anthony Duncan pleaded guilty, according to documents filed Jan. 12, to possession of cocaine in U.S. District Court in Billings. Duncan, who reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, was initially indicted on drug and firearm charges. The court has sealed the details of the agreement.

William Maurice Newkirk, Mario Juan Drake, Anthony Marcos Chadwell, Djavon Lamont King and Duncan were all indicted in federal court in March 2020. Listed among the charges filed against the five men were sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, sex trafficking of a minor, along with drug and firearm possession. Duncan was never charged with any sex trafficking crimes.

Newkirk, 41, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors earlier this month, admitting to trafficking women. At least one of the survivors he advertised for prostitution was a minor. He also pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine while possessing a firearm.

Chadwell has pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine and promoting prostitution in Billings. Both Chadwell and Newkirk have also been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with sexual intercourse without consent.

King admitted to conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine and ecstasy, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and was the first of the five to reach a plea agreement with prosecutors in February 2021. Drake pleaded guilty to similar charges, along with use of a facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering. All five men are currently awaiting sentencing.

Gov. Greg Gianforte proclaimed at the start of the month that January would be recognized as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The governor hosted a roundtable discussion with state Attorney General Austin Knudsen on how to improve the states ability to combat human trafficking.

If you or anyone you know is a victim of human trafficking, the Montana Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 833-406-STOP, or call your local law enforcement agency.

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Yellowstone County Commissioners have formally called for companies wishing to take over management at MetraPark to submit their qualifications, the next step in the county's exploration of privatizing management there.

The 2-1 vote followed a 2-hour public hearing in a meeting that drew nearly 100 people on Tuesday morning. County residents who spoke voiced their concerns, posed their questions, stated their opposition and expressed their support for privatizing management at the county's events complex.

Commissioners Don Jones and Denis Pitman voted to move forward with the request for qualifications with Commissioner John Ostlund opposing. The 2-1 split on the commission has largely been a dispute over process.

Jones and Pitman have argued the best information for making the decision will come from the proposals returned in the request for qualifications and from an independent study of current management at MetraPark.

"I have not made up my mind," Jones told those gathered at the meeting. "I'm set to keep this wheel moving."

Ostlund has argued the county needs a third party to come in and study the benefits and drawbacks of both privatization and public management. That third party study would then offer recommendations to the commissioners on which direction would be the best fit for Metra.

"That should come long before the RFP," Ostlund said, referring to the next step in the process that would bring in bids for management services. "We've had the cart before the horse in this entire process."

Both Pitman and Jones shot down the idea, arguing that drawing out the process further would only create more dissension and keep Metra employees in limbo as they waited to learn about their future.

Jones has also said that it's the commissioners' responsibility to make the management decision, that it's not a decision to be laid on a third party.

However, much of the public comment at Tuesday's meeting was a call for commissioners to slow down the process and bring in a third party that wasn't invested in the outcome of the management debate.

"Yes, you're going to make the final decision," Leslie Glen told the commissioners. "But there needs to be a comparison and we want to see."

Glen and her husband Bryce own Rocky Mountain Compost, which has long provided mulch and other materials for ag events at the Metra.

"My worry is the process, the lack of transparency," she said.

Most comments reflected concerns that dealt more with the process of investigating privatization than privatization itself. Still, a handful in the room expressed their desire to see the county go ahead and move toward privatizing.

Shelli Mann, general manager of Boothill Inn & Suites, which sits across the street from Metra, told commissioners if the events complex was going to be competitive in the future it needed to improve its operations.

"It's not how well we've done," she said. "It's how much better can we do."

She urged commissioners to move forward. That sentiment was echoed by George Maragos, who manages the Northern Hotel downtown.

"Privatization works," he said.

Dave Kelsey, who serves on the board for the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) and Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, told commissioners the way the management debate has played out so far has hurt their credibility.

He then told them to bring in a third party, saying that while the commissioners might be qualified in many areas, they aren't experts on event center operations.

"You need to get as much (information) as you can," he told them.

So far, the only group to court Yellowstone County is Oak View Group, a venue management and event programming company based in Los Angeles. OVG was in town last week meeting with organizations that regularly use facilities at MetraPark  like the Chase Hawks rodeo folks and the NILE  and pitching them on the idea of OVG managing the facilities.

Last year, the county signed a five-year contract with OVG to book shows for MetraPark, something which has also become a point of contention. OVG, only months into the contract, Jones noted, has yet to book any shows for Metra.

Through an acquisition, OVG became the management company for the two facilities Jones explored last fall in Casper, Wyoming, and Nampa, Idaho, when he was investigating the merits of privatization. Jones pointed out that the company that managed the two facilities at the time of his visit had not yet been purchased by OVG.

Still, the fact that OVG is essentially the only company that the county has dealt with when it comes to privatization has left many watching the process uncomfortable, Kelsey said.

"That doesn't look right," he told the commissioners.

Jones proposed the exploration of privatizing management at MetraPark at a commissioners meeting in November, a move that caught many in the community off guard.

In the months since, Jones has been the target of a recall effort and both he and Pitman have been accused of working behind closed doors to arrange the deal on privatization, accusations both strenuously deny.

Rick Hamilton, interim general manager and the in-coming president of the NILE told commissioners that the size of the group at Tuesday's meeting and the tenor of many of the comments spoke to the biggest issue.

"That tells me there's a transparency issue and a trust issue," he said.

The NILE is one of Metra's largest users and has held events there for five decades. He expressed frustration that neither the county nor Metra representatives has reached out to the NILE to seek feedback on what the organization might need or want to see in a newly designed MetraPark.

The county is currently two years into a master plan process meant to reimagine Metra for the next half century.

"We've been left out of the whole conversation," Hamilton said.

Jim Reno, a past county commissioner, attended the meeting and stressed the importance of MetraPark serving the community as a public facility.

He expressed concern that a private management group would squeeze out the community-use and public-service nature of MetraPark, noting that he had arrived to Tuesday's meeting after driving through the Metra parking lot to pick up free at-home COVID test being supplied by RiverStone Health, the county's public health administrator.

"I don't think Metra made any money," he quipped.

Jones said many of the details regarding how operations would work under private management would be worked out in contract negotiations with whichever group bid to take on running MetraPark.

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Over the last week Montana has averaged 1,343 new COVID cases per day, the highest daily average since the pandemic began.

Yellowstone Countys steep increase in COVID cases isnt fully reflected on the state dashboard. There are about 1,100 cases that havent been entered into the state data system as of midday Tuesday, according to RiverStone Communications Coordinator Pat Zellar.

With three data entry employees and other public health staff helping out, the number of COVID cases are piling on faster than the team is able to report.

Two indicators on the Yellowstone County COVID dashboard have been switched to red, indicating that active COVID cases in the region and the positivity rate are of critical concern.

Gallatin County has the most active cases at 2,672. Yellowstone and Missoula counties follow with 2,492 and 2,125 respectively, according to the state data.

There have been at least 174 cases of omicron detected by the state. Not all COVID tests are sequenced, but DPHHS has determined that omicron is the primary variant circulating.

There are 82 additional hospitalizations, bringing the total to 236 throughout the state.

On Tuesday, Billings hospitals had 63 COVID-19 inpatients, including 44 who werent vaccinated and 19 who were vaccinated. Among the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 13 were in the ICU and nine were on ventilators, according to a RiverStone Health press release.

So far, fewer COVID patients at Billings Clinic are requiring ICU-level care. Those who are hospitalized still need oxygen, but their stays have been shorter, according to Nancy Iversen, Billings Clinic director of patient safety and infection control.

But Iversen is wary of claims that omicron causes less severe illness.

I think its a myth to say its a milder strain, Iversen said. Its still going to be a problem for the unvaccinated.

What is clear is the need for a booster to minimize breakthrough infections, hospitalizations and death, but booster doses have started to lag.

(Boosters) are continuing, but are lower than expected, Iversen said.

According to the most recent state data published on Jan. 7, 238,351 third doses have been administered.

First doses are also lagging with only about 2,000 first doses recorded during the last week of December.

Over the last week, 15,042 more doses have been administered, but current state data does not reflect the breakdown of first, second or third doses.

For the third week, the state reported 53% of the eligible population as fully vaccinated.

Over the last eight days, 36 more Montanans have died, bringing the total to 2,957 COVID related deaths in the state.

Two more Yellowstone County residents died of COVID-related illness on Monday and Tuesday. One man in his 70s who was vaccinated and a man in his 90s who was not vaccinated died, bringing the county total to 490 deaths.

Since Mon. Jan. 10, 66,612 COVID tests were reported to the state. Iversen expects positive cases are underreported.

On Tuesday, RiverStone Health distributed about 1,800 free COVID home test kits. Everyone who stopped received one kit, which contains two tests, for each member of their household.

A new federal website launched Tuesday where Americans can order free COVID home tests. Each household in the U.S. can order up to four free at-home tests. If a home test comes back positive, the user must report it to the state.

A significant respiratory season is also contributing to reporting delays and hospitalizations.

There have been 1,823 cases of influenza in Montana since Oct. 1, 2021. Of those, 660 were reported in Yellowstone County, including 176 positive cases that were reported to the state last week.

There have been 48 influenza hospitalizations since October.

A significant season for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has also caused hospitalizations among adults.

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The Custer Gallatin National Forests rights to access historic trails in the Crazy Mountains died because landowners successfully blocked access denying the public for five years, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Smith argued in a Billings federal court on Tuesday.

Under Montana law, a prescriptive easement  in this case public access across private land  requires open, exclusive, notorious, hostile, adverse, continuous and uninterrupted use for a five-year period.

The Forest Service clearly believed prior to the 2006 [travel plan] it had an easement interest, agreed? questioned U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan.

True, Smith responded, but those claims degraded by the time the Forest Service decided in 2018 to reroute the Porcupine Lowline and Ibex trails on the west side of the mountain range.

Although the Forest Service may have eventually lapsed in defending public access to the historic trails prior to rerouting them, members of the public continued to use the paths in defiance of no trespassing signs and brush blockades, plaintiffs attorney Matthew Bishop argued.

My clients care very deeply about this area, he said, adding that the importance of the trails cannot be overstated.

Access dispute

The exchanges between Cavan, Bishop and Smith were part of a case being closely watched by access advocates nationwide, a lawsuit arguing the Custer Gallatin National Forest ignored federal environmental laws and public involvement in an agency decision when it decided to re-route two trails.

It also challenges Forest Service management of two east side trails in the Crazies.

The suit was filed in 2019 by Friends of the Crazy Mountains, the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Enhancing Montanas Wildlife and Habitat and the Skyline Sportsmens Association.

The groups sued after the Forest Service decided in 2018 to reroute the Porcupine Lowline and Ibex trails onto adjacent federal lands and off portions of the adjacent M Hanging Lazy 3 Ranch, negotiating an easement across shorter portions of private land. The conservation groups request for an injunction to halt the trail work was denied, and the finished trail was quietly dedicated this summer.

The groups nonetheless argue that the Forest Service failed to carefully evaluate the environmental effects and possible alternatives in a public process, Bishop argued.

Thats really what this case is about, he said.

Planning

Instead, the agency relied on a scoping document and referenced its 2006 travel plan and 2009 forest plan in making its decision.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Tanner said the groups claim overlooks the nearly two decades of hard work that led up to scoping, including studies looking at vegetation and wildlife completed for the forest and travel plans. The planning work also offered the public ample opportunity to comment, he added.

When Cavan questioned whether the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires the agency to consider the environmental impacts of its work, lives or dies in the forest plan, Tanner said he preferred a more holistic view that also looked at the other planning work in totality rather than isolating one over the other.

Theres no clear error of judgment on the part of the Forest Service, Tanner said.

East side

On the east side of the range, the trail users told Judge Cavan that Forest Service officials made a decision around 2017 to stop defending the agencys historic easement on two other paths once used by forest rangers to patrol the region.

The Crazy Mountains are known for checkerboard land ownership, interspersing public and privately owned properties. More than 8,000 acres of forest land in the Crazy Mountains is only accessible by crossing at the corners where the parcels meet, the legality of which has yet to be tested in court.

The private inholdings are remnants of the 50,000 acres in the Crazies given to the Northern Pacific Railroad by the U.S. government in the 1860s as payment for building the transcontinental rail line. In the 1890s the railroad began selling the land to individuals.

The old trails circling the mountains are connected to Forest Service cabins that still exist. These trails were created in an era without consideration to land ownership, often navigating the lower portion of the mountains where they crossed private property.

Access rights

The Forest Service had long defended its unperfected prescriptive rights to access the routes, claiming continuous use. In 2017 a shift seemed to occur after the Livingston District Ranger, who had advocated for public access along the old trails and conducted work to improve the routes, was reprimanded and temporarily reassigned, the trail users argued.

Tanner said the plaintiffs argued the Forest Service hasnt done enough to defend its interest in the trails, but he said there has to be some specific duty that the agency failed to take. Otherwise, such activity is discretionary.

Bishop disagreed, saying before the agency could relinquish an easement interest there should be a public process.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Smith said the federal government only litigates easements on a case-by-case basis based on the prosecutors discretion. Only the Forest Service is best positioned to determine if its a good policy move, he argued.

The Forest Service has to be mindful of these interactions with its neighbors, Smith continued. When there is a bona fide historic use we will go to the mat.

The agency did that in successfully defending its access across the Wonder Ranch in the Madison Mountains in 2018, Smith said, but a fight over the Crazy Mountain trails is not a winnable case.

John Sullivan III, chairman of the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, said the group is asking the court to compel the Forest Service to follow its own process and allow the public to participate.

"We are happy to have had our day in court to be heard on these issues," he said in an email. "Judge Cavan asked great and pointed questions about our argument and we came prepared with answers. Were very happy with how it went, and we look forward to Judge Cavans ruling.

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Jakob Allen Washburn died in Whitehall in mid-August. He was 24 years old. Trinity M. Klein, the young woman described as his girlfriend at the time, was charged in Jefferson County District Court in December with vehicular homicide while under the influence.

The crime reportedly occurred during a domestic dispute between the two.

Court records show that around 8 p.m. on Aug. 15 deputies and ambulance personnel were dispatched to reports of a motor vehicle crash. When deputies arrived they observed an injured man, later identified as Washburn, lying on his back under a flatbed gooseneck trailer.

A woman at the scene, later identified as Klein, was crying and screaming, court records show.

Klein told deputies that she and Washburn had argued and she alleged that he had tried to choke her before she attempted to flee in her vehicle. She said Washburn jumped on the hood of the car, screaming and yelling at her as she drove off, records show.

Klein said she collided with the flatbed trailer when swerving to avoid a dog. Several witnesses observed Washburn on the hood as Klein drove at a high rate of speed, according to charging documents.

Kleins statement to deputies acknowledged she should have pulled over but didnt, adding that Washburn didnt deserve that, records show.

Toxicology results revealed months later that Klein was over the legal limit that night for driving while under the influence of marijuana.

Wendy Goyette, Washburns mother, said Tuesday that she wonders why Klein isnt in jail. She said she believes that if the circumstances were switched and it was her son who was charged with Kleins death hed be sitting in a jail cell.

"This has been a traumatic impact on me and my family," she said.

Tom Goyette of Butte was Washburn's grandfather. He said he believes his grandson was intentionally struck by Klein's vehicle and that's how he first ended up on the hood of her vehicle. He said he believes Klein should be charged with deliberate homicide, which could carry a greater penalty.

A person convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence faces imprisonment of up to 30 years or a fine of up to $50,000, or both.

Washburn was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, and spent most of his childhood there. He later moved to Ketchikan, Alaska, and graduated from high school in Ketchikan before returning to Idaho. Wendy Goyette said her son met Klein in Bonners Ferry and then moved with her to Whitehall.

Steve Haddon, county attorney for Jefferson County, declined to comment about the case.

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Recent legislative actions in Montana have made access to voting harder.

Restricting eligible voters access to voting does not equate to more secure elections. For example, lets look at the new voting law HB176 eliminating same-day voter registration on Election Day to see if it truly protects our elections by making voting less accessible to Montanans.

From 2006 to 2018, approximately 60,000 Montanans registered and voted on Election Day without a single case of voter fraud. 2020 recorded the second-highest use of same-day voter registration (nearly 8,200 Montanans) to vote in this election, and again, without a single case of voter fraud. That means more and more Montanans are choosing this method to vote in each upcoming election. But now in 2022 with this new law in place, there will be zero Montanans using same-day voter registration to vote.

Did this new law further protect our elections when a more secure process of registering voters in person on Election Day is now banned? Why prevent Montanans from having the same access to voting rights as the previous 68,000 Montanans over the last 15 years who could register and vote on Election Day if it does not crack down on voter fraud or provide more election security?

It is not too hard to predict who this new law will impact, like senior citizens, disabled veterans, and college students whose voter registration addresses were not updated when they moved to the assisted living centers or colleges and only learned of this error at the polling location on the day of the election. Or Montanans who are busy with work and family and forget to update their voter registration and get an hour off of work to vote on Election Day, only to find out their voter registration is not active. Do we really think having these Montanans not voting in our elections makes our elections more secure with less voter fraud?

Our question to our state government officials should be: Why are you passing laws making it harder for thousands of Montana voters to vote without first conducting a study to determine the best ways to tackle voter fraud and secure our elections? We all want more secure elections, but please dont blindly attack our access to voting without determining how voter fraud occurs, where weaknesses in election security exist, so effective policies and procedures can be adopted that truly help secure our elections.

Note to state legislators: Please don't pass new voting laws like eliminating same-day voter registration which will restrict thousands of Montanans from voting without showing a single shred of evidence that this ban would prevent voter fraud or make our elections more secure.

Heres a hint: Investigate impersonation voter fraud, which rarely occurs but seems to be the only documented cases of voter fraud in Montana. Same-day voter registration did not add to voter fraud, it did not make our elections less secure. All the new law to eliminate same-day voter registration did was make it harder for Montanans to vote. Five lawsuits have been filed against the state of Montana to stop this law along with three other voting laws from restricting Montanans ability to exercise their right to vote.

Only time will tell how many Montanans will not be able to vote due to these new laws, but we may never know, since no one at the Secretary of States Office is tracking how many Montanans are being turned away from voting in our state due to these new laws.

To protect Montanans access to their right to vote in our elections, we must pass laws in Congress that set the bare standards for states to protect voting rights of every eligible American voter across our country. No one, regardless of political party, in our democracy should lose their access to exercise their right to vote. Please call Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and tell them to protect our right to vote, which is currently under attack.

Rebecca Johnson is a member of the Montana League of Women Voters

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Its a year since Greg Gianforte became governor of Montana.

How has he done?

In order to fairly and fully evaluate him, we believe we have to separate his actions from those of the Legislature, even though we must hold him responsible for the bills hes signed.

That said, we have issues.

We also have praise.

So lets get started.

We are horrified at whats happened to Fish, Wildlife and Parks in the past year. We are seeing pandering to wealthy, out-of-state interests at the expense of Montanas working-class hunters. We see standards for water quality degraded. We see the slaughter of wolves carried to an unacceptable extreme that has nothing to do with fair chase or scientific wildlife management.

We believe the management of COVIDs deadly resurgence in the state has been mismanaged. We have nearly 4,000 new cases reported Tuesday in the state and we have the distinction of being one of the states where the virus is spreading the fastest. Hospitals are overwhelmed. People are literally dying of other causes because they are being denied hospital beds. This is a fundamental failure of leadership, along with laws passed that curb the power and effectiveness of the states public health officers. This is politics over science at its most alarming extreme.

We disagree with taking the management of our universities away from the Board of Regents. We disagree with taking the nomination of candidates to fill judicial vacancies out of the hands of a nonpartisan commission. We disagree with taking control away from local government and centralizing it in the states executive branch (that doesnt seem congruent with conservative philosophy to us).

And we are frankly livid with the administrations obstructionist interpretation of public records laws. Not, it should be said, that the previous administration was any paragon in this area.

The point is that these are things that voters didnt endorse by voting Gianforte into office. Nobody campaigned on any of the above, with the exception of COVID management differences with the prior administration. They werent a part of The Billings Gazettes decision to endorse Gianforte in 2020. And we find them disappointing in the extreme.

That said, Gianforte has done some things extremely well, whether Democrats or other detractors wish to admit it or not.

More than any governor in memory, Gianforte shows up everywhere in the state. He has been present at disasters like the Denton fire and forest fires on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. He met with affected businesses after the Keystone Pipeline project shutdown. Hes also been to local gatherings, businesses and schools all over the state. Hes probably been in eastern Montana more than any governor is memory. And its worth noting that all of his travel has been at his own expense.

No previous head of state has spent more of his own money to connect with the people of Montana. He has also donated his salary to causes like teen drug addiction programs and the Livingston Food Resource Center.

And, unlike both the Attorney General and the Superintendent of Instruction, he has not gone out of his way to divide Montanans and to inflame the culture wars (other than by trapping and then shooting a wolf). He has been level-headed and pragmatic  a businesslike approach from a businessman. Who knew?

Even a critic like Billings own District Judge Gregory Todd, who spoke out against the elimination of the Judicial Nominating Commission, applauded the governors choice of Brett Linneweber to the bench to succeed Todd in Yellowstone County.

So, although we find ourselves at odds with the governor on policy with some frequency, we appreciate his dedication to Montana and his willingness to step out of his comfort zone and engage with real people around the state.

Now, governor, about those public records.

The Billings Gazette Editorial Board includes President and Publisher Dave Worstell, Regional Editor David McCumber, and Chief Photographer Larry Mayer.

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After U.S. Withdrawal, Afghanistan Becomes No. 1 Most Dangerous Place on Earth to be Christian, According to 2022 World Watch List Ranking by Leading Persecution Watchdog Open Doors Based on new data from Open Doors, one-in-seven Christians globally suffers high levels of persecution; in Afghanistan, every Christian is either in hiding or on the run







NEWS PROVIDED BY

Open Doors USA

Jan. 19, 2022



SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 19, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- For the first time ever, Afghanistan is the most dangerous place on the planet to be a Christian, according to Open Doors' 2022 World Watch List, which was released today. The World Watch List is a definitive, comprehensive research-based report that ranks the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. Afghanistan has supplanted North Korea, which now ranks #2 on the list, after spending 20 years at #1.



"People should not interpret this to mean that North Korea has gotten any safer for religious minorities. In fact, the situation there is worse," said Open Doors USA President and CEO, David Curry. "That should tell you everything you need to know about how bad conditions are for Christians who remain in Afghanistan."



According to Open Doors, every Christian in Afghanistan is now either in hiding or on the run. The Taliban's interpretation of Islam considers Christians to be traitors, enemies of the state, enemies of the tribe and even the community; they are deemed to be "infidels," and the punishment is death.



"Conditions for Christians have never been more dangerous," said Curry. "We must take decisive action now to prevent a religious genocide against Christians in Afghanistan."



Among other sobering insights, Open Doors' data suggests more than 360 million Christians globally now suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination - that's one-in-seven Christians worldwide.



In addition to the resurgence of the Taliban, the surge of Islamic radicalism from groups like Boko Haram, al Shabab and the Islamic State has put millions of Christians at risk. Seven of the top 10 countries on the 2022 World Watch List experience some level of Islamic radicalism.



Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be a hotbed for religiously-motivated attacks against Christians., Nigeria, which jumped from #9 to #7, was the most violent country for Christians again, with 79 percent of recorded killings occurring there.



"Open Doors' research is irrefutable proof that Nigeria's human rights violations must be reinstated on the State Department's list of countries of particular concern," noted Curry. "Islamic extremism around the world has been galvanized by the victory of the Taliban in Afghanistanand Christians pay the consequences."



China, ranked again at #17, remains a serious threat to its 100 million Christians. The country recently implemented additional restrictions on Christian Bibles and literature online. Soon, Christians in China will only have access to Bibles with key passages removed or altered because they conflict with communist dogma. As a result of persecution, Open Doors estimates around 80% of Christian churches in China have now fractured into small groups or have gone underground.



Curry and Open Doors also called on all American Christians to boycott the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.



"Open Doors applauds the Biden administration for taking a stand against China's human rights violations with a diplomatic boycott," said Curry. "However, today, as the leading advocacy group focused on religious freedom, Open Doors USA calls on every Christian in the United States to join this Olympic boycott in the name of persecuted Christians and Muslims in China."



Other Stats from 2022 World Watch List: India remained #10 because of its repression of Christian minorities by Hindu extremists.



Myanmar rose six spots to #12, largely due to the violent military coup that targeted citizens, including Christian communities.



Cuba entered the top 50 at #37 due to restrictive measures on churches, particularly Protestant congregations.



Saudi Arabia rose from #14 (2021) to "Extreme" levels at to #11 (2022), reflecting that any Christian convert there is in immediate danger.



Qatar rose from #29 (2021) to #18 (2022), primarily because of an increase in forced church closures. Churches that shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been forced to remain closed even after other faith communities were allowed to reopen.



Niger saw a significant jump from #54 (2021) to #33 (2022), due to a spike in violence and ongoing activity by radical Islamic extremists. The 2022 World Watch List also painted a grim picture for Christian women, presenting Christian women as the most vulnerable group in the world today. They are now targets of kidnapping, violence, rape and forced marriages, in many, if not all, of the top World Watch List countries.



To view the full 2022 World Watch List and methodology, visit OpenDoorsUSA.org/World-Watch-List.



For more information and interview scheduling for President and CEO, David Curry or Open Doors' Senior Fellow, Ambassador Sam Brownback, please email opendoors@iconmediagroup.com.



About Open Doors USA

For more than 60 years, Open Doors USA has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians. Open Doors works to equip and encourage Christians living in dangerous circumstances with the threat of persecution and to mobilize the Western church to pray and advocate for the persecuted. Christians are one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. For more information, visit OpenDoorsUSA.org.



SOURCE Open Doors USA



CONTACT: OpenDoors@iconmediagroup.com



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For Azerbaijan, the new gas swap with Turkmenistan and Iran gives more flexibility to avoid domestic gas shortages while continuing to meet its export commitments to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor, Ann-Louise Hittle, Vice President, Oils Research at Wood Mackenzie told Trend.

"This is especially important in the current winter. New domestic-oriented gas supply sources will only come later in 2022 or 2023: early production at TotalEnergies Absheron field and the 2nd platform at SOCARs Umid deposit," she said.

Ann-Louise Hittle pointed out that for Turkmenistan, any additional gas trade is a valuable way to utilize its spare production capacity and support its economy.

"This regional cooperation also boosts hopes of the future restart of direct gas exports to Iran, its southern neighbor, for the first time since 2017. This is widely expected, but only once the past commercial dispute is fully resolved," added the vice-president of Wood Mackenzie.

On November 28, 2021, a tripartite contract on the swapping of 1.5-2 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan through Iran per year was signed between Iran and Azerbaijan in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on the sidelines of the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).

The implementation of the contract began on January 1, 2022.

Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji has recently said that 4-4.5 million cubic meters of gas per day are imported from Turkmenistan to Iran under the swap deal.

Ibrahim Ahmadov, deputy head of the public relations and events department at the countrys state oil company SOCAR told Trend that Azerbaijan is receiving gas under the agreement signed with Turkmenistan.

"Gas is supplied to Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The remaining volumes will be received near Astara. Currently, technical preparations are underway jointly with the Iranian delegation. It is planned to transport over 4 million cubic meters of natural gas to Azerbaijan per day from both directions," he said.
A judge has dismissed a felony charge against a St. Anthony woman police say transferred more than $300,000 from a joint account with her grandmother to her own account in the last two years.

A charge of exploitation of an eligible adult against Allison Guthmiller, 34, was dismissed without prejudice at a Tuesday hearing. That means she could be charged again in the future.

Guthmiller had power of attorney for her 88-year-old grandmother, and transfers from their joint account to Guthmillers sole account totaled $173,000 in 2020 and $140,000 in 2021 through August, authorities said. Guthmiller allegedly used the money for a car, trips and shopping sprees, and to pay off $84,500 in a divorce settlement, according to a police affidavit.

The dismissal was based on South Central District Judge Pamela Nesvigs concern about whether the grandmother had the ability to consent, according to Assistant Morton County States Attorney Chase Lingle.

Defense attorney Justin Vinje said Nesvig made the correct decision."

Based on the facts testified to during the preliminary hearing, this case had to be dismissed," he said.

Lingle said the case could be charged again under a different law, or under the same law if new evidence surfaces. A decision on refiling wasn't immediately made.

We want to make sure the victim is made whole and justice is met, Lingle said.

Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com

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Global Neighbors celebrated the grand opening of its office inside Bismarck's Gateway Mall on Tuesday with a jamboree highlighting several South American nations.

The organization, founded in 2015, helps new immigrants integrate into the community by pairing them with a volunteer for six months.

The new office, which is across from Antiques on Main and adjacent to Oak & Wise barbershop, was christened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. The jamboree held afterward featured food from different countries; displays with cultural objects; poster boards with information on countries such as Peru, Argentina, Bolivia and Columbia; and child-size mannequins in traditional outfits from around the world.

Global Neighbors Founder and Former Executive Director Leah Hargrove said she hopes the office helps support the work done in the community with immigrant families.

"Really, the bulk of our work has happened out in people's homes," she said.

Global Neighbors gained two staffers last year, and the organization's previous location on Second Street wasn't large enough to hold all four employees, according to Executive Director Julie Ramos Lagos. It was difficult for staffers to meet with families inside the space, and the nonprofit realized in the fall that it needed to move, she said.

Global Neighbors is looking to expand its programming along with its office space. Increasing the mentorship program to mentor youth and support client business ventures are some of the proposals. The Gateway Mall location helps with the entrepreneurial venture -- Lagos said Global Neighbors is looking at helping clients launch businesses at kiosks inside the mall.

Maria Garcia, who came to Bismarck from Peru in 2010, had a table ready for the jamboree with the Peruvian flag, cookbooks and dolls dressed in traditional clothing. She learned about Global Neighbors six years ago, when she brought her daughter to a fashion show featuring traditional outfits from different countries, and has been involved with the organization since.

"I like my kids to feel proud where their mom is coming from," Garcia said.

Reach Sam Nelson at 701-250-8264 or sam.nelson@bismarcktribune.com.

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Criticism of the University of North Dakotas developing policy to protect the LGBTQ community is premature. The policy remains in the draft stage, with UND promising to discuss it with interested parties.

The North Dakota Catholic Conference last week in a letter written for Bishop David Kagan of Bismarck and Bishop John Folda of Fargo asked parents of UND students to oppose the policy.

The letter prompted Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski, a UND graduate, to condemn the proposal. A number of legislators suggested if its adopted, they will introduce legislation to override it.

UND President Andrew Armacost said the policy is intended to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination and harassment. Students have reported such instances, but no formal complaints have been filed. That might be because students dont think complaints will be taken seriously. A policy in place might resolve that concern.

The draft policy would require the use of a transgender persons preferred pronouns and the use of locker rooms, bathrooms and other facilities that align with a persons gender identity. It would not force anyone to share a dorm room with an LGBTQ student, according to Armacost.

The policy wouldnt apply to sororities and fraternities, which are exempt under Title IX.

On the state level, North Dakota hasnt been friendly to the LGBTQ community. Despite efforts by former Gov. Jack Dalrymple and Gov. Doug Burgum, anti-discrimination bills have been rejected by the Legislature. Instead, legislators have been more concerned about transgender athletes playing girls sports.

Theres no doubt many North Dakotans dont approve of or understand the LGBTQ community. Theres a growing fear thats been stoked by the recent culture wars. Its that sentiment that makes a policy so important.

Armacost said the policy is intended to make UND consistent with federal law. The UND president isnt some liberal firebrand. Hes a former brigadier general and dean at the Air Force Academy. He understands the importance of all students having access to a safe environment free of discrimination while getting an education.

The letter on behalf of the North Dakota bishops isnt in step with Pope Francis, who has been conciliatory toward the LGBTQ community. When asked about gay priests, the pope said:

If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them. They shouldnt be marginalized.

Armacost has promised to consult with those concerned about the proposed policy. They should take him up on the offer, but they need to come to the table with an open mind. It would be useful if UND held some community forums where the policy goals could be explained and feedback accepted. The forums shouldnt be allowed to turn into shouting matches.

UND appears willing to take time in developing the policy, and that makes sense. To be acceptable, the policy needs to be developed in a transparent manner.

A good university offers an environment that encourages the sharing of ideas and promotes lively debate without fear of reprisal. An inclusive policy at UND could be a guide for other schools to follow.

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The most popular film on Netflix right now is either a successor to Dr. Strangelove or a self-righteous and overly obvious attempt to shame the average American. But it does have a lot more of Leonardo DiCaprio than youve seen before. []

The techno-gossip that passes for objective knowledge these days assures us that the Netflix movie Dont Look Up was watched extensivelymore than 321.5 million hours streamed. Does that mean about 150 million people around the world watched it? Or maybe 100 million watched it to the end, but another hundred watched only a third to a half of the way through? As usual, Netflix releases on this score read like propaganda; we cannot know how popular the movie really is, but it seems to be the only popular thing in America except Spider-Man.

What is it about and why is it popular? The movie is a satire about the apocalypse: Two astrophysicists discover an earthbound asteroid sure to end life on earth, but nobody in Washington, neither politician nor journalist, cares. So we get to experience the sarcasm and earnestness of a professorLeonardo DiCaprio, acting the part of a somewhat fat, aging do-gooderand his bizarre emo grad studentJennifer Lawrence, in yet another role of a crazy young woman whose problems we have to take seriously, but now uglier than in previous movies, to suggest some kind of rebellion against glamour or some kind of seriousness.

Everyone commenting on the movie from the liberal side that dominates our media, following the earnest interviews of writer-producer-director Adam McKay, assures us that this is a metaphor or an allegory for climate change, a death sentence for mankind we prefer not to acknowledge out of our endless foolish selfishness. The good news is that this suicidal tendency is instantly curable, by obedience to Progressive liberal elites, who have no admixture of foolish selfishness themselvesthey are our exasperated saviors-in-waiting, as soon as we learn to obey them unquestioningly as they revolutionize our way of life.

Dont Look Up seems intended to effect this transformation from foolishness to obedience. How? Apparently, the big idea in Hollywood is to enlist every star available. The oldest, Meryl Streep, plays a president so corrupt that she hires her son as chief of staff,  Hill, playing an arrogant loser, and only listens to science briefly once shes involved in a sex scandal, but soon aborts the humanity-saving mission because of corporate capitalisms suicidal desire for commercial exploitation. The youngest, Timothee Chalamet, a recent Hollywood and media darling, plays a shoplifter love interest for Lawrence and poster boy for the spinelessness of the young generation, not previously something to brag about. Apparently, America can finally wake up to moral reality by dreaming about these actors. We need some real leadership, and its going to be celebrities! The stuff of satire like Matt Stone and Trey Parkers 2004 Team America World Police is now offered without any guile as our deliverance. I recommend that satire on American moralism and elite hyper-moralism instead, because it is much less self-indulgent; if you want another visionary satire on the shallowness of American celebrity culture and its mind-bending madness, just watch Zoolander. I promise you, if you watch these movies, you will understand why our celebrities are the way they are and why they line up for nonsense like Dont Look Up and even brag about it.

All told, Dont Look Up reminds one of the mad, silly video celebrities made in March 2020, just as America was experiencing house arrest, singing John Lennons Imagine from the bottom of their luxury, to remind ordinary Americans how much they need celebrities. Of course, Imagine is a song worse than worthless, since it has encouraged vapid people to become holier than the rest of us for more than a generation, but at least Lennon had musical talent. Dont Look Up is equally moralistic, earnest, and vapid, which signals a new era in American celebrity. You will spend much less time laughing at jokes than popeyed at the dumb arrogance that passes for superior knowledge about the inner workings of American elites, slavish piety about scientific elites in particular, and studied contempt about the dumb masses.

Let us recapitulate: Dont Look Up tells the story of how Americans, personally and institutionally, just wont listen to the science, even if it kills them, along with everyone else on earth. It does so apparently to great popular approval, which suggests that at least the Netflix class is listening with some enthusiasm. There is a contradiction in there. Further, this is a movie filmed November 2020February 2021, which apparently had no interest in the cult of personality liberals created around the now-disgraced and former governor Andrew Cuomo and the still-sacrosanct embodiment of science Dr. Anthony Fauci.

I dont believe, therefore, that Hollywood liberals have either the intellectual or the moral authority to heap contempt on the rest of America. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence seem like very mediocre people no one would want to listen to on matters of personal or national importance, but they might be interesting, in a way, since they also seem to have the arrogance of Greek gods. The pieties of the atheistic elitethe kind of people who say they believe in science and that the politicians must follow the scienceare not just ruining our politics, but they are destroying art and especially comedy, satire. Since these people have no self-awareness, they portray themselves as our saviors. Its a good question, and anyones guess, really, how much of the catastrophe they claim to fear they would inflict on us if they had the chance. Certainly, 2021 was not a year anyone would brag about, despite liberal control of our national politics.

McKay is famous for winning the Oscar for writing The Big Short, a movie I cannot recommend, but which proposed to explain in sketch-comedy form the 2008 financial crisis. If youve never heard of him, its all righthes not Americas next Mark Twain; not even a next Mencken. But he does demonstrate what our liberal elites believe to be intelligent, funny, and perhaps even popular liberalism. He is the poet of the kind of arrogance with intellectual pretensions that keeps a class of Americans busy despising the rest, especially the majority of poor, religious, working class or conservative Americans who just arent sophisticated enough. McKay also made an even worse movie about former vice president Dick Cheney, which got him Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Producer, and Best Director. Inasmuch as Hollywood can show us the prejudices of the liberal elite, McKay embodies them.

So what is his big idea? Dont Look Up suggests we dont listen to the science because we are too distracted by celebrity culture, clickbait, and social media. The four horsemen of the liberal apocalypse are mostly Kardashians. Talk show celebrities (played by Cate Blanchett and Tyler Perry) and social media music celebrities (played by Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi) overact to show you the aggressive stupidity that corrupts the public mind. Also, this opium of the masses is something we all instantly rise above the moment Dont Look Up makes it into sketch comedy! Its hard to imagine anything more infantile than this attitude to the American drama, but then McKay came up when SNL was descending into liberal arroganceuninspired and instantly forgottenduring the Bush years. Again, McKay seems unable to reckon with the fact that liberal elites adore and fawn over him even more than he flatters them, very publicly, and celebrities compete in a slavish but frivolous way to star in his humorless movies. If social media is ruining America, the popularity of his movie is certainly the best example of it.

This is what I meant about a new era in American celebritya sickness of the soul, a psychopathy, has overtaken some of the liberal elite, to the point where they wish to ground comedy in absolute lack of self-awareness and claim that they are unheard when they most claim popularity. I fear that success as much as failurethe way Hollywood is being swallowed up by a few tech giants plus Disneyis leading our liberal elites further into madness; mad elites are something America hasnt really reckoned with since the beginning of the Cold War or, indeed, the Civil War. If Im right, call this an early warning. If Im wrong, youll have the pleasure of laughing at my silly worries.

The movies popularity, however hard to gauge, is something more important to reckon with than McKay, whom I expect will disappear the way of all celebrities soon enough, despite having directed some genuinely amusing early comedies (Anchorman, Stepbrothers, Talladega Nights). There is a Netflix class, not just in America, but more obviously in other countriespeople who think they are more modern, more intelligent, more Progressive, and who feel defensive about their lack of influence or power. The majority of Netflix viewers are of course not of this kind, but they aspire to the prestige of the liberal elite and are guided to a significant extent in their taste by these offerings. Both groups are very important for understanding how liberalism is killing cinema, not just comedy, by their arrogance.

This movie, this director, and these accolades are a sad, sordid business. If the liberal imagination has come around to the idea that if America disagrees with them, if they lose control of social media, if they have to deal with a democracy, then thats the apocalypse and we deserve it, were in trouble. Satire is a form of art, it implies premeditation, cold reasoning, and a certain humorous detachment. Subtlety, even. This movie reminds us every minute that liberals are not capable of subtlety anymorethey are busy imitating the earnest, insistent, and loud propaganda of 20th-century tyrannies. What if our elites come to identify Progress with annihilation?
Before The Mets, Steve Cohen Was The Hedge-Fund King
U.S. imports of automotive parts from China have grown significantly, both in terms of value and share of U.S. imports (figure 2), reaching $15 billion and 13 percent of U.S. parts imports in 2018. U.S. imports from China accounted for an estimated 3.9 percent of U.S. automotive parts consumption in 2016 (most recent year available for U.S. parts production).39 Examining which parts the United States imports from China provides a clearer picture of Chinas participation in the U.S. vehicle manufacturing supply chain. This section will break down trade by 5-digit NAICS code, and (where relevant) 8 or 10-digit HTS subheading. Figure 2 U.S. auto parts imports from China 200718, $ billions and share of total 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 7% 13% 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Source: Dataweb (accessed April 11, 2019). NAICS 3363. The NAICS 4-digit heading for automotive parts has eight major components groups: gasoline engines and engine parts, electrical and electronic equipment, steering and suspension parts, brake systems, transmission and powertrain parts, seating and interior trim, metal stampings, and other. Nearly 47 percent ($7.2 billion) of parts imports from China came from the other category, making up nearly 19 percent of such parts imported into the United States in 2018 (figure 3). On a value basis, the next highest is electronic equipment, which was $2.4 billion, but imports from China make up less than 11 percent of U.S. imports of such products. This data seems to indicate that the Chinese automotive parts industry has been successful in supplying a range of components.
Our friends at Feral House have a new book out called, Bawdy Tales and Trifles of Devilries for Ladies and Gentlemen of Experience.

From the publisher:

We want to introduce you to art and writing that has been banned throughout the western world for nearly 200 hundred years.

Bawdy Tales is a complete collection of Eugene Lepoittevin's drawings paired with a selection of historical "naughty" poetry, ballads, and bon mots from the 14th through the early 19th centuries.

Lepoittevin's Devils first appeared to rousing acclaim in 1832. His original devil character was an impish troublemaker. At the behest of his publisher, he created multiple series of lithographs featuring his devils ala erotique. The drawings are more humorous than titillating and reflect the sense of absurdity prevalent in European eroticism.

Even so, the pictures were long banned in Europe and the United States until the 1960s. The United States government went so far as to seize Dr. Kinsey's personal collection of the Lepoittevin lithographs in 1956.

Again, the images are rude and hysterically funny. The writings are culled from rare humorous sexually-charged pastiches covertly printed exclusively for collectors by underground publishers.

The pieces had been hidden in the Private Case of the British Library and the L'Enfer of the Biblioteque nationale du France before dedicated researchers uncovered the works from the 1970s until today.

Bawdy Tales is designed as an homage to those secretive banned books, using vegan leather and gold embossing to simulate vintage morocco binding. Art Historian Sarah Burns introduces Lepoittevin's work and career. Expert and collector of written erotica, "Lady Fanny Woodcock" contributes a short history of the erotic book in Western culture.
Bullying is the new normal for GOP politicians. Every day there is a target  whether that be school shooting survivors, Dr. Fauci, or even their own colleagues in Congress  who gets mocked, intimidated, or even violently threatened by the leaders of the Republican-turned-Trump party.

But last night the MAGA folk who bow down to these leaders drew a line. When Rep. Dan Crenshaw (RTX) tried to bully a young girl at a Montgomery County Tea Party meeting in Texas last night, he got heckled (video below).

It started when the girl took the mic to bring up a comment Crenshaw had made about Jesus on the "leadership and discipline" Jocko Podcast (see clip of his podcast comment at bottom of post).

Quoting Crenshaw, she said, "The most important thing here is that we have important hero archetypes that we look up to. Jesus is a hero archetype, Superman is a hero archetype. Real characters too, I could name a thousand, Rosa Parks and Ronald Reagan too. End quote." The girl then said to Crenshaw, "I can't wrap my head around this."

"I'll help you," Crenshaw snapped in a menacing tone that anyone who has been bullied will recognize. "Put a period after the word Jesus and don't question my faith."

And the crowd immediately reacted:

"Wow!"

"Don't say things like that to a 10-year-old girl!"

"Whoooa!"

"You moron!"

"You're talking to a kid like that!?"

Crenshaw softened his tone but didn't back down. "Don't question my faith. You guys can ask questions about all of these things and I'll answer that but don't question my faith."

The girl didn't back down either. "I didn't question your faith. This is what you said."

The fully grown congressman continued to spar with the child, who stood her ground, until the crowd finally went into default mode, shouting, "Let's go Brandon!"

Unfortunately the person shooting the video didn't know how to work a camera, flipping it sideways halfway through. But here it is anyway:

Dan Crenshaw gets upset at a 10 year old girl at an event and gets heckled by the crowd. "Don't question my faith." pic.twitter.com/EYEXYpXKIB  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 18, 2022
A top health official in Florida sent a frustrated email to his employees, giving them the facts about the staff's very low Covid vaccination rate. And for that he was suspended from his job.

In the email, Raul Pino, director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, had dared to inform his staff of 568 that only 219 employees received two vaccinations, and only 77 got the booster shot.

"I am sorry but in the absence of reasonable and real reasons it is irresponsible not to be vaccinated," he said. "We have been at this for two years, we were the first to give vaccines to the masses, we have done more than 300,000 and we are not even at 50%  pathetic."

State officials are now sniffing out whether or not his email was pushing employees to get vaccinated, which would be breaking Gov. Ron Santis's law that prohibits vaccine mandates.

From HuffPost:
By Trend

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) made it possible for Italy to export gas in the second half of December 2021, Trend reports with reference to Italian media.

On the last day of 2021, Italy sold 20 million cubic meters of gas abroad, approximately 10 percent of its net consumption, which on stood at 214 million cubic meters on that day. Why can Italy, which is notoriously a large energy importer, afford to export gas even in times of skyrocketing prices? It was possible thanks to TAP, which through its 878 kilometers of length transports about 8 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan to Puglia, but also thanks to the countrys storage system, say Italian media.

The volume of natural gas transportation from Azerbaijan to Italy via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 stood at 6.8 billion cubic meters.

As the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP has the capacity to transport approximately 10 billion cubic meters of gas per annum (bcm/a) to several markets in Europe. The pipeline is also designed with the potential to expand its throughput capacity up to 20 bcm/a.

TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europes energy security, supply diversification, as well as decarbonisation objectives.

TAPs shareholding is comprised of bp (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views.

The tools to keep yourself safe online are pretty well known: antivirus programs, VPNs, and password managers are all used by millions to protect their data. But what about the data that you've given to big companies? The rate of hacking and ransomware incidents has skyrocketed, and some companies are notorious for their poor cybersecurity practices. On the plus side, that means there's a huge demand by companies for cyber security pros to protect their customers' data.

If you're looking for a new job, a promotion, or just to learn more about how cybersecurity works, then check out becoming certified in cybersecurity with The 2022 Masters in Cyber Security Certification Bundle. Right now, you can get the entire bundle of 9 online eLearning courses for only $39.99! That's less than $5 a course! You'll be getting high-quality instruction for a fraction of the normal cost of tuition.

The 2022 Masters in Cyber Security Certification Bundle includes tons of cybersecurity techniques including ethical hacking, penetration testing, network analysis, physical security, and much more. You'll learn how hackers work to attack networks and data servers, so you'll be better able to defend people's personal info from thieves!

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Humanoids, the publisher co-founded 46 years ago in Paris, France by the legendary Mbius, has announced the January 25 release of a deluxe black and white, 320-page, oversized deluxe edition of THE INCAL, the sci-fi masterpiece by Mbius and Alejandro Jodorowsky. The 1980 publication of The Incal sent huge reverberations throughout the comic art world, 80s science fiction media in general, and helped inspire the cyberpunk genre.



Humanoids and Superfan Promotions were kind enough to share the first ten pages of the book exclusively with Boing Boing.

John Difool, a low-class detective in a degenerate dystopian world, finds his life turned upside down when he discovers an ancient, mystical artifact called "The Incal." Difool's adventures will bring him into conflict with the galaxy's greatest warrior, the Metabaron, and will pit him against the awesome powers of the Technopope. These encounters and many more make up a tale of comic and cosmic proportions that has Difool fighting for not only his very survival, but also the survival of the entire universe.

Humanoids also announced in December that, 42 years after its initial release (and with a major movie adaptation in the works from Taika Waititi), Humanoids will publish new stories in The Incal universe. Next May, Humanoids will release the free Comic Book Day: The Incal Universe Special, which will preview three new Incal stories: "Kill Wolfhead" by Brandon Thomas and Pete Woods; "Dying Star" by Dan Watters and Jon Davis-Hunt; and "Psychoverse" by Mark Russell and Yanick Paquette.

"Four decades after its publication, the world of The Incal remains a shock to the system and a transcendent work," said Humanoids CEO, Fabrice Giger. "The Incal Universe stories, which Alejandro Jodorowsky has blessed, will open the door for a new generation of readers to discover all new adventures featuring John DiFool, the Metabaron, Kill Wolfhead, and the Luminous Incal."

You can preorder The Incal Black & White Edition here.



Image: Cover Inset
Five big-name employers are backing a data analytics "boot camp" to train workers in skills that will help them get hired for technology jobs.

The 12-week program, which kicks off next week, is supported by ACV Auctions, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, M&T Bank, Moog Inc. and Rich Products.

The goal is to increase the region's pool of workers who are trained as data analysts, ready to be hired once they complete the program. Organizers say they focused on recruiting students from groups that are under-represented in technology, including people of color, women and veterans.

The boot camp is part of a broader push by the region to develop a workforce that can meet technology needs at companies in a variety of sectors, not just startups. And it's a way for the five companies to create their own pipeline of potential tech hires.

M&T's tech hub looks to the future M &T Bank poured nearly $58 million into its tech hub at Seneca One tower.

The inaugural class will consist of 21 students. The students weren't required to have any technical experience or college education to participate, and will receive a stipend for living expenses during the program. The sponsoring employers are covering the costs of the program. The students will also receive free lunch while at the training site and complimentary parking.

M&T Banks Tech Academy, located on the 23rd floor of Seneca One tower, will host and coordinate the program. General Assembly, a company which is M&Ts educational partner for the Tech Academy, will lead the training. TechBuffalo, a regional nonprofit, helped with recruiting and implementation.

TechBuffalo names M&T tech leader as CEO Sarah Tanbakuchi, senior technology manager at M&T, will lead the nonprofit organization effective Nov. 15.

Data analysts are in great demand, at all kinds of employers, said Sarah Tanbakuchi, president and CEO of TechBuffalo.

"This is a multi-industry collaboration to foster homegrown tech talent and connect that talent to meaningful career opportunities," she said.

The students who complete the program will get to interview for jobs with the sponsoring companies, she said.

Data analysts help businesses make better data-based decisions, Tanbakuchi said.

"This is a national challenge, a shortage of this type of talent, and we're investing locally to solve that," she said.

Kevin Ruggiero, Moog Inc.'s chief information officer, said companies in different industries "share the same challenge around having a robust tech workforce in the Buffalo region.

"We recognize that we can do something more actively, by creating new pipelines and bringing opportunities to people who maybe never saw themselves having a career in tech before, or maybe never had the opportunity, and identifying those people who have the ability to enter the field," Ruggiero said.

The sponsoring employers say the program will reach new groups of tech prospects, while meeting companies demands for skilled workers to hire.

At Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, data analysts help manage patients health care needs, by bringing together essential information, said Michael Edbauer, the president. It is an increasing component of our workforce.

At ACV Auctions, data fuels everything from managing inventory to running online auctions. But its not just companies like ACV that need data specialists, so there is competition for those workers' services, said Bahman Koohestani, chief technology officer.

Data is the new oil and everyone is out there mining it, Koohestani said. Its very important for us to have the right talent and deploy them to the right areas.

M&T Banks chief diversity officer, Glenn Jackson, said the boot camp will tap into talent in the regions own backyard.

Its about the entire region and all sort of employers  big, small, medium, Jackson said. Were trying to reskill, upskill, retrain a massive workforce that frankly is ready for this, and hasnt had an opportunity to push toward data and technology. Now we can connect the dots - a direct pipeline into the organizations.

General Assembly has provided this kind of training in other cities and sees a very high placement rate for workers who complete the program, said Rick Croteau, enterprise client success manager.

Obviously, data analytics isnt going away or being reduced, Croteau said. Its a very stable career path, its high-paying, and its really offering these people an opportunity they havent had previously.

Croteau said the boot camp is off to a good start, based on the employers that signed on to sponsor it and the pool of potential students that organizers had to choose from.

Weve found that in other places with much higher populations than Buffalo, like in Louisville or Sacramento, we get around the same amount of leads or interest in the program, which I think is a testament to Buffalo and the hunger for a program like this," he said.

Matt Glynn

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Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration on Tuesday unveiled details of its $10 billion multi-year plan to bolster the state's health care industry, including $1.2 billion for worker retention bonuses, increased Medicaid reimbursement rates and millions of dollars for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to boost cancer screenings in underserved communities.

"One hard lesson we learned about what happens when there's a lack of investment is how our health care system crumbled under the stress of the pandemic," Hochul said. "That's why we're making up for lost time and positioning the state to be on better footing going forward with the largest investment in health care in state history."

The budget presentation followed Hochul's health care spending promises made during her State of the State address on Jan. 5.

While some details became clearer with the release of a fiscal year 2023 executive budget briefing book, health care stakeholders and lawmakers were just starting to digest thousands of pages of budget documents that were released late Tuesday.

Many health care officials were happy with what they heard Tuesday, but not everyone was celebrating.

What we know, and don't know, about Hochul's $10B plan to bolster health care In her State of the State address, Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined a plan to spend $10 billion to bolster health care through a variety of broad initiatives. Labor unions and health care associations are optimistic but are awaiting further details on the bold proposals.

The home care industry, the fastest-growing segment of health care, felt left out, claiming Hochul's budget missed an opportunity to raise wages for home care workers. New York Caring Majority co-director Ilana Berger urged the State Legislature to include the Fair Pay for Home Care bill in the final budget it will negotiate with Hochul.

George Gresham, president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, called Hochul's proposed health care spending "significant," but indicated more needed to be done.

"They are not yet enough to support a real recovery for our vital safety net institutions or for the home care workers that care for the most vulnerable," Gresham said.

Health care worker bonuses

Some clarity was provided on the proposed $1.2 billion in state funding for health care and mental hygiene worker retention bonuses.

For instance, the bonus program would be for workers earning up to $100,000 annually, aimed at recruiting and retaining front-line health care employees.

The bonuses would be tailored in varying amounts based on hours worked and time of service. Up to $3,000 in bonuses would go to full-time workers who remain in their positions for one year. Those working fewer hours would be eligible for a pro-rated bonus.

"Its both retention and also a desire to create an incentive for more people to enter the field because we're seeing a lot of shortages," state Budget Director Robert F. Mujica Jr. said.

Catholic Health System President and CEO Mark Sullivan sees the one-time bonuses as a good thing to retain staff that is nearing the start of their third year battling Covid-19.

Sullivan provided written testimony about the issues within health care to the several state Assembly committees in mid-November, shortly after Catholic Health and the Communications Workers of America reached a new labor contract following a more than month-long strike at Mercy Hospital that centered on staffing and wages.

"We have already implemented market wages, and this will help with that, but it will also bolster and recognize those hard workers at the bedside, as well as all those other people within the services of providing care," Sullivan said Tuesday.

Medicaid reimbursement rates

Health care facilities, especially nursing homes, have long complained that the state's Medicaid reimbursement rates need to increase, saying more than a decade of stagnant financial support has made it difficult to cover rising costs.

"There's a lot of investments that we're making in the Medicaid space and in the health care space overall," Mujica said.

To allow providers to invest in better wages and compete for workers, Hochul is proposing a multi-year investment of $3.7 billion by reversing the 1.5% Medicaid cut to health care providers in the fiscal year 2021 budget and also increasing Medicaid rates across the board by 1% after years of flat reimbursement.

"We are grateful for the governors support for New York's not-for-profit and public hospitals, continuing care providers and the communities they serve," said Bea Grause, president of the Healthcare Association of New York State, which represents nonprofit and public hospitals as well as other health care facilities.

Roswell Park

Across New York, only about 6% of those eligible for lung cancer screening actually get screened, said Candace S. Johnson, president and CEO of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Lung cancer, she said, also disproportionately affects people of color.

Initiatives included in Hochul's executive budget aim to put a dent in that dynamic, especially in the midst of a pandemic that has caused a sharp decline in cancer screenings.

The budget will provide a one-time investment of $4 million to Roswell Park for the procurement of lung cancer screening mobile vans and medical technology. Those units will then be deployed in "racially diverse neighborhoods and communities for early detection of lung cancer," the budget book states.

"You have no idea how excited we are about this," Johnson said. "This is exactly what Roswell Park is about. We talked to the governor about this. Gov. Hochul is a visionary in giving us these funds, because this is going to save lives in Western New York."

The proposed budget also plans $4 million in additional ongoing operational support for Roswell Park, allowing the institution to expand and enhance cancer screening operations among underrepresented populations.

The budget also would increase capital support for Roswell Park by $2 million to establish a home base for its community outreach and engagement team.

That will involve putting those educational activities in a location in the Fruit Belt. There, Johnson said, Roswell Park is going to renovate a home, where community outreach and engagement meetings and gatherings can be held.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com.

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David Harvey was exasperated.

It was Wednesday morning  two days after a widespread storm dumped a foot-and-a-half of snow on Buffalo and the Northtowns  and his street had yet to be plowed.

"Nothing. Nothing," he said in a phone interview from his home on Wellington Road, north of Hertel Avenue.

His kids were home from school for a second day. His husband, a doctor, was late to work because it took so long to shovel out his car. An Amazon truck and a Lowe's delivery truck each got stuck in the snow-piled street. And cars were covered in snow on both sides of the street. He wrote an angry email to Mayor Byron Brown early Wednesday, demanding action.

As he talked to a reporter at about 9 a.m., he looked out the window to finally see a plow ... and then it backed up and left.

Snowstorm complicated things, but life goes on in Western New York Travel and normal activity through the region got more than complicated Monday as snow that began Sunday night pounded the area with an intensity deemed rare even by Western New York standards.

"They can't get through. It's a mess," he lamented.

It returned less than an hour later and managed to weave around all the parked cars.

It was a familiar scene that played out all over Buffalo, particularly the northern half, in the wake of the snow storm that hit late Sunday night and covered Buffalo with a record amount of snow.

Snowed-in residents were not happy with City Hall's response.

Delaware District Common Council Member Joel Feroleto said he has received "hundreds" of phone calls from angry constituents demanding to know when their streets would be plowed.

"I know as of this morning there were still many streets that were not plowed," Feroleto said. "There were vehicles still getting stuck this morning. I helped push a car on Winston (Road) near Parkside (Avenue)."

Tuesday was a snow day for many schools, but for different reasons Tuesday's school closings proved to be more complicated than a typical Western New York snow day.

Feroleto acknowledged that city plows made "significant progress overnight," although there was still a cluster of streets in his district near North Park Academy that hadn't been plowed yet.

Common Council Member Joseph Golombek was also bombarded with angry messages about the lack of plowing in the Riverside and Black Rock neighborhoods.

"There's been a bunch of glitches that I'm not happy with," he said.

He noted that in many cases, cars parked on the wrong side of the street were making it difficult for plows to get through.

Still, he said he was planning on driving around Riverside with Public Works Commissioner Michael Finn on Wednesday afternoon to show him the conditions.

Finn said Wednesday that the city's plows have been running non-stop since the storm started.

While the plows were able to keep up with clearing main and second streets, he said, plowing Buffalo's side streets has proved challenging.

First, there was the depth of the snow, in some cases close to 2 feet, he said. Also, the snow was widespread  blanketing the whole city, not just a swath, as sometimes happens when a narrow lake effect band sets up.

In addition, the storm hit Sunday night into Monday and continued on and off until late Monday. On many residential streets, 6 p.m. Monday is when cars must switch sides for parking.

"We got into a lot of those streets, and then the cars moved over to the nicely plowed side. So, it looked like it hadn't been plowed yet. So, we're having to double back on those streets. So, that was a challenge."

Buffalo's smaller streets are always difficult, he said, but the deep, heavy snow was especially tough. Smaller trucks that can squeeze in were getting stuck, and larger plows just couldn't make it through, he said.

Finn said by midday Wednesday about 95% of the city's streets had at least one pass through from a plow. The remainder were the trickier side streets, like dead-ends, of which the city has 223.

He urged everyone to take advantage of Wednesday's milder temperatures to shovel their sidewalks and dig their cars out, if they haven't already.

Temperatures were expected to plummet by Thursday to lows around zero and highs in the teens for the next several days.

Across town on side streets off of Genesee and East Ferry streets, close to 40 community leaders, including Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC Ministries, spent the day shoveling sidewalks and driveways of the elderly.

"We had people who were snowed in and people who were snowed out," he said. "We had people whose vehicles are snowed in."

Newkirk and other members of violence interrupter groups had met on Monday  Martin Luther King Jr. Day  and planned on a day of service.

"This came up on us, the storm. So that was an opportunity ... to serve the community," he said.

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Catholic Charities of Buffalo, trying to rebound from three straight years of missing its fundraising targets, has set a goal to bring in $9.5 million in donations by the end of June.

Bishop Michael W. Fisher kicked off the 2022 appeal Wednesday at the Catholic Charities headquarters on Delaware Avenue, along with Deacon Steve Schumer, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities and campaign co-chairs Dr. Nancy Nielsen and Thomas Beecher Jr.

Fisher said there continues to be "great needs in our communities" exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and Catholic Charities is at the forefront of assisting people.

He urged people of faith to follow a command Jesus gave to his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew.

"When you think about it, there's no option for Christians and Catholics when faced with a person or family in need. We must do whatever we can to lend a helping hand, provide a word or gesture to ensure that their most basic needs are provided for," he said.

The 2021 appeal raised $9 million, about $1 million shy of a $10 million goal. The 2020 appeal brought in $8.4 million, during the height of the pandemic. And in 2019 the appeal raised $9.3 million.

"To say the past two years have been challenging would be of course an understatement," said Schumer. "It's been challenging for many of us in our community, especially for those most vulnerable and most in need."

In addition to the pandemic, the past several Catholic Charities' appeals have grappled with fallout from the Buffalo Diocese's clergy sex abuse scandal and a 2020 bankruptcy filing that already has cost the diocese more than $7 million in legal and professional fees.

Catholic Charities, which is separately incorporated from the diocese, is not part of the bankruptcy. But the diocese takes a portion of the appeal  usually about a third  and uses it for its own operations, unless a donor specifies that the entire contribution goes only to Catholic Charities.

More people need help due to the pandemic, which also has affected some donors' ability to contribute, said Schumer.

"That's the thing that wakes me up at 3 o'clock in the morning," he said.

Still, Schumer said he was heartened by the $9 million raised in 2021 and believes the goal for 2022 is "an achievable number."

About $1.1 million already has been raised so far, he said.

Despite the recent declines in giving, Catholic Charities has not had to make any major cuts in staff, programs and services, said Schumer. The agency has about 400 employees and runs 57 programs and services at 80 locations in eight counties.

Schumer said the agency dipped into reserves, improved efficiency in delivering services, particularly in its behavioral health offerings and received pandemic-related aid.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo in 2020 received a $3.7 million Paycheck Protection Program loan that was forgiven in July 2021, according to a Pro Publica database that tracks payments through the Small Business Administration pandemic program.

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Jevon Gaiter had a choice the night he was confronted by a man who accused him of selling fake crack cocaine.

The man he was face to face with, 59-year-old Mark Bottita, wasn't a fighter, according to his sister, Rebecca Bottita.

"You could have walked away," she said. "Instead, you decided to slit his throat."

On Wednesday morning, Gaiter  who was convicted by an Erie County jury last month of second-degree murder in Mark Bottita's killing  learned his fate.

Judge James Bargnesi sentenced Gaiter, 42, of Buffalo, to 25 years to life in state prison, the maximum available term.

Mark Bottita was killed about 1 a.m. Sept. 21, 2019, just across the city line in the Town of Tonawanda. He bled to death in front of Vulcan Mini Mart on Vulcan Street.

Prosecutors said Gaiter slashed Bottita's throat after Bottita asked for his money back because the powdery substance he bought from Gaiter wasn't actually the crack cocaine he wanted.

Gaiter's defense attorneys argued at trial he did not intend to kill Bottita, but he was "doing what he needed to do to stop someone from advancing on him."

A jury in December found Gaiter guilty after a little more than an hour of deliberations.

Gaiter, whose nickname is "Animal," has shown no remorse and lived up to that moniker, Rebecca Bottita said.

"That is what you are," she said.

Gaiter made a brief statement in court before he received his sentence.

"I'm very sorry about what happened to Mark, to his family," Gaiter said, in part.

The rest of his comments, which were not clearly audible in the courtroom, sparked this response from Bargnesi: "It certainly was a mistake. Whether it was careless can be debated. It certainly was vicious, as we all saw in the video."

Brian K. Parker, who represented Gaiter along with Sean P. Kelly, asked the judge for a sentence of less than the maximum.

Gaiter has dealt with a lot of tragedy in his life, Parker said, including being born with drugs in his system and having his mother die when he was 10.

Several years ago, Gaiter  who also has a history of drug use and mental health issues  watched his father murdered "right in front of him," Parker said, who added he was offering that information not as an excuse for Gaiter's actions.

Gaiter's attorneys previously said an appeal of the conviction would be filed after sentencing.

Rebecca Bottita is usually a forgiving person, she told the judge before he issued the sentence.

But there's "no chance" she forgives Gaiter. He's caused too much suffering for her, her family and her brother's friends.

"I just don't understand how you could take somebody's life like that," she said.

Reach Aaron at abesecker[at]buffnews.com or 716-849-4602.

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Nancy Rolando was delivering mail on a cold February day 28 years ago on Franklin Street in the City of Tonawanda.

At about 12:30 p.m., she parked in front of Deborah Meindl's house.

Pointing finger at infamous inmate, pair convicted in 1993 murder say DNA tests prove they're innocent Lawyers allege that the real murderer of Deborah Meindl may be Richard W. Matt, the convicted killer who famously escaped from prison in 2015.

If Meindl was at home when she delivered the mail, the two would usually chat, and Meindl's dog would greet her, as most canines tend to do with mail carriers.

But on Feb. 17, 1993, there was no barking dog and no conversation, and what Rolando said she saw now figures into a court effort to exonerate two men convicted of murdering Meindl.

As Rolando walked back to her mail truck, she heard the door open. She turned to see the door close.

Judge grants hearing on bid to vacate convictions in 1993 slaying of City of Tonawanda mother An attorney for Brian Scott Lorenzo said new DNA evidence excludes both Lorenzo and James Pugh from the crime scene.

"I saw a figure, a shadow, but it wasnt Debbie because she would have spoken to me. Thats what I thought," Rolando said.

That afternoon, Meindl was stabbed 11 times and strangled with a necktie inside her home.

Rolando, now retired, testified Tuesday at a hearing for the two men convicted of Meindl's murder, Brian S. Lorenzo and James Pugh, who are seeking to have their convictions vacated.

Rolando, who police interviewed the day after the homicide, was not called to testify by either prosecutors or the defense at Lorenzo and Pugh's 1994 murder trial.

She is one of the latest witnesses called by attorneys for Lorenzo and Pugh who are trying to convince State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to vacate their convictions.

David Sweat testifies Richard Matt told him he killed Tonawanda woman in '93 While plotting his prison escape six years ago, Richard W. Matt said he killed a woman in the City of Tonawanda in 1993, Sweat testified Tuesday.

During the original investigation, police filed a report about what Rolando told them, and what was in the report was accurate, she testified under cross-examination by Colleen Curtin Gable, a senior prosecutor with the Erie County District Attorney's Office.

But the report, a copy of which she reviewed on the stand, did not reference the figure she said she saw at the door.

"It doesn't say that on here, but I remembered it from my memory," Rolando told Curtin Gable, a former Homicide Bureau chief.

The hearing, which began over several days in December, continued Tuesday and is expected to run the rest of the week.

The hearing kicked off last month with the testimony of former Assistant District Attorney David Heraty, who testified that he and another prosecutor conducted an investigation and concluded Lorenzo and Pugh were "not involved" in Meindl's slaying.

Former prosecutor testifies in support of two men convicted of 1993 murder "They were not involved in the murder," David Heraty said of Brian S. Lorenzo and James Pugh, both convicted of murdering City of Tonawanda resident Deborah Meindl.

Heraty, along with Michael Hillery, a prosecutor who still works for the District Attorney's Office, were assigned by District Attorney John Flynn to review what Lorenzo and Pugh's attorneys called new evidence in the case.

Another witness who previously testified was David Sweat, who said that Richard W. Matt  his fellow prison escapee in 2015  told him as they planned their escape that he killed Meindl.

New DNA analysis of evidence from the 1993 crime scene, conducted beginning in 2018, found no DNA from either Lorenzo or Pugh, a forensic biologist with the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory testified.

Attorneys for Lorenzo and Pugh have called witnesses who have made a variety of accusations against David Bentley, a City of Tonawanda Police detective who investigated the killing, including that Bentley was involved in the murder. Bentley, who retired as police captain in 2003, called such allegations "ridiculous and ludicrous."

Gabriel Rodriguez, whose mother was friends with Lorenzo and Pugh, was a teenager at the time of Meindl's killing.

Tonawanda detective attacks credibility of convicted killers blaming him for murder For the long-retired David Bentley, this latest turn of events defies logic and contradicts who he was as a cop.

He came home from school at about 4 p.m. on the day of the killing to find Lorenzo at his house talking with his mother.

There was nothing out of the ordinary about Lorenzo's demeanor at the time, Rodriguez testified.

Rodriguez, whose nickname at the time was "Doobie," later that afternoon drove with Lorenzo and two women to the Walden Galleria after they got a shotgun sawed off at a Buffalo garage, he and other witnesses have testified.

Rodriguez testified Tuesday that Bentley had a warrant for his arrest cleared a few months later in exchange for his mother providing police with information against Lorenzo.

Rodriguez had legal trouble as a teen and since, including a federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

A few months after Meindl's killing, Bentley made a phone call to clear up the warrant during a recorded interview with Rodriguez's mother. Portions of the recording were played in court Tuesday.

After that call was made, his mother started providing more information, Rodriguez said.

"At that point, she was willing to tell him anything he wanted to hear," he said.

Reach Aaron at abesecker[at]buffnews.com or 716-849-4602.

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One way or another, Williamsville is going to pay for violating the mask mandate imposed by Erie County and New York state.

County Executive Mark Poloncarz confirmed Tuesday during his weekly news briefing that the village is the only local government to be formally sanctioned and fined $300 by the Erie County Health Department for actively and repeatedly flouting the mask-wearing rules.

"They have ... through repeated violations created an unsafe environment by having a public meeting where the public is invited, and the village mayor is not wearing a mask, as well as others," Poloncarz said.

Divisive debate over mask mandate roils Williamsville The debate over facts and freedom and rights and restrictions that has roiled the nation since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic has come to a one-square-mile community where complaining about traffic and parking used to rate as the biggest issue.

The fine came to light after Poloncarz was asked about a village announcement via email that it had scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday to "approve the hire of outside counsel to represent the village in a pending legal matter with the Erie County Department of Health." The village's attorney, Charles Grieco, has a conflict of interest because his firm does legal work for the county, said Keaton DePriest, the village director of community development.

At the Village Board's Jan. 10 meeting, dozens of people filled the auditorium at Village Hall to criticize Covid-19 health measures as infringing on their rights. Most were not wearing masks. They threw their support to Mayor Deborah Rogers, an outspoken opponent of such public health regulations, and said they feared the effects of mask and vaccine mandates more than the effects of the virus.

Others who spoke over a videoconference connection at the board meeting opposed the village adopting an anti-mask mandate resolution.

The resolution argues against any Covid-19 vaccine or mask mandates, asks employees of the Erie County and state health departments not to enter the village to enforce any such mandates and urges passage of state legislation that would require that counties get approval from municipalities for any states of emergency directly affecting those communities.

The resolution was approved in a 3-2 vote.

Fighting the county on this issue is likely to cost Williamsville taxpayers far more than a $300 fine, which is supposed to be paid by Feb. 5. The county stated in its citation that if the village does not agree to pay the $300 fine, it must appear at a hearing where penalties could be as much as $1,000.

While some local government leaders have expressed opposition to the indoor mask mandate imposed by the state and county, Poloncarz said he hopes Williamsville will be the only municipality to ever face a county penalty for willful refusal to abide by the indoor masking order.

"We want people to take this seriously, so yes, the Village of Williamsville was cited," he said, adding that the Omicron variant spreads easily and can cause deaths.

Williamsville trustee blasts 'toxic' mayor in resignation letter Matthew Etu said he is resigning effective immediately because of a toxic and destructive environment created by Williamsville Mayor Deborah Rogers.

In a statement, Rogers declined to comment other than to refer to Thursday's meeting.

The county action taken against Williamsville is unusual. Since the latest county and state mask mandates have been adopted, the Erie County Health Department has taken a softer, educational approach to enforcement.

But in light of the vocal opposition by Rogers and what Poloncarz described as repeated refusals by the village to enforce mask-wearing policies, the county sent health inspectors to the last meeting to assess the situation. A citation was issued against the village Jan. 12.

Prior to that, Health Department spokeswoman Kara Kane said, the Health Department sent correspondence to the village on Jan. 7 in response to a public complaint about the village's lack of compliance with mask-wearing requirements.

Kane said the Jan. 7 letter was technically not a "warning." However, it states that "buildings/businesses" will be monitored by department staff and that "repetitive and wilful (sic) violations" of the county's orders can result in penalties.

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WASHINGTON  The Times Beach Nature Preserve, a 55-acre site on Buffalo's Outer Harbor that has been battered into disuse by frequent storms in recent years, will be restored thanks to one of the first local outlays from last year's $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal.

Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, announced Wednesday that the Army Corps of Engineers will receive $10 million in infrastructure funding to restore the site, which is located just south of the current U.S. Coast Guard facility on the city's waterfront. Under the restoration plan, the break wall that aims to protect the site from violent waves will be fortified, while habitats and public access walkways will be repaired.

"This is a big get for Buffalo," Higgins said. "This project will go a long way to complement the parkland that's already there."

Higgins said he anticipates work on the project beginning this spring and being done within a year.

The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve, a volunteer group, had been working to restore a trail on the site. But then the Halloween storm of 2019 destroyed that trail and made most of the site off-limits to visitors, and damage to the break wall left the site vulnerable to further damage. On its website, the Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve said the storm Dec. 11 was the 12th to damage the site since that 2019 Halloween storm and seiche.

Times Beach closed to public after storm batters boardwalk Erie County government just finished writing a check to cover the cost of repairing the Times Beach Nature Preserve boardwalk from last winters storm damage. Now, county officials will have to repair it

With the new federal funding, the Army Corps will be able to repair the site, said Lt. Col. Eli Adams, commander of the Army Corps' Buffalo district.

"The dike wall at Times Beach is a key to the resiliency of Buffalos coastal infrastructure and protects 45 acres of wetland habitat and an important bird sanctuary for over 230 species. Unfortunately, it is also in significant disrepair," Adams said. "The $10 million for federal funding toward this site will provide us the opportunity to partner with Erie County and carry out some much-needed work."

Erie County manages the site in an agreement with the city of Buffalo, which owns the property.

Times Beach is a beautiful natural site that hosts thousands of migratory birds and other wildlife, just moments away from the downtown city core," Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said in a statement. "Its a peaceful but fragile ecosystem that is very vulnerable to bad weather due to its location, and the site has suffered extensive damage during recent winter storms.

Higgins said the Times Beach restoration is the sort of project that's needed to be done for years, but that is only getting funded now because Congress passed the infrastructure bill.

"This is a great complement to our efforts to create 100 acres of new park and nature preserve land at the Outer Harbor," the congressman said.

Higgins has proposed a $189 million plan  funded through the infrastructure bill and money from the New York State Power Authority  that would create that new parkland, renovate Erie Basin Marina and build two new parkways leading toward the waterfront.

Part of the Higgins plan calls for moving the Coast Guard's facilities to the south, to an existing parcel along Lake Erie. Doing so would create new parkland just north of the Times Beach Nature Preserve, along the mouth of the Buffalo River.

The Times Beach restoration is part of $17 billion in Army Corps funding for 500 port and waterfront restoration projects to be started this year under the infrastructure bill.

The Army Corps' Buffalo district, which manages waterway management programs in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, received nearly $24 million of that money. A project at Little Sodus Bay, along Lake Ontario east of Rochester, received exactly as much funding as Times Beach did.

Other Buffalo-area projects that received funding include $300,000 for improvements to Old Fort Niagara, $100,000 to complete construction work at Broderick Park in Buffalo, $100,000 for Scajaquada Creek and $75,000 for the Lake Ontario Golden Hill State Park Lighthouse.

Among the other Army Corps projects announced Wednesday is one that could benefit much of the Great Lakes basin. The Army Corps will spend $226 million for a lock and dam project on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, Ill., that's aimed to prevent the invasive Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. That's enough money to complete preconstruction, engineering and design of the massive project 50 miles downstream from Chicago.

"This is a historic step forward for this critically needed project to add a chain of smart technologies to the waterway that will stop invasive carp from reaching Lake Michigan," said Molly Flanagan, chief operating officer and vice president of programs at the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

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By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The Carpet Museum invites you to discuss the process of weaving the "Thoughts" carpet on January 19.

At the virtual meeting, carpet technologists Ilhama Ahmadova and Amina Aliyeva will provide a detailed information about the process of creating the carpet.

The carpet is woven on the basis of a sketch by Eldar Ibadullayev, winner of the Nizami Ganjavi Internat?onal Carpet Sketch Contest.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum never ceases to amaze everyone with its beautiful architecture.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, it is beautiful inside and out. The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet.

The Carpet Museum stores over 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

The museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to the popularization and promotion of the Azerbaijani Carpet Weaving Art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with beautiful pile carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th century Guba carpet Ugakh was donated to the Carpet Museum, while Karabakh carpet Chelebi enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

The Carpet Museum also focuses on cooperation with world-leading museum organizations.

Moreover, the Carpet Museum won Travelers' Choice Awards for the fourth time in a row last year.
Williamsville officials are releasing few details in advance of Thursday's special Village Board meeting, when trustees are set to hire a law firm to help the village contest a Covid-19 rules violation flagged by Erie County.

The village announced Tuesday that it will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday to "approve the hire of outside counsel to represent the village in a pending legal matter with the Erie County Department of Health."

The public won't have the chance to comment at the meeting, which is online-only, but some residents still may try to show up in person.

Erie County fines Williamsville over village's refusal to enforce mask mandate County Executive Mark Poloncarz confirmed Tuesday that the village is the only local government to be formally sanctioned and fined $300 by the Erie County Health Department for actively and repeatedly flouting the mask-wearing rules.

The Health Department fined the village $300 for repeatedly flouting the county and state mask-wearing requirement in public spaces, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Tuesday.

A county employee witnessed numerous violations of the policy, by Mayor Deb Rogers and others in the audience, at the Jan. 10 Village Board meeting, when trustees by a 3-2 vote passed a resolution staunchly opposing mask and other Covid-19 mandates. Rogers was joined by two trustees she appointed to the board in the past year in approving the measure.

The fine was issued Jan. 12 and must be paid by Feb. 5, or the village could face a penalty of up to $1,000. Williamsville is the only local government to receive such a fine from Erie County during the pandemic.

Rogers declined to elaborate in a statement.

The village attorney, Charles Grieco, has a conflict of interest, so Williamsville must hire outside counsel to represent itself.

Keaton DePriest, the village's community development director, said he would not reveal the name of the law firm the village is poised to hire, nor the amount of money the village would pay its lawyers, in advance of Thursday's meeting.

"At this time, no attorney or firm has been determined," DePriest said in an email. "Since no decision has been made, there is no information on whether or not it will be an hourly rate or a flat fee."

He also said the village did not seek competitive bids from law firms for the work because that's not required under state law, which considers legal representation a professional service.

Divisive debate over mask mandate roils Williamsville The debate over facts and freedom and rights and restrictions that has roiled the nation since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic has come to a one-square-mile community where complaining about traffic and parking used to rate as the biggest issue.

News of the county fine, and the village's apparent intention to fight it, is only the latest point of contention in the ongoing conflict over mask mandates in Williamsville.

Debate over this issue at the Dec. 13 Village Board meeting grew particularly heated, and it was one reason Trustee Matthew Etu announced his resignation earlier this month.

The public won't have the chance to comment at Thursday's meeting. The village initially was planning to hold it on an in-person basis only, but some residents raised concerns about not being able to watch by video and the village later said it would be streamed by Zoom only.

Etu, who clashed with Rogers over mask rules, has launched an online petition saying taxpayer dollars shouldn't be used to pay for the personal agenda of the mayor and her Village Board allies. He also said the village should wait to vote on this until its next regularly scheduled meeting, on Monday, when the public could weigh in on the proposed hiring of a law firm.

A group of residents who support masks and other Covid-19 safety measures still may show up Thursday to try to observe the meeting firsthand and make their position known, said Williamsville resident Anthony Bannon.

"There are a number of people I know who wanted to attend the meeting and speak," Bannon said.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her first budget proposal on Tuesday, vowing to make New York the most worker friendly and business friendly state in the nation. Delivering on the second part will be harder than the first.

The $216 billion budget would make major new boosts in spending on health care, child care and education. It also includes forward-looking investments in infrastructure, transportation and green energy, while building the states financial reserves.

Hochul has the good fortune of being governor while the state enjoys a budget surplus, thanks to the billions in pandemic relief aid from the federal government and larger than expected tax revenue. Under Hochuls predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic-controlled Legislature last year passed a $4 billion tax increase on high earners and corporations. Hochuls plan includes income tax cuts and property tax rebates for low- and middle-class New Yorkers but leaves alone the higher rates on upper-bracket earners.

Fiscal conservatives argue that those tax hikes are a primary reason for the states decline in population and, to be sure, its something to worry about. More than 300,000 New Yorkers departed last year, more than from any other state.

But its hard to sort out the reasons for people leaving in another pandemic-scarred year that disrupted many businesses and led to more workers than ever doing remote work and living wherever they choose. Covid-19 also sharply curtailed international travel and there has been a large migration of employees into new jobs, part of the so-called Great Resignation. Still, New Yorks tax burdens work against our efforts to attract businesses from elsewhere.

Hochul acknowledged the exodus of New Yorkers in her State of the State address this month, saying, We need to take a hard look in the mirror and deal with a harsh reality. Nearly 300,000 New Yorkers left our state last year.

Robert Mujica, the states budget director, gave a media briefing in which he noted that concern about rising violent crime has contributed to the population drain. Mujica said the governors proposal for $224 million for gun violence prevention and crime reduction, as well as a $25 billion plan to build up housing to reduce homelessness, could convince more New Yorkers to stay.

All of those things are designed to bring back normalcy, and when you bring that back we think people will come back, Mujica said.

With the windfall of federal aid  about $22 billion over four years  comes the concern that the state not commit to costs that will be unsustainable when the gusher runs dry. Hochul made it clear she shares that worry.

Were not creating recurring expenses or new programs we cant pay for, Hochul said. So for the first time ever, with smart planning, New York will have no out year gaps. ... All these commitments are either one-time expenditures or are supported by the expectation of a reasonable growth in revenue as projected by our division of budget.

The governors major one-time expenditures include $2 billion in pandemic recovery programs and $1 billion over three years for transit projects. There is also $2.2 billion in property tax relief for New Yorkers making up to $250,000 per year in income; checks will be issued in the fall, during Hochuls campaign to be elected to a full term.

Other large expenditures include a 7% increase in education funding, a $10 billion multiyear plan to bolster health care in the state, and a multiyear investment of $3.7 billion to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates. Those should meet some of our states greatest needs while New York has the money to pay for them, but history shows its nearly impossible to roll back such increases when circumstances change.

The governors plan will build up the states depleted cash reserves to 15% of operating expenses. Thats a welcome move, though it falls short of the 17% benchmark that many fiscal analysts recommend.

You have to prepare for the rainy days, even when theres not a cloud in the sky, because ... the rain  or where I come from, the snow  eventually does fall, Hochul said.

The governor plays the predominant role in shaping New Yorks budget, but now she must negotiate with the Legislature and there is little doubt that lawmakers and other special interests will come to her with hat in hand, pleading for even more funding. That could turn into a feeding frenzy, in the words of Andrew Rein, president of the Citizens Budget Commission watchdog group. With the increases she has already proposed, Hochul will have to guard against that if she is to show that she can make historic investments while also improving the states dreary business climate.

  

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Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd (AIM:ECO, TSX-V:EOG) increased its interest in JHI Associates Inc, a junior explorer offshore Guyana, which is partnered with Exxon in the Canje Block.

AIM-quoted Eco bought 800,000 shares, worth around 312,000, in JHI by exchanging 1.2mln new Eco shares. It takes Ecos shareholding in JHI to 5.8mln shares, representing a 7.35% stake in the explorer.

It comes as Exxon and its partners work to define additional drilling prospects in the cretaceous and deeper plays, after their Sapote-1 well recorded hydrocarbon shows last year and Exxons recent nearby Fangtooth-1 discovery, on the prolific adjacent Stabroek Block.

Stabroek, as many Eco shareholders will already understand, is the stellar oil block in the region.

It flanks Ecos own Orinduik block and is host to the vast majority of Exxons multi-billion barrel oil discoveries offshore Guyana. The large-scale Liza field development is located within Stabroek and is rapidly ramping up to a new production peak of 220,000 barrels of oil per day in the coming months.

"We are committed to creating material value for our shareholders through a multi catalyst, high impact, exploration portfolio, said Eco chief executive Gil Holzman.

As such, we are pleased to increase our exposure in the Canje Block by building our equity holding in JHI. This also marks another step in the broader consolidation amongst smaller exploration players, in which we want to lead.

Following the work undertaken on Canje in 2021, which ExxonMobil and partners in the block continue to review, and after the recent highly positive drilling results on the nearby Stabroek block, we believe this to be another exciting opportunity in our portfolio."
Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk isnt ready to give up his job. He says he is still having too much fun.

Kowalczyk, who will turn 66 in April, said he intends to file for another four-year term, though he has not officially decided yet.

I love the job. Ive got a good department and good leaders, Kowalczyk said. I enjoy coming to work. I love the people who surround me.

Kowalczyk, a Boyd native, has served in law enforcement for more than 40 years. He joined the Cadott Police Department in 1977, the Chippewa County traffic police in 1978, and has been with the sheriffs department since they merged. He had stints as an investigator, the area SWAT team, and two years in the West Central Drug Task Force. Kowalczyk was elected sheriff in 2006, and won re-election in 2010, 2014 and 2018.

As sheriff, Kowalczyk oversees 104 full- or part-time employees and manages a jail that routinely houses 125 inmates daily.

Kowalczyk, a Democrat, won a three-way race in 2006 by defeating Jim Barnier, a retired Wisconsin State Patrol officer. Kowalczyk replaced Sheriff Doug Ellis, who retired.

Setting salariesCandidates for the sheriff, clerk of courts and coroner can take out nomination papers on April 15. Each of those three positions will be on the November ballot.

The Chippewa County sheriff would receive a 3% pay raise in 2023, then a 2% raise each of the next three years, under a plan headed to the countys executive committee next week. The countys clerk of courts and coroner would get a 6% raise next year, then a 2% raise the following three years.

County Administrator Randy Scholz explained that the salaries must be finalized prior to the April 15 date.

In 2018, the county gave the sheriffs position a 5% raise each year between 2019 and 2021, then a 2% raise in 2022.

Kowalczyk saw his salary rise from $87,543 in 2018 to $103,362 this year.

The main reason for the significant jump was to catch the sheriffs position up to the market rate. Several counties in the state with smaller populations, and departments with fewer employees and fewer inmates, had salaries higher than Kowalczyks. Also, the chief deputy has earned a higher salary than Kowalczyk for years, but with the salary increase this year, Kowalczyk is now earning the highest salary in his department.

The sheriffs department was the only division in the county where the second-in-command was making more than the head of the department, Kowalczyk said.

Kowalczyk said he met with Scholz on Tuesday to discuss the proposed salary changes that would go to the executive committee.

Its fair; its just, Kowalczyk said. Im comfortable with the proposed offer suggested to the committee.

Scholz said the higher one-time jump for the clerk of courts and coroner is because their salary in the past four years didnt keep pace with the salary of non-elected workers in their office.

This is a good way to do it, and it makes the elected members feel like they are part of the team, Scholz said.

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Watch live as President Joe Biden tries to talk anxious Americans through the challenges of delivering on his lengthy to-do list as he holds a rare news conference to mark his first year in office.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19)  Megaworld Corporation will be buying 2.2 hectares of real estate property from Manila Jockey Club Inc. (MJC), both companies announced Wednesday.

In a disclosure to the local bourse, Megaworld confirmed it entered into a memorandum of agreement with MJC for the land, which is part of the 16-hectare San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park located in the northern portion of the city of Manila.

MJC stated in a separate filing that the purchase price is worth over 1.88 billion.

When we finalize the purchase of this land in San Lazaro, this will surely be part of our township portfolio expansion in Metro Manila, said Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan.

At present, the township developers major projects in the nations capital are concentrated in Binondo. Megaworlds Lucky Chinatown project features condominium towers along with a lifestyle mall, a cultural museum, and a hotel.

Apart from Manila, Megaworld also has integrated urban townships and lifestyle estates in Quezon City and the cities of Taguig, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, and Pasig. This involves around 300 hectares of land across Metro Manila.

Megaworld currently has nearly 5,000 hectares of land in the Philippines.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo said she will push for a measure to help amplify the voices of various sectors, especially the marginalized, in the governments policy-making processes.

Robredo on Wednesday said her biggest advocacy, which cuts across all sectors, is to ensure citizens become partners of public officials, not mere beneficiaries of their programs.

This is possible, she said, by institutionalizing a Peoples Council in all local government units and government agencies.

May representatives yung iba't ibang sektor na umuupo sa lahat na committees. Pag sinabi kong lahat, talagang lahat  executive tsaka legislative, lahat ng committees ng local government units, she said in a virtual meet-and-greet with supporters.

[Translation: Various sectors will have representatives in the committees. When I say all, I mean the executive and legislative, all committees of local government units.]

According to Robredo, the lack of peoples participation often leads to policies that fail to address a lot of gaps.

Pag nagbababa kami ng programa na hindi naman namin nararamdaman yung pinagdadaanan ng mga sektor, kadalasan yung mga programang binababa namin hindi siya responsive sa pinaka-kinakailangan,she said.

[Translation: When we create programs without having a feel of what a sector goes through, often the programs do not respond to their very needs.]

So yung sa atin, yun yung overarching principle. Sisiguraduhin nating may boses kayo from start to finish, she added.

[Translation: So, for us, that's the overarching principle. We will make sure you have a say from start to finish.]

Robredo said she once proposed a similar legislation, called the People Empowerment bill, during her congressional term as a Camarines Sur representative.
By Azernews

By Vafa Ismayilova

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has described as "irresponsible and unacceptable" a recent statement by France's Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, saying that it contradicts diplomatic traditions.

"We regret to note that French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian made a statement in the National Assembly in an inappropriate form for a diplomat on January 18 this year. Thus, a member of the National Assembly from the Republican Party, Eric Siotti, who tried to insult the Azerbaijan president for provocative purposes, should have been given a harsh answer. Minister Le Drian stated that the statements of the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the illegal visit of [French presidential candidate] Valerie Pecresse to the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan are 'unacceptable in form and content'," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva said.

The spokesperson described President Ilham Aliyev's recent statement on the illegal visit of Valerie Pecresse to Azerbaijan as "completely logical and correct".

"The irresponsible and unacceptable interpretation of the statement of the president of another country by Minister Le Drian contradicts diplomatic traditions. We note with regret that the foreign minister of a country with great statehood traditions, such as France, does not understand this," Abdullayeva added.

She reiterated that Aliyev's statement is an appropriate response to those violating Azerbaijan's laws.

"President Ilham Aliyev's statement on the illegal visit of Valerie Pecresse, Michel Barnier and Bruno Retailleau to the territories of Azerbaijan is completely legitimate; This is an adequate response to those who violate the laws of Azerbaijan. Pecresse's status as a French presidential candidate cannot give her the privilege of being above Azerbaijani laws. She must also be accepted like any other foreign citizen. We remind that when foreign citizens illegally enter the territory of Azerbaijan, appropriate measures are taken against them in accordance with the Administrative or Criminal Code of the country. If a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan violated the laws of France and illegally entered the territory of France, then adequate measures would also be taken against him," the spokeswoman stressed.

Abdullayeva emphasized the fact that during the 44-day war and after it the French government was on the side of the occupying Armenia.

"Both chambers of the French parliament have adopted documents calling for the recognition of the so-called 'Nagorno-Karabakh Republic', which is not even recognized by Armenia. We would like to note that the messages by the opposite side during the meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and President Ilham Aliyev, held on December 15, 2021, at the initiative of the president of France, contradict the statement of the foreign minister of this country, Le Drian, and do not contribute to the normalization of Azerbaijani-French relations," she added.

Abdullayeva said that Azerbaijan will continue taking measures against those illegally visiting its internationally-recognized territories.

"At the same time, we would like to emphasize that if a representative of France or other states illegally visits the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan will take the necessary steps within the framework of its Constitution and relevant legislation," she added.

It should be noted that in an interview with 12 local TV channels on January 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that Pecresse would not have been permitted to leave the country, had Baku been informed about her illegal trip.

It was a covert trip, organised in contravention of Azerbaijani and international legislation, and Baku reacted appropriately by sending a note of protest to the French embassy.

Pecresses ludicrously disproportionate reaction to President Aliyevs remarks is also very likely to be a calculated PR attempt aimed at adding an extra respectability to her pro-Armenian stance and also provide a good opportunity to attack her opponent Macron. That is the reason why she interpreted what was a legitimate warning as a "death threat" without having a single shred of hard evidence for making such an accusation.
(CNN)  Hong Kong will euthanize about 2,000 hamsters and other small animals after a pet store worker and several rodents tested positive for coronavirus, as the city pursues an uncompromising zero-COVID strategy two years into the pandemic.

The announcement by the Hong Kong government on Tuesday was met with outrage by pet owners and animals rights advocates, with several online petitions urging authorities to reconsider.

It comes after an emerging cluster linked to the Little Boss pet store, where a 23-year-old employee was confirmed positive for the Delta variant on Monday. A customer who visited the store and interacted with the employee later tested positive as well.

After investigating the pet store, officials said on Tuesday that 11 hamsters had tested preliminary positive for Covid, raising concerns around the possibility of animal-to-human transmission.

Generally, international health authorities have said the risk of transmission from animals to humans is possible, but low.

Environmental samples taken at the shop's warehouse, where other species of small animals are held, also confirmed traces of coronavirus, officials said. The hamsters at the pet store were imported from the Netherlands in two batches -- on December 22 and January 7.

On Tuesday, authorities seized all the small animals in the shop, including hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, to be tested and euthanized -- regardless of the test result -- citing a health hazard to the public.

All pet stores selling hamsters in the city have been ordered to hand the animals over to be put down, with similar orders for anybody who bought a hamster in the lead-up to Christmas, beginning December 22.

Photos on Tuesday night show Covid control workers in hazmat suits at numerous pet stores, disinfecting the premises and bringing out bulky red plastic bags.

All animals taken from the store would be dealt with "humanely," authorities said.

Authorities also suspended the import of all small animals into the city, and told all pet stores selling hamsters to suspend operations immediately until all their small animals have tested negative. Officials urged residents on Tuesday to "adopt good hygiene practices" with their pets, including avoiding kissing them.

More than 20,000 people have signed the largest online petition urging the government not to cull the animals. Some social media users said many hamsters may have been bought around the holidays as gifts for young children.

"Hamsters are our family, everybody please think rationally, don't give them up because of one incident," said the Hamster Concern Society, a volunteer organization in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a statement it was "shocked and concerned" by the government's decision, which "did not take animal welfare and human-animal bond into consideration."

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the hamster concern group said it had been flooded with questions and pleas from anxious pet owners. "My household's hamster wasn't bought from a pet store, but my family is very worried and want me to send it away," said one owner, according to the group. "But I don't want to, is there any way to test my hamster?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been documented Covid-19 cases in animals who likely caught the virus from humans -- however, there is far less evidence to suggest the possibility of animal-to-human transmission.

But authorities defended the cull, arguing it was in the interest of public health and safety.

Hong Kong has stuck to a strict zero-Covid approach, aiming to stamp out all cases internally while maintaining strict border controls, even as increasingly transmissible variants -- first Delta and now Omicron -- make that more and more difficult.

Hong Kong is one of the few places still adhering to that strategy, in the hopes of reopening its border with mainland China, which continues to lock down millions of residents in an attempt to eradicate Covid.

A spokesperson for the city's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said Tuesday that all hamsters would be killed regardless of their test result because the virus' incubation period means "negative test results do not necessarily mean that the hamsters have not been infected."

He added that the government doesn't have the facilities or means to test more than a thousand hamsters every day, let alone isolating and quarantining all the small animals in the city -- so killing them was "a safe and feasible way to control the epidemic."

Testing and isolating pets, and killing only the ones determined to be a threat, "could not control the epidemic completely and may cause loopholes," he added.

Mainland China has also taken similar measures against pets during the pandemic.

In September, community workers in Harbin city killed three pet cats who tested positive for the virus while their owner was in hospital quarantine, without her consent. A similar incident two months later in Shangrao city saw Covid prevention workers violently kill a corgi while its owner was in compulsory quarantine.

Both cases went viral on Chinese social media, sparking widespread dismay and anger among pet owners and sympathizers -- though some posters argued human lives were more important to protect than those of animals.

The Hong Kong AFCD spokesperson also pointed to European countries like the Netherlands and Denmark that had conducted similar mass cullings over Covid transmission concerns.

In November 2020, Denmark said it found a mutated strain of the coronavirus among its mink population that had spread to humans. In response, the government announced the culling of 17 million mink to stop its spread.

But the decision was controversial -- and, it emerged last year, illegal. The government was thrown into turmoil when it emerged there had been no legal basis to order the cull of healthy mink, eventually leading to the resignation of the agriculture minister. When the prime minister was called into court in December and grilled on the mink culling as protesters marched outside, she responded: "There is no explanation (for the oversight) other than that it was busy."

Danish authorities were later forced to dig up thousands of dead mink after the gas used to kill them caused carcasses to swell and resurface from their mass graves.

Denmark's parliament commissioned an inquiry into whether ministers had known that the legal framework was absent, with the investigation set to finish in April.
(CNN)  A massive volcanic eruption and tsunami near Tonga caused "an unprecedented disaster," the Pacific nation's leader said Tuesday, as New Zealand warned of further eruptions that may complicate the delivery of aid to remote islands where communications are down.

In its first official update since Saturday's eruption of the underwater Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano, Tonga's government on Tuesday confirmed the deaths of three people and several other injuries, and outlined the scale of destruction to communities.

Tongan Prime Minster Siaosi Sovaleni said all houses on the island of Mango, where 36 people live, were destroyed. Only two houses remain on Fonoifua island, and extensive damage was reported on Nomuka island, home to 239 people, he said.

"An unprecedented disaster hit Tonga," Sovaleni said, adding a "volcanic mushroom plume" extended to cover all of the country's roughly 170 islands -- of which 36 are inhabited -- impacting the entire population of more than 100,000 people.

According to experts, the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano was likely the biggest volcanic event recorded since Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines in 1991.

On Tuesday, New Zealand's Foreign Ministry warned further eruptions of the volcano were likely, posing a tsunami risk.

The estimation was based on modeling by GNS Science, a New Zealand geological research institute, the ministry said. "The most likely scenario is for ongoing eruptions in the next several days to weeks, with ongoing tsunami risk to Tonga and New Zealand," it said.

The eruption on Saturday generated tsunami waves up to 49 feet (15 meters) high that hit the west coast of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, and the 'Eua and Ha'api islands.

A United Nations spokesperson said an initial assessment by Tongan authorities found 100 houses were damaged and 50 destroyed on Tongatapu, the country's main island, home to the majority of the population. No evacuation centers are open on the main island, and people who were displaced are mostly staying with extended families.

On 'Eua, 89 people are in evacuation centers, the spokesperson said, adding that information from outer islands remains scarce.

Race to deliver aid to Tonga

The first details of the devastation emerged on Tuesday after Tonga's Pacific neighbors, Australia and New Zealand, made reconnaissance flights to the archipelago -- a three- to five-hour journey.

Photos show entire island communities that were once lush and green, now blanketed by thick, gray ash. Many homes appear damaged or completely destroyed.

Widespread stagnant pools of salt water, coupled with the volcanic ash, are polluting drinking water sources, according to the Red Cross.

The delivery of aid was hampered by ashfall covering Tonga's Fua'amotu International Airport runway, forcing New Zealand to send two navy ships to assist with recovery -- but they will not arrive until Friday.

Yutaro Setoya, the official in charge of the WHO liaison office for Tonga, said he believed the first aid flights could arrive on Thursday.

He also described the the conditions in the wake of the disaster.

"After the eruption initially, there was a sound on the roof like rain, and it was not actually a rain. It was small pellets falling from the sky," Setoya told CNN on Wednesday. The pellets were followed by very fine ash, which by the time Tonga woke up the next day resembled "gray snow like two centimeters everywhere."

With cleanup efforts underway, rescue workers are racing to deliver safe drinking water to the island nation as it grapples with the shortages.

"Securing access to safe drinking water is a critical immediate priority," said Katie Greenwood, the Pacific Head of Delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, pointing to the mounting risk of diarrhea and diseases such as cholera.

Covid risk

Tonga has reported just one coronavirus case during the pandemic, and there is concern the nation could see its first outbreak if aid workers bring the virus with them from countries where the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will not send international aid teams to Tonga due to the risk of bringing Covid-19 into the community, according to Sean Casey, WHO's Pacific Covid-19 incident manager.

Tonga has done "extremely well" on their vaccine rollout with more than 80% fully inoculated, Casey said. The country shut its borders to international travelers near the start of the pandemic, and has used this time to prepare its population and health care systems for an outbreak, he added.

"We have lots of natural disasters in this part of the world and you don't want to have to deal with multiple emergencies at the same time, if that can be avoided," Casey said.

WHO is still working to send supplies to Tonga, including telecommunication tools such as satellite phones, water sanitation equipment and materials to repair and build shelters.

"Everybody in Tonga, every family in town is affected by this," Casey said. "That's always the case in the Pacific. The numbers look very small, but the impact proportionately on a very small country is massive."

Tonga is largely cut off from the world

Tonga's communication systems remain severely limited after damage to a key undersea cable cut international and inter-island calls, New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

According to the ministry, an international mobile network provider has set up an interim system on Tongatapu using a satellite dish, which could restore 2G connections. But this "will be limited and patchy," the ministry said.

Many Tongans living outside the country now face a daunting wait to reconnect with loved ones at home, as rescue workers try to salvage the underwater cable.

Repairs are not expected to begin until February 1, and it may take a further two weeks after that to restore the cable, according to a company assisting with the work.

Tongan Olympian Pita Taufatofua -- the nation's flag bearer in Tokyo last year -- said on Instagram he had been unable to reach his father, the governor of the Ha'apai islands.

"Just received word that our family on the main island of Haapai is safe and that our Ha'apai home 'Fuino' is still standing! Its over 100 years old and has been through many cyclones and now a tsunami," Taufatofua said Wednesday. "Still no word from my Father or our family on Kotu and surrounding lower islands."

Taekwondo player Taufatofua, who is at a training camp in Australia, has started a fundraising page for rescue efforts that has garnered more than $300,000 in donations as of Wednesday.

Tongan-Australian artist and activist Seini Taumoepeau told Reuters her "worst fear is always that you're not going to see the people that you love again," adding she has had no contact with anyone from Tonga since before the tsunami hit.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of Tonga's Fonuafo'ou island, sits underwater between two small islands at about 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) high from the sea floor, with about 328 feet (100 meters) visible above sea level.

Researchers said it has erupted regularly over the past few decades.

The most recent eruption began in December 2021, with gas, steam, and ash plumes rising about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) into the air. The volcano erupted again on January 14 and the massive eruption on January 15 sent shockwaves around the world and triggered tsunami waves that were felt thousands of miles away, killing at least two people in Peru.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Tonga faces 'unprecedented disaster' as New Zealand warns of further eruptions and tsunami risk."
(CNN)  Starbucks is joining forces with Chinese tech giant Meituan to expand delivery options in its second biggest market.

The coffee chain announced Tuesday that it has teamed up with the popular food delivery app to roll out new offerings for customers in China.

Now, consumers in mainland China will be able to place orders on Meituan's platform, which boasts more than 667 million active users.

Starbucks aims to have a tab created for each of its roughly 5,000 China stores on Meituan's platform by the end of the year, where users will be able to check out local events and see photos and videos from baristas of each location.

The move adds to a series of splashy tie-ups Starbucks has brokered in China recently to go after consumers more aggressively.

In 2020, the Seattle-based coffee chain launched an initiative on WeChat, Tencent's ubiquitous social networking app, to allow users to place delivery orders.

Two years prior, it partnered with Alibaba to let people make purchases via voice recognition, through its Ele.me food delivery app, and using Alipay, the digital payments system.

The company has also tried to make deliveries more efficient in China, by "automatically" reallocating "orders to another store if a product is sold out at one store."

Starbucks' partnership with Alibaba will continue. But it is launching an exclusive events initiative called "1971 salons" with Meituan, where customers can book parts of Starbucks stores for private events, ranging from birthday parties to business meetings.

China is crucial to Starbucks, with more than 66,000 people employed across nearly 210 cities. The chain made $964 million there in the three months ended October, according to its most recent earnings report.

But the company has faced greater scrutiny there lately, after an investigation by a state-backed newspaper published last December found that two of its stores had used expired ingredients.

The incident caused a frenzy on Chinese social media, and forced Starbucks to order inspections and a retraining of staff at every store in the country. The company also made a public apology.

This story was first published on CNN.com, " Starbucks teams up with Meituan for coffee delivery in China."
When you ask Vice President Leni Robredo a question, she listens. Not in the disinterested way that some people tend to when your conversation is a scheduled correspondence, but in a way that seems driven by a genuine desire to catch up. Talking to about a dozen writers from lifestyle publications via Zoom, she maintains eye contact and calls everyone by their name. With barely any makeup or jewelry on, she gestures freely with her hands, her face opening up with a smile or a laugh when she finds something funny.

My first question for her was about grief and fear in the time of COVID-19. She may be vice president, sure, but she is far from invincible. If anything, her constant presence on-ground with communities makes her more vulnerable to the virus. Meanwhile, her daughters probably move across cities the same way I do when I run errands, constantly debating if walking into a cafe for a cup of coffee is worth the paranoia over every little thing that feels like a COVID-19 symptom.

She tells me that the only time she ever got sick during the pandemic was when she had to isolate herself due to a close contact with someone who tested positive. She eventually tested negative, but as she was forced to slow down and stay still, it was as if everything finally caught up with her. Suddenly, she felt everything  the months worth of fatigue, the fear over her daughters safety  her constant worrying finally giving way to exhaustion.

***

We know that our office has a very limited mandate and capacity and resources, so our direction really was just to fill in the gaps, Robredo says when asked about how she manages to run numerous programs in response to COVID-19 alongside Typhoon Odette relief efforts that hit the ground running as soon as she and her team were cleared for travel.

Filling in the gaps they have identified, however, has been no easy task. Her office has delivered personal protective equipment (PPEs), provided free shuttle services, and launched a free dormitories program for frontliners in Metro Manila and other areas  all in coordination with local government units and relevant national agencies.

Robredo is used to doing so much with so little, as her office tries its best to manage available resources and manpower while collaborating with development partners and volunteers in determining which pressing needs require the most urgent response. They have separate teams for their ongoing COVID-19 programs, and another team for the OVPs flagship anti-poverty program, Angat Buhay.

The vice president is not new to public service, with years of congressional experience and being a human rights lawyer under her belt. She has a deep appreciation of the need for empowerment among marginalized sectors in the Philippines, and knows that empowerment is more than just a buzzword in governance.

Among these sectors are the Bangsamoro communities in Mindanao, which she has had the chance to work with early on in her term. Robredo recalled how she and other congressional allies, prior to her election as vice president, have consistently supported the passage of an enabling law that will help the people assert a stronger autonomy as they work towards just and lasting peace in the region.

When the OVP launched the Angat Buhay program, among its first adopted communities were towns and cities in Lanao, including Marawi City. Even before the siege, we were already in Marawi on a very, very regular basis, Robredo shared. Working with Meranao communities, especially with women, has taught her the need to empower the people by giving them the opportunity to be heard, to be part of the process, of planning for themselves.

Some of them feel misunderstood, that they are stereotyped, Robredo said, but if you listen to them and understand their beliefs, they are not that different from most of us. The only thing that makes them different is the lack of opportunity for them to be part of the change. They feel like a lot of the programs are just being rammed down their throats without them having an opportunity to actually express what they want to happen in their communities.

Robredo knows quite a bit about being misunderstood and stereotyped, having been the target of dismissive, misogynist remarks simply because she is a mother who takes a bus to Naga, a widow who remains single, and a woman who dares to speak truth to power.

But in working with these communities, Robredo said that the experience has proven to be very rewarding as they worked together in trying to be heard, really exerting every effort to be empowered.

It has been both a joy and a wonder working with them, she shared. For Robredo who deems the campaign for the presidency the most difficult part of her routine these days, it would be fascinating to see what she can accomplish once the election season ends.

***

On Dec. 17, less than a day after Typhoon Odettes first landfall in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Robredos team converted its hub for campaign volunteers into headquarters for relief operations. In the days leading to Christmas, Robredo and members of their typhoon response team traveled to areas struck by the typhoon to survey the damage and bring relief goods to affected communities.

Vice President Leni Robredo with her daughters Tricia, Jill, and Aika. Photo from LENI GERONA ROBREDO/FACEBOOK

At around the same time, her daughters Aika, Tricia, and Jill were traveling from New York to Manila for the holidays. Despite having tested negative prior to their flight, Tricia decided to isolate from her sisters upon landing in Manila due to a bit of dry cough during the flight. On Christmas Eve, after taking another RT-PCR test, she found out that she was positive for COVID-19.

Robredo heard the news about her daughters as she was going around provinces affected by Typhoon Odette. As if on autopilot, she then began to make arrangements to facilitate her daughters transfer to an isolation center while also finding a place where her other two daughters could quarantine. They had been looking forward to seeing each other for Christmas, but their family reunion would have to wait.

After having spent the last two years working on the pandemic response on top of her other duties, Robredo said that it was only then that she truly felt the weight of her own reality as vice president.

What really got me was when Tricia tested positive for COVID-19. Yun talaga yung pinakagrabe for me, Robredo said. Nagkasakit lang ako when I had to slow down. I wasnt exposed to my daughters because we were all in quarantine when she tested positive, she shared. I think it was on Dec. 28, as I was on my way to Bohol and Dinagat Islands, [when] the close-in security detail I was with tested positive. So, of course, I had to quarantine. Nung nag-quarantine ako, dun ko lang naramdaman lahat ng pagod, yung lahat ng worry mula nung Christmas because of my daughters.

Despite having tested negative for COVID-19, it got so bad that she was eventually dextrosed because she could not eat due to tonsilitis. A few days later, Tricia finally tested negative for COVID-19, only to be diagnosed with dengue soon after. It wasnt until after the New Year that Robredo and her daughters finally saw each other again.

***

When talking about work, many people tend to sound like someone who is always running errands, or someone reading their grocery list for the week. Robredo, however, sounds like she is telling a story. Every thought flows seamlessly into the other, but she is also quick to admit that she ends up finding more hours in her day to make sure everything is realized on ground.

Currently, her office continues to help fill in the gaps in pandemic response through programs like Bayanihan e-Konsulta, a volunteer-driven, telemedicine platform where patients can have a consultation with a health professional for free. In coordination with local government units, the OVP is sending out Swab Cabs that provide free mobile antigen testing, while also conducting a Vaccine Express program where LGUs provide COVID-19 vaccines and Robredos team helps with the manpower needed to facilitate the vaccination.

Even if Im a presidential candidate already, I still have my responsibilities as VP, so we need to manage. We cant just shelve what we have been doing at the OVP just to give way to the campaign, so we just find extra hours every day.

When asked about her most difficult task these days, she is quick to point out her presidential campaign given the prohibitions and additional protocols due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Despite having previously outlined a full campaign schedule for December and January, her team had to adjust and readjust after Typhoon Odette struck. At the heart of her narrative is an awareness of what needs to be done in the here and now, and a sense of urgency in filling the gaps that remain.

I'm still vice president until June 30, she said. Even if Im a presidential candidate already, I still have my responsibilities as VP, so we need to manage. We cant just shelve what we have been doing at the OVP just to give way to the campaign, so we just find extra hours every day.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19)  The World Health Organization has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is nowhere near over amid the threat of the more infectious Omicron variant and the possible emergence of other variants.

In a recent media briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said infections in some countries may have already peaked, but no country is out of the woods yet as many remain unvaccinated which puts them at higher risk.

Vaccines may be less effective at preventing infection and transmission of Omicron than they were for previous variants, but they still are exceptionally good at preventing serious disease and death, Tedros said, adding that this is also key in preventing hospitals from getting overwhelmed.

Ghebreyesus also noted that Omicron may be less severebut the narrative that it is mild disease is misleading, hurts the overall response and costs more lives.

Make no mistake, Omicron is causing hospitalizations and deaths, and even the less severe cases are inundating health facilities, he added.

In the Philippines, the number of daily COVID-19 cases has reached over 20,000 for days now, even breaching the 39,000-mark on Jan. 15.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there is a community transmission of the Omicron variant is in Metro Manila, where most of the infections are being reported.

In a recent Cabinet meeting, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III noted that 90% of samples were positive for the Omicron variant based on the latest genome sequencing. Despite this, the spread of COVID-19 in the country is slowing down as infections start to plateau, he added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19)  The Cebu City government will restrict all unvaccinated persons against COVID-19 from entering indoor establishments in the city.

In an executive order signed on Wednesday by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, vaccination cards are required before entry to indoor venues in a bid to control the spread of COVID-19 and its highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Children below 11 years old are prohibited inside indoor establishments, while those aged 12 to 17 will be allowed to enter provided they are fully vaccinated and accompanied by a fully immunized adult.

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia earlier mandated all towns and component cities in the province to relax their vaccination card requirements.

Although Cebu City is the capital of Cebu province, the highly urbanized city is independent from the jurisdiction of the provincial government. Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue are also independent cities, which are not under provincial supervision.

The memorandum from the Cebu provincial government included the non-requirement of vaccination cards in public transport, entry into establishments, employment, and schools.

The Cebu City local government is also enforcing a curfew for minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and for non-essential activities from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Cebu City has 3,709 active COVID-19 cases, the biggest among the three component cities in Cebu province, based on the latest count of the Department of Health-Central Visayas Center for Health Development. The city logged 564 new infections on Tuesday.

Cebu-based Dale Israel contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19)  Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia has refused to implement the no vaccination, no ride policy, saying it discriminates against the unvaccinated.

There will be no further requirement like the presentation of vaccination card. That is anti-poor, Garcia said on Tuesday.

How can you require everyone to have this vaccination card presented for them to avail of public transport? As I have always said, vaccination is a matter of choice. Give that respect to the individual, she added.

The Department of Transportation has implemented the policy to control the spread of COVID-19. The policy requires commuters to present their vaccination card to avail of public transport.

Transportation Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon clarified that there are exemptions to the policy.

READ: DOTr clarifies: Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated workers allowed in public transport

As for Cebu province, Garcia said the local government will not discriminate the unvaccinated.

If you choose not to be vaccinated, you should not be ostracized Its in the law itself... Why this discrimination against the unvaccinated, when even the vaccinated are not considered immune and may be carriers as well? she pointed out.

The governor was referring to Republic Act No. 11525, or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which states that individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 shall not be considered immune to the disease unless declared by the Department of Health.

Garcia said that instead of implementing the no vaccination, no ride policy, she has ordered the establishment of border checkpoints to ensure health standards are being followed in public utility vehicles (PUVs), like no overloading and having proper ventilation. PUVs are also required to have passes and trip tickets issued by provincial terminals.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama only encouraged establishments to come up with their own policies. He has not yet issued any recent directive related to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Based on latest government data, Cebu City has the most COVID-19 cases in Central Visayas with 45,466 cases, of which 2,566 are active cases. It was followed by Cebu Province with 40,326 cases, wherein 1,636 are active cases.
(CNN)  Ukraine has warned that Russia has "almost completed" its build-up of forces that could be used for an offensive against the country, compounding fears that Moscow could launch an invasion at any time.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's latest intelligence assessment  shared exclusively Tuesday with CNN  Russia has now deployed more than 127,000 troops in the region.

"The full strength of RF AF (Russian Federation's Armed Forces) land group at the Ukrainian direction  (is) over 106,000 personnel. Together with the sea and air component, the total number of personnel is over 127,000 servicemen," the assessment said.

The assessment called the situation "difficult," and said Ukraine believes Russia is "trying to split and weaken the European Union and NATO."

Russia's actions are also "aimed at limiting the capabilities of the United States," the assessment said, "to ensure security on the European continent."

The assessment comes after three rounds of diplomatic talks between Russia and the West aimed at de-escalating the crisis failed to produce a resolution last week.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said last Wednesday it was unclear whether Moscow intended to use the talks as a pretext to claim that diplomacy cannot work.

Ukrainian military intelligence said Russia has deployed troops from its central and eastern regions to its western border "on a permanent basis." At the end of December and in January, Russia has been moving "stockpiles of ammunition, field hospitals and security services" to the border, it said, which according to Ukraine "confirms the preparation for offensive operations."

The new assessment also said Russia supports more than 35,000 rebels in eastern Ukraine and has about 3,000 of its own military personnel based in rebel territory. Moscow denies having any forces in eastern Ukraine.

Russia's intelligence activity against Ukraine has also intensified, the assessment said, with additional radio and satellite traffic units being deployed near the Ukrainian border and reconnaissance flights along the border having tripled since this time last year.

The Ukrainian military also said Russia could use medium-range missile weapons to "destroy vital objects," noting "additional tactical groups of 'Iskander' operational-tactical missiles" have been transferred to the border.

As of mid-January, there are 36 Iskander launchers near Ukraine, according to the assessment.

Iskander missiles are capable of striking targets 500-700 km (approximately 310-430 miles) away and could now target areas including the capital, Kyiv, it said.

New front line

The Ukrainian document warned a new potential front line has now emerged along its northern border with Belarus, a key Kremlin ally.

"The territory of Belarus should be considered as a full-fledged theater of operations that Russia can use to expand aggression against Ukraine," the Ukrainian military intelligence document said.

US State Department officials underlined those concerns Tuesday, saying Russia's bolstered troop presence in Belarus has increased their capabilities along the Ukrainian border and led to heightened concerns about an invasion.

"What it represents is an increased capability for Russia to launch this attack. Increased opportunity, increased avenues, increased risk," a senior US State Department official said, adding that the troops were moved into Belarus without sufficient notice.

In Belarus, Russia is "preying on (Belarusian leader Alexander) Lukashenko's vulnerability and calling in some of those accumulated IOUs," the official said.

"The timing is notable and of course raises concerns that Russia could intend to station troops in Belarus under the guise of joint military exercises in order potentially to attack Ukraine from the North," the official said.

While the official would not speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin's intent when it comes to moving troops into Belarus, the official described Putin as "an opportunist."

"We've seen warning signs that the dynamics inside Belarus are enabling Russia to further prey on Lukashenko's self-inflicted vulnerability," the official said.

US officials have said a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen at any point in the next month or two.

"Russian military plans to begin activities several weeks before a military invasion are something we've been watching closely and our assessment has been that could happen anytime between mid-January and mid-February," a second senior State Department official explained.

The United States is looking closely at whether Lukashenko still has the levers of control in his country  or whether the decision-making has been largely passed over to Russia.

Belarus has become an "increasingly destabilizing actor in the region" the first State Department official said, pointing to a number of recent actions such as manufacturing a migrant crisis on the Poland-Belarus border, arresting activists and holding more than 900 political prisoners.

'United against Putin'

Ukraine's assessment comes as the country's former President, Petro Poroshenko, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday that "the whole world should be united against Putin," and that Ukraine should be allowed to join NATO.

The billionaire led Ukraine from 2014 until 2019, taking power shortly after Russia invaded and subsequently annexed Crimea. He was defeated in the 2019 presidential election by incumbent Volodymyr Zelensky.

"It is absolutely necessary that there is international solidarity and unity" against Putin, Poroshenko said, adding that Western allies should not trust the Russian leader.

The 56-year-old also called for an increase in international sanctions against Russia. "We need to make Russia weaker, and to make Russia weaker, we can do that through the sanctions. We should make Ukraine stronger. And day by day, we should receive new effective defensive lethal weapons," he said.

Poroshenko also said "nobody knows, including Putin" whether a Russian invasion will actually happen and a lot will depend on the introduction of sanctions. Calling a potential invasion a "crazy decision," he said the international community should "increase significantly the price Putin should pay" if Russian forces cross the Ukrainian border.

When asked whether endemic corruption is a reason Ukraine has not been accepted as a member of NATO, Poroshenko pointed blame at his successor, Zelensky, for a "backslide" of corruption reforms.

Poroshenko returned to the capital, Kyiv, on Monday to face treason charges linked to the financing of Russian-backed separatist fighters through illegal coal sales in 2014 and 2015.

When pressed on the charges he faces, Poroshenko said the accusations were "politically motivated" and that prosecutors had "zero evidence."

According to Reuters, critics say his return to Ukraine is serving as an badly timed distraction amid the political crisis with Russia.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Ukraine warns Russia has 'almost completed' build-up of forces near border"
(CNN)  Several early works by one of the world's most renowned Impressionist painters, Claude Monet, are to be put up for sale by the British auction house Sotheby's, with a combined estimate of $50 million.

The five paintings, which together chart the French master's shift to Abstract Expressionism over a fifteen-year period, will be offered for auction in London in March, Sotheby's said.

The works all predate 1900 -- which means they offer an insight into the artist's development and style before he painted the most celebrated pieces from his "Water Lilies" series in the early 20th century.

"In charting the progression towards his great waterlily paintings, these five stunning works brilliantly articulate the story of Monet as the father of modern art," said Helena Newman, chairman of Sotheby's Europe and worldwide head of Impressionist and Modern art.

"Les Demoiselles de Giverny", estimated to be worth between 15-20 million ($25-27 million), features one of the Parisian painter's most recognizable and most commonly recurring motifs -- grainstacks or 'meulettes', which appear more loosely formed than the finished haystacks found in his other works, according to Sotheby's.

It is the highest valued of the five works in the collection.

Another of the paintings, a canvas populated entirely by flowers titled "Massif de chrysanthemes" from 1897, can be viewed as a precursor for Monet's most famous works from the "Water Lilies" series, Sotheby's said in a press release. In fact, his first water lily paintings date from the exact same year that he produced these close-ups of flowers.

Sotheby's said that "Massif de chrysanthemes" was highly likely to have been inspired by the legendary Japanese printmaker Hokusai -- who created the famous "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" -- as Monet owned his "Large Flowers" pieces and was fascinated by the country, to the point that Japanese prints decorated his walls.

"Glacons, environs de Bennecourt," included in the collection, also demonstrates Monet's journey towards the later water lily paintings, the auction house said. This painting conveys the effect of heavy snow and frost on the Seine, and the artist's depiction of the ice on the river's surface is not dissimilar to the portrayal of flowers on the water in the works he began a few years later, Sotheby's noted.

The paintings will go in display in Sotheby's galleries in New York, Hong Kong, Taipei and London before the sale on March 2.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Early works by French master Monet could sell for $50 million in auction."
Although Columbus had its share of COVID-19 pandemic issues from mask and vaccine mandates to school and business closures, the community wasnt consumed by them, Mayor Jim Bulkley said.

This topic was one of many discussed by Bulkley when giving his State of the City address during Mondays Columbus City Council meeting.

We worked through the multiple stages of COVID and we did the best we could, Bulkley said. We took care of ourselves and we took care of our neighbors.

The mayor said many residents have received the vaccine while schools opened with workable restrictions and businesses adjusted to accommodate both workers and the public. Most of the community has accepted the current situation and has done its best to continue to be productive, Bulkley said.

Our resiliency is amazing, he said. As those around the country and many parts of Nebraska struggled, our economy grew. The recent 2020 census tells the story. Columbus growth of 7.8% in the past 10 years is the greatest of any community outside of the Eastern corridor  the Lincoln-Omaha I-80 corridor.

Bulkley added Columbus saw a population increase greater than nearby cities of Norfolk and Fremont.

The mayor said the growth can be attributed to the jobs available in the community. The industrial field has remained strong while core employers have not only maintained their workers but many have expanded, he added.

According to a housing study by RDG Planning and Design - which was presented to city council in December - Columbus grew in population by 2,000 from 2010-2020. Meanwhile, nearby communities like Fremont and Norfolk both had about a 750 increase. However, North Platte experienced a decrease in population of about 1,300.

Ultimately, the study found more needs to be done to accommodate the growing community.

BD Medical, Behlen Mfg. Co., Camaco LLC, Columbus Hydraulics, Vishay and many others are constantly looking to add to their workforce, Bulkley said. The demand for skilled workers continues to grow from the local school system, he said.

Columbus Public Schools Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program rivals any school district in the state as its program has tried to be replicated throughout Nebraska, Bulkley said. Meanwhile, Scotus Central Catholic and Lakeview High schools are building their own similar STEM programs to address the communitys needs, he added.

At the higher education level, Central Community College-Columbus has expanded and incorporated programs into its curriculum to help with the communitys needs, Bulkley said.

(CCC) recently partnered with Columbus Community Hospital on nursing is just the latest example of working together, he said.

When looking at the labor market, the Nebraska Department of Labor said Columbus had an unemployment of 1% in November 2021. Although an lower unemployment rate is good, it also means a lesser pool of applicants from which to recruit folks.

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawson Brunswick previously told The Columbus Telegram that the chamber's Drive for Five program's goal is to help attract potential employees to the area. The program also connects current high school students with area businesses so they can become educated about job opportunities in Columbus, he added.

Bulkley said the City of Columbus has addressed the housing needs with over 300 doors opened over the past year. In comparison, the average over the past few years has been around 70, he said.

Our attention for affordable housing is paying off (in) more apartments, duplexes and townhomes and single-family starters, Bulkley said. As more people come to town to work they need affordable housing.

The city has also put the well-being of its residents at the forefront, the mayor said. It has done so by staffing the Columbus Police Department and Columbus Fire Department, as well as better its equipment and facilities, he said.

The city has also addressed its infrastructure, roads, parks, downtown and amenities like the Pawnee Plunge, Bulkley said.

Bulkley said as the city moves into this year there are still challenges it faces like creating more affordable housing and continuing job growth. However, it has a head start on such obstacles in 2022, he added.

Were coming off of a good 2021, Bulkley said. Our successes will help us moving forward.

Andrew Kiser is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at andrew.kiser@lee.net.

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By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Supreme Court Deputy Chairman Chingiz Asgarov has said that Azerbaijan filed lawsuits to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over Armenia's crimes against Azerbaijan during the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s, the 2016 April battles, and the 2020 second Karabakh war.

He made the remarks in an interview with journalists in Baku on January 18.

Azerbaijan has been preparing such lawsuits to the ECHR since 2005. Among them are appeals in connection with Azerbaijani citizens who became refugees and internally displaced people, as well as damage caused to their property, the deputy chairman said.

Asgarov added that the lawsuits against Armenia for its crimes committed against the civilians during the second Karabakh war are at an early stage of consideration in ECHR.

The deputy chairman stressed that Azerbaijan will voice its position in ECHR next month.

As a result of the military aggression by Armenia, 100 Azerbaijani civilians were killed, including 12 children and 27 women. As many as 454 people were injured, including 35 children. Some 181 children lost one parent, five children lost both parents, one family died. In total, 12,292 residential and non-residential buildings and 288 vehicles were damaged.

A criminal case has been initiated into the death of every civilian in Azerbaijan caused by the Armenian terror, and appeals have been sent to international courts and organizations.

Overall, Armenia launched nearly 30,000 shells and 227 rockets on Azerbaijani civil settlements and inflicted considerable damage on the property, destroying numerous residences, auxiliary structures, residential blocks, governmental buildings, mosques, churches, and cemeteries.

Armenia has so far failed to provide any information about more than 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens who went missing during the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s. Armenia also 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 and urged Armenia to withdraw its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it has occupied since the early 1990s. Before the signing of the deal, the Azerbaijani army had liberated around 300 villages, settlements, city centers, and historic Shusha city.
Summit Carbon Solutions is moving forward with a project to install an underground CO2 pipeline across five states, including Nebraska, part of which is expected to pass through Platte County.

"It's taking that carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere, compressing it and transporting it for permanent storage so we can lower the carbon intensity of industrial products like ethanol," Dayton Murty said at a Tuesday morning Platte County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Murty is the director of government relations for CP Strategies, a Lincoln-based lobbying/government affairs firm working with Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS) on the pipeline project. Murty explained that, as part of the project, equipment will be installed at partner facilities -- like ethanol plants, for example -- to capture CO2. Underground pipelines will then transport the CO2 to a storage, or sequestration, site in North Dakota.

Construction hasn't started on the SCS project -- yet.

"We've been reaching out to landowners to request access to survey the potential pipeline route from September 2021 through February 2022. October 2021 through March 2023 we'll be working with landowners to acquire those land rights and get those agreements in place," Murty said. "...Throughout 2022 our legal team will be working to acquire the necessary permits, road use agreements in the five different states. Following permit approval for the project, we'll have construction begin."

"There's another company doing a similar thing," District 6 Supervisor Jerry Engdahl said. "They're coming from the northwest corner of Platte County down to Columbus."

Indeed, Navigator CO2 Ventures has plans for the Heartland Greenway System, another CO2 pipeline project that will cover multiple states and pass through Platte County.

"Based on my understanding, we're doing a similar project, but the difference is where we're going to end up. We are going to a storage site in North Dakota. ... I believe they are going to Illinois," Murty said. "...That's been a common theme among the project areas, is a little bit of confusion there."

In an Oct. 14, 2021 press release, Navigator announced that it would be moving forward with development and construction of the Heartland Greenway in the Midwest. Most of the Heartland Greenway will be located in Iowa, with branches reaching into Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois.

"Multiple permanent sequestration locations are being actively developed in south-central Illinois," the Oct. 14 Heartland Greenway press release said.

The Heartland Greenway project seems to be in a similar stage as the SCS pipeline.

"Having successfully reached the initial approval phase, Navigator has commenced the process to obtain all the necessary permits to construct the Heartland Greenway and start initial system commissioning during late 2024 and into early 2025," the Oct. 14 release said.

Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net.

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Shane Melcher

Age 37

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lindsay, Nebraska, with Fr. Eric Olsen celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday with a 7 p.m. vigil service, all at the church. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9 a.m. until service time, also at the church.
Cumberland County plans to retain its vehicle registration fee to fund municipal-level bridge projects and other future transit needs, the county commissioners indicated last week.

Since 2015, vehicle registrations in Cumberland County are charged an additional $5 for local infrastructure funding, a system enabled by Pennsylvania Act 89 of 2013, which any county can opt into.

Over the past several years, Cumberland County has used the funding stream of roughly $1.2 million per year to finance the repair or replacement of multiple county-owned bridges  but the county will soon run out of its own bridges to fix.

The county could kill the fee or it could retain it and redirect the funding further downstream, county Planning Director Kirk Stoner said at last weeks commissioners finance meeting.

The latter option would involve the county issuing funds to municipalities to improve their bridges or other infrastructure. In initial discussions with municipalities in the county over whether they could use the funding, the overwhelming response to that was yes, Stoner said.

The county would still want to have some sort of local funding match, Stoner said, but having the county help usher bridge projects through the process would be a big help for smaller governments that likely do not have the staff or expertise to manage those projects.

At the end of the day, if we run it though our program ... I think it saves us time and it makes sure the projects get done in the right way, Stoner said.

Bridges of over 20 feet in length are subject to state and federal regulations, Stoner said, and the county is responsible for the on-the-ground inspection and monitoring of those bridges.

Cumberland County has 38 municipally owned bridges of over 20 feet, spread throughout 16 municipalities. Of these, at least a dozen bridges are in serious need of repair or replacement, according to Stoners inventory.

To me, that should be our main focus, said Commissioner Vince DiFilippo, although the commissioners also discussed keeping some funding free for other infrastructure issues, such as road improvement.

Following last weeks commissioners meeting, state and federal officials announced that Pennsylvania would receive $1.6 billion over the next five years as part of a federal bridge rehabilitation initiative authorized under the infrastructure bill passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last year. How much federal funding would trickle down from the state to municipally owned bridges is not clear.

Bridges under 20 feet are subject to significantly less ongoing oversight. There are 158 such bridges in Cumberland County, Stoner said.

County vehicle fee revenue could also be used for these, but there would be a major upfront investment of time and money for engineers to inspect and assess all 158 pieces, Stoner said.

A portion of the countys $1.2 million annual income from the vehicle registration fee would still need to go toward paying off financing from prior years bridge projects. But combined with additional revenues from state gas tax and fracking fee shares, Stoner estimated that the county would have $929,000 in annual available funding for local infrastructure work.

Email Zack at zhoopes@cumberlink.com.

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In a way, the Christmas card was his farewell to this world.

Richard Tritt was surprised when he received the annual holiday greeting from his old friend Jim Bradley two weeks after the photographer died on Dec. 31, 2020. A relative had mailed it.

This final card was different from all the others, said Tritt, photo curator with the Cumberland County Historical Society. It was in color, not black and white.

The last time Bradley had visited the society headquarters in Carlisle was to return a slide that he had borrowed from the collection of photo images housed in the basement of the North Pitt Street building.

During that holiday season, Bradley fell at his home on North Second Street in Harrisburg, suffering injuries that placed him in a nursing home. He later died from complications at age 84.

Deep down, Tritt cant help but wonder if something akin to grief had claimed Bradley's life.

The greatest joy and biggest tragedy in Jims life was his wife Mary, Tritt said. He deeply loved her and they did everything together. They encouraged each other in their endeavors. After Marys untimely death from cancer in 2009, Jim was never the same. He missed her immensely and never got over her death. He looked forward to being with her again one day.

Power couple

Were it not for their legacy and the generosity of their estate, the Bradley story could have ended with his burial. Instead, the historical society is the sole heir to approximately $400,000 along with three collections of archival material spanning decades of local, regional and state history.

Tritt estimates the Jim Bradley photo collection numbers over a million images preserved as prints, slides and negatives. Beyond that, there are the writings of Mary O. Bradley, a reporter and columnist for the Patriot-News who touched on a variety of history topics. Lastly, the couple donated their collection of books and other resources to the society library and archives.

These collections will be a permanent reminder of this great couple, who lived life so fully and left so much for us and future generations to enjoy, Tritt said.

Of the $400,000, about $360,000 was bequeathed to the Cumberland County Historical Society endowment fund while the other $40,000 has been set aside for the long-term maintenance of the photo collection, said David Smith, interim executive director of the society.

At just over $3 million, the fund generates income that enables the society to operate at its current location while offering the public a range of programs and services, Smith said. Much depends on the generosity of donors to build up the endowment, he said.

For the first time in a number of years, its growing again, Smith said of the fund. The endowment has been static for a while. The hope is the donation from the Bradley estate would encourage others to contribute.

Were not your typical county historical society, Smith said. There are a lot of things that we want to do beyond this level. Were running out of space. Eventually, were going to have to build another building."

Moving the photo collection from the Bradley home to North Pitt Street required the society to convert a section of its basement into a room to house drawers of negatives and boxes of slides and print images.

Right track

Though he lived in Harrisburg, Bradley had roots in Cumberland County. He was born during a blizzard on Jan. 24, 1936, and grew up in Mount Zion in South Middleton Township, Tritt said. The railroad was nearby as well as Carlisle Junction, where there was a lot of activity. This is where Jim learned to love railroading. He went on all these different excursions and railroad trips around the country.

About one-third of the Bradley photo collection focuses on the railroads of the Northeast. This amounts to hundreds of thousands of images. Other segments focus on railroads and rail activity in other parts of the U.S. and even other countries. Bradley even had maps detailing the routes.

One reason why were not typical is the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Tritt said. That was something that drew international attention to Carlisle and Cumberland County.

Its not unusual for society staff to receive requests for Indian School photos from researchers around the globe. A similar scenario could develop among enthusiasts of the Bradley collection.

They know of him and his reputation, Tritt said. Theyre chomping at the bit to come and see. Its going to attract a new audience from all over the country. Theres a whole world out there of people interested in railroads.

The transfer of the Bradley collection started in 2016 and the majority of the images still need to be processed and scanned into the historical society's system. In recent years, volunteers have come on just to work toward that goal.

A half-century career

A 1953 graduate of Boiling Springs High School, Bradley enlisted in the Navy and was trained at its photography school. For 50 years, he photographed the people, places and events of central Pennsylvania. From 1958 to 1987, Bradley worked for Allied Pix Service, a commercial studio that provided images to such news outlets as the Patriot-News York bureau, where he met his future wife Mary Ormanoski.

The couple married on May 10, 1975, and settled in a three-story row home  the first floor of which was taken up by his dark room, photography lab and storage shelves. As long-time historical society members, the Bradleys hosted slide show presentations with Mary acting as narrator and Jim operating the projector. He often attended society exhibits and events, taking photos for the nonprofit organization.

He had an eye for composition, Tritt said. He photographed from all angles and sometimes unusual vantage points. He had a way of capturing the moment.

One day, Jim Bradley invited Tritt for a drive around South Middleton Township to see places special to him.

He loved nature, farms, streams, animals and people, Tritt said. He loved to talk to everyone and was not shy about starting a conversation. Thats how he got so many people to allow him to photograph them.

In many cases, with an estate, the society receives donations of artifacts, documents and photographs packed into boxes and left at its building with no real organization. That was not the case with Jim and Mary Bradley.

The photo collection was very well organized and documented when it came to us, Tritt said. Jim wrote a description and date on the back of every print. The photos and negatives were basically in chronological order. He organized his files by date. All we had to do was come up with a numbering system.

The collection is divided into categories that include railroads, counties and municipalities, Bradley and related families, miscellaneous categories, small prints and color slides.

Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com.

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An increase in COVID and flu cases at Marquand Zion-School District has led the district to go to virtual learning through Jan. 24. The health department is also holding a COVID and influenza testing clinic in Madison County.

The Madison County Health Department announced a free COVID and Influenza testing clinic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Jan. 20 at St. Michael's Auditorium located at 400 West Main in Fredericktown.

No pre-registration is required but the laboratory form will be available online if you wish to complete it prior to testing. Once you arrive at the auditorium, you will be provided a number and must stay in your car until your number is called. Masks will be required.

"Please only request testing if you are symptomatic," a letter from the MCHD said. "This includes cold or sinus type symptoms, cough, headache, body aches, runny or congested nose, chest congestion, shortness of breath, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss or change in sense of taste and/or smell, and anything that is unusual or different for you."

MCHD is requesting help with the clinic and is looking for vaccinated volunteers. All volunteers will be provided personal protective equipment and be given instructions. If you are interested in volunteering, call MCHD Administrator Becky Hunt at 573-783-1131

All questions regarding the clinic may be directed to the health department at 573-783-2747 or 573-783-1131

COVID-19 cases within Madison County have been on the rise over the last week with Jan. 13 having an increase of 45 positive cases.

The Madison County Health Department, as of Jan. 14, has reported 219 cases of COVID-19 since the first of the year with 129 cases still active. This number has already surpassed the 195 cases reported during the entire month of December.

Last week, Marquand-Zion School District made the decision to go to virtual learning through Jan. 24 due to the amount of flu and COVID cases at the school.

In a post on its Facebook page, the school said the decision was made to mitigate the spread. The post asked parents to keep their children quarantined and if they had to be out to have students social distance and wear a mask.

Hunt released the following recommendations in a letter to the citizens of Madison County on Jan. 13:

To mitigate the current outbreak of COVID you will need to:

 Wear a mask when you are unable to social distance.

 Stay home if you have tested positive for COVID for a PCR, Antigen or a home test for 5 days minimum. You may return to your regular routine after 5 days if you have been fever free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medications, this includes sinus medications over-the-counter or prescribed and have significant improvement of your symptoms; and wear a mask for 5 additional days when you are around others.

 If you think it is just a cold or sinus congestion, seek testing for COVID. Isolate from others, including your household members, until you receive negative results from this test. If the test(s) performed is positive for COVID, influenza or any other respiratory illness, by isolating, you have reduced the potential spread of the virus.

 All persons who have been potentially exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID should monitor for symptoms for 10 days from their last day of exposure to the positive person. It is encouraged they wear a mask during the 10 days when they are unable to social distance when around others.

 Consider being vaccinated. All persons age 5 years and older are eligible to be vaccinated.

Should your employer require a letter from the health department for positive COVID test, you will need to obtain a test through your medical provider.

The letter further states, "If we all follow these recommendations for the next 30 days, we can reduce the outbreak. Could the outbreak naturally run its course? Yes, but these prevention recommendations will reduce the current and immediate future cases that can lead to hospitalizations and deaths."

Free COVID tests

COVID-19 tests, where they are, and how they can be acquired seem to be leading questions for many these days, as Missouri transmission of the potentially-deadly virus remains high and the caseload continues to climb.

The federal government is trying to help meet the demand with its launch of a website https://www.covidtests.gov/ where Americans can order up to four free tests.

Insurance companies are required to reimburse members for test kits purchased as far back as Jan. 15, although most will want their members to purchase the tests within network.

Wednesday marks the first official day Americans can go online and order up to four kits directly from the federal government. The Biden administration hopes to distribute 1 billion tests, and opened the site with a soft launch on Tuesday.

St. Francois County Health Center Director Linda Ragsdale wants local citizens to know how to report an at-home COVID test.

If you test positive on a home test and would like to report your results to the health department, please visit our website here: http://sfchc.org/covid-19-updates/ and click the button labeled Report a Positive @Home Test on the COVID-19 page, she emailed the Daily Journal late last week.

This is voluntary and NOT REQUIRED. Additional data helps to provide a more accurate snapshot of cases and county transmission, Ragsdale continued. At-home test results (both positive and negative) are suspect and NOT counted in our data. By providing the case information asked on the form, our team can determine if a positive home test meets CDC case definition for probable which then (and only then) would be counted in our numbers.

According to data collected through Friday, the Centers for Disease Control's (CDCs) COVID Data Tracker shows St. Francois County with 622 cases, an almost 6% increase over the previous seven days. There's been a 3.4% increase in positivity among people who were tested. The good news is, the CDC's numbers show hospital admissions dropped about 9%.

St. Francois County Health Center continues to be a host site for DHSS COVID-19 testing every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be in the parking lot (drive-thru) as before. This is a PCR test, results are usually within 24 hours. This service is available for anyone, no appt. needed.

Iron County shows 52 cases, a 21% increase in the previous seven days. Hospital admissions are flat.

Ste. Genevieve County, according to the CDC, had 139 cases as of Friday, a 5% increase. There was a 22% rate of positivity among those tested, which was a 3% drop.

Washington County's caseload increased 26%, with 185 cases reported. The positivity rate among those tested increased by 1% to 15%. Still, hospitalizations dropped 56%.

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The Madison County Road and Bridge Department is alerting drivers to the closure of the bridge on County Road 275 across the Little St. Francis River.

The road is closed at County Road 500 and County Road 201 on the south end, just south of Walmart.

After an inspection by the Missouri Department of Transportation, the bridge was deemed unsafe for motorists at this time.

The Madison County Commissioners are currently seeking information from engineers regarding the cost to repair the bridge.

This particular bridge and section of road used to be under the responsibility of MoDOT but the state turned over the section to the county many years ago. Due to this, the repair costs would fall onto the local county budget.

The commissioners say they will update the community once they know more details.

"We understand this has been an inconvenience," Madison County Commissioner Larry Kemp said. "This was not something we planned to happen, but our number one priority is keeping everyone safe."

Victoria Kemper is a reporter for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-783-3366 or at vkemper@democratnewsonline.com

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State Rep. Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway, R-Festus, will play a key role as the Missouri House looks for ways to improve access to mental health care for Missouri citizens.

Buchheit-Courtway was selected by House Speaker Rob Vescovo to chair the House Subcommittee on Mental Health Policy Research.

Buchheit-Courtway, who represents the 115th District, currently serves as the vice chair of the House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee.

Vescovo indicated that the knowledge and expertise she has gained in that role prompted him to give her the lead on the Mental Health Policy Research Subcommittee. Vescovo said he is confident in her ability to lead the committees efforts to review and improve the states mental health policies.

Buchheit-Courtway said she appreciates the confidence.

I want to thank Speaker Vescovo for giving me this opportunity. Im excited to get to work with the subcommittee as we focus on an issue that is vital to the health and well-being of Missourians in all parts of our state, said Buchheit-Courtway.

She added, As a legislative body we have made some important strides forward in improving access to mental health care, but we know there are more issues we must address. I am confident our committee can look at the problems facing our mental health system and develop effective policy solutions that can improve access and the quality of care.

Vescovo also asked Buchheit-Courtway to take on the additional responsibility of serving as the vice chair of the House Transportation Committee. She had previously served as a member of the committee, and will now take on a leadership role dealing with issues related to Missouris highways, bridges, and ports.

We have an incredible challenge with repairing and improving our aging transportation infrastructure, but its a challenge I am excited to take on because I know how important good roadways are for the safety of Missourians and our states economy, said Buchheit-Courtway.

In addition to serving on the transportation and mental health-related committees, Buchheit-Courtways legislative web page indicates she also has roles in Rural Community Development, Joint Committee on Government Accountability and Special Interim Committee on Broadband Development.

The 115th district includes parts of Jefferson, St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties.

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A neurologist associated with the University of Virginia pleaded guilty Tuesday to two child pornography-related charges.

Dr. David A. Lapides, 37, has been held at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail since his July arrest.

Appearing via video Tuesday in Charlottesville Circuit Court, Lapides sat impassively as he answered questions related to his plea. Apart from a brief aside to his attorney, the proceeding was standard for a plea hearing with Lapides acknowledging that he was waiving his right to a trial.

According to an overview of the evidence presented by Charlottesville Commonwealths Attorney Joe Platania, the investigation into Lapides crimes began in April after the Kik messaging application notified authorities about two videos the platform detected that were believed to contain depictions of sexually exploited minors.

The case was eventually referred to the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce of the Albemarle County Police Department which worked with the Charlottesville Police Department due to the jurisdiction, Platania said.

This is only an overview of the evidence and a presentation at trial would have gone into greater detail about how the investigation was conducted and would have included more technical evidence, Platania said.

A subpoena of the IP address associated with the Kik account was discovered to belong to Lapides. After determining the Wi-Fi network used was secured and not accessible by outside actors, the police confronted Lapides in July.

Though this would not have been admissible at trial, officers said that after Lapides was shown the username for the Kik account he froze and asked to speak to an attorney, Platania said.

In chat groups such as the one Lapides is believed to have participated in, it is common for members to send videos in order to receive more, Platania said. The two videos Lapides is accused of distributing depicted pre-pubescent girls engaged in sexually exploitive positions, he said, which the commonwealth believes meets the statutory standard.

Lapides pleaded guilty last Tuesday to two felony charges of possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation and facilitation of child pornography. The charges each carry a maximum prison term of 20 years.

Per the plea agreement, the second charge was amended to be a first offense, removing a five year mandatory minimum sentence.

Following the hearing Tuesday, UVa spokesperson Eric Swensen said the university is reviewing Lapides employment status.

Since UVa first learned of these very serious charges, he has been on unpaid administrative leave, Swensen said.

Lapides will remain at the jail as he awaits sentencing on May 17 in Charlottesville Circuit Court.

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Albemarle County is one of few places in Virginia that continues to hold almost all public meetings virtually since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020 and several of its elected officials want it to stay that way.

State law allows localities that declared a local state of emergency to continue to hold virtual meetings when its unsafe to meet in person and when the meeting is needed to keep government working.

Without an emergency declaration, all public meetings have to have an in-person quorum, although boards may allow the public to watch or comment electronically.

Albemarle declared a local emergency due to COVID-19 in March 2020. The Board of Supervisors will ultimately have to declare the emergency over.

At this time, staff is not recommending that we shift into an in-person public meeting posture just yet, said Assistant County Executive Trevor Henry at a meeting last week. That is due in part, he said, to a spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations.

At some point, the county will likely return to in person board meetings, but not soon.

County Attorney Greg Kamptner said it once the local emergency declaration ends, per state law, there is a 12-month period under the countys Continuity of Government ordinance where it could continue to hold virtual-only meetings.

Once the disaster ends and the board is ready to begin resuming normal operations, it does have 12 months, and within that 12 month period, the countys public bodies will need to return to physically assembling in order to conduct their meeting, he said.

Chair Donna Price said there are still internet connectivity issues in many parts of Albemarle.

I am supportive of virtual opportunities for the other boards, committees, commissions, whatever it may be, but the problem becomes, if theyre all virtual, then theres a segment of our population which is excluded from participation, she said.

Albemarle staff members have been working on ways for some public meetings to return to meeting in-person for appointed and elected officials. Staff has proposed three different meeting style tiers  hybrid, virtual access and in-person  for future meetings once COVID retreats, but at least half of the supervisors expressed a desire to have many boards and commission meetings remain fully virtual.

I have better participation right now on my [Community Advisory Committee] than Ive ever had, and my CAC board members are really liking the Zoom, Supervisor Diantha McKeel said.

McKeel said community members and CAC members like the virtual CAC meetings because it makes them easier to attend.

It really is more about being able to go to the meeting and not have to drive home late at night, childcare issues, those sorts of issues, rather than the concern, hopefully at some point, about COVID, she said.

Many supervisors want the community advisory committee meetings to remain virtual. The committees, known as CACs for short, meet monthly and are charged with supporting Albemarle staff and supervisors in implementing their development areas Master Plan.

Typically, development proposals have their required meetings with the surrounding community during CAC meetings. There are currently seven CACs in the county.

There has been far better results and participation than we have ever had since 1984 when I started coming to meetings here again, Supervisor Ann H. Mallek said. So that is the exciting thing and I will try hard to keep that from being lost.

Under county staffs initial proposal, county legislative bodies  the Board of Supervisors, School Board and Planning Commission  would go to a hybrid meeting format in the future, where people physically in the meeting room, such as the elected and appointed officials required to be there, can see and hear those participating via videoconference and people on the videoconferencing platform can see and hear what is happening in the meeting room in real-time.

Authorities and decision-making bodies  like the countys authorities for broadband and economic development as well as the Board of Zoning Appeals, Board of Equalization and Architectural Review Board  would have members return in person, but there would still be virtual presentations to the public body, virtual public comment and public viewing in real-time.

Under the proposal, all other committees and boards would return to fully in-person meetings.

County spokesperson Emily Kilroy said technology will soon be fully in place in Lane Auditorium and Room 241 at the McIntire Road County Office Building to hold hybrid meetings.

Setting up a virtual access or hybrid in the field is really difficult, because every meeting is different, internet connectivity varies, and the built in [audio-visual infrastructure] varies from place to place, Kilroy said. We feel like those advisory bodies can really conduct their work in a really meaningful way in person, and that thats the appropriate level to support those at.

Supervisor Ned Gallaway said virtual meetings allow people to be efficient with their time and open up participation, and that FOIA law is starting to become antiquated and it has to be updated for what the modern world has to say.

When I look at the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, it says, The affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy, since at all times the public is the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government, he said. Well, how in the hell has virtual somehow made it more secret? It hasnt, but thats where the onus lies.

There are at least two bills in the General Assembly that would allow boards, commissions and committees to meet fully virtually a limited number of times per year, or would allow local advisory bodies to always meet virtually.

HB 444, filed by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker D-Alexandria, would allow all public bodies to convene all-virtual public meetings two times per calendar year, or for 25% of the meetings held per calendar year, whichever is greater.

The bill was crafted after meetings between the state Coalition for Open Government, Press Association, Association of Counties, Municipal League and the city of Alexandria.

We tried to work out some sort of an update to the electronic meetings section that would give more flexibility in non-emergency times, and that would apply to all public bodies, as opposed to the current system which is dependent on whether youre a state body, a regional body or a local body. Each one has different rules, said Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government.

Rhyne said part of the problem with an all Zoom meeting is there are some functions that do allow other types of communication among public bodies, but not necessarily everyone has access to that function.

If youre in a public meeting in person, you can see when two people get up and go and talk off to the side, or you can tell when people are looking down at their phones and perhaps exchanging messages, she said. Theres a way to be much more vigilant.

Another bill, HB 722, filed by Del. Wendy Gooditis, D-Boyce, would allow meetings of local public bodies that serve solely in an advisory capacity to hold electronic meetings.

Rhyne said that group of organizations realized how difficult it is to identify what is considered an advisory body.

The General Assembly session started Jan. 12, and HB 444 has been referred to the Committee on General Laws. HB 722 has not yet been assigned to a house committee.

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Richmond plans to remove at least nine pedestals across the city that once held Confederate-related statues, and when disassembly begins, workers may find at least three more time capsules beneath the plinths.

According to news accounts and other historical documents, builders put time capsules beneath the Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Jefferson Davis and Matthew Fontaine Maury statues, said Dale Brumfield, a local author and historian.

The city has awarded a $1.5 million contract to Newport News-based contractor Team Henry to remove the remaining pedestals. Team Henry is the same contractor that oversaw the removal of the Confederate statues and the Robert E. Lee pedestal.

It's unclear when the work will begin, though it's possible dismantling will start in the days to come. Devon Henry, the company's owner, did not respond to a request for comment.

The Lee pedestal became national news again in late December when two time capsules were found, one inside the pedestal and one beneath it. The time capsules represented something of a curveball to historians, who were only aware of one of them.

The Department of Historic Resources on Tuesday released a catalogued list of the contents of the 1887 time capsule. That revealed another surprise - there were more items in the copper box than they expected.

What lies beneath the other three statues is more of the same, Brumfield said -- newspaper clippings, coins, documents related to the city and Freemasonry and mementos from the Civil War. None of the items is believed to be exceptionally rare or valuable.

In June 1915, workers laid the cornerstone for the Jackson statue in a large masonic ceremony. In the June 4 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch that year, a headline stated "interesting relics" had been deposited in the monument's foundation.

A few days earlier, The Times-Dispatch listed the contents of the time capsule, saying they were "articles suggestive of the historic occasion, redolent of the glorious past of the South and reflective of the current life of the former capital of the Confederacy." The list includes a badge of the 25th annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans, a package of Confederate money, a magazine from April 1915, a book of the grand lodge of Virginia, a masonic textbook, a steel engraving of George Washington, a photograph of Jackson and a scrapbook of clippings related to Jackson and his wife.

The time capsule beneath Jefferson Davis already has been opened once, Brumfield said. Originally, the city planned to build an elaborate monument to Davis in the center of Monroe Park. A cornerstone was laid and a time capsule was placed around 1890.

But the money to build the structure couldn't be found, so the plan was scrapped, and a new statue on Monument Avenue was envisioned, Brumfield said. During construction, the builders opened the time capsule, found the contents in good condition and reburied it under current monument, which was unveiled in 1907.

They placed the time capsule beneath the 65-foot-tall Doric column that once held Vindicatrix, an allegorical figure representing the South. Unlike Lee and Jackson, this statue wasn't built with masonic influence.

Frederick William Sievers, the sculptor who designed the Maury statue, never intended to honor Maury's time in the Confederacy. Instead, it was built to recognize Maury's significant contributions toward sea navigation and oceanography. His nickname, "pathfinder of the seas," is inscribed in the stone column.

But the United Daughters of the Confederacy helped raise the money for the monument, so they placed a time capsule containing Confederate flags beneath it before its dedication in 1929, Brumfield said.

There's no indication builders placed time capsules beneath J.E.B Stuart or A.P. Hill, though Hill himself is buried beneath his statue. But that doesn't mean time capsules don't exist - one of the boxes beneath Lee was previously undocumented.

The Soldiers and Sailors monument in Libby Hill has a cornerstone, but it's unclear if anything is beneath it, Brumfield said. The city also plans to remove three pedestals in Monroe Park that held statues to Fitzhugh Lee, Joseph Bryan and Williams Carter Wickham. It's unclear if they have time capsules.

Should the workers find the time capsules, they'll be sent to the Department of Historic Resources for opening, cataloguing, photographing and preservation. Then the city will give them to the Black History Museum, which also will receive the statues and pedestals, a spokesperson for Mayor Levar Stoney said.

What will happen to the statues under the Black History Museum's control is to be determined. The museum, along with the Valentine Museum and other community groups, will make a final decision.

State officials haven't determined a final destination for the Lee time capsule and its contents. The state cannot simply hand them over to a museum, said Julie Langan, director of the DHR. Procurement law requires the state to advertise the artifacts first. Instead, the state could loan them to a museum on a long-term basis while still maintaining ownership.

While DHR has finished cataloguing the contents of the Lee time capsules, it hasn't come to a conclusion on what the artifacts say about the statue's builders or Richmond in 1887, Langan said.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani First Deputy Defence Minister Col-Gen Karim Valiyev has inspected training sessions at one of the Air Force units, the ministry reported on January 18.

Under Defence Minister Zakir Hasanovs instructions, Valiyev attended a training session with air defence chiefs and anti-aircraft missile divisions commanders, the report added.

Valiyev instructed the personnel to improve professional skills and maintain a high level of combat readiness, to ensure reliable defence of Azerbaijani airspace, as well as to organize and implement combat duties in a professional manner.

Valiyev inquired about the personnel's needs and conveyed the defence ministers instructions to the relevant military officials.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan periodically holds drills and training sessions to improve its military personnels combat readiness.

The drills also aim to improve interaction and combat coordination between the servicemen during operations, as well as to develop commanders' military decision-making and unit management skills.
A flatbed truck fire shut down Interstate 5 northbound temporarily Wednesday morning, Jan. 19, 4 miles south of Albany near milepost 230, according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The backup triggered several crashes, according to the release, and smoke impacted southbound traffic as well.

Tangent Rural Fire District was the lead agency at the fire.

Battalion Chief Charles Chapin said the driver was unharmed and medics evaluated him for injuries at the scene. The driver did not suffer from smoke inhalation, according to Chapin. He added that he did not have any information regarding the subsequent collisions.

Chapin said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

According to Albany Fire Department Deputy Fire Marshal Sandy Roberts, the call came in to AFD at around 10:07 a.m. Oregon State Police also responded.

Roberts said the truck might have been carrying some type of metal. Chapin said it looked like it might have been roofing material.

According to ODOT Trip Check, the estimated time of delay for travelers was between 20 minutes and two hours during the closure.

A news release from ODOT posted at around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday said all lanes were open again.
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Kazakhstan has one of the most developed telecommunications sectors in the Central Asian region. This is especially true of the mobile segment, where widespread network coverage has enabled very high penetration rates  reaching 180% as far back as 2012.

Since those heydays, the mobile and fixed-line segments have both pared back their subscriber numbers to more modest levels. The telcos have still been successful in terms of improving their margins and revenues by growing value-added services along with exploiting the capabilities of their higher-speed networks (4G LTE as well as fibre) to drive significant increases in data usage.

In earlier days, Kazakhstan also enjoyed a relatively high fixed-line teledensity thanks to concerted efforts to invest in the fixed-line infrastructure as well as next-generation networks. But as with most developed telecom markets around the world, demand for traditional voice services is on the wane as customers take a preference for the flexibility and ubiquity of the mobile platform for voice as well as data services.

Mobile clearly dominates the telecom sector in Kazakhstan, yet 2020 saw a sharp drop in subscriber numbers for both mobile voice and mobile broadband services as the Covid-19 crisis took hold. Even so, data usage (and revenue) went up at a faster rate as more people started working from home  or found they had more downtime to spend on the Internet!

With the exception of fixed-line voice services, Kazakhstans telecom market is expected to return to moderate growth from 2022 onwards. The extensive deployment of LTE networks across the country (along with the prospect of 5G services being added to the mix in 2023) points towards an even greater uptake of lucrative mobile broadband services, in particular.

This report update includes operator and regulator market data to September 2021, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, an assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, and other recent market developments.

Key developments:

Altel begins 5G trials in Almaty and Turkestan using test spectrum in the 3500MHz band, however the government dampens expectations around seeing commercial services before 2023.

The regulator unveils new minimum data speeds for 3G (1Mb/s) and 4G (5Mb/s) services.

Jysan Bank launches Kazakhstans second MVNO, Jysan Mobile, running on the Altel network.

Beeline launches a GPON FttP service in Nur-Sultan with speeds up to 500Mb/s.

Unit Telecom acquires a 75% stake in Transtelecom, completing the latters privatisation program.

Get a Full Copy of this Report

Developing Telecoms market report summaries are produced in partnership with BuddeCom, the worlds largest continually updated online telecommunications research service.

The above article is a summary of the following BuddeCom report:

Report title: Kazakhstan - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Edition: December 2021

Analyst: Henry Lancaster

Number of pages: 123

Companies mentioned in the report: Kazakhtelecom, Ducat, Astel, KazInformTelecom, Transtelecom, Altel, Beeline Kazakhstan, Izi, Jysan Mobile

Single User PDF Licence Price: US$890

For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Kazakhstan-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83
Airtel Uganda, the mobile communications and information technology services provider in the East African country, has said that discussions are going on internally concerning the listing of a 20% stake in the company via an initial public offering (IPO).

According to local media reports, Airtel public relations manager David Birungi confirmed this but did not divulge details, saying the company will inform the public when discussions are complete.

Airtel is expected to sell at least 20 percent of its shares through an Initial Public Offer to fulfill a requirement under the National Broadband Policy.

A report from the Daily Monitor says the cellco has still to release further details, including the possible timing of the IPO. According to UCC, the requirement for listing must be within two years from the date of issuance of the licence undertaken per the existing listing rules as prescribed by the Uganda Capital Markets Authority.

Airtel renewed its licence in 2020, meaning it is supposed to list on the stock exchange this year. Airtel Uganda paid the Ugandan government $77.79 million to renew its 20-year licence, its latest financial report shows.

Airtel in Africa is listed on the stock exchange in Zambia, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Malawi.

Its rival cellco MTN Uganda held its IPO last month. MTNs Initial Public Offering (IPO) is priced at Shs200, with 4.47 billion ordinary shares on offer. The IPO period closed on Monday, November 22, 2021.
In what we are told is only a temporary measure, Perus National Telecommunications Programme (Pronatel), part of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), has taken over the operation and maintenance of the National Fibre Optic Backbone (RDNFO).

The organisation signed the agreement with MTC after the contract between the previous operator, Azteca Comunicaciones, and the MTC expired.

RDNFO, which completed construction in 2016, unites 22 regional capitals and 180 provincial capitals in the country, as part of an interconnected system of national telecommunications infrastructure.

The aim of the change of ownership is to guarantee continuity of this service and, through RDNFO, better use of Protanel's 21 ongoing broadband projects, which are currently in development and connect over 7,000 rural areas to the internet. Pronatel will operate the 13,000km fibre system for up to three years.

However, according to a Pronatel press release, the reversion of the assets to the state has not yet happened. This has to do with inspections carried out last year which identified a number of issues that have yet to be addressed by Azteca Comunicaciones.

This may be related to the vast drain on resources that the network has so far caused government, which has now spent some $290 million  nearly three times the original estimate  on the project according to TeleGeography's CommsUpdate.

CommsUpdate highlights the inflexible pricing structure for capacity on the network, and the fact that the system was underutilised and required consistent funding from the government.

Successful attempts to amend laws relating to RDNFO in early 2020 led Azteca to suggest terminating its concession early by mutual agreement. In the event negotiations did not lead to an agreement: last year the ministry unilaterally ordered the cancellation of the Azteca licence, to take effect from early 2022.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

The Azerbaijani State Border Service has inaugurated the new headquarters building of the Gubadli special border division, the service's press centre reported on January 18.

At the inauguration ceremony, State Border Service Head Elchin Guliyev conveyed his congratulations on this remarkable event.

The building has study rooms, a conference hall and a duty room, which provide the necessary conditions for high-level service of personnel. The building is equipped with permanent water and electricity and a heating system. Landscaping work has been carried out in the area, asphalt has been laid and trees have been planted, the report added.

Speakers noted that under President Ilham Aliyev's instructions, the necessary border defence and security infrastructure had been created on the liberated territories. Last year, 19 new military units and more than 100 border checkpoints were launched in Jabrayil, Zangilan, Gubadli, and Lachin regions, the press centre said.

It was stressed that Aliyev's visits last year to four new military units on the liberated territories was another sign of the high confidence and state care for border protection and encouraged the border guards to succeed. The border guards, who successfully completed their combat missions in the Patriotic War, still honorably fulfill the task of ensuring the inviolability of the sacred borders, which were liberated from from Armenian occupation.

Flowers were laid in front of the monument to the servicemen of the State Border Service who died in the Patriotic War.

At the end of the event, a group of distinguished servicemen was awarded.

A solemn farewell ceremony was organized for the demobilized servicemen and dozens of memorial photos were taken.




Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday celebrated a $20,000 disaster services grant from State Farm, through Habitat for Humanity International, in a noon ceremony held on the site of a current four-house Habitat build.

Work at the location on Chipola Street started bright and early that day, with frost still on the ground as Chipola College students gathered to labor that morning from 8 a.m. until the lunch-break ceremony, then cranked up again to continue their work that afternoon.

Dean of Workforce Development at Chipola, Darwin Gilmore worked on that project as well. He said about 20 students stepped up to help when the opportunity was offered to all enrolled in the Workforce programs there, including a primary group from the constructing/building and advanced manufacturing and others from automotive, cosmetology, and welding.

Our community was greatly affected by Hurricane Michael. Along our communitys road to recovery, Habitat has embraced the responsibility to supply quality and affordable housing for impacted families, said Chipola Area Habitat for Humanitys Executive Director Carmen D. Smith in a press release. The grant from Habitat for Humanity and State Farm will increase the climate resilience of four homes by funding the impact and pressure resistant doors and windows. This beyond-code construction implementation will mitigate the risk to families in the event of future disasters.

In Jackson County, Hurricane Michael destroyed over 400 structures and damaged another 600, rendering them susceptible to further damage and potentially unsafe conditions, the release stated. Since the hurricane, Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity has worked diligently to increase our capacity to meet the expanded needs of the community. We continue to focus our efforts on helping our neighbors in this area by constructing affordable, climate resilient homes and by strengthening our partnerships with our municipalities, the local college, and churches. Collectively, our work provides safe, decent, and permanent places for families to call home.

The release also included a statement from State Farm.

State Farm is pleased to team up with Habitat for Humanity to support recovery efforts through this grant, said Apsara Sorensen, Corporate Responsibility Director at State Farm. Part of the State Farm mission is to help people recover from the unexpected. We hope this disaster services grant goes a long way in helping the Jackson County community recover from Hurricane Michael.

State Farm and Habitat for Humanity are providing up to $100,000 in grants for disaster recovery projects that engage youth around the country. State Farm has been a supporter of Habitat for Humanity Internationals youth initiatives since 2007.
In response to numerous complaints about foul odors and environmental concerns, the state of Alabama has proposed tightening restrictions on disposing of poultry processing waste and sewage sludge.

A new set of rules proposed by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management would crack down on the practice of spreading sludge from wastewater treatment plants or poultry processing plants as fertilizer instead of taking the material to a landfill.

In theory, spraying sludge as fertilizer can save landfill space, provide inexpensive fertilizer and decrease costs for industries to dispose of waste. But in practice, numerous Alabama residents have complained about foul odors, health concerns and being unable to enjoy their properties when the sludge is disposed nearby.

ADEM first enacted rules for beneficial use of what they call biosolids in 2020, but complaints have continued.

ADEM Director Lance LeFleur said the new rules were developed in response to those complaints.

ADEM empathizes with adjacent property owners and residents who have complained about offensive odors and other negative side effects related to the application of byproducts to land, LeFleur said in a news release. The Department investigated those complaints and used the information gathered in drafting the more stringent rules.

The new rules would create different categories for biosolids that come from wastewater treatment plants and those that come from food processing, most often from poultry processing facilities where birds are cleaned, cut and packaged for sale. ADEM would also clarify that the rules apply to reclaimed mines.

One high-profile case that generated several complaints last year involved a reclaimed coal mine in north Jefferson County, where poultry processing waste was being sprayed from spreader trucks on the grassy hillsides near the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River.

In March, ADEM issued a cease-and-desist order to the company, Denali Water Solutions, saying the company had not filed required paperwork with the department and failed to follow best practices in applying material at the site.

In August the Arkansas-based Denali reached a consent agreement with the state that included $34,500 in fines and the company agreeing to stop spraying food processing waste above ground in Alabama.

The proposed rules also require additional testing for certain kinds of waste, more notification for neighbors of the distribution sites and addition operating plans and best practices documentation. The rules could be amended before being enacted by the states Environmental Management Commission, which oversees ADEM, or in the future, if conditions warrant change.

The Department will continue to evaluate the program and consider future enhancements to the regulations so that by-product materials are utilized in a safe, effective and responsible manner, LeFleur said. The goal is to ensure that we have adequate safeguards in place, and the ability to enforce those safeguards, to protect property owners, residents and the environment.

Julie Lay, a former poultry worker who lives in Marshall County, said the sludge was applied to empty fields next to her property near Guntersville beginning in 2019. She said that while the waste is intended to be used as fertilizer, its often just dumped on empty properties to get rid of it.

I just wish they would call a spade a spade, and just say, Okay, this is dumping, Lay told AL.com. This is a way for municipalities and industries to get rid of a waste product, and theyre doing it under the disguise of agriculture. To me, it just seems so obvious what theyre doing.

Lay has been an outspoken advocate for stricter rules on sludge disposal ever since, and has started organizing with other Alabama residents impacted by sludge dumping to advocate for more regulation. She said on Monday that she hasnt reviewed the new proposed rules closely, but took it as a good sign that ADEM was acknowledging the complaints of landowners like herself.

I thought that was a step in the right direction, because ADEMs actually saying Yes, we do see a problem with this, she said. But its almost like theyre afraid, like Alabama is afraid to say something to these industries.

The new proposed regulations are up for public comment through March 17 at 5 p.m.

Comments can be submitted in writing to ADEM, or verbally during a public hearing scheduled for March 17 at 9:30 a.m. at ADEM headquarters in Montgomery.
The 2022 annual regular session of the legislature began Jan. 11 and constitutionally can last three and one-half months, which would have it ending at the end of April.

This is the last year of the quadrennium and an election year. Therefore, the legislature will not address any controversial or substantive issues. This has always been the case in Alabama politics. This rule will ring true this year as it has in past years. They will come into session, pass the budgets, then go home to campaign. They may even adjourn early this year, probably the first part of April.

It will be an easy year, budget wise. The General Fund and Special Education Trust Fund will again have growth in revenue. The economy is still percolating from the COVID recovery, especially because of the influx of federal dollars.

Alabama will have received over $4 billion from the Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) COVID relief money. Almost half has been earmarked and given to schools, counties and cities and will not be allocated by the legislature.

The state received over $500 million in 2021. Most of that, over $400 million, went to build new prisons, which was the most significant achievement last year. There will be approximately $560 million of ARP money coming into Alabama for this year. The legislature will be able to play Santa Claus in an election year. The General Fund Chairmen, Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark) in the House and Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Escambia) in the Senate, are being lobbied heavily as might be expected. They will be looking at several ways to disburse these federal dollars. The feds like the states to focus on rural broadband expansion, water and sewage projects, and hospitals and nursing homes. It will be a short and successful and non-controversial session.

Gov. Ivey will miss her right arm, Jo Bonner. He has served as a quasi-governor for the past three years. Kay Ivey and Jo Bonner have a lifetime bond. They are both from Wilcox County, and like family. This remote rural Black Belt, southwest Alabama county has spawned Jeff Sessions, Kay Ivey, Judy Bonner, and Jo Bonner. Jeff, Kay, and Judy are all about the same age. Jo is about 15 years younger and like Kays little brother. Kay has never not known Jo Bonner. He has been the most influential Chief of Staff to a governor in state history.

In November 2021, it was announced that Jo Bonner will become president of the University of South Alabama. He will be the fourth president of the University of South Alabama, which is the third largest university in the state. Jo Bonner is perfect for this position. His decade as a congressman from Mobile and his prowess as an economic developer and civic leader coupled with his winning personality will propel the university in Mobile to a regional educational and medical center for Alabama, Mississippi and Northwest Florida. He is revered in Washington. His political connections and persona will make the University of South Alabama a politically powerful institution.

The governor made a wise and prudent move to fill the void left by Jo Bonners departure from the governors office. She made her loyal, dedicated and extremely qualified ally, Liz Filmore, Chief of Staff. Liz had already been functioning as a quasi-Chief of Staff to Ivey and Bonner.

A few months ago, Ivey adroitly convinced state Rep. Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa to become her finance director. Poole is immensely and uniquely qualified for finance director. He served over a decade in the House of Representatives. Eight of those years he chaired the Education Budget Committee and wrote the State Education budget. He was and still is one of the most universally well-liked and respected legislators in the state. Bill will remain finance director and Liz will be Chief of Staff. They will be part of what Ivey will rely on as her leadership team. The other two members of the four-person team will be Brooks McClendon and Nathan Lindsey, who will be elevated to Deputy Chief of Staff. Ivey, along with Jo Bonner, has run an exemplary ship of state administratively.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabamas leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.
Workers are seen at garment factory Phong Phu in HCMC's Thu Duc City. Photo by VnExpress/An Phuong

Circumstances are tough and workers need more money, but a proposal to significantly increase overtime cap has experts worried about workers health and their families well-being.

Nguyen Thi Hao has no complaints whatsoever about the labor ministry considering increasing the monthly overtime cap for a worker from 40 to 72 hours.

The HCMC resident is perfectly willing to spend more time at her factory.

"That is the only way I can increase my income."

Last year, when HCMC restricted manufacturing for nearly four months over the Covd-19 pandemic, the single mom barely received any salary. She found it difficult to feed her child, now living with Haos parents in Ben Tre Province.

After six years of working for the Thuong Dinh Garment Company in HCMCs Hoc Mon District, Hao gets over VND5 million ($220) a month, of which she spends 60 percent on rent and taking care of her child back home.

Of the remaining 40 percent, she tries to spend as little as possible. She gets an extra meal whenever she works overtime until 8 p.m.

"Working overtime is tiring, but it is beneficial in many ways," Hao said, adding that she plans to spend the extra income from 30 hours of overtime this month on new clothes for her 12-year-old son who is eagerly waiting for his mother to return home.

Nguyen Thi Thao speaks with her son in a video chat in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Le Tuyet

After a year of major disruptions in manufacturing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnamese lawmakers are considering raising the overtime cap for each worker to 300 hours a year in all sectors. Any overtime must be approved by both the employer and the employee, the labor ministry has said.

But some workers are concerned that such regulation might not be observed in practice.

"I do not have the right to choose whether to work overtime or not. If the company demands, I have to work, as I am part of a production line," said Ngoc Bich, who works in the same company as Thao.

If her husband also comes home late due to overtime, Bichs two children will have no choice but to cook and eat instant noodles on their own.

Overtime is only suitable for unmarried workers, said Bich, who is in her forties. She said it was difficult for her to push herself to sit and work for 12 hours a day.

Nguyen Thi Dan, former office representative of the labor ministry in the south, said that although the global trend is to reduce working hours, the opposite is true in Vietnam.

The overtime cap has increased from 30 hours in 2012 to 40 hours in 2019 and now the labor ministry is proposing 72 hours, she said.

An eight-hour work time frame ensures that workers have enough time to rest, and extending this will see their health deteriorate in the long run, she added.

However, a survey by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in October last year showed that over 80 percent of workers were willing to work more than 40 hours of overtime each month, or 200-300 hours a year.

The main reason for this willingness was their current incomes were too low to make ends meet, the survey found.

Dan said extra working hours means children get to spend less time with their parents. Businesses and workers might gain from more overtime, but the next generation will lose out.

Not for profit, seasonal need

Several companies have said that they need a higher overtime cap not to make more profit but because their business is seasonal.

Tran Tien Phat, deputy CEO of electronics manufacturer Datalogic Vietnam in Thu Duc City, said that there were months when the company receives orders exceeding its capacity, but this happens only for several months in the year.

For example, workers at Datalogic Vietnam had to work four hours overtime each day in the last quarter, but they dont have to do this this quarter, he said.

The company cannot recruit more workers only for just one quarter, he added.

Sharing Phats view, Nguyen Thi Lien, deputy director of textile producer Phong Phu in the same city, said garment companies have been requesting a higher overtime cap for years as their work was seasonal.

There are times when a buyer wants an order produced at one factory, but because that factory has reached its overtime limit, her company has to negotiate with the buyer to produce the rest at another factory.

This does not mean that the factories are overworking its employees, as overtime must be conducted on a voluntary basis, she said, adding that overworking an employee for the whole month will only strain them out and increase labor turnover.

Phat said that his company often gives employees more than the legally required increase when they work overtime. The company pays overtime salary of 200 percent of the normal rate, against the 150 percent rate that the law requires, he said.

Workers also receive milk, vitamins, three meals and snacks if they work for 12 hours, which includes 1.5 hours for breaks.

Dan said that the increase in overtime cap should only be applied in the short-term to aid economic recovery after Covid-19 impacts. In the long run, this would go against the global trend, she said.
World-leading scientists said they are excited about Vietnam's $4.5 mln VinFuture Prize, one of the world's largest annual awards in science and technology.

Global scientists had gathered in Hanoi on Tuesday for a program called "Conversation with VinFuture Prize Council and Pre-Screening Committee."

Dang Van Chi, director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in the U.S., said he had agreed to join the Prize Council as he realized VinFuture Prize honors scientific works that serve humanity.

"An award that would bring hope to millions of people around the world and Vietnam."

That is why it is different, he said.

Dang Van Chi, director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in the U.S. and Professor Albert Paul Pisano of the University of California at the "Conversation with VinFuture Prize Council and Pre-Screening Committee" event in Hanoi, January 18, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Nam

Returning to Vietnam after 50 years, Chi said he is really proud as Vietnam has pioneered such a "unique award." He is also surprised by the fact that in less than a year, the award has attracted almost 600 applications from scientists on all six continents.

The inaugural VinFuture Prize ceremony will be held on Jan. 20 during VinFuture Sci-tech Week from Jan. 18-21 in Hanoi.

In its inaugural year, VinFuture has received 599 quality nominations from 1,200 nominators in more than 60 countries around the world. Among these, nearly 100 nominations came from the world's top 2 percent most-cited scientists, many of whom are laureates of distinguished awards, including the Nobel Prize, Breakthrough Prize, Tang Prize, Japan Prize, among others. All the nominations were assessed in multiple evaluations and selection rounds by a 12-member, Pre-screening Committee, and then by 11 Prize Council members.

Professor Sir Richard Henry Friend from Cambridge University in the U.K. said he is "excited" about the award and that he highly appreciates all the applications.

Professor Sir Richard Henry Friend from Cambridge University. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Nam

The award is qualified both in terms of quantity and quality, he said, adding that the scientific connections and discoveries have gone beyond the criteria for nominations.

Nguyen Thuc Quyen from the University of California, the U.S., co-chair of the VinFuture Prize Pre-Screening Committee, said she is proud of the prize, which represents Vietnam and its people, and called it "a wonderful initiative."

Born and raised in a poor and remote village of Vietnam that had no electricity for 16 years, Quyen said she feels that technology does not really benefit the poor and the working class.

Therefore, she thinks what makes this award different is that it would bring innovations that impact the poor.

She also said she feels happy now that the mission and importance of the award has touched the hearts of many people.

Nguyen Thuc Quyen from the University of California. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Nam

Professor Albert Paul Pisano of the University of California said the award recognizes the efforts of scientists who have left positive impacts on the lives of millions of people.

"There are very few awards that could honor and connect scientists right from the step of ideation to implementation and networking," he said.

He added that at first, organizers expected to receive only about 200 applications, but then the actual figure rose three times higher.

"The delicately selected award category is the factor that attracts attention.

"People are the ultimate goal we aim for," and this is the distinction of this award, he said.

VinFuture Prize will celebrate four scientific innovations for humanity: VinFuture Grand Prize valued at $3 million and three special prizes, each valued at $500,000, for female innovators, innovators from developing countries, and innovators with outstanding achievements in emerging fields.

The Prize is a global science and technology award founded by Pham Nhat Vuong, chairman of Vingroup, and his wife, Pham Thu Huong, to recognize groundbreaking scientific discoveries and technological inventions proven to create, or having the potential to create, better changes in the everyday lives of millions of people and foster a sustainable living environment for future generations.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijan will resolutely respond to all threats directed against its state independence and integrity, the Foreign Ministry said on January 19.

In a statement posted on its website on the occasion of 20 January  the National Mourning Day, the ministry said: "We will continue to respond resolutely to any possible threats to the independence and integrity of our state and all necessary steps will be taken to bring to justice those responsible for various crimes against the people and state of Azerbaijan.

The statement added that Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity as a result of the 44-day war with Armenia in 2020 and during the 32 years of its independence the country became a worthy, reliable and responsible member of the world community.

Strengthening the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is the foundation of our statehood, and we will persevere in our struggle for the steadfast upholding of these fundamental principles, the ministry emphasized.

It was stressed that on the night of January 19-20, 1990, by order of the USSR leadership, 26,000 Soviet troops invaded Baku, Sumgait and other cities of Azerbaijan, as a result of which 147 civilians were killed and 744 were seriously injured. This tragedy became known as "Black January" in modern Azerbaijan's history.

Prior to these tragic events, Armenia's spurious territorial claims against Azerbaijan in the late 1980s, Armenian radicals' aggressive separatist activities in Azerbaijans former Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region, the Soviet leadership's support for these activities, and the violent deportation of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Armenia (from their ancestral lands) fueled the growth of the anti-Soviet movement in Azerbaijan, the statement said.

Deployed to the country to prevent the national movement and break the will of the Azerbaijani people for independence, the Soviet Army committed massacre against the civilian population, violating the norms of international law and the Constitutions of the former USSR and the Azerbaijan SSR, the ministry highlighted.

In February 1994, the Azerbaijani parliament specified the murder of innocent people on January 20, 1990, as military aggression and a crime and in March 1994, a decision On the tragic events committed in Baku on January 20, 1990 was adopted, declaring January 20 the National Mourning Day, the statement said.

The ministry stressed that the tragedy was a gross violation of international legal documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international legal documents and described it "as one of the most serious crimes of the 20th century by its essence and scope"

It was emphasized that despite 31 years have passed since the tragedy, these events have not yet received appropriate political and legal assessment on a global scale.

The former Soviet leadership bears full responsibility for this crime and the January 20 events must be classified as a crime against humanity under international law, and those who authorized and performed it must be held responsible, the statement added.

We commemorate with deep respect and gratitude the memory of all our heroes who gave their lives for the independence of Azerbaijan, as well as for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, the ministry stressed.
A medical staff takes care of a Covid-19 patient on an ambulance in Hanoi on December 29, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The Health Ministry announced 15,936 new domestic Covid-19 patients Wednesday in 61 cities and provinces, including three first Omicron cases in the community.

Most of the new cases were detected in Hanoi at 2,909.

It was followed by two central localities: Da Nang with 892 cases and Khanh Hoa with 652 cases.

HCMC recorded the first three Covid-19 patients with the Omicron variant in the community after they came into contact with a person coming from the U.S.

Authorities are quickly tracing contacts to prevent the spread of the variant.

In the past 24 hours, 142 Covid-19 patients have died, including 16 in the southern province of Dong Thap. The average death tally in the last seven days is 164.

Since the pandemic started last year, the death toll in Vietnam has climbed to 36,114, or 1.7 percent of all infections.

In the latest wave that hit the country in late April, more than 2.07 million cases have been confirmed and nearly 1.79 million have recovered.

So far, 75.6 percent of the population have received two vaccine doses and 20.7 percent have received the third dose.
A health worker tests a sample for the novel coronavirus at the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa

Vietnam's first three Covid-19 community transmission cases with the Omicron variant had a meal with a relative who returned from the U.S., the HCMC health department said Wednesday.

Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, said contact tracing efforts were conducted immediately after gene sequencing confirmed the Omicron cases in the community.

They revealed a 41-year-old Vietnamese woman, who flew from the U.S. and landed on Khanh Hoa's Cam Ranh Airport on January 7 on flight BN5409, had a meal with the three cases. The woman, who has received three Pfizer vaccine shots, was quarantined at a hotel in Nha Trang. On January 5, one day before she flew back to Vietnam, she tested negative for the coronavirus.

While staying in her hotel in Nha Trang, she tested negative again on January 9. On January 10, she flew from Nha Trang to HCMC on the VN1345 flight that landed at 4:30 p.m. She was received by the three relatives at the airport. The group ate at a restaurant before going home.

On January 13, the woman began to cough and had a sore throat. Her relatives also had similar symptoms on January 14, and their samples were sent for testing. The three relatives results returned positive on January 15, and the woman's on January 16. The relatives have been confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant.

Their conditions are so far stable, health authorities said.

Vietnam had recorded 70 Omicron variant cases among foreign arrivals earlier.

Global experts have not ascertained of the variant's virulence, though they said those infected with the variant are less likely to turn severe compared to those with the Delta variant.
Foreign arrivals with valid visas will be allowed to enter Vietnam without having to obtain prior permission from the immigration department and local authorities.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has agreed in principle to simplify administrative procedures for those entering Vietnam, the Government Office announced Tuesday.

Accordingly, foreigners that are not tourists can enter Vietnam without having to apply for approval from the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local authorities.

However, those who want to visit Vietnam for tourism purposes will have to continue following all regulations applied to international tourists.

Before the government gives the green light, anyone that wants to enter Vietnam must prepare a list of papers including approvals from the Peoples Committee and the Department of Immigration, proof of vaccination, PCR test results and a health insurance certificate for quarantine.

In many cases, it could take weeks to prepare all the papers.

For foreigners that still need to obtain a visa, the Peoples Committee in cities and provinces should create favorable conditions in case they need to enter Vietnam to work, study, or do charity work.

Vietnam partially reopened regular commercial flights on nine international routes on Jan. 1 to China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, and the U.S.

Once arriving in Vietnam, fully vaccinated people and those who have recovered from Covid-19 will have to self-isolate, either at home, hotels or other facilities, for three days. They will be tested on the third day. If results are negative, they will be required to monitor their health for the next 11 days, free to move about, but required to avoid large gatherings or crowded places.

Arrivals who are not fully vaccinated will be self-isolated for seven days, then be tested on the 3rd and 7th days.

Arrivals must pay for their PRC tests.
There were two events at the end of 2021 that left a strong impression on me and motivated me to write this.

The first was an online meeting Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had with economists on November 8 that I was a part of. Discussing reforms, the PM commented that our policy-making process is not good, and fails to properly consult the agencies, localities or businesses that implement or are affected by those policies.

I gave him a brief introduction to Japan's policy-making process.

I had found instances of drafted policies possibly being affected by local interests and failing to receive support from other sectors, making their implementation ineffective.

In many cases experts were consulted but mostly as a formality.

The second event, which happened on November 17, was my receiving a request from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to comment on an industrial policy that was being drafted.

Looking into it, I was surprised to learn this was the first time a complete set of industrial policies had been prepared even though Vietnam's stated goal is to become an advanced industrial country by 2045.

Though I have been a researcher in this field for many years, I only know about the drafting of policies for a few industries and have no idea how their implementation went.

Many of the Politburo and Party Central Committee's policies for industry stopped at the resolution stage and were never turned into specific decisions.

Most recently, on August 20, 2019, the Politburo issued a resolution on strengthening mechanisms and policies and improving the quality and efficiency of foreign investment by 2030. However, more than two years have passed and I still see no sign of this policy being concretized for implementation.

The global economy and technology change very rapidly, requiring policies to be implemented expeditiously. But in our current situation, how can we achieve our goals?

Japan had a period of development considered to be "miraculous" lasting from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s.

In this period its economy grew at an average of 10 percent a year for 18 straight years. Following this, from being a middle-income country, Japan straightaway became a high-income industrial powerhouse.

Below are some of the main features of Japan's experience in formulating industrial development policies during this period.

This policy set consisted of three parts. The first provided a vision of the industrial structure in the medium and long terms with the aim of shifting the economic structure upward.

The second part included policies to nurture and develop key industries in the form of tax and loan support. These policies were to be in force for a limited time, and after that the beneficiary industries had to grow on their own and compete with the world.

The third part outlined the way industries were to be organized, with the government allowed to intervene to preclude situations where too many businesses competed in a small market, preventing each from reaching the optimal level and achieving economies of scale.

This point was very important for large industries such as steel and automobile. Specifically, when the number of businesses was determined to be sufficient to ensure a competitive market without being too fragmented, the government would either restrict more players from entering the market or advise businesses to gather into groups to compete with each other.

The goal of the industrial structure in the second half of the 1950s was to shift from labor-intensive industries such as apparel and footwear to capital- and technology-intensive industries such as synthetic fibers, petrochemicals, steel, automobile, and electronics.

Japan created policies to nurture these industries, issued laws or ordinances for each industry alongside tax and credit support measures.

Some examples of these were the five-year plan to nurture the synthetic fiber industry issued in April 1953, the policy for the petrochemical industry issued in July 1955, the Law Concerning Provisional Measures for Development of the Machinery Industry in June 1956, the Law on Temporary Measures for the Promotion of Electronics Industry in June 1957. Most of them were valid until 1971, giving enough time for the industries to develop and become self-sufficient.

In a market economy where private companies are the leading factor, Japan managed to build a special mechanism to create a healthy and effective relationship between the state and businesses and benefit from the wisdom prevalent in all parts of society.

The two main tools to achieve this were advisory councils and administrative directives.

Advisory councils (shingikai) are established by the government with representatives of businesses, intellectuals, journalists, and former officials in them to discuss and recommend policies to the government.

There are shingikai for the prime minister and for ministers as well as for lower-level consultative groups (kondankai) that discuss matters of a narrower scope.

'Administrative directives' are tools for the state to intervene in the market when necessary for the purpose of safeguarding the country's interests or increasing the competitiveness of a certain industry.

For example, when preparing to open up and integrate with the global economy in the 1960s, the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry realized that it was necessary to have several large steel companies in order to be able to compete with Europe and the U.S.

So in 1968 the ministry arranged for two companies, Yawata and Fuji, to merge and form Nippon Steel.

Such administrative interventions are of course selective, well thought out and usually persuasive rather than coercive.

The state is where information is gathered and situations are analyzed thanks to talented staff members and the collective wisdom gathered via shingikai and kondankai.

Administrative directives are therefore often convincing.

The government also uses financial and tax incentives to encourage businesses to act in the suggested direction.

A common issue in many developing countries is that the policies of a ministry might not be implemented due to a lack of support from other ministries.

To avoid this situation, industrial policy making and implementing are done in the following manner: the Ministry of Industry and Trade decides the policies through shingikai and kondankai and then transfers them to the legal departments of the Government Office and Ministry of Finance for confirmation.

Since the policy preparation process is very thorough and transparent and involved the participation of former officials from relevant ministries, there has been almost never an objection from other ministries.

Vietnam should consider the following four points:

The planning of strategies should be discussed between relevant ministries, sectors and an advisory council comprising many parts of society as detailed above.

This approach will help draw on the public's wisdom while increasing transparency and limiting interest groups.

Policies need to be concretized with time-limited laws so that agencies can speed up their implementation while businesses will not rely on incentives and instead strive to improve their competitiveness for the time when the support ends.

A policy might be drafted by one agency, but its implementation must be smooth with a high level of consensus and cooperation from many agencies.

Once consensus is reached, all agencies must execute it and be accountable to the head of the government.

A set of industrial policies consisting of three parts as above, structure, development and organization, is worthy of being referred to when seeking to industrialize.

In short, if Vietnam wants to achieve miraculous development, it will need 'miraculous' changes.

*Tran Van Tho is an economics professor at Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan. The opinions expressed are his own.
Russia has created an international crisis by amassing 100,000 troops on Ukraines borders. It is Russia that has prepared internal sabotage, destabilization, and false flag options for Ukraine, declared Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland in a recent press conference.

And it is Russia that has spewed disinformation and lies about Ukraine, about the United States, and about NATO to justify its own actions.

The United States has responded to these provocations with a series of diplomatic talks. Diplomacy, said Under Secretary Nuland, is the best option to restore stability and security for Ukraine, for Europe, and for Russia itself.

In the Strategic Stability Dialogue with Russia, the U.S. has demonstrated its commitment to diplomacy by putting preliminary ideas on the table, including with regard to military transparency, risk reduction measures, and exercises, said Under Secretary Nuland:

Weve also made clear that genuine progress can only take place in a climate of de-escalation, not escalation, and on the basis of true reciprocity. That requires Russia to stay at the table and take concrete steps to reduce tensions

Russia now has a stark choice to make: whether to take the path of diplomacy and dialogue or instead seek confrontation and the massive consequences that that will bring, said Secretary Nuland:

If the Russian Government further invades Ukraine, further destabilizes Ukraine, we are ready and aligned with our allies and our partners to impose severe costs. We will respond with massive economic measures, including those that have not been used before, and will inflict very significant costs on Russias economy and its financial system.

But let me emphasize again our preference is diplomacy, said Under Secretary Nuland. This approach has garnered results in the past. Weve negotiated multiple instruments that have formed the bedrock of peace and security, including the Helsinki Accords, the INF Treaty, and other arms control agreements.

Diplomacy, in full consultation and coordination with our allies and with every country whose interests were affected, is the way forward, said Secretary Nuland. This is what needs to happen now.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement of support for the people of Burma as they celebrated their Independence Day on January 4. We honor the people of Burma who are striving to restore an inclusive path to democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law for all people in the country, he said. The United States remains committed to the people of Burma, who will not give up hope for a better future, even as they suffer horrific abuses by the regime.

The regimes violence has continued to escalate since the Burmese military seized control of Burmas government in a coup d'etat on February 1, 2021, deposing the countrys former leaders State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and members of their political party the National League for Democracy, which won a landslide victory in the November 2020 general elections. Since the coup, 10,000 people have been imprisoned by the regime and at least 1,300 have been killed, including many children.

On December 24, the regimes security forces perpetrated a particularly horrifying atrocity in Kayah State. The Burmese military killed and burned at least 35 people, including women, children, and staff members of international aid organizations, including two from Save the Children. Their charred bodies were found on Christmas Day. The incident caused international outrage, including by members of the UN Security Council who condemned the killing and stressed the need to ensure accountability for this act.

Tragically, the regime continues to perpetrate horrific incidents. The military has fired on peaceful protesters; burned homes; abducted and killed children; physically abused and committed sexual violence against detainees; and razed entire villages.

In a separate statement issued after the Christmas Eve attacks in Kayah State, Secretary Blinken said, The targeting of innocent people and humanitarian actors is unacceptable, and the militarys widespread atrocities against the people of Burma underscore the urgency of holding its members accountable.

Secretary Blinken noted that since February 1, 2021, the United States has imposed targeted sanctions against Burmese military leaders and entities in which they have financial interests, and he called on the international community to do more to prevent additional atrocities in Burma.

In his statement marking Burmas Independence Day, Secretary Blinken called on the military regime to cease immediately the use of violence, release all those unjustly detained, and return Burmas path to genuine and inclusive democracy.
ELKO  A tense encounter during a traffic stop ended with a motorist jailed on firearms charges.

The incident began late Monday night when an Elko Police Department officer noticed a Ford Focus driving on Idaho Street without a rear license plate. The officer said there was a small piece of illegible paper taped to where the license plate belonged.

He pulled the car over at 13th Street and began speaking with the driver, Alejandro Ochoa, 27, of Elko. However, the driver only spoke a little English and the officer only spoke a little Spanish, according to the police report.

The officer determined that the paper was a temporary moving permit, and he tried to explain to the driver that it needed to be taped to the front right windshield instead of the back of the car.

Ochoa said he wanted the officer to follow him home because he had Covid, and he got upset when the officer refused.

By then another officer arrived with a drug-sniffing K-9, but Ochoa refused to step out of the vehicle.

The driver then started to roll up the window and put the car in gear. He eventually rolled the window down and the officer was able to reach in and try to pull him out of the car. Ochoa resisted and began reaching for the center console, the report said.

Thats when the officer drew his firearm and convinced Ochoa to exit the vehicle. He continued to pull away but was handcuffed with the assistance of four other officers.

Officers said they found a loaded handgun magazine on Ochoa, and a loaded handgun with a live round in the chamber inside the car where he had been reaching. A container of methamphetamine was found at his feet as the search progressed.

Officers determined that the handgun had been reported as stolen.

Ochoa faces charges of possession of a stolen firearm, plus possession of a firearm by a prohibited person because he was allegedly in possession of drugs at the time. He was also booked for resisting arrest with a firearm and possession of methamphetamine.

Bail on the four felony charges was listed at $135,000 on the jail booking sheet but $55,000 on the declaration of probable cause signed by a justice of the peace.

According to Elko County Jail records, Ochoa was also arrested in June 2021 at 340 Commercial St. for owning a gun by a prohibited person and felony possession of a controlled substance.

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ELKO  Three candidates are expected to face off Friday at a Nevada GOP gubernatorial debate in Elko, as former U.S. Sen. Dean Heller has decided not to participate.

Organizers originally invited the top four polling candidates but now the debate will feature three low-polling candidates.

Joey Gilbert, John Lee and Fred Simon are confirmed participants. The forum is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the Elko Convention Center.

According to organizer Paul White, the event will include welcomes and introductions by Sheriff Aitor Narvaiza, Mayor Reece Keener, and Police Chief Ty Trouten. Moderators will be Misty Atkins, Brent Kelly, Robert Leonhardt, Pedro Marin, Danny Story and Candace Wines.

Polls conducted since July indicate many Republican voters are undecided about who they will choose to challenge Gov. Steve Sisolak. Support for Heller has declined while support for Lombardo has increased. Hellers numbers dropped from 27% to 19% while Lombardos increased from 22% to 37%.

None of the three candidates attending Elkos debate scored above 10% in the most recent Tarrance Group poll conducted in November. Gilbert led at 7%, followed by Lee at 5% and Simon at 3%.

Gilbert is a former professional boxer and now a Reno attorney. Lee is mayor of North Las Vegas and was a Democrat up until April 2021. Simon is a medical doctor and small businessman from Gardnerville.

Lombardos campaign said he was skipping the Elko debate plus an earlier one in Reno because he does not want to debate anyone before the close of candidate filing on March 18.

Heller also will not be attending, his campaign confirmed without explanation. Candidates Michele Fiore and Guy Nohra were later invited to participate but also declined.

Heller was booed and jeered by hundreds of exuberant Republicans at the races first debate in Reno on Jan. 6, according to an Associated Press report.

Nevada Republicans boo Heller over past with Trump at debate Republican activists continue to remember Heller's opposition to Trump's efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and the resulting enmity between the two men.

Heller shrugged off the heckling and said after the debate that it likely came from supporters of Joey Gilbert, a Reno attorney who opposes vaccines and was outside the U.S. Capitol when it was under siege a year ago, said the report.

Gilberts campaign is sponsoring the Elko debate.

Im hoping we have a large turnout for this event, said Assemblyman John Ellison, R-Elko. Its important for all northern Nevada to show up, view and listen to all the candidates. This is a very important race for Nevadas future.

Ellison said he and state Sen. Pete Goicoechea. R-Eureka, will be in Carson City and unable to attend.

This years race for governor is extremely important for our State, said Elko County Republican Party Chairman Lee Hoffman. We need some judgment and restraint that is lacking with a Democrat controlled legislature and a Governor out of control and out of touch.

Hoffman said it will be interesting to see who comes out of the Republican primary to face Governor Sisolak in the general election.

We in Elko County always appreciate statewide candidates who come here so we can see them in person before making our choices, he said.

County Commissioner Jon Karr said he has met Gilbert but not Lee or Smith.

I am looking forward to their performance at this debate and hope it helps show who is the best candidate to defeat our current governor, he said.

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Cheers to the New Year: Find Inspiration for 2022 with 12 Amazing CS Moments from 2021

As we at Illinois Computer Science paused recently and reflected on 2021, one thing remains clear. In a year of change, the constant here is a spirit of innovation that innately drives our faculty, staff, students, and alumni to push the boundaries of whats possible in computing.



Take a moment to look back with us and turn 12 amazing moments from the year that was into inspiration for 2022. Begin by reading this story about Illinois CS professor Kris Hauser and his AVATRINA team that earned a finalist position in the $10 million ANA Avatar XPRIZE Competition (pictured above) and then enjoy the rest of our stories that follow. Nancy M. Amato, Abel Bliss Professor of Engineering and Department Head


By Azernews

By Sevil Mikayilova

The trip of Valerie Pecresse, the President of the Regional Council of Ile-de-France and a French presidential candidate, to the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, apart from being openly and unquestionably illegal, has given rise to a question about her legal responsibility.

Madame Pecresse should be reminded that any person crossing a state border is legally obliged to comply with entry requirements of a given country, or have a visa, if necessary; otherwise he or she will be deported. This is a universal truth and norm acknowledged by the civilised world. If the lady in question thinks herself above the law, then one shudders to think of calamitous developments that will ensue if she makes it to the very top of the French state.

Her irresponsible behaviour first of all hurts France and the French people. If she is unable to understand the consequences of illegally entering another countrys territory, then it is very unlikely that she is in a position to grasp the burdens of the heavy responsibility that come with leading a country such as France. Evidently, the rule of law is not a notion held in high regard by Pecresse, as she is ready to trample on all sacrosanct and noble ideals to reach her purpose.

In his January 12 press conference, President Aliyev described Pecresses illegal entrance into Azerbaijan as provocation and an act aimed at President Macron. Both the defence minister has sent several letters to his counterpart and objections were made to the head of the peacekeeping mission. The same steps were taken in connection with the recent illegal visit of Valerie Pecresse. We were told that they did not see it, did not know of it, that it fell out of focus, that she went there in an ordinary car, and so on. However, this doesnt sound very convincing It was an organised trip, because Valerie Pecresse could not go there with the escort she wanted and went with a very limited number of people They went there secretly and returned. The news came out only when they had returned. They were probably afraid that we would have stopped them in the Lachin corridor. Because if we knew they were there, we wouldn't have let them back, clearly. The Lachin corridor is under our control. You have been to Shusha and seen it. We can stop any car there and no-one can tell us anything.

One cannot help but conclude that Pecresse was taken aback by this perfectly veracious statement, and having understood that in a law-governed state she would not get any support for such a despicably blatant offence, she decided to play the victim and make a show out of the story. What is she appalled at? Are the gates of "Free France" open to everybody? Does France not have border checkpoints?

There is also an open letter signed by a group of anti-Azerbaijani and Turcophobe lawmakers, addressed to Macron, which gives rise to surprise and anger. No doubt, this letter will be of no avail, but the fact that there is such a large body of lawmakers, who supports such illegal acts, is troubling indeed. What did make the French legislators sign a letter full of legal and factual errors? Was it due to the lack of knowledge as to some basic legal points or prejudice?

The central question is why the French presidential candidate and the members of the French Senate are so recklessly putting the narrow and Islamophobia-driven agenda ahead of the national interests of France, which has a time-honoured tradition of robust secularism, tolerance and multiculturalism. Baku and Paris have worked flat out and round the clock over the past decades to forge a high-level relationship and now the hard-earn diplomatic gains are at risk. There is no sustainable logic to this.

In addition, France is a country with a sizeable Muslim minority, which constitutes 8 percent of the overall population. It cannot be within its best interests to pursue narrow Islamophobic policies at the expense of higher considerations and the values that underpin the very essence of France.

The presidential election that is set to take place in 2022 is expected to be a tough contest. It is profoundly regrettable that candidates are ready to sacrifice the colossal benefits of bilateral relations for the sake of ensuring the support of the 750,000 Armenian diaspora.

Eric Zemmour, another candidate for the post of President, has also visited Armenia recently, but he apparently was conscious of the fact that crossing the Azerbaijani border without a due permission was a red line and thus abstained from the wrongdoing. He is a controversial figure in France. Interestingly enough, the language employed by him was proven to be so toxic in the past that, he was fined by a French court for his anti-Muslim rant.

However, it appears that for Madame Pecresse, who is also a former member of the National Assembly, there is no red line within a legal domain and she will stop at nothing to burnish her image as a good friend of Armenians. We respectfully remind the presidential hopeful in question that her illegal trip to the Azerbaijani territory is very damaging to Azerbaijan-France relations, regional security and stability, and, it is worth reiterating that separatism is alien to the contemporary architecture and values of Europe.

There is no doubt that the government of Azerbaijan will always defend the nation's territorial integrity and sovereign rights, and the protection of the security and inviolability of the state border will always remain a duty of the highest importance.
Chinas foreign trade in goods hit a record of $6.05 trillion the last year, crossing the $5 trillion and $6 trillion marks in the same year after the country reported total imports and exports of over $4 trillion for the first time eight years ago.

Total goods trade went up by $1.4 trillion from a year ago. In yuan terms, the countrys total trade in goods reached 39.1 trillion yuan, expanding 21.4 percent year on year.

We exported more than 30,000 vehicles the last year, 92 percent more than those in the previous year and hitting a new historical high, said an executive from Chinese carmaker Jiangling Motors Company based in Nanchang, east Chinas Jiangxi province.

According to the executive, Belt and Road countries have grown into an important market for the group. In Chile, the group witnessed a 69-percent year-on-year rise in its market share and a tripling sales volume, the executive said.

China posted steady trade growth with all its major trading partners over the last year, especially Belt and Road countries.

In 2021, the country's imports and exports with its top five trading partners  ASEAN, the European Union (EU), the U.S., Japan and South Korea stood at 5.67 trillion yuan, 5.35 trillion yuan, 4.88 trillion yuan, 2.4 trillion yuan and 2.34 trillion yuan, respectively, growing 19.7 percent, 19.1 percent, 20.2 percent, 9.4 percent and 18.4 percent year on year.

The trade volume with economies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative reported an increase of 23.6 percent, 2.2 percentage points higher than average trade growth.

The year 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of Chinas accession to the WTO. Over the past two decades, Chinas trade in goods experienced exponential development. The countrys total foreign trade surged to 39.1 trillion yuan the last year from 4.22 trillion yuan in 2001, with an average annual growth of 12.2 percent.

The quality of Chinas foreign trade is also improving steadily, apart from its growing size.

The country further optimized the forms of trade, with general imports and exports accounting for over 60 percent of its total trade volume. Last year, Chinas general trade grew 24.7 percent to 24.08 trillion yuan, and the countrys processing trade reached 8.5 trillion yuan, up 11.1 percent.

Both exports and imports of machinery and electronic products maintained sound momentum for growth. Last year, Chinas exports of this type of products expanded 20.4 percent to 12.83 trillion yuan, accounting for 59 percent of the countrys total exports. Meanwhile, it imported 7.37 trillion yuan of these products during the same period, up 12.2 percent, which made up 42.4 percent of Chinas total imports. The imports of integrated circuits went up by 15.4 percent.

Li Kuiwen, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs (GAC), attributed the growth of Chinas foreign trade in the last year to the countrys leading position in economic development and pandemic response in the global sphere.

He said the Chinese economy maintained a sound momentum of recovery, with a rapid rise in major economic indicators.

The Chinese economy has a strong resilience, and its fundamentals for long-term growth will never change, he noted, adding that domestic production and consumption offered strong support for the stable growth of foreign trade. Last year, the imports and exports of Chinese intermediate products grew 24.9 percent and 28.6 percent, respectively. There was also a 9.9-percent growth in the imports of consumer goods.

Global recovery was another reason for Chinas foreign trade growth, the spokesperson said. Both the World Bank and International Monetary Fund set 2021 global growth forecast at over five percent, and the WTO also revised up its forecast for global goods trade growth in 2021 to 10.8 percent.

For this reason, China reported growth rates of over 20 percent in its exports to the EU and Africa the last year, and also witnessed an over-forty-percent surge in its exports to Latin America.

Besides, Chinas foreign trade growth also came from the sustained results of Chinas policies to stabilize economic growth, Lu said.

The exports of our nameko products jumped over 50 percent from a year ago and received high reputation in overseas markets thanks to the facilitation measures adopted for the custom clearance of featured agricultural products, said Cui Guomin, general manager of a food company in northeast Chinas Liaoning province.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Chinese players in the cross-border e-commerce sector, taking advantage of online marketing, online transaction and contactless delivery, have proactively nurtured their new competitiveness in international cooperation and competition, and expanded the size of their imports and exports, Li said.

Last year, imports and exports in Chinas cross-border e-commerce sector reached 1.98 trillion yuan, up 15 percent, and exports through market procurement trade surged 32.1 percent.
According to statistics from Chinas Customs Administration quoted by the Ministry of Industry and Trades Import-Export Department, in November 2021, Chinas import of processed fruit and vegetables (coded HS 20) was valued at 211.86 million USD, an increase of 31.7% compared to the same period last year.



In the 11 months, the figure reached 1.48 billion USD, up 27.1% over the same period last year.

Processing pineapple for export (Photo: congthuong.vn)

China increased imports of processed fruit and vegetables from most supply markets, except for Thailand. In which, the US and Vietnam are the two largest suppliers of the commodity to China in the 11 months.

Specifically, the countrys import from the US reached 278 million USD, up 67.5%, while those from Vietnam reached 213 million USD, up 34.9% year on year.

During the period, China also increased imports of fruit coded HS 2008 with value accounting for 50.1% of the total import of processed fruit and vegetables (coded HS 20). Specifically, import from the US was valued at 201.2 million USD, up 111.6% year on year. Following it were Vietnam with148.9 million USD, up 28.34%; the Republic of Korea with 77 million USD, up 8.5%; and the Philippines with 64.6 million USD, up 30.9%./.
Talking about outstanding points in Vietnam  China relations in 2021, he said that firstly, political trust is enhanced as high-level exchanges and contacts took place regularly with many flexible forms. After the 13th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (January 2021), the leaders of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly of the two countries respectively had phone calls, online talks, and made decisions. This is an important direction, creating a strong impetus to promote the friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Vietnam and China to develop stably and healthily in all fields.

Ambassador Pham Sao Mai (Photo: TDO)

Cooperation and exchanges on Party, diplomatic, defense, public security channels and border localities of the two countries continue to be strengthened. The two sides successfully organized the 13th meeting of the Steering Committee for bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and China (September 2021).

Secondly, economic, trade and investment cooperation grew impressively, bringing practical benefits to localities, businesses and people of the two countries. China continued to be Vietnam's largest trading partner and second largest export market; while Vietnam continued to be China's largest trading partner in ASEAN and China's sixth largest trading partner in the world.

Thirdly, cooperation in the prevention of COVID-19 became a new bright spot in bilateral cooperation. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the two sides have provided each other with timely and effective support and cooperation at all levels, making positive contributions to disease prevention and restoration of economic growth in each country.

Fourthly, on the border and territory issue, the two sides closely coordinated and effectively implemented legal documents on the Vietnam-China land border, strengthened management of security and safety in the border areas, properly handled arising problems, and maintained peace and stability in the land border.

Fifthly, at multilateral forums, Vietnam and China actively coordinated to promote peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world, especially at ASEAN and United Nations forums; and supported each other to join international organizations.

Clarifying support for each other in the fight against COVID-19, the ambassador said that Vietnam promptly provided China with medical supplies and equipment with a total value of USD600,000. A number of ministries, branches and northern border provinces of Vietnam have effectively provided medical supplies to Chinese border ministries, branches and localities.

When the pandemic underwent complicated developments in Vietnam, the Chinese Government, ministries, branches, localities and businesses joined hands to donate a large amount of vaccines and medical supplies and equipment to support Vietnam in pandemic prevention.

As of December 30, 2021, China pledged to donate 7.3 million doses of vaccine to Vietnam, of which 6.5 million doses have been handed over, and 800,000 doses are in the process of completing procedures.

At the same time, China also meets Vietnam's maximum demand for commercial purchase and handover of a large amount of vaccines in a record short time; pledged to give Vietnam medical supplies with a total value of more than USD10 million, of which many shipments were transferred to the Vietnamese side./.




A train runs on part of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line in Hanoi, which was funded by Chinese ODA (Photo: VNA)

In his remarks, Long affirmed the bilateral friendship and neighbourliness, fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong as well as generations of Vietnamese and Chinese leaders, have become a precious asset of the two Parties, States, and peoples.

Developing the countries comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is a top priority in Vietnams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification, the official stressed.

He said with delight that the bilateral ties grew stably and fruitfully last year.

Expressing his belief in the growth of the ties in the time to come, Long recommended Vietnamese and Chinese agencies at all levels and sectors reinforce common awareness of the two countries leaders about consolidating mutual trust and understanding, and promoting the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation, particularly in economy-trade and disease prevention.

It is also necessary to promptly tackle problems arising in the joint works as well as create favourable conditions to facilitate two-way travel and transactions to nurture the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership toward sustainability and practical outcomes, the minister said.

On the occasion, Long extended his New Year and Lunar New Year greetings to people of both nations.

Meanwhile, in his video-recorded speech to mark the anniversary, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo lauded achievements of the ties over the past 72 years.

He stated the Chinese Party and State highly value the development of such neighbourly friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

The diplomat noted China is willing to work with Vietnam to strengthen political trust, deepen substantive collaboration in all fields, and enhance exchanges and mutual understanding, opening up a new period in the relations between the two parties, countries and peoples./.
Within the framework of the visit, Ambassador Mehtab was welcomed by Major General Bui Hai Son, Commander of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Protection Command, and Deputy Secretary General of the National Assembly Nguyen Truong Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam-Pakistan Friendship Parliamentary Group.

Pakistani Ambassador to Vietnam Samina Mehtab led the Pakistani Embassy delegation to lay a wreath and pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

At the meeting, Major General Bui Hai Son greeted Ambassador Samina Mehtab and the delegation of the Pakistani Embassy, thanking them for taking the time to visit President Ho Chi Minhs mausoleum. At the same time, the Commander of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Protection Command also introduced the history and activities of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Samina Mehtab paid tribute to the legendary and revolutionary leader of Vietnam, the great President Ho Chi Minh. President Ho Chi Minh steadfastly led the Vietnamese people on the path of liberation and did not give up on his seemingly impossible journey. Among the statesmen of the 20th century, Ho Chi Minh was an outstanding leader in both persistence and perseverance in pursuing the goal of Vietnamese independence.

"Being intelligent, powerful and dedicated, Uncle Ho proved himself not only a leader of the people but also a winner, she said. He led the Vietnamese nation in the struggle for national independence. He not only said, but also proved by his actions, that 'There is nothing more precious than independence and freedom'.

The Pakistani Ambassador also affirmed that Pakistan and Vietnam have always had a close relationship. The two countries have outstanding cooperation in different fields, especially in the fields of economy and trade. However, the cooperation is still not commensurate with the potential of the two countries.

Therefore, Pakistan attaches great importance to its relationship with Vietnam and wishes to expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields of mutual interest.

For his part, Deputy Secretary General of the National Assembly, Chairman of the Vietnam-Pakistan Friendship Parliamentary Group Nguyen Truong Giang expressed his belief that with the favorable development momentum and rich experiences of 50 years of exchange and cooperation, together with the joint efforts of both sides, the Vietnam-Pakistan friendship and cooperation will continue to make new and greater achievements, meeting the practical interests of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world.

At the end of the ceremony, Pakistani Ambassador Samina Mehtab wrote in a guestbook at the Mausoleum. After that, Ambassador Mehtab and the delegation of the Embassy of Pakistan came to lay a wreath, visit the Mausoleum to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and visit the Presidential Palace relic./.
AFP news agency published a report on the incense making village in Hanoi.

Accordingly, the news agency described it as an ancient, dazzling tradition of the Vietnamese people. The video has also been shared by some other newspapers, thus helping promote the cultural values and traditional customs of the Vietnamese people among foreign visitors.

Quang Phu Cau Village in Ung Hoa District, about 35 kilometers from the center of Hanoi, has a tradition of making incense sticks for more than 100 years. Domestically, incense is transported to many central and border provinces. In addition, this product is also exported to many countries such as China, India and Malaysia.

In 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit business hard, sales decreased by 30% compared to other years. However, the villagers of Quang Phu Cau still believe that the business will recover soon in 2022 when the population is fully vaccinated.

Before that, for many years, Quang Phu Cau Village was a rendezvous for domestic and international photographers. Images of incense sticks arranged evenly on the ground appeared and won many major photography awards./.
Aerial photo taken on June 28, 2021 shows the Yunwu Bridge of the Duyun-Anshun expressway in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Tao Liang)

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- China has unveiled a plan outlining major targets for transportation network development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

High-speed railways will stretch to a total length of 50,000 kilometers in 2025, up from 38,000 kilometers in 2020, and 250-km ones are expected to cover 95 percent of cities with populations above 500,000, per the document released by the State Council.

The country will have 165,000 kilometers of railways in 2025, up from 146,000 kilometers five years earlier; more than 270 civil airports, up from 241; 10,000 kilometers of subway lines in cities, up from 6,600 kilometers; 190,000 kilometers of expressways, up from 161,000 kilometers; and 18,500 kilometers of high-level inland waterways, up from 16,100 kilometers.

The transportation system will also be greener. Cities will see 72 percent of buses running on new energy, an improvement from 66.2 percent, and the carbon dioxide emission intensity of the transportation sector will be decreased by 5 percent.

The main goal is to achieve integrated development in 2025, with tangible breakthroughs in the intelligent and green transformation of the transportation system, according to the plan.

Looking to 2035, the plan aims to build "1-2-3 circles" for passenger trips and the transportation of goods.

That means travel time within cities and city clusters, and among metropolises will be cut to one hour, two hours and three hours, respectively. It will be possible for mail sent by express services to be delivered in as short a time as one day within China, two days when sent to neighboring countries, and three days when sent to major cities globally.

In 2025, grain, energy and ore transportation safety in major channels will have a stronger guarantee, and international logistics supply chains will be better protected, according to the plan.

International connectivity will also be improved, the plan said, specifying efforts to enhance transportation infrastructure with neighboring countries, push for the high-quality development of China-Europe freight train routes, and build an "Air Silk Road," among others.

Editor: GSY
A person is swabbed at a COVID-19 testing site on Times Square in New York, the United States, Jan. 9, 2022. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

"The United States today is, once again, headed for civil war, and, once again, it cannot bear to face it. The political problems are both structural and immediate, the crisis both longstanding and accelerating. The American political system has become so overwhelmed by anger that even the most basic tasks of government are increasingly impossible," said Stephen Marche, author of the book "The Next Civil War."

by Xinhua writer Sun Yi

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has recorded over 65 million confirmed cases and 850,000 related deaths, both ranking the first in the world, according to statistics released by Johns Hopkins University on Monday.

In a country considered the most developed in the world with a leading health care system, the government's botched COVID-19 response is yet another testament to the dysfunction of U.S. democracy.

DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM IN TROUBLE AGAIN

In an article published on Jan. 4 on the website of The Guardian newspaper, Stephen Marche, author of the book "The Next Civil War," warned that the next U.S. civil war is already here -- "we just refuse to see it."

"The United States today is, once again, headed for civil war, and, once again, it cannot bear to face it. The political problems are both structural and immediate, the crisis both longstanding and accelerating. The American political system has become so overwhelmed by anger that even the most basic tasks of government are increasingly impossible," said Marche.

Photo taken on March 11, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

"The legal system grows less legitimate by the day. Trust in government at all levels is in freefall, or, like Congress, with approval ratings hovering around 20 percent, cannot fall any lower," he added.

"Right now, elected sheriffs openly promote resistance to federal authority. Right now, militias train and arm themselves in preparation for the fall of the Republic. Right now, doctrines of a radical, unachievable, messianic freedom spread across the internet, on talk radio, on cable television, in the malls," he added.

"Under such conditions, party politics have become mostly a distraction. The parties and the people in the parties no longer matter much, one way or the other. Blaming one side or the other offers a perverse species of hope," he noted.

Last year, after the Delta variant caused a new wave of outbreaks in the southern states, home to low vaccination rates, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a vaccine injunction, originally scheduled to be implemented from Jan. 4 this year. However, a number of Republican-run state governments took the issue to court and halted the mandate.

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about the U.S. political system. A December poll last year by Schoen Cooperman Research found that a majority of Americans now believe democracy in the United State is in danger of disappearing, with those aged 18 to 29 expressing the most concern.

"ENTROPY OF CONSTRAINT" INCREASES IN U.S.

"Entropy" is originally a physical concept, which represents the disorder or randomness of a system. The higher the entropy, the more chaotic it is. How to bolster the "Entropy Reduction Mechanism" for all parties to better coordinate and eliminate buck-passing is a major issue facing many governments. Clearly, the U.S. government must reduce its entropy.

A medical worker takes a nasal swab sample from a man for COVID-19 testing in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

"The pandemic has proved to be a nearly two-year stress test that the United States flunked, with an already distrustful populace exposed to a level of institutional failure that added fuel to the angry battles over how to respond," said Zeynep Tufekci, an opinion columnist, in an article in The New York Times.

The United States is "bankrupt" in trust as its people have lost confidence during the pandemic, the columnist said, citing Martin Cetron, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention veteran of battles against Ebola in Africa.

"America's pandemic playbook assumed the U.S. could take collective action. The country proved that wrong," correspondent German Lopez wrote in a story posted on news website Vox.

"Whenever collective action is called for, Americans don't do it -- or, at the very least, don't do it sufficiently. America is too politicized, fractured, and, above all, individualistic for a collective move to save it," said Lopez.

"America's federalist structure also makes collective action, handed down from the federal level, extremely difficult. That's the context in which one very loud politician or a handful of contrarian states have managed to throw the collective project into chaos over the last year and a half," he said.

With the absence of a national strategy at the federal level, states and cities were largely left on their own in battling the pandemic in a disjointed, piecemeal fashion, which proved to be woefully inadequate.

As of Saturday, nearly 40 percent of the population in the United States is still not fully vaccinated.

Carlos del Rio, executive associate dean of the Emory School of Medicine and Grady Health System in Georgia, told Xinhua last month that the main reasons for the recent surge were increasing transmissibility of new variants, seasonality of the pandemic which sees the number of cases increasing in colder weather, and the number of unvaccinated.

"Mandates are important to get more people vaccinated," del Rio told Xinhua. "Getting more people vaccinated through mandates and requirements, providing boosting and making rapid testing readily available are the priorities," he said.

"A more united front (to fight the pandemic) would be very nice. Unfortunately the politicization of the pandemic has been an issue from the start and will continue to be so," del Rio noted.

INTENSIFIED SOCIAL FRAGMENTATION

When a pandemic raging, should the government save the people or save the market first? Which is more important, pandemic prevention and control or economic recovery? These are two must-answer questions in the global fight against COVID-19.

A woman walks past the Wall Street Charging Bull in New York, the United States, Dec. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

For the United States, protecting the economy is more important than saving lives and saving the stock market is more important than ending the epidemic, clearly exposing the selfish nature of capitalism.

Neoliberalism advocates laissez-faire market economy. In the past decades, American economic governance has been deeply influenced by neoliberalism, and the decline of people's livelihoods in the "Rust Belt" region and the prosperity of Wall Street have become the epitome of social imbalance.

In this regard, American economist Heather Boushey said that to completely transform the American economy, policymakers should understand that the market cannot play the role of government.

Most medical institutions and medical insurance companies in the United States are privately owned, and the cost of medical care is high. About 25 million people belonging to vulnerable groups cannot afford insurance. Many infected people become sources of infection themselves because of the difficulty of securing timely treatment, thus accelerating the spread of the virus.

According to the CDC, Hispanics have twice the risk of contracting COVID-19 and 2.3 times the risk of dying from the virus compared to Whites. Native Americans and African Americans are also at higher risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19 than Whites.

While low-income groups are under the pressure of unemployment, poverty and high infection risk, from March 2020 to January 2021 the total wealth of more than 600 American billionaires increased from about 2.947 trillion U.S. dollars to 4.085 trillion, an increase of 38.6 percent, all thanks to the generous financial rescue aid of the U.S. government.

In addition, some politicians have taken advantage of anti-intellectual and populist sentiments in the United States to spread anti-science rhetoric in an attempt to deflect blame for the government's failure to contain the virus.

"The fact that the United States fared so poorly ... is a profound sign of how decayed our institutions and capacity have become," said opinion writer Tufekci.

Editor: GSY
Medical workers deliver medicine for the elderly in quarantine at a community under close-off management where a locally transmitted COVID-19 case was found in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 18, 2022. Beijing reported two confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and one other person testing positive for COVID-19 from Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to local authorities. The two confirmed cases were found in the Haidian District, while the person testing positive for COVID-19 was detected in Chaoyang District, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention. The community where the newly-comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. Many frontline workers and volunteers have been devoted to ensuring sufficient food and medicine supplies for residents in the community. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Beijing reported two confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and one other person testing positive for COVID-19 from Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to local authorities.

The two confirmed cases were found in the Haidian District, while the person testing positive for COVID-19 was detected in Chaoyang District, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention.

The new confirmed cases are close contacts of a previous case reported on Jan. 15.

The person testing positive was found Tuesday morning and the result was verified by the municipal center for disease prevention and control in the afternoon. The sample collected showed evidence of the Delta variant.

Beijing has conducted epidemiological investigations and traced close contacts of the cases.

Staff members deliver daily necessities ordered by residents in quarantine at a community under close-off management where a locally transmitted COVID-19 case was found in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 18, 2022. Beijing reported two confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and one other person testing positive for COVID-19 from Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to local authorities. The two confirmed cases were found in the Haidian District, while the person testing positive for COVID-19 was detected in Chaoyang District, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention. The community where the newly-comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. Many frontline workers and volunteers have been devoted to ensuring sufficient food and medicine supplies for residents in the community. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

A staff member delivers daily necessities ordered by residents in quarantine at a community under close-off management where a locally transmitted COVID-19 case was found in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 18, 2022. Beijing reported two confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and one other person testing positive for COVID-19 from Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to local authorities. The two confirmed cases were found in the Haidian District, while the person testing positive for COVID-19 was detected in Chaoyang District, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention. The community where the newly-comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. Many frontline workers and volunteers have been devoted to ensuring sufficient food and medicine supplies for residents in the community. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Photo taken on Jan. 18, 2022 shows a community under close-off management where a locally transmitted COVID-19 case was found in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China. Beijing reported two confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and one other person testing positive for COVID-19 from Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to local authorities. The two confirmed cases were found in the Haidian District, while the person testing positive for COVID-19 was detected in Chaoyang District, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention. The community where the newly-comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. Many frontline workers and volunteers have been devoted to ensuring sufficient food and medicine supplies for residents in the community. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

A staff member disinfects parcels at a community under close-off management where a locally transmitted COVID-19 case was found in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 18, 2022. Beijing reported two confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and one other person testing positive for COVID-19 from Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to local authorities. The two confirmed cases were found in the Haidian District, while the person testing positive for COVID-19 was detected in Chaoyang District, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal center for disease control and prevention. The community where the newly-comfirmed case lives is under close-off management. Many frontline workers and volunteers have been devoted to ensuring sufficient food and medicine supplies for residents in the community. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Editor: GSY
Photo taken on Jan. 1, 2022 shows containers loading and unloading at the Port of Morah in Brunei, operated by a joint venture between China and Brunei. (Xinhua)

In 2012, the 10 ASEAN countries launched the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). On November 15, 2020, 10 ASEAN countries and five other Asia-Pacific countries, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, formally signed the agreement. On November 2, 2021, RCEP reached the entry-into-force threshold. On January 1, 2022, the Agreement entered into force for the 10 countries that had submitted their instruments of ratification. RCEP covers a population of 2.27 billion and accounts for 33% of global GDP and 30% of global exports. As a free trade agreement with the largest number of participants, the most diverse membership structure, the largest economic scale, and the greatest development potential in the world, the RCEP's entry into force has created new opportunities for deepening regional cooperation, injected strong impetus into the opening-up and integration of the world economy, and provided a powerful engine for the sustained prosperity of the Chinese economy.

Deepening economic openness and integration, taking regional cooperation to a new level

First, the effective implementation of RCEP helps foster new growth points for regional economic and trade cooperation and deepen economic openness and integration in East Asia.

From the perspective of economic and trade cooperation, the effective implementation of the RCEP will enhance regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, promote trade and investment exchanges among countries in the region, and push the "accelerator button" for expanding regional trade and investment. Specifically, in the area of trade, on the one hand, after RCEP takes effect, tariffs on over 90% of trade in goods approved by RCEP members will eventually be zero, injecting positive energy into the prosperity and development of regional trade in goods; on the other hand, all the 15 RCEP member countries have made commitments on the opening-up of trade in services that are deeper than those in the 10+1 Free Trade Agreement, which will greatly improve and upgrade intra-regional trade in services. In the area of investment, RCEP has clarified the prohibition of performance requirements, adopted the negative list model to make relevant commitments on non-service investment, and strengthened investment protection, which is conducive to promoting fruitful investment in the region.

From the perspective of industrial and supply chain operation, the effective implementation of RCEP will increase their stickiness, expand the network of regional industrial and supply chains, and contribute to maintaining smooth and stable regional industrial and supply chains. At present, profound changes unseen in a century are intertwined with the pandemic of the century, and the industrial and supply chains of the region and the world are facing unprecedented challenges. Against such a grim backdrop, the RCEP's entry into force and the launch of the world's largest free trade zone will facilitate the smooth and orderly flow of various economic factors, such as people and goods, strengthen the division of production and cooperation among countries in the region, and effectively contribute to the security, stability, and the integration of regional industrial and supply chains.

Second, the effective implementation of RCEP will help enhance economic connectivity in the Asia-Pacific and usher in a new stage of regional integration. As the world's largest free trade agreement, the scheduled entry into force of RCEP will speed up negotiations on the China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Area and boost confidence in the eventual conclusion of the agreement. Through RCEP, China and Japan, China and Korea have established their first free-trade partnerships, which will unleash potentials of practical cooperation among the three countries, expand the space for mutually beneficial cooperation, and create favorable conditions for the smooth conclusion of a trilateral free trade agreement. RCEP is also a modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial new type of free trade agreement signed by 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It covers about one-third of the global economy and is seen as an important force driving higher-quality and deeper integration in the region. When RCEP is implemented, it will contribute to the implementation of the APECs connectivity blueprint, raise the level of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, and promote the building of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. It will provide strong support for the building of an Asia-Pacific community of shared future featuring open, inclusive, innovative growth, connectivity, and win-win cooperation.

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Editor: ZAD
By Trend

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of a statue to philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev in Baku on January 18, Trend reports.

A statue to Taghiyev was erected in a square in front of the Icherisheher metro station. The height of the monument is 2.5 meters.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and the Baku City Executive Power held an open sculpture competition in 2019 to pick the winner. Azerbaijani People's Artist Khanlar Ahmadov was selected.

Correspondents of Trend TV visited the territory where the statue to Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev was erected and asked about the impressions of the residents of the capital.




The United States will continue to support Ukraine and will provide an additional $300 million in 2022, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.

At a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv, Blinken said the United States will continue to support Ukraine that includes defense and security assistance. Such support is given from both sides of the United States. This was evident during the visit of the delegation of senators yesterday, and also during the visit of the delegation of the House of Representatives in December. This is the signal given by the U.S. Congress that the United States continues and will continue to support Ukraine in 2022, and will allocate an additional $300 million.
Fifth president of Ukraine, leader of European Solidarity Petro Poroshenko called on Western partners to provide Ukraine with more weapons and impose strong sanctions against the Russian Federation, the press service of Eurosolidarity reported.

What we need today is to make Russia weaker and this is possible thanks to sanctions. And Ukraine should be made stronger. Every day we must receive new defensive lethal weapons, including electronic defense equipment, air defense, anti-tank weapons, intelligence. Unfortunately, we do not have enough of this. However, there is a positive trend, the West is increasing the corresponding supplies," Poroshenko said in an interview with CNN.

He said that Ukraine has a positive experience in the line of the British Ministry of Defense [Great Britain delivered a batch of light anti-tank weapons to Ukraine].

Poroshenko noted that the more assistance Ukraine receives, the more likely it is not to have Russian aggression. He also said that in order to strengthen internal unity, it is necessary to consolidate all democratic forces and, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, hold a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who will arrive in Ukraine on a visit.

We must now increase the price that Putin will pay thanks to the hellish sanctions against him. Thanks to a significant increase in the defense potential of Ukraine, thousands of Russians will die here. We do not need NATO soldiers, but we will definitely defend our land. Nord Stream 2, which is Putin's attempt to destroy the energy security of European countries, should also be stopped, because it is not an economic or energy project. And Ukraine should receive, as we were promised, a NATO Membership Action Plan," Poroshenko said.
Russia is currently capable of launching an attack on Ukraine at any moment, White House press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday.

"We're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine," she said a briefing.

"But where things stand right now: President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin has created this crisis by amassing 100,000 Russian troops along Ukraine's borders. This includes moving Russian forces into Belarus recently for joint exercises and conducting additional exercises on Ukraines eastern border," she noted.

Psaki recalled the talks scheduled for Friday between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. According to her, Blinken will emphasize at the talks the need to de-escalate the situation and point out the potential for a diplomatic settlement of the situation. However, Psaki added, Russia will have to decide whether it will face the economic consequences of its actions.
The Almaty Airport has resumed normal operation, the airport press service said on Wednesday.

"The Almaty International Airport begins normal operation as the state of emergency and the curfew end in Almaty at 12 a.m. on January 19, 2022," the press service said.

The state of emergency declared in Kazakhstan on January 5 expired at midnight on January 19. Kazakhstan declared the state of emergency after protests against a steep rise of liquefied gas prices, which broke out in Zhanaozen in the Mangistau region of western Kazakhstan, developed into mass unrest across the country. The authorities said that criminals and terrorists took advantage of the situation and launched attacks on administrative buildings, police stations and shops. Almaty sustained the highest damage.

The Almaty Airport, which is the largest in Kazakhstan, was attacked in the small hours of January 6. The airport was trashed, and windows of cafes, shops and ticket offices were smashed. The airport reopened on January 13 yet flights were performed between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. The airport security was tightened to ensure law and order.

The Almaty Airport operates as part of the TAV Airports Holding.
The U.S. government has transferred to Ukraine about 1 million more doses of Pfizer vaccines against COVID-19 coronavirus infection, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine reported on Tuesday.

"This delivery by UNICEF through COVAX is part of a global effort and will help ensure Ukrainians have critical protection from the disease, especially with the spread of Omicron variant," the Embassy said on Twitter.

As reported, in last days of 2021, the Ministry of Health reported on the procurement of 25 million doses of the Comirnaty/Pfizer vaccine and 6.5 million doses of the Coronavac vaccine in 2022. It was also previously expected about 10 million doses on the Covax program.

By order of the Ministry of Health dated January 6, 2022, it is recommended to administer a booster dose of the vaccine to people over 18 years old who received two doses of the vaccine more than six months ago. For a booster dose, preference is given to MRNA vaccines - Moderna or Comirnaty from Pfizer-BioNTech, regardless of which vaccine the person was vaccinated with. Those who received the first two CoronaVac vaccinations from Sinovac Biotech are recommended to administer a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine.
Health Ministry allows use of any vaccine registered in Ukraine for revaccination against COVID-19

The Ministry of Health has allowed the use of any vaccine registered in Ukraine for revaccination against COVID-19 (vaccination with a booster dose).

This follows from the text of the order of the Ministry of Health No. 26 of January 6, 2022 "On the implementation of the decision of the operational headquarters of the Ministry of Health to respond to the situation of the spread of infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccination."

According to the text of the order, published on the website of the Ministry of Health, it is allowed to use any of the vaccines registered in Ukraine for revaccination.

According to the Register of Medicines, COVID vaccines from AstraZeneca, Sinovac Biotech, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson are currently registered in Ukraine.

The text of the order does not indicate which vaccines should be given preference, respectively, you can choose any of those registered in Ukraine.

Revaccination, according to the order, is carried out no earlier than six months after the last dose of the primary vaccination.

This order also allows revaccination for all categories of the population over 18 years of age who do not belong to the priority vaccination group, provided that sufficient vaccines are available.

At the same time, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, after studying the effectiveness of an additional dose of the vaccine, recommended revaccination with an additional (third) dose of people over 60 years of age with the CoronaVac vaccine.

This recommendation was based on an analysis of immunogenicity and efficacy data collected in several countries and was endorsed by the Director General of WHO.

As reported with reference to operational data as of January 17, more than 113,500 Ukrainians have already received a booster dose of vaccine against COVID-19. In particular, 532 people received a booster dose of the CoronaVac vaccine, 103,490 people received the Pfizer/Comirnaty vaccine, 608 people received the AstraZeneca vaccine, and 8,930 people received the Moderna vaccine.

Earlier, Chief Sanitary Doctor Ihor Kuzin predicted that 300,000-400,000 people would have time to make a booster dose of vaccination against COVID-19 before the start of a new wave of the disease.

According to the Ministry of Health, a total of 552,000 citizens were vaccinated last week, and 29.37 million vaccinations have been made since the start of the vaccination campaign. Vaccination covered 15 million Ukrainians, of which 14.28 million received two doses.
Kyiv's Pechersky District Court has chosen the fifth president of Ukraine, leader of the European Solidarity party, Petro Poroshenko, a measure of restraint in the "coal case" in the form of personal obligations.

The court made such a decision on Wednesday, thus not satisfying the petition of the prosecutor's office, which asked to choose the detention measure for Poroshenko with an alternative bail in the amount of UAH 1 billion.

As reported, on December 20, 2021, the State Bureau of Investigations notified Poroshenko of suspicion of high treason and assistance to terrorist organizations in the framework of a case on a criminal scheme for supplying coal from temporarily occupied territories.

Poroshenko has been on a diplomatic tour since December 17, 2021. On the morning of January 17, he returned to Ukraine and arrived at the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv for choosing a preventive measure, but the court session was postponed to January 19.

On the morning of January 17, Poroshenko returned to Ukraine and arrived at the Pechersky District Court in Kyiv to elect a preventive measure.

During Monday, the court was considering the petition for the election of a preventive measure for him. The prosecutor's office asked the court to arrest Poroshenko with an alternative of a bail of UAH 1 billion. His defense lawyers insisted that Poroshenko does not have the status of a suspect, the persecution is political in nature and is not legally justified. The lawyers also stated the need to open criminal proceedings on the fact of bringing to justice an obviously innocent person.

The judge heard the participants in the trial and retired to the deliberation room to make a decision. The ruling on the petition was not announced on January 17, the meeting was postponed to 14:00 on January 19. From Monday to Wednesday the judge was in the deliberation room.
Ukraine expects successful agreements from the United States and the EU on agreeing on a single package of sanctions against Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

"Our main expectation is from the United States, from our European partners, that they successfully agree on a strong package of sanctions that will be applied against Russia. We understand that negotiations are ongoing, and we discussed this with Antony [Blinken] today. He told about progress on this issue, but Russia must receive daily very clear signals that the unbearable burden that our partners are talking about in the form of sanctions is real, and not just a threat, that daily progress is being made in negotiations between the United States and the EU regarding the a single package," Kuleba said during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken in Kyiv on Wednesday.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued pardons for 986 male and female prison inmates on the occasion of Eid El-Fitr, the Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday.
Al-Azhar condemned Friday terrorist attack on a mosque in Afghanistans capital Kabul that left dozens of worshippers dead and injured.
Vietnam plans to fully reopen door to international tourism in April

A senior Government official in charge of tourism suggested Vietnam should fully reopen the door to international tourism in April 2022 in order to speed up its ongoing tourism recovery.









Vietnam is likely to fully reopen its door to international tourism on April 30. Illustrative photo





Addressing a conference on improving competitiveness on January 18, Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung noted Vietnam is kick-starting its tourism recovery scheme by reopening the door to domestic tourism that has received support from localities and travel businesses as well.



However, he said the reopening of international tourism market will help ramp up the sectors recovery process.



We cannot wait so long, and April 30 will be the right time, he said suggesting the roadmap.



Minister Hung informed the conference about a pilot scheme to welcome back international tourists with a vaccine passport Vietnam has carried out since mid-November 2021.



Over the past two months, the tourism sector has welcomed 7,800 foreign visitors coming from a number markets with a high safety level such as Japan, the Republic of Korea and Russia. Meanwhile, Vietnam remains a favourite destination of foreign travelers as it has been ranked sixth globally in terms of vaccination coverage.



The pilot scheme has achieving initial encouraging results when visitors are eager to return to Vietnam in safe conditions. This indicates Vietnam is a safe destination in the region and the world, said Hung.



The Minister requested that localities continue implementing the pilot scheme from now until April 30, and if the proposal is approved, Vietnam will fully reopen its market to international tourism.



This is determination, not idealism, he said.



Pham Van Thuy, deputy director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, also agreed that Vietnam should fully reopen its international tourism market in the second quarter so that localities and businesses have time to prepare conditions for welcoming guests.



They will have more time to strengthen tourism promotion and expand the scope of the pilot scheme to remove constraints, he said.



Tran Trong Kien, chairman of the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) and Truong Gia Binh, head of the Private Sector Research and Development Board (Board IV), also agreed with the above proposals, noting that this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to revitalise the tourism sector.



The local tourism sector has borne the brunt of the prolonged COVID-19 outbreak for more than 20 months. Late last year the Prime Minister approved a pilot scheme to welcome back foreign visitors with a vaccine passport to five localities in Vietnam. On November 17, 29 tourists from various countries came to UNESCO-recognised Hoi An ancient town, kick-starting the pilot programme.



Khanh Hoa and Phu Quoc then followed hot on the heels of receiving groups of foreign tourists.



So far seven localities have been allowed to receive foreign tourists with a vaccine passport under the pilot programme. They are Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh.


By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

An Azerbaijani civilian has been severely injured in a mine blast in Goranboy regions Tapgaragoyunlu village, Trend reported on January 18, citing the regional prosecutor's office.

Tapgaragoyunlu village resident Vugar Mammadov (25) hit an anti-personnel mine while grazing sheep, the report added.

As a result of the incident, Mammadov was hospitalized and his leg was amputated.

The Goranboy regional prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the incident. Prosecutors visited the scene, conducted a forensic medical examination, and took other procedural steps.

In an address to the 6th Eastern Partnership Summit of the European Union held in Brussels on December 15, 2021, President Ilham Aliyev said that about 200 people had been killed or injured in mine explosions to that date. In this regard, he stressed the importance of the European Union and member states providing technical and financial assistance to Azerbaijan to eliminate the mine problem.

Armenia deliberately and constantly planted mines on Azerbaijani territories, in violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, thereby being a major threat to regional peace, security, and cooperation.

On June 12, 2021, Azerbaijan handed over 15 Armenian prisoners in exchange for a map detailing the location of 97,000 mines in Aghdam.

On July 3, 2021, Armenia submitted to Azerbaijan maps of about 92,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines planted during the occupation of Fuzuli and Zangilan regions.

Yerevan submitted to Baku all mine maps of Azerbaijan's liberated territories as a result of talks through Russia's mediation on December 4, 2021. The accuracy of the maps is still to be checked.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Russia-brokered peace agreement on November 10, 2020, to end 44 days of fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.
Germany's top court said Tuesday that it has rejected the appeal of a former member of Syria's secret police who was convicted last year of facilitating the torture of prisoners in his home country.
The construction of Egypts first nuclear plant, El-Dabaa, with Russia is set to begin in July, Alexey Likhachev, the CEO of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM), said on Tuesday.

In November 2015, the Egyptian government signed an agreement with Russia to build Egypts first nuclear power plant in the Dabaa region of Marsa Matrouh, which aims to generate a total of 4,800 megawatts through four units.

They [the Egyptian authorities] are set to do everything to carry out the initial concreting in July, Likachev told Russian journalists, according to Russias news agency TASS.

His statements come a few weeks after ROSATOM submitted documents for units three and four of El-Dabaa Nuclear Plant to the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA).

The documents were submitted ahead of schedule, according to ROSATOM, and are awaiting permissions so that both the Egyptian and Russian sides can begin full-scale construction.

According to the projects design, the nuclear plant will have four VVER-1,200 reactor units. The first unit is scheduled to be operational in 2026.

In November 2021, Egypt signed a long-term one million-dollar agreement with the Czech UJV Rez Research and Development company to consult on the El-Dabaa Nuclear Plant, according to Chairman of the ENRRA Sami Shaaban.

According to the contract, UJV Rez will provide technical assistance to the Egyptian supervisory authority in licensing the nuclear plant in El-Dabaa.

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After almost seven years of conflict, the war in Yemen is threatening security and stability in the Red Sea and Arab Gulf zone, two areas of strategic interest to Egypt.

On Monday, Abu Dhabi Airport and the Adnoc oil refinery were the targets of a Houthi missile and drone attack that killed three foreign workers and caused a fire that was quickly extinguished. The Houthis openly claimed responsibility for the attack, which they named Yemen Hurricane, and promised further assaults on the oil-rich emirate.

Yemen Hurricane marked a significant shift in the pattern of hostilities since Decisive Storm, the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen in support of the internationally recognised government, was launched on 25 March 2015.

It is unclear where this weeks attack will take the conflict. Though UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed has promised retaliation, what this might involve, and how it will impact on the wider regional context, remains a matter of speculation.

Cairo is concerned about any escalation of hostilities in Yemen, and the possibility of a spillover in the sensitive Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab zones that could impact navigation through the Suez Canal.

Speaking off record, an Egyptian official said that Cairo hopes neither the UAE nor its allies are considering anything beyond surgical interventions. He added that Cairo had been hoping to see a political deal that could put an end to, or at least start a phase of drawing down, the war in Yemen, rather than a new phase in hostilities that have already taken a serious toll on regional security and plunged Yemen into a humanitarian crisis.

Since 2015 Egypt has confined itself to sharing intelligence, providing technical expertise, and offering a limited maritime presence but did not send troops to Yemen.

Foreign and UN diplomats say the seven-year conflict has already wreaked havoc on the already frail humanitarian situation in Yemen, has fomented political and military tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and intensified the stand-off between Saudi Arabia and Iran. According to one UN diplomatic source, there can be no political compromise in Yemen without Riyadh and Tehran agreeing to it.

A Cairo-based European diplomat casts the net even wider, arguing that there will be no end to the war in Yemen, or to Iranian-instigated friction in Lebanon and Iraq, before a comprehensive deal between Iran and the West over Tehrans nuclear programme is reached. It is almost impossible, he added, not to link the timing of the Houthi attack on Abu Dhabi with the twists and turns of the talks in Vienna between Iran and the West.

Mondays attack came hours after the Emirati Minister of International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimi had told Iranian Minister of Culture Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili that the UAE would welcome a visit by Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi. While the discussion, which took part on the sidelines of Expo 2020 Dubai, was more of a PR exercise than an official invitation, it did come just a few months after the UAE had dispatched its intelligence chief for talks in Tehran.

The UAEs opening up to Iran has been happening in parallel with backchannel talks between the Saudis and the Iranians that have been taking place in Muscat and Baghdad. But informed diplomatic sources say that it is important to remember that despite the backchannel talks, there has been an escalation in Saudi-led attacks on Houthi targets in Shabwa and the city of Marib, led by the so-called Giant Forces and the Guardians of the Republic. Members of both groups trained at a UAE military base in Eritrea.

The same sources also say that, while the UAE pulled its regular troops from Yemen in February 2020, following an earlier July 2019 military drawdown, it has maintained a political and economic presence, largely in the south, through its association with key players, and by maintaining some special forces on the ground. Mondays attack, they argue, could be in retaliation for the UAEs role in the recent military pressure under which the Houthis have been placed in recent weeks.

Karim Ahmed, a Gulf-based expert on Yemen and regional security, says it is significant that this weeks dangerous attack followed indirect threats made on Twitter by Houthi Spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam who, in recent weeks, has twice met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahein.

It is a worrying situation. The bottom line of Mondays attack is that the Houthis are now warning that the UAE is no longer a safe place for foreigners and foreign businesses, Ahmed said, and this is something the Emiratis cannot ignore.

What is at stake for the UAE is not just the security of its territory, but also the huge investments it has made over a decade to establish its presence in ports around the Red Sea.

Like the UAE, Egypt, says one Cairo official, does not want to see any further destabilisation of the Red Sea. Perhaps unlike the UAE, he adds, Egypt opposes the intervention of foreign forces, whether regional or international, in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab zone.

We have been encouraging de-escalation during the past year and we have been inviting representatives of Yemeni political factions for talks in the hope of supporting any possible de-escalation scenario. Now, we are worried the opposite may take place, said the official.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri called his UAE counterpart and, according to a statement from his office, expressed Egypts full support for the UAE and any possible action it may take. But the message, qualifies an Egyptian official, included support for deterrent action, not anything that might expand hostilities.

The UAE received several other calls from regional and world capitals, including Riyadh and Washington.

According to an informed Emirati source, the UAEs foreign minister told his interlocutors that the world needs to shift its approach towards the Houthis and start dealing with them as yet another terror group.

According to Baleegh Mekhalifi, press attache of the Embassy of Yemen in Cairo, which is associated with the Saudi-supported and internationally recognised government of Yemen, it is time for countries of the region and for the world to accept the need for a significant shift in strategy towards the Houthis because all compromise has failed.

According to Cairo and other influential capitals, a change of strategy on Yemen should involve pushing a political compromise that prevents further attacks on the UAE, Saudi Arabia or other countries of the region.

Cairo-based foreign diplomats say that Mondays attack could serve as a reminder of the need to focus more on managing the Yemen crisis which is often qualified by the international humanitarian community as the forgotten war, though more than 100,000 people have been killed, four million people displaced, and 24 million people are in urgent need of food, medicine, and shelter.

The same diplomats warn that managing the war in Yemen depends not only on the fate of the Vienna talks and the Saudi-Iranian standoff, but also concerns the growing power struggles between regional players over the Red Sea, trade lines, maritime facilities, and military bases.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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A delegation led by South Korea's president visiting Saudi Arabia inked a preliminary deal Tuesday to explore a project to develop a potentially cleaner form of energy. The development comes even as Saudi Arabia remains South Korea's top supplier of crude oil.

The visit was the second stop on a Mideast tour by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife, who was greeted on the tarmac by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and an honour guard marching band. All were masked and Moon did not shake hands with the prince, in line with coronavirus social distancing practices.

The preliminary deal centres on developing a project in Saudi Arabia to produce green hydrogen for export, according to the state-owned Saudi Press Agency. Supporters of green hydrogen tout it as a less carbon-intensive way to power transportation and curb some of the environmentally destructive impacts of burning gasoline and diesel fuel.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by leading executives and officials from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, South Korea's POSCO and Samsung's C&T construction and engineering company.

South Korea has been pushing ahead with plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050. Saudi Arabia, one of the world's biggest oil and gas producers, last year announced its pledge to reach net-zero by 2060.

Still, both nations deeply depend on oil and gas. Relations between South Korea and Saudi Arabia date to the early 1960s, and have been underpinned since by South Korea's reliance on energy imports to power its manufacturing industries and refineries.

"South Korea has strength in utilizing hydrogen, has world-leading technologies for fuel-cell batteries used in hydrogen cars, and also has plans to build the world's largest liquified hydrogen plant. If Saudi Arabia's ability to produce green and blue hydrogen combines with South Korea's ability to utilize hydrogen, the two countries could jointly lead the global hydrogen economy,'' Moon said at a business forum following his talks with Prince Mohammed.

Around a third of South Korea's oil imports are from Saudi Arabia, making the kingdom Seoul's top supplier of crude.

More than 90% of South Korea's imports from Saudi Arabia are concentrated in oil, according to a 2018 report published by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. South Korean exports to the kingdom are also not varied, consisting mostly of automobiles and construction equipment. Nearly 90% of South Korea's investments in Saudi Arabia are in the construction sector.

Although the Saudi economy remains heavily reliant on oil and gas exports for revenue, the crown prince's Vision 2030 plan calls for creating new industries and attracting foreign investment in a range of non-oil sectors, including nuclear technology, construction, artificial intelligence, education and healthcare.

Moon's office said he and Prince Mohammed discussed potential deals on defence and advanced weapons systems to Riyadh, as well as South Korea's nuclear fusion reactors. Moon's government has previously expressed interest in South Korea taking part in a major nuclear power plant project in Saudi Arabia.

South Koreans helped neighbouring United Arab Emirates build its $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant, the first of its kind on the Arabian Peninsula.

Moon told Prince Mohammed that South Korea would be an "optimal'' partner for Saudi Arabia's nuclear power plant project and was also willing to explore technology transfers in weapons systems so that they could eventually be manufactured in Saudi Arabia, Seoul's presidential office said.

Moon visited the United Arab Emirates on Monday, where he reportedly reached a preliminary $3.5 billion deal to sell Seoul's surface-to-air missiles to Abu Dhabi and pledged deeper cooperation with the Arab country. The South Korean leader is scheduled to visit Egypt next.

State-run Saudi media said among those who attended Moon's talks with the Saudi crown prince at Al-Yamama Palace in Riyadh were a number of ministers, including the crown prince's younger brother, Prince Khalid bin Salman, who serves as deputy defence minister.

The crown prince has largely taken over day-to-day rule of Saudi Arabia from his father, King Salman. It was unclear whether Moon would also meet the king, who has only made limited public appearances since the pandemic began.

This is the first visit to Saudi Arabia by a South Korean president since 2015. The Saudi crown prince visited South Korea in mid-2019.

Western and Asian billionaires, members of the U.S. Congress, celebrities, world leaders and others have been wooed back to Saudi Arabia.

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Palestinian film Gaza Mon Amour by twin brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser has been nominated for three awards from The Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques (The Academie des Cesar).

The three award nominations are Best Foreign Film, Best Directing, and Best Actress for Hiam Abbass. This is the latest demonstration of the films international success, where it was previously selected as Palestine's official submission for the Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars 2021.

Recently, Gaza Mon Amour opened the Amman International Film Festival and nabbed the Critics Choice Award at the Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland. The film was Palestine's official submission to the Oscars, and it received the Best Actress award and Best Feature Film at the Critics Awards for Arab Films, an initiative organised by the Arab Cinema Centre.

The film also won multiple international awards, including the Best Actor Prize for Salim Daw at the Malmo Arab Film Festival in Sweden, the NETPAC award at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Best Film award and Special Mention at the Cairo International Film Festival, the Best Actor award at the Antalya Film Festival and the Best Film and Best Script awards at the Valladolid International Film Festival.

It is also worth mentioning that Gaza Mon Amour started its successful commercial tour across the Arab world at Zawya Cinema in Egypt, where it had a two-month screening, and it had a three-week screening at Cinema Akil in the UAE, in addition to various screenings in Morocco and Mauritania, which kicked off theatres in November last year.

Gaza Mon Amour is about 60-year-old fisherman Issas (Salim Daw) attempts to declare his secret love to dressmaker Siham (Hiam Abbass), before he discovers an ancient statue of Apollo in his fishing net, which eventually causes trouble with the local authorities. Gaza Mon Amour also stars Maisa Abdelhadi, Georges Iskandar, Haitham Al-Omari, and Manal Awad.

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Yemen's Houthi rebels used cruise and ballistic missiles, in addition to drones, in an attack on Abu Dhabi this week that killed three people and set off fires at a fuel depot and an international airport, the Emirati ambassador to the United States said Wednesday.

The remarks by Ambassador Yousef Al-Otaiba marked an official acknowledgement that missiles and not just drones were used in Monday's attack, claimed by the Iran-backed Houthis.

``Several attacks a combination of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones targeted civilian sites'' in the United Arab Emirates, Al-Otaiba said.

``Several were intercepted, a few of them didn't and three innocent civilians unfortunately lost their lives,`` he added in remarks at a virtual event hosted by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. The event was held to discuss US policies and Israeli relations with the UAE and Bahrain.

Al-Otaiba did not respond to further questions from The Associated Press about how many missiles targeted the UAE and how many were intercepted.

Gulf Arab states, as well as the US, UN experts and others have previously accused Iran of supplying arms to the Houthis, a charge that Tehran denies.

The missiles and bomb-laden drones, if they were fired from the Houthis' stronghold in northern Yemen, would have needed to travel some 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) to reach targets in Abu Dhabi.

Monday's attack targeted an Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. fuel depot outside the city center of the Emirati capital, as well as an area of Abu Dhabi International Airport still under construction.

The attack killed two Indian nationals and one Pakistani. Six people also were wounded at the oil and gas facility when a fire caused an explosion of fuel tankers. Police in Abu Dhabi said preliminary investigations suggested the possibility of drones sparking the fires.

The Houthis said they fired five ballistic missiles and a number of explosive-laden drones in their attack. They said they targeted the airports of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the world's busiest for international transits, as well as an oil refinery and other sensitive Emirati facilities. There was no indication Dubai was hit in Monday's attack.

The UAE was a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that entered Yemen's civil war in 2015, after the Houthis had overrun the capital of Sanaa the previous year and ousted the country's president from power. Although the UAE has largely withdrawn its forces from the conflict, it remains heavily involved in the war and supports local militias on the ground in Yemen.

Earlier this month, Yemeni government forces, aided by Emirati-backed fighters known as the Giants Brigades, took back the province of Shabwa from the Houthis. The loss of this key province was a blow to Houthi efforts to complete their control of the entire northern half of Yemen.

In a statement after the attack, the Houthis warned they would target other vital facilities in the UAE if it continued escalations against the group.

The Houthis have used bomb-laden drones and missiles to attack Saudi Arabia and key oil targets in the Persian Gulf over the course of Yemen's war, now in its eighth year. Monday's attack was the UAE's first acknowledgement of being hit by the Houthis. Though there have been civilian deaths in Saudi Arabia from the Houthi attacks, no deaths were previously reported in the UAE.

Following Monday's attack, the Saudi-led coalition intensified airstrikes on the Houthis across Yemen, including in Sanaa. At least 14 people, including a senior Houthi military official, were killed in one airstrike in Saana, the rebels said. The office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said that there were five civilians among the dead.

The US, meanwhile, condemned the attack against the UAE. The Biden administration vowed to work with the UAE and international partners to hold the Houthis accountable, though it has also repeatedly criticized civilian deaths caused by coalition airstrikes in Yemen.

Al-Otaiba said the UAE is pressing Washington to designate once again the Houthis as a terrorist organization. The ambassador and the UAE's Director of National Intelligence Ali Al-Shamsi are holding meetings in Washington on Wednesday with officials from the White House and Congress to press for this.

President Joe Biden's administration revoked the designation of Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist group in February, undoing a decision by the Trump administration to brand the group as a terrorist organization.

A US designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group would limit aid to Yemen. The war has killed 130,000 people in Yemen; both civilians and fighters and has exacerbated hunger and famine across the impoverished country.

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Two senior US diplomats were in Sudan Wednesday to try to find a way out of the crisis roiling the African country since an October military takeover. An Israeli delegation meanwhile met with Sudan's ruling generals to consolidate newly established ties between their countries.

The Oct. 25 military takeover has upended Sudan's transition to democratic rule after three decades of repression and international isolation under autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, ousted during a popular uprising in April 2019.

US Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and the newly appointed US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, first met with pro-democracy activists from the Sudanese Professionals Association, according to the US Embassy in Khartoum.

The activists led the uprising against al-Bashir and are now a pillar of anti-military takeover protests that have demanded a fully civilian government to lead the transition. The diplomats also met with another group, the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, on ``their positive engagement'' with U.N. efforts to end the deadlock, the embassy said. They were expected to meet with the ruling generals later Wednesday.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said earlier this week that Phee and Satterfield would reiterate Washington's call for Sudanese security forces to ``end violence and respect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.''

Before arriving in Khartoum, the two attended a meeting of the Friends of Sudan group in Saudi Arabia to rally support for U.N. efforts to end Sudan's deadlock. The group includes the United States, Britain and other international governments and world financial institutions.

Sudan's turmoil has been worsened following the resignation of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok earlier this month. Hamdok, who was ousted in the October military takeover only to be reinstated a month later under heavy international pressure, stepped down on Jan. 2 after his efforts to reach a compromise failed.

The Sudan Doctors Committee, also part of the pro-democracy alliance, said one protester was shot and killed Wednesday as security forces removed makeshift barricades in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman.

The barricades were part of a two-day civil disobedience campaign the pro-democracy movement had called for following a deadly crackdown on Monday when security forces opened fire on anti-military takeover protests in Khartoum, killing at least seven people. Wednesday's fatality brings the death toll among the protesters since the military takeover to 72.

Also Wednesday, an Israeli delegation met with top Sudanese military officials in Khartoum, according to a Sudanese military official and Israeli reports.

The Sudanese official said the delegation, including officials from the Mossad spy agency, met with Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the military takeover leader and head of the ruling Sovereign Council, and other military officials. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

The Israeli public TV station Kan also reported the visit and said the plane carrying the Israeli delegation made a brief stop in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh before heading to the Sudanese capital. Israel maintains close security ties with Egypt, the first Arab country to strike peace with Israel.

Sudan normalized ties with Israel in 2020 as part of a series of US-brokered deals between Israel and four Arab countries. The agreement paved the way for the African country to reintegrate into the international community after two decades of isolation under al-Bashir.

Israel has been silent on the October military takeover and its aftermath, indicating it intends to maintain normalized ties with Sudan, which formerly was a top critic of Israel in the Arab world.

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The Egyptian health ministry advised on Wednesday pregnant women and women planning for pregnancy to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Ministry spokesperson Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said that the European Medicine Agency recommends pregnant women be vaccinated since pregnancy has been associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

On Tuesday, the European Medicine Agency announced that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not cause pregnancy complications for expectant mothers and their babies following a detailed review of several studies involving around 65,000 pregnancies at different stages.

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna are among the vaccines Egypt is using in its mass vaccination campaign against the coronavirus.

Egypt has obtained a total of 132 million doses of various coronavirus vaccines so far, of which 36.6 million first doses and 24.1 million second doses have been administered, the acting health minister said during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The minister also revealed that 489,700 booster doses have been used, bringing the number of total administered doses to 61.3 million.

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Egypts Public Prosecution ordered the referral of five defendants to a criminal court over charges that include sexual trafficking and blackmailing a minor girl with "obscene photos" of her in the northern Gharbiya governorate.

Passant Khaled, a 16-year-old high school student, committed suicide in late December by swallowing pesticide after a number of young men sextorted her and circulated the photos in her village.

In a statement late on Tuesday, the prosecution said the five defendants are also facing the charge of exploiting the weakness of the victim by threatening her with the photos.

The prosecution said the defendants threatened Khaled to publish obscene photos of her with the aim of sexually exploiting her and forcing her to do indecent acts.

They are, therefore, charged with violating her personal life and the family principles of the Egyptian society using the internet.

Some of the defendants are also accused of indecently assaulting the girl by force and threats and asking her for favours while threatening her to publish the photos, the statement said.

The prosecution said it listened to the testimony of 13 witnesses and the confessions of the defendants. The prosecution added it also listened to the testimonies of other defendants --minors under the age of 18.

Investigative authorities have detained many people in the case over the past two weeks. One of Khaleds teachers was arrested over bullying her but was then released due to lack of evidence.

According to the statement, the prosecution established evidence against the defendants by reviewing a report by the Ministry of Interior about the photos alleged to be of the girl and other official reports about phone calls between one of the defendants and the victim.

The prosecution sensed through its investigations into the incident the distress the victim had suffered due to the defendants crime until she was forced to get rid of [this distress] by taking her own life, the prosecution said.

The prosecution urged Egyptian parents to listen to their children and to understand their distress and forgive them for the mistakes they commit instead of leaving them to loneliness that can lead to dire consequences.

The tragic case, which has been trending on social media, has created an uproar after Khaled left a suicide note asking her mother to believe that the images were fake and that she was not the girl in the photos.

Egypts penal code criminalises extortion, threats, and violation of private life. In addition, Egypts data protection law criminalises these crimes on the internet.

In TV remarks following the incident MP Ehab Ramzy, a law professor, said extortion and threats to uncover personal secrets is punishable by up to five years in prison.

The prosecution called on legislators to consider toughening penalties of crimes violating private life that may drive victims to commit suicide as a result of threats.

Legislators should also consider criminalising the selling of pesticide tablets to non-specialists and toughening the penalty of selling them to children, the prosecution said, noting that it recognised they are easily circulated without restrictions.

Earlier this month, the National Council for Women (NCW) urged drafting more laws that penalise this kind of blackmail and launching awareness campaigns for women and girls to familiarise them with their rights and the means to protect themselves against these crimes.

Families should also believe their girls and stand by them, the prosecution said.

The NCW affirmed providing support and assistance to women and girls in similar circumstances, whether through in-person meetings, its hotline (15115), or WhatsApp number (010 0752 5600).

The prosecution urged public and private institutions to unify efforts to stand against suicide incidents and to enrol the means to avoid suicide in school curricula.

It also urged the media and people on social media to address the causes of suicide and means to avoid them.

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Egypts Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) conducted this week a training course for South Sudanese officials on combating human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants.

In cooperation with the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TiP), the training course was held in Cairo from 17-19 January under the title Combating Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants, National Frameworks: South Sudan.

South Sudanese participants from different professional backgrounds and government departments attended the training, which is part of the Enhancing Peace, Security, and Stability in Africa V project, funded by the government of Switzerland through the UNDP.

The training aims to support South Sudan's efforts to develop relevant national frameworks and legislation in combating human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants by familiarising participants with African best practices and experiences according to the CCCPA.

The training discussed several topics, including anti-trafficking frameworks, including acceding to and implementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the role of the national protection system in the identification, referral and assistance of victims of human trafficking as well as providing protection and rehabilitation for victims of trafficking.

In his opening remarks, Director General of CCCPA Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Latif said that this training was organised in the context of the centres transnational threats program, which seeks to enhance the capacities of African countries to combat human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants, as they are transnational crimes that are linked closely to issues of peace and security.

In this context, Ambassador Naela Gabr, Chairperson of the NCCPIM&TiP, provided an overview of Egypt's efforts in developing national frameworks and legislation in the field, and the Committees important role.

While Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Migration, Refugees and Combating Human Trafficking, Ambassador Neveen El-Husseiny, addressed the devastating effects of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants on the safety of societies and sustainable development, highlighting Egypt's role at the international level in combating these crimes.

Ambassador of Switzerland to Egypt Yvonne Baumann praised Egypt's role in supporting peace and stability, both in the region and internationally, and its policies in the field of migration, especially combating the smuggling of migrants.

She also commended the cooperation with CCCPA, stressing the need for synergetic efforts to address the challenges facing countries in these areas.

Founded in 1994 by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the CCCPA is an Egyptian public agency specialised in training, capacity building, and research in the fields of peace and security in Africa and the Middle East.

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijans State Security Service (SSS) has detained suspected members of illegal armed groups abroad, the service reported on January 18.

In a statement posted on its website on January 18, the Security Service said: As a result of the investigation conducted by the State Security Service, grounds for suspicion have been established that Azerbaijani citizens Seymur Huseynov (born in 1976) and Elkhan Novruzbayov (born in 1970), having left the country, first arrived in Irans Tehran city, and from there illegally crossed to the territory of other foreign states in order to participate in military exercises and armed conflicts as part of illegal armed groups.

During the investigation, it was found out that Huseynov was a member of an illegal armed group led by a person nicknamed "Abuzar", and Novruzbayov joined an illegal armed group led by Gasimov Vusal Gazanfarovich.

Both persons were found guilty under Articles 12.1 and 279.1 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (participation in the activities of armed groups not provided for in legislation) and the criminal investigation has been launched into the case.

The investigative measures against individuals involved in the activities of illegal armed groups outside the country are underway, the service said.
Egypts Foreign Minister and COP27 President Designate Sameh Shoukry and UN Framework Convention on Climate (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa agreed on Wednesday in a telephone call to continue preparations for COP27 and to boost international efforts to face climate change, the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

Espinosa congratulated Shoukry on assuming the presidency of the conference, adding that she is looking forward to working with Shoukry to ensure COP27s success and to achieve positive results internationally, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Minister Shoukry stressed the importance Egypt and its leadership attaches to hosting the COP7 and working on international climate action.

The Egyptian FM said Egypt intends to build on what was achieved during COP26 in Glasgow and to use the current rising international momentum to confront climate change, moving from the stage of making pledges to actual action on the ground, whether in reducing emissions or financing climate-oriented projects in developing African countries.

In a meeting with international media on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt is exerting much effort with international parties to ensure reaching goals during the COP27, which will be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

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Egypt will continue to witness a wave of unstable cold weather conditions till the weekend, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The EMA also warned of an extreme disturbance to navigation movement in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, however, is unaffected.

Furthermore, governorates on the North Coast, South Sinai, and the Red Sea Mountain Ranges will witness light to moderate rains.

The EMA added that the percentage of rainfall will increase at night in all parts of Egypt, especially in the west.

Also, a general drop in temperatures and cold winds will be felt across the country.

Additionally, the EMA warned that parts of Greater Cairo, the Nile Delta, the coasts, and North Upper Egypt will witness dusty winds over the course of the next few days.

On Monday, the authority stated that this wave of cold weather was caused by a cold airmass coming from Europe, resulting in the current significant drop in temperatures.

Cairo is seeing highs of 15 degrees Celsius and lows of seven degrees on Wednesday.

Moreover, the North Coast is experiencing highs of 15 degrees and lows of 10 while South Sinai is witnessing highs of 19 degrees and lows of 12.

As for the countrys south, northern Upper Egypt is experiencing highs of 16 degree and lows of three, while southern Upper Egypt is seeing highs of 17 degrees and lows of five.

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A fraudulent moneymaking app called White Sands, which operated in Egypt for months and attracted millions of subscribers, disappeared this month after receiving billions of pounds from victims of an elaborate fraud, according to news reports and social media users.

The app involved a Ponzi scheme  a form of fraud that lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors with funds from recent ones  where users would pay for annual subscription bundles, and in exchange, they would receive a daily sum for doing simple tasks such as pressing the like button on Facebook and YouTube videos before uploading screenshots proving they had done so.

The app also operated as a pyramid scheme, through which subscribers gain more profits by recruiting new subscribers.

Subscribers were promised to receive their pending commissions at the start of January, but later in the month were surprised that the White Sands website and app had disappeared, according to victims.

We would receive the commission 24 hours after the daily task. Since late December, there were delays in receiving commissions. We were promised to start receiving them again by 10 January, as the commissions have been entirely halted since 5 January. The application and the website disappeared on 11 January, one subscriber told Ahram Online.

The app user, who preferred to speak anonymously, explained that he subscribed in mid-December to the annual EGP 6,000 bundle  which involved doing 55 tasks per day for EGP 264 daily  and received daily commissions until the closure date.

Another user said he lost EGP 48,000 to the app, while a lawyer told Cairo 24 that one user and his family had paid EGP 220,000 for subscriptions.

White Sands claimed that it belonged to New York-based global media, marketing and corporate communications holding company Omnicom, which has not replied to Ahram Onlines request for comment.

To date, Egyptian authorities have not announced launching a probe into the incident.

However, social media users on Facebook and YouTube are urging people to contact anti-cybercrime authorities.

Founders, middlemen

Five people claiming to be foreign nationals launched the app, according to social media posts, and were assisted by dozens of local middlemen in charge of inviting people to subscribe.

They [the founders of the app] all carried fake names like Elissa, Simon, and Jessia, and a group of agents were intermediaries between us and them, one subscriber told Ahram Online.

Many of the subscribers shared screenshots of alleged agents announcing they were abandoning the app after recognising fraudulent behaviour by the app operators.

Social media users have alleged that the app has re-launched in other countries under different names, including Golden Fleece in Italy.

Famous mobile operator involved

The five alleged co-founders, as well as many of the alleged middlemen, had phone numbers under the same mobile network operator.

The commissions paid to the apps victims were all transferred via electronic wallets belonging to a local mobile provider, one of the subscribers told Ahram Online.

According to a source from a local mobile operator who spoke to Ahram Online, each individual is allowed to buy 10 mobile numbers using his own official ID. Each number can have an e-wallet with a maximum limit of EGP 100,000.

A lawyer involved in the case says that a certain mobile operator illegally sold e-wallets to White Sands.

In his remarks to Cairo 24, Lawyer Mohamed El-Azaly suggested that the app founders chose this mobile company since its e-wallet allegedly allows the purchase of digital money from outside Egypt.

The lawyer said the company may have sold more e-wallets than allowed in exchange for EGP 1,000 per wallet.

He also asserted that the company sold some of its customers wallets to the app officials without the customers consent, saying he has recordings proving that one of the founders received 800 wallets from the company.

The mobile company has not released any comment so far on the issue.

Bundles, commissions

The annual subscription bundles for White Sands initially ranged from EGP 300 ($19) to EGP 6,000 ($382), with daily commissions ranging from EGP 10.4 to EGP 264.

Shortly before its website disappeared, White Sands created annual bundles worth EGP 10,000 ($636) and EGP 30,000 ($1,910) with daily commissions of EGP 467 and EGP 1,469 respectively.

I started to feel suspicious when they added new bundles in late December to exploit peoples greed and collect the money they had handed over to people, a subscriber told Ahram Online.

Users with the EGP 300 bundle earned EGP 1.3 per like, while those subscribed to the largest bundle  EGP 30,000  could earn EGP 8.9 per like, according to users interviewed.

Six million people subscribed to the app, according to the latest post by the apps directors, El-Azaly said, noting that the app therefore amassed EGP 3-5 billion.

As per calculations, subscribers to the EGP 30,000 bundle should have earned EGP 528,660 per year, while the EGP 6,000 bundle should have earned EGP 95,000.

In remarks to Ahram Online, two of the users said they subscribed to a bundle worth EGP 6,000 and were receiving daily commissions, but doubts started when the company began to delay payments without clear giving reasons in late December.

Another one said that he received an offer from his friends to join the application but he did not have time to do the daily tasks.

It seemed lucrative and had a quick financial return. But I was too lazy to click like on 55 video per day for the daily commission for the EGP 6,000 bundle, he told Ahram Online.

He added that the tasks included liking videos on renowned media platforms, and that he was about to join when he saw that many of his friends were making money from the app.

However, the news that has recently come out saved him from losing his money. "It could have been me!" he said.

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued a directive on Tuesday to the finance ministry to raise the minimum wage for public sector employees from EGP 2,400 to EGP 2,700 in the state budget for the fiscal year 2022/23, the presidency announced.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait and other officials from the finance ministry, El-Sisi discussed a review of the draft state budget for fiscal year 2022/23.

The president also ordered granting employees covered by the civil service law a 7 percent periodical salary bonus, and granting employees not covered by the law a one-time bonus that is 13 percent of their basic salaries.

The president also ordered an increase to the additional incentive for both employees who are covered and those not covered by the civil service law at a total cost of EGP 18 billion.

Last March, President El-Sisi ordered raising the minimum wage to EGP 2,400 from EGP 2,000, as well as raising pensions by 13 percent.

Egypts National Wage Council also announced in December that Egypt would mandate a minimum monthly wage of EGP 2,400 for the private sector with a monthly bonus worth 3 percent of the employees insurance.

During the meeting, El-Sisi also gave a directive to appoint 30,000 teachers annually for five years to meet the needs of the education sector.

In addition, the government is to pay the teachers an additional incentive to develop and improve their skills at a total cost of EGP 3.1 billion, the presidency added.

Egypts national educational system has been suffering from a shortage in qualified teachers, leading the Ministry of Education to hire part-time teachers paid for each class in the school year 2021/22 in all grades.

According to education ministry officials, there are currently 1.187 million teachers to over 24 million students in some 57,000 schools. Currently, the shortage of teachers is estimated at 320,000.

In exclusive statements to Al-Ahram Arabic website on Tuesday following El-Sisis meeting with the prime minister, Education Minister Tarek El-Shawky, who faced huge criticism from the public and from parliament over the decision to hire part-timers, praised the presidents directives.

Shawky revealed that the presidential directive came days after he held a meeting with PM Madbouly where they discussed the teacher shortage.

The president also ordered allocating a total of EGP 1.5 billion to finance an additional 'quality incentive' for faculty members and their assistants in universities and research centers.

President El-Sisi also ordered including dentists, physiotherapists and nurses to a previous decision to raise the monthly bonus for medical interns.

The finance minister presented during the meeting the most important objectives of the draft budget for the fiscal year 2022/23, including reducing the total deficit to about 6.3 percent of GDP, continuing to achieve a primary surplus of 1.5 percent of GDP, and achieve an increase in the wages in the budget to EGP 400 billion.

President El-Sisi was also briefed on the latest updates on upgrading and developing the tax system, where he issued orders to complete the mechanisation of the tax authority and the electronic invoice system before the end of the current fiscal year.

The president also reviewed with the PM and the finance minister the strategy to develop and upgrade the customs system and the most important programs and initiatives taken in this regard.

The president ordered taking into account all the international standards related to the quality of the goods imported to Egypt in this framework as well as to start working on pre-registration system at Egyptian airports.

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Israeli police on Wednesday evicted Palestinian residents from a disputed property in a flashpoint Jerusalem neighbourhood and demolished the building, days after a tense standoff.

The predawn demolition took place in Sheikh Jarrah, an East Jerusalem neighbourhood where attempts by Jewish settlers to evict longtime Palestinian residents have sparked protests that last year helped lead to an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza militants.

The latest demolition is a separate case, with the city removing the family to make way for what it says will be a large special-needs school for Palestinian children in the area. But it also has set off local protests and drawn international criticism.

Early this week, residents of the building held a tense standoff with police who came to evict them. They climbed on the roof of the home and threatened to set gas tanks on fire. Eventually, police backed off, after demolishing a nearby plant nursery owned by the family.

Police moved in under the cover of darkness early Wednesday, removing the family and demolishing the home. Police said 18 people were arrested for public disorder.

The Salhiya family say they purchased the property before 1967, when Israel captured east Jerusalem, while the state has argued against the family's claims in court.

The municipality says the land was always zoned for public use and seized the property in 2017. It says the Salhiya family are squatters, and the buildings were constructed illegally in the 1990s. It says it will compensate the rightful owners and build the school to serve the local Palestinian community.

"These illegal buildings had been preventing the construction of a school which can benefit the children of the entire Sheikh Jarrah community,'' the city and police said in a joint statement.

The case has been in court for several years, and a Jerusalem judge last year ruled in favour of the city and authorized the eviction. The family has appealed and is awaiting a ruling, but the judge did not freeze the eviction order.

Palestinians in East Jerusalem say it is almost impossible to get building authorization from the city, forcing them to build homes without permits.

Hagit Ofran, a researcher for the anti-settlement group Peace Now, acknowledged the family had been unable to prove ownership. But she said it was clear they have lived there for years.

She said another site in the neighbourhood given to an ultra-Orthodox Jewish boarding school could have been used for the special-needs school. She also said the house could have been left intact since the new school is to be built on a nearby plot of land.

"This expropriation could have been done without evicting them,'' she said. "It's in Sheikh Jarrah, it's in this very sensitive time, all the world is looking and the government didn't find the sense to stop it.''

Laura Wharton, a dovish member of the city council, accused the city of decades of "criminal neglect'' of its Palestinian residents, who make up about one-third of the population.

"I protest, object and regret the conduct of the whole thing and expect the municipality and the government to begin treating every resident with equality and respect,'' she said.

Dozens of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem are at risk of eviction by Jewish settler organizations, and thousands face the threat of demolition because of discriminatory policies that make it extremely difficult for Palestinians to build new homes or expand existing ones.

Other threatened evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and other neighbourhoods, which are tied up in decades-old legal battles between Palestinian residents and Jewish settlers, set off protests and clashes last year that eventually helped ignite the 11-day Gaza war.

Israel captured east Jerusalem, along with the West Bank, in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized by most of the international community. Israel considers the entire city to be its capital, and the municipality says it is working to improve services for all residents.

The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state, and the city's fate is one of the most divisive issues in the century-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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The Taliban's prime minister called Wednesday on Muslim nations to be the first to officially recognise the government that seized power in Afghanistan in August.

No country has yet recognised the Taliban government, with nations watching to see how the hardline Islamists -- notorious for human rights abuses during their first stint in power between 1996 and 2001 -- will rule this time around.

Although the group has promised a softer brand of governance, women are largely excluded from government employment, and secondary schools for girls have mostly remained shuttered.

"I call on Muslim countries to take the lead and recognise us officially. Then I hope we will be able to develop quickly," Mohammad Hassan Akhund told a conference in Kabul to address the country's massive economic crisis.

"We do not want anyone's help. We don't want it for the officials," Akhund said, referring to diplomatic recognition.

"We want it for our public," he said, adding that the Taliban had fulfilled all necessary conditions by restoring peace and security.

Women's Rights

Aid-dependent Afghanistan is in the grip of a humanitarian disaster, worsened by the Taliban takeover in August -- when Western countries froze international aid and access to assets held abroad.

Jobs have dried up, and many government workers have not been paid for months in a country that was almost entirely dependent on foreign aid under the previous US-backed government.

The United Nations has warned that half the population is threatened with food shortages.

Nations face the delicate task of channelling aid to the stricken economy without propping up the regime, with many members of what the Taliban call their interim government -- including Akhund -- on an international sanctions list.

The Taliban veteran was a close associate and political adviser to Mullah Omar, the founder of the movement and its first supreme leader.

Last month, a special meeting of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) declined to formally recognise the government, and the new regime's foreign minister was excluded from the official photograph taken during the event.

The OIC did, however, pledge to work with the United Nations to try to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen Afghan assets.

It also urged Afghanistan's rulers to abide by international obligations regarding the rights of women.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were the only three countries to recognise the previous Taliban government.

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Police in Italy, Albania and Greece on Wednesday arrested some 30 people accused of profiteering several hundred million euros to smuggle refugees and migrants into the European Union from Turkey on yachts and other leisure vessels.

The coordinated action is believed to have dealt a serious blow to the lucrative Turkey-Europe sailboat crossings, for which people pay between $6,000 to $10,000 to reach southern Italy, with an eye on northern European destinations.

``We hope to have curbed the phenomenon, for the next few weeks or the next few months,'' said Lt. Col. Giuseppe Giulio Leo, head of Italy's financial police in the southern city of Lecce. ''Still, we need to take into account that there will be someone ready to join the organization and take over the various roles.``

The smugglers use mostly sailboats and yachts, but also fishing boats and less sea-worthy craft, packing between 30 to 180 people on board, he said. Their destination is typically the southern region of Puglia, the closest point, but they often wind up in Calabria due to weather, Leo said.

The arrested suspects are believed to be part of a wider ring with as many as 80 members that organized at least 30 smuggling operations that transported at least 1,100 people by boat from Turkey to the coast of Puglia, and then on to other European countries, EU law enforcement agency Europol said.

Eleven people were arrested in Italy, including smugglers who navigated the vessels, some of which had been stolen, as well as Iraqi and Syrian citizens who carried out the logistics, Leo said. Some had already been taken into custody during the investigation, which was launched more than a year ago.

Another 18 were arrested in Albania and one in Greece, Europol said.

The masterminds of the operations are believed to be in Turkey, and the Lecce prosecutors has activated diplomatic channels in a bid to extend the operation, ``with the hope of apprehending the presumed criminals located there,`` Leo said.

Two of the arrested were brothers who are Iraqi citizens accused of running logistics to help the migrants reach northern Europe. The men were arrested without incident near Venice before dawn. Italian financial police entered a modestly furnished house peacefully, and the brothers emerged wearing handcuffs and tracksuits.

The suspects, identified as Alaa Qasim Rahima, 38, and Omar Qasim Rahima, 30, are accused of running a ring that helped bring Syrians from Turkey to the EU using a network of associates in various countries.

Another ringleader, also Iraqi, is accused of helping the smugglers evade detection in Italy and return to Turkey via Greece.

Payments were made through informal money transfer systems such as hawala, which is used in some African, Asian and Mideast countries by both low-wage workers and criminal gangs alike to move funds without wire or other records.

Police in Greece were searching two agencies there that handled the payments, Leo said.

Authorities estimate the illegal profits from the people smuggling at several hundred million euros.

The price paid varied by departure point, with more than half leaving from Turkey, and the destination, and often payments were made only when the trip was successfully completed, Leo said.

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Egypts non-oil exports reached an all-time high of $32.1 billion in 2021, up from the $25.4 billion recorded in 2020  an increase of 26 percent  according to an announcement made by Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea on Wednesday.

This significant rise was fuelled by the increase in global demand for Egyptian projects on the back of the great support the Egyptian government gave to production and export sectors amid the ongoing pandemic, according to Gamea.

The minister also pointed out that the cash repayment of exporters arrears has contributed to the significant leap in Egypts total exports.

The state implemented several measures that resulted in attaining this record level of exports, including the reformation of the High Council of Exports under the chairmanship of Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi as well as the reformation of export councils in all sectors, along with the trade agreements Egypt signed with various countries and global economic clusters, said Gamea.

According to the trade ministrys figures, the European Union topped the markets that received Egyptian exports in 2021 with a total value of $9.1 billion, increasing by 56 percent compared to 2020, when Egyptian exports there recorded $5.8 billion.

The US placed second with a total value of $2.4 billion in exports, increasing by 51 percent compared to 2020, according to the minister

The ministrys data also showed that Egyptian exports to African countries  excluding Arab ones  also rose to $1.8 billion, up from $1.4 billion in 2020; an increase of 28 percent.

Furthermore, 13 export sectors attained a tangible increase in 2021, including leather and shoes exports (increased by 64 percent), printing and paper (increased by 52 percent), engineering and electronic products (rose by 46 percent), chemicals and fertilisers (went up by 45 percent), and ready-made garments (edged up by 39 percent).

During 2021, President El-Sisi instructed the government to draft a plan that aims to increase Egypts exports to hit $100 billion per year, in parallel with another plan to sett 100 incentives for the industrial sector to improve the competitiveness of Egyptian products.

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Against the backdrop of a floundering economy and deteriorating living standards for the vast majority of Turks, officials from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) opened the new year with a stream of reassuring messages to the public. The Turkish lira would stabilise, employment figures would rise, and investments and tourists from the Arab Gulf would return.

Indeed, before the end of 2021, gentler breezes had begun to arrive from the Arabian Peninsula following the Gulf Cooperation Councils Al-Ula summit and the reconciliation with Qatar. Abu Dhabi restored relations with Ankara and, more crucially, after some intensive Turkish communications, the Saudi foreign minister issued a statement that his countrys relations with Turkey were good and friendly.

What this meant was that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had given Riyadh assurances that he would stop trying to vie with Saudi Arabias leadership for the Islamic world and that he had to rein in his support for the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups harboured in Turkey. Such ingratiation must have worked because he now pins great hopes on a visit to Saudi Arabia in February removing Riyadhs last reservations over normalising relations with Ankara.

Back in Anatolia, opposition circles watch bemused as the governments foreign policy attempts to backpedal back to the zero problems days of former foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Not surprisingly, on social media the Turkish opposition is full of wry remarks about latest U-turn of their countrys self-styled Islamic leader and his cohorts who, not long ago, brandished photos of the murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and shouted battle cries contesting the Saudi royal houses eligibility as Guardian of the Holy Places in Mecca and Medina.

Only two years ago, the AKP government organised an international event to commemorate the first anniversary of Khashoggis assassination. Before a gathering of activists - mostly foreigners who had received official invitations - a prominent adviser to the Turkish president suggested putting up a statue of the late Saudi journalist outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul so that the civilised world would not forget how democracy was stabbed in the back.

The event was aired live over most satellite TV stations. Ironically, no matter how the cameras were positioned, they could not conceal how thin the attendance was, or the fact that audience consisted mainly of foreigners. Where were the locals? Where were the representatives of the major opposition parties who had received phone calls pressing them to attend? The answer was simple: they did not want to lend themselves as props in a spectacle staged to promote a regime ranked as one of the worlds foremost jailers of journalists. Today they ask whether the event will be cancelled again in 2022, citing the pretext of the pandemic. More importantly, they wonder whether the government regrets having approved stationing a memorial plaque commemorating Khashoggi in front of the Saudi consulate and if so what it plans to do about it.

Erdogans official spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, told reporters on 4 January that Ankara would accelerate normalisation steps in the Arab region in 2022. He added, We do not ignore the hand of anyone who reaches out to us. Whoever takes a friendly step towards us, we take two steps towards them. This struck opposition circles as odd. After all, who was reaching their hand to whom and why?

Amid an unofficial Saudi boycott of Turkish goods, Turkish exports to the kingdom plunged to a mere $189 million in the first 11 months of 2021, down from $2.5 billion in 2020 and $3.2 billion in 2019, writes Fehim Tastekin in Al Monitor of 7 January. Saudi sales to Turkey, meanwhile, hit a record $3 billion in the first 11 months of 2021, up from $1.7 billion in 2020 and $1.9 billion in 2019.

Turkish exporters had reportedly pressed Erdogan about their concerns over the Saudi boycott on the sidelines of a trade event in Istanbul. In response, he told them about the forthcoming visit in February. Although this was said to be an inadvertent slip, the news had its desired affect.

However, as Tastekin observes, in practical terms, Erdogan will have to make amends with the kingdoms ruler Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman whom Ankara has repeatedly insinuated was personally behind Khashoggis murder. Still, if Erdogans visit to Saudi Arabia goes ahead as planned in February, bin Salman will not have to tell him to drop the Khashoggi affair. For the Turkish president, desperate to stimulate exports and lure investments to salvage Turkeys ailing economy, that is automatically implied.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The fast-spreading Omicron variant of Covid-19 is adding to the burdens that the pandemic has been placing on peoples lives.

The Ministry of health announced this week that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has become the predominant strain in Egypt. The announcement, made last Friday, came fewer than four weeks after the health authorities announced on 17 December that three cases of Omicron had been detected among over 25 travelLers who had tested positive for Covid-19 upon arriving in Egypt.

This week, the registered number of positive cases of the virus in Egypt soared from 800 to over 1,000. Doctors treating Covid-19 patients in public and private hospitals say that there is no doubt about the increase in the number of patients seeking medical help or needing hospitalisation after contracting Covid-19.

But this is less, they add, among healthy individuals who have had two shots of the vaccine and who then contract the Omicron variant than among those who catch the Delta variant, which, they say, is still present in Egypt.

According to figures from the ministry of health this week, the highest number of infections has been occurring among unvaccinated individuals, less so among those who have received two shots of the vaccine and even less among those who have received a booster.

By the beginning of this year, close to 40 million people had received one shot of the vaccine against the new coronavirus, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health. Approximately half of those have received two shots.

There are no official figures about the number of people who have received the booster. However, according to a source at the ministry, the numbers are still not very high despite the ambitious campaign that aims to reach out to as many people as possible among those who received their second shot over six months ago, especially the elderly and individuals with low immunity and chronic health issues.

But people are not being very enthusiastic about the third shot of the vaccine. I am not sure why, but we have noted that some people received their first shot over eight months ago and never came back for their second, the same source said.

The Egyptian authorities have not made vaccination mandatory, and according to the same source at the Ministry of Health, making vaccination mandatory does not seem to be the plan, at least for now.

He added that the focus of the ministry was to expand the outreach campaign to encourage awareness of the need for vaccination and how it makes a difference in saving peoples lives, to dispel misconceptions about the side-effects of the vaccines, and to make the vaccines more easily available for as many people as possible.

The government has already made it mandatory for all civil servants to be fully vaccinated to attend work or to provide a negative Covid-19 test on regular basis. On the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant, the government announced stricter rules on wearing masks in all closed places and stricter observation of social distancing.

But this is simply not happening, and the situation could take a very negative twist if we continue with this high level of recklessness. People are not always wearing masks, and in some cases they are forging vaccination cards to go to work and not even thinking about social distancing, said one medical doctor who works in one of Cairos leading public hospitals.

According to this doctor, who declined to be identified, the pressure is already increasing on hospitals and intensive care units [ICUs] in most public and university associated hospitals in Egypt.

It is true that the symptoms of Omicron are not as harsh as those of previous variants, but we have lost cases who were diagnosed with Omicron, the doctor said. The trouble is that sometimes people have undiagnosed health problems, so when they contract Omicron they could well end up in the ICU or face worse scenarios.

According to figures announced by the Ministry of Health this week, while registered cases were over 1,000 per day, the number of mortalities was in the thirties, far fewer than the higher mortality of around the seventies in the previous three waves of Covid-19 that have been hitting the country since February 2020.

The health authorities and doctors treating Covid-19 cases have been unequivocal in stressing that the actual numbers of infections and possibly of mortalities are much higher than those that are officially registered. This is because a large percentage of patients get treated at home as a result of blood tests and X-rays without having to do a PCR test or register in the official system.

Speaking over the past two weeks, doctors in the public and private healthcare systems in Cairo have said that the decline in the number of mortalities, fortunate as it is, does not lift the pressure on the health system or on the volume of required medication.

Pharmacists speaking in Cairo said that while there was no long-term shortage of the drugs required for Covid-19 patients, there was certainly pressure.

IMPACTS

The tough impacts on the healthcare system during the first and second waves of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 have been one of its key consequences, according to research conducted at the American University in Cairo (AUC) to examine the socio-economic effects of the pandemic.

The research reported a high level of complaints over access to hospitals and ICUs at the peak of the first and second waves of Covid-19. Fever hospitals, usually never under pressure, came under enormous pressure as a result.

According to Dina Makram Ebeid, lead researcher and assistant professor of sociology at the AUC, the research showed that people living in less central parts of the country had a harder time in accessing adequate healthcare or even healthcare at all.

While the research acknowledged additional government allocations to support the healthcare system in the face of the pandemic, it also noted that the pressure put on it did not come without a cost to the comprehensive health insurance system initiated in Port Said and supposed to cover the entire nation by 2030.

The cost of treating Covid-19 was not only covered by the government, especially in cases where patients did not turn to the public healthcare system or received treatment at home either due to personal preference or to a lack of access to public or even private hospitals.

Nada, a Cairo resident who caught Covid-19 in the second wave along with both parents and husband, said that her family had had to spend over LE400,000 for treatment. While Nada and her husband, both in their mid-30s, managed to get over the infection after four weeks at home, her parents had to be admitted to hospital where they spent over two weeks, with her mother spending a full week in ICU.

According to Nada, it was only through the help of a family doctor that she managed to get her parents admitted into this private and costly hospital at all. It was not easy, and we had to produce LE100,000 as a down-payment for each of my parents, she said.

Nadia, also a Cairo resident in her 30s, could not pay the bills of a private hospital. Unlike Nada, who works at a well-paying multinational, Nadia is a house-help who lost most of her income upon the first wave of Covid-19 as most of her clients declined to continue to employ her out of fears of infection.

Nadia had to go through it all at her house as a result. She isolated herself in the bedroom that she shares with her husband who moved to the living room. Nadias husband had had to reach out for financial help from a charity to be able to buy medicine, she said. She added that her husband, who works in the cleaning service of a factory, had requested a loan that could be paid in instalments from his salary but that he was turned down by the administration.

Today, Nadia is fearful of another wave that could lead her clients to suspend her weekly visits that provide a significant portion of the household income. Nadia herself is fully vaccinated, and so are her clients. However, she said that she is scared by the level of infections. Every day, I hear of people who have got Covid-19. This means that people could get scared again and I could be without work again for a few months.

We dont have savings to lean on. We live from hand to mouth, and during the past two years we have had to turn to charities more than once, Nadia said. She added that the pressure on charities has also increased significantly and that they are not as forthcoming in accommodating requests as they used to be. So many people are now without work or with less work than it takes to buy the basics, she lamented.

According to Amr Adli, a researcher in the AUC project that examined the socio-economic impact of the pandemic in Egypt during the first two waves, a lack of employment security was one of the main effects of the pandemic.

Vulnerability in this respect is not only about those working in the informal sector, but also about those working in the formal sector, he said.

Adli, an assistant professor in the political science department at the AUC, argued that this vulnerability is not only the result of the pandemic. It has been there since the 1990s, as a result of neo-liberal economic policies for sure, but aggravated by the pandemic, he explained.

According to Hania Sholkami, an associate professor at the Social Research Centre of the AUC, the fact that the government has established a database on the neediest families in the country to help them access the social-protection programmes that have been launched over the past five years has helped with outreach mechanisms.

But she argued that there is still room for improvement, as the pandemic has demonstrated. We certainly could use more effective programmes with wider outreach possibilities to reach more beneficiaries, she said.

Sholkami said that one of the things the pandemic did was put existing programmes to the test. This, she said, had showed that yes, we do have a certain readiness for sure, but it also showed that we could work on improving this.

Improving the quality of this readiness, she argued, would mean better financial allocations, better targeting of segments of the population that need help, and more prompt and efficient outreach mechanisms.

One of the things revealed by the pandemics first and second waves was that a good segment of the middle class in Egypt is illegible for government support during a crisis, contrary to traditional wisdom.

HITS TO INCOMES

Saher, a 28-year-old part-time Arabic teacher at a primary school in Giza, said that over the past two years he has had to cut down on all expenses as his income has suffered.

He is one of over 120,000 teachers who are on uncontracted teaching schemes that pay LE20 per class. On average, Saher teaches 20 classes a week, or a little more. However, the bulk of his income, which still falls far short of allowing me to get a life started because it is hard to make enough money to have an apartment and get married, comes from private lessons.

However, in 2020 many parents suspended private lessons for fear of infection or due to pressure on their own finances. In 2021, things picked up a bit. Saher was hoping that things would get back to normal this year. However, with the spread of Omicron he is starting to worry.

Luckily, I work with young children whose parents are also young. This obviously reduces the fear of a tough illness, but we will see how things go, Saher said.

According to Amira Othman, a researcher with the AUC, it was not untypical for families, including those in the middle classes, to cut down on food items as a result of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Hind Zaki and Diana Magdi, two researchers with the same project, found that while the Covid-19 pandemic relied on deeply-seated social and national policy interventions, it also provided an opportunity for a comprehensive reassessment of national structures for gender-based violence reporting, socio-legal interventions, and risk-mitigation.

A source at the Ministry of Social Solidarity agreed that the volume of complaints that have been received during the past two years of family violence, particularly the type that targets wives, has increased significantly.

Women have been complaining about physical abuse that in some cases has been quite harmful, the source said. The trouble is that it is impossible to share accurate figures about the volume of wife-battering and other forms of physical abuse because everyone knows that the complaints are only a small segment of the cases that actually occur on a daily basis in many households across the socio-economic spectrum, he added.

The Ministry of Social Solidarity has set up a hotline to report cases of physical household abuse. It has also allocated safe havens for women who cannot tolerate consistent and increasing physical abuse by their husbands. However, it is not typical for women to wish to turn to these safe houses.

Women feel they cannot abandon their children or embarrass their families by running to these houses. In most cases, women feel that outbursts of anger that are due to economic pressures should be tolerated for the sake of the family, and we cannot advise them against this way of thinking. We just provide them with ways of improving communication as much as possible with their husbands or of seeking the intervention of an older family member or relative, the source said.

According to the AUC research, one of the main things that needs to be addressed in the post-pandemic phase is how to deal with the issue of violence against women better, since while this might have been amplified by the pandemic, it will not go away when the pandemic comes to an end, especially if the economic pressures that came with the pandemic take longer than expected to subside.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) Deputy Chairman Samir Poladov has said that some 1,680 unexploded munitions were found and defused in liberated Shusha city, Trend reported on January 18.

He underlined that the city has been cleared of mines and unexploded munitions by the ANAMA specialists and no mine threat exists there anymore.

The deputy chairman said that the mine clearance activities are underway in Azerbaijans liberated Aghdam city as well.

Poladov noted that some 40,000 hectares of the liberated territories are to be cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance in 2022.

The demining activities will be jointly carried out by operational groups of ANAMA, the Defence Ministry emergency units and the State Border Service, he added.

Poladov stated that the demining activities are being carried out in the liberated lands, where restoration work is underway. Some 20,165 hectares of Azerbaijans liberated territories were cleared of mines and unexploded munitions in 2021 and 41, 503 mines and unexploded ordnance were neutralized in the mentioned period.

He emphasized that the most heavily mined territories in Azerbaijan's liberated lands are located along the former contact line with the Armenian armed forces.

"Currently, these areas are being analyzed and studied. This is an important issue for forming a general picture and implementing long-term processes," Poladov said.

He added that ANAMA's material and technical base is constantly being improved, and the agency hires additional staff, conducts training sessions and creates new operational groups.

"Measures are regularly taken in this direction. New technologies are used in mine clearance operations. Moreover, the most modern mechanical mine-clearing machines, mine detectors, and other equipment are purchased. Our teams are provided with this equipment. Trainings are conducted in accordance with international standards," Poladov said.

Earlier it was reported that 10,456 anti-personnel and 4,683 anti-tank mines, as well as 12,659 unexploded ordnances, were found and defused on the abovementioned territories from November 10, 2020, to November 30, 2021.

Armenia submitted to Azerbaijan all mine maps of Azerbaijan's liberated territories as a result of talks held through the Russian Defence Ministry's mediation on December 4, 2021.

On December 12, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told reporters that mine maps provided by Armenia so far are not fully accurate.

"New minefield maps given by Armenia are being analyzed by the experts. It will take time. We can prevent the growing number of deaths as a result of mine explosions," he said.

It should be noted that Azerbaijans Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), along with the partner countries, carries out demining activities on its liberated territories.

Armenia deliberately and constantly planted mines on Azerbaijani territories, in violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, thereby being a major threat to regional peace, security and cooperation.

On December 9, the Prosecutor-General's Office has reported that 29 civilians and seven military servicemen were killed, as well as 109 servicemen and 44 civilians received injuries of varying severity as a result of mine explosions in the countrys lands since November 10, 2020.

Previously, on June 12, Azerbaijan handed over 15 Armenian prisoners in exchange for a map detailing the location of 97,000 mines in formerly-occupied Aghdam.

On July 3, Armenia submitted to Azerbaijan maps of about 92,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines planted during the occupation of Fuzuli and Zangilan regions.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Russia-brokered peace agreement on November 10, 2020, to end 44 days of fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.
Over the past few years there have been many new creative ideas in the field of art. One such creative, yet challenging, idea is miniature sculpture made out of pencil leads. Ibrahim Belal is an art instructor who organises workshops for adults and a sculptor who has a passion for making miniature statues out of pencil leads. He is the first to introduce such an artform in Egypt.

I graduated from the Faculty of Law in Cairo, but I always had a passion for art. So, after I graduated I decided to work in the field of art. I started to study art and then to organise my own drawing courses for adults, Belal said Three years ago, I saw a miniature statue made out of pencil lead by a Taiwanese artist which I really liked, so I decided to shift to this genre of art and work in this field.

The moment I saw the miniature sculpture made out of pencil lead on the Internet, I was curious to know how it was made. I got a pencil and started many unsuccessful trials because I didnt know any details about it at first. I was just imitating the idea. It took me about 20 trials before I was able to make my first sculpture, a heart shape, out of pencil lead, he added.

After this successful attempt, I became more confident and believed that it was possible to do something more. I started making more sculptures until I had become seasoned at it, he said, adding that it took him a lot of practice to be able to control his hands while working so as not to spoil the sculpture.

In order to get the best results, a sculptor should use good quality lead that can be worked on successfully. The size of the pencil lead is not so important. I once made a sculpture out of an 0.5 mm thick piece of lead and others even smaller in size. The issue is the quality of the material used. The pencil lead should be 100 per cent lead without impurities, as otherwise a statue could disintegrate. The lead should also be soft enough to work on, he said.

Belal uses tools like a magnifying glass and a detail knife resembling a cutter but in the shape of a pen with a very sharp edge like a medical scalpel to work on the lead. A year ago, he started to use a microscope, which gave him even better results.

Sculptures he has made are displayed behind a magnifying glass so people can clearly see them in the different galleries he exhibits in. He has made about 50 pieces, including a miniature sculpture of the famous Tutankhamen mask, a statue of Akhenaten, a statue of Amenhotep III, one of Queen Hatshepsut, and one of Queen Nefertiti.

His favourites are mostly sculptures with an ancient Egyptian theme. Not every piece of my work that people like I like, and vice versa, he said. I like sculptures related to the ancient Egyptian civilisation because it is my civilisation. It was the main reason that I started to learn and develop the art of miniature sculpture, he added.

I have exhibited twice thus far. The first time was at the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo a year ago for two weeks. This was featured in the celebration of the museums 100th anniversary. The second time was at this years turathuna (Our Heritage) cultural fair.

It is because the sculptures he makes need special equipment for people to see them that he has not been able to take part in many galleries. But there are galleries for miniature sculptures in many Western countries, including France and the US. It was because this type of art is not known in the Arab world that Belal wanted to be the first to work in the field and at the same time to support Egyptian culture by making miniature sculptures of famous Egyptian artifacts, wanting to reintroduce them to people in the form of miniatures.

People nowadays do not acknowledge anything except what they already think of as art, not even artists themselves. So, they are amazed by the miniature pieces without acknowledging their artistic importance. It is because people dont know much about this form of art that they are not interested in it. They see everything new as unusual or even not as good art, unfortunately, Belal said.

As a result, I do everything by myself and nobody supports me. I am currently organising an exhibition at the Cairo Opera House, however, which is also as a result of my own efforts, he added.

There are people who are curious and eager to learn this art, but it would be difficult to teach them because not only do they need to have some artistic knowledge, but they must also have considerable perseverance. If the lead breaks when it is being worked on, you have to start all over again, for example. But if an artist truly has a passion for art, he will keep trying over and over again, Belal said.

I have met many people of this type while I was teaching my courses, he said, adding that he is considering starting a course in this field particularly if there are students who share his passion. I wish I could find such students because I love teaching, he said.

A potential student in my miniature sculptures class would need to have some knowledge of the art of sculpture because we use the same techniques that are used in larger sculptures or conventional sculpture, he said, the only differences being the size and the material used.

Belal would like support from the Ministry of Culture to raise peoples awareness about miniature sculpture and in support of art in general. I would like to organise a gallery in the Louvre Museum or the Berlin Museum, for example, not just in Egyptian or Arab museums, he concluded.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 19, 2022 - 14:14 | All, World

Two major U.S. telecommunications companies said Tuesday they will delay the launching of new 5G wireless services around key airports in the country, as concerns grew among airlines that the rollout could affect planes' navigation systems.

The 5G deployment by AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. was scheduled to begin near some airports Wednesday, but it has been delayed after an industry trade body for leading U.S. airlines called on the government for "immediate intervention" to address possible disruptions to transportation, supply chains and delivery of medical supplies due to the introduction of the high-speed wireless service.

American aerospace giant Boeing Co. has informed airlines that 5G will potentially interfere with its B-777 aircraft's radio altimeters, which are used by pilots to land in low-visibility conditions.

Earlier, Japan's two major carriers All Nippon Airways Co. and Japan Airlines Co. announced cancellations of some flights bound to the United States.

ANA said it could cancel up to 10 U.S. passenger and 10 cargo flights to and from Haneda and Narita airports in Japan through Thursday, while JAL decided to cancel three passenger and five cargo flights on Wednesday.

ANA is hoping to use B-787s or other planes for flights on routes currently flown by B-777s, but an inability to cover all such flights with substitutes could affect up to around 650 passengers.

Nearly 40 countries including Japan, South Korea and Australia have so far deployed 5G in the type of radio spectrum AT&T and Verizon are using without reports of harmful interference with air traffic, according to a U.S-based wireless industry trade group.

A Japanese government official said there is "no problem" in using 5G in Japan as the signals transmitted from Japan's base stations are weaker than those in the United States and do not affect airplanes.

The U.S. decision to delay the 5G service around airports came after airlines urged the White House to step in over the standoff between air carriers and the telecom companies.

"Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded," Airlines for America, the industry trade organization, said in a letter submitted to the government on Monday, adding that more than 1,100 flights and 100,000 passengers could be subjected to cancellations, diversions or delays in a day.

It also demanded that 5G implementation across the country exclude areas within "the approximate 2 miles of airport runways."

President Joe Biden said in a statement it thanked the two telecommunications companies for agreeing to delay the 5G deployment and to continue working with the Transportation Department on a safe rollout of the service.

"This agreement protects flight safety and allows aviation operations to continue without significant disruption," Biden said.

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Japanese airlines ANA, JAL warn 5G launch could disrupt U.S. flights
KYODO NEWS - Jan 19, 2022 - 22:17 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japan decided Wednesday to place Tokyo and 12 other areas under a coronavirus quasi-state of emergency, with a record 41,487 new infections reported nationwide as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads rapidly across the country.

The decision will allow the governors of Tokyo and the dozen other prefectures to ask restaurants and bars to close early and stop or limit the serving of alcohol. The measure will be implemented from Friday to Feb. 13 in an effort to curb what has become the "sixth wave" of COVID-19 infections in Japan.

"This has been a fight against an unknown virus, but we hope to overcome this situation by preparing sufficiently without fearing excessively," said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a meeting of the government's COVID-19 task force.

Along with Tokyo, which reported a record 7,377 new infections Wednesday, the targeted prefectures include its neighbors Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa in the metropolitan area. The region saw a full state of emergency lifted about three months ago.

The metropolitan government said Wednesday that while it will request dining establishments to shorten their business hours, it will make the suspension of serving alcohol optional.

Nine other prefectures subject to the new quasi-emergency are Aichi, Gifu and Mie in central Japan, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Miyazaki in the country's southwest, Kagawa in western Japan, Niigata in north-central Japan and Gunma in eastern Japan.

Fukushima and Shimane prefectures are set to request that the central government impose emergency measures, their respective governors said Wednesday.

Japanese authorities worry hospitals that need to treat patients not admitted due to the virus will be overwhelmed if infections continue to increase at the current pace and affect elderly people and those with underlying health conditions.

Another concern is a shortage of essential workers such as medical staff due to a sharp rise in those designated as close contacts of people who tested positive for COVID-19.

"We need to quickly prevent the spread of infections, given the potential for a major strain on the medical system in the near future," said economic revitalization minister Daishiro Yamagiwa, who is also in charge of the government's coronavirus response.

The government's subcommittee on the COVID-19 response gave the green light to the planned quasi-emergency stretching over roughly three weeks, as Japan's daily count of confirmed infections topped 40,000 for the first time, renewing its all-time high for the second consecutive day.

While Kishida has made the COVID-19 response a top priority since taking office in October, his government now faces the difficult task of striking a balance between imposing anti-virus measures and keeping the economy going, especially as health experts say many people show no or mild symptoms despite Omicron's highly transmissible nature.

Japan has never imposed a lockdown during the pandemic.

Shigeru Omi, the government's top COVID-19 adviser, suggested it is not necessary to halt both social and economic activities but urged people to avoid high-risk situations such as gathering in large numbers and speaking in loud voices.

"I think we don't need to have eateries close if people dine in groups of about four and speak quietly while wearing face masks," said Omi, who heads the subcommittee.

Three prefectures have already been placed under a quasi-emergency since early January and the addition of the 13 will mean about a third of the nation's 47 prefectures are subject to stricter curbs.

Under the quasi-emergency, governors can designate specific areas for measures against the virus and make their own decisions on business hours or the serving of alcohol at local eateries.

The government will halt, in principle, the implementation of a program to check whether people visiting places like restaurants have been vaccinated twice or have proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 as a way of reviving economic activity, but still leave some room for governors to implement it on their own.

"We are aware that there are hopes for utilizing the program based on decisions by governors, who best know local situations," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.

The governors of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo in western Japan affirmed at a virtual meeting on Wednesday that if one of them decides to seek quasi-emergency curbs, they will ask together.

"In light of the current infection situation, we are likely to decide on making a request within this week," Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito said.

Matsuno said if the three prefectures ask to be added to the list, the government will swiftly review their requests.

Related coverage:

Japan's daily COVID-19 cases top 30,000, setting new record

Japan to halt vaccine-and-test scheme amid Omicron variant spread

Japan to allow in some foreign students, making exception to ban
KYODO NEWS - Jan 19, 2022 - 18:53 | All, World

Austria plans to hold an international conference focusing on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons in March before the country hosts the first meeting of a U.N. treaty banning such arms that came into force last year.

In a recent interview with Kyodo News ahead of the first anniversary of the treaty's implementation Saturday, Alexander Kmentt, director of the department for disarmament issues at the Austrian Foreign Ministry, said he expects Japan to be interested in the conference, currently scheduled for March 21, in Vienna.

The international conference on the humanitarian impact of nuclear arms has been hosted three times since the first meeting in Norway in March 2013. Austria held the previous gathering in December 2014, and Japan has participated in every conference.

"What we want to do at this one-day event is to recapitulate the main aspects that we discussed in these three humanitarian conferences...and then also to look at what has happened in the past few years in terms of new research," Kmentt said in the interview.

He said that the conference will also "set the scene" for the meeting of the signatory states of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in the Austrian capital between March 22 and 24. The treaty is the first international pact outlawing the development, testing, possession and use of nuclear weapons.

But nuclear-weapon states, including the United States, are not part of it, while Japan has not signed the pact considering its security alliance with the United States, which offers the shelter of a nuclear umbrella.

In December, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a parliamentary committee that Tokyo has no "concrete plans" to attend the meeting of signatories to the treaty as an observer.

Kmentt said that the decision whether or not to participate in the three-day conference is "exclusively a Japanese decision." But he said that the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two cities that suffered U.S. atomic bombings in 1945, will participate and hopes that survivors will also join.

Kishida, born into a family from Hiroshima and elected from a constituency in the western Japanese prefecture, has said the treaty is "very important," Kmentt said. "That is what he said. So I think it is important to be engaged in this discussion.

During the meeting, participants will decide on the rules of the treaty's procedures, as well as the obligations of the stakeholders, including victim assistance and environmental remediation, Kmentt said.

He expressed hope that signatory states will "send a very strong political signal in favor of nuclear disarmament."

The treaty was adopted in 2017 with the support of 122 countries and regions. Fifty countries ratified it in October 2020, reaching the threshold required to enter into force.

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By Dahee Kim, KYODO NEWS - Jan 19, 2022 - 12:55 | World, Feature, All

The blare of an alarm sounds when the image of a man standing near a bridge along the Han River appears on a screen in the Seoul metropolitan fire department. The room falls silent, waiting to see what he is up to.

Fortunately, this time, the close-up scene of the person ends well with no one throwing themselves into the river below in another suicide attempt.

"Oh, he is inspecting CCTV cameras near the bridge," Cho Jae Jin, a 50-year-old water rescue team leader from the department, tells the people gathered in the room on a December day, sounding relieved it is not someone considering whether to take their own life.

Cho's Hangang River Rescue 119 team at the Fire and Disaster Headquarters introduced several years ago artificial intelligence technology to better monitor human activity around bridges over the Han River, which runs through the South Korean capital and has long been an all-too-popular suicide spot in the country. The system has proven a life-saver.

Using deep learning, which helps find patterns by collecting an enormous amount of data, the AI analyzes the behavior of pedestrians on the bridges. If there are any abnormalities, such as a person lingering in a spot too long or wandering around without crossing to the other side, it alerts the River Rescue 119 center and nearby police to be dispatched for potential rescue operations.

CCTV camera images of several bridges appear on the headquarters' large screen. The monitoring system is currently in place at nine of the more than two dozen bridges along the river, focusing on where suicides have mostly occurred. According to Cho, the system is to be installed at four more bridges this year.

The ability to receive early warnings has made a significant difference. Rescue dispatches have doubled since the system's launch, and Cho said the rate of successful rescue operations has improved "as it is much easier to spot people floating on the water than searching for them after they have submerged."

Before the system's introduction, rescue operations were usually conducted after receiving reports that a person was trying to or had thrown themselves off a bridge. In many cases, rescuers would arrive too late to save them, he said.

South Korea has long been known for its high suicide rate. In 2020, it had the highest suicide rate among 38 member countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The OECD data showed South Korea had 23.5 people who killed themselves per 100,000 people that year, more than double the average of 10.9 among the member countries.

Suicide was the leading cause of death among South Koreans in their teens to 30s in 2020, according to government data. Statistics Korea data showed the suicide rate among those in their 20s had surged 12.8 percent from a year earlier.

Experts say the leap reflected a pervading feeling of loneliness and anxiety among South Korean youth prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The number of people in their 20s and 30s who have had emergency consultations has also noticeably increased since the summer of 2020, according to Kim Hyun Soo, director at the metropolitan government's suicide prevention center. Kim is also concerned about a 20 percent spike in rescue dispatches to the Han River bridges in 2021 from the previous year.

The pandemic has particularly taken a psychological toll on them for reasons that include difficulties in finding jobs, Kim said, describing it as the little-known "fourth wave of COVID-19" after three previous waves of virus infections that hit South Korea.

"To overcome such a psychological shock...strong cooperation and solidarity among government, civic groups, and the public are important," the director said, adding that, metaphorically speaking, "powerful seawalls" to prevent suicides are necessary.

Cho, the fire department rescue leader, acknowledges the AI monitoring system is not perfect but says he and his colleagues are determined to do their best to save people with the new technology.

"We are definitely sure that it greatly helps us take preemptive measures before someone actually attempts a suicide."

Emergency service in Japan: 119



If you are having suicidal thoughts, help is available.

For Japan, call Yorisoi Hotline at 0120279338 (toll-free). Press 2 after the recorded message for consultation in English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Nepali, or Indonesian. The service in these languages is also available on Facebook messenger.



For those outside Japan, you can find a list of other resources here.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 19, 2022 - 19:01 | All, Japan, World

Japan said Wednesday it will provide more than $1 million and relief supplies to disaster-hit Tonga after an undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami waves caused by it left at least three people dead and caused major damage on the Pacific island.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said the government is considering sending drinking water and equipment for removing volcanic ash, among other supplies, using the country's Self-Defense Forces.

"Many Tongan people are suffering from the disaster, which has caused heavy damage, so we will offer as much support as possible," Isozaki told reporters, adding that Japan will closely cooperate with Australia and New Zealand on restoration and reconstruction work in Tonga.

In a related move, senior vice defense minister Makoto Oniki said the Defense Ministry will dispatch liaison officers to Australia as soon as Thursday to gather information there and coordinate with other supporting countries.

The moves came a day after Tokyo said it received a request for support from the government of Tonga following Saturday's volcanic eruption off the South Pacific island nation that sent tsunami waves across the Pacific.

Aid efforts for Tonga are being hampered by the thick layer of ash that fell on the nation including on its main airport's runway, which is preventing aircraft carrying humanitarian assistance from landing, according to the New Zealand Foreign Ministry.

Related coverage:

3 deaths, significant damage confirmed following Tonga eruption

Tsunami caused by Tonga volcano eruption stumps Japan weather experts

Tsunami concerns in Pacific abating following Tonga volcanic eruption
Roberta Metsola attends the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, Jan. 18, 2022.

The European Parliament on Tuesday elected conservative politician Roberta Metsola from Malta as its new president, succeeding David Sassoli who died of illness last week. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

BRUSSELS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Maltese lawmaker Roberta Metsola was on Tuesday elected as president of the European Parliament (EP), the third woman elected to the post.

The 43-year-old lawyer by profession won in a landslide vote. She received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote.

She beat the Greens' candidate, Alice Bah Kuhnke, who got 101 votes and The Left's candidate, Sira Rego, who got 57 votes.

Metsola, who studied European law, has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013 and has been first vice president since November 2020.

She succeeds David Sassoli, who died last week at the age of 65, but who had already said he was not interested in another term of office.

In her first speech after the election, Metsola vowed to always stand up for Europe and its common values of democracy, dignity, justice, solidarity, equality, rule of law and fundamental rights.

"I will honor David Sassoli as president by always standing up for Europe," she said. "I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, juster and more equal."

Metsola said she will strive to bring Europe closer to the people. "We must burst through the Strasbourg and Brussels bubble to bring Europe, its ideals and decisions, to people in different towns and villages across Europe."

Turning to the challenges facing Europe and the world, Metsola said climate change was "ravaging our continent and our world," and it was no longer a problem for another generation to deal with.

"The European Green Deal and the pledge to be the first carbon-free continent is the right answer," she said.

On the economy, she said businesses need less bureaucracy and more chances to take the risks that will see Europe regain its competitive edge. 

Roberta Metsola makes a presentation before the first round of voting for the position of President of the European Parliament during the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, Jan. 18, 2022.

The European Parliament on Tuesday elected conservative politician Roberta Metsola from Malta as its new president, succeeding David Sassoli who died of illness last week. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Newly-elected president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola delivers a speech during the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, Jan. 18, 2022.

The European Parliament on Tuesday elected conservative politician Roberta Metsola from Malta as its new president, succeeding David Sassoli who died of illness last week. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Roberta Metsola makes a presentation before the first round of voting for the position of President of the European Parliament during the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, Jan. 18, 2022.

The European Parliament on Tuesday elected conservative politician Roberta Metsola from Malta as its new president, succeeding David Sassoli who died of illness last week. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Newly-elected president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola holds a bouquet during the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, France, Jan. 18, 2022.

The European Parliament on Tuesday elected conservative politician Roberta Metsola from Malta as its new president, succeeding David Sassoli who died of illness last week. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)




KABUL, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- About 1,000 displaced and needy Afghan families received relief assistance in the capital Kabul on Tuesday as the Taliban-led caretaker government and aid agencies redoubled efforts to help destitute families in winter, authorities said on Tuesday.

"About 1,000 families received assistance packages which included food and non-food items as well as kitchenware and tarpaulin today ... in eastern Kabul," Acting Minister of Disaster Management Mullah Mohammad Abbas Akhund told reporters.

The distributed assistance supplies were recently donated by Turkmenistan, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Russia, according to the minister.

The needy families also received special food packages for children provided by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), he added.

Economic woes hit the impoverished country following freezing of over 9 billion U.S. dollars of Afghan central bank's assets by the United States as well as a halt of funds by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Aid agencies are racing against time to deliver life-saving aid and supplies to crisis-hit Afghans during winter in the mountainous country.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
LAMU, Kenya, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan security forces killed 15 al-Shabab militants following a successful operation at Bodhei area within the vast Boni forest in the coastal county of Lamu on Monday evening.

Kenya Defense Force (KDF) commander involved in the operation said Tuesday that an unknown number of militants were also injured in the raid after their camps were bombed.

The KDF official who declined to be named revealed that the ground troops were supported by attack helicopters and artillery fire to raid the militants' bases which were located just about 40 kilometers from a local shopping center.

He said some of the slain militants are suspected to be part of the gang behind the recent attacks in the Lamu region that left over 15 people dead.

"We believe the militants were part of those who attacked villagers here recently. Our officers have successfully conducted a raid and destroyed two al-Shabab command and logistics bases in Bodhei," the KDF commander said.

The militant group is believed to have fighters operating in the area's Boni forest that has poor communication network and terrains slowing down police operations.

The security forces involved in the overnight raid are part of the multi-agency team conducting the Operation Amani Boni that was launched in 2015 with the major objective being to flush out al-Shabab militants believed to be hiding inside the Boni forest.

Security sources privy to the operation said improvised explosive devices (IEDs), communication equipment, several uniforms, AK 47 rifles, two machine guns and bullets were recovered during the raid.

The killings come barely a week after the terror group in collaboration with a local militia killed 15 people in Lamu west.

Another group of security teams drawn from the security team has been deployed in areas of Taksile, Mangulo, Hadhi and across the border in pursuit of 10 militants who escaped after the raid.

The Boni forest has numerous been used as the perfect hideout by the militants whenever they launch attacks in Lamu. The police said the militants are even reported to have a well-equipped base deep inside the forest.

Lamu County has been in the spotlight for some years now owing to increased scathing attacks by the militants that have left hordes of security officers and civilians dead. 
RABAT, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- A total of 45 migrants, including nine minors, were rescued on Tuesday off Morocco's Atlantic coast after being lost for three days in the ocean, the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) reported.

The migrants were rescued by a trawler 39 nautical miles from western Morocco's Tarfaya coast.

They came from several Moroccan cities, and had embarked from the shores of Agadir on Saturday, MAP said.

After three days of navigation, their boat ran out of gas, it added.

The migrants were heading to Spanish Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, nearly 100 km from the closest point on the Moroccan coast. 
By Trend

The Azerbaijani citizens, including those having transport concessions, will be allowed to visit both Aghdam and Shusha cities liberated from Armenias occupation once a year, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Digital Development and Transport told Trend on Jan. 19.

According to the ministry, at the first stage, the demand for trips to the Azerbaijani liberated lands is expected to be high, so citizens will be able to visit Shusha and Aghdam only once.

After the demand for these trips is assessed, the restriction may be lifted, said the ministry.

The heroes of the second Karabakh war, national heroes, members of the martyr families, people disabled in the Karabakh war, will be able to get free tickets for the bus trips to the liberated territories.

The Baku-Shusha, Baku-Aghdam, Ahmadbayli-Shusha, Fuzuli International Airport-Shusha, Barda-Aghdam regular intercity bus trips will be launched in Azerbaijan from January 24.

The trips have already been made on each route in a test regime, the types of buses that will run have been determined. The Ahmadbayli-Shusha trips will be organized four times a week while the trips to other destinations twice a week.
ANTANANARIVO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- In Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar, and its surrounding areas, 10 people died after heavy rains fell in the region on Monday night, the risk and disaster management office reported Tuesday.

About 500 people were displaced and two people were injured, according to the office's latest report. The heavy rains also caused material damage including collapsed houses and flooded fields.

Heavy rains fell on Monday night and continued into the early hours of Tuesday morning in the region.

For its part, the authority for the protection against floods of the Antananarivo plain also issued on Tuesday a notice of threat of danger in the plain of Antananarivo crossed by the river Sisaony.

Madagascar is in the midst of rainy season that often results in casualties and widespread damage. 
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Tuesday that the ASEAN's priority tasks this year are fighting against the COVID-19 and reviving the tourism sector.

Hun Sen made the remarks addressing the opening ceremony of the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Tourism Forum 2022 in the coastal city of Sihanoukville in Cambodia, which is the ASEAN chair for 2022.

"This participation really shows the common commitment, solidarity and friendship in the development and revitalization of the tourism sector to recover from the COVID-19 crisis," he told tourism ministers and representatives from ASEAN member states.

The Cambodia leader said his country "fully supported the initiatives to reopen tourism within ASEAN as well as to reopen the whole region to welcome international tourists," according to the live broadcast of the National Television of Cambodia.

He backed the ASEAN tourism ministers to announce the reopening of ASEAN tourism on Wednesday from Sihanoukville, noting that for the past two years, the COVID-19 crisis had caused devastating socio-economic impacts, especially on the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen called on the tourism ministers and ASEAN health institutions to study and develop a common system for the certification of full vaccination in the region.

"I would also like to request ASEAN to consider gradually easing travel restrictions in line with the principle of high vigilance," he said.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 
SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- South Korea reported 5,805 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 705,902.

The daily caseload was up from 4,071 in the previous day amid the spread of the Omicron variant, which the health authorities expected to become a dominant strain here in the near future.

The recent resurgence was attributable to small cluster infections in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Of the new cases, 1,125 were Seoul residents. The number of newly infected people living in Gyeonggi province and the western port city of Incheon was 2,116 and 401, respectively.

The virus spread also raged in the non-metropolitan region. The number of new infections in the non-capital areas was 1,789, or 32.9 percent of the total local transmission.

Among the new cases, 374 were imported from overseas, lifting the total to 22,304.

The number of infected people who were in a serious condition stood at 532, down 11 from the previous day.

Seventy-four more deaths were confirmed, leaving the death toll at 6,452. The total fatality rate was 0.91 percent.

The country has administered COVID-19 vaccines to 44,519,041 people, or 86.8 percent of the total population, and the number of fully inoculated people was 43,630,450, or 85.0 percent of the population.

The number of those who received booster jabs was 24,004,666 people or 46.8 percent of the population. 
KATHMANDU, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Nepal on Tuesday reported 10,258 COVID-19 cases, the highest for a single day in months.

As many as 8,730 new infections were confirmed by a PCR test, with an additional 1,528 cases identified through an antigen test in the last 24 hours, said the Ministry of Health and Population.

The new cases were confirmed through the testing of 22,828 samples, which means a positivity rate of nearly 45 percent.

The last record high of 9,483 cases was logged on May 11, 2021, when Nepal was hit hard by the second wave of the coronavirus.

Community transmission of the virus appears to be widespread, Dr. Hemanta Chandra Ojha, chief of the Zoonotic and Other Communicable Disease Control Section under the Health Ministry, told Xinhua.

"The number of cases will surge as many as you increase the testing," he said.

Ojha said the government had projected 20,000 daily cases by the first week of February when the new wave of the coronavirus is expected to peak. Officials say despite a spike in new cases, the hospitalization of patients is relatively low this time.

Hospitals in Nepal had to turn away patients in May last year due to a shortage of oxygen and beds.

"Now Omicron appears to be the dominant variant and it appears not as deadly as the Delta variant which was dominant during the second wave," said Ojha. "But we cannot say what will happen in the future."

The government has ordered public places like dance bars, clubs, swimming pools and open-air markets to be closed until Jan. 29, and restricted public gatherings and mass meetings till Feb. 12 in efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. 
DHAKA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh on Tuesday strongly condemned Houthi militias' drone attack on the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which killed at least three people and caused damage to civil property.

"This latest attack is an escalation of aggression on the part of the Houthi militias adding to further tension in the region," said Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

Bangladesh remains steadfastly committed towards all efforts for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region, it said.

Earlier on Monday, Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility for its military operation that struck areas deep inside the UAE. 
JAKARTA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The administration of the Indonesia's capital here has called on all residents in the city to be more cautious amid predictions of a third wave of COVID-19 in the country in the coming weeks.

The total number of confirmed Omicron cases in Jakarta on Monday rose to 825, the city's Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said, adding that as many as 582 of these reported cases were imported, while 243 were locally transmitted. Nationwide, the total number of Omicron cases on Monday rose to 840.

Jakarta has seen the number of COVID-19 daily cases surpassing 250 since Jan. 5, with the highest of 720 new cases recorded on Saturday.

Patria said that Jakarta, home to more than 10 million people, is at a greater risk of being exposed to the variant since the city is the site of transits for foreigners entering the country and for Indonesians returning from overseas.

However, he expressed his confidence that Jakarta was "ready to face the battle against the new Omicron variant," and that the city administration would keep working together with the central government institutions in the fight against the virus.

The deputy governor also insisted that the public remain disciplined in following health protocols, underscoring the role of the masses in ensuring a success in suppressing the transmission of the coronavirus.

In June 2021, Jakarta's healthcare system was on the brink of collapse, with more than 90 percent of available COVID-19 hospital beds occupied, due to the second wave of infections fueled by the highly-transmissible Delta variant.

Jakarta is still the biggest-affected region in the Indonesian outbreak with more than 870,000 confirmed cases, according to official figures. The coronavirus has killed more than 13,000 people in the city since the outbreak. 
MANILA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government has signed a commercial contract worth 2.8 billion U.S. dollars with Chinese contractors to build the "fastest and longest railway" in the country that connects southern Luzon provinces, China's Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said in a statement on Tuesday.

Philippine Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade signed on Monday the first package of Philippine National Railway South Long Haul Project (PNR Bicol) with a joint venture consisting of China Railway Group Ltd., China Railway No.3 Engineering Group Co. Ltd., and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co. Ltd..

The first 380 km stretch of the PNR Bicol project, spanning Calamba town in Laguna province to Legazpi town in Albay province, is one of the flagship projects under the Build, Build, Build program launched by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to promote infrastructure development in the Southeast Asian country.

"Once fully operational, it will cut travel time between Metro Manila and the Bicol region from the current 12 hours by road to as short as four hours," the Department of Transportation said in a statement, adding that it could serve up to 14.6 million passengers per year.

The statement said the PNR Bicol passenger trains will run at a speed of up to 160 km per hour, while freight trains will run at 100 km per hour.

The project is "another milestone for China-Philippine cooperation and friendship," said the Chinese ambassador, adding the cooperation is the "highest-funded" government-to-government project between the two countries.

The project is also expected to create more than 10,000 direct construction jobs each year and hundreds of thousands of jobs in related areas by driving the economic growth along the line, Huang said. 
WELLINGTON, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- An interim telecommunication system has been set up in Tonga to allow its connection with the rest of the world using 2G networks, New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Wednesday.

Digicel, the international mobile phone network provider, has set up an interim system on Tongatapu using the University of South Pacific's satellite dish which may allow 2G connection to be established on Wednesday, according to the foreign ministry.

However, this connection will be limited and patchy covering about 10 percent of usual capacity and prioritizing voice and SMS communications, it said.

U.S. cable company SubCom said at least four weeks are needed to repair Tonga's cable connection.

Power in the Pacific islands country has been restored, with clean-up and damage assessments ongoing. Tongan authorities have been distributing relief supplies.

Work to clear the airport runway continues and is expected to be completed on Wednesday, said a statement of the ministry.

Tsunami waves hit Tonga on Saturday, following a series of violent eruptions from underwater Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, 65 km north of the country's main island Tongatapu.

Three fatalities, two Tongan nationals and a British national, have been confirmed. No further deaths have been reported, it said.

On Tuesday overnight, the Tonga government issued its first official media release since the eruption.

It said emergency response operations are underway, with initial damage assessments conducted, and relief supplies and health teams deployed to affected areas.

Water supplies have been affected by volcanic ash, it said, adding challenges to sea and air transportation remain due to damage sustained by wharves and ash covering runways.

The Tonga government has approved the arrival of two navy vessels HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Aotearoa, which departed New Zealand on Tuesday. The vessels are expected to arrive in Tonga by Friday depending on weather conditions.

A C-130 Hercules aircraft of the New Zealand Air Force is on standby to deliver humanitarian aid and disaster relief stores including collapsible water containers, generators and hygiene kits for families once the airport runway is cleared.

A second NZDF P3 Orion surveillance flight is being conducted on Wednesday. This flight will include a survey of Fiji's southern Lau Islands, at the request of the government of Fiji, to check for potential tsunami damage, said New Zealand's foreign ministry.

New Zealand is continuing to assess Tonga's water transport logistics capabilities for the transport of water from HMNZS Aotearoa, which will carry bulk water supplies and humanitarian and disaster relief stores, New Zealand Defense Minister Peeni Henare said on Tuesday.

"Water is among the highest priorities for Tonga at this stage and HMNZS Aotearoa can carry 250,000 liters, and produce 70,000 liters per day through a desalination plant," Henare said.

Tonga is currently free of COVID-19 and operates strict border controls to keep the virus out. All current support is being delivered in a contactless way. Officials are in discussions around long-term options for support, said New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

The New Zealand government has allocated a further 500,000 New Zealand dollars (340,000 U.S. dollars) in humanitarian assistance, taking its initial funding total to 1 million New Zealand dollars.

The tsunami had a significant impact on part of the foreshore of Tonga, with boats and large boulders washed ashore and shops along the coast damaged. 
BERLIN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Germany's seven-day COVID-19 incidence rate rose to a new record high of 553.2 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants from 387.9 a week ago, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said on Tuesday.

The RKI registered 74,405 new infections in the past 24 hours, around 29,000 more than a week earlier. Last Friday, the figure exceeded 90,000 for the first time since the start of the pandemic in Germany.

However, the actual number of new infections could be even higher, as the country's laboratories and health departments are reportedly becoming overwhelmed.

"In northern Germany, the testing laboratories' capacities have already reached their limit," Andreas Bobrowski, chair of the Association of German Laboratory Physicians (BDL), told the German news agency dpa, adding that more than 90 percent of the new COVID-19 infections in the country were due to the Omicron variant.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach on Monday warned against underestimating Omicron. Mandatory vaccination was the way to provide the protection needed to avoid having to fight COVID-19 variants in the autumn, he said at a press conference.

As of Monday, 72.8 percent of Germany's population had been fully vaccinated, with at least 39.6 million booster shots administered, according to official figures. However, 20.7 million people in Germany are still unvaccinated. 
Mumbai:

At least 40,000 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai in view of the Supreme Courts verdict on the sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid suit, which will be delivered on Saturday, officials said. The situation will be monitored through drone units and live CCTV feeds from the police control room. The financial capital had witnessed communal riots afterdemolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya in December 1992 and January 1993.

We are prepared to tackle any eventuality, said DCP Pranay Ashok.

He said police are keeping a close watch on every activity in the city and will also deploy SRPF, Riot Control Police, Rapid Action Force.

We are also monitoring online activities through our social media wing. We will block objectionable posts and content as need be to ensure that no rumours are spread, the DCP added.

An official clarified that the Internet services are not disabled as of now.

Police will take a call depending upon the situation, he added.

When asked about declaring holiday for schools, the official said, We have communicated to school education department. Some schools are already shut due to Diwali holidays while the decision about the rest will be taken according to the situation, he said.

He clarified that section 144 of the CrPC which bars gathering of people is not imposed in the city.

Another official said restrictions on unlawful assembly of people were already in place in Mumbai from November 4 to November 18 under the Maharashtra Police Act 1951.

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By Trend

The regular bus trips to Azerbaijans Aghdam and Shusha cities liberated from Armenias occupation will be launched from January 24, spokesman for the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry, Police Major Elshad Hajiyev told Trend.

Hajiyev said that the main task of the police will be to ensure the safety of passengers during these trips.

The road traffic safety in the liberated territories has been generally ensured, spokesman added. Despite the passengers will be registered on the website, they will be rechecked at the traffic police checkpoints.

The Baku-Shusha, Baku-Aghdam regular bus trips will be launched in Azerbaijan from January 24.

The one-way-tickets for Baku-Shusha-Baku trips will cost 10.4 manat ($6.1) while Baku-Aghdam-Baku trips - 9.4 manat ($5.5). The tickets for bus trips can be purchased here.
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Saturday cleared the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque. In one of the most important and most anticipated judgements in India's history, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi put an end to the more than a century old dispute. The apex court said the mosque should be constructed at a "prominent site" and a trust should be formed within three months for the construction of the temple at the site many Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. The site was occupied by the 16th century Babri mosque which was destroyed by Hindu kar sevaks on December 6, 1992.

Ayodhya Verdict: Top Takeaways

Central government shall frame a scheme for construction of Ram Temple within 3 months. The verdicts added that centre shall make necessary provisions for management of trust for construction of temple.

Centre will hand over a suitable alternative plot of land measuring 5 acres in Ayodhya to Sunni Waqf Board.

Accounts of travellers and historians mention the faith of Hindus about the birthplace of Lord Ram. There is evidence that Ram Chabutra and Sita Rasoi were worshipped by the Hindus before the British came. Babri Masjid was not constructed on vacant land. There was a structure underlying the disputed structure. The underlying structure was not an Islamic structure: CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Archaeological Survey of India's report cannot be brushed aside. But this report does not give finding about whether a Hindu temple was demolished to construct the mosque. The cross examination of the witnesses has not led the court to believe that the faith of Hindus is not justified: CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

Supreme Court appreciated the role of mediators Justice Kalifulla, ace mediator Sriram Panchu and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who came very close to settlement.

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Jaipur:

The spiritual head of Ajmer shrine Friday night appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony and respect the supreme court verdict on the Ayodhya case. The Supreme Court will pronounce the verdict in the communally sensitive Ayodhya case on Saturday. "I would like to appeal to Muslims and Hindus and every Indian citizen to maintain peace and law and order and to respect and welcome the decision of the court. This is the time to show our unity and brotherhood," the Dargah Deewan, Zainul Abedin Ali Khan, told PTI.

"We need to focus on the development and growth of our nation and the future of our youth. The entire world is looking at us and we all should show a united face and must respectfully welcome the decision," he said.

Khan said it was the birth month of prophet Muhammad, who was the symbol of peace, sacrifice and love, and the community should imbibe these values. The Supreme Court will pronounce the verdict in the politically sensitive case of Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya at 10:30 am on Saturday, according to a notice uploaded on the top courts official website.

Also Read | Ayodhya Verdict: Avoid Making Unnecessary Statements, PM Modi Asks Union Ministers

The judgment, which is likely to end the decades of uncertainty, will be pronounced by a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer are the other four judges of the Bench.

On October 16, the top court had concluded the day-to day hearing and reserved the judgment. Hours before the announcement, CJI Gogoi held a meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari and DGP Om Prakash Singh and took note of the security arrangements.

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New Delhi:

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, on Friday took stock of the preparedness for rescue and relief operations for the severe cyclone Bulbul, which is likely to hit Odisha and West Bengal.

During a meeting, the cabinet secretary directed central government agencies to provide immediate assistance to the state governments.

He took stock of the current situation and preparedness for rescue and relief operations, an official statement said.

Gauba advised Odisha and West Bengal governments to take all steps to avoid casualties and damage to infrastructure, and assured them of all assistance from the Centre in this regard.

The severe cyclone Bulbul, currently over the Bay of Bengal, is likely to affect coastal districts of West Bengal and Odisha, the statement said.

The IMD informed that the cyclone, which had developed in Bay of Bengal, has now intensified and is likely to cross the West Bengal coast by the early morning of Sunday. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied by winds reaching up to 110-120 Kmph and tidal waves up to 1.5 meter, are expected.

Officials of West Bengal and Odisha governments informed that necessary preparations have been made by them and SDRF and Fire Service teams have been positioned. Fishing operations have been suspended and people in low-lying areas being evacuated to shelter homes.

While 14 teams of the NDRF (around 45 personnel in each team) have been positioned, additional teams are being deployed at the request of states. Officials of the Ministry of Defence intimated that teams of Coast Guard, Indian Navy are already deployed and the Army and the Air Force are on standby.

The West Bengal government was specifically requested to ensure that people in low-lying areas in Sagar islands, East Medinipur and North and South 24 Pargana districts are evacuated to prevent any loss of life.

The state governments were also requested to ensure that all fishermen presently at sea are brought back to the shore.

Senior officials of the ministries of Home and Defence as well as those from the IMD, NDRF and the NDMA attended the meeting. Some officials from West Bengal and Odisha participated in the meeting through video conference.

With Agency Inputs

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New Delhi:

Former RSS ideologue KN Govindacharya, a key figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, on Saturday credited late Vishwa Hindu Parishad stalwart Ashok Singhal and veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani for the success of the cause. Reacting to the Supreme Court clearing the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, Govindacharya, one of the major strategists behind the Advani's rath yatra in 1990 in support of building a temple, expressed his "extreme happiness" at the verdict.

"I am extremely happy. Now, in three months a plan will be made for constructing the temple," he said, asserting that social harmony must be maintained so that the country can move from "Ram temple to 'Ram rajya'."

Asked who he will give credit for the success of the movement to build the Ram temple at what is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, he said, "Lakhs of workers made sacrifices. For the leadership of the movement, I will give highest credit to Ashok Singhal and L K Advani."

Singhal was Vishwa Hindu Parishad's international president for a long time and was a prominent spearhead of the movement before the BJP joined it in support.

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Saturday termed "legally unsustainable" the 2010 judgment of the Allahabad High Court, which had partitioned the 2.77-acre disputed land in Ayodhya equally among Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The apex court, which delivered a historic verdict and put the curtains down on the vexatious legal battle that had torn the social fabric of the nation, said that dividing the land would not subserve the interest of either of the parties or secure a lasting sense of peace and tranquillity.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that in its September 30, 2010, verdict, the high court had "adopted a path which was not open to it" and granted reliefs which were not the subject matter of the prayers in the suits before it.

"We have already concluded that the three-way bifurcation by the high court was legally unsustainable. Even as a matter of maintaining public peace and tranquillity, the solution which commended itself to the high court is not feasible," said the bench, comprising Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer.

"The disputed site admeasures all of 1,500 square yards. Dividing the land will not subserve the interest of either of the parties or secure a lasting sense of peace and tranquillity," it said.

The bench said the high court had "completely erred" in granting relief which lay outside the ambit of the pleadings and the cases set up by the plaintiffs in three suits. It said there was "another serious flaw" in the entire approach of the high court in granting relief of a three-way bifurcation of the disputed site.

"Having come to the conclusion that suit 3 (filed by Nirmohi Akhara) and suit 4 (filed by Sunni Central Waqf Board) were barred by limitation, the high court proceeded to grant relief in suit 5 to the plaintiffs in suits 3 and 4," it said.

"This defies logic and is contrary to settled principles of law. Moreover, the claim by the Nirmohi Akhara was as a shebait, who claimed a decree for management and charge. On its own case, Nirmohi Akhara could not have been granted an independent share of the land," the bench said.

The apex court noted the high court had held that the suits filed by the Sunni Central Waqf Board and Nirmohi Akhara were barred by limitation. "Despite having held that those two suits were barred by time, the high court held in a split 2:1 verdict that the Hindu and Muslim parties were joint holders of the disputed premises," it said.

The top court, in its 1,045-page verdict, held that suit instituted by Nirmohi Akhara is barred by limitation and dismissed it. It, however, said that the suit instituted by the Sunni Central Waqf Board is within limitation.

"The judgment of the high court holding suit 4 (instituted by Sunni Central Waqf Board and others) to be barred by limitation is reversed," it said, adding that suit number 5 by Ram Lalla Virajman is within limitation.

Regarding the high court verdict, the bench said it proceeded to assume the jurisdiction of a civil court in a suit for partition, which the suits before it were not.

"There was no basis in the pleadings before the high court and certainly no warrant in the reliefs which were claimed to direct a division of the land in the manner that a court would do in a suit for partition," it said.

The top court noted that dispute in these appeals arises out of four regular suits which were instituted between 1950 and 1989 and before the high court, voluminous evidence both oral and documentary was led, resulting in three verdicts running into 4,304 pages.

It said that both oral and documentary evidence were recorded before the high court and one of the judges of the bench, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, noted that they had before it 533 exhibits and depositions of witnesses traversing 13,990 pages.

"Besides this, counsel relied on over a thousand reference books in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, Turkish, French and English, ranging from subjects as diverse as history, culture, archaeology and religion," the bench noted.

"The high court ensured that the innumerable archaeological artefacts were kept in the record room. It received dozens of CDs and other records which the three judges of the high court have marshalled," it said.

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New Delhi:

'Bulbul' made landfall on Saturday midnight between Sagar Islands of West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh. It is hurtling northeastwards into the neighbouring country over the Sunderban delta, with two deaths reported in its wake. According to India Meteorological Dept (IMD), the severe cyclonic storm Bulbul weakened into a cyclonic storm and lay centered over Bangladesh adjoining coastal West Bengal at 0530 hours on Sunday. It is expected likely to move East-NorthEastwards across Bangladesh and likely to weaken into a deep depression during next six hours.

One death each has been reported from West Bengal and Odisha due to heavy rain triggered by the storm.

IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall at many places with isolated heavy falls in South Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram during next 36 hours. It also predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places over coastal districts of West Bengal with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over North and South 24 Parganas, East Medinipur and isolated heavy rainfall over West Medinipur, Howrah, Nadiya and Hooghly during next 12 hours.

IMD: Severe Cyclonic Storm #Bulbul weakened into a cyclonic storm&lay centered at 0530 hours of today, over Bangladesh&adjoining coastal West Bengal. It is very likely to move East-NorthEastwards across Bangladesh&likely to weaken into a deep depression during next 6 hrs. pic.twitter.com/ac7Dnn1KKp  ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2019

Gale wind with speed of 110 to 120 kmph with gusts up to 135 kmph prevailed along and off the coastal and adjoining districts of West and East Midnapore, South and North 24 Parganas as the eye of the storm made landfall around midnight. Squally wind with speed of 50 to 60 kmph with gusts up to 70 kmph was likely to prevail over Kolkata during the night, the MeT office said. Bulbul is set to weaken gradually as it moves into Bangladesh through the Sunderban delta, Regional MeT director GK Das said in Kolkata.

Rain lashed coastal West Bengal throughout Saturday, uprooting trees and leading to the death of a man in Kolkata. He was killed at a club in upmarket Ballygunge Place area when a tree was uprooted and fell on him during the squally weather. Continuous downpour since the early hours of Saturday led to waterlogging of some streets and lowlying areas of Kolkata.

In Odisha, one person died due to a reported rain-related wall collapse at Kendrapara district and the matter was being enquired, special relief commissioner, Odisha, P K Jena said. Odisha chief secretary Asit Tripathy said the state government was keeping a close watch on the situation and necessary action was being taken to deal with it.

In Delhi, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), the country's apex body to handle any emergency, on Saturday reviewed the preparedness to deal with the very severe cyclone 'Bulbul' over the Bay of Bengal.

The NCMC meeting was headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba.

"Due to very severe cyclone 'Bulbul', operations at Kolkata airport has been suspended from 6.00 pm on November 9 to 6.00 am of November 10," a home ministry official said in the national capital.

"The Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard are on alert," an MHA official said.

Three Navy ships at Visakhapatnam are on standby with relief material embarked for immediate deployment to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR) operation, a Defence official said.

Additionally, ten diving and medical teams were also kept ready by the Navy for augmenting rescue and relief efforts in Odisha and West Bengal, the official said. Navy aircraft were kept ready at Naval Air station, INS Dega to undertake aerial survey of the most affected areas, casualty evacuation and airdrop of relief material as required by the state administration, the official added.

Naval Officers-in-Charge, West Bengal and Odisha are in constant liaison with respective state administrations for rendering assistance as required, he added.

A Ministry of Home official said in New Delhi that it is monitoring the situation and that the West Bengal administration has evacuated 59,000 people from coastal areas and other places which are likely to be affected. The MHA official said that 17 NDRF teams were deployed in West Bengal, while six of their teams were active in Odisha for dealing with contingencies.

In Odisha, around 4,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable and low-lying areas in some coastal regions of the state and shifted to 47 cyclone shelters, officials said.

Personnel of the Indian Coast Guard were in readiness to tackle any eventuality in the wake of cyclonic storm 'Bulbul'. Ships have been moved to safer locations at Paradip, Dhamra and Sagar Island coasts, Inspector General of Coast Guard, Rajan Bargotra, told PTI.

Fishermen were advised not to venture into the rough seas in Odisha and West Bengal coastal regions in view of the cyclonic storm, said Bargotra, who is the Commander Coast Guard Region (North East).

Deputy Inspector General S R Dash, who is Commander of Coast Guard, West Bengal, said three disaster management teams have been stationed at Haldia and two at Fraserganj in South 24 Parganas district for timely action.

"We are trying to achieve zero casaulty," Dash said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said during the day that she was monitoring the situation and the administration had taken all measures to tackle any contingency. She appealed to citizens to maintain calm and not to panic. Banerjee, who was monitoring the situation at state administrative headquarter Nabanna, told reporters on Saturday night that Central Disaster Management teams and state disaster management teams were working round the clock in affected areas. She said Contai, Ramnagar and Khejuri were among the most affected areas in the storm.

The chief minister said that 318 relief camps have been set up in the cyclone-hit areas with 1,12,365 people lodged in the camps. Banerjee said in total 1.64.315 lakh people have been hit by the cyclone. She said the West Bengal government would provide financial help to the cyclone affected people.

(With PTI Inputs)

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New Delhi:

Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, is being celebrated with religious fervour in various parts of the country on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings on Milad-un-Nabi. He tweeted, "Inspired by the thoughts of Prophet Muhammad, may this day further the spirit of harmony and compassion in society. May there be peace all around."

Greetings on Milad-Un-Nabi. Inspired by the thoughts of Prophet Muhammad, may this day further the spirit of harmony and compassion in society. May there be peace all around.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2019

President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted in English, Hindi and Urdu extending his best wishes.

"On the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), good wishes to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad. His message of universal brotherhood and compassion inspires us to work for well being of all," the tweet in English read.

On the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), good wishes to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad. His message of universal brotherhood and compassion inspires us to work for well being of all.  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 10, 2019

Milad processions are being organised to mark the occasion. In Delhi, the main procession will be taken out in walled city, which will culminate at Jama Masjid after passing through the traditional route. The festivities are expected to be subdued in view of the tight security arrangements after Ayodhya case verdict.

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Islamabad:

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday objected to the timing of the Ayodhya verdict, which coincides with the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor, saying he was "deeply saddened" at the "insensitivity" shown at such a joyous occasion. The Indian Supreme Court in a unanimous verdict on Saturday cleared the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque. In one of the most important and most anticipated judgements in India's history, a 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi put an end to the more than a century old dispute that has torn the social fabric of the nation.

"Could it (verdict) not have waited a few days? I am deeply saddened at the insensitivity shown at such a joyous occasion," Qureshi was quoted as saying by the DawnNewsTV.

"You should have taken part in this happy occasion and not attempted to divert attention. The dispute is a sensitive issue and should not have been made part of this happy day," he said, referring to the opening of the much-awaited Kartarpur corridor, which links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur district.

The foreign minister said that Muslims are "already under a lot of pressure in India and this decision of the Indian court will further increase pressure on them".

Qureshi said Pakistan would issue its response after going over the judgement in detail.

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Hussain termed the verdict as "shameful, disgusting, illegal and immoral." Commenting on the judgment, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan said the Indian apex court has given the message that it is not independent, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

She said Pakistan is guaranting the rights of minorities by opening the Kartarpur corridor but India on the other hand is subjecting minorities, including Muslims, to oppression.

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New Delhi :

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) on Friday reported a 2.2 per cent decline in total sales at 63,610 units in October. The company had sold 65,020 units in the same month last year, HMIL said in a statement. Domestic sales were 3.8 per cent down to 50,010 units as against 52,001 units in October 2018, the company added.

Exports, however, grew 4.5 per cent to 13,600 units last month as compared to 13,019 units in the year-ago period, HMIL said. Hyundai Motor Indias National Sales Head Vikas Jain said the automaker has performed well despite the ongoing slowdown in the market. The companys cumulative sales last month were highest during the year so far, he added.

Recently, the South Korean automaker launched the updated i20 Active at the starting price of Rs 7.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It is to be noted that the 2019 Hyundai i20 Active, which is available with both petrol and diesel engine options, comes in three variants - S, SX, and the SX dual-tone.

Visually, the 2019 Hyundai i20 Active continues to sport the same design language and comes loaded on the feature front complete with projector lens headlamps with LED DRLs and cornering lamps, fog lamps, LED taillights, shark-fin antenna, rugged plastic body cladding and diamond-cut alloy wheels on the top variants.

The 2019 Hyundai i20 Active gets new safety systems to meet the new mandatory safety norms including reverse parking sensors, reverse camera, speed alert system, driver and passenger seatbelt reminder and more, as part of the standard kit.On the inside, the recently-launched car comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button start, keyless entry, auto climate control, rear AC vents, wireless charging and more.

Under the hood, the 2019 Hyundai i20 Active has 1.2-litre petrol motor that churns out 82 bhp and 115 Nm of peak torque. It is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Also, there is an 1.4-litre diesel which develops 89 bhp and 220 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Importantly, the diesel version is only available in the range-topping SX trim.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi:

Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati hospital on Monday. According to the latest updates, the doctors have advised the leader to take rest.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut earlier hit out at caretaker Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and accused him of playing politics of fear, while making a reference to German dictator Adolf Hitler, in the backdrop of logjam over government formation in the State.

Without naming Fadnavis, Raut, in a fresh attack on the BJP leader amid the ongoing war of words between the saffron allies, said, When ways of threatening and seeking political support dont work, it is time to accept that Hitler is dead and the looming clouds of slavery have disappeared.

In his column Rokhthok in Sena mouthpiece Saamana, he said Mr. Fadnavis, despite being blessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to become Chief Minister for the second time, has not been able to assume the top post. He could not take oath because BJP chief Amit Shah has remained aloof from developments in the State, Mr. Raut said.

In the October 21 polls, the BJP won 105 seats while ally Sena won 56 seats. The majority mark in the 288-member Assembly is 145.

However, since the poll results were announced on October 24, both the parties have been bickering over the CMs post, resulting in a stalemate over government formation.

Raut said even 15 days after the results were announced, Mr. Fadnavis could not take oath as the CM. The BJPs biggest ally Sena not ready to speak to the outgoing CM is the biggest defeat (of the BJP). This time, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray will decide the next CM of Maharashtra.

NCP president Sharad Pawar and many Congress leaders have communicated to their party chief Sonia Gandhi that their priority is to have a non-BJP CM, the Rajya Sabha member said in the Marathi publication.

Everyone wants to end the politics of revenge, subservience, and playing dirty tricks, Mr. Raut said.

Those who used to threaten others with their power are now scared, he said
By Trend

More than 1,000 disabled people were involved in the self-employment program in Azerbaijan in 2021, Azerbaijani Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population told Trend on Jan. 19.

Some 1,348 disabled people were involved in the self-employment program in 2021, the ministry said. The training was organized. These individuals were able to gain knowledge and skills in organizing and managing small business.

The State Employment Agency under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population provided 2,850 disabled people with suitable work upon the employment contracts in 2021.
New Delhi:

Soon after Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Sunday invited the Shiv Sena, the second largest party, to stake claim to form government, Congress president Sonia Gandhi dialled NCP chief Sharad Pawar on extending support to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party in the state, according to sources.

However, Congresss newly elected MLAs from Maharashtra told party general secretary Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday that their party should participate in the coalition government with the Shiv Sena and the NCP in the state. The Maharashtra Congress MLAs are staying at a Jaipur hotel.

Kharge, however, reiterated his party's stand of sitting in the opposition in Maharashtra, while Pawar said he would react only to an official statement from the Sonia Gandhi-led party.

The governor had on Saturday invited the BJP, the single largest party, to stake claim to form government. However, with the BJP unable to muster numbers in view of the Sena's stand not to support it on the issue of sharing of power and the post of the chief minister, the party on Sunday declined to form government.

"The Sena will have to inform the governor about its stand by Monday (November 11) evening 7.30 pm," a Raj Bhavan official said.

In the 288-member Assembly, the BJP and the Sena each has 105 and 56 MLAs, respectively. Opposition Congress and NCP won 44 and 54 seats, respectively, in recent assembly polls. The halfway mark is 145.

Koshyariasked Sena legislative party leader Eknath Shinde to "indicate willingness and ability" of the party to form government in Maharashtra, a Raj Bhavan statement said.

"The Governor has, therefore, asked the leader of elected members of the second largest party, Shiv Sena, Eknath Shinde, to convey its willingness and ability to form the government," the statement said.

With the BJP backing off from the race, the onus to form government now rests with the Sena, which has indicated that it might rope in the Congress and the NCP to prop up a government.

Sena MP Sanjay Raut had earlier claimed support of 170 MLAs.
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court in a unanimous verdict on Saturday granted the entire 2.77 acre of disputed land in Ayodhya to deity Ram Lalla in a set of four directions. The 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi directed the Centre to set up a trust in three months to formulate scheme for construction of Ram temple. It is not the first time a trust formed by central government will have the task of envisioning and constructing a temple of such national and historic importance.

Somnath Temple Trust played an important role in construction of the temple in Gujarat. Somnath Temple bears the imprint of the India's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who had vowed to rebuild it. India's first President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the temple. It is said that it was Mahatma Gandhi who had suggested using donations from public to build the temple instead using government money.

The Somnath Temple Trust was established under the Gujarat Public Trust Act, 1950. Patel installed King of Jamnagar Maharaja Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji as head of the trust while politician and educationalist KM Munshi, union minister NV Gadgil, union minister Jaisukh Lal Hathi, industrialist GD Birla and Saurashtra regional commissioner DV Rege were appointed as members.

Earlier Boards were dominated by Congressmen. The BJP now dominates the Board. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah are board members of the Somnath Temple Trust. Somnath Temple Trust has seven members.

The trust for the construction of Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya is expected to be similar to the Somnath Temple Trust. Prime Minister is expected to be member of the Ram Temple Trust also while other members would be decided by consensus, sources inside government told ANI.

In all likelihood, the trust will fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture. Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Patel informed that the ministry is planning to bring out a book on Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) listings of evidence in the case. "The ASI has done a commendable job and we would bring the work cited in the case in the Supreme Court in the form of a book," said the minister.

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Mumbai:

While the Supreme Courts judgment in the Ayodhya dispute has brought a closure to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, the communal riots which followed the demolition of the mosque left an indelible scar on far-away Mumbai. The Supreme Court on Saturday allowed the construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque. But the period from December 6, 1992, when the Babri mosque was demolished, and March 12, 1993, when serial blasts rocked Mumbai, changed the citys cosmopolitan character forever, some social commentators later observed.

The riots claimed more than 700 lives and also led to migration of a large section of the minority community to suburbs outside the city. Mumbai Police faced opprobrium for alleged bias in the handling of the situation during the period. The serial blasts which followed the riots killed at least 257 people and maimed over 700, providing a deadly climax to the traumatic period.

"Whatever we did (to contain the riots) was to the best of our ability in the given situation. We did whatever was humanly possible," said then police commissioner of Mumbai Shrikant Bapat, who was shunted out after the riots.

The riots unfolded in two phasesimmediately in the aftermath of the demolition of the mosque, and later, in January, when six persons were killed at Radhabai chawl in suburban Jogeshwari.

It all started with protests in Pydhonie area on the night of December 6 as some people sought to celebrate the demolition of the mosque, said a police officer who worked in the city during the period. In the next few days, a full-fledged riot erupted which became almost uncontrollable, he said.

Also Read | Moment Of Fulfillment: LK Advani On Supreme Courts Verdict In Ayodhya Case

The police themselves had a hard time dealing with angry mobs. At Jogeshwari, a police officer died due to a bullet injury to the head, while another policeman was attacked in Grant Road area. The police were accused of excesses and communal bias, especially in the case of killing of nine men inside Suleman Bakery on January 9, 1993.

While the police maintained that they opened fire on rioters hiding inside the bakery in self-defence, surviving victims alleged that they were innocent, and police had fired without any provocation. Gulzar Khan, a businessman from Dharavi in Central Mumbai, recalled the violence and looting which he witnessed during the period.

Khan, who was then eight years old, said, It was like chaos in our area. Curfew was imposed. Hatred was in the air everywhere. "People who had lived together for years were divided on communal lines by the violence," he said.

Gulzar was the face of Mumbai Polices iconic Hum Sab Ek Hain initiative, launched in 1995 to encourage communal harmony. "We have nothing to do with the Ayodhya verdict now, we only need peace," he said, adding, "The people who witnessed the 1992-93 riots will never want such things to happen again."

Over 2,200 cases of communal violence were registered across the city during the period, of which 1,300 were closed without trial. Even as the communal violence gradually abated after January, two months later serial blastsmasterminded by fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim to take revengerocked the city. The blasts also led to something that was unheard of till then: division of citys gangsters on communal lines, with some being hailed as patriotic dons.

The B N Srikrishna commission, appointed to investigate the riots, squarely blamed the political class for the riots for their acts of commission and omission. The Shiv Sena, which was castigated severely by the commission in its report, went on to taste electoral success in the years thereafter, and came to power in Maharashtra in the 1995 assembly elections.
New Delhi:

CBSE has released Handbooks for Students and Teachers with the objective to provide information reading curriculum, subjects and teaching methodologies. Earlier, the handbooks were released by the Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal. Now, CBSE has released the handbook on the official website, i.e. cbse.nic.in. According to the notification, CBSE has asked all schools to distribute the handbooks to teachers and students. Al teachers and students are also requested to download the handbooks from the official website.

CBSE has released a notification stating that discussion on the chapters of the handbooks for students should be planned and students will be credited for the internal assessment accordingly for their active participation in the discussion.

The handbook for students released by CBSE comprises educational content on subject choices, CBSE activities, examination, exam procedures, etc. Further, the student handbook includes important details regarding the examination, personal development activities and cyber safety rules. The handbook for teachers includes details on teaching methodology for career development and advancement. The handbook includes information on the expectations the board has with teachers. All professional life details regarding teaching procedures, roles, policies and responsibilities are included in the handbook. According to the official notification, the handbook released by CBSE includes information on appointment and qualifications along-with teaching framework and teacher self-evaluation.

The direct link to download CBSE Handbooks for teachers and students are as follows:

CBSE Handbook For Teachers

CBSE Handbook For Students
New Delhi:

Agitating Delhi lawyers on Friday decided to suspend their ongoing strike. The court had been striking in protest against Tis Hazari court brawl between advocates and Delhi Police personnel. "It is further resolved to suspend the ongoing agitation/abstinence/strike for the further time being," a joint statement issued by Bar Council of India and Bar Council of Delhi said.

But according to a PTI report, the Bar Council of India has threatened a nationwide stir if no action is taken against the police officers who allegedly fired at the advocates during last week's clash between them.

"If the concerned police officer/personnel (who fired at on the advocate of Tis Hazari court) is not arrested within a period of 10 days, the issue will be taken on all India basis," Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said in a statement.

"We want the police officers to be arrested as soon as possible. Till then the strike has been put on hold. Lawyers will join work from Monday," he said. Agitation by lawyers of all the six district courts in the national capital entered 5th day on Friday with advocates and personnel staff of the bar associations doing the security checks of the people entering the premises.



Dhir Singh Kasana, secretary of coordination committee of All District Courts Bar Associations, said the resolution to put the stir on hold was taken at a meeting between the BCI and all the members of district bar associations wherein Mishra assured them that the police officers would be arrested.

He further said that a higher committee has been formed comprising the chairman and secretary of BCI, chairman and co-chairman of Bar Council of Delhi and the presidents and secretaries of coordination committee of all the six district courts' bar associations to monitor the matter continuously.



"The committee will look into the matter from now and hold meetings from time to time to decide the future course of action," he said.



Bar associations of district courts said the situation was calm in all these courts -- Tis Hazari, Saket, Patiala House, Rohini, Karkardooma and Dwarka -- although lawyers are continuing to observe complete strike in the national capital following clashes with the police.



Litigants were allowed to have full access to courtrooms and proxy counsels assisted them in the matters, the associations said.



"Normalcy has returned in all the courts. Lawyers are observing full strike though. We have deployed two lawyers and two members of the personal staff of the Bar to look after the security of the court's premises," said advocate Jaiveer Singh Chauhan, Secretary of Delhi Bar Association of Tis Hazari court, where the clash first broke out on November 2.

Two days later, an on-duty policeman was allegedly thrashed by advocates outside Saket Court.



On November 6, the lawyers had closed the main gates at Patiala House and Saket district courts and did not let litigants access the court premises, citing security reasons.



The same day, during the protest at Rohini district court, one lawyer had taken off his clothes and poured kerosene on his body threatening to immolate himself, while another advocate climbed atop a building in the premises.



Chauhan further said that bar members have not been called yet for a meeting with the former judge of the Delhi High Court, appointed to hold a judicial inquiry into the clash between lawyers and police at Tis Hazari court on November 2.



"Justice (Retd) S P Garg has not called the Bar members yet for a meeting. We will cooperate fully in his enquiry," he said.

Advocate R K Wadhwa, chairman of New Delhi Bar Association, said few police personnel were present inside Patiala House court's premises,.



"It's complete strike at Patiala House court. We have not stopped the litigants from entering the courts from first day of the boycott. Few police personnel are also there inside the court's premises," he said.



The tension between police personnel and lawyers had been building up since last Saturday when a clash over a parking dispute led to at least 20 security personnel and several advocates being injured.



Lawyers in six district courts are abstaining from work since November 4, protesting against the clash.



In unprecedented protests by Delhi police, thousands of its personnel on Tuesday laid siege outside the Police Headquarters for 11 hours and staged a virtual revolt sparked by two attacks on their colleagues before calling off their stir following multiple appeals including from their chief.



With PTI Inputs


New Delhi:

Ayodhya Verdict: Ram Lalla Gets Site, Muslims Promised Land- Ram Mandir Judgment Explained

The Supreme Court in a unanimous verdict on Saturday granted the entire 2.77 acre of disputed land in Ayodhya to deity Ram Lalla in a set of four directions. The 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi also directed the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government to allot a 5-acre land to Muslims at a "prominent" place in Ayodhya for building a mosque. Read more

Cyclone 'Bulbul' Makes Landfall, 2 Deaths Reported As Heavy Rains Lash West Bengal, Odisha

'Bulbul' made landfall on Saturday midnight between Sagar Islands of West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh. It is hurtling northeastwards into the neighbouring country over the Sunderban delta, with two deaths reported in its wake. According to India Meteorological Dept (IMD), the severe cyclonic storm Bulbul weakened into a cyclonic storm and lay centered over Bangladesh adjoining coastal West Bengal at 0530 hours on Sunday. It is expected likely to move East-NorthEastwards across Bangladesh and likely to weaken into a deep depression during next six hours. Read more

Amarinder Singh Tells Pakistan: 'Don't Interfere In Kashmir, Stop 'Eyeing' Punjab'

Before he left for Kartarpur on Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh warned Pakistan against interfering in Kashmir and to stop "eyeing" Punjab, and said it won't succeed in its "nefarious designs". Singh also said he hoped Pakistan would understand that India wants friendly relations with it. Read more

Ayodhya Verdict: Some JNU Students Hold Protest-Meet Against Supreme Court's Order

A section of Jawaharlal Nehru University students on Saturday organised a protest-meet against the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya case that put an end to the more-than-a-century-old dispute that had torn the social fabric of the nation. Read more

Karnataka Premier League (KPL) Match-Fixing Case: CCB Arrest International Bookie Sayyam

Central Crime Branch (CCB), Bengaluru has made another arrest in the ongoing probe of Karnataka Premier League (KPL) match fixing case. CCB has arrested international bookie Sayyam. According to CCB, Sayyam is a resident of Haryana. A look-out circular had been issued for him related to the KPL match fixing investigation. Read more

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New Delhi:

Cyclone Bulbul, which barrelled through the coastal districts of West Bengal before hurtling towards Bangladesh, claimed at least seven lives in different parts of the state, official reports said on Sunday.

The severe cyclonic storm, which brought in its wake heavy rain coupled with gale wind till early Sunday, uprooted hundreds of trees and snapped cables in the city and its adjoining areas in North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, bring life to a near-halt.

In North Parganas alone, five people were killed in separate incidents.

According to a senior police officer, a septuagenarian woman, Suchitra Mandal, died at Purba Makala village in Basirhat area of the district when a tree fell on her.

Several trees were also uprooted at Gokhna village, one of which claimed the life of Reba Biswas (47).

Manirul Gazi (59) was the third casualty in North 24 Parganas. He was electrocuted to death after coming in contact with a lamp post, the officer added.

Two more deaths, one due to wall collapse and another after coming under a falling tree, were also reported in the district, a state government official said.

In East Midnapore, too, a man died after he was crushed by a falling tree.

Earlier, on Saturday, even before the cyclone hit the coast, an employee of a renowned club in the city was killed when a branch of a cedar tree fell on him during heavy rain.

Torrential rain lashed the metropolis throughout Saturday, forcing people to remain indoors. Gale wind with gusts up to 135 kmph prevailed over the coastal districts of South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore and its adjoining areas in North 24 Parganas as the cyclone made landfall around midnight on Saturday.

Hundreds of uprooted trees have blocked thoroughfares in the state capital and its fringe areas, even as people braved the adverse conditions to come out of homes on Sunday afternoon as the weather improved.

The NDRF, along with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), police and fire personnel, is working on a war footing to clear road blockades caused by fallen trees and branches.

We have already engaged workers to clear the roads and pump out water from low-lying areas. We are hopeful our work will be over by tonight, said a KMC official.

State disaster management minister Javed Khan said all emergency services have been put in place to ensure that the uprooted trees are removed at the earliest.

According to the IMD, the very severe cyclonic storm had weakened into severe cyclonic storm before making landfall close to Sunderban Dhanchi forest.

Yesterdays very severe cyclonic storm Bulbul over northwest Bay of Bengal (BoB) moved northeastwards, weakened into a severe cyclonic storm and crossed West Bengal coast close to Sunderban Dhanchi forest during 8.30 pm to 11.30 pm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph, it said in an official release.

The Met department also predicted light to moderate rainfall over the next six hours from 12.30 pm in North and South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and Nadia districts.

In a tweet, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday she would conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas around Namkhana and Bakkhali in South 24 Parganas.

Due to the severe cyclonic storm Bulbul, I have decided to postpone my North Bengal visit in the coming week. Instead, tomorrow I would take an aerial survey of the affected areas around Namkhana and Bakkhali.

Later I would take a meeting at Kakdwip with administration to review relief and rehabilitation measures of the cyclone-affected people. I am also planning to visit the cyclone-affected areas of Basirhat of North 24-Parganas on 13 November, 2019, Banerjee tweeted.

State power minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said measures were being taken to restore power supply in areas, where electric cables have been torn apart due to the cyclone.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about the situation arising out of the cylone and assured the state of all assistance to deal with the calamity.

Reviewed the situation in the wake of cyclone conditions and heavy rain in parts of Eastern India, the prime minister wrote on Twitter.

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New Delhi:

Sunni Central Waqf Board Chairman Zafar Ahmad Farooqui on Saturday said that they accept the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case and won't file any review petition. "We welcome and humbly accept the verdict of the Supreme Court. I want to make it clear that UP Sunni Waqf Board will not go for any review of the SC order or file any curative petition," Farooqui said while addressing a press conference following the historic judgment. The Sunni Central Waqf Board was one of the three key parties in the communally sensitive case of Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya.

Referring to the All India Muslim Personal Law Boards remarks, Farooqui said that the Sunni Waqf Board has nothing to do with anyone willing to file a review petition against the verdict. He said that everybody had said this will be the final verdict and we humbly accept it. He, however, said that the Sunni Waqf Board has not taken any decision on the five acres land proposal by the Supreme Court and the matter will be discussed during the boards meeting.

When asked about All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisis comments on the judgment, he said that the AIMIM chief was not a member of the board, thus, his statement holds no merit.

Also Read | Ayodhya Verdict: Supreme Court Rules Ram Temple To Be Built At Site, Alternative Land For Mosque

In a unanimous verdict, the five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday ruled that the disputed land will be given to Hindus as Muslim party failed to prove possessory title.

The court, however, has directed to allot a separate five acres land for Muslims to build a mosque. The apex court said the mosque should be constructed at a "prominent site". The site was occupied by the 16th century Babri mosque which was destroyed by Hindu extremists on December 6, 1992.





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Samastipur:

The Supreme Court's verdict marking the denouement of the vexatious Ayodhya dispute might have riled or relieved the warring parties, but LK Advani, the hawk-turned-dove BJP patriarch, must be a happy man. The apex court verdict, which has paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, came just a day after he celebrated his 92nd birthday.

Nearly three decades ago, on October 23, 1990, his 'chariot', a swanky air-conditioned monster of a vehicle, was stopped on track by the orders of an ebullient Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad at little-known town of Samastipur, setting off a string of events that would shape the country's politics in years to come.

Advani's attempt to galvanise Hindus through his 'Ram Rath Yatra', and Lalu's act of having him arrested, was a watershed moment in the country's history that gave birth to the 'Mandal-Mandir' politics which left society cleaved on both religious and casteist lines.

The arrest of Advani, then the BJP president, was as dramatic as its effects were cataclysmic.

"It was early in the morning when my telephone rang. I was surprised to find the chief minister on the other side. He was his usual chatty self. He asked me kitna sote hain (how long do you sleep). Knowing that Prasad himself was a late riser, I enquired what made him rise so early," reminisced SD Narayan, a veteran journalist who then headed the Patna bureau of PTI.

"Baba ko pakad liya (we have caught the old man) was his terse response. Governments across the country and in many states were feeling the heat of Ram Rath Yatra and were itching to do something to bring it to a halt. Finally, the flamboyant chief minister of Bihar chose to bite the bullet," said Narayan.

A veteran Samastipur-based journalist, who was then a cub reporter working for a Hindi daily, recalled how the air was thick with anticipation that day.

"I was told to follow the rath yatra from Hajipur to Samastipur. In Hajipur, Advani had received a rousing welcome but, oddly, helicopters were hovering in the sky. We had a vague impression that something big was going to happen," he said.

The news of Advani's arrest was broken to journalists by RK Singh, the redoubtable district magistrate of Samastipur.

All telephone lines had gone dead before Advani's arrest and an official briefing was the only way to gather news in those days when internet and mobile phones were not known and fax machines were a rarity.

Singh later went on to become the Union home secretary and is now a Union minister from the BJP quota.

Advani was flown in an aircraft to a government guest house in Dumka, now in Jharkhand, before being released a few days later.

Though Advani's arrest brought an abrupt end to his hugely successful rath yatra, it triggered massive protests and communal riots across several towns and cities, especially in north India.

The communal frenzy that the arrest left in its wake saw thousands of radical Hindu 'Karsevaks' (volunteers) converge in Ayodhya.

On October 30 that year, 28 Karsevaks were killed in police action while trying to storm the Babri Masjid, which was finally felled on December 6, 1992 in the presence of Advani and a host of top BJP and VHP leaders. Advani is an accused in the case.

Years later, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was then the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, defended the action, saying if even more people were required to be killed for the country's unity and integrity, the security forces would have done that.

Advani's arrest prompted the BJP to withdraw its support to the VP Singh government at the Centre, which declared it will go ahead with the implementation of the Mandal Commission report that would provide 27 per cent reservation to backward classes in government jobs and state- run educational institutions.

The events that unfolded after Advani's arrest not only benefited the BJP, whose political clout grew exponentially, but also catapulted Lalu to the forefront of the anti-saffron camp. In the absence of a towering Muslim leader, Lalu, once derided as a country bumpkin, emerged as not only a messiah of the backward classes but also a doughty fighter for the cause of the minority community.

The two protagonists of the Samastipur saga, in the autumn of their lives, are now away from limelight, having left conflicting legacies.

While Advani has been relegated to the virtually non- existent 'Margdarshak Mandal' of the BJP, which now enjoys hegemony over the country's political landscape, an ailing Lalu Prasad cools his heels in a Jharkhand prison presiding over a party left feeble by his absence from public space.

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New Delhi:

Google on Saturday is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with a doodle. The day marks the historic event of falling of the Iron Curtain and on this day an end to the Cold War was declared at the Malta Summit three weeks later, and hence the reunification of Germany. The Doodle, created by Berlin-based guest artist Max Guther, said he drew inspiration from stories and old photographs of my parents who were in Berlin 30 years ago witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall.

30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Tor auf! (Open the gate!) roared the crowds gathered at the Berlin Wall on this evening in 1989. Winds of change were blowing across Europe as new leadership in Russia, Poland, and Hungary had high hopes in East Germany for an end to 28 years of strict travel restrictions, Google explained in its blog post. During a government press conference, an official spokesmans hasty statement gave reporters and TV viewers the mistaken impression that East Germany would be allowing free travel between East and West Berlin.

Within hours, a massive crowd gathered at the wall, far outnumbering the border crossing guards. Sometime before midnight, the officer in charge of the Bornholmer Street checkpoint defied his superiors and gave the order to open the gate.

Word spread quickly, and over the next few days, 2 million jubilant Germans crossed the border, some singing, dancing, and toasting the start of a new era while others began physically dismantling the wall.

Erected on August 13, 1961, the barbed wire and concrete edifice had long divided East and West Berlin. By the same token, its demolition triggered a series of events that led to the reunion of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has announced that the fourth edition of its landmark Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF), to be held virtually today (January 19), will be a carbon-neutral event and platform.

ADGM will collaborate with AirCarbon Exchange (ACX) to obtain its carbon neutrality status through an offsetting programme. This is done by purchasing carbon credits from a project that works to reduce or absorb carbon emissions.

The ADSFF is a purpose-driven and collective effort platform by the UAEs financial sector to advance sustainable finance and investment of projects and initiatives that augment the countrys national climate goals and ambition towards a better and more sustainable future.

The ADSFF is a strategic extension of ADGMs undertaking in supporting the UAEs Net-Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiatives and commitment towards a thriving and sustainable economy. The forum will convene international government decision-makers, top global institutional investors, regulators, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and innovators to share best practices and discuss industry challenges.

The forum will also facilitate and spark new areas of cross-border collaborations to increase efforts that foster sustainable financing and accelerate the flow of capital towards sustainable investments and projects.

Commenting on the forum, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said: "It is ADGMs mandate and one of its key priorities in facilitating sustainable financing and responsible investments, as well as, addressing climate change and sustainability concerns that affect the financial sector, the economy and the long-term well-being of the UAE. The UAE has always been proactive and forward-thinking in its engagement and actions towards sustainability as demonstrated by its Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and being the convener of COP28.

"As the progressive international financial centre in Abu Dhabi, ADGM will continue to heighten its efforts in supporting the Abu Dhabis economic diversification agenda and the UAEs commitment towards a sustainable future for its people and country. Lowering ADSFF carbon footprint is not only the right thing to do, but also a sensible business decision."

The 4th ADSFF is a much anticipated forum that features key industry thought leaders and entrepreneurs including, Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute, Eight Secretary-General of the United Nations; Younis Al Khoori, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, UAE; Mohamed Ali AL Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; Mohammed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC); Dr Maryam Al Suwaidi, Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA); Mary Shapiro, former Chair of the US SEC and Vice Chair, Glasgow Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ); Jean Lemierre, Chairman, BNP Paribas; Maria Ferraro, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer, Siemens Energy AG, to name a few.

The themes of ADSFF include how regulations support sustainability, innovations, connecting investors to opportunities, the use of Islamic finance to support climate mitigation and adaptation and more.
New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) and Union Cabinet will meet via video conferencing on Wednesday in response to growing worries about the rise in Covid-19 cases.According to reliable sources, the CCEA meeting will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the Union Cabinet meeting at 10.05 a.m.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Nepal for the construction of a bridge over the Mahakali River at Dharchula (India)- Dharchula (Nepal) was authorised by the Union Cabinet just last week (Nepal).

The MoU between India and Nepal will be signed in the "near future," according to I&B Minister Anurag Thakur, and the bridge would be completed in three years. According to Thakur, as near neighbours, India and Nepal have unique friendship and collaboration relations typified by an open border and deep-rooted kinship and cultural contacts. The signing of the MoU will improve diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to an official release.

It also approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Turkmenistan on Disaster Management Cooperation. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Turkmenistan on Disaster Management was approved by the Union Cabinet, which is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has inked a deal with the Government of Mauritius for the export of one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk-III) for the island nation's police force, in accordance with the central government's objective to expand defence exports to friendly foreign countries.

HAL and the Government of Mauritius, which already flies a HAL-built ALH and Dornier-228 aircraft, have further enhanced their long-standing business links, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Bengaluru-based corporation.

The contract was signed at HAL's Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur by B K Tripathy, General Manager, Helicopter Division-HAL, and O K Dabidin, Secretary of Home Affairs, Prime Minister's Office, Government of the Republic of Mauritius.

According to HAL, the ALH Mk-III is a multi-role, multi-mission adaptable helicopter in the 5.5 tonne category. "It has demonstrated its mettle in a range of utility roles, including multiple life-saving missions during natural disasters in India and overseas," according to the release.

More than 335 ALHs have been built to date, with a total flying time of around 3,40,000 hours. It was also mentioned that HAL provides technical help and product support to the customer to assure the helicopter's continued serviceability.

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JAKARTA  Indonesian lawmakers have enacted legislation to move the country's capital from the most populous island of Java to the island of Kalimantan, which shares borders with Malaysia and Brunei. The move is a significant step forward in one of President Joko Widodo's most ambitious initiatives.

Former presidents have discussed the possibility of moving the capital city in the past. Due to a number of concerns such as excessive population density and land subsidence in Jakarta, which is home to more than 10 million people, the president, also known as Jokowi, pledged three years ago to relocate the capital city to the province of East Kalimantan.

Nusantara, the proposed capital's name, will be erected in East Kalimantan's Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kartanegara districts. It will cover around 256,000 hectares of land. President Jokowi chose the term Nusantara, which means "archipelago" in English, according to Minister for National Development Planning Suharso Monoarfa.

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, is made up of 17,000 islands and home to 270 million people. "The national capital acts as a symbol of a country, demonstrating the nation's and state's identity," Minister Monoarfa said during a meeting with legislators at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka on verge of bankruptcy, launches gold sales

Visa fees for international students and backpackers will be waived in Australia

Taliban govt calls meeting to discuss the economic situation in Afghanistan
Turkey: According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey and Serbia have agreed to bring together leaders of Bosnians, Croats, and Serbs in order to resolve the problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Let's get three Bosnians, Croats, and Serbs together and execute this. This is the decision we've made. This meeting might take place in Belgrade or Istanbul "Erdogan made the remarks following a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic in Ankara on Tuesday.

"We want to bring the leaders of this tripartite group together after the elections in Serbia and hold a meeting where we can take steps to ensure the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Erdogan said in a joint press conference with Vucic at the Turkish presidency, according to state media report..

We "strongly and decisively" confirmed their commitment to the Balkans' peace and stability, Erdogan said, adding that "Serbia's support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and territorial integrity is very vital for the peace and stability of our area." Erdogan elaborated on bilateral relations between Turkey and Serbia, stating that the two nations' trade expanded by 34 percent to USD2 billion in 2021, with a goal of reaching USD5 billion.

Indonesian parliament passes legislation to relocate capital to Nusantara

Sri Lanka on verge of bankruptcy, launches gold sales

Taliban govt calls meeting to discuss the economic situation in Afghanistan
Home  Just In  As Covid-19 third wave approaches its peak, govt itself is in isolation in Nepal

After a few politicians from the ruling parties contracted Covid-19 following a meeting of the coalition on January 6, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba went into isolation. Despite testing negative for the coronavirus, Deuba has not been as active as he should be. Being the prime minister of the country, he should have been taking stock of how the country is dealing with the third wave of Covid-19. But instead, Deuba has been busy with party politics, puzzling everyone.

Deubas attitude seems to have rubbed off on his government too as it seems to have isolated itself from the ongoing pandemic as it has done next to nothing to help Nepalis deal with the third wave and the spread of the Omicron variant.

The virus in the government

File: Ministry of Health

The Omicron variant spreads quickly. Its effects are showing in Nepal as the past week Nepal has seen an average of 4,300 cases a day. Public health experts say that to break the chain of transmission, the country should have worked faster than the virus. But, with the government not bothered, things will only get worse, says infectious disease expert, Dr Prabhat Adhikari.

This takes you back to Deuba. For most of December 2021, he was busy with his partys general convention. During that time, Nepal recorded its first case of the Omicron variant. Following his reelection as the president of the Nepali Congress, Deuba has been busy speaking to leaders about who gets to fill the vacant positions in the National Assembly. This goes to show how least bothered he is about the ongoing third wave of Covid-19 in the country.

Its shocking to see him not show any urgency, says an official from the Health Ministry. He orders people and then carries on with his daily work. This has been the problem with past prime ministers too.

The Covid-19 situation in January-February 2022 as estimated by the Ministry of Health and Population on January 18, 2022.

It is the job of the health minister to alert the prime minister about the ongoing third wave. But, a source close to the prime minister says Deuba feels that Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada is not concerned about this third wave. That is why public health experts feel that the daily cases continue to rise.

Infectious disease expert Dr Adhikari says that once Omicron spread across India, Nepal should have started to administer booster doses to health workers and senior citizens. But, it has only been a few days that the government has started giving booster shots.

The government is confused. Now is the time to increase testing and ensure hospitals are ready. But, it seems its focus is on something else, says Dr Adhikari.

Former health minister Khagaraj Adhikari also says that the government has not done anything to control the third wave.

During such a health emergency, the health ministry should be active. But, it seems its busy transferring people here and there rather than motivating health workers and managing human resources at hospitals, he says.

Ineffective government bodies

Department of Health Services

When the government and its bodies failed to tackle the Covid-19 third wave, the then KP Sharma Oli-led government formed Covid-19 Crisis Management Committee (CCMC). The committee was led by former Nepal Army lieutenant-general Balananda Sharma.

But, with a change of government, the head of the CCMC also changed as Sharma was removed. The CCMC itself has also changed as it is now converted into the Covid-19 Crisis Management Coordination Centre (CCMCC). Even though it is led by a government secretary, experts say the CCMCC is weaker than the erstwhile CCMC as far as controlling the third wave is concerned.

The ineffectiveness of the CCMCC is clear as it has not even been able to conduct regular meetings. The only thing it has done so far is hand out government recommendations of how to control the spread of Covid-19.

The chief of CCMCC, Ram Prasad Thapaliya, agrees the centre has not been able to work as per the need, but he says that that is due to its members contracting the virus themselves.

According to a member of the CCMCC, in the recommendation, the centre also added a provision through which the chief district officer can impose a smart lockdown to control the third wave. As the cases increased, this should have already been done. But, this provision was only passed by the council of ministers on January 14.

Whose job is it anyway?

File: Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada

The government issued the Covid-19 Management Ordinance on September 21, 2021. According to the ordinance, a committee was formed under the leadership of the prime minister and had members from almost all the ministries including ministers and secretaries.

The committee was tasked with making plans and policies regarding controlling Covid-19. The committee was also asked to speak to the provincial and local governments and coordinate with them to help curb the spread.

But, public health expert Dr Babu Ram Marasini says the local and provincial levels were not given clear instructions by the committee, and its results have been apparent in the ongoing third wave.

They didnt know their role and dont know how to act and that has led to this outbreak, says Marasini.

He says that during the first and second waves, the local and provincial levels acted on their own and created temporary quarantine centres with funds given by the central government. But this time, as funds have not come, the local governments have not been able to do so.

The government says they dont even have people to up the vaccination drive in the country. We have to send people to villages and raise awareness about the virus, but nothing is being done, says former health minister Khagaraj Adhikhari, calling on the centre to coordinate with the provincial and local governments. We need to up contact tracing and ensure we are vaccinating people.

Dr Maraisini says that the government should have divided roles and responsibilities of who did what by now for effective control of the third wave. But, the government has not even specified the role of the CCMCC.

All power has been given to the CDOs. But, its been given in an unclear manner, says Dr Marisini.

Chaos at border points

The holding centre in Province 1 is still waiting to be completed.

The first and second waves got out of hand due to poor handling of India-Nepal border points. Despite that, the government has not learned anything and is repeating the same mistake in the third wave also. The government has not set up quarantine centres near the border points.

During the first two waves, the Nepal Army was deployed to manage people coming into the country from India. But, in the third wave, all they are doing is constructing a holding centre near the border points which is yet to be complete.

No one knows whose role is to manage people coming into the country through these border points and that is causing problems because people who are testing positive are being sent home. According to the Health Ministry, around 300 people who enter Nepal are testing positive for Coivd-19 every day.

This shows how bad the preparation is. The pandemic has been around for two years, and we cant seem to build a quarantine centre at a border point, says Dr Marasini.

Vaccination at snails pace

A health worker prepares a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, in Kathmandu, January 2021.

The vaccination rate in the country is also a worry for the third wave, say public health experts. As of January 18, only 40.6 per cent of the total population has been vaccinated.

It should have been around 80 per cent by now, says Dr Marasini.

The reason for the delay, according to former Health Minister Khagaraj Adhikari, was a shortage of syringes.

The government has been so irresponsible towards its citizens. Not being able to distribute vaccines due to a shortage of syringes is very poor planning, he says.

Need for better planning and strong mechanism

Former secretary and member of the CCMC, Mahendra Guragain, says the government needs a strong mechanism to deal with the virus in the third wave.

We need to prepare to make decisions based on the situation. We might upset people, but the mechanism needs to be strong because leaving this in the hands of government officials will not cut it. A body like the CCMC should be formed and decisions should be taken by them, says Guragain.

A high-ranking official at the newly formed CCMCC says they have not been able to do this because it takes quite a long for their suggestion to reach the prime minister.

The CCMC had direct contact with the prime minister, but we dont. And that is causing a lot of problems, said the official.

Dr Marasini believes the CCMCC should be full of experts from all fields and they should be allowed to make decisions based on situations so that the third wave can be controlled easily.

We need a mechanism that will make it easy for a body like CCMCC to have direct contact with the prime minister, which will help in implementing the decision fast, says Dr Marisini.

Infectious disease expert Dr Adhikari agrees with Dr Marisini and says that it was time politicians stopped taking decisions when it came to public health.

Experts should be making these decisions and politicians should be helping them implement the decisions, says Dr Adhikari.
(Bloomberg) -- For the third time in less than two months, the U.S. aviation system on Tuesday faced the threat of widespread flight disruptions over potential 5G interference, only to get a temporary reprieve.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A last-minute accord between wireless telephone companies and aviation authorities averted major disruptions but didnt eliminate them. Left to be worked out is a long-term solution that will enable mobile phone companies to take advantage of super fast wireless technology without interfering with aviation.

AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. agreed on Tuesday to temporarily delay switching on hundreds of 5G cell towers near U.S. airports in talks with the Federal Aviation Administration and other government officials. The towers broadcast on frequencies adjacent to those used by radar altimeters that help aircraft land in poor weather.

The agreement calls for temporary no-5G buffer zones around airports while federal regulators and industry groups try to reach a permanent solution without repeating the crisis in coming months.

President Joe Biden issued a statement Tuesday praising the delay. This agreement will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery, while allowing more than 90% of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled, Biden said.

Talks will continue, he added, until we close the remaining gap and reach a permanent, workable solution around these key airports.

The wireless companies paid more than $80 billion for access to the frequency band, allowing them to offer faster 5G mobile-phone services and are anxious to put them to use. The Federal Communications Commission approved the transfer of the frequencies from other uses to the companies, concluding there was no threat to aviation safety.

Story continues

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel called Tuesdays agreement welcome news.

We know that deployment can safely co-exist with aviation technologies in the United States, just as it does in other countries around the world, she said in a statement. The FAA has a process in place to assess altimeter performance in the 5G environment and resolve any remaining concerns. It is essential that the FAA now complete this process with both care and speed.

The FAA on Wednesday announced that it had exempted 62% of the U.S. fleet from 5G-related landing restrictions. The agency said five altimeter models qualify for exemptions from low-visibility landing restrictions, up from only two as of Sunday. That helped keep the impact on the aviation system to a minimum after several carriers had warned of potential cancellations.

Most Boeing Co. and Airbus SE jets used to carry the bulk of U.S. passengers are now at least partially cleared, but no regional jets were among those listed.

The new safety buffer announced Tuesday around airports in the 5G deployment further expanded the number of airports available to planes with previously cleared altimeters to perform low-visibility landings, the FAA said in a statement.

Even with these approvals, flights at some airports may still be affected, the agency said. The FAA also continues to work with manufacturers to understand how radar altimeter data is used in other flight control systems.

Southwest Airlines Co. canceled 15 West Coast flights -- about 0.5% of its daily schedule -- as a result of 5G issues related to visibility or weather, the company said in an email. There were no U.S. commercial airports suffering unusually large numbers of delays or cancellations, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware.

Even with the measures promised by AT&T and Verizon, there may still be restrictions on flights. If certain aircraft have a potential for interference, the FAA may still impose limits on certain types of landings and other flight procedures.

Boeing had warned operators that one of its most popular long-range jets, the 777, as well as its 747-8 jumbo, might not be allowed to land at some U.S airports, prompting a spate of cancellations from carriers including Japan Airlines Co. Ltd., ANA Holdings Inc. Korean Air Lines Co. announced it had rearranged its fleet on routes to the concerned airports to avoid cancellations.

The FAA shortly afterward concluded that the 777 was sufficiently protected to allow flights to continue. JAL said it was resuming flights to the U.S. starting Thursday.

Despite the detente created by the latest compromise, feelings among some still ran high. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called the process chaotic and haphazard and said he blamed the Biden administration.

Altimeter Replacement

The best case scenario for resolving the 5G situation would be if analysis shows that altimeters arent at risk from 5G signals, said Peter Lemme, a former aircraft electronics engineer who is a consultant in satellite communications.

The moving target is exactly what interference levels will be caused, he said.

That painstaking work is being conducted by aircraft manufacturers along with the FAA and the wireless companies. Until thats completed, the FAA will have to be cautious and avoid risks, he added.

The last thing we want to do is find out there was a problem by having an incident, he said. That would be unacceptable.

Longer term, the FAA and the aviation industry have agreed that many or all radar altimeters will have to be replaced. That is a daunting process as well. The industry has been working on developing new standards for the altimeters for two years and it will take several more to get them approved by the FAA and to replace them.

The best solution is there isnt any interference, Lemme said. But if there is in fact a real problem, its going to be ugly.

(Updates with flight status, FAA actions from 10th paragraph)

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2022 Bloomberg L.P.
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 19, 2022 /CNW/ - The health of the communities we live in relies on well functioning ecosystems that provide clean air, fresh water, medicines and food security. They also limit disease and help stabilize the climate. Typically, the greater variety or the more 'biodiversity' of plants, animals and other living things will positively impact that ecosystem's ability to thrive.

Genome British Columbia Logo (CNW Group/Genome British Columbia)

However, biodiversity loss is happening at unprecedented rates, impacting human health worldwide. Earth is forecast to lose 50% of its biodiversity by the end of this century without action to curb climate change and protect the health of global ecosystems. The Global Risks Report 2021 from the World Economic Forum ranked biodiversity loss as one of the top five threats confronting humanity.

The Earth BioGenome Project is a global effort to map the genomes of all plants, animals, fungi and other microbial life on Earth. Powerful advances in genome sequencing technology, informatics, automation, and artificial intelligence have propelled humankind to the threshold of a new beginning in understanding, utilizing, and conserving biodiversity. For the first time in history, it is possible to efficiently sequence the genomes of all known species, and to use genomics to help discover the remaining 80 to 90 percent of species that are currently hidden from science.

Canada possesses significant biodiversity, having approximately 80,000 plant and animal species in environments ranging from desert to the arctic. British Columbia is home to thousands of species and ecosystems, and some of these are at risk of disappearing from our province due to rapid changes in climate and other human-led impacts on our environment.

One of Canada's contributions to this global initiative includes the Canadian BioGenome Project, an initiative funded in partnership with Genome British Columbia through Genome Canada's 2020 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition: Genomic Solutions for Natural Resources and the Environment.

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Dr. Steven Jones, Co-Director and Head of Bioinformatics for Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre and Dr. Maribeth Murray, Director of the Arctic Institute of North America at the University of Calgary are leading a collaborative effort between scientists, Indigenous peoples and conservation groups, to embark on the task of determining the genetic diversity of Canada's plants and animals through genomic sequencing.

The project is seeking to identify approximately 400 species that would benefit from a fully sequenced genome. The species are being selected based on existing and established priorities of Indigenous peoples, federal and provincial organizations, academic scientists and other conservation and wildlife groups.

Through a case study approach, the team is also working with partners to establish priorities for genomics tools development, policy recommendations for the use of genomics to maintain biodiversity and support conservation and management, and a user-friendly platform of genomics data and information specific to a particular location. The data generated will also be freely available to scientists in Canada and worldwide.

"Sequencing the genomes of Canada's plants and animals is a massive proposition that requires significant scientific collaborationone with enormous benefits not only for better understanding the evolution of life itself but in uncovering fundamental genetic principles of health and disease, for individuals and populations," says Dr. Steven Jones.

"Genome BC recognizes the urgent need to develop and accelerate the implementation of technological innovation to monitor and protect our rapidly changing environment," says Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Sectors and International Scientific Chair of the Global Earth BioGenome Project. "Applications of this data are real-time, and it builds on our strengths in genome sequencing in this province."

The Earth BioGenome Project announced this week that it is entering a new phase as it moves from pilot projects to full scale production sequencing. This new phase is marked with a collection of papers published this week in Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, describing the project's goals, achievements to date and next steps. To learn more about Earth BioGenome Project visit earthbiogenome.org.

About Genome British Columbia:

Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization supporting world-class genomics research and innovation to grow globally competitive life sciences sectors and deliver sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. The organization's initiatives are improving the lives of British Columbians by advancing health care in addition to addressing environmental and natural resource challenges. In addition to scientific programming, Genome BC works to integrate genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and foster an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.

SOURCE Genome British Columbia

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TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 /CNW/ - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published guidance for investment funds on their disclosure practices that relate to environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, particularly funds whose investment objectives reference ESG factors and other funds that use ESG strategies (ESG-Related Funds).

The guidance is based on existing regulatory requirements and addresses areas of disclosure, including investment objectives, fund names, investment strategies, risk disclosure, continuous disclosure and sales communications.

As the investment fund industry creates new funds and incorporates ESG considerations into existing funds to meet demand, there is an increased potential for "greenwashing"  where a fund's disclosure or marketing intentionally or inadvertently misleads investors about the ESG-related aspects of the fund.

"Interest in ESG investing is on the rise and this enhanced and practical guidance will play an important role in helping investors make informed decisions about ESG products, as well as preventing potential greenwashing," said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorite des marches financiers.

This guidance is intended to help investment funds and their fund managers enhance the ESG-related aspects of the funds' regulatory disclosure documents and ensure that sales communications of ESG-Related Funds are not untrue or misleading and are consistent with the funds' regulatory offering documents.

The guidance follows the CSA Roundtable on ESG-Related Regulatory Issues in Asset Management, which was held on September 27, 2021.

As part of its ongoing continuous disclosure review program, the CSA will continue to monitor the ESG-related disclosure of funds.

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

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SOURCE Canadian Securities Administrators

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China has pledged to deliver relief supplies to Tonga as soon as air traffic resumes following the devastating volcano eruption.

Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the Pacific nation had requested drinking water, food, personal protective equipment and disaster relief equipment, "which will arrive as soon as the local airport resumes operation and flight conditions allow".

Zhao said the Chinese embassy in Tonga would continue to pay close attention to the situation of Chinese citizens and provide consular protection and assistance in a timely manner.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"At the same time, we also remind Chinese citizens in Tonga and neighbouring countries to pay close attention to the relevant early warning information and strengthen security precautions."

Tonga has been largely cut off from the outside world since an underwater volcano erupted on Saturday, completely destroying one of its small outer islands and damaging its only undersea communication fibre optic cable.

The eruption also triggered tsunami warnings in some of the Pacific Rim countries including Japan, the US, Canada, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.

Some telephone networks within Tonga have been restored, and Australia and New Zealand are assisting with satellite calls but it could be some time before the undersea cable is back in operation.

Tonga Cable's chairman Samiuela Fonua told media outlets that repair ships risked continuing volcanic activity, with the eruption site close to the main Tongan island of Tongatapu.

China's state-owned Global Times urged the West to stop blocking projects, like the bid by Huawei Marine - now trading as HMN Technologies - to build an undersea cable connecting some of the Pacific island countries to Guam and the US.

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That project was put on hold last year after a US "warning" to the nations involved. According to a Reuters report at the time, bids from all three companies which pitched for the job were deemed ineligible, after a security warning issued by the US over Chinese involvement.

In an opinion piece on Tuesday, the nationalist tabloid said Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies in recent years had been "actively pursuing infrastructure projects in Pacific island nations, of which the construction of submarine fibre optic cables is an important part".

The article accused the West of blocking Chinese cooperation in the region because "they see the Pacific island nations as a place for competing for geopolitical influence".

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2022 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2022. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Saudi Arabias Al Rajhi Bank has announced that it has successfully completed the issuance of Saudi Riyal denominated Tier 1 Sukuk.

The issuance marks the largest issuance by a financial institution in Saudi Arabia and the first of its kind in the banks history. Due to the significant investor demand, the bank has decided to increase the issuance size to an aggregate principal amount of SR6.5 billion, a total of 6,500 Suk with a fixed profit rate of 3.5% per annum, the bank said.

Al Rajhi Bank Chairman Abdullah Suliman Al Rajhi expressed his appreciation for the success of the issuance and extended his gratitude to the participant investors of qualified individual investors, corporates, and financial institutions.

The issuance size which is considered the largest by a financial institution in the Kingdom and the diversity of investors were evident in the order book, as the number of participants has reached an unprecedented number of more than 600 investors, which reflects the valuable trust in Al Rajhi Bank, he said.

He also revealed that the qualified individual investors orders have been fully allocated which constitutes 38% of the total issuance, as an initiative to diversify the investor base by furthering the integration and participation of qualified individual investors in the local Sukuk market, contributing to the goals of the Kingdoms Vision 2030 through the Financial Sector Development Program, which aims to diversify the sources of income and stimulates the investment climate.

The chairman expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Al Rajhi Capital Company for its excellent management of the issuance as the sole lead manager and bookrunner, cementing their position as a pillar in the local Sukuk market.

Al Rajhi thanked the banks clients for their continued loyalty and the investors for their trust in the bank, and noted the banks commitment to continue to provide the best Islamic financial solutions that comply with Shariah principles. TradeArabia News Service
Acquisition Adds Significant Capacity, Customers, and 4th Largest Metro Market to DataBank's Industry-Leading Edge Infrastructure Footprint

DALLAS, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DataBank , a leading provider of enterprise-class colocation, interconnection, and managed cloud services, today announced that it has agreed to purchase four existing data centers in the Houston, TX metro area from CyrusOne for $670M.

DataBank logo (PRNewsfoto/DataBank)

The transaction will make Houston the 27th major U.S. metro market in DataBank's portfolio, adding to what is already the largest edge infrastructure footprint in the United States. The four Houston facilities will collectively add more than 300,000 square feet of raised-floor data center capacity, and 42.5 MW of critical IT load, as well as a roster of blue-chip customers from the area's fast-growing healthcare, financial, energy, media, and software sectors. DataBank's total portfolio will now feature more than 65 facilities and 2.0M square feet of raised-floor data center capacity.

The four Houston facilities include the data center located 4201 Southwest Freeway, currently known as the CyrusOne Galleria data center, as well as three others known as West I, West II, and West III, which are all located on the Westway Park Blvd Campus 20 minutes west of Downtown Houston. The Houston West Campus is also the metro's primary interconnection point with over 30 fiber networks, 3,500 cross connects and public cloud on-ramps from AWS and Google.

"We are excited to add the Houston market to the DataBank portfolio," commented Raul Martynek, DataBank's CEO. "With our deep roots in Texas, it was a logical metro for us to expand into and allows us to bring our digital infrastructure and interconnection solutions to the 4th largest metro in the U.S. With the addition of Houston, DataBank now covers 27 metro markets, a larger geographic footprint in the U.S. than any other data center operator."

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TD Securities and CIT, a division of First Citizens Bank, provided DataBank with the underwritten debt financing for the transaction. Jones Day served as legal advisor to DataBank in connection with the transaction.

The closing of the deal is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction is anticipated to close in late Q1 2022.

About DataBank

DataBank enables the world's largest enterprises, technology, and content providers to consistently deploy and manage their infrastructure, applications and data on the right platform, at the right time, in the right place. Our colocation and edge infrastructure footprint consists of 65+ data centers and 20 interconnection hubs in 30+ markets, on-ramps to an ecosystem of cloud providers, and a modular edge data center platform with virtually unlimited reach. We combine these platforms with contract portability, managed security, compliance enablement, hands-on support, and a guarantee of 100% uptime availability, to give our customers absolute confidence in their IT infrastructure and the power to create a limitless digital future for their business.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as: "may," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," or "potential," or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation, whether the sale of CyrusOne's Houston data centers to DataBank will be completed within the timeframe anticipated or at all, including the parties' ability to obtain any necessary third-party approvals to consummate the transaction, and other risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements reflect the parties' good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The parties are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release, nor to conform prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, and do not intend to do so.

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SOURCE DataBank
SecureVideo, developer of highly scalable SaaS telehealth solution, joins the Dura Software portfolio of companies, expanding Dura's offerings in the healthcare market

Dura Software, Inc.

Dura Software, Inc.

Dura Software, Inc.

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dura Software, specialists in acquiring and operating hyperniche software products, announced it has acquired SecureVideo, a cloud-based software company with extensive experience developing a secure SaaS telehealth platform for the healthcare industry. Expanding the Dura portfolio, SecureVideo is the ninth acquisition for Dura Software and furthers the Dura mission of acquiring niche software companies that serve critical business needs.

"We are excited to welcome SecureVideo into the Dura portfolio of companies," says Paul Salisbury, CEO of Dura Software. "Jonathan Taylor and his team have created a highly scalable SaaS solution that enables a loyal group of physicians and practitioners to serve their patients safely and effectively every day. SecureVideo has a seasoned team that understands the healthcare market and how to best leverage technology to make the lives of healthcare professionals and patients easier," says Salisbury.

Serving the healthcare industry, SecureVideo produces a HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based telehealth platform designed to aid clients with quickly mastering their telehealth workflow. During 2020, SecureVideo's usage grew significantly, expanding to 30 times its typical usage, prompting the company to quickly scale its operations while it successfully met the growing needs of new and existing customers. As a trusted partner in the healthcare space, SecureVideo provides a flexible, reliable telehealth technology solution to behavioral health organizations, medical groups, hospitals, physician offices, specialty healthcare organizations and other medical organizations.

The CEO of SecureVideo, Jonathan Taylor, will lead the company as it transitions into the Dura Software portfolio of companies. "The acquisition of SecureVideo by Dura Software will provide the resources and expertise we need to scale our product capabilities, customer support, and market reach well beyond what would have otherwise been possible," says Taylor. "With Dura's assistance, the company will be able to rapidly add important features and functionality to our world-class product, amplify our customer-first culture, and expand our customer footprint, all while maintaining the high standard of excellence we have always worked to achieve."

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Based in Alameda, California, SecureVideo will move its headquarters to San Antonio, while all employees will remain in their current locations.

To learn more about Dura Software and its portfolio of companies, visit https://www.dura.software/. To learn more about SecureVideo, visit https://securevideo.com/.

About Dura Software

Dura Software is an expert in acquiring, owning and operating "Hyper-Niche" software businesses. Over the coming years, Dura will continue to expand by acquiring additional great businesses and by generating sustained profitable growth from business operations. Dura Software is based in downtown San Antonio and operates a portfolio of companies that includes 6Connex, DB Technology, Lane, DVSAnalytics, Eventory, Moki, NordicIT and Vertex Systems.

Media Contact:

Paul Salisbury

Dura Software

(210) 663-3261

paul@dura.software

https://www.dura.software

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Dura Software is an expert in acquiring, owning and operating "Hyper-Niche" software businesses.









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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2022) - Graphano Energy Ltd. (TSXV: GEL) (OTCQB: GELEF) (FSE: 97G0) (the "Company" or "Graphano Energy") is pleased to announce that its common shares have qualified to trade on the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB") and will commence trading today under its existing symbol of "GELEF". The Company upgraded to OTCQB from the Pink Open Market. In addition, the common shares of the Company will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "GEL".

The OTCQB is a U.S. trading platform that is operated by the OTC Markets Group in New York and is the premier marketplace for early-stage and developing U.S. and international companies. To be eligible for quotation on the OTCQB, companies must be current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Companies must also meet a minimum bid price test and other financial conditions. Recognized by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an established public market, the OTCQB provides investors who cannot access trading on the TSX Venture Exchange with an alternative access to the Company's shares though regulated U.S. broker-dealers.

The Company has chosen to trade on the OTCQB to provide current and future U.S.-based investors with greater access, ease of trading, home country disclosure, and current financial disclosures. The OTCQB quality standards provide a strong baseline of transparency, as well as the technology and regulation to improve the information and trading experience for investors. Investors can find Real-Time quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The Company is also pleased to announce that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") in the United States.

DTC eligibility is expected to simplify the process of trading and enhance liquidity of the Company's common shares in the U.S. With DTC eligibility, existing investors benefit from potentially greater liquidity and execution speeds, whilst opening the door to new investors that may have been previously restricted from the Company's common shares.

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About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for over 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through its regulated OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems, the company connects a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. OTC Markets Group enables investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empowers companies to improve the quality of information available for their investors.

OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

To learn more about how OTC Markets Group creates better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

About the Depository Trust Company

DTC was founded in 1973 and is a New York corporation that performs the function of a Central Securities Depository as part of the US National Market System. DTC manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered 'DTC eligible'.

About Graphano Energy

Graphano Energy Ltd. is an exploration and development company that is focused on evaluating, acquiring, and developing energy metals resources from exploration to production.

Graphite is one of the most in-demand technology minerals that is required for a green and sustainable world. The Company's Lac Aux Bouleaux property in Quebec, Canada, has historically been an active area for natural graphite. With the demand for graphite growing in some of the most prominent and cutting-edge industries, such as lithium batteries in electric cars and other energy storage technologies, Graphano Energy is developing its project to meet the demands of the future.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Luisa Moreno

Chief Executive Officer and Director

E: info@graphano.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the business and operations of the Company and the Company's ability to execute its business plan. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Graphano Energy to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future mineral prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages and other risks of the mining industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Graphano Energy does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110700
The strategic partnership between Bit2Me and Huobi Ventures will leverage blockchain technology to reach a Spanish-speaking market of 500 million people.

Featured Image for Huobi Ventures

Featured Image for Huobi Ventures

Featured Image for Huobi Ventures

MADRID, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huobi Ventures, the global investment arm of Huobi Group, today announced a strategic partnership with Bit2Me, the Spanish company that offers technological financial services based on cryptocurrencies. Under this strategic partnership, Huobi Ventures will purchase tens of millions of B2M tokens, funding the company's future growth plans.

Partnership Targets Market of 500 Million

The two parties will explore and execute long-term partnership opportunities, capitalizing on Huobi's cutting-edge technology and resources and expanding its reach to Spanish-speaking markets around the world.

Huobi Ventures' investment follows Bit2Me's 20-million EUR ICO in September and reflects Huobi's interest in targeting Spanish-speaking markets around the world, which cover a population of over 500 million people.

What Bit2Me Brings to The Table

As a growing cryptocurrency company in Spain, Bit2Me offers more than 20 solutions to buy, sell and manage virtual currencies and Euros on a single platform. Bit2Me also plays an important role in increasing crypto adoption in Spanish-speaking markets with its user education and media businesses, Bit2Me TV, Bit2Me News, Bit2Me Agenda, and Bit2Me Academy, all of which are aimed at educating the next generation of crypto investors. Bit2Me has facilitated more than 1.5 billion EUR in transactions since launching in 2015.

Unica Yin, Director of Strategic Investments at Huobi Ventures stated:

"Bit2Me has a bright future. The company shares our vision of increasing global crypto adoption, and we firmly believe that it will become a leader in crypto products and services in the Spanish-speaking world. We plan to partner with Bit2Me on investments, management, and technology, and hope to discover more mutually beneficial opportunities going forward."

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To date, Huobi has invested over $70 million dollars across hundreds of projects in blockchain, media, public blockchains, stablecoins, and other emerging sectors. Huobi Ventures invests in projects that have the potential to impact the broader blockchain industry and can supplement Huobi's growing global ecosystem. The official Huobi Ventures Medium page can be visited by interested parties for additional information.

About Huobi Ventures

Huobi Ventures is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huobi Group that focuses on global investments. Huobi Ventures' structure is divided into four business lines: Strategic Investment, Strategic M&A, Asset Management, and Global Cooperation. Thus far, Huobi Ventures has launched three funds to focus on Blockchain, HECO Ecology, and NFTs, respectively. Huobi Ventures aims to drive growth for Huobi Group and create a global ecosystem with our partners.

Bit2Me Socials

Telegram | Twitter | Facebook | Team

Media Contact Details

Contact Name: Victoria Salas

Contact Email: media@bit2me.com

Bit2Me is the source of this content. This Press Release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.

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- Increase in prevalence of hydrocephalus, rise in adoption of hydrocephalus shunt, and surge in incidences of neurological disorders drive the growth of the global hydrocephalus market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Hydrocephalus Market by Cause (Congenital hydrocephalus and Acquired hydrocephalus), Type (Communicating hydrocephalus and non-communicating hydrocephalus), Diagnosis (CT scan, MRI, and Ultrasound), Treatment (Surgery Shunt Insertion and Ventriculostomy), and Age (Neonate & Pediatrics and Adults): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report, the global hydrocephalus industry generated $6.90 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $10.17 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.0% from 2021 to 2030.

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Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Increase in prevalence of hydrocephalus, rise in adoption of hydrocephalus shunt, and surge in incidences of neurological disorders drive the growth of the global hydrocephalus market. However, shunt malfunctioning and related infections hinder the market growth. On the other hand, advancements in technology in the healthcare sector present new opportunities in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

Owing to lockdown restrictions and the possibility of cross-contamination, the patient flow was reduced substantially. However, the demand for advanced programmable shunts for the treatment of hydrocephalic patients is estimated to increase worldwide.

The advent of disruptive technologies such as the "eShunt system" is estimated to boost the growth of the hydrocephalus market post-pandemic.

The acquired hydrocephalus segment to continue its dominance during the forecast period

Based on cause, the acquired hydrocephalus segment contributed to the highest share in 2020, accounting for more than half of the global hydrocephalus market, and is projected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. This is due to increase in neurological disorders and injuries such as intraventricular hemorrhage, stroke, tumor, and several other types of CSF infections that can result in the development of hydrocephalic conditions among patients. However, the congenital hydrocephalus segment is projected to witness the largest CAGR of 4.3% from 2021 to 2030.

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The adults segment to continue its leadership status during the forecast period

Based on age, the adults segment accounted for the largest share in 2020, holding more than half of the global hydrocephalus market, and is expected to continue its leadership status during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is projected to register the highest CAGR of 4.3% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to rise in the incidences of intraventricular hemorrhage or other brain injuries. The report also analyzes the neonate and pediatrics segment.

North America to continue its lead in terms of revenue by 2030

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global hydrocephalus market, and is expected to continue its lead in terms of revenue by 2030. This is due to rise in prevalence of the neurological disorder, increase in the number of hydrocephalus patients, development of advanced healthcare medical devices, and advancements in technology for hydrocephalus in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. This is due to rise in awareness regarding minimally invasive surgeries, surge in cases of stroke and CSF related disorders, and technological advancements.

Leading Market Players

Aesculap Inc.

Integra Lifesciences

Karl Storz Se And Co. Kg

Proteses Inc.

Medtronic Plc.

Natus Medical Inc.

Boston Children's Hospital

Anadolu Medical Center

Helios Hospital

Texas Children's Hospital

Children's National Hospital

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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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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
One of the largest land development companies in the US, Lansing Companies, has expanded throughout five states, now doing business in the dynamic, Huntsville, Alabama, market.

Master Plan Zoo Alabama

Master Plan Zoo Alabama

Master Plan Zoo Alabama

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One of the largest land development companies in the U.S., Lansing Companies, has expanded throughout five states, now doing business in the dynamic, Huntsville, Alabama, market.

The company is well-known for their master-planned communities and large-scale industrial projects. Lansing Companies has built a renowned reputation for solving problems and maintaining creativity when it comes to their approach to difficult land development projects that many companies cannot tackle. With 40 years of excellence, Lansing Companies is a valuable development company that serves to better the community and the people. The founder and CEO, Gregory Lansing, always immerses himself personally into each and every project that the company takes on, in order to provide insight and keep the communities needs in mind.

Lansing is proud to now be part of yet another exciting opportunity. In the process of acquiring 700 acres and numerous apartment units, the vision for Huntsville grows. Lansing has aligned with Ethan Woodruff of the Northern Alabama Zoologically Society (www.NALZS.ORG) with plans to develop a tremendous zoo and wild animal park in Huntsville. The project with NALZS is planned for 279 acres of the 700 acres that Lansing intends to develop with a focus on creating jobs and attracting tourism. Strategically located along Interstate 65 just north of I-565, the zoo will entice, not only local residents but people traveling south to Mobile and north to Nashville and beyond.

NALZS is a 501C3 and, therefore, contributions will be tax-deductible. Not only will Lansing Companies be involved in the project every step of the way, the company has pledged up to $1,000,000 of their own capital as well, to help kick off this attractive project.

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The zoo will provide the community and visitors with a new experience, promoting fields of study, preservation, and conservation related to the animal kingdom. It will also feature an aquarium. This major addition to Huntsville will benefit the community immensely.

"We love doing business in Alabama. Everyone has made us feel very welcome. The entire city of Huntsville staff is working in a collaborative effort on the best interest and best development for the community. A rarity in today's world," Greg Lansing said.

To get involved and support this terrific project contact: Ethan Woodruff at Ethan.Woodruff@NALZS.ORG.

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Image 1: Master Plan Zoo Alabama





Master Plan North Alabama Zoo









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Recognition reflects the firm's commitment to invest in new talent's skill and career development

MONTREAL, Jan. 19, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Morgan Stanley was named one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2022 by Canada's Top 100 Employers, a Mediacorp Canada Inc. project. The honour recognizes the firm's commitment to helping students and recent graduates launch their career through exceptional learning environments and mentoring throughout their career. The firm was also commended for offering industry-leading benefits and work-life balance, making it a great workplace for those starting out their careers.

Morgan Stanley Honored as One of Canadas Top Employers for Young People (CNW Group/MORGAN STANLEY)

"We are proud to offer a world-class, inclusive workspace where everybody can contribute, learn, and become who they want to be," said Alan Vesprini, Head of the Morgan Stanley Montreal office. "Our marquee Technology Analyst Program, which was a determining factor for the election to the 2022 list of Canada's Top Employers for Young People, provides university graduates with the foundation for long-term career success by offering comprehensive technology training, mentoring and networking."

The firm's largest presence in Canada, the Morgan Stanley Montreal office is one of its most prominent technology hubs globally. Its more than 2,700 world-class engineers and IT professionals support the firm's leading technology platforms, including low latency electronic trading, cloud engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as digital technologies.

Canada is also home to Shareworks by Morgan Stanley. Based in Calgary with over 700 employees, the business offers comprehensive workplace financial solutions and services designed to help companies build a culture of ownership and drive workplace performance.

Morgan Stanley is one of North America's leading global financial institutions, providing institutional clients with a comprehensive array of financial services including investment banking, stockplan services, and equity and fixed income sales and trading.

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Learn more about Morgan Stanley employees' experiences in an article by Canada's Top Employers featuring Montreal technologists : Top Employer: Morgan Stanley Services Canada Corp. (canadastop100.com)

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management services. With offices in more than 41 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide, including corporations, governments, institutions, and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

SOURCE MORGAN STANLEY

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Marking its 40th Anniversary Year, Global Non-Profit Scales Up Commitments to Transform Local Health Systems, Address the Most Critical Needs in Global Cleft Care

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global nonprofit Operation Smile announced a 10-year commitment today to increase access to care for 1 million patients who need cleft care and other essential surgeries. Entering its 40th anniversary year, the organization will scale up its investments in underserved remote areas around the world.

The announcement marks an evolution for Operation Smile, which will continue to work as the leading global nonprofit specializing in expert cleft surgery and care and will focus more intensely on transforming local health systems. The organization's new vision includes creating expanded opportunities for women in medicine, investing significantly in research, innovation, surgical education, and youth empowerment, all of which are factors that impact cleft care.

"As we enter our organization's next decade, we are deeply focused on increasing the number of high-quality cleft surgeries, which requires strengthening local health systems," said Operation Smile Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Bill Magee. "We're committing today, to transforming lives by challenging inequities in the health system head-on to serve a million people who need care."

Founded in 1982, Operation Smile has provided free, life-changing surgical and dental care for more than 326,000 patients, enabling them to eat, breathe, speak, and live healthier lives. With each surgery, the organization has seen how gaps in health care infrastructure create barriers to access and perpetuate inequities in health care systems.

"Our experience has shown us that long-term investments in health care infrastructure and partnerships with local medical leaders are critical to serve children with cleft conditions, and that our work and presence in a country provides greater access to high-quality care," said Kathy Magee, Co-Founder and President of Operation Smile. "Our focus will always be on cleft care, but we are also empowering our world-class medical teams fueled by 6,000 global volunteers to provide comprehensive care for patients autonomously."

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Over the next 10 years, Operation Smile will collaborate with local partners, including ministries of health, donors, corporations and academic institutions to bolster in-country health systems to reach its goal of increasing access to care for 1 million patients.

Initial investments as part of the organization's next decade of commitments include:

$8 million investment in Guatemala over five years, which will support five hospitals across the country to provide cleft surgery for 1,200 patients and comprehensive care for 3,400 patients

$10 million investment over five years to support a network of hospitals and care providers across seven geographic areas in Mexico, which will provide care for 4,500 patients

$9 million investment over five years to support patient care in Colombia, including in Riohacha Hospital, a public hospital located at the border with Venezuela where indigenous communities and migrants receive care

$6 million investment over five years to support the CHUK Hospital hub in Rwanda and outlying locations, including surgeon and clinical support, patient nutrition, dentistry and more

To ensure the long-term success of these investments, Operation Smile is partnering with local stakeholders to revolutionize how health systems deliver surgical care in underserved areas around the world.

For media inquiries please contact Tabresha Langham at tabresha.langham@porternovelli.com.

Operation Smile is a global nonprofit specializing in expert cleft surgery and care. We provide medical expertise, research and care through our dedicated staff and medical and student volunteers around the world, working alongside local governments, nonprofits, and health systems, and supported by our generous donors.



For more information about Operation Smile, please visit: https://www.operationsmile.org/

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SOURCE Operation Smile
PROVO, Utah, January 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ProSteel Security Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of premium safes and security products for hunting enthusiasts and other applications, announced today two forthcoming management appointments. Kim Waddoups, currently the Companys Chief Financial Officer, will become Chief Executive Officer; and Rick Stepp, currently the Vice President  Operations, will become Chief Operating Officer. Both appointments will be effective as of January 17, 2022. Clay Linford, ProSteels long-tenured CEO, will remain a member of the Board of Directors following his retirement on May 25, 2022.

Prior to joining ProSteel in 2020, Mr. Waddoups previously held the positions of CFO, CEO and Board Member of Liberty Safe & Security Products. He has been recognized as a leader in the gun safe industry over the past 17 years. Mr. Stepp joined ProSteel in November 2000 and has been instrumental in the many acclaimed engineering and product development advances that the Company has made and that have established ProSteel, in collaboration with its exclusive partner, Browning, the leader in gun safe innovation.

"We are incredibly thankful for Clay Linfords leadership over the past 18 years as he has tirelessly done the big and small things needed to advance the quality and presence of Browning ProSteel safes across several channels. Equally, we are excited to welcome Kim as our next CEO and Rick as COO. During this time of ever-shifting sands in the hunting safety industry, we are fortunate there is no better team to lead ProSteel during its next chapter of growth and development than Kim and Rick," commented Dan Kipp, ProSteels lead Board Member and Managing Partner of City Capital Ventures, a Chicago-based investment firm.

Kipp commented further, "Kim is a proven industry leader with clear business vision, customer- centric focus, and deep industry knowledge. Rick has demonstrated world-class engineering & design know-how in his 21 years at ProSteel, having advanced external and interior leading-edge designs in gun safes. Their vision for how gun and personal safety will be innovated and experienced by customers around the world is exactly what ProSteel needs as we enters our next chapter."

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Waddoups takes the helm as ProSteel continues to expand its global presence by providing solutions to its customers. "For almost 40 years, the Browning ProSteel name has been synonymous with best-in-class gun safes," remarked Mr. Waddoups. "I am excited to lead the Company into its next phase of growth and innovation while building upon its core values and reputation for leadership in the security arena."

Former CEO Clay Linford will transition into the role of board member and commented, "After working with Kim for the past 18 months and Rick for the past 18 years, there is no doubt in my mind they are an ideal duo to lead ProSteel into the future. This will drive the company forward and allow me to spend more time with family while continuing to share my industry experience with the new management team through my board role."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220118006108/en/

Contacts

Teddy King

teddy@citycapitalventures.com

312-546-8147
Middle Eastern companies looking to increase exports are gearing up for the worlds leading twin trade fair, Wire and Tube 2022, at a time when the global market for wires and cables is seen growing to over $420 billion by 2026.

The fair will be organised by Messe Dusseldorf at Dusseldorf, Germany from May 9 to 13.

We are seeing a new robustness in the participation of companies at the show this year, indicating anticipation of a growth surge in this sector. We are honoured that our regional exhibitors include the Ducab Metals Business (DMB), part of the UAEs homegrown global leader, Ducab, said Daniel Ryfisch, Project Director, Messe Dusseldorf.

Addressing a press conference along with Mohamed Al Ahmedi, CEO, Ducab Metals Business, Ryfisch said, 148 companies from the Middle East region are taking part at the worlds leading exhibitions for wire, cables and pipes - mainly from the UAE, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Turkey and Jordan.

Our participation will reinforce our market reputation as a leading global player in the energy raw materials industry. This will also support expansion and diversification of our metals business. Currently, we export to 45 countries and our aim is to increase our overseas market footprints further, said Al Ahmedi.

DMB exports 70% of its output, and in 2020 it clocked revenue of AED1 billion and it is expected to be at AED1.5 billion in the financial year 2021, despite the challenges of the pandemic. New export markets targeted by DMB includes Europe, Africa and the US while the group continues to service the GCC markets including, the UAE, the UK and Australia.

Elaborating on the companys business growth, Al Ahmedi said DMB turned the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 into an opportunity benefiting from the strong infrastructure in the UAE.

We also had the advantage since the UAE managed the pandemic with prudence and perfection. The ports in UAE were operating, so were our factories, making us capable to cater to our export markets. We also strengthened our relations with our supply chain partners making production and exports run seamlessly, he added.

Ryfisch said Middle Eastern companies have taken up a cumulative exhibition space of 9,567 sq m this year, nearly 15% more than that of the last pre-pandemic Wire & Tube 2018.

The Middle East region is also very important for us in terms of visitors  in 2018, we had 2,484 trade visitors from the region, which was 6 per cent of the total visitors. From a global industry perspective, the Middle East is a dynamic, modern and powerful region, said Ryfisch.

As a partner to Messe Dusseldorf in creating awareness on the Wire & Tube 2022 in the Middle East, we are confident that many more companies from the region will join the twin expos considering the growth opportunity in this key industrial sector. We will be joining hands with Messe Dusseldorf for more shows in the future as well, said Rajesh Nair, Project Director, Verifair.

The shows will also have a sustainability focus, termed green transformation, and that will fit in line with the shift towards climate neutrality, electric mobility and green hydrogen.-- TradeArabia News Service
The full agenda, launched today, also includes successful business owner and Instagram star, Sarah McAllister of GoCleanCo, presented by Visa

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2022 /CNW/ - Jobber, the leading provider of home service management software, today released the full agenda for the second annual Jobber Professional Development Day, a free virtual conference for home service pros taking place on February 16. Jocko Willink, Navy SEAL veteran, best-selling author and entrepreneur, joins a packed lineup of mall business experts including ABC's Shark Tank star Daymond John, who will kick-off the event. Sarah McAllister, founder, director and CEO of GoCleanCo and social media influencer with more than 2.2 million Instagram followers, has also been added to the roster.

Jobber Logo (CNW Group/Jobber)

Registration for the event is now open: jobberpdday.com. Jobber PD Day 2022 will feature live sessions and networking opportunities, organized into three tracks: People; Profit, presented by Visa; and Process, presented by NiceJob. Attendees will gain practical tips from industry experts and other home service professionals on how to strengthen their businesses, overcome common day-to-day challenges, and boost their leadership skills.

"Jobber PD Day is built around providing useful and actionable advice for home service business owners, regardless of their size, industry, or where they are in their entrepreneurship journey," said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder of Jobber. "Attendees will learn from a diverse and powerful lineup of inspiring speakers with very different backgrounds and paths that all led them to become leaders in their fields."

Jocko Willink will deliver Jobber PD Day's closing keynote session, "Lessons from a Navy SEAL," that explores the Extreme Ownership Leadership Principles every business owner and team leader can use to achieve success in business and in life. Willink is the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller "Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win" and "Dichotomy of Leadership." He also hosts the top-rated Jocko Podcast and co-founded Echelon Front, a premier leadership consulting company, where he serves as CEO, leadership instructor, speaker, and strategic advisor. His session will draw on his 20 years of experience as a Navy SEAL and outlines the four laws of combat and how a victory mindset can help you achieve your goals.

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Sarah McAllister is a serial entrepreneur committed to creating forward-thinking, female-led businesses. McAllister has been running her own businesses since she was 20 years old. As founder, director and CEO of GoCleanCo, she has invaluable real-world experience building and marketing a successful home service business from the ground up and leading the BleachPrayLove #CleaningArmy of social followers. Sarah is often featured in publications such as Business Insider, Parade, The Globe and Mail, Bustle, and more. Her Jobber PD Day session, "How to Build a Strong, Business-Winning Brand," presented by Visa, will explore the impact of brand on a service business, tips for working your brand into marketing and day-to-day operations, standing out and connecting with customers, and more.

Jobber PD Day will feature 20+ speakers that include a variety of subject matter experts and entrepreneurs across an array home service industries, including:

Sara Bendrick, landscape designer/contractor, TV host, and STIHL spokesperson

Chant Singvongsa of Chant's Daily Hustle

Timisha Porcher, founder of ToolBox Diva

Katrina Teeple, founder and CEO of Operation Organization

Mike Coffey, owner of Coffey Custom Builds

To register for Jobber PD Day and to see full agenda, visit: https://www.jobberpdday.com/

About Jobber

Jobber is an award-winning business management platform for small home service businesses. Unlike spreadsheets or pen and paper, Jobber keeps track of everything in one place and automates day-to-day operations, so small businesses can provide 5-star service at scale. Jobber's 100,000+ home service professionals have served over 12 million households in more than 47 countries. The company continually ranks as one of Canada's fastest-growing and most innovative companies by Canadian Business and Macleans, The Globe and Mail, Fast Company, and Deloitte. For more information, visit: https://getjobber.com/.

Media contacts

Sean Welch

PAN Communications for Jobber

jobber@pancomm.com

+1 407-734-7330

Elana Ziluk

Public Relations Manager, Jobber

elana.z@getjobber.com

+1 416-317-2633

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SOURCE Jobber

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- Demand for rice syrup has been increased, owing to its increased use as an alternative for artificial sweeteners and rising demand for processed food items, is boosting the sales prospects in the rice syrup market

- Players are boosting their production capabilities in order to fulfil the increasing product demand amid the COVID-19 outbreak

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency Market Research, New York: Analysts at Transparency Market Research (TMR) project the global rice syrup market to expand at a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period of 2021 to 2031.

Transparency Market Research

With rising spread of coronavirus around the world, people are increasingly focusing on boosting their immunity to stay away from the infection. This factor is encouraging them to consume organic food products, which, in turn, is driving the revenue growth in the global rice syrup market.

The increasing awareness on the importance of healthy lifestyle among people across the globe is resulting in their rising inclination toward using alternative options for artificial sweeteners in different products, including desserts, dairy products, and bakery products. Organic rice syrup is gaining traction among this consumer base as a low-calorie sweetener. Thus, rise in the use of rice syrup instead of high fructose corn syrup is driving the sales prospects in the rice syrup market.

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Rice Syrup Market: Key Findings

Increasing popularity of plant-based sweeteners having natural components is generating high demand for rice syrup across the globe. Moreover, it is being increasingly used in the food & beverages industry as a natural sweetener. Rice syrup is also gaining traction, owing to its ability to offer good texture to confectionary and bakery products. Furthermore, it can help in improving the shelf life of these products. These factors are fueling the sales prospects in the global rice syrup market.

People in many developed nations are growing the demand for innovative food products manufactured with rice syrup. This factor is anticipated to bolster the rice syrup market growth in the near future.

Players in the rice syrup market are expected to observe substantial revenue gains, owing to increase in the use of rice syrup as one of the key constituents in different infant formulae. Moreover, brown rice syrup is gaining impetus in the treatment of diarrhea in infants, as it helps in better digestion and provides sufficient nutrition. This factor is projected to create profitable opportunities in the market.

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Rice Syrup Market: Growth Boosters

Surge in the use of rice syrup by companies operating in the production of beverages, dairy products, confectionaries, and bakery products is bolstering the rice syrup market growth

Rising research activities for the development of plant-based products in the food & beverages industry are opening lucrative avenues for rice syrup producers, states a TMR report on the global rice syrup market

Growing popularity of clean label products & packaged food items and increasing urbanization around the world are estimated to create high demand avenues in the rice syrup market in the upcoming years

Rice Syrup Market: Competition Landscape

Major rice syrup manufacturers are strengthening their production capabilities in order to cater to the increasing product from across the globe. Moreover, players in the global rice syrup market are increasing concentration on boosting their distribution channels.

Companies operating in the global rice syrup market are increasing R&D to improve quality of their products and offering nutritional advantages in their products

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Rice Syrup Market: Key Players

Some of the key players profiled in the report are:

Axiom Foods, Inc.

ABF Ingredients, Ltd.

California Natural Products Inc.

Bharat Glucose Pvt. Ltd.

Habib Rice Products Ltd.

Cargill Incorporated

Nature Bio-Foods Ltd

Matco Foods Limited

Shafi Gluco Chem (Pvt) Ltd

Om Foods Inc.

Wuhu Deli Foods Co., Ltd.

Windmill Organics Ltd.

Wuhu Haoyikuai Food Co., Ltd

Rice Syrup Market Segmentation

Nature

Raw Material

End Use

Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

South Asia

East Asia

Oceania

Middle east & Africa

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Food & Beverages Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Food & Beverages:

Organic Rice Syrup Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/organic-rice-syrup-market.html

Sprouted Brown Rice Protein Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sprouted-brown-rice-protein-market.html

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyse information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

For More Research Insights on Leading Industries, Visit our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8e-z-g23-TdDMuODiL8BKQ

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
Company assembles board of academic leaders to support commercialization goals

ELMSFORD, N.Y., January 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SEEQC, the Digital Quantum Computing company, today announced the addition of a scientific advisory board to its leadership. This addition comes at a time when the company is unveiling a new brand identity and expanding its team internationally, including the appointment of Shu-Jen Han as its vice president of engineering.

Scientific Advisory Board

SEEQCs new scientific advisory board consists of leading academics from across the world, including Javad Shabani, assistant professor of physics at NYU, professors from the University of Napoli Federico II, Francesco Tafuri and Giovanni Piero Pepe, and Maxim Vavilov, professor at the University of Wisconsin.

The company instituted this board of quantum scientists to guide SEEQCs team as they continue their mission to solve quantum computings' most challenging problems. The board will help ensure that SEEQC bases its products, research and development on sound scientific data.

By integrating this team of scientists into SEEQCs product roadmap, the company can internally peer-review its research and development and receive feedback and scientific advice more quickly than other commercial entities. This ensures that the company is receiving proper oversight and quality consultation as it advances its technological discoveries  expanding quantums reach from academia to real-world application.

"The fact that half of my fellow board members work in foreign universities, and many of us have international backgrounds, should not be overlooked. SEEQC is an international company, and it is incorporating that element of itself at every level," said advisory board member, Francesco Tafuri. "By bringing together this group of international scientists, SEEQC is getting access to even more experience than by engaging exclusively with American universities. These individuals bring a rich and diverse history of scientific research and experience to the company with them."

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Appointing New Vice President of Engineering

In addition to expanding its leadership with the advisory board, SEEQC has also appointed industry veteran Dr. Shu-Jen Han as its vice president of engineering. Han brings more than a decade of experience in the nanotechnology and semiconductor industry to SEEQC, as well as world-class expertise in logic and memory chip-making  a critical component of scaling the companys system-on-a-chip quantum design.

Han started his career at IBM working in the semiconductor sector after receiving his Ph.D. from Stanford University, later he managed the nanoscale device and technology group at IBMs T. J. Watson Research Center working on world-leading post-silicon transistor research. Han has valuable experience in advancing complex semiconductor chip technology from basic research to product qualification both as a director and later as senior director at HFC Semiconductors Advanced Memory Technology Division. He has authored over 90 technical publications, two book chapters and over 150 issued US patents.

"Were thrilled to formally welcome Shu-Jen to SEEQC, and I am excited by the leadership and expertise hell bring to our global team of quantum engineers and researchers," said John Levy, CEO of SEEQC. "Shu-Jen is one of the foremost minds in the semiconductor research and development world  were grateful he chose to join SEEQC and our mission to bring scalable quantum computing to the enterprise world."

In his new role, Han will help build a scalable research and development organization, lead SEEQCs multi-disciplinary engineering groups and establish a clear roadmap for its commercialization. He also oversees the day-to-day operations of the companys newly renovated chip foundry, a fully operational chip manufacturing facility focusing on superconducting quantum and classic electronics.

Renewed Brand Commitment

As the company continues to evolve its technology and business model, it is also evolving its unique brand. Under the guidance of its creative director, Fredrik Carlstrom, SEEQC is rededicating itself to its original goal and mission statement under renewed branding and communication initiatives.

SEEQC was built upon the premise of approaching quantum differently than its predecessors and counterparts, and its new brand reflects that. The brand takes into account SEEQCs unique team, the integrated process in which design, manufacturing and testing are all done in-house, resulting in a unique approach to building a scalable quantum computer.

The new brand reflects SEEQC at its core  not only as a company name but as an acronym: Scalable, Energy-Efficient Quantum Computing. Other aspects of the companys brand portfolio have been updated to evince different aspects of the companys technology. SEEQCs visuals evoke a feeling of efficiency, purpose and a close relationship with nature, just as its end-product uses elements of nature to solve classically intractable problems and address the worlds greatest challenges.

"The new design and communication are a mirror image of SEEQCs approach to building scalable, re-configurable quantum computers around a family of chips designed to support a host of high-value problems for clients today," said Carlstrom. "We want the brand we put forward to show what were really about and to show our ethos in everything we do from the design of our hardware and software to our offices, facilities, website and brand identity."

Partnership with QuantWare

To further advance its technology, SEEQC has partnered with Dutch quantum startup QuantWare. With additional support from the University of Napoli Federico II, the companies will co-develop an advanced Quantum Processor Unit (QPU) with integrated cryogenic digital control logic. This partnership combines SEEQCs proprietary platform with QuantWares scalable QPU design, resulting in the worlds first commercially available platform, capable of overcoming key scalability engineering challenges.

About SEEQC:

SEEQC is developing the first fully digital quantum computing platform for global businesses. SEEQC combines classical and quantum technologies to address the efficiency, stability and cost issues endemic to quantum computing systems. The company applies classical and quantum technology through digital readout and control technology and a unique chip-scale architecture. SEEQCs quantum system provides the energy- and cost-efficiency, speed and digital control required to make quantum computing useful and bring the first commercially-scalable, problem-specific quantum computing applications to market.

The company is one of the first companies to have built a superconductor multi-layer commercial chip foundry and through this experience has the infrastructure in place for design, testing and manufacturing of quantum-ready superconductors. SEEQC is a spin-out of HYPRES, the worlds leading developer of superconductor electronics. SEEQCs team of executives and scientists have deep expertise and experience in commercial superconductive computing solutions and quantum computing. SEEQC is based in Elmsford, NY with facilities in London, UK and Naples, Italy.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005044/en/

Contacts

Eric Becker

104 West Partners for SEEQC

eric.becker@104west.com
New team in the region propels Semperis global growth of hybrid identity protection solutions and follows recent expansion into APAC

HOBOKEN, N.J., January 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Semperis, the pioneer of identity-driven cyber resilience for enterprises, today announced that it is expanding its comprehensive Active Directory (AD) protection, mitigation, and recovery solutions to Australia and New Zealand with a Melbourne-based team focused on bolstering the cyber resiliency of organisations of all sizes.

Semperis brings on board Lou Talevski as Regional Director of Australia and New Zealand, following senior roles at Beyond Trust and CyberArk. Michael Choo, who has 25 years of experience in sales engineering roles, also joins the company as Senior Solutions Architect.

Ransomware incidents have increased in frequency and impact, posing one of the most significant threats to organisations in Australia and New Zealand. The ACSC received over 67,500 cybercrime reports in the 202021 financial year, an increase of nearly 13% from the previous financial year. The increase in volume of cybercrime reports equates to one cyberattack every eight minutes compared to one every 10 minutes in the previous year. No sector of the Australian economy was immune from the impacts of cybercrime.

The global impact of the Colonial Pipeline and JBS Foods attacks underscores the potentially debilitating and widespread impact of ransomware attacks. The average cost of remediating a single ransomware attack is $1.85 million, and the average downtime for a successful cyberattack is 21 days. As a result, solutions centered on defending identity stores such as Microsoft AD, often compromised in ransomware attacks, are vital for governments and organisations.

Lou Talevski explained, "The accessibility of cybercrime services  such as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS)  via the dark web extends the threat landscape to a growing number of malicious actors. Yet, Gartner research estimates that more than 90% of ransomware attacks are preventable. Those that survive and thrive in the midst of the ongoing ransomware scourge will be those that invest in proactively bolstering their cyber resiliency."

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"Active Directory is the backbone of 90% of organisations globally, yet it is something of a treasure trove to cybercriminals," said Talevski. "Compromising Active Directory spells critical losses in downtime for the organisation, disruption, revenue loss, compromised data and reputational damage. I am excited to join Semperis, which offers the most comprehensive Active Directory solution on the market, to harden organisations cybersecurity resilience at such a critical time in the war against cybercrime."

Semperis is also the company behind Purple Knight, a free AD security assessment tool that companies can use to uncover risky AD misconfigurations. Organisations that have used Purple Knight report overall security scores of about 61%  a failing grade  extending the risk of systemic cyberattacks.

Michael Choo said, "Active Directory is notoriously difficult to keep secure. Even large organisations with significant investments in security resources are failing to close critical gaps in Active Directory. Often the vital nature of directories is only realised after an attack. If critical systems like identity management become compromised, business operations can come to a standstill. Semperis exists because a traditional castle-and-moat approach to network security leaves organisations exposed because cybercriminals can easily compromise Active Directory. Organisations must be able to ensure their directory services are secure on a continual basis."

With Semperis, organisations can continuously monitor their directories for security vulnerabilities, intercept cyberattacks in progress, and quickly recover their AD environments post-attack to a known-secure state.

About Semperis

For security teams charged with defending hybrid and multi-cloud environments, Semperis ensures integrity and availability of critical enterprise directory services at every step in the cyber kill chain and cuts recovery time by 90%. Purpose-built for securing Active Directory, Semperis patented technology protects over 40 million identities from cyberattacks, data breaches, and operational errors. The worlds leading organisations trust Semperis to spot directory vulnerabilities, intercept cyberattacks in progress, and quickly recover from ransomware and other data integrity emergencies. Semperis is headquartered in New Jersey and operates internationally, with its research and development team distributed between San Francisco and Tel Aviv.

Semperis hosts the award-winning Hybrid Identity Protection conference (www.hipconf.com). The company has received the highest level of industry accolades and was recently ranked the fourth fastest-growing company in the tri-state area and 35th overall in Deloittes 2020 Technology Fast 500. Semperis is accredited by Microsoft and recognised by Gartner.

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Contacts

Media:

Heather Trevenna

EMEA Marketing Director at Semperis

E: heathert@semperis.com
DUBLIN, January 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "South African Ready-To-Drink (RTD)/Iced Tea Industry Landscape Report 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

In South Africa, the local RTD Tea market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.3% over the forecast period 2021-2025.

This growth is expected to largely be driven by increased demand for healthier beverages, as well as the launch of new RTD Tea products that cater to this growing demand.

This Industry Landscape Report provides a holistic perspective of the Ready-To-Drink (RTD)/Iced Tea market, including the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the potential future impact it will continue to have on the market. In particular, it provides detailed insights into the entire value chain - from manufacturing and distribution, to a pricing analysis.

In light of the growing movement towards health and wellness, which has been accelerated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health-focused RTD Tea products are brewing interest in the RTD Tea market.

This includes increased demand for low-sugar or sugar-free RTD Tea options, as well as healthier variants, such as rooibos and green tea, as well as kombucha. As these health-focused products increasingly become consumer's 'cup of tea', these products are set to drive both the global and local RTD Tea markets.

Furthermore, the report provides an overview and insights into the latest global and South African market trends, innovation and technology, drivers and challenges, to present an objective insight into the South African Ready-To-Drink (RTD)/Iced Tea market environment and its future.

Key Questions This Report Answers

For the Global RTD Tea Industry Section:

What are the current market dynamics (overview, market environment, regional overview, imports and exports trade) of the Global RTD Tea Industry?

What are the Global RTD Tea industry trends, innovation and technology, drivers, and challenges?

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For the South African RTD Tea Industry Section:

What are the current market dynamics of the South African RTD Tea Industry in terms of market size, market value, market volumes: 2015-2020 Actual, 2021-2025 Forecasts (including the impact of COVID-19), and distribution channels?

What are the South African RTD Tea Industry trends, innovation and technology, drivers and challenges?

For the South African RTD Tea Manufacturer & Distributor Section:

Who are the key manufacturers and distributors in the South African RTD Tea Industry?

Which popular RTD Tea brands and products do the respective companies manufacture/distribute?

For the South African RTD Tea Pricing Analysis Section:

What are the prices of popular RTD Tea brands across South African retail outlets?

Companies Mentioned

Clover SA

Coca-Cola Company

Pioneer Foods

Rhodes Food Group

Tiger Brands

Doubleshot Coffee & Tea

Eden Ice Tea

Kingsley Beverages

Real-T (Real Tea Beverages)

Rubro

The Toni Glass Collection

Uber Flavour

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8lzq5r

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005617/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

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Jan 19 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan shares inched higher on Wednesday as communication services and real estate companies rose, although weakness in the energy sector limited gains.

* At the closing bell, the CSE All-Share index was up 0.04% at 13,462.39. The index logged its fourth consecutive session of gains.

* Non-banking financial firm Commercial Leasing & Finance Plc and national telecommunications services provider Sri Lanka Telecom Plc were the top boosts to the index, closing up 5% and 5.9%, respectively.

* Conglomerate Expolanka Holdings Plc was top drag to the index, ending 1.3% lower.

* Data from Sri Lanka's statistics department published Tuesday evening showed an increase of 0.3 index points in December services sector PMI compared to November. This indicated a stronger growth in line with continued improvements in demand amid normalization of economic activities and the festive season.

* December's manufacturing PMI index value was at 58.1, down 3.8 index points from November. However, in the next three months, expectations for manufacturing activities remain at higher levels anticipating continuous improvements in economic condition locally and globally.

* The country's central bank is set to have its first monetary policy review meeting on Thursday.

* A Reuters poll of 13 economists has predicted that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is likely to raise interest rates at its first policy announcement in 2022 to tackle growing price pressures, manage external challenges and reduce pressure on the rupee.

* Foreign investors were net sellers in the equity market, off-loading shares worth 213.8 million rupees ($1.05 million), exchange data https://bit.ly/3JYyn5s showed.

* The equity market's turnover was 5.57 billion rupees.

* Trading volume dropped to 205.9 million shares from 256.7 million shares in the previous session.

* For a report on global markets, click ($1 = 202.7500 Sri Lankan rupees) (Reporting by Shivani Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Amy Caren Daniel)
Unhappy with your Medicare Advantage plan? Now's your chance to escape

If your Medicare Advantage Plan isnt quite what you expected, dont panic  youre not locked in quite yet.

The deadline to swap your existing Advantage plan for one you like better (or switch to basic Medicare) isnt until March 31.

That said, you have to make it count: You only get one switch. So before you make a decision you cant reverse until next year, make sure youve considered all the angles.

Why you might want to switch

This year, 29.5 million people are expected to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, up from 26.9 million last year, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Some of them will decide to make a change for a variety of reasons, ranging from gaps in drug coverage to a limited provider network.

They might unknowingly join a plan that one of their doctors doesnt participate in, Danielle Roberts, cofounder of insurance firm Boomer Benefits, writes on her blog.

Some might also forget to check the plans drug formulary to make sure it covers all of their important medications  and at a fair cost.

Plus, beneficiaries are often surprised to learn that Medicare Advantage plans require copays on the back end. They may be so focused on the plans low premiums that they dont fully realize how it works.

Then they have a hospital stay and get a bill for $1,400 dollars and are shell-shocked, Roberts says.

How costs can change

With a Medicare Advantage plan, covered benefits and costs can change from year to year. You might suddenly discover that, thanks to a shift in coverage, a drug you rely on has doubled or quadrupled in price this year.

That's why the CMS says enrollees should look at their coverage choices annually to find the best health care option for their needs.

The average monthly premium among all Medicare Advantage enrollees, including those who pay no premium, is expected to fall this year to $19 per month, down from $21.22 last year, according to CMS.

Over half of private Advantage plans dont charge monthly premiums  other than for Part B, which helps cover services like doctor visits, outpatient care, lab tests and a few other things.

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And most people dont pay premiums for Part A, which covers hospital expenses and some home health services.

Part B premiums, however, are way up. The CMS says the standard Part B premium will increase to $170.10 in 2022, up 14.5% over last year. The increase is, in part, due to costs associated with a new Alzheimers drug  though the drug and rate hike are now under review.

What to look for in a Medicare Advantage plan

Advantage plans offer a range of supplemental benefits, and most include prescription drug coverage.

But before you settle on a plan, you should understand the coverage rules that may affect how much youll be paying in premiums and other costs.

If you take certain medications regularly, youll want to know if theyre covered in your plan. And youll want to know what dental and vision services are offered.

Your out-of-pocket costs in a Medicare Advantage Plan depend on a variety of factors, including whether your plan charges a monthly premium, if it has a yearly deductible and what copayments youre responsible for.

Unlike basic Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans have annual out-of-pocket limits. The amount can not exceed $7,500 for in-network services and $11,300 for out-of-network services.

Its a lot to consider, but there are websites available that can help walk you through the process.

Don't dismiss traditional Medicare

While Medicare Advantage plans typically have lower premiums and cap your out-of-pocket costs, you dont always come out ahead.

Medicare Advantage plans have pre-authorization and in-network requirements. And thanks to daily copays, you could end up paying more with a Medicare Advantage plan if you land in hospital with a serious illness.

Facing a five-day hospital stay, half of Medicare Advantage enrollees incur higher costs than traditional Medicare beneficiaries, a Kaiser Family Foundation study found.

Where you live is another factor to consider. Medicare Advantage enrollees who reside in rural areas can struggle with limited benefits and restricted options for providers.

Advantage enrollees in rural areas switch to traditional Medicare at twice the rate of those who live in cities or suburbs, according to a recent report in the journal Health Affairs.

How to make a change

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from Jan. 1 through March 31. If youre already enrolled in one of the plans and you want to switch to a new one, you can do so during these three months.

After you sign up for a new plan, the government will automatically disenroll you from your old plan as soon as your new coverage starts.

On the other hand, if you want to switch over to traditional Medicare, contact your current plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE. But youll need to do a little more work to fill in the gaps.

If you still want prescription drug coverage, youll also need to sign up for a standalone Part D plan. (Remember that if you go a couple months without drug coverage, you could suffer a late-enrollment penalty tacked on to your premiums for life.)

You might also need to go through underwriting to qualify for a supplemental Medigap plan  those help cover some of the cost-sharing involved in traditional Medicare, like deductibles, copays and coinsurance.

And one last side note: If you didnt enroll in Medicare at all when you were first eligible (and you don't qualify for an exception), you can still sign up in the current enrollment period. Your coverage will take effect July 1.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Jessica Leonard

Robert Wetzler

An Ohio woman recently went viral for a social media post about a positive experience with tattoos at her new job.

Jessica Leonard recently started a new position at the Cleveland-based private equity firm Evolution Capital Partners and needed a new professional photograph for a bio on their website.

Though she planned to wear a jacket in the photograph for the company's page, she hoped to use a second picture that showed off her tattooed arms for her personal social media, she recalled in a LinkedIn post that has received more than 31,000 reactions as of Tuesday afternoon.

But Leonard said she was no stranger to receiving negative reactions about her tattoos and has even received unsolicited warnings from people who said she wouldn't be taken seriously if she revealed them.

"Ironically, most of the negative feedback I've received has been from female leaders who I looked to as mentors," she wrote.

That's why when Leonard asked Evolution Capital's managing partner about the portrait idea, she admittedly took a "cautious" approach.

Jessica Leonard

Courtesy of Jessica Leonard Jessica Leonard and Jonny Crist, Co-Owner of Diamond in the Rough.

RELATED: Man Covered with Tattoos Claims He Lost His Job as a Kindergarten Teacher After Scaring Student

"I was cautious but asked our Managing Partner if he was comfortable with me getting a photo taken sans jacket for my personal use on LinkedIn, but that we'd use one with the jacket for our website," Leonard wrote. "His response - 'Let's roll with the tattoos in both! Loud and proud!'"

Leonard said his positive response left her "shocked."

"I had grown accustomed to wearing long sleeves in the heat of summer, to tugging on my suit coat sleeves in every meeting, to pulling my hair around my ear so no one would get a glimpse of the small tattoo behind my ear, to avoiding getting any leg or ankle tattoos for fear of never being able to wear a skirt again in a business setting," she said. "Very often, I simply felt that I needed to be careful about when I was being too freely me."

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Jessica Leonard

Courtesy of Jessica Leonard

RELATED: Grandma Goes Viral for First Tattoo at 82  and She Can't Wait for More: 'I'm Just Beginning'

"But then sometimes, you come across those leaders who not only allow you to show up every day as you are, but they also expect it," she continued.

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.

"Those leaders who have recognized that whether I'm in the jacket or not, I'm the same person, the same business professional a female leader who will most certainly be taken seriously."

RELATED VIDEO: Artist Tattoos More Than 70 People to React Scene From "Betty Boop" Series

Leonard's LinkedIn post featured her two portraits, with and without her jacket.

Evolution Capital ultimately used the picture of her tattoos for their website.

"So a big thank you to those leaders," Leonard on her LinkedIn page. "It's because of you that everyone can now find me on the Evolution website, and out in the world, being more comfortable in my own skin."
The Spotsylvania County School Board voted 43 this week to remove the mask mandate for students and visitors to school buildings effective Jan. 24.

Chairman Kirk Twigg, April Gillespie, Lisa Phelps and Rabih Abuismail voted to make masks optional. Masks will still be required on school buses under federal law. Staff were not included in the motions at Tuesday nights meeting to make masking optional.

Attorney Bradford Kingof the firm Sands Anderson, which the board used Tuesday as legal representationtold the board that the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry requires that employees working indoors wear face coverings, regardless of vaccination status, in times of high transmission.

Board member Lorita Daniels proposed a substitute motion asking the board to delay the vote until after the Virginia Supreme Court decides whether Gov. Glenn Youngkins executive order allowing parents to opt out of mask mandates conflicts with a General Assembly bill requiring that schools follow CDC guidelines for COVID-19 mitigation, which includes masking.

Twelve parents in Chesapeake filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Youngkin, asking for the executive order to be suspended. Daniels said it would be prudent for the board to delay making a decision on masking until the argument has been settled, but her motion failed.

Board members Dawn Shelley and Nicole Cole said they could not support removing the mask mandate out of a desire to maintain a safe educational space for students and staff, and also because of the high rate of transmission of the virus in Spotsylvania and stress on local hospitals.

If you feel as though the masks need to be rescinded, what is your goal, how will you mitigate for students who are immunocompromised, for staff who are immunocompromised, for our disabled students? Cole asked. Are you even considering them?

The only board member to provide a reason for voting to rescind the mask mandate was Gillespie, who said an argument could be made that the demoralizing effect of masks on children makes them not practicable.

King George County Public Schools responded to the governors order by allowing parents to opt students out of wearing masks, but Fredericksburg schools are leaving the systems mask mandate in place. The Stafford and Caroline county school systems have not yet decided how to respond to Youngkins order, which goes into effect next week.

Also at the meeting, the board amended its policy to allow school nurses and trained employees to administer albuterolused to treat difficulty breathingto any student believed to be in need of it.

The board tabled discussions on removing a policy preventing board members from tasking individual staff members and on providing cellphones to board members.

The agenda for Tuesdays meeting moved public comments after new businessa departure from the agenda format that is part of School Board policy, which places public comments before action items and new or unfinished business. There were no discussions Tuesday or at previous meetings this year about amending the policy.

Shelley, Cole and Daniels requested that Tuesdays agenda be amended to move public comments earlier, citing existing policy and the boards Code of Ethics, which states, I will make policy decisions based on the available facts and appropriate public input.

Cole questioned the ethics of making decisions before hearing from the public. She noted that at several meetings last year, Twigg and Abuismail spoke strongly about the importance of allowing the public to speak at board meetings.

If you are going to vote no [on a motion to amend the agenda to move public comments forward] I am asking you to explain to the public as to why you feel they do not deserve to be heard prior to new business, Cole said.

Twigg, Phelps and Abuismail did not explain their support for delaying public comments. In her own board comments later in the meeting, Gillespie said she supported delaying comments so that we could get as much business done as possible.

As a board member, compared to being a citizen, I can now understand that trying to make decisions at a late hour is not good, Gillespie said.

Tuesdays meeting was preceded by a rally in support of school division educators, which was attended by more than 100 students, parents, staff and community members.

Massaponax High School student Jackson Hunley said he came to the rally because he is concerned about his public education.

So far, the School Board [members] have proved that they are not taking action in the best interest of students here by recklessly firing [superintendent Scott Baker] without appointing an interim, Hunley said. Tonight, they plan to rescind the mask mandate, which is also not in the best interest of students. Cases are skyrocketing everywhere and getting rid of masks is putting students in danger.

Massaponax freshmen Addison Sipp said he feels the boards actions are setting a scary precedent. He said he is worried for the remainder of his own public school tenure, but also for that of his younger brother.

I dont want him to have to deal with this on his own, Sipp said.

Massaponax senior Dante Brayden said he feels its important for students to show the board that they are paying attention and that they do not feel their best interests are being represented.

Were here to show that us students should have a say, or at least be involved, Braden said.

In his public comments during the meeting, Braden asked for a student advisory board to be established.

Myself and plenty of students who spoke before me talked about not feeling represented, he said, stressing that board members should work on behalf of the students.

The board heard several hours of public comments. Twigg asked for a motion to limit the time of each comment to three minutesdown from five minutesbut instead the board passed a motion cutting off public comments at 11 p.m.

Last year, Twigg opposed a proposal from then-School Board attorney Jennifer Parrish to reduce the amount of time allotted to each commenter.

All but a small handful of Tuesdays public comments expressed disapproval and often anger toward the School Board for its actions so far this year, and the behavior of members towards each other on the dais.

As a student, this is my education, said Reagan Lovell, a Courtland High School junior. This is about the treatment of my teachers and how the board is politicizing issues that should not be politicized.

Lauren Mullikin, another Courtland student, said she finds it disheartening that my education is pushed to the back so that most of you can appease personal motives and political affiliations instead of your students and staff.

Many of the public comments were scathing.

Teacher Margaret Gallagher demanded that the board stop this embarrassing, pathetic display of spite, hatred and ignorance.

What are you trying to prove? Gallagher asked. Start showing all of our students that they are accepted. Start showing our teachers, administration, support staff and bus drivers that you actually support them. Stop putting politics before our innocent students.

Division librarian Dorothy Winkler said Twigg should resign.

You are in over your headyou know it and so do we, Winkler said. You are a bully. You achieved your stated goal to fire Dr. Baker, so drop the mike and move on. I want you, Ms. Phelps and Ms. Gillespie, to think for yourselves and stand up to Mr. Twigg and the loud voices that seek only to create chaos. Its going to be hard, but you have to do it.

A few speakers commended Twigg and the new board majority.

Mr. Twigg, that chair suits you well, said Spotsylvania High School student Carla Millsap. She said she hopes the board moves forward with efforts to remove porn from school libraries and to ban elements of critical race theory, which is not part of the K12 curriculum.

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Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has been awarded an energy performance contract by Abu Dhabi developer Aldar Properties.

The scope of work includes the replacement and retrofit of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, lighting, and other energy-consuming assets at Aldar's key developments, said the statement from Johnson Controls. .

In addition, the company will roll out its OpenBlue digital technologies to be integrated into the schools infrastructure to help rationalize their energy and water consumption, it stated.

The deal will see Johnson Controls deploying its comprehensive OpenBlue digital energy efficiency program across Aldars network of schools to help achieve at least 20 percent savings combined on their utility expenditures.
Multiple local organizations have come together to form a task force aimed at ending human trafficking and supporting survivors.

We as a nation are marking this issue, and here locally, we are beginning to mobilize for action, said Nicole Robyn, owner of Freedom Society, a downtown Fredericksburg tea room and gift shop that helps provide sustainable employment for survivors of human trafficking.

Freedom Society hosted an event earlier this month in honor of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which has been observed in January since 2010.

Michelle Trampe, executive director of the Central Virginia Justice Initiative, spoke at the event about human trafficking, survivor needs and the Planning District 16 Human Trafficking Task Force, which was established last year.

CVJI and the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault co-lead the task force, which also includes representatives from the local Continuum of Care; Spotsylvania County Public Schools; Safe Harbour Child Advocacy Center; Empowerhouse; Fredericksburg Area Health and Support Services; the University of Mary Washington; substance abuse counselors; and representatives from federal and local law enforcement, fire and rescue.

Trampe provided attendees of last weeks event with an overview of the issue and described the task forces goals for 2022.

According to the federal definition, human trafficking is inducing a person to perform labor or commercial sex acts by force, fraud or coercionor any exploitation of a minor for those purposes.

Its about the exploitation of another persons vulnerability for profit, Trampe said.

Trampe said it is difficult to know how many people are being trafficked in the Fredericksburg area at any point in time.

In 2018, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center received 566 reports to its hotline about human trafficking cases in Virginia, but Trampe noted that this data is far from comprehensive.

We do know that people are trafficked, since many service providers and nonprofit organizations in our region have had clients who have been trafficked, she said in an email to The Free LanceStar.

Trampe said that wherever prostitution or sex work occurs, there is some level of trafficking involved.

Additionally, Planning District 16Fredericksburg and the counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline and King Georgeis along the Interstate 95 corridor, which brings crime, including human trafficking, to the region.

Truck stops are places where prostitution and human trafficking occur, Trampe said.

She said the task force is working on a way to collect better data on how much trafficking is occurring in the Fredericksburg area.

People from all ethnicities, races, classes and genders can become victims of human trafficking, Trampe stressed, but some groups may be more vulnerable, such as those from historically marginalized communities, undocumented immigrants, those who have experienced sexual abuse, those with developmental disabilities, LGBT+ and homeless or runaway youth and youth who have aged out of foster care.

Trampe said one of the task forces goals for 2022 is to advocate for and support women in, or just coming out of, the Rappahannock Regional Jail and other facilities.

Women in jail are low hanging fruit for traffickers, Trampe said, because traffickers can exploit the vulnerability of someone with a criminal history and no support upon release from jail or prison.

Plans for building out the task force also include establishing a housing subcommittee to increase the availability of stable, secure housing for survivors of human trafficking and those who are vulnerable to traffickers.

Taking care of vulnerable people in the community is one way the average citizen can combat human trafficking, Trampe said.

Support organizations that care for vulnerable people. This crime is ultimately about someone taking advantage of another persons vulnerability for profit, she said. Traffickers rarely take someone to sellthey typically lure and groom them by exploiting a vulnerability. So we need to care for the vulnerable.

Trampe said that the community often focuses on the traffickers as the bad guys, but that the traffickers wouldnt be there if not for the demand.

Another of the task forces goals for 2022 is to continue conversation and education about trafficking, especially among youth, as this is one way to combat demand, Trampe said.

Spotsylvania County Public Schools is hosting a prevention event on Jan. 20 at the School Board offices and the University of Mary Washington is hosting a Red Sand Project community art installation event to raise awareness.

Other CVJI events marking Human Trafficking Prevention Month are listed on the organizations website, centralvajusticeinitiative.com.

CVJI and the local task force also advise the Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking, an alliance of attorneys, service providers, survivors and advocates that lobbies the General Assembly to enact survivor-centered human trafficking legislation.

The coalitions 2022 legislative priorities include the noncriminalization of minors engaging in sex work; mandatory training for law enforcement, judges, hotel/hospitality workers, primary and secondary teachers, school faculty and hospital staff; expanding access to justice for survivors through increased civil legal services; and expanding funding for housing.

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The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a case involving trustees of a Spotsylvania County church who filed a lawsuit against the city of Fredericksburg.

New Life in Christ Church is located on Burgess Lane in Spotsylvania County. But its trustees own a home on Franklin Street in Fredericksburg that houses the two coordinators of the churchs University of Mary Washington outreach ministry.

New Life in Christ was seeking to avoid paying property taxes for the home in Fredericksburg based on a Virginia law that provides a tax exemption for real estate and personal property owned by churches and exclusively occupied or used for the residence of the minister.

City attorneys argued that the outreach coordinators, Josh and Anacari Storms, arent the ministers of the church, according to the Book of Church Order that governs the Presbyterian denomination.

Fredericksburg Circuit Court upheld the citys stance and the ruling withstood appeals to the both the Virginia Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court.

Virginia law provides a tax exemption for the church ministers own residence, not every residence a church may own, said John Rife of Taxing Authority Consulting Services, who defended the city in this case. Its up to the church, like any other taxpayer, to provide the evidence to back up its claim for a tax exemption.

Fredericksburgs legal team argued that the Book of Church Order makes it clear that the term minister refers to duly ordained people with specific leadership duties. The citys lawyers noted that neither Josh nor Anacari Storms are ordained, and they do not perform particular duties during regular worship hours such as the Lords Supper or Baptism.

The church, however, argued that the Stormses perform essential religious functions, and regularly host Bible study and some worship services at the home.

New Life in Christ was represented by First Liberty Institute, Christian Legal Society and the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLC.

The churchs lawyers said it is troubling that local government interpreted church doctrine to determine who qualifies as a minister.

Now that the Supreme Court has declined to hear the case, the church must continue to pay the annual $4,589.15 property tax bill on the property.

This is a travesty, and it is dangerous, said Kelly Shackelford, president, chief counsel and CEO of First Liberty Institute. If a government bureaucrat can determine theology and tell a church who is or is not a minister, we are in trouble. Were disappointed that the Supreme Court allowed this dangerous abuse of government authority to stand.

Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented from the denial. Gorsuch said he would grant the petition and summarily reverse the lower courts decision.

The First Amendment does not permit bureaucrats or judges to subject religious beliefs to verification, Gorsuch noted. About this, the Court has spoken plainly and consistently for many years.

When the Fredericksburg Circuit Court upheld the citys position, Judge Patricia Kelly said government officials werent attempting to tell the church who their ministers are.

I dont think we can, Kelly said. I dont think we should be able to, or that we should. But the issue is whether they qualify for purposes of the tax exemption as ministers and thats really the focus of this court.

Taft Coghill Jr: 540/374-5526 tcoghill@freelancestar.com

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A group of Chesapeake parents filed a lawsuit against Gov. Glenn Youngkin Tuesday, arguing that an executive order that scrapped the statewide school mask mandate, and gave parents an opt-out from local mandates, thwarts state law.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends that students and staff wear masks at school, and a 2021 state law requires schools to adhere to the agencys COVID-19 guidelines to the maximum extent practicable. The Chesapeake parents say Youngkins order is in direct conflict with that law, and are asking the Supreme Court of Virginia to declare the governors executive order void.

Youngkins order, slated to take effect Monday, has rankled Democrats in the General Assembly, who say the new governor is overstepping his power and threatening the ability of schools to protect students and staff. Comments from Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to Fox News on Monday fanned the flames: The Republican said Youngkin could withhold funding from districts that dont comply.

Nearly a day later, a spokesperson for Youngkin said Earle-Sears comments were mischaracterized, but added that the governor would consider the tools available to him to enforce the order.

Some of the states largest school districts  including Richmond, Norfolk and the counties of Henrico, Arlington and Fairfax  say they will continue to require masks, citing the 2021 state law.

Locally, one large district that currently requires masks is waffling on its approach: Chesterfield County Public Schools will wait to make a decision until the day before the order takes effect.

The legal complaint against Youngkin argues that his executive order purports to sweep aside masking mandates and other protections with little or no consideration of or respect for CDC guidance, actions taken by the Virginia General Assembly, or the powers vested in school boards.

The suit was filed against Youngkin, State Health Commissioner Colin Greene, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, and the Chesapeake School Board and superintendent. Virginia Beach attorney Kevin Martingayle, a past president of the Virginia State Bar, represents the plaintiffs.

Legislative tension

Democratic lawmakers from the House and the Senate said in a news conference Tuesday that Youngkin does not have the authority to withdraw public funding from school districts over their masking policies. They strongly criticized the executive order and Earle-Sears funding threat.

Earle-Sears said Monday in a Fox News interview that there are certain combinations of monies that we send to the ... local school boards, and [Youngkin] could withhold some of that. And he could possibly, if the law allows, even give the parents the ability to decide what schools their children should attend. So were going to look at all of that.

Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said Tuesday that Democrats in the legislature would support school divisions in keeping the mask mandates in place.

The science is clear: Masks and social distancing limit the risk of children and adults catching COVID. We now have a new, more contagious variant. Another surge that is putting even more stress on our school system, McClellan said. We will not let the governor overstep his authority and bully our school systems.

Macaulay Porter, the Youngkin spokesperson, said Democrats willfully mischaracterized the comments from Earle-Sears, and played politics in an effort to delegitimize the rights of parents.

The executive order allows parents to opt out of mask mandates so that they can make the best decisions for their children and anyone who wants to wear a mask is free to do so, Porter said. Consistent with the governors past remarks, we will consider the tools available to make sure that parents rights are protected.

McClellan was joined by Del. Jeff Bourne of Richmond, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi of Chesterfield, and Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg of Henrico.

Hashmi said that many parents reaching out to her are worried about COVID-19 safety measures going away. McClellan, VanValkenburg and Bourne  all parents of school-age children  said they worry about their kids contracting COVID-19 at school.

Im not sure exactly which parents [Youngkins] been talking to because Ive been receiving emails and phone calls and have had personal conversations with parents who are my constituents, who are actually quite worried now about their childrens health and safety, Hashmi said, adding that it is of special concern to children and siblings who are too young to be vaccinated.

Democrats argue that the law passed last year calling on school districts to hold in-person classes also requires the districts to follow CDC guidance. The CDC, which cannot issue binding policy, recommends universal mask-wearing in schools.

VanValkenburg, who helped craft the final language with then-Gov. Ralph Northams administration, said the bill was designed to keep schools open through mitigation strategies that would prevent the spread of COVID-19 in school buildings. The Northam administration at one point last year relied on the new law to call on districts to require masks; it later issued its own statewide mask mandate through the state health commissioner.

VanValkenburg pointed to the school district in Colonial Heights, which had to close for virtual learning last week because of staffing shortages fueled by COVID-19 infections.

Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, co-sponsor of the state law that Democrats and school districts are citing, reasserted on Monday that the measure she and Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, brought forward was not meant to prompt a mask mandate.

SB1303 has been used against our children and against its intent this school year to advance an agenda. SB1303 does not mandate the use of masks in school because the CDC does not mandate masks, Dunnavant said in a statement.

Democrats on Tuesday also criticized Youngkins actions as igniting a culture war that could risk health and critical school resources.

I would also remind everyone that the last time the state tried to step in and override local school boards on decisions that were made was Massive Resistance, McClellan said, referring to the states policy, beginning in 1956, to prevent racial integration in public schools.

Localities respond

At a news conference Tuesday, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said he was grateful that Jason Kamras, superintendent of the city school district, had quickly announced that Richmond schools would continue to require masking.

Kamras, who appeared alongside the mayor, said masks are effective at mitigating the spread of the virus.

As the mayor noted, our ability to keep our doors open, which is essential to our kids physical and mental health and their learning, is tied to the extent to which we prevent transmission, Kamras said. Masks not only keep them healthy, they will also keep our doors open.

Richmond School Board members reaffirmed the districts mask mandate in defiance of the executive order in an 8-1 vote. School Board member Jonathan Young proposed an amendment that would have allowed parents to exempt their children from wearing a mask. The motion failed.

I would say were squarely within our rights legally to uphold our own mask mandate, School Board member Liz Doerr said, citing Virginias constitution.

In December, Chesterfield School Board member Ryan Harter, who was chair at the time, wrote in an email that masks would be gone once Youngkin took office.

I have spoken with a few members of the Governors transition team in regards to masking. We stand ready to change when the Governor takes office and action, Harter wrote.

In August when the School Board unanimously voted for students to return for the 2021-2022 academic year in masks, Harter expressed disappointment with the decision.

Theres nothing I hate more than going back on my word. For this I apologize. It was never my intention to change course, but here we are, Harter said.

Not all Chesterfield School Board members are ready to lift a mask mandate. Vice Chair Dot Heffron said in a Facebook post on Sunday: My understanding is that we should not anticipate a change in our mask procedures, as CDC recommendations for mitigation strategies have not changed.

She wants to uphold the superintendents mask recommendation that the board approved in August.

In Richmond Public Schools, the threat voiced by Earle-Sears raised alarm as the city is already poised to lose upward of $7 million in state funding due to changes in the citys local composite index, a formula the state uses to calculate how much it contributes to individual school districts.

Threats of defunding schools dont sound like the pro-schools message he echoed yesterday and Saturday in [Youngkins] inaugural address, Stoney said Tuesday.

What we want from the governor is to get right with the laws that are already on the books.

jnocera@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6023 mleonor@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6254 Twitter: @MelLeonor_ pwilson@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6601 Twitter: @patrickmwilson Staff writers C. Suarez Rojas, Kenya Hunter and Andrew Cain contributed to this report.
As one enters Beth Sholom Temple in Stafford Country

for service and prayer, a brief gust of the profane flows through the sanctuary before the sacred fully takes hold. It comes as a roughly 60-second-long message reminding people of the exits and encouraging them to be alert to their surroundings.

Were there to experience a covenantal relationship with God, says the synagogues board president, Jonathan Levin, but we do that in a dangerous world.

This past weekend reminded us how dangerous things are, when a 44-year-old British citizen was welcomed into Congregation Beth Israel just outside of Dallas-Fort Worth and took hostages. This attack was no isolated incident.

Faith communities across the U.S. are experiencing acts of vandalism, arson, desecration of sacred objects and violence not seen since an anti-Muslim backlash following the terrorist attacks in 2001. No faith tradition appears to be immune.

Just a sampling: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recently began tracking hate crimes against Catholic communities. Since May 2020, it has recorded more than 100 incidents. The American Civil Liberties Union tracks anti-Muslim crimes and has noted that anti-Muslim sentiment has spiked in recent years, and includes acts of violence and vandalism. Similar rises are being reported by Protestant, Buddhist and other faiths.

Its important, of course, to understand why these attacks are increasing. Brian Levin of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, connects these acts to a growing distrust of civic institutions.

Speaking with Axios Today, Levin says: The communal institutions, which hold us together traditionally  are held in low esteem relative to decades prior. So when there are disputes or questions about authority, theres always a place for someone  to be scapegoated.

In other words, the rising temperature over how we should run our schools, what medical advice to accept and which authority to believe is boiling over to the point that people become willing to take out their grievances violently against perceived enemies. Oftentimes, these are faith communities.

These same congregations that are being threatened, however, have much to teach us about how to deal with the rising tensions in our society.

It boils down to this: Fear will not win out over faith. Thats the dominant message of faith leaders in our area.

Dan Cook is the executive pastor at Spotswood Baptist Church and notes that events like the one in Texas naturally elevate peoples concerns. Not to the point, however, that it immobilizes the community.

We do everything we can do to be prepared, Cook says of his church. Theres a security team, for example, made up of members who work in law enforcement and the military. Further, the church invests in upgrading facilities to protect people. But at the end of the day, he says, We stress God is in control.

That same faith is central to Beth Sholom. Like Spotswood, the synagogue has invested in building upgrades and drawn on the expertise of members in law enforcement and the military to prepare for the worst. But that safety net is not what the community leans on to keep moving forward.

There is a determination to carry on, Jonathan Levin says, to be who we are, to be a community, to pray together.

The public outbursts and heated discussions we are currently seeing in our local institutions have a cost. They decay trust in the very systems designed to protect everyones rights. And they push some to lash out violently against the perceived enemies this heated rhetoric points the finger at.

Like our local faith communities, we take stepsat great costto protect ourselves against the worst-case scenarios.

But an enduring commitment to the higher ideals these institutions are based on is what will ultimately see us through.

Can we get an Amen?
Starting Friday, Marcus Theatres will offer vaccine-required shows at the Lincoln Grand Cinema downtown.

The vaccination-only shows will be available for two titles daily. Those showtimes will be marked on the Marcus Theatres website and app.

This weeks vaccine-required shows at the Grand will be Scream and Redeeming Love. Each of the films will be offered two times a day  "Redeeming Love" at 12:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. and Scream at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Moviegoers attending those shows will be asked to present their vaccination card or a photo of their card along with a photo ID. Proof of negative tests will not be accepted for admission.

All guests, including children, must be vaccinated to attend those shows.

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Two of the Downtown Business Improvement District Boards new committees provided updates for future work at its meeting Tuesday.

At the BIDs first meeting since its renewal by the Fremont City Council last month, the board created the projects committee, focusing on future work, and the equalization committee, focusing on its tax levy.

Board member Sam Heineman of the projects committee said several projects had been evaluated and would be mentioned in the BIDs upcoming newsletter to ask for input.

One of the projects, Heineman said, would add free Wi-Fi service for the downtown area.

So weve been in contact with Allo and Great Plains, and theyre both working on putting ideas or offers, proposals for it, he said.

The other projects include snow removal on sidewalks, expansion of the Christmas lights, outdoor gathering spaces, beautification and financial assistance to current or future restaurants.

Weve heard that people would like more restaurants downtown, so well try to look into ideas on how to do that or if thats something we want to explore, Heineman said.

Heineman said the committee is also looking at implementing a creative art district through the Nebraska Arts Councils Creative District Program.

NAC Executive Director Suzanne Wise gave a presentation on the topic to the city council in November 2021, with the program providing an initial $10,000 in funding and a potential of up to $250,000 if approved.

The application requires three partnering organizations, which Heineman said could be done with the BID, MainStreet of Fremont and Fremont Area Art Association.

I do think the creative district makes a lot of sense downtown, and so we should probably try to be a participant in the application process, he said.

Heineman said the application requires creating a strategic plan for downtown, something that Oscar Duran of Black Sailboat expressed interest at helping with.

Finally, Heineman said the BIDs speaker system project had requests for proposal sent out, with the due date for bids set for Jan. 27.

Heineman said the committee was exploring funding sources, including a KENO Grant, a grant from the Fremont and Dodge County Convention and Visitors Bureau and private donations.

They think the projects going to cost $70,000, so were trying to raise at least half of it outside of the BID to really try to create some value, he said.

Heineman said he would continue to receive feedback from downtown business owners through email before holding public meetings. Any selected projects would be brought to the BID and city council for approval.

Moving forward, Chairman Tom Coday said it would be a good idea to keep open communication with businesses.

I hope as we continue to move forward, then we create a better dialogue with everybody within the district, Board member Howard Krasne said. Because theyll take the initiative to get involved or at least informed as to whats going on with the organization.

Board member Daniel Cech spoke on the equalization committee, which is evaluating whether or not the tax levy paid by downtown businesses is fair for all downtown businesses.

During the renewal process of the BID, Cech expressed concern that businesses on the fringes of the BIDs area werent receiving the benefits of its projects.

Now a member of the board, Cech said he met with fellow committee member Heineman and looked at the prospect of raising and lowering taxes for certain areas based on projects on a case-by-case basis.

Do we drop everybody outside of Main Street by 10% because theyre not receiving the full effect of it? he said. ... And if we do a project on Park Street, do we raise Park Street a little bit because theyre the one getting the benefit?

With projects that affect the entirety of downtown, including an addition of public internet access, Cech said the tax could remain the same.

But Cech said he wanted the BID to take different projects that would affect different streets within its district.

So its not just, Well, were doing a project here and were going to change it because its only affecting this area, he said. Its going to be as we get projects for different spots, different areas.

Krasne expressed uncertainty at staggering the rates, as the BID is approved for a set amount, and said equalization was already ongoing as property values change.

Board member Vince OConnor said the districts boundaries should also be considered and potentially changed, which Coday said would require the board to work with the city on zoning.

The board also discussed paying the city for hanging flags, banners and Christmas decorations.

Although the BID has paid to have the flags put on display, Coday said it has never paid for the Christmas decorations in the past.

Interim City Administrator Jody Sanders said the city would not charge the BID for its two-year portion for the decorations installation.

But as youre building your budget going into the next round of the BID, we would like to work with you on what that price might be so that you have an idea of where youre at, she said.

With the BID contributing, Krasne said the deal would need to be give and take.

I think its good for the community as well as the district, and consequently for that reason, I think the city should contribute their share of it, he said.

In other news, the board unanimously approved spending up to $1,320 for the maintenance of parking lot green spaces and paying $2,000, or 50% of MainStreets office rent.

The BID boards next meeting will start at noon Feb. 15 at Nebraska Quilt Company at 330 N. Main St.

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More than 122,400 items were checked out at Keene Memorial Library during the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

This is an increase of more than 12,400 items from the previous year.

Data in the librarys annual report shows other significant increases  especially in childrens books with more than 7,000 checked out this year than last. Wi-Fi usage and visits to the librarys website have increased substantially as well.

Members of the librarys advisory board heard these and other statistics when they met Monday night.

They also unanimously approved having the library work with a company to craft a Community Needs Response Plan to remain accredited with the Nebraska Library Commission.

During her report, Laura England-Biggs, library director, noted the increase in checked-out items.

That circulation of 122,000 is up from last years 110,000, England Biggs said. I think thats good. I do want to note that we were open 50 days more  304 instead of 254 days. Last year, we were facing the COVID closure, so that impacted us.

She honed in on the main point.

The bottom line is we circulated more things, she said, adding, We had a really good growth in childrens materials circulation.

Digital circulation was up about 6,000 items for the year.

England Biggs said WiFi visits were up 3,000 with a total of 23,556. The library had 6,001 internet/computer uses. England Biggs said internet/computer uses were down by 1,400.

I think the reason the Wi-Fi is up so much is because more people are bringing in their own devices and are on our Wi-Fi and so that drives the Wi-Fi usage up, England-Biggs said.

Visits to the librarys website are up 46 percent  up from 39,000 last year to 73,400 this year.

Thats a lot of people using our website, England-Biggs said. And thats just hitting the home page. That doesnt count using all the rest of the resources there. That is an amazing growth.

Linda McClain, board member, noted the increase.

That speaks to people using the resources, McClain said.

England-Biggs also talked about online learning available through the library.

Last year, online learning sessions  there were 707. This year, theres 2,961, she said.

The library offers Niche Academy, which accounts for 2,127 of these sessions.

Niche Academy provides training videos on a variety of topics. It includes a Homeless Academy to help library staff work better with people experiencing homelessness.

England-Biggs has made that a requirement for her staff. This may account for some of the numbers, but not all of them, she said.

In addition, the academy offers sessions on Excel spread sheet development and customer service. England-Biggs said there are many free trainings and the library could begin budgeting to add paid trainings.

England-Biggs pointed out other increases.

Public printing saw an increase of 4,000 pages printed for a total of 21,852.

I think there are a lot of people doing job applications and resumes, England-Biggs said. I think thats driving some of that.

The library also offers outreach and homebound services, meaning it takes books and materials to people, who are homebound of any age, cant drive or for disability reasons.

England-Biggs said these numbers were up 50 this year.

Elisa Cruz, circulation manager, takes materials to people unable to get to the library. Cruz makes multiple visits in a week. Once a month, she and Ann Hoppe, library assistant, take materials to residents at the Fremont towers, who have no transportation.

The annual report also indicates that programming was down.

There were 234 programs last year and 134 this year, but attendance at these events increased from 2,799 last year to more than 3,000 this year.

For a hundred fewer programs, I think that speaks volumes, England-Biggs said.

In other business, the board unanimously voted to support moving forward on strategic planning with Mission Matters, a company that would facilitate the process  knowing funding would be underwritten by donations.

No city funds would be expended as none have been budgeted for it.

In December, England-Biggs told the board that the states library commission requires accredited libraries to have a current Community Needs Response Plan (formerly called strategic planning) to stay accredited and receive state aid.

England-Biggs said the last time this was done was in 2017 and that plan expired in 2020.

She told the board last month that the library was looking to hire Mission Matters to facilitate the updating process and that it is a company that came highly recommended by Melissa Diers, executive director of Fremont Area Community Foundation.

England-Biggs said she hoped this process would be complete by the time the library must move temporarily due to the expansion project.

The board agreed to use professional services, but asked last month that the library seek additional quotes for strategic planning assistance.

During the Monday night meeting, England-Biggs shed been making calls and sending emails, but proposals are not forthcoming. One individual is looking to retire and mentioned two other people, who have limited availability between now and April.

Given the time sensitivity, I would appreciate the latitude to move forward, England-Biggs said. I am working out some details with funding.

The price could range from $3,800 to $10,000.

England-Biggs said she believes the process all could be paid for with a mini grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation, help from the Friends of Keene Memorial Library group, and an anonymous donor who has agreed to underwrite a large portion of the cost.

She added that continuing to look for other bids could cause a two- to three-month delay.

By using Mission Matters, she believes the process could start by February or March.

England-Biggs said she hopes to have key informant interviews and focus groups in February through April along with a stakeholder survey. A planning retreat would take place in May to review the findings. The plan would be done in June before the planned move.

The company would craft the document for the NLC.

A Community Needs Response Plan must be done by Oct. 1 to keep the librarys accreditation.

McClain said the process is extremely important now as the library is moving to an expansion.

Theres a myriad of reasons why this year, at this time, its important that this be done with an outside person who specializes in strategic planning, McClain said.

England-Biggs noted that this plan would set the librarys direction for the next five years. She added that by 2026, the library would be sure to build a Community Needs Response Plan in the budget.

Tom Adamson, board chairman, also asked if the company could provide the board with progress reports. England-Biggs said shed inquire about that.

Board members also learned that the Friends of Keene Memorial Library is planning its annual book sale March 24-27 at Christensen Field in Fremont. That Thursday is the member/pre-sale event.

The next library board meeting will start at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 21 in the large meeting room in the library. Meetings are open to the public.

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Kon Tum requested to dismantle five welcome gates

The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam has requested that the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum demolish five welcome gates which were built without permission.

The five welcome gates cost VND8 billion (USD344,827) on Ho Chi Minh Highway that runs through Kon Tum City.

One of the welcome gates in Kon Tum requested to be dismantled

Kon Tum City Peoples Committee previously asked the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam for the licence to build the gates but were rejected. According to the agency, the gates would pose dangers for traffic participants if they did not receive regular maintenance, particularly in stormy weather. The agency cited the collapse of a welcome gate in Quang Binh Provinces Dong Hoi City as an example.



However, the city ignored the ruling and built the gates anyway.
Home Centre, a key retailer of furniture and home furnishings in the Mena region and the Indian sub-continent, has unveiled a new brand identity that is underpinned by its customer-first approach of enabling every home to tell its own unique story.

The dynamic brand identity, a first of its kind in the region, was launched with a campaign aptly titled inspired by you, as a touching tribute to over 25 million homes and counting, that they have been a part of and continue to be.

The objective is to further strengthen the value of the iconic brand which has opened over 70 stores, delivering to 1,950 homes daily, over the past 25 years.

As a prelude to the launch and celebrating the people who are at the centre of Home Centre-its customers, the brand has also kicked off an emotional campaign, Your Home. Your Home Centre.

The campaign is reflective of the core brand values that celebrate the lives of customers who have been a vital part of the brands journey in enabling people to turn their houses into HOMES, said the statement from Home Centre.

At the heart of this campaign was a digital activation that reached out to people across the region. Customers could participate without any purchase and simply express What home means to them?.

A whopping 12,000 plus people across GCC participated in this activation, sharing with Home Centre their unique home stories, their favourite colour, texture, pattern and object, it stated.

Home Centre used these unique home inspirations to support their thought process behind the new identity which is inspired by real people and reflects their lives, their stories. 25 winners of this contest will be thanked for their participation with room makeovers from Home Centre.

Aarti Jagtiani, Group Director and Board Member, Landmark Group, said: "We are in the business of creating human impact and with 25 years in the business, it is time for us to take a fresh approach for the next 25 years and more."

"We are proud to be operating in a country that continues to seek new goals and ambitions under its able leadership, and we at Landmark follow the same vision of incorporating innovative ways to serve our customers and residents better. The Group and its business verticals have witnessed strong, steady, organic growth in this country with Home Centre and we are confident that we will continue this momentum in the years to come," she added.

CEO Sameer Jain said: "As part of our journey, we realised we need to stay even more connected to our customers and there was a need to evolve with changing consumer behavior. We are now looking at the next 25 years and want to reach out to our customers with a re-positioned look and feel of our brand which is not just a physical change in identity but a refreshed ethos that runs across the various touchpoints of our organisation."

"Through ongoing research and continuous engagement with our customers across the region, we have been working towards evolving our offer based on consumer needs which has culminated in the launch of a new positioning and brand identity that helps us connect better with our customers," he added.
A Taliban commander and three other people were killed when a man opened fire on a vehicle in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar Province, a local Taliban official said on January 19.

The incident occurred in the Narang district of Kunar, the Taliban director of information and culture in the province, Mawlawi Najibullah, told the media.

Another nine people were wounded, Najibullah said, adding that the attacker had escaped to a civilian house and when the owner had denied him shelter, he killed him too.

The attacker was detained after being wounded and police are investigating the case, he said.

A local elder put the number of dead at six, including four Taliban members.

The elder said the attacker had switched allegiance from the Taliban to the Islamic State (IS) group in the past.

"He opened fire on the car with a machine gun," the elder said.

IS, which is active in eastern Afghanistan, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August.

The Taliban and IS have been fighting each other since the latter emerged in Afghanistan in early 2015.

Based on reporting by dpa and Etleaks.com
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway has promoted Ted Johnston to general manager.

As assistant general manager, Johnston was a key member of the team that oversaw the $100 million, three-year renovation of the railway, a signature Colorado Springs-area tourist attraction that takes visitors from a train depot in Manitou Springs on a nearly 9-mile trek up Pikes Peak to the mountain's summit.

The railway's makeover included reconstruction of its tracks, new rail cars and an upgraded depot; the attraction, built in 1891 and owned and operated by The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs since 1925, reopened in May 2021.

Johnston, who received a degree in supply chain management from the University of Oklahoma, started his railroad career with the Omaha, Neb.,-based Union Pacific Railroad. He completed Union Pacific's operations management training program in 2012 and served in various roles for the railroad in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Johnston joined the railroad consulting firm of R.L. Banks & Associates in Washington, D.C., in 2017, where he supported the firm's operational, regulatory and safety practices.

The Broadmoor hotel is owned by the Denver-based Anschutz Corp., whose Clarity Media owns The Gazette.
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.
Alan Gottlieb is editor of Denver-based public education watchdog boardhawk.org. Gottlieb covered Denver Public Schools as a newspaper reporter in the mid-1990s, worked as an education program officer for The Piton Foundation and co-founded Education News Colorado and Chalkbeat.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include statements from Manitou Mayor John Graham.

Manitou Springs will not see a third marijuana shop within city boundaries following the failure of a ballot question in Tuesday night's special election, early returns show.

By a preliminary vote of 1,302 against and 424 for, residents rejected a measure to allow up to three marijuana facilities in Manitou Springs, according to early results posted late Tuesday.

Currently, Manitou houses two dual-purpose retail and medical marijuana stores in its commercial zone district, located south of El Paso Boulevard and north and east of U.S. 24. The ballot question would also have expanded the zone district boundary, allowing the third establishment to be located within 150 feet south of U.S. 24 in a commercially zoned district. The shop would also have had to provide at least 100 parking spaces.

Proponents of the question argued a third store would bring more revenue to the city and would reduce costs for those wishing to purchase marijuana products locally.

"Right now, the pricing of concentrates (in Manitou Springs) is four to five times the market rate," Southern Colorado Cannabis Council Executive Director Jason Warf told The Gazette on Friday. "You can buy concentrates for $10 to $13 in Pueblo, but theyre going for $40 to $50 in Manitou. Residents are driving out of town to shop."

Warf said on Wednesday morning his organization "will always respect the will of the voters, and they spoke very resoundingly that this was a path they didn't want to take."

But, he added, Manitou Springs is a transient town where populations change over time, and so can general opinion.

"We don't know what will happen in two, three or four years," he said. "We should keep an open mind."

The Manitou Springs City Council in September considered an initiative petition brought by marijuana advocates who wanted to allow a third pot shop in the city. According to the Manitou Springs Municipal Code, the City Council must pass initiated ordinances as they are written and cannot revise them, or they must set an election to decide the issue.

The council ultimately chose to refer the matter to voters.

City Council, which has historically not supported movements to increase Manitou's two-store limit, argued proponents of the ballot question did not approach them as a body to address the matter and therefore essentially circumvented the citys involvement in developing regulations by proceeding with an initiative petition.

The City Council previously shot down a request in 2019 that would have raised the cap to four stores. Earlier this month, the council approved a resolution urging voters to reject Tuesday's ballot question.

The "City Council believes that maintaining the two-establishment limit reflects the will of the voters, and that the existing location limitations in the commercial district of the eastern portion of the city has worked effectively and should be maintained," the resolution states.

"I think the people have spoken," Mayor John Graham said late Wednesday of the election results. "I think council's sentiment is the people already spoke in 2014 and 2019."

During that same meeting this month, the council voted to increase the sales tax on retail marijuana from 6% to 10%, effective Jan. 10. The city will retain all revenues from the special retail tax, which the City Council said was needed for capital improvement funds.

The state also imposes a 2.9% special sales tax on medical marijuana and 15% on recreational pot. There is also a 15% excise tax imposed on wholesale sales and transfers of retail marijuana.

If the question had passed, the city would have been required to publicly disclose its marijuana sales tax information, given that Colorado law stipulates that information must be revealed if a city has three or more marijuana stores and no one store makes up 80% of the revenue.

Warf said he's seen a call among marijuana advocates in Manitou for more transparency from the city about its marijuana sales tax revenues.

"I hope the City Council will hear that and open up a discussion," he said.

Graham said the city is and has been transparent about its revenues; financial reports and budgets are listed on the city's website, he said.

In 2020, the most recent year for which all data is available, Manitou's tax collections in the "other" category, including marijuana, were about $3.4 million, according to city correspondence from Finance Director Becca Davis.
Middle Eastern carriers experienced a 3.4% increase in international cargo volumes in November 2021, a significant drop in performance compared to the previous month (9.7%), said the International Air Transport Association (Iata) in a new report.



This was due to a deterioration in traffic on several key routes such as Middle East-Asia, and Middle East-North America, according to data released by Iata for global air cargo markets.



International capacity was down 9.7% compared to November 2019, a small decrease compared to the previous month (8.4%).



African airlines saw international cargo volumes increase by 0.8% in November, a significant deterioration from the previous month (9.8%). International capacity was 5.2% lower than pre-crisis levels.



Supply chain disruptions and capacity constraints impacted demand globally, despite economic conditions remaining favourable for the sector, the report said.



As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of Covid-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons below are to November 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern.



 Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), was up 3.7% compared to November 2019 (4.2% for international operations). This was significantly lower than the 8.2% growth seen in October 2021 (9.2% for international operations) and in previous months.



 Capacity was 7.6% below November 2019 (-7.9% for international operations). This was relatively unchanged from October. Capacity remains constrained with bottlenecks at key hubs.



 Economic conditions continue to support air cargo growth, however supply chain disruptions are slowing growth. Several factors should be noted:



o Labour shortages, partly due to employees being in quarantine, insufficient storage space at some airports and processing backlogs exacerbated by the year end rush created supply chain disruptions. Several key airports, including New Yorks JFK, Los Angeles and Amsterdam Schiphol reported congestion.



o Retail sales in the US and China remain strong. In the US retail sales were 23.5% above November 2019 levels. And in China online sales for Singles Day were 60.8% above their 2019 levels.



o Global goods trade rose 4.6% in October (latest month of data), compared to pre-crisis levels, the best rate of growth since June. Global industrial production was up 2.9% over the same period.



o The inventory-to-sales ratio remains low. This is positive for air cargo as manufacturers turn to air cargo to rapidly meet demand.



o The recent surge in Covid-19 cases in many advanced economies has created strong demand for PPE shipments, which are usually carried by air.



o The November global Supplier Delivery Time Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) was at 36.4. While values below 50 are normally favourable for air cargo, in current conditions it points to delivery times lengthening because of supply bottlenecks.





Air cargo growth was halved in November compared to October because of supply chain disruptions, said Willie Walsh, Iatas Director General.



All economic indicators pointed towards continued strong demand, but the pressures of labour shortages and constraints across the logistics system unexpectedly resulted in lost growth opportunities. Manufacturers, for example, were unable to get vital goods to where they were needed, including PPE. Governments must act quickly to relieve pressure on global supply chains before it permanently dents the shape of the economic recovery from Covid-19.



To relieve supply chain disruptions in the air cargo industry, Iata is calling on governments to:



 Ensure that air crew operations are not hindered by Covid-19 restrictions designed for air travellers.



 Implement the commitments governments made at the ICAO High Level Conference on Covid-19 to restore international connectivity, including for passenger travel. This will ramp-up vital cargo capacity with belly space.



 Provide innovative policy incentives to address labour shortages where they exist.



 Support the World Health Organization / International Labour Organization Action Group being formed to assure freedom of movement for international transport workers.



Asia-Pacific airlines saw their international air cargo volumes increase 5.2% in November 2021 compared to the same month in 2019. This was only slightly below the previous months 5.9% expansion. International capacity in the region eased slightly in November, down 9.5% compared to 2019.



North American carriers posted an 11.4% increase in international cargo volumes in November 2021 compared to November 2019, while European carriers saw a 0.3% increase in international cargo volumes in November 2021 compared to the same month in 2019, but this was a significant drop in performance compared to October 2021 (7.1%).  TradeArabia News Service
Selling flavored tobacco and nicotine products could soon be illegal in Colorado after a bill prohibiting the sale of the products was introduced in the state House of Representatives last week.
Some Colorado hospitals are already enacting tenets of the state's crisis standards of care amid a crush of patients and a shortage of providers, and emergency physicians have now called on Gov. Jared Polis to officially enact the plan for the first time.

Emergency departments "are currently dealing with conditions that have never been seen before in our state," the Colorado chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians wrote in a letter to Polis last week. They warned that the "situation is only going to worsen over the next few weeks and many of these problems will persist even after we see the COVID wave crest."

The enactment of the hospital crisis standards would allow facilities to determine which emergency room patients need to be admitted and which can be referred to treatment elsewhere.

While many hospitals are reportedly already doing this, they are doing it without liability protections and without formal recognition by the state, which opens the door to equity and uniformity issues, experts said.

Polis has the power to enact the standards; he has already done so to allow looser staffing guidelines and to give ambulance crews the authority to choose who needs a ride to the hospital. But he has never taken the step to give hospitals the ability to triage patients, and a top state health official told reporters last week that the state was not contemplating doing so. Polis's office did not return a request for comment Tuesday.

But in a call Tuesday afternoon, representatives from his office and from the state Department of Public Health and Environment spoke with emergency providers. There were signs that the state may carve out a new form of the crisis standards applicable only to ERs, said Allison Trop, the incoming head of the Colorado chapter of the emergency physician college. She said the group would meet again next week to discuss the concept further.

Anuj Mehta, a Denver Health intensive care physician and researcher who led the effort to rewrite the overall standards in November, said emergency rooms needed support more than other areas of the hospital. He told The Denver Gazette earlier this month hospitals were already enacting the standards and the state would benefit from Polis stepping in.

"The part of Crisis Standards of Care we need is the framework to decompress hospitals in the emergency department and non-ICU settings in the hospital and diverting some of those patients to outpatient care," he said in an email Tuesday.

"Statewide activation would create a level playing ground and ensure greater equity, fairness and transparency."

Hospitals statewide have reported a large increase in emergency department volume amid the ongoing omicron surge, despite the variant causing less severe disease than its predecessor, delta. Many patients seeking care for other ailments are still infected for the virus, while members of the public have flocked to emergency rooms to seek testing because of high demand at official sites. The group warned that when antiviral medications are more readily available, they feared that the public would begin turning up at ERs to get that treatment, as well.

Perhaps most critically, infections among staff  exacerbating an already serious shortage  is further straining a health system that's fought the pandemic and its many aftereffects for nearly two years.

"In our emergency departments, we often have 10 nurses a night that are out ill," Trop said.

In its letter, the emergency physicians asked Polis to trigger the crisis plan, which would give all hospitals in the state guidance on how to universally decompress hospitals. Trop, the incoming head of the chapter, said she didn't know of all of the hospitals doing it, but some systems  including UCHealth  have created their own crisis standards and have enacted them to triage their patients and provide relief to emergency rooms.

"Further, on a daily basis, we are discharging patients who normally would be admitted due to a lack of beds," the physicians wrote in their letter to Polis. "Without the Crisis Standards of Care in place, this imposes a huge burden and risk on clinicians. Additionally, individual clinicians are forced to decide how to allocate scarce resources  deciding who gets admitted or boarded in the ED and discharging many patients that would typically be admitted under usual standards of care."

Because of the sheer number of patients turning up in emergency departments, patients are being kept in ER waiting rooms for hours or days, Trop said. That's straining emergency nurses who are "fabulous and highly trained" but are not tasked with the same level of care needed for patients on hospital floors or in the intensive care unit. It also delays the care those patients need, Trop added: A patient with chest pain may need to wait a day or two for a stress test.

Exhaustion and burnout have taken their toll on health care workers, who were understaffed before the pandemic began. The emergency physicians group warned Polis that the situation was critical.

"Your health care team members are not doing well," the organization said. "This crisis is taking its toll. Physicians are burning out, being threatened, harassed and assaulted in the (emergency department), and many are leaving the profession. Physicians do not feel supported by the legislature nor the administration."

Asked if the state should enact the crisis standards for hospitals, Colorado Hospital Association spokeswoman Cara Welch said facilities "continue to do everything they can to manage capacity and resources" and that the organization was hopeful that the omicron may be slowing, as state data is beginning to suggest.

Mark Johnson, the president of the Colorado Medical Society, said his group supported the activation of the crisis standards of care, as did Mehta.

"Emergency departments, inpatient hospital units and health care workers are experiencing some of the worst strain they have seen at any point during the pandemic," Mehta wrote in his email. "The record capacity strain is driven by dramatic increases in patients and record staffing shortages."

Trop and Johnson both said they had never seen anything like this surge nor staffing shortages before in their careers.

"Absolutely not," Trop said. "This is nothing I ever imagined. Through my training and coming up through practice  I've never seen anything like this. And I don't think anyone I know has. Every day is a new experience, one we wish we weren't living through."

Johnson likened it to working in a war or disaster zone.

"If you have a war zone or a hurricane zone or a tsunami zone, or something like that, particularly in third-world contrives, thats kind of what it's like in American hospitals," he said. "Were not used to that, and it's very stressful."

What's more, the situation can still deteriorate further, Johnson and Trop said.

"It could definitely get worse," Trop said, "and its one of those scary things. We don't know what the next few weeks will hold. I'm definitely concerned things will get worse in next one or two weeks."

"I think were getting close to a breaking point," Johnson added. "I have my fingers crossed that things are beginning to plateau and maybe go down again as far as case numbers.

"I don't think we will break here in Colorado. But," he paused briefly, "we are really stressed."
Masdar and Engie, a global player in low-carbon energy and services, have signed a collaboration agreement with Fertiglobe, to co-develop a globally cost-competitive green hydrogen facility in the UAE. This will have a capacity of as much as 200 megawatts (MW), to support the production of green ammonia.

The strategic alliance aims to capture synergies and complementarities between the partners to establish an early mover position in the UAEs hydrogen market.

By leveraging existing infrastructure, the companies will initially target local supply, with the aim of expanding capacity to create a giga-scale green hydrogen hub for the GCC, with the potential to export to other markets.

The alliance will also explore opportunities to develop projects in other geographies.

The three companies will study the development, design, financing, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of an industrial-scale and globally cost-competitive green hydrogen facility in Al Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, to be installed near Fertiglobes ammonia production plants, with a potential capacity up to 200 MW. The facility is targeted to be operational in 2025, with Fertiglobe the sole long term off-taker.

Fertiglobe, the largest producers of nitrogen fertilisers and ammonia in the Middle East and North Africa, with a combined production capacity of 6.7 million tonnes of urea and merchant ammonia, will use the green hydrogen to produce green ammonia, supporting its ambitions to be a global leader in this sector.

Fertiglobe is targeting a front-runner position in green ammonia production by 2025 in the UAE and is investing in a number of initiatives to produce low and zero-carbon ammonia.

The collaboration agreement was signed by Frederic Claux, Managing Director, Thermal and Supply AMEA, Engie, Ahmed El-Hoshy, Chief Executive Officer of Fertiglobe, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, one of the worlds leading renewable energy companies, at a ceremony on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2022, which ended on January 19.

Claux said: The production of green hydrogen in the UAE will be a significant milestone in its green transition, helping the country achieve its ambitious net-zero targets for 2050. Moreover, by supporting the development of green hydrogen projects across the value chain, together with Masdar and Fertiglobe, we will aid the creation of local jobs and give the UAE a competitive edge in the fast-growing hydrogen economy. This will enable some of the most intensive carbon producing industries  in particular, transportation and mobility, industry and agriculture  to go carbon neutral.

El-Hoshy said: This new partnership with Masdar and Engie represents a great opportunity for Fertiglobe and the UAE to play a crucial role in the global energy transition and fits well in the UAEs vision of a diversified and sustainable future. Abu Dhabi is an ideal location to produce green hydrogen given the countrys commitment to a low carbon future, its unique renewables profile and its strategic geographic location.

The project marks another milestone for Fertiglobe's green ammonia portfolio and follows the announcement last month of our new 100MW electrolyser in Egypt. Ammonia is the dominant energy carrier for hydrogen. With green hydrogen seen as essential to support decarbonisation of industry, food, transport and energy, there is a huge opportunity for green ammonia to deliver green hydrogen all over the world to fuel the clean economy and meet growing demand for renewable sources of clean energy. Fertiglobe is a strategic partnership between OCI NV and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), and the worlds largest seaborne exporter of urea and merchant ammonia.

Al Ramahi said: This project will play a vital role in the development of the UAEs green hydrogen economy, and represents the first concrete action taken by Masdar and Engie following the announcement last month of our strategic alliance. By working with innovative companies like Fertiglobe, we aim to support the UAEs leadership in green hydrogen, and work toward achieving the nations net-zero emissions targets.

Green ammonia, produced from renewable energy such as solar and wind instead of natural gas, is a versatile product that is an ideal carrier to store and transport hydrogen, and can help decarbonise multiple sectors which together account for 90% of current global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Green ammonia is also an important alternative fuel in its own right.

In December, Masdar and Engie announced the formation of a strategic alliance to explore the co-development of a UAE-based green hydrogen hub. The two companies are looking to develop projects with a capacity of at least 2 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, with a total investment in the region of $5 billion.

-- TradeArabia News Service
The Fort St. Vrain Generating Station is seen in this undated photograph. It converted away from nuclear power in 1989.
Secretary of State Jena Griswold filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters in yet another effort to keep her from overseeing 2022 elections.

Peters responded by casting the lawsuit as retaliation for her refusal to comply with Griswold's "gag order."

Meanwhile, the state ethics commission voted to delay its work on an ethics complaint filed against Peters last year.

Peters' counsel had asked the commission to stay its proceedings, saying she faces a separate campaign finance complaint largely based on the same set of allegations and arguing the ethics panel should wait until that case has been concluded before deciding whether to move forward.

Griswold filed her lawsuit in Mesa County District Court on the same day that Mesa Countys commissioners intended to also remove Peters as the Designated Election Official (DEO) for the county.

Every eligible Coloradan  Republican, Democrat, and independent alike  has the right to make their voice heard in safe and secure elections. As Clerk Peters is unwilling to commit to following election security protocols, I am taking action to ensure that Mesa County voters have the elections they deserve, Griswold said in a statement.

Griswold had asked Peters on Jan. 10 to sign a certification and compliance letter stating she would comply with election-related security protocols. Peters refused.

In a statement, Peters argued that the secretary of state  whom she calls "Gestapo Griswold"  is effectively demanding that she recant her beliefs. Such a demand, Peters said, happens in communist countries or in "medieval Europe  not the United States of America.

Please name one time in the history of the world in which the side demanding you repudiate your beliefs, especially beliefs for transparency, in exchange for return of your rights, have been the good guys? As I said before  I will not back down. Not now, not ever, Peters said.

Griswolds statement noted that neither she nor the county could remove Peters from serving as the DEO; hence, her lawsuit, which seeks approval for Brandi Bantz, the county's Director of Elections, to be appointed as the DEO for the 2022 elections. Bantz would be supported by former Secretary of State and current Colorado Springs Councilman Wayne Williams and Mesa County Treasurer Sheila Reiner, who both handled the 2021 elections on behalf of the county. Williams continues to serve as the DEO.

Peters has been accused of allowing breaches in election security, ignoring election rules and orders from the Secretary of State and risking the integrity of Mesa County elections.

Mesa County District Court Judge Valerie Robison earlier ruled that Peters actions allowed a security vulnerability into the countys voting system equipment and that she breached her duties.

In August, Griswold ordered Mesa County to replace its voting equipment after system passwords showed up in a video posted on websites. Days later, exact digital copies of the county's election system hard drive were posted online after Griswold's staff discovered that 24-hour video surveillance of the election equipment had been turned off.

That same month, Peters showed up at a cyber symposium hosted by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a proponent of claims that the 2020 election was rigged against former president Donald Trump.

Lindell said he flew Peters in for the event on his private plane, which led to two campaign finance complaints, as well as a complaint with the state ethics commission.

The state ethics commission Tuesday reviewed a response submitted by Scott Gessler of Gessler Blue Law, who is representing Peters.

The response from Gessler seeks a delay in the ethics commissions proceedings while the campaign finance complaints, which deal with the same issue, move forward. A hearing on the campaign finance complaints is scheduled for the Office of Administrative Courts Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 24 and 25.

Ethics Commission Executive Director Dino Ioannides called Gessler's response very lean, describing it as a blanket denial on the ethics violation but not offering much details.

The complaint against Peters alleges she accepted a gift from Lindell that exceeds the state gift limit of $65.

Gessler wrote in his response, which the commission accepted as a motion, that continuing with this complaint would be highly prejudicial to Ms. Peters and possibly subject her to liability on two contradictory theories.

He said the campaign finance complaint alleges Peters accepted a campaign contribution  the plane ride  but at the same time the ethics complaint alleges the plane ride was a personal gift.

Ms. Peters should not be required to bear the cost and burden of simultaneously defending two administrative matters that take diametrically opposite approaches, Gessler wrote.

Gessler also said Peters faces a criminal investigation by the District Attorney for the 21st Judicial District.

"This ethics case also creates the strong possibility that prosecutors will use discovery in this case as part of their efforts to construct a criminal case; indeed, they have already sought to benefit from civil proceedings," Gessler said. "Finally, the defense of this ethics complaint will likely expose Ms. Peters strategy in defending herself. It effectively serves as a mini-trial, allowing prosecutors to gain an insight into Ms. Peters defense and therefore craft their criminal charges accordingly."

The commission then went into executive session to obtain advice from its legal counsel, a member of the Attorney Generals staff.

The Attorney General is also suing Peters over fundraising for her campaign and for legal expenses, and the alleged failure to file campaign finance reports for the past two years. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Secretary of State's Elections Division in November.

After the session, the commission voted unanimously to stay its proceedings while the other complaints move forward.

In a statement, Peters said called Griswold's Jan. 10 request a "gag order."

That "gag order," Peters said, would have required her to say "I hereby fully and completely repudiate, retract and disavow the statement I made during a FacebookLive broadcast in which I stated, 'Weve got to get those machines so that they are transparent to the people.'"

Demanding someone recant their beliefs, especially beliefs for government transparency, or else be punished is something we would expect to see in North Korea, China, or even medieval Europe  not the United States of America, Peters said.

Peters announced last week she is running for re-election and filed a candidate affidavit with the Secretary of State's office Sunday.

Gessler, a former Secretary of State, has his own history with the ethics commission. He was found to have violated the state's ethics laws in 2012 after he improperly tapped state funds  $1,278.90  to pay for a trip to a Republican National Lawyers Association conference in August 2012, shortly before the Republican National Convention.
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn made it official Wednesday that he's seeking re-election to represent Colorado's 5th Congressional District.

The Colorado Springs Republican cited his seniority on key committees and experience steering federal policy in Washington, D.C. as reasons he hopes voters hire him for another two-year term.

"Coloradans deserve a leader with a proven, conservative voting record," Lamborn said. "I will never waver when it comes to putting America first."

First elected to the heavily Republican seat in 2006, the attorney and former state lawmaker has had to make it past primary opponents in all but two of his runs for Congress. This year, he's facing primary challenges from state Rep. Dave Williams, R-Colorado Springs, and Navy veteran Rebecca Keltie, who ran last cycle as a third-party candidate. Several Democrats have also declared candidacies for the seat.

Lamborn told Colorado Politics that his recent designation as the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces positions him to have more of a say in beefing up national security while at the same time allowing him to protect the interests of the district.

Lamborn noted that if the GOP wins the majority in the House next year  as looks increasingly likely  he's in line to chair the subcommittee, which is devoted to legislation concerning nuclear weapons, missile defense and the military's mission in space.

Boasting one of the nation's most heavy military presences, the 5th Congressional District will virtually coincide with the boundaries of El Paso County under maps adopted last fall by an independent redistricting commission. The district is home to five military installations and some 40,000 active-duty troops, including the Air Force Academy and bases that run military satellites, control the nation's missile defense and protect the continent from attack.

"It's an amazing opportunity," Lamborn said. "There are so many missions that go on in the Pikes Peak region that are in those different areas that I have two things I can do at the same time: I can help our national security be stronger and better funded, better equipped and cutting edge, and help the missions that are here locally  make sure that they're protected and established and successful. This subcommittee has everything to do with what's so special about El Paso County and the military presence here."

Lamborn said he anticipates decisions soon from a pair of federal entities investigating former President Donald Trump's decision a year ago to move the headquarters of U.S. Space Command from its temporary home in Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Ala. Lamborn and other members of Colorado's delegation have called on President Biden to revisit the decision, which they alleged was made for political reasons, contradicting the Air Force's internal assessment.

The Pentagon's inspector general and the congressional Government Accountability Office are examining the decision, with reports expected in coming weeks.

"We're keeping our fingers crossed that they will recognize some of the same problems that we saw, that the selection process was very arbitrary, almost based on a whim on the part of President Trump, because he likes Alabama and doesn't really particularly like Colorado," Lamborn said, noting that Trump said as much last year on an Alabama radio show. "And if either the GAO or the IG come up with problems in how the process went down, that gives us a hook to revisit the whole issue."

As important, Lamborn said, is the chance to keep fighting the Democrats.

"Throughout my time in Congress, I have dedicated my time and strength to defending our Constitution, fortifying our national security, strengthening our economy, advocating for our veterans and those bravely serving our country, and protecting our traditional values," he said. "I have pushed back time and time again against the Democrats' outrageous spending, unconstitutional mandates, weakness on defense, assaults on the Second Amendment and open-border policies."

Added Lamborn: "With Joe Biden as our president for the next several years, it is critical that we flip the House and the Senate and stop his far-left agenda in its tracks. I will continue leading the fight against the progressive agenda of the left, which will take away our freedoms and prosperity and replace them with big government programs and uncontrolled debt."

Routinely ranked among the House's most conservative members, Lamborn was named a "Taxpayer Superhero" last year, receiving a perfect score from the national Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.

Lamborn said that despite the 5th District losing several mountain counties to the Jefferson County-based 7th District in the redistricting process, his seat on the House Natural Resources Committee remains an important perch to maintain oversight on policy affecting Colorado's vast holdings of public lands.

"When you're on the committee for a number of years, you develop a lot of background that's helpful. You know the issues, you know the problems, you know the opportunities, you know some of the people in the bureaucracy who can help or hurt the process," he said. "There are advantages to staying on a committee because you've got some institutional knowledge."

He said constituents benefit from the experience he's gained in 15 years in the House.

"The federal government is so big and sprawling and powerful  it's like peeling back layers of an onion, and it takes a long time to start to learn how things are done within the bureaucracy. You learn how to make the system work for the benefit of your district and to change the direction of things or even to know how to get an amendment into law," Lamborn said, noting that he successfully sponsored roughly 50 amendments in this year's mammoth defense spending bill.

"Plus, you learn how to stop the bad things. All of that is easier once you've seen how the system works from the inside," he said.

Lamborn said he plans to embark on two paths to win a berth on the June 28 primary ballot: circulating petitions and going through caucuses and party assembly process. Candidates can begin circulating nominating petitions this week  it takes 1,000 valid signatures from members of their party to make the ballot for U.S. House candidates  and precinct caucuses take place the first week of March.

Taking both routes is insurance against the close calls Lamborn experienced in 2016 and 2018, when he nearly missed making the ballot. In 2016, a conservative activist surprised Lamborn at the district assembly by winning almost enough support to keep him out of the primary, and in 2018 a federal court had to step in to reverse a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that had removed Lamborn from the primary over petition irregularities.

Williams told Colorado Politics he relishes the upcoming primary.

"With our new congressional district, we should elect a new congressman who is 100% pro-life, 100% pro-second Amendment and 100% pro-election integrity, and with a proven record of authentic Christian service to others, Im happy to give the voters that choice in the 5th district," he said in a text message.
A man will receive a new trial after the state's second-highest court ruled that Colorado Springs police failed to properly keep track of a bag of white powder, with one officer acknowledging he retrieved it from the ground and never saw it again until trial.

Three judges on a panel of the Court of Appeals reversed the drug possession conviction for Pedro Rodriguez months after castigating the government for the substandard evidence-handling in Rodriguez's case.

"There's not a case in the country that says a police officer can get up on the stand and say, 'I recognize white powder from 14 months ago,'" said Judge Elizabeth L. Harris during oral arguments in November.

"I mean you see it on television all the time, right? The detective initials it, dates it, puts it in a custodial envelope, secures it with metal clips, comes to trial, says, 'That's the envelope. Those are my initials, and here's the procedure under which it was kept,'" added Judge David J. Richman. "Don't we have to hold them to that standard?"

The appeals court's opinion, issued on Thursday, confirmed that Rodriguez's jury had no way of knowing the bag of cocaine presented at trial was the same bag recovered at the crime scene due to an unaccounted-for gap in documentation.

When reached for comment via phone, Colorado Springs police spokesman Lt. Jim Sokolik said the department "wouldn't discuss an ongoing court case."

Officer Chase Gardner stopped the car in which Rodriguez was a passenger in September 2017. At one point, the occupants appeared to be on the verge of fleeing, and Gardner punched the driver in the face while another officer used pepper spray. When Gardner pulled his gun, Rodriguez jumped out and ran.

Officers chased after him and quickly took him into custody. While he was running, Rodriguez threw down a plastic bag with a white, powdery substance.

Gardner picked up the bag and gave it to Sgt. David Manzanilla. The officer did not see it again until Rodriguez's trial.

At some point, a chemist tested the substance in the bag and determined it to be cocaine. The chemist testified that Exhibit 1, the evidence bag containing the smaller bag of powder, was in the Colorado Springs Police Department's evidence section. He did not know who put the item in evidence or where it had been. The chemist resealed, marked and returned Exhibit 1 after he tested it.

According to the appeals court, Gardner testified that after he handed the plastic bag to Manzanilla, he "never saw it from there." Manzanilla did not testify at Rodriguez's 2018 trial. Instead, Gardner identified Exhibit 1 as the "substance that I observed in the bag."

District Court Judge David Shakes allowed Exhibit 1 as evidence, despite the fact that the rules require "authentication or identification" of evidence.

Rodriguez argued on appeal that the bag of white powder was not unique enough to be identified, and authentication required a chain of custody to show it was the same bag Gardner recovered from the scene of the traffic stop.

The chain of custody, which documents the transfer and analysis of evidence, also deters tampering or contamination  given that the chain can indicate who was responsible.

"This is the most critical part: no one testified that they took that bag and logged into evidence," Deputy State Public Defender Brian Sedaka told the appeals court. "It's a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. I think we all know that police evidence departments are full of clear plastic bags with white powdery substances in them."

The Colorado Attorney General's Office countered that it was sufficient for Gardner to testify that the bag of powder appeared the same at trial as when he recovered it. Gardner's name was also listed on the evidence bag for Exhibit 1, so his identification, according to Assistant Attorney General Brenna Brackett, was "based on more than the powder itself."

But the Court of Appeals panel pushed back during oral arguments on the government's representation of what happened.

"He didn't write his name. There was no testimony," Richman said.

"What you're really saying is, he could look at his name and from the name, identify what's in the bag," Harris added doubtfully.

"Yes, it definitely would have been better if they established those facts as is normally done," Brackett conceded.

Harris continued to cast doubt on the government's case.

"Here's the fundamental issue I'm having," she said. "He didn't say, 'I recognize the bag.' He said, 'I recognize the substance in the bag.' That was his testimony. 'I recognize the white powder.' You can't authenticate white powder."

The appeals panel noted that some cases have allowed witnesses to identify evidence when it is "unique, readily identifiable, or resistant to change." In one instance, an officer was permitted to identify the defendant's gun because it was the only one of that type he had seen in his law enforcement career.

In contrast, white powder had none of those characteristics. If Manzanilla were present at trial to speak to his actions once he took the bag, that would have been different, Harris wrote in the court's opinion.

Alternatively, she added, "had Officer Gardner testified that he observed Sergeant Manzanilla place the bag of white powder into an evidence bag, seal the evidence bag, and make some identifying mark on it, and had the police chemist then testified that when he received it, the bag was sealed in the same manner and with the same identifying marks described by Officer Gardner, the chain of custody would have been sufficient."

The panel ordered a new trial on Rodriguez's drug charge and did not address other claims he had made in his appeal, including allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
Edenred, UAE's largest salary processing provider, is introducing, with talabats support, C3Pay payroll cards to third party logistics companies (3PLs) as a payroll solution to benefit over 15,000 riders in the UAE.

C3Pay payroll cards are Mastercard prepaid cards, accepted globally at any store, online and ATM for cash withdrawal. Through these cards, riders will also have access to the C3Pay mobile app, provided by Edenred, where they can view their live balance and keep track of their transactions, transfer money to their home country or recharge their mobile phones in a few taps, said a statement.

Wael Fakharany, Managing Director at Edenred UAE, said: "Our initiative with the support of talabat is in line with the UAE Government's vision to go cashless. With C3Pay, people no longer need to guess where their money is, queue at an ATM, pay excessive fees, or rely solely on cash. They have the power to do everything they need with their hard-earned salary instantly, conveniently and more affordably.

"Placing consumers and their needs front and centre is essential for driving financial inclusion, and we at Edenred are really excited to be able to provide this access to all individuals regardless of their financial status. To support users with their new journey digitally, we'll conduct training and educational sessions to empower them with the right knowledge."

Tatiana Rahal, Managing Director at talabat UAE, said: "As talabat continues to expand, it is a priority for us to encourage the 3PL companies we work with to improve their payment methods with the growing fleet of riders and switch to digital transactions. We see cashless payments as the primary mode of financial transactions in the near future and it currently encompasses the majority of our transactions with our partners - it is only natural that we expand it to other functions of our ecosystem.

She added: By supporting this initiative with Edenred, we are able to enhance the riders experience and facilitate their switch to digital financial platforms as we head towards a cashless future. Riders will also be able to have more visibility and control of their finances with this financially inclusive payroll solution, which is in line with wider talabat efforts to enhance riders financial literacy and help them get closer to achieving their goals, whether they want to start their own business or buy a house back home.  TradeArabia News Service
Kia has revealed the all-new Niro, a next-generation state-of-the-art model that further demonstrates the companys rapid progress in becoming a global sustainable mobility solutions provider.

An integral part of Kias growing eco-friendly model line-up, the next-generation Niro has been designed from the ground up to meet the complex and varied needs of todays sustainability-conscious consumers.

Based on the third-generation platform, the new Niro benefits from a larger body that realises class-leading interior space and storage capacity. Premium and eco-friendly materials combine to create a minimalist avant-garde feel; a moving mobility space in which occupants can relax and enjoy each stage of every journey.

Modernistic digital displays and interior controls have been optimally placed to further enhance the user-friendly operating experience.

At the heart of all-new Niros eco-friendly credentials are a trio of state-of-the-art electrified powertrains, comprising hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (BEV) options. PHEV and BEV models will be revealed at a later date, closer to market launch.

A highly-efficient Smartstream 1.6-litre GDI engine featuring improved cooling, friction and combustion technologies helps power the HEV model. The powerplant ensures highly competitive fuel efficiency, with the all-new Niro HEV capable of achieving 20.8km/L(based on Korean standard).

The all-new Kia Niro heralds the next step in our journey to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider, said Artur Martins, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Brand and Customer Experience Division at Kia Corporation. From the outset, our ambition was to create a car that makes it easier for people to practice a sustainable lifestyle. With its eco-friendly materials, advanced technology and range of highly efficient electrified powertrains, the all-new Niro truly delivers on its goal.

Sales of the all-new Kia Niro HEV will commence in Korea this month, with sales in selected global markets due to follow later this year.

BOLD AND ASSERTIVE

The all-new Kia Niro features a bold and dynamic design inspired by the brands acclaimed Opposites United design philosophy, and specifically its design pillar Joy for Reason. The treatment takes inspiration from nature, while the choice of colours, materials and finishes aim to strike the perfect balance between an environmentally responsible approach to mobility and a future-oriented passenger car vision.

The exterior of the all-new Niro embodies a sophisticated and adventurous sense of purpose that takes strong influence from the 2019 HabaNiro concept car. Stylish and bold crossover looks combine with a high-tech two tone body. A wide Aero C-Pillar at the rear  which enhances air flow to improve aerodynamics  blends into the striking boomerang-shaped rear taillights.

The all-new Niros front-end features the latest evolution of Kias signature Tiger Face, which extends from the hood to the rugged fender below. Striking heartbeat daytime running lights (DRLs) add to the unique yet contemporary look, while a bold skid plate and cladding serve to enhance the vehicles rugged character.

The vehicles side profile combines clean character lines with a bold Aero C-Pillar, a highly distinctive shape that also serves an important aerodynamic function as it aids airflow underneath, helping to improve overall efficiency levels. These measures have enabled the all-new Niro to achieve an impressive drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.29. The meeting of the boomerang-shaped C-Pillars with the LED taillights further adds to the vehicles sporty stance.

At the rear, vertical LED taillights sit alongside uncomplicated surface treatments for a concise and aerodynamic styling combination, while the heartbeat-shaped rear reflector, rugged skid plate and lower bumper help to complement the all-new Niros front-end design.

The second-generation Niro offers a choice of nine expressive exterior colours. Alongside new Cityscape Green, customers can choose between Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Mineral Blue, Interstella Gray, Orange Delight, Runway Red and Steel Gray. For the first time, the Niro provides added scope for personalisation with a choice of six contrasting colours for the C-Pillars, and up to three different finishes for the cladding, enabling customers to design their car around their personality.

SPACIOUS AND WELCOMING INTERIOR

The all-new Niro features an interior thats been designed to appeal to the senses, with premium quality materials and welcoming, textured surfaces that combine to create an avant-garde feel throughout.

The off-centre dashboard curves around the front occupants, with opposing horizontal and diagonal lines leading to a calming yet daring aesthetic. Ambient mood lighting, available in no fewer than 74 colour combinations, helps to heighten the senses while creating a warm and serene environment. Customers can further tailor the interior by choosing between three new interior colours: Charcoal, Medium Gray, Petrol and Light Warm Gray.

Positioned between the diagonal lines lies a high-tech 10.25-inch panoramic high-definition digital display screen that integrates both the instrument cluster and infotainment features in one streamlined package. The system has been designed to be easy to use with pin sharp graphics and a highly intuitive layout, enabling users to personalise, access and operate the vehicles connectivity, usability and functionality features with ease and confidence.

Located below the centre screen lies an integrated infotainment and climate control system that removes clutter for a clean and coherent look and ensures front seat occupants can access these important controls without the need to scroll through multiple menus.

Within easy reach of the driver lies the Niros stylish centre-console that incorporates a modern look with a high-gloss black surface finish. Here, the driver can operate the Niros electronic dial-type shift lever, the design of which saves space and is convenient and intuitive to operate. A variable large-capacity cupholder tray and a wireless smartphone charging pad are also close to hand.

The all-new Niros dimensions have grown over its predecessor, with a length measuring 4,420mm, a width of 1,825mm, a height of 1,545mm, and a wheelbase of 2,720mm, up by 65mm, 20mm, 10mm and 20mm respectively. As a result, the all-new Niro awards its occupants with a spacious environment where they can relax, get comfortable and enjoy every journey.

Available in seven stylish finishes, the slim, contemporary seats enhance roominess and comfort thanks to a high-tech lightweight seat mechanism. The special relaxation front passenger seat can recline for a comfortable lying posture at the touch of a button. The front seats incorporate convenient rear-mounted coat hangers, C-Type USB terminals and storage pockets, while the slim dimensions of the headrests help to increase the feeling of space and freedom from above.

By repositioning the Niros 12V battery out of the wheelhouse, and instead integrating it alongside the high-voltage battery at the bottom of the rear seats, trunk load capacity for the Niro HEV model reaches an impressive 451 litres (VDA), up 15 litres over its predecessor.

As a clear statement of Kia's ongoing commitment to sustainability, the all-new Niro showcases new recycled materials inside the cabin. The headlining is made from recycled wallpaper, the seats are made from Bio PU with Tencel from eucalyptus leaves, and BTX free paint is used on the door panels to minimise the impact on the environment and reduce waste.

EFFICIENCY AT ITS CORE

The all-new Niro will be launched with three state-of-the-art highly efficient FWD electrified powertrains: hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (BEV).

The HEV features Kias highly-efficient Smartstream 1.6-litre GDI gasoline engine. The four-cylinder unit produces a maximum output of 105PS along with 144 Nm (14.7 kgf.m) of torque, while improved cooling, friction and combustion technologies ensure maximum fuel efficiency. When combined with the 32kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, the HEV model produces a combined maximum power output of 141PS.

The 1.6-litre GDI engine is mated to the second-generation 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (6DCT) that has been carefully engineered and optimised to increase efficiency and reduce weight.

The Niro comes equipped with Kias Green Zone Drive Mode that automatically activates the electric-only drive operation of the car to ensure zero-emissions mobility in certain environments and situations. For example, when driving in green zones such as residential areas, or nearby schools and hospitals, the Niro HEV model automatically uses electric power based on navigation and driving history data. The driver can also set dedicated green zones into the navigation system to reduce pollution in areas such as near their home or place of work.

Kias smart regenerative braking system enables drivers to choose from a series of regeneration levels to easily slow the car and recuperate kinetic energy to maximise driving range. The system can calculate the amount of regeneration required using radar and road gradient information. The system allows the car to harvest the maximum amount of energy from its brakes while bringing the vehicle to a gentle halt.

A new suspension and steering system have been optimised to ensure a comfortable and harmonious driving experience. At the front, the all-new Niro benefits from a MacPherson strut type suspension, while the rear gets a four-link type set-up. The front and rear geometry have both been tuned for improved responsiveness, stability and ride comfort, while an optimised steering gear ratio and a new tilt-type strut bearing reduces friction to improve steering feel. Additional insulation and padding have been inserted around the vehicles structure to help combat unwanted engine and road noise.

ADVANCED SAFETY

Safety has been a top priority during the development of the all-new Niro. As a result, the vehicles high-strength lightweight body features a multi-load front impact structure to ensure passengers benefit from outstanding levels of safety in the event of a front-end collision.

The second-generation Niro includes a full complement of Kias DriveWise intelligent Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that are designed to avoid potential hazards and improve confidence and convenience behind the wheel.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) warns the driver if the risk of a collision is detected with other vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists. The systems Junction Turning and Junction Crossing functions provide maximum preventative safety when navigating junctions. If the all-new Niros turn signal is activated, the system will warn the driver if there is a collision risk with an oncoming vehicle. Similarly, a warning is provided if there is a risk from vehicles approaching from the left or right when the driver is travelling straight across a junction. If either risk increases, the system will warn the driver before automatically applying the brakes to avoid a collision.

Using information from the new Niros front view camera and navigation system, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) delivers a warning and adjusts the speed if the driver travels over the speed limit. Once parked, Safe Exit Assist (SEA) provides a warning when a vehicle is approaching from the rear-side when getting out of the vehicle, with the electronic child lock preventing rear seat passengers from opening the rear door.

Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) is a feature that enables the vehicle to park itself autonomously, whether or not the driver is in the vehicle. It enables drivers to move their car out of a front-and-back parking space remotely with their key fob.

Other ADAS features include Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Rear View Monitor (RVM), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA-R) and Front/Rear Parking Distance Warning (PDW-F/R).

ALWAYS CONNECTED

The all-new Niro includes an extensive range of high-tech convenience and connectivity features designed to make life easier both behind the wheel and on leaving the car.

A 10-inch head-up display (HUD) system displays key driving information including speed, ADAS data and navigation commands directly onto the front windshield. The ultra-clear graphics are displayed directly ahead of the driver helping to minimise eye movement while driving, enhancing safety and convenience in the process.

An advanced Voice Car Control system featuring Natural Voice Recognition technology allows occupants to control key vehicle systems such as temperature and audio settings without raising an arm. A new Multi-Command feature means passengers can also control multiple functions with one command. Additional convenience is provided by a power tailgate that opens automatically on detecting the users smart key.

The all-new Niro is equipped with Kias Digital Key 2 Touch system that allows occupants to unlock and start their vehicle via smartphone. Compatible with both iOS and Android devices that feature the Kia Connect App, the system uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to enable drivers to access and start their vehicle without the need to carry the cars smart key.

Built-in front and rear cameras mounted inside the all-new Niro allow occupants to record high quality videos of memorable journeys and scenic locations. Users can then save and view the videos on the vehicles infotainment screen or via a smartphone. The Niro also features Car to Home, a function that allows users to control home IoT devices such as television, lighting and room temperatures directly from inside the vehicle.

The Kia Connect smartphone app allows users to connect with their vehicle remotely. Drivers can sync calendars, plan journeys with online navigation and access key onboard features including live traffic alerts, local fuel station information and real-time weather forecasts. An End Destination Guidance feature helps customers navigate to their final destination on foot once their Niro is parked using Google Maps and augmented reality (AR) technology. Valet Mode enables customers to monitor their vehicle remotely when its being driven by another user, providing added peace of mind.

Due for global market launch later this year, more information on the all-new Niro will be made available in due course.-- TradeArabia News Service
Hancock County Director of Veterans Affairs and Plymouth County landowner Gerald Edgar voiced his concerns about the Summit Carbon Solutions proposed carbon pipeline during a Jan. 17 public forum.

"As far as carbon dioxide sequestration, I'm very much opposed to a one-time deal and subsidizing it for a finite number of years. Ethanol in our lifetimes will be gone because electric vehicles are the future."

Edgar said he realizes that company officials paint a good picture about how it is good for ethanol and rural agriculture. He went on to say that they are "using our representatives to give them property rights." He insisted that the public should rarely allow the imposition of ceding private property rights to any third party.

Similar to how public commenters at recent meetings on the proposed pipelines have asserted that carbon dioxide can be transported by truck, Edgar said it can be railed.

"I did it when I worked for the railroad," said Edgar, noting that it offers an alternative to a "band-aid" approach that "gives them a right to cross people's properties.

Edgar said that he does not own affected property in Hancock County. He said that he had already sent letters to former Gov. Terry Branstad, representatives, and Gov. Kim Reynolds office, noting his concerns.

Supervisors Jerry Tlach and Gary Rayhons said that the board of supervisors sent a letter with its concerns to the Iowa Utilities Board. They noted that is in addition to concerns and questions that board members have raised with the IUB and company officials at an informational meeting and two informal meetings with company representatives.

Edgar said the Iowa Corn Growers Association should see there is coming a day when those ethanol plants will not exist.

Rob Hillesland is community editor for the Summit-Tribune. He can be reached at 641-421-0534, or by email at rob.hillesland@globegazette.com.

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The Women in Ag Program at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering six different educational courses throughout the state, including Women Planning Ag Businesses, Managing for Today and Tomorrow: Farm Transition Planning, Women Managing Horses, Women Managing Crops, Annies Project farm business management, and Advanced Grain Marketing for Women.

According to the press release, two of these courses will be held locally, in Nora Springs and Cresco.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach farm management team is leading courses in nine locations in Iowa this winter. The farm management team strives to improve the quality of life in Iowa by providing research-based educational programs that expand agricultural businesses, improve natural resource management, and support the community of women in agriculture. Courses are offered through a network of ISU Extension and Outreach educators, including statewide equine and other specialists as well as county based professionals.

Women Managing Crops is a four-session course designed for women of all ages and experience levels who want to know more about the key agronomic decisions for corn and soybean production. The sessions take a seasonal approach and cover the decision making for soil and tillage management, seed selection and planting considerations, pesticide management, and machinery, harvesting and storage considerations. Registration deadline is Thursday, Jan. 27 for the class in Nora Springs at the Nora Springs Community Room, 45 North Hawkeye Avenue, beginning Thursday, Feb. 3 and Feb. 10, 17 and 24. Cost is $75. Classes run from 9 a.m.-noon, with a meal at noon. Any woman interested should contact Sarah DeBour in Cerro Gordo County at sdebour@iastate.edu or 641-423-0844, and Darla Olson in Mitchell County at daolson@iastate.edu or 641-732-5574.

Women Planning Ag Businesses is a multi-session course for women interested in exploring, starting, or expanding a farm or rural business. Women will access valuable resources and support while writing their personal business plan. Registration is open for the classes in Edgewood beginning Tuesday, Jan. 25 and in Cresco beginning Wednesday, Feb. 2. Cost is $75.

According to the press release, the cost for the courses includes meals and course materials. To find a course near you, visit the Women in Ag Program Online. Select the class location for details and registration. Advance registration is required and space is limited.

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A Floyd man who was serving a 10-year prison sentence has died, according to a press release from the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Charles Earl Thompson, 65, died of natural causes on Sunday after being treated at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville for a chronic illness, authorities said.

Thompson was sentenced in February 2021 to a maximum of 10 years stemming from five sex abuse charges and one attempted sex assault charge filed in 2019 in Floyd County.

He pleaded guilty in October 2020 to one count of lascivious acts with a child. The other charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement, court documents read.

Plea agreements are often offered in sex abuse cases in order to ensure incarceration of the defendant and to spare victims from having to testify.

Lisa Grouette is the Local News Editor and Photographer at the Globe Gazette. Reach her at 641-421-0525 or lisa.grouette@globegazette.com. Follow Lisa on Twitter @LisaGrouette

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The former YWCA building is undergoing an extensive rehabilitation process, which just took one step closer to becoming a reality.

At its meeting Tuesday night, the Mason City Council reviewed a professional services agreement with the North Iowa Area Council of Governments (NIACOG) to submit an application for a housing grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to help fund the addition of 10 new apartment units in the building.

IEDA's downtown housing grant is specifically aimed at assisting communities with fewer than 30,000 people to add upper-level housing options to spaces that were previously unoccupied.

To assist on the project, and other housing initiatives in the future, the North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation is creating a housing-centric corporation, according to Corridor President and CEO, Chad Schreck.

"That'll really be our arm to go and focus on housing," Schreck said of the new housing development corporation.

The North Iowa Corridor Housing Development Corporation will take on ownership of the apartments within the YWCA, Steven Van Steenhuyse, Mason City Director of Development Services, wrote in the city council packet.

Van Steenhuyse noted that the reasoning for this is to allow the rest of the YWCA building to remain separate from the apartment development.

"This will allow the original building portion to stand on its own and be eligible for separate funding," Van Steenhuyse said in a letter in the city council packet.

The North Iowa Corridor Housing Development Corporation sought a total of $600,000 from the downtown housing grant, in addition to entering into a development agreement with the city.

Schreck added that the current plan is to create six studio apartments and four two-bedroom apartments along the building's west side, leaving the rest of the property to its owners for their own projects.

Both the professional services agreement and development agreement were approved unanimously by the council

"By taking this project on, I think we'll be able to make it an easier lift for the owners to carry out their vision on the other part (of the YMCA building)," Mason City Administrator Aaron Burnett said.

"Really, really exciting project," Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel added. "A difficult but exciting project for our downtown area."

The YWCA building was originally built in 1912, and is currently owned and being developed by Susanne Crane and Elisha Marin

Old YWCA building takes strides toward renovation The historic YWCA building in downtown Mason City has sat vacant for a long time, but thanks

Crane and Marin have ambitious goals for the former YWCA building, outside of the apartment space renovations being headed up by the North Iowa EDC. Crane and Marin are aiming to create artist studios, a performance space and community area and an art gallery in the building.

Renovations on the space are already underway, with the duo highlighting the improvements already made in an open house in October of 2021.

Zachary Dupont covers politics and business development for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at 641-421-0533 or zachary.dupont@globegazette.com. Follow Zachary on Twitter at @ZachNDupont

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3M, leading global company that offers creative solutions, will highlight sustainability in the context of gender equality at the 2022 Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Annual Forum in Abu Dhabi.

Titled Energy Access for All: Empowering Women to Accelerate Sustainable Development, the event is taking place as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) today (January 19).

It will see 3Ms Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Gayle Schueller discussing the unique challenges and opportunities in actioning climate change, and the role women will play to supercharge the global economy.

The WiSER Forum and ADSW are bringing together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders and technology pioneers to deliver action across three key areas: Global Collaboration & Leadership, Economic Development, and Technology & Innovation.

Commenting on the importance of empowering female sustainability leaders, Schueller said: At 3M, we believe that women's voices are vital in the fight against climate change because they are uniquely positioned to be changemakers. Women see first-hand the impact on their communities and can provide valuable insights on holistic ways to adapt to our changing environment.

3M has a strong history of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and recently achieved Scope 1 and 2 absolute emissions levels that are more than 70% below a 2002 baseline. While continuing to drive immediate progress on these and its other existing sustainability commitments, 3M is currently focused on broadening its positive impact through cross-sector collaboration and its partnership with the United Nations Climate Change (UNFCCC), the company said.

At 3M, we understand that climate change impacts businesses, our communities and our families. It is for this reason that we work together to drive change in pursuit to preserve the environment and improve lives, said Laszlo Svinger, Vice President & Managing Director 3M Middle East & Africa. It is important to continue to empower women in sustainability as we strive to achieve 50% reduction of carbon emissions in our business operation by 2030. Together with our Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, we are pleased to add value to discussions taking place at the WiSER Forum today.

The 2022 WiSER Annual Forum at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is promoting new thinking, viable solutions and lasting collaboration that will empower the present and future generations of female sustainability leaders. The event will lead a critically important discussion on key issues influencing female empowerment in relation to equitable clean energy access, while exploring the gender-focused solutions to potentially achieving the United Nations target of universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030, said a statement. - TradeArabia News Service
Governor Kim Reynolds and free market legislators are working to make Iowa a pro-growth leader. Tax reform is a priority for 2022 - and rightly so. Even after successful tax reforms in recent years, more work is needed to bring greater tax relief and make Iowas tax code more competitive. Iowa is in a strong position to enact substantial pro-growth tax reform in 2022. As a result of years of fiscal conservatism, Iowas fiscal foundation is sound. In her Condition of the State address, Governor Kim Reynolds proposed a comprehensive tax reform plan that calls for a 4 percent flat personal income tax by 2026, gradually reducing the corporate tax to 5.5 percent, and repealing state taxes on retirement income. These are ideas that would substantially improve Iowas economic outlook.

Governor Reynolds and conservatives in the legislature deserve credit for prudent budgeting. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowas fiscal house was in strong condition. As a result of Governor Reynolds wisely keeping Iowas economy open during the pandemic, the economic recovery was quick. Iowa was one of the states that passed a tax reform bill in 2021. This was a result of following fiscally conservative policies.

Currently, Iowas budget is running a $1.24 billion surplus and the reserves are full. As a result, the Taxpayer Relief Fund will have over $1 billion for income tax reductions, and this is expected to increase by close to another $1 billion by the end of the year.

We have almost a billion dollars in the rainy day funds. Another billion in the taxpayer trust fund. Another billion dollar projected surplus in this current budget year, and a huge structural surplus as we brought in almost a billion dollars more than we spent this year, stated Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver in describing Iowas healthy fiscal outlook.

The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) has forecasted healthy revenue projections for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. While temporary federal stimulus dollars that have flooded into Iowa from the federal government have certainly played a role, Iowas surplus is a result of conservative budgeting by the legislature.

The pathway to sound tax reform begins with prudent spending decisions. Certainly, the substantial surplus and the healthy revenue outlook, provide a pathway for tax rate reductions, but policymakers will need to continue to properly prioritize spending as well.

As Speaker Pro Tem, John Wills said, The time to make Iowa more competitive with transformational tax reform is now with the excess funds in our coffers. Tax reform will make Iowa a more competitive state but, more importantly, it is the right thing to do for the citizens of Iowa.

Governor Reynolds understands that Iowa is in economic competition with other states. Taxpayers win when youve got governors that are competing to create an environment that not only helps Iowans and Iowa families keep more of their money, but also to create an environment where businesses want to invest and grow, hire Iowans and really drive the quality of life that we want all Iowans to be able to enjoy, stated Governor Reynolds. In the 14th edition Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index, Iowa ranks 33rd. .

Data from Rich States, Poor States confirms positive migration patterns towards low-tax states -- and particularly the nine states that go without a personal income tax altogether. The no-income-tax states have outperformed their high-tax counterparts in terms of key economic measures of success like wage growth and population growth. Of the nine states with no personal income tax, eight experienced positive net domestic migration in the recent 2021 Census estimates, totaling hundreds of thousands of new taxpayers for those states. On the other side of the equation, many of the states with the highest personal income tax rates, like New York and California, experienced massive net domestic out-migration last year.

A serious economic challenge that is confronting Iowa is the need for more people. Iowas workforce challenges can be greatly helped with a more competitive tax climate that would help attract more taxpayers.

Policymakers can build on the important tax reforms back in 2018 and 2021 by lowering both the individual and corporate income tax rates. Iowa can look to states such as North Carolina, Indiana, among others that have lowered rates, while providing for the priorities of government. Several weeks ago, North Carolinas Democrat Governor, Roy Cooper, signed into law the budget from the Republican legislature which will eventually reduce their flat personal income tax to 3.99% and eliminate their business income tax altogether.

Since 2018, Iowa has made considerable progress implementing tax reform. This tax reform, balanced with conservative budgeting, has created economic growth and opportunity in Iowa. Governor Reynolds is placing Iowa taxpayers first with her 4 percent flat tax proposal.

John Hendrickson serves as policy director for Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation and Jonathan Williams serves as executive vice president for policy and chief economist at the American Legislative Exchange Council.

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saurabh9gupta wrote:

Hi everyone,



Request one of the experts to take a stab at this.



I am still not able to understand why D is the answer.

Swat40 wrote:

Dear Experts,

Please clear my queries:

1) I feel both option C and D weakens the conclusion. However, I am unable to understand why option D is preferred.\

option C: Weakens the author's conclusion by eliminating the possibility of human arrival before 18500 years. However, it is not full proof since leaves open the 18000-18500 duration.

option D: Casts doubt for the duration between 18000 & 11400 years ago. However, not full proof since leaves open the possibility of more than 18k years ago.



Moreover, i am not comfortable with the "charcoal" info with reference to the overall argument. The charcoal is if dated 11200 years old, how the argument is coorelating it with humans coming more than 18k years ago.

Quote:

Charcoal from a hearth site in Colorado, 2,000 miles south of Alaska, is known to be 11,200 years old. Researchers reasoned that, since glaciers prevented human migration south from the Alaska-Siberia land bridge between 18,000 and 11,000 years ago, humans must have come to the Americas more than 18,000 years ago.

humans must have come to the Americas more than 18,000 years ago.

Charcoal from a hearth site in Colorado is 11,200 years old. A hearth is a human-made fireplace, so this implies that the charcoal was the result of human activity. (Presumably, the charcoal was laced with THC. Hey, I'm a Coloradan, so I'm allowed to make that joke!)

fireplace, so this implies that the charcoal was the result of human activity. (Presumably, the charcoal was laced with THC. Hey, I'm a Coloradan, so I'm allowed to make that joke!) In other words, humans were in Colorado at least 11,200 years ago.

Colorado is 2,000 miles south of Alaska.

Between 18,000 and 11,000 years ago, glaciers prevented human migration south from the Alaska-Siberia land bridge (which connects Alaska and Siberia).

Therefore, humans must have come to the Americas more than 18,000 years ago.

Quote:

Which of the following pieces of new evidence would cast doubt on the conclusion drawn above?

despite the glaciers

when humans could have migrated into the Americas.

Quote:

(A) Using new radiocarbon dating techniques, it was determined that the charcoal from the Colorado site was at least 11,400 years old.

made a fire

Quote:

(B) Another campsite was found in New Mexico with remains dated at 16,000 years old.

Quote:

(C) A computer simulation of glacial activity showed that it would already have been impossible for humans to travel south overland from Alaska 18,500 years ago.

strengthens

already impossible

Quote:

(D) Using new radiocarbon dating techniques, it was proved that an ice-free corridor allowed passage south from the Alaska-Siberia land bridge at least 11,400 years ago.

did not prevent all human migration between 18,000 and 11,200 years ago

Quote:

(E) Studies of various other hunting-gathering populations showed convincingly that, once the glaciers allowed passage, humans could have migrated from Alaska to Colorado in about 20 years.

once the glaciers allowed passage

Let's take a fresh look at the prompt:The researchers conclusion is thatHere's how they reach this conclusion:The charcoal is evidence that humans were in Colorado 11,200 years ago or prior. But humans could not have migrated into the Americas between 18,000 and 11,000 years ago, because they would have been blocked by glaciers during this period. Therefore, humans could not have come to the Americas between 18,000 and 11,200 years ago. So researchers conclude that humans must have come to the Americas prior to 18,000 years ago (implying that the descendants of those initial migrants lit a fire that left behind some charcoal 11,200 years ago).If there were any reason to doubt the evidence, then wed have a harder time accepting the conclusion. The conclusion focuses on when humans came to the Americas, so any sign that humans could have migrated between 18,000 and 11,200 years ago  would certainly weaken the conclusion. New information about the charcoals age might help us as well, but knowing the age of the charcoal is kind of far from what we really care about:So what? All we know from choice (A) is that humansat least 200 years earlier than we had originally thought. This doesn't shed any light on when humans came to the Americas, and doesnt challenge the role of glaciers in blocking human migration. Even if (A) is true, we must still accept the fact that humans couldnt migrate into the Americas between 18,000 and 11,000 years ago. (A) does nothing to weaken the conclusion, so let's eliminate it.This has no bearing on the argument. Knowing that another human-made site in the Americas existed 16,000 years ago doesn't tell us anything about whether humans could have migrated between 18,000 and 16,000 years ago (a time period when we know that they could not). Consequently, (B) does not weaken the argument, and we'll eliminate it.This slightlythe argument by providing a second source of evidence supporting what we already know about glaciers. If it had beenfor humans to travel south 18,500 years ago, then it certainly was impossible for humans to migrate into the Americas between 18,000 and 11,200 years ago.And since the age of the charcoal remains 11,200 years old, (C) reinforces the author's conclusion that humans must have arrived prior to 18,000 years ago. To be precise, (C) would lead us to believe that humans arrived prior to 18,500 years ago (which by definition is more than 18,000 years ago).That's why we eliminate (C).This is right on the money! Choice (D) cuts straight through the argument by telling us that the glaciers, in fact,. This new evidence suggests that human migration could have taken place between 11,400 and 11,200 years ago.Remember, the conclusion states that humans must have come to the Americas more than 18,000 years ago. If (D) is true, then humans could have migrated after 18,000 years ago. This definitely casts doubt on the conclusion, so lets keep (D) around.Who cares? Choice (E) only tells us about what could have happened i.e., 11,000 years ago. We dont care about what happened 11,000 years ago. We want to know whether humans could have migrated between 18,000 and 11,200 yearse ago. Eliminate (E).(D) is the only choice that weakens the conclusion, so its our winner.I hope this helps!_________________
A group of Chesapeake parents sued Gov. Glenn Youngkin Tuesday in the Supreme Court of Virginia over Youngkins order that rescinded a statewide school mask mandate and gave parents an opt out from local mandates, saying a 2021 state law requires schools to refer to CDC COVID-19 guidelines to the maximum extent practicable.

The CDC recommends masks in schools, and the Chesapeake parents say Youngkins order is in direct conflict with the law. They say Youngkin, who took office on Saturday, doesnt have the power to suspend that law and they ask the Supreme Court to declare Youngkins executive order void.

Youngkins impending executive order has caused tension in the Virginia General Assembly as Democrats say the new governor is overstepping his power with threats of school funding being slashed if districts dont comply with the order. Despite the threat, some school districts are standing firm in keeping their mandates.

Some of the states largest school districts  from Arlington and Fairfax counties to Richmond and Henrico County, to Norfolk and Chesapeake  say they will continue to require masks, citing a state law that says schools must follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the maximum extent practicable.

Chesterfield County Public Schools however is waffling, with a decision set to come in the eleventh hour despite a school board member saying in an email to a parent in December that we stand ready to change when the Governor takes office and action.

Youngkin's order is slated to take effect Monday.

Executive Order Number Two purports to sweep aside masking mandates and other protections with little or no consideration of or respect for CDC guidance, actions taken by the Virginia General Assembly, or the powers vested in school boards, the complaint says.

The suit was filed against Youngkin, State Health Commissioner Colin Greene, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, and the Chesapeake school board and superintendent. Virginia Beach attorney Kevin Martingayle, a past president of the Virginia State Bar, represents the plaintiff.

Tension within the General Assembly

Democratic lawmakers from the House and the Senate said in a press conference Tuesday that Youngkin does not have the authority to withdraw public funding from school districts over their masking policies. They strongly criticized the executive order and the funding threat voiced by Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears.

"The science is clear: masks and social distancing limit the risk of children and adults catching COVID. We now have a new, more contagious variant. Another surge that is putting even more stress on our school system," said Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond.

"We are here to say we support our school divisions doing what they need to do to keep our children and adults in the school buildings safe. We will not let the governor overstep his authority and bully our school systems."

McClellan was joined by Dels. Jeff Bourne of Richmond, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi of Chesterfield, and Schuyler VanValkenburg of Henrico. 

Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter said, Democrats willfully mischaracterized the comments from Sears.

The executive order allows parents to opt out of mask mandates so that they can make the best decisions for their children and anyone who wants to wear a mask is free to do so. Consistent with the governors past remarks, we will consider the tools available to make sure that parents' rights are protected, Porter said.

Hashmi said that many parents reaching out to her are worried about COVID-19 safety measures going away. McClellan, VanValkenburg and Bourne -- all parents of school-aged children -- said they worry about their kids contracting COVID-19 at school.

"I'm not sure exactly which parents [Youngkin's] been talking to because I've been receiving emails and phone calls and have had personal conversations with parents who are my constituents, who are actually quite worried now about their children's health and safety," Hashmi said, adding that its of special concern to children and siblings who are too young to be vaccinated.

Democrats argue that the law passed last year calling on school districts to hold in-person classes also requires them to follow CDC guidance. The CDC, which cannot issue binding policy, recommends universal mask-wearing in schools.

VanValkenburg, who helped craft the final language with the administration of former Gov. Ralph Northam, said the bill was designed to keep schools open through mitigation strategies that would prevent the spread of COVID-19 in school buildings.

VanValkenburg pointed to the school district in Colonial Heights, which had to close for virtual learning last week because of staffing shortages fueled by COVID-19 infections.

Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, co-sponsor of the state law that Democrats and school districts are citing, reasserted on Monday that the measure she and Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, brought forward was not meant to be a mask mandate.

SB1303 has been used against our children and against its intent this school year to advance an agenda. SB1303 does not mandate the use of masks in school because the CDC does not mandate masks, Dunnavant said in a statement.

Governor Glenn Youngkins executive order does not ban masks; it gives parents options. Just like SB1303 does not mandate masks; it gives school boards a roadmap to keep schools open.

Democrats on Tuesday also criticized Youngkin's actions as igniting a "culture wars" that could risk health and critical school resources.

"I would also remind everyone that the last time the state tried to step in and override local school boards on decisions that were made was Massive Resistance," McClellan said, referring to efforts by the state to keep public schools from racial integration.

Localities response

At a press conference Tuesday, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said he was grateful that Jason Kamras, superintendent of the city school district, had quickly announced that Richmond schools would continue to require masking.

Kamras, who appeared alongside the mayor, said masks are effective at mitigating the spread of the virus.

As the mayor noted, our ability to keep our doors open, which is essential to our kids physical and mental health and their learning, is tied to the extent to which we prevent transmission, Kamras said. Masks not only keep them healthy, they will also keep our doors open.

Both officials also questioned whether the executive order contradicts state law with Kamras citing a code provision that says school districts shall, to the maximum extent practicable, adhere to mitigation strategies recommended by the CDC to stay open.

Richmond School Board members Cheryl Burke and Liz Doerr on Tuesday evening plan to reaffirm the districts mask mandate in direct defiance to the executive order. Doerr said in an interview shes certain that the district has the legal authority to do so, despite Gov. Youngkins assertions that schools defying the executive order could face legal ramifications.

I would say we're squarely within our rights legally to uphold our own mask mandate, Doerr said, citing Virginias constitution.

On Sunday evening, Chesterfield Schools announced that a decision regarding its mask mandate would be made on Jan. 23, the day before Youngkins order is anticipated to go into effect.

However, in December Chesterfield School Board member Ryan Harter, who was chairman at the time, wrote in an email that masks would be gone once Youngkin took over the Governor's mansion.

I have spoken with a few members of the Governor's transition team in regards to masking.We stand ready to change when the Governor takes office and action, Harter wrote.

Harter did not respond to several questions by press time, including who the we was that he referred to in his email and why as a nonpartisan elected official he had spoken with members of a Republicans transition team.

In August when the school board unanimously voted for students to return for the 2021-2022 academic year in masks, Harter expressed disappointment with the decision.

Theres nothing I hate more than going back on my word. For this I apologize. It was never my intention to change course, but here we are, Harter said in August.

A spokesperson for Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the new governor has considered stripping state funding for local school districts that do not comply with his executive order.

For Richmond Public Schools, the threat could mean an even bigger loss of state funding as the city is already poised to lose upward of $7 million in state funding due to changes in the citys local composite index, a formula the state uses to calculate how much it contributes to individual school districts.

Threats of defunding schools dont sound like the pro-schools message he echoed yesterday and Saturday in his inaugural address, Stoney said Tuesday. Defunding schools  is a conflicting message.

What we want from the governor is to get right with the laws that are already on the books.

jnocera@timesdispatch.com Chris Suarez, Kenya Hunter and Andrew Cain contributed to this report.
After months of wrangling, the U.S. Senate plans to vote this week on an ambitious Democratic bill on voting rights.

The bill is already doomed. Senate rules require 60 votes to move most bills to final passage; this one has only 50  all Democrats, opposed by all 50 Republicans.

The debate will provide plenty of angry rhetoric and finger-pointing. It will give Democrats new opportunities to complain about their two most conservative senators, Sens. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who refused to change the rules even for the cause of voting rights.

But that anger wont solve the problem: Our electoral system is still in peril.

So Congress should try a different approach  less ambitious, more bipartisan.

At least three measures that wont pass the Senate this week have bipartisan support, at least in principle. Theyre still worth trying for.

The first and most urgent is protecting against election subversion  attempts to change the outcome after the voting.

That should begin by fixing the Electoral Count Act, the 1877 law whose murkiness then-President Donald Trump tried to exploit to overturn Joe Bidens victory.

Then-Vice President Mike Pence thwarted Trump by refusing his demand to discard some of Bidens electoral votes. But the outcome of an election shouldnt rest on one man. The law needs to state more clearly that the vice president has no power to reject electoral votes.

Trump also tried to persuade Republican state legislators in Pennsylvania, Michigan and other states Biden won to overrule their voters and appoint Republican electors. Like Pence, the legislators refused. But the law needs to be clearer on that count too: State politicians can write election laws, but they cant change the outcome after Election Day.

Reforming the Electoral Count Act is the right place to start, Edward B. Foley, an election law scholar at Ohio State University, told me. Election subversion is an existential question for democracy.

Senators from both parties are already talking about fixing the law. Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent, and Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, are trying to drum up bipartisan support. Manchin, Sinema and Sen. Mitt Romney, the Utah Republican, have reportedly expressed interest. Intriguingly, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky recently said hed consider changing the law too. Some Democrats doubt he means it, but its surely worth finding out.

A second issue also falls under the category of election subversion  protecting state and local election officials against threats and intimidation.

Across the country, election administrators have reported receiving a flood of threats, often directed at their families. (The Reuters news agency has compiled a list of more than 800 such incidents.) Many of the messages appear to come from Trump supporters angry that state authorities refused to confirm his baseless charges of election fraud.

Federal law makes it a crime to intimidate voters but doesnt explicitly cover threats against officials who count the votes.

Congress can fix that, starting with increased criminal penalties and more funding. Theres nothing partisan about that issue.

Third, take another look at restoring the full scope of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The law, which passed with bipartisan support, required jurisdictions with a history of racial or ethnic discrimination to apply to the Justice Department for approval before changing voting rules. The Supreme Court effectively gutted that part of the law in 2013, but left room for Congress to pass an updated version.

Eleven of the 50 Republicans in the Senate today voted to renew the law as recently as 2006. Only one, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, publicly supported the renewal Democrats tried to advance this year, but that was one more than any other proposal attracted. A new version, if it began with bipartisan negotiations, might win support from enough GOP senators to pass.

That may also be President Joe Bidens strategy; when he talked with Democratic senators last week, he focused on the voting rights bill.

Like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we come back and try it a second time, Biden told reporters. We missed this time.

Other potentially bipartisan measures are available too: a federal requirement that states and counties use paper ballots to protect against fraud; criminal penalties for tampering with election results; federal standards for election audits, to avoid the kind of circus that occurred in Arizona last year.

But the starting point, in every case, needs to be bipartisan.

Its time to start again from scratch, Foley said. The process has to be genuinely mutual and bilateral. Its not useful to start with one partys wish list. That was the flaw with the approach that just failed.

And time is of the essence.

Reform isnt going to happen unless it happens before the midterm election, Foley noted. It needs to happen under the veil of ignorance  the fact that we dont know who will be running Congress in 2023 or 2025. That way, neither side knows precisely who will benefit from reforms; theyll have to rely on good judgment as well as self-interest.

It will be tempting for all sides to spend the coming week scoring partisan points and apportioning blame. But our elections still need to be protected. Better to walk away from the wreckage and get back to work.
CARY  Wake County teachers have a new option to help get the classroom supplies they need without having to pay for the materials themselves.

The first wave of Wake County teachers picked up free classroom supplies at Tuesdays grand opening of the WakeEd Partnerships Tools4Schools store in Cary. The store is meant to cover the gap that leads to North Carolina teachers, on average, spending $526 a year out of their own pockets on classroom supplies.

I love it, Shnita Horton, a kindergarten teacher at Wilburn Elementary in Raleigh, said as she shopped for supplies Tuesday. Its a chance for me to come and get some things that I need for my classroom without spending my money. At times we fall short of things that we dont have in the buildings.

Keith Poston, the president of WakeEd, said they hope to serve all schools in the Wake County school system by July. For now, Tools4Schools is targeting the highest-needs schools in the district. Teachers at those schools received invitations to sign up for time slots.

As much as Wake County Public Schools does for teachers, theres always more needs, Poston said at the ribbon-cutting. Tools4Schools is designed for those teachers and for our students to help fill that gap so teachers have everything they need for their students when they walk in the door.

Helping stock classrooms

Tools4Schools is the brainchild of WakeEd, which is a business-backed advocacy group that supports public education. WakeEd raised money from groups and individuals to buy the supplies for the store. Its still soliciting donations of money and/or supplies to keep the shelves stocked.

In return for setting up the store, the Wake County school system leased to WakeEd for free the former Crossroads Fords service center at 1660 Piney Plains Road in Cary. The store will be there until the district eventually builds a multi-million dollar school transportation center where school buses will be serviced.

The supply store is modeled on similar programs in other parts of the state. In Guilford County, the Teacher Supply Warehouse run by Guilford Education Alliance has been helping teachers since 2007.

Marissa Campbell, a kindergarten teacher at Creech Road Elementary School in Garner, said a supply store was a big help to her when she taught in the Charlotte area.

On Tuesday, Campbell brought her 7-month-old daughter, Aria, as she picked up glue sticks, crayons and other supplies.

You never know where funding is going to come from, Campbell said. We deplete supplies pretty fast, so this is huge that theyre doing this for us.

Call for more school funding

The store opens at a time over a debate about whether North Carolina provides enough funding for public schools. Several school districts and community groups have appealed to the state Supreme Court to order the state to provide more funding in the long-running Leandro lawsuit.

Education is the bedrock of our community, Wake school board member Jim Martin said at the opening ceremony. If we dont invest in our kids, if we dont invest in our future, we have no future. It should not be a question that our classrooms are supplied.

Martin thanked WakeEd for setting up the store but said that its a sad commentary that a place like Tools4Schools is even needed. Poston said he agreed its a shame that the store is needed but that the community will step up in the meantime.

I hope that we do get put of business by full funding of our public schools, Poston said.
Three years after testifying against his father in an election fraud case that captivated the country, Wake County attorney John Harris will announce a run for North Carolinas state House.

That testimony came after Harris father, Mark Harris, ran for North Carolinas 9th Congressional District in 2018. Over his sons objections, Mark Harris hired political operative McCrae Dowless to run an absentee ballot campaign for that race.

The elder Harris, a Republican, won that race thanks mostly to questionable absentee ballots, leading the state elections board to block the elections certification and launch an investigation. Over the course of that investigation, Mark Harris maintained that no one had raised red flags about Dowless.

Contrary to his fathers claims, John Harris testified in a February 2019 hearing that he had warned his father about Dowless and the legality of his operation.

John Harris, a Republican from Apex, is ready to move past all that. The former assistant U.S. attorney told The News & Observer he intends to announce his candidacy for a seat in the legislature.

Im really focused on the future, and not the past, Harris said in an interview with The N&O. And thats what I want my candidacy to be about.

State and national liberal groups are challenging North Carolinas political maps in an ongoing lawsuit, but if the maps are not redrawn as a result of those challenges, Harris will run in House District 36 in southern Wake County against the districts incumbent, Democrat Rep. Julie von Haefen.

Harris may want to move past the events of 2019, but his decision to testify against his father in 2019 could make him more appealing to Wake Countys suburban voters, which have elected both Democrats and Republicans in recent years.

If he wins, Republicans will be well-positioned to win a supermajority in North Carolinas General Assembly in November  giving the party enough votes to override vetoes by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Hes kind of beyond the political, and his actions a couple of years ago showed that, said Republican political operative and former Wake GOP chairman Charles Hellwig. Hes just a guy who said, I gotta do the right thing.

Harris, who now works at Smith Anderson, has already had some experience in the legislature. While he was in college at UNC-Chapel Hill, he worked for former state Sen. Richard Stevens, who also works at Smith Anderson.

Role in 9th district election fraud scandal

Harris testimony was one of the reasons that his fathers election was overturned.

For the most part, he cut off communication with his parents following the election, but just one day before their son took the stand, Mark and Beth Harris learned he would testify, according to a newly released book centered around the scandal, The Vote Collectors.

On Feb. 20, 2019, John Harris said at the hearing that he told his father multiple times, including in emails, that he had concerns about Dowless.

He initially raised those concerns after the 2016 primary election, when his father ran in the 9th Congressional District for the first time.

Now-state Sen. Todd Johnson, who had the lowest overall vote total, received 221 mail-in absentee votes in Bladen County in that race, compared to just four for Harris. The winner of that election, incumbent Rep. Robert Pittenger, received just one, The News & Observer reported.

This smacks of something gone awry, John Harris wrote in an email to his parents in June 2016.

He raised concerns again the next year, after his father met with Dowless for the first time.

The key thing that I am fairly certain they do that is illegal is that they collect the completed absentee ballots and mail them all at once, he wrote in an email to his parents in April 2017. The way they pop up in batches at the board of elections makes me believe that.

Relationship with Mark Harris

Harris consulted Stevens, whose office was located next to his at Smith Anderson at the time, about his concerns about Dowless and about his testimony, Stevens said.

He said, Richard, Ive got to do the right thing. Ive got to tell the truth, Stevens said. And he did.

Still, Harris testified that he believed Dowless lied to his parents repeatedly and that, if his father had known Dowless was illegally collecting ballots, he wouldnt have continued to work with him.

I love my dad and I love my mom, OK? Harris said in closing his testimony that day. I certainly have no vendetta against them, no family scores to settle, OK? I think that they made mistakes in this process, and they certainly did things differently than I would have done them.

Harris, a dad of three, said he sees his parents often now and that they have a good relationship.

Our relationship absolutely transcends politics, Harris said.

Harris said he believes voters wont ultimately make their decision based on his decision to testify, however.

The 2018, 2019 events, thats always going to be part of my story, Harris said. But Im not running because of 2018, 2019. Im running because of 2022, and really Im running because of 2042 and the kind of world I want to see, and the vision I have for North Carolina and thriving families and the ways we can accomplish that.
RALEIGH  Enslaved plasterer William Benjamin Gould didnt know whether anyone would see his initials at Wilmingtons Bellamy Mansion, but he carved them anyways in the decorative plaster, silently signing his work sometime before 1862.

The scrawled and artful WBG screamed out through history when it was discovered more than a century later during a 1993 restoration of the historic home.

That piece of history is revealed in two exhibitions  From Plantation to Park and We Built This  on the physical history of North Carolina. Theyre in a new pop-up museum at Dorothea Dix Park that was unveiled Saturday.

From Plantation to Park examines the history of Dix Park, from its time as a Native American hunting ground, its 150 years as the Spring Hill Plantation and later the founding of North Carolinas first hospital treating mental illness. It leads up to its current use as Raleighs largest public park.

We Built This tells the stories of North Carolinas Black architects and designers, many who were enslaved and previously had their contributions diminished or erased from history.

The exhibitions, a partnership between the Dix Park Conservancy, Preservation NC and the city of Raleigh museum, are on display in All Faiths Chapel at Dix Park until Feb. 27.

Precious history

With the Raleigh skyline peeking through the bare January trees, Preservation NC president Myrick Howard said buildings keep the past alive in ways other histories cant, connecting the thread of generations through the spaces we inhabit. While made of bricks and stone, Howard said its a precious history.

When our buildings are preserved, they can tell us stories, Howard said. Some of those stories are awful. Some of those stories are inspiring. But when the buildings go away, the stories tend to go away, too.

Nearly 25 years ago, Preservation NC curated an exhibition on the states Black architects and builders, taking the show to around 20 venues in North Carolina. Howard said the moment had arrived to refresh the exhibit and launch it in a new context.

Theres a lot more information now than there was 15, 20 years ago, Howard said. Our hope is there will be that much more new information 15 years from now and that the next round of this exhibit will be even greater.

The opening ceremony Saturday on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend featured a performance by Grammy-nominated artist Pierce Freelon. His late father, Phil Freelon, was one of the states most renowned architects who designed the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He died in 2019 from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, and is featured in the pop-up museum at Dix Park.

Pierce Freelon said sharing the stories of Black architects throughout history will inspire the next generation of builders.

Growing up, my father didnt know of many Black architects, Freelon said. But he knew of Julian Abele, who built the Duke Chapel.

A sign of things to come

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said the pop-up museum builds on momentum around Dix Park, a site she believes can serve people from all over the city.

Im really excited about this pop-up event because its one of the firsts, Baldwin said. And there are going to be a lot of firsts at Dix Park, bringing us together as a community. ... Its really about connection and how all of us are connected. When we realize that were all in this together and all connected, thats how we get things done.

In recent years, Dix Park has hosted some of Raleighs biggest events, and even on a cold Saturday on the eve of an ice storm, the park was busy with visitors. Museum organizers said the exhibitions are part of an effort to build greater awareness of the parks history as it continues to attract more people.

Orage Quarles, chairman of the Dix Park Conservancy and former publisher of The News & Observer, cited Frederick Douglass founding of a newspaper, The North Star, which was a reference to the North Star as a celestial guide for enslaved people seeking freedom in the north.

What were building here in Dix Park, I hope will be the North Star, Quarles said. It will be the star where you can go to get your mental recovery, it will be the star where you can go to get your physical recovery and it will be a star where you can go to get your emotional recovery. ... Were building a park for the future, for everyone.

The pop-up museum is at the Chapel Event Center, 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh. It will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
" " Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) addresses the 2017 convention of the California Nurses Association in San Francisco about his about his Medicare for All Act of 2017 bill. The "Medicare for All" health plan has gained popularity with some Democratic politicians. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In the 2016 presidential race, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) was the first candidate to float the idea of "Medicare for All," a massive expansion of the popular government-funded health program to cover all Americans, not just those 65 and older. While hailed by Sanders' progressive supporters, the proposal failed to gain traction with mainstream Democratic voters and was ridiculed as a wildly expensive "socialist" takeover by Republican critics.

But as the crowded field of 2020 Democratic hopefuls dwindles from 20 to 11 official candidates (including the 78-year-old Sanders), Medicare for All may be getting a wider hearing. According to a January poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 56 percent of Americans (including 24 percent of Republicans) supported the creation of a "national health plan." These percentages are virtually unchanged since June 2017 but Sanders is no longer the only congressperson trying to pass comprehensive Medicare for All legislation.

In February 2019, Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) and progressive colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives released their own Medicare for All Act of 2019, which goes even farther than Sanders' original 2017 bill. Not only would the Jayapal proposal do away entirely with private health insurance and require absolutely no premiums or co-pays of any kind, it would significantly extend Medicare to cover comprehensive dental, vision and long-term care.

"Our bill will cover everyone. Not just those who are fortunate enough to have employer-sponsored insurance. Not just children. Not just seniors. Not just those who are healthy," wrote Jayapal in a statement. "It's time to ensure that health care is a right and not a privilege, guaranteed to every single person in our country. It is time for Medicare for All." (Subcommittee hearings on this bill were held in December.)

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What 'Medicare for All' Is

Medicare was created in 1965 as a safety net health insurance program for older Americans. All Americans over 65 years old qualify for Medicare health coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, and Medicare covers a significant portion of the costs of doctor's office visits, treatments and surgeries, and prescription medications, although Medicare recipients also pay annual premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare for All proposals like Jayapal's would make three monumental changes to the current Medicare system:

First, there would be absolutely no age limit  every American from newborns to centenarians would be covered by the same government-funded health insurance.

Second, private health insurance carriers would be barred from offering plans that compete with Medicare for All. That potentially spells doom for the $1.2 trillion private health insurance industry.

Third, patients would pay absolutely nothing  no premiums, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance  for all covered health care services, which under the Jayapal bill include just about everything under the sun, including expensive long-term care insurance to cover nursing home stays.

Karen Pollitz, who studies health care reform and private health insurance for the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), jokes that Medicare for All would put her out of business.

"The 'Medicare for All' proposals that have been discussed are very comprehensive, would cover everything you're used to having covered in private health insurance today plus dental, vision, hearing, long-term care, nursing home care," says Pollitz, who co-authored a 2018 policy brief on competing Medicare for All schemes. "You would get this red-white-and-blue Medicare for All card, show that when you go to the doctor, and you'd get taken care of. Simple."

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What 'Medicare for All' Isn't

Medicare for All is not "socialized medicine" like the United Kingdom's National Health Service. Under that system, the government is not only the sole insurer, but it also runs most of the medical clinics and hospitals. That's not the case under any of the proposed Medicare for All plans, which more closely resemble Canada's health care system (also called Medicare). Doctors and hospitals would remain private businesses, but all insurance coverage  and therefore all reimbursements paid to doctors and hospitals  would be provided through Medicare.

Canada's health care system, by the way, doesn't cover vision, dental, prescription drugs or long-term care. Those are covered by private insurance.

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And Who's Paying for This?

Medicare for All is what's also known as a single-payer health care system. Technically, the single payer will be the federal government, but where will the government get its money? New taxes, of course. Not only income taxes, but also payroll taxes, corporate taxes, excise taxes, etc.

In 2018, Medicare alone cost American taxpayers $605 billion, or 15 percent of the entire $4.1 trillion federal budget. The projected cost of Sanders' 2017 Medicare for All bill, which didn't include expensive add-ons like long-term care, is $32 trillion over 10 years.

"That's a lot of money," says Pollitz. "Right now, the federal government and states together are paying almost half of the nation's health care bill. But if we all stop paying premiums and deductibles and co-pays, there would have to be a new way to raise revenue."

When Americans learn that the switch to Medicare for All would almost certainly mean higher income taxes, support for the national health care scheme drops by 23 percent. But while the exorbitant cost of Medicare for All is a favorite talking point of its critics, the numbers are deceiving. Americans will certainly pay more in taxes under such a plan, but they will pay absolutely nothing in premiums and other out-of-pocket health care costs.

"[American households and the government combined] are currently spending $3.5 trillion a year on health care, more than any country on the planet," says Pollitz. If you multiply that out by 10 years, it's $35 trillion, even greater than the cost of Sanders' Medicare for All proposal. So a switch to a single-payer system could actually save money overall.

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Will 'Medicare for All' Mean Worse Health Care?

There's no doubt that a massive overhaul of the U.S. health care system like Medicare for All would be hugely disruptive. Most private insurers would go out of business. Pharmaceutical companies would lose profits as drug prices are capped. And since Medicare typically reimburses doctors and hospitals at lower rates than private insurers, there would be "winners and losers" in private medical practices, says Pollitz.

That said, there's no indication that switching to a Medicare for All system would result in fewer covered treatments  in fact, Jayapal's proposal promises the opposite  or that the new insurance scheme would result in long waits for life-saving procedures and medications.

"We don't currently have that in Medicare," says Pollitz. "You don't see senior citizens queuing up for doctor's appointments and prescriptions. It's all quick and easy. The key question is what will those payment rates be for doctors and hospitals. The Jayapal bill doesn't really say. That's still a key question to be addressed and debated."

Currently, a growing number of doctors don't accept Medicare patients because of the low reimbursement rates and large amount of paperwork required for reimbursement. The Medicare for All Act of 2019 does allow doctors and patients to opt out of the single-payer system and simply pay in cash for medical services.

Learn more about Medicare in "Medicare: The Clear, Concise, Self-Educating Guide" by Mario Robertson. HowStuffWorks picks related titles based on books we think you'll like. Should you choose to buy one, we'll receive a portion of the sale.

Now That's Interesting Jayapal's plan is only one type of universal health coverage being proposed in Congress. Other versions include keeping the current system but adding a public option based on Medicare as well as allowing older people not yet eligible for Medicare to buy into the system. Two-thirds of Americans in a January 2020 poll favored adding a public option, in contrast to the 56 percent who favored Medicare for All.
The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) today (January 19) signed a partnership deal with Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management, to help boost enhance sustainability across the UAEs manufacturing sector.

In the leadup to the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023, the partnership is part of a wide-ranging initiative to make the countrys industrial sector the most sustainable in the region.

The deal was signed on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2022 (ADSW 2022), the global platform for accelerating sustainable development.

The collaboration will include on-site sustainability assessments of 50 manufacturers carried out by Schneider Electric consultants, a series of webinars on digital transformation and energy efficiency, and an internship programme to upskill 50 Emiratis.

It builds on the nations net zero commitments to become a world leader in areas related to sustainability.

The deal is part of MoIATs UAE Industry 4.0 Program that aims to increase industrial productivity by 30 percent and add AED25 billion ($6.8 billion) to the national economy by 2031.

Schneider Electric is a founding member of the Champions 4.0 Network, a pillar of the UAE Industry 4.0 program that brings together leading local and international companies to share best-practice in the deployment of 4IR technologies across the UAEs industrial sector.

Mohammed Al Qasim, Director of Technology Development and Adoption at MoIAT, said: "The manufacturing industry across the world emits substantial amounts of greenhouse gases, and changes within this sector will contribute significantly to global net zero commitments."

"Hence our keenness to raise awareness about environment-friendly and energy-efficient strategies among local manufacturers, inviting them to join us in our collective effort towards a carbon neutral nation by 2050," remarked Al Qassim.

"The sustainability drive requires a specialised set of technology solutions, which will in their own way contribute to the digitalisation and advanced technology adoption of the manufacturing industry, in line with the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. We are delighted to join hands with Schneider Electric, a champion of the UAE Industry 4.0 program, on yet another initiative," he added.
" " Although a Medicare Advantage plan can be cheaper, there are times when it pays to take a Medigap policy instead. ATU Images/Getty Images

The average married couple retiring at 65 will fork over nearly $390,000 for health care during their remaining years. That's because while Medicare covers many medical bills, it hardly pays for them all.

Medicare parts A and B, which most American retirees are eligible for, mainly covers hospital stays and doctors' visits, after certain deductibles and copays are met. But there is no coverage for drugs, dental, vision or hearing. Just one dental implant can set you back as much as $6,000, as can a pair of top-quality hearing aids.

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Because so many potential health care budget-busters remain after Medicare pays its share, many retirees opt to do one of two things: purchase Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs, along with a Medicare Supplement plan, better known as Medigap. Or they ditch all Medicare plans (Parts A, B and D) and purchase a Medicare Advantage plan. Let's look at the difference between the two.

Medigap plans, which are offered by private insurers with federal government oversight, cover many of the costs that Medicare does not, such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. The costs covered depend on which plan you purchase. (As of January 2020, there were eight plans available for new retirees; two additional plans are only available to people who'd purchased them before 2020.) But in general, the better the coverage, the more you'll pay.

Medigap premiums differ by insurer, age, location and plan selected, so retirees could pay an average of between $40 and nearly $1,000, for 2021 premiums according to Healthline.

Medicare Advantage plans, also offered by private insurers, provide all of the same benefits as Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. They also often include Medicare Part D coverage and will pay for some of Medicare's deductibles and copays. Some plans even include dental, vision and/or wellness benefits. But perhaps the biggest selling point to consumers: These plans are typically much cheaper than Medigap. (The U.S. government estimated an average monthly premium of $21 in 2021 for Medicare Advantage plans.)

So what's the drawback? Medicare Advantage plans often involve health care networks (think HMOs or PPOs), so you may not be able to choose your physician or hospital. And if you elect to go elsewhere anyway, you may have to pay the entire bill yourself. You also generally need to make a copayment for every treatment.

Still, people are increasingly opting for Medicare Advantage plans. In 2021, 26.9 million beneficiaries are expected to be enrolled in Medicare Advantage. That's almost a 10 percent increase over the 24.4 million currently enrolled.

When to Take Medigap

But that doesn't necessarily mean Medicare Advantage is the way to go. "Nothing has the ability to drain your retirement income more than selecting the wrong Medicare plan," says Travis Price, a licensed insurance agent based in Michigan. Price says a Medigap policy may be the best option for you if you fall into one of the following categories.

You like to travel. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies don't operate with health care networks and impose few prior authorizations. "So the Medigap plan you bought in Michigan works the exact same way while you're visiting family (or are a snowbird) in Florida," says Price. This means you can see any provider across the nation, so long as the provider accepts Medicare.

You want to be able to choose your physicians and hospital. With no networks, you can see who you want to see, like that top knee-replacement specialist or renowned oncologist. And you can elect to be treated in your preferred hospital.

You need specialized, ongoing treatment. Certain Medigap policies only charge you for the Medicare Part B deductible, then pick up 100 percent of costs afterward. Conversely, Medicare Advantage plans generally assess some fee with every treatment you have. So if you need specialized, ongoing treatment  say, chemotherapy  Price says paying the monthly Medigap premium will likely be the cheaper way to go. And while Medicare Advantage plans do set maximum out-of-pocket limits, Price says most people will never hit them.

Before making any decision on coverage, though, it's always wisest to consult with a Medicare specialist who can help determine your best option.

HowStuffWorks may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article.

Now That's Interesting Medicare Advantage plans provide significantly lower-quality home health care to seniors than traditional Medicare, according to a 2019 study by Brown University. The study found seniors with traditional Medicare were 4.9 percent more likely to receive top care compared to those in a low-rated Medicare Advantage plan and 2.8 percent more likely to receive top care compared to those in a high-rated Medicare Advantage plan.

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Originally Published: Feb 18, 2020
" " Freezing and storing sperm vials, like this lab tech is doing, has proven easier than regulating artificial insemination. MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

When Wendy and Janet Norman decided to have a baby, they went sperm shopping through Xytex Corp., a sperm bank.

The couple chose Donor No. 9623. Xytex, the Normans later claimed, told them the man spoke multiple languages and was pursuing a doctorate.

Xytex had also assured them that it carefully screened all donors by reviewing their family health history and criminal records and that it subjected donors to intensive physical exams and interviews to verify the information.

But after Wendy gave birth to a son in 2002, the couple learned their child had inherited a genetic blood disorder for which Wendy was not a carrier. He would, much later, require extended hospitalizations because of suicidal and homicidal thoughts.

Even later, they learned that the donor, James Christopher Aggeles, had lied to the sperm bank about his background and that the sperm bank had not verified the information he provided. Nor did it make him supply his medical records or sign a release that would have made it possible to obtain them.

As law professors who study reproductive technology, we see this case and others like it as showing why the government should tighten regulations over sperm and egg donation so that prospective parents and donor-conceived adults receive accurate and complete details about their donors' medical, academic and criminal history.

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A 'Wrongful Birth?'

Aggeles wasn't pursuing an advanced degree when he began donating sperm. He didn't even have a college degree at that point. He also failed to disclose his diagnosis of schizophrenia, a severe mental health condition requiring lifelong treatment. Schizophrenia has a high level of heritability in families. He had also been arrested at the time of his donation and was later incarcerated for burglary.

When the Normans sued Xytex, a local court initially dismissed almost all claims in their case. They appealed to Georgia's Supreme Court, which in 2020 allowed several of their claims to go forward.

The Normans could, for instance, seek financial compensation, partly to cover the additional expenses they might have avoided had they learned about the donor's medical history sooner. The court also told the Normans they could try to recover the price difference between what they paid for the sperm they received and its market value.

Finally, the Normans were allowed to allege under the state's Fair Business Practice Act that the sperm bank had misrepresented to the public the quality of its sperm and its screening process.

The Supreme Court of Georgia did not, however, permit the couple to sue over what is known as a "wrongful birth" claim. These claims are negligence actions brought by parents based on the birth of a child with disabilities or genetic disorders because of a provider's failure to identify the risk.

The case is still pending.

" " Screening sperm donors is often limited only to seeing if they have communicable diseases. Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Limited Regulation

The Normans' lawsuit is hardly unique.

Other families have sued sperm banks after having donor-conceived children who wound up with a variety of genetic disorders.

In many of those cases, the sperm banks said they routinely test sperm and exclude donors who could pass along genes that cause genetic diseases. In those instances, the families have grounds for accusing the sperm banks of fraud and negligence.

Some donor-conceived adults are also suing doctors who lied to the plaintiffs' parents about whose sperm they were receiving and instead used their own. Several states now ban this kind of "fertility fraud."

This litigation is on the rise because of the growing popularity of direct-to-consumer DNA testing, which makes it easier to identify previously anonymous sperm donors and to learn about genetic risks donor-conceived people may have inherited from them.

It's also happening because of the absence of clear rules and laws regulating sperm banks. There is little regulation of reproductive technologies of any kind, including in vitro fertilization, a procedure that fertilizes the egg with sperm in the laboratory instead of the body, at the state or federal level.

Because the government does not track artificial insemination, the number of donor-conceived people is unknown.

The federal government requires only that donated sperm and eggs be treated like other human tissue and tested for communicable diseases  infectious conditions that spread through viruses, bacteria and other means  but not genetic diseases.

There are also no federal requirements that sperm banks obtain and verify information about a donor's medical history, educational background or criminal record.

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What Is the Basis for These Lawsuits?

The allowable grounds for fertility negligence vary by state.

Some states let families sue clinics that fail to screen donors, even when the parents seek damages associated with the birth of the child with a dangerous genetic condition. This would essentially allow a wrongful birth claim to go forward.

But a growing number of states, at least 14 so far, prohibit such claims. That is leading many courts, like the Supreme Court of Georgia, to define the injury as distinct from the birth of the donor-conceived child.

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The End of Anonymity

One complication in terms of resolving these disputes is that most sperm donations are anonymous.

At odds with the donor's interest in keeping their his identity a secret, we argue, are donor-conceived people's strong interests in learning about their donors, including their medical, educational and criminal history  and even identity.

DNA tests, including direct-to-consumer kits like 23andMe, are rendering donor anonymity impossible to maintain. And internet searches, as the Normans discovered, can make it possible to see whether a donor, once identified, has misrepresented their personal information.

" " DNA tests, including kits like 23andMe, are rendering donor anonymity impossible to maintain. 23andMe

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States Are Beginning to Set Rules

Because Congress has taken no action regarding assisted reproductive technology since 1992, states have slowly begun to step in.

In 2011, Washington required the disclosure of donor-identifying information and medical history when a child turns 18.

On Jan. 1, 2022, Connecticut enacted the Uniform Parentage Act, which is based on model legislation drafted by a national nonpartisan commission to fill widespread legislative gaps. The measure requires that fertility clinics collect identifying information from donors and indicate whether donors have agreed to disclosure.

Another pending measure in New York would require sperm and egg donor banks "to collect and verify medical, educational and criminal felony conviction history information" from any donor. That legislation would also provide prospective parents who purchase eggs or sperm and donor-conceived people with the right to obtain such information without personally identifying the donor. This option could make it possible to preserve donor anonymity, at least theoretically.

The bill was drafted at least partially in response to the experience of Laura and David Gunner, whose donor-conceived son died of an opioid overdose. After their son's death, the Gunners learned that a few years earlier, the donor himself had died and that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The donor had not disclosed his mental illness or hospitalizations for behavioral issues.

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Costs Are Not a Barrier

It's possible that measures like the one pending in New York state would make fertility treatment somewhat more expensive.

Currently, a vial of donor sperm may cost close to $1,000, with the donor often being paid up to $150.

Genetic testing, however, might not add much to the cost because it would only be done once, rather than each time a patient obtains a vial of sperm. With artificial insemination, it's rare for a pregnancy to occur on the first or second try.

As we learned from Tyler Sniff, an advocate for the New York bill and a director of the nonprofit U.S. Donor Conceived Council, DNA testing companies offer relatively inexpensive options that can cost less than $300.

To be sure, disclosure requirements might overpromise how much prospective parents can learn about their future children. But we are certain that these issues will become even more critical as technology continues to outpace its regulation  and as both donor-conceived adults and an increasing number of people who used sperm banks advocate for their interests.

Naomi Cahn is a professor of law at the University of Virginia. She is an expert in family law, trusts and estates, feminist jurisprudence, reproductive technology. Sonia Suter is a professor of law at George Washington University. She is an expert in issues at the intersection of law, medicine and bioethics, with a particular focus on reproductive rights, emerging reproductive technologies, and ethical and legal issues in genetics.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here.
'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania'

The last thing you see before the title card for "Hotel Transylvania: Transformania" drops at the end of the movie is a character shrugging with a smile as if to say, "It is what it is." It's a pretty good summation of the film itself.

The fourth and final installment of a long-running 3DCG monster franchise, "Transformania" delivers what most viewers would expect from a "Hotel Transylvania" film: frenetic energy, physical comedy and Dracula learning another lesson about acceptance.

This time around, the film also has some meta elements that its young intended audience likely will not notice nor care too much about.

The celebration that kicks off the action this time is Hotel Transylvania's 125th anniversary. Dracula (Brian Hull, replacing franchise staple Adam Sandler), who watched beloved daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) grow up within the walls of the establishment, is ready to hand her the reins so he can enjoy retirement with his new love, Ericka (Kathryn Hahn).

Or so he thinks. As much as Dracula believes in Mavis' ability to keep things running, he absolutely does not trust her human disaster husband, Johnny (Andy Samberg), to not muck things up. One thing leads to another and Drac and Johnny essentially switch places  Drac becomes human and Johnny a monster  because, as the old adage goes, you can't really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.

In "Transformania's" case, that mile is stretched into an adventure through the jungles of South America. It's a setup that allows Drac, among other things, to suffer through sunlight in the most extreme ways a human can.

Younger viewers who already have an affinity for the "Hotel Transylvania" film series likely will find enough to keep them entertained in this final installment. The amount of havoc the normally goofy but fairly harmless Johnny can wreak as a monster is impressive, and there are plenty of easy laughs to be had watching all of the familiar monsters of Drac's pack in their new human forms.

For parents, the enjoyment of "Transformania" might come down to their attitude toward adults who never quite grow up. Johnny, a self-professed slacker, is in heightened form here even compared with previous "Hotel Transylvania" films. Unless you already have a natural liking for the character  or experience the same epiphany Drac has over the course of the movie  Johnny might be a bit much, especially since he's not the one required to show any growth.

(PG, 2.5 of 4 stars, 1 hr. 38)

Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times

Scream

Everything new is old again. In 1978, the year Halloween came out, the stage thriller Deathtrap opened on Broadway, with a plot (like its reference point, Sleuth) about a desperate mystery writer tempted, lethally, by the persistent cliches of his chosen genre. Like a lot of fabulously profitable escapism, it was a contraption about itself, and it worked just well enough and no better, with a jolt or two in between wisecracks.

In the thriller-adjacent genre of slasher films, the 1996 Scream worked the same self-referential way. The gore amped up, it made its mark, directed by Nightmare on Elm Street master Wes Craven (as were the first three sequels). The 2022 Scream is dedicated to the late Craven. Directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin sprinkle homages to Cravens cutting and framing everywhere, starting with the introduction of the kitchen knives in the prologue.

As always, but more so, the characters talk like theyre competing in a slasher trivia contest. The dialogue isnt dialogue; its a Reddit string, covering everything from The Babadook (elevated horror, one says, admiringly) to Knives Out to the sad-face percentage of franchise reimaginings that capture anything of the original. Even if it wasnt original.

Samantha (the excellent Melissa Barrera of In the Heights) is haunted by the memory of a Major Unpleasant Adversary from the earlier films. The recurring homicides for which the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, is now infamous are re-recurring. Barrera and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets) stand out among the new cast member.

When Neve Campbells Sydney Prescott first appears on screen, the audience that has been there since Clinton was in office collectively breathes a sigh of gratitude. Campbells blithe underplaying has always been a buoy for the Scream series. She knows better than to compete with the exertions all around her.

Campbell re-teams here with Courteney Cox, returning as morning-show host and regret-filled bestselling author Gayle Weathers. David Arquette is back as Dewey, onetime sheriff, frequent Ghostface-stabbity-stab survivor. When the town starts piling up victims, again, these three return to see whats what and whos to be trusted among the new players. The fictional Stab movies play an important part in Scream, as they have in previous Screams. Im not telling you anything you dont see in the trailer, or could guess by simply being alive on the same planet as the people who wrote the new film.

If we were to make a franchise-reboot comparison: Scream lands about halfway between the pretty-good 2018 Halloween and the turgid follow-up Halloween Kills. In Scream Jamie Lee Curtis is name-checked, reverently (I get that part), along with dozens of other slasher icons and trademarks. Its sincere. But I wish this movie offered a little less running commentary and a little more running  anything, really, to get itself off the treadmill of self-critique and self-congratulation and actually going somewhere new.

(R, 2 of 4 stars, 1 hr. 54 min.)

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

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DECATUR  Richland Community College's Board of Trustees welcomed new trustee Ben Andreas at its meeting on Tuesday.

Andreas, a native of Decatur, is also a Richland and Millikin University graduate, who is an owner of Main Place Properties.

I'm excited for this opportunity to better the area of Decatur and for the students the flourish and to be a part of that, Andreas said. Being a graduate of Richland, I'm just so excited for the opportunity to be able to help other students go forward.

Andreas fills the seat vacated by Jaime Shobe-Brown, who moved out of Richland's district and resigned in November.

The board received several applications for the seat, said the Rev. Wayne Dunning, chairman of Richland's board.

You came out on top, he said at the meeting. We just thank God you're willing to seek and serve.

Andreas' professional field is in finance and real estate, he said after the meeting.

Main Place is a real estate company, he said. So I'm familiar with seeing blueprints and on the financial side, things like that are my specialty so that's what I do with most of my day.

In other business, the board heard from Vice President of Finance Greg Florian that the audit, which would have been presented at this meeting, is not yet complete due to the auditing firm having not yet returned to work in person. But all colleges have been given an extension until March 31 to complete their audits and he expects Richland's to be ready soon, he said.

The board approved a construction project on Bistro Five Thirty-Seven, which will enclose the patio with a windbreak and install a pergola to provide shade and allow for more comfortable outdoor dining. The project will cost $139,379 and will be funded with federal COVID relief funds, Florian said.

President Cris Valdez told the board that the college continues to follow guidelines for COVID-19 mitigation, and that 83.3% of staff are vaccinate. The remainder either work remotely or have medical exemptions, and are tested weekly. The college offers SHIELD testing 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Dunning said he wants the board to sign a letter, to be sent to all employees, thanking them for their forbearance and recognizing the strain that nearly two years of pandemic have caused.

This has taken a toll mentally and physically, he said.

Valdez said he would draft such a letter for the board members to sign.

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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SHELBYVILLE  Fire crews responded to reports of a fire at a Casey's General Store in Shelbyville early Wednesday morning.

According to officials from the Shelbyville Fire Protection District, units received a call at 2:03 a.m. that the Casey's at 1700 W. Main St. had a slight haze coming from inside the building.

Soon after, crews arrived on scene and were able to extinguish the fire and secure the area by 9:30 a.m.

Officials reported that heavy smoke was apparent and the fire presumably started in the maintenance room.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal is investigating the incident, as the cause of the fire is yet to be determined. No injuries were reported.

Along with the Shelbyville Fire Protection District, other responding agencies included the Tower Hill Fire Protection District, the Strasburg Fire Protection District and the Findlay Fire Protection District.

Watch now: Photos and interviews from Tuscola's win against Shelbyville Watch now: Haven Hatfield discusses Tuscolas win Watch now: Tuscolas Easton Cunningham and James Parsley Watch now: Tuscola coach Justin Bozarth discusses his teams win Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup Tuscola beats Shelbyville in Central Illinois Conference matchup

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JOLIET  A hearing on a motion seeking to dismiss former Chicago-area police sergeant Drew Peterson's 2012 conviction for killing his third wife has been postponed until next month.

Peterson's motion to toss out his first-degree murder conviction in the death of Kathleen Savio was scheduled for a hearing on Friday, but the Will County Circuit Court Clerk's office says the hearing has been postponed until Feb. 7.

Recently, Judge Edward Burmila ruled that Peterson's motion presented a "gist of a constitutional" claim and scheduled a hearing.

In a six-page handwritten motion filed in October, Peterson argued that his lead attorney, Joel Brodsky, did not provide effective counsel and that Brodsky would not allow him to testify in his defense. He also alleged prosecutorial misconduct and witness intimidation by Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow.

A state appeals court has already rejected Peterson's claim of ineffective counsel and in its response to Peterson's recent motion, Glasgow's office denied any misconduct of witness intimidation.

Peterson is serving a 38-year prison sentence in the 2004 killing of Savio and will follow that with a 40-year sentence for plotting to kill Glasgow.

Savio's body was found in a dry bathtub in 2004. Her death was initially ruled an accident, but her remains were exhumed after the 2007 disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy. Savio's death was subsequently ruled a homicide and Peterson was charged with murder.

Stacy Peterson is presumed dead, although her body has never been found. Drew Peterson is a suspect in her disappearance, but hasn't been charged.

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WOOD RIVER  Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting early Tuesday morning in Wood River.

At about 2:07 a.m. Tuesday police from Wood River and East Alton responded to a report of a man with a gun at Moe's Corner/VP Racing Fuels at 851 N. Wood River Ave. in Wood River.

According to state police, when officers arrived the suspect, Tyler M. Marler, 31, of East St. Louis, pointed a black metal BB pistol at them. Officers fired at and struck the suspect.

The man was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. No officers were injured in the incident.

The Wood River Police Department has requested the Illinois State Police Zone 6 Major Crimes Unit to investigate the incident.

No further information was available Tuesday.

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WOOD RIVER  Police in the Metro East area of Illinois fatally shot an armed man who pulled a gun on officers at a gas station early Tuesday, authorities said.

The shooting happened at about 2 a.m. in the Madison County community of Wood River. According to KMOV- TV in St. Louis, a gas station employee was closing the business when she spotted a man with a gun and notified police who were in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant across the street.

Officers arrived at the station but the man had run off. A few minutes later, a woman called 911 to report that there was a man armed with a gun on her porch, and her description of the man matched that of the one given by the gas station employee had given police a short time earlier.

A short time later, according to police, officers spotted the man sitting near a space heater at the gas station. They approached the man and shot him when he pulled out a gun.

The officers from the community of Wood River and East Alton, the station reported. The 31-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later. His name has not been released.

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DECATUR  Visitors to Baby TALK and Empowerment Opportunity Center will now be greeted by a sculpture of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

The bronze sculpture, which depicts King and two children, was unveiled early Tuesday in front of the office building at 355 E. Marietta St. in Decatur.

According to Cindy Bardeleben, executive director for Baby TALK, the statue was a surprise gift from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. This was all his idea, she said. We are honored he chose this facility.

Plans to create and install the sculpture began more than a year ago. Buffett commissioned the artist, Littleton Alston, an Omaha, Nebraska-based artist and Creighton University associate professor of sculpture.

Whether creating an abstract work in steel or a representational figurative sculpture in bronze, it is my hope that the beauty and power of sculpted forms which I find so compelling is conveyed to those who view my work, Alston said in a Modern Arts Midtown article.

Tara Murray, executive director for Empowerment Opportunity Center, said she was impressed Decatur has a work of art from such a prestigious artist. Its very unusual that wed have something made by that type of artist here in front of our building, she said. He has sculptures, one in the Oval Office, and other sculptures in museums.

The introduction was designed to be a surprise for the families, staff, children, and the community. The unveiling didn't take part on Monday, the nationally recognized Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, because the local services were closed.

The increasing number of COVID cases locally played a part in the low-key aspect of the sculpture's unveiling, according to Murray.

We chose not to have a ceremony, she said. With COVID numbers currently in our community, we didnt want to do anything that would draw a crowd of people.

COVID also has prompted Baby TALK's classrooms to be closed, further limiting those on hand to enjoy the unveiling day.

Empowerment Opportunity Center, however, continues to offer its programs, including LIHEAP energy assistance, homeless services, a senior center, job training and Anna Waters Head Start.

But we are celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day today and celebrating the statue being installed, Murray said.

Empowerment Opportunity Center staff wore matching T-shirts with the phrase Be the Dream. Clients were allowed to partake in refreshments, while children attending the Head Start classes had parties. Every kid gets to bring home a book about Martin Luther King Jr., and they are doing special activities in class, Murray said.

Kim Mangan, Baby Talk director of development, was one of the staff members unaware of the new addition to the campus. The rest of us didnt know about it for a very long time, she said. Until we needed to be brought in.

Many of the employees and staff are able to see the sculpture from their office windows. Its inspiring, Bardeleben said.

To continue the celebration, Baby TALK is distributing childrens books to their families.

Our hope and dreams are for all children to have loving relationships within their home and community, ready access to resources and opportunity for growth, Bardeleben said. That grounds us and inspires us.

Its a reminder of his work, and that we still continue to work, working toward justice and equality for everyone, Murray said about the statue's presence. Thats really what our programs and agencies are about.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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The upcoming Airport Show 2022, a major airport industry B2B platform, will have a focus on digital airports as they continue to adopt technologies such as biometric-based checks, self-boarding, real-time bag-tracking and digitalised air traffic management.



Organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the 21st edition of the event will be held from May 17 to 19 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and provide insights into the investments planned by the worlds airports until 2040.



Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Patron of Airport Show, said: The Airport Show has provided over the past two decades products and services to create most advanced aviation facilities in the world.



Airports are being increasingly becoming destinations and trying to improve the passenger experiences through utilizing new technologies to gain their confidence and satisfaction. They are fast-tracking security controls and boarding gates and grasping the opportunity to better operational processes and through different solutions, including the deployment of innovative products and services post 21st centurys second pandemic that has derailed their pace of growth. Airports are realizing IT, automation and digital transformation play an important role in efficiency, safety and customer experience.



The coronavirus pandemic has enhanced the seamless passenger flow and a contactless journey. The technologies and solutions have been in part accelerated by the pandemic but are also part of the long-term transformation underway, according to Billy Shallow, Director, Innovation and Technology at Airports Council International (ACI World) whose members operates over 1953 airports in 176 countries.

An IATA Global Passenger Survey across 153 countries revealed passengers expect technology to give them more personal control over their travel experience and greater automation of airport processes like security and border control which they called the biggest pain points.



The annual expenditure on airport security systems alone is set to top $12.67 billion by 2023. The global airport technologies market is expected to grow to more than $13 billion at an annual growth rate of almost five per cent through 2022. According to Frost & Sullivan, airport IT spending is to touch $4.63 billion by 2023. The smart airports market is projected to grow to $6.4 billion by 2025.



Firas Abu Ltaif, Exhibition Manager at Reeds Exhibitions, said: The aviation industry needs to prepare itself for the boom period in the near future. Airports and airlines across the world are now on their way to recovery. After a decade of consistent and robust growth in global passenger traffic, the pandemic halted the surge in airports, causing total passenger numbers for that year to drop sharply to a level not seen in the worlds airports since 1997.



According to ACI, airports will be spending $2.4 trillion until the year 2040 to maintain, upgrade, expand and modernize airport infrastructure to deal with any conditions in the future similar to the challenges faced during the pandemic.



The Middle East region alone will need to spend about $151 billion for the expansion and modernization of airports. The co-located events will be ATC Forum, Airport Security Middle East, Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF) and Women in Aviation (WIA) Forum, Airport Passengers Experience Conference and the Future GSE Summit.  TradeArabia News Service
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High around 90F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast later during the night. Low 71F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.
BRISTOL, Va.  A divided Planning Commission voiced some reservations Monday before voting 4-2 to forward a rezoning request for a proposed hotel to the Bristol Virginia City Council.

The commission spent nearly 30 minutes discussing different aspects of a developers plan to locate a 30-room hotel on less than a half-acre lot, next to the planned Hard Rock Resort and Casino Bristol. The plan, put forward by Soft Rock LLC, asks the city to rezone a 0.385-acre parcel at 2016 Veda Drive from R-2 residential to B-3 general business.

The lot currently contains a single-story brick house with frontage on Gate City Highway  but as the front lot of a residential subdivision.

Plans call for a three-story, 30-room hotel with a ground-level parking structure.

Mayor and commission member Anthony Farnum voted against moving forward.

There is a lot of planning going on behind the scenes now with the city, Bristol Virginia Utilities and the Virginia Department of Transportation about that stretch through there, Farnum said. I just want to make sure we slow down and do it right and everything is cohesive.

Work is just beginning on the temporary casino at the former Bristol Mall site, but the major construction is still months away.

During the discussion, Farnum asked what would happen to that site if a future traffic analysis showed additional access lanes or turn lanes would need to be added to Gate City Highway to improve access from the interstate.

A public hearing was held during last weeks City Council meeting, and it is expected to go back before the council at its Jan. 25 meeting.

Screening  trees or bushes  would be required to separate the business from residential areas, but that would be addressed in the site plan process, City Planner Jay Detrick said.

Currently Gate City Highway is running well below capacity; however, that will change with the opening of the casino, Detrick said. A traffic impact analysis is scheduled to be performed for the Gate City Highway corridor, as well as portions of I-81, and the I-81 exits all the way down to the intersection of West State Street. That should be performed in the next 12 months.

BVU said a sewer capacity analysis would have to be conducted prior to any construction, and the developer would be responsible for those costs, Detrick said.

This is the first of, we hope, many satellite developments arising from the casino, attorney John Kiefer, who represents the developers, told the commission. I think this is what everybody had in mind when we approved the casino; its consistent with all of the land uses that exist out there, and we should all be very hopeful about its success.

By unanimous vote, the Planning Commission also forwarded a request to rezone 12 acres off Island Road from R-2 residential to R-3 mass residential to allow a proposed residential apartment complex to locate there. The project, expected to be 300 units, would primarily be built on the Tennessee side of the development, which is located behind the I-81 Virginia welcome center.

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Catawba County is considering nearly $355,000 in economic incentives to a plastics manufacturer in Claremont that is expanding.

The money would incentivize Poppelmann Plastics USA to expand the current manufacturing plant on Heart Drive, according to information from the county.

Under the economic incentive agreement, Poppelmann would agree to invest $19 million in the expansion and create 100 new jobs over three years. In return, Catawba County would forego up to $342,000 in property taxes Poppelmann pays over those three years.

The expansion to the facility, which Poppelmann has operated since 2007, would support the companys growing automotive parts business, according to information provided to Catawba County. Poppelmann manufactures horticulture supplies such as plastic pots, as well as automotive parts and food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and medical products.

If the incentives are approved by the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, the county would also pay up to $12,500 as a local match for a North Carolina Building Reuse Grant. Poppelmann is already approved for a $500,000 building reuse grant.

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners opened the public hearing for the economic incentive at Tuesdays board meeting. No one spoke during the hearing. The hearing was continued to the boards next meeting to allow for any commenters who didnt come to the meeting due to icy roads.

The commissioners will complete the public hearing and vote on the incentives at their Feb. 7 meeting.

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" " Poet Sylvia Plath was just one of the many famous women that stayed at the Barbizon in their early years. Bettmann/MCNY/Gottscho-Schleisner/Getty Images/HowStuffWorks

Grace Kelly, Joan Didion and Candice Bergen all called it home. Sylvia Plath threw her clothes off its roof on the last day of her magazine internship. The Barbizon was not the first women-only residential hotel in New York, but it was certainly the most famous, housing many actors, models and writers of the mid-20th century in the years before they made it big.

Opened in Manhattan in 1927, the 23-story Barbizon Hotel for Women sat on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street, a stately structure built in the Romanesque, Gothic and Moorish styles. Its 700 rooms were tiny  think college dorms  with shared bathrooms and kitchens. But the hotel featured a wealth of fancy extras, such as a swimming pool, library, solarium, lecture halls, squash and badminton courts, social activities and free afternoon tea. The Barbizon's aim was to attract ambitious middle- and upper-class women, preferably those interested in the arts and stardom. The glamorous hotel became so acclaimed, it was even featured in films and novels.

Interestingly, many of the luxe hotel's residents were of modest means and hailed from small Midwestern towns. "Small-town residents often got there by winning a beauty or talent contest, which would give them a small amount of money with which they could pay for a couple of months at the hotel," says Paulina Bren, author of the book "The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free" and an adjunct professor of international studies at Vassar College.

But snagging a room at this coveted address wasn't merely a matter of plunking down enough money. The women had to present three references, dress well and have a good demeanor. It also helped greatly if they were young and pretty. In fact, one of the longtime assistant managers, who also manned the front desk, created a grading system that gave preference to younger women when deciding who to admit. Due to these standards, the hotel was soon nicknamed "the Dollhouse."

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Inside the Dollhouse

While many young, ambitious women longed to live at the hotel, it came with many restrictions. Men weren't allowed in women's rooms, for example, and the residents were chastised if they came home late or inebriated. In 1961, writer Joan Gage wasn't permitted to step outside the building wearing slacks. These rules were in place because the elite hotel wanted to maintain a good reputation, as well as assure the women's parents that their daughters would be safe here.

Despite these rules, life was not always staid inside the Dollhouse. Men constantly tried to sneak up to the women's rooms, for one thing, squeezing into dumbwaiters or pretending to be doctors, plumbers, priests or fathers  anything to be allowed upstairs. Most were not successful, but some made it through. And Grace Kelly, whom many consider to best personify the hotel's residents, scandalized some of the other guests by dancing topless in the hallways.

" " Actress Grace Kelly from her early days as a model. Here she is demonstrating a Remington typewriter Bettmann/Getty Images

The hotel's heyday came in the 1940s through the 1960s. This was the era of Bergen, Kelly, Plath, Liza Minnelli, Ali MacGraw, Cybill Shepherd, Phylicia Rashad and more. Some of these women were part of the Eileen Ford modeling agency, which rented rooms for its models  partly to try and keep them out of trouble. The Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School also paid to lodge its clients here, while the women's magazine Mademoiselle rented rooms to house the college students it hired every summer as guest editors. These editors-in-training were known as the Millies, from the Mademoiselle abbreviation "Mlle." Plath and Didion were both part of this guest editor program.

The Barbizon did not admit a Black woman until 1956, when it accepted Barbara Chase-Riboud, a Millie and an accomplished artist, with work displayed in the Museum of Modern Art. Still, Chase-Riboud faced discrimination both at the magazine and inside the hotel, where she was excluded from using the pool.

" " Artist and author Barbara Chase-Riboud, circa 1981. Louis MONIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

During the hotel's prime, living there even after you "made it" was not uncommon. "One model made up business cards to show she was staying there," says Bren. "It was a mark of glamor and respectability."

But not necessarily for every resident. Some never hit it big and became known as part of "the Women," older residents who elected to stay at the hotel, despite their lack of success. The label was as feared as being called a spinster. One such single was Molly Brown, famous for surviving the Titanic's final, fateful journey. Brown found herself short on cash when her wealthy and estranged husband died sans will, landing her at the hotel, where she lived until her death in 1932.

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The End of an Era

The Barbizon began to lose its luster by the start of the '70s, when the women's liberation movement and real estate trends made women eschew stifling rules and tiny rooms with communal bathrooms in favor of anything-goes apartments and condos. In a bid to stay relevant, men were allowed to rent starting in 1981, and the building underwent numerous renovations. At one point, management tried to get rid of the 100-plus Women still at the hotel, whose monthly rent couldn't be jacked up due to the city's rent stabilization laws. But the Women were allowed to remain.

Today, the Barbizon  which was designated a New York City landmark in 2012  has been reimagined into Barbizon 63, a luxury condo building. The apartments feature top-shelf amenities (think Bolivian rosewood floors and French casement windows) and sell for millions. Four of the former hotel's Women still reside there, and they deserve props for that.

"The Barbizon was a place that catered to fiercely ambitious women at a time when there were few outlets for them to be ambitious," Bren says. "And so even if the young women of the Barbizon never made it, they were heroines for having tried."

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Now That's Interesting The Barbizon Hotel was named after The Barbizon School, a group of landscape artists who worked in the village of Barbizon, near Paris, from 1830-1870. These artists favored painting en plein air, or outdoors, something unusual at the time.
Dairy employers watched with intense interest the Supreme Courts consideration of the Biden Administrations Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). That standard aimed to make businesses with 100 or more employees ensure their employees are vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19. After months of legal reckoning, on January 13 they got their answer: Barring unusual activity from the federal Sixth Circuit Court after the Supreme Courts ruling, a wide-ranging workplace vaccination requirement wont happen.

Now its time to move forward.

The National Milk Producers Federation was pleased with the decision. This was in line with our months of advocacy on behalf of dairys concerns about federal overreach and the practical ability of the mandate to be applied at a moment of widespread coronavirus test shortages.

NMPF and members of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives met with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on October 18, more than two weeks before the rule was released, to discuss the standard then under development. The coalition that met with OMB raised numerous concerns about the mandate.

After the standard was released, NMPF warned federal officials in letters and personal meetings that a lack of tests and other resources could create hardships for businesses already struggling with staffing shortages. That would have been just the beginning as food and agriculture businesses could face severe supply chain sources under the ETS. The courts decision will bring relief to dairy employers who strive 24 hours a day and seven days a week to put nutritious products on consumer plates.

Now that the mandates gone, what next?

Just like COVID itself, the issue of workplace safety in the coronavirus era isnt going away. And now that the federal requirements are gone (at least for now, in their earlier form), all employers, no matter their size, need to make their way forward in a challenging pandemic environment. Those challenges include ongoing supply chain disruptions and potentially chaotic illness levels that, when left unmanaged, can close a business.

As an individual business decision, encouraging vaccination remains compelling. Vaccination has been the most effective tool to reducing COVID-19s impact on the workplace since it became widely available nearly a year ago. In fact, the triple combination of vaccination, testing, and mitigation measures offers the best formula for worker health and workplace continuity.

The Supreme Court ruling was not about whether workplace vaccination is a bad idea  it questioned the authority of a single government agency, in this case the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to use a regulatory authority to create, in essence, a sweeping vaccine mandate not targeted toward that specific agencys concerns. NMPF continues to advocate for safer workplaces, with resources available on its coronavirus page here: www.nmpf.org/coronavirus

Two years into COVID-19, and with a new variant raging uncontrolled worldwide, workplace management in the age of coronavirus continues to pose unusual, and in some ways, unprecedented challenges. That doesnt mean an inappropriately applied federal mandate is justified. It does mean dairy needs to remain vigilant. Despite how it feels, this crisis will not last forever. In the meantime, we will all continue to share the best information we have to make the right decisions to protect our workers and workplaces.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022

January 17, 2022
The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

Youth looking for support to purchase their first Brown Swiss should consider applying for the Nelson McCammon Youth Heifer Program offered by the Wisconsin Brown Swiss Association. The organization is accepting applications between now and February 10, 2022.

The Nelson McCammon Youth Heifer Program helps youth interested in working with dairy cattle gain hands-on experience with high-quality Registered Brown Swiss, explains Wisconsin Brown Swiss President Josh Hushon. By working with Brown Swiss through this program, our hope is that they will learn to appreciate the many outstanding qualities the Brown Swiss breed offers as the well as the camaraderie of those who own them.

Award recipients will receive a grant for 50% (up to a $1,000 total) towards the purchase price of a Registered Brown Swiss female of any age. The program is intended to run for two years with the applicants being between the ages of 9 and 18 for cows and 9 to19 for heifers as of January 1, 2022. Applicants must be residents of Wisconsin and become members of the Wisconsin Junior and the National Junior Brown Swiss Associations.



Since the project started in 2013, 26 youth have purchased Registered Brown Swiss heifers thanks to the generosity of long-time Brown Swiss breeder and youth supporter Nelson McCammon, who generously donated the funding for the program via his estate when he passed. Mr. McCammon was a mentor to many, and a past winner of the Klussendorf Trophy.

Winners will be presented at the Wisconsin Brown Swiss Annual Meeting, March 5, 2022, at the Cranberry Country Lodge, Tomah, Wi.

Applications and more information about this and other programs can be found at the Wisconsin Brown Swiss Association website at www.wibrownswiss.com or by contacting Christopher Voegeli at christophervoegeli@gmail.com or 608-558-4728.






Many airlines cancelled or rescheduled flights to the US on 5G deployment fears despite two US wireless carriers decision to delay switching on the powerful new telecom masts near key airports.

The decision, following protests from airlines about possible interference, came too late to avoid a ripple of cancellations, said a Reuters report.

Airlines across Asia and several in the Middle East and Europe said they were cancelling some flights or switching models, with much of the initial disruption hitting the Boeing 777.

Dubai's Emirates said it would suspend nine US routes, according to the Reuters report.

Emirates President Tim Clark told CNN the carrier had not been aware of the extent of the problem until Tuesday and called it "one of the most delinquent, utterly irresponsible" episodes he had seen, a CNN reporter tweeted.

US airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have warned that the frequencies and transmission strength being deployed in the United States could interfere with the precise height readings needed for bad-weather landings on some jetliners.

European regulators say no risks have been found elsewhere.
The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

Nineteen-year-old Staci Kmetz beams a smile for the camera, standing alongside her is grand champion heavyweight market lamb, Foxtrot, who had just sold for a record-breaking sum of $30,100 at the Fayette County Fairs 4H Livestock Auction in Pennsylvania. The fairs previous record-highest was $90 per pound; Foxtrot brought some $215 per pound, with more than 180 contributors across 15 states.

The road to this snapshot was paved with both trial and triumph. Her determination, love for 4H, and the support from her livestock family and friends helped see her through to this moment, a memory which she would hold in her heart forever.

When it comes down to my initial thoughts while Foxtrot and I were breaking the record for money per pound, all I could think is how blessed I am to have all of the love and support behind me of not only friends but also family. The livestock community truly comes together when adversity hits members, Staci said in an interview with Valley Vet Supply.

This moment got even betterwhen after the grand total was raised to purchase Foxtrot, he was then given back to her. Those who knew Staci were well-aware of what an incredible friend, and support system, he had become to her.



Hes still in the barn and is my best friend, Staci said.

Hes more expensive than our barn, Mother, Jacki Kmetz, laughingly said. She spends three hours every day in the barn with Foxtrot, whether shes doing his leg hair routine, setting him up, or just having a good talk with him.

THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. Freak things happen every day. You dont think it will hit close to home, Jacki said.

Every year, the Kmetz family provides the lambs for Fayette Countys annual Ag Fest Days  Staci presents for both two days of learning and ag appreciation held at the county fairgrounds for surrounding 4th-grade classes.

On May 22, 2019, Staci unloaded two lambs at the fairgrounds by herself, just like any other day, the first with no problem. I went back for the second one, and when I opened the door of the popper, the lamb lunged forward, trying to jump out of the bed of the truck. I just bear-hugged it to get it down, and in the process, the lamb kicked me in the side of my temple, Staci said. I fell off the bed of the truck to the concrete-paved ground.



She shook it off as most anyone would.

I continued my day, did my presentation to about 500 4th graders, and went home, Staci said.

THE NEXT DAY, THINGS BECAME DIZZY. She returned to the fairgrounds for Ag Fest Days, when she started getting double, triple-vision dizziness, and a painful migraine. The directors of the Ag Fest found me lying with one of the lambs in the pen when it was lunchtime. So, my brother came and picked me up and we went to the ER. I was diagnosed with a minor concussion and was sent home  no biggie. As the days went on, my speech started getting very slow and soft and to the point where it seemed like I was whispering, but I had no idea, Staci recalled.

Weeks and a number of hospital visits later, Staci was diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), and Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI).

FOCUS ON THE VISION, NOT THE CIRCUMSTANCE. I do not feel from my hips down to my toes, and my legs do not hold me up; however, that does not stop me from doing much. Every day, I try to stand on my own, and I faceplant. I have faith that one day I will try to stand and my legs will hold me up as they once did. My speech had a regression in March of 2021.

I continue to fight every day to better my walking ability and speech, as I focus on my vision and not my circumstance, said Staci.



Staci relearned everyone in her life through pictures and stories told to her, the alphabet, numbers and more. She quickly learned how to continue showing, as well, saying To get down to the height of my lambs I show, I use my show crutches as we call them because they are simply only used for the show ring.

Her mom shared how her farm-kid tough approach, and unwavering determination, are nothing new. Shes tough; she is a brute. When she was a senior in high school, we always called her our beast and she is  she does a lot. If you want it, youll figure out how to do it, and shes living proof of that. You have to have faith and dont give up, encouraged Jacki.

SHOWING LIVESTOCK HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT PART OF HER JOURNEY. 4H has taught me how to embrace myself and others while in tough situations, Staci said. Life will throw obstacles at you, but your positive mindset is what will get you through those lows.

By showing lambs after the accident, Staci has been able to have responsibility, love and work in her life, and she enjoys it all with a smile on her face, she said. Staci especially looks forward to the Showmanship classes.

When it comes to Showmanship, I brave the ring with just me and my lamb. Showmanship is about the bond and connection you have with your animal. This is where I want to show to myself and the world that my circumstance does not control my life, but indeed, I am in control of my life, Staci said.

For others who may be facing life changes, Staci shared parting words of encouragement and staying positive.

Life will throw obstacles at you, but your positive mindset is what will get you through those lows, Staci said. You may struggle daily, but keep striving forward, never give up, trust those supporting you, and always take control of your situation  never let it control your life. Remember to trust the good Lords process. We may never know the reason behind the situations each of us may have, but if you give your heart to God, he will provide. Never lose the faith.

Valley Vet Supply is proud to showcase its customers passion and dedication to their industry. As a company, we are honored to share Stacis unwavering determination, and passion for showing livestock, with the world.



About Valley Vet Supply

Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with the very best animal health solutions. Building on over half a century of experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet and livestock owners with thousands of products and medications hand-selected by Valley Vet Supply founding veterinarians and their professional staff. With an in-house pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states, and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), Valley Vet Supply is the dedicated source for all things horse, livestock and pet. For more information, please visit ValleyVet.com.




The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

Family farmers and allies will convene virtually Saturday, Jan. 29th for the 91st annual Wisconsin Farmers Union State Convention, where delegates will set the family farm organizations priorities for 2022. The convention offers family farmers, consumers and others interested in the future of rural Wisconsin a chance to come together to discuss issues, hear from inspiring speakers, and recognize those who are doing good things in the countryside.

Members participated in a robust virtual policy discussion last year, which led to an incredibly successful year, said WFU President Darin Von Ruden. We saw a lot of wins in the work that members designated as Special Orders of Business, particularly in addressing concentration in agriculture, climate change, meat processing infrastructure, and pandemic recovery. We hope to bring that same energy to this virtual convention as we set the course for a new year.

WFU is holding two conventions in 2022 as the organization shifts to December conventions moving forward. Save the Date for the 92nd annual convention Dec. 9-11, 2022 at Chula Vista, Wisconsin Dells.



At the January convention, the organization will honor active members and the delegates will determine WFU's 2022 Special Orders of Business, items of utmost importance to the organization.

Current policy can be viewed at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/policy.

Attendees will also hear from long-time WFU member Patty Edelburg, who serves as vice president of the National Farmers Union. Edelburg, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a dairy farmer in central Wisconsin, previously served as the Wisconsin Farm Service Agency (FSA) state executive director. Hear about the latest happenings at NFU, including the recently launched Fairness for Farmers campaign.



On Jan. 25th, WFU will host a convention lead-up event featuring National Farmers Union Vice President of Advocacy Mike Stranz, who will share the outlook for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill and how members can engage in advancing key issues.

Convention-goers are also encouraged to join in a quick tech tutorial and Farmers Union social hour Jan. 26th. Convention delegates will elect directors for the WFU Board, as well as two delegates to represent WFU at the National Farmers Union Convention Feb. 27 through March 3 in Denver, Colorado. Four board seats are up for election: District 3 (Chippewa, Clark, and Eau Claire Counties), District 5 (Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Rock, Green, Lafayette, Richland & Vernon Counties), District 8 (Brown, Calumet, Dodge, Door, Fond du Lac, Forest, Florence, Kewaunee, Langlade, Marinette, Manitowoc, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Shawano, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties), and the At-large seat held by a member in any area of the state. Candidacy materials are due Jan. 14th.



Only registered delegates may vote on policy issues. To be a voting delegate, members must register by January 14th. Non-delegate registration is open through Jan. 29th. Register and learn more at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/convention.
The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) celebrated a landmark decision published today which found Canada is improperly restricting access to its market for U.S. dairy products in violation of its U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) commitments. The case is the first of any kind brought before a USMCA Dispute Settlement Panel and was launched with broad bipartisan support last May at the urging of NMPF and USDEC. NMPF and USDEC urged Canada to comply swiftly with the panels ruling.

The United States and Canada negotiated specific market access terms covering a wide variety of dairy products, but instead of playing by those mutually agreed upon rules, Canada ignored its commitments. As a result, U.S. dairy farmers and exporters have been unable to make full use of USMCAs benefits, said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. Todays decision is an important victory for U.S. dairy farmers and the millions of Americans whose jobs are tied to the U.S. dairy industry. Americas dairy farmers appreciate the Biden Administrations dedication to preserving dairy export opportunities and the many members of Congress that have also stressed the importance of aggressive enforcement of dairy access rights in our trade agreements.

"On behalf of America's dairy farmers and manufacturers, we want to thank Ambassador Katherine Tai for launching the dispute settlement process and Congressional leaders for strongly supporting the need to uphold USMCAs dairy provisions. We expect Canada to abide by its trade commitments so that the American dairy industry can fully access the Canadian markets just as USMCA promised," said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. While this is an essential victory, it is one step in a much longer journey. Our work to uphold the full benefits of USMCA continues, as we strive to reduce supply chain disruptions for our exports and ensure Mexicos adherence to the dairy provisions of the USMCA, among other key matters.



TRQs are a system of tariffs negotiated between countries that allow a predetermined quantity of imports at a specified tariff rate, where that rate is often at or near zero. Any additional imports above that predetermined quantity are subject to significantly higher tariffs. In the case of U.S. dairy products, these additional Canadian tariffs typically price U.S. dairy products out of Canadas market, making fair access to Canadian dairy TRQs vital to maximizing exports to that market.

When the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) brought the case in May 2021 following persistent advocacy from NMPF and USDEC, it argued that Canada has maintained dairy TRQ measures that run counter to its market access obligations under USMCA. USMCA specifically requires that Canada open its TRQ application process to anyone active in the Canadian food and agriculture sector. Yet USTR noted that Canada designates the bulk of the TRQs to Canadian dairy processors who have little incentive to import, does not provide fair or equitable procedures for administering the TRQs, and does not give retailers any access to the TRQs. These measures deny the ability of U.S. dairy farmers, workers, and exporters to utilize the TRQs and realize the full benefits of the USMCA.



While the United States tried to resolve the matter through consultations with Canada before initiating the Dispute Settlement Panel, Canada refused to change its policies. NMPF and USDEC engaged USTR and Congress, achieving broad bipartisan support from more than 125 members of the House and Senate for bringing this matter to the USMCA Dispute Settlement Panel. There, a panel of legal experts evaluated Canadas current dairy trade policies against its commitments under USMCA and found Canada was not meeting its USMCA obligations.


The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

Today, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy co-ops in the country, applauded the work of U.S. trade officials in making the case that Canada is unfairly limiting export opportunities for Americas dairy farmers and processors.

A dispute settlement panel created last year to investigate Canadas allocation of its tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for dairy products under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) released findings that show Canada has not fulfilled its commitments.



Statement from Edge President Brody Stapel:

Edge is thankful for the persistent efforts of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in defending the USMCAs provisions and ensuring our dairy farmers see the full benefits of the agreement. When NAFTA was renegotiated and the USMCA was implemented, we were hopeful the new agreement would bring opportunities to our dairy farmer members, but that is only possible if both sides play by the rules. We are pleased to see that dispute settlement mechanisms put in place through the agreement are working, and hope that our trusted trading partner and neighbor will right the ship and come into compliance.

Background:

Under the USMCA, U.S. dairy producers were granted increased market access to Canada by way of preferential tariff rates for in-quota quantities of certain products. Less than a year after implementation of the agreement, the Biden administration requested a dispute settlement panel be established to consider Canadas failure to comply with the dairy TRQ provisions.

The panel determined that Canadas implementation of the TRQs restricted access of U.S. dairy products by setting aside quotas specifically for Canadian processors. Per the findings of the report, Canada must now come into compliance with its dairy TRQ obligations within the next month.



Document: Dispute settlement panel report
The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

A judicial ruling has determined that gruyere is a generic style of cheese that can come from anywhere. The decision reaffirms that all cheesemakers, not just those in France or Switzerland, can continue to create and market cheese under this common name.

In the judicial decision made public, the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and a coalition of other dairy stakeholders prevailed in their sustained fight to preserve the ability of all actors in the U.S. marketplace to use generic terms.

Senior Judge T. S. Ellis III of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia upheld the August 5, 2020, precedential decision of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO) Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.





Not only is this a landmark victory for American dairy farmers and cheese producers who offer gruyere, this win sets a vital precedent in the much larger, ongoing battle over food names in the United States, said Jaime Castaneda, executive director for CCFN. The European Union has tried for years to monopolize common names such as gruyere, parmesan, bologna or chateau. This verdict validates that were on the right path in our fight on behalf of American food and wine producers to preserve their ability to use long-established generic names.



According to the Courts decision, the arguments of the French and Swiss associations were insufficient and unconvincing and CCFN presented overwhelming evidence that cheese purchasers in the United States understand the term GRUYERE to be a generic term which refers to a type of cheese without restriction as to where that cheese is produced.



Meanwhile, Europe continues its aggressive and predatory efforts to confiscate names that entered the public domain decades ago. The latest attack was launched by the French and Swiss gruyere associations which had sought to register Gruyere as a certification mark in the United States, thereby enabling them to prevent use of the generic term by others in the U.S. marketplace. The USPTO determined last year that the application should be denied, in the process upholding the widespread generic use in the U.S. of the term gruyere.





French and Swiss gruyere producers already have access to the U.S. market and the use of distinctive trademark logos, noted Castaneda. In fact, the Swiss association has already registered a logo certification mark with the USPTO for Le Gruyere Switzerland AOC to help it uniquely brand Swiss gruyere. Despite this, both foreign associations appealed the USPTOs ruling to the federal court last year.



With support from USDEC and NMPF, their member companies, and non-member companies that contributed to supporting the opposition, CCFN dedicated extensive time and resources throughout the appeal process to demonstrate the extensive use of gruyere in the U.S. marketplace and persuasively argue that all cheesemakers and their customers should retain their rights to continue to produce and sell gruyere in the United States.





This is a huge victory for common sense and for hard-working manufacturers and dairy farmers, said Krysta Harden, USDEC president and CEO. When a word is used by multiple companies in multiple stores and restaurants every day for years, as gruyere has been, that word is generic, and no one owns the exclusive right to use it. We are gratified that Judge Ellis saw this straightforward situation so clearly and upheld the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Boards finding that gruyere is an established generic term.



NMPF continues to firmly oppose any attempt to monopolize generic names like gruyere and to reject blatant European market-share grabs designed to limit competition, said Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO. Todays announcement is a landmark win for American dairy farmers and the commonly named cheeses they produce and sell around the world.
Prove it.

One of this columns readers challenged me to back up my recent assertion that characteristics of some Americans could be explained by our connections to certain regions of the British Isles. I was focusing on those who are hardnosed, sometimes rebellious, resistant to direction, suspicious of people in charge, unwilling to give up individual choice to some kind of group direction.

I wrote about the ways in which our ancestors folkways still influence us and play a part in the way we act and think today, but the reader was not convinced there was a connection.

My column was sparked by Joe Kleins article in The New Yorker about a 1989 book, Albions Seed: Four British Folkways in America, by David Hackett Fischer. Klein says the book explains how the history of four centuries ago still shapes American culture and politics.

Many of the early European settlers in North Carolina were what we call Scots-Irish. But they also include emigrants from Ireland and the borderlands of Scotland and England. In these areas for more than seven centuries, there was constant fighting. People had to live in the middle of conflict. No one else was going to provide order and peace.

When they settled in North Carolina and adjoining regions, they brought that culture of violence and resistance to external control to their new homeland.

In his book Fischer writes that these emigrants came from a society of autonomous individuals who were unable to endure external control and incapable of restraining their rage against anyone who stood in the way.

He quotes one settler woman: We never let go of a belief once fixed in our minds.

So how does Fischer prove that the descendants of the early immigrants from the British border areas are still influenced by where their ancestors came from? He builds his case by detailing the folkways of British border areas and showing how they still exist in sections of America today.

One of those folkways is our way of speaking, the words and phrases we use and how we frame and sound them. He has a term for the way of speaking in our backcountry. He calls it southern highland speech and shows how it is related to the border speech in Britain.

He writes, This southern highland speech has long been very distinctive for its patterns of pronunciation. It says whar for where, thar for there, hard for hired, critter for creature, sartin for certain, a-goin for going, hit for it, he-it for hit, far for fire, deef for deaf, pizen for poison, nekkid for naked, eetch for itch, boosh for bush, wrassle for wrestle, chaney for china, chaw for chew, poosh for push, shet for shut, ba-it for bat, be-it for be, narrer for narrow, winder for window, widder for widow, and young-uns for young ones.

Sound familiar?

Once when we were living in Bristol, Tenn.-Va., deep in the Appalachian Mountains, my mother worried that her children would pick up the mountain dialect. As she explained to one of her Atlanta friends, Up here they say tar for an auto tire. And they say tire for the tar to pave a road.

Fischer concedes that the southern highland speech used in America today is not exactly the same as that spoken in Britain. But he insists that scholars agree that this language developed from the spoken language of the British border areas. It is the clear ancestor of a distinctive variety of American speech which still flourishes in the southern highlands of the United States.

Does this close language connection prove that immigrants from the British border brought not only their special speech ways to the southern highlands, but also their hard nosed rebellious attitudes?

Maybe not, but the connections are more than a little thought provoking

D.G. Martin hosted North Carolina Bookwatch, for more than 20 years. To view prior programs: https://video.pbsnc.org/show/nc-bookwatch/episodes/


The journalists from Kashmir valley lamented that they have lost a rare institution that stood by them, talked about journalistic rights, and called out the threats media in Kashmir, especially the freelancers, face.

Muhammad Raafi | TwoCircles.net

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SRINAGAR  Days after the military-style coup at the Kashmir Press Club and the subsequent shutdown of the premises by the New Delhi appointed Lieutenant Governor administration, several journalists from Kashmir expressed resentment with the administrations decision claiming that they feel like they have been evicted from their home.

Unprecedented scenes were witnessed at the KPC on Saturday (January 15) after a group of disgruntled journalists emerged at the premises and announced the take over of the Club. Prior to their takeover, a posse of paramilitary forces was deployed outside while personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police led by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kothi Bagh Police Station was deployed inside the premises.

The next day, the club was locked and the administration announced that they have revoked the allotment of the Club.

It looks like we have been evicted from our home. Press Club provided us shelter where we could sit and work even in the most difficult situations. It was also a place where we would interact with colleagues, discuss work and our personal matters, Aakash Hassan, an independent journalist based in Kashmir said.

He said it felt like a unique safe space in the increasingly threatening atmosphere we are working in.

The journalists lament that they have lost a rare institution that stood by them, talked about journalistic rights, and called out the threats the media in Kashmir, especially the freelancers, face.

Quratulain Rehbar, a freelance journalist told TwoCircles.net, I dont have a place to work. I sit in my rented accommodation and work here but in the Press Club, I would sit with my seniors and ask them suggestions about my work and share ideas.

The administration, in a statement, said, The factual position is that KPC as a registered body has ceased to exist and its managing body has come to a legal closure on 14 July 2021, the date on which its tenure came to an end.

In its failure to register itself under the central Societies of Registration Act, further compounded by its failure to hold elections to constitute a new managing body, some individuals of the erstwhile club have been committing illegalities on several counts, least of which are a false portrayal of being owner-managers of an entity which is no longer in legal vogue, the statement read.

However, on January 13, the management of the press club had announced that the re-registration process of the club was completed. The Government has communicated the same to the management last week. The club management had been waiting for this process to be complete for the last about six months. Since the process is complete now the existing management has decided to hold the elections for the new management body as mandated by the clubs registered constitution.

Soon after the announcement of elections, three journalists from the coup group proposed to the District Magistrate of Srinagar, Aijaz Asad, the nomination of the interim committee for the Kashmir Press Club.

Interestingly, the letter contended that the previous executive body attempted to seek the renewal of the registration of the said club under the new Societies Act but were refused by the Registrar of Societies as the constitution or Memorandum of Association of the club barred them from making any presentation before any authority or to apply for the renewal of the registration as they cease to continue as the executive members of the KPC.

But the club was issued a re-registration certificate by the Registrar of Societies before the circulated letter and the re-registration was canceled after the circulation of the letter on the social media platforms, on January 14.

Additionally, one of the members mentioned in the letter, Mehraj-ud-din of the Associated Press (AP) expressed surprise at his inclusion in the letter without his knowledge. The letter said that Mehraj would be treasurer of the interim body.

The statement from the administration further said that takeover by an interim body is rendered infructuous since the original KPC itself has ceased to exist as a registered body. In these circumstances, issuing of notices and communication by any group using the rubric of erstwhile Kashmir Press Club is illegal.

Justifying its action, the administration said, In view of this aspect of the dispute and in view of the reports on social media and other sources indicating a potential law and order situation, including a threat of breach of peace and the safety of bonafide journalists, an intervention has become necessary.

The series of events including cancellation of the allotment has riled up the journalist community in the volatile region which has condemned the move with some calling it abrogation of Kashmir Press Club, a euphemistic reference to the abrogation of Article 370 vis a vis J&K.

Majid Maqbool, another independent journalist based in Kashmir, who is also a member of the Kashmir Press Club, said the closure of the club, which appeared to have been done in a planned manner following an armed coup by a few state-backed journalists, is a big loss for the journalistic fraternity in Kashmir, especially for independent journalists.

We could often meet and chat there (at KPC), and exchange ideas and learn from each other and also interact with other visiting journalists from outside Kashmir, Maqbool said.

He said it was also a place where the journalists would get to know about the latest news. It was also a body we looked up to for support and solidarity in case of any trouble and harassment from the authorities. The forcible takeover and closure of the space have also deprived young journalists a learning and interactive space where they would get to know their colleagues and learn from senior journalists in an informal setting.

Muhammad Raafi is a journalist based in Kashmir. He tweets at @MohammadRaafi
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Ukraine with a visit, CNN journalist Jennifer Hansler said.

"Secretary Blinken has arrived in Kyiv," Hansler said on Twitter, illustrating a message with a photo of the Secretary of State, descending from the plane's ladder.

Later, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine confirmed information on the arrival of the Secretary of State to Ukraine.

"Welcome back to Kyiv, Secretary Blinken!" the Embassy said on Twitter illustrating its message with a video of his arrival and a meeting of the Secretary of State at the airport.

Earlier, the State Department announced that from January 18 to January 20, Blinken is scheduled to visit Ukraine. On January 19, he has negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Head of Foreign Ministry Dmytro Kuleba.

As expected, on January 20, Blinken will go to Berlin, where he has a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and on January 21, he will meet with head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov in Geneva (Switzerland).
The United States and allies will act in a coordinated and purposeful manner so that Russia feels the consequences of aggression, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.

"We have been working intensively both within the U.S. government and in very closed coordination with European allies and partners very importantly to come forward and put forward together a comprehensive set of sanctions that as we have said include things we have not done in the past, including in 2014. And as it is being made clear not just by us, but by the G7, by the EU and by NATO. We have massive consequences for Russia if it engages in further aggression against Ukraine," Blinken said at a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on Wednesday, answering a question from Interfax-Ukraine.

According to the official, this will include financial, economic and export control components.

"We are working not only in close consultations with European countries and institutions, but also in place where should it come to that and I hope it does not but should it come to that we will act strongly, in a coordinated manner to impose those consequences on Russia," Blinken said.
There's a new name in the security market. Trellix focusses on extended detection and response, and brings together two familiar companies.

Trellix is the result of the merger of McAfee Enterprise and FireEye under the ownership of Symphony Technology Group (STG), which was announced in October 2021.

"We are incredibly excited to have Trellix in the STG portfolio," said STG managing partner William Chisholm.

"Customers can expect Trellix's living security platform to deliver bold innovation across the XDR market."

According to the company, the name Trellix is supposed to evoke the idea of a trellis  "a strong and safe framework used to support structured growth of climbing plants and trees."

Trellix CEO Bryan Palma said "As today's organisations push to achieve digital transformation, a strong security foundation is required to ensure continued innovation, growth and resiliency.

"Trellix's XDR platform protects our customers as we bring security to life with automation, machine learning, extensible architecture, and threat intelligence."

Trellix APAC vice president Craig Nielsen told iTWIre that the integration of McAfee and FireEye products is moving ahead, and a roadmap will appear in the coming weeks or months.

"We've been working on this for a very long time," he said.

Nielsen noted that organisations' reliance on "static and siloed security" is not protecting them against the sophistication, severity, scale and frequency of today's cyber attacks.

Security systems need to be able to adapt, learn and respond to attacks, taking advantage of internal and external threat intelligence.

Trellix's XDR ecosystem has the capability to ingest over six hundred native and open security technologies, and the comprehensive threat context it delivers means analysts can save time and act decisively to remediate threats.

This open XDR platform means Trellix can "meet [customers] where they are," Nielsen said.

The combination of telemetry from multiple control points, threat intelligence (from the company's 900 analysts and researchers), artificial intelligence and data science "allows customers to take highly contextual action" to detect breaches, prioritise them, prescribe the appropriate action, and then remediate the situation using as much automation as possible, he explained.

Nielsen said he had recently spoken to the CIOs of three substantial Australian organisations, and they all said they were struggling to cope with the number of alerts and the number of cases their teams have to deal with, and they want to be sure their resources are being applied to the areas that present the greatest risk. Automation helps ensure that happens, he said.

Local organisational changes at Trellix have only just begun, with Nielsen leading the Australian business as part of his responsibilities.

The next layer of the former McAfee and FireEye teams will be reorganised in the months ahead, but "the intent is to move as quickly as possible," he said.

It sounds as if there will be little impact on the existing channels.

"Trellix has a strong channel DNS," said Nielsen, noting that the overlap between the two companies' channels is only 30% or so.

All existing channel programs will be available to partners on both sides until Trellix unifies its programs later this year.

The goal is that the transition from McAfee and FireEye to Trellix should be "almost invisible" to customers and partners.

The two companies have seen good growth in Australia in the past year, and Nielsen expects that to continue. "We want to grow faster than market... and we think we're in a good position to do so."

There's plenty of room for growth, he said, because according to Gartner there is only 5% penetration of the XDR market.

In related news, STG is expected to launch the McAfee Enterprise secure service edge (SSE) portfolio as a separate business later this quarter, inclusive of cloud access security broker (CASB), secure web gateway (SWG) and zero trust network access (ZTNA).
A day after Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced his Republican candidacy for governor, his campaign rolled out dozens of endorsements led by Illinois House GOP leader Jim Durkin, making Irvin the establishment candidate for the nomination.

Irvin, the first Black mayor of Illinois second largest city, was the fifth candidate to announce a bid for the GOP governor nomination in the June 28 primary, with the winner gaining the right to take on first-term Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the Nov. 8 general election.

On Tuesday, as it filed his statement of candidacy, Irvins campaign issued a list of 60 endorsements from a wide spectrum of Republicans including Durkin and former Downstate GOP Rep. John Shimkus of Collinsville, Illinois Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter, former state GOP Chair Tim Schneider, former U.S. Ambassador and GOP financier Ron Gidwitz, as well as several individual members of the legislature and the Republican State Central Committee.

Irvin heads a slate assembled to attract backing from Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of investment firm Citadel and the states wealthiest person. Griffin has pledged to go all in against Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, and said in a statement on Monday that he was excited about Irvins entry into the race.

A link to Griffin is important to Durkin, who heads the 45-member GOP minority against the 73-member Democratic majority in the Illinois House and is looking for Griffins financial help to win down-ballot House seats against Democrats expected to get cash from Pritzker.

State Rep. Avery Bourne of Morrisonville, a member of Durkins leadership team, is Irvins candidate for lieutenant governor.

In a statement Durkin touted Irvins credentials as a former assistant states attorney in Cook and Kane counties, echoing on the candidates own law-and-order focus in his announcement.

Richard Irvin was a prosecutor who knows what it takes to make Illinois safe. As Mayor, Richard hired more cops and stood proudly with law enforcement when Illinois Democrats repeatedly turned their backs. Thats the kind of leadership we need today in Illinois, Durkin said.

In his announcement, Irvin touted efforts to increase police funding in Aurora, adding, Defund the police is dumb, dangerous and it costs lives. And I believe that all lives matter. Every family should be safe.

All lives matter has become a phrase associated with conservatives supporting police and attacking the Black Lives Matter movement that grew out of incidents of police violence. In Irvins announcement video, the phrase appears as a graphic, as does Back the Blue.

But in a candidate questionnaire for his reelection campaign as mayor in March of last year, Irvin gave an unqualified endorsement of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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I support Black Lives Matter strongly and passionately. I am supportive and proud of the peaceful demonstration throughout this past summer in response to the murder of George Floyd, Jacob Blake, Breonna Taylor and many others, Irvin was quoted as saying.

Politics, especially racial politics, are rarely easy but I believe this past summer was a wake-up call to America and we continue you that momentum going to create substantive change, he said.

Almost a year earlier, Ervin had announced a four-part plan to increase police accountability and require more citizen oversight over law enforcement.

Asked to explain Irvins evolution in thinking on the issue, his campaign had no immediate comment.

Irvins attempt to become the first major party Black nominee for Illinois governor is aimed at drawing to the GOP disaffected Black voters who traditionally vote overwhelmingly Democratic. But his announcement, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, drew criticism from the Democratic leaders of the Legislative Black Caucus.

In a statement, the caucus leaders accused Irvin of co-opting a day of great significance.

On a day dedicated to service, equality and protection of those on the margins of society, the Republican Party has shown their shallow opportunism takes no days off. We have no interest in reverting, retreating or going backward. In Illinois, Black Lives Matter today, tomorrow and every day, the statement said.

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A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a Pilot Mountain woman who took her 14-year-old son into the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, wont have to be on probation after she serves her three months in prison.

Virginia Marie Spencer, 38, pleaded guilty on Sept. 9, 2021, to a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a federal building.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced Spencer on Jan. 7 to three months in prison followed by three years of probation and ordered her to pay $500 in restitution. But Spencers attorney, Allen H. Orenberg, filed court papers saying that Kollar-Kotelly didnt have the authority to sentence Spencer to both prison and probation.

Orenberg argued that was because Spencer pleaded guilty to what is legally defined as a petty offense.

In a ruling Wednesday, Kollar-Kotelly essentially agreed and ordered that Spencer only be sentenced to three months in prison. Spencer will not be required to serve probation once she is released.

Prosecutors allege that Virginia Spencer and her husband, Christopher Spencer, went to a rally on Jan. 6, 2021, where former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the election was stolen from him through fraud. Theres no evidence for this claim. On this day, hundreds of people stormed the U.S. Capitol building in an effort to stop the U.S. Congress from certifying the presidential election that President Joe Biden won.

Rioters assaulted 139 law-enforcement officers and caused $1.5 million in damages to the Capitol building, including broken windows.

Federal prosecutors allege that the Spencers took their 14-year-old son into the Capitol building and stayed there for more than 30 minutes, joining at least three different groups of people. Christopher Spencer, who faces similar pending charges, livestreamed himself in the Capitol on Facebook, and Virginia Spencer took selfies with her phone, prosecutors said.

The couple was part of a group that overwhelmed law-enforcement officers near the Crypt, a large circular room underneath the rotunda. Then they briefly entered the suite of offices belonging to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before turning away, prosecutors said.

Kollar-Kotelly told Spencer at the Jan. 7 sentencing that she could not comprehend why Virginia Spencer would bring her son into the Capitol where a violent confrontation was taking place.

Spencer is scheduled to turn herself into federal prison by Feb. 25.

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The state released last week its long-awaited Olmstead plan for placing at least 3,000 qualified behavioral health individuals into independent housing and securing their proper economic and health status once there.

Eligible to participate are people living in adult-care homes whose symptoms have been diagnosed as a serious and persistent mental illness, or those who have been in treatment for more than 90 days at a state hospital.

The publicly funded plan covers 2022 and 2023. A draft of the plan was released in October and was subject to public comment.

The goal has been to assist eligible individuals in residing in and experiencing the full benefit of being part of day-to-day life in communities alongside those without disabilities.

The plan outlines an approach to the array of services and supports vital to community living.

Access to housing, employment, home and community-based services and other supports are addressed.

The Olmstead Plan captures our departments total commitment to build toward the vision in which every North Carolinian can live, work and thrive in their communities, state Health Secretary Kody Kinsley said in a statement.

Background

The Olmstead plan is part of a court-ordered settlement spurred by claims made by Disability Rights NC in November 2010 that the state was violating the federal Americans with Disabilities Act by placing individuals with mental illness into adult-care homes.

In 2012, the U.S. Justice Department ordered North Carolina to begin comply with the Olmstead agreement.

After five years of very limited DHHS progress under the McCrory administration, Justice officials asked a federal judge in January 2017 to compel North Carolina to meet the settlement requirements.

The Cooper administrations DHHS had taken enough steps forward with compliance that by April 2021, U.S. Justice officials gave North Carolina until June 30, 2023 to complete the transition initiative.

Justice officials said the extra two years will allow North Carolina to substantially comply with other obligations in this comprehensive agreement, such as improving community-based mental health services, supported employment, transition and discharge processes, and its quality assurance and performance improvement system.

DHHS said that as of Sept. 30, there have been 3,002 placements with the assistance of the states seven behavioral health managed care organizations, such as Partners Health Management in Davie, Forsyth, Surry and Yadkin counties.

COVID-19 has stymied our work in one population group  those living in adult care Homes, due to restrictions on visitation and outbreaks in some of those homes, DHHS said in an October 2021 statement.

However, we are above our numbers for the other priority populations, including supporting independent living by reducing the number of people entering adult care homes and increasing the number of people discharged from state psychiatric hospitals.

DHHS said the number of people who might have previously entered an adult care home who we have helped live independently now exceeds the number of those who enter adult care homes.

In addition, we are transitioning 20% of all people discharged from state hospitals into housing with supports in communities of their choice.

Measurable targets

The settlement is measured through six thresholds: supported housing; supported employment; discharge and transition planning; quality assurance and performance improvement; pre-admission screening and diversion; and community-based mental health services.

DHHS said the first phase of the plan focuses on a strategic framework with measurable targets for 2022 and 2023, including:

* Strengthen alternatives for community inclusion for individuals and families through increased access to home and community-based services and supports.

* Implement strategies to recruit, train and retain the frontline staff that provides daily services that allow people to live, work and thrive in their communities.

* Transition people to more independent living situations from institutional and segregated settings and provide needed supports in the community for individuals who are at risk of entering these settings.

* Increase opportunities for supported education and pre-employment transition services for youth, as well as competitive integrated employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.

* Address disparities in access to services.

* Increase input to public policymaking from families and individuals with lived experience.

* Use data for making quality improvements in the provision of services.

A new Olmstead Plan Stakeholder Advisory group will be formed to monitor and assess the progress and outcomes of the plan. This will include evaluation reports, integration with departmental strategic plans and alignment with other relevant entities.

In January 2018, state regulators disclosed potential penalties for the behavioral health MCOs if they fail to meet new standards.

For not achieving annual full performance standard in placing eligible and qualified behavioral health residents into community housing, the fines would be $600,000 annually.

Setbacks

There have been setbacks related to the overall initiative.

There were 116 participants who experienced a significant physical or behavioral health episode, threat of physical or mental harm, including sexual assault, or died during fiscal 2018-19, including 28 in the Cardinal Innovations network that covered six Triad counties until late 2021.

Some deaths occurred because of natural causes and terminal illness. Some incidents led to what DHHS called permanent physical or psychological impairment.

Some individuals were suspended and/or expelled from participating.

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One bright, unseasonably warm morning over the holidays  dont ask which, as most days breakfast is but a fond and vague memory  a handful of visitors stood on the overlook at Quarry Park.

Views to the north and the west, as is the norm on clear days, were magnificent. In the foreground, sunlight gleamed off the sides of the tall (for us) buildings downtown.

Off in the distance, the Sauratown Mountains served as a fitting backdrop because some of the rock mined from the quarry below was used during the Great Depression to build the boat house at Hanging Rock State Park.

To get to that vista, our guests had to walk past (and ignore) once-pristine walls recently disfigured by slashes of black spray paint, Sharpie autographs, phone numbers and what looked to be a crude depiction of the male anatomy.

Shame, said one of the visitors as he walked past another man who was using a phone to record the mess.

Succinct, accurate and a sentiment shared at City Hall, too.

Its just something we deal with, said William Royston, the director of the citys Recreation and Parks Department, after letting loose with a very audible sigh. Vandalism just wont go away and its just gotten worse.

Obvious exasperation

For those of you whove reached a certain age, Roystons exasperation sounds a lot like a frustrated and disappointed parent whos just been informed that junior used his crayolas to redecorate living room walls.

We just cant have anything nice.

Could anyone blame him for being frustrated?

The city  and by that we mean taxpayers who voted in favor of bond packages in 2014 and again in 18  has laid out some $61 million in bonds to upgrade, overhaul and add to the citys park system.

Quarry Park, in particular, was billed as a crown jewel. It opened to rave reviews in 2017 and quickly took its place near the top of the most visited spots in the park system.

Along with it came an anticipated consequence. Miscreants, gangs (real and aspiring), moved in to start tagging.

We have vandalism all year long, all the time, Royston said. It doesnt matter where (a park) is located or what neighborhood its in. They all get hit.

Its so nefarious that city officials budget for clean-up. Other city departments, Forsyth County and the school system do, too.

And for whatever reason  COVID boredom? Increased gang activity?  it has only gotten worse.

We just cant have anything nice.

In fact, Recreation and Parks has in six months blown through the entire $22,000 budget it set aside for the entire years clean-up bill. Its not much  couch money in a city this size  but it adds up and occupies the time of maintenance workers who surely have other, more important tasks.

At Quarry Park, the centerpiece of this most recent spate was painted by the Southside Sur 13, either a derivative or knock-off of the MS-13 (Surenos) gang.

Unlike brightly colored tag art  typically polychromatic paints, bubble letters and an actual artistic design often found on bridges and overpasses  the graffiti at Quarry Park looks to be mostly the work of gangs as its a single color, slashing and done in haste.

(Notable examples include black for Surenos/Sur 13, red for Bloods and blue for Crips.)

Its not necessarily territory, said Sgt. Tyler Walley, of the Winston-Salem Police Departments gang unit, a few years back when the city still trusted its officers to speak for themselves. Sometimes its just them wanting to promote their gang.  Its pretty primitive. Theyre doing it super fast, under a minute, so its difficult to catch them.

Thats nothing new to those charged with cleaning it up.

Totally trashed it

The same day Royston was asked about Quarry Park, a weekday right after the New Year, the director had another mess on his hands.

Someone, probably multiple someones, had broken into the Little Creek Recreation Center, flipped office furniture, tossed the contents of file cabinets and smashed glass. Totally trashed it, Royston said.

Oh and by the way, in case youve recently been to Quarry Park and wondered why the restrooms were closed and temporarily replaced by a Port-a-can, the blame for that falls on vandals, too. Mirrors, fixtures and energy efficient lighting destroyed in an instant.

We just cant have anything nice.

The community invested $60 million in parks, Royston said. It got more people out, but it also attracted people who want to tear things up. Its tough.

In the last bond vote, the recreation and parks department did use a small portion of the money to buy security cameras.

Thats helped some, Royston said, as hes been subpoenaed twice in the last six months for court cases related to acts of vandalism. The city also employs two park rangers, but they can only do so much.

At best, cameras and a pair of rangers are but a proverbial finger in a graffiti-defiled dam. Some cities have taken to limiting the sale of spray paint and investing in graffiti-proof surfaces and wall coverings.

Building things and then paying again and again and again to constantly clean them up, it would seem, is just a fixed cost.

Until those few people (who do it) make a decision to take pride in the city where we all live, work and play, its just something we have to deal with, Royston said.

We just cant have anything nice.

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The Triad is expected to escape the worst of North Carolinas third winter storm of 2022, forecasters said Wednesday.

That likely is welcome news for Winston-Salem residents still stuck at home because their slick side streets remain impassable after last weekends storm dumped 4 inches of snow and ice on the area.

Road conditions still arent good enough for students to return to school, prompting Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to cancel classes for Thursday  the third straight day.

That means students and staff will have the entire week off. The school system was closed for the Martin Luther King Jr., holiday on Monday, and Friday is an already scheduled teacher workday.

Despite being short-staffed because of employee vacancies and absences due to COVID-19, crews with the city of Winston-Salem finished clearing major roads Tuesday night and continue to work on collector streets, city spokesman Randy Britton said Wednesday.

Equipment began moving into neighborhoods to tackle side streets Wednesday, which could lead to a little initial inconvenience for some residents, he added.

Accumulated snow turned into thick ice as it repeatedly thawed with above-freezing temperatures and sunshine during the day, then refroze overnight. As city crews move through residential areas, plows will break up that ice and push the chunks toward the curb.

Theyre going to be blocking driveways, Britton warned. Its an effect of clearing neighborhood streets, one we cant stop from happening. We apologize, but its necessary to treat those streets.

Fall leaves left at the curb but not yet collected could also end up back in yards and on driveways, he added.

Britton urged residents to park off the street whenever possible so crews spreading salt and plowing have full access.

The city announced it will resume garbage service Thursday starting with residents whose collections were canceled Tuesday and Wednesday. The Tuesday routes will be run first, and any Wednesday routes not collected Thursday will be collected Friday.

Sanitation officials will assess progress Thursday before announcing plans for Thursday and Friday garbage routes, the city added.

Outside the city, state crews have cleared all interstates and primary roads in the area, along with 90% of secondary roads, said N.C. Department of Transportation spokesman Marcus Thompson.

They are still touching up areas where the ice is packed, he added.

Cold snap

While earlier predictions called for an additional 2-5 inches of snow for Friday in the Triad, the National Weather Service adjusted its forecast Wednesday afternoon and said the area likely would get little more than a dusting and some light freezing rain.

Areas southeast of the Triad now are expected to get the worst of the wintry weather.

What hasnt changed is the deep freeze expected to grip the area after an Arctic cold front moves in Thursday.

After reaching the mid-50s Wednesday and an expected high in the low-40s Thursday, temperatures will plunge into the low-20s Thursday night and remain below 30 on Friday, according to the weather service. Wind gusts as high as 18 mph Friday will lead to wind-chill factors as low as 15 degrees.

Nightly lows for Friday through Sunday will be in the teens, with daytime highs in the mid-30s Saturday and in the low-40s Sunday and Monday.

Light rain is possible late Thursday, and there is a 50% chance of light snow and periods of freezing drizzle Friday and Friday night, the weather service said. Total accumulations of an inch or less are expected.

Sunny skies are forecast for the weekend and into the middle of next week.

John Deem covers climate change and the environment in the Triad and Northwest North Carolina. His work is funded by a grant from the 1Earth Fund and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. 336-727-7204 Journal reporter Lisa ODonnell contributed to this story.

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